Reality = Life - Dreams

I dreamed a dream

2010-07-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

I was just reminiscing an old program called "Britain's Got Talent" on how Susan Boyle shot to fame, from a seemingly "Plain-Jane" to a singing Diva.

Her first some that gripped Britain's heart gripped mine. My eyes welled up, and remembered my conversation with my friend.

This song she sang is from the musical "Les Miserables", perhaps best sang by Elaine Paige.

Some give up their dreams ... Some choose to live it

2010-07-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

While slowly rotting away at home in front of my prized possession (my lappy), I managed to catch up with a friend whom I've not spoken to for some time.

She's living it up with her beau, both has big aspirations and are working hard towards meeting their goals, and hey, they ARE doing it.

I'm really happy for her as she plans ahead of time, even as a young adult, she's already managing her own little business before heading to uni. Financially free, unlike myself, she sets goals and targets for herself, and I would say that she is living her dream (or rather, she's living her REALITY).

Some chose to give up, from having big aspirations to make it as a self-employed, but later decides to go back to being employed.

Me? I chose to put it on hold. Like leaving it on a table somewhere, and where I can see it, and think about it, not putting it out of sight, out of mind.

Torture? Yes, although it's no excuse being in small debt which I believe good debts make you work harder if you're on your own.

She told me about the 10000hour rule, which I remembered I had heard before.

I'm multi-tasking with the TV on, with my fav channel Animax. The show brings in various bands who sang for the various anime we loved so much. It's amazing the number of bands sprouting up in Japan. Some really CANNOT sing, YET! they are singing their songs on stage in their interesting costumes (like cosplay but not too exaggerating) in front of so many fans (THEY HAVE FANS TOO!)

Amazing...

What am I going to do with my dreams? Hey, nobody's perfect. I'll just finish up this post and carry on with my life ...

Out of sight, out of mind ...

2010-06-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

It is strange, this saying, "out of sight, out of mind", really true to it's word, I'd say. Anything that is left undone, once forgotten, stays forgotten.

Is this a sign of old age? Arrgghh!! I shudder at the thought of it.

Gotta start jotting down points to remember soon.

Like e-mails .. once there are too many stacked up, the bottom one will stay at the bottom. Hilarious isn't it.

Like this blog, got too busy, and forgot about it :( Gonna continue my life's journal again!

"Running Away" by Midnight Hour

2009-11-26T07:12:00.000-08:00

"Running Away" by Midnight Hour

This is an AWESOME song... so much soul and so much sadness ... but it reaches deep inside and pulling the heart strings. Sometimes I do feel like that, to run away and leave everything behind. Listen to the lyrics...

Don't lie and say that it's OK.
It's alright here, there's nothing more to say.
So I'm running away.
I'm leaving this place.
Yeah, I'm running away.
I'm running away.

Don't tell me I'm the one to blame.
It's too late for you to make me stay.
No, I won't stay.
So I'm running away.
I'm leaving this place.
Yeah, I'm running away.
I'm running away.

And faster than you can follow me from this lonely place.
And farther than you can find me, I'm leaving
Yeah I'm leaving today.
And I, I'll never let you find me.
I'm leaving you behind with the past
No, I won't look back.
And I don't want to hear your reasons.
Don't want to hear you tell me why I should stay.

And try, and try to understand me
And try to understand what I say when I say I can't stay
I, I'm moving on from this place
I'm leaving and I won't quit running away.

I'm running away.
I'm leaving this place.
Yeah, I'm running away.
I'm running away.

Make haste, but not speed...

2009-10-05T07:54:00.000-07:00

But patience is a virtue I don't have.

Heard a wonderful sermon on Sunday, not that there's any sermon that has not been wonderful, but this week's one really spoke to me.

It was about Nehemiah, a man who dares to weep, who can wait for God to action, and who works for the people despite his position as a cup-bearer (direct reporting line to the king, of course, he has to be the "guinea pig").

This teaches us not to be impatient and work / do things ahead of God even though He has show us the way or granted us what we prayed for.

A lot of times, we pray to ask for directions, purpose in life, ask for blessings, but we fail to do one thing above all, to exhalt Him, and thank him for the wonderful things that He has given.

