I missed my LIFE! I miss my gym, my shopping sprees, my books, my quality time with my loved ones, my friends (some claim I’ve gone AWOL for the last 6 months) , oh, and my blog & facebook … whatever happened to me during the last 6 months?
WORK ! WORK ! WORK and MORE WORK! New job has taken its toll on me. So tied up with work, that I lost my radar for a bit there. It crept in subtlety. Began innocently with checking emails at home at night and weekends, then you see some urgent emails (by now, believe me when I say, all emails are always urgent!) and had no choice but to reply them. Which leads, of course, to completing quotations and proposals in the late night and over the weekends. Before I know it, my nights and weekends are gone and I had merely the energy to crawl into bed, have a quick shuteye before starting the merciless cycle again the next day. It didn’t help at all, that I had tenders almost every month to complete, which inadvertently means late night proposals, countless long hours in front of the laptop, rushing around to compile proposals, necessary docs, attending last minute clarification sessions…– what madness! Exhilaratingly challenging, but what do I get in return? A new coffee-drinking habit and dark circles under my already-puffy eyes, …. what a way to go, gal….
I need to get back on track, take control once again of my life and steer myself out from this abyss of work stress. I picked up these STRESS BUSTERS and hope they’ll help me to overcome the pressure and stress and lead me to a healthier lifestyle:
1) Plan my time well
I’ve got to learn to say NO to work after 8pm and over the weekends and especially during my off days and Public Holidays. There's more to life than just work.
2) Show my emotions
Got to learn to express my thoughts and emotions, ie if I am overburdened and overloaded with work, should talk to my bosses about it. Of course, EQ very important here cause I wouldnt want my bosses to think I am being creative at asking for a sack.
3) Exercise regularly
Head back to gym again and trade in this overworked self for a healthier self.
4) Rest & Relax
Take a breather, chill out, watch some Stephen Chow comedy.
Maybe even plan a holiday or two in the next couple of months.
5) Sleep well
Is the bible rule at least 8 hours of sleep a day? That’s good.. really good…. Will naps take into account? Hmmn…have to work on this luxury…
6) A Stress Free Diet
This supposedly increases my body defence system against stress! So I have to start eating lots of nutrients like fruits, vegetables and fibres. Er, is the famous cheese fibre cake by Secret Recipe considered nutritious fibre-rich food? Wouldn't mind having that for every meal....
7) Vitamins and supplements
Ah, cod liver oil is the answer…..
Well, with these pointers, hopefully I get to see the new me in the next couple of months… and my friends get to see more of me too! Wish me success.
talking corners
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Penang = Food
I was in Penang just last week for meetings with my customers. The city was as vibrant as usual and abuzz with the recent hype about GeorgeTown! With its recent inscription as UNESCO’s World Heritage site, the city has alas, gained recognition in the face of the world as one rich in cultural and historical legacy. So, naturally all the Penangites were basking in their new found glory!
Penang, to me is essentially about FOOD. I caught up with an old friend of mine there, and together we feasted on the ikan panggang (grilled fish), char-kuey teow and some ais kacang. Ah, delicious! Though kinda disappointed with the ais kacang…..very small atapcee, very hard red beans, no groundnuts …The ingredients were not as generous as the one found at my fave stall in Kepong old Parkson lane...... Then, there was the crispy pancake (I think it’s called apam balik in Malay) with groundnut and corn fillings. Surprise! Surprise! Besides corn and groundnuts, they have a variety of fillings to choose from - chocolate, strawberry, cheese and even chicken floss filling! Ooh, yummy! Also, it’s common that the curry mee in Penang is served to the brim in coconut milk, and the curry paste is given separately to you….. hmmn, very interesting.... but tasted really good!
Although it’s common nowadays to have Penang food in KL, but admittedly, not even anywhere close to the price in Penang. We could still find char siew wantan mee (sweetened pork noodle) at MYR2.50 only! Don’t think we can still find that in KL anymore…..
