PHAT (Pretty Hot And Thick) Fashion..

Dear Readers..

A few weeks ago I was checking my email. I had subscribed for an update from Oprah Winfrey’s website so I went into the website and after browsing for a while, I came across one of her shows that showcased a designer, Charles. He designs clothes for women sized 12 and above. I was rejoicing that a designer had actually taken the trouble to design clothes for girls like me. I mean, hey, we wanna look fabulous too ya’ know. Just because we are ‘cuter’ than the other thin girls it doesn’t mean that we are contented with the clothes that are available for us in the market. If you can call them clothes that is.. The word ‘tents’ and ‘sacks’ come to mind.

Then, just this afternoon I went to the library and came across the October or November Issue (I can’t remember which) of O Magazine (Oprah’s magazine). It contains a spread about that show featuring Charles with pictures of the models and the combination of clothes that they wore on the show. It was nice, some are even gorgeous. With the pictures came the description of the clothes and its prices. As I was scanning the descriptions my eyes widen as I cannot believe what I’m seeing. The crepe dress that was quite basic in shape and style cost around $1,200++, a skirt costs about $700++ and some of the pieces even had a $1,700++ price tag.

I shook my head and closed my eyes before looking at the page again, thinking that my eyes were playing tricks on me. It turns out that they were dead serious. I could barely control myself from emitting a gasp of outrage. I mean can you believe the audacity of that designer? Oh, I’m so angry. I have to admit that when you’re like my size (I’m around a size 14), its hard to find clothes that fits and flatters your shape and size so when you actually find one that fits, you buy it straight away even if it’s more than a RM100 a piece.

This Charles person says that fashion should be fun and that designers need to respect the people that they are designing for. Now, let me ask you, how fun is it to fork out $1,200++ for a dress? How respectful is he really towards the plus sized women that he is designing for when he is slapping a $700++ price tag on a skirt? What a whole lot of hogwash. He came across as really caring and thoughtful by creating this clothing line of his, as if he understands what a plus-sized gal has to go through when trying to shop for clothes that fit. But what good is his line of clothing for plus-sized women if it’s in a price range that only Ivanka Trump can afford to buy?

Okay, so I didn’t read the whole article so I don’t know the reason for the price range. Maybe 90% of the profits are going to be used to help find a cure for cancer or something. Uh.. NOT! As I’ve mentioned before when you’re a size 14 and above, you’ll just buy the clothes that fit you, not caring how expensive it is. This man probably knows that and he’s using that to his advantage. Some of you may say that I’m being dramatic and grasping at straws but really, you can’t deny that it’s an abomination to put a price range that high for any line of clothing at all.

You Gotta Be Kidding Me Right?

That was what I was thinking as the last week went by. As you may know dear readers, I have been seeking employment for some time now. I have started applying since I’ve completed my studies in November and have sent at least a dozen resumes and applications to different organizations ranging from hotels to banks and insurance companies. I may have also mentioned to you that I had attended an interview and was waiting to be called for a third interview.

I had waited and waited but I didn’t get a call. Two weeks passed and still nothing. In the end I called the HR Department and asked if any arrangement had been made. Still nothing.. A member of my family came home one day all excited that a family friend has a post available at their law firm. She urged me to apply but I declined at first because I had not received a definite answer from the place that I had attended an interview at.

But after calling again the answer was still the same. My instincts told me to wait but I was quite frustrated and had doubts about getting the job. Thus, I went ahead with the suggestion made by a few members of my family to apply for the law firm. I got accepted at the law firm on the same day (on Tuesday) that I went for the interview. I was asked to come the next day to get the feel of the work (Wednesday). That’s when things got interesting.

On the same day that I got interviewed and accepted at the law firm, a resort that I had applied for the previous week called me for an interview. I declined as I said that I was currently employed. The next day (Wednesday) which was supposed to be my ‘first day’ I got a call again from the same resort for an interview for another post (I applied for two posts). I declined once again for the same reasons. Then, on Thursday I got a call from the place that I really, really wanted to work at. The place that had kept me waiting.. I was to come for an interview on Saturday..

