TreeTalk

My Reunion Dinner!!!

2010-02-13T22:48:00.000-08:00

YEAH!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Bye bye Mr Cow...welcome the cute little tigers (hope it's not fierce tigress)!!! So adorable right these tigers?? They are ang baos actually...er...but empty ones lah,(sian) hee hee! My mum got it for free after buying something....hmmm...think about it...it's not free. 'Cause she did paid for something...right??! Nothing is free!!

I was helping my mum putting money into the ang baos last night...and i was reluctant to use these cute ang baos, 'cause they are so so so adorable!! In the end, my mum used one of these as my ang bao...LOL!

Here are some CNY-ish stuff. Oh, this is the pineapple tarts that have brought so much satisfaction to my family (our stomachs la) for the last 5 years!!! We always place order from this auntie...my mum's friend. NEVER buy pineapple tarts from Chinatown!! NEVER buy from supermarkets!! It's all crappy imitations!! You can try Bengawan Solo next year...hahaha! Theirs are quite nice! Apart from that, home-made pineapple tarts are still the BEST!! No fight man!!

Here's my younger brother and my mum...the head chef of the house!!! She's the best chef in the whole world!! Okay, the truth is, your mum is always the best chef...for some peculiar reason. Agree?? It's just different!! Right?? yes...i know my brother has very cool hair colour! Heh!

What's steamboat without hot hot hot chilli?? This is a yearly must have!! Especially for the fish!! Heh heh...secretly for masking the fishy smell...LOL! This chilli is really very very power!

Mushrooms!!! Er...actually i only eat the mushroom on the right...Hahaha!

What's steamboat without my favourite vegetables?! I love corn!!! Cabbage is easier to eat 'cause it doesn't have thick and bitter stem!! BLEHhhhh!!

Okay, here's everything ROUND. Otah ball, prawn ball, imitation lobster ball.... in a round bowl...

My favourite cheese tofu and cheese hotdog!! Oh....i think i'm secretly a cheese lover!!

Okay, 'cause my house is SMALL we can't be bothered to eat ona big big table! So we sat around the "biggest table" (the floor) and have our dinner. We have been doing this for the past 4 years!! It's actually quite fun!! We were watching my mum's favourite Taiwan soap opera...'AI' or 'Love'. Oh man...what a L...O...N...G....drama!

According to my mom, putting bak kut into the soup will make the soup really delicious. Try it next time! If you add corn and carrots, it'll be EVEN better!

Yummy!!!

This is our fridge before we started eating dinner.

This is the fridge after dinner. Actually not much difference right? HAHA! But good chance to play 'Spot the Diff' between the 2 photos! So...can you spot the diff?

I think my mum made the right choice by not buying as much food this year. Last year, we had even more left over from our reunion dinner! (which was really a heap)

Even though we didn't eat really expensive stuff, but what's most important to me, is the value of spending time with my family. For some reason, CNY is always a time where families reunite and reconcile. I think i really need to learn to treasure these times.

How about you?

Just for Laughs!!

2010-02-11T10:28:00.000-08:00

Was just searching for pictures, and i stumbled upon some really funny signs!! LOL! I had a good laugh!

Isn't this such a coincident?? LOL!

Oh man...i think i'll think twice before i eat....hhahaha!

MacDonalds had a bad day...it looks gross.

Well..they assumed that everyone who goes to the restrooms are really URGENT!!

Huh? I think i won't wanna work here...'cause i'm not "shits"...

This sign is a total waste of money!! It's not helping at all!

Oh wow...i didn't know fishes smoke and crawl out of ponds...LOL!

Oh...how unwilling!!

Scarrrryyy!!! I'll leash my child then!

Haha! Holy sign!

So merciless...heh heh heh!

What??!!

Hmmm....so there's no special offer afterall?? HAHA!

This is what i call..."bo liao"...

Oh man! I'll be angst if i'm a driver stuck in the jam!! LOL!

Er...so....is it real or fake? =)

Oh no....sounds really bizarre!!

Aren't these just ...BANANAS??!!

It's just amazing, and hilarious to see these signs!! I'm just amused. =) HAHA! Sometimes it's good to look at funny things, to bring some laughter into our lives. Laughter is really the best medicine!

Compassion must lead to action!

2010-02-10T08:32:00.000-08:00

Doesn't this kid look really young? =) His name is Davin, from Cambodia. I've been sponsoring him since he was 10 years old (back in 2007). He stays in the province of Takeo, located at the south of Phnom Penh (the capital). Davin told me, that he aspires to be a doctor one day! WOO! Like me, Davin grows up in a single parent home.

This is Davin when he was 10 years old.

When he was 11 years old...

And now he's 12 years old! And he grew taller!!

One day i was reading a magazine (can't remember which mag...think it's Reader's Digest), and i came across an advert that says "Sponsor a Child", by World Vision. Somehow, i kept thinking about it the next few days. It only takes $45 a month to sponsor a child. This child will then have shelter, food, proper education, and other basic needs met, as a result of your sponsorship.

At first, i was hesitating whether to do it. But as i thought about it, i figured out that $45 is not a huge amount, if we're talking about providing for a child's needs for a month. If i can buy a bag that cost $50, why can't i give $45 to a child in need? If i can spend $40 on clothes, why can't i give $45 to invest in a child's future?

With that simple reasoning, i concluded that compassion must lead to action. If not, it's no point feeling sorry for all these needy people. So i decided to sponsor a child.

I was given the choice to sponsor a child from various countries (e.g. Cambodia, Laos, India, Mongolia, Africa, etc). But i didn't choose...as i felt that whoever it may be, i'll just sponsor, 'cause every child deserve equal treatment. =)

The $45 that i gave monthly will not be entirely given to the child directly. Instead, the money will go to the community which my sponsored child is living in. From there, the money will go to various needs that the community have. So in another words, all the money received from child sponsors (whose sponsored child live in that community), will be pooled together. But some of the funds will directly benefit my sponsored child (e.g money for doctor, education, etc).

You see, World Vision's purpose for going to that community, is to help the community to set up a self-sustaining system. They actually teach farmers proper farming, so that they can produce more crops to sell for a living. They also help the community to dig wells, build toilets, set up animal farms, set up medical facilities, ensure the children receive proper education.

But the SPECIAL thing about sponsoring a child, is that you can further connect with him/her through letters, and photographs. You can also send small gifts to him/her. That means, the child will know you personally. If you have sufficient funds, you can also visit him at his country! =) Isn't it cool??? =)

This is one of the letters that Davin wrote to me. I've been sending stickers, colour pencils, cute erasers over to him! I think all these gifts meant a lot to him, 'cause he doesn't have the luxury of buying nice stationaries.

A letter he wrote to me last year. His original letter is in Cambodian language (Khmer) at the top of the letter. And someone will translate his letter to English. Usually he will draw a picture. Can you see the car he drew? =)

This was a letter with his hand out-lined. =) Cool right?

He tried to draw a flower for me! =)

I think the most satisfying thing, is to know that the child you sponsor is actually benefiting from your giving. It's so encouraging to receive letters from him!

If you are working, or you have the ability, why not sponsor a child? =) You will not be the first, neither will you be the last. There are also famous celebrities who are sponsoring children too.

Some videos. If you want more info, do visit http://www.worldvision.org.sg/

Are You Who You Wanna Be?

2010-02-06T10:28:00.000-08:00

I'm currently reading a book call 'Tuesdays with Morrie' by Mitch Albom, which i think many of you heard of this book before. You may have even read it before i did!

