My female owner says she almost cried during flute lesson today. She has been stretching herself this week with RA work – endless editing and proofreading – to the point where she feels nauseated. She also had to deal with her own thesis and her endless ruminations about what’s next, after graduation?
Her flute teacher was harsher than usual and of course, that made my female owner more anxious and less fluid in her playing. She was accused of not paying attention to dynamics and other musical features. While partly true, the main reason was that her cognitive resources were channelled largely to getting the notes right.
Anyway, her flute teacher always says how a student plays reflects his/ her personality. Today, he commented that she lacked focus in her playing.. the way she probably lacks focus in her life. He actually verified his hypothesis by first asking her (before making that comment) what her plans are, post-graduation. My female owner’s response (no prize for guessing) was “I don’t know”.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
tail
My female owner met up with Fated Guy again today. Deliberately. Coz they had to make arrangements for the upcoming camping trip. Yes, they are going camping!
You know, being single for so many years (and having had a crap relationship in the past), her friends are naturally excited for her, at what they call, a romantic story of how the two of them keep meeting at various random places and timings. My female owner certainly does not see it romantic or even the friendship as anything more than activity-mates. If anything, she is apprehensible about going camping with someone she hardly knows and wonders if they would return as friends. However, she is very very amused by her friends’ reactions and responses who would dramatise the situation.
This is the most recent example. Today, she had an extended lunch with two friends at uni. She then had to leave to meet Fated Guy at 1500hr at a cafe. Unknown to her, they tried to tail her to the café. Except that they didn’t know which café my female owner was going to. And girls being girls, they lost my female owner fairly quickly (even though my female owner was walking at normal pace and wearing bright purple). Thinking it would be easy to find her, they went to the three cafes around the faculty (must have taken about 30mins to cover the distance) and lo and behold, could not locate my female owner.
What really happened was, my female owner was supposed to meet Fated Guy at the first café the two friends went to. But exactly at 1500hr, he smsed her and changed the venue to somewhere else… which obviously the two friends did not think about. Haha, an obvious case of no fate!
And my female owner only found out about their strange exploit, when she happened to bump into one of them at the toilet like two hours later. Talk about strange fate! And in the midst of girly giggles, she asked "so free ah?"
You know, being single for so many years (and having had a crap relationship in the past), her friends are naturally excited for her, at what they call, a romantic story of how the two of them keep meeting at various random places and timings. My female owner certainly does not see it romantic or even the friendship as anything more than activity-mates. If anything, she is apprehensible about going camping with someone she hardly knows and wonders if they would return as friends. However, she is very very amused by her friends’ reactions and responses who would dramatise the situation.
This is the most recent example. Today, she had an extended lunch with two friends at uni. She then had to leave to meet Fated Guy at 1500hr at a cafe. Unknown to her, they tried to tail her to the café. Except that they didn’t know which café my female owner was going to. And girls being girls, they lost my female owner fairly quickly (even though my female owner was walking at normal pace and wearing bright purple). Thinking it would be easy to find her, they went to the three cafes around the faculty (must have taken about 30mins to cover the distance) and lo and behold, could not locate my female owner.
What really happened was, my female owner was supposed to meet Fated Guy at the first café the two friends went to. But exactly at 1500hr, he smsed her and changed the venue to somewhere else… which obviously the two friends did not think about. Haha, an obvious case of no fate!
And my female owner only found out about their strange exploit, when she happened to bump into one of them at the toilet like two hours later. Talk about strange fate! And in the midst of girly giggles, she asked "so free ah?"
exclusive
Okies, don’t shoot me. I know I haven’t been updating this Turtle Pad. I’ve been lazy. My female owner had been floating around (or rather, zipping around) with her various work/social commitments that it had been difficult to catch her. And then, because of these various commitments that are not thesis-related, she gets cranky and irritable (maybe it’s almost THAT time of the month?) So, in times like this, you can’t blame me for not wanting to approach her for updates yah? You know, in case I lose my shell in the process?
Okay, so maybe I should update you on what she has been up to?
