I'm pretty sure that many people have done it before. The sun is up at its glorious best, while there are no deadlines to meet, no projects to complete and best of all no exams to study for. So what do we do then? We laze around. Well some poeple do stare at the clouds. Clouds are really special. They are so white and fluffy, sort of like wool. Changing shapes at will, sometimes they adopt human-like shapes, other times they look like trees...But before I get too carried away with my cloud-watching, other people tend to just lie flat on the bed and inspect their eyelids. Maybe take a nap or something. It's something I don't generally do because I don't really have the habit of it unless I played a round of overnight mahjong the previous day...Some people define lazing around as doing something fun without dealing with the stress of everyday life. An advocate of this particular form of lazing around, I highly recommend chatting with friends, going out for a meal or movie or even just playing board games. No effective work is really done except to have fun. After all, all work and no play makes Jack(or Jill) a dull boy(girl). While lazing around is fun and all, do remember that there's a limit to all these activities. When the time comes, it's back to work and the books especially for those studying.
I'm trying pretty hard to brush up on my english. That is why I accept any comments or corrections on my grammer and spelling. After all, it has been some time since I've been using proper english. (most times I use the SMS shorthand to chat with people so please forgive my indiscretion :-) )
Till next time, may the clouds represent our lives - ever-changing and vibrant in every aspect!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Economical?
I used to think that the word economical had something to do with economics and the economy and it did! Wonders! Then I thought maybe I could go 2 for 2 and say it's related to the environment since it does seem to have a prefix 'eco'. Guessed I should have stayed at 1 guess. What is economical is something that many people in the world curently mull over. Is it more economical to drive a car or take public transport? With the recent talk on introducing lower prices for transfers for buses, public transport seem the way to go. Indeed having a gridlock on the business destrict will certainly cause ceaseless complaints from the public which was why the introduction of many new gantries. Now people are complaining about something totally different...Let's continue with the theme of things. Oil prices are skyrocketing. US$140 plus per barrel was the highest recorded I believe. With it comes another set of questions on economy. Oil is a very precious resource since it is finite. Tough though that it's controlled by a powerful conglomerate. Anyway, oil affects us in ways that we haven't even imagined. The most immediate concern is transport since they do run on petrol or diesel which is a derivative from crude. So sales of vehicles have crashed a little. General Motors was the latest to have reported losses. Sports utility vehicles are really using too much petrol which was one of the given reason for the poor performance. There are other reasons but would not be mentioned here. Food has also taken a hit with rising oil prices. The percentage leap can be quite astounding if you do bother going to calculate. Seldom does it reflect the percentage jump in oil since like my friend WL likes to point out, prices try to jump minimum 50 cents since no one likes 1 cents and 5 cents. So then maybe we should all eat 'economical rice' at home since it's the cheapest? YF told me my paragraphing is a little haywire but then maybe I can say I was economical in the usage of space. :p
Anyways, that's the end of my entry. All good things must come to an end for I believe that the end is just the start of a brand new beginning of a good thing. Loops right? Till next time, may the economy stage a fightback and change the grizzly to a metador!
Anyways, that's the end of my entry. All good things must come to an end for I believe that the end is just the start of a brand new beginning of a good thing. Loops right? Till next time, may the economy stage a fightback and change the grizzly to a metador!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Happiness
A milkshake. A painting. A game. Seemingly unrelated, but nevertheless share a certain trait. They are capable of giving happiness. Let's take the simple case of milkshake. Picture a sweltering day, the temperature is in the high 40s, and you are typically stuck outdoors. Being able to enjoy an ice-cool milkshake will bring about a bounty of happiness.
Second case, a painting. I must stick a disclaimer that not everyone is able to appreciate a good painting but I'll try with the description. An aquamarine lake shimmers with the crescent moon. The reflection actually looks like a treasure chest full of gold coins. Weeping willows sway in the gentle breeze and appear to beckon you towards their secrets. The contrast of the twinkling stars on the backdrop of bleck velvet are just like diamonds basking in their glory. The picture is completed with a pair of wolves running into the forest. Their vigour and enthusiasm brings out all the regal qualities of these majestic animals and made them worthy creatures of the night. A painting can also give the art lover plenty of joy.
The third case I'll use soccer then. Soccer may be a mindless game of 22 people chasing after a ball for some, but for others it's more than life and death. (see Bill Shankley) Soccer can bring plenty of excitement and satifaction, but it is also equally able to bring sadness and misery. But let's not dwell on this since it's pretty unrelated. Watching how skillful players employ the 'samba' to beat each other, how they are able to manipulate the ball just like an extended limb and more importantly how they are able to call out to the ball so that it acts under their directions, what's not to like about soccer? Soccer lovers can empathize. Need I say more?
