To Be Or Not To Be

To be or not to be?, that is the question. To what do we owe this dilemma that we face every waking hour, every waking minute of our lives? Some people will say "meddio tutissimus ibis" or "you will go most safely by the middle course". But to some dilemmas there is no such thing as a middle course because they say "you can't have it both ways" or "you can't have the best of both worlds". That is why it is called a dilemma because we have to make a choice between two options with both having unsatisfactory or unpleasant consequences. It would have been better if we were living in a dream. Because in dreams there is no choice. It is our subconscious that takes over and we have no say, consciously, as to the outcome of the dream.
But it is no the outcome of the choice that weighs us because the end, as they say, justifies the means. The outcome of the choice is both pleasant and satisfactory. However, it is the consequence of not opting for the other choice that is the crux of the matter in the first place. The fact that there is a choice is not actually the perplexity here but it is the fact that we have to make a choice that makes it intricately complicated. Just like asking a layman to make a choice between proving either Galileo's Universal Law of Gravity or Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, in mathematical form. In this case, it is the outcome that is unpleasant. How about asking a person who loves cars and fishing to choose between a brand new car or a brand new speed boat. In this instance, either choice is pleasant in terms of satisfaction. But the consequence of not choosing either will make the choice more complicated.
The person in the latter case would then certainly ask for more time. Time for what, you would ask? Time to consider and ponder. And as the person ponders, more pros and cons appear and as more pros and cons appear, the problem becomes more complex. As the complexity increases, he becomes more perplexed with his dilemma and realized that he is now unable or unwilling to make a choice due to the unsatisfactory consequences of not choosing either the car or the boat. He is now in a state of indecision and has become confused. This is a situation in which when asked if the person would like the car, he would answer with a "yes, but....". If asked if the person would like the boat, he would also answer with a "yes, but....". What a dilemma, is it not?
In our everyday life, there are always decisions to be made. But due to our conditioning, the choices are more or less automatic. Like when we wake up, should we get up early or late? Should we take a shower or not? What should we wear today? Which shoes do we put on today? Which perfume to apply today? A myriad of decisions but trivial to dwell upon because it does not come with dire consequences.
Nevertheless, we should never forget that we have a freedom of choice. If we allow ourselves to be robbed of this most precious right then we become mere robots, automatons who do as they are told without the freedom of choice. So, let us rejoice that despite the complexities of some decisions that turn into dilemmas, we still have our God given freedom of choice.
And, that is the answer.

Done but Not Quite

Been a bit slow lately and only managed these two wire coil bracelets this afternoon. Well, I can consider them done but I am planning to do some more on them. These are reserved for two princesses who will be coming to Kuching very soon... for holidays of course. Will be posting more soon.

Resconstructed Pendants

These two pendants, one rutilated donut quartz and one clear quartz have been hanging on my neck for a few months now. Before this evening, they were hanging from two separate chains and these two chains kept getting tangled up. I solved this problem by combining the two pendants into one. The donut wrap on the rutilated quartz is based on a technique used by Iza (ya! Iza again....I am her no. 1 fan....:D), but I added the two small beads on top of the donut pendant so that it doesn't look too bare. Oh! before you go heading to her site for the tutorial, there is none. In fact, I am not sure how she wrapped her piece but the result looks similar......:). Thanks Iza....for your inspirations.

January 1st 2008 - First Project

The first day of year 2008 is almost gone but I am still the same old Mei. I didn't go out to celebrate the night before -- am a homebody at heart :D....Anyway, it was raining very heavily here in Kuching when the clock struck 12:00 midnight/morning. However, we can still hear the fireworks from the newly opened Boulevard Shopping Center, which happens to be about 300m from our house.....very close right? Yeh! I can walk there everyday and do my window shopping. In fact I was there this morning with hubby to do some household shopping. I love the hypermarket most of all. Here are some pictures of the latest shopping center in town. In fact, it is not 100% completed yet. Some outlets are still undergoing renovation works while the main building itself is not entirely ready. Wonder if they have obtained the relevant approvals? One thing for sure, we will have to face traffic jam during peak hours especially during public holidays and sales season. It is happening already since the previous week when it first opened for business. Enough of Boulevard, how about New Year Resolutions? Well, I don't really have one but I have a long list of "things to do" though and this list is in continuation from last year. Guess this list can be treated as resolution as well. One of this day, I will list them down here. And now, the highlight of my first day of 2008 is another ethnic ring that I made today. This is a modified version of Iza's ethnic ring. Instead of wire coil for the center of the ring, I used black onyx and red/orange coral rounds (dyed & faceted). Beautiful color for New Year.

Last Post for 2007 & Happy New Year 2008

Two pairs of earrings I made today. The first one with the green beads is to be paired with the ethnic ring I made for myself few days ago and the second one is my first attempt with of hoops earrings......opps! I think that is what they are called ....correct me if I am wrong! :) On the side, while busy making earrings, the little one was busy playing with Ultraman stickers. He was sticking them on his face and I can't resist taking some shots of him at play. Then he cried (big brother William disturbed him) but still managed a smile for the camera......he likes to be photographed....:) Here are some new year messages I would like to share with all of you readers:

I wish you a Fantastic January, Lovable February, Marvelous March, Luckiest April, Enjoyable May, Successful June, Wonderful July, Independent August, Tastiest October, Beautiful November and Happiest December. Have a Blessed and Victorious year. HAPPY NEW YEAR. God Blessed 2008. Mr Chung family will visit me later. I'll ask them to visit you too! The Chung family members are: Chung Ma Piu (Hit Jackpot), Chung Tai Choi (Hit Big Luck), Chung Toto (Hit Toto) & Chung 4D (Hit 4D). They will be there to wish you Good Luck for 2008. Don't worry! One of them will not visit you the whole year - Chung Sam Man is out of town this year. (Words in bracket are literal translation of the Chinese words/terms). Let 2008 be a new beginning for renewed hopes, dreams, ambitions, affirmations, commitments, sacrifice and love. Have a blessed year ahead. Love, peace and tolerance.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008 to all.

Square Cab Rings Ala Eni

Back to wire wrap ring again, today I experimented with Eni Oken's Square Cab Ring but the results are not as good as I would like them to be. Maybe because the cabs are not square enough. Got to look for square cabs after New Year. The difficult part is the starting part, making the four loops to hold the cab in place. The cab kept slipping away. The weaving part is easy and I enjoyed it very much. These cabs are gifts from Christa, a friend I met in the jewelry forum. Thanks Christa. Love the colors - they really stand out when they catches the sunlight.