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Did Snow White get a "fair" score?
I saw this in the theatre only because a friend was joking about to see bad it is, but to my surprise, I actually really enjoyed Gal and Rachel's acting. There are some scenes perhaps could be better written and better developed, but other than that, it's not a bad family film. Unfortunately, it's a piece of work that's caught between the woke era and the now era, the politics, and I guess the actress just happened to take on the most hit. I really don't think it's a bad movie, certainly not the way the critics are making it to be. Art can be never truly divorced from politics, I suppose.
The Soundtrack of Change Comes Again
This song was from 2020, when the pandemic changed everything. Back then, the world stood still as I finished the last semester of grad school, and then suddenly caught in a whirlwind. Now once more, we find ourselves in a time of transformation, with the future rushes toward us faster than we can grasp.
The familiar rhythms of life disrupted, but could the lessons from the past of adaptation and growth, help with navigating the unknown? I still remember the promises I made to myself and others, shaped by ambition and a touch of idealism. And it seems fate with its own sense of humor in how things unfolds, has guided me in the last four years toward fulfilling those promises after all.
Happy New Year!
New Year Resolutions...too many... one is to host a concert in 2025 : )
Nov 30, 2024
Really would love to see the film "Wicked" soon. I still remember seeing the musical in the front seat in college.
I asked ChatGPT to write a poem with the same title as the film's main song, Defying Gravity...and here it is:
~ Defying Gravity ~
I once stood still, afraid to begin,
Fearing what lay beyond the edge within.
But a whisper called,
That beyond the fear, new dreams would meet.
I watched the world from a distance,
Each step forward felt heavy, uncertain,
A quiet voice urging me to pull back the curtain.
But deep inside, there is a yearning to fly,
To break free from the weight of questions that tie.
I've hesitated long enough to see,
The future is too vast to stay locked inside me.
So here, at the edge, I choose to believe,
That letting go is the only way to achieve.
No more calculating and ruminating,
No more waiting for the perfect break.
I close my eyes and take a leap,
Trusting that faith will guide me to a place,
Where walls come down and past pains fade,
Where new dreams will bloom,
Unlimited and free...
Birthday month...so far feels : )
Election month...so far feels : (
Aug 24, 2024
I would never have imagined that inspirations to life can come at such unexpected moments, in a remote class. It is intriguing how life's chapters unfold, and it keeps you on your toes. A leap of faith took me to this moment, and keeping me on my toes of where that inspired thought could take me next.
October, 2024
A poem written lately for a class:
自以为已洞悉那世间的黑白,
及那微妙的灰色交织，
如今才觉，那灰，
尽是深邃如夜阴霾的遮羞布。
而当它已是日常的旋律，
轻松言谈的余韵，
是否应质疑，
那眼前斑斓的奇彩，
是否掩藏着，
一层无形无底的阴影？
May 15, 2024
It feels like everything is falling into place, as if there's some grand plan orchestrating it all. A fortune teller once predicted this might happen, and it's fascinating how it's almost as if you think you know how you'll react and could write a novel about it, but in truth, you don't fully grasp your emotions until the moment arrives, often surprising you. Of course, one never truly knows what to expect, and nothing is ever quite as it seems.
Reflecting on my journey since 2020, I've experienced significant growth, with triumphs often accompanied by tears, but each moment has been worth it. Now as I navigate more twists and turns, I find myself placing what could be the last piece of the puzzle in my professional journey, before potentially manifesting the ultimate masterpiece. Yet, I realize that even when I reach this milestone, I may not fully comprehend my emotions. Perhaps that's the beauty of it all - the uncertainty, the anticipation and the perpetual pursuit of the dream; and that's all we sometimes can do, to cherish the journey along the way.
Movie Night Mar 10, 2024
The Oscars is on tonight. I cannot wait to see how many awards Barbie or Oppenheimer will or will not win. I just saw the music video of a cover of Britney's classic Baby One More Time, used in the Kungfu Panda 4 movie. OMG, ROFL.
Closures Feb 2, 2024
Today marks the final day of my team's closure training for accounts, and we've completed 100% of it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if personal closures worked the same way? Surprisingly, even at 70% or 80%, closures are oddly satisfying. Recently I unexpectedly discovered something that completely altered the narrative and perspective of events that happened when I was twenty-one. Certain revelations showed the truth was much better than imagined. Nevertheless, it is much harder to bury the feelings for all those times, than the fiction that produced them in the first place. I suppose some dramas are better suited for the silver screen than real life. This recent closure, despite not reaching 100%, at least finally manifested. It's a great feeling that something that could have almost led me to postpone my studies then, has now become an experience with valuable takeaways.
During my customary annual Christmas gathering with friends, as we exchanged good wishes while breaking off a sheet of cracker, I reflected upon the realization that some wishes may not have been conveyed as flawlessly as I desired. But then again, I must admit I am not sure what exactly would a perfect wish would sound like?
In a book I received during my undergrad years by two dear friends, it explores the dynamic nature of societal standards and trends. It highlights the perpetual evolution of what is deemed fashionable or perfect across different decades. One day bell bottom, next day skinny jeans..for instance. What really struck me about the stories author mentioned is that the energy spent on most of the keeping up with trends and what is perceived to be success and perfection, do not quite justify whatever success of approval that come out of it.
