It's been 5 months, old friend...

Just realised that I have neglected my blog for a full 5 months... that's almost half a year... I blame it on Facebook which I log on religiously on an almost daily basis. 

It's not as if I've nothing to blog about. At times when something inspired me to write an entry, I'll try to organise the ideas in my mind but something else always take precedence...  

It seems this year, I'm revamping myself.. and keeping myself very occupied to fill the void. I've been running.... figuratively and literally...  Running long distance has become an obsession. Just this week, I ran 40km in all. I think my legs will give way very soon... and yoga doesn't seem to help release the tension. But so far, it's keeping me fit and ironically, that pain feels therapeutic and gives me a somewhat sense of pleasure... hmm.. 

But I think that over the past 8 months... I've taken on a different perspective... I used to be more cautious, practical, and only keen on doing things I'm good at. Maybe it's cos I'm just a few months shy from entering the next decade of my life... I feel that I should experience life more... take more risks... learn more things... make more friends...and most importantly spend more time with loved ones... the ones who were there more or less throughout my life...

As such, when it came to my June Vacation this year, I decided to go to less travelled lands... Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia. While parts of the country still have reminders of the 1990s Bosnian War and inherent racial tension still prevails, both are surprising safe (except for the occasion unexplored landmines and the collapsable bullet-ridden buildings) and the people we met have been absolutely generous and warm. Yes, they do not forget... but they forgive. 

It's a very different trip for me. Due to work, I had no time to research or plan and just decided to go with an open heart and mind and see what happens when I get there. I was jittery the day before though. I bought a ticket, packed what I needed for abt 14 days and went over without insurance, bookings for accommodation and itinerary, with people I hardly know. But this spontaneity was one of the best things I've done this year. I've never learnt so much about another country (possibly cos I was never familiar with the Eastern Europe's history). I ended up staying at hostels, sleeping in some local's home, cooking meals for 5 people when I hardly cook in Singapore and almost landed in the police station (my travel mates eventually were detained.. details will not be divulged). 

It also left me churning as I found out that it was the Orthodox Christians and Catholics that did most of the ethnic cleansing on the Muslims. Essentially, they were the same race.. Europeans.. mostly blue-eyed blond / dark brown hair.. just separated by religion. I couldn't comprehend a war in modern times and in a modern city. The first hand accounts of war were horrific and hard to digest. I kept trying to remind Bata, the most passionate and somewhat aggrieved of the lot, not to associate the deeds by the Orthodox Serbians & Catholics Croatians with Christianity. He replied that he knows.. after all, people do associate terrorism with the Islam faith when it propagates no such acts of evil.  

The photography experience was also quite amazing... There were several interesting sights and people to snap and the learning curve was especially steep as my travel mates were very well equipped and know the technicalities of shooting. I've always relied on aesthetic appeal and instinct when it comes to composing pic... no GND, CPL, heavy post processing.. though I still won't be doing such stuff.. at least now, I know how it's used and done. 

Overall, I love my 2 weeks there. I will most probably continue to do such trips.. right now, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Bhutan, India and Peru are on my list... Will most probably see Iceland another time. This along with learning fencing, golfing, playing a violin, and sky diving.. all in due time.. 

At the home front, I've learned to appreciate our multi-racial society and the peace we have here in Singapore. I can't imagine a day when any race in Singapore would attempt to perform ethnic cleansing on another race.. but really, never say never...  I'm also worried about my grandma's and dad's health.. both had a scare recently. Grandma landed in hospital again.. though she has recovered I know she's buying time... In 2006, we were told she has 3 more mths to live. I guess women in my family are strong. She's still fighting, though I know she's ready to go.. When she became conscious, she asked us why hasn't she died... 

Last night, I was up the whole night.. on standby... Dad had chest pains... and the readings from the digital blood pressure monitor showed that his systolic/diastolic pressures were too high. I tried to stay calm.. he did too.. I could see the fear in his eyes.. and I was afraid.. very afraid.. After medication, he tried to take the measurement again, only to our horror that the batteries went flat.. and we didn't have any AAA batteries left! That alone perhaps stressed my dad even more. It took some time to charge those batteries. He did not want to go to the hospital yet.. so we adhered to his wishes.. that 15 to 20 mins wait at 1.30am was torturous... there was nothing we could do.. but wait and pray.. 

