“Do you know how I know I loved him? I knew I loved him because I couldn’t pinpoint reasons why I loved him. I loved him simply because I loved him. It’s as simple as that.”
“And now I know how love feels like again. For a moment, I thought I forgot.”
Monday, February 16, 2009
Goal #20: Learning chinese through podcasts
As mentioned, I've been taking up Chinese lessons. So far so good, save the blunder I made calling a taxi meter "da bian" which means doing number #2 in the toilet instead of "da biao" which is the correct one.
Anyway, I've recently been introduced to this awesome website that publishes daily podcast on learning Chinese. It is an extremely (cannot emphasize enough) useful tool if you want to pick up the language. It comes with a price though. I'm not too sure how much is the subscription fee as I'm still using the trial version. They repeat short sentences in Chinese so many times that you'll remember them in your sleep. In addition, the dialogue can be pretty funny too. A lot of the dialogues are reflections of the Asian culture - cute, sulking girls who go, "hmph!" and storms off while the boyfriend chases after her with flowers in hand.
Or maybe I'm generalising. Maybe I'm the only sulking Asian girl (might not be cute though). heh. But only sometimes do I sulk. Make that rarely (don't want to scare off anybody here, would we? :P).
I digressed.
Here's the link: www.chinesepod.com
Anyway, I've recently been introduced to this awesome website that publishes daily podcast on learning Chinese. It is an extremely (cannot emphasize enough) useful tool if you want to pick up the language. It comes with a price though. I'm not too sure how much is the subscription fee as I'm still using the trial version. They repeat short sentences in Chinese so many times that you'll remember them in your sleep. In addition, the dialogue can be pretty funny too. A lot of the dialogues are reflections of the Asian culture - cute, sulking girls who go, "hmph!" and storms off while the boyfriend chases after her with flowers in hand.
Or maybe I'm generalising. Maybe I'm the only sulking Asian girl (might not be cute though). heh. But only sometimes do I sulk. Make that rarely (don't want to scare off anybody here, would we? :P).
I digressed.
Here's the link: www.chinesepod.com
Goal #19: Valuable lessons from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
On pure love
If someone loves a flower of which there is only one example among all the millions and millions of stars, that is enough to make him happy when he looks up at the night sky. He says to himself: “Somewhere out there is my flower.” But if a sheep eats the flower, it’s as though all the stars have suddenly gone out!
On wisdom
“In that case, you shall judge yourself,” replied the king. “That is the most difficult thing of all. It is far more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself correctly, then you are truly a man of wisdom.”
On grown-ups necessity for validation
“But you are all alone on this planet!”
“Do me the kindness: admire me all the same!”
“I admire you,” said the prince, with a slight shrug of his shoulders, “but can that be of any interest to you?”
And the little prince went away.
“Grown-ups are decidedly very odd,” he merely observed to himself, as he continued on his voyage.
If someone loves a flower of which there is only one example among all the millions and millions of stars, that is enough to make him happy when he looks up at the night sky. He says to himself: “Somewhere out there is my flower.” But if a sheep eats the flower, it’s as though all the stars have suddenly gone out!
On wisdom
“In that case, you shall judge yourself,” replied the king. “That is the most difficult thing of all. It is far more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself correctly, then you are truly a man of wisdom.”
On grown-ups necessity for validation
“But you are all alone on this planet!”
“Do me the kindness: admire me all the same!”
“I admire you,” said the prince, with a slight shrug of his shoulders, “but can that be of any interest to you?”
And the little prince went away.
“Grown-ups are decidedly very odd,” he merely observed to himself, as he continued on his voyage.
Rant Rant Rant
11.14 pm
88.3%.
11.7% more to go. I’m downloading a movie to watch now. My mind is restless. So I’m hoping a movie will keep me company till it’s time to fall into the slumber of dreams. I’ve written about 4 blog entries, yet none of them seem to capture exactly how I feel right now. I can tell you what it encapsulates – fear, solitude and the meaning of love. Perhaps, I will look through them again one day soon and publish them.
