Work-life balance 2

"Work-life balance is a person’s control over the conditions in their workplace. It is accomplished when an individual feels dually satisfied about their personal life and their paid occupation. It mutually benefits the individual, business and society when a person’s personal life is balanced with his or her own job."
http://fusions.wordpress.com/2007/04/23/work-life-balance/

I like this chart very much. It reminds us of other important things in life. Can you strike a balance between all these elements in life?

“Work to live. Don’t live to work.”

A busy August, hopefully

There'll be two big events in August and the third one is still not confirmed. I've been waiting for their phone call since the first meeting this Saturday. Feel really anxious and hope I could receive good news from them.

Don't be misunderstood that they are related to my career. Since the bad experience in the last job, I realise that we can be fed up easily if we expect ourselves to achieve anything in jobs. Remember, working your best to get what you deserve is just a myth. It can turn out to be something totally out of your control. So now I've learned not to even think about promotion ans stuff.

Well, go back to my summer plan. These events are what I'm really desperate to try out. And I want to have some fun before going back to work in Sept.

Tell you more about these events later.

Happy Anniversary!

Earthquake

I believe there'll be a big "earthquake" in my workplace. Well, as always, somebody leaving means there'll be more workload for those who stay behind. That's the experience I had in my last job. And for sure, the morale will be much lower as well.
But there's one more thing -- I always wonder why don't the bad ones leave and the good ones stay?
Though you may think it's a good opportunity for me, I don't think the same. I just want to have a stable job with not-too-much workload, just like what I have this year.
Hope it will be the same next year! Arman.

Orchard Garden Cafe & Restaurant 風月堂

I just can't forget the dessert there since last Wednesday. I visited 風月堂 again last evening with Clark in heavy rain (obviously we didn't know that the black rainstorm signal was hoisted!). We enjoyed the excellent food and interior design just with a very reasonable price.
The main dishes were just as good!

Delicious desserts after going to gym on Wednesday.

Just finished...

I've just finished marking the F. 5 mock papers and all the F.5 classes are finished.
I've just finished the 2-year MA course (don't need to attend classes in the evenings anymore :-) although there're still two assignments left).
I've just finished a big drama performance.
It's the day that I've been looking forward to.
But I feel a bit blue after all the tense moments.
So what's next?

Graduation

I didn't update my blog just because I was lazy. Life's not too busy actually. :-P
My brother has just taken some graduation photos. Mum, Dad, Clark and I went with him too. I was very excited because it's the day that we've always been looking forward to.

And now I do look forward to panda and my graduation ceremony (Dec 08). We'll surely take a lot of funny photos again by that time. There're only 1.5 months left before the submission of the last assignment. To my surprise, I'm really very excited about the end of the MA programme but I don't feel like working hard anyway. Well, yes, I'm not that ambitious. I just want to get a pass!

Cold Weather Warning

The Cold Weather Warning has been in force for more than 2 weeks. It seems now to me that winter'll never go away... Though it's quite sunny recently but the cold weather makes me soooo desperate and I've got no motivation to do anything (including working out at gym, I'm so fat now!) at all.

Another news makes me even more desperate. Mum just told me that we've got a heater at home!!! Damn!!! It's been almost 3 weeks and does she know I've led a very miserable life in such adverse weather? When will mum and dad take it out to let their daughter feel warmer at home?

Maybe they'll take it out in summertime.

Meet the Fockers

Everything's fine, except the fact that we overestimated the quality of the food and the environment of the restaurant. To our surprise, my dad was quite talkative and sociable (though Clark also thinks that his mandarin is outstanding). And thanks god, Clark's dad didn't boast too much.

Btw, my colleague just reminded me that there'll be another loooong holiday after 2 weeks (8 working days officially!). Why didn't I realise it before? I'm waiting in eager anticipation for the holiday to arrive. Life is full of hope now!

6 days left

6 days before school starts but there're still 4 piles of compositions (+ other trivial assignments) waiting for me... Can i manage to finish marking all of them? I doubt.

I bet the problem is probably because of my poor concentration. It's becoming worse when I'm getting older. Or maybe marking assignments is soooo boring that I try to get rid of it unconsciously (or even consciously).

It's important to get the job done. I need to keep reminding myself that the consequences of not completing the tasks would be terrible. If the composition marking + exam paper + new MA courses all happen together in January, I would probably feel suffocated... It would be terrible if it happens again...

Alright, I'll stop moaning right now and go back to work.

Merry Christmas ~ Little Elves are Dancing in the Snow

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Wish you all a fruitful holiday!

This little present is from Clark & I:
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1743647347

Children see. Children do. 2

I played the youtube video in a F. 5 class and related it to a language-related activity. But it ended up as a moral education lesson. I told them that I was a bit depressed after watching it and I wanted to do something about it. So, I showed it to them and I hope they can spread the message to make the world a better place for children.

Copied from a blog:

如果一個人所表現的舉止神態，是與其身邊所接觸的人和事有直接關系的話；那麼這個人的意識形態，便是由這等因素結合演變出來，即是說，有怎樣的行為模具，便會生產出該等式樣的行為樣辦。

看了本星期的 [ 星期二檔案 ] ：尋找少年夢。我看在眼裡別有一番感受。

在節目中，我看到參與其中的一眾青少年，說的不留情面一點，他們這班十四、五歲的少男少女，目光呆滯、坐得懶洋洋、神情有如發白日夢；導師在說話時如神遊太虛，又私下耳語交談、極不專心。 我看到他們這副樣子，正好就是時下所謂的潮童動力少青，好像很自我、很有自信，但又不願意做好本份；好像很響往反叛，但卻只有聲無力，活像一條有半條生命的廢柴。如果說他們就是未來的社會新動力，真的祝君好運。

我不怪他們，因為他們這種德性，何嘗不和他們的父母教導有關？

現在的所謂親子，說的好聽是愛護他們、給他們最好的，他們是貴賓，他們永遠是對的、他們是弱小的、是時刻要受保護的、他們是不能面對風浪的、他們不應有任何壓力的、是世界欠了他們的。

不要怪孩子，父母請先自我確認清楚，自己是否適合當父母。

http://strikingkonggirls.blogspot.com/

Children see. Children do.

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.