Thanks for being so honest. You are not alone… I’ve been hit by that wrecking ball and thankfully survived :o) Yes, we all hustle through life, but is there a purpose to it all? I’ve found that purpose and keep myself focus on that purpose through the good and bad of life. Enjoy the rest of your time in Europe! I may not write much here, but I do enjoy reading your posts!
http://myfabulousrecipes.blogspot.com Sook
I love all the pictures! :)
Queenie
Hey mel. I commend you for all your achievements you so far and i have no doubt you will do more. It is great you’ve found the passions in your life and are following them. Your website is amazing and I have been reading all your posts. Keep up the amazing work and the best of luck with everything!
http://twitter.com/pandafoodie Panda Foodie
You’re awesome! What a great post! Keep hustling – you’re inspiring. Love your blog!
xo
http://www.eleanorhoh.com Eleanor Hoh (Wokstar)
Brave to share your inner thoughts. You’ve accomplished so much, kudos to you. I think it’s a very Asian ‘thing’ to feel like an underachiever or part of DGS culture? You’ll see, everything you’ve done or doing will come together and you’ll feel fulfilled. Things happen for a reason, when one door closes, another opens. I love the fact you’ve changed your hats so many times (as I have.) If your mindset views it as ‘spice of life’ vs ‘why do I keep changing?’, I think you’ll enjoy yourself more. Hey, I’m getting to sound like a counselor, sorry. Happy Birthday and enjoy the moment, you only have one life!
http://ilovepearly.xanga.com ( Ms. K. ))
Interesting post here.
Got me thinking as well.
Nice pictures.
http://tanglednoodle.blogspot.com Tangled Noodle
It goes to show that even an incredibly active, vibrant, and absolutely highly-accomplished young woman like you will feel these pangs of self-assessment. You’ve done so much that most of us (me!) haven’t come close to achieving, but it’s always good to take a moment to see where you will go next. Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us (particularly all the journeys focusing on food and drink!)
Happy, happy birthday and may you have many more days of good food, good drink and really fantastic outfits that I want for myself! 8-D
http://www.unplannedcooking.com Unplanned Cooking
I love hearing the personal story behind the blogs. And hey, if you’re current gig doesn’t work out, you could always model. You’re gorgeous!
http://www.quasiserendipita.com Quasi Serendipita
Happy birthday! I’m glad you enjoyed visiting in Europe – something everyone deserves to do (at least) once in their life. I enjoyed reading this post – it’s nice to catch a glimpse of the person behind the recipes occasionally!
Over the past few months I’ve had to face the fact that I may not fully regain my fitness; specifically, I might not get well enough to do my job long term. Having got this far, with much sweat and many tears, I would feel wretched if I had to stop practicing medicine. But I’m finally starting to realise it’s not so much “what” you do but “how” you do it. If I had to stop, I would eventually find something equally challenging and fulfilling that would allow me to use my skills.
What (I think!) I’m trying to say is: go easy on yourself! Enjoy what you are doing; it is clear to all of us reading that you are effectively channelling all of your creative and instructive skills into each and every post. Any doors opened by your blog are the cumulative product of all of those years of education and experience – and are undoubtedly deserved!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! It’s definitely worth posting about. We all have that question swirling in our minds. You may be surprised as to how much you’ve done and accomplished. Sometimes it may seem little, but they’re pretty significant.
http://www.ladyironchef.com ladyironchef
great post, i can totally relate to how u feel, our blog really open up a lot of opportunities in the food-world, up till now i still find it amazing how i got this far. keep up the good work, and happy birthday :)
cheers,
brad
http://www.sense-serendipity.blogspot.com Divina
Happy Birthday. You’ve done so many great things in your life not only for yourself but also for the benefit of other people. Bravo for that. I’ve been asked that same question – what do you do for work? Since I’ve been unemployed for such a long time, I have no idea what to answer. I think we’re opposites when it come to career. I have the education in hotel, food and culinary arts and related to that but all I have at the moment is the blog. I felt that other people are more creative and talented in food than I do. In the meantime, continue what you’re doing at the moment. You’re enjoying it and one day you’ll become a great counsellor.
http://www.redcook.net Kian
See your life as half full glass and not half empty. You’ve accomplished so much and so much more to be done. Enjoy it to the fullest!
http://www.bitemekitchen.blogspot.com rose
I hear you loud and clear. My birthday is Tuesday, and I have the same questions swarming around me. I’m turning 29 this year, but as I get closer and closer to 30 I feel as though there is a gap between the variety of skills I have and the inability to peg one single thing down that I want to do. Something food related – writing, catering, cooking, educating, feeding the poor…on & on, a million ideas, but very little specific plans.
