Life Lesson #14: I'm at A Thousand Views! Yippee!

I never thought this day would come.

I can be very determined when I want something really badly. But other times, I can be extremely half-hearted.

This isn't my first blog. I used to have another blog, on which I posted a short story. That was my first and last post.

Later on, when I had the intention to continue blogging, I realized I had forgotten the password. *groans*

So I started this blog with a bigger dream. I was going to make sure this was a life-long (okay, maybe teen-long) project.

But then I needed a theme for a blog. If there was no theme, there was no motivation to continue writing. I came up with the idea of "Why Life is Sometimes Awesome" after reading Neil Pasricha's "The Book of Awesome". And yes, the book is as awesome as its title.

Life Lessons came up after being inspired by a spilled bowl of noodles. I think that was really a big turning point for me in my writing journey.

There's still a long way to go, and I'm sure 1000 views is just a stone's throw on the never-ending road of "bloggery".

But for now, 1000 views is really an achievement for me. Anyone for the 2000 mark?

I'll take my blog 1 view at a time; I'll live life 1 day at a time.

Only effort brings achievement. But sometimes, it feels as if it is too hard to push on.

When you come to such a point in life, "giving up" cannot appear in your dictionary.

If it's too hard to live life 1 day at a time, live life ( fill as appropriate ) at a time.

Determine your life rhythm, and you can be the master of your life.

Another piece of good news *drumroll please* I've been featured in the Perspectives Blog for young Malaysians to voice their thoughts! *squeals*

http://www.pemandu.gov.my/gtp/perspectives/Vivien_Tang.html

p.s. Forgive the sudden outburst of girliness. I am, ahem, a girl after all :)

Life Lesson #13: Satisfaction

Satisfaction is a very subjective feeling. Everyone has a different perception of it, some of which may seem common, while some may seem anomalous.

For me, satisfaction comes from achievement.

Most achievements give me satisfaction, but there are different stages.

Needless to say, winning gives everyone a sense of satisfaction. It comes from knowing that our hard work has been appreciated and duly awarded. 

The most lasting satisfaction for me is a smile.

This morning, whilst washing my hands at a basin, I saw a grandmother and with her granddaughter. They were using the basin next to me.

The granddaughter was very young, and she hadn't grown tall enough to reach the basin even on her tiptoes. Her grandmother lifted her up with one arm and tried to turn on the tap with the other.

Most taps in public washrooms operate on the "push and release" mechanism - after one push, water flows out for a while and then stops. For most of us, it's still convenient to "push" the tap a few more times to clean our hands properly. But it was more difficult for the grandmother.

With one arm lifting her granddaughter, she struggled to gain her balance. Before she "pushed" the tap a second time, I reached my hand over and kept the tap flowing. There was a soft "thank you" from the grandmother, who regained her breath.

Before the grandmother left, she told her granddaughter to wave goodbye. I didn't expect much, as I'd often find myself waving or smiling at toddlers who returned blank stares.

So when the little girl lifted her hand and waved (and mouthed a 'bye-bye'), it brought a smile to my face as I did the same. That smile stayed in my heart for the entire day.

It was the satisfaction of knowing I'd helped someone that put the smile on my face.

We are taught to be helpful at a young age, but when competition gets in the way, help flies out the window.

Sometimes, we're busy. Other times, we feel awkward to lend a helping hand.

But most times, you'll feel rewarded when you perform a simple gesture of kindness.

People complain that our society is lacking in moral values - so they should do something about it.

A little help goes a long way; when you make it an aim to help a person each day, you're helping to create a better society. 

That, is what satisfaction is.

Bitter + Sweet = The Perfect Combination

How do you know when you've gotten your money's worth?

In "Vivien" terms, it means getting the perfect book.

How do you grade a perfect book?

To me, a perfect book used to be a book bursting with imagination, fantasies and wonderful dreams that would never occur in life. These genres are still pretty good reads; but my reading preferences have shifted a lot since then.

