blogging – Page 79 – This is Another Story

Pencils Only

Published on January 17, 2015 by Yinglan3 Comments

“Do all of your assignment with pencil on paper.” That’s what all the instructors said on the first day class.

When I was working on my undergraduate degree, we were not allowed to type our homework, except for the communication class when we were required to type our reports. Well, frankly, if we were to write our reports by hand, it would take forever and by the time we finish, our hands might be in some serious pain.

Even now, I write all my notes by hand on my tablet instead of typing them in Microsoft OneNote. I enjoy writing my notes by hands because it just feels so much faster especially when the class involves drawing tables and graphs.

Still, that doesn’t stop me from imagining what the world would be like if we were to go back to pre-keyboard era which would be before the 1860’s when the typewriter was invented. Technically, typewriters count as keyboards. They have keys and the paper is the screen.

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I guess without the keyboard’s existence, I might be dipping pens, pencils probably existed but maybe only special people used ’em. Maybe clumsy people like me might not even have pens but just wooden sticks to write in the sand so we don’t get ink all over our dresses.

This semester, I found out I have to type all my assignments! Honestly, I rather prefer to go back to the pencil and paper days. At least I won’t have to stare at a screen the entire day. I mean, it’s killing my eyes! I find myself to have to zoom in to 150% this morning just to read this Supreme Court Case (Brown v. Board of Education) for my Business Law assignment and the font wasn’t even that small. The words just looked so blurry and tiny to me.

Please do NOT tell me I’m going blind.

Contradiction of Everything

Published on January 16, 2015February 25, 2015 by Yinglan2 Comments

Daily Prompt: Do you have a good friend or close relative with whom you disagree on a major issue (political, personal, cultural)? What’s the issue, and how do you make the relationship work?

Do I?

My 17-year-old cousin, the one who’s living in the basement, who’s eating all the food, contradicts just about everything. The way he argues about everything just makes me dislike him even more.

The worst part? My aunt stands with him. It’s ridiculous!

So I stopped talking to him but sometimes, even when I’m not talking to him, he had to jump in. Like on the day when we took the trip to Morgan, before we hit the highway, my mom had to stop by the Air Force Base to pick up her prescription. The three of us waited in the car.

Anyway, my aunt was begging me to take her to City Creek Mall which I did. She was talking about buying souvenirs and I started telling about when I took my former boss’s wife to the mall late 2013. I told about how she purchased over $200 worth of environment friendly soaps without blinking just because her daughter said it was good stuff. I also told about the tea shop next to the environment friendly soap store, how a few ounces of tea leaves cost $40.

“It’s so ridiculously expensive. I don’t think I’d waste my own money on tea.” I said.

The normal response, I think, would be, “I have to agree, money is hard to come by and you worked hard to earn that. It’s good for you to save.”

Instead, my cousin piped up, “You can’t be like that. When you want it, you’ll be willing to spend to get it.”

“Unfortunately,” I replied, “I will never have the heart to spend so much for food.”

He sighed, “Well, then that proves you’re cheap.” Can you believe that? He flat out and called me cheap! Least to say, I spent the remainder of the trip irritated.

Next Saturday, I’m supposed to spend the day shuttling him again from home to the testing center and home again. I don’t even want to do it but as usual, I’m the only one that know how to get there.

One more month and he’ll gone. One more month and I’ll no longer have to hide food in my room.

I still cannot believe I’m hiding mentos and butterscotch candies in my room. It’s not like I’m going to eat it all.

Brain Power

Published on January 15, 2015 by Yinglan6 Comments

Daily Prompt: Let’s assume we do, in fact, use only 10% of our brain. If you could unlock the remaining 90%, what would you do with it?

This is a strange prompt, I have to say, and it was late today. I didn’t see it come up until at the start of my second class.

Do we really use only 10% of our brain? That would be an interesting fact.

If I can unlock the remaining 90%, I would not know what to do with it. It’s just too much brain for me. I would rather it stays locked.

Whoa, scratch that…

Actually, I read this novel a while ago, I can’t remember the title but according to the story, apparently everyone has some kind of supernatural power, they just need to unlock it with their minds.

What if my other 90% was some sort of supernatural power? If that’s true, I would love to use that 90% for mind reading or some kind of cool psychic power. So I can secretly get a glimpse into my mom’s complicated mind, hey maybe it’s not complicated, just to see and double-check her tasks for me before I go do it. Because I’m really tired of the vague instructions and the unappreciative behavior. I mean what exactly do you want me to do?

