After last year's less-than-optimal employee survey result conducted by a consultant company, our company decided to institute a whole bunch of changes re: performance review process and have different workshops about career management.
Out of curiosity, I participated in this half-day workshop on career management. I have to admit - I never really believed in these things... I mean who doesn't know that we need to position ourselves, that we should find our passion, that we should explore opportunities and be constantly upgrading ourselves? Usually people know it but they just don't have enough persistance or discipline to go through with it!
But actually it wasn't too bad. I mean, still I didn't really learn anything per se (everything is so common sense), but it does cause me to think a bit more about what I want to do for my career. The workshop actually did reinforce me that I had made a right choice switching out of research. Looking back, I'm almost surprised at myself to have made this change even without being sure what I was getting myself into and whether I would like it. I knew I was stuck in research and felt that I wasn't going anywhere and my brain wasn't used much... but still, I'm almost proud that with my inertia to change I did make the move!
But what now? Probably in about a year or two, I'll be in the same place again looking for change (can't seem to be doing the same thing for a long time!). Is it going to be a lateral change again? Or have I found my lifelong career in project management? I guess this has yet to be revealed!
Anyways, the consultant was talking about locus of control and the 5 P's in career management. I need to think more about that...
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Laptop = sleep deprivation
I'm really not disciplined these days. Can't be trusted with a laptop: if I dare to bring it home there's no difference between work and home. I start vpn-ing to my work network, I would spend the whole night clicking and typing away... to a point I can't even drag myself to get a drink or go to the gym or even sleep! Laptops are a dangerous thing!!
These few days because my boss is kinda officially not doing project management anymore, I suddenly end up with a lot of things to do and to think about (which I want and is a good opportunity to learn). Sometimes I wonder if I'm just a plain workoholic. When I tell others that I am busy--strangely sometimes I say it with a tint of pride!! I suppose it's because when I first started in this dept I couldn't find anything to do.... and now FINALLY I have something to do I'm extremely satisfied.
Back to the sleep thing. A sad discovery. I can't stay up past 3am anymore. However awake my brain is, my body just can't handle it. I still remember the good old days in university where I can spend 2-3 days without sleep on my report or project AND others still don't see a difference. Now? I sleep past 3am for one night and the following morning I'm bobbing left and right when I drive to work--and I would be sacrificing gym that day too because I would be too tired to go. Talk about reduced stamina!!!
Sigh... aging is a fact. They all say after 25 yrs old it's downhill from there. For me it's blatantly obvious how much more sleep is actually necessary for me!! >_<
24 hours a day... definitely not enough.
These few days because my boss is kinda officially not doing project management anymore, I suddenly end up with a lot of things to do and to think about (which I want and is a good opportunity to learn). Sometimes I wonder if I'm just a plain workoholic. When I tell others that I am busy--strangely sometimes I say it with a tint of pride!! I suppose it's because when I first started in this dept I couldn't find anything to do.... and now FINALLY I have something to do I'm extremely satisfied.
Back to the sleep thing. A sad discovery. I can't stay up past 3am anymore. However awake my brain is, my body just can't handle it. I still remember the good old days in university where I can spend 2-3 days without sleep on my report or project AND others still don't see a difference. Now? I sleep past 3am for one night and the following morning I'm bobbing left and right when I drive to work--and I would be sacrificing gym that day too because I would be too tired to go. Talk about reduced stamina!!!
Sigh... aging is a fact. They all say after 25 yrs old it's downhill from there. For me it's blatantly obvious how much more sleep is actually necessary for me!! >_<
24 hours a day... definitely not enough.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Test of honesty
Today I am quite mad at myself--it's not that big of a deal, but I failed my own honesty test.
My friend decided to join me and another friend in exercising... normally the first time you go to these places you pay a certain amount, but somehow we figured that because they usually don't check who signed in anyways, I didn't care much which name I used to sign in. So I signed her in under another friend's account (who gave her consent to this friend of mine). I had a little bit of unease as I was doing so, but I didn't give this a second thought.
Anyways, five minutes going into the exercise routine, I knew I made a big mistake. Because it's my friend's first time, she couldn't follow a lot of the moves properly, and it's obvious that this was the first time doing this... and gradually it dawned on me that the reason why I felt uneasy: I was understanding the liabilities that the exercise place would have should my friend get injured during the routine (since she didn't sign a waiver form); most importantly I was allowing something to happen that's against what I believed to be right!
