carpe that cynical diem

I admit that I, alongside many other people in the world, can be pretty cynical. However, let's firstly be very clear on what this word actually means. Cynicism can be defined as 'believing that people are motivated by self-interest,' or 'to be distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.'

Now where does such a mentality get us in life? Well.. It makes us doubtful. It helps us create guards. In fact, cynism makes us so well protected and introverted that we believe that nothing and no one can touch us, because we occasionally just have THAT little faith in human intentions. As Oscar Wilde once said, 'the cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.'

It has taken me awhile to realize this, but being overly cynical is far from healthy.

It's a human trait to think too much, especially when you're faced with a situation where you know you will be left with an outcome that you may not be able to control. In fact, being out of control is pretty bloody terrifying for most of us, because humans are afraid of change. Nobody likes not knowing, especially when there is a potential for us to get shattered beyond our beliefs. So how do we respond? We build walls that are absolutely unbreakable. We convince ourselves that we are untouchable because we don't believe that humans could be that nice or sweet. In fact, maybe some of us have developed our cynical streaks because of the hurt we went through in the past. Going through our daily routines with an iron-strong mask then becomes a way of life.

So here is what really happens. We fixate on every potentially negative outcome, and so we do not enjoy the moment as much as we should. By questioning too much, we forget to live right here and right now.

It isn't easy, being in love with the present moment. In fact, learning to think like this is extremely difficult. But I have realized that by continuing to be cynical, I impede myself from achieving the best and truly being happy because I'm so darn afraid and negative. I know that this applies to a great majority of the population out there as well. Perhaps what's even more saddening is that there are so many less fortunate people who look at us and think: 'Those people are so lucky. They have legs, they have arms, they have potential. I wish I was them.' If they were in our shoes, I doubt they would be doing as much questioning as we do. They would probably forgo all the pessimism and just be happy.

So 2013 is the year for the cynics to stop being so cynical. Life does not have it in for us. Life owes us absolutely nothing. Carpe that cynical diem. Sometimes guards are completely necessary, but know when to shut them off. We need to stop being afraid, and embrace the fact that no matter what, we will be okay.

We have so much to be happy about, so turn off that negativity and smile! :-)

happy 2013!

To my lovely readers,

I am so sorry for being so irregular with my posting. These past couple of months have been pretty hectic, but hey guess what? You guys are probably going to get quite a few 'deep' posts soon. I've been asked to write entertaining ones as well (OH YES ENTERTAINMENT IS WHAT YOU WILL GET MY FRIENDS), so stay tuned.

On that note, HAPPY 2013! Here is to a new year of happiness, positivity, challenges and perhaps more regular blog posts from yours truly.

- Nadia

I recommend: this super innovative video

Anybody who knows me will understand why I'm absolutely in love with this video..

Check it out! This is what we call stepping out of the box (and boy did they do that).

the 21 things that 2012 made me grateful for.

As I will be turning 21 years old tomorrow, I thought that it would be good for me to write a reflective blog post. I don't often like to talk about my life in my blog posts, but hey...I guess this is a special occasion.

Without further ado, here are the 21 things that 2012 made me very grateful for. This list is in absolutely no order.

1. A second year in University, and one step closer to attaining a degree.
2. My fellow bottles at Maze. You guys gave me a sense of belonging that I have never felt anywhere else in my life, and taught me so many lessons (AKA how to be extra feisty). So thank you so much, you were definitely one of the best highlights of my year. 
3. Hosting the Melbourne Uni night market. 
4. Being able to HEAL for the Melbourne Uni event. I was so unwell, and it was an absolute miracle that I even managed to get up on stage. This particular incident taught me perseverance, patience and faith. 
5. My family, who are still healthy and supportive, and my number one priority in life. 
6. My marketing group for UMFM, who taught me that not all group assignments end up in frustration, and for being the best team I've ever worked with. 
7. The winter in Melbourne, for still being able to make me feel like I'm in a movie everytime I run out of my apartment and nearly freeze to death. 
8. (Alphabetically) Anisha M, David T, Jane T, Jane W, Mark C, Jack P and Sandra Y, for still being the GIS constants in my life, regardless of whether we speak regularly or not. 
9. Critical Analysis Skills, for being one of the most useless subjects known to mankind.. and for giving me the most hilarious tutor I have ever been exposed to.  Tuesday afternoons will never feel as complete again!! 
10. The voice test in Singapore in January, that sparked my glorious ambition. 
11. The sun, because it still shines everyday
12. My uni mates and close friends from all over the world, you know who you are. 
13. The GME modelling show, for yet more exposure. 
14. That I am healthy and alive. I probably should have written this as the first thing on my list, but hey, I said no particular order! 
15. My new (and free) flat screen TV in my apartment in Melbourne. 
16. Memes, just because I love memes.
17. Green tea chai lattes, for being my daily sweet treat. 
18. Life in general, for being so good and kind to me. 
19. The moments when my friends and I laughed so hard that we couldn't breathe 
20. The Shawshank Redemption and Fight Club, the two excellent classics that I (disgracefully) only discovered this year. These two movies definitely gave me further insight on life. 
21. 14/07/2012. 

the 5 types of status updates that should be banned from facebook

So with this next post, I have a feeling I am going to get a paradoxical mixture of support and dislike. On that note, please bear in mind that I mean no offense to those people who might disagree with me. This topic is simply something that I feel very strongly about, and I know that it is a fair and justified one to discuss. Moving on....

