"World Chocolate Wonderland" - I wish I was there!

Taken from IOL: 

Beijing - Thousands of Chinese on Friday flocked to a new chocolate theme park, gobbling the sweet treat and savouring the visual feast of replicas of the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army and even a sleek BMW.

Organisers are hoping that Beijing's "World Chocolate Wonderland", on the Olympic Green near the Bird's Nest Stadium, will boost the chocolate market in China, where the candy is not as popular as it is in Western countries.

"Hmmm!" exclaimed Dai Qing, a 20-year-old student, as she watched an expert make designs out of chocolate.

"I love eating chocolate, so I wanted to see the process of making it and to understand the chocolate culture," she said.

The 20,000-square-metre venue includes three halls full of exhibits and demonstrations, all temperature-controlled to keep the elaborate replicas - safely behind huge glass panes - from melting.

Long queues of people milled past the cocoa terracotta warriors - both life-size and a miniature army - the car, and a 10-metre-long model of the Great Wall.

One exhibit was dedicated to sport, with a chocolate basketball player soaring towards the hoop. The BMW, located in the same hall, attracted huge attention.

According to a report in the official China Daily newspaper, 10 craftsmen needed four tons of chocolate and six months to make the car.

In another display, a huge array of chocolate fountains sent 1.5 tons of the smooth, dark liquid spilling in various directions - recalling Roald Dahl's beloved book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".

"The break sound of the deluxe chocolate is clear and crisp, and the break line is straight," said one explanatory panel on the chocolate knowledge wall.

In the courtyard outside, techno music blared out as two clowns performed tricks with audience members on a stage, a bouncy castle stood - empty - and people dressed in chocolate-coloured costumes milled around.

Back inside, employees shouted "move forward" at regular intervals as more and more people - mostly students on holiday - filed past exhibits detailing chocolate traditions in countries such as France, Switzerland and Belgium.

The exhibit that attracted most people was the building devoted to candy, which housed interactive games and displays allowing customers to experience different sweet flavours from around the world.

At the entrance - where tickets cost a steep 80 yuan ($12), a high price for the average Chinese consumer - men dressed in purple cloaks and pointed hats welcomed visitors.

"It's great but the entrance fee is expensive, especially for students," said 21-year-old Liang Miao.

"I think this is going to be popular for a short period of time but not in the long term. It's right next to the Bird's Nest, and for 80 yuan, people would rather go there than here."

Organisers hope to attract one million visitors to the park before it closes in April, when the weather will begin to get too warm. It will then reopen next January, with all-new displays. - AFP

On Post Secret

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Sorry chocolate, I have another vice!

Popcorn. Don't you just love it? It is one of those happy foods that always always puts a smile on my face. I can have it a couple of times a week. And it is sold here at work! :) I am weak so I succumb to my temptation regularly. I only hate those crumbs at the bottom of the packet that becomes small, hard-to-pick-up bits! It is then I want to do the unladylike thing, open my mouth wide and pour the crumbs in. Knowing my luck, a rogue grain will make me choke! Hmm... wonder if any of my colleagues know the Heimlich, or will I end up blue in the face and look like an Avatar on my deathbed?!

* Stop rambling Prixie and go back to work! *

Is the isolation ward all that is available?

I recently read a book where one of the characters needed to escape from a bad patch in her life, so she came to South Africa (SA). When another character asked why SA, she replied along the lines of: "Because it was the furthest place I could think of."

And I am feeling very very far way from the rest of the world. This sense of isolation is gnawing away at me. I feel stuck here, what I think of as the arse end of the world. My flight instinct is overwhelming my fight instinct.

Can someone point out the oxygen to me?

As my body clamps down in shock, my lungs forget how to breathe and my brains struggles to make sense of non-sense.

Resolutions - twisted and sick

It is hard to not thing about the new year without new beginnings. Hence resolutions. But they're all about self improvement and blah, blah, blah... I have been tagged to do a deliciously devilish version of resolutions by Standbymind. It is certainly thinking out of the box:

1. I would pack up and leave, start an entire new existence, besides keeping in touch with a few soul mates.

2. Practice the craft.

3. Lock the Family Unit up in a room so they can actually communicate, or start to.

4. If I could get over my fear of drugs - I would be curious to know it's effects.

5. I would like to beat the hell out of some people, till they get some sense knocked into them. (I am usually a non-violent person)

So, who is up to the challenge to expose some of their darkest thoughts?

