My Japanese friends, Sachie and Mayumi, are back from Quebec! How lucky they are that the weather of last weekend was terrific! They enjoyed it immensely! Haha... now they know why I like Quebec so so much! :-) We were about to go for dinner together before I turned them down at the last minute. It was 'cause I had to make a phone call to Hong Kong. :-( Reli hate time difference now...
French oral test tomorrow. Have my lines memorized already and yet- I always get stuck in distinguishing the passé composé forms : as & es. I screw them up when I speak! Sigh! :-p
Figuring out the route. Getting a bit excited~ But I guess I may not be able to pay a visit to Helsinki given its distant location. It'd be such a hassle flying in and out of Finland. Don't wanna let Taina down... dunno how i can tell her :-( ... Perhaps next year???
Still driven by lots and lots and lots of passion and determination. Life is full of hope - Yeh!!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Not too bad. I'm not too worried.
What I've been busy with these days have nothing to do with my school here, seriously - It's my school way across the Alantic Ocean!
Talked to Rosi today. Now both of us kind of have a sense of where we would be between May and July. Should be able to fix the route when the result of our application is available later.
Joly(The lady who is in charge of the summer program) got back to me and assured me that results of application should be available by next week and so hopefully, i will be fixed with my summer plan by then. As for the academic copy, I can submit it later.
Have just heard from my college office. They said it was okay for me to send the form back upon completion and have other supporting documents submitted after I've returned.
Hehe... Things look good. God bless me... ;-) He's making a way!
What I've been busy with these days have nothing to do with my school here, seriously - It's my school way across the Alantic Ocean!
Talked to Rosi today. Now both of us kind of have a sense of where we would be between May and July. Should be able to fix the route when the result of our application is available later.
Joly(The lady who is in charge of the summer program) got back to me and assured me that results of application should be available by next week and so hopefully, i will be fixed with my summer plan by then. As for the academic copy, I can submit it later.
Have just heard from my college office. They said it was okay for me to send the form back upon completion and have other supporting documents submitted after I've returned.
Hehe... Things look good. God bless me... ;-) He's making a way!
Monday, March 28, 2005
Unexpected. Unknown. Undecided.
Remarks: this entry is a bit messy. Like what i"ve said, SO much has been going on here. Kinda lose the sense of time. I wish I could explain everything more clearly but unfortunately I can't!
Unexpected. My classmate in French class, Nway, told me that I could stay with her friend if I couldn't find a place to stay! I have done a wide range of research about hostels in London, but it turned out that I have to expect spending like 30 or sth(Oh man Canadian dollars) for a night- which is sth I can't afford( given the fact that I'm already at the edge of bankrupcy!!;-p just kidding!) So it helps a WHOLE LOT to have free accomodation for a few days~~~
Unknown. Haven't mentioned much about my Spanish friend, Susana, inviting me and other girls to stay with her family during X'mas last year. Well, bad timing. I have already had plans for X'mas before she even asked. Plus I thought it would be a pity not to be able to travel to other countries whilst in Valencia. But she has been urging me to come to Spain since then. More than ... I forgot how many times. She's been so enthusiastic to invite people coming over to her home city! Girl she's so proud of her country and culture! :-) This afternoon as we talked, as usual, she urged me to stop by Spain if I ever travel in Europe. I told her my tentative plan and I sort of asked if it was okay to stay with her.
Well, here I have to trace back to a conversation with Rosita before Reading week. She has got a free ticket to Barcelona when purchasing the plane ticket to Helsinki, so she would go to Barcelona this summer. For sure. Since both of us don't have companion to travel this summer, we kind of had an idea that we might be able to meet up somewhere there and travel together(which I knew was super super crazy~). We talked a bit but again-- bad timing! For she would be in Oulu until late May and I would have left for Toronto by then. It's not gonna work out. Forget about it, I thought.
About two weeks ago she told me about the summer program in Lyon and both of us decided to take it. So the idea of traveling around with her came forth again. Now having Sus offering us accomodation, the hope reignites! BUT have to talk to Rosi. Don't know if our schedules are compatible in this case ...
Undecided. I've just got a letter from Taina. It was neat to hear that I could go stay with her in Helsinki for a week or sth. BUT now I've had a rough idea of where I'm going, this free offer of accomodation seems to be more than enough. Helsinki ... I DO wanna go visit her. It would be so much fun! Yet it would cost me another hundred bucks for a plane ticket to get there. What's more, it's highly inconvenient to fly in and out of Helsinki before getting to the heart of Europe. Sigh! What should I do???
Overcoming mounts of redtapes
What redtape? It's the business of the coming academic year. As I'm applying for school residence, summer program, college scholarship etc... a new round of email inquiries about application forms, deadlines, supporting documents, academic copies, and teacher's recommendation has just started! I've been glued to my laptop, or if not, the computer at lab, since two weeks ago! Frankly I'm experienced in this area as these are what I did last year. Yet I'm pissed off to have to wait for those people to get back to me 'cause of the opposite time-zones!
I'm with Rosi, "Exchange is still so busy!"
Yea you bet. Who said it's a year of lay-back life when going on exchange?
No one is immune to those tedious procedures.
As it heads toward the end of this term, everything is just the beginning of an end!
Remarks: this entry is a bit messy. Like what i"ve said, SO much has been going on here. Kinda lose the sense of time. I wish I could explain everything more clearly but unfortunately I can't!
