Welcoming the New Year

In Decemember, it has been a crazy shopping season for me. The typical me avoids shopping crowd during the Christmas season, but this year, I headed out to purchase baby equipment over four consecutive days, and running to various places. We finally purchased the big items from Takashimaya due to the year-end sale, with about 30%++ discounts after factoring in the Takashimaya credit card and the vouchers etc.

The world of baby & child gadgets is simply mind boggling. We settled on a Maclaren stroller. This company was actually founded in the 60s by the same aeronautical engineer who designed the Spitfire fighter plane (the "hero" of The Battle of Britain in WW2).

Looking forward to January 2010, I checked my calendar of events stored in my cell. I am expecting two more baby purchase deliveries from Takashimaya and Isetan, a gynae check-up in the middle of January, and meet up with three groups of friends who I know would be offering valuable baby advice.

Enough of baby talk, there is also a Fish Liberation event on January 3. Of course, this round I would not be boarding the boat out to the kelong. Mr Gui would be attending. I donated a sum though to purchase the fish from the kelong that was meant to be sent to the restaurants. Fish liberation is a buddhist practice of rescuing the fish that are destined for slaughter. The practice exemplifies the fundamental Buddhist teaching of compassion for all living beings.

In a typical fish liberation, we purchase the fish from the kelong wholesalers, bring them to some appropriate place, and let them go free. By liberating living beings, we nurture compassion in our hearts.

...To a great 2010..!

Hello Baby...

Today Gui and I went for our monthly gynae check-up - our baby is now about 800g, twice the size he was a month ago. Yes, babies are weighed in grams - pretty much like packets of Famous Amos Cookies. According to my sister, thats about four packets ;)

I chose the photo below because Baby_G was pretty much in that position during the scan.

In my earlier scans, the first time Baby_G brought a smile to my face was when he was 11 weeks old. At 3cm in length, he was lying on his back and both arms and legs were cycling in the air quickly like a cyclist. We were wondering then what he was trying to do. Because of his activeness, I think thats why it caused me to have acid reflux from time to time particularly in the first trimester.

After the gynae session, I went home to rest - yeap I have not been sleeping that well. Its either due to Mr Gui returning from work at 2am, and all excited to update me on his happenings; or the baby kicking in the night...Yes I have dark eye circles.

I had a prayer session before dinner just now. According to "The Significance and Benfits of Six-Syllable Mantra Recitation", we should try to make great aspirations during recitation to purify the body, speech and mind. Somehow, for the past few sessions, I have just been very distracted. Thinking about whether I have sort out the documents properly, thinking about the credit card bills, thinking about training programs and staff retention, and I can't believe I turned down an Aston Martin dinner invitation this Thursday since I have an examination this Sat! Well, its all about prioritization isn't it? Especially when I get tired so much easier now. Need to allocate my energy efficiently. Hopefully I get another invitation - in time!

Every Parent's Dream


This was taken during the detailed ultrasound scan. This is basically to check that your baby is developing well. The emphasis of this pic is on the foot as the gynae has printed on the picture.

I remember a conversation with Gui probably a year ago. He told me that he wants to earn well for his children so that in the future, the child would be able to choose whatever career he/ she enjoys and need not be bounded by which career pays the best.

I thought it was an interesting viewpoint as every parent probably wants the best for their kiddos - including to excel in a career and earning well eventually - especially in the context of a practical and rather materialistic society.

I visited Lama Shifu last week. As he said "Nothing in this world is absolutely right or wrong." I believe he is right. Even though Gui's idea might be a little out of the norm... think about how every mum or dad is filled with joy and excitment when they first see their baby through a computer scan... why end up pressurising or stressing them to achieve when they are out of the placenta? I often hear parents say "You will understand once you have children." If parents-to-be can be excited when the baby starts kicking (ouch!) in your stomach, why shouldn't parents continue to love and respect their kiddos development pace as they grow? I hope I would not fall into the loop of pressurising my kids to excel..and would be able to use the appropriate wisdom to guide my child in future.

Hmm, I am tired

My stomach size now is not too modest; in fact, I cannot sashay like I used to. I think I walk like a penguin now.

I know, its a process many women have gone through. But frankly, it is not too easy. I dont have the stamina I used to have. I guess I was very used to one coffee, one tea a day, and popping some sweets in between - and thats how I stayed active and energetic at work. Now, I don't take caffeine and No Sweets, thus I feel tired as compared to before.

