Friday, July 18, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Last Post
Okaay I know I promised to post about my fantastic Dunhuang trip... but guess what... I'm really really busy these days with packing up and having goodbye-meals with my friends here, so...
Aiyah just an excuse for being lazy. =) Anyway Dunhuang doesn't correspond to this blog's theme of being "In Beijing" so I think I'm guilt-free :)
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I thank God for sending me here.
It is no coincidence that this trip came about so easily after a trying period and it was just in time for me to get away from the tangles back in Singapore, to see the big world and see that life is so much more than my personal woes.
I had finally, finally grown out of the heartache. I thought it would never end. But when I looked back and talked about it and remembered and considered the future, I felt calm. To find that I am finally not hung up over him made me feel happy, somehow. I will wait for a man who loves me. I will wait for someone who not just fits my criteria, but also loves me. Surely, God has the best for me. My Lord, my God has not given up on me while I fall repeatedly, but gives me time and opportunity to grow. I have seen His work, His challenges, and it makes me believe all the more that He loves me and has the best for me.
I had believed that it wasn't possible to have someone like me, or that I wasn't a likeable person, but I was affirmed. I saw that while I had wallowed away in my pains I hid the true joy and energy that God had put in me. Time to start anew as the joyful and confident me.
We believe that we should be humble, but it does not mean that we do not believe in our personal charisma and strengths. Now I know what it is really like to be myself, full of joy and energy. I think I had that hidden away for years and years.
I had surprisingly a lot of contact and work to do with old folks, and I wondered why it had seemed like a difficult thing before. If it wasn't difficult to take 4 hour trips back and forth every two weekends to visit my granduncle and grandaunt, it wouldn't be difficult to make that 1 hour trip to visit my grandmother.
When I was here, there wasn't any real problem with basic needs. In fact, I don't recall having met any serious problems that put dampers on this trip. When I was lonely, He sent me friends, He sent me sister Bryna with whom I could share my spiritual and emotional struggles and her with me. Such, is the depth of the Lord's love and care. He doesn't just care that I get fed and clothed. He saw that I am cherished and protected. There is no end to my thanksgiving.
The decision to go on the Dunhuang trip was very rushed, and yet I find myself giving thanks that I have made that decision. It was the highlight of this exchange trip and it was a beautiful conclusion to this visit of mine to China. The memories will follow me for a long time at least. In this trip, God let me see myself. I discovered that I love the sun, I love walking in the wilds, I love travelling, I love talking to people of other cultures. I love ruins more than museums, I love the sun more than rain, I love laughing more than sinking in melancholies. He let me see what I am and what I can be.
Knowing the various brothers and sisters and seekers of Christ here - it's been amazing what the Lord has been doing here in China and I am really glad that I've come here. There are no regrets, just a strong sense of fulfillment and gratefulness.
It wouldn't be my last trip to China, but I know that this one trip is special. There can never be another trip like this~
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And so concludes the FYIBBING blog. Thank you for being a reader =)
Aiyah just an excuse for being lazy. =) Anyway Dunhuang doesn't correspond to this blog's theme of being "In Beijing" so I think I'm guilt-free :)
----------
I thank God for sending me here.
It is no coincidence that this trip came about so easily after a trying period and it was just in time for me to get away from the tangles back in Singapore, to see the big world and see that life is so much more than my personal woes.
I had finally, finally grown out of the heartache. I thought it would never end. But when I looked back and talked about it and remembered and considered the future, I felt calm. To find that I am finally not hung up over him made me feel happy, somehow. I will wait for a man who loves me. I will wait for someone who not just fits my criteria, but also loves me. Surely, God has the best for me. My Lord, my God has not given up on me while I fall repeatedly, but gives me time and opportunity to grow. I have seen His work, His challenges, and it makes me believe all the more that He loves me and has the best for me.
I had believed that it wasn't possible to have someone like me, or that I wasn't a likeable person, but I was affirmed. I saw that while I had wallowed away in my pains I hid the true joy and energy that God had put in me. Time to start anew as the joyful and confident me.
We believe that we should be humble, but it does not mean that we do not believe in our personal charisma and strengths. Now I know what it is really like to be myself, full of joy and energy. I think I had that hidden away for years and years.
I had surprisingly a lot of contact and work to do with old folks, and I wondered why it had seemed like a difficult thing before. If it wasn't difficult to take 4 hour trips back and forth every two weekends to visit my granduncle and grandaunt, it wouldn't be difficult to make that 1 hour trip to visit my grandmother.
When I was here, there wasn't any real problem with basic needs. In fact, I don't recall having met any serious problems that put dampers on this trip. When I was lonely, He sent me friends, He sent me sister Bryna with whom I could share my spiritual and emotional struggles and her with me. Such, is the depth of the Lord's love and care. He doesn't just care that I get fed and clothed. He saw that I am cherished and protected. There is no end to my thanksgiving.
The decision to go on the Dunhuang trip was very rushed, and yet I find myself giving thanks that I have made that decision. It was the highlight of this exchange trip and it was a beautiful conclusion to this visit of mine to China. The memories will follow me for a long time at least. In this trip, God let me see myself. I discovered that I love the sun, I love walking in the wilds, I love travelling, I love talking to people of other cultures. I love ruins more than museums, I love the sun more than rain, I love laughing more than sinking in melancholies. He let me see what I am and what I can be.
Knowing the various brothers and sisters and seekers of Christ here - it's been amazing what the Lord has been doing here in China and I am really glad that I've come here. There are no regrets, just a strong sense of fulfillment and gratefulness.
It wouldn't be my last trip to China, but I know that this one trip is special. There can never be another trip like this~
-----------------
And so concludes the FYIBBING blog. Thank you for being a reader =)
Saturday, July 5, 2008
My farewell dinner
I had thought that I'll be leaving without having much real contact here...
But now I realized that I at least have this group of people...
My Dunhuang trip friends...
Thank you, people.
Thank You, God, for sending these people into my life.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Best trip I've ever experienced
To a fantastic, mystical place, with the most fantastic people =)
Pictures and journals coming later ^o^
Pictures and journals coming later ^o^
Sunday, June 22, 2008
观《三国演义》有感
- 拍大制作不容易啊，破绽多多呀。大战争场面除了前景的几组人来来往往打架，背景兵士大多明显是跑龙套的，骑着马走来走去不知道在做什么。
- 对于赤壁之战有个疑问：黄盖诈降，驾了20艘干草船去曹操战船队防火，问题是，20艘船全放了火，驾船的所有人都跑去哪里？放火后黄盖上岸（也不知道怎么这么快游上岸的）被射了一箭，多两个镜头就出现在东吴岸边（负伤游过长江？！）。奇怪啊……莫非……黄老将军会……飞？
- 实在是“一将功成万骨枯”啊。为了成就各国的争斗，总是要死成千上万的军人。成又如何，败又如何？成败皆有死伤。
- 最恶心的是吕布。三姓家奴，好色之徒。果真有钱便是爹。明明家有贤妻小女，还要垂涎于貂蝉，滥杀部下，反复无常。（史上的吕布也是小人一只，而且没有小说写得那么厉害。）
- 大家最喜欢的刘关张其实蛮讨厌的，刘备动不动就束手无策、泪流满面，输了就哭，还没输也哭。张飞像个任性小儿，关羽又骄傲得要死。（张飞暴躁、关羽骄傲，这是史实。）
- 赤壁之战让我看到曹操的大气。虽然他因骄傲失败，但失败不怪罪别人，反而一路败退一路继续鼓励将士们“生死有命，成败在天”、“胜败乃兵家常事”。不像刘备那厮，动不动就哭得死去活来，看到几个妇孺小子在逃亡中死去就要自杀，动不动就要跳江、刎颈。虽然显示他如何如何爱民、如何如何仁义，却也实在无聊。（当然，这样的刘备也是小说杜撰的。）
- 周瑜周公瑾实在被小说冤枉啊……讨厌罗贯中！！史上的周瑜风流儒雅，为人大度，是当代的少女杀手，“瑜长壮有姿貌”是个帅哥（老婆是小乔，三国时期有名的美女），没听说过他三妻四妾，可见公瑾重情。此君善音律，有童谣曰：“曲有误，周郎顾。”，说明你要周瑜看你多两眼，弹错音、拨走音就可以了。之前曾经瞧不起周瑜的老将程普最后也不得不服他，说：“与周公瑾交往，如同啜饮美酒，不知不觉就醉了!” 可惜他早去世，让偶们家小乔姐姐年轻守寡，不算好老公~
- 还是我的赵云赵子龙哥哥最man了♥
喜欢是没有道理的，不用解释了。o(∩_∩)o...
Saturday, June 21, 2008
A few things
Firstly... HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!
You are my favourite kau!
Yesterday I was quite tired after a long day, so didn't post pictures =D
Yun and I went walking around parts of Beida that we haven't explored yet ^_^ We realized that we hadn't actually taken a picture together, which is weird considering how many times we hung out already. So we took loads of pictures!!
My 美女 roommate and I!
After touring Beida, we went shopping for a bit =p I bought 3 tops and a pair of kitten heel pumps. Later, while at a bookstore, I bought this very fantastic set of CDs containing some greatest violin concertos of the world: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor op.64 by Mendelssohn, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major op.61 by Beethoven, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra no.5 in A major kv219 by Mozart, Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor, Op.23 by Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto ("To the memory of an angel") by Stravinsky =) All of this cost ￥58 - less than SGD 12!
Afterwards, I went to 五道口香猪坊, this Korean restaurant to dine with the Bible Study group people for the last time~ We celebrated Xuanrong's birthday! (Anyway, that guy in the blue shirt's actually not the birthday boy even though he's the focus of the picture, the birthday boy is the one in black ^^)
Birthday boy!
You are my favourite kau!
Yesterday I was quite tired after a long day, so didn't post pictures =D
Yun and I went walking around parts of Beida that we haven't explored yet ^_^ We realized that we hadn't actually taken a picture together, which is weird considering how many times we hung out already. So we took loads of pictures!!
My 美女 roommate and I!
After touring Beida, we went shopping for a bit =p I bought 3 tops and a pair of kitten heel pumps. Later, while at a bookstore, I bought this very fantastic set of CDs containing some greatest violin concertos of the world: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor op.64 by Mendelssohn, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major op.61 by Beethoven, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra no.5 in A major kv219 by Mozart, Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor, Op.23 by Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto ("To the memory of an angel") by Stravinsky =) All of this cost ￥58 - less than SGD 12!
Afterwards, I went to 五道口香猪坊, this Korean restaurant to dine with the Bible Study group people for the last time~ We celebrated Xuanrong's birthday! (Anyway, that guy in the blue shirt's actually not the birthday boy even though he's the focus of the picture, the birthday boy is the one in black ^^)
Birthday boy!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Soon, soon
It dawned on me that I had less than a month before going home...
Trepidation... anticipation... apprehension... excitement...
Rounding up my relationships here... having last dinners with people...
Then it's back to home... with realities and real life... with people there to stay in my life... relationships that last...
I miss my parents very, very much... I used to think that I don't care for my parents enough... but now I realized that I miss them so much more than anybody else... it is crystal clear that they are the only people on this earth whom I can always count on to love me unconditionally... to support me in the things I do...
I gotta go back... to where my responsibilities lie... to the people God sent me to work amidst... to do work that actually counts... to continue the relationships where I left them four months ago... I'm not rejecting the work... in fact I want to be back doing them... time to end my holiday mood...
Although I always felt I missed him, I also feel apprehensive about going back to face him... It conflicts... how does one miss a person and not want to see a person at the same time...?
Nah. just one of ma blue days.
Trepidation... anticipation... apprehension... excitement...
Rounding up my relationships here... having last dinners with people...
Then it's back to home... with realities and real life... with people there to stay in my life... relationships that last...
I miss my parents very, very much... I used to think that I don't care for my parents enough... but now I realized that I miss them so much more than anybody else... it is crystal clear that they are the only people on this earth whom I can always count on to love me unconditionally... to support me in the things I do...
I gotta go back... to where my responsibilities lie... to the people God sent me to work amidst... to do work that actually counts... to continue the relationships where I left them four months ago... I'm not rejecting the work... in fact I want to be back doing them... time to end my holiday mood...
Although I always felt I missed him, I also feel apprehensive about going back to face him... It conflicts... how does one miss a person and not want to see a person at the same time...?
Nah. just one of ma blue days.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Exams O.V.E.R!!!
Vive la liberté!!!
Life starts from here!!
Upcoming plans:
Life starts from here!!
Upcoming plans:
- Finish watching 三国演义、易中天品三国
- Read 三国志
- Make final visit to Granduncle :'(
- Make final visit to 汤老师
- 敦煌trip from 22 June to 2/3 July (!!!)
- Prepare list and routes of places to visit in Beijing!!
- Buy souvenirs
- Ship clothes and books home
- 退学from 北大
- HOME BOUND!!!!
Monday, June 16, 2008
再坚持一下
明天考完后，我的磨难就到尽头了~~~
目前温习的进度还可以，虽然刚开始时浪费了很多时间~
美丽可爱的同屋芸美眉回来过了两夜，而且还是在星期五的凌晨1点过来的（！！！）。那时在玩三国志，和曹操军对抗得兴起，正是午夜12点，竟然收到芸的短信："Yu! Can I come over to stay now?" 我看看时间，那个惊吓啊…… 还好我经常都是把房间收拾整齐的~ 果然，芸到了凌晨1点多，就来敲门了。哈哈…… 有同屋真好~
现在虽然肚子很饿，可是早上考完试的芸现在睡得很熟，真不忍心打扰她。偶可以忍耐的~
目前温习的进度还可以，虽然刚开始时浪费了很多时间~
美丽可爱的同屋芸美眉回来过了两夜，而且还是在星期五的凌晨1点过来的（！！！）。那时在玩三国志，和曹操军对抗得兴起，正是午夜12点，竟然收到芸的短信："Yu! Can I come over to stay now?" 我看看时间，那个惊吓啊…… 还好我经常都是把房间收拾整齐的~ 果然，芸到了凌晨1点多，就来敲门了。哈哈…… 有同屋真好~
现在虽然肚子很饿，可是早上考完试的芸现在睡得很熟，真不忍心打扰她。偶可以忍耐的~
Sunday, June 15, 2008
亲爱的Papa
我的趴趴不上网，不过想在这里表达一下……
趴趴是个好画家、好老公、好爸爸♥
作为画家，他认认真真、踏踏实实、不落窠臼、时时寻求突破。
作为老公，他无怨无悔为家里打拼，辛苦自己扛下，没有怨言。老婆有时脾气不好，他虽然不喜欢，却还是常常让步（当然，夫妻俩都用自己的方式彼此照顾）。
作为爸爸，他始终都是温柔沉稳地爱护我，用那种不说出口的方式照顾我。爸爸比较严肃，其实很宠我，绝对不会让我犯错，却又有极大的宽容。他希望我在世间正直立足，同时也害怕我受到伤害。趴趴几乎从来没有对我说过他内心的感受，但我即使瞎了聋了，还是知道趴趴爱我爱得很深。
趴趴不是没有自己的缺点，可是趴趴是世界上最好的趴趴，是天上的爸爸给我的恩赐，让我在这个世间能有这么好的趴趴和嘛嘛。
有人说过，有很多女生在潜意识中都会找像自己父亲一样的人。我知道我趴趴的缺点，我也不想要对象有趴趴那样的缺点，可是如果他有趴趴的认真、正直、沉稳、温柔、宽容，我想我会是个幸福的女人。
祝我亲爱的猪猪趴趴父亲节快乐！祝趴趴在艺术上登峰造极、在生命中得着幸福！也祝所有人的爸爸都能拥有幸福♥
趴趴是个好画家、好老公、好爸爸♥
作为画家，他认认真真、踏踏实实、不落窠臼、时时寻求突破。
作为老公，他无怨无悔为家里打拼，辛苦自己扛下，没有怨言。老婆有时脾气不好，他虽然不喜欢，却还是常常让步（当然，夫妻俩都用自己的方式彼此照顾）。
作为爸爸，他始终都是温柔沉稳地爱护我，用那种不说出口的方式照顾我。爸爸比较严肃，其实很宠我，绝对不会让我犯错，却又有极大的宽容。他希望我在世间正直立足，同时也害怕我受到伤害。趴趴几乎从来没有对我说过他内心的感受，但我即使瞎了聋了，还是知道趴趴爱我爱得很深。
趴趴不是没有自己的缺点，可是趴趴是世界上最好的趴趴，是天上的爸爸给我的恩赐，让我在这个世间能有这么好的趴趴和嘛嘛。
有人说过，有很多女生在潜意识中都会找像自己父亲一样的人。我知道我趴趴的缺点，我也不想要对象有趴趴那样的缺点，可是如果他有趴趴的认真、正直、沉稳、温柔、宽容，我想我会是个幸福的女人。
祝我亲爱的猪猪趴趴父亲节快乐！祝趴趴在艺术上登峰造极、在生命中得着幸福！也祝所有人的爸爸都能拥有幸福♥
Friday, June 13, 2008
让人想起史书的新闻报道
这次Chomel走出动物园，带着4岁的Merlin一起乘坐摩天观景轮，可说是奠定了Chomel在动物园里的“阿姐”地位。--<幸运之‘猩’乘摩天轮>超奇怪的句子。顺便注意下，“12岁的Chomel是动物园已故镇园之宝阿明的第五个孙女。它不但长得像祖母，而且性情温和、好奇心强、喜欢与人互动”。
如果你还不知道Chomel是什么，请查下阿明是谁:)
还“奠定”阿姐地位哟。根本在写《Mandai演义》嘛。
套句中国网民说的话：无语……
Somone please expand the lists for me
These things started coming up over the week and I was already thinking about making "Ten Commandments for..." lists. But of course, being busy with 易中天品三国, the 三国志11 game I just acquired =) and the upcoming exam, I don't really want to think about expanding the lists. But maybe someone else can help me with it:
Ten Commandments For Wooing Girls
1. Thou shalt not look creepy. (Which includes stalking her, sitting at a table beside her and professing how beautiful she is and how much you like her and refusing to leave even after the security tells you to.)
