Author Archives: anzyme

A whole new world

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Year 2012 is coming to an end. As one grows up, special days like new year eve become relatively less important. Why? Because there’re more other important days in life, such as work, play, love. There’s no need to enjoy life on new year eve. Nevertheless new year is something we should be waiting for, because a new beginning signifies hope.

I said earlier this year that when we look at the many regrets we have in life, we can safely conclude that, while most regrets are saddening, we still treasure the experience they brought. Adversities in life only makes us stronger. Have I experienced any adversity this year? Sure I have. And I kept my promise that I treasure those experiences, because when we look back, when we connect the dots, we’ll realize had it not been for those experiences, we wouldn’t have learnt. One thing is happening at this moment — life gets really tough, with so few holidays we have. So few that I don’t even have an early off on new year eve, no time for countdown as I’ve done in previous years.

But still, we don’t really need to count down for new year. As every day is a new beginning, if we miss the new year eve, we can always count down for Jan 2, and so on. Starting some time in 2012, I began to have a really positive attitude for life. Loneliness and busyness are no longer things I fear for. I guess this is the greatest achievement I’ve made in Year 2012. How will it be like in 2013? No one knows. Let’s hope I learn something, at least one.

12-12-12, graduation

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It’s Dec 12, 2012, or short for 12-12-12. This site has quite a history in reporting repeating-digit dates. On Mar 3, 2003, I wrote:

“So today is 03-03-03, very interesting…”

And on Apr 4, 2004, I wrote:

“I said last year that I would be expecting April 4, 2004 because it is of a special and wonderful number… So, i am expecting May 5 next year.”

Those were the earliest days I started to pay attention to the bits and pieces of my life. Up to this moment, I still have no idea what these repeating digits have to do with my life — perhaps none. But some says 12-12-12 will be the last repeating-digit date we’ll see in our entire life — i.e. assuming we don’t live until 1-1-2101 (01-01-01), but who knows? — so this day is kind of special.

Today I’d like to talk about graduation. We had our graduation ceremony last Wednesday. If Christmas is a festive season for all, November to January should be a festive season for graduates. It’s also a period I hate, as a graduate myself. Why? I hate seeing big groups of people doing stupid things. Whenever I go to those “sacred” places for taking graduation photos, I’m often pissed by the fact that so many people are there taking photos as well. You cannot but include them in the background, as if you’re a collective self in harmony all celebrating the joy of graduation together. If you really want to exclude them, perhaps the only thing you can do is get an ultra fast lens and take a close up of yourself so that everyone is blurred beyond the shallow depth of field.

Well, so I’m pleased to have taken pictures in my favourite scene at HKU, Eliot Hall, ahead of anyone else. I like Eliot Hall more than I like the MB (that’s why the committee photo of The Apollonian was taken there). But apart from that experience, taking graduation photo is a pain in the ass.

And then there was the graduation ceremony. As much as a wedding ceremony does not signify the whole marriage (it’s just the beginning), graduation moments (photo taking, the ceremony) do not signify graduation itself. I graduated five months ago already, as I received my final exam results and my temporary certificate. I have already celebrated back then, so why all the fuss? Taking photos in grad gown? Attending the ceremony, and taking even more photos there? Graduation means we’ve finished a long long journey of learning, during which we mature and learn to do things with sophistication. Dressed in graduation gown and taking group photos with a noisy crowd, often in stupid poses, is an insult to the identity we’ve earned, a damage to recognition we’ve gained. No matter what, I’m a person who enjoys privacy, so I’m not going to join my fellows celebrating crazily for graduation. I’m glad I graduated, that’s it.

Not too long ago I read a quote on facebook: Finally I graduated. I have to thank my family and friends, and whoever invented wikipedia and copy & paste. Did I require that for graduation? I’m glad I didn’t. To all those graduates who refused to be mediocre, you have my most sincere respect. Congratulations!

Movie movie movie

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It’s been another week (or more). Life continues to be repetitive. Even as spices are added to my life, they come in double. Well, I have a half-day off today, and I watched two movies I’ve longed for — Life of Pi and Cold War [寒戰]. Both are good movies, and both are worth watching.

