yet another short update

as the title suggests, I don't have another theme for posting an entry, hence the uncreative title. :(

In any case, I came across this quote in an article I read recently. It goes something like this:
'I'm busy' is probably the rudest thing one can say to anyone. Because whatever reason you give to the other party, you're basically implying that:
1. He/She is not worth your attention over [insert reason], or
2. You aren't too concerned with his/her affairs,or
3. Your commitments/reasons have much higher priority over your friend.

It set me thinking. For one, I guess any of the three reasons are sufficient to make anyone blush from embarrassment. While we may never have thought about rejecting someone's invite/request etc because we couldn't care less etc, but subconsciously, I think we really are suggesting it. Do it too many times, and you'll probably soon be left wondering where all your friends left.

I guess it does take effort to maintain (close) relationships. With all that's going on with everyone's own life, its all too easy to use the two-word excuse to push off an appointment, particularly for people whom you're not really keen upon. Now, even that sounds wrong. It means to say that we do give ratings for your friends' "worth". Is that right? There's only so much time everyone has. How can we afford the luxury of time to say "hi" to your friends (every single one of them) every time one of them pops up on your MSN radar? More embarrassingly, perhaps, how're you going to sustain an engaging conversation? There's only so many times you can ask "how's life?", "how's your exams prep?", "How's your dog etc..." And it takes a whole lot of CPU space to remember what each single individual was up to in the most recent conversation.

Then again, someone else mentioned in a blog that for those rated "higher", namely your special (closer) friends, you could ironically not devote so much time and effort to the relationship, because, well, they're special. You could have them over anytime/anywhere whenever the occasion arises. But I seriously wonder if that's possible. Either the implicit chemistry between you and your special friend(s) is so strong that both parties accept the fact that life is too busy for everyone, or both parties do really see the value of friendships that's not measurable by how much time "spent together doing things" etc.

So coming back to the issue: What do you do when someone asks you out for tea? Do you try to give a "diplomatic" answer to stall for time, since we're unlikely to feel really free at any point in time of our life? Or do you agree every time (and meanwhile really screw up your schedule because of all these social commitments)? I gues there's probably some kind of balance to seek. It'll probably take a whole lot of time, compromising aspects of your schedule or rearranging of priorities (whatever that means) in order to cater to most of these requests. Of course, its so much easier to just look for your friends only when you have the time and energy to.

On the flip side, maybe they wouldn't be there waiting for you to look them up by then.

***

Hillary Clinton is lagging in the Democrat race. Sheesh. But my money's still on her! (no, not literally. I don't gamble, remember?)

a quick update

So Valentine's day passed by without much of a big bang (not surprising heh). In any case, I'm too engrossed with my work thus far.

Not that I'm complaining, because frankly I love my job. Disregarding the unearthly hours that I wake up at, disregarding the spillover 'OTs' that may actually occur from time to time, disregarding the other stuff which I'm working on which essentially's draining me out sometimes as well, disregarding the fact that people elsewhere are getting higher pay (!), disregarding the times when students give you problems:

But I still love what I'm doing. I've gained new friends, greater confidence, I'm learning something everyday, I'm exposed to experiences I would never have had the chance to elsewhere, I'm flexible to allocate my "working hours" to some degree. It's great. So I'm planning to keep it that way (or make it better).

So this Valentine's day I've given up the usual mulling and pining and all. It's probably better spent elsewhere. MAS essays, FP course, Gym, Prep for tuts and lects; for now, these 4 things are on my minds at least till end march.

It was a rather heartbreaking day on V's Day (no I didnt get ditched. heck, I'm not even attached b4), coz of something my class did. But today was a far better day, with a nice lecture done. Its like a rollercoaster of emotions. In any case, it'll probably be more like an extended presentation. In any case, lots to work on in that area. Demands are going up, I forsee.

How did you spend your V's Day?

CNY eve

so the CNY is finally here. looking forward to this rather long break. well, not really a break for me, more like time for me to do what has to be done. hmmm. in any case, Happy CNY to all of you out there!

and on this day, I was actually tuned into CNA to track the Super Tuesday in the USA Presidential Primaries:


so she's now leading Obama by a teeny weeny bit. Yes, I am rooting for Hillary Clinton :)

and here's a test I did via my fren's blog:

Career Inventory Test Results Extroversion ||||||||||||||| 46% Emotional Stability |||||||||||||||||| 60% Orderliness |||||||||||||||||||||||| 73% Altruism |||||||||||||||||| 53% Inquisitiveness ||||||||||||||| 50% You are a Planner, possible professions include - management consultant, economist, scientist, computer programmer, environmental planner, new business developer, curriculum designer, administrator, mathematician, psychologist, neurologist, biomedical researcher, strategic planner, civil engineer, intellectual properties attorney, designer, editor/art director, inventor, informational-graphics designer, financial planner, judge.

Take Free Career Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

after 3 weeks

its nearing the end of January, so I figured my blog deserves a little update before cobwebs start accumulating.

been in school for more than 3 weeks, and I must say adjusting has been going on fine. Too bad this year they're releasing the "O" level results earlier, so that really sets everyone's Scheme of Work into chaos. Oh well, its the last year for first-3 Month-ers too. Come 2009, there'll be no more PAE, and most of the "top" schools would also have opted out of "O" levels in favour of IP. I wonder what brilliant articles will come out in 2010 end / early 2011 when the "A" level results are announced.

I wonder how my students fared for their "O" levels. I hope the good ones stay heh. A few more weeks and the school will be thron into upheavel again; "A" level results together with JAE in the same week. woots.

Some plans for travelling is in the works, though I'm not sure if its feasible. And for some reason, my July is quite wasted away because of the way my schedule is been taken up. Oh well, I'll probably take that time to gear back into full-time student mode.

Watch this space in CNY!

Slacking away,
eejun

On Horoscopes and Commercialism

The new year has brought with it many opportunities to make new resolutions, goals, aims... but has also provided a most appropriate reason for businesses to bombard our letterboxes with endless supplies of brochures and catalogue. This year, I noticed something interesting about them - many seem to be taking a horoscope-centric method to promote their products. For instance, there is this Nippon Paint catalogue that states that for those born in the Year of the Rabbit, "(they) will have soup for the soul with new found relationships this year". The catch being, well, you've gotta paint your room a powder-pink. I think the Paint people was right in guessing that most (sane) people don't have Pink rooms. Then there is this SingPost "special" catalogue which states that "Romance is in the air...", catch being, well, purchase all the fashionable stuff and hip gadgets that supposedly makes one more attractive. lol.

So you could choose to believe them (and feel really stupid) or try them if you're really desperate (and feeling really rich).

slacking on Sunday

whew! it has been a long 2 months since I've ORD-ed, and I've been working crazy hours. its finally my turn to have a Sunday to myself! no Just, no School, no residual work from School. Its just me, my mp3 player, and my magazines. Throw in a sinful cup of ice-cream (ok, just 1 scoop) and my day would be complete!

Its the new year!

2008 will be a far better year than 2006 and 2007.
It can't get worse, right?

Cheers to all!