Last day of the month and last day of a chapter that began in the same month of 2005. It's time to move on, having said all goodbyes in the days prior to this one. Feeling kind of nonchalant, neither happy nor sad, more like looking at it as one of those things in life that has to happen.
Meanwhile a lot of things have come to the end of their economic life. Toner cartridge running out, motherboard going cuckoo after seven years, car air conditioner temperature going on strike every now and then to name but a few. Seems that everything's dying at the same time. How convenient. More errands to run during the daytime. A fitting end to this day in May.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Ten More Days
Yes, ten more days and "that's all folks" to a chapter that has lasted six years. Times change, things change, people change. Change is inevitable, said a wise man ages ago. When time's up, it's time to go. That's the way. Time for a fresh start, a new beginning.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Welcome to May 2011
April's over, May's here. The sun now shines directly into my bedroom and it shall remain so until September. This translates into hot, hot air temperatures from 1:00 pm onwards all the way till sunset around 7-something pm.
Since Labour Day fell on a Sunday this year, Monday's a public holiday. As I write this, it doesn't feel like Monday, it's as if the weekend's still here. The day draws closer, and I feel like a paradigm shift is about to occur. An event that has not happened in more than five years.
I had the opportunity to catch up with old friends from college, non-salsa friends, and relatives from overseas in the past few weeks. For that I'm glad. Although separated by distance, when there is destiny we will be together. Conversely, if there is no destiny, even if we live in the same city, the same housing estate, we will not even be talking to each other.
My recent spoken interactions with people have taken me through the English language world, the Chinese language world, somewhere in between, back and forth. I don't belong strictly to either one. I just float between the worlds although I'm more towards the English side. The intricacies of the Chinese written language especially the formal Mandarin style continue to elude me, whereas the colloquial spoken Cantonese feels more familiar and easy to pick up.
Photography continues to be something I enjoy doing. I can't say I'm easily satisfied with my pictures, I feel that I could have done better each time. Shutter count for the Canon EOS350D already passed the 20,000 mark. Considered low for a 4½-year-old camera but considering I only started using it regularly in late 2009, that's understood.
花奇 has been a recurring theme since last month. It's irrational, it doesn't make sense, it's obnoxious, and it's imposing. And if there's something I don't like, it's something that can't be reasoned with. Keeping away from unnecessary complications is still the best policy.
Since Labour Day fell on a Sunday this year, Monday's a public holiday. As I write this, it doesn't feel like Monday, it's as if the weekend's still here. The day draws closer, and I feel like a paradigm shift is about to occur. An event that has not happened in more than five years.
I had the opportunity to catch up with old friends from college, non-salsa friends, and relatives from overseas in the past few weeks. For that I'm glad. Although separated by distance, when there is destiny we will be together. Conversely, if there is no destiny, even if we live in the same city, the same housing estate, we will not even be talking to each other.
My recent spoken interactions with people have taken me through the English language world, the Chinese language world, somewhere in between, back and forth. I don't belong strictly to either one. I just float between the worlds although I'm more towards the English side. The intricacies of the Chinese written language especially the formal Mandarin style continue to elude me, whereas the colloquial spoken Cantonese feels more familiar and easy to pick up.
Photography continues to be something I enjoy doing. I can't say I'm easily satisfied with my pictures, I feel that I could have done better each time. Shutter count for the Canon EOS350D already passed the 20,000 mark. Considered low for a 4½-year-old camera but considering I only started using it regularly in late 2009, that's understood.
花奇 has been a recurring theme since last month. It's irrational, it doesn't make sense, it's obnoxious, and it's imposing. And if there's something I don't like, it's something that can't be reasoned with. Keeping away from unnecessary complications is still the best policy.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Crossing The Threshold
Now the sun has crossed the 90º threshold and shall be in the northern section of the sky for the next half year, more or less. That's the sun position for Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia. In case you're wondering the GPS coordinates for KL are latitude 3º08' North and longitude 101º42' East.
Speaking of crossing the threshold, I reckon a new chapter has begun, or is about to begin in this mortal life of mine. Wise men say the only constant in life other than death and taxes is change. So change it is and change it shall be.
I'm still in the process of drawing the road map for the upcoming road trip. Routes have to be charted, pit stops identified, and emergency supplies allocated. It should be on-road, with some off-road episodes to places of interest, but mainly on tarred roads.
Someone told me that it's the journey that counts. Enjoy every moment of the journey together, regardless of whether we end up at the same destination or not. As long as you've learnt something from it and worked hard to improve your state of being, that's what matters.
Speaking of crossing the threshold, I reckon a new chapter has begun, or is about to begin in this mortal life of mine. Wise men say the only constant in life other than death and taxes is change. So change it is and change it shall be.
I'm still in the process of drawing the road map for the upcoming road trip. Routes have to be charted, pit stops identified, and emergency supplies allocated. It should be on-road, with some off-road episodes to places of interest, but mainly on tarred roads.
Someone told me that it's the journey that counts. Enjoy every moment of the journey together, regardless of whether we end up at the same destination or not. As long as you've learnt something from it and worked hard to improve your state of being, that's what matters.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sun 90º Overhead in Kuala Lumpur
Today at 1:18 pm, the sun reached its zenith at 90º above the horizon in Kuala Lumpur. At that very moment objects cast no shadow. The following graphic shows the sun path:
Source: http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/kuala-lumpur.html
And from
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=122
for Monday, 28 March 2011:
Sunrise at 07:15 in direction 87° East -->
Sunset at 19:22 in direction 273° West <--
Duration of day: 12 hours, 7 minutes (10 seconds longer than yesterday)
Sun near zenith at 13:18 at altitude 90° above horizon
Source: http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/kuala-lumpur.html
And from
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=122
for Monday, 28 March 2011:
Sunrise at 07:15 in direction 87° East -->
Sunset at 19:22 in direction 273° West <--
Duration of day: 12 hours, 7 minutes (10 seconds longer than yesterday)
Sun near zenith at 13:18 at altitude 90° above horizon
Monday, February 28, 2011
End of February Update
I'm rushing to finish this blog post before March 1, 2011. Just a few more minutes and it'll be the third month of the year. January was great, so many bunny decorations in conjunction with the Year of the Metal Rabbit in the Chinese calendar. Went out for more weekend activities and food-cum-sightseeing outings.