2. Thou shalt be aware of the rejecting signals.
3. Thou shalt not persist when being rejected (not in the playing-hard-to-get way).
4-10. ???
Ten Commandments For Writing Emails
1. Thou shalt not bombard your friend with questions.
9-10. ???
I don't really want to talk about the first list. I'll talk about the email thing.
The last one came up because I received a mail which looked like a survey questionnaire squashed into one paragraph. I know my friend means well, but it only meant I procrastinated replying to her for a month because I just lost motivation to reply so many big questions (like: what are the differences between Beida and your University back in Singapore?) all at this time. See, I have the motivation to write my blog post, because there isn't a list of questions to intimidate me, even though the length of the post and the email reply would probably be the same. It's the intimidation, folks, intimidation.
Ten Commandments For Wooing Girls
1. Thou shalt not look creepy. (Which includes stalking her, sitting at a table beside her and professing how beautiful she is and how much you like her and refusing to leave even after the security tells you to.)
2. Thou shalt be aware of the rejecting signals.
3. Thou shalt not persist when being rejected (not in the playing-hard-to-get way).
4-10. ???
Ten Commandments For Writing Emails
1. Thou shalt not bombard your friend with questions.
9-10. ???
I don't really want to talk about the first list. I'll talk about the email thing.
The last one came up because I received a mail which looked like a survey questionnaire squashed into one paragraph. I know my friend means well, but it only meant I procrastinated replying to her for a month because I just lost motivation to reply so many big questions (like: what are the differences between Beida and your University back in Singapore?) all at this time. See, I have the motivation to write my blog post, because there isn't a list of questions to intimidate me, even though the length of the post and the email reply would probably be the same. It's the intimidation, folks, intimidation.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
要说些事儿
偶的叔叔婶婶现在好轻松啊，宝贝寄放在外婆家，以备婶婶将来要工作，让丢丢小妹先习惯一下。轻松的夫妇俩好像情侣一样，以下是一段对话：
甜蜜得蛀牙呀～～^o^
（如果你还没看懂上面的对话，给一个提示：我叔叔属牛、婶婶属鸡，他们的小宝宝属猪^^)
再来一段开心的：我今天把期末报告全做完了！！！到下个星期二才考一张卷子，喔哈哈哈哈哈哈！
再来一段特别的：今天见到了东风弟兄可爱的女儿了～刚考完高考的一位妹妹，很纯朴可爱，眼睛特漂亮=)我们在学校里兜了半圈～ 算算下，东风弟兄44岁，女儿已经18岁了！我20岁，我爸已经60岁了^_^总是觉得别人的爸爸很年轻啊，其实是我老爸晚婚迟生女，呵呵。
再来一段送别的：Deke要走了！啊少了帅哥可以看咯T_T 今天带他去吃羊肉串，算是给他送别吧。（偶发现偶还有带帅哥去吃羊肉串的倾向哟，上次W大哥来北京时也是带他去吃的^_^）他一顿就叫了10根羊肉串，而且只吃羊肉串。恐怖的老外～～ 虽然帅哥兄弟将来会到新加坡来，也不知道是什么时候啦～
以下一段对话：
可以想象我差不多要把羊肉串都吐出来了，这个老外到中国来都学些什么啊！他刚才还在跟我讲他的口语不行的-__-;;
如果你还不明白那是怎么一回事的话，Deke说的是“我没有桃花运”～不过大概是他自己不知道吧，喜欢他的女孩子可以从圣淘沙排队到吉隆坡了～ 当然，理智的偶是例外啦，因为帅哥－－－－－－－－只能拿来看！
（电视上在播《XXX如何从放牛娃到亿万富翁》）两个人立马笑得东歪西倒。
婶：（拍拍叔叔大腿）你什么时候去放牛啊？
叔：没有牛放啊！
婶：我来放你好了*笑*
叔：我来养鸡好了～
婶：*瞪*…………我们是养猪的！
叔：养猪专业户！
甜蜜得蛀牙呀～～^o^
（如果你还没看懂上面的对话，给一个提示：我叔叔属牛、婶婶属鸡，他们的小宝宝属猪^^)
再来一段开心的：我今天把期末报告全做完了！！！到下个星期二才考一张卷子，喔哈哈哈哈哈哈！
再来一段特别的：今天见到了东风弟兄可爱的女儿了～刚考完高考的一位妹妹，很纯朴可爱，眼睛特漂亮=)我们在学校里兜了半圈～ 算算下，东风弟兄44岁，女儿已经18岁了！我20岁，我爸已经60岁了^_^总是觉得别人的爸爸很年轻啊，其实是我老爸晚婚迟生女，呵呵。
再来一段送别的：Deke要走了！啊少了帅哥可以看咯T_T 今天带他去吃羊肉串，算是给他送别吧。（偶发现偶还有带帅哥去吃羊肉串的倾向哟，上次W大哥来北京时也是带他去吃的^_^）他一顿就叫了10根羊肉串，而且只吃羊肉串。恐怖的老外～～ 虽然帅哥兄弟将来会到新加坡来，也不知道是什么时候啦～
以下一段对话：
Me：I will never allow my kids to be only children.
....
Me：That sentence is problematic in itself!!
D: Yah it's like using two plurals to describe a singular... yah I don't wanna have just one child too.
Me: You don't want children, you don't even want to get married! (He said that before)
D: I would rather have children than a wife~
Me: Ah and hear the trail of broken hearts~
D: OH, 窝没有掏花允～ （请读者把句子念出来）
可以想象我差不多要把羊肉串都吐出来了，这个老外到中国来都学些什么啊！他刚才还在跟我讲他的口语不行的-__-;;
如果你还不明白那是怎么一回事的话，Deke说的是“我没有桃花运”～不过大概是他自己不知道吧，喜欢他的女孩子可以从圣淘沙排队到吉隆坡了～ 当然，理智的偶是例外啦，因为帅哥－－－－－－－－只能拿来看！
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
这两天在干什么
在看易中天老师的《百家讲坛◎易中天品三国》系列。
已经迷住了（比那个时候追看花样少年少女、Britain's Got Talent还严重），必须赶紧看完才可以干正事。所以现在开足马力从早上5点看到凌晨1点，吃饭时间也看（所以吃得超随便）。估计易老师的粉丝没有一个像我这样牛的。我计划今晚就看完，明天就可以写完报告的那一点尾巴，开始准备下个礼拜二考试。时间很充裕啊^_^
听到史实的东西，基本上已经不太想读《三国演义》了。把我的孙坚、孙策、周瑜帅哥们都写得那样没用！曹操这样一个有能力的、复杂的政治家被写成平面的奸贼！原来刘备不只是会哭和跑啊，原来刘备真的还是个英雄呀～
罗贯中我以前还是蛮佩服他的，搞出这么一大本《三国演义》来，现在知道他是这样为了政治立场和小说艺术摧残了历史上的风流人物，感觉那个好感掉了百分之两百呀。感谢易中天老师还原历史人物，还讲得那么精彩～ 易老师偶爱你♥
注：偶不只是单听易老师讲的三国哦，读杂剧的时候也有需要研究正史地～ 可怜我的周瑜帅哥哟～周郎何以遭污蔑至此？！(*感叹ing*)
已经迷住了（比那个时候追看花样少年少女、Britain's Got Talent还严重），必须赶紧看完才可以干正事。所以现在开足马力从早上5点看到凌晨1点，吃饭时间也看（所以吃得超随便）。估计易老师的粉丝没有一个像我这样牛的。我计划今晚就看完，明天就可以写完报告的那一点尾巴，开始准备下个礼拜二考试。时间很充裕啊^_^
听到史实的东西，基本上已经不太想读《三国演义》了。把我的孙坚、孙策、周瑜帅哥们都写得那样没用！曹操这样一个有能力的、复杂的政治家被写成平面的奸贼！原来刘备不只是会哭和跑啊，原来刘备真的还是个英雄呀～
罗贯中我以前还是蛮佩服他的，搞出这么一大本《三国演义》来，现在知道他是这样为了政治立场和小说艺术摧残了历史上的风流人物，感觉那个好感掉了百分之两百呀。感谢易中天老师还原历史人物，还讲得那么精彩～ 易老师偶爱你♥
注：偶不只是单听易老师讲的三国哦，读杂剧的时候也有需要研究正史地～ 可怜我的周瑜帅哥哟～周郎何以遭污蔑至此？！(*感叹ing*)
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Frank Sinatra: Summer Wind
♥Frank Sinatra!♥
I wanna marry his voice c:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Experiencing Beijing life (I)
Last Saturday was very interesting - I didn't go anywhere spectacular but just hung out within the district my relatives live in. Took a lot of pictures! Also went to the market - more pictures! I'll upload these pictures by theme, with captions, to help you guys see more of this life I'm currently experiencing in Beijing~ =D
Today's theme is my favourite! (Actually I should upload it after the less interesting themes, but I can't resist anyway :P) BABIES! Hahaha... I find Chinese kids very very cute lah! Every time I see those cute babies I'll wish they are mine :P
I also realized that the Beijing parents are very generous about having their babies' pictures taken - I'm always very scared that they might stare at me suspiciously or something, but those who do notice me just laugh and display their kids. They are so proud of having cute babies, hahaha~ These people rawks!!
Presenting to you: BEIJING BABIES
(Captions are all designed dialogues~~ :p)
Click these two pictures to full-view!
Today's theme is my favourite! (Actually I should upload it after the less interesting themes, but I can't resist anyway :P) BABIES! Hahaha... I find Chinese kids very very cute lah! Every time I see those cute babies I'll wish they are mine :P
I also realized that the Beijing parents are very generous about having their babies' pictures taken - I'm always very scared that they might stare at me suspiciously or something, but those who do notice me just laugh and display their kids. They are so proud of having cute babies, hahaha~ These people rawks!!
Presenting to you: BEIJING BABIES
(Captions are all designed dialogues~~ :p)
Click these two pictures to full-view!
Friday, June 6, 2008
告示背后的世界
很明显的，外国人对于个人隐私、个人权利是非常重视的。我的身体是我的隐私，你的也是。你当然可以选择要不要保有自己的隐私，但是问题在于你的暴露侵犯了我的视觉界限，亦就是侵犯了我的权利。但是中年以上的中国人有很多没有这样的概念。上厕所时有时会不小心撞见不该看的东西，因为有些阿姨是开了门才拉裤子、拉拉链的。年轻一辈的，我就没碰过有这样的问题。当然，几年前朋友到上海的学校去浸濡时，就碰到有女生在厕所里就一丝不挂地拿面盆抹身子，吓得我朋友那个傻眼啊。而那还只是几年前的事。
中国这样的一个地方，什么时候从女人晾内衣都要在床底晾（因为内衣见不得人）的社会变成女生可以只围一条浴巾就去学校餐厅打饭的社会？人对于个人的自我意识何以变得如此薄弱？虽然，曾经有一段时候，我的就是你的，你的就是我的，我们的就是国家的，但这并不代表自己的身体亦不再属于自己。
因为刚吃饱，很想睡，思路不是很清楚，今天就写到这里。
其实我还很好奇到底是谁把告示拆下来的－不管是贴告示的人自己拆，还是那些阿姨拆的，意义都很深。不想写了，有心情的话再写吧。
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Somefing inside dere disagwees wif me
Yeah that title's so messed up because my insides are.
Two days ago I got diarrhoea and it sent me to the toilet four times within an hour. I took some anti-diarrhoea capsules (the pharmacy kind) and went to bed.
No more diarrhoea the next day, but it came with a tummy ache and... constipation. So I took some Senoko pills at night.
You are smart if you guessed it - Diarrhoea again today. I should just leave my insides alone. @_@
But anyway,
This thing made my day :)
(click to enlarge)
You aren't reading it wrong - one, or some of my neighbours finally had it with the ladies who shower without closing the cubicle door. And before any guys think that they'd like to drop by and 'accidentally' see something, I will inform you that none of my young and beautiful neighbours plus myself actually do that. Those guilty are the middle-aged women working in Shaoyuan and they happen to not possess pretty bodies. I've bumped into some of them in various states of undress - they really don't bother. But woe be to our modest eyes...
I've actually made a mental note to stay away from the showers between 7.30 and 8.00am because that's the timeframe where the Shaoyuan 阿姨s actually take their showers. Trust me, it is not at all exciting to see the laoshi (whom I see every other day at the 传达室) in her underwear.
I'm not sure if they actually took that sign seriously and do something for the sake of the modesty of our eyes, but at least it made me laugh - somebody finally saying what we all wanted to say. I thought I was the only one bothered by it. ^^;;
Side note: I was at the school fast food outlet just now and was just idly looking around when I spotted the popcorn heater. They put printed A4 length mini-banners around the top of the machine that said "Popcorn" - in those typical wavy Microsoft Office Shape text. Interesting thing is that some of the letters in the middle of the word faded, so the banner now reads "P.......orn".
Why would the school allow the selling of P.....orn?
Xp Bad me.
Nowwww let's cwoss our fingerz and pray dat my tummy dazent bother me for de rest of de dey.
Two days ago I got diarrhoea and it sent me to the toilet four times within an hour. I took some anti-diarrhoea capsules (the pharmacy kind) and went to bed.
No more diarrhoea the next day, but it came with a tummy ache and... constipation. So I took some Senoko pills at night.
You are smart if you guessed it - Diarrhoea again today. I should just leave my insides alone. @_@
But anyway,
This thing made my day :)
(click to enlarge)
You aren't reading it wrong - one, or some of my neighbours finally had it with the ladies who shower without closing the cubicle door. And before any guys think that they'd like to drop by and 'accidentally' see something, I will inform you that none of my young and beautiful neighbours plus myself actually do that. Those guilty are the middle-aged women working in Shaoyuan and they happen to not possess pretty bodies. I've bumped into some of them in various states of undress - they really don't bother. But woe be to our modest eyes...
I've actually made a mental note to stay away from the showers between 7.30 and 8.00am because that's the timeframe where the Shaoyuan 阿姨s actually take their showers. Trust me, it is not at all exciting to see the laoshi (whom I see every other day at the 传达室) in her underwear.
I'm not sure if they actually took that sign seriously and do something for the sake of the modesty of our eyes, but at least it made me laugh - somebody finally saying what we all wanted to say. I thought I was the only one bothered by it. ^^;;
Side note: I was at the school fast food outlet just now and was just idly looking around when I spotted the popcorn heater. They put printed A4 length mini-banners around the top of the machine that said "Popcorn" - in those typical wavy Microsoft Office Shape text. Interesting thing is that some of the letters in the middle of the word faded, so the banner now reads "P.......orn".
Why would the school allow the selling of P.....orn?
Xp Bad me.
Nowwww let's cwoss our fingerz and pray dat my tummy dazent bother me for de rest of de dey.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
To you
"Qué será, será,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Qué será, será,
What will be, will be."
好想去上易中天的课啊
2.韩信刚参加工作那会儿...
