The wedding DVD has already taken endless hours of our time for the past month or so. I just don't really understand how can a small stupid DVD be so hard to make....yeah...and we are not done with it either....makes me super annoyed when there are obviously things to do other than this DVD.
Annie just called and said she cannot make it back on time before I teach. She wanted to come and watch TV at noon and I have been waiting for her since 11:30, thus not eating lunch properly. It's now 1 in the afternoon....I guess I am just not gonna eat. (Annie...DO NOT hang out with Jeff any more cuz you get infected...or if you do...you won't be able to complain about him being late very soon....) I also don't understand why people can never be on time, but I guess it's a habit and priority kinda thing....
I grew up being nagged by my parents about how being on time is a must, and I thought it's normal that people would be on time due to respect for the other party...and guess what? I probably only meet one person out of 20 who can be on time as promised. Everyone is always the busiest thus others have to wait for them. Maybe it's just the lack of ability to estimate?.... not able to estimate how much time one has to spend on certain things...and not able to estimate how long it takes to get to the next appointment.
Louie talked to his GF about getting married....and there is even an approximate date already...but then he said he is NOT going to propose until at least Aug or Sep. I am not even sure if that is really gonna happen cuz last time he said he didn't feel like getting married before 30 (he is like 26 now, and he said that just last month or so), but now the wedding will be around next spring or so.
It's kinda interesting huh? People don't keep their words nowadays. There are some stuff I just don't really understand why it's so hard to accomplish. It's like I never understood why my stupid visa has been getting me stuck here forever....I mean...how hard can it be to give a honest worker like me a proper status? Well...obviously hard enough to get me married at the end...hahaha....I guess God is training my patience through everything around me. Do I like the process? heck not...but I guess it's not up to me but up to the one upstairs...:p
p.s. Annie did come after all....and we ended up eating toasts with jelly...hahaha...man...at least she got her shoes settled...long story....hehehehe
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The "ME" generation
I just learned that people who were born after 70s in TW (1981) are called the "ME" generation. They are quite self centered and deeply affected by the internet. Often times the ME generation is not quipped with high EQ cuz dealing with people is not their forte since they often take themselves or what they do as the most important. Me generation is also not very prompt (on time) meeting tasks given to them, but often blames it on the environment or people around them.
Families who have ME generation at home usually only have 1-2 kids, so the ME kids usually obtain a lot more attention from parents compared to the previous generation (which might have 4-5 kids in a family). The use of internet also lets the ME kids live in their own la la land cuz basically they can avoid interacting with people in reality by doing everything on line.
Me generation is also known to have plenty of excuses. They are quite highly educated cuz it's easier to get into college in TW nowadays), thus giving them enough confidence to quit anything at any time. They can find excuses quickly to get out of their troubles, but at the same time not quite willing to fix mistakes they made.
Well....there are still positive sides of ME generation despite of all those talked above....They are very quick at accepting new things and cultuture. A lot of them are not even raised by parents, but grandparents.....thus giving them this ability to change and get used to the environment fast. (wall-head-grass in a way...) They are creative and very direct when communicating. They are willing to try new things without fully analyzing the situation. (I am not sure if we can call that being brave...?)
Honestly, I think everything depends on how people are raised. In TW the ME generation starts with people born after 1981, but they say in US it's with people born after 1970. Concepts can be vastly diff. with diff. countries and environment, but I think the most direct influence we get is from our families. I have seen people who are already around 50 years old acting exactly like the ME generation described, but I have also seen someone 20 something acting very responsible and mature.
I have met many problematic students coming from problematic families. I feel sorry for kids growing up in messed up families, but all I can do is to listen to them. I hope that does release some of their stresses and frustration. I wonder if my request of asking them to practice adds on more stress for them...hahahahaha.....ok....this is really a weird ending to wrap up what I was writing...The TW term "jump tone" would just fit me so well I tell you....
Families who have ME generation at home usually only have 1-2 kids, so the ME kids usually obtain a lot more attention from parents compared to the previous generation (which might have 4-5 kids in a family). The use of internet also lets the ME kids live in their own la la land cuz basically they can avoid interacting with people in reality by doing everything on line.