She went with some church friends to Mooloolah Valley (somewhere in the north) over the weekend. She took some basic photos but intended to take the rest from her friends (hence no photos this time). This trip created some controversy amongst some individuals who aired their displeasure at not being invited for the trip and who wondered aloud if the group had been exclusive. That kinda marred the trip for my female owner, but as what I-Fren says (and she agrees wholeheartedly): “friendship is exclusive”
At the same time, her research supervisor threw different kinds of bombs at her, bombs that she had to detonate, which obviously ate away time and resources that she could have otherwise spent on her thesis. Hence, she is not happy. Or rather, she is stressed and overwhelmed with the endless editing, proofreading and formatting of various papers.
There are other things pulling at her but I better end here, lest she gets suck into a downward spiral. Till we meet again, take care!
Okay, so maybe I should update you on what she has been up to?
She went with some church friends to Mooloolah Valley (somewhere in the north) over the weekend. She took some basic photos but intended to take the rest from her friends (hence no photos this time). This trip created some controversy amongst some individuals who aired their displeasure at not being invited for the trip and who wondered aloud if the group had been exclusive. That kinda marred the trip for my female owner, but as what I-Fren says (and she agrees wholeheartedly): “friendship is exclusive”
At the same time, her research supervisor threw different kinds of bombs at her, bombs that she had to detonate, which obviously ate away time and resources that she could have otherwise spent on her thesis. Hence, she is not happy. Or rather, she is stressed and overwhelmed with the endless editing, proofreading and formatting of various papers.
There are other things pulling at her but I better end here, lest she gets suck into a downward spiral. Till we meet again, take care!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
bubble
My female owner has regressed, she said. She remembered a time when she first starting work (this was post A-levels, in-between junior college and starting university). She gave tuition and worked as a clerk in a hospital. With money of her own, she started giving money to her parents and supporting herself. Although not extravagant, she came to a point where she had only $26 in her bank and almost had to think about skipping meals just to survive. Indignant, she rejected the notion of poverty and started to claim prosperity for herself as a child of God (something along the lines of, how could a child of God have to worry about food?) She never looked back since, she never lacked.
Just this past week, she realised that she only had $25 left in her wallet/ disposable bank account until the next pay day (which should be tomorrow). It’s hard to trace the exact series of events that led to this, but the overarching reason is that my female owner does not know how to budget properly. She finds it difficult, with unstable income, irregular big expenses and impromptu outings that challenge her resources.
Flashbacks of that distant past returned. Time to start praying for help in this area. She finds it extremely disturbing that someone of her age and experience has succeeded in getting herself into this state (don’t worry about her financial status, she has money in her other bank accounts for rainy days). Tsk tsk. She needs to grow up, get out of her bubble, and start planning properly!
Just this past week, she realised that she only had $25 left in her wallet/ disposable bank account until the next pay day (which should be tomorrow). It’s hard to trace the exact series of events that led to this, but the overarching reason is that my female owner does not know how to budget properly. She finds it difficult, with unstable income, irregular big expenses and impromptu outings that challenge her resources.
Flashbacks of that distant past returned. Time to start praying for help in this area. She finds it extremely disturbing that someone of her age and experience has succeeded in getting herself into this state (don’t worry about her financial status, she has money in her other bank accounts for rainy days). Tsk tsk. She needs to grow up, get out of her bubble, and start planning properly!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
notion
Serendipity – is it for real?
That is my female owner’s current MSN tagline. She had it on, ever since she watched the movie with some of her friends last Tuesday (that’s like a week ago!). She didn’t change it, simply because she couldn’t think of any other better lines to put up.
Innocuous it was not. Mr Nice Guy apparently got triggered by this tagline and started talking to my female owner. According to her, it was the longest conversation she ever had with him (note: Mr Nice Guy is a man of few written words, so even 15mins is considered long).
In summary, he was firstly disputing the notion that there is ONE right guy/ soul mate out there for my female owner. He then went on to encourage my female owner to pursue the guy she likes (none in existent, so that was hard for my female owner to follow), saying that guys are waiting for her first move. My female owner was totally lost at this point in time, that sounds like a role reversal.
Anyway, it was refreshing to hear an older guy’s perspective and common sense as it may be, my female owner’s take-away from that discussion was that she should find someone who can support her through her weaknesses as she supports the guy through his. We’ll see.
