summer has arrived! the day is longer, the weather much warmer and the whole city just seems to be soaking in the summer. along with the change in the weather has also come changes in schedule and lifestyle. i'm now working the summer camp which means getting up early 5 days a week, but also means that i finish up by 4:30. so, instead of seeing the sun in short bursts i now get a full two hours after work. feels great and of course, the upcoming money won't also be too bad.
i've also started to go to the gym this week. been blasting my delts, quads and all the rest in an effort to try and shed a few pounds. just completed day 3 and so far, so good. i have also combined this gym routine with some better dietary choices...the increase in energy is already starting to work, but this could just be a case of mind over matter. whatev, as long as it works, i'm down with it. working out has also given me reason to not think about the lack of money in july due to our recent move. really takes the edge off of worrying when you're literally sweating buckets instead of figuratively.
speaking of money, something quite interesting happened last night, or at least drew to a close. my story starts back about 3 months ago when i started receiving nasty correspondence and voicemails regarding an unpaid student loan. i finally decided to call and sort things out and was told i had to pay back $1200 dating from a loan taken out in 1996! it smelled fishy right from the start, especially since all my loans were supposed to be officially paid in full january 2008. i sort of let things slide over the last couple of months as i really didn't see the need to start paying back something which was already a decade past due. however, revenue canada didn't see it my way and has been harassing me ever since.
last night, i decided it was time to look into this a little more. i called back the number left on VM and they asked about payment dates and the rest, but when i responded by asking for supporting documents to verify that this loan was still outstanding, i was directed to another service. i posed the same questions to their representative who probed a little deeper. to make a long story short, she contacted the issuing bank and it turns out that the loan has in fact, been paid and that i am in the clear. i'm still a little in shock about it but it still feels good to know that i was right.
i don't know, but maybe, just maybe these small changes i'm making in my life are starting to pay off. maybe it's the exercise, or the extra working hours i've put in. maybe it's the fact i'm showering before bed but whatever it is, i just hope that it continues 'cos things are most definitely looking up.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
fast forward
i came to a realization the other day that almost everything i do, i do quickly. i speak quickly, walk quickly, type quickly, brush my teeth quickly, cook everything on high, eat within about 15 minutes, and devour everything i read. when i make decisions, i make them quickly. when i am trying to be creative, i do it quickly. when i learn something new, i don't want to put in the time, i just want to be good at it now. it's also never a case of what i'm doing now, it's what's next.
so, what's all the rush about?
i've decided i need to learn how to slow down. the main question is, how do i break 33 years of fast habits? i figure the best way is to start simply. i've really decided to slow down my walking as a starting point. it feels weird to walk at half my pace but i am slowly getting used to it. i think the biggest reason i walk so quickly here is to get out of the crowds and the heat, but if you walk slowly, the crowds and heat aren't so bad. i've also tried to slow down the way i talk and take my time to enunciate my words...especially when teaching. again, it feels strange to speak slowly and honestly, i feel like i've suffered a head injury. of course, i can only speak slowly for a short time before my brain is screaming at my mouth to keep up.
i have to be honest and say that i've never really understood how slow people can be...well, so slow. it's almost agonizing to me when people can't meet deadlines, walk too slowly, or can't be some where on time. in fact, it's an absolute mystery to me. i think it might be the way my brain is wired or something...not that i think better thinks, just that i think more? not too mention my energy levels which at time seem boundless. because of this, living fast just seems like an efficient use of my energy. isn't faster better in a lot of ways? it makes me on time, lets me get more done and enjoy things a lot quicker. all in all, i've always thought of doing things quickly as the best way. but maybe, just maybe i'm the one who is wrong.
there is an idea which is gaining in popularity called the 'slow movement'. followers of this credo believe that a return to a slower-paced way of life is the way to solve a lot of problems socially and health-wise. the slow movement states that people have lost their connection to the natural rhythms of the world. it also states that technology may not have actually improved our lives as intended, but just helped to increase the tempo of modern lives. essentially, the slow movement is a way of returning to simpler way of life, through less reliance on material goods and money, while also focusing on important things such as family and personal relationships. this is known as 'downshifting.'