Unexpected. My classmate in French class, Nway, told me that I could stay with her friend if I couldn't find a place to stay! I have done a wide range of research about hostels in London, but it turned out that I have to expect spending like 30 or sth(Oh man Canadian dollars) for a night- which is sth I can't afford( given the fact that I'm already at the edge of bankrupcy!!;-p just kidding!) So it helps a WHOLE LOT to have free accomodation for a few days~~~
Unknown. Haven't mentioned much about my Spanish friend, Susana, inviting me and other girls to stay with her family during X'mas last year. Well, bad timing. I have already had plans for X'mas before she even asked. Plus I thought it would be a pity not to be able to travel to other countries whilst in Valencia. But she has been urging me to come to Spain since then. More than ... I forgot how many times. She's been so enthusiastic to invite people coming over to her home city! Girl she's so proud of her country and culture! :-) This afternoon as we talked, as usual, she urged me to stop by Spain if I ever travel in Europe. I told her my tentative plan and I sort of asked if it was okay to stay with her.
Well, here I have to trace back to a conversation with Rosita before Reading week. She has got a free ticket to Barcelona when purchasing the plane ticket to Helsinki, so she would go to Barcelona this summer. For sure. Since both of us don't have companion to travel this summer, we kind of had an idea that we might be able to meet up somewhere there and travel together(which I knew was super super crazy~). We talked a bit but again-- bad timing! For she would be in Oulu until late May and I would have left for Toronto by then. It's not gonna work out. Forget about it, I thought.
About two weeks ago she told me about the summer program in Lyon and both of us decided to take it. So the idea of traveling around with her came forth again. Now having Sus offering us accomodation, the hope reignites! BUT have to talk to Rosi. Don't know if our schedules are compatible in this case ...
Undecided. I've just got a letter from Taina. It was neat to hear that I could go stay with her in Helsinki for a week or sth. BUT now I've had a rough idea of where I'm going, this free offer of accomodation seems to be more than enough. Helsinki ... I DO wanna go visit her. It would be so much fun! Yet it would cost me another hundred bucks for a plane ticket to get there. What's more, it's highly inconvenient to fly in and out of Helsinki before getting to the heart of Europe. Sigh! What should I do???
Overcoming mounts of redtapes
What redtape? It's the business of the coming academic year. As I'm applying for school residence, summer program, college scholarship etc... a new round of email inquiries about application forms, deadlines, supporting documents, academic copies, and teacher's recommendation has just started! I've been glued to my laptop, or if not, the computer at lab, since two weeks ago! Frankly I'm experienced in this area as these are what I did last year. Yet I'm pissed off to have to wait for those people to get back to me 'cause of the opposite time-zones!
I'm with Rosi, "Exchange is still so busy!"
Yea you bet. Who said it's a year of lay-back life when going on exchange?
No one is immune to those tedious procedures.
As it heads toward the end of this term, everything is just the beginning of an end!
Sunday, March 27, 2005
2nd floor of Fine Art Centre
Well I know it's rather irrelevant to spring ... just dropped by and took my paintings back. Was freak out when Jane told me that the profs would relocate or throw paintings away from last term if they were left in the studio. With my two paintings in hands, I'm glad that they are still intact! :-)
Friday, March 25, 2005
Clueless (1995)
What makes satire effective? It's always like a double-headed beast.
Social effect of satire films was what we were discussing in class last night. No doubt intentional satire can be a voice of social critique. But how much do audience get out of it is another matter. This film, targeting at teenagers, was a success back in 1995 and is still enjoyed by a lot of us today. What I find so interesting about the film is that it kind of breaks the general rule. To me, there seems to be a boundary between those art films which are satirical and mainstream films, which serve to entertain. This film is ironic, and yet it is full of humor and enjoys immense success in the mainstream market.
I think the interpretation and self-conciousness of audience is the key here. The sun-blessed teens in Beverly Hill of Southern California, the happy ending, the pettiness and foolishness of the characters' consumption ... these are the pleasures offered by the film. Yes we can laugh at the mindlessness of the characters and go back-reflect on the artificiality of consumer culture. But sorry- we still wear make-up, we buy nice tops, hang out at malls and we still see girls going for plastic surgery etc... it seems that you can't be critical when you're compliant, given the fact that you're so much part of the culture! In that sense, the satire only offers a false choice of criticism. However, I do think one can eventually break away from the popular culture if she develops her own self-conciousness, just as Cher's alternation toward the end of the film suggests.
What else can be more pathetic than having a girl who has seen this film leaves the theater, still fussing over how to dress for school the next day? That's the ultimate cluelessness!!!
Well, perhaps that's the satire Heckerling intended.
Clueless(1995)
Amy Heckerling
clueless
What makes satire effective? It's always like a double-headed beast.
Social effect of satire films was what we were discussing in class last night. No doubt intentional satire can be a voice of social critique. But how much do audience get out of it is another matter. This film, targeting at teenagers, was a success back in 1995 and is still enjoyed by a lot of us today. What I find so interesting about the film is that it kind of breaks the general rule. To me, there seems to be a boundary between those art films which are satirical and mainstream films, which serve to entertain. This film is ironic, and yet it is full of humor and enjoys immense success in the mainstream market.
I think the interpretation and self-conciousness of audience is the key here. The sun-blessed teens in Beverly Hill of Southern California, the happy ending, the pettiness and foolishness of the characters' consumption ... these are the pleasures offered by the film. Yes we can laugh at the mindlessness of the characters and go back-reflect on the artificiality of consumer culture. But sorry- we still wear make-up, we buy nice tops, hang out at malls and we still see girls going for plastic surgery etc... it seems that you can't be critical when you're compliant, given the fact that you're so much part of the culture! In that sense, the satire only offers a false choice of criticism. However, I do think one can eventually break away from the popular culture if she develops her own self-conciousness, just as Cher's alternation toward the end of the film suggests.
