the journey

Reunions

2005-07-15T08:34:00.000+02:00

I met up with several good friends the past week and it was really great to see them again. Over the weekend I went to Prague and met up with two Uni friends from Canada. I haven't seen them for over a year and it was a small reunion of sorts. It was definitely nice to hear some familiar voices, laugh over our past year's experiences, and speak normal "Canadian" for once! The city itself was not spectacular - in fact I didn't think it was that great. It rained quite a bit (with hail!) and the Czech food was inedible. But I was just glad that I had a chance to meet up with two friends back home. It was almost surreal to see a familiar face in the midst of a foreign train station. After I saw them, I couldn't get the stupid grin off my face. I think I have been here for too long and I need to go home. This whole experience has worned down a bit - I am ready now.

I had another visitor last night and sad to say, he is going home from Germany next week. It was really nice to catch up the few months we have spent working at Siemens in our own individual tiny towns. We cooked some food and we just kept eating, chatting and laughing. Definitely much better than my usual evening! We headed out to a Biergarten after and chatted some more. Unfortunately, he had to take a train back early this morning. It is a beautiful day today - sunny and warm. But it was rather difficult to see the train slowly glide past me as I stood on the platform. Thanks for everything. And like I said: "See you later."

London Attacks

2005-07-08T10:02:00.000+02:00

It is a chilling thought that in one month, I too will be touring London and the United Kingdom. What if this bomb attack did not occur yesterday, but a month later? I think that for some Canadians, living in "safe" countries, they think that this type of terror will not happen to them. It is someone else's problem. It is America's problem. It is the Middle East's problem. And now it is London's problem. What happens when it suddenly becomes your problem? Canada's problem?

No one is truly safe from these horrors, and we must appreciate that we are extremely lucky to live in a peaceful and relatively safe land. Can you imagine living in London now, after the attacks, frightened that the person sitting beside you in the Tube might be carrying an explosive device? How would you feel taking your children into the city? Tony Blair says that "Britons will not be terrorized". But the fear has already been instilled. This is scarier than during the Blitz during the second World War. At least then, you could see the enemy, you could see the bombers. As such, you could actively defend against it. This is different. The enemy is invisible. Anyone could be the enemy. How could you defend against something you can't see? That is the effect of terrorist attacks.

I finally begin to understand the reason for the Iraq war. There was no real choice. After the attacks on September 11th, America could not just sit back as if nothing has happened. It had to actively do something to prevent another attack. The people would have demanded it. Never mind the misdirection, Guantamino Bay, and the insurgency. What would we have done if 9/11 happened on our soil? Would our response be different? I want to point out that the US, Britain, and other coalition forces are fighting the war for us. They are paying with the lives of their men and women in Iraq, in Afganistan and now even on their home soil. As much as I dislike George W. Bush and his policies, you have to give some credit to them for actually doing something about the problem. I mean, they had to do something. The least we could do is not critize their every move and blunder. The least we could do is show some support to our neighbours south of the border. Because we are extremely lucky - it could have happened to us.

Are you addicted to computer games?

2005-07-07T09:30:00.000+02:00

Here is an interesting article I read today: "Online gaming: Technology brings a new addiction". The article even has a questionaire, to see if you are addicted to computer games. Considering the countless of hours I spent playing Starcraft, Diablo II, Sim City, and other games, I will provide my answers as of one year ago. I knew I had to stop playing - so I didn't bring any computer games with me to Germany.

Now I am hooked on Freecell and 3D Space Cadet Pinball (from Windows)... sad.

Are you addicted?

If the answer is yes to five or more questions below, you may be addicted to being online or electronic gaming:

Are you unable to predict the amount of time you will spend online or gaming? (yes)

Do you have attempts to control the behavior for an extended period of time? (yes)

Do you have a sense of euphoria while engaged in the activity? (yes)

Are you craving more time online or gaming? (yes)

Are you neglecting family and friends? (mm... sometimes)

Are you feeling restless, irritable or discontent when not engaged in the activity? (no)

Are you lying to family and employers about the habit? (no)

Are you experiencing problems with school or job performance? (... haha maybe I would have done better if I didn't play Diablo II two or more hours per day)

Are you feeling guilt, shame, anxiety or depression as a result of the behavior? (yes, guilt)

Do you have changing sleep patterns? (well... sort of)

Are you developing health issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain, weight change and backaches? (haha no.)

Are you denying, rationalizing, and minimizing adverse consequences stemming from use? (no)

Are you withdrawing from real-life hobbies and social interactions? (lol... no)

Do you obsess about sexual acting out through gaming or other Internet applications? (WTF? no! I mean there are not that many girls who play Diablo II... seriously.)

Do you have an enhanced persona to find cyberlove or cybersex? (Definitely- I mean, no.)