while this may sound great to some in principle, i'm not so sure living this lifestyle would work for everyone. my opinion is that if everyone were to adopt this movement as their own, what would happen to society? there would be a major shift from community to individual. it sounds more like a cult of 'me' and that can't be a good thing, can it? still, there is something to be said for this idea of slowing down but a fine balance needs to be found. like anything in life moderation is key. moving at full throttle through life comes in handy, but i just need to take some time stop to smell the roses too.
so, what's all the rush about?
i've decided i need to learn how to slow down. the main question is, how do i break 33 years of fast habits? i figure the best way is to start simply. i've really decided to slow down my walking as a starting point. it feels weird to walk at half my pace but i am slowly getting used to it. i think the biggest reason i walk so quickly here is to get out of the crowds and the heat, but if you walk slowly, the crowds and heat aren't so bad. i've also tried to slow down the way i talk and take my time to enunciate my words...especially when teaching. again, it feels strange to speak slowly and honestly, i feel like i've suffered a head injury. of course, i can only speak slowly for a short time before my brain is screaming at my mouth to keep up.
i have to be honest and say that i've never really understood how slow people can be...well, so slow. it's almost agonizing to me when people can't meet deadlines, walk too slowly, or can't be some where on time. in fact, it's an absolute mystery to me. i think it might be the way my brain is wired or something...not that i think better thinks, just that i think more? not too mention my energy levels which at time seem boundless. because of this, living fast just seems like an efficient use of my energy. isn't faster better in a lot of ways? it makes me on time, lets me get more done and enjoy things a lot quicker. all in all, i've always thought of doing things quickly as the best way. but maybe, just maybe i'm the one who is wrong.
there is an idea which is gaining in popularity called the 'slow movement'. followers of this credo believe that a return to a slower-paced way of life is the way to solve a lot of problems socially and health-wise. the slow movement states that people have lost their connection to the natural rhythms of the world. it also states that technology may not have actually improved our lives as intended, but just helped to increase the tempo of modern lives. essentially, the slow movement is a way of returning to simpler way of life, through less reliance on material goods and money, while also focusing on important things such as family and personal relationships. this is known as 'downshifting.'
while this may sound great to some in principle, i'm not so sure living this lifestyle would work for everyone. my opinion is that if everyone were to adopt this movement as their own, what would happen to society? there would be a major shift from community to individual. it sounds more like a cult of 'me' and that can't be a good thing, can it? still, there is something to be said for this idea of slowing down but a fine balance needs to be found. like anything in life moderation is key. moving at full throttle through life comes in handy, but i just need to take some time stop to smell the roses too.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
changes pt.II
all moved in! feels great to finally be here...the place is already more than i expected. i guess all the blood, sweat and tears that went into finding the apartment really has paid off. i can't explain it, but this place just feels like a better 'fit' than our last place. my only complaint is that we haven't been able to take advantage of the pool just yet, but that's the weather's fault. of course, today it's finally stopped raining and it's sunny, but the pool is closed on monday's. oh well, lots of time to get my swim on.
alongside the move and all these other changes are some personal one's as well. i've decided that it's time to really start taking better care of myself physically. we have a gym downstairs and i've already begun on the path to good health. been looking into workout routines and that starts today after work.i've also decided that i'm going to start cooking more, getting back into eating healthier and knowing what i'm putting into my body. this means giving up fast food and actually going grocery shopping. that part of the plan started on saturday...i already feel better but this might just be in my head.
i'm also going to ease up on the drinking as that has been the major theme over the last couple months on the weekends. just feeling lazy and feel like i'm missing out on life sometimes when i spend half of my sunday sleeping it off. of course, it's fun to go out on the social scene, but it's definitely time to change things up with some more activities other than raising a glass to my mouth several times.
on a different note, i've also decided it's time to challenge myself. i need to learn some more chinese, get back into photo/design and get serious about some career goals. i've got a lot of hours this summer, but when it's done i need to get some more writing happening, or go back to school part-time. it's not that i hate teaching, but i have to say that i really don't like teaching children at buxiban. just not my style and i find myself dreading work. it's been the same story before, only this time as it's my 2nd time doing it, a lot of the old irritations have reared their heads a lot sooner. for my sanity and what's left of my patience, i need to get out of teaching children and start doing what i want to do.
