A Dose of People Skill?

What does interpersonal relationship means? How do we define the boundaries between all the relationships we've had or are trying to maintain in life? What kind of relationships are we attempting to establish? How do we apply the different skills we have or have learned in order to establish a new relationship or keep a certain relationship going? Is there such a thing as "inborn" skills when it comes to dealing with people around us?

Those were all the questions racing into my mind after a personal incident occured to me sometime ago. I am probably one of the few if not many people who lacks the outstanding skills interacting with other human beings. I must have flunked the subject unconsciously many many times in my past life. I am naturally shy and it takes a while for me to warm up to people. Some people may think I am stuck up but the truth is most often than not I just don't have the balls to strike up a conversation and keep it flowing.

But I still think to be really good in socializing with people one must have the confidence, exposure and training. I believe all of those things play important roles in shaping one's skills. One goal is to expose oneself to as many different types of people as one could muster and to many different situations. As for my own preference, I feel more comfortable interacting with folks from an older generation. Not only do they have a long range of experience/knowledge base but they have more patience. My partiality may have stemmed from being raised by my grandparents. Although they were strict they gave me the opportunity to make decisions affecting my life. And of course a barage of long lectures before and after was ever present. But one should not limit himself or herself to just one group of people. To be really successful in this area of interacting with one's world one must be open to mixing with any age group, people from all walks of life, people from difference background and so forth.

Another key is to keep an open mind and not be judgemental. A close mind would not work.

As I have stated earlier, after a not so pleasant experience, I suddenly had the light bulb turned on. As I embark on a mission trying to understand my shortcoming(s), I find myself searching for the real meaning of interpersonal relationship. Then I realized why I am failing with my personal relationships. Another lesson learned and still learning...

"Marley and Me" Labs me or not...recalled from an old journal

part of this blog's text was copied from my original MySpace profile blog; wanted to share some thoughts with other and possibly entice more followers for Mr. Grogan's wonderful creation...the story was filmed starring the wonderfully funny Jennifer Anniston and Owen Wilson.

A while ago, I longed to grab a copy of this literary piece, just like the author himself, my family owns a labrador retriever.

Finally, I had a chance to read the book. I've long finished reading it and so much has transpired with my personal life since then. This book made me laugh and shed a tear or two, it is hilarious in some ways and mellow in another.  It talks about personal life experiences made colorful by one rambunctious living and breathing thing - a dog.

Love of a pet friend is something life has bestowed upon human beings.  You love a dog and it loves you back freely and unconditionally.  Although the Lab breed (if you happen to own the American line, which I do) maybe somewhat on the hyper note, owning this breed teaches you a lot of life's philosophies often disregarded by many.  I share most of the angst of the author about owning a Lab but at the end of the day I realize that what he says about the biggest lesson he's taken from owning such a dog "That commitment matters.  That in good times and bad, in sickness and in health really means something" is so true.

A big kudos to the author John Grogan, I've been a big fan since then!  However, my belief about commitment has been shaken a bit and I am more skeptical about what it takes to keep commitment working to keep one's self worth matter again...

Jul 25, '082:38 PM

President Ronald Reagan Dies...as recalled from an old journal

Early morning of June 5, 2004 a sad news swept the whole country of America with the death of a charismatic leader, retired at 93 he was the eldest person to become the President of one of the greatest unions in the world - The United States of America.

June 7th - I decided to pay respect at the Reagan Library which is just about 3 miles away from my place where he laid in repose.   This turned out to be the longest wait ever that I had to endure just to see some one's casket...it was an 8-hour ordeal just to board the shuttle from Moorpark College to get to to the library (though I was practically close to it I couldn't just drive there due to security measures).  But it was worth the wait, I was able to witness the changing of the guards which happened every 30 minutes. I was so impressed with one of the honor guards, a member of the navy.  Yes one of them was a 'she' and was impressively tall and pretty.

