Manners!

Where is my manners?! In the bin outside waiting for the unappreciated garbage collector. I always nod at them and give my greetings whenever they pass-by...

But that's not the point of this post, nor does the above statement make much sense in a normal way. xD

For a few weeks now, we have guest-friends at our place. Not unusual. Since I've come back to Belgium, I think we hit the record for having the most guests last year, and it doesn't seem to be stopping this year either.

We are pretty generous. We offer full board B&B at no monetary cost. It doesn't matter if it's a few days or weeks, we do that. It's a family thing.

Guest-friends are usually nice, friendly, always thankful, and ya know...overall great guest-friends.

We did have a small significant number of guest-friends who are in some sort of conflicts with us during their stay, but very very few. Relationships can turn sour, but well...that's another story.

But here it is, manners.

When you are given full-board B&B at NO, yes, I mean NO cost, do you complain and/or be unfriendly and/or not nice to your host? Please tell me there are still people in this world who have manners...

Fine, some would assume that, yea...we just feed 'em with fried eggs and bread, provide a single bed with a crappy shower, no freedom to move in and out, etc. Wrong. We provide full facilities and services. Keys included. Nutritious food and nothing less than what we normally have. Unfortunately, we don't provide a car nor bus/train tickets nor a swimming pool. Sport facilities, chauffeur and bell-boy is on-request and may be arranged. But that's not the point.

So, when you are given such a homely luxury, do you complain?

Manners please...

Am unsure how this will turn out, as everyone is different, and situations are different that result in different consequences...

I don't mind whatever as I can live either way. There are many people who lacks manners. Heck, I forget my manners sometimes, not an excuse of course. People need to be mature as they journey in their life. Sometimes, people don't want to be mature, that's where the problem is - then again only time will tell.

What I mind is how this affects relationships. How do we deal with such people, that's the main question about this whole manners thing. Tolerance. That's what it's all about...

I guess that's why it's uncommon to invite people over to the house, unless you are really good good friends, and/or how it'd usually be events rather than spontaneous invitation or walk-ins or just for a visit from abroad.

Manners. Tolerance.

Two wonderful words. ^^

Jim Brickman ft Rebecca Lynn Howard - Simple Things

Arranged by Taliesin Orchestra



------------------

I've never heard of Taliesin Orchestra nor Jim Brickman nor Rebecca Lynn Howard until today...

Beautiful~ ^^

Oh no!!

T.T

Am dead meat for today.

Totally forgot about not having coffee and fruits on the same day without any other foods...

Great. >.<

oO( prepares himself for lunch... )

*sigh* someone is driving me crazy... ^^;

Update: Seriously gotta remember this...good that it was only one cup of coffee, if not, I ain't sure if I would have survived the afternoon meetings... XD

IU (아이유) - Every Sweet Day

IU - Every Sweet Day



-----------------

Every time I can't find lyrics to korean songs, I wish I know korean... >.<

I wonder, will I ever be able to work in Korea one day...that'd be sweet~ ^^

박효신 - 눈의꽃

Park Hyo Shin - Snowflower (I'm Sorry, I Love You OST)



(Official MV?)

Onu-sae ki-ro-jin ku-rim-ja-rul tta-ra-so
Ttag-gom-i-jin o-tumsogul kudae-wa kotgu inneyo
Sonul machujapgo ku-onjae-kkajirado
Hamkke-in-nun gol manuro
Nunmuri nanungolyo

Parami chara-wochinun mankum
Kyowurun kag-ga-wo oneyo
Chogumsshik i-gori guwiru
Kudae-rul ponae-yahaet-don kyejori uneyo

Chigum orhae-yi chonnung-golchul parapabo
Hamkke innu-nisungane
Nae-modungol dangshingge jugoshipo
Iron gasume kudae-ranayo
Yakhagiman han naega ani-eyo
Irohke gudael sarang-hanun-dae
Kujo nae-mami i-rolppunin-gojyo

