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Tiredness

Mar 5, 2012

Really tired but restless. Went to bed unusually early but couldn’t put myself to sleep for hours. Decided to get up and blog…

It’s Sunday today but tiredness seems to be the only thing I can experience. The tiredness is probably due to the fact that I couldn’t sleep until 3~4 am last night, thanks to a soccer match at night that kept my blood abundantly oxygenated and mind wide awake. My body was quite tired though.

Had our usual family afternoon dim sum after church. Told my father that I couldn’t attend the upcoming wedding of an uncle’s daughter because It’s held on a Friday and there’s fellowship. My father kind of got angry and showed disapproval saying I’m putting God above all else. I just calmly replied saying that I don’t like attending those wedding banquets anyway because I’ll be asked numerous times when it’ll be my turn to get married. And that really was the main reason why I didn’t want to attend.

I really don’t like how my father tends to blame everything he dislikes about me on my religion, but I was too tired to retaliate today, which is probably a good thing.

The Power of Introverts

Mar 3, 2012

Watched another great TED presentation today – The Power of Introverts. I still remember the time when I was interviewed for my first job after graduation, one of the questions asked was “… Do you consider yourself an extrovert or introvert?” I answered that I was a bit of both, I like to be absorbed in work and solving problems on my own, and at the same time, I’m also a very good team player when playing soccer and basketball. And that was the truth.

Rethinking that question again now after close to 10 years, I still consider myself both an extrovert and introvert, but I think I’m more inclined to the introverted side. When I’m in a group situation (especially with people I don’t know too well), I tend to be the most quiet person and would easily enter a never-ending state of daydreaming.

It’s true, the society nowadays seems to favor the extroverts when there really should be a balance of both groups.

Robots and Workshop

Mar 2, 2012

Watched a presentation this morning about autonomous flying robots, it brought back fond memories of my undergraduate engineering days. For our final year design project (FYDP), my team and I created a robot cat to chase after a robot mouse. Although it didn’t quite work during the 2-day Symposium, the entire FYDP was a rewarding experience. I’ve always dreamt of setting up a studio, and aside from having space to craft models and artwork, I wanted to have space to experiment with electronics and robots.

Heard this wonderful quote from fellowship tonight – “If something must happen ultimately, it should happen immediately“. I can visualize almost exactly what my studio/workshop would be like, and that is ultimately what I want to do, but can I make it happen immediately?!

Wang Shu

Feb 29, 2012

Read on the newspaper this morning that the 2012 Pritzker Prize was awarded for the first time to a (native) Chinese architect – Wang Shu. Went to my frequently-visited website and found more information about the now world-famous architect. This is what he said when notified of the award “… I suddenly realized that I’ve done many things over the last decade. It proves that earnest hard work and persistence lead to positive outcomes.”

Admire people who are humble and persistently work hard without seeking praise or reward. I need that same attitude in doing my freelance work, feeling a bit tired and sluggish lately.

Actually, I had a chance to see one of Mr. Wang Shu’s work at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. I loved the way traditional chinese roof tiles were reused and incorporated into the unique facade design. The architectural style was both traditional and modern, and the interior was imbued with a sense of tranquility and harmony with nature. I loved the pavilion then but didn’t know it was the work of Mr. Wang Shu until now.

Ningbo Pavilion

Morning Devotion

Feb 28, 2012

Woke up slightly earlier this morning and did my daily devotion. This is what I read today: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Often times I sin and ask why God let me face such temptations, but the fact is that I always have the freewill to choose to do the right thing no matter the circumstances, I just chose to ignore the little voice inside of me. May God forgive me of my sins and help me to always choose life over death.

Sports and Maps

Feb 26, 2012

Soccer on Monday, badminton on Thursday, and basketball on Saturday, it was a week full of sports. Perhaps it’s a bit too much exercise, but I really enjoy catching up with friends, and since the 3 groups of friends don’t overlap, I had to play all 3 sports if I don’t want to miss the opportunity to see everyone. To me, the social aspect of sports seems more important than the sports themselves.

There wasn’t much urgent freelance work for me in the past week, so I used the time to develop and roll out my little pet project – A mapping project that utilizes the HK Government’s open data. I was able to find on the map the grass field that I just played soccer on this afternoon!

Aquarium

Feb 18, 2012

Helped a friend fix a website bug before heading out for lunch today. Went for a little stroll in Mong Kok afterwards and bought a batch of cherry shrimps. I had been trying to breed the tiny shrimps for months without success – I can see miniscule transparent baby shrimps, but they can’t seem to live longer than a couple of days. Adjusted the aquarium heater from 21 to 24 degrees, hopefully the higher (supposedly optimal) temperature would make them more comfortable and live longer.

Tending my 2 aquariums and plants is perhaps one of my major weekend events for the last couple of years – it’s low cost, rewarding, and helps me learn about the wonderful creations of God. This little hobby of mine is nothing comparing to the lavish wine indulgence of our city’s Chief Executive candidate. I don’t usually talk politics, but if he really becomes our Chief Executive, there’s really no hope in solving one of HK’s most prominent social problems – the disparity of rich and poor.

Iron Ring Replacement

Feb 15, 2012

Had dinner with some UW friends and their other halves. Thankful that my friend brought back my iron ring replacement from across the globe – it will serve as a constant reminder of the new year’s resolution I’ve made at the start of 2012!

Valentine’s Day

Feb 14, 2012

Valentine’s Day isn’t really such a festive day for singles like me. Did a quick Wiki look up, the origin of the holiday was setup in remembrance of a Christian martyr and has nothing to do with flowers and chocolates. Nonetheless, I’m happy for those who have found their other half, may they cherish one another and only till death do they part.

State of Contemplation

Feb 11, 2012

It was past midnight when I got home last night. Took a shower and then went straight to my computer to finish off some freelance work. Before I knew it, it was 4 in the morning! I probably didn’t sleep until 5am.

Woke up at around 10 this morning, had a very light breakfast while catching up with the daily news. Left home before noon for an early brunch, then took an aimless stroll around Mong Kok… was thinking about numerous things – career, family, friends, life’s partner, and life itself… I seem to be trapped in a constant state of contemplation this week. Sleepiness and drunkenness does seem to do wonders for my creativity (article)…