This space has been very sadly neglected for the past month. In fact, I've been finding trouble even coming up with something to write, or to update on what's going in my life. It's just the same.
Same old, same old.
I envy those who update regularly with pictures of what they've been doing, places they've been visiting, people they've been seeing. Our weekends now consist of the same old routine:
- Yumcha (or brunch)
- Grocery shopping
- Gardening
- Cleaning up the house
- Washing the car
- Occasionally meeting up with friends
Tim's routine when he's back from work, and he'll laugh when he sees this, because I always tease him about it:
- Takes off his shoes
- Pours some wine
- Lies on the couch
- Turns on the telly
- Drinks some wine
- Eats some Shapes
A rut? You think?
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
October 01, 2010
August 15, 2010
A Sneak Peek Into Our Humble Abode
As promised, some photos of the new home :)
A tiny abode, if I do say so myself, but quite a charming one. It's still very bare though, and terribly messy, as you can tell from the photographs. No hurry in decorating the place I say. Rome wasn't built in a day, and so's interior decorating!
A favourite feature of the house, which we will probably never use. Yep, it's an honest-to-God fireplace, that can build honest-to-God fires in winter. We haven't tried it out just yet, although the previous owner left us the cast-iron thingy that holds firelogs. Next winter perhaps. For now, it serves more of a decorative feature in the house than anything else. I'm also on a lookout for a good ornamental clock to replace the current Kmart clock above the mantelpiece. Any ideas?
As small as the house is, I'm real glad that the kitchen is big. Ample space to store all things kitcheny :P
So there you go, a peek into our humble abode. Next items to get would be at least three bookshelves for the many books we have, and dining chairs. Hubs and I are currently having our meals on a foldable garden chair and a tiny stool, which we take turns to sit on (no prizes for guessing which seat we prefer). We're still on the lookout for the dining chairs, so if we do have housewarming parties, etc in our place, the invitations would state "BYO Chair". No kidding.
Ahh ... it's great to be home :)
A tiny abode, if I do say so myself, but quite a charming one. It's still very bare though, and terribly messy, as you can tell from the photographs. No hurry in decorating the place I say. Rome wasn't built in a day, and so's interior decorating!
A favourite feature of the house, which we will probably never use. Yep, it's an honest-to-God fireplace, that can build honest-to-God fires in winter. We haven't tried it out just yet, although the previous owner left us the cast-iron thingy that holds firelogs. Next winter perhaps. For now, it serves more of a decorative feature in the house than anything else. I'm also on a lookout for a good ornamental clock to replace the current Kmart clock above the mantelpiece. Any ideas?
As small as the house is, I'm real glad that the kitchen is big. Ample space to store all things kitcheny :P
So there you go, a peek into our humble abode. Next items to get would be at least three bookshelves for the many books we have, and dining chairs. Hubs and I are currently having our meals on a foldable garden chair and a tiny stool, which we take turns to sit on (no prizes for guessing which seat we prefer). We're still on the lookout for the dining chairs, so if we do have housewarming parties, etc in our place, the invitations would state "BYO Chair". No kidding.
Ahh ... it's great to be home :)
August 08, 2010
Honey, We're Home
It's been one week since we moved in to our very own home, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Sure, there were little niggles here and there which unfortunately, we did not notice when we first inspected the place, e.g. not even power points in the house, overly modern bathroom features that leaves water all over the place, slightly drafty windows, etc. But really, those things are easily fixed so no problems there at all.
It's such a joy walking about in my tiny garden, or having a cup of tea in my kitchen (the best feature in the house, I'd have to say!) without someone else who isn't your husband around. With that, yes, I meant the housemate ;)
We're currently still waiting for our TV bench and couch to be delivered (it's now a week late), so the living room's pretty empty. We have no dining chairs, so we're sitting on our office chair and garden chair. I should take a photo of it and post it here; it's such a sight.
Our very first home. I really couldn't be happier.
It's such a joy walking about in my tiny garden, or having a cup of tea in my kitchen (the best feature in the house, I'd have to say!) without someone else who isn't your husband around. With that, yes, I meant the housemate ;)
We're currently still waiting for our TV bench and couch to be delivered (it's now a week late), so the living room's pretty empty. We have no dining chairs, so we're sitting on our office chair and garden chair. I should take a photo of it and post it here; it's such a sight.
