The life and mind of Adeline Ong

Be careful what you wish for – It might not happen immediately but within the year you might see the results.

The back you stab today, might be the ass you have to kiss tomorrow – There is a very funny story behind this one, ask me next time when you see me. Not sure how to write this down

Trust your guts and instinct – The fight or flight response is in us for a reason.

You do not always need to best fighter, however you need to be the best runner – I learnt this from my trainer.

No matter how old you get, your parents still know more than you do – I am not sure where to start with this one. But just trust me on this.

Don’t expect – Too much expectation wounds the heart. Had shed many tears regarding these.

Yes it is that time of year again.

Meeting the Broomhalls. (Shout out to Natasha and Neil)

First trip to the IRC OPE Office in Bangkok

Jambalaya (Acting)

Last Words (staged as part of Jambalaya)

Lepak nights at the Hub

Boh Cameronian 2010

Buying my Mac

World Refugee Day at KL Sentral

Wednesday jogging with Alison and Terry

Vicenzio birthday dinner with Sparky

Visiting my siblings and celebrating my birthday in the UK

Acting classes at Arts Ed

Getting my Burberry watch in Bicester Village (Been wanting a Burberry watch for ages)

Watching Wicked, Blood Brothers, Lion King and War Horse

Brussels, Belgium

The Biggest Loser CO KL

Getting my Blackberry

Retreat at Hua Hin

Shopping at Jatujak Market

Benny and Song Yia’s ROM

Short+Sweet 2010

Photo shoots at Sparky Dawg

CO’s crazy surprise birthdays (I wonder how we are going to top it in 2011)

Alison’s Bachelorette Party

Alison and Meheron’s Wedding

The Christmas party for the refugee kids

Operation Toy Story

Meeting a lot of new faces especially in the theatre scene

Cousin Eileen’s wedding in Malacca

It’s 7.30 a.m. now in Alyesbury. It’s been a while since I woke up so early on a Sunday morning. I was up at 6.10 a.m.

Made a sandwich from cherry tomato foccacia (they are fresh from the local bakery), cheese, ham, lettuce, tomato and I must be in cheerier moods because I actually put mayo into the sandwich. I have been banning mayo from my diet and my cooking. Polished of a small cup of Passion Fruit and Peach yogurt. Man, I am going to be so round and fluffy when I get home.

Currently, I am sitting in the living room aka my bedroom for the next couple of weeks; sipping white coffee (from home of course) while going through some work mail. It’s cold for summer. 14 degrees celcius, thank goodness I brought my trench coat. Interestingly, I bought the coat in Hamburg last year and did not get a chance to wear it until yesterday.

Yesterday my flight came in an hour early (4 a.m.), so there I was standing at Stansted International Airport, half-awaked but fully excited at 5 a.m. My ride was to pick me up at 6 a.m. I busied myself by texting people back home, letting them know I have arrived in one piece despite taking a budget airline. Did not get much sleep as planned because the girl sitting next to me kept tossing and turning throughout the 13-hour flight. I pity her boyfriend more, every time he nods off; she wakes him up to complain.

I reached Alyesbury at 7.30 a.m. or so (the taxi driver my brother frequently use was very friendly), after some unpacking, a quick breakfast and a shower. Ben, Ash and I went off to Oxford. Did my first round of sight seeing and shopping. I did not bring enough clothes as I have jammed pack the bag with dried foodstuff.

Had my first proper English lunch at a proper English pub though I did not get to try Fish and Chip with mushy peas yet. The experience kind of reminded me of my first Gumbo in New Orleans.

Later, we will be heading off to London; basically to hunt down my school for the next week. I can’t believe I am starting classes tomorrow. Hopefully, I can remember the train route. My aim for the week is to go to classes during the day and catching a show at night.

List of shows – Blood Brothers (a must watch according to Sparky and Chris), Avenue Q, Wicked and The Lion King.

My former director said that I was nuts. ‘Who goes on a holiday and still thinks of work or doing anything work related?’

Uhmm… me?

Well, I am signing off now. For those wanting pictures, I apologize for now. I totally forgot to bring my card reader, so most of the pics are stuck in the SD. Will figure something out soon.

‘I’ve gotten a boyfriend/girlfriend. So I won’t be able to hang out with you as much anymore. But you are more than welcome to join us for outings.’

This scenario has happened many times but I guess the nature of this thing being repetitive has taught me how to handle it maturely and gracefully.

