In anticipation of...

Rachael Yamagata's latest record


Beautiful...

Me in Me

[Thoughts inspired by James P. Carse & Robert Fulghum]

I am on facebook because a friend invited me. And all this hype about facebook, friendster, myspace…I think I am just not into it (but I will try). Like I wrote about it previously (Hola, mi amigo), it’s not so much about the number of friends I have, how wide my network is, BUT how strong the friendship is. Likening it to a spider’s web…it may look fragile with its thin, silken threads, but mighty resilient it is (I hope).

I have nothing against such social networking…in fact, this human connectedness is becoming very powerful. Think guerilla marketing.

Another reason why I am not highly excited about it…is I believe that humans are multi-faceted beings. So many personas we adopt in our lives – our work persona, our private self, the front we present to family vs. friends vs. colleagues vs. clients…

Even as I am writing this, I am also aware that you, as the reader, are forming some impression of me. So the ‘me’ you are seeing now could be the ‘blogging me’ (a gentle reminder as well, the blog name says ‘the nomad in me’). Then who’s the real me?

At this stage in life, I would say I live in a world with more grey zones than black-and-white ones. The question is not about how real I am and who the real me is. I believe what you see is part of the ‘real me’. I am also beginning to realise I shouldn’t say “jus be me" or "jus be yourself” anymore…because which self shall you or I be at that moment, since it’s already part of you or I?

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See, instead of look
Listen, instead of hear
Smell, instead of inhale
Savor, instead of devour
Feel, instead of touch
Reflect, instead of being aware
Interact, instead of prattle

Life would be more interesting and meaningful this way…

Feeling alive once again

Am finally getting some of my life back…for a while, I was in the mode of I-do-what-I-need-to. I was cold. I dealt with what was required. It was Murphy’s Law at work. There’s nothing I can do, but deal with whatever’s coming my way. Even if there’s time for me to ponder ‘why me?’, I chose not to. Even till now, I will not entertain to this question. No point in harping, worrying, self-pitying…it may sound emotional-less, but as long as I keep things going, and the spirits are up. Nothing can be daunting right?

Time or Life waits for no one. The dark clouds will go away, and the blue sky and sun will be revealed once again…

The long silence

...because many things have taken a backseat in my life for now...
My life
My work
My impending trip (which will not be happening)
My reads
My social life
My blog…

The power of numbers

Numbers speak volume. In politics, economics, statistics… as well as physics, mathematics, geography…

On a macro level, we need numbers to substantiate our stand, to prove our/its existence, to use as evidence…it is concrete, visible to everyone (and cold). And we feel safe with numbers.

Can we use numbers to deal with emotions? In my line of work, I seldom use numbers (despite coming from a pure Science stream and majoring in Mathematics). Most of the time, I use words…words to express emotions, visuals to convey the mood or framework of findings. At times, I wonder how I manage to switch my viewpoint from a see-what-and-know-what to a know-how-and-see-why perspective.

And perhaps I have been in the know-how-and-see-why mindset for too long that I am beginning to feel lost? Confused?

XY: How much do you like it?
nomad: Eh?
XY: In percentage…do you like it up to 80%? Or 70%?
nomad: Hmmm… (silently thinking if I can equate my emotions to percentage)
XY: Well, if you like 80% of it, dislike 20% of it...maybe you should consider magnifying the 80%, overpowering the 20% you dislike.
nomad: …right… (nodding to show that I understood what she meant, at the same time, digesting that piece of advice)…

Numbers help to simplify things (but of cos, instances of over-simplification happen too). In my case, it helps to put things into perspective.

Yes, the fog in my head is clearing a little…not totally cleared but at least I am feeling calmer with the figures in my head now.

South Vietnam (Part II)

Finally, the pictures have been uploaded! (pls click here)

As you will notice, I have also changed my multiply template but...argh, I still haven't figured out how to customise it.

Anyways, hope you have a pleasant time viewing the pix :)