tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183106302024-03-14T00:54:44.690+08:00Just BettyThe amazing love and life adventures of a girl named Betty.Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-12722390461314797242010-11-20T16:13:00.001+08:002010-11-20T16:13:23.742+08:00Here in Calgary<p>So I’m blogging from here in Calgary, Canada! My first post here from Calgary! Wooohoooo!!!</p> <p>And yeah, those mid-year resolutions I made? Probably not gonna happen. =( </p> <p>Well, things and situations changed pretty quickly the moment we got our visas, and we were rushing and preparing for so many things, and the moment we got here, we just had more to do! With finding a place to live in, getting our health cards and other important documents, signing up for classes, getting a job, buying winter clothes and everything else!</p> <p>I haven’t had the time to cook! Much less cook vegetarian! =( Sad to say, we’ve been eating a lot more meat now than we did in Malaysia. Partly because it’s easier to cook, partly because I seem to be craving for more fats and oils, to keep warm, coz it’s really cold here!</p> <p>It’s –18 degrees C now, and it’d been snowing the last couple of days! Which is really fun and exciting, except I wish we could have the snow without the cold! LOL! </p> <p>There are a lot of other things going on, in terms of settling into our lives here, that’s made it pretty difficult for me to work on the other stuff I wanted to do, like NaNoWriMo and exercising. </p> <p>I must say now, looking back at the last few months, I was quite naive, thinking that we could settle in as quickly as I thought we would. It’s 3 months we’ve been here, and I think from what we’ve experienced so far, it’s going to be at least a year or two before we actually really settle! It’s been a really HUGE change! And it’ll take a while for us to get used to the weather and being on our own and the lifestyle and culture here… Also finding out where to buy the things that we need and other stuff like that. </p> <p>We’re obviously not going to be 80% vegetarian as long as we need to eat the meat for warmth! There *are* people who are 100% vegetarians thriving in winter though, so I know there is a way, but until it’ll take some time for us to educate ourselves about these info, and in the meantime, we’ll just have to eat what we can get. And like I mentioned before, because we’ve been so busy with work and studies and other necessary things, sometimes we don’t even have the time to cook, and we need to eat whatever we can find when we’re in a rush. </p> <p>It will take a while. </p> <p>But I am optimistic and loving every lesson I’m learning! </p> <p>Things *are* settling, slowly but surely, and eventually one day, we’ll just suddenly realize that we’ve got everything finally, settled! I hope! LOL! </p> <p> had thought that we’d be able to document everything from the time we got our visas until we get settled in, but obviously, we were so busy we didn’t get the chance to document as much as we wanted. But I’ll post and update as much as I can, when I can! </p> <p>Loving every day! =D</p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-16434387115297131142010-07-27T02:54:00.001+08:002010-07-27T02:54:42.560+08:00Mid-Year Resolutions<p>It’s been a while since I last did this, but I really felt like doing this, and I’m of the opinion that we shouldn’t wait until the new year to get started on resolutions and improvement…</p> <p>…so I made a list of the things I wanted to achieve before the end of this year:</p> <ol> <li>Wake up by 6am everyday.</li> <li>Get into the habit of writing everyday.</li> <li>“Win” NaNoWriMo this year. </li> <li>Exercise at least 20 minutes, six days a week. </li> <li>Be 80% vegetarian.</li> </ol> <p>There’s probably more, but this is all I’m thinking of right now. I’ll add more later if I can think of more. I’ll add the details later too. Obviously, most of these goals are more habit than one-time achievements, and it will take some time to get into them, but I’ll be fine as long as I follow my game-plan. </p> <p>Of course, I’ll have to make a game-plan first. =D</p> <p>Well, it’s a great start!</p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-60549387728780957002010-07-22T15:33:00.001+08:002010-07-22T15:33:13.877+08:00On the Brink of Adventure!<p>I finally had some time for myself and I thought I’d blog a little. I’ve been so out of the habit that it seems weird now, blogging about my thoughts, but since I’m here, I’ve got to say something anyway, right?</p> <p>Truth is, there haven’t been much blogging lately because I haven’t had much to say. Every day was the same old story; we’re just waiting, waiting, waiting on the world to change. =P </p> <p>Seriously though, there’s not much to say now, because what’s so interesting about telling people what we’ve decided to bring with us or give/throw away, or how I’ve spent hours pouring over the same books over and over again, wondering if I should keep them or throw them, or planning what we’re going to wear and what we’ll need to buy… </p> <p>Obviously, there’s a lot on my mind now, but there’s also so much of it that I can’t express. I’m anxious and I’m excited too. There’s so many things to look forward to and then there’s the fear of the unknown.</p> <p>Ok, truth is, I’m not *that* scared, because I believe that we’ll be able to handle anything, but of course, any normal human being will feel just a little nervous about moving to a completely new place where they don’t know anyone, wouldn’t they? </p> <p>Anyway, we’re still in the midst of preparations, and there’s still a lot to be done, but I think we’re pretty much ready for everything. =) </p> <p>I can’t wait until we’ve got so much more to share with everyone. Every day will be a brand new adventure, and I’m definitely going to tell you all about it! =) </p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-84018213860979628212010-06-27T09:16:00.001+08:002010-06-27T09:16:43.090+08:00Ouch!<p><img src="http://www.lamebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/fwwj1.png" width="630" height="511" /></p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-26228491557038596702010-06-27T01:03:00.001+08:002010-06-27T01:20:50.193+08:00Love to Criticize<p><strong><a href="http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=10062&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=681132" target="_blank">Top 10 signs you’re about to be dumped</a></strong>:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>7. She stops criticizing you.</strong> This one may sound counterintuitive, but, as Py Kim Conant says, “if she stops complaining about you leaving the toilet seat up, it may mean that she’s given up on the relationship and has no energy to put into further criticism of you. In fact, she may not even notice the toilet seat any longer, since her focus is no longer on perfecting you.”