Flying Forward Twogether...

My right kind of bird :)

Thank you for understanding and telling me to stop being overly concerned.

It soothed my anxious heart...
Here's to the continuance of building our castle with bricks and no longer with sand.

SYVBMB. HHKK.

Random Mid-Week Thoughts...

... that went through my head until lunch beckoned.

• I have no problems with the toilet seat being up. If it's up, just put it down. It's that simple. Don't think it is something you should fret and enhanced your fine lines over. And no, not only men do it. Women do too. I have walked into a ladies public toilet and found the seat up a few times. There are other things that turn me off in a man e.g. not keeping his fingernails short, clean and dirt free. In addition, men who grow their pinky fingernails longer than their other fingernails. Some say it's a feng shui thing but sorry to say, I find it gross and unacceptable.
• Massa and I have a common denominator. We've both fractured our skull. And no, you don't hear the voices of people talking to you when you're in a coma. It's like being in a deep slumber. Get well soon Massa. Although I would love to see Schumi race again and try to bring some glory back to Ferrari. However, I believe one should not return when they have retired unless necessary circumstances requires them to. Defeats the purpose of retiring. I also believe every F1 driver wants to race in a Ferrari at one point in the span of their career.
• Leave approved *cheer*. Dream Par-Don is now possible but we still need to lock-in some details before a decision is made on flying to another continent in December. There will be fabulosity, if it happens. Major fabulosity. If not, we'll be there next year *pacify, pacify*. Plan B that involves a ship is in the works, in case. No matter what, I will get my skinny bony a** and wobbly tummy in Par-Don somehow, someday. A comforting thought: this dream is closer to being realised than before.
• It seems like this month is passing by ever so slowly (like driving in Perth where the speed limit is 60) eventhough there's only two more days left till August arrives. Looking forward to the long weekend next week (rained on my own parade because I thought it was this weekend) and being back in the peninsular to catch up with family and friends, and enjoying my grandmama's soup.
• You tell yourself life is good and you get the feeling that perhaps it really is when he, of few words surprises you verbally and you're not exactly looking your best, with your hair in a mess and your post-facial bare face looking back at him. Swwwww--eeeeeet.
• Someone suggested that maybe I should try being 'friendlier' and work my feminine wiles to make life 'easier' at work as others are currently adopting this so-called approach to their apparent advantage. Said I have the face and the tools for it. I felt slightly insulted by this remark but I know where that came from. If I had learned anything from previous work experiences, it would be this: that yes, you can get ahead at work without having to suck-up to anyone, not even your boss. I do not believe in boot-licking and I will not resort to it. My work should speak for itself. If my boss is unable to recognise my contribution and potential (which is not an issue at this moment), it only means that I'm buying time until I find a better match in another organisation. I will not make a 'friend' out of anyone when it comes to work. Moving on, an opportunity has come knocking and I will not jinx it. Hush... keeping my fingers and toes crossed.
• I am currently looping George Michael's Last Christmas while writing this post which never fails to warp me back to the time when I was in my early twenties and working in the city back home. I remember shopping for Christmas gifts during lunchtime to tick the boxes off my usual 20-something gift list and this song will be playing in the malls, festively decorated in line with the season of giving. I also remember having lunch at Dome Cafe and Societe (which has a Parisian allure to it), and ice-cream at Haagen Dazs. Talking about Haagen Dazs and ice-cream, when it comes to flavours, I go back to the basics. I'm fundamentally a vanilla and chocolate person. Boring, I know. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to things I put in my mouth. However, the mango and passion fruit flavour by this brand which (did you know?) was established by Polish immigrants to the States, is my current favourite. Unfortunately, it's a limited edition flavour. I shall savour every scoop I get from the tub we bought yesterday.
• It's been a while since I've bought a pair of heels. Oh dear, almost a month I think. What can I say? Shoes will still fit in your life when everything does not. And the side profile of a pair of heels is breathtakingly beautiful. It is art. Art, indeed. Once again, the urge to add to the collection has emerged and is growing stronger. *ignore, ignore* If you like the design, you should respect the designer (and his/her creative effort) and not buy the imitation. However, the argument on the other side of the fence will be, imitation is a form of flattery. Well, I choose the former. Respect the designer. And this has always been my stand. Save is the new four letter word. Save to have enough to spend in future, that is. Save for Par-Don and Project Nest. Therefore, no new heels for now if I can help it *cringe*.
• A thank you to God I whisper for the blessings (in people and in kind) he has bestowed upon me, as I gaze out of the glass windows and up at the cotton-candy clouds above. To quote the late and talented Yasmin Ahmad: Everyday, I thank Allah for everyday things like the ability to breathe, the ability to love, the ability to laugh, and the ability to eat and drink.

