tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56589232011-07-08T01:14:49.033-07:00Whenever I don't want to do what I'm supposed to do, I like to write.Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.comBlogger2321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-20442203998907505242009-05-24T11:14:00.008-07:002009-06-17T23:02:56.036-07:00

One of my new year's resolutions was to complete a 10k run in under 90 minutes. I know 90 minutes is a fairly relaxed goal, but I just needed a goal to get me started on endurance training. So after my exams last month, I signed up for a 10k training clinic with Running Room. The format consists of a clinic night (where various speakers come in to educate us on a topic for 20, 30 mins) followed

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-76571985733611844142009-05-21T14:23:00.004-07:002009-05-24T17:54:48.860-07:00

It's funny, some of the things we hang onto. A couple days ago, I opened a bar of 20-year-old soap. I kid you not.I even remember exactly who gave it to me: 2 girls whom I barely knew (and haven't seen since) who were friends of my friend. It was ultra-nice of them to get me a gift (Body Shop fuzzy peach soap and a really nice scrunchy) for my birthday, considering they didn't know me, and

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-26964483795528990532009-05-12T22:14:00.009-07:002009-10-21T22:19:56.558-07:00

I'm afraid that I went through a bit of a cranky mood last night. A couple friends were asking how I was going to celebrate my birthday, and I got a little frustrated and let the pessimist take over. Everything that made me happy, I'd lost in the past year. There was nothing to celebrate.[As a side note, though, my friend came over and helped me reset my whole wireless network, getting me a step

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-47508346863285045932009-05-10T00:00:00.005-07:002009-05-10T14:30:37.370-07:00

Those who've been keeping up with my blog know that I have a thing about mosquitoes. Yelch!! Well, a couple of hours ago, as I was putting away some laundry, I noticed a huge-a$$ mosquito fluttering about in my room: its wingspan was a good 2 inches! But then I lost it when I ran out to get my spider cup! (Yes, I have a transparent cup that I use to catch spiders!)Well, I was getting ready for

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-31431044437884332392009-05-09T22:55:00.005-07:002009-06-17T22:19:03.261-07:00

My dad and I went to see my mom this morning, a day-early Mother's Day visit. As we were sending our thoughts to her and offering fruits, a group of Chinese were there talking, laughing, and being oblivious to the fact that other people were around. Seriously? It's a mausoleum!This example was the latest in a series of observations that when Chinese people congregate, they become loud and noisy

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-77174691068917504892009-05-08T22:19:00.011-07:002009-05-09T00:13:51.107-07:00

Just got home from the 4th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, which was fabulous. I saw an ad for the festival in The Vancouver Sun, and thought it might be interesting to check out. Something different. So I got tickets to The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, a group from Victoria, BC.For a mere $13, we got 2 hours of glittery ruby red lipstick, sparkly eye makeup, costumes and wigs,

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-60859186112840331062009-05-04T23:27:00.015-07:002009-05-07T12:50:45.335-07:00

My dad and I put together bags of clothing for donation, and in the bags was a long coat of my mom's, pictured right. My dad had told me about it a few months back.My mom made this coat. Yes, one of her many talents. Waaaay back when my dad was studying in the States, and before any of us were born. My mom was really, really excited: they were going to go to Las Vegas. So my dad went with her to

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-56713360886937053622009-05-02T16:31:00.004-07:002009-05-02T16:45:52.054-07:00

One of favourite candies from my childhood is Wonka Runts. Fruit-shaped fruity hard candies! I liked getting each flavour and melting them in my mouth....I saw them at Superstore the other day, and a wave of nostalgia inspired me to purchase a box.Well, I should've just left the past in the past. They taste awful - just pure sugar, in a packed powder form. They're absolutely disgusting!Some

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-11486595845766451852009-04-26T15:20:00.009-07:002009-04-28T12:33:39.837-07:00

After our run this morning, a woman in my running group commented, "Oh, you're an engineer, too," indicating the Iron Ring on my right hand.I always say that the stainless steel Iron Ring on my pinkie is a reminder of the hardest thing I've ever done: the many years of suffering through my engineering education. It's true. Those were some very gruelling years. I think I must've developed my

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-37480828950027215932009-03-28T19:58:00.008-07:002009-05-07T01:15:07.926-07:00

On my way home from campus a few days ago, I stopped off at Timmy Hs to grab some coffee and replenish my bagel supply. When I got to the counter, I placed my order: "Medium mocha with decaf, and half a dozen blueberry bagels, please."The cash register ring up "1 Lg mocha". The woman behind the counter looked up at me and asked, "What size?"Me: "Medium. With decaf, please."She corrected her entry

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-18177004485879098862009-02-20T15:29:00.003-08:002009-05-07T01:14:17.766-07:00

Okay, I'm totally supposed to be studying for my anatomy+physiology midterm, but I had to take a few minutes to write about this.I was waiting for my order at Tim Hortons, and the next two people approached the counter to place their order. There was some back-and-forth about what beverage they wanted, and it became obvious that the two customers were hearing-impaired, with one woman

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-45666853490434042332009-01-19T15:21:00.012-08:002009-01-19T17:31:12.611-08:00

I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions, but I figured that with my life where it is right now, it wouldn't be bad to have some. So here we go, 9 for '09.Lose 5 poundsThrough exercise and a proper diet, not starvation. The goal is more to re-establish an exercise routine than to lose the pounds.Learn to use my camera settings properlyFor a camera with limited settings, I should really

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-16441719432841278282008-12-25T00:07:00.003-08:002008-12-25T00:43:36.577-08:00

Merry Christmas to all! What an interesting holiday season it's been!Most of the excitement has been thanks to the largest snowfall in Vancouver in a long long time. It snowed last Wed, and I had the great pleasure (...) of shovelling the snow. Those who have been to my house in the winter know that it's almost as cold inside as it is outside, so coming in from the cold didn't offer much comfort.

