Look Rich

These days, I find myself wanting to spend and buy more high-end items in a less thoughtful manner without need or justification. In short, just giving in to whims and maybe perceived self-actualization and competitiveness. That one bag I bought somehow had me wanting to buy more, to enjoy my earnings instead of always thinking about savings and ROI.

Then I saw a timely reminder which had Facebook's CEO picture with the caption, the idea is not to look rich but be rich. That hit me. I started getting addicted to trying to dress myself up, to set myself apart and make me think that people would notice the message "hey I made it". So here I am salivating and planning on my next luxury item while my net worth is not even .01% of Mark's. Oh boy, do I love these little reminders that puts things in perspective and regain focus. The challenge is not to fall into the habit of looking for material rewards every so often. Get rich with experiences than look rich. Live below your means, not within and all the more not above.

Photo grabbed from Mark's FB page.

This is not an apple watch review

When I learned of those smart wearable devices, I contemplated on getting one for me or for my parents but it felt too expensive for me. The stingy side of me prevailed. While I could see some benefits, I thought rather than depending on technology for monitoring my step count etc, I should just try harder to lead a healthier and active lifestyle. I also became a technophobic with thoughts of exploding cellphones and now to actually attach one to the wrist might be a bad idea. So, I thought to myself, I don't need one and I will not be a slave of these "innovations". To some extent, don't you feel that if we become too dependent on them, the future as shown in the futuristic/fictional movies Wall-E or I-Robot will soon become our reality. 

 

Fast forward to December, my friends gave me a fitbit Flex2 as a prewedding gift (I trust that they were not subtly hinting for me to lose weight.) and then my now husband gave me an apple watch. So, of course I had to use it. I wanted the fitbit because I got jealous and envied my friends who were trying to one-up each other in terms of the number of steps taken. Anyway, since I couldn't use both so the fitbit was left for my mom to use. I have but used my apple watch almost everyday since. I have configured my watch in a way that it displays a lot of info on screen including: step count, date, time, temp in Celsius or Fahrenheit (still trying to get used to the temps units...), and my hometown time. Although I am able to track my step count, I don't think my habits have changed to actually conscientously meet a daily goal. I have gotten used to seeing this explosion of data when I glance at my wrist that on the occasions I end up wearing my other watches (mostly because I failed to charge the watch), I feel that the information I am told is insufficient, as if my wrist is lacking and naked. Sure, it tells me the time, which is what a watch is supposed to be for in the first place. But what's the temp (which is quite good to know especially winters where I am at can jump from lows of 40's to highs of 90's the next day.)?, How many steps do I have (as if it mattered and makes any difference)?, I need to know! I have yet to maximize the watch so other than that, it has been just handy for quick reading of messages while teaching or driving, for doing one minute planks, and camera timer functions. My main deal is that wish I could pick up calls from VoIP apps such as viber, FB messenger etc. without having a bluetooth headphones with me. I am still resisting those Airpods which again are chargeable devices. My carbon footprint is just terrible with all these things and how much glued and hooked I am to them.

 

Now given that the watch has now become a staple, it makes me rethink if I should get that watch I've been eyeing on for a while now. Maybe I shouldn't and just get a D&G Sicily instead (no, that designer bag story still has no conclusion). 

Starting anew!

So, in my line of work now, most of the folks I work with and get to meet are from the Gen X to as far back as the Traditionalists generation. Being Asian and all, it's terribly easy for everyone to categorize me as being a millennial. The trouble is there is almost a really negative connotation to being boxed as a millennial. One training I attended which was aptly called, "Generations in the Workplace", had me being a crucial part of the training to represent that generation. Being the minority and the "misunderstood" generation I had to bear the brunt of their rants and complaints. It is not that I don't empathize but I just find it unfair to be judged as such without chance to let them know that with age and experience comes some maturity as well. Also, that they are not without any generational "flaw" so to speak as well. A lot of times, I find myself in denial of being a part of that generation just because.

However, truth be told, I have been blogging even back during the dial-up days using xanga,livejournal and blogger. I have used MIRC and yahoo messenger to chat with folks. I signed up for a friendster, myspace and multiply account before facebook came about. Yes, I caught the internet explosion as it was just starting but I spent most of my childhood without it. This meant looking at encyclopedias and going to libraries to do the research for schoolwork, to submit reports in handwritten or typewritten form.

And now, I am going back to blogging but hopefully on a less dramatic way but on a more useful way to focus more on travels, relationships and weddings among others. Cheers to new beginnings!