Forgive yourself...

Thanks to my sister, I had to go to my forgotten yahoo a/c and happened to come across this article in a newsletter from U-Elites’ Martial Fitness, which I find the extracted statement very meaningful and will like to share with all:

“Forgive the person who hurt you and most importantly, forgive yourself! Thing happened cannot be forgotten easily, but we can choose to forgive. Appreciate anything that come into our life and always maintain a calm and cheerful mind. You will soon notice that life is so much fun and meaningful.”

Isn’t it true that we often forgive other people but not ourselves? As a result in one way or another, we are trapped somehow in the past since we cannot forgive ourselves for our actions at the point of time. We might even start to think what will happen otherwise if we don’t behave in this way or if we behave in another way. However, the truth is there’s no way we could ever return to the past.

All man made mistakes, and that includes you and me. If we have never made mistakes before, how will we know what we should cherish now? What we should be thinking is what we have learnt from the mistakes or regrets in life and then forgive ourselves, learn from the mistake and move on with our lives.

Hope everyone can understand the essence of it and try to put into practice no matter how long and difficult it can be. I believe happiness is always within our reach.

喜欢电影<宋家皇朝>:
宋庆龄弥留之际，老仆人忍不住问到：“夫人，如果孙先生不是那么早逝世，中国的历史会一样吗？” 宋庆龄惘然答曰：如果？历史没有如果……

得有人说<历史就是许多人的人生。历史没有如果，人生亦没有如果。谁都不可能从头来过>
但是我们可以前进走向未来。

Dedication of blog

Here, I’ll like to dedicate this blog write-up to one of my best friends and thank her for being my ever interesting, funny and special friend in my life.

Dear Babe,

I can still vividly remember June last year when we first went on a trip together. We were just colleagues when we embarked on our trip to Osaka together, and we returned being the best of friends and not as “enemies” as the others have been secretly speculating.

We had so much fun last year that we promised we would go Osaka again this year, and indeed we did. Again, there was so much fun and laughter that you were thinking of going back next year! Haha I think I’m crazy, but yes I’ll go back with you to Osaka if you are indeed interested! Cos I think with you around, shopping and especially Samantha Thavasa becomes very appealing... haha

Here, I will like to thank you for:-
- Your patience in Japan when I was self-immersed in my dream shop, UNIQLIO / thinking which cosmetics to select and buy in drugstores
- Sharing my uncontrolled happiness when I managed to buy my favourite clothes and bag on the last day of our trip last month
- Listening to my worries / frustrations / happiness whenever I need a friend to share with
- Sharing with me your interesting stories and emotions in many issues
- Always saying that I’m interesting or funny (though I prefer the word “humourous”)
- Taking up my first photography lessons and Japanese lessons with me. I guess without you, I’ll not have tried all these and fulfill my wishes.
- Giving me support and advice whenever I need to
- Being such an excellent and fun companion during our travels to Japan / outings back home

Just want to tell you that you are a very special and interesting person (not to mention pretty, cute & fun etc). If my life is interesting, then it’s also because I have an interesting friend like you! You never fail to make me laugh and honestly if I’m a guy, I’ll definitely pursue you regardless of age difference as I find that we have an unspoken understanding in many things! (maybe... except in type of guys we like haha)

Hope you remember our promise of at least 30 years of friendship and that yes, you can come to my house whenever you require (when you are old…remember?) haha

All the best to you and remember our special date in August... *wink*
Looking forward to your starting of blog...

Love,
Flower

Photo: The Southern Ridge

Last Sunday morning, i went to The Southern Ridge with adietcokelover. We are both members of our Company's Sports and Recreation Club (SRC), and aside from being arrowed to help out in sports events (if any), we are in-charge of organising walking / nature trips for our company.

This is going to be our 3rd trip we organised. We have already organised trips to Tree Top Walk and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve previously.

The Southern Ridge comprises of three large hill parks - Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park, connected by bridges before ending at West Coast Park. The two prominent pedestrian bridges - Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch are officially opened by PM in May 2008.

We started the walk from Marang Road, just behind the Harbourfront MRT Station to the cable car station at the Jewel Box on Mount Faber. The walk is considered a bit of challenge as we've to climb up a fair number of steps up to reach Mount Faber.

However it's worthwhile as we are able to have a paranormal view of the Southern part of Singapore.

We continued to Henderson Waves, Singapore's highest pedestrian bridge (height of 36m), which connects Mt Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park. Following are some of the pictures I took during the walk:

As you can see we saw a monkey! And it's not the only one that can be found... haha so don't carry too much food in your bag!

Oh isn't the boy cute too? I discover it's not the 1st time I secretly take photos of cute boys.. hee

Then we walked through the Forest Walk on elevated walkways before reaching the Alexandra Arch.

At night, the Alexandra Arch
bridge will dazzle with colour-changing LED lights.

We ended our 1.5 hrs walk at HortPark – the gardening hub. This is S.E.A first one-stop centre for gardening-related recreational, educational, research and retail activities in a park setting.

As for West Coast Park, I guess it will have to wait! Cos we two are in a lazy mood... haha

Some Tips To Improve Mood...! Part II

To continue from previous listing...

