Blessed

I have been a whiner lately, complaining about deadlines and project size, etc. Since it's almost November, I decided to take out my New Year's Resolution for 2008 to see how I have done.

Ok, I made 3 columns: Things I did good in 2007, Things that need improvement in 2008, and Mission and Goals for 2008.

Things I did good in 2007

1. Quit job I hate

2. Set up a budget

3. Develop a savings habit

4. Have a financial cushion

5. Develop financial literacy

6. Enjoy a simple life

7. Conserve resources

8. Go within for power & answers

9. Be self-reliant

10. Develop confidence

11.. Adopt a Positive attitude

12. Choose to bond w/ positive people

13. Learn how to cut loss

14. Say "no" without guilt

15. Discard baggage along the way

16. Cultivate a value system that speaks for me

17. Clear Priorities

18. Clear Boundaries

19. Innate desire for a better life

20. Cleared away clutter & chaos in life

Need Improvement

1. Need a bigger nest egg

2. Do not fall into a limitations trap

3. Be more creative in living

4. Welcome abundance

5. Be grateful

Mission and Goals for 2008

1. Passive income increase exponentially to be free from rat race

2. People pay me fabulously for my talents and abilities :p

3. All source of income pouring in and opening up

4. Earn respect for my beliefs

5. Value doing what is right over doing what is easy

6. Think/say/express my values in my actions, walk my talk

7. Stop settling, stop being a victim of circumstances

8. Financial calm

9. Continue and refine all the great accomplishments in 2007

After taking stock, I can honestly say that I am truly blessed, and I have stopped whining. :)

Out of the blue

I have a tough deadline to meet in a week. I procrastinated on this project, coz I just handed one in and I really needed a breather. After a few days of taking my time, I discovered that I was very behind on my projected schedule. So, I gritted my teeth and worked on the project for 3 days straight. My head was spinning when I woke up this morning, with a migraine and a very sore wrist.

I had a missed call from my partner. I decided to have a cup of coffee before I returned the call. Am I glad I did! The first thing she said was, "Stay calm, ok? Stay calm". My first reaction was something had happened to the studio. Is it on fire? Did somebody take off with the cards and the baby clothes? My mind was running wild.

My partner then went on saying things that didn't make any sense, like " There is this album, and I saw your name....I clicked on your name and there was you....at first I didn't recognize you....., there is this job referred to me...and there is this photographer....."

She was speaking so fast and was miles ahead of me. I said, "Hold on, what's this again?" Then, she repeated this frantic speech again, and it finally dawned on me who she was referring to and what she was referring to.

Out of the blue, a person from the past has appeared. Just like that, out of the blue. This person and this particular episode is so far from my mind, that never in a million years would I relate that past to my current life.

It's funny how people say things happen for a reason. All through these years, I have found that Someone Up There has a real good sense of humor. The humor is, if you don't learn the lesson well, it'll happen again and again, albeit in various guises, till you do.

I think this is a pop up test on "Have I learned my lesson well enough to graduate this time around"? I think I passed with flying colors this time. Not only did I not mind, I don't really care about this apparition that apparated out of the blue.

Hey, Someone Up There, your choice of timing just goes to show that your humor is not lost.

Since Halloween is around the corner, I'll just say this, let the dead stay buried.
(photo by Terry Bear)

Friend or Foe?

No one can deny that Facebook is a phenomenal success. I guess the original purpose is finding long lost friends and networking. However, it has evolved so much that sometimes I wonder if it is friend or foe.

A male friend always calls me up to test his privacy settings. He doesn't want certain friends to see pictures or information of him that would "sabotage" his friendship with another group of friends.

I have tempered with the privacy button as well. Not that I have any secrets on facebook, of all places, but I certainly just want "my friends" to see my status and stuff that goes on in my life. So, my privacy setting is always "only friends".

On a particular day, I found 3 girlfriends changing their status from "in a relationship" or "it's complicated" to "single". Then came the bombardment of comments and questions from other friends about their new found status.

On another occasion, a friend has repeatedly stated that she was feeling sad/blue/disappointed in her status. Her boss's boss is so concerned about her, that he has called her boss to see if she is okay.

Well, I think that the last example is a bit like Big Brother watching. Has facebook become our foe?

B Chan's Birthday

This month is B Chan's birthday. I don't know the exact day, but when I brought him home 6 years ago on X'mas eve, he was 2 months old . So, I deduced that his birthday must be some time in October. We celebrated with his and our favorite, blueberry cheese cake from Jam's Bakery down the block.

This year, we are missing Kobe, the cheese cake is also his favorite. Kobe is very picky with his food, but this one is definitely a winner! Here are some pictures taken today, with B chan trying to stay still and not gobble the cake in fromt of him. Happy 6th!!


It's my Birthday, I just turned 6...


Huh, mommy, still can't eat yet?


I hope it's birthday every day, yummy, yummy.....

Cheese cake from Jam Bakery

New Cushion Collection

Pastel b. has expanded into wedding accessories. This is our first Collection of Ring Bearer Cushions. The cushions will come with detachable satin ribbons for tying the rings. The idea behind is that after using it as a Ring Bearer Cushion, the couple could detach the ribbons and accessorize their home, serving as a momento of their special day.