Something ends

And so it ends. I have decided to step away from S.O so I am able to think, reassess and re-evaluate the relationship. There really was no point in being miserable...together. I am not sure where my path will lead, or whether we will still have a joint path. There are so many questions, so many emotions and its feels like I am being swept away. I wish I could go numb.

It's time to party like its... MMX*

A decade ago (or almost a decade ago, depending where you're coming from) I completed my last year of high school. It is difficult to grasp the concept of time passing at such a rate!

Do I feel the need to vent, reflect, cry out of joy and sadness? You can betcha your last Rand, or Dollar or Pound...

I certainly see a different person in the mirror compared to 2000. Most of my dreams - I have accomplished. The Plan involved strategically working towards them and suddenly, there I was living the dream, having the best of times life can offer.

Finding the S.O has never been part of The Plan. Then Life, with its bitchy mood swings, sees fit to throw a curve ball. And so The Plan looks very different to what I had always pictured. I certainly think S.O is in my life for a reason, but I cannot understand anything as yet.

And now it is all about survival, with a smile.

Hope MMX is as wonderful as wonderful can get for each and every one of you!

*MMX (roman numerals) = 2010

I know this post has been, erm, vague, but I fear the torrent of tears, while at my work desk, if details are mentioned.

When the world turns on it's head

This holiday season, if you want peace and quiet:

1. Go to work

2. Avoid shopping malls

3. Stay-cations* in big cities

4. If you do not have kids, treat them as if they are the bubonic plague

And then sigh serenely...

Blessed be every single one of you!

*staying at home, not going on a holiday but not at work.

On Post Secret

I found this on Post Secret today. So, besides a few quirky friends and erm, bloggers, there are other people like me out there. I feel less of a loner somehow. *big sheepish grin*

Damsel in much distress

Yesterday, as usual, I rushed to my car after work. I put the key in the ignition and...nothing. I tried a couple of times but to no avail. I then realised I had left the headlights on for the entire day! MERDE! And DAMN! And every other profanity that will put a trucker to shame! Naturally the battery died. I needed it to be jump started so I called The Sister Person and the Brother-in-law Person because they stay up the road.

By the time they reached my office park, they could not get into the parking lot because there was so MUCH traffic to get out and all the lanes were blocked. Eventually I got 2 security guards to assist me and out of nowhere, these 4 construction guys started to help them. I was mortified and absolutely embarrassed, turning every shade of red and pink known to man, and a few new shades I am sure! They also tried to push start the car, but it did not work. The battery was deader than dead. I think it was already putrefying. One of the security guards then escorted The Sister Person's car against the traffic so the cables could be attached to their battery so mine could charge. It took half an hour to do that then another 45 minutes to GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. I eventually stayed at The Sister Person's place, being too tired to drive home.

I hope to find those who helped me and perhaps buy them something to show my gratitude.

I know this tale of misadventure made lots of people laugh yesterday, so maybe you can find a few chuckles too. At my expense, of course.

Oi... *another few new shades on pink and red on my cheeks*

Nostalgicating

M2 is here from London for a visit. We were housemates there. We had a great time of shopping, chatting, eating, having ice cream, sitting in parks, museums and so on. Being together again reminded us both of what a great time we had in our house and how lucky we were to have housemates that were more like family. In a text message received today, she said: "I feel like in the old days when we lived together in peace and harmony. :)" Yes, me too. And it left me both yearning and rejuvenated.

I loved this quote!

"It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English - up to fifty words used in correct context - no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese." - Carl Sagan

Anyone up to learn a new language?! I know I am...

How I missed it

The best part of this unbearable heat? The fierce summer thunderstorms! I missed how the parched earth is so refreshed after the heavens burst. I missed the lightening leaving me in awe. I missed the melody of the water rushing out of the gutter next to my bedroom window. It has got to be thee best lullaby.