New Kettle

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Even knowing my strong objection, my mother decided to hire a housekeeper to clean our flat on a regular basis, and today is her first day.  I hated the idea for 2 main reasons – one, I seriously don’t see a need to have our house cleaned so often (3 times a week!), and two, I simply despise the whole Philippine/Indonesia servant import system all together!  Please tell me why we still have imported servants in a developed country in the 21st century?!

I told my mother again for the 3rd or 4th time to tell the housekeeper not to clean my side of the flat (my bedroom, studio, and washroom), even though I know she would just ask her to sneak in and clean my rooms at times when I’m away.  It’s really frustrating when you can predict something you dislike is going to happen and there’s nothing you can do about it!

I bought myself a tiny kettle today to save me some trips to the kitchen for my coffee/tea breaks, so now I can stay in my side of the flat without my parents seeing me during the day!  This is perhaps my only way of expressing my disapproval.

Badminton Competition

Joined a badminton competition with my friends this afternoon, I never am too keen in joining any kind of competitions, but it’s different when I’m playing as a team.  We had lost all 5 sets, not a single game was won, a total lost!  I was quite disappointed at myself because even though I’ve been playing almost weekly for the last 2 years, I didn’t see much improvement in my skillset.  Need to figure out some way to improve…

Had to drag my weary body to play soccer tonight because I promised to attend.  Good thing a lot people showed up, I was able to sit out and rest for much of the game.

I’m extremely exhausted now, can barely move my feet around the house, even my bum seems to hurt when I’m sitting down!

Aquarium

It’s becoming one of my most look-forward-to weekend events now – tending my studio’s aquarium!  Spent an entire afternoon today and did a thorough cleaning of the aquarium, removed the algae that carpeted much of the stone wall and sediments, hopefully it won’t come back again.  Don’t know why there’s so much nutrients in the tank fueling the algal growth, the only source of nutrient input to the system is fish food, which I’ve been quite restrained in feeding the fishes for just twice a week.

Also grafted a plant and started experimenting with aquaponics.

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Google Tools

It’s been a long time since I did any kind of javascript coding, can’t even remember how to do setup an array()!  Did some proof-of-concepts for a potential client, it’s my first time trying to embed Google tools in webpages, I’m amazed at how powerful and ease-of-use their web APIs are!

Google Translation

A New Beginning

dEEsigners.com (underConstruction)Today is the great back-to-school day for my nephews and niece, I’m also marking this day as the beginning of my journey back into the real world, saying goodbye to the tender embrace of academia.

In the process of starting a company, something I had been wanting to try for many years.  Excited but at the same time very nervous, didn’t expect entrepreneurship can be so nerve-whacking…

2 Year Anniversary

It’s been 2 years since I moved back to HK, time for a little reflection…

One of the biggest accomplishments over the last 2 years is the completion of my MSc. degree in Sustainable and Environmental Design.  Read quite a lot of books and had learned a great deal in the subject of Architecture.  I didn’t have the intention to switch career when applying and enrolling in the programme, and my heart stays unswayed after learning the many interesting things about the field.  I consider the 2-year study a pleasurable and thankful detour in my life.

Another thing that’s worth thanksgiving is the strengthening of family ties.  Being used to living by myself for so many years, arguments were expected well before I moved back to live with my parents.  After 2 years, I still argue quite a bit with my mother, but had learned about her preferences and the topics to avoid in order for arguments to stay “controlled”.  I do notice my parents’ little signs of old age, so I need to continuously learn to be more patient and cherish the time that I’m with them.

Transitioning to a new church here was quite smooth thanks to my sister and brother-in-law.  It also helps that my fellowship b/s are in the same age group and not treating me as a little brother like my old fellowship, but I still have yet to get used to the drastic increase in fellowship size.

It has been a thankful couple of years in terms of academic knowledge, family relationships, and my Christian life.

With all the work for my degree completed, my bedroom and home studio all cleaned up, and my days becoming less interrupted after my nephews and niece go back to school next week, I’m in good shape to finally kick start my career once again!  Goodbye Summer,  you will not be missed!

Cleanup II

Finished cleaning up my home studio, it’s not clutter-free like the bedroom, but it feels like I’ll be comfortable working here from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday!

It looks like I’m in good shape to finally start some real work on Monday!

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Cleanup

I disliked the roman blinds that was installed in my bedroom, they completely blocked the operable windows and discouraged natural ventilation and daylighting. After 2 years of occasional visual/psychological annoyance, I finally replaced them with rolling screens, they filter (rather than block) strong direct sunlight and leaves the operable windows operable even when they’re lowered. It feels good to have completed something that should have been done 2 years ago!

Bedroom is now cleaned up, next on the list is my home studio…

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Turning Point

DIY Cardboard LampshadeThe 3 kids in the house had finally moved back to their renovated apartment last week, tranquility was once again experienced after ~2 months!  Reclaimed my bedroom so I no longer had to sleep in my home studio, it’s nice to be able to physically separate the work and rest area once again.  Had kept myself busy for the last few days cleaning up and doing minor renovations at home, the pictured DIY cardboard lampshade was one of the few things I managed to complete.

The question about my career was brought up by my sister this morning and then again by my fellowship b/s during dinner tonight.  Without the constant interruptions from kids, I have no more excuses to not plan and start my career.  Prepping this week to be one of the most important turning point since returning ~2 years ago.

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Successfully rented and watched a movie through the Apple TV for the first time tonight.  My 6 y/o nephew was generous enough to pay for the rental, it’s good that he experiences the joyfulness of sharing his wealth with others at a young age.

Enjoyed the movie, I have such a soft spot for animations.  The idea of starting a career in animations pops up every time I finished watching such movies, wouldn’t it be nice if I can show my nephews and niece my name somewhere during the ending reel?!

<<Rio>>

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