I remember it’s not until recent years that I started to enjoy going to the cinema alone. It was approximately in the run up to the Year 4 Osca, at a time I was more than desolate, that I suddenly needed something to distract me from books. I went to IFC for quite a number of movies at that time. It was also during that period that I started enjoying going to random places to have dinner. I had been luxurious enough to take a taxi to IFC and buy takeaway from Sen-ryo/Jade and take a taxi back to hall, ordinary enough to eat at Fusion/Pesto, or down-to-earth enough to have Pizza Hut takeaway. Those were perhaps lonely days, but they surely were more variable than nowadays. Perhaps it’s time to move out and live alone?

iPhone 5

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Another month without a new entry. I’m starting to feel that this site will have an eventual fate as @eugene’s site. The thing is, I’m too tired to blog when I get home, and even when I’m free at the clinic and I wanted to write something, I couldn’t think of anything to write. Yes, life has become rather repetitive these days. And what’s more, while people like Newsome think it’s important to have a personal life outside dentistry, I’m thinking my work starts to be filled with compromises, and so I should focus more time on doing quality dentistry.

Anyway there’re a few things we should celebrate in the past month. For one, I got iPhone 5, finally! I almost got it from 3 HK and signed another two-year contract when suddenly Apple sent me an email telling me to get a SIM-free one from Apple Store. Getting the iPhone from an Apple Store is a way superior experience than getting it from other places: the staff were nicer and delivered better services (by “better services” I mean they don’t look stupid and they don’t look like they think you’re stupid). And, they helped me switch to a nano-sim directly inside the store (which got activated in one hour). I’m glad HK finally has an Apple Store, delivering the lowest yet most important level of the company’s tight vertical integration that Steve Jobs promised in this city.

Getting an iPhone 5 and unboxing it still makes one feel he’s the luckiest person in the world. The box and everything packed inside feels neat and solid. And, despite thinking that a 4-inch screen is a compromise Apple made, and being critical about the new phone’s aesthetics at first, I’ve fallen in love with the iPhone 5 after living with it for a few days. Thanks to its unibody design, the iPhone 5’s build quality has exceeded that of the iPhone 4, which is already the best-built phone on the market even after 2.5 year’s introduction. The aluminium back feels even silkier than Apple’s glass trackpads; the margin between the glass front and the metal housing is even better than that of the iPhone 4.

I said “still” because I’m a bit doubtful if I’d feel the same again when I get the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6. First of all, inside, the iPhone 5 is boring. iOS has gone through 5 years of development since the original iPhone in 2007, and become a very sophisticated system. What’s lacking though is breakthrough and innovation. Yes, iOS 6, I believe, is still the best mobile operating system. But there’s zero new function that I didn’t have on the iPhone 4. It’s pleasing to have much faster performance, but I’d love to see something new, something innovative. Fortunately, with the leaving of Scott-skeuomorphism-Fotstall (another big news in tech in October) and Jony and Bothelo Craig Federighi taking over iOS development, hopefully iOS will leap forward in 2013. Otherwise, I’d strongly consider switching to WP8.

Well well well I considered writing more on other stuff, but since I got enough words to make it an interesting entry now, let’s forget that and write later. Goodbye for now.

In retrospect (3)

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Well, you know, I’m too lazy to blog these days. But I’d love to blog today, so less review some old entries. Two points to note: 1) I said this before — I hate Christmas, I hate September, I hate summer, … Reading this past entry made me realize that I hated a day in the week too — Tuesday. Luckily I don’t anymore. 2) I was really upset at times. I’m grateful that I’m not now.

Tuesdays
November 30, 2010

Since the beginning of year 4, I’ve always hated Tuesdays. Full-day clinic means to test our patience to patients and tutors. The thing is, I’m seldom annoyed by DSAs. I’m more frequently annoyed by tutors though, because I expect more from them. And when I’m not backed up by my tutors, I’m upset. The problem is, this occurs very often in year 4.

My feeling was so bad today that I decided against going right back to hall after school (which I promised myself last night). Instead, I walked by myself purposelessly. I ended up going to the Central Piers, got a cup of Starbucks, got on the ferry and went to TST, where, again, I walked by myself purposelessly. At the end I went back to Central. Sadly, since I took the MTR on the way back, I was no way near to IFC and I could not get shanghai takeaway from Jade… I had KFC, which sucked and upset me again. Well, I know I shouldn’t feel so upset. But I am.

Cool lines, kooliner

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About a year ago, in the midst of my worst sufferings, I said a number of things that I would regret. But at that time I found those lines pretty cool, and I called them “cool lines”. @Johnson then gave me a nickname that I love — kooliner. If you’re not dental enough, you may not understand this. But, well, I really love the fact that I’m a kooliner.

