Han Nee's Journal

Happy Halloween from Lil' Red Riding Hood!

2007-10-31T21:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!! Halloween has got to be one of my favorite holidays and of course, dressing up was part of the fun! I was Little Red Riding Hood and Bo was the Big Bad Wolf at the Honolulu Academy of Arts Halloween party last Friday!

Hannee's & Bo's first vacation together - Maui (Sept 1-3)

2007-09-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Bo and myself had our first vacation together last week and we went to Maui for the Labor Day weekend (Sept 1-3). It was really fun! We used my FREE frequent flyer miles to fly us to Maui and back and got ourselves a really good deal on rental car with Enterprise rent-a-car (no kidding! Our daily rate was like $14+ for 3 days for an economy car, and they ended up upgrading us to a Mazda M3…. SWEET!)

We stayed at a budget inn while we were there (paid about $69 a night, which is unheard of, esp. during a holiday weekend). It’s called Lahaina’s Last Resort (no kidding) and the owner is this weird surfer dude but the place was clean and strategically located at beautiful old Lahaina town – close to restaurants, bars, art galleries and the ocean… it was so much fun! We were so relaxed - we laughed, hiked, went to the beach, and ate REALLLY GOOD FOOD all weekend… yumm…

Here’s a run-down of what we did while we were there:

Day 1:
Check-in, had lunch at Kimo’s (great burgers) and check-out the shops and galleries at Old Lahaina town. Then, we decided to go parasailing in the afternoon! Parasailing was really fun – the view of the Kaanapali beach resort was amazing! We felt like we were flying! Had dinner at Lahaina’s Fish Co - really fresh, yummy seafood! (oh, and the waitress asked us if we were honeymooners? Lol).

Day 2:
Tried driving through the famous ‘road to Hana’ ( Hana Hwy ) – the drive is scenic but really winding, and I felt car-sick. We turned back half-way and decided to take a little hike and checked out the Twin Falls . As it’s name suggested, Twin Falls are two (almost identical) waterfalls situated within miles of each other – one is a little ‘hidden’ and dark, and the other, out in the clearing. We went swimming a bit to cool off and Bo took a swing and made a double flip into the water. On the way back to Lahaina, we stopped at another cute, ornate town called Paia and had pizza.

Day 3:
Last day in Maui . We woke up and went to the swim at the Kaanapali beach. It was a gorgeous, sunny day. I think I got too much sun, but it was a lot of fun. The waves were crazy and the unpredictable, and later, we saw a sign that “ENTERING AND SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN IS DANGEROUS”… ha ha ha…. Should’ve seen that earlier! Oh well… afterwards, we had a hearty breakfast, check-out from the hotel and set out for the famous Haleakala National Park . The drive was really enjoyable (unlike the Hana drive) and the air gets thinner and chillier as we climbed to higher elevations. The summit of the crater is at elevation: 10,023 feet (3,055 meters). The view was AMAZING! We felt like we were at the top of the world and the clouds were below us! On the way back, we stopped for lunch at the nearby Kula Lodge Restaurant, which has ono food and equally amazing views! Before boarding our flight back to Honolulu , we stopped by Krispy Kreme doughnuts and grabbed 2 dozens of freshly baked, sugar glazed donuts to bring with us as souvenirs home!

What a great weekend it was! Hmmm… let’s see…. When is the next long weekend we have, again? Lol.

Check-out the video below that Bo made of our vacation together at Maui!

True Love

2007-07-31T18:48:00.000-07:00

True love. Is it normal is it serious, is it practical?
What does the world get from two people
who exist in a world of their own?

Placed on the same pedestal for no good reason,

drawn randomly from millions but convinced
it had to happen this way - in reward for what?
For nothing.
The light descends from nowhere.
Why on these two and not on others?
Doesn't this outrage justice? Yes it does.
Doesn't it disrupt our painstakingly erected principles,
and cast the moral from the peak? Yes on both accounts.

Look at the happy couple.
Couldn't they at least try to hide it,
fake a little depression for their friends' sake?
Listen to them laughing - its an insult.
The language they use - deceptively clear.
And their little celebrations, rituals,
the elaborate mutual routines -
it's obviously a plot behind the human race's back!

It's hard even to guess how far things might go
if people start to follow their example.
What could religion and poetry count on?
What would be remembered? What renounced?
Who'd want to stay within bounds?

True love. Is it really necessary?
Tact and common sense tell us to pass over it in silence,
like a scandal in Life's highest circles.
Perfectly good children are born without its help.
It couldn't populate the planet in a million years,
it comes along so rarely.

Let the people who never find true love
keep saying that there's no such thing.
Their faith will make it easier for them to live and die.

By: Wislawa Szymborska

Soulmates

2007-07-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

Perhaps they are soulmates
seperated at birth.
God splits their soul in half
one half goes to him,
the other half to her.

So all through their lives
they search for the other half.
Perhaps they have passed each other
a million times on the streets.
While one looks ahead,
the other turns to speak to a friend.

Perhaps they even go through
similar experiences in life -
sharing similar dreams,
similar frustrations and restlessness
knowing in their hearts,
that there is someone out there
who is a better fit.

Someone who not only loves
but one who understands
the duality of their nature,
of wanting to conquer and surrender
at the same time
to the one they love.

Yet, in the absense
of concrete evidence,
they convinced themselves
that such expectation is not realistic -
because nobody is perfect,
not even themselves.

Perhaps that knowledge will tame
their restlessness
if only for a while...
such is their nature
both bursting with enthusiasm for life
their interests so varied
their curiosity of life abundant.

