Sayonara Auld Lang Syne

Almost everyone knows the lyrics to this song, yet when and why exactly should we “forget old acquaintance”? In my case, many of my old “acquaintance” and “friends” don't need a reason or a timeline to do that.

I am and will always be a traveler. 

People always say absence makes the hearts grow fonder, but they forgot to mention that there’s a limit to how long that absence can be before amnesia sets in and the hearts find new person(s) to be fond with. If this is what’s happening to (some, if not most) marriages and relationships, what chance does friendship has? Especially for “friends” who meet up once a week, once a month, or once a year. In this era of social media where a single click to "accept" can get you as many friends as you want, the definition of "friend" has been reused, misused and overused.

Every time I move to a new city/country, I make some new friends but lost most of my old ones. I did try to keep those old ones, through emails and FB, but people change and priorities shift. The tacit understanding that once connected us no longer exists and all that’s left is awkwardness and pleasantries. And I don’t do pleasantries. Not all (friends) is lost, but it really does take 2 to tango. Thus when the drifted is finally apart, I just re-categorize them in my life (and my FB) and move on with Life.. Life is too short to be wasted looking back, especially at people who doesn't matter.. 

Maybe it’s just me. I’m always the unorthodox outsider who doesn't belong to any “in-group”. I’m forever the foreigner. I’ll always be an afterthought. We all played a part in each other's life during that specific time and space when the cosmic alignment made us friends. Our paths crossed, merged and diverged.. Memory stays and fades.. Such is Life..  

To all my friends and "friends", Happy New Year!

2012 In Retrospect - Five Things (I)

2012 is a boringly interesting year for me.. Many things have happened but none major.. Here is a quick look at five worth-mentioning things that had came to pass..

1. Missed CNY reunion dinner
For the first time in my life, I was not with my family for CNY.. It wasn't an easy decision and definitely wasn't a very nice experience that I would want to repeat in future.. so I'll be going home next CNY.. :)

2. Taught English
Been teaching my senior's 2 sons English for the past 8 months and it was a fun experience. However, I've just 'resigned' from this teaching assignment last week as I need to concentrate on my research and writing (see No. 5). I didn't want to just "cruise along" and get paid.

3. Snail-mailing
Started corresponding with my god-son Rio about 4 months ago. In an age where emails and instant messaging rule, it is refreshing to write letters and mail them via the postal office. So far, I've received 2 cards and 1 letter from him.. looking forward to getting more.. :)

4. Satisfied my credit requirements
After this semester, I would have gotten all the credits needed for my PhD. Even though this is the easiest requirement to meet, it was still a challenge to get all 36 credits.. Of course, I won't stop taking classes if they are gonna be useful to me in future. After all, I did come here to learn.. :)

5. Chose my PhD advisor
I finally made my choice and approached a Professor in my dept to be my thesis advisor. Having made this decision meant that I would now have to be answerable not only to myself but to him too. I would need to show something for my time as I don't have any more excuses for unproductiveness..

Contemplation

We are all but travelers of this journey called life,
               each heading to faraway destinations unknown..
Fate may have placed us in the same vehicle,
               it cannot hold those who have drifted together..
Strangers can became friends and even confidants,
               tho' the reverse is more effortless than one would admit..
People whom you thought cared no longer do,
               and friends who were once important aren't no more..
Solidarity is an alluring mirage that shatters,
               when priorities clashes and sincerity don't matters..
Affinity is nothing but a perceived conception,
                born out of solitude, boredom and convenience..
Hold on to whatever you have or think you have,
                as all things are fragile, fleeting and transient..
Yet mourn not when everything seemed lost,
                for then you'll know you are more than what you possessed..

Sunday Serenade: settle down

It's gonna be New Year in a couple of days.. so let's have a fun and party song this Sunday.. Enjoy!


Settle Down
performed by No Doubt






Have a great week ahead! Party safe! :)

Tarot readings.. XII

In a few more days, it will be 2013.. another brand new year..
So, I'm gonna do a reading to conclude this fairly exciting-yet-kinda boring year.. so here goes.. :)
Note that all pictures of tarot cards are from http://phpbb-tw.net/phpbb/thoth/ and there is no intention of infringing any copyright.
所有的塔罗图片都采自竹猫星球塔罗馆 （http://phpbb-tw.net/phpbb/thoth)，本部落并无意侵犯版权。


對 學　　業 進行占卜，結果為：
Pertaining your luck in : Education

現狀 Current Situation: 命運之輪 [Fortune]

你不但對功課應付自如，對於其他才藝類、實驗類的科目也很拿手，而且是常常參加比賽或是甄選的人，在校內評價很高。
You are handling your studies well, and you are good in other talent-related and experimental subjects too. Thus you are one who is always involved in competitions. In school, you are highly regarded and has a good reputation.

