With the on going trend on Instagram, I shall come up with 20 facts about me (in no particular order:
1. I enjoy eating alone.
YES! Coffee and cake ALONE is actually one of my favorite past time.
2. I am very particular about alignments and formatting.
One of the reason I didn't post this on Instagram is because the iPhone Instagram app doesn't seem to allow me to 'next line' my sentences where ever I want it to be.
3. I drink approximately 500ml of plain water on a normal day.
Don't ask me how I manage to survive with that amount of water... I just do.
4. I drink A LOT of coffee.
I drink more coffee than water. My average day will have approximately 3-5 cups of coffee. My max will be 10 cups of Nescafe for assignments and exam season.
5. I am a latte drinker, and no sugar please.
If Starbucks: soy latte (because it sounds healthier)
6. I don't like berries.
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and also passion fruit (doesn't fall in the category). Neither do I like jam.
7. I love stationery.
Colorful pens (Pilot's), Sharpies, ruler (I only like the plastic ones - half white, half see through), erasers (with half the plastic on so that it's only used from 1 side), stapler, scissors, post-it, liquid paper, cutter, highlighters, etc. And I bring my pencil box and notebook almost everywhere I go.
8. I like buying books.
But I don't finish reading most of them.
9. I love the sea and the sand.
10. I actually prefer tanned skin more than fair.
Never like sun block, and am too lazy to apply them.
11. I am a banana, and I'm proud of it.
I can't read and write Chinese, and I'm OK with that. No regrets not learning it...
Hmmm.... Maybe a little, only when I wish I can read sub titles to Cantonese drama series.
12.I love Excel and Powerpoint.
Just don't change my formatting :)
13. Hand sanitizer - A must have everywhere I go.
14. My favorite color is actually lime green. But for outfits, it's still black.
15. I love durian! And most local fruits.
Banana, honey dew, watermelon, guava, papaya. They are just sweeter.
16. I like bitter gourd.
17. I like soft toys with tiny bean like stuffing, and non-furry surface (silk-like material).
I am really bad at describing stuff, and I shall not try further.
18. I hate public speaking.
19. I love Running Man.
You can tell I'm getting lazy... 20 is a loooooong list...
20. I buy toothpaste based on the free gift they offer.
And the color of the tooth paste - green or blue gel like stuff.
Friday, 5 September 2014
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Is it wrong to not like music?
Or for that matter... "Must I like music?"
Over the years, I come to realize that most people generally have a preference for music types... Their favorite singer, their favorite band, or actors and actresses.
There are probably thousands more quotes about how people relate positively to music with the help of Mr. Google... But honestly, I don't quite get it...
I don't think I was born with music inside me...
Born in a typical Chinese family, learning piano is one of 'the thing'. But for me, I dreaded piano lessons when I was young and obviously I didn't do too well... Practicing an hour a day (which is the bare minimum) was a torture... I would go toilet as many times as I can... Take a break for as long as possible before my mum would nag me to continue practicing... I hated practicing scales, and the metronome is my number one enemy. Sight reading is a confirm failure for all my piano exam. The only thing which I did well in all my piano years was my theory exam (which don't really require any musicality). So yes, music is definitely not in me.
Then, there was the time of boy bands: Backstreet Boys, Westlife, N Sync, etc.
Well, I do have my preference... But looking back, do I honestly like their music? Or was it peer pressure to like a band? Or maybe in my case: simply cause the singer was cute? (Probably the same reason why I like some football players or actors... Shallow, I know... But I couldn't care less :P)
The thing that got me writing this post is actually a very common question: "What type of music do you like?"
My answer: "Anything". But probably the more accurate answer should be: "None... I don't really care". And I will usually get the 'confused' look from the other party. "How can you not like music?" Or maybe "You very holy hor... Don't listen music one."
Errr... So so wrong...
What has my faith (religion) got to do with the type of music that I listen to?
We have different hobbies and past times, different preference... But why is it I am questioned for not liking music? Can I then ask "How can you not like Excel?"
Isn't that prejudice towards a certain preference?
