Showing posts with label aging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aging. Show all posts
Monday, April 26, 2010
Aging and Revealing the Inner Ah Beng
The full lyrics are reproduced here. Maybe I should provide an English equivalent for readers who do not understand my Chinese dialect.
Don't accuse me of being mushy - I'd say that only Taiwanese song writers are capable of such mush. And - without sounding like a male chauvinistic pig - I think such devoted women are extinct already. They can probably be found only in Taiwanese serials. :)
家后
作词：郑进一/陈维祥 作曲：郑进一 编曲：张乃仁
有一日咱若老 (When we become old one day)
找无人甲咱有孝 (And there isn't anyone to accompany us)
我会陪你坐惦椅寮 (I will sit with you at the settees)
听你讲少年的时袸你有外贤 (And listen to your stories of your valiant youth)
食好食歹 无计较 (Whether I get good food or not does not matter)
怨天怨地 嘛袜晓 (I also won't blame the gods for anything)
你的手 我会甲你牵条条 (Your hands, I will hold them tightly in mine)
因为我是你的家后 (Because I am the one at the back of your house [aka wife])
阮将青春嫁乎恁兜 (I gave my youth to your family when I married you)
阮对少年随你随甲老 (I shall stay devoted to you till we both turn old)
人情世事己经看透透 (I've learnt let go and not sweat the small stuff)
有啥人比你卡重要 (Because nothing is more important than you)
阮的一生献乎恁兜 (I have devoted my entire life to your family)
才知幸福是吵吵闹闹 (I've realised bliss lies in the nagging and the noise)
等待返去的时袸若到 (When it is time for us to go back)
我会让你先走 (I will let you go first)
因为我会不甘 (Because I am reluctant)
放你 为我目屎流 (To let you shed tears for me)
有一日咱若老 (When we become old one day)
有媳妇子儿有孝 (And we have dutiful sons and daughters in law)
你若无聊 拿咱的相片 (If you are bored, we can take out our pictures)
看卡早结婚的时袸 你有外缘投 (And see how smart you looked when we got married)
穿好穿歹 无计较 (Whether I get good clothes to wear or not, I'm not particular)
怪东怪西 嘛袜晓 (I will also not blame others for anything)
你的心 我会永远记条条 (I will forever remember your love for me)
因为我是你的家后 (Because I am the one at the back of your house [aka wife])
阮将青春嫁乎恁兜 (I gave my youth to your family when I married you)
阮对少年随你随甲老 (I shall stay devoted to you till we both turn old)
人情世事己经看透透 (I've learnt let go and not sweat the small stuff)
有啥人比你卡重要 (Because nothing is more important than you)
阮的一生献乎恁兜 (I have devoted my entire life to your family)
才知幸福是吵吵闹闹 (I've realised bliss lies in the nagging and the noise)
等待返去的时袸若到 (When it is time for us to go back)
你着让我先走 (You have to let me go first)
因为我吗不甘 (Because I'm also reluctant)
看你 为我目屎流 (To see you shed tears for me)
The beauty of the language and the skills of the song writer is rather amazing. If one were able to appreciate the language, the intention was for both husband and wife to die at the same time, so each is spared the heartbreak.
Nice song, I'd say.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Familiarly Remote
Just visited my alma mater last week to conduct a training session for some of the students.
It's been more than 2 decades since I've graduated and honestly, apart from the familiar school crest and the school motto, nothing I saw that day even resembled what I remembered as a student there.
I saw monkeys. Students have lost the ability to behave themselves. Discipline is lax and poor conduct was rampant. There was noise. Sheer pandemonium. Endless senseless screaming, running around, messing around. It was nothing like the erudite atmosphere that we had in the past.
I met an ex-teacher and not unexpectedly, she couldn't quite remember who I was. It was after all more than twenty years. I took a look at the staff photo and saw a few familiar faces. Those were the teachers who had taught me when I was a student there. However, was I going to face more "You look familiar but I can't quite remember your name?"
I finished my lesson quickly and made a rapid exit.
The school is now entirely different from the nurturing place I used to remember. Or is my memory failing...?
It's been more than 2 decades since I've graduated and honestly, apart from the familiar school crest and the school motto, nothing I saw that day even resembled what I remembered as a student there.
I saw monkeys. Students have lost the ability to behave themselves. Discipline is lax and poor conduct was rampant. There was noise. Sheer pandemonium. Endless senseless screaming, running around, messing around. It was nothing like the erudite atmosphere that we had in the past.