In this respect, I am thankful that I have the flexibility since I am helping my Dad. I didnt want to stay at home all day (in case I get too lazy!!), so I am now helping out at Dad's office half a day. Hopefully I can gain back my momentum slowly and get back to 9-5 =) Maybe difficult, one of the experienced mummy told me today, it will only get more tiring. As my gynae puts it, "It is nature's way of getting a preggy to rest more, so it benefits the baby".

Of course my sis has been a straight-forward and effective support. I was telling her today, I walk like a penguin now and I have never been this fleshy all my life. She said, "Its only for these nine months." Thats true..got to keep that in perspective even though I can no longer fasten my jacket..

My Ever Changing Status and Size

I have a new support group - four of my close girlfriends are pregnant, one of whom just gave birth. Of course, my mum, and mum-in-law...errh and maybe my hubby...

It was especially a coincidence that we all are all delivering about the same time - its going to be a hectic and noisy 1Q10. Having a close support group is rather important, we could share tips and experiences on pre-natal nutrition, cramps, throwing up, how to stay happy, how sleep is now interrupted..etc, it makes you feel that you are not alone as you go through these abrupt changes in life.

First of all, lets just say I had a rather clumsy first trimester. The throwing up. Fair enough, the gynae seems to think its a good sign though because it indicates high hormone levels which feeds the baby well in the 1st trimester. I remember replying him by saying "ooh am I supposed to feel better after hearing this?" He said "Its uncomfortable for you, but its good for the baby."

There's also the saying that if you stay happy, your baby will generally have a happy disposition. Indeed one of my lady friend, who currently isn't working does seem filled with joy (hehe, better than when she was working). Another of my friend who also had a rather pukish 1st trimester commented, "how to be happy when you have to deal with the throwing up" - which is also so true...

I believe spouse support is very important at this point. Thats why in the book "What to Expect when you are expecting", it has a chapter for the dad-to-be. Both Gui and my fren's hubby gave up reading after some pages...guys.. Gui is also working very late daily. I am frequently home alone... but when he has a little bit of sane time, he will "speak" to the baby. Sometimes, he hits my stomach a bit so as to get a response from the kiddo - (??!). When he leaves for work now, he gives me a peck on my face; and one on the stomach... thats a new blessing to count indeed.

Finally, We Went Through...

The Kuala Lumpur (KL) wedding pictures few months back.

We drove in on a Friday, had our dinner on Saturday evening, and then drove back home the next day Sunday.

It was really quite an experience for me. Yes more traditional. The excitment and noise, I actually had a headache very quickly..hehe

Of course it was quite a delight to see my relatives who have travelled from Ipoh, and Gui's relatives who travelled from other parts of Malaysia.

We also did the traditional Yum Seng, which we were probably trying to avoid, but hey I guess thats the way Chinese weddings are meant to be...

Oh ya thats the gold necklace during the tea ceremony. When Auntie took out the gold necklace, I instinctly thought it was for me, but no no its for the male! I had a silver one later. Doesn't matter, both are in the safe now under my safe-keeping hehe....

Its been a few months since, and so has Por Por who stayed with us for about a month. Tomorrow father and mum-in-law will be fetching her back to KL for about two months, after which she would return to Singapore in Jan 2010. She is a superb cook!! Can't help but feel that as a lady, its important to know how to cook a meal after all. I have been learning bits and pieces from her...errh really just bits and pieces, just watching and listening to her explanations..thats a start ;)

Mum-in-law gave me something to read from her Dharma class recently. Its about Three Types of Individual within the Buddhist Teachings. Although its only two pages, I have been taking quite a while, as I tried to categorize Gui and myself - whether we belong to the Small, Middle or Great Individual.

I believe we are Superior Small.

"One designates as the superior small individual those person who, (seeing) the present life does not last long and having obtained faith in the action-result of virtue and non-virtue, are apprehensive and anxious on account of the uncertainty of taking birth in the lower realm in future life. Thus they strive chiefly for a high condition, the state of a human or god, and for the purpose of this go to the jewels for refuge and strive principally for achieving virtue and avoiding vice."

"Therefore, the Superior Small individual even though anxious and apprehensive on seeing as objectionable the misery of the lower realms, without perceiving as objectional birth in a fortunate destiny which is contained in the round of existence, he perceives its virtues, and making this the foremost of objectives, he strives for this. Therefore, once he perceives one part of the round of existence as objectionable and another part as beneficial, he does not strive for deliverance, which free from the entire round of existence."