3.诺,相当于现在的OK
4.哪个想呆在这种鬼地方哟。
5.……然后韩信就和那个南昌亭长绝交了~~~不跟他玩了！
6.那个封印就在手里磨阿磨，磨阿磨，等到方的都磨成圆的了，还不给人家！~
7.刘邦：“当将军还不行，那就让他当大将军~~
萧何：“那就再好不过了。”
8.哎呀，，那我骂过了怎么办、、老师的语气和表情太可爱了
9.我被你雇佣了，我是忠心耿耿给你谋划，如果我的主意你不听，byebye，我换一个老板。
10.韩信，你不是个厚道人！
11.那小子他妈的不听我的，他要是听了我的，他今天会这样？你还能活着吗？
12.易中天：我提出一个观点，有个性，有个性就有魅力，没有个性怎么有魅力？
2．清朝入关前将领们都学三国，把《三国演义》印了一千本，发给各个将领作内部文件……
3．如果别人惹你一下，你马上扑上去，一口咬住，死死不放，这是什么，螃蟹！韩信肯定不是螃蟹。
5．桓帝和灵帝都是不适合当皇帝的……灵帝的爱好是文学艺术和建筑艺术。他对于建筑还是颇有研究的。他成天搞研究，结果在皇宫里搞成了一个自来水系统！而且他还要在全城推广自己的科研成果，宣布：要让全城的老百姓都喝上自来水——你是当皇帝的，不是搞上下水的嘛！
6．朝廷派人去查吴王，也没有发现什么大规模杀伤性武器嘛。
7．曹操第一个官职是洛阳县北部尉，相当于副县级公安局长。
8．曹操身材短小，估计也就和我差不多吧。跟1米84的诸葛亮比起来，只能算是不合格的残次品。
9．曹操是喜欢美女的，他不管走到哪里都喜欢“搂草打兔子”，收编一些美女什么的！
10．宝贝，你回来吧，好不好？别闹了，跟我回去吧……（曹操劝老婆回家）
11．曹操对各路诸侯说：“现在是灭董卓的最好时机——董卓已经把洛阳烧掉了，还劫持了皇帝，基本可以把他定位为恐怖组织了。”
12．吕布想：曹操这个贼，狡猾狡猾地！
13．袁绍整天在家里面大会宾客，用现在的话说就是办沙龙，开Party，车水马龙，门庭若市。这个事情当时就引起了当局的注意。
14．袁术以为皇帝的称号就像现在我们市场经济条件下的商标一样，要抢先注册，他以为他抢先注册了皇帝的商标别人就不能把他怎么的了，没想到他反而成了“众矢之的”。
15．袁尚、袁熙哥俩一合计：“咱们请公孙康那小子喝酒，在酒席上就把他给做了！”这边公孙康也合计：“不如我请他们哥俩来喝酒，在酒席上就把他俩给做了……”结果是公孙康把那俩给做了！
16．这就使我们觉得袁绍这个人好像有一种天才，凡是对他有利的正确的意见他一定是不听的，凡是对他不利的错误的意见他一定是要听的，那才是怪了。
17．刘备干逃跑这事还是很在行的。他就像海轮上的老鼠，好像总是能第一个察觉到哪一艘船会翻掉……先是跟着公孙瓒打袁绍，然后又跟着曹操打吕布，又跟着袁绍打曹操……
18．那时候江东的老百姓都称孙策为“孙郎”，称周瑜为“周郎”。郎，就是小伙子，有赞美的意思。所以，“孙郎”就是“孙帅哥”，“周郎”就是 “周帅哥”……帅哥都是喜欢美媚的，所以孙策和周瑜分别娶到了当时最漂亮的两个女孩子……可以说这时的周瑜是战场、官场、情场，场场得意……反正我是很羡慕！
19．顺便说一句，蒋干这个人也是被冤枉的——他根本就没盗过什么书，长得也不丑，而且也是一位帅哥，因为周瑜是帅哥嘛，帅哥的朋友……一般也是帅哥。
20．所谓的空城计也是编出来的……诸葛亮搬个琴，摆个香炉，召两个小孩子，在城楼上唱卡拉OK……
21．武则天拿着那张旧船票，重新登上了后宫这艘豪华游艇。
22．男孩子小的时候不调皮的长大了没出息。
——————————————————————————
分享易中天之十大名言：
1、人都是逼出来的。
2、如果你简单这个世界就简单。
3、人生和爱情一样错过了爱情就错过了人生。
4、人生没有彩排每一场都是现场直播。
5、怀才和怀孕一样时间长了人就能看出来。
6、惜日久逢知已千杯少，现酒碰千杯知已少。
7、人生两大悲剧万念惧灰踌躇满志。
8、若是走错方向停止就是进步。
9、天下有钱有权人终成眷属。
10、成功需要朋友，更大的成功需要敌人。
With the goodbyes looming in the horizon
I still cannot decide whether I like this place or not.
There are fake goods, conmen, mean cashiers and dry weather.
But then there are classmates who are oh, so nice. There are nice cheap consumer goods. There are really nice, cultured old people (the real 老北京 old folks).
My classmates being nice - maybe it had something to do with me being a foreign student. But then I haven't seen many Singaporeans being so friendly towards foreign students. Look at how we treat students from China and how Chinese students treat me - it makes me ashamed. Jieming was really right when he told me about how being a foreign student changes one's attitude towards foreign students in one's own country. I can now really empathize with what they feel.
Ah.
Anyway, I finished my last presentation in Beida! It was still mediocre, but I think I couldn't care much now. =p And I still think some of my classmates are regurgitating all of their research and not getting their points across. After I get back to NUS, I will do what we call 取其精华，去其糟粕- to extract the essence and abandon the dregs. I will learn their spirit of research and leave behind that draggy sort of presentation.
I can almost see Dunhuang waving at me already.
Buuuut there's still TWO more completely not-done papers and ONE exam paper to clear up! 加油吧大鱼！:p
There are fake goods, conmen, mean cashiers and dry weather.
But then there are classmates who are oh, so nice. There are nice cheap consumer goods. There are really nice, cultured old people (the real 老北京 old folks).
My classmates being nice - maybe it had something to do with me being a foreign student. But then I haven't seen many Singaporeans being so friendly towards foreign students. Look at how we treat students from China and how Chinese students treat me - it makes me ashamed. Jieming was really right when he told me about how being a foreign student changes one's attitude towards foreign students in one's own country. I can now really empathize with what they feel.
Ah.
Anyway, I finished my last presentation in Beida! It was still mediocre, but I think I couldn't care much now. =p And I still think some of my classmates are regurgitating all of their research and not getting their points across. After I get back to NUS, I will do what we call 取其精华，去其糟粕- to extract the essence and abandon the dregs. I will learn their spirit of research and leave behind that draggy sort of presentation.
I can almost see Dunhuang waving at me already.
Buuuut there's still TWO more completely not-done papers and ONE exam paper to clear up! 加油吧大鱼！:p
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Cause for giving thanks ♥
Last week I skipped two days of classes (Thurs and Fri) to rush all these reports that are due this week. I received messages from two local friends over the past couple of days asking me if anything's wrong.
You know, it made me feel really bad for missing classes yet thankful that there are actually friends like that who notices my absence and would actually bother to text me and offer to help me out. How can I do more to be a friend like that?
In recent years I've wondered occasionally why I am such a detached person. I could be very close to my friends while they are around and yet I don't recall having called anybody to ask them out for lunch. I don't recall organizing gatherings or meet-ups.
Lately I realized that it was the way I've been brought up - my parents don't really have a lot of trust in people outside of family, and I was actually taught to not be too close with people. Those were sporadic reminders here and there like "君子之交淡如水" or "Aiyah,不要跟人家太好" but they've gradually sunk into my subconscious. So whenever I think about a friend, I would be content with thinking about that person fondly but hardly wanting to meet that person. I even think that calling up people to meet would impose on them.
There are those who would berate me fondly - NO LAH! Where got 麻烦！Just call me to meet up! And I happily agree - and forget.
No wonder I have so few close friends - and they are those who would actively call up people to meet (like Si En ♥). No wonder I was always caught by surprise when friends notice my absence - because I would usually notice someone missing but hardly think about calling that person, so I'd hardly expect anyone to do the same for me.
How do I become a friend like Honghua and Songjie (the two local friends whom I mentioned)?
You know, it made me feel really bad for missing classes yet thankful that there are actually friends like that who notices my absence and would actually bother to text me and offer to help me out. How can I do more to be a friend like that?
In recent years I've wondered occasionally why I am such a detached person. I could be very close to my friends while they are around and yet I don't recall having called anybody to ask them out for lunch. I don't recall organizing gatherings or meet-ups.
Lately I realized that it was the way I've been brought up - my parents don't really have a lot of trust in people outside of family, and I was actually taught to not be too close with people. Those were sporadic reminders here and there like "君子之交淡如水" or "Aiyah,不要跟人家太好" but they've gradually sunk into my subconscious. So whenever I think about a friend, I would be content with thinking about that person fondly but hardly wanting to meet that person. I even think that calling up people to meet would impose on them.
There are those who would berate me fondly - NO LAH! Where got 麻烦！Just call me to meet up! And I happily agree - and forget.
No wonder I have so few close friends - and they are those who would actively call up people to meet (like Si En ♥). No wonder I was always caught by surprise when friends notice my absence - because I would usually notice someone missing but hardly think about calling that person, so I'd hardly expect anyone to do the same for me.
How do I become a friend like Honghua and Songjie (the two local friends whom I mentioned)?
Monday, June 2, 2008
Progress...
- Finishing the written report for the presentation (and hopefully make up for the parts I messed up) - 94%
10 minutes presentation script on a topic in 论语 (Confucius' Analects) - 100%- 1500 word report on a given topic in 论语 - 0%
1500 word production on anything 论语 related - 100%- 800 word writeup on a 敦煌遗书 - 0%
Unlimited article review on a work by 鲁迅 - 100%Unlimited write-up about the development of a character/plot in Yuan/Ming Dynasty opera. - 100%
Sunday, June 1, 2008
向日葵不是梦
一转身，眼前尽是满田盛开的向日葵。
黄灿灿的在艳阳下笑着，高大的花柄冲入天际，想抓住那调皮的日光。
纵身一跳，满怀尽是暖暖的向日葵，我释然可以笑了，犹如那火艳艳的花儿。
你可知向日葵的花语么？
爱慕、光辉、忠诚 。
我愿拥有向日葵般的生命，怀抱生养我的土地，仰视那辉煌的日。
我愿拥有向日葵般的爱情，爱慕、光辉、忠诚。
我愿做一朵向日葵。
Behold them creaky Shaoyuan windows
I know that Shaoyuan is old and creaky, but this is pushing it, man. The winds have been really strong for the past week and this was what happened:
First, the hook holding the window in place was uprooted from the window sill. I had to use a rope to tie it in place so that the window can stop slamming against the wall outside. The glass might just break if it continues to do so.
Then the bottom hinges of the window came out. I mean, honestly.
Compare them to the 80% normal top hinges.
You can't imagine how irritating it is to hear the creaks and squeaks of the going-to-be-dislocated window through the night. Or hear other windows creaking open and then slam shut. It sounded like something out of a bad horror movie.
This morning I was happily enjoying some clips out of the Britain's Got Talent finals, and suddenly I realized that something was very wrong about the window. (And yes, it's another windy morning)
Rushed down to the 传达室 to tell the lady in-charge about it and she called maintenance for me. The very nice repairman came in (an oldish uncle with a 解放军toolkit) and he knocked several nails and a new window hook in place. He's going to come back again tomorrow when the wind is lower. But it's going to rain the next day (according to the forecast). T__T
They are constructing a new foreign students dormitory block outside the East Gate. I won't get to enjoy it, but I certainly hope they use sliding windows instead.
First, the hook holding the window in place was uprooted from the window sill. I had to use a rope to tie it in place so that the window can stop slamming against the wall outside. The glass might just break if it continues to do so.
Then the bottom hinges of the window came out. I mean, honestly.
Compare them to the 80% normal top hinges.
You can't imagine how irritating it is to hear the creaks and squeaks of the going-to-be-dislocated window through the night. Or hear other windows creaking open and then slam shut. It sounded like something out of a bad horror movie.
This morning I was happily enjoying some clips out of the Britain's Got Talent finals, and suddenly I realized that something was very wrong about the window. (And yes, it's another windy morning)
Rushed down to the 传达室 to tell the lady in-charge about it and she called maintenance for me. The very nice repairman came in (an oldish uncle with a 解放军toolkit) and he knocked several nails and a new window hook in place. He's going to come back again tomorrow when the wind is lower. But it's going to rain the next day (according to the forecast). T__T
They are constructing a new foreign students dormitory block outside the East Gate. I won't get to enjoy it, but I certainly hope they use sliding windows instead.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
How are you?
Have not heard from you for quite some time. The last time was in March? Heard some stuff about you from your brother already, but I'd still like to hear it from you yourself.
Most of the time I feel I could handle you, or rather, the thought of you. Sometimes I couldn't. You should really tell me what to do when that happens. Anyway, I miss you, not as much as that which I miss my family, but still I wonder how you are growing and everything.
I used to get worried about you being worn out and everything, but now I receive the thought that you are being challenged with joy. You are being stretched by the Lord, and, behold, He considers you fit for stretching.
Sometimes when I read what you write, I am filled with pride for you - this is you growing. And I do want to continue to be proud of you. Even amidst difficulties, doubts and failures, the Lord is preparing you. He is preparing you to do His work. When you doubt, remember Moses. When you fear, remember David. When you suffer, remember Job. When you are in difficulty, remember Joseph of Egypt.
I think I've told you before that you are special. Not just to me, but that you are a special person. I stick to what I've said, and I am really curious as to what you'd be doing in future. (Only the Lord can see for sure) No matter what happens, continue to please Him and make me proud of you?
Most of the time I feel I could handle you, or rather, the thought of you. Sometimes I couldn't. You should really tell me what to do when that happens. Anyway, I miss you, not as much as that which I miss my family, but still I wonder how you are growing and everything.
I used to get worried about you being worn out and everything, but now I receive the thought that you are being challenged with joy. You are being stretched by the Lord, and, behold, He considers you fit for stretching.
Sometimes when I read what you write, I am filled with pride for you - this is you growing. And I do want to continue to be proud of you. Even amidst difficulties, doubts and failures, the Lord is preparing you. He is preparing you to do His work. When you doubt, remember Moses. When you fear, remember David. When you suffer, remember Job. When you are in difficulty, remember Joseph of Egypt.
I think I've told you before that you are special. Not just to me, but that you are a special person. I stick to what I've said, and I am really curious as to what you'd be doing in future. (Only the Lord can see for sure) No matter what happens, continue to please Him and make me proud of you?
Friday, May 30, 2008
Climbing out from underneath the rubble
Okayy folks, if you are wondering why I've been posting things unrelated to China these couple of days... it's 'cos I am currently on a rush to finish the dozen of reports/term papers to submit by next week. (I think I've mentioned it in an earlier post) Let's see how far I've come...
Incidentally, it is also the time frame where people are popping up to ask about me. Haha... It's not that I don't welcome the distraction! If any of you still do read my blog, you'll know that I'll be home on July 12, which is a Saturday. =) For about two weeks towards the end I may not have internet connection (esp from June 22 - July 1/2), so don't be too sad if you can't get me. =)
Last but not least... HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEICHONG! All of you reading this who knows pc please go wish him a happy birthday!!
- Finishing the written report for the presentation (and hopefully make up for the parts I messed up) - 80%
- 10 minutes presentation script on a topic in 论语 (Confucius' Analects) - 95%
- 1500 word report on a given topic in 论语 - 0%
- 1500 word production on anything 论语 related - 10%
- 800 word writeup on a 敦煌遗书 - 0%
- Unlimited article review on a work by 鲁迅 - 60%
- Unlimited write-up about the development of a character/plot in Yuan/Ming Dynasty opera. - 80% (word count currently stands at 4489)
Incidentally, it is also the time frame where people are popping up to ask about me. Haha... It's not that I don't welcome the distraction! If any of you still do read my blog, you'll know that I'll be home on July 12, which is a Saturday. =) For about two weeks towards the end I may not have internet connection (esp from June 22 - July 1/2), so don't be too sad if you can't get me. =)
Last but not least... HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEICHONG! All of you reading this who knows pc please go wish him a happy birthday!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
1 Corinthians 7:34b-35
An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
狗狗
I wonder how many people know that I'm a dog fan.
When I was a kid, I used to want a dog so badly that I actually went and made scrapbooks/files of dogs and borrowed all kinds of books about dog keeping. I have a personal preference for large dogs, the bigger the better.
That's why I'm completely in love with this breed of dog:
The Tibetan Mastiff, more popularly known as 藏獒 in China.
It is huge, it is powerful, yet extremely loyal to its owner(s). Buuuut the big issue is that it doesn't thrive in hot weather so I can forget about keeping one unless I migrate to temperate countries or something.
If I ever live on landed property, I want to get this breed of dog:
Rottweiler!
Also big, tough and scary. XD Notice how I've got a thing for big dark dogs that scare most people, including myself. Rottweilers can be raised to be gentle with children, and deadly loyal to its owner. I should think I would feel very secure with a companion like this. I understand that this breed is banned at some dog parks (free roam area) alongside with other aggressive breeds like Pit Bulls and Dobermanns. But what to do? I really like big, useful and strong dogs.
Speaking of dogs, I wonder if there's any relation between the type of dog breed that a person prefers and his/her personality. Hmmm...
Ah anyway I'm feeling strangely cheerful this while. I'm such a strange, temperamental person. =)
When I was a kid, I used to want a dog so badly that I actually went and made scrapbooks/files of dogs and borrowed all kinds of books about dog keeping. I have a personal preference for large dogs, the bigger the better.
That's why I'm completely in love with this breed of dog:
It is huge, it is powerful, yet extremely loyal to its owner(s). Buuuut the big issue is that it doesn't thrive in hot weather so I can forget about keeping one unless I migrate to temperate countries or something.
If I ever live on landed property, I want to get this breed of dog:
Rottweiler!
Also big, tough and scary. XD Notice how I've got a thing for big dark dogs that scare most people, including myself. Rottweilers can be raised to be gentle with children, and deadly loyal to its owner. I should think I would feel very secure with a companion like this. I understand that this breed is banned at some dog parks (free roam area) alongside with other aggressive breeds like Pit Bulls and Dobermanns. But what to do? I really like big, useful and strong dogs.
