It doesn't always pay to be polite or nice.
I need to speak my mind.
Adulthood is all about negotiations.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Happy Birthday To Me
"Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation."
- Susan B. Anthony
- Susan B. Anthony
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Bucket List
What are the lessons that I learned from the movie, The Bucket List?
1. You only live once, so why not go out in style?
2. Two important questions that people must ask and answer themselves before they die:
a) Have you found joy in your life?
b) Have you brought joy to others?
3. The best time of all is right now.
Postscript: The term 'bucket list' refers to the things that people hope to do before they kick the bucket.
1. You only live once, so why not go out in style?
2. Two important questions that people must ask and answer themselves before they die:
a) Have you found joy in your life?
b) Have you brought joy to others?
3. The best time of all is right now.
Postscript: The term 'bucket list' refers to the things that people hope to do before they kick the bucket.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
My Kind of Holiday
Hubby and I went for a couple's retreat recently to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. To avoid quarreling over directions in a foreign land, we did what we do best- check into a local hotel for a 'staycation'.
We admired the city's skyline.
Snuggled.
And gorged!
What a perfect holiday... :)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Day When the 'Emo' Part of Me Died And Other Random Thoughts
I knew it happened when I could not even write a 'thank you' card to a colleague whom I love and am indebted to greatly.
The 'emo' part of me died.
Don't get me wrong. I feel a lot for the colleague whom I am writing to. But I just could not say everything that I want to say on paper. It just felt that the words I started to write on the card were hardly justifying or capturing how I feel.
Let me say this in the worst form of English possible: in my current state of life, I am officially 'zenified'.
In this current zen state, may I also announce in the most perfunctory manner that I am ready to be a mother and I hope to conceive mid or late next year. Don't ask me how is it possible for me to time everything nicely; to tell you the truth, it is not possible. It is a logical decision I have made after considering the biological aspect of life. I have also sold the idea to my hubby that it is in my best health interest to conceive before I am thirty (oh my gosh, and did I say 3-0?) and he bought it. I will be going for full body check-up tomorrow to ascertain my health before embarking on my family planning. (Yes, I am a control freak.)
Maybe action speaks louder than words for me these days. I am not sure if it is good (on hindsight, I am very sure that it isn't good) to run my life like I am going through a checklist. What if I reach the end of the list earlier than expected?
Eastman Kodak, the builder of a billion-dollar company, faced this problem. Upon reaching the pinnacle of his career success, he left a suicide note on his desk before putting a bullet through his head which read, "My work is done, why wait?"
I am hardly Eastman Kodak, so I guess this grim end to life will probably not apply to me. But I guess we all are searching for something that makes our lives worthwhile at the end of the day and like Stephen Covey warned, people could work very hard to climb the ladder of success only to discover it's leaning against the wrong wall. Scary, eh?
So, Lord, here's a personal prayer from me to please humble my human pride and help me to see my purpose in life.
"Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given him- for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work- this is a gift of God. He seldom reflect on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: God gives a man wealth, possessions and honour, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil."- Ecclesiastes 5:18-6:2
The 'emo' part of me died.
Don't get me wrong. I feel a lot for the colleague whom I am writing to. But I just could not say everything that I want to say on paper. It just felt that the words I started to write on the card were hardly justifying or capturing how I feel.
Let me say this in the worst form of English possible: in my current state of life, I am officially 'zenified'.
In this current zen state, may I also announce in the most perfunctory manner that I am ready to be a mother and I hope to conceive mid or late next year. Don't ask me how is it possible for me to time everything nicely; to tell you the truth, it is not possible. It is a logical decision I have made after considering the biological aspect of life. I have also sold the idea to my hubby that it is in my best health interest to conceive before I am thirty (oh my gosh, and did I say 3-0?) and he bought it. I will be going for full body check-up tomorrow to ascertain my health before embarking on my family planning. (Yes, I am a control freak.)
Maybe action speaks louder than words for me these days. I am not sure if it is good (on hindsight, I am very sure that it isn't good) to run my life like I am going through a checklist. What if I reach the end of the list earlier than expected?
