Friday, December 21, 2007

Pursuit of Happiness?

You know, the common mistake that we all make, we un-intentionally/intentionally or consciously/unconsciously, thinking that we could find and build happiness through the search and found of romance, career, material, relationships whatever it is that's your cup of happy tea. This is a big big NO NO.

I have been reading books. A lot of answers came to me and the passages and the scripts and the messages seem to be the reflections of what life I had lived for the past 10 years. Still lost in the depth among all these intricate emotions, asking which's real, which's reality? At least I have come to a clear sense that, nothing is ever to be built upon my life but MY LIFE itself. I had built my life based on the things that I thought I could find and retain happiness, the things that I mentioned above, and no surprise that they have all failed. If you are reading this, let me take a bet that you perhaps, at sometimes some point in your life are feeling like this.

Like I mention earlier, I have failed to live life and find happiness because as I was doing just that I was actually living my life BASE on something/someone, which will forever turn out to be not big enough for life itself. The BASE/BASES are just not big enough. Hence when these bases tumble, you collapse with them.

How do I live life base on life itself? This is yet to be done. In hope I wait to create something better. One thing I tell you for sure my friend, in order to take that first step, you've gotta take those bases of yours out of your equation to happiness. Now don't get me wrong here, I am not asking you to shave and be a nun/monk. You can have all those but they shouldn't be your living water.

I see no need now to shakespear someone who is a literature idiot. Same thing in romance, your work, the people around you. Ha, I have already stopped being nice. Do you ever have this feeling of having to put on masks in front of the most intimate person to you in your life? Sucks, doesn't it? Example, you are damn sian and had just had the worst day but then your loved one ask you to drive to the food center in the neighborhood to buy the mee jian kueh and only the mee jian kueh from that particular stall because the mom wants to eat.
3 outcomes -
No.1 You would willingly and happily and fast fast go because you want to impress both. Reason being you are just in love, and you have plenty to burn
No. 2 You would go but reluctantly, leaving the house mumbling to yourself aying something like "all the troubles...." Slightly impatient but then returned home feeling okay. Reason being, love started to wear out because now plenty of realities have sunk in
No. 3 You would directly say no. or you would drag yourself to go out and complete the task but then thinking to yourself that perhaps you need to get out of either the house or the relationship

Whew, my wake up call was in 2007, like hell it was! A huge lesson learned but I paid the price of my youth. Thanks to that though, I realized the only lovable person in this world is myself. Yeah, the only one that's worth loving is yourself indeed, my friend, but, you already know this, don't you?

So, you think you know me?

Thursday, November 29, 2007

School's out!

Officially came to the end of the semester. Feel like as if I have just graduated. Relieved.

Nice holidays ahead. Really looking forward to this new phase. Cool bananas!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Graditute

It's been a year since I walked out of this... I don't even have a word to describe it... it's like a huge grey cloud of cotton that suffocates... I couldn't remember much of it, how and when it got so out of hand. I just remember the time when I knew I had to hold myself together despite this nerve wrecking heart breaking pain. I just remember biting my teeth and wake up in the mornings to fake that I was okay.

The times were dark, as if, I was being left behind alone deep in the ocean, absolutely lost and not knowing when was the rescue before my tank of oxygen eventually ran out. All I could hear was my own breathing. Everything else just seemed liveless. I was just merely breathing. Breathing with uncertainties, fear, anxious and frustration. Not sure if I was going to survive this. In such circumstance, there was really no other way to die. Either way it's a slow and painful death.

God's fair. He made it extremely hard for me to die so that I would choose to live. He knows me better than anyone else. He was working with me in order to revive this being. He sent 2 angels and he talked to me. Well, he's always been talking to me, but this time, I finally heard him. He let me experienced moments of grace.

395 days had passed. He's equipped me well I know. As if there was a nice thick cushion always behind me if I fall, I could just fall fearlessly as I know I would land nowhere else but here. That is the sort of courage I am living with now.