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-69203413667462700852008-11-19T16:42:00.004-08:002008-11-19T20:21:23.941-08:00

While looking for an image for my French composition, I came across an article about a couple that was still married after the husband underwent a sex change operation. The article goes on to talk about how marriage laws are a little behind in keeping step with what is acceptable in modern society, and touches on just some of the issues that an untraditional couple might encounter in various

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-28562868259468966082008-10-24T21:26:00.003-07:002008-10-24T21:31:10.419-07:00

I was under the impression that I'd already posted this 3rd installment, but I guess I hadn't done quite enough stupid things, yet! I've now caught up.When I park at the side of the road, I usually back up and straighten my wheel so I can ride away more easily. One night I was leaving the post office (which happens to be on a slight slope), and as I let my scooter glide backwards... I stopped

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-20403708902998103392008-10-19T23:40:00.003-07:002008-10-20T00:00:35.661-07:00

I just completed my Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certification this weekend. In two days of training, we covered a lot of emergency and first-on-the-scene procedures; I highly recommend it!We were practicing moving a victim from upright position to floor while immobilising for possible head and spine injuries. And as my group member was gently letting my immobilised head down onto the floor

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-77377246006453813832008-08-24T00:29:00.002-07:002008-08-24T00:32:59.316-07:00

I still want to hold your hand, smile at you, send you kisses over the phone....

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-41281335859282460432008-08-09T22:43:00.004-07:002008-08-10T16:16:48.954-07:00

It feels like whenever I move to a new place (all two times), everyone I leave behind moves on with their lives, and I am at a standstill.When I moved to Taiwan, time froze. I worked and played and experienced a lot of things, but I remained at the same point in my life. All my friends in Vancouver were getting married and having kids. Now that I'm back in Vancouver, all my friends in Taiwan are

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-73026213619730299872008-07-26T00:26:00.006-07:002009-05-07T01:02:46.935-07:00

I arrived back in Vancouver on Thursday night, closing a chapter of my life, and starting a new one.It's funny, because it doesn't feel like I'm coming home. In fact, it feels like I left home. The wonderful friends and "family" I built up over the nearly 4 years, my brothers and new sis-in-law... all left behind. :(Everything I'm coming back to... is different. So, in a way, it almost feels

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-57396839883098790092008-07-25T22:22:00.005-07:002008-07-26T00:26:45.630-07:00

So, in my 3 weeks left, I managed to squeeze in a fair bit, just making the most of my time left.- outdoor climbing at Longdong 龍洞, despite a climber falling to her death a month earlier;- National Palace Museum 故宮 with my dad;- wakeboarding 滑水 with my coworker in Taipei county - sooooo much fun!- more indoor climbing at iClimb (that was a constant!), including helping with a kids' activity, ha;-

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-27805697852352533612008-07-04T11:29:00.001-07:002008-07-04T11:31:16.264-07:00

The time's gone by awfully quickly.... Since coming to Taiwan, I've been partly busy with handling some personal business (finances, other loose ends) but also with spending time with friends before I leave the country "for good". So here's the Reader's Digest version of what I've done so far in the last 4 weeks:- watched dragonboat races for 端午節 (hadn't ever done that in Vancouver even!);-

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-37534359437110877922008-06-07T08:55:00.005-07:002008-06-09T20:47:09.124-07:00

That's how my trip to Taiwan is starting out. First of all, when I went through Customs, I got selected for a random patdown. The Customs officer was nice enough, though. Asked me if I was wearing a belt ("Um, no, it's just... fat." "Hahah, if you're fat, then what am I... obese? :p") She actually did pat down the entire body, including around all sides of the bra...! and checked the bottoms of

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-61252170831908787642008-05-31T16:20:00.005-07:002008-06-01T13:01:05.157-07:00

After thinking about it for several years, I finally took my first step in becoming a blood donor. The radio broadcast an immediate need for O- blood, so I figured why not, this was as good a time as any! (While in Taiwan, I wanted to join CompanyM's blood drive, but hadn't been back from Cambodia (2006) or Vietnam (2007) for a full year.)Yesterday around noon, I went to the Canadian Blood

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-58360722737007595532008-04-22T17:01:00.002-07:002008-04-22T17:03:11.497-07:00

"King one still there on the whole bar! And I'm in a soundproof room...!"That was the line that we kids would call out at each meal when we were younger. It was the statement that granted us the deed to the forked legs at each end of the table, so we could prop our feet on them for the meal.First you had to get your feet on the bar, and then you had to say the whole statement without the other