Hence, neither is truly ever alone
Each fiercely sought and
is sought after by others constantly...
Each new partner driving them
further away from each other.

Perhaps they will continue
to weave in and out of each other's lives
Until one day they are finally united
by a certain ephiphany, catastrophe
or death itself.

Or, perhaps not all soulmates
will reunite
Perhaps in time, they forget
that the other half exists...

Yet if they ever do find each other
they may be amazed
to find the other
a mirror image of themselves -
one finishes where the other left off
two minds thinking alike, yet different.

Words became superflous
in the presense of true understanding.
If they ever have the chance
to meet, and hold, and love each other
they might finally understand
that perfection does not mean being perfect...

Perfection means two souls
belonging to each other
in unity and ever lasting love.

Written by: Han Nee Chong

Places to see before I die - New Seven Wonders of the World!

2007-07-06T04:12:00.000-07:00

Final candidates for new seven wonders

By The Associated PressThu Jul 5, 3:29 PM ET

The final candidates in the contest to name the new seven wonders of the world. The Great Pyramids in Giza will retain their status as one of the original seven wonders of the world.
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PYRAMIDS OF GIZA, EGYPT (One of the ORIGINAL 7 Wonders)
The only surviving structures of the original seven wonders, the three pyramids were built as tombs for 4th dynasty pharaohs about 4,500 years ago. The largest of the three pyramids, the 452-foot-high Great Pyramid, was built for King Cheops. Nearby is the Great Sphinx, a limestone statue with the face of a man and the body of a lion.

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ACROPOLIS, GREECE
The Acropolis, a flat-topped hill standing above Athens, draws around a million visitors each year to walk among its 2,500-year-old marble temples and admire the statues of Greek gods and goddesses. The largest temple is the columned Parthenon, which was used as a church and then a mosque until it was heavily damaged in a 17th century war.

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HAGIA SOPHIA, TURKEY
The soaring cathedral, also called the Church of Holy Wisdom, was built in 537 B.C. at Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul, under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. In 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Ottomans, it became a mosque with minarets, but Turkish President Kemal Ataturk ordered it turned into a museum in 1935, allowing the Christian mosaics that had been covered by the Muslims to be revealed again.

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KREMLIN AND ST. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL, RUSSIA
Onion domes with golden cupolas surrounded by red brick walls are at the heart of Moscow's Kremlin, a Medieval fortress converted into the center of Russian government, and the symbol of communist dictatorship during Soviet times. The red brick Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, on adjacent Red Square and featuring nine towers of different color, was built by Czar Ivan the Terrible in the mid-16th century to celebrate the capture of the Mongol stronghold of Kazan.

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COLOSSEUM, ITALY (One of the new FINAL 7 Wonders)
The giant amphitheater in Rome was inaugurated in A.D. 80 by the Emperor Titus in a ceremony of games lasting 100 days. The 50,000-seat Colosseum, which has influenced the design of modern sports stadiums, was an arena where thousands of gladiators dueled to the death and Christians were fed to the lions.

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NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, GERMANY
The inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, Neuschwanstein is a creation of "Mad King" Ludwig II of Bavaria, who had it built in the 19th century to indulge his romantic fancies, long after the age of castles. Perched on a peak in the Bavarian Alps, the gray granite castle rises to towers, turrets and pinnacles and contains many paintings showing scenes from the operas of Richard Wagner, whose work Ludwig admired.

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EIFFEL TOWER, FRANCE
The 985-foot tower, built by the engineer Gustave Eiffel for Paris' International Exposition of 1889, has become the city's symbol. Made almost entirely of open-lattice wrought iron and erected in only two years with a small labor force, the tower — Paris' highest construction — demonstrated an important advance in building techniques and at first was considered by many to be an eyesore.

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STONEHENGE, BRITAIN
How and why this circular monument of massive rocks was created between 3000 B.C. and 1600 B.C. is unknown, but some experts say its builders aligned the stones as part of their sun-worshipping culture, while others believe it was part of an astronomical calendar. Today it is a major tourist attraction and has spiritual significance for thousands of druids and New Age followers, some of whom gather on June 21 each year to celebrate summer solstice.
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ALHAMBRA, SPAIN
The palace and citadel, perched above the city of Granada, was the residence of the Moorish caliphs who governed southern Spain in splendor until King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled them in 1492, ending 800 years of Muslim rule. Mosaics, arabesques and mocarabe, or honeycomb work, are stunning features of the decoration.

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GREAT WALL OF CHINA (One of the new FINAL 7 Wonders)
The 4,160-mile barricade running from east to west in northern China is the longest man-made structure in the world. The fortification, which largely dates from the 7th through the 4th century B.C., was built to protect the dynasties from invasion by the Huns, Mongols, Turks and other nomadic tribes.

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KIYOMIZU TEMPLE, JAPAN
Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera, which means Clear Water Temple, was founded by the Hosso sect of Buddhism in 798 and rebuilt in 1633 after a fire. It features a three-stream waterfall which is believed to confer health, longevity and success to the drinker.

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SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, AUSTRALIA
Situated on Bennelong Point reaching into Sydney's harbor, the opera house, with a roof that looks like a ship in full sail, was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and opened in 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II. The building, whose roof is covered by more than 1 million white tiles, features 1,000 rooms and hosts 3,000 events every year.

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ANGKOR, CAMBODIA
The Angkor archaeological site was the capital of the Khmer empire from the 9th to the 15th century, serving as an administrative center and place of worship for the most prosperous kingdom in South Asia's history. Among the features are Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, two impressive temple ruins dating from the 12th century.