Ah.. that song by F4. It might not be the fairy tale ending, but it's a good ending. It made me realize the pontentials that dwell in me, my amazingly high threshold of pain. That, most importantly of all it's about the free will that God has gifted us. We make choices, there are only 2 outcomes, wise choice or stupid choice, one way or another.

My 2 angels, Sing Ya and Wailing. Thanks bud and mate!

Thurs/partly cloudy/possibly late storm/top 29 C

OHhh.. it's coming to the end of term. I am finishing up my last class tomorrow. Somehow feel relieved that it's going to be over. Funny feelings. I don't know, I can never really tell who's being truthful. People just live their lives wearing/rotating different masks everyday. How bitter. Like, you never truely know if you are talking to the true and real or the animated masks. Feel pretty turned off by it, it's just pure pollutions!

It's the global warming, Spring becomes shorter and it's just approaching end of November, climate is rather warm and getting warmer. Another prediction of hot and no-much rain Summer.

You don't really hear jingle bells in southern atmosphere, I don't reckon Santa would want to visit here as Summer in Australia is known for its harmful UV and scorching sun. Not unless Santa really really likes BBQ, then he can join the locals to BBQ up a storm here. Now if you want my advice, lose that red cotton suit, have a shave, put on Billabong and Bob's your uncle mate! Oh, those reindeers... don't bring 'em or it's a sure bet that they would end up on the barbie.

The only thing I like about this season is that it's cherry season! Absolutely love 'em. A drive up to the local orchard, pick-ya-own cherries. Woooo.... can't beat that. Hopefully there are some big ripe juicy ones next week! Mangoes are so cheap. A box of 10 huge ones for just 12 dollars! I have a feeling that mangoes are oversupplied this season.

I am a little excited about my holidays yeah! Taiwan, gonna take lots lots of pictures and eat lots lots of taiwanese delicacies!

Friday, November 9, 2007

Transition

Right now, I AM going through a major transition, which is to ultimately transform Me/Meself.

Questions seemed to be acknowledged and answered. I am yet to digest them all, one by one, word by word, piece by piece. I am aware of the transitions within. Suddenly became conscious about this being. Never seemed to be so certain about the signals that I am picking up.

I have yet to witness what is to become. I am aware of this though, it is a major one. This Self, this Being is ready to trans-form, spiritually, mentally and physically.

I thank my mentor, God for this. I used to fear Him/Her and then He/She seemed so distantly; now I love Him/Her in the most primitive and natural way and now He/She is just right here, like He/She has always been here and will ever be here.

It feels complicated, yet it is the simplest. The simplest is yet the hardest.

I have lived unconsciously for 28 years. It feels good to come around. With most graditude, I am thankful that this is happening now, just 2 weeks before my 29th birthday. This is perhaps the only and the biggest gift I have truely given myself. No, I am not re-born (that would be in worldly term). I, simply just choose to be and be-come, conscious.

I have never really looked forward to any birthday of mine. I am and will be looking forward to every birthday that I have from now on. To celebrate Myself, indeed.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

My Time














Finally found time and accomplished these beauties! It felt good to find time for myself to do the things that have always sorta knocked on your head and went "hello? When are you ever?".

It's really just about getting the tools out and sit my ass down and really start working on it!

These were my 1st attempt on Fruit and Vegetable carvings. Well, I have to say, I am truly quite, talented. Yeah, got the flair for it. Geeze am I thrilled! Okay, then again, must be humble. Hm.....

These are for you, who reads this. Also thank you God for this gift, it hasn't gone unnoticed afterall. Enjoy.

C.O.C.O.N.U.T


These buns are what I call "Snail Bun", they are coconut buns. Named snail bun because of the swirl it has, like a snail's shell. I made them in my kitchen in Melbourne. These bring back the memories of my childhood in Sibu, Sarawak. Hm... the taste, not exactly the same as in the memories, but still good. Somethings in life you can sorta replicate, mimic or reproduce, but somehow it's never the same again.