問題 Problem: 教皇 [The Hierophant]

你可能給自己太大的壓力，不懂得念書的技巧，所以念書方式沒什麼效率，而且就算你比較沒有辦法突破以往成績的限制。
You might be giving yourself too much pressure and may not have the correct study technique. Thus you are not very effective in your studies and could not overcome some of the barriers.

建議 Suggestion: 藝術 [Art]

越往上念，課業內容自然就是越來越不好應付，在轉換過程中，是一定會感到吃力的，但是最終一定能衝破瓶頸，找到新的學習模式。
The higher/further you study, it is only natural that it gets tougher/more difficult. You will definitely feel the strain while you change and adapt, but in the end, you will overcome all these and find a new way of studying.



對 健康運勢 進行占卜，結果為：
Pertaining your luck in: Health:

現狀 Current Situation: 星星 [The Star]

沒有辦法掌握自己的健康狀況，你對自己的體質懵懵懂懂，吃保健時品或挑選養生方式，都無法針對自己最需要的地方來處理；跟健康比起來，你反而比較重視如何裝扮、塑身^^~。
You are not able to grasp your health condition and unfamiliar with your body functions. Either consuming health products or choosing the best health ritual poses a problem to you. You are more willing to spend time dressing up.

問題 Problem : 調整 [Adjustment]

你的生活偏向公式化，吃的用的跟做的事情都是重複性的，這樣容易造成營養或是運動方式不均衡，而且會造成的問題，都是短期之內沒辦法看出來的。
Your lifestyle is monotonous and habitual, eating and doing the same things all the time. These unbalanced diet or exercise may cause problems in the long-run which may not be obvious right now.


建議 Suggestion: 惡魔 [The Devil]

這代表你要有耐心花錢花時間來替自己的健康打底，而且除了一般的保健方式，多做善事，或是加入宗教、心靈團體當義工，也有助於你的心情平靜，解除壓力。
This card means that you need patience and money to maintain your health. In addition to the usual health care, you need to do more charities or join a religious or spiritual groups to help you stay calm and remove stress.




對 人際運勢 進行占卜，結果為：
Pertaining your luck in : Human Relationships

現狀 Current Situation: 隱者 [The Hermit]

有很多以前覺得很重要的朋友，目前大多斷了聯絡，可能因為你的生命轉了一個大彎，離開原有的生活圈，但是新的社交圈又還沒建立起來。
You have lost contact with many old friends who were once important to you, due to some major changes in your life. You have left the old circle of friends and have yet to make new ones.

問題 Problem: 調整 [Adjustment]

你跟朋友的互動都很正常，平日一般的人際互動看來也都很好，但往往在需要有知心的朋友能分享一些情緒時，會發現跟你有到這個深度的朋友，還真少.....。
Your relationship with your friends are normal, and so is your daily interaction with them. But when you want to find someone who can share your feelings or emotions, you realized that your choices are very limited..

建議 Suggestion: 戰車 [The Chariot]

衝動的時候，就盡量不要開口，免得造成不可彌補的傷害；這張牌告訴你，現在的關係僵持、停滯是暫時的，撐過這段時間後，情況就會明朗化。
When you are impatient, try not to speak so as not to damage things beyond repair. This card tells you that the current stalemate is temporary and things will clear-up in a while.




對 財　　運 進行占卜，結果為：
Pertaining your luck in: Wealth:

現狀 Current Situation: 教皇 [The Hierophant]

在財運方面，你很有計劃，也知道怎麼量入為出；雖然沒有什麼偏財運，但正財運卻是一直很穩定的，資產會累積增加。
In terms of finance, you have a set of plans and know how to control your spending based on your income. Although you don't have much luck in gambling or other lottery, your main income source has always been good and you are slowly accumulating assets.

問題 Problem: 月亮 [The Moon]

你常會為了發洩壓力而花錢，對錢的控管是一種情緒化的反應，所以完全沒辦法控制收支，如果繼續這樣下去，難保不會在壓力下，做出有違法律的事。
You tend to spend money as a means of stress relief. Your financial control is an emotional reflects, thus you are unable to totally control your spending. If things go on the way it is now, you might be in financial trouble.

建議 Suggestion: 女皇 [The Empress]

這張牌表示，花錢花得精，就可以不用花太多；試著把花錢的習慣轉為自我投資，例如愛買化妝品的人，乾脆去學彩妝，把花出去的錢再賺回來。
This card showed that as long as the money is well spent, you don't have to spend as much as you think you need. Try to spend the money as a way to invest in yourself. Spend it on yourself so that you can earn more in return.

Experiment

I decided to do a little experiment.. and the result is very disheartening but no less surprising..

FB has a BD reminder function. It will tell you whose BD it is today by listing the BD girl's/boy's name(s) on the top right panel. Unless you specify "Don't show my birthday on my timeline", FB will automatically broadcast your BD to all your friends when your big day comes. I had turned that function off two weeks prior. I wanted to see how many of these FB "friends" of mine will actually remember my BD and the result confirmed my suspicions.