It’s Crazy…

Published on January 14, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan8 Comments

I just spent almost the entire day doing homework and studying for the two pre-lecture quizzes for tomorrow only to find out one of my teachers had delayed the quiz to Tuesday. I finished my homework though, finally. Continue reading “It’s Crazy…” →

It’s Looking Bright

Published on January 13, 2015October 14, 2015 by Yinglan15 Comments

Well, I just had another adventurous day, this time, not on the road but on the sidewalk. Apparently, the university had decided to clean the parking lots but not the walkways. There was like a layer of ice in front of every building. It took me forever to get to my class.

I was surprised that despite the ice and slippery conditions, some people decided to wear their flats and high heels to school. Well, I would like to wish them good luck. Then again, I bet no one is as clumsy as I am.

Anyway, before I left this morning, I opened my browser and had a quick look at the prompt. Honestly, I thought it was worse than yesterday’s. But whatever, I need some inspiration.

My keyword for the google image search is “LANDSCAPE” and here’s the eleventh image.

This is beautiful, isn’t it? According to google, this is a painting of sunset in Montreal, Canada.

“LANDSCAPE” is often my search word in google because when it’s so gloomy and cloudy and the weather’s yucky outside, my inspiration meter would plunge and looking at beautiful painting or photo of somewhere tend to be able to squeeze something out of me.

You know, after going to my new classes today, I think I will look forward to this semester and this year. It’s looking bright.

Bad Weather and a Busy Day

Published on January 12, 2015 by Yinglan6 Comments

I had such a busy morning and a nerve-wrecking drive JUST to pick up my paycheck. But I’m home now and alright. Whew!

I feel both grateful and angry that the storm chose to ignore the city I’m residing in. It’s completely ridiculous! The moment I left the city on the Freeway this city, rain began pouring harder, much harder.

When I’ve already gone 10 miles, I had this terrifying urge to turn around and go home, to call the office and tell them to forget it, I am not driving in this dangerous condition. But then, my stubbornness kicked in and I hate to do thing halfway. Besides, I kind of need the money to cover my books and credit cards especially with that $3200 tuition, I need it now more than ever.

Finally, about an hour later, I made it to the office. In and out of that office in less than 5 minutes and then it was time to go home. Yikes!

The drive back, that’s scary. I am not sure whether it was the road material or the road was flooded, I couldn’t tell but my car made this funny whooshing noise and it skidded TWICE even with winter tires. Thank god for no traffic, otherwise I’d be in trouble.

It was terrifying. After that, my chest began to pound. I was almost praying, hoping that the story I wrote over the weekend wouldn’t come true. It cannot come true and it better not come true.

I made it home and had to immediately make some lunch, to calm my nerves but I’m just happy I’m okay. I’m just so glad I only have Tuesdays and Thursdays classes this semester and then I don’t have to face so much bad weather.

They should NOT be spoiled…

Published on January 11, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan1 Comment

Daily Prompt: Pick a contentious issue about which you care deeply — it could be the same-sex marriage debate, or just a disagreement you’re having with a friend. Write a post defending the opposite position, and then reflect on what it was like to do that. Continue reading “They should NOT be spoiled…” →

A Slow Day

Published on January 10, 2015October 14, 2015 by Yinglan4 Comments

I feel like today is going especially slow. I don’t know why. Last night, after suffering from a stomachache all night, I went to bed only to find myself sleeping and waking up repeatedly through the night and finding myself at a different place on the bed every time.

It’s weird, right? I wonder if I should be worried. Nah, maybe I’m having a strange week, that’s all. Maybe just some pre-semester jitters.

My aunt is currently downstairs cleaning the floors while I was supposed to wash my mom’s car. That’s not going to happen.

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Outside is dark and cloudy again and it’s freezing cold, only 39°F. I thought there’s not supposed to be a storm for the next 7 days. The weatherman lied, wouldn’t be the first time. I checked the weather and it’s supposed to snow and rain on Monday. How am I supposed to go to Salt Lake City to pick up my paycheck?

On the bright side, after almost a month, I finally sold my mom’s statistics book and after two days, I finally applied for that summer audit position at American Express. I’m crossing my fingers and hope the HR will return my email soon, preferably Monday, and give me an interview. Until then, all I can do is cross my finger and not jinx it.

