cheap plan...

As much as I don't mind being without a mobile phone, I can't be uncontactable.. so getting a pre-paid SIM card was a temporary solution when I first arrived in Taiwan.. I planned to subscribe to one of the many telcos here once I got my ARC and my student card...

Yet, 3 months later, I am still using my pre-paid SIM... and I've not even used up the initial NT$345.. In fact, I still have NT$120 worth of balance left (as of 27 Nov)!!! Unbelievable, right?? And to think that I've budgeted around NT$1500 PER MONTH (including the purchase of new handset) for telecommunication expenses.. :p

But, if I examine this closely, I realized that this is unsurprising at all.. As I've said many times, I am not a very "friendly" person.. I seldom call my friends over the phone just to chit-chat.. nor do I like to have long talks over the phone.. I prefer sms which, in my opinion, is less intrusive and disruptive.. I don't like being disturbed and thus I would not disturb others.. and I don't need a smartphone.. smartphones are one of those nice-to-haves, not must-haves..

So for now, I'll stick to my pre-paid SIM.. until my LG GU285  phone breaks, a too-good-to-miss bargain for Samsung Galaxy S2 presents itself or someone volunteers to pay for my new handset and/or phone bills .. :p :p :p

Sunday Serenade: what you want

A good song... a good positive song.. :)

Do what you want!!


What You Want
performed by Evanescence

Do what you what you want,
If you have a dream for better
Do what you what you want,
'Till you don't want it anymore
(Remember who you really are)
Do what you what you want,
Your world's closing in you now
(It isn't over)
Stand and face the unknown
( Got to remember who you really are)

Every heart in my hand's like a pale reflection,
Hello, Hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe we can break through,

Do what you what you want,
You don't have to lay your life down
(It isn't over)
Do what you what you want,
Till you find what you're looking for
(Got to remember who you really are)

But every hour slipping by screams that I've failed you,
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control

Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe

There's still time,
Close you eyes only love will guide you home,
Tear down the walls and free your soul
'Till we crash we are forever spiraling
Down, down, down, down

Hello Hello, it's only me infecting everything you love
Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to learn forgiveness,
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe we can peak through,
(Remember who you really are)

Do what you what you want !





Have a great week ahead!! Stay healthy and be safe!!!

22.11.11

Wanna write something on this interesting date... yet, I am emptied of inspiration.. :x

It's week 12 in school.. another 6 more weeks and the semester will be over.. time flies when you are doing the things that you like, as I am right now.. As much as I like studying, I'm looking forward to the short 3-week winter holidays which starts on the 3rd week of Jan.. :)

But before I can "enjoy" my holidays, I have tons of homework and assignments to complete.. even the week leading up to my BD and Christmas is packed with reports and presentations.. :x :x oh well, I rather be busy than bored to death.. ;)

cold and wet..

These past weeks were wet.. very wet.. and the temperature difference was crazy.. and the situation doesn't seem to be improving any time soon.. :x

The rain here is similar to those in Japan.. light drizzling with strong wind.. occasionally, it will come down cats and dogs too.. raining continuously for a few days became the norm here.. even locals complain about the weird weather.. just 2 weeks ago, it rained from Sunday night to Saturday morning!! The little fold-able umbrella that I bought in Japan is doing its job well but I think I would need to get a bigger one soon, if I wanna stay dry in the days to come..

Temperature fluctuations were pretty drastic too.. It can be 25 degrees in the morning with the sun out and dropped to 19-17 degrees at night with winds howling away.. furthermore the wind here is scary.. maybe because my area is near to the sea/coastal area, so the wind can go up to 12m/s!  and I used to think that Tokyo was windy... :x :x

Also, the clothes that I've brought and received don't seemed to be sufficient to keep me warm either.. I would need to get a jacket (or two).. I didn't pack that jacket I used in Japan as I didn't expect it to be so wet over here.. and being someone who dislike shopping alone, I wonder how I'm gonna get my hands on one...

Serenade Sunday: breakeven

Really like some of the lyrics of this song... as it speaks to me.. especially the following:

They say bad things happen for a reason But no wise words gonna stop the bleeding 'Cause she's moved on while I'm still grieving And when a heart breaks, no it don't break even

Breakeven
performed by Script

I'm still alive but I'm barely breathing
Just prayed to a God that I don't believe in
'Cause I got time while she got freedom
'Cause when a heart breaks, no it don't break even

Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that's gonna put her first
While I'm wide awake she's no trouble sleeping
'Cause when a heart breaks, no it don't break even, even, no

What am I suppose to do
When the best part of me was always you and
What am I suppose to say
When I'm all choked up and you're okay

