current video digs

1. Made in Iceland
Klara Harden took a lonesome hike across beautiful Iceland on her own. Beautiful & awe inspiring.

MADE IN ICELAND from Klara Harden on Vimeo.

2. Young Farmers series on SHFT TV.

Young Farmers from SHFT on Vimeo.

Enjoy! xx

4 questions to self: 2011/2012

It's that time of the year again. For two years (maybe 3), i've been doing a 'look back'. Wasn't going to miss this year even though we're almost a week into 2012. Nevertheless, here's my observation of 2011.

2011 was, simply put, bloody awesome. I never imagined i would grow so much as a person and doors after doors of opportunities opened for me. All praises be to the One who has made it so for me.

I remember walking into the year wanting to leave behind all the pain of 2010, i wanted to really heal and then charge ahead. In healing, i found a completely different perspective of life and from that view of the 'grand scheme of things', i've never been happier. This 'perspective' is spirituality.

Note that this was never part of the 'plan'. I knew i was starting to get more curious and more engaged in finding out how to be wholly happy in this terrifying day and age but lo and behold! I found a way of life, a little 'trick' that gives you clarity and sheds light in the areas of life we never did explore. I never imagined i'd get on this path but i do believe that anyone can walk this way for as long as you sincerely 'seek' an answer to all the knots in your head. The keyword here is: sincere.

And be brave, take what you've learnt on a test run and you might find that some people frown or laugh or hiss bitter little things at you but you're in charge of your own life so take control. If you like your new lifestyle, pack up and MOVE for good. Some parts of your life will repair while others change forever but this new life is worth starting afresh. Keep going & feel liberated.

So some priorities changed, some resolutions changed, some new stuff added and some removed permanently. 2011 also saw me taking on a new job, getting engaged to my bestfriend (and my heartbreaker no less haha), nailed my own place (that's in the works now), going organic, quitting my hedonistic addiction, reforming myself and sorting out my life for at least the next couple of years. So last year was truly a TRANSITIONAL year.

This year, its just going through the motions. I won't be complacent to ride on this peace of mind, i do intend to exercise my brain juices to learn more, see more, try more and do more. I intend to travel a little further, do the things i've always wanted to do or try - while building on a fatter wallet (big challenge).

My personal resolutions are to maintain a more positive outlook, overcome my lack of self discipline, try to hold up a few pillars as best as i can, get into the pink of health (more healthier choices to be made) and then finally i hope to end the year with a 10km run. Note: i hated running with a passion, it's a love-hate relationship now but this is to prove to myself that i can do ANYTHING as long as i put my fire into it and just blaze.

So i will turn 24 this year, i still want to shy away from it but hey if i can pack up my life's resume with as much experience and learning as i can, i may very well be living 35 years of life at what, 26? Yes, i'm a bit too ambitious i admit. Just wish me well because i will be on my way anyway.

And now for my 4 questions posted end of 2010 for the end of 2011:

Are you happy?
Never been happier. Its not the status of my life it's the clarity of my head, ridding the heart of all things negative and then leaving behind everything that brings bad energy.

Did you fulfill all your resolutions (including a driver's license!)?
Haha! Yes all my resolutions have been fulfilled and much more, WITH THE EXCEPTION of my driver's license. This is the only big fail for me. Nevertheless, better late than never. My lessons will roll out in two weeks!

Are you truly living & your soul put together?
To compare where i was mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, i feel yes i'm finally living. Like i finally know how to without being miserable all the time. I'm so much braver and far much tougher but without all the angst and temper. I deal with failure so much better! Still living life on the fast lane but i take breathers now and mastered the 'art of doing nothing'. Put that into practice ever so often now.

Is my soul put together? It's a daily struggle, some days i'm in and some days i'm out. But the struggle is what makes the journey. And there is no one who has the correct formula for this. So on days i'm scattered, i'll tell myself "try again tomorrow".

What did you do as a form of charity?
This is a little personal. It wasn't huge but it was sufficient and constant enough. To say what i did would belittle great people and portray them as poor and incapable. These guys are humble, beautiful folks. I just think of it as sharing or as giving back because they're too kind. Just not feeling the word 'charity' here.

So four questions for the end of this year:

Did you get that god damn driver's license (haha!)?
Did you travel to the places you wanted to?
Are you healthier & ran that 10km race?
Were you balanced the whole year?

