Whoa! 2 lengthy posts (The Outlet; Snow White and the poisonous apples) straight in a day! Geez, it's just like having a heavy breakfast early in the morning. *lol* Anyhow, I like to let you know that I love reading your comments. :) Some of them are just like a third eye exposing views that I was not able to perceive.
I got a great one, freshly baked from the oven regarding my earlier post, "Stop the complaints, for all time". Thank you very much, H. aka NC_state for your perspective. Appreciate that. :)
"Jade - although your entry has value, I think that sometimes a good rant is therapeutic. Life is not always sunny and rosy and people can't always be happy. I think that it is great that there are positive people like you out in the world that want to spread joy, but I think that some people just need an emotional outlet for the things that are bothering them, no matter how materialistic that it appears. It is human nature and in my opinion is that some complaints are healthy."
I guess I didn't elaborate clearly and put a clear emphasis in the post. We all have problems that are bothering us. That is a non deniable fact. I can understand the frustrations when facing these problems. It is certainly not wise to suppress all these frustrations inside us. As the pressure gets higher and once it hits x-GigaPascal, it will just explode and the damage might be deleterious. This is not a wise way, and certainly not the way. An appropriate outlet is a MUST. But that doesn't mean we go on forever and ever to just complain about the same thing. I have many experiences that I complained one good old same thing again and again. For a start, the problem is one problem in my life. But I over-magnified it and the more I complained about it, the worse I felt and others who listened to me too. Secondly, although it was a serious problem, but I realized my continuous complaints didn't ease the situation any better but worsen it a whole lot.
With this brought up, I mean we should definitely find a good outlet. I find talking my problems with some people is one good outlet. We go through the problems, listen to their perspectives and find a solution for it. But even sometimes it is kind of a helpless problem, at least a good pair of ears helps tremendously to release the Pascal.
But what I really wanted to emphasize is, sometimes we complain way too much. Little things we just complain for the sake of complain. We are no longer easily satisfied and just be content. This is because we calculate too much. We analyse what we have and what we don't very detailed and measure it in minute details using the "calculator". This is certainly not going to help us at all. The more we calculate, the unhappier we get because we just want everything we want. It is just like the example I brought up in the post earlier. Stop counting and just work on things we want. If we don't get it, still be happy about ourselves.
We need an outlet. But an outlet is a way to get rid of things, and not for us to "generate unnecessary things" (ie calculating too much and thus leads to more frustrations and unhappiness) so that we have something to release. I have some good outlets. Hope you have found one too. :)
♥ every page of my imagination
3 people traveled to my fantasyland
I am sure you are pretty familiar with the "Snow White" fairy tale. In that case, you must have known what happens with Snow White and the poisonous apples. Am I right?
Again, I'm sure you are also very familiar with hurtful gossips/comments/rumours and even scoldings from others. How do you feel when you heard about all these negative remarks about you that came out from the mouths of others? And some of these remarks have been exagerated many-folds that are not even containing any truth about us anymore. How do we react about all these accusations and gossips? It is indubitable that anger is risen. How could these people accuse and gossip badly about me? Plus some of these have deeply torn my good impression and worse still affecting my life and my beloved ones'. Naturally we have the strong urge in arguing back and perhaps trying to logic with them and want to stop them from hurting us further. We can fully comprehend this immeditate reaction. It seems like a programmed reflex of our brain neurons. But have we really realized that most of the time the more we respond to these negative comments, the more they keep on directing to us? Sometimes it stops for awhile, but it gets coming back again.
So what are we supposed to do? It is their mouths, not ours and how we wish we have this magic power in zipping their mouths! But the truth is, you and I can't do that? What about going up to scold them or even hit them? Well, probably violence will help a little, but that's provided you won't get charged later for your violent acts! *lol* Ok, some scoldings and arguments will not grant an arrest, but don't forget, these people will respond to your scoldings/arguments as well. The more you react, they will get more interested in continuing to talk about you. Why? Well, because you're responding and they know they've got your nerve, as simple as that.
Does this have anything to do with Snow White? I read a book long ago using the poisonous apples as a metaphor for hurtful gossips/comments/rumours/scoldings. The evil queen bringing you a basket of poisonous apples is just like these people gossiping/spreading rumors that are bad about you. If you react to them, it is just like you're accepting the poisonous apples and eating them. But if you don't care about what they say and ignore all those stuff, you're turning the poisonous apples away. The rumors/accusations may continue for awhile. But as long as you not giving any response, it will never get you and after awhile. These people will cease talking about you anymore, because they don't get the fun in triggering your anger, they'd rather find a new target to have fun with. Or even once in a long while they come back to you (hoping that this time you'll be angry and react), you just continue ignoring them and not showing any sign of being affected, what can they do to you? Yes, they have the rights to use their mouth to speak whatever, but you have rights to make your mouth ingest whatever too.
I know it is really difficult not to respond. I mean, heck, these nasty people are talking bad about me or even scold me, how can I not react and warn them? But before we yell back at them, do you think our response will really terminate all these? Not at all. It will just make the things roll bigger and bigger. Gossips and talk bad are happening everywhere to everyone. If we respond to every of these, aren't we wasting our precious time and energy on these garbage? Better treat ourselves better and don't eat the poisonous apples.
You're talking bad about me? Ah well whatever, I just couldn't care less!
♥ every page of my imagination
0 people traveled to my fantasyland
Most of the time, we all complain a lot, don't we? As often, we also hear a lot of complaints surrounding us. Is it just us? Or is life really that suck?
Few days ago, I bumped into VP outside my lab and we chit-chatted a little. VP is a postdoc in another lab upstairs. I only knew her earlier this year when I was exploring a new technique by myself and was getting help around. VP was kind and nice enough to give me a lot of helpful hint in that experiment. Anyhow, back to our 15minutes of instantaneous chat (note: VP was holding a container of ice with some microfuge tubes sitting on it whereas I was on my way to meet my supervisor):-
VP: How are you doing? Is work going on well?
Me: Well, I'm good. Work is all right, slow as usual.
VP: That's okay, you'll get there.
Me: Yeah, I know and I'm actually not too fuss about that. What about you?
VP: Life is great and I don't complain about it. *genuine expression and smile*
Me: Wow, you really have a positive attitude!
VP: Well, I do have down moments and other problems too but in general life has been good and I don't magnify those problems that much.
Now you might be suspecting probably I just caught VP at the right moment as she was in a chirpy mood of the day. Well initially I was thinking that too. But our conversation went on further and more in depth and we talked about a few other things too including her problem in securing her job. Her salary will only last till another 6 more months and it has been really tough in getting a position for her. But looking at her eyes, I knew she was not lying. She really meant it when she said "Life is good!"
I have another friend. Each time I talked to her, she would complain or make some negative remarks about her family, her work, her friends and even her finance. Maybe she is really unfortunate and deserves to vent out her spleen. Em, let's see. Well, she comes from a good family. Both her parents and siblings treat her as the little princess at home. Her hubby loves her so much that every now and then, he'll buy her diamond rings, perfumes those material stuff, as well as giving her emotional supports for her work. Her hubby is a senior surgeon in a famous hospital. And they share two adorable children, a boy and a girl. She has been having a smooth career path. Money is never an issue for her family because they own several properties. The whole family is well-traveled and has been to many countries in the world. Her friends have been treating her really well considering her lack-of-genuineness sometimes. So what is she complaining about? Why is there so much for her to complain? I don't understand but I did ask once.
