When you think life is difficult, and you really feel like giving up....
How about the N.Koreans who braved their lives, trekked though thousands of kilometers across 3 different borders before they get to be "free" in S.Korea?
I am awed by the determination of these people, and how much they can push themselves in the face of life and death. And then I wonder about how they adapt to the life of living in a Capitalist system, and yes, they have to go to classes given by the South government to help them adjust to the life of credit cards and consumerism.
One of the girls commented that one thing she found difficult to adjust is how in the Capitalist society the gap between the rich and the poor is so apparent. She finds it hard particularly because she is poor. It doesn't take us to see it, because us who have lived our lives in this system we claim to be so familar with, are often not the best people to be objective about it. It took her comment to jolt me awake- how often do we get comments about the society we live in from people outside this society?
Much food for thought....
And yep, another Sunday spent with the parents who commented that they saw me more than they ever did in the past few months.... Well, because the boyfriend is not around, I am the lonely cubicle girl who spends the weekends watching tv, tugging in my blanket and eating with the parents... haha!
Long weekend ahead! And..... final countdown to Zhenhan's return :D
- Days 16,17
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![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
macymoo- November 25th, 0:34
- Day 15
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- macymoo
- November 23rd, 1:01
I miss him.
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- Day 13
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- macymoo
- November 21st, 14:21
Day 13 was a Friday, and last Friday was the 13th.
Pretty much enjoy the company of my colleagues and bosses, despite the unpleasant stories of work life from friends around me. I know why I studied Sociology and not anything else, even if at the beginning I attribute this phase of my life to the will of God. But now I realise and understand why, and it's always so after the event has passed and you look back. Life is such a quaint little thing.
I still thank God for all that he has provided for me. That sense of ease and peace, isn't something readily available in our world today. It ain't something you buy with all the cash in the world.
The way my brain has been wired, is pretty much unique from most of the others, at least according to this Emergenetics findings. I have learnt to see myself in another way! And now looking back, there cannot be a better choice than Sociology. <3
Credits: Lelove
I love us :)
No matter where on the map we may be.
- Day 12
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- macymoo
- November 20th, 0:07
烈火雄心3!! Can't wait for it to be shown on Channel 55!
Recently, one of my colleagues commented "Grace! You like men in uniform!"
Ahem, I would like to clarify that I like only one man in uniform :P
Recently my life has largely been work and tv. Love the idea of going home, have dinner and watch the tvb dramas! Life has never been the same after cable came along. What local channel are we taking about? Local dramas have mostly lost their hold on me and my family. Very sadly, there has been NO good local drama worthy of my anticipation each day. I can't even remember when was the last time I watched any local drama.
If any local media personnel happens to read this, please relate the plea of a very random sample household: "Stop making lousy shit!"
The performances on the TVB anniversary celebration is absolutely cracking me up, though I can't make out 90% of it due to my inadequacy of Cantonese. But.. whatever! Ok, back to watching.
-Day 12 ends-
- Day 11
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- macymoo
- November 19th, 1:33
Yay it's end of wed! 10 more days to go and Zh will be back. Oh and the surprise I was talking about? Hadn't had any start to it yet! In need of inspirations!
Sigh my eye circles are coming back. Thought they went away after my Korea trip but... It's -2 degrees there now! I shall plan my first snow experience soon!
Sometimes don't feel good when people around me simply say "you earn alot lor" when I start saying things like I need to save or I can't spend so much on this and that. I feel the genuine need to manage my finances and words like that hurt me. Do they see the larger picture and longer term goals I see? I don't think so. And there are also comments like "wa govt job is easy money" "you mean you work hard meh?"... Do they see the work I do?
What I am saying is that I am not bragging about anything or showing that my circumstance is so much better than others. I don't like such sweeping statements about what I do and how much I earn. It's only a beginning for me and I acknowledge that it has so far been a good start. It's not like I have attained enlightenment or became the president of the united states.
