Saturday, December 23, 2006

burning question answered

Ran into the attorney that I had a huge crush on. He was with his dog...and his financee. There you go, taken. Upon hearing this story, my friend J said that I was lucky that I didn't do anyting. Yes, lucky indeed.

Life goes on.

Somewhat satisfied that I get to know every answer on my own terms. Have a feeling that the job situation is about to change...we'll see...

Friday, December 22, 2006

chasing men

Many of my friends don't understand why I chase after men who are not always eager to be my partner.

I don't pursue men to make them mine. In fact, I "pursue" women more than I do men. When I meet someone who can make me take notice, I want to get to know that person b/c they might be able to add to my life.

With women, it's easy; they become new girlfriends.

With men, it's a little harder. I've had a lot of men pass through my life because I didn't know how to just be their friends first and foremost. Some of the connections faded b/c neither party sees a romantic future.

Now I know better. For now, I am not suppose to have that one great love, that'll happen in due time. In this new phase of my life, it's all about enjoying people, especially all the amazing men in my life...

choices

For the first time in my life, I canceled a social event for work. I made plans with a friend for a special guided tour of a current museum exhibit at 5. After being out of the office all day, I found out about a conference call at 530. Usually I skip the calls if they conflict, but it felt important to be on that call.

It was not a rewarding choice. Not much came out of the call, and afterwards, as I was trying to give my two managers more input, it just didn't seem to matter.

Still, I am glad I experienced something people do everyday, give up their personal committment for work.

One thing that is great about my current job, it tests my values almost everyday. I am always myself, but I see clearly how that self belongs somewhere else. I belong in a place where being myself is the most valuable thing to that organization. I have that right now, in my personal life, so I am grateful.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

relax

Watched a bit of Zoolander on TV last night, and the scene with the song Relax was funny. At the same time, that song feels like the perfect theme song for my life today.

It's been a while since I have been so relaxed. After a wonderful vacation and a visit to my masseuse, I am better than ever. Have a sports injury slowly healing, but I am no longer bogged down by the little things.

Why is that?

Perhaps I am finally able to let go of work. I recognized that work is not going to be the core of my identity right now. Yes I enjoys working, but I also value my life outside of work. Striking that balance was hard b/c I was measuring myself by the monetary and power status of those around me. Tough to view work objectively when I pressure myself to be something bigger than myself.

Right now, I just want to savor what I have in my life.

This holiday season, it's been a blessing to do so little. I have so little responsibilities right now. Even the idea of looking for a serious relationship seems ridiculous. I was mistaken. Just when I think I am ready for a significant other, the idea of just enjoying lots of men is still appealing. Why work at a relationship when I can have these loose ties?

It's a new stage in life, and I no longer call the shots. Yet I continue to gravitate toward the risks. Let's see what this next stage is all about.

Friday, December 15, 2006

all in stride

It's the holidays. I love how I don't have to shop for anyone; my family doesn't exchange gifts.

Definitely a time to reflect. There are so many things on my to-do list. Time to invest some resources on those things: Spanish, swimming, better health and most importantly, spirituality.

More and more, I see how all my deepest wishes have come true because I always kept an open mind as to what should be the final outcome.

We are not suppose to have the answers. By posing a sincere question, the universe answers in its own way.

For instance, in my community relations work, there is an artist to whom I wish to send a holiday card. She is a successful artist, one who manages to sell enough art work to sustain herself and her family. For some reason, I just couldn't find her physical address.

She had invited me to one of her recent shows, but it's almost an hour drive away. As luck would have it, the gallery is near my parents' home, so I was able to view the show during one of my visits home. Just in time as the show closes this week.

As part of the introductory material, this artist had include her business card with her physical address on it! I was able to write her a nice note that very afternoon.

Life is full of these small wonders. A book that speaks to this wonder is When God Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life. I am not religious, but this book describes exactly my belief that there is something greater than ourselves.

The key about spirituality is the power it gives us. I have complete faith in myself, and that is significant considering that I wasn't always so sure of myself. When I care about someone else, that is the same power that I hope to bestow onto them. To know that whatever happens, I will be all right is pure joy.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

cause and effect

Blogging has changed me in a fundamental way. The habit of just freely speak my mind has infiltrated every aspect of my life. It used to be that I share my life with just a few select people and have many peripheral friends. Now that I have been writing freely for nearly a year online and for the last 20 years via a journal, I am truly myself all the time.

The one positive externality of open self expression is that I can see everything so clearly and adapt accordingly. For instance, today during yet another long mediation session, I was able to see how everyone else's complete absorption in the litigation created so much unnecessary stress. The mediator told us that he woke up at 5 in the morning thinking about the case!

I just cannot get stressed out about work any more. Like the dating, it's just another natural cycle of life that will come and go.

Of course, the best part to the mediation session is flirting with the attractive environmental attorney. It's fun to have a crush on someone. The crush will too pass, but it certainly has been a delicious rush interacting with him.