Since those were not moments I’m proud of, let’s not review what cool lines I said at that time. Don’t worry. Given that this site has got 9 years of history, there’re no lack of cool lines. Let’s review some:

“The last place you can find in MK is a quiet one.” 19/11/2012

“In the eyes of the mediocre, only ordinary exists.” 18/11/2011

“Art is subjective, but experience and time make one’s artwork appeal to more people.” 1/9/2009

And of course there’re more. And I’m happy to announce that you can review them now, because our beloved old site is back online. Let’s have some fun!

*   *   *

When it comes to cool lines, there’s of course another person who is a better kooliner than I am — Steve Jobs. Let’s keep this nice commemorate video on this site forever.

Day off

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Well, days-off have become a rare time now. I used to waste the whole day at home doing nothing; now I wouldn’t waste a moment. I decided to “experience life” on my days-off. Fortunately for me, those days are not bad. Let’s review the typical things I do on days-off.

Shopping – The most frequent events are shopping. When one’s on a higher budget, one tends to spend more. But well, looking at my credit card bill I know I’ve spent way too much. It’s time to stop. But I didn’t stop today — I bought a new watch. Well, it’s not an expensive one, so I have an excuse for myself. And, it’s time to say goodbye to my old watch, which I have used since 2006.

Food – Food is also an important part. You know, after days of busy work, it’s really important to treat yourself. Here’re some highlights: (if you follow my life closely — I guess no one would — you should notice some is not food on holiday)

Relaxation – Technically this is still food, but the reason we’re there is different. We all need some holiday romance.

You may wonder: these events are for sure colourful; but what about the more important things? Like soul cleansing and self actualization? Trust me, when you’re so busy that you don’t even have time to enjoy life, it’s pretty hard to do the higher level things. I said this before: If there’s one month I should hate, it’s September. Yes, I hate September. It’s always a time for change. And in times of change we all lose something. Sure we also gain something, but when we’re not ready to replace old things with new ones, we get disappointed. And I’m experiencing exactly that right now.

*   *   *

Speaking of my quote, I found my piece of blog with that quote, and immediately there’s one more thing I hate myself — I used to write A-Level-English-length articles; but now I write much less (camouflaged by the increased font size and line height). Anyway, let’s review a good piece I wrote last year, during the times of my greatest sufferings.

Angels and demons
September 29, 2011

First of all, this is not about the film “Angels and Demons (2009)”. It’s about my personal life, especially the many adversities I’m in. If there’s a festival I ought to hate, it’s Christmas, for I’ve never lived a happy Christmas. I know Christmas means the birth of Jesus; everything else is secondary. I agree that Christmas brings hope on earth. But to me, Christmas means loneliness and sufferings.

If there’s a season I ought to hate, it’s summer. I’ve never enjoyed summer, for it’s hot and humid, and everyone talks about outdoor “fun”, which I hate. Winter is more natural to one with a miserable personality.

And if there’s a month I ought to hate, it’s September. For years, September has signified big changes which suffocate me. Not only does the environment around me, and maybe school, change, people also change. When it comes to changes, more harm than good tends to occur. This is because we live in an imperfect world. Things tend to go unordered. Humans are all evil. So whenever changes occur, people try to escape from their orderly life and go wild. That’s when bad changes occur.

Yes, I hate Christmas, I hate summer, I hate September. What? So that leaves only very little time in a year you would truly enjoy? Correct. If you consider the K.Chan you know, you wouldn’t be too surprised about this. How often have you seen me truly happy? Well, perhaps after I’m drunk.

During those bad times, there could be angels out there to save us. I’ve seen some through the years, the most recent happening being today, when typhoon signal no. 8 was in effect. But the sad thing is, many bad things could also happen on a typhoon day. Yes, if there is a day I should hate, it’s typhoon-no.8 (or above) days. Every time I’m at hall when typhoon comes, I can do nothing, nor is there anything to eat. There is nowhere to go, nor is there anyone to spend time with. “There’re angels out there, but demons prevail”. That’s what I said today, and it’s very true.

What’s worse, those who were once angels could one day turn into demons. When that happens, and if we’re so attached to the good side of them, we will be disappointed. “You weren’t like that before,” we may say. But an answer is always prepared, “sooner or later things will change”. And remember what I said about changes? When it comes to changes, more harm than good tends to occur.

Job satisfaction

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Well, it’s been nearly a month since I’ve worked as a dentist. How are things? They’re all good, apart from the fact that sometimes I’m rather free. But every time when I can solve my patient’s problems, I feel good about myself. And it seems that (apart from surgical extraction), my clinical skills get better and better. Let’s hope that my surgical skills will improve with time as well.