There you have it. Nothing too deep because we've covered all the inner works last year. This year's theme is balance. I will have fun, be fitter, more disciplined, explore places, learn new things and stretch out my time daily to accomplish all my obligations & resposibilities.

I hope you all had a great year and an even better one this year.

I'll conclude this post with my annual saying:
It's a new year full of chances to try again where we failed, to progress further from what we've accomplished, to take on new challenges, to be making a difference in the world, to ultimately be a better person. Year after year. Let's age with courage, grace, love, & wisdom.

stuff i haven't got to share..

I thought i'd share all the little new additions in my life. Just to celebrate the sunshine, which i so love.

1. Dessert Table

Took a stab at this for my sweet nephew. The thought alone felt distant & almost impossible but we did it & had so much fun! Nautical because it is a timeless theme. Personally, at least.

2. My Engagement Ring! by Bario-Neal

If you know me well enough, you'll know i'm no fan of conventional jewellery. 'Handcrafted' is perfect for my bling appetite. Big time. The imperfections & knowing that every piece may have suffered or enhanced from maybe a funny angle of the maker's arm, his mood, the weather.. something. The very human, abstract concept is so magical to me. I feel like it speaks. I thought this ring, apart from it being simply beautiful, makes so much sense. A knot to be tied.. but not quite yet! I'll keep this piece forever.

3. Sarah Wilson An AMAZING woman. Here's some background information on why she inspires me: Like Sarah, i suffer from an auto-immune disease. Now this is only an umbrella term for many different diseases that comes under this shade. What it does is, it makes your immune system go bonkers. Where the immune system is meant to drop in and help your body, it probably isn't. Where it's not meant to be working, it probably is. It's difficult & it's usually chronic. Your mood, your food, your lifestyle, every little thing about you can aggravate this disease. Most, if not all auto-immune diseases are 1st world diseases. Why?

In her blog, the Australian TV personality & journalist shares how she deals with it. Inadvertently, she cracks secrets behind the junk we're consuming from our supermarket aisles, radiation from our home appliances, our modern lifestyle & how all that contributes to our health. She also blogs about social stigmas, social responsibilities, going green, happiness, buddhist thoughts, spiritual health & so much other good stuff. And of course, she's totally hot.

4. My Organic Adventure

So because one thing leads to another. Sarah's blog has forced me to rethink my daily supplies. Soap, food (including my cat's!), bottles, everything. I'm officially on a journey now. I quit table sugars, use organic soap & shampoo, included supplements into my diet.. the list is ever-expanding & these baby steps have already proven to come a long way. You actually feel the difference. Lovin' it.

5. Suhaib Webb

"Suhaib Webb is a contemporary American-Muslim educator, activist, and lecturer." - Wikipedia

Its a bonus, this imam is definitely into hiphop. I came across suhaibwebb.com & read articles that instantaneously renewed my faith. This is a blog created for the American Muslim youths but because we're not too far different from them, i found relevance. Answers after answers. As cyber as it seems, imam Suhaib Webb & his soul-saving site are like THE islamic teachers of my life. Archaic ideologies are what they are, archaic. It felt impossible to apply what my parents were taught back in the days, into my life today. But this, this is practical advice. Its a huge warm welcome to the curious cats who no longer knew where to go or just what to do to find their spiritual center.

Beyond everything, this website has taught me to live & to think further, deeper, purer. This decade's islamophobia phenomenon has made it far more difficult for us liberal muslim youths to understand, practice & spread a better understanding of our peaceful religion. Believe me when i say, it will not only give you the manuals on how to tackle anti-islam sentiments, it will urge you to live life intelligently & responsibly. I cannot put into words how differently i now tackle so many aspects of my life today. It's like my entire view of life & the world, has never made more sense.

a baby ballerina's dream

My cousin Mimi recently threw the prettiest pink birthday party for her 5 year old daughter. Just to give you a brief background of the themes she's chosen over the years, my cousin has tastefully shy away from 'cartoon' themed parties, to create parties with its own personal 'character'. In this case, birthday girl Sarah, is one who looooooves dancing & believe she's born to dance (at age 5 she's made this discovery!). Looking at her, that seems earnestly genuine but i would usually never encourage ballet for its unnatural grooming of the body, competitive nature &..... okay, let's not go there.

