Quote of the day II: from The Office

“Now you may look around and see 2 groups here. White collar and blue collar, but I don’t see it that way. You know why not? Because I am collar-blind.”
- Michael Scott.

Season 2, Episode 15.

Things to do these holidays

1. Get my hair cut-

It’s getting ridiculously long. My hair actually gets knots now. I’d forgotten what it feels like to not be able to run a brush straight through my hair without it coming to an abrupt stop at a knot ball. Yes, it’s a hard-knot life.

2. Get my drivers license-

Preferably tomorrow.

3. Buy a song writing journal and write songs

4. Read-

‘Twilight’ by Stephanie Meyer (Christine Pan’s recommendation)

Buy a new John Grisham book (and read it)

Finish ‘The Confident Woman’ for Lisa Hong’s Book Club

‘An Unstoppable Force’ By Erwin Raphael McManus

5. Practice piano & guitar

6. Catch up with friends

7. Study

8. Do a puzzle with Christianne when she comes back

Not guilty, hungry

“Why do you do what you do. Why do you come to church? Why do you pray? Why do you read your bible? What motivates you? What causes you to do what you do? … I don’t plan on spending another day feeling guilty if I didn’t read my bible… do you know what I feel? Hungry. Hungry, like I missed a meal.“

- Pastor Brian Dolleman

Virtual suggestion box

I am intrigued by this concept:

“Hey, would you like to make a suggestion?”
With that simple question and an enormous white Suggestion Box, Illegal Art canvassed the five boroughs of New York City, collecting suggestions from passersby of every stripe—the young, the old, the filthy rich, the homeless, the mouthy, and the shy. Some people held the Suggestion Box prisoner while they wrote suggestion after suggestion. Others ignored The Box, but then came scrambling back with a sudden idea. With over 300 handwritten suggestions straight from the streets of NYC, Suggestion is by turns hilarious, cryptic, inflammatory, and heartwarming. It’s also a testament to the public’s innermost desire—whether it’s free beer, free day care, or free pumpkin pie every Thursday

By “Illegal Art” - Michael McDevitt, Otis Kriegel

How ingenious is that! SO, I’ve decided to plagiarise that idea and do a virtual suggestion box right here, right now. “Uncool”, you may say. Alas, perhaps it is. But we’ll see who’s uncool when there’s like 5 billion suggestions commented. Soon my friend, very soon.

SO, if you’d like to make a suggestion about ANYTHING at all, please comment and put your name as “anonymous” or disguise your name in some other creative form of your choice.

Google me

The courtship cloak

“Courtship Jacket” designed by Christopher Eves

This cracked me up when I saw it. I have nothing more to say but HAHAHA…

I wonder if it works…

Stand up, wake up

Apparently the most effective alarm clocks are those which force you to physically get up to turn them off. The Carpet Alarm Clock does exactly that - to turn it off, you have to get up and step on it. It comes complete with an LCD screen to show the time too. “If you really want to make it a challenge, place it far away from your bed”.  I reckon you could even put it on the ceiling  to make you jump up and turn it off, and hence squeeze in some exercise too.

From L to P on June twenty-three

I’ve finally booked for my driving test - Monday 23rd June 1:55pm - a day before my family leaves for Hong Kong. I better get it or else I will not be a happy honkie…

Quote of the day: from The Office

“Money isn’t everything Jim, it’s not the key to happiness… do you know what is? Joy”.
- Michael Scott.

Season 1, Episode 4.

“Beauty and the geek” jeans

Please don’t get me a pair of these.

Not so jean-ius designer: Erik De Nijs

New spoon

I love it how people think up the most simple yet brilliant things just by tweaking the norm. Check out this spoon by Korean designer Nojae Park. Is every Korean’s surname ‘Park’? Sheesh

What the hibberdy-jibberdies?

I am lost for words. I can’t believe it. I really don’t understand. I can’t even… what the… really?

Ok, I’ll rewind and clarify myself for you.

About a month ago I sat my (dreaded) Company Accounting exam. It was on a Saturday morning. The thing about Saturday morning exams is the night before there’s always church. And during church there’s always mixed feelings of “I’m glad to be at church…. but it’s going to be an ALLL nighter”.

