so basic yet so difficult to get...

My friend posted this on her facebook,

She visited this Angel Children's Home, near Tmn OUG,

And posted this pics for others to help…

When I saw the list, I felt sad, (felt like crying…)

Look at those things on the list,

There're all so so standard and basic in our daily living…

Yet, it's so sparse for them…

There're just so many things, we take for granted in our daily living…

Which, sometimes, it may even be tossed away, or wasted, or under-appreciated,

Yet… to these children here,

It means… their life… yes, they need these, to live…

Sigh…

Same thing as, just like if you ask me to give you 1 dollar, from my own hardearn money,

I don't have, I can't produce one to you,

As I don't work…

Well… that's out of the topic…

Anyway, I shall see what I can do about it…

Yes, anything will help…

Anything...

We're stronger than we think... we are~~

yep... we're stronger than we think we are...

I like to tell this to friends who needs encouragement, and help... and maybe a bit of advice... (though, sorry, I do tend to give lengthy advice... I'll cut it next time, ok?? ^_^)

see... just last friday, I went into the operation theatre, for my cesarean, well, for my second baby, a baby boy...

(I'll have another entry about my pre-cesarean experience, cos, that's another lengthy one I'll make... kakaka!)

but then, today, approaching another friday (scary, time really flies, so fast, 1 week!)... oh, ya, I went into the OT in the evening, but now, it's early friday, ok, maybe just 6 days...

I thought I've recovered pretty well...

but of course, if you ask me, I'll say, it's the power of prayer, maybe the power of love...

I've been praying for speedy recovery, and smooth operation, yes, it all went well... the operation, the recovery...

and there I prayed, because of the love of my family, my daughter, my husband, I can't afford to be bedridden for a long period right?? and I need to take care of the newborn, take care of my precious baby madeleine (ok, she's a toddler now, but like I've told her, she's THE baby!!) and also, resume our daily activities, as a housewife, as a stay-at-home mother, to take care of my husband, take care of the household... and of course, there's also, love from God...

yes, everything went well...

as of today,

despite the swollen feet that I'm having,

hm!! in fact, I did not have, all because last night, I chose to sleep on the sofa, sitting position, and I laid my legs downwards... for long period...

and that, I guess, all the water went down? @_@

and today, I'll move back to our bedroom, one whole family cramped together (how sweet!) and Gabriel back to his crib...

I write this, it's because I myself is pretty surprised on how well our own body can recover and heal by itself...

of course, with good rest, healthy food, healthy drinks... I supposed...

just 2 days ago (tuesday) when I first get home, that's my condition : belly painful, not too painful though, tolerable, the irritating one is the bottom and the back pain, due to the hospital bed... and getting up and down the bed (my bed) seems to be a little bit tough... therefore, last night, I opted for the sofa, but that's a bad choice...

and just yesterday, though I've much improved, it still take a bit of effort for me to get up from the couch...

but then, today?? I'll say, all went pretty well...

I can get up from the couch easier, and I took my first shower...

yuck isn't it??

for once, I listen to "public advice", that I'll not shower immediately, but tomorrow, I'm going to see my gynae, so, I'd better shower... and like I told him, under the microscope... probably the dirt's a few mm thick... yuck!

but then, compared to my first childbirth, at this point in time, I think, I could manoeuvre easier...

IF NOT BECAUSE I'M CHINESE,

AND IF NOT BECAUSE CHINESE HAS ALL THESE THINGS ABOUT CONFINEMENT,

I guess, by the end of next week,

I can actually go out and run around and shop and live like usual...

and of course, as expected, even my dear husband will not allow me to do so...

he'll make sure that, I'll be CONFINED, for 1 month!!!!!!!! anyway,

he's done a great job to be the CONFINEMENT MAN! yes, this time I skip that, no confinement lady,

only confinement food catered.. and I've to say, it's good...

it's just pity that, my husband's to do the cleaning job... plus taking care of my dear daughter...

though, my dear daughter, again, Praise to God, she's been behaving...

and everything went well...

Praise to God...

