Dear 22-year-old Kenneth,
Looking at the pictures taken 8 years ago, I'm reminiscing about the sweet and innocent moments in the past, with a smile on my face. You know what? 2002 will be a watershed in your life.
Time flies. At the age of 30, burnt-out and expressionless, I often slouch and sink silently into my seat, with piles of exercise books in front of me and tons of pent-up frustration growing in my heart. Is life still beautiful? In this society, cold eyes and malicious gossip seem inevitable. Hypocrites are ubiquitous. Whom can I confide in? Dad and Mum are now divorced. Unpredictable right?! Is love all around us? It seems to me that I'm no longer happy.
Still, you don't need to worry too much. Images from a movie called Cashback will flash across your mind from time to time. Ben Willis says, "Once upon a time, I wanted to know what love was. You just have to see that it's wrapped in beauty and hidden away in between the seconds of your life. If you don't stop for a minute, you might miss it."
Perhaps there is a little bit of loser in all of us. Being happy isn't having everything in our lives be perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things like watching a nice movie, sharing photos and food with our best frends, singing, blogging or even youtubing - making those count for more than the bad stuff (The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants). Then perhaps we can get over the gloom and discover the beautiful snippets of life.
Kenneth, treasure what you have now, as your life is going to be very different. In the face of adversity, try to listen to the two songs. They help remind you of the importance of sincerity and perseverance. Never give up. You are loved.
Love,
Kenji, at the age of 30
細細個
給十五歲的自己
CASHBACK
Kenji，看了這篇很感動呢﹗看到你所走的路並不容易，欣賞你的勇敢，深深祝福您啊 ﹗你還年輕，有更好更好的將來等著你去開拓。
回覆刪除[版主回覆05/30/2010 22:50:00]Thanks for your words. Smiles and determination can brighten up my gloomy days.
r u a geminian? me too!
回覆刪除[版主回覆05/31/2010 19:12:00]Hahaha your question surprises me. I am a Scorpio.
嘩！好感人喎！前面的路還很長呢？！努力吧！
回覆刪除[版主回覆05/31/2010 20:45:00]So am I! On the verge of tears... Very tired and disappointed these days! Really have to express my pent up emotions and
remind myself of the powers of sincerity. Thanks for reading this silly
letter. Thanks for your support.
嘩...你同當年個樣都冇咩點變喎...
回覆刪除如果我三十歲時個樣同你一樣都冇咩點變你話幾好呢~
所以話男人係襟老d咖
[版主回覆05/31/2010 21:06:00]Last year, I experienced the school's closure and there wasn't much to do in May, so I looked fine. Usually on normal school days, I looked tired!!! I just dare not post those pictures here hahaha. Really don't wanna scare people away.
Hey Kenji
回覆刪除thanks for sharing the letter. look forward to seeing the reply from 22 year-old kenji.
PS: i was 32 in 2002.
[版主回覆05/31/2010 22:16:00]Wow... this idea actually flashed across my mind yesterday, but after several thoughts, I knew I was no longer able to write from his perspective. I'm not qualified. He is too distant from me now...
Hey 30 year-old Kenji, 22 year-old kenji might expect something to have (to achieve). you should know whether he could achieve or he couldn't achieve. let him know then.
回覆刪除i'd like to know as well.
[版主回覆05/31/2010 22:47:00]Interesting! Indeed, 22-year-old Kenji was very ordinary. He did not know how to fully appreciate a movie. He did not know how to play badminton. He did not travel a lot. He just wanted to be a good teacher. He always smiled. He was just empty headed haha... He did not know he would be so obssessed with movies, badminton and travelling. He really had no idea... very interesting... Ah... how about writing a letter to Kenji at the age of 40?
also good idea. try then.
回覆刪除you still have 4-5 months to be 30 year-old?
[版主回覆06/01/2010 20:01:00]Already 30! Anyway, thanks for your support. I guess I will feel the need to write the letter when I am unhappy again. Writing helps me release my pent up emotions.
Happy 30!
回覆刪除So surprised that you talk more abut yourself in this blog r, that 's great!
JG's Prince of Persia is so great, but I need to prepare my exam, will write back comment later!
Highly recommended this film!