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TAJ MAHAL, INDIA (One of the new FINAL 7 Wonders)
The white marble-domed mausoleum in Agra was built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1654 for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. The complex — an example of Mughal architecture combining Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles — houses the graves of the emperor and his wife, as well as those of lesser royalty.

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TIMBUKTU, MALI
The ancient city of Timbuktu houses two of West Africa's oldest mosques, the Djingareyber, or Great Mosque, and the Sankore mosque, built during the 14th and early 15th century. Founded about 1100, it was a flourishing caravan center and leading spiritual and intellectual center, with one of the first universities in the world.

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PETRA, JORDAN (One of the new FINAL 7 Wonders)
The ancient city of Petra in southwestern Jordan, built on a terrace around the Wadi Musa or Valley of Moses, was the capital of the Arab kingdom of the Nabateans. It also flourished under Roman rule after the Nabateans were defeated in A.D. 106. The city is famous for its water tunnels and numerous stone structures carved in rock, the most impressive of which is probably Ad-Dayr, an uncompleted tomb facade that served as a church during Byzantine times.
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CHRIST THE REDEEMER STATUE, BRAZIL (One of the new FINAL 7 Wonders)
The 125-foot-tall statue of Christ the Redeemer with outstretched arms overlooks Rio de Janeiro from atop Mt. Corcovado. The statue, which weighs more than 1,000 tons, was built by Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski in pieces in France starting in 1926, then shipped to Brazil. The pieces were carried by cogwheel railway up the mountain for assembly. The statue was inaugurated in 1931.

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EASTER ISLAND, CHILE
Hundreds of massive stone busts, or Moais, are all that remains from the Rapanui culture that crafted them between 400 and 1,000 years ago to represent deceased ancestors. With some standing more than 70 feet tall and weighing 60 tons, the statues gaze blankly out on the south Pacific Ocean more than 1,000 miles off the Chilean mainland.

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MACHU PICCHU, PERU (One of the new FINAL 7 Wonders)
Built by the Incan Empire in the 15th century, the giant walls, palaces, temples and dwellings of the Machu Picchu sanctuary are perched in the clouds at 8,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains. It remains a mystery how the huge stones were moved into place for the construction of the remote city.

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PYRAMID AT CHICHEN ITZA, MEXICO (One of the new FINAL 7 Wonders)
This step-pyramid surmounted by a temple survives from a sacred site that was part of one of the greatest Mayan centers of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Built according to the solar calendar, it is placed so that shadows cast at the fall and spring equinoxes are said to look like a snake crawling down the steps, similar to the carved serpent at the top.

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STATUE OF LIBERTY, UNITED STATES
The 305-foot statue holding a torch has towered over New York harbor since 1886 when it was dedicated as a gift of the French government, welcoming immigrants and Americans returning from abroad. An elevator inside takes visitors to the 10-story pedestal observatory, but access to the inside of the crown and torch is no longer permitted.

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On the Net:
http://www.new7wonders.com/

Something funny to cheer up your Monday morning!

2007-06-25T16:11:00.001-07:00

My friend forwarded this funny 'prayer' to me and I had a good laugh. Just thought I'd share it with all you 'working class' people out there, who's dreading your Monday mornings, too! lol

Feed the right Wolf

2007-06-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

An elder Cherokee chief took his grandchildren into the forest and sat them down and said to them, “A fight is going on inside me. This is a terrible fight and it is a fight between two wolves. One wolf is the wolf of fear, anger, arrogance and greed. The other wolf is the wolf of courage, kindness, humility and love.”

The children were very quiet and listening to their grandfather with both their ears. He then said to them, “This same fight between the two wolves that is going on inside of me is going on inside of you, and inside every person.”

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked the chief, “Grandfather, which wolf will win the fight?”

He said quietly, “The one you feed.”

I Knew I Loved You Lyrics - Savage Garden

2007-06-18T02:55:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's intuition

but some things you just don't question

Like in your eyes,

I see my future in an instant

And there it goes,

I think I found my best friend

I know that it might sound

more than a little crazy but I believe...

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

There's just no rhyme or reason

Only the sense of completion

And in your eyes, I see

the missing pieces I'm searching for

I think I've found my way home

I know that it might sound

more than a little crazy but I believe...

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life I knew

I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

A thousand angels dance around you

I am complete now that I've found you

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life I knew

I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life I knew

I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life

(To Fade)

Tokyo Disneyland - Here I come!

2007-06-07T05:09:00.000-07:00

On my way back from Kuala Lumpur to Honolulu, I had 12 hours to kill at the Narita airport (while waiting for my connecting flight to Honolulu) on June 5. So, I decided to go to Tokyo Disneyland!

Wow, that was a lot of FUN!!! It was strange to see Disney characters speaking in Japanese language... but it was still "the most magical place on earth" for me. Suddenly, I was Han Nee, aged 9 again... with my Mickey ears (actually, they were Stitch's ears, from Lilo & Stitch! lol) and BIG smile!

Aloha KL

2007-06-02T02:58:00.000-07:00

I'm home in KL for a week. This week just seem to fly by sooo fast! In 2 days, I will be returning to Honolulu. *sob, sob...

Last night, I went out clubbing with my lil sister, Chin Nee for the first time!

We went to the latest, most happening dance club in Kuala Lumpur... Guess what is the name of the dance club? Aloha! Yes, I'm not kidding... the name of the dance club is Aloha and the servers wear bright orange aloha shirts! :)

So funny! I traveled all the way from Honolulu to Kuala Lumpur to go to Aloha dance club!

