I turned 25 this past year - yet there are still many things I want to do, many places I want to see. As a new year resolution, I would like to go to these places in 2010:
1. Egypt
2. Turkey
3. Maldives - before it sinks!
4. Indonesia - Surfing in Bali
5. Vietnam (Hanoi)
6. Cambodia
7. Brazil
8. Germany
9. South Africa
10. Russia
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Reflections
It has been nearly another year since the last post. In a fashion similar to an impatient parent dragging a kid out of Toys R Us while he's eyeing the shiny fire truck on the shelf, I have been dragged out of my youth, into adulthood. the world has become a very different place in the last year -- and so have i.
This year has taught me how quickly life can change, in seconds, minutes, days and years. And the moment it does, there is no turning back.
This year has taught me how quickly life can change, in seconds, minutes, days and years. And the moment it does, there is no turning back.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
2008
Happy New Year ladies and gents.
I guess it's time for New Year's resolutions in true American fashion. For the sake of making meaningful resolutions, I must look back on the previous year and try to capture all those milestones and magical little moments of 2007.
The world was at a pivotal point. George Bush unfortunately continued exercising his powers as commander in chief. The CIA acted in a fashion reminiscient of the Watergate scandal. Terrorist bombings became a fact of life. Kenyan refugees were massacered in a church. Hollywood went nuts. Paris Hilton went to jail. OJ Simpson is back.
And for the first time in history, we have a black, a woman, a Morman and an Evangelical Christian running for President at the same time.
In my personal life, I've sold my soul to the devil. Thrown my heart to the wolves. I feel myself becoming more and more like the wallstreet commutees I've always hated on the LIRR, but I feel myself drowning in my own ambition, driving me to push for more. Amist all this, I occasionally struggle to come up for a breath of reality, grasping for the values and passions I once held so dear. I reach out to my loved ones, to keep my head above the water. To remind me of who I really am.
I have laughed, cried, loved and lost. I have been deeply touched and shapened by all those who have been part of my life, and have learned what it's like to really care about someone, and to deeply love someone. I have been pleasantly surprised and exceedingly shocked by many events of this past year. Some to be embraced. Some to be forgotten. I'd like to think that one day, all this will turn me into not only a more mature person, but a better person.
Now on to my resolutions -- these are just a few to be shared. The rest will be kept on my mind and in my heart.
1. Go to the gym more often and get in better shape
2. Read every day
3. Call home at least once a week
4. Keep in touch with old friends
5. Be kind to others. Strive to be a better person
6. Figure out what I want to do with my life
7. Train for a marathon
8. Do something creative/artistic once a week
I guess it's time for New Year's resolutions in true American fashion. For the sake of making meaningful resolutions, I must look back on the previous year and try to capture all those milestones and magical little moments of 2007.
The world was at a pivotal point. George Bush unfortunately continued exercising his powers as commander in chief. The CIA acted in a fashion reminiscient of the Watergate scandal. Terrorist bombings became a fact of life. Kenyan refugees were massacered in a church. Hollywood went nuts. Paris Hilton went to jail. OJ Simpson is back.
And for the first time in history, we have a black, a woman, a Morman and an Evangelical Christian running for President at the same time.
In my personal life, I've sold my soul to the devil. Thrown my heart to the wolves. I feel myself becoming more and more like the wallstreet commutees I've always hated on the LIRR, but I feel myself drowning in my own ambition, driving me to push for more. Amist all this, I occasionally struggle to come up for a breath of reality, grasping for the values and passions I once held so dear. I reach out to my loved ones, to keep my head above the water. To remind me of who I really am.
I have laughed, cried, loved and lost. I have been deeply touched and shapened by all those who have been part of my life, and have learned what it's like to really care about someone, and to deeply love someone. I have been pleasantly surprised and exceedingly shocked by many events of this past year. Some to be embraced. Some to be forgotten. I'd like to think that one day, all this will turn me into not only a more mature person, but a better person.
Now on to my resolutions -- these are just a few to be shared. The rest will be kept on my mind and in my heart.
1. Go to the gym more often and get in better shape
2. Read every day
3. Call home at least once a week
4. Keep in touch with old friends
5. Be kind to others. Strive to be a better person
6. Figure out what I want to do with my life
7. Train for a marathon
8. Do something creative/artistic once a week
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
If I were a fermented grape...
Ahhhh. Hong Kong public holidays. Sometimes I don't even know why we have a holiday, but a day off is a day off. Got my macbook. A glass of 2001 Australian Shiraz. I'm ready to blog.
Speaking of wine, I was just thinking about the personality of different types of alcohol. Then i started thinking...if i were an alcoholic beverage, what would i be? I would love to be a pinot noir, because it's my favorite wine. But then again, I'm not really quite that refined. Not quite that delicate. Champagne? No. That would fit Teagan better -- bubbly, sweet, suitable for parties or an elegant evening. (And I don't mean Andre!) Hoogaarden? It's one of my preferred beers, but if you really think about it, it's kind of a poser. A beer with a softer side. I've got no problem drinking one, but I don't want to be a poser. Guinness? Not full bodied. Nor Irish. Patron? Not that expensive. Not that big at parties. Merlot? I'm too immature. Cabernet? Not that popular.
So what am i? I can be a bit stuck up and judgemental at times. But in general, I'm pretty laid back. I like to have a good time, but I also need a fair bit of down time. I'm a bit eccentric at times, but usually fairly sweet in nature. maybe if a behave, i can be a sauvignon blanc. or a riesling even.
maybe one day, i'll become a pinor noir.
