Unselfishness was one of the first few things I remembered learning. Actually, it was also one of the hardest things for me to apply, because I used to be very selfish & self-centred. Which is why I was called "spoilt brat" a lot.
The funny thing is that now I'm less selfish, but my own family wouldn't even realise that (specifically one person), because they'd think that I never change bla bla bla & then they complain about me being nicer to my friends than family (which they've been saying since I was young anyway, & lots of other people feel say that too). But it's a bit harder to be nicer to my family when they seem to expect the worst from me sometimes.
Anyway, in one of my attempts to be a better person & be more unselfish (if I was ever unselfish last time), I couldn't help thinking, if I'm unselfish, & usually being unselfish implies some sort of sacrifice on your own part for someone else, then isn't the other person being selfish? A common example would be in a game of baseball/basketball/football/badminton (doubles)/tennis (doubles) & most other ball games (but not for table tennis doubles because you take turns to hit the ball anyway lol), the 1st person will say "You take it (supposedly being unselfish, but that person could be avoiding something possibly tedious or inconvenient)," & the other person would say "Oh no, YOU take it" & the ball will end up in the middle, something like that (it's shown in quite a number of movies too).
To me, unselfishness could be in the form of sacrificing something tangible or intangible. For me, it started with food. It was hard for me to give something I liked to eat to someone else, cos at that time I hardly ate much. Unfortunately, probably the reason why I don't mind doing so anymore is because I eat so much now T_T but ignore that lol which is why it applies to games also, because it is not easy for anyone to have a chance to play, especially when so many people wanna play.
Unselfishness is also linked with consideration for other people, but then again, I think all these values should link to one another in some way or other. & technically, I guess you could say that the other person (if it was direct & not indirect) couldn't be called selfish either, because it's only right that they should accept the 1st person's unselfishness gracefully & thank the person for it.
I hope I made sense, but if not, never mind. I usually wouldn't like to talk about this kinda topic (as in, values & all, since I hate moral lessons, but that was for a different reason lol) but it was just something that I thought about since young, & I'd tell my mum about it (I think I was trying to defend my selfishness lol), so I wonder whether anyone ever thought it from that perspective. Maybe it depends whether you were a selfish person more or unselfish person more. ;-P
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Blackmore's Night
This is the 1st time I'm recommending a band ;-) & normally I don't like to put their picture because I feel it causes people to be biased or prejudiced. But then I thought it'd look nicer having a picture in the post rather than none, to introduce them, & I was looking for something that would give me the feel of blackmore's night. This was the closest to what I felt lol
They're a band specialising in the medieval kind of music. If you really want to know more, you can always search for it in wikipedia.
I recommend Ghost Of A Rose & Under A Violet Moon ^__^ I'd be very happy if you listened to it & told me what you thought, but the thoughts are not necessary because I don't have much opinion to voice out either other than the fact that it's nice & I like it lol
the guitar playing is good though, for those who appreciate it... & their style is pretty much the same if you listen to more of their songs, but I'm the kind of person who'd like a style, so if I like a certain artist, I tend to listen to all or most of their songs if their style doesn't change ;-D
my dad called me old for liking this group lol cos at their concerts, only older people attend (range from middle age to elderly). I couldn't think of anything to say in my defense haih
you see, because of my different taste in music, I wouldn't think of recommending any songs or people that I listen to, because I doubt that other people will like it, so there wouldn't be any point in recommending. but the few previous posts that I have done (I only remember two, one is gackt & the other is hyde lol) is more like a declaration of how strong my feelings were, & in a way, how much of a fan I am because of that.but I have quite strong feelings about this group too, when listening to their songs, & I felt the need to recommend them ;-P
& yes, my taste is different, once again, but I'd call this good music whereas the other music that I listen to which I enjoy, I wouldn't have the confidence of calling it good, I'd just say it's not bad, but then again, I'm not the kind to compliment ^^; so you know what it means when I'm complimenting this group ;-P but actually, it's again because of my father, if he didn't listen to it, I wouldn't have heard the songs at the same time, & because he thinks all the music (or most of it) that he listens to are good music, that's why I wouldn't hesitate to call it good, based on what he says ;-) but the reason why he says that the music he listens to are good is because lots (& I mean lots) of people love it, & they're normally the best selling famous songs.
