brain dead.

Okay, 3rd week into my １ｓｔ　semester, I must admit that my brain is being worked like never before.. :x

My brain is "dead" at the end of every Monday and Saturday due to the classes that I'm attending on those days.. while on the other days, I'll force myself to go to the library to get all my readings done, which means that at the end of those days, my brain is pretty "worn-out" too... :x :x

Thus at the end of the day, I could only watch TV or do some light readings like novels.. If I have translation projects to do, like I do now, I would try to do it before my readings.. before my brain "hangs"... 

Another thing, I kept getting hungry throughout the day.. especially at the end of the day when I get back from school.. again, this might be due to the overexertion of my brain or the temperature drop due to the changing of seasons here.. luckily, I am staying at a very convenient place where I can get food fairly easily, with a 7-11 convenient store less than 3 minutes away.. anyway, I'm well stocked with dark chocolates, nuts and raisins.. :p

Yet, despite all these, I don't feel exasperated or frustrated.. in fact, I look forward to every day!  of course, there is some aspects of this that I don't fancy, like presentation, but these are just minor "irritants"... The fact remains that I can't wait to read and learn more everyday.. :)　 :)　 :)　:)



p/s: please forgive my poor grammar as my brain is kinda "mushy" right now...

Sunday Serenade: here I am

Dedicating this not-so-new but nice and sentimental song to all those whom I considered friends.. you know who you are.. :)



Here I Am
performed by Leona Lewis

This is a crazy world
These can be lonely days
It's hard to know who's on your side
Most of the time

Who can you really trust
Who do you really know
Is there anybody out there
Who can make you feel less alone
Sometimes you just can't make it on your own

If you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am, hmmm

If you have broken dreams
Just lay them all on me
I'll be the one who understands
So take my hand

If there is emptiness
You know I'll do my best
To fill you up with all the love
That I can show someone
I promise you you'll never walk alone

Well if you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
Well I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am, Oooooo

Everybody needs somebody who
They can pour their heart and soul into

Well if you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need a shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am, Here I am, mmmmmm




Have a great week ahead!! Be safe and stay healthy!!

Poetry Solace: Of distance, interior and inventory

Works of an American poet, Dorothy Parker.. more playful and witty..

Distance

Were you to cross the world, my dear,

To work or love or fight,

I could be calm and wistful here,

And close my eyes at night.

It were a sweet and gallant pain

To be a sea apart;

But, oh, to have you down the lane

Is bitter to my heart.

Interior

Her mind lives in a quiet room,

A narrow room, and tall,

With pretty lamps to quench the gloom

And mottoes on the wall.

There all the things are waxen neat

And set in decorous lines;

And there are posies, round and sweet,

And little, straightened vines.

Her mind lives tidily, apart

From cold and noise and pain,

And bolts the door against her heart,

Out wailing in the rain.

Inventory

Four be the things I am wiser to know:

Idleness, sorrow, a friend, and a foe.

Four be the things I’d been better without:

Love, curiosity, freckles, and doubt.

Three be the things I shall never attain:

Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.

Three be the things I shall have till I die:

Laughter and hope and a sock in the eye.


Have a great weekend!!

buzi-ness starts

My busy days have just started...

I will have a 8-hour school day on Mondays, starting from 9am and ending at 5pm, with two 3-hour classes,  one 2-hour seminar and an hour for lunch.. Wednesdays will be from 9am to 12pm.. no classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.. Then on Saturdays, I will need to commute more than an hour to my university's campus in downtown for my 3-hour class at 1pm..

With lots of readings (academic papers/journals, text books, and fiction/non-fiction books that I wanna read for my own pleasure) and writings to do, my time is pretty packed.. then add to the fact that I need to support myself this time, my part-time jobs (aka my freelance translations and a 2-hour weekly school admin duty) will take up whatever free time that I've left... and being a die-hard TV addict, I can't help but to try to squeeze in and watch dramas that I've been following for so long, as and when I can.

So the most likely outcome of this busyness - neglecting this blog and cutting back on sleep... :x

Of course, I will try to write as often as possible since this blog is a way for me to keep those who care informed of what I'm doing.. in future, there may not be many long articles but I will do my utmost to post short updates regularly.. as for sleep, well, I think it is time to be "frugal" and have "just enough", instead of  "as much as possible".. :p

Yet with all these busyness and monetary worries, I've never felt more alive.. engaged.. and upbeat.. definitely a good sign, no?? :) ;) :)

Sunday Serenade: never alone

This song by Lady Antebellum brings out a warm feeling in me..