L-R (front row): me and my sister
L-R (back row): my highschool crush (Mark), my sister's boyfriend (Andrew) and Andrew's buddy.

We had a great time last night... I drank wayyy too much! ha, ha... like you couldn't tell in the piccie... Mark is (still) such a hottie! He used to be a model and actor. Hmmm... nah... I'm coming back to Hawaii! lol.

Turn Left, Turn Right

2007-05-31T03:34:00.000-07:00

"Love at First Sight"
by Wislawa Szymborska

THEY'RE BOTH CONVINCED
that a sudden passion joined them.
Such certainty is beautiful,
but uncertainty is more beautiful still

Since they'd never met before, they're sure
that there'd been nothing between them.
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways—
perhaps they've passed each other a million times?

I want to ask them
if they don't remember—
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
a curt "wrong number" caught in the receiver?
but I know the answer.
No, they don't remember

They'd be amazed to hear
that Chance has been toying with them
now for years.

Not quite ready yet
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it barred their path,
stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.

There were signs and signals,
even if they couldn't read them yet.
Perhaps three years ago
or just last Tuesday
a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and then picked up.
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood's thicket?

There were doorknobs and doorbells
where one touch had covered another
beforehand.
Suitcases checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream,
grown hazy by morning.

Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.

The above is an English translation from a Polish love poetry by Wislawa Szymborska:

Miłość od pierwszego wejrzenia (Love at First Sight)
Wisława Szymborska

Oboje są przekonani,
że połączyło ich uczucie nagłe.
Piękna jest taka pewność,
ale niepewność piękniejsza.

Sądzą, że skoro nie znali się wcześniej,
nic między nimi nigdy się nie działo,
A co na to ulice, schody, korytarze,
na których mogli się od dawna mijać?

Chciałabym ich zapytać,
czy nie pamietają -
może w drzwiach obrotowych
kiedyś twarzą w twarz?
jakieś "przepraszam" w ścisku?
głos "pomyłka" w słuchawce?
- ale znam ich odpowiedź.
Nie, nie pamietają.

Bardzo by ich zdziwiło,
że od dłuższego już czasu
bawił się nimi przypadek.

Jeszcze nie całkiem gotów
zamienić się dla nich w los,
zbliżał ich i oddalał,
zabiegał im drogę
i tłumiąc chichot
odskakiwał w bok.

Były znaki, sygnały,
cóż z tego, że nieczytelne.
Może trzy lata temu
albo w zeszły wtorek
pewien listek przefrunął
z ramienia na ramię?
Było coś zgubionego i podniesionego.
Kto wie, czy już nie piłka
w zaroślach dzieciństwa?

Były klamki i dzwonki,
na których zawczasu
dotyk kładł się na dotyk.
Walizki obok siebie w przechowalni.
Był może pewnej nocy jednakowy sen,
natychmiast po zbudzeniu zamazany.

Każdy przecież początek
to tylko ciąg dalszy,
a księga zdarzeń
zawsze otwarta w połowie.

The Mystery of Chemistry

2007-05-20T15:56:00.000-07:00

"When he's around, my whole body knows it. I'll keep talking and stuff, but my mind will have no idea what I'm saying. I keep wondering if there's a term for this." - My So-Called Life

There is... it's called a 'crush' and the culprit responsible for such a rush, I believe, is called 'chemistry'. How I get a "mind boggling, sense numbing, heart pounding, stomach flipping, take my breath away, head over heels, knee shaking, daydreaming, butterfly fluttering" feeling from one guy, and not the next deludes me...

Ahh... the mystery of chemistry.
Chemical reactions are sparked by a combination of body, personality, mind, and spirit. It's how the person relates to you, makes you laugh or inspires you.

One of the most exciting opportunities of dating is the chance to experiment with different combinations of these factors. Yes, it's a complex mix. But the more we sort out what we want and don't want, and the closer we get to the winning formula, the more likely we will find it -- and have chemistry!

The way you begin to identify what you want in a person is to start paying attention.
Pick up a magazine, go to a movie, sit in a coffee shop or bar, and look around. Take notes -- mentally or literally. What makes your heartbeat accelerate (and other body parts wake up), and why? Really try to identify the magical elements. Compare the different people you are attracted to and notice traits that keep coming up.

Allowing desire
Desire is a great motivator and automatically moves us toward our goals. Being aware of our desires also helps us notice when fulfillment is standing right in front of us. And desire is sexy. When you learn to express your desires, you'll be surprised by the transformation on your index of sexiness. Plastic surgery could not do as much for your attractiveness. And, not surprisingly, you'll start to get more dates, too.

Ever thought of what it means when you say someone is "hot"? Hot is turned on, alive, ready to engage. A hot person is about to create chemistry.

So let your excitement build. In fact, go ahead and add fuel to the fire. Fantasize, regularly. Self-help guides repeatedly tell us to envision our desired outcome, because it works. Don't be afraid of becoming preoccupied or regressing to an adolescent state. Revel in the fact that you get another shot at one of the most compelling experiences in life. Ah, chemistry.

An attitude of experimentation
As any scientist learns early on, an experiment that refutes the hypothesis is as valuable as one that comes out as expected. The same applies to dating. Pay attention to assumptions and take note of exceptions... geez, I'm beginning to sound like a lab teacher! LOL.

If we base success on liking everyone we date and having every date like us, we are not only setting ourselves up, we are limiting our experience and learning.