</p> </blockquote> <p>I was reading this article online, and this jumped out at me, because out of the list of 10 things, #7 is the *for-sure* sign that I’m about to dump you. </p> <p>I like improvement. I like improving. I don’t expect perfection and I don’t expect overnight improvement, but if you’re not moving forwards, you’re moving backwards, and to me, that’s a relationship deal-breaker. </p> <p>I feel a little sorry for Lone that he has to put up with my constant ‘criticizing’ on his minor flaws (I don’t really criticize, I just remind him to improve a little every day), but the really wonderful thing is that he realizes that when I ‘criticize’ him, it means I love him, and he always knows that it’s for both our benefits for both of us to improve every day. </p> <p>The interesting thing is that for a couple of my exes before Lone, the tell-tale sign that the relationship was over was when I stopped criticizing them. I spent months nagging and nagging, and in some cases crying, screaming and throwing things (ok, not really, but it sounds satisfyingly dramatic, doesn’t it?), and sometimes things will improve for a while, and then they’d go back to doing what they’ve always done before. </p> <p>Then one day I'd just had enough. You think I like to keep on nagging and screaming at you, hey? I don’t enjoy having to do it any more than you enjoy me doing it. </p> <p>So I stopped doing it, because I realized that they were never going to improve anyway, and I was just wasting my breath. And the moment you realize that nothing’s ever going to improve in your relationship, that’s the moment that you know the relationship is doomed. </p> <p>So I’m glad Lone appreciates it from me, he really does! He tells me constantly that he appreciates me helping him improve (and vice versa from me to him as well), and that his ultimate goal is to be such an amazing husband that I’d have nothing to criticize about him. ;-)</p> <p>How did I ever get so lucky? =)</p> <p>Disclaimer: I don’t really like using the word ‘criticize’ here, because I believe the word ‘nag’ would be a lot more accurate. For the sake of keeping to the article though, I’ve used ‘criticize’ but I really mean ‘nag’. =P</p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-33336116262966679802010-05-16T06:50:00.001+08:002010-05-16T06:50:16.208+08:00Mixed Up-dates<p>The internet has been really slow the last couple of days. It’s so frustrating! Why aren’t the people at the internet company doing something about it?</p> <p>Grrr….</p> <p>Well, at least this morning it’s looking better… </p> <p>Anyway, I still haven’t gotten pix of my new haircut. Lone hasn’t bothered to take pix… I guess he doesn’t like my hair. =( =P</p> <p>On to more important things; was the match between South Korea and China for the Uber Cup yesterday exciting or what!! </p> <p>I’m really glad Korea won. China has been hogging the cup for the last 6 rounds, and I think Korea played really well and deserved to win. I felt so moved when they won in the end and everyone was so happy and celebrating, and especially when I saw one of their coaches cry! It’s a good win. </p> <p>Congratulations, Korea!! </p> <p>I can’t wait for the Thomas Cup match today!! </p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-9607613804162170362010-05-07T07:54:00.001+08:002010-05-07T07:54:22.136+08:00Cutting it Off<p>In an impulse (as usual), I chopped off my long hair yesterday!</p> <p>I’d had really long hair for many years now, maybe 3-4 years or so, and I’ve gotten really bored of it. </p> <p>I did think of cutting it earlier this year, but felt lazy and was thinking that I should try growing it to waist length first, since I’d gotten so far already.</p> <p>The truth is, it took ages for my hair to grow. Although I’d had long hair for years, it never really grew that much longer because I had to keep cutting the split ends. </p> <p>My hair was dry and damaged, and frankly, I’m too lazy to maintain it everyday. </p> <p>I thought recently, when I saw so many split ends, of trimming the ends again, but then I thought also, it’s never going to end (pun intended), so I just decided to cut it all off. </p> <p>It’s now *really* short. And I mean, *really* short. </p> <p>Maybe I’ll post a pic soon, if Lone would get his camera out. =P</p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-15745004868130661242010-05-02T07:41:00.001+08:002010-05-02T07:41:28.295+08:00Bright Shiny New<p>Firstly, as you can see, I changed my look! =) I mean on the blog! </p> <p>This looks really good and I’m really loving it, but let me tell you it wasn’t easy choosing this! There were so many great templates to choose from!</p> <p>I guess I could always change it again later if I want to, Blogger.com has made it a lot easier now that they allow you to keep your widgets when you change templates. It used to be a lot more tedious, having to manually move all your widgets to the new template. </p> <p>Now that it’s easier, I might change my template more often. =) Or not. </p> <p>Anywayyyy…</p> <p>I took up Yoga classes!! =) </p> <p>And Lone took them up with me!! =)</p> <p>I’m so happy that Lone decided to join me, and we’re having lots of fun together, and learning so much together, and the good thing is that having him with me in class pushes me harder. </p> <p>As most people know, since it’s so very obvious, I’m really out of shape. I wanted some sort of exercise that could help with my various physical problems, and I don’t mean just regular exercises like badminton or jogging that makes you sweat, but something that would *really* benefit the energy of the body. </p> <p>My first choice was tai chi, actually, but it wasn’t easy finding a good teacher and convenient classes.</p> <p>After months of looking and not finding, I guess yoga started seeming like the better choice. </p> <p>And I’m really loving it!! </p> <p>Lone and I signed up for 3 months of unlimited classes, and we’re going 3 times a week for now, because we need to condition the body first, so we need to rest in between classes. Once we’re used to it, we might perhaps go 5 or 6 times a week, depending. =) </p> <p>So far we’ve had 2 classes, and I can already see improvements on my body. Not huge improvements or anything, but I can see a little, and obviously, being out of shape, there’s a lot more improvements to be seen! </p> <p>I can’t wait for the next class! </p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-7511088379887253132010-04-21T09:37:00.001+08:002010-04-21T09:37:51.618+08:00I Hear You<p>You know, I used to keep a diary. </p> <p>A private, physical one, where I handwrote all my thoughts and my secrets in. </p> <p>Sometimes I wonder why I blog instead of write in my diary. The thing is, I can write more details in my diary, and say as many bad things about as many a**holes as I want, and fully disclose their names as well.</p> <p>So why do I choose to blog where I have to censor certain details, instead of letting it all out in a diary.</p> <p>Heck, why does anyone do it?</p> <p>In the hopes of getting heard, I think.</p> <p>Many times, even while I was writing in my private diary, I always thought, wouldn’t my great-grandchildren get a kick out of reading their great-grandmother’s diary? ;-) </p> <p>I want them to see how I was, that their boring old great-grandmother had a life, had feelings, had thoughts…</p> <p>We all want to be heard. We want people to know who we are, to understand us, to feel like we’re not alone. </p> <p>Blogging gives us that. </p> <p>We may have many readers, or just a few, we may have a lot of feedback via comments or none at all, but putting it all out there on a blog at least let us think that maybe, just maybe, someone is listening to us. </p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-77937681719216504432010-04-15T23:20:00.001+08:002010-04-15T23:20:49.812+08:00Credit Card, Anyone?<p>So recently I was offered a credit card from a bank. </p> <p>Ok, not really “offered”, but the representative asked me to sign up for it since it was free, blah blah blah, the usual sales pitch they do to get you to sign up for credit cards…</p> <p>I already had one, so I didn’t need another one, but I thought, oh well, why not. So I signed up for it,</p> <p>The representative said it would take a little while for them to do the basic required background check on me to see if I was eligible for the credit card. </p> <p>I understood, of course, they’d want to see if I was earning enough money, or if I had any unpaid debts, or etc.