Ku-dae-gyo-chi-ramyon
tto oddoni-ri-radu
halsu-i-ssul-komman gata / kuron gipumi tuneyo
unuri jinago ddo-onjegga-jirado
uri sarang-yong-won-hagil
Gido hanu-i-ssoyo

Parami naye chang-ul hun-dulgo
Odu-un pammajo kkae-umyon
Kudae apun giolmachodo
Nae-ga da chiwochulkkeyo
Hwanhan ku misoro

Kkutobshi nae-rinun sae-hayan nunggut-dulro
Uri koddon i koriga
Onu-sae pyonhan gotdo morununche
Hwanhan bichuro mulduro-kayo
Nugungal wihyae nan sara-gan-nayo
Mu-woshidul da hae-chugo shipun
Irol-ke sa-rangin-jul pwae-wossoyo

Hung-shi gudae-in-nun gododin-ji arat-damyon
Kyo-ulpam pyori dwae gu-dael bicho-ssul-tende
Utdon naldo nun-mure jochodon sulpun bamedo
Onjena gu onjena
Gyote issol-kkeyo

Chigum orhae-yi chonnung-golchul parapomyon
Hamkke innu-nisun-gane
Nae-modungol dangshinke chugoshipo
Iron gasume kudae-ranayo
Ul-ji-marayo
narul parapwayo
gucho gudaeye gyoteso
hamkke itgo shipun mam ppunirago
tashin kudael nohchi anhulkkeyo

kkutobshi nae-rimyo uril kamssa-on
korigadulkhan nunkotsokeso
kudaewa naegasume chogumsshik
jakun chu-o-gul kurineyo
yongwanhi naegyote kudae issoyo

(English translation)

---------------------

Update: woohoo~ just got the full drama...! now just need to find time to watch it... XD

Shooting star...

It's common when there's a shooting star, one would make a wish. And when you see a bunch of shooting stars (am sure there's a word for this), it's like totally "wow"!

There was only once that I saw a shooting star. Setting was blissful. It was night of course. Clear skies with some clouds, hundreds of dazzling stars above, beautiful bright full moon. There was a slight breeze. I was lying on the bench near the beach, with my NIV as my pillow. Eyes gaze upon the skies...

I still remember what was on my mind...

Life in general. Where I was before, where I was then, and how I got till then. Life wasn't exactly in the good state, but one thing was in a good state - being with God. I was pretty sure things will work out right. I also know that one thing will not work out right, yet.

When I saw the shooting star. I was like..."awesome~"

Did I make a wish? Yes. One wish, and many reaffirmations.

Years have passed since then...did that wish come true? XD

I thought it did, but it wasn't.

Will it ever be fulfilled? Strangely, I believe so. Yet there's a part of me that says it wouldn't. That same part has also crushed my spirit.

So really, anything wrong with "wishing upon the shooting star" in the context of christianity? I don't think it's wrong as long as it encapsulates the principles and values of God's doctrine.

Wish I was at that place again...gazing upon the wonderful skies... *sigh*~

Where's my compass...

Close to the end of another tiring week...

For the past few weeks, things have been busy. I doubt it'll slow down for the next month or so.

What's interesting though, is...I feel more open and free? Not to say that I feel less stressful or have less work. The amount of work I have now surpasses what I had a year ago, yet I guess my time management and knowledge allows me to do more things efficiently. o.O

Hope to finish off all my projects, except Musmo, soon...One particular (fairly large) project that I'm coordinating is pretty time-critical. It's even larger than what Musmo is, not in terms of potential project size, but the amount of people that I have to interact with, the varying factors involved from technology to insurance to structural, and generally the commercial-risk involved - all within a very specific time-constraint. Tomorrow, I should know more on what the implications are when we do not meet the target - I don't foresee any issues except the lower ROI margin, which may be a decision factor...?

Am glad that Musmo's plans are clear, specs are drawn, and generally the direction is still there. Am sure we could have launched by now if a particular event didn't occur few months back. But meh, not like we can control everything, right? ^^;

In any case, these days I've been thinking about other directions...

