INSPIRATIONS FROM DONALD TRUMP - From the book 'Midas Touch' (Part I )

the midas touch

I have always been fascinated by Donald Trump ever since I read his first book - "The Art of the Deal" several years back.

His tenacity, unwavering vision and sometimes arrogant confidence are perhaps the ingredients for his success amidst difficulties. The following are excerpts and reflections on the first chapter of the book "Midas Touch" co-written by Robert Kiyosaki and himself. Their thoughts together help to give the entrepreneur, or any self improving individual a good perspective on the road ahead.

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If It Weren't for Bad Luck - Donald Trump

Setbacks are simply 'Blips' and nothing more.
"Over time, I was able to regain my focus and my fortune. I actually became much more successful after my big loss. One of the reasons is that I had always seen myself as a lucky guy, and I still do. I didn't let the experience of a big loss change my view of who I am. I saw the whole thing as a 'blip' and nothing more. I knew I had the skill set to get back into the game, just as a golfer knows and uses the same techniques to get out of the sand trap and sink a birdie."

"Because I'm not a quitter, I quickly resolved to stick it out  I also didn't want to be a 'wanna-be' entrepreneur. This just happened to be a low point. You'll have a few of those too."

Own the Good and Bad of what you do. Make it Extraordinary.

"It is empowering, for one thing, and your effectiveness will increase tremendously when you own the good and the bad of all you do.. As soon as you take responsibility for all that you touch, the power is in your hands to make it extraordinary. For me, having that sense of control has been a catalyst for success."

That great feeling of Creation.

"And the best part of success is that great feeling you get from taking something that was barely breathing and turning it into something alive."

Get the Job Done.

"I've always had the energy and eye for improvement. I approach each project pragmatically and with emotional control, yet I maintan the enthusiasm necessary to get the job done. Its an important balance to acheive."

The Midas touch - Having the Vision to see how things could be, instead of how they are.

"Part of the Midas Touch is having the vision to see things as they could be, instead of how they are. Someone has to do it, and I've always had the energy and eye for improvement."

Distilling it Down: The Strength of Character

"What separates Midas Touch entrepreneurs from all the others is that when they face a loss, they quickly stand back up, learn from their mistakes, and move on. Successful entrepreneurs know that learning from their mistakes affords them greater wisdom and strength for the next challenge."

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And so, reading these inspirations aren't enough. 

Thoughts need to be translated into actions in order for them to really make an impact on our lives. 

To really effect these inspirations, we could start by getting around in our heads and answering these questions to unlock the First key - Understanding our strength of character that we currently possess:

How do you handle losing?

How do you handle fear?

Are you willing to work for years, without a paycheck, on a project that may never get off the ground?

Have you even been betrayed?

How did you handle the betrayal?

Are your trustworthy under pressure? Or do you stab people in the back when the chips are down?

How do you feel when someone else makes mistakes that you have to pay for? Can you fire a friend or a family member?

Are you generous or greedy by nature?

How do you feel when you are out of money?

And when we get around to doing this first step, we can start to turn inspirations into reality.

Actions - Trump cards that turn inspirations into realities.

xoxo,

crystael

INSPIRATIONS FROM KARL LAGERFELD

the little black jacket

"You have to like the present; if not, your life becomes second hand if you think it was better before, or that if you feel it will be better in the future." 

-Karl Lagerfeld

I was most intrigued by Karl Lagerfeld's recent fashion show that featured the 'Chanel Shopping Center' and its grocery runways. How can one be so forward thinking, creative, and so accurately hit the nail on the spot on the Modern Woman's Dilemma?

Day in and out, women are grappling with multiple duties -- To work, or to stay home and nurture a child wholeheartedly. To focus razor sharp concentration on work to achieve mind blowing success, or to allocate adequate time to nurture a great relationship with our partners and family. And in my case, to keep working on something that has gained good momentum, or to abandon everything temporarily and accompany my loved one to a far away town.

These decisions are often difficult, and the times that the events arrive at are usually not within our control. But really, in reality, women are tough enough to realise that they can juggle all these, and do well in all aspects that they so choose. Karl shows us that we can be stylish even while performing our traditional 'female-gender' functional duties, even grocery shopping. In fact, the legendary Chanel 2.55 Flap Bag with the chain was born out of Coco Chanel's desire to be stylish but also functional. In those days, bags were literally handbags that women in their corseted suits held in their hands. The 2.55 Flap Bag was invented when Coco Chanel got tired of having to hold a bag in her hands while she was working, hence giving birth to the chain strap that gave her busy hands to freedom to work.