I do think most people can pick up instinctually when someone is lacking authenticity. Producers were telling Taylor Swift country music was just for 35 year old folks and no one was going to buy her music. Yet largely due to her authenticity to her passion she achieved an unprecedented success. Even our head of state, occasionally grapple with speech issues, did not seem to let such imperfection prevent him from becoming most powerful person on the planet. Miley Cyrus, unabashedly indifferent to public opinion, is so relatable that you forget she’s a celebrity sometimes. This relatability and authenticity fosters lasting connections, in contrast to fleeting admiration based on superficial moments.
Recalling a pivotal business negotiation conducted over the phone with a client I never met, had I rehearsed my approach and lines, I would had probably failed. It was when I was confronted with a major computer glitch and still unfamiliar with all the rules of the deal at the time. I was probably a little too blunt when I somehow just told this client to why not buy the entire collection. At one point the client laughed and asked whether I had ever handled the online bidding before. Yet somehow, the unpolished approach, ultimately secured the largest deal for that year and was a major triumph for me.
With that being said, as it's time to savor breakfast I shall leave this blog slightly less edited than I normally do. ^_*
***https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCofb-qQxKc&pp=ygUKdGhpcyB3aXNoIA%3D%3D***
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the journey it has been, culminating in the most exquisite Xmas gift received on Taylor Swift’s B-day!
My professional trajectory has seen much growth since March working in the city. During a group conversation last night, it struck me how a nuanced expansion in describing a place seemed to make a world of difference. I remember how I made subtle adjustment in formatting resume bullet points a while back, which is a seemingly minor endeavor that, in retrospect, might have been the catalyst for landing the current opportunity, The intricacies of causality, much like the eloquence of a few additional words, works in mysterious ways. ^_*
Embracing Imperfection Oct 6, 2023
In the quest for success, many of us have been conditioned to believe that perfectionism is the golden ticket. We meticulously polish every detail, striving for flawlessness in our endeavors. However, does perfectionism always lead to the optimal desired outcome, or could the pursuit of perfection can sometimes be our own undoing?
Consider the meteor - a brilliant, fleeting phenomenon that streaks across the sky. Opportunities, much like meteors, can be transient. They come and go, often without warning, and it's in these moments that we are faced with a choice: do we seize the opportunity, flaws and all, or do we wait for the perfect moment that may never arrive?
Reflecting on my own journey, I've noticed a curious pattern. The most significant business deals, the ones that have shaped the trajectory of a career, arrived when I least expected them. They materialized in moments when they were approached with an air of nonchalance. Conversations with friends unveiled a shared experience. We all found that when we weren't consumed by the weight of a project or the expectations of a client, we were more attuned to the nuances and subtleties of the situation. It's as if the absence of perfectionism allowed us to see beyond the surface, tapping into a wellspring of creativity and instinct that would have otherwise remained dormant.
Could it be that when we tether ourselves too tightly to a predetermined path, we risk missing out on the myriad possibilities that lie just beyond our field of vision?
To be clear, this is not to say we should abandon diligence or abandon all pursuit of excellence. It's an acknowledgment that sometimes, the pursuit of perfection can be a veil that obscures the true essence of opportunity. Perhaps one should embrace imperfection as a companion on a journey, a faithful guide that reminds us to be present, to be adaptable, and to be open to the unexpected. For in doing so, we may find that the meteoric opportunities that grace our lives are not hindered by our imperfections, but rather, they are illuminated by them.
"Day 1" Sept 21 2023
Recently, from training a profound concept breathed new life into my mindset: the "Day 1 mentality." It's about greeting each day with an open mind about its changes and new solutions that might just happened overnight. To truly stay on top of world trends and local situations, one must be imbued with curiosity, agility, commitment to experimentation, and bravery to fail. This philosophy extends far beyond the confines of the boardroom, permeating into our personal lives, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
Consider the transformative power this mentality wields over our perceptions of friendships, love, life, and careers. Take, for instance, my neighbor, a former luminary of a prestigious Wall Street investment bank. She decided to pivot her life trajectory, taking a role at a sports gaming company in pursuit of a simpler, more fulfilling existence.
I guess a key to adapting to changes required by this mentality, is actually not just ability, but resilience - a trait epitomized by the indomitable Taylor Swift. It's not that most people are bereft of strength or capability; often, it's the the weight of their past experiences that tether them to a place of stagnation. My mentor, in her wisdom, used to say "I'm just going to forget the past,” and she took concrete steps by literally discarding items that served as painful reminders. Yet, this merely underscored the indelible marks it had left. Perhaps the true secret lies not in forgetting but in re-examining the past through a fresh, refined lens. Only then can we genuinely nurture growth and embark upon the exhilarating journey of new beginnings — an intrinsic component of the recipe for success. It isn't about adopting a frigid disposition; it's about embracing the past with a discerning eye and keeping it in its rightful place, neither overstating nor understating its significance.
"You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say. That way, you'll never have to fear an unanticipated blow."
~ The Alchemist