Well, it's the festive season of Christmas this week and other than the serious plunge in blood pressure which left me nauseous and dizzy, I had quite a pleasant day with family and friends. The only thing lacking is a nice bottle of champagne or wine. I ordered a cookie and cream log cake from Angie The Choice - my all time childhood favourite confectionery selling one of the best cakes with fresh ingredients and fresh cream. My family had dinner at Jack's Place and although it cost a bomb, the food was awesome and the service was better than I had expected.

Oh no, school is starting and a new year is starting soon. 2009 had been a messy year of unplanned surprises, sadness, joy and experience. Right now, I do believe that my life is 30% similar to the plot of Korean drama. I am so caught in some entanglements that sometimes I do wonder whether I am thinking seriously...too MUCH for my own good. But I guess such drama will subside soon and my life will just be a plain boring tale to be retold.

I have been muti-reading few good books at one time during this short break. And I am damn happy that "The Desiderata of Happiness" by Max Ehrmann which I ordered through Amazon arrived on the eve of Christmas. So this book of short poems has added to my list of books which include:

1. Andrew Matthews, Follow Your Heart
2. Anthony Robbins, Awaken The Giant Within

Also, if I have the time during the next break, Allan Pease's book on communication and body language is a good read too.

I did some exercise lately and unfortunately, the weather was too cloudy in Dec to have my skin exposed to sunlight. I need sunlight or else my skin will be whiter than Edward Cullen..which is so OMG!

Other than running/jogging, I find thrill in things with wheels like blading, cycling or even skating! Is like after not exercising for so long, my body just feel hyper good from endorphin, sweating and heart pumping. Sadly, my dad secretly gave away my Raleigh bike (which I am kinda pissed) and forbids me from getting even a budgeted Alleoca bicycle due to space constraints.

A Prayer by Max Ehrmann

Let me do my work each day;

and if the darkened hours

of despair overcome me, may I

not forget the strength

that comforted me in the

desolation of other times.

May I still remember the bright

hours that found me walking

over the silent hills of my

childhood, or dreaming on the

margin of a quiet river,

when a light glowed within me,

and I promised my early God

to have courage amid the

tempests of the changing years.

Spare me from bitterness

and from the sharp passions of

unguarded moments. May

I not forget that poverty and

riches are of the spirit.

Though the world knows me not,

may my thoughts and actions

be such as shall keep me friendly

with myself.

Lift up my eyes

from the earth, and let me not

forget the uses of the stars.

Forbid that I should judge others

lest I condemn myself.

Let me not follow the clamor of

the world, but walk calmly

in my path.

Give me a few friends

who will love me for what

I am; and keep ever burning

before my vagrant steps

the kindly light of hope.

And though age and infirmity

overtake me, and I come not within

sight of the castle of my dreams,

teach me still to be thankful

for life, and for time's olden

memories that are good and

sweet; and may the evening's

twilight find me gentle still.

Such an old song, but with so much emotion. The sentiments expressed in the lyrics isn't what I am feeling now just that I love how it is sang. If you have watched April's Bride (余命1ヶ月の花嫁), I guess you known what I have meant. Enjoy~

The Rose - LeAnn Rhimes

Some say love it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed

Some say love it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
And you it's only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed
That with the sun's love
In the spring
Becomes the rose

Fruit Tarts from Fruit Paradise. I love the creamy texture and crunchy pie.

Evening sunset from my house

Sky scrappers from the windows of Dallas Cafe

Hoho, it's the the festive season again! I love Christmas. Anyway, after a long hiatus from blogging, does anybody miss me? Seriously, I do think of closing this blog anyway.

Recently, I have experienced so much ups and downs in life. In the surface, I may look gullible and innocent (which I hate it) or maybe I am a good actress. Like E. Goffman had mentioned as an analogy of our everyday life to the theatrical, we manage our social performance to provide others with certain desired and perceived impression of ourselves. So if you really understand who I am, you could have peeled the mask from my face.

I think the only thing that can calm my nerves is the effect of wine. Hopefully, I can master the techniques of wine tasting when I am older and RICHER!

Since the middle of this week, I have been meeting up with friends, chilled near the pier while enjoying a glass of champagn (so shiok) and visited my godsis's baby daughter. She's so cute..alright, I confess that I am not a baby lover. But my impression totally change when I touch her baby. So fragile and delicate. Just like an angel from heaven. When I touched her tiny hands, my heart just melted and I just wanted to shower her with all the love and care I could ever provide.

I watched the New Moon saga. Oh gosh, I am like an immature teenage girl who goes gaga over cute hunky guys. The movie plot wasn't one of the best, in fact the book is better. And I still have not read it yet. I heart Edward and Jacob. It does not make any sense to fancy a vampire and werewolf, but fantasy does bring you to another stress-free gateway.

Also, I am so falling in love with Sarah Brightman's latest album - Amalfi. A fusion of genre including classic, new pop and soprano.

Finally, I just want to share with you this wonderful video. Together does make a difference.