Merry Christmas! A day of joy and celebration. May everyone in every part of the world (Christians or non-Christians) share in the joy of the day and peace.
Last week, I went to Cambodia together with World Vision and it was truly a fruitful trip. I started to be very appreciative of what I have. Things that I took for granted since young. It's only when I was there and visited some of the families and witnessed the street families and kids that I realised that I was truly blessed. Blessed to born in Singapore and living under a proper roof with water and electricity. Blessed to be educated and able to find work.
I visited one of the schools in a rural area (Baiti) near Phnom Penh. Their classrooms had no lights installed. The kids have to study and learn using the natural light shining in from outside. In spite of the slightly dark environment or the lack of studying materials, this does not dampen their enthusiasm for learning. Even if their homes are faraway from schools for some of the children and they will need an hour or so, or that they'll have to cycle on their own in bicycles big in size (bicycles more meant for adults than children), they are still happily cycling to and fro school. Their toilets have no flushing systems or taps available for washing hands. More importantly, although education is free to all children, parents might not opt for their children to receive education as they might want their children to help in farm work or work in streets to earn income. Maybe it's then I realised how lucky I am to be educated and in a clean environment. I seem to take this for granted.
I went on a night trip and saw families living on the streets. They have no proper roofs over their heads. One of the kids ran around only with a shirt and without bottoms, and it's rather cold at night when we made the visit. In addition, they might only bathe once a week, by swimming at seaside. But they are still happy at times when they receive the food from World Vision at the end of the education session conducted. This is when I realised I should be contended with what I have now and be feeling happy about it. Concentrate about what you already owned than what you do not have.
I was also impressed and touched by the dedication of the World Vision staff there, particularly those on the street camp project. This is because I could really sense their care and concern for the street children from their interaction with them. Their sincerity in helping people to have a better life and living environment. This is not just a job for them.
I wish I could do more then, aside from just buying biscuits and sweets for them. When I see their joy in receiving things, I was very happy. Sometimes people who are on the giving end, can be just as happy or even more happy than the people who are on the receiving end. I hope I can always do my share in giving to help the people who needs them the most.
My Christmas wish is that everyone will be able to receive help in their critical moments of need.... and world peace... Because the innocent are always affected when wars are involved. Cambodia is one example. People are still trying to rebuild their lives and families after the genocide by Khmer Rouge and the landmines planted during the civil war. I wish upon the stars...
25 December 2008
1 December 2008
Skies...
Imagine you are driving. When you look up at the sky, you can see the grey and cloudy skies above you. But further away, straight in front of you (maybe kilometres away), you could see yellow light and sun rays, how will you feel?
Will you look at the sight as if you are taking the photo and analysing it scientifically? Or will you take it from a painter's view and think it's a picture and feel that the picture is telling you << 雨过天晴>>. Or will you just focus on the grey clouds and think it's going to rain?
Or do you feel it seems to portray there's light coming at the end of tunnel, indicating there'll be a solution somewhere to a problem. Is that an optimistic view? Or is it a view from a writer?
Can anyone guess what is my view? haha...
Well I saw the same sight when I was going home... =P
Will you look at the sight as if you are taking the photo and analysing it scientifically? Or will you take it from a painter's view and think it's a picture and feel that the picture is telling you << 雨过天晴>>. Or will you just focus on the grey clouds and think it's going to rain?
Or do you feel it seems to portray there's light coming at the end of tunnel, indicating there'll be a solution somewhere to a problem. Is that an optimistic view? Or is it a view from a writer?
Can anyone guess what is my view? haha...
Well I saw the same sight when I was going home... =P
Life....
Life is sometimes strange. Because there are too many "whys" and unexplainable things. If there's a reason for everything, why then do some people born in poverty and live in slums? But there're people born in riches? Why are some people destined to die in the terrorist bombings and some people destined to be the survivors?
I watched the Channel 8 "Life Transformers" show and I realised indeed there are no clear "whys" in life. Maybe the only reason or explanation is karma or it's fate.
Inside the real-life story, this old man has a very untidy house, stacked with things. It seemed to be more of a rubbish dump than a normal house for living within. He earned money from repairing old things. He doesn't cook as gas is too expensive. He had a mentally ill wife, depressed daughter and mentally slow son living with him. He had 3 daughters and 2 sons. But 2 of his daughters committed sucide by jumping off the building. The 1st daughter (his youngest) committed sucide and he did not know the reason. Maybe it's because her husband didn't work and live off her? Maybe she was being forced?