Eastman Kodak, the builder of a billion-dollar company, faced this problem. Upon reaching the pinnacle of his career success, he left a suicide note on his desk before putting a bullet through his head which read, "My work is done, why wait?"
I am hardly Eastman Kodak, so I guess this grim end to life will probably not apply to me. But I guess we all are searching for something that makes our lives worthwhile at the end of the day and like Stephen Covey warned, people could work very hard to climb the ladder of success only to discover it's leaning against the wrong wall. Scary, eh?
So, Lord, here's a personal prayer from me to please humble my human pride and help me to see my purpose in life.
"Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given him- for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work- this is a gift of God. He seldom reflect on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: God gives a man wealth, possessions and honour, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil."- Ecclesiastes 5:18-6:2
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
How Much Is Marriage Worth?
This isn't my story. This is a real story of a Singaporean man, probably in his forties.
The TV documentary recounted the story of a man and woman who were together for fifteen years but unmarried. They both felt that it was good enough for them stay together and be happy; marriage was afterall just about owning a certificate and in their opinion, meaningless.
Three years ago, the lady was diagnosed with breast cancer; she did not get better. The man then quit his job as a taxi driver to care for her full-time. By then, the woman had grown gaunt, frail and ugly.
He stood by her nonetheless, and -a surprise- proposed.
After 15 years of fighting against the idea, he strangely became resolutely sure that this was what he wanted.
Why has it suddenly become so easy to make a difficult decision?
Their wedding was held at the hospice. I watched as their quiet wedding unfolded. Her make-up was done on the hospital bed as she was too weak to walk. A wig was worn as she had lost her hair to cancer. At the procession, she went down the aisle on a wheelchair with tubes in her nose. Loving friends and family members applauded lovingly to congratulate and encourage her. But she was too frail to talk and could only wave back with whatever remaining strength she had to thank them for their blessings. After the vows were exchanged, the husband and wife wept. The guests wept. And I cried too. The newfound marriage bliss ended 2 weeks later when she died.
Why does it take difficult times to make an easy decision?
The TV documentary recounted the story of a man and woman who were together for fifteen years but unmarried. They both felt that it was good enough for them stay together and be happy; marriage was afterall just about owning a certificate and in their opinion, meaningless.
Three years ago, the lady was diagnosed with breast cancer; she did not get better. The man then quit his job as a taxi driver to care for her full-time. By then, the woman had grown gaunt, frail and ugly.
He stood by her nonetheless, and -a surprise- proposed.
After 15 years of fighting against the idea, he strangely became resolutely sure that this was what he wanted.
Why has it suddenly become so easy to make a difficult decision?
Their wedding was held at the hospice. I watched as their quiet wedding unfolded. Her make-up was done on the hospital bed as she was too weak to walk. A wig was worn as she had lost her hair to cancer. At the procession, she went down the aisle on a wheelchair with tubes in her nose. Loving friends and family members applauded lovingly to congratulate and encourage her. But she was too frail to talk and could only wave back with whatever remaining strength she had to thank them for their blessings. After the vows were exchanged, the husband and wife wept. The guests wept. And I cried too. The newfound marriage bliss ended 2 weeks later when she died.
Why does it take difficult times to make an easy decision?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
About the Wild Flower in the Universe
INFPs direct their energy towards the inner world of thoughts and emotions. They give importance to particular ideas or beliefs, focusing on those things that they belief in most strongly. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities, especially for people. They prefer to undertake work that has a meaningful purpose.
What makes an INFP tick?
The Dominant function is the judging one of Feeling. Characteristics associated with this function include:
What makes an INFP tick?