That is my female owner’s current MSN tagline. She had it on, ever since she watched the movie with some of her friends last Tuesday (that’s like a week ago!). She didn’t change it, simply because she couldn’t think of any other better lines to put up.
Innocuous it was not. Mr Nice Guy apparently got triggered by this tagline and started talking to my female owner. According to her, it was the longest conversation she ever had with him (note: Mr Nice Guy is a man of few written words, so even 15mins is considered long).
In summary, he was firstly disputing the notion that there is ONE right guy/ soul mate out there for my female owner. He then went on to encourage my female owner to pursue the guy she likes (none in existent, so that was hard for my female owner to follow), saying that guys are waiting for her first move. My female owner was totally lost at this point in time, that sounds like a role reversal.
Anyway, it was refreshing to hear an older guy’s perspective and common sense as it may be, my female owner’s take-away from that discussion was that she should find someone who can support her through her weaknesses as she supports the guy through his. We’ll see.
respite
My female owner finally had time to slow down and be by herself. And not be too heavily stressed by her thesis (it’s called avoidance, but at least now she has the chance to avoid). The previous week had been another social week. A new Housemate moved in and that meant having to adjust to a new person in the house. New routine, new habits, less space. With three gals in the house, it somehow became easier for people to come over for casual dinners and fellowship. The last I checked her diary, she either had friends over every night of the week/ home-cooked dinners/ DVDs/ went out for dinners and such.
So many social events. She started to wonder how much is too much. The house was a constant buzz of activities. She really liked the people who were coming over for fellowship so that was ok (unlike the first house she stayed, where she didn’t know more than half of the people who streamed in on an almost daily basis).
It’s just that her quiet self suffered (in silence, no less). Passive and shy, it didn’t have the opportunity to connect with her other selves. The social self that makes people think she is fun to be with. That professional self as she interacts with patients and supervisors. That intellectual self that kept the rest of her selves awake at night as she ploughed on to develop a decent looking thesis.
I think my female owner needs respite from social interactions. E-communication is fine. Just not face-to-face.
So many social events. She started to wonder how much is too much. The house was a constant buzz of activities. She really liked the people who were coming over for fellowship so that was ok (unlike the first house she stayed, where she didn’t know more than half of the people who streamed in on an almost daily basis).
It’s just that her quiet self suffered (in silence, no less). Passive and shy, it didn’t have the opportunity to connect with her other selves. The social self that makes people think she is fun to be with. That professional self as she interacts with patients and supervisors. That intellectual self that kept the rest of her selves awake at night as she ploughed on to develop a decent looking thesis.
I think my female owner needs respite from social interactions. E-communication is fine. Just not face-to-face.
Monday, April 19, 2010
ice-cream
My female owner had another lunch with Fated Guy on Sunday. This time, it was pre-arranged. He asked her if she was going to be at uni on Sunday coz he wanted to arrange a possible outdoor trip with her in one of the coming weekends.
Because it was also the university’s birthday celebrations, they decided to walk around after lunch (i.e. procrastinate from doing work) to explore the festivities. Was fun exploring with him, my female owner said, coz he was naturally curious while my female owner needs that added push in order to go beyond her comfort zone.
Anyway, my female owner spotted a popular ice-cream brand which was highly recommended by her housemate and Emo Sponge. At first, she wanted to buy it. But then, she had a humongous ice-cream dessert the night before, so by the time they returned to the stall, the guilt took over her and she decided she didn’t want it.
A baby husky they played with at the cafe. My female owner took photos WITH him, thus providing evidence that she is not scared of dogs.
Because it was also the university’s birthday celebrations, they decided to walk around after lunch (i.e. procrastinate from doing work) to explore the festivities. Was fun exploring with him, my female owner said, coz he was naturally curious while my female owner needs that added push in order to go beyond her comfort zone.Anyway, my female owner spotted a popular ice-cream brand which was highly recommended by her housemate and Emo Sponge. At first, she wanted to buy it. But then, she had a humongous ice-cream dessert the night before, so by the time they returned to the stall, the guilt took over her and she decided she didn’t want it.
The sinful ice-cream sundae my female owner had on Saturday with Mr Nice Guy. The counter guy got a shock when she placed the order, coz it looked as if she was getting it for herself. 
