Friday, September 30, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Communication Breakdown
I need help! I'm having problems pitching my ideas and communicating with a certain team mate of mine and it's not because this person can't speak English. It's the intercultural barriers of communication that I face in talking to this person. I can be pretty rude sometimes and I know that but it's only because I'm trying to make a point and even though my verbal and non-verbal signals are pointing towards the same direction of the message, I fear this person still doesn't get my point and so we're constantly finding ourselves stagnent.
Dear God, please hear my cry of frustration!!!
Dear God, please hear my cry of frustration!!!
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
More Of My favorite Things
I don't know what is it about them, but I just like white T-shirts!
My weakness...as in I can't walk in them (I think these are Prada)
...but I am learning how to; slowly but surely. (This, if I'm not mistaken is by Vera Wang...or smtg like that)
In the mean time though, these are the best! Especially since I'm always on the run, both literally and metaphorically. (Good 'ol Reebok!)
A Few of My Favorite Things...
I hope to own one of my one someday...or if I'm lucky enough, my dad'll give me his!
Don't be mistaken; it's the fact that they're old yet still in love- that's my favorite thing. Hope to see my parents this way 20 years from now...
Choc-chip mint from Baskin Robbins...mmmm
Serena reminded me of this...a while ago (This I borrowed- without permission =)- from her blog.
It doesn't get better than this...
...actually, i guess it can get better =)
I wanna work and live here someday.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Procrastination
Yesterday, I said that I was having trouble doing the one thing I needed to do. today. I saw a one-hour stand up comedy about it...well sorta. If you get the chance to watch this stand up comedy, please do: It's by Elen DeGeneres. The topic was procrastination and needless to say, she spoke about everyhing else under the sun except procrastination- the irony. What's even more ironic was that her comedy was titled "Here and Now". But I must say it was very Here And Now and practical. So if you can
GO WATCH IT NOW!!!
Her parting words, and I quote: Procrastinate NOW! Don't put it off!
And so with that, I'm gonna find something to do, other than what I'm actually s'pose to do. =)
GO WATCH IT NOW!!!
Her parting words, and I quote: Procrastinate NOW! Don't put it off!
And so with that, I'm gonna find something to do, other than what I'm actually s'pose to do. =)
Monday, September 26, 2005
Cannot-lah
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Trust Issues
A funny thing happened to me on the way to college today- I got into a cab with three total strangers because I was about to be late for class. I never just get into a cab with anyone so this was my first time, out of desperation. One was a working young lady, another was a girl from my communication calss (ok, so she was not a total stranger but still, I didn't even know her name!...and i still don't), and yet another was a guy form college but another department so I had not seen him before. I say it's funny because it was ironic that I had trusted total strangers (putiing aside the fact that they were all nice-looking people because daddy always said never to trust strangers no matter how good or nice they looked) but right now find it hard to trust some of the really close people in my life.
It really is a strong word, isn't it, this word TRUST. What does it mean to you?
Trust to me means being able to say to another person, "hey, I know I can depend on you and I know that you'll come through for me no matter the cost so thanks buddy" and to have hope and faith in that person. I remember when I was in primary school we had this game we'd play called "trust". I'm sure you would've played in some time in your life. The idea of the game is to fall from a high place (we would stack up tables and chairs to get the desired height) and have people waiting to catch your fall at the bottom. I used to metaphorically name These People family (because I really didn't have that many friends I could trust back then) but now, I'm not that sure if Those People are still under the Family category anymore...Sometimes, or rather lately, it's been a lot more easier to trust people I don't know very well, people whom I've just met about a couple of weeks ago and that is scary- not being able to trust family no more.
But, with all that's been said and done if there's someone that you KNOW will ALWAYS have your back no matter the cost, you KNOW that that person is Jesus. I have seen the realism of that trust once and I know I will see it agian. I am not be the most pias person (I'd like to meet the person who claims to be though=) ) in the world but I know how real and how dependable he can be. There's this song that I just love singing because I feel a sense of assurance that He is always around and dependable.
Through It All
by Hillsong
album: Blessed (2002)
You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all
But then again, being as human as I am, there are times I wish there is that physical person that I can see to trust and like I said before, Family just doesn't seem to be one of 'em anymore, which really isn't a very good thing.
I'm contradicting myself, aren't I?
It really is a strong word, isn't it, this word TRUST. What does it mean to you?
