Saw two interesting, but quite opposite, sites/articles yesterday. (Ironically, it was while I was completely bored in class.)
The first: Economic Value of College Majors. Bascially, it looks at how much people make for different majors, how much additional you can make with a graduate degree, and various other factors about the majors. As the title says, college/university education adds value, and is a worthwhile investment.
Interestingly, the amount of people in my undergrad major is so few that there is very little information about it. And even more interesting is that it states 100% of people with that major are employed. So how come I couldn't find a job back then? Other than that, nothing particularly interesting about my current studies/major.
And then the second: Peter Thiel: We’re in a Bubble and It’s Not the Internet. It’s Higher Education. The complete opposite. This guy, co-founder of PayPay, is paying people to drop out of the best US universities to start a business, because he thinks they'll learn even more that way. This, of course, comes from the fact that both Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg were both dropouts. The point is that university education is overrated and not as worthwhile an investment as the world believes.
For the past 7 years, I've spent about $80,000 on university. Worth it? I don't know. I just know that if not for school, either directly or indirectly, my life would be very different from what it is now, and I would not be who I am now.
Is there value? Guess it depends what you consider value.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Progress!...again
Judging from the two papers I got back today, it appears I'm improving...
#1...relatively high mark...but unfortunately, it's still not enough to actually pass...but it's "okay" because technically everyone failed.
#2...the highest numerical score I've gotten yet...above average, but still need to do better.
At least it's not a zero.
It's a huge relief to see some improvement, because it's been tough trying to grasp the skill/technique to score more points. At this point, probably 2 major problems that I need to continue working on.
Just one month left. The actual challenge hasn't even officially started, but everyone is already getting pretty stressed. Of course. It's estimated that only 2/3 of us will move on to the next round.
There's a lot of work to be done.
#1...relatively high mark...but unfortunately, it's still not enough to actually pass...but it's "okay" because technically everyone failed.
#2...the highest numerical score I've gotten yet...above average, but still need to do better.
At least it's not a zero.
It's a huge relief to see some improvement, because it's been tough trying to grasp the skill/technique to score more points. At this point, probably 2 major problems that I need to continue working on.
Just one month left. The actual challenge hasn't even officially started, but everyone is already getting pretty stressed. Of course. It's estimated that only 2/3 of us will move on to the next round.
There's a lot of work to be done.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
何韻詩 - 無眠 [live @ the wall may 27, 2011]
To be honest, I don't think she sang this very well. It was really good technically, but I think she could have sung it even better, with a little more emotion.
Despite that...
This song is really nice, and the lyrics hit all the right spots. But hearing this song, these lyrics, in hocc's voice just makes it that much more tantalizing to me. Because it's hocc. Because the name 'hocc' links to so many other things.
When you watch this, or if you watch this...Who are you thinking of? What are you thinking? Is it the same as what I'm thinking?
Poet, Prophet, Priest
Can't seem to get my head around these three words, and how it all fits into the picture...
Feeling kinda frustrated with myself for all that I don't/didn't know.
I don't like that.
And it scares me.
Feeling kinda frustrated with myself for all that I don't/didn't know.
I don't like that.
And it scares me.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Night out with the team...
A nice night out with my friends/classmates...
The venue was not as nice as I expected. There would have been a nice view of the city from the island, but it was too misty/foggy. And it was freezing cold outside while we were waiting for the boat!
The food was not interesting. $57+tax+tips for this meal was totally not worth it. Good thing we didn't have to pay. But of course, this is normal pricing for this upper class place. (Somebody said that this event probably cost over a million dollars.) I'm pretty sure I'll never go there again in my life.
The interesting parts...
It was insanely difficult to find the bus that we needed to take. I think we spent at least 30min trying to find the bus stop. And after getting off, the walk was much longer than expected, because the place we were going to was in the middle of nowhere.
Someone at my table bought a bottle of wine. He ended up drinking the entire bottle by himself. And as far as I know, he'd been drinking at various places since 2pm.
