How Accurate Is Your Speedometer?

Speedometer -  a gauge that measures and displays the instantaneous speed - a standard piece of equipment you find in motor vehicles. 

These meters reflect the actual speed you are cruising at, you then let your mind decide whether you wish to slow down or pick up speed based on your judgements.  Many of us physically rely on those but as it happens, our very own speedometer buried in our head is often the one dominating the calibration of our every move. 

There are times when a virtual speedometer will just pop right up in front of me when I am in crossroads.  There will inevitably be moments when I would unintentionally put one leg pumping on gas, only to find out I have the other asserting pressure on the brakes at the same time. 

That just sounds so discoordinated does it not?  I am actually the one stopping myself from propelling and...I do not like the idiotic sound of it.

I realised may be it's about time to stop being stuck in second gear and utilise a higher gear - safely, comfortably and in control.  Must try ignoring the speedometer in me and run till the middle of my frustrated fears. 
 



Afterall, what really matters should be how fast we can go, not how fast the speedometer can take us, right?
 
 

A Home Doesn’t Need To Be Huge

I am sure we have all bought something from IKEA for its dirt cheap, practical and...ready to go appeal. 

You know how when you were a kid and you just wanted to get your hands on the tasks that adults do?  My mom let me had a go at cracking the instructions of building a bookshelf from IKEA at the age of 12 and till this day, I can still feel the satisfaction I got out of assembling it successfully.  And as I grew older, I just heart IKEA for all of their inspirations on tiny space living with their solutions of organizational items. 

If you love them too, you probably have to thank the founder of IKEA - who came up with the idea of flat-packed furniture when he was trying to fit a table into the boot of his car when a friend suggested he should just take the legs off.   There you go - the rest is history.


IKEA and I have no affiliation though - that I must declare. 

I have been drooling over the items in their 2012 catalogue, which reminded me - a home doesn’t need to be huge. Just smart.

The Most Essential Ingredient For Making Pottery

A pottery class, how fun. I've been wanting to do that for some time now.


I had everything I needed:  Clay, cutting tools, potters wheel, water - all these are essential ingredients for making the perfect piece of pottery (and so I thought).


First of all, everyone starts with a piece of clay which then has to be kneaded in order to eliminate as much air as possible and to evenly distribute moisture throughout the clay.  After kneading it should be formed into a tight ball.  You know what I am talking about if you have done it.  Those are probably the easiest steps in the entire journey of pottery. 

It must be said that potting is a skill which has to be learnt and in the process of learning there will be many failed attempts which won't make it to the high temperature kiln at all.

To have all these ingredients moulded together require an added ingredient - patience - something I lack oftentimes. 


Remember, we can always pick up the clay, knead, reuse and start go all over again if it didn't turn out the way you wanted it to become and when you really come to think about it - not many things in life give you that second chance.  


And how ever pathetic your piece looks right now, don't be easily disheartened, you can always give it a new identity by brushing on a nice coat of paint later when it comes out from the kiln!  Here you go - another second chance to relive it!   


Isn't pottery encouraging?  

Should You Be Selling Gold?

Mr Market has been in manic form over the past month, desperately gloomy one day, smiling brightly the next.  Plunging and rising 4 to 5% a day and that turmoil eats you alive.

With gold prices ascending at record high, looks like investors are leveraging precious metals as a hatch against the volatile market situation. Cash is always king in a recession and this probably provides the perfect timing for the emergence of - Jewel Cafe from Japan.



I got given a leaflet today and that was how I discovered Jewel Cafe - which specialises in purchasing second-hand jewelry from individuals.  They seem keen to take in any used jewelry from curve chains, coins to diamond pieces which you no longer want.   They have over 250 stores throughout Japan and have recently invaded Hong Kong with 9. 



If you were thinking to put those away anyway, because they are so old and tarnished and rather useless?  Think again.  



You might want to consider bringing them for a free evaluation and who knows, you might be in for a pleasant surprise.

Getting A Taste Of Muay Thai Kickboxing

In the quest of searching for an interesting exercise to add to my ever-expanding list comes the latest addition of Kick-boxing!


I was told kickboxing workouts are one of the most enjoyable types of exercise for people like me who absolutely think the gym isn't for them.  It’s also meant to be one of the most intense and effective calorie-burning workouts one can possibly do. 


Sounds so good that I actually have been looking forward to today, couldn't wait to give it a go. 

After an hour of punching, jabbing and kicking the focus pads, another amazing benefit I discovered out of all the bruises that came with it, is that it is quite an outstanding way to work off some stress after a long day in a positive way.

Not too sure about fat burning in the process, but my shins are sure burning red.


I am feeling great though.  Highly recommended.  Can't wait for the next combat.  Now, who's with me? 

Day Dreaming

Sales:  Cash or Visa, Miss?

