Bad Hair Day?

Can't get any worse than mine...

Rinsing my face,... norm... all I could hear was the splashing of water on my face.

Ten seconds later,... there was this strange sizzling sound next to my ear... weird.

Looked up in the mirror, and my hair was on fire, literally!!!!

How smart of me to place the aroma burner next to the basin....

Bad hair day? Can't get worse than mine.

.
.

Under the Weather

.
.

Liken my previous visit to Hongkong, I've caught another bug this trip.

Three days of nightmare, hopefully I'd be seeing a glimpse of sunlight after this.

The weather in Amsterdam is getting warmer by the day, more sunshine than any of the days since I've been here. And yet I'm trapped in the hotel, how sad you said? Nah, I'd be fine.

Side note, travelled up to Valkenburg last weekend for the Redbull Crashed Ice 2011. Bad idea.
We've only managed to catch a few heads swinging by the course.
As a hobbit, I've missed all the actions. Even with Cow being a massive 6"2 , he could hardly see anything. Hence no pix to show and tell for the event.

Weekend's on the way, planning to head down to Zaanse Schans. I've this thing for windmills. Might post some pix here if I'm not too butt lazy.

Inspired

It's not often a certain movie or drama can inspire or relate to its audiences.

Two days of drama marathon later, I missed my flute. I missed those times in school when I skipped extra lessons for practices. I missed that passion that I used to have for music.

A mere sixteen episode of drama, I'm driven again to embrace even more things that comes my way.

A lesson to take home from the drama "Life has chosen me, and I've chosen happiness". I hope to bear that sentence in mind for a long long time.

Christmas in Winter Wonderland

My first week into the cold weather here in Netherlands and am enjoying every minute of it.

Though we are not experiencing as much snow as England, which too much of anything could be a disaster, it's sufficient to build snowman and have a jolly good time throwing snowballs.

Spent five hours walking in the park/ snow today, everything from scenery to passerby, the atmosphere just felt so surreal and calm. As if it's hasn't been totally polluted by modernization.

Did I mention that winter's my favourite season? lol Guess it's not hard to tell.

Missing and Missing Outs

.
.
.

Mood: Sentimental/ Empty

Have I been away for too long? I welcome changes, we grow along side with changes. Some of us change for the better, few stays in the same spot.

Changes, one of my girlfriend's leaving next year... I can't help but start missing her already. Since I might be flying earlier than I thought, it would be less than a week of us being in the same country before her departure.

Despite feeling the void, I'm glad that she's finally taken on the challenge to further her studies. It contradicts that both the sense of sadness and happiness can both occur at the same time. Sigh.

Mood: Shitty

Missing out on a buddy's visit home end of this year, feeling shitty.

Though I've gotten used to being away from friends most of the time, even more reasons for me to hold on to our friendships even more dearly.

Friends, they watched me laughed, they watched me cry. They walked with me, shared memories with me. I can't imagine what I'd be without them.

There are some whom I'd only acknowledge as aquaintances, they passes by quietly.

There are some who leaves deep footprints, and those I acknowledge as friends.

Missing out on the departure and arrival of two friends, I'm more sorry for myself than to them. I'm sure they'd do fine without my presence, but I can't say the same for myself.

Goodbye G, and D, enjoy your trip home.

내 생각엔 당신이

.
.

Melancholy

最后一晚，丝毫有点伤感。

沉重的心情或许一阵子才能安抚。

窗外吹起带着雨味的风， 好舒服。

还没说再见， 我已开始还念。

悲 。。。


Finally its coming to the last night, the room just seemed to be overwhelmed with sadness.

Such a heavy heart might take some time to calm.

The smell of rain is soothing, it took my mind off the departure for a minute or two.

Though still here, yet I've started to miss.

Melancholy . . .

Aunt Rose makes me evil (and childish)

After my last entry, I'm convinced that it's fully justifiable slacking off for this entry,... pure rant and no photos.

Just like a mythical werewolf transforms every full month, when Aunt Rose visits, my predatory instinct surfaces, on the look out for a prey to insult/ vent my frustration. Can't seem to find much fault from the Cow today,....

A short conversation with Pea, it seemed that the person who's been making random comments on her most recent status on Facebook turned out to be her class' outcast. It doesn't take more prompting to find out that he's in fact the same numbwit who kept insisting that my sis had been having a crash on him back in school. A nerd with an ego too big for his head.

Pea was curious as to why I'm even entertaining his replies, when he clearly clings onto the slightest bit of attention given by anyone with an opposite reproductive system to his.

