I would like to proudly proclaim that I have been a good, moral citizen (albeit not Canadian) today!!
I was walking to take the Skytrain home as usual, and when I got to the platform, I have to walk to the front end where it's easier for me to get on the train, as opposed to the rear end where people are usually congested because of the location of the stairs.
So when I was heading towards where I had to go, I passed by 2 old ladies whose backs were facing me as I walked. One of them was carrying a little backpack-handbag thingy, which happened to be unzipped and a very large wallet with many cards was staring out into my face.
I happily walked past them without much thought, but in a split second my mind wandered back to the wallet that was screaming to pickpockets "Pick me! Pick me!" No, I cannot let that happen to an old lady.
I retraced my steps (I had only taken about 5 steps when this occurred to me), and politely interrupted the lady, who was talking to her friend. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that your purse was unzipped and your wallet is in danger; someone could easily have taken it."
I was a little nervous because I don't know if I will be told off for my nosiness, but thank goodness Vancouverites are a kind and friendly bunch and she said gratefully, "Oh thank you!" Her friend looked genuinely surprised and also added a "Thank you!", smiling at me.
I uttered a "You're welcome!" cheerily and went on walking to the other end of the platform.
It sure feels good to have your kind intentions well-appreciated, not like in certain places (which will be elaborated in another post) where I get verbally bashed for just trying to be an efficient, thoughtful person.
This made my day! :)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
I'm Just Trying To Save The World!
If that's not good enough for you, how about this: Killing trees and wasting paper is a sin.
At work, there are definitely inevitable encounters with throwing away a piece of paper that has only been used on one side. People try to comfort themselves by saying, "It's okay! It's going into the recycling!"
What a total fallacy. You cannot bring a forest back to life, needless to say, not even a tree, just by tossing that once-used piece of paper into the blue bin.
I don't have actual numbers, but from my knowledge, it does take a lot of trees to make a small amount of paper.. So why kill the tree first, when you can choose to THINK whether it is absolutely necessary before using the paper itself?
I have tried to effciently reduce the amount of paper I use at the workplace. We have to enter orders from a source and then print this order out and it goes into a file. When invoices come later on, we match them to the previously entered orders and finalize them by posting. Prior to the posting step, we have to ensure that the dates on both documents match. Frustratingly enough, many a time they DO NOT match!
So we have to go back into the system, change the date and REPRINT the order to match the invoice. Most of the time, the dates only differ by a day. Just because of this one-day difference, we have to waste a whole piece of paper!!! We cannot control how the dates appear, but I believe we can get rid of the step of printing before the invoices arrive.
So, the brilliant me thought of a more efficient way to go about this procedure, which is both time-saving and reduces the use of paper altogether.
My way is to enter the orders from the source as per normal, and then put the sources in a pile neatly (sadly the sources are also on paper, there's no way around that - yet..). I totally skip the step of printing this order. Therefore, when the invoices come, I simply reach for my pile of sources and pull the relevant one out, and if the dates do not match, I go back on to the computer to change the date, and then print the final copy of the order and then post it!
You may wonder and have questions to my way of doing this. I will explain myself hereafter.
1) How do you know that the sources have been entered into the system?
Firstly, each source has a unique number to it. It can range from 5 to 10 digits, and when it is entered into the system, it cannot be entered again. If you try to enter the same source twice, an error message will come up and hence it will not be double-entered.
2) Isn't it more time-consuming to look for the source that has been entered?
Each order comes with a number that runs in sequence and it is only 4 digits. After entering the order, I write this 4 digit number onto the source and stack the sources according to this sequence, so it is very easy to look for it when you receive the invoice and search for the order number in the system, which will automatically have the 4 digit number with it.
That's about all there is to it. The only issue that I have not thought about is when we have to pull out all the orders to post them at the end of the month. But all I do is go through the pile of already entered sources and take out whatever dates I need.
The lady who is in charge of this is forbidding me to do things this way, only because she is concerned about whether the sources have been entered. I have just explained my efficient way of doing this! She gives the excuse that it will only work while I'm here. So why don't you try this method too? Oh never mind, older people cannot accept changes. Let's not get into the discussion of rebellious young trying to change the ancient ways of the world now, shall we?
Did I also mention that this saves a lot of time by not having to:
1) Staple the first order to the source, remove the staple when I reprint the order, re-staple the new order with the source - 30 seconds.