This group is a bit unknown though, but well known in other parts also, so I thought I'd share ;-D hope you like it!
PS: btw, my results came out edi ;-( I failed 1 paper again, but at least it's not the same bloody paper anymore yay! lol
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Extract from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'
Did I ever mention that I like to read storybooks? Well, I do, it's just that I never bothered to mention it, also because I read a lot less the past few years ;-( & because I started reading chic lit, but the feeling I get when I read chic lit & other stories are different. Which is why I purposely read chic lit, but I'm not gonna elaborate on that.
& the reason why I never mention to anyone (generally) that I like reading is because I don't think people would associate me with reading, which is fine, & also because I don't know many people who enjoy reading. So because we obviously don't share that same interest, there's no need for me to mention it. The same reason why I don't mention my other interests that are not typical.
But because I've been highly influenced by my friend, who loves phrases & extracts, I decided to post an extract that has made a great impact on me since I read it.
XD I <3 this kind of rhymes, but of course that's not the only thing I liked about Roald Dahl, but his rhymes did make me laugh. Even now, they put a smile on my face ;-)
I hope to post more extracts next time ^__^
& the reason why I never mention to anyone (generally) that I like reading is because I don't think people would associate me with reading, which is fine, & also because I don't know many people who enjoy reading. So because we obviously don't share that same interest, there's no need for me to mention it. The same reason why I don't mention my other interests that are not typical.
But because I've been highly influenced by my friend, who loves phrases & extracts, I decided to post an extract that has made a great impact on me since I read it.
'The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set —
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
In almost every house we've been,
We've watched them gaping at the screen.
They loll and slop and lounge about,
And stare until their eyes pop out.
(Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they're hypnotized by it,
Until they're absolutely drunk
With all that shocking ghastly junk.
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink —
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
IT ROTS THE SENSES IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK — HE ONLY SEES!
"All right!" you'll cry. "All right!" you'll say,
"But if we take the set away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our darling children! Please explain!"
We'll answer this by asking you,
"What used the darling ones to do?
How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?"
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY . . . USED TO . . . READ! They'd READ and READ,
AND READ and READ, and then proceed
TO READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales
And treasure isles, and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and —
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How The Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr Rat and Mr Mole —
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks —
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something good to read.
And once they start — oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean.
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did.
P.S. Regarding Mike Teavee,
We very much regret that we
Shall simply have to wait and see
If we can get him back his height.
But if we can't — it serves him right.'
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set —
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
In almost every house we've been,
We've watched them gaping at the screen.
They loll and slop and lounge about,
And stare until their eyes pop out.
(Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they're hypnotized by it,
Until they're absolutely drunk
With all that shocking ghastly junk.
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink —
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
IT ROTS THE SENSES IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK — HE ONLY SEES!
"All right!" you'll cry. "All right!" you'll say,
"But if we take the set away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our darling children! Please explain!"
We'll answer this by asking you,
"What used the darling ones to do?
How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?"
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY . . . USED TO . . . READ! They'd READ and READ,
AND READ and READ, and then proceed
TO READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales
And treasure isles, and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and —
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How The Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr Rat and Mr Mole —
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks —
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something good to read.
And once they start — oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean.
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did.
P.S. Regarding Mike Teavee,
We very much regret that we
Shall simply have to wait and see
If we can get him back his height.
But if we can't — it serves him right.'
