Earth Hour and beyond

At the night of Earth Hour
light was switched off
the darkness descended
she was dressing up that night

though her name is darkness
and she has been always invisible
but at that very special night
she dressed up so elegantly
or people did for her
regardless
people were witnessing her charm
she stood out
in front of everyone
in the heat of celebration

but

this is actually more than meeting the eyes

*At the night, people turned off the light for an hour. They celebrate it with many ideas. Some drove to mountain to see the night city skyline morphing from luminosity to dullness. Maybe petrol was used more than needed. CO2 was emitted more than usual. And within the hour, the electricity generating factories were still running non-stop. Carbon emission was still enormous. Whatever. Earth Hour is actually not only about switching off light. It is about energy saving, water saving etc. From individual micro scale accumulating up to macro generality. Use less. Reduce demand. Thus stop expanding power generation plants. Reduce our environmental footprint. *

Celebration of the day
with no doubt
became the fastest way to promote the idea
to call for awareness
darkness became a celebrity all of a sudden
people got together for the celebration
some forgot the pure intention
some got to do something even more energy wasting

Earth Hour
a campaign was supposed to evoke sense of responsibility and awareness
how we should keep energy saving on the right track
to the very effort we can do
for the sake of our future
our kids' future

energy saving
is the essence to be listed in to-do for everyday life

sustainable living
is the way to go
and
all these
should be done as a routine with fun

celebrating Earth Hour with fun is a good thing
not forgetting what we should be doing everyday

having fun while doing good
is the ideal
without compromising too much of daily lifestyle awfully

and hopefully sooner
Earth Hour does not need to be celebrated in extravagant ways
if everyone celebrate by saving energy everyday

it will just need to be a remembrance in the future

^__^

Ticket

When the recession smell is a little overwhelming..
When the office air is a little too tense..
When the global warming makes you staying at home..
When the government doesnt issue you a visa..
When you are missing your lover beilliie muchiie..
When you don't know what to do...

maybe, just take your ticket... and enjoy the show...

sometimes.. not all the time..

##
I'm just a little bit
caught in the middle
Life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why

Slow it down
make it stop
or else my heart is going to pop
'cuz it's too much
Yeah, it's a lot
to be something I'm not

I'm a fool
out of love
'cuz I just can't get enough

I'm just a little bit
caught in the middle
Life is a maze
and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go
I can't do it alone
(I've tried)
and I don't know why

I am just a little girl
lost in the moment
I'm so scared
but don't show it
I can't figure it out
it's bringing me down
I know
I've got to let it go
and just enjoy the show

The sun is hot
in the sky
just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the sign
and synchronize in time
It's a joke
Nobody knows
they've got a ticket to that show
Yeah
##
The Show- Lenka

A very cute song
with a cute tone
a cute mood, facing what you dont know how to deal with
a cute picture illustrated from the cute lyric
from a cute heart

Things appear cute and decent when your heart is taking it cutely, i believe.

白

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/3101206010/)

说到白，这种颜色有一种力量。

而我感觉，伊身上散发的多种色彩里，白色居多。像象征和平白鸽的白。像天使的白。因为伊像个天使。话说，一天伊顽皮，飞到人间，吃到了人间烟火。伊消化不良，结果飞着飞着的时候，从空中掉了下来。犹记得那一天，我举起双手，等待夏日的漫天飘雪。当然，夏天下雪是不可能的。结果，双手抓不到雪，却让伊这胖天使掉在我怀里。现在回想，那一天，天空没有下雪的白。当时眼前却有迷漫的白，天空像满满飘落着，天使翅膀的白色羽毛。这种白色，有一种力量。让人窒息，却感觉不到重量。反是轻飘飘的。

