December 5, 2007
I was reading thru one of the parents’ blog and she was saying how she juz got her baby from AAE. Interestingly, she wrote “got from them”. Hahaha~~
Juz fyi, AAE is managed ENTIRELY by only ONE person. From sourcing of materials, creative to production, photography, editing, webby, handling of mail, emails etc…
Can u imagine? I had up to more than 40 orders once (2 weeks ago, that’s why I asked for more allowance time for remakes~ sorry parents :P)~ it’s crazy, I tell u~
However, I resigned from my 6 yrs job last Friday. And this is smthg I wanna share with you. It was a decision I’ve been struggling with, cos it’s a great job. It’s glamorous, it garners publicity~ But I grew tired of it~ it needs so much, so much from me, and I’m juz sapped~ Short term hols doesn’t help much~ and I can’t quit juz like that cos I’m the one payin all the house’s bills~ so last yr abt this time, I dabbled into jewelry making.
All this time, I was dragging myself to work~ I went into slight depression, my weight plummeted, I don’t smile as much anymore~ I don’t feel happy even though I’m doing fine at work. I wanna think everything’s fine but inside my heart, I know it’s not fine. I told myself I should be satisfied, but felt hollow inside…
I cont’d with this art~ And funny enough, interest evolved into a decent part-time work~ So after one yr, I took the plunge~
Although with the meagre amt I earn from this interest means that I have to keep my eating budget to $6 a day, reduce all entertainment expenditure (movies, accessories, clothes, music) to nearly zero (I haven’t bought a single new clothing/accessories for more than 4 mths), and I’m afraid I won’t survive after a few mths~
Still, I think I’m on the right track~
If you are struggling with any decisions at this point, I juz wanna say, Have courage. We may not know why this is happening to us now. We may never know even ten yrs down the road. But have courage. Meantime, Take care of yourself.
Love, Maddie
December 5, 2007 at 9:24 am
Hi , Maddie ,
It’s a tough decision for you. And i know as i am also going through some tough time now , but i know , everyone need courage , i hope we will get over it soon..
Take care , maddie..
December 5, 2007 at 10:05 am
Hi Maddie,
I fully understand what you’re going through now. I just resigned from my 5 yrs job too cos I’ve grown bored of what i’m doing. It’s a tough decision cos not only does this job allow me to go back on time to play with my baby, it also allows me to dabble in my little interest.
But that aside, we’re still too young to be stuck in a pit hole for too long… so I took the plunge and accepted another job far far away from my home. Many have questioned my decision esp now when bonus is coming but frankly, we wont know whether its for good or bad until we’ve really gone through it ourselves. I believe the “monster” is always 10 times magnified in our brains than in reality. In the meantime, good luck to us all and take care
December 5, 2007 at 10:47 am
maddie
i do understand the concerns, the fears, the unknown. but yes, the words “have courage” hit the right spot. i have been through somewhat similar in some ways, and i know where you are coming from.
good luck, and im sure everything will turn out just fine, or even better
December 5, 2007 at 11:07 am
Oh.. Maddie, i admire your courage..
I do not have this kind of courage and all i did was to avoid..
I really look up to you.. *salutes*
Thanks for teaching..
You really must and do take care..
December 5, 2007 at 11:50 am
Hey Maddie,
Glad to know that u are finally doing something u like now.
U make beautiful jewelries. Will always support u =)
Take care yeah.
December 5, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Hi maddie,
Glad that you have the courage to open the door that has been closed for 6 years and make your first step forward…I believe, initially it is indeed a big and heavy step for you.
However if you never try to make this move, you may not have the chance to discover that the air is fresher behind the door, and there are many beautiful panoramas and challenging adventures awaiting for you to explore…
Life is Beautiful…
I think you still can survive la~
Food - you don’t reaaly eat much
Movie - can watch TV or borrow DVD from friends
Music - you are talented enough to compose your own songs and sing
Accessories - haha~ where can you find accessories prettier than those babies handmade by yourself ?
So…Don’t Worry Be Happy !!!
All The Best !!!
Cheers!!
December 5, 2007 at 12:57 pm
The path u have chosen really requires a lot of courage. Jia you! I’m sure u can survive with so many supporters of AAE out there.
December 5, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Yoz…
Yup, do hv faith in yrself ya, so long as you’ve found something you’re happy with, just go ahead with yr decision…
You hv my support, Wo Ting Ni~~!!! Haha… ^_^
December 5, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Hi Maddie,
I admire u for all your courage. All the best!