11.20 pm
4.9% to go. I’m feeling better than how I was 6 minutes ago. I thought about the wonderful people I’m surrounded with and how blessed I am.
I thought bout our late night/early morning chat, how I complained and grumbled and sulked about how life is so unfair. And I kept asking you the whys and hows even when I knew the answers to my questions. There were no answers. I’m spoilt that way. But at that point in time, I wanted those moments to be mine. I felt that I deserved to be bratty. Why? Because life was unfair to me, I thought. At least that was how I felt for that few hours till the sky was painted with pink soft strokes and I fell into unconsciousness. Thankfully, I woke up with a clearer head the next day.
And how you cooked dinner for me. Yes, me! I haven’t had anyone cook dinner for me in ages, save mum and dad. A home-cooked meal was very much welcomed, needless to say. It was better than eating out in over-priced restaurants. And it’s way better than anything I’ve cooked in the past few weeks.
Thank you.
I will stop here for now. Download has completed. I’m watching Closer.
2.47 am
I was done with Closer a while ago. But I’m still not able to fall into the slumber of dreams. Sigh.
88.3%.
11.7% more to go. I’m downloading a movie to watch now. My mind is restless. So I’m hoping a movie will keep me company till it’s time to fall into the slumber of dreams. I’ve written about 4 blog entries, yet none of them seem to capture exactly how I feel right now. I can tell you what it encapsulates – fear, solitude and the meaning of love. Perhaps, I will look through them again one day soon and publish them.
11.20 pm
4.9% to go. I’m feeling better than how I was 6 minutes ago. I thought about the wonderful people I’m surrounded with and how blessed I am.
I thought bout our late night/early morning chat, how I complained and grumbled and sulked about how life is so unfair. And I kept asking you the whys and hows even when I knew the answers to my questions. There were no answers. I’m spoilt that way. But at that point in time, I wanted those moments to be mine. I felt that I deserved to be bratty. Why? Because life was unfair to me, I thought. At least that was how I felt for that few hours till the sky was painted with pink soft strokes and I fell into unconsciousness. Thankfully, I woke up with a clearer head the next day.
And how you cooked dinner for me. Yes, me! I haven’t had anyone cook dinner for me in ages, save mum and dad. A home-cooked meal was very much welcomed, needless to say. It was better than eating out in over-priced restaurants. And it’s way better than anything I’ve cooked in the past few weeks.
Thank you.
I will stop here for now. Download has completed. I’m watching Closer.
2.47 am
I was done with Closer a while ago. But I’m still not able to fall into the slumber of dreams. Sigh.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
My first and last letter to you
Dear you,
Remember the first time we spoke that fateful morning? We were both waiting for the library doors to open and I stood next to you. The foyer was dead quiet. The few people there were just sleepily waiting for the doors to open. But you turned to me and asked me aloud whether we have done any classes together before. I told you that I didn't think so. You said that we did. We took the EPM subject together the semester before and had classes on Wednesdays at 2.15 pm. I was surprised that you remembered such detailed information. You asked me whether I studied law. I said yes and asked you the same question in return. You said no.
So I asked you why were you carrying so many law books. You told me that you were helping this girl with her 5 000 word essay. Subsequently, you asked me for my phone number so that we could study together. Before I could mutter a word, you quickly told me not to worry as the girl you were doing the essay for was not your girlfriend, even though you slogged away helping her with it. I was stunned and did not mutter a word for a few seconds. You see my dear friend, I was not used to such brutal honesty. Normally conversations were covered with layers of pure flattery, lies and bush-beating to what conventional society call social etiquette. And that was our first conversation. An honest one.
Dear friend, it's exactly 24 days to your birthday. When you announced that you were going to have a big celebration for your birthday this year and seemed so hyped up about it, I was amused. Simply because, Ive never seen someone so excited about one's 23rd birthday 7 months in advanced. You see, seeking pleasure in the simplest things is rare these days, to the point that one might be deemed a fool. The world taught us that. But you saw it differently. I also remember how excited you were telling me that you were going to join this karaoke competition. Or how you cooked up a storm for your friends. How can one be so excited to give, I thought.