Speaking of wine, I was just thinking about the personality of different types of alcohol. Then i started thinking...if i were an alcoholic beverage, what would i be? I would love to be a pinot noir, because it's my favorite wine. But then again, I'm not really quite that refined. Not quite that delicate. Champagne? No. That would fit Teagan better -- bubbly, sweet, suitable for parties or an elegant evening. (And I don't mean Andre!) Hoogaarden? It's one of my preferred beers, but if you really think about it, it's kind of a poser. A beer with a softer side. I've got no problem drinking one, but I don't want to be a poser. Guinness? Not full bodied. Nor Irish. Patron? Not that expensive. Not that big at parties. Merlot? I'm too immature. Cabernet? Not that popular.
So what am i? I can be a bit stuck up and judgemental at times. But in general, I'm pretty laid back. I like to have a good time, but I also need a fair bit of down time. I'm a bit eccentric at times, but usually fairly sweet in nature. maybe if a behave, i can be a sauvignon blanc. or a riesling even.
maybe one day, i'll become a pinor noir.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
pornification
there's been quite a bit of media coverage on the pornification of young women. more and more, young women view "sexy" as a equivalent of "rauchy". the trend started to take form years ago when abercrombie started selling thongs for girls, and when calvin klein and abercrombie used young models in provocative prints. or maybe even earlier.
beauty used to be something more refined, sexiness more muted. it seems that now it's just about showing skin (clueless to blame?) more and more, high school and college girls think dressing and acting like prostitutes is "hot", which is often reinforced by hormone-driven boys egging them on. i mean, i'm really in no position to criticize. i frequently fall victim to those cute skirts too short to be worn in public. and am guilty of dressing up for the "porno party" back in college.
this mentality extends to behavior as well. if you walk into a high school dance or a college party, the way kids dance would give my grandma a heart attack on the spot. pussycat dolls. they're hot right? yet the image is a complete 180 from marilyn monroe, who is also viewed as "sexy." maybe it's for attention. maybe it's liberating to defy society's standards of a "good girl." but then again, is it really liberating if it is actually acceptable?
the effects of pornification goes beyond teenage girls. any popular women's magazine will inevitably include articles about sex. don't get me wrong -- there's nothing wrong with women enjoying sex. but to overemphasize and to obsess about it, it is a bit strange, don't you think? maybe we're all supposed to be a "lady on the street but a freak in the sheets"?
beauty used to be something more refined, sexiness more muted. it seems that now it's just about showing skin (clueless to blame?) more and more, high school and college girls think dressing and acting like prostitutes is "hot", which is often reinforced by hormone-driven boys egging them on. i mean, i'm really in no position to criticize. i frequently fall victim to those cute skirts too short to be worn in public. and am guilty of dressing up for the "porno party" back in college.
this mentality extends to behavior as well. if you walk into a high school dance or a college party, the way kids dance would give my grandma a heart attack on the spot. pussycat dolls. they're hot right? yet the image is a complete 180 from marilyn monroe, who is also viewed as "sexy." maybe it's for attention. maybe it's liberating to defy society's standards of a "good girl." but then again, is it really liberating if it is actually acceptable?
the effects of pornification goes beyond teenage girls. any popular women's magazine will inevitably include articles about sex. don't get me wrong -- there's nothing wrong with women enjoying sex. but to overemphasize and to obsess about it, it is a bit strange, don't you think? maybe we're all supposed to be a "lady on the street but a freak in the sheets"?
Friday, May 4, 2007
all grown up
life as an investment banker in hong kong has been a lot calmer than i expected. aside from the business class flights, five star hotel suites and 21 hour work days when i go on business trips, my life has been pretty structured. wake up. go to work. go to the gym. back to work. come home. call friends/family. go to sleep. rise lather and repeat.
it sounds a bit boring, but im actually kind of enjoying it. it makes the occasional beer or dinner with a friend all that much more special. and i feel better too. after years and years of waking up in the middle of the day, going to sleep in the middle of the night. eating unhealthy crap, and heavy drinking, i quite welcome the change. and if i get bored...there's always Shopping (with a capital S for emphasis) :) hong kong is a heaven for shoppers. and if that's not enough, there's always the internet. like back in the times of 1.00.. and its good knowing that if i ever wanted a crazy night out, the nightlife is there. if hong kong's not enough, there's always bangkok, seoul, tokyo, and all the little touristy asian cities.
maybe this is me getting old, but i really enjoy my time at home. especially cleaning up my place, cooking, doing laundry while sipping on a glass of wine. maybe i'm really meant to be a housewife? maybe one day i'll become a day trader so i can make millions of dollars while sitting at home. not a bad deal if i can pull it off.
it sounds a bit boring, but im actually kind of enjoying it. it makes the occasional beer or dinner with a friend all that much more special. and i feel better too. after years and years of waking up in the middle of the day, going to sleep in the middle of the night. eating unhealthy crap, and heavy drinking, i quite welcome the change. and if i get bored...there's always Shopping (with a capital S for emphasis) :) hong kong is a heaven for shoppers. and if that's not enough, there's always the internet. like back in the times of 1.00.. and its good knowing that if i ever wanted a crazy night out, the nightlife is there. if hong kong's not enough, there's always bangkok, seoul, tokyo, and all the little touristy asian cities.
maybe this is me getting old, but i really enjoy my time at home. especially cleaning up my place, cooking, doing laundry while sipping on a glass of wine. maybe i'm really meant to be a housewife? maybe one day i'll become a day trader so i can make millions of dollars while sitting at home. not a bad deal if i can pull it off.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)