But one problem with work is that my social activity is getting less. No, I’m never a social freak; but sometimes I do want to get social. I don’t know why, but even if I read facebook I don’t find anything interesting. Is it because my friends are too boring, or because I have too few interesting friends? That could really be true. If so, where do I get interesting friends? Definitely not through WeChat.

I’m not dissatisfied with my life. With a good job and a relaxing life I’m quite pleased with my life right now. But I still need some new excitement. Help me find some.

Work, iPhone 5

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So, work has officially begun. I work two days in Tai Wai and 3 days in Jordan. Well, come and have a cup of coffee with me some time, because I’m kinda bored here..

September has started really differently this year. School opening used to be quite dramatic, because with each school opening I must be very reluctant to go to school and would feel so frustrated that my relationship with people change. This year there’s no more school opening, and I hope work will be different.

*   *   *

I want to talk a bit about iPhone 5. Well, once again Apple has broken our hearts. Apple is no stranger to heartbreaking, though. There’re a few occasions in history that Apple broke millions of heart (heart of fans who proudly told others that something would never happen):

  • 1997: Steve Jobs announced that IE became default browser in Mac OS
  • 2005: Apple switched to Intel processors
  • 2005: iPod 5th gen supported video playback
  • 2012: iPhone 5 switched to a 4″ screen, and is not called “the new iPhone”

Why is iPhone 5 a heartbreaking announcement? Engadget’s Dan Cooper puts it best:

 I’ve been proudly telling anyone who’d listen that Apple would never change the screen, produce a two-tone device or call it the iPhone 5 — and clearly I was talking out of my elbow… I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to having a sneaky eye on the Lumia 920 instead.

He’s also right in that he’s showing interest at Lumia 920, which is a phenomenal phone. Personally, after careful evaluation, switching to another ecosystem will cost me too much trouble (considering the deeply integrated iCloud, Mac, iPhone, iPad). But Lumia is not a bad phone. Luckily, iPhone 5 isn’t bad either; it’s just not as groundbreaking as iPhone 4 used to be two and a half years ago. So, I’ll still get an iPhone 5, although not with 100% confidence with Apple this time.

I like the new iPod touch though.

Last times

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It’s the end of August. This summer has meant a lot to me, with different things to treasure at different times. First it was the end of exams; then we got our results to find out we’ve finally graduated; then I began job hunting and finally succeeded. And between each milestone I was lucky to be able to enjoy this very last summer vacation with my loved ones. Yes, this summer has been a happy one, and so it’s natural that I feel some sadness when this summer is nearly over. In particular, I’m leaving Lee Shau Kee, a place I’ve called home for the past five years.

Indeed, a lot has happened throughout my five-year hall life. I’m never a sentimental person, but right now I’d really like to list my most treasured memories in this hall (in random order):

  • P&P Subcom
  • Play hard and work hard with dental friends
  • Living in single room
  • Sharing a double room with James
  • Love stories?
  • Quiet moments alone (with wine)
  • Dinners alone (Fusion / Pizza Hut + Mcwings takeaway)
  • Things I don’t remember right now but nevertheless still treasure

You may think that there aren’t too much memories. Sorry, I’m not the kind of person who would write a piece of shit facebook note and tag every one and say how much I treasure them. No, every bone in my body says that’s not the way I treasure things. The (fox in the) Little Prince says “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye”. I concur. How I describe memories in text is not important; it’s how I remember them that’s important.

But of course, the goal of this site is to describe my thoughts in plain text. That’s why I’ll briefly tell what I’ve done in the last two days prior to my leaving:

Packing, packing, packing
I spent quite a lot of time packing. I’ve finished just now: 8 boxes and 4 red-white-blue bags; these are five-year-worth of memories. And I also gave out quite a lot of stuff, and made a little contribution in promoting oral health.

 

Dinner at Fusion
One doesn’t usually graduate alone; Cathy is moving out too. That’s why we celebrated our last days at Memo’s. Originally we wanted to go to Safety Stop once more. Unfortunately for some reason it didn’t open on Sunday; the same was true for 糖痴豆. We ended up going to 甜品堂, which was still good, albeit meaning less to us. We also had a last late night walk in the campus, which we’ve always enjoyed.

 

Dinner at Fusion
Of course, a large part of my hall life is related to Fusion. That’s why it’s natural that I’d like to spend my last dinner at Fusion. It didn’t disappoint me — my favourite dish, seafood paella, was there. For one moment I thought I should say a proper goodbye to them; but I just couldn’t. That’s not me. I should always remember my gratitude to them, because their food has really cheered me up a lot during the darkest days in my life. I hope when I come back some day, it’ll still be there.