last post for year 2022

Today is 31/12/2022 and last day of year 2022. It has been a year filled with ups and downs. It is also a year of 'wake up call' for me. Many things happened and some really make think thrice about what have I done so far..

is it really how I want to leave my life? 

Am I wasting my life away doing something I detest? 

Why can't I just for once live for myself? Life is short and I'm halfway already.

My children are growing up fast and I sort of regret not spending enough time with them. Seriously what's the use earning money trying to make a living when I couldn't be there for them when they need me most. Sad..

So come 2023, I'm finding my way out of the rut, going to do what is important to me, going to focus on my priorities (my children, my family, my life, my health). I'm just a normal human with my flaws and limitations. I'm with limited time and resources so I do not waste in on things that does not matter..I'm sorry but this can only be the way forward. And for once, i have this strong urge to venture into education industry educating our future generation.

And I'm starting my own youtube channel to share some info and raise public awareness. My motto for tomorrow : just do it (wrong or right never mind, as long as I get started and even if wrong, I take corrective action from there)

Last but not least, thank you 2022 for a wonderful year that gave me a wake up call on what are the important things in my life and making me realised that me and only me can make the change.

Getting comfort from out of comfort zone

This year, I decided to get a little more comfort from being out of my comfort zone. I'm reading 'chicken soup for life' - something which I love in chinese language (which is something out of my comfort zone)

I'm starting with 'a page a day keep the worry away'

I'm starting to love the chinese language...it's a beautiful language full of wisdom and a single character alone can have many meaningful interpretation.

I'm glad I stumbled upon these books @ Popular bookshop .. they are my new treasures.

desperation & funny things

Most of us are not born rich ... 
thus we have to accumulate our wealth from scratch.
I used to be and am still am a person with need for sense of security,
I need to accumulate some money to make me feel safe.
However I realised it isn't enough just for me to accumulate passively aka. saving.
I need to put my money to work for me ...
I earned them the hard way, so why should they be resting on their laurel? 
Shouldn't they work harder for me?

My work life journey wasn't smooth 
had a lot of bumps which I crawl and crawl and crawl over while peers sprint to the finishing line. 
I slowly started to believe the problem lies with me. 
I grew up.
I learnt my lesson.
I couldn't control what other people think or do. But I can take charge of what I do.
As part of the learning process, it force something out of me. 
Desperation do funny things to people. 
That 'funny things' could be good or bad.

stop worrying, start living

I have been a worry wart and am still a worry wart.

and I worry myself sick.
worry is like invisible stress that slowly kills
and I think I'm caught in that big black hole of endless worrying.
There's always something which I worry about ... my children, my family...
It's tiring. 
I'm exhausted 
but I couldn't stop myself from worrying.
When people tell me not to worry too much, 
I used to say 'I also hope I can' 
but sometimes in my heart, I will think it's easier to say than to do.
Now, when I think back, these people actually meant good.
They didn't want me to worry too much because worry can actually kill.
What more is when you worry all by yourself, dare not share burden with others.

So today, after being 'reminded' by a friend past few days,
I decided I STOP worrying and START LIVING.
For each time my worry come into my mind, I will do a blessing instead ... action & thought.
Somethings if meant to happen will happen.
Somethings happened for some reasons.
So living in the PRESENT, doing whatever I can NOW is all that matter.
I'm only HUMAN. 

Cut'ted

At last, another round of cutting it short ... my hair, i mean

I guess it's just a matter of time to get it cut for a person like me who :

1. doesn't take care / manage her hair

2. full of white hair (no longer gray hair for my case...haha)

3. hair fall like nobody's business

4. is always in a mess

5. needs a dash of fresh hope ... a fresh cut is like a new beginning 

6. needs some time off to pamper herself 

7. need to have some 烦恼 cut off (i think this could be the very main reason)

ok, so CUT done, so what's next? UNPLUG?

ps. this post isn't a very appropriate post to start 2014 ho? 
this year marked the 10th year into blogging
and shall be a year to redeem myself after a record breaking low no. of posts for 2013.

some cheers for year end, or are they not?

