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damseldistressed
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Name: Melanie
Country: United States
State: New York
Metro: New York City
Birthday: 8/30/1985
Gender: Female
Interests: Internet-ing, shopping, chilling, eating, sleeping, watching movies, writing, vegetating, being dorky, being with my FRIENDS :)
Expertise: Being me :)
Occupation: Student
Industry: Business
Message: message me
Member Since:
12/9/2002
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| I got in bed at midnight today hoping to get an early night's rest... but I couldn't fall asleep. Perhaps it's because I got in bed at 5:30 AM last night, or maybe the thoughts of life after graduation are getting to me. Probably both!
You know, I wasn't worried about graduating from high school and going to college. In fact, for the most part, I felt ready and excited about what was to be the best four years of my life (well, that's what they say, anyway! I wouldn't know just yet). But graduating from college is a whole different ballgame. As a friend said, we're "leaving the safe embrace of academia"... and I couldn't have said it any better myself. Man, Stern was an amazing time. Even though I only spent two years here, I don't think I could've learned more about life... or job-searching... or finance!! *makes face* Haha. Despite the nasty computers and classrooms and the severe lack of space in Tisch Hall, I made some incredible friendships at Stern that I know will last a lifetime, no matter where we all go. Why does it all have to end so soon? Senior year went by in the blink of an eye. I feel like it was just yesterday that my parents dropped me off at BC and I was making friends with my floormates in the dorm... back then, I made a vow to myself to seize every opportunity to learn, expand my horizons, and have fun while in college. I think I did a pretty good job of that, and looking back, I don't think there's anything I would change about how I spent the last four years. Making the decision to come to Stern was definitely one of the best choices I could've made. :) The fit is so much better here and in NYC.
I wonder how everyone else seems to somehow be looking forward to the future, cuz... I'm deathly scared of graduating!!! :( Yes, I'm really happy about my job and the fact that I will be staying on in NYC for awhile, but... I love college and how I get to be free to do what I want and not have to worry about bringing home the bacon. I love having classes and then being done for the day. I love getting Fridays off. I love being able to explore the city on the weekdays and not have to worry about crowds (well, tourists aside). I love being able to easily meet up with friends, since we all have about the same time commitments. (Who knows when we'll ever see the bankers again after grad?) I love feeling young in comparison to the rest of New York. (Yes, I have a huge age hang-up. I know.) And I loooooooove being 21!!! I wish I could be forever 21. Argh, I just want time to stand still for a moment and let me catch up on the reality of having to say goodbye to so many good friends, as well as start working for the rest of my youthful life!
Then again, is anyone ever ready for reality before being thrown in? I suppose a 35% income tax will be enough of a slap in the face for me!!
Looks like we're all growin' up...
*insert hopeful, optimistic and forward-looking wistful closing comment here* Hahaha.
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| Sometimes I wonder what the hell I'm chasing.
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| Last Friday night was terrific!! Miho and I had a potluck housewarming party at our apartment, followed by a full-fledged clubbing session at Aer with over 20 people. (Or something like that, I was too drunk to count. :P) It was amazing having my close friends come together to leave our worries behind and enjoy the music for one night! I couldn't have asked for a better time, or for better company, at that. LOTS OF LOVE to Esther, Jennifer, Mikhail, He Mu, Yot, Tony, Levent, Jessica, Kenneth, Daryl, Matt, Jie Ming, Eddie (and his date), Dianne (and her bf), Mindy, Michele, Cass, Sue, and Richard for coming! (Almost none of them read this thing anyway... but I prefer it this way!!)
Here's Mikhail striking a Zoolander-ish pout. That's so hot!
He Mu loving Yot's pad thai. Actually, upon second glance, I'm not convinced he's actually loving it.....
Turkey, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, and China/Argentina represent!!!
Champagne bottles are scary!
Champagne bottles are funny!
My roommate Miho and me. :) <3
He Mu brought empanadas, Levent brought a turkish appetizer, Miho's friend Sarah brought a veggie spread, Yor brought pad thai, Jessica cooked amazing fried noodles (although it didn't look anything like noodles!), Esther and Jen brought a delightful chocolate chip banana pound cake, and Mikhail brought champagne and vodka!
A toast to the apartment!
Silliness.
Hehe.
Haha.
In the cab on the way to Aer!
Richard, one of my heroes of the night, and me.
Fuuuun!
3 Singaporeans, 1 Chinese, and a geisha. :)
I see drunk people...
