Sep 30, 2012

Mid Autumn 2012

It's Mid Autumn Festival 2012 today.. and a public holiday.. but too bad it falls on a Sunday.. and there's no make-up holiday on Monday.. so classes as usual tomorrow..

hope I won't look like him when I get my PhD.. :p
I did mention in my entry last year that this festival is one of the three main festivals in Taiwan, with the other two being Chinese New Year (春節) and Dragon Boat Festival (端午節). People will go home and spend these three festivals with their families. And one of the favorite activities during this festival is BBQ, with lots of burnt charred food and lots of beer.. :)

Anyway, I've been busy these couple of weeks... with homework, reports, presentations.. in fact, I have a presentation to do this coming Tuesday!! :x This semester is gonna be a tough one as I am taking 5 subjects.. but I think these will help me greatly, both in terms of deciding my research focus for my PhD and learning more academic "stuff" that will be beneficial to my "future" academician life, if I so choose when I get my degree...

Even so, I am kinda 'enjoying' the stress and the workload.. :p cos after this semester, I might not be taking as many subjects since I would have more or less fulfilled my credit requirements.. and then, it will be a different kind of stress, which is to write and publish as many papers as possible before writing my thesis..

In any case, have a good holiday and enjoy the full moon! :)

Sunday Serenade: Payphone

Good morning! It's a lovely Sunday morning, isn't it? The days are turning cooler as my classes are getting busier.. but hey, Sundays are the time to chill and laze around before the madness of a new week starts..

So here's a "new" song by Maroon 5.. this time round, I won't post any lyrics as this video I'm sharing is one with lyrics.. Enjoy!!





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

Sep 23, 2012

Sunday Serenade: if i didn't have you

This song was specially written for one of my personal favorite animated film, Monsters Inc. :) I just loved the cute little girl, "Boo" and the interactions between Sulley, Mike and her..

If I Didn't Have You
from Monsters Inc. (2001)







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

Sep 22, 2012

Poetry Solace: Of through

Continuing from previous entry, here is one more poem from Edgar Albert Guest..

See it Through
When you're up against a trouble, 
Meet it squarely, face to face; 
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it's vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through! 

Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don't let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through! 

Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you're beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don't give up, whatever you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!



Enjoy your weekend!

Sep 20, 2012

respect, harmony and self-discovery..

Nothing much to update from me.. classes started officially this week, so am expecting the work load to gradually increase in the next few weeks.. the mercury has dropped somewhat, bringing lots of rain and strong wind with it.. so I was slightly under the weather these few days..

Anyway, the reason for this post is to express a couple of my views on things happening all over the world.. so here goes..

It just beyond me that some like to antagonize others whom they know (for sure) would react to the slightest provocation. Thus on one side, you have a group of people who seem fond of testing the tolerance of another group of people whom have over the years shown that their religion is off-limit. On the other side, there is this group of people who will protest, hurt, kill and resort to (any and all) extreme action to show their 'displeasure' if they think that they (or their religion) are being insulted, to put it mildly. So is there any surprise that we are having these big messy situations we have now? Since it is impossible, in my opinion, to ask this side to stop provoking nor is it possible to ask the other side to look the other way when provoked, unless we have a sudden 'enlightenment' on both sides, we are looking at a no-win situation that might remain unsolvable for years to come... in my opinion, it is an issue about respect. It is very easy to demand respect from others but not paying any back.. We should all respect each other, not just for our similarities but more importantly for our differences.. I always held fast to "Don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you".. (ps: I've written about my thoughts on religion 2 years ago here).

Next in Asia, we have this fight over a couple of rocks in the sea.. Protesters from one of the countries are rampaging and thrashing anything and everything that they deemed to be from that one particular country, without getting their facts checked first. Seriously, there is a World Court (otherwise known as the International Court of Justice) and, in my opinion, all countries involved should go there, state their case and resolve this contention in a civilized manner.. this is no longer an era where the one with the biggest fist wins.. Emotions and (false sense of) patriotism should be kept at bay and let facts and rationality lead the way in sorting things out.. these days, everything is interconnected and intertwined, including countries.. that's globalization! since we can't live in isolation, we should learn to live with one another, no?

another 'bad' career in e eyes of Asian parents
Finally in Taiwan, there has been a lot of brouhaha about graduates from top local universities going overseas to earn a living as butchers or crop-pickers.. Those people were called "menial laborer from TW" (台勞) by the media, putting them on par with 泰勞 (menial laborer from Thailand), 印勞 (menial laborer from Indonesia), 菲勞 (menial laborer from the Philippines) and 越勞 (menial laborer from Vietnam), which in the mind of the locals here is a major loss of face.