I know it sounds rather complex. I read the paragraphs many times before totally comprehending it. In fact, re-typing it out here, I got it!

So what is the Great Individual?

"Just as in the world good and kind parents cherish their own offspring and forsaking their own aims take of the responsibility of many hundreds of irksome tasks for the sake of their children, the great individual also forsake the peace and happiness of himself alone and makes the others much dearer than himself. The person who has the superior thought of assuming the responsibility of a mean for clearing away the ills and accomplishing the happiness of others is designated as the Great Individual."

The Parents

I was reading a chapter in Rich Bro Rich Sister. As community leaders their parents were often gone for days, focusing on government and medical services to fellow citizens. The four Kiyosaki children grew up in a family environment in which there was more than merely talk about community service and civic responsibility. They grew up with parents who said very little, but who acted a lot.

My in-laws often said little, but acted a lot putting Gui & my interest first. After six years or so, I think they reached a boiling point where they felt that they are the ones who are always giving, whereas we kids are always on the receiving end. So we had a chat last weekend. Very glad that things are resolved now, but basically, without the chat, we wouldn't have otherwise realised that their actions are mainly geared towards us as priorities.

Simple acts we didnt realise, for example,

They took a trip to China recently, and when they heard a particular mushroom is particularly good for pregnant ladies, they bought three packets home. Apparently, one packet costs $100. It is high in iron and minerals. I have been drinking the soup frequently, but of course not realising that they bought the costly mushrooms on purpose.

They have even thought about how the baby's room should be re-arranged, since there are currently two super-single beds in there. Father-in-law thinks the beds should be combined, whereas Mum-in-law thinks that they should be re-arranged L-shaped to make more space for a cot right in the middle of the room.

They also bought a property in London, and mum-in-law keeps saying who knows your child might study overseas next time -- okay this might be far fetched.

Truth is, Gui and I have taken all these acts for granted. We hardly spend time with them, we never buy food for them. We were living in our own world, in their house. They are already in the 60s, but frequently think about us. They got pretty fed up - they said "we would like to be travelling more frequently, but if we leave the house for you two to manage, are you able to?" I have to say "Sorry No". I didnt even know if heating a bowl of sauce in a microwave might cause an "explosion". So now, I am taking steps to learn, and reduce my reliance. Gui and I also ensure we put them as priority whenever they asked us for meals... no more fooling around after a rather strict warning... but we deserved it..

Curiosity!

Need to give special mention to this photo because Baby David was just too cute & curious.

At the same time, I wonder if I will be a good mummy in future. On the wedding day, when I went into their private room with a champagne glass in my hand, instinctly, I let Baby David sniff & smell the champagne.

He loved it, and couldn't stop grabbing my glass. Even as we were taking a group picture, he had both hands grabbing the top of the glass. His papa managed to hold one hand back as the camera snapped, so Baby David didn't look too greedy (too cute, too curious) in the picture. Baby David is strong. Just like his Daddy, he is probably going to love drinking as he grows! So thats Auntie Eimi introducing champagne at a tender age of four months (oops).

Rich Brother Rich Sister. After the preface, there is an introductory chapter on Robert Kiyosaki. The background information on Robert was interesting, which was probably going to be important in understanding the development of the rest of the book. An extract I found more thought-provoking is reproduced as below:

Success does not always mean we become what we were born to be. Graduating from college does not necessarily mean we have become who we are born to become. Just because someone is professionally successful - as an attorney or doctor - does not mean they are doing what they were born to do. The same is true for money. Just because you are rich does not mean you have succeeded in becoming who you were born to become.

And just because my sister had become a nun, it didn't necessary mean she had become who she was born to be. Becoming who you were born to become goes beyong success and attainment. Becoming who you were born to be is rediscovering your path and getting back on the path.

It is about life's journey, not life's destination.

Right now, I am discovering a new path indeed...

Moving into Three

I thought I will share a bit more of the Wedding pictures, well also because I have not been snapping and have no new collection to share. These photos here didnt quite make it to our selected hard copy album, but I think they are still nice in certain ways.

So it was about two months ago. Today its a day prior to my 30 birthday. Well its just 29+1 isn't it? But no no, it does Sound different. Even my mum-in-law kinda made fun of me.. "So this year you are three?" Yessh...