Speaking of dogs, I wonder if there's any relation between the type of dog breed that a person prefers and his/her personality. Hmmm...
Ah anyway I'm feeling strangely cheerful this while. I'm such a strange, temperamental person. =)
Sharon Stone's cold blooded speech about China earthquake
No, I don't know much about you, Sharon Stone, or Karma, or the Dalai Lama. But I do know that people died and families were torn apart. This is very insensitive and cold blooded - and you being a high profiled celebrity makes you irresponsible.
That last bit about "crying" when you received the messages from Tibetan groups? You are touched by their humanitarian acts, then why do you not have pity for the people who died in this disaster? Don't you know that the earthquake hit Tibet more than it hit Mainland China? Do you even know what Tibet is all about apart from all that the Dalai Lama has been telling you? Do you even know where it is?
Let us not be irresponsible about our speech, no matter how freely we are entitled to our own opinions. A lesson for her to be "nice to people who aren't nice to you"? A lesson for us to think before we spew narcotics-induced speech.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
这是我的国家。
我有时会到“百度知道”去逛逛，回答一些关于英语、新加坡的问题。训练一下自己的翻译能力之外也帮帮一些想认识新加坡的人。今天让我看到这样一题：
奥运圣火为什么不去新加坡？（新加坡和我们中国是亲戚呀！北京奥运为什么不去那里呢？）
有个人这样回答：
奥运圣火过吉隆坡雅加达而不入新加坡大门
是结结实实地给了新加坡一记警告
多年来
中国政府和人民始终以友好邻邦同宗同种厚待新加坡
率先批准其在内地开设经济园区
将原本属内政事务的两岸会谈放在新加坡
甚至金融危机时牺牲自己利益也要保全新加坡金融稳定
但是反过头来
李光耀数十年来从未放弃中国是亚太稳定最大威胁的说法
声称要让中国永远做一个二流国家才符合亚太稳定的长远利益
新加坡是东盟国家里最后一个和中国建交的
新加坡是东盟国家里和台湾军事联系最密切的
新加坡是东盟国家里和印度联合遏止中国最热心的
新加坡总理SARS期间公开拒绝访华并带头反对中国政府设立预防SARS基金的建议
一再声称是中国的SARS拖累了新加坡和亚洲的发展
建议世界资本不要放在中国这一个“篮子”里否则鸡飞蛋打
李显龙任副总理期间是和中国大陆建交的国家里正式访问台湾规格最高的领导人
多年来新加坡的所作所为表明
新加坡只想玩弄手段从中国获取最大利益
从来没有念及过哪怕一丁点同宗同种之情
为这次奥运圣火不经停新加坡叫好
懂得新加坡的国人，告诉我，你有什么感受？
我马上回了一条：
楼上的，虽然我不知道圣火为什么不经过新加坡，但我觉得您的说法有欠公允。新加坡是个弹丸小国，靠着自己没法生存，必须和周围所有的国家保持友好关系，最 少也希望能保持中立关系。但是全世界矛盾这么多，不论靠拢哪方面都不能讨好。新加坡领导所能做的只有秉持我国行政原则进行外交。
我不知道您截取李光耀的言论从哪里断章取义，但是我作为新加坡人的确感觉新加坡领导正很辛苦地在美国和中国，还有周围充满敌意的邻国之间取得平衡 点。但我国是有自己的原则的，例：在执行法律上，没有因为破坏环境的迈克菲是美国人，就姑息他犯法。因为惩处了迈克菲，和美国的关系僵了近十年。这次四川 地震，新加坡派出大量人力、经济支援是中国官方媒体都有报道的。
我们有自己的国情，自己的行政原则。我们不是依附任何一个国家的半殖民地。您不能要求我国事事都做哪个大国的哈巴狗。
我不在乎圣火有没有经过我们的小小国家，但是我没办法接受别人在不理解新加坡国情的情况下随便诋毁新加坡。我们的领导人很努力，请您不要因为自己个人的主观“爱国”而破坏我们对中国的友好感情。
也许是我的个人看法。但是我是新加坡人。不在乎政党，不在乎领导人，我只在乎你们有没有尊重我们，即便我们只是个小小国家。即便我们自己没有资源，没有很大的力量，说话声音不是很大，我们这么多年是努力地站起来了，站在世界前头，努力用和谐与别的国家相处。
以前很少会这么为新加坡沸腾过，还是经常很冷眼旁观地批评政策。但是你要知道，只有爱这个国家，才会哀其不幸、怒其不争，才会在乎它的政策是否有为人民尽力。我深爱这个国家，即便是它小，即便是它没有什么山水名胜，即便是它样样怕输，即便是它有种种其它缺点。这个国家养育的是我爱的人，我也看到我们经常诟病的政府的努力。虽然我们常常爱批评政府，但我们正在享受这个政府建立起来的良好环境。
只有生长在这块土地上的人，深深地了解它的人，才有资格批评它。
奥运圣火为什么不去新加坡？（新加坡和我们中国是亲戚呀！北京奥运为什么不去那里呢？）
有个人这样回答：
奥运圣火过吉隆坡雅加达而不入新加坡大门
是结结实实地给了新加坡一记警告
多年来
中国政府和人民始终以友好邻邦同宗同种厚待新加坡
率先批准其在内地开设经济园区
将原本属内政事务的两岸会谈放在新加坡
甚至金融危机时牺牲自己利益也要保全新加坡金融稳定
但是反过头来
李光耀数十年来从未放弃中国是亚太稳定最大威胁的说法
声称要让中国永远做一个二流国家才符合亚太稳定的长远利益
新加坡是东盟国家里最后一个和中国建交的
新加坡是东盟国家里和台湾军事联系最密切的
新加坡是东盟国家里和印度联合遏止中国最热心的
新加坡总理SARS期间公开拒绝访华并带头反对中国政府设立预防SARS基金的建议
一再声称是中国的SARS拖累了新加坡和亚洲的发展
建议世界资本不要放在中国这一个“篮子”里否则鸡飞蛋打
李显龙任副总理期间是和中国大陆建交的国家里正式访问台湾规格最高的领导人
多年来新加坡的所作所为表明
新加坡只想玩弄手段从中国获取最大利益
从来没有念及过哪怕一丁点同宗同种之情
为这次奥运圣火不经停新加坡叫好
懂得新加坡的国人，告诉我，你有什么感受？
我马上回了一条：
楼上的，虽然我不知道圣火为什么不经过新加坡，但我觉得您的说法有欠公允。新加坡是个弹丸小国，靠着自己没法生存，必须和周围所有的国家保持友好关系，最 少也希望能保持中立关系。但是全世界矛盾这么多，不论靠拢哪方面都不能讨好。新加坡领导所能做的只有秉持我国行政原则进行外交。
我不知道您截取李光耀的言论从哪里断章取义，但是我作为新加坡人的确感觉新加坡领导正很辛苦地在美国和中国，还有周围充满敌意的邻国之间取得平衡 点。但我国是有自己的原则的，例：在执行法律上，没有因为破坏环境的迈克菲是美国人，就姑息他犯法。因为惩处了迈克菲，和美国的关系僵了近十年。这次四川 地震，新加坡派出大量人力、经济支援是中国官方媒体都有报道的。
我们有自己的国情，自己的行政原则。我们不是依附任何一个国家的半殖民地。您不能要求我国事事都做哪个大国的哈巴狗。
我不在乎圣火有没有经过我们的小小国家，但是我没办法接受别人在不理解新加坡国情的情况下随便诋毁新加坡。我们的领导人很努力，请您不要因为自己个人的主观“爱国”而破坏我们对中国的友好感情。
也许是我的个人看法。但是我是新加坡人。不在乎政党，不在乎领导人，我只在乎你们有没有尊重我们，即便我们只是个小小国家。即便我们自己没有资源，没有很大的力量，说话声音不是很大，我们这么多年是努力地站起来了，站在世界前头，努力用和谐与别的国家相处。
以前很少会这么为新加坡沸腾过，还是经常很冷眼旁观地批评政策。但是你要知道，只有爱这个国家，才会哀其不幸、怒其不争，才会在乎它的政策是否有为人民尽力。我深爱这个国家，即便是它小，即便是它没有什么山水名胜，即便是它样样怕输，即便是它有种种其它缺点。这个国家养育的是我爱的人，我也看到我们经常诟病的政府的努力。虽然我们常常爱批评政府，但我们正在享受这个政府建立起来的良好环境。
只有生长在这块土地上的人，深深地了解它的人，才有资格批评它。
要知道万事都互相效力
叫爱神的人能得益处。
很能鼓励基督徒的应许。在乌云遮蔽阳光的日子，我们知道，晴天就在前边。我知道我是幸福的，也很少觉得自己不能如愿。并不是我没有达不成的愿望，而是我总能感受到神给我的另外的安排。
神如此眷顾，有时会让我有些战兢。或许祂将来要向我收取很多很多，要给我某些考验。然而在这里，我想我不必忧虑明天，因为明天有主安排。赏赐在祂，收取在祂。求神帮助我记住。
有时觉得恐惧，可是昨晚忽然发现我不是因为真正恐惧而害怕。而是害怕未知带来的困惑。因为不愿意遭受困惑，所以难受、抗拒，反而将没问题的事变成了问题。其实很多时候都会有这样的问题吧，我想。骂了一个人后闷闷不乐，不是因为继续生那个人的气，而是气自己沉不住气，没能更好的理解那个人。忧伤之后继续烦恼，不是因为继续忧伤，而是烦恼自己是否太自我中心了。
Kau的鼓励来得很是时候（再次感谢主）：我们都要学会将问题交托于神。在理论上，我们都知道要这样做，但很多时候其实不知道要怎么放下、交托。像我这样的一个人，天上的父可能就静静地、微笑地看着我，如慈爱的父亲看见孩子犯傻。等我放下自己，对祂说：阿爸，求你帮助我！
很能鼓励基督徒的应许。在乌云遮蔽阳光的日子，我们知道，晴天就在前边。我知道我是幸福的，也很少觉得自己不能如愿。并不是我没有达不成的愿望，而是我总能感受到神给我的另外的安排。
神如此眷顾，有时会让我有些战兢。或许祂将来要向我收取很多很多，要给我某些考验。然而在这里，我想我不必忧虑明天，因为明天有主安排。赏赐在祂，收取在祂。求神帮助我记住。
有时觉得恐惧，可是昨晚忽然发现我不是因为真正恐惧而害怕。而是害怕未知带来的困惑。因为不愿意遭受困惑，所以难受、抗拒，反而将没问题的事变成了问题。其实很多时候都会有这样的问题吧，我想。骂了一个人后闷闷不乐，不是因为继续生那个人的气，而是气自己沉不住气，没能更好的理解那个人。忧伤之后继续烦恼，不是因为继续忧伤，而是烦恼自己是否太自我中心了。
Kau的鼓励来得很是时候（再次感谢主）：我们都要学会将问题交托于神。在理论上，我们都知道要这样做，但很多时候其实不知道要怎么放下、交托。像我这样的一个人，天上的父可能就静静地、微笑地看着我，如慈爱的父亲看见孩子犯傻。等我放下自己，对祂说：阿爸，求你帮助我！
Monday, May 26, 2008
飞蛾扑火丁氵包
谁能一眼读懂本篇题目的，恭喜你，你是－用中国人的话说－牛人一个。
飞蛾扑火我没见过，飞虫扑灯泡刚刚让我看见了。家里用的是日光灯，大概温度没那么高，每到夏季就飞来白蚁围绕着打转。妈妈总是放个水盆在灯下，反射的光线让飞蚁迷惑，经常就一只只往水里扎。这里用传统灯泡，烫手得很。不明就里的小虫子估计晒昏了，一头撞上灯泡，马上像反弹一样掉到电线堆上。我看看它是不是死了。过了小小一下，小虫子挣扎着翻了身，从电线堆上掉到了桌面。看来已经奄奄一息了。我没有假情假意地把它放生，最终用纸巾轻轻把它安葬在垃圾桶里了，也不知道有没有留个全尸。
这几天越来越热，今天温度一度达到35度，比同时间的新加坡还热了。为了室内降温，特地买了个小风扇。本来觉得只剩下一个多月的时间，再买个风扇好像很不划算。看这个东西包括邮费就50元（新币10元），觉得还可以。现在庆幸自己没买错东西。将房门开了一点通风，没想到把走廊不远的厕所风也通进来了。这真是…… 有一瓶“美涛亮发营养水”闲着没用（觉得用了头发油油扁扁的），味道还挺香，就当空气清香剂来用了。估计别人没用过这么滋润的空气清香剂吧。反正东西闲着也是闲着。
今天的心情平静，有个blog我决定不去看了。在这个很关键的忙碌时刻，我没有力气继续应付失恋后的余震。重建心灵家园需要时间，我和四川一起努力。
飞蛾扑火我没见过，飞虫扑灯泡刚刚让我看见了。家里用的是日光灯，大概温度没那么高，每到夏季就飞来白蚁围绕着打转。妈妈总是放个水盆在灯下，反射的光线让飞蚁迷惑，经常就一只只往水里扎。这里用传统灯泡，烫手得很。不明就里的小虫子估计晒昏了，一头撞上灯泡，马上像反弹一样掉到电线堆上。我看看它是不是死了。过了小小一下，小虫子挣扎着翻了身，从电线堆上掉到了桌面。看来已经奄奄一息了。我没有假情假意地把它放生，最终用纸巾轻轻把它安葬在垃圾桶里了，也不知道有没有留个全尸。
这几天越来越热，今天温度一度达到35度，比同时间的新加坡还热了。为了室内降温，特地买了个小风扇。本来觉得只剩下一个多月的时间，再买个风扇好像很不划算。看这个东西包括邮费就50元（新币10元），觉得还可以。现在庆幸自己没买错东西。将房门开了一点通风，没想到把走廊不远的厕所风也通进来了。这真是…… 有一瓶“美涛亮发营养水”闲着没用（觉得用了头发油油扁扁的），味道还挺香，就当空气清香剂来用了。估计别人没用过这么滋润的空气清香剂吧。反正东西闲着也是闲着。
今天的心情平静，有个blog我决定不去看了。在这个很关键的忙碌时刻，我没有力气继续应付失恋后的余震。重建心灵家园需要时间，我和四川一起努力。
眼睛肿肿的
谢谢韩娜，你是天使。谢谢旖庭学姐鼓励。
在电话另一端听到爸爸的声音：“什么事？”
我含糊地说：“想家。”
爸：“？”
我：“想家。”
海洋另一端传来爸爸微笑的声音：“想家！还有两个月、一个多月了吧。很快了。”
霎时眼眶溢满了泪，声音抑住了。为了爸爸，我很努力地吞下咽喉口的艰辛。
和爸爸说了一会儿，和妈妈说。妈妈很少自己要求要和我说话，总是要我跟爸爸说，想和妈咪讲话。可每一次一说上，就要说很久。妈妈也许就是知道自己有太多太多的话要对我说，所以不敢说上，怕电话费。
面对妈妈的声音，我终于说：“妈咪……我这几天难过了……”
“怎么啦？说出来，妈咪听。”
……
睡前最后一位也是第一位聆听者，是我在天上的父。我感谢祂，让我知道我并不是一个人。
可能因为鼻子塞住了，哭得头很疼。枕头两边都湿了。似乎很久都没有这样哭过了。
还好今天没课，不然带着这种小白兔眼睛要怎么出去呀。
还在流泪，可是这次的泪水是幸福的。
在电话另一端听到爸爸的声音：“什么事？”
我含糊地说：“想家。”
爸：“？”
我：“想家。”
海洋另一端传来爸爸微笑的声音：“想家！还有两个月、一个多月了吧。很快了。”
霎时眼眶溢满了泪，声音抑住了。为了爸爸，我很努力地吞下咽喉口的艰辛。
和爸爸说了一会儿，和妈妈说。妈妈很少自己要求要和我说话，总是要我跟爸爸说，想和妈咪讲话。可每一次一说上，就要说很久。妈妈也许就是知道自己有太多太多的话要对我说，所以不敢说上，怕电话费。
面对妈妈的声音，我终于说：“妈咪……我这几天难过了……”
“怎么啦？说出来，妈咪听。”
……
睡前最后一位也是第一位聆听者，是我在天上的父。我感谢祂，让我知道我并不是一个人。
可能因为鼻子塞住了，哭得头很疼。枕头两边都湿了。似乎很久都没有这样哭过了。
还好今天没课，不然带着这种小白兔眼睛要怎么出去呀。
还在流泪，可是这次的泪水是幸福的。
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
I should really compile a list
The latest website block: YOUTUBE T__T
Some websites which the Chinese IP server blocked (also called the Great Firewall of China)
This is what I call 上有政策，下有对策. Sometimes it is frustrating to know about the undercurrents and illegal things going on, sometimes it is intriguing to see how the people get around the legislations - it challenges your sense of right and wrong.
More on it another time...