Source: Reality Quest Institute Web site

***
My score: 5 Yes, 2 Maybe, 6 No. I guess I was addicted! Hehe! Now where is my prize?

What's your score?

Lost and ... so retarded

2005-07-06T09:20:00.000+02:00

I had a really shitty morning. I come out of my building to grab my bike and what? Where is it? I remember parking it here last night! I mean who on earth would want to steal that piece of crap? It is purple AND grey with squeaky brakes. Ugliest piece of metal in the city. And it is a girl's bike.

Which is not my fault - I borrowed it for free from my aunt :P Which also means it is a big problem when someone steals it...

Man... this city is going to hell...

I looked around in front of the building for 10 minutes or so, and I couldn't find anything. Then I thought: when was the last time I used it? Well, I came home last night with it, so it should be here! Wait. I went to the store before coming home - did I leave it there? There was a very very small chance that it would be there because I didn't recall walking 10 minutes home instead of taking the bike! But that was really the last lead I had, so what the hell... I was cursing along the way and figuring out where I could buy a cheap bike to replace it.

I round the corner to the store, and I see the Turkish people unloading the truck of vegetables. WTF? There it was, standing beside the store, happily waiting for me and probably laughing hysterically at my retardedness. I couldn't believe it! That means, I walked home from the store with no recollection of it happening! What was I thinking (or not thinking) about!!

This also proves that I am bored out of my mind.

2005-07-05T15:41:00.001+02:00

Dresden 033
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Dresden!

2005-07-05T15:41:00.000+02:00

Dresden 058
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

The famous Semperoper (Opera house)

2005-07-05T14:44:00.000+02:00

Dresden 063
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Moody buildings

2005-07-05T14:41:00.000+02:00

Dresden 074
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

A brief break from walking

2005-07-05T14:26:00.000+02:00

Dresden 108
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Does this make you believe in God?

2005-07-05T14:02:00.000+02:00

Dresden 011
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Inside the mansion...

2005-07-05T14:01:00.000+02:00

Dresden 014
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Our "Ferienwohnung" or "Holiday home"... it was a huge mansion along the Elbe river! Awesome place!

2005-07-05T13:57:00.000+02:00

Dresden 182
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Beautiful rock bridge

2005-07-05T13:56:00.000+02:00

Dresden 173
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Journeying upwards

2005-07-05T13:49:00.001+02:00

Dresden 191
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Awe

2005-07-05T13:49:00.000+02:00

Dresden 184
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Amazing rock formations at the Saechisches Schweiz (Saxon Switzerland)

2005-07-05T13:47:00.000+02:00

Dresden 221
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

The river Elbe winds through the rocky terrain

2005-07-05T13:44:00.000+02:00

Dresden 217
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Mountain climbing anyone?

2005-07-05T13:43:00.000+02:00

Dresden 242
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

The "Flush" waterfall - someone releases the dam every 30 minutes so the waterfall can be timed to music!

2005-07-05T13:42:00.000+02:00

Dresden 247
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Fancy setup for eating frozen pizza...

2005-07-05T13:41:00.000+02:00

Dresden 250
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Prost! (with Apple juice...)

Ameisenbekaempfung

2005-07-01T15:57:00.000+02:00

Never mind the German - the picture is self explanatory. I love the comment in the email I received this in: "Killing ants the German way".

Even the word "Ameisenbekaempfung" or "Ant Killing" is long. Hooray for German over-engineering!

New features

2005-06-30T17:31:00.000+02:00

You might have noticed some new changes to the blog. I thought the site was a bit bland...

The "Word of the Day" is to encourage me to study for the GRE, and to give you a taste of what memorizing hundreds of useless vocabulary is like. Those who have taken one of the dumb American tests will sympathize. You learn something everyday, so today is the word "Abscond" or "to leave secretly".

I visit the posted links fairly regularly, though I can only read the news sites at work (which is what I mostly do there...) My favourite web series is "Red vs. Blue" - it is currently finished its 3rd season with a whopping 57 funny episodes. Basically, the creators took animation directly from the XBox game Halo, dubbed in voices, and made it into a series of short videos. The key is that it is not the shooting or killing that is particularly good, but the dialogue and the story! New viewers can download most of the early episodes from the Internet Movie Archive. The Daily Show is a funny look at the "absurdity" in today's current events and host Jon Stewart is amazing. Ifilm has the best collection of movie trailers, funny, strange, stupid clips and viral videos. My favourite is "Hockey with Jules Winnfield" with Samuel L Jackson. Enjoy!

Take two

2005-06-30T17:22:00.000+02:00

I am retaking the GRE.

Yup. After much hair-pulling and squirming, I booked the stupid test again and even purchased a book this morning. Now I have NO chance of changing my mind because over $170 is now invested into it. At the end, it was a choice between laziness and writing the test. I took choice B. Really there is no real reason that I shouldn't take it. I was just lazy and didn't want to study the stupid test again. Memorizing words which no one ever uses is not very fun after a day of sitting at the office. But no turning back now - I write on July 22, which is the same day I fly to Florence :P

At least I have something to look forward to AFTER the retardedness ends.