But dear readers, I forgot to bring my mobile phone to work. The place couldn’t reach me and so they called my home number. A member of my family answered and told them that I was currently employed.. When I came back that evening and got to know about it I was very, very upset. But if life had thought me anything, it was not to give up until I’ve exhausted every one of my resources before giving up.

When I checked my messages that evening there was a message asking me to get back to the Director of HR via the number stated in the message. Instead of using the number that I usually use to call the place, where you need to get through an operator first, I called that number. I had expected to get through to the operator and I was ready to beg the operator to let my call get through to the HRD (It was past 5PM you see and normally the operator would just assume that the office is already closed despite the fact that there may be a chance that somebody might be working late).

A male voice answered and it turned out that the number was a direct one to the Director of HR. I was so surprised that I floundered a bit like a fish out of water before introducing myself end explaining the situation. He asked me if I was able to attend an interview with the GM on Saturday. I said yes immediately. Well, it was more like I shouted ‘YES, YES I CAN!’. I was that excited. ‘Fraid I sounded a bit demented but at that point I didn’t care. Haha.. But I also added that I there are any changes that I would let him know. He told me to call him on Friday to confirm with him.

The next morning I was just about to call him to confirm that I would be able to attend the interview when an incoming call with an office number flashed into my mobile phone screen. I answered and it was him! I told him that I was just about to call him and he asked me why. I said, ” To confirm with you that I will be attending the interview this Saturday”. He said, “Ah.. So you were calling to tell me good news. Well, I have good news for you as well. You have been accepted for the job that you had applied for”.
In that moment I just ‘went mental’ as the Brits would say. I was so shocked and excited. I was asking 1001 questions in the span of a minute. Needles to say, he had to calm me down as he had to give me instructions on what to do that Saturday. I was only half listening because my head was reeling. I managed to take in the important facts though. I was going to start in February! Hooray!

So dear readers, from February onwards I am going to be a known as a working woman. I hope to work hard and work smart as well as to be the best that I can. One of my friends said to me that my life is going to be an adventure from now on and I agree. Like adventures, this journey of mine will not only be all about the exciting stuff but also the hardships and difficulties of first going out to find your way in the world. I hope dear readers that you will pray for my safety and success in this and my future endeavours.

Decisions.. Decisions..

Dear Readers..
I can safely say that I had never had been in a dilemma when it comes to the important stuff in life such as Where should I study, which course, etc. However as I come closer to completing my studies in Diloma level, I began to ask myself questions such as should I further my studies to degree level? Or should I start working?

After that question has been answered (I chose to work), I had to ask myself where do I want to work? In which industry? In which organisation? In what post? So many questions to answer up to the point that I began to feel dizzy. It’s decisions, decisions, decisions… When you actually have made your decision, others may not agree with you. It may be people that you don’t really know that well but offered their opinion anyway or it may be your family members and close friends.

I may be young and haven’t experienced much in life but I am not without any experience at all. I know that not everyone will agree with one’s decisions even one’s nearest and dearest. On the other hand I do believe that while they have the right to express their opinion on the matter, I too have the right to make my decisions because in the end, it’s my life to live. I’m not saying that I know everything and nobody can tell me what to do. I do take other’s opinions into consideration but in the end, I decide which route that I would like to take.

The road that I take may result in a bumpy ride for me but at least I know that it is my decision and I don’t have to blame others or spend my life thinking what might have happened if only I had took the plunge. Taking risks are a part of life and those who do not do so tend to be dissatisfied with their life. I don’t want to be one of those people..

I’m taking the biggest risk that I have ever attempted in my whole entire life.. I have a good feeling about this. I don’t think that it will be easy but I think that when the going gets tough, I’ll still be okay.. I hope to be more matured and grown up aside from having loads of experience in and knowledge about the industry that I have chosen.

Hello 2009

Olla Dear Readers..
I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year 2009. Its seems so surreal to me that I am now facing a new year. In a way I'm excited because there's just so much that can happen in my life at this point as I am no longer a student. I do not have something familiar to look forward to like going to classes, completing assignments, etc. I'm also petrified at the same time for that same reason. I am currently seeking employment. The global recession that we are facing are not helping but I'm trying my very best to be optimistic and keeping an open mind.