I received an email from ocbc bank a few weeks ago.

It says that 

(a) we can get BBWS RM50 voucher for opening any type of savings account

(b) another BBWS RM50 voucher for opening any type of FD deposit 

during the promotion period.

* BBWS : Big Bad Wolf Sales - the biggest and baddest book sales in Malaysia offering new books @ a fraction of retail prices.

Here's the catch : 

(a) min RM1k for opening savings account

(b) min RM5k for opening FD account

(c) max per pax is RM100 voucher per person. 

(d) applicable to selected customer who receive the email. (apparently their criteria for the mailing list is customer who only has credit card with them. They want to bring in your deposits)

But here's the cheers 

(for me la) :

1. Getting RM100 voucher for BBWS is very worth it (if average RM8 /book, I get about 12 books free literally). It's the kind of voucher that's definately not going to be ended up not utilized for me.

2. In term of returns, about 5% for savings account (RM50/RM1000), 

1% for FD account (RM50/RM5000) on top of the existing p.a interest rate. 

Mind you, this is not even per annum rate calculation basis. 

3. the returns in item (2) is given upfront / immediate, upon opening of account (ok la, upon collection and usage of voucher). In other words, we don't need to wait for month end / year end / upon maturity for interest calculation and crediting.

4. There are no bonding / tie in period. Literally, it can mean you can withdraw the money you bank the moment / after you collected the vouchers. But then again, don't think anyone will do so right? FD withdraw prior to maturity will have penalty/ no interest.

5. I just discovered OCBC has a very attractive savings account which they call 'Smart Savers Plan'. It allow adult to earn interest rates like children account provided there are no withdrawal. It's good if you plan to use it for REAL savings and not day to day operating account.

provided no withdrawal, deposit of 

RM0 - RM49.99 interest rate 2.4% p.a

RM50 - RM999.99 interest rate 2.75% p.a

RM1000 above interest rate 2.90% p.a

(refer pic2 below)

help me see...did I miss any catch here? (since I think I'm blinded by the BBWS cash vouchers) 

ps. this is not a paid post. 

the above post is just the opinion of the writer.

 

thanksgiving

Only realised today is thanksgiving day after seeing so many post on this topic on FB.

Although neither well known nor celebrated widely in Malaysia,

this day trigger a very strong urge in me to be thankful and grateful. 

this year I really need to count my blessings and be thankful to all the people I'm indebted to (however cliche this may sound)

I'm thankful 

to God for forgiving me and for everything

for all my ah bis to be healthy 

for my parents and family who brought me up (although I doubt I can ever repay, I'll nevertheless still want to for as long as I'm still around)

for ah dear who stood by me despite all my worst

for my in-laws and relatives who look after me like their own children
for friends who are always there, always share
for medical personnels - doctors and nurses that helps us alot in times of need 
for having a roof over our head, warm meals, still having a job
for all the people who taught me about life and help me grow
for everything everyday 
(this list can go on and on...) but today, just for this once
allow me to be grateful, 
allow me to say thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart.

I will always remember ... 
I will always try to pay it forward shall I not be able to repay you ...
May God bless you all ...

I can't thank enough
I didn't know the way to express 
but deep down in my heart, I'm deeply thankful
for all that have been through...

slowly coming back

sorry for the long hiatus.
I'm learning to cope with life.
Things expected and unexpected happen and I'm taking them one at a time.
Now I know it really doesn't take alot for me to be happy. 
I just want to live a simple life. 

one door closed, another door opened

Since last month, I've gradually lost 3 of my breast pumping session companions.

(Yes, in case you're wondering, we do it TOGETHER in a room the size of a toilet cubicle ... i bet it does reflect how close and intimate we are)

1 transferred, 2 resigned 

So here I'm down to 1.