Some very deep conversations tonight. About money. About life. About the purpose of life. About the end of the world. And, strangely, it came from the most unlikely people.
Chatted with some of the new students. It was kinda funny to meet these people. They were so shy and everything. I bet I was like that two years ago also. Guess I've changed quite a bit (in some ways) since then.
Heard something relating to me that sort of surprised me, but at the same time I found rather funny.
The free drink for dinner and the bottle of wine was not enough. After getting back to the city, it was bar time. This was probably the 3rd or 4th time I've gone to a bar with these ppl. For the first time, I actually did have a drink. lol
This is likely the last big event we'll be having, so I guess it was good for me to go. There will also be the formal at the end of the year, but (of course) the chances that I'll go to that is extremely low.
The venue was not as nice as I expected. There would have been a nice view of the city from the island, but it was too misty/foggy. And it was freezing cold outside while we were waiting for the boat!
The food was not interesting. $57+tax+tips for this meal was totally not worth it. Good thing we didn't have to pay. But of course, this is normal pricing for this upper class place. (Somebody said that this event probably cost over a million dollars.) I'm pretty sure I'll never go there again in my life.
The interesting parts...
It was insanely difficult to find the bus that we needed to take. I think we spent at least 30min trying to find the bus stop. And after getting off, the walk was much longer than expected, because the place we were going to was in the middle of nowhere.
Someone at my table bought a bottle of wine. He ended up drinking the entire bottle by himself. And as far as I know, he'd been drinking at various places since 2pm.
Some very deep conversations tonight. About money. About life. About the purpose of life. About the end of the world. And, strangely, it came from the most unlikely people.
Chatted with some of the new students. It was kinda funny to meet these people. They were so shy and everything. I bet I was like that two years ago also. Guess I've changed quite a bit (in some ways) since then.
Heard something relating to me that sort of surprised me, but at the same time I found rather funny.
The free drink for dinner and the bottle of wine was not enough. After getting back to the city, it was bar time. This was probably the 3rd or 4th time I've gone to a bar with these ppl. For the first time, I actually did have a drink. lol
This is likely the last big event we'll be having, so I guess it was good for me to go. There will also be the formal at the end of the year, but (of course) the chances that I'll go to that is extremely low.
Friday, May 27, 2011
曾經擁有
"Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved before." - St. Augustine
Yes, because it would be sad to have never loved in your life.
No, because having loved and lost means that you have suffered the pain of losing someone, of missing someone, of the void. And there is nothing more painful than that.
Yes, because it would be sad to have never loved in your life.
No, because having loved and lost means that you have suffered the pain of losing someone, of missing someone, of the void. And there is nothing more painful than that.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
蘇打綠 - 無眠
Exactly what it says...
Losing sleep over someone who might never come back, even though you know it's stupid.
But no matter how stupid it is, that is the truth.
I've saved everything about you and everything you've given to me. And there will always be a spot in my heart reserved for you.
今夜的月光 超載太重
照著我一夜哄不成夢
每根頭發都失眠
天空他究竟在思念誰
是不是都和我一樣
揮不去昨日甜美的細節
才讓今天又淪陷
你現在想著誰
有沒有和我相同的感覺
固執等著誰卻驚覺已無法倒退
曾經想一起飛 在自己心中蓋了座花園
把你的一切都種在這個地點
卻像魚守在里面
不管要多少時間多少眼淚多少落空來等待
不管你是不是會回來
其實我也不明白 為什么如此傻傻地期盼
你是我僅有的愛
像條魚守在里面
守著幻影葬在里面
Monday, May 23, 2011
Oranges are not the only fruit
I don't quite remember what I was doing the other day, but somehow I came across "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" on youtube. It turns out it was a 3-part tv drama that was originally aired on BBC in 1990. It got awards at the time, but also raised some controversy. In fact, some parts have been removed from youtube.