My friend told me today that I'm looking a bit different from previous times that she had seen me. She said that I looked more relaxed and less stress. That may have been it. I've finally gone to church to make things right with my God, confessing and letting Him lead the way.

He has shown me that without patience, my efforts will not bear fruits. I was telling my friends today that just when I had accepted a new job offer, my property sale bore fruit. Well, I didn't wait. The fortune teller lady had already told me, three times she said, "In your line you have to be patient, the money will definitely come in."

"Hey, what is this?", you may think. "You believe in God, but you went to read your fortune??"

Yes, I'm a bad girl. Have been, and always will be. I am impatient and want to know things ahead of my time.

Once again, patience is not one of my virtues.

Wonderful, Marvelous!

2009-09-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

It seemed that I had over-done it ... maybe "over-sold" myself. I was hoping that the future employers will not view me as being over-confident or over-zealous, but it turned out to be ok for me :D. Was quite happy that I had landed the job, although the pay is FAR below my old job, but then, my old job sucked big time though I loved to work with my colleagues.

Right now, let me clear my outstanding debts, refresh my bank account and also CPF, and start afresh! Then, I can truly be financially free!

The light at the end of the tunnel is visible again ...

Just for thoughts...

Have I Lost My Corporate Sparkle?

2009-09-21T22:54:00.000-07:00

The interview date has been re-arranged to Wednesday, September 23rd instead. Dang! I've actually cleared my Tuesday for this, now I'm here typing and enjoying the cool, wet Tuesday, rain wet (hey! naughty naughty!).

I've been up early, but lazed in bed till some calls and SMSes woke me up. I had SWORN the night before to get up early (again, early is a relative word) to get some "work" done, like filling out claim forms for client, look through their bills, reply to my "boss" that I'm giving him the sack since he's forcing me to a roadshow again with "your attendence is REQUIRED" (actually he has good intentions, I hope). Not forgetting putting listings together, follow up with clients, AND IMPORTANTLY, prepare for my interview tomorrow.

It's been, what, almost 8 months since I left the corporate world. I am wondering, have I lost my corporate sparkle? I was doing well in my previous company, and they did make drastic (ok, I'm exaggerating) changes after I'm gone, and my former boss did receive a warning from the no.1 man in Asia.

I wonder if this "self-employed" life has made me soft. You see, there are no real political arena in this self-employed world. The only gossips within your own clique are those colleagues who had notoriously appeared on YouTube. Other than that, it's "hey, where should we hang out today?", "which client are you meeting today? have you prepared?" or "which listings are you working on?"

Not that I have gave up on my interests in Financial Planning or anything, but for an undisciplined person like myself, I need a fixed job to keep disciplined. What I had gone through, I had disciplined myself financially (sort of). I think I can bring these good financial habits to the workplace, and KEEP IT.

Let me shine!

Teardrop by Massive Attack (Mezzanine)

2009-09-20T06:16:00.000-07:00

This is a moving song which I had loved for a long time... a little bit dark, eerie and a little bit of goth there, but it does get one thinking.. what this clip means, go figure. This is a great triphop piece.

Teardrop by Massive Attack (Album: Mezzanine)

Love, love is a verb

Love is a doing word
Feathers on my breath

Gentle impulsion
Shakes me, makes me lighter
Feathers on my breath

Teardrop on a fire
Feathers on my breath

Water is my eye
Most faithful mirror
Feathers on my breath

Teardrop on the fire
Of a confession
Feathers on my breath

Most faithful mirror
Feathers on my breath
Teardrop on the fire
Feathers on my breath

Ooh ooh ooh

You're stumbling in the dark
Stumbling in the dark

Ooh ooh ooh

I WANNA LEARN TO PLAY THE CELLO!

2009-09-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

Yo Yo Ma inspires me ... I don't care about other people's reviews on him, especially those coming from non-musical background. He inspired me to learn string instruments.

I've been a bad girl. Well, actually, not bad. Just one who could not follow through. Like in golf, your follow through is important for accuracy. I've learnt a few lessons of the violin, and I stopped.

Not that I gave up, but I did not have the time previously. Was working literally round the clock, clocking more than 12 hours a day's worth of work. When I quit the shipping line and came out to be a self-employed person (twice), I have to control my spending, so I had to stop my bank account from "bleeding" out.