That's Life… @#%^%@^@&$%$#%

Yes, that's life…

When you pay 100-200 bucks per month, and if the subscribed channel's watchable or not, it still depends on the weather… the service provider (ASTRO) will not be responsible… if you want better service?? Pay another few bucks more…

Yes, that's life…

When your internet's down for no reason, no warning, down for nearly 24 hours, and you just have to live with it, and if you gotta call the service centre/customer service, they'll read out from the manual, and then, they'll tell you, "it's like this, we can't do anything about it!"… that's our Telekom Malaysia…, and according to some call-centre expert's opinion, this sort of attitude, is beyond stupidity… ie. even if you change all the stupid people at the helpdesk/call center, it won't help...

Yes, that's life…

When even you've quite a bit of deposit in the bank, I mean, quite a bit… a few zero's… maybe??

The bank's the guts to tell you that, if you don't do anything about it for the next 30 days, upon the date of the issued letter… they'll start charging you 10 bucks for maintaining your account, hey!!! I thought I'm your customer??? And yes, that's STANDARD CHARTERED BANK MALAYSIA…

I thought I've just hundred over pounds with Natwest, and thhey've not done anything like this to me yet…

Yes, that's life…

When you've to pay 10% as service charge to any restaurant out there… for their so-called non-existence service…

That happen in nearly 90% in any food places in this country…

And that, you've to pay a few bucks, for the so-called juices, which is mainly colour+water+sugar…

Yes, that's life…

When you've to pay expensive toll fee everyday, and yet, you still have to jam all the way, ooh… probably to the next toll collection booth… THEN?? Jam again LO~~

Yes, that's life…

That's life in the country…

Where the SERVICE PROVIDER has no sense of SLA, no sense of responsibility,

They charge you for simply anything, and they give you back for simply nothing…

And that's the services in any service industry in this country, banks, restaurants, retailers…

Let me tell you,

That's life…

That's your great grand father's life,

That's your grand father's life,

That's your life,

And that'll be your son's life,

And that'll be your grandson's life,

And that'll be your great grandson's life…

Of all… remember, that's your life…

And that, you'll never progress…

Your life will forever be the same,

Probably you'll start to blame others…

But let me tell you again and again…

You'll forever be just like this…

Cos, you don't even have a sense of shame,

A sense of what a service provider shall do, and shall SERVICE,

Yes, call yourself A service provider… and the world will laugh at you,

Cos,  you've no sense of SLA, you've no sense of responsibility…

Of course, in my opinion, our world (ie. your dear customers, which you call DEAR, but you don't really regard as DEAR) will be better…

If the day you're down, you reduce our bill, so on and so forth…

THEN, probably I'll have some peace…

However, since trash is just what you take in, and give out,

I won't expect that to happen…

Anyway… I know…

Till I find a better place, a better chance,

I'll never look back… at you…

And you shall rot with your ancestors, and your descendants, cos, that's life… or yours!

Everything happens for a reason; and Things don't happen, for a reason too...

I know, most of the time, people say, "everything happens for a reason", but then, sometimes, I also think that, nothing happens, for a reason too…

Sometimes… anyway, there's a meaning for us to be born ot this world, and for us to be still alive today…

It's all A happening…

Yes, nothing happens, it seems, but then, we're still alive…

And there is a reason… for whatever it is… ^_^

Anyway,

It prompted me to this thinking, it's because of what've happened in my life…

Also, what've not happened in my life, at certain time…

Like the chinese saying, sometimes, it doesn't happen, it's just timing…

My brother wrote this,

When we lose faith

And again, that made me thinking of year 2008, when our beloved mother left us, car accident…

Then, I was thinking again, which I've mentioned looooooooong before… that God's the the best scheduler in town…

A lot of things…

My brother worked in the GH in town… and my father's admitted there, my brother (and his colleagues of course…) was the one, who maintained all the equipment in that hospital…

I didn't have any chid at that time, and I was attached to a company, with a boss who's very compassionate and understanding, and that I could quickly decided to be off the job (no pay) for 2 months… to take care of my father, and to do my part, as a daughter.. (I won't say, it's soemthing enjoyable, it's a mixed-feeling… nothing to boast about and nothing to complain about)

All these while, I was trying to conceive… but no news…

All these while, my mother prayed for me… for US…

After all many bad things… one day and eventually… I've my loveliest baby with me… beside me, all day…

And that's what make me things that…

When something's not happened… there's a reason too…

Like what my brother mentioned in his paragraph…

"But those who endure and wait until the end of these trials, surely will gain their faith. "

And that…

I Praise the Lord...

