Bridge

I am amazed with the construction of bridges since young. And I am particularly impressed with sunset view of bridges.

I found it most de-stressing to come home and relaxing in the balcony admiring at the bridge with sunset at the background.

While I was in Brisbane, I could see a bridge from my apartment's kitchen. Sorry to disappoint, not the well-known Story Bridge (that you can see from picture on the right). I love that feeling of looking at that bridge while preparing my dinner. Those stress-free days.

Give And Take

I don't know who was the painter for the painting above. I like the skyscrapers, but I found the biggest flaw of the painting is why did the woman pulled the curtain. It's the man's responsibilities to handle the heavier task.

I dislike it when I heard lines such as:

"Well, if you women want gender equality, then prove to us you can move this by yourself"
- To me they are just a bunch of manipulative men when they said this line to my friends.

"Hey we can move this ourselves, we are the superwomen of the new generation"
- To me an important skill that every superwoman of the new generation should equip is how to delegate work to their men counterparts and ensure the men accepted those work willingly without expecting anything in return.

I would be ashamed of myself if I were the man in the painting, expecting a weaker woman to pull the curtain for him while he just stood there like a block admiring the skyscrapers view.

I belonged to the generation where the school system taught us to give but never take. I began to realise it is incorrect (at least in my principle) when at work, my subordinates took my kindness for granted. In relationship, I have forgotten to "take". Eventually I realised my love has been taken for granted, but it was already too late to salvage the situation.

Now, I have learnt. I have to be kind. I have to be kind to those who love me. I have to be kind to myself too.

Listen To Who And Who

My maid told me this morning our pet dog Bobby wanted to bite her. This is strange, I thought to myself. Bobby lied down quietly beside my chair having his nap when I was having my breakfast. My father told me he hit Bobby with a broken umbrella because Bobby bitten his left hand.

I believe the truth is: the maid locked Bobby in a cage yesterday because she found Bobby hairs lying around the kitchen floor. I don't think that's a good idea, because Bobby shouldn't be punished for he dropped his hair. To begin with, if he could hold a broom, he would sweep the floor himself. He is such a clever dog, and I don't understand why should my maid lock him up. So I reminded her this morning not to lock Bobby again. I knew Bobby still hold against the maid for locking him up. So, when my father asked the maid to hold Bobby's fore-legs because he wanted to trim Bobby's hair, Bobby threatened to bite her. Bobby barked more and he bitten my father's left hand. My father, probably was panicked, and beaten Bobby with a broken umbrella that was about to be trashed.

I knew I am very protective of my dog. My heart broken seeing Bobby licking his wound on his leg this morning. He didn't respond to me and my mother calling him. I believe he was very upset - not knowing why he was locked up, not knowing why he was beaten. Now I really understand why people say "What a dog's life!".

Re-Run

I used to run religiously like a rat on treadmill when I was in Brisbane four years ago. I got slacking the last couple of years, and my weight has creeped beyond my ideal weight these days. SO, I go back running again. It was tough in the beginning when I couldn't run beyond 3 laps without much resting in between. Endurance and pace got better after my sister Woofhams's encouraging words when she was home. Now I could run 12 laps and beyond when I am in good mood and not overload with too much work. Besides, 6 laps are normal to my routine now. I am proud of myself that in the gym, I could beat all the younger women and even all other gym goers. I must say three cheers to my endurance level these days.

You will be wondering why that photo for today's posting. One day during our trip home from the gym, my make-up words ability beaten my speech-speed and I kept referring Marathoner as Maratonist until my sister corrected me. HeHe ... I am always such creative!!!

Maternity Dress

My sis-in-law is currently in her 7 months of pregnancy. She looks like a cheerful mother compared to the first trimester where she looked haggard and unhappy most of the time. Her gynaecologist told her that she has strong tummy muscles and that's why her bump is not as big as other pregnant mothers. I didn't quite see her bump until these three weeks. As long as both mother and baby are healthy, we should not be worried.

Can't wait to see the baby! It would be merry to have an additional Teo at home!

Pet Talk

How time flies. It has been a year since Pickles left us. By tomorrow it will be one year that Bobby has stayed with us.

Pickles must have listened to our prayers because Bobby does turn out to be a brave and funny dog. He will come into kitchen the moment he hears cutlery-laying sound. He has gained so much weight compared to the first time he came to our house. He plays sympathy card well - pretends to look sad when no one plays with him. He runs like a Superdog when he hears someone at our gate. He barks at all dogs in the vicinity.

What's Next?

I finished reading the 7th book of Harry Potter three weeks ago. I am disappointed with the ending.