Fated Guy then asked if she tried it before and she said no. So he egged her to get it and said he would get one himself. And in true passive style, after being persuaded, my female owner said ok. They spent a few minutes looking at the selection. With so many choices, my female owner couldn’t believe her ears when he said he would go for “chocolate and macadamia”, coz that was the very flavour she was eyeing on.
Check out the selection here. How likely is it to choose the same flavour as someone you barely know? 
My female owner ended up choosing another flavour, just to be different. Apparently, just turn the cup upside down, holding the stick in your hand, and the cup acts as a protective shield. Such a clever design!
So eerie, she says. The similarities and coincidences are freaking her out.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
comments
I wonder why people whom I don’t know are either leaving comments in Chinese on my Turtle Pad or have Chinese names. After a while, I get tired of deleting them. Please don’t leave any comments coz firstly, I don’t know who you are, and secondly, I don’t understand Chinese. So if I don’t know who you are, I can’t ask you to explain your comment. And even if you leave comments in English, I can’t read your Chinese name, so I still don’t know who you are.
Anyway, if I don’t make sense, just take it that I enjoy comments from my friends or my female owner’s friends. If you are in neither category, comments are welcome, if they make sense.
Anyway, if I don’t make sense, just take it that I enjoy comments from my friends or my female owner’s friends. If you are in neither category, comments are welcome, if they make sense.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
serendipity
My female owner watched Serendipity with a group of church friends last night. (For those who don’t know, Tuesdays are “cheap” days – fuel, movies, movie rentals and pizzas – cost less). Stressed from work, they just wanted something funny to chill.
Her housemate and her were quite giggly at the beginning, when the movie talked about fate and chance meetings (think Fated Guy). Therapist Fren (who knew my female owner watching the movie – power of technology) called it “movie of her life”. My female owner finally settled down after a while. But she nearly rolled off the sofa when she found out that the female protagonist was a counsellor. Hmmm, how oddly similar.
Anyway, my female owner didn’t think that the plot was similar to Fated Guy and her’s chance encounters. For one, they didn’t have a whale of a time on the first day they met, or even anytime afterwards. For two, there was no mutual romantic attraction and hence, for three, they didn’t even try to look for each other afterwards.
It’s just a movie folks. Move on.
Her housemate and her were quite giggly at the beginning, when the movie talked about fate and chance meetings (think Fated Guy). Therapist Fren (who knew my female owner watching the movie – power of technology) called it “movie of her life”. My female owner finally settled down after a while. But she nearly rolled off the sofa when she found out that the female protagonist was a counsellor. Hmmm, how oddly similar.
Anyway, my female owner didn’t think that the plot was similar to Fated Guy and her’s chance encounters. For one, they didn’t have a whale of a time on the first day they met, or even anytime afterwards. For two, there was no mutual romantic attraction and hence, for three, they didn’t even try to look for each other afterwards.
It’s just a movie folks. Move on.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
disengaged
My female owner feels disengaged from her bible study group. She’s not sure if it is the stress from doing her thesis that is causing her not to enjoy the group as much as before. She still treasures certain individuals in the group and would find time to socialise with them but finds it a chore to talk to the “unfamiliar people”. Little things that some people do or say in the group annoy her and make her think “what nonsense is this?”. She knows that this is not healthy and at times, just wants to disengage totally, like disappear, so that the group can move on happily without her. She doesn’t really want to put on a happy face when she really isn’t. Or engage in small talk when all she wants is to be quiet and keep to herself. It’s no longer a place where she is who she is.
Alas, it is impossible to disappear, given that her house is like a social hub for church people. Thankfully, the people who hang around her house are the people whom she feels comfortable to. Yet, not comfortable enough to share these inner conflicts.
Alas, it is impossible to disappear, given that her house is like a social hub for church people. Thankfully, the people who hang around her house are the people whom she feels comfortable to. Yet, not comfortable enough to share these inner conflicts.
Monday, April 12, 2010
continues
And the story continues…
My female owner decided to go to uni early on Sunday to work on some statistics (for her mother). She caught a lift from her housemate who dropped her near the library. Hence, my female owner decided to make a detour to the library to drop off some books before going back to her office to start work.