For the 1st few days, I was not used to it. 

I felt something was amiss ... it's like a part of me is missing. 

I'm not used to having the small little space all to myself.

However, I guess it takes time to get used to it.

Recently, I started discovering again 

(1) the wonders & pleasure of reading 

...i hardly have time to read @ home but over the past 2 weeks, i managed to finish a book!

(2) the wonders & pleasure of being alone 

... to wind down especially during stressful times. 

(3) the wonders & pleasure of listening to radio 

... Ai FM (chinese radio station) in particular ... can learn chinese, learn about topic of discussions and get to listen to real nice songs)

(4) the wonders & pleasure of escaping from gossip 

...you know what they say that you can't escape from the grapevine when you put a few 'ah so' together. 

Since I'm the only one left ... I always do get asked

"Now left you 1 only ah? So how?"

"Now left you 1 only ah? so cham?"

so much so that I've just got to smile and say : 

"What to do? 4 people together or me alone .. my baby still need drink milk everyday"

tax deduction / tax rebate for breastfeeding supplies?

Around this time of the year, the mention of income tax / e-filing / LHDN (Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri) will slowly start surfacing.
As usual, the deadline for employees are 30 April and for business owner/self employed 30 June.


This year beside personally optimising the tax rebate and tax deductible available, i think it's about time for our country to introduce tax deduction / tax rebate for breastfeeding supplies (particular big items like breastpump and milk storage bottles/bags).


In US, this decision was made in 2010 under the pressure from American Academy of Pediatrics and other breastfeeding advocates to define breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies as medical devices.
source : http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/ask-heidi/tax-deduction-for-breastfeeding-supplies.aspx


I think it's a win-win situation.
The reason:Breastfeeding provides reams of health benefits for baby (fewer infections, reduced risk of asthma and obesity, to name a few) and mom (lower cancer and type 2 diabetes risks) which translate to lower medical expenses. 


However judging from the current 'LYNAS' issue ... i don't think they give a heck to what we say.  It's always only about them, them, them & them. *roll eyes*    

红 packet

I used to be at the other end of the bargain ... 28 years to be exact ^^!
Now that I've assumed new role 3 years back, comes with it are some great perks =p 
One that really worth mentioning is
the chance to 包红包 
Not that I've not 包 before in the 28 years. I've done it for many many times.
But to 包红包 (with own money that is) a totally different ball game.


Just like 孙子 Art of War 战争兵法, 
We also have Art of 包(红包)法
After 3 years of trying very hard to master, (yes, I do understand I still have a long way to go)
these are my major & not so major findings : 


(a) budgeting
Yes, the word budget is overrated. Even going from one end of the bargain to another end of the bargain requires a big budget..but let's leave that topic for another day.
Yes, although 红包 is the focus, we all know what is the actual 'focus of the focus'. I call it 重点的重点. The timing is also crucial for consideration. If you are like half of the working population who receive bonus year end, it may help to lighten your burden as chinese new spring celebration usually falls on Jan/Feb - just nice after year end bonus. However, if you are not in that group, you'll need to foresee this inevitable expenses and start preparing for it. 
If in any case you wish to escape by travelling away during this celebration duration, you'll also need to 'budget' in your travel expenses.
And also, budgeting involves you deciding your allocations - in order words, how much to give who. You may need to balance & rebalance and have backup emergency plans. 
Banks are not open for you during CNY and ATM machines are usually out of money especially over long weekends / holidays. Moreover ATM machines doesn't spit small notes.


(b) sourcing 
This stage to many people may seem 'remeh temeh' but I choose not to underestimate the power of sourcing (for your resources). The resources here refer but not limited to
1. money (the total amount) - covered in chapter (a) budgeting
2. money (the amount in different denomination a.k.a change to RM1/5/10/50/100 notes) - this may requires you tapping into your intersocial skills. It will be best if you know someone who can help you to change or join into groups (tumpang). There are things you may need to consider if you decide to do it lone rangerly such as logistic and safety besides time & effort.
3. ang pow packets - yes, you can buy but why buy when everyone else is getting it free? This requires some intersocial, communication, thick-skinned skills. I'm not sure about others but I realised I have a need for not only 1 design angpow, I need a few designs at least and in sufficient quantity. This I'll elaborate further in chapter (d) 包'ing
4. sourcing for the sources - need I explain further? 


