New Chapter in my life...

Before I graduated from college, I knew I want to own my own business some day.  Initially, I thought I would be my own boss by age 30.  When that didn't happen, I postponed the goal to age 33.  And when that didn't happen, I was getting really disappointed in myself and everything in life kind of started going down hill from there.  I almost thought it will never happen at all.  Even after I quit my job and started my "Project - New Business" 10 months ago, I wasn't sure if it's going anywhere.  Suddenly, I decided one afternoon last week the way forward must be running the business from a proper retail space.  I had actually learned about the new retail space (to be available by end of Nov) back in August.  For various reason, I wasn't ready and didn't even start my website yet.  After all these months, I thought the shop space I thought would be best for my business would be unavailable.  Not only it is still available, the rent is actually lowered to the level I thought I could give it a shot.  I thought to myself, "That's gota be meant to be!"  So, here I am...age 37...finally a business owner!  This is probably the last goal I accomplished in life...if the business actually become profitable within 6-12 months.  Finger crossed.  :D

Airplane seats!

Just got off a 12 hours flight and had maximum of 1 hour sleep on and
off. The seat is supposed to be "new and improved" on Cathay Pacific!
It's the kind with the sliding seat in a shell. I have to say it's
the second most uncomfortable airplane seat I've ever been in. Number
one most uncomfortable seat goes to Tiger Airways. Don't think I'll be
flying with them ever again! It really puzzles me! Why do they have
to make the seats SO uncomfortable? I'm sure most people are with me
on this one.

6 months of happiness!

Can't believe it's been six months since I've been unemployed!  That also means six months of depression free. It is true that time goes by so quickly when you are enjoying it.  I hope this happiness can last forever.  Now that I've started my new venture, Bella Ricca, I hope it will provide me what is needed to continue my happiness.  Wish me luck!

Another one down, 3 more to go.

Just celebrated my 37th birthday yesterday. My boyfriend asked, "How do you feel? Being one year older?" I thought about it for a second and said, "Urrrg...about the same?!" He replied, "Yeah...that's about right!". Oh well, I am considering throwing a big party for my big Four-O. A round-the-world trip would be beyond awesome. Will see how it goes...

I don't recognize myself!!

I looked at myself in the mirror tonight, and I didn't recognize this
face! It is the weirdest thing I felt I years!! How come I don't
recognize myself in the mirror??? Am I going crazy? So strange...

Lucky day?

My birthday is not until a few days later, and I've got a treat
already. Whenever I order BBQ Pork and Chicken Rice, I usually
receive boney chicken with little meat. When I saw this lovely rice
plate shoved in front of me over the fast food counter, I was
completely shocked. Half a chicken leg!!! AND no fat on BBQ pork!
Do I look very pretty today so the chef decided to be nice to me??
Anyway, I am feeling lucky today with a very satisfied stomach.

A Breakthrough!?

A new month began. Yesterday, I decided to take a plunge and bought a domain name with web hosting as the first baby step to starting my own business. Today, I went to my daily yoga class as usual. Tried to take it easy today and didn't expect anything special to happen. What can happen in a Hatha1 class anyway? Towards the end of the class, our instructor told us to get ready to do the Wheel pose. I had never been able to the the pose. The best I could do was to stick the top of my head on the floor to support the weight of my upper body. The instructor told us not to be afraid and try even if we can't do it. She said the Wheel pose just came to her all of a sudden and it will happen to us too! And VOILA!!! It happened to ME!!! Although I can only hold the pose for 2 seconds, I am beyond thrilled...just like the first time I was able to stick the top of my head on the floor trying to do this pose! Today is a day to be remembered! :D

Current Status: Temporarily Retired

It's been almost 5 months since I quit my job.  Totally loving this new life but I have trouble filling out forms for the "Occupation" section.  I'm obviously not a Housewife and it's not nice to use the word Unemployed.  A young woman who sat next to me in a restaurant today is in a similar situation.  I shamelessly eavesdropped on her conversation with the 2 men who sat next to her on the other side.  Apparently, she's quit her job a few months ago and has been traveling around Asia with an open end ticket.  She called herself retired and I should use this status as well.  Unfortunately, I can't afford to be retired for much longer so it will have to be temporary!

Please don't talk to me

I try to be loyal to a single hairdresser and/or a hair salon.  The reality is I just can't, because they just wouldn't such the F up!!  First, it's the hair washing person (can't be sure of the gender...extreme unisex appearance)!  Then, it's the hairdresser.  I understand they are under a lot of pressure for selling expensive products and treatments I don't need.  Just cut the crap and cut the small talk!  It's hard enough to find a person who can cut hair properly at a reasonable price.  I don't want to drift from one salon to another.  Just leave me alone!!!

He's gone!

I'm away for 2 weeks and came back to find out my favorite yoga teacher is gone!  :(  Hopefully, he's only away for vacation.

Unemployed Day 60 - Sewing Project #4

It's been almost 2 months and I'm still loving it.  Lots of things to do around the apartment and plenty of research to do for my upcoming travel plans.  I'm even behind on my Italian class homework!
Took down my old living room curtain months ago.  Had the idea of using the old (thick) fabric to make a spare travel bag.  Finally got around to doing it and it's done within 24 hours!  It's not the best bag in the world, but I'm proud to have made it from scratch.  Mr. A said I'm very talented.  :D

A bundle of old curtain fabric.

 

 Cut the fabric to the size I want.

 Sewing machine in action - Sew on the zipper.  It was quite tricky because the zipper is made in a closed loop.

 

 Close the side and bottom and there you get the first shape of a bag.

 Make 2 handles with the same fabric.  I rolled up an old sock to the shape of a sausage and stuffed it in the center of each handle.  That makes two small pillows for the comfort of my shoulders.

 Now, the bag is done on the outside.

 The bag looks better than expected.

 Mr. A suggested I add lining for a better bag.  I found just the perfect piece of fabric from a long shirt I mutilated before.  Not the easiest thing to do, but the bag does look so much better with lining!  It simply covered up all the ugly bits inside the bag.  :P  Thanks, Mr. A!

Now, I'm ready to travel and buy more souvenirs!!  :D

Yoga with live music

I've been practicing yoga on and off for 7 years. Some teachers play
music from a CD or iPod to enhance the mood of the practice. Walked
into the Yoga Therapy class the other day and suprised to see a guy
sitting next to the instructor's matt with a guitar. I heard he is a
musician at a resturant/bar owned by the yoga company. I've been to a
few Yoga Therapy classes some time ago and this is the first time with
live music. He played guitar and sang for the first 15 minutes of
class. It was such a wonderful experience and the musician has very
lovely soothing voice. Hope we can get live music at our practice
more often. It's a real treat! Namaste!

Sent from my iPhone

Who leaves a backpack behind?

My lovely, silly, forgetful boyfriend does!!!!! I know he is
forgetful and he blames it on aging. But how can he possibly forget
to take his backpack after a meal at the restaurant. He only
remembers about it after a 15 minutes walk home. Argghhhhhh!!
Fortunately, we don't have any kids and don't plan on having any.
Otherwise, he would be one of those people leaving his kids in the shop!

So cool, I want one of these!!

Wow, That's Smart! - CNBC