My Life: The Musical

Hey guys.

What is it about music that makes things seem so easy? (This is just a random thought that just popped into my head.) I feel like crap at one moment, I play a song and the crap goes away; I feel like I'm on top of the world in another moment, I play a song and the feeling magnifies. Recently I've discovered that for me, it lies in the lyrics. I've become so obsessed with finding the real meaning behind songs I like, that I've aligned them in accordance to my life and how I'm going to live it. I've become this person who's living life by some songs and their philosophies. My life has become a musical, or an episode of Glee. And you know what, I think I like it. Let music solve all my problems. I'm proud of the fact that I can use the lyrics of a song to compare them with who I am and who I want to be. Isn't it what art is meant for anyway? The artist's aim is to move whoever is in possession of their piece, isn't it so? Whether it's the beat of the song that moves you, or the lyrics, or both! Either way, I'm fascinated by my latest discovery.

This one's for those who find that music runs through their veins. Cue music...until next time! :)

Flashback Fridays: It's Just My Voice!

Hey!

Oh, a lot has happened since we last talked. As you can probably see, things are pretty busy on Ziggie Talk. No more random drop-bys that I used to do. It’s really sad if you really think about it. If you want a testimonial from me, I’d tell you that I’m pretty exhausted already! Phew! But it’s sooo much fun.

Anyhowzer, I attended an afternoon chemistry lab a few days ago. I had just completed my experiment where we were testing for ions in various salts and stuff. So I went over to hand over my report and the lab demo (demonstrator), asks me something; he says, “Are you done?”

“Yes, I’m through,” I replied.

Then he looks at me all funny, like he’d discovered something on my face. I was kind of hoping that it wasn’t the blackhead I was poking at in the morning.

He continues, “Your voice is very soft and you speak very slowly.”

I of course looked puzzled and...well, puzzled.

I said, “Really?”

“Yeah, you see!?” he screamed.

“What?”

“There!”

I wanted to slap him, but instead I nodded. He signalled me to sign out of the lab. C’mon, I don’t talk slow...I don’t. Well maybe my voice is a little soft but I don’t talk slowly!

Anyway, I hardly got any sleep that night because I realised that our former housemates may have left with my kunfu DVD. It’s not just any DVD, it’s “the DVD”. It’s called 7 Secret Rivals. Every time I thought about it, I lost all form of sleep in my system. I have to get it back! For all I know, they could have moved really far.

I guess it’s my punishment because I lie a lot. Well, the woman –bless her heart- was so excited she was moving. She was smiling, jumping about, laughing. So she slipped into my room and said,

“Are you going to miss us?”

I forced on a smile, “Yep, I sure am.” which was a lie of course.

I could most def do without them, I’m just being honest. It’s a long story. But if I’d told the truth, I would have sounded mean and rude. I’m not mean or rude – never- it’s impossible. I mean, I have a “soft and s-l-o-w” voice after all.

Anywho, that’s it for today...and this week. I hope to see or hear from you again. Enjoy the weekend.

Byeee!!

When in China...eat Dumplings

Hey!

I finally get to make posts about Chinese cuisine! So I went out and had these dumplings, after hearing so many great things about them. A friend of mine took me to this lovely place (see pictures below). This type of dumpling is called 大娘水饺 (Da niang shui jiao), very popular among overseas students in my school, so they say. So I had to find out for myself. It was a cold, windy, and rainy, evening; but I have to admit, they were a woot! and a half. I loved them! And the sauce, I think it's made from vinegar and crushed chillies: A-mazing! It was all worth it, tugging through the windy weather, just for dumplings. If you want me to get into detail and all fancy and stuff- you know, describe things from my palate's point of view- I'd say if you're into savoury, sour, and spicy all at once; this is the dish for you.

Outside the restaurant

The menu

Inside the restaurant. Very warm and clean

I give this experience 4/5. A happy stomach, makes a happy Ziggie! Approves and recommends to the avid explorer.

Until next time...

Flashback Fridays: The Colour Blue, The Colour You!

[Remember this?]

