The Ambiguity of Usefulness ~ 7

There was a vivid bit of memory, which I can't say that it's a pleasant one, but rather, an educational one. The bit takes me back to a certain event when I was seven (second grade, I believe). It was rather morning (I guess 5:30, since the class would start at 7), I was re-reciting several verses from the Bible since some of the parts would be asked during written test. No kidding. So, there I was, with my mom, checking the verses in the Bible while I re-recited them. I wasn't very sure what was the purpose of the test, but when adults said "It must be done,"; then so be it.

Why suddenly the bit pops out, I have no idea. There is but one verse that I remember until now (Romans 6:23). As for the rest, I think my brain rearrange the priority slots. But you may ask why Romans 6:23? Here it is: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord." I don't know why, but somehow, I think there's a link between that verse, and the "reward-punishment" method that my parent used.

You see, for me, the "reward-punishment" method is something similar to the "treat" training, if you own a pet. For me, while the punishment could come in the form of caning (rattan), the reward itself might come in the form of either toys, comic books, or movie tickets. Less than 60 points means rattan, while 100 points means a reward. How about 60-99? Well, depends on the situation, but I was hoping that rattan would not swing.

So, was the method useful? I would say, yes-and-no. Academically speaking, in my own opinion, the method is pretty much useful, as long as I could upgrade myself to enter the next class. Whether I could grasp the core or not, it didn't matter. Before I entered university, although I chose to enter science class, the highest mark was on the English test. On several events in my life, it does help me, like, a lot. While for the others, well, there's a wikipedia to check on - for example - what medulla oblongata can do. Or wolfram-alpha to check what's the relationship between sin and cos. Please don't ask "Why medulla oblongata?" and say that relationship between sin and cos is pretty much okay and they meet at 45.

In the end, until now, when it comes to the working stuffs, that method still exists in several fields, no matter what. No one will complain as long as the excitements and rewards (simply say salary) are there. But there's one thing: I can't answer whether it's useful or not. Imagine a zocchihedron. That's my best answer, up to now.

The Ambiguity of Usefulness ~ 6

"Oh my goodness! Why are you so skinny now?!"

As predicted, that's one of several normal responses if someone transform him/herself from 90+ kg (around 200 lbs), to 70 kg (around 154 lbs) just to maintain his/her own health. Explanations may come and go, like "Oh, I just want to gain muscle and cut those fats." Or "I want to stroke down the blood pressure." Simple reasons with bonuses, like healthy condition and sleep well. But what makes me confused, is something like this: "You look like a sissy in beauty salon."

A long silence.

Allow me to put several facts here. A mother of two, who's trying to reduce weight with liquid diet and without exercise, said to me, someone with normal diet and normal exercise hours, that I look like a sissy. Probably, according to her own belief, the structure of my body is labelled as similar to a sissy, if I'm not overweight.

My respond? "Well, my blood pressure is normal now. That's important for me."

There are a lot of friends that suggest me to do a healthy diet and regular exercises. Although it will take months, at least the body will be in stable condition for a long time, unless you're in favor of the "instant" rewards. Been there, done that, didn't work.

Similar to the beliefs of some of the family members, someone who's fat can be considered lucky. Why? If there's no "hole" while opening the palm and sticking your fingers, it means that the "fortune will not slip away from the hole". Somehow, it reminds me of some obese people in Chinese drama who's attacked by heart condition. Again, it's not the matter of skinny or not. For me, health is my main priority. I just want to enjoy a good night's sleep.

Forsooth.

The Ambiguity of Usefulness ~ 5

Marriage.

Please. Do not start to screw me by using this topic as a shield. Although it's something that everybody will point out every single year (well, the Chinese New Year to be precise), it does not mean that I want to talk about it. Rather, I'll drive the conversation to a whole new theme. Like, for example "How's life?"

Here's the thing. "Life", as described by many people, is something that does not come with a guidebook. Rather to say, let's talk about the so-called gossipers inside the family. Backstabbers, if you prefer. Zero backstabber means that your family is in pretty good - and rare - condition (at least that's what I believe). Why? Here's a story.

Once upon a time, there was a small happy family (let's say, the Y family). However, misfortunes stroke upon the fate of each members inside Y family. Y-father is down with disease. Upon the tragedy, Y-mother needed money in order to survive, while the Y-children are separated from Y-mother in order to continue the education. Here's a keyword: money. The brothers and sisters of Y-mother lent her some money in order to continue on living.

As the years went by, Y-family finally stood in a firm position. Remember about the keyword above? Yes. When one of the lenders asked for a bit of money (without interest, mind you), the Y-mother refused. Instead, the Y-mother kept the bad rumors circulating around about how bad the lenders were. The end? No. To be continued? Yes.

So, what's the point? How can the story be related with marriage? Well, money is the main topic in the story, while inside a marriage, money is one of the relevant factor that you can't refuse. And I can't provide a living for two. In short, let's get real. Without stable income, what do you, and your significant other, want to eat? Love?

As Ebenezer Scrooge said: "Bah! Humbug!"