This is an interesting new feature to the site called ‘status’. I think it is something like an FB status update…Too bad there isn’t an emoticon section and then I can just play with smiley faces! π
Aug 152013
Aug 142013
My normal schedule has been completely turned upside down, inside out and backwards. I am not exactly sure how it happened, but upon arriving in Phuket, I have given Rip Van Winkle a run for his money! π
So, I have started staying up until 2am or later. Even if I go to bed at midnight, I end up reading until nearly two. Sometimes, we watch movies until late. Then, while I used to only sleep 6 hours and 8 at the very most, I am now sleeping about 10 or 11! Therefore, I am not getting myself out of bed until noon or later. It feels like I am in college again, except I never slept like this in college either…maybe junior high/high school?
It feels quite good, actually. I am finally feeling relaxed and refreshed, I think. Many days, this is all I see –
Still, we get out and ride around, walk on the beach, have dinner somewhere and just enjoy a quiet life. It’s all goooood. π
Sadly, there are only another 10 days or so before I have to head back to the desert, so I am going to live it up as much as possible!!!
-T π
Aug 132013
_Oryx and Crake: A Novel_ by Margaret Atwood
I have a read a few of Margaret Atwood’s novels and really enjoyed them, but as they are more science fiction, I do not often think to read more of her novels. During one of our BBQ parties, we were talking about the future world and overpopulation, etc. (We might be a bit nerdy… ;)) This title came up and I was curious to give it a read.
The story goes back and forth from the current ‘post-apocalyptic’ world with Snowman and the Crakers to the time building up to the current when Snowman was Jimmy and growing up with his friend Crake. Woven between the two stories comes the character of Oryx – a girl/woman who captures the love of both young boys when they are at a very impressionable age (14). They are always in a future time, but both have dysfunctional families and struggle through their youth until they part ways when it comes time for university. Crake is extremely intelligent and works to create an ideal world. Jimmy is an average fellow who is not a ‘numbers’ person, but a ‘word’ person and so he follows the path with less hope. It is a nice dynamic to create and show the extremes that we may continue to see of our society.
Ultimately, Crake and Oryx have come together to help create a perfect kind of people to survive and reproduce in the world. However, along with this comes a plague that is meant to make people sterile through vitamin supplements, but is then set off to destroy the current world population. Before this, Crake has brought Jimmy into his world and made him the protector of the Crakers. Thus, the story goes.
It is an apt story with its pointings towards issues such as overpopulation and how to control it to avoid the world being destroyed, yet also considering what is going too far. This is the first of a trilogy, so I will read something else next, but imagine I shall go back to this series soon!
-T π
Aug 122013
We have been doing a lot of relaxing here in Phuket, so much so that I have hardly taken any pictures! (shocking, right? ;))
Despite our sleeping and chilling schedule, we have been doing quite a bit of exercise between using the gym, swimming at the pool and doing walks along the beach when the weather is reasonable. I am determined to get myself slim and trim again. The idea of having a 40’s body someday just does not sit well with me, so I will put it off as long as possible!
Usually as I walk along the beach I just try to enjoy the sound of the crashing waves and people watch. Much of the time I have to pay attention to my feet so as not to step on garbage that has washed up on shore and oftentimes I see scribbles in the sand that people have written and taken photos of. It made me wonder what is so fascinating about writing in the sand or the whole idea of footprints in the sand being romantic. Where did this idea start and why do we continue to perpetuate it?
To me, taking a photo of writing in the sand has no meaning because you could be on any sandy beach and have written that. Without some feature of that particular beach, what makes anyone believe that it is so ‘cool’ to do it? I know I might be killing any sentimentality of the activity, but it’s a curiosity. Also, I have seen people take photos of their footprints in the sand and while I understand from the popular poem about Jesus carrying you (not from the Bible, btw), I still see it as random. Sure, I know all photos are sentimental mostly just to the people/person who take the photos and to no one else, but why this kind of photo over others?
I suppose it is a more complex question of why we take photos of anything and why not of whatever we want, whether scribbles or footprints in the sand. I have no argument for that…just a curiosity towards it. π
-T π
Aug 112013
_Heroes and Monsters: Β An Honest Look at the Struggle within All of Us_ by Josh James Riebock
I am not sure where I found this title. Maybe it was a recommended read from Susan Cain about an introvert. Or maybe it came from someone else that I follow on FB. Sometimes I lose track of where my thoughts, recommendations, information, etc. come from…. π
In any case, this was a beautifully written work. Written in first person, Riebock takes us through his journey of self-discovery and acceptance of who he is as an artsy, sensitive, introvert trying to make in this world despite all of the negatives that have come in and out of his life. There was much to relate to both as an introvert and an unusual start to life. However, it was also fascinating from the male perspective – reminding me of a number of people whom I know.
It has been a long while since I have read writing that so intelligently mixes pop culture, literary references as well as descriptions of the times (as a fellow 80’s child). It was really so nice to read this novel and also so strange considering I have no idea how I came across it.
While probably not on the top of many reading lists, I highly recommend this one.
And now, we are caught up….I’ve slowed down with my reading due to trying to write more….
