Who Wrote Those?

Dear Readers

Dropping you a short note to clarify certain posts that you have seen or may see in the future. Sometimes, I do accept tasks and reviews to be posted on my blog. They can be reviews or simply a blog post to be parked on my blog. Unfortunately, due to the requirements from the provider, some of the posts look like it's written by me even though it's 100% a guest's post. So, don't be shocked if you see something that's suddenly so out-of-nowhere and wondering what's happening to me. That's probably, not mine :p But I gotta do it. It supports me in donating to a few charitable organizations :) One elephant and one rhino and possible to support another girl somewhere in other parts of the world. Will write more about them if I have the chance.

Hope you don't mind the occasional "visits" from others.

Thanks for still staying tune to my humble blog. :)

How Was "THE" French Class? - L'atelier des vins et de la gastronomie française

So ... she asked.
"Any feedback?"
"What do you think of the class?"
"Anything we can add and change?"

*Silence*

Seriously, I don't know how to answer those questions in French. Compared to most of my classmates, I am not only the youngest but the poorest with French vocabularies ever. Most of them either speak fluent French or have at least taken French course for minimum of 5 years. Me ... not even 2 years and even DARED to take a break for 1+ years. -__-"

I could understand 60-70% of the words but to respond to them, that's another realm.

"L'atelier des vins et de la gastronomie française" means French wines and food workshop. I registered myself to the class simply because there's the word WINE in it! I was even willing to pay a premium for it.

You think I'm a miser, right? Sometimes I am .... I brought my voucher to the counter and the aunty said,"you cannot use this voucher for this class ler ..." Then I replied,"Oh! Issit?" (Thinking for a few seconds and ...) "Ok lah ... I want this class.", I decided. The rest is history.

First day of the class was so intimidating! "WTF!" I was shouting so loud in my mind. Not only I was the youngest, littlest and lousiest with my speaking French! Most of them know their terroir, food, wines, Michelin chefs, map of France, .... I know RIEN (nothing)! Some can even recite the experience they have had with the Louis Vuitton of desserts, restaurants, etc .... I stared in amazement accompanied with my fit flop and chewing gum.

That was exactly 7 weeks ago :) Nothing changes, of course. I am still the youngest, smallest, and lousiest with my speaking French. I love Hokkien when combined with French and I still love to wear my FitFlops despite how horrendous the fashionista may think.

However, the invisible networks of friendships have evolved. One decision that I made 7 weeks ago has opened me up to a beautiful perspective towards world that I will never imagine I will be a witness of. Edith Piaf will say,"Je ne regrette rien (I regret nothing)."

What a wonderful classmates I have! To name a few:

• A perfectionist baker
• A happy and resourceful chef
• The "nose"
• The rescuer of the furry ones
• The one who shields us all
• The wine expert
  
• The "enlightened" Frenchie
  

"What do you think of the class?"
I think, it's fantastic.

Not because of the syllabus, the materials. But the passion of the teacher and fellow students. The moments they have weaved together through sharing their stories. And ultimately, the stories they will tell when they are asked by others.

"What do you think of the class?"
I think the class is like life. You may pay an expensive price for something that you don't even know what to expect. You went in with an open mind and open heart. You have no calculative ROI (Return of Investment). And you get out with an everlasting experience. It is something that words can't decipher and money can't really comprehend.

Ultimately, I am thankful for the experience. I am thankful for the kind souls I have encountered that I will be in touch dearly (provided they feed me with food, desserts and wines!). I learn so much from all of you that I would want to learn more. I have been fortunate and honoured to be at the presence of all of you. Hope these friendships, intertwined with the love of food, wines and desserts, will form a beautiful chapters in our lives.

Merci beaucoup, tout le monde! :)


PS. Photos of all the wines have been chosen because I respect the privacy of my classmates and let them be eternalized by these bottles always! HAHA (*what a crap I am writing, man*!)

The Manipulative Golden Goose and Its Price

Imagine.

You are a farmer. Goose farmer to be exact.
In total you have 25 geese. Some lay more eggs than the other.
Following the 80/20 Pareto principle, only the top 5 geese produce 80% of the eggs that in turn can buy you more stuff. Then, out of the top 5 geese, apply 80/20 rule again, you have 1 special goose. Her presence may make or break your farm to as much as 20-30% of your overall egg production. That's quite significant, isn't it?

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect. It comes with a price.

• The golden goose can't get along with other geese unless she gave birth to those geese. Which eventually they will also suffer in silence but enjoying the "perks" along the way till they can't stand it anymore.
  
• The golden goose will kill off any other geese that she deems incapable.
• The golden goose has a very sensitive nature that you have to watch out for your words as she may break down and cry and traumatize not only other geese, but you, the owner of the geese.
• The golden goose is power crazy and a control freak. When you don't give her enough attention, she will "HONK HONK HONK" and scare the shit out of you.
• The golden goose is manipulative to everyone. Everything is a war zone to her.
  
• The golden goose is a very insecure and paranoid being. She keeps thinking others geese may want to eat her up. (Though in actual fact, other geese are too busy with their own food)
• The golden goose will plot her way to get rid of any beings that come in between her and the farmers even though it's just a farm dog.
  

There you go. You have a pretty well to do farm. However, life is not always pleasant in there. Dealing with the maniac golden goose sometimes may take a toll on your brain cell. But life still needs to go on. In the world of the survival of the fittest, you do what it takes to make sure your eggs production will continue to grow. You know the battle is half won with your golden goose by your side.