I'm falling to pieces, yeah
I'm falling to pieces

They say bad things happen for a reason
But no wise words gonna stop the bleeding
'Cause she's moved on while I'm still grieving
And when a heart breaks, no it don't break even, even, no

What am I gonna do
When the best part of me was always you
And what am I suppose to say
When I'm all choked up and you're okay

I'm falling to pieces, yeah
I'm falling to pieces, yeah
I'm falling to pieces
(One's still in love while the other one's leaving)
I'm falling to pieces
('Cause when a heart breaks, no it don't break even)

You got his heart and my heart and none of the pain
You took your suitcase, I took the blame
Now I'm tryna make sense of what little remains, oh
'Cause you left me with no love and no love to my name

I'm still alive but I'm barely breathing
Just prayed to a God that I don't believe in
'Cause I got time while she got freedom
'Cause when a heart breaks, no it don't break
No it don't break, no it don't break even, no

What am I gonna do
When the best part of me was always you
And what am I supposed to say
When I'm all choked up and you're okay

I'm falling to pieces, yeah
I'm falling to pieces, yeah
I'm falling to pieces
(One's still in love while the other one's leaving)
I'm falling to pieces
('Cause when a heart breaks, no it don't breakeven)

Oh, it don't breakeven, no
Oh, it don't breakeven, no
Oh, it don't breakeven, no




Have a great week ahead! Stay healthy and be safe!!

Poetry Solace: Of life, heart, crosses and troubles..

A few more poems by W.E. Henley...

Life is Bitter
Life is bitter. All the faces of the years,
Young and old, are gray with travail and with tears.
Must we only wake to toil, to tire, to weep?
In the sun, among the leaves, upon the flowers,
Slumber stills to dreamy death the heavy hours …
Let me sleep.

Riches won but mock the old, unable years;
Fame’s a pearl that hides beneath a sea of tears;
Love must wither, or must live alone and weep.
In the sunshine, through the leaves, across the flowers,
While we slumber, death approaches through the hours …
Let me sleep.

I gave My Heart to a Woman
I gave my heart to a woman –
I gave it her, branch and root.
She bruised, she wrung, she tortured,
She cast it under foot.

Under her feet she cast it,
She trampled it where it fell,
She broke it all to pieces,
And each was a clot of hell.

There in the rain and the sunshine
They lay and smouldered long;
And each, when again she viewed them,
Had turned to a living song.


Crosses and Troubles
Crosses and troubles a-many have proved me.
One or two women (God bless them) have loved me.
I have worked and dreamed, and I’ve talked at will.
Of art and drink I have had my fill.
I’ve comforted here, and I succoured there.
I’ve faced my foes, and I backed my friends.
I’ve blundered, and sometimes made amends.
I’ve prayed for light, and I’ve known despair.
Now I look before, as I look behind,
Come storm, come shine, whatever befall,
With a grateful heart and a constant mind,
For the end I know is the best of all.

my supply is here!

Christmas came early for me... as I received a parcel from home last Thursday.. :) :) :)

It came just in time.. as the weather is getting cooler/colder I need all my "old" clothes from Japan that I didn't manage to bring along in late Aug. I packed the box before I came over.. asked my sis to add a few more things before shipping it over in late Sept..

As I don't have a mail box, instead it was addressed to my land-lady who lives about 60m away.. I got caught in the rain when I carried it back to my room, and fell sick (slight fever and flu) for a day, but it was all worth it.. :p :)


Other than my clothing and shoes, I packed 3 books that I didn't manage to finish, 3 basic Jap books to help me refresh my Jap and my "little comfort".. :p It is a teddy bear that was given to me for my birthday many many years ago by a dear friend.. it has been with me when I went to Japan and is now here in Taiwan.. :)

I can't say that I've gotten everything that I need but these clothes and stuff will have to do for now.. until I make a trip back some time next year...

Sunday Serenade: if I die young

Having underwent an operation where general anesthetics was used, I know the feeling of facing mortality.. so this song kinda resonant close to my heart.. although I won't want to be on top of a bed of roses.. tat's just not me.. :p


If I Die Young
performed by The Band Perry

[chorus]
If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
[end of chorus]

Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors
Oh, and life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even gray, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time

[chorus]

The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time

And I'll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
I'm as green as the ring on my little cold finger
I've never known the loving of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand

There's a boy here in town, says he'll love me forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time

So put on your best, boys, and I'll wear my pearls
What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell 'em for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singing
Funny, when you're dead how people start listening

[chorus]

The ballad of a dove
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save them for a time when you're really gonna need them, oh

The sharp knife of a short life
Well, I've had just enough time
So put on your best, boys
And I'll wear my pearls




p/s: for those "interested" to know what I want for my funeral, here is what I wrote more than 2 years ago..