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-92005116132745116812008-04-19T16:30:00.003-07:002009-05-07T01:07:19.968-07:00

Excitable and HumorousEveryone who has met my mother undoubtedly knows her for her playful energy and zest for life. Indeed, Mom was more excited about my first date, about my prom, and convocation than even I was. And she loved to hear about any new activities I was trying – hiking, swimming, rock-climbing. I could always count on her to start deliberating about what I would be wearing to a

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-38264497455407625452008-02-11T21:26:00.000-08:002008-02-12T11:32:20.575-08:00

I met up to shoot pool with a friend in Taipei, after dinner with my aunt. I couldn't find my key to get back into my brother's place, so he left his set with me, and said he would figure out another way. He called me later, rather peeved, because he couldn't get into his parking garage (sensor was with me now).The next day as we were heading out, I returned his keys. "Where's my mailbox key??" "

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-44366021873629126092008-02-01T03:45:00.000-08:002008-02-05T01:19:53.540-08:00

I was looking up a synonym for the verb "to manage" at one of my favourite sites, Merriam-Webster, and among other definitions, it offered1b: to treat with care: husband.Huh? Intrigued, I clicked and found the transitive verb "to husband":Main Entry: 2husbandFunction: transitive verbDate: 15th century1 a: to manage prudently and economically b: to use sparingly : conserve2archaic : to find a

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-54379614403764088122008-01-29T03:28:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:21:06.090-08:00

So we happened to have the "pleasure" of sitting with my two-up manager, and conversation starts out about marriage and sports, and then the 3 managers at the table start talking about... management. My two-up is saying how different people have different ways of dealing with stress, and each person has to figure out their own method."For example, Nk and I have a habit of leaving everything until

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-6952073497980337912008-01-09T21:14:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:17:21.727-08:00

I am, by far, not perfect.I know, I know. I'll give you a minute for the shock to subside.Here are a few oh-so-bright moments, most deserving a laugh, some deserving a smack upside the head. (I actually wrote most of this over a year ago, but these have all happened during my time in Taiwan.)Locked myself out of my dorm - with a bag of laundry, and three 10NT coins. No wallet, no phone, no

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-43587403979507910082007-12-03T06:01:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:28:25.566-08:00

There's something to be said for the evolution of the written language.I saw a character 雦 the other day, didn't know what it was. So I asked my coworker and we started doing some research (okay, she searched while I sat next to her), we found the following ensemble:隹 (zhuī) - kind of bird雔 (chóu) - pair of birds雦 (jí/chóu) - to gather; archaic form of 集 (jí)雥 (zá) - flock of birds雧 (jí) - to

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-56579605208171265152007-11-23T15:23:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:29:31.992-08:00

07:23.I've barely slept an hour the entire night so far.Why?Because of ONE mosquito.I am so tired....

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-47521948026926386262007-11-23T07:23:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:10:03.895-08:00

My coworker passed me a news article, about how in Austria, housekeeping and child-rearing are still widely regarded as women's responsibilities.(The article's in Chinese but you can get a crude translation by running the URL through Babelfish. The general gist of the article is that 75% of Austrian men consider housekeeping and child-rearing a woman's job, compared to only 14% who believe men

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-41912725670426681122007-11-17T10:56:00.001-08:002008-02-04T10:02:09.604-08:00

Shortly after posting that last tip, I received intel on an impending new policy at our workplace.Starting next month, MSN and all IM programs will be banned at work. Those requiring MSN for work can apply for it (on a yearly basis). MSN usage and content will be monitored and submitted to your manager each month.How's that for shutting off any connection to the outside world....Now I realise

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-30586710122524309342007-11-11T10:58:00.000-08:002007-11-12T12:00:42.066-08:00

After last month's viral attack, I recovered my laptop computer and painstakingly went through all the installations and uninstallations to restore Toshy to his former glory.As I logged into the newly upgraded Windows Live Messenger, however, it dawned on me how much I relied on my accumulated collection of dancing moo cows and twirling penguins and the like. The clean emoticon slate left me

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-69541391649640881052007-11-03T14:26:00.000-07:002008-02-04T09:55:08.017-08:00

Well. I don't know what to say. My weekend was a complete bust. I had a full weekend all planned out - fun filled up to the brim. And not one of those plans panned out.Friday night I went wall-climbing, and then had a night snack with the gang. I was going to go on a mini nocturnal adventure (just out wandering at night) but couldn't get a hold of my friends. I was a bit bummed out, so my

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-92089766038949673242007-10-14T11:58:00.000-07:002007-10-14T12:03:33.817-07:00

Oh boy. Looks like my blog posts are getting a little long.It's great to have stuff to talk about. =)Or maybe I'm just too wordy. Verbal diarrhea, as my elementary school classmate once said. =P

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-23661771946899613392007-10-13T23:13:00.000-07:002007-11-11T10:45:06.601-08:00

I signed up for another riversourcing activity. Riversourcing is when you follow a river or creek upstream, crossing it or climbing to get to the source. It's also a term I coined, because I honestly don't know the actual name of the activity. If anyone knows, do tell me.Anyhow, the organisation hosting the activity was iClimb, the wall-climbing centre I kind of frequent. I already knew and liked

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-54382408579890279622007-10-10T10:06:00.000-07:002007-10-14T09:12:34.661-07:00

The journey back to Taiwan, dreaded and loathed as it was, was inescapable. Yet, dreaded and loathed as it was, my return to normal life with an abnormal work schedule didn't seem so bad. Because I already knew.I started packing on the last day. All the souvenir shopping and the more-than-usual clothes shopping and the Costco runs had created a build up of plastic bags around my suitcase, but

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-32450376972994270102007-10-10T07:37:00.000-07:002008-02-04T09:54:37.282-08:00

You ockers need to keep your 'roos off the racetrack, alroyt?!