Having read the book, I knew what it was about. But the way some parts were played out was a little freaky, or even scary. (And I rarely find movies scary. But maybe that's partially just because of me being paranoid.) There's a lot of sh*t in my life, but living in that time and place would be like hell. But that's not the point of the story.
If you had to choose, would you choose common sense or what your heart tells you? If the world tells you what your heart says is wrong, would you still continue along? But the world is not just black and white, not just right and wrong. There's always the grey area in between, and the area outside the box. Oranges are not the only fruit.
I read up a bit on the book and found some interesting stuff. On one site, there was a discussion about the difference between Jess and Melanie's relationship vs Jess and Katy. The first was pure, care-free and straight from the heart. The second was intentional and much more careful and calculated.
I read that and then looked at myself. In a way, that is the change that's happened these few years. Then, it really was just purely by feeling and straight from the heart that everything happened. And now, I have really consciously thought about the issue and am "intentionally" getting into this, and approaching everything more carefully. Perhaps that's what happens when you see the world crash down on you. So have I chosen common sense or the heart? I'd say something in between. You should follow your heart, but it also takes some common sense to safely get there.
While trying to find a quote from this book/drama earlier, I came across a book review. What's interesting is that the positive review of this lesbian novel was on a Catholic website. But even more interesting was that a familiar name was attached to one of the comments. The name may be fairly common, but in combination with the writing style, the mention of a calling, poetry and another book, I'm pretty sure it's her.
Oranges are not the only fruit.
At this moment, I know I'd prefer an apple over an orange. As much as I'd like an apple right now, I know I can't afford it. Apples break easily, and I know I don't want to do that.
Having read the book, I knew what it was about. But the way some parts were played out was a little freaky, or even scary. (And I rarely find movies scary. But maybe that's partially just because of me being paranoid.) There's a lot of sh*t in my life, but living in that time and place would be like hell. But that's not the point of the story.
If you had to choose, would you choose common sense or what your heart tells you? If the world tells you what your heart says is wrong, would you still continue along? But the world is not just black and white, not just right and wrong. There's always the grey area in between, and the area outside the box. Oranges are not the only fruit.
I read up a bit on the book and found some interesting stuff. On one site, there was a discussion about the difference between Jess and Melanie's relationship vs Jess and Katy. The first was pure, care-free and straight from the heart. The second was intentional and much more careful and calculated.
I read that and then looked at myself. In a way, that is the change that's happened these few years. Then, it really was just purely by feeling and straight from the heart that everything happened. And now, I have really consciously thought about the issue and am "intentionally" getting into this, and approaching everything more carefully. Perhaps that's what happens when you see the world crash down on you. So have I chosen common sense or the heart? I'd say something in between. You should follow your heart, but it also takes some common sense to safely get there.
While trying to find a quote from this book/drama earlier, I came across a book review. What's interesting is that the positive review of this lesbian novel was on a Catholic website. But even more interesting was that a familiar name was attached to one of the comments. The name may be fairly common, but in combination with the writing style, the mention of a calling, poetry and another book, I'm pretty sure it's her.
Oranges are not the only fruit.
At this moment, I know I'd prefer an apple over an orange. As much as I'd like an apple right now, I know I can't afford it. Apples break easily, and I know I don't want to do that.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The sun is setting...
The laughter of happy people...
The smell of good weather...
The sound of fireworks...
Just another reminder...
Of the things we said...
Of the things we never did...
Of the promises I couldn't keep...
I owe you so much...
If only you'd give me the chance...
The smell of good weather...
The sound of fireworks...
Just another reminder...
Of the things we said...
Of the things we never did...
Of the promises I couldn't keep...
I owe you so much...
If only you'd give me the chance...
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The Bottom Line
I don't mind if you don't meet my work expectations and I have to pick up the slack.
I don't mind that I get allocated the worst jobs end up doing the most work.
