I woke up today a bit early than usual. "Usual" is past noon on non-school days and around 10-ish on school days. I think it was all because of the bad Chinese food I ate last night from a newly opened China Garden Village in Rhodes City, a Chinese restaurant owned by Vietnamese immigrants. I thought I would pre-celebrate the Chinese New Year with a Chinese buffet. For their "all you can eat" smorgasbord, they charged €13, roughly US$20. Expensive for a categorically limited choices and generally shitty food. I could've devoured a thousand much better Chinese buffet for US$8 back in the U.S., or I could've done a much much better job myself. But who am I to complain? I am in a Greek island, hundreds of miles away from the mainland. I don't and never crave Chinese food, but one thing for sure, I am so "chinesed"-out that I'm not going back to any of these mediocre, poor cheap copy-cats Vietnamese-owned and operated Chinese restaurants in Rhodes. Knowing now the quality of food that they come up with, I'd rather stay home and cook my own Chinese food.
I did nothing extraordinary today considering my day started early. I planned on going back to the city to exchange a shirt then go to the gym, then do some "practice driving". The only thing I accomplished was practice-driving for half an hour. Don't get me wrong, I know how to drive. I've been driving for decades but not on a manual transmission or stick shift cars. I received a quick theoretical lesson on Friday, 16 January 2009, then some actual accompanied road driving (by the beach road where there were neither human nor vehicular traffics whatsoever). I think I am making some commendable progress. I drove myself to the city without any major problems. Just the occasional idling and sudden stops in the middle of the roads. Again, I know how to drive. I know the rules of road and the mechanics of the engine. After almost a week, I am getting the hang of it. My problem is solely on synchronizing the clutch and gas pedals. Today, the driving was smoother and only had to stop twice after shifting gears from neutral to first. Give me few more "on the road" driving times and I will be fine (i think...i hope).
Tomorrow is a school day. Yes, I am back to school. I decided to take Greek Language lessons to improve my Greek language skills. It's an 1 1/2 hour session, 3 times a day. Not only going back to school educational (duh!), but it pre-occupies me and cures my boredom.
Year of the Ox officially started today. On that note, I'd like to let you know that I was born in the Year of the Tiger. Which brings us to the:...
WORTHLESS RATTLING OF THE DAY: I am a Tiger. 寅 Tiger people are difficult to resist, for they are magnetic characters and their natural air of authority confers a certain prestige on them. They are tempestuous yet calm, warm-hearted yet fearsome, courageous in the face of danger yet yielding, soft and mysterious. They enjoy a life full of challenges and unexpected events, like visiting unusual places and meeting interesting or outstanding people. Other people in their area are easily attracted by the tiger's enthusiasm and way of life. Tigers find pleasure in the unpredictable, and while other people would rather make a backward step, they are not afraid to explore the new and unusual. But it is not that simple to interest the Tiger. What they really need is first-hand experience. Usually open and frank, these people are likely to withdraw and can be aggressive when trapped. As soon as the Tiger has regained their sense of security their confidence also returns, enabling them to set out once more. These people usually tend to trust their instincts, though there is another side of their personality, which assesses situations thoughtfully before they launch any actions. Their friends usually secretly admire their determination and optimism, though sometimes may find it complicated to share the Tiger's enthusiasm and can be pushed away and left behind. Although Tigers can be courageous and generous friends, if they are not able to achieve what they want, they can be inflexible and self-centered. So if your friend was born in the year of the Tiger, there will be highs and lows in your friendship, but the friendship itself will remain firm. Ideal jobs for tigers include entrepreneur, military officer, politician, musician, writer, poet, artist, theater director, biological and environmental engineer, stockbroker, athlete, film star, trade union leader, company director, stunt person, explorer and lawyer. GRRRRRROOOWWWWLL!
No comments:
Post a Comment