"Introverts can appear self-absorbed and uninterested but rather than being self-centered, they are often really the opposite..."

"The ability to focus on their internal world and reflect on what they are feeling and experiencing allows them to understand the external world and other human beings better. What appears to be self-centeredness is actually the very talent that provides the capacity to understand what it's like to put themselves in someone else's shoes."

(Extracted from Marti Olsen Laney - The Introvert Advantage)

Glad to have you as my lunch Kaki for 2 and a half years. We talked. We complained. We laughed. I've never known you so well before.

And thanks for being my friend for 13 years. I'll miss you!

Mum says "You had a good job in your previous company and yet you don't treasure it."

Mum says "Look at how pitiful your brothers are, count yourself lucky you don't have to work shifts, work weekends, work OT often."

Justy stares into space and thinks "I just want a simple and balance life, a job I can endure for years and a hobby-turned-passion that keeps on burning. Life's too short to drown in unhappiness...and life's too short to stay in a job that constantly makes you feel like an useless bum."

My first job was in a eyewear distributing company. Second was in the Entertainment and Media industry.

I've never planned to enter the marketing field, particularly so because I don't have the confidence to interact and communicate well with people of all levels, but sometimes life seems to have already paved a path for you and that route might not be the one you are most comfortable or familiar with. Maybe it's a challenge, a test, laid by god. It's up to you whether to follow it or not...

I realized I might need to go for another round of laser treatment since the one I underwent didn't completely remove the mole on my cheek. Doc told me this might happen but still, I couldn't shake off the slight disappointment. Anyhow, I'll do it again some time next year.

There are people who asked why I want to remove it in the first place. Why? Ever watch movies when the person with moles were teased and made fun of? Ever remember your long-time-no-see friend as 'The one with moles on her face'? Ever experience the awkwardness of someone looking at your photographs and commenting only on how obvious the mole on your cheek was in the dark? And even with makeup to conceal, there are still people who get near and try to see the flaws, there are still people who feel the need to remind you your moles weren't perfectly covered up. Dark eyes circles would need professional skill to conceal, least to mention black moles.

I've been self-conscious.... or maybe I'm simply vain.

Those who have the access to my blog aren't the ones who did the above so dear friends, no worries you guys are still in my christmas celebration list. Ha!

To a friend who has recently broken off with her boyfriend of many years, I hope time will heal soon enough... Go, Ms Cutie Chuin.

Went shopping, bought oven, ate supper, played candles... all in a day.

Had a fun and 'brightly lit' Mooncake Festival with Ms Yen. And I hope she enjoys my cookies as much as she enjoyed my mum's Hokkien Mee.

'Rar-bins' and transparent 'Gong'.

Thanks to Ms Tingle bell for bringing me to Phoon Huat. These match the packaging materials I had in my mind...

Lanterns, Candles, Chinese tea and... Mooncakes.

This year is the first year I bought mooncakes home, just to get a feel of that festive mood. Ms Chuin recommended Peony Jade and it didn't disappoint me one bit. Their signatured mooncake with flaky skin and smooth yam filling was above my expectation. The pandan snow skin one with creamy durian paste was equally yummy.

Funny how I would think of buying now just when I'm penniless. My heart, ridiculously, could only feel the relief of leaving that place...

I was angry yesterday.

To the person who made me feel this way:

Remember who was the one who told me I was reckless to choose design course and I bought it upon myself when I teared at night because I was so very tired trying to finish my projects almost every day? Who was the one who said I was careless, stupid because the computer and my thumbdrive happened to clash at the same time and I lost all softcopies of my school files? Now you are the one who taste it and you accuse me of not having any sympathy when all I did was to keep quiet when you are complaining?

Who was the one who brushed me off when I complained about work, saying I am a grumbling queen? Now I choose not to discuss and talk about my decisions, any of it, and you think I am too nonchalant?

I remember all these because it is a reminder that I need to learn to manage stress and be independent. I need to stop wincing and affect others. I need to know for every steps I chose, if I ever regret, I have myself to blame. I need to constantly mend my ways to be a better person. And you? You got it wrong. You can only think of how petty I am to remember such trivial matters. What are you now? No point in arguing with you so I would rather be silent. You don't even deserve any explanation. One day, you will see. In the meantime, get the hell out of my sight.

Some are asking me "Don't you feel sian, jobless and all?"

And I've the answer for everyone who asked, or have yet to ask. I wouldn't have resigned without a job if I'm afraid of boredom during my break. I went for what I wanted and I got it. There are bound to be some sacrifices made. Instead of having regrets (if any), then why not simply enjoy and make full use of it? Then, I'll move on.