Many good comment here!
http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=12297097&extra=page%3D1&page=6
http://hk.movies.yahoo.com/movie_rep.html?id=mcl_princeofpersiathesandsoftime
[版主回覆06/01/2010 20:05:00]OK be happy ^^!!! I will never give up!!! Haha, my blog is recently OFF the "Yahoo Recommended Movie Blog" List. Now, I can feel free to write whatever I want to express my personal feelings. I hope you like it. I also think the movie is OK. It scores 40% positive at RT. "It doesn't offer much in the way of substance, but Prince of Persia is
a suitably entertaining swashbuckler -- and a substantial improvement over most
video game adaptations." Anyway, I wish you good luck in your exam.
happy 30 to u ~ good to turn back time to 22 once again if we can ~ btw, i like "Cashback" very much ~ one of the best movies in my list ~
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/01/2010 20:42:00]Cashback is nice, but BBM released that year is more subtle and powerful.
Kenji, 曾經都聽一些朋友說過教書的苦處, 而且捱不住很快就離開了!! 如果真的太難受其實也不要逼自己吧!! 祝你一切順利啊!!
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/02/2010 12:47:00]Thanks a lot. Although I am very tired and disappointed, I can still find some joy in my teaching career. Of course, if the situation becomes worse, I will consider working in EDB.
今日先有人同我講「原來我地識左5年」
回覆刪除5年，10年......好似都過得好快~~
人生就是充滿不為所知的未來才讓人雀躍，不論要面對的是好事壞事都應該好好面對 ^^
[版主回覆06/02/2010 12:49:00]The best is yet to come! Looking forward to a clear sky! ^^
人生咁長，當然有開心時也有悲傷時，好多事都睇自己點諗同點睇，回想過去美好的事物，就會覺得好幸福。想起不往事，發現自己都過走過了，咁厲害無理由之後會走唔過！係咪！
回覆刪除送啲正能量過你 ---->>>----->>>>
[版主回覆06/02/2010 22:34:00]想起不往事，發現自己都過走過了，咁厲害無理由之後會走唔過！ It's really true!!! Very
positive now!
Hi Kenji,
回覆刪除The videos are really good. They reflect that you still have sincerity, innocence and hope in your heart. ' Never Give Up' (as what you said) and 'Never Lose your Faith'.
From a little fan of Kenji’s Blog ^^
[版主回覆06/03/2010 18:52:00]Thanks so much. That is what I believe. Come what may, I will smile and stay positive. Thanks!
間中回味下以前也是好事，不過記住前面仲有大把路要行呢！
回覆刪除btw，我都覺得畢業後時間過得好快好快！
[版主回覆06/03/2010 18:53:00]I believe I will become a better person in the future.
Hi, Kenji. Long time no c! The songs are inspiring.
回覆刪除You are right. Hypocrites, cold eyes and malicious gossip are inevitable. Still I believe true hearts are all around, though they may not have shown up in time. See, your fans are here to support you!
After all these years, slowly, I myself also forget how to be passionate, as I learn how to compromise. Thanks for your songs! I've just picked up those important pieces and put them back.
Be happy !
[版主回覆06/06/2010 11:43:00]Long time no see! Thanks very much for your visit. You are right. Sincere hearts are probably around us. It is just because we are too busy that we do not feel their existence. At least, mine is still inside me and I will remind myself of not forgetting about it. The songs are really touching. I will stay positive, sincere and strong, in the face of adversity. Thanks for your support.
初次到訪 不要執著於過去的遺憾... 放眼將來~ 明天一定會更好 !
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/06/2010 20:09:00]Thanks a lot!
感到自己活在愛中是幸福的呢 !
回覆刪除每個人的經歷都不一樣，但重要是做個有經歷的人，然後才可以說 "Life is what we make of it" I also remember an idiom "no pain no gain"
Thank you for sharing your life.
[版主回覆06/08/2010 14:37:00]It is because there are downs that we know what ups mean. That's life! I will choose to face the adversity with smiles. Thanks.
Kenji, This is the first time I visit your blog. Your blog seems a bit bleak. But it's good. A philosopher has once said, "the unreflected life is not worth living.". He has a point. From your photograph at 22, I can see that you've got what "palm-readers" call, a "philosopher's hand". I have been reading palms (not professionally) for longer than 30 years. No one has yet told me that I was wrong. You're right. When has there not been what you call "cold eyes", "malicious gossip" and "hypocrites" around. Has the thougtht ever occurred to you that at least your enemies felt that you were sufficiently threatening for them to initiate their "malicious" gossip. That may in fact be an unintended "compliment"! I don't know what exactly you mean by "cold eyes" (being overlooked and passed over for promotion or somehow being ignored when you think you ought not to deserve the same?) So I pass over that in silence. But you've got so much emotional and moral support. That's something to be proud of! Hope that's only a passing mood like the unpredictable weather we sometimes get in summer. The black cloud will dissipate once it has dumped it load in a shower. After the storm, there will always be a brighter sky! That's just the way of Nature.
