Ringing in another year

Well it was brought to my attention that I have not written in my blog for a while- a little over a month to be exact.

Can I just say that this year flew by like a jet plane- no a nuclear bomb.
And it will end with a boom!
Looking back, a lot has happened this year. It was probably one of the most eventful years of my life by far.
So much has happened, whether it was launching my newfound career or dwindling down an endless tunnel.
Not only did I learn about the real dog eat dog world, but I also learned more about me- who I was and who I want to be.

I have a lot of recapping to do since Thanksgiving. Let's start with China!

Dec 10- Dec 25
I appreciate what I have here. The environment, the freedom and the stress free lifestyle.
After couple days of observation in Shanghai, I realized I would only live there if I'm rich- no wealthy.
Otherwise, it would be a struggle.
Living in the city for those two weeks really gave me a new perspective- on life, interpersonal relationships and the society
People treat you differently if you have status, or just show that you have money
But there are so many wealthy people in Shanghai, that it's unimaginable. I frequently ask myself- where does the money come from? Seriously, we're not talking about a small amount here- couple millions or billions. These people have hundreds and thousands of millions that routed from somewhere. Now my mission, is to find that birthing spot, the gold mine and the niche that will succeed as well.


Everyday, I woke up and started my day by rushing out the door and go where my Aunt takes me. I love my aunt, she's probably the closest relative to me. That is because we are so alike in many things- our tastes, our personality and of course our outlook on life.
I respect what she does and she is awarded for her hard work, but these past two weeks, it made me realize how stressful her life was. Either she is constantly yelling, talking, texting on the phone (which takes up about 80% of her day) or talking in person. Just watching her everyday makes me stressful and feel that her life is so overwhelming and suffocating that there's barely any room to breath and relax. There's not a moment where her brain can be fully turned off and just relax. I might not be making nearly to what she makes, but I am actually glad that I do not have that kind of lifestyle.

Now the people, there are quite a variety of personalities there. There's the snobby rich guy who does not respect you because you do not have any money. Or there's the educated rich guy who will be nice to everything because he is humble and believes that respect is mutual.
And I have met both. I believe it's wrong to treat someone with disrespect just because they're a waiter or waitress. Everyone started off from somewhere, I bet he was once a nobody as well. And that is just downright rude. I have to say that I have lost all my respect for him- doesn't matter if he's the CEO and he has tons of money. It's quite morally incorrect.

Then the society as a whole. It seems that they have forgotten the meaning of family. Everyone is so overwhelmed with their everyday life that they hardly talk to their family members. They all live in their own bubble- an occasional phone call or visit is the norm. That I find it hard to accept, we see our family members at least once a month. And phone calls are made every day.

People seem to be self centered and heartless, but I can't blame them. In their society, everyone is only looking out for themselves otherwise, they wouldn't survive. It is survival of the fittest, in this case survival of the smartest - to smart out each other

Dec 25 - Dec 31

Flight back home was great- except the 5 hour layover. Besides that, it was fabulous.
The plane only had 57 passengers, talk about losing money. Whoever was in charge of optimizing their spending was on vacation.

I never thought I would always say this, but home sweet home. I always had Shanghai as my home in my heart. And I still do. But after staying here for over 10+ years, Maryland has become my home too. This is where all my friends and families are, where I am comfortable with the surrounding and where my heart is.
As much as I want to move away and explore the world, home is where everything's at. I will always have Shanghai as my home in my heart and in my soul. Doesn't matter how many years I've been away for, all it takes is some time and I will feel like a local again.

Coming back to my family and friends was great. Seeing him was no different. I thought things would be different but it wasn't. Everything just fell into its normal routine as if I never left. Now looking back, 2 weeks wasn't that bad.

Now life's back on track to its normal routine. Work, eat and play.
The New Years approaching and new resolutions should be made! My old resolutions were not fully fulfilled, thus it shall continue this year.

1) Make more money, save more money
2) spend quality time with my loved ones
3) get fit get fit get fit-gym gym gym
4) study for GMATS
5) travel
6) make more money

now cheers to the New Year and looking forward to what life has in store for US <3

<3
GZ

You & I

You pick your battles and I pick mine. But this has become a battle for you & I.
There's no such thing as yours & mine, or a line of clear distinction.
Whats yours, is mine.
When you're down, I want to cheer you up.
When you're sick, I want to heal your pain
When you're lonely, my presence should cheer you up
When you're mad, I let you take it out on me


But when you're being taken advantage of, I will take care of it
It hurts to hear you say, stay out of my business.
But your business has become my business.
your issues are my issues
I just thought we were closer than that.


