I don't know how I did it but that's another minesweeper record for me!!!
139 seconds!!!
Bring it on!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Persuasion
Just finished reading Persuasion by Jane Austen.
Got to know about this book through the movie Lakehouse by Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. In the movie, this book is described about 2 people waiting for love. After reading it, I have to say that it is more than that. Then again, the movie is just taking what's useful and putting it in. It doesn't have to give a full review of the book.
This book was first published in 1817. So understandably it is written in old English. Grammar, vocabulary and spelling even aren't what we are used to. I wasn't too used to it initially. But PLEASE DO NOT let this put you off. I've never read a book quite like it. (Alright alright I haven't read many books) I mean haven't you had enough of crime, thriller and Da Vinci's Codes? Had a wonderful time reading it.
The book is titled Persuasion. So naturally it's about persuasion. It's about being persuaded. It's about persuading others. It's about persuading yourself. When is it a right time to hold true to your belief or path and when is it right to let go? Do you ever know? It is only with hindsight that you think, "ah, I should have done this." or "this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't ...." When you tell others, "you should do this" or "it'd be better if you kept away from ..." how do you know it's for the best? Can't your opinions be equally likely to be wrong? Perhaps it isn't about persuading or being persuaded by others. It is about persuading first and foremost yourself. Making yourself believe that what you are doing or what you are being told is correct or true to you heart.
In Persuasion, the 2 protagonists (Anne Elliot and Fredrick Wentworth), deeply in love, were separated due to an untimely persuasion of Anne to give things up. So eight years passed. Both of them living in suffering. Suffering from the hate of being abandoned, from remorse for the moment of weakness and from the prospect that such a miracle could never happen again in their lives. But the miracle doesn't have to happen twice. It has never stopped its work on Anne and Fredrick. They meet again. (fast forward to the end) They live happily ever after.
I have to admit, when I first picked up this book, I had quite a hard time. Not just because the English is not what I am used to, but also because it's just plain boring. This is in no way a discredit to the book. It sets the scene for what is to come. It gives the reader a feel of how gloomy the life of Anne Elliot has become since she was separated from Fredrick. As the story goes on, the style becomes more light hearted and animated as it describes how the flame between the 2 people are slowly rekindled. Both of them had persuaded that they didn't need each other and there weren't any feelings anymore. Persuaded they were, but only superficially. Deep within, they loved each other still. Just that pride, social norms and petty anger kept them apart. How superficial persuasion can be! Only cosmetically changing things. And yet the 2 main characters were kept away but such superficial things. So doesn't that make them superficial creatures? Sometimes that's the way we are, isn't it? Are the things that we feel important or affect us greatly REALLY matter? Can we persuade ourselves that it really matters? I guess sometimes it's easier to lie to ourselves and take the easy way out isn't it?
In this book you will see the traditional upper class society of old England. How people judge by appearances. How people hanker after connections to well known people. How people value their "friendships" by the benefits it can bring them. "How superficially they lead their lives!" I thought while reading. But then again, aren't we all sometimes like that? "What a dull life!" I thought. Does that mean that we lead "exciting" lives? Or are we just RELATIVELY more "exciting" with our TV, internet and stuff?
The love story of the Anne and Fredrick absolutely fills the book. There is no doubt that they will be together. But you just keep waiting and waiting for that to happen as the author describes what happens between them and how every little action by one party creates a storm in the other's heart. Quite funny isn't it? The 2 main characters waited for 8 years to be together and while reading the book it seems as if you are waiting with them. I absolutely love the author's method of revealing the story through the description of small details and everyday event. Normal conversations, little action, glances, etc. All of these advance the story. Through such everday things you see the characters evolve and the story unfold. It's as if every sentence every word has a hidden meaning to it, foretelling what is to come.
I feel that I can never do the book enough justice by writing about it in this blog. Go read it. I can hardly imagine you be disappointed.
Got to know about this book through the movie Lakehouse by Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. In the movie, this book is described about 2 people waiting for love. After reading it, I have to say that it is more than that. Then again, the movie is just taking what's useful and putting it in. It doesn't have to give a full review of the book.