Some websites which the Chinese IP server blocked (also called the Great Firewall of China)
- Blogger blogs (actual Blogger.com homepage can still be accessed)
- All other type pad sort websites (blogs) - Wordpress, Livejournal, Vox... you name it
- IBS.org (International Bible Society), Bible Gateway (but strangely they allow Bible.com, Bible.org)
- Some pages in Wikipedia, interestingly, an article by the name of "List of websites blocked in the People's Republic of China"
- Flickr - as listed by that Wiki article, but I realized that I can still access it - but it is strangely in Traditional Chinese (Taiwan or Hongkong?) - maybe it's a censored Chinese version that Mainlanders can access politically safely. *shrugs*
- etc...
This is what I call 上有政策，下有对策. Sometimes it is frustrating to know about the undercurrents and illegal things going on, sometimes it is intriguing to see how the people get around the legislations - it challenges your sense of right and wrong.
More on it another time...
《联合早报》：《不能健忘》
杨永欣 (2008-05-22)
人是健忘的动物，所有的情绪都能被时间冲淡。
在汶川大地震发生后的10天里，中国以及世界各地对地震灾民的关心显而易见，大家都全力提供救济资源、派出拯救队伍，在筹款赈灾方面更是不遗余力。
问题是，中国以及世界人民的怜悯之心到底能够持续多久？
再过一段日子，电视上令人心酸的画面、报章上令人感动的人物事迹，很有可能就被淡忘，生活上的压力和琐碎杂务将重新主导生活，到时，我们还会有心思去关心重建家园中的地震灾民吗？
以2004年12月的印度洋海啸为例，三年多后的今天，与朋友或同事们谈及它，感觉上似乎已经走入历史，当年的悲悯跑到哪里去了？很多受海啸影响的地区现在还在重建中，仍需要外界多方面的援助，可是，现在还有谁真的记得它们？
汶川地震是否会有同样的命运？现在慷慨解囊捐钱的人，今后还会继续为灾区的长期重建贡献心力吗？这些都是值得我们关注的。
中国篮球巨星姚明最近因只捐出50万元人民币（10万新元）赈灾而被中国网民抨击（现已增加至200万元人民币），他们不满一名年薪上千万美元的篮球巨 星，竟然只捐出区区的50万元人民币。姚明一向支持公益事业，这是众所周知的，因此我的看法是，不要以眼前的捐款数额来批判他，他今后对地震灾民所作出的 贡献，才会真正显示他的诚意。
现在捐出大笔善款，坦白说，也只不过是众多善款中的一小部分，实际效益不大。再过一两年，等大多数人都对地震灾民淡忘后，再伸出援手、捐出善款，或许更有意义。
人的健忘，也可从对地震的健忘看出来。汶川大地震刚发生不久，很多中国官员和网民都表示，必须加大对地震科学技术研发的投入，希望今后能够准确地预测到地震。
问题是，这样的想法又能持续多久？汶川大地震过了几年后，社会发展、国防等领域的更迫切需要，很有可能再次把这方面的关注与投入分散。
人的想法往往是“近视”的，大地震刚过去，另一场大地震应该不会这么快再到来吧？现有的宝贵资源，不如放在其他更迫切需要的领域？此外，这一代的国家领 导人看到了地震所带来的重大破坏，会铭记在心，致力推动地震科学技术的研发，但到了下一代的领导人，若没有亲身经历大地震，是否也会对地震的预测和防御科 技同样关注？
人其实是很矛盾的，汶川大地震后，大家才愿意投入大量的钱和资源来拯救生还者、协助地震灾民重建家园。但这大笔的钱和资源若早在大地震发生前就用于地震科学技术的研发，目前所见的重大地震破坏或许就能化小？
尽管地震预测有难度，也相当复杂，但中国地震局局长陈建民之前受访时曾表示，他认为地震是可以预测的。他指出，当年辽宁省海城7.3级地震就是事先被预测到的，这极大地减少了地震所造成的损失。
我不是地震学家或科学家，只是一名学过经济的记者，因此地震科学技术研发那一块，我就不多说了。不过，在经济投入那一块，我却知道，要开发能够准确预测地震的科学技术，长期的资金投入不可省，这一点，我们不能健忘。
Thursday, May 22, 2008
A new low?
You know what, I just screwed up my first presentation in Beida majorly...
Not prepared...rambling...don't know what I was talking about...
Ah but I'm feeling this odd mix of "Oh Crap...", "Damn I feel so inferior compared to all of my well-researched have-too-many-things-to-say Beida counterparts...", "Ah whatever." I wonder if I have sunken to a new low.
People who have seen me work through my university things... you would know that I have high standards for myself. I don't take failures too hard, but I do want the best. And now I'm feeling "Whatever." about a badly done project?
FY. Where are your standards?
It was truly a humbling experience. Or maybe I should comment on the fact that I'm someone who needs to finish working a week before the actual presentation but this time my group decided to delegate work just two weeks before today. My group's fault? And mine too for not taking the initiative to ask about work delegation earlier?
Ah wells.
Will not think about that anymore and will concentrate on:
Not prepared...rambling...don't know what I was talking about...
Ah but I'm feeling this odd mix of "Oh Crap...", "Damn I feel so inferior compared to all of my well-researched have-too-many-things-to-say Beida counterparts...", "Ah whatever." I wonder if I have sunken to a new low.
People who have seen me work through my university things... you would know that I have high standards for myself. I don't take failures too hard, but I do want the best. And now I'm feeling "Whatever." about a badly done project?
FY. Where are your standards?
It was truly a humbling experience. Or maybe I should comment on the fact that I'm someone who needs to finish working a week before the actual presentation but this time my group decided to delegate work just two weeks before today. My group's fault? And mine too for not taking the initiative to ask about work delegation earlier?
Ah wells.
Will not think about that anymore and will concentrate on:
- Finishing the written report for the presentation (and hopefully make up for the parts I messed up)
- 10 minutes presentation script on a topic in 论语 (Confucius' Analects)
- 1500 word report on a given topic in 论语
- 1500 word production on anything 论语 related
- 800 word writeup on a 敦煌遗书
- Unlimited article review on a work by 鲁迅
- Unlimited write-up about the development of a character/plot in Yuan/Ming Dynasty opera.
Conversation with a 帅哥
Yesterday Deke suddenly appeared beside me eating an ice-cream when I was waiting for Xiao downstairs. We had some interesting conversation - excerpts:
(1)
me: How was church on Sunday - I know Z and H didn't go, right?
D: (With a straight face) Yeah, I went alone, I cried.
me: (LOL) You know what, I'm not going to be around again this Sunday (going to my granduncle's place)
D: (Still with a straight face) You are just going to make it even harder for me.
me: (LOL!!)
(2)
me: You know, I read before that there are some strange legislations in America - that doesn't really make sense - like bees aren't allow to do something, etc.
D: Yeah yeah when I was young I used to read all about these crazy laws.
me: You mean they are real?
D: Yeah, you know my town - there's a law that says that blacks can't be out on the streets after nine. It's there, just that the police doesn't do anything about it.
And later on I asked him about the American Civil War and wondering what on earth did he find appealing about Singapore (not that I don't like my country, just that it is a little plain for someone as adventurous as Deke). Like I told him, I found it intriguing to imagine myself as part of a huge country like America. In Singapore you can't tell people that you are "from Toa Payoh", or "I'm a Bishan-ian". Too weird! And on his side he found it weird to not have a certain region slang/accent.
I always believe that to have a good perspective on people and life in general, travelling is absolutely necessary. I haven't written much since graduating from JC because life is generally the same in NUS - and I am sick of writing about emotional things. Then I come here and wham! thoughts and inspirations for writings hit me. There are just too many new things and new encounters to think and write about. A good writer, I feel, need to either - live in chaotic times, or travel. I hope to be able to travel and see places and people like Deke is doing.
Side note: Yeargh I'll be cycling to class later because I gotta rush to several places today. Please pray that I don't crash into anything or anybody - not that I can't cycle, but Bryna's bicycle is higher that what I am used to. >_<;;;
[EDIT]
I Survived My First Bicycle Trip Around the School! When I was going down the stairs I was praying that I won't crash into anybody. It was so wobbly in the beginning! But thank God that I really didn't crash into anyone =D Towards the end it was all quite good. It was more tiring than I expected, though - all the other cyclists looked as though it is effortless! It felt like I ran around the school or something. XD
[/EDIT]
(1)
me: How was church on Sunday - I know Z and H didn't go, right?
D: (With a straight face) Yeah, I went alone, I cried.
me: (LOL) You know what, I'm not going to be around again this Sunday (going to my granduncle's place)
D: (Still with a straight face) You are just going to make it even harder for me.
me: (LOL!!)
(2)
me: You know, I read before that there are some strange legislations in America - that doesn't really make sense - like bees aren't allow to do something, etc.
D: Yeah yeah when I was young I used to read all about these crazy laws.
me: You mean they are real?
D: Yeah, you know my town - there's a law that says that blacks can't be out on the streets after nine. It's there, just that the police doesn't do anything about it.
And later on I asked him about the American Civil War and wondering what on earth did he find appealing about Singapore (not that I don't like my country, just that it is a little plain for someone as adventurous as Deke). Like I told him, I found it intriguing to imagine myself as part of a huge country like America. In Singapore you can't tell people that you are "from Toa Payoh", or "I'm a Bishan-ian". Too weird! And on his side he found it weird to not have a certain region slang/accent.
I always believe that to have a good perspective on people and life in general, travelling is absolutely necessary. I haven't written much since graduating from JC because life is generally the same in NUS - and I am sick of writing about emotional things. Then I come here and wham! thoughts and inspirations for writings hit me. There are just too many new things and new encounters to think and write about. A good writer, I feel, need to either - live in chaotic times, or travel. I hope to be able to travel and see places and people like Deke is doing.
Side note: Yeargh I'll be cycling to class later because I gotta rush to several places today. Please pray that I don't crash into anything or anybody - not that I can't cycle, but Bryna's bicycle is higher that what I am used to. >_<;;;
[EDIT]
I Survived My First Bicycle Trip Around the School! When I was going down the stairs I was praying that I won't crash into anybody. It was so wobbly in the beginning! But thank God that I really didn't crash into anyone =D Towards the end it was all quite good. It was more tiring than I expected, though - all the other cyclists looked as though it is effortless! It felt like I ran around the school or something. XD
[/EDIT]
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Not what it seems to be (I)
Before I start on the actual post - here's a little something I painted for my Mum's birthday:
For those of you who might actually see Mum around, please don't tell her/ask her anything about this because it's supposed to be a surprise. =) I'll send it through DHL soon.
Description I put on DeviantArt:
Okay now for the actual post, which is nothing like roses and love and fuzziness.
--------
I am constantly being chilled by the knowledge that I am just seeing certain things for what they look like. It reminds me of what a shallow/non-understanding person I can be. Nevertheless, I am glad to be conscious of the other side of a person/issue - it is better than being overly optimistic or judgmental without ever realizing it.
You know about the disastrous quake in Sichuan. The entire nation had half-flags, even major websites changed their colours to grey-scale. You see donation drives everywhere (even the foreign students have one right outside our dorm block). Everywhere you hear calls for the country to be united (大灾面前，众志成城) and etc etc etc...
But you know, I've heard about:
I was very moved when I saw Hu Jintao on TV - he was speaking to the soldiers at ground zero, and right at that point of time some tremors occurred. He and the other leaders only paused and looked around for a while before he continued speaking to the soldiers, the ground still shaking. Some of you might say - well, it's for TV, propaganda, whatever. But I know that it is important for the leaders to show the people that they have a fearless government backing them up, to stabilize their hearts. The top leaders - Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao - are all at ground zero, speaking to people, encouraging them, directing rescue operations. They are not just nicely holed up in Beijing doing remote directing. By being on the site, they face some risks because there are still tremors happening. I chatted with a Sichuan Taobao seller online a couple of days before, and he/she told me that there are about 5000 occurrences of tremors already. For that alone, I applaud the Chinese government for their sincerity, or at the very least, the efforts to let the people know that they are sincere.
The government is one thing, but the actual public can be very disappointing. I can't help but cynically wonder how many of these donation drives are real and how much money can actually be given to the victims. This is the shopping site I frequent, and you can look around for all the traces of fund-raising options. I mean, it'd be great if the money really goes to help, because Taobao is under Alibaba - which is the biggest Internet corp in China. This group has lots of money and influence (especially since they work through the net). I really, really pray that the people can get help. But because of what I know about China and its people, I've hesitated about donating money to the various drives around and only to the foreign students' donation drive as a form of support.
祈祷吧，为了中国。
On a brighter note of the "not what it seems to be" issue, my groupmate Xiao and I were doing research for this project presentation (tomorrow) and we realized we had a mountain of research material to deal with, and they are all over Beida. There's this remotely-located library which took us half an hour to find (actually Xiao wondered whether we should even go, because that library's site said they only serve graduate students, professors, visiting scholars, etc). But I felt we should check it out anyway. To our great, great delight (after sweating and walking for 1/2 hr), it's okay to go in to refer to books, just that we can't take them out. And we also realized that this library had all the information that we needed.
There's a grumpy-looking laoshi in-charge of the photocopying machine records and he actually asked me about my country and stuff when he realized that I'm Singaporean. Later, the very sweet Xiao gave him this packet of snacks which she brought for our lunch. He didn't react much, but before we even realized what was happening, some chocolates appeared on his table. He still didn't have much expression on his face. I found that extremely heartwarming, however. =) Nah, certainly not grumpy.
Description I put on DeviantArt:
A little something I painted for my Mum's birthday on June 8th. I can't remember the last time I ever gave her anything for her birthday - usually I replaced that with a hug, a kiss, a surprise cake and being extra helpful on that day. But this year I am stuck two oceans away.--------
Acrylic on canvas. 5.5X7 inches.
The original is here, just so that you guys know that
1) this composition is not mine
2) I made a mess out of the original
Please be kinder with comments considering that I hadn't touched a paintbrush in about 4 years.
Okay now for the actual post, which is nothing like roses and love and fuzziness.
--------
I am constantly being chilled by the knowledge that I am just seeing certain things for what they look like. It reminds me of what a shallow/non-understanding person I can be. Nevertheless, I am glad to be conscious of the other side of a person/issue - it is better than being overly optimistic or judgmental without ever realizing it.
You know about the disastrous quake in Sichuan. The entire nation had half-flags, even major websites changed their colours to grey-scale. You see donation drives everywhere (even the foreign students have one right outside our dorm block). Everywhere you hear calls for the country to be united (大灾面前，众志成城) and etc etc etc...
But you know, I've heard about:
- Supply trucks being robbed even before they reach the people who need it - by people whose supplies are not affected much by the quake.
- In a school (or maybe some schools), in order to create impression of an enthusiastic donation drive, the teachers actually had the previously donated money taken out of the box and re-distributed to the students, for them to line up and "donate".
- There's this national athlete who was caught on film for "donating" to the box bare-handed.
- etc...
I was very moved when I saw Hu Jintao on TV - he was speaking to the soldiers at ground zero, and right at that point of time some tremors occurred. He and the other leaders only paused and looked around for a while before he continued speaking to the soldiers, the ground still shaking. Some of you might say - well, it's for TV, propaganda, whatever. But I know that it is important for the leaders to show the people that they have a fearless government backing them up, to stabilize their hearts. The top leaders - Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao - are all at ground zero, speaking to people, encouraging them, directing rescue operations. They are not just nicely holed up in Beijing doing remote directing. By being on the site, they face some risks because there are still tremors happening. I chatted with a Sichuan Taobao seller online a couple of days before, and he/she told me that there are about 5000 occurrences of tremors already. For that alone, I applaud the Chinese government for their sincerity, or at the very least, the efforts to let the people know that they are sincere.
The government is one thing, but the actual public can be very disappointing. I can't help but cynically wonder how many of these donation drives are real and how much money can actually be given to the victims. This is the shopping site I frequent, and you can look around for all the traces of fund-raising options. I mean, it'd be great if the money really goes to help, because Taobao is under Alibaba - which is the biggest Internet corp in China. This group has lots of money and influence (especially since they work through the net). I really, really pray that the people can get help. But because of what I know about China and its people, I've hesitated about donating money to the various drives around and only to the foreign students' donation drive as a form of support.
祈祷吧，为了中国。
On a brighter note of the "not what it seems to be" issue, my groupmate Xiao and I were doing research for this project presentation (tomorrow) and we realized we had a mountain of research material to deal with, and they are all over Beida. There's this remotely-located library which took us half an hour to find (actually Xiao wondered whether we should even go, because that library's site said they only serve graduate students, professors, visiting scholars, etc). But I felt we should check it out anyway. To our great, great delight (after sweating and walking for 1/2 hr), it's okay to go in to refer to books, just that we can't take them out. And we also realized that this library had all the information that we needed.
There's a grumpy-looking laoshi in-charge of the photocopying machine records and he actually asked me about my country and stuff when he realized that I'm Singaporean. Later, the very sweet Xiao gave him this packet of snacks which she brought for our lunch. He didn't react much, but before we even realized what was happening, some chocolates appeared on his table. He still didn't have much expression on his face. I found that extremely heartwarming, however. =) Nah, certainly not grumpy.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
It's 12:21am and I am still up
It's way past my die-hard sleeping hours, and I am still waiting for Bryna dear to pop over my room to continue the conversation we just had.