Why the sudden interest?

I had thrown myself out of the rat race, into my own world where I have to scrape and save every penny now, living almost to the bare minimum (except those lazy times where I still took taxi rides :P). Time is a double-edged sword, someone had said to me. But I begin to realise my own self existence, and I want to experience the thrills life has to offer.

Life is just fleeting by, every milli-second, and life deserved to be treasured, like time.

I want to learn as many things as possible, as many languages as I possibly can, as many cultures as my mind can take, before life passes me by.

Ah! New Opportunities Will Come!

2009-09-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Started with an early day ... well, earlier than USUAL, that is. Had a nice breakfast at Suntec's Coffee Bean, and lingered there for a while, waiting for the training seminar to begin.

My friend texted me on my mobile phone, saying that her company's HR personnel will give me a call today.

Yippee! my heart screamed with delight. I had sent her my resume to get a referral for a post her company had.

"Get me a foot at the door", I had asked of her, "And I will do the rest. I know how to market myself." Actually, I will be selling myself. Don't we all!

----------------------------

Anticipation ....

The CALL came. A very nice young lady spoke with me for a while, asking politely to have a short discussion with me.

Hmm... She was concerned that the work place is a tad far from where I lived. No worries, with the NEL, shouldn't take too long to get there.

"Great!" she says, "I shall now schedule you for a Tuesday appointment, will that be ok for you?"

Sure! I'll keep my day free! YIIPPEE!!

Not that I hate my current jobs, but I REALLY need some new funds in my CPF and bank account.

Let's pray for the best!

Life Fleeting By

2009-09-13T00:46:00.000-07:00

Time Lost, and "Found" Again
------------------------------

As I'm typing this, each millisecond of my life is fleeting by, like the flowing of water from a faucet. Time cannot be reversed, what time one had lost cannot be regained, but what experiences one had gained cannot be lost.

How about looking at it this way. What time one had "gained" has translated into opportunities, chances and solutions.

"Huh?"

Yes, had a friend who had to settle a sum of income tax with IRAS for the previous year, but she was out of job at that time. The tax manager then worked out a monthly repayment plan for her so that she could settle her income tax eventually, instead of paying one lump sum. Time "gained" that had translated into a solution for her.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fun Times
----------------

All the fun times, the good, the bad, the ugly, they are all now just glimpses of the past. Fond memories of yester-years stay ... but fond memories.

What have one to look forward to?

For some individuals, they have exciting lives, living everyday as if it were their last. Some live for the future, carefully crafting their path to get to a place of fulfillment in the future.

Some, however, likes to live in the past, where they feel secure, not having to face the now-reality of life, always telling others, " When I was young ...", or, "In the past, women ... " (I'll just leave that as that.

Look around, you'll see many listless people walking around, going about their lives, wondering where has time gone too, or what they have to look forward to in the future.

You'll see a lot of people still living in their past. Not THE PAST, but THEIR PAST. Still in their own world, wondering what happened to the world they once knew. Wrong... wondering what happened to the SINGAPORE they once knew. Those who know not what is happening outside their little neighbourhood. Living day to day,waiting for journey's end.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Opportunities
-------------------

It is funny how when one has hit rock bottom, that one finally "opens" one's eyes. My eyes were shut to opportunities in the past when I had a "normal" job. The day I had decided to throw in the towel, I guess I could say that my "radar" began to scan a wider range.

Through and through, I have experienced that when one door shuts, either a window or another door opens.

Now being in the category of "self-employed" (the "S" quadrant, as according to R.Kiyosaki's Cashflow Quadrant model), my perception of work, life and money changed drastically. I guess I had jumped into it without preparation for what might come. I had always compared going into self-employment to jumping into the large blue ocean, not knowing where to swim, what's lurking in the waters, and when I might find land. Same script I ran through and through when people asked me what is it like coming out of my comfort zone.

At least almost 8 months after I quit from a normal job (actually there was nothing normal about my old job), I can tell people that my eyes had been opened to opportunities, and I see it at every corner.