Thankfully, it wasn't a full blown heart attack like his previous one. I hope there won't be anymore such scare.. but I know the chance of relapse increases with age... I can just pray that God will take care of him.. 

I do not know when I will blog again... I hope I to write more.. Feeling rusty as it is... the words don't seem to flow as easily as it used to... it's a shame. 

Though it's totally irrelevant.. would just end this blog with a famous quote from Ludwig van Beethoven to his immortal beloved cos it's constantly on my mind... 

ever thine
ever mine
ever ours...

.

,

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going... so do the lamsers

Spent my Sunday at a JC friend's house warming at Jalan Bahagia.... amazing how after so many yrs, we are still so crappy and close and how the guys don't look much diff but the girls all age one way or another... 

Learnt a new thing as well. For the first time in my life, I realised that there are 2-storey terrace houses sold by HDB. The size is pretty decent and the price is much cheaper than most 2-bedder condominums (~ $400k). Such a lovely estate as well. If only... 

While the initial conversations were light hearted, the topic of the economic downturn and retrenchment took centrestage. Being in the double pure science, economics n C Maths combi, our class of 23 is split into mainly three types... IT/Engineer, Bankers/Auditors and Educators.

As I hear from my friends who work in Citibank, Barclays and Standard Chartered talk about how the banks move from dept to dept to axe people, I can't help feel worried for my friends especially those with families or huge loans to pay off. And for those in IT, the cuts are worst.... so they tell me. That made me worry even more... The manner they cut staff seems so clinical as well..  Apparently, after being appraised, those axed will be escorted out of the office straightaway and the security guards will pack their belongings at their desk for them. No returning to the desk for fear of fraud or extractions of confidential data. No saying goodbye to colleagues as well. 

Expectedly, the non-educators turn to the 4 educators present to ask us what's the expected pay if they join teaching. I can't help but feel uneasy cos I always feel that teaching should never be a backup or something to fall back on in times of economic downturn. But you never know, there may be some converts who eventually become really excellent teachers.

As the gloom hangs over us, a lot of people would perhaps hope for secure jobs, cash, and investments that will not depreciate that much. But I think what's most important is that there are people who will support and love you no matter what the situation is. It is this support without the undue stress and pressure that will get those affected going again...  If need be, I will be there for them too. 

But a lot of it has to do with the individual who's affected as well. Not everything is about money and with persistence and resourcefulness, the tough will get going when the going gets tough.... 

And in such times, no matter how hard it seems, we have to try to find humour in life still... 

So here's my current fav theatre ad (been a movie junkie lately.. watching movies twice a week to prevent me from thinking too much). 

Apparently, the guy in the clip, Matt Harding has been travelling to various countries to do his signature dance before VISA hired him to do the ad. http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/about.shtml 

 

Somehow, the lamsing looks familiar ;p 

Details in the Fabric

Details In The Fabric

(Jason Mraz feat. James Morrison)

Calm down
Deep breaths
And get yourself dressed instead
Of running around
And pulling all your threads saying
Breaking yourself up
.
If it's a broken part, replace it
If it's a broken arm then brace it
If it's a broken heart then face it
.
And hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
Hold your own
Know your own name
And go your own way
.
And everything will be fine
Everything will be fine
.
Hang on
Help is on the way
Stay strong
I'm doing everything
.
Hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
Hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
.
And everything, everything will be fine
Everything
.
Are the details in the fabric
Are the things that make you panic
Are your thoughts results of static cling?
.
Are the things that make you blow
Hell, no reason, go on and scream
If you're shocked it's just the fault
Of faulty manufacturing.
.
Yeah everything will be fine
Everything in no time at all
Everything
.
Hold your own
And know your name
And go your own way
.
Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own, know your name)
Are the things that make you panic
Are your thoughts results of static cling? (Go your own way)
.
Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own, know your name)
Are the things that make you panic (Go your own way)
Is it Mother Nature's sewing machine?
.
Are the things that make you blow (Hold your own, know your name)
Hell no reason go on and scream
If you're shocked it's just the fault (Go your own way)
Of faulty manufacturing
.
Everything will be fine
Everything in no time at all
Hearts will hold
.

