Tuesday, May 08, 2012

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Thats me in Moalboal, Cebu. 5 days of nothingness was pure bliss. Now that I'm back in reality -- work life kinda blows~ If only I could frolic on the white sandy beaches all day, everyday... So now, on a Tuesday morning I'm blogging b/c everything is backed up. Sure, I have a couple events next month that aren't even close to finalization. Sure, the launch is still set for June, but yet Group Marketing is still making design changes. Sure, I spent close to US$750 at a KTV place last Friday to finally celebrate the launch of the last project I was on. Thank god I will be reimbursed for that amount later this month. And sure, the underdog got her promotion via resignation. Sly move fo'sure. But its all good. Events will still happen, product will launch, I'll get my money back and none of my biz how she got her promotion... Berto's in town. Andy's in town. Greg will be in town. Kristi's about to pop. May maddess! If only I didn't have to do taxes =P

Thursday, April 05, 2012

15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy

Borrowing this from the purpose fairy:

1. Give up your need to always be right. There are so many of us who can’t stand the idea of being wrong – wanting to always be right – even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. It’s just not worth it. Whenever you feel the ‘urgent’ need to jump into a fight over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question: “Would I rather be right, or would I rather be kind?” Wayne Dyer. What difference will that make? Is your ego really that big?


2. Give up your need for control. Be willing to give up your need to always control everything that happens to you and around you – situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers you meet on the street – just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel.

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond winning.” Lao Tzu

3. Give up on blame. Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or don’t have, for what you feel or don’t feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking responsibility for your life.

4. Give up your self-defeating self-talk. Oh my. How many people are hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted and repetitive self-defeating mindset? Don’t believe everything that your mind is telling you – especially if it’s negative and self-defeating. You are better than that.

“The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive.” Eckhart Tolle

5. Give up your limiting beliefs about what you can or cannot do, about what is possible or impossible. From now on, you are no longer going to allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your wings and fly!

“A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind” Elly Roselle

6. Give up complaining. Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, maaany things – people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.

7. Give up the luxury of criticism. Give up your need to criticize things, events or people that are different than you. We are all different, yet we are all the same. We all want to be happy, we all want to love and be loved and we all want to be understood. We all want something, and something is wished by us all.

8. Give up your need to impress others. Stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not just to make others like you. It doesn’t work this way. The moment you stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not, the moment you take of all your masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you will find people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.

9. Give up your resistance to change. Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will help you make improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you. Follow your bliss, embrace change – don’t resist it.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” Joseph Campbell

10. Give up labels. Stop labeling those things, people or events that you don’t understand as being weird or different and try opening your mind, little by little. Minds only work when open. “The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” Wayne Dyer

11. Give up on your fears. Fear is just an illusion, it doesn’t exist – you created it. It’s all in your mind. Correct the inside and the outside will fall into place.
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

12. Give up your excuses. Send them packing and tell them they’re fired. You no longer need them. A lot of times we limit ourselves because of the many excuses we use. Instead of growing and working on improving ourselves and our lives, we get stuck, lying to ourselves, using all kind of excuses – excuses that 99.9% of the time are not even real.

13. Give up the past. I know, I know. It’s hard. Especially when the past looks so much better than the present and the future looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for – the past that you are now dreaming about – was ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now.

14. Give up attachment. This is a concept that, for most of us is so hard to grasp and I have to tell you that it was for me too, (it still is) but it’s not something impossible. You get better and better at with time and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesn’t mean you give up your love for them – because love and attachment have nothing to do with one another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while love… well, real love is pure, kind, and self less, where there is love there can’t be fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond words.

15. Give up living your life to other people’s expectations. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves. You have one life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path.

.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

2 more weeks a winner~

Reality check couple days ago at work.

The annual Spring Scream festival is coming up in a couple of weeks down in Kenting. I'm going (work related) and I can't really complain cuz the company is picking up the tab and at US$300 bucks a nite for a room, I'm hoo-raing it.

Its not too bad -- after you factor out all the youngins shooting up the latest in drugs, people getting drunk on the beach and the MADD crowds.

I plan to lounge on the private beach at the resort we're staying at. So here comes the reality check. Since the move to the outskirts of town, I haven't really been exercising and in truth, let myself go.

