Remember this calendar?

Well, time to start opening the little drawers. Here’s no 1:

Hey, it’s a key fob made of glass pebbles!

Yes, I’m finally home from my travels, but that is not the reason behind this post.  The “finally” I am referring to has been a thorn in the side at least once for all who travel by air.

I am not always a rule player, but more often than not I am.  When it comes to air travel I ALWAYS follow the rules, especially when it comes to carry-on baggage.  As you frequent flyers know, most fellow travelers believe the carry-on restrictions in both number and size apply to everyone but themselves. 

There are times when my I want to slap the gate agents silly as they let passengers board with bags that are clearly too many in number and/or too large in size.

But today I wanted to hug the gate agent at Bradley Int’l Airport in Hartford, CT!

I had been occupying space at the gate for nearly a half hour and was biding my time for another hour until the boarding process would start.  That’s when I saw her coming.  There was no way to miss her – a youngish woman taller than the average person and broader than many, who walked, no marched, down the concourse with an air of authority, daring anyone to make eye contact with her never mind ask her a question. 

Since I had my back to the podium I didn’t realize she stationed herself at my gate until I got up to use the restroom when the first class boarding began.

I was in the last boarding group and enjoyed some people watching while waiting for my group to be called.  Since I was in the last boarding group I was also closely monitoring the amount of carry-on baggage entering the plane before me.  I had two pieces with me – a suitcase that fit within the size guidelines on United’s website and a briefcase.  The latter would fit under the seat in front of me and the former in the overhead bin…if there was room.  Hence my monitoring – I was legal but there were many rule breakers amongst my fellow travelers.

You cannot even imagine my glee when the gate agent asked a young lady to put her carry-on bag into their size stand to make sure it fell within the guidelines.  No matter how hard the young lady tried, she could not get it to fit, a fact that was obvious to even the non-seasoned traveler.  With a very disappointed look she gave the bag to the second gate agent who then tagged it for relocation to the plane’s belly. 

The next person in line encountered the same problem and he was NOT a happy camper.  He went on and on about the fact he has carried the bag onto a plane numerous times and has never had a problem.  Gestapo Lady as I privately dubbed her, replied that it was FAA guidelines – if the bag didn’t fit it was checked.  The disgruntled man was a calmed a bit by the knowledge that he would not have to pay the checked bag fee. 

Hhhmmm…do I see the beginnings of a new trend, a way to avoid that minimum $20 baggage fee?

Back to my fellow passengers…several went through fine before Gestapo Lady went back into action.  This time the offending bag appeared to be the same height and width as mine, or close enough that the difference was not visible to the untrained eye, but it still didn’t fit.  When the passenger questioned this, Gestapo Lady indicated that she had overstuffed her bag and now it was too deep.

Oops…I looked down at my puffy red companion and quickly started to think about what I could remove and fit into my bulging briefcase in order to get mine to fit should I have to play that game.  I resisted the urge to return to a bank of seats and start pulling stuff out…if my bag fit it fit, if it didn’t, then it would be taken away from me and we’d be reunited in San Diego.

Ahhh…the confidence one has when one’s boarding group is still two numbers away.

The garden of confiscated bags behind the podium increased in size and color while my mind started to race.  I was still quite pleased with Gestapo Lady but I was starting to chew my lip, my earlier confidence slowly eroding.  Short of removing a few things from my suitcase how could I make it look smaller?

A smile threatened to spread across my face as I came up with a solution!  I collapsed the handle and carried the bag!  I figured if I had it off the ground it would look tinier.  At least I hoped it would.

When my group was called I stepped in line and moved forward with as much confidence as possible.  I really wanted to thank Gestapo Lady for her efforts but I was afraid to draw attention to my red buddy.  Besides, when I greeted her she was very surly – a result I’m sure of all the grief she’d been getting from my fellow passengers.

