My first pair of running shoes bought according to my foot profile. I chose Phoenix over 2 other Nike models despite its pricier price tag. Took it for a trial run today and the performance was amazing! I can feel the structured cushioning eating away the miles. It's much, much easier and enjoyable to run with my Phoenix. *2 thumbs up*
posted by Michelle at
10:58 PM
|
0 comment(s)
Others wear a power suit to assert their presence. I wear one to feel braver.
I had a poor sleep last night with an abnormal invasion of dreams that are at best described as rubbish. This morning's climate was at its most humid and I'm surprised I didn't drown in my own perspiration.
En route to school, my attempt to empty my brain was faltering. I was freaking nervous. All my months of preparation, frustration, bruised pride, sleep foregone, everything are going to be decided in a thirty-minutes interview with three esteemed scholarship committee members. How could I not sweat?
Nobody would probably believe this but I wear my butt out practising how to sit and walk the previous night. I was praying it won't be an American Idol type of interview with the judges at one end and me in a miserable stool on the far end (it wasn't, thankfully). According to Jo, women should sit with their legs kept to one side. Problem is I can't balance with this posture. Perching precariously on the edge of the seat, I was on the verge of toppling over. What a memorable sight that would be. The ONLY candidate to topple over during an interview. Laugh laugh laugh.
Braving humidity and capricious showers of rain, I reached school 40 minutes early. Couldn't decide what to do. I was a bundle of nerves. I would have given anything to pack up and leave through the back gate.
I made a quick trip into the library for some aircon but the atmosphere was so stifling that I left after 5 minutes. (Countdown: 35 minutes). Visited the level 2 washroom to freshen up myself. When I looked into the mirror, I saw a stressed up self with tight knitted brows and thin lips. I don't know how long I stood in front of the mirror. It could have been an eternity and I wouldn't have known the otherwise. I gave myself a hard shake, a quick pep talk with the freaked out goose in the mirror (After all, I made it to the interview. I must be good. I earned that half-an-hour of talktime.), threw on my jacket, picked off imaginary lint from the fabric and smiled weakly. Oh my, my tummy is churning. I feel sick.
It was 9.40am when I waited at the lift lobby. The 3 lifts were packed with students and staff. I waited morosely. Could not suppress the urge to detour to the 5th floor washroom instead of the meeting room at level 6. Spent another 7 minutes in front of the wide mirror. 9.55am. Mustered all the fibres of courage I have and marched to level 6.
It was unusually clustered. What's up with everyone today? Everywhere I go is packed. I saw two familiar faces - Sylvia Yeo and Karen Tang - who were very kind to encourage the quavering penguin. Sylvia mistook me for a graduate before she registered that graduates don't look like they're going to the abattoir.
I guess it was a moment of epiphany or sheer miracle. I sat down on the couch and suddenly gained control of myself. There was no pre-warning. It just struck. The sudden surge of confidence is amazing. After I muttered a fervent prayer under my breath, Sherry took me to the fateful meeting room.
And I'm on my own.
The interview panel has two women and a man. The room was cool but not oppressive. There was a long table and I'm saved from toppling over a stool with a comfy rolling chair. Good sign.
After a round of firm handshakes, the test began.
If the truth may be told, I actually enjoyed myself. I was very animated and energetic, a stark contrast to the earlier influx of morbid thoughts and heavy heart. 6 questions and a question regarding internship from me (an issue I'm particularly concerned with), 30 minutes flew by. The interviewers remarked that they were impressed with my 10-year career plan (That was my understanding of study plan. Whether I was the only dodo bird who interpreted it as such, I've no idea.) It is nonetheless another good sign.
At this juncture, I've to say I did the best I could though there were the usual regrets of "Hey, I could have mentioned this". Conscience-wise, I'm clear.
The first lecturer I wanted to thank was Dr Wong. When I found her, her students were relaxing over a cup of coffee outside. I came just in time for break. She didn't recognise me at first sight, mistaking me for a lecturer. I don't blame her though what with the penguin suit I was wearing. We had a good chat...she's a nice tutor to have. :)
The verdict will be out by mid-Oct. It would be a bonus if I win the scholarship. If I don't, the learning value of this scholarship application process has been a life-transforming experience. On top of that, I can sit with legs tucked neatly to one side without toppling over. What more can one ask for? *laughs*
There're many more people to thank: god for courage and strenth, my family for their unwavering support and faith, tutors for their guidance, friends esp those who helped to edit my manuscripts despite their overloaded schedules, programme officers for their encouragement and the scholarship committee for considering me.