Your quirkiness, honesty and optimism are akin to finding diamonds in one own's backyard. You are definitely one in a million.
So today I heard news about your passing. I was deeply shocked. I know about the Victorian bush fires and feel saddened when I see pictures or read the papers. I even donated a meager amount of $8 at the post office for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal the other day. But it only struck a deep trembling chord in me when I knew you had unfortunately perished in the fire too. Posts on your Facebook wall confirmed your passing. I'm still in disbelief. Just the other day, I deleted a voicemail from you . I'm sorry I didn't pick up your call. I wasn't in Melbourne then. If I knew how fate would spin out, I would have kept that voicemail and play that voicemail just once more. And perhaps, over and over again.
God gives life and takes it away. But you're merely 22 going on 23. Dear God, wasn't he a little too young to move on from this world? He had his whole life ahead of him. But alas, life's a journey and then you die. So quit worrying. Just do the best you can and that's all one can ask for. I took that off your Facebook page. Well said.
My dear friend, I am signing off now as I need to move on to other stuff. I've been typing this for a while. Like you said, we need to make the best of what we can. And that is what I'm going to try to do. But when I'm standing outside the library, singing karaoke or birthday songs, I'll remember you and whisper a prayer for you and your family.
Rest in peace Jaeson Castillo Hermocilla.
Yours sincerely,
Joanne
Remember the first time we spoke that fateful morning? We were both waiting for the library doors to open and I stood next to you. The foyer was dead quiet. The few people there were just sleepily waiting for the doors to open. But you turned to me and asked me aloud whether we have done any classes together before. I told you that I didn't think so. You said that we did. We took the EPM subject together the semester before and had classes on Wednesdays at 2.15 pm. I was surprised that you remembered such detailed information. You asked me whether I studied law. I said yes and asked you the same question in return. You said no.
So I asked you why were you carrying so many law books. You told me that you were helping this girl with her 5 000 word essay. Subsequently, you asked me for my phone number so that we could study together. Before I could mutter a word, you quickly told me not to worry as the girl you were doing the essay for was not your girlfriend, even though you slogged away helping her with it. I was stunned and did not mutter a word for a few seconds. You see my dear friend, I was not used to such brutal honesty. Normally conversations were covered with layers of pure flattery, lies and bush-beating to what conventional society call social etiquette. And that was our first conversation. An honest one.
Dear friend, it's exactly 24 days to your birthday. When you announced that you were going to have a big celebration for your birthday this year and seemed so hyped up about it, I was amused. Simply because, Ive never seen someone so excited about one's 23rd birthday 7 months in advanced. You see, seeking pleasure in the simplest things is rare these days, to the point that one might be deemed a fool. The world taught us that. But you saw it differently. I also remember how excited you were telling me that you were going to join this karaoke competition. Or how you cooked up a storm for your friends. How can one be so excited to give, I thought.
Your quirkiness, honesty and optimism are akin to finding diamonds in one own's backyard. You are definitely one in a million.
So today I heard news about your passing. I was deeply shocked. I know about the Victorian bush fires and feel saddened when I see pictures or read the papers. I even donated a meager amount of $8 at the post office for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal the other day. But it only struck a deep trembling chord in me when I knew you had unfortunately perished in the fire too. Posts on your Facebook wall confirmed your passing. I'm still in disbelief. Just the other day, I deleted a voicemail from you . I'm sorry I didn't pick up your call. I wasn't in Melbourne then. If I knew how fate would spin out, I would have kept that voicemail and play that voicemail just once more. And perhaps, over and over again.
God gives life and takes it away. But you're merely 22 going on 23. Dear God, wasn't he a little too young to move on from this world? He had his whole life ahead of him. But alas, life's a journey and then you die. So quit worrying. Just do the best you can and that's all one can ask for. I took that off your Facebook page. Well said.
My dear friend, I am signing off now as I need to move on to other stuff. I've been typing this for a while. Like you said, we need to make the best of what we can. And that is what I'm going to try to do. But when I'm standing outside the library, singing karaoke or birthday songs, I'll remember you and whisper a prayer for you and your family.
