"The Zahir" by Paulo Coelho

I think I have been going on the book for quite a long time. To the extent that I quote it from the memo that I saved in my phone.

The Zahir can be an item, living being, way of life, etc. that we become obsessed with. Obsessed to the point that once it is lost, we spend all our energy and soul into finding it, such that it becomes more than obsessing about something.

The theme is about love, loss and obsession, it speaks to us in more than the 3 themes highlight. Whether we are monotonous working rat-pack, the brilliant univeristy student, I'm sure there are more than 1 situation where you can identify yourself with.

There was a paragraph which questioned whether we are truly happy with where we at now. It's always going for the next step, doing follow-up steps to the previous in order to continue. Are any of us able to give a straight answer to this? It did make me ponder about my current job, who wouldn't after reading such a book?

But one of the main highlights which I brought away from the book is, being at peace with yourself. Every one of us has a story to tell. It could be a jolly one where every one lives happily ever after. Some could be of disappointment, dispair, heartbreak. Every story is different. Yes, it is true that where and what we are today is because of what we have gone through in the past. But if we took the past as a blockage, it could impede us from being happy with the present. It's about being comfortable with who you are.

It is times like these that such a book would bring light in our dark worlds. Makes you think from a different perspective.

Well, I got to admit that some parts of the book got a little draggy and repetitive. However, it is definitely a book to recommend to others for a read.

Sammie, Louisa, Michelle : Hope you girls get to read the book soon! We'll do book swaps!

Sharon and Esther : Will let you girls read it when you get back! If you hadn't read it yet. HAHA!


Waiting for the day where all of us would convege on the same continent.

(Eh! What's up with the font size? Please help!) - Fixed it, Dorc :)

Superbrand: Ikea

Think furniture, think ______ ?

I think Ikea.

Think Ikea, think _______ ?

I think meatballs.

Ikea has most probably lost its cause with me. Or am I suppose to think about homogenity, global infiltration, mega brand, or simply comfort and affordable?

To prove my point, my room is an almost Ikea showcase. (But not stylish enough to make it to the bedroom catalogues)


The mismatched table to suffice as a pillow when I fall asleep studying. The multi-functional lamp to hang bras too.



The bookcase to house almost anything but books.


However (here comes the big but(t)), Ikea had to come a long way before establishing its global domination. Ingvar Kamprad, founder of Ikea, richest man in Europe, sentimental boss, friend and colleague, alcoholic, alleged Nazi supporter and Sweden's National Association of Furniture Dealer's worst enemy and nightmare, admits the tremendous fiascos before scuplting his empire of affordable furniture. This multi-billion company prides in its humility as just one of the many attributes to its success. Staff travel on economy-class flights and executives don jeans and tear up cardboard boxes every once in while when having an exchange program in other departments. Cool huh?

To demonstrate another successful tip on how to spread your international reign over every household, a little drama has to be staged.

"Oh Ikea, Ikea, thou has possessed me! You've consumed my corners of my private space I call home. Ikea, Ikea, your grip is strong. You tickle my every sense when you send my a free catalogue on bedrooms, kitchens and annual ranges right to my very doorstep."

Free catalogues are just a magical marketing and PR tool. Honestly, it is just spell-binding. A visual feast when you're up for day dreaming.

Today, it's a crime to define Ikea to politcal borders. We can't do that now, can we? If we limit the Ikea fever, we wouldn't be half as entertained when you read the news about stampedes happening during the Ikea Sale. I mean, if Stella McCartney collaborated with Target and launched fanstastically cheap clothes which stirred a stampede, it's only understandable. You buy clothes more often than furniture. An Ikea Sale? A stampede? Even churches don't have that kind of power to incite their congregation.

So in conclusion, Ikea is just mega. If one day, we find our homes looking alike and more homogenous, we can't blame Ikea. We just have to accuse our cheapskate human nature.

#

Flavell K. 2009. Ikea: Democratic Design. Marketing Magazine. 381667/00301. pp16-25.

Style File: Alexa Chung

It was sometime mid last year when I went browsing through the interweb and landed on a picture of twenty five year old British presenter and model Alexa Chung... I let out a gasp, wondering why hadn't I had the fortunate occurrence to have stumbled upon a such beautiful gem. Where have they been hiding her?! Her choice of style? Plaid, black shoes, brown bags, cute dresses, long necklaces, rings, brunette, over-the-knee socks, boots, trench coats, black dresses, cute skirts... Need I say more?! All pieces and articles I love, put together, is manifested in her every single outfit! If I were to up my game and dress my best everyday, I'd step out of my place with her wardrobe. I have the same preferences over colours too - black, brown, navy, grey. Love, Love, Love!!! And she's with Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys! She really looks like an awesome person to hangout with. Girl crush? Yes indeedy, and it's by far the biggest!

Terminator Salvation

It's time to save the world Christian Bale style. *swoooons*


http://www.sonypictures.net/movies/terminatorsalvation/