Me: I think you're living a great life.
WW: No, I have so many problems. I am not happy.
Me: What problems do you have?
Me: You have a good and happy family. You have your degree and a well-paid job. You have many shelters and cars. You are not short of money. You have a bunch of wonderful friends who are always helpful to you. This is already a blessing. What more do you ask for?
WW: You don't understand. I don't ask for all these that I'm having now. I just want those I don't have. I will be really happy if I can get what I am lack of now and what I am lusting for.
Me: ...............*speechless utterly!!*
This conversation was taken place more than a year ago. The last line of that conversation from WW imprinted on my mind. I always think about it and each time when I recall it I would feel pity for her. Isn't it a pity that although WW has been living a blessed life, which is much better than many people, yet she never feels satisfied and just be happy about it? And it is even more pitiable of her that in spite of people admiring her good life, she still sees the hollow of what she lacks is much bigger and deeper than what she owns.
Now turning our attention back to ourselves. Don't you think we also constantly like WW, complaining and making negative remarks about our problems, what we don't have, so-and-so giving troubles to us and stuff like that?
If our parents are still around, we complain about them for not being understanding.
If some parents are divorced, we complain that we are no longer that close because they have their own family and lives and so do us.
If we are married or attached, we complain about husband/bf of how inconsiderate they are, yada yada.
If we are still swimming in the single pool, we complain that life is so boring without having someone special to accompany us especially during certain festive season.
If we have a job, we complain how bad the coworkers or bosses are. And sometimes if we're capable, we complain about the heavy workload we shoulder and complain when credit is not given or the next promotion is not visible yet. We complain about not having enough time.
If the job is more or less routine, we complain about that too.
For our friends, we too complain about those who have their own family and do not spend enough time with us. Or for those who have a different pace in life than us, we may even complain that we have lost our friends and have no one to hang out with.
We complain about not having enough money to do shoppings or buying luxurious condo.
We complain about our looks and about how fat we are.
Whatever we can name of, we just have something to complain about.
Yes, no doubt we can't have everything we want. Isn't this the natural phenomenon? Can't we just stop making all the calculations of what we don't have and what others have for once? Why not look at what we already have? I ascertain that many of us are really very fortunate since there are many least fortunate people who don't even own 1% of what we are having. Some are even struggling just for basic survival and they barely have enough to feed themselves, Yet, many of us are complaining about how we stuffed ourselves at a feast and then worrying about the additional calories would expand the bodysize, which will make us lose attraction! Now, don't you think our complaints are way too ridiculous?
Don't you also realize the more complaints a person has the less joy this person has? Trust me, if making a complaint or negative remark will help us grant whatever we lust for, then by all means, go for it. But the truth is, the more you complain or you fuss about it, the more frowns you have on your forehead and worse still the unhappier you feel and the tiny problem will be magnified hundreds-folds. Why not just be cool about what we have and shed off all the grudges we are holding. Think of it this way:- "Yeah, if I can get it, that will be a bonus, if not, it's fine too." "This is not a big problem. If I can deal with it, I will, if not I shall be grateful that it makes me learn." "Oh, more problems to me? Well, great chances in making me learn." "Oh yeah, this person is not that nice. But to err is human and we shouldn't let our hatred occupy our heart. Forgive and forget. If we can't, at least we just leave the person alone and move on."
We've been complaining and making negative remarks about so many things all these while. And neither all these complaints made life any easier nor you and I feeling happier. Perhaps it is really time for us to change our perception/tactic. Why not stop all these complaints and negative remarks, for all time? You'll feel the heart more spacious. You'll have smoother breath. The sky will be brighter and even if it rains, you'll enjoy the gloomy sky!
♥ every page of my imagination
3 people traveled to my fantasyland
"You're such an oddball!"
Oddball? I didn't know that I would ever be described as an oddball. You must be wondering this too and in case you're suspecting something similar about me. Eh, well-done Sherlock Holmes! I think you might be right. Do continue your investigation here. I'm dropping clues everywhere. *teehee*
DV: I hate taking long distance flight.
Me: Why so?
DV: I'm afraid....and I don't feel comfortable.
Me: Oh, stop worrying too much. You should just enjoy the flight. I like taking plane rides.
DV: You're weird! It's not fun at all. I just want a short traveling time.
Me: I especially like transiting. That is the reason I always choose different airways to check out different transiting routes in different airports. And I enjoy taking the plane rides by myself.
DV: What?! You're such an oddball!
Seriously, I really do like taking planes alone and enjoy watching people and spending time at different airports while transiting. Airport is really a wonderful strange place. It gathers so many people from everywhere with diverse backgrounds ie ethnic group, nationality, religion and behaviours. Yet at that moment of time, some of us happen to be gathered at the same place waiting to be transported to a different directions. Some are heading towards the north of the earth and others heading to the sourthern hemisphere. We walk pass each other in the terminal and still we do not know each other. Also with some experiences on different airways, I can recommend you which one to go for according to their service, seat comforts, price and pilots' skills.... yada yada.
I prefer to have at least 2-3 hours of transit time so that I can have a decent amount of time exploring the airport. I tend to check out the duty free shops. Did I just say that? Wow, who is the one who always claim that she doesn't shop that much?? Okok, I admit this is the rare moment I do window shopping. I like the perfume duty free shops. Yeah, I'm a perfume girl, which is also one of those rare signs in categorising me as girlie. Then I do check out the book shops and CD shops. Well, this is no new news because if I go shopping, you'll find me spending most of my shopping time in those two types of shops.
Now, what do you think about me, Detective Holmes? Am I kooky/odd/weird? I think it is just fun to experience something really different. I don't believe you have no kookiness or odd behaviour whatsoever. Each of us does have something considered as kooky. It is fun to share too. So what is yours? I promise not to discriminate you after knowing. Hehe.
♥ every page of my imagination
5 people traveled to my fantasyland
Few nights ago, after getting off from the bus, I realized there's a guy walking behind me. He followed me closely even when I was about to enter the building. Was someone stalking me? I was standing on guard. Well, I was tired and I didn't want any drama or disaster to happen. After I entered the building, he followed me immediatey. All right, maybe he's just one of the tenants. So I took out my touchlock to enter the floor where my apartment is located, he came in as well before the door closed itself. All right, this is really a bit strange. So I slowed down with all my nerves on. Luckily he walked pass me. While I was approaching my door, he stopped!! What was he going to do? He better not take out a pistol or a knife!! Ok, thankfully I was just too imaginative. He was actually taking out his keys and went into the apartment next door of mine. Oops, so he's actually my neighbor on the left and I didn't even notice it until that moment.
