Why I'm Bored with Citylife

"Bangkok: Among Discovery"

For 4 years, I've been commuting by van & rickshaw. And for nearly a year, by motorbike.

I've always loved vans, mainly because sliding doors that you see on minivans & cargo vans fascinate me. When I first took the public vans to get to college & back, I felt good to use a sliding door as well as getting to be frugal with my transportation costs. Taxi's are expensive, and buses are downright out of the question- they're not as safe(there have been robbing incidents with buses here) & they don't go directly to my destinations. 

Bangkok I have to admit, is a very lively city to live in. Go shopping by day and enjoy the night life at night. I don't often go downtown unless I have to. If it's not errands, then it's for photography. If I could choose anywhere I would want to regulary shoot, it would be the west coast in the US, or Monument Valley. But there's nothing like that in Thailand, so for me it's in Bangkok & the city lights. I do the best I can out of what I got.

For some reason lately, I've thought about what interests me and most can only be done in the countryside- like paragliding or RC flying. And I would love to have the freedom to choose to work & play wherever & whenever I want. Yes, it took me a while to realize of how much freedom my inner soul was wanting and all these years. Finishing college is the only way out for me, and that's the next 2 years!


When my family and I evacuated to Pattaya last October, I wasn't all to comfortable about the change of scenery. But when I was there, I loved the mornings. It felt 100% worth it to wake up at 6AM or earlier to see the sunrise and walk down the beach. I loved the fresh sea breeze smell, the wind against my face, the sinking of my feet in the soft sand whenever I did. The big city has none of those. All I get is the cramped mornings; my dad needs to go to work and I have to hitch along. I hated to not have any wind blow against my face. I wasn't 100% comfortable walking on hard cement sidewalks. And especially, I couldn't at all see the sunrise!


Okay, by now you may all think I'm whining. All right I am indeed whining, just to let steam out. None can be done now other than trying to finish and get my damned piece of paper that will satisfy companies. Let's see how financially productive I can get in this 2 year period, whenever it's a part time job or earning passive income online. If I succeed in my app-design class, I may whip up something awesome for iPad users to use. Or perhaps get a 'real' website going!


And you yourself may be in love with living in the big city. If you do, I am happy for you. If not, you can nod with me on this blog entry. Keep in mind that I don't hate the city (I love certain types of architecture that can be seen here), I'm just in a little rut; which is normal among many people around the world. Everybody needs a change once in a while, and I need one too. Do you think we're all meant to be on our feet all the time? Who knows? We've hunted animals back in the old days for our families to eat & survive. Is it our inner calling to re-connect with nature?

In retrospect, I'm okay with this city. I just need a little change. And I believe I can wait for 2 years to reach my freedom...

This book changed me!

I started reading Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends & Influence People a few weeks back and finished it yesterday. And to confess, it really gave me a new perspective to life.

When my dad introduced this book to me 2-3 years ago, I was rather un-interested in the book. It sat collecting dust. But it was the past few weeks when I finally had the guts to pick up the book and read it. I was rather depressed at the time, so I thought the book might make me feel better. And so it did!

Just by reading the first few chapters, I started to realize why I had difficulty to make social interactions & already picked up several tips on how to 'not' criticize; or at least, criticize humanely. Also in the book, tips to be a great leader, whenever you want to take control of your own life or manage a whole business.

It's quite amazing that such simple changes you make for yourself can make a huge difference to everything. What if everyone read this book? How would the world be if everyone understood other humans? Now that would be an absolute win-win!

So okay, I may seem biased towards this book since it really changed me in just almost every way. But there are many elements that Carnegie wrote that really allows the reader to visualize the content as they read. A majority of stories from real people are mentioned; people who attended Carnegie's course and made shifts using his valuable lessons. And another plus: those lessons came from Carnegie's own life experience! And they worked!

This is also a book meant to be read over and over again. Therefore, it's best you have the real book rather than as an e-book. It's a book that's going to stick to you wherever you go. For me, I've taken this book everywhere I went, even at the dentist's while I was waiting. My self-esteem came in strong whenever I read a chapter or two and I felt better like never before.  Also, I learned to praise others. And whenever I did, I had a great feeling that emerged from inside of me as if an angel has temporarily guided me to make others feel better. And indeed, I made a great impression.

In conclusion, How to Win Friends & Influence People is a book you must read! Just get it, and you won't regret it!

Purpose

"Trench of Life"

For the past few days, one of the topics that I've googled is 'finding your passion/dharma'. Or in some cases- 'What is my purpose in this world?'. Interesting question isn't it? You're probably asking the exact same thing as you skim along the text in my blog. Maybe you're on Google too looking for answers.

Let's admit it, life has many roads to go down, many seas to sail. We're told as youngsters to pick one path and go for that. But one problem persists- are we going to like & love what we find? Is it going to let us be inspired for the rest of our lives?

I've had a habit of imagining myself doing certain things for a living; a majority of those involve things I love in life. And such include being a humanitarian pilot flying supplies & flying missionaries to hidden areas; villages far out of reach from sources. Another case, I imagined myself flying RC quadcopters for aerial surveys. I've met this guy who makes a decent living out of showing property and such with, yes- a toy helicopter! Of course, there much more, but too many to name!

So what should I even do if I can't really figure it out that clearly? Who knows since there's so many choices!

Just a few days before my 4th year of college, I knew that I wasn't in the best situation; I was behind a year to make up for a class I couldn't take yet. My mind kept urging me to drop out, to be thrown out into the real world. I never told my parents about it as I didn't want to disappoint them. I told them I was okay and I was okay with college. Then one day, I admitted to my mom that I was doubtful about my academic career and that I wanted to take a year off (gap-years are a nuisance where I come from!) to take a break and perhaps, get a job at a coffee shop. For some reason though, my mom thought I was going the right way. If I happened to switched majors, I would have to start all over again, from the beginning- as a freshman.

I knew my mom was right. Eventhough I had to take another year, I had to finish what I've started. In fact, I realized that retaking classes & extended years was normal among college students around the world.  So here I am, making up for a class I didn't pass. If I chose to drop out and work, my chances of getting back in in the future would be very bleak. They say the older you get, the harder it is to

Skip to today, I was in this class which I had one weekend assignment:  take photos of what I love, take many photos and make a slideshow to tell a story. At first, I thought this assignment was rather wonky in terms of what a teacher would give to a senior college student. And this wasn't his idea-it was used in the US. And the purpose of this experiment? To help the student to find and see what his/her purpose is. I cannot reveal mine yet as I haven't done it yet; it's Friday night and I need my sleep.

Once I wake up, I'll start snapping away, even if it's a plate of egg benedict or a macro shot of spare buttons. Who know's what comes up? I'll keep you posted!