Overlap_ by Audrey Kawasaki

最近有一天，我的同事突然对我说，我长了一根白发。我照了镜子。确实，我长了一根白发。或许，近来压力大。或许，我开始老了。这种白色，有足够的力量，让人停一停脚步。停顿一会儿，想一想，怎么了，最近怎么了。想一想，日子过得好吗？开心吗？劳累吗？也会，想一想，是年龄，还是智慧，还是责任，增加了？想一想，爸妈发丛中的白色也越来越多了。想一想，将来的日子，伊会否帮我暴力拔白发，到后来无可奈何大自然的定律，顺其自然一起白头到老。伊说过，一起变老，是最浪漫的事。对，那种变白的过程，有一种说不出的力量。温柔。醇厚。今天看见一对白发苍苍的老夫妇手牵手慢步，我走路的步伐也放慢了下来。为世间有爱而感动。

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/harogi/1215632154/)

黄昏，是一日里天空大地色彩最丰富的时候。而白，是所有颜色的集合产物。

关于死

关于死

总有一种禁忌，保持着一种距离，不看太多，不想太多。
想是，人开始长大。肩担渐增。才开始会稍微想一想。因为，不想做个不负责任的人。
人开始老了，或许才会事先考虑清楚，更或许一些会事先办理准备。
而我，还只是在想一想的阶段。

如果死，我会希望我对亲爱的家人朋友有所交代。
最亲的人，不想他们伤心太久，要快快收拾好心情，过充实的日子，寻找人生更多的精彩。因为，我觉得世界还有太多太多神奇奥妙精彩处，我没法发觉体会，会希望至亲的人会能体会到。而我在他们的脑海记忆里，他们的心里，一起感受到。我们并不孤独。

如果死，我有点希望我死的当天或第二天就下葬。华人有死后至少三天才有葬礼的习俗，我没有深入了解。因为始终保持着一种距离。我想，那是因为华人孝顺尊重长辈，对死者还依依不舍，还想瞻仰。像是，真正‘临走’（到投胎或九泉之下之类的地方）前，与家人亲友在作最后相聚。对我来说，那是一种很深的悲伤。我或许承受不了。

所以，活在当下。要活得精彩，要珍惜彼此。死后，你我他都没有遗憾。彼此祝福在不同的道路上，一路走好。

如果死，我希望越早下葬越好。因为，我曾经梦见，我在梦里死了，灵魂出魄壳，看到家人在我身躯边伤心哭泣。我也伤心地跟着哭泣，梦醒时发现我枕头尽是自己的眼泪所湿。一位犹太朋友说过，他相信人死后，要尽快下葬，好让灵魂Spirit到神圣的某处，一种解脱。他说，亲友如此做法，其实是对死者的尊敬爱护。因为，如果死者没有及早下葬，其灵魂会在灰色地带徘徊，找不着其定位身份。有一定的道理和感动。华人的传统相信有多少不同。

其实，有点怕怕的我，加上完美主义的我，也不太希望，死后的我，还会让太多人见到。想让大家记得的，是生前真实的我，欢笑的我。人死后，留下了皮囊，还留下了什么。真正的他，对于亲爱的家人戚友，其实本应留在脑海，活在心里。

真正的精神，是永存的，是一起的，是不死的。或者说，根本就没死与生。

就在当下，加油，精彩过一分一秒！*笑*

What is with the Architect?

(src = http://www.flickr.com/photos/nolifebeforecoffee/124659356/)

Generally, when you hang out with someone who is an architect, do not feel weird that he is always busy looking around. He looks downward into the drainage strips; he looks upward to the ceiling. He uses stupid alien language like authenticity, mezzanine, louvre screen, HVAC [Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system], etc. He looks at details, materials, people, buildings, streets, urban corners… totally random they may be. But he may be looking at how people and things proportioning, standing, structuring, connecting, occupying, complimenting, contrasting and intervening each other.

And then, he could just sigh simply for the ridicule failure or the mythical astonishment of how things join, how brilliant talents of some designers endowed, and how shallow himself is. Basically, his eyes are just too keen.

And also, he insists to let something of the background in or out from the photos taken by his camera. He tries to make sure the background and foreground figures fit well into the frame. He tries to capture emotions and light. But he is as not professional as photographer. He is just happy doing that. At times, he is lazy or just snap shots on you with free styles. Because you are good enough to be in his pictures.

