The Ring

In an episode of Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw discovers a hideous engagement ring in Aidan's closet. Imagine, being proposed to with a ring which is not quite your taste and you have to wear it 'proudly' for the rest of your life. Oh no...

I know some who have played safe and chose to show 'the ring' to their partner so he'll know exactly what to buy when the time comes. But in this case, there will be no element of surprise. I would like to not know what's inside the box but of course needless to say, there's a risk that I will bawl and my eyes will roll in shock at the sight of the ring. Gosh. I'm thinking will I, seriously? Maybe not. Maybe it won't matter when I'm actually proposed to and experiencing, feeling the whole euphoria of the moment. Maybe my beaming happiness will overshadow the ring and the superficialness attached to it. Maybe it won't matter at all and Love will be the protagonist. That's a BIG maybe. Hhmm.......... I reckon I shall leave it to my partner (I'm not the one who's going to propose after all) to decide if he knows me enough to surprise me in a good way. Else, he can always play detective to investigate on my preference but he'll have to outsmart me and do it subtlely. Now, here's a tip.

The ring you buy should reflect her personality - she'll be wearing it for a long time, after all - Groom Groove

And according to FHM magazine, the cost of an engagement ring should be twice the salary of the proposer. This tradition was invented by the jewellery industry in 1947. I reckon this is indeed the benchmark if you need a figure to gauge against how much you should invest.

When it comes to the size however, bigger does not always mean better. Let's say between a 0.7 carat (which in my opinion is an adequate size) with a good cut, colour (D,E or F) and clarity (I-F which stands for internally flawless, VVS-1, VVS-2) and a 1 carat with lower cut and clarity, I would choose the 0.7. It will definitely outshine the 1 carat, not forgetting fetch a higher value as well.

So boys, it's not always about the size yeah and giving her a ring which is not quite her? It's like you committing fashion faux paus and she bearing the grunt for it, for all your married life together. Therefore, do some research and homework. Window shop. All it takes is a little initiative for when you actually find it, you'll know that's the ring meant for the woman you would like to spend a lifetime with. If all else fails and you've tried, opt for the 'asking her best friend' option :)

There's also a Rebecca in most of us girls...

... just as there's a Carrie. Miss Bloomwood will be in theatres soon enough!

I was introduced to the Shopaholic series by my brother. He bought me the first book for Christmas. Remember him saying, "Jie, you're just like her. Crazy shopaholic!"

I recall the poor boy following me around Hong Kong island for two whole days, queueing up with me to get into stores that already have a line at ten in the morning. It was my first trip there and I ran amok. Shopping amok. We would start the day early after a heavy breakfast and won't stop until dinner time to meet the parents. Lunch would be a quick bite and we will stock up on water to quench our thirst in between. It was an awakening for him. Told him it was necessary training. That he'll be more than and fully prepared when his girlfriend drags him shopping in future. But then again, there's the PSP or the iPhone now to entertain while waiting so the menfolk should complain less.

I don't know about you but I know certain men who do not mind tagging along as opinion giver/bag holder or even bill settler (lucky girls) for as long as it takes. Some however, will play good boyfriend and follow obediently for a considerate amount of time and disappear to Starbucks or the nearest IT store after. It's due diligence to them, one told me apparently. And as long as they have paid their dues, they're free. Fair enough for me, I thought. Won't ask for more. But I must say I don't mind tagging along to the IT centre or DIY store and I have done so. What I'm trying to say is, it works both ways. It can, if two people want to strike a balance. I show you my world, you show me yours...

I digressed. The trailer made me tingle and I'm looking forward to catching the movie this weekend. Just sms-ed a couple of girlfriends. I reckon the menfolk will kindly excuse themselves from this although I think they should watch as well.

They might be enlightened and discover a thing or two about what makes us shopaholics, tick :)

I'm only happy when it's the weekend...

Been experiencing major Monday blues since last night but you managed to chase most of it away for me this morning.

Thank you :)

Felt like it was my birthday and I'm gonna feel this same way when it's in my hands. *happy*

Not forgetting the things we sometimes talk about that tends to get me excited. *wink*

Last but certainly not the least, what I surprisingly read that warmed the corners of my heart and painted a rainbow in my melancholic sky. *flutter*

Today is the 23rd of March.

I'm lovin' all of it. *pp*

Of Love and Hate.

I'm lovin' Begging by Frankie Valli. It happens to be the official song for the latest celeb filled 60th anniversary Adidas commercial.

I'm lovin' the commercial too. Has this old school, retro feel about it and I look forward to catching it in the cinemas everytime, before a movie starts.

Besides that, I'm also lovin' ice cream after dinner nowadays and sleeping early during the weekdays.

And I'm lovin' the surprise I got last night and lovin' it whenever I smother someone with a pillow.

*****

Moving on to something that absolutely rattles my cage... *ggggrrrr*

My ex-boss gave me two voodoo dolls to combat against 'evil' beings in the office. Bought in Bangkok, it has a round head and a matchstick body, fits into the palm of one's hand and comes in different colours. Such a cute little thing huh? I tend to squeeze its hard head and flick it around at its feet when I feel like it.

I left one in the peninsular and packed the other with me to the island when I moved. It was kept in my drawer at home until the need for it to work its magic arrived. I thought I might not utilise it but inevitably, the time came.

I brought it to work and hung it next to my monitor. Voodoo doll 1 cast its spell, over achieved its objective and the object of my aggravation? Let's just say she's not a problem anymore. Permanently.

I now need voodoo doll 2 to settle my latest obstacle (prefer to call it man-stacle). It was bad enough in the beginning but I let it be. I chose to be professional about the whole situation. However, war was declared after the personal attacks I had to forcefully swallow from him. The contents are still stuck in my esophagus. It will not go down. NOT YET.