(1) Voldermort should not die. Harry Potter, together with the Order of the Phoenix, should give him a memory-loss charm and turn him into a muggle and guide him to be a good person. Death is not the answer to end sorrow or sufferings.

(2) The 7th book has made Professor Dumbledore reads more like a coward than wizard.

(3) It is obviouis that Severus Snape is the good one. As compared, it seems Lily Potter has made wrong choice to marry James Potter who contributed nothing to save his son or to the wizarding world.

(4) All his siblings fought so hard to protect the Boy who should live, Charlie Weasley seemed to be always Missing In Action. Bill scarred his face, George lost one of his ears and Fred died.

(5) Lupin and Tonk got married, had a child Teddy Lupin and they died in the battle against Voldermort. The last few pages in the 7th book didn't narrate well on the parenting skills of Harry Potter. Having lost his parents himself at young age and as the Godfather to Teddy Lupin, I believe Harry Potter should not leave Teddy Lupin to live on his own. All the focus of Harry Potter seemed to be on Albus Severus Potter, his second son.

The ending is too mediocre. May be I have set too high expectations for the 7th book.

Life Is A Journey Of Discovery

Last couple of days were stressful at home. My brother was not very happy with his friends, my sister was not very happy with her run, and I was not very happy with a colleague. When I couldn't bottle my frustuations anymore, I confided in my mother and she has offered the best magical antedote that I would like to share with all.

I wasn't happy with my colleague because she took my kindness and humbleness for granted. My mother told me it is hard to keep with others' expectations - either you listen to them and lose yourself, or you listen to yourself and listen to them only when relevant. I found this tip very helpful. I feel my shoulders lighter today when I have decided that it's okay to adopt different views. I have conveyed my part of job and I will move on. I know this route of discover myself is not a smooth-sailing trip, but I know I am learning at every stage and I believe my life ahead would be more interesting when I fight for what I really deserve.

Although I don't like this poster, I found the following quote very meaningful.

Right Or Wrong

Girl A: I have had two relationships.
Girl B: How were they?

Girl A: 1. He liked me, I didn't like him. 2. I liked him, he didn't like me.

Girl B: Oh I see ...

Girl A: Why can't it be one occasion that I could have reciprocal love?

Girl B: Why do you think your love weren't reciprocated?

Girl A: Many times I thought he was the one, but I was wrong.

Girl B: Has it occured to you that you might be looking in all wrong directions for the right guy?

*****

I believe the saying that only when you know who you are, then you can find out what you want. When I was in my early twenties, I was eager to find a boyfriend and settle down with a man I am madly in love with. I have tried very hard to look for Mr Right around me. Sometimes the RIGHT guy appeared, but at WRONG time. Many times the absolutely WRONG guy appeared at the RIGHT time. I don't think there is anything wrong with me, or anything wrong with the RIGHT guy. I believe the concept on the RIGHT guy still exists. Just that many times we are too influenced by Hollywood movies and think that all RIGHT guys must appear in Jude Law package (ie. good look, good dressing sense, melts all ladies around him with one simple smile etc.). Fact not necessarily be like that. I have stopped searching for Mr Right ever since Louis got married because I believed (still believe) the only RIGHT guy that God has sent for me, has been rejected by me upfront. He has moved on and found his very own Ms RIGHT. Although, may be, she might be his "theory of second best" but she is the ultimate winner. I have found and lost the guy to her. I have stopped searching.

Strangely, lately when I am no more searching, I seem to notice finding the RIGHT guy is afterall not a difficult task. You don't do much compromise like what mediocre novels taught us. You don't lower expectations like what glossy magazines claimed. It's the feelings. He made you feel like "you belong to", both of you live in the "same tribe" and speak "same language".

On My Wish List

To date, one of my favourite phones is: Dopod C730

(check out the link)

Love Pancakeism

Out Of Boundary

It's indeed true that my aunt used to tell me I will be more "settled" with who I am and what I really want until I am in my 30s. Recently, I am very focused on what I want, and therefore I have become more prudent with my spending. A friend asked me, why didn't you buy the Louie Vuitton handbag like many of your younger colleagues do. I smiled and I told her, it's not an issue of affordability, it's about LV handbag does not appear in the top 20 of my necessity list.