Me: Visa please (handing over my card).

Sales: $199 please thank you.

Me: Uh...I believe you are holding my card.

Sales: Oh I beg your pardon, Miss.

Went home and found the security tag is still attached on the newly bought item.

Today’s episode is brought to you by What Happens In Her Mind When It Is a Monday, Inc.

Thats The Spirit (3): Champagne

As simple a name as a French Province, Champagne to me is a magic word that needs no translation.  The French have done such a good job in promoting their product that the name Champagne is almost synonymous with elegance, style and refinement.

I am not a huge fan of the bubbly family because I always think Champagne goes straight to my head as I tend to get drunk faster, stay drunk longer whenever I had it. 

But recently, someone told me Queen Victoria was known to use a stirring rod to chase bubbles out of her Champagne, quietly avoiding any embarrassment from those pesky fizzy gasses. 

With more and more brunches offering all you can drink - eat 12 courses of foie gras and drink 2 bottles of champagne before 2pm on a Sunday, may be it is a tactic worth investigating?  

Thats The Spirit (2): Whisky

I knew this bar has to be visited because nowhere in the world will you find another quite like it.

The Macallan Whisky Bar and Lounge - the first and only one of its kind in the world and once I was there totally sunk on the Chesterfield sofa with a glass of 18-year-old Sherry Oak in my hand, I didn't want to leave.

The full list of tastings for the night consisted of the: Fine Oak 12, 18, 25 and Sherry Oak 12, 18 years respectively.

18 year Sherry Oak stood out in the group with a large bouquet of spices present, with notes of vanilla as the most dominant.
How can something so beautiful be so accessible?  I can only considered myself the most fortunate.


Time was sadly too short for Macallan to take me through time.  A revisit with a good companion is indisputable.

Thats The Spirit (1): Sake

Exploring wonderful new beverages regularly is extremely rewarding and one of life’s greatest pleasures.

I must admit I am a novice in the field of sake but am real lucky to have tasted some superb-quality ones that knocked my socks off.   


I would like to say once and for all that Japan indeed is a unique society, as about any of my Japanese friends would claim, or anyone who has been there would echo. 

For heaven's sake, I relish my current relationship with sake as each and every bottle provides me with a new, unexpected adventure. As such, a whole new world is being opened up to me. 


I am starting to realise life is probably too short to be drinking the same thing over and over.  Don't you tend to agree?

London Olympic Looting Team

Seeking to capitalise on the recent unrest sweeping the Great Britain (not so great now is it), how about announcing looting as an exhibition sport for London 2012 Olympic Games?

In a twist to reflect the true spirit of looting, someone actually suggested medals to be placed in shop fronts throughout the City - first to smash through the window takes the medal! 

I have confidence the Brits are expected to win a brace of Gold medals in their home turf - as if it has been solidly confirmed plus guarantee x 2 with 3 years warranty!

God bless the nation...and save the Queen.

Bodum: A Great Eye Candy

I accidentally found these in my cupboard the other day and not knowing when and where these came from, I've decided to give them to someone who might know how to treasure them a bit more than I.  


Before I wave them goodbye, I thought I should stick a post here and pay some tributes by way of constructing a nice little advertising script for them...




"Imagine an ice-cold shot of vodka or a steamy espresso feels just right in your palm no matter what the temperature of your drink is.

Not only pleasing to the eye, coasters won't be needed from now on either.  


Coolest!  Only from Bodum."

Pause And Play

Anyone just can’t live an entire life on wishful thinking, it’s just not possible. 


Well, not entirely impossible, but impractical.  


I can’t win a game if I am not playing - as simple and as dumb as it may sound and I should know better.


Well rested by now.  I gotta be out there and...play. 

This "Show Off" Thing

I recently found myself sitting around a pool listening to someone talked about how she has too much money and too little time to spend it.

This conversation went against a rule I was taught as a child - a great piece of advice that my mother shared with us was 'never let anyone think that you are richer, more important or wiser than they are.   Even if any of those are true!'

If we were to go around bragging about how much money we earn and how well we are doing in our careers, unfortunately a lot of people would react negatively.  Instead of being happy for us, they would become jealous. So my mother was basically saying 'don't be a show off and you will always have friends on your side!' 

This inherited nugget of wisdom of hers basically teaches us how to be more charming.  Oddly enough though, no one else at the table seemed uncomfortable.  I began to wonder if perhaps my thinking is a bit old fashioned.

Stop bragging with your big head mate.  No one cares.  

Think Big: Donald Trump Style

A friend advised me to pick up a book today out of goodwill because I told her I haven't done so for a while.  Another friend intrigued me with something interesting from a book he just read.  All the directional signage pointed me to nowhere but one destination - the bookstore.