Amazed…

Published on January 9, 2015October 14, 2015 by Yinglan4 Comments

You know, I’m kind of amazed at myself right now.

I finally finished this month’s work last night. I am so happy I get to relax and decompress during these last few days before the semester officially begins again.

Now I know I’ve complained about my work often because it’s so bored. I just sit at my computers translating stuff. Is that boring or what? So to take away the dullness, I decided to scour through my CD collection and listen to songs I haven’t listened to for at least the past 5 years.

When my stereo was still in the basement, I used to go down there and sing along to all the song I know. This week, I decided to do the same thing. That’s why I am so amazed. I still remember the words. All of them. It’s like when I want to sing along, the words just flows perfectly out of my lips and I heard these songs forever ago.

I don’t know how I do that because if you ask me to repeat it back to you, I cannot but when the music plays, I can sing the lyrics perfectly.

Home At Last

Published on January 9, 2015June 15, 2023 by Yinglan2 Comments

It was a cold and snowy night. I can still remember this night horribly well because it was most likely the first time when I spent the whole drive home praying that I wouldn’t get into an accident.

Continue reading →

Master of Words

Published on January 8, 2015 by Yinglan1 Comment

Daily Prompt: If you could choose to be a master (or mistress) of any skill in the world, which skill would you pick?

If I can pick to be the master of any skill in the world, I would pick the Master of Words. I would always know the right things to say.

Those of you who are frequent readers of my blogs probably notice that I rarely comment on any posts. I usually just click “like” and that’s it. That’s because I’m afraid of saying the wrong words and offending somebody which is what my mom often says when she brings me to meet somebody.

In fact, I think that’s how all my friendship ends, either by my mom’s disapproval or my words.

She often tells me the thing I say embarrasses her, that it’s inappropriate, childish, and whiny. Honestly though, that’s the way I speak. I cannot change my voice. So eventually, I just stopped talking. Just don’t really say much in general. I mean, what’s the point?

So, if I am the Master of Words, I’d know what to say at all times, meeting my mom’s friends, at job interviews, anywhere. Oh, and if this mastering thing can add in some voice and tone adjustments like Donald Duck in Donald’s Dream Voice, make my voice sound less whiny and childish and more adult-like, I’d be all in.

Blogging 101: Write For My Dream Reader

Published on January 7, 2015September 23, 2015 by Yinglan5 Comments

I need to take a breath. I’ve worked 8 hours today and translated over 2000 words. Continue reading “Blogging 101: Write For My Dream Reader” →

Sanctuary

Published on January 7, 2015 by Yinglan1 Comment

Daily Prompt: A sanctuary is a place you can escape to, to catch your breath and remember who you are. Write about the place you go to when everything is a bit too much.

My place of sanction is a small area in the entire house where I can store my personal stuff, blast loud music and sing along, is the place where I finally feel at home after a long day. That place is my room.

It’s like my own little studio. I’ve got food, water, bed, basically everything I need to survive. Not long but you get my point. I basically live in my room. I stay there most of the day, to work, write, whatever.

It’s not the brightest spot of the house though. I keep the blinds shut so the sun won’t hurt my eyes and make me feel sleepy. It tends to do that.

Anyway, I feel like this post is more or less a repeat from a project I recently did for a company called Wework where I share my workspace with everybody. You can check out the article here.

3 Ways to Go Viral

Published on January 6, 2015 by Yinglan2 Comments

Daily Prompt: Your blog just became a viral sensation. What’s the one post you’d like new readers to see and remember you by? Write that post.

My blog had just became a viral sensation??? How did that happen? I wonder, hmm…

I think there are probably only three ways that this blog can ever go viral.

I’ve done a crazy stunt and got taken down and uploaded onto Youtube.
I finally finish a novel and some big name producer read and decided to turn into a TV show or movie and everyone’s flocking to find out who I am.
All my doctors got my symptoms wrong and misdiagnosed me AGAIN and I really have days to live.

I don’t think any of those situations are very likely though.

I am not a risk taker so I won’t do dangerous stunts.
Some big name producer is going to read what I write, yeah right.
The third way? Ha, I’m healthy as a horse and unless I suddenly come down with something and I don’t get better, that’s not going to happen.