May no one ever have to be alone...

Never Alone
featuring Jim Brickman

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when it's time to go home
May you always have plenty
Your glass never empty
Know in your belly
You're never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
With every year passing
They mean more than gold
May you win but stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone

[chorus]
Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone
[end of chorus]

Well, I have to be honest
As much as I want it
I'm not gonna promise the cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fear surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

[chorus]

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when it's time to go home
And when hard times have found you
And your fear surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone



Have a great week ahead! Stay safe and cheery!

different traditions

Yesterday was Mid-Autumn Festival, 15th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar.. and there was a very interesting event that happened at the alley where I'm staying..

Around 10.45am, I heard some loud percussion and I kinda stuck my head out from my 5th floor room and saw a long lines of small trucks that was decorated in flowers.... so I took out my camera and start snapping....

Shop owners and tenants have set up prayer tables, lined with moon cakes and fruits.. they were all holding joss sticks, praying and offering joss sticks to the truck passing by..

offering joss sticks..

a different truck..

There are different types of trucks.. some as shown above, while a few were carrying group of percussion players like this one below...

a percussion truck

Of course, these prayer trucks don't just take joss sticks offered by the devotees, they also give out taoist charms.. as seen on the table here..

After the procession, the devotees ended their praying with burning of joss papers (also known as Hell bank note)..

Not too sure if this type of procession is the norm here but I will keep an eye on this.. :)

mid-autumn festival

Unlike Malaysia and Singapore, Mid-Autumn Festival is a public holiday in Taiwan... here, many would make use of the opportunity to go home and spend the day with their family.. and giving gifts of moon cakes and pomelos are the norm..

Last week I was surprised to receive a gift of moon cakes, pineapple tarts and pomelos from a classmate of mine.. :) She insisted that I must experience this local festivity and be a part of the community.. 

a mini moon cake and a black sesame pineapple tart..

2 small pomelos and a box of pineapple tarts

One thing I've noticed is that the pomelos here are much smaller than those found in Malaysia/Singapore, about half the size.. the ones I had were slightly sweet but I've no idea how sweet they were supposed to be..  the moon cake was also smaller and not too sweet..

Personally, Mid-Autumn Festival was more fun when I was young.. we played with paper lanterns which had shapes of dragons, tigers, rabbits, etc. and we put candles on our main metal gates, illuminating it as did most of our Chinese neighbors in the housing estate.. as adult, this festival holds no huge significance to me...  truth be told, the celebration of Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali resonate more closely to my heart than Mid-Autumn Festival.... and I think that is something only those who had lived in a multiracial and multicultural country like Malaysia could comprehend and appreciate..

full moon tonight

there will be a full moon tonight...
high up on a hot mid-autumn sky,
looking down and shining bright,
as family and friends wine and dine,
strengthening ties and keep them tight. 

there is a full moon tonight...
it'll be nice to have someone beside,
sharing highs and lows of my life,
whom I don't have to constantly hide,
my true feelings and be larger than life.

a decade ago

Today is the 10th anniversary of 911.. oh.. I can't believe how fast time seems to fly.. and though a decade has passed, I can still remember clearly where I was and what I was doing when the news broke...

Ten years.. lots of things could and have changed yet many remained the same..  I too have gone through a huge transformation a decade later, though some core belief have remain fundamentally unchanged.. am I a "better" person 3652 days later? I think so though I can't say for sure.. but one thing is for sure, I've no regrets pertaining the choices that I've made these past 10 years... well at least no big ones..:p

different doors lead to different paths

Ten years ago, I thought I would settle down and grow old in Singapore.. Ten years later, I've no idea where I will be the next 10 years, much less where I'm gonna retire .. Ten years ago, I liked to possess many (material) things to satisfy my vanity.. Ten years later, my desire is to live simply and enrich my mind instead of my ego..

Ten years ago, I was a workaholic and work was my life.. Ten years later, I realized that life is more than just work, and I am not defined by what I do for a living but how I live my life.. Ten years ago, I was inclined to sacrifice my health for wealth.. Ten years later, I came to appreciate that health is priceless..

