Looking at 2009 calendar, I wonder what I have done this year. Do all my resolutions set last New Year come true? Do I happy with what I have achieved so far? What have I learnt so far?
Looking back, certainly, there were something I gained and lost at the same time. I am proud to make my study dream come true in oversea. I treasured the experience spent in Sydney and I am blessed to get to know a few good friends there.
On the other hand, of course, I lost my few years savings into study =( but I keep telling myself ….IT’s AN INVESTMENT FOR MY OWN GOOD SAKE! And this is quite powerful to comfort myself though I am still broke =D. As the old saying goes, no pain no gain. Besides, I missed many festive celebrations with family especially Chinese New Year and I am gonna miss it again in 2010 =( Definitely, I gotta start my new career from all over again.
I came through hardship too after my graduation. I struggled hard in job hunting and making critical decisions for my future. I gave up certain things reluctantly and unwillingly. However, with supports and loves from family and friends, I managed to come to grips with the grief of losing.
A sailor won’t be skillful without storms and thunders. I believe I have learnt to be more appreciative and I am still learning to accept and let go. May the year 2010 brings my family, my friends and myself health, wealth and happiness. Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
I beg your pardon?
English is considered our second language in Malaysia. Some people can learn it fast and manage to speak it fluently and in comfortable way. On the other hand, some can still struggle after so many years of English lessons or exposure to English-speaking environment. I think I belong to the latter one. I freak when the person speaks very fast English as in no full-stop in between sentences. I stutter that I can’t think of a suitable vocabulary in my sentence at times. Hence, I can’t express well in English to this type of person. However, magically and without realizing it, I speak in such a smooth and confident way to some people whom I feel comfortable to talk to.
When I was in Australia, I had problem to catch their slang and words. Most of the time, I would say, “Pardon?” or “Sorry?” Sometimes, I was so shy to say too many times of sorry or pardons. In order to polish my listening to their English, I started to listen to radio or watch their TV programmes. Funny thing is I found it easier to catch their words in radio or TV but in reality, I still faced the same difficulty at times. I guess I need years to get used to their slang.
Back in Singapore, I noticed some speak very fast English like a shooting gun, as if they are rushing for reincarnation, especially those who call to promote credit card or any bank services. The other day, I had phone interview with a visa agent. He spoke like a bullet train – fast and non-stop. I had to stick my ears very close to the phone and pay full attention to him while my heart was beating as fast as his speed. I wonder what is the point then for this kind of communication. Showing off his fluency of English? Or perhaps he had been repeating the same things for too many times till he didn’t realize he was actually chanting but not talking?! Or is it really my problem in listening? Well, I just knew he would definitely get even more frustrated if my response was “Pardon?” in the end of his long speech! What for?!
Though I agree that my English is still far ahead to get improved, getting clear and understandable messages conveyed to the other party is yet as important as learning the language in a communication or conversation. As the old saying goes, never afraid of growing slowly but be afraid of standing still. So I say, never afraid of speaking slowly but be afraid of people asking “Pardon” many times in the end of your conversation.
When I was in Australia, I had problem to catch their slang and words. Most of the time, I would say, “Pardon?” or “Sorry?” Sometimes, I was so shy to say too many times of sorry or pardons. In order to polish my listening to their English, I started to listen to radio or watch their TV programmes. Funny thing is I found it easier to catch their words in radio or TV but in reality, I still faced the same difficulty at times. I guess I need years to get used to their slang.
Back in Singapore, I noticed some speak very fast English like a shooting gun, as if they are rushing for reincarnation, especially those who call to promote credit card or any bank services. The other day, I had phone interview with a visa agent. He spoke like a bullet train – fast and non-stop. I had to stick my ears very close to the phone and pay full attention to him while my heart was beating as fast as his speed. I wonder what is the point then for this kind of communication. Showing off his fluency of English? Or perhaps he had been repeating the same things for too many times till he didn’t realize he was actually chanting but not talking?! Or is it really my problem in listening? Well, I just knew he would definitely get even more frustrated if my response was “Pardon?” in the end of his long speech! What for?!
Though I agree that my English is still far ahead to get improved, getting clear and understandable messages conveyed to the other party is yet as important as learning the language in a communication or conversation. As the old saying goes, never afraid of growing slowly but be afraid of standing still. So I say, never afraid of speaking slowly but be afraid of people asking “Pardon” many times in the end of your conversation.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Rememberance
Perhaps for many people, today is just another usual day. But it seems to be something more than that for me. Some sweet memories occupy my mind while some sad feelings aching my heart. No matter what had happened, I sincerely wish “you” Happy Birthday and hope you are doing well and staying healthy all the time.
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