As for the one post I would like readers to see and remember me by? I haven’t written it yet and I don’t think I’m ever going to because if I ever feel the need to write that post, let’s just say it’ll either be the end of me or the end of this blog.

Blogging 101: Introduction

Published on January 6, 2015September 23, 2015 by Yinglan6 Comments

In less than a month, this blog turns 2! Continue reading “Blogging 101: Introduction” →

To the Rescue!

Published on January 5, 2015March 8, 2015 by Yinglan10 Comments

Daily Prompt: Tell us about the time you rescued someone else (person or animal) from a dangerous situation. What happened? How did you prevail?

Ha, ha, me rescuing someone? That’s hilarious. It’s more like people rescuing me. I don’t think I’ve been rescued by someone before. I’ve always managed to come around on my own. Even the time when I was squirming crazily on my bed, my body going into full spasm. When I came around, I was shocked to find my step-dad, the one who’s training to be a RN was the one freaking out.

But no, this is a story for another time. This is a story about how my mom prevented a major house fire. I know, the prompt said a person or animal but a house, to me, like most inanimate objects are looked at like a person.

It was September, 2013 (wow that feel a little weird to say), it seems everything happens in September. Anyway, an international student came to stay with us because the school had no host family available. I had just begun my job with my former boss, Mr. Li.

It was a Saturday, it was my first day on the job. I reported for work early that morning and my tasks that day were to assist on his trip to the accountants’ office as well as the supermarket. Basically, I was supposed to trail behind him like a puppy while my mom was his wife’s volunteering driver for the day.

When I finally came home that day, my mom said, “She almost burned the house down!”

“What happened?” I asked curiously.

“I just stepped out for a few minutes and she left the toaster oven on! If I didn’t see it, the whole house would have gone up in flames.”

After a few days, weeks, months and even now and then, she was still talking about it, telling about her heroic rescue of the house. Unbelievable! The story became horribly annoying after a while but hey, she did prevent a fire and saved the house.

The First Day

Published on January 5, 2015November 24, 2015 by Yinglan2 Comments

So I wanted to write yesterday but I couldn’t get myself to. First of all, I am home, finally. I was dead tired. I slept 12 hours, from 9 to 9 and I was still tired. I worked 7.5 hours yesterday and went to bed extra early. Continue reading “The First Day” →

Out of Place and Stuffed

Published on January 3, 2015November 23, 2015 by Yinglan5 Comments

So we’re waiting for the rest of the house to wake up before we can get a move on. I feel so out of place here like my mom’s friend’s American husband. I wonder Continue reading “Out of Place and Stuffed” →

A Change of Scenery

Published on January 2, 2015November 23, 2015 by Yinglan4 Comments

Hello and greetings from Idaho! Continue reading “A Change of Scenery” →

Different Generation, Different Attitude

Published on January 1, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan18 Comments

I hope you all are having a Happy New Year. Continue reading “Different Generation, Different Attitude” →

A Quick Reflection on 2014

Published on December 31, 2014October 14, 2015 by Yinglan2 Comments

It’s hard to believe that at this time last year, I was sitting in front of my computer, bored out of my mind and resorted to watch House Hunters on Hulu. My mom had already left for California with my then-boss and his family, leaving me alone at home for the new year.

This blog had already been born then but I was a super duper slow writer. It would had taken me hours to write this entry I am writing now last year because my thoughts are warped and jumbled and I had little confidence that anyone was going to read it since you’re probably getting ready to usher in the new year. Plus the fact that I knew nothing about blogging or tagging posts. So basically, no one was browsing my site and anything I published just felt like I was blabbering to myself.

I managed to squeeze in two posts in January and one in February and March. The first post was really an ad to hopefully get people to come join Toastmasters but I doubt it was doing anything since everyone in the blogging world are so scattered, spread around the world. The second post was really a rant written right after my fight with my grandparents. Yeah, it’s not really a good idea to fight with grandparents. Now my first cousin gets the fortune. Oh well, it’s not like I was going to get anything before.

The biggest thing that happened was in February when I finally got a work at home job with a semi-decent paycheck. It interrupted everything from school to meals, and even blogging. The most annoying thing is, no matter how busy I got, March just wasn’t coming quick enough.

I could finally breathe a little by the time April arrived. I actually published seven posts! That was a record for me then but as I looked back on them today, I felt like all seven posts seemed exaggerated like I was trying too hard.

