reflections on a difficult year

i’m honestly not sure if it’s possible to be any more busy/stressed/occupied.

in exactly 1 week, i have my first major PhD qualifying exam, which I have hardly studied enough for, because I am too busy at work to take time to study for one of the most important exams of my life perhaps? haha. ok fine, maybe not that serious, but considering it is one of the last major exams i will probably take in my life, it’s pretty important.

that last six months have really been difficult, to say the least. i don’t think i’ve been this angry, frustrated, hurt, afraid, nervous, tired, and stressed in … i don’t even know. while i won’t elaborate on what’s exactly got me this down, i will say a few a things: 1. people really do disappoint in so many more ways than i imagined. 2. as much as i claim to be taiwanese, i am still unable to fully adjust to many cultural aspects of life here. particularly the ridiculous hierarchy that exists amongst people i meet at school and work. 3. if it weren’t for my other half, and my cousin, i would be in a puddle of tears every single day. 4. i regret that i don’t have more time to spend with my ailing grandmother. 5. i also regret that i don’t have time to spend with the many wonderful people and classmates that i’ve met so far. to each of you, i’m truly sorry.

now don’t get me wrong… despite the hardships i’m facing, i still love living here. however, the last year has taken its toll on me, for sure. the number of white hairs on my head is multiplying, and wrinkles have formed around my mouth and eyes [gah!]. yes, my research has been going very well … and there are several awards and international talks to show for it… but all i want right now is rest. vacation. a slice of quiche and a class of red wine in that corner deli by the cobblestone road in Melk, Austria that I fell in love with last year.

alleyways of melk, austria.

my new toy.

this afternoon, i received this little surprise in the mail. well, not REALLY a surprise. i bought it, but it wasn’t supposed to arrive until after 8/31!

hollaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
absolutely beautiful. i still need to get used to Lion though. why don’t things pop up on my desktop when i plug them into the USB port???
i hate migrating things to a new computer though…

help me name it! i’ve decided that it’s a male.

Neon Mary’s in Vietnam

I took this one during a business trip to Vietnam last month, at the Notre Dame cathedral, near the tourist district in Ho Chi Minh city.

In other words… it’s officially monsoon season here! love it.

recently also purchased a super wide-angle fish-eye lens for my G11… lets see what this thing can do!!

OK so… blog? facebook? google+? which one of these do i keep up with? I’m not inclined to keep up with all 3…

favorite pics from my sister’s wedding

last month, i had the joy of celebrating my sister’s wedding. below are some of my favorite pictures (screen shots from the photographer’s website… woops)

Karen and Neil, May 28, 2011 – Phoenix, AZ

I have no idea what we’re laughing about here, but i love this one!

With Titus in a red bow tie my favorite.

i love this one.

It was a great weekend with friends and family. Too bad it was way too short…
In past 6 months I have seriously been all over!! East Asia, Taiwan, USA-Arizona, Taiwan, Germany, USA-Arizona+California, Taiwan, Vietnam. Many of you are probably thinking that you are jealous, but don’t be. really. travelling, especially when it’s work related, is extremely tiring and at times, un-rewarding. unfortunate.

berlin: brandenburger tor

Berlin: Brandenburger Tor

berlin is great… i only wish that i had more time to properly enjoy this history-filled city. amazing bakeries, afternoon flea markets, historical architecture, good food, picturesque squares and shops.. what’s not to love?

finally back to this thing – commence pictures!

for someone who hates public speaking, i’ve been doing an awful lot of it lately.

berlin, april 2011. ~2000 people

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i’ve also been doing a lot of travelling in addition to this PhD thing (for work purposes, of course)… perhaps i should start posting some pictures. they won’t be in any particular order, but that’s ok. i’m too lazy to write chronological entries.

Cathedral in the Dutch Quarter; Postdam, Germany. March 30, 2011

the sad state of the kaohsiung subway

The Kaohsiung subway system is beautiful… too bad absolutely no one rides it and it’s going to go bankrupt. This is Formosa Boulevard, the main transfer station. It should be bustling with people on a Saturday evening… but instead, it’s empty and lifeless.

wise advice from a pint-size indian girl.

according to my indian other half, kiran,
(during a conversation about dating…)

“indians get around.”

thank you, my dear friend. i’ll keep that in mind. i miss you.
check out her other pearls of advice at CAPTAIN KIKS

oh, japan….

this is a shocking picture of the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in japan last week. no, not the usual picture of utter destruction and devastation, but a peaceful photograph of a fully intact house floating miles offshore in the middle of the pacific ocean.

lets see how much class i can miss without being flunked…

my schedule this semester is pretty packed… and i’m not even talking about school. one professor already told me i can’t take her class because i will be missing too many classes, automatically forcing an F if i do take the class. whoops.

1. EVA AIR flight BR11 from LAX –> TPE 2 days ago: Meal 1: steak and potatoes with freshly sliced fruit, smoked salmon with lemon, dinner roll and a glass of red wine. Meal 2: egg, cheese and tomato omelet with brie and crackers along with a warm, crisp croissant, apple juice and strawberry yogurt.

whaaaaaa? wow… EVA really upped the meals on this last flight. the food on the flight to LAX a few weeks before was terrible! the alcohol is always free no matter what flight you’re on, but i never ordered any before. however, this time, with the smoked salmon and steak, a small glass of cabernet was only appropriate.

2. EASL 2011 International Liver Congress here i come in March! Taipei –> Frankfurt –> Berlin. meeting meeting give a lecture, then more meetings. Berlin –> London –> Bangkok –> Taipei.

3. sidenote: just spent the evening playing Gran Turismo 5. yup.

4. End of May through beginning of June: Taipei –> Phoenix –> sisters wedding –> Big Sur (ruth’s wedding) –> San Francisco –> Taipei.

5. Mid June: APPH forum… Taipei –> Ho Chih Minh, Vietnam?

6. November: possibly the APASL conference… Taipei –> San Francisco?

7. did i ever mention that i hate/am afraid of flying?