What an eventful week it has been! Planned to buy myself a new pair of serious trainers as a reward. Four years after the christmas@Reebok specialty shop , I hung up my first Reeboks (incidentally also a high performance, top of the range, utterly expensive model) on Sept 27, 2005.
posted by Michelle at
2:12 PM
|
0 comment(s)
I'M SO HAPPY!
I'M SO HAPPY!
I'M SO HAPPY!
I got a scholarship interview tomorrow!
YEAH YEAH YEAH!
Sings at the top of my lungs: I'm singing in the rain! I'm singing in the rain!!!
posted by Michelle at
9:48 AM
|
0 comment(s)
1. Forgetting Birthdays
I found myself excusing my forgetfulness/thoughtlessness with my detached online presence [thus] did not read the birthday reminder in my bursting inbox and [thus] forgot about a friend's birthday and [thus] this lame excuse. I'm wholely chastised.
Allow me to make some humble compensations: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANELLA!
2. Dug out 10-year-old vintage Disney and Sesame Street shirts.
It must have been sixth sense that prompted me to dig the depths of my sister's wardrobe over the weekend for the Mickey Mouse & Big Bird shirts I had in primary school. Lo and behold! They still fit! (After note: When other girls are prancing in their dainty frilly dresses, I've defied the natural laws of growth with my baby walrus girth.) On hindsight, if not for my faster-than-usual growth rate, my Mickey Mouse tops won't fit me now. Talk about trade off...
Hee...anyway, I'm extremely exhilarated with my Disney shirts just in time for the Hong Kong Disneyland buzz too!
3. My affair with my track shoes.
I ended off the week with a 3.2km mark. cheeeerss! Would be increasing the frequency of my evening jogs to 5 days a week and adding on miles as I progress onward with my faithful Reeboks.
4. Guilty of not reading even a tabloid column for two weeks.
This is the result of sleeping at 4am and waking up (in shock) at 11.55pm. Charge to the bathroom; brush my teeth and wax my tangled sticking-out-at-all-ends hair simultaneously; make coffee, tear to my bedroom, throw on any assortment of clothes; wolf down the coffee & stash any visible piece of paper on my work desk into my bag; grab my sandals and RUN for the lift. Reach level 1, forgot to bring chapter 2 for lecture. Spend 1.5 minutes cursing and praying. Open the door lock with clumsy fingers. Drop the heavy padlock on my toes. More curses. Charge to my desk. Can't find any chapter 2. Chapter 2 stuck gleefully in between the stash of messy papers. Can't even muster a "Stupid idiot". Reach school. Thirty minutes early. Could not understand why. Found out [today] my clock was tampered with. It's thirty minutes early. Squeeze my eyes shut and bangs head on the table.
5. Always hungry at night
I take after my dad like an angku kueh. This includes an enormous night appetite. After 10pm, I'm a cookie monster raiding every jar and tin for snacks. The wastepaper basket is the only container unturned.
Solution: Non-fat yogurts. I recommend Marigold non-fat strawberry, mixed berries and blueberry yogurts. Keeps your sweet tooth happy without adding on the pounds.
After the one week long night raids, I've stocked up on yogurts and fresh fruits. The fridge currently holds seedless green grapes, fuji apples, sunkist oranges and california plums.
6. Detox weekend
Saturday is reserved for detoxification which means a leisurely lazy day spent at home. No mingling with noisy weekend shopping crowds or evening jogs.
I've been using Elken Fujita Lactose-S (orange flavour). It's highly effective, I must say! My intestines feel cleansed after the purge of weekly-accumulated toxins. The Lactose-S contains lactose, oligosaccharides, plant enzyme, lactice acid forming bacteria (Bifidus & Laclis), orange powder. An organic formula that will go well with the health watchers.
To reiterate the importance of staying at home after taking Lactose-S, let me share an unfortunate saturday. In my hurry to join my mum for shopping, I forgot cleanly about the Lactose-S I drank in the morning. Almost died holding my bladder at the shopping mall. This is partly of my habitual dislike for public toilets. Lesson learnt: detox, shopping - choose one.