It's like this: If you don't get out there and see the full spectrum, notice all the colors of a rainbow, then, how do you know that red is your favorite color of the rainbow? Maybe if you would've gotten out there and notice purple, you would've like purple better. Or maybe yellow is a more becoming color! The opportunities are endless... go on, experiment, explore.

Your image of what works will evolve and grow as you date.

In experimentation, there is no failure, only discovery.

Excerpts modified by Han Nee and quoted from:
Laurie A. Helgoe, Ph.D., author of the "Boomer's Guide to Dating (Again)," is a clinical psychologist and national expert on relationships and desire. She is on the web at wakingdesire.com.

What is the one dream for your life you most look forward to having come true?

2007-05-15T00:18:00.000-07:00

I recently got asked that question and I stumbled a bit to answer! It is tough for me, not because I don't have a dream that I look forward to having come true, but rather the opposite!

I am such a dreamer that I have too many dreams to choose from and I just can't decide on one! Plus, I notice too, throughout the years, my dreams have changed considerably with experience and age. You may even call it a paradigm shift in some cases.

My favorite Chinese proverb goes like this: "Happiness depends on something to work on, something to hope for, and someone to love."

All my dreams do tend to revolve around those 3 things - a dream to pursue or being able to pursue a job that I would love waking up to doing every day... a dream that someday, things will be better and everything will be okay... and a dream of finding my soul mate and falling in love, and having him to love and be loved for the rest of my life.

Three lessons I have learnt from past relationships...

2007-05-15T00:11:00.000-07:00

1) That you can't change someone just because you love them - Accept them for who they are, or if you cannot, then, move on. Don't make the mistake of thinking your love will change them. People rarely changes, and if they do, it will have to be a conscious, willing choice that comes from themselves, not you.

2) Communication is key - open, honest communication with each other even with the smallest issue. Often times, unresolved 'small issues' will snowball into something monstrous if needs are not communicated and expectations not met.

3) Letting go of someone I love is the HARDEST, HARDEST lesson I've ever had to learn. I suck at it! (still do) But, I learn that if you truly love someone, you want them to be happy, even if that means letting them go in some cases... so that they may find the happiness that they couldn't have with me.

My Mother is Beautiful (Happy Mother's Day!)

2007-05-07T02:37:00.000-07:00

My mother is beautiful.
Everyone who knows her
knows it's so...
But no one knows it
quite like me.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I LOVE YOU!!!

A Quote on My Crush

2007-05-02T05:16:00.000-07:00

"See, with girls, there are two kinds of guys. The first kind of guy is the kind of guy that you don't stare at or give any thought to. You don't dream about him, or use him as the basis for all your wishes. But if he ever did ask you out, you know that you could learn to love him. You could grow to love him with time.

The second kind of guy is that guy you're always aching for, the one you're always thinking about. He's the kind of guy that makes your knees go weak and leaves you breathless and knocks you off your feet. The kind you stare at and scribble his name and yours all over your notebook..."
- Ines Lopes

*sigh... he is the second kind of guy... my second kind of guy.

"Why do they call it a crush? Because that's how you feel when they don't feel the same way in return."

2007-04-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

If you have a crush on someone and told him about it, and he in return tells you to 'get over it and see me as a friend. We’ll take it from there'...

I wonder, how long is it permissible for you to 'ignore' his messages after that and be silent, before he gets fed-up and gives up on contacting you altogether?

The thing is, it's not that I don't want him to contact me anymore, or that I don't want to reply to his messages... in fact, quite the contrary... my heart still skip a beat when his IM pops on my screen and I stare at it and my eyes get teary. I’m afraid that if I respond to him in such an emotional state of mind, I’ll be opening a flood gate of emotions and ends up making a bigger fool of myself than I already have.

It sounds so easy - just get over it. Err, how?

I’ve never been one who's good at letting go or getting over someone. It seems so easy for some people - especially guys! They seem to have an on/off button that they could just flip at any given time.

I guess it's different for everyone. For me, I need to 'distant' myself from my object of affection and really just not have any/much contact with him for a while... let some time pass.

My mom always says, "This too shall pass."

*Sigh... Huge events take place on this planet everyday. Earthquakes, hurricanes, glaciers even more. So why can't he just like me back?!?

"When nothing is sure, everything is possible." - Margaret Drabble

2007-04-21T23:37:00.000-07:00

I’m finally at a stage in my life now when I feel hopeful and at peace and happily single! Yeah, ever since I broke up with my long term bf in June 2006, my life has been in disarray... 2 guys and 10 months later, I'm finally at a happy place.

At the present moment, I’m open to dating if someone interesting comes my way, but I’m not really looking... nor will I commit to a relationship again, unless someone sweeps me off my feet and I am totally in love! I think I rushed into things too much when I started dating again in September, only 3 months after my break-up... While it was comforting to have someone to hold me, I was emotionally unavailable...

Now I am, but I am also happy to be single and enjoying all the single perks... like randomly kissing a cute 23-yr old on my birthday just because I can! Ha, ha...

My friend gave me a card with a really inspirational quote in it:

"When nothing is sure, everything is possible." - Margaret Drabble

Those words are my new mantra these days... I find them to be truly inspiring... often times, we get so uncomfortable with uncertainties in life... that's why people want to get married, know where they are going with their relationship, career, life, etc, etc... We always want to be 'sure' and to 'know' about outcomes in life...

But what I do learn, coming to my 30s, this year, is that: it is a beautiful thing - that nothing is 'for sure' or 'done deal'... you know? It means, you're still open to all these wonderful opportunities ahead that you otherwise couldn't explore if you already have a 'sure thing'... be it career or life partner.

