tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86357960405030563842024-03-15T02:48:59.186+08:00The Faceless StyleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-8489760010397013632024-01-15T15:42:00.003+08:002024-01-15T15:42:44.277+08:00WALLFLOWER<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Love is precisely what comes after all that. When the spell is over. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Then, during dinner, </i><i>you're happy to be quiet, because you're at peace. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To love someone, you </i><i>must really know them. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>How can you love someone you don't know?"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- Damian (Berlin)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9DWbYoWVugGaPV3ilCTRKBwkV_Y64IYM1aEo3oM_csyd8dpKw1Y1lD7JQzB57baI1vL8urc2SRd0LNvOxzQbpFPbmF2C8nZFNygfpPVorJ-XfkMZU_jntn2fZ-bh-QXa__SV7k_SflxSd4sXfc13Hv3muP4q2549o61cAF6_C_nX8L_UkCLbhajEg-k/s16000/blog1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="col_text"><div style="text-align: justify;">Not a single post in 2023. What a year. From flying across the world for Coachella which was a dream ever since I was 18, to quitting my career as a lawyer, and moving out of home and into my own for the first time. All whilst continuing to build my two businesses. 2023 was wild. In 2023 I completely forgot about my blog. That is until a friend hit me up at the end of 2023 asking for some advice about how to start/grow one. And today, the first month of 2024, I revisited it. My last post was in May 2022. So the question is, what has changed in the last year and 8 months? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>With everyone getting engaged and married this year, and my life crisis not too long ago, I'm constantly analysing my position on love and partnerships. Re-reading my last post saddened me: "</span><span style="font-family: avenir; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><i>Fantasising the moment I would meet 'the one', romanticising it all. But at 18, my family showed me that 'love' could kill you and at 19, my first relationship made me realise a relationship alone cannot keep you fulfilled for the rest of your life.</i>" Now 7 years into a relationship and everything has settled into peace and comfort, I question whether romance is dead or alive. Love is one thing, romance is another, just like lust and also passion. They can all be mutually exclusive.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><a name='more'></a><div><span style="font-family: avenir; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">What saddens me is I remember my childhood. Wanting a prince-charming, a big wedding, a to-die-for kind of love. But as I got older, reality and the experiences of life dampened me. I see on social media the love I once fantised about but we know what they say about social media... But a part of me still wants it, and wonders if it's realistic. I've become so hyper-independent that I question whether I subconsciously still have walls up from the trauma I've experienced at 19. And whether those walls will ever come down. When I get engaged? When I get married? When I become a parent? </span><span style="font-family: avenir; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;"> </span></div></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNTy4d3t0eelYJ2e-ZyEBSd5DItWkxOIVcr1V_YwXl5h108x_0w9pMfMrB7qcTAsqufHSvnbB8E7df9XIq3Vor8XgdfqJMok7iD_EgA4wPhWhTOd8Ex5FQUDSnnsCGht_hfRZ0n9fS0RkzIxcDueNmJymqnhp0VyunYZj1x1MjdiBOv8_smQoiJlXZpM/s16000/blog2.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">I've always hoped life would make me better, not bitter. But I've learned that life experiences can have subconscious effects on you no matter how hard you pretend you're okay and have moved on. How great would it be to live life with the naivety of a young child, in blissful ignorance. At 29 now, and turning the big 3-0 at the end of this year. I'm just tired. Tired of overthinking, of being self-aware, of being so analytical. I'm tired of social media, of the conscious and subconscious comparisons I make with others. Of being hyper-aware of my own shortcomings and weaknesses. Of battling them. Sometimes I just want to shut off my brain. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-71824825108948324072022-05-19T16:16:00.009+08:002022-05-19T17:01:59.329+08:00LITTLE WOMAN<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Women have minds and souls as well as just hearts, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and they've got ambition and talent as well as just beauty. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And I'm sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm so sick of it! But – I'm so lonely!"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- Jo March (Little Women)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlua1fHFhghhogFLTILGI2E-lRz_Wo2SuQTiFRB36-ziibeT9NwF0cld3Fm5xA8Gu-iB9UTv3ZstNUpvLBXjtVu2v1YDlADBrEwxr6BeDwWq2NzLWxb5rY2h4UhfXU9ilvZfnPt2SGSSUhQhPLwXPQWoMOgHtbUteyGAfMcDk_xXePN_FrGk8FppRz/s16000/Untitled-1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">My favourite fairytale growing up was Cinderella. When I was young, I had always been that invisible, quiet girl. So I fell in love with the idea of love and finding prince charming who made me feel seen and feel like the most special girl in the world. And I grew up trying to become that perfect girl worthy of a prince charming and invested time and care and thought into my looks, my intellect, my morals. Becoming 'perfect'. Fantasising the moment I would meet 'the one', romanticising it all. But at 18, my family showed me that 'love' could kill you and at 19, my first relationship made me realise a relationship alone cannot keep you fulfilled for the rest of your life. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So then I started to invest in myself <b>for myself</b>. I wanted more in life than just 'the love of my life'. I wanted control of it. I wanted financial stability and freedom. I wanted self sustainability and independence. But despite it all, I still believed in love and in starting my own family one day with a husband by my side. Fast forward 8 years and here I am with two relatively successful businesses while working a well-paying full-time job as a lawyer and in a 5 and a half year long-term relationship with someone I instantly felt like I knew all my life when we first connected (and now building a house together). Life seems good. I am lucky and I should be grateful. And I was. For some time... </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>
<a name='more'></a><div><span style="text-align: justify;">On my 25th birthday (2.5 years ago), I was so proud that I did not experience a quarter life crisis. Thinking I have always been so reflective and intentional with all the choices I have made in my 25 years of life thus far that of course I wasn't going to be like those 'other people' who had a rude awakening at a certain age waking up confused and depressed. But at 27 (with a mindset already stuck at 28) I experienced my life crisis and the most depressed state I had ever been in or thought possible. I sought professional help. If I had to, I'd blame it on COVID stealing 3 years of my 'prime time': the remaining years of my life where I can travel independently and be free, right before I get married and start a family as I had planned in my head.</span></div></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPpXq3Xx0x4Kl2nIo7N5qgeetsjZvGxHnHOBbjolbuxjaSWNxDFgP0myKIFDpaNDDsgwMhSoFWKmiv5PHQXauKPCG1hi4HzDVhEh-v04efsTqSaN1tBW0phbbI8H3vnXiN86EZQTtr81supvFeBcarWU7s0Gjgj2LPcXkZINigFn9eHs1jAvxbtZT/s16000/Untitled-3.jpg" /></div><br /><div><span style="text-align: justify;">What's the point of living if you don't even feel alive. In the three years of COVID, it was just one big blurr. I lost the zest for life. I hadn't experienced true excitement for years. And with everything pretty much planned out at this point... there was no excitement for the future. And I lost hope. And hope is what gives people the will to live. In a sense, having everything within reach (businesses, relationships etc.) became boring and I became ungrateful and discontent. What more is there in life. I lost hope that the future had more amazing moments yet to happen. And in it all, I felt so lonely. I started to question everything. My businesses, my relationships... I went into self-destruct mode for the sake of feeling something. My extreme thirst for excitement made me question whether I even wanted a long-term relationship, marriage, family and children anymore. Because what is a man to a woman these days? Back then a relationship was for financial reasons and support in society. Nowadays women can vote, make money, own a home, drive a car. As some stranger expressed it, a husband/boyfriend/partner is just a bestfriend you have sex with. We no longer 'need' a man so the question now is, do you even 'want' one. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">Feeling stuck, I craved to travel (and truthfully, also the idea of dating around), forever if possible. Just to leave, everything and everyone. I wanted to feel excitement and thrill at the expense of everything. I felt so dead, I just wanted to feel alive. And I began to surround myself with unsustainable distractions.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwzK1huaaK8SUAs-3pnchQ__aGZOrZWQoC_UDK9bF30adJxPTix6YLQu7En0Wt8Ef7K-8cYRrrZ0oubdoBZuMoJSFgecFVbujbzsZEvADRTlfgKTJNHG3-BAugrzuf0_Rk3ign0AIZbGDx7pjAENRTISzyJDSqdNNrdyKkkvOiYlA42U4hG49Io-1/s16000/Untitled-4.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">But after almost three years, I finally got on the plane for the first time and travelled interstate to somewhere I had never been before: Tasmania. It is the new and exciting that makes you feel alive and in the moment. But new and exciting is not sustainable. When you stay long enough, the new is no longer new and excitement will fade. In life you meet and connect with new people all the time and then never see again. And that is sad, but that is normal. It's like the people and places you will meet and connect with on your travels, you will never see again. And I knew deep down that seeing these places and meeting these people on my travels would bring me such wonderful memories and it gave me an exciting experience... but there is no need to hold onto that, to possess it. Because the possession of something simply because it is new and exciting will get old and dull very fast and eventually you'll leave and seek more new and exciting adventures. That is like meeting new people too. That constant search for the excitement in connecting with new people will leave you so lonely. But home is different: </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><i>"A lot of people grow up with the notion that love should give you butterflies. This is false. Butterflies are a nervous reaction. Some of the nerves can be viewed as good but what it truly is, is uncertainty. Love should feel calm and safe... like home. You don't get butterflies thinking about going home, you just can't wait to be there."</i> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvw8S_egqAKBglEnB8zMNNl5omvc-nVpf8Vh2BUiLba3TxyVpwZLxsWletWIXwR5jk4yWOjgexkjQz9lKSDfWY7sCiqteGMSl8fFgogcj4Nfx_vlm0C_mgkBZUbDQ8AhTNOte_Fxq2LUgdypMRaP--uKMRbKgv7h67u5pk1iIM5nfUR2x-IO1gYNzM/s16000/Untitled-5.jpg" /></div></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">I'm learning not to wish away anything. Everything happens for a reason. Every action, despite thinking in retrospect that I would now do it differently, is a reflection of who I <i>was </i>(and not who I now am). We have to go through things to learn more about ourselves and to express our truth no matter how dark it is. I grew up wanting to be perfect and always played the 'good-girl' and wanted to be liked by everyone (no matter how impossible, I'd try). But I am not a saint and sometimes being bad feels good. However, I believe I am still good at heart, because I am trying (and that is all one can do). And I am constantly learning and reflecting. And I genuinely care about others. If anything, this life crisis taught me compassion for myself and others, and to be so much less judgmental of everyone else. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">As much as I grew up wanting to be this poised, elegant woman like Cinderella (and I still laugh at how once upon a time this was something I wanted), the truth about my nature is I am much more like Jo March from Little Women. I am a reckless, daring and outspoken tom-boy at home. I would say things that have gotten me in trouble many times (as a young child telling our neighbour's son that my older brother didn't like him coming over and telling my mum I didn't think she will win the lotto this weekend - none of them took the truths kindly). I liked to climb couches and tables, jumping off like I had a parachute on. I enjoyed heights and running around, throwing rocks and playing with snails and slaters. I am fiery and adventurous in spirit.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Even now I feel like I hide much of that nature and it gets revealed in the form of boldness in my entrepreneurship (and controlled violence in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu). Who I am and who I want to be are not the same. And while I am not ashamed of my tom-boyish nature, I do not feel the need to brandish it around. I believe both natures can live in harmony within me. I genuinely love makeup, dresses and high heels. It is not inauthentic of me at all. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PHM4EzY2QFzjnDa1f7LF1fVxo93t6fxp2xej0tix23Qpk0FKM4_EHKTQko0bond7WCQI7KcZDnY734KQJoXi606OcBeW_ZyEtKHPviDPuuLlrgVG4LJ2hWe0PZ_9wnT3Yw2gG_yDpvB_dOidJ5OW51Gegns-UCO0l0gXYrCHBA8W2lcWBu7aMJXb/s16000/Untitled-2.jpg" /></div></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">With this passing life crisis, I have learned a lot more about myself, my nature and the things my childhood and upbringing can play in forming the personality I have today. And while I questioned at one point whether I even wanted </span><span style="text-align: justify;">a long-term relationship, marriage, family and children... I have learned what is important to me. Although I am a rebel and hate being like everyone else and as much as I love thrill and excitement, </span><span style="text-align: justify;">if I remove all the distractions and opinions of others...</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> peace and companionship is important to me: a peaceful home (in a person) to return to after an exciting adventure out in the world. Family is important to me. Genuine deep connections is important to me. Feeling seen and loved is important to me. </span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">Travel to me has always been my best therapy. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">I love my freedom, and I love to leave home. But I will always come back to the people I love... and who equally love me. Travelling leaves me grateful for the home I have. It gives me joy to be returning to a place of warmth and comfort. It is a place of peace, a place where you have truly deep connections with people that will never leave (until death do us part). A place where you are truly seen and truly loved.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;">With wars in our minds, and everywhere else in the world, we should value love and peace above all.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-18796896314150647972021-05-24T00:00:00.004+08:002021-05-24T00:01:44.770+08:00HEY LOU<div style="text-align: center;"><i>And I fell from the pedestal</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Right down the rabbit hole</i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Long story short, it was a bad time </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Pushed from the precipice </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Climbed right back up the cliff</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Long story short, I survived</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- Taylor Swift (Long Story Short)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsA8LMtfLSqiVjrb00WIwBGE9xOoO6Phq7dW0Wtq5WBoxMtG9XhPHmOuf9xP4kjkampQLORGdbcpIvkubSHyRFreIxv7ccnbtmXXiQdHRpt4JS0RYe0nvq7aKZ1pLQW2iTXq2V2emQHA/s16000/Untitled-1re.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="col_text"><div style="text-align: justify;">Those around me know me for my entrepreneurial spirit. Entrepreneurship these days has such a negative connotation though. I don't think it's perceived as hardwork and the brave taking the road less travelled anymore. It's now seen as the cop out to a 9-5 job. Entrepreneurs are those who are unrealistic dreamers and want to get rich quick. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">But the real entrepreneurs will know that it's not glamorous nor easy. Things never go your way and you need to be a hell of a planner and decision maker. Doing business alone is also so much more different to doing business with a partner or friends/family. There is often no one to really talk to, especially not one that truly understands what you are going through and the headache you are feeling from the problems you are facing. I am therefore so so thankful for my SO, my older brother and my father who have been there to listen and provide some guidance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaolek3dq8ilmEegbDhqe3oCrv7WG8J7as3VGgtDaXMRQxGGhoSzI7x4chPef8AiJmS9ymnDC9koNKjluHeVJm-f8kG2sR7aSwEFsOaOFyVzSc-5gog-s9BfseNGbTUKRTGeNdKr7btmY/s16000/jpg-14-2re.jpg" style="text-align: center;" /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have been planning the launch of my swimwear for the past year since May 2020 (during Perth's COVID lockdown). It started with wanting to shop for swimwear online for myself but not feeling comfortable with purchasing something I haven't had the chance to try it on. As a woman with a small chest it's always been difficult finding something comfortable, fits well and is flattering... And that was the dawn of the idea for this new business venture: <u><a href="http://louswim.com" target="_blank">LOU Swim</a></u>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I connected with other women all around the world who were part of the IBTC (Itty Bitty Titty Committee) and realised this was a widespread issue. Women of all ages, from all cultural and social backgrounds, shared a common enemy: the perception that small boobs are not attractive. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>"</i><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Hi, a while back, I was v depressed about my self-image because my bf checks out other women."</i></span></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi ladies. I’ve been feeling so awful about my chest size lately, worse than usual. I’m starting to feel like a boob job might be the only way to feel truly happy with my chest."</span></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Hey guys im feeling really insecure about my boobs and today i put money inside for a boob job, im just scared i wont find a guy that likes them over bigger/medium breast and will always want a women with large or medium breasts.</i><i>"</i></span></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I'</span><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">ve lost an awful lot of weight and now I'm a 34A and I just feel a bit insecure. I can't afford surgery..."</span></i></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i></span></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't look good wearing fitted clothes cuz it makes me look like a 12year old </span></i></span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(no.1 problem of slim and short people) I have lady friends and relatives who have a beautiful body and my insecurities are killing me."</span></i></div></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="text-align: justify;">Connecting with these women and supporting them to love their own bodies empowered me to start something that was beyond me and beyond something that is merely a fashion product... I set out on my mission to release a swimwear range </span><span style="text-align: justify;">to empower women with small boobs who suffer from crippling low self-esteem as a result of society's standards of what is perceived as sexy. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">'LOU' from LOU Swim is more than just the abbreviation of my name, LOU stands for 'Love Ourselves Unconditionally'. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">LOU swimwear is here to break the negative perceptions that society has placed on small boobs and to empower women with small boobs to love life, kick ass and own their body. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xChSopCLdFudfXWqxnTzOzRCeyPYLQ8gez46AsKtKVuxNdTeSLZAU0gWIPVyBmMuxCmjqw-ak7Vf8iUr-BYtX87sNeKTuy8cLs_XdQgaCObpnnymgacstJPNdeNU37Wa1UFsyfj_phI/s750/jpg3-3137re.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xChSopCLdFudfXWqxnTzOzRCeyPYLQ8gez46AsKtKVuxNdTeSLZAU0gWIPVyBmMuxCmjqw-ak7Vf8iUr-BYtX87sNeKTuy8cLs_XdQgaCObpnnymgacstJPNdeNU37Wa1UFsyfj_phI/s16000/jpg3-3137re.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">There was a lot of going back on my launch date, first it was end of 2020, then it was end of 2021 and now it is mid-2021. The horrors, though, of having a difficult sales representative to work with on the production of my designs. Miscommunication? Tick. Passive aggressive? Tick. Tells me to find another factory 2 months from when I want my order to be complete? Tick. I was thrown with a giant curveball (several actually). Do I continue with this factory because I've already spent $300USD on samples alone and time is of the essence in meeting my launch date. Or do I f*ck it and just go with a completely different factory in the last minute and pay for new samples (and go through the process of it) all over again? </span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">I stuck with my guts and I jumped ship. If there was no trust before I even put my $10k+ order in, best to cut my losses short and invest in someone I am confident in. It's not even about losing my $10k+, it's about launching my brand with sub-par products that completely destroys the trust my customers have with my brand before it's even had a footing to hold to. This is why I have been so particular with my sampling process. I want things to be perfect as much as possible. I want my product to be a solution to my girls' problems, not another problem in its own.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">The hard work and persistence has paid off so far. The samples are amazing with incredible fit! I can't wait for LOU Swim to take the world by storm.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">COMING SOON: <u><a href="http://louswim.com" target="_blank">LAST WEEK OF MAY 2021</a></u>.</span></p><div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-30123695500312521932021-03-14T00:00:00.048+08:002021-03-18T11:13:15.331+08:00SHARE SOME GRACE WITH RACE<div class="col_text"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"If only closed minds came with closed mouths."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsC5QsjZT_oEngmwQEgtBsrO4cLyB3mG_qm5XXr4eJ2bf5NtKBN2RA_w8uXu6_4LYEJ_uE4gMflCqNGGlzGbQGWGZxw5AvOVXsj4Fw0A2zlGRoPDG7lgwFMxKBDfQP6n3wRfx97sfxB5o/s16000/grace+with+race+%2528re%2529.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday evening and a Caucasian woman in her early 30's walks into a Chinese restaurant. She is dressed up, but her hair and clothes are dishevelled. She sits down and orders a plate of food - $6.90. She then walks to the toilet and sits back down; she walks straight but her behaviour is odd. She starts flipping her hair into her face, then back again. She repeats this several times, scratching her scalp violently. There is a bottle of water and a cup on her table. She attempts to pour water into her cup but the lid is on. She holds the bottle upside down and starts thrusting it up and down in the air - in an attempt to pour the water out (with the lid clearly still on). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The restaurant owner, a Chinese man in his late 50's walks over to help her. This man is my father. At 8.35pm I pick up a phone call from my father saying there is a woman who came into the restaurant drunk, has now started to sober up and says she has no money to pay for the food she ordered. She now refuses to leave the restaurant and claims my parents have stolen her bag. Their English is subpar so I race over in my car to help diffuse the situation.
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">As I walk up to the entrance of the restaurant, outside is a dishevelled woman crying, makeup smeared across her face and hair tangled everywhere. I walk past her and straight into the restaurant to speak to my parents to try and understand the situation. At the counter was a young Caucasian couple in their early 20's paying for their bill. They then walk outside and attend to the crying woman who is now accompanied by another couple in their 60's who were walking past and wanted to help. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I ask my parents what was wrong. They say the woman refuses to leave the restaurant. It's been a long day for them. They started at 8.30am and worked non-stop, and it is now nearing 9.30pm. They just want to close the restaurant and go home and rest. I asked them whether the young couple paid for the woman. They said no, my parents don't care about the money. It's only $6.90. They just want to go home. They are exhausted. But here is this girl yelling at them, saying they were liars and stole the woman's bag and saying it was illegal to have cameras installed in the restaurant that aren't recorded. They told me to speak to the young couple outside and see what is happening. </div><div><br /></div><div>I go to the front door and I speak to the boy and told him I have heard my parents' side of the story and I just want to understand what their side of the story is and hopefully resolve the situation. From past experience I know my parents can misunderstand situations because of their lack of English proficiency. He says that my parents tried to get the woman to leave, that her bag was stolen and they refused to show them the CCTV footage. I told them I would speak to my parents to understand their side of the story. </div><div><br /></div><div>My mother explains they did not tell her to leave and they don't have any recordings to show them because the cameras are only installed for the kitchen to be able to see how busy it is in the dining area. It is a live view, there is no recording. I translate this to the young couple. The boy claims my parents said they will remove the recording and told the woman to just let my parents go. <i>Clearly miscommunication. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>My mother then explains they had tried to call the police to help the woman but no one picked up. <i>The number she called was for the specific department in that area... not the emergency number. They tried to call the other non-emergency number but their English was bad and they didn't understand her. </i>The girl says my parents didn't call the police because when she called herself there were no problems, they immediately picked up. She says that even if my mother did call, she doesn't know how long my mother was on the phone with them. <i>Doesn't matter. What's your point.</i> She continues to ramble, high on emotion - angry. I told her, "So you spoke to the police. What did they say?". <i>Let's solve the problem here, not point fingers. </i></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_lx4gGWriFh235EWLceHEYKZijWLKV7cM6qZzeekAH-NrmypHG-KUW6SyKMB5g9DYUs8iD_L8QVIpK3x9XWZx_ZWQu8Y7K2HtqEpQ5ScFpThrqvrwr46OBFTrTuAhzwRLaXcnFhfujY/s603/grace+with+race+2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_lx4gGWriFh235EWLceHEYKZijWLKV7cM6qZzeekAH-NrmypHG-KUW6SyKMB5g9DYUs8iD_L8QVIpK3x9XWZx_ZWQu8Y7K2HtqEpQ5ScFpThrqvrwr46OBFTrTuAhzwRLaXcnFhfujY/s16000/grace+with+race+2.jpg" /></a></div>"I gave them the details and they have a record". <i>Okay. What's the problem?</i> The girl continues to ramble without me even needing to say anything. </div><div><br /></div><div>"The cameras you have, they should have recordings! If they don't you should let the customers know that there aren't any recordings! The cameras give the customers a false sense of security! The customers will think there is a recording". This girl had told my parents that it was illegal to have cameras which do not record any footage and threatened my parents that they will get a fine. My parents being immigrants with poor English knew less about the law than the average Caucasian layman. This girl was pulling all sorts of legal bullshit and they felt bullied. Throwing out stuff about the law, about fines, and yelling, rambling non-stop. </div><div><br /></div><div>"It is not illegal to have cameras which do not have any recordings. There are no expectations set for customers that we record anything. There are no signs saying you are recorded. We are not obliged to explain to customers that they are not being recorded." I explain to her as she tries to speak over me. Rambling. Loud. Obnoxious. Meanwhile I was calm and my tone was levelled but oh, inside I was boiling. But my explanation shut. her. up. </div><div><br /></div><div>There was a lot of back and forth, a lot of allegations about my parents trying to kick her out. That as the restaurant owners they should help the woman because her bag was stolen in the restaurant. But my parents explained she came into the restaurant without a bag in the first place. She starts raising her tone again. Fuelled with emotions of self-righteousness. "Well, you should have asked her where her bag was when she came in!". <i>No, they didn't have to.</i> "She could have had money in her pocket. My parents do not have to ask her if she has money. That is an awkward thing to ask a customer". Again, that shut her loud obnoxious voice up. </div><div><br /></div><div>The old couple then speaks to me, tells me they will walk with her to the nearby police station and take her to the train station after, where her parents will pick her up. They asked me whether I was comfortable with that. "If she is comfortable with that, I am". The old man walks into the restaurant and speaks to my father and offers to pay for her meal. My father declines and tells him he doesn't care about the food or the money. <i>He just feels victimised and hurt. The girl and woman are painting my parents out to be criminals. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile the girl continues to ramble on. Her big googly eyes magnified by her ultra-thick glasses as her short frame stood in front of me. Her emotions were extremely high. And so were my parents. I wanted to explain why my parents may have yelled at her. </div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div>"...because you started raising your voice first - " </div><div>"I wasn't raising my voice!" as she raised her tone, loud and clear at me.</div><div>"- it's like they are mute and they are trying to communicate a message across to you but they cannot so they get frustrated... You need to understand my parents' English is not good -" </div><div>"Oh, ah, that isn't what I am saying." <i>That you aren't being racist? I wasn't playing the racism card. </i>Her boyfriend also jumped in to say the same thing. Both stuttering a bit. One word. Defensive. </div><div>"- that is why I am here to translate," I explain, as I attempt to finish my sentence. </div></blockquote><div>She continues to ramble on, repeating herself. Still high on emotion of self-righteousness. </div><div><br /></div><div>The girl asks me for my parents' details. I ask her what for. She says to pass to the police. I said that's fine. I walk back to the counter and start writing down my parents' details and the restaurant name. <i>Here we are, a brick-and-mortar restaurant, nowhere to hide. You can come find us whenever. We have a business to run and reputation to uphold. And that woman there, no name, no identity, eating free food and making a scene. </i>The girl continues to ramble on at the side of my ear. "I don't know if there's anything illegal here. I study <b>the </b>law. But I think how your parents handled the situation was wrong!". <i>Girl you are really testing me. </i>"What was wrong? I'm a lawyer. I know what the law is. It isn't illegal to have cameras in the restaurant and not have recordings." </div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh you're a lawyer." She backs down a little. "No, I'm not talking about the cameras. I mean how your parents handled it. Her bag was stolen." "My parents didn't steal her bag." "You weren't here. You don't know what happened!" "They're my parents, I know them." She then looks at me and leans her head to one side with judgement. "Oh noooo, honey, sweetieeeee, you're a lawyer! You should know you shouldn't be taking sides!" <i>F*ck off. Now you're just being really condescending and nonsensical at the same time. </i>"I'm just here to translate." She continues to talk over me, saying how she is a witness. I continue to finish my sentence. "I'm a witness too. I know what their financial situation is. They have no motive to steal her bag. They have a business and a reputation to uphold. Why would they steal her bag." She continues to speak over me. "Oh, I'm not saying they stole her bag. I never said they stole her bag!" "Well, that's what my parents are saying you said to them." I handed her the slip of paper. "We are not solving anything here. Just take this," I told her. She shuts up, takes the slip and walks out of the restaurant. </div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile her boyfriend talks to me and thanks me for being so calm and understands there may have been some miscommunication. I emphasise how my parents' English is poor. How they are hurt too and feel like they are being blamed as criminals. He says he understands, that he was just eating with his girlfriend and saw the woman and wanted to help. I told him that is good, she's a woman all alone, I'm glad he helped. He apologised and wished us a good night. I thanked him for being understanding. </div><div><br /></div><div>This entire time my parents were rubbing their stomachs as I spoke to the girl because their guts were in physical pain from the anger they were holding down. If you know my mother you can vouch that she is one of the sweetest, loveliest ladies in the world. They felt helpless and victimised. They were being blamed as thieves with no way to defend themselves. My father didn't want any trouble and was worried that this woman was out to blackmail him for stealing her bag. He had a restaurant to open tomorrow morning. He was exhausted. He didn't want any trouble. But here was a woman who was probably on drugs. According to my parents the woman first came in (long before the young couple came to dine in), seemingly fine at one moment. After she finished her meal, she started scratching her head violently and sat there for a long period of time. When she asked my parents where her bag was my parents told her she didn't walk in with her bag. She then got up, walked over to the young couple's table (who had only just started dining in) and sat down and started talking and laughing with them. Then the next moment she is crying next to them and the girl starts her rampage and this is when the whole situation escalated. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitvniVC8q3O80C5_WOBeS9YBW2nNzpzy7x0ymS-IsYTfS6LZnUIgD2ViBj6047nCGQ3yG88IuZ812QzfW49X1FVs_PKr6erqD8TE_m9nfXXFZH3NCIQZYRXIZFxISQvMYreEdsgyOI14/s1349/grace+with+race+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitvniVC8q3O80C5_WOBeS9YBW2nNzpzy7x0ymS-IsYTfS6LZnUIgD2ViBj6047nCGQ3yG88IuZ812QzfW49X1FVs_PKr6erqD8TE_m9nfXXFZH3NCIQZYRXIZFxISQvMYreEdsgyOI14/w486-h640/grace+with+race+3.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><div>This is not the first time a Caucasian woman has walked into the restaurant acting like some kind of justice warrior. And this isn't to say all Caucasian women are like this. But it just so happens that when it does happen, they are the 'Karens'. The significance of the Caucasian element (in these specific justice warrior people) is that they feel like they know the law better than the Asians yet they refuse to acknowledge any language barriers. This is why I am thankful I studied law and it has proven useful in many life situations. The significance of the female element is she feels like a minority who has been continuously disadvantaged and is now out to save other females. The problem with this is they do so blindly and with no consideration of my parents' lack of understanding of English. The girl sees a Caucasian woman (who she can seemingly relate to) and rushes to her side to help her without seeing that my elderly parents with a lack of English proficiency are the real disadvantaged ones in this situation. People like her think they are a hero when in fact they become the privileged bully in these situations. This isn't even about racism. This is just about a poor understanding of people.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hate bullies, those who hold an advantage over other people and use it to further their own agendas. My older brother asked whether I belittled her back. I said I didn't. It was not me. I didn't know how to. Belittling her did nothing for the situation. She was already high on emotion and aggravating her any further simply made me stoop to her level... and her voice was LOUD. And my voice has always been softer. I would not win if I stooped to her level and played her game. Instead, I countered with logic and reasoning, and each time it made her back down. To belittle someone or raise your voice is only a sign that you hold no substance or confidence in your own arguments. She clearly had no clue.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Malcolm Gladwell says in his book, 'Talking to Strangers' (which I highly recommend you read): "If we were more thoughtful as a society - if we were willing to engage in some soul-searching about how we approach and make sense of strangers - [the stranger] would not have ended up dead in a Texas jail cell". The truth of the matter is, if the girl showed a bit more compassion and patience with my parents and sought to understand the situation instead of being so brutally loud and obnoxious with her own views, the situation would never have escalated to this point.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-44450998565269067752020-12-01T00:00:00.002+08:002020-12-01T00:00:06.047+08:00THE ARCHER<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Easy they come, easy they go </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I jump from the train, I ride off alone </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I never grew up, it's getting so old </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Help me hold on to you </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I've been the archer, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I've been the prey </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Who could ever leave me, darling </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But who could stay?"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- Taylor Swift (The Archer)</i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttlzR2fAjPfRB1dTpSQzbwd179SV2A4yyIGpKiIzrsRQC8DLByi-CiJ9urGBYQcMduyRyLMoJgwP5wbeN1XaIqxv5BSSvGpIcUgyt0j8wbWtNg-i1dGBTs1zue7PBYitgCH1ol_XpNmY/s16000/re.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div class="col_text"><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes I watch movies or TV dramas and they make me desire a man who's more protective. And I think at first it's very attractive, because my infatuation allows me to submit to them. However as time goes by, protectiveness can come off as control. And I'm a Sagittarius. I'm a free spirit. I refuse to be controlled. That is a huge turn off for me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGylpwLpkC16Eie7KdV0NUwHs_3q9Kbu7wWpa-zfs9M7I_0dwE0ljdw7DjP0SZPvBABQDhPEnqeb4qJJjleR2X5WdnoesCaJVuYW3273tVmMt0oIElIqW5kkm0g8qAe1HZaFKLu4mOOco/s750/DSCF4260re.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGylpwLpkC16Eie7KdV0NUwHs_3q9Kbu7wWpa-zfs9M7I_0dwE0ljdw7DjP0SZPvBABQDhPEnqeb4qJJjleR2X5WdnoesCaJVuYW3273tVmMt0oIElIqW5kkm0g8qAe1HZaFKLu4mOOco/s16000/DSCF4260re.jpg" /></a></div>You tell me I shouldn't be going out for a late night stroll because it's not safe and I think you're being dramatic. To protect is a very primal masculine trait, but I'm not a very primal feminine being. I don't cook, I don't clean. I train my brain often and I train my body too. If I had a protective partner, it would only inhibit me from doing what I want, when I want. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I trust myself and my instincts, so why rely on someone to tell you what's right and what's wrong. Protect yourself. You are not two halves coming as one. You are two wholes complimenting and supporting each other to be your best selves. Just because he doesn't question your decisions doesn't mean he doesn't care, it means he trusts your judgment and your ability to protect yourself. But should you require support and help, he would be there without a moment's thought. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Often we get so caught up with something we want, that we overlook what we actually need. I am a young, ambitious, stubborn woman. I don't need a protector. I need a supporter. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This months' article as promised to tie off 2020 and in celebration of the Sagittarius season, my birthday season and the season of many of my loved ones: my mother, my partner, my older brother and many of my friends. No time to take new photos as I've been hit with a chest infection then gastro all in one month (and busy working on a new business idea). So here are some never released before photos back in February 2017, when I was 22 (looking fitter than ever).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To be honest, aging scares me. 26 as of 30 November 2020 (yesterday, as of the date this article gets published). I'm officially stepping into my late twenties. And I know I will read this again one day and think 'silly girl, 26 and she thinks she's getting old'. I don't think I'm old though, but I know I'm getting older. I will definitely cherish 26 but as discussed in my previous article, significant life milestones happened in my parents' life when they were 26. And all my youth I thought 26 was old, and 26 was when I wanted to have accomplished <i>my</i> milestones. It's not healthy to put deadlines on yourself, especially for things you cannot control. Times like this I just need to <b>focus</b>, focus on the goals instead of focussing on the timeline.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERVoSLbTLArHmJ0-NmkgAwLxADX2ReqNa2w4UAATyswaDjHgEhFY_Zt4FV_bhKYss1wbXBXoqK3GKzJoXl8E4E0pDCw00_-GPma8vH2hfdtDyuOvmikyZVR_QhQ15fz2X4Hx4C4WuYaw/s16000/DSCF4363ed-re.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: avenir; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><i>TEMT White Crop Top / CottonOn Denim Shorts / Adidas Stan Smith Sneakers (Red)</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-41861395545709945852020-11-01T00:00:00.061+08:002020-11-03T00:24:42.758+08:00INVISIBLE STRING<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Time, mystical time </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cuttin' me open, then healin' me fine </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Were there clues I didn't see? </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And isn't it just so pretty to think </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>All along there was some </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Invisible string </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Tying you to me?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- Taylor Swift (Invisible String)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="col_text" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="850" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2qeLV5jnD_UtM8T4Tb-pN5qxKsMxt23Q2kzPylzxHazQMMFgIPRqyM6JRUV264mxhqxO82MQ2ZJKTJ-3tHixhvxdHOPGDvvbR7fvO4-5n7Lsvi4AnF2w2ooSMQwPztYzsPvztdM0Gps/w850-h564/3re.jpg" width="850" /></div><div class="col_text" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="col_text" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Oops I did it again. Last post was in July. And here we are in November (BIRTHDAY MONTH)... Back for two more posts before the end of the year to tie things up. </span></div><div class="col_text" style="text-align: left;">What we should never agree to: external validation and succumbing to its pressure... Here I am, a month from turning 26 (...oh dear lord 30 is imminent). The age where my parents married each other and had their first child (my older brother). A time where my friends and acquaintances are getting engaged, left right and centre. But I don't feel any rush and I don't feel the need or want either. For them, they are ready. For me, I am not.</div><div class="col_text" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<div><div class="col_text"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="850" height="724" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EdNVM_aYm4SA13bYYL7vznlyZ6I1AHLJriASn5_o9DTX82Y1IDD_ilD5fuXRhYnN6mqIgBk_ylRFkD3eiY3-lwUGckW7o2HERdsygh5dYepze1BD9vq-_TEtwcQJjxdtJZzYVu2cLTM/w850-h724/2re.jpg" width="850" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="850" /></div>For those feeling left behind in this age, whether because you're still single, living at home or stuck in a job you don't like (or all 3), know that time, mystical time has a way of playing things out in its own wonderous way. Should you rush it, should you force things, you will only lose. You will lose people, you will lose joy, you will lose yourself. Just because everyone is doing it, <b>doesn't mean you need to follow suit</b>.</div><div class="col_text"><br /></div><div class="col_text">I see getting married the same way as I see moving out of home. You have the <i>rest of your life </i>to live that lifestyle. You have 50+ years to live away from your parents (and 20+ years of that to live without them on this Earth). Why rush it? Why wish away the days you will never be able to get back? </div><div class="col_text"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8v8aWq4zJK2wvqyIp7Gp-2I047ycjpCjIiUY9p3Xt8rSORJ8B6XlPxZOYIVumLrMLwo2RM23fYIEX1pXjK20xaMPiLtR1uPRhy3RzK7QfyM1t1HEQvm_69N875XscUd12mycr_TRYvDo/s16000/1re.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="col_text">As for getting married (if that's your thing)? If you get married in your 20s, that's 50+ years to be married to that one person. If you rush it, you are simply that much closer to divorce. I would much rather get to know all corners of this human being before I tie myself to them (especially how they handle conflict and what happens when we do not see eye to eye - because things are not always rosy with prince charming) than to rush into something for the sake of ticking a box of 'life accomplishments'. The biggest life accomplishment, as bloody cliche as it is, is being <b>happy</b>.</div><div class="col_text"><br /></div><div class="col_text">If it hasn't happened for you yet, why worry, why get anxious, why wish away the days of... being able to spend more time with your friends, more time to go on dates? Every stage of life has its own beauty which should be cherished. The beauty of moving out of home will come and you should cherish it, the beauty of being married will come and you should cherish it, the beauty of being a parent will come and you should cherish it. But for now the beauty of being single/living-at-home is here, and you should cherish it.</div><div class="col_text"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGSuxJImXfUeevMiBlcIxiMBjxrumSV5djTpX1Ac5WF9H5BiYy7qPSVIqYstiQSWP03_bRWjzG4z-S9loTch2Xu_MJXGw2AynMQ2_2PjMPJoF9OosmrlkxwT5XGgO_4VWEraAvP0EAyI/s16000/4.jpg" /></div><br /><div class="col_text">Although I will be moving out of home next year, having bought land with my SO and getting ready to build, this was in no way influenced by anyone around me (other than my SO who wanted to move out of home and get his own place so I thought why not do it together - <i>timing feels right</i>). I won't be rushing into marriage just because we are moving in together. I'm not the type who thinks we must get married before we move in, however at the same time, I'm not the type who believes we should move in together before we get married. I go with the flow, with what feels right for me, for us, for that time. There is no storybook for how your life should be lived, there is no strict order as to life. The more you try to stick to the book, the more you find yourself losing control and feeling crazy. </div><div class="col_text"><br /></div><div class="col_text">There is an invisible string tying you to your future. Don't rush things. But at the same time don't be lazy. Go out there and <i>live life</i>.</div></div><div class="col_text"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbqDA6pEKAdZo15-ffcZleHpyRoKs8-KJ133WnQYndZRhL2P3m9-Mt_YyITL4rtsBRq6JjvngDv5mxvJ7K4kCln3pcphf63IjMOCabAe3xOFTR0dLP5MwrU6f9XqwCBrAZ71bV-C9BdU/s16000/5re.jpg" /></div><div class="col_text"><br /></div><div class="col_text" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Tokito Sheer Top / H&M Dress / Lareina Cardigan / Converse Sneakers / Swarovski Earings</i></b></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-26087596669669991722020-07-01T00:00:00.001+08:002020-11-02T23:33:57.587+08:00FAILURE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="text-align: start;">"You need to become someone new to execute against that vision. </i></div>
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<i style="text-align: start;">If you had your dream today you would f*ck it up."</i></div>
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<i style="text-align: start;">- Tom Bilyeu</i></div>
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It's a very negative word, a heavy word on the shoulders pulling your entire body down to the ground. 'Failure'. As many of you know, I started my business 'Christiaan & York' back in 2017. Over these past 3 years I have invested approximately $11,000. It was my first business... and it wasn't a success. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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But I wouldn't say it was a failure either. 'Failure' is such a negative word and it should never be used to describe anything. I didn't lose all of $11,000. Actually, I only lost approximately $500. $500 for ticking an accomplishment box of having started my first business, <b>alone</b>. $500 for the lessons of how to run a business, what difficulties arise and how to manoeuvre around them, which I can apply to my future businesses (that's right I'm not stopping here). $500 to know that there are thousands of people in Australia who have a watch designed by me on their wrist now. $500 is super cheap for everything I got in return.<br />
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And it wasn't all money, of course there was the time investment too. But here's the thing... I enjoyed the process. Doing this really emphasised the advice you hear from other people about how important enjoying the journey is, because it's 99% about the journey and 1% about the destination. If you don't enjoy the journey, not only will you most likely fail to persist when things get hard but you won't even enjoy the destination because after the gruelling journey that you went through and hated, the destination wouldn't even be worth it. Working on Christiaan & York wasn't really work for me. Instead of using that time to go on Facebook, Instagram or watch Netflix I spent it on Christiaan & York. It was a hobby <i>almost*</i>.<br />
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Although this was not a success story, credit should be given to where credit is due like a Hollywood actor going up to grab their award on stage (except here's me, no award, no stage... and not a Hollywood actor... but you know, besides the point...). Although I started this business alone, I didn't do it alone: So here's to my mother who helped me mail out all the watches (sometimes large boxes full) while I went to my full-time job in the daytime. Here's to my older brother for long talks about business strategies and introducing me to the community of Kmart mums. Here's to my SO who walked all around Shelley suburb with me in the evening putting vouchers in people's mailboxes. Here's to my little brother who would be there whenever I needed a helping hand or mind to double check that I got the orders right and to carry the massive orders to the post office. Here's to my friends (Q, K, S, D, J, E, C, R, A, Y) who bought watches from me and gave me words of support. Here's to Y and A who spent an entire Sunday morning with me at Canning Vale markets to sell off the watches for cheap (and spontaneous photoshoots as my models too). <br />
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The dream to build a successful business is still there and I have definitely become a new person after Christiaan & York. I know of the ins and outs and illusions of this gig more now than before. I know where I went wrong (the market was way too saturated and the product was too expensive and not differentiated/functional enough) so I can do it right next time. And there sure will be more learning to come with the next project, whether or not that is a success project. But so far? So good!<br />
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<i>*It's not alway happy, fun and enjoyable times running a business. But that doesn't make me love the process any less. </i><br />
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<b><i>VANCL Puffer Jacket / </i></b><i style="font-weight: 700;">Lareina Sweater /</i><b><i> Cotton On Jeans / Stan Smith Sneakers</i></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-5053413835390576272020-06-01T00:00:00.000+08:002020-06-01T00:00:04.259+08:00BECOMING<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>“If you don't get out there and define yourself, </i></div>
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<i>you'll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others.” </i></div>
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<i>- Michelle Obama</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Michelle Obama's new Netflix documentary 'Becoming' is truly inspirational for 1.5 hours of your time. It lightly touches on many areas which are insightful (like feminism and race) but the highlight of the piece which was relevant to not just women or people of colour was the importance of how you viewed yourself. Not being invisible doesn't start by others acknowledging you. Not being invisible starts by you not feeling invisible from within. </span><br />
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I have felt invisible for most of my life. I was the quiet kid within a circle of 'friends'. Always biting my tongue, too afraid to say something wrong even though behind close doors I am a chatter box who rambles with no ending (7/11 is what he calls me, from Rush Hour: <u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Cky9b6mHY">"Because his mouth never closes"</a></u>). I grew up extremely inquisitive, to the point that it annoyed my older brother and mother. They would shut me down and I would stop asking 'stupid' questions. As much as people in the workplace these days kindly say 'there is no such thing as a stupid question' I would still be hesitant. It highlights how important your upbringing is. I reflect on Michelle's upbringing captured in the documentary, how she said she never felt invisible because it began at the dinner table. Her mother encouraged her brother and her to ask questions, as long as it was done politely. They always had a voice. Being inquisitive and not being afraid of having a voice is so important to having a positive impact on society as an adult. Although I can imagine it being super annoying for a parent when their child is asking questions every second of the day, I hope that when I become a mother one day I would have the patience not to squash that inquisitiveness in my child, but to nurture it instead. I'm not saying it will be easy, nor that I would succeed but I am going to try.<br />
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I feel the importance of this more and more now. My entire life before I met my SO I mostly bit my tongue. <b>I was accidentally left out of my high school year book because I was so invisible</b>. The last two 'relationships' I have had I would have endless dialogues in my own head while they were right there in front of me. I was too afraid to say something inappropriate and be judged. However I realise now that the more they judged me, the more it was a reflection of their own insecurities and dire need for a perfect image. With him? I go wild. With him it feels like he is inside my mind already and I am not afraid to sound annoying, ask stupid questions or just be crazy. It's not that he doesn't make snarky remarks about how stupid or annoying I am, he does, but it doesn't make me feel like he loves me any less. If anything, he loves me more. And it's starting to make sense. I started doing better in interviews. As much as I've done a lot of the hard yards in getting to where I am today without him, it was him allowing me to be me that has led me to become the person I am today. I am less afraid to speak up and speak my mind. I take snarky remarks in stride. I am unapologetic. I am accepting.<br />
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There is also the previous one to thank as well. I realised <b>the more I bit my tongue and apologised for things, the less he respected me</b>. As much as I was played by that 'relationship', I would not be so unafraid to do and say the things I do today with my SO if not for the lessons I have learned previously. There are no regrets. There is only growth. </div>
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<b><i>Lareina white shorts / Lariena white blazer / Lovisa necklace / Lareina earings</i></b></div>
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<b><i> / Lareina grey coat / Lareina cardigan / H&M beige pants </i></b> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-76977241877447220532020-05-01T00:00:00.000+08:002020-05-01T00:31:55.651+08:00STORYTELLER<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"It's important that we share our experiences with other people. </i></div>
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<i>Your story will heal you, and your story will heal somebody else. </i></div>
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<i>When you tell your story you free yourself, </i></div>
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<i>and you give other people permission</i></div>
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<i> to acknowledge their story as well."</i></div>
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<i> - Iyanla Vanzant</i><br />
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Currently I am reading 'Talking to Strangers' by Malcolm Gladwell and a few lines stood out for me. First: "Today we are now thrown into contact all the time with people whose <b>assumptions, perspectives, and backgrounds are different from our own</b>." Second: "If we were more thoughtful as a society - if we were willing to engage in some <b>soul-searching</b> about how we approach and make sense of strangers - she would not have ended up dead in a Texas jail cell." And third: "If I can convince you of one thing in this book, let it be this: <b>Strangers are not easy</b>."<br />
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<i>"When venturing out for a walk or groceries, I keep my hair in a bun, stuffed under a baseball cap, sunglasses and mask on. I try to expose as little of myself as possible, for protection - not just against the virus, but against the people who somehow hold me responsible for a global pandemic."</i> It is hard not to think about the increase in racism towards Asians, and particularly Chinese people, during these recent times. Some draw comparisons to 9/11 and the treatment towards Muslims in the aftermath. Although I have been living in a bubble (literally because of self-isolation) and I have been fortunate enough not to have experienced anything first hand (although my mother has), it still saddens me to hear what is happening in the world. It doesn't just sadden me because it's against people of my ethnicity. Racism in general, against any race, is just sad. It comes from one thing: fear. And fear incites narrow-mindedness. It angers me to think someone could verbally and/or physically attack another human being, a stranger who inflicted no harm towards them, for something they did not do. The idiocy of bundling a group of people as one person based merely on ethnicity is laughable.<br />
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Humans are complex beings each with their own set of personalities, beliefs, upbringings, views, morals, tastes, agendas, sorrows, griefs, habits, even religion... To bundle them all as 'the same person' because of their ethnicity? ... Arguing with anyone who attacks another person because of their ethnicity is a waste of time. There is no intelligence or rationality behind it, this is because it is driven by fear. Fear of what the 'other' has (supposedly) done or might do to harm you. Treating them as an outsider, instead of a human being just like you. There is no hope in reasoning with the fearful. All we can do is not stoop to their level.<br />
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I often like to people watch especially while taking public transport. I like to fixate my focus on a certain person and imagine what kind of story they might have behind that face. What kind of sorrows they have experienced, what kind of dreams they desire and what kind of beliefs they have. Everyone has a story. One of the wisest things you can do is to keep an <i>open mind</i>. Though I have a distaste for people in general (being an introvert) I would like to and hope to continue to bear compassion for them... you know, as Malcolm Gladwell says, to engage in some soul-searching. Human beings are innately selfish but the line from right and wrong is crossed when your selfishness hurts another person who has inflicted no harm towards you. Being thrifty is fine. Being greedy at the expense of others is not. This is not an ethics class. This is just my way of life. It would do the world some good if more people were more open minded.<br />
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On another note... Malcolm Gladwell's book 'Talking to Strangers' has been a great read so far and I definitely recommend it if, like me, you like your mindset to be challenged. Gladwell shares various stories throughout the book to illustrate how wrong our assumptions about a person can be (no matter how good or righteous our intentions are) which lead to an unravelling of events towards a horrifying ending.<br />
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<b><i>H&M black dress / Siren 'ZADE' heels / Lareina headband / Lareina earings</i></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-52993057155128617042020-04-01T00:00:00.000+08:002020-04-01T09:08:59.337+08:00RETROGRADE<div style="text-align: center;">
/ˈrɛtrəɡreɪd/</div>
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<i>adjective</i></div>
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<i>"directed or moving backwards."
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I am currently on the verge of losing it. And so I turn to writing. My sanctuary. Reading my most recent post it's crazy how in March 2020 I said <i>"</i><span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;"><i>It's month 3 out of 12 and so far things are looking pretty great"</i>.</span><span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;"> Only one month after that post and how little thought did I give at the time to the possibility that life, for myself and everyone else, would tip upside down. </span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">Things could be worse. Things could </span><i style="font-family: avenir; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">always </i><span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">be worse. I've been trying to roll with the punches lately and stay positive, swimming and staying afloat. Always reminding myself that it could be worse. Compared to many others I am lucky. Everyone I know and love are healthy. I have a (beautiful) roof over my head and most importantly (unlike many others during this time) I still have a job. I still have a car and I can still afford groceries and take-out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">I will try not to use the C word as we have all been overstimulated with social media about it and honestly, I'm tired of hearing about it. But at the same time it's all that really matters at this time and I can't block out the news which is giving me important updates on things that will affect my life. Futhermore my entire job right now is advising clients about how to manage their employees during this surreal time of change (6 days a week, another reason I'm losing it, where is my me-time).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">But as I was saying, I am currently on the verge of losing it. Why? Because my life is in hiatus and there's this immense cloud of uncertainty hanging above me (and everyone else). How long will this go for? Is it going to get worse? Will my parents' restaurant survive this? Will I still have my job at the end of it all? And most importantly, will we be able to escape the C? Like I said, I do try to focus on how lucky I am. Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world! It's probably one of the best cities to be living in at the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">My chest tightens at the thought of it all though. I am stressed. Stressed from the new job, stressed from the idea that I might lose it (because I'm still on probation) and stressed about me and/or my loved ones getting sick. And stress does NOT help with the immune system which is super important during this time. And as I currently try to understand exactly why I am stressed I am also trying to find out ways to deal with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">Ever since the whole working from home thing started, and I started hearing the constant messages about social distancing and self-isolation... my life went into retrograde (hence the title). The gym was forced to close and I am no longer exercising. Now that I work from home I don't wake up (and go to sleep) early. I don't have a log-off time for work either. The work day ends whenever I feel like I have done all I can do for the day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva1R6jTaOv771VjgJfkzrzRW9D38JczyZW2FJe_75Kys5AGGxkuiTz1Z9bH-v2yBWSgsWtJ1ynJvcfoL2dau9jJJBhZ01Wbc5YGOOMsvp4jW6wh7WCt_qjLMmGPTSfu9qsk1Pzxz1AU8/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva1R6jTaOv771VjgJfkzrzRW9D38JczyZW2FJe_75Kys5AGGxkuiTz1Z9bH-v2yBWSgsWtJ1ynJvcfoL2dau9jJJBhZ01Wbc5YGOOMsvp4jW6wh7WCt_qjLMmGPTSfu9qsk1Pzxz1AU8/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">The solution? I need to regain my life back. Because we don't know how long this is going to go on for. Instead of waiting for things to go back to normal, I need to create my new normal. A healthy happy norm. So here is what I am going to try and do, I am going to try and structure my life so there is down time away from my job. I will have a full Saturday off from now on and start/finish work off on Sunday mornings instead (and get afternoons and evenings to myself again). For the things I can't control, I will just have to learn to let it run its course. I'm not an extrovert so the whole social distancing thing hasn't been so hard on me. What did take a hit on me without me even knowing is I am a control freak. I need to feel like I am in control of my life and recently I haven't been in control of <i>anything</i>... so here I am... taking back (some) control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "avenir"; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: justify;">Something I can do my best to control? My health: sleep early (10pm), wake up early (7am), meditate every morning and continue to drink lots of water. Although the gym is closed I'm going to structure a jiu-jitsu session with my brother after work from now on. Just because I am stuck at home (working from home) doesn't mean I can't structure it so I still have a work life balance. THAT IS WHAT I NEED. I thank this process every time. Feeling stressed and anxious at the start of writing but after I word-vomit everything onto here I leave relieved and clearer of mind. I really needed this me-time to just sit down and write. I hope all of you out there who are feeling the same as me, really take the time to sit down and write out your thoughts: <b>Why? </b>And go from there. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-83787213844846348242020-03-04T09:51:00.001+08:002020-03-04T09:51:44.242+08:00LUNAR<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"People use to think the skies the limit, </i><br />
<i>then somebody went to the moon."</i><br />
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I don't have any new photos so I am going to be lazy (or smart) and use some photos from my trip to China last year in October... Reason is, these are one of those times when my desire to write exceeds my desire or ability to produce new photos.<br />
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With the Lunar New Year having just passed a few weeks ago I think these photos are very fitting for where my mind is currently at.<br />
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<i>Lunar</i>: the moon rises and shines bright in the night and the night owls come out. I was very much more a night owl than an early bird. However a little update with my life... I quit my job recently and this is my one week off before I start at a new law firm next week. With the workload expected to be much greater and hours longer I wanted to make sure I have a good start on everything and turn my body clock around so that I become an early bird. I have been waking up at 6.30am every morning for the past few days (I used to wake up at 7.30am the earliest). I no longer stay up with the moon. A healthy change in habits. Bad habits can be broken if you have the will, mental strength and determination to do so. <b>Your mind is your own greatest enemy</b>.<br />
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<i>New</i>: What's the newest in my life? Other than having started a fresh new year, the newest thing is landing a job at a top tier law firm... one of the big 6 law firms in Australia. I see that as an accomplishment alone and I make sure I take time to acknowledge my successes internally. So often we are quick to go onto the next great thing and are constantly pursuing bigger and better things that we forget to give ourselves a pat on the back for all the work we are putting in and success we are achieving. <b>Remember to celebrate the little victories. </b><br />
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<i>Year</i>: It's month 3 out of 12 and so far things are looking pretty great. I got a new job. My partner finished his university degree early and also got a new job (he's finally an adult now and I was even happier for him than I was for my own new job). My new business with my brothers is <i>Kicking </i>off. Other than the coronavirus, bushfire and all the other horrible things going around in the world recently, life in my small bubble has been pretty great.<br />
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I am going to try do a photoshoot today with my brother so I can actually produce better content. But this 6.30am rise and shine thing is still taking some time to adjust to. I think I need a nap...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-74640876160356753992019-12-31T00:00:00.000+08:002020-01-01T15:38:38.809+08:00OBSESSION<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"You could be anyone if you put in the time. You will reach the top. </i></div>
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<i>And that's that. I'm not talented, I'm obsessed."</i></div>
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<i>- Conor McGregor</i></div>
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The last few hours of the 2010s decade and I managed to squeeze one last photoshoot and blog post in - making this year's total of 5 published posts. Poor effort - I know. Hopefully in 2020 I can devote myself to doing more of this because this didn't even take that long. 15 minutes of makeup and 15 minutes of shooting. The post-editing was the most time-consuming part but that is also my favourite part of the process. </div>
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This new decade scares me, in the most exhilarating way possible. Because I'm now 25 and this decade is where A LOT will happen. Hopefully get married, have children and create an amazing business (or two, or three)... </div>
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10 years ago I was 15... I had never dated anyone yet, not even decided what degree I wanted to pursue and was generally still figuring out everything in life - I still am but more so then than now. I don't think I even knew how to drive yet! So much has happened in the 2010s and I am very blessed to be able to say I don't regret anything. Not even the heartbreaks or family issues... Because everything is what has made me the strong, empathetic woman I am today. </div>
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There is one thing I do hope to do better at though. I had an obscene level of obsession and dedication when I was 19. I worked several jobs and pushed myself far beyond where I thought I was capable of being pushed! The obsession to grow and improve at extreme rapid rates. An insane devotion to progress in my goals... THAT is what I want more of in the new year and new decade. </div>
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I've fallen lazy/comfortable after landing myself in a good job and relationship. 2020 is THE YEAR. New business, new goals, new energy! Less lazying around on Instagram/Facebook/Netflix (unless it's for research purposes). More working on new business ideas, relationships and my health. A new mantra will now be plastered over my bedroom wall: <b>you have the same hours in a day as Beyonce</b>. No excuses. </div>
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<i><b>Luvalot Dress / Lovisa Earrings / Goldmark Silver Ring / </b></i><br />
<i><b>Lareina Gold Rings / Swarovski Necklace</b></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-61293503498629817782019-11-30T00:00:00.000+08:002019-11-30T00:00:10.152+08:00DAYLIGHT<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>“I don’t wanna look at anything else now that I saw you… </i></div>
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<i>Now I see daylight. Only see daylight.”</i></div>
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<i>- Taylor Swift (Daylight)</i><br />
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It’s morning now… Now 25, a quarter century old, it’s time for the annual pre-NYE reflections. Today, it’s just mine.</div>
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I never liked ‘winning’ - whether it’s winning lotteries or any other completely luck-driven competitions, because I have this weird idea about the balance in the world. Everything good that happens will be balanced out with the bad (and vice versa). You win some, you lose some. I don’t like the idea of winning lotto because I feel like this luck comes from a finite supply somewhere and afterwards you’d be hit with a string of bad luck.</div>
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What is the relevance of this on my birthday? Well, I feel like I have been so so lucky for so long. My family and I are happy, healthy and tight-knit. My friends are loving and supportive. I’m in a long-term, happy, supportive and stable (I could go on with the adjectives with this one) relationship. I own my own home. I’m working hard on my own business(es). I ticked the box of becoming a lawyer and I find my daytime job fascinating.</div>
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When I reflect on everything that I have and everything that I have accomplished, I can see why some people say I'm sorted. Because I kinda am… and it scares me. The more you have the more you can lose. At 25, I feel so put together. Quarter life crisis? None in sight. Because I made conscious decisions every step of the way so I wouldn't be faced with an existential crisis. I questioned everything. I ask myself 'why' all the time.</div>
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And not to self-sabotage but when I count my blessings I can’t help but worry that this is all too good to be true. I've been saying this the past three years now, during every reflection. A little doubt that this is all too perfect to be real but always reminding myself to just enjoy the bliss and be grateful and not to question it and whether or not I deserve it. And so I will. Work hard and play hard. <b>Twenty-five</b>. I look forward to the productive year ahead. Working hard on my dreams. I have big plans for you.</div>
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On another note, I cannot remember the last time I planned a photoshoot (albeit a short one). I have honestly lost the touch to dress up and 'pose'. Awkward is a good word to use here. I continue to love writing and expressing myself but as I get older I begin to hate planning these editorial style photoshoots where I am in front of the camera. You can see me taking snaps while on holiday but not back home. Having left it for almost a year (February was the last time I did one of these shoots), I have really lost the excitement of seeing myself in photos. I love being behind the camera more these days - directing. But maybe it's only because I'm a little rusty. Maybe I ought to try get back in front of the camera. That might be a resolution stepping into 25 considering I've only published 3 posts this year. </div>
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<i style="font-family: avenir; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><b>Zara Dress / TEMT White Crop Top / </b></i><i style="font-family: avenir; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><b>Lovisa Copper Earings / </b></i><br />
<i style="font-family: avenir; font-size: 15.4px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><b>Lareina White Stiletto Heels / <u><a href="https://www.christiaanandyork.com/product/petite-verona-white/">Christiaan & York Petite Verona White Watch</a></u></b></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-2773456895004202012019-09-01T00:00:00.000+08:002019-09-10T00:04:45.066+08:00SEPTEMBER <div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>Do you remember </i></div>
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<i>The [27th] night of September? </i></div>
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<i>Love was changin' the minds of pretenders </i></div>
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<i>While chasin' the clouds away </i></div>
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<i>Our hearts were ringin' </i></div>
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<i>In the key that our souls were singin' </i></div>
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<i>As we danced in the night, remember </i></div>
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<i>How the stars stole the night away</i> </div>
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- <i>Earth, Wind & Fire (September)</i></div>
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I told him I was having a terrible day. He asked me why. I ranted to him the things that were going wrong. And he said: <i>ah ok.</i> Are you serious, is that it?... <i>but other than that good day :) ?</i> I couldn't help but smile at how ridiculous he was but how effective it was too. In a way it felt like he wasn't listening to me. In a way I knew he was playing. And in a way... it was an extremely clever way to get me to forget all about the negatives and focus on the positives. And I know him. In his playful dismissive way, he made me smile. Other than all those things I ranted about, yes it was a great day. I was breathing, I had a job, the weather was looking lovely (despite being stuck indoors for most of it). <i>Lovely day :P </i>I replied. </div>
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And that's what I love about him - he challenges my thinking in so many ways, over so many different topics (religion, politics, societal changes, behavioural theories etc). My mum calls me an alpha. If I wasn't careful no man could ever get close to me. My mind is too strong, she says. I'm an ambitious woman and I'd sacrifice relationships, she says. You know she's right. But he challenges me and with him my mind grows stronger. They say never argue with a lawyer. Well he would. </div>
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My bedroom wall still has Lady Gaga's quote plastered on it: "<i>Some women choose to follow men, and some choose to follow their dreams. If you're wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn't love you anymore</i>." And it was my mantra for a while. That one time when my heart was shattered by another, I naively prayed for him to come back to me. I was the most religious I had ever become during that period. I whispered all the things I was willing to sacrifice just so he would come back to me... but when my career came to mind I couldn't bring myself to sacrifice that. Even with a freshly broken heart I was rational enough to know I would never sacrifice my career for a guy (especially for one who made the decision to leave). It was then that I realised I didn't love him as much as I thought, and maybe I would never love someone enough to... because one of the reasons I would ever love a man would be because he would never make me sacrifice my career. We would compromise. </div>
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I'm still cautious now though, to ever sacrifice anything significant before you acknowledge each other as family is dangerous. But we are moving towards that. I see us as a team. If a decision doesn't benefit us as a team, it is not a good decision. <i>Forget a relationship. Let's have a partnership and build an empire. </i>I may be alpha and scare boys away<i> </i>but the true man will stay and support me in my goals. It feels good to finally find someone confident enough in who he is to let me stand tall without making him feel any less. "<i>Younger than all my exes but he's such a man"</i><i>.</i></div>
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If I ever have a daughter I would teach her to be confident in whoever she is. The right person will stay. I would tell her not to sacrifice important (and she would have to make the judgment on what important is) relationships for career progression or money because you might end up rich and "successful" one day but lonely as hell at the end of it all. And by that point you'd think to yourself, what was the point of it all. Was it all really worth it? I would also tell her <b>not </b>to sacrifice what makes her who she is. If you define yourself by your career then don't give it up completely. Don't lose who you are for the person who can easily walk away. Be self-sufficient no matter how much you love the other person. People will value you (even subconsciously) by seeing how you value yourself. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-74682079144968470932019-07-25T02:11:00.001+08:002019-08-31T17:28:10.852+08:00EMPIRE STATE OF MIND<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Something's always happening here. </i></div>
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<i>If you're bored in New York, it's your own fault."</i></div>
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<i>- Myrna Loy</i><br />
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As I'm getting more and more entrenched into the professional world (especially in the legal industry) I find it harder and harder to be expressive on this public medium. I used to write journals anonymously on an online artwork community - the only thing holding me back was my fear of speaking ill thoughts into existence. Now? I feel the world watching... judging... Ghostly whispers of <i>"Perth is so small" </i>in the back of my mind, repeating constantly. (You know what is not so small? New York. To that, I will get back to later on this page). On some rare occasions I hear about people reading my words, people I've only met for the first time, and it makes me feel so extremely naked. The fact that they could know about my deep 2 am thoughts when I talk to them for the first time at some party and I would know nothing about them... And you know whose fault that is? Mine. Yet here I am doing the same thing... writing not so anonymously on a not so private medium.</div>
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It's weird.<br />
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Why do I feel the need to write so publicly to people who know, or <i>may </i>know me, instead of doing what I used to do - write anonymously to readers from the other end of the Earth (and sometimes no audience at all)? Maybe I'm brave enough not to hide anymore but I doubt that greatly. If that was so I would say all these 2 am thoughts to your face, whoever you are that's reading this right now. </div>
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I'm still trying to figure it out. </div>
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But here's a real 2 am thought for you. I used to think everyone loved talking and having people listen to them. They love to feel like others care. That's what makes them feel good and that's how you get them to like you. So that's what I did, I became the listener when I met new people (heck I still do that now when I'm feeling lazy and resort to the yes-man, it's safe). Listening is important but it only goes so far to building a bond. For the more intelligent people, a yes-man will not amount to anything. The intelligent people want to share ideas, they want to hear what you have to say, your perspective. The real key to building a bond? Vulnerability. It's <i>your </i>truth. Meeting new people? Just be real. Be yourself. Be respectful, kind and share your truth. Also because f*ck it. Life is short. Every day you are closer to death.<br />
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My last post was in February. Five months ago. Yet it felt like a year ago. Time flies and it freaks the hell out of me. The way it slips through my fingers like water. You try to catch it and stop it from falling away but helplessly you just watch it slip through the cracks of your fingers. Before you know it you're 50, then 70, then 90, then on your death bed thinking where did the time go? My fear of death explains my fear of regret and intense desire to travel all the time. Which brought me to America recently. 3 weeks 6 cities. And tonight I bring you to New York City through my photos.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA00LtqkcPevuC1Ink6rbcR2ZKfT4ofx90ck2u6_IUuAGsXSclTYKLs2aEBPIk5Xptr5VrtC_UR8vpN3UhNPxRAyPsiZBegvylR2fMaFiHk1gGMZh3IsvrC0URYDlA__0axiVT8XSQac/s1600/8.jpg" /></div>
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If there was a place you must visit before you die - I'd say New York City for the sheer fact that it's known as THE city and no matter how overrated it can be, you ought to discover it for yourself and form your own opinion on why this world portrays it as such.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-89751285510195057422019-02-05T00:00:00.000+08:002019-02-05T00:19:44.664+08:00ACCLIMATE<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">ˈaklɪmeɪt</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">əˈklʌɪmət</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">/</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"to adjust or adapt to a</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>new climate, place, or situation."</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's been a while, again, I must admit. But I will always come back here to my writing sanctuary as my source of therapy to remain grounded, to take time to breathe and think about the past and plan my way forward. You (may or may not) hear that reflection and goal setting is important to a person's success and I just happen to take this a little more... publicly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It has occurred to me recently why routine is deadly. In a time and place of newness we acclimate. We are more alert, more conscious, try harder. In a time and place of routine? We are half present, sometimes even completely absent. We become blind to our surroundings and we stop trying. And when we stop trying, things die. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">S was driving us home one night and decided to take a different route. Being chatty, overly-inquisitive me, I asked 'why'. He told me something fascinating (amongst all the other fascinating things he teaches me everyday) that bus drivers are made to change their assigned bus routes to decrease the chance of accidents. Driving the same bus route everyday makes your brain work less. When your brain works less you are more prone to accidents, to deaths. Much like bus drivers, sometimes he does the same. As someone who always orders the same meal, this was an enlightening moment for me. So enlightening that I wrote this article and did a spontaneous photoshoot to accompany it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Much like bus drivers, industrial workers working in a factory line who do the same routine every day are extremely prone to accidents. You might think this doesn't apply to your workplace but you might want to re-evaluate that. You wake up around the same time everyday, you take the same car/bus/train everyday. You walk the same path from your form of transport into work everyday. You sit down at your desk about the same time everyday. You make that coffee or fill up that cup with whatever your preference of a morning drink is everyday, and you sit back down. And you get to work. For the next 8 (or 9, or 10) hours you just work. Though your actual 'work' may be a little different to your tasks from the day before, your overall routine is the same.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I completely believe in the idea of flexible working arrangements. Where people take advantage of it not to be lazy, but to change away from the routine in order to become more efficient, to reactivate the use of their own brain. Goals die within routine. We don't achieve anything under routine. If you want to make change, to <i>achieve something different.</i>.. you need to <i>do something different</i>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a relationship of some considerable length, this applies in much the same way. Many people dangerously fall into the toxicness of 'routine'. Where you stop trying to get to know each other. When you stop giving effort (on them and on the relationship) you are more prone to accidents (fights) and to deaths (of a relationship). This is why special date nights are so important, ones that are not part of the routine. You can spend 24 hours with a person and still not have gotten to know them. You can put away your phone and still lack the quality of communication needed to keep a relationship alive. Not having the distractions of technology does not mean you are 100% present. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Being 100% present is a conscious choice beyond distractions. Ask him/her questions and listen, truly listen and learn. Regain your inquisitive nature to get to know this person in front of you (like you did on your first date). People change, sometimes you don't notice this when they're in front of you every day. Change is subtle but when you are brain dead around them for years, change adds up and before you know it, you've lost the one person you thought you knew the most...</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><i><u><a href="https://christiaanandyork.com/product/lyon-black/">Christiaan & York Lyon Black Watch</a></u> / Valley Girl Top / TOBI Skirt</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Miss Shop Black Boots</i></b></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-7497174263092714622018-12-30T00:00:00.000+08:002018-12-30T00:00:05.371+08:00TWENTY-NINETEEN<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"We obsess with memory and we obsess with the future. </i></div>
