So you’re sitting – let’s say on the bus – and you’re pretending to be asleep because you don’t actually want anyone talking to you. However, since you’re not actually asleep, you can still hear the conversations around you. You’re daydreaming about [insert thing you daydream about] and then all of a sudden, you pick up on someone moaning.

“And then I realise it was in my locker the whole time. FML.”

FML. F…M…L. How I would like to go up to the creator of that website and go, “You know what f*cked up my life? Your bloody acronym.” This is almost as disgraceful as the ‘fail’ stage, though that still goes on, and all. 

But seriously, I don’t get the obsession. Countless of times, people have been criticised for saying ‘lol’, some mocked for ‘omg’ but ‘FML’ seems to be just fine. It’s not even an unique saying, since most of the globe say it now. And I can’t be the only one who feels this way. It’s an amusing site, I’ll give them that, but surely there are others – like myself – who hate how people constantly use it in their everyday lives. And I watch some people and feeling like telling them, “Yes, but not getting your ponytail right the first time isn’t even really an FML moment, is it?” 

It was the same with the ‘fail’ or – god forbid – ‘epic fail’ scenario. I was sitting through the GSIS 40th Celebration ‘ceremony’, when I heard a young kid say that a teacher was a ‘fail’. What I thought was more important to focus on was the fact that if he’s one of the people who can only use these few words to express himself, he would fail a couple of GCSEs. 

I suppose – especially considering my last post – you’ll think I’m some kind of anti-conformist. Not entirely true. I’m not particularly shocking or radical. The most ‘unique’ I get is when I bring a bit of my own culture into Hong Kong world with sayings such as “Get in there”. On that note, if you aren’t British, I would check up how to actually use that phrase. Because without the right context and accent, you sound rather ridiculous. But that’s not my point. My point is that I’m not trying to rally up some kind of rebellion. All I want from people is a little independent thought. I’m an non-FML-sayer, British, swearing, 60s rock n’ roll lover who likes poetry. I’m not ashamed of it. How about YOU? When you say ‘FML’, how do you feel? 

But onto a new topic – since I don’t want to rant all day. The obvious topic to talk about is the long weekend/lantern festival. Obviously, I’m sure many of you are as happy as I am that we got these extra two days. And I felt I’ve used it wisely – in a way.

 With my new-found freedom, I decided to immediately hit the shops. Given the fact that I am now at my richest – which believe me, isn’t that rich – I thought why not. Of course, we were then hit with ‘horrendous’ weather, as some would say. Did that stop me? Never. I came to the conclusion that, since I wasn’t planning on seeing anyone special, I would have some fun. So I packed up my umbrella, and just walked. It was so refreshing, and liberating. While everyone else was scurrying along, I was strolling with my head up high. Even when I walked past someone I had seen in school. OK, that was slightly embarrassing. But I got over it. Especially after the looks I got when I was the only one walking along the open area in front of  IFC; v. amusing. 

Then came the actual day. Repulse beach with hundreds of other strangers, while packed in and attempting to light a candle with no stand unnoticed, and drinking till we pass out, or looking after the ones who have. What could be better? For teenagers, we find the oddest things amusing. I had decided to be interesting and dress in a sort of biker outfit. This caused me to run around the house, searching for a dark lipstick like a mad man. In the end I had to mix it – what I mixed is something I don’t think you want to . Of course, it had completely faded away before I actually MADE it to the beach. Obviously the day turned out to be exactly as expected – and then some. 

Aim For Next Week: Do something spontaneous. Like me and the rain, think about something you’ve been tempted to do, and go for it. Dancing like a loon in your room, say hi to a stranger. Anything! 

Till next week! x