Time to flutter off for food. Over and out.

Quick Vent

- Start

Don't you dare chase me for one freaking unmarked item on the list when you still owe me THINGS that have been pending since donkey's years ago. Maggots could have bred and turn to flies.

FYI, my deadline is not blown yet. Not even CLOSE.

%*&^%###@@!##@!

- End

Done. Back to the grind.

13 Going On 30

the more you are,
the more you need,
the more you'll understand...
the more you'll understand,
the more you know,
the more you feel,
the more you'll understand...

"I feel lost after watching the movie..." she said during dinner while dipping her California maki into soy sauce.

"How come? It's supposed to be a feel good movie." he replied.

She tried to find the words to explain but all she could conjure was silence. She could not understand why she felt what she felt but she felt it. It was real and it affected her. As she watched him smash the shuttlecock, she struggled to organised her thoughts. The movie triggered a feeling of disappointment in herself (from the things she had set herself to achieve but have failed thus far) and fear, particularly. Fear that her life will be lived without that speck of stardust. She was worried he would misconstrue her if she told him because her volatile emotions more often than not paint an ugly picture and tend to betray her.

Perhaps she should manage this episode like previously done. Ride it out on her own. But she does not want to do this anymore because things are different now. They are now in a better place. Stronger as ever. Closer than before. And neither should feel alone in a crowded room even when without the other. If they're in it for the long haul. If hers is the face in his future and vice versa.

At the end of the day, he is the possessioner of mini happies that can turn her frowns upside down. He can save her from herself. And she believes it's been within him all this while...

-SYVBMB-

Crown. Thomas Crown.

[at Crown's tropical resort]

Catherine Banning: Oh! This must go over!

Thomas Crown: With whom?

Catherine Banning: Whoever you bring here.

Thomas Crown: I never bring anyone here.

Pierce Brosnan portrayed the suave, rich and handsome Thomas Crown in The Thomas Crown Affair, now showing on Star Movies. It was fun and endearing, watching the chemistry unfold between this character and his love interest, Catherine Banning (elegantly played by Rene Russo) of whom he referred to as 'a worthy adversary'.

In my opinion, the film set the stage for the role Pierce would be most remembered for in years to come. Swift me away, Thomas Crown... anytime.

We are born innocent...

... we are still innocent.

It's easy, we all falter but does it matter?

***

You will always remain just as you are.

Special, in your own strong loving ways, in the beauty you possess.

Why not stay true to 'you' and load the gun for the final time?

Give it one last shot for what it's worth, if you should choose to follow your heart.

Then, take what you can in the process and let it go...

After all, you've come this far.

Am here for you...

Whatever it is, come what may.
xoxo

BFFs

It seems to me our circle of friends don't change, as we get older. We find one or two groups of people and stick to the bunch because we're comfortable with them and most importantly, we can naturally be ourselves around them with no qualms.

When it comes to BFFs, the number I have can be counted on one hand. I used to say that they will be my bridesmaids when I got married and each bridesmaid dress will be tailored individually to their taste and personality. A bride who makes her bridesmaids wear ugly dresses so she can shine, I am not going to be. I find it utterly ridiculous. There is no excuse I will accept if any of them becomes a Mrs. before me and declines to be my bridesmaid. All they have to do is remove the ring for a day.

My fantastic four...
- One, I've known since 13, at the start of secondary school.
- Two, when I was 18 and in college.
- And another, of whom I got to know at work 4 years ago. (Hhmm, although it definitely seems longer)

Out of the four of them, three are of the same age as myself and stay in the same neighbourhood as I used to before my move to the island. Coincidental? Maybe. Proximity does not breed contempt in this sense for sure.

What's happening with these fabulous ladies now?
Well, from a love perspective, two walked down the aisle in '08 and between them, one is already pregnant with her first child. And the remaining two are involved. One has been in a long term relationship and the other is working on baby steps, embarking on a journey of simplicity minus the drama and complication. When it comes to our careers, we vary according to industries (retail, insurance, IT, education and banking). The unlikely thing is, I'm the only one who's out of the country when I thought most of us will be based somewhere else at this point in our lives.

Why are they my BFFs?

Somehow, I prefer this version:
Best Friends are people who know all about you and still put up with your crap.

And because they have been like a good push-up bra as the years have passed. Providing support and 'lifting' my spirits when needed. By my side, through thick and thin, even when they don't agree with my choices and decisions in life.

Thank you ladies, I hope you know who you are. Each of you are gems in my eyes, precious and rare... unlike friends in the form of autumn leaves, scattered everywhere.