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/08/2010 14:52:00]Thanks for your visit. Wow... palm reading... so proud of you. You are right. Indeed I love reflection. I also choose to embrace the past, be it good or bad, because I can become a better person. As for cold eyes, I mean everyone is very busy doing his or her own stuff, so they ignore others, refuse to help others and do not consider others' situation and difficulty. Anyway, the lovely summer is coming. I am looking forward to it. I think the gloom will go when I am in Switzerland. ^^
We all come into this world crying as a newborn baby. So we cry as a feeble and helpless baby, we stumble as a toddler and eventually we stand and walk on our own two feet and there are so many tears in between. Hackneyed this maybe, I think it bears certain truth. Why not take life as a rollercoaster ride during which we scream and are scared the hell out of us but still we enjoy the excitement. Life is never a bed of roses; we need to constantly do the weeding to let the roses grow and smell the fragrance. I am not being pessimistic but I tend believe that happiness consists in the mitigation of the inevitable pain of life.
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/09/2010 16:31:00]Thanks so much for your words, Peter. Recently, I always ask myself silly questions. What if I were a millionaire? What if I did not work here? What if I never said NO? Perhaps everyone has his own problems. Anyway, that's life. I'm sure that I will face more problems in the future. What I can do now is to pay attention to the little happy moments and equip myself for the future challenges ASAP, though I may lack time to do so.
I have written POP's review, feel free to take a look la
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/09/2010 16:16:00]Congratulations! It must be very entertaining!
Switzerland is a very beautiful country: neat, tidy, quiet, civilized, meticulously courteous, very international. It has such delicately green grass and such blue skies! You'll enjoy it.
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/09/2010 16:17:00]Last year, I went to the Northern Europe. I guess both places are also great. Time to take a break and stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
路過，進來看看
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/10/2010 20:36:00]HAHA it looks like a spam. ^^
Never been to northern Europe yet. But saw quite a number of films from that part of the world. They have a certain kind of economy, a certain bleakness, a certain austerity, a certain brooding toughness of spirit and despite all that, a very special kind of human warmth. If I am right, I suppose the climate may have something to do with that. What kind of feeling do they give you?
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/10/2010 20:42:00]RIGHT! Kind of bleak and quiet. Still, you will be amazed by the beautiful mother nature and the tranquility of the life there. Welcome to have a look at the pics I took. http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/kenji-chan/article?mid=4202 http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/kenji-chan/article?mid=4203
kenji, totally agree with you about what you said : In this society, cold eyes and malicious gossip seem inevitable......... I think you also belonging to a sensitvie person as you are also a Scorpio, same with me. Sometimes I also cannot stop myself for some kinds of mistrust, suspecting........ even towards never met ppls!! But sure I think respectful is the critical solution for them. By the way, even never met you before , but really feeling you are so good looking.
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/10/2010 20:46:00]Thanks a lot. Have you listened to the first song? I believe in the power of a sincere heart. Respect is surely important too. Btw, I WAS young looking. ^^
u look much alike the same 8 yrs later!!
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/10/2010 20:50:00]Indeed, I am fatter (waist from 28-inch to 32-inch) and there are more wrinkles on my forehead. Besides, it seems to me that I lose hair more often and my face is longer. HAHA... anyway, I totally understand ageing is a natural process. I feel unhappy mainly because of my life and career.
Belated Happy Birthday!!!
回覆刪除And thanks for your sharing....it is so touching!
[版主回覆06/15/2010 23:58:00]Thanks! My birthday is in November though ^^. So I am going to be 31 after 5 months.
又來探你呀! Sure never give up, support you all the time!! 加油!
回覆刪除[版主回覆06/21/2010 21:29:00]Thanks!
《Breakaway》---Kelly Clarkson
回覆刪除I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky And I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change And breakaway Out of the darkness and into the sun But I won't forget all the ones that I love And I'll take a risk, take a chance, make a change And breakaway
[版主回覆06/26/2010 14:32:00]A nice song!