Monday, October 31, 2005

A 3 working day week

This is a 3 working day week, with the Malay and Indian Festival/Holiday on this week, falling on Tuesday and Thursday respectively. A lot of my colleagues took leaves taking advantage to create a super long week of holiday. I did not. When everyone is away (I meant users/clients not colleagues), that is the best time to work without disruption. But my cough has not really recovered yet, I hope I can have good rest this week on the holidays, I have not have a good sleep for days, coughing throughout the night. Sigh... I am tired... I have been delaying my house chores and there is still a lightbulb to be replace. I will do them tomorrow.

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Weekend... Watched a Movie... Empty Seat beside...

Today is Saturday, I am very bored and went to catch a Movie 'The Legend of Zorro' in the evening. Watching Movie alone is fast becoming my habit soon. Zorro sounded very much like sorrow, why would anyone wanted such a name? I may be just too negative. There is a crowd watching the show, I am seated right beside the stairs in the center, but to my surprise, there is a empty seat on the other side of me. Even stranger seems to be avoid me, I thought.

When I am young, Zorro is a lone ranger, he works alone, did he feel good alone? I never knew. In this movie, which is a sequel, he have a family for 10 years, with a wife and a son. Catherine Zeta Jones played as Elena, Zorro's wife and love. She looks great, always graceful. The movie is fairly good and entertaining.

There are some parts in the movie that I feel like writing.
The happy part :
1) Tornado, Zorro's horse, is a very funny horse, he drink wine, he smoke and he can stare with eye opened wide when danger come. What a horse.
2) The good always win. The usual happy ending. No surprise.
3) Zorro's good friend, Father Felipe, was shot at the heart. His holy cross stopped the bullet. I guess he keep his faith strongly, and thus he is blessed.

The sad part :
1) Zorro's son, Joachim, not knowing his father is Zorro(a hero), thinking he is coward, tell his father, 'You do not deserve Mum';
2) Elena told Zorro, 'If you do not understand me, you have never know me.'

The most predictable ending, they lived happily ever after. Isn't it nice? if everyone have such a ending.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

No lunch together?

I coughed badly today.

I did not join my beloved colleagues for lunch. 3 of them asked me for reason after that, which I am glad. Thank you, my dear friends.

I have reasons, although I only gave them the 1st one only.
This is called white lies (lies that is truth but not the complete answer)~ quote from a book a dear friend lent me.

Reasons
1) I coughed, I do not want to spread.
2) I began my second sliming program (after the 1st one did so well), target is 4Kg this round.
3) I am going into the 'man in the cave' mode (see the book 'Man are from Mars, Woman are from Venus') due to the 4th reason.
4) This is the main reason, I am going to meet a 9 years old friends, twice ex-colleague, and my best man during my wedding tomorrow for lunch. I have been avoiding him for sometime already. Meeting him trigger a lot of memories, sweet during then, pain now. We knew each other nine years ago as colleagues, both graduated overseas. I am from UK, and he is from Australia. We are good friends and we knew both our wifes through our work, courting them. We helped in each other's wedding. We parted and join different company 2 years later. Fate made us became colleagues again in my current company for nearly another 5 years. He is going to be the father 3rd times soon. Congrats. Of course, I know he is a good friend, but meeting him came with many many memories of my now separated wife which pain me everytime I think of it.
Of course, it is not his fault, it is my self-pityness. I will conquer the feeling tomorrow. I have been avoiding this feeling long enough. But that does not mean I am not sad. And thanks to him for his undying friendship all this 9 years.

I will be isolating myself this week. What time I am 'leaving the cave' will depends on my effort to overcome the pain again. The more I face it, the more I can take it. At the very least, this is what I hope and what I believe.

Friends who worried for me. Have no fear, I will be okay. If you read this, I knew you will be there for me when I am ready.

Monday, October 24, 2005

I spoke something wrong today.

Today, I spoke something wrong. Although it is meant to be a joke, people may not like it. I will learn from the lesson and not to do that again. I appreciate the frankness from a friend who reminded me. Thank you and sorry. I like her frankness, it helps me to improve and be more sensitive. Also, by telling the truth and accepting the comment, there are no hard feeling between us. Thanks once again.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

A story on 'Letting Go'

With reference to Corinne Rochefort's blog on 'Letting Go', I have heard such a story before, May I share with you?