(Note: I am using the word 'prejudice' instead of 'discrimination' as it's just an attitude, and no negative action is involved.)
Just a thought: My lack of interest in music will probably get me a few weird stares, which over the years I learn to not care about. But how about those whose preferences may be a little more controversial?
Interest in tattoos and body piercings?
The different preference for sexual partners? Homosexuals?
Again, I'm not talking (writing actually) about whether it is right or wrong... But why discriminate? Who are we to judge others for their preference?
Over the years, I come to realize that most people generally have a preference for music types... Their favorite singer, their favorite band, or actors and actresses.
"I
was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs,
my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already
within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me - like
food or water." - Ray Charles
And even the great Martin Luther has this to say about music:
Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.
I don't think I was born with music inside me...
Born in a typical Chinese family, learning piano is one of 'the thing'. But for me, I dreaded piano lessons when I was young and obviously I didn't do too well... Practicing an hour a day (which is the bare minimum) was a torture... I would go toilet as many times as I can... Take a break for as long as possible before my mum would nag me to continue practicing... I hated practicing scales, and the metronome is my number one enemy. Sight reading is a confirm failure for all my piano exam. The only thing which I did well in all my piano years was my theory exam (which don't really require any musicality). So yes, music is definitely not in me.
Then, there was the time of boy bands: Backstreet Boys, Westlife, N Sync, etc.
Well, I do have my preference... But looking back, do I honestly like their music? Or was it peer pressure to like a band? Or maybe in my case: simply cause the singer was cute? (Probably the same reason why I like some football players or actors... Shallow, I know... But I couldn't care less :P)
The thing that got me writing this post is actually a very common question: "What type of music do you like?"
My answer: "Anything". But probably the more accurate answer should be: "None... I don't really care". And I will usually get the 'confused' look from the other party. "How can you not like music?" Or maybe "You very holy hor... Don't listen music one."
Errr... So so wrong...
What has my faith (religion) got to do with the type of music that I listen to?
We have different hobbies and past times, different preference... But why is it I am questioned for not liking music? Can I then ask "How can you not like Excel?"
Isn't that prejudice towards a certain preference?
(Note: I am using the word 'prejudice' instead of 'discrimination' as it's just an attitude, and no negative action is involved.)
Just a thought: My lack of interest in music will probably get me a few weird stares, which over the years I learn to not care about. But how about those whose preferences may be a little more controversial?
Interest in tattoos and body piercings?
The different preference for sexual partners? Homosexuals?
Again, I'm not talking (writing actually) about whether it is right or wrong... But why discriminate? Who are we to judge others for their preference?
Friday, 14 February 2014
Some things matter, some don't...
Over the years, I learn to manage my expectations on people...
I learnt that what may be important to me may not necessary be important to others, and it's unfair to enforce my preference and priorities on others.
Very often, what may be urgent to one person, may not necessary be important to another...
Similarly, some people are more important than others.
Sounds like favoritism?
To say that I totally do not practice favoritism is a lie... It is not humanly possible to devout equal time, energy or resources to every person in our life.
To see how rapidly communication has grown over the years calls for a greater need to know what matters and what matter less...
During my childhood years, the only way to contact me would be my house phone.
Then, mobile phones appear... And now people can contact me on the go... SMS has made it possible to communicate without even speaking.
Next came the smart phones... Adding on to the previous usage of phone calls and SMS, now emails are made accessible on the go. Good or not good? It's debatable.
Urgent matters can be dealt with in a more efficient and at a faster pace. However, on the contrary, expectations to respond increases as well... The content of emails may be similar in both the past, and of today. But, expectations to response are definitely higher in today terms. Are our emails today more urgent than the past? Are all emails important?
What matters, and what don't?
I have to constantly remind myself to choose wisely where I spend my resources.
I learnt that what may be important to me may not necessary be important to others, and it's unfair to enforce my preference and priorities on others.
Very often, what may be urgent to one person, may not necessary be important to another...
Similarly, some people are more important than others.
Sounds like favoritism?
To say that I totally do not practice favoritism is a lie... It is not humanly possible to devout equal time, energy or resources to every person in our life.