I sailed right through the boarding process and once on the plane I shifted some of the bags in the overhead bin above my seat and slid my bulging red buddy into place between two other carry-ons. 

Then and only then did I exhale and allow that smile to spread across my face.

(click image for source)

Ecco l’occasione per fare un po’ di pubblicitá ad uno dei miei siti internet preferiti: BILINGUE PER GIOCO!
Bilingue Per Gioco ha lanciato questo Giveaway e invito tutte e tutti a partecipare, ma soprattutto a leggere i consigli e spunti sul tema plurilinguismo and more…

Endlich eine gute Gelegenheit, Werbung für eine meiner Lieblingsseiten zu machen: BILINGUE PER GIOCO! Diese Seite befasst sich mit allen möglichen Ratschlägen, Tipps und Hinweisen im Bereich Mehrsprachigkeit. In diesem Moment läuft ein Giveaway mit einem sehr netten Sprachspiel. Macht mit!

It does really help to talk to people about things.

All this time, while struggling to get my brains all sorted, I couldn’t find the right words to describe how I was feeling. Over dinner with a neutral friend, the words came out.

I feel very small with my new friends.

They hadn’t intended it, I’m sure. But I find I’m suddenly trying to keep up. Looking at them, I really wondered how I would turn out if I had more of such positive influences when I was much younger.

It isn’t dwelling about the past; who I am today is the result & consequence of who I was & how I thought & behaved. I now need to unlearn a lot of things which just takes a lot more effort now. It is possible, but it will take longer.

I look at them & I often wonder if I could’ve reached my potential by now if I have met people like them earlier. The young ones now have the confidence that I wish I could’ve have kept. I was brash & like them, didn’t seem to fear much. But they are also smarter than me which only an insecure person could feel terrible about.

I don’t know really know how to talk to them or care for them. They have everything & I quite literally mean everything – good jobs, high flying careers, families, friends who love them, close, deep friendship between them. And here I am, feeling small within the 1square meter of selfish, imaginary space, I fear my care would mean nothing to them.

We come from different worlds & it baffles me how we come to be close, it seems too good to be true.

It’s a silly thought. But it’s really how I’m feeling.

*wrings brain*

I wonder if one of them got angry with me? I think I took some of my jokes too far.

Later.

You can now have an email subscription for when I post new entries, which is most helpful for those that are not WordPress (with the blog surfer on their dashboard).  It’s on the lefthand side with all the widgets.

On Sunday, pastor gave us a challenge to do a good thing daily until our church camp.

I was on the receiving end of a good thing this afternoon. I am forever grateful for people who have been kind to me. It did brighten my dull day of uneventful calling.

Thank you, you know who you are.

———-

I hadn’t performed my good thing. But I try to make it a point lately to think of someone different everyday & ask about them in an effort to end my dreary life. That count?

———-

Ok, so I said I would stop posting. But I figured if I don’t, I’d go mad. I just need to moderate what I write. Would that make it pretentious?

I had a moment of getting trapped within my thoughts. It was an agony & no doubt a torture. I felt my whole brain was grating inside my skull so badly, I just want to remove it & throw it away.

I would think only great minds go crazy. Mine’s not. Can I be spared?

Later.

Aiyo. *shakes head*

Later.

Das neblige Wetter hielt uns heute nicht davon ab, einen langen Spaziergang zu unternehmen.

Nonostante la nebbia e l’umiditá della giornata
abbiamo fatto una lunga passeggiata.

Die berühmte Glener Brücke…
Il famoso Ponte di Gleno…

Das Tal im Nebel.
La valle nella nebbia.

Besonders beeindruckend waren bei diesem düsteren Licht die Silhouetten der Bäume.

Abbiamo particolarmente osservato le siloette degli alberi.

Irgendwie…

erinnern sie uns…

an das, was wir letzte Woche gelernt haben…

…Nervensystem, Atmungssysten (Bronchien und Bronchiolen)… oder?