As she walked away from the library, lo and behold, she saw Fated Guy from a distance. The look of shock on his face mirrored hers. He was on the way to lunch (coincidentally, he had tabao-ed the leftovers from their dinner on Friday – just two Vietnamese rice rolls) and asked if my female owner was going to have lunch. For those who are curious, he said that he decided to go to school that Sunday to do work (and this is something he had not done in a long time).
And yes, they ended up having (impromptu) lunch at a café and he bought her coffee, since they “met by chance”. More sharing took place. A little about religion and weight. How diverse.
Some parts of the conversations were classic, especially this part where he said to her (after sharing about how he meets random people on his backpacking trips/ school and they become friends), “actually, I am very shy”. Accompanied with a sheepish grinz.
Such a familiar statement!
My female owner decided to go to uni early on Sunday to work on some statistics (for her mother). She caught a lift from her housemate who dropped her near the library. Hence, my female owner decided to make a detour to the library to drop off some books before going back to her office to start work.
As she walked away from the library, lo and behold, she saw Fated Guy from a distance. The look of shock on his face mirrored hers. He was on the way to lunch (coincidentally, he had tabao-ed the leftovers from their dinner on Friday – just two Vietnamese rice rolls) and asked if my female owner was going to have lunch. For those who are curious, he said that he decided to go to school that Sunday to do work (and this is something he had not done in a long time).
And yes, they ended up having (impromptu) lunch at a café and he bought her coffee, since they “met by chance”. More sharing took place. A little about religion and weight. How diverse.
Some parts of the conversations were classic, especially this part where he said to her (after sharing about how he meets random people on his backpacking trips/ school and they become friends), “actually, I am very shy”. Accompanied with a sheepish grinz.
Such a familiar statement!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
expand
My female owner realised with horror that her “Onli Frens” in Brisbane seems to be her church friends. She was so distressed, she called up Therapist Fren to unload. Anyway, here’s why.
Thursday before Good Friday till Monday after Easter: Gold Coast with church group (slot in I-Fren whom she met briefly for jogging – she doesn’t really consider him as a “church friend” but a “personal friend”, if it makes sense). Dinner after jogging with church group.
Tuesday: last minute movie night at her house with some church friends
Wednesday: movie with some church friends
Thursday: home dinner with some church friends
Friday: meant to have dinner with the female church friends, but my female owner couldn’t bear the thought of that, so she went out with a non-church friend (Fated Guy). She came home about 2000hr and chatted with some church friends who were over at her house for bible study (from a different group)
Saturday (today): she went for her maiden baby shower of a non-church friend. In the evening, when she got home, some church friends were at her house (coz someone just moved in and they had helped to move earlier). She declined to go for yet another dinner with them (same group as Thursday night actually).
Sunday: What can I say? Church group?
A brief tally if I may:
In ten days (Thursday before Good Friday till today), she met
- Mr Nice Guy for 6 days
- Emo Sponge for 9 days
- Another guy for 9 days
- Another gal for 7 days (her new housemate)
I reckon it’s really time for her to expand her social network. You think?
Thursday before Good Friday till Monday after Easter: Gold Coast with church group (slot in I-Fren whom she met briefly for jogging – she doesn’t really consider him as a “church friend” but a “personal friend”, if it makes sense). Dinner after jogging with church group.
Tuesday: last minute movie night at her house with some church friends
Wednesday: movie with some church friends
Thursday: home dinner with some church friends
Friday: meant to have dinner with the female church friends, but my female owner couldn’t bear the thought of that, so she went out with a non-church friend (Fated Guy). She came home about 2000hr and chatted with some church friends who were over at her house for bible study (from a different group)
Saturday (today): she went for her maiden baby shower of a non-church friend. In the evening, when she got home, some church friends were at her house (coz someone just moved in and they had helped to move earlier). She declined to go for yet another dinner with them (same group as Thursday night actually).
Sunday: What can I say? Church group?
A brief tally if I may:
In ten days (Thursday before Good Friday till today), she met
- Mr Nice Guy for 6 days
- Emo Sponge for 9 days
- Another guy for 9 days
- Another gal for 7 days (her new housemate)
I reckon it’s really time for her to expand her social network. You think?
