We belong to each other

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Mother Teresa

At Tea Talk we briefly share how we are feeling and what we are thinking.  Visit Ruth @ Celebrate Friendship for more

 

I’m having honey lemon tea in MIL’s goblet.  It’s a mix of tea from Cambodia, honey and lemon from my fridge.  The blue stem goblet is mine actually but I call it MIL’s because she’s the one using it whenever she visited when I was married.

I’m feeling like I’m about to drop on the bed for a much needed stretch before I plough through research work again.

On my mind is theoretical framework – a kick butt chore I hope to accomplish this week. If I didn’t have to write it keeping in mind that a formidable committee  would evaluate it, I would be imagining how appealing my boyfriend’s eyes are (lol).  Having mentioned anatomy parts in preceding sentences, I realize I want to add the human brain. How cognitive functions impact political psychology boils down to my research rationale: contribution to global peace.

As I write this post, I am playing Let There Be Peace on youtube.  The clip includes thoughts on peace. Here’s one I picked to share with you –

If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. – Mother Teresa

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Mocha mind

At Tea Talk we briefly share how we are feeling and what we are thinking. More at Celebrate Friendship

 

I’m having iced mocha in a thin plastic, disposable glass – a typical container you see in the hands of people who have to be on the go. I bought this drink from a tiny stall inside a supermarket on my way to the bank. Now I’m seated and noticing that last year around this time I also lost my ATM card. “History repeats itself” hmn….

I’m feeling pushed to propose a research project. I’m excited to know what is going to be its reception. This is going to be a roller coaster of emotions until I know whether I can beat the February 3rd deadline or not. Luckily there’s no professional pressure to get this done by the stated date.  If I can make it – fine, if not – it’s fine just the same.

On my mind are the beginning stages of building this research project. I’m talking of brainstorming here and tons of readings to do.  Cognitive complexity, social constructivism, communication apprehension, and all that.  I have no idea where to begin, but I am enjoying snippets that show personalities of scientists behind  constructs I am reacquainting with.  Here’s what I like –

“It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reason can be found.”

John Nash, Nobel Prize acceptance speech

From the fields

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Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Hilton Hotel Pub, Hong Kong

Host Susanne at Living to Tell the Story describes Friday’s Fave Five as “time to take a look over our week, recall blessings great and small and pick our five favorites to share.”

The company of a friend. Being alone makes me extra grateful for exactly that. It is not nice to meet the new year or any other important celebration all by oneself. I am glad I had someone who happens to be in the same circumstances as I do – single, no immediate family nearby.  We splurged on fine dining, 5-star entertainment and a weekend getaway to a quiet beach resort over the new year.

“Take lots of liquid.”  It is one statement that would have meant nothing if I saw or heard it from where ever while struggling with a cold.  But it came from someone who has become special to me these past weeks.  I would not exchange this little show of caring for all the luxury moments I had at Grand Hyatt, Intercontinental and Hilton last weekend.

Angkor Wat. The world’s largest religious site is virtually right down my backyard. For 13 years it seemed like I took the close proximity for granted because although I always wanted to visit, I never had the company, and I am not adventurous enough to go alone. Finally last week, friends organized a trip there with former professors.  I had mixed feelings observing good, old teachers take the ‘back stage and this time, let former students dominate the talking‘ during the travel.

Forgetting an envelope with leftover cash from my Hong Kong trip.  The time was perfect to have remembered it contained wads of US dollar bills to pay for the Cambodia trip.

Learning. We proceeded to Phnom Penh after the awe and grandeur of Angkor to see the Killing Fields.  Khmer Rouge stunned me to the bones and gave me second thoughts on visiting Germany’s Dachau camp one of these days. But I am grateful to learn that there ought to be more compassion for the living and respect for the memory of those who wanted to live but did not have the chance.

Tourists waiting to meet sunrise at Angkor