To me, these are much about nothing. What's wrong with working overseas as a laborer? At least it is an honest living! Is it better to stay in the country, be jobless and be a parasite to your parents for months after graduation?? In Asian culture, there is a tendency to scorn the poor and relish the rich, even if that wealth is obtained illegally or immorally (笑貧不笑娼). So this is the kind of message they are sending to their kids - that one should hold on to one's pride and live off one's family/community because he/she is too 'good'/'smart'/'learned' to do menial jobs in other countries.. Seriously??

In my opinion, the younger generation should be encouraged to widen their horizon by working or at the very least go backpacking overseas.. A 6-month overseas stint would teach them more about the world than the best teacher or the best narrative books/TV programs. Parents should make their kids leave their comfort zones and expose them to new experiences.. Although there is no age limit for one to be a globetrotter, late teens and early twenties are the best time to explore the world.. It is no longer sufficient to be a good citizen, it is now imperative that we are good GLOBAL citizen.. 

Sometimes I wonder what's the point of having so many university graduates... This is supposed to raise the overall literary and education level so people can make smarter choice and take better care of themselves and their family. Having a degree does not guarantee one a job or a livelihood.. You have to go and look for it..  And if a government can't bring the jobs into its country, then one should go where the opportunities are.. I am all for the younger generations to go overseas and experience 'LIFE'.. Kids nowadays are very often overly pampered by their guilt-ridden parents that they either take money for granted (parents have an obligation to provide for me, no matter how old I am) or have a twisted/wrong concept on money (money is the means to all ends)..

So here you have it, the 3 current issues that kinda rubbed me the wrong way and I had to vent my thoughts about them..

Sep 16, 2012

Sunday Serenade: when you believe

This song remains one of the few collaborations between 2 great female vocalists of my time.. Enjoy the powerful voice of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey..

When You Believe
from The Prince of Egypt (1998)

[Whitney]:
Many nights we prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hopeful a song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there’s much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe


[Mariah]:
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I’m standing here
My heart’s so full, I can’t explain
Seeking faith and speakin’ words
I never thought I’d say

There can be miracles

When you believe (Whitney: When you believe)
Though hope is frail
It’s hard to kill
(Whitney: Mmmmmhhh)

[Whitney and Mariah]:
Who knows what miracles

[Mariah]:
You can achieve
(Whitney: You can achieve)
When you believe
Somehow you will


[Whitney and Mariah]:
You will when you believe

They don't always happen when you ask
And it’s easy to give in to your fear
But when you’re blinded by your faith
Can't see your way clear through the rain
A small but still resilient voice
Says hope is very near

There can be miracles (Miracles)
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
Somehow you will
You will when you believe
When you believe



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

Sep 12, 2012

end of summer holidays

Today is the 3rd day of school.. thus the 2012 summer holidays is officially over..

This semester, I am planning to take 5 subjects with a total of 14 credits. Thus by the end of this semester, I would have gotten 34 credits, out from the 36 required.. :) also, I am having a 3-day week (Mon - Wed), so no complains.. :)

This semester, the load will increase as I am taking 2 subjects from a Prof whom is well-known to be strict and demanding.. also, she is one of my 2 shortlisted 'candidates' for my PhD instructor.. so I better do my best less I make a bad impression...

Thus it looks like it's gonna be a mad mad semester... :x

Sep 9, 2012

Sunday Serenade: when you wish upon a star

This is yet another classic song from one of the world's famous children stories..

When You Wish Upon A Star
from Pinocchio (1940)

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true




Have a great week ahead!! May all your wishes come true!!

Sep 8, 2012

Poetry Solace: Of compensation

This time, I'm sharing a poem by Edgar Albert Guest, who was fondly known as People's Poet..

Compensation
I'd like to think when life is done
That I had filled a needed post.
That here and there I'd paid my fare
With more than idle talk and boast;
That I had taken gifts divine.
The breath of life and manhood fine,
And tried to use them now and then
In service for my fellow men.
 

I'd hate to think when life is through
That I had lived my round of years
A useless kind, that leaves behind
No record in this vale of tears;
That I had wasted all my days
By treading only selfish ways,
And that this world would be the same
If it had never known my name.

I'd like to think that here and there,
When I am gone, there shall remain
A happier spot that might have not
Existed had I toiled for gain;
That someone's cheery voice and smile
Shall prove that I had been worth while;
That I had paid with something fine
My debt to God for life divine.





Enjoy your weekend!! Be safe!

Sep 4, 2012

(back) to school..

Summer holidays is gonna be over soon, and school starts next Monday. thus no wonder the campus is bustling again these past few days. All those 'fresh' faces, hanging around the campus in pairs, threes, quartets or just groups.. that inconcealable sense of excitement and curiosity betrayed their freshmen status.. Of course, there are lots of parents too.. accompanying their kids, familiarizing themselves with a new environment.. I've seen some grandparents tagging along too..  I think these kids are very fortunate.. chores like looking for room to stay, cleaning up, moving and decorating are all done by their parents.. And frankly, I am worried that all these hand-holding might just rob them of the chance to be independent..