During our lunch discussion, we were casually chatting how we only manage to see our neighbors during summer because the weather is pleasant and people tend to be more active to go out for outdoor activities. When the weather becomes colder, everyone prefers to stay in doors. This observation does make some sense. I did hear more noise during this summer. Other than this, I think city people are generally bearing a life of solitude and do not mix around much with their neighbors. This is a pretty weird thing. Someone is staying so close to us and yet there's no communication. I haven't been staying in the countryside before. But I would guess at least you get to visit your neighbors on certain occasions. I always heard about my paternal grandmother mentioning about her gossips with so-and-so in the neighborhood whenever I was visiting her last time. So this makes me think that not hanging out with neighbors is a city phenomenon. We are too busy with our work life, our social life and by the time we get home, we're drop dead tired and what we want is to get some time for ourselves and rest.
Do you know all your neighbors? Probably you are better than me. I have 5 neighbors in close proximity. (left, right, opposite, opposite left and opposite right). I'm now down to 4 in the list to hunt out who are these 4 people. Eh, maybe I'll get to find out the next one in my next late night home. Oh no, not another freakin' moment!!
♥ every page of my imagination
2 people traveled to my fantasyland
I don't know about you.....I do have some friends whom I try hard to keep in touch but the effort always comes out as a failure. It is just like two dots on two different horizons and can't be connected.
Initially I was upset a little, but as time goes by, I get to understand I should not hold on to this so tight. No, I am not having enmity towards these friends. I bear them no malice too. It's just the frustration of disappointment. Why can't they put some effort in maintaining the link as I am doing now? I treat them as friends and I'm not asking them to reciprocate in a few folds. It's just a few lines of email, that's not that difficult right?
Anyhow, I feel that it really doesn't matter now even if they don't connect to the dot on my side. I still think about them as friends and what concerns me more is my friends' well-being and happiness.
And surprise surprise, recently I received a few emails from this catagory of friends. I'm thrilled to hear from them, as you can imagine. But I'm more electrified to hear that they are doing well. This is all I want to hear. One of the messages did touch me. "Thanks for all your encouragement. Apologies for not having too much time to reciprocate. But I wanted to let you know that it's always a joy to hear from you once in a while."
There are still a number of the MIA friends in this category. Maybe I can get some dotted lines joined. A ruler may draw us a line,. Even if no line is drawn, I'm always grateful to know these friends and I always hope for happiness for them.
♥ every page of my imagination
2 people traveled to my fantasyland
JH: Thank goodness it's warmer today. The temperature now is 32F. But before the snowfall, it was below 32F.
Me: But I didn't find it that cold at all.
JH: No, it was freakin' cold. Are you in love?
Me:Huh? What do you mean?
JH: Well, only people who are deeply in love will not feel the coldness, hunger and stuff like that. All they can think of is the happiness of love.
Me: You know what? Funny how it is that FZ told me exactly the same thing last week. All I could say is you guys are really imaginative. *lol*
Me: I'm planning to go for a movie. I'll need to check out for some romantic shows.
AG: Oh, are you going out with someone?
Me: Why did you ask so?
AG: Coz you're into romantic shows.
Me: You know I'm always in love, sweety! *giving her a wink*
Me: ......lalala.......*singing songs out and dancing a little*
NK: Hey, are you seeing someone right now?
Me: Geez, this line sounds so familiar. you asked me before.
NK: Oh, did I? You're singing so happily and this makes me wonder whether are you in love.
I think we are putting a lot of attention in the love issue, the romance love issue. Think about the songs we listen to, no matter oldies or new age, many of them are singing about love. What about movies shown in the cinema? Actually many of them are about love too. Even the best selling novels are mostly romance. Many advertisements exploiting romance love as the theme to sell their products. And have you noticed that love relationship has been most frequently brought up in our conversation with our mates? I'm not abjuring that love is not important and should we not emphasize or mention about it. But there are many other things we should be looking forward to as well. Do you have to be in love to sing a song or occupy the entire dancefloor? Does that mean you need not ingest anything and will be able to survive with sufficient nutrients?
What do you think of me and the stuff in the above-mentioned dialogues? It must have been love huh? All right then, I've must have been so in love since I was born. *lol*
♥ every page of my imagination
4 people traveled to my fantasyland
I'm sure many of us know how to bike. I learned it when I was 9yo. My aunt bought me a bike (normal bicycle) as a reward for my academic performance that year. My aunt really loves us so she bought a tricycle to my second sister as well.
Anyway, since I didn't know how to bike before, I spent the entire semester vacation in learning. For the first two weeks, I had to ask my aunt or my dad or some adult at home to hold on tight the handle or the seat for me so that I won't fall. But still after two weeks of full time practice, I still didn't know how to bike yet! And the adults had other more important things to do. So they left me alone. I felt flustered. I saw my 2nd sis, she's biking happily on her tricycle. I thought, "Maybe that little wheels behind will help me balance.". Therefore, I commanded her to lend me her bike using my "power" as the eldest in the family. Geez, I was such a bully!
My sister gave me a resentful look and reluctantly my sister got off her bike. I took her bike and rode on it happily. After a few days, I found myself not enjoying my sister's bike anymore. Partly is because I was guilt-ridden and I felt that I was just cheating. I still didn't know how to ride a true bike!
One early morning after waking up, I went straight to take out my new bike, took a deep breath, jumped on the seat and started pedaling. It went well for the first minute, then suddenly I lost my balance and fell. Needless to say, I had a deep wound on one of my knees and a big bruise on the other leg. I got up and went to clean my wound and decided to stay away from the bike for the rest of that day. Two days later, when the wound was not hurting, I went to my bike and this strange thought just popped up. "What do I fear? I've fallen before and though it hurts, it's still not that awful as I thought. Oh heck, I'm going to give it one more try!" The next moment I found myself riding smoothly on the bike and it was even way past the 5 minute limitation. Since then, I went around announcing to everyone that I do know how to ride a bike!
What about swimming? Many people do swim but of course there are still a big proportion of us who do not know how to swim. My mother sent me for swimming lesson when I was 7. I could remember the first few lessons, my coach made me holding a float board or holding at the pool edge and learned the first step of all swimming strokes, which is to have a strong kick in the water. Then he brought me away the pool edge, holding my hands and forced me to put my head down to the pool. I got really nervous as you could have imagined and didn't want to put my head down to the water. We went back and forth and I think I had to give in. But I swallowed a lot of chrolinated water (possibly a mixture of sweat, urine and unknown body fluids)! Yikes! Yes, for the rest of the many lessons, I've been swallowing this disgusting water! Until one day, I found myself kicking easily and my arms crawling on a Freestyle stroke! My coach even signed me up for swimming gala held within the recreational club! Hehe.
These two learning events imprinted my mind for a long while. I could never understood what was the trick behind that made miracle happened to me overnight in picking up these two skills. There is no sports gene running in my family. Everyone in the family knows about it. How is it so that make normal people like you and me pick up these skills for daily recreation? We don't need to be an Olympic trainer to know how to bike and swim. We just have to learn for a few times, experience a few times and gradually we'll be able to pick it up. However, what we experience in the first few times will not be as easy as it sounds. We might have noticed it during towards the 2nd or 3rd lessons and the majority of us will begin to have this fear thought/feeling. Some get so paranoid and stop learning from there. But some proceed further and get it alas.
