Poetry Solace: Of the Old and New Year..

Here are a couple of poems about the year...

The Year by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

What can be said in New Year rhymes,

That's not been said a thousand times?

The new years come, the old years go,

We know we dream, we dream we know.

We rise up laughing with the light,

We lie down weeping with the night.

We hug the world until it stings,

We curse it then and sigh for wings.

We live, we love, we woo, we wed,

We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.

We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,

And that's the burden of a year.

Several nice haiku poems by Kobayashi Issa,
taken from The Haiku Guy

苦にやんだ元日するや人並に
ku ni yanda ganjitsu suru ya hito nami ni
translated: I struggled through, the New Year, like everyone else.

目出度さもちう位也おらが春
medetasa mo chuo kurai nari oraga haru
translated:  Happy New Year, about average, my spring

とし神やことしも御世話下さるる
toshi-gami ya kotoshi mo o-sewa kudasaruru
translated: O New Year's god, this year too, send help



Happy New Year, everyone!! Have a blessed 2012!!
Stay healthy and safe!

hard to concentrate..

It is hard to concentrate on writing my reports when 2011 is near to its end..

The last weeks of the year is not a good time to work hard, at least for me.. the last usually meant for reflecting and reviewing what I've done for the past year.. yet, I am unable to do so this year.. with 2 reports waiting to be written.. gonna try my utmost to write (my reports) as best as I can, but I suspect that I won't be 100% happy with the end products..

Anyway, doing PhD is like running a marathon.. it is gonna take a minimum of 4 years so there is no point for me to get myself burnt out in the first semester.. I will do my best to get good results for the subjects that I'm taking (and gonna take in the future), but the most important thing will be doing research and getting, at least 2 of, my research papers published in academic journals..

Urgh... back to my report writing... :x :x

Sunday Serenade: hands in my pocket

Merry Christmas!! Had a great Christmas Eve last night??

Anyway, this song that I've chosen here is dedicated to me, myself and Imm, as a post-BD gift.. cos it kinda says a lot about my contradictory self.. :p


Hands in my pocket
written by Alanis Morissette, Glen Ballard
performed by Alanis Morissette

I'm broke but I'm happy
I'm poor but I'm kind
I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah

I'm high but I'm grounded
I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed
I'm lost but I'm hopeful, baby

And what it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be fine, fine, fine
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a high five

I feel drunk but I'm sober
I'm young and I'm underpaid
I'm tired but I'm working, yeah

I care but I'm restless
I'm here but I'm really gone
I'm wrong and I'm sorry, baby

And what it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be quite alright
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is flicking a cigarette

And what it all comes down to
Is that I haven't got it all figured out just yet
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving the peace sign

I'm free but I'm focused
I'm green but I'm wise
I'm hard but I'm friendly, baby

I'm sad but I'm laughing
I'm brave but I'm chicken shit
I'm sick but I'm pretty, baby

And what it all boils down to
Is that no one's really got it figured out just yet
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is playing a piano

And what it all comes down to my dear friends, yeah
Is that everything is just fine fine fine
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is hailing a taxi cab




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

a brief time out..

Okay.. two thirds of my crazy workload were done.. except for 1 presentation next week and 2 reports to be handed in on Jan 02.. :x :x  also I have 5 academic papers to read for this Saturday, which I plan to complete by today so that I can have the whole of tomorrow all to myself..

Yet to decide what to do tomorrow, but most probably I'll just hibernate in my room and watch some tv dramas or read a book or two.. I borrowed The Girl who kicked the Hornets' Nest and Neil Gaiman's American Gods from the library a few weeks ago and yet to have the time to start on either.. I did manage to finish the first 2 books from Stieg Larsson before my assignment madness started in Nov.. so I'm really looking forward to finishing his last book of the trilogy.

It has been raining almost everyday this Dec so as someone who don't like to be out in the rain (not so much because of the wetness but the need to wear so many layers of clothing due to the coldness), I don't think I want to go (window) shopping in Taipei City.. previously, I did want to get a feel of how Taipei celebrates Christmas and New Year (compared to Singapore and Japan), but without proper warm clothing, which my dad is sending over right now, I might catch a cold or something in this bloody wet/cold weather..

Okay, enough rambling.. I think better get started on my readings if I want to finish all 5 of them by today...

got my hair cut

Unbelievably, I cut my own hair last week....