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-696953321251051072007-10-08T06:13:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:28:25.567-08:00

Being a native English speaker, I was originally exempt from taking the TOEIC exam at work, but this morning I received an e-mail from my two-up manager saying that everyone in our department had to sit the exam after all, and so I arranged with HR to let me into the examination room.The listening section was... slightly boring. To the point that my mind started wandering, hahaha. Oops.And the

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-6418475978330013992007-10-06T08:04:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:02:09.605-08:00

GameSetup.exeW32.Fujacks.D worm virus.Norton AntiVirus 2004.Expired licence.Panda icons everywhere.F&#@$^%*) sh!t.

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-80939201212126656942007-10-05T22:17:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:17:21.727-08:00

I was cleaning out my wardrobe last night (a rare event in itself) and came across a "new" jacket. The past came back to me....We had put up the little Christmas tree, my brothers and I. Having traded down from the 6-foot tree to a little 3.5-footer whitey, we'd moved the tree upstairs, and loaded it up with as many decorations as was tastefully possible and strung lights upon the

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-10223469615049725362007-10-04T08:46:00.000-07:002008-01-09T21:23:46.463-08:00

It started with, surprise, a mad rush during the days prior to my departure, to finish (unsuccessfully) work tasks, to pick up various items for overseas delivery, and of course, to pack. Just a couple days after my 3-year anniversary of arriving - moving to Taiwan, I was going home for the Mid-Autumn holidays.I managed to drop all my work without too much guilt (or concern) so I could get back

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-33202529697096402392007-09-20T11:49:00.000-07:002007-09-21T12:45:15.692-07:00

Where the heart is.There's nothing luxurious about my house. My parents aren't waiting on me, hand on foot. I haven't even slept in past 8:30AM yet (which one would expect, given my crazy work schedule). It doesn't matter that it's gloomy and cold out. There's just something about home that makes it home.And Vancouver will always be home.It's nice to be back. (Even if just for a visit.)

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-55856128846717795952007-09-17T13:47:00.000-07:002007-09-18T11:18:13.360-07:00

I've always had a fascination for the supernatural. I like reading "ghost stories" and about strange phenomena.Admittedly, this morbid fascination of mine has augmented since coming to Taiwan. They believe in spirits and rituals and sorcery, yin and yang.... They even have tv shows dedicated to exploring haunted sites around Taiwan.But today was probably the first time I was actually scared.After

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-89898357753111459942007-05-11T10:42:00.000-07:002007-05-11T10:50:25.228-07:00

Well. I turn 30 tomorrow.I can't say that I've had any particular anxiety [so far] about this completion of a decade, at least not directly related to turning 30. I've had a lot of things on my mind the past half year or even whole year, so turning 30 is nothing.Anyhow, it just happens that I'll be hiking this weekend, so I get to spend my birthday atop a mountain with friends, breathing fresh

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-59266453564194650682007-05-04T20:09:00.000-07:002007-05-05T07:59:36.349-07:00

I have a sister! =D Almost.A couple days ago, on her birthday, my brother popped the question, and she said yes! She said yes, she said yes, she said yes! =DSo yesterday, I left work early (way earlier than usual, anyway) and booted up to Taipei for a surprise party for M at the Duckbill darts bar.I had one Long Island iced tea. And that was it.Omigosh, it was loaded.I'm not an alcoholic, but

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-11029863380288371742007-05-04T06:01:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:02:09.606-08:00

May 1st is Labour Day in Taiwan. But more importantly, it's a stat holiday in Taiwan.I've been a little down lately, and cooped up at work, so my coworker and I went out to a coffee shop about half an hour out from Hsinchu. The owner used to be the manager at our company coffee shop, but he'd opened his own coffee shop 2 years ago, a quaint shop on a little lake.When we got there, the owner told

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-19042356448006468962007-03-29T09:45:00.000-07:002007-03-31T11:00:36.057-07:00

Much to my dismay, I spotted a cockroach lurking outside the main door of my building.Looks like it's cockroach season again. : (

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-30699122637885301272007-03-12T04:09:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:28:25.568-08:00

Before I moved to Taiwan, I was under the impression that Asian immigrants only choose "boring" English names. Common names that occur in a classroom 2 or 3 times: Danny, David, Michael, Jerry, Johnny. Jenny, Cindy, Amy, Julie.Boy was I ever wrong.Turns out Asians can be rather creative when choosing English names. And turns out that browsing the company phone directory can be quite