Well, knowing how to swim or bike doesn't make you a better person. That's really no big deal. Yep, that's true, we can go for another sport or activity. But these are just examples I've experienced personally. There are many things we have yet to acquire and we truly want to learn. And these things don't come easily. We may have to struggle a bit to learn. I guess everything is about the same. The learning process is the same. The emotional feelings and thoughts are similar. We always have some kind of fear while learning. We fear to fall. We fear to swallow water. We fear the pain. We fear of what others view/think about us. We fear to lose. There's so much to fear and in the end, nothing actually fears us but ourselves!
There is nothing wrong in not hurting ourselves. But if we let this "don't want to get hurt" thought haunt us, it will sure prohibit us in learning something. You know what I mean? Sometimes maybe that one fall or that one big gulp of chlorine water do make us learn better. Well, at least it worked for me!
♥ every page of my imagination
2 people traveled to my fantasyland
I have been treating my apartment as my hotel. Why did I say so? I have not really spent enough time at home (just 8 hours to sleep). I have been going home around 9 o'clock at night every weekday and most of the weekends for the past few months. I do miss slobing around the house all day and do nothing. And I finally did. I spent the whole day at home doing whatever I enjoy, but absolutely no work and not even household chore (I did cook a dish of TomYam prawn tho).Few days ago, I had this Vanessa William's "Save the best for last" tune spining in my head and I was even singing a few lines of this song, "Sometimes the snow comes down in June...". Snow......Snow? I have been waiting for the first snow fall for this cycle of the winter to arrive. Two days ago the temperature dropped down to 23F! I knew it was going to come. And it did. We had our first snow today while I was sitting at home with the heater on. I didn't realize it in the beginning until I heard some sound like rain hitting my window. I had the curtains drawn and saw the snows covering everywhere outside. I checked my record for last year's first snow (from my photo album last year. Note that the picture posted here was taken last year at my old apartment). It came 2 days earlier than this year. Wow, isn't it amazing that 367 days have gone and one complete cycle of the season was completed?
I love snow. Maybe it is because I come from a country without snow. Anyway, I'm really grateful and excited that I am able to experience different climate here. With the mark of the beginning of the winter season, spring will not be far. But before this, maybe a skiing trip should be feasible and of course a white christmas will be coming up next (hopefully)! That's right, every events (annual) will be rolling one by one, like a circle. There's always something to look forward to each day, for you and me!
♥ every page of my imagination
4 people traveled to my fantasyland
Have you ever smile appreciatively while carrying out your mundane activities each day?
When you tuck in every night, do you feel that you are so lucky to have such a cozy comfy bed to lie on?
When you take a shower or bath each time, has the thought of luxury appears in your mind and make you be a little grateful for the developed infrastructure and supply of clean water?
Well, I don’t normally think about what I am doing daily because that makes me a little real goof. What? Don’t I have better things to do than making such random thoughts? Okay, now I’m going to admit that I did think about it after going through some little experience that make me appreciate my mundane activities more.
Many years back during my college year, there was a gas crisis in the whole city where I was studying. We had no gas supply for a few days. Needless to say that the crisis created a lot of problems to the entire city and even affecting fragile lives in the hospital. People had to just find alternate ways of cooking their food. That’s when I started to appreciate the gas supplies we pay for each month. By the way, here’s a little tip for you to cook food without using the gas, use electricity? How? I always carry with me a rice cooker all these years while jet-setting in 3 other countries apart from my home country. I can use it to cook really simple food. In fact when I’m a little lazy pig, I still use it for convenience.
Have you been camping before? I really love setting up tents and camp to experience something different from staying indoors and the luxury facilities we usually have. My first camping experience was camping in a desert. It was freaking cold in the middle of night and I couldn’t sleep that well throughout the few nights. Obviously the camping sites usually don’t have classy toilet and shower facilities. My first shower after I returned home from that trip made me felt that as if I was having a blessing shower. I felt so good to go have a clean bathroom of my own. And of course the first night of sleep on my soft gentle bed was such bliss.
All right, this post is somewhat ludicrous and the thought sounds folly too. But hey, maybe it does bring up a different perspective compared to what other blogs offer. Perhaps…probably….possibly…*muahaha*
♥ every page of my imagination
3 people traveled to my fantasyland
One of the greatest inventions that we human should be proud of is the magnetic compass. In fact the compass is an old chinese invention, which probably was brought down long ago from the Qin dynasty (221-206 BC). [click here to read about its history]
And turning our head back to the 20th century, aeroplane serves as another remarkable invention that brings convenience to mankind.
Have you been to the cockpit of an aircraft? Close to 20 years ago, I took my first flight with my parents. At that time, we were allowed to visit or at least have a peep at the cockpit area upon request. My dad wanted to bring me to have a view but I was way to shy to go and talk to a pilot. And now this girl has become a not-so-shy grown up and have been taking flights all these years. Yet I've lost the chance of visiting the cockpit of the aircraft. Passengers are strictly forbidden to get close to the cockpit area now due to safety precautions (such an obvious reason, huh?). But this doesn't cease my curiosity. How pilots manage to see the "road' above the sky?
The magnetic compass. This is the answer. [click here to find out the principle].
The little magnetic compass is such a wonderful realible tool. It tells you the direction and it doesn't need any fancy high-tech switches or power supply to make it function. It is just that simple!
Campers/adventurists too bring along a compass when they go for an expedition.
Fengshui masters bring along a compass when they need to tell the orientation of a place.
But actually do you realize everyone of us has our own compass too?
Our compass is always with us but we tend to brush it aside, especially when we're lost in the mist. We're burying ourselves with the dramas and issues that it seems impossible to get our feet down to move forward. We're so lost! And that's why we need to take our our compass now.
Where's the compass? It is both our heart and our mind. You can't leave out either one.
But sometimes what our heart wants may not be sensible and what our mind tells us to do (that will make sense) may not be what our heart wants. Well, maybe that's when the magnet in the compass is being influenced by some metal objects, which makes the compass needle shaking and pointing uncertain orientations. Once we've removed all external objects that will influence the needles, we'll be able to see the orientation, the orientation of both our heart and mind.
Where's our compass? Remove the fear. Don't overanalyze. Don't overexamine. Remove the expectations....remove all these "objects". We'll be able to find our heart and mind. Drop everything off. Yes, we have to think carefully before we decide something. But sometimes we think too much and also we generate a lot of negative emotions along. We can't foresee the future too much, not even the next minute. So why bother to think that much? Of course I'm not saying we just simply go with the flow and not think before you do. It's just like if you see a big hole in front, of course you won't walk straight and fall into the hole. That's giving us trouble and hurting ourselves too. But the fact is we are only able to see a limited area in front. It is impossible to view the space beyond that area. But if we put up a negative hypothetical scenario, with all those negative emotions associated, we won't be able to make our next step. The best is drop all these things that will influence the compass. Wait a little while for the compass to get back to its function without influence. Calm ourselves down. Then move one small step forward at all time. Eventually we'll be able to find ourselves getting to the direction based on the orientation indicated by the compass. We'll get there.
Have you found your compass? Don't worry. It's still there and you just need to clear somethings off to find it. Good luck for the search.