Anyway, this spread is too pretty to not throw in a mention. What makes it more wonderful is that my cousin, as we all would know her by now, perfects it DIY with economical materials from thrift stores! Swoons!
If you are a dessert table junkie, check out the renown Amy Atlas!

Also, we have an Amy Atlas equivalent here in sunny Singapore too, The Wedding Chateau. Uhhmazing.

Happy midweek everybody!

Have A Cool & Beautiful Monday!

The rain is notorious & endless. For as much as i'm freezing & fussily shuttling around in my little rain trench, i'm really grateful for the rain. My idea of majestic beauty. Let's enjoy it before our hot & humid weather comes to stay for a long while starting March.

On a separate note, see if you can relate to this. Something i constantly strive for. (p.s it's strange but it's got everything i love to do in it. EVERYTHING.)

My sentiments exactly.

4 questions to self : 2010/2011

My sweet readers,

If you hang out here with me long enough, you might~ remember that i posted 4 questions for myself to answer at the end of 2010 & i've decided that this will be a personal tradition for my life. Feel free to take on the idea if you find it a useful tool to measure your accomplishments, somehow. Here we go!

Questions to self:
Did you fulfill all your resolutions?
I'm happy to report that YES I managed to fulfill them all EXCEPT to get a driver's license. That's right, I feel like a total loser about it. As a consolation, all these resolutions are now a concrete foundation to take on 2011. So very contented. Stepping up the game for personal upgrade - mind, body & soul!

Have you quitted your bad habits?
Not entirely! I wouldn't say i didn't do very well either. I replaced a fancy list of bad habits with good ones. So to give you a better picture, out of 100%, i managed to rid 80%! (does anyone agree i deserve to binge on some chicken wings this weekend?)

Did you work hard and try to live a balanced life?
Indeed. Something i'm very proud of this year. My time was carefully given into good proportions & honestly, this is my favourite change about myself. I can cook whenever i feel like, blog, spend quality time with friends & family, read, do everything i love without sacrificing sleep, & even managed to squeeze in mini getaways. Looking forward to utilising this new skill further with plans to explore different avenues of self-upgrade. Hooray!

Are you happy?
Difficult. I am contented, does this count? But i'm working my way towards being wholly happy. I'm looking forward to answering this again at the end of this year.

xoxo

I hope everyone had a fulfilling 2010. It's a new year full of chances to try again where we failed, to progress further from what we've accomplished, to take on new challenges, to be making a difference in the world, to ultimately be a better person. Year after year. Let's age with courage, grace, love, & wisdom.

4 questions to self for 2012:
Are you happy?
Did you fulfill all your resolutions (including a driver's license!)?
Are you truly living & your soul put together?
What did you do as a form of charity?

Full steam ahead, everybody!

blog love: SHIM + SONS

Good morning! It doesn't rain as much anymore these couple of days & i'm thankful for the sun because it doesn't bake me like it does in the mid year (though it's perfect to hit the beach).

Since Christmas is nearing & as you know, it's not exactly my traditional festive time but i still always join in the fun. It's that time of the year where everyone is so merry, exchange gifts & thanks, the town looks pretty, my favourite blogs share the most gorgeous ideas, a good excuse to cook for your family & just every reason to feel so warm.

I've done some of my shopping & now it's my chance to scope the terrains to find & try out a cool way to wrap my gifts. My eyes are darting. When it's packaging, i'll type SHIM + SONS immediately. Another cool mommy you ought to check out.
I especially love brown paper,
And this brilliant Thanksgiving Tree!
Shim got her sons to write what they're thankful for on each 'leaf'. It's going to be a tradition in their family & i can see why!

Ahhh.. I'm so often amazed by creativity.

life's little tidbits

Inspirations are everywhere, you just need to look. This christmas letter from Drey in '06 will remain on my inspiration board forever and by simply reading it over again yesterday, i've come to a decision that i'm giving my dancing self a second chance. Slowly this time.

A life without dance, is like a life without love.

a sexy couple, their home & her hair colour.

An amazing city, the cutest couple alive, the coolest home. This is my favourite house tour. It may not be anything like the ones i've posted but this one is so full of character and colours. It feels so genuinely home for this sexy pair. This is Elli Rose and Gui's home in Tokyo. So kick ass, i loooooove this.

I'm so digging her hair colour! I think it's insane and not quite the ordinary. What do you think? Looks like this will be the beginning of my new-hair-colour obsession all over again?


















Happy Tuesday!
(more over at The Selby)