Just as more than 3 years ago, I've been knocking on various doors, testing different waters, and generally see where I should be...

oO(I don't believe I'm here in Belgium for my career. That's for certain. I never see it as a possibility, yet I have always been giving my best since day one in the work that I do.)

There was one company that told me they regretted for receiving my application after their closing date - I got a reply from them after 2 months. I guess the person in contact was fired and his pile of work was at the end. Too bad... :/ Most companies were positive, until they found another candidate who has better language skills than I do... :( Can't help it when it's an employer's market due to economic tsunami...

Still nice to know my job prospects are more acceptable than years ago...

There are two still potentials. Both doors are still opened for quite some time now - I'd say for an extended amount of time that isn't normal. Still undecided.

In a way is good, 'cuz I really hope to finish off all my current projects (aside from Musmo) before I jump to something else.

I wonder, what would my life be by end of this year... ^^

I kinda feel like...I'll be moving out of Belgium...

...yet...

...there's a part of me that says I'll be here...

Crazy... ~.~ I Rest.

Parenthood and children

There has been a recurring theme for some weeks now...

It's about parenthood and children.

Today I was talking to an uncle. The casual chat. Then it got into about children and about how they treat their parents.

It's natural that parents love their children. They'd do anything for their children. Some families I know would give up everything they have for their children - may it be their happiness, their wealth, their time, or even their self-esteem/respect.

On the other end of the spectrum, I know many elderly parents who say that their children are hopeless. Very few parents I know are proud and satisfied of their children. Am glad that I move around with my parents to gain more exposure that I wouldn't be able to 'access' to. Like, how often would I meet an elderly to talk about life in general? Young people these days don't talk about such things...not to say that I mind. But it's good to talk about life in general to learn from others. And who else would be more mature and experience than the elderly?

Anyways...

So where did it go wrong? On one end, parents would give up anything for their children. On the other end, children have gave up their parents. Sounds like 忘恩负义.

I used to have this pre-conceived image that local people don't really care for their children much. Sure, I know some neighbours and met some people, but it didn't change my impression until a birthday party that I attended couple of weeks ago.

It was a birthday party for a close friend's children. They invited their school friends and parents over. And that gave me really good insights in how local families behave. And seriously, I don't see any lack of love of their parents to their children. So my previous pre-conceived image was invalid. My thought that local people don't care about their children is almost totally wrong.

Then I have been hearing from elderly people on how their children pretty much forgot about them. The general rule was, once you turn 18 you are detached from the family, except when you need financial help or splitting of family wealth. Heh.

What made their children think less of their parents in the later stage in life? The very parents who have brought them up in the best way they know.

Am sure many children would think less of their parents. To say, "parents don't understand me", "these days are different from the old days", "parents don't know anything about life", "let me live my own life now", etc are all common sayings. How about the opposite, "how much do I know about my parents?", "what cool things do my parents know?", "how much do I know about myself when I was young? (less than 5yrs old or more)", etc.

Meh, just questions...

Maybe it's due to the education system, or money culture, or government system, or society, or family values and principles. I've no idea...yet?

Funny how whenever my parents say that we are their pension funds, the receiver is either astonished and/or would say, "don't hope your children will fund you..." ^^;

Sometimes I wonder, my life in Belgium is so different from UK. Even though sometimes I prefer my lifestyle in UK, sometimes I don't mind this lifestyle because it gives me a perspective that I would never see if I was still in UK.

Am still somewhat young, so still have lots to see and lots to learn.

----------------

Ah~ another week ahead... *gaze upon the skies*

Yiruma - Kiss The Rain

Yiruma - Kiss The Rain



-------------------

When I was walkin' back from the market to the restaurant this early afternoon, this song was on. Funny how it was raining at that time too...

*sigh*~

Den Haag China Town

人之初 性本善

道可道 非常道

前人種树 后人乘凉

Am pretty surprised to see those words carved by the side of the pavement in Den Haag's China Town...