♥ every page of my imagination
3 people traveled to my fantasyland
I need some overhaul in my life. It's not really at the end of the year yet. So for those who tend to have new year resolutions, you might think it's weird that I'm already talking about this. Okay, for a start, I don't make new year resolution. And even if I do, I just can't fix my head with a long list to be achieved within one year (or a specific time). Secondly, I think every moment is a new moment, everyday is a brand new day. You can just make a plan and go for it whenever you like. Hey, you really don't have to wait till 31st of December to plan for the list. Oops, I digress. Why do I need an overhaul at this point?
Well, do you drive? You can accelerate as much as you like along a smooth driveway(watch out the speed limit though). But not all the roads are straight and free of hindrance. Sometimes you have to turn to congested streets. You can’t go as fast you wish because there are vehicles in front. Sometimes the streets are a bit bumpy too and you even have to watch out for the pedestrians. Obviously you have to decelerate and push the brake pedal as well as changing your gears more often.
Well, this is where I am now. The condition of the street has prompted me to slow down to avoid colliding with front objects. This is when the brake pedal is pressed more often. And this also serves the best moment for the drivers to detect any faulty brake system. There’s no other better time for the symptoms of the brake system become obvious than this moment. Some most common symptoms that will be detected at this time include (1) the vehicle pulls aside during braking (2) the brake pedal pulsates and/or the vehicle vibrates during braking (3) the brake pedal is too hard or too spongy (4) the brake pedal goes down too far (5) any kind of noise while braking.
It is another of this moment for me now. Daily experiences and certain events accumulated all these while serve an excellent reflection for me. It’s time to do some overhaul and really put some plans into actions. In the pipeline of the doable list would be dedicating time for some leisure activities. No more lame excuses for not going to the gym. It’s really time to sign up for a foreign language lesson. Reconnecting with old friends who I’ve lost touch lately due to overwhelming of work. I’ve actually started reconnecting the dots by visiting Mr. Nice’s 3-month old daughter last weekend. She’s so adorable and cute. *a wide grin on my face now* I was invited to their place for lunch. Mr. and Mrs. Nice are really supportive (as always) especially Mr. Nice. He has given me a booster of advice that day.
Other than these, most importantly I have to change some perceptions plus adjusting and tuning my ways of handling things in certain aspects.
I always have these moments especially after a long smooth drive. However I do notice that wisdom is gained during this lot of braking moment. Why on earth you want to push your pedal brake when you’re at 80 mph if the road is clear right ? That's why I do appreciate this testing of the brake moment. Really.
It may take a long while for the overhaul to complete. But it is necessary for the driver’s safety. Hopefully after the overhaul, the driver will be wiser, well at least a wee bit. Oh dear, will “a wise head on young shoulders” best describe me later then?! *smug* Anyhow, if you drive or own a car, when was your last time you sent your vehicle for maintenance? Perhaps it’s about time for one now or an overhaul if needed.
♥ every page of my imagination
3 people traveled to my fantasyland
Stone age
Primitive People A (PPA): I brought back a big fat deer to my tribe. I had to share it with all my tribe men. I had the least portion and large proportion of it was even bones that I couldn't swallow.
Primitive People B (PPB): This happens to me too. We just happen to do all the hardwork and let the rest get the big fat meat.
PPA: Do you think that's fair?
PPB: That really depends on how you see. On surface no of course, that's really not fair. But at least we are capable and we improve our hunting skills from the accumulated practices. And we can leave the tribe anytime and will have no problem to survive.
PPA: Can we avoid our meat being shared?
PPB: Maybe not because we're still living as a tribe.
PPA: I am still not happy about this yet I feel hopeless.
PPB: Look at it this way, at least the tribemen are just eating what you hunt and not grab away your hunting weapon. You will be able to survive with your hunting skill and your weapon, not them!
♥ every page of my imagination
0 people traveled to my fantasyland
Do you realize that the world has become very competitive? Everywhere we go, wherever there's more than two individuals being placed together in a same room working on the same thing, they are bound to somehow end up in a competitive manner. Plus the society nowadays is somewhat more developed so to speak. Its people are generally better educated (higher intelligence due to better nutrition??). Whatever the reason is, don't you feel that the whole environment is in such a racing manner and the next second you actually find yourself running at a race track (regardless you like it or not)?
Sometimes I wonder how many of us can truly avoid the race? How many will end up not gaining a single negative impact from the race? If the competition is purely for better improvement, then that's a healthy one. I'm sure we all won't mind being recruited in the race. But the fact that reality is a little cruel. All these races have been shaped as a survival game, either you win or lose. And worse still is the vast majority of the runners in the race track have a different mentality now. All they could think of is how to be the champion. The "loser" word sounds so horrible and no one wishes to be called so. There's no more athlete spirit now. We even find bets are placed on these races. Those putting their bets are so concerned about winning money, sometimes they will put an innocent person in the race without respecting the person's will.
So what can you do if you happen to be the runner in such a pathetic situation? Give up the race? Oh... probably we don't have the leisure to pick this option because it's either you continue swimming or you will sink at the pool! Instead of struggling to win the race or hating the race, probably adjusting our mentality serves the best antidote. It doesn't matter how fast the other swimmers or runners are. We just have to make sure we continue swimming and not drowning. If we know some real professional athletes/coaches, they will tell you the best strategy of winning a race is not to stare at how fast other runners at the next lanes are but just keep your eyes straight focusing at your own lane.
If we can't change the whole atmosphere and others, we can only change ourselves. Competition by and large motivates us for better improvements. But we have to makesure we don't easily fall into the pond of stress and drown ourselves to death. It's just a game, not a true race.
No one enjoys being the loser. But the seat for the champion is limited. Even if you're the winner for this round, it doesn't mean you'll be the final winner in the end. And even if you're always sitting at the champion throne, so what? Does that mean you're smarter or better? It's all the experiences at the racing track that really matters. Don't you think so?
♥ every page of my imagination
3 people traveled to my fantasyland
Boss: Have you met that guy?
Me: Yeah, I've met him once.
Boss: Do you like him?
Me: It is hard not to like someone without even talking to the person.
Surgeon JZ (turning to my boss): That was actually a good answer!
Was I sucking up? Nooo....I could have just pretended that I did talk to that person my boss was asking and just simply nodding to her that "I like that guy and he's a nice person." When I said "It's hard not to like someone without talking to the person.", I mean it is rather difficult to start disliking someone after just a brief acquaintance. It's just like a passerby in the street. Why would you dislike a person who hasn't even done anything to you? But then this makes me think about myself, maybe I did dislike some strangers by just looking at their actions and behaviours. This is what we call bad impression, right? And it is rather difficult not to judge based on these impressions we get from others. We all are aware of the effectiveness of impressions. That’s why we have to dress up for an interview. We look at the mirror to check everything is absolutely fine before we go for a date. We clean up our house before inviting guests to visit. We even try to have neat handwriting to impress the examiners.
I think we have enough of dislike. What about liking someone at first sight? No, I’m not referring to that type of romantically liking someone type of like. Let me put it this way. Have you ever just like a person thinking he/she is nice and will be cool to be friends with by just a glance? Again, it's the factors of impression and judgement being the players here.
