Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Quote from Samuel
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
How To Catch A Hummingbird
Hummingbirds.
Always busy.
Never resting.
I've heard that if they stop flying,
they will die.
So they are always on the move.
And this is perhaps the reason why they are so hard to catch.
Hence, everyone is tempted to catch one for themselves. Myself included.
First I thought I will wait.
Surely the hummingbird will be tired one day. And when it does, I will offer a place for it to rest.
And it will be mine.
Unfortunately, it didn't work. Perhaps I wasn't lucky enough to find the right bird.
Then I thought I will set traps.
Seduce it with flowers and nectar.
I will be all it ever wants.
Fulfil each and every of its needs.
But somehow the hummingbird that I really want never comes near my trap.
So what can I do?
Yes! I will catch it!
Use a net to entangle it.
Or use a stick to whack its head.
Maybe cut one of its wing off.
So this is how we can catch a hummingbird.
Pay the price that our hummingbird will be crippled.
Perhaps a hummingbird will be a hummingbird.
You can only watch it fly among the other flowers.
(Maybe tease you once in a while)
Always busy.
Never resting.
Always on the move.
Always busy.
Never resting.
I've heard that if they stop flying,
they will die.
So they are always on the move.
And this is perhaps the reason why they are so hard to catch.
Hence, everyone is tempted to catch one for themselves. Myself included.
First I thought I will wait.
Surely the hummingbird will be tired one day. And when it does, I will offer a place for it to rest.
And it will be mine.
Unfortunately, it didn't work. Perhaps I wasn't lucky enough to find the right bird.
Then I thought I will set traps.
Seduce it with flowers and nectar.
I will be all it ever wants.
Fulfil each and every of its needs.
But somehow the hummingbird that I really want never comes near my trap.
So what can I do?
Yes! I will catch it!
Use a net to entangle it.
Or use a stick to whack its head.
Maybe cut one of its wing off.
So this is how we can catch a hummingbird.
Pay the price that our hummingbird will be crippled.
Perhaps a hummingbird will be a hummingbird.
You can only watch it fly among the other flowers.
(Maybe tease you once in a while)
Always busy.
Never resting.
Always on the move.
Labels: Gage'sWritings, Thoughts
Hans
I walking walking home from Toa Payoh the other day.
And I was thinking about Saturday dinner.
And I suddenly recalled the incident when I was a little boy.
And my sister brought my little brother and I to Hans for her friend's gathering.
I still remember it. It's The Hans in Yishun (I think it has closed down).
And she ordered 2 chicken chop for us.
She didn't order because she wasn't hungry.
But when the orders came, she kept eating our mixed vegetables in our plates.
I tasted them and they were horrible!
So, I forbade her to eat any more of the mixed vegetables.
(you all should know how I'm like :p)
But she kept on eating.
I was angry. So very furious.
It wasn't much later that I found out that my sister had only enough money to buy two set dinners.
(once again, for those of you who knows us. My sister is NEVER not hungry, just like I'm a little tyrant. hee..)
It breaks my heart even to think of this incident now.
But my point for this post is to tell my dear sister (and tell a few of my silly friends like her) that we are older now.
much older :p
And we are more able to take care of ourselves now.
I know your way of loving is to sacrifice yourself, to give your everything, to suffer.
But when you do that, you only hurt yourself and the people who really cares for you.
And when you do something silly, I can't hug you and cry with you.
That's just not me.
I scold.
And I am sorry I couldn't comfort you the way that you want me to.
But I care.
So promise to at least share the set dinner with me.
Never suffer in silence.
Because like what you are already able to say,
some sacrifices are just not worth it.
And I was thinking about Saturday dinner.
And I suddenly recalled the incident when I was a little boy.
And my sister brought my little brother and I to Hans for her friend's gathering.
I still remember it. It's The Hans in Yishun (I think it has closed down).
And she ordered 2 chicken chop for us.
She didn't order because she wasn't hungry.
But when the orders came, she kept eating our mixed vegetables in our plates.
I tasted them and they were horrible!
So, I forbade her to eat any more of the mixed vegetables.
(you all should know how I'm like :p)
But she kept on eating.
I was angry. So very furious.
It wasn't much later that I found out that my sister had only enough money to buy two set dinners.