I was wearing a short sleeved shirt couple days ago and my coworker just stared -- saying 'what happened?'. Ouch~

So right now, my new best friend, Nike Training Club, and I are getting close twice a day for the next 2 weeks till I'm somewhat beach ready. Argh~

Why did I move so far from my gym?

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

30 30 30!

There's this Cathay Bank commercial where the ending slogan is 'life begins at 30'. The whole point of the commercial is to start investing when you reach 30 as you SHOULD have a stable career/steady income. I used to make fun of it as I thought 30 was close to the end of the world.

So as I'm in the 6th month of my 30th year, things are lookin pretty good. My coworkers think I'm in love or some crap like that, but in truth, I'm lovin life. Maybe its the letting go of work bull shit or chillin with positive folks but I can honestly say I'm enjoying each moment.

Last weekend, the ABC crew had a quick n dirty reunion -- and when I say dirty, I mean dirrrrrrrty~ It could've turned into our own 'bridesmaid/hangover' moment, but alas, it didn't. I wish I could write more, but we agreed it was like fight club -- rule 1, you don't talk about it!

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Frankie Says Relax!

Sometimes all you really need to do is to let go.

Ever since the announcement at work, the changes in projects, the harsh reality of it all was actually a blessing in disguise. I haven't felt this happy since my days living with the ABC's or working with the LB crew.

My focus is not here and nor will I ever allow it to be again.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Indoor Voices Please...

I noticed the locals like to talk REALLY loud when making a point. I find it annoying and pointless -- just cuz you amplified your voice doesn't give you more creditability...

Case in point: local talk show reporter literally screamed her views on a celebrity scandal case and how it was wrong, blah blah blah. I wanted to shout 'chill woman!', but then I'd be like her.

Damn integration!

Friday, February 03, 2012

Ta Tong

I bought a 2nd hand 46in tv when I moved to the new place. It was an impluse purchase cuz I wanted a bigger tv and the price was decent. I got it from a respectable vendor, but the wiring in the back must be off cuz the cable/dvd player can't connect.

Anyhoo, I splurged a lil and bought a new 42in tv instead of waiting for the vendor to replace my tv with another one. I can't live without cable!

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Orange

i feel the need to customize my blog.

one day. soon. maybe. or not.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Ballers

I was cruising Q station yesterday and they had a kiosk that sold American Eagle apparel. I checked the price tags and good golly, almost 70 bucks for a freakin t-shirt! Granted, it was 70% off, but still.

Sign of old age: almost got suckered into watching Puss n Boots -- CHINESE verison cuz the fine print was so teenie, tiny, I had to squint my eyes to double confirm when cashier pointed it out.

On side note: Most of the time, I don't understand why folks here say the most irrelevant things at the most inappropriate times. It raises red flags and bottom line, you really can't be that insecure right?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Gettin the ball a'rollin!

First day back at work was a total bomb. I loathe the management team like an incurable disease, but whatev, I'm sticking to my guns, hot n blazin!

I actually feel pretty good about 2012 -- the optimistic American in me is slowly coming back. I've noticed that whenever I vent to the locals, the response is somewhat a cold 'hey, that's just life' / there's no way out sorta thing. But when I talk to folks back home, there's reassurance and a glimmer of hope and faith and maybe I am corny, but its good enough for me to believe in something better.

I'm not exactly the underdog in the office (a close 2nd), but I'ma rooting for her cuz she of all people deserves a break.

Sunday, January 01, 2012

Happy 2012!

Countin down till 2012!~

Really hope the Mayans were wrong and 2012 is not the last year for human kind cuz the world is pretty spectacular and I can't wait to stamp up my new passport. ^^

I skipped out on resolutions last year as they seemed kinda repetitive from the year before (oh, I hear the fireworks starting!) but traditions are traditions and it must never happen again!

So here we go:

1. I will not quit out of anger! lol~ this is a shout out to Hsini, but yes, you are 100% correct and I kinda wished you weren't. ha~

2. Travel!

3. Eat healthier

4. Be nicer to the locals

5. Create a bucket list with things like indoor skydiving or learn to knit

Looking back, 2011 was full of ups and downs and PG-13 drama (no debauchery, no getting knocked up, nothing too scandalous, hence the PG-13 rating). Actually come to think of it, there wasn't any real drama. hMm..