Actually I have experienced both like and dislike at the first few sights. Sometimes my intuition seems pretty accurate. But sometimes I realize my little sensor wasn’t working that well. Blame the false impression I received. Blame the wrong judgment I made or blame myself for being judgmental. Blame our perceptions. As time goes by, if we have more interactions with the person, our perception is likely to change. And also bear in mind, nothing is constant. Yes, it is true when we know someone better; we may discover more things about this person. Yet, don’t forget we all change too. The person (his character) is changing. We are changing. The environment and everything are changing.
When I was much younger, I found that I was constantly laying myself open to criticism as an unfriendly and arrogant snob. Maybe I was. But the fact is I didn’t even know these people. After a few years, several people noted to me respectively that I wasn’t that arrogant and cold as I look. In fact I began to receive little “praises” about my improvement in my personality. I was totally oblivious of any effort I would bother to make for this “improvement”. Maybe I was actually not that arrogant and unfriendly. Perhaps I was just a little too shy and put up a cold front? Then during college time, my collegemates even made a remark that amazed me till now. They said I was good at socializing and should make a good career in the sales and marketing profession. “What a joke!” I responded. Even now, I’m still rather confused about my own little personal experience. Whatever it is, it’s history now. But the little thought about impression, judgment, perception and the changing factor remains.
Have you heard of the James Blunt's song, which's top in the UK chart entitled, "You're beautiful"? What about one of the songs I put up in the "Ballad for the season" column earlier by Savage Garden, "I knew I loved you"? Both songs told the story about realizing you love someone from the first sight. Does this ever happen in reality? I’ve actually heard about similar stories of others. Well, romantically I believe it. But after bringing myself to my senses, I am uncertain. It is probably possible to fancy like someone. More interaction is still a must. Some people can even transform from lovers to enemies after a long time of getting along. Understanding someone is a difficult task. We even find it difficult to understand ourselves at times let alone others.
I would rather like than dislike someone at first sight though I try not to let the impression influences my judgment. The story of love at first sight is always sweet. But how often can this happen?
♥ every page of my imagination
0 people traveled to my fantasyland
I feel sweet. It is not the sweetness from the sugar consumption though.
My life is full of little sweetness although I’m not romantically in love. It is actually the little surprises made by the people surrounding me. Today is my 2nd day back to work.
FA: How’s your time slot for 2.30pm today? Any experiments planned?
Me: Not much. I’ll be around at that time. Why?
FA: I made an apple cake. We can have it for coffee break.
So at 2.30pm, I appeared at our floor’s kitchen and saw a few others (from three other labs that I just become a bit closer with this year) there. FA brought out a cake and then they wished me “Happy Birthday/Happy Belated Birthday”. And I received three hugs too. I was so surprised because I didn’t tell them my exact birth date (which was last Saturday while I was having my adventure in the Country of Land, Culture and History, but FA guessed it correctly and they decided to have a small post celebration for me). Even if I did, I should be the one bringing the cake and invite them as this is usually the culture here. I did that to my lab mates last year. At that time, I haven’t known FA and the rest, so naturally they were not aware of my exact birth date. According to them, FA specially made this apple cake for me because few weeks ago, FA told me, “You look so sweet and cheerful. I’m going to call you my sweet apple.” So this time she baked me an apple cake (resembling my little name). I feel so touched that FA was so thoughtful in spending time baking a delicious cake and arranging the surprise celebration for me. I’m also really grateful to the rest who came to join despite their busy schedule.
While writing this, JH came in and told me that they were happy to see me back from my trip especially FA, who had been complaining about the silence of the corridor during my absence. Oh…another dose of sugar here!
I didn’t expect I would build a friendship with these middle-aged workmates from other labs, who do not seem to share any similarity or background with me.
Ah, I don’t need sucrose/fructose/aspartame in my diet anymore (even though I have sweet tooth) if I’ve already gotten the supplement from my pals.
♥ every page of my imagination
5 people traveled to my fantasyland
It is official now that I'm exactly 26 and 4 days old. I am still adjusting, maybe it'll still take me a while to get this number registered and to be associated with my age.
I don't know. I think I do live in a room of contradiction. Not that being 26 now has turned me into a somber mood. No, not at all. In fact I really like the lucky number 26. To me, it indicates a mixture of maturity and youth, responsible and freedom, wise and active. But maybe the number of 26 sounds too perfect that I just want to remain at this phase? On the other hand, the clock is ticking, 26 will be followed by 27, 28 and so forth and very soon, the digit will be upgraded to the big 3_.
Am I afraid of getting old? No. Age is just a number. No one can avoid aging. Don't we all age each seconds? All I care is I wish to be wiser every second as I age. Then here turns the question, am I behaving as a 26-year-old now?
I just received a long chain email from my high school mates. An email with people inserting their updates on it (location, job, marital status). They are contemplating another reunion early next year. And this sentence "Please inform us if you're bringing your spouse along." captured my eyes. Doesn't it indicate that it is kind of a common status for my HS mates at this age that you are more or less should be married now? The majority of my HS mates are actually working now. Only 2-3 are still studying out of the 400 over bunch. Early this year, I attended the reunion lunch. Some already are married. Some are getting married. Some are having a steady relationship and will be married soon. Some are working hard paying their mortgages for their cars and houses. They sound so "adult". I feel myself a bit behind in this ladder. Probably I shouldn't look at it this way because I've left the circle for nearly 10 years now.
My close collegemate is getting married in 2 weeks' time. She sent me an invitation to attend her hen night as well as the wedding banquet. I do know many of my collegemates are also gradually settling down within these few years. It seems like at this age, it is the time to settle down. Even those few who are still in Grad School actually are finishing off now or latest next year. I am about 2 years behind because I worked for 2 years before getting back to school. Am I really behind in everything?
Let me see...
I am just a 2nd year Grad student relying on a minimal stipend.
I have to pay rental each month (which also means I don't have my own shelter) and I don't have to pay any mortgage (as I don't own any property including a car).
I owe heaps to my parents for my college fees (although they never ask for the payback).
I am still learning to be an obedient daughter and a caring sister, but not attempting to expand my role as a loving wife or protective mother yet.
My mother when at my age was already a mother of 2, whereas for my dad, he was already supporting the whole family when he's 26. I know someone earned the first million dollars by 26. I am not even close to any of these achievements. Ten years ago, I thought being 21 is such an adult. Five years ago, people asked me how old would I want to get married. 26-27 was my answer and I even provided an additional answer that I wanted to have my first child around 28-29. As I'm approaching 27 now, there's no sign of me tying the knot with the one. Hey, I'm really behind right?
Well, maybe I haven't achieved anything great. Maybe I'm really behind in most of these "adulthood" aspects. But I realize being 26 doesn't mean you're that grown up. It is just an age. Most importantly is the emotional and the behaviour that count. Many people don't behave according to their age. Some are really immature even they are already 50 years old. Thus maturity doesn't correlate with age. *lol*
Although I still make my parents worried about me.
Although sometimes I can be quite a rebellious daughter.
Although sometimes I don't care too much about my siblings.
Although I should have a better personality and character.
Although I should lose at least 10 more lbs.
Although I should be 20cm taller.
Although I should be super genius.
Although I should be prettier.
Although I should make myself up to be drop dead gorgeous to attract guys.
Although I should be a more dearing friend.
Although I should have enough savings and start owning some properties.