Oh well, my first birthday gift happens to be from my mum-in-law. A book entitled "Rich Brother Rich Sister" with two Godiva bar chocolates. I am trying to cut down on sugar actually, but hey who can resist the 72% dark Godiva chocolate?

I was a little surprised with the book title. Is she perhaps hinting I should be making more money? But okay, the book cover picture had a Lama, so I presume it must have something to do with spirtuality which would be more in line with what she would give. On the book cover, it also says "Two different paths to God, Money and Happiness"...okay so there is something related to $. I'm curious, and can't wait to start the book and find out exactly what it is about!

SOME GOOD MEMORIES & Experiences

Its been more than a month since the wedding party. Some moments & special touches were especially memorable. One of which was a Oriental wedding card I received from a couple. Before I move onto the content of the card, here are some moments from the wedding party.

Thats my man, whom at that point probably had many glasses of champagne already. Thats my sister giving me a generous red packet with a card. Her angbao money was derived from a rather complex formula and she said "how come you can't guess it?!" hmm accountants. Thats of course me, the bride, grinning from ear to ear. Thats brother and sister after receiving the tea ceremony red packets from us.

The card, yes one of the cards that was the most meaningful was written by Auntie Pema and Uncle Sam. In it, there were summarised writings and teachings of the Six Paramitas, namely, Generosity, Discipline, Patience, Joyful Endeavour, Meditative Concentration and Prajna.

I got curious and researched more on the Internet. Here's more on Generosity (summarised):

The practice of generosity is to give what is helpful and good and to give without selfishness. The teachings on generosity, explain proper and improper charity. It is necessary to abandon improper giving and to know what is proper to give.

One’s motivation is very important when one is charitable. It is also important to reflect the recipient of one’s generosity. It certainly is not beneficial to pamper those persons crazed with desire and filled with greed. Proper generosity is giving whatever one possibly can and doing so with a pure motivation and enthusiasm.

me in mosaic pictures...


1. Wedding Shot @ Boat Quay, 2. Bobby Heng, 3. Home Party, 4. Wedding Shot by the sea, 5. Smilezzz, 6. Bobby Heng, 7. Wedding shot by the sea + plane, 8. Chocolate Muffins made with love, 9. Relaxing Manhattan, 10. Wedding Shot @ Boat Quay Lane, 11. DrangonFly @ Yokohama, 12. Wedding Shot @ Bella Pizza

hmm, just wanted to experiment with the Mosaic Maker.

Gui's seating arrangement plan

Here's the hand-drawn seating plan during our wedding party at Mezza9. Mr Gui decided to do up his own sketch as Mezza9's computerised seating plan was beautiful, but it was inflexible as we wanted to shift around some of the table arrangements to suit the groupings of our friends. They were probably impressed and we used this hand-drawn plan for our meetings & discussions henceforth.

It was fun, but hey every since the wedding party, Gui and I seldom have time together. He is just sooo busy, rushing a project at the moment. Yesterday was National Day, a public holiday, but he had to work till wee hours (ok I have to admit I have no idea what time he got home), he's just sooo busy and he told me, "please include me in your prayers!"

Indeed when I chanted yesterday, I said, "I dedicate the merits of these mantra to all sentient beings, including Mr Gui." I hope this works. In Buddhism, it is belived that the most powerful prayers are those that are made to benefit others. So always chant your mantras to benefit others; say your prayers to benefit others. This is the source of greatest happiness.

The Setting

Mezza9 surprised us with the design of the immediate family table setting. Oh well we probably had to pay for those peeled out rose petals. The decor had a slightly spa-like feel, so it created a very relaxed atmosphere for us as we dined. It was the first wedding they have held and I won't be surprised if they took inspirations from their spa boutiques?

After returning from Kuala Lumpur this week, I have been staying home. A little unwell, a little discomfort, but ok, trying to perk myself up mentally. I could also do some light work from home via email.

I read a quote today: Do you know what is responsible for much of the difference between Youth and Age? Just one thing. Youth looks forward always to something better. Age looks backward and sighs over its "lost" youth.

So despite the discomfort, I tell myself to Look Forward!!

Yea! We are All Done!

We have completed the wedding celebration marathon!

Phew! Quite a relief. We completed our celebration in Kuala Lumpur (KL) on August 1 with our family and relatives. They travelled from all parts of Malaysia, and many of which we were only meeting for the first time.

This celebration was a bit more traditional than the one held in Singapore. During the tea ceremony, we even had relatives putting necklaces over us. Mr Gui had a gold necklace, oh yea, it did match his red tie.