Was sort of lamenting to a gal friend that whenever I want to quit the *peep* industry, new business will come in. "Hey, but this will not always happen, okay!"

Okay, okay, I get it.

Through another chat with a gal friend (I have more gal friends than guy friend!), a new job opportunity came up, and this was just a day after my aunty called me, ALSO with another job opening.

Well, all roads lead to Rome, just need to choose one that pays better, and provides better benefits in the long run!

Pray... And the Answer Will Come In Due Time

2009-09-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

I have been at crossroads in my life before, but never had I been so vexed. Pissed at the world, at work, and why good things do not come at my door. Hated the regimental company, and looking desperately for a solution.

Go or stay ... Go, I finally decided. Go to another company in similar line ... Go find. Had spoken to my acquaintance to help me on this, but I'll quit first.

Help my dad's friend? What am I waiting for? But I still have to fork out some money! *sigh*

It's not like I have no job, but I have to find new sources of income and leads. It's my own business, and I have to manage this. My husband is not going to support me financially you know, I still have to find income to settle my bills.

Spoke to my dad, and a friend, finally it all became clear what steps I can take now to alleviate myself from these frustrations.

Pray for guidance. God has answered. Go do it.

千年之恋 - 信乐团

2009-09-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

Love this song ...

谁在悬崖沏一壶茶
温热前世的牵挂
而我在调整千年的时差
爱恨全喝下
岁月在岩石上敲打
我又留长了头发
耐心等待海岸线的变化
大雨就要下
风狠狠的刮
谁在害怕
海风一直眷恋着沙
你却错过我的年华
错过我新长的枝丫
和我的白发

蝴蝶依旧狂恋着花
错过我转世的脸颊
你还爱我吗
我等你一句话

一生行走望断天崖
最远不过是晚霞
而你今生又在哪户人家
欲语泪先下
沙滩上消失的浪花
让我慢慢想起家
曾经许下的永远又在哪
总是放不下
啊轮回的记忆在风化
我将它牢牢记下

Kitaro ... wonderful new age music ...

2009-08-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

I've always loved new age music since young. Have been listening to Kitaro all my life. It all started with his "Silk Road" music which I had heard while watching the Silk Road documentary .. BEAUTIFUL!

Every note and tune touches the soul, and one feels refreshed from within. Below are only a few of his wonderful collection. Still, I'll never forget the Silk Road.

When I've earned enough for this trip, I'd want to visit the Silk Road trail.

"It won't happen to me" ... so he/she says ...

2009-07-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

A lot of people believe that unforeseen forces are on their side, believing nothing will happen to them, nothing bad that is. It just happens to everyone else.

People hear "horror" stories every other day, but they do nothing for themselves. Horror stories like so-amd-so's cousin contracting breast/ lung/ liver cancer; a friend's friend got into an accident; someone's son got killed in an accident. C'est la vie!

People will just pass on the story from "so did you hear so and so contracted cancer..." to "so what's good to eat here!".

People view life like a take in the movie:

1) Hero never gets hurt despite all the violent fighting.
2) Hero gets hurt, ends up in hospital, and gets discharged the next day. No worries about hospital bills.

I see an accident almost everyday, not necessary fatal. Road accidents on highways or small roads, children falling and getting hurt.

How about airplane crashes?

Terrorists attacks?

H1N1 flu?

Accidents (along with poisoning and violence) is the top condition for hospitalisation in 2007.

However, people around me are still not taking their well-being seriously, and managing their risks, and I'm disappointed with friends who are such.

Someone had taught me something, and I'm going to apply this. From now on, I'm going to print declaration forms that discharges me from all responsibilities as an agent who had provided advice ,even as a friend, should anything happen to them, and get them to sign it.

YES!

Yann Tiersen's Rue de Cascades

2009-07-06T05:47:00.000-07:00

Where Art Thou, My Light at the End of the Tunnel

2009-07-06T04:43:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little lost... had a mixed (good/bad) week last week. Started off pretty bad, ended a little better. Just couldn't close a sale .. Damn! It's there at the tip, just couldn't quite finish it. Pondering over the whole process to see what went wrong, analysing ... analysing...

Went for a good motivational talk, they're all the same... except this one has products such as organiser, filing system... etc.

