Barely Holding On

There's a time when I truly felt as if someone somewhere was watching over me, protecting me. Six angels were sent to fix me when one person broke me down. Of course, there were other moments when my guardian angel seemed to be appearing all of a sudden, out of nowhere and caught me in the nick of time, like spiderman or other heros who appear at the very last minute and snatch you off the ground before you hit, except in my life it happens figuratively.

It was one of the happiest moment in my life when suddenly the darkness shrouded the sky and raging of thunderstorm befell. I was barely hanging there. Strong enough to keep myself still in the midst of chaos. Vibration from my pocket indicated the arrival of a text message.

"I know to you I may be just a passerby, but I want to tell you that if you encounter any problem or trouble, I am here to find solutions or be your listener."

I hardly tell this person anything. I don't really bother why of all the time, that moment was picked to text me because we talked about like 1% of my issue. As ridiculous and miraculous as it is, coincidence happens. Sometimes, this inexplicable care from an outsider, it is what keep you holding on to that end of the rope. Though it's not what happened but yeah, it happens.

Keeping my head clear, I replied :

"You're more like a big brother than a stranger to me. But there are things that I wish to keep to myself and embrace the challenge. After all, everyone has their own obstacles in life. Don't you think I should learn to walk my life independently? If I keep telling you all my troubles and expect comfort from you, I'm just weak as I'll always be. Thanks, bro. I sincerely appreciate your concern."

Leave aside the message between lines and motives of the actions, I'm still thankful for what happened.

7 Hobbies That Will Make You Happier

Come across this random subject on happiness. Having just watched episodes of the cynical egoistic Dr House series, some sarcasm that got transmitted to me say that this article must be to trick some desperate people who think their lifes revolve around misery and despair. I wonder what kind of crap suggestions would be enveloped in there so I clicked on it (I might be one of those got tricked the same way).

Well, turns out the author is truly trying to bring light to those who fail to see life's easily missed happiness. Many have missed the pure joy in simple agendas like picking up a hobby, comfortable silence sitting with your loved ones not talking and peaceful tranquility dining in with your parents. I am proud to say all these hobbies are happening in my life except collecting coins. Wait, I collect adorable exquisite angpaos. Does it count?

If you happen to be reading this, let's check how many beneficial hobbies have you got mentioned in the article. You might want to start getting one from the prescribed if you score 0-7 to 'yes'.

1. Learn Another Foreign Language

Have you always been passionate about foreign languages, countries and cultures? If so, then you should know that you can make the best out of this passion by simply expanding your linguistic skills. Not only will a new language give you a deeper insight into the culture, history and traditions of a new country, but it will also help you communicate better, faster and easier. It is highly recommended to start learning a foreign language as easy in life as possibly, ideally in childhood – however, you can still benefit from this as an adult as well. Language learning will add to your brain development and it will help you solve complicated tasks by training your mind – with a bit of practice, you will see that your brain will sharpen and sometimes you will even be thinking in a foreign language. When that happens, you have already achieved your purpose!

2. Play Some Video Games

While it is true that many, if not most video games are actually bad both for children and for teenagers, given the fact that they are very violence-oriented, some of them can actually be great for your brain: the key is to know which video games will benefit you. Numerous studies have revealed that playing video games can actually improve your hand-eye coordination, which is essential later in life. At the same time, these video games will also train your critical decision making skills – in other words, you will be able to take radical decisions that will benefit your life, one way or another. However, it is important to understand that these benefits apply solely to brain training video games.

(Can't agree more to this. I played Maple Story, Age of Empire, Warcraft, Starcraft 2, Run Online, Gunbound, Rakion, DD Tank, Wartune, Rise of Mythos etc. I learnt strategies, vocabularies, tactics and believe it or not, some life lessons that could not be learnt from text book or taking precaution others' experience. Gamers will understand that. In fact, watching movies, TV and drama series help too! ...ah, I miss my old-fashioned video game where, unlike Xbox or Gameboy, you have to slot in a big bulky tape to play. Good old times that 90s generations aren't going to comprehend.)