What else can be more pathetic than having a girl who has seen this film leaves the theater, still fussing over how to dress for school the next day? That's the ultimate cluelessness!!!
Well, perhaps that's the satire Heckerling intended.
Clueless(1995)
Amy Heckerling
clueless
Cher: So like, right now for example. The Haitians need to come to America. But some people are all, "What about the strain on our resources?" Well it's like when I had this garden party for my father's birthday, right? I put R.S.V.P. 'cause it was a sit-down dinner. But some people came that like did not R.S.V.P. I was like totally buggin'. I had to haul ass to the kitchen, redistribute the food, and squish in extra place settings. But by the end of the day it was, like, the more the merrier. And so if the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party with the Haitians. And in conclusion may I please remind you it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty. Thank you very much.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
So much has been going on here.
Working mad on my readings, exams, and the plan after that. On the other hand, it's the time when i have to overcome mounts of redtapes! Application forms, academic copies, proposals, photocopies of supporting documents, teachers' recommendation, email inquiries etc ...
driving me nuts!!!
Next week: French written and oral test!!!
It's scary! I still can't overcome the hurdle of speaking French in front of other people. Rather contrary to my personality, at class I tend to be withdrawn (people probably think I'm dumb!Sigh!). Having been learning French for 3 years(on and off), I don't have much difficulty in reading and writing it. BUT it definitely is something if I have to speak up in class. Something psychological ... I can't forgive myself for my terrible accent! God knows why those peolple out there kind of have a sense of how to pronounce certain words in a FRENCH way! Sometimes I can spot their mispronunciations right away but the thing is - what else can you say when the way they pronounce it seems to make it SOUND right?
Sigh!
Working mad on my readings, exams, and the plan after that. On the other hand, it's the time when i have to overcome mounts of redtapes! Application forms, academic copies, proposals, photocopies of supporting documents, teachers' recommendation, email inquiries etc ...
driving me nuts!!!
Next week: French written and oral test!!!
It's scary! I still can't overcome the hurdle of speaking French in front of other people. Rather contrary to my personality, at class I tend to be withdrawn (people probably think I'm dumb!Sigh!). Having been learning French for 3 years(on and off), I don't have much difficulty in reading and writing it. BUT it definitely is something if I have to speak up in class. Something psychological ... I can't forgive myself for my terrible accent! God knows why those peolple out there kind of have a sense of how to pronounce certain words in a FRENCH way! Sometimes I can spot their mispronunciations right away but the thing is - what else can you say when the way they pronounce it seems to make it SOUND right?
Sigh!
Monday, March 21, 2005
Hey friends, I hope it's not too much at a time. :-p
16/3 (Wed)
I have a luck!
=> A lady from my college office got back to me, saying that I'm still eligible to apply for the travel subsidy.
17/3 (Thu)
Relieved after hearing from the LIN* department of my school
=> They accept overseas application for the summer program
*LIN- Linguistics and Modern Languages Department
Have no clue of what to do. Confused. :-(
=> Taina told me that she would not be in Helsinki for two weekends in June : June 10-12 & June 17-19
18/3 (Fri)
Stay Cool. Keep Smiling. :-)
=>Don't go over the edge. As you travel life's pathway, keep your eyes upon the doughnut, not upon the hole. Adversities should never monopolize our attention.
19/3 (Sat)
Have a dream last night. It's the first dream I've ever remembered to be sensible ('cause all my past dreams were illogical and senseless!).
I saw myself back home, telling my parents about the summer program. As usual, my dad didn't buy the idea of going to summer school,thinking that it was a waste of money and time, while my mom was strongly supportive.
In another scene, I saw my mom and I were checking my bankbook, only to find that the balance of that month was only HK$ xxxx --- which surprised me!!! "So now how am I gonna make it to take the course???" I thought. Thrown into a turbulence of confusion and disappointment, I woke up.
謝謝陳媽媽 ^.^ Love you Mom!!!
=> Mom gave me a call this morning and we talked a bit. With flashes of the dream that I had last night on my head and feeling I should no longer holdanything back, I told her my tentative summer plan. Before even learning about the college subsidy and the credit transfer stuff, she gave me a green light of taking the summer program ... in FRANCE~~~
Now the remaining hurdles are the study visa
=> how am I gonna apply for it when I'm not even in HK? ... oh wait, if i enter France as a tourist, I dont reli need a visa at all! I'll see ...
and (perhaps the toughest hurdle) accomodation in June.
=> 'cause as scheduled, I was planning to leave London in early June. If I am to extend my stay in Europe, I've got to look for somewhere else to stay for the entire June ... otherwise ... :-(
I'll go to wherever offers me a bed...
So much has been going on here. Anyway, I'll see how God makes the way.
20/3 (Sun)
Palm Sunday - Glory to the Highest!
Just a week before Jesus was crucified, he entered Jerusalem triumphically. He was much welcomed by people with plam leaves, which signified his authority and that he was the Lord.
It's amazing to know the Lord rising from death gives us hope. If Jesus died for us on the cross without resurrection, what power does the Lord have? The entire gospel would not have been so powerful to us. On friday he died but he rose from daeth on Sunday - which gives us plenty to celebrate on Sundays now! It's interesting to see how fickle we are - we are doomed one day but then we are the other way round the next because of the Lord.