Backpacking

I love backpacking, though, I won't dare to claim that, I'm one hardcore backpacking person...
well... only a few points, I like planning my own trip, and I love staying in hostel... hostelworld.com is my favourite accommodation booking websites...
I've joined tour before, mainly those day-tour, well... if it's those city tour, where you hop on and off the bus, it's still not too bad, while those guided tour... well, I've joined 2, mainly in Suzhou and Hangzhou... I've to say, it's not THAT bad... but afterall... I hate waiting for the other people, or, mainly not knowing what's ahead, and that, I've to pay full attention to what the tourguide's saying, right?? if you've paid some $$ to join the tour, you kinda think that, if youi don't know what the tour's about, that's a waste of time and money...
but if you've planned a trip on your own, probably you'd had known that, what's ahead and where you're heading, and what you'll be seeing, or tasting..., that's what I like...
Anyway... I've come across an article, (if I've not remembered wrongly, it's by Betty Wu, 吳淡如) that... if you'd like to see if a relationship will work, go for backpacking... just go for a trip...
Frankly, a couple of my friends, both he and she, have done backpacking before, and they're kinda together, married... some with kids, some just started the family... I guess, if any couple who can survived a backpacking trip, they'll be able to survive a marriage... IF you've done a backpacking trip before, you'll know what I mean...
A backpacking trip ain't easy... you don't get to stay in posh hotels, get all the good service, you'll have to really plan ahead, and be able to tackle the obstacles... like looking for cheap/decent places for dinner/lunch, looking for cheap/decent transports to take you to the next destination, if the man/woman next to you, will only BE WITH YOU when everything is nice and good, when everything's well taken care off... better think twice... if he/she can't even take a hardship, together with you, or, will keep on arguing in the trip, you know, this person, will likely blame you, or complain much, when life isn't smooth... isn't it??
I won't say, if backpacking works for a couple, ie. happily toured different places, then, the marriage will work out, but then, I've always thought that, it's worth a try...
I've read news, where after the 311 tsunami in Japan, the divorce rate went up... cos, during the disaster, a lot of husbands ran out of wherever they are, and left the wives and children behind... yes, those women, after surviving, realized that, they don't need this type of husbands.. (tell me who needs?)
of course, I'm not sure if really I'm in such disaster scene, what'll happen to me, or to him, or our child... but then, we've always wish that, we'll always be together, be it live or death... just together...

No Sixth Sense

Sixth sense?

You have? I don't,

You want? No I don't…

Life should be just as it is, not knowing what's tomorrow, not knowing what's next, and every moment, treasured…

Sixth sense?

If I have, the afternoon my mother left us,

I wouldn't be enjoying that peaceful afternoon, colouring my hair for a small photo session,

And half way in the midst of the process,

The bad news come…

Ever since, I've never really "seen" my mother,

As what my little brother's little girlfriend had... (yes, she's sixth sense)

Have you ever really made plan for yourself?

I mean long term plan,

And how many of you have really achieved your plan?

Maybe you have, but no, I don't…

I've heard there're people who'll like to achieve certain things, or be certain people, own certain props, and so on… by certain age…

Their life's as planned, just as planned, nothing  more, nothing less…

Interesting?? Now, don't introduce me to this sort of people, they should be out of my radar…

I don't think I can bear talking to a person, who doesn't have hope, and faith… no, they don't, that's why they can only live with their own plan…

Another reason being,

Oops… I've always failed in my own planned…

Failed in a way, but end up even better in a way,

Who's to give credit?? God of course!!!!!!

I've tried making study plan before, but it always ended up as,

I spent time on it, and wasted time at the same time…

After a couple of rounds, I gave up planning…

Then, I gave up planning…

I live life as it is,

Thinking, praying, thinking and praying…

I'm not sure if you'd like to know what's going to happen in the future…

But I don't, if I do know, I don't think, I'll want to live anymore…

What's there in life for you to hope for, pray for, endure, and learn???