Ten years ago, I was temperamental and egocentric, and was not afraid to show it.. Ten years later, I am calmer and more humble as I know I've more to learn.. Ten years ago, I was constantly seeking acceptance and approval from others.. Ten years later, I've learned to accept who I am and pay no attention to what others think of me..

Ten years ago, I had barb-wired my heart as I was afraid of getting hurt.. Ten years later, I can't wait to set my heart free and embrace love.. Ten years ago, I was reluctant to ask for help less I was perceived as weak.. Ten years later, I'm more comfortable and wiling to seek help from people around me as I know I am only human..

What about you? How much have YOU changed in the last 10 years?? Was there anything that you would have done differently if given a chance to do it again? Take some time and ponder upon it.. You might be surprised at what you might conclude..

Sunday Serenade: keep your head up

Another uplifting song for a lazy Sunday morning..

I like this song.. very encouraging.. Mmm.. maybe I should play it every morning to remind me that:

I know it's hard, know it's hard,
To remember sometimes,
But you gotta keep your head up, oh
And you can let your hair down, eh

Keep your Head Up
performed by Andy Grammer

Wooh, ehhhh, wooooh

I've been waiting on the sunset
Bills on my mindset
I can get deny they're getting high
Higher than my income
Income's breadcrumbs
I've been trying to survive

The glow that the sun gives
Right around sunset
Helps me realize
This is just a journey
Drop your worries
You are gonna turn out fine
Oh, you'll turn out fine
Fine, oh, you'll turn out fine

[chorus]
But you gotta keep your head up, oh
And you can let your hair down, eh
You gotta keep your head up, oh
And you can let your hair down, eh

I know it's hard, know it's hard,
To remember sometimes,
But you gotta keep your head up, oh
And you can let your hair down, eh
[end of chorus]

I've got my hands in my pockets
Kickin these rocks
Its kinda hard to watch this life go by
I'm buyin in the skeptics
Skeptics mess with, the confidence in my eyes

I'm seeing all the angles, starts to get tangled
I start to compromise
My life and the purpose
Is it all worth it
Am I gonna turn out fine

Oh, you'll turn out fine
Fine, oh, you'll turn out fine

[chorus]

Only rainbows after rain
The sun will always come again
And its a circle, circling
Around again, it comes around again

Only rainbows after rain
The sun will always come again
And its a circle, circling
Around again, it comes around

[chorus]

Keep your head up, oh
And you can let your hair down, eh
Keep your head up, oh
And you can let your hair down, eh
Keep your head up, oh
And you can let your hair down




Have a great week ahead!! Stay safe and keep your head up!! :)

Poetry Solace: Of farewell and night

This time, 2 poems by Anne Bronte, the youngest sister of Charlotte and Emily Bronte..

Farewell

Farewell to thee! but not farewell

To all my fondest thoughts of thee:

Within my heart they still shall dwell;

And they shall cheer and comfort me.

O, beautiful, and full of grace!

If thou hadst never met mine eye,

I had not dreamed a living face

Could fancied charms so far outvie.

If I may ne'er behold again

That form and face so dear to me,

Nor hear thy voice, still would I fain

Preserve, for aye, their memory.

That voice, the magic of whose tone

Can wake an echo in my breast,

Creating feelings that, alone,

Can make my tranced spirit best.

That laughing eye, whose sunny beam

My memory would not cherish less; --

And oh, that smile! whose joyous gleam

Nor mortal language can express.

Adieu, but let me cherish, still,

The hope with which I cannot part.

Contempt may wound, and coldness chill,

But still it lingers in my heart.

And who can tell but Heaven, at last,

May answer all my thousand prayers,

And bid the future pay the past

With joy for anguish, smiles for tears?

Night

I LOVE the silent hour of night,

For blissful dreams may then arise,

Revealing to my charmed sight

What may not bless my waking eyes.

And then a voice may meet my ear,

That death has silenced long ago;

And hope and rapture may appear

Instead of solitude and woe.

Cold in the grave for years has lain

The form it was my bliss to see;

And only dreams can bring again,

The darling of my heart to me.

Have a great weekend!

September 9th

Today is September the 9th,
settling down in this new city just fine,
made many new friends who are nice and kind,
gave me renewed faith in humankind..