After the class, I came out of the room heading straight to the reception and explained everything. I told him that it was wrong of me to allow this to happen and I wanted to make it right, etc. etc. The instructor was being very nice about it, but the reception person was understandably a bit upset. I didn't really allow my friend to say anything because 1) I wanted to fix this myself; 2) I didn't want my friend to say anything that didn't need to be said. I'd rather just admit the mistake, redo all the paperwork and just move on.
But I did try to analyze my thoughts going home. Certainly the Spirit was really rebuking my lack of honesty and integrity. It was telling me to do something right after class. Doesn't really matter whether I know my friend could handle the class: the fact is that we took a shortcut that shouldn't have been taken. It may seem not a big deal (i.e. people do it all the time) but for me, it was a valuable lesson to learn. How much do I compromise--what is MY definition of right and wrong? This world that we are living in now are tolerating a lot of things--things that most people don't think are wrong because of convenience reasons... how much of those will I tolerate?
I think about the "legalism" aspect too. Am I trying to lay out rules of what I think how Christians should act??? Actually I don't think so. To be honest, from this episode what I really know is how I will handle my decisions from now on - I certainly won't condemn others who have different opinions/values as I do. I just to have to remind myself where *I* stand... and stick with it, just like the Bible says I should!
God works a funny way... interesting how we were just discussing about Galatians today in a small group...
My friend decided to join me and another friend in exercising... normally the first time you go to these places you pay a certain amount, but somehow we figured that because they usually don't check who signed in anyways, I didn't care much which name I used to sign in. So I signed her in under another friend's account (who gave her consent to this friend of mine). I had a little bit of unease as I was doing so, but I didn't give this a second thought.
Anyways, five minutes going into the exercise routine, I knew I made a big mistake. Because it's my friend's first time, she couldn't follow a lot of the moves properly, and it's obvious that this was the first time doing this... and gradually it dawned on me that the reason why I felt uneasy: I was understanding the liabilities that the exercise place would have should my friend get injured during the routine (since she didn't sign a waiver form); most importantly I was allowing something to happen that's against what I believed to be right!
After the class, I came out of the room heading straight to the reception and explained everything. I told him that it was wrong of me to allow this to happen and I wanted to make it right, etc. etc. The instructor was being very nice about it, but the reception person was understandably a bit upset. I didn't really allow my friend to say anything because 1) I wanted to fix this myself; 2) I didn't want my friend to say anything that didn't need to be said. I'd rather just admit the mistake, redo all the paperwork and just move on.
But I did try to analyze my thoughts going home. Certainly the Spirit was really rebuking my lack of honesty and integrity. It was telling me to do something right after class. Doesn't really matter whether I know my friend could handle the class: the fact is that we took a shortcut that shouldn't have been taken. It may seem not a big deal (i.e. people do it all the time) but for me, it was a valuable lesson to learn. How much do I compromise--what is MY definition of right and wrong? This world that we are living in now are tolerating a lot of things--things that most people don't think are wrong because of convenience reasons... how much of those will I tolerate?
I think about the "legalism" aspect too. Am I trying to lay out rules of what I think how Christians should act??? Actually I don't think so. To be honest, from this episode what I really know is how I will handle my decisions from now on - I certainly won't condemn others who have different opinions/values as I do. I just to have to remind myself where *I* stand... and stick with it, just like the Bible says I should!
God works a funny way... interesting how we were just discussing about Galatians today in a small group...
Thursday, January 19, 2006
I got my laptop!
I got a laptop yesterday. I asked for it before X'mas, and finally I got it.
My original intention of getting a laptop was very simple (still is): if I have a laptop, then I become mobile... I could type minutes during minutes and not having to write... and I can do work at home and not have to worry about lacking specific software or having to send files home, etc. etc. But the moment I was jumping up and down and told my boss of my new "possession", I realized that I was being unreasonably excited about this. Why would I be so happy to have the opportunity to bring lots of work home? Am I insane?? This could be the beginning of me not being able to separate work and personal life (I was kinda dumb that I never thought about it this way before!) .