December 5, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I’m glad these words struck a chord in so many of us, i woke to 9 comments and 3 emails~ haha~
Tracy> times are tough, but girls can be tougher! heehee~ take care~
Yee Leng> I LOVE the part at the monster, totally SPOT ON! u know i once read an article, psychologists said that 99.9% of our worries are unfounded and wun happen? haha~
ash> yup, courage is smthg all of us have, but chooses to ignore sometimes~
kelly> aiyo, not teaching la~ u must take care too!
BL> on the food part, thank u hor~ haha~
ashley> thanks babe, if not for the support of parents here, i wldn’t have lasted~ haha~
eowyn> ur nick is the rep of courage & faith man~ haha~
qian> thanks babe! for always being ard to support!
mint> u too!
December 5, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Hi,
This is what life all about. I admire your courage and have a faith on urself. Nightmare will be over soon. Stay positive!
December 5, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Glad that u made a decision and knows wat u reli want or do. Think many a time, we ourselves dunno wat we are looking for and juz blindly live each day. I think tough times will pass by soon, so dun worry too much ok?? U have so many supporters here, remembered?? Haha…….
Cheers and all the best to u!! =)
December 5, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Hi Maddie,
I been through what you are going through right now. Be strong gal, am sure that things will get better.
Will support u
December 5, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Hi maddie,
I believe ur post struck a chord in many of us.
very often, one tends to follow the footsteps of the general public and ended up doing sth that he/she doesn’t really like, yet refused to quit or correct due to certain constraints.
actually, I’m not even sure what I’m doing is the right track now.. but I still have at least 3 yrs to figure out. so yup, I’m holding on! ^^
I truly admire that u have the courage to start up ur small biz and it’s wonderful that u’re sharing ur creations wif us! ^^ thank u for every effort tat u’ve put in in creating these wonderful babies!
u’re the best and stay strong! I believe ur efforts wun be denied.. =) muacks! ^^
December 6, 2007 at 2:26 am
regine> the nitemare is already over~ haha~
susu> thanks babe, it means alot to me~
janice> yup, we will
winnie> thank u so much~ gambatte for the next 3 yrs!! haha~~
December 6, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Dearest Maddie,
You are not alone!
I know exactly how you feel, cos I myself have been going through the motions with my job for the past year. Been really wanting to have a change of environment for awhile now but somehow still feel constrained by the older generation’s traditional thoughts…
So, while I’m not as courageous as you yet; now that my house stuff is all settled, I will be slowly working my way towards my goal in the New Year!
Just remember that He’s watching over you and that you have the support of your loved ones and parents of AAE’s babies
Congrats on taking the plunge my dear, may He bless you & keep the lovely creative juices flowing!
December 6, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Dear maddie,
Really admire the courage you had to take that first step forward to pursue ur dreams..All the best to u! I believe that all the parents here at AAE will be behind u all the way!
December 6, 2007 at 8:14 pm
*hugs*
aiyah you make beautiful pieces. period. i’m envious. so lazy to create new stuff. sigh. haha. just came back from arab st summore. more damage done! florence has not gotten back to me
December 7, 2007 at 4:13 pm
admire your courage to follow your heart
I’m sure you will or might already have found your happniess ^_^
December 7, 2007 at 10:04 pm
hello!
surprised that i am a blogshop owner as well? haha..anyway, i understand your difficulties and worries of all these. i do have some budget problems too haha! xP but yes, i am glad you have chosen passion over practicality. Your courage is really admirable! haha..Your creations are really beautiful but haha..no budget to buy them just yet lols! ;p might get some inspiration from you as well! will credit to you & hope you won’t mind yeah?
last but not least,
All the Best, Be Strong & Never Give Up!
*lYdiA~
December 7, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Courage is what most of us lack a lot of times, even though it’s always in us. Congrats in finding the strength to take that leap of faith!
I agree with Debbie, your stuff is gorgeous! Me likey!
December 8, 2007 at 12:26 am
dear grace> thanks! I know *wink*
cheryl> thanks for ur support!
debbie> cannot be lazy!!! hahah~~ will go down ur hse on xmas day and “check” hahah~~
serene> hmmm…how u noe? heh heh~~
lydia> not really la, saw ur weblink before mah~ muahahha~~ u go girl!
dawn> i like ur use of “leap of faith”~ Phew! What a leap! hahaha~~