Ho Ho Ho!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope Santa has dropped by with lots of lovely presents and that the day is filled with yummy food and great company.

May the year ahead bring joy, happiness and good health to all.

Lots of love,

Uey

Questions, questions, questions

I've been hit withe two big questions lately...

1) What have you done in 2009 that is memorable?

The last couple of years I've spent travelling quite a bit but 2009 has just been work, study and more work. Not very memorable at all.

So I've decided that while the bulk of it hasn't been all too special, I will end it with a bang even if it means freezing my bottom off in Times Square just to see the ball drop.

I'm looking forward to ice skating outdoors, walking through Central Park, visiting the Guggenheim and partaking in Boxing Day sales!

I cannot wait!

2) Are there such things as superficial friends?

Are there people who seem like good friends on the outside and even on paper but aren't truly as great at you think or have hoped?

It's rather disappointing, but maybe it's all part of growing up and it's all a learning curve to filter out the not so good and keep those who treasure the relationship with no question.

Me, Wo and Moi

I think most kids of this generation have had it pretty good - or maybe it's just the people I know. We all come from good families who support, emotionally and financially, all the decisions we make. A friend recently wrote about people who disapproved of her year of travel claiming it was time and money wasting. I must say I love to travel and I feel that travel opens your eyes to different cultures and different people - it is an invaluable experience. But when is it enough?

I caught up with an old friend recently and I asked him what he did during his 6 months off. He said not much, and quite frankly it got him lazy. He asked why I didn't take some time off after finishing uni since I was still quite young. I said I suppose I wanted to stay ahead while I had the advantage and I had already gone on exchange as part of my degree and done quite a substantial amount of travelling. But we both agreed we decided to start in the corporate world because it was time to give back to our parents - become somewhat financially independent. I know the "allowance" I give my parents from my pay packet isn't very much to them, but in some families when your pay might mean getting your younger sister through school, no amount is too little.

My friend noted that kids nowadays are getting too selfish. All they think about it themselves and what they want to do - and it's true. I come home after a week of work and complain about how tired I am and how I deserve a holiday while my Dad started working (and I mean hard physical labour) at the age of 16 and not once has he complained or demanded a holiday. And he had a lot more on his plate.

So I often think what is it that drives him. What makes him get up early every morning, do everything he does and still enjoy it because I definitely want a piece of that. My Dad has an interest in all things. And what drives him is anything that makes money. While my interests are limited he doesn't believe that passion alone is enough to make you successful. The Chinese are practical people and my Dad is one Chinese businessman. As much as I love making jewellery, my Dad was often stop and say "Fhen, it's just a hobby. Passion won't put rice in your bowl". And he's supported this comment with practical examples of friends and family.

Most people I know however, seem to lack the ambition and drive of the older generation. I look at my parent's group of friends and all have come from humble beginnings and have made their living with little or no education and a whole heap of dedication. Quite frankly, we have the resources to exceed what they've achieved. We've all been well educated and been well developed in aspects beyond the books. I don't see much of this happening which is very disappointing. Maybe it's because we're all still young or maybe we've been brought up to be consumed with only ourselves. Ever since I was young, my parents would tell me "You don't have to be the brightest to succeed as long as you work hard, but you will definitely fail if you're lazy, even if you're smart" and it's something I've always taken to heart.

I came across this article and it very accurately describes to modern generation today - Tribal Workers - definitely worth your time.

Green Lightning

I've been told that I make interesting observations...but this one was particularly interesting for me.


I was on a packed tram during morning traffic and I saw this little man (quite stylish) wearing a lime green scarf, big ghetto-style headphones and he had the curliest cuuuurliest hair. He started bopping to the beat, much to the annoyance to the man next to him. The other man turned around and both exchanged a stare. The other man (not so stlyish) had skinny i-pod like earphones the same lime green as the little man's scarf, he was tall and bald. He looked to the little man as if to say "Why you think you so cool?"...The two men could not have been further apart in terms of looks (and quite possibly taste in music too though I couldn't quite hear) but the little man turned to look out the window and continued to bop to the beat...that's what we all need to do when something sour comes our way...