Psyched that I beat out jet lag completely from the trip. The trick is to not sleep or sleep very little the night or two nights before and use the travel time to sleep to the time of the destination. That and fueling with healthy diet throughout the trip and after arrival!

the best vacation ever

I came back from a week-long vacation, and it was what I needed.

Being relaxed completely was so nice. Mostly, I spent time with family, ate, slept and read. Most importantly, my soul got a break to rediscover what is truly important to me.

So silly that I have been caught up by work and my emotional responses to work that I forgot that my life has never been just about work. Taiwan has a Lemmings culture, where everyone has similar outlook. That similarity reminded me that I was trying to emulate a lot of workaholics I know.

I have never been one to follow the norm. It's okay to have my own rules about work and play. I'll probably not be rich because of my insistence on having fun, but I will continue to be happy.

This was also a trip to focus on financial goals. Need to start to think about how to finance my dream to take a year off and live in South America in the next five years!!

Monday, December 04, 2006

being different

This past weekend, I went snowboarding with some friends, mostly guys. It was a blast.

One reason why I am so comfortable being around men is that men tend to embrace each other's differences. Many men get a kick out of being outrageous around their closest friends.

Unfortunatley, the same cannot be said for all women. In fact, I have worked harder on my female friendships b/c when I find that special woman who can let me be me, I court her. I put more effort into my female friendships b/c it is rare for me to find those few who appreciate my refusal to conform.

This year, I have definitely come into my own, with the help of all my friends. With such a wide range of friends, I finally figured out who I am. Although continuing to grow at a rapid pace and unable to stay still, I like this place that I am in right now. I do whatever I want, and I do it on my terms.

True, I cannot control a lot of things and people in my life, but I have absolute control over my mind and my actions. There is an incredible freedom in being able to follow my gut every step of the way and just know what to do in every situation.

This past weekend, snowboarding on runs that I couldn't even imagine just a year ago was such a high. Last year, in order to make it to the blacks, I took two days off work and lived in Tahoe all by myself for 2 nights. Taking private lessons in the middle of the week was what got me to master snowboarding. I am still not true black yet, but this is the season that I want to be good enough to travel the world and snowboard at resorts outside of Tahoe.

What's your dream? Dare to be different, but step up to the challenge and make those dreams your reality.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

small victories

Last night, I swam more than I ever did - eight laps of freestyle!

Due to an accident at my first swimming lesson, I hate putting my face in the water. So whenever I was in the pool, it was with a lifesaver or backstroke.

After watching Riding Giants, a surfing movie, two years ago, I knew that I will one day want to learn to surf. Well, got to swim first.

Even living at great places with pools, I never could go for more than 2 laps. It's just so traumatizing.

Well, with a friend's encouragement and her great pool, I finally did it! It was a break through for me. Today, I have been on cloud nine. Who knew that it took something so small to change my whole outlook? Cannot wait to go to Hawaii and learn to surf next!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

the art of rejection

I have been polling my friends about how to reject men romantically. The one drawback about going on lots of dates with people is that there are rejections, on both sides. Almost everyone says to be direct, but I tried that and just don't think it's me.

I've been rejected enough times to know that it's not fun being on the receiving end of one of _those_ speech. One cannot be nice about it.

What's easier is to allow people to see for themselves why the relationship would never work. I am always my crazy self, so more often than not, men know exactly why they wouldn't want to be involved with me long term...

Besides, it cannot be easy to date someone who is just not quite ready to settle down just yet...

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

candlestick stadium plan

Watch it at
http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=10
11/21 Board of Supervisors Hearing Item #31

Or read about it
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/22/BAGM1MI1FR1.DTL

warm and fuzzy feeling

I don't much like surprises. I read movie reviews before I watch them, and I don't go to restaurants without a recommendation.

Last night, my date and I went to a restaurant on a whim. What a pleasant surprise! It was one of the best meals ever; the food and the service were excellent. Who knew this little place in a strip mall would have that rare combination of great food and causal atmosphere?

It was a simple yet magical night. It's surprising to meet someone so different from me yet so similar. Most men I meet expect something from me, either my time or my company or what I can do for them. I once lived to please other people. Not any more, so even though I meet plenty of great guys, no one has been quite right. Conversely, when I expected too much at times, the dating experiences have turned sour.

So, it's a new beginning. I don't know what's going to happen, but I've learned to be patient and let life unfolds. For now, I am very, very happy...

Monday, November 20, 2006

different priorities

Had another 12-hour work day. Didn't even make it to the office. Was at an expert witness' office and then in mediation session all day.

We were so close, but still no settlement. I got mad and blew up just a bit at all the attorneys at the end of the day.

Still, it was a great day. I confirmed a date for tomorrow night, and one of the attorneys on our team and I were flirting with each other. This is the same guy that I had a crush on a while back when we hired him for another project. He is on board for this lawsuit to help with the technical aspects of the settlement.

