Likes & Hates August 11, 2008

When I was younger, friends would ask me to write in their autograph books and I’d have to fill in my favourite food, music, actresses etc. I could never find enough space to write them all in, much less elaborate on them.

So this is what this page is for.

LIKES AND INTERESTS

1. Reading & Writing

Really. I started off reading, and then I discovered the joys of language and the power of linguistics. Ever since I’ve started journalling at 7, I’ve never really stopped.

I enjoy normal journalling, writing stories, exploring different personalities, creating different settings. I don’t really do poems, but I’m learning.

Also, however hard I try, I can never write a good, CONVINCING argumentative essay. I’m not good at displaying and evaluating facts. When dealing with an issue I usually write about how I feel about it instead of arguing about what would be right or better. Its different. Also, I often go off topic so that isn’t much help either.

I usually read contemporary fiction and chick lit, occasional fantasy, sometimes adventure. I don’t really have any favourite authors, every author’s different so its really hard to pick a ‘favourite’!

2. Music

I’m more attracted to sounds rather than images, explaining why I learn really quickly when a teacher’s teaching just by talking, rather than flashing powerpoints for us to copy notes from.

Lke reading, I don’t have any favourite musicians or singers because its difficult to pick from all the talents out there. I usually listen to pop rock, glamrock, SKA, soul, R&B(certain), indie/alternative, punk, country, folk, house and practically anything but mainstream R&B, hiphop and rap.

3. Travelling

And no, its not for the shopping. Part of me wishes to get out of this small tiny island where there’s nothing scenic and special so I can visit all the natural wonders of the earth, and part of me just wants to be immersed completely in a foreign culture with a foreign language because I find it all so fascinating. I like to learn about different cultures, different lifestyles, different kinds of human behaviour… And the history! The history is what really attracts me. I don’t want to just SEE something, I want to LEARN about something.

I believe that all humans are united in the language of love and laughter anyway.

I also enjoy walking and exploring alone in certain places(not at night though! That’s scary!) just to FEEL the atmosphere without any disturbance from crowds or anyone who might be talking to me.

4. Humanities and Arts

I like arts and humanities. It’s just my interest. I like how they’re so flexible and real and there’s no right or wrong, just ways of expressing your views. I love learning about other countries and the various ideologies and theories pertaining to human behaviour or social forces. It leaves me awestruck.

I love learning but I hate studying. I hate the use of keywords and technical terms. I know they serve their purpose in showing off your knowledge but I don’t like to memorize facts that I already know, just so I can score in exams(I have to though). Statistics are my weakness. They’re a really good source of evidence, but I just hate remembering percentages and numbers, simply because I can’t. When I study I link concepts together like a story, I don’t and CAN’T memorize mindlessly. Numbers just don’t seem to gel into the story so I can’t find any way to incorporate them into my studying.

Plus, I’ve finally completed my O Levels so that means I have the choice to drop all my science subjects except Math(and thankfully I’m a stereotypical Asian in that area, I CAN do math, its not very difficult for me to grasp. Not like Chemistry.) and do Arts subjects instead!

5. Food

I relish food, I LIVE for it. Without it all of life would be meaningless. I was brought up in a very food-conscious society, where there are restaurants and eating houses all over the streets. Eating is not a problem here, getting someone to stop is.

I like all sorts of cuisines. Chinese definitely(its been the food I’ve been eating since young because I am Chinese), Japanese, Italian… I don’t think you can define it all so clearly. Where I live, most dishes are a fusion of 2 or more kinds of cuisines and over time, its morphed into a creole cuisine, so unique and different it can be a kind of cuisine all by itself.

I don’t cook that often. Ok, to be frank, all I can make is instant noodles, heat up food, fry an egg, create non-complex noobish inventions with cheese and bread(that I toast in the toaster oven since its quick) and boil soup(yes BOIL soup. Not make the soup).

6. Shopping

For books. I LOVE books. Every time I go into a bookstore, I feel so at home. I can spend hours just browsing in one, not really buying anything, just skimming through the different genres.

For CDs. I love music. But I hate CD stores because I have such a hard time finding what I want. So I usually do my research online then walk into a store and buy what I know I want. Its harder to browse in a CD store because you have no idea what the CD sounds like and not all CDs allow you to test-listen to it, and even though you can ask for assisstance, its too much of a bother.

For clothes… Hmm… Not as much. I mean, I do get new clothes every year when there’re sales, but its not really one of my passions. I don’t put much effort into my visual appearance because I find its too much of a bother. I’m the kind of person who just wants to have all the basics in different colours(to colour coordinate) and then be able to shove on an outfit in 5 minutes or less. My personal theory is that to look good and casual, you just need good hair and confidence. I try my best not to look sloppy and cheap and like a wannabe. I like hats, boots, scarves, jackets and winterwear(which I don’t get to wear because there’s no winter in my country).

7. Things that I can store things in

Bags, pouches, wallets etc. It’s like a tiny fetish! Somehow I LOVE buying things to keep my other things, I feel contented nd happy whenever I put items into a new bag/pouch/wallet. Plus, I’ll definitely use them so I know it won’t be a waste.