</p> <p>I was very confident that their background check would be very favorable for me, because I earn reasonably well, and I’d *never* owed money to my other credit card provider. </p> <p>*Ever*. </p> <p>And I do mean ever. I’d had that card for at least a couple of years, and I’d always paid back every single cent every single month. Not the minimum amount, but the full amount. Every month. Never fail. </p> <p>I seldom use my credit card, you see, and I put small amounts of credit on it, and I never spend money that I don’t have. </p> <p>So I was kinda proud of myself, I felt as if I was like a model citizen, always paying back anything I owe. I was so sure that this second credit card company would definitely approve my application.</p> <p>Imagine my surprise when they told me my application was declined!</p> <p>I wondered what skeletons in my closet did they dig up while doing the background check that they would decline my application… I really was confused!</p> <p>Then it hit me!</p> <p>The exact reason why I thought they’d surely approve me, is the exact reason why they declined me!</p> <p>They can’t make any money out of me!</p> <p>Because I pay back every single cent I owe, rather than just the minimum amount, and allowing the rest of it to be subjected to the interest, they can’t make money out of giving me a credit card!</p> <p>And in fact, I think they might even lose money because they wouldn’t even be charging me for the service! (Because the representative said no charge for first year, etc.)</p> <p>Those banks are real crooks, I tell you. Not giving me a credit card coz they can’t make money out of me… *sheesh*</p> <p>But then again, they probably figured I really didn’t need one anyway, and they’re right. LOL!</p> <p>But they’re still crooks! Think of the amount of interest they charge us when we take loans from them, and then think about the amount of interest they give us when we put our hard earned money in their banks, for their use! </p> <p>Crooks!</p> <p>Hmmppphh… </p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-12444352400897282092010-04-04T20:58:00.001+08:002010-04-04T20:58:35.960+08:00Living a Full Life!<p>I’ve been really busy the last couple of days getting things done that I should’ve gotten done a long time ago. </p> <p>It feels good to finally get some of them out of the way, but the more I work, the more work I realize I have!</p> <p>And as with everything, I need to make a choice. I know I have a lot to do, and not enough time to do them all. I’m not superwoman, that I can do things in superspeed and with super efficiency, or Hiro, that I can manipulate time. </p> <p>So sometimes I wonder if I should continue blogging, because I realize that I blog mostly for my own indulgence. At the same time though, I think my blogging is important, because it’s an outlet for me. </p> <p>Then I think again, that I have so many blogs, and surely I could give some of them up? But then again, no, because this blog is important for expressing my thoughts, and my book blog is important not just for expressing my thoughts on books but also because I’ve made so many new friends from it!</p> <p>Every blog I have, I have for a reason, and I don’t want to give them up. They are worth maintaining for various reasons. </p> <p>So I think about my studies; obviously, I can’t give up my degree program in Holistic Nutrition, because this is the ‘official’ course I’m taking. I’m also ‘un-officially’ studying religion and spirituality, crochet and knitting crafts, various computer skills, and so many other stuff I’m interested in. </p> <p>I’ve given up on some of them, *for now*, but even so I still have a lot on my plate, and am not willing to cut down on some of them. </p> <p>I live for learning, and I live for growth, and I’m loving learning something new everyday!</p> <p>Do I even need to mention the other stuff I need to get done everyday? My music practice, freelance work, cleaning house, correspondence, etc…  </p> <p>So yes, I do have a lot on my plate, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Life is fun! </p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-19006249381806734082010-03-21T00:54:00.001+08:002010-03-21T00:54:47.471+08:00Betty’s Back!<p>More than a year since I moved to <a href="http://bettynlone.blogspot.com" target="_blank">BettyNLone</a>, I decided to move back here. </p> <p>I weighed my options about moving back here, and I think it’s for the best. </p> <p>Recently, I re-read some of my old post here at <a href="http://justbetty.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Just Betty</a>, and I miss having and writing those thoughtful (I think) posts. I enjoyed reading back what I wrote and giving myself food for thought that I’d forgotten. I realized that I didn’t really post much over at <a href="http://bettynlone.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">BettyNLone</a>, and that a lot of the posts were superficial. </p> <p>The reason for that is because I don’t feel good about ranting on a blog that Lone and I share, because I feel like that blog is supposed to be about *us*, not about *me*, and when I rant, or post stuff unrelated to him, I feel like I’m stealing the limelight away from *us*.</p> <p>So it ends up being superficial (not a bad thing, just that I miss having an outlet for other stuff), as in we only post about where we’ve gone, what we’ve done, etc. Obviously, we don’t post about our arguments because we mostly settle them as fast as we have them, and we’re not going to share intimate details as those are personal. Watch your Korean drama if you want drama! =P </p> <p>Anyway, since then Lone and I have gotten married, and we’ve again moved to another blog, <a href="http://thelonefamily.blogspot.com" target="_blank">The Lone Family</a>, because in the future it’s not going to be only me and him anymore. And no, before you ask, I’m not pregnant, and I’m not planning to be for a while. We just like to think ahead. </p> <p><a href="http://thelonefamily.blogspot.com" target="_blank">The Lone Family</a> blog would also, obviously, be a blog about us and our family, so I won’t be posting my own personal stuff there either.</p> <p>I thought about posting my personal thoughts over at <a href="http://bettysbooks.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Betty’s Books</a> instead, but I felt uncomfortable about that too, because it’s where I share my thoughts about the books I read, and I think it would be weird if I also posted negative stuff about the people I know in real life!</p> <p>Oh, trust me, I’m no saint. I love bad-mouthing some of the people I know in real life! =P</p> <p>Ok, not really. I don’t really “bad-mouth” them as much as I just tell truths that they don’t wanna face, but even so, I wouldn’t “bad-mouth” them here if I could do it to their face, and trust me, I *have* tried doing it to their faces, but they always shout me down, coz they’re too afraid to see the truth, and I just get tired of getting nowhere. </p> <p>So I want to write it on my blog, to get it out, but the other blogs weren’t the right place to do it, so I’m back here again. =P</p> <p>All jokes aside though, I’m really happy to be back! I realize that it’s important, while being part of a couple and of a family, that I hold on to my individuality as well, because that’s what makes me, me. </p> <p>So I’m back now, and as before, it’s <strong>Just Betty</strong> here. =)</p> Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-53670540386883659592008-09-01T01:36:00.003+08:002008-09-01T01:43:16.777+08:00Moving!Hey everyone! Lone and I have decided to move in together!