3. Focus On Games That Prevent Brain Fog

Brain fog is extremely common nowadays, but fortunately there are some games and mental exercises that will help you keep it away. Are you passionate about riddles and other similar hobbies? If so, then you should know that solving riddles and engaging in any other activity that stimulates your mind can reduce your risk for developing dementia later in life by more than 60%, as numerous studies have revealed. At the same time, playing mentally challenging games can dramatically improve your memory, which will be particularly useful once you reach your senior years. There are hundreds of mentally challenging programs, games and activities that are designed to boost the activity of your brain and to make you smarter – that, in combination with the right foods that are known to improve the cognitive function, can result in a trained brain that can be put to good use!

(Trying to get my mom interested in brain-juice-squeezing games instead of Bejeweled. My parents never get off Candy Crush until now!)

4. Puzzles!

Everybody loves puzzles, no matter how annoying the big ones can get at times, when you do not manage to find the missing piece. However, this is precisely what makes puzzle games so beautiful – these are basically brain teasers that stimulate your mind, they make you think and this will certainly have a positive effect on your intellect. Puzzle games alone are not the only one that can make you smarter, as you can also focus on crosswords. Are you the type of person who has a lot of spare time and wants to make the best out of it, or perhaps you are a busy businessperson who is always on the go and tries to enjoy their time on the train or plane the best way they can? If so, then a brain teaser is by far one of the best things you can do to become smarter, without investing too much money or time. This can easily become a hobby and a daily routine that will make sure your brain is functioning properly even as you age.

5. Collecting Coins And Other Items

Another important and very beautiful hobby that can make you smarter is collecting coins and other items. This will certainly help you understand more about the world that surrounds you – no matter if you decide to collect old coins and bills (that will surely turn out to be quite valuable later in life) or you want to become an entomologist and start collecting insects, being a collector certainly has its mental benefits that should not be ignored. It is important to be curious and to want to find out more, as curiosity is what makes the world go round. You can find a lot about a country and its people by closely analyzing their money, and this can be a great gift to pass down to future generations.

6. Read!

Reading is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hobbies out there. There are literally millions of books in the world, and a person cannot read even 1% of them in a lifetime. Books offer us a unique and outstanding way to understand the world and they also offer us an “imaginary bubble”, a safe haven where we can go whenever we want to escape reality. One of the best things you can do if you want to become smarter is to come up with a reading list: make a list of at least 10 books you plan to read throughout the year, and sort them out based on their subject. Reading will keep your mind alert and focused, not to mention that it will also improve your vocabulary as well!

(Doesn't mean you must read in the language you wish to improve on. Reading in your mother language counts because knowledge comes in all forms.)

7. Play a Musical Instrument

Music is a noble passion, and people who can play a musical instrument have always been regarded as gifted and intelligent people. Just like it happens with language learning, learning how to play a musical instrument is far more efficient if done in childhood – however, there are millions of adults who learned to enjoy music at its finest throughout their adulthood. Besides this, the good news is that you do not even need to focus solely on one instrument, as you can specialize in two or even more, if you have the time and the necessary ambition.

(Still regretting giving up violin. If only I had been more persistent...)

In conclusion, these are 7 of the most beautiful and efficient hobbies for those who want to become smarter. One of the most notable benefits of all the above-mentioned hobbies is that they require only a fraction of your time, and the reward will be tenfold!

Umm... Quite A Recap

It's been awhile since I last logged in here. I always view my own blog, not because I'm vain but because I like the playlist which I plan to change during this break. New sem, whole new plan.

I realized I only feel the strong urge to blog only when I have a packed schedule. Busy life means endless events which leads to unceasing obstacles, then emo-ness. Conclusion : I blog when I'm in rather downside of hill.

This is going to be random partly because I kind of force myself to write something in English so that I won't be too detached from English which is going to hinder me from speaking fluently when I meet non-Chinese speaking friends in my campus. I've been wanting to post a recap on how hectic my Sem 3 was, thinking it encompasses a sense of accomplishment having survived all those challenges. My effort for the finals was done last minute but I truly gave my all,  just hoping the results won't be too disappointing.