I've found my candidate. Thanks to this stunots, it made me feel like a class bully... ending the stream of spamming on Pea's status with sarcasm. Certainly the point was made, the thread ended after my last full stop.

Did I feel childish? Extremely. He just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. But at least that puts the Cow back into the safe zone, and I felt better releasing some stored frustration after all the cramps. It's not easy being Venus.

Hopefully this is not one of those karma thingy that comes back and bite me... This is the second person I've "offended" in such manner, all thanks to Aunt Rose.

Venus, Mars and Jupiter

"Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars.
Dogs are from Jupiter, Cats are from the Moon."

Venus and Mars Pillow Talk

Venus getting comfortable, ready for bed.

Mars' youtube clip on his phone echoed in the bedroom.

Mars, "Dear, would you like to watch this clip with me?"

Venus mumbled, "What clip?"

Mars, "A demo on quark."

Venus, "Quartz?" (Wondering what's so interesting about stones at this time of the night)

Mars, "Ya, quark."

Venus sensing there must be some miscommunication in between, "Define quartz to me."

Mars, "Oh, it's an elementary particle and a fundamental constituent of matter. Rather interesting. Quarks combine to form composite particles called hadrons, the most stable of which are protons and neutrons, the components of atomic nuclei. ..."

Venus, "... Ahhhh alright, dear, enjoy your clip, I'm too tired." (Snore)

Venus' not a material cut out to be a scientist (though graduated with a diploma in engineering), nor is she cut out to be a mechanic (though she excel in her electrical and electronics back in school).

On the other hand, Mars' all about cars, planes, science, maths....

That might be why Venus is attracted to Mars, opposite attracts and likes repel.




Venus and Mars on the Road

Mars, "Dear, look at that XXX (random name of a car)."

Venus, "Which one? The yellow car?" (trying to spot any none protons)

Mars, "Ya, that one. It's got the XXX body kit and blah blah blah."

Venus feeling relieved,... cars comes with four wheels and could only be differentiated by colours....

In Venus' invisible pictorial book, she's now able to spot MR2, RX8, RX7, MX5, Fairlady, Scoobies, Beetles, Minis... and a few others thanks to Mars. (Pat on the shoulder for Venus)

If Venus could drive, she'd be seen in a classic Beetle or even touring around in a baby blue volkswagen van with Mars and Jupiter.

Venus' dream car is a RX7 FD Spirit R (white of course).


If Mars could have a car now, it'd be an FD Spirit R.

Mars' dream car is a triple rotor NA RX8.

Our definition to cars just amplified our differences even more.

If Jupiter could drive, it would be a van full of dog biscuits.

Jupiter's dream vehicle would be a van made entirely of chocolate... (forbidden food always taste the best). Doubt that van is going anywhere but her stomach.

Things are just way simpler with Jupiter....

Troubled Times

Things that I've learnt after three glasses of port,... I can actually type faster and more accurately than normal. How weird.

For the past few months we held hopes, we dreamt.
After that few months, reality stroked and we have to prepare and make plans for the worst.
At these troubled times, I need even more strength, I prayed even harder through the sleepless nights.

Ever since I gathered my courage and took the plunge almost eight years ago, my life has never been short of changes. Changes in faces I met, changes in living environment and changes in my beliefs and mentality. Tired, weary, and yet again I'm confronted with yet another phase of changes. It's a challenge to my adaptability as well as my fighting spirit that's growing old.

How are we gotta get through it? I'm still holding on hopes of seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I've sighed too many times for the past few days, vision misted with tears, I've to be even stronger during bad times. I won't be giving up to reality just yet, for I'm a Taurus, and Taurus are bornt to be hardy and strong.......

原来我不是个好女人‏

最近又被摸偶像剧给缠上身，从主角甚多的名言当中就有这么一段：

没有女人是完美的，
漂亮的不下厨，
下厨的不温柔，
温 柔的没主见，
有主见的没女人味，
有女人味的会乱花钱，
不会乱花钱的不会打扮，
会打扮的不放心，
放心的肯定不能 看。

妈哟，好想上吊。
小女不下厨，不温柔，超有主见，又不会打扮。
幸亏那头老牛没眼光看上了我， 哈哈哈哈。

那 摸摸偶像剧也给雄性动物来了一段名言：

男人嘛，
有才华的长得丑，
长得帅的不会赚钱，
会赚钱的不顾家，
顾 家的没出息，
有出息的不浪漫，
浪漫的靠不住，
靠的住的肯定是个窝囊废。

哈哈哈哈，原来我有俩个妈。(笑翻了)




Translation:
Recently I've went back to my drama marathon, extracting one of the many famous quotes from one of the drama :

No woman is perfect,
Beautiful ones don''t cook,
Those that cook ain't gentle,
Gentle ones lacks opinions,
Those with opinions lack femininity,
Femininist ain't thrifty,
Thrifty ones ain't fashionista,
Fashionistas isn't assuring,
Assuring ones are often ugly.