But I promised and I will keep that promise


but just remember,
when your world come crashing down, I will catch you with my open brace (cold joke there).


What they say is true- "when you find the right one, nothing else in the world matters as long as I'm with you"
And I hope you feel the same too.


You got me & my heart and that's all you need.


afterall,  I am the one and only Grace Zhang


<3
YOUNGZ


You are on your own.
You made the distinction and I will grant your wish.
You handle your own crap and I will handle mine.
You pushed me to this point.
there is no you & I, not before, not now because you made that choice
you made your move, and it's my turn to make mine.

So many things I want to experience.
But all has to wait.
Wait until this is all over. Wait until I can be normal with my daily routines again.
Wait for the release that I have been patiently waiting for in the last 6 months.
They say patience is a virtue, but don't you think I waited long enough?
There is a limit to how much a person can wait for.
My patience is running out.
I want to move on with my life.
I want to do things that I've been wanting to do
I want to be active again, to workout, to experience different activities
But I cannot do any of those.
And I don't know how much longer I can take before I break down

that date will determine it all.
whether it'll make my day or ruin the remaining months of 2011
so I wish and pray
please let everything be okay.


yours truly,
<3
璐

Cliq of eccentric human beings

There's always that group of friends that you turn to, that close group of people
that you knows you the best and will be there for you.
Then there are some people who have tons of friends and try to be outgoing/ fake,
but yet they can't depend on any of them when they are really in need.

My question is, how do you determine who these real friends are?
Because you've known them for a long time? Or because you have a lot in common?
Or is it that you talk to them almost everyday and knows everything about them?

For me, its a mesh of both.
These are the people that I've gotten close to over the course of my college years.
Yes we've had our ups and down- bitching and yelling at each other. Dishing out each others dirt
and talk shiet about each other. Or completely opposite like I am with my bff- no arguments or fights ever.
But at the same time, these are the people that were there for me when I was sad and depressed.
When I didn't want to get out of bed because of a break up
That looked out for me and told me that "hes not for you" and " you could do so much better"
Those that consulted me when I was dorothy trying to follow the yellow brick path.
They gave me advice on relationships, family and school and everything in between.

Even when they do something bad, something that hurts you. Yet at the end of the day,
you can still look past it all and hope to think the best out of it.
That they were just looking out for you and meant no harm.

No matter what happens, I do know that these people will be in my life for a really long time,
these are the people that will walk with me through it all.
We've grown so much together and know so much of each other.
You know they are your close friends when you can be completely yourself with them- and I mean talk about EVERYTHING- (doing the dirty deed, criticizing about yourself, and the list goes on and on).

What got me started thinking about all this?
Weddings- of course. (wedding planner that is)
And made me think, who will be my bridesmaids?

Although we've all had the worst fallout of the year- but its moments like that
that brings everyone closer
even when you dont talk to that person for a really long time but when you do start talking, you pick up just where you left off

So I'm pretty fortunate to say that I'm lucky
and then there are some who aren't.
All I do is smile and keep my unpleasant comments to myself.

C'est Fini
<3
璐

my favorite saying of all time

you don't know what you got 'till its gone.

now why does that happen?
you're suppose to cherish what you have WHEN you have it..
there is no point once it's gone

so remember, never take what you have for granted, cherish it the moment you have it

otherwise it'll be too late.

Reassurance

reassurance is all I needed.
no matter how secure, confident, assured I am, there are times that I just need that reassurance.
to say that "everything is okay"
to say that "I want to be with you"
to say that "you're the one"
to say that "I won't ever leave unless you leave"
to say that "you're mine"
even though I know this deep down, its good to hear it once in a while.
to be reassured by you

as promised, this will never come up again.
I will enjoy the time we have together
nothing but joy && happiness

You make me so happy and I wont ever do anything to jeapordize it
what we have, what we have created

I do trust you- more than I have trusted anyone.
don't doubt my trust.

Hakuna Matata~


p.s. I claim that icebox and will chisle my name on it if I have to :)

<3 hopeless romantic
Graciielu

Enchanted

"To spend a life of endless bliss, just find who you love through true love's kiss."


I've found him.
And I'll hold him close

                               Finally found my Prince Charming, my Knight in Shining Armor, my other half and my one and only <3


<3
璐