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Goodbye and Thank You, Whitney!

2012-02-12T15:33:00.001+08:00

Singapore - Sunday, 12 February 2012, I woke up to the news that the diva (positive way) has took her last breath and left this earth. What a sad news, but may be it's just the hours for her to leave.

The first thing came to my mind were her songs ... so many of them. I grew up literally with her "presence". My very first exposure to her song was - "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", an upbeat and dance-able song. I saw it on MTV and I don't think I knew who was Whitney when I was still so little. The rest is history ... she sang ... her songs became #1 hits and remained in my heart and mind. I believe most of you will feel the same way too. Wasn't she amazing?

At the moment when I found out about her departure, "The Greatest Love of All" spoke to me.

Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

What a beautiful words, I thought to myself ... "Why didn't she love herself more?", I wondered.

But come on, who am I to judge. Nobody is perfect. She lived her life, her way. It's not easy to be someone whose life were constantly under the public eyes. Think about it, does it really matter if she stumbled and fell? Most important of all, through her imperfect life, she has shined her brightest through her God's given talent - her voice. She has touched lives and inspired millions through the writings of others - her songs. Some of her songs are not originally hers but she made them better ... she added "value", tuned it up, made it her own and voila ... created a legacy.

She has lived a life that contributes, and for that I am so grateful that I lived in the era that she shined the brightest. Thank you for your voice, your songs and your spirit to keep on living despite your difficulties that I will never comprehend.

As it has been sung by her in "One Moment in Time", she said ...

Give me one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will be
I will be
I will be free

She did have many moments in time and finally, she's free now.
Rest in peace, Whitney.
Thank you for making a difference by being the best you could be.

PS. Someone has compiled all her hits on this Youtube playlist. If you are like me now, drowning and emo-ing in her voice, hope you will enjoy it.

An Unusually Usual Friday

2012-02-10T22:23:00.000+08:00

10.25PM on a pretty quiet Friday night. I am sitting down accompanied by my ergonomic keyboard with the sound of wind gently banging on my balcony door. It feels like an unusual Friday night ... How can it not be? This is the first since 16th of September 2011, I finally have my Friday to myself doing absolutely nothing. Provided my calendar is not bluffing me. If it bluffed, then the previous "Me Time" Friday would have been on 24th of June 2011.

Startled!

As I went through the list of my past happenings, damn I did lots of things every Friday! I ate, drank, watched play, watched movies, went to friends house, traveled, invited friend to my house, etc ... can't believe those have been the past. Some of them still felt so fresh as if they were few weeks old. Time really waits for no one and moments just pass you by without you realizing. What you held once as "an awesome time" now it's simply a part of your memory. Sometimes make me wonder,"So, that was it? A fragment of my memory?"

But that's life. It passes. It flows. It doesn't stop and wait for you.
Each and every breath that you are inhaling now, is unique, then it passed and ... gone. Next breath. Inhale. Exhale. Gone ....

On this unusually usual Friday, without any outside activities, without much interactions, I am actually consciously breathing and aware of my each and every breath. Surprisingly, it feels unusually awesome to feel and breathe life in its stillness.

Lichun or Chunli? Does It Really Matter?

2012-02-05T02:56:00.000+08:00

Today ... eh ... yesterday - 4th of February 2012, was the first day of spring. Chinese calls it "Lichun" (立春). My friend said, Chinese believe what you do on this day, will set a precedent to the days to come in this new year.

It's apparently quite common that people will bank in cheque or cash to their account in hoping to have more of such occasions in their lives.

If that is so, this simple Saturday has brought so much joy, laughter, and slight tears to remind me that I have been really fortunate to be able to breathe, laugh, cry and share.

My Lichun, to be more accurate, started at midnight where I was having fun with my time-proven Frenchies group - taking photos with cute baby, eating and drinking great stuff and discovering generous souls through the games we played. Pure fun.

Image courtesy of me but baby is not mine

I then began my day with the two great supporters in my life over brunch, planning and plotting for more exciting "mini adventures" to come. Continuing from my previous conversation with them, we plan to have at least one new thing to do per month. However silly it may be such as - to approach a stranger and ask him/her "What's your purpose of life?" - well, that won't really happen ... just yet.

I continued with doing what I love to do - learning French in a carefree and without pressure environment. I also discovered through the lyrics of a song by Francis Cabrel how fortunate my life has been compared to those people who crossed borders with the risk of being shot dead just to have a better future. Saw 2 beautiful Black-Naped Orioles flying around outside the window of my classroom. Talked to a few really nice and friendly classmates of mine and got to know them better.

One Black-Napped Oriole sitting on a tree branch

My last stop for such special day was having another gathering with another group of French classmates (ex- and/or current). We had great food, wine, game, conversation and most importantly pure joy and laughter. Overall, my Lichun ended on a perfect note complete with the occasional serenades from a possible wannabe theatre singer. I had an awesome 24 hours of my life with a few minutes of work glitches that came through my phone.

The awesome Yusheng (Prosperity Toss) - Photo courtesy of DQ3

Whether it will turn out to be true that what happens on Lichun will be an overview of the year to come, one may never know. But by going through a day with such mindset has made me more aware of my own thoughts and expectations. When you set your day with such positive outlook, it doesn't mean glitches won't rain in your parade. You may get nudged here and there but the overall effect of psyching up yourself a notch has its little wonder. You are after all, what you decide to see, hear, feel, think, and ultimately choose.

If Lichun is just some superstition created by somebody, then, what's stopping us in making everyday a Lichun-ish day? That everyday is indeed a new fresh beginning. That everyday is different and unique. That everyday can be a Lichun or a Chunli or whatever you want the name/label to be. That everyday is a blank canvas waiting for you, the artist, to create something as per you wish. Then why don't you just paint it your way? It may not be perfect, you may have a small canvas, but, make it yours. Own your day.

This year is my first time celebrating such concept. I am glad to be aware of it and have the opportunity to spend it with people who enrich my life in all ways possible. I extend my overflown and rebuilt joy of the week to all of you, who even bothers to read my humble blog. In the spirit of Chinese New Year, I would like to say,"HUAT AH!"

An Eulogy with Wicked

2012-01-11T10:40:00.000+08:00

Recently, I had the privilege to watch Wicked in Singapore. A musical that has been glorified by a few of my friends who were lucky enough to watch it in US. I am grateful Wicked managed to find its way to Singapore and I didn't need to fly so long to watch it.

Image courtesy of www.applause-tickets.com

Geez ... what an awesome performance it was. I was genuinely amazed. Love the story. Love the songs. Love the lyrics. But most importantly, I just love the lesson it tried to impart through the "perceived" good and evil, that some things are simply not what they seem to be. In the darkness there is light and vice versa.

Ideally, I would love to watch Kristin Chenoweth plays Glenda but I don't think that will happen as she has left the Broadway scene for quite a few years now. I first chanced upon her in Pushing Daisies, although she was not the lead actress but she sure made sucha big impact and you couldn't help but to love her so much. I remember her more than the lead actress anyway! At that time I was ignorant about her big role in Wicked.

Then, she appeared again in my momma Oprah's farewell spectacular and she sang "For Good". Another round of ignorance, I didn't even know that song was from Wicked. I only know,"Wow! What an appropriate song hor ...!" Then I dug deeper and found out ... damn, this is from Wicked! Damn, the lyrics is so awesome. Damn! I love this song to the core and then a light-bulb-moment dawned on me ... I want this song to be played in my funeral as an eulogy, as a thank-you note to those who have given me something in life.

Ok. Call me crazy. But those who are really close to me know that I have been really fascinated with "death". I love to visit quirky places that have relations to death and so far I have been to Les Catacombs (Paris), Cimetière du Père-Lachaise (Paris) and Trunyan Village (Bali). More to come.

Then a friend introduced me to a Latin phrase - Memento Mori which means "remember your mortality" or "remember you will die". What a beautiful and morbid concept. But how can it be morbid when that is the absolute truth about life? We will die one day. You will never know when, won't you? Unless you choose to take your own life by your own hand. But majority of us do think we are going to live forever. Going through everyday simply by ticking the to-do lists. Sure, nothing wrong with that actually. But on your death-bed, once you have fulfilled them, I just wonder, will all be worth it? I am not sure. I can't answer this question myself.

However, I do know for sure, up until now, quality relationships with people who are genuine and connected well with your souls are worth it. When you do look back, you will think of those moments how someone have touched your life, how someone have awakened you and pushed you to grow further. You will also think about the great happy moments that you have. Occasionally you may dwell into the dark sides but those will not last, unless you love to stay in the dark for long. I know I don't. Those happy shiny moments will takeover and simply make you feel so much better. Then you know, you do have a life well lived.

I have been really fortunate and blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful souls in this lifetime. I have also been fortunate to be able to cut off the energy suckers, not easy but sometimes it is simply necessary to do. Hence to all the beings that I have been in contact, what else can be more appropriate then when I am gone from this earth, to thank each and everyone of them by singing "For Good" as an eulogy for me to you.

Here, I share a snippet of the beautiful lyrics and its video when Kristin Chenoweth sang for Oprah, while the men of Moorehouse College who had received scholarship from her, appeared. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I do while remembering those people who have indeed changed you for good.

PS. Apparently, having a rehearsal by singing to my best friend was not a very good idea. Many tissues were "killed". Guess I will keep the rehearsal session to myself.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

The Secret Letters of the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

2012-01-04T13:32:00.000+08:00

One of my 2012 resolution, which I am rephrasing to a must-do list, is to read at least 2 books in 1 month. That's slow compared to what I could do long ... long time ago before I got too up-close and personal with Mr. Procrastination. However I am very glad that within 3 weeks, I have finished 3 books. One of them doesn't really worth mentioning. Quite a waste of one's time.

One of them was The Secret Letters of the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma.

Though this book is not really that fantastic either, still there are some gems to be collected from it. What I am going to list down below is the "spoiler" of the book. If you would like to enjoy "the journey" then I suggest you to read the entire book.

The lessons drawn are the following points:

The Power of Authenticity
Embrace Your Fears
Live with Kindness
Make Small Daily Progress
To Lead Your Best Life, Do Your Best Work
Choose Your Influences Well
Life's Simplest Pleasures Are Life's Greatest Joys
The Purpose of Life is to Love
Stand for Something Bigger than Yourself

The Power of Authenticity
We are encouraged to live our authentic life, to be true to ourselves which everyone knows, is not an easy task. We can learn this by understanding where we have been and then discover where we are going.

Personal take:
As I go through life, I realize being authentic has its own power. You may lose some people along the way, but you will gain more that will resonate with your true self. Speaking from my own experience, I really witness positive changes take place in my life. But the journey to be authentic is a long road and I am still traveling through.

Embrace Your Fears
"The more fears we walk through, the more power we reclaim. In this way, we grow both fearless and powerful, and thus are able to live the lives of our dreams."

Personal take:
I used to be a people pleaser. I valued quantity and quality (call me greedy or simply naive). I kept on growing the numbers of my friends and thinking they are all of good quality. My fear was losing the numbers, thinking I wouldn't be significant. But after I took the first step in cutting the weeds from the flowers, my life blossoms. I took on my fears and ever since I never looked back. My life has never been better. I let go of the quantity and focus on quality. Once you know how to do it, it becomes a habit and life gets easier.

Live with Kindness
"No action, no matter how small, is insignificant - how we treat someone defines how we treat everyone, including ourselves."

Personal take:
Pretty straight forward and no-brainer. For this I would like to share one of my favourite quote:

“Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you – not because they are nice, but because you are.”—Unknown

Make Small Daily Progress
"The way we do small things determines the way that we do everything ... Mastery then becomes our way of being."

Personal take:
Mastery in anything takes time. There's finding that to do well in something you need to put in at least 10,000 hours. If you do it 4 hours a day which means you need 2500 days = 7 years. Imagine. If you don't start something you would like to excel today, then you may need to wait longer. This is one problem I need to tackle, discipline, consistency and persistence are need to be the best. But alas ... I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ... the only mastery I have for now is ... hmm ... I don't even know what ... HAIYA!

To Lead Your Best Life, Do Your Best Work
"One of the greatest secrets to a life beautifully lived is to do work that matters. And to ascent to such a state of mastery in it that people can't take their eyes off of you."

Personal take:
I have a friend who organized a party pretty last-minute-ly and one of the thing I took away from it that even until this moment I am so very impressed, were her cheese platters. I remembered standing there being at awe of the arrangements as if I was admiring a piece of art. By far, she has put in the best work I have ever seen into a cheese platter. I am not talking about fine dining restaurants, some cheese experts, etc. Even so, I don't think I have seen something as beautiful as these. Guess I was so cheese-struck that I forgot I needed to eat more of them. -_-"

Choose Your Influences Well
"It's a mark of wisdom to choose to spend time in those places that inspire and energize you and associate with those people who elevate and uplift you."

Personal take:
Out of all of the above, I can 99.9% swear by this lesson. People who suck your energy, pour you with unnecessary negative dramas, should be casted away asap. Unless you are able to transform those negative energies into a positive one, then, good for you. If not, stay away, get rid of them, find yourself new friends, new work environments, or best of all, new perspectives. In the last 4 years, I have been seeing so much impacts just by associating myself with positively happy people. Or even if they are not all the time happy, they are enriching in their own ways. As a result, I am positively happier person too. I believe strongly, the people I know now and the people I am going to know next are going to be awesome. Because if life is not uplifting most of the time, then you will miss out on the views life has to offer. I wonder if the monkey in Sangeh (Bali) agrees with me or not ...

Life's Simplest Pleasure Are Life's Greatest Joys
"Most people don't discover what's most important in life until they are too old to do anything about it. ... While society invites us to fill our lives with material objects, the best part of us knows that the more basic pleasures are the ones that enrich and sustain us."

Personal take:
13-16 November 2011, will be when I graduated in this life lesson. I booked myself to one of the not-so-cheap villa in Ubud, Bali, thinking I would like to spend my birthday on my own and pamper myself with the facilities offered by the resort. May I say, I regretted that decision ever! The villa even though it was so big and had all kind of things you need - even a coffee maker - was one of the most horrible stay I have ever had in my life. The first night I arrived at the resort, alone (stupid), I was cursing and swearing on why on earth I did what I did. Because after I have parted with my friends (also thanks to my own decision), then I realized, beautiful places mean nothing without the company of friends. Sure, we need our alone time once in a while, but when something is awesome, it's much pleasurable when we are able to share it. Even though it's as simple as,"Oy! Don't you think this tea is very nice? Don't you see the monkey is so cute! Oh come on, I think you look like the fat one."

The Purpose of Life is to Love
"How well you live comes down to how much you love. The heart is wiser than the head. Honor it. Trust it. Follow it."

Personal take:
Well, well, well ... sure love is nice. I love you. You love me. World peace. That's very nice. I just had a lengthy discussion 2 days ago with 2 of my wise and mature friends over this topic. One is very heart. One is very brain. Personally, I think one needs to balance between the heart and the brain. If you love without the brain, you may fall into dangers as you didn't see it coming before. If you think without the heart, you may miss out on life's miracles. If I could rephrase that, I would say the purpose of life is to live it by loving, thinking and sharing.

Stand for Something Bigger than Yourself
"...become successful, on your own terms rather than on those suggested to you by society. But above all else - be significant. Make your life matter - be of use. And be of service to as many people as possible."

Personal take:
This .... I have no comment. I don't know what I am standing for. But I know I am learning and slowly creating my terms day by day. I know my life matter but I don't know what service I am able to give to as many people as possible yet. Time to go to my dark corner to reflect or to sleep as the clock is not very friendly anymore.

---

I hope you enjoy my sharing from what I have read. The next book will be a brainier one and I doubt I can remember what I have learned from it! HAH! Ho-boy ....

For those who will be celebrating Chinese New Year, I am wishing you a new year filled with love, joy, peace, health and abundance. May all your goals come to fruition and stay happy always.

Au Revoir 2011! Bonjour 2012!

2011-12-31T12:05:00.000+08:00

Hello readers

2011 is finally saying farewell to us. 2012 will enter in few hours time.

How has 2011 been to you?

What have you learned?
What will you leave behind?
And what will you bring with you to 2012?

I have learned that not until you love yourself, the world won't love you the way you think. I have learned that those that really matters tend to be the simple intangible things in life such as relationships. I have learned that what you feed your mind affects how you view the world.

I will leave behind the thought that the elements outside me need to change before I can be happy and contented. I will leave behind that I have no control and not responsible for all aspects of my life. I will leave behind the naive concept that there are somethings can be forever.

I will bring with me into 2012 the "me" that is slowly evolving and revealing to its truest expression of self. I will bring with me my intuition, my gut feel, to listen to them more after listening to kind advices from others. I will bring with me my blessings and feeling of constant gratitude to things / experiences I have already had and those that will come my way at their own time.

I am saying goodbye to 2011 with a great smile on my face knowing I have lived an awesome and colorful life and I am looking forward to 2012 for more awesome experiences that I believe will come. Good and bad are really relative. I wish everyone a life well lived, a lesson well learned and laughters well shared.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

11 Dec 2011 - With Models of Abercrombie & Fitch.
See! Told you my 2011 was awesome and "colorful"! *wink*

The 3 Letters that Live After Death

2011-12-17T15:03:00.000+08:00

De-clutter: to simplify or get rid of mess, disorder, complications, etc
(Taken from www.dictionary.com).

Thanks to my "big forehead" bff, this time I welcome X'mas and New Year by de-cluttering my living space. I threw quite a bit of stuff and organized the others that I would like to keep. Though I am not a hoarder (Thank God), I can be a keeper of stuffs! It's a bad habit that I am slowly unlearning.

While embarking the journey of de-cluttering, as I squatted on my floor, opening boxes after boxes, I discovered 3 envelopes that I received from Tante Gunawan. Tante in Bahasa Indonesia means aunt - just like in French too.

Tante, that's how I love to call her, was my childhood friend's mom. My age gap with my friend is big. She was already in secondary school when I was still learning to read her magazines - Bobo. Some of her magazines were dated even before I was born. Tante and Om (her husband) doted on me. They were like another set of parents who stayed in a big classic house and spoke Dutch occasionally. In the early 90s, or so I think, we were separated. Tante and her entire family moved to Jakarta. I hardly met them since then. Almost never, even until Om passed away.

In 2006, I met Tante in Jakarta when I went back for Chinese New Year reunion with my entire big family. I insisted to meet her and I was so glad that I couldn't hold my tears and hugged her. I didn't know why. She teared too. I also didn't know why. There was just this raw emotion in us that we couldn't contain. We really didn't know why.

Then, as the busy-ness of life caught me again, I didn't keep in touch much until I received a packet of cards from MFPA (Mouth and Food Painting Artists), an organization that my parents and I have been supporting on regular basis. So I have bunch of cards but didn't know who to write them too. I thought of Tante. I wrote to her again in 2008.

I received my first reply on the 6th of August 2008. She expressed how delighted and surprised she was to receive a letter from me. I was equally delighted to receive a reply from her. Until the day she passed away in 2010, there were only 3 letters being exchanged. But these 3 precious letters, never fail to bring me to tears every time I re-read them.

What started out as a tradition of sending cards during festive seasons, turned out to be an avenue to reconnect with people from my past. What started out as cleaning out my space, turned out to to be a way to enrich my soul.

