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Wednesday, August 31, 2005 @8:01 PM

"Are you happy?" I called home last weekend and my mom asked me this question over the phone.

"Are you happy with your life over there?" My aunt showing her concern when I talked to her few days ago.

"You're always smiling. Are you feeling happy?" Someone posted this remark to me at work.

Am I happy? Em.........

I am still alive and healthy up to this very moment.

I have a family who loves and cares about me though they are distantly away from me.

I have dear friends though not too many, to be there to listen to me.

I have the opportunity to learn in allowing me to attempt to build my dream career though the journey may be rocky.

I have the freedom in experiencing new things and meeting new people.

I can still look up and admire the beautiful sceneries surrounding me.

I am still able to inhale, feeling myself stepping on the earth and able to touch any object in front of me.

Now shouldn’t I feel blissful about what I own?

Like everyone, I have piles and tonnes of problems too, both solvable and unsolvable. I do have a number of issues I have to deal with. Why are all my wishes not granted? Why can’t I just get what I wish for? At times I do feel a little helpless and forlorn. But when I have some silent moments, sit down, look around at others and gather some thoughts . Countless of real life experiences occurring every moment and in every place have given me great inspirations.

Just have a fleeting glimpse at the news headlines today, just today!

Devastation left by Hurricane Katrina – rescuers and residents struggle to cope

Encephalitis has killed upwards of 300 people in India.

Powerful Typhoon Talim lashed Taiwan on Wednesday, sparking worries of flash floods and landslides and forcing offices and schools to close.

841 dead in Baghdad stampede.


I look at myself now. I’m still sitting here peacefully alive and thinking of my own disheartening issues! Shouldn’t I be glad that I’m still here and have the chance to cherish this very moment of life?

I work in the hospital campus. Everyday, I walk pass the hospital entrance at least 2 times. I can easily spot many patients with the suffering look because of their debilitating diseases. They are struggling hard to combat for their own lives! And then I look at myself; shouldn’t I feel blessed that I can still jump up and down and be able to do things actively as I want?

We all have our problems/issues to deal with. I’m not saying these problems are not serious. But when compared to life and death issues, they seem to be nothing. Just imagine standing on top of a hill and look down, everything beneath seems so tiny, like a small particle of sand. If we try to perceive our problems in a different perspective, the problems may not resume as that major anymore.

There are also times I feel frustrated that I can’t get things I long for or I have to settle my dramas in life, which seem to keep coming up. But if I take a different perception towards my problems, I may find it’s not worth of being so embittered/disappointed/fretful. Why can’t I perceive it this way? At least I still have this chance of going through all these down moments in my life, which will later on train me to be stronger and make me grow? Even though some problems are not solvable, at least I get to have a chance to choose, to choose to let go and move on and be at peace in my mind.

Life is very precious and of course it’s also unpredictable and fragile. Anything can happen the next second. Anyone can be vulnerable to the power of nature. Anyone is prone to any sort of accident. It’s completely worthless to engross ourselves just in our problems and take other things we have for granted. I can’t have everything I want. It’s already a great blessing for me to have what I’m having now. It's already a bonus for me to own them. It’s better for me to look at the happy side than magnifying the problems in my life.

Life is too short. I better live my life with blitheness and enjoy this moment.

Are you happy? Yes, I’m happy and I hope you feel the same too! :)

every page of my imagination


15 people traveled to my fantasyland

Tuesday, August 30, 2005 @11:58 PM

What's wrong with me? I have so many deadlines to meet, yet I am not stressed about them at all! Not that I am ahead of my schedule, in fact I haven't been doing anything to work on these urgent tasks. Yeah, I've been bumming around, what a slacker I'm.

Perhaps I'll be in an agony of stress when each deadline approaches. Perhaps I've been acting cool and pretending to take things easy. Or could it be possibly that I'm actually stressing right now for not being stressed?? I don't know and I don't feel like making my brain cells work hard to think about its reason(s).

I can't afford to waste my effort and time in thinking too much on this. It's not worthwhile for doing so too. I better start constructing a milestone, stop procrastinating and quicken my pace to work off each agenda steadily. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this and hopefully all tasks will be accomplished on time. Sounds wise right?

Ok, now I'm beginning to stress myself out because I was not! *sigh*

every page of my imagination


4 people traveled to my fantasyland

@1:20 PM

I didn't expect AA to reciprocate after reading my entry about her (blog dated 29th August 2005, 'Glad to know you') in emailing me this. Man, I feel like crying now.....I'm so touched! *sob sob*

*Wow, a blog all about me?!?! I feel so honoured!! Truly I am. One comment though, gee, I really use "really" alot!

I meant what I said and I'm glad that you feel the same. I'm sure we will have many more adventures together!! Heheh... I hope so anyway.

But it is quite a coincidence I guess that we met at all. Two people who maybe didn't really think about ever going to (where I'm residing now)? Happen to end up there at the same time, through different circumstances, yet coming from similar background... *freaky*.. heheh...

Sorry I haven't logged on, I get very distracted (ie. chatting to you all tonight) and I need to go through my talk, spent the whole day just looking at it without properly practising and I am giving a run-through to the lab tomorrow morning and getting anxious about giving the talk in (the place she's going to present her work)... and having to answer their questions...ee... getting very nervous already! Alright better go practise!*

AA, don't worry about your presentation. I'm sure you'll make your lab proud, and of course make me proud too.....or you better be! *muahaha*

every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

Monday, August 29, 2005 @9:26 PM

Can we find true friendship in this dog-eat-dog world? I was constantly warned about not putting false hope in finding true friendship, especially friendship built after undergrad years. This is because the friendship will no longer be genuine. The friendship is more likely to be complicated with other realistic issues due to the astute behaviour of human instinct and thus vulnerability-prone.

I did uphold that belief seeing the fact that all my closest pals and my best friend were my childhood/schoolmates. Not that all my nonchildhood friends are pretentious to me. Somehow I just don't feel that close, to share all of myself because I fear of exposing too much of myself and perhaps there might be some conflicts of interests.

One of the fruitful accomplishments in my doctorate life here is to know my boon companion, AA. This also breaks my strong belief of finding genuine friendship outside childhood!

I knew nothing about AA before I came here. I was told that there would be a PhD student coming from a country, which I did my undergrad, who would be here to do a 3-month collaboration with my new lab. Upon my first day of arrival in this new country, I was introduced to AA. The moment she spoke, I felt myself feeling familiar with the good old English accent which I missed deeply after leaving that country since my graduation. She's residing in another city there but that's already good enough for me to recollect my fond memories of a country I'd resided for 5 years.

Believe it or not?! The fabulous bit was AA was not only originally from the same home country as I was, but she was also from the same hometown! Her family emigrated to a new country when she's four. That's so cool. Man, my hometown was not a big city and seeing the fact that I went to her new country to study for 5 years and then we only knew each other in a 3rd country! Yeah, both of us were born in Continent A, went to Continent B separately and only knew each other in Continent C. Gosh, sounds like a drama! NO, I didn't make this up! It's real! Up to these days, my supervisor still brings up this unbelievable truth. *grin*

Another funny bit was after finding out that AA was from my hometown, I called up my mom trying to check out that AA might be my lost contact childhood friend (I was like 4 years old!) who had emigrated to elsewhere. Don't ask me why. Actually AA had nothing to do with this friend and my memory to this long-disappeared friend was utterly vague, I don't know her name, her look, her age, whatever! This must be a strong positive sign between me and AA. Perhaps it was the initial strong bonding between me and AA that made me feel that I'd known AA for a long time.