Have a great weekend! Stay healthy and be safe!!!

my usual week... (II)

Nothing much is happening these few weeks.. and I can foresee it being the same till at least after New Year.. Other than my weekly school stuff, which consist of tons of readings, writing and presentations to prepare and execute, there are other things that I must attend to, especially jobs that are gonna put food on my table and a roof over my head..

My usual translation jobs are coming in pretty regularly these few months so hopefully I can save enough for my 2nd Year tuition... Also I'm working 2 hours per week (on Thursdays mornings) in my department as a "office-girl". The job is pretty simple - running errands and the usual admin stuff... It is a good way for me to get familiar with the workings of a Taiwanese University, and not mention be on good terms with my grad school's HOD and other professors. Already, my HOD is asking me to plan and set-up a new website for my department's alumnus. :)

Oh, did I mention that I am the class rep for PhD Year 1 students? Ya, I was kinda "elected" to the post.. anyway, it is no biggie, I just need to be the liaison between my class of ten and the department if and when administrative stuff is required.. and because of this "position" I need to attend 2 "important" meetings in Dec, one with the President and other "big-shots" of the University in a welcome luncheon for all new class reps, and the other with a group of visitors from a Macau Polytechnic in an academic exchange with my dept..

Thus with whatever free time I've left, I'm spending it in front of my laptop - watching dramas online, hanging out in FB and listening to music.. maybe next semester I will try to not take so many subjects and enjoy (a bit more of) my student life again.. :p :p

Sunday Serenade: rhythm of love

A very soothing song for the weekend... enjoy!


Rhythm of Love
performed by Plain White T's

My head is stuck in the clouds
She begs me to come down
Says, "Boy, quit foolin' around"
I told her, "I love the view from up here
Warm sun and wind in my ear
We'll watch the world from above
As it turns to the rhythm of love"

[chorus]
We may only have tonight
But till the morning sun, you're mine
All mine
Play the music low
And sway to the rhythm of love
[end of chorus]

My heart beats like a drum
A guitar string to the strum
A beautiful song to be sung
She's got blue eyes deep like the sea
That roll back when she's laughing at me
She rises up like the tide
The moment her lips meet mine

[chorus]

When the moon is low
We can dance in slow motion
And all your tears will subside
All your tears will dry

And long after I've gone
You'll still be humming along
And I will keep you in my mind
The way you make love so fine

[chorus]
Play the music low
And sway to the rhythm of love
Yeah, sway to the rhythm of love




Have a great week ahead!! Stay healthy and be safe!!

Poetry Solace: Of invictus and thanksgiving

Stumbled upon these poems by William E. Henley while browsing at Eslite Bookstore.. and they kinda "spoke" to me.. made me read them more than twice and memorized their title/author..


Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

A Thanksgiving
From brief delights that rise to me
Out of unfathomable dole,
I thank whatever gods there be
For mine unconquerable soul.
In the strong clutch of Circumstance
It has not winced, nor groaned aloud.
Before the blows of eyeless chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
I front unfeared the threat of space
And dwindle into dark again.
My work is done, I take my place
Among the years that wait for men.
My life, my broken life must be
One unsuccourable dole.
I thank the gods- they gave to me
A dauntless and defiant soul.


Have a great weekend!

staying healthy

One of the things that I don't like about living alone is getting sick.. and the best way to NOT get sick is to get enough exercise to boost the immune system!

Here, I walk a lot.. whenever I leave my room, I will have to walk down/up 5 stories' worth of stairs.. and while in school, I don't usually take the elevator, even if I'm going to the 7th or 9th floor. I'll take the stairs.. :) thus for a couple of times per week, I might have walked up/down more than 15 storeys within a single day!

Of course, other than exercising, proper diet is also essential..  and I am a believer of supplements.. :p That's why I bought EPO with Fish Oil and B Complex from an Australian healthcare company..  I will also try to eat as healthy as possible, while staying within my budget..

Additionally, in order to prevent backaches from sitting for prolonged hours in front of my laptop, I bought a yoga ball.. I will alternate between sitting on the office chair and this ball.. using the ball will, hopefully, strengthen my lower back and my core muscles so that I won't be so prone to backaches.. :)

And maybe in spring, I might start jogging again.. since I'm staying so near to school, it will be a waste if I don't take advantage of it... and frankly, my campus is a very good place to jog as it's not only safe but also provides a beautiful landscape for joggers with its many slopes, nicely kept trails and big shady trees along the roads..

Health is priceless.. this is something everyone knows, yet few actually work towards it.. Since now I am (wholly) responsible for my own well-being, I am gonna do my best keeping myself as healthy as I possibly can..  :) :) :)