Reading Challenge: The Girl on The Train

OakMonster - The Girl on the Train - Trainwreck

Note: This is NOT a book review. It’s more of a story as to why I chose the book for the challenge and my reflection after having read it. See full challenge list at the bottom of the post. Note 2: Profanity is about to fly around here. You’ve been warned. You know it’s a good book when it sucks you right in and makes you feel very passionately about the characters. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is one of those great books. I fucking hate all of these people. Every. Single. Character. Hate them all. So,...
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I Miss This, Don’t You?

I went to grab a drink with Priscilla tonight and we reminisced how we first met. On Twitter, naturally, before we finally met face to face. We were both bloggers then. Me and my random, ranty, nerdy blog with the food spin-off that was starting to go somewhere. Then I got a job in the produce industry and the blogging stopped. Both the food side and this side. Why is it that when something you love to do as a hobby become your job, it wasn’t quite as fun any more? A quick walk down the memory lane with Priscilla...
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Day 14: Madness…Period

5 Thoughts I love my job. Shoot me now. I love my job. Oh god oh god please make it stop. I love my job. Extra Thought I have a new found respect for schedulers or anyone who have to proverbially herd cats. I had to arrange a schedule for 2 people AND meet a deadline and I can’t even do it. My colleagues, on the other hand, had to schedule 3 days of meetings with a dozen people, and they worked it all out. Kudos, man. Kudos. Today’s Photo Nothing. I don’t even have time to think about that....
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Unconditional Love of YOU

OakMonster.com - Love Yourself

I was hanging out with my friends in Sacramento this weekend. After a few glasses of wine, and the conversation turned Sex and the City-esque.  My love history–or lack thereof–surprised the hell out of everyone. And I heard myself said this. “It wasn’t like I had a self image issue. I was perfectly happy with who I was and I knew who I was. I was content that guys aren’t attracted to any of this [pointing around myself]…” At which point, as good girl friends do, my friends chimed in, “”Aww! Stop it. You’re totally hot!” “Oh, I know I’m...
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I don’t take compliment well

OakMonster.com - Disapproving Asian Father

It definitely is an Asian thing to ALWAYS be humble. Humble even though the other side of the humble facade is the push to be the best at everything. Get straight A’s. Excel in music. Be the best at dance. Win all the medals. But NEVER tell anyone that you’re the best or agree with anyone else who tells you that you are the best. Your parents and teachers always tell you that you’re good but not THAT good, and that you need to do better.  All at the same time, be humble about how good you are. Even if...
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Can We Agree to Disagree?

OakMonster.com - Safe Ferrets

Politics. This is the stuff that breaks up families and friends forever. In every country. In every language. I had an online AND offline argument with a friend over Thai politics many years ago. We agreed to disagree, and we never talked politics again ever since. Agree to disagree. Some people would consider that phrase a cop out, a surrender, or sometime an invitation to keep laying on their point of view.  I consider it the olive branch. A spirited discussion over politics, fashion, music, movies, etc. is normal in any circle of friendship. Democrats vs. Republicans. Beatles vs. The...
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