Zen of Tofu

I got my sought-after A in my Summer school math test! That really made my day when I found that out. Lately I seem to have fount my groove for productivity. I’ve been working out, having a healthy appetite, working hard, and studying hard. It feels good to accomplish so much in just 24 hours. Sleep has been sufficient and refreshing, and yet I have time to read, reflect, and plain old relax around my study and work schedule.

This new routine I’m in, is a far-cry from the full-time student routines that mess up my sleep schedule, and pretty much rid me of any spare time. Sure there are times I can get out, go a few places, possibly even catch a movie but it’s the reflection and contemplation time that is totally lost in the activities that scream productivity. Getting the breaks, holidays, and time off is something every employee looks forward to, and plans far ahead for. To me it’s like a short-term goal. Push hard, work hard, and tolerate what you need to, so that you can fully enjoy the time away. I don’t necessarily mean I need vacation time (although I haven’t gone on vacation in many many years), but I definitely need time away from the productive side of life to relax, gather myself, and take a breather occasionally. It’s not healthy to over-work ourselves especially in hot Summer weather where smog is a health hazard. Besides, it never hurts to take ten minutes out of your day to grab a cool drink and a magazine, and just make time for yourself.

written by tofu

I know, I couldn’t help myself. Every “re” prefix is translated to “wii” when people talk about Nintendo’s latest console sensation. I was contemplating getting myself one of them ever since the system was released, and I finally made the leap. Am I happy with the purchase? Yes, I’d say I am. Not only is the system an intuitive idea, but also an omen to the design philosophy of simplicity.

The only games I have so far have been The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007. Both titles are pretty decent, although the realism of Tiger Woods and the sometimes finicky controls make the experience not the most exciting. Zelda is a much more satisfying experience with easy controls, decent graphics, and a big world to explore. Although the story is quite linear, the fishing aspect is a lot of fun! I can’t wait until someone develops a decent and respectable fishing simulator. Other titles I’m waiting on are a Star Wars game, a Harvest Moon addition, a better boxing game, and a better golf game. With the recent news of the delay of Spore (by the creator of The Sims, Will Wright) it would also seem to be worth looking forward to Spore for the Wii, but most likely the game won’t be completed until somewhere around 2009.

Either way, I’m pretty happy with the system. The Wii Channels are nice along with the Opera web browser, and the controls are good for the games I have tried so far. The only complaint with the system settings has been the absence of a volume control for the system itself. I hate having to turn my TV’s volume so low just so the Wii doesn’t blow the speakers right off. But that’s just me. Well if there’s anything else to add about the new system, I’ll add it into a future entry. If you haven’t yet tried the Wii, go to a friend’s house and give it a try, just remember that those wrist straps are all important to the lifespan of those HDTVs!

written by tofu

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade …
Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!
Masquerade! Every face a different shade …
Masquerade! Look around - there’s another mask behind you!

Ever felt like you have to hide behind a mask? Since we can’t become invisible, I guess it’s the next best thing at times.

There are various reasons for doing so:
1. When attending a Masquerade
2. During SARS episodes
3. When working with art supplies (oil paints, air brush)
4. In just about any and every social interaction

So often, we are cued by our environments to act a certain way. Paste on a smile and pretend everything is alright!  Be sarcastic and never say what you intend to! Be fake because no one really wants to hear you complain about your troubles. Be polite, well-mannered, charming, graceful…

It doesn’t matter if your world is falling apart.  If you are out in the public, everything is perfect.
Public victory, silent defeats…

Shakespeare was right in saying “all the world’s a stage, and all men and women merely players.” 

Whatever reasons you have for hiding behind masks, understand that superficial people are only known and loved superficially.  Do consider dropping your disguises and be as you are!

“This haunted face holds no horror for me now. It’s in your soul that the true distortion lies.”-Christine (Phantom of the Opera)

I can’t guarantee that everyone will like you “mask-less”. However, those who do likes you for you….and the ones who don’t never did in the first place.

Would you take a risk and expose your true self?

written by tlc

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final installment of JK Rowling’s magical series, will hit bookstores in just one month! Ever since pre-ordering has started a few months back, I have been tempted more than a handful of times to place an order and ensure a copy of this much anticipated novel.  As I have an important practical exam in early August, reading it in July would eat up my study time. Hopefully, I can stick to my decision of getting the book after my exam!

Though Potter/JK Rowling fanatics have been around for years, I didn’t get on the bandwagon until last summer. Attracted by the movies, I thought I should give the novels a try. In my opinion, the novels are better than the movies! I enjoy the many delightful subplots that were neglected in the movies because of the lack of time. The movies, though logical, does not provide enough time for the plots to unfold naturally. 

Of all the charms, hoaxes, spells and potions, my favourite magical object would be the invisibility cloak. As readers recall, Harry and his pals used this special cloak on many occasions- from mischieves to rescues. As the name suggests, one becomes invisible when sporting this fashionable wear. Wouldn’t I want to own something like that! Imagine all that I can do! Doing good deeds without being noticed, listening on conversations, sneaking in and out of the house…

Given the power to become invisible, would you use it for good or evil? A lot of times, people are “good” (follow social norms) because they want to fit in.  The good that they do translates to social benefits and acceptance, both proven to better health and reduce stress and guilt. Good deeds shouldn’t be done for recognition, but rather, an end in itself. It’s easy to help if others notice it.  To help backstage or while being “invisible” takes a whole different character. Your true colors surface when you think no one is observing. 

written by tlc

Tofu’s previous entry reminds me of The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30). In this example, Jesus talks of a business man going on a journey.  Before he leaves, he gives his servants each a different amount of talents (money).  So one gets five, another gets two, and one gets one. They are to use these talents and make a profit. When the man comes back from his trip, he finds that the servants entrusted with five and two talents took these resources and earned more talents.  However, the one given one talent did not attempt to make use of the talent. To this, the master was not pleased…

Ever felt like other people have skills, talents and gifts that you would rather have? Ever wondered if God somehow gave you less than what you need to make a difference or live purposefully? Ever questioned God and ask if He is being fair? I have.

In moments like those, I feel like the servant given one talent.  Looking around and seeing other people entrusted with more, I might become discouraged.  What can I do with so little? I might be tempted to do as the servant did! Bury the talent as though I never have it in the first place.

But look more closely at the story.  The master gives the talents “according to each servant’s ability”. It’s as if God is saying, “I give you this amount of talents (smarts, looks, gifts…) because I made you and know that this is the perfect amount for you.  With this amount, you can do great things.  DO NOT COMPARE.   And if I had given you more, I would have expected more from you.  Keep your eyes on your own talent and use it to glorify Me.”

As tofu pointed out, we are called to be the best we can be regardless of challenges and changes.  Likewise, we need to be the best we can be regardless of how much more successful others are. Most times, we give up not because we are bad, but because others are better.  “Me? I can never make a difference! I am too young/poor/unskilled. Please ask someone else!”  We only start living and making a difference when we see that one person…with one talent, is enough.

written by tlc