To see how rapidly communication has grown over the years calls for a greater need to know what matters and what matter less...
During my childhood years, the only way to contact me would be my house phone.
Then, mobile phones appear... And now people can contact me on the go... SMS has made it possible to communicate without even speaking.
Next came the smart phones... Adding on to the previous usage of phone calls and SMS, now emails are made accessible on the go. Good or not good? It's debatable.
Urgent matters can be dealt with in a more efficient and at a faster pace. However, on the contrary, expectations to respond increases as well... The content of emails may be similar in both the past, and of today. But, expectations to response are definitely higher in today terms. Are our emails today more urgent than the past? Are all emails important?
What matters, and what don't?
I have to constantly remind myself to choose wisely where I spend my resources.
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Values and Cultures
It's still in the CNY seasons,,, And here's another 'WHY' question that has been bugging me.
"WHY do people practice certain custom/ superstition?"
Just a few years back, my mum shared with me that we should not buy shoes during the first month of the new year... REALLY? EVEN IF THE STORE IS OFFERING 90% OFFER?!?!??! Yeah... That's my response... And later with the help of Sinsei Google, I found out it's because the Chinese word 'shoe' (hai) is similar to the Cantonese word 'rough', or the sound of the sigh. And rough and sigh is filled with negativity.
Next, it's the famous 'Don't sweep floor on the first day of CNY' as it is believed that we will sweep away the luck from our house. Hmmm... How about vacuuming the floor and keeping the dust? Does that count? Or if it is really sweeping away luck, then why not not sweep the floor throughout the whole year? (Yay?)
And as I Google, I found more and more superstitions...
Don't wash your hair on the first 3 days of CNY (Gosh! I would have been grumpy if I had oily hair!!!)
And don't break stuff on CNY (Who would have purposely break stuff on any day? Are we capable of stopping all accidents?)
Don't use knife or anything sharp (How about food preparation?)
Don't buy books (Books (shu) in Chinese sounds like losing, and so it is to be avoided... Hmmm... Can I suggest that knowledge might be more effective in reducing loss?)
And the list goes on...
If we are to avoid everything with similar sounds with some not so pleasant words, maybe one day we will be left with nothing to do... Somehow in me, I will like to believe that there are more appropriate values behind all these cultures, which perhaps are not handed down with the actions? Why should we follow customs which does not have any value in it? Why should we follow superstitions?
My thought on the no sweeping thing:
Maybe this culture came up to give our mothers a day of rest? If that's the case, i think it's valid, and make sense, and I will probably follow the custom... If it's for the luck thing, I am doubtful.
Or for the shoe thing:
Maybe it's because we have spent money to buy new shoes before CNY and so we should not spent unnecessary money on another pair of shoe?
Then it will come to another custom... Why should we buy a new set of clothes (and everything else) before CNY? We don't practice it for the Western calender...
Hmmm... Why?
"WHY do people practice certain custom/ superstition?"
Just a few years back, my mum shared with me that we should not buy shoes during the first month of the new year... REALLY? EVEN IF THE STORE IS OFFERING 90% OFFER?!?!??! Yeah... That's my response... And later with the help of Sinsei Google, I found out it's because the Chinese word 'shoe' (hai) is similar to the Cantonese word 'rough', or the sound of the sigh. And rough and sigh is filled with negativity.
Next, it's the famous 'Don't sweep floor on the first day of CNY' as it is believed that we will sweep away the luck from our house. Hmmm... How about vacuuming the floor and keeping the dust? Does that count? Or if it is really sweeping away luck, then why not not sweep the floor throughout the whole year? (Yay?)
And as I Google, I found more and more superstitions...
Don't wash your hair on the first 3 days of CNY (Gosh! I would have been grumpy if I had oily hair!!!)
And don't break stuff on CNY (Who would have purposely break stuff on any day? Are we capable of stopping all accidents?)
Don't use knife or anything sharp (How about food preparation?)
Don't buy books (Books (shu) in Chinese sounds like losing, and so it is to be avoided... Hmmm... Can I suggest that knowledge might be more effective in reducing loss?)
