inspiration – Page 116 – This is Another Story

A Tale on World Ending

Published on June 6, 2015November 25, 2015 by YinglanLeave a comment

Okay, this is the second part to the previous post and since I’ve gotten everything off my chest, it’s time for the prompt. When I saw the prompt this morning, I was like, “No, you’re not serious. Are you serious?” Yes, WordPress was serious.

So here’s my short answer for the prompt. No, the world isn’t ending tomorrow and I’m not going to tell about my last dinner. In the last week, I unconsciously gained a pound. It will take forever to go back down. However I will tell a story on the matter of world ending.

In 2011, mom’s friend came to visit us and we spent two days visiting Yellowstone. On the first day, we visited the north part of Yellowstone and the south on the second day. As we drove along Yellowstone River and eventually reached Yellowstone Lake, her friend’s son, Ryan, looked out the window to the lake and said excitedly, “This is just like in the movie.”

“What movie?” Mom asked curiously.

“2012,” Her friend told her and began elaborating the movie. She revealed the plot and all the different locations that were used to shoot the film.

I tuned out because I did not want to know and if you haven’t seen it yet, I don’t want to spoil it. F.Y.I., it’s a movie about the world ending. But typical mom’s friend. People around me’s more or less the same. They like to spoil things. When we watch a movie or a show, they tend to focus on what everyone in the movie’s wearing instead on the plot or they’ll tell you what the entire thing’s about before watching it.

In late 2011, mom became so curious that she got a copy of the movie. We watched it together and as usual, when it
came to TV shows and movies, mom’s got the attention span of a baby. If the plot isn’t fast enough, she’ll quit watching in about 15 minutes, 30 minutes tops. And she did, leaving me to finish the bloody and graphic scenes all on my own. I didn’t want to watch it but I was too damn curious and it left me wondering why. Why December 21, 2012? Because coincidentally, that is the eleventh anniversary of my arrival in the U.S.

I remember in 2012, some people were particularly antsy, probably having seen the movie, they were convinced the world would end. So on April 21, 2012, there was this big event. I can’t remember the name but it’s like a preparation for the apocalypse sort of thing.

It was a ridiculous idea, the apocalypse and world ending. It was merely based on books and the ancient Mayan Calendar. I even recall my science teacher telling me in high school that the world is not set to end for another 1000 years. Pfft, 1000 years? I’ll be dust and I’ll be careless then. My descendants can fend for themselves then.

I did watch the movie, 2012, again when the rest of the family came visit the summer of 2012. I didn’t want to because I didn’t want to spend the entire movie translating every sentence and every word when no one else was watching it but me. But mom said I had to let it play through and that’s through my computer via HDMI. So there went my three hours.

As for the apocalypse, obviously, it didn’t happen. The world was safe and sound as I ushered in another year in the U.S. on December 21 that year as well as many years after that. I know some people was braced for the impossible though. The news reported it that evening and I had a good laugh about it.

Waking Up to Irritation

Published on June 6, 2015August 5, 2015 by Yinglan8 Comments

I have been undoubtedly asleep the entire morning. Not physically but mentally. Either that or my brain’s fried. I’ve been in my GMAT class all morning and haven’t been getting a single question right. I got home about two hours ago, made lunch, and drank a cup of green tea. I needed the slight boost of caffeine. About half-way into green tea, aw, it’s like slamming into a wall. My entire upper body itched like crazy and so many other things jolted me at the same time.

Like the fact that mom had been nagging me to charge the camera for the entire week so she could take it to training this weekend and I’m just now realizing she had forgotten it.

And it also hit me that today is somewhat of a significant day. It is exactly 9 years since my father’s passing. Mom told me two days ago, June 4, while she was noting that it was the anniversary of the student protest at Tiananmen Square.

This was how the sky looked about 1 hour ago, right before it started hailing and raining, right before I was interrupted by a loud bang at the front door. I was surprised I heard that despite the hail. I opened up and saw a half-naked man demanding money. “What for?” I asked.