Sunday, October 7, 2007

The Wait

The wait seems longer than the new roll of trussing strings sitting on the shelf. An old saying goes "Taking a break and rest is for the further journey down the road". Well, at least that's some comforts to know.

Awaiting can be so impatient. It's like sitting there and watch the sand in the hour glass slipping through the tiny gap just to get to the other end. Forget about that you are awaiting for something, someone, whatever it is, there are. The only way to melow the pain of this long process is to forget about the process - Forget the wait that you are waiting!

I realize I had spent too much time waiting. Waiting for someone to come along, waiting for her to get back to me, waiting for her to get over her ex, waiting for the bus/MRT, waiting in the line to pay bill, to get lotto ticket, waiting for her to walk out of that sliding-door of the arrival hall, waiting to see her again when I was so much in love, waiting for the call back, waiting for email reply, waiting waiting waiting because things just don't happen overnight, do they?

How many of us are waiting for our dream/dreams to come true? Well, stop the wait and start creating! Start creating and then doing! I prayed and waited, guess what? nothing, absolutely nothing. When I prayed and acted, you bet! something, big thing, absolutely amazing.

Keep yourself as busy and as occupied as you would want on the outside but, be at peace on the inside for the Lord resides in you. So SHhhhhh.... be quiet because you will not be able to hear his voice with too much background noises going on.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

sketches

Thank you Jea. Can we get a fat fish dancing? hm... hip hop maybe















Tuesday, September 18, 2007

That 1st step

Well, taking that 1st step is always not so easy I suppose. I ain't cruising yet.

Long and painful process to some but that's the way it is, especially dealing with the government personals, complying to all the relevant laws and regulations, paperworks, phone calls etc. I wish I could afford a personal assistant right now. I get dizzy, maybe I should be a little forgiving to 1st timer like myself hmm.

I had a location in mind (city of whitehorse). Gave the local council a call this morning but they disapproved my business model. So now it's either I change my business model and still stand a chance to get the location that I want or I turn to somewhere else.

I don't know. Must pray for this.

Meanwhile my mind is working hard on this.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Professional profile

Well, I was just sitting in front of my PC preparing my teaching notes for Term 4 and I just thought why don't I start a blog for Dancing Fishhh! ? I mean that's really not my style. I have always been quite low profile with my life and the things that I do. However, with this I have got to put it on the stage for the world or at least for those who knows me, who likes or dislikes me to see it.

Aight, this is what I think: You have got to live a life that is real, that is out there, not just hidden. Well, I cannot put my whole life on the stage (I don't believe anyone could/would as we always have a dark secret somewhere inside us even with the saintest), but I have chosen to present this bit of it to you. And if nothing has been true and real so far, this bit of it will be. And it's because of you! my friends, and I will all see it and hopefully you will feel it with me.

Someone once told me I was a drama queen. Well, maybe. I mean, life is dramatic, you talk about being through thick and thin, ups and downs, isn't life just full of dramas? We put up show everyday for ourselves, for others, sometimes we play the roles that we love, sometimes we have to take on the roles that others want us to play.

Okay cut the crap, here's little about the maker of "Dancing Fishhh"

Highest Education: Bachelor degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management (OSU)

Life and career journeys:
Worked in Mcdonald when I was 15 in Sibu and had influenced me greatly on my perspective on F&B industry.

I started working in dorm's eatery while studying in OSU (20 yrs old) making pizzas (from convenient products ie. frozen doughs). Then I was doing my practical study in a local Italian Restaurant as a kitchen hand and pizza maker (woodoven and fresh pizza dough, learnt to spin my first pizza dough there).

Realizing the gift for the flair for food, after graduating from college, I went to Singapore (21/22 yrs old) to experience another phase of my life. Got a job with local F&B company (Crystal Jade), worked in the headquater in Bencoolen as a cost controller (what a noble title for the most boring job on earth). Of course I didn't last there for long. Few months later, applied for a job in a french semi-fine dining restaurant in Tanjong Pagar, worked under 3-stars Michelin Chef as a Garde Manger. It was an eye opener, got me tougher. Left the job after a few months. Packed and went to Australia.