Me generation is also known to have plenty of excuses. They are quite highly educated cuz it's easier to get into college in TW nowadays), thus giving them enough confidence to quit anything at any time. They can find excuses quickly to get out of their troubles, but at the same time not quite willing to fix mistakes they made.
Well....there are still positive sides of ME generation despite of all those talked above....They are very quick at accepting new things and cultuture. A lot of them are not even raised by parents, but grandparents.....thus giving them this ability to change and get used to the environment fast. (wall-head-grass in a way...) They are creative and very direct when communicating. They are willing to try new things without fully analyzing the situation. (I am not sure if we can call that being brave...?)
Honestly, I think everything depends on how people are raised. In TW the ME generation starts with people born after 1981, but they say in US it's with people born after 1970. Concepts can be vastly diff. with diff. countries and environment, but I think the most direct influence we get is from our families. I have seen people who are already around 50 years old acting exactly like the ME generation described, but I have also seen someone 20 something acting very responsible and mature.
I have met many problematic students coming from problematic families. I feel sorry for kids growing up in messed up families, but all I can do is to listen to them. I hope that does release some of their stresses and frustration. I wonder if my request of asking them to practice adds on more stress for them...hahahahaha.....ok....this is really a weird ending to wrap up what I was writing...The TW term "jump tone" would just fit me so well I tell you....
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Teaching at Home...
Gloria came to our apartment to have lesson this morning. I guess teaching at home when the student can already drive by herself is kinda nice. She was even a little early for her lesson so I was drinking my coffee while I was teaching. (Very good to be on time....nice and polite..) The whole lesson totally reminded me of my lessons back in junior high with Mr. Zheng.
I would go to Mr. Zheng's apartment at Kaohsiung if it's vacation time, and he would always be drinking coffee. He was probably the nicest teacher I ever had throughout my whole life, but then I don't think I remember learning anything in particular from him. I guess kids really don't learn much from super nice teachers.
Tiffany cracked me up last week when she told me "You know...I told my mom I am not gonna like the substitute teacher if he/she is nice..." I was like..."huh? why?" She said "cuz I never really learn anything when all they say is 'good...that is nice...ok...beautiful...go on...' " I looked at her...and said "you know...they are not that nice....they are just liars....hahahahahaha..." Tiffany went "hey....I do play something nice occasionally right?" I answered "oh well...you just said you don't like nice teachers, so what am I supposedly to say now?...." :p
Ok...I got side tracked...I did like my nice teacher back in junior high, even though I didn't remember much of the whole learning period. The point here is....teaching at home with coffee at hand is quite nice :)
I would go to Mr. Zheng's apartment at Kaohsiung if it's vacation time, and he would always be drinking coffee. He was probably the nicest teacher I ever had throughout my whole life, but then I don't think I remember learning anything in particular from him. I guess kids really don't learn much from super nice teachers.
Tiffany cracked me up last week when she told me "You know...I told my mom I am not gonna like the substitute teacher if he/she is nice..." I was like..."huh? why?" She said "cuz I never really learn anything when all they say is 'good...that is nice...ok...beautiful...go on...' " I looked at her...and said "you know...they are not that nice....they are just liars....hahahahahaha..." Tiffany went "hey....I do play something nice occasionally right?" I answered "oh well...you just said you don't like nice teachers, so what am I supposedly to say now?...." :p
Ok...I got side tracked...I did like my nice teacher back in junior high, even though I didn't remember much of the whole learning period. The point here is....teaching at home with coffee at hand is quite nice :)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Never ending exchange....
This is a story about a never ending refrigerator exchange....yes....our blackie died again. Billy found out it was not cold at all this morning, and I double checked when I woke up. So I called "Two" the store owner (yeah....interesting name indeed) and he sent his people to give me a temporary substitute again before the new one arrives. Now we have a white little substitute at home and amazingly I can still make my teaching schedule on time with all this messed up incident. I hope the new one will arrive soon and end this never ending story....
So the moral of the story is....people have to pay for their stupid decisions....I chose to get the refrigerator at the place so I have to stand all the inconveniences....oh well...
So the moral of the story is....people have to pay for their stupid decisions....I chose to get the refrigerator at the place so I have to stand all the inconveniences....oh well...
