Little Shots at Happiness

Do you sometimes forget to be happy, or forgetting to laugh or smile at something that might seem trivial or even frivolous?

Here are some things that had me smiling and counting my blessings, however small they are.

• Going on vacation (on a 'resilience' package)
  

The good thing that comes out from recession is LOW COST FLIGHTS!!!

Case in point- Tokyo flight tics at $698, incl. taxes and surcharges! On SQ no less. And how about chancing upon a fantastic deal online? Finding studio apartment accommodation (from Ascott hor, don't play) in the heart of Shinjuku at 'introductory' prices cos' it is opening just 2 days before we arrive. So for a swanky apartment with kitchen, living room and all, it comes up to only $140+ (per apartment) a night (if you think that's still exp, we are talking about Tokyo, mind you).

• Online shopping and selling
  

I recently started my very own Boho Boutique online and have since garnered favourable results. The joy of sealing a deal is well…happiness! These are 2^nd hand clothes but the thought of somebody willing to buy them is just great, cos' its cash for something you don't need right?

And ASOS.com- g.o.d.s.e.n.d

• Running
  

I should be keeping up with it, thou I admit I get lazy. But the run near my neighbourhood really perks me up at the end of it- the sunset, wind blowing in face…plus it is really is great to sweat it out. I enjoy the feeling of being able to get off my arse, go running and feel rejuvenated at the end of it.

 

What about you? Share!

More Resolutions

Can I be greedy and add 2 more resolutions?
I vow to fulfill them! Promise!

- Lose weight, firm up! Firm up my jelly arms or lose them. I hate the flab.
- Get a Chanel 2.55 by this year in Europe.

That said, I am really really excited about seeing my foreign friends (and local friends in Europe) this year- especially Myrna and Ikumi. I am coming!

Tis the season to shop!

Once upon a time, I was a cynic when it comes to online shopping. Now, I am a convert.

Am pleasantly surprised at the dollars you can save, the ease of transaction and not having to jostle with the maddening crowds in Orchard Road- erh, recession? What recession?

Here are a few cute places. (p.s: new category: shopping!)

www.endless.com

FREE overnight shipping within U.S! This is the place I shop for ninewest shoes. Prices are chopped to half the price (even with vpost shipping). Best to check out the designs first and your sizes at the local stores.

www.jestelkg.com

Birkie fans will have me to thank! Typically you need to choke up orders with friends to secure free international shipping to here, but nope! Even if you are buying just that one pair, they ship to your house here absolutely free of charge. The downside, it takes about one month, but worth the wait.

www.katespade.com

Am not a huge fan, but besides being relatively cheaper in the states, they offer time to time, good bargains! Currently I think they are having 30% off everything. Nice.

I admit being the techno geek that I am, I was freaked out by the concept of vpost- shipping from US addresses to Singapore. But it really is quite simple. Just email your invoice over to them and all is being taken charge of.

Easy Peasy!

Run for a Cause

So everyone's running for a cause these days.

First, it was for Terry Fox. Next up, the very important event on the Uniquely Singaporean calendar called the Singapore Marathon, and then you have truckloads of smelly army fellas sweating it out at the Army Half Marathon, then near-menopausal women at the Anlene Orchard Mile. Not to mention Great Eastern Women 10k, Shape Run, Adidas Sundown, Nike Human Race and the list goes on….

But seriously nothing as bizarre as this, a run dedicated to…Ah Meng.

http://sweetestgift.typepad.com/sweetestgift/2008/12/first-safari-zoo-run-2009-in-memory-of-ah-meng.html

Is this a desperate stunt at publicity? And honestly, at the risk of sounding heartless, isn't there something out there where people can fare so much better? Such as taking part in Acres to aid in the conservation of wild animals, or SPCA, to help abused pets, much more meaningful causes?

First the media circus surrounding the 'funeral' of Ah Meng, then this? Hey spare the dead animal and let her R.I.P.