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-31958559050823357072007-03-04T07:51:00.000-08:002007-03-05T09:19:56.783-08:00

Today is 元宵節, which is the first full moon after the Lunar New Year. It's customary to gather and to light "sky lanterns". On them, you write your wishes and hopes for the year, and then watch the little paper hot air balloons float up into the night sky.... Well, I had to miss it this year. Boooo.But the full moon was lovely. As I stared up at it, I was reminded of a friend.See, I haven't talked

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-42248440051571988692007-03-02T04:43:00.000-08:002008-02-04T09:54:37.281-08:00

My friend brought a beautiful "carrying" case to my desk today, measuring 24"x4"x2.5". Inside, nestled in a bed of... shiny polyester... was a nice champagne flute, and a bottle of ice wine.As lovely as it was, and as delighted as I was to receive this gift, I looked at my coworker and exclaimed,"Have you forgotten where I'm from??"Product of Canada.

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-22188653280005430592007-02-13T15:43:00.000-08:002007-02-14T10:32:46.661-08:00

Sometimes I do get frustrated with being the 3rd, 5th, 7th... wheel.... (Though as my brother says, it doesn't matter, 'cause even with him here, I'll always be odd....)But sometimes... sometimes, I just miss holding his hand. : (*sigh*Happy V-Day, sweetie.

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1169957977783933712007-02-11T19:47:00.000-08:002007-02-12T08:34:07.308-08:00

Have you ever finally found a great product, only to find that the product is discontinued shortly thereafter?My friend gave me Shiseido FF Planetarium Eyes eyeliner for my birthday. After a bit of practice, it no longer looked like eye black grease for a football game. The brown colour is subtle but with enough sparkle to bring some energy to my eyes. Available at Watson's (like Pharmasave or

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-54491763818105584162007-02-04T11:07:00.000-08:002007-02-04T11:07:46.555-08:00

Two movie tickets were about to expire, so I took the night off and went to movies with my coworker. I'm not really one for war movies (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, etc.), but I actually really liked Blood Diamond.No spoilers, but just a few post-movie thoughts:Okay, the ending was rather predictable, but that's okay; it was a good ending, and the one I would've chosen for this film.The

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1170093035168454602007-01-31T08:23:00.000-08:002008-01-11T01:05:19.475-08:00

Alright, here's a survey: if you were to get a tattoo, what would you ink? and where?

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1170044788641813892007-01-28T20:16:00.000-08:002008-02-04T09:54:37.290-08:00

While out to lunch with my brother and his girlfriend this weekend, a comment about yellowing fingernails (because they can't breathe under nail polish/lacquer) spawned a discussion about whether nails are alive.B: Nails are dead!M: No, they aren't; they grow.B: They're dead; that's why you don't feel anything when you cut them.M: You don't feel anything because there aren't any nerves.M: Mine

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1169710471775901572007-01-24T23:26:00.000-08:002007-01-29T09:51:19.666-08:00

As if I weren't lacking sleep already, I got hooked on a new (to me) tv show this week.Miami Ink is in much the style of American Chopper, about a group of 4 tattoo artists. Each episode shows various customers who come into their Miami shop during the week with their requests and ideas.As expected, many of the tattoos have a personal significance, and it's interesting to hear their stories and

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1168999609479539772007-01-16T18:06:00.000-08:002007-01-17T05:42:09.013-08:00

I must say, I am rather surprised at how many poor drivers there are in Taiwan. I expect that bad traffic conditions would actually hone your driving skills, but that's not what I observe here.It's amazing how many drivers don't know their own cars. I'm not talking about people who drive once a month, borrowing their parents' car. I'm referring to people who drive every day, some commuting over

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1162253947555057232006-10-30T16:17:00.000-08:002007-01-16T20:22:21.286-08:00

Jeepers, I'm losing it. Literally. I have become noticeably absent-minded lately.In the past month, I've managed to lose:- main set of house keys,- mailbox key,- my friend's mailbox key,- backup house keys,- 1GB SD card and reader,- 256MB USB key,- my glasses case and contact lenses (that were inside),- another set of house keys. (I kid you not.)WTF. All that's missing now is the partridge.Anyway

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1155559691792251912006-08-14T05:47:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:04:21.900-08:00

I've put on a little weight since moving here. Given the hours I work and the food choices available, it's not that surprising. It doesn't help that my body doesn't have the I-still-look-like-a-Q-tip-even-though-I-had-2-tubs-of-lard-for-dinner feature built in. Given the options I have, I just try to pick the less greasy items at our company caf (I'm practically vegetarian now), and squeeze a bit

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1154795094991945062006-08-05T06:47:00.001-07:002008-08-09T22:58:58.502-07:00

I love my glasses. They're Flexon by Marchon - the frames that are ultra-malleable, and in a dark maroon-brown "coffee". Glasses frames that fit my small face nicely are really hard to come by, so these were the perfect find.That was 5 or 6 years ago.This morning, I woke early (06:50). My coworker and I were heading up to Taipei for a stroll and a relaxing day in the city. (Planned power outage

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1154500142165384182006-08-01T23:28:00.000-07:002008-02-04T09:54:37.284-08:00

Not sure why, but I decided to wear my No.2 red dress today. It's just a cotton dress with a plain cut, but it's... red. All red. I don't wear it often, but when I do, on days such as today, I get numerous comments and smiles (and smirks) from people all around."You're soooo red!""Wow, you're bright.""You're so dressed up today; what's the occasion?"And then of course there's my coworker who

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1136181102487408712006-01-01T21:35:00.000-08:002006-01-02T03:11:52.486-08:00

No, that's not my latest mountain conquest.It's not my new swim record either.Nor how much I paid for a new designer purse.No, that was the odometer reading when I passed my scooter licence test Friday.So now I am on the streets legally speeding illegally. Whee!

