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 air, and - most importantly - being away from the office.
Of course, the flip side is... it's all downhill from there.
2007-05-11
2007-05-04
We Are Family
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! =D
So 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 it's not like I haven't had drinks before. But this Long Island iced tea was seriously loaded. And it was with great effort that I walked straight. I'm not sure I succeeded. But yeah, that one drink did me in.
I had 4 glasses of water after showering and zonked out nearing 3am. So this morning, I'm in pretty good shape. =)
So. A family engagement, and a strong Long Island iced tea. Great Friday. =)
Out for a bite
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 us that the tung flowers (油桐花) were in season and recommended that my coworker and I go take a walk into a wooded area, where the flowers covered the grassy area. But it was a little disappointing because the flowers had already wilted and had been trampled by previous visitors to the area.
But worst of all were the blackflies or black mosquitoes or black whatever insects that attacked us on our leisurely stroll. The tiny insects swarmed my calves (I was wearing a dress) and pricked and pricked and pricked and pricked and pricked! Needless to say the walk was cut short and we dodged back to the safety of the road and back to the coffee shop where we immediately applied whatever balm was available.
I've been going crazy from the itch of the bites. I counted 51 bites on my right leg, and 49 on my left. Tiny bites that dot my calves like islands in the South Pacific. I've already used one third of a new tube of mosquito bite cream. Hopefully they'll fade soon, and even more hopefully they'll fade without leaving scar. <=\
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 us that the tung flowers (油桐花) were in season and recommended that my coworker and I go take a walk into a wooded area, where the flowers covered the grassy area. But it was a little disappointing because the flowers had already wilted and had been trampled by previous visitors to the area.
But worst of all were the blackflies or black mosquitoes or black whatever insects that attacked us on our leisurely stroll. The tiny insects swarmed my calves (I was wearing a dress) and pricked and pricked and pricked and pricked and pricked! Needless to say the walk was cut short and we dodged back to the safety of the road and back to the coffee shop where we immediately applied whatever balm was available.
I've been going crazy from the itch of the bites. I counted 51 bites on my right leg, and 49 on my left. Tiny bites that dot my calves like islands in the South Pacific. I've already used one third of a new tube of mosquito bite cream. Hopefully they'll fade soon, and even more hopefully they'll fade without leaving scar. <=\
2007-03-29
In Season
Much to my dismay, I spotted a cockroach lurking outside the main door of my building.
Looks like it's cockroach season again. : (
Looks like it's cockroach season again. : (
2007-03-12
All in a Name
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 entertaining.
We have famous people who work here: Gauss, Morse, Dior, Gucci, Yanni, Yoda.
And then we have...
(Note: These are all taken from the company directory. Just a subset of "interesting" names. And I didn't list any names that were Chinese names written in English, only literal translations.)
I know about a third of the people above, and they're very nice people.
Now I realize that people are free to take on any name they please. However, this name is used for their corporate e-mail address. So maybe they should put more thought into finding a name that will represent them professionally, instead of choosing an alias for a BBS/forum.
And perhaps HR should consider having a name book on hand for when new employees report to work.
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 entertaining.
We have famous people who work here: Gauss, Morse, Dior, Gucci, Yanni, Yoda.
And then we have...
(Note: These are all taken from the company directory. Just a subset of "interesting" names. And I didn't list any names that were Chinese names written in English, only literal translations.)
I know about a third of the people above, and they're very nice people.
Now I realize that people are free to take on any name they please. However, this name is used for their corporate e-mail address. So maybe they should put more thought into finding a name that will represent them professionally, instead of choosing an alias for a BBS/forum.
And perhaps HR should consider having a name book on hand for when new employees report to work.
2007-03-04
Au clair de la lune
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 to this friend for about a year now. We used to talk on the phone (long-distance, I might add) on full moon nights, just about life, about everything, about nothing. We got along great and understood each other really well, especially considering we aren't even on the same continent.
About a year ago, though, we stopped talking (for reasons I'm not at liberty to disclose). Zero contact.
I don't usually think of this friend, not so much anymore. I guess you just have to accept the fact and move on. But tonight as I looked up at the silver moon, I did.
And I wondered when it might be okay again.
But the full moon was lovely. As I stared up at it, I was reminded of a friend.
See, I haven't talked to this friend for about a year now. We used to talk on the phone (long-distance, I might add) on full moon nights, just about life, about everything, about nothing. We got along great and understood each other really well, especially considering we aren't even on the same continent.
About a year ago, though, we stopped talking (for reasons I'm not at liberty to disclose). Zero contact.
I don't usually think of this friend, not so much anymore. I guess you just have to accept the fact and move on. But tonight as I looked up at the silver moon, I did.
And I wondered when it might be okay again.
2007-03-02
Sorry, where am I from again?
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.
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.
2007-02-13
Happy V-Day
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.
But sometimes... sometimes, I just miss holding his hand. : (
*sigh*
Happy V-Day, sweetie.
2007-02-11
Once was found but now is lost
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 Shoppers' Drug Mart).
Except that it's not. When I asked about it later on, that same friend told me that it was no longer available! Seems like Watson's decided not to carry it anymore. Boooo.
But as luck would have it, another friend is going to Japan for CNY, so I'm getting him to smuggle some back for me. Yay!
What great product have you found, that you can no longer find?
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 Shoppers' Drug Mart).Except that it's not. When I asked about it later on, that same friend told me that it was no longer available! Seems like Watson's decided not to carry it anymore. Boooo.
But as luck would have it, another friend is going to Japan for CNY, so I'm getting him to smuggle some back for me. Yay!
What great product have you found, that you can no longer find?
2007-02-04
Bloody Blood Diamond
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:
Although, I don't know that the movie will dissuade many people from buying their sparkly engagement rings....
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 movie was focused on the storyline, and didn't stray off too much to preach about politics and conflicts. Yay! "Just enough truth" to provide a realistic setting.
- ...But the brutality and goriness weren't any easier to watch. (What, I'm just not very good with savageness.)
- Leonardo DiCaprio is quite good in this movie. He does a fantastic African accent when meeting with the colonel near the beginning of the film. Physically he's filled in a bit, in the face and torso, losing the chubby look he was sporting a few years back. So he looks more mature now, instead of the young pretty boy he was before (Titanic, Man in the Iron Mask).
Although, I don't know that the movie will dissuade many people from buying their sparkly engagement rings....
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