Anyways, I think my boss was shocked that I offered my help to do "whatever" (that was my exact quote!) for her... oh well, I think it's too late to take that offer back!! :P
Compared to some of my friends, I don't think I work very hard (long hours) - but somehow I think there's that little workoholic gene in me that I need to seriously find some inhibitors for!! Hmmmm....
My original intention of getting a laptop was very simple (still is): if I have a laptop, then I become mobile... I could type minutes during minutes and not having to write... and I can do work at home and not have to worry about lacking specific software or having to send files home, etc. etc. But the moment I was jumping up and down and told my boss of my new "possession", I realized that I was being unreasonably excited about this. Why would I be so happy to have the opportunity to bring lots of work home? Am I insane?? This could be the beginning of me not being able to separate work and personal life (I was kinda dumb that I never thought about it this way before!) .
Anyways, I think my boss was shocked that I offered my help to do "whatever" (that was my exact quote!) for her... oh well, I think it's too late to take that offer back!! :P
Compared to some of my friends, I don't think I work very hard (long hours) - but somehow I think there's that little workoholic gene in me that I need to seriously find some inhibitors for!! Hmmmm....
Leading bible study...
Coming home actually a little depressed and a little mad at myself...
We had a bible study tonight. It's certainly not the first time I led bible study, and it's not the first time I have led Colossians either. But for some reason I was really having trouble with keeping the flow of the study discussion - I can't exactly pinpoint why; maybe I was unsure of the group dynamics, or that I was not sure how the message of the study (look at a healthy church) would come across in the two new friends who were joining us. It felt really weird, because it's the first time I was actually uncomfortable asking the questions that were laid out in front of me...
Come to think about it, this is actually very surprising to me. I haven't felt this way for a long time. I have always been very comfortable talking about my faith and how I came to Christ, or debate (or discuss :P) different topics about Christianity... but for some reason I was really vague about a lot of the things I said in the bible study. I was very unsure about handling questions... and the discussion seemed to go all over the place. While I have always believed that the "bible study leader" really is only a facilitator, but at the same time, I also feel the responsibility of doing a good job or it... am I being harsh on myself or did I not prepare enough?? The question was this: "What is a life worthy of the Lord? What if people from the heart disagree with what the Bible says?" The question itself was not difficult to answer, but I hesitated because I wasn't sure how I should answer the question such that it would be satisfying. I cared too much of how I should word my answe rather than just being honest about my answer... I didn't want to ramble on, and in that now I feel that I actually was not geniune enough to discuss how I feel...
Am I thinking too much? Sigh... I guess I need to be still and really listen to God's voice. I have done too much reading on my own that I haven't actually listened enough. It almost frightened me to have discovered this!!
We had a bible study tonight. It's certainly not the first time I led bible study, and it's not the first time I have led Colossians either. But for some reason I was really having trouble with keeping the flow of the study discussion - I can't exactly pinpoint why; maybe I was unsure of the group dynamics, or that I was not sure how the message of the study (look at a healthy church) would come across in the two new friends who were joining us. It felt really weird, because it's the first time I was actually uncomfortable asking the questions that were laid out in front of me...
Come to think about it, this is actually very surprising to me. I haven't felt this way for a long time. I have always been very comfortable talking about my faith and how I came to Christ, or debate (or discuss :P) different topics about Christianity... but for some reason I was really vague about a lot of the things I said in the bible study. I was very unsure about handling questions... and the discussion seemed to go all over the place. While I have always believed that the "bible study leader" really is only a facilitator, but at the same time, I also feel the responsibility of doing a good job or it... am I being harsh on myself or did I not prepare enough?? The question was this: "What is a life worthy of the Lord? What if people from the heart disagree with what the Bible says?" The question itself was not difficult to answer, but I hesitated because I wasn't sure how I should answer the question such that it would be satisfying. I cared too much of how I should word my answe rather than just being honest about my answer... I didn't want to ramble on, and in that now I feel that I actually was not geniune enough to discuss how I feel...
Am I thinking too much? Sigh... I guess I need to be still and really listen to God's voice. I have done too much reading on my own that I haven't actually listened enough. It almost frightened me to have discovered this!!