Though AA is now back to her country, which is ten thousand miles away from here in a different continent. We still constantly stay in touch (thanks to the marvellous invention of internet) and we talk about everything, all the ups and downs, all the happy and sad problems in life. We console and support each other. We complain about our problems of our social, work, family, anything you can name about.

In our recent chat, she wrote this out, which I found my tears rolling down my cheeks as my heart felt the warmth. :)

*I'm really honest when i say that im really glad that i met you in (where I'm residing now). You actually came at a really good time ..... i felt really really homesick but you arrived and i'm glad we became really good friends...*

AA, I'm really glad to know you too! I enjoyed your companionship during our trip to Anaheim this year. I thank you for always being so supportive and willing to listen to all my grudges and mumbles grumbles . Thank you for all your enlightening advice. Thank you for the friendship. I especially treasure and cherish our long distance friendship.

It's so great to know you! Knowing a bosom friend here has already convinced me that my decision of coming to a new country to do a doctorate degree a wise one. I'm very looking forward to meet up with you soon!

every page of my imagination


5 people traveled to my fantasyland

Sunday, August 28, 2005 @5:14 PM

Since I left my family for studies/work abroad, I've had a number of house relocation experiences. If I have a choice, I would really prefer not to move that often (house relocation). All the packing, shifting big and small household items, transporting, unpacking, cleaning......I can feel the pain now when talking about the whole tedious process. I am truly grateful to all of my friends who'd helped me moved.

MB recently found herself a new apartment. I offered to help her a month ago but I didn't hear any further instructions from her. Anyway, she sent me an email on Friday but unfortunately I didn't make an effort in checking my work email account until Sunday. Good thing is I still managed to help her, if not I would have embarassed myself since I was the one making the offer earlier. Though I wasn't obliged to help, I've gone through the same bitter and greatly appreciate voluntary help offers from friends. Thus I would like to extend some help to my friends if they need me.

The whole moving process didn't take long because MB was smart enough to find 2 macho men with cars to do most of the tough tasks. The whole process took less than 1.5 hour, which was an unexpected pleasure. We left MB to do the troublesome bit of unpacking and final cleaning. MB promised to invite us over for a martini cocktail as her housewarming once she's settled in.

The pain of relocating can be reduced if you have help from some friends (especially well-built guys), cars and good arrangements. And of course some martini cocktails would be of vast help too! *grin*

every page of my imagination


3 people traveled to my fantasyland

Saturday, August 27, 2005 @10:43 PM

It's pretty astounding to realize that the older I grow, the wider age range of friends I have. From mixing exclusively with just friends at my age during college years to gradually expanding my social circle to those who are just a few years older and now I realize I do hang out with friends whom are 10 years or more senior than me.

I received a call from a senior mate, KL inviting me to join the group of senior pals from my badminton gang this Saturday afternoon for a movie. Okay, I just lied. Actually technically speaking I am no longer belonging to the gang. Well, I used to be one of the regulars for badminton until I started dating "Mr Laziness" (go figure). Anyway, I was glad that KL did remember me and although the invitation was kind of impromptu, I decided to join them in the evening.

This was also my first visit ever to a cinema in this country. Basically I'm not too particular with cinematic (I can always watch movies through DVD or TV) and I find myself living quite happily without needing to pay a visit to any cinema since I came here. When I told my movie companions that that was my first visit to a cinema in my history here, they were rather shocked and assured to me that more movie outings should be arranged for me. That's so thoughtful of them.

We caught Wedding Crashers. Though the movie was not those type of spectacular magnificant grand productions, it definitely had created the sound of merriment in the whole theatre. I had a chortle of glee at some of the scenes.

After the movie, we went to a cafe nearby for coffee and cakes. I actually enjoy tremendously in confabulating with my senior pals. The topics we talk about are different from my usual conversations with other pals around my age. They do possess different views in many matters due to their umpteen experiences in life. Sometimes it's rather amusing to find out the differences of their definitions to certain matters compared to us (our age group). We had a few giggles over one of the dialogues between DL (the only person who's around my age that night) and GW (at his mid 40s).

GW: I do like all types of music except RAP. I especially like the oldies.
DL: Oldies? I love those too. The 60s songs are beautiful.
GW: Well actualy 60s are not considered oldies at all. I was actually referring to songs earlier than that!
DL: But 60s is old enough for me, I wasn't even existed in this world yet! (*I would agree with DL too, lol*)

The klatch ended at around 10pm. I was very glad to be there to catch up with these pals. Hopefully I can ditch "Mr. Laziness" successfully soon and return to the badminton team! By the way, another good thing about hanging out with senior pals is you can always reach home before midnight, which I think is really a great idea, especially to someone who treasures sleep more than anything else. Yeah, that's me!

every page of my imagination


5 people traveled to my fantasyland

Friday, August 26, 2005 @5:40 PM

The "feng shui" of our lab must have availed the fertility rate of its people. Let me show you the latest stats, 3 baby boys and 2 baby girls within 2 years, just in our lab! Happy happy joy joy! There's this guessing game going on to speculate who will be the parent of the next baby boomer. Guess what? We've already had the clue for the next round. The senior scientist of our lab will be the next winner. She'll be expecting her 4th child early next year. It's a great piece of news especially we are in a country commonly known for its low birth rate in the world! Well done Dr/Mrs L in contributing to this nation! *clap clap*

I can foresee we will have rich gossip topics in our many coming coffee/lunch breaks. These parents have such a gleeful smile when talking about their joyous gift of life - their babies! They may not have owned a lot of properties, they may not have won the whole world, they may not be filthy-rich, yet they feel all content and happy as if they have already granted the most precious thing on earth. They are so proud of their children, even though they may not turn out top-notch one day and they have to sweat hard to raise and bring them up. The presence of their children have glamorized their lives. Life can be so wonderful even though you may not be aware that you've already owned the joyous thing of all!

Speaking of such, who'll be the next lucky one in the baby boom after Dr/Mrs L?

every page of my imagination


4 people traveled to my fantasyland

Thursday, August 25, 2005 @5:08 PM

I did not step in my office until 4pm today. I was attending a course on the other side of the campus. I'd a gleeful smile when I found this little sweet note on my desk. I was a little chirpy after reading it.

Hi Jade!
I hope you are fine! Just wanted to say hi. Too bad you weren't here.
Take care,
EF (*with a flower drawn*)

EF dropped by at work for a visit with her 5mo baby gal this afternoon! It's so sweet of her to leave me this note. I better check out how she's doing later.

When I first met EF, I could feel the chill, probably due to her phlegmatic and placid manner. She seemed rather aloof. But as I get to know her better, the icy snow seems to melt. She often shares with me about her past experiences. There's this particular one that has imprinted on my mind. I would like to share it here.