But I do mind that I have to change my plans and drive 70km to where you want to meet just because you're too lazy to do a little bit of driving. There is absolutely no reason why we can't meet somewhere in the middle, or somewhere close to the person who doesn't have a car.
What gives you the right to take a chunk out of my time when I have other people and obligations to attend to and you have complete freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want?
Why are some people so self-centered?
I can tolerate a lot of things, but I cannot tolerate people who don't even know how to show a little bit of consideration for others.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Progress!...finally
Six weeks left until the big exam.....
And for the first time since we began writing cases, I finally got a passing mark.
Now to keep it up for another six weeks.
*sigh*
Not so sure I can do this......
And for the first time since we began writing cases, I finally got a passing mark.
Now to keep it up for another six weeks.
*sigh*
Not so sure I can do this......
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
In the end, we're different.
So earlier I posted this link 請教我們如何不仇富 on fb and got replies from two people﹕
Person #1 disliked my post and suggested that there was some hatred against people from China in the link.
Person #2 sighed and I think understood what the point was.
What is so "amusing" about the link is simply what the rich girl said. The reality is...if you're gonna buy a $345 million house and say you're just middle class, a lot of people are gonna have a problem with you. Including me. I don't care if you're rich, nor will I hate you for it, but the way you talk is ridiculous.
As for the political side (which I really didn't even notice when I was reading), it all goes back to the HK vs China issues. The truth is (and everybody knows it) that HK people and China people dislike each other and have a tendency to blame each other for their problems.
Person #1 is someone I see almost every day. I'm the HKer, and she's not. We get along and chat. We work together very well. We're friends. But whenever something about HK or China comes up and things get political, or we're talking about certain values, we always have very different views.
At that point, it always hits me.....
In the end, we're different.
Person #1 disliked my post and suggested that there was some hatred against people from China in the link.
Person #2 sighed and I think understood what the point was.
What is so "amusing" about the link is simply what the rich girl said. The reality is...if you're gonna buy a $345 million house and say you're just middle class, a lot of people are gonna have a problem with you. Including me. I don't care if you're rich, nor will I hate you for it, but the way you talk is ridiculous.
As for the political side (which I really didn't even notice when I was reading), it all goes back to the HK vs China issues. The truth is (and everybody knows it) that HK people and China people dislike each other and have a tendency to blame each other for their problems.
Person #1 is someone I see almost every day. I'm the HKer, and she's not. We get along and chat. We work together very well. We're friends. But whenever something about HK or China comes up and things get political, or we're talking about certain values, we always have very different views.
At that point, it always hits me.....
In the end, we're different.
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Life
How do you picture your ideal life?
Who is in it?
What are you doing?
What is each day like?
Who is in it?
What are you doing?
What is each day like?
Saturday, May 14, 2011
愛是不保留
This song has been in the background of a commercial recently...and yes, it's a religious song...
常聽說世界愛沒長久，哪裡會有愛無盡頭？
塵俗的愛只在乎曾擁有，一刻燦爛便要走！
而我卻確信愛是恆久，碰到了你已無別求：
無從解釋、不可說明的愛，千秋過後仍長存不朽！
誰人受痛苦被懸掛在木頭？至高的愛盡見於刺穿的手；
看！血在流反映愛沒保留，持續不死的愛到萬世不休！
惟求奉上生命全歸主所有，要將一切盡獻於我主的手；
我已決定今生再沒所求，惟望得主稱讚已足夠！
It's been a long time since I heard this song. I can't remember how or why I know it. The lyrics are nice, and somehow it has that calming effect on me.
But the other reason why it's memorable is that, like a fluke, when I searched this song on youtube years ago, the video that I clicked on had a comment left by a familiar person. (I'm absolutely 100% sure who it is because nobody else would ever use that name.) Coincidence, or what?
汽水樽裡的咖啡
Had a rather serious chat tonight and this song/video came to mind. I think a lot of people would agree that this song says a lot without being too obvious. And I'm sure it speaks to a lot of people.