(c) getting 
After you've sourced for whatever that you require, automatically the next stage will be 'getting' or 'receiving' what were sourced. Let's take for example, if you've changed money, you need to think of ways getting those money safely home. Same goes for angpow. You may need to consider whether is there any need for additional resources. If yes, this is the time to gather sufficiently.


(d) 包'ing
Now I'm at this stage as I'm writing this. 
This stage consist of repetitive work that requires full attention. Need to ensure exact piece(s) of note(s) inserted correctly before sealing. 
Here comes the trick, usually I'll need to have at least 4-8 different designs angpow and in sufficient quantity. This is due to the fact that when all the angpow are sealed, I determine the amount of money inside by looking at the design. Also, the different design is to differentiate different categories of recipients ie.parents/siblings/close relatives/friends/colleagues/someone's friends/someone's relatives and even stranger like those very hardworking alam flora sanitor.
Sometimes I find it hard to remember which design is for which and ended up had to open the angpow to check the content, which isn't something nice to do eh...
Among other challenges here is to ensure angpows are sealed properly to contain the money...else paiseh people receive empty angpow.
We also have to ensure the total no. of angpow tally with no, of pieces of notes for that denomination


(e) logistic'ing 
Again this is another often overlooked concern. It's not so bad when you're at home, you know where you put which design angpow. The challenges for me comes when we go visiting many places at one go. Either we need to prepare different bags for different types, all put all into 1 bag but with rubberband segregation, or bring bags with different compartments. Again, if you're with young children like me, please do take into consideration that all your kids angpow will eventually end up with you...so be prepared and ensure no mixup. 
Another pointer to think of, if like me not going back to my parents' hometown, we need to pre-arrange and coordinate to tumpang relatives to bring balik kampung. Plus, you need to give clear indication on how to distribute the angpows to avoid confusion / embarassment such as not enough...moreover so when you have different allocations like bigger angpow for grandparents, standard angpow for kiddies, another set angpow  for pai nian.
So I hope you see that logistic is just not as simple as transporting the angpow from A to B.


(f) giving
This is the fun part but also the confusing part (for me). Maybe it has got to do with my ever deteriorating memory. I have no problem with giving but when there are so many kids and teenagers (and sometimes adults with children who didn't come), I have a very BIG problem. I CANNOT remember who I gave or had not ^^! Mind you, kids nowadays doesn't remind you that you've given them earlier. To them, the more the better so they won't mind you giving them bonus. 
Oh...and sometimes when someone with children but children not with them and they give your children angpow, I really have a hard time remembering how many children that person has. I can ask but sometimes it's not that nice ... people will think I know how many children you have and how come you not know mine?
What more when these people and families come & go at different intervals. Some families comes separately ie. parents comes 1st, kids come later, you gave the parents and kids give you 'give me angpow' look and you're downright confused.
Sometimes you do get some special guest, by special I mean, they are not really budgeted for. It's ok if you have a few which your backup stash can last, but if there are aplenty, you'll need to 'borrow flower offer buddha'. I admit, I recycle money ...haha..


(g) receiving
Yes, this is affecting me (indirectly though, or maybe directly). As mentioned earlier, if got young children, all their angpows will eventually end up with parents. 
The thing is when these angpows reaches me, I don't know where they come from (unless some people write giver name on angpow, they seriously do). 
This will have a cause and effect ... in term of 有来有去 (a very dominant chinese tradition which I call mild kiasu'nism)
At times, when small children play together, they may tend to leave angpow laying around and some smarter ones will tend to end up with more angpows... hehez.
Again, this also influence the choice of angpow designs (point (d) ... usually people will choose angpow design that can be closely associated with them or special limited edition to differentiate angpow from them (in other words, outclass the rest!)