I have accepted that in the digital age, social media has gained an unbelievable platform. Facebook in particular has become integral in our lives; we use the application for keeping in touch, organizing our events, and promotion and advertising. It is truly incredible. However, the downside of the application is the fact that people use it to post up ridiculous, overtly attention seeking gibberish.

THE 5 TYPES OF STATUS UPDATES THAT SHOULD BE BANNED FROM FACEBOOK

1. Confrontational/Hint messages. 

'I can't believe you would do this to me.. You broke my heart. You betrayed me.' If you have a problem with someone, confronting them through the comfort of your Facebook status is slightly embarrassing. 

2. Power claiming statuses

'Do not mess with me. It will be the biggest mistake you will ever make. I will destroy you.' Somehow, people seem to think that such statuses make them seem strong, intimidating and domineering. I am here to tell you that it does the exact opposite. People who are truly powerful do not need to make public (and cyber) spectacles out of it. 

3. Attention seeking declarations of one's problems 

'I am so upset. Can't believe this is happening.' These statuses are made to gain attention, and attention only. 

4. Anything that includes the term 'FML' 

This is perhaps one of the things that irks me the most. For those of you who don't know, FML means 'F**k my life.' I see posts that go along the lines of: 'So much work to do. FML.' Believe me, I understand that life can be challenging and stressful, but FML is an inappropriate and terrible term to use. So before you want to say 'FML,' think about the starving children in Africa, or the people who have cancer. 

5. Redundant, unentertaining updates of one's life 

'Went to the grocers today...wow it was sunny..' or 'My girlfriend and I just talked.' These are wallpaper posts. Unless something funny or significant happened, or you managed to give the status update a witty little twist, nobody cares. Post up a meme or an interesting link instead! Tell us about the time you met an old man who gave you excellent life advice! 

                                                       ........

In essence, these 5 things all boil down to one underlying issue: ridiculously attention seeking statuses. What needs to be realized is that Facebook is not the best friend that we tell all our problems to. 

On that note, I also understand that these status updates have nothing to do with me, and that people should be able to do whatever they want. But hey, here's a thought. Everything that we do in life, whether it is through social media, our dressing or our values, creates a very strong reflection of ourselves. Perhaps posting such statuses has become so common that it is now the acceptable norm. I beg to differ, fine sir.  I believe that a certain level of pride should be adopted when one wants to publish something on such a public scale.

Till the next time readers!

- Nadia 

FOR ANY GIRL: What NOT to wear when you go clubbing

So I currently work at a club, and the girl in charge of me (Krystal) has given me the fantastic idea of talking about girls and the way they should dress in such an environment. Therefore Mama K, this one is dedicated to you. 

Now I am a pretty simple dresser. I like clean lines, I don't particularly fancy lots of accessories, and I don't wear shiny things. So I figured that the best way to tackle the 'club attire' topic would be to write from a neutral, WHAT NOT TO WEAR point of view. Because this, unlike my own style, would be applicable to ALL GIRLS. 

Here we go. This is a quick list of what NOT to wear when you go to a club. 

1. Clothes that do not look like clothes

For the love of God, please wear proper clothes. It is not appropriate to substitute a skirt with a belt.

2. Maxi Dresses

A club is not the smaller version of the Hilton ballroom.  I can assure you that you will not see Giorgio Armani lurking around the bar.

3. Maybelline's entire product line

I know that make-up is fun to play with..what girl doesn't like enhancing their looks? But it is slightly frightening when I see someone with every single product invented plastered on their face.

4. Torn material

Do not steal your local, neighborhood friendly hobo's clothes. Experimenting with one's fashion sense is great, but torn clothes and clubs do not go well together.

5. Sunglasses

There is a reason why they're called sunglasses, and not lightglasses. I promise you that there is no sun hiding amongst the bright, manmade flashes.

......

And that's the list done! Hope you agreed with me - Nadia

SORRY FOR THE HIATUS

Guys, a public apology for the hiatus on my blog!! I have been so busy, and thus had no time to update this baby. I'm also writing another blog at the moment, for an assessment, so it's been a little crazy. STAY TUNED FOR MORE RIDICULOUS ANTICS THOUGH. I promise to get on this A.S.A.P!