And thank you to those who contacted me today - it really helped me. Today has been a lot better, and ever since I booked the exam, it felt like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. The weather is beautiful today - sunny with some clouds, and NOT blisteringly hot. I am actually not sweating at work. Unlike the past week.

Talk about a sweatshop!

Feeling strange

2005-06-29T17:30:00.000+02:00

I don't know how to describe it. I'm not angry or sad, but I'm not content either. I mean, I have no reason not to be happy - I have went on countless trips all around Euorpe, I don't have much work (at all), I have food, shelter and the basics covered, but I still don't feel satisfied. I'm just frustrated, and apprehensive right now. I am frustrated because I don't feel useful at work, and scared of going home to school. The boredom and loneliness is really getting to me. There is nothing to do seemingly. I always worry about the upcoming stress of school, thesis and applying to grad school. I was very happy to chat with a few friends on the phone yesterday - it made me a bit happier. But not completely. I guess I am expecting something that will never come. It makes me angry thinking about that.

That's why this blog is empty - nothing special is happening. Well my aunt, uncle and relatives showed up in Frankfurt last weekend - it was really nice to see them again. I'll take them on a tour of Dresden and the surrounding areas in a few days. What else... A few coworkers finished this week and left the department, including two younger interns... I am debating constantly over the GRE and whether to write it again. I mean, I know I should write it but I am so lazy, and I doubt I will increase my score significantly. Then again, I have nothing better to do at home. I don't know - I just keep seesawing between writing and not writing. I know it would be better for me because I have a chance to improve my score, but it is not that easy to increase the score for the Verbal section. People do not suddenly become better at Engish - it is a gradual process. So it seems that the effort to study and write the test would not really be worth it... I don't know.

I think the heat is also getting to me...

Real work

2005-06-22T17:54:00.000+02:00

Amazing. I actually did real work today and not brainless, repetitive tasks for trained monkeys. See, normally I do two things at work: 1) surf the Internet, and 2) test cameras and lenses. I have been doing that for 3 months now and it is so boring. I mean both of them - surfing and testing. You can only read so many news articles one day before they just become furiously bland. Earthquake happened here, X number of people injured. Xx number of Iraqis killed in suicide bombing. Sport team X wins. I even installed this automatic randomizer for the net, so when I surf, I click this "Stumble Upon" button (Firefox extension!) and it will randomly generate a site based on my preferences. I found some pretty interesting sites... hehe

That's NON-pornographic.

Anyways, I actually did some programming today to control the camera and to analyse the images. As much as I hate programming in general, it was very refreshing to do something different, and something that does not require stupid clicking. This should keep it interesting for a while...

Fußball

2005-06-21T17:43:00.000+02:00

Or "soccer" as we know it... I went to see the Confederations Cup game in Nuernberg between Argentina and Australia last Saturday with a bunch of friends. I've never seen a live match before (neither have I seen a live hockey game - blame the staggering ticket prices!) so it was pretty exciting. I rooted for Australia, the clear underdogs, just for fun. I made up something about how I was part of the Commonwealth (HK and Canada) and so are the Aussies... anyways there was a lot of scoring which made it more interesting to watch - we had decent seats for the price we paid. Most of the action happened on our side - including two penalty kicks! The problem with the live game is that if you don't watch closely, you will just miss the goal completely. And there were the "superfans" who were screaming, yelling, chanting, singing, and jumping all the way through.

At the end, Argentina's 3-0 lead proved too much for the Aussies who did catch up 2 goals late in the second half. At least the kept the game entertaining!

Final score 4-2.

Greece!

2005-06-16T09:52:00.000+02:00

Greece 480
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

The Oracle at Delphi... another pile of rocks...

2005-06-16T09:51:00.000+02:00

Greece 035
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

... I think the dog wants some of that...

2005-06-16T09:50:00.001+02:00

Greece 053
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Passing through another tiny village

2005-06-16T09:50:00.000+02:00

Greece 070
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

local traffic congestion

2005-06-16T09:48:00.001+02:00

Greece 114
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Driving through winding mountainous roads

2005-06-16T09:48:00.000+02:00

Greece 127
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

last light

2005-06-16T09:47:00.000+02:00

Greece 141
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Sparkling light at Ioannina

2005-06-16T09:46:00.000+02:00

Greece 199
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

At Meteora, there are giant stone columns and sheer cliffs. There were once 24 Monasteries perched upon these columns, only 7 remain today. You can see one monastery in the centre of the photo.

2005-06-16T09:45:00.000+02:00

Greece 232
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

red and purple

2005-06-16T09:43:00.001+02:00

Greece 237
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

View from a monastery in Meteora

2005-06-16T09:43:00.000+02:00

Greece 297
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

I never realized how much was missing from the Acropolis...