It started off with me wanting to just cut my fringe short as it was almost 4 months ago since my last haircut back in Malaysia... as I was, and still am, up to my ears with assignments, presentations and translations that I didn't have the time to go around looking for a stylist.. as I've mentioned in my earlier entries (here and here), I am very particular about who touches my hair and very reluctant to try new stylist unless I really have no choice..

So armed with just a scissor and the bathroom mirror, I started trimming my fringe... then few snips became a few more.. followed by a few more... and before I knew it, I've moved from my fringe to my right side... and since I've done my right, I have to cut my left too... All those time observing how my last stylist cut my hair had kinda "paid off".. :p

Of course I am worried that I might botch my attempt and gave myself a horrible haircut.. but I consoled myself with images of people with unsymmetrical/uneven haircuts who might (not) be making a fashion statement.. and hey, hair do grow back.. plus, I won't be going home for CNY next Jan, so no risk of "malu-ing" ("malu" is a Malay word meaning embarrass", we like to add "ing" to imply on-going state) myself.. :p :p

Anyway, I am kinda proud of my first attempt.. and so far, people seemed to just assume that went to a saloon and got a new hair cut.. they did not comment on it.. and of course, I did not volunteer the information that I cut it myself.. :) :) :)

Who knows, maybe I will actually continue cutting my own hair, but I doubt it... :p Of course, I might just go to a real stylist to get a "real" hair cut after CNY.. after all, I have no problem paying the usual NT$300 needed for one..

Sunday Serenade: the river of dreams

Mmm... looks like I'm taking a walk down memory lane these couple of weeks.. this is another song that I like.. for its upbeat and optimistic outlook.. just in time for Christmas next week! :)


The River of Dreams
written and performed by Billy Joel

In the middle of the night I go walking in my sleep
From the mountains of faith to the river so deep
I must be looking for something, something sacred I lost
But the river is wide and it's too hard to cross

Even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and I stand on the shore
I try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find out what I've been looking for

In the middle of the night I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear to a river so deep
I've been searching for something taken out of my soul
Something I would never lose, something somebody stole

I don't know why I go walking at night
But now I'm tired and I don't want to walk any more
I hope it doesn't take the rest of my life
Until I find what it is I've been looking for

In the middle of the night I go walking in my sleep
Through the jungle of doubt to the river so deep
I know I'm searching for something, something so undefined
That it can only be seen by the eyes of the blind
In the middle of the night

I'm not sure about a life after this
God knows I've never been a spiritual man
Baptised by the fire, I wade into the river
That is running to the promised land

In the middle of the night I go walking in my sleep
Through the desert of truth to the river so deep
We all end in the ocean, we all start in the streams
We're all carried along by the river of dreams
In the middle of the night





Have a great pre-Christmas week! Stay safe and be jolly! :) :)

Poetry Solace: Of first sight and first day..

Who Ever Loved That Loved Not at First Sight?
by Christopher Marlowe
It lies not in our power to love or hate,
For will in us is overruled by fate.
When two are stripped, long ere the course begin,
We wish that one should love, the other win;
And one especially do we affect
Of two gold ingots, like in each respect:
The reason no man knows; let it suffice
What we behold is censured by our eyes.
Where both deliberate, the love is slight:
Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?

The First Day
by Christina Rossetti
I wish I could remember the first day,
First hour, first moment of your meeting me;
If bright or dim the season it might be;
Summer or winter for aught I can say.
So, unrecorded did it slip away,
So blind was i to see and to forsee,
So dull to mark the budding of my tree
That would not blossom, yet, for many a May.

If only I could recollect it! Such
A day of days! I let it come and go
As traceless as a thaw of bygone snow.
It seemed to mean so little, meant so much!
If only now I could recall that touch,
First touch of hand in hand! - Did one but know!

one more week to...

One more week to my BD.. and for once I've no time to even think about how I'm gonna spend the day.. :x Usually, I would have a rough idea of what I wanna do/eat/whatever.. but I've been so busy these past few weeks to even think about it..

Just did 2 presentations last Monday and handed in a report on Wednesday... yet I still have one more report due next Monday and a presentation next Wednesday.. and then there are still 2 more reports due on Jan 02.. so no respite for me till then... >.<

All the busyness and craziness is making me think twice about next semester's workload.. Frankly, I rather spend more time on fewer subjects and getting good/better grades than to take as many subjects as I could possibly cope and get mediocre grades for them...

Sunday Serenade: more than words

One of the "oldies"... the coming few weeks are gonna be crazy for me.. with lots of reports and presentations.. thus I'm gonna try to squeeze any free time I can get by listening to some nice oldies..  enjoy!