I have 270+ "friends" on FB, but almost 97% of them are old classmates, ex-colleagues and acquaintances whom I have not met much less talked to for months or years, some may have been more than 20 years ago! However, I do keep in touch, in FB sense, with at least a dozen of these friends, usually commenting on photos/statues, share links and other stuffs. Thus I was expecting maybe a handful of BD wishes from them, but alas, I was very much disappointed.. I received just 2.

Am I sad that I received only 2 BD wishes? Kind of, because it showed how fragile interpersonal relationships are and distance does not make the heart grows 'fonder' nor 'closer'. But all is not lost as I also felt relieved. Why? Because now I know who really care enough to actually make the effort to remember my BD, even if there's only 2 of them.

Life is too short to be wasted on those who doesn't matter. I think my BD is easier enough to remember - 2 days before Christmas and usually a day before the Winter Solstice. And if they don't even make the time to remember the most important day of my life, they are not worth more of my time nor effort. Like I said in my previous blog, I can be mean if I want to, but recently I've come to the conclusion that even being a b***h is a waste of my precious time and energy, so I will choose to just ignore or be 'courteous'.

We will always be 'friends' in FB, just not in RL.

Sunday Serenade: celebrate

Hey, it's my birthday today!! So let's celebrate with Mika! :)

And It will be OK.





Have a great week ahead! Have fun and be happy! It's the festive season! :) 

so

so, it's gonna be Dec 21 in a few hours' time... not that I'm holding my breath expecting something to happen, but this "End of the Day" thingy is gonna turn out to be all-bark-no-bite event.. anyway, stay safe and continue with your festival preparations.. and get ready for 2013.. which I know I will definitely be.. :)

Sunday Serenade: i won't give up

This week, let's have a R&B song by Jason Mraz... Enjoy!

I won't Give Up





Have a great week ahead! Take care and be safe!!!

Poetry Solace: Of hope and meaning

This week, I am sharing 2 poems from a Czech poet, Czeslaw Milosz...

Hope

Hope is with you when you believe

The earth is not a dream but living flesh,

that sight, touch, and hearing do not lie,

That all thing you have ever seen here

Are like a garden looked at from a gate.

You cannot enter. But you're sure it's there.

Could we but look more clearly and wisely

We might discover somewhere in the garden

A strange new flower and an unnamed star.

Some people say that we should not trust our eyes,

That there is nothing, just a seeming,

There are the ones who have no hope.

They think the moment we turn away,

The world, behind our backs, ceases to exist,

As if snatched up by the hand of thieves.

Meaning

When I die, I will see the lining of the world.

The other side, beyond bird, mountain, sunset.

The true meaning, ready to be decoded.

What never added up will add Up,

What was incomprehensible will be comprehended.

- And if there is no lining to the world?

If a thrush on a branch is not a sign,

But just a thrush on the branch? If night and day

Make no sense following each other?

And on this earth there is nothing except this earth?

- Even if that is so, there will remain

A word wakened by lips that perish,

A tireless messenger who runs and runs

Through interstellar fields, through the revolving galaxies,

And calls out, protests, screams.

Enjoy your weekend! Be safe!!

auspicious date

Nothing much to update.. as busy as always.. with the same old stuff - presentations, reports and translations.. the cold and wet weather is not helping with my productivity.. haven't been going to the library much as it's been raining most of the days and there's no heater in the little study room at the library.. and since I don't like being cold (nor hot, for that matter), I rather 'hibernate' in my room, wrapping myself in my blankets..

Anyway, it's 12-12-12 today.. :) 12 is one of my favorite numbers and the month of December is my favorite month.. and in less than 2 weeks, my 2 favorite days will be here.. unfortunately, I can't give myself a break as I have a presentation on boxing day that I'll have to prepare over that weekend.. but I think I will try to get some stuff done in advance so that I can at least have my b-day all to myself, doing nothing and just chilling.. :)

Sunday Serenade: young homie

It has been a while since I'm 'exposed' to new (English) songs. Went to MIX fm's website to see what are being played over the air in Malaysia. So I'll be sharing a few (new) songs that I liked from their list of chart toppers.

First up, a song by Chris Rene. Enjoy!