There is once a teacher who wanted to teach his students to let go and relax, especially it is during their examination period. He gather the class, he asked them to hold a glass full of water at the full stretch of their arm in front of them.

30 seconds passed, he asked, 'Are you okay?', the students say 'Yes!'

3 minutes passed, he asked again, 'Are you okay?', some students say 'Okay...'

6 minutes passed, he asked again, 'Are you okay?', most students say 'I can't hold it any longer.'

Then, this teacher asked them to take a break of 5 minutes and try again, he asked again, 'Are you okay?', everyone agreed that it is much better.

This teacher said 'If you keep holding on to your negative feeling and do not let go, it will be like holding a glass of water at arms length, it will be getting heavier and heavier, although it's weight is actually always the same. It is because you are giving yourself pressure by holding on to these bad memories. By letting go, just like taking a break, you can tackle this bad feeling and memories much easier and better.'

'It is time to enjoy yourself now. You can always pick up from where you are when you are ready again. You will know when you are ready.'

Take my heed, take a break and let go. You will be rewarded and you will get tougher if you know how to relax when it is most needed. The journey is still long, stay healthy and walk with me.

After Disaster Recovery Drill

Yesterday (Sat), we began our DR Drill at 9am. Alex and myself have managed to complete all data restoration at 3.30pm. A new record! The bosses are so happy that they planned for dinner + pub in the evening. Unforunately, some testing encountered problem and the dinner was delayed to 8.30pm, a lot of them decided to go home or just attend dinner. We have only 8 of us (includeing 2 bosses) going for the drink. Actually, I found that, after a drink or two, the bosses are still human. In the day, when they are in control, they did things we don;t like. But they actually also needed company, they are sometime lonely too. At least that is what I felt a few hours ago with them. After some drink, they do talk normally (unlike the usual way of boss and subordinate) which I do appreciate. If they can continue doing that, I believe they will earn themselve more friends and support from the staff. Keep it up, bosses.

Breakfast with Corinne Rochefort


Today (No, should be yesterday, since it is after midnight now), I am so glad to have 香港点心 breakfast with Corinne Rochefort. I see that you have recovered and I wanted to tell you how happy I am. I see that you have get out of your 'down' mode and I hope you will continue to be the real you, you that I have know and understand for those years.

And happy birthday to you on Monday! Do you like the gift?
You will have more surprise today (Yeah, Sunday), you know?
Haha, you will see...

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Preparation for Disaster Recovery Drill

I have not slept since yesterday early morning, it is 24 hrs now. Why?, I am on course during the day, doing testing for disaster recovery throughout the night. After this blog, I am getting ready to attend today's course again. I hope I can rest tonight.

The good news is the restoration seems much stable now and the other system recovery has also worked successfully. I hope this is enough to ensure this Saturday's drill will be a smooth one.

Alex is really committed, working with me through thick and thin, enduring these tiring nights. Let's hope our effort pays off, and this Saturday, completing the drill on time or even earlier, so that everyone can enjoy the remaining weekend on Sunday. I will keep my finger crossed.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Places I visited

Although I have not visited so much places as Ruth have visited, but I will still like to do a review of the places that have my foot print.

US : L.A, San Francisco, New York, Chicago
Germany : Berlin, Frankfurt
United Kingdom : Oxford, London, and a lot of other cities/towns (because I studied in UK).
South Africa : Capetown, Johannesburg
Thailand : Bangkok, Pattaya, Kanchanaburi
Hong Kong
Taiwan : Taipei, T'ai-chong, T'ai-nan, Kao-hsiung
Japan : Tokyo, Osaka
South Korea : Seoul, Pusan, Cheju-do

Of them, the most memorable one is the trip of South Africa, I will never forget the trip with beautiful scenery, adventurous Safari, wonderful food and dining, relaxing Sun City Resort and many many other precious moments there.
可惜,此情可待成追忆,只是当时已惘然.

A song dedicated to you, all my friends.

我要以这首'共同度过', 共勉, 并谢谢一班这几个月来扶着我,陪着我的好朋友.
是你们让我重新站起来的. 谢谢你们.

Especially to a colleague who tell me : 'Friendship may fade when someone leave the gang'.
This is my reply : '活在你心内, 分开也像同度过'. That is how I have friends of more than twenty years.
And I agree that '天下无不散的宴席'.