What's more- our faith is not how strong our faith is, but the object we have faith in and how strong He is! Isn't it just wonderful? :-) The same goes with the identity of us as His people. The identity itself does not carry much value. It is to whom we are belong that makes our identity special! Think about the necklace that was worn by Princess Diana, the gown worn by Marilyn Moroe, the paintbrush used by Van Gogh etc... how much do a necklace, a gown and a paintbrush worth? Isn't it because of the people to whom they are belong that make them priceless and targets of antique collectors? The fact that we're the chosen one and we belong to our Lord makes us unique! That makes our identity as His people valuable! :-)
Hosanna! Glory to the Highest!
***
Having come back from Sunday service, Maria knocked my door when I was about to start my scripture reading. She asked if I could go for grocery with her because as the house programer, she has to prepare food for the food pavilion tomorrow. Our don Steph has promised to go with her but at three this afternoon she came to Maria, telling her that she hadtoo many stuff to do and Maria had to go by herself.
As we walked back, carrying with numerous bags in our hands, I couldn't believe how Maria was going bring all those stuff back had she gone by herself! I don't understand why Steph could excuse herself! That's part of her job and having too much to do doesn't excuse her from it!
***
Wow~~~ Lai(Carol) has just called!!! Dying to hear my best friend's voice!! It's been 3 months since we last talked. So much has happened to both of us for the past few months.
Now the second half of story about not going to Spain at X'mas continues ... she said I had made a sensible decision! Oh yea I knew it! :-p
But sad to say, she had to go out. I hope we can talk reali soon!!!
21/3 (Mon)
Got a bit upset as I got an email reply from my friend -- I was "accused" of being "忘本"(the closest translation: forgetful)! I admit that it's hard to keep contact with everybody, but I did try to make an effort! Think of those phone calls I've tried to make, only to find that they didn't answer them or were too busy to talk. I'm keeping a "journal" here largely because of them. I put them in my prayers more than I did before. However busy I am, I keep emailing some of them to update them with what I've been up to. At Christmas, I didn't forget sending them christams cards by post! And for a few of them, I actually wrote to them!
The feeling of being misunderstood is just awful! I'm not trying to point fingers to anybody, nor saying that I'm blameless. What I wanna say is that sometimes the form of communications that we use to keep in touch may be different and if it is this difference which pulls us afar, I don't think anyone of us should be accused of being "忘本". Instead we should try to work out a way of communication that connect both of us! Anyway, I'll be upset if anybody out there wrongly think that I've forgetten all the friends back home. I'm enjoying my life, but that doesn't necessarily mean I've forgotten them. Here I truly agree with what Yaya once said :
***
The procedures of applying for the travel subsidy seem to be too tedious. Plus the amount of the subsidy isn't that much. Alors(Therefore (have got to practice my French!)), I don't think I'm gonna apply for it. Mais(But) I'll still go ahead for my plan. Still looking for accomodation ... :-/
16/3 (Wed)
I have a luck!
=> A lady from my college office got back to me, saying that I'm still eligible to apply for the travel subsidy.
17/3 (Thu)
Relieved after hearing from the LIN* department of my school
=> They accept overseas application for the summer program
*LIN- Linguistics and Modern Languages Department
Have no clue of what to do. Confused. :-(
=> Taina told me that she would not be in Helsinki for two weekends in June : June 10-12 & June 17-19
18/3 (Fri)
Stay Cool. Keep Smiling. :-)
=>Don't go over the edge. As you travel life's pathway, keep your eyes upon the doughnut, not upon the hole. Adversities should never monopolize our attention.
19/3 (Sat)
Have a dream last night. It's the first dream I've ever remembered to be sensible ('cause all my past dreams were illogical and senseless!).
I saw myself back home, telling my parents about the summer program. As usual, my dad didn't buy the idea of going to summer school,thinking that it was a waste of money and time, while my mom was strongly supportive.
In another scene, I saw my mom and I were checking my bankbook, only to find that the balance of that month was only HK$ xxxx --- which surprised me!!! "So now how am I gonna make it to take the course???" I thought. Thrown into a turbulence of confusion and disappointment, I woke up.
謝謝陳媽媽 ^.^ Love you Mom!!!
=> Mom gave me a call this morning and we talked a bit. With flashes of the dream that I had last night on my head and feeling I should no longer holdanything back, I told her my tentative summer plan. Before even learning about the college subsidy and the credit transfer stuff, she gave me a green light of taking the summer program ... in FRANCE~~~
Now the remaining hurdles are the study visa
=> how am I gonna apply for it when I'm not even in HK? ... oh wait, if i enter France as a tourist, I dont reli need a visa at all! I'll see ...
and (perhaps the toughest hurdle) accomodation in June.
=> 'cause as scheduled, I was planning to leave London in early June. If I am to extend my stay in Europe, I've got to look for somewhere else to stay for the entire June ... otherwise ... :-(
I'll go to wherever offers me a bed...
So much has been going on here. Anyway, I'll see how God makes the way.
20/3 (Sun)
Palm Sunday - Glory to the Highest!
Just a week before Jesus was crucified, he entered Jerusalem triumphically. He was much welcomed by people with plam leaves, which signified his authority and that he was the Lord.
It's amazing to know the Lord rising from death gives us hope. If Jesus died for us on the cross without resurrection, what power does the Lord have? The entire gospel would not have been so powerful to us. On friday he died but he rose from daeth on Sunday - which gives us plenty to celebrate on Sundays now! It's interesting to see how fickle we are - we are doomed one day but then we are the other way round the next because of the Lord.