Young Homie
Open up my mind with these spoken words,
Let this music heal like an overture,
She's the only one, one, one, yeah, yeah
And so I roll with her, ooh,
That's how it's supposed to be,
Living life with loved ones close to me,
Shh, ahh, this is the remedy,
And I got the recipe, I don't need no Hennessy,
Yeah, it's been nine months now,
Haven't had a drink and I'm starting to see clear now,
I'm putting all my fears down,
I can hear the cheers now,
Seeing peace signs when I look around

[chorus] x2
Hey, young homie what you trippin' on
Looking at life, like how did I get it wrong,
Life's too short, gotta live it long,
To my brothers and sisters, when will we get along,
[end of chorus]

Open up your eyes, look around
Homie, can you see how it's going down?
Brothers locked up, sisters knocked up
If you wanna build your love up, put your hate down
Ooh, that's the only way to live
Turnin' negatives to positives
"It's gonna be alright" Bob Marley said
F*ck the dumb sh*t, keep it movin', that's what time it is

[chorus] x2

Give peace to the war in the streets,
Give peace to the evil that creeps, yeah,
I just ride, put my hand to the sky,
Live life like I'm never gon' die,
See we be fighting and fussing over nothing,
So much destruction, looking like puppets,
Combusting like nothing, now listen,
It takes education, to change your reputation,
From bad to good, you're gettin' better now you're elevating,
They be singing, family's hanging, everybody's chillin'
Not gonna stop this, living on the feeling,
Man this is the real thing, tell me can you feel me,
Wait 'til they drop this, dancing on the ceiling

Hey, young homie what you trippin' on
Ah, what you really trippin' on,
Life's too short, gotta live it long,
To my brothers and sisters when will we get along,
[chorus]




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

Sunday Serenade: rainbow connection

This week, let's have a song by Kermit the Frog, who sang it in The Muppets Movie, together with Miss Piggy and the rest of the gang..

Enjoy!


Rainbow Connection
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.




It's so nostalgic... :)
Have a great work/school week ahead! Stay safe and be happy!!!

Poetry Solace: Of heart, dream and reason

This weekend I'll share 3 poems from an  American lady poet, Stevie Smith... I like them short..

My Heart was Full

My heart was full of softening showers,

I used to swing like this for hours,

I did not care for war or death,

I was glad to draw my breath.

In My Dreams

In my dreams I am always saying goodbye and riding away,

Whither and why I know not nor do I care.

And the parting is sweet and the parting over is sweeter,

And sweetest of all is the night and the rushing air.

In my dreams they are always waving their hands and saying goodbye,

And they give me the stirrup cup and I smile as I drink,

I am glad the journey is set, I am glad I am going,

I am glad, I am glad, that my friends don't know what I think.

The Reason

My life is vile

I hate it so

I'll wait awhile

And then I'll go.

Why wait at all?

Hope springs alive,

Good may befall

I yet may thrive.

It is because I can't make up my mind

If God is good, impotent or unkind.

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!!

Updates

Been very busy lately.. so sorry for not updating my blog.. will try to write bits and pieces when I do have time.. and I will try to not make writing this blog an assignment that I need to get everything right and proper.. I have enough reports, assignments and papers for me to do all that..

Weather here is crappy.. wet and cold most of the days.. it's not a problem if I didn't have to go out of my room, but I need to attend classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and go for my English play date with my senior's kids on Thursday nights.. and without a kitchen and a fridge that has a proper freezer, I can't cook.. or rather I can't cook the way I want to.. so I had to either stock-up on food or go out in the rain and get food.. neither which I like doing, especially in a wet and cold day/night, as the former meant eating cold and dry-tasting food while I need to get wet and cold before having hot food for the latter..  :(

Anyway, there's nothing much I can do about the weather... so I'll just have to live with it and adapt..

Sunday Serenade: let it be

Other than "Imagine", this is one of many songs, its lyrics especially, that I really like.. and this shall be the last of my Beatles' song sharing.. 

p/s: the video was very well made.. 

Let It Be 

When i find myself in times of trouble 
Mother Mary comes to me 
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. 
And in my hour of darkness 
She is standing right in front of me 
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. 
Let it be, let it be. 
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. 

And when the broken hearted people 
Living in the world agree, 
There will be an answer, let it be. 
For though they may be parted there is 
Still a chance that they will see 
There will be an answer, let it be. 
Let it be, let it be. yeah 
There will be an answer, let it be. 

And when the night is cloudy, 
There is still a light that shines on me, 
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be. 
I wake up to the sound of music 
Mother Mary comes to me 
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. 
Let it be, let it be. 
There will be an answer, let it be. 
Let it be, let it be, 
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

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

Sunday Serenade: hello, goodbye

"hello" and "goodbye" - two very simple and often used words.. thus no wonder this song is so catchy.. :)

p/s: 'OMG' is the word I'll use to describe what the guys were wearing... :p

Hello, Goodbye

You say yes, I say no. 
You say stop and I say go go go, oh no. 
You say goodbye and I say hello 
Hello hello 
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello 
Hello hello 
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello. 
I say high, you say low. 
You say why and I say I don't know, oh no. 
You say goodbye and I say hello 
Hello hello 
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello 
Hello hello 
I don't know why you say goodbye 
I say goodbye. 
Why why why why why why do you say goodbye goodbye, oh no? 
You say goodbye and I say hello 
Hello hello 
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello 
Hello hello 
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello. 
You say yes, I say no, 
You say stop and I say go go go, oh no. 
You say goodbye and I say hello 
Hello hello 
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello 
Hello hello 
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say goodbye
Hello hello 
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello hello




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

Poetry Solace: Of time and doors of daring

Two more poems from Henry van Dyke.. Enjoy!