God is trying to tell me something. Or He is just twirling me around those infinite fingers of His. I prayed about _____a_____ and ________a(?!)________happened. I prayed about _____________a_______ after sometime, and _________a(>?!!!)____ happened. It felt like everything's just too coincidental.
It's almost like He doesn't want _____a_____ out of the picture yet.
God. I'm putting up with this only 'cos it's You, okay?
God is trying to tell me something. Or He is just twirling me around those infinite fingers of His. I prayed about _____a_____ and ________a(?!)________happened. I prayed about _____________a_______ after sometime, and _________a(>?!!!)____ happened. It felt like everything's just too coincidental.
It's almost like He doesn't want _____a_____ out of the picture yet.
God. I'm putting up with this only 'cos it's You, okay?
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
近看是疤，远看是花
昨天H来找我帮她看2篇论文。忙完我们开始聊天。她有点迟疑地对我说：“（大意）星期天，我看到你和D的关系，好像更接近了……？”H喜欢D，我怎么会不知道。通过H认识D的第一天起，我就看得出这个韩国女孩喜欢那个帅气的美国大男生。其实不光是H，另一个女生也喜欢D。这是没有办法的，D的确是个很吸引人的男生，26岁－不太稚嫩，见闻多，有趣，让人感觉很轻松。不过，对那两位美女来说，很遗憾的就是D对我们这帮女生还是相当免疫的。这一点我也观察到了，不过没有告诉H。
H果然喜欢D，不过她心中感到了那种语言隔阂的悲哀－她不太会说英语、D不太会说汉语，两人只能很粗浅地谈一些很简单的话题。她很坦白地告诉我，她羡慕我能说流利的英语，可以和D沟通。其实，和D嘻嘻哈哈打闹时，我不止一次想，H会有什么样的感觉？我认识D没多久就可以和他开玩笑，甚至好像很熟的朋友一样嬉闹；她上学期就认识了D，两人却还是很正式地交谈，还是很生疏。
我告诉H，我曾经想过，自己是不是也喜欢D，毕竟他是一个这么容易让人喜欢、那么迷人的男生。然而我最后决定不考虑他－因为背景的不同，因为他还没能取代心中另一个人的地位。我不会刻意去等待那个人，也不会为了填补心中的空缺而去随便喜欢别人。
我告诉H，因为以前有过男朋友，所以知道自己对D的感觉并不是那种缠绵缱绻的思念，而只是一种惊艳、一种新鲜、一种喜悦。她觉得，自己现在真的会一直想着D。我说，你知道吗，我喜欢那个他，从2006年5月到现在了。言下之意，我不但能体会你的感受，而且经历了这样的感受至今两年了。时间过得真快，这两年的滋味，那么的短暂，却那么地磨人。分分合合，忽远忽近，忽冷忽热，叫人怎生待得。
像D和H，中间隔着国籍、语言，而且最重要的是，D还没有表现任何喜欢H的迹象。我又告诉H：“你知道吗，其实你现在还好了。如果发现他也喜欢你，但两人却不能在一起，这样的痛苦不是更深吗？”
我对D没有兴趣，现在选择享受他的友谊，享受这种见面很轻松，分开时想起一些他的言行觉得很好笑，这种好聚好散的关系。男女之间可不可以有这样的友谊，我不是很清楚。有的人说，其中一定还会有一些暧昧的。然而，暧昧不暧昧，我觉得最后的结果在于个人决定要把这种关系维持在什么阶段。没有人说暧昧了就要打成男女朋友的关系。男和女之间本来就存在这一种互相吸引，在潜在意识中总是对初次认识的异性用择偶的眼光看待，时间久了才可能发展成更深层的关系－可以是追求，可以是成为哥儿们，可以是成为知交。
像D这样的男生，我觉得只能远看。就如告诉H的一样，他现在处于“放假”的状态，是很轻松的时候，可以很容易的表现出自己最好的一面。然而一个人的真实性情，却要在他碰到压力时的表现才能看出。或许一个这样完美的阳光男孩，在碰到事业、生活压力时，表现出来的也许是一种让人意想不到的暴躁。或许，他长期在家人的爱护下，感觉最重要的还是自己。不管是暴躁的、还是自我中心的，都不会是一个非常吸引人的D。当然，我不了解D的为人，这一切也许以后会逐渐了解，也许没有机会了解。
忽然觉得，原来爱情还有这么多层次，原来跨国恋的张力在这里，原来因为爱一个人而看不上其他人的感觉是这样的，原来差不多就要当“第三者”的感觉是这样的……
两个朋友喜欢一个朋友，而我，选择他们三个朋友。
H果然喜欢D，不过她心中感到了那种语言隔阂的悲哀－她不太会说英语、D不太会说汉语，两人只能很粗浅地谈一些很简单的话题。她很坦白地告诉我，她羡慕我能说流利的英语，可以和D沟通。其实，和D嘻嘻哈哈打闹时，我不止一次想，H会有什么样的感觉？我认识D没多久就可以和他开玩笑，甚至好像很熟的朋友一样嬉闹；她上学期就认识了D，两人却还是很正式地交谈，还是很生疏。
我告诉H，我曾经想过，自己是不是也喜欢D，毕竟他是一个这么容易让人喜欢、那么迷人的男生。然而我最后决定不考虑他－因为背景的不同，因为他还没能取代心中另一个人的地位。我不会刻意去等待那个人，也不会为了填补心中的空缺而去随便喜欢别人。
我告诉H，因为以前有过男朋友，所以知道自己对D的感觉并不是那种缠绵缱绻的思念，而只是一种惊艳、一种新鲜、一种喜悦。她觉得，自己现在真的会一直想着D。我说，你知道吗，我喜欢那个他，从2006年5月到现在了。言下之意，我不但能体会你的感受，而且经历了这样的感受至今两年了。时间过得真快，这两年的滋味，那么的短暂，却那么地磨人。分分合合，忽远忽近，忽冷忽热，叫人怎生待得。
像D和H，中间隔着国籍、语言，而且最重要的是，D还没有表现任何喜欢H的迹象。我又告诉H：“你知道吗，其实你现在还好了。如果发现他也喜欢你，但两人却不能在一起，这样的痛苦不是更深吗？”
我对D没有兴趣，现在选择享受他的友谊，享受这种见面很轻松，分开时想起一些他的言行觉得很好笑，这种好聚好散的关系。男女之间可不可以有这样的友谊，我不是很清楚。有的人说，其中一定还会有一些暧昧的。然而，暧昧不暧昧，我觉得最后的结果在于个人决定要把这种关系维持在什么阶段。没有人说暧昧了就要打成男女朋友的关系。男和女之间本来就存在这一种互相吸引，在潜在意识中总是对初次认识的异性用择偶的眼光看待，时间久了才可能发展成更深层的关系－可以是追求，可以是成为哥儿们，可以是成为知交。
像D这样的男生，我觉得只能远看。就如告诉H的一样，他现在处于“放假”的状态，是很轻松的时候，可以很容易的表现出自己最好的一面。然而一个人的真实性情，却要在他碰到压力时的表现才能看出。或许一个这样完美的阳光男孩，在碰到事业、生活压力时，表现出来的也许是一种让人意想不到的暴躁。或许，他长期在家人的爱护下，感觉最重要的还是自己。不管是暴躁的、还是自我中心的，都不会是一个非常吸引人的D。当然，我不了解D的为人，这一切也许以后会逐渐了解，也许没有机会了解。
忽然觉得，原来爱情还有这么多层次，原来跨国恋的张力在这里，原来因为爱一个人而看不上其他人的感觉是这样的，原来差不多就要当“第三者”的感觉是这样的……
两个朋友喜欢一个朋友，而我，选择他们三个朋友。
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Britain's Got Talent
This certainly has nothing to do with China, but I've watched this over and over again. I still think it's - to quote Amanda - bloody brilliant XD
Wait for the twist!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Home ahoy
Just called the Air China customer service line and got my return ticket date settled.
JULY 12, SATURDAY
I AM COMING HOME ON THAT DAY.
Suddenly I felt this swoosh of excitement, yet also this sense of being settled - at finally having a distinct date to look forward to.
I picked this date to make it easier for people to welcome me home XD If you wanna pick me up, please ask me for the flight number and time. (I don't wanna have stalkers reading this blog to interfere with my homecoming plans =D)
Really, I wasn't kidding about that one. I could pretend to say that I wanna come home surreptitiously and give everyone a surprise, but I think I should be honest to myself and my friends. When I left, I told everyone not to send me off (but Clara, Mark and Matthew came anyway and had to wave at me across the customs, through a layer of glass plus 10 meters of distance). But now I really want to see as many friends as possible, people who mattered to me, people whom I miss - right after I run through the customs and through that sliding glass door.
Damn it, I want to go home now.
Of course, I'm not too sure who'd read this (sometimes I think none of my Cabbages actually read this blog XD) or whom would actually respond to this message.
But well, it's okay~ All I want to do now is to:
JULY 12, SATURDAY
I AM COMING HOME ON THAT DAY.
Suddenly I felt this swoosh of excitement, yet also this sense of being settled - at finally having a distinct date to look forward to.
I picked this date to make it easier for people to welcome me home XD If you wanna pick me up, please ask me for the flight number and time. (I don't wanna have stalkers reading this blog to interfere with my homecoming plans =D)
Really, I wasn't kidding about that one. I could pretend to say that I wanna come home surreptitiously and give everyone a surprise, but I think I should be honest to myself and my friends. When I left, I told everyone not to send me off (but Clara, Mark and Matthew came anyway and had to wave at me across the customs, through a layer of glass plus 10 meters of distance). But now I really want to see as many friends as possible, people who mattered to me, people whom I miss - right after I run through the customs and through that sliding glass door.
Damn it, I want to go home now.
Of course, I'm not too sure who'd read this (sometimes I think none of my Cabbages actually read this blog XD) or whom would actually respond to this message.
But well, it's okay~ All I want to do now is to:
- Finish this mountain of term papers,
- Clear the exam paper (note the singular tense;)),
- Go on the fieldtrip to Dunhuang/Xi'an/Mutianyu,
- Tour Beijing,
- Hop on the plane home!
A comment I left on DeviantArt
Hello Jon, I can see that you are becoming adept at controlling the technical parts of photography - which is better than many other amateur photography I've seen. 
I hope this comment could be of some encouragement and advice to you - to carry on your artistic explorations and improving your skills. 
My observation is that you've been experimenting with still figures and objects in your photography, to carry across simple messages. Even though I'm no expert at photography, i sensed the need for a deeper emotional involvement in your pictures.
Have you found yourself "stuck for ideas"? How about finding out ways to enrich the perspectives of your thoughts and your travelling experiences? A great photographer doesn't just tell his stories, he involves his audiences.
Emotion doesn't just come from love stories (or stories of lost love) but from life. How about emotions like anger, fear, kinship love, confusion, a mix of some...? Instead of getting people to pose for you, have you tried travelling around to observe people in their daily lives? Some of the greatest photography pieces have involved the capturing of candid expressions - fleeting in their existence, but permanent in the pictures.
I know that most beginners at a skill are eager for approval and applause. I applause your pursuing of photography and yet also want to offer you some of my perspective, in the hope that you would be able to fly even higher.
Jiayou and all the best!
I hope this comment could be of some encouragement and advice to you - to carry on your artistic explorations and improving your skills. My observation is that you've been experimenting with still figures and objects in your photography, to carry across simple messages. Even though I'm no expert at photography, i sensed the need for a deeper emotional involvement in your pictures.
Have you found yourself "stuck for ideas"? How about finding out ways to enrich the perspectives of your thoughts and your travelling experiences? A great photographer doesn't just tell his stories, he involves his audiences.
Emotion doesn't just come from love stories (or stories of lost love) but from life. How about emotions like anger, fear, kinship love, confusion, a mix of some...? Instead of getting people to pose for you, have you tried travelling around to observe people in their daily lives? Some of the greatest photography pieces have involved the capturing of candid expressions - fleeting in their existence, but permanent in the pictures.
I know that most beginners at a skill are eager for approval and applause. I applause your pursuing of photography and yet also want to offer you some of my perspective, in the hope that you would be able to fly even higher.
Jiayou and all the best!
Be prepared
I just hit a snag in what I believe is my first ever job hunt. On second thought, my first job hunt was when I looked for a job as a part-time teacher after the A'levels, and that went well, so I guess we have to leave that first line alone somehow.
Anyway, I emailed this translation agency (Singapore) asking them if they have internship positions or part time jobs for undergrads. Well, that email 肉包子打狗，一去不回头~ So I'm guessing that the reasons can be:
1) I sound terribly unprofessional in the email.
2) Half-baked undergrads are probably more of a hindrance in their professionalism.
3) They haven't gotten round to deciding whether they want undergrads or not.
I do wish that corporations can be a little more helpful by at least replying something like "sorry, we are unable to help you in this aspect" - just one line and no cost involved. Makes me wonder whether my email had gone into the trash bin with an irritated frown ("Stupid undergrads, wasting our precious email storage space where only mails of potential clients should exist....")
I guess I'm not frustrated or anything because I don't need the job - it was more like a "try and see how" attempt. My (or rather, my family's) bills are still being paid for and we are not running into economic crises. Still it makes me wonder what I would feel if my current status is now a graduate who had gotten her cert more than a year ago and still without a job. Must be real terrible. Let's use this trashed email attempt as a mental preparation for the future XD
Side note 1: My cousin (Tong) and his wife (Jacqueline) are here in Beijing on work! Had dinner (niiiiice Muslim food) with them the other day~ Even though I really don't know them very well (Tong's very much older than I am), it's really great to be with family~ Best thing is they don't stay too far from my Granduncle's place so we could meet up more often =D
Side note 2: Last time I checked, there were about 50+ days left to Summer holidays (ie HOME!), when I checked again just now - gasp! - 39 days! Of course, I gotta alter this date a bit 'cos I'll be going on a field trip to Dunhuang, Xi'an and Mutianyu at the end of the semester for 2 weeks. Then I'll stay on in Beijing for about one week to settle admin things and seriously tour Beijing in great detail. =D Have settled the plane tickets to come back on 12 July!
Anyway, I emailed this translation agency (Singapore) asking them if they have internship positions or part time jobs for undergrads. Well, that email 肉包子打狗，一去不回头~ So I'm guessing that the reasons can be:
1) I sound terribly unprofessional in the email.
2) Half-baked undergrads are probably more of a hindrance in their professionalism.
3) They haven't gotten round to deciding whether they want undergrads or not.
I do wish that corporations can be a little more helpful by at least replying something like "sorry, we are unable to help you in this aspect" - just one line and no cost involved. Makes me wonder whether my email had gone into the trash bin with an irritated frown ("Stupid undergrads, wasting our precious email storage space where only mails of potential clients should exist....")
I guess I'm not frustrated or anything because I don't need the job - it was more like a "try and see how" attempt. My (or rather, my family's) bills are still being paid for and we are not running into economic crises. Still it makes me wonder what I would feel if my current status is now a graduate who had gotten her cert more than a year ago and still without a job. Must be real terrible. Let's use this trashed email attempt as a mental preparation for the future XD
Side note 1: My cousin (Tong) and his wife (Jacqueline) are here in Beijing on work! Had dinner (niiiiice Muslim food) with them the other day~ Even though I really don't know them very well (Tong's very much older than I am), it's really great to be with family~ Best thing is they don't stay too far from my Granduncle's place so we could meet up more often =D
Side note 2: Last time I checked, there were about 50+ days left to Summer holidays (ie HOME!), when I checked again just now - gasp! - 39 days! Of course, I gotta alter this date a bit 'cos I'll be going on a field trip to Dunhuang, Xi'an and Mutianyu at the end of the semester for 2 weeks. Then I'll stay on in Beijing for about one week to settle admin things and seriously tour Beijing in great detail. =D Have settled the plane tickets to come back on 12 July!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
我、我被打败了T__T
My favourite 门卫小哥 thought I'm Japanese... T__T
Today he passed me a couple of A4-size booklets entirely in Japanese (think they are tourism brochures or ads, I dunno). I stared at them and told him, "我不会看日文啊……"
小哥……………………T_______T
Today he passed me a couple of A4-size booklets entirely in Japanese (think they are tourism brochures or ads, I dunno). I stared at them and told him, "我不会看日文啊……"
小哥……………………T_______T
B&W
Alright, folks, I'm not usually one to rave about my shopping purchases, but this one is brilliant. =D
I bought a pair of ballet pumps online:
1) There is only one pair of this sold by the seller - ie. one size - and that size is mine.
2) I was looking for a pair of pumps.
3) The pattern... matches my beloved Targus laptop cover exactly.
4) It costs ￥32.00, which is about SGD6.28 - you decide what kind of deal I got ^^
Tada!
I bought a pair of ballet pumps online:
1) There is only one pair of this sold by the seller - ie. one size - and that size is mine.
2) I was looking for a pair of pumps.
3) The pattern... matches my beloved Targus laptop cover exactly.
4) It costs ￥32.00, which is about SGD6.28 - you decide what kind of deal I got ^^
Tada!
