Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of you and your family

Hello, my parents are too cool to take pictures with me. My mum perhaps might, but not my dad. When was the last time that all 3 of us were in the same country huh?

I wish to start my own family soon so that I can have one to call my own... But that doesn't mean I'm ready to have kids! It's two different stories altogether :D

LOL random twist again.

Day 13

Day 13 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

Dear [name removed],

I try not to take things too personal but ignoring just me is ridiculous. I know you see me as a threat but there's nothing I can do about it. I try to be polite but sometimes I fail. And I can't help it if you are PMS-ing when I am trying to ask you questions. I hope we can cooperate in the future when there is a need to.

Peace.

Day 12

Day 12 - How you found out about WordPress and why you made one

(ahem, I got stuck here on November 6 and now it is November 16... LOOOONG hiatus indeed huh!)

Since I'm on Blogger, let me talk about that.. I heard about blogging in 2004, and then I was in some emotional turmoil so I wanted a place to release all my tensions and troubles..

And then I came to Canada to study and began a brand new blog to keep my friends updated about my exciting life abroad! And it went on for a couple years, with new blogs for a new year, and in the recent 2 years or so, I decided my life was too boring for the public so I made this one and strove to make things more interesting, more typical-interesting/quirky posts and less about my mundane life..

I hope I'm doing a good job keeping y'all entertained, but I must admit, my blogging frequency is becoming more and more irregular... MUST. WORK. ON. THAT!

Day 11

Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends

Okay, let's talk about my university friends.. Got to know them in first year when we were in the same dorm.. One introduction led to another and it was quite a group.. We had dinners together every now and then but things just got busier and I lived further away from them and I drifted away from them..

A picture of all of us, together for possibly the last time, at graduation:



3 of them have returned to Hong Kong to work, another one has gone to UK for Masters.. Wonder when I'll see them again.. But like I said, things have drifted for me.. I don't feel the same as I did in first/second year anymore..

Day 10

Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

I don't listen to much songs anymore.. I listen more on different phases.. Like for a month or two I'll be listening to a certain genre of music... Sky.fm is great for that, internet radio with different genres..

I usually listen to country music radio, but I stopped listening for a month now.. Had been listening to operatic music, it's quite soothing sometimes.. And solo piano of course, when I need something to calm my nerves when people piss me off at work..

Other than that I go through phases when I like listening to Mandarin pop, Cantonese pop, English love songs.. Yea, not really based on my moods..

One exception: Folding laundry always calls for country music.. HAHA! It's a newfound tradition~~ Discovered it in spring.. HAHAHA!

Okay, I didn't answer the question but hey, isn't that what I haven't been doing for the past few entries? :D

Day 9

Day 09 - Something you’re proud of in the past few days

(the date says 15 October, but it's actually 6 November now.. Procrastination has gotten the better worse of me~~)

I am proud that my room is such a disaster that my mother halfway across the globe cannot imagine how messy it is right now, and she cannot do anything about it HA! And my boyfriend is probably speechless even though he hasn't seen my room for a month.. Oh wait I don't think this is something to be proud of.. Oops..

I am proud that I have been doing things at work without using my notes for a few weeks, but I still get nervous sometimes and refer to them if I need to.

I am proud that I finally acquired a microwave so I can be lazy and cook one meal a week and then eat it the entire week...

Sigh, not many milestone achievements in my boring life, isn't it?

Day 8

Day 08 - Short term goals for this month and why

This month is nearing an end. I don't really have much goals anymore, now that I'm not in school. If I'm in school I'll say I want to do well in my midterms and stuff.. But sadly no.. I should probably get to long term goals in terms of career and stuff, but it's too depressing especially when I don't know what I want.. It's that difficult transition period between school and working life..

Well, I aim to write more, just because I want to and feel like penning down my thoughts these days. But this is hard to do, inspiration comes and goes. Which goes to say that these posts you see are actually not dated when they were written ;) I write a whole bunch when I am inspired and nothing for a few weeks..