The middle daughter committed sucide as her friend borrowed $8000 from her and ran off without paying, and she was being retrenched at the same time. She only had 1 daughter and her daughter had no father as she left her "husband" since she could not tolerate her mother-in-law.
After his 2 daughters committed sucide, his wife, daughter and son all became mentally depressed (or worsen conditions) that they just stayed at home, dwelling on the past. His middle son also left home for Indonesia to work and he didn't hear from him. And he is now the sole breadwinner and he's already 70+. He said sometimes he wanted to commit sucide as he's feeling upset over his daughters' deaths and the things that turn out, but the only thing he's still alive is because his family depends on him. In the show "Life Transformers" the only thing people can help is to tidy his house and make his living conditions better.
It's then I remembered a drama show. Inside the female cast said she hopes she is the one who can offer a helping hand, instead of being the recipient. Because it means she's fortunate enough as she could lend a helping hand and is able to do so....
Wish that everyone be able to help another... and never despair over obstacles faced. Because there'll always exist another who needs our help more...
I watched the Channel 8 "Life Transformers" show and I realised indeed there are no clear "whys" in life. Maybe the only reason or explanation is karma or it's fate.
Inside the real-life story, this old man has a very untidy house, stacked with things. It seemed to be more of a rubbish dump than a normal house for living within. He earned money from repairing old things. He doesn't cook as gas is too expensive. He had a mentally ill wife, depressed daughter and mentally slow son living with him. He had 3 daughters and 2 sons. But 2 of his daughters committed sucide by jumping off the building. The 1st daughter (his youngest) committed sucide and he did not know the reason. Maybe it's because her husband didn't work and live off her? Maybe she was being forced?
The middle daughter committed sucide as her friend borrowed $8000 from her and ran off without paying, and she was being retrenched at the same time. She only had 1 daughter and her daughter had no father as she left her "husband" since she could not tolerate her mother-in-law.
After his 2 daughters committed sucide, his wife, daughter and son all became mentally depressed (or worsen conditions) that they just stayed at home, dwelling on the past. His middle son also left home for Indonesia to work and he didn't hear from him. And he is now the sole breadwinner and he's already 70+. He said sometimes he wanted to commit sucide as he's feeling upset over his daughters' deaths and the things that turn out, but the only thing he's still alive is because his family depends on him. In the show "Life Transformers" the only thing people can help is to tidy his house and make his living conditions better.
It's then I remembered a drama show. Inside the female cast said she hopes she is the one who can offer a helping hand, instead of being the recipient. Because it means she's fortunate enough as she could lend a helping hand and is able to do so....
Wish that everyone be able to help another... and never despair over obstacles faced. Because there'll always exist another who needs our help more...
11 November 2008
那些好命女不告訴妳的事
Thanks to a friend, saw this website and found this rather interesting.
Cannot say I agree with all of these... but I guess could provoke some thoughts in people...
Who knows this might be a good guide! haha...
But I think Guide No. 29 is true... according to friends with past experience... haha
Extracted from:
http://www.kingstone.com.tw/Book/book_page.asp?kmcode=2015440378952&show=content&OpenArea=1
那些好命女不告訴妳的事
作 者：羅夫曼
第一篇 好命女的〔想法〕和妳不一樣
01.當他忘了重要日子，也是一件好事
02.當他犯了不該犯的錯，才能看出他的弱點
03.當他生氣或抗議，背後必然有原因
04.當他不想回家，不等於外面比家裡溫暖
05當他酗酒或沉迷線上遊戲，代表他想逃避現實
06.當他無理取鬧，可能是有些事不方便說
07.當他堅持己見、一意孤行，內心必然有很大的恐懼
08.當他連動都不想動，可能是在低潮期
09.當他家事做不好，代表他依賴心太重
10.當他說謊時，代表他很怕失去妳
11.當他處處要比妳強勢，代表他沒安全感
第二篇 好命女絕不會做的傻事
12.吵架時，把他和郭台銘梁朝偉做比較
13.吵架時，把五千年前的飯一再重炒
14.吵架時，拚命說「那你想怎麼樣？」
15.把他的「兄弟」當成人渣或垃圾
16.把他的「嗜好」當成罪惡
17.把他的「累」當成不在乎妳
18.把他的「錢」當成玩具鈔票
19.吵架時，把他的瘡疤挖出來
20.吵架時，連他的祖宗八代都罵
第三篇 女人要好命，就應該這樣做
21.凡事先站在他的立場，為他著想
22.在眾人面前，必須顧及他的面子
23.男人的胃舒服，他的脾氣自然好
24.男人身上錢夠用，才會有自信
25.當他脆弱時，可以把妳當褓姆
26.每天至少花十分鐘，傾聽他的心事
27.晚上十點後，盡量別和男性朋友講電話
28.千萬不要考驗他的忠誠度
29.他下班才進門時，別急著和他講大道理附錄
Cannot say I agree with all of these... but I guess could provoke some thoughts in people...