Our very first home. I really couldn't be happier.
June 28, 2010
Just Over A Month To Go
Just over a month to go to our settlement date. Exciting, yet money-draining times. On one hand, we're thankful we don't have a lot of big items to move to the new place; on the other, well, we have to now get those big items. Items such as a washing machine, couch (expensive things they are, even for the ones of really lousy quality) and a TV entertainment unit (currently, the TV is on our dining table, and we eat on the floor. No kidding. We've been eating on the floor for over two years).
The items on lower priority would be bedside tables, lamps, and other bits and bobs. I'm planning to get some of them from eBay. You'd be surprised at how much good stuff people are willing to get rid off at very low prices.
We've already started packing, which is a good thing. Didn't realise just how many books the two of us have, especially me. I gave quite a lot of other items away to Salvos, but books, books I keep. IKEA's looking pretty good when it comes to looking for affordable bookshelves, I reckon.
Exciting times, but money-hemorrhaging ones indeed.
The items on lower priority would be bedside tables, lamps, and other bits and bobs. I'm planning to get some of them from eBay. You'd be surprised at how much good stuff people are willing to get rid off at very low prices.
We've already started packing, which is a good thing. Didn't realise just how many books the two of us have, especially me. I gave quite a lot of other items away to Salvos, but books, books I keep. IKEA's looking pretty good when it comes to looking for affordable bookshelves, I reckon.
Exciting times, but money-hemorrhaging ones indeed.
June 04, 2010
Five Years From First It Began
I remembered the first day I started blogging. I didn't really know what it was, only that my cousin was doing it, and being the kiasu (afraid to lose) person that I am, I too had to jump onboard. I wasn't all that much of a funny person, and I still am not, so finding funny and entertaining things to say was quite a feat. I mean, that's what blogs are for, right? All that witty stories and repartee? No? Damn, that's five years down the drain.
This blog wasn't the first one I started. I was going through a very difficult time back then, and I started writing on a completely anonymous blog which I told no one about. I was angsty, an emotional wreck and it was carthartic putting all that emotion into words. When I started writing this blog, I wasn't sure what I wanted out of it. I was still an emotional wreck then; I didn't want to put my heart on my sleeve (well, in this case, on the web). In the end, I did.
When I began writing this post, I went through a few blog posts of mine which I wrote in 2005. It was such an incredible journey that I went through, and I'm so thankful I had it in writing. It brought back a wave of memories - some good, some bad. It was as though time stopped for me, just for a little while, as I went through what I wrote all those years ago. How I've changed to be the person I am now as the years went on.
This blog has seen me on my travels. My broken heart. My discovery of true friends. My love for my family. My falling in love. My move from Malaysia to Australia. My married life. Me.
Today marks my 5th year of blogging. I'm glad this was something I saw through for that long, even though I do not update as often as I did before. I could say here's to many more years to come, but for once I shan't be that optimistic. Let's just take it as it comes. Who knows, one day I'll finally say "here's to a decade".
June 02, 2010
Turning Thirty
I join the 3-0 bandwagon this Saturday. At first, there was that "OMG-I'm-turning-thirty-there's-no-going-back-I'm-oid!" feeling. And then I figured, it's not so bad. Life's good (well, as good as it can get), so I can't complain. I've got good friends celebrating the occasion with me this weekend at Nobu. I'm finally moving to a place of our own in a couple of months. This three weeks at Tasmania has been an awesome holiday with Tim.
Oh, and I'm getting an iPad.
Who said turning thirty was bad? :)
PS: Let's not go to the "having-kids-now-that-you're-in-your-thirties" chapter yet, eh?
April 16, 2010
About Having A Housemate
Things I Won't Miss
Having complete freedom to the washing machine (don't have to wake up extra early in the morning to do the laundry, just to find that the housemate has beaten you to it), telly, couch, refridgerator ... the whole house, really.
Being able to walk around in my birthday suit in the living room. Not that I do that. Often.
Being able to leave the bedroom door open and free to do whatever I want without be subjected to any nosy glances.
Being able to cook anything I want, fry anything smelly without the housemate opening the door and windows loudly in disgust.
Being able to do it anywhere in the house, without having to keep completely silent. Yes, even the laundry room. *wink wink*
Things I Will Miss
Nothing
That about sums it up, doesn't it?