In short, what I'm trying to say is that happiness comes in many forms. (though admittedly my examples are pretty one-dimensional) Even the smallest things can bring with it a large amount of happiness. It's hard to quantify happiness but nevertheless there should be a gauge on how happy you are. The key idea is not to let all the unhappy things weigh you down. Life is too short to mull over your failures and disappointments. Seize the moment and experience all the happiness that you want to. Cliches are always useful in this juncture: You only live life once so go LIVE it!!
Okay, this is the end of a rather short post. (actually I do have shorter ones :p) Till next time, may the higher powers bestow their blessing on this fragile world we are living in!
Second case, a painting. I must stick a disclaimer that not everyone is able to appreciate a good painting but I'll try with the description. An aquamarine lake shimmers with the crescent moon. The reflection actually looks like a treasure chest full of gold coins. Weeping willows sway in the gentle breeze and appear to beckon you towards their secrets. The contrast of the twinkling stars on the backdrop of bleck velvet are just like diamonds basking in their glory. The picture is completed with a pair of wolves running into the forest. Their vigour and enthusiasm brings out all the regal qualities of these majestic animals and made them worthy creatures of the night. A painting can also give the art lover plenty of joy.
The third case I'll use soccer then. Soccer may be a mindless game of 22 people chasing after a ball for some, but for others it's more than life and death. (see Bill Shankley) Soccer can bring plenty of excitement and satifaction, but it is also equally able to bring sadness and misery. But let's not dwell on this since it's pretty unrelated. Watching how skillful players employ the 'samba' to beat each other, how they are able to manipulate the ball just like an extended limb and more importantly how they are able to call out to the ball so that it acts under their directions, what's not to like about soccer? Soccer lovers can empathize. Need I say more?
In short, what I'm trying to say is that happiness comes in many forms. (though admittedly my examples are pretty one-dimensional) Even the smallest things can bring with it a large amount of happiness. It's hard to quantify happiness but nevertheless there should be a gauge on how happy you are. The key idea is not to let all the unhappy things weigh you down. Life is too short to mull over your failures and disappointments. Seize the moment and experience all the happiness that you want to. Cliches are always useful in this juncture: You only live life once so go LIVE it!!
Okay, this is the end of a rather short post. (actually I do have shorter ones :p) Till next time, may the higher powers bestow their blessing on this fragile world we are living in!
Distant Friends
Have you ever felt like it's difficult to make friends? I do admit I suffer from this affliction as I appear to be hostile and cold on the outside. However, just like the M&M advertisement, I do melt pretty easily on the inside. Once people get to know me, they will find another side of me. The great big problem is how to get past the first step. This step is always the hardest and also the most necessary. Just as much as I would like to make more friends, it is just as hard for me to open up. One reason could be I'm more of an introvert kind of person. I go green with envy at those people who effortlessly go up to strangers and have a conversation with them. There's a place in my heart where I hope to emulate them and be as outgoing. It's omething I'm trying desparately to change even though I know it's not going to be easy. This happens to be part 1 of my entry. Part 2 is probably more important...
Friends are people who you know to certain extents. These extents determine what kind of friend he or she is to you. One group of people who almost always end up as your friends is your classmates. They are the people who you see every day in school. In other words, they could be the group who spend the most time with you. (maybe apart from your family) Friendships would have been established quickly as they share weal and woe with you. They are the support when you feel like giving up; they will be there at the finish line cheering you on; they are the the ones who eat lunch with you at the canteen; they are the ones who you find to have fun with...the list goes on and on. Everyone has positive memories about their classmates. This is also the time when the bonds are the tightest. The problem only comes when everyone graduates. This is the most crucial time in my opinion. If contact is lost at this point, the bridge will fall no matter how stable the foundation was. It breaks my heart that something so special can be easily defeated by a lapse of concentration from both parties. Although it is saddening, it happens more often than I wish. It takes 2 hands to clap and so it does. People deal with graduations differently. Some find it the end of an old life while some treat it like the prologue of a book. Effort is needed to maintain contact with peopl who you care for as well as people who care. Even if it is one-sided, have faith that it can change and be satisfied that at least you have done your part to keep the flame burning.