EF: Before I met Mr. T (her hubby), I was thinking "Okay, I'm turning 28, though it's about time to settle down, I haven't found the guy yet, so I would just live happily with my cats in an apartment."
Me: Oh, that's the right attitude....but something happened later right?
EF: Well, one day my friend and her husband invited me over to their house-warming party.
Me: You met Mr. T there?
EF: Yeah, I met him there, but we just talked briefly and we didn't take down each other's number.
Me: What?? You were not attracted to him at that time yet?
EF: Well...I found him a nice guy and possibly might be my type. But you know, I wasn't really having much thought on this. It was a nice chat and that's it. When party's over, I just left and had forgotten about him.
Me: OMG. What happened later? Did you meet him again?
EF: Of course I did. But that was 1 year later. I was at my friends' (the couple who'd invited me before) new year party. There I saw Mr. T again. We had another nice conversation with him. We didn't exchange numbers again.
Me: Oh dear, how could that be possible?
EF: Few days later, I received a call from Mr. T. He politely explaining that he got my number from my friend (the wife) and we started chatting over the phone.
Me: That's so sweet.
EF: So we went out once in a while continuously for like 2-3 months.
Me: You two were dating?
EF: Well, sort of....not really actually, we were just like friends. When my friends asked whether we were going out. We both denied though we were seeing the possibilities. We just didn't want to rush things over.
Me: That's true, so how did it work out later?
EF: As we hung out more and the sign became clearer that both of us are The One. So we got together.
Me: Oh, it's so so sweet!!
EF: I really believe good things will happen when you don't expect them or least expect them.
Me: That's so true and your story's the proof positive of this! Thanks for sharing!

That convo was taken place sometime ago. EF's happily married to Mr. T early last year and now the family of three lives happily together. EF's enjoying her new role as a mother. The beautiful mom looks more angelic now. I'm definitely looking forward to catch up with her soon.

I thank her for sharing her experiences and her bliss with me. I hope this will provide some inspirations for you, especially those who are looking forward to meet their The One and settling down. Remember what EF'd told us, "Good things will happen when you don't expect/least expect them."! So mates, just relax and enjoy your life at the moment and don't worry too much, k?

every page of my imagination


9 people traveled to my fantasyland

Wednesday, August 24, 2005 @11:40 PM

I haven't seen MP for a long while. I knew him shortly after I came here to study. The noble bearing hunk is a successful engineer holding a PhD degree and yet still pursuing another degree. I don't know him that well since he's just a friend of my ex-colleague. But we have hung out a number of times. We usually have very superficial conversations. Well, not that I'm unfriendly, however I do find great difficulty in interacting in-depth with people who are rather frigid.

Tonight after a farewell dinner for AV, we went to join a few others at a bar few blocks away for a drink. MP's there. He still looks good, as usual. But somehow my intuition tells me that he's slightly different than the usual him. Em....what would that be? Perhaps his unusual enticing smile on his face? Anyway, half an hour or so later, he came over and started chatting with YC and me. Initially three of us were just having casual babbling about each other's lives. Strangely enough, MP and I continued to have a long in-depth discussion about 'love', leaving poor YC sitting quietly at a corner. The followings are some excerpts from the extremely long discussion.

MP: Don't you find it difficult to concentrate on your work if you are in love? *giving a peculiar look*
Me: Well......that depends. Some people who're in love tend to put in their love and joy to their work too and they ended up being so productive.
MP: Oh, you've a great point there! But you know when you're in love how can you find time for work?
Me: Em...that takes some adjustments. Initially it's extremely difficult, but you gotto find the balance. Well, you still put the relationship as the first priority, but you won't give up your other activities, you have to have some room for yourself and your beau also needs to have his/hers too.
MP: Oh, I agree with you!

MP: Will the deep affection feeling last long?
Me: I guess not, the heat will cool down after some time. We have to understand that. Just don't feel disappointed about that. I guess the lesser expectations you put, the lesser disappointments you'll feel. You don't have to cling together 24/7. It works better if both have their own space and own lives.
MP: Yeah, I can't agree more than you!

The conversation finally ceased as I had to call it a day. I was getting tired and needed to go home to get some decent rest for a busy day tomorrow. But I could tell MP would really like to continue the 'love' discussion. Gosh, I still can't believe I'd gone through such an extended chat with MP! Moreover, talking about the mushy love with a guy who's always uptight and behaves in an imperturbable and nonchalent manner? That's so ironic! The funny bit is he's so agree with my nutty views. This has definitely bolstered my ego! *lol* I'm seriously thinking about changing my doctorate thesis title to "Analysis of Love Relationship in Homo sapiens"!!

After tonight, MP has definitely altered my impressions about him. I'm happy to discover this new face/another side of him. There's bound to be something that made a different him or a different me in perceiving a different him!


every page of my imagination


3 people traveled to my fantasyland

Tuesday, August 23, 2005 @6:57 PM

RM: JM boy's asking me heaps of questions about you.
Me: Really? *flattered utterly*
RM: Yeah, he really likes you. He wants to know more about you. *reaffirming*
Me: I like him too. But you gotto tell him that I can't wait for him for too long. He has to at least catch up for the 20 years left behind fast! *sigh*

JM is a 6-year-old super smart and cutie boy of RM. RM works in a neighbouring lab in the same corridor of where I work.

I have only met JM boy twice. Out first acquintance was during our dinner at LC's house 2 weeks ago. JM boy was a bit shy when he first saw me. For the first hour that night, he kept on peeping at me but refused to come up and interact with me. According to RM, his mom, JM boy is definitely not an introvert. That gesture certainly had bruised my ego. Oh boy, I don't think I'm that mousy-looking right? Am I really not that attractive to boys?? However, surprise surprise, the situation changed totally later. JM boy started to approach me and asked me to play with him. He's even making effort to talk to me, albeit little English he understands. JM boy's from South America. He speaks Spanish and another language fluently. I speak no Spanish. But this did not impede us from the chemistry to flow. Perhaps this explains why so many interracial marriages work. Gosh, I'm exagerating now. *lol*

Anyway, JM boy followed his mummy to work last Thursday. I caught him outside my office and he followed me to my room. Yeah, obviously he still remembers me and is still attracted to my great charm. He jumped to my writing desk and saw my blog being displayed on the flatscreen. He became very excited suddenly. Before I could even figure out the reason that triggered his excitement, he kept on pointing at one of the 2 chinese entries in my blog. He asked me using his limited English assisted by lots of body language to ask me to teach him writing some chinese characters. So we spent the next hour going over certain chinese characters that he was interested to know. After that, he ran around showing off his chinese writings. The little guy is so adorable.

Apparently JM boy is very fond of chinese cultures and chinese language. He fancies chinese gals too. He told his mom that he's going to marry chinese gals only. Gosh, how can a 6-yo already knows who he wants to marry? What was I thinking when I was at that age? Kids nowadays matured way too early!

RM told me that she's going to set up a date for me with JM boy one day. What a lovely mother she is! With JM boy and me, it was definitely a case of 'love' at first sight. *lol* I'm so looking forward to my first date with this young chap. I'm sure that will be very fun. So you better stay tuned for more details later. *muahaha*

every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

Monday, August 22, 2005 @11:24 PM

NK: Are you seeing someone?
Me: What makes you think so? *wink*
NK: Well, you are listening to romantic love songs and you really look like you are in love!


Well, should I be honest here? Yeah I'm in love! I'm in love with my family, relatives, friends, workmates, everyone and myself. This is not a hoax. I really mean it.

