Limitations...

After much browsing of blogs, I made a resolution. I need to read more. As in books, not magazines, emails or sub titles on telly. You are what you read I reckon. So the more input, the more output you have. But it would prove to be a big challenge for me really as I do not have the patience to sit and construe my mind to fantasize about the picture as a whole. Already bad with names, what more to put myself in a position where I must remember Jack, John, Sean, Sandy, Pam, Billy, Steve, Cindy, Polly the parrot and Spirit the pony in order to get the story flowing and also an understood ending. See what I mean?

The more you learn/study, the more you know,
The more you know, the more you forget,
So why bother learning?
-taken from a familiar quote somewhere-

Look at life both sides now, from up and down, and still I haven't found...

Darn immigration here in NZ is so incompetent. Been getting mixed suggestions and clarifications. I think I'm going to stay on here till something happens in Australasia ie. SARS, Anthrax threats, bomb threats and etc. That way, the flight prices would be affordable to the meager me.

Been reminiscing my past lectures and this was what I found.

Look at the picture below. What do you see?


For me, I was thinking inside the box and I saw the number 80 (maybe coz it's my birth year, nonetheless I was 'in' for some perspective I never did see in the first place)

Flipped clockwise and you'd see a face

Put two black strips of paper at the top and bottom, and you'd see this....

How are you doing?

Guaranteed millionaire I am not...

Been having pizza from the 'hut' for the past 3 days...gawddd.. enuff pan crusts for me now...

Found out that not many kiwis care for the deaf just today. This is me doing a voluntary work in a mall "Hi there, it's National Deaf Awareness Week, and we are spreading..." and before I can even finish my sentence, away they walk.

I just found out that I'm not this weeks guaranteed millionaire and bought myself those 'instant kiwi' scratch card as a consolation and hoping that it would gurantee me a flight back at least.

I just might head back to KL in the coming week if I do plan everything out well enough for me to earn some dough there.

Warmer air and sun shine day by day... if I do head back, boy! am I going to miss spring.

I'd miss that particular someone and mostly everyone here for that duration of time I'm in KL if I do head back.

Worst case scenario - I'm back in KL and the following few days later and I get a call from my folks stating that my application has been approved. Oh Geezsuzzzzz!!! Don't even wanna think about that.



Where do I go from here? Someone who could pull some strings for a good paying temp job in KL please drop a note. I'd be pleased to hear from ya thanks!

Currently listening to: Take me to the clouds above, LMC vs. U2
Am feeling: Hopeful

Never underestimate the usefulness of potatoes...

Someone help me get a life.
to many, it seems like paradise,
as for me, I think it's a sad tale,
so much so it feels like i'm in jail.

Here I am and it's almost 2am. Had just finished watching 'Election', a rather amusing comedy on free to air. And after watching a movie such as that, I can see that life ain't that bad afterall, what's more important is how we look at the finer points in life and not dwell on hardships, dullness, routines and monotonous everyday life of ours. Or is is just what the movie wanted it's audiences to feel right after the movie. Perhaps it was but hey, my point here is "why should we prolong or add more salt to the wound as opposed to how we could actually use the salt as a condiment or a compliment to our delightful dish called life. That's food for a thought.




Q: You are cooking soup of the day and you had accidentally poured in the whole jar of salt into your soup, how would you rectify the problem?

A: Without stirring the soup mixture, cut some potatoes up and dump it into the soup and rake them up after a few minutes as the potatoes would absorb the saltiness at the base of the soup. Voila!

So here I am feeling a tad bit like an inspired writer/author of a self-help kind of books so to speak, just pardon my question and answer as I can't remember how it actually goes as I got it off an email but I applied it in relation to life's challenges. However salty things could be, there's always a way out of situations depending on how tactful you are. Be headstrong and persevere on, even if you were fried, crinkle cut, mashed, curled, or served even with gravy, rise to the occasion and take hold of situation. Found an interesting comic as I browsed on the topic of McLife randomly on google, weird coincidence I hear you say?

Good night Auckland!

