Monday, January 3, 2011

10 life lessons in my first 30 years

In less than a month, I will be attaining the unspeakable age. Yes, I am still unconsciously rejecting the fact that I am upgraded to a higher level in the age category.

Thinking is no more than a tiny aspect of the totality of consciousness, the totality of who you are.
By Eckhart Tolle

OK. Maybe I am thinking too much. AGE is nothing but just numbers. Looking at this in a more positive angle, the numbers are reminding us of the tasks we are to complete before we leave the earth.
So, right now I am asking myself “What have I learn in my first 30 years in life?”

Lesson #1 Money is not everything; family is on top of anything
I was brought up in an environment where money is so important because my parents have to work very hard to earn cash to support the family. There were times where the more money they make, the more they wanted. The sky is the limit. It was a never-ending affair.

Not until the day my dad passed away, I realized that money and all those things that money can buy are useless because it cannot bring my dad back. All those expensive material goodies that my dad treasured when he was alive are left untouched in the cupboard and some ended up in the bin. It was then that I realized family is more important than anything in the world. My workaholic life stopped at that instance.

Lesson #2 Work life balance is the way to sustain a healthy work relationship
This lesson is an extension from Lesson #1. 
Realizing that family is top priority, my life is now balanced between work and personal life. It has to be this way because working to a point of obsession is way too unhealthy. I believe in producing high quality work and balancing with good quality time spent with family & friends.

Life has certainly been so much happier. Plus, I am so much healthier too!

Lesson #3 Appreciate the man who willingly shower you with true love
Men are everywhere.
To find the one that truly care for you and love you for who you are, is the true challenge. I have found mine after years of searching and unbearable years of dating disaster. He is more than what I have dreamed of in a man.

“Bubbles, thank you for being in my life and I love you more each day”.

However, to be loved and cherished, I too need to express appreciation and gratitude for it takes both hands to clap.


Lesson #4 People are too busy minding their own business
I used to mind what others think of me but then how can one control thousands of minds? 
So, now I am who I am, do what I do best and mind my own business because everyone is actually doing the same. No one has more than 5 minutes a day to think of what you do or what you wear, so don’t be obsessed by it! 

Lesson #5 No decision is ever completely right or wrong
Even a spoiled clock is right twice a day!
That’s why I always say there are no wrong or right answers, for it is the only answer available at that crucial moment. 

Lesson #6 Happiness is not given; Happiness is a state of mind
Ever said to yourself, “If only I earn ten thousand dollars a month, I’ll then be able to buy that diamond and be the happiest woman on earth!”.

Well, guess what? That kinda ‘happy’ condition will not last forever because soon you will be miserable again for you have another wish in mind to accomplish. However, I know some rich people who suffered from depression everyday! 

Don’t ever relate happiness to materials or even to another person. Happiness is something that is nurtured within yourself. Be happy for who you are, where you are and how you are. Start to appreciate your life and happiness will always be there for you.

Lesson #7 If you want something, you have to DO something!
There are no free lunches in this world. Everything you achieved or owned has a price to pay. I have seen people who moaned and grumbled each day about why life isn’t going the way they want it to be and yet they still continue moaning and grumbling every single day. 

I am not as lucky as some people who were born with everything on their plate. No doubt I have wonderful parents who will try to provide me with the essentials of life. However, I know what I want in life and I will reach out to do whatever I can to arrive at my desired destination. So far, I am truly satisfied with the results and will still grab any opportunities that will lead me to my ideal situation. 

My motto is if you want something, go out there and get it! Opportunities are everywhere. Are you reaching out for it?

Lesson #8 Having good quality friends is way better than having way too many friends
I have made lots of friends throughout my life and will be making more friends as I walk further in life. However, good friends are not easy to find. In a bunch of a hundred friends, only a handful might be considered good friends. I have not a hundred good friends but I have a couple of dear friends who will be cherished and loved because they have done the same for me. You know who you are and you will always be in my heart! Love you gals!



Lesson #9 Learning to love myself
If you don’t start loving yourself, who is going to?
I walked through a painful stretch of my life to realize this simple theory. 

Lesson #10 Living life and seeking passion all the way!
Know what you enjoy and doing it every day is the only way to truly lead a fulfilling life. This is something that I have learn so far and yet to achieve. I will take this year to seriously consider my passions and how to live it every day!

Well, I guess it is not that bad because I realized that I have certainly lived a wonderful and fulfilling life so far. Saying this, I should be looking forward to the next 30 marvelous years! Tick tocking to my birthday where I will blow the candles and proudly announce that I am 30 years old. 

 *proud and pleased*


Saturday, January 1, 2011

2010: Closing cycles (from Paulo Coelho's Blog)

One always has to know when a stage comes to an end. If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through.

Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters – whatever name we give it, what matters is to leave in the past the moments of life that have finished.

Did you lose your job? Has a loving relationship come to an end? Did you leave your parents’ house? Gone to live abroad? Has a long-lasting friendship ended all of a sudden? You can spend a long time wondering why this has happened. 

You can tell yourself you won’t take another step until you find out why certain things that were so important and so solid in your life have turned into dust, just like that. But such an attitude will be awfully stressing for everyone involved: your parents, your husband or wife, your friends, your children, your sister.

Everyone is finishing chapters, turning over new leaves, getting on with life, and they will all feel bad seeing you at a standstill.