I'm learning some things along the way, such as being a bit picky is not necessarily a bad thing. We need to take our academic qualifications and soft skills into account aside from the location and distance of the workplace fromwhere you live. To tell you the truth, I don't really mind that much working with RM800 or so a month. However, if that job requires me to rent out alone and need a car, it's simply not feasible right?

Actually dear readers, I have recently attended an interview and am currently waiting to be called for a third round of interview. I haven't received a call yet and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I really, really want this job.. I can't even begin to tell you how much I do.. I'm keeping my fingers, toes and legs crossed. I would have kept my eyes crossed to but that would not be a good look now would it? Haha.. At least with my legs crossed I would apeear demure and lady like.. ;)

Oh well, I'm way past my luch time and my ideas do not flow very well when my tummy's growling like an angry Rotweiller. Hehehe.. Well, this is all for now.. Cheers!

Sucess?

Dear Readers...
Due to the fact that I don't have internet access at my house I am unable to make daily blog entries that I did a few weeks ago.. I'm doing fine by the way (I'm assuming that you're wondering how I've been). Hehehe...

By the way, I went to KK last Friday and guess what? My aunty, grandmother and her housekeeper exclaimed that I have lost weight. How cool is that? I denied it of course cause I didn't believe it. No, trully.. I wasn't being coy at all. I guess for the last 6 years I have been trying to lose weight (that's a long time. If a baby was born then, the kid would be in kindergarden by now) and I only suceeded once for a few months before gaining what I lost and a few kilos more (read KILOS, not pounds)... I've tried every diet suppliment there is (well, almost every one of them) and sometimes just when when I think I've lost weight somebody would come up to me and say that I've gained weight instead. So you can understand how disheartening that can be.. So when somebody (actually several) actually say that I've lost weight, I become afraid to believe them, because I have wanted to hear those words for so long but they never came, that I began to think that I will never hear it. I feel as if its just the clothes that is making me look thin but I'm still the way I am..

The next day I tried on an outfit of mine that I haven't tried for a few weeks and its looser. I don't have to struggle to button the front any longer. I stood there in front of the mirror, gaping at the sight in front of me.. Surely my clothes have become loose from constant washing, I thought. Then, later that day my sweetheart said the same thing to me as well (that I've lost weight). This time I couldn't help but pump my hands and said 'Yes!'. Haha.. I'm finally begining to believe it. But I still have some doubts to tell you the truth. Simply because old habits die hard and its hard to let go of my old insecuruties and demons of my past.

This got me thinking dear readers.. Somewhere out there, there are others just like me. Struggling for years with something all their lives and never finding the solution to their problems or trying to acquire something that is just out of reach. Not necessarily about their weight of course but most of the time thats the issue. I just want to say to those of you who are facing the same problem as me or are in the same situation as me but with a different issue (non-weight issues) that I understand how you feel. You've wanted, hoped and prayed for something so badly that when you actually have get it, you become afraid of it because you begin to question if you deserve it.. Its a normal reaction according to Doctor Oz from the Oprah Winfrey show.

The good thing that came out of all this? I became even more motivated to change my lifestyle into a healthier one. I'm going to take believe in their positive comments even if I have a teeny weeny niggling fear that they may be mistaken and use it to get me moving my butt and eating right and better. I wont beat myself up for making mistakes. I'll just get back right on track the next meal. I am human after all.. ;)

Thats all for now my loyal readers.. I'll make an entry again when I have the time so don't be a stranger.. Bye...

Olla dear readers..
I must admit that I haven't been sticking too much to my diet. HOWEVER... I have been managing the best that I can and in certain aspects, my eating habits have improved. I eat 2 pieces of fruits every day.. A major improvement considering that I don't eat even a piece of fruit a day in the past. Oh, and as for stuffing my face with chocolate, there was a reason for that. My 'best friend' came to visit me on Tuesday. No wonder I had crazy levels of cravings for something sweet and salty.. Okay.. That may be an excuse but my 'best friend' did come and visit me on Tuesday so I'm going to stick with that story. Hehe...

