Who couldn't use a beach holiday ANYTIME? Lay in the sun, read a book and sip on sum cocktail. Just don't forget your sunblock! When the day is done at the beach, it will be time for a delicious seafood dinner.
I am all packed for my trip to the beautiful island of Langkawi in Kedah, Malaysia. The island is said to be legendary and full of historical places to visit. My first time there was in 1998 when my brother and sister-in-law brought me there. We stayed at this traditionally styled "kampung" hotel (Pelangi Beach Resort Hotel & Spa) with chalets for rooms. The place is rustic but relaxing. The hotel was also adjacent to the beach, as is most hotels there so it was just a breeze walk from our room. To my surprise it was one of the cleanest beaches on the island. It left a nice memory for me that I returned to stay again in 2004.
This time around, my boyfriend and I will be staying at a different hotel and we are anticipating a serene holiday with no worries. We are keeping our fingers crossed as it is the upcoming Labor Day weekend. I will share my holiday experience when I return.
Cheers.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Just press 'REPLAY'
Lately my boyfriend commented that I have been replaying (more than 10 times of the same artist and the same album!) music in my car. I guess he was consciously observing my music selection whenever I picked him up for our outings while I have been unconsciously pressing the 'repeat' album key. He is subjected to my indulging of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift albums for the past three months, but I console him that my John Mayer albums have been with me much longer. It's true and I am still an ardent follower. I love his creative lyrics in all his albums and is looking forward to his next album.
Why do we cling to certain music or artists? It does not matter what the genre is, because the key is rhythm and lyrics. After Carrie Underwood emerged winner of American Idol and recorded a studio album, I constantly repeated her debut album, 'Some Hearts' in my car. The album tells a story of a simple country girl making it in the city and how the city compares to her hometown in all aspects. I was shocked she was my top most played artists on my iPod during my gym workouts! She had me singing along with her while on my treadmill runs. Her music may not be workout music but the lyrics are inspiring and will have you feeling and rooting for her. A story about all of us, who have been there and back and realize that home is where the heart is. Her sophomore album, 'Carnival Ride' shows a more confident sound and her voice is again outstanding in capturing the hearts of fans.
Taylor Swift is also commendable in spite of her age. She is still young and has a bright future ahead lest she continues to share her experiences through her songwriting and remains humble and grateful for her success. Her lyrics appeal and fans relate albeit they are mostly teenagers. My current favorite from the 'Fearless' album is "Breathe". The song reminds me to just take a breather no matter how badly my day is going.
And for simple reasons like that we will hold on to music that touches our hearts and makes us feel better. I mostly listen to 80's music but every now and then, find some younger artists worth taking a second listening to. Mind you, I still press replay on most of my 80's hits! Remember those one-hit-wonders? Just minus off the gigantic shoulder pads and perfectly teased hair and you will have good and fun music. My boyfriend will just have to get used to me pressing 'replay' when I relate to songs that touches my heart.
Cheers.
Why do we cling to certain music or artists? It does not matter what the genre is, because the key is rhythm and lyrics. After Carrie Underwood emerged winner of American Idol and recorded a studio album, I constantly repeated her debut album, 'Some Hearts' in my car. The album tells a story of a simple country girl making it in the city and how the city compares to her hometown in all aspects. I was shocked she was my top most played artists on my iPod during my gym workouts! She had me singing along with her while on my treadmill runs. Her music may not be workout music but the lyrics are inspiring and will have you feeling and rooting for her. A story about all of us, who have been there and back and realize that home is where the heart is. Her sophomore album, 'Carnival Ride' shows a more confident sound and her voice is again outstanding in capturing the hearts of fans.
Taylor Swift is also commendable in spite of her age. She is still young and has a bright future ahead lest she continues to share her experiences through her songwriting and remains humble and grateful for her success. Her lyrics appeal and fans relate albeit they are mostly teenagers. My current favorite from the 'Fearless' album is "Breathe". The song reminds me to just take a breather no matter how badly my day is going.