2005-06-16T09:42:00.001+02:00

Greece 317
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Too sunny!

2005-06-16T09:42:00.000+02:00

Greece 358
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

According to the description, the Greeks played a game using curved sticks to hit a ball... sounds like hockey...

2005-06-16T09:40:00.000+02:00

Greece 364
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Can you believe that it is made out of bronze?! It looks so life-like!

2005-06-16T09:39:00.000+02:00

Greece 381
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Athens: View of the Acropolis

2005-06-16T09:38:00.000+02:00

Greece 426
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Sunset

2005-06-16T09:37:00.000+02:00

Greece 436
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Domes and Arches

2005-06-16T09:35:00.000+02:00

Greece 401
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Hmm... where are the donuts and muffins at Coffee Time?

Ein Jahr...

2005-06-05T17:01:00.000+02:00

On June 4, 2004, I left Canadian soil for the strange and wonderful land of Deutschland. You know how they say that this experience will be “the experience of a lifetime!” and “you are going to learn so much!” or “you are going to come back a changed person!” Well… A year later, I can look back at what I have done, learned and accomplished.

The obvious things are easy. My German isn’t great, but I can get around fine, chat with people (slowly), read the newspaper (slowly), pick up German girls (…), and understand the announcements on the train (“Bitte zurueck bleiben!” and other variations of that) I still have my share of stare-blankly-cause-I-understood-none-of-that, and nod-and-smile-and-hope-they-stop-talking, but that has slowly decreased over this year. From no German one year ago, I’m pretty happy with the progress, but I wish I could speak more fluently.

Travel has been another big thing. Not very often do you get to see so many things in such a short span of time. I don’t know if I could even list all the places I have been to. I think I will work on making a map of my travels, and where I have been. I don’t know which place is my favourite – every land has its distinct flavour and culture. I loved the Spanish weather, and the colour of Barcelona – especially the unique architecture by Gaudi. Salzburg was a wonderful small town with a river winding through it and a castle perched on the hill overlooking the city. Berlin was also amazing to see, with its great variety of buildings and monuments. The most striking was probably Romania, and to enter a completely different world almost, from the busy, smog-choked streets of Bucharest, to the stark, barren mountains in the central Romania. I also loved the spectacular sky and the peaceful sea at Skagen, Denmark, at the very northern tip of Europe. And of course, I have to mention, Munich, Freising, Donauwoerth, and Erlangen – places where I have considered my home-away-from-home here in Germany. It has truly been an unbelievable experience to see so many different things.

Many people I have met here in Germany, and also during my travels have been exceptionally kind and friendly to me, always helping and supporting me through difficult times. Thank you. I have made friendships which will last far beyond my stay in Deutschland. As we return home, we will be scattered across the world, but I have no doubts that we will see each other again, either back in Germany (Oktoberfest anyone!?) or in our respective homelands. I now know that I know a familiar face and a welcoming home in countries across the world! Of course, you are all very welcome to visit me in Toronto, no – I EXPECT you to visit me some time!

I don’t know how I have changed as a person, because I live with myself every moment, and changes are gradual. Perhaps when I return home, you can tell me what has changed, for better or for worse. I do feel that I have become more independent, and I have become more experienced. One thing is for sure: I can out drink all of you after my training here with a German brewer! (haha, maybe I shouldn’t have said that … ) Let’s rephrase: I can PROBABLY out drink all of you, but I have no money to buy beer any more, so too bad.

This year has felt like five years because so many things have been packed into such a short time. I feel like I am constantly on the move (it is almost true!) and that I have done so many things. I don’t like to say that this is the “experience of a lifetime” because it means that after this, it’s only going to go downhill (actually… it is going to go off a cliff and land on pointy rocks while a crab pinches your toe when I get back in to Eng Sci… it’s also called “crash and burn”… but anyways…) It is certainly the most unique, the most fun, the most interesting experience I have ever had so far in my life. It will be pretty hard to top this one – but I am already searching for the next opportunity to go abroad. There is just so much more of the world I have to see and experience.

Fwd: I'm Alive and not in a German holding cell (sent June 5, 2004)

2005-06-05T16:03:00.000+02:00

----- Forwarded message from me ----- Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 16:22:37 -0400

Hi all,

First off, I would like to complain about this "German" keyboard with crazy keys. The position of z and y are switched (highlz annozing... zea) plus other keys like " and - are in wierd positions. Hard to type this email...

As the subject says, I am alive and well, although exhausted from a long flight. 8 hours to Vienna was very long because I was sitting beside this 5-year old girl travelling alone to Bulgaria who could not sleep... So I spent most of that flight colouring, playing with stickers, and being kicked... I guess it was an introduction to parenting... It was fun but tiring - according to her "she never sleeps". Perfect candidate for Eng Sci.