(h) profit & lose'ing
After the whole 15 days, it's time to do some profit & lose'ing. I'm not sure whether others do but realistically & materialistically, I do. I need to know where we stand. 
I need to do financial decision for my children ... either to have their money stash in their kiddies account or to have their parents loan their money for cashflow while recovering from festive bankruptcy...lol, bad mother am i not? 
Of course, remember I did some money recycling? We need to take that into consideration as well. 
As our children grow, this process does serve another purpose..a more noble one..haha.
Educating the young ones the importance of 'delayed gratification' and the 'wonder of compounding interest'. 
Well, till then I will still call this process profit & lose'ing. 
When time comes, this process will be addressed as financial planning.


(i) guarding
This I must say is an ongoing crucial process that needs to be applied throughout (a) to (h).
As the chinese spring comes every year, we have to be prepared for the next cycle and the cycles thereafter.
Worth mentioning are events within your circles such as yearly reduction (people getting married) and addition (new family members)
Last but not least, anything that i forgot to cover on 'Art of 包' in the previous paragraphs should be considered here.


It's true that when they say 'Chinese people are sophisticated people'.


I wonder whether there'll be e-angpow in near future? 
Cause I'll very much need it. It will help me in managing my activity (a) to (i) 
and it'll do the environment some good deeds (the packets, the plastics, the CO2 released in the entire process production & logistic, the waste created, etc...)

Business of being born

Last Thursday, an ex-colleague sms'ed me. 

She's giving birth to a dragon baby in Feb 2012.  

In her message, she said she may plan for elective C-sec again.

This is her 2nd child. Her 1st child was born via elective C-sec.

She wants to know what's my opinion since I've experienced both.

Earlier, she has been contemplating vbac.
I had some difficulty replying her sms and giving her my opinion without being slightly biased. I tried giving a neutral opinion... but I guess she would have read those everywhere on the net.
I ended up asking her gently what was her doctor's advice (since her doctor knows her should condition best)
She said her doctor say it's up to her.
I asked her for her email and promised to share more with her since I was outside and couldn't do long sms reply (remember, I couldn't multitask well =p)


On my way back, I was thinking hard how to share with her my opinion without being biased and let her make her own choice. I do not want to be seen as 'hardselling' VBAC / natural birth because it's really really an individual choice, individual preference. 
I'm not against c-sec, it is life saving.


In the end, what I did was share with her this documentary 'Business of being born' and a few links which I find very helpful.
This 'Business of being born' was one of the influence in my decision. 
It has strengthened & consolidated what I believe in.
Now that it has helped me... I too would like to share this with all yet-to-be mothers, want-to-be mothers, soon-to-be mothers, already-a-mother, soon-to-be mothers of 2,3,4,5...., fathers and anyone who's involved directly or indirectly in a mother's delivery. 


* ps. thank you so much to ah dear for helping me find & download this documentary(after  he saw me trying to watch snippets, snippets & snippets on youtube. It may be a small gesture but it meant alot and I'm moved.


spare a little of time to watch, you'll see 'something'.
and please feel free to share =) 
btw, this is not a paid post and I don't get anything. Enjoy the trailers.

when nothing seem right, there must be something that's right..

Of late, nothing seem right ...

so many things happening that I no longer know what's right and what's wrong.

I feel my life at this juncture can qualify for a good drama script.

Every night when I sleep I hope things will go away

only to realise that it will come back the moment I wake up.

I want to cry but I didn't managed to cry.

I think I've slowly learnt to detach myself from myself.

If only I ...

If only I can appreciate my every day with childlike innoncence ...
Sometimes I really marvel how children can be so happy, so appreciative of even the simplest thing ...

And their never give up attitude ..