Why are Mondays considered blue? Why is the colour (which is one of my favourite colours by the way) associated with such misery and darkness? I mean think about it. This classification has us indoctrinated to thinking, “you know what, I am having a blue day or a dark day”. Think about it again; we basically have a colour for everything! Personally when I picture a place or a moment, it comes along with a colour. If I think that tomorrow is Monday, the first colour that rushes to my mind is blue. If I think of Friday, the first colour I think of is yellow. To me, the significance of yellow in this case is ‘paradise’, ‘retreat or freedom’, ‘an oasis in the middle of a hot desert’. How about locations; what colour comes to your mind when you think of home compared to the place you are visiting or you currently live in? Or when you go to the mall; what colour springs into your mind when you choose one mall over the other or when you picture yourself entering the mall complex? You see it don’t you? You can see those colours. You were probably not conscious about it but you can see it. It’s there. Right, now that that is sorted, there is one more colour to think about. What colour do you see when you look at yourself or when you think about yourself, be it your physical appearance or your personality or the way you behave and treat others? Is it blue or yellow? What is your colour? Is it red, brown, green, violet, azure, pink, orange, and so on. And what does this particular colour mean? Dude, if your colour is blue, then we all know what that means; or do we? Try it. Evaluate yourself using colour; it’s fun. If you can evaluate poor Monday with the colour blue, then what’s the colour “YOU”?

[Posted on: 11/09/2009]

10 Things Ziggie Should Do in the Month of December!

If you're rolling your eyes at me, thinking "not another one of her lists." Too late! I've just realised how much I've missed making lists for myself at the start of each month. Now don't label me boring, but in a way, I get a kick out of living by a list. It gives me something to look forward to everyday...hmmm! *weird smile goes here* I've thought about it long and hard, and I could only come up with only 10 things...I'm busy, shoot me! Here goes...

1. Complete a short story. Make it exciting and gripping!

2. Purchase a new guitar. Humming my fave songs isn't going to get me through Christmas

3. Choose a day in one of the weekends and go to see a movie at an actual cinema, big screen and all. It's been a while dude.

4. Enroll in the creative writing course of your dreams. (I'm actually going to put a big star on this one *)

5. Stick to my fitness regime, and stop cheating!

6. Prepare for the 25th, because all bets are off on that day! I don't care about fitness and all the feathers attached to it! I'm going to eat whatever the hell I want. Here's to that!

7. Prepare for the new year. For the first time ever! I'll spend it in the cold, indoors, without my family *sob sob*

8. Bone up on my Chinese. It's my mission to be semi fluent in the language before my next birthday.

9. Post regularly, when I can, on Ziggie Talk. (I have to underline this one).

10. Begin work on my New Year's resolutions for the year 2013. More lists. Woot!

So here I go again, all by my lonesome...You can call me, The girl with the list!

Until we meet again...xoxo

On the first day of December...na na na!

'Sup?

It’s the first of December and Ziggie’s lovin’ it! Not only is it a quarter past Christmas, but it’s a quarter to New year too! (isn't that the lamest thing ever?) It seems like only a minute ago, I was making a similar post, talking about trying to put the eXcitement, in Xmas! (this one’s even more lame). Anyhowzer, this marks the official commencing of the road to Christmas and New Year, and I’m prepared and excited about what's coming up in the last month of the year. Well, put your seat belts on, and watch out for more randomness from yours truly!

Until next time…

Freddie Mercury Memorial

Hellooooo!

So today marks 21 years since Freddie Mercury died. Just like his birthday, it's a pretty big deal to me. I like to take time off and really acknowledge it. It's not a day of mourning, or feeling sad about many factors that I think about sometimes. Things like how I’ve never seen him perform, and I never will; or the fact that I’ll never meet him. Nope, it’s not that day. Like previous years, I like to have a good time with friends, or which ever way I choose. I like to spread the love, the best way I can…as a fan of Freddie Mercs of course!

I had an interesting day today. Firsties, I woke up to a little sunlight in my room.  You see, my room in the apartment I live in, gets no sunlight…(long story). This morning however, as I sat up on my bed, after a good night’s rest, I was struck by a blinding light in my eyes…okay, maybe it was not that intense. It was actually a reflection of the sun from the windows in the building opposite mine, but there was light, and it felt good! (see pic below). Now call me superstitious or just plain crazy, I don’t really care! I saw it as a sign, because of what today was. A light from Freddie perhaps, hehe, I believed it and it made me so happy! It made me realize that even the darkest and coldest of places/ days, can receive a little light on a regular.

Light in my room

Anyhu, (I’m babbling away again, aren't I?) I jammed to some Queen tracks before I went out with some friends and had an awesome lunch and enough laughs to get me through the rest of the day. Even though it’s really cold over here right now, the walk in the warm sun made it all worth it!

So here’s to today! A day totally spent in honour of Freddie’s memory. Once again, I’m grateful for the music that has heavily influenced my life and who I am today as a person. I’m totally inspired by Freddie and the legacy he’s left behind. And for that, may his memory live long and hard!

Until next time… 

When in China...eat!