And so, you do not need to feel awkward, when he pauses and looks at you. Sometimes he is just too tired after busy looking around. He looks into you. He needs some rest. To rest, is to gain more and to walk further.

At times, he may be just absent minded. He could be brainstorming the ideas that flash through his mind, or just imagining things like how to make a paper stands. At times, his mind could be just as messy as his working desk. At times, he may be suddenly clear, just like his favor tracing papers that he uses topping layers of drawing complexities.

What is with the architect?
He has preference of taste. He insists, he sculpts, he does not care the rest.
He has his passion for life. He sees, he loves, he constructs.
When he feels the love to build his family, he promises to try his best to house his loved ones.
Because he believes "it is the duty of every man to raise the character and tone of his own home... to the highest point his capabilities permit." - Frank Lloyd Wright 1894.
And he knows this is not limited to physicality.

What is with the architect?
He never thinks he can be a thorough architect. Because he thinks architecture is about life. And he could never learn enough thoroughly from life. There is too much to learn from life. He is still far from an architect.
He is not an architect.

(src= http://www.flickr.com/photos/digianalogue/98555410/)

Hairstyle 髪

最近有人问了我一个挺有趣的问题。我喜欢女生长发，还是短发？
如果有看平面漫画的人，应该可以发觉，漫画里角色的发型都是不变的。现实中，人可是会变的。
我想了想，还是做点功夫。[点击小图看大图] 先用孙燕姿的造型图看看极短的发型。从我认为极限的长度说起。很有个性吧。

接下来，我选择了韩女星---李妍喜。比我年轻，却可以百变。她丰富的造型可塑性展示了长短发都有其美，能撑起不同的场面。

回想起来，以前喜欢或欣赏的女生，似乎都是短发的。可爱。活泼。所以，我喜欢的，应该是短发。再想一想，以前中学时期女生都不能留长发嘛。所以这么说似乎不对。现在觉得，短发会将一些人的五官衬托地更特出。看起来变得很有性格。

中学生涯结束后，许多女生似乎都留了长发。许多人变了很多，变美了，有韵味了。温柔。优雅。所以，我喜欢的，应该是长发。。。也不对。因为也有些人其实让长发给掩去了原来脸部好看的特征而不知觉。或让自己为了保留长发，而失去了尝试，为自己设了一个框。

而做这功课的同时，我突然发现，我很爱女生绑发。不同的绑法造型增添了可塑性，让女生呈现更百变的美。爱美，原是女生天赋的权利。我喜欢女生绑发。。或许是因为自己的审美及偏好。因为绑发，露出女生的耳垂。所以如果我有另一半，或许是很自然地。。。我会想轻言密语。轻轻地吻。远看像是咬耳吧。因为绑发，有时露出女生的后颈。我会想从后环抱，轻轻地亲。

电影《功夫》里黄圣依造型虽然留着长发，许多幕都显示她将发丝梳理在耳后。试比一比，原来[左]与加工后[右]的剧照。个人还是喜欢露耳垂的。

哪。。我是喜欢绑发啦？因为可以让我亲亲嘛？想一想，又好象不全对。因为如果没绑发，轻佻的风如果拨乱了她的头发，我会很自然地想帮她理一理秀发。我喜欢这样的举动。因为那一刻的她，是会有让人窒息的美。将她的头发摆弄好，还是会亲下去。

李妍喜多种造型我都看得赏心悦目。因为我喜欢她。
所以，绑发与不，长发与不，伊人依然，美。
原来，只要我喜欢伊，伊人就是美。伊真的很美嘛。
所以我要深呼吸。因为美会很窒息。

嗯。。嗯。。所以，长短发应该是非常个人的决定，表现自己的品味。发型更可以代表个人的性格。而，不同的尝试变化，也能带出新鲜感。我有时喜欢人家给我雪前一亮的新鲜感。或许因为生活很多时候是周而复始。而尝试的过程中，我们发觉原来有些东西并不适合自己。但因为尝试，我们其实在找寻，所以发现。

发现自己。

[Coincidentally, Shravasti Dhammika has posted a blog regarding Hair lately. Something very different to mine, but i believe there is a little similarity as reflection-- it's not about the hair but the persons.]

