Review & Renew

2007 - a year of new beginnings, disappointment, learning & preparation

In a pretty big nutshell, here's my report card for 2007:

Beginning of Hana-School of Skincare & Cosmetic Arts. We started out in Chinatown Plaza, and we had our opening, classes, workshops, makeup competition. Almost everyone spent their birthdays there too. Our first OPP, NDO, nutrition class and mrb were held there. The group became regulars at frog leg claypot store and zhi char store opposite our classroom.

The group had a trying year. We spent almost everyday together. 1, 3, 5 at Amstar. 2, 4, 6 at Hana. The group dynamics changed dramatically over the past year. You could say we grew up, but in separate directions. Some left, new blood came and go. Claudia was unable to join us for the most part of last year, but my, was she energized when she returned to the group. Her makeup skills, her presentation were improving by leaps and bounds and most importantly, I saw her take ownership of Hana, picking up key roles in Hana. And there was Oliver who in turn brought about the 'birth' of Sarah. Guess one could tell the similarities between the 2. Both extremely popular (esp among the opposite gender), charismatic, outgoing, fun-loving, enthusiastic at times and definitely go-getter. Really want to see both of them more active in the group this year.

And there were many many weddings. First was Vernon's wedding, then Rion's and Janet's, then Jenny's. I am happy to be there to be part of their special day. I'm looking forward to Gordon & Thanet's and Zen's wedding this year too! Can't wait :)

Work wise was quite eventful too. Changed 3 workplaces in a span of 3 mths. Left Meritus in Jan, joined Raffles The Plaza (now known as Fairmont) for 2 mths, before joining my current company - Pegasus Solutions in Apr. Finally got a pay raise. Finally like my workplace and colleagues. Finally beginning to enjoy my work. It's become quite a mouthful to explain my job, and job scope. But I do very much enjoy the fixed hours and proxmity to my home (however travelling to town is such a chore!)

Many has remarked that I've changed alot in terms of looks over the past year. Thanks for all the times for those who said I looked good/pretty etc. It's been a confidence booster for a girl who used to look really geeky in sec sch and poly (complete with specs, non-existent fringe, bad sense of fashion). I will strive to live up to my reputation as beauty instructor in 2008!

Most importantly I've helped even more people to become prettier and more confident over the past year. For all the makeup I have done during pageants, bashes, D&D, fashion shows, I've gradually becoming better at what I do and I love the smile on each person's face after I'm done. I'm still keen to do free facials and makeup for close friends, so book me soon before I start getting too busy!

Although I do lament the fact I am too single, few men has left a lasting impression over the past year. Strange men who walked in and out suddenly of my life are aplenty (names I shall not named, but there're seriously alot) Still no sight of prince charming, whom I am convinced is very lost somewhere. But I'm not lonely (for most part of the time). I'm enjoying singlehood with my friends, going partying, spending more time with sister and girlfriends. Like Christine's new year resolution, it's time to be 'happily single'. Chasing our dreams give us a high, more than chasing after a worthless man.

Regretfully, I did not make major breakthrough. Still very far from hitting my mark, because I did not treat my future seriously. Alot of distractions, disappointment and unhappiness, but those are not excuses. Dreams not fulfilled, will just remains as dreams. And time is running out. I'm already going to be 23 this year. Ill-equipped with just a diploma, I know my future is doomed if I don't get a degree, or make it big in Amway. I admit that I've been in my comfort zone, afraid of doing new things, taking up new responsibilities. I still complain alot, and my mood swings alot, and my consistency is way off mark. I would like to think my dreams are specific. but honestly there're not. Neither are my plans.

So the new year resolution is to face my challenges and overcome my fears. Be it in Hana, work, among my friends, money, love or family. It's enough of knowing what needs to be done but not doing it. I want to achieve my goals this year. I want to make it this year and I know I will.

Your wish is my command

Xmas is around the corner. and tis the season for wishes and presents. If the universe is answering to our wishes, what will you wish for?

All I really want:
1) go on a trip with my family to Korea, Japan, HK, Australia
2) A prince charming, complete with white horse, good looks and height (do they sell those in stores?)
3) travel overseas to work, build contacts for future Hana
4) a proper credit card where I meet the minimum salary limit, meaning an increment
5) A new wardrobe

Anyway my new toy rox. But can't blog

And the soft launch was relatively successful. awesome fashion show!

Dreams.

I finished 1/10th of my wish list this year.
3) Go to Taiwan to learn from the best (i went in May)

6) To fill up a huge makeup box that I can call my own (thanks to Oliver I have one now)

7) To go to a seaside resort to relax for a weekend (2 weekends at Batam. I wanna go Greece seaside resort!)

23) To have the stage where I can be sharing my experience (Bigger Newer Hana coming up)

35) To watch the entire season of Prison Break, CSI, Grey's Anatomy (thanks to online episode recaps)

The year has one more month left. I've been thinking through what I have accomplished over the past year and I have my share of "if only" Not really regrets, more like i learnt my lessons. And now it's time to learn to stop repeating them as habits.

