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Planning for 2012

Ok folks, I know, I'm likely to be 1 or 2 months slower than you all - thinking hard and planning the specifics relating to 2012 only now. The fact is - I need to be myself, with no interruptions, a note book, a nice chosen pen and in a "yeah, I can so totally do this" state of mind to do this.

Indeed, a particularly good session would require a re-read of the book below, which I bought more than 10 years ago in KL and have moved along with me (Leicester, London, KL, HK and now Basel). I've just unearthed it from one of my boxes a few days ago (upon coming back from Sing) and started re-reading it. Still at the early stages of the book (hard to focus when I have a cute 4 year old tugging at my trousers to play) but already I am feeling inspired.

I had forgotten and was reminded when I opened the book that I had scribbled in it. Once in 1998 and then 10 years later: 1999 turned out to be a great year for me. I persevered and changed my lifestyle to lose close to 8 kg, which I had recklessly gained from consuming one too many roti pratha breakfasts and evening cocktails upon returning to KL in 1997. I also got my act together to chase and win a position and grant which allowed me to pursue a PhD in the UK.  2009 was another interesting year. A year of change in HK, with a number of highs and lows; I realise now, retrospectively, that the events in 2009, collectively formed the catalyst for my subsequent epiphany in 2010.

What's in store for 2012? I'm still thinking about it but it's not hard to figure out that I would be aiming for (in no particular order) a good and successful career, happy family and healthy, fashionable and zen self. Now, to work on the deets!     

 

 

Sniff sniff

I'm sitting at the airport lounge waiting to board the flight back home with a lump in my throat after waving goodbye to G&T. Dangdamit - How I wish G and I live closer to each other.

Help?

Dear Fifity-6,

I would be grateful for your help regarding a pair of boots (MANAS DESIGN) I bought from your shop in Saarbruken, Germany (Bahnhofstrase 1-3, St-Johanner-Markt) on 8 November 2011.

I brought it home to Basel in Switzerland and upon wearing it - realise that 1 side was defective - i.e. had fur instead of wool on the outside.  I inspected it and realised that the fur which should be sewn in the inside was put outside and vice-versa (please take a look at the attached pictures). My friends laughed at me and my boots  - they turned out not to be so good for my karma -unlike what your pink heart shape paper (found in the shoe box) suggested.

A friend, who lives in Saarbruken, tried to resolve this issue with the manager of your shop on my behalf, even showing the pictures I sent of the boots. He told her he could not help and that the wrong fur would change into wool with time! As you would probably understand --- I found this extremely disappointing --bearing in mind that I have paid EUR169 for what I thought was fashionable and high quality boots! I would be grateful for your help  in this issue - either for an exchange for a good boot or a refund ---something you think would be fair as the boots I have now are not wearable and the problem arose because of a manufacturing/production issue. I am attaching here a few  pictures for your easy reference.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

 

 

PS I've also sent an email to MANAS in Italy. I would be very disappointed and aggrieved if I don't hear anything back. 

Get a haircut - done

I've not had a hair cut for at least 6 months. Maybe even longer. Pretty long time don't you think? I observed last week that perhaps it was my out- of- shape- hair that was contributing to my feeling blah about getting dressed to go out or even life in general. This, and realising I need to get myself together for next week, prompted a hair-melt-down/crisis discussion with E last Saturday night, which in turn led me to the Swiss hair salon this afternoon.  

Alor, why did I not do this sooner?  Well, aside from not noticing it was making me grumpy, it was because I was reluctant. A few reasons: (1)  I wasn't up to entering a shop to ask for an appointment, only to have the person carelessly shrug NO to me like I'm a dumb ass: because I can't speak German (as has been the case with the many nail shop I've skipped into and walk dejectedly out off); (2) I've been told so many times - "nooo...it's terribly, terribly, terribly expensive here in Swizzer ... you must go to France/Germany instead" and I listen to this because I don't want to spend more, especially as I'm not earning at the moment; (3) I don't trust strangers to cut my hair (colouring is ok), having learnt my awful lesson in HK when I was disloyal to beloved Kenji and went to see another hairdresser who butchered my hair (which led me to eat a lot of cake; I still haven't recovered). 