Why not? There are different types of love. Treasure your family for being supportive and loving to you, fond for your pals to hanging out and sharing ups and downs in life, adulate your colleagues for their hardwork at work, spending time on something that you're interested in a perfect rapture ..... love is not only exclusively referring to having a paramour/beau/sweetheart. We can have love and feel the love. More often, we are also neglecting to love ourselves. I'm beginning to love myself more, adoring myself of being imperfect yet feeling content and blessed of the things I own. Looking around, I also want to appreciate the presence of everyone, even a stranger, an enemy, a person whom I dislike for some reason or a passer-by. They have made me learnt a lot (all forms) and have been playing significant roles in assisting my personal development. I'm grateful to the magnanimity of my enemies who have nurtured me to be strong. I'm gratified to the goodwill of people whom I don't know, who are being helpful in general. They've inspired me greatly in various perspectives.

In case you are curious why my colleague, NK asked me the 'I'm in love' question. This is because as the DJ of the lab (I take full control of the songs played in lab), I've been tuning into this radio station which plays romantic love songs exclusively lately. Yeah, apart from R&B, I love cheesy love songs too. He was suprised to find me switching from the R&B radio station to the latter. There are a few workmates also giving me cutie sweet little names such as 'Little Flower', 'Sweety'. One of them even made an effort of learning how to say 'I love you' in Mandarin to me. Yes, I love all my workmates too for making the work environment such an appealing and fun place for me! I definitely need this to balance off the upsetting emotions of being defeated with experimental failures continuously.

Love is in the air. Did you hear it? Oiy, I'm seriously in love now! *lol*

every page of my imagination


2 people traveled to my fantasyland

Sunday, August 21, 2005 @10:09 PM

I'm abashed and embarrassed of myself! I hope I've not aggravated anyone by my careless mistakes lately. I have this problem of simply typing out my thoughts and press the 'send' button without a heedful thorough read of the content of the document/letter/email. Many grammatical and typo errors could be easily avoided, spotted and corrected before they were officially sent off to the appropriate receivers. Yet, recently I've been behaving absurdingly continuously in this!

Argh, one of my recent cockamamie mistakes in this was starting of typing 'hello' to my supervisors with the 'hello' spelled/typed wrongly! Gee, I really wish to cover my head under the ground now if I'm going to have a meeting with my supervisors. They'd probably have a good laugh behind me thinking, "What a ludicrous gal she's! She can't even spell 'hello' correctly!!' Other few more instances were I was trying to write well to impress some people who are native english speakers. As you might have already figured it out that I'd 'impressed' these people with "amusingly" written messages/emails! Now I may sound like a bit of a nutter to them! Grrrr....

Ah well, I can't do anything for the past. The 'send' button was already clicked. The only thing I can do, and will definitely do is to remind myself about this again and again. I'll try, I'll try to try! I have to makesure I really check the content carefully before clicking the button. Nono, I'm not meticulous, just wish not to be the joke of the day, though I love to make my readers'/friends'/supervisors' chins up!

every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

Saturday, August 20, 2005 @8:07 PM

I have to admit that I'm experiencing a trifle of dissatisfaction lately. It's not because I'm disgruntled about certain matters/person in life, in fact life has been pretty good. I'm neither kvetching nor griping here. But when things are getting a bit routine and comfortable, I'm feeling a bit sunken. Perhaps I'd 'buckled down' (with least efficiency and productivity, unfortunately) too much at work. I know I need to do something about it. I don't want to be stuck on a groove anymore. I need to paint my routines with colours.

On Saturday, I'd a girls' day with LC. We went yumcha (my first yumcha outing this year here since my vacation back from home!) in the only best chinese brunch restaurant of the country. We'd our table booked from 12.30pm but we didn't arrive till 15 minutes later. The restaurant was packed full. It was indeed a brilliant idea to have our table prebooked. We had a very nice time there eating and having our heart-to-heart girls' chat. Maybe I'll blog about some of them one day. We were there for almost 3 hours and didn't leave until close to 3.30pm. We could continue the girls' talk longer but we were rushing off to take a train to IKEA located in a faraway suburb area.

Speaking of IKEA. I just simply love it. I like flipping through home decor magazines/furniture catalogues or better still luxuriating in shopping at IKEA and start visualising how my future house/apartment will be. I'm not materialistics. However it does make me feel great to have some aspirations in life. Anyway, we wandered the whole IKEA showroom and I'd picked up a small yellow table and a blue lamp on a cheap deal, especially for the lamp, which only cost at an unbelievable low price. I wanted to perk up my studio. I didn't really embellish it after moving in 8 months ago. I guess it's a fabulous idea to brighten up the room a bit more.

There will be more small dinky things that I'm tempted to try later. Regular work out at gyms, learning some new dishes/cuisines from other mates and going for a new linguistic class may be feasible in my upcoming list to splashing some more bright colours.

I think I've found the mojo in my life and there'll be more to come soon. Yeah, good old mojo!



every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

Friday, August 19, 2005 @9:22 PM

I adore kids. My sisters and I often have this deep affection for cutie little babies/kids. We always tease and banter each other about having our own kids so that we can play with our nieces and nephews. While since it's kind of a little way too early to make this dream become reality, we'll just have to admire other babies for the time being, from a distance.

Recently I came across a compelling entry blogged about kids adoption in one of my daily reads. Speaking of kids adoption, well actually I've been thinking about adopting children (sponsoring to be precise) from third world countries since I was in college. The thought still exists yet I haven't been anticipating anything further. I am telling myself once I'm financially stable and then I'll be all ready to fully commit on this.

I am always grateful for having a loving family and supportive parents. I feel that I have to share my bliss with others. Kids are lovely and as the future generation, they deserve to be on the top priority of the crux of the society. Yet there are myriads of young children suffering from sicknesses, dying of hunger and thirst, lack of proper education and shelter, struggling for basic human rights to survive in this supposingly modern and civilised world! These dainty little cuties in agonies really grieve me. I feel that I have to do something. It won't deprive much from us to sponsor a kid. The cost of a pair of jeans or a pair of sneakers is sufficient to cover the entire living costs of one kid if not more per month in those countries, and of course some love and concern would be desiderata as a caretaker/mentor. Mother's instinct needs not necessary. Everyone can put in their effort if you are willing to.

I'm putting this plan down as one of my top-wanna-do lists in my agenda. Once I've found myself a job, I'll definitely anticipate this meaningful program. If I remain single in the later phase of my life, then probably I'll even envisage of adopting a child, preferably a girl. We'll find out how tip-top I'll be as a mother then, while meanwhile I'm trying to be a well-behaved daughter of my parents. *teehee*

I'm going to leave here by sharing an old song called GREATEST LOVE OF ALL by Whitney Houston. For some strange reason, each time I listen to this song, I'll have a vivid picture of children capering in the playground with joy and laughter. If you find me grinning with this song playing, you'll definitely know why.

every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

Thursday, August 18, 2005 @10:21 PM

I'm not that sort of flower freak gal. Call me weirdo if you wish! But hey, that doesn't mean I'm not girly.

As usual I stepped in for work around 9.30am today. While on my way to my office, I dropped by my lab just to turn on the incubator to warm up my buffers for an experiment later. Suddeny this workmate from another lab, came in putting up a charming smile telling me that she had a surprise for me.

FA: I've a surprise for you!
Me: Surprise? Wow, what's that?
FA: Why don't you have a guess? I brought you something. *angelic face*
Me: Oh, did you bring a good-looking man for me? *eyes rolling with a desperate look*
FA: Well, it's even better than that! *sorry guys, please don't be offended, this could be true sometimes*

FA brought me a bouquet of colourful flowers. What a gracious gesture of her! That's so sweet of her although I'm not particularly fond of flowers. She can really make a good mother-in-law, argh too bad her son is only 4 years old! *sigh*

The bouquet of flower is now sitting in my office on a pseudovase (a big connical flask being 'improvised' as a vase). It paints colours in the room and attracts passing glances.