Although it was a three-day stay in KL, i.e. kinda rush, Gui and I did have some good time alone, and we managed to find time to pray while in our room in the evening. Life starts from here!

Investigating Myself


Mr G and I celebrated our union on 18 July 2009. Now I am taking a break as I prepare for the next wedding celebration in Kuala Lumpur (KL)... so I have been home for the couple of days until we drive up this Friday.

Apart from looking and sieving through photos, I have been feeling rather lifeless at home. The weather here makes it difficult for me to wana to walk down or up the hill from my house - so I have been staying put in my place.

I have also not been exercising as I am afraid my back pain would come back and it will show on my face when I am in KL. I have not been going to the pool to relax and tan as I am afraid the tan would not go well with the more conservative relatives in KL.

Worst of all, I feel a little handicapped and even more lazy to touch things with long manicured nails. I have to change the angle I punch my keyboard with these long nails that I am afraid might break. After the KL wedding, its farewell manicure (probably for the rest of my life).

To "pep" myself a little, I resorted to reading Robert Colliers, here's an extract:

Just take stock of yourself for a moment. Are your muscles tough, springy and full of vim? Do they do all you ask of them -- and then beg for more? Can you eat a good meal -- and forget it?

If you can't, its your own fault. You can have a body alive with vitality, a skin smooth and fine of texture, muscles supple and virile. You can be the man you have always dreamed of being.

You who envy the rosy cheek and sparkling eye of youth, who awake in the morning weary and unfreshed, who go to your daily tasks with fagged brain and heavy tread - just remember that Perfect Youth or Perfect Health is largely a state of mind.

Guo Da Li aka Gift Exchange

A traditional Chinese practice of the groom's family asking for the permission from the bride's parents for the hand of the bride!



You know what I am talking about - we conducted it two weeks before the wedding party on July 4 2009 - at first I termed this Gift Exchange, but looking at the puzzled look of some of my friends, I learnt the proper term - Guo Da Li!!

This is the wedding bethrothal basket prepared by the groom's family - hmm I am quite sure this isn't the correct traditional style - thumbs up for being a creator though.

Apparently different dialects require different items. Thanks to both mums for preparing the baskets of items.

My favourite was definitely the wedding cakes!

The Extra Degree

Oh whoa... I need a breather.. its just been non-stop busy bee...work, planning for the wedding party, advising clients on the birth of their new companies, liaising with London... phew phew phew....

Both Irwin and I have been really busy with work. When certain details were not finalized with the hotel, my father-in-law gave us some nice wine & then started telling the story of The Extra Degree.

Basically, its along the lines of how the extra degree can make all the difference.

At 98°C, water is not.
At 100°C, water boils.

And with boiling water, comes steam.
And with steam, you can power a train.

With that extra 2°C --> it can produce exponential results and ignite something wonderful.

He went on to elaborate how humans typically perform up to 98% of effort required, not realizing that with that extra 2% level of effort, it would produce exponential results. Following up on the 98% already put in, and adding in that 2% can have a tremendous impact on results.

So, Irwin & I try to put in new levels of effort in everything we do now. A little more effort to produce steam, that can power a train! not exactly, but you get it.

The Smiley Man


Oh ya, thats my hubby. Hosted a dinner back last month, and received this cool gift.

His first instinct as we explored the gift was "take a pic, take a pic". Turned out pretty funny I must say. Can't complain when you have a humourous partner =)

My first client

Yesterday I met up with a potential client at a cafe. We briefly went through his business plan, and I introduced our services and fees. He did source around before meeting me, and he felt that our professional fees are slightly higher than what he has seen.

When I returned home in the evening, I was strategising on a spreadsheet, and spoke with my mum over the phone. We decided not to go on a price war, and hence did not try to match the competitor's. I sent out the fee proposal by 9pm so that there was still time left for my prayers and American Idol.

This morning, I received a "Yes, my wife and I are happy to accept your proposal." A little surprised, and I called my mum in the office on the next steps to proceed.

Oh well, I woke up with a stomach cramp too. Arggh ah ah ah, I think I am aging. I never used to get stomach cramp. I have been playing tennis and doing yoga - I thought I would be healthy enough to escape that cramp. Luckily I had the flexibility to work from home. With emails and phone exchanges, the contract shall be signed tomorrow evening.