Time Is

Time is

Too Slow for those who Wait,

Too Swift for those who Fear,

Too Long for those who Grieve,

Too Short for those who Rejoice;

But for those who Love,

Time is not.

Doors of Daring

The mountains that enfold the vale

With walls of granite, steep and high,

Invite the fearless foot to scale

Their stairway toward the sky.

The restless, deep, dividing sea

That flows and foams from shore to shore,

Calls to its sunburned chivalry,

"Push out, set sail, explore!"

And all the bars at which we fret,

That seem to prison and control,

Are but the doors of daring, set

Ajar before the soul.

Say not, "Too poor," but freely give;

Sigh not, "Too weak," but boldly try,

You never can begin to live

Until you dare to die.

Have a great weekend and be safe!

Sunday Serenade: can't buy me love

It's Beatles' time again!!  Enjoy!!

Can't Buy Me Love

Can't buy me love, love 
Can't buy me love 

I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend if it makes you feel alright 
I'll get you anything my friend if it makes you feel alright 
'Cause I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love 

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you love me too 
I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you 
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love 

Can't buy me love, everybody tells me so 
Can't buy me love, no no no, no 

Say you don't need no diamond ring and I'll be satisfied 
Tell me that you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy 
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love

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

Presidential

In about 24 hours, the world shall find out who the Americans vote for to occupy the White House for the next four years. Personally, I really hope it won’t be MR. I must admit that I am very biased against him. He just feels ‘slimy’ and ‘shifty’ to me. Though I’m not a big fan of BO, he is the one who seems to be more trustworthy and cares (more) for the little people.

Seriously, with chaos and unrest in several problematic areas/nations that might threaten the stability of those regions, the last thing this world needs is a “Bush Jr”-clone. We don’t need another rich-arrogant -white Americans president who believes China is the ‘bad guy’ and Wall Street fat-cats deserve more tax-cuts. Many outside of the US hopes that OB will continue the good work of rebuilding America’s reputation and respectability within the international community that his predecessor has destroyed, in addition to the economy mess he inherited from No. 43.

Anyway, I will be watching CNN as it is covering the election all round the clock. I like the way these CNN anchors put forward their views and opinions, especially Richard Quest and Anderson Cooper. One is funny and sarcastic, while the other is serious yet warm. These are true journalists who value-add with their professionalism. I might not agree with their views/opinions, but I can't deny that what they say make sense.

Dilbert

Have you read Dilbert, the comic strip? And if yes, do you get the humor and sarcasm? I simply love Dilbert and have read every book I can get my hands on.

Apparently not everyone gets the jokes. I incorporated a couple of them in one of my presentations and when I put them up on the big screen, few of my classmates got the humor. Many looked puzzled and/or lost. Is it because of the IT-centric scenarios? Or because they were in English??

I don’t think the first reason stands. The comic strip makes fun of technology, workplace and company issues. Even its author, Scott Adams, attributed its popular success to its workplace setting and themes. So poking fun at managers and bosses should be a common and universally enjoyed pastime for anybody who had ever worked under a boss. Personally, I like how it ridicules the nonsensical but true ignorance of some of the bosses while making decisions and how clueless these middle/top managements are about technology.

Thus I think my classmates will get the pun if those strips were in Chinese instead. Yet, no matter how well it is translated, seldom will it retain the original nuance as I believe that you need to enjoy the joke in its intended language.

Sunday Serenade: a hard day's night

This is one of those songs with their simple lyrics and catchy tunes that kinda stick in your mind.. :)

p/s: Again, I've found the Beatles' cartoon for this song..  and it was aptly themed for post-Halloween with all the non-scary monsters.. :)

A Hard Day's Night
It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog 
It's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a log 
But when I get home to you I find the things that you do 
Will make me feel alright 

You know I work all day to get you money to buy you things 
And it's worth it just to hear you say you're going to give me everything 
So why on earth should I moan, 'cause when I get you alone 
You know I feel ok 

When I'm home everything seems to be right 
When I'm home feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah 

It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog 
It's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a log 
But when I get home to you I find the things that you do 
Will make me feel alright 

Owww! 





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

Poetry Solace: Of home song and four things

This week, it's poems from an American poet, Henry van Dyke.. ..

A Home Song

I read within a poet's book

A word that starred the page:

"Stone walls do not a prison make,

Nor iron bars a cage!"

Yes, that is true; and something more

You'll find, where'er you roam,

That marble floors and gilded walls

Can never make a home.

But every house where Love abides,

And Friendship is a guest,

Is surely home, and home-sweet-home:

For there the heart can rest.