Recently, I am also becoming more aware of what kind of friends would be toxic to my thoughts, and what kind of man is actually more complement to my character. Speak of the latter, I recently met a new friend - not necessarily handsome, not exceptionally articulate, not extremely rich, but it is just pure feeling of so nice and comfortable talking to him. I believe this is what it is supposed to be what women glossy magazines called "Mr Right". I am very happy sitting next to him, and talking to him has made me "extremely myself". I never have to pretend to be someone else. He has never interrupted my sentences or told me to "listen, listen". For the previous two occasions we met, he just listened patiently to my arguments and continued my sentences as if we have rehearsed the conversation many times before. We never need to impress each other, because by being himself, humble and speak his minds, he has already impressed me. For the first time in many years, I have the feeling that someone actually "looking at me" and "listening to me"and not just "saw and heard".

Well, the right man not necessarily appearing at the right time. Like Alanis Morissette sang, life is ironic. I noticed a wedding band on his wedding finger, the glittering shine on the gold wedding band told me he is happily married too.

Don't sigh. In fact, I was not even upset when I found out on his ring. We have never discussed on family or respective life partner, the comfortability factor found in our conversation implies that we could be very good friends just discussing on work and life. When we like something, we don't necessarily need to own them. Appreciating them from a distance or occasionally thinking of them are adequate to keep us happy.

To sum up, God might be sending me a moral test this time, but HE knows very well that I won't fail the test.

I Am A Hero

I like the concept of this advertisement - though I have no idea what is the meaning of those words in Japanese. To me, I decipher those words as "There is no place safer than a good father's shoulders". If I am a parent, I want to use all my capability and my wit to protect and care for my children.

May be due to the fact that my youngest brother will be a father in another four months time, I thought of my brother and his baby when I saw this advertisement.

In a blink of an eye, our baby brother will be a father himself. Less than 30 years ago, both Woofhams and myself were having chicken pox + measles when my youngest brother was born. We were not allowed to see our baby brother until we were completely healed. I still recalled everyday both of us woke up early and stood near our mother's room and asked her: Mama, can we see our baby brother today? Is he cute? Does he look more like Woofhams or does he look more like me? Then the routine would be - we would beg our mother to bring our baby brother to the middle of her room so we could see our baby brother's face from the door.

How time flies.

Think of my family always makes me stronger, builds my confidence in myself. I understood now why people keep a photo of their family in their wallet. I want to be a top grade hero. I want to be a hero that protects and cares for everyone in my family.

Quick, Take A Look!

When I was buying drinks from vending machine in the Main Observatory floor of the Tokyo Tower, I saw a toddler and her brother were walking on transparent panel while their mother was trying to stop them. I didn't know what was happening - why the kids were so happy walking to and fro while their mother was so afraid even to hold them back. As I walked closer to them, then I found out the kids were walking on the "Lookdown Window" which allows visitors to look down at the ground from a height of 145m, wow what a view! Cars parking at the parking lots and on the roads look like toy cars. As age progress, I am getting less adventurous with height. I used to look down from the observatory floor of Paris's Eiffel Tower and didn't feel a beat missing from my heart. This might sound sour grape - it is totally inappropriate to let children, who don't have ability to fend for themselves, taking that risky walk "in the sky".

Wax Museum In Tokyo Tower

Apart from Paul McCartney, honestly I couldn't recognise any of them. Costume colours look miserable (reflected on the face of three others).

Audrey Hepburn in between "Planet of the Apes" - strange.

Looks more like Nicole Kidman more than Sharon Stone. Don't you think so too?

No Julia Robert's wild hair, No Julia Robert's Million Watts smile ...

I always think my grandfather looks like Mao may be due to their similar hairstyle.

Not My Rat Race

I work not because I have to. I work because I want to work and I love to work.

Wikipedia defined Rat Race as a term that used for an endless, self-defeating or pointless pursuit. It conjures up the image of the futile efforts of a lab rat trying to escape whilst running around a maze or in a wheel. In an analogy to the modern city, many rats in a single maze run around making a lots of noise bumping into each other, but ultimately achieve nothing (meaningful) either collectively or individually.

New Age Cinderella

This Burberry Summer Check Pumps are cute, aren't they!?

Lion's Club

Bobby looks the cutest when he is very active after his full meal. Doesn't he look like a little lion? HeHe .....

A Letter To Dublin

Dear My Dublin Friend,

I received your letter this afternoon, I am truly sorry about your loss. It is difficult for you to not think about your grandma especially in the first six months. In my grandma's case, she passed away 19 years ago, but I can tell you neither me, Woofhams or my youngest brother could ever forget our late grandmother. Grandma is occupying a huge corner in our hearts albeit her petite size.

Although to date, I don't quite convince there is life after death, one thing I am very certain is that I don't feel lonely even when I am alone because I can always feel my grandma's presence around me. I believe deceased grandparents have now become our Guardian Angels. Don't be too upset. Life is a cycle, come and go, therefore we must treasure everything we have now and live everyday like a new day. Although our grandma have gone, I always believe they are happier when they know we are happy.