The story is based on the author's true encounter with his dying professor - Morrie Schwartz. In the last few months of his prof's life, Mitch Albom visited him every Tuesday. Each Tuesday, they will talk about a topic that they've previously agreed on.

I was reading the chapter on their conversation about something many people wouldn't want to discuss - Death.

Morrie said these things, which really made me think:

"Everyone knows they're going to die, but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently."

What he meant was, if we accept the fact that we can leave this earth any time, we will live our life differently. We would have made every day count, because we really do not know when will be our last. He said, "In this way, you can actually be more involved in your life while you're living."

And he went on to say...

"The truth is, once you learn how to die, you learn how to live."

"Most of us all walk around as if we're sleepwalking. We really don't experience the world fully, because we're half-asleep, doing things we automatically think we have to do."

How true. I think facing death really changes the way we look at things. Things that we're doing now may not be the most important things in life. Work, money, fame, material possessions, etc.

I think it's a good time, since it's still the start of 2010, to really think about what we are doing with our lives. Where did all our time went into? =)

In our super fast pace society, it is very easy for us to focus too much on things that people are chasing after. What others are desperately chasing after may not be the most important things after all. Some times, we just got to learn to slow down in our lives, and start to appreciate the people and things around us; we need to learn to appreciate the ups and downs of life.

So...are you living life the way you think you should, or are you just following trends and what is popular in our culture today? Think about it. Maybe it's time to rethink...time to reset the priorities in your life?

Like what Switchfoot sang...."This is your life, are you who you wanna be?".

a really nice song

2010-02-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon this song, sang by Bob Moffatt and Clint Moffatt. They are twins la...DUH. Ok, maybe a bit blur in the video. They used to be in this band call The Moffatts, which was really famous between 1998 to 2001. They were made up of 4 brothers from Canada...and they were only 14 years old when they released their 1st albumin 1998. Their 1st album, Chapter One, sold more than two million copies worldwide and almost went double platinum in their native Canada.

But sadly, in 2001 they went separate ways. I really miss them...they are really so talented. (and quite cute looking) If you are about the same age as me, you'll know their famous songs like, 'Miss You Like Crazy', 'I'll Be There For You', 'Until You Love Me'.

Here's a song the twin brothers sang, 'If I Never Told You'. They call themselves the Two Bullet Parade. (interesting name) I believe it's a song they composed themselves. Enjoy! =)

Friends Are Friends Forever

2010-01-31T07:36:00.001-08:00

This post is for a special group of people - W319 friends, and all those who use to be in the same cell group as me. =) AND of course to my current friends in the same cell group with me.

I remember this song, 'Friends are Friends Forever' by Michael W. Smith. I used to sing this song almost every time, when i was in secondary school. You see, 'cause i came from a Catholic school. So we'll often sing hyms, and sometimes 'nice nice' songs.

This is one of my favourite song. On every last day of school, and on the day we graduated or promote to next level, we never fail to sing this song.

Dear friends, sometimes we may not be together all the time, in one another's life. But like what the song says, "And friends are friends forever, if the Lord is the Lord of them". As long as we are in the Lord, our friendship is forever. =)

This song is dedicated to all of you..."a lifetime is not too long, to live as friends". =)

I'm a believer!!

2010-01-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

I'm a believer!!!

Err....i mean i am a BELIEVER OF DREAMS!! I believe that dreams can come to past!

Some people despise dreams because they tried chasing after theirs, and they failed. Or maybe they've tried pursuing it many times, but didn't turn out too well either. They said the grapes are sour just because they can't taste them; they say success is just a pie in the sky, because they failed to reach it.

That's what the movie 'Tooth Fairy' is all about. Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) plays a hockey player, named Derek Thompson. He broke his shoulder many years ago during a game, and now he is just a "sideshow attraction" known as the 'Tooth Fairy'. And because he failed, deep inside him, he don't believe that dreams are real anymore. To him, there's no such things as dreams. Unknowingly, he actually has a habit of speaking negative words to children, and shatter their dreams through his words.

One night, Derek received a summon from the head fairy under his pillow. He was then transported to the realm of fairies, and there he was tasked to serve as a real tooth fairy for 2 weeks. This was a form of punishment for shattering the dreams of children with his words.

As the story goes, Derek learnt over many incidents that dreams can really come true. A dream can only come through if we are willing to take the first step to try. And very often, what we need is someone who believes in us, and tell us we can do it. What we say can stir up the courage that lies deep down in each dreamer's heart. The power of believing has profound impact.

Never allow failure to stop you from believing in your dream. Neither should we allow negative things that people say stop us from going after our dreams. Like what was said in the movie, when we give up on our dreams, the person that we let down the most, is ourselves.

Talking about dreams just reminded me of Martin Luther King. Jr - a prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement, back in the 1960s.

I really admired his courage to believe in a dream that seemed so impossible during his time. He didn't give up, even though the odds were against what he believed. With faith and courage, he delivered one of the greatest speech in history, "I Have a Dream", on 28th August 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial.

I was deeply moved as i listened to his speech...i have to admit that i almost

teared. It was his faith and courage that really moved me. You know that you

know that you know, he really believed in his dream.

And...his dream came to past...

This is Micheal Oher, American football offensive tackle. Standing next to him

are his foster parents, Sean and Leigh Tuohy. The story of Michael Oher was

made into the movie 'The Blind Side'. This picture speaks of the fulfillment of

Martin Luther King.Jr's dream...the dream of equality and justice; that there is

no more walls between people because of the colour of their skin.

Truly, dreams can come true if we can believe, and work hard at it.

Counting Our Blessings

2010-01-28T08:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon, i saw this ACS school boy, probably 9 or 10 years old, carrying his blue Crumpler bag walking alone. He wears spectacles and has braces across his teeth. (looks cute!) I think what he's wearing and carrying are easily worth more than $200??!! =) My green Crumpler without stripes already cost $100!! (Crumpler users will know...)

I can't help but feel really grateful, and a million times thankful, that i was born in no where else in the world but Singapore. Staring at the boy, i remembered at his age, i was carrying a "brand-less" bag to school. My mother bought it for me near the market. (LOL)

To be honest, i think Singaporean kids are really fortunate...sometimes too pampered. (i mean...it's true right?!) But the irony is...they don't even realize. Instead of appreciating what they have, they sometimes focus more on getting what they don't have, and feel the world owe them something.

I was looking at some pictures of children in poverty. Really heart-breaking to see the reality...

The reality that they are not having an enjoyable childhood that every child deserve...

The reality that we are wasting our food when someone across the globe has to search for food in the garbage...

The reality that while kids pester their parents for PSP and Wii, kids at the other end of the world are simply wanting a shelter above their heads...

The reality that while teens complain and grumble about their parents, some poor kids across the globe don't even know who are their parents...

A poor Afghan child collects foot from garbage in Kabul.

Children in India studying (no tables n chairs)

Mongolian children working for their survival

Togo Children diligently helping their mother do the laundry in the river.

Children in Uganda orphanage

The number of hungry children in Africa will increase by 3.3 million by 2025 if current policy and investment trends continue, according to a new report from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

As many as 225,000 children in Haiti live and work as unpaid domestic servants

Haiti is a Third World country. Conditions are primitive, poverty is rampant and security is never guaranteed.

Children in Cambodia are suffering quietly. There is no ballooning bellies or skeletal babies shown on our TV-screens. Still, Cambodia is one of the worst countries in the world to grow up in. And one of every eight children never survive past their fifth birthday.