I met an ex-teacher and not unexpectedly, she couldn't quite remember who I was. It was after all more than twenty years. I took a look at the staff photo and saw a few familiar faces. Those were the teachers who had taught me when I was a student there. However, was I going to face more "You look familiar but I can't quite remember your name?"
I finished my lesson quickly and made a rapid exit.
The school is now entirely different from the nurturing place I used to remember. Or is my memory failing...?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Gaps
There had been occasions when I told myself to blog but when I finally reach home, I am only energized for bed.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Exasperation 3
Took the TOEFL on Sunday. I am still seething by the humiliation of it all.
I probably write better than 80% of the Americans, I am well-understood when I speak around the world, I can understand most forms of standard speech (drawls are a different story) and I got a great score on GRE Writing.
My 4 year basic degree from my national university is in English Langauge. And I've gone through 16 years of formal education in English and I've gone through 1 year of teacher training, also in English. Damn, I'm even a qualified EL teacher. For the record, I'm teaching writing in a unversity!
Yet, I am required to eat humble pie and take the TOEFL. And all TOEFL tests is how much I can figure out their tricks in reading comprehension, how much I can recall from fake conversations and scripted lectures, how much I can speak about topics that are far removed from my life and how well I can write about some kiddy topic which I have not dealt since years ago!
Oh, never mind. It's all for a larger goal.
Someone should stop these Americans from bleeding us dry, imposing blanket requirements that are utterly irrelevant to many of us. When would the Yankees stop thinking that only white people in some lands can use English competently whereas a place like Singapore, where many of their academics come to teach and where their CON-(IN)-sult-ants come to grab money, is completely EL incompetent?
Many Singaporeans speak and write better than the Commonwealth peoples of Australia and New Zealand. I only wonder what it might be about "Maaaaate, how are you to-die?" that makes the Yankees love the Aussies to death. And for the record, I know how to use my apostrophes!
PS. The most probably reason for enforcing TOEFL on places like Singapore is for the money. So any attempt to fight this requirement will be a lost cause.
I probably write better than 80% of the Americans, I am well-understood when I speak around the world, I can understand most forms of standard speech (drawls are a different story) and I got a great score on GRE Writing.
My 4 year basic degree from my national university is in English Langauge. And I've gone through 16 years of formal education in English and I've gone through 1 year of teacher training, also in English. Damn, I'm even a qualified EL teacher. For the record, I'm teaching writing in a unversity!
Yet, I am required to eat humble pie and take the TOEFL. And all TOEFL tests is how much I can figure out their tricks in reading comprehension, how much I can recall from fake conversations and scripted lectures, how much I can speak about topics that are far removed from my life and how well I can write about some kiddy topic which I have not dealt since years ago!
Oh, never mind. It's all for a larger goal.
Someone should stop these Americans from bleeding us dry, imposing blanket requirements that are utterly irrelevant to many of us. When would the Yankees stop thinking that only white people in some lands can use English competently whereas a place like Singapore, where many of their academics come to teach and where their CON-(IN)-sult-ants come to grab money, is completely EL incompetent?
Many Singaporeans speak and write better than the Commonwealth peoples of Australia and New Zealand. I only wonder what it might be about "Maaaaate, how are you to-die?" that makes the Yankees love the Aussies to death. And for the record, I know how to use my apostrophes!
PS. The most probably reason for enforcing TOEFL on places like Singapore is for the money. So any attempt to fight this requirement will be a lost cause.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Ten Hours
That's how much sleep I had yesterday. I feel so much more awake this morning.
I can almost bet you the other fallacy is the decrease in libido as one ages. Explain the need for viagra and the term "dirty old man" if otherwise!
I can almost bet you the other fallacy is the decrease in libido as one ages. Explain the need for viagra and the term "dirty old man" if otherwise!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Age and Sleep
I always under the impression that as one gets older, one needs less sleep. That had been my understanding since 20 years ago.
But it is not happening to me!
I am older now. And I've never stopped needing at least 10 hours of sleep to be fully awake and functional.
The sleep loanshark has probably run out of pigs' head to hang at my door to intimidate me into paying. I bet you I'm just going to go into hibernation mode if this sleep deprivation is not going to get addressed.
Unfortunately, Bangkok is so dangerous now and KL too. Sigh.
But it is not happening to me!
I am older now. And I've never stopped needing at least 10 hours of sleep to be fully awake and functional.
