Postcode Lottery

Years ago during one of the journalism tutorials, my lecturer assigned the class to read up on this short story that basically highlights about how geography can change a person's life.

The short story is there were two brothers who lives in Washington or was it Hartford, I can't remember. Bro A decided to leave the troubled family and neighborhood to pursuit a better life while Bro B on the other hand stayed on and ended up  in jail.

There was another man, a kind and responsible man who coincidentally lives at Washington/Hartford. And his fate? He was attacked, robbed and murdered by Bro B.

So, the question is does your postcode (the area you live in) determines your fate?

Well, after all when your dreams are too big for your hometown, you leave home right?

For the entire of my life, I have been writing the same postcode. I've relocated once but it still falls under the same area code. Am I a product of 47400?

A pair of chopsticks

Chopsticks to me is something very natural/absolute? When I was younger, no one forced me to use the chopsticks the proper way but I would observe how the adults use it and mimic their fingers.  Today, I wouldn't say that I'm a pro in using chopsticks but I do think that my chopstick skills are above average.

I've always thought that chopsticks are one of the best invention the previous generation left behind. It's a simple tool and yet it has a great purpose. There's no rocket mechanics behind it and it has made eating so enjoyable. I don't really know how to explain this but because chopsticks play a huge role in my life, I was under the impression that chopsticks are as essential to other Chinese. 

One day while I was having lunch with my friends at a Taiwanese restaurant, my friend asked for a fork. I was really surprised and I asked her 'why can't you use the chopsticks?'  

She replied ' I don't know how to use the chopsticks' 

Another friend replied ' I don't know the right way of using the chopsticks too but at least I still can use it' 

I asked her 'why don't you learn how to use it? I can teach you.' 

To my surprise, My friend replied 'it's okay, I don't see the point of learning. It's not like I will use it next time' 

I was really stunned by her answer. It felt like a culture shock.  It never occurred to me that chopsticks is something that you need a reason to use it.  Like I said chopsticks are something so natural for me and I find that hard to accept, at first. 

But on a different note, chopsticks, thanks for reminding me that my world would be very small if I to be blinded by my own opinions. After all the world is not ruled by only one discourse or believes. 

It was all yellow

I always have this unexplainable sentiments towards wilted flowers and flower petals. They always make me wonder where am I and what the hell am I doing? 

What is next for a flower after bloom?

Half a lime

I was never a fan of the fantasy genre. Harry Potter? I don't know. Disney? Not really a fan of it. But watching Ghibli films just makes me wanna drop everything and live in a different world. 

Miyazaki Hayao is a genius, a true auteur indeed.  If his intention is to make his audience's imagination run free,  mine has definitely reached another dimension  at Bolt's speed.

I don't know how to explain but there's a tsunami of emotions in me after watching his films. It's not my first time watching these film but argh..I'm in awe right now (just watched 'Howl's Moving Castle')

I guess when I was younger, everything seems to be so idealistic. My biggest problem was probably missing an episode of Pokemon or doing badly for spelling test. 

The first time I watch 'Spirited Away' was when I was 12 years old which is exactly ten years ago. I loved it. It has a great storyline, it's so colourful,pretty animations, it was a nice film.

I still love it very much today but the sense of appreciation is different. As I grow older, I've learnt more about the world, life and went beyond bad spelling. Instead of the visuals, I became more emotionally attached to it.

I am so tongue tied or maybe brain tied right now that I can't even write a coherent blog entry. I can't even put my feet on the ground as I'm floating on overwhelming emotions. What an adventure I just went on.

Thank goodness I work from home! If I have to go through all that dreadful traffic to get to work, reality will probably strike me like a lightning and I will suffer from the most severe withdrawal symptoms.

Anyway, have a great week ahead and if you need some sort of escapism,  try watching something from Studio Ghibli!