Children in Cambodia

I think in life, whether we are children or adults, we ought to learn to be grateful for all that we have. We should always be thankful and count our blessings. Happiness comes when we learn to be contented. While being contented, we must never lose the desire to improve, and advance. We got to balance both.

And let's earn lots of money to help these kids in poverty. 'Cause they don't deserve this..

Bugs Tale

2010-01-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

Awww....aren't these bugs in 'A Bug's Life' really cute and interesting in pictures??

My favourite!! So CUTE!!!!

BUT, actually in reality, they are not cute... =(

I received a complain from one of the resident, that there are ticks and fleas in my park. (i feel itchy just by mentioning them) EEeeeWWWwww!!!! I was gathering some info on how to kill these irritating bugs...and it just reminds me of those 'bug-killing incidents' i had when i was younger...

I used to reside in a 4-room HDB flat in Tampines...and i stayed at the 3rd storey. Oh well, remember those short, 4 storey HDB flats that were common in the 80's? Yeah, i stay in those. So every day i climb stairs, 'cause that's the only way up and down. No lifts okay!

I guess due to the height of my home, my windows were very inviting to 'creepy' insects and bugs. 'Cause it was easier for them to fly low and to fly high?! LOL! So every now and then, i'll see bugs flying in my house. Once in a long long run, i'll see birds in my kitchen, jumping around my dining table, searching for maybe bread crumbs or biscuits bits.

Below are my interesting accounts..

I vividly recall...there was a period of time, i always spot a bee flying in from my kitchen window, into my parents' room, and exiting from the living room window. I remember one afternoon i was doing my homework, and my mum was washing clothes. The bee flew into my room, and hover above my head!! AHHH!!! I was terrified!!! I dashed to the kitchen while shouting for my mum! So, my poor mum followed the bee...and we spotted a hive in my parents' room!!! OH MY GOSH!!! My mum did what every mum would have done - remove it!! Subsequently, the stubborn bee came back a few times, attempting to build its hive in my home again. But my mum has become a 'bee stalker'...and intervene the bee's 'build-a-home' plan. She just removed them!

I think that bee was really unlucky to have met my mum lah... =)

And there were also nights when i hear funny 'buzzing' sound above my head, while i was studying in my room. Whenever i hear this sound, my hair would stand! And i just can't continue doing what i'm doing....with a beetle in my room!!! MEEHHHHHHH!!!

If my mum is at home, i'll just scream at the top of my lungs, "MUMMY!!!! GOT BEETLE!!! FASTER COME!!!" My mum is the 'professional pest control woman' in my house!

If my mum is not around, and no one else was at home...OH MAN. I remembered watching TV on a Saturday night, while my parents and brother went to get groceries. The thing i feared most took place: a beetle flew into my home!!! Out of fear and desperation, i went to the kitchen and grab a transparent plastic container. And i waited for the beetle to park itself on the floor. WHAMMM!!! I overturned the container and capture the beetle! YEAH! I went back to watch TV, until my parents were home. They'll deal with that small horrible bug...throw it out of the window!!

Even though mum was usually around, there were still times when she was at work. During my poly days, i killed a cockroach...in a crazy way. =) I can't believe i did that out of desperation...

I was looking for food in the kitchen. (see, kitchen is a good hiding place for all these creepy crawlies) And i spotted a cockroach on the sink! EEEkkkk! I searched for insecticide, only to realize that the bottle was empty. I run around the house, and manage to find a bottle of spray..i wasn't sure what was it...but any spray will do the job!! So i used it to spray on the poor cockroach...and it got stuck onto the sink!! It struggled to break free, but failed! It was just struggling in a puddle of white, and sticky substance.

I finally read the bottle...it was STARCH..that my mum used to spray on clothes to straighten them after ironing! OPPPSSsss.....

The cockroach died after a while.... =) heh heh heh...

Of course i have other bug tales...BUT, i'll tell it next time!

Hope these accounts give you some idea on how to deal with these bugs...LOL! But i'm really thankful that i staying on the 10th storey now! No more bugs flying through my windows...!

How Times Have INDEED Changed!

2010-01-22T08:28:00.000-08:00

Just listening to some Chirstian music by Hillsong. Times have really changed. The way music evolved is simply amazing!!

Then....it led to a sudden urge to browse youtube to search for OLD OLD OLD Hillsong videos. HAHA! Actually i'm kind of hoping that i can find those songs that i used to listen to 11 years ago, when i was a teen. (too bad i'm not a teen anymore)

Guess what? I managed to find a few of my favourite songs! =) WOO! Excited for old things. Opps! LOL! Listening to these songs really reminds me of those times, when i was a 13 year old, sitting at Whitesands Mac or Cottage Pies Cafe, listening to these old songs (very new songs 11 years ag0).

Here....take a look and compare for yourselves!! Darlene Zschech in her 'former glory'. Oh well, the present look is always better than the past! The swaying choir in red and blue is just....classic?! And notice the clothes were really really different?! And also the hair-style.

In the past, keyboard use to dominate most of the songs' melodies, and trumpets seems like compulsory to make the piece great. But now it's all fancy drumbeats and creative electric guitar riffs.

This is one of my favourite...11 years ago....

And this is one of my favourite....now...

See what i meant? =) Times have changed...for the better! I guess instead of feeling old, i'll thank God for the 11 amazing years. Times and seasons changed, but His love and faithfulness remains.

Shoe Talk

2010-01-09T19:33:00.000-08:00

Buddy finally came back from Macau on Thursday morning! ^_^ 6am reach Singapore....what kind of flight timing sia??!! Oh...i know....only Tiger Airways or Jet Star! Heh heh!

She bought lots of things back for herself, and also bought things i requested for her to hunt for me! Of all the things, i really like this pair of shoes!!! Awwww...it's SO SO SO hard to find a pair of shoes, of such design, and OF THE RIGHT SIZE here in S'pore!!! (Size 34) I've tried a few shops at Bugis Street....but all 'missions failed'! I'm so happy with this pair of shoes! It fits just nice, with a little bit of space, so it won't be too tight!

Guess what...? It is less than $20 SGD. =) Hmmmmm i think it's approx $10++? Hee!

I think...it feels really good, to find a right pair of shoes that you really like! Hee! You feel like you're the happiest shopper, most satisfied person!! (hmmm...maybe the guys wott understand what i'm talking about...haha!)

Look at the cute little animals on the shoes!!! So cute!

Buddy also bought a few pair of socks for me, as requested! 'Cause i kept complaining that my socks wear out very fast, probably due to constant use. I hate the feeling of socks rolling down your feet as you walk, due to the loose rubber!! AHHHH! I mean, i go to work every day in covered shoes, so socks is a must for me! (Eeee....if not got smelly feet) This Elmo socks is my favourite...'cause...i love Elmo!!

But i guess my buddy is a mad shopper! =) Her mother, her sister and herself, bought a total of 20 pairs of shoes!! I mean....what's 1 pair to them???!!!! If you buy 1 pair, might as well dont buy lah!!

Anyway, i'm all excited and ready to go on my trip to Kuala Lumpur! We're waking up early to pray daily! And with the right mix of crazy people, i think this trip will be fun and crazy at the same time! Most of all, i believe it'll be refreshing. =)

Will be back for more updates!

