Saturday 28 June 2008

1 Year Anniversary in UK



Today marks the one year anniversary I stepped foot on the land of the Great Britain. It only seems like yesterday that I've quit my job and bid farewell to family and friends back home to embark on the journey chasing my dreams at this faraway land. Looking back, I have been very fortunate in this journey of mine so far... having the help and support from relatives and friends before and after came to UK.

Here is where I've first experienced the four seasons, the change in climate from hot to cold, humid to dry, hot scorching sun to gloomy overcast days... it's not easy to adapt to this cold climate here and my hands and feet are often freezing cold... it even got pretty bad chillblains... Staple food has also changed from rice to bread and I have tried more cooking than ever.

Working here in UK is also a whole new experience. People here (at least in my company) emphasize on work-life balance. It's uncommon to see people working til very late. Unlike in Asian countries where it's almost an unwritten law that one should not leave on the dot or he/she might be seen as undedicated. However, its normal to see people going on the dot here and by 6+ or 7pm, there's basically nobody left in the office. The way they analyze and resolve a problem, their wealth of knowledge and their passion towards their job are something to learn from.

A whole year away from friends and family and living by myself made me come to realized something I thought otherwise.
原来,我也会恋家.
I am missing my family.
原来,我也会感到寂寞.
I am feeling lonely.
原来,我也会想要有人陪伴在身旁.
I am longing for the company of my friends and family.

I still have a long way to go on this journey of mine. Learning and discovering about a lot of things about life, about the world, about me. So wish me luck and give me all the strength and wisdom i need to continue on this life-long journey.

Happy Anniversary !!!

Tuesday 10 June 2008

热。的。夜

最近的温度渐渐提高了,尤其像今天从早上开始就出又大又晒的太阳(平常也是大太阳,可是温度还维持在18-20度)。 白天在公司有冷气就没问题。可是回到家里,没冷气,没电风扇。。。 只有一扇窗 ,可是又没有风,还有那怎么关也关不紧的暖气。。。 好热呀!!! 受不了,爬上沙发,把半个身子探出窗外。呼,凉快多了!这里的夜是宁静的。放眼望去,远处的街灯一颗一颗的,黄橙色的,和附近住家的灯火相辉映。

嗯,在这里大多数的家里装的不是白灯管 (fluorescent light),而是黄色的灯泡 (light bulbs)。 刚刚来到的时候,并不习惯那黄黄的灯光。总觉得好像不够亮。久了,也就 OK了。

嗯,对呀,任何事情,久了,也就OK了。只是,那样的OK好吗?

Saturday 7 June 2008

Reflections without actions = Nothing

I do a fair amount of self-reflections from time to time... when I felt down or moody or I saw some inspirational movies / books / people... I think I know pretty well what I need to do in order to improve myself to make a better me. Often I would have a plan in my mind on how I should go about changing myself... but then almost 99% the plan was either not carried out at all or only lasted for a very brief period before I fall back to the old me. It's tough, it's not easy to change how you act or think or do when you have been doing them for as long as you live. It's the comfort zone. A corner you hide where you felt safe and protected. But afterwards, I just got pissed at myself for not carrying out my intended change, for not having enough determination to follow through the plan. So, what's the point of knowing what you need to do and not do it and end up being mad at oneself?

weird... i'm weird... i'm a weirdo

Wednesday 4 June 2008

Missing "Bah Zhang"

saw on someone else's blog talking about 'bah zhang'... immediately my taste buds and memory remembered all those yummy 'bah zhang' i had before... those dried prawns, mushrooms, some peanuts and pork wrapped inside the dark brown glutinous rice.... oh so nice !!!

I still remember when i was little, mom will make the 'bah zhang' at home. Quite a lot of preparation work for the ingredients and then the wrapping / tying and then the cooking. Mom's version is always healthier version than those sold in the market. less oil, less salty and also lean meat. I have never been able to properly tie up a 'bah zhang'... so most of the time i just sit beside and watch. Also when I was very little, I would always ask mom to tie a couple of the 'bah zhang' in those long shape (similar to a gun) instead of the normal shape (pentagon shape)... yes so i can take them and act like i have a gun =p

so to those of you at home, please eat one on my behalf...