Mira Flora

Getting addicted to Chilean red wine + jazz. Not too shabby...

Brr~~

Imagine skiing without gloves. Torturous right?

Now imagine scootering without gloves in effin cold weather. I don't need to imagine, I've been doing it and it [in a soft whisper] hurts....

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On a different note, I'm hooked to the mini heater that I placed under my desk. It's so nice and warm -- like a mini fireplace for my feet! The office is under going some renovations -- ok, MAJOR renovations and I can't wait to see the new office layouts. They're starting with the 12fl and slowly working their way up!

Now the bad news... HR will install a security camera by the front entrance and there will be a weekly report to see what time employees arrive to work. Lateness is a big no-no this year. The marketing department is notorious for lateness -- 4 out of 7 folks are always late (and I'm one of them!).

Cash-whore

I'm on the welfare committee at work. What that basically means is that any company event that benefits the employers, we do. The main event each year is the year end party which is next Monday. Everyone in the marketing department has been busting their asses trying to get donations from our vendors so that we can use them as prizes. The prizes are usually cash or gift certificates, but this year, its all cash baby!

Anyway, today I found out that another vendor will be supplying a whopping amount and my eyes just lit up. Who wouldn't want more cash ya? Even when I told a coworker, her response was a mere 'thats good'. I scoffed, "how can you not like cash??" and left the conversation.

Back at home, as I was sipping some wine, it all of sudden hit me. Money has become an integral part of my life. WTF happened to me? Once upon a time it was about doing the things I love or enjoying the challenges and unknown. But now -- I find myself glued to a job because it pays well, buying shit that I normally wouldn't care for and living day to day without a certain purpose (yeah, the last one sounds a bit harsh-o).

Why am I feeling this way? I just finished the book "How Starbucks Saved My Life." It's about a creative director at JWT that was fired and started from the bottom at Starbucks. The moral to his story that after years of committing to a glamorous job, being promoted numerous times, traveling the world and making great ads, he was happiest as a 'partner' at the local Starbucks.

Who would've thunk?

Nike Aces '83

I'm looking down at my worn out Nikes and I think its time to toss 'em out.

When they were new, they looked like this:

Now they look like shit.

I still remember the time that I got them. I had just received the offer from JWT and as a celebatory gift, bought me self some new kicks at Gong Guan. These baby's have travelled the world with me and it's time to retire them.

So thank you Nike Ace 83's for accompanying me to Seattle, San Francisco, Taiwan, Japan, The Philippines, Hong Kong and China. I'm a bit sad there won't be any more trips, but its time for new kicks, new adventures!

Run, Fat Girl, Run

So its been 2 months since I last had a decent workout session. The vacation did me great. So great that I'm carrying some unwanted holiday weight and tis the time to say adios to unwanted body fat.

I went to my old gym to run and when I left, the guy at the counter said "leaving so soon?" I did a crappy 2 miles and it was like the walk of shame when I left. My gym also has a tanning booth and I'm wondering if I should use it? Hmmm.

Goal: 5kgs.

2009 New Year Resolutions

1. Tone down on the road rage (this is so unlikely, but I gotta try)

2. Eat more fruits and veggies.

3. Save money (unlikely again, but gotta try)

4. Enjoy the now instead of hoping for something better.

5. A ghetto fobulous version of champagne wishes and caviar dreams

Normally I'd have 10 things, but 5 is good.

Bring it on 2009!

Brrrrrr

It's too effin cold to be scootering around the city.

Plus, finally got around to renewing my gym membership today!

New year resolutions to be posted soon.

HAPPY 2009!

Fireworks at Taipei 101 to ring in the new year! Totally partied, VIP style, at RM 18's rooftop with friends and coworkers. Open bar was pretty sweet (even tho it was limited to whisky -- Singleton was the sponsor) and somehow Jenny snagged a bottle of Moet -- sweet, Moet something champagne. Needless to say, that bottle never left my hand.

After the fireworks, we moved the party down to the club where I got some lip burnin tequila from my new suga daddies (3 of them) and ALMOST witnessed some bitch slappin. But I did witness a friend suck face with a local chick and it reminded me of new years past when I was that chick. lol~

Another year has flown by and I'm still in the inferno called Taiwan. This past year has been great. Was very fortunate to have travelled around the world, whilst maintaining a stable job *knock on wood* and enjoying life at the same time.

It's the morning after, aka Jan 1st, and what better way to start it off by waking up at 1pm, linger in bed till 2:30pm and finally heading out to this place called the Diner for some western style breakfast. I am totally craving some pancakes, hashbrowns, bacon AND sausages plus bottomless coffee. Yes folks, they do have the good stuff in Taiwan. ^__^

Before I start on new year resolutions --

OMG... the food the came. Had to break for like 5 mins to scarf down this amazing food. I'm very content right now. Food coma, here I come!

Ok, where was I... so before I start listing new resolutions, I'll be boring and list off the things I was thankful back in 2008. [just inhaled the sausage... they're REAL sausages!!! I mean, USA style sausages!!!]

Top 10 moments of 2008

10. Reaching/surpassing the 1 year mark at my current job. Look how I'm growing!

9. Biz trip to Kunming, China where I had the pleasure of being pampered by suga daddies old enough to be my grandpa.

8. Biz trip Hamburg, Germany. How can you not love an all expense paid trip to one of the most goregous cities in the world? Plus, who would've thunk the red light district would be kid friendly?

7. Moving into a semi loft and being able to afford it -- moving out of the semi loft and in with 2 friends at a more spacious apt with a kitchen to die for (by Taiwan standards).

6. Visiting Seattle to attend Tracy's high school graduation + meeting up with old friends.

5. Loka. Though I couldn't keep him, he's by far the best dog a person could ever have.

4. Family and friends from back home visiting the motherland: Tracy, Carrie, Sophia, Andy, Marcus, Brandon and Stephanie -- not to mention seeing Andrew and Grace.

3. Finally stepping foot into Hong Kong and spending the weekend with Carrie and the Wakabayashi's!

2. Xmas party 2008

1. New years eve countdown and knowing that I'm going to be ok.