De-clutter, my new definition is to get rid of things that don't matter and to be connected to those that really do.

Wishing all of you an enriching festive season ahead. Try going back to a time in your life when someone or something has brought you joy and love. You will be surprised, they were there in our memories, just buried beneath all the recent noises of our lives. They are very much still alive.

The World of Scrubs

2011-12-13T16:14:00.001+08:00

When someone gave me this link - http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/ I thought there exists a special type of low shrubs for women. Dang! I really need to improve my vocabularies. Once I clicked on the link, I realized it refers to a type of uniforms.

The word "scrub" always reminds me to the once popular song by TLC - No Scrubs, that up until this day I still don't know what it's all about; like most songs that passed through my ears. But the melody still lingers.

Then I heard this term very often in Grey's Anatomy when those surgeons yelled,"Scrub in!" and the next thing you will see all of them rushing to save a life on the operating table. Who knows from all these medical themed TV shows, the once just a uniform, can be a fashion item to the mass. That will make quite a handsome costume and you may call yourself McDreamy, McSteamy, Doctor Yang, etc. I feel like having one too but I guess it will just become my pajama.

Jakarta - Penang - Yogyakarta - Bali - Kuala Lumpur

2011-12-03T18:17:00.001+08:00

WOW!

DD is mad! Or, was mad.
Listing those cities out as the title of this post made me realize I might have been out of my mind.

For those of you who don't know what I have been doing recently, well, those are the cities I visited in October and November! I flew so much in those 2 months than I have ever done in past 2 years!

Most of them were on impulse. I didn't use much of my brain when I decided them (hmm, I don't think I use it a lot anyway :p). Let's just say, I have been living at the safe and boring side of life that suddenly I needed to wiggle myself and do some mad travel stunts like that.

So what was I doing there? In summary (and more to come next time) I was:
- visiting my bestie and hunting for my favourite childhood food @ Jakarta
- accompanying my parents and learning about my ancestor who was an awesome man @ Penang
- learning about Buddha's teaching through artifacts and stories + made aware that my country is super awesome @ Yogyakarta
- spending my birthday with besties and finally visiting the island of non-smelling dead bodies (yup, you read it right) @ Bali
- reminding myself that I have great friends and forever grateful for such wonderful souls in my life @ Kuala Lumpur

I am not a travelling sort, normally. Very comfortable where I am. I do occasionally getaway by myself to reset my mind, thought my Bali trip is going to be that way.

But what I learn preciously on all my trips is that people (and not places and things) make travelling more meaningful. You may have seen the most beautiful thing and eaten the most delicious thing on earth, that is wonderful, but to have another living being witnesses or shares that experience with you, make it more exquisite.

I am really grateful that in all my trips, I have never once lacked of the people element. From great friends, to great tour guide. From the daughter of friend's friend to the mother of a friend. They all have made me feel enriched in a way that money can't buy.

Now I really understand fully when Suze Orman says,"People first, them money, then things." Without people, money and things will simply resemble a body without mind and soul.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T23:27:00.000+08:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Even though I don't normally celebrate it but this year, 2 besties of mine are and we have a list of items we are thankful for.

Here are my list of things that I am thankful for:
1. Having a healthy body, mind and soul
2. Having a wonderful roof over my head
3. Having awesome parents who are knowledgeable and have great sense of humour
4. Having great friends that I can turn to and there are more than 10 for sure
5. Having the chance to learn and discover a lot of my country this year
6. Being able to use the French language and strike basic conversation with strangers
7. Having a job and great bosses to work with
8. Having many blog tasks to support my charities
9. Having the ability to give tips to people who provide awesome service
10. Having the access to information online and offline
11. Living in a country that is safe, well organised and resourceful
12. Friends who love me even though I'm so selfish (One of them is still nagging about how selfish I am as I am keying this in into my Blackberry)

I believe there are more things that I am really grateful for. I would love to list them all but alas, I need to pack for my KL trip. Can't wait to meet my super wise friend who just got her own "castle" in KL. See her in few hours time.

Once again I would like to wish everyone (in French) - Bonne Action de grâce.

Never stop counting your blessings no matter how small they may appear. Sometimes, those small things have the biggest impact in life. Don't take anything for granted, start with the roof on top of your head.

If I Can Only

2011-11-22T01:23:00.000+08:00

If I can only speak two words
Let them be "Thank You"
To all the souls who have taught me how to live

If I can only move one part of my face
Let them be my lips
To smile upon the blessings which have chanced upon me

If I can only give one thing
Let them be my question
To realize that answers are there all along

If I can only feel one emotion
Let them be love
To let me know that all is supreme

Risk and Traveling

2011-11-18T17:06:00.001+08:00

Recently I have been traveling quite a lot, mostly is to discover my own country. It's so big, I guess it may take a lifetime to discover into details. With my short-term memory, it doesn't really help much either. I guess I need to make multiple trips to one place. Hah! I will write more on the experiences and realizations in the few more posts to come.

To prepare for the trip, I have purchased travel insurance quite a few times. I used to see it as a taboo product but since it has helped me last time, I will never take it for granted anymore. I will not go anywhere without my travel insurance. The amount may be quite insignificant compared to the risks one may be exposed to when one's overseas.

To me, the most crucial point when one can decide an insurance policy is useful is when one finally makes a claim on it. So far I have been very happy with the company I have been using all these while. I just learned recently that one can claim if one's flight is delayed by 6 hours. My flight back to Singapore from Yogyakarta was delayed 4 hours -_-" .... 2 more hours to be able to disturb my agent :p ... but it is not a laughing matter. I believe as long as one has arrived at the destination healthily and safely, you can't really put a price on those things.

The holiday season will soon be here, wish my dearest readers a safe and jolly holiday if you do travel somewhere. If not, still be safe and happy always! See you at the next post!

Tim Ferriss

2011-11-11T12:21:00.000+08:00

Have you heard of Tim Ferriss?

I believe some of you do. I first heard of him from my friend, Stuart Tan, who was reading Tim's best selling book - The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich. I went to buy the book, unfortunately, I didn't finish it. :p

Then, I didn't recall who he is until my friend shared an awesome post from his blog that's titled 8 Steps to Getting What You Want Without Formal Credentials. I believe everyone should read that post at least once. You may or may not agree with what he said, but I would say 80% of what he said makes sense.

Basically, in this blog post, he shared about an alternative way to combat our own laziness into thinking just because we do not have a degree in certain subject, doesn't mean we can't be a master of some sorts. He also shared about how people tend to find jobs through informal job market than formal job market and in order to do that you need to start build your credential from somewhere.

His 8 steps, which he covered really in details basically comprises of - choose something you want to learn, document/share your journey of learning, start applying what you have learned through networking and offering to work for free, find mentors, learn sales and ultimately you will be independent enough to sell and deliver your knowledge/skill to the people that you have come to know along the way.

No more excuse for saying, "but I can't do this or I can't do that" because everything is indeed learn-able. Unfortunately, even after reading this article, I still can't help but have so much angst towards Excel and Vlookup from 8 different charts. -__-"

Guess the next skill I should be learning is to meditate and calm my mind or how to be peaceful with too many excel charts. We'll see.

Oh ya, before I forget, do check out his bio page. What he has tried and what he is doing now is simply amazing. Truly, your mind and how you choose to spend your time are your only limits.

Mary's Best

2011-11-11T09:09:00.000+08:00

I appreciate the guest post, Emerson Moses

My sister has always been the more responsible one but ever since she picked up and moved to New York a few years back everyone’s been asking me if she lost her mind. I don’t really know what to tell them because she didn’t listen to me when I tried to talk her out of it but to be honest, I was a little jealous of her get up and go attitude and didn’t think it was that bad. Now she’s back home and all anyone ever wants to talk about anymore is what she did and where she’s been and I’m kind of sick of it! She asked me to help her with tvbydirect in Wayneseboro and it turned into a big fight about how I never do anything for her but to be honest, I’m just kind of tired of everything being about Mary all the time…and I told her so! We haven’t spoken since but I’m sure it will all blow over soon since we really can’t stand to be mad at each other for long.

Thank You, Readers.

2011-11-11T08:47:00.000+08:00

Dear readers

Remember when I wrote "Who Wrote Those?"

Recently I have been pretty blessed. Since then more opportunities have come by. I believe you may be able to tell the difference. :) (As I am typing this, there are more to come and I need to get to it asap. Need to lock Procrastinator D.D. for a while.)

Ever since, I was able to give back this blessings to some of the organization that's close to my heart.

Support a small business owner in Nicaragua - Candida Rosa Navarrete Rodriguez
Renewing my support in fostering Elephant Dida and Rhino Maxwell
Supporting another sister through Women for Women International name Alice Nyirabahetsi. She's my 3rd sister now.

Thank you so much for supporting me by reading my blog through whatever way you choose. Thanks for dropping by once in a while and ultimately thanks for enabling me to give back to the charity that's dear to my heart. Hope in the future I will be able to reach out to more organizations and souls.

Saving Extra Money

2011-11-08T03:04:00.000+08:00

When it comes to saving extra money, I remember a conversation I had with my boss. He taught me that there are 2 ways to do that:
1. To cut down your expenses
2. To increase your income
Common sense, isn't it?

Option #1, you can do that by budgeting, living within your means, cutting down the unnecessary spendings. But there's a limit on how much you can cut in the end. You can't keep cutting down the expenses and expect the money in the banks will grow exponentially. You can't keep sacrificing your lifestyle just because you want to save more. If you need $1k to leave comfortably, with inflation that never ends, you can expect your $1k will become $2k in times to come.

Hence, Option #2, is definitely limitless. The more you increase your income, the more you are able to save and the more you are able to spend. The trick is, how do you increase your income? Are you going to take on more jobs? Are you going to start up your own business? Are you going to invest? Are you going to freelance by doing something you are skillful in? The choices are limitless.

In this journey of life I am still walking on, I am still figuring things out for Option #2. What will you do, besides looking for job and asking for pay raise, should you want to increase your income? I am still wondering. The first step is always the most difficult but once the momentum kicks in, it should get easier like most things.

Feel free to share if you have any interesting suggestions. :)

Full Circle Moment & What Would You Do If You Have 3 Days and 3 Nights in Singapore?

2011-11-03T00:39:00.001+08:00

Life has its funny way of unfolding itself. In December 2008, I was planning a trip to Europe in 3 weeks (including 2 weeks of Visa application with lots of hope and prayers). It was all planned last minute and I seriously didn't know what to do as I am simply not an average traveler.

Luckily, I was active in Plurk and just by posting it amongst the European plurkers, one very nice French lady responded and rescued me from being deserted in Bordeaux all alone during Christmas. She invited me to be with her family in Toulouse and to spend Christmas together. 2 strangers who hardly chatted online but crazy enough to say "YES" to the experience. The rest is history and I blogged about how much I missed Paris and how I will be confident to converse with French kids! To accompany that, 1 couple from Geneva (Swiss) welcomed me to their humble home with fantastic cheese and coffee, then 1 artistic kind soul from Liège (Belgium) showered me with great food and great booze for New Year's Eve party!

Time has passed and it's now November 2011, 3 years have passed just like that! The full circle moment has arrived for one of my saviour. This time, I am able to play host to my French friend! The one who was crazy enough to invite one stranger from Asia, finally came to Singapore! It's her first trip to Asia and she made sure she would stop by Singapore. (She demanded that to the travel agent). She has 3 days and 3 nights in Little Red Dot and I am glad she maximized it to the max.

So what did my friends manage to do in such a short period of time?

Day 1
Places she attacked:
- Botanic Garden
- Tanglin Mall for lunch
- Orchard Road
- Little India
- Chinatown
- Lao Pa Sat for dinner
- Customs House for drinks

Bear in mind she walks from Orchard to Little India in a rainy day. Pretty impressive, I should say.

Food and drinks she conquered:
- Char kway teow
- Satay (chicken and beef) + Rice
- Oyster omelet
- Prata
- Tiger beer
- Ume

Day 2
Places she attacked:
- Holland Village
- Wet market (woke up too late, so it did look like dry market instead)
- Hawker center
- Arab Street
- Peranakan Museum
- Raffles City
- Raffles Hotel
- Suntec City
- Esplanade
- Merlion
- Fullerton Hotel
- Colonial District
- National Museum
- Plaza Singapura
- Newton Circus

Food and drinks she conquered:
- Chicken rice
- Nasi lemak
- Grass jelly drink
- Ice teh limau (Ice lime tea)
- Kue lupis
- Breadtalk's chicken floss
- Yakun's kaya toast, half boiled egg, kopi-o and teh-o
- Stingray
- Rojak
- Hokkien Mee
- Soursop juice

Day 3
Places she attacked:
- Singapore zoo
- Orchard road again as the weather didn't permit her to go to Sentosa (*pout*) and ended up she made Steve Jobs happy. *ehem*
- Clarke Quay
- Geylang

Food and drinks she conquered:
- Starbucks coffee that put her to sleep (oops, I'm not sure on this :p I am just imagining)
- Chili crab
- Mantou
- Turkish ice cream
- Durian

Overall, I think she has done a great job. She conquered a lot and experienced the main attractions of Singapore. What more, she has a very "authentic" Singaporean guide too besides the "fake-made-in-Indonesia" one. I hope she enjoyed her stay with my passable planning and guiding and story telling ... or more like blabbering. I am glad she enjoyed durian with its stench still lingers on our fingers as I am typing this. I am glad I am able to return the favour that her family and she have done to me in 2008. I hope one day her family too will come and let me have the privilege to show them how awesome Singapore can be (in the rain). I hope my other Internet friends who have shown me how great people are just few clicks away, will be here too one day. I am so grateful for this full circle moment that keeps expanding in its own amazing way.

Life becomes more awesome when one is able to share a piece of themselves with others.

17 December 2008 - First photo taken after our dinner on the first night I arrived in Paris

31 October 2011 - First photo taken after our dinner on her first night in Singapore
(Image courtesy of my friend's FB. Approval is pending as she's busy with her novel at the moment of this blogging)

Truth is Crap

2011-10-29T00:17:00.000+08:00

As much as people around you ask you for the truth, especially women, I, personally think they are crap.

I am a woman. I know but I think the demand for "truth" is really crap.

Tell me, honestly, have you ever told the REAL TRUTH without someone:

leaving the room
asking you to rephrase what you have just said, or
simply ignore what you were rambling about, or ultimately
after you have said (really the truth), they shut you off cause they just can't take it.

Let's be really honest.

People who want the truth are people who can't face the truth.
They think they can.
They think they bow down to the truth, but they are just living in the illusion of it.

They think the truth is all that is in this world, but seriously ... they just want to hear the truth according to their own sweet world.

Ultimately .... remember this quote ... "

Love people enough to tell them the truth and respect them enough to trust that they can handle it. - Iyanla Vanzant

More than Walls

2011-10-05T13:30:00.000+08:00

Walls.
To some, they exist to create a sense of boundaries.
To some, they can be blank pieces of canvas to be filled with works of arts.

Just 15 years ago, I used to decorate my walls in my bedroom with super tacky posters. Alright, I know "15 years" is not "just" anymore! But it does feel like yesterday .. OK. I lied. It feels like donkey years ago. The years in between must have been too awesome that the past seems so far away.

I can't believe I used to have posters of artists from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Thinking about it now makes me cringe. Hmm ... what else did I have? After I came to Singapore, I think there were some movie posters. Then, my choices evolved to some motivational pieces. One of them stuck on the common fridge now. Oops. And now I downgraded to simply a post card. This one. (And it will be so obvious why it is there once you noticed whose words they belong to .....)

Now, wall art is not just limited to wall paper and posters anymore. They are not just to decorate but it can also use to make a statement such as the following one that I adore. Spotted at Salvador Dali - Mind of A Genius Exhibition at ArtScience Museum, Singapore. Imagine putting that on your front door! :p

I wonder if I have the choice, what will I do with my wall? I think I will get one super big painting that bamboozle the mind. Frida? Too depressive. Dali? Too exciting. Or better still, I will get a very big screen then when I feel like it, I will change what is being shown. (But that's so not "green". I may die from all the invisible emissions) -_-" Bleah ...

Enough of dreaming about walls. I wonder why there's even a need for a wall. No walls. Just a splendid view of something like this will be awesome. Merci.

How about you? What will you choose to be on your wall?

PS. Images are courtesy of my not so awesome Blackberry camera.

That One Voice

2011-09-30T14:43:00.000+08:00

Hi back, blog. I have been missing for quite sometimes. What's new. The procrastination bug hits me again. The last post, not counted, as it was a homework given to me and I have to churn out something in a limited time period. So now, I am back.

I am compelled to write about voices, being a very auditory creature, I am easily influenced by anything that produce sounds. No wonder I used to score perfectly in my ABRSM aural test for level 5. It's one of the category of the test for people who learn piano and to be specific, they are testing your listening skill. The examiner will play something and you are supposed to carbon copy of what he/she is playing. This was the easiest for me (a little boastful, but true). But other than that, I simply passed cause I didn't find any excitement in learning them. To put it bluntly, I sucked at the rest! HAHA! (Note: That doesn't mean I am very good at listening. Sometimes, friends need to repeat 2-3x of what they have just said and they called m deaf too ... sigh)

Back to the present, I realized we are exposed to so many voices in a day. Phone calls, parents nags, friends' gossips, colleagues bickers, TV shows, radios, news, etc. You can't deny words that were spoken to you directly may just influence you without you knowing.

"Why can't you do things the right way?"
"Gosh, you are dumb!"
"You always spoil every single things you touch!"
"Are you sure?"
"You never think!"
"You are just not good enough."
"Geez. Don't you know?"

I believe some of them may sound familiar to you as they are too to me. As I live longer and get younger inside (:p), I realize, there's only one voice that matters - your own internal voice. That One Voice, ultimately will make you feel the way you feel, do the things you do and respond to the things you are perceiving. The whole world may tell you that you are wasting your time doing arts, but if that one voice says "NO. I LOVE THIS." guess who will win?

No matter how loud the external voices are, ultimately the voice that is inside you has the most power. What is yours saying right now? Do you like hearing it? If not, why are you letting it control your life? Wouldn't it be silly for a smart human being like us to say - "Erm, I don't know, my head voice tell me to do so." It sounds like we are the puppet and the master is the ... voice. I believe we can do better than that. I believe we can choose and select the things we want that voice to say. Though it seems like the voice may have his/her own automatic mode, ultimately, we are the controller of this gadget. May be we just need to be aware of what it's saying before we can "TSST" the voice (Cesar Milan's way) and by using our calm and assertive energy, claim back our own enriching voice.

We'd better be the one and only master of our own voice. Don't lose that right.

Image source: A funny banner that promotes crime prevention in Singapore.

Those Plastics Cards

2011-09-29T22:51:00.000+08:00

Do you remember how you felt when you first got your credit card? How did you choose your first credit card? Was it based on the perks, points, credibility of the banks? I remember clearly my very first credit card was HSBC. Why? Because at that point of time, they gave the best perks in terms of grocery shopping. HAHA! I am like a typical “aunty”. I am still not sure if I got the best deal for my grocery shopping, but I am still happy with my HSBC cards. Don’t know why. That time, we didn’t have the convenience of CreditCard Surplus where one can simply apply online and organize the cards by interest rates, best deals, gas rewards, etc. Now you can even transfer your balance to other cards simply by few clicks of the mouse. See what technology can do to our lives. The danger of such convenience though, people can simply put off their payments, let it roll over and accumulate it as one big chunk of debt. The banks love such customers, of course. The interests in late payments part of their bonus.