After the trip I finally went home at 5 AM the following day!!!   And I had to start work at 6:30 AM.  No sleep at all but still went to work, I felt so haggard, so sleepy but managed to make it through the day.

June 10th - Before having dinner, I took the kids to the mini-memorial that people had set up - which is at the foot of the Presidential Drive which leads to the library itself.  My son kept asking "When is the president coming back?"  Not sure if he meant coming back alive or coming back to the library in his casket. I do not recall my response...

Aug 16, '04 10:31 PM
 

Special Memories

I've never really realized this,

Sort of special feelings

Once I thought I had

But just kept it for fear.

Now memories are coming back again,

Like the rush of a waterfall

Your sweet smile, times we've spent together

Especially that one special day we were out.

When you waived at me,

My heart was filled with gladness

When you sat next to me and I felt your breath,

I was like an eagle soaring high.

You lifted my spirts,

Memories of you paint my face with a smile

And this is all I have,

But will treasure it forever...

CIG 11/15/00



Lunchdate at Darling Harbour

Each of the times I've visited Sydney, I had my attention pointed to the direction of Darling Harbour and everytime I'd make a little wish that one day I'll get to actually explore and/or dine somewhere around the area.

Darling Harbour is one of the world's greatest waterfront destinations located on the western side of the Sydney central business district.  It extends towards the north from Chinatown, along both sides of Cockle Bay to King Street Wharf on the east, and to the suburb of Pyrmont on the west.  The place was named after Lieutenant-General Ralph Darling, who was the Governor of New South Wales during the early 1800s.  Darling Harbour was originally part of the commercial port of Sydney.  During the Great Depression, the eastern part of Darling Harbour, now known as Barangaroo, became knows as "The Hungry Mile". The Hungry Mile is a reference to the the waterside workers seeking jobs along the wharves.

One day, to may surprise and delight, I was told I am invited to a birthday celebration which was supposedly an exclusive family affair.  My heart was jumping with joy learning about the news although at the same time I was a bit apprehensive.  But I heard it right I was coming, yay!  I was apprehensive because I maybe the only person not related by blood that was invited to said affair.  Second, because a celebrity who's a member of the family was also coming.  Wow! So I was finally going to met the person for real.  Fortunately there were a few others who are not family members and that calmed me down a bit.  However, I didn't know what to expect.  Questions, like "Will everyone be nice?", "Won't it be awkward for me being there?"  I was assured I will be fine and so I was.

We dined at one of the steakhouses along the harbour, food selection was great.  And I was feeling fine but star strucked.  I regretted not having a photo of the group snapped while we were having dinner.  Instead I was so engrossed at having a photo op with the celebrity I forgot to grab the birthday celebrant in to the shot.  My bad.

After dinner the party split and six of us walked through the Pyrmont Bridge to get to the casino on the other side which I didn't know until that time was there right smack in the middle of the city.  The casino is called The Star which to my regret did not get a chance to photograph any of it's part or surrounding area.

The second time I had a chance to see Darling Harbour was in daylight so it was such a sweet opportunity to see the allure of the harbour under the sun.  That gave me the chance to compare the difference in atmosphere between the daylight activities and night time activities.  This was the destination of the Barangaroo walk that I had blogged about earlier.  Walk along the harbour through the boat lined wharves under a beatiful weather...what more could've a girl asked for.

Lunch was at the Blue Fish.  Although I wanted something else I was convinced to have fish and chips, Australian style with a glass of white wine.  While sipping wine and waiting for the food to arrive, I decided I would "people watch", which I think is a fun way to entertain one's self while enjoying the beautiful scenery and the hustle bustle of the surrounding all at the same time. All sorts of people coming from either way, a mix of tourists and locals who are going about their agenda for the day or just simply getting through their daily activities, were passing by.

