Nokia's Best Advertisement Yet

This video is a must-share!

I must say, that the ad agency 72andSunny took the whole anti-iPhone message to the next level. They didn't leave out Samsung, too!

I gotta say, I love it! It's hilarious and totally exposes the iPhone's shortcomings of certain features highlighted in this ad. You'll know exactly what I mean if you've been an iPhone user, and is now a fan of the all-time favourite Android by Samsung.

Well, yes, the whole ad centres on Lumia, but the bashing of iPhone in this ad clearly depicts that Nokia doesn't like the Apple technology.

What's my preference?

I like the Android phone better. But I am truly tempted to check out this Lumia.

Let's see how it goes :)

Goodnight!

Video - FW:Thinking by Jonathan Strickland

Found this on How Stuff Works, under the segment Fw:Thinking where Jonathan Strickland talked about the future. It's been estimated that every person on Earth will have at least 6 devices connected to the internet.

So where are we now?

We have our smartphones, tablets, laptops and computer devices, game consoles, smart TVs, as well as hi-tech cameras that are able to connect to the internet.

That's already about 6 devices connected to the internet. However, we are not seeing this huge numbers per person at the moment. At most, every household would have had 6 devices.

Studies show that "by 2020, there will be 50 billion devices connected to the Internet." 

The video above depicts a tour of how intelligent a living room of the future will be in deducting what's the best environment to adjust to accordingly to your mood, and how rough your day had been.

It's truly amazing and incredible. But I can't help but feel rather afraid of this massive advancement. Although it's going to be pretty interesting, I can't shake off the heavy feeling that everything will be so reliant on the internet.

Even though I'm working in an Online Media firm, i still somehow feel that everything is moving too fast. 

What about you? How do you feel about it?

Work: Creativity is hard work

A big hello to those of you reads my blog.

It's been quite a while since my last quality post, and I must admit, I am ashamed how mixed up my posts have been. This is clearly not the type of blog you can learn anything about but myself. And the fact that I'm not a million dollar celebrity means that you're reading this either because you're bored, you've got nothing better to do, or simply put, you're a stalker. (Haha)

I have decided to 'tag' my posts' subject according to what I will be sharing about, so you can easily choose to skip to better reads.

Tonight, I want to talk about work.

Briefly, let me tell you about my current job, and what it entails. I will then proceed to talk about the subject on creativity.

I've been with ihub Media since 18 June 2012, and in exactly a month from now, I will be celebrating my first year. I am happy how far I've reached in my three years of entering the work life. Recall your younger years as a worker, how far have you gone as to where you were before?

Some may have just moved on to a new job, some who are still slaving away under employers who don't deserve them. There are some who are lost in their vocation and are unsure which industry they belong to. Many may be discerning how they are in the working world, and there seem to be a restlessness stirring in them. A small minority may be truly in love with their job the same way they were since they first set foot in it.

Whichever you may be from what I've just stated, you are definitely not alone There are many of you who feels similar to what I've mentioned above. What about me? I like my job. Currently, I am looking at how I'm growing with this company. It has taught me a lot about the world of Facebook.

Work Background

ihub Media, my employer, is Asia's leading social media agency. We specialize in the 4 platforms of Facebook (Pages, Apps, Community and Marketplace Advertisement), Google Display Network advertisements, as well as various Digital Services such as CMS websites creation, and SEO implementation. We have a Pan Asia presence across various countries - Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and recently we are penetrating Vietnam.

The people there have been wonderful, and are truly knowledgeable in their fields. I am blessed to be with ihub, and truly thankful for the many opportunities that I've been given. I have inspiring, respectable and truly amazing bosses to look up to, and the plus point? They don't micromanage.

I'm working as an Account Executive for apps management now - managing Facebook applications for clients under our patronage. During the 4 months probation, I was already being given tasks that allowed me to maximize my potential. Months into my employment I feel I've reached a certain point where I am itching to do something more. I am starting to think that a certain decision to be limited to a team may have been a wrong call, but hey, I am still growing and learning. Online media is constantly revolving and its pace is incredibly fast. There's always something to know, something to learn and many opportunities to discover.

I am currently dedicated to the full support of 2 wonderful sales ladies in my team. I develop ideas for applications on Facebook for clients in the various industries that the ladies handle, most commonly, beauty, travel and entertainment. I advise them on what work and what wont for clients' campaign for applications. With the help of the tech team, i also ensure they know the technical feasibility of the application mechanics that clients demands for.

Based on these aspects of my job scope, it's pretty obvious that creativity is very heavily involved. When I create proposals for application, I think up of how I can link our current apps library to the brand I'm proposing for. It's fun to do this, instead of sending clients generic applications. Of course, it varies, depending on the state of the pitch.

About creativity

As per my post's title, creativity is hard work. Although it can come naturally to me, most of the time, I need time to form up the linkage between a brand and an application, while ensuring to keep to client's almost non-existent budget set aside for application. It's all about keep the cost down, ensuring an optimized timeline, and managing thousands of demands, and of course, the need to keep clients happy. It takes creativity and a certain attitude, and full support from our management to actually achieve the bending of the impossible triangle.

About creative (minded) people

Creative (minded) people are hard to work with really. They have both extroverted and introverted personalities that you can never point out exactly how they're going to react to things. They can be so abnormal one second, and the next they're acting like your average joe. There are different fields creative minded people enter, and it's usually those that gives them challenges. The moment this person has mastered the duty or the job, it's highly probable that they will need something new to spice up their work life. It's usually important for these people to be in a fast paced environment that allows them to feel the adrenaline rush they need to get them going. But it is a must to ensure that these creative people are given a lot of air pockets for breathers. They cannot, and I repeat, cannot be expected to be a work horse, and not have a source of inspiration they can actually take sips from. Though creative people can be mules, able to work hard on projects, they will need time to recharge otherwise their creative juices will quickly evaporate. And poof! That same person you admire for cooking up loads of awesome and brain-whacking ideas just vanishes to thin air, because they've hit a dry spell. These people need to commune with their thoughts and their entire being in order to produce award winning solutions.

It will also be a huge mistake to micromanage this people. Think of the saying "Plants need space to grow". Space is what you really need to give them, although, it's not the vacuum type of space you need to give them. You need to give them something to work on, brainstorm and you need to woo their minds, to spark some flames and ignite their minds, eventually allowing the creativity juices to start flowing.

Creativity is not chanced upon, it's in-built in people who were granted such minds to create, innovate and execute solutions that can benefit everyone. It's hard-wired on such people and usually, they have certain traits that is evident. And funny enough, creative people are usually dubbed as 'weird'.

To conclude, here's an infograph to show you a mind-map of a Creative Genius Mindset. Let's see if these traits actually make you think creative people are weird. Looks pretty normal to me... maybe it's you who are the rigid ones that are weird.

Between the lines, too much.

Dear White,

Honestly, I can't take it anymore.
The fact that I'm deciphering too much in between the lines is taking its toll on my mental capacity.
I'm officially confused. Congratulations.

Love,
Me

Please don't judge, it tells a lot about you!

Today, I boarded the bus to see a pleasant-looking driver with a friendly smile and a warm disposition. A few stops later, he accidentally scraped the front of the bus on the curb, and the bus jerked and halt suddenly. It was shocking, yes, but not really that bad as he managed to apply the break in time.

An old Malay uncle said loudly "Haiya this bus driver has a problem, I think he's sleepy or something. Followed by an Indian man saying, "Ya ya, this driver is something wrong". Then you know what's the worst thing that happened, the old uncle continued, and went on saying.. "this driver MUST be from China one... they all drive like that."

I was like, WTF, really? Then there were exchange of agreement between him and the Indian man, and it sorta continued for a bit more.

The Indian man alighted, and he yelled out "WAIT!" just because he's going down. The driver just merely put up his hand to signal "don't worry, I know you're going down." There were people who made noise saying, "that man was too much, make the whole damn thing so big"

At least I was not the only one outraged.

I honestly wonder, why is there such discrimination or generalization? It's horrid how many are talking against the PRCs that way.

WTF, really.

Anyway, the irony of it was the driver was a Chinese SINGAPOREAN. I know because he's a good, careful driver (who today made a blunder, which didn't result in anyone getting hurt) I've always seen him drive the same bus service for almost a decade.

How maddening really.

People, dont judge or generalize, it really just talks a lot about how shallow and narrow minded you are.

Each of us were created unique from others. Tell me, why is it that even identical twins who are so physically similar can be thousand miles different from each other? Because God created us to be different, to be unique one from another.

And tell me, why is it that we go through series of changes in our lives? Because we are not meant to be a stagnant pool of water. That very reason means that we are 'like this' when the wind blows south, and 'like that' when the wind blows north. You get what I mean?

We are never going to be unchanging. There can be events (or days) that we are not the same as we are yesterday or hell, even just a moment ago. But that moment define us, that moment gives an opportunity for people to pass the test of accepting us for who we really are.

Today, I learnt that the old uncle and that Indian man reacted in their own ways because they refuse to get out of their mindset of being so damn shallow.

I hope I will never follow such frame of thoughts that way.

Religious Debate: Was Muhammad a Prophet?

I am supposed to be sleeping now, but this debate I stumbled upon on YouTube has kept me up.

The Debate: Was Muhammad a Prophet?

Proposition: Sheik Abualrub

Opposition: David Woods

Don't be surprise if you get lost by the points that the proposition is trying to make.

These are only 2 parts. I can't find part 3 yet, but it looks like part 4 and 5 are continuation nevertheless, perhaps it was wrongly renamed.

Anyway, I was only able to complete these two videos. I will update the rest of the videos in my next post.

Saturday, unquenched thirst

There's a certain thirst I feel. Much as I pray it's spiritual thirst, it's honestly NOT.

It's the ice-cold alcoholic beverage made of wheat - beer.

Ahh.

My day today was rather productive, and it was a pretty early start for me. Sent off my brother to school for his sports heats together with my sister. We gallivanted around central, but we found no place for breakfast!

Rushed back home cos she will be following my parents for dad's soccer tournament. They clinched the Championship again this year! Weee!

When I got the house to myself, I watched as many movies I could while lazing away on the sofa. Then realized the time and had to rush to pay my bills. Great thing to have an AXS Machine very near my estate!

I didn't want my Saturday to be so mundane, so did some chores and then finally received an update from my friend who I was to be meeting in the afternoon.

Fetched Zak back and waited for the rest of the family to come back so that I can meet up my friend to run through the set-up of his blogshop! The name's pretty cute, will share it here when it's fully functional :)

Went home after all's done and when I've taught him the basics of editing and posting up to the site. Needed a nap badly due to a sudden migraine that I've not have for a long time.

Dinner with the family next. Made reservations at Fat Fish. Papa didn't mind the non-halal restaurant but after seeing that most of the ingredients for the steamboat are pork, we changed location and ended up at Magic Wok.

Photo upload follows. But before that, I am truly wondering what's up with today... In the same place at about almost the same time, I saw two guys I dated from years back. Well, I did my best to not be spotted myself, although it completely failed for one of them.

Heh. Anyway, pictures right down... :)

After dinner, headed over to Taroda, a toy car race course for kids and adults alike :) It costs about $12 for half an hour rental of the automated race car.

As I was saying in the beginning of this post, I was deprived of beer, for the very reason that my friends are either 1) Out to watch Iron Man 3 2) Out to watch another movie 3) Too far away from Pasir Ris to go with me to Changi Village for a mug or two 4) Busy studying for exams so couldn't drive down 5) Just don't feel like having beer

So I went home and indulged myself with this sinful delight.

How shameful! Hehe. The new week will enter and I will begin my 31 days of diet in time for my Phuket trip. Cannot cannot cannot wait! Weeee~

Holiday Update 2

Here's another photo update of my Philippines trip :)

 

Went to quite a few resorts around the area, trying to compare the best against the cost as well as my budget. Some expensive resorts couldn't even pull my interest. There was a resort owned by a media reporter, that I find was over-rated! It isn't nice there, the only thing nice about it was the surrounding view, the pool and the cottage was very basic.

I settled for a resort with a name that doesn't do it justice - The Scrapyard Resort. (You get what I mean?)

Anyway, these shots were taken during our Easter tradition of going for swimming. Usually, it's always much better to go to the beach, but since it's too far out, and I have limited funds for this trip, I settled for something affordable. The main idea is to have a swim during Easter, in commemorating our Baptism :)

The entire family went to the Parish of St. Clement for mass, and then we headed down to this resort nearby. 

It was really fun how this day went. So much family bonding and awesome fun!

Discerning My Vocation

Four years ago when I found myself at a crossroad of continuing or ending a relationship with a guy I have always thought I will end up married to, until I woke up and was slammed back to reality. I have always heard the same voice in my head that the relationship is not my destination, and that voice was truth.

About a year later, the relationship plummeted down to nothingness.

I am glad however that I didn't feel the complete need to mourn for break up because I understood that it's meant to be just that - we are just passers-by who made an impact to each others' lives to teach us something about what will our lives be. Of course, no one can really be certain.

While he has found his vocation in marriage, I am still searching for mine.

My discernment of vocation isn't just a one-way towards marriage. I felt I was called to be and do something more, and that calling still resounds in my heart. Yet, I may misinterpret the meanings with thoughts of grandeur. I am afraid that I am too unworthy to be called to lead a life that is pure...again.

Of course, my past deeds are not something God will put against me, because I knew not what I do and I was immature. The euphoria of love got to me and not exactly that I was in love with the person, but I was in love with the feeling of love.

Then it came to me that perhaps, I need to let someone in, and that I shouldn't see vocation just as living to be a religious. Is it easier to live in the comforts of the monastery? Or do I let go of fear and just let someone love me.

I've encountered a handful of guys who didn't cut it, perhaps because they reminded me too much of the recklessness that was in my previous relationship. I even call off my friendship with a guy because he wanted to enter the next step while I'm not yet ready. There are a lot of things that I felt uncomfortable with despite the boundaries I've already stepped over years before, and it's funny how a person who lived a wild child becomes such a person like I am now.

I am not saying that I dislike myself now just because I am reserving myself for someone worthy of me, but I am actually afraid that I'm looking at all the wrong doors that's being opened.

Not many months ago, I found myself hopelessly infatuated with a certain person whom I've always thought my feelings for were under control. It exploded and yet, thank God, there were no casualties. I shut all others from my life due to my rose-coloured glass view of the entire situation and how I felt. One minute I'm in denial, and the next I am convinced that I will come to terms with how I felt and be honest about it... Well, nothing happened. I never got to say how I felt. But it seems to be God's will that nothing occurred.

Throughout the past year, though I have failed to see anyone else who gave me more attention, more support and time, someone made a cut. The only thing I did was fail to see that there was something there for me. However, as of late, I am hoping that our consistency will produce fruits.

Last Sunday was Vocation Sunday or in liturgical term - Shepherd's Sunday.

I was reminded once again of the calling I felt last 3 years, but I also remembered that the following year, I discerned that marriage was the path for me to take. This year however, I am left uncertain.

I think my feelings have developed over time, and it's blossoming to something that I never really experienced before. It's not the euphoria I felt before. There's the sudden smile, the rush of heat on my face, the heart beatings and the change in temperature when I am around him. I am willing to admit how I am feeling now, but I am thinking that doing so may open a floodgate and I may not be able to close them on my own.

So Lord, help me in my discernment. Show me the path that leads to where you have made for me. In order so that I may glorify you. Always and forever, despite my unworthiness. Amen.

Zak's Trip to Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom

Inevitable as it is obvious because I have a 6 year old brother, there are some times where I have to be a mother to my 6-year-old brother.

And that day came today, when I had to be a volunteer for my brother's class' field trip to Sentosa to see butterflies and insects.

I'm very happy that my bosses are so supportive, and as long as I've got my projects taken care of, they don't question my leave. This is a great thing about being in my current company - NO MICRO MANAGEMENT, unlike my previous employers.

Anyway, here's a photo update of the trip :)

Holiday Update 1

A month after my last post, I went to my country home to work for a week to make it in time for Lolo's birthday! And then to observe the Holy Week as well as to catch up with my family. It was a good long holiday for me.

Goldilocks Choco for Lolo!

He didn't know that I was going to come back to Phil for his birthday. All he knows was that I was going to get someone to deliver a cake and that he will have a small birthday celebration. I hid a day at my uncle's apartment before going to Villa Gloria. I was wearing a hat, and I entered thru the gate into the patio, then went to him with the cake extended towards him. He was not sure how to react at first, and then when he finally came to, he rose up from his chair and was so happy to see me. His reaction was priceless!

Nothing was planned, so later on he went to VG's senior citizen's corner to invite his fellow seniors. The party went through somehow despite the short notice. The plan of surprise was great, even though mum almost had a slip of a tongue when she gave them the 1st surprise of her presence the day before while I hide at my uncle's home.

Even seniors (not all of them are) know have to have fun

The day before, only the aunts and uncle know that I'm in Philippines. We planned for what to cook, and what drinks to buy as we went to SM Taytay for dinner at Inasal.

Sorry for the image quality, the staff seemed to have shaky hands

Dinner was good, the aunts and mum went to buy the necessities, I went with uncle to get what's necessary!

Generoso Brandy, Mardi Gras Tanduay Vodka, Novellinos Red Wine

The party ended later than expected, and we continue the Karaoke till the next morning! No one minded, since we only visit once awhile, and all the noise only happens during occasions. Besides, Lolo is the Public Relations Officer for home owners of Villa Gloria, so he's great with the neighbors.

The whole of the following week was mostly spent in Makati, at our branch office where I worked for a week supporting my Sales team via the internet, Facebook and IP phone. It went fine!

After which we started the Holy Week, where I witnessed a lot of processions and re-enactment of the Passion of Christ. In the provincial states, the real crucifixion doesn't happen.

My area doesn't have these re-enactment, what we do have is the procession of Saints involved in the Passion of Christ during the evening of Good Friday. It was a new experience for us all as one family.

Anyway, there are many other things I did during my trip which I will update in the next posts!

Toodles for now!

Holy Father Resigns Due to Declining Health

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has resigned with effect 28 Feb 2013.
He has resigned due to declining health. The quote of his exact words are below.

It made me think how important it is to know that doing God's will doesn't mean holding on to things all the time, stubborn to prove that one can still serve under any circumstances saying "God is with me", even quoting from the Bible "Even as I walk through the valley of the dead, I shall not fear for the Lord God is with me (Ps. 23)", which I sometimes do, shamefully. I realized that God's will maybe to let go, to relinquish our hold onto that one thing we are thinking that God wants us to keep struggling to maintain, when in reality, He's already been telling us to let go, just trust in Him. We should be at rest when we know we have done our best, and we have given all we have, and now it's time... it's time to let God be God and let Him lead.

This was the revelation I had when I found out the other day that the Holy Father Benedict, the Herald of Faith, has resigned.

Then the very next thing in mind was the same concern that echoed through the walls and pages of the digital world - "We are without a leader, a Pope, a Shepherd, through the important season of Lent". It hit me next as I come to terms of the fact that God has long appointed the Shepherd, Jesus. And Jesus has already asked His Father for a counselor to be with us and guide us (John 14:16). We should have no fear despite a month without a human leader. For now, I realize how important it is to pray with the rest of the world for when the conclave happens.

I never really felt how such news would impact my life, but this time it did. And I'm thankful. Let's participate in the prayer of the world for the selection of the new Pope, and let us welcome Easter with happiness due to this. Amen.

--

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns as of February 28th – A Time for Prayer Like No Other

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonisations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican, 10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

Catholicism From Protestant View

I'm blown away by this video.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Michael Cumbie, former pentecostal clergyman and convert to the Catholic faith, is now offering his renowned teaching, "The Mass Explained - From a Convert's Point of View" (from the "How Then Shall We Worship" CD and DVD set) in its entirety at CatholicMass.co.

Extra Beautiful Weekend

Since last week, I got to playing around in the kitchen again. It's been awhile since I actually explored that part of the house given to the excuses of work and too much play.

So anyhow, I must give credit to both Jess and Junko, my colleagues, who have caused this stir in me, and have gotten my love for cooking ignited.

I started with Edward Scissorhands last Wednesday,

The reason why I called this ES is because all the ingredients were cut up using only scissors. Yes, even the onion!

And then on Saturday, I did some baking with my siblings :)

Yummy? It was really sinful. Mum said that it's good cos it isn't too sweet but more chocolatey. I'm glad!

Earlier in the afternoon today, I was hungry but kinda lazy to cook up something too big, so I played around with noodles. I did Maggie Goreng! :)

I'm still trying to perfect this. Wana follow how the hawker centres do their Maggie Goreng. I refuse to want to eat Maggie outside of my house, but the Indians cooked it so nicely that sometimes I just have to have it. But after I perfect the Maggie Goreng dish, no more hawker junk foods yaw! :)

Having agreed with my colleagues to cook something for tomorrow's lunch, I made some pasta.

I feel irritated because my camera decided to malfunction and refuse to give me a clear shot of the result of what' I've made.

It's a simple pasta made with these raw materials :)

 

Now do you understand why I'm not so happy with the result. My pasta is so monotone, if you looked at the ingredients above, you'd see I was aiming for something more colorful. Boohoo.

Anyway, more to come from my messing around in the kitchen :)

Cheers!

Resolutions

"What's your resolution for the year?", they've asked. I said "None". 

I haven't listed it down in writing, and I have not truly believed I fulfilled last year's. However, as I took stock of my 2012. I realized that I couldn't be more happier for whatever that has happened in 2012.

Everything is beautiful. In His time, at least.

No longer do I fret deep inside because I know, my King bids me well.

Slowly and ever readily, I hold steadfast to my faith in ways I can never imagine I could. I feel that even though a sinner, His love ever prevails and I am led in a sense of belonging, that anytime I falter or fall away from His grace, my conscience screams and it tells me that I cannot continue living in denial that I am unaffected when I commit a sin. This then guides me back to where He is.

It's very easy to fall away, and very difficult to maintain that spiritual advancement when all the time, I am tempted. It's frustrating and I am truly irritated at myself. Then today, as I went to church for a Holy Hour devotion, the words of Fr. Albert penetrated me. 

He was saying that sinners as we are, we cannot avoid falling down due to this. But despite our fallen nature, what's important is how quickly we seek to renew ourselves in the eyes of God, and how much we try not to fall again.

He then said that we need not worry about all things because we are God's children. And so now, I feel that it's a message for me. I appreciate such spiritual intervention in my life, before I end up condemning myself. 

This year 2013, a new year and a new hope. What are yours goals? If you haven't thought about it, think about it now and write it down. To share with you part of the message sent by the Charismatic community Chairman, Jeremy, through our Yahoo Group, I want to feature it here as a reminder that I felt moved by this, and hope to apply this for the rest of the year, too. 

Somehow, these words written is exactly what I have been feeling that I ought to be doing, he nipped it by the bud when he wrote this:

And I pray that all of you can join me in 2013 journey to

1. Go where you've never been.
2. Do what you've never done.
3. Love more than you've ever loved.
4. Be liberated from the things you hold too tightly.
5. Trust the Lord in ways you never have before.
6. And become more than you ever thought possible

Personally, I have goals that since at this post I'm laying down goals I'm adopting, I want to add whatever goals are in the back of my mind. 

I have said to myself to be of a humble heart and fighting spirit to do His will. To be frugal and to live at peace with myself.

Happy 2013 again! Lots of love! ~

Today, After Work...

I decided to go on a date with myself.

