norman.ho

1# vandas

It seems most of the mods have gone for a long vacation.

As the saying goes:

"When the cat's away,
Mouse do play :)"


Now everything goes:)


Vanda is one nice moderator who I know very little.  
I think we first crossed path when chatting at the Lemon Cafe.  
I found her to be very pleasant, polite, rational,
genuine and caring.  (What more can I say?)

Then it was here that I got to know her better,
it definitely confirmed all the previous impression.  
Adding that her posts were always well researched, informative
and factual.

It's taken me a while to realize this was her valedictory post.  
I was so slow this time!
But Vanda, you left without saying a proper goodbye,
that made me sad, you made me mad.

Beleive me, I have gone through all these emotions for the pass 8 weeks.

Doubt - Was she just taking a short leave,
        or is she leaving this forum for good aka TVBOXNOW?

Frustration -  Is she coming back? When is she coming back!?  
               I waited, waited and I am still waiting!

Anger - She was such a good moderator,
        Who the hell was it that upset her so much
        that she would leave without giving us a proper goodbye.  
        Who was it? How dare?

Denial -  No, no she was just taking a nice vacation,
          she would be back soon.

Acceptance - Its been two months now,
             still no sign of her anywhere ever.  
             She has left for sure.  
             I am leaving too.


So here you are, one nice moderator that I know very little, ... gone.
I know why she chose the nom de plume of "Vanda" though,
a very elegant chioce.

This is the "Vanda" that I learned to know:

Wanda blau:


Vanda denisoniana:


Vanda pachara delight:


Vanda coerulea Vanda Blue:


Vanda hindsii is the only Australian Vanda species, also comes from Papua New Guinea.



It's mid winter here, it's pretty mild compared to Vancouver.
To bid you farewell, I am posting this last bouquet of roses of the season that I have just collected from my rosy patch.
They are not as vivid as when it was summer, but they are still nice.  Hope you like them.





And I can't leave without posting a couple of very nice songs:


Ne me quitte pas.

A highly emotional and sad french song,
the English version had been performed by many famous artists
including Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond and Madonna and many more.

This one was sung by the beautiful Spanish vocalist Silvia Perez Cruz
accompanied by flamenco guitar:

I prefer the original french lyric,
not because I a snob or a show off,
I do find it a lot more genuine,
sincere and very touching.
  
You try looking up the proper English translation,
and I would guarantee your eyes be filled with tears.




And I would borrow a phrase from the Mid Summer Night's Dream:

"Thus This be ends:
  Adieu, adieu, ....
              adieu”






Is it my imagination? I think I heard a Meow:)