<br /><br />To a new blog address! (ahem...=P)<br /><br />Here's the new url: <a href="http://bettynlone.blogspot.com">http://bettynlone.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />It'll probably take me a little while to move my stuff there, (all my links and stuff on the sidebar....) and I've been exhaustingly busy the last couple of days, but we'll get settled in soon. =)<br /><br />I've realized that I don't always update here regularly, and pix are posted up very slowly because the camera is always with Lone. So we decided that if we shared a blog, he could post up the pix, and I could write whatever I wanted. LOL! And it would be a whole lot easier to maintain one blog together than two.<br /><br />So yeah, head on to our new blog: <a href="http://bettynlone.blogspot.com">http://bettynlone.blogspot.com</a> and update your links! See you there!Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-82916911684593234012008-08-24T13:12:00.004+08:002008-08-24T13:20:37.042+08:00Time After Time (Cover) by Space BlazeRemember the 'secret' I told you about?<br /><br />We finally finished it! Wooo hooo!!<br /><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OasUila9ib4&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OasUila9ib4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Listen to it and tell me what you think! =D And if you like it, spread it around and tell your friends to tell us what they think! Ok, even if you didn't like it, please tell us too, so we can improve.<br /><br />Like I said before, it's not really a secret, it's just that we wanted to surprise everyone with what we've learned about making our own recording, and of course, *ahem*, our musical skills as well. LOL!<br /><br />I know the sound isn't really that great, but honestly we did the best we could with the equipment we had. We used a cheap, non-condenser mic, a simple recording software, without even a sound card, which I think we're gonna have to get after this...<br /><br />So anyway, we did the best we could with the sound and the mixing, but I think the actual music itself is really, really good! =) I'm proud of us, because I really like our arrangement. And I'm especially proud of Lone, coz he did all the music himself, the drums, the bass, the many guitar layers, and he did the mixing really well considering the equipment we have. And trust me, of all the things we had to do, the mixing was the hardest! And part of the reason why we took so much time to do this one song too, because we kept having to re-do some parts becoz of the way the sounds turned out.<br /><br />I, on the other hand, did all the vocals, the main and a few layers of backup vocals. And *ahem*... if I didn't sound good, I blame it on the mic! LOL!<br /><br />Ok ok! The truth is, I'm surprised at how different it is singing on a recording and singing live, and how much harder in fact. And as I've said before, I'm no Christina or Mariah, so please do forgive my not-so-good singing, but seriously, the mic does play an important part in the vocal sound quality! <br /><br />But hey, this is just for now anyway, and it's not like we're recording a CD or anything, this is just to get our music 'on tape', and maybe later when we can afford all the ridiculously expensive but extremely high-quality equipment, we'll record it again. And hopefully by then, I will have improve a lot more on my singing, and then *everything* will sound really good. =D<br /><br />So tell me what you think!<br /><br />P.S. Btw, if you're wondering how we got the name Space Blaze, Lone and I decided that we would each think of one word and combine them. We each have personal attachments to our words, and they sorta go together well, don't you think, with their rhyming sounds. =DHazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-50208813790211731732008-08-14T12:57:00.003+08:002008-08-14T13:16:45.651+08:00Redemption and WeddingsI haven't blogged in a while, but there's a perfectly good reason for that. =)<br /><br />Redemption is BACK!<br /><br />And BETTER than EVER!<br /><br />And um... we've been spending a lot of time with them. =) Which means really late nights and sleeping at dawn and waking up after noon.<br /><br />Not healthy for me, I know, but we don't do it *that* often.... sort of.<br /><br />Anywayyyy..... Redemption is back! And better than ever! Seriously! They have really improved since the last time we saw them perform, which was more than a year ago.<br /><br />So if anyone is interested in listening to really good live music and having lots of fun, make sure you head over to Hard Rock Cafe this August. Ok?? We'll probably be there more often than not. =D<br /><br />We've gotten lots of pictures, but as usual, they're with Lone, so you'll have to wait for them. We also celebrated Charmin's birthday last Saturday in Hard Rock, so you'll see those pictures too. And Ee Won and Jeremy's marriage registration was on Monday, so you'll see those pictures as well!<br /><br />Did I mention that I'm so thrilled for the both of them?! They make a really great couple and are so soooo sweet. Ee Won has one of the most charming personalities I know! And Jeremy is great fun and really good to her. *Envy*<br /><br />Ok, not really, coz Lone is really great to me too. =)<br /><br />Actually, I feel that us girls have been really lucky, because we've got great guys who are really, really wonderful to us, care about us, love us a lot, and give us everything we want and need... We hardly ever complain about them, or if we do it's just for fun, and the best thing is, there's no DRAMA! =P No screaming matches, no third parties, no crying all night, no drama!<br /><br />But there's so much excitement! Wedding plans, and fun nights out, places to go, and people to meet, wonderful and interesting conversation, games and laughter. So much fun! And no drama!<br /><br />This is the life! And I am so extremely happy and grateful that Lone loves me. =D<br /><br />Anyway, EW and Jeremy's wedding is this October. So thrilled, so thrilled!Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-86263890443431807232008-08-02T14:39:00.003+08:002008-08-02T15:14:23.457+08:00Raising the BarI was just reading a book about PR, and there was a section about raising the bar; improving yourself and becoming better and better as you go.<br /><br />People who've talked to me about this before knows what I always say. It doesn't matter if you're 'not as good' as your competitor or your peers or whoever when you start off, as long as you have the attitude of improvement.<br /><br />What I mean is, you could be the last in your class, and everyone could be well ahead of you, but if they stay where they are, while you keep on moving forward, pretty soon, you'd be well ahead of them!<br /><br />Life isn't stagnant, it keeps moving, everything in life is progressing, and when it comes to technology and science and those kinda things, we all know it because it can be so clearly seen. But it also applies to personal development, and the problem with most people is that they don't realize this.<br /><br />How many people you know never grow personally, even as a child to an adult? You see the difference in them as they become less childish and more serious, but that doesn't mean they've grown up. In fact, it probably means they're more immature than ever.<br /><br />There's a difference between being childish and immature, by the way. You can be childish and yet very mature, and being serious doesn't make you a mature person. I personally, will never stop being childish, because OMG, life is fun! As it should be. =D<br /><br />Anyway, I digress again.