The Dominant function is the judging one of Feeling. Characteristics associated with this function include:
- Makes decisions on the basis of personal values
- Is appreciative and accepting of people - enjoying company and seeking harmony
- Assesses the impact of decisions on others, being sympathetic or compassionate
- Takes a personal approach
The judging Feeling function is introverted. That is, Feeling is used primarily to govern the inner world of thoughts and emotions. The INFP will therefore:
- develop an inner emotional life that is often unseen to others, but is experienced as intense
- retain a strong sense of values, which are often not expressed
- emotionally accept or reject various aspects of life - for example, deciding whether praise or criticism received is valid and, at extreme, ignoring whatever is unacceptable
- feel appreciation towards others, but not express it
The Feeling function is primarily supported by extraverted iNtuitive perception, That is, iNtuitive perception is used primarily to manage the outer world of actions and spoken words. This will modify the way that the Feeling is directed, by:
- focusing the (inner world) Feeling on ideas and possibilities for people
- looking for meaningful relationships
- deciding on friendships through insight into their personality and motivation
The classic temperament of an INFP is Apollonian, or Choleric, for whom a basic driving force is the search for meaning or purpose.
Contributions to the team of an INFP
In a team environment, the INFP can contribute by:
- promoting insight and common understanding amongst the team
- contributing well thought out and innovative ideas
- generating team spirit though sensitive listening and a quiet enthusiasm
- focusing on areas of agreement and building on others' proposals
- where there are areas of disagreement, exploring a wide range of options to see if a point of agreement can be found
The potential ways in which an INFP can irritate others include:
- being idealistic
- appearing out of touch, perhaps not fully recognising current realities, and disregarding those they find unacceptable
- being stubborn over issues the group did not anticipate being a problem
- spending too much time thinking
- avoiding conflict and not giving forthright criticism when it is needed
- focusing so much on interpersonal issues that cost and other impersonal considerations are not adequately discussed
Personal Growth
As with all types, the INFP can achieve personal growth by developing all functions that are not fully developed, through actions such as:
- being prepared to declare the INFP's personal values
- investigating and recognising the facts before interpreting what they mean
- listing options and undertaking a formal process of evaluation against criteria, including a cost benefit analysis
- undertaking a critical appraisal of a situation or person, and expressing disagreement or criticism when it could be of value to the recipient
- focusing on impersonal details during discussions and when making decisions
- listing options and undertaking a formal process of evaluation against criteria, including a cost benefit analysis
- establishing a long term goal, preparing a detailed implementation plan, and sticking to it
Recognising Stress
As stress increases, 'learned behaviour' tends to give way to the natural style, so the INFP will behave more according to type when under greater stress. For example, in a crisis, the INFP might:
- concentrate only on what the INFP sees as important
- work alone if possible
- contribute creative ideas, but overlook current realities
- fail to consider the cost implications
Under extreme stress, fatigue or illness, the INFP's shadow may appear - a negative form of ESTJ. Example characteristics are:
- being very critical and find fault with almost everything
- doing things to excess - e.g.: eating, drinking or exercising
- becoming bossy or domineering and ignoring others' feelings
- being pedantic about unimportant details
The shadow is part of the unconscious that is often visible to others, onto whom the shadow is projected. The INFP may therefore readily see these faults in others without recognising it in him/her self.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
I Made My First Dollar and Other Stories
First 58 dollars for my make-up service to be exact.
What initially happened as an interest to distract myself is fast turning into a serious obsession and business.
As I have mentioned in the previous entry, life changes, doesn't it? And I am glad that I am living it out.
I have no idea where this hobby will take me; I am reluctant to call it a passion; I have too many likes in life and I anticipate myself to change.
But currently, I am working very hard and I am glad that I hit my first little humble milestone! :D
***
I got my dream job. I give all thanks to God and it's unbelievable how smoothly things have run with regards to this thus far. I have resigned and am serving out my notice.
My new journey begins on 22 June 2009.
***
I found a fellow dream catcher, my muse and a mastermind.
First of all, one of the greatest gifts I took away from my (still current) workplace is my muse. She is an absolutely inspiring and encouraging woman who never fails to be honest about the brutality of life as well as the infinite wonders it offers. When I am down, all I need is 15 minutes with her and I will bounce back again. Thank you Muse Shmoo for all your love and support! You are one of the rare people who know what it is like to have your heart defeated and fluttering!