2008回首

2009新年将即。许多人正准备如何如何庆祝跨年。而没有跟朋友度过的我会在这小小的镇乡自己含蓄倒数。我记得回乡前跟一位同事闲聊跨年的事，他轻松地说了一句话：“It's time to think what you have done for this year.”

简单却不易答。令人醒思。这是很好让自己横冲直撞后停一停脚步，想一想的时间。

庆新年之前，回想这一年。到底我做了什么。

这一年里，我遇见了不少人。努力的人。善良的人。开朗的人。热诚的人。豁达的人。拼命的人。现在想来，他们都是用心活好日子的人。让我自觉，自己做得还不够，所以还要加把劲。感激大家踏入我的圈子。让慧根本来就缺欠的我，因为你们而见识了，长智慧了。谢谢。

对不起。我也做错过事。对不起，我待人处事方面做不好。所以我要变得更好。让我曾经无意伤害的人知道我改善了。我紧记教诲。人生的教诲。

还有，也不忘要对今年没有见面却让我想起的人问候一声，你好吗？


众里寻他千百度，蓦然回首，那人却在灯火阑珊之处
雾里探花百折转，蓦然回首，芬香即在脸颊芳吻之上

因为回首，所以才发现，岁月留痕来往不意间。
也所以惊觉，年轻的心，不能老。要keep咯！
夜晚了，我静悄悄地，在伊的脸上吻了。
晚安。

Is there a Santa Claus?

"Yes, there is. He is always in your heart."

If you question is there a Santa Claus, you can read the answer below:
English source: http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/
Chinese translation: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_3ca594d8010000u1.html

It is good to share.
Thanks Boey.

The Late Compliments

Van Gogh_ The Starry Night

A conversation has led me to think of the compliments that come late.

Van Gogh
A Post-impressionism artist that i like very much. I may not know him and his works very well. But i truly like his paintings, especially The Starry Night. His paintings has a very delicate kind of emotion nourishing the atmosphere even on the side of the viewers. I say, he paints beyond his paper. I personally think he is a romantic artist. Not only they are just simply petrifying for me to look at, his works draw the wings of imagination on me. I know i fly to the moment in his paintings. I admire him. If there is a chance for me to see his exhibition, i would love to go for it. If there is an event bringing the effort to collect his works together for exhibition station by station globally, i would like to contribute with even the slightest possible effort.
He died at the age of 37, due to depression.

Heath Ledger
An impressive actor that i think he has done well for the roles he took. I am not his super fans. Nor have i watched all the movies he had taken part in. But he definitely has done extremely well for the character of Joker in the movie-- The Dark Knight. Weeks ago, there were still controversial debates that, on behalf of him, who is qualified to receive the Prize from 2008 Academy Award and Golden Globe Awards. It is respectful how he has deeply dissolved into a role and from within he created a character that stands out.
He died at the age of 28, due to medication abuse, that many believed depression was the main cause.

The compliments to the above mentioned are late.
Gogh's paintings have got famous after his death. Ledger's movies have gained breaking records after his death too. Both of their talents and contributions have been largely recognized and acknowledged. Having said that.. they wouldn't know.
The late compliments thus become very sentimental.

Shall we pay our salute.
And, shall we look into the issue of depression, more closely, and more concernedly.

