So I was having my usual afternoon chat with Mel the other day, and we got to the topic of this theory known as the 'Peter Principle'. Yes, we talk about pretty hardcore stuff, y'know? When we're not bitching about people or discussing the wonders of makeup and cosmetics, we ponder about the many complexities of life. True story.

Anyways, Peter Principle was formulated by this guy (no, his name is NOT Peter) and it states that in every hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence. It holds that in a hierarchy, staff are promoted as long as they work competently. Sooner or later they are promoted to a position at which they are no longer competent. It’s not that the higher ranking position is more difficult per se, but that the candidate may not possess the required skills to fill that position. There they remain, unable to earn further promotions, reaching their career ceiling in an organization. Eventually work is accomplished by employees who have not yet reached the level of incompetence.

Mel and I had an interesting debate about our stand with regards to the reality of the Peter Principle. My stand was that the Peter Principle is inevitable. While Mel believes that it is a choice.

I feel that some people just do not possess the relevant skills to handle certain situations in the corporate world. Thus, it limits their reach when it comes to positions and promotions. For example, while I am comfortable giving out instructions and supervising, I don't think I am 'boss' material. I don't think I ever will be, because I tend to be a more of a 'heart over head' kinda person. I feel bad chiding others, even if they did do something wrong. But when I do get angry, I think I will not be rational or logical enough to make appropriate decisions.

Mel, on the other hand, thinks that leadership skills are learnt, and not something you were born with. I do agree with that to a certain extent, but I do think that there's only so much someone can learn. There are some aspects of life that are purely emotional as well. Mel says that if I think I'm not 'boss' material, I am limiting my capacity to grow and improve myself. To think that I am emotionally and mentally inept to be a 'boss' is like insulting God.  It's like saying He created me imperfect.

I argued that I don't look at it that way. I mean, if God is perfect, and He created me, then I must be perfect too. At least in His eyes, I know I am perfect. He isn't going to judge me for being the way I am, because at the end of the day, it doesn't stop me from loving Him.

I don't really remember much about the rest of our conversation. But I do know that we were distracted when I found an online shop having a sale, and we quickly digressed and started fussing over makeup again. Lol.

But recently, I got to thinking about the Peter Principle again. I think I'm having some sort of a quarter-life crisis at this point. I love my job, I love my industry, I love the people I work with, and I just am very comfortable being where I am right now. And that's good, but also bad. I feel like I need a little bit more challenge in my life - career-wise.

I wanna go to makeup school. Which is something I've had on my mind for years now. But I never said anything to anyone because I was afraid people would think I was out of my mind. And so I was really happy for Mel when she made that decision to quit her current job and pursue makeup. I don't know if I would ever be that brave. But then again, life's too short to be stuck in doldrums of routines and patterns right?

I'm not a very complicated person. I always say that I'm the most high-maintenance low-maintenance person in the world. I hope that makes sense. I guess what I'm tryin' to say is, while on the outside I look pretty high-maintenance, but I'm actually a very simple girl. I'm not very ambitious. I don't expect to hold a high-flying job and rake in millions a year. I don't need to live in a Condo (though that would be nice) and drive a branded car. My whole pursue of happiness in life is to love and be loved in return. And of course to be surrounded by the people I care about.

I don't know what kind of person that makes me. Maybe that makes me seem somewhat naive and, what's the word.... shallow? I don't know. Maybe I am.

I present to you my Chinese New Year in pictures!

All 15 days of Chinese New Year:

I would like to reiterate again for the millionth time that I'm not a fan of Chinese New Year. A festival that was once exciting and fun for me has turned into a total chore. I don't really know why. I just don't like that it's so hectic. It's not that I enjoy the food much also. Oh wells.

But as much as I say that, I still manage to have the most fun each year! After all, a week spent with family and the people I love is never dreadful. And of course, this Chinese New Year was especially exciting for me because it was the 'Meet the Fockers' chance for my boyfriend (which he passed with flying colours). I appreciate that he was calm and collected even when facing my crazy cousins. Lol.

And I dare say that he made a good impression. Right cousins? Right? Right? Sherwin? Stacey? Stiffany? Raynie? I know you're reading this. Hahahaha.

Ryan's still being very hostile and unwelcoming. But it's ok! He just needs time! Soon, Ryan will realise that this boy isn't like the last, and he ain't gonna hurt me. And he will also realise that even though I have a boyfriend now, I'll still love him and continue to spend time with him. Haha! I have the cutest cousin-in-law.