7. Still think Alex Bogusky is cute.
Won over four hundred creative awards for CP + B as creative director.
2002 - Inducted into the American Advertising Federation's Hall of Achievement
2004,2005 - Chairman of International ANDY Awards (Oscars for advertising)
This is what I called brains + looks + money.
(In small print: I'm such a hopeless gitz.)
posted by Michelle at
2:45 AM
|
0 comment(s)
Our body shape is pretty much fixed from the day we're born. A baby pear grows into a mature pear. Likewise for the apple, cone etc. However, fitness experts said we could work on our body composition (fat-muscle ratio). Therefore, the key is to keeping in-shape rather than twisting our backbone, hipbone or shoulder blades to fit into a hourglass.
There are three basic body types: the ectomorph, the endomorph and the mesomorph. Whatever your type, follow a workout that's designed to make the most of it.Another popular body shape classification
* Ectomorphs are long, wiry and narrow. They generally have delicate bone structures and shoulders and hips that are approximately the same width. Accomplished long-distance runners, ballerinas and basketball players are often ectomorphs. (Michelle Pfeiffer, Whitney Houston and Heather Locklear are examples of in-shape ectomorphs.)
Weight training strategy: Build up muscle with 2 to 4 sets of weight training exercises per body part. Use a moderate-to-heavy weight that you can lift with good form for 6 to 10 repetitions. Consider doing a split routine where you work some parts of the body one day and then others the next.
Cardio training strategy: Your goal is to up your stamina and whip your heart and lungs into shape, so include cardio exercise 3 to 5 times a week. Aim for 20 to 40 minutes per session at a moderate-to-intense workout level.
* Endomorphs are soft, curvy and often "pear-shaped" -- that is, their hips are often wider than their shoulders. Although this body type holds onto fat a little more tenaciously than the other body types, many famous actresses and singers are wonderful examples of how sexy and curvaceous endos can be. (Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey and Cindy Crawford are examples of in-shape endomorphs.)
Weight training strategy: Emphasize those glorious curves by adding muscle tone. Perform a total-body weight training routine three times a week that consists of two sets of weight training exercises per body part. Do 10-15 repetitions per set using a moderate to light weight. To improve body symmetry, you may want to double up on upper-body exercise
Cardio training strategy: Do 30-60 minutes of cardio work 3 to 6 times a week for maximum fat and calorie burn. Your cardio workouts should generally be done at a moderately intense level
* Mesomorphs have big bones and tend to muscle up easily. Their shoulders are often wider than their hips, and they are often described as having "medium" builds. Think sprinters, soccer players and tennis players. (Madonna, Gloria Estefan and Tina Turner are examples of in-shape mesomorphs.)
Weight training strategy: Light-to-moderate weight training done 2 to 3 times a week will help enhance tone, not size. Complete a basic strength workout 2 times a week, performing 2 sets of 12 to 15 repetitions using light to moderate weights for each major muscle group. You may want to try circuit training (moving quickly from one exercise to the next without a break) because it promotes strength and stamina without building bulk
Cardio training strategy: Three to five cardio workouts a week done at a moderate to fast pace should help keep you looking lean and trim. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes per session.
However, we are seldom a pure ectomorph, endomorph or mesomorph. We're usually a combination of at least two. Which means we've to stand in front of a full-length mirror and decide what we are. After the painful analysis of our less-than-desirable body, we can draw up a workout that burns a substantial number of calories and fats and keeps us decently fed. We won't want to start an unnatural famine on our rich, capitalistic island.posted by Michelle at
4:13 AM
|
0 comment(s)
I can't string ten words together about my current life. Feel like an oversized goldfish swimming in a fishbowl, looking out at the big world outside me, magnified through a thick glass.
I feel alive when I'm out in the open. Running on my feet. Pushing myself further and further from the starting line. That rush of adrenaline is intoxicating.
I'm a born workbull. A settled, routined life is not for me I've come to realise.