Currently listening to: A woman's worth, Alicia Keys
Am feeling: Uplifted

the night we called 'bluff'

No mood to rant on today or more like the past few days. Just been foosing, more drinks at MOMO tea house, big2 and rekindled our yesteryears with a session of bluff just yesterday night. At first, we could not remember how the game was played and with we had also tried out a entirely different version of bluff but that was not that viable. Quote for the night as we often called 'bluff' on each other...
"shows how much trust we have for each other"

My quote for the night was "I think from today onwards, I feel that our friendship will slowly diminish"

Currently listening to: Run for your life, Esthero
Am feeling: Melancholy

Happy Birthday En Shin aka Small Ben!!!

Stagnant is the word for my day. What else is there out there awaiting my involvement I wonder?

Am I glad that things are going the way it is now? Now that I've have been driving in the 3rd lane, things somehow is better understood in the first lane. Do I work too fast so much so that I wanna progress faster in whatever I do? This lane somehow lets me re-think about things, rationalize and take my time in deciding, evaluating, search, compare, selection and gradually work towards what I am hoping for in the future. Am curious about my personality when it comes to carrying out objectives.

This is me... I tend to rush things as fast as possible (perhaps my first job left a scar on me due to the workload) but that didn't make things happy for me as I had never accustomed to the fact that there was bound to be something in my 'in tray'. When I did ask my senior he said "things are moving on pretty fast now, and you came in at the period where shipments are at it's peak and things will slow down eventually towards the end of the year". Yea right!!! that didn't convince me to stay on did it?

At times I think that spreading out the workload does help you pay more attention and not make silly mistakes. But I realise that I never had the patience to begin with. Once I am given a task, I make sure I'd complete it in the least given time possible (which is why I never liked reading a book). I can't be stuffed reviewing through over and over again (I mean "come on, who reads a book twice or thrice for that matter?"). But when I do catch that wave where my attentiveness is at it's peak, it's sort of like a rush where you do not want it to stop. Cause once you stop, the switch inside of you automatically sends a subliminal message to your body translating that "it's time to slow things down, besides, you have worked your mind to an overload, it's now time for a rest, take a breather, have a cuppa tea or look at some green foliages to ease your mind."

This is just me... people asking me "do you have a tidy bedroom?" and my reply "I do consider myself tidy in a way, my bedroom's tidiness varies depending on seasons". I know one's bedroom, cupboard, car or anything for that matter reflects his personality but everyone has their own system of doing things. I on one hand, tend to leave things piling up (when I'm don't have time) and clean it in one full swing. My patience does not permit me to do a little everyday and see the difference in the long run thingmajigy.

This is just me... if I were to de-weed my garden or mow the lawn, I'd like to finish it the same day itself and see the results the same day *something like those 'same day photo developing prints'*. I'd go home a sad sad boy if the weather did not permit me to do so.

This is just me... my room is considered 'neat' to many if put in comparison to others I'd say. I must also admit that there'll be days where it looks like Hurricane Ivan had just hit it but there would be reasons behind it. This is me... If I did routinely clean my room for instance once a week, I'd have to sacrifice at least 3-4 hours a week just for it. The reason being me not wanting to just stop there, I'd have this hype in me to move along to other things once I start cleaning.

Like for instance, if there was dust on my stereo, I'd wipe it. But that would lead to me armed with a piece of wet cloth looking elsewhere for potential spots that needs me to do justice with. That would lead to endless wiping, vacumming, moving things here and there, tidying belongings, vacumming, changing my sheets, tidying up my cupboard, clearing of precious belongings then deemed as junk now, emptying the bin, mopping, changing the curtains and so on. You get my interpretation don't you? There goes 7 paragraphs of 'same day' personality reviewing.

P/S: btw, and in no relations to the subject matter.. have you seen McDonalds lately? they have this machine where it loads an optimal (I'm guessing) amount of fries into a basket for ease of the workers. *that's sort of like a "Fast food working for dummies" tool*

Currently listening to: Paper bag, Fiona Apple
Am feeling: Down due to the wet weather

Happy Birthday Ben!!!
Happy Birthday Jason & Dusty!!!

