Gifts: Time to Read

Three months ago, I had a couple of pretty harrowing conversations. 

One with the impressionable new intern who called me boss. At which point I responded that my boss is our boss. I'm just the one who has to guide him along the way.

And the other one with my boss, who told me here's my chance to learn how to be someone's boss. 

Gah.

I've always been the baby, the one being mentored, the one getting advice. 

What the hell am I supposed to do when I'm supposed to actually be a mentor?

Three months down the line, it's time to bid adieu to the intern who almost seems like a permanent part of the team.

And, as part of his farewell present. here's how I've framed up what I think is the most important piece of advice I'd given in the past couple of months:

Along with the book I'd been talking about which had gotten a blank stare along with the answer 

"I don't have time to read books". 

Here's the whole set of things.

In case you're wondering, the orange thing is a "keep calm and" notebook. Wish I'd had time to go have a "Keep calm and WRITE THAT DOWN!" notebook made. That would be the second most important thing I've said to him the entire time. 

And yes, if you think that top item looks a little familiar on this blog, you're spot on. 

I love that stuff. And so does he.

Don't judge us.

Bonding with Food & Drink

One of life's pleasures I enjoy the most is catching up with friends over food and drink. 

It's one of the best parts of going home.

 

There's nothing better than a nice iced mocha while you catch up with a girlfriend on a hot afternoon.

Except maybe also being able to appreciate the quirkiness around every corner in Penang. 

Spot the blue heart?

All those desserts!!! Definitely want to come back again, preferably not right after a heavy meal so I can try these. 

These were taken at siTigun on Nagore road.

Quiet Time, It’s A Luxury These Days

Took a day off from the office for a much needed ‘quiet’ day to myself. 

The hubby has left to drop baby off before heading in to work and I have just finished my morning yoga. The plan for the rest of the morning is to sit down with a huge cup of hot chocolate and enjoy flipping through Abigail Ahern's Decorating With Style and some magazines.

There's a stack of books I’ve been wanting to read; Jeffery Deaver's The Broken Window, Elenor Brown's The Weird Sisters and Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In. Perhaps watch some telly over lunch, hmm… Sex and the City? Love Actually? Oooh, I know… Under the Tuscan Sun!!

Then maybe take an afternoon nap before I head to the pool for a few laps in the evening before dinner. If I’m lucky I’ll get the entire pool to myself.

It’s going to be a heavenly day….

Breakfast for Two at 67 Coffee Mansion

It was one of those rare days when the hubby and I had no errands planned...and so, we decided to treat ourselves to a leisurely breakfast at 67 Coffee Mansion. The cafe is housed in a pre-war bungalow on Irving Road (just off Macalister/Anson Road).

The parking was relatively easy. Plenty of parking along the road and we were able to get a spot just a short distance from the cafe.We were the first customers at the shop when we arrived about 15 minutes after opening time.

After placing our orders for 2 Belgium Chocolate Sticks (yes, Belgium. That's what they called it on the menu), a Mushy Piggy and a Pork & Roll at the counter, we sat down at a table by the door and took their cute decor.

 

"I love this wall decor with the words spelled out using coffee beans. So cute and so true!

We thought the way the Belgium Chocolate Stick was served was cute. Stirring the chocolate block into the steaming hot cup of milk was fun and to our delight, it dissolved easily.

Soon, we could smell the wonderful aroma of bacon frying coming from the kitchen and shortly after our food came.

The Mushy Piggy...cute name for Eggs Benedict.

Pork & Roll.Yum...

The food was good although they seemed like rather small portions for us to big eaters. We managed to have a quiet and enjoyable meal before other customers started to file in - there seemed to be more of a lunch crowd. Overall I'd say the place is worth a visit and I'm personally keen to go back and try their main courses and desserts for lunch or dinner.

Happiness is to enjoy the little things in life.

one day at a time

I've always had questions about "what it all means", and at one point in time, this was compounded with the whole idea of getting reacquainted with who I was with the "one half of a couple" tag having been recently ripped off. I was in search of something inspiring to watch/read. And just then, I had the good fortune of stumbling upon this book - A Year of Doing Good by Judith O'Reilly. This book seemed to be one woman's attempt to answer a couple of questions I've often thrown at my Mum since I was a child.

Do the little "good" things we do even make a difference?

How do you even know the people receiving the good deed even think you're helping them? Maybe they're just humouring you?

Why do we even bother?

I have to admit that as I read the book, I initially scoffed at the things that were counted as good deeds - could something so small (and yet so troublesome to the individual trying to do the good deed) really be worth it?

So, I decided to give it a try myself - a conscious effort to throw in a good deed here and there.

It's been more than 365 days since I first picked up the book (and some months since I've finished reading it, too). And I think I've found the best answer to my questions to date. 