(once again, for those of you who knows us. My sister is NEVER not hungry, just like I'm a little tyrant. hee..)
It breaks my heart even to think of this incident now.
But my point for this post is to tell my dear sister (and tell a few of my silly friends like her) that we are older now.
much older :p
And we are more able to take care of ourselves now.
I know your way of loving is to sacrifice yourself, to give your everything, to suffer.
But when you do that, you only hurt yourself and the people who really cares for you.
And when you do something silly, I can't hug you and cry with you.
That's just not me.
I scold.
And I am sorry I couldn't comfort you the way that you want me to.
But I care.
So promise to at least share the set dinner with me.
Never suffer in silence.
Because like what you are already able to say,
some sacrifices are just not worth it.
Labels: Thoughts
Saturday, July 22, 2006
I Think This Is Funny
Thursday, July 20, 2006
How
How do you tell a cow,
a stubborn cow of its mistakes
when it already thinks that you,
a stingy frankinstein with an acidic mouth,
whom people often comment as skewed,
are always judgemental
how do you share thoughts and words of caution?
how do you
when you are me?
probably with my mouth shut
wala!
the world is perfect once again!
a stubborn cow of its mistakes
when it already thinks that you,
a stingy frankinstein with an acidic mouth,
whom people often comment as skewed,
are always judgemental
how do you share thoughts and words of caution?
how do you
when you are me?
probably with my mouth shut
wala!
the world is perfect once again!
Labels: Thoughts
Conditional Love
I've had a chance to grow up quite some time ago.
I don't know when exactly.
And I told nobody.
But I was wise overnight.
Love is probably a tricky issue.
And we all get hurt by love.
So I have to say that I do understand why most of us have reservations when it comes to love.
But probably you need to re evaluate if you are asking for a 'conditional love'.
I've been told
"Well, you didn't [insert activity]. Please show me that you love me so that I can love you."
or
"Love me before I decide to love you."
I know the pain love causes.
But if your love is conditional, you are probably not ready for the love I can offer.
Go grow up a bit more, ok?
I don't know when exactly.
And I told nobody.
But I was wise overnight.
Love is probably a tricky issue.
And we all get hurt by love.
So I have to say that I do understand why most of us have reservations when it comes to love.
But probably you need to re evaluate if you are asking for a 'conditional love'.
I've been told
"Well, you didn't [insert activity]. Please show me that you love me so that I can love you."
or
"Love me before I decide to love you."
I know the pain love causes.
But if your love is conditional, you are probably not ready for the love I can offer.
Go grow up a bit more, ok?
Labels: Thoughts
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Pet Peeves
☹ Messy Playlists
I think artist name column should only have the artist's name. Playlist should be neat. Don't you think?
(But it's only for my own playlist. hee..)
☹ Grammatical errors especially when the person adds a 's' behind unnecessary word(s). Sounds very unnatural!
-Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb,
Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary wentS, Mary wentS, Mary wentS,
and everywhere that Mary wentS, the lamb was sure to go.
☹ Fickleness. Especially if you are man.
☹ people who do not use punctuations i mean if you do not punctuate i cannot tell where the start and end of the sentences are and it does irk me a little because i have to read back and forth a few times before i can understand what you are trying to say
☹ lazy typers
- pay? (meant to ask: what's the pay like?)
- ok. amap (meant to say: ok. as much as possible. who will fucking know your abbreviation?)
I think artist name column should only have the artist's name. Playlist should be neat. Don't you think?
(But it's only for my own playlist. hee..)
☹ Grammatical errors especially when the person adds a 's' behind unnecessary word(s). Sounds very unnatural!
-Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb,
Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary wentS, Mary wentS, Mary wentS,
and everywhere that Mary wentS, the lamb was sure to go.
☹ Fickleness. Especially if you are man.
☹ people who do not use punctuations i mean if you do not punctuate i cannot tell where the start and end of the sentences are and it does irk me a little because i have to read back and forth a few times before i can understand what you are trying to say
☹ lazy typers
- pay? (meant to ask: what's the pay like?)
- ok. amap (meant to say: ok. as much as possible. who will fucking know your abbreviation?)
Labels: Thoughts
High
Monday, July 17, 2006
Come Grow With Me: Sun Protection
Consider this:
● 50-80% of our lifetime sun-exposure occurs before age 18.