Monday, June 25, 2007
Wedding Wedding Wedding...
Everything is about our wedding nowadays....Billy is still working on the DVD which seems like it can never be finished...so I am just sitting here uploading some recent pics on what we did on the preparation of the wedding...
We went to Almansor to check on some stuff....It turned out we need to put 12 people in one table instead of 10. So...this is the diagram of the whole banquet room.
We finished making the programs...thanks for Howard's design. The last part is for Annie to tie all the ribbons for us. Here is pics of the front, back, and some finished ones together....
Jay's wife Charlene was giving us a hair try out on Sun. Most likely my hair will just be curly with some fake extensions. Billy's hair will be ironed out straight so it looks a little longer.
We went to Almansor to check on some stuff....It turned out we need to put 12 people in one table instead of 10. So...this is the diagram of the whole banquet room.
We finished making the programs...thanks for Howard's design. The last part is for Annie to tie all the ribbons for us. Here is pics of the front, back, and some finished ones together....
Jay's wife Charlene was giving us a hair try out on Sun. Most likely my hair will just be curly with some fake extensions. Billy's hair will be ironed out straight so it looks a little longer.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Just a proof.....
Just a proof for what I was saying yesterday....here comes an e-mail from one of my ex-boss who was saying "please let me know if you need any help on your wedding" and even replied with a response card reserving two seats for both ceremony and banquet. (Worse than those who never replied in my opinion)...Read the section below which was copied and pasted directly from the e-mail.
"dear TZ
Congradulation on your wedding. You must have been very busy with the preparation...right?
I am sorry to inform you that I won't be able to attend your wedding because I have to go to
Toronto for 2 weeks with Rachel.... We are going to take Singing Water's course for 2 weeks from July 1~13th. We decided to do that in the end of May.... really sorry for that... you know... I am kind of unpredictable.... But OUR PRESENT WILL BE THERE.... Hahaha... God bless
Evan"
Just a proof....talking about disappointing people in life that you meet, one can hardly get better than this. Like I care a damn about the PRESENT, and he really knows how busy I am without ever talking to me at all.....I would not be inviting if it's not just for being polite. I wonder why I am even bothered, but I sure am....cuz it's LAME!!!!!! After all this is someone who I worked with blood and sweat for and then never even got a note or call saying at least "goodbye" while I was leaving the job. Hui-Ling jie had to treat me lunch to celebrate my leaving while she was only a part time staff. How pathetic.
There is a song called "sorry seems to be the hardest word"...but you know what? It is only the hardest word to say when you really mean it...other times....it's just an easy word to use for get ting out of everything. It's the best word to say in fact, when you make a boo boos and don't really feel like fixing it up.....In that situation then "sorry" is the best one to use for an easy get out.
Leaders who can't even keep their words sure makes a big difference in this world. Healing sessions should really be given to those around them who are hurt, not audiences thousands of miles away so they can be praised. "Unpredictable" sure is a word to use. Again....this is just a proof...a proof only...seriously....ok...fine...with my pissed off emotions in it....but still a proof....People who decide to prove themselves un-trustworthy really don't need that many chances given to them.....The results will be all the same.....no surprises, no lucks...the best way is to stay away....:p
"dear TZ
Congradulation on your wedding. You must have been very busy with the preparation...right?
I am sorry to inform you that I won't be able to attend your wedding because I have to go to
Toronto for 2 weeks with Rachel.... We are going to take Singing Water's course for 2 weeks from July 1~13th. We decided to do that in the end of May.... really sorry for that... you know... I am kind of unpredictable.... But OUR PRESENT WILL BE THERE.... Hahaha... God bless
Evan"
Just a proof....talking about disappointing people in life that you meet, one can hardly get better than this. Like I care a damn about the PRESENT, and he really knows how busy I am without ever talking to me at all.....I would not be inviting if it's not just for being polite. I wonder why I am even bothered, but I sure am....cuz it's LAME!!!!!! After all this is someone who I worked with blood and sweat for and then never even got a note or call saying at least "goodbye" while I was leaving the job. Hui-Ling jie had to treat me lunch to celebrate my leaving while she was only a part time staff. How pathetic.