Big Bear left to the Gold Coast this morning, and though I thought this would be a great time to catch up on my own things, I already miss him dearly. I've spent almost half our relationship overseas and now he's only gone for an hour, I can bearly handle it. He said, "I'll be back soon". I said "But I'll have no one to e-mail at work" and he said, "But sometimes all you write is "Harlow?""

So thought I'd get in to work early. Stopped by at this cafe which I loooooove. Will have to write about it. It's called "Not All There" and they have the best food and coffee...I ordered a large coffee, and the guy said as he was serving it up "Here you go, this will make your Friday allll better". Sometimes it takes a stranger to know you better!

Stepping Stones...

It’s been a tough couple of weeks with busy season at work coupled with study after hours. I see my study group more than I see Big Bear and I probably see Big Bear more than I see my brother even though we’re living under the same roof.

So where does that leave friends? Hardly anywhere. I’ve missed social gatherings, dancing classes, pot lucks all in the name of…work. But no longer being little girls where friendships can “end” overnight because she broke my Barbie’s head or I broke her tea set, you’d think friendships at this age are much stronger and more mature, really.

If work has taught me nothing about auditing, it has definitely taught me about people and a whole lot about myself too. You hear people talk about those who would do anything to get somewhere, but you hardly think it’ll be someone close to you. But we’re in a grown up world now, in the real world where girls are mean, and it’s not just in the movies.

I was surprised when someone wanted help and my response was delayed not because I didn’t want to but rather because I was caught up with a million and one things. I was reminded numerous times and eventually got to it (not that it was an emergency or anything). I helped how I could but now I almost feel as if I was a stepping stone for them to get somewhere. It’s probably a very small issue, and I could be over thinking it…but not matter how small, it can make your heart shift.

But then I remember what someone once said to me… “You don’t have to be perfectly good friends with everyone you meet. As you grow up, you filter the good and the bad so in the end you get little, but of the great stuff”.

I see love blossoming

Having been in a relationship for quite a few years, and with most of my friends in the same boat, I must say it's rare to see the excitement of a new crush or a new boyfriend/girlfriend. I was driving to work and saw a boy and a girl, both in school uniforms trying to run the light to catch the tram that was just about to depart. 

They were eagerly waiting for the green man to appear...and it started to rain...and the tram started to pull away. But it appeared both were quite happy to be stuck there in the rain and without a tram. The boy turned and smiled as if to say "it's okay, I'm here". This was a lovely observation as I was making my way through peak hour traffic and it made the journey a tiny bit more pleasant to know that just because you have that one person there, it makes what would normally be a very frustrating occurrence all the more pleasant :)

A flat start to the week...

As if waking up on a Monday morning for work isn't hard enough, I was welcomed to the start of the working week with a flat tyre.

At the traffic lights I was stopped by a lady telling me my back tyre was "pancak-ing" then another Asian man started frantically waving at me telling me to wind down my windows and said "Just to let you know...your back tyre is FLAT!"

I dashed to the nearest workshop and was served by some lovely people. I couldn't find the key to unlock the spare tyre so they offered to fix the problem. All was fine and dandy until I was waiting at the lights and the Indian man serving me started waving telling me to reverse back. He said "Ma'am, your other tyre looks flat, I think we should pump it since you're here"....5 minutes later, "Ma'am I think you got another nail in your tyre...see the bubbles near the nail?"

Not impressed. But I am thankful to the nice people who stopped me on the road and the lovely workmen at the workshop....but not thankful to whoever put nails near my tyre. My only reaction is that like Charlotte to Big - "I curse the day you were born!"

Drainer

Full time work, study and business altogether is exhausting. Although I feel somewhat productive trying to balance everything, it can get tiring. And with all that taking so much of your time and energy, one has to wonder when we fit in the important things in life. Sometimes I wish that all the important things could be encapsulated like how a daily serve of veggies can come in a tablet, or the important vitamins and minerals can be bought off the shelf as vitamins and taken with meals.

One for laughter, family, friends, exercise and a social life please!