Having complete freedom to the washing machine (don't have to wake up extra early in the morning to do the laundry, just to find that the housemate has beaten you to it), telly, couch, refridgerator ... the whole house, really.
Being able to walk around in my birthday suit in the living room. Not that I do that. Often.
Being able to leave the bedroom door open and free to do whatever I want without be subjected to any nosy glances.
Being able to cook anything I want, fry anything smelly without the housemate opening the door and windows loudly in disgust.
Being able to do it anywhere in the house, without having to keep completely silent. Yes, even the laundry room. *wink wink*
Things I Will Miss
Nothing
That about sums it up, doesn't it?
April 08, 2010
We Bit The Bullet
Our prayers are answered. After two years of searching, we finally found a place we liked and bit the bullet. We were at Coles doing our usual grocery shopping when the real estate agent called Tim and told us that the vendor has accepted our offer. I literally danced at the checkout counter :P
For now, I'm going to enjoy the weight of the 2-year burden lifted off my shoulders, before the reality of a 30-year mortgage falls on us.
We're going to be homeowners!
February 10, 2010
Chinese New Year in Melbourne
Chinese New Year is in 4 days, and I've had nothing done. The apartment is not cleaned (it IS clean, it's just not ready-for-Chinese-New-Year CLEAN), no decorations are up, I don't have any new red attire, no angpows prepared (woohoo!), no mandarin oranges in the house, nothing. And that's the thing about living in Melbourne, especially when you're not in an Asian suburb. There's absolutely no Chinese New Year atmosphere.
No loud "tong-tong-chiang" music in shops, radio or telly. No New Year decor. No hustle and bustle of rushing to the bank to change crisp new notes for angpows. Here, it's going to be just another day.
This is the first time I'm spending Chinese New Year in Australia. I do miss the festive season in Malaysia, especially even more when I don't get to spend it with my extended family. At the time of writing, they are heading to Genting Highlands for a get-together, which I will sorely miss.
Still, it's not going to be a bad day, the eve and first day of the lunar new year. The weather will be good (i.e. it will finally cool down for a bit). We'll be meeting up with friends, having a potbless, and enjoying each other's company. There may even be some *ahem* gambling *ahem* involved :P Who knows?
So happy Chinese New Year, folks. May the year of the Tiger bring you good health and good things.
No loud "tong-tong-chiang" music in shops, radio or telly. No New Year decor. No hustle and bustle of rushing to the bank to change crisp new notes for angpows. Here, it's going to be just another day.
This is the first time I'm spending Chinese New Year in Australia. I do miss the festive season in Malaysia, especially even more when I don't get to spend it with my extended family. At the time of writing, they are heading to Genting Highlands for a get-together, which I will sorely miss.
Still, it's not going to be a bad day, the eve and first day of the lunar new year. The weather will be good (i.e. it will finally cool down for a bit). We'll be meeting up with friends, having a potbless, and enjoying each other's company. There may even be some *ahem* gambling *ahem* involved :P Who knows?
So happy Chinese New Year, folks. May the year of the Tiger bring you good health and good things.
January 05, 2010
And The Holiday Ends Here
As I sit at a cafe at LCCT waiting for my flight back to Melbourne (and enjoying the free WIFI, no doubt), I looked back upon the month-long holiday I had back in Malaysia. I've enjoyed myself immensely this trip, especially when I was spending time with my family and close friends. I found it really difficult to leave this time. I remembered sobbing to Tim a couple of nights before leaving Penang, telling him how much I'd miss my parents.
Time can be such a bitch. Everytime I see my parents, they seemed to have shrunk a little bit more. There were more lines and white hair. Mum would ask me why it was that I made so much plans with my friends when she hardly had any time with me. The guilt was unbearable. I vouched to call them more often, and I plan to follow that through.
I had the pleasure of spending time with my grandma too, who turns a grand ol' 90 this year. I'm so glad that other than the poor short-term memory she has now, she is still healthy and strong. Mention the word "mahjong" to her, and her eyes light up with a thousand stars. Her mind is still pretty sharp, thank the Lord.