Everytime one of my close friends has gotten a lover,  people around me are wondering how I feel. I guess most people are wondering how I would spend my time now since I will not be hanging out with my friend as often as I used to. What do they want me to feel anyway? Lonely? Sad? Jealous?

To be honest, I am happy for my friends. Because everyone deserves to go through the Euphoria of being in love. You see that change in them when they are in love. It can either be refreshing or sickening sweet. It differs based on your friend’s reaction to the experience.

 But somehow, many of the people I know have conveniently chosen the dumbest idiots to date. This frustrates me to the core.

I apologize if my sisterly instincts kick in but it is always easier to spot the players and jerks when you are the third party. Trust me; I have had my share of dumb assed partners before. Conveniently I did not see that when I was dating them.

Back to the main topic.

Now just because my friend is dating someone means that we are no longer friends anymore. It is just that we have different priorities now. Which I believe is great because I strongly believe we would have killed each other if we spent too much time together. Will I miss the hang outs, the get together and activities we usually do as a duo? I would be lying if I said no. But everyone needs their own time and space.

Someone once lamented to me that now his social life had to change because his best friend has gotten a girlfriend and no longer has time to play PS2 with him anymore. Rather sad if you are a man in your mid 20s and the closest you ever got to a girl was Lara Croft. Get some help. But then again, that is a different story all together.

Anyway, as the saying goes 3 is a crowd and trust me I have had enough experience being the third wheel in many dates of various couples.

I know sometimes my friends feel bad because I might feel left out. After all, I have been single ever since dinosaurs roamed the face of the Earth. They have included me in activities with good intentions no doubt.

Sometimes I wish I could blatantly say, ‘X (insert friend’s name), I want you to know that hanging out with just you and your boyfriend almost all the time is not my cup of tea and I am sure your boyfriend would want one on one time with you. Having me there will just spoil the romantic atmosphere.’

Personally, I feel we should be able to manage and separate time into 3 parts when it comes to hanging out with  lovers, friends and the whole gang.

I used to give my ex time alone with his friends because I strongly believe that you should not ignore your friends when you are in a relationship. Many people despite knowing so still ignore their friends when they are blissfully walking in the wonderland of love.

Now for those in love please try to fit in some buddy time into your crazy loved up schedule. By this, I do not mean time to lament and gripe about your partner, but just time for you guys to chill and catch up. Because for all you know, that friend is the only one who will be with you once the illusion of love fades away.

Then again if my loved up friends get too caught up causing me  to  get bored and Goth forbid, lonely. I guess finding a boyfriend shouldn’t be too hard, right?

Those who can — do. Those who can’t — teach. – H.L. Mencken

I hate that quote. In fact, I cannot find any other quotes more insulting to teachers than this particular line.

This coming from a man deemed as one of the most influential American writers and prose stylists of the first half of the 20th century. Get this, he was married to an English lecturer.

Perhaps Mr. Mencken had his reasons for quoting this. I mean, I had my fair share of teachers who are only teaching because it is the only secure job that they could get. However, that has not stopped me from believing that being a teacher is one of the noblest professions in the world.

I had a friend that gained enough credit points to pursue any profession he wanted. On his university application, he chose Education. This was then followed by a string of protest by others.

He simply smiled and answered, “Your children will need a good passionate teacher some day.”

To many, they would not have chosen teaching simply because of the salary. Teachers make just enough to get by. Teaching, for those who are passionate about it has its own rewards.

Okay, granted that I am an educator myself, you would think that I am being bias. Perhaps I am.

But do take some time and reflect on your own past. How did you come to be where you are today? Who was that person that showed you the way?

When I speak of teachers, I am not speaking about the ones confined in the classroom or your schools. I am speaking of all the teachers in the world. You can find a teacher anywhere.

The random people you meet on a random Thursday while on your way to work. The burly bartender at your local pub. The annoying neighbor that you wish would just move away. The ex-lover who broke your heart. Your teacher could be your own mother or father. Whether you see it or not, everyone that crosses your path has done so for a reason. There is always a lesson to be learned.

I will admit however, that sometimes the lesson is only apparent to us with the passing of time. Time itself is a great teacher.

I have encountered many teachers, masters, gurus or whatever label you would like to put on them, in my short life on this Earth. And I will be encountering many more in the future. I am who I am because of the lessons and experience I have gathered.

As long as you are breathing, there are lessons that the universe would want to teach you.

As long as you are interacting with all living beings, you will encounter teachers in all shapes and forms.

As long as the sands of time keep moving, we keep on learning.

To all my teachers, Happy Teacher’s Day!!!