This is the current song that befits my mood... Tells me to be strong, hold on and not break myself up.

It's ironic how just this morning, a jedi told me that I'll be getting the "I am Healthy Award" for having zero MC this year, and later in the afternoon, my doc tells me that my condition has deteriorated. She recommended me a series of medication and I asked her how long can I hold it for? Of course, it was the usual reply... You are still young.. the earlier the treatment, the better... I'll hold. It's not a life and death situation as yet.

As I left and drove off, I find myself crying to my destination... vivo... I planned to watch Vicky Cristina Barcelona last night, and strangely, I didn't let the news change my plans. Life has to go on... Perhaps, I've become immuned to such misfortunes or that I have come to realise that there are many more who are suffering worst fates than me.. or that I have faith that everything happens for a reason and that God will make things right for us... It's not blind faith..cos I've actually recovered from my earlier setbacks much faster that I could imagine...

In fact, someone asked me how I hold my shit up... nah.. the exact words were... "Now I really admire u n respect u for the way u coped so well wif ur probs"

And so, after Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a brillant film by Woody Allen ( a pity it is not so popular just because it's not a commercialised movie), I found myself aiming to go Spain in the next two years, a country which I planned to go in 2003 but didn't... I also found myself laughing at the silliness of relationships, obsessions and worries, and I became happier... and also a little more hopeful that it'll be a PASS so that I can go for RP with SK.

I've made a decision not to be obsessed by the details in the fabric... and just calm down, take deep breaths and not break myself up...

If it's a broken part, replace it

If it's a broken arm then brace it

If it's a broken heart then face it

And hold MY own

Know MY name

And go MY own way

Hold MY own

Know MY own name

And go MY own way

And everything will be fine

Everything will be fine

.

Note: I chanced upon this Youtube which features a dancer doing a comtemporary improvisation... something like the kind of dance that I learnt from Silva... It's very pretty and graceful. How I wish I can dance again... . A pity it stops short at 1 min and 43 secs and then it goes into a black screen of darkness.... a tragedy of my life perhaps.. that good things come to an end (shortly)..

.

What will happen from now till the next leap year?

Ex padawan: Cher... you know when I saw Wong Li Lin in The Leap Years, she really reminded me of you.....

I watched The Leap Years last week... I really liked the show regardless the negative reviews, the inconsistencies in the movie as well as the disturbing idea that everyone in Singapore seems to be speaking with an American accent! It was a feel good movie... The soundtrack is good.. especially cos of the familiar songs by Corrinne May, and one very haunting piano piece by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence which I'm now trying to play on my piano...

I got to admit... I was really flattered when I heard my ex-padawan tell me I reminded her of that main character... haha.. not that I'm anywhere near her beauty, sassiness, and confidence... It's just that the character, Li-ann, played by Wong Li Lin, did remind me a little of myself...

A convent girl... An English teacher who heads the department at 28... A person who is willing to take chances... A person who waits...

Well, if what had happened to her in reel life after the age of 28 is any indication of how my real life will turn out to be, I can foresee this future....

I'll quit teaching at 32 to set up a book store and I'll be driving a cool Blue Mini Cooper... At 36, I'll marry a dashing foreigner with long flowy hair whom I meet once every four years... (haha.. alrighty Lady 28.. you are right... that Ananda guy is cute... I give up.. ) And at 48, this man of my life will recover from a stroke to be with me for the rest of my life... wahh.. how tragic.. yet bittersweet.

Then again.... who knows what will happen in the future... I wonder how my 'blue figure' would look like...

One of the quotes I remember the most from my O level literature Text is this:

The course of true love never did run smooth - a Midsummer's nights dream by William Shakespeare

Yup... how true... It's always hard to work for love...
Hmm... maybe I should just work for a Mini Cooper at 32!!!

Then again... who knows what will happen from now till the next leap year...

It's just 1.5 for now.. and I'm happy... SRH

I'm not Supergirl....