So the boyfriend fared well. If he can tackle the insanity that are my cousins, then there is pretty much nothing he can't do! Plus, it was fun watching my cousins attempt to teach him how to play Mahjong (as you can see from the pictures above). Though I think he still hasn't quite grasped the concept of the game. Lol.

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And on a totally unrelated note:
 

Yes, I caved. I am finally on the iPhone bandwagon.

For the longest time, I was strong. I made it through peer pressure. I made it through the pressures from society - refusing to conform to society's norm and rebelling against the status quo. While everyone else was carrying an iPhone, I was happy with my Blackberry. She wasn't as pretty, or smart for that matter, but I loved her, and she was mine. And to me, she was perfect.

But again and again, she continued to let me down. While I appreciated her inner beauty, it was her physical being that was a disappointment. And I know I risk sounding like a complete superficial fool, but hey, unfortunately looks do matter. The truth hurts. Don't hate.

It was not like I abandoned her the moment she got weak. Again and again, I took her to the doctor and got her fixed. But when her buttons failed on me for the 4th time, I just knew her time was up. There was no use in continuing this one-sided romance. It was clear that in this relationship, I was the one who loved more. I gave and I gave, and she just kept taking. She had no more love for me. What was I to do? I had to let her go.

Enters: iPhone 4.

I'm still very skeptical about this new toy. Before I give it my heart, I know I must first try to understand it. So far, so good. I haven't yet felt the urge to fling the machine out of the window. I'm hopeful! So please, don't let me down.... my sweet iPhone 4!

My boyfriend is exceptionally psyched about my new phone. He wants to make movies with the video function. We're gonna have fun unleashing our creativity together! Will post our masterpieces up when it happens!

You've effortlessly won my family over - and you have no idea how much that means to me. My cousins think you're awesome. My uncles and aunties think you're cute. My Godpa somehow refuses to believe you're my boyfriend because he thinks you look like some Hollywood actor (Borat? Haha). My Mom is (of course) smitten with you. My Dad..... well, my Dad is in denial. He believes that if he pretends not to see you, then you don't exist. Lol. But My Dad thinks you're 'at least better than the other guy' (his own words). True story.

I can't promise you that I'll be your perfect princess. I'm awkward and crude, obnoxious and needy. I'm gonna keep you on your toes with my eccentricities and unpredictability. I'm gonna steal your clothes and turn them into dresses, and probably gonna drive you slightly mad with my OCDs and tardiness.

But, I can promise to be your best friend. And I'll promise that you'll always be my only guy.

I'll make friends with your Mom and try my best to impress your little sister. I'll be the person you can rant to about anything when you've had a rough day. And I'll give you my hand to hold whenever you're feeling down. You can call me any time of the day and text me even at wee hours of the night.

I'll bury my face in your chest when we watch scary movies, and make you feel like superman whenever you get rid of nasty insects. I'll bake you your favourite brownies and cook your favourite foods. I'll always hug you for too long and steal kisses - but that's only because I think you're so awesome. I'll mess your hair and tease you endlessly - but that's because I think you're adorable.

I'll always understand when you need time off to hang out with your boys. I'll watch all your favourite soccer matches with you and will never ask you to switch channels or explain to me what an 'offside' is. I'll wait up for you at nights and make sure you're safe and snug before I go to sleep.

I'll listen to all your favourite music and watch your favourite shows - even if that means having to sit through hours of Star Trek or Lord of the Rings. We'll explore different places together and take many pictures! We'll do something different everytime and eat different foods. And we'll never run out of things to say to each other.

I'll watch over you if you fall sick and nurse you back to health. I'll know the difference between giving you space, and constantly being there for you. I'll play your favourite video games with you and sit by you as you count stars.

At the end of the day, I don't have much to offer you. All I can give you is my heart. My whole heart. And if that's not enough, then I'm not enough.

I can't stop thinking about how much I enjoy talking to you, how good you look when you smile, and how funny your laugh is. I keep replaying our conversations in our head, and our every little hugs and kisses. I've memorized your face and the look in your eyes when you look at me.  I catch myself smiling whenever thoughts of you sneak into my head. Even though neither of us knows what the future holds, I know one thing's for sure - you're the best thing that's ever happened to me.