When it comes to credit card debts, I still strongly believe in the traditional way of dealing with it. Have none at all. Do you know the interest rate can be up to 24%? For every $10 you owe, you need to pay $2.40 in interest. That’s just madness. If you can’t afford the thing in the first place, don’t buy it. You don’t need to depend on the bank’s money to show the world you own something. Ultimately, it’s still not yours unless it’s fully paid. No matter what credit card you are using, ultimately you should be the ultimate master of your spending. Never ever let your financial well being to be controlled by those plastics. No wonder there’s a saying that “Cash is King” and we will never hear about credit card in the same way.

Staying at Home

2011-09-06T00:00:00.000+08:00

Guest post written by Kevin Beach

Being a stay at home mom is tough work but one of the things I find hardest is that I feel like my husband gets to make all the big life decisions. For example, when his company offered him a transfer to Texas he took it even though it wasn’t the best for me and the kids at the moment but I guess that’s how it goes when you’re not the breadwinner. On the flip side, we really like Texas and the kids are having a great time getting to know all the new people so that’s an unexpected bonus. I went to http://TEXASELECTRICITYPROVIDERS.com when we first got here to find out more about deregulated energy which I knew nothing about and it’s been a big change getting used to all the tax laws here. The weather is hot and the people are loud but other than that I can see us in Texas for a really long time, that is, if my husband doesn’t up and move us again anytime soon!

Thank You for Letting be Your "Anyhow" Teacher

2011-09-02T15:22:00.000+08:00

This post may come a little bit too late but I would like to wish Happy Teachers' Day to those who teach in the traditional manners and to those who don't. I dedicate this post instead to my ex-students who still bother to see me as a teacher!

I used to be a teacher for a super duper short time ... so short that even with one hand, you can count the number of months I really taught. And if you scrutinize further the hours I did teach ... it was so measly that I wonder did I really deserve to be called a teacher?

Nevertheless, until today, I keep in touch with 2 precious students of mine. Both, cutely, used to be childhood best friends. One (Ms. Ding Dong) wished me over FB - an award winning media student, the other one (Aunty Cheng) sent me a Whatsapp message and currently is pursuing her career as a teacher, she's quite a sought-after tuition teacher herself.

Though honestly, academically I taught them NOTHING as I myself didn't know what I was teaching about. Don't ask me anything about Chemistry and Mathematics. There's a reason why I scored only A in the subject called - Tao of Action Learning. I am grateful enough to have their friendships. One helps me update all kind of perks, deals and latest gossips in town. One helps me to hunt down things from Paris then wrote me a postcard and said "Paris nice meh?". Geez ... tell me who's the lucky one here? I am.

Thank you, for letting me be your "teacher". Even 7 years have passed, you both are no longer in that yellow/blue uniforms, it's a miracle we still maintain our friendships. Here's to more years to come and by then I believe I will still look as young as you both! HUMF!

Love you all!

17th October 2005 - Celebrating Lonceng Ding Dong's birthday

8th December 2008 - Catching Up with Aunty Cheng @ Ya Kun

First Completed Fiction Homework

2011-08-19T21:20:00.001+08:00

Finally, after weeks of taking a course in fiction writing, I am able to complete and show something!!!!!!! Fiction is so not my cup of tea, but thanks to this course, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and just whipped something up.

This particular exercise was to write in the "you" form. Meaning, the reader must become one of the character of the story. Not as first person, not as the observer either. The reader, you, will need to participate in it, sort of.

I hope you will enjoy my first and more worthy attempt into the world of fiction writing. Not sure if there will be more to come or not, we will see. No title has been given as I don't know what go name it. Any suggestion? Hmmm.....

........

Hello. You are new around here, aren't you? So, I heard. I will be your guide until you are ready to be on your own. Let's start your journey.

You see, we lead a very interesting life. Not too long but not too short either. Make use of what you can, okay?

First we need to look for food. That's quite easy nowadays. Especially at Mrs. Deneuve. Turn to your right! There! The house in green with picket fences. She always holds great parties. At least twice a week. Sometimes i wonder who she's trying to impress. Her husband has a mistress, at the other side of the city, who's so much younger and hotter than her. How do I know? Mr. Deneuve does bring her home when the madame is not around.

Yes, she knows. She knows it all. But she still lives with him, feeds him, clothes him, takes care of his children, knowing his heart is no longer there. I will never understand such relationship, will you? Thank God we are much simpler creatures with less dramas and demands. Maybe that's also why The One Up There didn't give us much to live for too. Hmm ...

Oh! Sorry. My thought was drifting away.

Thanks for the reminder. You can find food every Thursday and Sunday. Normally, it's in the morning. The helper will come out with a few trash bags of really good treasures. Lots of meat and eggs. Our favourites! They always waste lots of food. Good for us.

Next, you choose. Which one do you want to know?

The grey house? Bad choice! Haha. It's okay. You are still new. You will learn in few hours. Not much time to waste.

A single lady lives by herself in that house. As far as I know, she doesnt hold any party like Mrs. Deneuve. She lives a very quiet and disciplined life. I wonder what she does for a living. She wakes up really early, 5AM sometimes. Then she drives off at 6 to who knows where. She comes back around 9-10PM and she will have her dinner with almost zero waste. Hence, it's no fun to go to her house unless you want to meditate. Feel free to hover but I think you will be noticed pretty quickly and life will not be fun.

Let's take a break!

Here, under the shade. Nobody will notice us, I hope. We blend quite well with the colour of the wall, don't we? How are you feeling so far? Are you ready to be on your own? Don't worry. You will survive. All of us do too, eventually. We need to live and to survive at every moment. Be alert. You wouldn't know what hits you. I mean it. I have escaped a few whacks here and there. Look at me. I'm still here with you. My wings may not be pretty as before but they serve me well.

I wish I could show you more, my new friend. But I think my time has come. May be yours too in few weeks time. We will never know. Just keep flying and remain alert at all times. Be observant and enjoy all the human dramas that we won't see much in our world. We are too busy searching for waste those humans leave behind. I bet they secretly envy what we can do too. We are not just pests but observers of lives.

Image courtesy of my own album taken in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 08 April 2011

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Most Memorable Corporate Gift

2011-07-29T10:45:00.000+08:00

Long gone the time when you want to a personalize gifts, you have to crack your head, look through yellow pages and meet up with the sales person to choose what you want. With internet now, everything has become so easy and efficient. It's amazing.

You are so spoilt for choices that you can choose what kind of categories you are interested in. To name a few:
- Apparels
- Bags and Totes
- Calendars
- Drinkware
- Pen and Writing
- Tradeshows and Events
- Keychains
- Sports
- Etc

Now, there are even companies who dare to claim that they are the lowest price with satisfaction guaranteed. They do all kind of custom notepads, I don't even know there's such term as top note pads. Geez. Then again, you can always use a very "green" type of notepad on your mobile phone or iPad.

Speaking of corporate gift. What was one of your best or most creative experience you have ever received from an event or a company? I am scratching my head now to think. And looking around me, I realize, not many of the corporate gifts are being utilized by me. Not even a mug!

But recently I went to an event called - Hubalicious Food Adventures with Dan Segall. It's a live cooking and eating event with celebrity chef Dan Segall, organized by Starhub Cable TV / Food Network Asia and Beringer Wine. You can view some of the photos from this event here. At the end of the night, each of us has a goodie bag. That was a nice surprised. We get a set of black and white kitchen wares such as salt and pepper, oil and vinegar set in black and transparent colour. That was awesome. By far it's one of the nicely presented gift ever. Though I have no use of them now, but I will sure remember them :)

Wonder what kind of corporate gift do leave an impact with all of you? Hmm ...

(Sorry for the bad quality photo. It's taken with my Blackberry. One of the lousiest phone camera ever.)

I Think I Can Die Now

2011-07-28T08:36:00.000+08:00

HA!

You think it's going to be a morbid post? It's not. Don't worry. I'm not depressive or anything.

Just that at this moment of my life, I feel like a ball of happiness. So happy. So contented. So fulfilled that I can just die now.

Sometimes I really wonder why am I not dead yet? Why can't I just go happy like this? What's there for me to do ah ....? I wonder and I wonder ...

Let's see how long the wondering will go.

Guess there's something really not finished for me yet here ... Hmm ... I hope I will find it and finish it and still leave this world as one chunky ball of pure happiness.

On verra. (We'll see)

I hope you will have a chunky ball of happiness inside you too.

I greet each day with optimism and joy. I am a bundle of joy, and people love to see me. It is such an exciting time to be alive! - Louise L. Hay

Have You Seen Blue Rice Before?

2011-07-22T00:45:00.000+08:00

Look at it.
It's so beautiful, isn't it?
Well to some, it may be a scary sight.
Blue/purplish rice?
Hell yeah!
It smells of lemon grass too.
Heavenly!

Don't ask me what it's made of but I know for sure it's all natural :)

It was supposed to be a business meeting but it turned out to be one of the best, authentic and non-MSG-ish peranakan food I have ever tasted. Plus a few life lessons shared. The whole experience was simply awesome.

The owner, Mr. Philip Khoo, is one of the rare passionate man I've ever seen. Passionate about his food, his culture, his heritage, his history, his recipes, his customers and his life. He lives with total and utmost passion. I have never really seen someone who is like him, except on TV or movies. He really breathes, lives and speaks Peranakan.

I love his sharing of each and every dish where each and every ingredients seem to play a very important part. I love his story on the very rich Peranakan culture, being and living as one, his mission in life is really to make sure the Peranakan food will not be forgotten and will be accessible to everyone. He said, Peranakan is not as subtle as French food, may be because their taste buds are numb (jokingly). Hence, Peranakan food is so rich and full of flavour that when you eat it, you simply can't miss the richness in its culture.

One of the most memorable story he shared is about 2 types of wealthy customers:
1. The one who are comfortable being who they are
2. The one who are not and whose egos demand for every attention they can get

Type 1, surprisingly he said, can be one of the best customer ever. Even if they have constructive criticism, they will try to let you know in a sensitive manner that will not hurt your feeling. Then when they reveal who they are, you will be shocked to death that they either hold a very high position in a company. Or the owner of some super famous establishments.

Type 2, however, to prove that they have all the power, to shout for attention, validation and acknowledgment; will make the biggest noise when something is not right. They are trying to match how they act with what they drive sometimes. "See, I am the boss. I drive a BMW. Treat me like a boss."

Being comfortable with who we are and not attached to any titles, material possessions, status, are not something that is easy to do especially in this ego-driven world. His sharing really reminded me of a phrase in Bahasa Indonesia:

"Seperti buah padi, makin berisi, makin berunduk."
Just like grains of rice, the more full they are, the lower they will bow.
Be humble.

Being a 1/4 Peranakan myself (I think! My grandma told me. So, I will take it that I have a little bittttttt of the Peranakan blood), I feel honoured to be in the presence of Mr. Khoo. Really hope his mission in life can be realized.

If you have the chance, and you love the robust and vibrant flavours in each and every ingredient, try the Peranakan food at address below. I swear I will be there again. :)

Baba King Nonya Deli
@ Changi Business Park
1 Changi Business Park Crescent
#01-22 Plaza 8
Singapore 486025

Tel. (65) 6587 3128
Website. www.BabaKing.com.sg

What Are You Allowing?

2011-07-13T15:18:00.001+08:00

“Whatever you focus on expands.” – Christopher M. Knight

I believe somehow, somewhere, you must have heard about the quote before. It's one of the most common passing remarks. If you haven't heard it yet, that means you are not into self-help books or you haven't been surrounded by personal development junkies (like I used to be. Yes, I'm and "secretly" quite geeky that way).

In the self-help world, that quote is like a mantra. It's so common that people know it but they tend to take it for granted. Just like me. I know the phrase. I understand it. But so what? I don't really "apply" it. The realization comes so much later.

You see, the quote is simple it simply means whatever you focus on, will be bigger and more. For example, if you think you are ugly, you most probably will be and the more you look at yourself in the mirror in the future, the more you will feel ugly no matter what the whole world say. Because that's your focus. Your choice. It will expand.

The same thing applies on a more positive thought, such as,"I think I will meet nice people because I am nice." As naive as this sound, it works for me. I met nice uncles, aunties, contractors, students, strangers, etc. And it expanded by showing me even in other countries such as France, Belgium and Swiss, I found very nice people. I found them through the internet and voila ... I spent X'mas and New Year with them. Is it magic?

Hope you get the gist of this quote. If you don't believe, it's okay. It's your choice. It's not a theory that has to be proven right. I'm not here to do so too. But why I bring this up is because recently I notice something more interesting from this "theory" that allows me to modify the quote a little bit. My realization taught me the following:

"Whatever you allow to be focused on, expands."

Not much different, I know. And I am not trying to be funny to create a quote of my own. (Though a kind friend of mine on FB, Miss. I.S. did manifest that for me, but sorry, not yet :p). What I realize is from a conversation I had with my friend - or more like - a non-conversation. Let me know if I stray but this was my experience.

I was chatting with a friend and at one point I was ranting about a negative event that happened on that day. Normally, if someone did that to me, won't it be natural to ask,"what happened?" But this friend of mine, didn't. If there were cicadas, you should be able to hear them in the background. Mine was an imaginary cicadas serenading this gap in my non-conversational conversation.

"That was odd", I thought.
"Will I get a new question to deflect the awkwardness?"
"Should I ask the next question?"
"Should I demand for attention?"
"What should I do?"
"This feels weird."

Then my mind went silent.
Really silent for a few minutes.
A few minutes in my noisy mind felt like an eternity.

That's when I realize. Whether my friend did it on purpose or not, she taught me one of the most powerful lesson to be learned - whatever you allow to be focused on, will expand.

The words "whatever you focus on" never specify on the "who". It can be the speaker/the doer or the listener/the observer. Both sides have the power to choose on what to focus on next. By not allowing the negative conversation to progress further, the negative sentences will not breed into a full blown fairy tale. That realization, woke me up. I carry it with me all the time and pledge to be more aware of what I allow to be focused on.

So, what are you allowing now?

For now, I shall allow this cute cow - a photo I took when I was in Reims, France (28 December 2008) to penetrate my mind with a little bit of yummy silliness. *Slurping my cereal drink and smiling away*

Donna, What About Your Purpose in Life?

2011-07-09T01:57:00.000+08:00

Recently, I posted something stupid on my facebook? Eh hold on -_-" I posted my previous blog post on my facebook. That's not too silly, isn't it? Anyway, I posted it and a friend of mine who had a great memory of my "silly questions" asked me,"What about your purpose in life?"

I used to "irritate" most of my close friends with the question - What is your purpose in life? If money is not a problem, what would you do? They will give me a stare, pondered a little then answer. This friend of mine, however, was in a same boat as me. We are both still searching, I guess. The conversation went something like this:

DD: What is your purpose in life?
My funny friend: Don't know yet.
(Few days later)
My funny friend: I know how you can know your purpose in life already.
DD: Really? How?
My funny friend: Google it!
DD: -__________________________________-"

Though I almost fell of my chair when I read that, I did google it! Haha. I found Steve Pavlina's article is insightful as usual. I didn't read it. But the tab has always been open on my browser ever since and I continued living my life.

Can't believe one month has passed since then and apparently, I have not been losing sleep thinking about my purpose in life. I was too busy living my life. Literally. (Though some of my close friends don't agree with this statement.)

Believe it or not, I have one of the best 1 month ever. I have many new friends, many new experiences, connected with many old friends and even went to Beer Fest with one though we haven't met since university time, signed up to a new course, loving French even more, etc. For the first time I remember how it feels to truly live and breathe again. 90% of my breathing and non-sleeping moment, I feel alive. I feel grateful and blessed in every way.

Did anything change? Hmm ... not really but if I have to pinpoint on two things:
- I am more grateful with what I have
- I keep asking questions even though answers may not come immediately

You see, I still don't know what my purpose in life. And shitty events still pop out of no where. At times I could just flaunt my "French" in Hokkien that I didn't even accompany it with
"pardon my _______" to end the sentence. But one of the question I used to ask, I know how to answer it now. That feels really good. That makes a difference.

Question:
If money is not a problem, what would you do?

Answer:
If money is in abundance, I will spend as much quality time as possible with my friends. As I am someone who loves 1-to-1 interaction with people, that's when the quality of the conversation heightened, I will meet 2-3 different people a day and have a super quality time with them. I will travel if I need to and do this 5x a week. The last 2 days of the way, I reserve it for myself and my family.

I will learn from my friends and listen attentively as each words they say may be the next wisdom yet to be discovered. But I do have friends that function well as a group, we will go to a country of our dream and simply have a great "bitching with quality" time.

If money is not a problem, I would really love to visit the following countries on a regular basis just because my friends who live there easily triumph all the monuments that has ever been built.
- USA
- France
- Germany
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- UK
- Australia
- Canada
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- China
- Hong Kong

However, back to my friend's question - Donna, What about your purpose in life?
My answer to her was,"Still googling."

When I know it, my friend, my mouth that moves like that of goldfish, will definitely tell you about it. Meanwhile, I am going to choose to breathe as one wise man used to say:

"Choose to inhale; do not breathe simply to exist. That's not always easy but it is always worthy." - Final sentences of Mattie Stepanek on his dying bed.

Image courtesy of my own album taken in Toulouse, France 24th December 2008

What Would You Do When You Feel Helpless?

2011-07-07T01:16:00.000+08:00

I have been very happy and upbeat these few weeks. Lots of ideas on what to write, just didn't manage to continue with it. Then suddenly, a sudden storm struck without warning to someone who's very dear to me. That's when I realize, damn, I am an emotional person. I am wrecked. I am not as cool as I think! -____-"

Suddenly a surge of helplessness takes over my body and mind, but my soul knows this too shall pass even though the battle seems really ugly. I am slowly back to a more neutral ground and hope the Universe will somehow work this one out.

Helplessness to such degree, I have never felt before. It feels awful. I wish I could do more. But I know, I can't do much.

Instead, I can BE more. I can choose:

to be stronger
to be calmer
to be more objective
to be wiser
to be fearless
to be positive, and finally
to be free

I allow myself to sulk and sigh for one day and it is enough. It is draining and I wouldn't want it to has its own ripple effects. Life has to go on and lessons have to be learned and one needs to let go of one has no control of. I choose to be more than what the circumstances present and I hope, no matter how helpless your situation may seem, you will always have one thing to do - to choose who you want to be next.