This book was first published in 1817. So understandably it is written in old English. Grammar, vocabulary and spelling even aren't what we are used to. I wasn't too used to it initially. But PLEASE DO NOT let this put you off. I've never read a book quite like it. (Alright alright I haven't read many books) I mean haven't you had enough of crime, thriller and Da Vinci's Codes? Had a wonderful time reading it.
The book is titled Persuasion. So naturally it's about persuasion. It's about being persuaded. It's about persuading others. It's about persuading yourself. When is it a right time to hold true to your belief or path and when is it right to let go? Do you ever know? It is only with hindsight that you think, "ah, I should have done this." or "this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't ...." When you tell others, "you should do this" or "it'd be better if you kept away from ..." how do you know it's for the best? Can't your opinions be equally likely to be wrong? Perhaps it isn't about persuading or being persuaded by others. It is about persuading first and foremost yourself. Making yourself believe that what you are doing or what you are being told is correct or true to you heart.
In Persuasion, the 2 protagonists (Anne Elliot and Fredrick Wentworth), deeply in love, were separated due to an untimely persuasion of Anne to give things up. So eight years passed. Both of them living in suffering. Suffering from the hate of being abandoned, from remorse for the moment of weakness and from the prospect that such a miracle could never happen again in their lives. But the miracle doesn't have to happen twice. It has never stopped its work on Anne and Fredrick. They meet again. (fast forward to the end) They live happily ever after.
I have to admit, when I first picked up this book, I had quite a hard time. Not just because the English is not what I am used to, but also because it's just plain boring. This is in no way a discredit to the book. It sets the scene for what is to come. It gives the reader a feel of how gloomy the life of Anne Elliot has become since she was separated from Fredrick. As the story goes on, the style becomes more light hearted and animated as it describes how the flame between the 2 people are slowly rekindled. Both of them had persuaded that they didn't need each other and there weren't any feelings anymore. Persuaded they were, but only superficially. Deep within, they loved each other still. Just that pride, social norms and petty anger kept them apart. How superficial persuasion can be! Only cosmetically changing things. And yet the 2 main characters were kept away but such superficial things. So doesn't that make them superficial creatures? Sometimes that's the way we are, isn't it? Are the things that we feel important or affect us greatly REALLY matter? Can we persuade ourselves that it really matters? I guess sometimes it's easier to lie to ourselves and take the easy way out isn't it?
In this book you will see the traditional upper class society of old England. How people judge by appearances. How people hanker after connections to well known people. How people value their "friendships" by the benefits it can bring them. "How superficially they lead their lives!" I thought while reading. But then again, aren't we all sometimes like that? "What a dull life!" I thought. Does that mean that we lead "exciting" lives? Or are we just RELATIVELY more "exciting" with our TV, internet and stuff?
The love story of the Anne and Fredrick absolutely fills the book. There is no doubt that they will be together. But you just keep waiting and waiting for that to happen as the author describes what happens between them and how every little action by one party creates a storm in the other's heart. Quite funny isn't it? The 2 main characters waited for 8 years to be together and while reading the book it seems as if you are waiting with them. I absolutely love the author's method of revealing the story through the description of small details and everyday event. Normal conversations, little action, glances, etc. All of these advance the story. Through such everday things you see the characters evolve and the story unfold. It's as if every sentence every word has a hidden meaning to it, foretelling what is to come.
I feel that I can never do the book enough justice by writing about it in this blog. Go read it. I can hardly imagine you be disappointed.
Friday, January 12, 2007
I can't wait
2 extraordinary books came my way recently.
I know that they are extraordinary because I read one of them halfway before I came to UK (didn't have time to finish it) and the other one I've started reading it (and I already think its good).
The first one...
The Clash of Civilizations: The Remaking of World Order (Samuel P. Huntington)
The second one...
The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins)
Can't wait t finish both of them....
I know that they are extraordinary because I read one of them halfway before I came to UK (didn't have time to finish it) and the other one I've started reading it (and I already think its good).