Anyway, for this Company Accounting exam, I felt like for the first time I’d tried my hardest in the sense that I did everything I needed to do - I went to every tute, every lecture and did all the practice questions required to prep for the exam. So, on the Friday night (before the exam on Saturday) I felt as ready as ever. Just ask Rosie & Lisa Hong & people of the like - I told them this that night. I was quite confident that I’d be a-ok.

Long story short - it was the first exam I’ve ever cried in. I started the exam and I don’t know what came over me. I had all this nervous energy and my mind went blank. It happens to me a lot though - when I’m put under pressure, my mind tends to go blank and I can’t think. I mean, I’m fine when a question isn’t directly asked to me. If I have something to say then I’m fine to say it. It’s just when I’m put under pressure. This even happens in life group during discussion when I’m put on the spot-

“So, what do you think about this Li?”

“…Um… Jesus…?” I would reply -Because we all know, He’s the answer to everything!

Actually I’ve never said that. But that would be funny.

But yes, this happened in the exam. There were 2 parts to the 1.25hr exam- 40 MCQs & 1 essay question. I had to read the questions literally 5+ times each to understand what I needed to answer. Time was running low and so I decided to leave the MCQs and move on to the essay question. I ended up running out of time for that too. I had to just finish off with dot-points of what I was going to write. I had written about 1/2 of what I planned to write (if not less). I even wrote I small note of desperation at the end (a tip learnt from the best in the business - Jay Suede) that said something like, “I’m really really sorry. I ran out of time. I really tried. I’m sorry.”

When we were told, “pens down”, I quickly, frantically, and randomly coloured in the remaining multi-choice questions. The supervisor lady even came and tried to pry the paper away from me - “I SAID, PENS DOWN”. Give me a break lady, sheeesh.

SO yes, I went in the exam all confident and I came out a mess. I ran to the toilets and balled my eyes out (I flushed regularly to minimize the audibility of my wailing). I was really disappointed in myself. I felt that I tried my hardest, but my hardest apparently wasn’t good enough.

At life group the next day, I shared about this. And Powerhouse One can probably tell you that yes I was quite down in the dumps.

I just got my marks back for the written essay side of the exam - the side of the exam that I was most anxious about because I didn’t finish it (whereas with the MCQ at least I could fill in the random circles). Turns out I got a 9/10. A NINE OUT OF TEN. Seriously, how is this possible? I am just speechless. Nothing can explain this except the sheer favour of God. I mean you just logically can’t join the dots.

Time and time again, God blows me away. I don’t think I can ever grasp this unmerited favour stuff. It’s just unlike anything in this world. I have no idea why God is so good to me. Why Lord? I just… wow. It goes to show that ANYTHING is possible with God. Nothing is out of His reach. Amazing, simply amazing!

What a downer

I finished an exam today, then I saw this comic:

Oh yeh, livin’ the good life

I’d rather be robbed…

Vote for me, Jien-Li

I was just going through some old files on an old computer and I came across the speech that got me the position of Hirschfeld House Captain in grade 12.

Its cringe factor is off the scales.

First of all best wishes to Ally, Jana, Chrissie and Bee. I just want to say that I’m not really worried about the outcome of today’s speeches because I know that each of you are more than capable of fulfilling this role of house captain.

Good Afternoon Teachers, Friends… lend me your ears.
My name is Jien-Li and the reason I feel that I would make a great house captain is because I believe I have the looks, and the future of Hirschfeld house looks good.

Now I thought I’d just fill you all in on the pre-historics of my leadership experience. I have previously been a house group vice-captain and house group captain and in primary school I was a part of the student council committee and believe it or not I was even a house captain in my primary school, so really, I think it’s just meant to be.

Now I’ve just come from the drawing board and I’ve got some ideas for Hirschfeld house 2006, and I’m thinking…out with the old, in with the new… I’m thinking…a new tigger mascot costume for the spirit captain, because the old one’s looking a little on the shabby side… I’m thinking…up the anti on house spirit… I’m thinking… breakfasts galore… I’m thinking. So as you can imagine I’ve got big plans for Hirschfeld house next year.