Rest in peace Jaeson Castillo Hermocilla.
Yours sincerely,
Joanne
Just for laughs: Why Men Don't Write Advice Columns
Dear Walter,
I hope you can help me here. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't driven more than a mile down the road when the engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in our bedroom with the neighbor's daughter. I am 41, my husband is 44, and the neighbor's daughter is 22.
We have been married for ten years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that they had been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won't go to counseling and I'm afraid I can't get through to him anymore.
Can you please help?
Sincerely, Sheila
Dear Sheila:
A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors.
I hope this helps
I hope you can help me here. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't driven more than a mile down the road when the engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in our bedroom with the neighbor's daughter. I am 41, my husband is 44, and the neighbor's daughter is 22.
We have been married for ten years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that they had been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won't go to counseling and I'm afraid I can't get through to him anymore.
Can you please help?
Sincerely, Sheila
Dear Sheila:
A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors.
I hope this helps
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Save tonight - Eagle-eye cherry
Go on and close the curtains
cause all we need is candle light
You and me and a bottle of wine
going to hold you tonight
Well we know I'm going away
and how I wish, I wish it weren't so
So take this wine and drink with me
let's delay our misery
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
There's a log on the fire
and it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes with one desire
to take me away it's true
It ain't easy to say goodbye
darling please don't start to cry
Cause girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Tomorrow comes to take me away
I wish that I, that I could stay
Girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight
cause all we need is candle light
You and me and a bottle of wine
going to hold you tonight
Well we know I'm going away
and how I wish, I wish it weren't so
So take this wine and drink with me
let's delay our misery
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
There's a log on the fire
and it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes with one desire
to take me away it's true
It ain't easy to say goodbye
darling please don't start to cry
Cause girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Tomorrow comes to take me away
I wish that I, that I could stay
Girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Note to self
I will not purchase anymore casual clothes, household items and bags till my birthday (which is in September).
I will only buy what I NEED.
Shouldn't be too difficult, yes?
7 months.
I will only buy what I NEED.
Shouldn't be too difficult, yes?
7 months.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Forgiveness: Lessons learnt
by http://allthebestdreams.deviantart.com/
The past two weeks have been pretty trying for me. One incident led to another, it snowballed and it became a time bomb waiting to explode. It was definitely an accumulation of events over the past many years and a built up of emotions and grudges. I know that I should forgive another as God has forgiven me. How about forgiving 77 times? I can do that. How about forgiving everyday of my life? Some days I feel that I can. But there are days, I look in the mirror and I see a person who has been flawed by the past. There are days, I'm afraid of inevitably becoming that person I hate to be. And then, I'll wish that I wasn't created in the first place because life isn't worth living.
However, over the past few years, I have learnt that forgiveness is about yourself and not the other person. You are only hurting yourself when you do not let go.
Forgiveness is a commitment. Sometimes, you need to forgive everyday of your life. When you think you are over that phase, it may come back to haunt you. Take the poison darts shot at you, turn it around and send it back to the devil who wants to tear you down. Sometimes, I think I will never heal from this experience or that I am permanently flawed by this experience. But when I have the strength, I'll tell myself that it's not the truth. Learn to discern the truth from the lies.
Even if you don't feel like forgiving because emotionally you are still hurting, still do it. Just commit to doing it. Sometimes, it may require you to tell the person, 'I forgive you for that act you have done.' Or, you may just write those words down, 'I forgive X for that act he/she has done'. To your surprise, you may find that your burden will be lightened the next day. Soon, you'll find it a little easier to forgive than before. Remember, forgiveness is about healing yourself.
Thank God I've seen better days...