There is a song called "sorry seems to be the hardest word"...but you know what? It is only the hardest word to say when you really mean it...other times....it's just an easy word to use for get ting out of everything. It's the best word to say in fact, when you make a boo boos and don't really feel like fixing it up.....In that situation then "sorry" is the best one to use for an easy get out.
Leaders who can't even keep their words sure makes a big difference in this world. Healing sessions should really be given to those around them who are hurt, not audiences thousands of miles away so they can be praised. "Unpredictable" sure is a word to use. Again....this is just a proof...a proof only...seriously....ok...fine...with my pissed off emotions in it....but still a proof....People who decide to prove themselves un-trustworthy really don't need that many chances given to them.....The results will be all the same.....no surprises, no lucks...the best way is to stay away....:p
Friday, June 22, 2007
"Promise" is such an over rated term...
"Promise" is something not many people actually keep nowadays. It is becoming more like something only a politician would use. The term is only thrown out when people are not sure if they will fulfill what they say, but at the same time wants a positive reaction from whoever they are talking to. I have had enough over promising incidents recently I think people should just stop using the term so it will still mean what it's supposed to mean in the future.
I guess the biggest disappointment came from a dear friend who said he was coming to attend our wedding but backed out. I am really not a big wedding fan (all my close friends know) and don't really care if people come or not if I am not close with the person. (and believe me I am not that close with many people..) I also do not expect people to come to my wedding from overseas cuz I know how much trouble it is if it's just for an one day event.
What bothers me the most is....everyone I know from Asia gets really excited about the whole wedding thing once they heard it, and then they promise to come...only to cancel out at the end. I am the kinda person who would not mention anything if I don't think I would be able to make it. It's ok to not be able to do certain things...(life just gets out of hand anyway)....but it's not ok to promise doing it when you are not sure that you can.
I have had enough training from my previous bosses that I should of get used to all those unfulfilled promises, but somehow it still pisses me off big time when people try to make a good impression saying things which would never happen in the 1st place. It is simply just a very irresponsible thing to do no matter it is out of good intension or just out of stupidity.
My lawyer had to cancel our original interview preparation appt a day before the appt (at 4:30 for an appt which was set to be 4 next day). They had at least more than three weeks to reschedule it but chose to not know their court appt until the last min. Right....when lawyers are so stupid and lie, I wonder why we can't tell if someone is a real criminal...
Jay will probably have to write a song by himself for our "special music" part of the wedding. Obviously the wedding is not special enough for our adopted baba to write a song on time after few months of chasing him for the song by Jay. I should of just leave that "special music" out like I wanted to if I didn't listen to Jay saying Baba would make it. After all his promised deadlines NEVER happened...I don't know what is there for me not to learn my lessons.
Jay also told me Jacob's band (which I escaped from last year) is probably not gonna have anything put together now. Thinking back about all the promises on making an album and all the "great but not so clear" visions, I am glad this is one thing I didn't remain stupid for. (even though I was stupid on hoping something good would happen with the band for at least 2 years....yeah...dumb...dumb....)
I wonder why ministry leaders often times have to "over promise" so everything looks like it's working for God's kingdom? Honestly....I think all the over promising leaders are the reason why our so called "kingdom" is looking like it is right now in most Chinese Christian communities. People are always looking forward to do "big things" but nobody wants to stay down to earth taking small steps... (and maybe keeping their promises would help?...)
My long time friend promised to be my wedding coordinator whenever I get married....and of course that is not happening....(I doubt she ever took that seriously or even remember the promise anyway...) Instead I am having Er-ge who is so busy traveling and raising his family (currently in China too..) to worry about my wedding more than I do....(even though he is not able to do anything much....but it's the heart that counts..oh...and he loves having meeting with us.....)
Annie also helped a great deal making our invitations and now on programs. Jay is stressed trying to pull the band together on top of that dealing with a missing "special song"... Joelle...poor Joelle....she is so busy preparing for her friend's wedding and yet may need to learn a new song next week....(so she can sing with Jay as a duet...) She even remembered my request of asking her to sing, even though I never ask her again cuz I thought it would be too much trouble for her.