What's more- our faith is not how strong our faith is, but the object we have faith in and how strong He is! Isn't it just wonderful? :-) The same goes with the identity of us as His people. The identity itself does not carry much value. It is to whom we are belong that makes our identity special! Think about the necklace that was worn by Princess Diana, the gown worn by Marilyn Moroe, the paintbrush used by Van Gogh etc... how much do a necklace, a gown and a paintbrush worth? Isn't it because of the people to whom they are belong that make them priceless and targets of antique collectors? The fact that we're the chosen one and we belong to our Lord makes us unique! That makes our identity as His people valuable! :-)
Hosanna! Glory to the Highest!
***
Having come back from Sunday service, Maria knocked my door when I was about to start my scripture reading. She asked if I could go for grocery with her because as the house programer, she has to prepare food for the food pavilion tomorrow. Our don Steph has promised to go with her but at three this afternoon she came to Maria, telling her that she hadtoo many stuff to do and Maria had to go by herself.
As we walked back, carrying with numerous bags in our hands, I couldn't believe how Maria was going bring all those stuff back had she gone by herself! I don't understand why Steph could excuse herself! That's part of her job and having too much to do doesn't excuse her from it!
***
Wow~~~ Lai(Carol) has just called!!! Dying to hear my best friend's voice!! It's been 3 months since we last talked. So much has happened to both of us for the past few months.
Now the second half of story about not going to Spain at X'mas continues ... she said I had made a sensible decision! Oh yea I knew it! :-p
But sad to say, she had to go out. I hope we can talk reali soon!!!
21/3 (Mon)
Got a bit upset as I got an email reply from my friend -- I was "accused" of being "忘本"(the closest translation: forgetful)! I admit that it's hard to keep contact with everybody, but I did try to make an effort! Think of those phone calls I've tried to make, only to find that they didn't answer them or were too busy to talk. I'm keeping a "journal" here largely because of them. I put them in my prayers more than I did before. However busy I am, I keep emailing some of them to update them with what I've been up to. At Christmas, I didn't forget sending them christams cards by post! And for a few of them, I actually wrote to them!
The feeling of being misunderstood is just awful! I'm not trying to point fingers to anybody, nor saying that I'm blameless. What I wanna say is that sometimes the form of communications that we use to keep in touch may be different and if it is this difference which pulls us afar, I don't think anyone of us should be accused of being "忘本". Instead we should try to work out a way of communication that connect both of us! Anyway, I'll be upset if anybody out there wrongly think that I've forgetten all the friends back home. I'm enjoying my life, but that doesn't necessarily mean I've forgotten them. Here I truly agree with what Yaya once said :
兩人划船渡河，甲出力划，乙則划不得幾下便停手休息，船前進得很慢很慢。甲有見及此，再出力一點，怎料乙停手了，甚而向反方向划，船停滯不前。甲不忿，用多幾分力，船就翻了，再過不到對岸。但願如此。
友誼大概就是如此，需要雙方付出，才建立得好。只有一方用心用力，另一方不聞不問，會很吃力。但又不可說哪一方錯，畢竟友情要看雙方是否合得來，不可勉強。也許你多用點力就可觸動對方。
***
The procedures of applying for the travel subsidy seem to be too tedious. Plus the amount of the subsidy isn't that much. Alors(Therefore (have got to practice my French!)), I don't think I'm gonna apply for it. Mais(But) I'll still go ahead for my plan. Still looking for accomodation ... :-/
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Random thoughts
I've just heard a piece of tragic news from my friend, Taina* - her Russian friend died! :-(
Her friend's body was found outside a metro station of St. Petersburg few days ago. Police investigation was still under way but the prelimilary examination of the body suggested that it might have been a murder. Shocking!!! The last time when I encountered somebody's death was ... a decade ago, when my math teacher in elementary school died of cancer.
I can imagine how my friend's in anguish at this point ... Think of her losing another friend who died in a car accident two years ago ... I'm just as shocked as she is!!! It's so hard to understand why such a thing happens and takes away one's life unexpectedly. Other than condolences, I reli don't know what I can say to my friend ... Life is so vulnerable ...
***
Like what I've said, my heart has been unsettled since I was back from the States. I hope I'm not going over the edge ...
Time for me to pause and think.
I need a break.
Perhaps I can come back refreshed and recharged, with a clue of what to do next!
I've just heard a piece of tragic news from my friend, Taina* - her Russian friend died! :-(
Her friend's body was found outside a metro station of St. Petersburg few days ago. Police investigation was still under way but the prelimilary examination of the body suggested that it might have been a murder. Shocking!!! The last time when I encountered somebody's death was ... a decade ago, when my math teacher in elementary school died of cancer.
I can imagine how my friend's in anguish at this point ... Think of her losing another friend who died in a car accident two years ago ... I'm just as shocked as she is!!! It's so hard to understand why such a thing happens and takes away one's life unexpectedly. Other than condolences, I reli don't know what I can say to my friend ... Life is so vulnerable ...
***
Like what I've said, my heart has been unsettled since I was back from the States. I hope I'm not going over the edge ...
Time for me to pause and think.
I need a break.
Perhaps I can come back refreshed and recharged, with a clue of what to do next!
* Taina's a friend of mine in Finland
Monday, March 14, 2005
As I write this, it's been only half of a month since I've been on a plane, and I'm getting restless to explore somewhere new! As always, I'm already planning my next trip and I'm pretty excited!
是的, 我就是不安份 !!!