Chinese New Year fell on the first week of February and as usual our family had those dinner outings, lo-sang thingies etc. It's one of those rare occasions where all the uncles, aunties, cousins and grand-relatives get together other than a senior family member's birthday.
Life has been alright so far, not exceptionally good until I'm jumping up and down, not too bad either. I got a feeling that I will go overseas (as in over the sea, not necessarily out of the country) three times this year. Looking forward to getting away from all the stresses at least for a short while. Some problems don't have solutions, at least not obvious ones.
Chinese New Year fell on the first week of February and as usual our family had those dinner outings, lo-sang thingies etc. It's one of those rare occasions where all the uncles, aunties, cousins and grand-relatives get together other than a senior family member's birthday.
Life has been alright so far, not exceptionally good until I'm jumping up and down, not too bad either. I got a feeling that I will go overseas (as in over the sea, not necessarily out of the country) three times this year. Looking forward to getting away from all the stresses at least for a short while. Some problems don't have solutions, at least not obvious ones.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Grandpa Appeared In My Dream (2nd Time)
Yesterday night (should be the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday 11.1.11) my late 公公 appeared in my dream. The atmosphere was one of Chinese New Year celebration with gatherings, red colour and people chatting. He sat on a chair while chatting with well-wishers. He looked happy. He wore his usual spectacles and surprisingly he had more hair on his head just like how he looked like in his early 50s. Didn't manage to talk to him but we made eye contact, then I woke up. 11.1.11 is the 296th day since he passed away, and 23 days before the first day of Chinese New Year.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Cool Weather
I love cool weather. With temperatures ranging from 25 to 27 degrees Celsius for the most part, I'm glad I don't have to switch on the aircond in my room, which is the hottest part of the house I'm staying in.
Yesterday night the cooling effect reached 25 degrees as indicated by the thermometer. I believe the outdoor temperature plunged to a low of 24 at least during the hours of 5 am to 7 am.
Usually this happens during the months of November and December in Kuala Lumpur, but it's the first week of January now. Must be the rain water cooling effect and clouds that keep out the scorching rays of the sun.
In contrast, February is known to be a dry month and the time around Chinese New Year is often hot and dry. Whenever I look back at previous CNYs, I recall heat everywhere. So I'm gonna enjoy the cool weather while it lasts.
Yesterday night the cooling effect reached 25 degrees as indicated by the thermometer. I believe the outdoor temperature plunged to a low of 24 at least during the hours of 5 am to 7 am.
Usually this happens during the months of November and December in Kuala Lumpur, but it's the first week of January now. Must be the rain water cooling effect and clouds that keep out the scorching rays of the sun.
In contrast, February is known to be a dry month and the time around Chinese New Year is often hot and dry. Whenever I look back at previous CNYs, I recall heat everywhere. So I'm gonna enjoy the cool weather while it lasts.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A Moment of Happiness
I felt happy.
Why, you might ask, is that significant enough to merit a blog entry?
For it has been ages since I felt really happy. Seen, heard, experienced too much unnecessary complicated stuff. When you encounter something simple and straightforward you will truly appreciate it.
Why, you might ask, is that significant enough to merit a blog entry?
For it has been ages since I felt really happy. Seen, heard, experienced too much unnecessary complicated stuff. When you encounter something simple and straightforward you will truly appreciate it.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011: A New Year Begins
So it's about noontime as I write this, the first blog entry of the new year. 365 days ago I was in Malacca having lunch after a fun-filled night at Port Dickson. That time I felt so optimistic and eager to celebrate the new year, wishing for a smooth-sailing good year.
But smooth-sailing it was not to be. So many bumps and hitches happened, to the extent I felt real down at an intensity I had not felt in the past five years. Yes, it was that sucky, the feeling of being trapped without hope. Stress levels increased a lot almost to the extent of a time seven years ago but fortunately I didn't fall sick as a result. Not good.
If there's something good about 2010, it's the chance to travel to more places, meeting some new people that are genuine and down-to-earth, rekindling my interest in taking photos, discovering new places, and continuing gymming. Sure I did experience some unexpected good things, but also quite a number of unexpected negative stuff.
Therefore I'd say that 2010 was a so-so year at best. Not a really good one, but not severely bad either. I can only hope that this year 2011 will be better, more rewarding and fulfilling.
But smooth-sailing it was not to be. So many bumps and hitches happened, to the extent I felt real down at an intensity I had not felt in the past five years. Yes, it was that sucky, the feeling of being trapped without hope. Stress levels increased a lot almost to the extent of a time seven years ago but fortunately I didn't fall sick as a result. Not good.
If there's something good about 2010, it's the chance to travel to more places, meeting some new people that are genuine and down-to-earth, rekindling my interest in taking photos, discovering new places, and continuing gymming. Sure I did experience some unexpected good things, but also quite a number of unexpected negative stuff.
Therefore I'd say that 2010 was a so-so year at best. Not a really good one, but not severely bad either. I can only hope that this year 2011 will be better, more rewarding and fulfilling.
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