It turned out he was the shady handyman mom hired to fix the spouts for the rental property. He wanted $169. I looked outside, it was pouring. “Does it have to be right now?” I asked, realized immediately I had just asked the stupidest question ever. That question is like asking the cashier at the grocery store’s check-out counter if I can pay later. Inside though, my anxiety was building up and I don’t do well under pressure. My heart pounded as my thoughts hurled at me at 100 mph. Is this guy serious? He could’ve done it all afternoon and he chose now? “Can I write you a check?” I proceeded.

“No, I need cash, like now.” He answered. I don’t have $169 on me. I gave $200 to mom a few days ago to fix something else and I remember mom telling me someone’s going to do some work today but she didn’t say anything about paying. Have I been scammed? Please don’t tell me I’ve been lied to. I’m not in the mood for craps.

So I got in the car and drove to the ATM machine to get $200 out of my account. The inside of the car got completely wet as I was trying to working the damn machine and I hate getting wet. Then, instead of coming home to do the transaction, he insisted we do it right then and there in the pouring rain. I was super irritated but consider I’m a tolerable person, I didn’t go off on a temper tantrum. We just exchanged bills and receipts and I drove home. I just hope I didn’t do anything wrong.

Great, now I have to do this in two posts because it’s too long. Oh well, the more the merrier. Read the next post! It’s a lovely story related to the apocalypse (my own experience).

An hour later, I texted mom and told her. She texted back, “Do Not Pay.” Instantly, I knew I fell for one of those things she expects me to do even without told. You know, I’m not a mind-reader. I don’t know your expectations. When a half-naked man is standing outside my door demanding money, what am I really supposed to do?

Minutes later, she sent another text, “Tell him to call me.”

Um, okay. So I called the shady handyman who answered the phone blasting me with a creative bunch of swear words. I told him who I was and that my mom wanted to talk to him. He cursed some more and hung up.

I ended up calling mom, told her what happened and got a big fat lecture, calling me stupid, blah blah blah. I swear, at that moment, stuck in the middle, dealing with both of them, I wanted to cry, to run away, to drown myself, something. I don’t want to deal with this. This is scary and crazy and suddenly feel regret of not sticking to my original day plan. My day plan was I was going to spend the afternoon downtown. I think if I did that, none of this would’d happened.

I’m scare for what will happen tomorrow and I don’t want to find out.

Green leaves with pink elephant ear roses

Vivid Flowers

Published on June 6, 2015August 9, 2015 by Yinglan8 Comments

So, I want to ask, do you remember this picture?

Do not worry if you don’t. This was taken at the end of March. Why am I asking? It’s because I took the photograph below two days ago.

I hope you see the tulips are gone and it’s replaced by the roses. What a difference in just three short months!

But this isn’t about that, it is about these pictures which are my contribution for this week’s photo challenge: Vivid. I hope you enjoy.

F.Y.I: The pictures of the roses and whatever those magenta flowers are were taken with my Note 10.1 tablet and then I played with it in pixlr. The other pictures were taken with my old bad-battery camera.

Love-Hate Challenge

Published on June 5, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan9 Comments

A brand-new challenge (Love-Hate Challenge) is coming around the blogging circle and my name has been tossed into the ring by Humaaq. Continue reading “Love-Hate Challenge” →

Not so Happily Ever After

Published on June 5, 2015September 27, 2015 by Yinglan3 Comments

Today’s prompt asks: “And they lived happily ever after.” Think about this line for a few minutes. Are you living happily ever after? If not, what will it take for you to get there? Continue reading “Not so Happily Ever After” →

Spread the Love of Blogging

Published on June 5, 2015September 13, 2015 by Yinglan5 Comments

I was tagged by Francesca Smith of A Smith’s World a couple of days ago for the Share the Love Challenge but as always, procrastination takes over but since it’s on my mind right this second, I’m doing it.