Through a coincidental quiz and sms, I realised that Meyer-Briggs has pronounced this other colleague whom I love very much and myself to be dreamers of this world! But personally, I hate the term because a dreamer connotes impracticality and passivity. I think dream catcher is a much more flattering term.
Alice, my old friend, is a mastermind. How apt. I have always respected her and appreciated all the practical insights that she offers me. What I love about her is how she'll always stand up for what is right.
***
In gist, I have been working very hard and I sometimes scare myself, especially when I obsessed over something. This, I need to change and try to take things easy. But I am also very grateful for the pain, experiences and the great number of people who have been encouraging me and helping me along the way.
I thank my husband for his continual support and understanding and for knowing how my dreams are important to me.
I also thank God for affirming me once and again how dreams are within our reach if we set our hearts and minds to it.
I didn't intend for this to be a 'thank you' speech which more often than not has become a cliche in our world today, but I have just been so overwhelmed by the grace I have received and this new chapter of life that I am stepping into that I really just feel that I need to count my blessings.
To all of you who are reading this, may the Lord bless you and may you find what truly makes you happy in life! :)
What initially happened as an interest to distract myself is fast turning into a serious obsession and business.
As I have mentioned in the previous entry, life changes, doesn't it? And I am glad that I am living it out.
I have no idea where this hobby will take me; I am reluctant to call it a passion; I have too many likes in life and I anticipate myself to change.
But currently, I am working very hard and I am glad that I hit my first little humble milestone! :D
***
I got my dream job. I give all thanks to God and it's unbelievable how smoothly things have run with regards to this thus far. I have resigned and am serving out my notice.
My new journey begins on 22 June 2009.
***
I found a fellow dream catcher, my muse and a mastermind.
First of all, one of the greatest gifts I took away from my (still current) workplace is my muse. She is an absolutely inspiring and encouraging woman who never fails to be honest about the brutality of life as well as the infinite wonders it offers. When I am down, all I need is 15 minutes with her and I will bounce back again. Thank you Muse Shmoo for all your love and support! You are one of the rare people who know what it is like to have your heart defeated and fluttering!
Through a coincidental quiz and sms, I realised that Meyer-Briggs has pronounced this other colleague whom I love very much and myself to be dreamers of this world! But personally, I hate the term because a dreamer connotes impracticality and passivity. I think dream catcher is a much more flattering term.
Alice, my old friend, is a mastermind. How apt. I have always respected her and appreciated all the practical insights that she offers me. What I love about her is how she'll always stand up for what is right.
***
In gist, I have been working very hard and I sometimes scare myself, especially when I obsessed over something. This, I need to change and try to take things easy. But I am also very grateful for the pain, experiences and the great number of people who have been encouraging me and helping me along the way.
I thank my husband for his continual support and understanding and for knowing how my dreams are important to me.
I also thank God for affirming me once and again how dreams are within our reach if we set our hearts and minds to it.
I didn't intend for this to be a 'thank you' speech which more often than not has become a cliche in our world today, but I have just been so overwhelmed by the grace I have received and this new chapter of life that I am stepping into that I really just feel that I need to count my blessings.
To all of you who are reading this, may the Lord bless you and may you find what truly makes you happy in life! :)
Monday, May 4, 2009
Thinking About Thinking
I fell in love with my work and workplace because it forces me to think and engage with the world.
This morning, a few colleagues and I discussed about the AWARE issue and the AGM held at Suntec. We evaluated the meeting and shared our perspectives. I was very touched to learn that Singaporeans can be so passionate about what they believe in. It was indeed a significant moment for Singapore.
A few hours later, I read an article on the importance of boredom. I totally resonate with the author's views! I thought about my life a little and decided to allow more free space to creep into it.
In the afternoon, my colleagues and I brainstormed a little for taglines for a particular project. It was very funny and sad because we were coming up with many crappy taglines which unfortunately also harboured truth to some extent.
At night, a petition letter to condemn homosexuality was sent to me and I read it.
In our little worlds, perhaps restrained by the same environment, home or office cubicle, it's amazing to think that an unbelievable amount of energy, ideas and communication are colliding constantly to renew and reform this world.