I eat yogurt twice a day now too.. My rice intake is sometimes really small and at other times moderate in quantity, depending how hungry I am. My veggie intake alternates between huge helpings and small helpings, depending on what vegetable it is. Unfortunately, my exercise routine is close to nil. And I haven't studied for 2 solid days. I'm going to start today after lunch.. Maybe after Oprah at 1 o' clock..

By the way, I have been reading this novel entitled 'P.S. I Love You'. Its a story about how a young widow, Holly, came into terms with the death of her husband. Its a touching story really and not something that I would choose to read simply because I hate 'touching' novels or movies. This is because I cry very (and I mean very) easily and people tend to tease me for it.. This book is quite an exception. This novel has been made into a movie you know. Normally I would read the novel first before watching a movie made from the novel. Usually it doesn't come up to my expectations.

Its different this time because I watched the movie first. I didn't know there was a novel before. I started reading it yesterday and couldn't put it down. But I'm a bit disturbed and disgruntled to say the least because the novel is such a far cry from the movie.. And that's putting it mildly. Both of the stories are great and I know if I have read the novel first, I would have been outraged at how the movie is so different from the novel. But I have come to love the movie a lot (maybe its because both Gerard Bultler and Jeffrey Dean Morgan were in it.. Hehe..). I fact, I've watched it 4 times already and bawled my eyes out each time.

However I do feel, as I've mentioned earlier, disgruntled at how its so different it might be a different story altogether. First of all, Holly has a great relationship with her parents, she has 4 other siblings and they are actually Irish, living in Dublin. She met her late husband Gerry at highschool and Daniel (a guy she eventually met) is a pub owner. She never went to college. Oh, and the holiday that Gerry organized for her and her bestfriends, Denise and Sharon, was in Spain. His notes to her all came in a bundle, to be opened one for each month. Holly scored a job as an advertising agent for a top magazine, X. That's the version in the novel.

In the movie, Holly has quite a dysfuctional relationship with her mother who happens to be a single parent because her father left them when she and her sister were little. She only has a younger sister as a sibling, Ciara. They are Americans and only Gerry is Irish, whom she met while she was on a college trip to Ireland. Holly's mum owns a pub and Holly lives upstairs. Daniel is the new bartender at their pub. The holiday that Gerry organized for her was in Ireland. Her letters didn't came all at once (yes, they were letters, not notes) but came once a month delivered from different sources. Holly eventually became a shoe designer and had her own line of shoes. See what I mean.. It's SOOOOO DIFFERENT. I just can't get over it..

Okay, I'd better shut up about it now or I'll end up going on and on about it like a broken record. Well anyway, I recommend all of you who are still reading this blog to watch the movie. It's such a beautiful story.. It really is. It's not just about the romance factor either. It really makes you reflect on how short life can be and how we take the people that we love for granted. It's about breaking down again and again yet having to dust one's self up, stand up and start walking forward and living again.. It's a story for everyone, women, men, singles, couples. Do watch it. Its like chicken soup for the heart.

Thats all for now.. Cheers..

Dear readers..

Today I tried the Sendayu Tinggi Slimax Cerial drink for the first time. I had it with 5 Weetameal biscuits at 7am this morning for breakfast. I have to say that I was disappointed because I only lasted 2 and a half hours before I began to feel hungry. I had a packet of fried mee hoon with 3 pieces of nuggets for brunch at 10 am.

Then surprise, surprise... I didn't feel hungry at all at 1pm. My mum forced me to eat anyway and I complied because I don't want to wait until I'm starving before eating. I ate very little rice, half a sunny side up fried egg, half a small Pinasakan cooked fish and 2 sausages. I didn't want the sausages but my relatives forced me to take it cause the housekeeper fried it just for me. Oh well..

At 4pm I had 2 handfull of cubed guava and a cup of Lipton 3-in-1 Lipton tea. I haven't eaten dinner yet.. I think the Slimax Cerial drink has the potential to help me feel full for longer if I had taken something heavier with it like wholewheat bread sandwiches and fruit or something. Well.. I'm off to have my dinner. Maybe a bit of rice lightly fried with veggies and 1 sliced sausage.

This is all for now.. Cheers...