Continue reading “Spread the Love of Blogging” →

First Attempt at B&W Plus Updates

Published on June 4, 2015November 24, 2015 by Yinglan10 Comments

I have been mostly restricted to fiction this week. If you haven’t notice, I’ve been posting nothing but fiction in the last three days. What can I say, I don’t feel like write anything when I feel like crap and yes, I still do but I seem to be just a tiny bit better this morning after mom pushed open my door at 7 am this morning and woke me in a panic for no reason at all except telling me to get to work. She’s gone for the day though, finally, taking a language exam 50 miles away.

I’m so looking forward to this weekend. She will be gone for training and I’ll have the house to myself for the weekend.

Back to feeling like crap, I think I’m having some health issues. That won’t be the first. I don’t want to see a doctor either. All the doctors I’ve been to offer no sympathy whatsoever. I know it’s not your job but still, I came to you. I’m in pain. You can’t just tell me it’s psychological and there’s nothing wrong with me. Can’t you at least do some digging?

Okay, here’s my problem. In the last two days, my head’s been hurting and my chest’s been periodically throbbing. I don’t want to think about it since there’s a chance the pain is “psychological” but at the same time, it feels like it’s getting worse. I want so much to complain but I already know what my mom’s going to say. She’ll either place a large bottle of 600 mg Ibuprofen before me or we’ll bicker.

I couldn’t take it any longer so the other night, I mentioned my discomfort while preparing dinner the other night and we’d just ended up bickering. “It’s all your fault for not drying your hair before heading to bed.” Mom said.

I was, as always, in no mood to bicker and I never went to bed with my hair wet. I always wait until it’s dried before sleeping. “I don’t do that,” I defended.

“If you do that for too many times, it’s bound to happen.” Why do I even make the effort? It’s like talking to a stone.

“Haven’t you been listening to me? I. Don’t. Do. That.” I said through my clenched teeth. There’s no point, my inner voice told me. You’re a minute too late, I snapped.

“I’ve watched you, I’ve seen you do it.” Yeah, like a few months or a few years ago. I didn’t answer. I regret to even brought it up. Forget it.

Aside from that little bicker, so many things had happened this week like I’ve found out a literary magazine HQ in Atlanta is looking for submissions. I have a story for the December issue but I’m afraid it might be too bleak. Should I go for it? I don’t want people to read the story around Christmas and burst in tears. I probably should send another one, huh, one that would cheer people, not make them cry.

I’m going out to work today. This will be the second time this week. I went on Monday and it turned out I couldn’t do much. My boss broke his pinkie last week tripping on a broken sprinkler and now he only has a working right hand while his left hand is wrapped elbow-deep in bandages. I hope he’s there because I went yesterday and he wasn’t there. So I ended up having to have to walk back home but I took my sweet time with the walk.

I’ve always enjoyed black and white photography. I just never thought it fit in with the pictures I took but I just have to try it. What do you think?

Truth, Lies, Assumptions, and Conclusion

Published on June 1, 2015November 25, 2015 by Yinglan3 Comments

Today’s Prompt asks: Is it possible to be too honest, or is honesty always the best policy? Continue reading “Truth, Lies, Assumptions, and Conclusion” →

A Change on Perspective

Published on May 31, 2015June 20, 2023 by Yinglan8 Comments

I spent most of yesterday morning in my GMAT class, learning to tackle critical reasoning and math problems. I’m sort of understanding the problem though I’m still pretty rusty. The teacher made it look so easy on the board that it felt like even a three-year-old can do it. So why can’t I? Maybe I’m thinking too complicated. I feel like the problems are designed to teach us to approach it in a simpler manner, like a five-year-old tackles additions and subtractions by counting fingers.

After my GMAT class, I texted my mom who, by the way, was supposed to text me, not the other way around. She was already at my friend’s graduation and had told me to meet her there. She gave me the address but didn’t give me driving directions or when the graduation was supposed to start. Maybe she thought I’ve been to the school and downtown so many times that I’m supposed to know every shortcut to get back on the freeway. Ha ha, I don’t.

Then, just as I need the internet most, I lost it. The moment I stepped into the parking lot, the internet just poof, gone.

So I had to get directions the hard way, by asking around. Thank god, I bumped into the lady that sat next to me in class. She’s awesome at giving direction but since I’m venturing into unknown territory, I was questioning myself and the directions she drew for me the whole way.