on a wholly different note (and just to see if i could do it) i've given up facebook for seven days. what's the big deal you may ask? well, i realized the other day just how much i actually log on to facebook and am trying to remind myself what the world was like beforehand. i'm on day 3 and not suffering any major withdrawal symptoms which tells me that i really don't have a problem....however, it is amazing how much facebook has become a part of my daily routine. when stopped at a traffic light, my first instinct is to go for my mobile and see what's happening in my news feed. i still have 4 days left and really have no worries about keeping my promise to myself. plus, i always have twitter to tide me over.
alongside the move and all these other changes are some personal one's as well. i've decided that it's time to really start taking better care of myself physically. we have a gym downstairs and i've already begun on the path to good health. been looking into workout routines and that starts today after work.i've also decided that i'm going to start cooking more, getting back into eating healthier and knowing what i'm putting into my body. this means giving up fast food and actually going grocery shopping. that part of the plan started on saturday...i already feel better but this might just be in my head.
i'm also going to ease up on the drinking as that has been the major theme over the last couple months on the weekends. just feeling lazy and feel like i'm missing out on life sometimes when i spend half of my sunday sleeping it off. of course, it's fun to go out on the social scene, but it's definitely time to change things up with some more activities other than raising a glass to my mouth several times.
on a different note, i've also decided it's time to challenge myself. i need to learn some more chinese, get back into photo/design and get serious about some career goals. i've got a lot of hours this summer, but when it's done i need to get some more writing happening, or go back to school part-time. it's not that i hate teaching, but i have to say that i really don't like teaching children at buxiban. just not my style and i find myself dreading work. it's been the same story before, only this time as it's my 2nd time doing it, a lot of the old irritations have reared their heads a lot sooner. for my sanity and what's left of my patience, i need to get out of teaching children and start doing what i want to do.
on a wholly different note (and just to see if i could do it) i've given up facebook for seven days. what's the big deal you may ask? well, i realized the other day just how much i actually log on to facebook and am trying to remind myself what the world was like beforehand. i'm on day 3 and not suffering any major withdrawal symptoms which tells me that i really don't have a problem....however, it is amazing how much facebook has become a part of my daily routine. when stopped at a traffic light, my first instinct is to go for my mobile and see what's happening in my news feed. i still have 4 days left and really have no worries about keeping my promise to myself. plus, i always have twitter to tide me over.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
changes
i just realized that i haven't posted the fact that we found an apartment (after having posted a full blog devoted to the subject) yes, we found a place and are all set to move in on june 1st which is exactly 5 days from now. i have been trying really hard to put it out of my head over the last month in order to not get too excited, but now that it is nearly here i can almost taste it. the new pad is awesome...still modern/loft design with lots of natural light, a larger kitchen, living room, den and a second floor that we can actually walk around in. the building is pretty convenient and is in the xinyi district, just a stones' throw to 101 and its environs. the building also has all the mod con's of a newer building...rooftop garden, lots of common areas, free WIFI, gym and get this...a pool! just in time for summer...it's kismet, i tells ya, kismet.
alongside the move are other changes, but mostly to other people i know. it seems the world has caught baby fever recently. i'm not talking about myself and elisha, but our best friends back home have announced to the world that they are expecting! tremendous news to say the least...but of course, on cue with any change that happens it my brain begins to sift through my priorities and take stock. i've just celebrated my 33rd birthday and have crossed a lot of milestones such as the great institution of marriage, traveling, etc, but what about the great leap forward into parenthood?
elisha and i have discussed this a lot more recently (thanks in large part to all you baby makers out there...keep it in your pants!...jk) but we always seem to come back to the same point: we're not sure. some people just seem to know that they want to be parents, but what about the rest of us? is it selfish that i like my life the way it is? if i decide not to have any children, will i regret it? it's not really the sort of thing you can take a gamble on, nor stop doing easily if it's not what you hoped it would be. i guess the main question is, how do you know?
