Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Further "After Thoughts"

I thought about the topic a bit more over lunch today. (Hmm.. I really like my alone lunch time. It's just so enjoyable to eat, think and read alone. Who would have thought I would say this - seeing that I was avoiding it for so long?) :P

Anyway - here's what I've deduced so far.

The life cycle of the people that I know generally goes about like this...

Born -> Raised, provided for and protected by parents/other family members while getting as much education as the parents can afford / the kids are willing to do -> Find a job -> Find a partner -> Get married & learn to support ourselves (financially) -> Have kids -> Raise, provide for and protect the kids..
... and the cycle continues except that it's now about the kids.

Sometimes people probably have to struggle quite a bit to complete this cycle within their given time frame. When that happens, completing the cycle then become the main focus of their life.

Take my parents for example. My dad didn't get to complete high school and he has to compete with others who has the advantage of completed university in providing the best life standard for his kids. My mom's life priority has always been about the family, and us, the kids. This - I know for a fact - has work extremely well for them. They've set their goals and they've definitely have achieved them well ahead of their time.

Then there are people like me.. who has cruise through the cycle and currently about half way in it but reluctant about moving on to the next step yet.

I realised that I'm very lucky to have the luxury of my parents' protection, their full attention and love (well - a quarter of a full I guess) and I really do appreciate what my parents have done for me. At the same time, they have the open mind of letting me choose what I want to do with life (while providing hints as often as possible).

But I'm still not ready to do the same for someone else - even if they're my kids. I want to achieve something that is just purely me before moving on to that step. I'm not saying that I can't do it with kids - I mean, I know many people who have - but surely there's a better chance of the achievement happening when my focus isn't diverged.

Now that I've deduced those facts out - where does it leave me?

Well - for one, I know that at the moment, I don't want my life to be about reproducing. It is not an achievement. Hmm.. pardon me. It is an achievement to be a great parents and have great kids. But I guess - that is not enough for the current me. I want to achieve something else before I go down that path...

Plus, there is this appreciation thing too. I actually feel that I should be able to achieve something even more because my parents have done so well in providing for me. They've helped me conserve so much energy and provided me with certain level of luxury throughout my life so that I should put them into something big. Something useful. Something meaningful.

Looking around, some people on my boat, have the "wealth accumulation = being successful" ingrained in them by their parents (through their own struggle towards financial freedom). I used to think that too - but it has somehow been stripped off me along the way. But I've come to the realisation that money isn't everything and wealth accumulation is over-rated. (Playing "Miami Nights: Singles in the City" will tell you that :P)

The question remains - what is this something else that I want to achieve? How do I go about in achieving them?

I know that staying where I am just because it is comfortable certainly wouldn't help me. Or would it?

"Blood Diamonds" After Thoughts

There's lots of after thoughts from watching "Blood Diamond" Blu-Ray disc last night on our new and shiny LCD screen.

It's already quite difficult to see the actual purpose of my job in this world (aside from providing me with good income). The past year or so, I've been my head been going in this cycle a few time. It's such a conundrum (hihi - the first time I use this word, so I hope I'm using it right). The constant fight between working for money or working for something that I believe in.

Hmm... I must be pretty selfish and narcisstic. I mean - after I watch a movie as eye opening and provoking? (not too sure if this is the right use of word here) as Blood Diamond - all I can think about is my life and my job. But I gotta admit - it was circling in my head throughout the movie last night (with other thoughts). People are dying; shooting at each other; fighting over things; rebuilding the community in Africa (and I'm sure lots of other places) and what am I doing? Every work day, I get up, go to work, have my coffee, then send emails, click on a few things, try to say the right things while browsing websites all day long.

Don't get me wrong... there are parts that I like from my work. I love helping people out. I've always loved doing that. I also enjoy problem solving. But I don't think I get to do those things enough. And when I do, I'm not certain on whether I'm helping the right people or even in the right way. It kinda feels that I can utilise my time and effort to do something else that will help fix the world better.

This morning, I did try and think about how I would go about in fixing the diamond war issue. I mean, if we can't identify the conflict-free diamonds, how do you stop people from buying them? Then, they are already taking the right steps; I mean the "Kimberly Process" must definitely reduce the violence number significantly. I guess it is a little too big for my plate. So I thought I should try and fix things one step at a time. At the moment - my work life is something that can definitely be much further improved. I mean - look at the main cast that in the "Blood Diamonds" movie. They are people who risk their life to do what they do; and even then they still feel they are not doing enough. I want to be able to say the same thing about what I do everyday.

Here's the big thing - life is only once. Shouldn't I be utilising this time and health that I have to the max? There is this part of me that thinks that I could do better things than just working for money. I can help people in a much grander way than just providing them with access to their business reports. Heck, I actually want to do better things. But, am I willing to sacrifice my comfort living to do anything about this?

If you're in the corporation world, have you ever feel the same way? What to do?

Sigh...

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Notes from "Marley & Me"

Live life to the fullest NOW! There won't be any rewind or pause button - however hard you wish for it. And - why on earth would someone want a fast forward button?

But for some strange reason - through the life's downs or cause you think the grass on the other side is greener or just for no reason whatsoever - you (mmm actually - me) attempt to press an imaginary fast forward button.

When that happens, stop and remind yourself... that this very second of your life's down, will never happen again (well - not exactly the same).

So, here's a thought.