Haha, even though you may not see any connection,

But I like this phrase,

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference." ~ Reinhold Niebuhr

And lately, I found a quote for engraving on our ipad,

"If we pray, we will believe; If we believe, we will love; If we love, we will serve." ~ Mother Teresa

Ya… funny, not enough space, so, the engraving is only 2/3 of the sentence...

More Notes on Bambino! (バンビーノ!)

ya... I just recalled one or two more notes on this dorama... (yes, somehow, this drama's lots of lifely meaning in it...)

1. Miyuki asked Ban, "who do you think, pay your salary?"...

Ban didn't get her question, and was like, "ha??", she then said, "do you think this restaurant/or its business pay your salary??",

"No! it's those capable workers, who pay your type of incapable workers...",

Oh!! how true, exactly as what I've said before... to my ex-coworkers... when a company, who's actually making some business, having some good revenue, yet can't afford to give out performance bonus and etc., ie. cos, all the "supposedly-our-bonus", is used to pay those incapable, dormant, sleeping workers, who sit there, do nothing but only all the talking, yakking, gossiping, sucking up, and back-strabbing, yes, something like all the BCC in his/her email??? yes, those workers... THAT's why, sometimes, a GOOD performing company/business, can't even give out some performance bonus, as token…

2. When Ban's finally got to work in the kitchen, able to cook his pastas... he's overjoyed... but then, quickly... he was "disoriented" when he met his old schoolmate, his senior... the guy asked him if that's what he wants for his life?? work work work all day, even during holiday, you gotta sleep, just to patch back your loss of sleep while you're working nearly round the clock in the kitchen?? yes, you do like cooking, but is that going to be your work, and your life's basically about your work, and nothing else?? you used to watch a lot of movies, and you seems to be very pro in giving review, so, what movies are you watching now??

all the questions, Ban couldn't answer...

he then told his co-workers, ie. the other cooks in Baccanale, that, he couldn't retaliate... he couldn't say a thing when the senior questioned him... and THAT he lost all his passion, just out of sudden, in the kitchen... he used to love to cook pasta, serve pasts so much so much, but then, suddenly, he didn't like everything anymore...

the rest, ie. Yona-chan, Yuki, Kuwa, all saw through him... and concluded that, cos, he's achieve what he wants, ie. work in the kitchen... be a professional cook, so, he's lost his aim in life, he's kinda lost his aim...

life lesson?? yes, we all need an aim in life, it can be anything, but yes, something, or a lot of things (better be something than a lot of things, else, you'll be disoriented again, unless you're the master of prioritization)... your aim can be seeing your kids grow up, or your family happy and sound... (oops, have I just mentioned my aims?? haha!) or you aim can be sitting behind the door, as the manager of the team, or the company...

or your aim can be moving to another country, and have a better life...

or your aim can be having even bigger and bigger house, or retire somewhere... that you like...

an aim...

an aim in your life, always...

that's why, in work, your boss always set a target for you, right?? that's the point...

yes, I know the importants of aim or target, but I actually didn't know that phase that Ban's just gone through... is an after-effect of achieving target... before you've found yourself another target...

yes, I didn't know, that's the reason, that's the cause... and if I don't know the reason, then, I'll think that, I really have lost interest in what I've always loved to do, and what I've always loved to be... and I may switched... I may change... but now... if you've already known the reason... then?? make sure before you're totally down and disappointed, about the job, about yourself, about life... quickly look for another aim/target... hey! it may not be an easy job... but then, haha... looking for a target/aim to achieve, IS an aim by itself?? ain't it?? ^_^ therefore... Gambaru Yo~

Forever & ever… pueh!

I used to think that, I'll like white coffee forever, after ditching the so-called "ang mor" coffee… (ya, unless I ask for double-shot of expresso, else, it's so little kick, and probably a little bit bland for me!)

But then, I don't know why, out of sudden, just a couple of days ago… I suddenly feel that, even the white coffee's nothing much left in me…

Ok, I still drink, "old town", "gold choice", "chek hup", among my favourite brands… but then, seriously, I don't find joy in drinking them…

Instead… somehow I got hooked onto chinese tea… (good move huh?)

