Friend + Enemy = Frenemy

Whether we admit it or not, we all have "frenemies". A frenemy is someone who is both "friend" and "enemy". It's totally different from a love and hate relationship. It's more complex and complicated as it has that twisted, psycho, sick flavour to it. Its a relationship that is both mutually beneficial or dependent while being competitive, fraught with risk and mistrust.

Frenemies come in different guises and settings - frenemy at work; frenemy amongst friends; frenemy amongst business rivals etc.

I confess to have several frenemies at work. I consider a work colleague one when - he/she can be a pal one day and stab you in the back the next. Although some might argue that I should learn to live with it and this is a common workplace peril; nevertheless, why do certain colleagues morph into frenemies? Is it because they are congenitally unable to have true friends?; or that's the way these people operate. You may be friends when all is smooth sailing, but when the chips are down, your frenemy will never take the fall.

It's so sad that some people are so laden with fear about their political position or their competence that they never miss an opportunity to plunge the blade in the back. Keeping a frenemy at a distance to minimize the risk of being stabbed doesn't really work. Face it, part of the reason your relationship developed as it did is because the two of you are too dependent on one another, and share too many goals or project to disentangle your professional fortunes.

So, how do we deal with our frenemies at work?? Imagine this -- you go up to your frenemy and said "weapon of choice: pistols -- duel at dawn"!! Of course the victor is me, myself and I!!

Happy Teacher's Day

Teachers facilitate student learning and thinking skills. Although many people see teaching as a "half-a-day" job, most teachers work well outside the school day including weekends. Long hour is not uncommon with no additional financial compensation. In addition, many teachers purchase items for their students and classroom out of their own wages!!

In most cultures, teaching is referred to as a profession. Teachers are considered professionals on par with physicians, lawyers, and CPA's because they are often required to obtain specialized education and professional licensure.

UNESCO inaugurated World Teachers’ Day on 5 October 1994 to celebrate and commemorate the signing of the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers on 5 October 1966. World Teachers’ Day also highlighted the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel adopted in 1997. In Brunei, Teacher's Day, is celebrated on September 23.

I dedicate this entry to all teachers, lecturers, tutors, educators, trainers and instructors. Kudos to all teachers for your service to the country. Happy Teacher's Day.

September Babies

Birthdays are meant to be celebrated. The Birthday person is usually given a treat on the day; or the birthday person gives a treat to his/her loved ones; or the birthday person is subjected to a "rite of transition". (hehehehe -- the "rite of passage" depends on the ingenuity of the organizer).

It's also the day to celebrate the coming of age. Some people love their birthdays and some hate this time of the year. It's the idea of getting progressively older that put the fear of God in some people. It reminds them of their frailty and the time they have on this earth. Its also the moment to reflect how much we have done for selves, families, careers and the community.

September Stones: Sapphire; Lapis lazuli; Peridot
September Flowers: Forget-me-not; Aster

September Birthday Babies

4th L-a- T-s-n
13th The youngest in the family
16th A--s
17th The Newlywed: J----i
18th R-s--h
21st N-z--n
29th P-p-i


Happy Birtday September Babies. Enjoy your day to the fullest.

Reflections

To err is human, to forgive is divine. They say confession is good for the soul. To own up to a 'misdemeaour' is a an admission of guilt. The question is what motivate people to 'fess all'.

There are many reasons why people admit to mistakes. Among others are;

1. They are guilty; enough said!!
2. They are genuinely contrite
3. They want to be forgiven and hence guilt free
4. They are attention seekers and they want the world to know they did it!!!
5. They own up in order to move on
6. Regret and penance
7. Divine salvation

Fasting month is the time to reflect on past mistakes and make amends. It is also the time to accumulate merit points (in religious sense). During this month, it's higly recommended to 'detox' from "earthy pleasures";"decadent" or "sinful" activities - in short "do no evil, see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil".

Ramadhan is a sure way to warrant good behaviours among fellow believers. Wouldn't it be good if this state of affair continue all year round?? I know this is very pollyannaish but it sure will make the world a better place to live. Happy Fasting Everyone and Be Good!

Fashionista

I love and appreciate beautiful things - may they be clothes, shoes, design, art, paintings, architecture, places, etc.

I went to one of the relatives' new house recently. I love the house design... I'm not just saying that to be nice. The bunglow is a shrine to the "kampong" and "western" concepts. If you sit in one room, you can see through the entire house...its quintessentially stylish, 'airy' and there's lots of light. The scenery outside the house is all green....

One of my connections made a very interesting remark about designs. He insisted that clean lines will do it for him every time. He argues that there's elegance in simplicity. Yes, i 'dig' you LL. You don't like fuss!! However, fashion is a statement of intent or personal taste!! To each his/her own.

Sometimes kitsch designs can be fun too. Occasionally,I do indulge my penchant to kitsch. I suppose, you can always see beauty in kitsch. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and kitsch brings out the playfulness in me!!! Don't get me wrong, I am totally against anything OTT, too loud, too gaudy and too ostentatious!! A little kitsch can be a source of pleasure and amusement. Ask my BFF about her pouty fish. It's totally kitsch and it's a definite ice breaker!!

Vintage stuff? I love vintage especially from the house of Dior, Gucci and Chanel!!! Enough said!!

Shoes?? There are some Imeldas in the house of Staar. hehehe. Identities of shoes hoarders; collectors and fashionistas will be kept under wraps to spare their blushes!!!


My List of beautiful things

Edifice: SOAS Mosque; Angkor Wat; Taj Mahal; The Blue Mosque;
Nature: The natural beauty of Brunei Darussalam
Country/Place: Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Venice, England and France.
Paintings: The Kiss by Klimt; Sunflower by Van Gogh; The Scream by Munch & Kampong Ayer by Pg Timbang
Dance: Rhumba, Salsa, Tango, Jazz
Animals: All creatures great and small
Felines: Cats rule!!

Stay Tuned!

Me, Myself & I

"To join or not to join the blog family".......that was the ultimate question. I thought long and hard about it. I have to be ready to share a piece of me with "my public". In fact, I have a map for my blog. It's a place where I can write anything that I want!! Tres moi is in the driving seat. The opinions expressed here are mine, my and me own!!

Me, Myself and I come from the school of positive thinking. I will write about things that make me happy. I am numero uno after all. I will please me, myself and I. Personally, this freedom to express my thoughts is very liberating and empowering. However, this will not give me a licence to write anything toxic/poisonous/offensive in my entry as it beats the purpose of positive affirmation.

A word of caution: If you think I am being too "pollyannaish" or otherwise......This is me, moi and I!!!! Take it or leave it!!!

Fishterian

I love all kinds of food, unfortunately I am allergic to MOST. My staple diet consists of fish and fish and more fish. Can you imagine having fish every single day?. What I know for sure is, there has to be a lot of imagination and originality in the preparation of every meal. Suffice to say, as a fishterian, it has been a gastronomic adventure.

You would imagine that I eat all kinds of fish. Wrong answer!!! I eat only certain species of fish. Family members and BBF will attest to my aversion to eating ugly fish!! Aside from the looks...they tend to taste very, very fishy!!! Yes, not all fish are great and equal to the palate!! Do you know that some fish smile??? Exactly!!! Do you want to eat a smiling fish??? I rest my case!

Being a fishterian is not all that bad. It has some perks. Family members, BBF and close friends always ensure that there's fish when they invite me out for a meal. Isn't that sweet?

There's nothing fishy (no pun intended) to this blog. It's just to share everyday stuff with my loyal readers. Last words - Fish Rules!!