Now I have to be honest, as I was writing this speech I thought to myself, “What would I be like as Hirschfeld house captain of 2006?” And I thought, much like… an M&M…(eat M&M)… really, really, ridiculously good.

[Hand out M&Ms]

Now I’m a firm opposer of bribery, so, this is not bribery at all- this is just me… sharing the love, sharing my vision, my sweet, nutty, crunchy, crispy vision for 2006

So there you have it, I know I would make a great house captain because I believe I’m responsible, honest, kind and organised, I have visions and I’m qualified.

Thank you.

Obviously, the speech of a true leader.

Chandelier washed up from the sand(elier)

Excuse the overwhelmingly lame post title.

At first glance, I thought this was some kind of awesome/abstract painting. But then you see the close up:

But what was even cooler was how the installation came to be:

“The original Tide Chandelier (2004) is part of a larger body of work based on the collection of ‘ man made’ debris washed up on a specific stretch of Kent coastline.” The artist, Stuart Haygarth collected material over many years and the work is still in progress.

Pretty cool, huh.

Tehehehe-shirts

My first Grisham

Just over one week into law and I’m already looking for things to make me feel a little more law-student savvy. Thanks to Borders and their 20% off sale for students and teachers, today I purchased my first John Grisham novel, “The Chamber” (Grisham’s an ex-lawyer, now author synonymous with the modern legal thriller). I’m into the first chapter and so far I’m thinking money well spent.

I’ve forgotten what it feels like to not be able to put a book down. I haven’t read a novel since those compulsory English literature high school days. And I haven’t read a decent novel since I can’t remember (maybe Harry Potter?) . But then again I was never one to read that much.

I think I’ve done more reading in the last one week than I did in the whole of last year. Ok, that’s a slight exaggeration, but it sure feels like it! I guess what they say about law is true.

“The best” dressed

Wouldn’t it be so encouraging to wake up and find all your clothes labeled with the tag “The Best”. Well that’s what this hilarious art project by Tamara Shopsin was trying to achieve.

Your mum’s most expensive silk dress, your dad’s favourite imported/custom made tux, your sisters… face - label them all! That way your loved ones can literally wear your heart on their sleeve.

I will certainly try this one day. To those who I call my friends, watch out!

Product design that blows your mind

Japanese product designer, Yuta Watanabe, is one innovative genius I tell you. Seriously, it’s worth checking out his other designs. It’s incredible how he fuses together two completely unrelated objects like a peg and a pencil.

The only bad thing about QUT…

is that we don’t have milk and cookies delivered to us at 3am in the morning…

But other than that… QUT’s got the rest covered.

Uni week 1

Just finished my first week of uni having just begun Law and continuing my 2nd year of Business. Here’s my brief reflection of week one:

My first tute on Monday was for law. The tutor was an older man with this permanent frown that just makes you want to sing, “Sun’s gonna come out TOO-MORROW, bet-cha bottom dollar that to-MORROWW“- I mean even when he attempts to smile it still looks like he’s down in the dumps. Anyway he seemed like a nice enough guy. But after 2 hours of monotonous ramblings about general admin and law history, my enthusiasm for starting the law degree began to wither. Similar to that of a juicy grape becoming a shriveled sultana. However I continued on with the hope inside me that the sun would, in fact, come out tomorrow.

My second tute was for another law subject. I sat in the tute and analysed my surroundings. Based on material appearance alone, my tutor seemed to look like he knew his stuff. I think it’d be a safe guesstimation to say he’d be pretty high up the corporate/law-porate ladder. He started talking and I was relieved to hear his non-monotonous voice. Then he got up to write his contact details on the board. His email went something along the lines of, “steamtrain62@hotmail.com” - all credibility was lost from then on. Nah, he’s cool, he just REALLY needs a new email address.

The last thing I’ll mention about my week is my AYB220 Company Accounting lecturer. I shall crown him my favourite lecturer. I sat in the lecture laughing on multiple occasions for periods longer than socially accepted. I mean I was still cracking up 5 minutes after everyone else had stopped. The lecturer had photos of places around the world pasted onto random slides throughout the lecture. He told us that for “no extra charge” he was taking us for an “around-the-world tour” and that we should bring our “passports to the next lecture”. He showed us a picture of a River and said, “What’s this a picture of”? We all responded with the Brisbane River. “You’re all correct… Ok, so I’ve given you a sample question and I’ve given you the answer, so I can safely say that that will not be on the mid-semester exam”. He was a cracker. He’s also my tutor next week so I am happy.