The first one...
The Clash of Civilizations: The Remaking of World Order (Samuel P. Huntington)
The second one...
The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins)
Can't wait t finish both of them....
Johnny "Runner"... Keep running....
Haha! Finally went for my gym induction today. Now can use the gym liao.
At first when I heard of the gym induction, I was abit sian diao. Cos it smacks of SAF "CYA" (Cover Your Ass) mentality. But then what to do? If you want to use the gym then gotta go lor. In fact my original induction lesson was way earlier than today. I missed it to go to Brugge the last time. Haha!
Anyway the gym is fantastic. Super high tech.
I don't really care about the fitness equipment there. I'm just happy to see the treadmills, one whole super long row of treadmills. I really really need to run. Otherwise my cardio-pulmonary functions will start to degenerate. (In fact, it has ALREADY degenerated)
Ran to my hearts content. Can't say that I'm as fit as I was. But never mind. Can't expect myself to run as if last time when 40 SAR training for AHM like that. I felt good after the run. Feel as if I could breath better.
Oh ya. Another pleasant surprise. I lost weight!!! Haha! During the pre-ORD and post-ORD period I bloated up to nearly 70 kg. Fellow medics (e.g. Renhe) and my brigade senior medic all commented that I 发福了. Now, I'm a good 66kg ONLY!!! Haha!!!! Quite a surprise since I thought that by coming to UK (with the cold weather and all) I would get fat even more. Seems like that frugal and independent lifestyle has done me some good.
I plan to run regularly. Hope that I can keep the plan going. (for a reasonable length of time! haha!)
At first when I heard of the gym induction, I was abit sian diao. Cos it smacks of SAF "CYA" (Cover Your Ass) mentality. But then what to do? If you want to use the gym then gotta go lor. In fact my original induction lesson was way earlier than today. I missed it to go to Brugge the last time. Haha!
Anyway the gym is fantastic. Super high tech.
I don't really care about the fitness equipment there. I'm just happy to see the treadmills, one whole super long row of treadmills. I really really need to run. Otherwise my cardio-pulmonary functions will start to degenerate. (In fact, it has ALREADY degenerated)
Ran to my hearts content. Can't say that I'm as fit as I was. But never mind. Can't expect myself to run as if last time when 40 SAR training for AHM like that. I felt good after the run. Feel as if I could breath better.
Oh ya. Another pleasant surprise. I lost weight!!! Haha! During the pre-ORD and post-ORD period I bloated up to nearly 70 kg. Fellow medics (e.g. Renhe) and my brigade senior medic all commented that I 发福了. Now, I'm a good 66kg ONLY!!! Haha!!!! Quite a surprise since I thought that by coming to UK (with the cold weather and all) I would get fat even more. Seems like that frugal and independent lifestyle has done me some good.
I plan to run regularly. Hope that I can keep the plan going. (for a reasonable length of time! haha!)
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Another minesweeper record!!!
Yay!!! New minesweeper record!
Expert level complete in 148 seconds!!! (1 second improvement! haha!)
Cheers!
Expert level complete in 148 seconds!!! (1 second improvement! haha!)