● Many parents use only 50% of the optimal amount of sunscreen and often neglect to reapply it as the day goes on.
● Early sun exposure is related to aging skin, wrinkles, and the later development of skin cancers. The most deadly, melanoma, has continued to increase over the past decades, perhaps because:
● NEWSFLASH! It is now felt that exposure to UVA ultraviolet rays may be more important in causing later skin cancer. Many sunscreens do not provide adequate protection against UVA!
******************************************
● The sun contains three kinds of ultraviolet (UV - light with very short wavelengths) rays: UVA, UVB, UVC. (UVC rays are apparently the most dangerous but, at least for now, are blocked by the ozone layer and don't penetrate the earth's surface.)
UV rays interact with and are absorbed by your skin's pigment cells (melanocytes) . More UV --> more melanin to protect the surrounding skin from burns --> suntan.
● However, there is no such thing as complete protection from UV rays.
● The sun's rays are strongest in the summer, especially between 10am and 4pm. (Use the "shadow rule": when your shadow is shorter than you are, the UV rays are most intense.)
● UV rays reflect off water and snow, increasing exposure.
● 2/3 of UV rays penetrate clouds and can cause unexpected sunburns.
● The "SPF" (sun protection factor) on sunscreens estimates how well the UV rays are blocked from reaching the skin. A factor of "15" means that sun exposure of 15 minutes is equivalent to about 1 minute exposure without sunscreen. An SPF of 10 blocks about 90% of UVB, a SPF of 15 blocks 93%, and an SPF of 30 blocks 97%.
● However, SPF refers to the ability to block UVB, not UVA!
****************************************
Tips on protection from harmful rays.
● Wear sun-protective clothing. Look for summer clothing with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF - similar to SPF in sunscreen) of 15 or greater on the label. (These can lose effectiveness if wet, stretched, or too tight.)
● Wear caps/hats with broad bills that shade the face, head, neck and ears.
● Use sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection (Cataracts as an adult may, in part, be related to early unprotected eye exposure to UV rays).
● Play in the shade. Bring an umbrella or pop-up tent along to avoid direct sun.
● No sunbathing! Remember: tan skin is damaged skin.
● Use sunscreen liberally.
● Pick a PABA-free "hypoallergenic" sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection.
● All sunscreens block UVB , but not all do a good job with UVA. Read the label: the best UVA protectors contain a chemical-free sun "blocker" (like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) and/or the sunscreen avobenzone.
● Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more whenever your child is exposed to the sun.
● An SPF of more than 30 is not necessarily better, as the increased concentration of suncreen is more likely to cause skin irritation while offering very little extra protection (e.g., increasing SPF from 30 to 40 requires 25% more sunscreen with only 0.8% more protection).
● Apply sunscreen liberally and let dry about 30 minutes before exposure.
● Don't forget the nooks, crannies, and high-exposure areas (ears, feet, lips, noses).
● Remember: "water resistant" means it lasts about 40 minutes in the water; "water proof" means it wears off after about 80 minutes in the water. So, reapply, reapply, reapply (every 2-3 hours, or right after swimming or sweating a lot), as the day wears on.
● If you read the labels, you'll see there isn't much difference (except cost) in sunscreens marketed for kids. Don't feel obliged to use them, unless one especially appeals to your child.
**************************************
Sunburn is caused by the high energy of the UV rays directly burning the exposed skin. It usually shows up 2-6 hours after exposure and peaks in severity at about 24 hours. Alas, no treatment (except avoiding further sun exposure) has been shown to reduce the extent of the damage or the time of healing.
For comfort, here are some tips:
● Take a cool bath (some find adding baking soda or oatmeal to be soothing).
● Gently apply cool, wet compresses.
● Rub on soothing aloe vera gel.
● Use a fragrance-free moisturizing cream (not petroleum-based) to rehydrate the skin.
● If severe, 1% hydrocortisone cream may offer some relief (although, alas, it usually doesn't in my experience).
● Give a pain reliever which also reduces inflammation (such as ibuprofen).
● Drink plenty of fluids.
● While rare, if the sunburn is especially severe and/or accompanied by other symptoms (like severe pain, horrible blisters, nausea, confusion, headache, looking infected over time), seek medical attention!
● 50-80% of our lifetime sun-exposure occurs before age 18.