How it went this afternoon: Well, much better than I expected. Firstly, I could communicate with the hair stylist (yes, I was struggling to ask for an appointment in German until one of the ladies asked me whether I spoke Spanish)(no, no one spoke English). Secondly, the Spanish speaking hair stylish had nice layered long hair, so she knew exactly what I wanted. Thirdly, I  seized the opportunity and added highlights to my recently darkened hair to make me look less fierce (which is what I've been hearing lately). 

Voila. Now all I need to do is to solve my manicuring-pedicuring nails issue. 

Getting out of my comfort zone

It's one after another - being here.

First there was the bicycling in town - with the cars, roundabouts and trams. I was so nervous at the beginning, I hop off and wheeled my bicycle at busy junctions and roundabouts. I also preferred to clamp on the brakes when going down hill. Of course, I do nothing of that sort now, staying on my bike and pedalling at the roundabouts and taking advantage of any downhill speed to gain momentum and more time.

So what is it this time?  Driving here! Yeyse...yesterday I drove E's car (left steering wheel) on the right hand side of the road, in the morning traffic i.e. amidst running school kids, bumper-to- bumper traffic to reach to the tram station (plus minus a wrong turn here and there). Later, in the evening, I drove back from the tram station to home. 

I was extremely nervous on Sunday night. And indeed yesterday morning when I woke up at 5am mulling whether I should just stay in bed and not bother with school, or to go in but with my bicycle and leave at lunch time. The only thing is I wanted to sit in lectures.

So - today - I'm going to repeat the same routine.  I'm feeling nervous  this morning but nothing like yesterday.   I don't have an afternoon class but an appointment with the hairdresser to trim my hair. It's out of shape and I need to look nice for next week now, especially now that I've confirmed for pictures to be taken!  

A mouse and some reflection

I saw a dead mouse as I cycled out of the garage this morning. Right in the middle of the path.  You should have seen the way I jumped (with the bike) or heard my yelp.  How did it end up there? Did E squish the little creature on the way out with his car in the dark? He (she?) was so tiny. What should I do with it? E is travelling. Surely I can't just leave it in-front of the house like that. Get a dustpan to remove it to the side maybe? Arghhhhhh. Questions, questions, questions*.

* * * *  

According to my time table, I should be working on an essay which is due next week. Instead, I'm lounging around surfing the internet, viewing older pictures on my ipad and thinking about life, particularly about the events taking place from late 2009 to this time last year.  

Really, when I think about it, 2010 was an amazing year for getting my act together and focusing on more important matters (including sorting out a horrendous hair cut I received from an alternative hairdresser before I went to South Africa in Dec 2009).

I didn't do much running. However, I did sign up for dancing classes which inspired me immensely and made me see the world and especially myself  in a new light (I would have never guessed dancing = self empowerment). I also went to the gym, and cut down on drinks, culled people who I considered were counter-productive in my life and focused on investing time with people I thought I could build sustainable and healthy friendships with. This produced wonderful results. I got involved in team sports which I enjoyed. I also started taking care of myself  better , including eating properly: something I hadn't done for years. It sounds like I'm exaggerating but I do think that for the first time since 1996 I felt real. I think meeting E, falling in love with him, deciding to leave my everyday HK life, coming here, doing this course, settling down with E  who I feel extremely connected to are all  natural outcomes of being in better tune with myself.  

 * I came home and found the mouse gone... devoured by our neighbour's cat?

I'm enjoying my course

So, we completed the "Development and Sustainability" module yesterday after an intensive 3 days and this morning started on another one entitled "Empathy".

The former module made me think a lot about what little I'm doing for the environment, aside from recycling and reminded me why excess consumption is so passe vs. minimalism, which is cool. I can do more I think e.g. produce less waste, conserve energy, become a vegetarian, be involved in developmental work. Hmm. I need to sit down and look through my lecture notes and come up with a cunning plan.