L I T T L E . S U P E R . H E R O . G I R L

written by Corrinne May Ying Foo / Copyright 2003, Corrmay Gourmet Music (ASCAP)

I feel like a little girl
Trying to conquer the whole wide world
Everybody wants a piece of me
And I just don't know where to turn
I've got work piled up to my head
All I want to do is jump into bed
And wash away my troubles with lemonade
Play hide and seek with the boy next door
Take a trip to Singapore and
Imagine how I'll make the world a better place

All I need is a good disguise
One where nobody can recognise
That I'm feeling so small
All I need is a secret weapon
I've gotta have faith
Zapping monsters into outer space
I'm gonna be a Superhero

Na-na-na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-Yeah

If I were a little girl
Trying to clean up the whole wide world
I'd kick the bad boys back to school
Teach them fighting's just not cool
I'd give every kid a teddy bear
Turn starving people into millionaires
Break glass ceilings with dynamite
sprinkle a little sugar and spice
Turn the bullies that terrorize
Into pink poodles that bark, but don't bite

All I need is a good disguise
One where nobody can recognise
That I'm feeling so small
All I need is a secret weapon
I've gotta have faith
Zapping monsters into outer space
I'm gonna be a Superhero

Na-na-na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-na Na-na-na-na-na-na-Yeah

Little Superhero Girl
Little Superhero Girl
Save me
Little Superhero Girl
Little Superhero Girl
Save me from myself ... I feel like a little girl
Trying to conquer the whole wide world

Been so busy that I don't even have time to take pics, blog, go out or do yoga...
Things have been pretty routine for me.... I can hardly breathe...

I'm not a supergirl / woman / hag etc...

I need help... I need air .... (Macbook Air also can!!)

I need to fly off somewhere....... and preferably somewhere far and preferably somewhere with snow... I'm trying to fulfill my as many of my resolutions for 2008 as possible... so far so good..

Meanwhile, I'm feeling guilty abt gg online... or even blogging this entry when there are tonnes of work unmarked... but I must at least jot down the topics that I wished to blog but do not have the time to......

And so, here it goes... 'entries-to-be' from an exhausted 'I-not-Supergirl'...

• Ex-padawans' visit during CNY Celebrations


• Sundays with Grandma...


• Disappointment in my padawans who rather go for a longer detention than to attend an enrichment course


• Upcoming dance performance... feeling real excited... It's going to be my last!!! Don't want it to end so soon...


• First Car purchase story


• 2nd Car purchase story (yup... technically, I bought two cars in a month!)

Alrighty...

'I-not-Supergirl' signing off...

Goodbye 2007... Hello 2008!

I had an entry entitled 'Goodbye 2005... Hello 2006! ... Don't ever look back...' . But an oldman advised me to "actually do look back as reflecting upon the past gives more meaning to what's happening now and hope for the future". And hence for 2008, I shall do just that. I guess in life's journey, everything happens for a reason. And I'm slowly seeing the reasons...

2007 had been a good year... perhaps I'm biased... after all, it contains my fav number 7.

I managed to visit 3 countries (my most ever) in one year.... Australia, Holland & France...

I also did something that I swore I would stop after 2005. I went back to dancing after a 2-year hiatus and I'm loving it despite all the bruises on my knees (hmm..a sign of sadomasochism..)

My newly accuired hobby which has been taking up much of my time.. (noooo not Facebook!) has shown improvement too. Really enjoyed my photography trips... very addictive... In fact, I'm planning for June 2008's trip. Hmm.. now all I need is an assistant to help carry my gears.. keke!

I'm also enjoying and becoming more confident in what I do. In fact, in Jul 2008, it'll be 7 years since I joined the Jedi Knighthood.. Time seems to pass so fast especially when you are enjoying them...

So what do I hope for in 2008...

Here are my Top 10 resolutions for 2008 which were selected from a few hundred statements in Facebook:

#1 Build a Snowman...
Haha.. the reason is that I failed thrice in my attempts to see snow. Didn't manage to do that when I was in Nepal during winter, in Melbourne during winter, and in France during winter. I always missed them by a week or so. This 2008, I'll make sure I can definitely find enough snow to build myself a real snowman.