I used to always say, I want a certain something by the time I reach a certain age... but now, I realize that by stating it like that, I’m actually limiting myself to only achieving those things... it's like I have blinders on and only focus on those things that I’ve set as goals...

Now, I’m a lot more flexible and open to changes that life could throw at me... I wont' say I want to go back to school, get my PhD and be a professor in 5 years, because I don't know what life holds in the future and I don't want to limit myself to just that... instead, I’ll say, in 5 years, I want to be in a career where I am financially well compensated, a job that I love doing and look forward to every morning, that will provide job satisfaction, and gives me the freedom to travel and time for myself to reflect and think and be creative.... it could still be teaching at a college.... or it could be something else...

Sweet Birthday Wish from my lil Sis! (Awww...)

2007-04-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

I got a really sweet e-card for my "sweet 30" birthday (lol) today, from my sweet lil' sis! She just made my day! :) Well, my birthday is actually on April 5, which is tomorrow in Hawaii, but in Malaysia, 5th April is actually today... so, I guess, I should be celebrating today, too? lol.

I went to sushi with Chas and Anna for lunch (yummm... what a treat!) and we'll be having some drinks after work at Outback, too... and tomorrow? Party time! 6pm at E&O Trading (Ward Center) till whenevah! Ciao...

Get Hoppin' into Spring!

2007-04-03T00:02:00.000-07:00

Duck Quack,
Bunny Track,
Sweet Snack,
Egg Crack,
Spring's Back!!!

God's Little Wonders Are EVERYWHERE!
Happy Easter!!!

Click here to watch a funny video of the Spring Quartets!

~Han Nee~

In love, in lust, or just insane?

2007-03-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been waking up every morning with a renewed hope, BIG smile and ready to start my day! I smiled when I look at myself in the mirror, I close my eyes to feel the cool morning breeze on my face as I step out of my apartment and look up at the gorgeous sun. My steps are light, and I skip rather than walk...

Someone has been on my mind... fueling a very positive energy throughout my body and if I just close my eyes and listen to my thoughts, I get a tingly sensation all over... I have a dreamy look and silly grin if you catch me staring out at the window... mind wandering thousands of miles away...

Do I sound like someone in love? He is not here, (I mean, not physically here) but it couldn't feel more real if he was. I've never even met him yet (again, not yet in person) but I'm dying to! Every cell in my body is screaming, "I have to meet this person!" If we are half has good in person as we are right now, there will be fireworks when we meet! "We'll be in trouble..."

I guess 2 things are at work here: Imagination and Lust. Not being to see, touch and hear each other leaves a lot out to own imagination... and hence, fantasy. He is GOD - he could do NO wrong! He is the knight in shining armour, the one I've been fantasizing about ever since I first read the first King Arthur story! And lust... lust for what you don't have yet desire... a lust and want so strong, it motivates you to do the rash and unthinkable... yes, lust is a strong motivator!

And all of the above just adds up to one word: INSANITY! (Yes, even in my lala land, and cloudy state of mind, I realize the whole thing sounds insane.) So, am I in love, in lust, or just insane? I don't know... but I'm enjoying the 'high' right now and will keep enjoying it and 'lusting' over it for as long as I can... because when I am high like that, I am a happy person. I am funny, and witty, and sharp, and sweet, and just a joy to be around with...

Errr... can someone try to make a drug with this formula and sell it in the pharmacy, please? I'll buy a dozen for myself and more for my girlfriends! LOL...

Art After Dark - Come to Honolulu Academy of Arts tonight!

2007-03-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

On the last Friday of each month, Art After Dark presents an event at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. It is a really fun event for young professionals to mix and mingle and appreciate art after work, while having drinks and pupus. I've attended quite a few of these events in the past and have always enjoyed them. All the galleries are open late (event is from 6-9 PM) and there will also be music and performing arts.

This month's theme is: "Let them eat cake", in celebration of the Academy's 80th birthday! So, Karla and myself will be there to decorate and eat cupcakes later this evening! LOL... Yummmm.... Wanna come?

It's FRIDAY!!! Woo-hoo...

2007-03-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

Footprints in the sand... and on my heart

2007-03-27T00:40:00.000-07:00

If I have to name one place as the most romantic place that nature has provided for us, it will have to be a beach... the sound of the rolling waves, the sunset, the feel of the sand on your feet, and the trail of mysterious footprints that are left behind, no matter how softly you thread...

I must admit (sheepishly!) that someone recently left a new set of footprints on my heart. Little by little, those set of footprints have changed the geography of my heart. They bring me smiles, sunshine and most of all, hope. I guess it's still too early to see where this set of footprints are going to lead me (LOL) but suffice to say, I'm curious to follow where it might lead...

Waikiki Sunset Photo by: Herman Lochner

Little things like SHOPPING and YAKKING :)

2007-03-27T00:22:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I wish I have more money so I can travel now! It would be so great to fly over to Scotland next week to see my best friend, Reina, and spend our birthdays together (her birthday and mine are just 1 week apart from each other! That's right - both baby Aries!!!)

Funny thing is, we've known each other since we were 16 and we have never once really celebrated our birthdays together... I guess it's just one of those things you take for granted when you live close to each other and talk on the phone everyday. Now, it's been 4 years since I last saw her in January 2003.