Before making a statement like that to me or anyone else, do think of other dimensions of the person's life. I don't live only on a sheet of paper.
And in any case, I don't earn alot and I don't smack flies everyday waiting for pay day. I do have a family, a very highly possible future family and other considerations which may not be explicit to others other than myself. I do have long terms goals and plans which unfortunately is invisible to some.
I thank whoever is that for the comments about the paper life that you perceive I live in. I also appreciate future considerations about my feelings and value as an individual in this highly complex post-modern society.
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- Day 10
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- macymoo
- November 19th, 1:05
Introducing mr. Momo. He's no longer with us anymore.. And I'm missing him!
Zh acknowleged my loneliness without him and said we can get a pet (hammie or doggie) in future so that I have company even as he is away. Yay!
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- Day 9
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- macymoo
- November 17th, 0:05
It's a Monday again.. I watched 500 days of summer last night. Thought that it wasn't too bad. Liked it that he was a greeting card writer. Didn't like it when she said they were just friends. Especially love the Ikea scenes!
Work is pretty much ok. Used a lot of brain juice today to brainstorm of new recomnendations. Guess that's wad I am paid for. Afterall if I don't use my brain often, the cells are gonna die!
Looking forward to the new day tomorrow.
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- Day 8
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- macymoo
- November 16th, 1:19
Sigh. Wad a torture. There's still 13 days to go!
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- (no subject)
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- macymoo
- November 14th, 20:57
The poached salmon nicoise with boiled quail's eggs.
The pasta with cherry tomato sauce.
Hmm I wonder how to rate this challenge. Firstly I didn't make the baked pumpkin because of the lack of time. Cooking is darn tiring! Second, I can't get the quantity and servings right. Dad and I were bloated just eating the above 2...
More work needed on the salmon dish to perfect it! Vinaigrette has to be made in advance; salmon cannot be too cooked; fish stock has to be made in advance as well.
But I guess not bad for the 1st try!
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- Days 4,5 and 6
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- macymoo
- November 14th, 15:43
I didn't run on Wednesday!
Thursday was a wine tasting event which I went with 2 other colleagues. It was pretty good, though I have absolute zero knowledge about my whites and reds. Tasted 2 whites and 2 reds but couldn't really appreciate them much. Food was good and yummy, though before that my colleagues and I have already had delicious prawn noodles at the hawker centre near 1 George street. There were quite a number of people but the wine tasting cum networking is pretty much confined to me, 2 other colleagues and the sommelier. And the bottom line, NO gorgeous hunks!! Hahaha... one of my colleagues won a bottle of wine though, and it pretty much concluded our fruitful trip. Another bottom line, the event is FREE! :P
Friday was the long awaited department retreat which in itself is not a rah rah fun fun event. We had half a day of profiling done by professional facilitators and the other half presenting and discussing about our roles and direction of HR. But the real highlight of the day was my solo cycling expedition! Because this was held at the Changi Village hotel, I decided to bike there in the morn then bike back in the late afternoon.
What was really suay was that in the morn I was rushing to leave the house so that I can have ample time and not be late, but upon cycling for the 1st 5 min I was like "OH DANG THE TIRES ARE GETTING FLAT" so I cycled like with alot more effort until I was damn tired. Then at the end of the retreat it was raining!! And dang again I cycled in the rain home, but of course I remembered to go to the bike shop to pump the tires. I prepared for wet weather too, waterproof the stuff in my bag, brought a cap, and wore a sweater. ODAC has trained me well! :0)
So much for Days 4,5 and 6!
- Day 3
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- macymoo
- November 11th, 8:43
A new girl came to office today. But she's only on a 2 week internship. How nice to still be in school.. It would be the holidays now and somewhere I would be practising with the orchestra.. Ohhh how I missed those days of endless practice. My hands are pretty rusty now!