Funny me - I am still trying to figure myself out. So do I prefer to stay at home or work? When I stayed at home for a short period of time I enjoyed it. If Dad did not insist I help him at the company, I would want to stay at home and enjoy a little - basically be stress-free. But today, when I was operating at home, things were slow, the weather was warm - I wished I was back in the action-packed office.

Was I thrilled with the first client? Yes! but the euphoria died pretty quickly. Some satisfaction yes, but money isn't quite everything to me now. (Oh yes, I am really aging!) I went to the prayer room in the evening to chant. I guess that is where I feel happier, although it is not exactly comfortable to seat cross-legged for half and hour or more.

Here's an extract of a story about a turtle I just read.

Have you ever seen a turtle thrown on its back? For a while it threshes around wildly, reaching for something outside to take hold of to put it on its feet. Just as we humans always look for help outside ourselves first. But presently he draws all his forces within his shell, rests a bit to regain his strength, and then throws his whole force to one side -- legs, head, tail, and all -- and over he goes! So, it is with us.

PorPor: 83 Year Old Woman begins new life in Canada

She is indeed one lucky woman. Por Por, 83 endured a long flight and made it safely to Canada.

I just saw pictures of her on Facebook, with four grandchildren, and celebrating one of her grandson's birthday in Canada.

Por Por was a Chinese teacher in her younger days. She was also an athlete. I guess being a teacher by profession, she had to be a role model and needed to display positive attitude constantly. Being an athlete probably provided her with stronger discipline to be a positive person despite the obstacles life will always present.

At her age, she still cares and cooks for the family ~ a fine lady indeed.

Everyone of us will get old and become extinct one day. I say she is one lucky woman, and she deserves it.

What We Are Working For

Bobby - he has been around with the Gui family far longer than I have. When Sumini left the family and returned to Indonesia to help her husband in business, I suddenly realized - we are all slaves of dear Bobby!

When Sumini left, Karen flew back all the way from London so she can now take care of Bobby's meals, and his walks. Shortly after, mum-in-law stepped up her search efforts for the ideal helper who is able to take care of a dog. A previous helper was rejected as Bobby didn't seem to like her.

Irwin drove all the way back from Thomson one day during office hours as no one else was free to walk the dog. And you know what? Bobby frowns when you don't go the way he wants.

Mum-in-law also frequently looks out for a new housing, as she says that her dream is to let Bobby have a nice kennel...ok....

At dinner today, I realized Bobby had soup, broccoli and some dash of pork floss in his food bowl (in addition to his own food of course). And Bobby chose not to eat the stalk part of the broccoli!

Still, he's a lovely boy. Thats why we are working so hard - to get him that perfect kennel.

Unappropriated Millions

Somebody said it couldn't be done,

But he with a chuckle replied

That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one

Who wouldn't say so till he'd try.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin

On his face. If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing as he tackled the tiling

That couldn't be done, and he did it.

---- Edgar A. Guest

The Eggs

I am not sure if I should be proud of it or not. At this age of oops nearly 30, I realized I have not mastered the skills of cooking up a nice meal. I am thankful however that everyone around me can whip up very good, in fact, gourmet meals. The only food I dare say I am proud & confident of whipping up is scrambled eggs - so, I make a good breakfast wife.

My mother-in-law frequently makes references to Aunt Lily. She runs her own business with her husband and can cook very well. Ok, I get the hint. Actually I feel slightly embarrased over the past few evenings. Mr Gui is out of town, so I am the only one home. Mum-in-law still arranges with the maid what to cook for me...*shy*. Its just less funny when you are nearly 30. Then again, I know I will never take the initiative to decide what to cook. I would rather enjoy cereal in a bowl of cold milk. I am just less clumsy at pressing the calculator than frying.

A little something to share:

To every man there openeth
A way, and ways, and a way.
And the high soul climbs the high way,
And the low soul gropes the low:
And in between, on the misty flats,
The rest drift to and fro.
But to every man there openeth
A high way and a low,
And every man decideth
The way his soul shall go.
--JOHN OXENHAM

living, enjoying & appreciating the moment

We held this party last month. Had a really good mix of guests from the champagne, and architect business.

Food was of course tops with M and Gui being the chefs. C brought along vodka and a Californian Merlot. S brought along Piper Heidsieck champagne. We finished the party with more whisky.