4) Travel overseas for short/ long trips for fun … this could certainly helps one to improve mood and might even broaden your perspective in life at times!

5) Talk your problems out to a confidant you could trust and relate ~ because you never know when a solution might appear from the confiding talk! You could also try to talk to people from opposite sexes since different genders might have different perspectives in the issues. Well there’s always saying that Men are from Mars and Women from Venus =)

6) Calm down and Rationalise ~
a. Is the issue so important that it should really make you so upset?
b. Does being upset resolve the problem?
c. Should we concentrate on thinking on the solution instead?
If not, then let's SMILE! You look more handsome / pretty this way!

Hmm... as I write about travel, I'm thinking about travelling again...
haha... I know many will say "Again" or that "I thought you said you are not travelling again so soon?"
Haha but this time my travelling should be tied with diving, as I intend to learn diving before December this year.
So if anyone has any recommendations on credible / good Diving Schools, pls tell me!

Feeling unhappy? Some Tips To Improve Mood...! Part I

I believe perhaps I laugh too much in office. Last week, my colleague actually asked me what will make me unhappy? I was stunned for a moment then. Honestly I was more surprised myself when I answered "Hmm.. when I'm hungry or sick, I will feel unhappy." haha... thinking back now, I guess hunger and being sick are few of the problems I can't laugh it off especially when it's not within my control.

To be honest, many things can make us unhappy or easily fustrated. However I believe at times, we can do something to improve our mood. Hmm I've thought of some tips. Haha but I didn't try all of them... so maybe someone might want to provide some feedback to these... =)

1) Do things you like and enables you to relax but have not done for a long time ~ Think less and relax more promotes better sleep and mood E.g.

a. Meeting with good friends and chit chat / drinks
b. Taking a break during mid-week and do nothing except relax e.g. having afternoon tea in café / coffee joint during weekday like tai tai

2) Do things that can unleash your frustration and unhappiness… nothing better than venting it out! E.g.

a. Exercise / Have a heavy workout! (Disadvantage: Muscle ache later)
b. Going to game arcade and have a showdown with your enemies
c. Install a dart board at your house and practice your aim on the photo pinned at the board (Just don't hit and spoil the wall)
d. Singing all the fast-paced and energetic songs in KTV
e. Partying out with khakis at places with music that makes you scream
f. Attending Jay Chou’s concert – you’ll love it -> the atmosphere, crowd and music ~ Screaming there is also the norm and legal.
g. Take amusement park rides ~ you can legally shout all your frustrations there and no one will think you are crazy.
h. Watch a sad movie and CRY ~ who will know if you are crying for the movie or yourself?

3) Do something emotional fulfilling by helping others (like me)… certainly makes you feel happy at heart!

The unromantic guy can also be romantic

Getting married is not as easy as it seems. You need the right person, the right timing and right method of proposal.

In the past, form of proposal can be "Let's get married" or "Let's buy a flat". However, as time progresses, women tend to be more romantic as they are in touch with more Western concepts. They hope to receive more romantic proposals, which they could relish even many years after their marriage. Afterall, marriage is only once in a lifetime and there's never going to be a 2nd proposal again in the future.

For me, I also hope to receive a romantic proposal in the future (if there's ever any haha) Realistically, if my kid were to ask me "Mummy, how did Daddy propose to you?", at least I can proudly provide the details.

I've known Merynx for 7 years already and during these years, it did not ever cross my mind that he is a romantic person. I only realised he has such a romantic side when he described to us tonight at our hall mates gathering his successful proposal to his girl friend, and now future-wife-to-be.

First, he asked his church friends to set up an outing and then he got a professional singer to sing "Only You" before he and his friends brought the flowers arranged as "Will You Marry Me?" out for her.


Not to be missed is his ring-bearer: their hamster who carried their special, unique ring.
And she was so touched and said "yes".

I sincerely believe Wedding is a form of solemn commitment. It's never just a piece of paper because not many people can be that committed to sign that paper. I'm very happy that my 2 friends have decided to make the step and I wish them everlasting happiness.

Hope everyone I know can also meet the person that they can be committed to and vice versa. Cheers to Merynx! Looking forward to your unconventional wedding!

FYI my friends (guys..), there're many proposal ideas in You-tube that you can learn from if you ever run out of them!

Who is Flower?

Flower is a normal girl on the street who likes to think she's pretty interesting due to her diverse interests.

Character: Rather of a typical Gemini

Likes: Travelling, reading, swimming, photography, singing ktv, watching tv, shopping for value bargains, going nature walks, eating, dancing, listening to music, playing darts, yoga, having afternoon tea in cafe on weekdays, talking to friends, making new friends, watching World Cup, going to museums for interesting exhibitions etc.

Dislikes: Being sick, going to hospital, spicy food, quarrels, boredom etc.

Upcoming / Future potential activities: Black-and-white photography, Intermediate Jap, Diving, Dancing, Squash

Flower of my birthdate: 含羞草 - Mimosa pudica

Favourite subject: History (the only subject I never fall asleep during class time!)