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1136124481110682152006-01-01T05:16:00.000-08:002006-01-01T20:01:22.676-08:00

Happy New Year 2006!These holidays were rather fun, I'd have to say. The addition of my big brother to our neighbourhood (Taiwan, that is) made all the difference. Now now, don't go booing me for "dissing" my younger brother. Both K and I are in Hsinchu. That, in itself, sucks. Big brother works (and thus lives) in Taipei. What does that mean? A place to go hang out on the weekend, more

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1135771912731678642005-12-28T03:54:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:02:09.607-08:00

Before I knew it, my half-jar of citron tea jelly had slipped from my hand and was sitting on the floor, a little less intact than I wanted.As visions of a hot citrony drink to generate warm fuzzies within my unmotivated self evaporated into the humid winter air, I groaned at the thought of having to clean up the gelatinous mess.So I spent 10 minutes wiping down the floor with paper towels and

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1135191631491923252005-12-21T10:58:00.001-08:002005-12-21T11:02:40.306-08:00

Happy Birthday, Kev!!Oh, and Happy Birthday, Sun!And Happy Birthday, Benny!And Happy Birthday, Vic!I think that's all....

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1135067680833302972005-12-19T00:33:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:02:09.608-08:00

So I took a sick day (half-day) today. But instead of getting chores and errands done, I just slept the entire morning through. Had my coworker not called me during lunchtime, I probably could've slept until dinner. It's almost too bad he did....

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1131718144916588792005-12-14T00:38:00.000-08:002008-02-04T09:54:37.291-08:00

I found that the frequency at which my laundry "did itself" left me needing more underclothes. So after inquiring with a few female friends, I headed off to the local department store to take a look at what was available.The salesperson picked out a few different bras for me to try on. She told me to let her know when I'd tried them on, and she'd see how they fit. Um. Well, I suppose we were

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1134300873882847212005-12-11T17:57:00.000-08:002005-12-12T03:08:48.893-08:00

Chinese New Year is the big holiday here, and folks get 4 consecutive days off. Add a weekend before and after - not surprisingly, many people take a couple extra days off to vacation during this time.Since I have my new citizen card, I am now free to travel the world. Hence I decided that I didn't want to spend this coming CNY in Taiwan. Being an inopportune time for my other half to come

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1134116706670358172005-12-09T00:23:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:17:21.727-08:00

Back when I was still in Vancouver, I was returning a shirt at Blue Notes, and the cashier had a certain ... feminine air about him. Didn't know quite what it was.His facial features weren't that feminine. He had short spiky blonde hair, like a "sk8er" might have. And it wasn't really the 3 earrings he had in one ear. He was built - well, thick. I think it might've been the tightness of his

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1133326901150778862005-11-29T20:58:00.000-08:002005-11-30T16:44:15.820-08:00

I have a friend with an incredibly high tolerance for things of a repetitive nature. In this case, I'm talking about food. Ridiculously high. (And since I know he's reading this: sorry, buddy, ha.) And by repetitive, I mean having the same thing for lunch and/or dinner and/or late night snack almost every day. For nearly 2 months.It's not like the meal was particularly interesting, either:

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1133146593900563082005-11-26T18:55:00.000-08:002005-11-28T07:54:35.836-08:00

Played indoor volleyball on Saturday for the first time since coming to Taiwan. Company event, with ridiculously modified rules to encourage the participation of women: men had to hit from behind the 3m line, and any ball-over contact in front of the attack line must be two-handed, even if not jumping!It. was. Heaven.My serving was stable (but no floaters). My passing wasn't too bad, although

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1131719653383860152005-11-17T17:28:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:17:21.728-08:00

I like to think that I'm a good listener. People seem to open up to me, tell me their problems, their secrets, their fears. And since I think talking and venting is good for one's health, I've always offered my "services" if I sense a friend in need of an ear.One person took me up on the offer. We used to be very good friends before we went our separate ways, and I hadn't talked to him in

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1131957371105935062005-11-13T22:33:00.000-08:002005-11-19T03:37:24.236-08:00

[Editor's note: Photo ID was slightly modified to comply with all the grumblings I received about my information supposedly being visible, even though I'd mosaicked it all.]Well. I am now officially Taiwanese. On top of being Canadian, that is - dual citizenship. (Don't be ridiculous; I ain't givin' up my Canadian citizenship!)This morning, in an amazingly smooth transaction unlike all

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1131722709345850102005-11-11T04:12:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:02:09.609-08:00