And for simple reasons like that we will hold on to music that touches our hearts and makes us feel better. I mostly listen to 80's music but every now and then, find some younger artists worth taking a second listening to. Mind you, I still press replay on most of my 80's hits! Remember those one-hit-wonders? Just minus off the gigantic shoulder pads and perfectly teased hair and you will have good and fun music. My boyfriend will just have to get used to me pressing 'replay' when I relate to songs that touches my heart.
Cheers.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Time is on my side?
A few months ago, I chose to take a break from employment for a while. I felt like I have been given a second chance to take a break (1st was during college) and was intent on making the best of the time that I have on my hands. But today I had the urge to go out and just scream out loud. Scream at something and yell for nothing. Probably because I do not have a clue to what I would do with my time anymore. I can continue to read, go to the gym, go for a drive, go to the mall, etc. but I am not doing anything productive to make my life meaningful, lest achieving my goals. And to top it all off, I am feeling unmotivated! Stress these days is trying to get to the end of the book not knowing the conclusion and getting caught in traffic at times that can be avoided.
When I was working, I was thinking of ways to make my workdays end earlier so that I can continue my reading, go for workouts at the gym and even catch up with friends over coffee. It is when I have the luxury of time in my hands, that I tend to take things slower and be more relaxed about life going on around me that makes me stray from my former intentions.
Working out at the gym or going for my regular yoga classes have taken a backseat for the moment. It is plain frustrating when only a minimal decline is seen on the weighing scale after much effort and sweat. Coffee with friends? Not possible because our schedules are now different. I have my coffee at in-between rush hour times when most are already at work.
I still love reading. Reading opens up the mind like no other methods are able to. It is when one is well read and knowledgeable that he/she has the confidence and commands respect for his/her thoughts and views. I read whatever I can get my hands on, but my favorite subjects would be current affairs, autobiographies, business and health reads and historical fiction. Every now and then, I lean towards some thriller and romance novels.
Since "time is on my side" I am on a quest to gain as much knowledge and keep up with society going-ons from my readings and that is a personal goal of mine at the moment. While working, we either work towards our own goals or someone else's. I say, work hard and have the discipline to continue on with whatever you are trying to accomplish and bask in your glory of success later, even when it is someone else's goal. You would have gained a wealth of knowledge when you are done. There are no shortcuts and certainly no charity in getting there.
I have intentions to do a lot more because of sudden epiphanies that's been happening around me lately. I realized that while life is short, doing things that feeds your soul feels much better than simply doing things just to pass time. Nevertheless, I am fully enjoying and relishing the free time that I have in my hands before the stress from work piles on again. Maybe the scale will tip lower this time when I tell myself to enjoy my workout instead of obsessing every pound that comes from eating my previous meal!
Cheers.
When I was working, I was thinking of ways to make my workdays end earlier so that I can continue my reading, go for workouts at the gym and even catch up with friends over coffee. It is when I have the luxury of time in my hands, that I tend to take things slower and be more relaxed about life going on around me that makes me stray from my former intentions.
Working out at the gym or going for my regular yoga classes have taken a backseat for the moment. It is plain frustrating when only a minimal decline is seen on the weighing scale after much effort and sweat. Coffee with friends? Not possible because our schedules are now different. I have my coffee at in-between rush hour times when most are already at work.
I still love reading. Reading opens up the mind like no other methods are able to. It is when one is well read and knowledgeable that he/she has the confidence and commands respect for his/her thoughts and views. I read whatever I can get my hands on, but my favorite subjects would be current affairs, autobiographies, business and health reads and historical fiction. Every now and then, I lean towards some thriller and romance novels.
Since "time is on my side" I am on a quest to gain as much knowledge and keep up with society going-ons from my readings and that is a personal goal of mine at the moment. While working, we either work towards our own goals or someone else's. I say, work hard and have the discipline to continue on with whatever you are trying to accomplish and bask in your glory of success later, even when it is someone else's goal. You would have gained a wealth of knowledge when you are done. There are no shortcuts and certainly no charity in getting there.
