Something meant to be shared 真水无香

         I feel much more delighted once I am out of KL, now I am waiting for transit to Frankfurt. It’s gonna be 12 hours fly… Well, I am all cheer up for my big trip!

p/s: I wasn’t really impressed with KLIA, despite MAS has delayed for almost an hour, they changed the boarding venue without making a single announcement, and they’ve changed it for three times! Whereas, I found Singapore Airport much more homey and friendly.

I have lost my cool.

Travel to Europe has always been on my ‘to do list’, and I am going there in two days. However, I know I am not really in an adventure mood, evermore, I am not prepared for this solo kinda trip to Europe. It seems I just can’t adjust my energy at right level… It supposes to be a love trip….   It should be romantic… now it turns out a ‘lonely’ traveler exploring unfamiliar countries with a dose of blue……

Each place I am going to stay has good friends to taking care of me; at least this would help me to cope or even avoid any kind of ‘surprises’- My heart can’t take surprises any more.

I feel as if the break up have taken the romantic side of me away.. and the courage to love. As hard as I tell myself to accept and focus what I have each day, deep inside of me just can’t stop blaming his cowardice, which has destroyed my desire, desire to love…properly.

I expect nothing but less for this trip…

I know, I will be OK once I am there.

He is the first one who loved me the same way I loved him …

            Bought a book called "China, Friend or Foe?" by Hugo De Burgh. I was interested to find out how a third party sees my country, so therefore to compare to and supplement my own judgments, and in turn hopefully get a fair perspective over all.

            As soon as I started reading, I found it a little annoying how this book states "we" and "they". "We" means all the wealthy countries like France, Germany, UK; whereas, "they" is referring to China, or even Chinese in general. Although, the author is trying hard as possible to provide a fair point, I sincerely doubt the opinions would be fair anyway since a ‘boundary’ has already been set at the very beginning of this book.

           I shall endeavour to keep calm, despite how accurate the points, information and arguments may be. At least some people have started to admit the ignorance and are putting in the effort to help their own kind understand a culture on the other side of world, albeit arrogantly. I am just hoping this author has a sufficient amount of local knowledge to pull all of these together!

           For me, it shows someone is either insecure or threatened when they ask whether you are a friend or an enemy. Sure, questions should be asked, but the most important question is how can the world manage this economic power shift, and also how a country can develop its own strengths, while at same time, working with others to minimize its limitations - then it’s possible to become more global or internationalized!  

          After awhile, things have fell into perceptive which is quite different compare to before.

          Strategy – strategy thinking leads to perspectives. It is all about doing things smartly. From small things like crossing road to making a major decision, everything seems involving some sort of strategy. It is like thinking few steps ahead, it challenges the mind. It’s proactive rather than reactive.

          Budget – budget normal applies on money issues, but I think it can be extend more things. You can budget your time (investment), budget your emotions (investment)..etc. It is all about setting a minimize win\lose for yourself, therefore, to care less and move freely within the range you created yourself.

          Investment – It is another form of ‘budgeting’, but in a more positive way. Investment doesn’t necessarily have to be big, it is like doing something you don’t usually do, by doing it, you estimate there will be some forms of return. For instance, You can invest on expensive skin care products once for awhile, your can invest your attention in a relationship… etc.

          Manipulating – is not a negative word, instead, it’s powerful. Things can be manipulated to the better or the worse. People use it for the good reasons, or wrong reasons, intentionally or subconsciously. Where is the line, that’s what you have to ask yourself.  

          These are the few words that have changed my mind set a great deal. It’s all about thinking differently, thinking ‘out-from-your-box’.

           Do you need an attitude adjustment?

            I was reading article about how we seek for comfort in certain foods when we face certain grave situations. It is extremely true!

            There are two factors that make “comfort food” comforting. The first is a blend of ingredients such as fat, sugar and salt, which acts to put our body in a state of calmness. Then these are the specific psychological benefits a person associates with that food, for instance, the blissful memory of having ice cream at a funfair as a child. Most of us consciously connect past associations between smells, colors, in this case – taste with people or events important in our lives. I remember as child, I got a big meal after a stressful exam, or when my mum would make me hot delicious soup when I was sick. I realized, sometimes it is the simple recollection of this particular taste associated with a positive memory that make me feel a moment of relief, even soothed.

            The feelings evoked were underlying factors in a person’s drive towards consumption. Studies has proved that comfort food applies the brakes on a key element of chronic stress, which is why solace is often sought in such foods by people with stress, anxiety or depression.

            See, that explains all!

            Apart from the emotional benefits, there are marvelous benefits physically. Our bodies are like chemistry sets, apparently, everything we put in our body has a chemical effect, which is why food can affect our mood! It gets broken down into elements that can raise the blood sugar or drop it rapidly. So, watch out what you put in your mouth. :p

Here are some examples of comfort food that people go for:

Chocolate

Ice cream

Pizza

Instant noodles (That’s me!)

French fries

Burgers

These are some of the healthy comfort food that we should go for, instead -

Fruit

Porridge

Grilled meats

Broths (anyone knows what is it?!)

Soups

…..

……

….p/s: apparently, study has proved when it comes to comfort food, men like hearty meals while women look for snacks that involve little or no preparation! Does that sound familiar to you, hehe?

          Choose something worthwhile to focus on and everything will fall into place.

My German Break-up

One thing about growing older, your emotions don’t affect your decisions/behavior that easily anymore: you are more in control of your most sensitive feelings like hate, sadness or love. Even when the feelings are unbearable sometimes, it won’t stop what you have to do. The healing process is faster now then when you were young.

It’s like you have reserved a little room in your heart, and there is a little lock, only you have the key whenever you want to lock, or unlock it. It is like a treasure box that keeps all the little things that only have meaning to you, you put it in the corner of your room, and almost forgot about it, until one day, you see it covered with dust, and you slowly open it up, to reveal your … past.

Some people will say it is sad, because you have become more rational and camouflage your natural affections; others would say it is just a sign of growth. To you, living in this hustle and bustle of the city, it is this little ‘room’ that makes you feel alive … the softest spot, the most sensitive corner in your heart.

Life goes on. 

             Just used my entire life savings (a sensible amount, although it has only been for a year!) bought my Dad an annuity insurance plan. It took me awhile to take up this undeniable responsibility – as the only child, one day I will have to look after my parents, one way or another.

Saving was hard, but I feel I am doing the right thing, especially when I heard the veiled joy while I was talking to my parents over the phone! They are finally pleased and recognized my enormous effort, after all these years.

Can I be proud of myself, for once.

I lost my ultimate purpose of this trip, because of you.