With my academic background, I still had to start from scratch. It's life because Aussies didn't think US qualification = AUS qualification. So, a sandwich-hand I worked as, in a business school in St. Kilda. I used this opportunity to learn and adapt to aussie cultures (people and food). I had worked casual here and there just to make enough living. It was tough, but I managed. Oh yeah, sure did meet a few B&B (bitches and bastards) that gave me hard times (you know.. discrimination and all that cruelty). Thanks to them, made me tougher person today.

Eventually I took a full-time job in Clarion Hotel on Canterbury as a Commis Chef, the pay was a joke, but I accepted it anyways as I have always known and believed that you have got to start somewhere to get somewhere. I did exactly just that because I knew it wasn't my time yet. Learnt and seen a lot from that place, some beautiful, some ugly, but both had spiced up this soup of life.

Then at the age of 25, I took up a job offer from The Australian Club (a prestige gentlemen club in CBD) as a chef-de-partie. My dream came true, I had an opportunity to design my own menu. I was overseeing The President Dining Room on the 2nd floor of the club under the supervision of Kitchen Director cum Executive Chef Baden Thomas (thank you for the opportunity) and I had got my hands on banquets etc. During my time in the club, I had the opportunity to cook and provide my service to some of the most influencial people in Victoria, the Government General, Supreme Court Judges, Prince of Wale, Prince Andrew and his mate Prince Nicolas (Greece) dined in The President Dining Room once and the rich and famous (well maybe not so famous as I hardly recall their titles and names, but they are definitely rich!)

Then I left this job and went to Singapore to help opening this new cafe concept that was owned by the 3 fashion designers (The Project Shop). The location of this high-end cafe is the now developed Dempsey Road (used to be the old army camp). Taking the role as a Senior Sous Chef, I worked with this head chef, a bloke from Queensland (which turned out to be a complete idiot and irritant). There were quite a few dramas going on here and there the time I was working there but again what didn't destroy me made me stronger. From debris and woods to become one of the most- talk-about restaurant in Singapore, I was kind of glad I was part of the making. Finally I had enough craps from the people and the head chef, I tendered my resignation (just a couple of month short of a year) and packed and came back to Melbourne.

That's it. My temporary end of my chefing career. You have got to believe me when I say throughout these chefing years, I had seen enough stupidities and you bet I had worked with the most doggy chefs/cooks (I feel relutant to even title them this) on earth. It's just mentally draining.

I sort of changed my career path last year (2006). I teach now, I teach VET - Commercial Cookery and Hospitality Operation. Better hours better pay, the only thing is perhaps sometimes I have to put up with some immaturity of some students, but I get better in handling that every single term. Next term will be my last term teaching.

Coming new year, 2008, there will be Dancing Fishhh! Because this is my time to shine and that's the whole reason why you are reading this blog. You! my friends, are going to witness the making of my life, Dancing Fishhh!

The journey begins

I have been brainstorming about ideas, thoughts of how to do this thing. It's something that I have been visualizing since I was 17.

Now, who would have put down in the year book in the ambition column that says : acquire McDonald, yep, the fast food chain. This was back in 1996.

Another thing that I wrote down in the year about my "wish" as travelling around the world. Well that, I am half way there, having set foot in the United State of America and lived there for almost 5 years, I have travelled most of the continent flying or doing road trips. I also remember living in Adelaide for a year though the memories were vague. I have also worked in Singapore on and off for couple of years. So finally I am calling Melbourne, Australia home. Oh, where did I originally come from? I was born and raised in Sibu, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Anyways, in order to carry on with the "wish", now I have to first achieve this other ambition of mine, an old friend of mine that's been raging about coming out to the world since 1996.

The time is right now, at the age of 28.

The making of "Dancing Fishhh!", the journey begins.