<br /><br />As I was saying: personal progress, raising the bar, being better than you were before...<br /><br />Nobody's perfect, and nobody could ever be perfect, and if that's the case, then that means that we can always improve. Everyday, all the time. I've said this before also, that my own personal goal is to be better today than I was yesterday, and be better tomorrow than I am today. It doesn't matter how little I improve, or in whatever department or aspect of my life, as long as I am better than before.<br /><br />And with this attitude, even if I compare myself with millionaires my age, I know eventually I'll catch up to them, unless of course, they improve too. =)<br /><br />As I've said, I don't really compare much, just sometimes it's necessary to compare to know where you are, but I never let it get me down if I think I'm not doing as well as others, because I know for a fact, that I will get better.<br /><br />Some people reach a certain level and they believe they're so good that it's not necessary to improve anymore, some people don't even know it's possible to improve. So they stagnate, and fall behind when others move ahead, but they still believe they're the best because they've fostered their beliefs for so long and it's hard to accept anything else.<br /><br />I know a couple of people like that. People whom I used to respect, and whom I learned so much from because they *were* the best. Years ago, they were my teachers, my masters, my gurus, my sifus. But I've continued growing, and they've stopped, and as a result they've actually moved backward. So the student has become better than the teacher. But the problem with the teacher is that they are no longer teachers but they can't accept the fact because they've been the teachers for so long, it's hard not to teach anymore.<br /><br />My problem with them is that I wouldn't mind them continuing to teach, if they had something new to teach, but they don't, and they don't want to improve either, while the world around them is improving.<br /><br />Imagine that you're using the latest, newest, highest technology computer, and the manual you got with it is for those old computers we used to use 10 years ago. Imagine if the technician insisted that you learn to use your new computer with the old manual.<br /><br />Things change, the world is moving forward, you need to change and move forward with it, or else you're going to be left behind.<br /><br />So... raise the bar, keep on growing, keep learning, keep improving yourself, it's a never-ending lifelong quest.Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-20527994454880776412008-08-02T13:37:00.003+08:002008-08-02T13:45:28.844+08:00Wedding VenueIt's not easy trying to keep up with everything, and yet I still insist on doing so.<br /><br />I could make life easier for myself by giving up on certain things, but I won't, because some things I'm just not willing to give up on.<br /><br />Of course, sometimes things get backed up, and right now at the moment I have so many things in the pipeline just waiting to be done, and all I can do is take one thing at a time and finish one task at a time.<br /><br />I think I'm doing pretty well, in fact. As well as can be, considering everything. =)<br /><br />Lone and I have decided on next year December for our wedding, but we haven't found a venue yet. We don't want hotels or Chinese restaurants. Anyone has any suggestions for us?Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-10366770375997040882008-07-29T15:10:00.002+08:002008-07-29T15:55:50.896+08:00Money-N-You seminar last weekendLone and I went for MNY again last weekend. The best thing about it is that once you've participated once, it's free for you to go to again and again, for life, and in anywhere in the world whenever they hold MNY seminars.<br /><br />As the name says, very literally, it's all about money, and you. It's a three and a half day (full days! which can be tiring but really rewarding in the end) course, where they help you learn more about money and you. Key here being that they *help* YOU learn. They don't teach you, they don't tell you, they just put you in situations and let you figure it out for yourself. And then, they review what you've learned with you.<br /><br />I think it's a great way to help people learn, because the truth is people remember and understand better when they're involved in their own learning process, instead of just listening to the teacher and accepting (or rejecting) what the teacher says.<br /><br />So anyway they teach you about money, how to smart with money and business, yada, yada, yada... and I learned some really, really, good lessons from there. And every time I go back for review, I get more distinctions, and also it's a great reminder to me to check if I'm going on the right track.<br /><br />But I believe, and what everyone else is saying, the most impacting thing you learn in MNY, is all about YOU. As in, you, yourself, your thoughts, your beliefs, your attitude, your behavior....etc.<br /><br />We all know that we all aren't perfect human beings, and the sad thing is, we know, and we ignore that fact. We don't bother spending time thinking about ourselves, improving ourselves, nourishing ourselves, helping ourselves grow.... and instead, most of us spend a LOT of our time thinking about our career, how to improve our income, growing our business. Or we think about anything as long as we don't have to face the ugly truth about ourselves.<br /><br />Well, admit it, a lot of us don't know anything about ourselves. And a lot of us don't want to.<br /><br />This is why I enjoy going to MNY, I meet people there who are not afraid to be honest about themselves, I meet people there who know who they are, who understand themselves, who love themselves, and in extension, they love and understand others.<br /><br />Ok, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that *everyone* who goes for MNY is like that, because for every 'good' person you meet, there is someone else who is only there to prospect, or to impose, or who are too stubborn or too afraid to learn. Not that there's anything wrong with prospecting or whatever, that's half the reason people attend MNY after all. But there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. We have all met pushy salespeople who don't see us as people but only as dollar signs, who recite all their information at us as if we know what the heck their talking about, and who don't even care that we're not interested.<br /><br />However, out of every 100 people there, you do get to meet a few really, really, great people. The key is quality, not quantity. Of course, you could introduce yourself to everyone and try to talk to everyone, but you don't build relationships that way. In most social settings where you get to know people for the first time, you make many acquaintances, but only a few actually become friends.<br /><br />That's how it's like in MNY. The setting there is in such a way that although you've only met that one particular person that day, you're talking as if you've been friends since childhood.<br /><br />I like making friends. Because friends allow you to go deeper. Friends talk about everything, friends are not afraid of opening up and being vulnerable, friends are not afraid of you judging them or vice versa, friends like you for who you are and not who they want you to be. I love friends.<br /><br />Acquaintances, on the other hand... Well, I'm incapable of small talk. I don't care about the weather, I don't know anything about the latest fashions, or celebrity gossip, I don't particularly like talking about politics (although it does concern me), and I don't know much about sports.