And I saw it coming
I saw emptiness and tragedy
And I felt like running
So far away
But knew I had to stay
And I know when I'm older
I look back and I still feel the pain
I know I'll be stronger and I know I'll be fine
For the rest of my days
I've seen better days
Put my face in my hands
Get down on my knees and I pray to God
Hope he sees me through till the end
I noticed most things
But I didn't notice the change
It was hot in the morning
Then it turned so cold, toward the end of the day
There was no conversation I just felt like I was in space
I needed my friends there I just turned around
They were gone without a trace
I've seen better days
Put my face in my hands
Get down on my knees and I pray to God
Hope he sees me through till the end
Now I have just started
and I won't be done till the end
There's nothing I have lost
That was once placed in the palm of my hands
And all of these hard times
Have faded round the bend
Now that I'm wiser I cannot wait
Till I can help my friends
I've seen better days
Put my face in my hands
Get down on my knees and I pray to God
Hope he sees me through till the end
Seen better days
Put my face in my hands
Get down on my knees and I pray to God
Hope he sees me through till the end
Seen better
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na(x4)
Better Days by Pete Murray
Friday, February 06, 2009
I tag myself
I tag myself from WY's blog (i actually like reading tag entries =) )
DIRECTION: Once you've been tagged, you have to write a post about 16 random things, habits or goals about you. At last, choose 5 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them.
1. I love reading up on interior designing! I spend endless hours surfing interior design blogs and reading interior magazines in bookstores.
2. I recently purchased a train station clock to put up in my room. It adds so much character to the room.
3. I am not musically inclined despite taking piano lessons up to Grade 7. I jump for joy when I can clap in time.
4. Speaking of which, the only music lyrics I can remember all the words to is 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz.
5. I love travelling - especially to 3rd world countries.
6. I HATE moths. I get cold sweat being in the same room as a flying moth.
7. That being said, I hate all flying living things (birds included) - they have an advantage over me.
8. Recently, I've gotten into the habit of making my bed every morning and having fruits for breakfast *pats self on back*
9. I'm quite picky with my food. I don't like most deep-fried food, cake (usually) and most sweet food (chocs are exceptions during the time of the month), food that has too much msg or salt.
10. That being said, I love nasi lemak and char keoy teoh (yummy malaysian food). Am I contradicting myself here?
11. I love sour food - sour mangoes, tom yam soup, assam laksa. You name it and I'm there.
12. My camera is still dead *sob sob* I'm eyeing the Canon G-10 model.
13. Two days ago, I was without the internet, a mobile phone, atm cards, credit cards and only 100 dollars in hand. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty lost.
14. I love kite flying. Kites have a mind of its own when it's up in the sky. It kicks, twirls and dances with the clouds at its whim.
15. Once I purchase a nice looking bag, I'm happy using it every single day for the next few years. I'm happy wearing the same clothes very often as well - at least till WC told me, "No offense, but you really need to go shopping".
16. I still wear clothes that I have been wearing since I was 16.
*heck, I'll do a couple more. Why not,eh*
17. I love my Macbook. One of my best purchases last year. Will never go back. I've crossed sides.
18. I love Peter Alexander PJs. That being said, I only own one nightgown from that shop.
19. I think I sprained one of my toes two days ago but I don't know how I did it.
20. I've learnt a lot about myself and others the past month.
21. I realised that I have a lot of wonderful and loving people in my life. For that, I'm blessed.
I tag every blogger who reads this. If you do this tag, please notify me. I would love to read your entry =)
*currently listening to Snow Petrol - Open Your Eyes*
DIRECTION: Once you've been tagged, you have to write a post about 16 random things, habits or goals about you. At last, choose 5 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them.
1. I love reading up on interior designing! I spend endless hours surfing interior design blogs and reading interior magazines in bookstores.
2. I recently purchased a train station clock to put up in my room. It adds so much character to the room.
3. I am not musically inclined despite taking piano lessons up to Grade 7. I jump for joy when I can clap in time.
4. Speaking of which, the only music lyrics I can remember all the words to is 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz.
5. I love travelling - especially to 3rd world countries.
6. I HATE moths. I get cold sweat being in the same room as a flying moth.
7. That being said, I hate all flying living things (birds included) - they have an advantage over me.
8. Recently, I've gotten into the habit of making my bed every morning and having fruits for breakfast *pats self on back*
9. I'm quite picky with my food. I don't like most deep-fried food, cake (usually) and most sweet food (chocs are exceptions during the time of the month), food that has too much msg or salt.
