RQ: Random Quote #32

"Life, like art, is daring, unapologetic, fearless. It is complex, intricate, and mysterious – a riddle only its creator can solve."

- HTL

Gentle and quiet spirit??

I should already be deep in my sleep instead of writing this post, but I thought I would get it over with while it's still fresh in my mind.

OK.

I WILL SHUT UP.
From now own, I won't say anything unless it's necessary.

It's yet another one of my "slip-ups", I suppose. I reckon if I continue with this, it might just ruin my life. I don't know what it is with me, but sometimes I can't seem to keep my trap shut. I really wonder if this really is what constitutes my lack of friends. I can't help it! I don't know how!

In the midst of my remorse, I was reminded of this verse:
"Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."

Ha, yes, both the things I am not.

I am neither gentle, nor am I the slightest bit quiet.. at least not around my friends/the people I'm familiar with. At group meetings, I do not hesitate to express my opinion, without thinking twice. In daily conversations, I do not hesitate to ask rash questions and/or make unnecessary remarks without thinking thrice. I hate not being able to be quiet. I hate making stupid comments and asking silly questions. I hate acting smart when in reality, I'm making myself look dumber by the second.

I resorted to my old Facebook posts when I would strike up status conversations with other people and I thought how freaking, FREAKING stoooopid I was back then! I mean, I still feel that way now at times when I'm usually too late to realize the damage has been done. I wanted to act smart and strong when I really wasn't.

Beauty is skin deep. Cliche, but it's probably true. It doesn't matter whether you adorn yourself with jewellery, nice clothing, or even exceptional intelligence – it's the insides that count. I've been too proud with myself. Pride has driven me deeper into the gutter. I've lost good friends, my relationships have been strained, and keeping up with it would lead me into more trouble. I don't know how many people I have hurt through my actions, and how much beeswax about other people I have probed into.
If you happen to have witnessed this careless and shameful endeavour of mine, I AM SORRY. And if you happen to be the one(s) I've hurt, I apologize from the bottom of my heart.

There are still a few things on which I need more clarification, but what I DO know is that this is NOT my character. It's not who I really am. I am not this kind of person. The aforementioned behaviour is simply a product of my experiences – what I have been through in life. I used to vehemently refuse to be viewed as a weak person, especially since I am a woman. No, I am not a feminist. But I hated the sexist and gender stereotypes people make when specifically comparing men and women. The remarks I've heard, seen, and taken in are the catalyst that has "helped" me in developing this new persona, which I am indubitably starting to despise.

But I concur.

I, as a woman, should assume the quiet bench. Why? Because it's the right darn thing to do. No, it's not because women are weak, but it is our ability to stay quiet in the midst of turmoil that determines our power.
Listen more, talk less.

A dear lady by the name of Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
Do as you will with this quote, but I have my own piece of mind. You are who you think you are and you don't need to justify it with mere talks. You need only prove yourself TO yourself. Real ladies don't show off. Real ladies exude. I think that's all it takes to prove who you really are.

>>Seriously, I make too many promises on my blog that I don't even remember writing.<<

Let us all remind each other how important it is to be who we are without trying too much. While you reflect upon this post, it's time for me to get back on the books.

Remember, read a lot, listen carefully, and speak only when necessary.


Cheers,

Aloha..!!

Hello, hello!

I reckon it's been too long a break from blogging. Maybe you'll see a new post tomorrow.. or perhaps the day after, or after that, or after that...
I know what to write, but don't know how.
More like lazy.
Get behind me, o spirit of laziness. You shall be subdued!

I've missed writing elaborate blog posts, but haven't got around to it just yet because I know I'll take HOURS to perfect it. Being the obsessive perfectionist that I am, I read through my posts thousands of times to ensure every word is spelled correctly and grammatical errors are nowhere in sight (to me, at least... which could point to the fact that I'm actually not a very good grammarist).

Please be patient with me. Believe it or not, I'd love to keep in touch with you! No, this blog is NOT dead yet. It's far from dying; it is IDLE. Ha ha. I don't know what I'm writing anymore because it's past 3 in the morning.

I'll see you guys soon-time on here! Check back soon for updates! :-) X tothe OOO's.

Just kidding. Love you all.


P.S. Someone searched up "softlywhispered is an asian girl". LOOOOLLLLL indeed.

RQ: Random Quote #31

"We won't know where we stand until we fall to know where we fail."

- HTL 

Taken from this post**

RQ: Random Quote #30

"Failure is not the absence of success, but the lack of attempt." 

- HTL

If I lose myself tonight...

I dedicate this song to those special, amazing people who have made a difference in my life. You may not think that you're on the list, oh but you are. My heart is exploding with so much love! Even if I have only known you for a few weeks, you have made a huge difference. You know who you are and I will tell you as soon as I get the chance to. Thank you :-).