<br /><br />Of course, I'm generalizing here, because although I don't know anything about any of these topics, some really good friends of mine love talking about them. But as long as they do all the talking and allow me to just listen and don't expect me to come up with an intelligent reply when it comes to these topics, I'm fine. And they're fine too, because they know me, and they allow me to talk about things that they know nothing about either.<br /><br />But you see, our friendship wasn't built on these topics, it was built on much more solid ground, fed with much love and care. I liken it to building a cozy home, a solid house on a solid foundation, with quality building materials. And when the house is built, you can add all sorts of furniture and decorations in it, even when all the furniture don't match and the deco is all last season. It becomes a warm place, with a lot of of uniqueness and character, and that's what friendship is.<br /><br />Now, if you tried throwing all sorts of different furniture and deco out in the middle of nowhere, exposed in the sun, wind, and rain, with no home to put them in and no warmth to hold them. Well, that's not a friendship, that's just a lot of furniture out in the dust.<br /><br />You know what I mean.Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-14495739488584274742008-07-23T18:27:00.004+08:002008-07-23T18:35:13.401+08:00Just wait a little longerActually, I guess I couldn't tell you what I've been busy doing the last week even if I hadn't been exhausted.<br /><br />I want to, I really, really, want to. But I won't. =P<br /><br />Because we've been working on that 'secret' project that I've talked about. =)<br /><br />Ok, again, it's not really a secret but I'd just like it to be a surprise when we finally present it. And it's not like it's a really big thing or anything either, it's just a special project Lone and I have been working on, and it's such a small thing that you'd all probably wonder why it's taking us so long to finish it, but it's really much harder than it looks!<br /><br />I'm really anxious and excited to show all of you, but we're not going to rush it just because we're over-eager to show it off. It's important for us to make it perfect, and when it is, then, and only then, will I present it here.<br /><br />I gotta be patient and so must everyone else. =)Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-73213688854153466062008-07-22T02:33:00.002+08:002008-07-22T02:36:46.819+08:00BZ days....I've been reeeeaaaallly busy these last couple of days, and I would tell you about it, except I'm really too exhausted at the moment, so I'll tell you later k. =P<br /><br />Sleepy, tired.....zzzzzZZZzzzzHazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-48376978411748368052008-07-16T14:35:00.004+08:002008-07-16T14:44:57.885+08:00Redemption in Hard Rock, KL this AugustNot many comments on my last post, I guess it was kinda long and confusing to read, but I was hoping for more feedback about it.<br /><br />Anyway, nothing much happening lately, except that Lone and I are working on a *secret* project. =) Ok, it's not really secret, and I'll definitely share once we're done, but I'd like it to be a surprise. We're working on it! I promise to share as soon as we're done!<br /><br />Another exciting thing happening soon, Redemption is going to be back in Hard Rock, KL, in August! That's next month! How fast time flies! I can't wait to see Bien, and Raul, and Alex again! Too bad Paula and Teody aren't with them anymore, and I'm not sure about Cris either...<br /><br />Well, anyway, this means that we'll be spending most of August and September in Hard Rock, I can so see money on wings flying away from me now. LOL!<br /><br />So if anyone wants to join us, and maybe volunteer to let their money do the flying for us instead, let me know. =)Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-24872718144722038312008-07-13T00:42:00.005+08:002008-07-13T02:25:27.019+08:00Culture differences and confusionOne of the things I love about Lone is that we can have so many great conversations together.<br /><br />Yesterday, we went to visit one of Lone's students, a Swedish man, and we started talking about the differences in Malaysian culture (and sub-cultures of the different races/religions/etc) and Swedish culture.<br /><br />This man has been working here in Malaysia for the past couple of years, before his company will be sending him to yet another country to work for a while. He holds one of the top managerial positions in the company now in Malaysia, and he mentioned how flummoxed he was when he first started managing Malaysians.<br /><br />In Swedish culture, it's common and even encouraged, that the employees give honest and sometimes negative feedback to their bosses. The people are more willing to share their opinions, which as Hans (the Swede) says, is a good thing, because you get honest feedback and that's one of the best ways to improve.<br /><br />Part of it is because of the 'lifestyle' there; there is a very, very strong job security in place in Sweden. Employers cannot, by law, fire any employees there,(there may be some caveats which we didn't go into details about...) and the only time they can fire anyone is if they can prove that they are doing it to downsize the company. And if they are doing it to downsize the company, they can't even choose who they want to fire. The person who gets fired, is always the newest employee. It doesn't matter if you're more skilled or hardworking or whatever, if you're the newest one, you get fired.<br /><br />The good thing, of course, is that it breeds a company loyalty, in that the longer you stay with a company, the more protected you are. In fact, personally, I believe this is a great policy all around, for many reasons. But at the same time, I also know it will not work for us.<br /><br />It works for them, because of the details in their upbringing and their culture and all the little things that make them who they are as a culture, which makes them not take advantage or abuse a system like this.<br /><br />It will not work for us, because our culture and the many little details of our own upbringing and societal conditioning, has made us into a different type of people. One that learns that it's better to be kiasu. And I believe, a system like that will not work because it will definitely be misused by us.<br /><br />Anyway, it got me thinking further, you know. And later, when Lone and I went for supper, we started discussing about cultural differences and how interesting it was.<br /><br />We started pin-pointing on the Malaysian culture, and the Chinese sub-culture in particular.<br /><br />I said that one of the biggest problems with some of the Malaysian Chinese in our generation is that they are majorly confused. Majorly, inescapably, extremely, confused.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Because we are conditioned by our parents, by our friends, the people around us, that we have to be a certain way.<br /><br />And then we are taught, in our colleges, in the books we read and the movies we watch, that we have to be a different way.<br /><br />More specifically, our Chinese backgrounds and culture which is so deeply ingrained into us, have us living in total contradiction with the Western teachings that we consciously think is a 'better' way to live.<br /><br />An example is that in Chinese culture, we are brought up to be humble and 'put ourselves down', it is a very, very old culture that most of us don't do anymore in its original form, but which we still do in a watered-down form.