* Semi freaked out about turning 30.

* Sold my place then promptly bought another place. Flippin houses could be my true calling!

* Met up with the Wakabayashi's + Tako in Bali for some fun in the sun.

* Worked my ass off at work, which didn't really pay off in the end, but hey, that's just corporate life.

* Tracy and her bf visiting the inferno.

* Solo relaxin in the sun in Kota Kinabalulu, where my age is a very young 23. Woot!

* Made my way up to Shanghai to chill with G and P'izzle.

* Will ALWAYS make a break for Popeyes at Hong Kong International Airport -- even if I have to sprint 20 gates to make my flight

* Seattle for the holidays.

* Very grateful for the Leo Burnett folks who have kept me sane and grounded in my years in Taiwan.

* Not so grateful for the folks that left Taiwan for greener pastures, but hey, at least I have a place to crash whenever I visit AND I've been getting great mileage on whatsapp.

Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

I've learned its easy to sweat the small stuff and to get side tracked on what's important and meaningful. But at the end of the day, its really me to determine if I want to be lazy or to be the badass that I am and do something about it. Don't worry, I'm not gonna shout "girl power" off the rooftop, but I will end this posting with my 6th and last resolution for 2012 which is: just freakin do it!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

In the city~

So its been 3 weeks since the 'relocation'. The air does feel fresher, but good golly, the commute is a freakin beeyotch!

Seriously thinkin about selling the place come the new year. lol~

We'll see how it goes.

Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seattle in the next month!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Kokomo

KK - day one

I hate older asian people.. I shouldn't be such a hater cuz one day, not too long from now, I will be like them. It's not all that bad, I mean, the whole hunched over, chubby cheeks, perm gone wrong is a good look. And yes, as an older Asian, it is my God given right to be able to roam and cut lines whenever, wherever my heart desires.

Anyhoo, as a rule of thumb to being a tourist in SE Asia, you're gonna get ripped off-- but hey, it's still cheaper vs from where you came from and dude, you're on vacation, so just go with the flow!

The following is a true story:

Me: (looking at postcards)
Asian lady: how much?
Me: huh?
AL: how much for postcard?
Me: the sign says 1RM
AL: you speak Chinese?
Me: yes, I do...
AL: me too!

Yah, sorry to burst your bubble Asian lady, but so do a billion other people. We ain't that special..

KK - day deux

"if you want BBQ, you find Langka"

That's pretty much all I needed to know for my snorkeling excursion. And I must say, that BBQ was delish!

Being the doofus that I am, the need to reapply sunblock never entered my mind, so after a good 6 hours looking at pretty little fishes, my new nickname can be 'lobster back'.

KK - day III

Goodbye city life, allo Nexus!

The security guards seriously need to quit their day jobs. There's a shuttle bus at the local mall that goes to the Nexus and the waiting area was conveniently next to the security guards' post. "wait here! bus come soon!" So I waited and waited and waited.. I knew the shuttle came every 2 hours, but none of the buses had any signs. Then the shift changed and this youngin took over. With very limited Engrish, he simply said 'i don't know'. I went in the mall and asked the nice ladies at the tour counter and they said 'oh, you missed it!' Yah, no shit... The fact was, the shuttle wasn't really a shuttle bus, it was a one of those huge tour buses that I actually saw when that first security guard was around. Yah, thanks for your help -- not!

But its all good cuz I indulged in a lil Kenny Rogers till the next bus. Yum!


KK - day four

Due to scheduling changes, I had to make 2 separate bookings at the Nexus. One for 1 night and the other for 3 nights (my original schedule). When I checked in the previous day, the receptionist said I had to check out and then check in again the next day. I thought it was bull shit, but whatever, I went with the flow.

So after packing up all my belongings, I checked out -- only to be checked in in the same room again. Ha~


KK - day 5

My last full day before heading back to the 'pei. Reality is sinking in and thoughts of work, renovation and work again is seeping into my 'still trying to be in vacation mode' brain. Ack~

I'ma spend the rest of the day in the sun. ^^

Sunday, October 09, 2011

Que Sera Sera

I gotta say, who ever invented cream cheese is pure genius!