10. That being said, I love nasi lemak and char keoy teoh (yummy malaysian food). Am I contradicting myself here?
11. I love sour food - sour mangoes, tom yam soup, assam laksa. You name it and I'm there.
12. My camera is still dead *sob sob* I'm eyeing the Canon G-10 model.
13. Two days ago, I was without the internet, a mobile phone, atm cards, credit cards and only 100 dollars in hand. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty lost.
14. I love kite flying. Kites have a mind of its own when it's up in the sky. It kicks, twirls and dances with the clouds at its whim.
15. Once I purchase a nice looking bag, I'm happy using it every single day for the next few years. I'm happy wearing the same clothes very often as well - at least till WC told me, "No offense, but you really need to go shopping".
16. I still wear clothes that I have been wearing since I was 16.
*heck, I'll do a couple more. Why not,eh*
17. I love my Macbook. One of my best purchases last year. Will never go back. I've crossed sides.
18. I love Peter Alexander PJs. That being said, I only own one nightgown from that shop.
19. I think I sprained one of my toes two days ago but I don't know how I did it.
20. I've learnt a lot about myself and others the past month.
21. I realised that I have a lot of wonderful and loving people in my life. For that, I'm blessed.
I tag every blogger who reads this. If you do this tag, please notify me. I would love to read your entry =)
*currently listening to Snow Petrol - Open Your Eyes*
Goal: #20: Ni hao!
After much deliberation and hesitation over the past two years, I've finally put my foot down and out the door. I'm learning Chinese! I made one quick call today and 2 hours later, I found myself in a Chinese learning center. Trust me, it brought back lots of unwanted, dreadful memories of chinese tuition days. Urgh. I kept asking myself why am I doing this. This answer was simple. I am Chinese.
So, there's no turning back. I'm locked in for the next 10 weeks, 2 hours each session. And, IF, I'm still keen, there's another 10 levels to go. Right now, I'm doing level 4 - that means, I'm learning about 1000 chinese characters. My goal would be to be able to read the chinese newspaper - that's about 3000 characters. It will be a long process but I need to start somewhere.
So, there's no turning back. I'm locked in for the next 10 weeks, 2 hours each session. And, IF, I'm still keen, there's another 10 levels to go. Right now, I'm doing level 4 - that means, I'm learning about 1000 chinese characters. My goal would be to be able to read the chinese newspaper - that's about 3000 characters. It will be a long process but I need to start somewhere.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wacom bamboo
Taken from: www.techfresh.net
The other day, I was walking to my room when I noticed this swanky little thing sitting on the cabinet outside my room. Nice! Apparently, my mum got it in exchange for points using her rewards card.
I've been experimenting with it. I'm still a little clumsy with it because it functions differently from a mouse. Now I just need the appropriate Mac software.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
DIY - Ikea photo frames
I bought these photo frames from Ikea yesterday. The three small plywood frames were originally unpainted. They were a natural light brown wood colour (yuck!). I bought them because they cost only RM 6 for 3 (so cheap!) I painted the three of them today - olive green, milky yellow and white. It didn't turn out too bad =) One huge plus point about painting your own frames is that you can paint them the exact colour you want. I used acrylic paint. The three colours match the interior of my room, so I'm quite happy with the outcome.
p/s: My camera is broken. I've been using my dad's horrible point-and-shoot camera. Look at how grainy the pictures are =( Never ever buy Nikon point-and-shoot!
pps: The past few nights, I've been sleeping with my windows wide open. I love having fresh air breezing through my windows.
Obama's inauguration
Dr Martin Luther King quoted by Obama, the 44th U.S. president: "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve"
........
What a fantastic speech. How often do hear world leaders deliver speeches that inspire people (even non-Americans) to live beyond themselves, to embrace traditional values such as diligence and honesty, to hold hope and faith in humanity once again despite the raging storms? I'm once again reminded that our works are also about service to others rather than just ourselves. It's a reminder that's much needed in today's global rat race.