Cheers!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
眼泪成诗
刚刚在MSN跟Shiyin（对不起，不知道你的中文名怎么写）聊天，聊到了孙燕姿的“眼泪成诗" 这首歌。
这是一首我相当钟爱的一首歌。
我觉得这首歌孙燕姿诠释的不错。有一种沉默，沉着的感觉。加上她的嗓音本来就有点沉，配上二胡更让人有一种忧愁的感觉。但这首歌最吸引我的是它的词。
这首歌的词又是写实又是写意。让听者在现实和想象中流转。作者充分的把感情注入了词中。
开头平静中带点淡淡忧伤的感觉，在我看来，很值得细细品味。后来，又有一种澎湃的感情被释放的感觉。把整首歌推向高潮。
好东西是不需要用太多言语来解释的。读读歌词你就明白了。。。
这是一首我相当钟爱的一首歌。
我觉得这首歌孙燕姿诠释的不错。有一种沉默，沉着的感觉。加上她的嗓音本来就有点沉，配上二胡更让人有一种忧愁的感觉。但这首歌最吸引我的是它的词。
这首歌的词又是写实又是写意。让听者在现实和想象中流转。作者充分的把感情注入了词中。
开头平静中带点淡淡忧伤的感觉，在我看来，很值得细细品味。后来，又有一种澎湃的感情被释放的感觉。把整首歌推向高潮。
好东西是不需要用太多言语来解释的。读读歌词你就明白了。。。
我已经已经把我伤口化作玫瑰
我的泪水已经变成雨水早已轮回
我已经已经把对白留成了永远
忘了天色究竟是黑是灰
分手伤了谁谁把他变美
我的眼泪写成了诗已无所谓
让你再回味
字不醉人人自醉因为回忆总是美
我已经已经把绝情变成了恭维
因为不配
你就忽然自卑说声失陪
我已经已经把沉默变成了忏悔
无路可退 只能无言以对
分手伤了谁 谁把他变美
我的眼泪写成了诗已无所谓
让你在回味 字不醉人人自醉
因为回忆总是美 分手伤了谁
谁把他变美 我的眼泪写成了诗已是无所谓
让你再回味 字不醉人人自醉
你的品位总是美
Paris, the City of Lights. How True....
This is my first post of the year 2007. And what a way to start blogging again. This post will be about my Paris trip. Remember the one of "self-discovery" and all that load of crap? haha!
This trip has been one of many "firsts" for me. First time travelling alone, first time on Eurostar, first time staying in a hostel, first time meeting people from so many other countries and many more. That's one of the reasons why it is so very very memorable.
Paris is a beautiful city. The streets, the buildings and even the people. Every where you walk you feel as if you are walking on history. The roads, many of them are still those pebbled road, withstood the tests of time. Every step u take, you can't help but wonder who has stepped on this before you. Art is everywhere. Now I truly understand why so many artists come to Paris for inspiration. I even met a few artists myself at the hostel who were travelling in Paris. Of course, I visited all the famous places like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Cathedral of Notre Dame, etc.
Talking about cathedrals. I visited 2 very famous cathedrals in Paris, the Sacre Coeur and the Notre Dame. Both are architecturally stunning. It's a pity that the atmosphere was spoilt by tourists like me. They were having mass and we were like strolling through the cathedral. I found more serenity and tranquility in a church I accidentally found while walking to Les Invalides(the place where the tomb of Napoleon is).
Back to Paris. It is really beautiful at night. All the monuments are spectacularly lighted up at night. Sometimes I even feel it's better to go visit the monuments at night. A very good example is the Eiffel Tower. I felt that it is glorious at night. The yellow light making it glow as if it were made of gold. And every hour, on the hour, it will light up further with blinking lights (sort of like the type you see on Christmas trees) and at the top there's a powerful spotlight that shines around like a light house. On top of that, the scale of the tower makes it ever more magnificent. (especially if you are standing under it like I did)
Many things happened in Paris that made the trip very enjoyable and memorable. I went clubbing and drinking with the ang mohs (hostel mates) and experienced Paris nightlife and tequila shots. Got stuck Metro at 5 am on New Years day. Strolled down the sleaziest area of Paris, the Moulin Rouge area where all the sex shops and strip clubs are. NARROWLY missing my train to Strasbourg. (And I mean NARROWLY as in woke up half an hour before the train left and boarding the train just as the operator was about to close the door and drive off). Not to mention a wonderful time at the Eiffel Tower celebrating the New Year. There are too many things that happened. Even if I could write it all out, you wouldn't read it. Ask me if you want.