And the list goes on...
If we are to avoid everything with similar sounds with some not so pleasant words, maybe one day we will be left with nothing to do... Somehow in me, I will like to believe that there are more appropriate values behind all these cultures, which perhaps are not handed down with the actions? Why should we follow customs which does not have any value in it? Why should we follow superstitions?
My thought on the no sweeping thing:
Maybe this culture came up to give our mothers a day of rest? If that's the case, i think it's valid, and make sense, and I will probably follow the custom... If it's for the luck thing, I am doubtful.
Or for the shoe thing:
Maybe it's because we have spent money to buy new shoes before CNY and so we should not spent unnecessary money on another pair of shoe?
Then it will come to another custom... Why should we buy a new set of clothes (and everything else) before CNY? We don't practice it for the Western calender...
Hmmm... Why?
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
HE is faithful (Part 1)
Thoughts and reflections...
Over the years, I see how God has been so faithful...
When I first learn about Jesus, I heard of the parable of the talents... Being naive, I mistaken 'talent' as the innate ability of an individual... And somehow I learn that God has given to all at least 1 talent (since in the parable, even the least had 1 talent).
[Btw, that's SO wrong! Talents in the parable is a unit of measurement, not the innate ability thing... So yea, don't just hear part of the Bible... It can be taken out of context]
Back to my story... And so I complained and rant that I'm totally not talented and God is unfair and unjust...
"God, why so and so can sing so well?"
"God, why so and so can draw so well?"
"God, why some people are so good at sports?"
"God, what about me? Have you forgotten about me?"
Growing up, I was just average at everything I do... Never thought that I was talented or gifted in any area... I'm not the best at anything, and neither am I the worst at it (maybe not everything :D). So yea, I did not get into much trouble during school days...
Looking back, my perception of talents back then was so limited... Other than music, art, dance, sports, study, I don't think I have heard of any other talent. My view was narrow. And with that narrow view, I complained and totally miss out the bigger picture.
However, as I accepted Christ into my life, I experience His love, and slowly start serving in church... It was through serving that He slowly reveal to me the things I love, or in other words, area where I am special and maybe a little talented.
Along the way, more and more opportunities come my way... People (many of them) come into my life to teach me, guide me and help me discover what I like to do in life. And what can be better than being blessed with a part-time job doing what I love. That, for me was a total bonus.
By now, I guess you must be thinking what do I actually like to do :P
I love Microsoft Excel!!! And a little bit of Powerpoint :)
And I know I am weird (and I'm perfectly alright with the label).
I get excited when I find out about new formulas or new functions that Excel can do... Mail merge, pivot tables, Vlookup, formatting tables and charts, text-to-column, using shortcut functions excites me (YES, I KNOW I AM WEIRD)... And my latest discovery Macros (*love*).
And yes, I do get irritated when things are not formatted properly... Text should be aligned properly, font should be consistent, etc etc.. Or if things can be done in a simpler way, why do the tedious and longer way... Probably one of my favorite line is "Do NOT change my format"... Haha... Yeah! I do think I have some OCD when it comes to formatting :P
So, this is just a part of His faithfulness over my life... Initially, I wanted to list out all the breakthroughs and how God has been so good, but it's too long... Here's part 1... Hopefully the rest will come up soon :P
I always believe that it is through serving others, that we discover the potential in us. I'm still learning, and I am loving it!
Over the years, I see how God has been so faithful...
When I first learn about Jesus, I heard of the parable of the talents... Being naive, I mistaken 'talent' as the innate ability of an individual... And somehow I learn that God has given to all at least 1 talent (since in the parable, even the least had 1 talent).
[Btw, that's SO wrong! Talents in the parable is a unit of measurement, not the innate ability thing... So yea, don't just hear part of the Bible... It can be taken out of context]
Back to my story... And so I complained and rant that I'm totally not talented and God is unfair and unjust...
"God, why so and so can sing so well?"
"God, why so and so can draw so well?"
"God, why some people are so good at sports?"
"God, what about me? Have you forgotten about me?"