Our Environment Influences the level of our Growth

2010-01-03T10:03:00.000-08:00

I’ve finally finished the book ‘Ouliers’ by Malcom Gladwell! Hmmm…actually I finished reading it many weeks ago…but can’t find the time to share…haha! Above is the photo of Malcom Gladwell. (ok...i know his hair-do is UNIQUE....stop laughing!)

‘Outliers’ simply means men and women who do things out of the ordinary. Many people (in fact most) will attribute success to individual effort, meaning success is solely on whether the person is good enough. (E.g. how intelligent are you, how talented are you, what in-born gifts you have, etc)

But the truth is, nobody becomes successful by themselves. Phil Pringle said that only 10% of what we need for success is in us; the other 90% is in the people around us.

How true? Well, I believe that’s very true. (DUH) People don’t rise from nothing. Where they came from, how they were raised, what culture they lived in, what opportunities they were exposed to, all these factors play an important part in their success.

Take the forest as an example. The tallest tree didn’t become the tallest just because it came from the hardiest seed; it is the tallest also because no other trees blocked its sunlight, the soil around it was rich and fertile, no insect or animal came and chew through its bark when it was still a sapling, and no lumberjack chop it down in its process of growth. Successful people came from hardy seeds, but the sunlight that warms them, the soil that enriched them, we have to admit, that these play a part in their success, right?

Agree?

Success is about opportunity. In his book, Malcom Gladwell mentioned the example of Canadian hockey team. Most of the elite or top-performing players were born between January and April. (17 out of 25 players) Why? ‘Cause the cutoff date for age-class hockey is January 1^st. So, a boy who turns 10 yrs old on January 3^rd, will be playing with a boy who may only turns 10 yrs old in December. At such young age, the 12 months gap in age does make a huge difference in terms of physical maturity. The boy born in January definitely has an advantage.

In English soccer, the cutoff date is September 1^st. At one point in the 1990s, 288 players were born between September and November, and only136 players were born between June and August. Cool statistics huh? Numbers do tell stories!

I mean, we can’t control opportunities. Imagine if the cutoff dates were changed. People born closer to the cut of date will then have greater advantages. And those players who were termed “not as good”, maybe they will take the place of the current elite players? But again, not every player born in January will end up being an elite player. This is when innate talent becomes important.

But success is not only opportunity and talent. It is also hard work and practice! The environment we were placed in meant a great deal too! Malcom Gladwell also introduced the “10, 000 hour rule”. To be successful in your field, you got to have to clock 10, 000 hours of practice. Bill Joy did programming for 10, 000 hours. Bill Gates did the same. Mozart was composing for 10 years before he produced a masterwork.

The Beatles (you should have heard of them…if you have not…errr….i suspect you are lost on earth) was one of the most famous rock bands ever. The Beatles went the America in February of 1964, and they started to put up a string of records that changed the face of popular music. By that time, The Beatles have been playing as a band for 10 years.

But The Beatles was still a struggling high school rock band, until they got invited to play in Hamburg, Germany, in 1960. The making of The Beatles started there. In Hamburg, they were forced to play for long hours: 8 hours a day, 7 days a week.

By the time they became famous in 1964, The Beatles have been performing live for an estimated of 1200 times!!!! (WOW) If they haven't been placed in that environment, where they were sort of 'forced' to play long hours, they wouldn't have hit the 10,000 hours mark.

To conclude: Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good; it is the thing you do that makes you good.

And our environment

After reading this book, i am so thankful that i joined church at a young age of 13. Really eternally grateful to God. If i came to church much later, i would not have gathered that much experiences, and became who i am today.

If i wasn't in church, nobody will encourage me to be better in life; nobody will believe in me; nobody would have notice my potential, and draw them out. No one would have taught me to work hard for my dreams, give my best in my studies, and ave great attitude in life. Given my character and personality back then when i was 13, i think i'll never amount to anything good. I was insecure, fearful, and lack confidence in myself. I was angry with life itself, and confused about my circumstances.

Being in church is like...i'm given another chance to live again. =) A chance to be in an environment that ultimately change my direction in life, and my perspective about things and people. Our environment indeed influences the level of our growth.

Since we already know (through reading this book) the ingredients to success, really felt that should work hard at our gifts and talents, place ourselves in the right environment, and recognize opportunity when it comes (of course to seize the opportunity too!).

At the end of it all, we may not be famous and earn as much as Bill Gates. But, we must never lose the desire to be successful in our own realm. To be successful, is to be the best we can be. We can earn a billion but have a terrible marriage. I seriously don't think that is success...right? =)

In 2010, i really aspire to be all i can be! =)

Foodie Foodie Foodie!!!!!

2009-12-15T22:56:00.000-08:00

Once, my friend shared with me what her mother said:

“How do you identify Singaporeans in heaven? Tell you…find the group of people who’s always eating! These are Singaporeans!”

LOL! Oh well, I thought it’s rather true. Yes? *giggles* Every where we go, is food, food, and MORE food. We can never escape them...I tried before but i failed!! In Singapore, we have too many varieties, which in mysterious ways, also encourages people to eat more, as they try the different foods.

Anyway here’s my TOP 10 LIST of favourite stuff…but there are still many more of course! I can't be going on and on about it...LOL!

1) Yakult

Why? ‘Cause I often have indigestion…so I need to drink Yakult to increase good bacteria that aids in digestion! I’m okay with all the flavours…but I like the original (yes the white one) the most! I could still recall, my first day in primary school, my cousin bought me Yakult ‘cause I was crying!! shhh..

I didn’t like the idea of drinking Yakult at first…but ever since I drank it daily, seems like my digestive system giving me lesser problem. I used to have random aches due to indigestion. (haha)

Many people do not know, Yakult is a Japanese product. It is made by fermenting a mixture of skimmed milk with a special strain of bacterium.

This is my conclusion: "A Yakult a day keeps the indigestion away!"

2) Takoyaki

Yea…Takoyaki actually means fried or baked octopus! Oh well, but I don’t eat octopus! So I always order either ham & cheese, or prawn. There are some stalls that simply taste awful…it’s “trial and error”. But still, nothing beats the one at Taka and Bugis!

Hmmm….suddenly have craving….yum yum yum…

3) Onigiri

Onigiri is also a Japanese food made from white rice formed into triangular or oval shape, and often wrapped in seaweed. There are fillings inside the onigiri. In Singapore, only a few types of flavours are available in sushi stores: tuna, salmon and crabmeat.

My favourite is crabmeat!! I tried the tuna before…hmmm…my mouth smells like fish market after I ate! Salmon one is too dry…as in there’s no mayonnaise. So it tasted quite odd...Eee.

It was said that during war times in olden days, Japanese samurais use to store rice balls wrapped in Bamboo leaves as a quick lunch time meal. =) Interesting…war food has become so famous ya? Hee..

4) Ebi Rice Burger (from MOS Burger)

Actually…I like prawns!! HEE! But I’m careful not to eat too much of it…high cholesterol hor! The best thing about the burger is the sauce…yum yum yum! I’m not sure what sauce is that, but it taste really nice...plus the seaweed strips....YUMMY!!!

5) Chicken Nuggets

Yea…I’m not a big fan of chicken. But somehow, there’s something magnetic about chicken nuggets! At times when I’m really hungry in the night, I’ll just make some nuggets for myself, to ease the hunger pangs. It’s yummy, easy to make, and not very expensive.

If there’s one thing you’ll always find in my refrigerator that will be frozen chicken nuggets! BUT, I’m careful not to eat too much also…very evil food that can make me fat!! AHHHH!