My coworker TJY left on a business trip this afternoon. A 6-month-long business trip. He'll be in California (along with 7 other members of the team) to see a project through to completion.The thing is, I don't have many friends here, so TJY is 33% of my friends. I got to know him through the hiking club. We lunch and sup together virtually everyday. At 16:00, we meet in the coffee room for

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1131448113544749832005-11-08T03:04:00.000-08:002005-11-08T04:36:46.796-08:00

Went to a jazz festival in Taichung over the weekend. I'd been stressing about work and was just tired in general, so I really needed a weekend to kick back and unwind. Listening to jazz in the park, in perfect weather, with a glass of Bailey's and good company - the jazz fest was just the perfect thing.I took to the jazz and have since changed gears. I listen to one Taiwanese artist in

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1130320793999282712005-10-26T02:58:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:17:21.729-08:00

Some months ago, I was MSN'ing with a friend who was about to get married. I've known this friend since elementary school. He went to high school with a good family friend of mine, and so I always heard bits and pieces of his news. In university, we started staying in touch.During our conversation, I was figuring out whether or not I knew him or the family friend first, and it suddenly dawned

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1129635683684321832005-10-18T04:22:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:17:21.730-08:00

In the past 5 months, I have:made my first income tax payment in Taiwan; climbed 8 or 9 mountains, including 2 peaks over 3000m in altitude (one more to add this weekend); swum a 3km water reservoir; organised a company event to swim a lake (although in the end the swim was cancelled due to this year's endless string of typhoons); "saved" somebody; mooooooved (Internet and my own bathroom -

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1122430418249276432005-07-25T19:12:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:02:09.610-08:00

I can't imagine......if I'd decided to stay mad at him because of a conflict the weekend before....if the Internet had not been available....if I'd gone to my meeting on time, missing his e-mail by 7 minutes....if I hadn't decided to call when I did....if the package he'd posted the week before hadn't arrived exactly on that day. Not the day before, and definitely not the day after.There are

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1116167625561941422005-05-15T07:25:00.000-07:002005-11-08T03:36:15.206-08:00

Okay, so I saw this personality test on someone else's Live Journal, and being the procrastinator that I am, I went and filled in the Advanced Global Personality Test.My results (below) are fairly accurate, I think. The only thing that really stands out is the 90% physical security grade, which I find rather odd, but I suppose if that includes physical apathy then it's all good. Work ethic of

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1114620290395884732005-04-27T09:40:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:11:06.533-08:00

MSN conversation with my brother earlier. I couldn't hold off on this one....K:  my suggestion for product name is in the finals.K:  Between "Presto" and "Forerunner"N:  yay! ahahaKnowing that his dragonboating team before was called the Waverunners, it was obvious which name was his suggestion....N:  Forerunner sounds better ;)K:  if Presto gets chosen, I win an iPod. if not... I don't.K:  damn

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1114440092041277862005-04-25T07:21:00.000-07:002005-04-26T08:26:28.243-07:00

Some of my coworkers were trying to squeeze my birthdate out of me. I didn't mind telling them my birth year - not a big deal: I've rather accepted the fact that I am - yes - getting old. Just a little bit. I know, it's okay; I've dealt with it.Fifteen minutes later (yes, they were still trying), the one coworker who knew my approximate birthdate decided, "Hmm, I think I'll blurt out her

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1113665524614075742005-04-16T18:28:00.000-07:002005-04-16T20:34:08.070-07:00

I'm reminded of an MSN conversation with a coworker, not long after the GND had started at our company. Having slipped my mind that he had been one of her interviewers, I offered to introduce him to the pretty girl."Hey, just lookin' out for you. I mean, if you don't even meet her, how will you even have a chance with a pretty girl!""You say she's pretty, too?" he asked, somewhat surprised."

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1113625845300000112005-04-15T21:21:00.000-07:002005-04-16T02:20:32.923-07:00

Just a quickie:CompanyM runs about 10 events each year - mostly atheletic (though there was a Big 2 event last month) - where the 4 business units are pitted against each other. All in good fun, of course. This is the third year of activities.Today was the softball event. Round-robin style, 6 innings per game, and modified rules for women. (Interestingly enough, their co-ed events only need

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1113283687859016862005-04-11T22:21:00.000-07:002008-02-04T10:02:09.611-08:00

I'd been waiting all day for 18:00 to roll around. Last night was going to be my first time go-karting.I was just a coatrack the last time, watching from the sidelines in dress shirt, dress pants and heels. I was amazed at the control while my coworkers tore around the track at breakneck speeds, darting in and out at giant slalom speeds, taking the turns as if tethered to an elastic band.

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1113223128512772932005-04-11T00:40:00.000-07:002005-04-11T05:38:48.513-07:00

Lay's Original! Hallelujah! :DAlmost thought they didn't have any normal flavours....

