Category Archives: Random Thoughts

Your words will haunt you

August 19 3:28 pm ,

Hide!

And I mean this in a good way (okay, sometimes it can haunt you in a bad way too).

A friend saw a letter she wrote 10 years ago to one of her best friends (her best friend showed it to her, in a fit of nostalgia). She said in the letter that although she was sidetracked with having a baby, she thought she would probably pursue law school (she was in her 3rd year at that time) because some dreams are meant to be pursued.

Such tenacity.

Such a positive world view.

Such a positive view of the self.

Take no prisoners.

(she became a lawyer 4 years after)

She wonders if she still has the same fight in her now. The same urgency. The same determination.

Read More →

Posted in: Life Stories, Random Thoughts, The Beginning , Tagged: ,

We are here to build, not destroy

July 2 4:54 pm ,

Soar

There are those who will always see the glass as half empty.

There are those who will only see the ugly in the situation – and commit it to memory – so they can remind you of it, and catch you unaware.

(sometimes you get caught unaware – when you are your weakest – and that is okay)

There are those who will say something awful and make you feel bad – while keeping a straight face and looking well-meaning and well-intentioned, their barb carefully placed, making you feel, of course, awful.

(not realizing that words have a way of sneaking up on the speaker)

There are those who will compare and look at you with envious eyes. Not measuring up, they strike out and lash out.

Who are not happy for some reason – the weather, their jobs, other people – and want to share their un-happiness.

Read More →

Posted in: Random Thoughts , Tagged: , , , ,

Do you want to be him?

June 27 2:27 am ,

Different colors and hues

I am talking about your boss.

Look at him. Do you want to be him? Because you will be him in 5 or so years.

This was whispered to me a long time ago and I was confronted with the question.  Did I want to become my boss? More importantly, was I in the right path?

The right path would, well, feel right – if you like what you see. The responsibilities, the demeanor, the family life, the stresses, the pressures, the rewards – of your boss – will be yours one day.

Can you be him? Do you want to be him?

Read More →

Posted in: Life Stories, Random Thoughts, The Secret , Tagged: , , ,

The Journey is the Message

January 21 6:48 pm ,

The Color of Happiness

We were late.

We were going to beautiful Victoria in Vancouver Island and we overslept.  There was a forecast of sun and I peeked to the window, apprehensive, because we have not seen the sun in days.  It was out!  And the world was beautiful! At once, I was filled with panic.  It might disappear all too soon, as it is wont to do during these cold and dreary winter months (as we found out).  Slivers of sunshine are all we get, and I was determined to get my sliver.  I woke up everyone and hustled and bustled.

Read More →

Posted in: Canada, Random Thoughts, Travel , Tagged: ,

5 Love Languages: What’s Yours?

November 23 8:30 am ,
Beauty

Beauty

Nothing can compensate for failure in the home.

This thought was going through my head while I was listening to motivational speaker Francis Kong talk.  He talked about family, the importance of family and children, of mealtimes with children, of learning to communicate with love, of Dr. Chapman’s five love languages – a primary way of expressing and interpreting love: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, physical love.

Read More →

Posted in: Random Thoughts , Tagged: , ,

A Time for Decadence

November 6 10:49 pm ,

The Light

Last night, I watched Forbes Luxe 11: World’s Most Extravagant Meals.

It was circa 2009, a time when decadence was still in fashion, and people would stop at nothing to get the very best, and to live an extraordinary life (of course, to show off too).

Imagine, a $1,000 dollar pizza (with salmon roe, lobster, caviar), a $1,000 golden cake (literally made of gold, that is, 24 karat gold leaf), a $5,000 hamburger (with foie gras and a bottle of a really expensive wine), an executive chef cooking for you in the comfort of your own home ($10,000 for 10 people), taking a party (even a piano and a pianist, or a band!) high up into the sky (Dinner in the Sky, $50,000 – $100,000).

Read More →

Posted in: Random Thoughts, World Events , Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Men Do Not Want To Ask

October 8 11:34 pm ,
A View from Within

A View from Within

Sometimes, I embarrass my husband.

I like getting my discounts and am shameless asking for it, while I see him at the corner of my eye, squirming in his seat, wanting to disappear.

Like the time our engine light came on during our trip to Tagaytay and luscious Canyon Woods (while we were singing – shouting – Don’t Stop Belieeeevinnn!!!).  Long story short, we had the car checked, had the car checked-in for almost a week (uh, sorry, we have to take a closer look at it, might be serious), and were charged an arm and a leg just so they can clean the computer box.

Read More →

Posted in: Random Thoughts , Tagged: , , , ,

Nothing Goes In Until Something Comes Out

June 10 9:27 pm ,

 

Creating Order

Creating Order

 

You have a mission.

You look at your closet and then in it – really look – and you cannot fight the overwhelming feeling that there is just too much that you have allowed yourself to accumulate.  Yes, it is a testament to how much money you have had and spent, of the good life that you are trying to craft for yourself and your family.  But why is it making your head ache?  You heave a sigh, barely manage to control a cringe, and start – but you do not know how and where to begin.  You do not even know what your mission is.

Is it just to put things in order?  Once again?  Until you carelessly pull out an old shirt and the clumsy movement wreaks havoc to other perfectly laid clothes.  And then another bad, harried, hurried day comes and your closet is once again in shambles.

Is it to look for things to be given away?  But that dress cannot go.  You wore it in one of your anniversary celebrations and he said you looked stunning in it.  Cannot give those knee high boots away too, they are just way too expensive.  Or that sweater, because it was a gift from your boss (what if he asks about it?).  Or that blouse, because it still looks kind of pretty.  Or that shirt, because you got it on sale and just have not had the opportunity to wear it.  Right?

Stop.

Read More →

Posted in: Life Stories, Minimalism, Random Thoughts , Tagged: , , , , , , , ,