Monday, January 16, 2006
My dream
Allow me to indulge myself for a bit... I really need to write this down before I get too realistic or forget about this dream.
I have always loved reading. My friends know that. My family know that. In the back of my mind though, I have always wanted a library of my own... I was talking to a friend on msn, and I suddenly started picturing what my library would look like:
- A room of all my favorite books and DVDs and CDs (I should start making a list of must-buys now!);
- The room should be sufficiently large that houses a long desk and several comfy chairs (in case I want to invite my friends for a reading party);
- There should be at least a long sofa, a blanket and a pillow... so if I get tired I can rest cozily in there.
- The room should be free of TV or computer. If I have a computer, I would be going online too much and my books will be lonely without human touch!
- I need a stereo system that can play CDs. I don't know much about quality so as long as it's decent I'm happy. I can play some reading music...
- Coffee station and a snack bar in the room are a must. All libraries out there prohibit eating and drinking. Mine will be different =)
Well, actual design of the library I'm not so worried yet... I have many friends who are very good with these things... I'll ask them when the time comes! I wonder when I can realize my dream!! Actually I think it's not too much to ask for?? I know a lot of people who have libraries - it's just *a little* more elaborate than a study room and with no computers! Hopefully my future house will have a spare room for this!!!
I have always loved reading. My friends know that. My family know that. In the back of my mind though, I have always wanted a library of my own... I was talking to a friend on msn, and I suddenly started picturing what my library would look like:
- A room of all my favorite books and DVDs and CDs (I should start making a list of must-buys now!);
- The room should be sufficiently large that houses a long desk and several comfy chairs (in case I want to invite my friends for a reading party);
- There should be at least a long sofa, a blanket and a pillow... so if I get tired I can rest cozily in there.
- The room should be free of TV or computer. If I have a computer, I would be going online too much and my books will be lonely without human touch!
- I need a stereo system that can play CDs. I don't know much about quality so as long as it's decent I'm happy. I can play some reading music...
- Coffee station and a snack bar in the room are a must. All libraries out there prohibit eating and drinking. Mine will be different =)
Well, actual design of the library I'm not so worried yet... I have many friends who are very good with these things... I'll ask them when the time comes! I wonder when I can realize my dream!! Actually I think it's not too much to ask for?? I know a lot of people who have libraries - it's just *a little* more elaborate than a study room and with no computers! Hopefully my future house will have a spare room for this!!!
Wrong expectations
It's kinda funny when one goes away to a different place (on vacation or for work) and come back expecting that things will change a little bit (for the better). They shouldn't, but the expectation is sort of always there... it's as if the little time away should heal things or should miraculously *change* things. Don't know why - it's not a fair expectation I know... but I finally understand why people secretly have that hope...
Oh well... life is back to normal I suppose. Problems won't be solved just 'cuz I'm away... no matter what, I'm still glad to be back hehe....
Oh well... life is back to normal I suppose. Problems won't be solved just 'cuz I'm away... no matter what, I'm still glad to be back hehe....
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Friendship thoughts
Friendship is a weird thing. There is a saying that there's nothing better than an old friend--to me an old friend would be people who I grew up with... the friends who I spent my elementary and high schools with... but this time the night where I met up with the people from MFS, I really didn't seem to 'fit in'. All we talked about were what happened to other classmates, most of whose names I forgot already... other than that, we had absolutely nothing in common! I even got a little uneasy when I was taking the MTR with a couple of them... one of whom was very good friend with me before!!
This saddens me. To know that after all these years I spent in the place I grow up in, I only retained one friend (who I still consider as my best friend, but she lives in LA and not HK now, happily married). Perhaps it's a fact of life...
Thinking from all the lunch/dinner gatherings in HK that I had with friends, the most enjoyable times I had were with a good friend who I knew from high school (in Canada) - who I still think is the only person who didn't change that much after going back to HK to work... and the 2 friends/excoworkers I knew from work (who went back to HK/China 3 and 1.5 year ago). Both of these friends are married with children already... they gave me good advice about a lot of things, and most of all we could share a lot more about our lives...
I have always liked people who are geniune - people who talk to me like they really mean what they say and not just saying things for the sake of politeness... sadly I find that it's easy to guard oneself up when two people have not seen each other a lot. I experience that to a certain extent in this trip--even from people who I know not for that long (my definition of long is over 10 years)...