The sleep loanshark has probably run out of pigs' head to hang at my door to intimidate me into paying. I bet you I'm just going to go into hibernation mode if this sleep deprivation is not going to get addressed.
Unfortunately, Bangkok is so dangerous now and KL too. Sigh.
Monday, June 30, 2008
A Sobering Thought
On Thinking About Atonement With a Parent
By: Jan Goldman
Acknowledgement: On Thinking About Atonement With a Parent was written when I was in a poetry writing course. There was an assignment to write a poem on the subject of atonement in relation to a parent. My first reaction was that I had nothing to say. I had been the “good child” who was responsible and brought home the bacon. This poem than came out of that “nothing to say.” It surprised me with its depth of feeling.
How does the good child atone
the one with no regret
whose small shoulders ached
with the weight of responsibility placed
early, early, early.
The one who put before you
a banquet table of accomplishment
for your feasting, for your portion.
The one who stilled her own heart's music
and filled her nostrils with
the acrid smell of caution
for your name's sake.
No, I owe you no atonement.
Better to atone for myself
for the lost path in the wilderness
for the wanderlust not indulged
for the lovers never taken.
Now in the late October of my years
with the harvest mostly gathered,
it's your turn.
It's your turn to atone for me.
Source: Families, Systems, & Health. Vol.25 (3) pp. 354-354.
I think this is one of the most amazing poems ever written. How does a good child atone? Hasn't he already done his penance by being the good child?
For all you good boys and good girls out there.
By: Jan Goldman
Acknowledgement: On Thinking About Atonement With a Parent was written when I was in a poetry writing course. There was an assignment to write a poem on the subject of atonement in relation to a parent. My first reaction was that I had nothing to say. I had been the “good child” who was responsible and brought home the bacon. This poem than came out of that “nothing to say.” It surprised me with its depth of feeling.
How does the good child atone
the one with no regret
whose small shoulders ached
with the weight of responsibility placed
early, early, early.
The one who put before you
a banquet table of accomplishment
for your feasting, for your portion.
The one who stilled her own heart's music
and filled her nostrils with
the acrid smell of caution
for your name's sake.
No, I owe you no atonement.
Better to atone for myself
for the lost path in the wilderness
for the wanderlust not indulged
for the lovers never taken.
Now in the late October of my years
with the harvest mostly gathered,
it's your turn.
It's your turn to atone for me.
Source: Families, Systems, & Health. Vol.25 (3) pp. 354-354.
I think this is one of the most amazing poems ever written. How does a good child atone? Hasn't he already done his penance by being the good child?
For all you good boys and good girls out there.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Do you think it gives me an orgasm?
Went back for a second acupuncture treatment for the bust back yesterday. The second time in two days.
And after the acupuncturist nagged at me that I am visiting too frequently, when I went to collect my meds, the pharmacist gave me another earful about not coming twice in two days for meds and acupuncture, should at most visit twice or thrice a week for such treatment yah dah yah dah yah dah.
Hello! First, the physician on the first visit gave me flu meds, which if you do not know, will not address the bust back. Anyway, the meds you had dispensed are 2/3 done, since I went last night. You know - 3 days' med contains 9 doses. By last night, I'm 5 doses done. Ok, I'm 6 doses done. I took a double for my first dose, as I usually do for Chinese meds. And the remaining meds are going to run out today - don't worry, I won't waste any medicine - so, what's your problem?
It's not as though I am such a pain seeker that getting jabbed, electro-stimulated through needles and a harsh post acupuncture massage is going to give me an orgasm!
* * *
The Age, 27 June 2008
Craig Platt
European budget carrier Ryanair has taken its cheeky reputation to new levels, with chief executive officer Michael O'Leary suggesting business class passengers would receive free oral sex on flights.
O'Leary made the saucy remarks during a press conference in Germany about Ryanair's Trans-Atlantic flights.
Explaining that Ryanair's long-haul flights would feature a business class that went against Ryanair's typical low-budget ethos, O'Leary remarked that "in economy it will be very cheap fares, say 10 Euros, and in business class it will be bed and blowjobs".
While O'Leary's remark was obviously a joke, he repeated the controversial comment and wanted it translated for the journalists.
"In business class," he said, "it will all be free - including the blowjobs."
He then asked the translator the German word for oral sex. After being told there wasn't one, he remarked "terrible sex life in Germany".
I recall the European airlines I've flown before. I'm going to claim that I suffer from a serious bout of amnesia here about my experience but I am going to conclude that I don't think I will be excited at all to fly on Ryanair's business class, much less get me an orgasm.