#2 Buy a car
Was so close to getting a Yellow Beetle which was sparked by the movie Transformer.. haha.. lame I know. I was so in loved with Bumble Bee (BB) that I told myself I had to get a yellow car. And the best looking yellow car would, without a doubt, be the Yellow Beetle. I was even planning to force change it's species from a Beetle to a Bee. Alas, it was not meant to be mine... I will have to look for another one more suited for me, give up my BB and let others have a chance to own it.

#3 Wake up earlier
I'm an insomniac. I can't sleep earlier than 2am.. and lately 5am. As such, I tend to wake up late. I've been late for so many morning meetings & dance pracs this holidays. With the school term starting in just two days, I've yet to regulate my sleep patterns. And even if I don't, may I still be able to wake up in time for assembly.

#4 Take more pictures
I enjoy capturing the moments and the sights. But I find that I'm stagnating because I don't seem to go beyond what I normally shoot. I'm so hesistant at doing street photography or capturing portaits of strangers. Also, despite getting my macro lens, I haven't been able to do any macro shots at the Botanical Gardens. Hopefully, 2008 will give me more courage to take pics of people when I'm overseas and that I may see my pic's quality move up a notch.

#5 Get in shape
I was once 40kg when I was in Sec 4 and if I were to see my weight as a share price, I would say that it has been 'bullish' ever since. I'm seeing pregnant women looking slimmer than me. So sad.. I must get in shape. I don't want to be the biggest person on stage in March. 3 more months!!! Exercise!!! Exercise!!! Exercise!!!

#6 Dance and never stop flying
When I saw this statement in facebook, I wonder what that resolution really meant. Seems like an odd combination but I clicked it anyway, and decided to interpret it in my own way. As I said before, I've been dancing since 1996. I've always tried to get my close secondary school friends to attend my performance by saying, "It is the LAST time I'm performing. Watch lah!!!" Haha.. but the last was never the last. But I really meant what I said... I always told myself that I'll be too old to dance and hence would most probably stop. Amazingly, I haven't. But I'm pretty sure that this time round, it would be my ABSOLUTE LAST! Can't imagine me dancing at age 30 amongst the nubile 19 - 25 yr olds. As for the never stop flying, I hope it'll be the case every year. That I get to fly to different places and travel at least twice a year whatever the cost. It used to be free.. but.. oh well..

#7 Move on
Aptly, "move on" is randomly placed as the 7th resolution. Indeed, I shall. For the greater good and for my sanity.

#8 Worry less
I tend to worry be it for my family members, for my friends, for my padawans, for my exams, for my future etc... On hindsight, I feel that it stems from a lack of faith in God, that I do not trust that He'll take care of things at the appropriate time. And perhaps the need in me to be in control.... as with most Leos... When one is not in control, one becomes uncertain with what's going to happen next. And with that uncertainty, there tends to be a cause for worrying. "Worry less" is one resolution I find the hardest to accomplish. After so many years of being the 'kan cheong spider' sort, I don't know how to stop worrying. Hey.. but the resolution is "worry less"... haha.. so it can be considered fulfilled even if I worry, so long as it is lesser than 2007's worries!

#9 Be happy
; p ..... No problemo... just don't make me angry.. haha..

#10 Ssssshhhh... it's a secret.
If it's revealed, it may not happen. I'll keep fighting for it and hopefully, it'll finally happen.

Have hope....

Beautiful Seed...

"I think that a seed is a wonderful metaphor for our lives. We are all like seeds. Seeds grow unseen in the soil and then sprout, and some seed become the biggest, most majestic trees and others grow to eventually bear wonderful fruit, and yet others, grow to provide shade. We are like trees. When we are in our mother's womb, no one can see us growing, but we are there. And all the potential for our lives is present in that moment, small as we are at that point in our lives, we are who we are now because of what we've gone through. And just knowing that, makes me sad to read about the increasing numbers of abortions that occur. People have forgotten that all the potential for life comes from something small, seemingly insignificant, seemingly lifeless."

