What's on my mind

Hi all,

It's been awhile, huh?
Been kind of lazy and has an increase in body weight to show for it. LOL!

We had Chloe's birthday party, and I know I still have not blogged about it yet. But I guess there is nothing very much for talk about - We had a party at home with our friends. The kids had a blast playing with the baby pool and water guns and balloons, and after they got dried off, they all got to do some crafts. The adults watched Enchanted, and then played a round of Texas Hold'em :-)

I've been meaning to blog about other stuff. So let me list them out right now:

1. No rice!!
Yup, there is apparently a global shortage of rice. Made a trip to Costco 2 days ago, and there was a huge sign in the front stating 'No Rice'. Asked the guy when the next load was coming in, and he said the next day. Then he added that I should come in right at 10am when they open to make sure I get a bag. Bummer.. I was in a conference in SF that day. So right now we are out of our Basmati rice supply. Did go to Ranch 99 and pick up a small bag of Jasmine rice to tie us out till our next Costco run. Are you all experiencing this rice shortage???

2. Professional Business Women's Conference, California
Had the privilege of attending the PBW conference in SF yesterday. Boy, I have not seen that many women all at one place, ever.. 6000 in all. Whew! But it was very interesting with some very distinguished speakers.

Martha Beck, a life coach who has been on Oprah and other shows here in the US, was the morning speaker, and I found her session eye-opening. It was interesting to hear about how her life was changed for the better instead of the worst after her son, Adam was born. You see, Adam has down-syndrome. But because of him, she unintentionally became a life coach and now makes millions from this career. She calls him her 'cash cow' as his nickname!!!
But she got me thinking - Am I happy? What makes me happy in my life? Am I following my North Star?

In her session, we did an experiment whereby you try to close you partner's hands, whilst she is pushing her hands out. We did it in 2 scenarios - normal, and then closing your eyes and thinking about a happy moment in your life. The experiment shows that you can harness the power of happiness to be stronger than you normally would.
How did I do? Well, let's just say I need to go to the gym to bulk up on my arm muscles. Though I was stronger with the visualisation. I was thinking of my two girls playing with me just a couple of days ago :-)

Then in the afternoon session we had Madeline Albright, former Secretary of State of America, and she was very witty talking about her life and experiences and in the forum session after. We also heard from Cokie Roberts, a highly respected journalist who is in the Journalist Hall of Fame. She talked about the women who shaped the early US history. Something to note though that all these speakers just had books launched :-) And that was the subject that they talked about. And people were buying them and getting their books autographed.

I attended a session about how to overcome the Impostor Syndrome. I related to this. This is when you feel like you are just an imposter at what you do, and sooner or later someone else is going to find out that you are not as good as they think you are. But of course you are only thinking this, but is truly good at that certain thing. I don't know about you, but I certainly have my moments - being a good mom, feeling guilty for working and not spending my time with the kids, getting recognized at work but feeling at that I have not been working enough to obtain that recognition. The session I attended let me know that it is just a perception, and that I have to let go and perhaps let myself 'brag' about my accomplishments instead of just downplaying all the time. Well, it is a very typical Asian behaviour, and is something that IMHO many of us growing up in Asia where thought to be that way.

Anyway, I did not buy any books, but scored some freebies, a free lunch (dessert was good, but the chicken was typical hotel food), a free 10 minute massage, and some things to think about regarding my life, my career, my family, soft skills and etc. It was a very nice day, topped off with some take out Malaysian food for dinner. Yum....

3. The economy
The US is in a recession. Fears of unemployment is real. Hubby's company is having a reorganization and hubs would probably be affected. Gulp...
PwC and Deloitte have laid people off, but my company has been reassuring us that they are not planning to go down that path, but is instead looking to grow instead. Let us pray that it is so.
I can't imagine the stress of it all, if I was not working. I'm already worrying. And most of you would know I am a worrier, but I just don't show it (Or maybe that's why you don't know. LOL!)

4. Our home
Our home is still on the market. Housing market is really slow.......
It's almost 90 days. The relocation company would probably send somebody here in the next couple of weeks to do an appraisal on the house. We would then see what they offer us for the house. Well, at least no more Open Homes. That was a pain in the tush...
BTW, Open Homes are when people interested in buying your home can come in for a tour of the house. It does not mean that there is a party with free food and drinks, like how it is in Malaysia :-)

Hmm.. I guess that is all for today. It's way past midnight and I need to get some sleep before heading off to work tomorrow.