Lunch was a little awkward. Have I lost touch communicating with a young girl? I think so. It must be a blessing in disguise that I am not a teacher now.
Watched the movie "Love Happens" with zh on sat just before he left. Some line inside stuck to my head and it is on the topic of funerals. I have never thought about the significance of funerals and this movie sort of "enlightened" me. Haha... It may seem like a ritualistic thing but somehow funerals are a necessary stage of our lives to celebrate that a life was lived. By the attendance of friends, relatives, family and even strangers, these moments show bits and pieces of how that individual has made an impact during his/her life time.
Suddenly, I feel that funerals are pretty meaningful. And I finally fully understood why it is tragic to have no one at one's funeral. Does it tell us that your life has merely been an empty sheet of paper? (or maybe you have too many enemies)
Had dinner at la mian xiao long bao. So sinful... Slept late again and has not clocked running for this week yet. Seems like wed is the only free day after work to do so!
Another 2 days of work. Friday is dept retreat day! But it's not exactly a fun fun day... Anyway the best part is that it will be away from office and near to my house!
18 days more to go :)
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- Day 2- part 2
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- macymoo
- November 9th, 23:02
Just remembered that I ought to post some of my grad photos!
Here they go~
- Day 2
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- macymoo
- November 9th, 20:29
The day begin on a low note. Bam! It's Monday, probably the most unpopular day of the week. Carrying my 1000 ton legs, I managed to reach office but immediately went to the toilet to release toxins. Never felt much better :P
Started on Cafe World on facebook. Ah bad choice because I have the constant need now to check on my cafe. Lucky lunch came by soon after a morn meeting. Well, and at this point I discovered that the sole on my heels are giving way! Boo.. But I guess it's a sign from heaven that I need new heels. Tsk tsk.
It started to rain, but I like rainy days. Office was freaking cold. But I was motivated to end the day soon! Replied emails did some work did some research... And time flew by quickly. The energizer came when dear zh called from ulu land of gold and jewels (and not forgetting the oil). Yummy treat of the day!
The clock strike 7.. The prompt to pack up and leave the freezer office. So much for a day at work...
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- Day 1
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- macymoo
- November 8th, 21:38
The beginning to a start of 3 weeks or 21 days whereby zh will be in the land of real gold lavish palaces...
Roughly 19 hours ago I said goodbye. He walked into the crowd of homogeneous men, short hair, polo and pants.. Somehow I managed to lose sight of him and he blended in without much effort. It wasn't any fancy goodbye.. As I have experienced many of such since he joined the workforce officially, this was just like any other. In his words, sending him off is rather redundant.
Not like he's off to war right.. Though I have secretly envisioned how it would be like. I would be very proud but needless to say freaking worried as well. Ah me and my imagination, fueled by the countless war films watched.
In the past, never thought I could miss a person this much. Not the same kind of feeling towards my sis or parents.. Last year I survived well even as I lived alone in that cubicle room in hall. I survived taking the exams without him physically around. I am strong!
This year seemed so much better. I guess it's because he has adjusted well. Or maybe or rather most likely there is a change of boss? It wasn't as bad tt he had to work countless days and nights. I want to believe in work life balance. There are people who can, so I don't see why one can't.
Today, quite randomly, I came to a conclusion. I ask myself "What is life?" and one word came to mind. If there is one word to describe life, it would be "choice". Life is all about choices, living and dealing with the effects or if you can call it consequences resulting from our own choices.
Think about it. Every circumstance every opportunity the essence of choice applies.
Hope all's well with Mr Cai. Maybe I should plan him a surprise when he gets back :D
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- Julie & Julia :)
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- macymoo
- November 1st, 10:25
I absolutely adore the movie Julie & Julia!
Able to see alot in the lives of these women, and somehow I sigh at my own.
The courage to embark on something no one else has done before... now that's REAL courage.
The next movie on my list will be "Amelia", hoping to see that Hiliary Swank will deliver!
