Good People

I met a nice person yesterday.

As some of you might know, every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I wake up at 7 am because I have to get to work downtown by 8 am. It used to be 6.30 am when I first started my internship because I didn't know how regular the bus service was.

It turns out that the bus service in Des Moines is EXTREMELY punctual. So now I time myself so that I arrive at the bus stop about 1-2 minutes before the bus arrives. Sometimes, I see the bus coming while I'm crossing the road. That brief moment of panic when I think that I am going to miss the bus can be quite exhilarating.

Anyway, yesterday morning I dilly-dallied a bit too long in my room, and by the time I reached University Ave, the bus was already going to reach the bus stop on the other side of the road. Except this time, the stoplights were still green so I couldn't cross the road!

Now the panic was REAL. But I figured I couldn't do anything, plus I was pretty sleepy so I only stared at the bus when it passed. Didn't wave or make any sign at the bus driver. He glanced across the road and saw me, though. It crossed my mind that maybe he might recognize me and stop, but I didn't count on it. Amazingly, he did. I was still staring at the bus, and then I realized that he was waiting!

It felt really good that he was nice enough to stop and wait several minutes for me, even though I didn't ask for it. Yet another proof that there are nice people in the world, and goodness comes even when you don't expect it.

Thoughts on my Chicago trip

Been a while since I last blogged. Finally having a breather after the last few weeks of frenzy, with the standard college stuff like exams and assignments on top of some unique activities. Well actually one out-of-the-ordinary activity.

I went to Chicago last Friday. Nothing big. Just a get-together for all interns and new hires to meet up with our mentors, buddies and supervisors before summer. It was a very thoughtful gesture on the company's part. We went to watch a White Sox game (of all things, baseball?! *_*), but of course we spent most of our time talking to each other, knowing people just a little bit better.

I was a little anxious before the trip, since I know I tend to be more private when meeting groups of strangers. It turned out much better than I thought, though. Certainly helped that I had already met 3 people out of the crowd of 20-something-year-olds during my office visit. And the fact that we were all young adults really helped. I definitely wouldn't have been as at ease as I was if they were much older (i.e. age 35 and above).

On Saturday, we visited the building where the interns were going to stay during summer. Each of us gets our own studio apartment, complete with kitchen, bathroom and furnishings, another wonderful perk. The apartments were smaller than they look on the website, but the furniture was new and the rooms seem comfy to me. Am extremely looking forward to staying there now. I'm eagerly anticipating the dishes that I can make, provided I don't get tired out after working the whole day. Plus it's super downtown, so I can go shopping easily anytime I want. Oh and the Cheesecake Factory is just a block away! =D

I don't dread summer like I did half a month ago. Working full-time may not turn out to be as tedious as I thought. Especially if I become good friends with the people I work with, and the presence of other younger employees will be good. Even my internship now is more fun than before. I've been learning continuously since the first day of my internship, but sometimes new knowledge is not a sufficiently strong incentive to work, it's the people there that makes a huge difference. ;)

Time to face the Music

Been feeling off for a while now. And I can no longer attribute it to merely being in an "emotional down" phase. I wonder why I feel like this. After a brilliant March, I thought that April would bring more delight along with spring.

The first 10 days of April have shown no sign of that promise. Not that I'm going through an especially rough time, in fact, the days are no different than any other. I am happy, and yet when I'm alone, there's a kind of forlorn-ness in my mood.

I sense something ending soon. Sometimes I wish things don't have to change so quickly. I've barely enjoyed the best moments in this time, and now it's gonna end? Sure, the unknown future may be even better, but right now I choose to stick to what I know is good, thank you.

Is it just apprehension that's making me feel off? I don't dread summer, but it will be so different from what I'm used to. I'm excited, yet it's costing me 3 whole unproductive months at home. Thinking long-term, it's worth more than it costs. Doesn't stop me from wishing, though.

Anyhow, one of these days, I'm gonna face it. And finish up all the paperwork for summer that's piling up. Maybe that's the real reason for my mood. Procrastination. And its aftermath.

Ramblings

Phew! What a week! I'm glad this week is almost over. It's been an eventful 4 days, not entirely good, but not entirely bad either.

First off, Kitty and I got the room we wanted for next semester. =D The 2 days before room draw were pretty upsetting, mainly because we kept getting mis-information from people who ought to know better. Still, it all ended well. Already planning out all the slumber parties and cooking we are gonna do. Yay! It's gonna be fun having a living room and bathroom of our own. Not to mention a TV, M'sian food and bubble baths!

And I don't care what my MBTI score says, I'm definitely NOT an extrovert. Maybe I should be more open towards strangers, but ah well, that's just not me. Especially when it's a whole group of unknown people, no thank you. I feel so much more at ease when I meet one new person at a time. Otherwise, I'll stay in my own comfort circle.

I would also like to announce my humble opinions on 2 well-known phrases:

1) Honesty is not always the best policy.

2) Curiosity might not kill the cat, but it can sure hurt the feline.

I guess this week has not been particularly kind to me. Don't worry, this is the downward phase of my sinuous emotional cycle. Will be up soon!

MSN Nickname War

For self protection, I hereby warn everyone that IF i go missing next school year, you all should know that my future roommate (aka Kitty) did it.