I see even more drunk people...
:-*
Such a greeeeattttt time!!!! I don't remember much of what happened because I got drunk pretty quickly, but I just remember dancing my booty off non-stop and holding onto every waking moment! I guess being 21 is pretty awesome, after all. :) More parties to come, that's for sure!
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You know, although I hate to end this entry on a low note, I have to say:
As much as I disagree with posers, (pre)judgmental people, drama queens, stalkers, nosy people, perpetual whiners, and people who think they know me,
I believe that--by far--the most ludicrous and disrespectful thing a person can do is to enter my life wanting (and even feeling entitled) to come between me and the self that I have cultivated, genuinely enjoy and aspire to be.
Simple as that. I think that by now, most of us--as adults--have formed some kind of identity that we hold in high esteem and are rather protective of. (At least according to Eriksson's psychosocial stages of development, this should hold true.) And well, I don't care how cocky this sounds, but I like myself. I like myself! I love myself! I respect myself! I want to be myself! I'm not declaring all this to show off to the Xanga world (since I know certain people are probably thinking to themselves that I'm being a braggart... honestly, I feel sorry for you if you don't feel the same way about yourself). Rather, I'm just trying to state a point that anyone who thinks that I will change the way I am to convenience them and facilitate the way they integrate me with the person they want me to be... well, they can seriously turn around and take a walk out.
Make no mistake, I'm not saying that I won't befriend anyone who dares to disagree with me--that's absurd. Expanding one's knowledge never killed anyone, as far as I know. But what I'm saying is, anyone who disagrees with the way I am simply for his/her own selfish purposes and self-absorption, and on top of that expects me to change just for him/her, is of questionable value to me.
As Carrie Bradshaw once wisely noted on relationships...and I believe this holds true for all relationships, not just of the romantic kind:
"There are those [relationships] that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous."
Enough said!
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| Wow, I just turned 21...
...NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
It's all downhill from here...!!!! :\ :( :'( >:(
*folds arms across chest and puts on the most sulky sourpuss face known to mankind*
Okay, I guess I should stop being so dramatic about my age (someone get some botox on standby, please!), but wow. I was just looking at some of my family's old home videos, taken from when I was about 6 years old, and that seemed like lightyears ago!! I was so spunky and chatty back then, and quite a performer and camera-lover, too. Hmm, strangely enough, I was just as bossy. :P It was incredible to see what I've done and how much I've changed since then. I could barely recognize that little girl on-screen, aside from the fact that I look quite the same.
During my video fest, I witnessed my 6th birthday with a scrumptious chocolate cake in the shape of Pluto (Goofy's pet... NOT the demoted planet!). Back then, we were living in Yung Kong Road on Yang Ming Shan... that was our first house in Taiwan. My sister was only 2, and oh-so-cute!!! I saw our first Chinese New Year, where my dad was busy lighting all sorts of firecrackers of different shapes/noises/colors in our garden to entertain us. Nic and I so desperately wanted to hold sparklers. :P Then I saw various visits with my grandparents... at the Singapore Zoo... at Sun Moon Lake... Leo Foo Safari... etc. The trips with my parents to beach resorts in Malaysia/Thailand, and my dad videotaping every single thing we were doing, so commitedly. The concerts in lower school, singing about dinosaurs, CFCs, best friends, Christmas, and everything under the stars. Me and Christine Ruecker on stage singing "You And Me". My sis sitting on Santa's lap and looking rather bored, lol. My 8th birthday swimming pool party with Christine, Jie Ming, Jasmine, and Melissa. I still remember all of us counting the minutes in class... those 30 minutes from 2:00 to 2:30 felt like weeks!! And of course, the various plays my sis and I created, from playing doctor, to dressing up in our Halloween costumes and playing with puppets.
Come to think of it, it's been a long and eventful 21 years. And I don't think I could have watched those videos at a better time. They made me all nostalgic and happy about my childhood, which I think signifies that I've come to terms with everything I've been through. I guess I'm (almost) ready to close that chapter of my life and face adulthood. (And by almost, I mean I'll be ready when I turn 25! Hehehe!!)
I guess I'll put up some pics of my pre-birthday celebrations so far:
Sukiyaki Dinner at Taipei City Club
My family's ritual on birthdays is that the birthday person gets to choose where he/she wants to dine for dinner. So I picked one of my favorites in the world: sukiyaki!!! There's nothing better than eating tender beef and slurping deliciously sweet soy broth all at once. :P And of course, eating some sashimi and tempura at the same time. Mmmmm. My tummy's rumbling just thinking about it. (I should really put "eating" as one of my interests on my resume, man!!!)