It all started when I was spring cleaning my fridge, and (did I tell you about that?) I dug out the green tea from china, which we bought from shanghai back in 2004… (yuk! You may say, "still got taste?" well… tea is tea, I'm not that particular about stronger, or less aromatic, and whatsoever, it still has that tea taste, come on!)

And also, it all started when I thought of seriously drinking tea…

Well… "pai seh" to tell you, in fact, I've been struggling with teapots and so on…

I've been using the ikea teapot, 2 version, both are good, in a way, yes very good, ikea's stuff is basically value for money… but then, I'm more to the lazy type, the same thing (chore), if you expect me to do it over and over again, day by day, I'll feel fedup, and I may just ditch the "habit"… ie. washing the teapot with tea leaves everywhere… I mean, you gotta scoop it, somehow somehow…

Therefore, one day, I decided to grab those "tea bag" from Daiso…

And yes, it works…

NOW! I just need to pour the tea leaves into the teabag, which is big enough to give "room" to the leaves to steep… yes, apparently tealeaf needs room… ^_^

And now… I'm into tea… forever? Not sure, I can't tell…

***********************************************************************

Then, I used to… well… I was pretty particular about certain font types… ie. I've favourite fonts from time to time, and that sucks… you know why? When I've favourite fonts, I need to have that particular font, basically everywhere in my apps… excel, words, outlook, browserS, bla bla bla… so, I've to change from time to time, though it was not on frequent basis…

Whenever I'm into one, I thought, it's FOREVER, that's why, I bothered to change, right???

Then… one day, out of sudden again… all these fonts don't matter to me anymore…

Long time ago, I even went to the extent to go into all my old blog entries, to make sure that, all the fonts are STANDARDIZED!! All the way to year 2005, scary huh???

Again, a good switch!!!

***********************************************************************

Ok… of other things, like what sets of plates and bowls to use, ie. ikea vs. "chiplak", and bla bla bla… I thought, it'll be forever, but then, it only last for a while…

Each time, I told myself, THAT's the best dining solution, ie. dining, and ease of washing…

But then again, next day, I changed my mind…

Conclusion??

Adult loves using the word FOREVER!! (deep down, we all know that, nothing can be forever!)

Just like what Charlie's mother told him, (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) that… adults likes to use forever, but then, they don't really mean it…

Maybe…

Maybe you take "forever" less seriously than I do…

But then, ya… that's why… I say, there's nothing's forever… cos, I take it seriously, and I know… seriously… nothing's forever…

It's my LIFE...

Dorama: Triangle (三角迷蹤)

When Tomioka Yasushi (富岡康志) asked Goda Ryoji (鄉田亮二) if he'll still gain back his life after prison (yes, he's finally arrested as the person who murdered Shindo Toshimichi (新藤利道),

Ryoji answered Yasushi, "it's your life…"

I like the way Ryoji told him,

Yasushi seems to be enlightened…

Anyway, I'm not sure if you see it the way I see,

Or hear it the way I hear…

It's your life…

Yes, it's my life,

Yes, it's my day,

I want to have life, and therefore, I will…

I want this day to be a happy day, and therefore, this day will be…

It's your life,

You get it?

It's not up to me, or anybody, to decide for you, if you'll have life,

Or you'll be happy…

Simple, but yet difficult to understand huh?

The "pekchek" Clan~

See… it ain't easy to be a DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, ie. DIL,

Never!!! Since 5000 years ago, or more…

And will never!!! If you ever happened to be a chinese… it'll be even more difficult, ie. even more pekchek…

I won't drill into the details… ok, everybody's her own story to tell…

And I supposed, that everybody includes the husbandSSSS the mother-in-lawSSSSSS and etc…

So, no story to be told here, just a page for me, happened to be a DIL, yes, cos, I'm married, can I escape that? No, I can't!!!!!!!!!! … to rant!!!

See…  being a DIL's never easy, why??

Cos, when you're pekchek, you can't really tell…

You can't tell that you're pekchek about anything,

Especially anything and everything regarding your IL, I MEAN ANYTHING~~~~~ OK?? GET IT???