Like being in some cool water with same cups & bowls & balls.

Like trying to move a huge metal cloth hanger that doesn't budge ... yet they try & try & try & try

Like laughing & carrying a mini recyclable bag for a few hours without letting go as though there were gold inside (the bag was empty, btw)

If someone ask me who makes the best teacher, I'll say children =)

my little bean project

For the past 2 weeks, I've been going through some rough patches and I've also been very occupied not only with work but also 'work outside work'. I've been doing alot of thinking as well.

Each time when I'm going through rough patches in life, I'll always do things that will help to 'heal' me.

This time round, I embark on a little beanie project ... trying to kill 3 birds with a stone.
1st - to 'heal' myself
2nd - to show my little one how little beans grow just like him
3rd - to symbolise the growing of something my family is working on.


Day 1 - just beans - 2 black, 2 soya, few red ones. Just like all of us ... being in the same place but each occupy a different soil.

Day 2 - some cracks in the beanies' skin. Just like us, some things we need to break the shell and try before we know whether we can do it or not.


Day 3 - little roots emerging, but also realised that some beans are not meant to be grown ... the soyas ... they basically rot.
Like us, some know we must work hard to build a good foundation. Somethings are not meant to be, we had no choice but to accept that it won't work.

Day 4 - little sprouts coming out with fresh new leaves. Like us, as long as we never give up, there's always new beginning, new hope. If we work hard everyday, someday our effort will pay off.




Day 4 - side view








Day 5 - sprouts growing longer, leave bigger and roots deeper.


















Day 6 - beanie sprouts have grown taller, roots grown deeper into the cotton bed.
















Day 7 - bigger & stronger








Here, my little one admiring my little beans ... every morning when my little one wakes up... he'll look for bean bean.









Little beans came just in time to celebrate Chinese New Year..
Here, bean papa, bean mama & bean babies wishing everyone a new great beginning for this rabbit year =)

perpetually '乱'

It's time of the year again to indulge in some 'cleaning' exercise..
How come I've a feeling that my home is a perpetually '乱' place.
It really doesn't help that I keep accumulating things.
the worse, I can't decide where to put those things that I just leave them wherever easy to be found.

perhaps I seriously need to look at my this bad habit and make some changes.
like someone told me :
"last time your room is already so '乱' mana tau after married the home lagi '乱' ..."
hahaha ... somethings just don't change overnight, do they? perticularly bad habits

learning...

I read a chinese saying somewhere that :

Learning is like rowing upstream : not to advance is to drop back

and I find it very true.

女孩子并不在乎...

Is it true that?

女孩子并不在乎你有没有钱， 她在乎的是你会不会发奋努力改变现状；
Girl don't care whether you have money, she only cares whether you'll work hard to change your current condition.

女孩子并不在乎与你生活在一起会遇到困难， 她在乎的是你会不会迎难而上，不逃避；
Girl don't care whether living with you is full of difficulties, she only cares whether you'll improve & not avoid realities.

女孩子并不在乎你长得有多帅， 她在乎的是你能不能给她足够的安全感；
Girl don't care how handsome you are, she only cares whether you are able to provide her enough sense of security.

女孩子并不在乎你跟你的异性朋友有多好， 她在乎的是你能不能一心一意对她好；
Girl don't care about how good your relationships are with opposite sex friends, she only cares whether you are able to be good to her solely.

女孩子并不在乎你送她的礼物有多贵， 她在乎的是你会不会时常给她个惊喜；
Girl don't care how expensive is your gift, she only cares whether will you always give her suprises.

女孩子并不在乎你的志向有多远大， 她在乎的是你是不是一个老实做人、踏实做事的人；
Girl don't care how far & big is your aspiration, she only cares whether you are an honest and realistic person.

女孩子并不在乎你有多浪漫， 她在乎的是能不能从生活的点滴中感受到你的爱；
Girl don't care how romantic you are, she only cares whether she can feel your love from life's ups & downs.

