Bummer

I have developed a really bad habit in late 2009. I've always been lazy at home, but this laziness has manifested multi-fold in the past few months. My weekends are always a blur of mere eating & sleeping. I'll wake up only for meals and spent the rest of my waking hours in bed either online or reading. Nothing seem to interest me enough, and I'm never motivated enough to leave my bed, much less the house.

The past 2 long weekends just exacerbate this bad habit. I'm officially labeling myself a bummer whenever I'm off work.

Anyway, I just spent the past long weekend immersed in my books. Nothing heavy, but just some books from my fav authors to accompany me (synopsis can easily be found on the net).

Greg Mortenson - Three cups of tea. About one man's efforts (ok, not exactly just his effort, but he spearheaded the whole thing) to fight terrorism with books. Ok he didn't really started out wanting to fight terrorism, but his efforts to build schools in the remotest of regions in the Middle East to repay the kindness of the villagers in his times of needs were commendable. I marvelled at his resoluteness & his never say die attitude.

Jodi Picoult - Perfect Match. Although a page turner, I would not say this is my fav book from her. Coz I didn't agree with the outcome. Well, it was a happy outcome (a surprise since her books always ended with some sad twists) , but the ending didn't sit right. It undermined the whole legal system, and too much about taking matters into one's hands.

Nicholas Sparks - The Lucky One

Nicholas Sparks - Dear John

I'm a sucker for Nicholas Sparks books. Dear John really got to me. I'm waiting for the movie ... which should be out by Feb/Mar. Hope the movie is half as good as the book. But I'm not holding my breath as typically it isn't.

Dear John left me heavy hearted. Time for some light reading

My Sister's Keeper

What if the motivation behind your birth was so that they could potentially harvest something in you to save your sibling's life?

And what if you have to be the donor (willingly or not) over .. and over ... for 13 years?  Will there be a time to say: enough already ?

And what if no matter what decision you make, nobody wins.  Because its either one .. or the other ?

I just finished reading this fiction book by Jodi Picoult.  Its a fantastic read.  Really captures the emotions and struggles that revolved around this family with a cancer-stricken member constantly fighting for her life, and the rest simply doing what they they think is best for her. Really sad story.

A very poignant read.  

Blindness

What if you were driving and stopped at the traffic lights ... while waiting for the light to turn green, you ...
suddenly ...
lost ...
your ...
sight


No warning, no premonition. Nothing.

And what if .... this blindness is contagious? It spreads from contact.

This is the story from the book Blindness by Jose Saramago.

I'm just into the second chapter and I'm already hooked!

Death at Intervals

Sunday Times Lifestyle's READ section featured Jose Saramago's latest book Death at Intervals. I was very intrigued by the synopsis written.

Alas, the book is not available in NLB; not even for reservation! :(

I don't believe in paying for books (why would you read a book more than once?)... so now just have to wait & see how I can get my hands on 1. Maybe buy and sell bookstore would have ? (ok, I still have to pay for rental, but at least its a fraction of the selling price :P)

Hope I get to read it soon!

The Pillars of the Earth

Increasingly I found myself not finishing the books that I borrowed. I think its age or the diminishing intelligence (haha!) that I often do not finish a book either coz I just find them a bore or I just don't find them engaging.

Several months back I read in the papers about this journalist's sentiments about not having the time to enjoy her favourite pastime - reading. And even when she does read, it is for the purpose of work, not leisure. In it she mentioned a few books that she wanted to read and The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet was one of them.

I made reservations for this book (Bless NLB for the very useful and convenient feature!!!) and got my hands on it couple of weeks back. The story, set in ancient times in the midst of civil war, is an excellent read. Its a long time since I picked up a book and dread putting it down. As this book is wayyyyyy overdue, I just spent yesterday finishing up the book. (yes I know, i should be out running instead of lazing in bed reading .. guilty as charged! :P)

This is apparently one of his most popular books and I'm not questioning this claim! Can't wait to lay my hands on the sequel, World Without End.

How to Stay Stuck in the Wrong Career

A friend sent me this Harvard Business Review article written by Herminia Ibarra, hoping that I will find answer to what I want in my career and life.

A very refreshing read ... it makes me feel like I'm not alone in my nagging doubts and my experiences, about my quest in finding my "true self", my taking the plunge only to panic shortly after etc.

According to the study, the problem why we remained stuck in the wrong career, lies not in our fear of change, lack of readiness, unwilling to make sacrifices (which are the common beliefs that many have when they fail to switch career). Rather, it lies with our methods, not our motives.

The writer, based on studies of people in the throes of career change, realised that change involves "Doing first, knowing comes later" and not the typical "plan-and-implement" approach we are all so attuned to.

In the latter, we try to find out about ourselves, what our likes/dislikes, our skills/experiences and exactly where we are going before acting upon it. In the former, we basically learn who we have become, in practice, not in theory. So there is a lot of trial and error, taking the time to explore and find out what suits us, what works for us (this may mean to take up some freelance, pro bono work and try for ourselves whether it truly suits us - and NOT to quit your day job!).

One important thing mentioned is that "Starting out trying to identify one's true self often cause paralysis". How true ... that prolly also explains why I'm still in ground zero. Haiz.

Lastly, there is NO one true self. We are many selves. It could be who we are, what we hope to become or fear becoming. These selves help mold us and decide on our career change.

The article explained about the 3-step to career change. No, its not some 21-day guide to change your career. Its is a careful & practical plan for those planning a career change to think and act according to what many others have done and successfully made the switch. Its gonna take lots of effort and lots of time (perhaps several years) before one can succeed in this ...

Nice read. Thanks Don for sending me this article! :)