The man-stacle will and must be managed accordingly.

The man-stacle will not know what hit him.

The man-stacle will pay, for karma will take its place.

I know my responsibilities (don't need you to educate me on it) and my job functions do not revolve around you, by right. You are not the boss of me. However, I'm a nice person and I will go out of my way to help others if I can. I don't need affirmation and confirmation from others to know this but everyone has their limits. No one likes to be condescended over and over again and made to look like a complete fool when they are helping someone.

Need I say more? Vomit. Blood. SERIOUSLY.

Friday... I'm in Love...

capricorn
december 22 - january 19
You have some great options you’re pursuing. But that’s the time to plan what you’re going to do next, rather than resting while the going is good. Don’t wait until you’ve taken all you can from your current situation and the need for alternatives is imminent. Sure, it’s tougher from a time management perspective, because as well as keeping current circumstances at maximum efficiency, you’ll also have to think through your future decisions too. Many people wouldn’t bother and would just make the most of what they have already.
But then again that’s what has always made you different, don’t you think?

Hhmm, I know the relevancy of the above sentences to me but I can't quite figure it out. Maybe it's too early in the morning to try and comprehend anything. What's more, I have not even finished my crucial cup of Milo (I love the smell of coffee but not the taste and I have been drinking Milo since I was a toddler), needed everyday for me to get my CPU running.

It seems like there are fewer people in the office today. Plus most of the bosses are on leave. What a breeze this Friday's going to be. Strangely however, the King of all bosses is in his room. Even his secretary is MIA. *humming*

After watching "He's Not That Into You', the mind will automatically press play to the catchy song by The Cure when Friday arrives.

I don't care if Monday's black
Tuesday, Wednesday heart attack
Thursday never looking back
it's Friday I'm in Love…

Monday you can hold your head
Tuesday, Wednesday stay in bed
or Thursday watch the walls instead
it's Friday I'm in Love…

Saturday wait
and Sunday always comes too late
but Friday never hesitate...

dressed up to the eyes
it's a wonderful surprise
to see your shoes and your spirits rise
throwing out your frown
and just smiling at the sound
and as sleek as a shriek
spinning round and round
always take a big bite
it's such a gorgeous sight
to see you in the middle of the night
you can never get enough
enough of this stuff
it's Friday I'm in Love…

We're at the brink of another weekend. I'm going to make the best out of it and have a fab one. After all, it's only once in a lifetime that I'm 21+++ and it's the 13th of March. The point I'm trying to make is, there will be no repeat of this day at the age we're in now. Therefore, seize the day and live it to the fullest of your abilities.

Yes, this girl's in a good mood today although the weather contradicts her feelings. "For once. No bitterness!" says the absent being on her right. Happy Friday the 13th!

We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.

They had dinner at One Fullerton and decided to walk off some calories by taking the train home. Using the Fullerton Hotel underpass to the station, they passed a Caucasian guy who was spotting a hat with a girl.

She paused in her steps and looked back. Thought to herself, "He looks like Jason Mraz. That hat... isn't he down here for a concert this week?".

He asked her what's up.

"That guy looks like Jason Mraz".

"We can find out which hotel he's staying in and we'll know if it's him or not!" said she, excitedly.

***
This morning while applying her purple mascara, the image of the Caucasian guy suddenly crash landed on her mind.

She came to a conclusion.

He WAS Jason Mraz. Even though she has no valid reason to support their intertwined paths that night. Although she's not that big of a fan and somewhat regretted not going for his concert thanks to the good reviews she heard, she simply knows this. She feels it. But she could be wrong. What the heck. We choose to believe what we want to believe. And sometimes, we need to believe.

OMG. Jason's Mraz's 'Love for a child' just started streaming on her Jango. No significance you may say but she was streaming 80s music.

It's a sign.

Have you heard of this saying? It tickled me.

Well, I will try to. Even though I woke up with two red eyes. Bring it on. Whatever. I am happy with my life although not in entirety, what with the two worries still in the playground of my mind. But I have to admit, I AM happy to a substantial extent.

Because today will end just the way I like it, regardless of the aggravation attacks each afternoon. And in spite of the one that arrived in the form of an email this morning.

Because when evening comes, a smile will automatically form on my frowning face. Because it's Thursday already and the weekend is approaching. Because my 'apparently' skinny bony a** and I will be flying off to somewhere mystical in about 4 weeks (well, it's a month to go but I ain't gonna rain on my own parade). And because, there will be feathers :) *meow*

Much Ado About Permanency

I've got two worries that come and go in my mind as they please throughout the days and weeks lately.

Both are intertwined, somehow attracted to each other like a magnet, and it is of the essence that things work out, ideally in a duo manner and settle in a place that's Heaven sent.

"Think positive and good things will happen." repeats KT to me for like the 100th time. Sigh, easier said that done for a pessimist like me. 'Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst' is my mantra.

For now, I can only do what I can within my means. Manage the situation as of currently. Practise pre-emptive measures and plan for the future. At least when shit hits the fan with either worry or worse case scenario with both, I can tell myself I tried to prevent it from happening. At least I did something before the situation started to dwindle. At least, I can pacify myself that perhaps this is fate and unfortunately, this might/will be one of those times where I don't get what I want. But I’ll be happier than a bird with a French fry if I (fingers and toes crossed) am blessed enough to have one or the other working out for me, as it might/will signify a new chapter for both matters at stake.

I am praying hard that my efforts will not perish in the flames of hope gone awry by a cruel twist of fate.

Dear God, please let me see this through. After all, I've come this far…