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1112886442160048912005-04-07T08:06:00.000-07:002005-04-07T08:20:13.490-07:00

We had a four-day weekend. The last longer weekend for a while to come. I went up to Taipei for a day, but was back in Hsinchu in the office after dinner on the Saturday.And there I stayed.I spent virtually all of it in the office, burning the midnight oil. With few people in the office, I found the quiet - yet not dead silent - environment conducive to documenting.What really made the

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1112457787885000452005-04-02T07:33:00.000-08:002005-04-15T22:54:06.023-07:00

About a month ago, my coworker suggested I join the 2-day trip up Yushan (Mount Jade). Yushan is the highest peak in NE Asia (nearly 4km in altitude), and in recent years has become a popular mountain for hikers. I figured the group trip would be a good opportunity to meet people in my company's Hiking Club and to see some of Taiwan. I wouldn't have to pack my own sleeping bag even.The last

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1111751130157531502005-03-25T03:36:00.000-08:002005-04-02T08:04:21.333-08:00

I finally got my scooter about two weeks ago. Yes, long awaited for, and then I didn't even blog about it immediately (as I'd planned).It didn't take too long to narrow the field down to 2 choices, but I hemmed and hawed about that decision for a while. And then it took me even longer to decide between faint gold (like my beloved Acura) and silver. Retarded dilemma of the decade.Anyhow, after

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1110344949997717422005-03-08T20:43:00.000-08:002008-01-11T01:06:07.239-08:00

I had just decided to which company I would sign my life away. Mom and I were having dinner when she told me, "You have a cousin at CompanyM. His father is my godbrother."Excuse me??And she proceeded to tell me about this godbrother of hers, of whom she had never spoken previously. I didn't even know of his existence until that day. She didn't find out my cousin's name until after I had

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1109913543511498272005-03-03T21:13:00.000-08:002005-11-08T03:39:32.326-08:00

Yikes, been on a bit of a blogging hiatus. It's a miracle that I finally got off my duff and started this blog.In fact, it *did* take a miracle. More specifically: miracle fruit. Something I'd heard about in passing once, while sitting at a travel agency with my mother, flipping through a magazine. But this is real, and I got to try it over the holidays last month.Miracle fruit is an oval red

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1106902569591343982005-01-28T00:55:00.000-08:002005-01-28T09:44:54.776-08:00

Yesterday was a good day, apart from the usual struggle to stay effective at work (headache mostly - I think from my contact lenses). The previous night was our company year-end dinner where cash draw prizes were being handed out like candy. My brother calculated my chances of bettering the consolation prize as one in 4, and it turns out that there were many unannounced prizes as well, so

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1106628454123413802005-01-24T21:34:00.000-08:002005-01-28T09:50:40.463-08:00

It seems that my coworker's scooter accident isn't the only one to happen. A number of other coworkers have since been in accidents; my mentor's right arm is in cast and sling. But none of those incidents affected me as much as yesterday morning's. I was on the shuttle bus, off to work. I caught just a glimpse as we passed the intersection. A scooter lay sideways in front of a mini truck.

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1106150799492797302005-01-19T08:06:00.000-08:002005-01-19T08:55:59.696-08:00

One of the best perquisites at my company is the snack cabinet. Yes, filing cabinets around the office with a variety of nutritional-zero goodies, for employees' enjoyment, free of charge. The caretaker staff refill them every morning. Needless to say, the snacks are all Asian-style: chips, cookies, egg rolls, wafer snacks.... Cool, I liked getting snacks at T&T (Asian supermarket) anyway.

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1105679824935840042005-01-13T21:17:00.000-08:002008-02-04T09:54:37.298-08:00

Sometimes, the stupidest things can make you grin. Like noticing that the colour of your underwear matches the Roots Athletic hoody you're wearing. But that's not me.

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1104727989034878922005-01-02T20:50:00.000-08:002005-01-02T20:53:09.033-08:00

I recently found out that people actually read my blog. People other than my brothers and the odd person here and there. I had no idea. I'd hoped, but I didn't really know. That's because these people don't leave blog comments. :( Now, I enjoy writing. I do. And I don't always require a reader. I've written several poems that people have never seen. But let's be honest, the whole fun of

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1104561111677033822004-12-31T22:11:00.000-08:002004-12-31T22:31:51.676-08:00

Happy New Year 2005! I think this has been the quietest New Year celebration for me ever. Oddly enough, that doesn't bother me much. Rather like how the lack of Christmas atmosphere here didn't bother me. Yesterday, I managed to join our company event last minute: the company booked two theatres of Ocean's Twelve for employees for one showing this week and a matinee next weekend. The movie

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1104298286604746002004-12-28T21:05:00.000-08:002008-01-11T01:06:46.861-08:00

There was a window seat that I was eyeing when I found out that we could apply to move desks. It had a window with a deep knee-high ledge, making the cubicle larger than the standard desk size. The seat faced the walkway (unlike mine: my back is to the walkway). I would be able to document quietly (removed from all the SQC folks testing mobile phone ring tones) and in whatever yoga position

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5658923.post-1104236411454336902004-12-28T04:12:00.000-08:002004-12-28T04:20:11.453-08:00

Yesterday, the GND didn't show up to work again. She's in hospital with an infection, so she's out for the entire week. :( My manager reiterated that if we wanted to buy a car (which he highly recommended), we could talk to him about financing. Apparently Hsinchu is an unlucky place for scooter riders. He even said that if the company couldn't make some kind of an arrangement, he would

Nkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07590769420958682066noreply@blogger.com0