Image courtesy of my own album taken in Paris, France 19th December 2008 @ Musée Rodin

This month, I celebrate my own independence. I choose to be free of all negativity, anger, fear, insecurities, jealousies--and any thought that makes me feel "less than." I no longer choose to live in the prison of my mind. I choose thoughts of love, joy, prosperity, and unlimited creativity and opportunities. - Louise L. Hay

Perfect Films Evertime On Demand

2011-06-28T23:10:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Erich Emerson

Since I can remember I have loved to watch movies. I love thrillers even though they scare me, I like romantic comedies even if I cry at the end, and I really love comedies because they are a way to escape normal life even if only for 90 minutes or so. I watch all the new movies on video on demand whilst watching http://www.direct.tv. The choices for cheap movies is seemingly endless and will keep me entertained for hours at a time. I loved watching Red, the new movie with Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman. Morgan Freeman's voice I have always thought to be sexy but he is a bit to old for me. Bruce Willis used to be my ex-boyfriends hero and secretly he was also mine, but I would never admit that to him as he was always the jealous type.

Another good movie I watched the other night was Take. It was fast and furious and was based around a group of bank robbers who constantly were one step ahead of the police. Mat Dillon was perfect for the part with his square chin and school boy looks to charm the girls watching it. Apparently Paul Walker was also in the film but I have no idea who he is and if he is famous or not.

Who Wrote Those?

2011-06-27T17:50:00.000+08:00

Dear Readers

Dropping you a short note to clarify certain posts that you have seen or may see in the future. Sometimes, I do accept tasks and reviews to be posted on my blog. They can be reviews or simply a blog post to be parked on my blog. Unfortunately, due to the requirements from the provider, some of the posts look like it's written by me even though it's 100% a guest's post. So, don't be shocked if you see something that's suddenly so out-of-nowhere and wondering what's happening to me. That's probably, not mine :p But I gotta do it. It supports me in donating to a few charitable organizations :) One elephant and one rhino and possible to support another girl somewhere in other parts of the world. Will write more about them if I have the chance.

Hope you don't mind the occasional "visits" from others.

Thanks for still staying tune to my humble blog. :)

How Was "THE" French Class? - L'atelier des vins et de la gastronomie française

2011-06-22T01:05:00.000+08:00

So ... she asked.
"Any feedback?"
"What do you think of the class?"
"Anything we can add and change?"

*Silence*

Seriously, I don't know how to answer those questions in French. Compared to most of my classmates, I am not only the youngest but the poorest with French vocabularies ever. Most of them either speak fluent French or have at least taken French course for minimum of 5 years. Me ... not even 2 years and even DARED to take a break for 1+ years. -__-"

I could understand 60-70% of the words but to respond to them, that's another realm.

"L'atelier des vins et de la gastronomie française" means French wines and food workshop. I registered myself to the class simply because there's the word WINE in it! I was even willing to pay a premium for it.

You think I'm a miser, right? Sometimes I am .... I brought my voucher to the counter and the aunty said,"you cannot use this voucher for this class ler ..." Then I replied,"Oh! Issit?" (Thinking for a few seconds and ...) "Ok lah ... I want this class.", I decided. The rest is history.

First day of the class was so intimidating! "WTF!" I was shouting so loud in my mind. Not only I was the youngest, littlest and lousiest with my speaking French! Most of them know their terroir, food, wines, Michelin chefs, map of France, .... I know RIEN (nothing)! Some can even recite the experience they have had with the Louis Vuitton of desserts, restaurants, etc .... I stared in amazement accompanied with my fit flop and chewing gum.

That was exactly 7 weeks ago :) Nothing changes, of course. I am still the youngest, smallest, and lousiest with my speaking French. I love Hokkien when combined with French and I still love to wear my FitFlops despite how horrendous the fashionista may think.

However, the invisible networks of friendships have evolved. One decision that I made 7 weeks ago has opened me up to a beautiful perspective towards world that I will never imagine I will be a witness of. Edith Piaf will say,"Je ne regrette rien (I regret nothing)."

What a wonderful classmates I have! To name a few:

A perfectionist baker
A happy and resourceful chef
The "nose"
The rescuer of the furry ones
The one who shields us all
The wine expert
The "enlightened" Frenchie

"What do you think of the class?"
I think, it's fantastic.

Not because of the syllabus, the materials. But the passion of the teacher and fellow students. The moments they have weaved together through sharing their stories. And ultimately, the stories they will tell when they are asked by others.

"What do you think of the class?"
I think the class is like life. You may pay an expensive price for something that you don't even know what to expect. You went in with an open mind and open heart. You have no calculative ROI (Return of Investment). And you get out with an everlasting experience. It is something that words can't decipher and money can't really comprehend.

Ultimately, I am thankful for the experience. I am thankful for the kind souls I have encountered that I will be in touch dearly (provided they feed me with food, desserts and wines!). I learn so much from all of you that I would want to learn more. I have been fortunate and honoured to be at the presence of all of you. Hope these friendships, intertwined with the love of food, wines and desserts, will form a beautiful chapters in our lives.

Merci beaucoup, tout le monde! :)

PS. Photos of all the wines have been chosen because I respect the privacy of my classmates and let them be eternalized by these bottles always! HAHA (*what a crap I am writing, man*!)

The Manipulative Golden Goose and Its Price

2011-06-20T16:20:00.000+08:00

Imagine.

You are a farmer. Goose farmer to be exact.
In total you have 25 geese. Some lay more eggs than the other.
Following the 80/20 Pareto principle, only the top 5 geese produce 80% of the eggs that in turn can buy you more stuff. Then, out of the top 5 geese, apply 80/20 rule again, you have 1 special goose. Her presence may make or break your farm to as much as 20-30% of your overall egg production. That's quite significant, isn't it?

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect. It comes with a price.

The golden goose can't get along with other geese unless she gave birth to those geese. Which eventually they will also suffer in silence but enjoying the "perks" along the way till they can't stand it anymore.
The golden goose will kill off any other geese that she deems incapable.
The golden goose has a very sensitive nature that you have to watch out for your words as she may break down and cry and traumatize not only other geese, but you, the owner of the geese.
The golden goose is power crazy and a control freak. When you don't give her enough attention, she will "HONK HONK HONK" and scare the shit out of you.
The golden goose is manipulative to everyone. Everything is a war zone to her.
The golden goose is a very insecure and paranoid being. She keeps thinking others geese may want to eat her up. (Though in actual fact, other geese are too busy with their own food)
The golden goose will plot her way to get rid of any beings that come in between her and the farmers even though it's just a farm dog.

There you go. You have a pretty well to do farm. However, life is not always pleasant in there. Dealing with the maniac golden goose sometimes may take a toll on your brain cell. But life still needs to go on. In the world of the survival of the fittest, you do what it takes to make sure your eggs production will continue to grow. You know the battle is half won with your golden goose by your side.

However, one day, the golden goose felt tired from all the hallucinations that seemed real. She called it quit. You were horrified. You fed her 55% more and you even enthroned her as queen goose. She was happy. For a while. Until she realized her reign is limited. She wants more. She demands other geese to bow down to her. Call her queen everyday. Is she satisfied now? Nope. There's still the farm dog who has nothing to do with the eggs production but still the dog is closer to the farmers. The golden goose is plotting her way to get rid of the dog. That's her next goal in life.

You take a step back from your owner's hat and look at the whole situation. Do you really own the golden goose? Or she owns you?

If you are the farmer, what would you do? Will you cut the goose loose? If $ is your goal, this goose is a keeper. No matter how much unrest and turmoil it may cause towards other geese. You don't really care. In the end, the money in the pocket speaks louder than the tranquility of your farm.

In the end, it depends on yourself. If you are new to such farm, under such farmers, will you be playing the game or stand aside and slowly lose your presence? If you do play the game, will you fight back, stay away or wait till a better farm comes along and hop on. The choice is in your hand.

Life sometimes does throw you shit. (Pardon my "french", can't help it!) And it's up to you how to deal with it. In the end, your life, your moves. No matter how many advisors are there to back you up, the final call is on your hand. Life is magnanimous though, if you make the wrong move. The most, pick a new farm and farmer and play a different set of game. Who knows you learn so much that you are able to be the enlightened golden goose instead.

Image courtesy of http://forum.c-rpg.net/index.php?topic=33.0

The Gift That Gives to the Givers

2011-06-06T21:47:00.000+08:00

Two weeks ago, my friend whom I knew from one of the earlier French class I attended, invited a group of us for her 10th year anniversary. In my life, I have only heard of such event in movies but never really participated in any. I almost went to a panic mode when a dress code was announced, my wardrobe looks more suitable for going to the market than any of such big event. No wonder I never really like to go to wedding. The dress code scares me!

But she's a very special friend of mine. I call her "ma tante" (means my aunty in French). She doesn't look like any typical aunty though she may shop like one but she looks like a "hot" momma! In our group of 10 ladies who love French things (and some - like me - took it to the extreme by carrying piece of Eiffel everywhere), ma tante has always been the mother figure to everyone. She's selfless and being the Type A personality, always makes sure things are well thought and planned for.

So, when such monumental event was being announced, I seriously wonder deeply what gift would be appropriate? Clueless, really. Not to mention, she has warned a lot of times, not to give her anything as she doesn't need anything in life. Just be there and enjoy the moment. But how can that be possible!

I thought, what else could be better than to find a gift that gives more. So I asked her, will it be okay if I donate to a charity of her choice. She was very supportive to the idea and asked me to check out www.ForJuliana.org, the fiance of one of the most touching story on American Idol 2011 contestant, Chris Medina. If you haven't heard about him, please do. Check out the following videos:
- American Idol audition
- His single "What Are Words"

In short, Chris and Juliana were supposed to get married but a tragic car accident wrecked their dreams away just 2 months prior to the wedding. However, he chose to stay by her side and mentioned these few precious words that has become the inspiration of his single - “What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most.”

Once hearing my plan, the rest of Les Frenchies girls were on board with me and together we donated through Laurus Foundation and everyone was delighted. Secretly though, I was not that satisfied. Ma tante deserves more than this, I thought. So, I bombarded the email of the Executive Director of the Foundation, Chris Medina's FB and Chris Medina's official website. When you ask, you do receive.

The morning of the event, I received the most wonderful email from Juliana's mom - Janet, who told me that Chris thought it would be more personal to handwrite a letter to ma tante. Thanks to my friend's office printer too, we managed to pull things through and the result is as seen below.

As much as one may see it is a touching and thoughtful gift. But to me personally, the whole experience, has given me the most meaning. Sure, the destination was worth it :) but the journey to get there, the kind souls who have taken the extra miles in making sure ma tante was surprised = Priceless.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following kind souls with the equal order of importance and significance:

Jim Dolan, the Executive Director of Laurus Foundation - Thanks for passing the message to Chris. I hope your foundation will be able to reach the goal to help Juliana.
Janet, Juliana's mom - Thanks for taking the time to write to me and making sure it pulls through not only in time but in such a beautiful manner. Wish Juliana a steady recovery. With so much love and prayers from all over the world, it is just about the timing, Juliana will be okay again :)
Chris Medina - Thanks for taking the time to send us the handwritten letter. You are indeed a rare soul who chose to stand by your partner in times of need. Your story will be an inspiration to many people. Wish you all the best in your singing career.
Ma tante - For being such a loving figure. Your selflessness is something that is so rare that not only your family is lucky to have you but we are so privileged to have known you.
M.Y. - For taking the risk to go back to her office to get the letter printed.
Les Frenchies - For supporting me in this idea and put Singapore on the map in supporting Juliana :) You girls are DIAMONDS! (They love their blings too much ...)
The Emcee of the night - For the beautiful suggestion and convincing me to read it out to ma tante as if Chris was there reading it to her. Though I need lots of drinks before that, but it was a once in a lifetime moment and it was an honour.
Oprah - *WHAT* Haha ... well, so that I'm able to say these words. "So this is how Oprah feels." Through her shows, the most meaningful moment was when people were touched not by the material things but by gifts with thoughts and meaning. This is truly an A-HA moment for me.
Unseen forces of life - For giving me the instinct and inspiration to something that is so meaningful. For bringing me to the people that can make all these happen.
My readers - Thank you for still reading up to this point. :) Your silent attention has been one of the driving force for me to stay creative in all areas of my life.

I have learned through this experience that the true gift in life is not only the joy we see in the eyes of the recipients but also the fulfilling effect to the giver. Giving is the gift that gives to the givers. Hope you will be compelled to give in whatever ways you choose to.

If you would like to support Juliana Recovery Fund, you may do so with the widget at the end of this post. Thank you so much for your time and attention.

What Kind of Relationship Do You Have With Money?

2011-05-22T21:53:00.001+08:00

Silly question, you must think. Because before this weekend, I have never thought that I am having a relationship with money. Eh wait, not true. I did hear this phrase before, from my "momma" Oprah. She didn't pose the question but she briefly mentioned in one of her show that from the early age, she has always had a good relationship with money.

That sentence stuck on my head with more questions for almost a week. What does she mean by that? Do I have a good relationship with money?

Then, on Friday, one of the speaker from National Achievers Congress 2011 in Singapore - Kerwin Rae, a joint venture expert who loves to sky dive nude; posed this question - what kind of relationship do you have with money? Do you talk to your money? Do you tell your money about your goals and dreams? I seriously thought he had lost it or I have lost my mind to not understand him.

He continued by giving me one of the best analogy that to this date is a profound realization. He said imagine money is your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend or even your best friend. As money is just a thing and by nature it is abundant and available, it has a positive vibe.

If you have the negative vibe by always being needy, always wanting the attention from money, always think money is "lacking"; soon or later, just like any relationships between human beings, one of them will leave as they can't stand the insecurity that the partner exudes.

I tried my best to depict the analogy with a doodle but I think I did a horrible job but still decide to show it off anyway. :p

Now, I understand better what Oprah was saying. She has never come from the place of lack, as her conviction is strong with The One who provides, she has never worried. As for Kerwin Rae, he has lost all his money 2x in his life but each time he bounced back, he had more than before. Not sure if believes in higher power or not but in my observation it is because he knows he can always get more money by doing more joint ventures and cutting some deals. He just needed to make sure he kept on learning and not to fall back to his previous mistake.

The theory sounds easy indeed. One needs to come from a place of abundance in order to be abundant. But in practice, like any relationships, it takes time. Being aware that one needs to change is a huge step to begin with. Next, is to move forward and be committed to the change. If it works out, the relationship will flourish and create a win-win situation. If it doesn't, the relationship falls apart and some may end up with ugly break-ups/divorces. Or, if one chooses to not have any relationship at all with money, nothing is wrong with that too. Life is after all filled with a series of choices after another.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What Can I Get Used To?

2011-05-22T01:00:00.001+08:00

There is something about hotel rooms that I love. Sitting in this room with the to-die-for view on the 38th floor of Marina Bay Sands, makes me miss doing what I used to do with myself.

I am well known (among a few close friends) to be able to just book a hotel room for one night with no one else but myself. It was a ritual.

I love the tranquility. The availability. The amenities and most importantly, the silence and disconnected-ness.

I haven't been doing it for a while now and I think I should be doing it real soon. Life has been full of "stuffs" and "distractions" that I haven't been in touch with my inner self.

It may sound non-sensical and selfish to you. If so, you don't know me well yet. But to those who get what I just said, thank you for getting it and for accepting the way I am.

Looking out the window, I think to myself, I can get used to this. Full length window with the best view of Singapore. The serenity and awesomeness they provide are priceless. I am grateful to be where I am now by being who I am. And I am really thankful to the people who have made this possible. Even though at this moment my view is accompanied by an orchestra of snores, they are still magnificent.

Looking forward to more breathtaking views to come for the rest of my life. And even more looking forward to share my experiences with you, my beloved readers.

Hope you enjoy what I'm seeing now as much as I do.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Legacy Effect - National Achievers Congress 2011

2011-05-20T11:48:00.001+08:00

Thanks to my friend and mentor, Dennis Ng, I have the chance to attend the National Achievers Congress 2011 at Singapore Expo.

The first speaker was Adam Ginsberg (speaker and trainer on making money online using eBay, Amazon, etc). And as I am typing now, the second one is some forex trader - Greg Secker, which I am not really interested so I'd rather blog what I have learned from the first speaker.

Two of the important messages by Adam were:
1. I matter
2. What kind of legacy would you want to leave after you die?

I thought it was funny that an Internet entrepreneur was sharing about legacy. But then I understand, he just wrote a book that has not sold yet in the market which he was generous enough to give everyone in the room a copy. Voila, mine as shown in the photo.

Grateful. That's how I am feeling right now.

So, what else do I learn from this generous author?

1. It is possible.
Quite straight forward. Whatever you think or not is possible. A motivational start to my sleepy morning.

2. What you talk about, happens. If you don't want it to happen, don't talk about it.
This is my most favourite quote or lesson ever. Give it a thought, cause I will try to internalize it every day. I hope you will see some profound truth in it.

3. When you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them.
Quite similar to lesson #2. If one keeps complaining about their shortcomings, when will they ever improved? They have no time to think about solutions or to move forward because they are addicted to the attention they get by blabbering about what they can't do something.

4. In life, you may have the most grandiose goals and dreams. But unexpected things may happen that caught you off guard.
Life, as fragile as it seems already, may throw you some challenges here and there when you don't expect them. For example, a few years back in late August (can't remember the exact year), Adam was talking to his mom in the morning. His mom looked a bit tired so he asked her to rest and take it easy. The mom said okay. He said,"I love you, mom." and his mom replied,"I love you too." 3 hours later his father called and told him that his mom has passed away.

Now I understand what he meant when he said,"Today is the last day of my lasting legacy."

Because every breathing and heart-beating moment, you are creating a legacy. Whether your legacy will be remembered and provide certain value; they are really up to you. This sure gets me thinking.

On random note, sharing a snapshot with my not so good phone camera of Mr. Incredible Hulk - Lou Ferrigno who made a short appearance for today.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Belle du Berry & David Lewis in Singapore

2011-05-18T19:36:00.000+08:00

Alliance Francaise de Singapour was proud to present French Groove event and one of the memorable guest who closed the series was A Concert by Belle du Berry & David Lewis (Saturday, 14 May 2011 - @ 7.30PM) presenting most songs from the album, Quizz. I am truly honoured to be part of that experience. Thanks to my ex-French classmate who is always in the know of interesting things, I was present for one of the most enlightening experience in my life.

When I found out about them, I did a little bit of homework before the concert by visiting their youtube videos. But seriously, none of the videos did justice to the real experience of simply being there and be lost with the experience. Though most of the time I have trouble understanding the lyrics (I bet they are great too), but the music and the musicians did my confusion justice. I was automatically transported to an imaginary land where everything is cryptic and hypnotic.

Belle du Berry - singer, song writer and also accordion player, has proven that she has more talent than just those 3 areas. She has her charm or some kind of "law of attraction" to make audience who has been 99% of the time glued to their seats, stood up and danced to the beat at the very last song. She didn't give up on that idea throughout the concert and she nailed it. She got what she wished for.

As you can see in the photo below, my view was blocked by the dancing crowd.

David Lewis - plays the trumpet and piano (sometimes both at the same time). I don't need to elaborate more on his talent. He does know how to maximize the value of his trumpet by combining method that is not traditionally seen. Here, he dipped the trumpet into a bowl of water to create an eerie and mysterious sound that can only be imagined if you are alone in the dark and watching some old detectives' movies.

There are indeed differences between artists who create and perform from their souls and those who are out there for commercial reasons. The experience they create will linger on. I did wish I was able to have the entire concert be played again. Unfortunately, such unique performance, there's no DVD available. Even CD won't do justice to it. It's the moment and the experience that count. Just like life.

How Do You Manage Your Money?