But one thing happened that had the greatest effect on the trip. Before I set off, I thought that I would meet SOME people. And they would be a peripheral part of the trip. I couldn't be more wrong. The trip WAS about the people. Hostel life allows travellers who are all keen to meet new people and learn new things to interact. I met people from all over the world. The US, Iran, Canada, Spain, Armenia, Australia, etc. It was GREAT! We talked about life in our country, what we do, what we think about certain issues and what we like. I realized that the world is so so big and wonderful. With so many things to see and so many people to meet. People lead so vastly different lives that upon hearing about them you'd think that they weren't from planet Earth (ok I'm exagerating a little. But you get my point). I love learning about them. Had such a wonderful time just interacting.
The people were all so keen to learn about each other. Even if you just met, it doesn't matter. Even if you might not tell them what's your background, it doesn't matter. Even if you are not from the same generation, it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is your presence and friendship. You feel so readily accepted without doubt or query. And in return you learn to accept others for who they are and be empathetic to their situation, be it whether they tell you the truth or not. I wouldn't have stayed in a hotel even if it's for free. What I had at the hostel was priceless. And this is what made it all worthwhile despite the crappy bed, freezing rooms, lack of lockers and lousy shower facilities.
The people I had the greatest fun with were my room mates.There's Chris(US, Chicago) and Gerrard(New Zealand). Both of them are great, funny and earnest guys. They are travelling together. Chris is a stuntman who used to be and F1 driver(how cool is that!) and Gerrard is a CG artist working on NARNIA(how cool is that too!). Had the greatest time talking to them, partying and getting wasted. Haha! (I did a fair bit of drinking in France. Other than the occasional whiskey and tequila, it was ALOT of wine, since it's cheap.) Then there's Sina (Iran), Fred (Iran) and Dion(Armenia). All 3 are from the University of Birmingham. What a small world. Fred is crazy about Disney characters. He said he grew up with them. He was so happy to go to Disneyland. Learnt alot about Iran and Armenia from them. We exchanged emails. Maybe I would go and visit them some day. We had a great time partying at the Eiffel Tower celebrating the New Year. All of us went crazy. Haha!
Talking about celebrating New Year at the Eiffel Tower. It was great. The crowd was amazing. Everyone cheered when the Eiffel Tower lit up to signify the start of 2007. Champagne and wine immediately popped out of no where and disappeared into our stomachs. Everyone was hugging each other, saying "Bon Anee!" and wishing each other the best in the new year. At that point in time I thought it is really fate that brought these people together at this special time to share this extraordinary memory. This is TRULY once in a lifetime. 2007 is never gonna come again. This group of people might never ever meet again.
By the time I came back to London, I was really satisfied. There was no feeling of the trip ending too soon. There was no wish of the trip ending earlier. Everything was just right. I did what I set out to do and achieved even more than what I had expected. I had the time of my life. Did things I never thought of doing. Met people whom I never knew existed. Learnt alot about Paris, the world and myself. I felt rehcarged by the trip and not at all tired mentally. I tell myself," This is not going to be the last time. I'll do this again!"
(photos on flickr)
This trip has been one of many "firsts" for me. First time travelling alone, first time on Eurostar, first time staying in a hostel, first time meeting people from so many other countries and many more. That's one of the reasons why it is so very very memorable.
Paris is a beautiful city. The streets, the buildings and even the people. Every where you walk you feel as if you are walking on history. The roads, many of them are still those pebbled road, withstood the tests of time. Every step u take, you can't help but wonder who has stepped on this before you. Art is everywhere. Now I truly understand why so many artists come to Paris for inspiration. I even met a few artists myself at the hostel who were travelling in Paris. Of course, I visited all the famous places like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Cathedral of Notre Dame, etc.
Talking about cathedrals. I visited 2 very famous cathedrals in Paris, the Sacre Coeur and the Notre Dame. Both are architecturally stunning. It's a pity that the atmosphere was spoilt by tourists like me. They were having mass and we were like strolling through the cathedral. I found more serenity and tranquility in a church I accidentally found while walking to Les Invalides(the place where the tomb of Napoleon is).