OMG, feels like hanging myself.
I do not cook, nor am I gentle, ultra-assertive and worse my wardrobe sucks.
Thank god Cow's taste isn't too high, ha ha ha ha.

The drama has a quote for guys as well:

Well man,
Talented ones are often ugly,
Cool-looking does not make money,
Those that brings back the cash ain't family orientated,
Family orientated ones are unpromising,
Promising ones ain't romantic
Romantic ones are unreliable,
Reliable ones must be a worthless wretch.

Ha ha ha ha, I have two mums. (PMSL)

Kid at Heart, Responsibilities of Adult

Kid at Heart

Life is too short to be wrapped in a social cocoon. When I was growing up, my folks once told me to look for a good job after I graduate. When I was dating, my folks told me to save up for a flat, get married and bear them a grandchild. Basically, that's their definition of life. To them, life is a cycle, nothing too adventurous nor too risky. They nag, but ultimately still pamper me and my sister. All the chores at home have been taken care of, hot meals on the dinner table when we are hungry, even down to the laundry... they took responsibility for our well-being.

But seeing them age in such a way made me think otherwise, perhaps I've received more education than they did, or the society has shaped me into a different generation than they were used to. They made growing old seem painful and depressing.

Few years back I took the risk to venture out, leaving behind the comfort of home and friends. It was the greatest risk I've ever taken in my entire life. Down that rocky road, I've found my soul-mate, traveled, met new friends from different walks of life and when the time felt right, I exchanged vows with the love of my life. Having children can wait, we're keen to enjoy a few more years without smelly nappies.

We're only given one go with life, it's too short to let others run it on our behalf. We choose to keep life fun as we age.

We keep game consoles in our living room, portable consoles in our drawer, stay up late at night, laugh over silly jokes, eat ice-cream after midnight. Who said growing old has to be boring?


Responsibilities of an Adult/ Parents

Recent visit home, I've discovered that Bubble (my miniature pinscher which I left in the care of my family) has developed a skin problem. My folks provided him with food, baths, walks, the very basic necessities to make him feel comfortable. And when he's sick, they hardly noticed.

I see a close resemblance in that aspect with my childhood. They provided all we need to grow up, but hardly spend any time to play with us. They have never asked for our opinions or what we want in our life. In a way I could bluntly put it that they have neglected our feelings. My childhood hasn't been quite the holistic kind. And when I took up certain interests, be it asking for piano lessons, drawing classes, etc they turn me down flat saying that those were not necessary. I've seen children of my age forced to go for extra classes which they hated, whereas I'd die for to be in their shoes.

My relationship with my parents made me think hard on a lot of things. Looking from a more positive angle, I thank them for setting a bad example. At least I know what to do and what not to do when I eventually have kids of my own. At least I know what I want in life and not age with misery. At least I know that life is too short to waste on obsessing over things which we should have done rather than just doing it.

Feeling Crap

Feeling rather crap at the moment, punching myself in the chest for something I've done earlier. I knew I had to say it, trying to put it in the most polished manner, but it seemed to have made matters worse.

What only meant to be a word of cautious made my friend worries even more.

Was in a dilemma, if I don't speak my mind, he'd might still be able to walk into the interview room with confidence. But if I choose to remain silent, I'd hate myself for not stepping in if otherwise.

On many occasions I've been stuck in situations whether to choose silence. But in this case, something so important, I choose to hurt. Have I done the right thing? If I'm given a second chance, I might choose to speak my mind still. Only because I care.

Fingers crossed all will work out fine for him, and so would our issues. For we both have a common goal.

Smoking John & Jen's Kitchen

Copyrighting

I believe I've never mentioned before, but since I'm sitting here while the boys are gaming, I've a void this evening for me to rant.

Yes I put my name stamp on the small lil corner of my photos, not because I'm proud of them, well not that I'm ashamed of them either. I don't consider myself a photographer, just a hobbyist merely trying to keep a record of things that I see in my daily life. Be it to share with my family or just keeping it and going through it one day reminding myself of those beautiful moments.

Right, here's the story to why I started stamping my photos, bear with me.

Quite a few years ago when I switched to a slightly better camera, we took a series of photos during a party. The series of snaps were circulated amongst friends, and just like a note in a bottle, we have no idea who else it floated to.