Did I make the right turn? Did I miss the freeway entrance? It’s not that far, is it?

Fortunately, I followed her direction and I made it, only made one mistake along the way, getting onto the wrong freeway, actually, it’s the right freeway, just wrong direction.

At last, I arrived after sitting in traffic jam for 10 minutes. Apparently, there was only one road in and out of the arena and drivers in that part of the city happened to be quite unforgiving. They didn’t let me sneak into the lanes at all.

I parked my car somewhere, stomach growling, hand trembling, and feeling quite stuffy. I made my way through the crowd into the arena. From there, I searched for my mom while being shoved by the tens people around me listening to an old man shouting, “First level is full!”

I went up to the second level where I asked an old lady about the main box office. She was like, “What are you talking about?”

“The main box office,” I said louder and slower, enunciating each word as clearly as I could. Thankfully, before I got too frustrated and irritated by the lady’s naggy voice and lazy attitude, I heard a familiar voice behind me. It was my mom, squeezing through the crowd, coming up the stairs. There, she led me to an entrance and together, we descended a set of stairs to our seats.

The smart person I was, I managed to bring my tablet (camera’s got a dead battery) and captured a few pictures. Not very good mainly because we arrived too late to find any good seats.

It was a little different than mine. For starters, it’s a smaller school so the commencement and convocation had been combined. Secondly, everybody, including the undergraduates sat in the same place. In my graduation, the undergraduates sat in a restricted section of the stands. I think by sitting down there, it kind of give you a sense of importance whereas sitting in the stands just makes you feel like a bystander, sort of like your achievement wasn’t big enough to be recognized.

The first speaker was the president of the school and what he said at first really moved me. He said something along the line of, a part of your life is over but a new part of your life is just beginning. I kind of felt like that when I took my last final before I graduated last year. I felt like I’ve been waiting so long for this moment and now that it’s come, I wish I could just have one more day of learning.

And as usual, an idea sparked. It’s sort of autobiographical but the idea’s playing in my head like a movie ever since.

I’ve been spending most of the day today writing another story since my current rewrite of my novella has temporarily reached an impasse. I will have dig deeper into my brain to come up with a plot of what happens next.

But yeah, you can say going to my friend’s graduation changed my perspective on somethings, like 180 degrees change.

Catching up on Awards

Published on May 31, 2015May 31, 2015 by Yinglan8 Comments

Wow, over the past two weeks, I had so many award nominations that I lost count. So that means it’s time for another award wrap-up. I went back through all the comments and ping backs I received and counted, five (recent) and one from a long while back. I just forgot about it. That makes six nominations! Wow, thanks guys!

So the first and second one is The Creative Blogging Award. Thank you so much, Izzy-Grabs-Life, Nortina Marciela, Lrod’s Blog, for nominating me for yet another award.

The rules are to thank the blogger, put up five facts, and nominate 15 to 20 blogs. Wow, that’s a lot. I will save the nominations for another day. As for the five facts, I will combine it with the Infinity Dream Award below and that makes seven facts. Too many awards, have to be flexible.

The second nomination comes from Geethu of Chococurrent and it is the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thank you so much.

Since this award only require to nominate 10 bloggers, I will save that for another post soon or never. It depends on my level of procrastination.

September 2014 The third nomination is from Frederick of Fredtotherick and it is the Sisterhood of World Bloggers Award. Thank you, Frederick.

The rules are to answer the ten questions given by the blogger, come up with 10 other questions of my own, and nominate about 5-10 bloggers. Again, I will save the nominations for later.

versatile-blogger Last nomination is from Nortina Mariela and it’s a triple nomination as sort of noted wpid-infinitydreamsaward with the Creative Blogger Award. The Versatile Blogger is from both Nortina and LadyLeeManila. The Infinity Dreams Award is a new one, I shall put that on my Wall of Achievements. Thank you so much, Nortina and LadyLeeManila.