-T π
Aug 102013
_The Time Keeper_ by Mitch Albom
So, in my continued reading spree, I thought I would try Mitch Albom’s latest book or latest to my knowledge.
This was really an interesting read and a bit different from his past work. The book follows the path of Dor from the past, known now as Father Time, and two people from the modern day – Sarah and Victor – both at the opposite ends of life.
With Dor we see the beginning of the idea of time. Dor is fascinated with counting and understanding the passage of numbers. He supposedly lived when the Tower of Babel was being built and then upon the death of his wife, he climbs the tower to gods and tries to stop time so that he can hang on to his love. In doing so, Dor gets trapped in the space of no time and hears how the world changes due to his invention of time.
The world has become obsessed with time – wanting more, wanting it to be faster or slower, wanting it to stop. As Sarah and Victor represent the starting of life (Sarah as a young teenager) and the end of life (Victor as a very rich man who is dying of cancer), we see how their obsession with time affects their quality of life and those around them. With such a focus on time and trying to outlive it, they forget that there is no way of controlling or knowing what will happen over time.
Dor comes into the present to show them what will happen to their loved ones if they continue on their particular paths versus if they let time be. Through this, Dor also realizes his own fault in obsessing over the discovery of time.
It is a poignant message and was somehow very ‘timely’ in my reading of it as I was thinking about my time home last month. As usual, Albom’s books make me think and are such a quick and easy read, but with a lot of punch!
One more and then I will be caught up on my reading frenzy. Unless, of course, I finish the current one before then. π
-T π
Aug 092013
It was less than a week that my computer was gone. Part of me really missed it and part of me did not miss it at all – I did have my iPad mini, after all! π
The source of the problem is unclear, but it seems that it was more of a software issue than a hardware one as originally thought. Thankfully, this also saved me some cash. The man who worked on the computer was a nice French man living in Thailand. I am lucky to have found him, or rather lucky that R found him on the Internet. π
So, all is well in the land of electronics and technology. My hand-writing option was not going so well, so now I feel as if I might actually be motivated to get some real work done…. I’m such a slacker with this PhD thing….<sigh>. It will get done!
-T π
Aug 082013
_Inferno_ by Dan Brown
It may be wrong to admit that I have read all of Dan Brown’s books and enjoyed them immensely. Although I am not alone in admitting to liking his work, I do wonder if he has been more lucky then talented. Even still, I think his writing has improved and so I was pleased to read this new novel.
Of course, I might be a little bit biased as I love Dante’s Divine Comedy as a lover of classical literature. Also, I am amazed at the immense influence his work has had on religion and literature over the lifetimes since he published this work.
Brown’s taking of Dante’s masterpiece and weaving history with the modern is both entertaining and reasonably written. Although I kept imagining Tom Hanks saying phrases or running with some new female heroine for the characters, I was engaged with a mix of Hollywood and literature in my head.
The storyline holds its own for the most part. I am not certain about the fairy tale-esque ending, but I guess if Brown wants another movie made it is suitable. Plus, I enjoyed reading about Florence and Venice, having been there recently.
Overall, a thrilling read for quick entertainment and reminders of how good literature can affect the world.
(I have nearly caught up with my reading!)
-T π
Aug 072013
It has now been almost four months that I have been consistently taking the Cipralex and it was not until I made my trip home that I realized just how much it is working for me. Honestly, I had contemplated going off of it in a few months, but upon reflection I am not sure. Maybe going a full year and continuing to reflect on my life will be better so that I can make a more informed decision about staying on it or not.
In any case, I really had a great time being home and seeing my BFF. It was perhaps one of the best trips I have had. Of course, there could be any number of reasons for this, but I think one major factor is being on the Cipralex.
While others around me were worked up or getting stressed over things I felt myself in a pretty calm place. I did not join in the stressful feelings, but instead watched with both amazement and sadness at how we let ourselves be taken over by the truly unimportant matters in life. The before-me would have felt the stress from others and gotten involved or let myself be swept along with my own worries or stress. The after-me saw through these behaviors and found how much I really did not need to become a part of the behaviors around me. It is not a judgment by any means as I am quite notorious for being a worry-wart all on my own. However, it does say a lot about the effects of the Cipralex, not just on my behavior but also on my perceptions.
Although I worry sometimes that my eyes are now tainted by the Cipralex lens in that I feel as if everyone should feel this kind of ‘awakening’, I think that the reality is that more people should probably consider how it could help them. It is not that drugs/medication is for everyone. It is not that everyone is ‘crazy’. However, I think there are probably a lot of people who deny that they worry too much, are depressed more than they should be, stress over the little things more than necessary, and then emanate all that negative energy onto others unintentionally. Even if we realize that we are this way, most of us will deny that medication is necessary or effective for ‘me’. I was this way as well, but now that I have seen the difference and talked with others around me, I realize that what is important is focusing on positive energies.
Still, I need to consider how to better focus when I need to as I know that the Cipralex tends to take my mind away too quickly from certain thoughts. Since I really need to get my dissertation written, it is going to be a challenge to figure out how to force my mind and body to focus long enough to accomplish this task. It can be done, I just need to try some different strategies than I have been.
In any case, I think that I’m on a good path right now and am happy with life! <3
-T π
Aug 062013