Growing up, I was just average at everything I do... Never thought that I was talented or gifted in any area... I'm not the best at anything, and neither am I the worst at it (maybe not everything :D). So yea, I did not get into much trouble during school days...
Looking back, my perception of talents back then was so limited... Other than music, art, dance, sports, study, I don't think I have heard of any other talent. My view was narrow. And with that narrow view, I complained and totally miss out the bigger picture.
However, as I accepted Christ into my life, I experience His love, and slowly start serving in church... It was through serving that He slowly reveal to me the things I love, or in other words, area where I am special and maybe a little talented.
Along the way, more and more opportunities come my way... People (many of them) come into my life to teach me, guide me and help me discover what I like to do in life. And what can be better than being blessed with a part-time job doing what I love. That, for me was a total bonus.
By now, I guess you must be thinking what do I actually like to do :P
I love Microsoft Excel!!! And a little bit of Powerpoint :)
And I know I am weird (and I'm perfectly alright with the label).
I get excited when I find out about new formulas or new functions that Excel can do... Mail merge, pivot tables, Vlookup, formatting tables and charts, text-to-column, using shortcut functions excites me (YES, I KNOW I AM WEIRD)... And my latest discovery Macros (*love*).
And yes, I do get irritated when things are not formatted properly... Text should be aligned properly, font should be consistent, etc etc.. Or if things can be done in a simpler way, why do the tedious and longer way... Probably one of my favorite line is "Do NOT change my format"... Haha... Yeah! I do think I have some OCD when it comes to formatting :P
So, this is just a part of His faithfulness over my life... Initially, I wanted to list out all the breakthroughs and how God has been so good, but it's too long... Here's part 1... Hopefully the rest will come up soon :P
I always believe that it is through serving others, that we discover the potential in us. I'm still learning, and I am loving it!
Monday, 27 January 2014
The Streets: My Neighbors
Last Sunday, I did something that I have never done before...
Heard of it a couple of times...
But prior to this, I have never thought of doing it...
I was on the streets of Masjid Jamek with a group of friends with some pre-packed nasi lemak, oranges and cookies, hoping to share some love this CNY season... Initially, I felt so out of place... Awkward... I went with no expectation, and would have been happy to just stand aside and watch. But with a little push, I took the courage to speak to some of the homeless people on the streets... And even pray for some of them... Honestly, those were possibly some of the most 'koyakz' prayer ever! I have obviously return every bit of Bahasa to my Form 5 teacher...
What was eye-opening and special for that night was the stories shared by the people on the streets... Some of their stories sounded like a script from TV drama series, and I would never have thought that it was even possible to occur in this 'somewhat civilized' community that I am living in... Many of their stories were heart breaking, and the fact that they are still trying to live is courageous!
Their bed is simply a piece of cardboard or newspapers... The shelter over their head is the sidewalks of shop houses... With the little that they own, they still have to worry that they might be robbed when they sleep at night. Their food, is given by volunteers from various NGOs. If that night nobody feed them, they would have gone to bed with an empty stomach. There was no particular gender, race, religion or age group for the people on the streets. It could be anyone.
Living with such uncertainties, they continued living. Some were injured, but could not afford medical healthcare... Some tried to look for job, but with no success... Some were on drugs, but the urges were strong and difficult to quit. They have families, yet left on the streets.
Many would say that we should be grateful because we have much more than them... Well, we (as in readers) definitely have more, but I believe life is not about comparing our lives with theirs and feeling good about overself. But what can we do as a society? They are not staying in an isolated island somewhere... They are right here, probably just a street away from our favorite malls, or a junction away from our house / school / offices. So near, yet it felt like we are worlds apart. They are also our neighbors.
Today onward, I want to do my part... Just a little part... I am going to keep a few packs of biscuits with me everywhere I go, and hand them out whenever I see someone in need.
Join me if you're reading this... We can make a difference :)
Saturday, 25 January 2014
** REMINDERS **
Like it, or hate it?
Reminders can be useful... BUT...
I'm not a fan of 'human reminders'.
Why not?