Four Things

Four things a man must learn to do

If he would make his record true:

To think without confusion clearly;

To love his fellow man sincerely;

To act from honest motives purely;

To trust in God and Heaven securely.

Enjoy your weekend! Stay safe!!!

Dependent

Millions of residents in areas devastated by Superstorm Sandy are still without power. Even when CNN anchors grilled the representatives from the power company, no definitive dates is given as to when power will be restored. And that led me to this conclusion: "We are too dependent on electricity."

Our need for energy is fast becoming insatiable. With all the smartphones, tablets and whatnot that we have and use every day, we are consuming energy like it is free and bountiful. And the truth is far from that. Everyone wants to be connected, 24/7 if possible and unfortunately this need for connection is sucking up loads of energy and resources. Is it that crucial that you check in to every single place you go? Is it that critical to let everyone (on your FB) know immediately that you are at this particular place/restaurant/cafe/wherever?

a walk around the park costs nothing..

 Our dependence on technology has tied our fate ever closer to the availability of energy. Earth Day comes and goes every year. Switching off the electricity for an hour is fun and participation has become a sign of eco-conscious. Yet, are we giving Mother Earth a real breather by going dark just for an hour?? We should have an Earth Hour every day. Stop checking your phone, your messages, your emails and your friends’ FB status every single hour/minute/second. Instead, spare an hour or two and take a walk around your neighborhood or park, play a sport with your friends, or simply sit and look around. Most often than not, the best thing in life is free.

Preposterous

Received an email from one of my juniors this morning. She has to do a presentation on an English academic paper to the class as part of the assessment requirement for one of our subjects. She wants to engage my service to translate this paper into Chinese. More than just translating, she wants me to list out the main or important points of the paper for her too! When I read her email, the thought that came to my mind was: “WTF! She might as well ask me to do her presentations slides too!”

Maybe she misunderstood my offer. Earlier, I told her that I can help her if she has any problems. Maybe I wasn't very clear. What I meant was I can help to explain parts of the paper that she doesn’t understand. Maybe I misinterpreted the intent behind her request. Maybe she wants me to translate the paper so that she can compare with her own version and learn. I just don’t know.

I really do understand why English terrifies (maybe the word 'terrorizes' is more apt here) many of my classmates and I do realize how difficult it is for them to read an English paper. Academic papers are no easy reading material, and even I sometimes struggled to grasp those profoundly complicated theories that are often put forward in some rather confusing ways. Yet, I strongly believe that if you put enough effort and time into it, you will eventually get it. And once you do, no one can take that knowledge away.

Safe

First, my thoughts and prayers to those who are affected by Superstorm Sandy. Please do stay safe.

I have been following CNN’s coverage of Sandy’s destruction these past 24 hours. It’s unbelievable the extent of the damages it had caused in the Eastern Seaboard of the US. In my mind, it rivaled the 2010-2011 floods in Brisbane and the Mar 11 tsunami in Japan. Mother Nature is showing us her fury and reminds us of our fragility as a species.

I've lived in Japan and now I am in Taiwan. Both countries suffer from the same natural occurrences of earthquakes and typhoons. Though the magnitudes and impact areas differ, the dangers and damages posed by these two natural phenomena always hang over every person who lives in these two countries. So far, I am blessed and was never in harm’s way when either one of them hits. The sense of helplessness and despondent is not something I would want to feel. I might bitch about the weather and stuff, but I am grateful that I did not find myself in any dangerous situations. And most importantly, I am grateful that no friends nor relatives of mine was affected by the flood in Brisbane nor hurt in the earthquake in Japan last year.

Supper

In Taiwan, supper is treated very seriously and not just a stop-gap between meals. Here is how people will typically spend their evening/night: Have dinner, then go drinking and finally have supper before going home. The other major group of supper goers is the undergraduates, where late nights are the norm. Thus one can find stalls or restaurants catering to these groups of people, within the night-live areas and near to tertiary institutions.

One of the many favorite suppers here is fried food. Here, they put almost anything into hot oil. Young corns, cauliflowers, mantou, and French beans are among some of the unconventional ingredients that they will batter coat and deep fry. Of course, the most popular fried food is still fried chicken (and its various varieties) and French fries. My favorite is fried sweet potato which I will have, at most, once every fortnight.

From health perspectives, we were told to skip supper or have something light if we need to eat late at night. And I abide by it. I will not eat after 8pm. If I am hungry, I will drink a cup of hot cocoa instead. Also, I limit my fried food intake to twice a week. As I have to eat out every meal, I choose meat dishes that are stir-fried or bruised. I would rather have some fatty pork than deep-fried lean meat.

Weekends

I like to stay at home during weekends. Unless I have lunch or dinner appointments with friends, I don’t usually go out as I hate crowded places. And now, with a small study room in the library made available to me till end of the semester, I am there most of my weekends.