I can go on and on and on to show you how "promise" is such an over rated term nowadays, but I am not sure it is a good idea for me to stay in crappy mood now. I guess there are some people who still take promises seriously, and also people who would do what they say...it's just sad that the proportion is about 2 out of 10 people I know.
I don't know what is up with our education nowadays. People can't even be on time you know? Time and deadline promised do not really mean anything now. Is it just because everyone is so self centered they don't understand people can actually be waiting for them? Let your yes be yes and no be no + mean what you say is such a difficult thing huh? I guess it is apparently....cuz I am saying "promise" is an over rated term...it does not mean all that if you think it does....
I guess the biggest disappointment came from a dear friend who said he was coming to attend our wedding but backed out. I am really not a big wedding fan (all my close friends know) and don't really care if people come or not if I am not close with the person. (and believe me I am not that close with many people..) I also do not expect people to come to my wedding from overseas cuz I know how much trouble it is if it's just for an one day event.
What bothers me the most is....everyone I know from Asia gets really excited about the whole wedding thing once they heard it, and then they promise to come...only to cancel out at the end. I am the kinda person who would not mention anything if I don't think I would be able to make it. It's ok to not be able to do certain things...(life just gets out of hand anyway)....but it's not ok to promise doing it when you are not sure that you can.
I have had enough training from my previous bosses that I should of get used to all those unfulfilled promises, but somehow it still pisses me off big time when people try to make a good impression saying things which would never happen in the 1st place. It is simply just a very irresponsible thing to do no matter it is out of good intension or just out of stupidity.
My lawyer had to cancel our original interview preparation appt a day before the appt (at 4:30 for an appt which was set to be 4 next day). They had at least more than three weeks to reschedule it but chose to not know their court appt until the last min. Right....when lawyers are so stupid and lie, I wonder why we can't tell if someone is a real criminal...
Jay will probably have to write a song by himself for our "special music" part of the wedding. Obviously the wedding is not special enough for our adopted baba to write a song on time after few months of chasing him for the song by Jay. I should of just leave that "special music" out like I wanted to if I didn't listen to Jay saying Baba would make it. After all his promised deadlines NEVER happened...I don't know what is there for me not to learn my lessons.
Jay also told me Jacob's band (which I escaped from last year) is probably not gonna have anything put together now. Thinking back about all the promises on making an album and all the "great but not so clear" visions, I am glad this is one thing I didn't remain stupid for. (even though I was stupid on hoping something good would happen with the band for at least 2 years....yeah...dumb...dumb....)
I wonder why ministry leaders often times have to "over promise" so everything looks like it's working for God's kingdom? Honestly....I think all the over promising leaders are the reason why our so called "kingdom" is looking like it is right now in most Chinese Christian communities. People are always looking forward to do "big things" but nobody wants to stay down to earth taking small steps... (and maybe keeping their promises would help?...)
My long time friend promised to be my wedding coordinator whenever I get married....and of course that is not happening....(I doubt she ever took that seriously or even remember the promise anyway...) Instead I am having Er-ge who is so busy traveling and raising his family (currently in China too..) to worry about my wedding more than I do....(even though he is not able to do anything much....but it's the heart that counts..oh...and he loves having meeting with us.....)
Annie also helped a great deal making our invitations and now on programs. Jay is stressed trying to pull the band together on top of that dealing with a missing "special song"... Joelle...poor Joelle....she is so busy preparing for her friend's wedding and yet may need to learn a new song next week....(so she can sing with Jay as a duet...) She even remembered my request of asking her to sing, even though I never ask her again cuz I thought it would be too much trouble for her.
I can go on and on and on to show you how "promise" is such an over rated term nowadays, but I am not sure it is a good idea for me to stay in crappy mood now. I guess there are some people who still take promises seriously, and also people who would do what they say...it's just sad that the proportion is about 2 out of 10 people I know.
I don't know what is up with our education nowadays. People can't even be on time you know? Time and deadline promised do not really mean anything now. Is it just because everyone is so self centered they don't understand people can actually be waiting for them? Let your yes be yes and no be no + mean what you say is such a difficult thing huh? I guess it is apparently....cuz I am saying "promise" is an over rated term...it does not mean all that if you think it does....
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