我们为什么这么爱听别人的故事？ 不是因为我们真心想勘查别人的脚印、而是因为我们想知道 ～ 我们还有多少条可以选择的路。
～ 蔡康永 （台湾著名主持人和作家）
The above Chinese quote was taken off a Weibo post (the Chinese version of Twitter) written by Kevin Tsai, a famous TV variety show host and writer in Taiwan. In it, he writes:

Why is that we love listening to other people’s stories? It’s not because we really want to follow their lives; it’s really because we want to know what other paths we can choose to take in our lives.

Tis true, isn’t it? Often it’s by talking to more people that we get more ideas and knowledge of what’s outside of our everyday sphere in life. And in doing so, we can consider alternative routes in our life path. It also reminds me that I haven’t been talking to enough new people. Have you? I hope you are not being a hermit like me. 千万不要学我喔！
A friend wrote recently in an email thread among a group of us that she thinks she should do something different in her life and “not continue being a boring accountant….. But that needs a lot of courage….”
Of course it needs a lot of courage. It’s often the case with anything that’s fun and interesting out there, isn’t it? I can only hope that she will find whatever it is that she wants and have the courage to go for it. Or at least take a stab at it. As far as this is concerned, I can honestly say that I’ve always been true to myself and have no regrets!
So today’s three things to be thankful for:
1. I had a very easy day at work – a lovely way to start the first work day of the year. Let’s hope this sets the tone for the rest of it.
2. I signed up for two short courses conducted by the Hong Kong University. I’m not going to get any return on investment on them and it’s done purely for fun. But hey, not everything needs a ROI right? At least in learning something new, I will feel like I’m “progressing” in some way and help to keep my mind active.
3. I searched the HK Public Library online catalogue, found and reserved a book I wanted. It’s Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean. Can’t wait to get my hands on it! Though I’ve started reading ebooks on my iPhone, I do love the feel of a hard copy book much better! Plus I’m a real sucker for dog stories.