When the world changes, where would you be? Would you be the same? Thinking the same things, doing the same things, perceiving the same things when in fact, even familiarity has changed?
What will you become?
This morning, a few colleagues and I discussed about the AWARE issue and the AGM held at Suntec. We evaluated the meeting and shared our perspectives. I was very touched to learn that Singaporeans can be so passionate about what they believe in. It was indeed a significant moment for Singapore.
A few hours later, I read an article on the importance of boredom. I totally resonate with the author's views! I thought about my life a little and decided to allow more free space to creep into it.
In the afternoon, my colleagues and I brainstormed a little for taglines for a particular project. It was very funny and sad because we were coming up with many crappy taglines which unfortunately also harboured truth to some extent.
At night, a petition letter to condemn homosexuality was sent to me and I read it.
In our little worlds, perhaps restrained by the same environment, home or office cubicle, it's amazing to think that an unbelievable amount of energy, ideas and communication are colliding constantly to renew and reform this world.
When the world changes, where would you be? Would you be the same? Thinking the same things, doing the same things, perceiving the same things when in fact, even familiarity has changed?
What will you become?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Mom's Advice
I was on the phone with my mom, sharing with her the latest happenings in my life and about something big that I am hoping for.
"What's hope for it to happen? You must make it happen!"
That's my mom. There's no such thing as hope, you MUST make it happen. Her firmness-that's what I love and dread about her.
But I see her point there. There's no use hoping. I must do my best. And I commit my best to the Lord.
Thanks mom for your advice, I must now get back to what I have to do.
"Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, and we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." - Isaiah 25:9
"What's hope for it to happen? You must make it happen!"
That's my mom. There's no such thing as hope, you MUST make it happen. Her firmness-that's what I love and dread about her.
But I see her point there. There's no use hoping. I must do my best. And I commit my best to the Lord.
Thanks mom for your advice, I must now get back to what I have to do.
"Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, and we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." - Isaiah 25:9
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Tranquility
Quietness is the most understated beauty in this world. I am relishing every rare moment of it now in this noisy, noisy life.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Review of New Year Resolutions
Let's review the big plans I had for 2009!
To do list: 1. To perservere and complete the make-up diploma and hopefully put the skills to good use. 2. To not lose 'me' in work.3. To work in passion and wisdom. 4. To seek new grounds.5. To diversify my leisure activities.6. To pray about being a mom.7. To seek growth in spiritual life.8. To cook and eat healthily.9. To exercise.10. To rework the balcony area.
I have only started on pt 1 and 4 thus far. :( I'll continue to work to achieve the rest! :)
To do list: 1. To perservere and complete the make-up diploma and hopefully put the skills to good use. 2. To not lose 'me' in work.3. To work in passion and wisdom. 4. To seek new grounds.5. To diversify my leisure activities.6. To pray about being a mom.7. To seek growth in spiritual life.8. To cook and eat healthily.9. To exercise.10. To rework the balcony area.
I have only started on pt 1 and 4 thus far. :( I'll continue to work to achieve the rest! :)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Stress Factor
Lately I have been quite stressed due to various factors that are competing for my attention. In fact, I am not really sleeping well and have this urge to work, work, work! It's crazy, I know- that's me.
I asked my hubby how I should cope with stress and this obsession to want to finish more work (I could not sleep and woke up at 3am in the middle of the night to complete work last night). Today is sunday and I am still hard at work; I didn't even have peace when I was watching my favourite Project Runway, there are just too many things to do. Lately, even my joints have started to swell. I know I need to fight this problem or I am gonna be sick again.
Back to my hubby- I asked him how I should cope with this.
"Relax. Work less."
"I can't."
"Then go ahead and do what you are doing. It won't matter, cos soon you'll be sick and that will end the problem of over-working."
Haha. That's true.
I never learn my lesson.
I asked my hubby how I should cope with stress and this obsession to want to finish more work (I could not sleep and woke up at 3am in the middle of the night to complete work last night). Today is sunday and I am still hard at work; I didn't even have peace when I was watching my favourite Project Runway, there are just too many things to do. Lately, even my joints have started to swell. I know I need to fight this problem or I am gonna be sick again.