Who knows this might be a good guide! haha...
But I think Guide No. 29 is true... according to friends with past experience... haha
Extracted from:
http://www.kingstone.com.tw/Book/book_page.asp?kmcode=2015440378952&show=content&OpenArea=1
那些好命女不告訴妳的事
作 者：羅夫曼
第一篇 好命女的〔想法〕和妳不一樣
01.當他忘了重要日子，也是一件好事
02.當他犯了不該犯的錯，才能看出他的弱點
03.當他生氣或抗議，背後必然有原因
04.當他不想回家，不等於外面比家裡溫暖
05當他酗酒或沉迷線上遊戲，代表他想逃避現實
06.當他無理取鬧，可能是有些事不方便說
07.當他堅持己見、一意孤行，內心必然有很大的恐懼
08.當他連動都不想動，可能是在低潮期
09.當他家事做不好，代表他依賴心太重
10.當他說謊時，代表他很怕失去妳
11.當他處處要比妳強勢，代表他沒安全感
第二篇 好命女絕不會做的傻事
12.吵架時，把他和郭台銘梁朝偉做比較
13.吵架時，把五千年前的飯一再重炒
14.吵架時，拚命說「那你想怎麼樣？」
15.把他的「兄弟」當成人渣或垃圾
16.把他的「嗜好」當成罪惡
17.把他的「累」當成不在乎妳
18.把他的「錢」當成玩具鈔票
19.吵架時，把他的瘡疤挖出來
20.吵架時，連他的祖宗八代都罵
第三篇 女人要好命，就應該這樣做
21.凡事先站在他的立場，為他著想
22.在眾人面前，必須顧及他的面子
23.男人的胃舒服，他的脾氣自然好
24.男人身上錢夠用，才會有自信
25.當他脆弱時，可以把妳當褓姆
26.每天至少花十分鐘，傾聽他的心事
27.晚上十點後，盡量別和男性朋友講電話
28.千萬不要考驗他的忠誠度
29.他下班才進門時，別急著和他講大道理附錄
6 November 2008
Christmas Season Greetings
I've always love Christmas. Not only because there're gifts to be received. Also because I like to give presents and see their smile and laughter. I also like the christmas carols and the decorations you can see over Orchard areas...
Cool-san wrote on his blog that someone told him that Christmas has 12 days... Indeed don't you find the Christmas Carol on 12 days of Christmas familiar?
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!
haha... and I have always believe Christmas has 12 days. I mean, why not?
When I was searching for the lyrics for the 12 days of Christmas carols, noted that in some tradition, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6.
In some places it is even traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas! So Cool-san, you considering the 12 presents for your friend? haha...
Christmas ~ a season of love and giving
I also believe it might be a season of miracles.
Maybe we just need to believe.
Who knows maybe now is the time for miracles.
For one, Obama being President of United States itself is a miracle of change for US.
Hopefully, he could practise what he preach and bring forward the change for US and even the world.
Cool-san wrote on his blog that someone told him that Christmas has 12 days... Indeed don't you find the Christmas Carol on 12 days of Christmas familiar?
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!
haha... and I have always believe Christmas has 12 days. I mean, why not?
When I was searching for the lyrics for the 12 days of Christmas carols, noted that in some tradition, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6.
In some places it is even traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas! So Cool-san, you considering the 12 presents for your friend? haha...
Christmas ~ a season of love and giving
I also believe it might be a season of miracles.
Maybe we just need to believe.
Who knows maybe now is the time for miracles.
For one, Obama being President of United States itself is a miracle of change for US.