This makes me wonder - what will happen in say 5-10 years? How many more "friends" are friends only because they have once crossed my path? How many friends will I have who actually will be true friend who I can share with? How many people will I be a friend of, who people will be comfortable in sharing their lives with?
I suppose all this is an unknown... waiting to be revealed...
This saddens me. To know that after all these years I spent in the place I grow up in, I only retained one friend (who I still consider as my best friend, but she lives in LA and not HK now, happily married). Perhaps it's a fact of life...
Thinking from all the lunch/dinner gatherings in HK that I had with friends, the most enjoyable times I had were with a good friend who I knew from high school (in Canada) - who I still think is the only person who didn't change that much after going back to HK to work... and the 2 friends/excoworkers I knew from work (who went back to HK/China 3 and 1.5 year ago). Both of these friends are married with children already... they gave me good advice about a lot of things, and most of all we could share a lot more about our lives...
I have always liked people who are geniune - people who talk to me like they really mean what they say and not just saying things for the sake of politeness... sadly I find that it's easy to guard oneself up when two people have not seen each other a lot. I experience that to a certain extent in this trip--even from people who I know not for that long (my definition of long is over 10 years)...
This makes me wonder - what will happen in say 5-10 years? How many more "friends" are friends only because they have once crossed my path? How many friends will I have who actually will be true friend who I can share with? How many people will I be a friend of, who people will be comfortable in sharing their lives with?
I suppose all this is an unknown... waiting to be revealed...
Afterthoughts of the HK/China trip
I can't believe I have jet-lag. But even though I didn't get up till 12 noon yesterday AND I tried to go to the gym to dissipate some energy, I still can't sleep now (I don't know what made me think that I am such a superwoman that I would be exempt from this phenomenon!). I bet tomorrow at work will be very interesting (my head will definitely be bobbing left and right in front of the monitor!)
OK, if I can't sleep, I may as well type. This seems to be my second nature anyways =) I had a chance to upload all my pix in the HK/China trip and share the albums with some friends. Interestingly they all comment that I look like I had lots of fun. So I am asking myself: how did I enjoy the past 2.5 weeks of vacation?
Actually overall it has been pretty good. I got to attend my friend's wedding, which was the main reason for my going back anyways. Because I didn't attend the ceremony itself, I didn't shed any tears of joy--but certainly I am happy for her to find the soulmate of her life... I got to relax. It's kinda weird to not have much schedule in the trip--not knowing what I would do in the next few days, etc. But my days were actually not as filled up as last time I went back. I got to see all my friends who I wanted to see (except one, which I'm still a bit bitter!!)... I got to go to my grandma's birthday party and meet up with all the relatives I haven't seen FOR AGES. Even though I haven't been too close to them, but I'm still glad to have met them.
I got to read. Mainly on the MTR and on buses (you have no idea how much I spent on public transportation!)... Interestingly this time I didn't get to walk around too many bookstores - but my friend (where I stayed 1/2 the time) had quite a good collection of books (almost like a mini-library). Most are business books (which are of no interest to me), but the few that are not--they're pretty interesting. (I accidentally brought one back to Canada--oh well--have to apologize later! :P)
I got to act like a tourist. I never thought I would enjoy it that much, but I really did for the few days I walked around just shooting pix in Tsim Sha Tsui and Lantau Island. I still have to say that I prefer traveling with other people (rather than by myself) - but I did find that I don't mind it that much to spend more time alone--this trip proves it.
I think the highlight of my trip really has been the few days I spent in China (3 days in Sanya and 1 day in Shenzhen). And it's not because I saw so much, etc. etc. (actually it was too windy 2 days out of 3 and we couldn't go paragliding and swimming as we originally hoped to do), but my friend is a wonderful travel companion, and we really had a marvelous time just chatting and walking and eating together. Nothing dramatic and breathtaking I don't think, but it was the most relaxing part of the trip.
The one theme that seems to tie the whole trip together - God really has taught me a lesson of thankfulness. Rather, He showed me why I need to be thankful. From the day I got onto the plane to I safely arrived back at the Vancouver airport, He has been with me and really spoken to me - only when one learns to be grateful can one really enjoy life. It's hard to describe all the thoughts that went through my mind during the different parts of the trip, but this is what I get out of the most, through all the things I saw, read, contemplated...