Last night, Kitty and I had a conversation on MSN. It started off with her not liking one of my comments (about her getting married *_* ) so she decided to "shoot both the messenger and source" (phrases in quotes are cited directly from Kitty). Talk about violence.

Later she decided that "no body = no crime" so she's gonna get rid of my body if she ever kills me. (Someone's been watching too much CSI.) Apparently, motive alone without the body is not enough to convict someone of a crime, so she's gonna go mafia-style and "throw my body let alligators eat".

Then the nickname war began... (all below were our nicks on MSN)

me: Help! Non-violent roommate wanted!

Kitty: delusional roommate ran away to commit suicide! if found pls call 911

me: no no no.. Kitty did it! Mafia-style!

Kitty: future (delusional) roommate having ideas that I'm part of the Mafia

me: Kitty plotting my "disappearance" next sem

Kitty: i told you she was delusional... sigh

me: if i mysteriously disappear next sem, u know who did it

Kitty: now she's talking to her dead goldfish

me: my future roommate is mean & needs to learn better chinese (2nd half related to something else in our conversation)

Kitty: "shhh... she thinks they are after her"

Kitty again: I didn't know my room was gonna be an asylum

me: it will be... since you are there =P

Kitty: sigh... delusional roommate at it again

At which point, we agreed on a truce.

I have to admit, though, next semester is gonna be fun rooming with Kitty! (that's IF I survive to enjoy it)

April Fool!

Happy April Fool's Day!

Today has been more eventful than last year's. This morning at work, I got fooled by my friend and it wasn't until he said april fool that I realized what day it was. Then, I used his "see q" to bluff someone else, and that was GOOD! Haha! This is a guy who always bombed me so today I got my revenge. Haha. Birdman, never mind, from April 2 to March 31 you can bomb me without harm. =P Oh, and the best thing was, I even managed to escape from his comeback attempt, haha, his "sam pat"-ness made him give up his trick and listen to me talk instead. =P

But it hasn't been a nice day for some of my friends, so I hope they are feeling happier now. As the saying goes, "boat reach bridge head naturally straight".

-------------------------------------------------------------

I was thinking about the story in "Love vs Marriage" (March 31, 2005) and wondering if that is absolutely, undeniably true. Must marriage be a compromise? Can't we marry our greatest love? And then I came to a conclusion.

Memories of a "great love" usually has an incomplete ending. And it is this lack of closure that makes it so enticing, it leads us to fantasize about what could have happened if certain circumstances did not occur to separate us. Look at those sappy romantic movies, someone leaves because he has to, and the girl is left dreaming of better days.

Maybe the relationship wasn't so great while we were in it, maybe there were things you absolutely could not stand. But once it ends, and especially before we stop loving each other, then every detail is glossed over. He was a strong but gentle boyfriend, she was tender and loving. You get the idea.

So even if you marry your greatest love, with time you may forget that he is the one and only for you. Close proximity for long periods of time brings out the worst in us, and soon you may find yourself dreaming of someone more "perfect" than the one you have now. Suddenly a past lover (who supposedly did not have the irksome habits of your current half) becomes your dream guy who got away.

Then what if you meet your "dream guy" again after marriage? Or even after you become attached to someone else? If love is about not appreciating what you have when you have it, what should you do if you do get a second chance?

Even if I do take a second chance, it will be an endless cycle of relationship hopping. I would forever be second guessing myself if he is the right one for me, and to what end? I agree with the story, you never know until it's gone. So why not appreciate the one you have now, and forget thoughts like "maybe there's someone else better out there"?

An eagle has flown far away, but as a friend once told me, other eagles will appear. Some black some white and some in between. =P But it doesn't mean that I have to fly as high as I can. Sometimes the best things in life can't be seen until you have both feet on the ground. And besides, hummingbirds get easily blown away by the wind if they fly too high.

Love vs Marriage

Here's something I found on my bro's bulletin board. Thought it was a pretty nice metaphor.

One day, Plato asked his teacher, "What is love? How can I find it?" His teacher answered, There is a vast wheat field in front. Walk forward without turning back, and pick only one talk. If you find the most magnificent stalk, then you have found love."

Plato walked forward, and before long, he returned with empty hands, having picked nothing. His teacher asked, Why did you not pick any stalk?"

Plato answered, "Because I could only pick once, and yet I could not turn back. I did find the most magnificent stalk, but did not know if there were any better ones ahead, so I did not pick it. As I walked further, the stalks that I saw were not as good as the earlier one, so I did not pick any in the end. His teacher then said, "And that is love."

On another day, Plato asked his teacher, "What is marriage? How can I Find it?" His teacher answered, "There is a thriving forest in front. Walk forward without turning back, and chop down only one tree. If you find the tallest tree, then you have found marriage".

Plato walked forward, and before long, he returned with a tree. The tree was not thriving, and it was not tall either. It was only an ordinary tree. His teacher asked, "Why did you chop down such an ordinary tree?"

Plato answered, "Because of my previous experience. I had walked through the field, but returned with empty hands. This time, I saw this tree, and I felt that it was not bad, so I chopped it down and brought it back. I did not want to miss the opportunity."

His teacher then said, "And that is marriage. You see son, Love is the most beautiful thing to happen to a person, its an opportunity but you don't realize its worth when you have it but only when its gone like the field of stalks. Marriage is like the tree you chopped, it's a compromise."