Cos, if you do show a little bit of pekchek-ness…

You'll be grilled (just like prawns) and questioned, and interrogated, and side-lined, and condemned (for not being a good DIL) and THAT'LL MAKE YOU EVEN MORE PEKCHEK!!!

BELIEVE ME~~~

Therefore, throughout my years, I've learnt not to speak much, cos, there's no SPACE for me to really speak…

Never~~~~~~~~

Cos, once you really speak, even the person who you've been sleeping with, so many years, ie. HUSBAND, their son!!! Will also demand an answer, an explanation, or, even an apology, if not, basically just, "take it or leave it, they're old, ok??"

Yes, who doesn't know that they're old!!!???

But what's beyond MY limit, is beyond, fullstop!!!

I'm not sure if all, but I'm pretty sure, it's close to 80-90% of DIL in the world,

You'll be in the clan, ie. the pekchek clan,

You may deny it, you may have experienced it, which now, you've overcomed, but then, you will, or already have the pekchek-ness ONCE in your life-time…

It's either you've grown to accept life as it is,

Or you've started to just deny it, sweep it under the carpet, cos, they're OLD!!!!!!!!

See!! That's why, the whole thing's just pure pekchek!!!

You can't say, you can't really voice out anything, can't tell how you really feel, can't even tell if you're not really happy, or you don't agree with it…

Cos, after you tell, that's it, your life will be made even more miserable, cos, they'll just fail/refuse to understand your point of view!!!

Or does it matter to them? No, it never does…

Though they may pretend that they do, but frankly, they really don't!!

Sometimes, people do it, just simply their social conscience tells them to do so, but deep down in there, they don't really bother about it, or agree with it, cos, the most important is the "ME"!!!

See!! You can't tell them, you don't want to eat the food, WHY? Why don't want??

You can't tell them, you feel like being alone, WHY? Why you want to be alone??? We don't really bother you too much!

You can't tell them, you're busy, seeing that you're busy, they'll still ask, "are you busy?", and expect you to respond to them… can't they just say, "after you finish your work, can you please…?"

You can'te tell them to just leave your kids alone, from oversimulating them, oh!! Cos, they're the LOVING GRANDPARENTS, they probably think that, they OWN your kids, more than you do!!!

You can't tell them what the kids can't eat, or cannot eat, they've their very own theory, and they simply will not know how to respect what you've voiced out to them, and they think that, by practising their power, ie. not agreeing with you, (low-life, lower level) and going against your will, is simply THRILLING!! Cos, they're more powerful, and they seriously think that, you seriously can't do anything about it!!!

You see!! I really hate it, when I even have to tell you WHY, that I'm not feeling good, I'm not feeling happy,

The very main reason can be, it's because of YOU~~~ get it??

But I can't tell it to your face, right?

Even if I do, well, you won't really bother, you'll just start practising your SUPERIOR power onto me, only us, the pekchek clan…

See!!!! In this part of the work, we, the pekchek clan will always be the loosing ones…

You must be telling me that, there're lots and lots of pitiful old people and bla bla bla… yes I know, of course I know…

But hey!!! Do I intend to make them like those pitiful people? Even by telling me this, you're accusing me of my intention,

No… I don't,

I just want my own life, my own space, not having unexpected expectation, or too much of an expectation, not having to have to answer to every single move/words that I've to do and say…

No, I still have to explain, cos, I'm MARRIED!!!

That's why, once, I saw a report, married men are happier, but it's the other way round for women,

UNMARRIED women, are far more happier…

And I truly and fully and absolutely agree with it…

No wonder, there're women, who're willing to get donation of sperm, just to have their own baby…

Yes, my baby's my life, and my baby's my real happiness… again, in this part of the world, it can only be "achieved", by officially married… (again, without much condemnation!)

Again, I guess, at anytime, I can find 10 pekchek soul, when they think of the past, if not the present, or even the future, (don't give me that past, present, future story, ok?)