May first came my graduation. It was easily the best night of my life. I mean how many times does a person get to walk in their graduation? Unless you keep going to school. Anyway, I really really really enjoyed it, strutting proudly in my cap and gown down that long flight of stairs to shake each and every one of instructor’s hands and receiving a blank diploma holder.

A week after graduation, I did something unexpected. I went back to school for my masters. That wasn’t unexpected, it was the degree that was unexpected. I went back to school to get a Masters of Accounting. When I went to meet the firm in September, every one I encounter thought it’s a little odd for an engineering bachelor graduate to get an accounting degree. I’m starting to wonder if that’s the reason I didn’t get hired for that internship.

Over the summer, I enrolled myself in two online economic classes at the community college and during that, I worked as well as prepping for the GMAT. Beside graduation, May and June are easily the worst months of 2014.

July was okay. I began participating in daily prompt and met a lot of blogging friends there and I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s response to the prompt. I am always curious to see what others write for the same topic.

At the end of August, I went back to school. It felt like I was starting over. My old major and cumulative GPA no longer mattered. It’s like I’ve been given a second chance. It was then I made a promise to myself to maintain a good GPA this time, don’t let it fall below a 3.0.

I did well this semester, I took so many mouthful of deep breaths when I saw the two A’s and two B’s and the 3.5 GPA posted in my account. I hope to keep it up next semester. Actually, not hope, I have to keep it up in order to get hired as quick as possible. Employers don’t like low GPAs.

So that’s my year. My goal for 2015?

Maintain an excellent GPA.
Maintain my health. I’m still waiting for my welcome package from the health insurance company that contains my insurance card. Then I can make an appointment with a doctor to renew my prescription and see what can be done with my inability to lose weight and my acne-filled face.

Something I learned about blogging this year?

I don’t need to be funny and informative in order to get people to read what I published. I just need to be myself and write what I know.

One last thing…

I want to thank you all for visiting my site and reading as well as commenting all that I’ve published. Without you, I might had quit months ago. You’re the inspiration and motivation that kept this blog alive.

Thanks to all the nominations as well:

Artfullyadelie, for nominating this blog in June for the Liebster Award
Vik Tory Arch for One Lovely Blog in September
Sueju Takeshi for Sisterhood of the World Bloggers in September
Sugar for Very Inspiring Blogger Award yesterday 😀

Thanks for all the nominations. It’s hard to think that this blog began this year with a little over 50 followers and ended with just over 500. Let’s shoot for 1000!

Tears, can’t live without them, just have to live with them

Published on December 31, 2014 by Yinglan5 Comments

Daily Prompt: We cry for lots of reasons: sadness, pain, fear . . . and happiness. When was the last time you shed tears of joy?

Hmm, that’s interesting. I don’t remember crying for joy, ever or maybe I just haven’t yet.

Do people do that? Crying for joy just seemed a little funny to me because why would happiness provoke tears? Wouldn’t it provoke laughter and smiles?

Ah, I get it. It’s not the kind of joy that makes a person smile but the kind of joy that causes one to feel surprised, glad, or even relieved like right after a mother gives birth. I’ve seen it in the news and movies. Or when someone realizes that person’s been there for him/her all along and is grateful. I guess I just never had that kind of thing happen to me yet but I’m not giving my hopes up. Someday.

I remember exactly the last time I cried. It was tears of anger. It was at the end of September right after my aunt back my mom’s car into a pole. Then the very next day, my mom blamed me for it. My fists and teeth clenched and tears fell from my face while fire looked like it’s about to flare from my nostrils. There was this pull inside me rendering my ability to speak or fight back.

It’s not my fault, I wanted to say but couldn’t. Ultimately, I just had to ignore every hurtful my mom said that day.

The result of that event?

It set off a domino effect and it went on for almost two weeks that ultimately ended with my mom buying two airplane tickets for my aunt and cousin to go home at once but fate intervened. And they’re now staying until February.

It was strange for me to cry because I don’t usually cry when I’m angry. Actually, I can say I’ve grown stony and hard ever since I’ve been living with my mom alone that it’s hard for me to cry any sort of tears. But tears are meant for cleansing, so I guess everyone has to shed some tears once in a while whether it’s for joy, sadness, or anger. Tears are tears and everyone needs them.