A breakaway from work

7 Things you should stop doing at work

1. Being too busy for breaks (you’re better at everything when you’re rested).

2. Replying to email instantly (if they’re really waiting, they’ll call you).

3. Getting caught up in politics (it’s rarely worth it and never fun).

4. Pretending you’re saving lives (if you actually are, no need to pretend).

5. Refusing to give yourself uninterrupted time for work (they don’t need you that much).

6. Complaining about how little money you make (the people you’re complaining to can’t change it).

7. Forgetting to laugh and have fun (this can take work some days but is always worth it).

Bonus round: Stop eating lunch at your desk. You really deserve a walk, conversation with a friend, or a quiet hour away from your desk.

Courtesty of Stepcase Lifehack

I am no God

It's very difficult to be surrounded by friends who won't relief themselves off the negativity hook. Most of the time, you, yourself are trying so hard to make ends meet, to fight for your own life and trying to make the world a better place for everyone.

These friends can't stop being stuck in their sad, depressed and unhappy state. They fight, debate and argue - senseless, with you. People who tend to complicate their minds for the simplest matter and blame the world for what they have become. Those who thought they are blessed but cannot be grateful for who they are. And they question you when you answered, 'why', 'no', 'not', 'dont want' etc.

And these friends...

They caught you off guard

...when they say things that hurts.

They caught you further off guard

...when they have suicidal thoughts.

They crushed you

...when they blame it on life, family and religion.

They crushed you further

...when they don't think you were there for them.

No matter how much you tried to turn their life around, cheering them on, opening their life to a whole broader world, patting their backs, accompanying them all the way, stay still when the whole world shook for them. And yet, they crawled back to their comfort zone, and be a recluse against the world.

I tried. Sadly, I failed to help you.

Sigh...

Friend, I am no God. I think, you need one.

Something I forgot to tell Serena

I was reading on isotopes until my small eyes weakened, nodding away. So, I scavenged through my small and yet FULLY OCCUPIED table for a bookmark. Then, I came across this...

I was trying to recall who spelled my name wrongly on this lovely 'Green' card. And suddenly, my mind came clear. And I got freshened up instantaneously. So, I started writing... a long conversation.

Last summer, I wanted to know more about one of the climate event happening in campus. I approached this sweet petite girl. Serena is one of the lucky Hong Kong student who got selected for those highly publicised Antarctica journey for university students. A westerner was right behind me when we both stepped in the booth.

I : Hi! This looks interesting to me.
Serena : Hi! Take a look at our campaigns. And the information on the posters.
W : [smile]
Serena : Hey! Do you know what's Climate Change? Have you heard about it? Let me show you here.
W : ok. [looking away fidgeting under the hot sun]
I : [a bit shocked but still manage to smile]

So, Serena was elaborating big time about her adventure in Antarctica with her new friend W. I stood next to her fancy Mac and listened as she explained hyperactively to W all about the Climate and the disastrous changes taking places. Then...

Serena : You can register here if you wish to know more about us.
W : Ok.
Serena : Thank you, W!!!
I : Erm, hey Serena, what's that registration about? Can you tell me more?
Serena : Ok. Just register your details here. [smile, i think it was]
I : Can you show me the English language?
Serena : [puzzled] Ok...
I : Unfortunately, I don't know how to read Chinese [smiled and continued with registering].

W was leaving. So, Serena scribbled something on a card.

Serena : Hi W, this is for you!
W : Thanks.
Serena : What's your name?
I : Teng T-E-N-G. It goes double.

Serena wrote my name on it. First looking at it, and then looked away while writing the one behind. That explains the picture above.

Serena walked away and 'sent' W off.
I went over and told her you got my name wrong. She just asked my name again and then, took her pencil and 'erased'.

I : Thanks [smiled]
Serena : Welcome!

Serena,
THANK YOU for giving me the card.
I am grateful.

You don't have to remember my name,
but I think, you have to remember yours...

Blog design

The biggest achievement that I've done to design my blog is the picture above.

It's going to stay there for a long long time.

That's it.

Sleep

Zzzz please come peacefully to me...

The difference between my neighbour and I

Ackley, Sophie and TT

Ackley : Hey TT, this is Sophie.

Sophie : Hi. [and looked elsewhere]

TT : Hi Sophie!! Erm, hello! [confused]

TT : Are you from HKU?

Sophie : Mm. [and looked away]

Ackley : Sophie's from Biological Sciences. [trying to connect dots]

TT : Ok. [smile]

TT : So, you're a grad student from HK?

Sophie : I'm half Australian. Half Singaporean.

TT : Oh, I see. [smile]

Sophie : You?? YOu are M'sia right??? [eyes rolled]

TT : Yeah, I'm your neighbour. [calmly]

Sophie : Ah. That's what I thought. You can't be S'porean. You're too polite. [look who's talking]

TT : [smile]

-pointless chatter took place over wine between the three. 90% of the time, Sophie was all over Ackley.

Sophie : Hey, let's go grab dinner, shall we? [looking entirely at Ackley]

Ackley : Sure! [who have been looking at TT all the time]

Sophie : great [still looking at Ackley]

TT : Great! Then you guys can go ahead without me. I've other dinner to attend to.

Ackley : Awww... too bad... You sure?

Sophie : [failed to hide her wide curved lips] Really??!!

TT : Yup, you guys have fun. [smile]

TT : Nice to meet you Sophie [smileeeeeee]

TT : Take care!

Sophie : You too. [mimicking a cat's purring]

Sophie : Ok! Let's go. [aimed at Ackley]

Sophie : Bye.

In the end, TT could not retrieved her rolling head...

oh, by the way, Ackley is a blond American.