They'll feel pekchek…

It's just that, we've learnt to keep it to ourselves, and now, thanks to all the tweeting, blogging things…

Yes, there's one small channel for us to rant, rant, and rant…

And after ranting, you can find some similar pekchek souls…

And that's it…

Life still goes on, and we're still pekchek once in a while…

Pekchek till either I die first, or you die first LO, what else?? That's life…

See!!! When we see a man we adore so much, that we wanna get married to him,

And of course, during that time, all negativities would be conveniently ignored…

If I could travel in time…

If I could travel in time…

Probably I'll take the easier way out…

Ie. skip the "socially" married part, ESPECIALLY IN THIS PART OF the world…

Am I happily married ever after?

Well… yes, officially I shall say so…

Unofficially, I shall give thanks to God,

In my dream? I wish life's much more simpler,

And it's just the 3 of us…

If I can ever get out of this part of the world, with my own capability…

I WILL~

ooh~ we certainly… are richer...

That’s what I thought…

Hehe… not complaining, not ranting, just a thought…

(haha, also, since I've not been updating this blog of mine… ^,^)

It's about christmas gift exchange…

When I was small, I was a member of the Girls' Brigade from the local church… (methodist church, though I'm a roman catholic…)

And I remembered… every year, we've gift exchange,

Ok… now I think of it, it's all girls, right?? You'll argue…

Anyway… what we do is, each of us will buy a gift, put in the pool, drawlot, then, yes… gift exchange, in the end?? Whatever you get…

However… I just found out, we don't do this anymore…

Maybe, yes, you get the point, there're little girls, and little boys… how to "exchange"?

But on the other hand, I thought, it kills the thrill… if you don't "exchange"…

Maybe I've not kept up to the "modern" world lately… still living in my childhood memory…

Ok… it's a small group, so, we give the kids, gifts… just like we give the chinese new year's "ang pow"…

Get it??

But then, serious, I thought, that kills a bit of the thrill…

And that made me think that… nowadays, parents are rich…

Many years ago… there's only 1 Toys R Us in town… but lately, there're so many of them… almost in all the major shopping malls… you'll find one…

Why? Cos, parents nowadays, are more willing to spend, ie. they're richer…

Ok…  back to the gift exchange thing…

Reason given's boys and girls play different thing…

So, it must be a toy??

It must have difference like boy's toy, or girl's toy?

Ok… anyhow I'll get something universal…

And it doesn't have to be a toy right??

Cos, it's a christmas present… ^_^

Anyway, just a small thought…

The main point, after such long whatever blabber that I've written, is only that…

We're richer nowadays…

That we can afford a few gifts, for a few kids…

Rather than just buying 1 toy, and send our kid for the gift exchange party, and hopefully that, she/he'll get something that she/he will like…

Nowadays… wow~~

Those days… hai…

Sharing: The Mayonnaise Jar...

He rarely forwards stuff to me, unless it's really a "must-read"… ^_^...

The Mayonnaise Jar

              When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,

                        When 24 hours in a day is not enough;

                  remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

                    A professor stood before his philosophy class

                         and had some items in front of him.

                          When the class began, wordlessly,

                 he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar

                       and started to fill it with golf balls.

                   He then asked the students if the jar was full.

                              They agreed that it was.

              The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured

                     it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.

           The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

                          He then asked the students again

                      if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

                     The professor next picked up a box of sand

      and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else

           He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded

                              With an unanimous 'yes.'

         The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table

              and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively

                      filling the empty space between the sand.

                                The students laughed.

                'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,

            'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

               The golf balls are the important things - God, family,

                  children, health, friends, and favorite passions

                       Things that if everything else was lost

               and only they remained, your life would still be full.

       The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car..

                           The sand is everything else --

                                  The small stuff.

               'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued,

                'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

                               The same goes for life.

              If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,

                  You will never have room for the things that are

                                  important to you.

                                        So...

          Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

                              Play with your children.

                         Take time to get medical checkups.

                          Take your partner out to dinner.

                              There will always be time

                    to clean the house and fix the dripping tap.

                        'Take care of the golf balls first --

                           The things that really matter.

                    Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

                         One of the students raised her hand

                      and inquired what the coffee represented.

                                The professor smiled.

                                'I'm glad you asked'.

        It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,

         there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

                      Please share this with other "Golf Balls"

                                  I just did......