My Last Day Sunrise

A couple of years ago I came across the notion that on the last day of your travel the sunrise is the most beautiful. From then on I have tried my best to catch the sunrise on my last day of any journey. Watching it makes you feel incredibly accomplished by seeing the rising of the early light on the last day.

I had wanted to come to Singapore for years, but was both too scared to make the financial jump and the suffer the insecurity of not having a job and being alone. But then after I went through another relationship breakup I finally realized that I had wasted enough of my life on "what ifs." So I started planning my trip. It felt like many things in my life came slowly into place after that - a vacant apartment, a cheap plane ticket (thanks to my mom), a finished job. However there was one thing that that didn't fall into place - a new relationship. I never felt so lonely in my whole life as I boarded the plane to Singapore via Japan. Yet, from that time alone I learned the most amazing things about myself that I will never forget or regret. But my trip is not just another "Eat Pray Love" autobiography, even though I did do a lot of similar soul-searching. This trip was the end to my quarter-life crisis. This trip was my answer from God. This trip told me who I am, past, present, future.

As the sun rises on this new day, my last day, I find myself kind of at a loss for words about this feeling I have. Its not really accomplishment, its not love, its not a belief. Its just warmth. Its what the sun does, right?

I am still unemployed. I have used up a good chunk of my savings. I might have created unnecessary stress and drama. I didn't do all that I had set out here to do, but... There is always tomorrow and another sunrise.

Thanks for reading. :-)

Look in a mirror and tell me what you see

A friend on Facebook recently posted an article that reviews Dove's campaign to alert women about their own perception of beauty. Dove has always been a strong advocate for women's true "beauty." However Dove's recent video shows that women are still unable to see themselves as others see themselves.

When I saw the video I, too, realized that I have the hardest time seeing the beauty in myself (last post excluded). When it gets down to it, you need to realize who you are and what is so special about yourself. This will help propel you forward in life. If you rely on others to tell you that you are beautiful or talented you are always going to rely on the help of others to move you forward.

Why yes, I did get a haircut today

I bought a Groupon for a haircut and hair spa treatment at a place called La Vie Hairdressing at Delfi Orchard mall. The treatment was very relaxing and I was quite pleased with the hair styling. (I got bangs again!) And as soon as I walked out of the place I felt like a princess. I think, if I could, I would wave to people and say "Yes, yes. I know I'm gorgeous!" That's how fabulous I felt. And to make it even better I notice that the mall is specifically set up for weddings! Dress shop here, photographer office there, and a whole lot of shinny things everywhere! I felt more and more euphoric walking around and checking out all the dress shops. I'm not getting married any time soon, but ruffled skirts and shinny jewelry can be a lovely distraction sometimes... Or maybe the hair treatment has gotten to my head.

I finally wonder into a cafe called Rocky Master. I only glanced at the menu for a short time before a girl at the counter greeted me. I asked her about her pizzas and she told me that they have these adorable 6" pizzas. I looked at the selections and immediately honed in on the Ratatouille option. Tomatoes, yes! Olives, YES! Zucchini, DOUBLE YES! I ordered it and sat down on one of the cushioned chairs, cause every cafe should have awesome cushioned chairs. The girl asked me if I wanted a drink to go with the pizza. I was kinda thirsty so I ordered a ice lemon tea. Then I noticed that everyone was paying for their meal at the counter and I totally forgot to pay for my meal. I didn't even have to get up because the server brought me the receipt and I paid right there on the cushioned chair.

Yes, I am a princess today.

What do you do in crowded areas?

I've learned today that I am definitely an introvert. I may crave human interaction every once in a while but only in a small groups of people. Other times I can be happy just being by myself. There is a poor perception that introverts are anti-social and avoid any kind of interaction with people.