Apparently on the same day, the entries and comments of one of the bloggers I read daily, were so sidesplitting. It did make my day.

Life is full of little happiness and fun even though they are just mundane events and only the same bunch of people we see each day. However, usually we just take them for granted. Well, actually we don't need anything spectacular or someone special to spice up our lives.

You can have a blossom and blissful day, with just a bouquet of flowers and a few jokes. It's just that easy!

every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

Wednesday, August 17, 2005 @11:08 PM

There's been a lot of conjectures in my mind about "friends". Who do we really refer to as our friends? According to the Cambridge English dictionary, a 'friend' is defined as (1) a person whom you know well and whom you like a lot, but who is usually not a member of your family (2) someone who is not an enemy and whom you can trust.

Yet for convenience sake, most of us would just refer to anyone outside the family whom we kind of know, conventionally as 'friends'.

I tend to give clear cut definitions to people whom I've acquainted in life. 'Friends' of brief acquaintance, classmates, coursemates, housemates/roomates, colleagues, hi-bye friends, normal friends, elderly friends (my parents'), close friends and best friend(s). I started defining people I met in life in believing it would devotail the harmonious of the friendship/relationship. You will be indubitably confide in your close/best pals and in return you'll give them priorities above other 'friends'. As for the rest in the category, you'll still be genial to them but decorously. You won't turn to the latter for consolation as they are not obliged to do so. In another words, you expect more from your close buddies. As days are accumulating in my life journey, I've become more relaxed about the classifications, well, sort of.

I recall having my daily schmoozing with a nice mate at work, which later on turned out tête-à-tête that day. We had an in-depth discussion on 'friendships'. She was prompting whether does a friendship has to be mutual. If you regard someone as your close pals, will they reciprocate as well? I think like all other relationships in the world, friendship has to be mutual too, that's for sure. Of course, you can still treat this person your best pal ever, yet he/she may not necessarily think/do the same. It is not his/her fault either. Everyone can have their own preference and have total freedom in choosing their own pals. But if it's just a one-sided acknowledgement, by and large the so-called friendship won't go too far. One day the 'giving' side may feel exhausted and disappointed as they don't see their expectations are met from that so-called buddy.

I won't say this context will be permanent. Things change, so does friendship. An acquaintance friend may someday become one of your best buddies. This is possible. Say you bump into this acquaintance friend on an occasion, you find some time to interact with him/her. Next time both of you meet again and since then you just bump into this friend more often. The interactions increase and probably you find both of you 'click'. It is also possible for best pal transformed into enemies and not talk at all or even meet anymore. When conflicts happen and the situation seems irreversible due to strong ego and pride from both sides, you realize the best pal ever had betrayed you for his/her own welfare or pleasure. You feel highly disappointed and decided to abandon the friendship. This is why I tend to be more easy-going with definitions on this issue now. *lol* *wink wink*

Like all relationships, friendship also needs 'skillful' managements. I don't have any tips on this. I personally am still learning and trying to work out a recipe. But one major ingredient in all relationship, including friendship is minimal expectations. Less expectations, less disappointments, the longer the friendship lasts. Oiy, how true this is! Well-said, well-said! *lol*.

every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

@12:18 AM

I couldn't imagine myself being the only child in the family. Life would definitely be humdrum, a little bewildered, lonely, less fun, less exciting and less enchanting.

Siblings are the only next of kins who not only related closely to you, they share the closest genotype and phenotype (theoretically, unless due to environment) with you and also the ones who'd resided in the same 'house' as you in your mother's womb. The maxim is so amazingly indubitable!

I come from a relatively large family. I have a few younger siblings. It is wondrous that though we look quite a like in our appearance, our personalities/characters/preferences vary immensely, despite the fact that we grown up together and went to the same schools. I guess the different combination traits of our parents' hybrid do somehow make us an "enthralling" bunch compared to other smaller families.

I won't say we didn't quarrel, argue or fight. In fact occasionally we still do that nowadays. It is not avoidable since each individual has his/her own opinions. Sometimes the conflict is necessary and it is one of the best modes to interact and communicate. When we were younger, we even would segregate to 'smaller' groups and had our "civil war". I'm very sure this won't happen in families with single child. As we grown up, the close kinship remains though some of us are residing in different countries. The distance doesn't cause much hindrance in connecting our bond, in fact our affinity (at least 1-2 of us) has been drawn closer.

I heart* my siblings. I am grateful to my parents for bringing them into my life. I wish them to excel in whatever they are going to pursue in life and always stay jolly happy, healthy wealthy, gorgeous and smart!

every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

Monday, August 15, 2005 @11:32 PM

I used to live in a room flooded with utter disappointments.

I would be easily disheartened and agitated over small matters when their expectations were not met. I'd even griped, weeped and sobbed through countless of dismays for major unfulfilled issues. I am sure many of you have experienced parallel situtation or are now going through the similar context.

You expect your parents to understand your preferences in life.
You expect your close friends to be always there to support you.
You expect a call from someone special.
You expect an email from a new mate.
You expect your busses come on time.
You expect the movie to be entertaining.
You expect a promotion from your company.
You expect a wonderful and smooth life.

But most of the time, they never do. They never turn out to be what we expected. When the little presumption pictures in our mind are not met, we feel unhappy, flustered and frustrated, be it a small or big matter. Sometimes the disappointment and pain only lasted briefly. Some stay for a long long while. Some are replaced by new disappointments. The cycle of disappointments continues throughout the whole life.

Disappointments emerge from unfulfilled expectations. Although the expectations may sound reasonable, we can't demand every situation to match with the pictures framed in our mind. The best remedy would be, try not to have expectations or at least have different preferences. I would prefer A, but if B turns out, that would be fine too.

Will life sound pessimistic without setting an expectation? This was part of my recent discussions with AA. Not having expectation does not mean you have no faith in the matter nor the person involved. As expectation is only formed by one picture, meaning only one outcome is portrayed and thus expected. But what will be the likelihood of it to become true? In a simple context of either A or B, the maximum probability of A is only 50%. When it comes to reality, there are more than 2 possibilities in each context and situation, so chances of our expectations being met will not be as high.

Most of the time, the degree of our expectations from other people turn out to be very different. For instance, our family and friends think that they have given us love and concerns, but yet we do not perceive it that way. The definition of the integrity of love and care vary between each individual. Therefore, it is likely that most of the time we are not satisfied with the situation and feel disappointed.

It is wise NOT to set expectations. You'll find it works so amazingly well for you and you'll be a happier person.

You go for a movie without any expectations, you will probably enjoy the movie a little bit better.
You do not expect an email from your friend, but when you receive just a few lines from him/her, your day is lifted.
You do not expect compliments from people, but when someone suddenly comments your nice outfit you are wearing today, the sky seems brighter.
You do not expect today's entry to be funny, appealing and sophisticated. You may find it quite intellectual stimulating actually. *gotcha*

There is an article called APPLE SEED, which I got it from my friend that gives further insights on this.

I'll leave this article as your thought for the day. I am not expecting any comment nor message from you regarding this entry. But who knows, I maybe delighted by some unexpected comments from you! *rolling my big round eyes* *LOL*

-----------------------------APPLE SEEDS--------------------------------------

Take a look at an apple tree. There might be five hundred apples on the tree, but each apple has just ten seeds. That's a lot of seeds!

