I was not a positive person. Not that I was a pessimist, but I like to think of myself as a realist. I told myself that I would look at the worst so that I wouldn't be upset. But most of all, I allowed the outside world to determine how I felt on the inside.
Over the past year and a half, I have struggled internally to find out what happiness is and how I can achieve it. How do I make my days better and see the brighter things in life.
The answer wasn't about materialistic things. It was't whether I had the best clothes or a nice home. That did bring me happiness. But temporary happiness.
It was only after so many failed attempts that I began to see a pattern. It was the days that I choose to feel better that made me happier. The days that I realised that I didn't listen to the people that said that I was stupid or dumb or ugly.
I was the one that got to choose who I was. Whether I was the funny one or the smart one or the beautiful one. I got to define who I was and who I am.
I saw this TedX Talk recently and it really hit home. Lizzie Velasquez has been labelled as "The World's Ugliest Woman". She was bullied at every step and turn she made about the way she looked and now she's a motivational speaker, has two books under her name and has a documentary coming about about her life. She's a person who has turned bad situations into good ones and used the negativity to fuel her into becoming better at what she does.
If a person who has so much negativity in her life; a person who has been told to "do the world a favor, put a gun to your head and kill youself" can be so positive, what makes you think you can't?
Everyone has their own personal journey. Everyone has their own story. Everyone has their own insecurities. But only you can control how you feel. You can control what you think. You can choose who you want to be.
Be happy.
Every single time we have hope in humanity, something always tests us.
The abuse of prisoners in the US. The hostage situation in Sydney. And now, the children who were killed in Peshawar.
132 of them. 9 staff.
These were the children of the future. The children that with the education that they had, would have changed the world that we lived in, making it better. They would have been doctors, teachers, lawyers, business owners.
It was the reason they got up in the morning. And now, they can't.
That's what the they were afraid of. Of what these children could do. Of the power that they had. The potential that they had.
Let's make sure that these children didn't die in vain. That we can make the world a better place. For the future. So that children can go to school without worrying about being shot or bombed. That they can be successful business owners, doctors, teachers, lawyers. That they do have the power.
The power of change.
Modern Family.
A mix of everything possible and sometimes making my family look sane.
This little one is back from Uni! And with the stories that I've seen and she's told me, I want her to go back so that I can hear more. But I'm glad she's back, she's the younger version of what I am now; sassy and sarcastic and I love it.
I'm a foodie. I think it runs in my genes. If you've met my family (esp my dad), then you know what I'm talking about. But no matter what happens, sometimes the simplest recipes can make the yummiest food. Plus, it's somewhat healthy, even though it does get stuck in my teeth.
Spinach and Feta Pizza from Cafe O
Kids can be annoying. Especially on planes. However, once in a while, they can be cute. And I swear this little diva puts a smile on my face.
This was her birthday wish to me, and I swear I just wanted to squish her
Anddddd, a special special congratulations to my bubby Sarika for her new jobbbbb! It's such a huge step to move to another city and do this, so I only want to wish you all the luck in the world my love! I know that when the new year rolls in, in a new place and a new job, only better things can happen. Maybe even a new boy ;)
Your place better be filled with wine and champagne and chocolate!
I know it's not as cold in Hong Kong as it is in the States or the UK, but I can't deal with the cold.
Which is why, I am ever so grateful that I can wrap myself up in a blanket burrito and build pillow forts to keep myself warm.
Oh, and a companion doesn't hurt either ;) (Don't mind the zombie-ness that is me)
And a little bit of Breakfast at Tiffany's