Normally, I will sleep late until around 10am, wash-up and then go to the library. I will either eat before going to the library or sneak something, like a sandwich that I’ll buy on my way, in. The library closes at 4:50pm, so I usually leave before 4:30pm to avoid the ‘traffic jam’ at the elevators. I will use the time there to do my homework or prepare for my presentations, if there is any due. Else, I will do my translation as the place is quiet and very conducive to think.

won't mind a nice dinner on the beach.. minus the crowd, of course

Weekends are also the time for me to do my weekly laundry and some simple house cleaning. My room is big enough for me but small enough to warrant just a minimal cleaning. :) Other than that, I will also use my weekends to catch up on my non-academic-related readings and my US TV dramas. :D

With so many things to do, why should I go out and get squashed by the crowds??

Sunday Serenade: this is Halloween.

It will be Halloween this coming Wednesday, so I'm taking a short break from The Beatles and selected a song from one of my favorite cartoon - Nightmare before Christmas, which was released almost 20 years ago in 1993... the song was aptly named This is Halloween



Have a great week ahead!! Happy Halloween and stay safe!

Dramas

I’ve written a couple of times about my TV (drama) addiction. So it is no surprise that I love to watch dramas with non-conventional plots, like the one about a serial killer (Dexter) or the lives of a group of interns-turn-attending doctors (Grey’s Anatomy). Then there is also that series about a group of teenage girls caught in a web of deception and murder (Pretty Little Liars), and also another show about a writer working with the police catching bad guys (Castle). And finally, a series about fairy tales characters stuck in modern times (Once Upon A Time). And so far, these shows in their current seasons have managed to keep me captivated. :)  Due to my time constraints, I have decided to stop following Fringe, Glee, Nikita and Covert Affairs, as they have all fallen into the predictable/boring plot quandary.

Recently, I had started following a new series called Elementary. There are two reasons for this. One, I am curious to see how they are going to re-interpret the Sherlock Holmes ‘formula’ with Watson being a woman. And the other reason is that this female Watson is played by one of my favorite actresses, Lucy Liu! I missed her on the small screen as the last (TV) show I’ve seen her in was Ally McBeal! And that was more than 10 years ago!! Thus I am gonna give this show a chance by watching its entire season. If it is good, I will follow it into the second season, provided it gets renewed.

Anyway, I have the same old complaint: So many dramas, so little time. :p  ;)

Mentor

Tomorrow, I’ll be meeting one of my Waseda professors for lunch. Prof Kano was my advisor for my final semester. And I was really blessed to have him as one of my semester advisors.

Needless to say, Prof. Kano is my favorite professor during my time in Japan. Unlike most Japanese professors that I’ve met, he speaks perfect English, with a slight hint of a British accent. His smooth baritone voice is music to my ears, especially compared to the involuntary mispronunciation of the English languages by many of the faculties there.

To me, Prof Kano epitomizes the quintessential scholar. He is dedicated and passionate about his research. Even with his vast knowledge and experience, he still manages to maintain an air of modesty and humility. Furthermore, he really does care about his students and actually takes the trouble and time to know them better. He is demanding yet nurturing. After my disappointment at my own adviser who, in my mind, behaves more like a politician than an academician, Prof Kano showed me that all is not lost. 

Prof Kano inspired me to seriously consider the idea of a career as an academic and a researcher. He is my role model. Though I might not have his bigheartedness and mild temperament, I will try to emulate his dedication, empathy, and compassion. He was and shall always be my beloved mentor.

Drink

People in Taiwan like to drink. Maybe not all of them, but most of the men and the younger generations. Beer sales top the sales of all other beverages, especially during summer. And news reports of drunk driving and alcohol-related accidents are common everyday ‘theme’ here. Yet even with these horrifying fatalities and costly damages, people here still drink and drive.

Similar to their Japanese counterparts, people here often go out for a drink after work. And many will not stop until they are drunk. Maybe they are really stressed out and drinking (till they are drunk) is their way of de-stressing. Other than this after-work drinking, there is another very disturbing phenomenon of ‘corpse-picking’, where men will wait outside bars and pubs to pick up girls, who were so drunk that they were practically non-responsive, and take them back for sex.

Unfortunately, these working folks are not the only ones drinking to their early graves. The younger generations, like those in high schools and tertiary institutions are also doing their best in boosting alcohol sales. Here, it is rare to have social gatherings that are alcohol-free.

Personally, I think that one can drink and have fun, without causing trouble for others or problem for oneself. It is just a matter of taking personal responsibility for one’s action and behavior.

Routine

I like routines. Those who know me know that I am a habitual person. I tend to settle into a routine of sort after a while. Two weeks is all I need to turn something into a habit. I tend to eat from the same stall/restaurant, walk the same route, watch the same TV channels, buy the same brands, and do things the same way.

i will go off e beaten path to smell the roses..