But having done the research for the whole day, I found myself torn between too many possible options. The thing is I want everything and I definitely know I can't! It's so hard to focus on one thing and let all the others go ... 'cause you know if what you're focusing doesn't work out, you go back - the opportunites of other options would have gone and you'll soon feel sorry for yourself blah blah blah ...
I just hate this pitiful feeling!
是的, 我就是不安份 !!!
But having done the research for the whole day, I found myself torn between too many possible options. The thing is I want everything and I definitely know I can't! It's so hard to focus on one thing and let all the others go ... 'cause you know if what you're focusing doesn't work out, you go back - the opportunites of other options would have gone and you'll soon feel sorry for yourself blah blah blah ...
I just hate this pitiful feeling!
Saturday, March 12, 2005
What then???
Road Not Taken, The
by Robert Lee Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Road Not Taken, The
by Robert Lee Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Old is Strong!
It was an evening full of accidents~~~
Kathy and Dave were about to set off to pick me up on campus. But as Kathy drove the car out of the garage, Dave got stuck!!! in the ... garage?! That was already around six and so Kathy had to leave him in the garage to pick me and another girl up first! Oh well, i guess he was there for nearly half of an hour before his son, Matt, came help pulling the door...
After Kathy has picked us up, she decided to go back to and see how Dave was doing. As we were heading to their house, a man who was driving suddenly switched the lane. We later found that somebody else was trying to switch the lane and so the old gentleman turned to our lane ... and he didn't see our car! I guess he probably just moved to another lane without checking his blindspot ...
BANG!
I saw the side mirror band of our car nearly bend and the crush seemed to be so strong! Shocking! We got out of the car and checked. There was bruise but it's intact(!!!) while the side mirror of the man's car was broken! His car is obviously younger than Kathy's ... we're fortunate ...
I guess Dave and Kathy would have to look for some other ways if they want a new car(not this kind of minor accident)-- 'cause their car has proven that--
Old is strong!!!
***
It was impressive to see the band from Trinity International University perform tonight. Consider the fact that most of them are NOT music majors, their performance definitely deserved our two thumbs up! As Kathy and Dave are hosting one of the students, I had a chance to talk to Adrienne. She's graduating in May this year. Asking about what she's gonna do -- surprised to learn that -- she's getting married!!! Right after she's graduated!!! They(of course "they". It's her and her fiancee) 've planned to go for a honeymoon, then move to Northern Chicago before she finds a job in teaching! Wow-- getting married at the age of 20 or something is still a shocking thing for me! My friend Christina got married last year. I was like-- what?! are you serious?oh man you must be kidding! you're out of mind ... hold on-- what did you just say? ... Oh so you're getting married ... in May! (It took me ages before I came to accept the fact that she was marrying a man whom I've never heard her talk about! All my responses to her were like ... delayed reaction)
Well well anyhow, I would rather work for a few years before I get married. Not that I'm the type of career-oriented young woman, it's just I would never imagine how it's like to be getting married right after I've graduated from college! I must be crazy if I did that ...
It was an evening full of accidents~~~
Kathy and Dave were about to set off to pick me up on campus. But as Kathy drove the car out of the garage, Dave got stuck!!! in the ... garage?! That was already around six and so Kathy had to leave him in the garage to pick me and another girl up first! Oh well, i guess he was there for nearly half of an hour before his son, Matt, came help pulling the door...
After Kathy has picked us up, she decided to go back to and see how Dave was doing. As we were heading to their house, a man who was driving suddenly switched the lane. We later found that somebody else was trying to switch the lane and so the old gentleman turned to our lane ... and he didn't see our car! I guess he probably just moved to another lane without checking his blindspot ...
BANG!
I saw the side mirror band of our car nearly bend and the crush seemed to be so strong! Shocking! We got out of the car and checked. There was bruise but it's intact(!!!) while the side mirror of the man's car was broken! His car is obviously younger than Kathy's ... we're fortunate ...
I guess Dave and Kathy would have to look for some other ways if they want a new car(not this kind of minor accident)-- 'cause their car has proven that--
Old is strong!!!
***
It was impressive to see the band from Trinity International University perform tonight. Consider the fact that most of them are NOT music majors, their performance definitely deserved our two thumbs up! As Kathy and Dave are hosting one of the students, I had a chance to talk to Adrienne. She's graduating in May this year. Asking about what she's gonna do -- surprised to learn that -- she's getting married!!! Right after she's graduated!!! They(of course "they". It's her and her fiancee) 've planned to go for a honeymoon, then move to Northern Chicago before she finds a job in teaching! Wow-- getting married at the age of 20 or something is still a shocking thing for me! My friend Christina got married last year. I was like-- what?! are you serious?oh man you must be kidding! you're out of mind ... hold on-- what did you just say? ... Oh so you're getting married ... in May! (It took me ages before I came to accept the fact that she was marrying a man whom I've never heard her talk about! All my responses to her were like ... delayed reaction)
Well well anyhow, I would rather work for a few years before I get married. Not that I'm the type of career-oriented young woman, it's just I would never imagine how it's like to be getting married right after I've graduated from college! I must be crazy if I did that ...
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Done!
"A Global Voice or a Multitude of Thriving Cultures--The Homogeneity and Heterogeneity and Hip Hop Culture" ...
Hold on-- where's your mind? You're talking about the commodification and commercialization... plus globalization is used as a counter argument!
Okay...
"A ... Hum ...
Hum...
*trying to think of a big word*
...
PUPPET! !!!