Straight back!

Went to see this lady who supposedly is pretty good at solving back problems...

I have this back problem for like 3 years (or more) now. Went to the local doc, and he told me to go see this physio doc, paid a load of money for minor electrocution with hot stones, some massage and taught me some stretching. Almost totally useless. Went to two different Chinese docs in two different continents, did the needle thing (acupuncture) and some massage, drank herbal medicine and paid some money. Not completely good.

So I thought, why not try some other techniques. She's Thai. And ya know, the reputation of Thai massages is pretty good.

It was fantastic.

She doesn't do Thai massage per se. She self-taught. Impressive! She even knew it when she saw my back. :/ It's not exactly a major problem either just a few bones (slightly) out of place, she said.

Not only I don't feel weird anymore, I feel better when I walk. I really thought it would be more...ya know...painful during the massage. But I felt nothing... :/ Few bones cracked, that's it...Kinda disappointed. But my back is good! Good that she loosen up all my joints and muscles too... ~.~

We had a nice chat. ^^ 5 children, stayed here over 30 years, has a particular perspective about the world that not many people have; or should I say, very few people do see it in this light. She's mostly correct, except I don't quite agree living in isolation. And yea... *sigh* am speechless at some parts. Caught a glimpse of her tearing a bit in our discussion... >.<

Made me wonder a few things...

Am so glad my back is fixed... T.T for now...?

Death upon the stick

My USB stick/key/dongle/whatever died... :/

After living with me for 5 years..? I hope there isn't anything important...

Now I have to resort to my external HDDs...bulky...and the wires are a hassle... :|

Good thing there are alternatives... ^^

I Rest

===== I Rest =====
As time goes by on the meadow afar,
Feeling the gentle breeze, laying down,
Caressing against my skin, I wonder.

Twilight reaching above the skies,
Flowing through my mind, the wind,
Chilling within my body, I rest.

The life of one in the world,
Where all is unknown, in time,
When revelations are settled, in course.

My life, my love, my all.
Ever searching beyond the skies,
Knowing the unexpected, I rest.
===================

Felt kinda...not-even-sure-how-to-express. So I started digging into my poems, ya know...to have a read. And found "I Rest".

Wrote this back in 2005. It was an interesting year. I still remember vividly why I was still there in Exeter and all the events in between. But I can't remember where I wrote "I Rest". According to my notes, it was in February - a couple of months before a Christian Youth Conference. So it was a transition period where things were taking a good turn.

And yes, the punctuations are strange but done on purpose.

Even though the events now and then are different, the emotions are very similar.

Ah~ I dunno about others...but am glad I wrote this back then for me now...

OK, back to work... ^^;

Grades

Unbelievable how this week our usual meetups turn out 3 times instead of once every week or once every fortnight. Too many events happen this week... ^^;

So, lots of times academic grades were part of the discussion. It's exam period and ya know...people do get hyped up over it.

My friend was somewhat fretting over his report the other day. So we made fun of him. He got second place in his entire school? The gap was by 0.3%. His female friend was first. haha XD But yea, they always exchange first and second place throughout their lives...they are a smart bunch :/ The next time we met, we heard that he woke up very early to study...all for that 0.3% difference haha

Why so much pressure at such a young age? When in fact academics isn't all about life? And in fact, being good in academics doesn't mean you'll do well in your career.

I've heard people from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and even Imperial who never got a good job. And damn it's true.

Recently, I've been working closely with a few universities to bring in student interns for our company. I was well impressed by their CV quality and their achievements. But once they got down to working, they are absolutely unreliable.

I crosschecked this 'phenomena' with some good friends, and they all agree with me. One particular professor said they would always think twice before accepting excellent students to their postgraduate course. Says alot...

So it's not all about grades. But of course, one shouldn't neglect one's human responsibility. One can't just say, "ok, so academic grades aren't important so i don't study". That's just...not right.

