The Year of 22

Picture found on: observando.net

"Don’t wish me happiness. I don’t expect to be happy all the time… It’s gotten beyond that somehow. Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humour. I will need them all." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Today I officially turn 22 years of age. A decent amount of time to be spent on this Earth, but painfully embarrassing to admit that I haven't accumulated an amount of knowledge over the years to show for it. Today wasn't particularly noteworthy, unfortunately. My mum and I went shopping, however I didn't end up buying anything (shock!); Lunch at a Chinese restaurant wasn't as good as I expected; and I spent the afternoon reviewing my exam notes(!). Pitiful behaviour, I admit. But I digress. I didn't particularly organise anything for celebrations, but having exams tends to limit the kinds of festivities one can throw during this period. However, I did have time to reflect on how my life could be better spent on letting go of unwanted memories and relationships. So I have compiled some short thoughts on what has enlightened me this year.

1. Take risks. The courageous are successful for a reason.
2. Save up and travel more. It truly broadens the mind.
3. Money worked for is valuable than money given for free (although it doesn't hurt...). 
4. Letting go is harder than people on TV/books/quotes make it out to be. 
5. Yoga is the new black... leggings. 
6. Change is good. Change is important.
7. Leaving things to fate is frightening, but excitement doesn't come to those who plan meticulously. 
8. Defeat isn't always the most cheer-inducing event one can go through, but it's not the worst. 
9. The best way to appreciate something is to be without it for awhile. 
10. One can't start the next chapter of life if one keeps re-reading the last. 
11. Food is comforting. And dangerous if taken carelessly. Use with caution. 
12. Sad thoughts can creep up at unsuspecting moments. Don't fight it. It'll pass.
13. Music is the cure to most things. The rest can be taken care by chocolate. 
14. Reading literary fiction does wonders to our soul. 
15. People can never be anything but themselves. Don't expect too much.
16. Hard work is always rewarded... even if takes more time than expected to be recognised. 
17. Comparing one's life to another is like comparing apples to oranges. I must keep in mind that I didn't have the same opportunities as those I envy.
18. The ability to understand one another is a skill worth cultivating.  
19. Like attracts like. 
20. Happiness is unattainable if one continues to search for it in the wrong places. 
21. Life's a bitch, and then you kick its ass. 
22. Re-evaluating it starts here.

Time For High Tea

Source of picture: onelittlewhitecloud

This bitterly cold Sunday afternoon, saw me decked head to toe in an over-sized white coat, black stockings, brown boots and a cream-coloured scarf. The main question going through my mind... dressing for comfort or style? Luckily, I encompassed both into my wardrobe equation, shivered my way outside and onto the streets of Fremantle. But satorialist expeditions aside, a group of 5 girls enjoying mini sandwiches, cake and various herbal teas is one of the most satisfying things I have come across - otherwise known as 'high tea'.

I made sure I paced my eating habits at lunch so as to have room to devour as much as $18 worth of food would let me. Surprisingly, I ended up having a whole plate/tray to myself because we were one person short to share the delicacies all evenly. I need to stress that I did not plan that. I just happened to end up with a 3 tiered stand... and contrary to popular belief, I did not eat all of it. I became too full.

Scones, jam, whipped cream (my favourite), cucumber sandwiches and creme brulee. How quintessentially... British. Haha. Throw in a good book and I could see myself having high tea everyday in a cute cafe in London.

Here's hoping...

A Toast To All That Is Great

Source of picture: Anna And Molly

It's the father's 80th birthday today. Happy Birthday, Dad! I'm just glad he lived another year to see Justin Beiber get egged by a passer by. He enjoyed his hearty lunch at a Chinese restaurant (somehow not a fan of European cooking) and blew out his "80" candle on a Coffee Pecan Torte. Mum and I were going to get him 80 individual candles but figured it would take at least an hour for us to find that many sticks and another hour for him to blow it all out.

I'm now waiting for him to pull me aside and give me another life lesson through his "Sabrina, I want to talk to you about something..." approach. I dread these conversations. Usually they result in me tearing up at the realisation that he won't be around for much longer. I avoid having these particular discussions as much as I can but it seems unavoidable as long as I'm living at home and am unemployed.

But truth be told, I learnt more about him and myself in the time I was in Singapore than I had known throughout my life. Going out for dinner every night with him for a month, we were able to have intimate discussions and find out what I was going to do with my life. I hated the content of those talks but somehow, I loved him more for it. In that case, maybe all of our conversations weren't that bad. They made me focus on who I wanted to become and how to become that person by the way I lived my life.

So here's to dad for being fit, active (mentally and physically), wise, cynical, talkative and loving. I hope to see you for your 81st.