Last I recall making a halt at the YSS mission. It hasn't happened so can't really go much further into it. Now that it had happened, two months ago, memories are not faded yet but they are all clumped up together. I can still recollect clearly every bits of it but not really in the mood of writing a thousands-word long article just yet. I think I'll just keep a few pictures of my memo and that will simply sum up my stressful Sem 3.

 It is kind of stressful having to cater to different aspects of your life at the same time --- academic, curriculum, spiritual. Working out ways to all these paths may bly e a pain because you can't split your body into three and figure it out whether it works. You can only section your brain muscles into different parts to imagine outcomes of likeliness. Mood gone, move on. Done here.

Of February Hustle and March Bustle

Hectic moments are times when you get to discover just how high your EQ is. Three weeks of unceasing commitments. A bundle of lessons learnt.

1~ Life can be really really Really unexpected. You thought you could make it, but the result is very well disappointing. You thought you would surely screw it, "just get through it and leave" but you won. The best way to move on is to find the 'center' and magnify it.

2~ Everyone is learning, regardless of seniority. We give and take, learn from each other's mistake and feel the lightness of forgiveness. Put fun before all things. Enjoy the effort, put aside the outcome. Observe tiny little details when others are too self-indulgent. Be wiling to give, not counting how much you could get in return, because a leader should consider benefits of all. A leader is a no-solo player. Share the credits, give opportunity for others to grow like you.

3~ Keep your head when others lose theirs. Conflicts arise at times of havoc. You are not the only one being suffocated by stress and commitments. Stay calm, because venting and losing your grip isn't going to make you feel better.

4~ Being redundantly mentioned, time management is the key. Yes, you have commitments and all. Yes, you are obligated to join this and that. Yes, you cannot give up such golden opportunity. Yes, they should have better system so you won't have everything coming at once. This only hits you when you see someone with similar condition of yours managing well. HOW he managed to settle everything so coolly? Well, he has better time management than you do. Prioritize things. Listen to your heart and ignore your flesh demands. Gist of it : Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret.

Looking back the past three weeks, I feel impressed myself. I did not realize that I could have done so much in such a short period of time. As ridiculous and exaggerated as it might sound, I did not even have the time to talk slowly when my parents called. Everything was done in a rush.

First week was of cheer leading practice and Korean-Windows To Malaysia program dance performance practice. I had to put the former before the latter because KOT was three weeks later. I's the only Chinese in the whole team so I's in charged of choreographing a short traditional fan dance. Every afternoon, we would go UM to meet up with the Koreans and practise a Malay traditional dance which we would perform together later. At night, we would gather at hostel to choreograph and practise dances that we would perform ourselves. Leaving tutorial tasks and assignments aside, I would say we really gave our all into this. Our effort was recognized when UM authority expressed their thought of inviting us to perform at their theater in the future. After K-WTM set the curtains, afternoons were replaced with assignments and nights with cheer leading choreography.

Second week was the most exhausting week of all. As usual, afternoons were filled with assignments and nights with cheer leading practise. What made the week more unbearable was the late notice of YSS interview. It was of a volunteering program under MOE I'd never heard of and thus far, IPBA had sent 6 students to be interviewed where only 2 succeeded. This year, IPBA sent forth three students of Malaysia's main races. I would say it's really an honour to be given the golden opportunity.

Got informed about this at 7pm, settle assignment until 12am, start filling up forms, typing convincing essay and resume until 4am. Gathered at foyer around 7am the next morning to go Putrajaya where the headquarter  of Ministry of Education is. Wait until 2pm to finally be interviewed. Reached IPBA around 6pm and straight off to sukantara in the field after a quick change of attire. Done shot put, 100m run and long jump. Then off to cheer leading practice until 12am. Eight hours of sleep was all I had for two days. Down a pill of vitamin C, continue to strive for more!

Third week, a timeline will do.
Monday - got ready for 1500m but rained heavily. Meeting with MiYong KyoSuNim. Cheerleading.
Tuesday - 1500m. UM : new batch of Korean students.
Wednesday - 800m &4x400m. Cheerleading.
Thursday - Cheerleading.
 Friday - Moral presentation. Cheerleading.
Saturday - KOT.