The subject of "quality of life" came up a few times during the last few days in the course of discussing consumption to maximise economic growth. It made me think (yet again) of my ex-colleagues (and sometimes me) spending our nights and/or weekends in the office. Hamsters on the wheel.

The facilitator of our new course is the author of this book - I realised after a couple of hours of starting this morning's session (G had recommended and gifted me the book a few months ago when I visited her in Singapore).  It was a day for discussion and interesting exercises: opportunities to also banish lurking relationship-ghosts from the past. The day whizzed by so fast - lunch and tea breaks were hurried affairs.  

This academic programme is certainly different to the others I've taken especially in terms of incorporating all this stuff relating to self-reflection and psychology.   

I'm exhausted and would like nothing more than to lie in bed reading. Unfortunately, I have some work to do: completing my essay on Human Rights after we have dinner with the PIL as it is due tomorrow. I've chosen to focus on Article 9 - freedom of religion and conscience in relation to the prohibition of the Burqa in France.  

Busy with school work

I'm paying the price for not using my free time from last week on assignments and consequently been hunched over the desk, doing my homework after dinner these past two days. I'm really enjoying the content of the course I'm doing - so school work is a pleasure. However getting started is sometimes a pain and I hate this rushed feeling of playing catch-up (vs. cruising) when I know assignments are due soon, soon, soon. I blame this (and my current state of not exercising) on the lack of routine. Looks like I will have to start one which involves prepping (and exercising) to avoid getting stressed. 

Friday email to HK

T, Missing the HK typhoon action (or inaction) - as well as all the 19 and 28 floor banter and all you regular suspects. Deep sigh. Excellent re: losing weight and wife's appreciation. Like it that you guys are having fun after so many years of marriage. What is the trick you think? (short essay more than welcomed). We are learning about human rights this week. Case studies on slavery and torture. I wondered out loud a few days ago, while having wine with my course mates, (nice fun bunch) about finding employment which involves dealing with humanitarian issues but also pays well - that killed the conversation swiftly. I fear I may be asked to go to the thinking corner anytime now. Have a great weekend. Say hi to Hvl if you see him - I will send him an email (I think).

Miscellaneous

These sweets were on sale from a stall situated close to the restaurant we were enjoying a coma-inducing family lunch while in Menorca in July (on the menu: delicious Lobster Calderetta). I found the colours so attractive and skulked around taking pictures while MIL bought a handful of these for LE (In case you're wondering the answer is no, I'm not a proponent for sweets for little kids). LE insisted I take some from him (he's keen on sharing·) and I found the orange one to be tastier than the green (melon flavour).    

Back at the ranch:

So, I've worked on the clothes in my wardrobe again, this time grouping them as if I was travelling and would need to wear specific pieces together. I.e. packing and repacking each set, pretending that the wardrobe was my suitcase and I would have to know what I would be wearing each day.

Yes, sighg, I know I sound like a woman obsessed. I'm just getting my head around the change in my lifestyle here: not having to wear smart dresses and high heels on a daily basis. What do I have to wear to look put together? And how do I excite myself in the morning, faced with casual wear? (sigh, shallow? moi?).

I think a pair of boot cut black trousers and a black vest (both which I don't have) should be a basic necessity to fall back on. I also need shoes-boots which are nice yet flat (oxymoron?) - comfortable enough to walk around town with when its cold and allow me to easily hop on and off trams and bicycles.

Egad -- How do I align these wants with the minimalism concept I excitedly embraced a few months ago. And the fact that I am currently not earning any income? And that I should be focusing on improving the world and HUMANITY as per the course I'm studying. Madness. My boxes from HK should arrive in the coming weeks (touch wood). I'm hoping to find more casual winter clothes I've forgotten about in them. Please.      

(·) I now know better and hide whatever piece of sweet, cheese, etc I've taken from him, pretending to munch them instead of actually eating it.