<br /><br />If someone compliments you and say, "You have a very intelligent son." It is polite and expected of you to say, "No, my son is very stupid." Of course, now we don't do that anymore, but it is so deeply ingrained into our subconscious, that we still sometimes find ourselves unable to just completely accept the compliment with grace and pride. We have to say something like, "No la, your son is smarter," or "No la, my son still need to improve more."<br /><br />It's also partly our fear of the 'compliment-er's' perception. If we did in fact, replied with something like, "Yes, of course my son is smart, we are so proud of him," we worry that the person may think we are showing off, that we are prideful, or whatever they want to think.<br /><br />Personally, I'm one of those people who don't really have much of a humble bone in my body, not necessarily a good thing, and I would think nothing of accepting a compliment with a simple "Thank you" and a very big smile. Which, by the way, is what most of us are consciously taught that we should do, but which most of us seldom actually do. But I understand the reason that we mostly don't do it too, because the reaction we get is quite negative.<br /><br />Perhaps the best example I can give, and the reason I gave up on studying Psychology in college, is this...<br /><br />Ok, picture this, when you're a child and in school, maybe you have some brothers or sisters, maybe you have some other friends. Your parents are always telling you to study hard, study hard, study hard. They want you to have good results, but they are *always* comparing! Always!<br /><br />How come your results are not as good as your brother's? How come your friend got 9A's and you only have 5? How come your math is so poor when your sister is a genius at math? And on and on and on....<br /><br />So we learn to always compare ourselves with others. And of course, you *never* win when you do, because there will always be someone better than you in something! Not everyone will be better than you in everything, of course. It's just one particular person will be better than you in this, and another will be better than you in that, and that's perfectly normal, coz you would be better than them in certain things too.<br /><br />But our parents have ingrained this comparing thing into us so badly that we always feel insecure and a lack of confidence.<br /><br />So we go to college, and we(I) study Psychology, and the lecturer tells us that we must be confident, confident, confident! We must believe in ourselves! We must trust ourselves! We must whatever! The point is, they tell us to be confident.<br /><br />Frankly, I've never lacked confidence. My parents never did that comparing thing with me, so I never really got the concept of comparing yourself against others.<br /><br />That's not to say that I'm like, completely egotistical or whatever. I do have my own insecurities sometimes, and every once in a while, I do compare, but I always do it with a certain perspective.<br /><br />I mean, I *know* perfectly well, that I'm definitely not the best in everything I do, and there are always people better than me, but that doesn't mean I'm a good-for-nothing either, coz I do what I do best, with all the things that I have!<br /><br />For example, I love singing and I think I'm pretty decent, but I will never be a Mariah Carey or an Alicia Keys, but that sure doesn't mean I should stop singing.<br /><br />And I think I'm pretty good-looking, I mean, I'm not horrible looking, but I'm also one of those people who don't really spend a lot of time on maintaining her looks. I'm chubby in certain places, I have really dry skin, I can't be bothered to shave my legs or tweeze my eyebrows, I don't even like shopping for clothes that might make me look better, and I'm too lazy to spend even 5 minutes putting lotion for my dry skin. So yeah, I do sometimes feel insecure when I stand next to a barbie doll, but I also know I'm good at certain things that she probably wouldn't have a clue at.<br /><br />So you see, I believe in myself. I have confidence in myself. I don't really compare, much. I just do what I do, and try to improve myself the best that I can. I have never had the mindset of 'being better than the other person', but I always try to live by 'being better than what I used to be'.<br /><br />So anyway, when I went to college, and the Psychology lecturer/counselor was preaching to the students with low confidence to be confident, I thought, "Great! Teaching people to be confident is a great, great, thing!"<br /><br />Until I had my one-to-one sessions with the counselor and realize how hypocritical it all was.<br /><br />Students are encouraged to go to the counselor every once in a while, to 'ground' themselves, or to get support or when they're feeling down, or whatever.<br /><br />So I went for mine, and I guess he might have been really used to low confident students going to him, and replying with 'Be confident! Believe in yourself!" because when he started talking about confidence, and I said, "Oh, I have no problem with confidence...." intending to talk about other areas where I wanted his help instead, he snapped at me and said, "Then why are you here for?"<br /><br />Inside I was shocked! But outside I smoothed it over by ignoring his snappish tone and going ahead to talk about the other issues.<br /><br />I was really disappointed though. Up until then, he had seem like a really great counselor who was always patient with students' problems and I always agreed with the things he taught us, consciously. Even after that incident, when I talked about other problems other than with confidence, he would very patiently help me. I still think he was a great counselor, but I just feel like, our conscious learning, and our subconscious conditioning, are so totally at odds with each other.<br /><br />Everybody loves preaching to people about how they should be confident. But what do they do when they meet someone who is actually confident? They think he's egotistic!<br /><br />I know there's a line somewhere, between being confident and being egotistic, and perhaps it's to do with our individual interpretations as well.<br /><br />I think confidence is purely a 'self' thing; believing in yourself, knowing your own abilities, how good you are and where you can improve, etc. I think egotism is an 'other' thing; how much better you are than the other person, what you can do vs what they can do, etc.<br /><br />By this definition, I'm confident and not egotistic, coz frankly, I don't much care what other people can or can't do. I'm too busy improving myself.<br /><br />Anyway, the point here is, (after zigzagging through all my musings) the problem with people nowadays is that they are confused because they are trying to fuse their Chinese upbringing, with their Western education, and they end up contradicting themselves and being hypocritical.<br /><br />I don't care if you want to follow the Chinese culture, coz I think culture is a great thing, and whatever that may have worked for a people for so many centuries definitely has its place. And I don't care either, if you choose to follow your Western influences and teachings, because they have their own greatness.<br /><br />But when you try to do both, which contradicts each other... consciously, you say you value confidence, subconsciously, you put down anyone who even shows a little hint of confidence in themselves... that's just plain confusing to everyone! And it makes it really hard for our next generation to learn, because they don't know if they should be confident or humble or what the hell!