爛

The Chinese character "爛" (làn) translates to "rotten" or "spoiled" in English. It generally denotes a state of decay, deterioration, or being in a significantly undesirable condition.

Here are a few examples of how this word might be used:

Describing Food: "The fruit I bought last week has gone bad; it's all rotten now."

Referring to Quality: "The quality of this product is terrible; it's completely spoiled and unusable."

Talking about Relationships: "Their relationship has turned rotten; they're constantly arguing and unhappy."

Regarding Health: "After leaving the food out for too long, I got sick. It made me feel really rotten."

The word "爛" can be applied to various situations to indicate something being in a degraded, spoiled, or undesirable state.

English Teacher

On a long bus ride, I once met an English teacher. We talked about language and communication. She shared how she teaches her children: 'Keep it simple, unless you're making art.'

An English teacher's advice to encourage straightforward messages makes sense. Using heavy words might hinder rather than help. Clarity and simplicity often connect better and convey messages effectively.

Many writers aim for simplicity to reach wider audiences and ensure better understanding.

Her words stuck with me, even after 15 years. They guide how I communicate. Simple but powerful advice from a chance encounter.

English Teacher

Sourdough

Coffee, Tea or >>> Beer?

Discovering that each person’s morning ritual is as unique as their fingerprint is truly intriguing. While many opt for a steaming cup of coffee, I found my morning solace in something unexpected - a can of beer. It might seem unconventional, but just as coffee lovers swear by their morning brew, I found comfort in this quirky choice.

Somehow, my body seemed to welcome the subtle presence of alcohol in the morning, offering a sense of ease that kickstarted my day. It’s fascinating how our bodies respond differently to various elements. We all have our secret recipe for that perfect morning boost, whether it's a caffeine jolt or an unconventional choice like mine.

Embracing our individual preferences and understanding that what works for one might not work for another is what makes our morning rituals so personal and unique. It’s a reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to starting the day, and that's the beauty of our diverse routines.

Mi Segera

Paper

I have a habit of not simply throwing papers without fully utilizing them. This includes keeping printed receipts or any paper with space to write, as I find them useful for notes or other purposes.

It's important to realize how fortunate we are in this era. Paper was once an expensive commodity accessible only to a privileged few. Now, is within reach for nearly everyone. This accessibility has empowered many more individuals to engage with writing and documentation, a luxury unimaginable in the past.

There is a reason why I don't believe in many things written a few hundred to thousand years ago. The accessibility of paper gives limitations to historical records. Many ancient writings, spanning centuries or millennia, primarily represent the perspectives of a select few with the power and fortune to write. And those may be dishonest, manipulative and crooks. Consequently, 'History' often overlooks the voices of the bottom class, unfortunate, illiterate and undereducated masses, failing to capture the diversity of experiences and viewpoints.

KL MRT