We might ask, "Why would you need so many seeds to grow just a few more apple trees?"

Nature has something to teach us here. It's telling us: "Not all seeds grow. In life, most seeds never grow. So if you really want to make something happen, you had better try more than once."

This might mean:
You'll attend twenty interviews to get one job.
You'll interview forty people to find one good employee.

You'll talk to fifty people to sell one house, one car, one vacuum cleaner, one insurance policy, or a business idea.

And you might meet a hundred acquaintances just to find one special friend .

When we understand the "Law of the Seed", we don't get so disappointed. We stop feeling like victims. We learn how to deal with things that happen to us.

Laws of nature are not things to take personally. We just need to understand them - and work with them.

IN A NUTSHELL
Successful people fail more often. But they plant more seeds.


When Things Are Beyond your control, here's something that you must NOT DO so as to be happy:

You must not decide how you think the world SHOULD be.

You must not make rules for how everyone SHOULD behave.

Many times, such thoughts can bring you spiraling down into more unhappiness.

On the other hand, let's say you expect that:
Friends SHOULD return favours.
People SHOULD appreciate you.
Planes SHOULD arrive on time.
Everyone SHOULD be honest.
Your husband or best friend SHOULD remember your birthday.

These expectations may sound reasonable. But often, these things won't happen! So you end up frustrated and disappointed.

There's a better strategy. Demand less, and instead, have preferences! For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself: "I WOULD PREFER "A", BUT IF "B" HAPPENS, IT'S OK TOO!"

You prefer that people are polite....but when they are rude, it doesn't ruin your day.

You prefer sunshine.....but if it rains, it is ok too!

To become happier, we either need to:
a) Change the world, or
b) Change our thinking.
It is easier to change our Thinking!

IN A NUTSHELL
It is not the problem that is the issue, but rather it is your attitude attending to the problem that is the problem.

It's not what happens to you that determine your happiness but rather how you think about what happens to you!


every page of my imagination


2 people traveled to my fantasyland

Sunday, August 14, 2005 @8:33 PM

The weekend just past was slightly deviated from my usual schedule. On Saturday, I visited one of the biggest national museums in the country. The museum exhibits a wide range of items of the universe and the earth including the plants, animals and human biology.

I am usually not so thrilled about visiting museums. Since the city I am residing is acclaimed for the cultivation of understanding the nature and its diversity, I took the opportunity to join LC and her bf after her belated birthday celebration at a japanese restaurant.

We only managed to spend 4 hours in the museum due to an extremely long lunch eating sukiyaki. The museum consists three divisions and a number of organization wide service departments. It covers millions of specimens for its heterogenous collections, everything from pollen to whales and from minerals to DNA. Due to the shortage of time, we only manged to visit some of the sections.

I checked out the historical section, exhibiting how lifes were evolved since the earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago. As I sauntered the exhibit hallway, I was so fascinated to view the changes and transformations of the earth as if I'd been there to witness all the events taken place. When the Earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago, it was hot, vulcanoes were active and the planet´s surface was bombarded by meteorites. Since then, the Earth has cooled, massive continents have formed and been destroyed, mountains have grown and been worn down. The atmosphere has filled with oxygen created by living organisms. Giant dinosaurs roamed the continents for million years and mysteriously disappeared for allowing the first mammals to take place. The most recent additions to the evolutionary chain is the thinking man - man. Many animals were already extinct since then. Some are yet to be. All these events were summarized and displayed thoroughly in the exhibition hall.

Many questions pondered my mind while I was there. As the earth and all lives continue to evolve (old species extinct and new species forming), what will lives be in future? Will Homo sapiens disappear for other new creatures to dominate? Even we do not project that far, what will our future generations look like, say >100 years later? Will our daily activities be manipulated by high throughput robotic technologies only? What will the mentality of these future men be? Will they think the same as us? Will they be as curious as we are now about the history of the earth? Will they share the same living habit? Can they travel to other planets for vacations as if they are visiting their neighbour countries? Will there be any museums still? If there will be, a new section will definitely be added to cover items from the past millennium and centuries. Additional chapters will also be compiled into the future history textbook about the current 'us'. Who knows, pictures of the tools that we are using now and a picture of us performing our daily activities will be snapped and exhibited hundred years later in museums, or whatever a new name for a place to exhibit historical objects then?

What will lives be in future? I continue to ponder......

every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

Wednesday, August 10, 2005 @10:27 PM

I have to admit that recently I've picked up a new 'hobby'. I have been having the habit of checking out other blogs from people whom I do not know in real life. Well, yeah this is nothing strange. However, initially I somehow find it awkward to 'peep' on others' lives, since they are total strangers to me! When I follow up a bit more of their thoughts and ramblings about their lives, I have developed an unexplanable feeling of liking them as my friends. It's strange to tell that I am concerned about their wealthfares and happiness in their lives as if they were my buddies in real life. Yeah, unbelievable, but it's true. *lol*
It is truly amazing to see these people around my age pursuing very different lives than me. I came across a young gal who is at my age, whom has already earned her 1st million dollars! Some are already climbing at the ladder of their career. Some are still schooling. Some has just started their families. Some are enjoying their jolly happy singlehood. Some are already planning for their retirements. Some are still seeking to clear the midst of their lives. Some are living a happy life and yet some are disheartened by certain issues in life. It is definitely a heterogenous bunch of interesting people. We may share some common things but yet we are so so different in many other aspects. Everyone is unique in this sense. So do I want to be like them? Well, no, because what is good for them need not necessary be good for me and vice versa. Each of us has our own lives and preferences. It is just like some like to eat bread, some fancy rice and some prefer pasta. There is no absolute good nor bad. They are just a variety of taste that we can choose and decide.
For sure, I have definitely opened up my eyes to different perceptions and views of lives from their thoughts and sharing. Life can be so fun and interesting because of the varieties of events and acquintances we encounter. There are also low tides at times. Most of the time, low tides aren't that bad either. This is the phase that allows us to pause down to gather some thoughts. A perfect life will not be interesting and we may not enjoy the ride either. With this positive perception in view of our lives and being contented with ourselves, happiness is with us all the time.
Anyway, I thank them all for their sharings and views in lives. I wish them the best of luck and happiness. Of course, I shall continue to be their faithful reader/fan as I would like to gain more insights about life through reading their blogs.
Yeah, what a lame excuse! I am just peeping, snooping or being a busybody at people's lives. Whatever! *lol*

every page of my imagination


0 people traveled to my fantasyland

Tuesday, August 09, 2005 @11:12 PM

How far am I in granting my graduate degree? It was really a coincidence that this was brought up in two separate occasions with different bunch of people at work.
Being quite a practical plus worrisome person, I do constantly check my timeline in completing my postgraduate studies even way before I decided to quit my RA job to pursue a higher study. Well, I know getting my timeline checked regularly has nothing to do with practicality. But being a worrisome person, I do not want myself to be too old when the degree is obtained, especially the biological is ticking. *LOL* I wish not seing a wrinkly lady just came out of school and starting her career. Sounds practical.....ah well...relatively, right?
Although I knew all these while I really wanted to go back to Graduate school, it was still a tough decision for me to step into a different route of my path in my life. Other realistic issues were considered as well including financial matter, distance from my family/friends etc. Of course, now I am entering my 2nd year of graduate student's life, I can proudly say that I am indeed very grateful that I've made a wise decision. Although research work has been tough and most of the time countless failures has demotivated me tremendously. So far I am enjoying what I am doing. I enjoy being able to learn, to troubleshoot problems and most importantly feeling myself contributing to mankind. However, there are moments of pain and tears. But the continuous failures (many more to come) have allowed me to train myself to be stronger. I am beginning to like the challenges in this field. This is really what I want. I feel really blessed that I was given this opportunity.
Although I am not sure whether will I be 'on time' to graduate in 4 years (the average duration taken by students here). I should really enjoy myself as much as possible being a Graduate student. It doesn't matter how fast I can finish. It's the learning process and the journey that matters more. We all won't deny that time flies and even before we realize, years have past. Hence, I better cherish every moments of my student life now than rushing the deadline.
So folks, when someone ask me how far am I in my degree next time, what should be the answer? Should I reply by saying that I am 1/4 done or 3/4 yet to go? Notice the subtlety of the answers? *blink blink*

every page of my imagination


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Monday, August 08, 2005 @11:36 PM