However, one day, the golden goose felt tired from all the hallucinations that seemed real. She called it quit. You were horrified. You fed her 55% more and you even enthroned her as queen goose. She was happy. For a while. Until she realized her reign is limited. She wants more. She demands other geese to bow down to her. Call her queen everyday. Is she satisfied now? Nope. There's still the farm dog who has nothing to do with the eggs production but still the dog is closer to the farmers. The golden goose is plotting her way to get rid of the dog. That's her next goal in life.

You take a step back from your owner's hat and look at the whole situation. Do you really own the golden goose? Or she owns you?

If you are the farmer, what would you do? Will you cut the goose loose? If $ is your goal, this goose is a keeper. No matter how much unrest and turmoil it may cause towards other geese. You don't really care. In the end, the money in the pocket speaks louder than the tranquility of your farm.

In the end, it depends on yourself. If you are new to such farm, under such farmers, will you be playing the game or stand aside and slowly lose your presence? If you do play the game, will you fight back, stay away or wait till a better farm comes along and hop on. The choice is in your hand.

Life sometimes does throw you shit. (Pardon my "french", can't help it!) And it's up to you how to deal with it. In the end, your life, your moves. No matter how many advisors are there to back you up, the final call is on your hand. Life is magnanimous though, if you make the wrong move. The most, pick a new farm and farmer and play a different set of game. Who knows you learn so much that you are able to be the enlightened golden goose instead.

Image courtesy of http://forum.c-rpg.net/index.php?topic=33.0

The Gift That Gives to the Givers

Two weeks ago, my friend whom I knew from one of the earlier French class I attended, invited a group of us for her 10th year anniversary. In my life, I have only heard of such event in movies but never really participated in any. I almost went to a panic mode when a dress code was announced, my wardrobe looks more suitable for going to the market than any of such big event. No wonder I never really like to go to wedding. The dress code scares me!

But she's a very special friend of mine. I call her "ma tante" (means my aunty in French). She doesn't look like any typical aunty though she may shop like one but she looks like a "hot" momma! In our group of 10 ladies who love French things (and some - like me - took it to the extreme by carrying piece of Eiffel everywhere), ma tante has always been the mother figure to everyone. She's selfless and being the Type A personality, always makes sure things are well thought and planned for.

So, when such monumental event was being announced, I seriously wonder deeply what gift would be appropriate? Clueless, really. Not to mention, she has warned a lot of times, not to give her anything as she doesn't need anything in life. Just be there and enjoy the moment. But how can that be possible!

I thought, what else could be better than to find a gift that gives more. So I asked her, will it be okay if I donate to a charity of her choice. She was very supportive to the idea and asked me to check out www.ForJuliana.org, the fiance of one of the most touching story on American Idol 2011 contestant, Chris Medina. If you haven't heard about him, please do. Check out the following videos:
- American Idol audition
- His single "What Are Words"

In short, Chris and Juliana were supposed to get married but a tragic car accident wrecked their dreams away just 2 months prior to the wedding. However, he chose to stay by her side and mentioned these few precious words that has become the inspiration of his single - “What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most.”

Once hearing my plan, the rest of Les Frenchies girls were on board with me and together we donated through Laurus Foundation and everyone was delighted. Secretly though, I was not that satisfied. Ma tante deserves more than this, I thought. So, I bombarded the email of the Executive Director of the Foundation, Chris Medina's FB and Chris Medina's official website. When you ask, you do receive.

The morning of the event, I received the most wonderful email from Juliana's mom - Janet, who told me that Chris thought it would be more personal to handwrite a letter to ma tante. Thanks to my friend's office printer too, we managed to pull things through and the result is as seen below.


As much as one may see it is a touching and thoughtful gift. But to me personally, the whole experience, has given me the most meaning. Sure, the destination was worth it :) but the journey to get there, the kind souls who have taken the extra miles in making sure ma tante was surprised = Priceless.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following kind souls with the equal order of importance and significance:

• Jim Dolan, the Executive Director of Laurus Foundation - Thanks for passing the message to Chris. I hope your foundation will be able to reach the goal to help Juliana.
• Janet, Juliana's mom - Thanks for taking the time to write to me and making sure it pulls through not only in time but in such a beautiful manner. Wish Juliana a steady recovery. With so much love and prayers from all over the world, it is just about the timing, Juliana will be okay again :)
• Chris Medina - Thanks for taking the time to send us the handwritten letter. You are indeed a rare soul who chose to stand by your partner in times of need. Your story will be an inspiration to many people. Wish you all the best in your singing career.
• Ma tante - For being such a loving figure. Your selflessness is something that is so rare that not only your family is lucky to have you but we are so privileged to have known you.
  
• M.Y. - For taking the risk to go back to her office to get the letter printed.
  
• Les Frenchies - For supporting me in this idea and put Singapore on the map in supporting Juliana :) You girls are DIAMONDS! (They love their blings too much ...)
  
• The Emcee of the night - For the beautiful suggestion and convincing me to read it out to ma tante as if Chris was there reading it to her. Though I need lots of drinks before that, but it was a once in a lifetime moment and it was an honour.
• Oprah - *WHAT* Haha ... well, so that I'm able to say these words. "So this is how Oprah feels." Through her shows, the most meaningful moment was when people were touched not by the material things but by gifts with thoughts and meaning. This is truly an A-HA moment for me.
  
• Unseen forces of life - For giving me the instinct and inspiration to something that is so meaningful. For bringing me to the people that can make all these happen.
• My readers - Thank you for still reading up to this point. :) Your silent attention has been one of the driving force for me to stay creative in all areas of my life.
  

I have learned through this experience that the true gift in life is not only the joy we see in the eyes of the recipients but also the fulfilling effect to the giver. Giving is the gift that gives to the givers. Hope you will be compelled to give in whatever ways you choose to.

If you would like to support Juliana Recovery Fund, you may do so with the widget at the end of this post. Thank you so much for your time and attention.