Double one and double nine,
a date supposedly auspicious and divine,
for couples who want a life entwined,
though it might not last till suppertime..

Even so I'm still waiting for a sign,
if I will ever find my Valentine,
who is fun, faithful and genuine,
hopefully soon and not after I flatline...

back to school

After a 2-year hiatus, I am back to school doing what I like most - learning.. :)

After a few days of school, the few things that I can say about my University is that it is so much bigger than Waseda and very hilly.. I would need to "hike up/down" a slope every time I wanna go to my own graduate school.. :x  In fact, all students have to walk/hike to their classes as the school doesn't allow students to drive (be it cars or bikes) within the campus.. so I am sure I'll get pretty fit after this semester.. :p

So far, I've not been to the campus cafeteria and I am not sure if they have University Co-op either.. there are plenty of food stalls, small eateries and restaurants just outside campus, so no difficulties in filling up empty stomachs..

I know I should take some photos of the campus and the buildings, but I am just too lazy to do it.. maybe I'll do it this coming long weekend where Monday being the Mid-Autumn Festival is a major public holiday in Taiwan. Similar to reunion dinner on Chinese New Year's Eve, people would spend the day with their family so the campus should be quieter during that day..

Me Room in Taiwan

Think it is time to show you the "apartment" that I've rented in Taiwan.. here are some of the photos before I "furnished" it..

Compared to the dormitory room I had in Japan, this room is bigger.. two person can sleep on the floor.. 

There is a single-sized bed frame, a study table with chair, a small fridge (not seen here), a small TV (not seen here), a wardrobe and a very small cupboard.. my landlady said that I could use the standing fan if I don't mind it being dirty and unable to pan around.. so I took it..

The air-con is on top of the bed.. I would need to get myself a mattress.. but seeing that there is no elevator and this "apartment" being on the 5th floor, I think I would just make do with a thin fold-able mattress.. else I might need to fork out more $$ for the delivery of a thick mattress that will no doubt be more expensive..

The bathroom and toilet are pretty new.. in a sense that there's no broken/dirty tiles.. I don't want to spend my time scrubbing tiles or cleaning dirty toilet bowl/sink.... :p

However, due to the close proximity of this area to the sea, most of the metal racks in the toilet have rusted.. but that is just a small inconvenience to bear..








One thing I really liked about this "apartment" (maybe I should just call it a room.. :p) is that it is very bright.. :)

It has rows of windows around the room.. Mmm.. maybe I might regret it when winter comes.. :x anyway, the above is the view from the main windows.. while the side window's view is this..

Most of the apartments in this area are rented by students as it is very near to the University.. I can walk to the library in less than 5 minutes and my faculty in less than 10.. there are plenty of small food stalls in the area.. I've no hurry to try them out since I can't really cook in my room..

There is 4 rooms in this level  and all owned by the same landlady.. I am the only lady tenant.. each room has its own electricity meter (as seen on the left side of the photo below) so we pay for what we use every 2 months.. while the water bill is being shared equally..

There is also a washing machine in the common area for us to use.. and we can hang our clothes to dry there too.. but I prefer to bring mine back to my room as my room is bright, sunny and airy enough to dry my laundry within a day or two..


After spending almost MY$500 "furnishing" my room - buying mattress, pillows (3 of them :p), table lamp, clothes rack, electric water pot, bedsheets and many misc household items, this is how it looks like now.. 

For those who are thinking of bunking over, here is one advice.. this room is very close to the University, but it is rather inconvenient to those who wishes to visit downtown Taipei.. you will need to walk about 5- 10min to the bus stop and take a bus to the nearest MRT station, Danshui Station (a 5-10 min bus ride).. then you will need another 40 - 50 minutes to reach Taipei MRT Station.. 

If you are okay with the "hassle" (for those who have lived in Japan, this is nothing.. :p), feel free to come and stay over!! :)

Sunday Serenade: firework

A very uplifting song.. likes the lyrics a lot..

Feeling both excited and terrified about the start of school tomorrow.. wish me luck!



Firework
performed by Katy Perry

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind
Wanting to start again

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under scream
But no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you
Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you can open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on just let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through

Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you're a firework
Come on just let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em goin "Oh, oh, oh!"

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon





Have a great week ahead!! Stay safe and cheery!!