It seems like geniuses tend to have depression more likely, though i hope this is just a coincidence. Besides, i have family members who are suffering depression and i know the pain to some extents. It drives people to nuts of how helpless it could be at times. My aunt used to tell me to be living more happily, taking less priority on achievements. She was worried i tend to be using too much brain and also following steps into depression. Now, i would like to stand with people around, and live a good life. I have met someone that embraces so much positiveness so spontaneously. I am encouraged. We all should know, the more positive you stay, the more positive the people around will be influenced by you. Happiness is highly contagious, so is melancholy. You are to decide which side of hand you are lending to. And, be grateful to have friends and family who cheer you up, who concern about you. Life is great!

p/s: i love you.

I've got the guts

Lately, the whole environment has been fluxed with uncertainties, so has been my life. I am about to move out from my current house. Plus, it has been quite a lot of architects got retrenched in architecture realm. Plus, i am waiting for my PR to be approved here which means my identity here is still in vagueness. Plus, i will go back to Malaysia for the year end holiday. Somehow, it seems to be the safest to stay still for now, to endure the storm of uncertainties. This however may not equal to the best.

Everyone smells it. The smell of worries over finance, employment etc. The smell of recession is strong and so maybe been exaggerated to some extents. The smell of Risk. 危. And who actually sees the opportunity beyond? 机. Safest to be the Still maybe. Risk and potential are tight on each side on a stream line of the Move. I am not sure what step i move may lead me to which side.

I have no ideas. But i have got the guts. I am going to have my holiday that will last for about 7 weeks. Among most of my friends who have freshly graduated (1 year or so experience is still considered as fresh for me) and are/are going to be permanent staffs, i should be the only one of my kind that have the guts to go for such a long holiday at a time like this: 'the economy slump and employment massacre'. I am never a brave person, nor am i smart. And i do not have enough wisdom, despite i have been feeling the wisdom in my teeth for a while already. Nevertheless, my holiday plan just happened to be a pre-conditionally misleaded one and hence needs justified.

My holiday was planned before the economy crisis. AUD currency was strong by then (just to let you imagine that everyone thought the economy and employment here were good by then) . Of course, AUD or whatsoever of that has nothing to do with my plan. My initiative of the holiday plan consists of: C'mas, New Year eve, family gathering and trip before my sisters go back to schools, meeting up with friends, CNY eve, and last but not least, my wisdom teeth operation. I do need some time to have all these done in my holiday.

I am quite looking forward to going back for holiday. Horoscope-ly speaking, a Cancer, like me, does rely and love his shell. After all, it is the shell that has been keeping him safe. He will polish his shell and make it a nice dreamy home for his family.

Well, frankly speaking, some degree of worries does cover my holiday plan. I am not sure if i am still of my company need when i am back to here. Anyway, most likely, i will just stick with the plan. The words from my friend Soma inevitably kept popping in my mind. Roughly, he said something like this: things always go beyond our grasp of control regardless of how foreseeable our plans have been worked out. We can never get the plan we planned. Because things not often work out the ways you hope. So, i guess what i will do is just to try my best to fulfill it. And, move on, with my faith. Faith, for having my plan appropriated to the best i can do, believing it is initiated from good wills.

With faith, we move on.
(also to my buddy CK)

Melbourne is no longer livable?

Frankly, the first time i really got to know about the name of the place - Melbourne, was some when in high school, because of my idol singer Stephanie Sun Yan zi. She mentioned this was her most favorite place.

Melbourne, was a lovely place, to live and travel. Melbourne, is now still lovely, to travel but maybe not quite for living in.


Nowadays, what i feel about Melbourne, is not something too negative, but something potentially bad. All is about my personal feels. But i think they are pretty right. I dont know if the locals have been feeling the similar.

Three years ago, i was great to tell that i was in a very livable city. I still could recall some early moments when i came to this city. Some people did smile to me when passing by even if we were just strangers to one another. The city was pretty ambient with some activities and crowds. The pace of people on the street was relaxing.

Now, i feel like Melbourne is a container. It is trying to contain a lot of things but it is nearly bursting. It has been too many people on the streets in the city. It has been harder to walk through the crowds in lunch time. It has been longer queue to get my food. It has been many many more people competing to rent apartments or houses. It has been extra harder to get your application approved. It has been much more higher with the rents. It has been slower and slower for immigration office to process the permanent residency applications. It has been more crowded in trams and trains. It has been getting wilder with the climates.