I have experienced my fair share of disapointments. While I'm no expert at keeping contact, I have resolved to change this. The first step in doing so is to recognize that there's a problem. What comes after that is courage, will and determination. Nil Sine Labore.
Till next time, please give me your support so that I can change for the better. Honesty is the best policy and friends should not lie just because the truth may hurt. The intention to really help is what a true friend should do. :)
Friends are people who you know to certain extents. These extents determine what kind of friend he or she is to you. One group of people who almost always end up as your friends is your classmates. They are the people who you see every day in school. In other words, they could be the group who spend the most time with you. (maybe apart from your family) Friendships would have been established quickly as they share weal and woe with you. They are the support when you feel like giving up; they will be there at the finish line cheering you on; they are the the ones who eat lunch with you at the canteen; they are the ones who you find to have fun with...the list goes on and on. Everyone has positive memories about their classmates. This is also the time when the bonds are the tightest. The problem only comes when everyone graduates. This is the most crucial time in my opinion. If contact is lost at this point, the bridge will fall no matter how stable the foundation was. It breaks my heart that something so special can be easily defeated by a lapse of concentration from both parties. Although it is saddening, it happens more often than I wish. It takes 2 hands to clap and so it does. People deal with graduations differently. Some find it the end of an old life while some treat it like the prologue of a book. Effort is needed to maintain contact with peopl who you care for as well as people who care. Even if it is one-sided, have faith that it can change and be satisfied that at least you have done your part to keep the flame burning.
I have experienced my fair share of disapointments. While I'm no expert at keeping contact, I have resolved to change this. The first step in doing so is to recognize that there's a problem. What comes after that is courage, will and determination. Nil Sine Labore.
Till next time, please give me your support so that I can change for the better. Honesty is the best policy and friends should not lie just because the truth may hurt. The intention to really help is what a true friend should do. :)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Influence
What is this entity that seeks to permeate every corner of our lives? Can it even be classified as a thing? In our lives, there will be instances when people have influenced you or that you have influenced others knowingly or unknowingly. Nevertheless, how powerful is influence?
Let's talk about bad influences first. Most of these bad influences actually come from the people around you. There is definitely a higher possibility of a person taking drugs or smoking if his friends are all doing the same thing. This is popularly known as peer pressure. The person will be goaded into doing illegal things in order to get in his friends' good books. Unfortunately for him, his life was left in tatters the moment he succumbed to the poison apple. Lots of people understimate the power of peer pressure. People who do not have the opportunity to grow up in a nromal family are particularly susceptible to this kind of peer pressure. When there's no one to turn to, when your family doesn't show enough concern over your well-being, when you are at the age of rebellion, the heart is more likely to accept the darkness around. If you do know about people like this, lend a hand. Pull ther person before he drops into the abyss. A new-found friend can do wonders for anybody.
Next up are positive influences. They can come from anybody or anything for that matters. Self-help books are considered positive influences to some extent since they help you become a better person. Teachers are also a very good source of positive influences. They shape character and also play the role model. In fact, they are probably one of the most important people in your life. Teachers is a term I would use loosely. That is because anyone can be a teacher. What does a teacher do? He or she teaches and is the vessel of knowledge transfer. Teachers recount experience so that the student can learn and not repeat the same mistakes that were made. Teachers educate about morals so that the student can decide for himself in the later part of his life what to do and what not to do. Teachers offer possibilities and choices but they do not compel. At least, that is my view on teachers. Beacons of light that shine in the fierce seas, guiding trapped ships to safe harbor. Teachers are really quite similar to lighthouses if you think about it.
So a follow-up question: Is it better to influence or be influenced? Would it be all right to influence others to let then see your point of view? Or is better to listen what others have to say? Life is not about extremes so let me qualify the question. Which option, in your opinion, is more important in your life?
Till next time, when the start sparkle in the sky, the moon hanging in the sky like a medallion, and the clouds forming a picturesque background to the vibrant surroundings.
Let's talk about bad influences first. Most of these bad influences actually come from the people around you. There is definitely a higher possibility of a person taking drugs or smoking if his friends are all doing the same thing. This is popularly known as peer pressure. The person will be goaded into doing illegal things in order to get in his friends' good books. Unfortunately for him, his life was left in tatters the moment he succumbed to the poison apple. Lots of people understimate the power of peer pressure. People who do not have the opportunity to grow up in a nromal family are particularly susceptible to this kind of peer pressure. When there's no one to turn to, when your family doesn't show enough concern over your well-being, when you are at the age of rebellion, the heart is more likely to accept the darkness around. If you do know about people like this, lend a hand. Pull ther person before he drops into the abyss. A new-found friend can do wonders for anybody.