I have to admit, part of the reason why I feel so deeply for this recent show( to the extent of repeatedly playing Karl's interview to listen to his cute french accent in the background, heh), is because I feel like he really hit the nail on the spot and expressed in such a beautiful way, what my real vision for DessertGuroo was. Besides a passion to continue my family legacy in the dessert industry, I also really wanted modern women and men to no longer be bogged down with complicated 'feminine' chores. I wanted the modern man and woman to know that in today's world, they can create desirable desserts easily and stylishly. The messy-haired woman huddling in the kitchen for hours no longer needs to surface in reality. Style and Function coexists.

Having waxed all that lyrical, these Karl Lagerfeld's quotes that I penned down serve as great inspiration -

Keira Knightly on Karl Lagerfeld:

"He is constantly reinventing, always thinking forwards, (always) in the present. And he always seems to have the enthusiasm of a child."

Karl Lagerfeld to a journalist on a documentary:

"Oh...I produce roughly about 8 collections a year for Chanel, 2 for Fendi.. You count, but I don't count."

" If there's something in the air, you must catch it and make it yours."

"As a child, I didn't want to look like other children. I wanted to be different from others."

"The brain is a muscle, and I'm a kind of bodybuilder."

Karl Lagerfeld on the interview for the show:

" I like fashion to be part of daily life, it should not be cut away from it."

And that said, I am glad and grateful for my fresh start because I can see unlimited potential in the States. And also, I have proved to myself that I do not live any kind of 'sacrifices' as long as I choose not to. So far, my time here has surprisingly given me space and utmost concentration to really focus on DessertGuroo - something I was never able to really do because I was piled on with unending distracting tasks back in Singapore. And I'm glad these little steps have translated themselves into real harvest as well. Style and Function coexists!

If you want to see the videos, hit the links here >>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUXkJivPPPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLDUXZ4X5b8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cymBShWaezY


style and function coexists

xoxo,
crystael

NO HEAT CURLS and a Red Lip

 the magic of buns 

"Our appearance is merely an extension of our personality.”

Curling hair is really that easy. Simply tie slightly damp hair with leave in conditioner into a bun like this:

And awake to luscious curls like this:

 Keep things simple, and add a satin-finish red lip for an extra happy day. 

Every woman should try a red lip to add some sparkle to their day! 

the magic of simple things.

xoxo

crystael

EASY EGG BENEDICT with Poppy Seed dressing

cooking eggs 

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time.”

― Thomas Edison

Attempted an Egg Benedict and it turned out very delicious! It should probably take you less than 20 minutes once you have mastered the art of egg poaching!

Ingredients you will need:
- 2 large eggs
- Choice of Ham
- Baby Spinach
- English Muffins
- Dressing of choice

First, Poach the Eggs! This took me the longest to succeed at. But after a couple tries of different methods, I was able to do it quite easily.

The technique that I discovered was the easiest was to  --
- Bring pot of water to simmering boil.
- Add a tbsp of vinegar to it so that the egg whites curdle easily.
- Crack an egg into a ladle and gently lower it into the simmering water, keeping it roughly at the surface.
- Leave the egg in the ladle at low heat(or off the heat) in the pot and let the egg set. I prefer well done egg yolks so I left it there a little longer.
- Lift it onto a bowl and set aside, or keep warm in an oven.

Second, Boil Spinach & Grill them Muffins! Easy peasy.
- Boil bunch of spinach in a pan of hot water. Cut them with scissors, reduce as much water as possible and set aside!
- Put your Muffins into the oven and grill for 10-12 mins at 425F.

Third, Heat up Ham and dressing so it is oh-so-warm in your mouth.

- Lightly pan fry ham, no oil needed.

- I used ready made poppy seed dressing to replace the fat-rich hollandaise sauce (made up of 80% butter OMG). Just warm the sauce up in the pan! p/s: Be creative, hollandaise is not the only sauce that will make these eggs yummy.

Fourth, Lay everything together and serve. 

- Pair of muffins are laid open faced. Lay Ham. Lay Spinach. Lay egg. Spoon sauce.

Verdict: Very Yummy. And I'm pretty sure everyone can do it.

and the simplest things may be the most difficult to master. but persistence and patience will always be fruitful.

xoxo,

crystael

RSAF AIRSHOW 2014

climbing skies 

"We are what we repeatedly do; Excellence then is not an act but a habit" 

-Aristotle

Swelling with pride to see my husband defending the skies, both in air and on a mega poster.

Wish I was there to see it in person!

and few know the years of hard work behind the fleeting moments on stage.

xoxo,

a proud wife

crystael

Adventures in Dallas

solo voyages and the lone star state

“Be wise enough not to be reckless, but brave enough to take great risks.” 

― Frank Warren

And so the journey to Dallas was an exciting one. Since Justen was flying in to Dallas from his work trip, I drove to the airport at 6am and took a flight from Tucson all by myself for the first time here. Was very pleased with the achievement although it is a little one! Driving on the roads here all seem to be a breeze after this adventure, no more jitterbugs!