Back to Paris. It is really beautiful at night. All the monuments are spectacularly lighted up at night. Sometimes I even feel it's better to go visit the monuments at night. A very good example is the Eiffel Tower. I felt that it is glorious at night. The yellow light making it glow as if it were made of gold. And every hour, on the hour, it will light up further with blinking lights (sort of like the type you see on Christmas trees) and at the top there's a powerful spotlight that shines around like a light house. On top of that, the scale of the tower makes it ever more magnificent. (especially if you are standing under it like I did)
Many things happened in Paris that made the trip very enjoyable and memorable. I went clubbing and drinking with the ang mohs (hostel mates) and experienced Paris nightlife and tequila shots. Got stuck Metro at 5 am on New Years day. Strolled down the sleaziest area of Paris, the Moulin Rouge area where all the sex shops and strip clubs are. NARROWLY missing my train to Strasbourg. (And I mean NARROWLY as in woke up half an hour before the train left and boarding the train just as the operator was about to close the door and drive off). Not to mention a wonderful time at the Eiffel Tower celebrating the New Year. There are too many things that happened. Even if I could write it all out, you wouldn't read it. Ask me if you want.
But one thing happened that had the greatest effect on the trip. Before I set off, I thought that I would meet SOME people. And they would be a peripheral part of the trip. I couldn't be more wrong. The trip WAS about the people. Hostel life allows travellers who are all keen to meet new people and learn new things to interact. I met people from all over the world. The US, Iran, Canada, Spain, Armenia, Australia, etc. It was GREAT! We talked about life in our country, what we do, what we think about certain issues and what we like. I realized that the world is so so big and wonderful. With so many things to see and so many people to meet. People lead so vastly different lives that upon hearing about them you'd think that they weren't from planet Earth (ok I'm exagerating a little. But you get my point). I love learning about them. Had such a wonderful time just interacting.
The people were all so keen to learn about each other. Even if you just met, it doesn't matter. Even if you might not tell them what's your background, it doesn't matter. Even if you are not from the same generation, it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is your presence and friendship. You feel so readily accepted without doubt or query. And in return you learn to accept others for who they are and be empathetic to their situation, be it whether they tell you the truth or not. I wouldn't have stayed in a hotel even if it's for free. What I had at the hostel was priceless. And this is what made it all worthwhile despite the crappy bed, freezing rooms, lack of lockers and lousy shower facilities.
The people I had the greatest fun with were my room mates.There's Chris(US, Chicago) and Gerrard(New Zealand). Both of them are great, funny and earnest guys. They are travelling together. Chris is a stuntman who used to be and F1 driver(how cool is that!) and Gerrard is a CG artist working on NARNIA(how cool is that too!). Had the greatest time talking to them, partying and getting wasted. Haha! (I did a fair bit of drinking in France. Other than the occasional whiskey and tequila, it was ALOT of wine, since it's cheap.) Then there's Sina (Iran), Fred (Iran) and Dion(Armenia). All 3 are from the University of Birmingham. What a small world. Fred is crazy about Disney characters. He said he grew up with them. He was so happy to go to Disneyland. Learnt alot about Iran and Armenia from them. We exchanged emails. Maybe I would go and visit them some day. We had a great time partying at the Eiffel Tower celebrating the New Year. All of us went crazy. Haha!
Talking about celebrating New Year at the Eiffel Tower. It was great. The crowd was amazing. Everyone cheered when the Eiffel Tower lit up to signify the start of 2007. Champagne and wine immediately popped out of no where and disappeared into our stomachs. Everyone was hugging each other, saying "Bon Anee!" and wishing each other the best in the new year. At that point in time I thought it is really fate that brought these people together at this special time to share this extraordinary memory. This is TRULY once in a lifetime. 2007 is never gonna come again. This group of people might never ever meet again.
By the time I came back to London, I was really satisfied. There was no feeling of the trip ending too soon. There was no wish of the trip ending earlier. Everything was just right. I did what I set out to do and achieved even more than what I had expected. I had the time of my life. Did things I never thought of doing. Met people whom I never knew existed. Learnt alot about Paris, the world and myself. I felt rehcarged by the trip and not at all tired mentally. I tell myself," This is not going to be the last time. I'll do this again!"
(photos on flickr)
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