It's raining really heavily right now - been pretty much raining the entire day - and here I am, sitting at my desk, trying to achieve the impossible (aka finish my work). On a happier note, I'm almost at the 3000-word mark for my research paper so that leaves me with about 1000 more words to go! It's really tedious work trying to analyse a movie in that many words (haha) but I still have a week so cheer me on! I can do it! *\o/*
Sunday was supposed to be my day off; it was D-Day to venture out of Seoul, explore new places, see new sights and create new memories.. but I changed my mind this morning after checking the weather forecast. The last thing I need right now is to huddle miserably under my tiny umbrella, braving the cold rain and strong winds, only to get drenched pathetically. So I cancelled my plans to visit Incheon (planned for weeks, sigh) and decided to stay in to, do what else but work! I went out for lunch and dinner so at least I got fresh air and some exercise but the rest of the time was either spent on work or a power nap. I didn't get to explore new places as I intended to but surprisingly, it was a fair enough day. Passable, if not mildly enjoyable. (: No stress by the rain, no stress from people, no stress from work (I lie - workload is overwhelming) - just me and my nice, comfortable room. For once, the room was actually cold (yippie!) because it was raining and I opened the balcony doors to let the wind in. We're not going to get the same cool air everyday (would I trade natural air conditioning for rain.. hmmm, maybe not?) so I really hope the Housing Office switches on the air conditioner soon.. before we all suffocate from the heat. It was so warm under the covers last night because there was hardly any air circulation in the room and I took a long time to fall asleep. *frowns in displeasure* We're paying so much for the room so at the very least, give me some ventilation!!! Staying at the basement means we rarely get natural ventilation (the wind) since the building blocks the airflow! And even if we do get natural air conditioning, we get free guests (the very unwelcome mozzies) too - why should slapping mosquitoes be our night past-time?! NUUUUUUUUUU *flips table* ahahahaha
Monday, May 26, 2014
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Reflections
Sometimes, we wish we were stronger.
On a happier note, we've been reunited with each other!
On a happier note, we've been reunited with each other!
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Friday, May 23, 2014
我们自由吗？
刚看完了《我的自由年代》25和26集... 心情有些低落。毕竟，这部戏剧已经追看了好几个月- 虽然中途有好一段时间忘了观看（可能是忙着处理去外国交流的琐事），不过我也在好几个星期前成功地赶上剧情进度，怎料今天看的这一集竟然是最终回和...
我是看26集，看到一半的时候，才惊觉荧幕的左上边写着“最终和”这三个字。起初还有点半信半疑的我不信也不愿相信，因为网站明明写说一共有35集啊！怎么突然少了9集呢？要真的是剧终的话，那我不就少了一个（很重要的）戏剧观看和陪伴我吗？（哭）结果，果然是最后一集！我觉得剧情其实还有许多发展空间，所以不明白编剧们怎么会选择以这样的结局，草草地为故事画上句点。太令人失望了！（再哭） 李国毅和任蓉萱爱情故事的结局也没交代清楚- 流川对着嘉恩的信傻笑？无奈地笑？喜悦地笑？到底是什么意思吗！而且人家还傻傻地在等郑仁维向嘉嗯告白耶...
《我的自由年代》这部剧虽然剧情有时很无聊，甚至稍微脑残（有些情景超笨特笨到我不敢相信），不过它很有意义。
（今天想睡了，明天再继续写这篇文章！）
PS. 话说回来，很久没以华文上载文章了！坦白说，跟以前比起来，现在写得有点吃力 - 看来，得多练习，多写些华文篇章了！
I need a cleaning robot.
I haven't been back in dormitory in close to a week and the place is turning into Filthsville. I was really tired for the past few days and hence, could not bring myself to do the cleaning up but today, I could stand it (a few days from wading around in hair and dust piles) no longer. So now, I have a nice, sparkling floor and clean room. :D I'm not sure if my roommate doesn't know where the broom is/where the cleaning swipes are, thinks she needs my permission to use the broom (...) or if she just cannot be bothered, but my mum would surely freak out at how dirty the room has become in the past week. Oh, and did I mention, she was astonished by the state of the sink (read: dirty and crummy sink - I believe I mentioned it before) hahaha I would clean it up.. but not until I get plastic gloves.
(I don't even know if she notices that the room has been cleaned every time..)
I do have to clarify that apart from this, I'm totally fine with my roommate. She's nice, really friendly, helpful and I like her and all.. but I'm just really conscious and picky about cleanliness.
I do have to clarify that apart from this, I'm totally fine with my roommate. She's nice, really friendly, helpful and I like her and all.. but I'm just really conscious and picky about cleanliness.
