~ FREEDOM OF DREAMING ~

抱歉 是我不够坚强 接受你的不一样 我心向太阳 却无法给你 你想要的光芒 哦 我灰色的月亮 愿你能找到属于你的肩膀 愿我们都能够坚强 虽过程艰苦且漫长 有朝一日 待我有所成长 而你也无恙 让我陪你 在浮世闯荡

  Not all battles are fought while making a clarion call. Not all hurdles are overcome with a smile. Not all contest of strengths are done under the attention of spectators. Our past hurts might not be easily and readily shared with just about anyone. Coincidence, circumstance, and often the right people are needed for us to be open. Interestingly enough, we often do not know who the right people are until we actually meet them and opportunity presents itself to us at that exact moment. In the age of social media, where posts are mostly along the lines of "my life is wonderful!", there is a tendency for us to keep our negative emotions to ourselves. Opening up is often scary, especially if we have been hurt when we are at our most vulnerable. But every mistake we make can always be taken as a lesson. And if you live long enough to meet the right person, how wonderful would that be? Bruises heal in no time; Wounds might leave you with scars. Scars may last fo...

Brings me back to my childhood days I do not think I recall the last time when I could actually slow down. Lately, my life has been going to the research institute in the morning and doing a part-time job at night. Also, there is the occasional gathering with friends and whatnot, which barely leaves me enough time for myself. Thankfully, work is slowing down a little, for now at least, and I can spend some time, without any guilt to give myself a break, especially my eyes. @@ There is a Chinese saying that goes, "resting is preparing for the longer journey ahead", but I have never been able to fully appreciate it until recently. I think that the saying is not telling you to rest like there is no tomorrow before you have to work again, but during that period of indolence, do or pursue something that you have always liked or wanted to do. In a way, this is utilising your 'free time' for yourself, be it a passion or just a hobby. If that something is somehow benef...

  So I started my new year by visiting the funeral parlour here. From a more superstitious point of view, that was not the best way to start a year, but I am humbly reminded that we cannot control every sort of circumstance in our lives, especially regarding the departure of someone dear to us. I can only imagine the pain and grief of the family members going through that ordeal, since the last time a family member of mine passed away was quite some time ago. IT was the father of my friend whom I have recently met. Just like that, he has lost both his parents in the span of a year. The news came when everyone was busy and happily preparing for the new year. Another stark reminder that life is really unpredictable. I believe his lost will be felt, and that it would need some getting used to, especially since he left quite suddenly. As a friend, I did what I could. I showed up, with a couple of others to pay our final respects. I think that was the least we could do, t...

Final group photo before leaving the island Let's just start with stating that this is a long due post, and it is long. In Malaysian public universities, you'll have to undergo Industrial Training (a.k.a. internship) at some point in your studies in order to graduate. The good thing is that we get to apply for any company or organization we like, and it feels somewhat like a job hunt. As I have always wanted to do something, anything for the environment, I decided to spend my 2 months-long industrial training at Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC) right here in Sabah! Honestly speaking, I have not even heard of this organization before, nor the island that it is situated on. Thank you Google. A little bit about TRACC, it was established about 6 years ago by the late Steve Oakley to mainly work on coral restoration in the bombed reef of Pom-Pom Island off the coast of Semporna. Staffed by enthusiastic people, many of the work done at TRACC are only pos...

华丽的外表，需要一颗更强大的内心。 健全的灵魂，与健全的精神和肉体共存。 偶像 是一个什么样的东西? 我承认自己的追星经验值为0，但是我还是有自己比较喜欢的明星的，虽然都是唱歌的 xD 看着偶像，看着艺人们在舞台上，在镜头前展示着那近乎完美的自我，不由然地会羡慕起他们来，甚至会把他们当作榜样。 而镜头的背后，我们的偶像们也许不过是个平凡的人类。 他们也会苦也会累，也有自己不满意的不足。 然而他们并没有放弃自己，而是不断地努力去充实自己，让自己变得越来越好。 而在这样的过程中，给予粉丝的，是远超于福利的福利 - 那满满的正能量。 粉丝需要明星，而我们需要的是朋友。 我想每个人都需要甚至渴望找到那一位，或是那一群能接受自己的朋友。 也许并不是无条件地接受，毕竟朋友之间偶尔来点小摩擦有助于增进彼此之间的感情的（科科）。 而是大家都有各自的不完美，而我们不完美和不完美之间的相处，擦出那完美的友情火花，是这世界上最美丽的东西。 偶像是月亮，而围绕着偶像转的就是像星星一样的粉丝。 我们是我们世界里的月亮，而朋友们，像星星。 月亮看起来好大好圆，可是它的明亮不过是借着太阳的光而投射到人们眼里。 星星虽然看起来渺小，但一个个都是独自的发光体，在夜里静静地守护着月亮。 大道理应该没有人不懂，可是我们往往需要一个人去点破，去引领我们，告诉我们自己本来就知道的方法，并加以实践。 夜很深，星星很可能被黑夜吞没。 可是月亮努力地反射阳光，似乎想借用阳光，用月光引领星星，好让它们继续燃烧，继续做自己夜空中最亮的星。 谁是你生命中的月亮，而谁又是你生命中的星星呢？

It's a new year again. A new chapter, a new page, a new leaf or anything you'd like to call it. It is the time of year where everybody strives to start afresh, despite facing the same or similar challenges. Listing down resolutions for a new year seems like the 'thing' to do for everyone. It is a trend that never seemed to die off. I personally have tried this a few times, but I either end up forgetting what I listed down or forgetting where I put the list in the first place. Well, this year, to save me from tears  I've decided not to set some mighty goals (which I would probably forget by next month), but small and little ones, those with goals that I can look back upon and smile. This year, I will resolve to revive my diary, to blog more, and to be a healthier person. Sounds good, no? What are your new year's resolutions? Do share. Currently facing finals.