The coin box in the picture on the top right is a gift from my late Grandma. She bought for me when I was very upset and got ill for a week when I was in Primary Four because I didn't get the first position in the class. To cheer me up, my grandma bought for me the same gift as the first prize gift - a green coin box with pen stand and could also be used as photo frames. I don't think my grandma bought the gift because she wanted me to work harder, she just wanted me to be happy. Btw, the pen next to the coin box is the gift from my Form Teacher when I scored first position in entire Primary Five the year after.

"I am happier when I see happy smiling face on all of you", Grandma told us.

My grandma is a beautiful woman who never requested for reciprocated love and kindness from her family. She just wanted all of her closed ones to be happy. My friend, think of all the sweet memories of your grandma and write them in a journal, so you can tell "Xiao Dong Dong" many wonderful stories of his late Greatgrandma when he grows up.

I meant to reply to your letter straightaway but found that the blue ink on the envelope has smeared badly that I couldn't read your corresponding address properly. Could you send your corresponding address to my hotmail a/c, Thanks!

Favourite Albums

To date, my two favourite soundtracks.

Dog's Life

I don't understand why people who leads an unhappy life or has a miserable life is called "leading a dog's Life". So far, apart from barking, sleeping, playing and eating, Bobby doesn't seem to do other things much. Is that considered "miserable & unhappy life" ... hehe.

Words That Build You

Pancake's Horoscope for July 2007:

"Try not to get caught in the crossfire of a heated emotional battle this month, Pancake. Your happy, freedom-loving nature is too precious to be tainted by harsh abrasive words and emotions. If things begin to flare up, put up some sort of mental protective wall for yourself that shields you from people who may be too caught up in their own drama to really see how their impulsive actions are affecting the people around them."

Order Of Pheonix

In my view, having the right poster helps 80% of the publicity. This poster is too grim to my taste.

Lovers In Paris

"Lovers In Paris": Park Shin Yang

My Ugly Sweetie

"My Ugly Sweetie": Park Sang Min

Save The Last Dance For Me

"Save the last dance for me": Ji Seong

Out-Of-My-Character Addiction

Korean drama can be very addictive. I have heard of young female friends who have applied for MC in order to finish the 20 episodes in a day. Although to date, I still couldn't completely understand why those women in the story could sacrifice their career and their pride to keep their man; but I must say after watching three complete Korean dramas recommended by my mother ie. July 2005 I did watch "Save the last dance for me", "Lovers in Paris" in July 2006 and recently "My Ugly Sweetie" in July 2007, Korean actors like Ji Seong, Park Shin Yang and Park Sang Min do really have the charm to have women head over heels for them. It's not really about their look. I mean Park Sang Min is just an average-looking 37 yr old man in "My Ugly Sweetie" but there is some kind of magic in the twitch of an eye, smiles and other gestures that made you wanting to punch his enemy for him when he's bullied hehe ...

New Trend

My mother prefers Bobby to keep long hair (probably she has developed the phoebia when my father cut Ally's hair very short two years ago). However, I always think boys look neater with short hair. To compromise our requests, my domestic helper, Nancy, comes up with a suggestion (according to her, it's a brilliant suggestion and I am not too convinced yet). Nancy starts to decor Bobby's hair these few days ;-p ...

Bobby The Greatest

Bobby never likes anyone to interrupt him when he is taking his afternoon nap. Look how moody he gets hehe ...

Benefit

The only make-up item that I can't leave without!

Yummy Lunchbox

I love this lunchbox given to all participants during my meeting in Japan.

I Want To Go Beyond 50m

My life must be very boring in my family's eyes. My mother told me umpteenly to re-join gym like those sporty days which I had while in Brisbane - back then I was a sports junkie. Last Sunday, I intended to spent the afternoon cleaning my room, but my brother insisted I should go to driving range and practise my golf swing. I practised golf swing for three consecutive days, and conclusion is I HATE GOLF! I can't understand why I have all the right posture and holding iron in the right way, and yet my golf balls could never extend beyond 50m ;-/ May be this is a good opportunity for me to draw up a timeline chart ;-p

"A great pleasure in life is knowing when to step out of comfort zone" - Pancakeism

Practicality

My brother advised me if I won't buy Louie Vuitton monogram handbag, then I certainly won't be the person to like Nokia E90 - both are expensive "heads-turning" goods. He suggested to me that the Sony Ericsson range would be more practical particularly Sony Ercisson P990i and Sony Ericsson P1. I like the former range better - it has business card scanning function!