I've started to spend a little more time with work and colleagues, and decreasingly with the church and friends. Living in a house with six other people from church has an advantage though. I no longer have to make plans to go out and meet other people - I hang out with those I live with, in the house! The dark, cold, wet and windy weather does have a part to play in that too admittedly.
After two years living in London, I have to say, it's only been recently I've started to feel relaxed here.
For a lot of reasons, I was quite quiet in the office and just went about with my own tasks without too much interaction with the people around me. One of the reasons was I felt so different from people, I was sure people were judging me, measuring my words and actions or looking down at me. I was pretty much, afraid of the people around me.
Two weeks ago, one of my colleagues commented, "A year ago we couldn't get you to talk. Now we can't get you to stop talking." Apparently I've blossomed right in front of her eyes. Because suddenly I was talking most of the time and people from different business units who walk past the sales floor seem to often stop to chat, joke, shake my chair to say hi. There was actually a day when I started to feel aggravated that so many people were stopping to say hi to me because it was interrupting my concentration at work.
All because I recently learned a neat little trick. Apparently, when you actually genuinely like people, guess what? They somehow genuinely like you back in return! Funny innit.
"We love (God) because He first loved us." 1 John 18:19
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14
Funny concept. To receive, you first need to give.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Give first before taking
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Monday, November 23, 2009
Unexplored territories
One thing I've been marvelling for a while now is how since coming to London, it seems I have been naturally pushed to explore different facets of myself in ways that staying in Malaysia would never have allowed.
When I first came, I wanted to try so many different things that friends were a bit tired of listening to me go on about taking up some new hobby. After 2 years, seems that has settled a bit and am focused in some areas and not as keen to take up anything new.
Painting is still an area of interest, but inspiration is hard to come by. But one of my housemate is an artist and when I have time and energy, may take up art lessons from her.
Music is an area that has grown and blossomed in a way I never expected. The piano is a good and familiar friend right now and I surprise myself the most by how much time I spend with it. I still remember one point of time not being able to do anything with it unless I have some music scores in front of me but even then it was a struggle understanding the relationship between the piano and my fingers.
The other real passion that I have recently discovered is kung fu! :)
I've been taking lessons from a chap from China who used to teach kung fu to the Chinese army (yes, he really is good!) for seven months now and absolutely love it! It's also affirming and encouraging to have my fellow classmates tell me for someone who has only recently started on it, I catch on pretty quick.
At any rate, time is running out now. Need to sleep as I have a busy week ahead of me.
When I first came, I wanted to try so many different things that friends were a bit tired of listening to me go on about taking up some new hobby. After 2 years, seems that has settled a bit and am focused in some areas and not as keen to take up anything new.
Painting is still an area of interest, but inspiration is hard to come by. But one of my housemate is an artist and when I have time and energy, may take up art lessons from her.
Music is an area that has grown and blossomed in a way I never expected. The piano is a good and familiar friend right now and I surprise myself the most by how much time I spend with it. I still remember one point of time not being able to do anything with it unless I have some music scores in front of me but even then it was a struggle understanding the relationship between the piano and my fingers.
The other real passion that I have recently discovered is kung fu! :)
I've been taking lessons from a chap from China who used to teach kung fu to the Chinese army (yes, he really is good!) for seven months now and absolutely love it! It's also affirming and encouraging to have my fellow classmates tell me for someone who has only recently started on it, I catch on pretty quick.
At any rate, time is running out now. Need to sleep as I have a busy week ahead of me.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Messed up commute
Mood's been pretty foul this week. Wet, dark winter days and my daily commute messed up because a bridge has collapsed along the way. I have to wake up extra early to make a longer commute through trains and buses. Grr.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Ping Pong
Last week I joined my business division in the company for dinner. It was at a trendy Chinese dim sum restaurant I heard of a few times which people raved about how good it was though it was expensive. And so I was naturally excited about it. Most of my female colleagues were excited about the cocktails which was raved about as well. I was just keen on food.
Thank God for lack of enzymes to break down the alcohol. Rather than experience an induced euphoric state of mind by alcohol, it seems my body now completely rejects alcohol by threatening to throw up my innards, get a mind pounding headache or dizziness + headache.
Anyway, food was edible *notice lack of excitement*. Cocktails were good (I had one and proceeded to feel mildly nauseous and headachy). The restaurant's ambience was definitely posh and fun. Portions were ridiculously small for a hefty price tag. Thank God it was on the company.
But company (ie people) was good! So everyone ended up enjoying themselves anyway.
If you're Chinese and you're fussy about food stay far away. The bill at the end of the night will make you go hopping mad.