Melbourne is just not catching up the demand with its supply. Overwhelming immigration and population has been causing too much pressure on the housing supply and public transportation. Things are going slightly off balance. Melbourne is no longer livable as it was unless the issues and problems are otherwise be addressed and solved asap. At least, that is how i feel. Nevertheless, it is still a very good place compared to many corners in the world.

I just prefer old things maybe. Weird huh..

春天

冬天。过去了。

在 Melbourne。四季里。我最爱春天和秋天。因为气温并不太极端。
可 Melbourne 的天气。像是女生的脾气。善变的淘气。有时一天里会有四季的天气。

我不爱冬天。因为夜长日短。常乌云挂天。

我爱春天万物更新的感觉。爱春天开始呈蓝的天空。爱青青嫩芽迫不及待地端在树枝上。爱花卉丛中含苞待放的兴奋。春天。是见证生命力的时候。是最难让人郁闷的时候。是横冲直撞了一年里头康复的时间。爱春天。也因为爱看女生穿得很漂亮。穿得少。却不太少。有飘纱的感觉。夏天。热情的背后。其实有更多的慵懒。

却没有想到。今年的春天。我大部分的时间。放在工作上。找房子更让我耗神耗力。这春天。让我很累。在这他人的土地上。找房子。让我偶尔想起那很烂又很好的马来西亚。想念我的好友。当然有好多到新加坡了。虽然那里没有春天。却记忆了我最多笑容的日子。有很好朋友的朋友。有时不太喜欢这里。因为没有归属感。每年搬家。我厌倦了找房子。厌倦了搬家。厌倦了凑人数。厌倦了跟不是很朋友的朋友有的无的说天气。我忘了。最后谈心的是哪一天。似乎。在这南方大岛上。我没有什么谈心的时候。没有什么笑到落泪的时候。这岛上。有许多很好很好的东西。可我并没笑得更多。或许。只是我突然现在很蓝。BLUE。

今年的春天。还爆发了经济萧条金融风暴。这里许多建筑公司裁员。扑开的画纸。像砧板。纸上绚丽的线条。像砧板上被宰的鱼流下的血痕。最后还是要被洗掉。再BLUE。又蓝又红。成紫。毒的颜色。晕。春天不能是紫色。不伦不类。坏。

嗯。反正明天要早到公司。我应该现在马上去睡。睡个漂亮的明天出来。明天。春天。

Growth

(Reminded by m.yin, i browsed back the pictures of my Cameron Highland trip early this year which recalled sweet and sour memory of mine. Nevertheless, i found this picture i took on the fields of Watercress plantation.)

When you do micro-observation to your surrounding environment, you will be amazed by how the living organism in the world strives to survive the tough situations. Here, i am impressed by how the plants and micro organism surviving for their good in the water and on the move. They possess the sense of belonging amazingly in such unstable condition. You would question my observation about the micro organism that i couldnt see with my bare eyes. But, i studied biology before, and here, simply looking at the color combination revealed from the picture. You would agree that lives are inside! They enhanced the colors of life. The moving water here serves as the tough challenge for them to hold a place of micro ecology, yet, it plays the role as the interface of bringing nutrition.

The dualism of water, and the strong will to survive of those organism, bring up a picture of growth from extremes.

在新生代漫画改篇的日剧《交响情人梦》中，有一句话：
“在历史上留名的音乐家
都不但只是有才华
也有和各种重要的珍贵的人相遇”
所以，伯乐与千里马之间，是不可缺一的。有慧眼的人，更加不能眼看有才华却错过的事情发生。
至少，为了发挥，千里马要有一个宽阔无际的草原和跨出第一步奔腾的勇气；为了栽培，伯乐要有豁达大度的内涵和无羁的胸怀。

近来，突然想起朋友说过‘助养小孩’的事情。结果，我就参与了 Save the Children http://www.savethechildren.org.au/index.html。There is another popular similar program- World Vision. But what bother a bit to me from World Vision is that it sounds more about Christianity and even the permanent staffs are all Christians only. I do not have any bias position to any religions. But my very intention about helping the children, should be something very neutral, regardless of races, politics, religions etc.