<br /><br />Anyway, I'm done. Sorry for the really long post, and I think, a rather confusing one. LOL! It is a confusing subject, so what do you expect?! =P Feel free to tell me your opinions, I always love a good discussion.Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-23020785759793784232008-07-04T02:22:00.004+08:002008-07-04T23:17:53.703+08:00Beauty and the Beast: The MusicalTuesday night, Lone and I went for the Beauty and the Beast musical at the KL Convention Center. We bought the tickets way back in April and believe me, I have waited with so much anticipation until it was finally July!<br /><br />The musical both exceeded my expectations and disappointed me at the same time, though I know how contradictory that sounds. But let me explain.<br /><br />It exceeded my expectations because the performances were really good, they added a lot of new songs, the performers sang and acted really well and with so much enthusiasm, and it was really entertaining and fun.<br /><br />It disappointed me because I thought the direction wasn't all that good... I didn't know what they were trying to achieve with the show, were they trying to amuse us and make us laugh, or move us and make us cry, or shock us, or what? Because sometimes during the sad scenes or the supposedly serious scenes, they ended up selling us short in the emotional department. The only thing they really achieved was making us laugh.<br /><br />The other thing is, so many children attended the show, which is of course expected, since it's supposedly a children's show, and would explain a lot of the serious scenes which they turned funny and their over-exaggeration of the characters' caricatures. And yet, I wouldn't call the show kid-friendly... In fact, certain scenes were downright vulgar! Most notably, the scene in which Gaston humps Belle, and the many other scenes where he humps the air. =P<br /><br />So after the show was over, I walked away feeling confused... Was I supposed to be amused? Or moved? Was this a family-friendly show? Or an 18SX one? What message were they trying to send? What were they trying to achieve?<br /><br />It all seemed like there wasn't really a point to the show at all... And I definitely didn't walk away feeling fulfilled like I did with the Phantom of the Opera in Singapore, or even with the local production, Drunk Before Dawn.<br /><br />Beauty and the Beast was just... whatever!<br /><br />I mean, I enjoyed it, I think. But there's really nothing I can take away from it. =(<br /><br />Oh well...<br /><br />Anyway, I got pictures! =) Although we weren't supposed to take any, but everyone else was doing it! =P And with flash too, those terrible people in the audience! At least we didn't use the flash, which would've have totally distracted the performers.<br /><br />We didn't take a lot, because we had to be really sneaky, but we managed some near the end. Here they are!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkewsk5fgYHLrjOymZ5BaZgHVs30uUAYG-CtXeLT5AKyg0RXtiKP7anJAX1OWWRKqlTzbSsZOJqh0peE5uA37zdrkeZQbb7wudI6AIcvkmldMLO_j2VNwHUhFjRQmV94hLnBvwCA/s1600-h/beautybeastedited.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkewsk5fgYHLrjOymZ5BaZgHVs30uUAYG-CtXeLT5AKyg0RXtiKP7anJAX1OWWRKqlTzbSsZOJqh0peE5uA37zdrkeZQbb7wudI6AIcvkmldMLO_j2VNwHUhFjRQmV94hLnBvwCA/s320/beautybeastedited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218857996325430386" border="0" /></a>In the beginning...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxtVqpHaOSSa_bppA0N3Y1Wu5qOvGiRikPwG5nQgr75-maY-PJ6xJdlHbeV7dTa5X7TV9Sg97l-8XPdvEnw1jB3lPCPKSmpi2vp7JA8luDQNAPE8_hIBA9tMnRuKJA4v794d5Mg/s1600-h/libraryscene.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxtVqpHaOSSa_bppA0N3Y1Wu5qOvGiRikPwG5nQgr75-maY-PJ6xJdlHbeV7dTa5X7TV9Sg97l-8XPdvEnw1jB3lPCPKSmpi2vp7JA8luDQNAPE8_hIBA9tMnRuKJA4v794d5Mg/s320/libraryscene.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218857999379333298" border="0" /></a>We had to take a picture of the library backdrop, of course! I salivate just thinking about getting a library like this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyTQ0fnwCczVwf8fM9SCQmoOliHDGRkud5KqK1vUIV0jHSUNmRzqb75zrQPpKHDzhBEcoY9ozRvFLXT69xFcblvP1X0OlZxo2_Bn_4fN79zyeG0GASu2Bq_3vXan9PwDUR279uA/s1600-h/endingscene.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyTQ0fnwCczVwf8fM9SCQmoOliHDGRkud5KqK1vUIV0jHSUNmRzqb75zrQPpKHDzhBEcoY9ozRvFLXT69xFcblvP1X0OlZxo2_Bn_4fN79zyeG0GASu2Bq_3vXan9PwDUR279uA/s320/endingscene.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218858010768228978" border="0" /></a>Ballroom dancing after the Beast has turned back into the prince. =)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsa6wnQEucuEBL4xUJuUN2iyro2Yqz1_74PtUr9ughMqJlX4uLreZQZJ4YnWYO2cy8Wdz-hpjEBBDwOu_W_sz0CcTeTZ-EnyD5jca8iNpUx1UASBdYyPU8h8K84XzzB-Ru-kamA/s1600-h/takeabow.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsa6wnQEucuEBL4xUJuUN2iyro2Yqz1_74PtUr9ughMqJlX4uLreZQZJ4YnWYO2cy8Wdz-hpjEBBDwOu_W_sz0CcTeTZ-EnyD5jca8iNpUx1UASBdYyPU8h8K84XzzB-Ru-kamA/s320/takeabow.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218858018175144386" border="0" /></a>And taking the bows at the end of the show!<br /><br />That's all, folks! Thanks for watching.Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-39529874839876691442008-06-28T22:19:00.002+08:002008-06-28T22:33:36.432+08:00Betty and VeronicaA couple of days ago, Lone and I had a conversation that tickled me to the bone, because I'm a big fan of the Archie comics. *grin*<br /><br />So you see, Lone and I were talking about names, and I said I loved female names that could be shortened into masculine names, ei. Joe for Josephine, Sam for Samantha, and etc.<br /><br />Then Lone mentioned his sister-in-law, as in his brother's wife, who went by the name of Ron, short for Veronica.<br /><br />And since my name is Betty and I love the Archie comics, I always look for connections between myself and girls named Veronica.<br /><br />I went, how nice, Betty and Veronica ends up marrying brothers (Lone and his brother). And then I said, if only your names were Archie.<br /><br />And then, I stopped. And Lone looked at me, and I started laughing like a madwoman! Because I realized that their surname was Chu, as in Ah Chu (Archie)!!!!!<br /><br />So Betty and Veronica both married Archie!!!! LOLOLOLOL!!!!!<br /><br />The best part is, I've always wanted a resolution in the age-old question of who Archie marries in the end, and it is *never* ever answered! And now that *both* Betty and Veronica marries Archie, I guess God just doesn't want to give us the answer. LOLOLOL!!!!<br /><br />I'm so lame.Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18310630.post-46972156125657358622008-06-28T03:56:00.002+08:002008-06-28T04:02:51.606+08:00New bookblog lookI just spent almost 4 hours trying to fix my <a href="http://bettysbooks.blogspot.com">book blog</a>!<br /><br />It's been acting up the last couple of days... taking a long time to load and etc, so I've been troubleshooting trying to figure out what's wrong with it, fixing things here and there. Apparently, it's the template server, so I changed the template.<br /><br />I wasn't happy with it though, coz it was too *white*, so I added a gray background. But it's still really *white*, and I wanted to change the sidebar's color. It seems the original sidebar design has the sections in gray boxes, but it doesn't turn up here.... I'm still wondering how to fix it.<br /><br />Sigh... I wish I was smarter with html coding. I only just barely know the basics.<br /><br />And I'm really, really tired now, so I'll try again tomorrow. Maybe.<br /><br />Good night!Hazelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921643032366131774noreply@blogger.com0