All these just kinda reminded me of the time I went to NUS. At that time, dragging 2 large suitcases, I took an 8-hour train to Singapore, alone...  My grandaunt, whom I rarely met and barely knew, was there at the train station to pick me up.. After 2 days staying at her place, I reported in to the hostel (Eusoff Hall) that I was assigned to.. from then onwards, I was on my own.. I handled everything by myself with the support of my family from afar.. My parents only came over to Singapore when it was my graduation..

when you are down, the only way left is up..
Looking back, I am kinda amazed at what I've done back then. Going to a totally new environment, with no family nor friends by my side, not knowing a single soul.. utterly alone and having to start anew in everything.. All that I had was a sense of relentless stubbornness and a prideful unwillingness to rely on others.. In the end, I kinda made it through on my own and sorta made it good too.. :)


I am not fearless, nor am I stouthearted.. it is all circumstantial.. I had to swim, by hook or by crook, else I would have sunk.. No use depending on others as things and people change.. The only dependable person was, and still is me, myself and I. It is better to learn how to fish then to rely on the charity of others to fish for me..  of course, it is not unbecoming to ask for help when one really requires it as it is a sign of being aware of one's limitations..

Do not underestimate our tenacity and malleability. Do not limit yourself by setting boundaries and do not belittle your abilities.. Do not take to heart what others think, just be happy and be contented with life.. Do not try to please everyone, just be at peace with yourself and do right by your parents.. Life is too short to waste your precious time on those that don't matter.. Life is unpredictable enough without all these self-inflicted sadness and misery.. Your life, your rules.. Live for yourself and no one else (unless you have kids, then that's a different matter altogether).. 
Mmmm.. think I might have digressed too far.. :p





Sep 3, 2012

(又要)開學了

暑假快結束,下禮拜一就開學了。。
所以這幾天,校園變熱鬧了。。
一群群‘幼嫩’的面孔,三三兩兩地在校園裡閑逛著。。
那股掩飾不住的興奮和好奇明顯地出賣了他(她)們‘新生’的身份。。
當然,也看到不少父母陪著孩子到處看看,有的連阿嬤、阿公也一起跟來陪孫子。。
坦白說,我覺得這些小朋友真的很幸福。。
找房子、打掃、搬家(進宿舍)、布置新套房等瑣碎事情都有父母代勞代辦。。
但也令人擔心如此的呵護是否會讓他們失去(學習)獨立的機會。。

這些畫面不禁讓我回想到我念大學的情景。。
18歲的我拖著2個大行李一個人坐8小時的火車到新加坡。。
在車站接火車的是我很不熟的姨婆。。
在她家住了2天,然后就到大學宿舍報到了。。
之后的一切都是我一個人解決,從來都沒有麻煩到任何人。。
我父母只有在出席我的畢業典禮時才到新加坡一趟。。

現在回想也蠻佩服當時的自己。。
單槍匹馬地來到一個完全陌生的環境:
人生地不熟,家人不在身旁,又沒有朋友。。
僅有是那股不認輸的倔強和不想靠人的(傻)傲氣。。
一切都必須從頭來過,一切都從零開始。。
但,我卻熬過來了,而且還混得很開。。

我並不是什麼堅強的人,是情勢逼使我不得不咬緊牙根撐過去。。
因為靠山山倒、靠人人跑,靠自己最好。。
而且靠得了一時,靠不了一世。。
與其拜托別人,不如自己想辦法解決。。
當然,懂得在必要時開口向朋友求助也是一種自助的能力。。

人的韌性和可塑性是驚人的。。
別為自己設下任何框框,也別小看自己的本事或低估自己的能耐。。
別太在意別人的眼光、評價,活得開心自在就好。。
別老想取悅身邊所有人,只要不愧對任何人(尤其是父母)就好。。
人生能有幾個十年,何必為‘閑’人浪費寶貴的時間。。
人生無常,何不讓自己過得開心點。。

人生是你的,千萬別為他人活(有孩子就另當別論)。。
(Mmm...好像離題了。。)

Sep 2, 2012

Sunday Serenade: reflection

Though I didn't watch this Disney film, I like this song very much.. Lea Salonga sang the song in the film, but Christina Aguilera got her first break releasing a more complete version of the same song.. and the lyrics speaks to me in ways that you cannot imagine...

Reflection
from Mulan (1998) 
Look at me
You may think you see who I really am
But you'll never know me
Every day it's as if I play a part
Now I see
If I wear a mask I can fool the world
But I cannot fool my heart

Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

I am now
In a world where I have to hide my heart
And what I believe in
But somehow
I will show the world what's inside my heart
And be loved for who I am

Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection someone I don't know?
Must I pretend that I'm someone else for all time?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

There's a heart that must be free to fly
That burns with a need to know the reason why

Why must we all conceal what we think, how we feel?
Must there be a secret me I'm forced to hide?
I won't pretend that I'm someone else for all time
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?




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