www.laugh-out-loud

If you know me, you would know that I love to laugh. I am note necessarily funny (although I might be funny looking) but I am a fan of anything that makes one giggle uncontrollably. I am attracted to funny people and I try to laugh as much as I can because honestly my life is a comedic tragedy, but that story is for another day. I also have to confess that I have the most annoying tick, when I am nervous, extremely frustrated or just plain right sad.... I laugh till I tear. I don't know why it happens and how it came about but it happens. I have managed to annoy a lot of people that I love because of it. But I will tell you what I tell them, "I can't help it and it is really not my fault. It's a tick that I simply can't control."

But there are some days where I find it hard to even crack a smile and for those days I rely on the internet. I have been scouring the world wide web and have come up with a few sites that help me on grey days and if you need a pick me up I would suggest:

1. The Fail Blog is a site that highlights the common stupidity of man. A good lesson on how you need to be able to laugh at yourself and others when you do or come up with something stupid.
http://failblog.org/

2. The Darwin Awards is a site dedicated to those who improve our gene pool...by accidentally removing themselves from it.
http://www.darwinawards.com/

3. A Lady with a Wicked Sense of Humour

http://www.blog-blond.blogspot.com/

Let me know if you have favourites, always looking for more great sites.

Cheers!

Confessions of a Commitment Phob... or should I say EX

So its no secret that I have been single for a while, this is not only because I haven't met the right guy but because I am (and admittedly so) dysfunctional. The classic cliche of "its not you, its me" definitely applies to me. Let me break it down for you. I am a commitment-phob. Every time someone says that they serious about the relationship I start hyperventilating. Just at the point when they utter those three words that every girl wants to hear "I LOVE YOU", my head is telling me "RUN RIGHT NOW". So this has been going on for a while now, hence why I am 30 and single.

However, recently something weird happened. Maybe its my biological clock, or maybe its just emotional maturity but I find myself warming up to the idea of marriage...wow I can't believe that I am using the M word. Getting back to the story, it all started not too long ago when I met someone, yes I met someone... he made me laugh and boy did he make me laugh. Then I found out that we share a lot of things in common and we can talk for hours and still want to talk some more. He makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. It also helps that he has also been spoiling me rotten. So I don't know how far this will go but I don't feel like running for the hills and I guess that's a start. Wish me luck!

Cambodia, Believe the Hype

I really don’t want to jinx it but I have to say that so far, I am really enjoying my 30s. One of my best mates bought me a trip to Cambodia as a birthday present. We had a lovely holiday together. Firstly, it must be said that there are no amount of pictures or documentaries that could do justice to the archaeological parks in Cambodia. The mighty blocks of lime stone used to build the temples and terraces were (to say the least) awe inspiring then the carvings or bas relieves (as I am told they are called) simply blows your mind.

When we first arrived at Siem Riep, it was already swarming with eager tourists. Some of the more seasonal ones had already rented bicycles and were cycling around town. Being first timers ourselves, we had hired a tuk tuk driver cum tour guide for the three days that we were there. On the first day, we went along the Siem Riep river to this great fishing village for a taste of local life. Then, we visited the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia, Tonle Sap. On our way there, we passed a massive mangrove forest that is just a sight to behold for a city girl like me. When we got to the lake it was impossible for us to see the land mass on the other end.... of a lake!!! Is that crazy or what... By the time we got back we were so tired all we wanted to do is eat and sleep. Needless to say I love Cambodian food, fresh and spicy... lots of lemon grass and mint. Feels like summer in your mouth.

After a good night’s sleep, we were up bright and early at 6am, the sun was already out and we were ready for some major sightseeing... we visited a lot of temples but the one that really stood out besides the Angkor Watt was the Mountain temple that we visited. The reason why it is called the mountain temple because it is literally like climbing a mountain.... the stairs are so narrow and steep that you can barely stand on them. I overheard a tourist guide saying the reason they built it like that was for devotees to prove their dedication assuming the same form a monkey and climbing the stairs to get to the temple. Its a good thing I heard it after I had come down cause that would have made my climb up a little harder J

The Angkor Watt simply breathtaking...

Here are a few pictures from my trip

The villagers of the fishing village along the Siem Riep River

Mangrove Forest along the Siem Riep River

Shareena & I at the Elephant Terrace

The same temple as the one in Tomb Raider (the movie)

The beautiful bas relieves at the Angkor Wat

More to this Life

I don't know where I heard this song, but I can't get it out of my head. The lyrics go a little something like this;

"But there's more to this life, then living and dying. More than just trying to make it through the day.
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see and there's more to this life alone can be.So where do we start, to find every part of what makes this life complete...

Then I started thinking of the lyrics and realised that we all get to a point where all of us ask this same question(the one in the lyrics). I know people who bury themselves in books to search for the answer while others pray, some even go out and do something outside of their comfort zone. But what I want to know is do we go through our lives wanting more. Cause we all know once we reach the goals we aim for, we find new ones to achieve. So here is my challenge to you... be happy despite goals and challenges, be kind no matter what a big A-hole someone else can, be helpful even when time constraints don't allow you to be as generous as you would like to be and more often than not, you will look back and realise that your life is complete :)

My Love for American Idol

So through the years now I have been following American Idol and I am really drawn to that show. I love singing but that's not the reason that I am so intrigued. Its a conversation starter and instantly bonds you to people that you meet. Many a times I should have thanked American Idol for saving me from dull conversations. Most people are quite passionate about the contestants that they support and I rarely see people really feel that strongly about strangers a million miles away. So you could say that I am not so much obsessed with the show in itself but everything else that comes with it.

I am not afraid to say that I am part of the American Idol occult, in fact I embrace it. Really, it brings out a lot of good in people... think about it, how many times do we have a common enemy (Simon Cowell)? He is the man, we love to hate. How many times do we cheer and hope for complete strangers to succeed? How many times do we bond over a tv show? How many times do we make time just to sit down? (even if it is in front of the tele)

So I love American Idol, not only cause it's a show that showcases talent but it also tells you a little more about the contestants and their lives while making ours a little better.

Oh yeah another reason why I love American Idol, it gives you hope that any Joe off the street could be a super star. You gotta love a show that gives you hope!

Happy New Year

So the new year is here and I am not afraid to say it, I am turning 30 this year. I never thought that I would say it with such a big smile on my face but I am. I hope I am not jinxing it when I say so far my new year has been so nice. I got to spend a lot of time with family and friends and realized, man I am a lucky girl! I have such wonderful people surrounding me all the time and although I am single, I am never alone. I promised that I wouldn't have any new year resolutions but since the new year is already here, I guess we could call it my goals for this year.

1. I want to live more intentionally- to be aware of everything around me and to understand the people that I meet a little better, to see where they are coming from rather than interpreting the world only through my eyes.

2. I want to love completely - there are people in my life who I truly love and I want them to know so I am going to express it as often as I can and not be afraid to do it.

3. I want to learn humbly - throughout the years I have morphed from a know-it-all to someone who knows that you can always learn more...

I'll keep you updated on my progress. I know this year is going to be a phenomenal journey. Happy 2010 everyone!

:)

"Addicted to Love" is a song by Robert Palmer first released in 1986. The song has now become known as his signature song, thanks in part to a highly popular video featuring high fashion models. Lately it has been running through my mind, over and over and over again. I think its a sign for us to put it on late night love songs. Check it out and tell me what you think.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0U5JfGYx4c