Do the very small everyday "good" things we do even make a difference?

I like to think so now. 

Example: I used to be pretty indifferent about little things like opening doors for others, or just giving a damn about a passing stranger. And in my experience, that was the attitude of pretty much everyone else. Since being inspired to experiment with everyday doing good, a particular set of heavy doors I encounter day to day sets the scene for many a good deed of mine. Holding the door open for the old man wheeling his wife in on a wheelchair, or the young mother who's got her hands full trying to manage her young child and push the baby in a stroller. 

Then there was a time when someone did the same for me when my hands were particularly full. 

Doesn't quite end all the big problems of the world. But at least in my little piece of the world, I'm bringing sexy courtesy back.

Are people just humouring you when you're trying to do something nice for them? Trying being the operative word here.

Sometimes. But then the bigger question is, does it matter that they're just humouring you? I know it makes me feel good when I know someone even tries to do something nice for me.

And also when I run out of pink Panadols, it's a no brainer that handing me one is a definite good deed - no humouring required. 

Why do we even bother?/Is it worth the trouble?

I've since realised that the fact that we bother to do anything is because there's something in it for ourselves. Even if that something is just the satisfaction of being a nice person. So there. 

Is it worth the trouble? Well... I'm still selfish old me, and I've never really had a problem saying no to anyone. So I don't actually do anything that I find too much. So it's just a matter of what your threshold for troublesome is, and sticking to it?

I'm not sure if I'm a better person for it. But I know it's made me feel better about myself.

So, more good deeds to follow!

Getting over a Breakup

We're barely over the Chinese New Year festivities, and Valentine's day is almost here!

Whilst I'm happily stamping hearts on cards (erm...let's see if I'll finally get round to posting pics of them!), here's a bit of reflection on a year of being single.

Before one starts to enjoy being single again, and possibly no longer defining themselves as "going through a breakup", there's that crappy bit of actually trying to recover from feeling lost and heartbroken.
To get through that, here they are, my top 5 things to do to get over it and start enjoying yourself again.

#1 Set yourself a time limit
You need time to heal, right? But how much time? I know you're going to say "Jeez that wasn't very helpful", but really, my answer is that you'd probably know yourself a little better. Too short a time frame and you'll probably get frustrated with yourself wondering what's wrong with you and why you're not okay yet. Too long a time frame and suddenly you're that girl nobody wants to hang out with because it's been like forever since your breakup and you're still whining about it.

#2 Channel your attention to those who deserve it
In case you temporarily forgot (which is understandable, and somewhat forgivable), there are still so many people in your life whom you love and who love you back. I'm talking about family and friends who have just been there for you all the time, and are probably the ones listening to all your "love is crap" tirades now. Didn't have as much time or energy as you would have liked left over for them whilst in a relationship? Well, here's your chance!

When friends make sure you're not sitting at home, alone, possibly crying into the ice cream tub you've just polished off.

#3 Rediscover the things you enjoyed doing - but didn't really fit into your routine as a couple
You had your own interests and filled your time with your own stuff before you became one half of a couple. Sure, whilst together, you made sure you did the whole "have your own thing so you are both still interesting to each other" thing recommended by women's magazines everywhere. But as much as you hate to admit it, you did change a little to accommodate the relationship.
Now celebrate the fact that you don't have to accommodate anyone's crap anymore. At least for a while, until you find someone worth the effort.

Back to the orchestra!

#4 Get out there and do a whole bunch of new stuff
Not really sure if all couples are as guilty of this as I was - "We should try that sometime" was a phrase Voldermort* and I used so often, but never really got round to doing much. Probably because half the things on the list I wanted to do but he wasn't so keen on, and vice versa. So now that it's just your list of things you want to try, go ahead and get cracking! Grab your buddies who might also be interested, or you know, go by yourself. Whatever you prefer, just get out there and do it!

*In the early days, obviously I was going on and on and on and on...about well...you know., but it still felt a little weird to say his name. So eventually in conversations with friends, it went from "you know...him!" to "he who must not be named" to...well...Voldermort for short. So let's just keep calling him that, shall we?

Sure, let's go wall climbing even when I can't even look over stair railings for fear of fainting.

Taking up a new hobby, preferably one that involves learning a new skill helps. Nevermind if it never really comes to be anything useful. At the end of it, you feel like you're an even awesomer and more interesting person than before. Or maybe that's just me. 

#5 Check in with yourself every now and again
Take some time to ask yourself how you're doing every once in awhile.
Are you a little less over it than you thought you would be by now? Why is that?
Or maybe you're going  a little too far to try and prove to yourself you're fabulous.
Or, as I discovered several months before my self-imposed due date, maybe you're doing better than you thought you would.
Whatever the case, don't ever stop trying to be a better person. Even after you've found someone new.

some inspiration from Pinterest