Though less than I anticipated, the achievements I got in KOT are pretty comforting.
4X400m - 2nd
Cheer leading - 3rd
Cheer leading - best costume
Mascot - 1st
Overall championship - 1st

To think I'm finally set free and can be more relax after these three weeks is naive.

3 assignments to be handed in next week. SBE for a week. YSS in Sarawak for two weeks. Another 3 assignments to be submitted on the same day and quiz in the following week. 2 more assignments on the week after the next. Then, less than a month to finals.

Shooooot! Haven't started on VOI. I can't remember who's under me. It's due in a month time. Just great.

All in all, I'm genuinely grateful for the packed schedule I have this semester because now is the time I maximize my exposure and fall so that I have less bumpy rides in the future. To a wonderful sense of accomplishment and blessed life surrounded with guardian angels, yam seng!!

Random Chatter

           I’m alone in block 6. Broadband crashed with unknown reasons and I have only 2GB mobile data to survive through the month.  I’m too lazy to take it to repair but feel wasted because I still have to pay for it this month. To go, or not to go. The fork.

           Sent off Justin at KLIA, it was my first time. (Missed the chance to see off David, which is probably the only one I really care about. Childhood brother.  Bestie in a weird and almost non-related chemistry.) I actually wanted it to be a surprise so he would be disappointed that nobody saw him off then wa-la but guess I forgot to take into account the assurance of others’ acknowledgement. Still, yes, he cried! Hahahaha. Not that I’m being mean or insensitive, but that’s one of the reasons I want to be there, to witness ‘love’ and ‘being loved’. True enough, when a person’s barrier is melted, you see the pure genuine feelings pouring like a baby’s response when being carried away from mom. Okay, I over exaggerated a lil bit. He wept like a man. J You can tell he’s closer to his dad through the passionate hug.

           Seeing another friend of mine leaving Malaysia to be one step nearer to what they want for in their lives, I can’t help but reflecting back on my own life. How have I been throughout my years in KL? What have I achieved so far? Have I finally decide which field I want to be focusing on? There’s so many things you want to learn but you can’t do them all, which one do I go for? Am I just going to stick to Plan A that leads to less adventurous yet salary-promising routine? I’m a person who likes to venture. I wanted to so much to enjoy the present but dread to take the risk and sacrifice the fun because of not-promising future, societal pressure. Aimless.

           The debate starts.

           Life is full of unknown. We can’t expect to grasp every little detail about it and refuse anything that has a possibility of failing. An infant will not be able to walk if he fears falling. Hurting is a process that makes people grow and be better. Easier said than done. Yes, what other choice do you have? I know myself well, I know my problems. I’m still confused, undecided and lack of concern. The question is, what are you gonna do? Even too lazy to figure out. Sort things out, or suck it up. At fork.

God vs Human. Can’t we please both? Morality can be a vague issue. Either to turn away from yourself or to turn away from more industrious growth?  Let’s weigh the pros and cons, you say? S : crowded, kindness overload, fun-packed schedule, more directed spiritual growth. P : opportunity to serve, kindness overload, meaningful act/reaching-out. S – less opportunity, reliable dependence leaving, whole new adaptation. P – lack of youth gathering,

           Surrounded by talented and great people, sometimes I feel useless. Blogging had quickly become popular because people need an escape from the reality. Sharing in a space where people from your circle of concern are not notified or anonymously provides voice to the voiceless, sense of secure to the insecure, attention to the neglected. I think that is why people tend to be frank and truly honest about their feelings and not embarrassed to admit the weakness and ugly confessions in them. This also explains the situation when people tend to tell a third party about their problems.

           And writing helps many, including me. Though I dislike how I would start off with a topic then digress from one after another, leaving out many other sharing I would like to scribble on my web-diary,  I like how it diverges my attention and leaves my emo-ness behind. It’s like pushing off my troubles aside and see the road as clear again. I know turning my back on them is not productive but at this point of time, I don’t really want to bother about it. Send forth fog, walk on.