Greetings, greetings, greetings! Or the more appropriate way to say hey, Ni hao!

This is just a brief introduction of the first installment of my 'When In China' segment. I've decided to start with the cuisine. A teacher gave us a top 10 list of foods most favoured by foreign students on my campus, in one of my classes. So inquisitive me, has made it her mission to find out if they really deserve the hype they've been given. I've already started on a few and I'll make consecutive posts over some time about these supposed pieces of heaven to the palate. Now these posts are better termed Zhenjiang, where I'm situated, and where I'll be trying out the dishes, instead on China (I mean its such a huge country), but pretty soon I intend to do a little travelling; that's when the title will be more appropriate. Besides, I'm sure these lovelies are enjoyed throughout :). China has many different areas, you know, each with their own unique taste and cooking style, so bear with me, love!

Thanks for stopping by!

Ziggie Talk...on again

Hello and hello!

I'll skip my apologies for being so absent all the time, go straight to removing the cobwebs and dust that have settled on my blog and revamp it…again. Blame me for being a procrastinator, the biggest the world has seen. I on the other hand, am going to pin the blame on my big move. Over the past few months, I’ve been swamped, especially mentally, with my big move to China this past October. Now that I’ve settled in, its time to write about it! Which is why I’m introducing a new segment called: “When In China…” Of course you might be thinking: ugh, it’s so predictable! But what else do you do in a foreign land? You eat, sight see, and learn cultural norms. 

So stay tuned for Ziggie’s new adventures!

PS: I hope the image is relevant to the subject matter. You get it...right? *tilts head*

PPS: That's probably my last shadow!

Until next time, laters!

Happy Birthday Freddie Mercury!

Thank you for the love you gave to music! Next year I hope to have my Freddie for a Day costume, or mustache...

Giving Thanks

Hey, and hey.

All I'm interested in talking about today, is the power of gratitude. It's amazing, and it's bringing so much positive influence in my life. This is sort of an update to a previous post I made. Now take a look at the image above and know that I mean it. Whoever you are, wherever you are, thank you. Thank you for taking interest enough to stop by and check out my blog; thank you for being a follower of Ziggie Talk; thank you for the comments; thank you for giving me something to look forward to, and being excited, every time I get an idea on a new post.

The Encounter
So I've been having super days. The other day was extra super! It began with me working out as usual, and I felt amazing and full of energy after that. Anyhu, in just that day, I managed to get a discount on this really cool necklace I've been stalking for months, I then got my money back from the supermarket, after a misunderstanding, and a free ice cream, after bumping into a friend as I left the supermarket. All this from giving thanks for all the money I had to spend that day. I saved some, as a result.

Now you try it, say thank you to anything around you at this point and really mean it...see how it makes you feel :) Phew! I'm loving it. Thank you.

Until next time...

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Promotion: Being Celeste

The title says it all.

Get Being Celeste here for free. Offer valid until tomorrow. :) Happy Reading!

Until next time...

Follow @ziggiefred

Project: Bikini Body!

Hello awesome people!

It's come to that time again, where I strive to be healthy and active (Remember Active Sunday?). It started four months ago when I woke up in the morning thinking, "Am I really going to die without ever knowing what it's like to wear a bikini?" That's what I thought. Then I told myself that this was the year I found out what it's like. Think about it. I'm at the prime of my life. I'm a twenty-something now. It's the time to enjoy going out and fashion without limits! I'm already on three months and I've lost 7kg from being vegan and hitting the gym. But that's bored me out a little. So I've changed my strategy. I've started the Insanity Workout Program and I'm on day 3. My muscles are sore, but it's a rewarding feeling, knowing that it will all soon be worth it.

Follow me on my quest to have a bikini ready body! And I hope that this isn't another of those weight-loss posts...okay maybe it is. I'll keep you updated on my progress, and hopefully, pics- glorious pics!

Until next time...

Get your copy of Being Celeste here  

Follow @ziggiefred

The Book!

Available now here.

Buy a copy, read it, like it, don't like it, tell me about it! Or just gawk at the cover, that's a step. :)

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time...

The Secret

Hey guys!

I'm not sure if the cover says it all. I'm putting this whole positive thinking and universe thing to the test. I'm at a point in my life where I find it hard to believe in anything because I have so many questions and doubts. So I'm going to be positive about everything. I want it resonate from the walls of my being and beyond. One of my best friends and I did this Chakra test thing one time and the results were, I had no connection with my spirituality. One month, that's all I'm giving it. Try it with me, if you're a lost soul like me. Go buy yourself a copy of The Secret and familiarize yourself with the concept first. Does positive thinking really get you what you want?

