I was watching Ruby on Style Network, a reality TV show about a severely obese adult who strives to live life to the fullest and make attempts in weight-loss. I must say I am hooked because Ruby's life is so full of sunshine and fun. Although she's fat and has lots of trouble climbing up the stairs, she tries her best and takes control of her life. I really like that because there're so many fat people out there who whine like crazy about not being able to do things on other TV shows like Discovery Home & Health Channel. I'd sit in front of the TV and go, "Damn it, just do it and stop whining." If your weight is stopping you, and it's bothering you, just lose it bit by bit. As if sitting there whining is going to remove yourself from the situation. So yea, Ruby's a beautiful example of just get your butt out there to do it. Love her.

Our Life Today

Tea Time Lessons

Today, although I haven't spent much time in front of my laptop doing 'real work', I considered it time well spent. I met up with two boys from my junior college for lunch. Vincent started his own web solutions company. Willie started his own film production company. That said, Willie shared with me some stories of him starting out, the stage I see myself at right now. Then you learn from your mistakes, pick yourself up and move on. He's able to give me some good advice 'cos he's got that 3 year start before me. It's very inspiring to talk to people who are more experienced than you, and care enough to share learning lessons.

Then, I had coffee with Alex who just got back from the Himalayas. He shared that while climbing the mountains for 3-weeks, he realized the importance of having a goal in mind. On days he didn't set a goal for himself, his focus was always on his tired mind and body. He'd questioned his ability on finishing off the final miles of the day. But on days with that end in mind, he'd trek more efficiently. Plus it's always doubly sweet to reach your destination. In the trip, he reflected on his goals in life and found three. I told him I know what I want from life, but I don't have any goals.

I wouldn't set my goals to be rich, because being rich doesn't make me any happier. It's good to have money, but I'm already so happy right now. I can make money with Bryan now, spend quality time with him and my family, catch up with my friends and have full control of my day. So it doesn't make sense for me to set a goal like, "I want to make a million before I turn 30".

I'd rather set a goal like, "I want to be the best person I can be, intellectually and in terms of personality, so I can be a pillar of support to people I care about". That'll make me happy. I told him one of my goals I think I'd like to have in life is to remove people from poverty conditions. But problem is, if I have that extra $1,000 to spend, there's a higher probability that I'd either give it to my parents, or I'd go for a trip. Isn't it better to fund your parents a holiday, since they've taken such good care of you in your whole life? Maybe to some, that's selfish. But I always feel that I haven't given enough to my parents. They give to me so unconditionally and if there's anyone I'd like to take care of first, that'll be my parents. That's one of the biggest tug-of-war with myself. I thought of dedicating time to impart a skill or knowledge, so the sufferings can remove themselves from poverty conditions. But to those really in need, they're starving and are looking for their next meal. No energy for skill learning at all. So what to do?

Alex said most people have their grand ideas in the showers. But few action upon it after they dry themselves. I can sit there and ponder for all I like, but I'm still not doing what I think I'd like to be doing. So since I'd like to see myself value-adding somewhere in the world, I just emailed some non-profit organizations in Singapore to see how I can start by doing a bit first. At least, that's a start. If you can't give $1 when you've $100, what makes you think you can give a thousand when you've million? I'll start small somewhere.