i suppose the answer must be as simple as that if i don't know as of now, that must mean that i'm not ready. however, i've often heard men become father's when they see their child for the first time, while women experience this during pregnancy. following that logic, what if we become pregnant and 9 months later i still don't feel it? what then? i may be just spitballing here, but i feel really lost about this decision and the fact that i think about it more frequently than ever means what exactly? is it a genuine feeling fostering in me, or am i just hearing the tick-tock of the 'biological clock'? these are the questions which keep me up at night.
perhaps i'm just overthinking things, trying to analyze all the angles before making a decision which is completely unlike me. i usually jump in feet first and sort out the details later. the real difference this time is that it's not just about me this time, but about creating a new life and the decisions that have to be made for it. i've never had that responsibility before and it scares the crap out of me.
wow...big thinks to be thought. in the meantime, i think i'll just take in the wine bbq this weekend and concentrate on the move and leave the seriousness for a later date. and on that note, i'll post some pics and write again apres les move...
alongside the move are other changes, but mostly to other people i know. it seems the world has caught baby fever recently. i'm not talking about myself and elisha, but our best friends back home have announced to the world that they are expecting! tremendous news to say the least...but of course, on cue with any change that happens it my brain begins to sift through my priorities and take stock. i've just celebrated my 33rd birthday and have crossed a lot of milestones such as the great institution of marriage, traveling, etc, but what about the great leap forward into parenthood?
elisha and i have discussed this a lot more recently (thanks in large part to all you baby makers out there...keep it in your pants!...jk) but we always seem to come back to the same point: we're not sure. some people just seem to know that they want to be parents, but what about the rest of us? is it selfish that i like my life the way it is? if i decide not to have any children, will i regret it? it's not really the sort of thing you can take a gamble on, nor stop doing easily if it's not what you hoped it would be. i guess the main question is, how do you know?
i suppose the answer must be as simple as that if i don't know as of now, that must mean that i'm not ready. however, i've often heard men become father's when they see their child for the first time, while women experience this during pregnancy. following that logic, what if we become pregnant and 9 months later i still don't feel it? what then? i may be just spitballing here, but i feel really lost about this decision and the fact that i think about it more frequently than ever means what exactly? is it a genuine feeling fostering in me, or am i just hearing the tick-tock of the 'biological clock'? these are the questions which keep me up at night.
perhaps i'm just overthinking things, trying to analyze all the angles before making a decision which is completely unlike me. i usually jump in feet first and sort out the details later. the real difference this time is that it's not just about me this time, but about creating a new life and the decisions that have to be made for it. i've never had that responsibility before and it scares the crap out of me.
wow...big thinks to be thought. in the meantime, i think i'll just take in the wine bbq this weekend and concentrate on the move and leave the seriousness for a later date. and on that note, i'll post some pics and write again apres les move...
Thursday, May 6, 2010
on being 33
it's amazing to me just how fast these birthdays keep coming. yet another year, gone and passed. another year of changes, another year of experiences (some good and some bad) but the world has made another 365-day pass around the sun and so have i.
celebrated this year in style by getting everyone dressed up and having some classy cocktails @ peoples bar. it was nice to see everyone dressed in their finest. afterward, hit up the loft for some dancing but was home in time to see the sun rise over our rooftop. as i sat on the roof greeting the dawn, i realized just how awesome some things get with age. i honestly feel more assured than i ever have in my life, even much more than last year. i'm happier with myself, what i'm doing and who i'm doing it with. overall being 33 isn't that much different, but if this is what it means to get older i can't wait to see what the future has in store.
thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes!
celebrated this year in style by getting everyone dressed up and having some classy cocktails @ peoples bar. it was nice to see everyone dressed in their finest. afterward, hit up the loft for some dancing but was home in time to see the sun rise over our rooftop. as i sat on the roof greeting the dawn, i realized just how awesome some things get with age. i honestly feel more assured than i ever have in my life, even much more than last year. i'm happier with myself, what i'm doing and who i'm doing it with. overall being 33 isn't that much different, but if this is what it means to get older i can't wait to see what the future has in store.
thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes!
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