The trip back to Malaysia this time is, I'd say, one of the best trips I've had so far. I'm sorry I didn't get to catch up with more people but I had so many events planned the entire month I was back, it was crazy. I don't even have that much of a life in Melbourne! :P
Still, I'm glad to be going home. Back to work, back to the ol' routine. Back to good friends.
And back to a LOT of laundry.
Time can be such a bitch. Everytime I see my parents, they seemed to have shrunk a little bit more. There were more lines and white hair. Mum would ask me why it was that I made so much plans with my friends when she hardly had any time with me. The guilt was unbearable. I vouched to call them more often, and I plan to follow that through.
I had the pleasure of spending time with my grandma too, who turns a grand ol' 90 this year. I'm so glad that other than the poor short-term memory she has now, she is still healthy and strong. Mention the word "mahjong" to her, and her eyes light up with a thousand stars. Her mind is still pretty sharp, thank the Lord.
The trip back to Malaysia this time is, I'd say, one of the best trips I've had so far. I'm sorry I didn't get to catch up with more people but I had so many events planned the entire month I was back, it was crazy. I don't even have that much of a life in Melbourne! :P
Still, I'm glad to be going home. Back to work, back to the ol' routine. Back to good friends.
And back to a LOT of laundry.
December 01, 2009
Shake That Tin, I'll Donate
When it comes to requesting for donations in a cup, I've never seen it done in such a way as I have here. Folks from Salvos would actually wait at the traffic lights at intersections and request for donations from stationary vehicles waiting for the lights to go green. Drivers and/or passengers would wind their car windows down, and pop in some coins. An ingenious idea, if you ask me. Better than placing one fellow at the top of the escalator, and another one at the bottom of the same escalator shaking their money tins.
I've always felt compelled to pop in a coin or two in situations like this. Proper charity organisations only, of course, such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, etc. As a former member of the Red Crescent Society back in secondary school, it's an annual ritual for all members to embark upon a shaking-the-money-tin-and-request-for-donations day, which is formally known as the Flag Day.
To be honest, I've always hated this practice. I never saw the need to have to flood shopping centres with hundreds of Red Crescent Society members from the whole state simply to request for donations on a weekend. People who honestly wanted to donate money to such charitable organisations would find a way to do so. Instead, the public felt harassed by us young 'uns, running after them, asking for a donation.
There were times when I was called a beggar to my face when I politely requested for a donation. It was humiliating. Just to escape this, I prepared some coins of my own, dropped them in, and hung out at McDonald's at Komtar with some friends until it was time to return the money tins.
It wasn't easy asking for money like that, and one had to develop a thick skin for it. As such, even after I left school, come Flag Days or anytime a person from such organisations requested for a donation, I always found a way to drop in some money.
It's not just for charity. It's also for those who have to brave cruel words just to get a few coins in their tins.
I've always felt compelled to pop in a coin or two in situations like this. Proper charity organisations only, of course, such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, etc. As a former member of the Red Crescent Society back in secondary school, it's an annual ritual for all members to embark upon a shaking-the-money-tin-and-request-for-donations day, which is formally known as the Flag Day.
To be honest, I've always hated this practice. I never saw the need to have to flood shopping centres with hundreds of Red Crescent Society members from the whole state simply to request for donations on a weekend. People who honestly wanted to donate money to such charitable organisations would find a way to do so. Instead, the public felt harassed by us young 'uns, running after them, asking for a donation.
There were times when I was called a beggar to my face when I politely requested for a donation. It was humiliating. Just to escape this, I prepared some coins of my own, dropped them in, and hung out at McDonald's at Komtar with some friends until it was time to return the money tins.
It wasn't easy asking for money like that, and one had to develop a thick skin for it. As such, even after I left school, come Flag Days or anytime a person from such organisations requested for a donation, I always found a way to drop in some money.
It's not just for charity. It's also for those who have to brave cruel words just to get a few coins in their tins.
November 25, 2009
The Inevitable Questions
As the date of my trip to Malaysia draws near, the apprehension of being bombarded with questions that I dread also looms over me. I don't think all of the people whom I would be meeting read this blog, but if they do, well, here are your questions and my answers.
Q: So how? Any baby in the making? When are you popping babies?
A: No bun in the oven just yet, and when we decide to start a family, well, that's respectfully our business.
(I don't understand why people even ask this question in the first place. It's such a personal question and decision. And even if we do want to start a family, how does it affect them, other than to satisfy their nosy curiosity? I'm sure there are better topics for small talk.)