Ahh September 11 or 9/11 *tuned to the American way of calling it*, wonder what'll take place on this day. It always occurs to me that there might be something up in the sleeves of those perpetrators. Hope nothing demented and sick like killing innocent children, nuke or any biological warfare happens today. God please save this world of ours. What have become of mankind today? So much hatred and pretentiousness clouded in between enemies and even between allies as well.

Couldn't help but switch on the tv to see what was airing on tv on this anniversary date commemorating 9/11. An interesting program 'Here is New York' caught my attention. Is is a unique exhibition and sale of photographs was displayed in a store front in SOHO showcasing the various photographs captured on that fatal day. I had seen photos and interviews which made the family, friends and loved ones of the victims stronger than ever.

Currently listening to: VOX, Sarah Mclachlan
Am feeling: Motivated

A word a day...

Thought that this word looks and sound familiar, jotted it down before I fell asleep and indeed there was such a word.

Main Entry: ubiq·ui·tous
Pronunciation: yü-'bi-kw&-t&s
Function: adjective
: existing or being everywhere at the same time : constantly encountered : WIDESPREAD
- ubiq·ui·tous·ly adverb
- ubiq·ui·tous·ness noun

Keep me occupied please...

Still surviving it. Slowly starting to feel the symptoms heading my way now. Getting lots of text therapy and indeed it helps. As long as there is someone there, it conditions you not to succumb to it. I guess the human touch are essentially needed for reassurance, comfortness and motivation.

Currently listening to: Full of grace, Sarah Mclachlan
Am feeling: Tempted

Sweet trivial pursuit...

You have 10 bags of candies. Each bag has 10 candies. The weight for each bag is 100grams. And each candy weighs 10 grams. But you have one (1) bag of defected candies and that particular bag weighs 110grams thus each candy weighing 11grams each.

You can't tell the difference in weight and size with the naked eye.

With a digital weighing scale, how do you find out which bag from the 10 is the defected one just by weighing the (sweets,packages) ONCE. You are allowed to do anything with any of bags. But REMEMBER, you are only allowed to weigh once. And once it is on the scale, you cannot add/subtract the sweets on the scale. So make the best out of your only try. Good luck!

Your mission whether you choose to accept it or not is "how do you determine which is the defect bag of candies just by weighing once?"

This problem solving scenario is entirely logical, so please do try your best. This entry will self explode into a cloud of cotton candy in 10 seconds. Please take your time with this as it may stay in your mind for quite some time.

And NO, I would not disclose the solution to this quizzical intellectual property just in case you have given up in the span of 3 minutes. Have fun now... 10...9...8...7... <--- insert your own imagination of exploding cotton buds, flakes or clouds here!--->

Currently listening to: Back to mine, EBTG
Am feeling: Bright and needing a haircut

Happy Birthday Elaine!!!

May wing of angels dawn upon you always. To glide you gracefully across the horizon and beyond, to a place where you will always be, tucked deep in our hearts always.

-In the loving memory of Aunt C.M.K-

Currently listening to: Sarah McLachlan
Am feeling: Nostalgic

living with a talk show host...

Would like to share with you a joke I heard on the radio;

A host for 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' was in bed with his wife and he wanted to get naughty with her.

Man: Hey dear, do you feel like sex now?
Wife: hmm.. I don't really feel like it.
Man: Are you sure I can't change your mind?
Wife: Yea I am sure.
Man: Is that your final answer?
Wife: I'm sticking with it
Man: Nothing can change your mind now?
Wife: I'm going to stick with a stern NO!
Man: Ok then, can I phone a friend instead?

Feeling: Not entirely satisfied with Badminton, didn't even break a sweat
Weather: Cold, chilly winds

Summary of 1st Sep week...

Was in the city for to run some errands and when I it was finally to plan out which to do, it seems that I couldn't do all three thanks to my lack of memory and the business hours of establishments. So in the end, I didn't manage to do any of them. Howzat for motivation for the day? Thankfully I had Jo to sit the afternoon away at the viaduct for coffee, she certainly made my day brighter, thanks sista! And with her, I managed to carry out a consolation errand. ;)

The not to be missed 'Winter warm up' second night wasn't that spectacular on Saturday night. Such a waste of a closing a whole street for it as there wasn't any party held on the street. All thanks to the Auckland weather for spoiling the occasion.