Why not try to enjoy it (or at the very least just go through it properly)? Quite possibly, some time in the not-too-distant future, looking back, this second would be one of the moment that makes your life... or at the very least - makes your life's ups feel even sweeter.

"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.

It was really quite simple, and yet we humans, so much wiser and more sophisticated, have always had trouble figuring out what really counts and what does not. Sometimes it takes a dog with bad breath, worse manners, and pure intentions to help us see. Ask yourself, how many people in this world can truly make you feel rare, pure and extraordinary?"
-- Josh Grogan from Marley & Me

Hmm... Pssst, here's another one!
"Sometimes life has a better idea (than us)."
-- Arnie Klein from Marley & Me

Well - I, for one, need to stop wasting my time attempting to fast forward my life; or rewind; or even pause; or worse, live in the past.

I will sort out my priority; savour and appreciate my life as it is at the moment. Cause what I have is abso-f...ing-lutely Fabulous (with a capital F, that is!) ^.^

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Magazine Cover

I walked past a newsstand on the way to work this morning, glanced at the display window and one of the weekly gossip magazine cover caught my eyes. I'm not sure which magazine it was, but it says "Celebrity Real Weight", as in body weight in kilograms.

The first thing that comes to mind was "Why would the magazine think that anyone would be interested to know that information?". Then, "Surely no one is going to buy that magazine because of that cover?". Next, "Hmm.. I wonder if us female are really crazy enough to buy the magazine to get that information." "But why??? It's useless!!" "Is it really useless?" "Sure it is!" "Hmm.. I don't know.. It did get my attention.." "But why did it get my attention?"

OK - that's enough.. Let it go.

One last thing. It's a little sad that with everything that is happening in the world today (global warming, economy crisis, etc), with the vast amount of information flowing around us, and with the inability to find enough time to do the things we want to do and keep up with the rapid changes in our life today - we are still making the time to read and then talk about that type of useless information.
Note: I use the word "we" for a reason... I too commit the crime. *sheepish smile* But, I'm working on it... pushing the urges away. One day at a time. :P

I found the magazine cover.

Bouillabaisse

I went to Chez Olivier last night for an impromptu dinner date with the husband. ^.^ The food was ......... *went speechless from the memory of it* - amazingly good.

I tried Bouillabaisse...
A fish soup containing different kinds of cooked fish and shellfish and vegetables, flavored with a variety of herbs and spices such as garlic, orange peel, basil, bay leaf, fennel and saffron. The broth is traditionally served with a rouille, a mayonnaise made of olive oil, garlic, saffron and cayenne pepper on grilled slices of bread. In Marseille, the broth is served first in a bowl containing the bread and rouille, with the seafood and vegetables served separately in another bowl or on a platter.
-- From the Wikipedia.

The combined taste that was created by the bread, the rouille and the broth was just HEAVENLY... I love it!

The restaurant itself has jump right up the Shelvia's Highly Recommended Places to Eat in Melbourne list. We'll definitely return... with camera! I can't believe I didn't have it with me yesterday. Argh!!! But it's OK - even the more reason to return and check out the cassoulet... :)

Look what I just found on the restaurant's Menu and Wine page.. Special Deals from Sunday to Thursday!!!! =D)
* Our LUNCH MENU is also very attractive with Some Entrees at $9.9, Mains at $17.9 and desserts at the same price of the entrees.
* Lunch Prix Fixe - Combine an entree and a main for $24.0 only and what about three courses for $29.0 only.
* Dinner Prix Fixe - A three course dinner at Chez Olivier for $36, that is thirty six dollars including the GST, YES YOU CAN!!!!

Ah... I love Melbourne, and the Internet. :)

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Tip-Toeing Through Life

I was flicking through a few old photos today.. It's funny to try and remember how I felt when that photo was taken. I'm not sure whether it's just my memory not working really well and I'm easily convinced by my smile on the photo; but I do remember being less "worried" back then. More "in the moment".

I'm not sure when this started - but looking back to my recent past; I feel that I've been tip-toeing through life. I constantly have this worries of my social life in the back of my mind. It feels like a lot of it is fake. Not sincere. I'm pretty sure and remember that it used to be sincere. Now it feels very posed and made up. It feels that I'm hanging by the thread right at the outskirt of the loop; barely in it.

Not too sure why I feel this way. It could be a mixture of things. It could part of growing up. It could be my insecurity. It's possible that I'm in the wrong orbit. Definitely think I should do something about it.

I wanna live my life - TO THE FULLEST. I want to laugh like crazy and mean it. I want to give my all to something and have my heart beats crazily because of the risk of losing it all. I want to run and jump through hoops - instead of tip-toeing. I want to feel challenged. I want to feel alive.

Have you ever feel that way?

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Decided!

I'm changing my name - taking over my husband's surname.
Yihee.. :)

Why?
Cause I want to be unique!!!!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

I like this type of jacket!

Seen this fitted rolled-up-sleeve blazer look twice the past few days.


-- Taken from Lookbook - Caring is creepy.

I like!!! And I want!!! :P

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

This one is for Pipi!


-- Taken from Lookbook - cupcake

Fashion Craze

I really like the way she coordinated this outfit here; don't you??


-- Taken from Lookbook - On a Tuesday.

It probably will just be wishful thinking - but I'd love to dress as simple, cute and well coordinated as this!!! =P

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Just For Laughs...



Ha Ha Ha :)

Maybe :P

Darn! ;P