Until next time...

You're kidding, right?

Helloooo

Here’s one for you: one day, I would like to get a job on the side as a food critic. Yep, me! a critic. So yesterday was one of my best friend’s 21^st birthday, and we decided to go to this really expensive restaurant in town, to celebrate. When we were already seated, I called for the manager and told her about my intentions to review the restaurant for my blog (I was testing the waters, really. Under normal circumstances, a restaurant critic just shows up, eats and goes home to write a review, without revealing their identity.). So after silent panicking (I could see it in her eyes), she told me that she had to consult with her bosses first. She came back to us and said that I wasn’t, under any circumstances, allowed to review, nor take pictures of the restaurant, in case I should write something negative about them! Yes, she said that. Also, we couldn’t even take pictures of ourselves for memory’s sake, eating there. That is ridiculous. If I want to review the place, I can. To avoid negative reviews from aspiring critics like myself, an eatery should be on their A game at all times.

Even though I was just testing them, the kind of respond I got, left me even more determined to introduce this kind of thing in my country; make it more popular if it already exists. This will avoid many people, getting stupid statements about reviewing not being allowed from service providers, just like I did. I didn’t let it ruin my evening though. I thought the service from the restaurant waiters, was actually quite good. They were attentive and they always smiled. Even though the food wasn’t extraordinary, the good company and good laughs I had, more than made up for it...As for the bill, let’s keep expensive restaurants for ‘employed Ziggie’! lol.

Until next time...

The Great Pretender

Hello and hello! (Dusting and removing all the cobwebs)

Phew, it's been a while you guys. I didn't even post about my birthday, which was a month ago. I think I just got lost in...life. You know how it is: when life gives you lemons, but you can't make lemonade quickly enough. Then you don't want to do anything, but sit all day and think about a new strategy, while watching seasons of Supernatural and Merlin and Glee. In my absence from the blogging world, I've grown up a lot. I've met so many people and opportunities, I've learnt to accept my talents and who I am, I've discovered that taking the little things as they come might be better than planning ahead (let my hair down a little), and I've solidified many friendships. During this process, I couldn't come on Ziggie Talk and pretend like everything is alright. It's very hard to hide distress under a smile on my face, even though I do it well in reality. I've just run out of things to write about on this blog, because of that.

I just hope I'm back! There should be a new direction and schedule, and I just hope my 'readership' has not totally deserted me O.o. Until next time...

Ziggie Going Green

(Warning: This article contains a lot of green).

I’m certain we’ve all heard it a million times already, from all kinds of perspectives. Some choose to ignore it, and some have embraced it. It was going to be fact, sooner or later; as it’s pretty clear that Green is the new Black! Multitudes are going green all over the world: girls; boys; chipmunks!...have you?

This article is primarily based on Al Gore’s:An Inconvenient Truth; a documentary I watched a few years ago. It’s had a big impact on my life and each day from then, I’ve been trying to make a lifestyle change by being a Green Diva.

By definition, global warming is the rise in temperature of the earth’s oceans and atmospheres. Global warming, as you might know, is causing serious problems across the globe. I need to remind you that ice at the poles is melting and so water levels are rising; the whole ecosystem is being thrown off balance; it’s extremely hot or cold; drought, floods, hurricanes; all sorts of natural disasters!

The science behind it is that greenhouse gases have increased drastically over the years, and they are trapping infrared rays which are causing the rise in temperature.

Ways to help the sitch!

1.   The obvious: plant trees. Especially deciduous trees. Whether it’s around your house or in your community; advocate for tree planting. Reforestation is a very funky word and deed!

2.    

       Walk! I got my driver’s licence a year ago and it’s sure fun, to be in the driver’s seat for once. But hey, if the store is just a few twenty minutes by foot; get your sunnies and hat on, and walk! Not only will this be one less carbon emitting vehicle on the road, it’s exercise for you. Walking exercises the body and the mind. You gotta love it.

3.      Reduce, reuse, recyclllllllle! It’s all about recycling!

i.)                  If it has the badge, make it match! Start being picky. If the product you’re buying does not have a recycled logo on it, look away. Things like the paper you use for your printer, toilet tissue, anything really! It’s actually a load off the conscience when your products have been recycled.

ii.)                Recycle cans, bottles, paper, plastic, newspapers. This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions caused by manufacturing them.

iii.)              Recycle water. My dad has placed a big old rusty steel basin at the water outlet thingy-pipe outside our kitchen, to collect all the dirty dishwater. With this water, he waters his vegetable patch. I help him out everyday when I’m home to water to bigger fruit trees in our garden because I just love the initiative! Not only does saving water help with the water bill, it saves energy too. It saves the energy used to purify it, for firsties. (less carbon emissions)!