Public Transport Peace

I met up with a friend from Brunei for coffee during the week. One of my colleagues who came along asked how long we'd known each other for. I stopped to think and it was since year 2! I am Facebook friends with quite a few of the kids I went to kinder and primary school with but the number of those I actually keep in touch with and see, I can count with one hand...Anyway my friend is from Brisbane and she commented on how great Melbourne's transport is. My colleague and I were like no way! Melbourne trains are more often than not, either;
(a) Late
(b) Crowded
(c) Smelly
(d) All of the above

Uey says no to overcrowded trains and annoying kids

However, now that kids are on holidays...it is quite a pleasant ride into work. I'm not running down the platform trying to dodge kids with massive school bags and waiting for streams of them to exit the train. Also, you won't have kids trying to ruin the ending to new movies that you are waiting to see (as experienced by a good friend)...*sigh* - The frustration one must endure because there is nowhere for you to escape to in a crowded moving train. Oh well, let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Wishing and Hoping

My last week has been occupied with an injured hand, a lot of work, a lot of study and a full day of soccer. There is no better time for a little bit of pampering ~ unfortunately my schedule does not accommodate for it. But there is definitely no harm wishing and hoping for an opportunity like that I had a while back...

Big Bear took me to Rye for a weekend to relax before I started work (didn't need it as much as I do now). Anyways, the day started off with a big breakfast at Blaigowrie Cafe and when I say big, I do mean big. The meal was followed by a stroll along the beach and then a drive to look at all the nice houses out there. Then Big Bear had a facial and massage booked at a day spa followed by a visit to the hot springs at The Peninsula.

Bliss

All the pampering took an entire afternoon and before we knew it...it was dinner time! Big Bear was craving something Asian while I had doubts over how good Asian cuisine could be in a holiday town. Someone had recommended the Lighthouse Cafe (Thai food) and I read somewhere they offer take-away so I imagined a dingy place in the middle of the commercial strip. To my surprise, it was a cute little restaurant and as we walked in to get a table, the food smelt amazing! But we were shattered to hear that they were fully booked. I wanted Thai then and there and was willing to sit outdoors with the rain spitting in. The waitress tried to fix something up and came back to us with an offer - if you can finish in half an hour, you can have that table. Big Bear's response to that was.."If you can get the food to us in fifteen, we can finish it it half". And boy did we do that. No romantic chat...just gulp gulp and gulp. We ordered our food when the old couple next to us ordered dessert and we were out of there before they had even asked for the bill.

Feeling rather full from dinner in a quiet town, we decided to watch a Drive in movie. You're in the comfort of your car and you don't have to deal with rude people talking but you are free to engage in a chat yourself. Lots of fun!

I cannot wait for another weekend getaway like that ~ oh well...I shall be wishing and hoping for that weekend to come along.

Appreciation

You never fully appreciate something until you've lost it. I must say I take for granted what my limbs can do. On Sunday night when I was trying to avoid having to get cosmetic surgery for the face, I tried to shield myself from the ball which hit my hand really awkwardly. Swelling occurred and my friend described it as looking like a fat pork chop. Even the simplest of movements seem so painful but I had to curl my messy morning hair so I attempted to using my left hand with my injured one lifting sections of hair ready for the hot iron. It actually looked better than when I use my right hand! (I think so anyway) - trick was to start halfway and not grip too tightly. Unfortunately, as I type prodding along the keyboard, I have no photos to share. So I doubt there will be new snaps from me in the next few days...and on that note, no new jewellery pieces either :(

Final reminder: Specials on U-Fhern.com will be ending today so get shopping!

In transit

It's been a sad few days. I didn't think Michael's departure would have such a profound impact on those who weren't mad fanatics. It has been so profound that even Charlie's Angels' Farah Fawcett's death seems to have been neglected. 

I saw tears roll down the face of someone I didn't expect having heard comments about M.J on the radio. It got me thinking ~ what if we die tomorrow? Shouldn't we be doing things we enjoy everyday with the people we love?

I couldn't be doing anything further from that. As if full time work wasn't a big enough change...I've (along with a large number of other grads) have decided to embark on a journey to further develop our professional careers and start our CA Program. Why? To become a professional, for better career opportunities...for a better future. My question is, are we so focused on the future that we're spending the present constantly planning for the future and wasting away our youth? Why?