* * *
More things that won't hit the mark:
- Oil hits US$140 as Libya warns of production cuts.
- E. Coli in tomatoes, beef; salmonella in other things, except money in my pocket.
- Singapore raises pump prices the third time in a month despite respite in oil prices.
- Rates for electricity going up.
There, go figure.
"Some days the balls don't bounce where you want them to bounce or they don't land where you want them to land." - Maria Sharapova, after being beaten 6-2, 6-4 in the second round of Wimbledon by the 20-year-old Alla Kudryavtseva, who is ranked 152 places beneath her and has previously won only four matches this year.
And after the acupuncturist nagged at me that I am visiting too frequently, when I went to collect my meds, the pharmacist gave me another earful about not coming twice in two days for meds and acupuncture, should at most visit twice or thrice a week for such treatment yah dah yah dah yah dah.
Hello! First, the physician on the first visit gave me flu meds, which if you do not know, will not address the bust back. Anyway, the meds you had dispensed are 2/3 done, since I went last night. You know - 3 days' med contains 9 doses. By last night, I'm 5 doses done. Ok, I'm 6 doses done. I took a double for my first dose, as I usually do for Chinese meds. And the remaining meds are going to run out today - don't worry, I won't waste any medicine - so, what's your problem?
It's not as though I am such a pain seeker that getting jabbed, electro-stimulated through needles and a harsh post acupuncture massage is going to give me an orgasm!
* * *
The Age, 27 June 2008
Craig Platt
European budget carrier Ryanair has taken its cheeky reputation to new levels, with chief executive officer Michael O'Leary suggesting business class passengers would receive free oral sex on flights.
O'Leary made the saucy remarks during a press conference in Germany about Ryanair's Trans-Atlantic flights.
Explaining that Ryanair's long-haul flights would feature a business class that went against Ryanair's typical low-budget ethos, O'Leary remarked that "in economy it will be very cheap fares, say 10 Euros, and in business class it will be bed and blowjobs".
While O'Leary's remark was obviously a joke, he repeated the controversial comment and wanted it translated for the journalists.
"In business class," he said, "it will all be free - including the blowjobs."
He then asked the translator the German word for oral sex. After being told there wasn't one, he remarked "terrible sex life in Germany".
I recall the European airlines I've flown before. I'm going to claim that I suffer from a serious bout of amnesia here about my experience but I am going to conclude that I don't think I will be excited at all to fly on Ryanair's business class, much less get me an orgasm.
* * *
More things that won't hit the mark:
- Oil hits US$140 as Libya warns of production cuts.
- E. Coli in tomatoes, beef; salmonella in other things, except money in my pocket.
- Singapore raises pump prices the third time in a month despite respite in oil prices.
- Rates for electricity going up.
There, go figure.
"Some days the balls don't bounce where you want them to bounce or they don't land where you want them to land." - Maria Sharapova, after being beaten 6-2, 6-4 in the second round of Wimbledon by the 20-year-old Alla Kudryavtseva, who is ranked 152 places beneath her and has previously won only four matches this year.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Drugs
Martina Hinggis is retiring from tennis after she tested positive for cocaine at the Wimbeldon this year.
I still find it hard to believe. Hinggis is not one of the players I like or support - give me Monica "Grunter" Seles any time. Still, to see her in the throes of misery because of this is still painful.
I have always found it hard to believe that tennis players would abuse cocaine as this is definitely not a drug you would use to enhance your endurance, whatever the post-use euphoria that you could get. How does one play when one is flighty and flummoxed? That's why I find it hard to fathom that the Swiss Miss would do something that stupid.
Anyway, hopefully some light would come out of this.
Another drug that I find stupid to abuse is testosterone. If you (guys, of course) inject yourself with synthetic testosterone, you are basically turning yourself into an eunuch except that you'll keep your balls.
The body will recognise the artificial hormone in the body and think that enough of it is there. And what the body does to maintain equilibrium is to shut the factory - basically your nuts/gonads/balls/testicles whatever - down. And over a prolonged period of time, the factory forgets to resume operations even when the hormones are depleted.
Hm... I'd rather keep my ability to enjoy myself than to have strapping muscles or a big one.
Anyhow, I'd meant to dedicate this post to St. Vicodine Fraser Stern. Remember his constant reminder for me to take two vicodin and then call him, get rest, whatever? I just wanted to declare here that I'm off painkillers since last night and I have been feeling fine.