More goals? Get a proper job? Easy to say, hard to do. I don't want to think anymore about goals for now. Kthxbye :D

Day 7

Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you





University of British Columbia
Vancouver, Canada

My dad always says the best time of your life is when you're in university. I never knew what he meant. I didn't really know what university even meant, until very much later on.

Having spent 4 years at this beautiful campus, the only regret is that I didn't fully cherish my time there until after I have graduated. Of course, we all take things for granted and maybe I have done so too.

I don't really miss the crazy studying days and nights. The part of university I enjoyed most was the whole living experience. I have made some good friends, even though most of the people I interact with are acquaintances in classes whom I might never meet again. I have had the luxury and luck of living on campus residences for all the 4 years, and not having to commute.

I particularly enjoyed the last 2 years, where I got to cook for myself, and that has opened up my hidden passion for cooking. I may not be the best chef yet, but it has made me discover how much I love cooking. This has changed my life quite significantly.

Of course, not to forget, it was during the last year at this wonderful place when I've met the most wonderful guy, who treats me better than anyone can ask for. We have shared many beautiful memories in UBC as well, making it an especially sentimental place for both of us.

This has been the best 4 years of my life, and for once, I agree with my dad. I'm very glad that I have chosen this path and I am who I am today, because of the time spent at UBC.

I am a tree murderer, not by choice.

It was a strange feeling to step into the office once again.

I had received a call asking me to return to work for the week, since the employee was unable to resume her position as she thought she could. I had half-expected this; it would not have been 100% confirmed that she would return this week, due to her illness.. She claimed to be feeling better and intended to come back, but apparently not.

I felt a little strange, as people greeted me with a surprised-but-not-really-surprised tone of voice, some even saying "Welcome back!" But I knew that meant nothing more than just a passing remark.

As I returned to "my" desk, the "Welcome Back [name of employee]" sign had been removed. They had put it up last Friday before I had even left the office, when I was away from the desk to do some filing. I returned to my desk seeing that and just felt they were a little insensitive. So now it bites them back.

I settled into my chair, still feeling uneasy. Part of me wanted to quit there and then, just because I didn't feel like I belong. The other part of me told myself to stay, because leaving would only render me jobless. I wasn't sure of what I should do first.

A/R lady walks in and drops off some invoices without even saying a 'good morning' or any form of greeting. I then realize that in her eyes, if not most people in the office, only see me as a robot who is processing the work for them.

I understand that they are anticipating their permanent worker to come back, but hey people, treasure the present and cherish what you have now! I can't help but keep thinking how would they survive without me. Sure, they can go to the agency and find another replacement, but they would have to train him/her all over again. It makes me almost smug to think that I am rather essential, just that they won't admit it.

Never mind that. Aside from being a little miffed by A/R lady, I got to work soon enough, and I realize it was back to the world of paper, and PAPER CUTS! I promptly went back to killing trees and there is karma! I get paper cuts in return!

But there is nothing I can do about it. My boyfriend says, "You know what, you should find a 'greener' workplace next time, if you are so unhappy about wasting paper.." I totally agree! Now I know, if they ever ask me in an interview, what is important to me in a job.. I'll know what to say! I really want to play a part in saving this fragile environment of ours, that is only getting worse day by day as corporate offices terrorize the forests without blinking an eye.

I truly felt like a tree murderer, and I could almost hear the agonizing screams of little trees, coming from the humming of the printer which was spitting out sheets after sheets of clean, white paper. It didn't help that I was printing monthly reports, which require just about, hmm, 2000-3000 sheets of paper?

I know because 1 ream of paper has 500 sheets, and at the end of that week I had used about one a day (read: 5). This was precisely what I was trying to avoid; that's what I was thinking when they told me last week was my last day.. I don't have to do monthly reports and kill trees! I had done monthly reports last month and I was mortified at the amount of paper I was going through, so in my mind I was going, "Never again!"