XD I <3 this kind of rhymes, but of course that's not the only thing I liked about Roald Dahl, but his rhymes did make me laugh. Even now, they put a smile on my face ;-)
I hope to post more extracts next time ^__^
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Kuching, Sarawak
It was my 1st time to ever set foot in East Malaysia lol ;-D
It felt like a small town (it is, I think), & I think it's obviously more quiet & peaceful there than here.
It was horribly hot for me though >_> It felt like it couldn't get any hotter than that, but I know that's not true, & there are much hotter places around, but really, it's like the sun was beating down on us T_T only during the afternoons though, it's quite cool during the nights & mornings (nice breeze ^__^).
It seems there's only kolo mee there most of the time, & hardly much else ^^; But that's regarding food. Although it's recommended for people trying to diet, especially for fussy people like me, because there's nothing much to eat (as in, the variety), & because you'd rather not eat sometimes ;-P
Regarding other things, there's probably not much else too lol no nightlife, everyone sleeps early, but then, so do I, so it's not really a problem... not as early as when the shops close, which were like, 8??? But I'm the kind of person who'd be happy at home with a book or a computer (preferably online, but not necessary), so of course I didn't mind the fact that there was no nightlife ;-)
Oh, if you go there, you'd notice that there are A LOT of cafes around (but actually, they're just coffee shops like the ones here). I only can remember Friendship Cafe & Palm Cafe, cos Palm cafe was the nearest to where we stayed, & we ate there twice, & friendship cafe because it reminded me of the Friendster cafe in Sunway Pyramid, which I always thought was such a stupid name that obviously lacks creativity since it only opened way after friendster.com itself. There was one called Thompson's Corner (didn't end with cafe at least, but it was another coffee shop). I liked the way his display looked cos it looked like it was comic sans lol oh! there was tarot cafe there too XDD always quite a lotta people whenever we passed it. For those who don't know, there's a comic series called The Tarot Cafe which I <3 ^__^
no, it's not a jet plane, it's a boat lol
the boats used for the race (not the one just now, that was probably just for display)
how the riverside looks ^__^
one of the most beautiful buildings in, I don't remember, Asia? I think it's a government building of some sort, excuse me for forgetting these trivial details ;-P
It felt like a small town (it is, I think), & I think it's obviously more quiet & peaceful there than here.
It was horribly hot for me though >_> It felt like it couldn't get any hotter than that, but I know that's not true, & there are much hotter places around, but really, it's like the sun was beating down on us T_T only during the afternoons though, it's quite cool during the nights & mornings (nice breeze ^__^).
It seems there's only kolo mee there most of the time, & hardly much else ^^; But that's regarding food. Although it's recommended for people trying to diet, especially for fussy people like me, because there's nothing much to eat (as in, the variety), & because you'd rather not eat sometimes ;-P
Regarding other things, there's probably not much else too lol no nightlife, everyone sleeps early, but then, so do I, so it's not really a problem... not as early as when the shops close, which were like, 8??? But I'm the kind of person who'd be happy at home with a book or a computer (preferably online, but not necessary), so of course I didn't mind the fact that there was no nightlife ;-)
Oh, if you go there, you'd notice that there are A LOT of cafes around (but actually, they're just coffee shops like the ones here). I only can remember Friendship Cafe & Palm Cafe, cos Palm cafe was the nearest to where we stayed, & we ate there twice, & friendship cafe because it reminded me of the Friendster cafe in Sunway Pyramid, which I always thought was such a stupid name that obviously lacks creativity since it only opened way after friendster.com itself. There was one called Thompson's Corner (didn't end with cafe at least, but it was another coffee shop). I liked the way his display looked cos it looked like it was comic sans lol oh! there was tarot cafe there too XDD always quite a lotta people whenever we passed it. For those who don't know, there's a comic series called The Tarot Cafe which I <3 ^__^
no, it's not a jet plane, it's a boat lol
the boats used for the race (not the one just now, that was probably just for display)
how the riverside looks ^__^
one of the most beautiful buildings in, I don't remember, Asia? I think it's a government building of some sort, excuse me for forgetting these trivial details ;-P
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