I got to shop. I have to put this last because I am not a person who likes shopping too much. Actually after the first 2 days (of buying a suit + a skirt, a puffy jacket, a coat, 2 suitcases--I was blessed with the opportunity to shop with a friend who knew how to bargain), I was already grossed out. Everywhere there is "BIG SALE" sign on... and the part that discourages me the most from shopping: I have no idea what I want to get!! The prices in HK differ too much (of the same product), and I had no clue whether something is "worth it" to get or not! The 2 things I kinda wanted to get (a handbag and a pair of boots)--all the ones I like are almost or over HK$1000. And I didn't know how much they're supposed to cost (whether it's just namebrand or it's actually good quality--I didn't even know what is a good namebrand and what's not). It's actually a bit discouraging--everywhere it says 60 or 70% off, but the final price is still high (to my standard)! Also for me (with my indecisive nature), I really can't shop by myself. 9 out of 10 times I would come out with things I don't need or things that are too expensive--all because I couldn't say no to the sales people.... :P
Anyways, I have to admit - toward the end of the trip, I was soooo ready to get back to work. It agitates me to not to have to think about work for so long. I found myself itching to find a computer and check my emails (I didn't have much internet access after mid-trip). Thinking back though, I do agree with my friend who takes 2-3 weeks off every year and go to different places!!
OK, if I can't sleep, I may as well type. This seems to be my second nature anyways =) I had a chance to upload all my pix in the HK/China trip and share the albums with some friends. Interestingly they all comment that I look like I had lots of fun. So I am asking myself: how did I enjoy the past 2.5 weeks of vacation?
Actually overall it has been pretty good. I got to attend my friend's wedding, which was the main reason for my going back anyways. Because I didn't attend the ceremony itself, I didn't shed any tears of joy--but certainly I am happy for her to find the soulmate of her life... I got to relax. It's kinda weird to not have much schedule in the trip--not knowing what I would do in the next few days, etc. But my days were actually not as filled up as last time I went back. I got to see all my friends who I wanted to see (except one, which I'm still a bit bitter!!)... I got to go to my grandma's birthday party and meet up with all the relatives I haven't seen FOR AGES. Even though I haven't been too close to them, but I'm still glad to have met them.
I got to read. Mainly on the MTR and on buses (you have no idea how much I spent on public transportation!)... Interestingly this time I didn't get to walk around too many bookstores - but my friend (where I stayed 1/2 the time) had quite a good collection of books (almost like a mini-library). Most are business books (which are of no interest to me), but the few that are not--they're pretty interesting. (I accidentally brought one back to Canada--oh well--have to apologize later! :P)
I got to act like a tourist. I never thought I would enjoy it that much, but I really did for the few days I walked around just shooting pix in Tsim Sha Tsui and Lantau Island. I still have to say that I prefer traveling with other people (rather than by myself) - but I did find that I don't mind it that much to spend more time alone--this trip proves it.
I think the highlight of my trip really has been the few days I spent in China (3 days in Sanya and 1 day in Shenzhen). And it's not because I saw so much, etc. etc. (actually it was too windy 2 days out of 3 and we couldn't go paragliding and swimming as we originally hoped to do), but my friend is a wonderful travel companion, and we really had a marvelous time just chatting and walking and eating together. Nothing dramatic and breathtaking I don't think, but it was the most relaxing part of the trip.
The one theme that seems to tie the whole trip together - God really has taught me a lesson of thankfulness. Rather, He showed me why I need to be thankful. From the day I got onto the plane to I safely arrived back at the Vancouver airport, He has been with me and really spoken to me - only when one learns to be grateful can one really enjoy life. It's hard to describe all the thoughts that went through my mind during the different parts of the trip, but this is what I get out of the most, through all the things I saw, read, contemplated...