Back to my hubby- I asked him how I should cope with this.
"Relax. Work less."
"I can't."
"Then go ahead and do what you are doing. It won't matter, cos soon you'll be sick and that will end the problem of over-working."
Haha. That's true.
I never learn my lesson.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Once upon a time, when I was a joyfulhappybabe.
I was, in the past, a joyfulhappybabe.
I almost forgot this pseudonym till I revisited my past a few hours back- through an old email that I have abandoned.
I did not tell my contacts from the obselete email that I have changed my mailing address and to my surprise, till this day, there are mails for me. I checked more than a thousand mails at one shot and read undeleted mails dated as far back as 2002.
And. So much has changed yet so much hasn't.
I no longer agree with some of the things I wrote and even found it surprising that I wrote them. There were of course facets of me that remained, and the experience of encountering past convictions that survived is, in some subtle sense, comforting. Many people who mailed me through the old contact have unfortunately drifted out of my life. However, a small number of them steadfastly remained closely in-touch till today.
I did note something about me from the past: as a young girl, I was fairly dynamic, successful (only 'cause I felt I was really very in-touch with my dreams and busy accomplishing them) and clear about my direction and vision. Today, I cannot say the same about myself. I am honestly a bit lost with regards to decisions. I NEVER had to eliminate options because I always knew what I would choose.
But not today.
Today, the joyfulhappybabe has passed me by.
I almost forgot this pseudonym till I revisited my past a few hours back- through an old email that I have abandoned.
I did not tell my contacts from the obselete email that I have changed my mailing address and to my surprise, till this day, there are mails for me. I checked more than a thousand mails at one shot and read undeleted mails dated as far back as 2002.
And. So much has changed yet so much hasn't.
I no longer agree with some of the things I wrote and even found it surprising that I wrote them. There were of course facets of me that remained, and the experience of encountering past convictions that survived is, in some subtle sense, comforting. Many people who mailed me through the old contact have unfortunately drifted out of my life. However, a small number of them steadfastly remained closely in-touch till today.
I did note something about me from the past: as a young girl, I was fairly dynamic, successful (only 'cause I felt I was really very in-touch with my dreams and busy accomplishing them) and clear about my direction and vision. Today, I cannot say the same about myself. I am honestly a bit lost with regards to decisions. I NEVER had to eliminate options because I always knew what I would choose.
But not today.
Today, the joyfulhappybabe has passed me by.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Live Big! Feel Deep! (An Exhortation for 2009)
2009 symbolises new dreams, new vision and new movements for me. May the Lord bless me with breakthroughs and fresh insights as to how I should govern my life. Career will be one of my priorities next year.
To do list:
1. To perservere and complete the make-up diploma and hopefully put the skills to good use.
2. To not lose 'me' in work.
3. To work in passion and wisdom.
4. To seek new grounds.
5. To diversify my leisure activities.
6. To pray about being a mom.
7. To seek growth in spiritual life.
8. To cook and eat healthily.
9. To exercise.
10. To rework the balcony area.
And most importantly, to not feel stressed about having to accomplish everything simultaneously and quickly. To not judge myself if I fail but to learn from my mistakes. To not live life in a frenetic manner without reflections. But I will endeavour to enjoy life and its processes, and love my friends, family and people. To know that at the end of the day, no matter how well or badly I have done anything, it usually doesn't matter in the eternal scheme of things and God loves me no matter what. To not take grace for granted but to live in a manner that is hopefully pleasing to God. To become a stronger and more confident woman!
Yep, all these sound very BIG and IMPOSSIBLE currently. (I am afraid when I read the list! Ha!) But let's see how life unfolds this year; I will keep you guys posted of the victories and trials along the way! Pls pray for me!
