Work-life balance

Quoted from Wikipedia:

"The expression work-life balance was first used in 1986 in the US to help explain the unhealthy life choices that many people were making; they were choosing to neglect other important area of their lives such as family, friends, and hobbies in favor of work-related chores and goals."

Well, that's the reason why Clark and I have both got new jobs. We've a strong belief that work can't take our life, family and friends away so that's why we were so determined to get better jobs in the previous months.

Thanks god the goal is now achieved and we've better quality of life than before (though I'm still constantly struggling with my study). I'm always looking forward to the time when I've finished all the awful linguistics courses. I hope I can pick up the cello again and manage to do my job better!

A Relaxing Monday

Haven't felt so relaxed for several weeks. After the medical check-up, and having my hair trimmed and straightened, I spent almost the rest of the afternoon wandering in Telford and reading newspaper during my afternoon tea. Suddenly realised how quickly time flies. Christmas is coming again!


It's a dangerous time for me because shopping malls (even the small one next to where I live!) usually play soft music box melodies all day long during Christmas time. I will immediately get into the mood of shopping when I hear those music.

Luckily I bought nothing except a box of almond and tofu biscuits because I couldn't see things clearly after the check-up!

Look at my new hair style! (Big forehead is now covered up by the fringe!)


Mum and dad are away for a 6-day trip. It's time for me to experiment with cooking skills. I've cooked a fairly satisfactory meal for 3-4 people today! 5 more days to go, keep going!

Big Forehead Day

I LOVE MY BIG FOREHEAD! And I also love patting it gently.

Gala Flamenca Dance

Flamenco night! Really love watching this passionate dance! The dancers were very skillful and talented but this time there wasn't any pas de deux (雙人舞)... I was quite disappointed actually...
But tonight is good enough because your companion can always make things better.

German Bierfest 2007

Energetic band, chicken dance, cheesy pasta, cold beer...
Interesting people, late Halloween gifts to the Brazilian children, made-in-China animal doll, American navy...
Beautiful harbour view, breezy and cool evening... these are the memories of our first German Bierfest!

Can't wait to go there again next year!

Love stories and women; Reality and men

It's always been interesting to read my best friend J's blog. She talked about two movies that I love recently -- Lust, Caution and Becoming Jane. Here's her comment on the two movies:

"即使時代,背景,風格,遭遇各有不同,都一樣寫出令人回味既故事
女人與愛情,從來都係故事既開端...
而男人與現實...就...."

Ha, that's the distinction between fantasy and reality... what a cruel fact to learn!

Priority and Hesitation

Thanks for loving me without hesitation.
Thanks for telling me that you're so determined to love me that you need no second thoughts.

I believe love is when you have a crush on someone, you show determination to win his/ her heart. No hesitations. No second thoughts.

But is someone really in love if hesitation exists?
If you still consider whether or not to change your mind when there're other opportunities in front of you, do you think you're ready to be devoted to a new relationship?

I doubt.

The Facebook Song

Amazing~

facebook
facebook facebook facebook
facebook facebook and i want you as my friend
and email to you
they will send same at you
have a friend request
on facebook facebook
and i want you to confirm my friend request
and determine if you've ever seen me then you will say YES
facebook facebook
i could then poke you
you can poke me too
anytime night or day
only trouble is
facebook i'm wasting my life away
i need you so facebook
i want you so
thats why i woo whenever i stalk you sorry 'cause it's true
and facebook facebook facebook facebook
facebook facebook
won't you be my friend

Blue

After the can't-be-worse nightmare on the early morning of last Monday, my mood has become so unstable. I felt so blue throughout the week. I was tired all day and I cried easily.

Maybe F is right. Maybe it's because of some unconscious thoughts deep down in my mind. Or maybe it's just the pressure from work and study. I don't understand what it is but all I want is to stay away from the blue mood.

Suffocated

Have been very busy recently... Well, it's not extremely busy to be frank, it's just the pressure that makes me feel suffocated.

With a tired mind, and a tired body, I don't really think last week was enjoyable.

Hope things will become better this week.

Lust, Caution

Just watched the film with Clark. The two main characters are portrayed clearly and the plots are, though not complicated, unexpectedly magnificent. To be frank, I don't know much about movies so all I can say is that Lust, Caution can successfully depict the struggles and dark side of human beings.
It's a good movie that you can't miss!

Click here for a well-written film review

A Letter

I've started working again for 2 weeks. I was extremely exhausted in the first week because it is a crucial period to set up routines. And I really get fed up sometimes. It's not because of the workload but of my clients' attitude. They won't care about their work unless you get really angry with them or if you insist to give punishment every time when they get into trouble.

Until recently, a letter has brightened me up. It's letter from a senior form girl. Her words have reminded me of the advice from one of my teachers. I was in F.7. I asked her if this career was suitable for me. She didn't answer me but just reminded me that it might not be a rewarding career because what you did would not be appreciated until a long period of time.

I can't be fed up so easily.

"Fire keeps glowing, spirit never dies!"