Love ya babes lots and lots... xoxo

Not Another Pair!

Today felt like it was birthday too when I found a pretty purple parcel on my table from M.

In it contained this but it was in a beautiful shade of purple like this

Written on a pink post-it: Hello, early birthday present from me (and Hans too). Thought it was really appropriate.

The purse is from Miss Budd and it's called 'Not another pair!'.

"Inspired by my love of buying shoes! 'Not another pair' is always what my boyfriend says when I come home from a shopping trip with another pair of heels!"

More on Miss Budd...

Beautiful bags for glamourous girls...

Miss Budd makes beautiful accessories to make girls feel special. Our range of handbags, scarves, purses and make-up bags are made from fabulous textiles designed and produced by Miss Budd. In 1950's movie star style you can have the all matching accessories a glamorous girl could need.

Miss Budd is based in London, the cosmopolitan influence is always apparent in the collection. Inspiration can come from a Brooklyn shelf loaded with cake-mix boxes, or a postcard picked up from the Portobello road or a tin found at a flea market in Barcelona. Every item is made to perfection.....The finest leathers are chosen and individually screen printed by hand in our London studio, thus making each purse unique in its own way. Attention to detail is paid in every aspect of design and production.

The prints fit perfectly to the bags. Purses are made in batches, limited edition colours are used and each batch is slightly different from the last. The silk purses are produced using digital printing; this method creates vibrant and beautiful colours with precise detail.

The linings are as beautiful as the outsides of the bags, again screen printed by hand. The result is a beautiful and unique object.

'Not another pair!' certainly put a smile on my face as I was really having a blue Monday. I love it. It's indeed so, very, absolutely me. My first birthday present for the year and it's 6 months ahead of time :)

A Gorgeous Popystarz Weekend

B and I were out on Saturday, joining the mass population and tourists invading the city in conjunction with the GSS. 2 dresses from Warehouse, 1 pantsuit from Flesh Imp, 1 original Transformers t-shirt for the brother and 1 strapless bra from Chalone. Done. My further contribution to the retail economy for the week, in addition to the scarf and chiffon blouse from Bysi. Thou must save for... Thou must save. Thou must save.

Walking around, I got on the phone with Popystarz (who flew in for the weekend) and was trying to confirm meet-up arrangements when a non-vertically challenged hot male and female approached us and said, "Hi! Would you like to join Female's 50 Gorgeous People search?" I was taken by surprise, told Popystarz I'll return my call and was whisked to a lounge area while snapping flashes and a video camera followed our steps. More photos were taken, personal particulars filled up and we were treated to red wine while waiting for our complimentary take-home photos to be ready. Subsequently, a live radio interview took place and the day returned to normalcy after.

Our similar thought at that moment, fat chance we'll be shortlisted and chuckled over it. We were only more than glad to rest our bums on the comfortable couches and give our tired feet a break. This portion of our weekend was amusing to us and we'll always have a picture to remember it by, on a ticklish note.

Moving on to a must mention...

Happy Birthday Popystarz...

The thought of your legs dragging the ground that fateful night in '08 never fails to make me laugh. You're welcomed anytime in the island. Fly down if it's fun you seek :)
May you find clarity and a middle ground soon...
xoxo

Stillness of Heart

"So, what's exciting about your relationship now?" asked a colleague of hers."Nothing." she replied almost instantly. "There's no circus. There's peace and quiet now considering our messy start. It's a change. A good change. We're enjoying each other's company. 'Us' is better than we've ever been in years. We both think it boils down to timing and the time is right."

Sometimes, when something is too good to be true, it probably is. Maybe that's why there's a certain sense of reality in this relationship that existed from the beginning. There was no fairytale start. He believed in giving her an option. She was complicated. From then on, it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions and they have experienced all kinds of ups and downs.

However, the road they're travelling on this time is contrastingly different. Less bumpy, more smooth sailing, minus the huge potholes. This time it feels genuinely, real. There's the existence of familiar comfortability like sinking your feet into a pair of seasoned shoes, but in some areas it's as though they're only starting to take baby steps. A wonderful feeling it is, like trying on a dress for the first time and it fits perfectly. Everything has its time and place and this relationship is a testimony to the saying.

Flying and soaring...

Deep down, she knows that the happiness they now grasp in this present time wouldn't have been possible without him staying true to himself, throughout the fire, throughout it all. And it can only get better. For she, can be everywhere and nowhere in the same instance. And sometimes, she becomes her own worst enemy and is fully capable of displaying this tendency. Due to their past circumstances, they don't have a 'date' but to him, "We started the day we met, when you came into my life."

Again,

Thank you for being simply you... HHKK.