Saturday, July 23, 2011

Rejection And Criticism

Rejection sucks, ya' know? But it's a part of life.
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This week just wasn't a good week for me.

I thought long and hard about what to blog about while maintaining the generally optimistic stance practiced in this blog, but I just really can't do it. I have to be candid and admit that there were moments this week where I just think that I'm a failure.

Of course, not everything was bad, only certain things. But there is a weird power about negative things to negate whatever positive experiences that happened around the same time (hence the name negate-ive?).

Well since it is a policy of this blog not to put down anybody in real life, I shall not mention everything candidly. However, what I can say is from my own point of view, that is two things that I experienced this week.

Firstly, I experienced rejection. I always thought that all rejection had a reason that can be fixed, i.e either one party must be right and the other wrong, and whenever people rejected me I always try to find the blame in myself first and apologize for that, while admittedly killing a lot of ego in the process, to fix it. Generally I hate problems; I want them to go away as soon as they come, but life isn't like that sometimes, and I can't control how people feel, or whether they like me or hate me. I had to learn the hard way. Why is it that whenever sparks are alighted, I find myself kowtowing and apologizing most of the time - while not always being the party at fault? Do I always have to please the other party?

I now have to come to terms with the fact that for valid reasons or not, there's bound to be a few people out there that just don't like me. Enough said. I give up trying to please these folks already, you know - whatever they want to think about me, let'em, just focus on doing the right thing. So haters, thank you for maturing me, even though I don't like the way you do it, sometimes we have to learn our lessons.

Ah, criticism - just feels like everyone's pointing at you.
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Then, I also was criticized, more than once. This should be natural, right? Well, if you know me you ought to know that I struggle with taking criticism well, especially 'huge' criticism. Either I lash back or keep my distance from the critic, thinking that that person will definitely reject me. (BTW, this isn't related to the stuff that happened in point 1 above, they were separate incidents). However, this time I know that I am at fault - I let my feelings influence my work and didn't set my priorities right, and as a result they are undone, and I got sounded more than once for this lack of discipline in various areas this week. I know they are right but I have to admit that I really hate how it feels to be put under the scrutiny of critics.

However, like they said, I do have a serious lack of discipline in doing stuff, and I need to do what has to be done even though I don't feel like it - and I can't forever get away with being behind on tasks just because I can do them well (when I actually do them), i.e talent. So critics, thank you for waking me up.

Listening to music, sleeping it over, engaging in time-wasters, and procrastinating cannot help me run away from the stresses of life forever . A girl's gotta do what she's gotta do.

Images taken from here and here.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Form 6 So Far

Reflecting on the past, present and future...
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Mid-July is approaching, and sixers all over Malaysia have around three months or so left to prepare for 'the' exam - STPM. And as this time is approaching, different students have different reactions towards studies and form 6 life in general.

Well, there was a sharing session in class today.

There were some who felt happy that they have improved in time on certain or all subjects, and were optimistic for further improvements.

There were others who candidly admitted that they took it easy and slacked in their studies until recently. However, these others also expressed earnest desire to buck up and improve from now on.

There were some whose daily lives are tied up with many commitments, in school, at home or elsewhere. Even with less time in their hands compared to others, I salute them for having the drive to do their very best.

STPM is no walk in the park. However, wow, what a journey!
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As for me? Well, I have to admit that even though my results were considerably good this term, I knew that I was not running on all my cylinders. Whenever I look at a pile of work to be done, I just let it go and prefer to socialize behind a computer screen, to make up for the seeming lack of it in face-to-face communication at school (not an excuse for me to not study though!)

My grandmother's seeming nagging is valid: hearing 'poi padi' (Tamil for 'go and study') every time I'm in front of the computer. "Haven't you any homework or revision to do?" Well I do, but I put Internet time in front of my homework because I had perceived it as more important to prove to myself and those around me that I do have a 'life', being a social late bloomer that is desperately trying to catch up.

But I'm thinking twice. Is it really what matters? I've not been counting my blessings. My friends actually don't think that I'm shy and reserved anymore. So why am I kidding myself and setting unrealistic goals? Such a small matter. The popularity bug must have been bugging me again. (Shoo!)

As of now I ought to, like my friends, buck up and earn my way up to a 4-flat.

Now, if you don't mind me, I'm going to poi padi...

Yeah, be like this little one here. For a brighter future :)
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Images taken from (not in order): (1), (2), (3)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

A Little on...Feeling Pretty

Note to readers: I'm attempting to keep my blog post word count below 350 words. Less headache for me, saving reading time for you. Wish me all the best in that, haha :D

Looking good...
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Everybody wants to beautiful (or macho, if you're a dude). Right? ;)

Some people communicate this love for beauty more obviously - by spending the effort (and cash) needed to beautify themselves. There are also people on the other extreme - aren't too concerned with appearance, just something comfy will do.

Some people have the confidence that they're beautiful, and are not afraid to flaunt it. Those who rather stay away from the spotlight are pleased with looking pleasantly presentable.

Maybe you are somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.

Personally I like being paid attention - not all the time though, at other times I do prefer to blend in since always being in the center of attention = kinda weird. However, when it comes to dress and appearance, I love designs that stand out (think bold patterns and bling), as well as be rather fussy about the stuff I'm in.


Statement tees! Uh well, if I dared to wear any of these, only the first one on the left is still somewhat workable...
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And yeah, I do like to model (call me perasan if you want, but right now I keep that part of me low-profile though). If I had a nice gown, killer heels, extra doses of confidence and less pimples, I would have joined the Pesona Anggun beauty pageant in my school. Who knows? I may even waltz away with the trophy :)

As of right now, I embrace that part of my personality that has confidence in my appearance. However, moderation is key and I'm still working on a healthy self image - not too proud, not too low in self-esteem either, and getting rid of those pimples - and get fit! Speaking of that, I'm proud to announce that I've lost a kilo since I've started my exercise routine (you can read about how that all started here), and I am another 4 kilos away from my ideal weight. One month and going... :D

How about you? How do you live out beauty?

Images taken from here and here.