"A Puppet Voice or A Multitude of Thriving Cultures-- The Homogeneity and Heterogeneity of Hip Hop culture"
Done!
Nope-- the word "culture" appears twice... doesn't sound right...
Hum...
Aiya...
Sigh!
TAKE IT OUT --
"A Puppet Voice or a Multitude of Thriving Cultures-- The Homogeneity and Heterogeneity of Hip Hop"
There you go! *feeling proud of myself-- Carlotta you're a genius!!!*
I like big and graceful words-- that makes me feel "professional" ... hehe ... to satisfy my own ego to be frank... :-P
Anyway, I'm done!
****
After 7 years in administration, Tung(the HKSAR chief executive) announced his resignation today. There had been rumors that he was demanded to step down by the central government due to his inability to rule over the increasingly politicized former British colony (At least this is what I've heard so far). Being half of the world away, there isn't much I can say at this point. But it struck me when I came to realize it has been 7 years since the handover of Hong Kong from Britain. 7 years-- the Asian financial crisis in 1997 (I can still recall the Hang Seng Index plummeted from over 10,000 to 6,000 or sth. over few days!!!) , the closing of airport in Kai Tak, a new airport in Chek Lap Kok, endless firework displays before and after the handover, announcement about the construction of Disneyland, resignation of former Secretary Anson Chan, unemployment rate hitting a record high of 9 %(? corrrect me if I'm wrong), the reinterpretation about the right of above -- decision of the Court of Final Appeal overruled, outbreak of SARS, Article 23 legislation, a protest of half of a million 2 years ago ...
and comes the resignation of Tung!
Well, recalling all these events pulled me back to the history of Hong Kong. At a young age, I heard of a lot of atrocities of the Communist Party back then from my dad. All those unscrupulous tactics to drive out their rivals, unjust policies, and ruthless killing of civilians-- Yea you can tell--He hates the Communist Party! My dad is political! Not me back then-- I used to think what he said was too subjective. His point of view is bound to personal experience and lacks a perspective of the greater picture. Plus -- I grew fed up of those old tale stories! :-( My mom, however, reminded me that one day I would understand 'cause it was hard to separate yourself from the history. You're part of it!!!
True. I find it impossible to understand a person without knowing where s/he comes from and what s/he has been through. Not just the personal experience, but the connection of one's personal experience to a greater world in which s/he lives. An individual's biography doesnt make enough sense until it is perceived in the world/ society's history, for ... they are so intricately interwoven and interrelated to each other!
As I recollected all those events, I realized I've been a witness to so many of these historical events!! I myself am a recorder of history! I don't know how much these events have been shaping my values, attitudes, and behaviors-- the way I am-- but what I'm sure is that these are the things that I've been through before I come to where i am.
oh anyways enough about this ...
I got so little first-hand news here. This piece of news is actually the first one that triggered my nerve, my thrist :-P ever since I'm here! If anyone of you got the latest development--drop me a few words!!!
I don't wanna look dumb when I'm back.
"A Global Voice or a Multitude of Thriving Cultures--The Homogeneity and Heterogeneity and Hip Hop Culture" ...
Hold on-- where's your mind? You're talking about the commodification and commercialization... plus globalization is used as a counter argument!
Okay...
"A ... Hum ...
Hum...
*trying to think of a big word*
...
PUPPET! !!!
"A Puppet Voice or A Multitude of Thriving Cultures-- The Homogeneity and Heterogeneity of Hip Hop culture"
Done!
Nope-- the word "culture" appears twice... doesn't sound right...
Hum...
Aiya...
Sigh!
TAKE IT OUT --
"A Puppet Voice or a Multitude of Thriving Cultures-- The Homogeneity and Heterogeneity of Hip Hop"
There you go! *feeling proud of myself-- Carlotta you're a genius!!!*
I like big and graceful words-- that makes me feel "professional" ... hehe ... to satisfy my own ego to be frank... :-P
Anyway, I'm done!
****
After 7 years in administration, Tung(the HKSAR chief executive) announced his resignation today. There had been rumors that he was demanded to step down by the central government due to his inability to rule over the increasingly politicized former British colony (At least this is what I've heard so far). Being half of the world away, there isn't much I can say at this point. But it struck me when I came to realize it has been 7 years since the handover of Hong Kong from Britain. 7 years-- the Asian financial crisis in 1997 (I can still recall the Hang Seng Index plummeted from over 10,000 to 6,000 or sth. over few days!!!) , the closing of airport in Kai Tak, a new airport in Chek Lap Kok, endless firework displays before and after the handover, announcement about the construction of Disneyland, resignation of former Secretary Anson Chan, unemployment rate hitting a record high of 9 %(? corrrect me if I'm wrong), the reinterpretation about the right of above -- decision of the Court of Final Appeal overruled, outbreak of SARS, Article 23 legislation, a protest of half of a million 2 years ago ...
and comes the resignation of Tung!
Well, recalling all these events pulled me back to the history of Hong Kong. At a young age, I heard of a lot of atrocities of the Communist Party back then from my dad. All those unscrupulous tactics to drive out their rivals, unjust policies, and ruthless killing of civilians-- Yea you can tell--He hates the Communist Party! My dad is political! Not me back then-- I used to think what he said was too subjective. His point of view is bound to personal experience and lacks a perspective of the greater picture. Plus -- I grew fed up of those old tale stories! :-( My mom, however, reminded me that one day I would understand 'cause it was hard to separate yourself from the history. You're part of it!!!