1. Sending out reminder is often time-consuming and redundant.
Almost (playing it safe) all mobile phones come with the alarm and reminder functions. Just as how we set alarm to wake us up each morning, shouldn't we also set reminders to remind us of important matters? Why should any individual be required to perform a task which could have easily been done by a machine?
Reminders can be useful... BUT...
I'm not a fan of 'human reminders'.
Why not?
1. Sending out reminder is often time-consuming and redundant.
Almost (playing it safe) all mobile phones come with the alarm and reminder functions. Just as how we set alarm to wake us up each morning, shouldn't we also set reminders to remind us of important matters? Why should any individual be required to perform a task which could have easily been done by a machine?
2. Reminder is a sign of incompetence.
Completing a task is the responsibility of an individual... Do you not trust me enough to complete my task?
As humans, we do forget stuffs... And I understand some people like it (as in reminders, not the 'forgetting stuffs' part)... But, I will still like to try to be my own reminder :).
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Like or no like?
Recently, I have been thinking about this...
"What makes you like a picture on Instagram?"
A. Is it because the picture is good?
B. Is it because the picture touches on an area you're interested in?
C. Is it because you sympathize with the person who has no 'like' for his picture?
D. Is it because you want the attention of the person who posted the picture?
E. Is it part of returning a favor, as the person has just liked your picture?
F. Or I just like every picture on my news feed.
G. Or perhaps I just want to annoy the other party by liking all their pictures at one go :P
Then, the next question will have to be this...
"What makes you not like a certain picture on Instagram?"
A. The picture is plain ugly?
B. I couldn't be bothered about what's happening in that person's life. (Then I'm curious... Why bother following the person then? lHmmm.... Let's not go there)
C. I'm too shy to make my presence felt.
D. I don't want to be labeled as a stalker.
E. My fingers are tired... I only like the first few pictures that appear on my news feed.
Again, all these options are just thoughts to my curious mind...
If we are able to find the reason behind the human behavior of voluntarily (for most cases I believe) liking a picture, could we also trigger other behaviors? Are human beings then easily susceptible to the manipulation of other human beings?
"What makes you like a picture on Instagram?"
A. Is it because the picture is good?
B. Is it because the picture touches on an area you're interested in?
C. Is it because you sympathize with the person who has no 'like' for his picture?
D. Is it because you want the attention of the person who posted the picture?
E. Is it part of returning a favor, as the person has just liked your picture?
F. Or I just like every picture on my news feed.
G. Or perhaps I just want to annoy the other party by liking all their pictures at one go :P
Then, the next question will have to be this...
"What makes you not like a certain picture on Instagram?"
A. The picture is plain ugly?
B. I couldn't be bothered about what's happening in that person's life. (Then I'm curious... Why bother following the person then? lHmmm.... Let's not go there)
C. I'm too shy to make my presence felt.
D. I don't want to be labeled as a stalker.
E. My fingers are tired... I only like the first few pictures that appear on my news feed.
Again, all these options are just thoughts to my curious mind...
If we are able to find the reason behind the human behavior of voluntarily (for most cases I believe) liking a picture, could we also trigger other behaviors? Are human beings then easily susceptible to the manipulation of other human beings?
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Beautiful people do not just happen
"God, solve the problem for me"
vs
"God, give me the courage to face the problem"
Option 1 is the 'shortcut' way out of many situations in life...
Growing up, and very often till today, that was how I face problems in life... As a child, my parents are always present to resolve issues for me... And after being a Christian, I guess I look at God in a similar manner. I look forward for miracles and supernatural ways of getting out of troubles... And somehow I managed to survive till today...
2014 - I have decided to choose option 2... Probably a little late... But better late than never... Looking back, I am just grateful that somehow I manage to survive till today... Option 1 is good, but I don't want to live in such 'cowardly' manner... Both options lead to a way out, but over time, I realize option 1 lack the strengthening of values and characters in life.
People says that "Tough time, tougher people"... I will like to suggest that perhaps tough time does not produce tougher people, but rather "OVERCOMING tough time produces tougher people".
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross:
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
To a bolder 2014!
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