In qualche modo gli alberi ci ricordano…

… le cose che abbiamo studiato la settimana scorsa…

…il sistema nervoso , i polmoni... no?

]]> http://fayea.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/1631/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:33:45 +0000 fayea http://fayea.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/1631/

Had a new haircut today & absolutely loving it.

———-

There is some amount of angst being displayed here which is unnecessary. I am the ‘go-straight-to-the-person-&-talk’ kind of person. I could straight to the people in concern, but as I am learning a gentler way of telling people how I feel, I decided to hold for the right moment.

In the first place, do I need to?

It is my problem & my way of reacting to them.

I know God will need to deal with me on this; it’s something I need to do – become strengthened. But while being at that, there are some things I did mind. Anything that seemed to imply that I didn’t have the ability or wasn’t good enough even before you know me or ‘tried’ me is just something I don’t get. I’m already feeling inadequate enough; I really don’t want to be reminded of it, especially in front of other people.

Oh why, do I think so much?

———-

I am trying to find something else to post. As you can see here, my insecurity is clearly getting dreary & since there has been an increase of readership especially from people I have not met face to face, I shall spare people the agony of my boring life.

In the meantime, I will very likely not be posting until there is something worth to. Suggestions? I still need to write to keep it going.

Later.

Nach meinem Samstag voller Politik, Begegnungen und Diskussionen
heute ein Sonntag voller Familie und Kerzenlicht.
Danke für alles…

Dopo il mio sabato fulltime di politica, incontri e discussioni
oggi una domenica in famiglia e candele d’avvento.
Grazie di tutto…

Do you like my new layout? kehehehe

So I was reading a little from the newsletter called VOM that our family receives in the mail.

VOM stands for Voice of Martyrs, Christians who sacrifice their lives for God.

And I realized how Thankful we must be that we are able to freely practice our faith in such a wonderful country. I was reading an article about Christians in North Korea who are captured, beaten, fined, or killed by the “secret police” because they worship God. Another article was on how the churches in China are being burnt down so that Chinese Christians would be scared to praise God.

Wow, now are you Thankful?

Let’s try putting our feet in their shoes. Have you ever prayed? Imagine that while you were praying, the “secret police” came and started beating you because you were praying… Hard to imagine huh? But sadly, this is the reality in various countries around the world…

A good news is that they launch helium filled mega balloon filled with pages from the bible into North Korea so that people can read the word of God! yippieee <3

I really respect missionaries and those who God has chosen to express their faith in countries where Christianity is not allowed. Especially because I’m still scared to go abroad to countries far from the states…(just on an honest note)

Although, the next place I want to go to is Russia… my uncle is a missionary there so I really hope I can visit Russia while he’s there! ^^

Ah, Thank you God for your love and mercy on me…

Thank you for planting a dream in my father’s heart regardless of his poor background to study in America…

There are so many things to be thankful for… too much to have time to complain and be sad…

We just got back from seeing Ninja Assassin. Before I go any further, let me clarify that this is NOT the type of movie you bring your two-year-old daughter to (like the idiots in the front row did tonight… don’t even get me started). If you couldn’t tell from the previews, this *is* a rather violent and bloody film.

There aren’t any big American name actors, but there are a number of Korean celebrities playing major lead roles. Yeah, I’ll admit it… part of me went just because Rain (Korean pop-singer celebrity) was playing the lead role. C’mon, how often do Koreans play lead roles (or even appear) in the American film industry??? Yes, it IS a big deal to me.

I could probably rant on and on about this subject, but a) I’m too tired, and b) I’d like to see what happens in the film industry from here on out. Ninja Assassin has been getting fairly high reviews on IMDB… I just wonder what this means in terms of seeing more Rain – or other Korean celebs – in the limelight here in the states. I’d sure like to see it happen…

I was awake since 240am. Actually, earlier than that.

I don’t sleep in during weekends but would like to catch up on some sleep if I can. Waking up at 9am, even 8am sounds like a very good idea.