Its a long weekend here in the motherland -- 100 years old Taiwan! and I'm chillin at a new spot somewhere uptown, downtown, motown with a cup of hazelnut latte, bagel + cream cheese and booty music to drown out the white noise.

The pressure is on to make this post entertaining as my compadre across the South China Sea is working hard and needs a good bathroom read when the time comes. I must point out that its taking all my will power to not get distracted and hit the play button as Greys Anatomy season 8, episodes 1-4 + Modern Family season 3, episodes 1-3 have been downloaded. Yes, G trumps GA and MF.

I turned the big 3-0 couple weekends ago. I'm not a big fan of celebrating one's own bday, so to me, it was like any other day. I do want to thank my coworkers at the lovely cancer sticks company for taking me out for dinner as this was the first time I celebrated my bday with work folks and for that I salute them.

In a pretty successful effort to 'be young', me, G and Liz got semi intoxicated the weekend after -- on a Sunday no less! Sure, Liz had to bail out early, but judging by the number of shot glasses G conveniently stashed in her purse, we did ok.

Renovations at the new place is coming along, but I'm getting a bit annoyed as the renovator wants to put in more shelf space against my dismay b/c I will feel the need to put things on the shelves and the place will look cluttered. Ack~ Less is more!!

Work is work. The project that I've working on has officially launched. I don't know if you can admit that you're tired to the people you work with as it might seem like you're not pulling your own weight, but good golly, I am freakin tired! Tired of all the corporate horseshit, tired of people delegating their responsibilities onto others, tired of people that don't do shit, but still get a pat on the back, tired of that one person that keeps pissing on the toilet seat without cleaning up after herself -- seriously!!! I normally keep it all in, but on my off days, my 'fuck all y'alls' face sticks out like a sore thumb.

But not to fret, cuz in a weeks a time, I'll be here:



And now, I'ma hit that play button. =T

Friday, September 16, 2011

Here We Go~

Yes! Let the renovations begin! All the walls have been torn down and I'm more excited about this place vs the first place b/c I'm putting in a kitchen island! HOLLER!

Can't wait till all the renovating is done.

Other tidbits: 6x events in the next month plus squeezing a trip to Malaysia in between.

Busy is indeedy goody, but so is sleep -- which I miss terribly.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Pack it up, pack it in

After living in 'brooklyn' for a year and a half, it's time to look for a new place to squat. Surprisingly, I actually grew to love the place. The park, the mrt, the million and one places to eat within a 3 block radius. Plus, it only took 20mins by scooter to get into the city center.

Sigh~

Twas my first home and I shall miss it muchie.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Anywhere But Here..

one of these day, i'ma book a ticket and just fly off to the nearest island and park my pastey white ass on the beach for a week.

tired of work, house hunting and not being able to tan evenly!!!!!

@#$%^&

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Powers That Be

The story goes like this:

got home around 7, took the dog out and lounged on the couch -- mustered the energy to get off my ass and went to the gym.

did not acknowledge the real estate agent that was brought a person to see the apt.

ignored his calls while scootering to the gym.

finished an extra set before calling it day.

passed by an almond tofu cart -- then doubled back b/c it sounded good.

chain of events that led to meeting a Mr. Chang. he owns the unit 6 doors down from me and is interested in purchasing another unit for his niece.

maybe?

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Price Is Right

A sucker is born every minute. I need one of those suckers to make an offer on my apt. Lol~

After 3 months with Century 21, I switched real estate agencies cuz Century 21 was/is pure crap. Not the most professional and when it comes down to it, I question how they sell homes! I used them cuz I have a relative that works there and it was one of those family political things. Never again!

Anyway, the new agency is pretty cool. They give me weekly reports, letting me know how many people have seen the place, likes/dislikes, etc. Its been about a month and this older lady named a price and failed. And now I have 3-4 potential buyers in the wings. These folks have viewed the apt at least 2-3 times -- coming in after work, during the weekends, with their maggot ass kids, with their boy/girl friends.

Someone just grow a pair and make an offer! I know its not easy. The price is bit a high and some folks aren't able to get the loan and some believe in the powers that be. But if you're viewing the place 2-3 times, you must like it.

I just need my agent to pinch some balls and make something happen.