Historical fiction is now my cup of tea. 

Fact + Fiction = Historical Fiction

A dash of history and imagination contribute to a perfect blend of words.

All of the historical fiction books I've read so far (which isn't a lot, really) are stellar writes. I highly recommend:

1. In My Father's House, Book 1, The Shiloh Legacy, by Bodie and Brock Thoene

- Based post-World War I, the story revolves around four young men and their difficulties in adapting to their respective lives after the war. Heart-warming friendships and painful separations make this book a very special, precious and realistic read.

Rating: **** (would've gotten 5 stars if I'd managed to get the other two books in the trilogy)

2. Pearl of China, by Anchee Min

- The story revolves around Pearl S. Buck, and her friendship with a fictional character, Willow, during her times in China. Willow is actually a combination of Pearl's real friends from China. Told from Willow's point of view, it slowly unravels the adversities of life in olden-day China and a friendship that survives the tests of time, distance and restrictions.

Rating: *****

p.s. Anchee Min's other works, such as Red Azalea, Empress Orchid and The Last Empress are also highly recommended. These are all works of historical fiction.

3. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford

- This really is the creme of the crop for me. Set during World War II, it tells the tale of young love between a Chinese boy and a Japanese girl. Family conflicts and prison walls prevent the two friends from reuniting, but in a twist of fate, belongings of 37 Japanese families found in the basement of Panama Hotel bring back bittersweet memories. Love can survive time and distance - perhaps, with the help of an old jazz record and a hotel that was never taken down.

Rating :***** (just an extra *) for good measure. This is my current favourite book.

p.s. The author is actually half-Chinese. His great-grandfather was one of the pioneers in the mining sector in the United States of America.

Just a few lovely reads to recommend for anyone who reads this blog. :)

Life Lesson #12: Busy or Free?

I flipped through my notebook yesterday to update my event calendar.

I used to love event calendars because they kept everything so organized. Even if I didn't need one, I'd get one simply because I liked the little boxes with dates and days.

Now, I'm almost completely dependent on my event calendar.

I jot down my appointments, friends' birthdays, special events, competitions etc.... Recently, I did a review of it and realized how packed it really was.

2012 is a busy year for me. My event calendar was bursting with different activities. At the time of filling in those tiny boxes, I believed myself to be joyful, annoyed, upset, frustrated, excited and maybe, even gushing different types of emotions.

When I look at them now though, I feel nothing but happiness and fulfilment.

Being busy doesn't necessarily translate for a sad, lonely life with no meaning but work after work.

Being free doesn't mean being able to live the life we envisage.

For me, I need the former to keep me satisfied, pumped and happy.

This may sound weird, (and I'm sure it does), but a busy life teaches me to appreciate time.

When I'm free with nothing to do, it's hard for me to push myself to do things.

When I'm busy with three or four tasks at hand, I learn to be more productive and maximise use of time. In fact, I often picture myself juggling different assignments in the future, but nonetheless still living a great life.

But hey, I guess everyone's different. Some people may fare better in their free time, when they can achieve peace and tranquility and think carefully about the next step.

We are all different in our own thoughts and principles, but these differences are not a platform for us to be wary or critical of others.

Respect one another for our differences - it is because of them that the world is truly a more colourful, exciting place.

Life Lesson #11: Of Happiness

I always thought that a good day would surely lead to happiness.

A smile from a friend, a teacher giving less homework, remembering to bring every single thing I need to school. These were the things that made me happy.

If a friend was in a bad mood, I would be in a sour mood. If by recess there were more than 2 pieces of homework jotted down in my notebook, I'd be in a foul mood. Forget to bring a book to school? My mood would worsen with every book I forgot to bring.

For years I assumed that everything that happened in my life controlled my moods. In order to be happy I had to wish for all these good things to happen to me.

It was not until today that I realized the futility of it all.

A book written by Andrew Matthews taught me this lesson. Accordingly entitled "Happiness Now", every single illustrated (yay!) chapter in his book is aimed at showing people how happiness is easily achieved.