Q: Goodness me, have you put on weight?!
A: Why hello, how are YOU doing? Yes, thanks very much for noticing *with the widest grin I can muster*
(Another personal question which has no effect on the other party whatsover. It's just like me asking a man with receding hairline, "goodness me, are you losing your hair?")
Q: So, have you found a job yet? Are you working yet?
A: Yes I have, and yes I am. Here's my card *whip one out*
(Any way to spread the word about my store is good. Even if I have to be completely shameless about it)
It's inevitable that I'll be asked these questions quite often. I'll just try my hardest not to be sarky about my answers.
*fingers crossed*
Q: So how? Any baby in the making? When are you popping babies?
A: No bun in the oven just yet, and when we decide to start a family, well, that's respectfully our business.
(I don't understand why people even ask this question in the first place. It's such a personal question and decision. And even if we do want to start a family, how does it affect them, other than to satisfy their nosy curiosity? I'm sure there are better topics for small talk.)
Q: Goodness me, have you put on weight?!
A: Why hello, how are YOU doing? Yes, thanks very much for noticing *with the widest grin I can muster*
(Another personal question which has no effect on the other party whatsover. It's just like me asking a man with receding hairline, "goodness me, are you losing your hair?")
Q: So, have you found a job yet? Are you working yet?
A: Yes I have, and yes I am. Here's my card *whip one out*
(Any way to spread the word about my store is good. Even if I have to be completely shameless about it)
It's inevitable that I'll be asked these questions quite often. I'll just try my hardest not to be sarky about my answers.
*fingers crossed*
November 20, 2009
Three Weeks To Go
Time is a-ticking, and I'm counting down the days to my trip back to Malaysia. I'll be back for a month, and I'm super excited. Looking at my diary of events, boy oh boy, it's going to be a busy month.
- Spending precious time with my family and friends.
- Attending a dear friend's wedding
- A pampering session of spa, manis, pedis and lots of girl talk with my girlfriends
- Going to Bangkok with Bee (I'm really excited about this one; we've been talking about this trip for ages!)
- Celebrating Christmas with my family
- Celebrating the New Year with Tim's family
In that list, you can bet there's going to be a LOT of eating.
Man, that's more life and activities I have in a month than I do for six months here!
November 19, 2009
Loving Some Things
I'm the kind of person who can read the same books and watch the same movies over and over. If I really like the book, I'd read it countless of times. The same goes with movies.
For example, I'm a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I could never get bored of her books. I've read her Shopaholic series over ten times PER book. I've listened to the audio books over three times per book. Obsessed much? Yes I am.
I love the movie "You've Got Mail", and watch it very often (it's even on my iPod). Sex and the City series? I love it so much; I've watched all seasons at least five times.
It's just the way I am, I guess. When I like a particular type of food, I love and stick with it for ages. I could have chicken rice or scrambled eggs with rice every single day for two weeks and not get tired of it.
Some people call me obsessive-compulsive. Me, I just call it love.
For example, I'm a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I could never get bored of her books. I've read her Shopaholic series over ten times PER book. I've listened to the audio books over three times per book. Obsessed much? Yes I am.
I love the movie "You've Got Mail", and watch it very often (it's even on my iPod). Sex and the City series? I love it so much; I've watched all seasons at least five times.
It's just the way I am, I guess. When I like a particular type of food, I love and stick with it for ages. I could have chicken rice or scrambled eggs with rice every single day for two weeks and not get tired of it.
Some people call me obsessive-compulsive. Me, I just call it love.
October 27, 2009
Sleeping Habits
I fall asleep under unusual circumstances. Unless I'm terribly exhausted, in which case I would doze off the minute my head touches my pillow, I need sounds to fall asleep. My husband thinks it's very weird of me to wait up for our night street sweeper to clean the street before I could sleep. The whirring sound of the sweeping was oddly soothing, and while listening to it, I dozed off.
That was when we slept by the window. Months ago, in order to create more space in our room, we rearranged the furniture and the bed is now away from the window. The sweeper man does not come by on schedule anymore. With that, I have to either listen to podcasts on my iPod Touch to fall asleep, or one of the many sounds of nature albums I have in there. Apparently I need to be either in a "jungle" or at the "beach" to be able to sleep.