6) Yoghurt

Yoghurt is nutritionally rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. It actually has nutritional values beyond those of milk. I started taking yoghurt also because I had indigestion problem. It also improves gum health! *Flashing teeth*

My favourite yoghurt is this brand call Yoplait. But yoghurt…must eat LOW FAT ones la!! It was said that eating low fat yoghurt can actually promote weight loss! Hee…must be careful not to eat too much.

7) Watermelon juice

I started drinking lots of watermelon juice when I work in NParks. ‘Cause after walking under the hot hot sun, all you crave for is a cup of cold watermelon juice to replenish the water you’ve loss! But sometimes i am stuck in between whether to have ice or not have ice....if no ice, not as cooling; if have ice, very diluted....

8) Cheese Cake

Coffee Bean cheese cake rocks! RooAARRRsss! But it’s kind of ‘heavy’. These days, I seldom eat cheese cakes…’cause quite fattening man! Hee! But when I have craving for it, I’ll eat light cheese cake…from Bread Talk or Four Leaves. =) That’s enough to make me happy!

9) Cookies and Biscuits

Hmmm…I don’t take all sorts of cookies and biscuits…but I do have preference! HAHA! I like Famous Amos’ no-nut chocolate chip cookies…but I’ve long ago realized these Famous Amos cookies are TOO SWEET for me!!! I can only eat like 1 cookie every 15 min or something! Hee….it’s quite obvious I don’t have a sweet tooth…

Subway’s white-chip macadamia cookies are fantastic! Sometimes, I chose to eat subway ‘cause I have cravings for their cookies….heh heh. So it just gives me an opportunity to eat cookies. When I was younger, I love Chipsmore cookies. My mum bought it for me ‘cause…it’s cheap?? HAHA!

10) Sweet-corn

I still remember, when I was a kid, my mother would steam sweet corns. And we’ll eat it while watching TV. What I enjoyed doing most was to pluck every corn kernel from the whole corn, and watch my tiny bowl filled with corn kernels. It’s my small achievement! It sounds weird…but that’s childhood okay! I mean…when we were young, we do have interesting habits…right? LOL!

But I’m glad to say I no longer do such things. (DUH…waste time) I’ve moved on from plucking corn kernels to appreciating the tasty corn itself! The BBQ food that I ‘covet’ the most…is actually sweet corn! HAHAHA! But it takes a super long time to cook…SIANZ.

Okay...so much about food! It's time to stop writing and grab a bite!!

Life is SO Short...Leave a LEGACY!

2009-11-30T21:22:00.000-08:00

There's this song by Casting Crowns, call 'Who Am I'. The first line of the chorus goes like this:

"I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow..."

Our life is like a flower (below). This is the flower of the peanut plant. Nice right? But it will not last forever. To us, life on earth may be long, but in actual fact, it is not that long, in the eyes of God.

Went to a friend's grandma's wake last week. Inevitably, all of us some how wish that it'll never happen to our love ones. Death is almost an avoided subject. Given a choice, no one would want to think about it. Right?

As I attended the memorial service, I can't help but be reminded of how short life really is. Before we know it, we will be in our 40s, then 50s, progressing into 60s. By God's grace, my friend's grandma lived till an age 87 years old.

Although we have the power to make choices, and we do have free-will, how long we an live on this earth, can never be decided by us. Ultimately, we have no control over certain things in our lives. (Can be quite scary and uncertain...ya?)

In the midst of the service, I started to imagine things. I imagine...if the person in the coffin was me...how would things be. What will people say about me during the service? What will people remember me for? Would I have enough time with my love ones? What would I have achieved by then? How would you feel when death was so close to you?

As I run these questions through my mind, I realised that death is very real in life, and it's a matter of time all of us have to face it. To me death is leaving this earth to another place; time on earth has run out like an expired ticket, and God bought a new ticket for me to transit into heaven for an eternal holiday. It's the end, but it's also a new beginning.

On that day when our ticket on earth has expired, these things will mean nothing:

How much money we have in the bank...

How many nights we spent in the pub...

How glasses of beer we ever drank...

How many boyfriends/girlfriends we ever had..

How many times we proved our parents wrong..

How many days we spent working...

How many As we got in our exams..

But things that really matters....

How have we blessed the people around us with the money in our bank?

How many nights we spent lending a listening ear to a troubled soul?

How have we impacted our classmates/colleagues, so much they'll remember us for the good we've done?

How much effort have we put into letting our love ones know we care for them n treasure them?

We always live life being so confident that there'll be 'tomorrow'. What if there really is no tomorrow, and today is the last?

With the year ending and brand new year coming, I thought it'll be good to make a few decisions, so that in the coming year I can live my life to the fullest.

I want to spend more time cultivating my gifts and talents, and then use it to benefit others around me. I believe God has given us gifts, and we can't just sit and do nothing with it. There are so many problems in the world..of course we can't save the whole world...but we can make a difference to people around us.

I will also spend more time with my love ones. Really important to let them know I love and treasure them. It's never too late to tell someone you love him/her.

I've made some decisions....how about you? =)

Look yourself in the Mirror

2009-11-19T10:17:00.000-08:00

I think this picture is really funny...LOL!

Was very inspired by this song "Man in the Mirror" by the late Micheal Jackson. It talks about how we need to change, if we want to make a difference in this world.

Are we sometimes afraid to look into the mirror?

Remember those times when you had pimples outbreak on your face? Or have dark eye-circles? You try your best to avoid looking into the mirror, 'cause whenever you see those flaws, you felt a little dismayed...you felt a little lousy, you wish you could go into hiding! (so that no one can see you)

I guess that's normal human response. When we search our heart and realized our flaws, most of us want to avoid looking at those. Why? 'Cause the more we look at flaws, the more lousy we felt about ourselves. Isn't that true some times? =)

But it takes a per son of courage and humility, to take a real look at himself in the mirror, and tell himself, "I wanna change my ways, so that i can be a better person."

Time to look ourselves in the mirror...and let the change start with us. =)

"Man In The Mirror"

I'm Gonna Make A Change,

For Once In My Life

It's Gonna Feel Real Good,

Gonna Make A Difference

Gonna Make It Right

As I, Turn Up The Collar On My

Favourite Winter Coat

This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind

I See The Kids In The Street,

With Not Enough To Eat

Who Am I, To Be Blind?

Pretending Not To See

Their Needs

A Summer's Disregard,

A Broken Bottle Top

And A One Man's Soul

They Follow Each Other On

The Wind Ya' Know

'Cause They Got Nowhere To Go

That's Why I Want You To Know

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways

And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself,

And Then Make A Change

(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,

Na Nah)

I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love

It's Time That I Realize

That There Are Some With No

Home, Not A Nickel To Loan

Could It Be Really Me,

Pretending That They're Not Alone?

A Willow Deeply Scarred,

Somebody's Broken Heart

And A Washed-Out Dream

They Follow The Pattern Of

The Wind, Ya' See

Cause They Got No Place To Be

That's Why I'm Starting With Me

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways

And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself

And then Make A Change

A Christmas Carol - A great lesson leant!

2009-11-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

I just got the chance to preview the movie, 'A Christmas Carol', starring Jim Carrey. I have to say, Jim Carrey was FANTASTIC! He voiced and acted multiple characters (8 to be exact) very very well!! Oh well...i'm impressed...really!