Happiness is not something that we earn; it is in every single one of us, waiting to be shown through a smile, a simple gesture or an emotion.

I looked back on my life and I've realized that I was truly happy when I chose to be happy, not when all these good things I've just described happened.

When I wanted to feel happy, I lost the usual Monday blues.

I didn't even blast off at a friend who forgot to bring my paper for me. (don't worry - I wasn't mad at you, and I will not be mad at you :)

Instead, when I was happy, I was more productive, I felt better, and I really solved problems instead of worrying incessantly over them.

Sometimes, all it takes is to flex your facial muscles and muster a smile.

It can light up a day, make you happier, and possibly make someone happy as well.

Don't wait for someone or something to make you happy, because they don't have the obligation to do it for you.

Instead, make yourself happy by feeling happy.

It is only then that you truly see the value in life and learn to embrace your problems one step at a time.

Life Lesson #10 : Grandparents are around!

My grandparents are here again!

It's not often that I get to meet my grandparents, given the fact that they live in our neighbouring country, Indonesia, instead of neighbouring states or cities. Thankfully, when they do visit us, they stay for a longer-than-normal period of vacation time.

I love it when my grandparents are around.

My grandmother is a great cook. She's also quite optimistic in life.

My grandfather has an interesting sense of humour. Plus, he's got green fingers (a skill that was, unfortunately, not inherited by me).

I didn't really talk much to my grandparents until these few years.

But I'm glad I did.

There is an old Chinese saying that states that the old ginger possesses the spiciest flavour.

Of course, there is no denying that this statement has its own flaws. But nonetheless, it has survived the changes of time till this day because there is almost always truth in this saying, for most situations.

Perhaps your grandparents may not be able to teach you how to solve a chemistry question or tell you how cool they think the latest pop song is, they can teach us a lot simply from the way they look at life.

By telling us stories of their lives, by preparing scrumptious traditional dishes or just by simply sitting next to us while watching TV, they show us the value in tradition and value in life.

They teach me to be appreciative, because even if there's nothing to be thankful for, we can at least be grateful for being given a chance to live.

Life Lesson #9: Of A Taekwondo Exam

After 5 years of practice, I finally found myself in the face of a black belt exam.

Actually, I could've taken my black belt exam in March. I chickened out at the last minute and pulled out.

I would've very much liked to "chicken out" today as well.

Luckily, the prospect of wasting USD$80 weighed down heavily on me.

Words can't describe my feelings today. I was nervous/excited/scared/calm at the same time.

The session I was most nervous about was the board-breaking session.

I was equally worried about the free sparring session.

I had never been good at sparring. I tended to hop about too much and misjudge distances. Lady luck shone on me today and I managed to come out, unscathed. At least, that's what I think. After a day's rest, I should be able to tell whether or not I've perfectly un-scarred.

As for the breaking..... I DID IT! With some luck, strength and some techniques.

The most important lesson I learnt from this though, was not the fact that I seriously needed to put on more weight, muscle and strength.

Rather, it was learning that to succeed, one must be calm, patient and confident.

Even when you are faced with something you have never broken in previous attempts.

Having confidence is already half the battle won.

The few times I was unsure of my abilities (and scared of the board), I failed to break it on first attempt.

The same goes for life.

Sometimes, we are uncertain about the unknowns in our life. We don't feel confident about something new, something challenging, something that haunts our past.

But feeling like this will NEVER get us anywhere. 

We should always try to feel confident and optimistic about life, albeit knowing how unpredictable and surprising life can be.

Even if it happens to slap you in the face like a big, wet fish, let us remain positive and be confident that there will be better days ahead. P.s. we should also feel thankful that it's just a fish, not a 1-inch wooden board.

CONFIDENCE + OPTIMISM + HARD WORK = SUCCESS

Actually, these two boards don't fit. I couldn't find two pieces that fit for a momento.