Yesterday, I went "window shopping" at Ala Moana Shopping Center and ended up buying a $200 dress!!! I know, I know... total impulsive buy! What's new??? So, I guess, I'll have something nice to wear on my birthday next week. :) The dress is a deep, rich maroon and 100% silk... so beautiful to look at and oh so nice to the touch! Ooooh... what money can buy! LOL. (I don't care what you say, I still think shopping is the best therapy for any kind of stress or depression! It's literally impossible to be depressed while shopping! Although you can argue that depression will set in when you get your credit card bill!)

Oh, and I miss home soooo much, too! I was all cranky for the last couple of days and then I realized that I haven't called home for a while - hmmm... maybe that's why! So I called home last night and proceed to talk for 3 hours with my mom, sis and dad!!! Yeah, telephone therapy - that's another good one! I think being away really highlights the little things that are important to you - things that you take for granted when you're back home and you see your family everyday.

My New IM Friends

2007-03-22T00:09:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'll admit it... I'm an internet junkie. Not that it's any secrets - family and friends who know me swear that there is an umbilical cord connecting me to the PC. :)

Recently, I've rediscovered the joy of making friends over the Internet, and specifically, through the use of Instant Messenger (IM). I've been spending sooo much time on IM, chatting with people I hardly know, as if they are my close friends - swapping pictures, sharing jokes and exchanging stories... there are a few that I 'IM' on a daily basis now and although I've never met them in person, they are like my new best friends...

There is something gratifying about the 'instant' part - to be able to 'tell' someone something that's either happening to you as it unfolds, or to share what's on your mind at that instant, and get an instantaneous response. I don't know how to describe it or put it in words... I guess, if you are an IM junkie like me, you'll be nodding your head right now. Rest of you will think I'm in la-la land. :)

My roommate for one does not believe in any kind of "internet-relationships" - whether it's platonic or heaven forbids, romantic! "How do you know it's not a psycho on the other side of the screen?" he said, "I can make up anything I want on the Internet. How do you know what's real?" The answer is, I don't. To me, the Internet is far from perfect, but guess what, so is life. You can never know for sure. Like life, the Internet has a lot of scary people in it and a lot of scammers in it, but there are also a lot of normal, nice people like you and me, using the Net as a medium to meet and communicate. Like life, it is up to you to exercise judgement and to weed out the 'bad nuts' and keep the good.

Recently, my 'craptop' crashed and I realized that one of the things that caused me an 'anxiety attack' on the spot was the thought of not being able to IM my friends or have Internet access. That was when I realized how dependent I have become! Logging on to my IM was the first thing I do in the morning (just like how some people grab a morning coffee before they start their day, that's how I start mine) - first I do a quick glance on who's online at the time (and usually they are the same people), then I check my emails, and then, my workday can begin. If anything pops up during the day, I don't pick-up the phone to call my best friend (because she is in Glasgow!) - I sent an instant message to my IM friends who are online at that time (and again, they are usually the same people).

My IM is what I look forward to in the morning, what gets me through my frustrations and boredom while going through mundane, routine days (some weeks have more of those than others!), and what brightens my day when a friendly "hi, how are you doing today?" IM pops up on my computer screen.

So, I thought I'll just pen it in my blog today as a tribute to all my IM friends who have been there for me "in an instant" when I needed you. Thank you!

At a Crossroad on St. Patty's Day

2007-03-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

It's St. Paddy's Day! I went to the gym this morning and on my way home, ran into my ex. He looked great - so handsome and sharp in his uniform! He was actually directing traffic on the road for the St Paddy's parade (he's a police officer), we talked and I stayed for the parade - wanting to just spend some (however much) time with him... The conversation was easy and we laughed and joked and gossip about friends and people we know, and there was a sense of familiarity and quiet understanding that could only come from shared experience and history.

We saw a friend that we went to college with years ago (a classmate) and waved at him. For a while there, I felt like we were still together... that he was still mine. Alas, the parade ended after an hour or so, and we walked down the road a couple more minutes until we reached a crossroad. I gave him a hug, waved each other goodbye, and just like that, he was gone from my life again.

Drink Green Beer! Catch a Leprechaun!

2007-03-16T04:52:00.000-07:00

It isn't from a Leprechaun,
It isn't from an Elf,
But it's from one who wishes you a Happy Day...

...Meeself !!!

p/s: If you are at downtown Honolulu this Saturday, March 17th, please come over to Murphy's and join us...we'll be at the block party after 5 p.m. till whenevah!

CRASH, BOOM, BANG!!!

2007-03-16T04:22:00.000-07:00

I've had a heck of a week... and to top it off, the hard drive on my laptop CRASHED today - dead, kaput, DONE!!! It was the worst feeling of helplessness ever... to restart the computer over and over again and to stare at the blank screen with the message: "Disk error reading..."

And did I back up my files??? NOOOOOO.... I know, I wanted to kick my own ass today! There was no warning, nothing... prior to this. In fact, just last night, I was still updating this blog and checking my emails and everything was cheery... you just never know.

So, people - tip for today is BACK-UP, BACK-UP, AND BACK-UP!!! Take it from someone who has to go through it today... (I always thought that's something that happens to 'other people', not me!)

TEARS...

2007-03-16T03:49:00.000-07:00

Sitting here tonight, listening to Yoshiki's songs... especially "Tears"... my own began to stream down my cheeks as I watched the night lights from apartments and Ala Wai and traffic from the lanai of my apartment...

Do you know Yoshiki's songs? If not, you HAVE to check-it out! Here's a link to his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/yoshiki

(Listen to 'Without You' and 'Tears')

It's easy to get sentimental on a queit night like this... all alone in my apartment, and listening to Yoshiki's music. I became really nostalgic and sentimental and vulnerable at times like these. Gee, I even get chills... there is a deep longing in my heart... a hollowness that sucks like a vacumm.