2) Pull out the big binders sorted by supplier, file the order+source according to location within the binder, return the binder to the shelf - 50 seconds. (Longer if the binder is really thick and it takes forever to flip through them - 90% of the time..)
Multiply this by about 50-80 per week and voilà! How much time can we be saving over here? Maybe that's the reason why I have been able to have free time to do other odds and ends that dates back to years ago, like sorting invoices and whatnot.
You get my point. Does this make you want to think about the way you use paper? Are you really going to recycle that single-used piece of paper which is good for other uses?
My advice: Think before you recycle. Think before you use! Ask yourself, "Is it really necessary?"
Today I'm gonna try to change the world, one piece of paper at a time.
At work, there are definitely inevitable encounters with throwing away a piece of paper that has only been used on one side. People try to comfort themselves by saying, "It's okay! It's going into the recycling!"
What a total fallacy. You cannot bring a forest back to life, needless to say, not even a tree, just by tossing that once-used piece of paper into the blue bin.
I don't have actual numbers, but from my knowledge, it does take a lot of trees to make a small amount of paper.. So why kill the tree first, when you can choose to THINK whether it is absolutely necessary before using the paper itself?
I have tried to effciently reduce the amount of paper I use at the workplace. We have to enter orders from a source and then print this order out and it goes into a file. When invoices come later on, we match them to the previously entered orders and finalize them by posting. Prior to the posting step, we have to ensure that the dates on both documents match. Frustratingly enough, many a time they DO NOT match!
So we have to go back into the system, change the date and REPRINT the order to match the invoice. Most of the time, the dates only differ by a day. Just because of this one-day difference, we have to waste a whole piece of paper!!! We cannot control how the dates appear, but I believe we can get rid of the step of printing before the invoices arrive.
So, the brilliant me thought of a more efficient way to go about this procedure, which is both time-saving and reduces the use of paper altogether.
My way is to enter the orders from the source as per normal, and then put the sources in a pile neatly (sadly the sources are also on paper, there's no way around that - yet..). I totally skip the step of printing this order. Therefore, when the invoices come, I simply reach for my pile of sources and pull the relevant one out, and if the dates do not match, I go back on to the computer to change the date, and then print the final copy of the order and then post it!
You may wonder and have questions to my way of doing this. I will explain myself hereafter.
1) How do you know that the sources have been entered into the system?
Firstly, each source has a unique number to it. It can range from 5 to 10 digits, and when it is entered into the system, it cannot be entered again. If you try to enter the same source twice, an error message will come up and hence it will not be double-entered.
2) Isn't it more time-consuming to look for the source that has been entered?
Each order comes with a number that runs in sequence and it is only 4 digits. After entering the order, I write this 4 digit number onto the source and stack the sources according to this sequence, so it is very easy to look for it when you receive the invoice and search for the order number in the system, which will automatically have the 4 digit number with it.
That's about all there is to it. The only issue that I have not thought about is when we have to pull out all the orders to post them at the end of the month. But all I do is go through the pile of already entered sources and take out whatever dates I need.
The lady who is in charge of this is forbidding me to do things this way, only because she is concerned about whether the sources have been entered. I have just explained my efficient way of doing this! She gives the excuse that it will only work while I'm here. So why don't you try this method too? Oh never mind, older people cannot accept changes. Let's not get into the discussion of rebellious young trying to change the ancient ways of the world now, shall we?
Did I also mention that this saves a lot of time by not having to:
1) Staple the first order to the source, remove the staple when I reprint the order, re-staple the new order with the source - 30 seconds.
2) Pull out the big binders sorted by supplier, file the order+source according to location within the binder, return the binder to the shelf - 50 seconds. (Longer if the binder is really thick and it takes forever to flip through them - 90% of the time..)
Multiply this by about 50-80 per week and voilà! How much time can we be saving over here? Maybe that's the reason why I have been able to have free time to do other odds and ends that dates back to years ago, like sorting invoices and whatnot.
You get my point. Does this make you want to think about the way you use paper? Are you really going to recycle that single-used piece of paper which is good for other uses?
My advice: Think before you recycle. Think before you use! Ask yourself, "Is it really necessary?"
Today I'm gonna try to change the world, one piece of paper at a time.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Quando Sento Che Mi Ami
Le stelle chiamano. La notte va.
Il giorno che vivrò non morirà.
Il mondo cambierò solo per te.
È impossibile, ma non per me.