Hope to explore more Penang food in my next trip….. anyone, got any recommendations on what to try next? {Besides the Penang Prawn mee, Asam laksa and Mamak Mee rebus}
Penang, to me is essentially about FOOD. I caught up with an old friend of mine there, and together we feasted on the ikan panggang (grilled fish), char-kuey teow and some ais kacang. Ah, delicious! Though kinda disappointed with the ais kacang…..very small atapcee, very hard red beans, no groundnuts …The ingredients were not as generous as the one found at my fave stall in Kepong old Parkson lane...... Then, there was the crispy pancake (I think it’s called apam balik in Malay) with groundnut and corn fillings. Surprise! Surprise! Besides corn and groundnuts, they have a variety of fillings to choose from - chocolate, strawberry, cheese and even chicken floss filling! Ooh, yummy! Also, it’s common that the curry mee in Penang is served to the brim in coconut milk, and the curry paste is given separately to you….. hmmn, very interesting.... but tasted really good!
Although it’s common nowadays to have Penang food in KL, but admittedly, not even anywhere close to the price in Penang. We could still find char siew wantan mee (sweetened pork noodle) at MYR2.50 only! Don’t think we can still find that in KL anymore…..
Hope to explore more Penang food in my next trip….. anyone, got any recommendations on what to try next? {Besides the Penang Prawn mee, Asam laksa and Mamak Mee rebus}
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Yey, happy days!
One of the best things about weddings is the reunion among friends. Ah, those things we talked about, they’re just the nicest things of all!! Just recently, I caught up with my old school mates and reminisce about the good old days. One that always brings back much laughter and fondness was the growing up with my badminton kaki- group! We were in form 2 and being crazy about badminton, we wanted so much to play “real” badminton. By “real” means, having a court, a net, real “feathered” shuttlecocks and a super light racquet (not those wooden racquets)!
But, back in the early 90s , the badminton courts were scarce, and being students, we don’t have the means to rent the courts. So, we played at an alley between 2 houses just right opposite my house. That, became our faithful court for the next 4 years.
We played throughout our SRP and SPM years. Shared much jokes and tales along the way. We met boys, who wanted to join us, simply because they were curious about how we four gals were so darned committed to get together every Saturday for a good game. Sometimes the group got so big - almost up to 10 people, and we all had to take turns playing doubles. But, still at times when others failed to show up, we faithful four, always managed to get together come rain or shine!!!
Looking back, it was awesome how a simple court could bind us so much. Thank God for those treasured memories. To Grace (my loyal doubles partner), Joyce and my sis, thank you for these wonderful times of laughter, lessons about commitment and about living passionately! (and of course, honing of my badminton skills, too!) . Long live the badminton kaki’s !!!
But, back in the early 90s , the badminton courts were scarce, and being students, we don’t have the means to rent the courts. So, we played at an alley between 2 houses just right opposite my house. That, became our faithful court for the next 4 years.
We played throughout our SRP and SPM years. Shared much jokes and tales along the way. We met boys, who wanted to join us, simply because they were curious about how we four gals were so darned committed to get together every Saturday for a good game. Sometimes the group got so big - almost up to 10 people, and we all had to take turns playing doubles. But, still at times when others failed to show up, we faithful four, always managed to get together come rain or shine!!!
Looking back, it was awesome how a simple court could bind us so much. Thank God for those treasured memories. To Grace (my loyal doubles partner), Joyce and my sis, thank you for these wonderful times of laughter, lessons about commitment and about living passionately! (and of course, honing of my badminton skills, too!) . Long live the badminton kaki’s !!!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Get your dream job…
I've always wondered about the irony of this tagline …… is there really such a thing called a “dream” job? The tagline has been used everywhere by colleges, promising the “dream” job that you want if you enroll in certain courses, or even by seminars or conferences that promises to equip you with skills to garner your “dream”job. Some even went further to advice you to leave the conventional 9-5 jobs and pursue bigger dreams….
Yeah, everyone knows that when somebody claims they’ve landed their “dream” job, that plainly means, they get an incredibly good pay and perks, a credible status in the company and a BIG car to drive around! But, does it always equate to material rewards?