“If you’re thinking already, you might as well think BIG. It’s your choice. No matter what your circumstances, nobody can stop you from thinking BIG. And once you get a taste...you’ll never want to stop and the rewards will come to you”.




These are just the perfect words I was looking for to get me all fired up - whether it be personal, business, travel or whatever I had in mind.

It was a big quote from my friend's recommended reading, "Think Big" by the iconic and successful Donald Trump.

Whatever I had in mind, I have had it for quite some time now.  It is probably a good idea to pick that up and make it happen.  


Will definitely let you know how that goes.

How Would You Like To be Remembered?

Have you heard this story before?


Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, was reading the newspaper one morning when, to his shock, discovered his obituary inside.  It turned out that his brother had died, and the newspaper had published Alfred’s obituary by mistake. The obituary read,


“Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday.”


Nobel was rather taken aback by the way in which the world was going to remember him after his death. And it was due to this shock that he decided to set aside the bulk of his estate in order to establish the Nobel Foundation, which annually bestows international awards in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. 


Today, Nobel is not remembered as the merchant of death, but as the creator of the Nobel Prizes, as a great humanitarian.

I can't help but think if I'd be happy with the legacy that I have created if I die tomorrow - that is - if I have a legacy as such. 


You and I may not, but the relief is - we are not dead yet, right?

No Black And White For Cancer

I woke up on Friday to a horrific, shaking update on Hayden - the reappearance of a disease that had once disappeared.


And time stood still...


I used to think very naively about Cancer. You either got cancer or you didn’t.  And if you were unfortunate to receive a cancer diagnosis, you were placed on a treatment regimen (chemo, radiation or surgery) and you were either cured or you lost your battle.

But just how many of you know that millions out there who are living with cancer without an “end date”? 


They are told with every heart-breaking relapse that a "cure" is harder to find in the cards. 

It is a hard pill to swallow but if you are reading this and anxious to help someone you love, please help embrace the shades of gray by stop asking, “How long will this treatment be?” or “When will the treatment be done?”

Let's partner with the patient and his family to appreciate the gift of every day!  It's probably the best we can offer.

I Hear Procrastination Calling

I am staring blankly at my unfinished to-do list and the most painstaking thing is - the list has not been shortened at the end of a long day. 

I can hear voices calling from behind my head justifying why I am skipping my workouts, delaying my long overdue dental visit, excuses for not paying my folks a visit or not blogging even. 

And I wonder who has been making all that noise behind the scene.

Fear of failure?  Fear of success?  Not enough preparation or too much preparation?   Perfectionism?

No.  It's no one but the demon of procrastination calling. 

I need to do what I need to do - I need a noise-cancelling headphone to screen off all unnecessary frequency of distractions.

The clock is ticking.  You hear that?   

An Enjoyable Companion

We can have as many wrist watches as we want and yet be constantly short of time still.

I don't really need another watch like I need a third kneecap but this is a real pleaser.  The question remains: Why mechanical when Swatch does quartz so well?

Answer: ETA caliber C01-211 movement with a 46-hour power reserve and terribly light-weight for a chronograph. 

Not a shabby choice at all and definitely a reason to notice a brand that I have long forgotten about.  

After all, an enjoyable companion is hard to find. My pleasure to have found you.

Ceiling Fan (Clockwise or?)

Have you ever wondered which way your ceiling fan should rotate in Winter and in Summer?   



You are not alone in this dilemma, for just as I was admiring these beautiful ceiling fans while waiting for my meal to arrive, I realised I keep forgetting this too, so I am blogging it to remind myself here.  


In summer, when it is hot, the ceiling fan should be rotating in a clockwise direction - Drawing or pushing air downward into the room to create a windchill effect.




In winter, the fan should rotate in an anti-clockwise direction - Warm air rises and gets trapped near the ceiling so when the ceiling fan direction is in reverse mode, it circulates the warm air from the ceiling to the floor where you need it most.  


Tada!

Prioritising Priorities

I work in a large company where we “prioritise” everything.  In fact, we are so good at priortising that we can have multiple priorities at any given time without sounding too alarming.

I tend to be somewhat very straight forward when it comes to figuring things out because I know I am not good at handling complexities.  That’s why I love definitions. 

It is hard to talk about anything without knowing what that thing means.   So when someone told me a priority is a list of stuff in order of what is most important, I would be thinking...but important to who?  And how do we know what is more important than something else?

What deemed important to you might create zero interest in me and what concerns me could be none of your business.  So after long meetings to discuss what priorities are the most important, it feels like we are trying to meet the demands of everyone else and not ours.  

That to me - just didn't sound right and yet - I can't find what was so wrong about it too.
  
Edges weren't as sharp as they ought to be on a Monday anyway.  Let's revisit this topic again some other time.  The prioritising of priorities can wait (I think).