~ Corrinne May~

There are only two Singaporean singers whom I really admire and would make it a point to buy their CDs or concerts or musicals.

Kit Chan is the first... The other is Corrinne May... Like Kit Chan, I hope one day, Corrinne will get to sing the National Day theme song... I'll be so proud of her..

Currently, Beautiful Seed (Corrinne May's new album) keeps the barks away (Refer to Lesson#3). It puts me to sleep, it gives me a sense of peace, it brings me comfort, tears and warmth.

It's amazing how each of her three albums has songs which speak to me and perhaps, to all her other listeners as well...

I attended only one of her concert so far and I'm sad that I missed her other concerts. Not once, not twice but thrice... haiz... I missed the Jan '06 concert, Dec '06 Christmas Concert, and now the Aug '07 concert. I didn't manage to get her concert tickets. It sold out too quickly.... I need to be on some mailing list or something. Don't understand why the rest always snap up the tickets so quickly... Or it could be just me...

As always, wrong timing...

Nevertheless, I'll wait..... waited for around two years already.

Her songs are simple, down to earth, emotional and spiritual, a reflection of who I wish to be.

Each song has a story.

And that's what life is. A story.

Every moment of our lives is a chapter. A turning point. We never know how the plot will unfold.

Only God knows.

We just got to continue on to see what our story will be.... and perhaps we will finally find our happy ending :p

Meanwhile, here's the lyrics to my favourite song in Beautiful Seed. It bears great meaning.

But I prefer the 'Cherry Blossom edition' better.

Couldn't find it though....

.

But like in life, we always have to make do with what we have, don't we?

Can't get everything that we want, right?

;p

.

Shelter

Written by Corrinne May Ying Foo

Copyright 2006, Corrmay Gourmet Music (ASCAP)

.

What's wrong, what's getting you down?

Is it something I might have said?

You're walking around

With your head to the ground

And your eyes are watery red

I know you've been through tough times

Kicked around, thrown to the ground

But you've always been the strong one

So don't tell me that nobody gets you'

Cause I'm standing in your corner

Knocking at your door

You don't have to be alone

Just call my name

Let me be an answer

'Cause it hurts me to see you this way

I wanna ease your pain

Help me understand

Let me be your shelter, my friend

We share a bond, you and I, we belong

We're like coffee and morning train

You strip my defenses

I catch your pretenses

The same blood runs through our veins

I swore I'd be your lifeline

Made a vow that I'd surround you

With love at every milestone

I'll listen when nobody gets you

I'm still standing in your corner

Waiting by your door

You don't have to be alone

Just call my name

Let me be an answer

'Cause it hurts me to see you this way

I wanna ease your pain

Help me understand

Let me be your shelter, my friend

It was not too long ago

You sought to understand

You helped me mend

Remember when

So promise me you'll call my name

Let me be an answer

'Cause it hurts me to see you this way

I wanna ease your pain

Help me understand

Let me be your shelter, my friend

Drowning........

Like Meredith Gray, I'm drowning.....


Somebody save me...

Superman... Spiderman.... Powerpuff Girls..... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles also can

What is Courage?

I still remember till this day my GP tutor told me that a student once attempted this question for his GP test or exam. The topic of discussion: What is Courage?

And his response was submitted on 3 pieces of papers stapled together:

The 1st page is blank except for the P.T.O (please turn over) at the bottom of the paper.

The 2nd page P.T.O
"
"
The 5th page P.T.O

On the 6th page, at the bottom of the page were these words......... "THIS IS COURAGE."

And with that he managed to pass the test!!!

Hmm... Maybe it's some sort of urban legend cos another friend of mine from another JC heard about this before..

I posed this same question to my students recently.. and what were their responses?

"Courage is daring to accomplish something in the face of danger." by S.Z.H

"Every man is born with selfishenss and the will to live, if we do not at all think about ourselves first, that is the first spark of courage." by J.G.

"Courage is all about being strong; it makes us grow, makes us the person we weren't in the past." by S.P

"Courage is to walk with your eyes closed, fearlessly and bravely knowing that you will not fail. Courage is to have confidence in yourself, to face your problems and not to run away from it. if you can face your fears without turning your back against them, then are you a man of true courage! Not only do you have to be brave but you have to believe in yourself. Never should we underestimate the true power of courage." by N. s/o V

But seriously, what is courage?