Cool cufflinks

My 80s mullet

Look! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Diana Ross! No, it’s Tina Turner!

…Oh… false alarm guys, it’s just Li.

Mirror You

FINALLY finished a song I’ve been working on for about 2 months now. Yes, some closure Thank you Holy Spirit for helping me write this song. All praise and glory be unto You.

Well here it is! Hope you can some how strum along…

---

MIRROR YOU
Lyrics & chords by Jien-Li Tan

Verse 1:
Am C
I see my reflection,
G D
But I don’t want to see what the world sees of me
Am C G
Trapped in mediocrity
D Am C
Consumed by the identity this world demands of me
G D Am
Against my divine plan in its entirety

Pre-Chorus:
Em C G D
I can see, but I’m not taking
Em C G D
I am moved, but never shaken

Chorus:
Am C G
I desire to be a reflection
D
A mirror conception (OR The mirror perfection) of You
Am C
Everything in my heart, Let it be close to You
G D
Part of You
Am
Let Your plans guide my heart
C
Let Your will guide my path
G D
Let everything I do
Am C
Mirror You
G
Mirror You

Verse 2:
Am C
I lift up my eyes to see
G D
All that You have for me
Am C
Restored, renewed
G D Am
By the love I’ve found in You
C G
Are the key to life lived purposefully
D Am
For eternity

[Repeat Pre-Chorus + Chorus]

Bridge:
D Em C G
I am in, but never of this world
D Em C D
What I see will never define me
[pick/pluck this bit] Am C G D
He set me free
Am C G D
He set me free

[Repeat Chorus]

Chef Li: Spanish hot chocolate

Made this Spanish Hot Chocolate this morning. I got the recipe off one of Mum’s Mediterranean cook books.

It’s pretty darn easy and it tastes nice and smooth, but what makes it Spanish? I do no know. I think it might be the type of chocolate they use? But since that special type of chocolate isn’t readily available, as the cook book describes, they suggest using cornflower- which I used.

Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chocolate a la taza OR
- 200g chopped good-quality dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp. Cornflower
- Milk
- Sugar

Here’s how to make the magic happen:
1. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp. cornflower with 2 tbsp. milk to a smooth paste
2. Place 1 L milk and 200g chopped dark chocolate in a saucepan and whisk constantly over low heat until just warm
3. Add 2 tbsp. of the milk to the cornflour paste, then return all the paste to the milk
4. Whisking constantly, cook the mixture until it just begins to boil
5. Remove from the heat, add sugar, to taste, and whisk for another minute. Serves 4-6

Chef Li: Steak burger

For some reason I’ve been in a innovative cooking mood for the past few weeks. I think part of the reason for this unusual mood was because I was on the Atkin’s a couple weeks ago - that diet really makes you appreciate good food. I found when I was on that diet that I didn’t miss lollies, chips and all the bad stuff, but rather I missed being able to have meat and rice, meat and noodles, meat and bread, rather than just meat, meat and meat.

Now I’m not the world’s best cook for sure (I’m pretty sure I’ll never be), but I can at least try!

I got the biggest complement last week from my ultimate food critic, jamie-oliver-wannabe sister, Mae, when I made an improv salad complete with: spinach, feta, pumpkin cubes, Mongolian lamb, sour cream, carrots, sun-dried tomatoes and beetroot. She said it looked like something Jamie Oliver would make, quote unquote. That was one of the nicest ever things she’s said to me, I shall treasure it.

The above are photos I took of my steak burger I made for Friday’s dinner before church - how pro does it look!