Okay, okay... I better knock it off before I get everyone depressed! :)

The Dash Between Those Years

2007-03-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

Recently, a friend sent me a poem called "The Dash" : http://www.thedashmovie.com/

Check it out... it is beautiful.

Almost brought tears to my eyes when I watched it, as I've been thinking a lot lately about life, love, etc... so, it struck a cord with me...

I've been kinda in a limbo for the past 9 months now, since I broke-up with m bf of 3 1/2 years... we had a wonderful relationship and he is a wonderful guy, and I am thankful for every minute of the 3 1/2 years that we have spent together... the split was a right thing because we are at different places in life and ultimately have different goals, wants and needs that are simply different.

Still, he left a big VOID in my life... I never thought it was going to be easy, but man, living it is another thing... most days I am fine and funny and cheerful, but some days, I'm simply not strong enough... the strange thing about a break-up (esp. when you're still in love) is that, life goes on after the split... everything remains the same - your job, your life, your room, the places that you go to, even your furniture... the only difference is, there is now ONE less person in your world... ONE less person in your life... and that makes all the difference in the world...

There are days when I question myself and my sense of purpose... because I have been so lost for the past 9 months... I was unstable and searching... and questioning... and mourning... and trying to fill the void with anything and everything... and all I wanted to do was to run back to him... and have him tell me that everything will be all right and that he would love me again like before.

BUT, even as emotional as I was, I am still rational. I know that that would never be and is not the solution to the problem. I have been so spoiled and babyied for the past 3 1/2 years and now, all of a sudden, find myself out all alone, and I do not like that... and that is my problem... my challenge. I have to find the answer to that myself... I need to find myself again and ask myself some fundamental questions:

"Who is Hannee Chong?"

"What does she like? What makes her happy?"

"What is her purpose in life? What would need to change in order for her life to be full and meaningful and happy?"

It is hard to be truthful to oneself, because it means admitting weaknesses and opening up to changes, which is always difficult. It sometimes also means taking time alone... and I suck at being alone. I hate it and I am afraid of the darkness and emptiness that come with loneliness... but that is my weakness. I need to conquer that fear and be comfortable with it.

I need to learn that it is alright to be alone. That we, as human beings, come to this world alone and will leave this world alone one day. That I am a COMPLETE human being... all by myself... and that I do NOT NEED another person to hang on to. That I need to find out what I'm passionate about, what I can do really well, and how that can be applied to this world so that I would be happy doing something that I'm passionate about and at the same time, fulfill my purpose in life. It doesn't need to be anything astronomically big... we all have our place in this world.

And like the poem said, our time in this world is limited. We never know when it is going to end... and I certainly don't want my last moment spent on this world to be mourning about something that is already in the past, instead of living the present life that I have.

Being in Hawaii really helps... everytime I feel really down or melancholy and having some 'self-pity' for myself, I just need to look outside at the beautiful place that I'm in and remind myself once again, "You are in Hawaii - one of the most beautiful and wonderful places on earth. How bad can it be?"

When I look back at my 'dash' in this world, I want to be able to say that I've lived my life exactly as I've wanted it and that there is absolutely no regrets.

School and stuff (PHD stands for 'Permanent Head Damage')

2007-03-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

I went to UH yesterday and met up with some faculty members... found out that I declared the wrong major because of misinformation on their website - they said 'international marketing' is not offered in 2007 but actually it is... so, now I gotta change it from 'intercultural training' to 'international marketing' which I'm more interested in and which better meets my skill sets.

Found out that 2 things are working against me:
1) they don't like HPU students (they think HPU is a 'mickey mouse' school - of course, I DO NOT agree!), and
2) My GRE score is too low

BUT, they do seem to like me a lot and think that my research interest might be a fit... so, we'll see. best case scenario is, if I get accepted, I'll still have to re-test and get a higher score on my GMAT.

It's kinda out of my hands now, I think. i mean, I'm glad I went to UH yesterday and found out about the major thing with international marketing and got to meet up with the faculty members and all... the ones from international marketing are really nice and cool people, but the ones from intercultural training are like 'nutty professors'! I kid you not! They scare me - sooo aloof, anti-social and their office look like a mess! I wouldn't want to work with those ones for 4 years! So, marketing it is, or nothing with this uni!

If I don't' get into this one, it'll be a lot of wasted effort and time in preparation and all, but it's not the end of the world... I'll apply to another school - USC's school of education has a satellite campus here in Hawaii that I can go to to get my Ed.D., which is a doctorate program in education. The campus is at Hawaii Kai. but, I missed this fall's deadline, which was Feb 1. so, I'll have to apply for fall 2008. I mean, all things taken into consideration, it's not a bad option... one more year to make a little bit more money.

I'm also thinking of 're-tooling' myself and investing into learning more about the World Wide Web... after all, if that is my 'specialty', I think it pays to know the 'technical' side of things that I don't necessarily know right now. It's just frustrating not being able to see the full spectrum to be as involved as I want to be because I don't know the technical stuff. plus, too, I think, once you have technical skills, your net worth just 'sky rocket' because not many people, esp. out here in Hawaii has technical skills concerning the web.

This year will be pretty mellow for me - I guess, just a lot of re-tooling, re-grouping and re-energizing myself for bigger better things in the future. Not planning on any crazy splurge or trips yet... conservation is key. Ha, ha... you won't hear me say that very often!