Hierarchy of Extortion
The same bottle of mineral water, priced in different places:
Supermarket: ￥1.10
Foreign Student dorm convenience store: ￥1.50
Foreign Guests accommodation convenience store: ￥2.00
On rising prices:
My favourite brand of yoghurt at:
Supermarket (as of April): ￥7.00
Foreign Student dorm convenience store (April):￥7.50
Foreign Student dorm convenience store (May):￥8.00
I'm usually not too careful about prices, but this is...
Supermarket: ￥1.10
Foreign Student dorm convenience store: ￥1.50
Foreign Guests accommodation convenience store: ￥2.00
On rising prices:
My favourite brand of yoghurt at:
Supermarket (as of April): ￥7.00
Foreign Student dorm convenience store (April):￥7.50
Foreign Student dorm convenience store (May):￥8.00
I'm usually not too careful about prices, but this is...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Didn't have much time to write this properly
现在的世界响着巨大的喧哗声：反中国的人为了人权、西藏、劣质货的问题喊得很大声，中国网民为了火炬、爱国的问题也喊得很大声。一边骂“无赖和暴徒” (goons and thugs)，另一边竭尽可能地大喊“中华民族站起来”。我们似乎看到两个世界的对立，一个是蔑视中国的西方，一个是粗鲁不理智的中国“爱国者”。
我正在思考这个问题，那天就非常凑巧地让我读到这样的东西：
李欧梵《铁屋中的呐喊》pp.65-66
《狂人日记》发表数月后，在《随感录三十八》上，有一段很能说明鲁迅思想的话：
中国人向来有点自大。－－只可惜没有“个人的自大”，都是“合群的爱国的自大”。这便是文化竞争失败之后，不能再见振拔改进的原因。（卷一，第311页）
……
至于“合群的爱国的自大”……
他们自己毫无才能，可以夸示于人，所以把这国拿来做个影子；他们把国里的习惯制度抬得很高，赞美的了不得；他们的国粹，既然这样有荣光，他们自然也有荣光 了！倘若遇见攻击，他们也不必自去应战，因为这种蹲在影子里张目摇舌的人，数目极多，只需用mob的长枝，一阵乱噪，便可制胜。
读吧，亲爱的读者朋友，是否有一种强烈的熟悉之感向你扑来？不要以为自己可以非常聪明的批判现在的中国网民，因为早在1918年，也就是离现在正好90年的从前，中国人民自己热爱的鲁迅先生已经看得透透彻彻。你所要骂中国网民的话，鲁迅先生已经替你骂完了，你无需劳驾。
注意！我强调的是中国的网民，而不是中国人民！
我们老是听到网民大而粗暴的声音，用污秽不堪的言语辱骂那些他们自以为“卖国”的人。但各位读者，不要像这些粗野的人一样无知。网民当中，也有理智的声音， 也有呼吁大众以搞好国家建设、提升人民素质作为爱国的表现。更多理智的声音埋藏在不上网的民众中间，热烈、理智地爱国的人，有很多很多是不屑参与这些无谓的唇枪舌剑的。
既然鲁迅先生在90年前早已批评了这些以爱国的自大鼓胀自己的ego的人，我无需再赘述。
西方这些辱骂中国的人们。你们先做个功课，上百度或者Google去找找“辱华”，你就会发现，Cafferty辱华一件事，只不过是冰山一角。众所周知西方 国家改变不了长久鄙视中华民族的心态，但我们是否要停下来，如孔子说的“叩其两端而竭焉”（从问题的首尾两头去盘问）也审视我们所认知的“西方国家”。我 现在在北京，认识了许许多多热爱中国的西方人，一大群并不鄙视中国的老外。所以，在讨论这些“恐华”的西方人以前，我们不要一竹竿打翻一船人。
有一群这样的西方人，长久对中国持有不信任、恐惧的态度。早在邓小平掌权的80年代，西方已意识到这只睡狮蠢蠢欲动的苏醒。有关西方恐华的讨论，各路专家讨论得要比我深入，可以到联合早报的“京城偶寄”去看看，有不错的评论。我们需知道的是，利用中国作为挡箭靶的西方政权嘴里说出来的话，是值得商榷的。
一边是中国官方遮遮掩掩的言论发表，另一边是西方媒体口不择言的扫射，无论你选择倾向哪一边，都有偏颇。故此，读者朋友，不要过于武断地扫射任何一方，以免你也落入主观偏见的圈套。
再来分享一下我的感受。
对于中国，我从小时的向往与喜爱，转为戒备，再转为现在的一种又怜又爱的心情。
走在街上，看见一条又一条提醒人们驾驶小心、注意学生安全、乘车让座的告示，告诉你，我非常感动。即使是官方的模样又怎样？我接触到的许多中国人，或者说，北京人，就是如此地热爱帮助人，非常主动地让座给老人小孩。
当然，这只是生活的一丁点小细节，我们再来说说这中国人脆弱的情感。
是的，我是说，脆弱的情感。这个土地被变相的礼教、奴隶制度、外国的侵略践踏了几个世纪。新中国的成立，西方资本主义国家看到一片恐怖的共产红，被压迫的人们看到的却是解脱。批评者武断地说，中国一定要民主、政党封闭了人民的喉舌、等、等、等。没有站在这块土地上，聆听这里的人的声音，没有冷静而客观地学习中国的历史进程，请不要武断而主观地开骂。
数千年来的中国人，是自满而自觉良好的，从来就不需要外来的资源供应。“中国”一名，看看百度解释：“古代华夏族建国于黄河流域一带，以为居天下之中，故称中国，后成为中国的专称。古代中国人认为天圆地方，中国位于正中，故称中国。”如此一个骄傲而自满的国度，在短短的一个世纪内，被外敌、内乱撕得四分五裂，自尊、信仰、制度在一个世纪内完全崩溃瓦解。很长的一段时间，甚至到现在，中国人到国外还是被人鄙视。刚开始是鄙视他们穷，现在鄙视他们没有“素质”（实际上，这些长期富贵的外国人能表现这么缺乏宽容的言论，也一样没有素质。）中国人也是人，更何况，是个也有尊严的民族。当他们谦和地要表示要站立起来，要建立有素质的新中国，换来的是什么，是欧美的中伤抨击。不了解中国国情就批评共产党制度，殊不知新中国也从民主制度开始，以腐败国民党的败退结束民主，换来可以有效短时间内建立制度的共产党。共产党不是没有它的问题，只是共产党是中国自清末以后天下大乱的最后收拾者。
可以告诉你，也许中国可以拥有民主，但绝对不是现在。民主属于经济发展稳定、社会教育水平普遍较高的国家。在只有在这样的国家，人民才会撇弃金钱与谬论的影响，理智地选择适合他们的政权。从经济剥削中被拉扯出来的当今中国，还是非常脆弱的。若是马上允许自由的投票、自由的言论，你就会看到“买票”的政党，你就会看到无耻的“拜票”，你就会听到许许多多可以买得一届票选诱惑人心的允诺、扰乱人心与公共制度的言论。在这些政党允诺的背后，又是重蹈历史覆辙的剥削、搜刮。中国又将再次跌入历史的恶性循环当中，让剥削换上民主的面具再次卷土重来。
现在的中国要稳定，就绝对不能民主得太快。一个混乱的中国，将是比强大的中国更恐怖的地方。到那时，不要说这些与中国有千丝万缕经济联系的国家，最先倒下的，就是我们这些自以为置身事外的炎黄子孙。不要以为我们不是中国人，就与中国毫无关系。相反的，如果中国倒下，我们这些黄皮肤的华裔的尊严亦将一并倒下。
我们身为局外人，不能体会中国人民心中的那种压抑、那种被外人敌视、蔑视、轻视的悲怆。即使我们无法理解，也最好还是安静地聆听，用多一些宽容和仁慈对待他们所表现出来的诸多面孔。
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The little green man~
On Sunday Deke was telling me about the different green men on traffic lights in different countries. He said that in the past, the green men were designed to be just the green version of the stationary red man.
Then in communist countries, later, the green man was designed to look like a walking figure, which is supposed to look like a "good worker going to work".
I'm not too sure about the walking man being communist thing, but at least that was what Deke heard when he visited Germany - where the green man is different in West and East Berlin. Of course, now many places apart from communist countries adopt the walking green man (e.g. our beloved Singapore). And you would agree with Deke and I that it makes so much more sense than a stationary green man.
New piece of knowledge, although unverified (lol)! A thank-you goes to Mr Deke "Well-Traveled" Wilkins ;)
Just for fun:
The slanted green man in Singapore as reported by Keropok Man.
Then in communist countries, later, the green man was designed to look like a walking figure, which is supposed to look like a "good worker going to work".
I'm not too sure about the walking man being communist thing, but at least that was what Deke heard when he visited Germany - where the green man is different in West and East Berlin. Of course, now many places apart from communist countries adopt the walking green man (e.g. our beloved Singapore). And you would agree with Deke and I that it makes so much more sense than a stationary green man.
New piece of knowledge, although unverified (lol)! A thank-you goes to Mr Deke "Well-Traveled" Wilkins ;)
Just for fun:
The slanted green man in Singapore as reported by Keropok Man.
Monday, May 5, 2008
今天让我晕的一句话
警卫：“同学，（图书）馆里不能穿拖鞋。”
印象中，我在国大好像几乎从来不穿拖鞋。学校里大概有90%的人是穿拖鞋的，如果用了这个rule我看图书馆会变成死城。
因为我在无知的情况下以为可以很写意地穿飘飘大大的裤裙、人字拖在学校里乱跑，就这样得明天才去图书馆了（今天时间不够）。难怪北大这么少人穿拖鞋。
难过中……
印象中，我在国大好像几乎从来不穿拖鞋。学校里大概有90%的人是穿拖鞋的，如果用了这个rule我看图书馆会变成死城。
因为我在无知的情况下以为可以很写意地穿飘飘大大的裤裙、人字拖在学校里乱跑，就这样得明天才去图书馆了（今天时间不够）。难怪北大这么少人穿拖鞋。
难过中……
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Ah. Yay.
The Chinese IP servers have once again decided that they do not want to load Blogger blogs.
Yay [sic].
I hope they'll decide soon enough whether they like Blogger or not. This on-and-off thing is even more disturbing than having to go out on a cold rainy Beijing day.
Yay [sic].
I hope they'll decide soon enough whether they like Blogger or not. This on-and-off thing is even more disturbing than having to go out on a cold rainy Beijing day.
Friday, May 2, 2008
五一Labour Day holidays
Beijing is packed again because of all the people coming in for the Labour Day holidays! Of course, there are also a huge bunch of people going out to the various cities and provinces~
Me, the hermit crab, who does not like crowds, chose to visit Uncle Jia (Dad's friend) and his wife at their place. I learned how to make dumplings (饺子)! Uncle Jia has this tabby at home - and it was very funny to see how the cat and I scare each other. They also took me out to walk walk at this H.U.G.E shopping mall thing. The number of shops in there must be like three or four Vivocities added together(or more?).
贾叔叔's cat! 阿咪's the name. They said she scratches/bites and repeatedly warned her away from me/me away from her. ^o^ Si En, she reminds me of you XD
Couldn't upload some of the other photos cos there were some server errors >_<
Me, the hermit crab, who does not like crowds, chose to visit Uncle Jia (Dad's friend) and his wife at their place. I learned how to make dumplings (饺子)! Uncle Jia has this tabby at home - and it was very funny to see how the cat and I scare each other. They also took me out to walk walk at this H.U.G.E shopping mall thing. The number of shops in there must be like three or four Vivocities added together(or more?).
贾叔叔's cat! 阿咪's the name. They said she scratches/bites and repeatedly warned her away from me/me away from her. ^o^ Si En, she reminds me of you XD
Couldn't upload some of the other photos cos there were some server errors >_<
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
因为我来自热带
终于等到可以大剌剌地穿着薄薄宽宽的衬衫、随性的五分裤、沙滩的人字拖走在阳光下的日子，不在乎被晒黑的脸，因为等到了久违的温热。春天才打个转儿，夏天就要来了。我来自热带，不愿如细皮嫩肉的中国女孩躲在伞下，只愿那金辉泼洒在被冬天凉透的脸上。春日，请你留步！
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
About goons and thugs and such
There's been a lot of noise on China recently, and I've been asked to write something about it. Yes I'm in the middle of writing it - in Chinese, though, since I kind of got emotional over it. And since its something from the bottom of my heart, it's not going to be very entertaining and easy to read.
Ah and obviously since this topic is too serious for me to just anyhow shoot my mouth off, I'm currently still editing it and making sure I sound at least coherent. Was nearly going to post whatever I wrote just now, but a quick read got me to realize that I was idea-hopping, which means I don't sound very logical or coherent.
Good thing the 五一 Labour Day holidays are coming (uber-long weekend - Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon) so I can do more.
Ah and obviously since this topic is too serious for me to just anyhow shoot my mouth off, I'm currently still editing it and making sure I sound at least coherent. Was nearly going to post whatever I wrote just now, but a quick read got me to realize that I was idea-hopping, which means I don't sound very logical or coherent.
Good thing the 五一 Labour Day holidays are coming (uber-long weekend - Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon) so I can do more.
Monday, April 28, 2008
The love of God covers even those who doesn't know Him
He is waiting for you.
Open the eyes of your heart and ears to hear Him tell you that He loves you.
And to my dear brothers and sisters who may feel as crushed as I occasionally do, let Paul's life encourage you.
Open the eyes of your heart and ears to hear Him tell you that He loves you.
And to my dear brothers and sisters who may feel as crushed as I occasionally do, let Paul's life encourage you.
I was just looking at someone's blog which had a list of links to debunk Christianity, one of those proudly screaming "Why I hate Jesus". (Perhaps the link could be alternatively named "Why I hate the-man-who-did-nothing-wrong" or "Why I hate the God-who-died-for-me" or "Why I hate Someone-I-know-nothing-about")
Granted, you have this hatred/dislike for this religion. Granted, you have bad experiences with Christians who didn't click with your ideas. But I was just thinking - do you also have to hurt all the other Christians in your life by openly discrediting something they hold dear - in fact, even more dear than their own lives?
The love of God in their hearts would not allow them to hate you, even though you hate them. But their heart would bleed, seeing how you are taking the blessings that Christ is trying to give you and stabbing your knives of irrationality into them. Nay, they would not hate you, but they cry for you.
Perhaps if you would finally quiet your angry heart filled with hatred (which you probably cannot justify rationally, too), you might hear the quiet prayers deep in the night by someone who loves you.
What I am going to write for my Calligraphy exam
苏轼《南乡子◎自述》
涼簟碧紗廚
一枕清風晝睡餘
睡聽晚衙無一事
徐徐讀盡床頭幾卷書
搔首賦歸歟
自覺功名懶更疏
若問使君才與術
何如
占得人間一味愚
Why I picked something like this:
- I totally love Su Shi's lyrics! (Some might know him better as Su Dongpo 苏东坡)
- It's a self-description of sorts by the lyricist, and I liked especially how he wrote about being a "lazy" scholar of sorts, who delights in sleeping in the day and reading leisurely. Sounds like me. ^o^
- The word count is perfect for formatting XD
Actually Laoshi said we should write at least 4 words, which I believe many people would be doing. But I realized that my calligraphy doesn't look good when its big, so I gotta 避短扬长 and write more. ^-^
In the end the format should look something like this:
涼簟碧紗廚
一枕清風晝睡餘
睡聽晚衙無一事
徐徐讀盡床頭幾卷書
搔首賦歸歟
自覺功名懶更疏
若問使君才與術
何如
占得人間一味愚
Why I picked something like this:
- I totally love Su Shi's lyrics! (Some might know him better as Su Dongpo 苏东坡)
- It's a self-description of sorts by the lyricist, and I liked especially how he wrote about being a "lazy" scholar of sorts, who delights in sleeping in the day and reading leisurely. Sounds like me. ^o^
- The word count is perfect for formatting XD
Actually Laoshi said we should write at least 4 words, which I believe many people would be doing. But I realized that my calligraphy doesn't look good when its big, so I gotta 避短扬长 and write more. ^-^
In the end the format should look something like this:
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Our good looking angmo guys
Haha seriously, I have eye-candy every Sunday =) After church today, we (Deke, Chris and Zhiyan) went to Weiming Lake~
Left: Deke from USA; Right: Chris from Denmark
Sweet Zhiyan ♥ (from Korea)!! Saw her preparing this really good looking set of egg-rice-seaweed rolls for breakfast that day!
Deke loves Singapore! He said he wanna move to Singapore after he graduates~ He likes to imitate me when I bounce around in excitement *rolls eyes*
Left: Deke from USA; Right: Chris from Denmark
Sweet Zhiyan ♥ (from Korea)!! Saw her preparing this really good looking set of egg-rice-seaweed rolls for breakfast that day!
Deke loves Singapore! He said he wanna move to Singapore after he graduates~ He likes to imitate me when I bounce around in excitement *rolls eyes*
You are such a boring person
This is just something personal.
I imagine it must be terrible to live your life wishing that you are like this or that person, wishing that you have this and that. Perhaps I would be a little more transparent and come forth with this piece of struggle that I've been dealing with.