Who are you on the outside? Who are you on the inside? As always, it's what's inside that counts. But how many people in this world will look past the physical and see you for who you are?
Hope you're okay, buddy.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
That someone at the door...
I was chatting with someone over the weekend about relationships and what not. Somewhere along the line, I mentioned that it'd be nice to have someone in my life right now.
I'm not sure why I said that. I'm not sure why I even thought/think that.
The next 5 months are definitely going to be stressful. No doubt about that. It would be nice to have someone who's supportive to keep me going, to brighten up the bad days, to tell me it's okay, to tell me that things will work out. And for whatever reason, I can almost feel that emptiness because that someone doesn't exist.
When did I become so dependent? When did I start to doubt myself? When did life become so difficult?
I've always managed alone. I've always survived. I've never needed anyone. Why is this getting to me now?
I know I have some great classmates, a great study group, and some awesome friends, and I'm grateful for all of that. But it's never quite the same.
*sigh*
I'm not sure why I said that. I'm not sure why I even thought/think that.
The next 5 months are definitely going to be stressful. No doubt about that. It would be nice to have someone who's supportive to keep me going, to brighten up the bad days, to tell me it's okay, to tell me that things will work out. And for whatever reason, I can almost feel that emptiness because that someone doesn't exist.
When did I become so dependent? When did I start to doubt myself? When did life become so difficult?
I've always managed alone. I've always survived. I've never needed anyone. Why is this getting to me now?
I know I have some great classmates, a great study group, and some awesome friends, and I'm grateful for all of that. But it's never quite the same.
*sigh*
Monday, May 9, 2011
Wake Up Call
9am...
And the school over there is blasting this music (Boomtang Boys - Popcorn) outside...
And I'm sitting here trying to finish my paper.
Actually...I'm not that annoyed...but it reminds me I have that CD somewhere from way back...and that Boomtang Boys are the same ones who created this extremely annoying song which was strangely popular back then:
In My Shoes
Every so often somebody complains about how some person is inconsiderate and doesn't understand a certain situation because he/she has never been in that position.
And then they turn around and impose their thoughts and values on me, thinking they know what's best for me and what I should be doing in my situation.
But you don't know.
You're not me.
You've never been there.
You'll never understand.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Beginning of the End
The home stretch...
But this isn't going to be easy.
Time to get back to reality.
Time to get organized.
Time to start working.
Hope things go smoothly for the next 5 months.
But this isn't going to be easy.
Time to get back to reality.
Time to get organized.
Time to start working.
Hope things go smoothly for the next 5 months.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Good People
Met up with R and M tonight. Same place, as usual. Good times. All we need is for J to come back and it would be just like old times. (From the looks of it, me and R and J might be able to meet up in HK next year!)
Talking to M makes me realize that my life is really good compared to hers. I don't need to worry about money. I don't need to live with some relative who doesn't want you there. I don't need to deal with in-laws.
Really glad to see that she's found a nice bf, found a career path that she likes, and bought herself a car. Hopefully, she really is a lot happier than the old times.
To a certain extent, I realize I'm a really bad friend. She's going through so much stuff and I've never been there to help her. Yet, she's driven over an hour to come out here and meet up with me and R, and insists that she needs to get me a b-day present even though she really doesn't have that much extra money.
God bless. You deserve so much more.
Talking to M makes me realize that my life is really good compared to hers. I don't need to worry about money. I don't need to live with some relative who doesn't want you there. I don't need to deal with in-laws.
Really glad to see that she's found a nice bf, found a career path that she likes, and bought herself a car. Hopefully, she really is a lot happier than the old times.
To a certain extent, I realize I'm a really bad friend. She's going through so much stuff and I've never been there to help her. Yet, she's driven over an hour to come out here and meet up with me and R, and insists that she needs to get me a b-day present even though she really doesn't have that much extra money.
God bless. You deserve so much more.
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