Few months down the road, someone actually showed us the pictures, the very same ones we took and claimed it the person who took it was someone else he knew. Despite us defending ourselves, the other party just wouldn't believe us. I felt like I'm been accursed... as if someone is saying that I'm a liar or something.

Not that I mind sharing my pictures, but I don't like being called a liar either. I tried my best to give credits to pictures I've obtained from sources apart from my own. It's just peeps out there that doesn't respect it. So therefore it concludes my story of why on earth I actually "copyright" most of my pictures.

In fact recently I'm in the dilemma of whether to stop using © on my photos or even stop putting my name on altogether, the low self-esteem side of me is trying to convince myself that my photos are not good enough nor even qualify for a copyright.

Anyone reading this post, please kindly give me suggestions please?

Feeling clever

or just pure luck. Finally managed to solve the lappy's wireless connection problem. Deprived of sleep din't help the fact that I lost my thinking cap, after a much needed nap, my tiny brain started working again. Thank God.

We've landed safe and sound in sunny Brisbane. I know I should really enjoy the sun while I still have the chance, since the weather Forecast mentioned to expect rain the next few days. But I can't help running to the nearest shelter, be it a lamppost, a tree, or even Cow... I was Oscar the Grouch of the day.

Sitting on the balcony now, sipping coffee while I blabber, the stars in view, enjoying the tranquility, blanking out the noisy aircon unit just above me. Haaa and the mozzies won't be expecting a buffet from me, I've got my trusty mozzie repellent on. I'm glad we survived the flight and heat.

More pix coming up soon. Far too exhausted to take any today, which is pretty unusual for me.

Moo Moment (5) - Death Talk

Me: Having a quick and painless death, to me is considered a blessing.

Moo: ... (continued walking Yumi)

Me: I'd be a happy corpse to be able to die in my sleep.

Moo: That's not difficult!

Me: Huh?

Moo: You spent majority of your time sleeping anyway, so on theory, the probability of you dying in your sleep is actually,... pretty high.

Me: ... ... ...

Day One Part II

After ranting on day one of our trip, the rest of the evenings once we reached our hotel, there's hardly any energy left to blog. Hence apart from the first entry, the rest are post entries.

Day One
We were pretty adventurous, despite this is our first trip here, we opted for a bus and finding our way to the hotel rather than taking a cab. It was a pretty long walk (and aimless one as well) to our accommodation from the Taipei main station.

With a map in hand, the two helpless souls finally reached our destination. Well, not forgetting to snack as we wandered along. The night market outside the station served the best BBQ squid outta all the ones we tried during our entire stay (damn do I miss it).

Dropping off our bags at the hotel, the two of us (still with plenty of energy left) headed off for more food. Walked for half an hour and we landed at the "Zhong Xiao Xing Shen Station" (忠孝新生). Yes, the rest of the night would bore you, more food, more spending on random shit, which I'll spare you the details.

Cats on the Loose

My security canine had been busy on patrol before she left for her nanny's, now that she's not around, the annoying felines are on the loose.

All those noise, those cat fights, all the commotion just at our doorstep, just because Yumi wasn't around.

My head has been killing me since this afternoon, fingers crossed its not another ear infection or something, I've been downing loads of pills to help me nap over the pain, and the aspirin did help a lil, thou not a great deal. I'll be away for a couple of days, hope I can get wifi to upload pix for the Christmas holiday.

If not, then here's an advance Merry Christmas to which ever bored soul is reading this entry.

Truly peek a boo

Just another ordinary day (almost), interrupted by an uninvited guest, clearing the drying rack and out jumped this fat gecko.
As much as it managed to scare the daylight outta me, I'm pretty sure he suffered even more.
Jumping off the kitchen counter and landed with a pretty loud "splat", that fella is now hiding under my stack of garbage bag.
I'll leave him alone to reflect on his misconduct (more like I'm too much of a wimp to chase it away), before I get Cow to send him packing.

What oh What am I to Her?

The house feels empty without the rascal and Cow.

Flying home tomorrow, and since Cow has no time this week for Yumi, she was sent to Yen's (our home boarder) till Saturday.

Wondering if she'd miss me,... my worries were for nothing, in fact I felt used. All this while she might have just taken me as her food cum treats vending machine... *sob*

The moment she went into her vacation camp,... I was nothing. The sight of her doggie friends and all the new smell,... she totally let her fur down and ran around like some lunatic escapee from a mental institute!!!
She din't even come to the gate to bid us farewell, ermmm, when Cow sticked his hand through the gate to pat her, she actually ducked!!!

I was taken aback,... sigh, what am I to her?