Don't fall back to mortality after you realize you can be incredible.

Everything (North East) Asian

Guess which are the cities below:

Shibuya

Dongdaemun

Ximending

I am really into the North Asia countries, primarily Japan, Korea and Taiwan (not country, err place. Sensitive). Notice how their main shopping areas are similar in the look and feel. Somehow I like this look and feel. (think that's because I'm more of a shopping mall girl than rural countryside person). I love their culture, TV dramas, fashion, food, music, almost everything. Think I'm badly influence by their shows.

But I also find Japanese, Koreans, Taiwanese extremely creative people in terms of technology, gadgets, fashions, etc. Wonder why. Was talking to Cass yesterday about staying in Japan for some time. It's my dream to travel to these places (1st before I branch off to other continents) and stay there for 6 mths to a year in each place, to experience the culture, lifestyle and language (I wanna learn japanese! next korean! and french and... language is my thing. science is so not)

But then again, notice how the roots of all these places were originally from China? Hmmm

Some things I like from each place:

Japan

Sushi! (and sashimi, tempura, teppanyaki, etc. etc. I used to work in Japanese restaurant so I end up loving the culture even more >.<)

Japanese dramas (my latest craze is Galileo. Masaharu Fukuyama is so hot! my eye candy)

Anime (especially Shoujo manga like Paradise Kiss, but the above is from Ah, My Goddess!)

Gundam (I know it's so not me, I blame it on my bro's influence. These robotic shows are damn thought provoking on issues like human rights and politics. and I dig the super cute anime characters and voiceovers)

Utada Hikaru. Like her since that song 'First Love'. Extremely talented but she seems to be missing from the music scene for a very long time :(

Ayumi Hamasaki (the Japanese equal of Ah Lian. Think Jolin always copy her looks loh. But nonetheless she is cute like a doll and her songs are very catchy!)

Kimono (so cute! I want to wear one this lifetime. In Japan)

Nana (whatelse is new. So nice! When and where is the new chapters of manga and new season of anime coming out?)

Korea

Korean Dramas

Princess Hours / Goong (beautiful wardrobe, beautiful cast, shoujo manga storyline and plot. One of my favourite Korean dramas)

Coffee Prince (How do I live without love stories? And this is a super happy light hearted Korean drama unlike those tear jerkers kind. Fall in love with Korean music because of this show)

Yoon Eue Hye, lead of Coffee Prince and Princess Hours. Pretty much says why I love her too.

Joo Ji Hoon (he is the only korean eye candy i bothered finding out the name of. Besides Gong Yoo from Coffee Prince. He is so cute, like manga character)

Hanbok, Korean traditional costume. How come their traditional costume all so pretty?

Taiwan

Variety shows (especially those by ASOS, just because they are so mean, shameless, entertaining, funny, sacarstic, hence they make good entertainment)

Taiwanese Idol Dramas (like It All Started With a Kiss, because they always steal story ideas by Japanese comic, but make a better version than the Japanese) Ariel Lin, the main lead of this show is also one my favourite TW actress, because she is talented, hardworking and daring, though not that mainstream.

Joe Cheng (Zheng Yuan Chang I think in Hanyu Pinyin. Just because he is an
androgynous looking eye candy. super metrosexual man but cute)

Rainie Yang (Queen of cuteness, though not as act cute as Cyndi Huang. She hosts, sings, dance, acts in dramas and movie, like that lesbian Spider Lilies. This girl has range!)

Dim Sum, not Taiwan food, but it's Chinese food too. Though more of cantonese cuisine. But I still like!

Xiaolongbao. Big in TW, but apparently from Shanghai. Then again it's yummy! (notice how the food i like is usually bite size.)

Things I want to try when I go Korea / Japan (since I've been to TW twice)

Skiing (must try at least once in my lifetime though it is super likely I will fall like nobody's business)

Hot Spring (I like being in warm element in cold climate. like under blanket when i turn my aircon to 17 degree celsius)

Snow. Just because I never see snow before :(

Sakura (because it is so pretty)

My New York Dream

Had such a great chat with Astri earlier, I'm happy for you girl! and also Huiyi.

I miss Astri so much, same goes for Hwee Bing, Huiyi, Jin, Clara, WenHan, Kailin, Yingyuan. Aside from Claudia whom I see more frequently now, it's been months coming to years that I have not seen my CCHS girls. So strange that we used to be so close in Sec sch, closer last year because it was everyone's 21st birthday and now this year we hardly see each other. We should go travelling together! Roadtrips! anyone getting married soon? Hehe

I was sharing my dream with Astri. I so wanna get out of Singapore, pursue my dreams of learning fashion design in New York. Meaning I have to work very very hard now to make tt dream comes true soon. Time is something that cannot be wasted.

Read This.. How True

Everybody has a dream.
What's yours?
If you could do anything, what would it be?

Most of us don't achieve great things because we give up, we fall short, we get off track, we settle, or we dream too small. Only two things stand in your way: dreaming it, then doing it.

Have you dared to dream, really dream?