To think it was a Sunday evening! Close to 11:00pm, we were still dancing and singing, and of course snapping some pictures as and when I felt like. Errh, to provide more details, one went on top of the table to dance; to provide more - someone kinda stripped...oops. Caught on my camera, but not gonna flash it of course**!

Another short extract from Ajahn Brahm, although entitled "what's wrong with being sick?"... I felt has parallel to appreciating and enjoying moments!

In my public talks, I often ask the audience to raise their hand if they have ever been sick. Nearly everyone puts up their hand. (Those who don't are either asleep or probably lost in a sexual fantasy!) This proves, I argue, that it is quite normal to be sick. In fact, it would be very unusual if you didn't fall sick from time to time. So why, I ask, do you say when you visit the doctor,"There is something wrong with me, doctor? It would be wrong only if you weren't sick sometimes. Thus a rational person should say instead,"There is something right with me, doctor. I'm sick again!"

Whenever you perceive sickness as something wrong, you add unnecessary stress, even guilt, on top of the unpleasantness. In the nineteenth-century novel Erehwon, Samuel Butler envisaged a society in which illness was considered a crime and the sick were punished with a jail term. In one memorable passage, the accused man, sniffling and sneezing in the dock, was berated by the judge as a serial offender. This was not the first time he had appeared before the magistrate with a cold. Moreover, it was all his fault through eating junk food, failing to exercise adequately, and following a stressful lifestyle. He was sentenced to several years in jail.

How many of us are led to feel guity when we are sick?

A fellow monk had been sick with an unknown illness for many years. He would spend day after day, week after week, in bed all day, too weak even to walk beyond his room. The monastery spared no expense or effort arranging every kind of medical therapy, orthodox and alternative, in an attempt to help him, but nothing seemed to work. He would think he was feeling better, stagger outside for a little walk, and then relapse for weeks. Many times they thought he would die.

One day, the wise abbot of the monastery had an insight into the problem. So he went to the sick monk's room.

The bedridden monk stared up at the abbot with utter hopelessness.

"I've come here," said the abbot. "on behalf of all the monks and nuns of this monastery, and also for all the lay-people who support us. On behalf of all these people who love and care for you. I have come to give you permission to die. You don't have to get better."

At those words, the sick monk wept. He'd been trying so hard to get better. His friends had gone to so much trouble trying to heal his sick body that he couldn't bear to disappoint them. He felt such a failure, so guilty, for not getting better. On hearing the abbot's works, he now felt free to be sick, even to die. He didn't need to struggle so hard to please his friends anymore. The release he felt caused him to cry.

What do you think happened next? From that day on, he began to recover.

The last laugh...

so...I had my first manicure session today.. with my mum-in-law. I have always avoided manicure as I didn't want my nails to turn yellowish because of the chemicals.

While we had our mani & pedi, there was a young girl brought there by her mummy. She was probably seven. She was doing her mani & pedi, and her tai-tai mummy was taking pictures of her, after which they would be heading to Paragon. Hmm, is that how new age mothers dote on their children these days? In fact, the manicurist mentioned that it is hardly uncommon these days for children to come in. She will personally not allow her kids to do it at a young age, but in tough times like this, as long as they pay, they will do it even for baby clients....oh well, every parent has their own set of parenting values.

Anyways, a short story to share before I go mask my face and continue my bedtime reading.

This is a true story from Ajahn Chah on how to deal with abuse.

An American G.I. was traveling from the base into town on a rickshaw. On the outskirts of town, they passed a roadside bar where some friends of the rickshaw driver were already quite drunk.

"Hey!" they shouted in Thai. "Where are you taking that dirty dog to?" Then they laughed, pointing at the American soldier.

For a moment, they driver was alarmed. The soldier was a very big man and in Thailand calling someone a "dirty dog" meant an inevitable fight. However, the soldier was quietly looking around, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Obviously, he did not understand the Thai language.

The driver, deciding to have some fun at the American's expense, shouted back, "I'm taking this filthy dog and throwing him in the Moon River to give the smelly mongrel a wash!"

As the driver and his drunken friends laughed, the soldier remained unmoved.

When they reached their destination and the driver put out his hand for the journey's fare, the American soldier quietly began to walk away.

The rickshaw driver excitedly shouted after him in broken but clear English, "Hey! Sir! You pay me dollars!"

To which the big American soldier calmly turned around and said in perfectly accented Thai, "Dog's don't have money."

Precious Stones - coz you can't buy them!
