女孩子并不在乎你的人可以每时每刻都陪在她身边， 她在乎的是你的心可以无时无刻不想着她；
Girl don't care whether you are able to be by her side all the time, she only cares whether your heart think of her always.

女孩子并不在乎你在物质生活上给她多大的满足， 她在乎的往往是一句窝心的话，那似乎比什么都重要；
Girl don't care how much satisfaction you can give her materially, she only cares about the warmth in your words, that's far more important than anything else.

女孩子并不在乎你现在的境况如何， 她在乎的是你能不能让她看到你的未来；
Girl don't care about your current situation, she only cares whether you are able to let her see your future.

女孩子并不在乎你跟她的关系有多亲密， 她在乎的是你会不会负责到底；
Girl don't care how intimate is your relationship with her, she only cares whether you can be responsible till the end.

女孩子并不在乎可以分享你的快乐， 她在乎的是可不可以分担你的忧愁；
Girl don't care if she can share your happiness, she only cares if she can share your troubles.

女孩子并不在乎跟你在一起吃苦， 她在乎的是陪你走到最后的是不是她。
Girl don't mind suffering with you, she only mind whether she's the one

文章來源：feelstory.lovequotes 感動故事

if you are the boss, what will you think?

Yesterday some 'unforeseen' thing happened.
It made me want to dig a hole in the ground & put my head in there.. haha

My daily routine include pumping milk in the office in the morning before I even start work.
Yesterday was no exception. Except that yesterday in a hurry (as I was a little late) I've button my work shirt one-side-up.
If you are wondering how it look like, try imagine buttoning the 2nd button to 1st hole and thereafter. You will have a sidelooped collar & a shirt with 1 end shorter than the other end.
"Nothing too embarassing ... just go ladies & button it back" I hear you said. Yup, that was what I did when it happened a few weeks back.

But ... but this time, I landed myself in a 'smelly mud pool'.
I was sitting at my place when my big big boss came over to ask me something.
He continue talking while walking away, so in my attempt to confirm with him whether any action need to be taken at our end, I did the most 'wrong' thing, I stood up and walked towards him. He say no worry, he'll ask the other department to do.
The 'dumb' me then went back to my place and continue with work.

It was only about 15 minutes later, when I walked into the ladies and saw myself in the mirror, I laughed my gut out. No wonder my boss was looking at me strangely just now.
How in the world can I do such a 'crazy thing'?
There goes 'the undone' of all my past efforts for the whole year.

the question is 'How can you trust a staff who can't even button her own shirt properly manage a project?' ... A very valid question.

Now I have another question for myself ' How can a mother teach her children button shirt properly when she (who don't know have buttoned shirt how many thousand time) can create new 'style of buttoning'? haha..

ps. last time a friend of mine told me I'm like a '傻大姐' ... which I denied but now I can't help but agree fully with her....lol

I'm sorry but the race rules seem to have changed

** these are pure opinion of the poster, please need not proceed if you already disagree with the title **
I'm not sure but from my observation of the people around me, the rat race rules seem to have changed.
If you allow me to call it the 'NEW rat race'..
From what I observe,
it's no longer who's got the most enviable highest flying & paying job
it's no longer who cliche the best deal
it's no longer who owns the most properties and luxurious item
now the race has a new face ... the OLD rat race characteristics & rules are now secondary if not tertiary.
it seems that now
it's about the importance of family & love ones
it's about personal development & personal well being
it's about who settle down faster
it's about how fast you start a home & family
it's about how much time you spend with your children
it's about how well you can leave work at where it should be left (ofice) and spend more time with family & love ones

Looking back, these new trends seem to have started 2-3 years back and is catching up faster nowadays.
Perhaps my observation are skewed towards the age group I'm in.
Perhaps my observation are biased because I observe selectively of the people whom I know and not a big sample enough to make major conclusions.

Anyway, we choose how we want to lead our lives.. race or no race