I get the hint. It's best to keep the current status quo until I know how to react to it.
20.8.10
15.8.10
bel far niente
I was halfway through the 21st story of Eat Pray Love when I come across this beautiful Italian phrase - bel far niente - which means the beauty of doing nothing. The book highlighted Elizabeth's difficulty to appreciate bel far niente. Her consistent need to find something to do is something which many of us can relate to personally. Alright, I am guilty of this too as, often, I find myself taking on more than what I can handle. She made a distinction between entertainment and pleasure. Do you engage in the activities because you truly enjoyed it or is it simply because you need to be entertained? I confess. I read news and books not because I enjoy reading. Reading is more out of habit, a personal obligation to be up to date with the news, nothing bad can come out of it and mainly because I cannot just do nothing. I check my emails compulsively not because I am expecting any emails, but because I need to do something.
Gone were the days in Europe where sit and stare is a way of life. Back in Singapore, I cannot fathom sitting at a cafe, sipping coffee and watching the world goes by. The lazy weekend stroll along la Seine river, the picnicking in Luxembourg gardens and the people watching at Sacred Coeur were all replaced. They were replaced by the brisk walk to catch the next bus 95 that arrives at Bouna Vita and overtake crowds at Dhoby Ghaut Exchange, the fast food delivery to the work desk and people watching in the crowded Engineering canteen (to spot the group that is vacating their table). C'est la vie.
How i wish that I am able to sit and stare and enjoy the moment of "my" time with myself. By taking a snapshot of my life at that moment to freeze the inevitability of time. In retrospect, that was why this blog was titled Moment. For the occasional visitor, for myself, for the passing stranger to stop for a moment and take a closer look at what is happening around us.
"eat pray love."-cj
My equivalent version of the book will be titled Eat Sleep Stone.
Gone were the days in Europe where sit and stare is a way of life. Back in Singapore, I cannot fathom sitting at a cafe, sipping coffee and watching the world goes by. The lazy weekend stroll along la Seine river, the picnicking in Luxembourg gardens and the people watching at Sacred Coeur were all replaced. They were replaced by the brisk walk to catch the next bus 95 that arrives at Bouna Vita and overtake crowds at Dhoby Ghaut Exchange, the fast food delivery to the work desk and people watching in the crowded Engineering canteen (to spot the group that is vacating their table). C'est la vie.
How i wish that I am able to sit and stare and enjoy the moment of "my" time with myself. By taking a snapshot of my life at that moment to freeze the inevitability of time. In retrospect, that was why this blog was titled Moment. For the occasional visitor, for myself, for the passing stranger to stop for a moment and take a closer look at what is happening around us.
"eat pray love."-cj7th month
The 7th month is usually the busiest month for me. I spend my weekends running from one make shift tent with a stage to another make shift tent with a stage. Before any of you get any wild ideas, its better to let you all know that I am not a part time ghost buster and neither am I a gei tai singer. I am a coolie. (Hahaa I bet it's been a while since the word has surfaced for most of you. And I can see some kind of lame jokes forming in some of your corny brains. Something along the line of.. What do you call the son of a cool dude? A coolie!)
Back to the the main topic.
During the weekends of the 7th month, my parents would rope me in to help deliver the goods for the auction dinner and prayers. This year is exceptionally special, as every delivery I make would jolly well be the last delivery I make for the "family" business. Recently, the self sustainability of the business has been questioned. With no clear direction from the leadership, annual turnover is decreasing over the years. Old businesses like ours that distributes and retails canned food and sundry are fighting a losing battle with Giant (literally and figuratively) daily. Their economy of scale alone is able to put us out of business, not to mention all those publicity. The remaining customer base comprise main of a few remaining old faithfuls. Goodwill accumulated and relationship forged during my grandfather's reign is waning as our clients are slowing being phased out by 7-11, Cheers and Econ mini mart. Our common fate bonds us to a common demise. It is an old business still trapped in an old era where manual labor still prevails, where receipts are still written in Chinese and where customers are more than just friends.
It would be a pity if it were to fold. We do not say it out, but we all know that it is inevitable. The government do not encourage inefficient businesses and do not support SMEs that are still in the old trade. Also, there is no successor from the next generation. If you want to know where is it, we sit along the row of shop house at the junction of Still road and East Coast road.
losing part of our history everyday..
Back to the the main topic.
During the weekends of the 7th month, my parents would rope me in to help deliver the goods for the auction dinner and prayers. This year is exceptionally special, as every delivery I make would jolly well be the last delivery I make for the "family" business. Recently, the self sustainability of the business has been questioned. With no clear direction from the leadership, annual turnover is decreasing over the years. Old businesses like ours that distributes and retails canned food and sundry are fighting a losing battle with Giant (literally and figuratively) daily. Their economy of scale alone is able to put us out of business, not to mention all those publicity. The remaining customer base comprise main of a few remaining old faithfuls. Goodwill accumulated and relationship forged during my grandfather's reign is waning as our clients are slowing being phased out by 7-11, Cheers and Econ mini mart. Our common fate bonds us to a common demise. It is an old business still trapped in an old era where manual labor still prevails, where receipts are still written in Chinese and where customers are more than just friends.
It would be a pity if it were to fold. We do not say it out, but we all know that it is inevitable. The government do not encourage inefficient businesses and do not support SMEs that are still in the old trade. Also, there is no successor from the next generation. If you want to know where is it, we sit along the row of shop house at the junction of Still road and East Coast road.
losing part of our history everyday..
14.8.10
lately
Did you hear the good news?
My supervisor has officially given me the go ahead to look for work! His generosity surprised me when he told me to wrap up whatever I am doing now and get cracking on my thesis. He even offered to be my referee. I guess he hadn't found out about my great escapade last summer. Now come to think of it.. If I hadn't went on my 10 weeks escapade, I would have graduated by now. No love lost. I think both he and I made a good deal. I wrote 3 papers for him and he left me off in slightly past a year.
Now I have to wonder about what to do from October till next Feb or June before I start work. I haven't taken up the offer yet, but CS has given me the option of 2 starting dates. Suddenly faced with so much free time, I wonder if I should just stay on till June and write up another 2 papers then negotiate for a PhD in <3yrs. How cool is it to tick Dr instead of Mr for your salutation? It only take another additional year of effort.
Anyone has a 3day a week part time job? I will do anything
My supervisor has officially given me the go ahead to look for work! His generosity surprised me when he told me to wrap up whatever I am doing now and get cracking on my thesis. He even offered to be my referee. I guess he hadn't found out about my great escapade last summer. Now come to think of it.. If I hadn't went on my 10 weeks escapade, I would have graduated by now. No love lost. I think both he and I made a good deal. I wrote 3 papers for him and he left me off in slightly past a year.
Now I have to wonder about what to do from October till next Feb or June before I start work. I haven't taken up the offer yet, but CS has given me the option of 2 starting dates. Suddenly faced with so much free time, I wonder if I should just stay on till June and write up another 2 papers then negotiate for a PhD in <3yrs. How cool is it to tick Dr instead of Mr for your salutation? It only take another additional year of effort.
Anyone has a 3day a week part time job? I will do anything
9.8.10
ndp observation
"guess who's in charge"-cjeven if your legs are short.
8.8.10
δΈθͺιε
My chances are pretty slim; probably near zilch. Nothing to lose anyway. Job application for commodities trading. sent!
haha.. if i get it, everyone gets a treat! hur
haha.. if i get it, everyone gets a treat! hur
7.8.10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)