Continuation...

So to keep me from playing anymore Bejeweled for the evening... already a quick tangent: stupid brother brings out the "oh-look-it's-a-game-and-there's-a-high-score-table-and-my-name's-not-on-it-so-now-I-have-to-play-it" in me EVERYTIME we're together. So in spite of the fact that I am in a foreign country and therefore should be doing what may be considered... foreign things, I am in fact, sitting on the floor of his flat, on the laptop, playing my 1,000th game of Bejeweled. At least I was, and now I've decided to write a bit, but I'm not sure what's going to come out because it's 12:45 in the morning after a not-too-eventful day.

A recap: Lunch was Dim Sum - delightfully-plated and delicious - at the Conrad Hotel with my First Uncle, Auntie, Cousin and Cousin-in-Law. This was followed by a visit to the Peranakan Museum and a long trek to and through the major shopping plazas on Orchard Road. Subsequently amazed by Singaporean architectural ingenuity. They have been and are somehow able to construct massive shopping blocks and underground thruways without disrupting the daily flow of traffic and access to neighboring plazas. Incidentally, I came face to face with most of Singaporeans in the new Ion center... insane number of shoppers and lookers. Highlight of this little window-shopping trip? A new bakery called BreadSociety... cute little shop with French tunes playing overhead, aside from the unmistakable smell of freshly baked bread, I was drawn by the bakers in action, with one in particular that I thought was the head-chef, who was Japanese and looked up and flashed a quick and friendly smile in my direction when he saw me watching him with fascination as his deft fingers worked the dough. It was amazing to see each and every little baked good hand-worked to such a degree, there were seven bakers working in a tiny station, but while working at a brisk pace, they all seemed happy and relaxed. I had one lovely creation - a light bread with stuffed smoked chicken topped with melted cheese... mmmm....


Back to the original intention of this blog, to continue patting myself on the back on my why I should be proud of myself list:

10. I will not settle for less than what I deserve.

To expound: Because dammit I offer nothing less in return. With anything and anyone that I truly care about, I will do nothing half-assed.

Bonus material: A snippet to Frances at age 18 to early 20's: Relatively alone, having moved south from San Fran to LA. Looked up what it meant to be self-actualized, wanted to be that. Often sidetracked by ill-advised romantic pursuits which subsequently failed miserably, but from an individual growth standpoint, undeterred in becoming a well-rounded and likable person. I noted my strengths and weaknesses, what I wanted, what I wanted to work on. I wanted and still want to be the best version of myself in all situations and with all people, but while that's unlikely because I tend to bend (not over backwards) to accommodate who I'm with, I'm looking for people (and THE person) that when around them, I find that I AM the best version of myself. I want to be challenged. I want to be inspired. I want... a list of things that'll make up its own blog at another time, haha.

And this takes us to...

#11: I am eternally optimistic.