Mr Sydney Wong,

Thank you ... You have been more than a teacher- a mentor and a guide. Thank you for taking your time, reading our blogs - filled with laments and crazy stuffs but definitely all from our hearts!

Here's two quotes I'd like to share with you (I guess by know, you would have figured I enjoy quotes a lot!)

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.
~Cynthia Ozick

May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.
~Irish Blessing

We will see you around, yes... of course, my humble abode is always open if you'd like to come by for my Ayam Buah Keluak!!

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These two weeks will be busy, lots and lots to do - relocating to a new office space, Scott's K2 graduation rehearsal tomorrow, and the actual thing itself on 7th Nov, Scott's P1 orientation, assignments, exams ... whoa! I need to catch my breath!!

I hope that it will all be smooth-going .... I pray, O Lord, You will take me through all these and be my guide...

Also, I guess as for now, I think I would like to remember all my loved ones and friends who have passed away as as we commemorate All Souls' Day today. I will light a candle for them today.

All who die in god's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter heaven.

Vanity, pride... huh....?

"What will I look like when I am 60?" I thought to myself this morning while waiting for the bus. It was abit scary and I tried to brush off that thought. "What kind of hairstyle would I have by then?" Hmmmm, those thoughts didn't seemed to go away ....sigh... "What kind of a person would I be...? "Grumpy, proud ...? Oh gosh, here I go again.... but do all these matter??

Here's a quote from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice:

"Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us."

I enjoyed that book so much (I might just read that again for the umpteenth time!)
Well, what is her definition of pride? Is vanity or pride... a good or a bad thing? Or sinful?
The more I think and try to go deeper, the more vexed I am... so I am not going to continue this.

I am going to read "Pride and Prejudice" when I get home this evening. Like they say:

"The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing." - Unknown

Okay, that will be my line for today. And I am going to enjoy myself with the book.

What's next......

It has been busy at the office of late and will be even busier as we move to a new office on 6th November. But that's not all, with my assignments and exams coming up, I am trying to fit in some time to do them, plus the kids' exams too. I am literally sitting with them, trying to help them.

Then last Saturday, my refrigerator died on us!! The food turned bad and the milk "taste funny" as my second son said. Guess what .. the washing machine spinned ferociously too... okay, I know, its been 14 years since those two machines became part of the family.....and so it was time ...they got "weary" and... they "retired" on Sunday. Of course, that means spending some $$$....sigh....

And so.... the two new "members" came in last night, much to the excitement of the kids. Then my helper said...."Mam, the basin tap needs changing too....." Aaarrggghhh.....

What is that?

Dedicated to all fathers and sons ... and Mr Sydney Wong, if you're reading this, this is certainly for you... be moved....!

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

That's my grilled asparagus with bacon or grilled bacon with asparagus -- hmmm, whichever way you wanna call it ... it's still grilled! And the best part of it, my kids LOVED it!

So, please savour this if you like it too.

It's the "Don't Bug Me" day or week, I should say.
I did not and am not having a good week at all. And I am tired, really....
Sometimes, people are really not what they are, no matter what they say.
I should add that I am upset because I did not do anything .. I followed procedures, to the best of my ability and yet, it all seemed that it was my fault at the end of the day.
In my heart, I know that I did nothing wrong, but somehow that lousy feeling is still there.

Oh, God, I offer up my all to you ... help me get through this week..and the next... and the next... Amen.

Green Day ........Some Day......

I have been pushed into the genre of punk rock or...alternative rock as they say... last weekend.
Ok, what I mean is that I heard my 2nd son singing "One, 21 guns"... hmmm, so I had the video downloaded to my cellphone. Here goes, some parts of the lyrics:

Do you know what's worth fighting for,

When it's not worth dying for?
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating?
Does the pain weigh out the pride?
And you look for a place to hide?
Did someone break your heart inside?
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky,
You and I

^^^ Wow, for a 10-year-old but does he really know what all that means... i wonder. For this new wave group, Green Day, it was said that the majority of their songs are composed of the over-driven guitar, fast, manic drums, and relatively high-treble bass. And... only this generation can relate to their kind of music. Well, er, okay, after a while i thought it was not bad, but I may just slide back to the 70's and 80's era - my retro world. Give me Quincy Jones, Kool and the Gang, Beatles, The Eagles... anytime!

Here comes Friday ...

I feel glad today. It's Friday.

I don't care if Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said that the second Singapore F1 race will be a great one. There are other great events happening elsewhere this weekend.

One is a friend who is getting married; another friend had great sales over a book he has written; my nephew and niece are receiving their first Holy Communion!

Well, most importantly, I get to do my 3.5km run tomorrow! Hope the weather will be good because it rained last Saturday. Health.... here I come!!

Monday blues ... oops .... I mean,Tuesday ...

Hahahaha,
love this cartoon
by Chee Chew!

Savour ..... my very own, simple Crabstick Nigiri Sushi

Crabstick Nigiri Sushi


Ingredients:

• Nori
• Japanese Cucumber, cut in strips - length wise
• Crab stick, cut in strips – length wise
• Dried Gourd
• Rice mixed with Japanese sushi vinegar

How to do:

1. Position the nori seaweed sheets on top of a bamboo mat and place the sushi rice on the seaweed.
2. Place one strip of cucumber, one crab stick, and dried gourd in the centre and roll to form sushi.
3. Roll up the bamboo mat, pressing forward to shape the sushi into a cylinder. Press the bamboo mat firmly and remove it from the sushi.
4. Cut the rolled sushi into bite sized pieces
5. Serve with soy sauce and wasabi.... and enjoy!!

Can I do it...?

I started brisk walking again, finally. It's been like two months since I stopped exercising. Like they say, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I took to baking instead for the past two months. Haha, filled the family with choc cakes, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, tarts and everything nice. Now, it is back to walking... and I hope i can do it.. as in continuing my exercising routine once again. Wish me luck...

Today, and everyday ...

Be happy in the moment - that's enough.
Each moment is all we need - not more.

- Mother Teresa

I hope I can appreciate every moment I have, but with so many things to do,hmmm ... I wonder if it's possible. Maybe sometimes, we all need to stop for a moment and reflect...

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My very first entry..

There... I never thought I will get down to having my own blog....then again, I wonder how long this will last.. hmmm..