Your trip to Europe looks wonderful! Your realm of experience is awesome. Too many people never explore the wide variety of things to do in life. To me, there is not enough time to get everything I want to explore done :D
Thank you for sharing this… and have a really good Birthday! xo
http://theitaliandishblog.com The Italian Dish
Happy Birthday – very interesting post. You have worn a lot of hats and have a lot of talents. It will be interesting to see where you end up!
http://www.franticfoodie.com frantic foodie
what an amazing post. You are beautiful inside and out and are doing amazing things with your blog and your life.
http://TheLetMeEatCake.blogspot.com Nastassia
Happy Birthday! You are so cute! Your life experiences sound amazing and all encompassing i’m glad you now get to focus on food =)
http://pierre.cuisine.over-blog.com PIERRE
Hi ! i have seen your post and you should ask so many questions live live look you have been to hte Bristol this is the greatest restaurant in paris at the moment make your carpe diem life is too short so live it at 100% !!
and if you enjoy french inventive food come and see my blog you are very welcome to have a tour !!
cheers from Paris in France ! Pierre
http://www.pureluxury.com Gina
Got to love that wrecking ball! Reflection is good, beating yourself up is bad. Thank you Quasi Serendipita for reminding us that it’s really about how you do what you do. Try turning 40 and reflecting on never having been married, never having had kids, and changing careers at least three times. Not what I thought I’d be doing but what a great ride with lots of friends, experience, and skills to show for it! Keep chasing your dreams – even if they change every once in a while.
http://www.mykitchenaddiction.com Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction
Happy birthday (a few days late)… Love reading all about your trip to Europe… and your pictures are great!
http://gourmeted.com Joy
Wow…you’ve come a long way. Don’t be too hard on yourself. ;)
Happy birthday, girlie, and hope the next year brings you more adventures — and yes, you do deserve them. :)
http://freshlocalandbest.blogspot.com Christine @ Fresh Local and Best
You are so talented, and such a beautiful person! It’s quite true that the best teachers are dedicated learners. You take amazing photos, write great pieces and I’ve learned quite a bit from you already!
http://thelittleteochew.blogspot.com The Little Teochew
Happy birthday! Thank you for sharing your innermost thoughts. I enjoyed reading this heartfelt post. Stay happy, gorgeous and chic!
Ju
jenn
happy birthday!!!
i think this feeling of “what have i done with my life” comes to everyone at some point…often more than once! i guess it all boils down to your purpose in life and whether you are fulfilling it in some way.
looks like you’ve had a ton of enriching experiences and it sounds like through all that you’ve learned a lot! keep doing what makes you and others happy and i think you’ll be okay ;)
happy birthday!!!
-jenn-
http://604foodtography.com Kevin
Happy belated birthday! Thank you for such an open and vulnerable post, it definitely is courageous of you to do so…
As long as you are passionate about what you do and what you want, you will have no problem being successful, which I think you already are..
One line I would love to use as a quote.. “I learned that the best teachers are dedicated learners.”
Thanks again. :)
http://www.angelasfoodlove.com Angela
Wow, wow, wow. You have accomplished so much! Don’t let yourself think otherwise. I loved reading about the lessons you learned at each place in your life. ‘The best teachers are dedicated learners.’ So true! I hope you had a wonderful birthday. Thanks for sharing yourself.
http://www.shesimmers.com Leela@SheSimmers
Just got around to reading your older posts (some blogs require that you set aside time to really dig into, you know?) and found this. Happy belated birthday, Mel!
You’ve done so much with your life, gifts, talents, and everything you are and have to offer. No need to feel like you haven’t done enough. I’m also glad you’ve started this beautiful blog. I hope this coming year will be the best yet and that Bouchon for 2 stays around a long, long time.
Pingback: Gourmet Fury » NYE Celebration + Food Resolution
Pingback: Amy Blogs Chow » Archive » I’m not a glutton, I JUST BAKE A LOT.