2011-05-02T02:57:00.000+08:00

Managing finances may come naturally to some and not to others. So how do you manage yours? Do you use any budget software or simply has a chart of your own? Do you actually know how much you earn, spend and save? Or every time you simply take it as it goes?

Personally, I simply use my own DIY excel chart to keep track of my finances. Though it's not really perfect but at least I know where my money goes to. Many books and techniques have been written in this area but I think one of most important feature of any personal finance theory will be - Pay Yourself First!

Paying yourself first simply mean, when your income hits your bank account, you automatically decide an amount to not be used for anything else but for your savings. And this Pay-Yourself-First amount shall not be spent on things but may be used for investment, retirement, etc. It trains one to be disciplined but most importantly, by paying yourself first you are safe guarding your money from the unnecessary spending - unless emergency. Subconsciously, you will also be telling yourself that your well being matters first.

The typical amount that has been advocated by most books is to set aside 10% of your income for a start. When you are able, do increase it. Those in the higher income brackets are even able to do between 50-70% of their income. For me, it has been a steep learning process. I did start with 10% inconsistently but now I have been seeing fruits of my labour when I consistently pay myself minimum of 30% every month. Though sometimes when emergency strikes, it will eat into what I've been saving but as long as I'm disciplined in paying myself first, I have created a safe amount of emergency fund.

What this process has taught me throughout the years are the following:
1. I matter.
2. Nobody is responsible for your money but yourself.
3. It delays instant gratifications
4. It creates a pool of emergency fund
5. It's not about how much you earn but how much you save

I hope you may benefit from this little sharing of mine. In this uncertain times, you may not know if your income will still be there one day. But when you are still in control of that, you can make a difference by protecting and growing your wealth through baby steps. Unless of course, you have rich parents, then feel free to squander your money. Just make sure you are in their wills. :p

What is Your "Religion"?

2011-04-15T12:22:00.000+08:00

I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation
You're living in the past it's a new generation
A girl can do what she wants to do and that's
What I'm gonna do
An' I don't give a damn ' bout my bad reputation
Oh no not me
- Joan Jett, Bad Reputation

Joan Jett, one of the prominent lady in the rock music world. If you haven't heard of her, you have at least heard or chanted one of her famous song - "I Love Rock 'n Roll". She's a legend and even being coined as Queen of Rock.

I have heard of her songs on MTV Classic when I was really little. (I'm still little now, don't remind me!) but I didn't know she is really so COOL until I saw her on Oprah. She's 52 now and still rocking like crazy. Not to mention her physique looks like she's still in her 20s! Face may show "a little" and covered by make-up but the energy that she exudes definitely has the 20s vibe! Even Miley Cyrus is not as cool as her (yet?), though she's still carving her real path besides the Hannah Montana thing. Give her time.

Check out the video below where they both performed in The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Oprah: I know you said that you don't just love rock 'n roll but it's your religion.

Joan Jett: Yes, I take it very seriously and I think that it's important to do what you love and rock 'n roll, when I grew up really had sort of a context and a meaning and so, I felt it's like a religion to me.

I guess that's what being authentic is all about. Being true to yourself. Follow your passion. Loving and living your passion and spread it to the people who appreciate it. It will eventually show in your charisma, your physique, your energy and your being. The next thing you know, it is so contagious that it will breed the next generation of passionate people.

Why I chose the quote from her song - Bad Reputation as the opening line? Because the music video was really her journey to be who she is today. As cheesy as it looked like (well it's the 80s, baby), that was her true story. Being rejected in the beginning by so many music labels, she set up her own label and the rest is history.

You may like or dislike rock 'n roll. You may care a lot of your reputation or not but the lesson to be learned is just make sure you find your "religion"; something you really care and live for. It may not be the traditional ones. Who cares? I am still not sure what is my "religion" as I still can't find things that I take SO SERIOUSLY till it consumes me (bummer!) but I will find one, I'm feeling it (delusionally psyching myself up :p). Just remember, one can do what one wants to do and just do it.

Disclaimer:
Make sure what you want to do don't harm people lah ....

Got Tax?

2011-04-13T11:29:00.000+08:00

The tax season is here again. Have you prepared yourself for it? In Singapore the cut-off date for filing it online will be on the 18th of April 2011. Normally, people will wait until the last minute to make sure they are all done properly. I can be considered one of those because I just filed it yesterday! Hey, it’s not my fault. The government sent me a letter and said I don’t need to file tax but alas … as there’s an income limit being set for that, I decided that I’d better file it. You wouldn’t want to mess with Mr. Tax Man (wherever you are). Evasion is a very serious business. You can get to know all about it here.

Punishments aside, there are a few reliefs and rebates for law abiding citizens who are diligently filing their tax on time. I just found out that there is such thing called “Life Insurance Relief”. All these while since 2004, I didn’t know hence I didn’t report it. URGH! Knowledge has its power only when you are able to apply it. Now I know and I am so going to remember this! Imagine the savings I would have got to buy more books I don’t read! That’s so heavenly :p

I am just a small fish with simple income and expense structure. And yet I missed out on the relief that I was legally entitled to due to my not knowing. Now I know why companies or high net worth individuals need a professional or even a team of professional to handle their tax. For the lazy few, there’s always tax software to assist in filing your tax or even filing tax extension (if you are so busy). Alas, they are only applicable for US tax. May be one day Singapore will have one too.

Update: I am not eligible for the life insurance relief as my CPF contribution has exceeded. Aaaa...aaaa... So I don't really lose out much then ... *sob sob still*

Your Tongue is Telling You Something

2011-03-29T23:54:00.000+08:00

Do you know your tongue can tell you something you didn't know about your body?

I didn't know!

Thanks to Miss Phen Phen who has been really insightful all these while. She's like a walking encyclopedia, a fantastic cook, a cautious financial analyst, a wise friend and a great wife to that lucky husband!

She shared with me her finding that our tongue can tell so much about our health condition. I encourage everyone to try this test. It may take around 10-15 minutes especially if your mirror is not near and your camera sucks (like mine). Preferably you have great lighting. Take photos of your tongue with decent camera and then the test can be really fast!

So ... voila ... here's the link - http://beyondwellbeing.com/herbs/tongue-diagnosis.shtml#

Really hope you will learn a thing or two about your own body. I do! I do! I need more Guinness Stout for sure :-).

Keenan Cahill

2011-03-29T00:32:00.000+08:00

Say whooooo?

The name Keenan Cahill didn't ring a bell to me even though he's already like a superstar! If you watched Uncharted MTV on my previous post, then you will notice this boy who's in blue t-shirt that says something about lip sync !@#!@# ... that's him. Keenan Cahill. Apparently, he's a youtube superstar simply by lip-syncing to popular songs. Not only his videos get lots of hits but just look at how by simply doing what he loves he gets to meet these people .... (3 videos shared below). So what if he has Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome, the fun still needs to go on. Now I really understand why he is being featured into Sara Bareilles' song. He really does say "YES" to life. Great job!

Jennifer Aniston Goes Viral (With Keenan Cahill) for Smartwater Viral Campaign

David Guetta - One More Love Album Megamix

Down On Me (With 50 Cent)

When One Wonders, One Gets Some Answers ... Sort of

2011-03-28T02:00:00.000+08:00

Strange how questions are "kinda" answered ...
Just as I was "being lost" in my own wandering mode, a song just spoke me through its melody (at first). I'm not a very lyrics person. Tunes will speak to me louder than words. Then this song come along and the lyrics are just amazing. Great wake up call to just live the uncharted life as it is.

Check out the MTV at the end of the post. If you can't view it you may click here.
The MTV is really unique. In a blog entry on Sara Bareilles' site, she mentioned the reason behind the concept;

"This video is about my journey as an artist who looks up to the people around them. This is about being a fan of people who take chances, who are fearless, who have integrity, and go off into the world saying yes to what's around them. It's filled with some of the people in my life who do that everyday. They have impacted my world and are not only incredible artists, but great friends as well. They all worked this giant favor into their very busy lives and helped me out more than I can say."^[6]

Uncharted - Sara Bareilles

No words, My tears won't make any room for more,
And it don't hurt, like anything I've ever felt before, this is
No broken heart,
No familiar scars,
This territory goes uncharted...

Just me, in a room sunk down in a house in a town, and I
Don't breathe, no I never meant to let it get away from me
Now, too much to hold, everybody wants has to get their hands on gold,
And I want uncharted.
Stuck under the ceiling I made, I can't help but feeling...

I'm going down,
Follow if you want, I won't just hang around,
Like you'll show me where to go,
I'm already out, foolproof idea, so don't ask me how
To get started, it's all uncharted...

La la la-a-a-a.
Oh-h-h.

Each day, countin' up the minutes, till I get alone, 'cause I can't stay
In the middle of it all, it's nobody's fault, but I'm
So lonely, Never knew how much I didn't know,
Oh, everything is uncharted.
I know I'm getting nowhere, when I only sit and stare like...

I'm going down,
Follow if you want, I won't just hang around,
Like you'll show me where to go,
I'm already out, of foolproof idea, so don't ask me how
To get started, it's all uncharted.

Jump start my kaleidoscope heart,
Love to watch the colors fade,
They may not make sense,
But they sure as hell made me.

I won't go as a passenger, no
Waiting for the road to be laid
Though I may be going down,
I'm taking flame over burning out

Compare, where you are to where you want to be, and you'll get nowhere

I'm going down,
Follow if you want, I won't just hang around,
Like you'll show me where to go,
I'm already out, foolproof idea, so don't ask me how
Oh-h
I'm going down,
Follow if you want, I won't just hang around,
Like you'll show me where to go,
I'm already out, foolproof idea, so don't ask me how
To get started, it's all uncharted...
No words, My tears won't make any room for more,
And it don't hurt, like anything I've ever felt before, this is
No broken heart,
No familiar scars,
This territory goes uncharted...

Just me, in a room sunk down in a house in a town, and I
Don't breathe, no I never meant to let it get away from me
Now, too much to hold, everybody wants has to get their hands on gold,
And I want uncharted.
Stuck under the ceiling I made, I can't help but feeling...

I'm going down,
Follow if you want, I won't just hang around,
Like you'll show me where to go,
I'm already out, foolproof idea, so don't ask me how
To get started, it's all uncharted...

La la la-a-a-a.
Oh-h-h.

Each day, countin' up the minutes, till I get alone, 'cause I can't stay
In the middle of it all, it's nobody's fault, but I'm
So lonely, Never knew how much I didn't know,
Oh, everything is uncharted.
I know I'm getting nowhere, when I only sit and stare like...

I'm going down,
Follow if you want, I won't just hang around,
Like you'll show me where to go,
I'm already out, of foolproof idea, so don't ask me how
To get started, it's all uncharted.

Jump start my kaleidoscope heart,
Love to watch the colors fade,
They may not make sense,
But they sure as hell made me.

I won't go as a passenger, no
Waiting for the road to be laid
Though I may be going down,
I'm taking flame over burning out

Compare, where you are to where you want to be, and you'll get nowhere

I'm going down,
Follow if you want, I won't just hang around,
Like you'll show me where to go,
I'm already out, foolproof idea, so don't ask me how
Oh-h
I'm going down,
Follow if you want, I won't just hang around,
Like you'll show me where to go,
I'm already out, foolproof idea, so don't ask me how
To get started, it's all uncharted...

[ These are Uncharted Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

I Can't Answer It, Can You?

2011-03-27T16:33:00.001+08:00

Urgh!

Since my verbal constipation has ended, I am on the roll! But if the other 2 regular visitors come - laziness and procrastination, my roll may be disturbed again. Oops. But since they are not here, I'd better move quick.

Anyway, I have been asking myself this one question on regular basis since the longest time. But I still can't answer it. I then thought I could steal some answers from others by asking them the same question. Alas, their answers are simply not mine. It doesn't click at all. Back to square zero I go.

The question is:
If money is not a problem, what would you do now?

This question supposedly able to unlock your passion, purpose, motivation, etc. But I can't answer it.

Most say they will travel around the world. I try to inject myself into that scenario. But I'm not the traveling type. I don't need to see the entire world to realize life is already perfect where I am. Seriously. If I ever need to travel, it's not the place that gives meaning to the journey. But the people and the experiences are the ones that make a place comes alive.

Some say they will do some kind of business; dog cafe, new clothing line, etc. That makes sense. Ventures need cash. At least they know what they love and simply need some funds to fuel them further. Good for them.

Me, nothing is clear yet. If I have the money, what will I do daily? For sure I will visit my parents more often. But as for activities that give meaning to my life, I am still not sure. Guess for now, I will accept that and hopefully, things will be clearer as I move forward.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The End of Verbal Constipation

2011-03-26T16:17:00.001+08:00

Hi blog

Just dropping by to say hello.
I am not dead yet.
Just feel dampened to share.
Sometimes my voice tends to be silenced.
As others think this blog belongs to them too.
I don't have much positive things to share recently.
Mostly rants and pent up emotions.
I may choose to pen it down elsewhere. But no!
How unfortunate.
My blog but not purely my voice.
Hope one day people would stop asking me.
Why I write what I write.
Or whether I am writing about anyone in particular.
Stop.
Only I matter in this space.
Cause this is my space.
I pay for it.
Let me write in peace.
This blog needs to transform.
And from now...
I really will not bother to censor my thoughts anymore.
Let me be.
I just love being me.
You should to.
We are the best thing God has ever created.
Not just iPad.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

DiY Duvet Cover for My Guest Bedroom

2011-02-24T22:18:00.000+08:00

Guest post written by Alex Richardson

Making over my bedroom is so much trouble that a lot of the time when I get the inkling to do that I just redecorate my guest bedroom. It's just so much easier that way. Then even if what I do is kind of crazy or I decided that I don't like it after all, I just have to avoid the guest bedroom, which is pretty easy.

I was in the mood to do that again so I went online to come up with some fun ways to redecorate the guest bedroom. I have a duvet for it, so normally I just buy a new duvet cover. But I thought that I'd do one better this time and make one. I've never made one before, so I went online to find some good and easy directions on how to do that. While I was searching for some help with that, I came across the website ClearWireWimax4g.com and after I looked through it a little bit, I decided to switch over my internet service to the provider.

I'm hard at work on my DIY duvet cover. I cut it all out for it and that was probably teh hardest part. Now it's just sewing time. But I'm taking my time on the sewing machine for it.

Blackberry and My Family

2011-02-18T14:31:00.000+08:00

I was away from this tiny island of Singapore for 11 days. Went back to my small little town - Siantar in Indonesia. The first day when I arrived, I almost felt "crippled" as I didn't have access to my Blackberry :p ... the gateway to my social network. The next day, my parents helped me to find a shop that sell prepaid BB SIM card. It was something new to them too as they were still using the old fashioned Nokia that they never dropped nor broken any of the parts. They are amazing in taking care of things. :)

The next 10 days, they witnessed my obsessions with BB. Taking picture of all my favourite foods and straight away shared it with my friends in Jakarta, Singapore and even America. They were really amazed.

The day before I was supposed to fly back to Singapore, my dad insisted that he wanted to go to a mobile phones atrium sales event. On the spot, he bought a Blackberry Torch. Apparently, they have been watching me in "envy" on how fast I was able to send information all over the world with BB users. I was really happy that finally I am able to communicate with my parents "cheaply" through Blackberry Messenger (BBM).

However, I was worried. The learning curve for using BB especially for people who are not too tech-savvy, can be very very steep. I taught my mom a few things and within few minutes, she has forgotten them. I almost lost my patience! Then my mom sent me a message through BBM saying "my blackberry teacher is as fierce as a tigress". HAHA! That cracked me up. I said, well, it's payback time. You used to teach me with a rattan stick on one hand, and now we need to apply the same teaching method. :D

Now, I am back in Singapore and they are still learning on how to use BB - even I am still learning up to this day. There are so many short cuts to be discovered and how to make it a really effective and productive tool. Then few days ago, my mom sent me a voice note through BBM saying she is the most diligent student who studies in a very careful manner. Then my dad managed to change his profile photo and status to - everyday is a lucky day. Followed by my mom who's able to insert emoticons (smileys) into the messages. Next, my dad even confidently SMS his BB Pin to my friend who's not even using BB to begin with!

Not only those mini events brought me laughter but it made me feel so proud to have parents who still love learning and never succumb to age and negative beliefs when it comes to technology. Sure, my mom may type like a turtle and my dad still has tons of questions but the fact that they are no longer being restrained by their age when it comes to approaching something totally new - amazes me.

I am so proud of you, Mom and Dad. I hope when I am as "young" as you, technology doesn't scare me too.

Goal Setting for Super Lazy People

2011-01-29T20:29:00.001+08:00

Happy new year everyone! Well, I know. It is kinda late. But I am a serial procrastinator. So you can't blame me for being late. Besides, Chinese New Year is not here yet, so I can still be technically early.

One of the typical activity most people do to welcome a new year is by setting new goals. Though most of the goals tend to be overlooked and undone, we still set it anyway. It is kinda like a ritual.

This year, I have not really set my goal. But as a shortcut I do have 2 words of the year that I would like to focus on and zoom in further (when I'm not procrastinating :p). They may not be a very detailed plan but these 2 words will be my priorities for year 2011.

Health and Wealth.

Typical and as generic as anybody can think of, I know. Who don't want to have them both will be really silly. But do you actually make an effort at every moment to make choices that support those 2 simple values? May be not. I don't too. Not yet.

But the more I let myself hear those words, like a broken record or even some kind of mantra, the more I will make conscious effort in making choices that reflect on them.

I used to over plan. Each categories of life, I have something I would like to achieve. By the end of the year, no surprise there. Nothing has been achieved! -.-" So, this year I want to do things differently. Narrow my focus on those 2 items. Hopefully a more concrete plan will spring up afterwards.

But I do know I have been taking a few steps in making sure I am on the path of Health and Wealth.
- Increasing my financial knowledge by attending seminars
- Diversifying my portfolio to mitigate risk
- Sharing my experiences to people who are close to me
- Having a strong mental image that the next thing in my portfolio will be an investment in private property at great locations
- Getting myself checked up and stop complaining about how expensive the charges can be. Because it will be more expensive when something really does happen and it will be too late and even more expensive.

I am not really sure what the next steps are going ahead from here. But I am sure they will reveal themselves. Life works that way, doesn't it?

So, what are your word(s) of the year?
What do you choose to focus on?

Have a great year ahead, everyone.

Just A Quote

2011-01-28T01:23:00.000+08:00

It's been another 2 months and I still haven't really written anything significant. There were ideas on my head but by the time I am in front of my computer ... I forgot about them. Yes, apparently iPad is not very useful too for a big procrastinator like I am. However, I am taking this opportunity to share a very important quote that I just captured from watching the latest Oprah's show. Hope all of you readers will benefit from it. Till next time ... when my light bulb is ready to shine again.