The above two are taken during the last Dongzhi celebration. It has a wonderful bouncy texture hopefully justifed by the photo. More importantly, our families gathered to enjoy the hand-rolled Tang Yuans!

Today I am going to talk about Precious Stones by Ajahn Brahm. Pardon me for quoting them frequently, oh well blame it on American Idol. Hee - thats my in-between advertisement time activity. I read a book - some stories I can't help but wana share.


At a famous U.S. business school some years ago, a professor delivered an extraordinary lecture on social economics to his graduating class. Without explaining what he was doing, the professor carefully placed a glass jar on his desk. Then, in view of his students, he brought out a bag full of stones and placed them one by one in the jar, until no more would go in. He asked his students, "Is the jar full?"

"Yes," they replied.

The professor smiled. From beneath the desk, the professor produced a second bag, this one full of gravel. He then managed to shake the smaller stones into the spaces between the bigger stones in the jar. A second time, he asked his students, "Is the jar full?"

"No," they answered. They were on to him by now.

They were correct, of course, for the professor produced a bag of fine sand. He managed to coax much of the sand into the spaces between the stones and the gravel within the jar. Again he asked, "Is the jar full?"

"Probably not, Professor, knowing you," the students replied.

Smiling at their answer, the professor brought out a small jug of water, which he poured into the jar full of stones, gravel and sand. When no more water would fit in the jar, he put down the jug and looked at his class.

"So, what does this teach you?" he asked his students.

"That no matter how busy your schedule," offered one of the students, "you can always fit something more in!" It was a famous business school, after all.

"No!" thundered the professor emphatically. "What it shows is that if you want to get the big stones in, you have to put them in first."

It was a lesson in priorities.

So what are the "big stones" in your "jar"? What is most important to fit into your life? Please ensure that you schedule in the "precious stones" first, or you'll never get around to them, to fit them into your day.

The Most Beautiful Sound

Mum baked these muffins on the morning that bro was to fly back to Australia.

She was having a cold and fever for the past few days then, but she still rose to the occasion and baked chocolate chip muffins for the family.

A closer look: Hmm, slurp slurp

This is a little cosy corner put up by mum.

Want to share another story I have read :)

An uneducated old man was visiting a city for the first time in his life. He had grown up in a remote mountain village, worked hard raising his children, and was now enjoying his first visit to his children's modern homes.

One day, while being shown around the city, the old man heard a sound that stung his ears. He had never heard such an awful noise in his quiet mountain village and he insisted on finding its cause. Following the grating sound back to its source, he came to a room in the back of a house where a small boy was practicing on a violin.

Screech! Scrape! came the discordant notes from the groaning instrument.

When he was told by his son that that was called a "violin," he decided he never wanted to hear such a horrible thing again.

The next day, in a different part of the city, the old man heard a sound that seemed to caress his aged ears. He had never heard such an enchanting melody in his mountain valley, so he demanded to find its cause. Following the delightful sound back to its source, he came to a room in the front of a house where an old lady, a maestro, was performning a sonata on a violin.

At once, the old man realized his mistake. The terrible sound that he had heard the previous day was not the fault of the violin, not even the boy. It was just that the young man had yet to learn his instrument.

With a wisdom reserved for the simple folk, the old man thought it was the same with religion. When we come across a religious enthusiast causing such strife with his beliefs, it is incorrect to blame the religion. It is just that the novice has yet to learn his religion well. When we come across a saint, a maestro of her religion, it is such a sweet encounter that it inspires us for many years, whatever their beliefs.

...but that was not the end of the story of the old man and the violin.

The third day, in a different part of the city, the old man heard another sound that surpassed in its beauty and purity even that of the maestro on her violin. What do you think that sound was?

It was as sound more beautiful than the cascade of the mountain stream in spring, the autumn wind through the forrest groves, or the mountain birds singing after a heavy rain. It was even more beautiful then the silence in the mountain hollows on a still winter's night. What was that sound that moved the old man's heart more powerfully than anything before?

It was a large orchestra palying a symphony.

The reason that it was, for the old man, the most beautiful sound in the world was, firstly, that every meember of that orchestra was a maestro of their own instrument; and secondly, that they had further learned how to play together in harmony.

"Maybe it be the same with religion," the old man thought. "Let each one of us learn through the lessons of life that soft heart of our beliefs. Let us each be a maestro of the love within our religion. Then, having learned our religion well, let us go further and learn how to play, like members of an orchestra, with other religions in harmony together!"

That would be the most beautiful sound.