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<i>That's what intelligence is, the ability to see the future, </i></div>
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<i>to simulate the future in complex realistic ways." </i></div>
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<i>- Michio Kaku</i></div>
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As another year draws to an end, we find ourselves reflecting on the past 365 days and begin to create new goals for the next 365...</div>
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I was on a flight either to or from Sydney for work when I was listening to a podcast interview with Michio Kaku. He said <i style="text-align: center;">"We obsess with memory and we obsess with the future. </i><i style="text-align: center;">That's what intelligence is, the ability to see the future, </i><i style="text-align: center;">to simulate the future in complex realistic ways." </i><span style="text-align: center;">It may be from the same interview with the same man but he compared humans to dogs. How we are more intelligent than animals because we have the ability to think about the future, to somewhat grasp it I suppose. Whereas dogs cannot. They don't plan for tomorrow, they don't think: "What should I get up to tomorrow?".</span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NFdY8-MM0Px_StdoBiD-tNPGx6brQyPurLr1sQZugZBhIsraLID388WT6jnb-aEOo_Pq1G9qJWCqb67-0Pe9EWfleCV3UHMJEdUpwzQzMXy6mwGdSw-o-m8X_XdaZ7QeRANdWOgIlgo/s1600/48966400_10156316654154317_3651548729401409536_o.jpg" style="text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ts-3Ur5kbnQDNh9Q9r3VHae3Ytjdmlo5DIo5e3QULp5bdtNRV2auHspe4bZudJvBTJlCzxPJg_LOdRADXiWe97tgeZoLJrtvr_dcrVHPtsxYO3vb92z9b5d9gvMkeVvD4tFtdMq7ZVU/s1600/3+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ts-3Ur5kbnQDNh9Q9r3VHae3Ytjdmlo5DIo5e3QULp5bdtNRV2auHspe4bZudJvBTJlCzxPJg_LOdRADXiWe97tgeZoLJrtvr_dcrVHPtsxYO3vb92z9b5d9gvMkeVvD4tFtdMq7ZVU/s1600/3+1.jpg" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">I was at the shops yesterday and saved a little girl from injuring her eyes when she almost walked into a moving trolley with a photo frame sticking out of it. And it struck me. Children are the same. They don't think about the future, or consequences really. They do not yet have the intelligence to grasp the concept. Why else is it so difficult to teach a child maths? To them it's not relevant and has no purpose or reason. They can't see into the future into the benefits of what they are learning. Children (and some adults) do reckless things because they can't plan for the future. Everything is short-sighted and living in the present. That's why they are stress free (children, dogs etc.) and are so happy. But that is not how you grow and survive in an every changing society/world.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">You know all those motivational quotes about the importance of vision, how it's the first step to creating reality? Well I honestly believe in that. Without first picturing what future you want, how else are you suppose to execute every step in the present towards that direction. Without simulating the future, you are directionless. Hard work is important but without vision and direction the hard work is (almost completely) futile. Imagine pushing a heavy boulder around in circles. It's hard work but you are not going anywhere. That is not to say you should sit around perfecting your vision before you start doing the work, for all you know you might never perfect your vision. Perfection is for the scared people looking for excuses to sit around. Pushing that heavy boulder (no matter what direction) makes you stronger so that when you finally figure out your direction, you have the strength to push it in the direction you want. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">2018 was an amazing year for me and I hope it was for many of you reading this. Even if it was not (like my 2015/16), I hope you learned a lot from it in order to catapult you into a great 2019. In 2018 I landed a great full-time job working with amazing people on fascinating cases, my watch business (<i><b><u><a href="http://christiaanandyork.com/">Christiaan & York</a></u></b></i>) has and continues to grow, I committed to a major life decision without much thought and bought my first home, and life with family, friends and S have been smooth as butter. I always try to check myself despite taking time to remain grateful for everything that I have. Despite how great everything is, I remind myself not to be fearful of whatever life may throw my way (as life always loves to do). Remain a fighter with the upmost resilience. 2019, whatever you have planned for me. I'm ready for you!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-63408706623805269462018-12-11T00:00:00.000+08:002018-12-11T22:56:53.585+08:00LUCID DREAMING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>"Dreams are real as long as they last.</i></div>
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<i>Can we say more of life?"</i></div>
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<i>- Havelock Ellis</i></div>
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I laid on the warm tiles and stared up into the bright blue cloudless sky this afternoon. Feeling the warmth of the sun and listening to the calming sound of the water fountain. Later I found myself playing music on our old forgotten piano. And tonight... I sit here reading old novels I had written 7 years ago, captivated by my own young wild mind and reminded by how creative I once was... yet saddened by what 'growing up' can do to it.</div>
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I haven't taken a break like this since... three years ago. A break where I took time to really get back in touch with my own creativity. My largest novel ever written was 185 A4 pages long and 104,680 words. And it's crazy to think I don't write anymore, not fictional stories at least. I don't blog anymore either... and I ought to get back in touch with my deeper thoughts.</div>
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"Dreams are real as long as they last, can we say more of life?". I am always drawn back to the meaning of existence. If you're an avid follower of my writing you would have realised I think a lot about the purpose of life. So much of everything that happens honestly means nothing in the grand scheme of existence. A life lasts 80 so years, but how long have humans existed for? We are but a tiny insignificant speck on this timeline, yet our whole life we think we matter. <b>The millenial crisis.</b></div>
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We might not matter in the whole grand scheme of things but that does not mean we cannot make a difference in the world. No matter how big... or small. One difference made to someone's day, is a difference made none the less. </div>
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For the past year or two I have been so caught up in making great big changes in my life, investing in growth and experiences and never once stopping to think "I have done good. I am doing good." Constantly thinking "it is not enough... I am not there yet". Sure I enjoy the present day and I love life at the moment. But my head is 90% of the time thinking about the future. And the problem with constantly thinking about the future is one day you will wake up and think to yourself where did all your time go? Your life would feel like it was all a dream.<br />
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Make a difference to your life, or other people's... but don't kill yourself stressing over making evolutionary change. Do your best and things will happen if it's meant to be. <i>Leave a little faith to the universe. </i></div>
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On another note, how beautiful is this photo of the old man staring up at the rainbow apartment walls...</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-25056827844497225222018-11-06T00:00:00.000+08:002018-11-06T00:00:11.990+08:00WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful? </i></div>
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<i>Will you still love me when I've got nothing but my aching soul?"</i></div>
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<i>- Lana Del Rey</i><br />
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Yes - I am temporily back! Won't be regular fortnight posts and unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to even commit to monthly ones but it's November (birthday month!) and my last post was back in July. The hiatus has been unbearable and I have missed the sanity of writing (not so much the dressing up for photos part - or having photos taken part either).<br />
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It's almost 1am on a weeknight and my mother's story about my grandfather stays embedded in my mind. A few days ago he was found in the toilet unable to get up by himself. Apparently he went to the toilet alone because his caretaker went out to buy groceries. He squatted down (Chinese squat toilets - google it, or not...) and being 90 years old he couldn't get back up so he sat there squatting for hours with water dripping all over him until someone found him. It breaks my heart to hear how hopeless old people must feel. I mean I got so frustrated with myself when I injured my shoulder this year and couldn't put on a shirt like a normal person. Other people's helplessness saddens me so much. And my own helplessness angers me.<br />
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And then this revelation occurred to me. Old people are just like babies. They get more incapable of taking care of themselves the older they get. Life after a certain age begins to go in reverse. You stop being able to walk, talk and take care of yourself. A parabola - somewhat a Benjamin Button situation but not really.<br />
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Except you know what the saddest part is? Babies have their parents to look after them 24/7 but the elderly don't necessarily have this. How sad is it to think that one day our parents will no longer be around to love and take care of us, and all we have are our children (if you have children) who we will pray won't be too busy living their own life to love and care for you when you're old and helpless. You would hope that the same love and care you showered them when they were your baby would be experienced when you are old and incapable.<br />
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Aging is terrifying. Not necessarily the grim death part, but the slow deterioration of one's body and eventual loneliness. I guess my message which sparked the dire need for my return post is: Love now, so you don't have to question whether they will still love you later.<br />
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<b><i>MIGU dress </i></b><b><i> / Lareina purse / Forever 21 earings and rings / </i></b><b><i>Ruby heels</i></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-14578601452484272012018-07-24T00:00:00.000+08:002018-07-24T00:00:03.027+08:00CONSTANT MOVEMENT<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states,</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>other lives, other souls."</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><i>- Anaïs Nin</i></span></div>
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In the words of Lonely Planet: "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hong Kong is a city of contrasting light and <b>constant movement</b>; a whirl of commotion that combines climbing skyscrapers and golden stretches of sand with steaming bowls of wonton noodles and ceaseless traffic."</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSJzx0cRmHfaTbWeJQxl5XvdO5xW4hx8bYHxddrJbYq3ececc7bVXtSG0xHFWUfx5iqJNlulph8Iyu8Vs26JyMRBqAbqE3SvaAxRKG5KtQLcSNSJHt5-Gn9IBvEOAW93gBdICuDiXq5c/s1600/IMG_2243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSJzx0cRmHfaTbWeJQxl5XvdO5xW4hx8bYHxddrJbYq3ececc7bVXtSG0xHFWUfx5iqJNlulph8Iyu8Vs26JyMRBqAbqE3SvaAxRKG5KtQLcSNSJHt5-Gn9IBvEOAW93gBdICuDiXq5c/s400/IMG_2243.JPG" width="400" /></a>That is what I love most about travelling, the constant movement. Always something new to see, something new to experience... and though my plane phobia and sickness prevents me from constant travels with no rest, it won't stop me from travelling.<br />
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There are a lot of things people 'want' in their life. And often times people complain about not having what they want while complaining about why others don't deserve what they have. In all honesty, luck does play a bit in the success of people, but it most definitely does not play a large part of it. And if it plays a large part it, they most definitely will not have the capabilities of retaining it because hard work is essential to build the skills necessary for longevity. People want to be a blogger who travels the world and get paid for everything... they 'want' but they are not willing to put in the hard work. I would never be able to make blogging a profession for the mere fact that I hate constantly taking photos to 'feed' the followers. That is something I am not interested in. I enjoy taking photos to feed my own creative appetite, to explore and express my own mind, not the minds of followers. The commitment to go to 'blogging events' and make a name for yourself in that scene also sounds way too tiring for me. Being an introvert, I cannot imagine enjoying that scene at all. My purpose does not align with those people. It may not be the scene for me but it might be for others. And if you want something, then go after it.<br />
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If you complain about not achieving it, it is because you simply don't want it <i>enough</i>. So many people want to be actors, models and sport stars... but so little people are willing to sacrifice the time and people to get there. Instead, all they do with their time is complain about how unlucky they are and how lucky the others are. <i>You create your own luck</i>. Anything is possible if you devote enough of yourself to it.<br />
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"The <b>struggle is guaranteed and success is not</b>... So make sure the process is thoroughly enjoyable... Fulfilment should not be tied to crossing the goal but sincerely pursuing it."<b> </b>- Simon Sinek. Ask yourself: "<b>What do you feel about yourself </b>when you are by yourself?"<br />
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Sometimes it requires an unhealthy devotion in order to achieve what you want... and that is not necessarily a good thing if you end up sacrificing what you later realise were the more important things to you. It is important to assess what exactly you define as 'success' and what is truly important to you before you go sacrificing everything in order to achieve it. Everything comes at a price. What are you willing to pay? <br />
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For me, family is something I will never sacrifice for 'success'. For me, success is good health for myself and the people I love and a good relationship with them. I work hard because my parents gave up too much for me not to be great. I work hard for <i>them</i>. I save and I save... for a rainy day, or simply to splurge on the people I love. I save because I've seen the problems a lack of money can create. I strive for financial freedom. That is what I work hard for... to be able to achieve the financial freedom so that I will not be controlled by money, so that I will be able to be in <b>constant movement going wherever I want </b>without the money woes tying me down. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-82813970905198320082018-07-10T00:00:00.000+08:002018-07-21T15:10:44.436+08:00KØBENHAVN: HOPE & HAVEN<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"It is hope that gives life meaning. And hope is based </i><br />
<i>on the prospect of being able one day to turn the actual world</i><br />
<i>into a possible one that looks better."</i><br />
<i>- Francois Jacob </i><br />
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I will forever remember those days spent warm and toasty inside the cafe of Espresso House. And I will forever remember that unexplanable sensation capturing my soul, the feeling of being <i>inspired</i>. Though gloomy on almost every day, and almost every hour, I did not feel depressed. Rather, I felt very... <i>calm</i>. Is it the fact that I am at the furtherest point away from home that I have ever been in my life? A young Australian girl across the oceans in Scandinavian land... Or maybe's it's just what Scandinavia does to you, the lifestyle, so restful and so tranquil. </div>