It’s unmis-steak-ably the best steak burger I’ve ever made (probably because I’ve never actually made a steak burger on my own before…) 

Here’s what you need:

• White Bap Bread Rolls (60c each at Bakers’ Delight)
• Spinach salad (any lettuce type you want really, I just like the bold spinach colour)
• Cherry tomatoes (Halved)
• Beef steak (Any type you prefer. I used rump)
• Pesto (make your own/be lazy a nd just buy it, like me)
• Cucumber and/or Celery
• Natural Yoghurt
• Beetroot (optional)

One of my new years resolutions is to not buy food so much at uni. Hopefully I can make things like this for lunch instead.

Oma poh-ma

…that’s what I called her anyway.

My dearest Oma passed away on Friday at 8:45pm. I just wanted to write this post to reflect on her beautiful life. I certainly call myself blessed to have been able to personally know and love my grandma for 19 years. I really praise God for my oma. I’m so very thankful for her life being apart of mine.

The type of grandma I had was one that would always make sure my stomach was full. She’d also make sure I’d have food for later as well so that I wouldn’t get hungry later in the day. Whenever I came over her place it was her ritual to welcome me, then open the all the cabinets, cupboards, fridges and freezers and clean out her food holders and ask me, “do you have this”, “do you have that”, “do you want this”, “here, take that”, “why don’t you want this?”, “why don’t you like that? It’s nice! …Loh”. She’s the type of grandma who’s generosity never seemed to end.

When things were rough at home, oma was always there to hug, to wipe away the hair covering my forehead and say everything will be alright. She always seemed to care too much, sometimes to the point where it got annoying- calling the house for no apparent reason. At the time I found it annoying, but this morning Mae and I were looking at our house phone and we just laughed to ourselves remembering the fact that the majority of messages we got on the home phone were from Oma saying in her indonesian accent, “Ehh [pause] Jien-Li [pause] it’s Oma [pause] I want to talk to your daddy [really really long pause]….[hang up]“.

She was my biggest encouragement over the last few weeks on the atkins diet. Every morning when I’d visit her she’d look at me and feel my hips and say, “How much have you lost?…2.5 kg, I can see already! Yes! Already SO skinny”. She was exactly right to my amazement- 2.5kg exactly!

I’ll miss all the times she scratched my back and massaged me while she sang, “Ni-na boh boh” til I fell asleep. I don’t even know what that song means, except that “boh boh” means “sleep”. It’s such a soothing song. I’m going to sing it to my kids when I’m older and they’ll ask what it means and I’ll say, “I don’t know, JUST GO TO SLEEP gosh darn it!”

I’ll remember all the laughable times where I faked being sick (in primary school ok!) and oma would look after me. I’ll remember all the episodes of The Bold and The Beautiful, Passions, Oprah and Neighbours my grandparents and Mae and I habitually watched together (also in primary school…)

I’ll always remember being hand-fed by her even to the end of primary school. She’d use her hand, cupped like a spoon and her thumb would help slide the food off her hand into my mouth (try to visualise).

Speaking of food - I swear, the food in heaven is probably going to be cooked by my Oma. I will definitely miss her cooking - Ayam goreng, Bak Pau, Satay, Kue, Pandang Cake, her apple cake, cream puffs, kue lapis, gado gado, juruk - you name it… then name it again in Indonesian- she make it! She make it goooood.

Since about mid-December 2007 I had this random idea that came out of nowhere- to run to Oma’s house in the morning, eat breakfast there with her, and walk back. I did that everyday for about 2 months. Wow, I just look back at that now and I really praise God that I was able to spend more time with Oma before it was too late. Not that anything drastic happened with my relationship with Oma in that time but it was just spending time with her, even just watching TV and helping her cook. I am so thankful that I got that time before she passed away.

I’ll surely miss my Oma. But I am so SO thankful for the years I’ve had with her. I count it a pure blessing to call that fine woman, my grandma.

Oma, I’ll miss you so much. I’ll miss being able to call you and talk to you whenever I want. I’ll miss you when I walk to your house and you’re not there anymore. I’ll miss you annoyingly calling my house everyday just to see how we’re going. I’ll miss your hug. I’ll miss just driving to your house just to pick up food that we don’t even need. I’ll miss your voice. Oma thank you for everything you’ve taught me. Thank you for the many things you’ve wanted to teach me but I’ve always been too lazy to learn (i.e. cooking). Thank you for showing me how to serve, how to be hospitable, through the way that you lived your life everyday - selflessly. I’ll forever remember this about you - your generosity, your kindness, your wisdom, your unbelievable strength, both physically and mentally. Oma thank you for your never-failing love and support that you’ve always given me. You’ve always made me feel like a princess. You’ve always made me feel loved, accepted and special. I hope to live my life the way that you did. I love you. I’ll see ya in heaven.