Recently, few of my friends seem to be going through some relationship problems. Hope things will straighten out very soon...

枯树前杂踏脚步 刻着心碎的控诉
读完别人的感触 却又义无反顾的投入
谁的脚步有几个真的可以远离爱 远离糊涂...

祝福什么都不再记住
祝福很快会找到幸福
祝福爱情的信徒 那善男信女别再辛苦
(Lyrics extracted from 萧敬腾 - 善男信女)

Just a note to let you guys know that I've created another blog solely for my baking-related stuff.

http://thestickydough.blogspot.com/

And this blog will continue to be a place for me to vent frustrations, share my absurb thoughts etc.

There's no such a thing as the perfect lyrics for everyone. It's just a matter of individual perception and apprehension. Who are we to judge whether it's right or wrong when words, a phrase, could be perceived in so many different meanings and told so many sides of a story? We can only like, or dislike.

The song lyrics might not be telling your story, your memories, but for some unexplainable reasons it was beautiful simply because it evoked a certain emotion within you and you found yourself feeling for it, maybe even crying for it...

我们都曾经寂寞而给对方承诺
我们都因为折磨而厌倦了生活
我们改变了态度而接纳了对方
我们委屈了自己...成全谁的梦想?

I dedicated this post to my brother whom I'm sure wouldn't be reading this. Sometimes, a right dose of sensitivity and imagination is good. Maybe that is why some people are meant to be a lyricist, a screenwriter and some, a mechanical engineer.

It is usually on a quiet afternoon that I have an impulse to find a partner. Someone who could be there for me during moments like this, when I feel the sudden emptiness...

Sometimes the busier you get, the lonelier you will feel during the time alone. I guess this is an emotion everyone faces occassionally, even the attached ones.

"Hey, the chocolate chips and nuts in your cookies are nice!"

It's a compliment. It's like telling a singer the song she sings has meaningful lyrics, it's like telling a tailor the colour of the threads she uses on her dress is unique, it's like telling a carpenter the texture of the wood of his chair looks great...

But does the singer sing well, reaching every high and low notes? Did the tailor sew a nice-fitting dress that compliments her client's figure? And how is the hands-on skill of the carpenter who tries to build a strong and durable piece of furniture?

When the secondary overpowers the first, is there really something to be happy about? It's a compliment alright, but it just wasn't enough. It makes me wonder, how long will it take for me to reach there?

As long as I keep trying, I'll have a chance.

15 minutes of fame

Would you like to have 15 minutes of fame?

A large cockroach

I was scared out of my wits this morning at 3am. I jumped out of bed and I shook my body non-stop when my brother woke me up urgently...

Because one disgusting cockroach crawled onto me when I was deep in sleep.

Have you ever dreamt of growing old with someone you love? When you both could no longer sprint like a kid, munch on chocolate with full row of teeth, read every single words on the newspapers, hear people calling your name from afar, type with two steady hands on the keyboard... When seeing young couples with roses everywhere, you probably don't remember it's Valentine Day...

But even so, you hold onto each other with shaky hands to cross the road, you grab onto each other when losing balance on the bus, you spend more and more time with each other in silence since you can't speak or hear perfectly well by then, yet the memories you both shared will come back as clear as ever when you are nearing deathbed. Beautiful or not, still, it's a story of your very own...

If only every marriage could last that long... Life isn't perfect without a little setback every now and then, a person isn't complete without a few flaws, just like love isn't beautiful without some effort, grumbles and flashes of memory...

或许我有点无聊 常希望我们快点老
步履蹒跚的脚 再也不逃跑
世界只会越来越渺小 只剩下我们紧紧的依靠
我的故事 傍晚聊到大清早

选择不对我说 但我明了 你对我的好
爱情安静却有 强烈的讯号
我的短暂流浪 你是支撑孤单的信仰
你总微笑随我的疯狂 红着眼眶敷着我的伤
静静等在远方 细数着星光

陪着我...
(Lyrics extracted from 萧敬腾 - 给爱人)

There are two types of personality that make a person happier than the others. Those who genuinely care, and those who don't care at all. If you are stuck in between, neither here nor there, then your life will probably be full of dilemma.

And dilemma often drives an undecisive person crazy.

It's Biscotti day.

I've fallen head over heels for Hazelnut. It pairs up deliciously with bits of dark chocolate.

I like hazelnut.