If only people realise that it's not your (academic) achievements that matter in life...

Once a person has grounded themselves with good character and attitude, naturally achievements would follow...

------------

Just as Christians, it's not all about the baptism, communion, worship or whatever religious rituals. It's all about knowing Christ, be pleasing to God, be grounded, be faithful, be thankful, and be perfect.

Many people these days like things quick. Think microwaves. But they forget that microwave food sucks. Oven is better. Cooking food under the fire is even better. But no one likes that 'cuz it takes too much time and effort.

Just as today's message that we must build ourselves on rock rather than sand. What does that mean? To be able to build a house on a rock takes alot of effort, a strong foundation, alot of materials and alot of perseverance. But we can be sure, that house will stay strong. On sand, the house can be built in much less time, requires no strong foundation, doesn't require alot of materials and will stay strong when there are no natural disaster.

But really, how many of us really like to go through tough times? How many of us can really persevere through? How many of us can really focus in Christ and be obedient?

For Christians, who are we pleasing in our lives in what we do? In Christ, who are we doing our human responsibilities for?

SS501 - Watching You

SS501 - Watching You (Heartbreak Library OST)



-----------------

No lyrics no translation :(

Great movie~

Coffee and Fruits

They don't like each other. At least my stomach don't agree to it...

I guess dinner's chicken and vegetables fought for truce in my stomach...and am feeling better...

First time for everything right?

Also the first time I feel physically lethargic for nearly two weeks now. Seems like I pushed myself too much two weeks ago by cycling over 50km+... :/ not to forget taichi...

Never have I felt physically tired yet full of breathe. It was always the opposite.

Didn't even do much taichi since...then again, have been busy with work, friends, gatherings and children bday party. I guess everything added up... >.<

Coffee doesn't help either...but did somewhat help me through with my meetings today before the fruits tried to beat coffee down... >.<

Will remember not to take coffee and fruits...unless there's another middle-food...

And I need a long holiday. Let's hope it's approved tomorrow... >.<

But it's summer... *sigh* prices are gonna skyrocket...

Right...sleep...another long day tomorrow... x.x

Yiruma - Do You...

------------

Much prefer this live than the studio recording. It has so much more emotions into it.

I like how his music can express so many different thoughts...all within the same/similar theme of course.

Be mature

Interesting how the maturity level of discussion changes depending on the topic at hand.

What's more interesting is, mature discussion can usually happen at work but not at home...

What gives more burning fuel to the discourse is the individual interpretations...may it be right or wrong. Funny how there's always only one interpretation that is true, and it usually isn't...accepted.

Be mature.

Update: Silence gives a whole new meaning and value in such times... ^^

败犬女王 ends!

Time past so fast...over two months have gone by...

And I've just finished the "My Queen" Taiwanese drama.

My first Taiwanese drama...it's funny, some really thought provoking teachings, am sure it reflects many people because many asian women are so gung-ho for a working career (which I don't agree with).

No Taiwanese production beat 我猜 IMHO though... XD

But really, relationship is two-way. If a guy always give-in to girl, but not vice versa, then something is really fundamentally not right. Of course, it happens the other way around too. That's why the ending was a bit...not interesting to me. It doesn't constitute as a happy ending IMHO, though I can see why it ended that way due to the image they want to portray of a career woman.

梁靜茹 - 接受

Fish Leong - Accept



-----------

*sigh*~ I miss her...yet for some odd reason I also miss a 'stranger' o.O it's a totally WTF situation for me...

Not funny when it lingers around for like...weeks...

-----------

On the other hand, lots happened last week, and I don't think it'll stop until next week or so...

I will be bringing up a site soonish that'll be a place for me to note all the thoughts on Christianity and the things that God has revealed to me may it be through meditation, spur of the moment and/or from what I hear. Since it'll be a wiki style, every content will be reiterate-able over time. ^^

It'd probably be better to keep it separate from my blog... ^^;

-------

Be Perfect.