Doing work now (or trying to do work) but simply feeling like throwing the readings awayyyyy.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
JEJU-DO :D
The family was here in Korea last week and I gotta say, it has been the best week ever since March. Travelling with family is still 짱짱 the best! \(^~^)b We went around Seoul for a couple of days and then, we were whisked off to the beautiful island called Jeju Island. It was simply stunning, amazing, wonderful, splendid, marvelous, awesome, great, mesmerising, magnificent, lovely, delightful and to sum it up all in one word, daebak (대박)!! I still haven't sorted out all the photos yet - some pictures are also not with me currently, but in three other phones - so it will take a couple of days (hopefully haha) before I document my Jeju trip on the blog. All I can say is, if you're a nature-lover, you cannot give Jeju Island a miss. Till then, enjoy these! :D
Mindless, Thoughtless, Senseless
I saw this link yesterday and decided to check it out because of the flabbergasted responses it was garnering on Facebook. You might have seen it floating around on Facebook lately - it's a satirical post on Aware and menstruation leave. I'm not even sure how this issue even came about (anyone read it in the papers recently?) but I'm downright disgusted by the comments left by netizens. Sure enough, the article was plenty much exaggerated and dramatic (the "scrunched up on our beds like a shrimp" analogy was creative and cute though) - which explains why it's getting such a heated response (from foolish people who probably couldn't see through the satire) - but I fail to see why people are responding so rudely with insensitive and disrespectful comments. At the milder end of the spectrum, some people feel that it is "pathetic" for women to request for such leave whereas others feel that it's a childish move and a 'girl-and-not-a-woman' thing - that one should grow up and deal with it like a working adult. (uhh, age doesn't make a difference when it comes to the extent of discomfort) A number of female commentators seemed to echo similar views in that they felt it was a totally unnecessary move. At the other end of the spectrum, we have people saying that it's ridiculous how women are demanding for an extra day of medical leave (yes, I think it is on a medical basis) and yet also want equal pay (essentially saying that women are always arguing about inequality in the workforce but here they are, seeking unequal employment terms) or that it's blatant inequality/preferential treatment (since NS Men do not get the equivalent leave). And then, there are the outright demeaning and repulsive (and highly irresponsible) views that if women can't deal with it, they should just go remove their womb, start taking birth control, stop their menstruation forever (I suppose he doesn't have kids - does he even deserve one?), get pregnant or marry a rich guy and not have to work. There are so many more disgusting comments - I can't bring myself to scroll down anymore - but you get the picture.
I'm definitely not saying that employers should offer menstruation leave across the board or that it's a woman's entitlement. I certainly do not understand it to be an entitlement (especially since acknowledging it will "put women to shame" lol); instead, it could be perceived to be a thoughtful gesture on the part of the company or a well-meaning opt-in provision in labour law (should it be statutorily provided for, whch is highly unlikely anyway). As for the people talking about how women have lived and worked for thousands of years without complaining or about women who gave birth in the morning and returned to work right after in the same day (sure boh, you want to kill the woman ah) - knock, knock, can you kindly please wake up? Firstly, the state of past affairs do not necessarily justify the maintenance and continuation of that particular state of affairs. Just because such a concept didn't exist in the past does not mean it cannot exist now. Likewise, just because females had limited rights in the past gazillion years doesn't translate into the fact that such a situation should continue. The human mind can develop and progress. We are not a stagnant society (perhaps you are?). And who are you to judge whether the innumerous female generations in the past had made a fuss or not? Perhaps those in the working population were not the ones suffering from such a problem! Moreover, the existence of superwomen mommas who can give birth and go back to work immediately means nothing in this debate (in any case, we all know that some people have easy births and recover more quickly than the rest, so the comparison is invalid).
The discussion would have been much more acceptable if people had chosen to debate the practicality/usefulness/feasibility of such an employment measure instead but no, they just had to go about mocking the women (who do have a need for such a medical leave) as pathetic, immature, stupid, attention-seeking and make light of a serious health issue. They probably don't even know (much less see) how bad menstrual cramps can get. Curling up like a shrimp is not a mere figurative expression - it happens in real life. To describe it as a debilitating (albeit temporary for a few days) condition would not be an exaggeration. Females with bad cramps may be in no condition to walk, they break out in cold sweat, some of them end up puking, some go white in the face and most just have no energy to do anything, save for resting limply on the sofa or bed. Sure enough, the smartass critics will retort, "go see a doctor or take medication!" All I can say is, the doctor is no miracle healer and neither is medication an almighty cure. Painkillers can lessen the pain but it doesn't recharge a weak person with energy (to work, study or whatever not). It is not a battery. It only relieves pain. In addition, as one commentator pointed out, she's allergic to painkillers so she's basically totally out of it for that day/few days. To be very honest, if the derogatory comments only originated from males, I may still be able to understand that they have no experience/knowledge of the condition and excuse them for their loathsome and thoughtless conduct. However, to hear the very same from females just pisses me off to no end. Especially if these are people who have never been at the receiving end of such cramps before - I'm not privy to this information of course, but if it's true that they do not truly understand the extent of pain we're dealing with in this debate, then they should just go ___(beep)___ (insert your choice of words here).