Life is full of surprises
<3,

Beauty Review: THEFACESHOP Aqua Tinted BB Cream

Hello, I'm back with another beauty review on THEFACESHOP Aqua Tinted BB Cream. Right off the bat, I could already say that this is hands down my FAVOURITE go-to tinted moisturizer/bb cream! I love it and I'm going to keep repurchasing it.

Please keep my stats in mind as you read the following review.
Skin type: Asian; dry in the winter, normal-dry in the summer; mildly sensitive
Age: 19-25

411 the product:
- BB Cream/tinted moisturizer
- Light-medium coverage
- SPF20/PA+++
- Floral, refreshing scent
- Light, watery texture
- There are only two shades and mine is Natural Beige (the darker one)

"With a 70% MOISTURE CONTENT, including DEEP SEA WATER, a light application provides a sense of coolness and freshness the moment it touches the skin."

This is the only picture w/ edited lighting. The others have unedited lighting.

If you are interested to read my review, proceed by clicking the link below. More pictures after the jump!

BIGGEST fail ever!!!

Alright, it's my first personal post of 2013 and let me start it with the biggest fail story to ever happen to a blog/website owner: my layout images didn't show up!!!!!! Oh my gosh, how embarrassing! I've been posting my blog everywhere and telling people about it, but no one ever told me that my layout images never showed! I had my suspicions when I decided to check on my blog from a mobile phone and noticed that the layout image had been replaced with a Photobucket error picture saying the image has been removed or something. But because I thought it was a bug or glitch, I ignored it. It was fine when I opened my blog on my laptop. It turned out, though... that I had set my Photobucket account (I upload my layout images here, not directly on Blogger because it messes up the quality) ON PRIVATE!!! Genius me strikes again! I had only realized it LAST NIGHT that both of the internet browsers I use to edit my blog contain a cache memory of my Photobucket account, which gives them the ability to access my pictures, thus allowing me to think that everyone would have the same view. So even if I set my public Photobucket account on private, I was still able to see the pictures because there's cache! Silly silly silly.

AnyHOOT, so here's a new layout I made in a few hours. It's way much simpler than the previous ones because I'm trying out something different with the design. I've been obsessed with flowers, florals, and collages lately, if you haven't already noticed.
If you're curious, here are the thumbnails of my previous blog layouts, in no particular order. I should have known you couldn't see anything! Gosh!!!

This is the one I had up before the current version

ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT is that I'm going to start to be more "free speech" on this blog. I know everything I've posted has been very "spiritual and Christian", but I'm slowly trying to break out of my shell in public and write about issues that are more controversial per se. I've been contemplating this for a while, but haven't been ready due to people's comments and their perception of me as a worship leader at church. But I guess I have to take the first step, don't I? I want to keep growing as a person and also as a thinker. I'm going to take a slightly steeper road to finding my identity and I hope the public (my church fellow members and friends) are ready to see me in a different light. Well, it's not as dramatic as it sounds, I promise, but my blog posts are definitely going to be more honest and raw from this time onwards. I won't post too much about my personal life, but I will write more about current issues and lighter controversies (some things are just too complex to discuss in written words). Oh, and I will be posting more beauty/skincare reviews because I want to help those who are going through the same problems as I was with my skin.

Thank you for being the awesome, wonderful readers that you all are. Here is a super old pic of me when I was 10 pounds heavier and my hair was super short. xx

Love always,

INDONESIA: Mission Trip 2011 Day IX

Oh my goodness, it's been over two years since this mission trip, and I'm only posting the last of the episodes now! I'm so sorry for my lack of discipline. But I am very happy to announce that I have finally finished undergraduate studies, which leaves me with an honours bachelor of arts degree in humanities! I'm definitely utterly blessed and very grateful to my parents who have been very supportive of my studies. Next, on to the other BIG things in life!!

I have mixed feelings about this episode. I'm glad the series is almost over (which means I can focus on something else), but at the same time, it's been a fun ride posting about the trip. Nonetheless, I hope all of you have been enjoying my mission blog posts. I encourage everyone to do something extraordinary at least once in life and share it to the world. It truly is a satisfying experience. For my loyal readers, thank you for sticking by me through the end. I always appreciate your feedback. God bless.

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Jagalan, Surakarta

Today we had our 2 Sunday services – the morning one at 7AM and the afternoon one at 5PM. At around 4:30 this morning after our morning prayer and devotions, I went up to the rooftop to take pictures and record a video of the pig slaughter to take home as hardproof evidence. Unfortunately, I attempted to no avail since I could not get a clear shot. It was still extremely dark and the distance between the abattoir and where I was standing was quite far. Instead, I settled for the excruciating sound of the crying pigs and images of the slaughterhouse, as well as the pigs before and after they were slaughtered (see images from the last post here).

Scrapbook Sunday! v. Valentine's Day