Although I should be more or less settling down now with someone.
Despite all these "althoughs", I think I dare say that up to this moment, I have made my parents proud. Or I should put it this way, I have not done anything that makes my parents to be ashamed of.
I love my siblings and I try to be supportive to them (material and emotional).
Maybe I'm not that pretty but I think with my genuine smile and sincere heart of caring for people, I am happy with my looks.
I care for my friends and I always am a good pair of ears (sometimes a too talkative mouth too).
I am open to critics and advice. So I am willing to improve my bad personalities.
I am not a high maintenance girl so probably whatever I earn will be enough to sustain my simple yet happy life.
I believe the one who truly loves me will still love me regardless of what my appearance is.
Everyday when I wake up, I feel that there's so much to learn and to do. I'm just like a dried sponge wanting to absorb everything. I enjoy my work and I'm grateful to my parents who've been so supportive to me in pursuing my dreams. I am thankful to my siblings who have brought so much joy to my life. I am lucky to have a few great friends who spare time to give me comfort and shed light to me when my room is cold and dim.
Looking at the mirror, I begin to really love the 26-year-old now. She looks confident, youthful and energetic. Oh, I love her smile too (if she remembers to smile). It must be the charm of being 26!
♥ every page of my imagination
4 people traveled to my fantasyland
(1)Grilled Meat
(2) Magnificent buildings
(3)Blood sausage that I ate
I'm back from my conference trip plus a short get away. Did you miss me? Probably....NOT, since I did keep you guys updated with bits and pieces while I was "away". I just realized that the title of my 2nd "away" post should NOT be "Updates from far" because actually in fact I was geographically closer to some of you while I was "away". But of course "away" could also mean I couldn't access to the internet frequently and as such was isolated from the world, so to speak.
The completion of this trip also means that I am now down to only one more continent to explore in this world. That will be the African continent. So whereabouts did I visit this time? I was reading a travel guide book in my hotel room. The first sentence in introducing the country goes like this, "If Veracruz in Mexico, was the first european city in the Americas, then the last one was *the capital city of the country I just visited*."
Day 1:
I arrived one day prior the conference. The whole journey was more than 15 hours with a transit and also another stop-over before arriving at the final destination. I met TF outside the arrival hall. We took different airways. Since I always attempted to be a light traveller, I got through the immigration and claimed my baggage pretty quick. From the arrival information monitor, TF's flight was an hour delay (meaning he just got off the aircraft at that time). "Great, at least another 20 minutes or so to wait for him!". But surprise surprise, TF came from the other direction 10 minutes later. "I waited for you for an hour! But I've asked about the information to get around the city during this hour." Huh? Ok, I think TF just wanted some compliment there. It wasn't my fault to keep him awaiting. Apparently he had a bit of a drama during his departure due to the slow network system at the airport. His initial flight departed before he could go through checking in. Thus, he got upgraded to a "better" airline and he's so happy about it.
We took a cab and got dropped off at TF's hotel (standard price is USD20). From there, we worked out how to get to my hotel (which was another 15 minute walk from TF's) although it was just on the next street. The area we stayed is close to the conference venue, which is also the heart of the commercial and trourism centre.
The layout of the city (streets) are pretty good and easy to follow. It is pretty easy to walk around if you have a map. Even if you get lost, you will be able to find your way out fairly easy still. Well, I am that sort of helpless in sense of direction person, but I had no problem in walking around by myself there. However the streets are kind of narrow but very long and they are really busy with cars and pedestrians. Yeah, it is a little hustle bustle and the drivers and pedestrians are a little rough and have "quick reflex" because the pedestrians will cross the street whenever they find a chance. Can you imagine the rushing picture? Coming from a country with quite a similar road behaviour, I find it easier to adapt although I actually have blended in a more relax environment (or at least obey the rules) all these years. But I won't recommend you to rent a car if you're just hanging around the city here. In fact you can find buses and subways to transport you from one end to the other. I did not try any of those but had been hopping on a cab when I was a little lazy to walk (especially at night). Regarding the safety issues, em...well, it's relatively safe there, but still we'd got a few people's handbags being snatched.
One more thing I have to highlight, there are police officers standing on guard in many places along the streets, especially the tourists' area most of the time from day to night. This makes me wonder, it is either (1) it is really safe because we have the police there or (2) it is not that safe and thus we need the police there. Anyway, it is better to travel this country with someone so that you would feel safer to walk around. Regardless of that, still we have to watch out our bags and valuables when traveling anywhere, including this country. If you're traveling to this country during this season, be prepared for the rains. It did rain a few times when I was there, but I didn't bring any umbrella with me. I was lucky that when it was pouring, I was indoors.
So after dropping off our luggages, TF and I walked around the downtown area and he bought some travel guides with maps on. He was my pseudo-guide. But before checking out that, we went to have lunch. We were all excited about to trying the famous local delicacies. I think I do have short term memory, I couldn't recall which restaurant we went. I have to ask TF when I see him then. Anyway, after lunch, we walked around a little to find our ways to the conference place and window shopped briefly. But we were all exhaused after such a long hour flight and decided to rest for a few hours before we met up for dinner later. We had dinner in one of the cafes in Florida Street (the shopping streets with some cafes). We had beef and actually most of the time during our trip, we had beef because meat especially beef is this country's trademark.
Day 2:
We went to the conference place early in the morning but found out the registration only began in the afternoon. So we went to a cafeteria and had breakfast. I tried the local continental breakfast set, with local pastry, fruits, juice and cappucino. Usually I am a coffee-free person. I never like the bitterness and the taste that leaves in the mouth after just a sip. Most importantly I found myself difficult to sleep after a cup of cappucino I had in one of the mornings with my college mate few years back. From that onwards, I resisted in consuming coffee anymore. But this time, I decided that I should be more open to try stuff and I did drink the cappucino. And my gosh, I love it! Another thing I love about the breakfast is a small glass of sparkling water's provided to you after the coffee drinking. There are plenty of cafes with excellent pastries (well-known local delicacies). It is really relaxing to just sit at a cafe and enjoy the sweet and coffee. Usually you can find bookstores next to the cafe. So you can spend an ideal afternoon sipping your coffee and reading a romantic Spanish poetry or novel there. But most of the hotels do provide breakfast. So maybe you can have your afternoon coffee instead, or just forget about the breakfast served at your hotel.
After that, I just tagged along TF and he explained to me (by reading from his travel guide book) the history background of each buildings. The old buildings here are gorgeous with European like design. Initially I thought I was at an European city. There are also many churches and cathedrals around. We found out that there's a street full of pubs and clubs. From the travel guide, that street's described as the happenings for nightlife. TF was so thrilled about this discovery. I was like, "Oh ok.". Now you could tell who's the clubbing person! *lol*
With the welcoming reception of the conference beginning that night, I dedicated most of the time swimming in the pond of scientific and clinical knowledge and having enrichment food both for the brain and the stomach. Yes, more pastries served during coffee breaks and some of the nights I had more grilled beef either organized by the conference or private dinners with some of the physicians (refer to those posts updated previously). One of the nights included watching local dance at a restaurant. I am not so much into dancing but I admit Tango dance is really elegant. Not forgetting their local wines and beers. Again, I am not so much a drinker, but I must say the red wines and the beer are nice.