Fated Guy
My female owner skipped dinner with her church friends last night to have dinner with Fated Guy. Remember, that guy that she bumps into at random places. Being the nice guy he is, he picked her up from work and they ended up at West End.
As with the lunch she had with this random Singaporean guy, my female owner felt a little odd initially. The dinner was really the first time the two of them interacted beyond their usual coincidental 10mins encounters.
Yes, my female owner found another person who speaks her professional language, from a slightly different perspective, given that he is a trained social worker (think Functional Fren) completing his Masters in Counselling. Ah, the kind of profile that engages my female owner beyond the typical nonsense fun of a social gathering.
And of course, they didn’t run out of things to talk about (how could you, if it is your first meeting). My female owner gleefully found out that Fated Guy is an outdoor person who enjoys (get this right), camping, bush-walking, backpack travelling and endurance sports. How exciting! There and then, they spoke about doing a backpacking trip around Australia later in the year (although it doesn’t sound feasible for my female owner, given her schedule, it’s still good to have some hope eh?). In her typical passive style, she told him “let me know if you are going bush-walking, I will be happy to come along”.
They also went on a deeper level to talk about their post-graduation plans (Fated Guy is going to graduate in July). While Fated Guy looks to the uncertainty with excitement (he called himself an “explorer and adventurer”), my female owner looks to the lack of plans with fear and anxiety. Certainly a refreshing change from the way she had always looked at her situation. Also refreshing in the sense that he is in a similar situation as she is, unlike the rest of her friends who are already working and comfortable in their current circumstances.
As with the lunch she had with this random Singaporean guy, my female owner felt a little odd initially. The dinner was really the first time the two of them interacted beyond their usual coincidental 10mins encounters.
Yes, my female owner found another person who speaks her professional language, from a slightly different perspective, given that he is a trained social worker (think Functional Fren) completing his Masters in Counselling. Ah, the kind of profile that engages my female owner beyond the typical nonsense fun of a social gathering.
And of course, they didn’t run out of things to talk about (how could you, if it is your first meeting). My female owner gleefully found out that Fated Guy is an outdoor person who enjoys (get this right), camping, bush-walking, backpack travelling and endurance sports. How exciting! There and then, they spoke about doing a backpacking trip around Australia later in the year (although it doesn’t sound feasible for my female owner, given her schedule, it’s still good to have some hope eh?). In her typical passive style, she told him “let me know if you are going bush-walking, I will be happy to come along”.
They also went on a deeper level to talk about their post-graduation plans (Fated Guy is going to graduate in July). While Fated Guy looks to the uncertainty with excitement (he called himself an “explorer and adventurer”), my female owner looks to the lack of plans with fear and anxiety. Certainly a refreshing change from the way she had always looked at her situation. Also refreshing in the sense that he is in a similar situation as she is, unlike the rest of her friends who are already working and comfortable in their current circumstances.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
investing
My female owner struggled with many self-created issues this year. Through this conference, she reached a stage of acceptance that things were never going to be the same again. It is only wise to embrace changes and maximise them, than to pin for the glories past and wallow in self-pity.
First of all, she reckons she has to be even more deliberate in not comparing her current church group with the previous group. This is the present reality and people are still warm and supportive. If anything at all, my female owner is probably the coldest and most anti-social of the lot. And she suffers major cognitive dissonance from this, because she is supposedly one of the oldest (age-wise and years of being a Christian) and a psychologist (hence an expert on human interactions?).
Also, my female owner worked out that there’s a sort of spiritual restlessness that has been bothering her. She knows she can do more for God and people in need but she hasn’t ventured beyond her comfort zone. She does the occasional organising of events, cooking and helping out with small tasks in her bible study group. That’s about it.
My female owner is proactively passive. She doesn’t do anything unless someone asks her to (same like her jogging – she doesn’t push beyond her pain threshold unless someone leads). And then she would do it in an obsessively neurotic and perfectionist fashion and get worked up about processes and outcomes, and questionable decisions.
More than not being passive, t\it’s also about investing the gifts that God has given her to bless others. You know, like the parable of the talents. Not that she has really figured out what her gifting are but my female owner thought that she could start at where she is at now – using her helping skills to lend others a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. But this means that she has to first work on her anti-social tendencies so that people will feel comfortable enough to open up to her. Oh well, there’s no social escape for her.