Therefore, spontaneously i have joined Save the Children. I dont know i will be a Child Guardian of who. But just hope every little help given will be sufficient enough to ease them from their struggling difficulty and provide a Performance Stage for them to grow, to learn and to explore more. I hope many kids are nurtured in better environments. Kids are adorable. They are to sustain the future.

Age and Aging

How old am i? 24?

To my parents, i am always young. Without the need of doing anything, I am always their son that calls for their concerns, draws their attention, and asks for love. I am never old enough for them not to worry about me.

In my field of expertise- Architecture, i am also young. I am far too young to be able to master the arts of communication and coordination in between consultants and clients; and not mature enough to handle any advanced construction, structural integrity, innovative detailing, as well as appropriate architectural language in complex urbanity and society background. But, in this field, i am young enough to have wild imagination and the willingness of going-beyond. I hope such benefits of mine can stay tuned and be sharpen into a sword for me in this generally sense-petrifying field. I don't want to get numb and robotic-'mechanical' in everyday life under the pathetic norm of capitalism.


Among my friends, i could be quite young too. Some of my friends are even married and having their kids. I think they are truly great, especially parenting their kids. I wish them sincerely for their bright future. Some of my friends have very mature kind of thinking that always takes two steps ahead and just simply foresees third step into accounts. But not simple, for me. Meanwhile, i also have friends who don't think or analyze things too much in their life. A few of them could be even simply annoyed or couldn't be bothered when i just tried analyzing something. To my surprise, actually now no more surprise, quite a lot of them are females. Some girls do prefer sweet words to speech. Well, i don't object about that. Guess that girls are gifted to be entitled fully to enjoy that. Nevertheless, some people who don't analyze their life do live their lives happily than anyone else. Somewhat am i to be envious of. Because, i hardly think nothing for something. In fact, there are times i think something for nothing. It could be a sin.

In love, i am quite naive. I could be not single otherwise. Of course, this doesn't apply to everyone who is single. Right, i am single. I should RSVP for love maybe. lol..
Surviving, i am far too young to be, if by my own. Financially and mentally, i am not mature enough to just survive the tough society by myself. Recently, i have been busy looking for houses because i have to move out soon from my current place. It is a real pain for a foreigner like me here to seek for accommodation. In 4 years time, i have moved 4 times into different places. And now, i am looking for the Fifth.



The rent in Melbourne** is incredibly high compared to Kuala Lumpur due to the incredibly high demand from overwhelming immigration and insufficient supply of housing to accommodate the new population. Lower than 1% vacancy in Melbourne renting properties proves the rent on the rise. If i am going to move out and rent a place by myself, i could end up paying the rent that could actually be the salary of a graduate architect in Malaysia. Such pain graved with the inconvenience of me having to move house every year eventually forced me to come across with the idea of purchasing a house here, Melbourne. Right, ridiculous, but could be reasonably advantageous in long term pay back. I don't have strong and promising financial income as "architects are cheap labors" is not a wrong phrase. Having said that, i started to think and study about property market here lately. (That's why i have been quite busy lately and didn't blog often). This diverting thinking from renting into buying consideration suddenly put me into a state of mind that i have not been stepping in. I suddenly feel aging.

Aging, and i see different things. Maybe it is not so good. Now, advertisements about property sales, news about Australian properties market, even empty land or construction sites, flooded into my sight. Speaking of which, only recently i got to know some basic stuffs about Stamp Duty Cost, Body Corporate Fee, Repayment, Rent Guarantee, Capital Gain, etc this kind of terms. I used to only see beauty, fashion, brand, etc. I think my eyes now are more tired, because i see more. And i see aging. Sudden accelerating aging. This actually made me feel a bit worrisome that i suddenly turn into a old capitalist. Nevertheless, i still love all fun lifestyles things, beauties, fashions, shirts, pants, ties, dress, singlet, skirt, bra, lingerie, fragrance, food, comics, anime, toys and everything. Just that i am a bit tired. Guess i do need more rest.