I have intentions to do a lot more because of sudden epiphanies that's been happening around me lately. I realized that while life is short, doing things that feeds your soul feels much better than simply doing things just to pass time. Nevertheless, I am fully enjoying and relishing the free time that I have in my hands before the stress from work piles on again. Maybe the scale will tip lower this time when I tell myself to enjoy my workout instead of obsessing every pound that comes from eating my previous meal!
Cheers.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Taxing time
So I've done my taxes a couple of weeks ago and it feels great. Another task to tick off my list of "Things To Do". I have done my part as a law abiding citizen and submitted my forms online to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and then just a few clicks here and there to print out the confirmation. This year, as it happened last year as well, I've over-paid on my monthly taxes with my salary. Ka-ching! Last year I received a refund of over a thousand bucks. Nice. After thorough calculation, this year I too get a refund but of a lesser amount (just a few hundred bucks, due to a shorter employment time on my part). A little extra goes a long way to fatten up my thinning wallet these days, with the spiraling economy not yet looking optimistic.
Then just yesterday, I received a letter from the IRB informing me that they have received my online submission but will need to check thoroughly before sending out the refund this year. Are they wondering why I am getting a refund two years in a row or is it just a new method of sending out letters to acknowledge that they have received my forms? They sure did not send me an acknowledgment letter last year, so why now? With looming issues of "save our planet" and reducing usage of paper materials...I am wondering myself.
Just then it clicked. Am I being monitored? Did I miss a year of filing my taxes? Are they suspicious of my declarations in the forms? All kinds of questions arise when it come to issues of money owed to the government. In moments like these, I take a breather and go make myself a warm cup of Earl Grey tea and put a dollop of honey for taste. As I slowly sip my tea, my good sense tells me that I am only a small fry compared to what other taxpayers earn. Why would the IRB want to come after me when there are countless individuals, businesses and corporations who advertently or inadvertently skip filing taxes when they make more than I do? They are the ones who should be stressed and nervous when they do not file taxes or announce properties and monies earned from them.
It does get taxing in the months leading up to the deadline when trying to find appropriate receipts for the "purchases" that is tax deductible. And we keep telling ourselves why haven't I kept those damn receipts with my tax file to make things easier for times like these! I am in glee knowing that I have done that. So, thanks to my tea and a little quiet time, I let go of my tension and pat myself on the back for completing my taxes on time and wait patiently for my refund.
Cheers.
Then just yesterday, I received a letter from the IRB informing me that they have received my online submission but will need to check thoroughly before sending out the refund this year. Are they wondering why I am getting a refund two years in a row or is it just a new method of sending out letters to acknowledge that they have received my forms? They sure did not send me an acknowledgment letter last year, so why now? With looming issues of "save our planet" and reducing usage of paper materials...I am wondering myself.
Just then it clicked. Am I being monitored? Did I miss a year of filing my taxes? Are they suspicious of my declarations in the forms? All kinds of questions arise when it come to issues of money owed to the government. In moments like these, I take a breather and go make myself a warm cup of Earl Grey tea and put a dollop of honey for taste. As I slowly sip my tea, my good sense tells me that I am only a small fry compared to what other taxpayers earn. Why would the IRB want to come after me when there are countless individuals, businesses and corporations who advertently or inadvertently skip filing taxes when they make more than I do? They are the ones who should be stressed and nervous when they do not file taxes or announce properties and monies earned from them.
It does get taxing in the months leading up to the deadline when trying to find appropriate receipts for the "purchases" that is tax deductible. And we keep telling ourselves why haven't I kept those damn receipts with my tax file to make things easier for times like these! I am in glee knowing that I have done that. So, thanks to my tea and a little quiet time, I let go of my tension and pat myself on the back for completing my taxes on time and wait patiently for my refund.
Cheers.
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