Trust to me means being able to say to another person, "hey, I know I can depend on you and I know that you'll come through for me no matter the cost so thanks buddy" and to have hope and faith in that person. I remember when I was in primary school we had this game we'd play called "trust". I'm sure you would've played in some time in your life. The idea of the game is to fall from a high place (we would stack up tables and chairs to get the desired height) and have people waiting to catch your fall at the bottom. I used to metaphorically name These People family (because I really didn't have that many friends I could trust back then) but now, I'm not that sure if Those People are still under the Family category anymore...Sometimes, or rather lately, it's been a lot more easier to trust people I don't know very well, people whom I've just met about a couple of weeks ago and that is scary- not being able to trust family no more.
But, with all that's been said and done if there's someone that you KNOW will ALWAYS have your back no matter the cost, you KNOW that that person is Jesus. I have seen the realism of that trust once and I know I will see it agian. I am not be the most pias person (I'd like to meet the person who claims to be though=) ) in the world but I know how real and how dependable he can be. There's this song that I just love singing because I feel a sense of assurance that He is always around and dependable.
Through It All
by Hillsong
album: Blessed (2002)
You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You
I'll sing to You Lord
A hymn of Love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all
But then again, being as human as I am, there are times I wish there is that physical person that I can see to trust and like I said before, Family just doesn't seem to be one of 'em anymore, which really isn't a very good thing.
I'm contradicting myself, aren't I?
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Overwhelmed
I'm right now in this state where I'm just so overwhelmed with so much work and don't know where to begin. Well, actually sratch that; I DO know where to begin- my two very long and very boring chapters of Communication In the Workplace because of its upcoming test. Somehow though, I just can't seem to study and the reason why I'm here blogging is because I just couldn't concerntrate! But that aside, I've three other major assignments to complete in like a month, all of which are due on the same week by the way, and they require a whole lot of research- I'm sure fellow students can relate. And then there's this whole problem I have right now with my finance management. I need more money. Why? Simple really- so I can stop living of my mom's because she's always irritating me by saying "I can't be paying for everything!"(and lately, it's ALL she ever argues about at the mention of money-related discussions!)
Nothing has been going my way ever since I got home from college today. My job application was turned down, I couldn't fit into my favorite pair of jeans, I qurraled with mom (yet again, this time because she didn't take me to the optician when she PROMISSED to, giving the same excuse she has been for the past whole week- "'ve got a headache"), I'm practically going blind in one eye and mom doesn't believe me AND I'm broke. Could this day GET any worse? Honestly, I feel like crying right now...man I just wish I could call someone up and talk to 'em(because I always feel better after talking to someone- dosen't have to be about the problem- I just need to talk) but I can't do that because everyone else is probably studying/doing assignments/sleeping/busy...
So, I think I'll just go soak my pillow and blast happy music. Then hopefully I'll feel a lil better and I can finnish at least two chapters of what I have to study. Please excuse me...
Nothing has been going my way ever since I got home from college today. My job application was turned down, I couldn't fit into my favorite pair of jeans, I qurraled with mom (yet again, this time because she didn't take me to the optician when she PROMISSED to, giving the same excuse she has been for the past whole week- "'ve got a headache"), I'm practically going blind in one eye and mom doesn't believe me AND I'm broke. Could this day GET any worse? Honestly, I feel like crying right now...man I just wish I could call someone up and talk to 'em(because I always feel better after talking to someone- dosen't have to be about the problem- I just need to talk) but I can't do that because everyone else is probably studying/doing assignments/sleeping/busy...
So, I think I'll just go soak my pillow and blast happy music. Then hopefully I'll feel a lil better and I can finnish at least two chapters of what I have to study. Please excuse me...
Monday, September 12, 2005
The Valour of My Tongue
Why is it that we tend to assume that good character traits go together with other good ones? We assume that just because this person is really good and kind at heart, he/she would never be capable of saying anything bad. If you ask a mass comm student (i say student because most theories don't apply when you're actually working hands-on in that field), he/she would say that we practise the Implicit Personality Theory meaning you subconciously group a set of characteristics based on what you see. So, if you see the good in a person, you assume he/she is all good. I myself am guilty of doing just that- today. I guess I forgot that this person is after all, a mere human being... It's nothing super-huge, it's just that I never really thought that this person would ever bruise another with the 'valour of his/her tongue'. Like I said, I finally saw the mortal in that person.