Some interesting people I know disagree, saying that their dream job will be to do something that they’ve always wanted to do regardless of the monetary reward and social status. Their dream job is something creative, something out-of the box that they’ll probably not do if they choose to be confined within the four walls of society. Example, a certified accountant becoming a fashion buyer. Or a chemical engineer turned tap dancer and voice-over freelancer! Most acknowledged that pursuing their dream jobs could mean forfeiting their education background, certification and financial security.
Some, on the other hand, claimed that their dream job is to have flexible hours.
So, I guess it goes down to what motivates you? What inspires you? What is rewarding to you? See if you’ll be lead by passion or by the pressures of society. I really don’t know…. like everyone else, I am still on my quest to find my dream job.
Yeah, everyone knows that when somebody claims they’ve landed their “dream” job, that plainly means, they get an incredibly good pay and perks, a credible status in the company and a BIG car to drive around! But, does it always equate to material rewards?
Some interesting people I know disagree, saying that their dream job will be to do something that they’ve always wanted to do regardless of the monetary reward and social status. Their dream job is something creative, something out-of the box that they’ll probably not do if they choose to be confined within the four walls of society. Example, a certified accountant becoming a fashion buyer. Or a chemical engineer turned tap dancer and voice-over freelancer! Most acknowledged that pursuing their dream jobs could mean forfeiting their education background, certification and financial security.
Some, on the other hand, claimed that their dream job is to have flexible hours.
So, I guess it goes down to what motivates you? What inspires you? What is rewarding to you? See if you’ll be lead by passion or by the pressures of society. I really don’t know…. like everyone else, I am still on my quest to find my dream job.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The "BAD-dest" teacher
I believed I have caused a permanent damage to my popularity among the children during Sunday School. No child will love a teacher who disciplines, who tells them what they can or cannot do….. sigh… and that was precisely what I did last Sunday.
The children were misbehaving. During our song session, some were sitting in a corner sulking, some were lying and even rolling on the floor and some were, well, plain busy poking their friends and making silly faces. I know I shan’t be too hard on them, lest I take the joy out of singing from them. After all, they are still children. But, that Sunday, I thought that it’s high time they are reminded about worship and learn a little respect for the house of God.
So, instead of the usual medal giving ceremony after the song session, I told them that there are no medals this week because most of them were misbehaving. I reminded them the importance of paying attention, and why we are singing the songs. Then, I opened up a container filled with sweets and told them that if they think they deserved a sweet - which means they were well behaved- they can come forward and take some sweets for themselves. All were silent. They all stared at me wide-eyed. A few turned sad. The boys rolled their eyes! The older children looked a bit sheepish. But, not one dared to come forward to claim their sweets. Then, one girl started sniffling and got all teary eyed! Oh, my! It was then, I officially became the “bad-dest” teacher of all. ….
A new dilemma dawns…. Should I be nice next week? Or still be strict to instill some discipline? Ah, a tough choice……
The children were misbehaving. During our song session, some were sitting in a corner sulking, some were lying and even rolling on the floor and some were, well, plain busy poking their friends and making silly faces. I know I shan’t be too hard on them, lest I take the joy out of singing from them. After all, they are still children. But, that Sunday, I thought that it’s high time they are reminded about worship and learn a little respect for the house of God.
So, instead of the usual medal giving ceremony after the song session, I told them that there are no medals this week because most of them were misbehaving. I reminded them the importance of paying attention, and why we are singing the songs. Then, I opened up a container filled with sweets and told them that if they think they deserved a sweet - which means they were well behaved- they can come forward and take some sweets for themselves. All were silent. They all stared at me wide-eyed. A few turned sad. The boys rolled their eyes! The older children looked a bit sheepish. But, not one dared to come forward to claim their sweets. Then, one girl started sniffling and got all teary eyed! Oh, my! It was then, I officially became the “bad-dest” teacher of all. ….
A new dilemma dawns…. Should I be nice next week? Or still be strict to instill some discipline? Ah, a tough choice……
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