Aside from that, things felt somewhat normal by lunch time, and I was glad. That feeling of uncertainty and abnormality left, and my mind was back at ease.

Still, I don't want to continue murdering more logs. I really want to find a more environmentally-friendly workplace in future. I still want to change the world, one piece of paper at a time! :)

Day 6

Day 06 - Favorite super hero and why

Ehh? I don't like superheroes and anything near sci-fi.. So essentially all those Superman, Batman, whatever-man/woman you call it are out of the question.. Assuming if this is asking about those..

I would think that there is someone whom I look up to and admire enough to consider him/her my "super hero", but I really can't think of anyone right now.. In real life or otherwise.. I feel that I'm rather cynical that way...

TV character perhaps? I can't think of anything right now. My brain is blank, as it usually is because I don't use much brain cells at work.. At this rate my brain will be degenerating at an exponential rate.. I need to exercise my brain more.. I know.. It sounds sad, doesn't it? :(

Day 5

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to



This was taken at the Canadian Rockies, at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. The mountains are truly amazing, you gotta go if you have a chance.. We went there in late May, when the lake was still frozen.. If we had gone a month or two later, the lake would have been an emerald-green colour.. But nevertheless it was a sight to behold..

Here's a bonus picture, even prettier!! :)



Can I go to the Rockies again?? There's still so many places to explore!!!!

Day 4

Day 04 - A habit that you wish you didn’t have

This one's an easy one~~ I have many many bad habits.. One of the worst is me picking and peeling at the skin on my fingers.. Whenever I see a piece of skin, I will keep picking at it until it gets out of my sight.. Most of the time it involves bloodshed, and it ain't pretty..

I've also had the bad experience of having horrendous cracked heels during winter, since it's so dry, and I can't help but peel away the unsightly skin, which of course, leads to me peeling off even skin that's not dead, and it was so bad until I was limping a bit as I walked.. I'm not kidding..

I also remember when I was around Primary 3 and I peeled until all of my fingers bled and I had to go to school with 10 bandaged fingers eeeek! I know this is pretty gross to hear but that's the worst habit that one can have..

I'm trying my best now and with the boyfriend constantly nagging, "Stop torturing yourself!".. I now have somewhat decent fingers.. I still occasionally peel but I try to use a nail clipper now.. X(

Day 3

Day 03- A picture of you and your friends

At this point in time, I don't have very many friends.. I know, it's the sad truth..

Many people are merely acquaintances.. People who step in and out of your life... How many people actually care about what's happening in your life? I know I sound very cynical, but it is the harsh truth..

I think I get very close to people when I live with them, yet I choose not to live with my friends.. There's a very fine line between that.. Let's talk about that instead..

My logic is that if you live with friends, there are chances that you will nitpick at their flaws and then things turn into a terrible catfight as you have less tolerance for people whom you harbour more expectations on..

On the other hand, if you live with people who you don't know, you get to know them on that scale and then since you are facing the same situation (ie. living with someone who is totally a stranger at first), there are more similarities and you know you have to live with the bad habits of others anyway.. So it is more than likely that you get along well with those people..

For me, my housemates and I seem to have a good relationship, we have girl talks, we tell each other problems, we whine at each other for not doing chores, etc.. Now that I don't live with them anymore, I miss our daily banter and chattering.. Here's a picture for you, if you insist on a picture..



3 in a bath tub! :D In a hotel, no less!

Day 2

Day 02- The meaning behind your WordPress name

chicagosunrise?

I like sunsets, but 'sunset' seemed too negative, so 'sunrise' was a better option.. It also gives my blog a bit more hope, perhaps?

And I like the band Chicago.. They have some pretty great songs.. I just thought it would make a very interesting combination, since blog names were supposed to be weird, unthinkable combination of usually 2 words.. And ta-da!!!

Day 1

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Hmm, recent pic? I don't have any flattering pics these days.. I look too tired from work.. I need to go out more!!!