It was icy cold in Dallas at -3 deg celsius, and I also got to see snowfall for the first time in my life. Can't describe how lifted my spirits felt seeing and experiencing Nature's icy beauty. 

On the way to Killeen to meet some friends, we stopped by Dallas's Bishop Arts District for lunch, where we were later told by locals that that was the best place in town to be. It comprised of cute little streets filled with quaint shops. But alas most of the shops were closed due to the very unusual snowfall that they were experiencing. Luckily Oddfellows was open and our food was delish!

Oddfellows

316 W 7th St, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 944-5958

Drove over to Austin for a day trip the next day, and spent the afternoon at South Congress Avenue, a hippie shopping street with many quaint shops. 

The strangest was really this store, Uncommon Objects. In it were packed with really random antiques in every nook and cranny --some eerily alive. Real antique victorian gowns, worn in shoes of the past, many porcelain dolls, vintage leather bound books and portraits that all looked like they belonged in the 1900s, filled the shop and were all too eager to say a story a of their own. Left the shop with such a strange feeling like I was dwelling in the real memories of owners of the pieces.

Uncommon Objects

1512 South Congress, Austin, Texas 78704

http://www.uncommonobjectsblog.com/

<3<3<3 My favourite photo<3<3<3

And then to the Texas Capitol State Building in Austin

The next day was back to Dallas with our friends from Killeen! And oh boy was I excited at the thought of Dimsum! Its strange how you crave for food you used to take for granted in a foreign land. The dim sum was luckily really good, highly reccomended for an authentic dose of siew mais and custard buns. We were so lucky to catch the lion dance right in front of our table too, the best lunar new year atmosphere I've felt since reaching the states!

Kirin Court Chinese Restaurant

221 W Polk St #200, Richardson, Texas 75081
(214) 575-8888

Then it was to the mandatory tourist shot at the spot of 

"The Assassination of Kennedy"

Rogue cowboys at the Fortworth Stockyards Station

And the cute little girls and great friends that accompanied our Dallas adventure!

And so our little adventure in Dallas ended, complete with great friends and memories! 

Grateful and happy!

Try, and astound yourself with what you are capable of.

xoxo

crystael

Where I Belong

"Where I belong, where I keep my heart and soul, where dreams come true for us.Where we walk together hand in hand, towards a future so bright. I want the whole world to know, I want to shout it out loud, that this is where I know I belong." 

Where I Belong, by Tanya Chua 2001

Morning comes along and I can't wait to see my sunny island

in its glorious greenery whether rain or shine it is still beautiful.

Bright lights shine on the streets at night, guiding me closer to home.

To a place where I know it is safe and warm, where I belong.

Friends and families by my side, seeing me through as I grow and learn.

Everyday's experience, bitter sweet or sour, they're still wonderful.

As they become precious memories, they'll be kept close to my heart

And no matter where I am I will always know, where I belong.

I want the whole world to know, I want to shout it out loud.

That this is where I know I belong.

In recent years, I have found myself falling in love with my homeland, Singapore, more and more each day. While I was back home, it was still easy to take what I had for granted. Safety and connectivity were just all there and never had to be considered. In the rush of day to day work, it was easy to simply use them without appreciating the effort behind all these systems that served us.

Now that I am living in the states, I miss all of it even much more. The song definitely encapsulates my perspectives well. Indeed, it is easy not to appreciate what one has until it is gone. Before, the lush greenery that was all around me was often unnoticed, and I never appreciated how pleasant the sight of greenery is. It is only till I am faced with brown buildings (mostly) and occasional compounds of trees that I realize how the physical surroundings of the garden city of Singapore can actually serve to lift one's spirits. 

On the roads, I now require daily doses of Vitamin A in hopes to improve my night vision to deal with night driving! Well, I never knew that I would appreciate street lamps so much! lol. Subways are most of the time a pain to take as the slightly germophobic me is so used to the clean air conditioned MRT. Oh well! 

Probably the factor I realised I took for granted the most, was the unspoken safety as I got around day to day. Getting a cab back home at 3am after a night of partying was never a concern and I had no qualms to go for a night jog around the neighbourhood at 10pm with cookie. I reveled in getting around independently no matter how late. I only realised how safety considerations were never part of my day to day thoughts back home, when I found myself mentally preparing defense mechanisms if there ever was a sudden shooting in the mall where I was catching a movie. The idea of those thoughts were novel, yet also revealed to me a new kind of mental restriction amidst the freedom.

And of course, the most sorely missing bits are my family and friends that I love so much. Thank god for the invention of internet and skype and all that devices that keep us connected so easily.

It is a thing to visit another place and marvel at their freedom and seemingly stressless lifestyles, but it is another to live in it and realise the vital things that are missing. There is no perfect country.

 I enjoy the states very much but I guess Singapore sparkles too for many reasons.  

Or perhaps I am just too much of a Singapore home girl.

xoxo

a singapore home girl

crystael