Suffice to say, living in the 'burbs in future where it's so quiet you would be able to hear your own thoughts would really not work for me. Tim prefers the silence; I enjoy listening to the noise coming from the Greek restaurant nearby. He wants our future home to be away from the train tracks whereas I would not mind at all (sure, there's that thing about property value decreasing near the train tracks, but that's another story).
What different sleeping habits we have. Or how utterly strange mine is.
October 16, 2009
My New Project
I love jewellery. Who doesn't? Shiny baubles hanging from the ears, neck, wrist and even feet - they never fail to give that instant pick-me-up to an otherwise drab outfit. A year ago I started playing around with making my own jewellery. I started off with the simplest of tools, findings and beads. As time went by, those skills improved, and I thought to myself, hey, why not try to sell them?
My first sale was actually to Geekchic. She saw some beautiful knitting row counters disguised as bracelets, and asked me if I could make her one. I did, and I'm glad she liked it. With her encouragement, I approached a few haberdasheries to see if they were interested in looking at my handmade knitting accessories. I was completely over the moon when one of them purchased all of my stitch markers. It was a sign.
I wasn't contented on selling my pieces on a blog. Please don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with having a blog shop. But I was very keen on learning more about e-commerce and how to actually set up a shopping cart system on the website, so I decided that there wasn't a better time to pick it up. It wasn't easy, that much I can tell you. Doing everything from scratch was a great experience, exhausting, but exhilarating all the same.
Alrighty then, I've talked far too much now. Without further ado, please let me welcome you to my new baby, Sweet Contemplation Accessories!
All pieces are handmade, especially the chainmaille ones. I am a HUGE fan of chainmaille jewellery, and I think the complexity of the designs (and how rare it is found in retail shops out there) give them such an appeal.
I'm running a giveaway on my beauty blog if you would like to check it out and participate.
It's such a change, and I love every challenging bit. I'm praying hard that it will go well.
My first sale was actually to Geekchic. She saw some beautiful knitting row counters disguised as bracelets, and asked me if I could make her one. I did, and I'm glad she liked it. With her encouragement, I approached a few haberdasheries to see if they were interested in looking at my handmade knitting accessories. I was completely over the moon when one of them purchased all of my stitch markers. It was a sign.
I wasn't contented on selling my pieces on a blog. Please don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with having a blog shop. But I was very keen on learning more about e-commerce and how to actually set up a shopping cart system on the website, so I decided that there wasn't a better time to pick it up. It wasn't easy, that much I can tell you. Doing everything from scratch was a great experience, exhausting, but exhilarating all the same.
Alrighty then, I've talked far too much now. Without further ado, please let me welcome you to my new baby, Sweet Contemplation Accessories!
All pieces are handmade, especially the chainmaille ones. I am a HUGE fan of chainmaille jewellery, and I think the complexity of the designs (and how rare it is found in retail shops out there) give them such an appeal.
I'm running a giveaway on my beauty blog if you would like to check it out and participate.
It's such a change, and I love every challenging bit. I'm praying hard that it will go well.
October 15, 2009
The Trouble With Money
You know when they refute it is not money that is the root of all evil, but the LOVE of money is? I believe both are statements are true. Sure you can love money too much to the point of destruction. But money on its own, the subject matter of it, can bring about catastrophic consequences. No, I don't mean literally mean we can start wars because of money alone (or can we?), but let's look at it in a micro level, shall we?
When money comes between two people, whether it's your partner, a family member, a friend, things are sure to go nasty if things are to go awry. It doesn't mean I love money so much that I must have all of it, hence breaking all ties if the need arises. I meant that money alone, even if it was just a few dollars, can make or break relationships.
I rememebered getting angry at a very dear friend of mine over money. I was frazzled with wedding preparations, and so was she. Our stress levels were so high that I finally snapped at her over something which shouldn't have even come up. She apologised, gave her reasons and all was good again. In hindsight, I was so relieved that things did not turn out ugly for us, and that she still remained a very close mate. If she had turned nasty and I hit back (you know how it goes), goodness knows what would result. All over money.
Sometimes I wonder if it's better to lose some money than to lose a friend. I don't mean heaps of money (that's another story), but perhaps a couple of hundred dollars. Sure there's that thing called principles. It's not the money, it's my principles that count. I was right. He/she was wrong. So there. A relationship that takes years to build and nurture can be destructed in just a day.