But little thrills do come once in a while. Such as Alex Bogusky, the sexiest Creative Director on earth. Found him in my marketing text (of all places). CD of Crispin Porter + Bogusky. An ex-motor racer. An almost-turned-pro windsurfer. The buzzword in marketing now. He got me grinning stupidly like a giddy teenage girl. Been a long, long (x10) while since I last did that.
posted by Michelle at
12:01 AM
|
0 comment(s)
Like the big buttons, the shade of coral green, the aloof eyes of the model.
posted by Michelle at
11:53 PM
|
0 comment(s)
ChanPaul
Paul Chan describes a ChanPaul woman as one who's hip, adores pastel tones, appreciates great tailoring and smart details, and lastly RICH. A ChanPaul dress retails at an average of S$4000. This guy sure doesn't mince his words.
Accolades: The Fashion Group International's Rising Star Award
Who wears it: Lydia Hearst, Hillary Swank, Britney Spears, Finola Hughes, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alexandra and Theodora Richards
Zang Toi , Toi House
The Toi woman is bold, sexy, glamourous.
Who wears it: Ivana Trump, Sharon Stone, Eva Longoria, Debra Messing, Patti Labelle, Farrah Fawcett, Angela Bassett, and Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.
My personal comment: Zang has a fetish for mini shorts. Chances of him wearing one in public is 4 out of 5. Then again, he's a designer. What he wears certainly must be of good taste. But I still think he looks awful in those tight, mini shorts.
For his father's 60th birthday, he dressed the whole family in maroon velvet pants/skirts and white tops. My own take: ugly.
posted by Michelle at
2:35 PM
|
0 comment(s)
The oriental girl in me has a soft spot for Asian fashion designers. The way they redefine our culture without losing the original flavour is quite simply spectacular.
Ready-to-wear Collection Autumn/Winter 2005-2006
Issey Miyake by Naoki Takizawa
Ultra feminine touches to bring out the soft silhouettes.
Elegant, luscious, swishy silks.
After the first ulitarian trenchcoat YveS Saint Laurent put on women, Naoki Takizawa got the right formula in this autumn's must-have trenchcoat.
Bohemian Magic by Antonio Marras
Exotic Indian sari fused with Elizabethen innocence.
She reminds me of the elfish princess, Arwen from Lord of the Rings.
Accessories played up with a twist.
Urban hippy boots.
Spring 2005 Bridal Collection
posted by Michelle at
7:38 AM
|
0 comment(s)
Manolo Blahnik. "And the secret of toe cleavage, a very important part of the sexuality of the shoe. You must only show the first two cracks. And the heel."
Pretty but hazardous stilettoes.
The Manolos are christened with pretty names. Clockwise from top left: (1st) Green Crocodile, (4th) Giacinto, (5th) Elizabeth
Strappy high heel sandals! More pretty names: clockwise from top left (3rd) Cienza, (5th) Finolo, (6th) Fiore
posted by Michelle at
4:25 AM
|
0 comment(s)
"Why aren't you married?" After hearing that question, you will pause, smile sagaciously (I love that word), and give one of the following:
1. In the beginning, there were no stairmasters or low-fat-high-fiber muffins, and so people lived to only about 40-something. Maximum.
Meaning? The pressure was on to get married before age 25. However, today, thanks to medical advances (and the fine line of SnackWell products) we can all hope to live to age 80. Easy.
Meaning? Even if we get married at age 40, that's still 35, 45, even 55 years to be with a mate. Plenty of time to be married. And divorced? What's the hurry?
2. Married people are not necessarily better catches simply because they were caught. I mean, have you taken a look at some of the married people out there? Hitler got married. Frankenstein got married. Linda Tripp got married. Obviously married people are not superior people.
3. Meanwhile, look at some of our cool single role models:
Catwoman: single.
Buddha: single.
Aphrodite: single.
The Lone Ranger. Actually, all superheroes are single: Superman, Wonder Woman, Dudley Do-Right, etc.
4. Then there's The Ultimate Superhero -- God. Also single. And God is even a single-parent household.
5. It's easy to become married. 2.3 million people do it a year. If you want to pressure me to become something, hey, why not pick something a little more challenging? Like an astrophysicist.
posted by Michelle at
4:18 AM
|
0 comment(s)
I don't know where my dream is or where it will lead me to. But I'm stubborn in my quest.
Whenever I'm demoralised or when I question my own credibility and capacity, I look at my goals again, give myself a shake and press on.