This weekend is a long one, starting from Friday. But I woke up at 7am on Friday, had no choice but to wake up the same time yesterday due to worship practise & now at 2-ish in the morning, I’m loitering between slumber state & consciousness.

Sigh. They say old people requires lesser sleep. Sign of aging? Haha…

———-

I think it’s a good idea to be cryptic. Make people guess. I shouldn’t be telling people why I said what I said immediately when they ask me. Make them panic a little. Make them feel as if they should be earning for it. You wanna know? Why don’t you go figure? Shows if you know me enough, huh?

I probably don’t have to offer any explanations to people I don’t know well too. For the umpteenth time I try to be nice & pleasing, I think I will stop doing that. I seemed to have this compelling need to answer every question, respond to every joke & try to be nice.

I get vibes from some people that they believe I’m not capable enough. I blame myself for behaving like an idiot initially because I didn’t know HOW to behave when I am so intimidated by them & I’m done trying to prove myself.

They won’t understand why I behaved the way I did.

Like I said, I cared too much for what some people think. I think that’s why I’m so bothered.

There was a point when I was competitive & I would try to prove that I can up someone – smarter, better than they are. “I could do it better than you… Hah!” But so what?

I’m being grouchy not being able to sleep.

Later.

During Thanksgiving dinner I told my brother, his family and my Dad about my upcoming big adventure.  I wasn’t sure what their reactions would be but I was quite sure there would be some expressions of concern.

Imagine my surprise when everyone was thrilled for me!  Yep…they all applauded my courage, admitted some envy and cheered the adventurist in me.  Not a single word of concern or negativity was uttered.

So…what is this big adventure?

In January I have three artist/designer friends staying with me for a few days – a girls’ PJ party of sorts.  At the end of their visit,  Laura and I will drop Joan and Ursula at the airport on Saturday before we head to a local private airport for our adventure (Laura doesn’t go home until Sunday).

When this whole adventure idea began it was as a hot air balloon ride.  It evolved into indoor skydiving then morphed into indoor skydiving combined with…a tandem jump from 12,500 feet!!!!

Yesiree…Laura and I each get two turns in the wind tunnel (indoor skydiving) followed by one tandem jump apiece while attached to a skydive instructor!!!  We are going to fall out of a perfectly fine airplane and float back to terra firma!

Most of my friends think I’m insane, a couple are cautiously supportive (lest their support be seen as encouraging risky behavior), my sister stopped short of telling me not to go but made it abundantly clear it’s nothing that she would do, and the rest of my family is thrilled for me!

My brother did mention that he’ll be very curious if my body will do what my mind tells it to do and fall out of the plane.  It seems my nephew encountered an overly zealous survival instinct when the family vacationed in Alaska and did some rock climbing.  When they were going down the rocks my nephew had to repel over the edge of the cliff but his hands would not let go of the rope even though his mind was telling them to.  I really appreciate my brother putting this thought into my head…hopefully I will have forgotten all about that by the day of the big adventure!

Maybe I’m naïve, but I firmly believe that there is a predetermined date/time at which I will move on to the next chapter of life in the great beyond, and no matter where I am or what I’m doing, this transition will happen at the appointed time.  So, if something happens during the jump that moves me to another world, it would have happened even if I hadn’t jumped.

Besides, it won’t hurt.  I’ll do a ton of thinking during the time it takes to fall back to earth, but I won’t feel any pain when I stop. 

I do have one really big fear about all this, and that is that I am going to LOVE skydiving!!  This would be a problem because the planes fly over my house all the time — upwards of 2 dozen times a day on weekends.  Every time they fly overhead I will envy the skydivers who fell out of the planes and enjoyed an exhilarating journey back to earth.

So, if I do love this I have decided that every year on my birthday I will take a tandem jump.  If I win the lottery I’ll take skydiving lessons and learn to jump by myself, but the annual tandem jump will hopefully suffice in my non-winning world.