{image from weheartit}

Random Bits

Hello! I've disappeared and now I'm back! Some random happenings here -

• I'm watching Rain Man as I am typing this. It's my 4th time seeing the movie but still so good. When I was in my tween years, my parents talked about "good old movies" or "good old music" like Elton John etc. I used to roll my eyes like crazy. There are so many bad movies being made these days that I love going back to old ones. Makes me paranoid about the generation gap between me and the younger crowd. My ex-student, whom I gave tuition to, when she was 14 rolled her eyes at me when I told her how awesome Backstreet Boys is.
• I just went for a snorkeling trip with a couple of friends and Bryan. Didn't get up close and personal with any turtles this time. But Bryan apparently saw a shark bigger than me, but loitering beneath me...while I was struggling to spit into my mask. Obviously I didn't see it, but I am happy I didn't. I'd probably be so scared that I might start peeing on the poor thing.
• We took a package with the hotel that included ferry transfers, room, snorkel trip, 3 full meals and 1 high-tea per day. It was rad. I'd very much like to go for another trip with my friends again.
• Bryan asked me this - would you rather have the time to pursue your dreams yet be poor for awhile, though you don't know how long, or would you rather be enslaved and have a good income? I thought about it carefully and still not have the answer. For now, I'll pick the first and see how it goes. How about you?
• That said, I'm continuously thinking of how we can do things differently - process, product, service etc. I've never used my brain so much since graduation. I think it's really the right choice for me to go down this path. It can be hard. But dealing is part of the adventure I've always craved for.
• I think it's time we make some adjustments to the business. There're some things I am not liking.
• For the fun of it, I borrowed a book by Donald Trump. I have no whatsoever to be rich or think like a billionaire. But I've never read his book so I'd like to give it a try. Okay, now I am sounding defensive. Anyways, it was a complete, complete waste of time. But if you're free (make it very, very free), do borrow it and have a read. I finished it within one night. It's hilarious. I've never laughed so much reading a business book. The entire book is him talking about what a wonderful, smart, successful person he is. Every single bloody chapter revolves around that. Respect.

Alive

I feel that something's missing again. Like, I need to roll the ball in a different direction. I want to get out, run about and feel alive.

So I'm taking a trip next week and have some fun in the sun, with friends and turtles.

Frisbee Wedding

Such a sporty wedding, brimming with activities. Why can't Singapore weddings be like that? Why do we have a template for everything, including weddings?

{from OnceWed via A Cup Of Jo}

Life's A Beach

Cycling from the beach to Resorts World was an uphill ride. But it's okay because there's ice cream, pasta, pizza (again) and 1-for-1 martinees to make up for the torture.

Timbre Baby

Pizza, wings, beer, live music and a great girl with abundance of energy and life make me happy!

Why Are You Bored?

All my life, I always feel that I'm short of time. There're too many things I want to do, to see and to learn. Life is too short. I'm too afraid to die because I haven't try it all yet. Don't you ever get that feeling?

That is why I really don't understand why some people can become bored with life. I've seen that in my older colleagues. I see that in middle-aged housewives. I see that in some young friends. They feel that life has little to offer to be excited about. As I grow older, I see more of that. It saddens me to the max.

I think it's a matter of choice to want to continue staying fulfilled. A housewife is not a person with no career or nothing to look forward to in life. A housewife is a choice made by a woman to value-add to her family to the best of her ability. She gives her family a lovely environment by cleaning and decluttering, and provides wonderful food by experimenting with new reciepes. She can still continue to learn, be happy and add value to society.

A white-collar worker with a stagnant job can choose to leave. You have the qualification to make choices for yourself in life. You can stay in your job, challenge yourself to do better. Outside office hours, you can learn new skills to move on to a better job. You can start your own business. Or you can take a month off to hike up mountains in Nepal to reflect on your life and to renew yourself, like my friend Alex. Anything is possible and it's always your choice. Don't die inside.

My uncle is a construction site worker in Hong Kong. Although he gets on my nerves at times, I have utmost respect for him. He picked up Microsoft Office and improved on his presentation skills outside office hours. Now he's a site manager who's using his time to do planning instead of carrying muddy pipes. That's a blue-collar worker who decides not to shortchange himself in life.

What am I driving at? Nobody should be bored in life. Of course, by choice, we can sit down, have a cup of tea and read the papers for a good few hours. But nobody should die inside at any age. Life's too short. You must keep impressing yourself. Have fun. Drink yourself silly. Meet friends. I don't think a life's focus is only on career progression, but the positive energy must always be there.