My name

Hello! My name is Chong Ai Rene. But I usually go with the name Rene Chong because there are way too many Irene’s around me and I can’t stand people spelling my name as ‘irene’. I have nothing against ‘Irene’. It’s just that Irene is not me.

張愛玲（or 张爱玲 in simplified Chinese) is my Chinese name (obviously). Pronounced as ‘zhang ai ling’, I share the same name as one of the most celebrated contemporary fiction author. For years, people have always asked me, ‘are your parents big fan of Eileen zhang?’

Not at all. In fact, they have never read any of Zhang’s work! The reason I was given this Chinese name is because…

They foresee I have a future in writing!

Balance

Just a couple of months ago, I've started planning to buy a new laptop and have been contemplating between a MacBook Pro and a Samsung Series 9 Notebook.

Now, all I want is to stay faithful to this old and still usable laptop until of course, it dies off.

The reason for the sudden change lies on a question, "do I really need a new one even though I can find a 101 questions to dispose of this old laptop?"

It came to my senses a week ago, that frankly, though I would very much like a new laptop, I still do not see the need of having one when I will not be using much of it.

This new addition (which is not going to happen anytime soon) will sit in a corner, every day till I finish work. When that time comes, I might or might not want to use or to face a computer. All that I might prefer to do was to rest my eyes from all the torture of looking at the computer screen the whole day instead of looking around me and appreciate all the wonders the world has to offer.

So what is my point from telling you this? Basically, is do not let your 'wants' fogged up your needs, your life, your world - your main focus and also to find a balance in your life from the way you live.

Change

It's funny how people can change so easily. Just 6 months ago, I can leave my phone aside for three days and yet no incoming calls or unread messages. That's how antisocial I am. I would go out without my phone, and there were days where I don't even switch on my phone.

Then in March, I finally switched my faithful phone of four years to an iPhone. And my cell phone habit changed dramatically. Gone were the days where I'll charge my phone once every 3 days! Gone were the days where my phone bill will cost below RM30.

Well, I am not that annoying friend who had to check his/her phone non stop at the dining table but my phone and I are like Siamese twins now. I cannot and I don't want to imagine how's life without my cell phone. 

I guess the reason for the change in habit is because I am a slave for my e-mails and I have e-mail OCD. I can't stand the sight of a bracket with a number in it! And not forgetting the amount of Spam emails I receive.      *shrugs* Thank whoever who invented the push notification, I am coping better with my email ocd now.

Having a smart phone has definitely increased accessibility. I like the 'on-the-go' idea where if I need something, I can get it easily. Or when people need to look for me, they can reach me easily. I also bought external charger for my phone so that I am 90% reachable. 10% unreachable because I usually switch off my phone when I sleep which is quite ironic because I believe the iPhone is not designed to switch off?

Do you have a smart phone? If yes, how has it changed your cell phone habit?
If no, will you get one?

A B C D E

It all started with a dream. One night/morning, I dreamed that I was talking a stroll at Tokyo with my friend. I woke up and told myself, screw dreams, why not make it a reality. Tweeted my friend about it and she agreed that it sounded like a good plan.

I was up North with limited 3G access and I really pushed my phone to check the air ticket rates. I was so excited and started planning my trip even though my friend has yet to confirm her participation. I want to go here, I want to go there, do this and that. (Will do an entry soon about places I want to visit in Tokyo)

In the midst of researching for my 'maybe' trip, I was notified that I will have to come up with a Plan B. Murphy must be my best friend because Plan C and D ended up as a tragedy.

I was a little disappointed and just started browsing online shoes catalog. Thank God I am not an impulsive shopper because I could have ended up with 20 pairs of shoes heh.

I had a meeting with my boss that day and while waiting for him I was trying to improvise plan D to be more convincing.

After the meeting, I walked out with Plan E. I have to say that I am very happy with Plan E.

Tokyo, our time is not here yet. When I become a better person and when I deserve a break, I'll see you again.

Ps: Plan E is to work hahah.

It's all in the mind

Fire cannot burn without the presence of oxygen. Knowing this, some people still cannot put the fire inside their mouth. Who said that the world is run by scientific facts?

Perseverance

"When you are met with a dead end, get back up on your feet and start from the beginning."

A simple philosophy, yet not easily attained.

I met many people with these words slipping out their mouth, yet, few have actually walked by these words.

Not long ago, someone, who has never said this to me, actually showed me, through her actions.

Then I was told, in her line of work, they meet with lots of challenges or dead ends and their hopes are easily be dampen. However, they must persevere, no matter how bleak that situation is.

Always push forward, even if the progress is just baby steps. Never back down.

Small steps are better than no steps.

Have a little faith

One day while Dad and I was on the way to pick my sister up from the train station, we drove past this restaurant around the neighborhood and there were barely any customers inside.

R = Rene D= Dad

R: Its not easy to be in the F&B industry nowadays. Its a housing area and not many eateries here and yet, this restaurant fail to take off.

D: Look at the restaurant a couple of streets away. Their food is just average and yet, full house everyday. What kind of dog poop luck did the boss stepped on to?

R: I want to step on dog poop too.

D: I'll find some for you tomorrow.

R: Where to find?

D: You'll just have to follow that elderly man who walks his dog every morning. And ask him where do you bring your dog to excrete.

Of course I did not step on dog poop. If it gives you faith or confidence, go ahead and step. But keep in mind to not waste your thought on superstition. Not while there is still real shit out there that can actually kill you!

The Eureka moment of Buffet Spread

One fine Saturday  I was walking down high school memory lane with Estee. It's has been almost 5 years since we've graduated but I feel like all these while, I am walking in circles. How far have I progressed after graduating from high school? It seems like everyone else has moved on except for me.

What surprised me was, Estee shared the same sentiment. It's funny that we're done with our degree but mentally, we're not quite there yet. Our peers have found a stable job, some started paying taxes, some been to different places...and where are we?

We came to a conclusion that we lack inspiration. And since the both of us felt this way, there are a whole lot of other people out there who are probably dealing with the same issue (of having no issues).

In search of an inspiration! That's the reason why I started this blog.