Is it worth it? Couldn't we just say "Okay let's put this behind us. It's just money. It's not worth jeopardising a friendship"?
If only the words could so easily come.
When money comes between two people, whether it's your partner, a family member, a friend, things are sure to go nasty if things are to go awry. It doesn't mean I love money so much that I must have all of it, hence breaking all ties if the need arises. I meant that money alone, even if it was just a few dollars, can make or break relationships.
I rememebered getting angry at a very dear friend of mine over money. I was frazzled with wedding preparations, and so was she. Our stress levels were so high that I finally snapped at her over something which shouldn't have even come up. She apologised, gave her reasons and all was good again. In hindsight, I was so relieved that things did not turn out ugly for us, and that she still remained a very close mate. If she had turned nasty and I hit back (you know how it goes), goodness knows what would result. All over money.
Sometimes I wonder if it's better to lose some money than to lose a friend. I don't mean heaps of money (that's another story), but perhaps a couple of hundred dollars. Sure there's that thing called principles. It's not the money, it's my principles that count. I was right. He/she was wrong. So there. A relationship that takes years to build and nurture can be destructed in just a day.
Is it worth it? Couldn't we just say "Okay let's put this behind us. It's just money. It's not worth jeopardising a friendship"?
If only the words could so easily come.
October 01, 2009
Getting The Husband on Twitter
I remembered when I first applied for a Twitter account, I wasn't at all keen on the idea. In fact, I placed it here, completely forgot about updating the darn thing, removed it, and put it back again when I finally got the hang of it. And now I'm addicted to the darn thing.
I kept bugging Tim to get on board but he wouldn't be bothered. Even though he kept saying that he should tweet (or at least write) about the stupid things he see on the telly. In the end, I signed up for an account for him.
And his first tweet? It was somewhere along the lines of "my wife forced me to get on Twitter".
Gee thanks.
I kept bugging Tim to get on board but he wouldn't be bothered. Even though he kept saying that he should tweet (or at least write) about the stupid things he see on the telly. In the end, I signed up for an account for him.
And his first tweet? It was somewhere along the lines of "my wife forced me to get on Twitter".
Gee thanks.
September 09, 2009
Gifts From Past Loves
What do you do with gifts past loves gave you? Do you keep them? Chuck them if the relationship went so sour that you can't even bear the thought of keeping any remnants of that relationship in your life? What do you do when you see gifts that your partner's past loves gave him/her? Do you ask him/her to keep these items away, or do you throw them away yourself?
I pondered these questions for a long time. Even though I'm now married, and happily so, I admit that I still keep a box or two of items given by past boyfriends. I don't have them with me in Australia, but they're still in the cupboard tucked away in my room at my parents' house. I've had relationships that ended amicably, and also one that ended badly, but I still keep the items they gave me regardless. Should I have thrown them out? I didn't bring any into my marital home, of course. They belong to the life I left behind.
With the first boyfriend I had, believe it or not, I kept everything he gave me. Even though I do not display the framed photographs anymore, some of the items in the room are still there. That person was my first love, and was part of my life for over 5 years. I didn't see the need to have to remove them.
The next relationship bit the big one. After it was over, even though I didn't throw the items he gave me away, I stored them in a paper bag, and shoved it deep into my cupboard, so that I may never see them again. And for a long time I didn't even want to take them out.
Yesterday, I took out a photo frame that my husband once bought to keep a picture of himself with an ex-girlfriend. Back when I first asked him about the frame (a couple of years ago, methinks), why it was kept away and not used, he told me what it was used for. I felt a twinge inside, and it wasn't good. I was actually jealous of something which happened a long time ago, and that it was still there in the wardrobe. I felt as though its presence was mocking me. Tim would have chucked it if I wanted him to, but I simply told him to leave it alone. After all, it belonged to him, not me.
Back to yesterday. I finally took the photo frame out, and I felt nothing. In fact, all I saw was, simply, an unused frame. There was no twinge, no mocking. It was all in my head. Rather than putting it to waste, I printed out a photo of us, taken at Brighton Beach, put it in the frame, and placed it on my side table.