Just as I suspected, I had a hell of a time getting on board without a visa - at the end, I guess I didn't look that threatening with my ... stature. Waiting in the Vienna airport for 4 hours was extremely boring - I just sat on a bench and did nothing literally. I had some large carry-ons so I couldn't walk around without leaving a trail of broken souveniers (sp?) behind me.
The flight to Munich was super fast - we got to cruising altitude, and then the pilot said "we are beginnning our descent to Munich..." I got my lugguage and headed out the Munich airport. Surprise, surprise - there was no customs at all. It turns out that there are no border controls between EU countries... saved me a lot of hassle with the visas.

My cousin picked me up from the airport - I've never met her before but she is very nice. I will get a cell phone but it is prohibitively expensive for you to call me - it would be much cheaper if I called you using my calling card. Her mom runs a chinese restaurant! Score! If I can't eat any more bread and cheese then I can pay a visit to my cousin for some free food :)
blast this kezboard!

I'm starting my language program tomorrow so I'm pretty excited... I'll try to get internet access outside of my cousin's house...

later,
Clement

----- End forwarded message -----

*sigh* my English has much deteriorated after I come to here... haha

Finished but not done

2005-06-03T16:56:00.000+02:00

Well... It's over. The test went better than I expected. I did better than all my practice tests at home, and although I freaked out on the math section, it turned out okay. I was stupid and didn't watch the clock carefully so I almost ran out of time for the math section - and I had to half guess the last 5 questions... I was pretty bummed until I saw the score... HA! Good, but not good enough. I finished this test so I can party a bit this weekend in Muenchen, but I think I will write it again... I wonder what score I need to get into a good school... anyone know?

Anyways, I have internet for the weekend - see you online!

Ready or not...

2005-06-02T16:41:00.000+02:00

So tomorrow is the big exam in Muenchen... 3 hours of GRE retardedness and pointlessness. At least I will have lots of fun in Muenchen AFTER my exam...

I told my German boss about it and he wanted to wish me luck. So he said to me: "Tuck my thumb" and showed me his fist with his thumb tucked in... I looked at him confused and he inquired: "what do you say in English?" "Cross your fingers."
Oh...

Then before he left work, he said to me: "Cross your finger".

I just laughed.

2005-06-01T14:10:00.000+02:00

Bergkirchweih 029
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Danny, Max and Bine... and me. Do I look German yet?

2005-06-01T14:07:00.000+02:00

Bergkirchweih 037
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

This is definitely the MOST people I have ever seen in this tiny town... Apparantly there were over a million visitors to the beer fest! Erlangen only has 100,000 people normally ...

2005-06-01T14:06:00.001+02:00

Bergkirchweih 030
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Prost!

2005-06-01T14:06:00.000+02:00

Bergkirchweih 008
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

BIG pretzels...

2005-06-01T13:51:00.000+02:00

Hong Kong 165
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

After the morning dim sum...

2005-06-01T13:49:00.000+02:00

Hong Kong 141
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Man suk ... my "nerdy" uncle

2005-06-01T13:46:00.000+02:00

Hong Kong 121
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

eyes...

2005-06-01T13:45:00.000+02:00

Hong Kong 183
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

I like this shot alot. I think it captures the atmosphere of Hong Kong.

2005-06-01T13:43:00.000+02:00

Hong Kong 186
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins!

2005-06-01T13:41:00.000+02:00

Hong Kong 181
Originally uploaded by silvenfire.

Enjoying a meal in Hong Kong ... *sigh* I miss the good food already...

(I also convinced them to visit Germany this summer... they liked my pictures)

End.

2005-06-01T12:51:00.000+02:00

I finally bought my flight back home. August 20. A Saturday. The end to this wonderful journey (and back to hell-on-earth, aka Eng Sci). I am both sad and happy to go home. For one, I will get to meet up with all my friends back home. And spend time with my mom, dad and sister. And eat "real" Chinese food. And have Internet access at home! And GST and PST!! wait... that is a bad thing... right. But I am also sad to leave Deutschland, and Europa because I have made many new friends here. It's the end of my extensive travelling (for now). And slacking off! (That actually might be a good thing.)

Back to the real world.

But I'm returning not as the same person a year ago.

You can tell me what has changed, for better or for worse.

Lazy Friday

2005-05-27T15:30:00.000+02:00

It's hot today. A sizzling 31 C according to the forcast (though it is not remotely as hot as in HK... no humidity or pollution here!) Yesterday was a public holiday, only in the more Catholic regions of Germany. And since "Papa Ratzi" came from near Munich, we had a day off yesterday. Thanks! (one good thing about religion... imagine no Christmas break!) The other result is that there is 5 people in the department today - almost everyone took a day off on Friday to have a lovely 4 day weekend. I would have done it too if I didn't already use up 6 days of my extra hours (42 hours!)... I am still working to make up for it!