If something is within your apparent reach, it isn't a dream. If it doesn't stretch you, cost you, or involve risk, it isn't a dream. Dreams change you even as they change the world around you.

Maybe you're listening to critical people. Remember the story of Joseph? He dreamed big dreams. God-given dreams. And what was the response of his brothers? They said, "Look, this dreamer is coming! ... let us ... kill him." People who aren't pursuing their own dreams are usually the first to criticise people who are. So, who are you listening to?

Maybe you're afraid to dream too big. You don't want to fail. Nobody does. But 'safe living' leads to regret. Theodore Roosevelt said, 'Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat'. What's the worst thing that could happen if you pursue your dream and don't achieve it? You could end up where you are now. And what's the best thing that could happen? You could find yourself in new territory, enjoying new blessings, living the life God meant for you to live!

[http://www.thewordfortoday.com.au]

________________________

Taken from ReAnne's blog

Random photos of myself

Retro me at Caren's shop - Lovenest. My new bag!

Here's me at V Tea Room, dreaming of my Tai-Tai lifestyle

Dreams, wishes, goals, targets

1) To retire! Stop working! before age of 25.
Sounds incredible? It will take alot of hard work and sacrifice.

2) To be the citizen of the world
Inspired by Bryan, I must travel around the world with my parents and buy property in exotic places like Tuscany, Morocco, Greece, Austria, Vietnam, Alaska etc. Before I turn 30 and before Bryan. Hee

3) To help others Blossom Within.
A Hana Shophouse, where you can eat, shop, do manicure, massage, makeup, facial and be a star! My own team of talents and an annual runway show like Victoria Secrets!

4) To be a fashion designer / merchandiser / stylist.
A childhood dream to be fulfill

5) Be a mother & have adorable kids
A simple dream.

I love dreaming. Realization of dreams can be done when you set a deadline, come up with a plan and execute it. Do you dare to dream?

I want to fly away!!!

from work, from Singapore!

No, not frustrated, just caged. Why do we work? why do we have to earn money?

But it's ok. I will retire by 25.

Tis the season to be jolly

Merry Xmas to all!

and soon it will be 2007.

Xmas is a season of giving and it is truly a joy and blessing to be able to give to others. but even if you're not able to afford a gift (i.e. me), you just have to try your best to bake gingerbread man and share with your truest friends. Not sure if they'll appreciate it but hey, it's the thought that counts right? As I was making the gingerbread men (or boys rather) I was thinking alot about myself. (narcissist isn't it) And I've decided to come up with the 50 things I want to do in Year 2007. Read on, it's a freaking long one.

1) Own a car
2) Bring my parents overseas
3) Go to Taiwan to learn from the best
4) Go to Big 4
5) To earn enough so that I can splurge on clothes
6) To fill up a huge makeup box that I can call my own
7) To go to a seaside resort to relax for a weekend
8) Visit Japan
9) Visit Europe
10) Go to New York
11) Visit Astri
12) Become a fashion stylist (Do makeovers for my friends)
13) Buy a ring from Tiffany & Co
14) Meet more guys. (not because I wanna get laid)
15) To wake up early in the morning and not having to rush to work
16) To buy a condo (preferably Savanna)
17) Then go swimming in my condo swimming pool every week
18) Buy gifts for every one of my friends
19) Cook up a feast
20) To learn Japanese
21) To learn French
22) To learn hip hop dancing (have to live up to my Pussycat dolls status)
23) To have the stage where I can be sharing my experience
24) Go back to school (yes I miss school)
25) To have 5 figure savings in my bank
26) Apply for Ladies card
27) Wear a gown
28) Visit Australia with my entire family
29) Skiing in Korea
30) To have the time to read a book
31) Go movies everyday
32) To buy a new phone for my sister
33) To buy a MacBook
34) To get a I-Video
35) To watch the entire season of Prison Break, CSI, Grey's Anatomy
36) Buy a trench coat and boots to go cold countries
37) See snow
38) See sakura
39) Go ice-skating and master it
40) Make friends from all over the world
41) And get to stay in their homes
42) To stay in the top notch hotels in the world
43) To go on a plane ride every month
44) Go cycling at East Coast every Wednesday afternoon (where there's no crowd)
45) Learn scuba diving
46) Go sunbathing at the beach
47) Be with my friends 24/7, doing things together
48) Eat great seafood feast every week
49) Eat at award winning restaurants
50) To know how to make and have the time to make double boiled soup

there you go. the 50 things I want to do in 2007. I'll be damned if I can finish even half of them but it's good penning down the things I really want. At least now I've got some visibilty of goals.

Merry Xmas to all again! :)

Having hope

Despite all the shit at work, I find myself imagining things these days whenever I have the time, like now. I imagine my lifestyle when I retire early. Living in the shophouse along Emerald Hill, driving a Volkswagen beetle, Chanel and Prada become my regular brands, going for fashion shows, haute couture etc. I can slowly slowly picture the life of luxury in my head. It aint easy. I have to be a Crown Ambassador for that sort of lifestyle. That's why I must do it fast. I don't want to enjoy that sort of lifestyle when I am already 40 yrs old!!!