Hopefully, he could practise what he preach and bring forward the change for US and even the world.
22 October 2008
Maid Issues
Maids seem to be a common topic in office these few days.
PL's maid went back for holiday and decided not to come back.
SY's maid cried and wanted to go back home.
Two weeks ago, just realised my maid used my handphone to send sms overseas in Indonesia.
And she was smart enough to delete the sms from my sent messages folder.
Unfortunately for her, I happen to accidentally press the "message recipient" the same morning and realised that there's an unknown number there... a super long number that is not Singapore number. After checking, realised that the number is an Indonesian number... and under the "recently used numbers" is the Indonesian number. So she really sent the message and not accidentally pressed the number.
Later my mum went to confirm with her. After my maid confessed to accidentally use the phone, my mum was pretty upset. Well that's because she didn't know how to use my handphone. And my maid knows... sigh.. all along my mum never thought she is that smart. Well my bill that came yesterday proved she did use my handphone and she sent 3 messages and not only 1. Sigh...
Tonight... my sister announced that my maid used her laptop and went online in the day. Well all along she complained that her setting for her laptop changed and she thought that it was me... sigh now the truth is finally out. Well unfortunately for my maid, when she switched on the lap top, the skype was automatically on. So my sister's colleagues message her and of course there was no reply. So naturally they complained to my sister, who today had a busy meeting and insisted she was never online. So tonight... my sister checked her skype and discovered the past Skype message histories and the Indonesian websites surfed.
Now my mum is thinking whether she should change maids... sigh...
Guess you never know what will happen... it all boils down to luck at times...
PL's maid went back for holiday and decided not to come back.
SY's maid cried and wanted to go back home.
Two weeks ago, just realised my maid used my handphone to send sms overseas in Indonesia.
And she was smart enough to delete the sms from my sent messages folder.
Unfortunately for her, I happen to accidentally press the "message recipient" the same morning and realised that there's an unknown number there... a super long number that is not Singapore number. After checking, realised that the number is an Indonesian number... and under the "recently used numbers" is the Indonesian number. So she really sent the message and not accidentally pressed the number.
Later my mum went to confirm with her. After my maid confessed to accidentally use the phone, my mum was pretty upset. Well that's because she didn't know how to use my handphone. And my maid knows... sigh.. all along my mum never thought she is that smart. Well my bill that came yesterday proved she did use my handphone and she sent 3 messages and not only 1. Sigh...
Tonight... my sister announced that my maid used her laptop and went online in the day. Well all along she complained that her setting for her laptop changed and she thought that it was me... sigh now the truth is finally out. Well unfortunately for my maid, when she switched on the lap top, the skype was automatically on. So my sister's colleagues message her and of course there was no reply. So naturally they complained to my sister, who today had a busy meeting and insisted she was never online. So tonight... my sister checked her skype and discovered the past Skype message histories and the Indonesian websites surfed.
Now my mum is thinking whether she should change maids... sigh...
Guess you never know what will happen... it all boils down to luck at times...
12 October 2008
Some thoughts to share
Received email on this poem from a friend.
She love this poem as she finds it meaningful:
After a while you learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child
and you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you get too much
so you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn...
Veronica A. Shoffstall
We especially like this phrase (as usual we like the same things =P):
" so you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers."
I guess to me regardless of Man or Woman, we've to love ourselves first.
Instead of just waiting for people to love us.
If we do not even love ourselves, how do we expect to love other people?
How do we expect other people to love us too?
Of course... by loving ourselves doesn't mean we've to be too arrogant...
haha... no one is perfect too...
Find my thoughts confusing? No need to be... cos you're reading a typical Gemini's blog...
Cheers... and have a nice day to all... =)
She love this poem as she finds it meaningful:
After a while you learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child
and you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you get too much
so you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn...
Veronica A. Shoffstall
We especially like this phrase (as usual we like the same things =P):
" so you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers."
I guess to me regardless of Man or Woman, we've to love ourselves first.
Instead of just waiting for people to love us.
If we do not even love ourselves, how do we expect to love other people?
How do we expect other people to love us too?
Of course... by loving ourselves doesn't mean we've to be too arrogant...
haha... no one is perfect too...
Find my thoughts confusing? No need to be... cos you're reading a typical Gemini's blog...
Cheers... and have a nice day to all... =)
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