Since I've made up my mind and gotten myself a weblog. I was thinking to put up some chinese writings, which I hand-wrote during college years in my little 'bible'. I found out this one, given the title "Are Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston divorced?". Now, don't bash me!! This was written back in my 4th year of College *using my fingers to work out how many years ago*. Okay, that would be back in 2001, to be precise 4 years ago! Whoo-hoo, am I a fortune-teller or a some kind of psychic as this couple was truly divorced sometime last year or early this year? Well, if I were, then do you think I'll be blabbing with you free of charge and living my simplest lifestyle as a poor student right now? LOL
This chinese article was written right after one of the usual dinner evenings together with my housemate at that time, YL, who was a combined degree Law and Commerce student, who also paid a lot of attention in catching up current affairs and of course entertainment news. Before I post up our little convo up in chinese (which was written 4 years ago, yes I have to emphasize enough), I'd briefly summarized the content, in case AA will buzz me to translate the whole thing into english later. *Ooouch, I'm sorry, no offence, AA*.
The story goes like this...my housemate then, YL was telling me many of her friends hardly picked up the newspapers to check out what was happening in the world. Since YL was the only one who read newspapers and watched the daily newsreports on TV, her friends relied on her heavily to update them with news headlines. One day, while YL was doing the usual 'news report' to her buddies, which went something like "8th Grade Earthquake hits AAA, X people died and Y injuries.", "Civil war in BBB." etc...all her friends were not bothered at all and continued to babble. Seing such response from her friends, the cheeky YL burst out another sentence while reading the headlines "Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were divorced." Just after the last word, all her friends paused and started screaming. "What did you say?" "Is that true?" "How could it happen?" All questions were thrown to YL and she burst out into laughter and gazed at them. "Of course....I made it all up!"
I am indeed very grateful to YL, who shared this little incident up later in that evening. There are many of us who are actually not paying enough attention to the earth we are residing. We are just too self-centred. Some may be aware of some happenings in the world, but not showing enough concern to do our parts in helping. Most of us focus too much on the Hollywood Bollywood e-news, thus has greatly lifted and expanded the paparazi professions. Haven't you realized that the e-news column in the newspapers of all languages have been further extended, at least in the majority of the newspapers?
Well, I admit that I do read e-news and flip through e-magazines quite often. But I do that just for relaxation. Who really cares who goes out with who, who calls for a divorce, who is pregnant?? Blah. It is none of our business. These stars are only there to be good in their jobs in making excellent movies, songs, whatver entertaining productions for us. They have their own personal lives to deal with and we do not have any rights to interfere or judge. So why bother spending time in checking up other people's lives, in fact we have so much we have to take care of for ourselves? Believe me or not, I prefer substance and I do care and love this planet that I'm living. *smirk*

***********************************************************************************

Brad Pitt 和 Jennifer Aniston 离婚?

与屋友闲聊是一种享受。平时大家上课时间不同,唯有在晚餐聚在餐桌才能彼此沟通交流。
那时,我并没有每天阅读报的习惯。最大原因是懒惰,再次就是我个人比较是个母语拥护者,比较爱看华文报。所以我以前在祖国生活或回国度假时,都有每天看报的。
屋友是个念商学院和法律双学位的大四生。她本人是很留意事实动态的。所以,虽然我这个大懒虫不阅报,可不代表我不关心世界大事。因为我时常乘着和她闲聊时顺口问她一周里所发生的世界大事。她从不负我望,每次都一一告知。
有 天晚餐,屋友提及她也有几个朋友很少阅抱。每当她们和她聚在一次时,看到屋友在翻报,就随口要她把报上的标题念出来。于是,屋友也一一把标题读出来。 “某某国家发生八级地震,X人死,Y人伤。”,“某国发生内战。”等世界大事标题。她的朋友听后若无其事。当然,屋友接着也很尽责的报道了些娱乐新闻。 “BRAD PITT 和 JENNIFER ANISTON 离婚了” 话没说完,她的朋友们一一起轰,有的甚至大喊起来。“什么?” “是真的吗?”  “唉呀,怎么会这样?” 这时候,,屋友不禁大笑起来,瞪了朋友们一眼说:“当然是.....假的!”
故事分享到这里,我和屋友都觉得现在的人对世界大事都漠不关心,有的就算是关心,也不会特别注意事情的演变和进展。现在的人反而对别人的闲话家事比较感兴趣。这也解释了为何狗仔队日渐盛行和各大报章的娱乐版逐渐扩大。
其实,我并不徘彻看娱乐新闻。但是,并不主张对它们过度关注,毕竟那只是生活中一小部分的娱乐点缀品。生活上还有许多事情值得我们去关心和留意的,因为我们是社会的一份子,也是同样的居住在这个地球村。如果我们都不关心自己的切身问题,谁还会呢? (草于2001年M城