Satin Ring Bearer Cushions from

Pastel b.

Pearl White Satin Cushion with

Interweaving Pale Pink & Pearl

White Ribbons

Pearl White Satin Cushion with

Interweaving Pale Grey & Pearl

White Ribbons

The Gift of Blindness

This is the title of October 12's entry from the book " A Year of Living Consciously". The entry is about a man driving under the influence and in the aftermath of a car accident, blinded. He says it's the best thing that happened to him. The incident "awakened the compassion and consciouness in him".

The man says he has been a really selfish person before, and didn't really know what love is, coz he has "never felt it as a child or grownup". But the man says the love he has for his guide dog is "the purest form of love" coz the man and his dog are linked together in a continous circle of service and gratitude".

The quote for the day is by Helen Keller:
"I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found my work, and my God."

I think that "the gift of experience" of my most painful moments, have taught me to be more humble and most importantly, not to take anything or any person for granted.

Cashmere Mafia

I was flicking between channels one night and came across an episode of Cashmere Mafia. The screen lit up with Lucy Liu. I have always liked her and I think she is kinda cool, so I ended up watching a whole episode.

It's about four long time friends, who knew other way back in business school. All four have successful careers, but not so successful love lives.

There is this scene with 3 friends finding out that one of the girls' husband is having an affair, and they were thinking if they should tell their friend or not. They decided to, and then they took out their blackberry to check which day works for all of them to be there to tell their friend. This is funny. When they arrived at their friend's house, they discovered all of them are dressed in black. Lucy quipped, "did somebody die?" The reply is, "this is New York."

The setting is in New York, and the storyline basically revolves the lives of the four girls. Reminicent of SATC? Definitely. Still, it's really about girl bonding and I believe the the importance of having great girlfriends around you through thick and thin, and sharing little jokes, laughs maybe some tears. Now I am hooked to watching the program every week to see how the story develops.

Nice Diaries

My previous job requires the usage of Palms, the only model supported by the company, to synchronize datas. Many colleagues use their Palms as appointment books and more so, as game consoles during the endless and boring meetings.

I never felt secure about battery gadgets. What if I lose all the data when the power is dead? I have a few nightmares with the 4 Palms I have gone through with 6 years on the job. For me, using pen and paper is the safest.

Every year, around this time, there will be diaries for the upcoming year beckoning you. I got my previous 2 diaries from Franc Franc and I really love them. With all diaries, they come with yearly, monthly, weekly and daily planners, but what I love best are the many nice blank pages and tear away notes which satisfy my list making habit nicely. Yes, I am addicted to writing lists.

I came across this article in Newsweek about some really nice diaries. You could find them at the "upmarket British stationer Smythson of Bond Street". This year, 4 contemporary artists have created limited editions appointment books. Since it's an artsy diary, it also includes extensive listings of upcoming exhibitions and the best art hotels and cafes. They don't come cheap though. The price tag is US$700 each, but the nice thing is that all of it will go to charity of the artists' choice.

Check out http://www.smythson.com/, you will find many other nice stuff. Great for browsing!!

(photo : http://www.smythson.com/)

New Cabinet

New Cabinet

I bought a new 7 feet tall cabinet in anticipation of the new and expanded collections of Pastel b. and Petit enjel. The cabinet has 5 shelves and 2 drawers.

The top drawer is very shallow, but it's perfect for storing Pastel b. cards, ribbons, threads and beads.

The bottom drawer is much deeper and I am using it to store Petit enjel boxes and bags for packaging the angel suits.

Now we have 2 cabinets for bigger collections of our brands. Yay!!

Bottega Veneta Desk

I came across this little article titled "Maximalist" on Newsweek. Quoting here "Meeting deadlines is just a little bit easier when you work from home on the sleek and stylish Bottega Veneta desk in leather...". Well, the price tag is US$15,070.

It is a nice desk, but I don't think that even working on this desk will make meeting deadlines any more pleasant, and just imagine the number of projects I have to take to buy this desk? As far as I am concerned the best thing is no deadlines, period.

(photo : http://www.bottegaveneta.com/)

Taking a break

I submitted 6 translations yesterday. I started on them the next day ( the day of Studio White's opening) after the client confirmed the project on Sept. 25th.

I slaved away and out of stress, opened my bottle of limited edition Black Label!! Anyway, 6 down and 14 more to go, but today I am taking a well deserved break.

I got a 7 feet tall display cabinet for the expanded collection of Pastel b. and Petit enjel. The cabinet will be delivered this afternoon (2-6). Before that, I will head out to get some more ribbons and threads, something I enjoy.

I found a seamstress in the same building of Studio White. She is a super nice lady, and we will be working with her on the new collection of Petit enjel and Pastel b., something I enjoy, too.

I guess the reason why I was so cranky is that I have been postponing the things I wanted to do and instead, stuck with slaving away with this project on topics I totally despise. The project is related to the job I left almost a year ago. As I translated the 'lofty goals and accomplishments' of these committee members, I could just feel bile in my mouth. Ok, I exaggerated, but you get the picture.

Anyway, I am dumping this project today, yes pity just for today, and heading out to do something I really enjoy, working on the happy items of Petit enjel and Pastel b.!! Yay!!