歌曲:共同度过
歌手:张国荣

垂下眼睛息了灯
回望这一段人生
望见当天今天
即使多转变
你都也一意跟我同行
曾在我的失意天
疑问究竟为何生
但你驱使我担起灰暗
勇敢去面对人生

若我可再活多一次都盼
再可以在路途重逢着你
共去写一生的句子
若我可再活多一次千次
我都盼面前仍是你
我要他生都有今生的暖意

没什么可给你
但求凭这阙歌
谢谢你风雨里
都不退愿陪着我
暂别今天的你
但求凭我爱火
活在你心内
分开也像同度过

无求一生光辉, 唯望斗志不会断.

I have never really like 罗文's song (other than those for very very old TVB 武侠Series), but this is one of my favourite songs, because of the very encouraging lyric.

歌曲:几许风雨
歌手:罗文

无言轻倚窗边 凝望雨势 急也乱
似个疯汉 满肚郁结 怒骂着厌倦
徐徐呼出烟圈 回望以往的片段
几许风雨 我也经过屹立到目前

一生之中 谁没痛苦 得失少不免
看透世态 每种风雨 披身打我面
身处高峰 尝尽雨丝 轻风的加冕
偶尔碰上了急风 步伐未凌乱
心底之中知分寸 得失差一线
披荆斩棘的挑战 光辉不眷恋

悠然想起当天 无尽冷眼加嘴脸
正似风雨 每每改变 现实尽体验
无求一生光辉 唯望斗志不会断
见惯风雨 见惯改变 尽视作自然

悠然推窗观天 云渐散去星再现
雨线飘断 似我的脸 热泪聚满面
然而不死春天 全赖暖意不间断
似你的脸 叫我温暖 伴着我步前

PS : This week, I am super busy + on course. Currently, 'borrow' my instructor LAN point to blog at lunch time. Hahaha.

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Summary (9 Oct 05 - 15 Oct 05)

A busy week has pass, you may notice I did not write a lot. Regrets.
Let me do a Summary

Happy :
1) Watched a Good Musical
2) Played Good Table Tennis
3) Learn more on VMware
4) Received my performance bonus
5) A colleague is getting married
6) Started my Golf Lession
7) On Course next week
8) A colleague's family has recovered from illness
9) Officially reunited with a old friend/colleague at work

Sad :
1) Will miss Company's Dinner and Dance, due to oversea assignment
2) Insufficient sport activities this week
3) Encounter Incompatibility issue with SAS
4) Worry about workload in Office as I will be on Course nextweek.
5) Unable to share the joy of a friend's birthday, the week after next
6) The venue of the course next week is far away from home and office
7) Disaster Recovery Testing Result is not very good
8) Going to miss next golf lesson due to Disaster Recovery Drill
9) Feel sad after watching 'Moulin Rouge' VCD yesterday evening, true love with sad ending.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

两首我很喜欢的歌

昨夜, 心血来潮, 忽然很想听这两首我很喜欢的歌, 歌手是香港的关淑仪, 很久没有她的消息了.

难得有情人

如早春初醒催促我的心
将不可再等
含情待放那岁月空出了痴心
令人动心
幸福的光阴它不会偏心
将分给每颗心
情缘亦远亦近将交错一生
情侣爱得更甚
甜蜜地与爱人风褃飞奔
高声欢呼你有情不枉这生
一声你愿意一声我愿意
惊天爱再没遗憾
明月雾褃照人相爱相亲
让对对的恋人增添性感
一些恋爱变恨更多恋爱故事动人
划上了丝丝美感
一些恋爱变恨更多恋爱故事动人
划上了丝丝美感

患难建真情

谁在远远处悄悄荡来
无声的将心锁劈开
交出真的爱
伴我默默接未来
曾示意叫你不用前来
曾冰封的心不会开
收起心中爱
曾经的不可再

谁料你是至真至诚
全心的相爱
谁料你实太痴情
谁人能拒绝在门外

共渡患难建真情
原来情浓早心中载
引领我跨障碍
是你令我变改
默默望著你彷似呆
抱歉从前我不应该
要你每天盼望又期待

Friday, October 14, 2005

Meaningful Words (5)



Mistakes are just the steps to reach success.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

There is nothing, if you don't believe.



Tonight, I watched a wonderful musical performance, ‘Peter Pan’. Although the musical is not as powerful and magnificent as ‘Les Miserable’ or ‘Phantom of the Opera’, it brought us quite a number of enjoyable moments. Most music in the musical are new age music, similar to Enya, and most of the acts are performed by children. But these children are very experience. Overall, I enjoyed it. Hopefully, I can see most musical coming to Singapore.