Note: In case you think I have vested interests in this issue - no, you're wrong - but I simply think it's wrong to make fun of the condition while humiliating women (as being weak) for seeing a need for some measure to be put in place (be it an additional day off (outside of the specified legal duration), a work-at-home day or just compassionate leave). Recognising that certain groups of women may require special treatment (not even that special if you think about it - many international firms allow their employees to work from home) does not tilt the scales of equality at all, nor does it make the female gender any weaker. It's basically the same as allowing medical leave for someone down with flu (which is usually less severe than cramps, so why not direct attacks at 'cough/cold/flu' instead and suggest that people remove their lungs/throat/nose). If one can accept medical leave for illnesses like these, I fail to see why they are unable to extend that same generosity/understanding to cramps - just ditch the unattractive label, "menstruation leave". People are probably uncomfortable with the idea of implementing this across the board as a compulsory initiative but hello (你好，有人在家吗?), there were alternatives like working from home (see the word, 'work'? there's still work going on - no one's skiving off). Rather than make fun of women, why not invest the time and effort (and snack on the mean words themselves) into brainstorming possible solutions for working women facing such a problem. If the best they can come up with is the removal of the womb, they don't need children, I suppose. Start by thinking about where in this huge world (of pathetic fools and weak women) they came from in the first place.
That's enough said, I guess.
I rest my case.
I'm definitely not saying that employers should offer menstruation leave across the board or that it's a woman's entitlement. I certainly do not understand it to be an entitlement (especially since acknowledging it will "put women to shame" lol); instead, it could be perceived to be a thoughtful gesture on the part of the company or a well-meaning opt-in provision in labour law (should it be statutorily provided for, whch is highly unlikely anyway). As for the people talking about how women have lived and worked for thousands of years without complaining or about women who gave birth in the morning and returned to work right after in the same day (sure boh, you want to kill the woman ah) - knock, knock, can you kindly please wake up? Firstly, the state of past affairs do not necessarily justify the maintenance and continuation of that particular state of affairs. Just because such a concept didn't exist in the past does not mean it cannot exist now. Likewise, just because females had limited rights in the past gazillion years doesn't translate into the fact that such a situation should continue. The human mind can develop and progress. We are not a stagnant society (perhaps you are?). And who are you to judge whether the innumerous female generations in the past had made a fuss or not? Perhaps those in the working population were not the ones suffering from such a problem! Moreover, the existence of superwomen mommas who can give birth and go back to work immediately means nothing in this debate (in any case, we all know that some people have easy births and recover more quickly than the rest, so the comparison is invalid).
The discussion would have been much more acceptable if people had chosen to debate the practicality/usefulness/feasibility of such an employment measure instead but no, they just had to go about mocking the women (who do have a need for such a medical leave) as pathetic, immature, stupid, attention-seeking and make light of a serious health issue. They probably don't even know (much less see) how bad menstrual cramps can get. Curling up like a shrimp is not a mere figurative expression - it happens in real life. To describe it as a debilitating (albeit temporary for a few days) condition would not be an exaggeration. Females with bad cramps may be in no condition to walk, they break out in cold sweat, some of them end up puking, some go white in the face and most just have no energy to do anything, save for resting limply on the sofa or bed. Sure enough, the smartass critics will retort, "go see a doctor or take medication!" All I can say is, the doctor is no miracle healer and neither is medication an almighty cure. Painkillers can lessen the pain but it doesn't recharge a weak person with energy (to work, study or whatever not). It is not a battery. It only relieves pain. In addition, as one commentator pointed out, she's allergic to painkillers so she's basically totally out of it for that day/few days. To be very honest, if the derogatory comments only originated from males, I may still be able to understand that they have no experience/knowledge of the condition and excuse them for their loathsome and thoughtless conduct. However, to hear the very same from females just pisses me off to no end. Especially if these are people who have never been at the receiving end of such cramps before - I'm not privy to this information of course, but if it's true that they do not truly understand the extent of pain we're dealing with in this debate, then they should just go ___(beep)___ (insert your choice of words here).
Note: In case you think I have vested interests in this issue - no, you're wrong - but I simply think it's wrong to make fun of the condition while humiliating women (as being weak) for seeing a need for some measure to be put in place (be it an additional day off (outside of the specified legal duration), a work-at-home day or just compassionate leave). Recognising that certain groups of women may require special treatment (not even that special if you think about it - many international firms allow their employees to work from home) does not tilt the scales of equality at all, nor does it make the female gender any weaker. It's basically the same as allowing medical leave for someone down with flu (which is usually less severe than cramps, so why not direct attacks at 'cough/cold/flu' instead and suggest that people remove their lungs/throat/nose). If one can accept medical leave for illnesses like these, I fail to see why they are unable to extend that same generosity/understanding to cramps - just ditch the unattractive label, "menstruation leave". People are probably uncomfortable with the idea of implementing this across the board as a compulsory initiative but hello (你好，有人在家吗?), there were alternatives like working from home (see the word, 'work'? there's still work going on - no one's skiving off). Rather than make fun of women, why not invest the time and effort (and snack on the mean words themselves) into brainstorming possible solutions for working women facing such a problem. If the best they can come up with is the removal of the womb, they don't need children, I suppose. Start by thinking about where in this huge world (of pathetic fools and weak women) they came from in the first place.
That's enough said, I guess.
I rest my case.
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