"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love" Psalm 33:18
To do list:
1. To perservere and complete the make-up diploma and hopefully put the skills to good use.
2. To not lose 'me' in work.
3. To work in passion and wisdom.
4. To seek new grounds.
5. To diversify my leisure activities.
6. To pray about being a mom.
7. To seek growth in spiritual life.
8. To cook and eat healthily.
9. To exercise.
10. To rework the balcony area.
And most importantly, to not feel stressed about having to accomplish everything simultaneously and quickly. To not judge myself if I fail but to learn from my mistakes. To not live life in a frenetic manner without reflections. But I will endeavour to enjoy life and its processes, and love my friends, family and people. To know that at the end of the day, no matter how well or badly I have done anything, it usually doesn't matter in the eternal scheme of things and God loves me no matter what. To not take grace for granted but to live in a manner that is hopefully pleasing to God. To become a stronger and more confident woman!
Yep, all these sound very BIG and IMPOSSIBLE currently. (I am afraid when I read the list! Ha!) But let's see how life unfolds this year; I will keep you guys posted of the victories and trials along the way! Pls pray for me!
"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love" Psalm 33:18
Saturday, January 3, 2009
I Am a Woman. Hear Me Roar.
A few days ago, my hubby and I lay on the bed reflecting on the past year.
"So, what's one thing that you felt you have accomplished in 2008?" The husband asked.
I considered the question thoughtfully, then answered,"I'm glad that I have become more confrontational and agressive. I used to have problems saying 'no' and expressing my anger, but now I feel more ready and able to do that and as a result, I feel happier." Without missing a beat, I went on to relate proudly how I managed to beat a chee ko peh (ie: a lecherous old uncle) in a staring incident at Jurong Point. He was staring at me non-stop (though my hubby is not very convinced by this accusation) even when I tried to move away from his sight. Well, fine- maybe you could blame him for having a stiff neck that day. But hell, I know what the chee-ko-peh eyes are like. He was (for whatever reasons my hubby can't seem to conjure) almost definitely staring at me in the most irritating and offensive hum-sup-loh-in-geylang (the nuances and complexities here are too difficult to translate) manner.
So what did I do in the true characteristics of a Singaporean ah-lian-ique chilli-padi girl?
I stared back lor.
Finally- after what seemed to be an eternity in a staring incident, the lecherous chee-ko-peh-hum-sup-loh-stinking-with-geylang-aura conceded defeat and looked away begrudgingly.
Man, you have no idea how triumphant I felt.
The husband however,was not very impressed with this vivid recount. "Haha. You call this an achievement?" He asked bemusedly.
Whatever. Talk to the hand. The Wonderwoman is not about to let her confidence be shakened by unfeeling male perspectives. Who says agression is for men only? Who says agression is always bad?
For me, I choose to be a coward no more. :)
"So, what's one thing that you felt you have accomplished in 2008?" The husband asked.
I considered the question thoughtfully, then answered,"I'm glad that I have become more confrontational and agressive. I used to have problems saying 'no' and expressing my anger, but now I feel more ready and able to do that and as a result, I feel happier." Without missing a beat, I went on to relate proudly how I managed to beat a chee ko peh (ie: a lecherous old uncle) in a staring incident at Jurong Point. He was staring at me non-stop (though my hubby is not very convinced by this accusation) even when I tried to move away from his sight. Well, fine- maybe you could blame him for having a stiff neck that day. But hell, I know what the chee-ko-peh eyes are like. He was (for whatever reasons my hubby can't seem to conjure) almost definitely staring at me in the most irritating and offensive hum-sup-loh-in-geylang (the nuances and complexities here are too difficult to translate) manner.
So what did I do in the true characteristics of a Singaporean ah-lian-ique chilli-padi girl?
I stared back lor.
Finally- after what seemed to be an eternity in a staring incident, the lecherous chee-ko-peh-hum-sup-loh-stinking-with-geylang-aura conceded defeat and looked away begrudgingly.
Man, you have no idea how triumphant I felt.
The husband however,was not very impressed with this vivid recount. "Haha. You call this an achievement?" He asked bemusedly.
Whatever. Talk to the hand. The Wonderwoman is not about to let her confidence be shakened by unfeeling male perspectives. Who says agression is for men only? Who says agression is always bad?
For me, I choose to be a coward no more. :)
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