I am not really looking forward to next week. I am writing my GRE next Friday in Munich and I am pretty screwed I think. I have been studying, not whole-heartedly, for a few months now, but the bloody test is just so stupid I almost refuse to learn the thousands of new useless English vocabulary. My Chinese roommate keeps telling me that he has lots of friends back home who score very well on the GRE and many receive full scholarships to study in the States. He is also confused why a native English speaker needs to study for the test, when clearly, the Chinese students can also do very well on the exam! I explain to him again that the test is stupid, it doesn't test any ability other than memorization (which I am not good at), and it is stupid. As one of my friends put it: "The GRE is a test to see how badly you want to go to grad school."

Well... there are always grad schools in Germany... HMMMmmmmm....

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!

2005-05-25T08:58:00.000+02:00

I got into INNIS!!!!
I GOT INTO INNIS!!!!

LALALLLALALLALALALALLALa

:D

(I got into the Uni Residence so I don't have to look for housing anymore!)

WOOOOOOOOT!!!!

Moegen die Macht mit dir sein!

2005-05-24T08:54:00.000+02:00

I saw Episode III last Friday, in German no less... It was actually an interesting movie and better than the first two episodes. Lots of battles where people (including the "Yedi", as pronounced in German) actually die and get maimed and stuff! Awesome! Somehow I always got the feeling that the Yedi were somehow invincible... then again I haven't even watched the last two yet (yes yes, GASP! OMG! YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED ...) It is strange how Yoda becomes comic relief in the movie because he is so small, cuddly and ball-like with an itsy-bitsy-light-sabre-junior. And Anakin only looks angry or mad in the movie - how did they find a permanently angry Canadian actor? I thought that was impossible.

The thing about watching it in German is that you can prove that you don't need to understand ANY of the dialog to follow the so-called "plot" in the story. I'd try the Finnish version too but I don't have it. Schade.

Now that has been settled with...

2005-05-23T09:01:00.000+02:00

Quoted from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:

Now it is such a bizarrely impossible coincidence that anything so mind-bogglingly useful [re: Babel Fish, when inserted in one's ear, can translate every language in the galaxy] could have evolved purely by chance that some thinkers have chosen to see it as a final and clinching proof of the nonexistence of God. The arguement goes something like this:

"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."

"But," say Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED."

"Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that" and promply vanishes in a puff of logic.

Hong Kong

2005-05-20T17:11:00.000+02:00

Well. It is always strange to come "home" to Deutschland. But it really feels like home now when I land at a German airport and hear people chatting in Deutsch... and enjoy the "WARM" German hospitality (of course I am being sarastic here... just like the airport bus driver. I real SWEET fellow... even a German passenger called him an "Arsch"). OH and freeze in the frighteningly cold weather (5 Grad when I landed). And stare at the emptiness (it was a holiday on Monday... Erlangen turns into a ghost town).

What can I say about Hong Kong? It is as different from Germany as you can get! The noise, the hustle, the heat, the energy - the city just HUMS. It was 30 degrees Celsius day AND night. The suffocating humidity almost killed me. And for that reason I did not sleep very much. I would lie in bed in my grandparent's apartment, with the fan on, the windows open, sweating like a pig. I was STICKING to the bed sheet. I got a few hours sleep each night because I woke up bright and early at 7 AM to have dim sum with my grandparents. Of course they wake up at around 4 AM to go have their morning walk and do their exercises, along with the hundreds of seniors in the "parks". It was quite the sight - some doing tai chi, some sword fighting (slowly), some just walking, jogging, or even just wiggling. Really! My grandparents "wiggle" beside the playground - just a way to move all of the joints as if to prepare them for the upcoming day.

Each day involves two activities: Eating and Shopping. Eating because every relative of mine wants to take me out to dim sum, noodles, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and desert. They were almost lining up to do so:

Aunt: Can you come out Tuesday afternoon for lunch?
Me: No I already have that booked, but I'm free on Wednesday.
Aunt: Okay, I'll see you for lunch and dinner.

I can't complain. Except now I have 6 pounds of weight to lose.

I also gained 15 pounds of clothes. I am so happy! Because I have been living in "Euro"-land, I can happily divide Hong Kong dollars by 10 to convert back into Euros. Suddenly, everything is so damn cheap! Food, clothing, electronics, everything! I keep passing by the same stores and every time I would get enticed into buying another shirt, or another pair of pants. I almost didn't have to think. Also I am a "Small" in Hong Kong - not so in Deutschland! I am in the non-existant region of people larger than all the children sizes, and smaller than "S".