Next up are positive influences. They can come from anybody or anything for that matters. Self-help books are considered positive influences to some extent since they help you become a better person. Teachers are also a very good source of positive influences. They shape character and also play the role model. In fact, they are probably one of the most important people in your life. Teachers is a term I would use loosely. That is because anyone can be a teacher. What does a teacher do? He or she teaches and is the vessel of knowledge transfer. Teachers recount experience so that the student can learn and not repeat the same mistakes that were made. Teachers educate about morals so that the student can decide for himself in the later part of his life what to do and what not to do. Teachers offer possibilities and choices but they do not compel. At least, that is my view on teachers. Beacons of light that shine in the fierce seas, guiding trapped ships to safe harbor. Teachers are really quite similar to lighthouses if you think about it.
So a follow-up question: Is it better to influence or be influenced? Would it be all right to influence others to let then see your point of view? Or is better to listen what others have to say? Life is not about extremes so let me qualify the question. Which option, in your opinion, is more important in your life?
Till next time, when the start sparkle in the sky, the moon hanging in the sky like a medallion, and the clouds forming a picturesque background to the vibrant surroundings.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
First Meetings
First meeting are always happy moments. Sure, there may be awkward moments but eventually they become joyous moments. The sense of excitement that builds up just before meeting someone new, gives a thrill which is not unlike riding a roller-coaster in a theme park. There would be this picture that in your mind that brings out all the positive attributes of the person you are going to meet, a beautiful portrait that would be worth a fortune. There is this sense of knowledge that the person would ake a perfect friend, one that is trustworthy and loyal. He would be prepared to jump through fire for you, offer you comfort when you are sad or depressed, celebrate with you when there's a joyful occasion and basically stand by you through the fiercest storms and cheering you on when faced with challenges. Then you meet the person and you realise that he far exceeded your expectations. Bonds are forged and a new friend is made. First meetings are beautiful and offers boundless opportunities. A chance, a sliver of hope, a breakthorough, I believe in all these things. Friendships all start with the first meeting and so they should be.
Till next time, always believe in the positives of life. May your first meetings always bring you the dreams that come true and the meeting of your guardian angels.
Till next time, always believe in the positives of life. May your first meetings always bring you the dreams that come true and the meeting of your guardian angels.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
El Nino
Yar I know this entry is coming pretty late considering the result has already been announced worldwide. But Spain won the EUROS!!! My prediction (or you can say my biasness) that Spain will emerge victorious came true. Now if only I can strike the Singapore Sweep that would be nice...
Let's talk about the new European Champions. Oozing with confidence, playing with both style and substance yet still finding it in them to dig deep when needed, it would be hard-press for anyone to deny that Spain deserved to win this one. Let's look at the heroes. In goal, we have who many people claim to have the safest pair of hands Casillas. In front of him is the ever-reliable Puyol and the sturdy Machena. On the wing-backs, we have the Man U target Ramos and on the other the bombarding Capdevillea. Protecting the back four is the strong and courageous Senna. The magical trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Silva produced one of the greatest sorceries of all time, weaving in and out, interchanging flanks, producing breathtaking skills and to put it simply, was the major force behind Spain's triumph. In attack we have Kop hero Torres and Euro's Golden Boot David Villa. With such a team of talented individuals playing together in harmony, it is little wonder the result.
Okay, that's enough for this post. Spain for World Cup 2010? The world is waiting with bated breath. :-)
Let's talk about the new European Champions. Oozing with confidence, playing with both style and substance yet still finding it in them to dig deep when needed, it would be hard-press for anyone to deny that Spain deserved to win this one. Let's look at the heroes. In goal, we have who many people claim to have the safest pair of hands Casillas. In front of him is the ever-reliable Puyol and the sturdy Machena. On the wing-backs, we have the Man U target Ramos and on the other the bombarding Capdevillea. Protecting the back four is the strong and courageous Senna. The magical trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Silva produced one of the greatest sorceries of all time, weaving in and out, interchanging flanks, producing breathtaking skills and to put it simply, was the major force behind Spain's triumph. In attack we have Kop hero Torres and Euro's Golden Boot David Villa. With such a team of talented individuals playing together in harmony, it is little wonder the result.
Okay, that's enough for this post. Spain for World Cup 2010? The world is waiting with bated breath. :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)