Here are some pics:
My family sans me. Love them to pieces!
I can't look at this pic and contain myself at the same time. It's just... so... yummy...
More yummy beef goodness!! This is how I know I'm a full-blooded Singaporean, man... cuz all Singaporeans live to eat! Anyone who knows a Singaporean will know what I mean. :P
My sis and I eating like there's no tomorrow. Do my eyes look like they're about to bulge out of my face, or what!
My grandpa chomping on soft shell crab, my sis eating a monster veggie, and me slurping sukiyaki noodles. I love this pic!
Birthday Cake at Home
Well, when it comes to my birthday, we usually have a cake while my grandparents are still visiting. But the funny/cute thing is that my family always tries to make it a surprise. ...even though they do it every year, haha. But it's very sweet of them and I love it!
Cute cake.
Getting ready to devour this thing.
My sister trying to suck out my newfound wisdom upon becoming a full-fledged adult. Bwahaha! As if!!
Attacking the candles and making a wish.
Eating and watching a play we made with our cousin when we were 11, 8 and 4. So entertaining. :P
Well, tomorrow (well, later today) I'm meeting with Mark Merin, my birthday twin, for lunch at our favorite joint: la mien dian! Yum yum. Then I'm getting a haircut at my usual place. And for dinner my mom, sis and I will be going to Ticino's, my favorite Swiss restaurant. We've been there for 3 years in a row so far on my birthday. This might be my last though... since my parents will be moving back to Singapore after my sis graduates from TAS. :(
I guess I will update again later.
Edit: Ya know, no matter how much it sucks to get older, it's always so nice to have that special day where everyone wishes their best for you. I guess that in itself makes birthdays somewhat worth having... :P So hugs to everyone for the sweet messages/Facebook posts/emails/etc!!
Today I woke up to a phone call from my grandparents, singing variations of Happy Birthday to me (another family ritual). Then I met up with my birthday twin, Marky-poo, for our celebration lunch. Zhu pai fan, baby! YUM. La Mien Dian got renovated and looks different... yet similar. I think it's just shinier and a bit brighter inside. Either way, it was great to catch up after a year of not having seen Mark. :) We reminisced on the old days when we were in IBH Psych together with our lefty counterparts: Jamie and Tim! Of course we had to crack up over the silly video (Uranus!) we made for that class, too. Oh, meeting Peter for dinner last night was great too. We scarfed down sushi while catching up on old times and old teachers. I hope it won't be another long year before I see these two guys again!
Damsel in Distress and Merlin. Haha!
After lunch, I had my hair cut at my family's usual salon with my favorite hairdresser. And finally for dinner, my mom, sis and I drove to Ticino's... only to find that it's now temporarily closed!! What's up with that! But it's cool because Tequila Sunrise (another favorite haunt) was right down the street, so we popped by there instead. I'm all content (and full of toxins) now after margaritas, nachos, quesadillas, chimichangas, and deep fried ice cream. :P
All in all, it was a terrific birthday. Fairly low-key, but I'm definitely okay with that. I got to spend a lot of quality time with the people I love, so that's all that matters. :)
And tomorrow I'm off to NYC again... if my mom can pry me off my bed, that is. Wah, I miss home already!! | | |
| The Way of Self-Reliance
- Do not turn your back on the various Ways of this world.
- Do not scheme for physical pleasure.
- Do not intend to rely on anything.
- Consider yourself lightly; consider the world deeply.
- Do not ever think in acquisitive terms.
- Do not regret things about your own personal life.
- Do not envy another's good or evil.
- Do not lament parting on any road whatsoever.
- Do not complain or feel bitterly about yourself or others.
- Have no heart for approaching the path of love.
- Do not have preferences.
- Do not harbor hopes for your own personal home.
- Do not have a liking for delicious food for yourself.
- Do not carry antiques handed down from generation to generation.
- Do not fast so that it affects you physically.
- While it's different with military equipment, do not be fond of material things.
- While on the Way, do not begrudge death.
- Do not be intent on possessing valuables or a fief in old age.
- Respect the gods and Buddhas, but do not depend on them.
- Though you give up your life, do not give up your honor.
- Never depart from the Way of the Martial Arts.
-Shinmen Musashi (1645)
Consider this.
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