That was when I've made the decision, that when I return to Malaysia next, I shall finally take that paper bag out, and donate the items to charity. I don't need them taking up space in the cupboard anymore.
It felt really good.
I pondered these questions for a long time. Even though I'm now married, and happily so, I admit that I still keep a box or two of items given by past boyfriends. I don't have them with me in Australia, but they're still in the cupboard tucked away in my room at my parents' house. I've had relationships that ended amicably, and also one that ended badly, but I still keep the items they gave me regardless. Should I have thrown them out? I didn't bring any into my marital home, of course. They belong to the life I left behind.
With the first boyfriend I had, believe it or not, I kept everything he gave me. Even though I do not display the framed photographs anymore, some of the items in the room are still there. That person was my first love, and was part of my life for over 5 years. I didn't see the need to have to remove them.
The next relationship bit the big one. After it was over, even though I didn't throw the items he gave me away, I stored them in a paper bag, and shoved it deep into my cupboard, so that I may never see them again. And for a long time I didn't even want to take them out.
Yesterday, I took out a photo frame that my husband once bought to keep a picture of himself with an ex-girlfriend. Back when I first asked him about the frame (a couple of years ago, methinks), why it was kept away and not used, he told me what it was used for. I felt a twinge inside, and it wasn't good. I was actually jealous of something which happened a long time ago, and that it was still there in the wardrobe. I felt as though its presence was mocking me. Tim would have chucked it if I wanted him to, but I simply told him to leave it alone. After all, it belonged to him, not me.
Back to yesterday. I finally took the photo frame out, and I felt nothing. In fact, all I saw was, simply, an unused frame. There was no twinge, no mocking. It was all in my head. Rather than putting it to waste, I printed out a photo of us, taken at Brighton Beach, put it in the frame, and placed it on my side table.
That was when I've made the decision, that when I return to Malaysia next, I shall finally take that paper bag out, and donate the items to charity. I don't need them taking up space in the cupboard anymore.
It felt really good.
August 27, 2009
The Book List
"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."
- Charles W. Eliot in The Happy Life (1896)
I saw this at May's, and thought I'd nick it and see if I've read any of the books on BBC's must-read book list. Apparently, the average person would have read 6 out of the 100 books listed below.
The crossed out ones are the books I've read.
1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien (I only managed the first ten pages. Sigh)
3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
4. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis
11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë
13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks
15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger
19. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres
20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien (couldn't even do #1, never mind this)
27. Middlemarch, George Eliot
28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving
29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck
31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson
32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez
33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett
35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl
37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute
38. Persuasion, Jane Austen
39. Dune, Frank Herbert
42. Watership Down, Richard Adams
43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh
46. Animal Farm, George Orwell
49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian
50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher
52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck
53. The Stand, Stephen King
54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth
56. The BFG, Roald Dahl
57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome
58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman
64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough
65. Mort, Terry Pratchett
67. The Magus, John Fowles
68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett
70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding
71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind
72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
74. Matilda, Roald Dahl
76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt
77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins
78. Ulysses, James Joyce
79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens
80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson
81. The Twits, Roald Dahl
82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith
83. Holes, Louis Sachar
84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake
85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson
87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons
89. Magician, Raymond E Feist
90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac
91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo
92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel
93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett
94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
95. Katherine, Anya Seton
96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer
97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson
100. Midnight’s Children, Salman Rushdie
Only 27 out of 100. I haven't read as many classics as I'd have liked. These days I don't seem to have the capacity to sit through heavy fictions.
In fact, I hardly read fiction these days. Most of the items on my reading list in the past months have been non-fiction (mostly finance). Either those or glossy mags.
How I miss the days when I was so engrossed in a good book, I'd stay up till the wee hours of the morning just to get to the last page. I know of people who'd skip the middle pages and go directly to the last chapter (or even just the last couple of pages) to see what the ending's like. I never understood that. What's the point in reading a book then, if all you wanted to know is the ending? It's not just the destination that matters, it's also the journey, is it not?
Anyway, I should get back to that reading list above. There are plenty of books in that list I'd love to read. Thank goodness for the inexpensive Penguin classics available at Target (also available at Borders, but the same books are cheaper at Target). I'm going to get me some of those. Hopefully I'd be able to cross off more books on that list.
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