Seven facts about me:

As you read above, I am also a procrastinator. I love to complete stuff early but I often end up doing it at the last minute.
I enjoy writing about Supernatural creatures but lately I seem to enjoy reading Young Adult novels about life and adventures.
I just finished the first draft of my novella. Yay! However, I found out it’s missing a beginning. So now I have to write the beginning and connect all the strings to make sure everything make sense.
I enjoy proofreading things (essays, novels, anything). Is that weird?
I consider myself more American than Asian. Mainly because I have already spent more than half of my life here. Although I’m proud to have Chinese blood in me, it sometimes annoys me that people still consider me to be pure Chinese. Hello? What about the American side?
I’m running out of facts here. Um, I enjoy listening to pop rock, the older the better, and probably a little of the modern EDM. Is that what it’s called? With the DJ mixing the track thing?
My last fact is a wish that my novella will be published and eventually becomes a TV show or a movie. You’ll never know.

Now, for Frederick’s questions:

Which philosophies/quotes/life lessons/cliches/phrases do you find most applicable to you now? Elaborate. When I first stepped off the plane at LAX, my mom told me that all Americans believe in this phrase, “Never say I can’t.” That all I can say. I never thought I can write anything more than a thousand words but look at me now, 20,000+ words. So Never say I can’t.
What is your worst trait? Definitely procrastinating. I’m not lazy, I just don’t like to do things I hate.
What age would you like to live to? I’d like to live forever but that will be too boring of a life so maybe 90 or 100?
Which famous person do you think you can swap identities with, without anyone suspecting anything? I don’t want to swap identities with any famous person because what if the camera got me at a bad angle? Then I’d be a joke.
List out all your hobbies. Blogging, Writing, Reading, Sleeping, Watching TV, Wordsearch, Sudoku, and Jigsaw Puzzles.
Which of the five sense do you think you cannot live without? Why? Definitely sight. Without sight, there’re no colors.
In a good cop-bad cop interrogation situation, (google it if unsure) which role would you prefer to play? I’d play the victim. Maybe the two cops will fight and the victim will go free, you’ll never know.
If you were forced to participate in a talent show, which of your talents would you feature? Probably singing. I’m a high soprano, so I can hit high notes, I guess that’s a talent.
If you were to choose one- Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry- which would you choose and why? I’d choose fiction because in the end, I know it’s not real.
What legacy would you like to leave behind? I’d like to see my work published and land in the children reading list or perhaps even made into a TV show. Something with my name on it.

Thanks for all the nominations, guys. I will take my sweet time to nominate bloggers for each award which more detail will be announced in future posts.

Have a great day! 🙂

Freestyle Writing Challenge

Published on May 30, 2015November 22, 2015 by Yinglan16 Comments

When I saw almost every blogger I’m currently following are being challenged one way or another to participate in the Freestyle Writing Challenge, I knew it would be a matter of time before one of my favorite bloggers tosses my name in the ring. Continue reading “Freestyle Writing Challenge” →

On My Way to Work

Published on May 30, 2015November 24, 2015 by Yinglan14 Comments

Today’s prompt asks: How do you manage your online privacy? Are there certain things you won’t post in certain places? Information you’ll never share online? Or do you assume information about you is accessible anyway? Continue reading “On My Way to Work” →

4 Ways to a Simple Life

Published on May 29, 2015November 22, 2015 by Yinglan10 Comments

Recently, a reader provided me with a great suggestion for a post: tips and ways to simplify day-to-day life. Believe it or not, my life Continue reading “4 Ways to a Simple Life” →

Nobody’s Perfect

Published on May 29, 2015November 25, 2015 by Yinglan10 Comments

The sun is finally out, so are the planes, but the rain has at last stop, for the week at least. Just in time for my friend’s graduation tomorrow. I don’t know what time or whether I’ll be able to attend with the GMAT workshop but hopefully, I can make it. Continue reading “Nobody’s Perfect” →

Take Me Seriously!