I wish I had facial hair

How hilarious. The “world’s bearded elite” annually congregate to celebrate facial hair. Check out: World Beard and Moustache Championships

Here are some of my personal favourites:

Candidate #1: I’ll call him Papa Smurf. I wouldn’t be surprised if his hat was made out of facial hair too.

Man, you have to check out some of the bio information. It’s hilarious how they introduce each of the candidates, for example:

“Gunnar (pictured) burst onto the international beard scene at the 2006 European Championships in Amberg, Germany, where he took third in the full beard natural category, traditionally the most competitive… Gunnar is a peacelover and also a Master of Science in Computer Engineering. He lives in the woods near Gothenburg with his woman and his daughter”.

Yes, Gunnar lives in the woods… with his woman.

Candidate #2: “The Hair Pretzel”

Candidate #3: I don’t even have a name for this one it is so hilariously ridiculous.

Notice that he also has a toy sheep peek-a-booing out of his waist coat pocket. What a tasteful touch.

If I had a really long beard I’d side-part it and plaster it with gel on both sides of my face so it’d be a comb over for my chin. A chin over. Come and get me boys.

However if I never grow a beard, this would be good enough for me:

I’m with the band…

I saw this on the Paul Frank website and I just laughed at the fact that one of the kids appears to know how to tune an electric guitar…

Also, I reckon all the girls should wear that shirt that Lisa Hong wants to get- “I’m with the band”… because… they are with the band…

I want a Monster Hoodie

Asia’s Next Top Model - For Kids

Teh hee hee look at this asian kid model. Look how hardcore she is (especially in the first two).

This is a bit of a random post. I saw this is in fashion designer - Phillip Lim’s website and I laughed (in a “haha how cute, yet sad” kinda way, not in a discriminatory way), so I thought I’d share it. Take a look at the link for more.

Bubo Dessert

I’m adding this to my list of places I would eventually love to travel to or things I would love to eventually try: dessert & pastries from Bubo in Barcelona, Spain

Have a look at the “individuales” (in the website link) - Oh, OH my stomach.

It makes Freestyle Tout look like rotten fruit… ha ha good one Li

I am so going to do this

How awesome is this Human Calendar! One day, I’m going to do this.
Apparently the 27th guy looks like someone from church… perhaps Tim Pan.. (maybe not the really happy face, but the hair has a slight resemblance?)

My Love Language

Score	Love Language
7	Words of Affirmation
11	Quality Time
2	Receiving of Gifts
7	Acts of Service
3	Physical Touch

In conclusion, don’t buy me anything and don’t touch me  

Pretty clever

Seven days without prayer makes one weak

 Get it?  

The lateral thinking question I made up myself

A person picks up a bottle and the bottle is cold. When the person takes a drink from the bottle it’s burning hot. How is this possible?

Additional information:

• Mark and Mae are disqualified

• The bottle is not a thermos

How to make your heart melt

Man this baby made my heart melt and made me speak in a weird baby voice, “awwww, sohh-cuuute, yess you are, YES you are”

I saw this video off a link to another video- don’t think I’m a weirdo looking up babies on the internet.

Hope your heart melted too

Do the Can Can, literally

The Red Bull Art of Can Exhibition

“We’ve invited the nation to enjoy a can of Red Bull and then be inspired by what’s left - the empty can. Drinkers of every age and artistic ability have responded, creating masterpieces with the aluminium remainders.”

Disposable cutlery you wouldn’t really dispose

Pandora Design brings a whole new meaning to disposable plastic cutlery.

All their creations use the material typical of plastic disposable cutlery but with a twist.

Ok the above one’s a bit lame I have to admit…

But that one’s pretty cool- when faced with danger- you can use these as those samurai weapons/throwing stars to make any opponent flee for their life.