Food for thought.

I started reading Jennifer 8 Lee's The Fortune Cookie Chronicles today, and something the author said really made me think.

'Charitably, you could describe me as "passionate" about Chinese food. Passions seem lively and motivating, while obsessions sound dark and vaguely deviant. But the line between passion and obsession is a wobbly one.'

She went on to talk about how obsessions pick and control us more than we pick and control them. That had me thinking of the time I almost backed out of a much-anticipated Lawry's lunch with the girls as I was - I admit - obsessed with completing one of my first freelance food articles.

The realisation was startlingly clear. I was, once upon a time, driven by adrenaline and hair-tearing, overzealous passion. I was, once upon a time, obsessed with work. It's a rousing and somewhat scary thought. Thankfully, that obsession has, over time, dulled into a slow-burning passion. You would rarely find me in the office after 6.30pm these days, unless it's production crunch-time. And it's become a lot easier to fix up appointments and dinner dates with me as compared to the start of my career, when I would leave office to go home and write.

And you know what? I'm feeling so much better now that I'm not all strung up. I guess it does help to have a wholly successful boss who would, once in awhile, remind me that 'work is not everything'.

Balance. This could be one of my buzzwords for 2011. :)

Reflecting, sorta.

It wouldn't be quite right to say that 2010 has come and gone without a trace, for it has left quite a trail in its wake. The past year has at times passed by painfully slowly; at others it has whizzed by so quickly my attempts to slow it down are rendered futile. Perhaps it would be fair to say that 2010 was a year of both losses and celebrations - I lost my brother, but I also celebrated my freedom and went on to bag what I think is one of the most awesome jobs in Singapore.

I've lost the yen to self-reflect, break down and scrutinise every aspect in my life. While it is always good to give what you've done or about to do some serious thought, I've realised it is more important to just... live. And that's what I've been doing I guess. There's plenty more I want to see, do, experience, taste (haha), feel and accomplish, and there's a sense of wonder at how 2011 will bring with it more chances to do just that.

So 2010, according to the Chinese zodiac, may not have been such a good year for Tigers like myself. It's indeed been a bumpy ride, and since the Chinese zodiac says that this year's gonna be better... I say bring it on!

Eight days late but better late than never...

Happy 2011 everybody!

I rang in the new year while grocery shopping in a 24-hour supermarket. It was so emblematic of my life and I really wouldn't have it any other way. :)