Things pass, and the best we can do is to let them really go away.

That is why it is so important (however painful it may be!) to destroy souvenirs, move, give lots of things away to orphanages, sell or donate the books you have at home.

Everything in this visible world is a manifestation of the invisible world, of what is going on in our hearts – and getting rid of certain memories also means making some room for other memories to take their place.
Let things go. Release them. Detach yourself from them. 

Nobody plays this life with marked cards, so sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood. 

Stop turning on your emotional television to watch the same program over and over again, the one that shows how much you suffered from a certain loss: that is only poisoning you, nothing else.
Nothing is more dangerous than not accepting love relationships that are broken off, work that is promised but there is no starting date, decisions that are always put off waiting for the “ideal moment.”
Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back.

Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person – nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need.

This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.

Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because that no longer fits your life.
Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust.

Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Friday, December 31, 2010

Creating a better future in 2011

Forget the past and create a better future.

Today is the last day of 2010 and of course you, me and everyone else wish to have a another great year in 2011. Maybe even  a better year with more accomplishment. 

However, as I drove pass the house I have been living in for the past 11 years with my parents, many memories came flooding back to me. At that moment, I only have one wish in mind. If only someone is able to grant me just one wish, only one wish. I only wish for my dad to be here right now to enjoy our new home with us.

Two years have passed since he left us and physically, we have moved on. Deep in my heart, I am still wishing that incident two years ago never happened. Does that mean I have not forgotten the past and will never be able to create a better future?

Anyhow, I am not going to dwell on that today for New Year's celebration awaits me!

Happy New Year folks! 
See you next year...



Saturday, December 18, 2010

Autumn in Hong Kong (part 2)

 Hong Kong, the busiest and certainly one of the most congested city in the world. There are people at every single corner of the street and everyone walks faster and speak even faster. 
*WARNING* Do not attempt to stay in Hong Kong if you've the characteristics of a turtle.

 Lan Kwai Fong is a place where people come for drinks and F.U.N. It was so crowded when we were there because the world was actually celebrating Halloween. People and Ghost were seen partying in the bars, pubs and even on the streets...

 We were in a truly packed mall in Wong Kok. I managed to buy nothing because the crowd was too much and there isn't a space to even stand and breath... 

So, the best thing to do in Hong Kong? Cari makan (EAT) of course!!
 We asked around and the locals directed us to this famous dim sum restaurant at Sham Shui Po's Tai Po Road. Very easy to reach there... just take the MRT to Sham Shui Po station and walk to Tai Po Road. It is situated right in the middle of the road.

Here's the menu... I can't read a thing because everything is in Chinese!



 Super delicious!


 I love it!


We visited several tourist destination in Hong Kong and this is one of them...

We are now in a tram... moving high up... towards a place called Madam Tussuad's Museum


Where Bubbles danced with Madonna!

 and hung out with martial arts STARS!

 Bubbles with Jet Li

 and Diana... she was seen dating Aaron Kwok... whoaa... scandal!!

 Me? I had a debate with Einstein... 

 Bubbles continues hanging out with martial arts STARS and were seen learning some stunts...
*when are you going to show me those stunts??**

Whoaa... so tall!!

cai dan ceh (cycling) with Leon Lai... another scandal!!


Also, if you're a fan of Disneyland... please don't forget the World of Disney in Hong Kong!
I had so much fun catching up with my childhood bestfriends!!









Who says Hong Kong Disneyland is boring?
Maybe you went with the wrong people :P
I had the GREATEST times in HK Disneyland!


It is actually pretty easy getting around in Hong Kong. As long as you are able to walk, please take the MRT to ALL destination! It's very easy.
There are maps, signs and even photographs of every destination in Hong Kong...
Check out the photographs...


Of course, our main desire in Hong Kong is Cari Makan (EAT)
So, we tried varies local favourites and managed to list our own favourites...


 This wanton is really as what the boss promised. The size of a pingpong ball!!

We also tried the local cafe....

 absolutely delicious and one of a kind PORK BURGER!
*WARNING* Non-halal content

 This is roast goose... amazing... indescribable... nothing I have eaten in my own country...

It was a pretty amazing trip and although I was a little homesick but I felt sad leaving all the good food behind! I will be missing all those delicious cuisine for a long long time...

Thank you Bubbles... it was you who made it so amazing...

Please go to Autumn in Hong Kong (part 1) to view exciting moments in Macau.

Say hello to 2011 in style

Soon, we will be saying good bye to year 2010 and welcome in year 2011 with open arms!

Time again for new tasks for next year...

1. Again... Be happy, Stay happy... and spread happiness
2. Living my passion; Doing what I love and enjoy every moment of it
3. Travel to a romantic destination with Bubbles

Simple and hopefully easy to achieved!

This year has been marvelous with several huge changes in my life. No changes are bad changes but interesting challenges to experience. 

I will be seeing myself a more experienced and inspiring leader in profession in 2011. At home, I will aim to be even more loving, caring and understanding to the people I love. Next year will certainly be another great adventure to add into my life journal.

Highlights of year 2010

** TWICE... we were on top of the world...**


Sears Tower, Chicago

 The Peak, Hong Kong


**My dream came true**

 Alas, I met my childhood best friend!

 Had a GREAT time with mom in Taipei, Taiwan


**Some great moments with WONDERFUL friends**