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On the way to Copenhagen I had a moment of confusion as I stared into my phone's Google Maps. We were travelling on the train from Berlin, Germany, but there was a section in our path where there was only water... I thought the train was maybe going to go underwater through some tunnel but the most amazing thing happened: we found ourselves on a train 'parked' onto a ship. The speakers informed us to get off the train and onto the ship to roam around. I remember going out to the top deck and staring off into the pitch dark ocean horizon. Everything was so new to me. I did not feel scared. <i>I felt liberated</i>. I was staring off into the furtherest parts of the world I have ever been. Australia was so far away. I... I was so far away.</div>
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Copenhagen was by far one of the most underrated places I had been in this entire Europe trip. I decided to finish off the adventure with this city not because I knew how wonderful it was, but because of cheap flights home. Even my SO didn't know why I chose this place out of all cities. But we were both so so glad we made this decision, because it turned out to be our favourite destination out of all 10 cities we had visited in the past 5 weeks. It was the perfect way to end everything and return home. A new found love for a home in a new city. The tranquility sure stole our curious introverted hearts. For sure we will be back, maybe a few years from now... maybe we would be wanderers once more... or maybe we would move here (<i>I can imagine sitting in Espresso House every day with my laptop, blogging and working online, and living a tranquil life in </i><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">København</span></i></span>). </div>
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I look at life in this very moment and there is not a single fault I could bring attention to. Everything is great, and everything is progressing slowly. Work life, family life, love life, friends... everything is so perfectly aligned. The old me would be scared that this high means there will be a low coming real soon. But the new me knows I've endured some horrible things and survived, so there is no point in ruining what's great with the anxiety of what might never happen. </div>
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This will be the last chapter on my Europe adventure 2017/18 and I hope to conclude with one of my favourite moments. On our train from Berlin to Copenhagen we were forced out of our seats because we didn't know we had to reserve them and it was so packed! Each new stop there were more and more people getting on. We ended up crowded in the exit area by the toilets and luggages. I even lost my seat to a bloody bike which took priority over me. But I raise this incident here because I remembered how kind my SO was which certainly made my heart skip a beat. </div>
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He would volunteer to help an elderly woman onto the train. He would volunteer to help a mother of two take her stroller off the train. He would assist a girl to access a toilet. I've seen some of my friends do it too - be kind to strangers, and can I please say... no matter how ugly (in the superficial sense) a person in this world can be, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Roald Dahl knew it best:</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">“A person who has </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">good thoughts</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"> cannot </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">ever</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"> be </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">ugly</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">.</span><wbr style="background-color: white;"></wbr><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"> You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">good thoughts</span><span style="background-color: white;"><i> they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” </i>Kind thoughts won't touch everyone's hearts. Some may be too preoccupied with the superficiality to recognise kindness, but those are the people you don't need to worry about. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">No matter who you meet, be kind. It certainly brings meaning to your life. To know you walked this Earth and made someone's day brighter, that you made a difference no matter how big or small, that's something worth smiling for. This was one of the bigger lessons I had learned when becoming an entrepreneuer, to become successful you have to want to make your customers' lives happier. That should be the sole purpose of your business model.</span></span></div>
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Looking back at these photos, I feel it once more - that unexplanable feeling that took over me while I was in Copenhagen. The calm waters and crisp cold air definitely woke the soul up. I could sit here staring off into this clear view forever, with a hot drink in hand. I try to put the sensation into words but I do not believe it is possible. I mean, how do you describe the sensation of <i>love</i>?</div>
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And this concludes the Europe edition of The Faceless Style. And most likely concludes the fortnightly posts for a while as I will be busy working on <u><b><a href="http://christiaanandyork.com/">this</a></b></u>. The drop is soon (in the coming weeks)! And I am super excited! Hopefully, in between full-time work, love, family and entrepreneuring, I'll have some time to get back into some more editorial style photoshoots that I last posted back in December. Until then... <i style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">vi ses snart.</i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-47102007017466349272018-06-26T00:00:00.000+08:002018-06-26T00:00:05.661+08:00BERLIN: THE GREY CITY<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"She sees </i></div>
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<i>in black and white</i></div>
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<i>thinks in grey</i></div>
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<i>but loves in colour"</i></div>
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<i>- JmStorm</i></div>
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New Year's Eve spent in Berlin was the most extraordinary way to ring in the new year! Walking home after the epic main fireworks show at Brandenburger Tor, with continuous self-set fireworks left right and centre filling the sky with beautiful technicolour, was absolutely thrilling! It sounded like gunshots all around us, giving us a great sense of the historical World War II atmosphere that happened in this very path we treaded on as we made our way past the Reichstag, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people marching along with us. There was over a million visitors who celebrated the New Year's Eve countdown at Brandenburger Tor, one of Europe's biggest street parties!</div>
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The Berlin experience was definitely a memorable one. We stayed in a crazy Airbnb home owned by a German-American music producer from Phoenix who invited us into his home and asked me to sing in his recording studio (which I profusely turned down). On New Years night, after welcoming New Years at the Brandenburger Tor, we made our way back to the Airbnb situated in Gruneward, home to some extremely rich residents with mansions upon mansions. And there we found our Airbnb host with his Japanese girlfriend popping champagne and setting off fireworks on the streets. We joined the festivities as he so kindly offered and then proceeded to go into his home to make 3am tacos with his mother screaming, "Are you burning down the house?!" across from some faraway bedroom.<br />
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This Airbnb experience also consisted of cleaning up the place ourselves on the first night because the host had held a Christmas party the night before we arrived and had no time to clean up. There was poor WiFi and no hot water for the showers (we resorted to boiling hot water and pouring the kettle over our bodies in the showers). It was safe to say we reconsidered ever booking Airbnb again after this strange experience, and thank heavens our next destination was Copenhagen with a hotel. Nonetheless I was grateful for this experience because it revealed to me my partner's ability to adapt to situations without a complaint in sight. It was through this experience which solidified the fact that I was in fact finally dating a man.<br />
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Around 5 years ago, I did not know how to love, so I wrote down a question - "There are so many dimensions to a person. How is it possible to love someone for all that they are: appearances, personality, vibe, mind?". It was an extremely valid question, because look at ourselves, we are such complex people with so many versions of ourselves, all of which are very real and authentic. I am not the same crazy, stupid, wild, outspoken girl I am around family and my partner than when I am around colleagues and friends. Though colleagues and friends see a fair glimpse into this other side of me, none have seen the full extent of it. At home I am the most comfortable, kicking ass. I guess that explains why I'm dating a man who kicks my ass and let's me kick his. Now ain't that true love?<br />
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It also explains why it never worked out for all my past relationships. Though there were clear faults from each one of us, one major problem included my inability to feel comfortable around them. They all fell for soft, feminine, sweet girls. They saw that side of me because that's the authentic self that I am when around friends and colleagues, I am less outspoken, far less violent and a little less funny and crazy. But that is not the authentic side of me when I am around family. And when I am around my partner I would like to feel <i>home</i>. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Taylor Swift sings in 'Begin Again' about how <i>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I think it's strange that you think I'm funny 'cause he never did."</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> My partner laughs at me all the time, something <i>they </i>have never done. This is because I have never shown them that crazy stupid side of me before. Because their image of me is this well-composed girl which I never had the strength to disprove. I don't know why I have a different version of myself in the way I do, because I don't necessarily believe everyone has different versions like this. Many people are simpler and are the same around their friends as they are around family. Why I am like this, I have yet to comprehend for myself. However, I do feel these two versions of myself merging closer now that I feel comfortable showing this side of myself to more than just my family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">But honestly, heartbreak was the best and worst thing to have ever happened to me. Because it gave me the IDGAF strength to just be my ass-kicking self. Legit. Thai-kick-his-behind-whenever-we-are-together kind of relationship. I could never picture doing this to any of those I have dated in the past, nor could I picture them appreciating this side of myself. Because they were not violent. But I (and my partner) are. We bonded through Muay Thai and now both do Brazilian Jiujitsu. Hey, what more could you expect? </span></span></div>
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So, to be frank, I'm happy for them. That they've found someone who is comfortable around them. Someone they can love. Someone who is more of the girl than I truly am. And I wish them all the future happiness in the world because we all deserve to be loved.<br />
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<i>"You think they're all the same, but they're not. Some men won't run. I used to think they were all afraid of real life and of enduring the storms, but I was wrong. Some men won't run. Some are courageous enough to hold the umbrella so you don't get wet." </i>- Alfa. Thank you universe for bringing me a man who holds the umbrella for me when I get out of the car.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-12119523903668078632018-06-12T00:00:00.000+08:002018-06-12T22:38:49.852+08:00PRAGUE: THE GOLDEN CITY<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Never let the odds keep you </i><i>from doing what you</i><br />
<i> know in your heart </i><i>you were meant to do.<span style="font-family: inherit;">" </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>- <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; text-align: left;">H. Jackson Brown, Jr.</span></i></span></div>
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Prague, the Golden city. The perfect place to spend Christmas... surrounded by Christmas spirit and cheer: Christmas lights, trees, markets and my first gingerbread man (well... bear). My European edition of blogposts has finally reached Christmas, and it's already mid-year now. Why am I talking about Christmas in June? To think only 6 more months until Christmas 2018!<br />
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Forgive me but I feel like I need to take a breather this fortnight (more like right now, as I collate my thoughts). For a minute I felt so overwhelmed by the hectic past week (my <b><u><a href="https://christiaanandyork.com/">Christiaan & York</a></u></b> watches have been selling out<b> </b>- <b>OH! Just got another sale~</b>) that I had no clue where to draw inspiration from for this fortnight's article. I just hope I don't burn out. I'm always like this, an ambitious heart who takes on too much and then it reaches a point where I start turning things down and saying no, probably for the best. Health is most important.<br />
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The past few weekends I've been busy catching up with people every day, always up to something. But with the watch business picking up and full-time work fatigue accumulating, I took this weekend to wind down a little bit and sort life out - watches and blogging. I sit here now on a Sunday night on my bed, laptop on lap, looking at the sticky notes Blu-tacked onto the side of my table facing my bed: "Persevere", "Don't Quit!"... </div>
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As so much of my blogging is a journal of my life in areas of love, study and every other life-struggle related topic, I feel it is only right to document this. Because I would hope one day people will look at me and think that I've done the impossible, and rethink - it is possible, because I've done it. Started as a 22-year-old with a passion for creation, started her own business single-handedly and then it to turn into something incredibly huge. </div>
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I don't know what the future of <b><u><a href="https://christiaanandyork.com/">Christiaan & York</a></u></b> will be, but I've been getting sales every day for the past week. That is a HUGE milestone considering for the past year I've barely sold any at all. People ask me how is the watch business going? And slightly embarrassed I would simply reply: "Yeah good, slow but steady." Indeed it was slow, I would get no sales for months in between. And then one or two here and there. </div>
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I say steady because I was/am confident that no matter what, I would have learned a lot from this which would lead to a greater chance of success in my next business venture. I know not every first business venture is a success, I know this because I've seen it through my own father and older brother. But still I had so much passion for this idea, and I saw the potential, I was not ready to give up. And I am so glad I have not given up, because now I'm looking into the next step of introducing a new style of watches! And to slowly expand and grow the business further!</div>
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I really hope one day I can look back with a million/billion-dollar business and say that I started as a 22-year old girl with a vision and perseverance. Even if something happens and the end-point does not turn out to be a business in selling watches and maybe a business in something else instead, at least I can say I started <b>now</b>. </div>
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Every time someone new finds out about this side-project I've been investing my time in, and gets very excited and shocked, it feels like the first day all over again. I remember once again how crazy it sounds to be doing something like this. And same goes for every time I get a sale, that phone notification gives me a giant adrenaline rush every time! A euphoric sensation.</div>
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And there is still a long long way to go. But a start is a start, and I wish to keep my visions top secret for now. However, I would love all the support I can receive - whether that is a purchase of one of my watches, a word of mouth to your friends and family, or a simple follow on my <b><u><a href="https://christiaanandyork.com/">Christiaan & York</a></u></b> <b><u><a href="https://instagram.com/christiaanyork">Instagram</a></u></b> and <b><u><a href="https://business.facebook.com/christiaanyork/">Facebook </a></u></b>page. Any form of support is much appreciated! (<b>OH! And another sale~</b>)</div>
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On that note, I will now like to talk a bit about Prague before I conclude this fortnight's article. Maybe it's the 6 month gap, or maybe it just wasn't as amazing as the other cities I've adventured upon, but I don't have much recollection of this city. Seeing photos now I begin to remember the beautiful colourful buildings and the truly artistic 'Dancing House' and the giant spinning head of Kafka. Prague felt a bit like I was immersed in a story book, with a political backdrop - kind of like Animal Farm (where it's so beautiful and simple but look deeper and there's so much significance in everything). Prague was beautiful, don't get me wrong! </div>