Sole o pioggia, io con te starò.
Sogni buttati via, io li rivedrò.
Guardando te, vedrò l immensità
Nel mio mondo sei la verità.
Poi ti farò vedere come ero io,
La solitudine, il passato mio.
Ma le mie lacrime lontane già.
Tutto è più facile se tu sei qua.
Amore! Quando mi ami,
Mi sento forte.
Ti salverò ovunque tu sarai.
Ti porto tutto cio che chiedi.
Niente sembra troppo.
Io splendo anche nell oscurità,
Quando sento che mi ami.
Senza di te, il mondo non puo più girare.
Solo il tuo amore mi puo salvare
Amore! Quando mi ami,
Mi sento forte.
Ti seguirò ovunque tu sarai.
Ti porto tutto cio che chiedi.
Niente sembra troppo.
Io splendo anche nell oscurità,
Quando sento che mi ami.
Quando sento che mi ami
Le stelle chiamano. La notte va.
Il giorno che vivrò non morirà.
Il mondo cambierò solo per te.
È impossibile, ma non per me.
Sole o pioggia, io con te starò.
Sogni buttati via, io li rivedrò.
Guardando te, vedrò l immensità
Nel mio mondo sei la verità.
Poi ti farò vedere come ero io,
La solitudine, il passato mio.
Ma le mie lacrime lontane già.
Tutto è più facile se tu sei qua.
Amore! Quando mi ami,
Mi sento forte.
Ti salverò ovunque tu sarai.
Ti porto tutto cio che chiedi.
Niente sembra troppo.
Io splendo anche nell oscurità,
Quando sento che mi ami.
Senza di te, il mondo non puo più girare.
Solo il tuo amore mi puo salvare
Amore! Quando mi ami,
Mi sento forte.
Ti seguirò ovunque tu sarai.
Ti porto tutto cio che chiedi.
Niente sembra troppo.
Io splendo anche nell oscurità,
Quando sento che mi ami.
Quando sento che mi ami
Saturday, August 28, 2010
A Little Country Story
Country music has taken over my ears ever since I discovered it around October last year.. I still remember how I started listening to country..
I was waiting for the shuttle bus after work at Vanier, and there was radio on my phone so just tuned the radio until I chanced upon a song with a good beat, and surprisingly interesting and meaningful (AND romantic at the same time!) lyrics! So I listened for about half an hour and in the following days, I started listening to the station on the internet..
It was... GOOD. There's just no other way to describe it! The lyrics just sounded so realistic and down-to-earth.. It was catchy and fun to bob along to.. Somehow it just replaced whatever I was used to listening before... Solo piano, smooth jazz, English oldies, Chinese pop...
And then... I start listening to too much country music at work for the past 1 week.. And suddenly, I have rekindled my liking for listening to solo piano music... After so many months of neglecting it.. Well, that's another story for another day... But it is very good sleepytime music.. It soothes the mind and releases tension from a long work day..
I guess it's all about balance.. Too much of anything can kill anyone..
But if you haven't heard country music before, try it! Most people make a weird face when they hear the word "country".. I don't know why people are so negative about it.. I guess I tend to like things which are not too popular.. I like this trait about myself :P
Anyway, favourite country singers: George Canyon, Brad Paisley (albeit getting too popular), Emerson Drive, Josh Turner, Keith Urban... The list goes on!
Favourite country song of all time:
(aka the song that I've been most addicted to until this moment)
I BELIEVE IN ANGELS - George Canyon
It's such an inspiring and touching song...
That's all I have to say for now.. Anyone has any opinions about this? Feel free to tell me!
I was waiting for the shuttle bus after work at Vanier, and there was radio on my phone so just tuned the radio until I chanced upon a song with a good beat, and surprisingly interesting and meaningful (AND romantic at the same time!) lyrics! So I listened for about half an hour and in the following days, I started listening to the station on the internet..
It was... GOOD. There's just no other way to describe it! The lyrics just sounded so realistic and down-to-earth.. It was catchy and fun to bob along to.. Somehow it just replaced whatever I was used to listening before... Solo piano, smooth jazz, English oldies, Chinese pop...
And then... I start listening to too much country music at work for the past 1 week.. And suddenly, I have rekindled my liking for listening to solo piano music... After so many months of neglecting it.. Well, that's another story for another day... But it is very good sleepytime music.. It soothes the mind and releases tension from a long work day..