● Many parents use only 50% of the optimal amount of sunscreen and often neglect to reapply it as the day goes on.
● Early sun exposure is related to aging skin, wrinkles, and the later development of skin cancers. The most deadly, melanoma, has continued to increase over the past decades, perhaps because:
● NEWSFLASH! It is now felt that exposure to UVA ultraviolet rays may be more important in causing later skin cancer. Many sunscreens do not provide adequate protection against UVA!
******************************************
● The sun contains three kinds of ultraviolet (UV - light with very short wavelengths) rays: UVA, UVB, UVC. (UVC rays are apparently the most dangerous but, at least for now, are blocked by the ozone layer and don't penetrate the earth's surface.)
UV rays interact with and are absorbed by your skin's pigment cells (melanocytes) . More UV --> more melanin to protect the surrounding skin from burns --> suntan.
● However, there is no such thing as complete protection from UV rays.
● The sun's rays are strongest in the summer, especially between 10am and 4pm. (Use the "shadow rule": when your shadow is shorter than you are, the UV rays are most intense.)
● UV rays reflect off water and snow, increasing exposure.
● 2/3 of UV rays penetrate clouds and can cause unexpected sunburns.
● The "SPF" (sun protection factor) on sunscreens estimates how well the UV rays are blocked from reaching the skin. A factor of "15" means that sun exposure of 15 minutes is equivalent to about 1 minute exposure without sunscreen. An SPF of 10 blocks about 90% of UVB, a SPF of 15 blocks 93%, and an SPF of 30 blocks 97%.
● However, SPF refers to the ability to block UVB, not UVA!
****************************************
Tips on protection from harmful rays.
● Wear sun-protective clothing. Look for summer clothing with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF - similar to SPF in sunscreen) of 15 or greater on the label. (These can lose effectiveness if wet, stretched, or too tight.)
● Wear caps/hats with broad bills that shade the face, head, neck and ears.
● Use sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection (Cataracts as an adult may, in part, be related to early unprotected eye exposure to UV rays).
● Play in the shade. Bring an umbrella or pop-up tent along to avoid direct sun.
● No sunbathing! Remember: tan skin is damaged skin.
● Use sunscreen liberally.
● Pick a PABA-free "hypoallergenic" sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection.
● All sunscreens block UVB , but not all do a good job with UVA. Read the label: the best UVA protectors contain a chemical-free sun "blocker" (like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) and/or the sunscreen avobenzone.
● Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more whenever your child is exposed to the sun.
● An SPF of more than 30 is not necessarily better, as the increased concentration of suncreen is more likely to cause skin irritation while offering very little extra protection (e.g., increasing SPF from 30 to 40 requires 25% more sunscreen with only 0.8% more protection).
● Apply sunscreen liberally and let dry about 30 minutes before exposure.
● Don't forget the nooks, crannies, and high-exposure areas (ears, feet, lips, noses).
● Remember: "water resistant" means it lasts about 40 minutes in the water; "water proof" means it wears off after about 80 minutes in the water. So, reapply, reapply, reapply (every 2-3 hours, or right after swimming or sweating a lot), as the day wears on.
● If you read the labels, you'll see there isn't much difference (except cost) in sunscreens marketed for kids. Don't feel obliged to use them, unless one especially appeals to your child.
**************************************
Sunburn is caused by the high energy of the UV rays directly burning the exposed skin. It usually shows up 2-6 hours after exposure and peaks in severity at about 24 hours. Alas, no treatment (except avoiding further sun exposure) has been shown to reduce the extent of the damage or the time of healing.
For comfort, here are some tips:
● Take a cool bath (some find adding baking soda or oatmeal to be soothing).
● Gently apply cool, wet compresses.
● Rub on soothing aloe vera gel.
● Use a fragrance-free moisturizing cream (not petroleum-based) to rehydrate the skin.
● If severe, 1% hydrocortisone cream may offer some relief (although, alas, it usually doesn't in my experience).
● Give a pain reliever which also reduces inflammation (such as ibuprofen).
● Drink plenty of fluids.
● While rare, if the sunburn is especially severe and/or accompanied by other symptoms (like severe pain, horrible blisters, nausea, confusion, headache, looking infected over time), seek medical attention!
