Can I be a role model if I don't have a family?

Morning Iyengar yoga with Miss Loli since no friend wanted to go hiking this morning despite the gorgeous weather in HK - 25C, sunny, not too humid. Anyway, we had breakfast at 兰芳园 prior to the class and was lamenting how few female executives there are in the company that could be our role models.... That made me started to wonder if I could qualify as one if I'm merely successful in my career without a family? Am I considered a failure through the lens of the traditionalists?

Many friends, associates (whose opinion I didn't seek!) commented that I'm too picky, therefore no date, no boyfriend... I used to just give my standard reply of "No la, I'm not that picky. Others just don't find me attractive." I would like to change that now - Yes, I am picky! Why shouldn't I be? Time is one of the most precious commodity we own, at our disposal. Why wouldn't I be discreet in how I wish to spend my time?

Whilst I'm not apologetic for being careful in my considerations for a date / bf, I did come home and started doing something that I've been resisting - looking for a dating service. Friends and family have encouraged me to try this in the past and I was skeptical, but now I'm intrigued as to whether this type of service can really cater for a fairly atypical profile like me. Came across this article while googling around:

港女大平反 單身只因被動
http://news.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/nw/show.cgi/3/1/1/1287967/1.html

Been trying at least one new experience every year for last few years (think it's fear of aging that's driving this, but that's for another blog) - learning to ski, bungee jump, buy a property, live in a new city, etc. My new experience for 2011 is going to be using dating service, wish me luck!

Anna has turned one!

Decided to spend New Year with OB and family in Shanghai. Happened to coincide with Anna's first birthday. As parents go, I think my brother & sis-in-law were pretty restrained in the celebration :)

Old2 was in town too. Sharon came over for dinner too.

We bought Anna an ice-cream cake from Haagen Dazs with a lovely picture of a young girl.




With a rough brother like Josh, I'm sure Anna will grow up to be tough girl (like me!!).


Despite being so naughty, Josh's still melts my heart when he smiles, makes cheeky face, holds my hand.... Dunno whether it's a family thing or he's just good at manipulating adults!

Chez Shereen

Received an invitation from Alan's good friend Shereen to spend some time in French countryside. Was told that Shereen's house is near a town called Belves, in the Perigord region (south west of France). Never heard of the place, so I googled. Guess what, Belves turns out to be one of the most beautiful villages in France!

Some info about the Perigord region: http://www.arachnis.asso.fr/Dordogne/guide1.htm

The house dates from 17th century and Shereen's grandmother bought it at the early part of the last century. It certainly felt special to be staying in a place that has so much history behind it. The antique furnitures that Shereeen's grandma collected made the place feel luxurious but maintaining a cozy touch. Very tastefully done.

Having been a city girl most of my life, I was enjoying the nature thoroughly - picking cherries from the trees, trying out blackberries first time in my life, smelling the roses, cutting herbs from the garden. Shereen probably thought I was a little mad, getting so excited over some fruits.