'Valour of my tongue'. Shakespeare used that phrase in reference to the power of Lady Macbeth's words in leading her husband on to take the throne based on a prophecy in his play Macbeth. IT was to show how mere words can make a man so driven to achieve his dreams and over-throw his king and replace him. Boyzone (I can't remember the original singer) did a re-make on the song 'It's Only Words' saying that all they have are words to sweep a woman off her feet and to 'take (her) heart away'. Such is the power of words and should you not use them wisely, regret is bound to be felt. As they say in the principals of human communication, 'communication is inevitable, ireverseable and unrepeatable. So, because we can't un-communicate what we say, it's best to think before we talk. But really, it's a lot easier said than done (yeah, I see those heads nodding) ain't it people?
Yes, I've said some things, done some not very nice things but does that alter people's perception of me? Do they now think I'm not really the good girl I was perceived to be? Have I hurt poeple so dear to me in doing this? Have I made people feel small? Have I whacked them so hard with my words that they're afraid to come near me? Have I lost precious friendships this way? In all honesty, I'm not sure if I can say yes to all these questions but i'm sure it's true. Do I feel regret? Witout a doubt. What have I done about it? Sadly, nothing much because in the words of a friend, "Once said (hurtful words), they can't be retrieved and a mere sorry sure wouldn't suffice" (In, 2005). All I can do is say sorry but 'sorry' won't fix it. 'Sorry' is not gonna make the pain go away and 'sorry' sure as heck isn't gonna allow that other person to look at you the same way again.
So, here I am asking, what can you do to mend something like this? It's not as simple to move on as it is to pour chocolate syrup on your waffels...is it?
'Valour of my tongue'. Shakespeare used that phrase in reference to the power of Lady Macbeth's words in leading her husband on to take the throne based on a prophecy in his play Macbeth. IT was to show how mere words can make a man so driven to achieve his dreams and over-throw his king and replace him. Boyzone (I can't remember the original singer) did a re-make on the song 'It's Only Words' saying that all they have are words to sweep a woman off her feet and to 'take (her) heart away'. Such is the power of words and should you not use them wisely, regret is bound to be felt. As they say in the principals of human communication, 'communication is inevitable, ireverseable and unrepeatable. So, because we can't un-communicate what we say, it's best to think before we talk. But really, it's a lot easier said than done (yeah, I see those heads nodding) ain't it people?
Yes, I've said some things, done some not very nice things but does that alter people's perception of me? Do they now think I'm not really the good girl I was perceived to be? Have I hurt poeple so dear to me in doing this? Have I made people feel small? Have I whacked them so hard with my words that they're afraid to come near me? Have I lost precious friendships this way? In all honesty, I'm not sure if I can say yes to all these questions but i'm sure it's true. Do I feel regret? Witout a doubt. What have I done about it? Sadly, nothing much because in the words of a friend, "Once said (hurtful words), they can't be retrieved and a mere sorry sure wouldn't suffice" (In, 2005). All I can do is say sorry but 'sorry' won't fix it. 'Sorry' is not gonna make the pain go away and 'sorry' sure as heck isn't gonna allow that other person to look at you the same way again.
So, here I am asking, what can you do to mend something like this? It's not as simple to move on as it is to pour chocolate syrup on your waffels...is it?
Friday, September 09, 2005
When A Bad Day Turns Around
I normally look forward to Fridays (like many others) because it's a day closer to the weekend. This morning was fine until about 10.30a.m.. See, I only have one class on Fridays and that ends at 11.30a.m but today my lecturer let us off early but told us to stay back for this communication-related event that was to happen at noon. So there I was, feeling a lil frustrated because I was just sitting there doing practically nothing (I was trying to kill time by looking at my textbook for research material, but it was so not working) and I hate doing nothing. That's just me- I can't even sit/stand still for 5 minutes let alone two blessed hours! I'm always doing something; I don't normally just watch tv either- I'll always be doing something else. Now, I rest my case about the whole I-can't-sit-still-thing; I think you get the idea =)
So anyways, then I thought since I was gonna be around college for a while I may as well do something I like and so I did. I went for lunch with a friend...hehe. But it's not like I like eating lucnch with someone per-say, it's more like just being able to get together with a friend and doing something and, because people often assiociate get-togethers with food, that's what we did. It was really funny at first because we were deciding on waht to have so it started off with 'mamak' but there was nothing nice coz we went after the lunch hour so we decided to get something at the mall since we were both heading in that direction. Ok, so still deciding on what to eat, and then somehow the conversation just went to I-like-bread. Yeap, after all that head-cracking and fancy 'mamak' stall plans there we were at a bakery, both very contended with our peanut butter roll and custard ring and both enjoying the company. It's interesting how everytime we talk I find yet another thing that we both have in common...