Labels: Come Grow With Me
Monday, July 10, 2006
Coldplay - Twisted Logic 2006
Went to watch Coldplay's concert with my brother today.
As we can see, Coldplay's really famous. But this concert proved that I'm not too big a fan. Chris Martin's (lead singer) rolling on the floor means nothing to me while I got high when Damien Rice sounded a strange high note.
Still it was a fun concert.
As we can see, Coldplay's really famous. But this concert proved that I'm not too big a fan. Chris Martin's (lead singer) rolling on the floor means nothing to me while I got high when Damien Rice sounded a strange high note.
Still it was a fun concert.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Turn Off The Lights
My mommy is a superb sleeper.
She refuses to sleep even when she's already asleep. So every night when we ask her to go sleep in her bed instead of on the sofa, she will claim that she's watching the tv program.
So most of the nights, I will be the one to drag her to her bed (probably coz I'm the fiercest child).
Still, she will insist to watch the tv programs. So I usually wait for 15 minutes before going back to her room to switch the tv and lights off.
For a few nights, she has been sleeping early. The first when she had to walk to buy supper for my little brother. The other night when she went to help my grandma at the temple. And tonight after her dancing lessons.
As I looked at her sleeping soundly on her bed, her tired body placed in between the pillows and folded blanket as though she doesn't want to mess them up, I thought my mommy is getting old.
It scares me a little.
I want to provide for her more than anything else. But I also want to pursue my film career.
What should I do?
Where's the rich person foretold in the tarot cards?
hee...
She refuses to sleep even when she's already asleep. So every night when we ask her to go sleep in her bed instead of on the sofa, she will claim that she's watching the tv program.
So most of the nights, I will be the one to drag her to her bed (probably coz I'm the fiercest child).
Still, she will insist to watch the tv programs. So I usually wait for 15 minutes before going back to her room to switch the tv and lights off.
For a few nights, she has been sleeping early. The first when she had to walk to buy supper for my little brother. The other night when she went to help my grandma at the temple. And tonight after her dancing lessons.
As I looked at her sleeping soundly on her bed, her tired body placed in between the pillows and folded blanket as though she doesn't want to mess them up, I thought my mommy is getting old.
It scares me a little.
I want to provide for her more than anything else. But I also want to pursue my film career.
What should I do?
Where's the rich person foretold in the tarot cards?
hee...
Labels: Thoughts
Being Comfortable In Love
I think like everyone, I have many ideals about love. Sadly, many have been dropped as I am growing up. Actually, I'm sure some will say that it's not a sad thing. But I always think that it's sad to wise up. Wisdom rarely comes from thin air, it arrives with hurt and pain. That's why I get pissed with people who don't learn. Pure fucking waste of their lives (but that's their business).
I used to want to love like lovers in movies. Till death do us part. I love you wherever you are. Damn. Don't seem to be true in real life.
Then I thought I'll let people love me. Shit. There are too many of these people. I get bored.
Probably now, I find a balance. Love requires effort. So we each put in our share of love.
But I do have another ideal. I don't want to be comfortable in love.
It's hard to explain. It's not like things you two do naturally. I think that's sweet. I think I mean that it gets so comfortable that you don't want to leave a lousy relationship. I fear to be comfortable and wake up 27 years later.
How will I go about achieving that, I don't know. If I do, I wouldn't be single now.
Maybe this will be a ideal that I will give up eventually.
But for the first time in my life. I honestly believe that if I meet someone I can love, I'll let go of all ideals.
Pointless entry, isn't this?
☺
I used to want to love like lovers in movies. Till death do us part. I love you wherever you are. Damn. Don't seem to be true in real life.
Then I thought I'll let people love me. Shit. There are too many of these people. I get bored.
Probably now, I find a balance. Love requires effort. So we each put in our share of love.
But I do have another ideal. I don't want to be comfortable in love.
It's hard to explain. It's not like things you two do naturally. I think that's sweet. I think I mean that it gets so comfortable that you don't want to leave a lousy relationship. I fear to be comfortable and wake up 27 years later.
How will I go about achieving that, I don't know. If I do, I wouldn't be single now.
Maybe this will be a ideal that I will give up eventually.
But for the first time in my life. I honestly believe that if I meet someone I can love, I'll let go of all ideals.
Pointless entry, isn't this?
☺
Labels: Thoughts