Published on May 28, 2015November 25, 2015 by Yinglan16 Comments

Today’s prompt asks: Tell us something most people probably don’t know about you. Continue reading “Take Me Seriously!” →

An Unique Wedding Reception

Published on May 27, 2015June 20, 2023 by Yinglan16 Comments

Last night, I was at a wedding and as usual, we were over-dressed, thanks to mom. I was like, I’m going to wear jeans but she was like, it’s other people’s wedding, you need to be well-dressed.

Continue reading →

Dreams and Nightmares

Published on May 26, 2015November 28, 2015 by Yinglan6 Comments

I can say my worst nightmares are failing all my classes and plummeting to my death. Continue reading “Dreams and Nightmares” →

Dream Tale

Published on May 24, 2015November 24, 2015 by Yinglan8 Comments

I have written a similar prompt when I did Writing 101, to read it, click here. As for a song for the future, it’s too soon to decide.

My brain woke up quite early this morning, way before my eyes wanted to open anyway, and spent a good hour or so lying in bed listening to my mom’s loud phone call while thinking about the incredible dream I had. It was so incredible that I now have this story implanted in my head but I can’t write it because for one, it was way too spotty, like, why did these events happen and for another, it’s rather silly to talk about.

Should I at least say something about it? Then be on my merry way to finish my novella. I was so incredibly close last night and I thought I would go to sleep to have a dream that will tell me what to write next but instead, this strange dream is now keeping me from writing anything. Oh yes, it is a definite yes. I have to talk about the dream.

The dream started with the song “Bye Bye Bye,” you know the song by the popular 90’s boy band, Nsync? I have no idea how that song got in my head. The last time I heard that song was almost a month ago when I was driving home from something. It was a weird rendition, live, by a church choir.

Next, the dream became me sitting in front of my computer, in the dead of night searching editing jobs on the freelancing job-site and strangely, I won a bid. I was to proofread this document and send it back. The document was quite badly written. The most distinct error I remember from the dream was Howre’re you. I have a feeling someone is terrible in spelling.

Then I can feel time sped forward a few weeks because I found myself pacing in my room. Apparently, I haven’t received the payment for my job. My tablet suddenly let out a loud buzz. It was a phone call in Google Hangout. I answered. This is where the dream turned into an action movie.

I was dressed in black and I was moving stealthily along the side of a building. I had a feeling I was rescuing something. Who, I don’t know. I entered a room that resembled an underground parking lot. The light was so dim that it made everything look green. It’s almost like the kind of place you expect surprises to fly at you at any second. I somehow knew where to go though as my feet voluntarily guided me to the spot where a large man appeared before me and behind him was a woman tied and gagged. I didn’t recognize her but obviously it wasn’t her choice to be in this position.

As I approached, I realized I was only about a third of the man’s size. I ran toward him, apparently that was what dream me did. I fought him, incorporating fighting skills I have only seen in movies and won. Then it all just ended. My sweet dream. I opened my eyes a bit, it was day, and all I could hear was the sound of my mom talking to my aunt on her computer.

I would have posted this sooner to get it off my chest but the moment I began to sit down and write, she’s got something else for me to do. Some other problem. Some other chaos that needed attention. *sigh*

There went my whole morning.

Daily Prompt – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

Frisbee Mode

Published on May 23, 2015November 28, 2015 by Yinglan5 Comments

It is really not that hard to get me in “the zone” but once I’m in “the zone” Continue reading “Frisbee Mode” →

Exhaustion: That’s Life

Published on May 22, 2015November 25, 2015 by Yinglan6 Comments

Daily Prompt: The friendly, English-speaking extraterrestrial you run into outside your house is asking you to recommend the one book, movie, or song that explains what humans are all about. What do you pick? Continue reading “Exhaustion: That’s Life” →

Random Photos of a Rainy Day

Published on May 21, 2015November 24, 2015 by Yinglan9 Comments

I hope everyone’s Thursday is going well. Continue reading “Random Photos of a Rainy Day” →

Linger over Breakfast

Published on May 21, 2015February 25, 2023 by Yinglan5 Comments

Today’s prompt asks: Tell us about times in which you linger — when you don’t want an event, or a day to end. What is it you love about these times? Why do you wish you could linger forever?

Continue reading →