8. Television programmes

I watch tons of documentaries on those. I also love documentaries on culture and controversies, ethics and morality. Once again, mind boggling stuff. Thank you National Geographic and Discovery Channel! I like learning about stuff like the Bermuda Triangle. Stuff like Creationism VS Evolution

Things that have no definite answer, things that make you think, things that are left to your own interpretation. I thrive on these mysteries because it requires one to think deep and to look at the situation from different perspectives. It requires you to have information, to be resourcesful, to be unafraid of venturing into the unknown.

I guess its a pursuit for knowledge.

I watch travel documentaries too, but only those from taiwan, partly because I don’t know of any others, mostly because I prefer it when they speak in mandarin.

For dramas… I just watch whatevers on when I’m having dinner, I’m not an avid follower of Korean dramas, though I do get a fair share of it occasionally.

9. Surfing the net

Which is what I usually do for fun. Or rather, for nothing. I go on youtube, gaiaonline and basically other online forums in search of interesting discussion topics or in this case, videos. I love watching vlogs, my favourite vloggers/comedians are kevjumba, communitychannel, happyslip and nigahiga

Sometimes I just research on things that I want to find out more of. Other times its because I’ve got nothing better to make out of my time.

10. Freedom

I believe strongly in freedom and liberty(And I also believe in world peace but let’s not go there).

I believe that every individual has the right to their own opinion, movement, life and decisions. I cannot tolerate forcing beliefs on others of any sort, making someone obey orders when that someone didn’t want to(and is sensible enough to know what to do), telling someone that they should not ‘laugh’ even though there’s no reason not to, yelling at people just because they do not comform and also telling others that they should all have a certain kind of attitude/leadership because its ‘right’(and who are YOU to tell me whats right?).

Am I a supporter of communism? No, I’m not. I don’t believe that a certain ideology or form of government determines a how democratic they are. It all boils down to HOW the ideology is used in governance.

I do support the basis of communism that everyone is equal(but not over-the-top equal like everyone having the same grades in school or the same clothes. I still respect the individual) but looking at Communist Russia in Stalin’s time, I am not in favour of an atheist country, nor am I of the authoritarian regime and definitely not for the mass killings just to make everything “the same”.

HATES

1. People who:

-use excessive elipses online

-use excessice texttalk

-don’t keep promises

-don’t respect others, or others’ opinions, or another culture

-act cute/cool, or alternatively, wimbos

-show their displeasure on their faces yet deny that they’re not offended/pissed

-try to force me into social situations

-patronize me. I’d rather they say “I hate you” than pretend that we get along

-act like they know me better than they do myself

2. Dirty Toilets

I can live without a soft bed, or room service, or laundry. But I HATE DIRTY TOILETS. And I don’t mean a little damp from too much public use, I mean those that have paper strewn all over the floor, are swarming with flies, and have grime all over the place.

3. Indoor Air

It’s so stale, it makes me want to puke. I cannot stand it. Especially in an air plane. I go to the toilets for a breather because the toilets in an airplane have better ventilation.

4. Humidity

I know my skin will dry up and my lips will crack without it, but it 98% humidity makes me sweat 24/7 and its horribly uncomfortable. I makes me cranky for the entire day, and it feels like Im always dirty, even if I’ve jst stepped out of the shower.

5. When people touch me

Including hugs.

I don’t know why. I hate the feeling of being touched by someone I’m not close to, even if it’s just a pulling of my arm, or a brief hug, or even a mere brush against my skin. I hate it. When I’m being touched, however ’severely’, something inside me flinches and alarms go off in my head, seemingly screaming, “YOU JUST GOT TOUCHED!” It’s that bad. I don’t have  fear of it, and I understand when people touch me unintentionally since a lot of people love hugs. But I’d rather not be touched at all by anyone I’m not close to, it makes me feel uncomfortable, like that person doesn’t erspect my personal space. In fact, I think the only person I’m comfortable with having skin contact with is my mum.

6. Crap reality shows

Those that announce themselves as a singing talent search, yet criticize a talented musician’s stage outift. Those that search for the “cutest girl on the street” saying they want to find talent. Those that try to look westernised and American and cool, when they’re really not.

7. Uniforms

I feel trapped in them, and I always have. It would be OK if it was made of the right material and design for the local climate, but most of the uniforms here seem to make the heat even worse.

8. Acting

I have no problem with film, or the theatre. While I enjoy seeing OTHERS act, I myself do NOT enjoy acting, or performing. I was not made for the theatre, nor for the performing arts and strangely enough, I find making a speech or presentation easier than acting and singing on stage.

9. Authoritarian/Autocratic Leadership

I see no point in forcing others to do what they do not want to and making everyone unhappy just so things can progress smoothly. Humans aren’t robots, we never were, I don’t see a need to force beliefs and commands upon others, especially when some people need freedom to keep them sane. Other’s want to be controlled? Fine, don’t force those who don’t want to to be stuck within the same boundary. I believe differences exist for a reason, so why should we try so hard to hide them and blend in?

10. War

Even though veryone keeps saying that it should only be used as a last resort, I feel that it shouldn’t even be a resort. It just doesn’t seem right for governments to wage war behind their podiums. then rest in their comfortable offices while letting thousands of innocent men die for them. And I’m not talking about self defence. Self defence is OK, everyone has to have an army for that. I’m talking about countries that invade purely out of greed. In my opinion, war is never inevitable. You have tense relations, yes. But the choice to send those armies to the front was still deliberately made. I know that I don’t know much about it, and the politics that cause it always make my head spin because I don’t really understand. But this is just from my point of view.