Sleep now, and so i will be energetic and see things more clearly. Because i need to see things in the possible storm of economic slump. Well, i don't freaking know what is going to happen about that, from that, of that. But there is a good phrase in Chinese. Risk and Opportunity come in juxtaposing bundle. Seek and develop opportunity from within or otherwise take the risk to fall into. 危机。危与机，掌握与错失在于一线间。我看到了什么。

Aging- Picture source:
Pic 1 (modified by me after) . Pic 2.

** Melbourne is one of the most livable cities in the world. I think it is too good for that to have then driven such crazy immigration from both overseas and inter-states in Australia. Many side-effects caused by such phenomenon also contributes to imbalance of gentrification and inflation of many things, including increasing rent! Overwhelming population is now posing a possible threat to the affordability, public transportation, etc to the extent of very livability...

Fast Food Culture Vs Abbreviation

We have come across to a notion that being fast ensures your preference, achievements and possession. Be it inevitably true, fully or partly, a sense of sadness is nevertheless unavoidable.

At times, i cant help but feeling a bit sad when we have to make things faster and faster. Slowly yet quickly, our awareness to the surrounding has been eroding. No more could you be holding yourself back just to see the dad playing with his kids, neither do you bother to slow down your pace smiling back to a little girl that smiled at you. And try to suddenly stop on the path you normally take to your work or school, just stop and be looking around, you will start feeling to blend in and see the things that are just too normal for you to 'abnormally' notice in everyday life. Or, taking away all the vehicles from the road and we walk on it. We will simply be amazed by comparing our fast and slow paced life differences. (Check New York streets shuts from William's blog.)

Fast food culture has been prevailing for near decades. Undeniably, the conveniences provided by it help in our screwed life to some extents. Its certain contribution as in introducing more enrichment into individual inherence, should be accredited. But kids nowadays are taking it much more often than we used to do. Fast food culture, one of the very forms of globalization is actually killing the 'authenticity' of food, tradition and culture of many fantastic races. I bet many from young generations have no real clue about 'authenticity'. It is a bit amusing when someone introduces me some non-authentic food as authentic. Overwhelming promotions on fast food culture eventually make everything generic, colorless, tasteless, boring, and unhealthy.


Living in Melbourne where great diversity is highly embraced and immigration is encouraged (skilled migration, livability etc), lots of different food and cultures have actually increased my awareness of keeping and improving every unique self-values amidst introduction of globalization.

Abbreviation, though shares some similar characteristics of fast food culture, actually acquires more respects for it. To me, abbreviation, is something very accurate, and varied greatly to many different departments/fields, such as medicine-health care, architecture, technology, etc. Derived from professions and cultural phenomenology, abbreviation greatly emphasizes the proper uses with precision and accuracy of message delivery.

However, i have also noticed abbreviation seems to be abused in commercialization in order to advertise it more easily for people to grasp the selling points, or sometimes just falling to become short forms of typing/addressing something.

Therefore, there seems to be a great gray zone where both fast food culture and abbreviation share their inter-fluxing. Identity, Branding, Globalization...

Abundant use in inappropriate situations may lead confusions.
"Doing SM Down Under here is FCUK-ing a pain?"
(SM-Skill Migration, FCUK-French Connection, Down Under- Australia, as positioning on the globe.)
"FYI, the venue is yet TBC but do RSVP ASAP in order to get your seat."
(FYI- For Your Information, TBC- To Be Confirmed, RSVP- "Répondez s'il vous plaît"/ Response if you please, ASAP- as soon as possible.)

A question hereby was dropped by myself...
Does architecture realm have such similar kind of phenomenon? As in what forms? And how?