If you are with somebody who loves you, that person wants what's best for you, they want you to become all that you could become. And if you're with somebody who's going to restrict you from becoming who you're supposed to be in the world. Then you are with the wrong person. - Oprah Winfrey

Duckies

2010-12-10T21:48:00.000+08:00

This post is dedicated to someone who has been reading my blog (and vice versa) and bothers to leave comment once in a while. Nothing important or deep, it's just that, when I took these photos, people thought I was crazy. But come on ... with a first name like mine ... you think people can't give me a nickname that ends with the word "duck"? It comes so naturally, okay! Since I was 3 years old! -_-"

So ... Subconsciously, anything duckie-looking, attracts me. And I snapped these photos quite sometimes ago (to be exact 8 Aug 2009) and didn't think I will use them ever. Purely for personal collections. But since I just realized someone just changed her blog background to duckies ... I think it's appropriate I dedicate this post to my fellow stinger!

Thanks for reading my blog and bothers to pop by once in while too :) Hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do. Does any of them catch your attention? Hehe ...

How Do Good Things Keep Happening?

2010-12-07T22:53:00.001+08:00

You may or may not believe in luck, but if there is only one thing you choose to believe, put your bet on "positive energy".

"Oh come on, don't sell what those motivational gurus are constantly preaching!", you might say. But I sincerely not. By nature and by my upbringing, I am not a very positive person. I may look like ball of sunshine but my inner world resembles Darth Vader's.

Being a Scorpio, I am born with extra DNA of envy and jealousy. Not to mention the extra built-in self destructive mechanisms, the potential damage is unimaginable.

Being an Asian in the traditional Asian upbringing, I was always being compared to others who are better than me. Thinking that being an only child, I should not have any siblings rivalry problems. But alas, there are always the cousins, the neighbors, the kids of my parents' friends, etc. The list go on.

Growing up with the voices that you are never good enough coupled with the idea that the grass is always greener wherever you are not on it, no matter how many blessings you are given, you will be blinded by your own self pity. Proven! By me!

Until recently, some shits happened at work and in my personal life. For few days I went into destructive mode, towards myself and others. Thankfully I bounced back fast. I need to, it's survival mode. I can choose to destruct further, that is a very easy choice indeed, something I have been practicing for quite sometimes. Or, I can really start growing up and take charge of my life again.

Because life doesn't care whether you are happy or miserable. It's really up to you. Life moves on. The quicker you bounce back and follow the rhythm of life, the faster you will see good things start to happen to you. It did, to me. Seriously! Once I made the decision to move on and fight for what I think I deserve, I get it and even more.

A few of the early X'mas surprises are: 2 of the stocks I invest, laid eggs into my bank account. Not much, but it was still a very nice surprise. My job is taking a really good turn after I requested for it and be a little "proactive" than usual. The old saying, ask and you shall receive, I received! Beating the inflation big time.

Currently I stopped taking French lesson (something that I really love though kinda lose the steam a bit) in order to save more money to invest into the market. Who would have known, by supporting my friend who participated in a singing contest, she won free French lesson at my school and gave the voucher to me as she has no need of it. I was shocked and impressed at how the universe works.

So, how do good things keep happening?
Never stop believing in them.
Never stop imagining them.
Never stop being grateful for what you already have.
Never stop fighting for what you should have.
Never settle for less than you deserve.
Never shortchange yourself for the sake of settling.

If it doesn't work where you are, may be you are better off somewhere else. Hope good things will keep happening to you. If not, they are probably just taking a break until you are ready to receive them once again.

Under Different Lights

2010-12-06T00:19:00.001+08:00

Are you living in Singapore?
If you are, then you will understand what I am about to share soon.

I have been living in Singapore since 1998 and for someone who has stayed that long, you definitely feel things have changed rapidly within this short period of time.

One of it is the increasing number of foreign talents in the retail/service industry. Sometimes it can be quite frustrating as some of them can't even communicate properly in the 2 languages that are spoken by the majority of the population - English and Mandarin.

Once, I was on a bus, seated quite near to the bus driver (nowadays they are called bus captain). When the bus made its next stop, an older gentleman, probably in his 60s boarded and asked the bus captain in English,"Does this bus go to Queensway?" The reply he got was I thick-accented Mandarin that said,"Speak Mandarin?" The older man was trying so hard to translate Queensway but to no avail he turned to me and asked me the same question. I too didn't know what is Queensway in Mandarin. But I do know this bus does head towards that direction so I assured him that he would be fine. He than thanked me and disappointedly made a remark on the "foreigner" bus captain who couldn't even serve the public properly.

It is sad, but this trend is only going up. Things are changing and there is no way things will go back to the way it used to be. From this side, things do look frustrating but have you seen another side of it? I do.

I am in retail industry and since the day I started until now, I find it so hard to find local talents to work in this industry. They are either too picky or they have better offer somewhere or they simply don't last as they don't think too highly of the job.

Then there are agencies who see opportunities in this situation and starts to introduce foreign talents to fill the void. Unfortunately, these agencies earn their living from those poor workers who sometimes are not properly matched to the job. They paid 6-9x their salary amount in advanced, putting all their trust and hope in the agents and future employer, then in most cases, they found themselves stuck in a 2 year contract that they have to serve in order to earn back the "capital". But to the unlucky few, they are sent back immediately not because they are not good in terms of attitude but due to the language barriers. They lost the $ that their family has saved so hard in order for them to have a better future. Hence, some may resort to other ways of living instead due to fear if facing their family in shame.

There are so many frustrated parties here:
- Customers who don't get the expected level of service
- Employers who don't get the suitable employees
- Employees who don't think they are in the promised land

Under different lights, they share the same life with frustrations and they share the same needs to be understood and treated fairly. But life as usual is ever changing and ever camouflaging. The next time you think how different someone is from you, we are still the same living organisms who try to make sense of life and its quirks.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Recovery

2010-12-04T02:23:00.001+08:00

"The first 24 hours after surgery are critical. Every breath you take, every fluid you make is meticulously reported and analysed. Celebrated or mourned. But what about the next 24 hours. What happened when that first day turned into two, and weeks turned into months. ... Surgery is when you get saved but post-op, after surgery is when you heal. But, what if you don't?" - (Prologue, Grey's Anatomy)

Let's be honest, at the surface, the quality of the show Grey's Anatomy seems deteriorating. I personally cant be bothered with the lives of the characters anymore. I watch it for the sake of watching it since I have been following it since the day it hasn't gained all the fame and awards. But, there's one thing that is getting better as the show and the characters grow, they are the prologue and the epilogue of every episode. They may not be a short and sweet type of quotes, but they are the ones which make you stop to ponder.

The recent episode titled "Adrift and at Peace" is one of the example why this show is taking a more philosophical approach towards the story line. After the shooting incident, some of the characters are moving on quite well. Life goes on and there are more lives to be saved. They go on with their works as usual. One of them, Dr. Christina Yang, took it really hard and instead of trying to move forward, she chose to move backward.

And that is reality. Not every one moves on at the speed of light. However, the presence of great supports is definitely the most crucial when it comes to healing, accompanied by a strong belief that healing is possible. Then again, like life, nothing is really predictable and fully controllable. Ultimately, life flows according to its own tempo. Sometimes, you may fall and never get up. But what if you do? No matter what, it is still worth it to take the road to recovery.

"The goal of any surgery is total recovery. To come out better than you were before. Some patients heal quickly and feel immediate relief, for others the healing happens gradually. And it's not until months or even years later that you realize you don't hurt any more. So the challenge after any surgery is to be patient. But if you can make it through the first weeks and months, if you believe that healing is possible, then you can get your life back. But that's a big if." - (Epilogue, Grey's Anatomy)

PS. Seriously I thought of changing the end of the quote, instead of the "big if", it should be "the big gift". Claiming your life as your own is the ultimate present in life.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Loving Yourself

2010-12-02T20:10:00.001+08:00

"Be as good to yourself as you are to those you love." - Suze Orman

The urge to please others, has always been the trait for the majority of us. We have been conditioned, especially in the Asian culture, to put others first before ourselves. To think that being an only child, one would have escaped it, wrong. I'm not spared.

Sure, I think I can be more selfish than most people who are well trained under "the siblings rivalry scheme", but with further observations, my selfishness has been masked with a thin layer of "people pleasing" virus that it disguised itself so well that guilts resurface once in a while in silence.

Observe! How many times have your screamed in silence just because your voices are not heard? How many times you do things out of the good of the group instead of the good of yourself? Was it worth it? Do the voices still silently crave for your attention?

Mine do. It's getting louder nowadays that it refuses to accept no as the only answer. And this time, I listen. Life starts to turn around in an amazing way.

No matter what others try to sell to you when it comes to your life, you are the CEO and COO of it. You make your own decisions and you operate the entire aspects of it. Enough are the days of politeness and giving in, because if it takes sacrificing yourself in order to make others happy, you should start to question is the idea of such happiness will really be worth it. Ultimately, you are your own enterprise. Sometimes you need to cut costs in order to start seeing profits.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Big C

2010-11-18T02:17:00.000+08:00

Finally, the TV industry produced a heart-warming and thought provoking drama with well chosen actors - The Big C.

Image courtesy of www.imdb.com

Not only each and every aspects of the movies is perfectly put, the message that it invokes at the end of every episode, makes you question about life (and death) in a more interesting way. The theme song is so cute (as you can hear in the trailer below) and started the show with a light bubbly tone. But as the characters and stories develop, the show carries deeper meaning and makes us ponder upon life's more complicated circumstances.

The main character of the show - Cathy Jamison (Laura Linney) found out that she has cancer and most probably won't live much longer, started to live her life to the fullest while also preparing herself for her final days without telling anybody about it, not even her family members.

The most recent episode #13 - Taking the Plunge has one of the best ending that wrenched your heart in a touching manner.

*Warning! Spoilers ahead ... please read at your own risk! And after typing so much about the scene, I found the video on youtube, so you may skip what I wrote and go straight to the video below.*

Cathy's son - Adam, a typical teenager who simply can't be bothered with many things. In this episode, he has been seen to keep asking money from his mom and dad and both of them to refuse to give as he seriously has been asking too much. When his parents are not around and his mom has accidentally left her purse at home, he opened up her wallet and took some money but he also found an envelope that wrote "Don't open until I'm gone". He opened it and found a key to a self storage unit. He rode his bicycle and opened up the storage door and saw a sports car, a bicycle and hundreds and hundreds of nicely wrapped presents. Plus at the center of the storage room a photo of his mom and him. Puzzled, he started to approach the gifts and realized there's a card attached to all the presents.

"Happy 30th Birthday, Adam." (On the sports car)

"Dear Adam, Happy 19th Birthday. Love Mom." (On the bicycle)

"For Adam, Happy 26th Birthday. Love, Mom."

"2012. Merry Christmas, Adam. I love you, Mom."

"2015. Merry Christmas, Adam! XX Mom")

"Congratulations to my high school graduate. XX Mom"

"For Adam on your college graduation. Love Mom."

He knew by then that his mom doesn't have much time to live. He took a look at the photo on the wall and cried.

Life is precious. Who doesn't know that?

Death is inevitable. But many tends to forget.

What you do in between is your choice. You can be pushed around by others. Living by their standards, or you can simply reclaim it and make it your own. Taking a plunge in life means getting your feet wet and immersed yourself in it. Like Cathy, she sets her own standard. She wants a pool at her backyard, she gets it, even though people think she's crazy. Heck, her days are numbered!

Life is too short. Be the master of your own life and make your own choices. So one day when you are near your death bed and look back, you can tell your self,"Yes, that's exactly how I want it to be. My birth. My life. My death." If you decide to be pathetic, then be proud of your pathetic choices. Don't blame others. There is no fixed rule that say "you must live a happy life". Set your own standard. Tweak it along the way and be proud of it. Start to own your life that is given to you before it's being taken away.

Tired of Figuring Things Out

2010-10-25T04:46:00.000+08:00

Are you one of those, like me, who have lots of plans and plots when it comes to life?

You create benchmarks and have your own yardsticks against people around you whom you think are successful. Then you are all depressed because you are no where like them. Then you try to figure out what can be done better? Why are not as good as them? Why this? Why that? Are you? I am.

Finally I am throwing the towel of figuring things out. No point.

When I want something, I will get it.

When I can't have it. Then it's not now. May be next time.

I am tired of figuring things out. I am tired of planning and plotting.

I am tired of thinking too much and not going anywhere.

I am not them. I am me.

I am going to start living lives as how it is at this moment.

If it throws me s***, I will take the s*** and move on.

If people disappoint me, which they do, without fail, I will accept it and move on.

I learn (and I better learn it well) that s*** will always happen but no matter what happens, if you don't move on, life will. If you are not at the same pace as life, then you will be left behind, that's the truth with life. Time doesn't wait. Life doesn't wait. Then why are you sitting at the sideline watching all goes by? If you are not in the life that you want now, create it. If you think it's impossible, stop complaining then create one that is possible.

I am moving on may not be forward, it may be sideways but I am moving on, my way.

Uncovering what you really want to do is not about searching and figuring out what’s perfect. It’s about jumping in and seeing what the water is like. - Henri Junta, The Wake Up Cloud

If Facebook Existed Before Time

2010-10-20T17:47:00.000+08:00

I again stumbled onto this post and can't help but to re-blog and re-facebook it. It's too funny! Someone is really being creative again!!!

Thanks to Steve Riley for sharing! :)

Who Needs Instruments When You Have Yourself - 1 Voice Zillion Effects

2010-10-20T00:57:00.000+08:00

Talents are seriously everywhere and the world just never fail to surprise me with the growth of amazing talents! I stumbled into this French post on my Google reader, top 10 acappella that consists of only 1 person.

And my favourite are the following:

1. Michael Jackson – You rock my world by Jean-Baptiste Craipeau

2. Lady Gaga Medley by Naya Marie

3. Jason Mraz – I’m Yours by Del Soul

4. Katy Perry – Teenage Dream + Bruno Mars – Just the Way You Are by Mike Tompkins

Product Testing Institute - Really Smart Ad Campaign

2010-10-07T22:35:00.000+08:00

A French friend of mine shared this and I couldn't stop adoring how fantastic and creative ad campaign can be. Truly, there's no limit in terms of idea.

If you would like to see the original blog post in French, you can find it here.

Basically it's a series of advertisements for the latest Sony Ericcson phone - Xperia X10. They conduct a focus group consists of 3 people who will then try out the different functions of the phones they get. My favourite is the little girls but the rest are as hilarious too. Enjoy!

The Toddlers

The Models

The Surfers

The Rockers

The Hunks

The Seniors

A Love Story - Uniquely Singapore

2010-10-06T22:03:00.000+08:00

The recent passing of Mrs. Lee, wife of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has definitely saddened the nation. I am not Singaporean nor I am very actively aware of the political scene of this country but I must admit, the love between both of them are so strong that every time they appeared on TV or their photos surfaced on newspaper, you can't help to see how loving they are to each other. It's not one of those PR moves to appear "perfect" in public. They are truly meant for each other throughout the thick and thin and most importantly, they are a couple who focus on big picture and build a nation and a loving family instead of poking on the small pettiness in life. Mr. Lee has written a great eulogy for one to understand their love story better. Everyone should read it.

Thanks for your contribution, Mrs. Lee. Your dedication to your husband, family and nation are truly exceptional. :-)

One Happy Dog

2010-10-06T13:47:00.000+08:00

“Much has been written about the loyalty of dogs, but what I love about them isn't their devotion to me so much as their devotion to being alive.” — Steven Bauer

This quote found me when I have been procrastinating about blogging (again) and straightaway I'm acting on my laziness as the story has been at the back of my mind for quite a long time.

For those of you who know me, you know I love dogs. I love them, sometimes, more than I love human beings (that includes myself). Up to this day, I still miss, think and talk about Kiky as if she is still waiting for me to come home in my hometown. Well, in a way, she is waiting for me to come "home". Can't wait to meet her.

While I'm still in this earthly sphere, I get to know 2 more dogs closely - Kaya (the dark brown one) and Guyu (the beige one). They are my friend's poodles. I swear I hate poodles. They are, to me, so ugly beyond reason, especially with their super curly hair. OMG! To this date, if I can afford to, I wouldn't choose a poodle. Not in a million years. I will still get a minpin :)

But behind those curly hairs, they are still lovely beings. So lovable that simply looking at them can bring me so much joy and simplicity. No human can do so as they are just too complicated and full of expectations. (Including moi.)

My focus today is about Guyu, the small and really frail poodle who has the fear of height. (Even though it's just as high as a cushion, she will not jump down.) Her fear is really ridiculous to the point of laughter. But, I don't think she cares. She is too busy being happy.

Guyu is definitely the happiest dog I've ever seen. She wakes up happily to embrace a new day = a new breakfast served. Then she will happily run around the house. When people start to wake up, she will happily follow them around with the occasional ankle biting game or hi-five-ing people's butt while happily jumping around. Then she will be happily supervising people doing their daily chores, walk around each room of the house and as the day goes by she will be happily going to sleep and ends the day by having another happy dream of chasing the toy or something.

She is a happy dog. She is so happy that one time I witnessed her wagging her tail when she was simply drinking water. Seriously? One is happy by drinking water when one is not even at the dessert or at the point of dying from thirst? What was in her mind when she was thinking water? As if she saw water for the very first time and decided "Hmm this tastes good and this makes me happy".

Her constant state of happiness is really contagious. It is so overwhelming and I can't help but to smile back at her every time she is just being her silly self. Guess, she doesn't know that. She doesn't know what she has brought to people around her, who have witnessed her heightened state of being. She is too busy being alive.

And I feel alive every time I am with her. Thank you, Guyu for being who you are. There are still so many lessons I need to learn from you. *Woof*

You Still Can Give Even When You Have No Money

2010-09-17T01:15:00.000+08:00

I stumbled upon this article who share 20 ways of giving even if you are broke. The title caught my attention and the ideas are just wonderful. Though some of them do depend on where you are but others are definitely do-able. For example, donate your old magazines, books, aluminum cans, etc. And the more interesting ones like donating your hair, bone marrow, even glasses.

No matter what, this list is definitely a start to kick-off more creative giving in us.

Check it out.

I am inspired!

The Secrets Power of Time

2010-09-15T16:29:00.000+08:00

Another remarkable video by RSA Animate and this time it's about how the perspective of time does affect the way we perceive things.

So, What Drives You?

2010-09-14T16:26:00.000+08:00

Since I still have no idea what I should blog that purely comes from my own brain, in the next few posts, I am going to share what I have been reading and finding out about the interesting world we are living in.

Now ... it's this animated video/seminar about what drive us to do what we do. It'll be one of the best 11 minutes you've ever spent in enriching your mind. Enjoy!

Discipline is A B***h

2010-08-20T03:47:00.000+08:00

Oh geez, where was I?
I was everywhere except at where I needed to be.
For example, maintaining a consistent rhythm in blogging.
Discipline is a b***h. And yet, it's one of the necessary element to keep things going.
Once one lost the momentum to do anything, the thing will seem harder.
I am on the path to reclaim back my momentum in life.
I am not giving up.
I do have an idea of what to write next.
Now, I need to befriend my b***hy friend called "Discipline", claim back the momentum and charge forward to what I really need to be doing.
Live my life again.