So what next? Maybe:

• Run in memory of (insert animal).
  
• Run in petition against retrenchments/pay cuts/pay freezes/ERP charges


• Run to reduce incidences of teen sex and teen VD (as they will be running, not having sex, get the point?)


• Run to raise money for shopping during festive seasons


• Run to raise funds to save financial institutions from collapsing

Up for it?

Looking Back

Tis' the season to be jolly and…reflective.

Remember this post 'Retrospective' , where I listed down the 'to-dos' for the year of 2008.

Let's take a look back.

1. I am going to stay fit, by going back into working out.
   

My weak wrist did stop me from returning to yoga, but hey I did at least discover the joy to running, something I totally detested in the past and participated in the Stan Chart Run, even if it was just for 10km and to discover the gratification to running around my estate at night, when the sun is down.

1. I am cutting back on caffeine. Moderation is the word.
   

I think I am doing ok. One cuppa a day keeps the blues away.

1. I am taking things easy and relaking more. Life's too short.
   

Ok too, I have learnt not to take things too seriously or personally.

1. I will be Happy.
   

I am happy to land in a company, thou it may not be perfect, that gives me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. As for other areas, I am learning.

So for 2009, here is my list.

1. Thou' shall travel to Prague, Amsterdam, Italy, Japan and Cambodia.
   
2. Thou' shall travel alone for at least one trip.
   
3. Thou' shall refresh my Italian.
   
4. Thou' shall continue to build up my stamina and if my wrist allows, go back to yoga.
   
5. Thou' shall Go outlet-shopping (as frivolous as it sounds I know).
   
6. Thou' shall reduce clutter in my life.
   

And thou' wishes all merry holidays!

 

Oven not ready. Yet.

Hello, I am bad-tempered and lazy. I never make my bed just cos' I don't see the reason to, dislike showering in the morning as I would rather sleep in, enjoy throwing diva fits, does zero housework and love spending money. The bf said 'Motherhood will change you'. It will make me more responsible, less prissy.

Oh did I mention my biological clock is not ticking just yet? I am at the stage where people ask me when I am getting hitched and pregnant, blah blah, if not, you will be too old to give birth etc etc. How can pregnancy and having babies be enticing if I see my colleague having to pump milk in the office every 5 hrs and has to miss out on outings or overseas work assignments? Or another colleague whose face swelled and her nose became twice the normal size? Or hearing kids compare about where their parents take them for holidays or even which flight class they take?

The thing is, I am selfish. Till my oven is ready, I want to remain pretty, slim and be ready to head out to town as and when I feel like it. And I am not afraid to admit it. Well, at least I won't be an irresponsible parent by having kids unprepared and unready.

Not to say I will never have kids. If I know my kid/s will grow up in a good, nurturing environment (read: not Singapore), then I would go through the trouble of getting knocked up. But for now, I just want my sleep marathons without waking up at godforsaken hours.

I turned 29!!!

I actually don't see all that rambling about going on 29, blah blah blah,'I am getting so old, life's over' that sorta shit, because strangely the more mature I get (rather than 'older'), I find myself wanting to experience new things, going new places, making more friends etc, which strangely didn't quite come through when I was younger. Know what I mean? I am 29 going on 25!

So anyway, I had a blast this birthday. We went to Koh Samui for a getaway, MUCH needed since get this, I haven't gotten a day's leave since starting work in May! Anyway Samui was awesome, with a capital A. No Singaporeans, no pesky kids. What we have are- cheap beers and cigs, excellent food, great pool/sea views from our villa, warm (and some giggly) locals.

Many other highlights ie.

- Launching a huge lantern into the sky

- Getting a rub-down in the hills

- Baby licking c*** -one of the phallic stones you find at the beach. Classic shot.

- Resort folks surprising me with a cake that was a blast from the past on my birthday

- Our beach/pool view villa

Yeah we are coming back.