The salespeople are rather aggressive in Hong Kong, loudly greeting everyone who walks into the store, and following you around to try to "persuade" you to buy every shirt on the shelf. It was rather annoying - but I did enjoy the efficiency of the workers. Every sales person was hooked up by radio and they would call to different collegues to get a different size for you. The line to pay was long, but the wait was surprisingly short - the speed was impressive.

It was very nice to have all my relatives make an effort in their busy work schedules to spend time with me (ie. to take me to eat food). It is strange how the entire culture revolves around eating - it even surprises me. I tried to spend as much time as possible with my grandparents because well, they aren't getting any younger. It is sad when I see my grandpa losing his hearing, sight, memory, and mobility. I don't remember much when I was in Hong Kong, but I do know that my grandparents took care of me for 6 years while both my parents worked. We have a special bond that even my sister doesn't have. It chills me to think that each time I visit, it may be the last. And I have never really had these kind of thoughts before.

I read "Tuesdays with Morie" in Hong Kong. I am not going to say all of the "OH it's the most touching story I have ever heard" stuff because all of that is in the book reviews already. After reading it, I do find some parallel between Morrie and my grandfather, only that my grandpa is battling Age instead of ALS. It is too late for my grandpa to change his ways - and he is definitely not like Morrie. All I know is that whenever I call him, he is happy for a week. When I arrived at his apartment last week, I could see his joy radiating outwards. I promised myself to call him more often.

One more issue: I've been thinking alot more about why we do what we do. The book suggested that we focus too much on the egotistical things of life like making money, buying a car, paying off the mortgage. We forget about the most important things in life: our friends, our family and the people around us. I think that is true.

While in Hong Kong, I got "dragged" to a Church service by my uncle. His intentions were good and genuine, but I get put off with his "hard-sell" techniques of trying to promote religion to non-believers. He preached me for a great while, trying to convince me that God exists, and that if I don't believe in God, I will get sent to Hell (of course his version sounded alot nicer, but that was the jist of it). Well. That's nice! Have faith in God and go to Heaven, or you get to burn in Hell for all of eternity. What happened to all of the "God loves all" stuff? If He truly loves ALL, then He would forgive even the non-believers and accept them into heaven.

But the one thing I did get from attending the Church service was a question: What is the point? Why are we alive? What do we live for? Of course the answer for the people in the Mass was simply to believe in God, live a useful life, and then you live in Paradise for all of eternity. I'm cannot so quickly believe in this reason just yet. Why do we go to school? To learn. Why do we learn? So we can get a degree. Why? To get a good job. Why? To earn lots of money. Why? So we can do the things we like.

That answer just doesn't feel right for me.

2005-05-10T05:11:00.000+02:00

View from Grandparents

2005-05-10T05:10:00.001+02:00

Busy streets at night (yes, this is sunday at 9 PM)

2005-05-10T05:10:00.000+02:00

Can you find the missing numbers? (So the Chinese are superstitious...)

2005-05-10T05:09:00.001+02:00

Wah... the scaffolding is all bamboo - all 60 stories of it. Would you feel safe?

2005-05-10T05:09:00.000+02:00

No one EVER lives this close together in Germany...

2005-05-10T05:08:00.001+02:00

Ooo... anti-jump-in-front-of-subway-doors!

2005-05-10T05:08:00.000+02:00

Hum... the Chinese black market finally has some competition...

2005-05-10T05:07:00.000+02:00

Seeking shelter from the rain... all are "Household Assistants" from the Phillipines... Sunday is their holiday.

2005-05-10T05:06:00.000+02:00

The tallest tower (and newest) in HK

2005-05-10T05:05:00.001+02:00

Modern faces

2005-05-10T05:05:00.000+02:00

I know banks are closed on Sundays but selling cheap ballerina outfits? That's just too much!

2005-05-10T05:04:00.002+02:00

Hmm... I wonder if it is made in China?

2005-05-10T05:04:00.001+02:00

Some older apartments

2005-05-10T05:04:00.000+02:00

I think the word "TAXI" is the same in every langauge

2005-05-10T05:03:00.000+02:00

Trams! (literal translation: Electric cars)

2005-05-10T05:02:00.001+02:00

Never go hungry in HK: Dim sum, lunch, afternoon tea...

2005-05-10T05:02:00.000+02:00

Streets in Hong Kong

2005-05-10T05:01:00.000+02:00

More relatives!

2005-05-10T05:00:00.000+02:00

Ma family...

Bad timing

2005-05-03T17:58:00.000+02:00

ARg... I used up over half a box of Kleenex today. I have been constantly sneezing, and I can't really breathe through all the congestion in my sinuses... I think I am becoming feverish. Not fun. I just hope I get much better by Thursday because... well, the guy sitting next to me is going to hate me. Or think I have SARS...

I don't.

I haven't been to HK just yet.

2005-05-01T12:29:00.000+02:00

Yes, that is it. That is the WHOLE kitchen. We don't even have place to dry the dishes...