Late November to early December, I will be in US, hopefully I can catch a musical at Broadway, if time permit.

"There is nothing, if you don't believe" ~ quoted from 'Peter Pan'

Meaningful Words (4)



Now, I think this one is not as easy as it looks.

Monday, October 10, 2005

Meaningful Words (3)



Make everyone forget you not.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Watching 'Tuesdays with Morrie'



After reading and deeply touched by the book, I thought the movie will be less impactful than the book. But I am wrong, this 4 Emmy Awards Movie capture the soul of the book very very well. I strongly recommend everyone to see it at least once. You will learn a lot of thing about life. Also, remember to bring your Tissue box along. You will need it. Believe me.

P.S. : Carrie, notice that the book is your favourite too. Have you watch the movie?

Watching 'A Beautiful Mind'

Another movie that will touch the bottom of our heart and it is based on Nobel Prize Winner Prof. John Nash.

Prof. John Nash has demonstrated great willpower to ignore the hallunication that he suffered throughout his life, focus and pursue in his research. What a man. Russell Crowe has acted well, although he did not get an acedmy award for it. (The movie get 4 academy awards). I am touched especially during the scene of Nobel Prize Presentation, the speech he make. 'You are all my reason', he said. The wonderful wife of his, Alicia by name, fully deserved the honor, having faith and support for him through thick and thin, even screaming in the middle of night to excert her tireness and fustration. In contrust, where is my reason now? Well, I do not have any hallucination, and I just do not know I want to live for others anymore (except Russell). I will live for myself. I will be my reason.

No mather what, I will come back, just like he did. (Finally, he can teach again after so many years of absence due to the sickness). I will be strong at heart and love again.

If there is a will, there is a way.

P.S. : next DVD will be 'Tuesday with Morrie'. I have read the book and look forward for this movie.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Friendship


In return to CS's blog, here is something on friendship too.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Meaningful Words (2)


Try your best and live with no regrets.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

感触


这两天, 感触良多.

首先,刚过生日的Alex, 昨天病倒了, 在此祝愿他早日康复.
还有, 知己Adeline的丈夫也于昨天得了骨痛溢血热症, 在此也祝愿他早日康复.

昨天的farewell + birthday lunch, 在新达城的Marche举行. 食物还行,气氛却差远了.好像为了吃而吃, 一点也没有饯行或庆祝的感觉. 山不在高, 有仙则灵. 有心的话, 那里吃都开心.

今天的双打乒乓球练习, 我表现差强人意, 我觉的在双打里, 我一直担心负累同伴.缺了默契,无法收发自如. 就像我的婚姻. 或者, 我始终适合单打, 抛开一切, 一拍决胜负. 同事兼好友Cecilia曾说:’乒乓带给你信心吗?’. 单打也许吧. 双打只会打击我的信心. 我做事好胜, 打球也一样. 多希望我能放松一点.

我的知己Adeline借了我一本书”The curious incident of the dog in the night-time”, 虽然我只读了三份一, 可是我却希望我像有自闭症的主角, 至少我会喜欢一个人独处的生活.

至于我的’学业’, 我只读了十份一, 还差的远. 要加油了.

Meaningful words (1)


Today, I received some pictures with meaningful words,
I will share you on the following days.

Be brave to take on Challenge.

Monday, October 03, 2005

Sunday, October 02, 2005

The Keys to My Heart

I just did a personality quiz on the web, and here is the result.



The Keys to Your Heart



You are attracted to those who have a split personality - cold as ice on the outside but hot as fire in the heart.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something that will confine you. You are afraid of marriage.

In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Thanks for the MSN chat, SL.

SL, really appreciate our chat just now, you have inspired me. You have left your home country and stay here alone for five years already. And I only have been alone for half a year. May be I just have not get use to it. I just have to love myself more. Thanks.

This morning, I watched the final episode of ‘学警雄心’, I am touched. It included all the emotions of 生离, 死别, 成功, 失败, 拥有, 失去. Everyone will have to go through all this, but please do not come all at once. One cannot handle so much at once. Take it easy, I shall.

Two of my best friends will be having have birthday this month. I look forward to tell you ‘Happy birthday, 生日快乐’.