And Then There Are Others

2010-07-22T00:03:00.001+08:00

And then there are others
Who are richer than me
With houses and cars
Where all simply sparks

And then there are others
Who are smarter than me
With brains and wits
Where all simply clicks

And then there are others
Who are more successful than me
With status and careers
Where all simply glitters

And then there are others
Who are hungry and beaten
With fear and trials
Where all simply dies

And then there is me
Who are not others
With freedom and choices
Where all uniquely lives

2 SIM Cards 1 Number

2010-07-13T14:23:00.001+08:00

As most of you might have known that I'm currently blogging from my Blackberry. It has been a wonderful experience indeed. I did mention briefly about how I'm able to also use my Nokia N97 by using 2 SIM cards with only 1 phone number. I dedicate this post to this amazing technology since one of my friend was asking.

Thanks to the M1 customer service personnel who was listening to my sad plea about how I still want to keep my Nokia and not going to abandon it, he then introduced me to the 2 SIM card option.

Basically you will only have 1 number and you are able to enjoy the goodness of 2 phones; especially iPhone and Blackberry which tend to be the most popular combination. You will then be given Primary SIM Card and Secondary SIM Card. And these are what each card can do.

Primary SIM Card
- Incoming calls: When calls come in, they will first reach the Primary card
- Receiving SMS: When SMS comes in, it will only reach the Primary card
- Outgoing Call: Able to call out
- Sending SMS: Able to text out
- Surf the internet using 3G service
- If your primary phone is a Blackberry, you will be able to use its function too

Secondary SIM Card
- Incoming calls: When calls are not being picked up on the Primary card, it will then be diverted to your Secondary card. Yes, your second phone will ring.
- Receiving SMS: You can't receive any SMS through this card
- Outgoing Call: Able to call out
- Sending SMS: Able to text out
- Surf the internet using 3G service
- If your secondary phone is a Blackberry, you will still be able to use its function too

Changing and Checking
- You may check which phone is the Primary by dialing *137#
- You may change the Primary by dialing *136# on the designated Primary phone (Yes! It's that easy!)

Charges and Fees
Depends on the service provider there are some charges involved with this service:
- 1 time fee for the SIM card (around $19)
- Monthly fee ranging from $2.50-5

Advantages
- You are able to enjoy the goodness of 2 phones while still having only 1 number
- When you run out of battery on one phone, you still have the other phone as back-up
- You don't need to tell the whole world you have new number just because you have a new phone

Disadvantages
- You need to pay for this
- When both phones have no batteries (Trust me, it happened!)

Overall, I'm just grateful this service exists. I was delusional enough to believe I'm able to use 2 phones at the same time while everyone around me thinks I was being ridiculous. Then the universe sent that helpful customer service personnel to let me know that I'm apparently not the only insane greedy phone user around. When you believe it hard enough, the answer may just be presented to you. Who knows. :)

Redefine Oneself

2010-07-11T02:51:00.001+08:00

Huh!

As if I know anything about the subject.

Exactly, thanks to me not knowing, I'm compelled to write about it. For years I've been trying to define me, define my blog as the expert says, you need to find a niche. You need to specialize in something.

Alas, after so many years of figuring things out, I still can't find my niche. I still specialize in nothing. This frustrates me to the core.

When I look at people around me, I'm able to pinpoint:
- she is a supply chain specialist
- he dwells in hardware
- she is so good in her French
- it is so good in loving people (yes, I'm referring to the wonderful four-legged creature that I adore)

Then I take a look back at myself, what am I good at? I am not expert in skin care just because I'm working in the industry. I'm not a specialist in short term rental just because I dwelled in it for a while and worse, my beloved language of French, I'm so far from mastering it. My passion was procrastinated as I lost my steam then I stopped the course as I couldn't commit. Well, simple case look at my blogging habit, kinda say it all about me and specializing in something. This just sadden me to the core. How am I going to define myself? What am I good at?

That's when I realize defining myself in such a rigid manner doesn't work for me at all. I am who I am and I am who I'm evolving into (thanking someone for this insight). I am accepting to be the specialist in nothing and everything. I may not know a particular subject in depth but I am sure I at least heard of it or willing to learn about it. I am not ignorant.

I may not be the top student in French anymore (thanks to my lazy other half :p) but throw me back to Paris and I should be able to converse to the children now instead of playing alphabet games with them like I did in December 2008 (as shown below).

I am evolving and I love who I am becoming so far. I still not sure what is my niche, who I want to be and it may get fuzzier as I think harder. But as I let things simply flow together with life, so far it had never failed to surprise me.

I define myself as a human being with a curious mind and ever evolving soul that when I come to the end point, one thing I am sure is that I have grown to be better than I was before.

My First Blog from My BB

2010-07-09T18:39:00.001+08:00

Hi All.

This will be the first time I'm blogging from my Blackberry Bold 9700. I love this phone so far though the connection can get a bit cranky at times and the calendar + tasks display is not as nice as my previous Nokia N97 but and the battery life is really pathetic. But despite all its flaw, I love this phone.

The email and messenger functions are just superb. It's a no nonsense phone for business and communications. Definitely not as fun as Iphone but based on my needs, BB is definitely the one for me.

Having said that, I still can't part with my Nokia N97. So thanks to today's powerful technology, I'm able to use 2 phones with my 1 number. How fantastic is that! The advancement of technology amazes me as it offers so much flexibility to fulfill one's need at a very reasonable price.

Now I just hope my eyes won't get smaller from all these typing.

Wish me luck and I promise, more posts to come soon. I am also now on twitter at www.twitter.com/daringdd. As recommended by my friend, it may be more suitable for me since I tend to be lazy in updating long post. Whatever it is, I will be present in both. Yay!

Why Should I Blog?

2010-06-19T03:48:00.000+08:00

As usual, being the queen of procrastinators, I have abandoned my blog again and again and now I am back and not sure when I will be hiding behind my comfort zone again. But for now I decide to make an appearance. And I change things up a bit ... only my header ... :p I realize my deep love towards the black and white (inspired by previous post) I created a simple header that simply consists of those 2 colours. If can put in silver, I would ... because black and silver are simply cool!

Alright, back to the theme ... why should I blog?

Even though I have stopped blogging for some times, but the urge of writing is always there. Somehow, through writing out my thoughts, a part of me is being kept sane this way. And hence, I will try to look for an insight to keep my insanity down low ... Though I think sometimes, my insanity makes life so much more interesting. We'll see.

I would like to thank you for readers who have been so faithful and supportive of my blogs. Without you I wouldn't have so many visitors from many countries. Though there's only 1 post that attracted the most traffic, it still means a lot to me that people do find my post interesting.

So voila ... I am back and I will be more present ...

The Beauty in Black and White

2010-06-18T19:56:00.000+08:00

I seriously can't wait to share these beautiful black and white photographs by various photographers. Some are just so captivating to the soul. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Which one is your favourite?

Mine is ... this mysterious looking one by Toni Frissell

And Finally I Know How To ......

2010-04-16T18:31:00.000+08:00

TIE A TIE!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally I don't need to rely to someone to do that!
Yes, I know I don't wear it every time but still ... to finally be in control of a tie feels liberating.

All thanks to my new found love - DEXTER! A fictional serial killer + blood splatter analyst from a TV Series haha! How no life can I be, eh? Heck, finally, anyone can learn how to tie a tie by using this simple steps and storyline. It works wonder :D

Thank you, Dexter!

Voila ... the story line for tying a tie is as follow and of course, the video. Enjoy!

- Rabbit hops over the log
- Rabbit crosses under the log
- Rabbit runs around the log
- One more time because it's trying to outsmart the fox
- The rabbit dives through its rabbit hole
- Safe and sound!

Even Taxi Driver Could Blog Regularly ...

2010-03-24T04:07:00.000+08:00

And I have been procrastinating for so long ... shame on me!

Yes, you heard me right. A taxi driver in Singapore has been blogging regularly since the start of his career. Though he has only been a taxi driver for 6 months due to an unfortunate event, during those period, he blogged simply to record stories he experienced during his contract. Little that he knew his misfortune made me move my arse and type something here.

This special taxi driver's name is Dr. Cai Mingjie. Yes, he has a "Dr" title as he has a Stanford PhD. He was terminated from his job May 2008 and since then he had so much trouble to find job as either he was overqualified or there were simply no responses to his applications. (He has started to look for job since May 2007!!!!) Putting his PhD aside, he decided to be a taxi driver in November 2008 and the rest is history.

I have heard of him on the newspaper before. At that point of time, I thought the media wanted to show how bad the market was during the crisis that job was so scarce. I pitied him, and many of the Facebookers did too. But few days ago, I was shocked, I saw his book at the book store and without shadow of a doubt, I bought it. Even though it's at quite a hefty price (for local book it is a little bit high, I should have bought it online and I could get his autograph! HAHA) I just thought to myself,"Hey! This is interesting! I want!".

The title is Diary of a Taxi Driver.

Image courtesy of Aktive Learning

The book - it's an easy read. Simply love how simple the way he wrote it and most importantly the daily life stories stories were intertwined with philosophies and reflections. As most people now, there are good and bad people that taxi drivers may encounter and this book covers both sides. But he focused more on the good sides and even the bad, he reflected on it and they become life lessons. He's my idol.

What I love the most is when despite his unfortunate circumstance of losing his job and being pushed from one of the more prestigious career of scientist to one of the lower one of a taxi driver, yet, he managed to put his pride aside and did what a scientist will do to the whole experience - learn, observe, reflect and share. I know I connect with this most because I used to be a passionate observer and sharer like him through my blog. Then ... I slacked and slacked and .... you know what happened after that long time of drought in actions = NOTHING!

Lots of the stories he shared inside, especially about the sides of Singapore that not many of us will chance upon - lives of the prostitutes, the senior citizens who are struggling, the old men with some "needs", the executives who are stingy and rude, etc. They opened my eyes and heart to learn more about what we have easily missed about our surroundings. I am grateful to chance upon his book and slowly awakening that curious gene inside me. One lesson at a time.

Hello Blog

2009-12-03T16:06:00.001+08:00

Geez. It's really been so long since I step into this blogosphere. Almost half a year. Even a baby is in the process of coming out by now. Lots have been happening in my life for sure. Good and bad. And still, I am not anywhere clear about my life. Guess that's just part of life. Am I sounding depressive now? May be it's the weather It's dull and dark. Or may be I'm just sleepy. ZzZzZzZz.

I'm just dropping in to say hello, and to say thank you for those who are still reading my blog. Really, I appreciate your attention. I really hope I will write more but my laziness has beaten me in that area. But definitely I will pop by once in a while.

In Oprah magazine, she has this section called "What I Know for Sure" and to make this post short and sweet, what I know for sure this time, is that nothing is certain and that one must be prepared for life from every angle and enjoy the most of it while the good still lasts. When the bad comes, you can look back to life and said "Hey, that was good. Time for more new good things before the bad wave is catching up!"

2009-06-09T17:50:00.000+08:00

When the darkest of dark has hit the deepest of depth
Even the brightest of light will be engulfed into the endless path of misery

You Should Never Be Too Impressed By People With Good Manners

2009-03-09T20:12:00.000+08:00

I have stopped watching Desperate Housewives and most of the TV shows since I came back from Europe. Today, I got bored and decided to watch it again. I am again being reminded what a great TV series Desperate Housewives is. It is not the drama between the ladies that I am realized I miss but there are only 2 things I fall in love all over again with what the great writers behind have done. The beginning and the ending. The soul of each and every episode has been written in such a profound manner by the writers. And in this week's episode, the ending simply hit such a high note with me that I couldn't help to share it with all of you. Its wisdom is so profound that sometimes we need to be reminded of what we tend to forget.

"You should never be too impressed by people with good manners, they are the ones who will give a friendly wave even if they've stolen from you. They're the type who sweetly welcome you even as they tried to uncover your secrets. They are the kind to offer you coffee, even as they report you to the police. And don't be too offended by someone who's openly rude, because they may be that way for the nicest of reasons." - Desperate Housewives

Have you found yourself in such situation? Where you are impressed with someone good manners and behind it all, a samurai has been waiting to slice you up in pieces? Ah well, I have. Though my experience was definitely not as dramatic as those you watch on TV but well, the surprise was shocking enough to make you realize a few atoms of your lives have simply be stolen from you.

Then, have you been to the other extreme? Where what or who's deemed to be dangerous turned out to be the best thing that may ever happened in your life? Oh, tell me about it ...

Life is so full of mystery, isn't it? It's so not straightforward especially when it contains billions of people with billions of possibilities in personalities. We can only trust our guts, prepare for the worst and expect for the best. And watch out for life advices at the most unexpected places. For me, this time, it's from Desperate Houswives Season 5 Episode 16 titled - Crime Doesn't Pay.

For the Brave Women (and some Men) Out There

2009-03-08T23:56:00.000+08:00

I just finished watching North Country right now on TV and my blood has never boiled to the roof like this before. Though what was being depicted in the movie was not BASED on a true story, it was only INSPIRED by a true story. But I can not imagine anybody was able to endure such treatments in their work places.

For those of you who are interested in the movie, North Country is about an iron mining female worker (played by Charlize Theron who was nominated for Oscars for this role) who was sexually harassed by her male co-workers. She fought the battle all alone with almost zero person supporting her except her lawyer at first. The rest was history.

The movie was inspired by a real case - Jenson versus Eveleth Teconite Co. It took 10-20 years of courage and public display to the private lives of the plaintifs to finally get what they deserve, a protection at their work place and of course, some compensations.

This, is only one case. How many cases are there throughout the history where women endure the pain and fought against all odds that make us - women who are breathing and living now - have what we have and live the way we live? I am seriously clueless and ashamed.

May be that's why in a way we were thought history at school (one of the subject I hated the most and now kinda regret that I didn't pay too much attention at school) so that we know who have pathed the way for us. Yes, some of the information may have been twisted and distorted, and some seriously, who knows they are simply fables and tales. But history is part of us, they made us who we are today.

Hence, this post is dedicated to people, especially women (and maybe there were also some men) who have made it possible for us, women, to live a safe life and of equal rights (at least at most part of the world at the moment). I believe without these great people we would not be able to talk as we like, walk as we like, work as we like, have what we like and even think as we like. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. And I hope to learn more about each and everyone of you as my life goes by and hopefully you will always leave your heartprints to the next generations to come. You have carved out life paths for us, I hope we will continue to do so and make the paths bigger and better.

The Curious Case of NTU Singapore

2009-03-08T03:00:00.000+08:00

Have you heard about the news that have been really hot in Singapore? Well, the university that I graduated from has apparently been in the limelight recently, for the wrong reasons. Dead bodies and blood are involved in Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

For the news, lookie here: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_347185.html

It was said according to the news source that 1st incident, an Indonesian Chinese student has stabbed a professor and then committed suicide. That happened on a Monday. Then, during the same week, on Saturday, a Chinese project officer has found hung.

2 dead bodies in less than a week. Wow ... Is the recession so bad and gloomy that everybody feels so stressed and simply needs to end their lives to feel better? And is it really a coincidence that both of them were from the same faculty - the School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering? Ah ... not forgetting a fact that both of them are also working in the same lab - S2-B3a-06. Ah ... yes, don't forget, people who are like the Indonesian student (a scholar who even represented the country for some Maths competition) and the Chinese project officer (who landed a job in NTU which was supposedly not as easy to get in as to work in McDonalds) must have some kind of brilliance especially in the academic arena. They were engineering trained, who were supposed to be pretty logical and "thought-things-through" before experimenting with anything, and these are the outcomes for their lives? And both in the same week?

I don't know how to feel about this news. But the news has definitely stirred certain mood in me when I first read it. I must admit that I must have pointed finger into the direction that media wanted me to believe. The media is a powerful too indeed. How can one forget that? Fortunately, God created this thing called "BRAIN". And some of those who remembered to utilize it, started to ask questions and feel something was fishy and then I was awakened.

I am definitely not in any position to comment about this case. I am no CSI and even if I am one, I have no access to the evidences and witnesses and whatever things that CSI needs in solving a case. So, I'm not here to argue, what's right, what's wrong, what should have been done, etc. I am also not here to dissect this situation as I am in no place to shine any lights to the case. I really hope the truth will prevail but even though if it's not, Miss Karma will take action in its own hand and in its own time.

But what I would like to point out in this era where we are so heavily spoon-fed by what we read, heard and seen, have we forgotten how to think for ourselves? Are we really that mentally lazy? Unfortunately, we are. I know I am. But through the curious case of NTU Singapore, this time, I really hope we'll be more awakened. To be reminded that we are born with a brain that hardly being utilized fully on things that REALLY matter. Life is hardly so straightforward, it needs a little bit of "detective" works and seriously, I am not just talking about this NTU case but about our own lives. I know I'm in the midst of a very big important and puzzling case of my own and I'm going to get my detective hat, coat and magnifying glass in order to find some clues about my own life. I hope you do too. Life is a mystery indeed, solve as much as you can and don't forget, we have a brain.

The Carpenters

2009-03-02T23:51:00.000+08:00

Ah well ... yes, another game of the songs as a friend of mine and the faithful reader of my blog, "challenged" me to do so with Carpenters' songs, so voila ... here they are. My friend, hope you are happy with this. I must say, it's not as easy as Metallica or ABBA.

The Name of the Game: Choose a singer/band/group, answer using ONLY titles of songs by that singer/band/group.

1. Are you male or female?
Strengh of A Woman

2. Describe yourself.
Ordinary Fool

3. What do people feel when they're around you?
Top of the World (I'm delusional, aren't I?)

4. How would you describe your previous relationship?
Yesterday Once More

5. Describe your current relationship.
Fun, Fun, Fun

6. Where would you want to be now?
Honolulu City Lights (They don't have Paris ler :'()

7. How do you feel about love?
Love is Surrender

8. What's your life like?
Happy

9. What would you ask for if you had only one wish?
Love Me for What I Am

10. Say something wise.
Don't Be Afraid

Metallica

2009-03-02T19:30:00.000+08:00

Well ... since I promised a friend I'll use Metallica for this quiz, I'll try my best to answer them ... dunno what it'll turn out though ... (arh.. what did I get myself into without knowing)

Choose a singer/band/group, answer using ONLY titles of songs by that singer/band/group.

1. Are you male or female?
Ain't My Bitch

2. Describe yourself?
Poor Twisted Me

3. What do people feel when they're around you?
Some Kind of Monster

4. How would you describe your previous relationship?
The Unnamed Feeling

5. Describe your current relationship.
Welcome Home

6. Where would you want to be now?
Wherever I May Roam

7. How do you feel about love?
No Remorse

8. What's your life like?
All Within My Hands

9. What would you ask for if you had only one wish?
...And Justice for All

10. Say something wise.
Carpe Diem Baby (means Seize the Day, Baby)

OMG! So different from ABBA! Like the Yin and the Yang
*fainted*

ABBA

2009-03-02T00:14:00.000+08:00

A friend of mine posted this "note" on Facebook and I think it's a great way to discovers singers and songs you may want to relate to. My first choice is ABBA and here's my answers. How about yours? I may try with different singers next time. :D

The Name of the Game: Choose a singer/band/group, answer using ONLY titles of songs by that singer/band/group.

1. Are you male or female?
I Am Just A Girl

2. Describe yourself.
I Have A Dream

3. What do people feel when they're around you?
The Way Old friends Do

4. How would you describe your previous relationship?
Dream World

5. Describe your current relationship.
I Let the Music Speak // Me And I

6. Where would you want to be now?
Another Town Another Train

7. How do you feel about love?
Knowing Me Knowing You

8. What's your life like?
As Good As New

9. What would you ask for if you had only one wish?
Voulez Vous (Means "Would You?")

10. Say something wise.
The Winner Takes It All

I Miss Paris Badly

2009-02-22T23:31:00.000+08:00

My last post to fulfill my promise to my friend so that I'll not be eaten as his lunch (hmpf) ... will be a rant from my heart, which many of you would have already known anyway. Yes ... it's
I MISS PARIS BADLY!!!!!!!!