More than words
performed by Extreme

Saying I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you
Not to say, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel

More than words
Is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know

What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real

What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you

More than words

Now I've tried to talk to you and make you understand
All you have to do is close your eyes
And just reach out your hands and touch me
Hold me close don't ever let me go

More than words
Is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know

What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real

What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you

More than words
More than words
More than words





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

not going home...

Decided not to go back for Chinese New Year next year.. and have told my parents about it..

There are 2 major reasons behind it.. one is financial.. the air ticket cost more than MYR$2000.. and this amount is enough to last me one and a half month..  while the other is academic.. I want to spend the short 3-week holiday to read up on statistics, a topic that I am very poor at, before the 2nd semester starts and I have to take related subjects..

All the years that I've been abroad, I always go back home for reunion dinner..  never once did I miss it.. so this time round, it will be my first time celebrating CNY on my own.. and frankly, I'm still not sure how I'm gonna spend it as I'm up to my neck with reports/presentations/translations.. :x :x

Sunday Serenade: invisible

Heard this song over MTV channel.. and was captivated by the music video.. then I went online and search for the lyrics.. It rang true to my heart, at times.. yes, I always did feel invisible.. and seen as someone that's not me..

Invisible
performed by Skylar Grey

I take these pills to make me thin
I dye my hair, and cut my skin
I tried everything, to make them see me
But all they see, is someone that's not me 

[chorus]
Even when I'm walking on a wire
Even when I set myself on fire
Why do I always feel invisible, invisible
Everyday I try to look my best
Even though inside I'm such a mess
Why do I always feel invisible, invisible

[end of chorus]

Here inside, my quiet heart
You cannot hear, my cries for help
I tried everything, to make them see me
But every one, see's what I can't be

[chorus]

Sometimes when I'm alone
I pretend that I'm a queen
It's almost believable

[chorus]

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

Poetry Solace: Of dream and dream

The Dream

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Love, if I weep it will not matter,

And if you laugh I shall not care;

Foolish am I to think about it,

But it is good to feel you there.

Love, in my sleep I dreamed of waking,

White and awful the moonlight reached

Over the floor, and somewhere, somewhere

There was a shutter loose- it screeched!

Swung in the wind- and no wind blowing-

I was afraid and turned to you,

Put out my hand to you for comfort-

And you were gone! Cold as the dew,

Under my hand the moonlight lay!

Love, if you laugh I shall not care,

But if I weep it will not matter-

Ah, it is good to feel you there.

Dream

by William Alvarez-Builla

A dream is a thought that gets stuck in your brain,

A dream is something with no escape,

A dream is someone you love till death,

A dream is a violet that never turns red,

A dream is you and me together,

A dream is us figuring that our love is forever,

A dream only happeneds if it could be remembered,

so remember me and your dreams will stay in you forever.

a taste of Italia..

Every week I'll go grocery shopping at one of the nearby supermarkets, called 全聯福利中心, which is sort of like the NTUC Fairprice in Singapore.. the items there are comparatively cheaper and with membership, I can save even more... :)

Since I don't have a kitchen in my room and I've yet to buy a slow cooker, I usually buy biscuits, bread and instant stuff, like instant soup and cereal.. the variety of instant cereals is unbelievable.. and I shall blog about it when I've tasted sufficient assortment to compare.. of course, there's also a wide range of instant noodles, but I try to not eat them so often as the amount of sodium and preservatives in them are astrologically high..

Anyway, as I was browsing through the shelves I stumbled upon this.. biscuits from Italy! or should I say biscotti!! :)

Initially, it was the design that caught my eyes.. as it somehow reminded me of the packaging I saw in Italy... at closer look, the wordings confirmed my hunch..  :) :) :)

There are 2 types of biscotti, one is butter cookies while the other is chocolate.. and I bought the latter.. :) The price tag stated NT$85, which is almost MYR$9 / SGD$ 3.70 / EURO$2.20 / JPY$220. It wasn't on sale, but I bought it anyway.. :p

yep, it's from Italy alright.. :)

This became one of my few indulgences..  Seldom do I spend so much on a packet of biscuits, but I just had to get this biscotti.. Also, I've not eaten any pasta that came close to the ones I've tasted during my trip to Italy.. even if it was just spaghetti cooked with olive oil and fresh tomatoes..

Darn! how I miss cooking and traveling..