I got to shop. I have to put this last because I am not a person who likes shopping too much. Actually after the first 2 days (of buying a suit + a skirt, a puffy jacket, a coat, 2 suitcases--I was blessed with the opportunity to shop with a friend who knew how to bargain), I was already grossed out. Everywhere there is "BIG SALE" sign on... and the part that discourages me the most from shopping: I have no idea what I want to get!! The prices in HK differ too much (of the same product), and I had no clue whether something is "worth it" to get or not! The 2 things I kinda wanted to get (a handbag and a pair of boots)--all the ones I like are almost or over HK$1000. And I didn't know how much they're supposed to cost (whether it's just namebrand or it's actually good quality--I didn't even know what is a good namebrand and what's not). It's actually a bit discouraging--everywhere it says 60 or 70% off, but the final price is still high (to my standard)! Also for me (with my indecisive nature), I really can't shop by myself. 9 out of 10 times I would come out with things I don't need or things that are too expensive--all because I couldn't say no to the sales people.... :P
Anyways, I have to admit - toward the end of the trip, I was soooo ready to get back to work. It agitates me to not to have to think about work for so long. I found myself itching to find a computer and check my emails (I didn't have much internet access after mid-trip). Thinking back though, I do agree with my friend who takes 2-3 weeks off every year and go to different places!!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
2006
This trip in HK is a little quieter than I thought. I have a lot of friends I have been planning to meet up, but for some reason we can't seem to figure out a good time to do so, so we keep postponing the date of meeting up.
So then I end up spending a lot more time by myself. This is really ok because I can then do some things that I haven't done for a long time: reading, and watching TV. Some may say that I can do these things in Vancouver also... but the truth is that I won't have such time if I'm in Vancouver :P
Anyways, last night after dim sum with grandma, I had nothing to do so I went back to my friend's place at Island Resort. I msned a bit with a few friends, went out to shop for some veggies, cooked a simple meal and then sat down in front of TV with a book in my hand...
I would have fallen asleep sooner, if it weren't because the English channel was broadcasting one of my favorite movies - the timeless classic "The Sound of Music". But even then I couldn't stay awake till the new year came... so I zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz on the sofa. By the time I woke up, it was close to 1am.
I don't know if it's the best way I can spend a New Year's Eve (probably not, because I would have preferred to be with family or some friends), but it's certainly relaxing. Even today I don't feel like it's 2006 (Jan 1) yet... because I didn't actually hear any countdowns... looks like this year it will take me quite a while to adjust to writing the correct year :)
So then I end up spending a lot more time by myself. This is really ok because I can then do some things that I haven't done for a long time: reading, and watching TV. Some may say that I can do these things in Vancouver also... but the truth is that I won't have such time if I'm in Vancouver :P
Anyways, last night after dim sum with grandma, I had nothing to do so I went back to my friend's place at Island Resort. I msned a bit with a few friends, went out to shop for some veggies, cooked a simple meal and then sat down in front of TV with a book in my hand...
I would have fallen asleep sooner, if it weren't because the English channel was broadcasting one of my favorite movies - the timeless classic "The Sound of Music". But even then I couldn't stay awake till the new year came... so I zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz on the sofa. By the time I woke up, it was close to 1am.
I don't know if it's the best way I can spend a New Year's Eve (probably not, because I would have preferred to be with family or some friends), but it's certainly relaxing. Even today I don't feel like it's 2006 (Jan 1) yet... because I didn't actually hear any countdowns... looks like this year it will take me quite a while to adjust to writing the correct year :)
Tension of opposites, and other quotes
Love this book that I have been reading for the past 2 days ("Tuesdays with Morrie", by Mitch Albom). Almost done now. Just want to record some of the passages...
****
"Have I told you about the tension of opposites?" he says.
The tension of opposites?
"Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.
"A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle."
Sounds like a wrestling match, I say.
"A wrestling match." He laughs. "Yes, you could describe life that way."
So which side wins, I ask?
"Which side wins?"
He smiles at me, the crinkled eyes, the crooked teeth.
"Love wins. Love always win."
****
"The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it."
****
"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they are busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
****
****
"Have I told you about the tension of opposites?" he says.
The tension of opposites?
"Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.
"A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle."
Sounds like a wrestling match, I say.
"A wrestling match." He laughs. "Yes, you could describe life that way."
So which side wins, I ask?
"Which side wins?"
He smiles at me, the crinkled eyes, the crooked teeth.
"Love wins. Love always win."
****
"The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it."
****
"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they are busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
****
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