I guess it's all about balance.. Too much of anything can kill anyone..
But if you haven't heard country music before, try it! Most people make a weird face when they hear the word "country".. I don't know why people are so negative about it.. I guess I tend to like things which are not too popular.. I like this trait about myself :P
Anyway, favourite country singers: George Canyon, Brad Paisley (albeit getting too popular), Emerson Drive, Josh Turner, Keith Urban... The list goes on!
Favourite country song of all time:
(aka the song that I've been most addicted to until this moment)
I BELIEVE IN ANGELS - George Canyon
It's such an inspiring and touching song...
That's all I have to say for now.. Anyone has any opinions about this? Feel free to tell me!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
OMG, JOB!
After more than a month of job hunt, I have a JOB! It is not much, it is just data entry and sorts, and it's currently only a temporary thing for about a month, but nevertheless I am grateful for something to have come my way! Thank you for all those who have supported me and asked me not to give up~~ I will continue to need your support, so I hope for the best!!
PS. It is in Yaletown.. LOL funny to think that I've NEVER stepped foot in Yaletown during all my years in Vancouver.. Hmmm..
PS. It is in Yaletown.. LOL funny to think that I've NEVER stepped foot in Yaletown during all my years in Vancouver.. Hmmm..
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Another reason...
why I think LIFE should be simple...
After listening to this song:
小时候你想要什么
我要一台大大蓝色的飞机
带我环游世界
到地球每一个角落
在蓝天白云中穿梭
而长大以后我想要什么
我要一台小小红色答录机
和你一起录下
喂 我们现在不在家
蓝色变成红色因为你
柴米油盐酱醋茶
一点一滴都是幸福在发芽
月儿弯弯爱的傻
有了你什么都不差
小时候你想要什么
我要一台大大蓝色的飞机
带我环游世界
到地球每一个角落
在蓝天白云中穿梭
哦长大以后我想要什么
我要一台小小红色答录机
和你一起录下
喂我们现在不在家
蓝色变成红色因为你
柴米油盐酱醋茶
一点一滴都是幸福在发芽
月儿弯弯爱的傻
有了你什么都不差
给你快乐无论白天黑夜
握紧双手就算刮风下雨
我就是要你
要你待在我身边
保护你直到永远
柴米油盐酱醋茶
一点一滴都是幸福在发芽
月儿弯弯爱的傻
有了你什么都不差
月儿弯弯爱的傻
没有一个理由
活的那么复杂
有了你什么都不差
For those who do not understand Chinese, the song is basically talking about how a guy has a childhood dream of flying around the world in a BLUE aeroplane, but later on his only wish would be to own a RED answering machine, so that he can record a message on it, with the girl he loves.. And "蓝色变成红色因为你" directly translates to: Blue became red because of YOU...
Such a simple song, yet it invokes so much feelings...
The music video also provides a pleasant imagery of a couple cooking together, from when they are a young couple till they are old with greying hair. This shows that
One may argue that it is stupid for a man to give up his dreams and aspirations just to be with the one he loves, but on the other side of things, it also sends us a message that we don't necessarily have to dream big, think hefty thoughts and achieve colossal feats in order to be happy in life.
Just by cooking with your loved one is enough, and the song lyrics also mention about the 7 basic necessities of life: Firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea. It tells us that all we need are these fundamentals, and all these simplistic things will bring us happiness, little bit by little bit.
There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
- Wayne Dyer
Monday, June 21, 2010
Summer ♥
Summer has been a great deal of fun..
Exploring all the places we've never been to, visiting tourist attractions in Vancouver, trip to the Canadian Rockies...
Cooking simple meals at home, eating out, buying groceries...
Countless strolls under the sunny blue skies on the beach, watching people enjoy the gorgeous weather in the warmth of the sun...
Hard work at househunting, finally found myself a place to move to at the end of this month.. Gigantic room, I like!
Today's the official start of summer season, HAPPY SUMMER everyone!!
Exploring all the places we've never been to, visiting tourist attractions in Vancouver, trip to the Canadian Rockies...
Cooking simple meals at home, eating out, buying groceries...
Countless strolls under the sunny blue skies on the beach, watching people enjoy the gorgeous weather in the warmth of the sun...
Hard work at househunting, finally found myself a place to move to at the end of this month.. Gigantic room, I like!
Today's the official start of summer season, HAPPY SUMMER everyone!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)