every page of my imagination


2 people traveled to my fantasyland

Sunday, August 07, 2005 @10:32 PM

在大一机缘巧合下认识了小群。回想起来,真的该感想那科我讨厌的资讯管理。 我本来是科学和资讯双学位学生,但只在大一的第一学期修了俩门资讯的科目后,对这科系就敬而远之了,从此只专著与生物医药系。 话说回来,因一次的资讯管理的一门功课,某天在电脑室里,我正苦恼于乏味的课业时,忽然一个娇滴滴的声音在我身旁响起。 我一看是一个娇小玲珑的女生正要和我聊聊我正在埋头苦干的功课。 我们就这么聊了起来。原来小群并不是资讯系的学生,她已经是精算系的大二的名列榜首的学生。小群和我一见如故,可能我们都是来自同一个国家的缘故吧,但我 想朋友的缘分就是那么的奇妙。从那次的认识后,我们变成了相当要好的朋友。
她是个非常聪明的学生,待人处世都很成熟圆滑。许多人往往会被她那娇小 的 身型和温柔的外表和看上去比实际年龄还要年轻许多的外表而误导了。其实小群是个非常 独立,有主见思想和坚强的女生。那时,我在功课或人生碰到了困境或遇上瓶颈,都会向她聊聊,听听她的意见看法。自从我从大学毕业后,在离开了A国后,已有 近四年没和小群见面了。但是,很庆幸的是我们都会偶尔给彼此发电子邮件,把持联系,汇报彼此的近况。
离开A国的第一年,我在S国当研究助理时,小群给我发了封信和我分享了她有男友了的喜悦。
第二年,她和我分享了远距离恋爱的甜酸。
第三年,当我来到了另一个新的国都开始了我的博士学位,小群也在同时在获得了精算师专业资资格后,就从A国的M城北上C城和男友团聚了。
C 城开始了新的生活,新的工作,认识新的朋友,无奈小群并没有爱上C城。相对的,她发觉自己越来越依赖男友。今天和小群在网上聊了一下,惊觉得以前坚强 独立和懂得苦中作乐的小群不见了。她在网上诉说她为了迁就男友和他的家人而放弃了许多,包括搬离自己在M城的亲友,稳定的工作和舒适熟悉的环境,来到了一 个沉闷和陌生的城市。
C城 并没有方便的公共交通系统,所以小群想要在下班后发展个人的私人活动而感到不方便。在她还为考到驾驶执照前,凡事必须依 靠男友充当她的司机。面对这样 的转变,小群无疑是感到不愉快的,她觉得被困住了,急需多点空间和自由。她感慨地说当初的远距离恋爱感觉比现在束缚的感觉来得好。
说到这里,衷心希望小群能早日找到生活和爱情的平衡点。她得和男友好好沟通,规划将来和相互扶持。作为朋友,我只能在此为她献上我的诚心的祝福。
是 爱改变了她吗?其实每时每刻我们都在改变。爱情是人生变化中的项目和因素之一。人生的变化是不能避免的。改变并不可怕,亦非是坏事。只要我们在人生的变 化多端中,吸取经验和勇于接受挑战和难题,它们都会使我们更加成熟,从磨练中变得有智慧。很多时候,变化却是种转机,转机即会带来生机。谁说改变不好呢? (草于30-05-2005)

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Saturday, August 06, 2005 @5:49 PM

Your dating personality profile:

Practical - You are a down-to-earth individual who is not impressed with material excess. You care about the stuff of like that really matters.
Big-Hearted - You are a kind and caring person. Your warmth is inviting, and your heart is a wellspring of love.
Traditional - Modern culture does not move you. You hold traditional values dear to your heart.
Your date match profile:

Traditional - You aren't looking for someone who is sexually repressed. You want someone who is adventurous under the covers.
Practical - You are drawn to people who are sensible and smart. Flashy, materialistic people turn you off. You appreciate the simpler side of living.
Intellectual - You seek out intelligence. Idle chit-chat is not what you are after. You prefer your date who can stimulate your mind.
Your Top Ten Traits

1. Practical
2. Big-Hearted
3. Traditional
4. Wealthy/Ambitious
5. Liberal
6. Adventurous
7. Sensual
8. Intellectual
9. Funny
10. Religious
Your Top Ten Match Traits

1. Traditional
2. Practical
3. Intellectual
4. Big-Hearted
5. Religious
6. Funny
7. Shy
8. Conservative
9. Athletic
10. Adventurous

Take the Online Dating Profile Quiz at Dating Diversions

**********************************************************************************
I was surfing around some bloggers' sites and found this love quiz.Okay, that was my quiz results *not sure how true it is*. Anyways I think it is interesting. Have fun with the quiz if you have a few minutes to spare :)

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Thursday, August 04, 2005 @11:36 PM

I have been feeling exhausted since months ago. Usually the passion, motivation and progress of work will compensate the physical tiredness. But now I am on the verge of despair because of my continuous failures in my experiments these couple of weeks. Every morning, I have to drag myself out of bed and I am going in to the lab later and later each day. The signs are pretty obvious. I need a break!!! I need time to be revived!!!
This morning, as usual, I had to struggle so hard to get out of bed. All of a sudden there is this 'evil' thought flashing in my mind. Why not taking a day off today? *blink blink* *smart gal*
So once my mind was set not to go to work today, a whole list of to-do things was kind of planned in my mind. These are things that I wanted to do during the past weekends at home, which I never find time doing, such as cleaning up the apartment, reading, updating the blogs (especially converting the old stuff written ages ago into the electronic format), take an afternoon nap ex cetera.
Please do not be too surprised if I tell you that at the end of the day, I barely accomplished anything from the to-do list. Reasons? Blame the time, one day is just too short, I need another day off! Holiday is never enough! *lol* Nah, I am sure you know the actual reason, it is procrastination!
When it is a day off, it is not meant to be a heavy load day anyway. I should not rush myself to achieve too many things in a day. It is a day for me to relax and do things that I want.
I am glad that my impromptu idea of taking a day off makes me feel better. I won't say I am fully revived. But at least it is nice to be away for a while from the messy work and the workplace I go in each day (seeing the fact I do work on the weekends sometimes). It is even a more pleasant feeling to be able to spend my time doing something that I longed for or better still, doing nothing.
After all, today went pretty well for me, at least I washed the bathroom, mopped the floor, took an hour's nap in the afternoon (although I was trying to get more sleep than this) and most importantly babbled with my sis, who is ten thousand miles away from me. That was one of the best reviving medicines I have ever had. *grin*

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Wednesday, August 03, 2005 @11:01 PM

LC turned 26 today. We had a homemade chocolate hazelnut cake in the afternoon *yum yum*.


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@12:35 AM

(Part 1)

Talking to my sis is a good way to exercise my brain. She constantly throws me some intriguing questions. Don't believe me? Here it goes for the most recent conversation I had with her over msn this morning.

I've found out a quotation (Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love, to work, to play and to look up the stars.), which sounds entrancing and have put it up as my nickname in my chat window.

Sis: hey, wut is so glad about being able to look at the stars?
Me:
eerr...i dunno, but dun u thk stars r so beautiful? (*shrug*)
Sis: yes they are, but wut is so glad about it?
Me: ........(*brain cracking to find an answer*)

Sis: i luv to see the stars..but i think u like to see the sun more than the star!

Me: ....... (*complete speechless*)

Did I ever say that? Even if I did, is it wrong to borrow someone's quotation?? ARGH!!! Well done, this beats me!


(Part 2)

We were having lunch in the department's kitchen. JG suddenly announced that he turned 30 two days ago. We immediately started to give him our belated but sincere greetings.

JG: I feel great entering this magic number 30. I am now qualified to be the senior PhD student in the lab. (*saying out with full confidence*)
Me: yeah right...you are old!
JG: so how old are you? 25? (*in a sarcastic tone*)
Me: yeah, so...?? (*begin to protest*)
JG: I don't feel old myself at all. Do you know for men, we are only starting to accelarate in our curve. 50 will be our peak point. What about women?
Me: 25 perhaps (*instantaneously replied*)
JG: So, you mean now? Hahahaha (*laughing out loud*)

Oops, I've trapped myself! Beats me again!!

Someone sitting next to me was quiet throughout the whole conversation. She's JH, a mother of two at her late 30s.

JG: so JH, why are you so quiet? (*rolling his eyes like won't believe*)
JH: ..... (*blushing*)
JG: oh I know why, you'd already hit your peak ages ago and now in your descending curve right? Hahahaha (*louder laughter*)
JH: then why are you asking??

Phew, seems like I'm not the worst! LOL

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Tuesday, August 02, 2005 @7:46 AM

I love to write and most importantly I love to share. I started writing when I was in 1st year university. Finally today (1st of August 2005), I've decided to share all my thoughts while I continue to view the fleeting world - a star at dawn, a bubble in the stream; a flash of lightning in a summer cloud; a flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream here. :)

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& PROFILE



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