Is it about handing in a somewhat empty script during a test to prove that you are courageous, or must one sacrifice one's life like the 76 year old Israeli lecturer who died saving the lives of his students by blocking the doorway of his classroom and taking the gunman's bullets during the Virginia Tech Massacre, or is it the ability of the loved ones of the victims to move on in life after this senseless murder? Is courage the ability to survive against all odds like how the visually handicapped Dr Wong Meng Ee who, despite his difficulties and lack of initial support, did his Ph.D and won medals in International Sporting Meets?

Perhaps. Perhaps all.

After today's Dr. Wong's speech during Simpleville's Speech Day, it makes me certain that with courage and HEART ((Health, Enthusiasm, Assiduty, Resilience & Tenacity) I will be able to overcome my current obstacle. It also makes me certain that whatever problems I may be facing are insignificant compared to others. So who am I to complain?

As we take HEART in what we do, and with God's will, we'll all be able to ride through the wave and see life in a different light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterday was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, I completed the deed and so it is finished. Yet, the path seems unclear. Will I stumble? Will I fall? Will people take joy in making insensitive remarks? Will I savour in my solitude? The future is unknown.

But with courage, I'll move on and take everything in my stride.

What is courage?

THIS IS COURAGE.

Forgiveness is easier said than done... but one must still try...

Was told to by my NTU lecturer yesterday to forgive and I said I already did... but is it real forgiveness? Perhaps, I'm not ready to make nice....


DIXIE CHICKS
"Not Ready To Make Nice"

Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting
I’m through with doubt
There’s nothing left for me to figure out
I’ve paid a price
And I’ll keep paying

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and I don’t have time to go round and round and round

It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

I know you said
Can’t you just get over it
It turned my whole world around
And I kind of like it

I made my bed and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets and I don’t mind sayin’
It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her
Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they’d write me a letter
Sayin’ that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell andI don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting

Feedforward...

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant." — Colossians 1:21

Hmm I've never blogged about meetings.. but today, I learnt something useful during one.... Something that i ought to use especially for 2007, a significant year.

The idea is simple.

We can change the future. We can't change the past. So in a way, feedforward helps people envision and focus on a positive future, not a failed past. How wonderful..

So, how do we give feedforward (as opposed to giving feedback)????
Just follow the four rules:

Rule #1) Let go of the past (Hmm.. easier said than done, huh?)
Rule #2) Listen to suggestions without judgement
Rule #3) Learn as much as you can
Rule #4) Help as much as you can

To view the clip by Marshall Goldsmith on the idea of feedforward.. click here

PS: Btw, this Marshall guy really looks like Doc (Christopher Lloyd) in Back to the Future.. (how apt)


CORINNE BAILEY RAE "Put Your Records On"

Three little birds, sat on my window

And they told me I don't need to worry

Summer came like cinnamon so sweet

Little girls double-dutch on the concrete

Maybe sometimes, we've got it wrong,but it's alright
The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same
Oh, don't you hesitate.

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans
I hope you get your dreams
Just go ahead, let your hair down
You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow

Blue as the sky, sunburnt and lonely
Sipping tea in the bar by the roadside (just relax, just relax)
Don't you let those other boys fool you
Got to love that afro hair do.

Maybe sometimes, we feel afraid, but it's alright
The more you stay the same, the more they seem to change
Don't you think it's strange?

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans
I hope you get your dreams
Just go ahead, let your hair down.

You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow.'
Twas more than I could take, pity for pity's sake
Some nights kept me awake, I thought that I was stronger
When you gonna realise, that you don't even have to try any longer?
Do what you want to.

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams
Just go ahead, let your hair down.

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams
Just go ahead, let your hair down.

Oh, you're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow

Have hope... Life just gets better..... :p

Dream home...

It used to be a dream home.. now it is really a dream...

Going once... Going twice.... SOLD!

7yrs 10mths 20 days..