"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate"
Full transcript (Taken off CNN's website):
My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Don't Miss
* Video coverage of Obama's inauguration
* Monumental expectations for Obama's address
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again, these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive... that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations
On a different note, here's what the most powerful man in the world looks like:
Check out his six packs! Good looking, intelligent, articulate, fit, tall, U.S. president. Tell me, what does he lack?
........
What a fantastic speech. How often do hear world leaders deliver speeches that inspire people (even non-Americans) to live beyond themselves, to embrace traditional values such as diligence and honesty, to hold hope and faith in humanity once again despite the raging storms? I'm once again reminded that our works are also about service to others rather than just ourselves. It's a reminder that's much needed in today's global rat race.
"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate"
Full transcript (Taken off CNN's website):
My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Don't Miss
* Video coverage of Obama's inauguration
* Monumental expectations for Obama's address
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again, these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive... that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations
On a different note, here's what the most powerful man in the world looks like:
Check out his six packs! Good looking, intelligent, articulate, fit, tall, U.S. president. Tell me, what does he lack?
Monday, January 19, 2009
Goal #16: Autumn leaves on a lonely wall
I removed some old picture frames from my room. It's about time that I replaced those kiddish pictures with something that reflects my age. To cover the bare wall, I decided to put up some simple paintings.
I painted this tonight. I'm not satisfied with it at all =( Sigh. Multi-tasking is evil. I was surfing the net while painting. Bad move.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Goal #19: The Cairo trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz
So beautifully written.
The Cairo Trilogy consisting of three books (Palace Walk, Palace of Desire and Sugar Street) trace three generations of an Egyptian family. This family is headed by a tyrannical patriarch who rules his household with a strict hand while living a secret life of self-indulgence.
She dearly loved this street, which stayed awake all night keeping her heart company. It was a friend but ignorant of the heart that loved it through the shutters of the enclosed balcony. Its features filled her mind, and its evening inhabitants were live voices inhabiting her ears - like this waiter who never stopped talking, the person with the hoarse voice who commented on the events of the day without getting tired or annoyed, the man with the nervous voice trying his luck at cards with the seven of diamonds and the jack, and the father of Haniya - the little girl with whooping cough - who night after night would reply when asked about her, "Our Lord will be able to cure her." - Palace of Desire
The italicized paragraph above reflects Amina's (his wife) thoughts. Amina has never stepped out of her husband's home ever since she got married. She lived behind shuttered windows and can only imagine the outside world through the noises she hears and the stories her children relay to her. She lives in a world that is so foreign to the one we live in. Though her husband's treatment towards her may seem evidently harsh to us, she does not seem to feel oppressed. Perhaps because her mother and the women around her have always been treated the same way. Ignorance is bliss sometimes. That is the way of life, she says. In fact, she takes pride and seems somewhat arrogant in her ability to be blindly obedient.
Such a different world.
And that's just one part of it. The novel also depicts her rebellious children struggling to move beyond their father's domination.
It's a good read. But be prepared, its 1313 pages long =)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Goal #15: Photoshop tips: Turning a picture into text
Edited from this picture.
I found this tip on the photoshop911 website. It's pretty easy to follow!
Step 1: First: Select the image you plan to use. Here, we've moved it to a new layer with white as our background in order to demonstrate the effect later. You do not necessarily need to do this.
Step 2: Set the type: Now, set the word using the type input method of your current version of Photoshop or Elements. Here we used a heavy, condensed type style to provide as much area for the image as possible. In earlier versions, this type will be rastarized as a picture object. In later versions it will be live type, and you can leave it like that if you wish.
Step 3: Select the type to make a "cookie cutter": In later versions, you can Command / Click (Ctrl/Click) the layer to SELECT the type. This displays the "racing ants" around each letter indicating that it is selected. Step 4: Float the Image into the Selection:
a. Click the Photo layer to select it - while the selection is active
b. Float or "pick up" the image by using the Float command/J (Ctrl/J)
c. The selection will fill with a COPY of the art within the selection and generate a new layer (below)
(Note: older versions will need to use Edit > Copy, then create a new layer, and Edit > Paste)
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