Me, Daniel, Jo & Benny (leaving shortly after)


It was the biggest turn up ever for indoor soccer on Sunday, and we even had women playing on each opposing team. Played a whole 2 hours full court. Awesome reflex goal Audrey!!! Looking forward to next week already. So much fun and laughter whenever we play, a good way to let off and wind back each week.

Never felt like this before
Just like the first bloom of a flower,
The firsts are always the sweetest and most memorable,
It's times like these where you feel like you want it to last forever,
Anticipating changes in life is inevitable but worrying is optional.

Currently listening to: Canned heat, Jamiroquai
Am feeling: Loved

Media puppets...

After watching the Bush's address at the RNC (Republican National Convention) on CNN, I have to admit that the presentation before his speech surely did capture my heart and sympathy for what the media had portrayed him to be. But my sympathy did not last long after watching his speech about relevant issues and key points especially with visual aids left, right and center. Certainly, it wasn't me who feels the same, 2 individuals certainly made their voice heard as they managed to disrupt his speech but was dragged out shortly after *much respect*. Not surprising enough, I could not locate the news about the two misfits and their whereabouts now after voicing out LIVE on air. Would you like to rate his speech and view the overall results? The results when I ranked was C, C, C+ and C-.

Mr Jones says hi from the ski slopes of 'The Remarkables'

Currently listening to: Sorry, Bic Runga
Am feeling: Pessimistic

Yesterday, September 2nd
Ran some errands and it was off to Onehunga for some weekday browsing. Mucked around in Esprit the longest but there just seem to be nothing in my size nor budget. They've got nice jeans I must say, alas they only have sizes 32 and beyond.

Just when I found a good deal at Adidas, had received a call from Mr.Jones about their misadventure heading down to Christchurch for a weeks worth of skiing/snowboarding. Apparently, the weather was really bad this morning and other passengers from another plane had to be placed into Mr. Jones and partner's flight and unlucky enough, there was only one space left and either one of them had to go on board first in order to confirm bookings on the other side for rentals and misc.
Adding to salt to the wound, there was detour on the way there as they couldn't land due to bad weather. Well, this may not be the correct or detailed so let's wait for Mr. Jones to head back in one piece and fill us in. Wherever you both are, I hope everything's fine as planned in the first place for your weekend.

---

The party hosted by Cynergy at Bacio's was good but could have been better without much teasing from some people. You know who guys are! So if you guys are reading this, you should FEEL GUILTY, FEEL BAD, FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULD APOLOGISE TO ME NOW/TOMORROW/WHEN YOU SEE ME and I shall re-write your name on my list of good and irreplaceable friends list. Ok you don't have to apologise, I do cherish you guys even after what you guys did.



You are indeed one of a kind,
just thinking of you makes me swirl,
most would say "you are a rare find",
the kind which is usually considered a jewel.

Thanks for coming into my life ;)

Currently listening to: Drive, Bic Runga
Am feeling: Happy

Spring is FINALLY here today!!!

It's really cold still considering it's the first day of spring here, but who cares? Just the sound of the word 'spring' warms me up both externally, internally and mentally *mind over matter*. Can't wait to wear less and rejuvenate my dried and stiff bones/skin with lots of running about. Might head for the slopes this weekend though it's spring, the weather seems good according to some who just got back from the mountains. *crossing fingers*

---

Happy Birthday Audrey!!!

A small get together dinner at a pizza parlour on New North Road, Mt. Albert. Very quaint and home, just the way Aud likes it to be. Not to mention the delicious donuts for dessert.

---

Bon Voyage, take care and all the best for your overseas journey, Jason & Joyce!!! After your stopover in glorious Malaysia that is. Like what Kim quoted "hopefully we earn lots of pounds not gain pounds".

Currently listening to: Yesterday once more, Carpenters
Am feeling: sleepy