There is no recurring or nagging or imminent pain. I'm happy that I've stayed clean for the past two days and it looks positive that my vicodin (or whatever painkillers I'm on) popping days can stay canned.
But of course, I may speak too soon for part two of the move - my housemate's - is next Saturday.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
It's Sunny But It's Raining
This is exactly how I am feeling right now. A mixed kind of feeling.
The painkillers are irritating the shit out of me already. Take it literally - I'm having some mild wind and the runs. Probably also because I had been too hungry yesterday.
The fridge is not stocked with the right stuff. My freezer is empty. I think I need to raid Cold Storage soon for some stuff. Nothing is more comforting than seeing some frozen meat/ham/sausages in the freezer.
We do not have a rubbish chute in the house. We now need to be more alert to take out the trash. I forgot twice already and soon the house will be a dump.
I need to clean the corridor of the wine stains. The movers broke a bottle of white wine during the move on Saturday and I can still see the stains. The wine is very dry - it wasn't even sticky. Amazing!
It's high time to reorganise the boxes in the work room so that I can move the laptops over and set up a proper work area. It is so inconducive for the bedroom to double as a work room.
Given our habits of not putting on more than a pair of shorts in the house, housemate is keeping the windows all shut. Modesty issue for him. Sigh.
I bet the electricity bill is shooting through the roof this month, given that I have the fans turned on at full blast all the while. I'd fry in my own fats otherwise.
The neatest room in the house is the storeroom. A million thanks to the same foursome who really put me to shame in house organisation.
It's been a mad mad mad mad time for the past few days. And I believe things should get better until my housemate officially moves in on 10 Nov. I'll need to do more sanity checks.
The painkillers are irritating the shit out of me already. Take it literally - I'm having some mild wind and the runs. Probably also because I had been too hungry yesterday.
The fridge is not stocked with the right stuff. My freezer is empty. I think I need to raid Cold Storage soon for some stuff. Nothing is more comforting than seeing some frozen meat/ham/sausages in the freezer.
We do not have a rubbish chute in the house. We now need to be more alert to take out the trash. I forgot twice already and soon the house will be a dump.
I need to clean the corridor of the wine stains. The movers broke a bottle of white wine during the move on Saturday and I can still see the stains. The wine is very dry - it wasn't even sticky. Amazing!
It's high time to reorganise the boxes in the work room so that I can move the laptops over and set up a proper work area. It is so inconducive for the bedroom to double as a work room.
Given our habits of not putting on more than a pair of shorts in the house, housemate is keeping the windows all shut. Modesty issue for him. Sigh.
I bet the electricity bill is shooting through the roof this month, given that I have the fans turned on at full blast all the while. I'd fry in my own fats otherwise.
The neatest room in the house is the storeroom. A million thanks to the same foursome who really put me to shame in house organisation.
It's been a mad mad mad mad time for the past few days. And I believe things should get better until my housemate officially moves in on 10 Nov. I'll need to do more sanity checks.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The works
The entire house is littered with boxes now.
The move is coming soon.
The backache meds I've been taking prophylactically is helping. My back is sore but I'm not hurting.
I can't wait to move so that I can start living again!
The move is coming soon.
The backache meds I've been taking prophylactically is helping. My back is sore but I'm not hurting.
I can't wait to move so that I can start living again!
Friday, October 05, 2007
Pain...
My back is hurting. The sides are hurting.
The pain shoots down the inner thighs.
I'm so miserable.
The pain shoots down the inner thighs.
I'm so miserable.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
But then I forget...
I don't know about you guys but every time I tell myself that I have something that I must blog about, I log in and can never remember what I had wanted to blog.
A part of this can be attributed to sleep deprivation.
Another part of this is probably the desire to blog about the issue is not as intense as the want to merely bitch about it. Therefore, one does not remember to bitch about the lesser things.
The last part I believe is ageing.
A part of this can be attributed to sleep deprivation.
Another part of this is probably the desire to blog about the issue is not as intense as the want to merely bitch about it. Therefore, one does not remember to bitch about the lesser things.
The last part I believe is ageing.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Am I losing my marbles?
I thought I read Fraser's entry on "Hillary has lost her marbles" quite some time back.
Was it really only on 29 September that the post was written?
I doubt it. I honestly doubt it.
Am I losing my marbles?
*Checks!* Thank god the balls are still there.
Was it really only on 29 September that the post was written?
I doubt it. I honestly doubt it.
Am I losing my marbles?
*Checks!* Thank god the balls are still there.
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