Actually, 'A Christmas Carol' was adapted from a novel by Charles Dickens. The novel has the same name, 'A Christmas Carol', and was first published in December of 1843 (so l-o-n-g ago). Many people, including myself, didn't know! Opps...see...that's what happens when you never read more story books when you were young!

The story is about Ebenezer Scrooge (above..look so sad...inverted 'U' mouth-shape), an old, miserly money-lender, who was grouchy all the time. He was never happy, and despises everything that embodies the joy and spirit of Christmas. To him, money was the most important thing. On Christmas eve, his under-paid employee Bob Cratchit has to beg him for a day off on Christmas to spend with his family. And when people came to ask for donations to help the poor and dying, he told them "then they have to die!" and that can help to cope with the increasing population! (HOW COLD-HEARTED??!!!)

On that night of Christmas eve, Ebenezer was visited by the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Marley (who died on Christmas eve 7 years ago) . Jacob told Ebenezer that he was forced to carry heavy chains in his after life, due to his greedy ways. Following that visitation, Ebenezer was visited by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

The Ghost of Christmas Past brought him to settings of his past - his lonely childhood, moments when he fell in love with a woman named Belle. However, Belle let him eventually as he grew obsessed with accumulating wealth. Ebenezer found himself tearing as he witness these past events of his life.

The Ghost of Christmas Present brought Ebenezer to his poor but faithful employee, Bob Cratchit's home, where he discovered that Bob's young son Tiny Tim was about to die due to malnutrition, as Ebenezer doesn't pays Bob very well despite his years of service. The family has to eat goose instead of turkey, as they were too poor to afford (so saddening). The Ghost of Christmas Present left Ebenezer by warning him about the evils of Ignorance and Wants.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come showed Ebenezer the final consequences of his greed. Tiny Tim died on Christmas day, leaving the family mourning for the death of their son. The spirit then brought Ebenezer to a tombstone which has 'Ebenezer Scrooge' carved on it. He realized he will die on he same day as well. But Ebenezer was grieved by the fact that people find much comfort in his death (as he was such an evil person). Unwilling to allow this grim future befall him, he begs the spirit for a 2nd chance to live.

On the morning of Christmas day, Ebenezer woke come to find himself still alive and able to laugh! He then sets out to do what was necessary to prevent the horrible consequences from happening. He brought a huge turkey and got a horse carriage to sent it to the Cratchit's house. He went to the streets, greeting every one he saw a "Merry Christmas", and stopped by to carol with a street choir. He also decided to make donations to the poor. Finally, he raised Bob's salary.

The movie ended with Tiny Tim sitting on Ebenezer's shoulder...so heart-warming! =) He spends the remainder of his life a new man embodying the spirit of Christmas itself.

Some thoughts after watching the movie.....

Perhaps, if we are able to review our past, present and future, like watching a movie before our eyes, like Ebenezer, we will choose to live our life differently? Do we require such drastic play-back to wake us up? =)

Only a life lived for other is worth living. Until we learn to love, to give and share, we will never truly be happy. It doesn't matter how much wealth we have accumulated in the bank; it's how many people have benefited from our wealth that really matters. At the end of our lives, people will either remember you for the evil that you inflicted upon them, or the good that you've done for them.

Money can indeed solve many of live's problems; but money cannot buy intimacy, friendships, health, and a good reputation. Money definitely cannot buy us a joyful heart.

Ebenezer was able to live happy, only after he learnt to share his wealth, and put the needs of others more important than money.

Although this is a fictional, fantasy movie, but it reflects values that we must not neglect. May we always find great joy in giving to sharing...and let it begin this Christmas! Learn to treasure and love the people in our lives, and never exchange them for anything else in this world.

A Special Afternoon with Special People!

2009-11-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

Time really really flies!! (especially when you are working) Christmas is coming really soon! Will be helping out at St Luke Elderly Care Centre...COOL way to spread the joy or Christmas! Going there to carol and play games with the elderly folks.

Wanna join me?? (I'm serious!! Join me join me!)

Just reminded me of my special day (few months ago) with a special group of children, from MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore), Fernvale Garden School. Here, their t-shirt (well...at least it's not "I Love St. Pat", or "I Love your school's name")

We spent an afternoon @ East Coast Park building sandcastles. It was quite a different experience altogether. Because they were intellectually challenged, it was challenging for us to interact with them as well! Some of them were shy and passive, some were really out-spoken! I had this boy (can't recall his name) who keeps asking me "what's your name?". And after i told him, he just call me "AUNTY Cindy". LOL! He did a few times to me, and my colleagues. Funny!

Here you go: i was all the way at the back trying to snap a few shots. We were on our way to the beach.

First we lead them to the beach, where there's lots of sand (D-U-H). But it was a hot and sunny day, so we had to collect water from the sea to pour on the sand portion which we're using for our activity.

Each of us lead a group. Our first task is to get the children to sketch what they would like to build. That was really NOT EASY. I had a group that has mixed personalities. I had 1 boy who was always trying to go to another group; another one was really quiet, need to encourage him to talk and participate; another boy was super hyper-active and talked a lot. So it was quite an exclusive experience trying to get them to settle down a

nd work together. =)

To be honest, i already know it was no point getting them to draw. 'Cause they will definitely not be following! Err...they didn't manage to agree on one design(of course). I believe we are doing this to break the ice with them, so that they won't feel shy. Yes...they have emotions too!

Working hard: This is my colleague, Alris. Sorry that you can't see her pretty face! she was just working too hard trying to facilitate the kids building sandcastles!

Here's a very interesting boy, call Ronnie. He is very good at drawing! Amazingly, he seems to understand what's team work, and able to take instructions better. But unfortunately, i guess he's allergic to some components in the sand. After a while, his hands were really red. ~scares~

In the end he had to stop and wash up.

This is the boy who left the deepest impression in my heart that day. His name is Melvin. Melvin LOVES to talk, and he is very cooperative! He's actually very out-going, and super hyper! I had lots of fun trying to 'disturb' him....Hahaha!

Melvin posing for the camera! I told him, "Melvin! Do this!"...and i taught him to do a 'V'. LOL! But he did something that touched my heart. While we were all building sandcastles together, he told me, "Jie jie, jia you!". And repeats it a few more times, through out the entire activity. Surprisingly, he went around cheering his friends too. =)

I can't help but felt really moved in my heart, when i realized that Melvin knows how to encourage others.

Yea...this is the work of their hands! Cool right? We could have done better with more time! But still, it's not about the aesthetic value of the sandcastles; it's about the children trying to accomplish something together, by piecing their individual efforts together.

Enough of sand!! It's now time for some water!! WOOHOO! We took our groups to the water, and for most of them, this was the first time, they ever played with sea water. They were so excited and made a lot of noise. Some of them were jumping around 'cause they couldn't contain their excitement!

Here's a group photo of all of them! Some of them can't do 'V'. So they only pointed their finger at us! =)

It was truly a great experience. I'm deeply inspired by the teachers who too care of them. It takes extra patient, extra passion, extra of everything to take care of these special children.

To conclude, i believe one thing - ALL human beings need love! Just like you and me, these children need to know they are loved and wanted.

Having said that, and with Christmas around the corner, let's do something to make someone feel special, loved, and treasured.

Loyalty

2009-11-05T20:11:00.001-08:00

When I first saw this picture, it reminded me of a commonly used phrase - "a dog is a man's best friend". This little boy looks so attached to his pet dog...seems like he is able to find comfort and shelter when he needs it. (awww...so sweet)

This is another picture depicting loyalty...a bird coming to a dying friend. Despite knowing the fact, it didn't just left it there to die. It was there all the way.