The bottom line is ... ORGANISE ORGANISE ORGANISE!

Surrounding...

Work procedure...

Mental aspects...

Perhaps this could be the reason.

VISUALISE VISUALISE VISUALISE!

Visualise the closing! Yes, yes, I know all these... Then what happened??

Hmm... Too focused on the details, not seeing the big picture!

"Look up, Lift up" our Alma Mater's motto. I have lost focused. Or rather, priority.

Need to look back to God for direction.

Music for my soul, spa for my ears

2009-06-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

My friends asked me if I wanted to go to a couple of piano recitals at the Victoria Concert Hall, I jumped at the chance.

Wow, I've not been to a piano recital in YEARS! I thought to myself.

My parents (actually it's my mum) has been bringing my brother and I to SSO concerts, piano recitals and other classical music performances for as long as I can remember. Reason being I was learning classical piano, and my mum wanted to soak me in the classical music environment.

However, after we have all grown up, we've only attended these once in a long while, and they're mainly the Christmas concerts.

The first one I've attended this year is on 25th June, performing pianist is Vladimir Feltsman, the pieces that he played are:

Johann Sebastian Bach's "Parita No.1 in B-flat major, BWV. 825"
Frederic Chopin's "Two Polonaises, Op. 26 (No.1 in C-sharp minor; No.2 in E-flat minor)", and "Ballade No.3 in A-flat major, Op.47."
Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition"

Vladimir is a spirited pianist, with strong, masculine interpretation of the artists' works. Chopin's works showed strong, loud nationalistic flavours through and through.

His interpretation of Mussorgsky's works were AMAZING ... Mussorgsky composed based on the inspiration of his close friend's picture, whom has passed on prematurely, you can vividly imagine the 10 different Victor Hartmann's pictures coming to life.

The second pianist we had the pleasure of ogling at ... oops listening to is Yevgeny Sudbin. Watching him play was mesmerizing... was whispering to my friends how he seemed like Twilight's Edward Cullen at the piano... AAahhh... listening to him is like having a spa for the ear drums ... or sipping a nice dry, smooth white wine. His playing is very smooth, for certain pieces you would have thought the keys were gently caressed and stroked by his expert hands.

Yet, he could also deliver quick strong pieces. The whole musical journey has it's crescendo and descrendo moments ... lay me down gently, Yevgeny.

Life as it comes at you!

2009-06-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

It has been some busy weeks for me, had been a little slack before, suddenly the different little projects are all coming in together at once! Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining... well... better to be busy than to be slacking as a person in the "S" quadrant!

Love the thought of being here and there, busy as a little bee buzzing around Singapore, appointments after appoitments, still finding time to catch up with friends and a former colleague from overseas! Wow!

Not sure if I'm able to handle life as it comes at me, will take it one at a time though.

And now, getting ready to get a NEW LAPPY! YEAH!

Financial / Wealth Seminars and Talks

2009-05-31T05:39:00.000-07:00

Attended a 3 full day seminar by Robert Kiyosaki and his "Rich Dad" team. Of course, like what everyone will tell you, "He can say this now because he's rich!"

Wealth seminars about finding your financial freedom makes the speaker rich. This is where they earn from. Some found their "calling" to start teaching the world their methods, others exploit. Are the attendees truly rich or had found a light at the end of the tunnel for themselves? There are people who attend such talks every year, but never made it great.

WHY?

These people love to attend "feel-good" seminars, get motivated, and get hyped up and vow to take on the world, but at the end of one, they leave the hall, though refreshed, everything goes back to normal once they hit the sack.

Of course, the path to wealth and richness is not for everyone, only 1% truly made it. I take in everything with a pinch of salt, but importantly, I MUST learn something by the end of such seminars.

What have I learnt? How to be a multi-millionaire? No... How to own and run a business? No...

How to take charge of my financial health? YES!!

This talk has truly opened my eyes on my current situation in life, and how to manage my own financial well-being first.

Being armed with financial freedom does not mean you have to be RICH! It also means being rich spiritually, mentally and physically. Having financial freedom means your expenses are not exceeding your incoming cashflow, you do not have to live below your means, and STILL lead a comfortable life. This is being RICH in YOUR standards.

Ask the typical man off the streets, what is their networth, they won't be able to tell you. This is because most people live hand to mouth every month. Their only asset is probably the roof over their heads, but then, if you're slogging and paying off your housing loan, how can your house be called an asset? In this case, millions of people has a heavier liability weighing off their balance sheet.

The typical man off the streets are caught in a "lemming" mentality, just follow, not just the law, but many things, like rushing for the same things EVERYONE goes for. Aunty tells you, "Ah Ger, my neighbour's daughter's friend's sister's cousin says XXX stock going up, CAN BUY! Aunty bought ONE share liao! Listen to Aunty, good buy!"

Chances are the prices has already went way up, by the time the news came to the aunty already".

What about the timeshare scam... i mean scheme? Reports showed people are getting burnt, over and over, but lesson has still not been learnt.

Robert Kiyosaki taught EDUCATION gives the power to process the meaning of INFORMATION. Which is what the common people lack.

READ, DECIPHER, DIGEST INFORMATION, RESEARCH before taking the plunge.

Just something to share ...

Get inspired ... http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Seen today

2009-05-25T05:04:00.000-07:00

Seen today ...

Was eating by the poolside cafe with my hubby and some friends, suddenly we heard a "HEEEhhhhmm.... *gargle gargle* ... HEEhmm.... *gargle gargle*" crescendo and decrescendo in the waters. Ran to the side fence to take a look (in other words, kaypoh), it was actually a WOMAN struggling, but she was holding on to a guy, but during her struggle, she kept pushing the guy into the water. The guy was in more trouble than the lady!

Saw the lifeguard darted half around the pool to their aid (shouldn't he have jumped into the pool and swam over?)... Maybe too far, faster to run over and jump in. Some other swimmers swam over quickly to help these two.

Unfortunately, although I am a swimmer, I do not know how to handle such situations. Thank goodness they are all safe. Thank God for lifeguards and good Samaritans.

Heard a young boy drowned in this pool as he jumped into the pool to play, but there was no lifeguard on duty.

Heard that this is due to club's management's way of cost cutting, to cut lifeguard duty roster from 2 rotating shifts to 1 a day only so that they only needed to hire 1 lifeguard.

Sickening. Poor boy. Even a strong swimmer can drown, not to mention a young inexperienced boy who can barely swim.

NFB Cannes Short Film - Sebastian's Voodoo by Joaquin Baldwin

2009-05-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

This is good!

"Sebastian's Voodoo"

Director: Joaquin Baldwin
Running Time: 4'06
Country: U.S.A.
Category: Drama

Is Man Good or Evil by nature?

2009-05-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

Author Stephen King is a fantastic Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction writer. Most of his novels have been brought to "life" in the movies. Funny how through stories the true human nature is revealed.

"Man are born good..." as a proverb goes. Truly, this person had not been through the darkest ages of Mankind.

Take for an example the novel "The Mist". In desperate times, people who are thrown into a state of panic embraces just about anything they think can bring "salvation" to them. Fanatics in this situation (whatever be their religion) rules the roost with their "preaching" of false gods. They offer false hopes and false sense of salvation to the "flock", having people made into sacrificial lambs to satisfy some dark innate sense of piousness to their "god" just to protect their own hide.

How about "The Shining", where a man battles with alchoholism and uncontrollable rage. At some point, he is fighting his inner demons. "IT" is similar, in terms of fighting inner demons, overcoming one's fears.

Mr Stephen Edwin King has truly mastered the art of satisfying men's dark appetite for blood, murder and evil. Not for the faint hearted though.

Ok, ok... I'm just reading into these books too much.

But, if men are born good, why are there constant reminders and teachings of spiritual salvation, teachings of good, and "finding one's inner peace", and so on?

Governments have to run campaigns for to remind citizens to be courteous, etc. But at the end of the day, who really gives the shit? These campaigns has a role, to condition one's mind as they are played on all media and repeated constantly (Pavlov's methods, perhaps).

Ultimately these things has to be taught by the people who populated the nation ... Parents.

"Dark" and "Light" forces are constantly waging battles for the human soul every single second. Every single second of each living and breathing life force existing on Gaia.

Shoot, I'm beginning to sound like some new age cuckoo who could run around screaming, "Repent while salvation is at hand! The world is coming to an end! The prophecies in the Book of Revelations are about to be fulfilled!"

Nah! I am a sensitive new age gal, and am a softy for humanity.

Be Prepared

2009-05-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

Got a call today, one of my clients buzzed me to tell me that his young son had an accident, and required multiple stitches.

"Can I claim from my insurance or not har?", he asked.

I replied, "I remembered that you did not want to get your children's accident policies from me, which I had proposed the last time I met you, saying that it's not really a necessity right now.

Have you or your wife bought accident plans?"

"Oh... No... ", came a sheepish, disappointed answer.

"My friend, you do need to consider it, especially if you have young children, and they are very active.", I consoled.

This is a common call for me, being in my line of work. There are people who do not see the importance of an insurance, especially a simple, low-cost accident plan, and they put of getting it as they see this as an additional cost, saying "oh I will be careful, this will not happen to me" and regret it later.

People buy umbrellas, and carry them around in case of rainy days (like our current freaky weather). But unfortunately, people do not manage risks, rather, they choose what I would call a "self-assurance", where one feels that they have enough to pay for what ever medical bills they will have, IF it anything happen to them.

I'm not selling online, or exaggerating the importance, but since I've started studying for the insurance exams last year before I can get my license, and it has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I started to be more aware and careful with my finances, in case anything DO happen to me. I always tell people that I'm worth more dead than alive!

Yes, the mortgage insurance will cover my matrimonial home. How about my final expenses? Final expenses means the funeral expenses, etc. I want to be cremated, and have my ashes thrown into the sea. Maybe let me disperse with the winds in Santorini, Greece. Having a "slot" just to place an urn is cost. Having a simple funeral is cost too. Sigh. Although my parents do not need my money, but I do believe in filial piety, and want to repay my parents for all the years of upbringing (expensive upbringing, in fact).

Insurance is something which one should get when they don't need it, as when they do need it, they are not able to get.

My advice to all, be prepared. Manage your physical and financial risks, or get someone to do it for you. Do a financial review at least once a year, review your policies, and make a will.

Be prepared.

"Porcelain" by Moby

2009-05-16T01:55:00.000-07:00

"Porcelain" by Moby (Album: Play)

In my dreams I'm dying all the time
Then I wake it's kaleidoscopic mind

I never meant to hurt you, I never meant to lie

So this is goodbye... This is goodbye

Tell the truth you never wanted me... Tell me

In my dreams I'm jealous all the time
As I wake I'm going out of my mind
Going out of my mind

To All The Bad Boys I've Loved Before ...

2009-05-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

The first time I meet a person, I like to look at their eyes. Then, into their eyes. It is said that a person's eyes are the windows to their souls. When a person laughs, you can tell if he/ she is laughing wholeheartedly, or he/she is just patronising you and is not being sincere.

There's something about him that drew me to him... His eyes... The first time i saw him, we connected immediately. My gal friend had asked me to join her and her colleagues in a discotheque. She said that this is a bunch of people of similar age group, and they're great fun. I jumped at the chance! It's been sometime since I had really socialised, and I needed to get out.

After my period of severe, manic-depression, it's time to have a new lease of life, had to bring the fun back into the "old" Marilyn. Well, I was single and available at the time, no harm socialising.

Those beautiful hazelnut brown eyes... mysterious, but alluring. I like that in a man.

No, I did not fall head over heels in love with him, not at first sight anyway, but of course, I like the attention he's giving, and I had liked to indulge in a primitive mating game called FLIRTING.

We were soon going out late at night for coffee and conversation, from discussing everything under the sun, to having little intellectual debates.

An intelligent guy, this chap, and this is the top attraction for me. Plus, he's a looker too.

There was one night, after a hard-partying session where all of us were pissed-drunk, and the whole time, my head was on his shoulder. Without warning, he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. I reciprocated.

Damn cupid! Setting two persons up who has no fate with each other!

He had hinted that he's not the right guy for me (isn't it obvious?), and asked me to settle with a good guy.

We parted mutually. Can't really say parted, we had never started anything. We just stopped communicating with each other. We both know that we'll end up apart somehow, some time.