Wedding Photos 2 -- obsession

The edited photos finally arrived. As I've said, they are even better than the raw ones!
I'm too happy with the photos that I almost look at them every day! Really like the style, the clothes and the backgrounds very much~!

Wedding Photos

Went to SiChun last week for photo-taking. The trip was excellent despite the horrible traffic and extremely poor hygienic condition in rural areas. I'm not going to mention it again because I don't want to recall my nightmares.

The photos are great, at least they're what Clark and I want (I believe the edited ones would be even better, hope I can receive them soon) Some friends of ours like them a lot and said they're artistic while some said they're not so desirable. Clark's mum even complains a lot about the photos. Maybe her mum thinks a good wedding photo should be like those she took 25 years ago (!!!).

Of course we are a bit disappointed when we hear these comments but we do understand that people have different expectations of wedding photos -- some prefer to show the couples' faces clearly and the background should not outcast the couple, while some, like us, like to talk about the overall effect and diversity of photos.

Well, we're kind of frustrated at the beginning but we soon figure out the photos are definitely what we want. If not, we can just take photos in HK.

And now I'm planning to take another set of photos (if Clark agrees) with a totally different style! :-)

貨不對辦

本來早已放棄了用中文打blog, 但這次不用中文吐不快...

做完Facial心情大好, 一心想吃一個高於快餐店水準的下午茶, 看到椰林閣的選擇很多, 於是入坐落Order, 點了一個"日式咖哩海鮮炒飯" (Fried Rice with Japanese Curry and Seafood). 怎料來了一客中式炒飯 -- 是黃色的乾身的米, 加了咖哩粉, 還有蟹柳, 魷魚和雜豆! 向侍應問個究竟, 他說這就是他們的日式咖哩海鮮炒飯. 為免加料, 我放棄了換餐...

日式咖哩不是啡色的咖哩醬加薯仔嗎? 為甚麼變了揚州炒飯!





心目中的日式咖哩飯




令人大失所望的揚州炒飯 (非原圖, 但賣相九成相似)

Health Series 2 -- Fantasy

Boys may wonder what things are happening in the female changing room at the gym. Sweaty young women walking naked, girls chatting gaily when having shower and ladies checking up their body shape in mirror proudly are scenes that rarely happen. Actually I've never seen them before.

When actually happening are middle-aged women talking about the share market loudly (you can hear them talking once you step into the changing room), spraying eye-irritating fat-burn oil in the stuffy tiny sauna room, and scolding janitors for not providing enough drinking water.

So don't be fooled by TV commericals anymore.

Summer Holiday 1

Haven't worked seriously for days (no work has been done literally). It's time to get things started again and get into the mood of working. Need to remind myself that if I don't prepare for the coming year, things will be messed up easily as there'll be quite a number of challenges at work.

I always have a long to-do list every holiday. Well, it won't be different this year. Need to keep up with the schedule. Wish me good luck.

Britain's Got Talent

This is the British version of American Idol. At first, I thought this guy was another William Hung -- someone looks funny and acts in a hilarious way. Well, but this video proves that I was wrong.

This guy is just an ordinary British and nothing special -- he works in a mobile phone warehouse and obviously lacks confidence and passion in his eyes. No wonder the judges kind of looked down on him before he sang. But from the audience's reaction, I can see that his performance is a huge success. This makes me realise that some of the people around us have got talents although they may often be neglected in real life. It's naive to criticise/ judge people without knowing them well, although it's easier said than done, I know.

Well, I'm sure he'll be the topic for quite a while and he'll be famous and surrounded by opportunities. After all, fame and wealth won't stay with us long. All I hope here is that he can live strongly and happily even when the public starts to lose interest in him.

The video above shows only the first round. Go to the following links below to view excerpts of the semi-final and final.

Semi-final
Final

Ex-colleagues gathering

Met my ex-colleagues again. It's the second gathering I joined since I left for another new job. It was actually the celebration for my ex-boss's retirement. He's been so good to me and taught me a lot of things so I really want to show my appreciation. I'm also glad that he likes my gift and doesn't blame me for leaving in the middle of the term.

My old colleagues were so happy to see me again and we chatted gaily with each other. We talked about everything. It seems that time doesn't change the relationship. But I still feel anxious about the company's way of treating its staff. Hope they can do something about it.

What about me? actually I'm quite satisfied with this new job but I realise that it's less difficult for me to learn new things here because opportunity is limited and people won't be so active in teaching you what to do. But to be frank, it's a great place to settle down. That's why people can easily become lazy and stop being proactive. So, I promise myself not to slow down but to grasp every opportunity to learn and advance.

Honey, I miss you...

He's now away for a 3-day business trip. Life can't be worse without him. One thing that I realise is I can't share with him some interesting things of the day straight away. And I can't hear his voice before sleep.

Maybe it's wrong to get indulged in somebody so much but I just can't help missing him. Or maybe it's a chance for me to realise how good to have him who is always ready to share my feelings.

I know I'll be alright to have 3 days being alone. Please come back safely.