I do have a point in this story about my lunch date...somewhere =) To me, it's always a joy to be able to have little meet-ups like this simply because I love having one-on-one talks. I get very excited whenever I meet up with small groups of poeple more so if I haven't seen them in a long time. I can't really find the words right now to describe the feeling but if you're anything at all like me, you'd understand =) It's one of the best feeling in the world- besides immersing yourself in a great time of singing songs to God... So, thanks Serena for that wonderfull time of fellowship...hope you did your 10 minutes...lolz
Oh, btw, these are more pictures from dinner last month with Tasha (pics courtesy of Mickey):
Mickey and I...she's gone back to the U.K now...missing you already babes...
From the left: Mickey, Dashi and me
Tasha and I...she's not around too...man...all these people are leaving. Will I?
I'm still waiting for the engagement pictures to me mailed to me so patience yah? =)
So anyways, then I thought since I was gonna be around college for a while I may as well do something I like and so I did. I went for lunch with a friend...hehe. But it's not like I like eating lucnch with someone per-say, it's more like just being able to get together with a friend and doing something and, because people often assiociate get-togethers with food, that's what we did. It was really funny at first because we were deciding on waht to have so it started off with 'mamak' but there was nothing nice coz we went after the lunch hour so we decided to get something at the mall since we were both heading in that direction. Ok, so still deciding on what to eat, and then somehow the conversation just went to I-like-bread. Yeap, after all that head-cracking and fancy 'mamak' stall plans there we were at a bakery, both very contended with our peanut butter roll and custard ring and both enjoying the company. It's interesting how everytime we talk I find yet another thing that we both have in common...
I do have a point in this story about my lunch date...somewhere =) To me, it's always a joy to be able to have little meet-ups like this simply because I love having one-on-one talks. I get very excited whenever I meet up with small groups of poeple more so if I haven't seen them in a long time. I can't really find the words right now to describe the feeling but if you're anything at all like me, you'd understand =) It's one of the best feeling in the world- besides immersing yourself in a great time of singing songs to God... So, thanks Serena for that wonderfull time of fellowship...hope you did your 10 minutes...lolz
Oh, btw, these are more pictures from dinner last month with Tasha (pics courtesy of Mickey):
Mickey and I...she's gone back to the U.K now...missing you already babes...
From the left: Mickey, Dashi and me
Tasha and I...she's not around too...man...all these people are leaving. Will I?
I'm still waiting for the engagement pictures to me mailed to me so patience yah? =)
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
What I saw on Monday morning was, to me, a sight to behold! I actually saw people queing up for a taxi! It was at the Bangsar LRT station. I say it's a sight to behold because I've never seen Malaysians do such a thing. It made me wonder if Malaysians have actually learnt to be civil or was it because the line for the Putra bus was untill the stairs. Either way, believe it or not, it kinda made my day- I hate Monday mornings remember?- knowing that not all KLians are ruthless.
I had quite a weekend. I spent it at Cameron Highlands with my aunt, her family (my cousins) and my family.
Cameron Highlands= wonky hotel+ awesome view+ great tea with scones (that was so English man...)+ strawberries and cream+ foosball+ pool
Then came the part that totally ruined the holiday. I'll spare you the details but I'll tell you this: My mom, sis, cousin and I ended up taking a taxi home from Tapah because our car died on us. It's got major engine problems and so now it's in Taiping in the custody of one of my uncles, and the car is getting a by-pass. So much for finally getting my driver's license in hand huh? Sad really.
I'll post up pictures soon...till the next post, ciao.
I had quite a weekend. I spent it at Cameron Highlands with my aunt, her family (my cousins) and my family.
Cameron Highlands= wonky hotel+ awesome view+ great tea with scones (that was so English man...)+ strawberries and cream+ foosball+ pool
Then came the part that totally ruined the holiday. I'll spare you the details but I'll tell you this: My mom, sis, cousin and I ended up taking a taxi home from Tapah because our car died on us. It's got major engine problems and so now it's in Taiping in the custody of one of my uncles, and the car is getting a by-pass. So much for finally getting my driver's license in hand huh? Sad really.
I'll post up pictures soon...till the next post, ciao.
About me
- I'm Naveena
- From Auckland, New Zealand
- I'm rough around the edges but, I'm God's working progress. I don't allow myself to bruise easily but I sometimes I can't help it. I love wholly and there isn't much that I hate. I believe that life is about the journey and not the destination because by default, the former determines the latter. Yes, I am THAT girl.