Fish & Chips - beer battered fish, served with chips and tartare sauce - came but as expected for AUS$19.99, the serving was very generous so there was so much food left afterwards.  A 'take away' was very obvious as the saying goes "can't be wasting food when people somewhere in the world are starving to death".

I think a taxi was an alternative on the way back home as I cannot recall walking back carrying a doggie bag but overall it was a fabulous and fun experience. Funny that I cannot find the rest of the shots I took during this visit so I will add more photos and definitely more text at a later time. So with that I'll have to keep this hanging until I can get back to it and continue babbling...

A Barangaroo Walk to Remember

It was the day after the New Year of 2012 when I had the chance to pass through Moores Wharf and Barangaroo on a walk to Darling Harbour.  Prior to that day I had no idea that the area is open to the public.  It was almost mid-day on a clear Monday, the sky was azure blue, perfect for a stroll and taking snap shots.  While walking along the edge, close to the water, I was taking in everything, savouring every moment and movement.  I saw people in their bicycles, some were jogging, some were leasurely walking, others were also taking photos of the sights that abound.  And others were simply trying to pass through to get to their destination.  Although for some it's probably just a simple walk, for me it was both a mesmerizing and breathtaking experience.

The first time I heard about Barangaroo was in December of 2010, when I first visited Sydney.  I was told the site was known as the "The Hungry Mile" in the old days and was later called Barangaroo in honor of a historical aboriginal woman who was the second wife of Bennelong, another important figure in the history of Australia.  Now the place is the site of a multi billion AUS dollar project that will become an important landmark giving Sydneysiders or anyone visiting Sydney full access to the harbour.



Going through the mile walk, every sight kept my breath away.  A magnificent view of part of the Sydney skyline with the Sydney Harbour control tower amongst it on one side, pristine water with rivercats plowing their way back and forth on the other.  Birds flying low above the water trying to catch a prey or morsel of food.  Although the construction site is a sore on the eye, no one seemed bothered by it.  I didn't care.  It was still beautiful and I couldn't stop snapping shots.

The walk continued on to Darling Harbour which offers more to see and enjoy but that is another story I have to write about.  This was a very special walk for me more so because it was with one of the most important people in my life.

I love to post more photos that I took of the walk here; however, I am saving them for future photo contests sponsored under the Barangaroo project. To enjoy more beautiful photos, please visit Barangaroo's Facebook photo album.
  

What this page is for...

Sometime ago my very nice friend and unofficial critic, Rabbit Parabola suggested that I write about what this page is for and as you can see it has taken me a long time to actually work on it, lol!  So what exactly do I want this page to be?  I've seen many blog pages and am amazed at the creativity displayed on each page.  It makes me feel so little.  In the beginning, although I had some ideas, I wasn't sure where to start.  There are so many things I could talk about but organizing them could be a challenge.  And of course there is the question of consistency where I struggle the most, that's because this is not a full time job for me (wish it is though...).

Nonetheless I am trying to define what this page should be like. I thought and thought about it and finally decided on one thing, that I want it to be like a virtual diary of things I feel, hear and see which could be anything related to books, culture, food,  photography, travel or anything else under the sun. But what can I say am a scatter brain so it could be something random, lol! So don't scurry off when all of a sudden I start talking about personal feelings or I get on an emotional outburst.

Most people enjoy seeing beautiful photos, experiencing different cultures across the globe, tasting and savouring unique delicasies or reading extraordinary accounts of non-fiction or fantasizing with fictions.  Through different media these things are easily at arms length or I should say a touch of a key away.  Marvellous right?  We don't even have to be there to actually experience life on every corner of the earth or even the whole universe.  Just plug in and viola! Being a part of such a community whether a contributor or a consumer or both is such an amazing experience for the senses.  I think we should all clamor to be a part of a network that is continually growing, reaching out to a mass of people at the push of a button.  Hmmn, maybe this sounds a little confusing but at least am sharing my thoughts and you can freely tell me what you think.

So there you have it now let's see where this leads me/us to...