:'(
My body is here but my heart is really there. Yes, you may say I'm just a tourist there and of course I'll miss it since I was there to play and not to work and live. I can't completely disagree with that thought either but there was something about France I really like!

Some of my friends in Asia said if I do live there, I'll not get used to their super quiet "Sunday" where most of the major shops are closed. Well, people there apparently don't SHOP as much as people in Asia, but I just love it! What I really miss the most is the quality of the conversation I'm able to get while I'm with the locals there. And I love how much care and thoughts they give into what they buy, what they eat, their culture, their history, etc. It's amazing.

At times like this I can't help but wonder why is Europe so far away? Why I can't stand the aircon in Singapore and I was pretty much happy during the cold winter in Europe (with the right gear of course!!!). But if there's one thing I really really love about Asia ... Singapore and Indonesia in particular ... that will be the convenience of the public toilets system! I'll not take that for granted! With a small bladder like mine ... toilets are like my bestest friend ever!!! But, then I survived too when I was there. With the bulky winter clothes and my heavy backpack, I still survive the toilets adventure!

I really hope Hiro from Heroes will just zap me there whenever I want ... ah well, for now I can only stare at the photos I've brought back and give thanks to the experience that I already have. I'll just tell myself, Paris, I'll be back.

The Heart of Life

2009-02-22T23:07:00.000+08:00

As I'm still scratching my head to write something that's more substantial while being accompanied by John Mayer's The Heart of Life, I thought to myself, why don't I share this song to my readers.

Well, let me first share with you the full lyrics of the song:

THE HEART OF LIFE
BY JOHN MAYER

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears and listen

Pain throws you heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won't all go the way, it should
But I know the heart of life is good

You know it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
Then the circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won't all go the way, it should
But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good

I know it's good

There are 2 lines that hit me:
1. You know it's nothing new, bad news never had good timing
2. Fear is a friend who's misunderstood, but I know the heart of life is good

The year 2009, has been an awful year so far. Seriously, awful. I'm quite tired of being an energizer bunny whom people think my life has been pretty smooth sailing and I'm able to spread joy and motivate people but seriously, this is life, get real and it's been terrible recently.

And yes, like John Mayer said,"...it's nothing new, bad news never had good timing." I've seen it happened to so many souls this year and yours truly included. It's tough. And the road ahead, is super murky. I can't see a thing. It's that bad.

When you are so low, sometimes you really forget that your head can be used to look up too. Yes, it's seriously hard to look up at time like this. Seriously. When I try to look up, the voices push me down further to the pit of "worse-than-ever". How can one survive in sucha state of mind?

I don't know ...

But, I guess the song is a great reminder for me and for those who are in the down-low that, don't you forget .... "The heart of life is good."

Eventually, this too shall pass ... and life will be good again. Everything has its cycle and it happened to be a very turbulent time, this year. It will crawl back up, eventually. And meanwhile, I'll immerse myself in John Mayer's voice .... enjoy the video through this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS8NvoMudy8 or from the embedded video below. :)

Yes, This is Really Me

2009-02-22T22:51:00.000+08:00

I know it's been really long since I last wrote. If you've read the latest post on my Quote's Blog, you'll find out, I've made a promised to a friend that I've to blog or if not, I'll be his lunch -.-" Geez. So here I am ... going to "flood" your mailbox with minimum 3 posts for today. And, this will be counted as one post. A really really really short "intro" that I'm still alive and yes, I'll write more.

Now, I really need to scratch my head really hard to think of what to write. Aih .... See ya soon.

One Thing I Know I Have Plenty Of ....

2009-02-02T14:20:00.000+08:00

I just came back from another short trip. This time, it's my hometown - Pematang Siantar. We call it P.Siantar, Siantar or simply Xtar now. Wow, I am surprised I can find a wikipedia page about it. :D And yes, that's my town and Jalan Merdeka is where I stay.

It's the time of the year where most Chinese will gather and go back to spend time with their family. It's Chinese New Year! This time I chose to go back to my hometown and spent time with my parents. :) Along the way, I got to spend more time with my naggy granny and generous aunt and uncle whom I've always been very close to since I was young. It's a great mini family reunion indeed.

Besides my family, one thing I know for sure I have plenty of from this trip is that I have lots of great friends. Well, there are a few belong to the "irritating" category where they keep shoveling you with their ideas and plans when you don't want to participate in it. But overall, they have been really great! Nice catching up and lots of discoveries.

Some have gone all the way out to help me and some have made sure I had a great time in my town. I'm truly touched. Some simply appear at the right time and at the right place after 13 years, that was really a nice surprised.

But I've also learned that not all friends are great. There are some you simply need to cut loose for whatever reasons that do not tick with you. I used to be a keeper, I try hard to keep as many friends as possible thinking that "oh ... every soul is precious." But seriously, I've come to learn that's simply bullsh**. There's no such things as everyone deserves your time and attention. Some are really meant to be cut loose, sooner or later, you will discover them. To my surprise, after some purging, I have made rooms for more newer and greater friends.

Now ... I appreciate the friendships that I already have, I have an open mind and a pair of opened-eyes to make sure new friends keep on flowing, and I also train myself to purge and discard those who have not been creating any values in my life. Values to me are not just something I get from that person, but when I can't see how I am able to give and contribute to one's life anymore, adios, my friend. I'm sorry. Our paths have made their decisions to take on separate ways.

Another thing I know everyone has plenty of is that great friendships are available for everyone as long as one's willing to work on the balance in the game of giving and receiving; be it time, attention or simply acknowledgment. You'll be as surprised as I was, am and forever will be.

How was 2008?

2009-01-01T17:44:00.000+08:00

So, it's a brand new year already. How is the celebration for everyone? I hope everything goes well and wishing everyone a blessed year ahead.

I am typing this on a brand new Macbook which is equipped with French keyboard, which obviously is not mine, and with a cat just passing down my cheek to let me know that he wants some attention. I had a wonderful and really "rare" new year's eve celebration last night. I am currently in Liege, Belgium and my journey so far, has been awesome. You may hear more about my experiences if I finally have the discipline to blog hee hee ... but for now, I am determined to at least write something out to start the new year.

So, how was 2008 for everyone? Did it start and end on the high note? Even if it didn't, did you manage to at least learn an important lesson out of it? Or at least something different from what you have been experiencing every year?

I think I did. Oh ... of course I did. To be able to land my arse in Europe for 3 weeks during winter when I am even scared of the air conditioning system in Singapore, living and meeting with completely real-life strangers (I have considered them friends in my mind but to most people, they are strangers), travel mostly on my own and alone with my very broken and basic French language, met up with 3 awesome internet friends in 3 different countries and know even more new friends, etc etc etc ... the list goes and and yes, I did have an awesome 2008. (OMG the cat just passed in front of me again ... huahhhh)

Consider myself blessed, but what is blessing without having the faith and taking the risks to explore something completely out of the comfort zone and being called crazy by some people for taking the leap?

And most importantly, if I have ever learned anything from this trip, it is not the things and places you have seen that matter. Seriously, those are secondary. What I cherish the most from my crazy adventure alone in a strange land are the people. From the people who have been giving me moral support, accompanied me shopping for my winter clothing, helped me in getting great discount on my super important winter coat, made sure I have everything packed, etc to the people whom I have not yet met and yet never failed to show warmth that I don't even get normally from people that I know for long.

So, what makes 2008 special for me? It is the realization that the people that I know have given me the most in the way they could never imagine. And no words can express how grateful I am to know each and everyone of them. The footprints they have left in my heart are more impactful than the sights of Eiffel Tower.

I hope one of the resolution that we all can make for 2009 is to not take everyone that you know and have not yet known for granted. Without people, there wouldn't be much meaning in the game we call Life. But well, feel free to dispose those people who aren't giving much values in your life too. As, you need more spaces for better people to come into your lives.

Have a great 2009, everyone.

2008 Christmas Carol

2008-11-17T19:11:00.000+08:00

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

It's hitting you once,
It's hitting you twice
It doesn't care if you've been careful and wise
Recession is coming to town

It's worthless if you've got shares
It's worthless if you've got bonds
It's safe when you've got cash in hand
So keep cash for goodness sake, HEY

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town!

Finance products are confusing
Finance products are so vague
The banks make you bear the cost of risk
So keep out for goodness sake, OH

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

Singapore Biennale 2008: Address (Project: Another Country)

2008-11-12T15:40:00.000+08:00

Artwork:
Address (Project: Another Country)

Type:
Installation

Description:
Domestic objects cast on balikbayan (homecoming) box

Artists:
Alfredo Juan Aquilizan
Maria Isabel Gaudinez-Aquilizan

Inspired by their own relocation from Phillipines to Australia, the husband and wife team, Alfredo & Maria Aquilizan created this "room" by using tons of personal objects that have been collected from all over for more than 10 years. They then "cubed" the personal belongings, in a very artistic manner, by using the Balikbayan boxes. Balikbayan boxes are used a lot by Filipino migrants to store and relocate their belongings from one place to another. And yes, you can read more about the "Balikbayan boxes" from wikipedia.

Now, if this art project was simply collecting personal items, arranging them in a certain way so that they'll hold up in the Balikbayan boxes, and that make sure when the box is removed they are able to be stacked with the rest of the other items, then you are wrong.

As I walked and paid more attention to the details, each items were carefully placed. Not only the structure aspects were very well taken care of, but also the fun aspects of it. Yes, this "space" actually interacts with the viewer and sometimes you'll find some "spooky" items and sometimes you'll find that the artists were simply want to joke around with you. Like the following items I managed to find here.

First of all, I have to applaud the patience that the artists have in putting all the things together in a "chaotic" and yet organized manner. But what I adore the most from these piece of art is the fun and nostalgic feeling the viewers get while going through items over items. Well, the feeling of nostalgic may be really to the "older" people like me :p what I am trying to say is that everyone will find at least one item speaks to him/her in a special way. What's the item for me? Ah well, may be the duckie (or is it a chickie?) who loves her cocktail below is my personal favourite. Don't ask me why! :-)

Wall Arts

2008-11-12T15:10:00.000+08:00

Recently I'm quite in the "artsy-fartsy" mode. Just recently been to the Singapore Biennale 2008 and took more than 400 photos (which I promised I will share a few of the artworks that I'm impressed with soon) and now I am being introduced with a different type of work of art. Something that is actually functional for the house.

And this website has quite a few "unique" designs of wall art that either make your jaw drops or wonder if that is really a piece of art, like this piece over here.

Normally, when we think about wall art, we tend to think about canvas oil paintings/canvas wall art, being one of the most common piece of art for most homes. I personally love more abstract pieces but everybody has its own tune to to arts.

There's also another kind of art that is revolutionizing home owners now. Metal wall art. Yeah, it may be heavy and bulky but I have to admit, some of their metal wall art are really exquisite! You should check out this page and after seeing some, you wouldn't even realize that they are actually made of metals!

Even though I don't own my own roof yet at this moment, but I can't help to appreciate such items. It's a feeling I can't really describe but when certain "art" speaks to you, even though it may just be on in the display window of a shop, you know it has touched you in a special way. Hope you'll find your special "wall art" one of these day. I haven't really found mine too, may be till I get my own roof. :)

How Did One Do That?

2008-11-12T14:59:00.000+08:00

Recently, I was being mentioned in my plurk friend's blog and ho-boy I'm really honoured :-). Then I saw that at every post of hers, she has the word "NaBloPoMo" on each and every title of her blog post recently. I was wondering what on earth that is.

So I checked it out at the following website - www.nablopomo.com and found out it actually means National Blog Posting Month. It's a "movement" to help blogger commit and support each other in writing on a regular basis and their challenge for a start is to write everyday for a month including weekend!

Geez, I can't even keep up with a weekly post and here they are suggesting every day. Hmm ... may be this is just what I need to kick my lazy "a**" up into the flow of writing but I am not sure yet if I am up to it.

But well, no harm for me to share this piece of information just in case any of you fellow bloggers out there who are very ACTIVE and would like to turn it up a notch. So, why not just sign up and commit to a daily blogging habit. :D

But if you are already blogging daily and still want to turn it up a notch, may be you should create your own community of nablopoho.com - national blog posting hour, instead! :D

I Need to Write

2008-11-05T17:48:00.000+08:00

Geez ... time has passed so fast ....

I've gone to Penang and back
I've enlarged my social circles (other than that, nothing else has been enlarged yet :p)
I've passed my first ever French test
I've watched Avenue Q and realized even in funny things wisdom exist

I've celebrated my 1st Halloween ever in my life and met MY PRECIOUS!
I've witnessed USA made a historical move by having the very first African American president
I've witnessed the stocks go up and down crazily in a mere 2 weeks
I've lived in the era of possible bad recession coming
I've taken a pic with one of the prettiest little girl ever exist in my life (and very well mannered too even though her mom is so nottie) :p
I've realized the biceps that I've trained so hard before, they have now turned into Cordyceps. So so sad .....

Yes, lots have passed and happened and one thing hasn't really been moving much is my blog. URGH! Yes, I know, I know, I've not been writing. I'm so sorry.

There are so many occasions when I have the urge to write, alas, I have no access to my computer. Then when I have the access, I have writer's block!

So now, I force myself this time to write, if not I'll be poked by ma chère tante (It's French for "my dear aunty"). She's someone special I met from my French class. Not only we are both monkey of different cycle in the Chinese zodiac, our mobile number is so creepily similar that when I dial, I'll feel like I'm calling myself. So, I wouldn't want to step on her monkey-ish tail and hence I am writing!!!! *humf* :p

Even though this post will not make much sense and it's seriously incoherent, but I have come to learn, any momentum is better than inactivity. Unless too much of activities have crippled your ability to keep a balance in your life.

Am I talking sense at all?

Well, that's all for now, folks. I'll be back. I promise I'll be back more often! Gggrr ... I need to give my writing mojo a few spanking. And at least now I have ma chère tante who's kinda experienced in the spanking area as she's very well equipped with the knowledge of canes. "I'm oh so scared." So ... I'll be back. :-) Thanks for still staying with me despite of my absence.

Promises Like Pie-Crust

2008-10-20T09:48:00.000+08:00

I am mesmerized by Carla Bruni, her life, her songs and her creativity, after my teacher shared one of her work - Raphaël - which apparently was kinda inspired by her own love life.
She used to be a model who then gave up her modeling career to pursue her passion in music. She's also the first lady of France at the moment after marrying the President Nicolas Sarkozy.

One of her album, No Promises, which majority of her songs are actually adapted from poems by deceased authors. I stumbled upon "Promises Like Pie-Crust" which was written by Christina Georgina Rossetti. Can't help it but to get lost in the words.

Hope you'll enjoy the words as much as I do. I've also embedded the song version. If you are unable to view through email, click the following link - http://www.donnadaritan.com/2008/10/promises-like-pie-crust.html.

Promises Like Pie-Crust

by Christina Georgina Rossetti
(1830-1894)

Promise me no promises,
So will I not promise you:
Keep we both our liberties,
Never false and never true:
Let us hold the die uncast,
Free to come as free to go:
For I cannot know your past,
And of mine what can you know?

You, so warm, may once have been
Warmer towards another one:
I, so cold, may once have seen
Sunlight, once have felt the sun:
Who shall show us if it was
Thus indeed in time of old?
Fades the image from the glass,
And the fortune is not told.

If you promised, you might grieve
For lost liberty again:
If I promised, I believe
I should fret to break the chain.
Let us be the friends we were,
Nothing more but nothing less:
Many thrive on frugal fare
Who would perish of excess.

What Good is A Religion?

2008-10-02T14:50:00.000+08:00

What good is a religion?
If it doesn't stop one to lie
What good is a religion?
If it doesn't stop one to disrespect

He can go to church every week
And be the nicest men there
When he's back home
He's worse than an atheist

What good is a religion?
If he has no courage to speak the truth
What good is a religion?
If he shows hatred when pride is hurt

What a shame
Such man exists in close proximity
I don't blame the religion
But the man that he turns out to be

My Friend, Fancy

2008-09-30T16:01:00.000+08:00

This humble poem is dedicated to my dearest flatmate, Fancy. She's my MSN, Plurk, Facebook, Friendster, hanging-out, anything-goes kind of buddy. (We can do all those all at the same time, next to each other too). So, it's time for me to do something "nice" to her.

*Evil laughter*

Here we go ...

My Friend, Fancy

Her name is Fancy
Her nick is Panci
Her beau is Franky
Her car is Suzuki

Her mind’s quite blurry
But she ain’t a dummy
She thinks she’s groovy
We think she’s "clownie"

Her blood is AB
Her jokes are crappy
Her life is funny
But never lonely

That’s my friend Fancy
Who is quite lovely
Even though she's silly
Still a GREAT company

Story of A Sign

2008-09-30T09:00:00.000+08:00

What a beautiful super short film (only 5 minutes) that portrays how words that are written differently will strike different feelings on others.

If you can't see the video, please click this link - http://www.donnadaritan.com/2008/09/story-of-sign.html

So, What Do You See?

2008-09-29T15:03:00.000+08:00

Recently I have too many wake-up calls through unexpected sources. TV shows, newsletter, stupid activities, etc. Most of the words of wisdom I've posted at my quotes blog, including this following quote that I'm going to share with you.

What we see depends mainly on what we look for. --John Lubbock

Simple words, aren't they? But ponder deeply upon them. They are too profound and too true. And its simplicity has been taken for granted by so many and in this following context, by me.

I think this particular quote should be on everyone's head all the time. It should be a great reminder to our breathing moments to focus on what we want to look for.

Yes, I still have my starstruck moment and I think that incident itself will not recover so fast on me. You may think it's just another celebrity, yes she is. Diana Krall is a human too but ... what I found interesting in this incident is what my friend was looking for. From the first day we mentioned about the concert, she saw nothing but her signed CDs. She talked and acted as if Diana Krall was going to sign her CDs. And looked at what we've got? Not only the autographs but we MET, TALKED, and ARE in a photo together.

What my friend saw all along was the signed CDs but the universe has rewarded her persistence in perspective with a chance to interact and simply be present with the star. And I was just happened to be under the radar coverage that silly and skeptic me had the chance to tap on her gift from the universe.

Back to the message - what we see depends mainly on what we look for. From now, try instill the habit of asking yourself in the mind ... "At this moment, what am I looking for?". For example, how many times you found yourself doing things for the sake of doing without knowing why you are doing it. You simply take the activity as a chore. But if you have a specific "thing" to look for, you may be surprised with what you found. If you are in a meeting and what you are looking for subconsciously is a piece of boredom, then no surprise that's how you'd feel. If you think you'll find a new friend in that meeting, naturally, you will find a new friend there.

From now on, let's set in our mind's eyes that we only want to look for things that we want to. Don't accept anything lesser than that, unless, that's what you are looking for. You won't know what you'll get, you may just get what you wish for and more. :-)