Book 2

This is the newly published book from the same illustrator of 一個人住第五年. I was so attracted by the crowds on the front cover. I meant, it might truly present how Tokyo is like now. Rather like Hong Kong.
As a 'hongkonger', I didn't really know how it's like to be away from home and move to the city. In fact, Hong Kong's already a city. I wonder how many Japanese stay in their hometowns and never go to the city. Even if they go, they would be treated like 'mainlanders' visiting Hong Kong - weirdos.

SIENA -- my 'neverland' (may be the best-preserved medieval city in Italy)

Hate the things you do or do the things you hate?!

To hate the things you do
Just seems so common in life
You feel helpless and you compromise
The worst is not accepting the compromise wholly
But partly, you start to hate the things and hate yourself

To do the things you hate
Just seems so uncommon in life
You feel scared and you escape
But when you take it, face it, deal with it
You start to like the act and like yourself

"Impossible?!"
"It's possible!"

Here

We're the trees that cluster together in a small island, striving to survive under harsh condition. Without much nutrients but water -- we're stuffed without solidity. Inside, there's only hollowness. We pretend that we're FULL yet we're actually weak, thin, fragile. Even a strong wind can easily defeat us because we're far from the isle and we're detached from the origin. We stand ALONE.

Rain

I used to like rainy days a lot. That's when I was still very young - when I always felt so frustrated by all the bad luck in my life.
Now I don't like rainy days because I believe in sunshine and I believe in the beauty of this world.

The key is: there's always sunshine after rain -- when bad becomes good.

This book is 'written and illustrated' by a Japanese lady who's moved to Tokyo in pursuit of her dream. Very funny and well illustrated. It must have talked some sense to those who have recently and not recently been living on their own. I shared some of her experience coz at times I 'live' alone.

When it's not your effort...

I've got it, thanks! It's an A-.
I tore it, opened it, saw it. Here's the line concerning my work: nice idea too.
When it comes to something not truly yours, you can't just 'take (the honour) for granted'. For the small part of my effort, I appreciated a few words of recognition. From all these pages, I didn't see myself but you.
The honour is yours!

My favourite photo this year... so far

What grades mean to me?

Dating back... when I was still studying at CU, I got several A-s from courses by the same professor. So what A- meant to me at that time was merely a pass to obtaining my upper honours, when in fact it didn't represent what I really achieved in the course(s). To be frank, that professor sucks! I was once his research assistant (how pathetic!) and what I did learn about research was nothing but mere 'copy and paste' and 'this is then my lecture notes'. Well, that's higher education.
I once got a B+ from a professor who gave two courses of Shakespeare. I LOVE HER! She's strict, she's demanding, she's a REAL professor. So what that B+ meant? It's recognition. Now that I've got an A from another real FEMINIST, I was 'flattered' (HAHA!). No joking, it's something bigger than getting an A in my major course. What course again?! Sex education, guys.