Work April 30, 2008

 

Wish I could spend more time updating the blog but been pretty occupied with a lot of things of late. An additional assignment for the next two weeks includes English classes with a middle-age Slovakian which is a totally new experience. I’ve never had a one-to-one with a foreigner and so far its been interesting. Tho I might a little scary because of the high expectation he might have of the classes. Next week I’ll have to fly to KL so let’s see how much I can tell then. In the mean time, pray for me, encourage me, and give me a hug me once a while.

A To-Do List of a Kind April 24, 2008

Got a forwarded e-mail from a friend the other day. Normally I don’t read forwards but this builds a good aura to life. I’ll share it just in case you too are interested to add a lil zest and inspiration to yourself today and everyday.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My purpose is to __________ today.”

5. Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. Appreciate their genuine nature, strength and innocence.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don’t tkae yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Love heals all wound.

29. However good or bad a situation is it will change.

30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often.

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: “I am thankful for _________. Today I accomplished _______________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it.

40. Thank your Company and Boss for giving you a job and salary so that you can feed your family’s needs.

Girlfriends April 19, 2008

It’s been a while since my girlfriends and I made music together. Back in 2000 when most of us were still young, single and available, we started a singing group called “In Harmony”. We sang mostly at churches but never did a full-fledged concert as we weren’t that ambitious :) In 2003 we managed to record our songs into a CD as a kind of rememberance for our sisterhood in music. Well. Someone got the idea of reproducing it and selling it to our community churches with no intention of making profit definitely. And so our less than perfect recordings seeped into “the public”. Hehehe. We got some positive comments but you know how kind church folks can be.

The five of the seven in 2000.

By 2003 we went inactive as two members left the country while the others decided to end their singlehood, acquired a Mrs next to their name and even ventured into motherhood. Needless to say we were all kept busy. Just recently though we revived the group after several invitations to sing the next two months. From seven members we have expanded the group to nine. Today we sang at the newly built KK English Church. Beautiful place of worship I must say. Quite cozy as there were less than 50 people in attendance. I like.

The seven out of nine in 2008.

By June we hope to do another CD of rememberance. Not sure if it will go “public” again but we’ll see how it goes. I’m glad though that no matter the time and distance, we are friends and share the same interest to make music together.

Another KL Trip April 15, 2008

Well, looks like I’ve got to make another trip to KL soon to deal with my student visa. Sigh. Man this is a pain when I could have done it when I was there in March. Thing was I only learned about an interview which I have to go in person at the High Commission when I checked with them a few days ago. I took for granted that how my friend got hers last year (although hers was done in Bangkok) which didn’t ask for any interview would be the same for me as well. And the process could easily be handled by the travel agency which I was aiming to do. The guy I talked to at the visa centre today clarified that this could be a new thing which was required for everyone applying for a student visa.

Sigh. There goes my money which I was saving for a digi piano casing for May. As if I haven’t tighten my belt tight enough for the past three weeks. I’ve already knocked off the list allowance for entertainment and eating out for an undefinite period of time.

What? Of course, I’m accepting cash and cheque. Yes, yes, thank you, thank you :)

I’m Here April 10, 2008

I’m probably saying this quite belatedly but this is truly one of the most moving songs I’ve heard so far. And Fantasia Barrino is an amazing singer. I’ll never get tired of hearing her sing! One is either unfeeling or unfortunately deaf to not appreciate the passion in this music and her voice. Immerse yourself in this, if you haven’t already.

Petai O Petai! April 9, 2008

Mum bought a few bunches of petai from the market a few days ago. Those of you who aren’t familiar with petai can read up all about these stinky beans here. Now, eating petai is an acquired taste. It is slightly bitter with a strong weird smell that stays on – right from stuffing it in and letting ‘em out. Yup, yup, yup :) So, it’s advisable not to eat too much of these beans or too frequently. Unless of course you don’t care how you smell like.

Well, here’s how I normally eat my petais. I fry them with sambal (a type of chilli condiment). I always prepare my own sambal cause those at the stores always have shrimp paste in theirs which I try to avoid cause of my skin allergy. So, here’s my version: blend lemon grass, onions, shallots, garlic, pre-soaked dried anchovies, pre-soaked dried big chillies, brown sugar, fish sauce and soy sauce in a food processor until they become mush. How much of each depends on your own taste.

From then, not much work left. Fry the sambal till the aroma naturally flares your nostrils and then toss in the beans and let them roll around the wok for a few minutes. And voila! here’s what you’ll get. Enjoy being stinky but sedappppppp!!

Home April 7, 2008

Protectors of our yards and home.

Playing with sunlight.

 

The Visitor April 5, 2008

Yesterday I was minding my own business outside the house when suddenly I noticed something moving among the grasses.

It looked pretty dangerous from its colour and tail. The head was dark grey and according to my father it was a young adult cobra. It has just shed off its old skin and therefore was a little sluggish. I watched it slithered in and out of the yard a couple of times. Well, unfortunately for this creature, it didn’t stay alive long enough. My brave mother armed herself with a long bamboo and went one against one. Boy, was she proud of herself. Shessh :)

Then again, poor snake. If I had my way, I would have let it go alive. Just shoo it to the nearby jungle or something.

Kawin Muda April 2, 2008

This Indonesian sitcom is such a laugh-out-loud! It’s about a young couple who were matched-married by their parents since birth. But they don’t know that. No, no, until later! The two met again for the first time in their young adulthood in a funny mishap at the airport. It was the beginning of a passionate hatred for each other. How they found out about their relationship and their eventual unity as husband and wife is interlaced with slapstick funny scenes. The impossible thing is both want to keep their marriage a secret from their own peers. Imagine the crazy lives they lead, pretending to be cousins and having beaus fighting for their love in their frontyard.  I think I watched the 17th episode last night and the chaos continues when Sera, the young wife, (played by Agnes Monica – by the way she also sings the them song) found out she was mysteriously pregnant! The husband, Agha, (Okan Kornelius) is such a clown and quite an exaggerated character all the way. Actually, they do make a cute couple and I can’t wait to see what’s next… Just keep in mind this is pure entertainment and nothing more. Well, in case you’re curious what I’m talking about here’s the first part of Episode 1 from Kawin Muda. Watch it on TV1 at 7:30PM weekdays.