Maybe it’s because I had bread for my lunch break, prepared by my mum, for almost 9 years (for my primary and lower secondary school days), thus eating the same food over and over again doesn’t seem to bother me at all! Maybe it’s because I find comfort in familiarity and sameness as I generally find interacting with new people and handling new (mundane) chores zap my energy. Maybe it’s because I refuse to think too much about these routine stuff as I believe making too many decisions about mundane details is a waste of my mental energy which I rather spend it on reading and researching.

Nonetheless, I am aware of this habitual inertia and when I do catch myself getting too monotonous and predictable, I will make myself try new things or do the same things differently.

Therefore, I am consciously pushing myself out of my comfort zone, one little step at a time. :)

Competitiveness

Today, a parent’s lament about his daughter earning ‘only’ NT$20,000 a month, despite speaking 5 languages has attracted lots of eyeballs and caused quite a stir over the Internet. This is but one of the many recent reports about the "pitiful state" of graduates in Taiwan.

The issue of graduates here earning "peanuts" compared to graduates in South Korea and Singapore has become a hotly debated matter these past few months. A couple of months ago, an article about a graduate from a prestigious university here earning an honest living as a butcher in Australia had also caused similar social uproar.

Well, my take on these issues is very simple: why stay and fight for a small and shrinking pie? Venture overseas! If the daughter mentioned above really does speak 5 languages (which according to the report includes English, German, French and Spanish), why the insistent on staying in Taiwan?? The world should be her oyster! Go to Hong Kong, Singapore or any other countries, where I’m sure the MNCs there are more than happy to pay her big bucks to have her language abilities at their disposal.

Frankly, I don't see any point in blaming the government and/or the corporations for not paying higher salaries to graduates. It is a simple matter of supply and demand, and unfortunately in Taiwan, the demand side holds all the cards. Other people are willing to work for NT$20K even if you don’t, so you can't blame companies in wanting to pay the barest minimum. In my opinion, if you want more than NT$20K, you should be willing to go to any countries whose companies are willing to pay more or you must be able to prove (to your employer) that you are worth more than that amount.

Wash-up

Many don’t like to cook because they either don’t like the preparation part of the cooking or they don’t like to wash up after all is done. Call me weird, but I don’t mind either. In fact, I like to do the dishes, even after the entire meal. Somehow, washing dirty dishes has a kinda therapeutic effect on me. I like the sense of ‘accomplishment’ of washing something dirty and make it clean again. And I love the sparkling clean feel of those bowls and plates when I’m done with them.

Also, I have no issue with preparation work that is required before cooking. I like to make sure the ingredients that I’ll be cooking are up to my liking/ measurement/ ‘standards’. But I am not so bullheaded as to insist of having the ingredients to be exactly my way. I can/do go with the flow and make do with whatever I have in hand, which is, in fact, most of the time.

The one thing that I don’t like to do is wiping the table. Maybe it is just a quirk, but I do not like to clean up what people leave/ spit on the table. I am not a messy eater, so I usually keep my eating space as clean as possible, because I won’t do onto others what I don’t want others to do onto me.

Movies

I like watching movies, but only certain genre. And I only watch some in the cinemas over on the big screen, while some I reserved watching on TV or my laptop.

Those that I watch on the big screens are usually those with awesome special effects, as smaller screens will not do justice to the “jaw-dropping” reaction that these blockbusters are trying to induce. Other than that, the other occasion when I will actually go to the cinema is when I have company. Went to watch quite a few movies with my sister when I was at home in MY. Her taste in movie is quite different from mine. She like to watch movies just for entertainment (aka no thinking involved), while I prefer those that makes me think, during or after the credits have rolled. Anyway, I did watched a few comedies and a couple of animations with her.

Then there are the types of movies that I’ll save for small screens. I prefer to watch those that have lots of conversations or lots of plot twists on my laptop. I want to listen to the conversations and have the option to rewind to the parts that I didn’t get it the first time. Another thing is that I tend to be touched fairly easily, thus I prefer the privacy of my room to shed a tear or two when emotions are raw.

So in a way, I am not much of a movie buff.

Sunday Serenade: eight days a week

Can't believe I didn't share any Beatles songs so far in this segment.. to make up for lost time, I shall be sharing some of my favorite Fab-Four songs in the following weeks...

p/s: I can still remember watching those Beatles cartoons on TV when I was a kid.. and I've found some over at Youtube... let the swinging seventies begins! :)

Eight Days A Week
Ooh i need your love babe,
Guess you know it's true.
Hope you need my love babe,
Just like i need you.
Hold me, love me, hold me, love me.
Ain't got nothin' but love babe,
Eight days a week.

Love you ev'ry day girl,
Always on my mind.
One thing i can say girl,
Love you all the time.
Hold me, love me, hold me, love me.
Ain't got nothin' but love babe,
Eight days a week.

Eight days a week
I love you.
Eight days a week
Is not enough to show i care.

Ooh i need your love babe, ...
Eight days a week ...
Love you every ...
Eight days a week. eight days a week. eight days a week.





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