In a recent TED talk, a lawyer gives a lecture about how she herself is an introvert. She never thought it was a good thing until she got further into her career. She explained that there are many people who are secretly introverts but they are pushed to be extroverts. Society has raised us to think that only extroverted people are happy and successful. However, the punchline is that introverts are needed in the work place more than ever right now. People who are introverted can show true dedication to the workforce without being stimulated by social interaction. Most companies now days are asking more and more employees to be self-starters. Introverts excel when they are given some time alone, so who do you think companies going to hire - an introvert or an extrovert?

...

Right now I am enjoying a ice latte while people watching. I'm by myself at this crowded beach and I am still blissfully happy being alone. I watch a father throw his little girls up into the air just for them to splash down into the water. I see a couple of families walk by talking pictures of each other on the sandy beach because who knows when they will be able to enjoy this family time together? I met a couple from South Africa earlier today and we had a nice long discussion about Singaporean/Malaysian customs control. And throughout this time I smile with my whole heart.

I don't have to be with friends or family to enjoy this time at the beach. I don't stray away from talking to people either. With this new found approach to who I am, my life path is a little bit clearer... Hope I've clarified some things for you too.

Parking like a Singaporean

Just now I watched a couple, for about 20 minutes, teach themselves how to back into a parking space. I think it was interesting how they kept practicing to perfection next to a BMW. A good way to make sure you're perfect!

In Singapore the protocol for parking is to back into the parking space. In the US it is the opposite and I've been wondering what are the benefits for parking back end first. In Singapore parking spaces are hard to come by and most of them are a tight fit (so tight that manufacturers have specifically sold vehicles to Singaporeans with automatic folding rear-view mirrors when parked). So why go through the scary thought of not being able to control the back end easily and park that end first? Simply because when you leave you can see your way out easier instead of through a rear-view mirror.

However, I still like the idea of backing up into a larger open space, than backing into a tight parking space between two nice cars. Just saying...

Scared of yoga now

11 April 2013

I never knew that Yoga could kick my a$$, but it did today. I tried out a Groupon for four yoga sessions for $20. I thought it was a pretty good deal and that way I could try to keep in shape while I pigged out in Singapore. I didn't realize how out of shape I was in until the instructor asked us to touch our toes. I've done it hundreds of times when I was doing cheerleading and when I actually working out at the gym, but this time I got to my ankles and stopped dead. The pain! And this was just the first set of instructions! I realized how I know nothing about yoga as the instructor called out various poses and I was the dumb one that kept saying "whaaaaaat?" One pose called for us to stand on our heads. All the girls were suddenly on their heads, effortlessly, as if they were saying "Yea, I've been waiting all day to do this position!" I just flopped around like I was Jason Segel on "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". Thank goodness there were only three other girls in the class or else I would have felt a whole lot worse being embarrassed by a full class.

But the flip side is that I only had one class. I have three more to attempt... Save me...

Lessons of Rock Climbing

I haven't been writing a lot and its mostly due to me moving into a new place that doesn't have internet yet. I was really excited to move into a place of my own (well... Its my parents' place, but I'm watching it while they are away), however I occasionally become sad and lonely.

Before I had moved into my parents' place I went rock climbing with my adventurous aunt and uncle. Both of them do a variety of sporty activities as well as travel the globe, so it was a treat to join them rock climbing. It was my first time so I was given some pointers from my relatives. I list a few tips below but I noticed that they can be applied to life as well. Maybe if you're feeling down you should go rock climbing. ;-)

2 March 2013

Lessons of rock climbing:

1. Make sure you are secure to the rope and that the belayer's hook is locked - you are responsible for the safety of your own life.

2. Always have three points of your body (foot, hand) on the wall. Also keep your hips close to the wall so you won't feel like gravity is pulling you down. This will give you the balance you need to not fall. - Balance is key.

3. Use your legs to lift yourself higher. You may feel like you need to stretch your arms to pull you up, but your legs are stronger than your arms so use that to your advantage. - Remember to use your bases because they are stronger than your reach.

4. Take small steps and take your time. - You are not racing. You should be overcoming your fear one step at a time.

5. Just the tip of your toes is usually all you need when going from rock to rock. - Use your energy to move higher, not to stay solid at one level.