Have no doubts, I will blog all about this adventure, and do so in such great detail that each of you will feel as if you dove with me.

Are you ready for the adventure?  You’ve got 2 months to prepare!!

No, hours after the operation, E71 went low pressure & threaten to faint again.

It was fine as long as it was rested. Exertions have to be minor. It doesn’t take well to multi-tasking now.

My poor baby. I am not going to give up on you. You hang in there!

Sigh. I think I will have to get another battery. Better than having to get another phone.

Now I have to wait till Monday & see if the synchronization will work well. As of today, it’s ok. If not, I think it’s really time.

Later.

Congratulations!

Perfectio Conversationis
More than Words
Kosenrufu Mama

Ich danke auch allen Teilnehmenden für die interessanten und bereichernden Kommentare!
E ringrazio tutte le partecipanti per i commenti davvero interessanti!

I’ve decided that by Christmas my hair will be back to brown.  Also, I don’t care enough about Twilight. 

I’m going to go have a cup of Sleepytime tea and finish watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving with my husband.  I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and didn’t eat too much (haha, right).

After a tough operation, it was finally out of the deranged state that it was in.

It was flatlined first & was removed of all past & present memories. It had to be cleansed of everything & replaced with a newer version.

Sedated, it went into a deep sleep. I roused it awake this morning & believed the other alternative was to install the MS Exchange without any other applications & put it under close observation over the next few days.

I had a hard time trying to get it to remember me. All the memories we had together were gone. But it was not resistant & it was a fruitful time getting to know each other again. It seemed to settle down well & showed me a few new clinks that it would never be able to before & I really appreciate it better.

If all goes well, it might survive & I won’t need to replace it.

Later.

… love them but hate it when they give problems…

… hate them when it does but can’t live without them…

I’m glad I don’t have money. Otherwise, I would be buying gadgets like Mr SPJ (oops, did I say that out loud? *toothy grins*).

Admittedly, I was a gadget-whore. I love gadgets. But for me, buying gadgets, or handphones, for that matter, is like finding the right man; when you find one that is right, you won’t want another.

I really like my Nokia E71. It probably isn’t the most efficient phone in the market & definitely pales in comparison with iPhone. But for me, it’s the best.

Because I don’t like having to carry different gadgets with me, I tend to find something that can do everything. Nokia E71 is my ideal all-in-one phone. I can write on the go, check emails, surf the web, listen to mp3s, watch videos & be able to multitask. It’s not without glitches; but those I can make do with.

But now, because it doesn’t synchronise very well with MS Exchange (my work email & calendar), I have to think of an alternative. Call me traditional – I just don’t like the idea of sending my phone to any service centre (even my own office). So I’d rather let it die, than to let someone else manhandle my phone.

What happens now, is the battery is getting progressively shorter & the phone heats real quick. Normally, my phone could last a whole day & still have spare. Now, I don’t even have to use it & by lunch, half the battery power is gone.

Then I would charge it again but before the end of the day, it would be on the verge of going into coma.

It’s like cancer in the final stage.

So, I will have to flatline it again & reset everything to factory settings (the previous time, I did a backup & restored my original settings. I think that was the cause.). Hopefully, from there, the phone can be restored as a phone & then I will have to get a 2nd gadget just to sync my calendar & emails.

Later.

Mmmmm I had too much food today.
All you can eat kbbq at lunch then Ruth’s Chris for dinner. -_-;
Too much for me.

Ruth’s Chris… was okay. I don’t really like steak so I had salmon..
It was just aitteee. I ordered their sweet potato casserole which tasted exactly like the one at ADM made for our Thanksgiving dinner. props to him! Their salad was delicious too! Yummmm.

so many good music coming out!

I’m a big fan of Clazziquai and they just came out with another song!

Happy Thanksgiving! gobble gobble!!