True. I find it impossible to understand a person without knowing where s/he comes from and what s/he has been through. Not just the personal experience, but the connection of one's personal experience to a greater world in which s/he lives. An individual's biography doesnt make enough sense until it is perceived in the world/ society's history, for ... they are so intricately interwoven and interrelated to each other!
As I recollected all those events, I realized I've been a witness to so many of these historical events!! I myself am a recorder of history! I don't know how much these events have been shaping my values, attitudes, and behaviors-- the way I am-- but what I'm sure is that these are the things that I've been through before I come to where i am.
oh anyways enough about this ...
I got so little first-hand news here. This piece of news is actually the first one that triggered my nerve, my thrist :-P ever since I'm here! If anyone of you got the latest development--drop me a few words!!!
I don't wanna look dumb when I'm back.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
My joy was stolen!
A phone call from half of the world away last night ruined my mood.
It was like an alarm. I felt I'm like now-the-clock-has-struck-to-twelve-and-it's-time-for-you-to-return-to-the-dead-end-reality Cinderella!
...
But I'm not gonna let all these bring me down! Who , by worrying about the uncertainties tomorrow, can add a single second to their lives? I'm not gonna let them bring me down. I declare that all those uncertainties are in the hands of God Himself. What's more, I'm notorious of being stubborn~~~ I've chosen my way. Never take me lightly 'cause I'M GONNA HANG IN THERE AND NOTHING YOU DO WILL DETER MY DETERMINATION!!! I've chosen to be joyful!
When I say it, I mean it!
Lost? Well, sorry I have NO intention to make this piece of entry understandable at all!
A phone call from half of the world away last night ruined my mood.
It was like an alarm. I felt I'm like now-the-clock-has-struck-to-twelve-and-it's-time-for-you-to-return-to-the-dead-end-reality Cinderella!
...
But I'm not gonna let all these bring me down! Who , by worrying about the uncertainties tomorrow, can add a single second to their lives? I'm not gonna let them bring me down. I declare that all those uncertainties are in the hands of God Himself. What's more, I'm notorious of being stubborn~~~ I've chosen my way. Never take me lightly 'cause I'M GONNA HANG IN THERE AND NOTHING YOU DO WILL DETER MY DETERMINATION!!! I've chosen to be joyful!
When I say it, I mean it!
Lost? Well, sorry I have NO intention to make this piece of entry understandable at all!
Thursday, March 03, 2005
It took me quite a while to get to sleep last night.
After seeing Dawn of the Dead(1978), images of zombies biting flesh of the living kept flashing across my mind. The film's horrifying, disgusting, gruesome, brutal, violent, appalling but still it's brilliantly droll and funny(I laughed a few times at the zombies' stupidity and Ha! The water ketchup throughout the film... after all, it's a production from 70s!).
It's a mysteriously plague that sweeps across the nation, causing thousands of dead to rise and roam the land. Driven by an insatiable hunger, they compete tearing the flesh of the living. It's disgusting! (Think of sitting there for 2 hours watching zombies tearing human flesh from their limbs... I'm one of the few people who could stay through the whole film). But despite all these, what makes me can't shake it off is the sickness of a consumer society. In the film, the zombies are destroyed wholesale in all sorts of terrible ways, but that doesn't affect us so much after awhile. They aren't being killed, after all: They're already dead. They're even a little comic, lurching about a shopping center and trying to plod up the down escalator. The director Romero teases us with these passages of humor.
But oh god how many sicknesses and maladies in this world must I see before something can be done about it? I'm sick of it! Having worked on my paper about the commodification and globalization of hip hop culture, my only conclusion is that many of us are just stupid. In this age people are better in manipulating new technologies to create new possibilities and thus have connection to the outside world. But as soon as they have all the information out there, they are at the same time absorbed within it. TRAPPED I say! They read stuff and take everything without filtration, without questions.
My generation is probably the first to have a wider view about the world. But it's not necessarily a more critical view.
Pathetic!
Dawn of the Dead(1978) :
When there is no more room from the hell, the dead will walk the earth."
After seeing Dawn of the Dead(1978), images of zombies biting flesh of the living kept flashing across my mind. The film's horrifying, disgusting, gruesome, brutal, violent, appalling but still it's brilliantly droll and funny(I laughed a few times at the zombies' stupidity and Ha! The water ketchup throughout the film... after all, it's a production from 70s!).
It's a mysteriously plague that sweeps across the nation, causing thousands of dead to rise and roam the land. Driven by an insatiable hunger, they compete tearing the flesh of the living. It's disgusting! (Think of sitting there for 2 hours watching zombies tearing human flesh from their limbs... I'm one of the few people who could stay through the whole film). But despite all these, what makes me can't shake it off is the sickness of a consumer society. In the film, the zombies are destroyed wholesale in all sorts of terrible ways, but that doesn't affect us so much after awhile. They aren't being killed, after all: They're already dead. They're even a little comic, lurching about a shopping center and trying to plod up the down escalator. The director Romero teases us with these passages of humor.
But oh god how many sicknesses and maladies in this world must I see before something can be done about it? I'm sick of it! Having worked on my paper about the commodification and globalization of hip hop culture, my only conclusion is that many of us are just stupid. In this age people are better in manipulating new technologies to create new possibilities and thus have connection to the outside world. But as soon as they have all the information out there, they are at the same time absorbed within it. TRAPPED I say! They read stuff and take everything without filtration, without questions.
My generation is probably the first to have a wider view about the world. But it's not necessarily a more critical view.
Pathetic!
Dawn of the Dead(1978) :
When there is no more room from the hell, the dead will walk the earth."
