Thursday, March 22, 2007

38 ways to live a good life.

note: this is a literal translation from a magazine that i was reading ( i can't say i was reading it if i didn't comprehend most of it, browsing more like) at my afterwork chillout place, starbucks.

don't say you haven't been forewarned.

though, i must say i really worked at it - translating/summarising it from chinese to english - to the best of my abilities. i even sought advice from jacky&anny (the experts) seated beside me as i scribbled away (in what i can only call my signature scribbly illegible handwriting) in my notebook.

note II: i kinda added in some bits myself, from what i recall having read in the mag.

1. rest for a day - really rest, do nothing at all.


2. throw away your ex-lover's things or auction them off on ebay - money beats memories anyday.

3. learn to dance - any kind of dance - i think.

4. buy insurance. (mai bao xuan)
5. buy condoms. (mai bao xuan tao)


inside joke, you won't get it.

to think i actually cocked my eyebrows in genuine curiosity as i questioned the pros (as they debated) about the meaning behind this phrase.

6. laugh - REALLY laugh - burst out loud/laugh-like-you-mean-it type of laughter.

7. go on blind dates.

8. go on/for a weekend spa.

9. go for medical checkups - once you hit 25.

10. two words: destination travel.

11. quit smoking - applicable to smokers only.

12. take vitamins/health supplements.

13. eat more vegetables, less meat.

14. exercise! be disciplined about it!

15. invest in a comfortable pillow.

16. keep your receipts, do monthly accounts - it's a pain but a necessary one - in order to keep track of your spendings/savings.

17. curb your shopping sprees - invest in property, pay rent/mortgage.

18. read books - being well read enables you to be more cultured and to carry out good conversations.

19. be prepared for all things,

don't be a stupid smart woman! (bu yao zuo yi ge ben cong ming nu ren) - have an umbrella, panadol, jacket at your disposal (at work).

20. prepare a (home-cooked) meal for family and friends.

21. say "i love you" to family/friends/lovers - be a woman's woman; all soft and stuff.

22. don't drink too much (alcohol).

23. you must move forward in life

0-18 yrs> have a good family
18-35 yrs> have a good appearance
35-55 yrs> have a good character

55 yrs and above > have cash, truckloads of it

24. LEARN TO SAY NO!

25. reignite your childhood passion/dream.

26. LEARN TO LET GO - be it in your marriage/love/family/career.

27. donate your old clothes to charity.

28. buy sexy lingerie.

29. your beauty(skincare) products should be better/more expensive than your cosmetics.

30. LEARN TO CRY - but not at work (that would just be unprofessional) or in the presence of a man who doesn't deserve it.

31. time waits for no one - grow old gracefully, save plastic surgery for the rich. use your age to add to your wisdom - or something to that effect.

32. cut a suitable hairstyle - don't change for the sake of changing, be yourself.

33. dress appropriately - leave a good impression.

34. be friends with technology (be tech savvy) - learn to deal with computer viruses and how to change a lightbulb.

35. cherish the experience, don't always focus on the outcome - "women are not born, they are made."

(we mature and grow into women)

36. increase your income - by means of investment/entrepreneurship..etc. don't be content working for the same boss your whole life.

37. some things cannot be borrowed - try not to keep borrowing or lending people things.

38. don't let your ex-lovers come back - either those who have betrayed you or those you have betrayed. if they want to reconcile, please reject that offer.

a man like that is not worth your sympathy.

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