There, taken a couple weeks ago, with a humongous bowl of ramen and an equally gigantic mountain of cheese. :D

Or if you prefer, a nicer picture of me, at graduation, about 4 months ago here.. Hey, at the rate that time is passing, 4 months IS pretty recent isn't it?

15 facts about myself? I could go on for a long time, just thinking how much I should reveal about myself...

1) I love sushi... Much more than sashimi.. People go to buffets for the value of the sashimi but I go right for the rolls.. I don't care.. Oh might as well say it here.. I love rice!! I am a rice bucket! :D

2) I love chocolate!!! I used to eat chocolate every day for a couple of months.. Used to have a never-ending supply of chocolate in my room, but one day I just stopped. The chocolate is still in my room though, and the chocolate mood is coming back, just when Halloween is around the corner :)

3) I am a very neat and messy person. Oxymoron? I prefer to call it an organized mess. I can put things EVERYWHERE in no orderly fashion and most of the time I can remember distinctly where I put them.

4) My first childhood ambition was to become an astronaut. With my poor grasp of physics and chemistry, this dream vanished into the black hole (pun intended!)...

5) I like to write. If I have the motivation / inspiration / time / ability, I would like to write for a living. I just wonder what happens when I get writer's block.. Do I go hungry for a month?

6) I am not a Singapore citizen, though I've lived in Singapore for 12 years. I am not (yet) a Canadian citizen, though I've lived in Vancouver for 6 years. I'm a Hong Kong citizen, but I feel no affinity for the bustling city which everyone flocks to for shopping.

7) I am a die-hard romantic. I like anything sappy, corny, cheesy, as long as it is romantic.. Songs, movies, books, real life.. YEA!

8) I love cooking. Even though these days I don't really have the time to think much about cooking or actually cook proper stuff, I still like it. I don't know if my passion for cooking is fading or not, but we shall see. And get this, I've never cooked in my entire life before August 2008.

9) I don't like anything that 99% of the world goes crazy over.. As in, the more popular something is, I tend to stay further away from it.. Odd phenomenon I noticed about myself.. Keep me away from Lady Gaga, Twilight, iPhone, Justin Bieber, House, Jay Chou... Oh the list goes on..

10) People always ask me, "Are you homesick?" when I first came to Vancouver.. And in my heart it was always a resounding NO. I feel sad that I'm not very much of a family-oriented person, as much as I want to be one.. I shall strive to become one, when I have a family of my own..

11) I am not a materialistic person. I do not hanker after LV bags, Prada purses, or anything expensive. I like things nice and simple, and can be quite frugal when I have to be, at the same time knowing when to splurge a little for myself.

12) I love to take photos.. Of scenery, nature, the sky.. Especially sunsets.. I would love to own a DSLR one day and learn how to take great nature shots..

13) I am a (wo)man of my words. When I say something, I will ensure that my actions follow.. I am not one of those who just say yes for the sake of pleasing people and do something completely opposite instead. I am a loyal, faithful person who wishes that the world was less superficial.

14) I love cheese! Anything with cheese is AMAZING!!!! Nachos, pizza, pasta.. I just wish it was more figure-friendly..

15) Lastly, I like anything miniature, smaller than usual! I used to have a toy set of miniature figures and food and I still keep it to this very day! I wanna own more of tiny cute figurines of food, trinkets, cartoon characters, whatever!

Well, are you surprised at any of these facts? :D

30 Day Challenge!

Got this from Putri's blog, shall be interesting!!! :)

30 Day Challenge:

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your WordPress name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about WordPress and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Who are you?

One of our weird conversations

*after sharing a picture of our first meal cooked together*

N: Good memories~~
J: Yea, it makes me scared sometimes.. @_@
N: Why? Scared in what way?
J: I'm scared that if one event didn't happen, then nothing would be the way they are now. I wish there won't be a time machine in the future, so nobody messes with it.
N: That's okay, we control our future. Let's just hope nobody invents a time machine in our lifetime.
J: It's still theoretically impossible..
N: Good, they should just continue inventing stupid things, like the iPad.

ROFL