This attorney, our litigation attorney and me were stuck at the mediator's office for 8 hours! Glad I got to have some fun while there. It was so close b/c we had a settlement agreement almost all ready to go, but then the other side came back with a completely new term sheet and wouldn't give us an extension on some motions due tomorrow. Our litigation attorney went back to the office to work tonight...

Even though I had previously believed that this environmental attorney had an SO, it was clear that he is single and looking. Now I am even more motivated to find a new job, so I can date him. Even though there are no rules against attorneys dating their clients, I would rather be a non-client before becoming a romantic prospect.

Anyways, looking forward to tomorrow. Definitely excited about the date with yet another prospect...

Friday, November 17, 2006

social cues

I own a ring that only fits on my ring fingers on either hand. Given that I wear another ring from my mother on the right hand most of the time, I decided to wear the ring on the left Wednesday.

Today, while wrapping up a phone call with a colleague whom I met with on Wednesday, he asked about it. Oh no, I responded, it was just for fun.

Lately, I have been thinking about social cues. The ring is an obvious example, but there are many subtle signs of how people identify themselves.

Fashion is a prime example. I can always tell whether a woman is older...by the shape of her pants. Very few woman under 35 will wear tapper pants. We are the generation of boot-cut/flare pants. Another tell-tale-sign is purse length. During the 90s, purse straps became shorter in length, so when I see a woman carrying a long purse (the kind that dangles by her hips), I think 40+.

Another sign I have been looking at is eyebrows. My girlfriends fall into two camps, those who shape their eyebrows, and those who maintain their au natural shapes... It's not a big deal, but it does change the way a person's face look.

In the end, it doesn't matter what people look like or how they choose to spend their money on grooming, but I just find it an easy way for people to tell me something about themselves.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

celebrity

Today, I heard Jack Foster Jr. speak. The Foster family built Foster City from what was called Brewer's Island strating in 1958.
http://www.fostercity.org/community_info/Introduction-to-the-History-of-Foster-City.cfm

I always thought Foster City as a very-well planned community. Every home had water view and the engineering prevented flooding and liquefaction. I was in awe to listen to the story from the man who was there from the very beginning.

Besides his involvement in a iconic project, Mr. Foster also gained my respect when he said that we must address the housing crisis in California. He pointed out that the real estate market can crash because of 1. too much housing feeding to the economy or 2. the economy restricting b/c workers cannot afford to live here. Right now, we are heading down path number 2, with option number 1 receiving no support from the existing residents and policy makers.

I got into the real estate development business because I want to build affordable housing. Here in the Bay Area, that mission is just to build housing period. I love it here, but I will leave the Bay Area if it means that the people here are not going to support the development that is necessary to increase diversity.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

right here, right now

I don't know why there is so much desire for people to be young again. I had a great childhood and have been happy in my younger years, but life has always gotten better for me.

For each person, every stage of life brings a particular set of circumstances and events. The trick to live in the moment is to enjoy that unique set of facts.

I don't want to be anything else but me right now. I don't want to be living in another period of my life but right now.

I feel so lucky because there is no where I rather be than in my life at this particular moment. I love all the good fortunes, but I also embrace all the surprises. There is no good or bad outcome, there are only the facts of my day.

Monday, November 13, 2006

life is like this

I invited 3 people to dinner tonight about a week ago. It was all very up in the air. Of course, as luck would have it, all three people canceled. I am so used to these ups and downs. Started to invite some people last-minute, still no takers. Guess I'll be eating some yummy lunch tomorrow!

Just like the fall on Saturday (that bruise looks so nasty!), life goes on. I firmly believe if I don't dwell on life's ups and downs, I can get so much more done in a day.

Now, time to start planning for the snow season!!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

sincere thanks

You were there for me.

You listened and let me rant without judging.

You repeated my words, so I can hear myself.

You pointed out my flaws without hurting my feelings (too much).

You led me to the truth without embarassing me.

Your patience and care brought me much support and joy.

To all the girlfriends who listened and gave me the dose of reality I needed this weekend: thank you for being there.

wall flowers

It was sad to talk to a woman in her mid-20s while taking a dance break and found out that her friends and her drove all the way from San Jose to San Francisco tonight to club. There they were, sitting pretty, in a row, and all looking quite miserable.

At first, my friend and I encouraged them to join us on the dance floor. Then, it occurred to me that they just don't know how to have fun.

Sometime during the night, I fell and had a bruised knee, but I was able to keep dancing. This would not be the first time I fell, and it would not be the last. Still, I moved on and didn't give it too much thought. After all, the moment of the fall was long over, and I wanted to focus on the next moment, which was all about dancing up a storm.

As always, I had a great time. I hope the wall flowers will one day figure out that it's all about what is in the mind and soul and not perception.

no diva

I want to dance with somebody, somebody who loves me....
I want to dance with somebody, somebody who loves meeeee....

NOT.