That's loyalty - to stand by someone, through ups and downs, providing comfort and shelter through difficult moments.

A true friend is loyal to the end. =)

Reminds me of a story in the bible, about David and Jonathan. Jonathan died, a faithful friend to David.

1 Sam 20:4,"So Jonathan said to David,"Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you."

Wow...Jonathan was not only there during David's difficult time, but he assured David that no matter what was his decision, he will support him, and help him in every way possible.

Loyalty is to be there in the valley with a friend in crisis. When our friends are in crisis, where were we? What will we do?

That's not all...

1 Sam 20:32, And Jonathan answered Saul his father," why should he (David) be killed? What has he done?"

It was a time when Saul (Jonathan's father, also the king of Israel) was after David's life. He was hunting David down, out of fear that David would one day take his throne. But the beautiful thing about this story was Jonathan's response to Saul, his own father. When Saul said David deserve to die, Jonathan spoke up for David.

Have you been in situations, where people are talking nasty things about your love one? It can be our best friend, our leader, our parents, our siblings, etc. Jonathan stood up for the friend he loved.

What about us? Do we have the courage to stand up for what is right? =)

The best thing was Jonathan knew that his father (Saul) was doing something evil in the sight of God. He was doing something wrong, out of the wrong heart and motive. He didn't just blindly follow his emotions. I believe before he made a decision to be loyal to David, he figured out that God was on David's side.

It's always wise to stand by those whom God is standing with. If God is for them, who can be against them? We need to pledge our loyalty to the right people, not just anyone whom we think is good. Worse still, we're pressured to be loyal to a person, even when he/she is doing something wrong, 'cause that person is our friend.

Oh c'mon! We need to show some character and some values!!

I pray that God will always open my eyes, to see where His hands are. So that I may stand with the right people, be loyal to the right people.

=) Amen

My First Halloween =)

2009-10-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is my Hallow'n Land game booth - Loop ~ A ~ Hat!!! (Yeah we did everything ourselves) Really had lots of fun! Though it was rather tiring, but felt a sense of fulfillment after seeing so many happy faces leaving the booth, having fun playing the game. =)

We used trash bags as background, for one simple reason - it is CHEAP! (wahaha) Clothe is definitely out of the question. The coloured pumpkins, bats, and witches were cut out and pasted on. The white stuff you see by the side are cotton cob-webs! They are made of cotton (D-U-H), but stretchable. It was kind of irritating stretching the web 'cause it got stuck on your hands! Eeee! The hoops were made of newspapers...'cause its cheap!

It's a basic game of throwing hoops onto a hat. But you will be surprised that not everyone can do it proper!!! Some people threw it so high up...it hit the ceiling! (LOL) It's funny to watch! Some just simply had fun and excitement throwing hoops at their friends...hearing them scream!! I guess they feel good hearing others scream on Halloween??! Hee!

But it was a really busy day...so busy that i didn't have time to take photos with my lovely friends! I have to 'kop' their photos from Facebook. Kenneth (above) looks like he's from Mexico...some tobacco seller...triad leader! It's hilarious!!

Help help help!!! AMBULANCE!! Save Charmie's head!! She needs to sit for O Levels!! Doris must be the friendliest pirate ever. Cindy Kwoh's failed attempt to have herself killed by the pirate sword...*she looks cute rolling eyeballs* dead bunny! Liping is going for hat party later... hee!! Nice hat! Adds pink stars to the party!

I took picture with strawberry fairy!! She gave me free supply of strawberries for the next 1 year!! Woo..! Thanks buddy!! You really look so so so so so cute!

Ziyun really looks like she's a character from Twilight!!! *ScAry* Joel look like the dark angel from Constantine! Wahaha! The blurred background make it look like they flew down from somewhere!! ~cool~ Ziyun high level vampire...no need wings also can fly!!

Oh that's me!! The Harmless Witch! Wahahaha! Too small really....to do any harm. =)

Special thanks to dark angel for flying by my game booth and providing so much help!

Kee Wei (aka Kiwi buddy) and Joycelyn! Kee Wei, Joy and myself were mourning while tearing down the booth. We spent hours doing up the decorations, and all the game props, but all these were gone within 15mins! So we mourn at the fact that it took so much to set up, but it takes so little effort to tear everything down. =(

Just wannna take the chance to thank my Loop A Hat team :

Sze Yin ~ thanks for the back drop!! Even though there were some last min changes, but you never fail to do your best, and take it with a great "can-do" attitude. Thanks for all the help you've given! No Sze Yin = No back drop!!!!!!

Kee Wei ~ thanks for climbing up and down to do the set up. =) Thanks for rushing down on Friday night, and doing up the rules within such short notice. Thanks for the dice box....hahaha!

Joy ~ thanks for doing the "Halloween Meal" materials!! Thanks for the hoops...'cause it was tedious doing all those!! All the amount of work you put in...whow....salute you! i had fun spreading cob-webs with you! LOL!

Bennie ~ thanks for doing the table! Without you there will be no print outs...!! Thanks for all the brilliant ideas, and always thinking about the details that we might have missed out.

Ziying ~ thanks for the table deco, and standing in the gap. =) Your initiative just 'wows' me la...you rawk!!!!

Tze Hsuan ~ hey bro, thanks for availing yourself to help me and my team. Thanks for climbing up to hang the back drop...spreading the cob webs, buying the 'sabo' materials, and pasting the hats. =) Running errands sure wasn't easy, but you made it on time!

Jesus ~ thank you for blessing me with such a wonderful team of friends to work with! Thanks for bringing so much fun and joy on Halloween, through all of them. =)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

Every Little Thing has its Significance

2009-10-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of a wild flower, called Coat Buttons. Maybe they look like buttons?! They look more like a super mini sunflower! Haha! Yea...actually they are in the same plant family as the sunflower. =)

There are types of plants in a garden, that are unwanted. These plants are call 'weeds'. Well, it does not mean that weeds are ugly plants; they are just not the desired plants in that plot.

How sad? But weeds have it's own beauty as well!

This is a very common weed, known as Love Grass. =) It looks really nice when you find the entire field full of it! They usually get stuck onto clothes or socks!

See the small butterflies feeding on the nectar? Weeds may be small and insignificant, but they are a form of life support to these tiny butterflies.

Have you ever felt like you are a weed? Unwanted. Insignificant. Unpopular. Unappreciated. I believe most of us feel this way before, at least once in our life.

But what encourages me the most, is to realize that weeds have a unique purpose too. They may not exist for the big picture, but their existence is necessary. It reminds me so much that I existed for a purpose. =)

Just like the weeds, we will find people who would appreciate us for who we are. Never think that we are insignificant, for even the things which seems unimportant are actually important in their own ways.

By the way, weeds are called "weeds" 'cause they are very determine to live, in every where and any where. You can try getting rid of them, but the next thing you know....TA-DAH!! They'll grow back again!

Let's have the 'weed-spirit' that never says die!! Long-live the weeds!!!!

Things that Cheers Me!!

2009-10-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

AWWWW.......aren't they CUTE!!?? I have secret liking for cartoon soft toys. Especially Elmo, Cookie Monster, Carebears! The look on them never fail to cheer me up!

The name for my Elmo "el el'...Cookie Monster is "Kie-Mon" (short for cookie mon). HAHA!

Peek-a-Boo!