I realised then that I had fallen deeply for him. Whether he still even remembers me now, I have my doubts, but I do not care.

I had never regretted, and will never regret, loving him, till this day. I have never regretted loving a person, only regretted that it never lasted.

A friend had asked, why do girls fall in love with bad boys?

I don't have the answer, but we just do. The only difference is that the "salvation" in this is whether the girl is able to see that there'll be no happy ending.

Hey, I have settled down with a good guy.

Listen, and you'll hear what the world has to say ...

2009-05-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

I love what I'm doing now. It's not work, and it does not seem like a job. What I love about it is the flexible hours, always on the go, and best of all, I am learning about the lives of different people. Like what ticks them off... what they love/ hate... what makes them happy... what they fear most.

Listen, and hear what people has to say. Observe and learn, don't jump to conclusions. That's my job, to listen and to observe. If you don't listen, how will you know your client's needs? If you don't observe, how will you learn?

I can strike up a conversation with anyone I meet. It's easy, and you'll be surprised how well people respond. Perhaps it's because I'm an unassuming person, and not imposing, i suppose?

Call me a busybody, kaypoh, whatever, but I take interest in knowing the people around me. Reachable people, that is. I feel that life's worth living, after all.

Listen, the world has spoken.

Don't Cry... Just Live and Let Live

2009-05-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favourite old time song ... It's funny how I can remember so vividly the lyrics of this song ... It reaches in deep and touches my soul, and never let go ...

"Don't Cry" by Naked

Winter comes for a reason to purge your soul ... with the change of the seasons I spin out of control

Where can I find you... when you're not even there... no where to find you

Innocent eyes are blinded when the candle dies ... Put your arms around him there'll be no sleep tonight

How can I help you, when you're so far away? No way to help you... Should I pray?

Don't cry, wipe the tears from your eyes ... don't cry, sleep with the souls tonight

There's no where to run, no where to hide fear is a monster, no end in sight

No screaming, silent screaming tonight close your eyes, dream

There's no where to run, no where to hide fear is a monster, no end in sight

No screaming , scream it away tonight, close your eyes and pray.

There are times in your life when you associate a particular song or piece of music with the ... situation? Or perhaps predicament you are in. Because of that, you tend to remember the songs and music for life.

Have you ever been step into a place, and suddenly the sights, sounds and even smells, brings you back to the past and you feel that you're in a state of deja vu? You can actually FEEL nostalgia with your five senses.

If one can say, "No, I've never had those instances!", then, my friend, you've not really experienced life. Not that I'm being a Miss Been-There-Done-That (although in most cases, I HAVE), but I say this because I'm an emotional person, and I FEEL LIFE... I feel FOR life.

There are moments where I can just close my eyes, feel at ease, and just listen to my surrounding ... No, not meditation ... just ... FEEL ... perhaps, feel at one with nature and feel the life around me. (I should have been called "Gaia" instead of "Marilyn".)

Dreamer, you say? Perhaps. Hoping for the impossible? Possibly.

"You can't change the world!" people tell me. True... I ABSOLUTELY agree... BUT ! I believe that although one drop of water cannot erode a single pebble, but a small and steady stream can, over time. Why are there inspirational songs? One won't do, what about two? Three? Four hundred?

"Pay it forward" a movie presents. Love it! LIVE IT! I do. Hope you do to.

Let's change the world.

Love,

Gaia ~~~',~{@

The Icezqueen has awaken!

2009-05-11T05:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone around me has a blog somehow.

"Why now?" you would ask.

"Procrastination!" is my answer.

One reason people stay where they are, it's because they PROCRASTINATE.

Dictionary : pro·cras·ti·nate (prō-krăs'tə-nāt', prə-)
v., -nat·ed, -nat·ing, -nates.
v.intr.
To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.
v.tr.
To postpone or delay needlessly.

"Wherefore art thou, DETERMINATION." Lying deep in thine subconsciousness, my dear.

I have a bit of time alone now, and would like to (have been trying to get it going) pen my innermost thoughts... It is good for the soul. A friend has said it to be documenting an important year.

Thoughts that are running wild in my head, just waiting to be heard...

Alas, it is time... The Icezqueen has awaken.