2005-05-01T12:28:00.000+02:00

My roommate can cook well ... lots to learn!

2005-05-01T12:27:00.000+02:00

Guten Appetit!

Next stop: Hong Kong

2005-05-01T12:15:00.000+02:00

Yup. I'm heading to HK for about 10 days or so, leaving on thursday. I'm so excited - it means I get to see my grandparents, my aunts, uncles and cousins, and also I get great food! Dim sum, seafood, chinese veggies, all the goodies that I don't get here in "Beer+Meat+Potato" land. I meant to go back in August when all of this is done, but the air ticket is super expensive in August... I got a pretty good deal on this ticket in May. If I don't go back this summer, I won't have a chance until next year because I already know that fourth year is hell-on-earth (Isn't every year in Engsci?)... It's a bit short, only 10 days but it will be enough.

I'm really going all over the world.

Rain

2005-04-27T17:53:00.000+02:00

It has been raining on and off for a few days now so biking to work is not very enjoyable... I went to my new German course on Monday but it was a rather difficult journey. First it was raining, not hard, but enough to make you completely wet after about 10 minutes. Second, I got lost. The class is in the Technical Faculty of the university, and since I don't go to school there it is kind of confusing. I had my roommate take me there on the first class, but I must have missed a turn somewhere, because after a while I didn't recognize any of the streets any more. I stopped my bike and asked for directions - an Italian girl helped me out. She was going to campus also, so I just followed her a bit. Haha, the usual "intro" conversation like "where are you from?" and "What part of Canada speaks French?" ... Nothing really happened :P Schade.

When we arrived, I didn't recognize any of the buildings because I was at a completely different part of campus. I biked around for 10 minutes more trying to look for the right building... by that time I was 15 minutes late for class and completely drenched. I walk into class dripping with water... The class was good - for once the level is more difficult than what I can handle, so I actually have to pay attention or else I don't understand.

After, around 20:30, I began going home... Of course I was still completely lost, and went in the complete wrong direction. That's when my bike broke. Not "broke" as in something unfixable, but "broke" as in the bolt connecting the handlebars and wheel was loose. So whenever I wanted to turn, the wheel stayed in the same place, making it impossible to balance, and well, turn. After falling off my bike multiple times, I decided that it was too dangerous to ride back in the rain at night. So I began walking... The bike ride normally takes 20 minutes, but I was lost... There wasn't really anyone who could have helped because I had to get the bike home somehow and I can't bring the bike on the busses... So I walked one hour in the rain with my freakin' bike... I think people passing by thought I was crazy because I was pushing my bike instead of riding it. I don't ever remember being so wet before! I was already drenched before German, and now I was even more wet...

Conclusion: I hate rain.

Congrats!

2005-04-22T17:11:00.000+02:00

To my friends back home:

Congratulations for finishing (or almost finishing) University! I think by now, most of you have finished your very last exams EVER ... Now you can finally have time to enjoy life and have some fun! And your reward for finishing 4 grueling years of problem sets (or essays for you artsies), midterms and labs is:

1) Brand new job at Company ABC
2) 2-10 MORE fun years as a starving GRAD student
3) ...

But let's not ruin the moment with reality! Go dance, sing, jump, shout, party, drink, and frolic with glee and abandon! It must be the greatest feeling in the world! (too bad I have to wait another year ... sigh...) So a salute to the newest engineers/scientists/artists/businesspeople/...etc. of 2005! Congratulations!

Clement

PS: To those like me who are NOT graduating, don't worry - I will post this message for you next year ... or the year after ... well ... and one more year after that I guess. :P

Unemployed

2005-04-19T16:45:00.000+02:00

No I didn't get fired. But I have right now ZERO things to do. Let's see... both my bosses have gone, and we are still waiting for some equipment to arrive for the new experiments. My previous experiment didn't work because there was something wrong with a circuit, so some dude in the department is fixing it. OH and I can't leave early because I need to "work" some extra hours for my trip in May...

Really - I would much prefer MORE work as compared to NO work. I am just reading news and emailing now... and you can only do that for so long before it gets really boring... I can't believe I am complaining about the lack of work!

2005-04-17T00:58:00.000+02:00

Stuttgart Fruehlingsfest (Spring Festival) ... it was fun ...

2005-04-17T00:57:00.003+02:00

German food is simple - meat on stick with bread. OH and a jug of beer to wash it down.

2005-04-17T00:57:00.002+02:00

Hey!

2005-04-17T00:57:00.001+02:00

Prost!

2005-04-17T00:57:00.000+02:00

Canuck with the American

2005-04-17T00:55:00.001+02:00

important information

2005-04-17T00:55:00.000+02:00

"I chinese tourist ... take photo pease?"

2005-04-17T00:54:00.001+02:00

The aftermath...of drinking too much

2005-04-17T00:54:00.000+02:00

so... I had a good time.. can you tell?