I can visualise my dream so vividly. Even as I breathe eagerly in full antipation of my future, I foresee the sacrifices I've to make. The possibility of not being able to celebrate occassions of all sorts with my family or to part with familiarity.
No doubt that's a powerful deterrence. But I'm adamant in my belief in overcoming that and any other obstacle that may appear. I simply refuse to surrender without a good fight.
P.S. My mindset has shifted furtively while I was in a stupor. I believe this is a symptom of ageing that not even anti-ageing mineral supplements or miracle water can prevent/cure.
posted by Michelle at
8:08 PM
|
0 comment(s)
I wanna chuck...
Henri Fayol (the POCCC guy), Weber (my greatest nightmare), Henry Gantt (him and his charts - bleurgh!), Gilbreth (the smartie couple with 7 children? Can't remember...), Elton Mayo (His Hawthorne Effect and the 6 ladies credited to it), Mary P. Follett (the woman who said mgt is the art of doing things thru people), Barnard (Oh, the New Jersey Bell Co CEO who decided to beat Fayol as the most quoted person in mgt and published a bunch of papers), Charles Handy (The silly Greek temple guy), Scheine (Man is complex. Took him that long to realise), Taylor (Man is mercenary. Feed him with money and he'll slog his guts out for you.), Wiilliam Ouchi (Jap + Amer mgt = Whoa whoa whoa), Fukuyama (the pessimistic political scientist), Rice & Emery (who made their fortune from spinning cotton at the Ahmedabad calico mills), Eric Trist & Bamfort (We were instructed to remember Trist till our death. I pity Bamfort. Trist gets all the attention.), Katz & Kahn (The twin Ks -- Organisations are complex systems! Eurekaaaa!), Joan Woodward (I call her Joan but my friend insisted she's Jo-anne. What do you say, Ms Woodward?), Oldham & Hackman (I love their names. Old-Ham & Hack-man), Von Bertalanffy (he reminds me of Dracula), Lawrence & Lorsh (who went too far with differentiation & integration), Burns & Stalker (another nightmare from the Weber era), Peters & Waterman (The only one modest principle I can remember from their elaborated list is 'stick to knitting'. Not that it can save my neck. Heck)...
into the deep innards of the toiletbowl. And that's not even half of the people I intend to flush down by this week.
Bother bother. Wake me up when September ends.
posted by Michelle at
3:12 PM
|
0 comment(s)
Mummy was in an exceptionally high mood when she announced that she'd give us each a white gold diamond key for our coming-of-age 21st birthday. Are you serious, mummy?? Thinking hard...
In any case, the only joy I derive from birthdays (be it mine or others') is the cake!! As long as I've a cake (not the Carrefour mass produced pandan cake) on my plate, I'm a happy cat. :)
posted by Michelle at
9:49 PM
|
0 comment(s)
It'll be a long time before I write in to the school admin again. No internship. No s-. No work. Muahaha...I hate bureaucracy.
posted by Michelle at
9:39 PM
|
0 comment(s)
Sometimes I wonder what lies ahead
How long till my hunger is fed
They say it's hard to make it in this part of town
So many people on this merry-go-round
Some folks try astrology
Some turn to crystal balls
To find an answer,
To get through it all
I just fall on my knees and I try to pray
In the silence I can hear Him say
The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time
I often feel like I'm two steps behind
Somebody must have moved that finish line
There are a thousand reasons
Why I should give up
But I'm stubborn in the things I believe
The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
'cause maybe there's another plan
One I still can't see
A little surprise, like your love in my life
Funny how time changes how we see
The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time
Everything in its time
Corrinne May is an extraordinary singer. Her songs speak to your heart. In the words of a French fan, "The angels have found a voice." Can't wait for her third album :)
posted by Michelle at
2:18 PM
|
1 comment(s)
This fall Anna Sui's girls dress like ultra posh, poised socialites.posted by Michelle at
1:56 PM
|
0 comment(s)
Immersed in the laughter and twinkling eyes of children?
Sitting side by side on a park bench, chatting about nothing in particular; Raising two generations of daughters; Walking hand in hand?posted by Michelle at
10:54 PM
|
0 comment(s)
Posting from a dime-sized island called Singapore and still somewhat clueless about life, not to mention a lifelong paranoia with pimples and weight, it's a miracle I've managed to survive the past 21 years. Welcome to Michelle's abode.