These carebears have names too! The pink one is "Brenda", and the yellow one "Debby". Just so adorable. *heart melts* Debby is 'special' 'cause she has an orange vest!

Sometimes, having soft toys is a joy too! It's not childish, it's just an admiration for lovely and adorable things. =)

May my heart always stay young, and find joy in the simple things in life!!

Old friends are meant to be treasured

2009-10-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

Met up with my long long long long time friend, Miss Karen Khoo (i hope she will soon be 'Mrs' in few years' time)! This post is about her....yup that's her. Cute right? =) To me, she's always cute!! I've calculated...we've been friends for 6 years, or close to 7 years. (Gosh...we're aging fast)

Our favourite place is Coffee Bean at SingPost. Oh well, 'cause it's the central place in our neighbourhood. I miss those times i went to her house, and we just chat and chat and chat. We use to cook maggie mee together. Sad to say, Karen always leave me to wash the dishes. (haha...joking la, she did helped...sometimes) Sometimes we eat prata and lim kopi just under her block. We get scared occasionally by cats running in between tables.

We had crazy experiences together. Still remember we almost got hit by a quarrelling couple while we were walking home one day. SCARES!! We were both so scared-stiff!! *shudders* We got stopped by a couple, in the midst of their heated argument. The guy wanted to hit the girl, so she took refuge behind Karen. (i can still remember the look on her face!) We don't dare to move. To cut the long story short, we manage to run, but we called the police. Exciting ya??

Seriously, i can't exactly remember how we got to know each other. WAHAHA! (Karen please don't kill me for this) I got to know her through other friends. All i know is, Karen knows me inside-out. If i didn't remember wrongly, i sent her SMSes to encourage her one day, when she was really down. From then on, some how she just decided i am a good friend. I also concluded that she appreciated my care and concern, so that's how our friendship deepens.

However, we are by nature VERY different personalities.

Karen is rather quiet when she initially know a person...(initially only)

I am usually pro-active to strive conversation with others. (fine, i am talkative...whatever!)

Karen is a good listener (she really is)...

I struggle to listen (or struggle to keep silent!)

Karen really LOVES watching TV, and Korean drama series....('cause of 'cute' guys)

I'd rather spend my time doing something else...(like reading, listen music, whatever)

Karen HATES the sun!!!! Give her half a chance, she'll try to shoot it down!!

But i am quite an outdoor person!

Karen have no interest or what so ever with nature and plants...

But i am a fan of nature. =)

Karen is non-confrontational and peace-loving....

But i am unfortunately not!!!! I am usually the one to confront others for their mistakes!

(OPPS!!)

Well...the list goes on. But out of the so many other things we have in common, one thing that gelled us together after so many years, is that we both treasure this friendship. (Karen i know you do...pardon me for being so thick-skinned)

I have to say, it is not easy for the both of us, as we are very different people. We went through so much (oh we can write a story book about it) together, to get our differences ironed out. I remembered those times we had huge fights (no punching though), complicated arguments. Many times, because of our differences in views and ways of handling things, we jeopardized our friendship. We almost fell out a few times (yes, it was that serious).

But the wonderful thing about Karen, (and probably myself too..haha) is that ability to forgive and accept each other's weaknesses. It took us many years to realized, it is not our differences that matters, it is how we compliment each other's differences that matters most. In the early part of our friendship (i believe in any friendship and relationship is the same), we focused so much on our differences. But as we grow in this friendship, we accepted each other's weaknesses and learn to compliment each other, instead of getting upset with each other. We can get really mad at each other, but at the end of the day, we know it is not worth winning an argument, if we lose each other.

After going through so much together, our friendship grows to another stage now. We are at the 'enjoyment' stage. =) HAHA. A stage in the friendship, where we enjoy the fruits of all that we have sown into our Garden of Friendship. =)

*OLD FRIENDS ARE MEANT TO BE TREASURED*

Someone once said, "Friendship is like a garden. If we don't sow seeds into the garden, then there will be no fruits in years to come." Friendship is really like a garden. You need to sow, your time, energy, sweat, tears, in order to make it grow. The fastest way to destroy a friendship is to leave it alone. When you leave the garden alone, weeds will soon take over the empty spaces in the plots of land.

I think those empty spaces in our friendship garden needs to be filled by happy memories, and those though times we endured together. A friendship that can't stand the tests will not last. =)

Only friendships that are tested are strong; only friends that stick with you through those hard times are worth keeping.

Do you have close friends to share your life with? I believe friendship is a need. Everyone needs friends. So what price are you willing to pay, to hold on to a friend? =) If you don't have, maybe it's time to learn to sow seeds of love and care into someone around you.

Karen....thanks for all these years of friendship. You will always have a special place in my heart.

Little Known Facts About Me

2009-10-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

Just thinking through some things about me that i rarely share with others. Not really secrets (if not i won't be sharing right?!), but more of "little known facts"!!

I am a fan of Doraemon and Elmo!

Some of you know, some of you don't! Actually i have soft spot for cute stuff, especially soft toys...awww....so C-U-T-E!! These cute little things just never fail to cheer me up! But of course i won't buy a bull-dog soft toy...so sad. =) But with due respect to bull-dog owners, i think they have cute points too!

I have a pencil lead trapped in my left thigh...

YES, and it's still around now (i'm just looking at it)! It happened when i was 3 or 4 yrs old. One night, i was watching TV with my Dad, sitting on his laps. I was playing with a pencil, when he suddenly shook his leg upwards! And so, the pencil lead went into my thigh, and i started SCREAMING!! My Mom who was ironing clothes ran out and thought what happened. My 'gan jiong' parents tried pulling it out but...it broke into two, and part of the lead was trapped in my thigh. -_- Next day, Mom brought me to polyclinic to have the lead removed.

When the doc tried to use a needle to force it out, i screamed and cried like crazy!! The doc kpet trying. After a few more tries, he gave up. So...left me with this souvenior. I can still feel it move....(gross).

My nick-name was hamburger when i was 5 years old...

HOW SAD??!! It's so so so so sad to be make fun of when you were just 5yrs old. Oh well, what can a 5 year old do to control her food cravings right? (dunno why my mom just kept feeding me)My family used to call me 'ah pui'. So sad! My classmates in kindergarten called me 'fatty-bom-bom". They used to outcast me 'cause i was fat. But thank God, when i went to primary school, i shed those kilos for some reason, and i never grew fat again.

Just curious...why my parents didn't really take photos of me when i was 5 years old...maybe they didn't want the camera to crack.

I only had 1 birthday party in my 24 years on earth...

and that was my 1st birthday! But i can't recall what happened on that day...DUH...'cause i was only 1 year old!! All i knew was i cried big time, as i have photos of me crying next to my cake. And i knew my grandma, grandpa, uncles, aunties, all the rest who ought to be there was there...'cause they appeared in those photos as well!

I stopped growing taller when i was in Sec 1, 13 years old...

and my feet size have remained the same since then. (I know you must think that i'm lying, but i'm not!) I was an early bloomer. I was one of the tallest girl in class when i was primary 5 and 6 (11 and 12 years old). Every year, i wish my feet grow bigger by a little, but it didn't happened. When i went to poly, i gave up hoping, and accepted it as a fact that i was created cute and small. =) And i am happy to be this way!

Chili padi is good...he he he.

Ahhh! That's me when i was just a little girl...

That's all for "Little known Facts"!! Maybe there'll be part 2!

love

2009-09-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

even if i search all the world, i can never find a love like yours... (: