What’s keeping me busy these days

Been occupied with reading. Good old fashioned hard copy books- as you do not need to take them out of your hand luggage and put them on a tray, or power it off when the plane is taking off and landing.

Here’s my reading list:

1. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

2. 360 degree Leader by John C. Maxwell

3. Quiet by Susan Cain

4. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins

5. 8789 Words of Wisdom by Barbara Ann Kipfer

6. Coco Chanel -Chinese translation

7. Beida Guan Li Ke (Management Lessons from Peking University)

8. Huaiwei Hai Neng Zou Duo Yuan- Ren Zheng Fei Wei Yi Qin Bi Ti Ci de Hua Wei Zhuan (How far can Huawei Go)

It’s been great. So until I finish these books and officially suffer from literary indigestion, this blog will continue to be deserted. Feel free to browse through my archives though

First birthday celebration in Beijing

2013 started off as an extremely busy year for me. Sometimes, it is important to pause and reflect your original goals and why you came to where you were in the first place. In this journey our ours we call life, there will be deviation, disappointments, unexpected surprises and also scary moments. If the journey of life is depicted on a horse carriage drawn along a bumpy dirt road in the countryside, then the deviations could be described as as boulders or stones on the path. We can choose to crash into them or avoid them, lift them up and out of the way or pull the horse carriage to a halt and stare at the boulder hoping it would disappear.

Things become overly complicated when we worry, and hence whenever we are faced with a problem, always remind yourself to stay calm, not clam up. ^^

Yesterday I celebrated my first birthday in Beijing. I had, for the longest time wanted to experience what it was to purchase gold jewellery from a goldsmith in Beijing. I encounter eye-opening scenarios which probably do not make any average Beijing-er look twice, particularly if they have  been here for over year. 

Cai Bai, the Tiffany’s of Beijing gold jewellers, was heaving with eager purchasers with nothing else but money and a keen eye for gold jewellery. Elbowing your way through the throng of shoppers is no mean feat and for the first time in my life I witnessed the chaotic frenzy of Chinese shoppers trying to pay for their expensive purchases as if the store was about to close down. Except it wasn’t.

The gargantuan consumption power of the Chinese, even within their own territory is a sight to behold. Compare and contrast this to Malaysia where more often than not, sales assistants are soliciting for customers.

I also met up with a few friends for dinner and also birthday cake, but the eye-opening grandeur at Cai Bai truly was the icing on the cake. To reward myself for my efforts I bought a ring. 

I look forward to a year of challenges, excitement, health and happiness.

End of the year reflections.

I started writing my blog in 2004, after getting inspired by fellow bloggers in the community. 8 years on, moving from my early twenties to now my early thirties, The 24 year old me would have never in her wildest dreams believed that she could achieve what she has now. 

I am a much more secure, confident and balanced individual compared to how I was when I first started working. I have become more articulate, better at listening to people and at the workplace, delivering practical solutions. I have been stretched beyond my limits and scaled new heights in the name of searching for a fresh challenge.

I have also lived and worked in three countries over the 8 years. 3.5 years were spend in the UK, two months in the US and 6 months ago I was relocated to Beijing, China. Three very different countries and all equally exciting in their own way.

The husband and I now divide our time between UK, SG and China for work purposes. 8 years ago, if you asked me whether I would have envisioned a life like this, the answer would be ” I’m not sure.” However, it has happened now for the both of us. We want to remain excited, youthful, curious. Banish the negativity, banish the glass ceilings we self impose upon ourselves, the evil side of humanity that wants to stay in a comfort zone.

Being spontaneous and flexible has also become the order of the day, most days. I strongly believe that we do not own anything in this world. Even our lives are leased. We have the right to use it whilst we are still alive. Therefore, don’t be overly petty. Be kind when we can. Smile and make a difference. Shine even when the prospects look bleak. Because, only by adopting optimism and having hope, can we continue to go further.

I am in a good place. My family supports me and my life goals as I do theirs. I am passionate about my interests and continue to maintain a light hearted spirit. I am who I am, but getting better as the day goes by.

We can never change the world or people around us but as long as we can change and improve ourselves, we will see the world in a much different light.

Lest I forgot the point of writing this post today- Happy Winter Solstice.

20-12-2012, 20122012

Figured this was worth posting. We are truly fortunate to live in an era where the numbers align and match… 

An enlightening moment when the following quote appeared in my head.

I want to be beautiful but not hot. I want to be humble but not lack self confidence. I want to be happy but not in denial. I want to be a balanced individual, and I hope to stay this way no matter what life throws at me.

Of relationships

For the majority of the time that my other half and I have been together, we were physically apart. Many friends indeed question how we managed to keep things going for so long.

I never really gave it much thought, but I do feel that it boils down to several factors.

1. Selfless love

If you love a person selflessly, then you can make it work regardless of the circumstances. A good example is the relationship we have with our parents. That to me would be the pinnacle of selfless love, where they will support you no matter what you want to do and where you may be. This is the level of love both parties need to have for each other, in order for the distance to make it work.

2. Make time for each other and communicate

We are lucky to live in an era where communication tools are efficient, convenient and fast. Make time for each other no matter how busy you are. A quick call before you sleep, or if you are living in different time zones (we were for 5 years), a mutually friendly time to call each other. 

Arrange holidays together periodically and enjoy each other’s company.

3. Remember, you are partners who complement each other, not possessive beings who want to control each other

Sounds quite unbelievable given that the popular notion is if you are together you stay together and do everything together (right?). Well as a staunch believer of the concept that our lives are leased and we all have to go someday, no one really belongs to anybody. We don’t even technically belong to our parents, they raise us and we retain the prerogative to pursue our life goals etc. I am lucky enough to have a soulmate who sees eye to eye with me on this. When we are together, we make the most out of it. When we are apart, we make the most out of what we are doing so that the next time we meet, we can share experiences with each other.

4. Learn to enjoy your own company

I have never had a problem with enjoying my own company. Don’t get me wrong- I love talking to people and learning about their experiences etc, but am equally at ease spending weekends on my own. As I grow older, the likelihood of me feeling sorry for myself has diminished. Can’t say I am not enjoying this transition.

5. Trust each other 

This goes without saying of course.

And last but not least, think about the odds of you finding someone in your life who really makes you feel that each day is worth living. Not everyone has that. So treasure what you have and even if you are far from each other, you are never truly apart.

 

Inspired by my friend’s photography skills- Autumn in Ejin-Qi, Inner Mongolia

An old school friend recently came back from Inner Mongolia with breathtaking views of the autumn leaves.

I drew this last night.

Hope you like it as much as I do!