And to mention, Meryl Streep is brilliant in J&J because she totally brought out the iconic character!
Just like Sean Penn who did Harvey Milk. Yum.
I love movies like this. Nice, simple, without dramatic Hollywood effects...
Just heart-warming depictions of men and women who because of their faith and courage, changed the lives of millions to come.
Now, armed with a GR cookbook, but without the knowledge and access to some of those ingredients.. what's next?
A beginning to my own journey and exploration, and surprises awaiting for me to discover.
Now that's life we are talking about! ;P
A government officer, jaded by the day-time job; never having complete something proper in her life; lost and helpless.
Does sound like ME in maybe 5 years to come?
No surprises!
Life is too short to dwell on the what-ifs and disappointments.
I have to learn to go out, open my heart and... find the courage to do things I never thought I would.
Cheers :)
- Train ride
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- macymoo
- October 15th, 8:18
On the way to work now.. It's a pretty crowded train this morn, and didn't get a seat as usual. Today's Thursday! Pretty fast that the week is nearing the weekend again :) happiness! I kinda miss Seoul.. The shopping and sightseeing.. And of course the weather! Almost 2 weeks since we came back but it seemed like a longggg time ago that I went.
The shopping for beauty stuff and make up is madness!!! Wanna go back there and buy more :(
Feel like I am being random to pass the time on the train. This weekend shall be happening like last week's! Hmm time to plan something...
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- Sigh
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- macymoo
- October 13th, 22:32
Sigh. I was thinking of alot of things to tell him.. Like money plans after I read the website about BTO projects, discussion about me buying the MacBook, replying the Taiwan lady's email, future trekking plans after I read Life! today, and possibly about my first meeting with Chairman tomorrow... BUT, alas, tried calling for past 15 min only got a voice mail.. Was he asleep already? Thought there's a chance he should not be so because he called me enthusiastically after work to say we'll talk on phone later... BUT, after I got through finally, he has indeed fallen asleep when the sleepy voice greeted me. Somehow I needed to jot this down so that I won't forget what I wanna tell him... On the other hand, I wasn't too happy to be greeted with a sleepy voice. BUT who can I blame? I can't possibly blame him because he has tired out from work right. I am being silly again, and can't help feeling kind of disappointed. I was so ready for this call but too bad it didn't materialize. Will it still feel the same if I had to tell him all of these at another time in another setting?
I think to him these doesn't matter. Guys think such things dun matter. Afterall can just say at anytime what right? But somehow it doesn't feel the same anymore. I wonder if he realises or understands this?
Sigh.
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- A new life.
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- macymoo
- September 22nd, 23:24
Somehow, death does bother me.
Today Momo went to Heaven (or so I thought). Found him stiff and eyes wide opened. Lying on his side, which he would never do so if he's alive. When he's alive, he does the 4 legs in the sky thing when he sleeps. When he died, he didn't do that, contrary to popular belief. (Anyway only insects do that I conclude)
Dad and I went to bury him behind our house. We dug at the soil with some metal thing you used when you do a paint job. Never mind about that. He helped me dig a hole, and I placed Momo in, with some of his bedding and the food he used to eat.
Now, Momo stopped eating about 2-3 days ago. He should have contacted some illness and died, or probably quite due to starvation because he had no mood to eat. I thought he may be better when he nimbled at cheese and some carrots, and finished the lettuce I left there in the morn before I went to work.
Dad and mom were sad too, I can tell. But all they can say was not to buy hamsters anymore. Well, Momo has been a part of the family and when a family member dies it is always not easy. Of course, they won't be as affected as when a human being or any larger being dies, but from this, I can tell that they loved Momo as much as I did. Yup, although not much words have been said.
I will miss him, like I missed Sushi. Life goes on, and as there are deaths, there is new life everyday.
Here's to life and Love. To all whom I love, and the mom, dad sis and dearie I love most:
(Thanks, Le love)