I was so dressed up for work, and with that gotten some lovely compliments from my colleagues. I wore a dress I got for Christmas. It's a velvety dress in emerald (the supposed colour of the year) that's slightly above the knees. I paired it up with neon yellow-green pumps.

What I love about this dress is the sheer nylon that completes the top part of the dress. The cutting of it on the chest area is also very flattering and I won't have to worry what I'm showing because the opacity of the sheer nylon is just perfect for my skin. Because of the sheer nylon material, I decided to not have anything too heavy for the neck. So I went with my everyday St. Benedict medal necklace.

Having worn something a little too much for work, I just took it upon myself to take advantage of the getup. So I headed over to town, with one fixed agenda and the rest is to walk down the streets of town from Orchard to Somerset, passing the various shopping malls, and feasting upon fashion and accessories goodies. I made mental notes of the good places to return to.

It's been awhile...

• since I went out on a date with myself to wander aimlessly
• since I went to town to see what's the next exciting thing happening there

I must say...

• I had to watch carefully where I exit when I alighted the Orchard MRT
• there have been major changes since my last proper walk there
• the shopping malls have all grown and have turned out looking futuristic
• I was surprised that finally after the past decades, I saw renovations at Lucky Plaza

I made a stop-over at Lucky Plaza and visited the famous Ayam Penyet Restaurant for dinner. I went there with a girlfriend, Naq, three or four years ago. Tonight when I went to try it, I was firstly put off by the start of the service. There was not so much as a mention that I'm suppose to pay first, and only then the food will be sent to me. So I sat there waiting for the food that never came for over 10 minutes. You see I fished out the current book I'm reading by the author Edward Rutherford, so waiting was no issue. But it seems weird that for a fast paced restaurant, the food will take that long.

I went over the the cashier and enquired. Rightly, I waited for nothing. Less than 2 minutes after placing my order, hardly sat back down again, a plate of Ayam Penyet arrived. I guess maybe they prepare a lot of Ayam Penyet dishes at one go.

The $8 Ayam Penyet was not worth it though, I must say.

Anyway, I carried on wandering around. As I was leaving Lucky Plaza, I realized that there were a lot of working girls littering the compounds. I never knew they are that bold now. Is that even allowed in the town premises? I am not judging the women due to their profession, but I'm just disturbed that it seems they are no longer closeted in the red-light district area. After recalling the numerous of pubs I see popped up at Lucky Plaza, I realized what gave rise to the group finding themselves outside Lucky Plaza.

I'm beginning to dread the fact that Lucky Plaza might be the one to inherit the notorious reputation of Orchard Towers. But it has to be stopped! It's in the prime area of town. It's saddening and a slap to the face too because these women are my countrywomen.

To add on, at the other end of the shopping mall there were barbaric transvestites making noise and fools of themselves near the compound. And yes, they're also my countryshemales. I've got nothing against transvestites yeah, but these shemales just ruined the poise demeanour of the transvestites I have seen from the Thai community.

Well, as I moved forward and pushed aside all the mental complaints, I just said to myself to ignore everything and focus inwardly. And I did. I found the stillness I was looking for. I was able to think about the things of the past year, the recent things that occurred, and some things I have just realized yesterday how I suddenly felt that someone's sweet gestures might have grown on me.

But now... that's for another day's post. Continuing...

I decided to head home after a trip in the 1st storey of H&M. I hardly made a full trip but I gave up because I was already tired from the earlier wanderings.

During my wanderings, I chanced upon this old woman who was selling some things, no doubt just to keep herself feed for the coming days, and collect enough to buy more things to sell at a higher cost in town. I have a soft spot for old people, and I was called to do something for this old lady. And I listened, and I found myself a 'Love Wand'! It's really nice :)

I love RED, HEART and LIGHTS.

So this is what I did today after work. Hope you all had an enjoyable time after work today too.
Take the dare too! Go date yourself.

A FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida, an atheist created a case against Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!".

The lawyer immediately stood and objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, How can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays..."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counselor, is woefully ignorant." 

The lawyer said," Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fool’s Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that, if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned..."

You gotta love a Judge that knows his scripture!