4.    Like just mentioned, save water. Use less hot water... Install efficient shower heads if you have to. Saving hot water, is saving energy.

5.    Speaking a whole lot of energy, switch off unnecessary appliances during the day. The geyser, the aircon, the heater, the fan, the telly, the lights, etc. Again, it’s not about the bill at the end of the month, it’s about saving energy. Insulate your geyser and your homes. Buy energy efficient appliances...and the list goes on and on.

6.    Spread the word, and be an affiliate:

i.)                  Start with the family and community. If your community does not have recycling bins and stuff, then write or talk to the mayor or whoever is in charge, to make a change.

ii.)                Join ‘Green Organisations’, and help out a much as you can as a member.

iii.)              Talk about it, make presentations. I made a killer oral presentation three years ago in my class and they’re still talking about. Not only did I kick butt, I believe got the message across.

iv.)              Write articles to local newspapers whenever you get the chance. Let your voice be heard, and to stick in the mind of the beholder. Navigate the cause across your perimeters because honey, it’s up to you!

A lot of efforts are being made across the globe to save our planet. I know I’m only one voice among many. I also know that you’ve read/ seen something like this many times before. My only hope and wish is that whoever you are, wherever you are- you join my wittle voice and go green! The time is now, it’s time to change.

Some links for more info:

http://an-inconvenient-truth.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/tp/globalwarmtips.htm

http://www.nrdc.org/water/files/energywater.pdf

Green Websites:

http://www.treehugger.com/

http://uk.freecycle.org/

http://www.recyclenow.com/

http://www.planetark.com/

http://ecogeek.org/

Online Organisations:

http://www.globalgreen.org.za/

http://www.panda.org/

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice

Plot

Elizabeth's over-the-top mother is determined to get her five daughters married as soon as possible, to suitable bachelors. Her older sister, Jane, is introduced to a Mr Bingley- an eligible and rich suitor who moves to the neighborhood. Mr Bingley's well mannered persona is liked by everyone. But Mr Bingley has a friend, Mr Darcy, a very proud man who Elizabeth dislikes on their first meeting at a ball after he disses her. Soon he develops feelings for Elizabeth, but from what she's seen and heard of him, Elizabeth considers him 'disagreeable' to every degree. She soon discovers that he has been meddling in her family affairs, which puts her off even more. But Mr Darcy's motives are not what she expects. He's in love with her. On the most part of the story he will not admit it, until he's feelings are too strong to hold back. He goes far and beyond to try and please her and make her see that he's not the man she thinks he is. Soon, she also falls for him but neither one of them is prepared to take the first step. Elizabeth more especially because she is not sure if he still feels the same about her...well, you know how it ends.

Ziggie's Thoughts

I loved it. I go weak in the knees over love stories and this one was just perfect. Ah! Jane Austen is a genius. This story is so romantic and funny and just effortlessly beautiful. I would trade watching a romantic chick flick to read it again, it's that amazing. Mr Darcy. Oh Mr Darcy. I'm sure after reading the story, you'll also want a Mr Darcy kind of story for yourself. So considerate is he ^_^. The story is set in the 1800s. Comparing that time in the story to today, those societies valued balls, dinner parties, getting married, etc. The men too were very chivalrous. Courtship in the story is very different from today, obviously; very conservative. I enjoyed reading this. I highly recommend you get yourself a copy and I personally cannot wait to read some more of Jane Austen's work. Bravo!

See you Friday :)

Looking Forward

Hey guys!

A happy new year to you all once again. I had a wonderful festive season at home. On Christmas I went to my home-village, Kalamare. I had an interesting time- which would explain the picture. That is a...well it's not a small hill (duh), it's a rock or a boulder embedded on the ground. This is where local kids play. My dad claims that this place was one of his favourite pastimes as a child. They used cardboard boxes to slide from the top. Anyway, I had an even better time on new year's eve with my family and extended family. The celebration was just what I needed.

It's back to reality now. School-school-school! I won't let that depress me though, I have big plans for the year 2012 concerning my life and this blog too. I know that the combination of my busy schedule as a student and my character as a procrastinator, make me fail to post regularly- I know! I intend to share when I can, how I can...watch this space :) .

I wish you all a fruitful 2012. 

'Till next time...see ya!

Happppppy 2012!!!!!!!!!!!