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One of the most memorable moments was witnessing some amazing history such as the Jewish cemetery. The cemetery struggled with a lack of space over the centuries and since the Jews were not allowed to abolish old graves, sometimes it was necessary to add a new layer of soil on top. There are therefore places in the cemetery where there are as many as 12 layers which exist. With over 100,000 Jewish bodies buried below the medieval headstones, this explains why the cemetery is raised several meters higher than the surrounding streets. The gravestones are also very dense. It is fascinating to think many commemorate individuals who are buried several layers further down, below several other individuals. </div>
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We also witnessed the astronomical clock, known as one of the world's most overrated and underwhelming tourist attractions. First being the Mona Lisa, which I have still yet to visit Paris and see for myself (apparently because it is so small in person). However, to be fair, if you do go see the astronomical clock, go with a tour guide because he will explain the intricacies which makes it so much more fascinating. Legend has it that<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> the clockmaker Hanuš was blinded on the order of the Prague Councillors so that he could not repeat his work. He therefore disabled the clock and no one was able to repair it for the next hundred years. Like many of the tourist attractions in every other city, we often overlook how amazing something is. Appearances don't do anything justice, it is the history and facts behind everything that gives it that phenomenon value.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Same goes for people... we all have our stories...</i></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-16446101511281572772018-05-29T00:00:00.000+08:002018-05-29T23:11:45.735+08:00BUDAPEST: PEARL OF THE DANUBE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>"The trouble is, you think you have time."</i></div>
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<i>- Buddha</i></div>
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The beautiful river of the Danube flows elegantly through Budapest in the most grandeur manner. With Buda on the West and Pest on East of the river, there is modest competition between the locals as to which is the 'better side'. This was very reminiscent to Perth: North of the river vs South of the river. A constant friendly debate between my partner and I, who reside in different parts of the city.<br />
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My partner and I often have late-night strolls on the riverside of Perth however none in any city I have ever visited so far is comparable to the fairy-tale ambience of the Danube river in Budapest. The late-night strolls in this alluring city was the most enchanting experience. Cold crisp nights with lights glistening off the surface of the waters like diamonds. The night was sparkling. Hand in hand with my partner, I'd spend forever wondering if I would ever experience this calm euphoria feeling again. <i>Romantic was an understatement. It was flawless. </i><br />
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Budapest had a very ethereal feel at night with the city centre completely draped in pearly white Christmas lights everywhere. I would say Budapest was one of the top places that I loved except for the ridiculous price to pay when it comes to accessing a toilet (whether in shops or on streets). Toilets here were twice the price of the other places in Europe. 1 whole Euro instead of 0.50 Euros. For an Australian who does not need to pay for toilets when out in public, geez does spending money on toilets seem to add up!<br />
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Budapest, though beautiful from first glance, has a dark history lurking within. On our last day here we decided to pay a visit to the House of Terror museum. At first it sounded like a horror house of trivial fun, but do not overlook the significance of this place. Foreigners passing by, like us, would not have even looked twice at this light blue building on the corner of Andrassy Boulevard, next to all the other similar looking buildings. I guess like people, behind all their smiley faces and fun-loving personas, we all have hidden demons. </div>
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The House of Terror was my personal highlight of the Budapest experience as it had left me feeling completely different. This horrific museum is devoted to the evils of Hungary's totalitarian past and was once the headquarters for the secret police force of the country's fascist Arrow Cross party, installed by the Nazis towards the end of WWII. And the tragic part is even after the horror inflicted by the Arrow Cross, their end was just the beginning of the Soviet's terror. After the Soviet invasion, the building was taken over but was used for the same purposes: to torture and inflict terror. We entered and roamed around the three floors of this building, listening to stories of the tragic lives affected by this period, with photos, videos and real-life items such as clothing retained to remind us just how truly blessed we now are.<br />
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Seeing real life faces cry over real-life people and real-life tragedy had me so intensely immersed in this past world. An old man was videoed weeping over young men and boys who were hung for taking part in an uprising. However, nothing compared to the final part of this tour. We entered the lift, the doors closed eerily, and it began to move down at a suspiciously slow pace. All of a sudden the lights turned off. The screen behind us turned on and the man (videoed back in its time) began to talk... and to be honest, I was so overwhelmed at this point I could not remember what was spoken. What was yet to come <i>overshadowed the entire experience leading up to this very moment. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The doors opened. I walked out and found myself in this dark, cold underground dungeon. There were cells everywhere. One particular cell was smaller than a coffin: the "standing room only" cell. You did not need to have claustrophobia to imagine the fear this cell inflicted upon people. A tiny peephole was on the door, but other than that it would've been complete darkness. People put into this cell would not have been able to sit due to the size. And apparently </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #281e1e;">school children would take turns to push each other into this brutal "standing room only" cell.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #281e1e; font-family: "indy serif"; font-size: 19px;"> </span>Some were put into this for days and some even for weeks. Imagine being forced to stand in the cold dark for that insane period, and on top of that, all the other mental terror that's happening around you and to the people you love. The physical, psychological and mental torture.<br />
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In this underground there was also a room with a single gallows, with its rope just hanging there, staring back at me. I wasn't sure whether this very gallows was the one used to hang people back in the days but I did not dare enter the room. </div>
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The dark eeriness of this entire place left me feeling so different. So grateful yet so sad. Everything didn't matter in that moment. All those things in the past that had affected me, made me depressed, had become so trivial. But days, weeks and months have since passed by and this feeling disappeared, becoming forgotten. I became resubmerged into my own world, my own entitlements, my own desires. Not until something happened recently and this feeling resurfaced. <span style="color: #281e1e; font-family: "indy" serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 19px;"> </span></span></div>
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I must confess things have been really hard lately, and often it's difficult to put certain things into words when your world is suddenly flipped upside down, inside out and so heavy that you can barely breathe. Your world comes crashing down and it seems so far from reality, like a nightmare that you pray you would just wake up from. Please can I wake up. </div>
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To be honest, I'm still struggling to accept the news. My heart physically hurts for a loved one who has been forced to be brave and strong in the face of death, to be forced into such with no forewarning at all. You think you have so much time, until a doctor tells you, no, you only have a few weeks or months. How the hell are you supposed to come to terms with that. After all that has happened to you, all the tragedy, you think maybe life would look better soon. But no. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiMVwGTood552ouZieKmG3BKjIEItJn3zKwQS1KW3maHSlaHDCjbFcRZVHCO2sILGEKeaKL0jpPJXr-zWiXGgv2M-_DS__BsW61iyfLTJTqBVRH3ly0uRcFPz0ANY0h2N9sTZX7fpuHo/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiMVwGTood552ouZieKmG3BKjIEItJn3zKwQS1KW3maHSlaHDCjbFcRZVHCO2sILGEKeaKL0jpPJXr-zWiXGgv2M-_DS__BsW61iyfLTJTqBVRH3ly0uRcFPz0ANY0h2N9sTZX7fpuHo/s640/10.jpg" width="424" /></a>Times like these make you appreciate the smaller things so much more, and everything else just fades away. You stress so much over all these things but what is its worth without the health to enjoy it, or loved ones to share it with. We are so deluded to think that there is a tomorrow. And I say this in my posts so often, but now even I doubt whether it was just all talk for me. Because it still came at such a shock that someone could be living life with the anticipation of a tomorrow, of a next week, next year, next decade, and for that right to be <b>ruthlessly ripped away from you</b>. Life is short, that is not a clich<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">é</span></span>.<br />
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As Jesse Itzler says: Get the most out of life, be aware of our own mortality. Let that be what makes you tick. It doesn't have to be depressing. People talk about the importance of having a relationship with your friends and family, but no one talks about time. We should have a relationship with time as it is a key component of your life. You might only have 20 Summers left. Urgency kicks in and fear disappears. We won't even be here in 100 years so why not take that chance. You should focus on building a life resume, not just invest in your work resume. A life resume is a real indication of <i>who you are </i>and <i>what you are becoming</i>. And be aware of how much time and worry we spend on what is irrelevant: "What should I wear today, how should I get to the party tonight, should I taxi, uber or drive...?" It's exhausting. A lot of things are time-zappers. What is important to you? What isn't and is taking away those precious hours? <b>Simplify and prioritise</b>.<br />
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I hope you do not need to experience what I have had to experience for it to be a wake-up call that no, we don't have forever in this world. We might not even have next month. Life is so fragile, nothing is promised. Do what you can and do it now. It is not guaranteed that you will still be here next month nor is it guaranteed your loved ones (parents, partners, siblings, friends) will be here. Spoil your loved ones when you still have the chance, <i>while it's not too late...</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8635796040503056384.post-77935085467452592052018-05-15T00:00:00.000+08:002018-05-16T01:37:43.747+08:00VIENNA: THE IMPERIAL CITY<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"What is to give light must endure burning."</i></div>
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<i>- Victor Frankl</i></div>
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Europe was 5 months ago, I know... and I haven't even uploaded photos of Vienna yet, which is only halfway through my European escapade. Nonetheless, let's get this done! Vienna, Austria, known as the Imperial City is so immensely grand and beautiful when it comes to the excitement of Christmas. Could you believe there was not a single Christmas market in Rome when we were there a fortnight before Christmas? Vienna held the most amazing Christmas markets I have ever experienced, surpassing those of Amsterdam, Belgium and Italy. <b>Christmas markets. At. Every. Square.</b> <b>Possible.</b><br />
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<a name='more'></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4asohyphenhyphenJ_aQmtt8j7ppr7WvKhrnXQdpFdXIs7DiDk_5U85lknV-dG6mEc2lq7CZSG-NW8jCwU8_EdEWR46irBk4r0hVS_ewkfaZVE9dmE_Wbiu5-XeUHTScRffRBh5Bfb5-Q4z7mXWHX4/s1600/14.jpg" style="text-align: center;" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq7IwR-XCzU0ggA55p8XIKaVTjyreYrBXrYSvrQHSOQ42LH17q3xJWqpO7_FNmg4NMjaibOUmkce8M_b-4qYdY3Lo8iV3rQ9CORX_dd0moOd4s2xJloD5kP2R6Khv5m5yEW5RIz7Ykuk/s1600/20171219_131658000_iOS.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq7IwR-XCzU0ggA55p8XIKaVTjyreYrBXrYSvrQHSOQ42LH17q3xJWqpO7_FNmg4NMjaibOUmkce8M_b-4qYdY3Lo8iV3rQ9CORX_dd0moOd4s2xJloD5kP2R6Khv5m5yEW5RIz7Ykuk/s400/20171219_131658000_iOS.png" style="cursor: move;" width="317" /></a>As much as I loved how advanced everything was in Vienna compared to the other cities I had visited so far (with their train system being so easy to use, WiFi almost everywhere unlike many of the other cities, and the roads being very smooth and generally very clean...), their ATMs are an utter catastrophe here. They don't take card in a majority of the restaurants and cafes. So if you were like us, first day in Vienna on a Sunday, you will find yourself in an Amazing Race style adventure trying to locate an ATM that is open just so you can pay for that meal you just ate (and left your girlfriend in, anxiously wondering where the heck you are).<br />
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For those planning to visit Vienna in the future, take note of the following great freebies:<br />
- Free organ orchestras at 3pm every Monday to Friday at the beautiful (but not as beautiful as Rome, sorry) Peterskirche i.e. St Peter's Church.<br />
- Free entrance into Schonbon Palace garden (inside tour isn't free), an amazing getaway from the city centre with such a beautiful garden even in Winter.<br />
- The most beautiful Christmas market in the whole wide world at Rathausplatz (if you plan to go for the Christmas period), they even have one of the largest outdoor ice skating rinks.<br />
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Vienna is a very beautiful city drapped in stunning lights at night. We wandered around the city aimlessly and endlessly on our final night and it felt so... <i>liberating</i>. There is an unspoken beauty in being able to be completely and utterly present in a moment and to speak about anything and everything with no grasp of time. I can still remember the quiet night, cold crisp air, and the dripping lights throughout the city streets. Vienna is surprisingly advanced despite the older appearance of the city portrayed by the beautiful architecture and history.</div>
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Now time for something more reflective which I always love to include into every post. As what is the interest in reading about someone else's holiday, one that you did not have the pleasure of experiencing firsthand? To be frank, I post these photos on this blog for the sake of safekeeping these memories for myself. </div>
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Discussion for this fortnight's post? It's 12:00am and it's time to talk real deep topics. What's deeper than the satisfaction of life? Are you ready to hear this?<br />
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Sometimes I have these really intense 'awakened' moments where I realise, like <b>truly </b>realise, that one day we will be dead. Yes, dark. That every thought in our brain right now will no longer exist, we won't be thinking. You won't be able to control the motions of your very fingertips. You won't <i>feel </i>anything. You won't be seeing anything through these eyes anymore except darkness. And before we proceed to have anyone jump in with religious talk, like "it won't be darkness", let's just settle with the fact that at least the first moments of death will be dark. And yes, these thoughts of mine are so morbid. Sometimes they scare me even. But they reinforce the need to act <b>now</b>,<b> </b>and to act with <b>clear purpose</b>.<br />
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Time is so damn precious we cannot afford wasting them away. I found my SO reading this book today called "Man's Search for Meaning" by psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl. Frankl was born in Vienna and earned a Ph.D in Vienna (how coincidentally fitting for this post). He was also a lecturer at Harvard. However, what's most amazing about Frankl is that he labored in four different concentration camps between 1942 and 1945, including Auschwitz. In this book he talks about his theory: logo-therapy. <i>Logos </i>is Greek for 'meaning'. Frankl's theory is that our primary drive in life is not pleasure but the <b>discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful</b>. "Man's Search for Meaning" inspires us all to find signifiance in the very act of living...</div>
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Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. And I guess this is exactly what <i>The Faceless Style </i>is for me, it is <i>my </i>meaning. It is where I am able to reflect on my suffering amongst everything else and extract meaning. Every mistake, every burdern, every hardship... I will twirl into some beautifully tragic fate. That it was meant to happen, the exact way that it has happened, and the meaning behind it is always in building strength and resilience. And then the purpose? To inspire others who endure hardship to be able to build the same strength and resilience, to conquer anything that life throws them.<br />
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And now dare I ask, in where lies your meaning?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0