You know, coming here and meeting all these dynamic, exciting, interesting people is both exhilarating and inferiority-inducing at the same time. I caught myself thinking: FY, you are such a boring person. Tough not to think that way, I think, when there's Bryna who's funky, creative and outgoing, Michelle who makes people comfortable around her in an instant and whom people aren't afraid to tease or laugh with, Professor Tang's daughter who's been to more than forty countries, Deke the good looking American who's been to about 27 countries, Hannah the Korean girl who's catching up pretty good on Chinese and jumping over to Singapore over summer holidays to learn English - people who are either funny, dynamic, well-travelled, charismatic, sporty, (or all of it)....
And me is just me - someone who isn't excessively nice or funny, who isn't able to travel, who isn't athletic, who isn't very witty, who isn't slim, who has two left legs etc etc etc. You get the gist of it - I'm not really who I wish I am. While activeness or slimness is something that could be brought forth by more initiative and diligence, humour and charisma isn't something that comes in an easy package.
I caught myself again this morning - hang on a sec, just when have you been funny, bubbly and active? It isn't something which was beaten out of me by life. I just was born to be quiet, contemplative and well, serious. This is how I was created, and if you take these adjectives out of the context of the above text, they don't sound too bad, wouldn't you say? I believe, even, that there might be people who wish they could be taken seriously, think more or find quietness a beautiful quality.
I guess from outer appearances, people don't realize that they could relax with me, or could even tease me, etc. The only people who do that are my Cabbages (cell group people) or my parents, ie people who are close to me. That being said, I am glad that people who are close to me know me well enough, even though they don't know too much. I do know that there are those who live their lives with many close friends, but all of whom are close only to the facades that they put up. So am I thankful that I am taken seriously (albeit a little too much) and understood at least by people who mattered to me? Yes, definitely.
Ah well I've not really gotten past that block about being a boring person, because I'm bored out even by myself. What do I like - books of certain genres, calligraphy, guzheng, having deep conversations - they feel so out of the world (at least, this era). Perhaps at a point or another there'd be someone who'd find all of these fascinating in a prolonged sense. And before I do find those people, I have to live with knowing that I am created to be just that different from contemporary peers.
I imagine it must be terrible to live your life wishing that you are like this or that person, wishing that you have this and that. Perhaps I would be a little more transparent and come forth with this piece of struggle that I've been dealing with.
You know, coming here and meeting all these dynamic, exciting, interesting people is both exhilarating and inferiority-inducing at the same time. I caught myself thinking: FY, you are such a boring person. Tough not to think that way, I think, when there's Bryna who's funky, creative and outgoing, Michelle who makes people comfortable around her in an instant and whom people aren't afraid to tease or laugh with, Professor Tang's daughter who's been to more than forty countries, Deke the good looking American who's been to about 27 countries, Hannah the Korean girl who's catching up pretty good on Chinese and jumping over to Singapore over summer holidays to learn English - people who are either funny, dynamic, well-travelled, charismatic, sporty, (or all of it)....
And me is just me - someone who isn't excessively nice or funny, who isn't able to travel, who isn't athletic, who isn't very witty, who isn't slim, who has two left legs etc etc etc. You get the gist of it - I'm not really who I wish I am. While activeness or slimness is something that could be brought forth by more initiative and diligence, humour and charisma isn't something that comes in an easy package.
I caught myself again this morning - hang on a sec, just when have you been funny, bubbly and active? It isn't something which was beaten out of me by life. I just was born to be quiet, contemplative and well, serious. This is how I was created, and if you take these adjectives out of the context of the above text, they don't sound too bad, wouldn't you say? I believe, even, that there might be people who wish they could be taken seriously, think more or find quietness a beautiful quality.
I guess from outer appearances, people don't realize that they could relax with me, or could even tease me, etc. The only people who do that are my Cabbages (cell group people) or my parents, ie people who are close to me. That being said, I am glad that people who are close to me know me well enough, even though they don't know too much. I do know that there are those who live their lives with many close friends, but all of whom are close only to the facades that they put up. So am I thankful that I am taken seriously (albeit a little too much) and understood at least by people who mattered to me? Yes, definitely.
Ah well I've not really gotten past that block about being a boring person, because I'm bored out even by myself. What do I like - books of certain genres, calligraphy, guzheng, having deep conversations - they feel so out of the world (at least, this era). Perhaps at a point or another there'd be someone who'd find all of these fascinating in a prolonged sense. And before I do find those people, I have to live with knowing that I am created to be just that different from contemporary peers.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Done with the dance
Public throw face ah...
Don't care le
I'm only going to be here for two more months XD
Bryna and her super tall dance partner Ronghui
My very busy dance partner Johnny and me
Don't care le
I'm only going to be here for two more months XD
Bryna and her super tall dance partner Ronghui
My very busy dance partner Johnny and me
点点滴滴
春天的未名湖畔，女孩，你的心是否随着吹拂的春风绽开？冬天，随着一阵阵依然寒凉的春风，逐渐吹往地球遥远的另一端。女孩，你的愁思是否也如此飞去……
你要知道，女孩，他没有义务去爱你。他未曾给你任何承诺，他未曾把他炽热的心交给你。你又为何要沉湎于你的单厢情思，任由你如花的少女情怀如怨妇一般老去？你害怕吧，女孩？你这样的年岁，应该是无忌惮地放声大笑，和你同龄的青年男女一起嬉闹……你不是那伤感绿肥红瘦的李清照，你应该是那墙头笑傲春风的一树红桃花。
也许，女孩，你应该重新发掘你在很久很久以前深埋在心里的活泼烂漫，趁你还有这宝贵青春之时，释放你自己的光和热。
女孩，你还爱着的他，没有必要爱你，尽管你也没有必要一定要忘了他。你要爱他，你就静静地爱吧。或许时光的沙漏会让这份情思沉入时间的沙流，或许你可以用爱他的心情去爱一个爱你的人，或许……或许…… 在这千万个未知的或许中，女孩，你一定要找到属于你自己唯一的一个肯定。
Thursday, April 24, 2008
You Are My Bo Bo Cha Cha~~~
Who'd think I would do something so Singaporean and lame over here?
This coming Saturday is this Desserts Festival thing which Asian students (cannot remember what countries are involved) come together and present the desserts from their own countries~ So Bryna is in-charge of this song-and-dance item, which 6 of us (3 guys, 3 girls) would be performing in!
This is the song:
(the part we are performing)
Ice Kachang
by Kopi Kat Klan
You are my AGAR AGAR
In this tropical heat (my heart melts for you)
You are my favourite dessert (ooh la la)
So inviting, so sweet
Would you like to bo bo cha cha (cha cha cha)
Come along and dance with me (shoo bee doo wap shoo bee doo wap)
You are my love
My tutti frutti
Someone I’d like to eat
There's more to this performance, but I'm too lazy to spend time modifying the lyrics to the actual item that we are doing. If you want the original lyrics, you can google for the band (?) and the song title. ^_^
So I'd (as would the other 2 girls Bryna & Michelle) be most uncharacteristically doing bimbo things. I have no idea how I can carry it out, but we'll see how it goes. Maybe I'll discover some inner bimbo or something LOL
This coming Saturday is this Desserts Festival thing which Asian students (cannot remember what countries are involved) come together and present the desserts from their own countries~ So Bryna is in-charge of this song-and-dance item, which 6 of us (3 guys, 3 girls) would be performing in!
This is the song:
(the part we are performing)
Ice Kachang
by Kopi Kat Klan
You are my AGAR AGAR
In this tropical heat (my heart melts for you)
You are my favourite dessert (ooh la la)
So inviting, so sweet
Would you like to bo bo cha cha (cha cha cha)
Come along and dance with me (shoo bee doo wap shoo bee doo wap)
You are my love
My tutti frutti
Someone I’d like to eat
There's more to this performance, but I'm too lazy to spend time modifying the lyrics to the actual item that we are doing. If you want the original lyrics, you can google for the band (?) and the song title. ^_^
So I'd (as would the other 2 girls Bryna & Michelle) be most uncharacteristically doing bimbo things. I have no idea how I can carry it out, but we'll see how it goes. Maybe I'll discover some inner bimbo or something LOL
Monday, April 21, 2008
应该是胃痛
偶这个肚子现在如果饿了不是咕噜作响，而是发疼。吃饱就不疼了。这一点给偶观察到啦。吃呢，也不能吃得太饱，所以偶这几天有几顿吃的是粥（平时不习惯吃粥的唷）。
说到吃粥，偶们北大对面有一家粥铺，叫“阿竹蛋”（名字是不是很奇怪？）。是亲爱的Bryna学姐介绍我去的。特爱那里的花粥，不管是桂花粥还是玫瑰粥，都散发着一种很温柔的花香，没有很造作的糖浆味，粥里拌着柔软的花瓣，是一种温柔的感官享受。在偶这可怜的胃受罪时，阿竹蛋的花粥静静地给予了呵护。
和温柔的花粥截然不同的是羊肉串。偶大概吃上瘾了。这羊肉串啊，想起来就要流口水。那天带偶们伟武大哥来北大时，就带他到阿竹蛋去喝粥、吃羊肉串。没想到去的时间不对，店里不卖烧烤。那个失望哦～～～ 这个羊肉串比沙爹还好吃，沙爹只是粗粗几块羊肉就算了，羊肉串可是瘦中有肥，吃进嘴里流着油，咬着又酥又Q。这羊膻味跑不掉，可吃进嘴后那种咸咸香香的味道唷～～～ （陶醉ing)
比羊肉串更猛的就是“大腰子”，也就是烤羊肾。肾，就是肾脏，Kidney也。吃过猪肾的人就大概知道那种腥味了。你想想羊膻味再加上肾腥味，那个腥呀＝D 可很奇怪的就是吃得很过瘾，特别有一种野性的味道，好像回到了茹毛饮血的时代。（可能我的原始人根子还没进化完）
偶还会回去吃的，还要还要还要～～～
说到吃粥，偶们北大对面有一家粥铺，叫“阿竹蛋”（名字是不是很奇怪？）。是亲爱的Bryna学姐介绍我去的。特爱那里的花粥，不管是桂花粥还是玫瑰粥，都散发着一种很温柔的花香，没有很造作的糖浆味，粥里拌着柔软的花瓣，是一种温柔的感官享受。在偶这可怜的胃受罪时，阿竹蛋的花粥静静地给予了呵护。
和温柔的花粥截然不同的是羊肉串。偶大概吃上瘾了。这羊肉串啊，想起来就要流口水。那天带偶们伟武大哥来北大时，就带他到阿竹蛋去喝粥、吃羊肉串。没想到去的时间不对，店里不卖烧烤。那个失望哦～～～ 这个羊肉串比沙爹还好吃，沙爹只是粗粗几块羊肉就算了，羊肉串可是瘦中有肥，吃进嘴里流着油，咬着又酥又Q。这羊膻味跑不掉，可吃进嘴后那种咸咸香香的味道唷～～～ （陶醉ing)
比羊肉串更猛的就是“大腰子”，也就是烤羊肾。肾，就是肾脏，Kidney也。吃过猪肾的人就大概知道那种腥味了。你想想羊膻味再加上肾腥味，那个腥呀＝D 可很奇怪的就是吃得很过瘾，特别有一种野性的味道，好像回到了茹毛饮血的时代。（可能我的原始人根子还没进化完）
偶还会回去吃的，还要还要还要～～～
真面目
啊今天看到门卫小哥穿便装的样子了！
他今天没值班，就在去北大校内洗衣部的路上遇到了。他挺瘦削，很男孩子气的短发，眼神很憨厚。眼角边是深深的笑纹，又和他有些稚气的脸不搭调。走在北大的街道上，和学生没什么两样。他很高兴地问我上哪里去。从一开始认识他时脸上的紧张和诚惶诚恐相比，很惊喜地发现他似乎一次比一次开朗许多。
我笑着告诉他：从来没见过你穿便服的样子！他也笑着回答：我今天没值班，要去考试呢。就交换了这么几句，彼此的脚步没有停下来，就和他挥了挥手告别了。
真的很好奇，他是个什么样的人？每次他值班，都是认认真真地站得笔直。别的门卫都还有些悠哉地晃来晃去，他却很忠实地站在原地。可能是新来的吧？或许，过一阵子习惯了以后，他也会和其他门卫一样放松了。
他今天没值班，就在去北大校内洗衣部的路上遇到了。他挺瘦削，很男孩子气的短发，眼神很憨厚。眼角边是深深的笑纹，又和他有些稚气的脸不搭调。走在北大的街道上，和学生没什么两样。他很高兴地问我上哪里去。从一开始认识他时脸上的紧张和诚惶诚恐相比，很惊喜地发现他似乎一次比一次开朗许多。
我笑着告诉他：从来没见过你穿便服的样子！他也笑着回答：我今天没值班，要去考试呢。就交换了这么几句，彼此的脚步没有停下来，就和他挥了挥手告别了。
真的很好奇，他是个什么样的人？每次他值班，都是认认真真地站得笔直。别的门卫都还有些悠哉地晃来晃去，他却很忠实地站在原地。可能是新来的吧？或许，过一阵子习惯了以后，他也会和其他门卫一样放松了。
昨晚肚子疼了好一阵没睡好
疼啊……
吃喝拉撒正常，只是就不知为什么一阵一阵地痛…… T__T
番外话……
可能脾气不太好吧，不喜欢刚认识就“姐姐妹妹”地叫的人。刚认识就叫得那么亲热，可实际上并不那么关心个人。觉得很……（请读者自行填充形容词）
还是别想太多罢，也许这个人本来就喜欢这样。
吃喝拉撒正常，只是就不知为什么一阵一阵地痛…… T__T
番外话……
可能脾气不太好吧，不喜欢刚认识就“姐姐妹妹”地叫的人。刚认识就叫得那么亲热，可实际上并不那么关心个人。觉得很……（请读者自行填充形容词）
还是别想太多罢，也许这个人本来就喜欢这样。
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Accomplished
Q: How many FYs does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: ONE, because one is one too cute for a lightbulb!
A: ONE, because one is one too cute for a lightbulb!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
帅哥 is coming to Beijing!
Weiwu should be touching down soon!
大哥！北京欢迎你！（我也很欢迎你！）
Hahaha wow it feels great to have someone familiar here. Hope we get to meet up (he's with a tour group, though >_<)
Sidenote: My table lamp lightbulb just fused out! O_O It's been ages since my family had ever used a traditional lightbulb (we've been using fluorescent lights), so I've never changed a traditional lightbulb in my life before! So the question goes...
Q: HOW MANY FYs DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB?
A: ....
....
....
....
One, because there's only ONE to be found around here!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Okay that was...bad. If anyone else have any answer suggestions (e.g. A: One, because one is one too cute for the lightbulb!) please feel free to put your answer up on the shoutmix board~
大哥！北京欢迎你！（我也很欢迎你！）
Hahaha wow it feels great to have someone familiar here. Hope we get to meet up (he's with a tour group, though >_<)
Sidenote: My table lamp lightbulb just fused out! O_O It's been ages since my family had ever used a traditional lightbulb (we've been using fluorescent lights), so I've never changed a traditional lightbulb in my life before! So the question goes...
Q: HOW MANY FYs DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB?
A: ....
....
....
....
One, because there's only ONE to be found around here!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Okay that was...bad. If anyone else have any answer suggestions (e.g. A: One, because one is one too cute for the lightbulb!) please feel free to put your answer up on the shoutmix board~
Sunday, April 13, 2008
警卫小哥 and more
Does anyone still remember 警卫小哥 whom I wrote about in this entry? We finally made conversation! And to my great surprise, it was he who started off by asking me whether I had my lunch. It seemed like he's finally gotten used to me greeting him. The way he looks genuinely happy whenever we make eye contact makes my day brighter, too. It's a sense of having deeper humane connections with the people I meet around here, that they are not just door guards or duty officials, but that people I can connect with, albeit on a shallow level.
Interacting with these people through these couple of months brought about a self-realization - that I thrive off connecting with people. I used to think I'm not a people person, because I'm such a lone wolf (especially in school). Now I understand why I'm not entirely happy in school, because there's so little human connection, people whom I could have in-depth conversations with. I like to hear about thoughts and feelings and share my own. I've met people who are content with sharing their own thoughts, and I realize that I'm not that type. I don't like one-sided conversations, be it on my side or the other. I want exchange. And I think I found out that contrary to my own beliefs, I can actually reach out actively to people.
When Bryna commented a couple of times that I really have affinity with old(er) people, I start to wonder, because this idea, too, is very new to me. Before I came out, I wouldn't think I know how to talk to old folks.
Let's just call this a trip of self-discovery.
Interacting with these people through these couple of months brought about a self-realization - that I thrive off connecting with people. I used to think I'm not a people person, because I'm such a lone wolf (especially in school). Now I understand why I'm not entirely happy in school, because there's so little human connection, people whom I could have in-depth conversations with. I like to hear about thoughts and feelings and share my own. I've met people who are content with sharing their own thoughts, and I realize that I'm not that type. I don't like one-sided conversations, be it on my side or the other. I want exchange. And I think I found out that contrary to my own beliefs, I can actually reach out actively to people.
When Bryna commented a couple of times that I really have affinity with old(er) people, I start to wonder, because this idea, too, is very new to me. Before I came out, I wouldn't think I know how to talk to old folks.
Let's just call this a trip of self-discovery.
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