First of all, she reckons she has to be even more deliberate in not comparing her current church group with the previous group. This is the present reality and people are still warm and supportive. If anything at all, my female owner is probably the coldest and most anti-social of the lot. And she suffers major cognitive dissonance from this, because she is supposedly one of the oldest (age-wise and years of being a Christian) and a psychologist (hence an expert on human interactions?).
Also, my female owner worked out that there’s a sort of spiritual restlessness that has been bothering her. She knows she can do more for God and people in need but she hasn’t ventured beyond her comfort zone. She does the occasional organising of events, cooking and helping out with small tasks in her bible study group. That’s about it.
My female owner is proactively passive. She doesn’t do anything unless someone asks her to (same like her jogging – she doesn’t push beyond her pain threshold unless someone leads). And then she would do it in an obsessively neurotic and perfectionist fashion and get worked up about processes and outcomes, and questionable decisions.
More than not being passive, t\it’s also about investing the gifts that God has given her to bless others. You know, like the parable of the talents. Not that she has really figured out what her gifting are but my female owner thought that she could start at where she is at now – using her helping skills to lend others a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. But this means that she has to first work on her anti-social tendencies so that people will feel comfortable enough to open up to her. Oh well, there’s no social escape for her.
Monday, April 05, 2010
escapade
My female owner finally returned from her getaway to the Gold Coast. She didn’t really bring a camera as she knew she would be too lazy to take many photos. So I don’t have any photos to spice up my Turtle Pad.
Anyway, her first night was spent in a hotel with three friends, having seafood and playing Monopoly. Not a strategic game player, she was the first to be bankrupt. *applause* The foursome had great fun nonetheless but had to ssshhh themselves up after being scolded by the hotel staff for laughing too loudly.
The next four days were spent in a church conference, the annual Oceania Conference. Every conference (she has been to three) is different and hence, impacts her in different ways. She had her heart-warming moments and her “what-am-I-doing-here?” flashes too. But overall, she likens it to an annual detoxing therapy, where she gets rid of the spiritual cobwebs in her life and polishes her spirit up for a new year.
Her escapade ended appropriately with a run with I-Fren who happened to be in her area today. They were supposed to meet up in the Coast over the weekend but a major breakdown in communication resulted in them going to different locations. But well, at least they got to jog eventually.
So there, a summary of her weekend. Will update with more details soon!
Anyway, her first night was spent in a hotel with three friends, having seafood and playing Monopoly. Not a strategic game player, she was the first to be bankrupt. *applause* The foursome had great fun nonetheless but had to ssshhh themselves up after being scolded by the hotel staff for laughing too loudly.
The next four days were spent in a church conference, the annual Oceania Conference. Every conference (she has been to three) is different and hence, impacts her in different ways. She had her heart-warming moments and her “what-am-I-doing-here?” flashes too. But overall, she likens it to an annual detoxing therapy, where she gets rid of the spiritual cobwebs in her life and polishes her spirit up for a new year.
Her escapade ended appropriately with a run with I-Fren who happened to be in her area today. They were supposed to meet up in the Coast over the weekend but a major breakdown in communication resulted in them going to different locations. But well, at least they got to jog eventually.
So there, a summary of her weekend. Will update with more details soon!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
nonchalent
My female owner finally figured out what happened on Sunday when she had a mini emo outburst in church. She concluded that she was just being hormonal. Literally. Her monthly visitor arrived last night, perhaps a week early. She doesn’t know why, and thought it was a bit annoying since she is all prepped up for an extended weekend which starts like erm, today? But then, she has been in worse situations before, like when her visitor came during her diving weekend, or on the very day when she has a school camp. In recent times, it might have been when she was camping.
Anyway, my female owner also has gotten out of the habit of tracking her monthly cycle. She just knows vaguely when it is expected to start and yah, just react accordingly. How’s that for being nonchalent?
Anyway, my female owner also has gotten out of the habit of tracking her monthly cycle. She just knows vaguely when it is expected to start and yah, just react accordingly. How’s that for being nonchalent?
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My siblings and I
From top left: Dodo, Dona, me (Nooki) and Nanook