Day 9 (Birthday):
As mentioned I spent the whole day walking at the downtown to snap more pictures to be added to my album and did a lot of shopping. TF and other clinicians I knew left the day before. So I had the opportunity to explore the place myself. Initially I was thinking to take a cruise to visit a neighbouring country but decided to spend the day to look around this beautiful city. I started from the beginning of Florida Street till the end for the entire day. I bought some clothes and lots of chocolate cookies and chocolates. I couldn't carry that much so I made two trips back to the hotel to drop off stuff. Leather is also a trademark here. I saw many tourists bought a lot of leather jackets, leather belts, handbags, shoes ex cetera. I didn't buy any of those. Well, they are pretty but the thought of getting one didn't appeal to me.
AA emailed me and this sentence made me giggled. She wrote, "Well, I hope that you had a good day for your birthday walking around the streets of *the city I was visiting*, not many people outside of *the country I visited* can say that they spent their birthday in the foreign country of *the country I visited*.. hehe... do I make it sound romantic?!?! " Ok, so people, YES, that was REALLY romantic I must say! I could stare at gorgeous guys at the streets whoever, whenever and wherever I felt like it. Aren't you people a bit envious of me now, eh? *lol*
I quote (from the travel book I read) "Never again would men use their economic right to create replicas of world capitals far away with the profits of three generations of cattle barons and land ownership. Never again would so many palaces rise in a great city for pleasure and vanity." unquote. The city or this country is really worth a visit. You could tell its people are really proud of the culture and history imprinted. If I have a chance, I would visit this country again and hopefully I could check out the nature highlights in other regions of this country in the Southern part ie the spectacular glaciers. And of course by then I hope I would have armed myself with some Spanish language so that I could understand better during the trip conversing to the local people or even able to pick up some books from the bookstores and having my relaxing afternoons sitting at the cafe. If you're into shopping, makesure you bring an empty suitcase and a good walking pair of shoes. Also, if you're into soccer, you can arrange for watching a live football match there. TF tried to persuade me to accompany him to watch one of the local matches there but this girl lacks the Soccer Appreciation Gene in her X chromosomes.
I am not good in descriptive writing. So I just wrote whatever I could think of and feel. Hopefully by now you could guess whereabouts I went from those events I described or mentioned here. Hey, so where did I go?
♥ every page of my imagination
6 people traveled to my fantasyland
¨How old are you?¨
My answer as of today is ¨25 years and 11 months and 29 days old.¨
That´s right, the second bday countdown is finally here. Wow, can´t believe time really passes that quickily and I am now being upgraded to another ´level´. I was thinking to share with you some little thoughts I have been thinking lately during this phase. But turning my head back at the long queue at the internet centre at the conference hall, I think I shall reserve that till I get back home (early next week).
So this post might be my last update for this trip as today is the last day of the conference. Tomorrow I shall spend the whole day shopping as a reward for myself. Hopefully I can also explore more about the city to add more in my photo album.
♥ every page of my imagination
2 people traveled to my fantasyland
All participants were invited to a dancing restaurant. The local dance here is well-known in the world. It´s really elegant. I would have enjoyed more if only I wasn´t that tired. It was a buffet dinner. But almost everyone didn´t realize the menu. So we basically stuffed ourselves too much fromr the entre (thinking entre was the actual main meal we were supposed to get).
Entre was pretty good. At least I enjoyed it a lot. When everyone was mentally preparing allocating some space just enough for dessert, we were served with different grill meat. I seriously could not have any input to my stomach anymore. I only tried the grilled sausage (a local delicacy). That was it. My jetlag was activated at the same time and in fact I was half asleep at the dinner table. Oh, how ugly huh?
Buffet is always nice. But when I think about those beggars on the streets, I think we should not be so wasteful and take in food exceedingly. It is good to try the local delicacies through buffet style, but not to an extent that seems to be a wasteful way. Ok, time for some brain food now - lecture time.
♥ every page of my imagination
1 people traveled to my fantasyland
Roger, mission´s completed alas!! Phew, what a relieve now. Ok, I think I could have done better and at least improved a lot more on my presentation skills. But if I´m not too tough to myself, the presentation did go well (at least I´m quite happy about it). One great thing is I could understood the questions directed to my work! Wow, this is really a strong dose of encouragement for me because I used to be bad in comprehending scientifically.
Enough of butterflies and stress, time for amusement and relaxation. I´ll be back.
♥ every page of my imagination
3 people traveled to my fantasyland
I could feel the butterflies (not the Butterflies song on my blog by Mariah Carey though!!)! Oh no, it´s only an hour more before the session of my oral presentation begins!! I´ll just have to keep my fingers crossed that my mind won´t blackout or I pause all of a sudden without reason. I´m actually more concerned about the Q&A sessions. I´m pretty bad in interpreting the questions and always ended up not answering the questions.
I thought I could had an early day last night. But turned out I joined some clinicians who have collaborations with my lab to a rather expensive local grilling restaurant. The beer, wine and the beef (yeah, I just couldn´t resist in not trying beef again coz it´s just too famous here) were just too fantastic. In fact I tried a special local delicacy, blood sausage. It was ok, I won´t mind tasting it but I won´t say I love it that much. It´s an acquired taste or texture so towards the last few bites, I literally had to swallow it with red wines. Cow intestines filled with blood!Ewwww...I was only told by one of the clinicians who´ve tried that before later on after I´d swallowed down everything.According to TF, I had 4 glasses of local red wine. No wonder I felt myself walking funny. *lol* It was a nice restaurant and the clinicians were generous enough to treat me and TF for the meal (giving the reason, ¨We all know you are poor student!¨). Wow, that´s a good excuse and man, the students should stick around with rich generous clinicians more often! Nah, of course I´m just kidding.
All right, the butterflies feeling is back again. It´ll probably last till after my presentation.
♥ every page of my imagination
2 people traveled to my fantasyland
I think I have enough of lectures and seminars that will last for a long while. So in other words, I´ve been pretty diligent student, busy acquiring and absorbing information from the experts around the world in the field or related subjects I am working on. *Oh, did I just give myself a praise?*
The city is a little too crowded (to me). But this is just great, a different experience for me. Food is interesting to try too, though I just realized the size of my stomach wasn´t that big (yeah, another new discovery I just made about myself, I usually have pretty good appetite). Beef is well-known here and I´ve had quite a lot. Maybe enough beef for the rest of the year.
Surprisingly, I am going to do some shoppings, real shoppings here (that I will actually buy stuff) coz price is really cheap and goods are attractive. This is also something different about myself coz usually shopping is not really a highlight for all my past trips (both leisure or education purpose trips). Since I have one day here after the conference, probably I´ll shop till I drop and I need to get an extra suitcase to cater that purpose *lol*.
Wow, I blog in front of so many people (with my screen facing the long queue) at the internet center of the conference. I hope no extra eye is peeping at my little secrets here.
So, with that typed, I think I better log off here for those who really need the internet for proper purpose. And before that, thanks guys for all the supports and wishes for my talk. It´ll be tomorrow. Cheers.
♥ every page of my imagination
3 people traveled to my fantasyland
