The Bag Lady

Do you carry a BIG HANDBAG with you wherever you go?

I remember when I went for this "Colour Me Beautiful" course some years back, where they helped us with selecting clothes, bags, spectacle frames, etc to make us more beautiful.

I remember in one segment the trainer, took all our handbags, and paraded with them. Many of us carried BIG handbags, carting around half our life with us. She then told us: with all these beautiful clothes in the right colours, etc, do you think you look elegant with that HUGE bag? or do you think you look better with this bag? She then whipped out her small stylish handbag.

Naturally, it was the small handbag that complemented the look we wanted.

I then made a conscious effort to carry a smaller stylish bag.

But having left the workforce for a good ten years now, and with age, we forget what we have been taught. At least for me. Looking at my handbag, which I carry with me everywhere, I realise that I have gone back to carrying everything with me. The only thing not in my handbag is probably my kitchen sink! I have in my handbag: my wallet, diary, ipod touch, phone, camera, my cheque book, a few pens, my children's spare passport size photos, my gift vouchers, lipstick, lipbalm, glide stick (for when I get blisters on my feet), my keys, my rosary, 2 packets of tissues (at least), some candy, doctors appointment cards for myself and children, and MORE!

No wonder I have this persistent shoulder-ache!!

It doesnt help that BIG handbags are also in fashion!!

But why do I carry so many things with me? Well, I guess I am a bit of a "Miss Eveready" ... I am prepared in case of anything!! (You should see the things in my car boot! - spare clothes for the kids and me, picnic mat - in case we decide to go to the beach on a whim, sandcastle building toys, kite, spare food containers - incase I want to "ta pow", recyclable shopping bags, medicated oil, sewing kit, mosquito repellent, - you name it, I probably have it!!)

Well, I have now decided that I am going to cut out all that. I am going back to small handbags. I can do without that extra weight on my shoulder and that frumpy look! No more carrying of everything with me when I go and fetch the kids - just a small pouch with my driver's license, some small change, house keys and my mobile phone will do.

And only when I go to town or out with friends will I bring my lock, stock and barrel with me. I think that will really ease my burden. Hmm, time to go shopping for a small bag.

Are you a Bag lady like me?

Vroom Vroom

I remember a year ago this week. All of Singapore was abuzz with the excitement of the 1st F1 night race in Singapore, and traffic around the city was dead-locked at most junctions.

Friends were comparing invites, tickets bought, and pavilions they were invited to, to watch the race. My only connection to that week was my son's Godparents, travelling down from New York for it. They had originally planned to come down for my son's first Holy Communion (which was held a week before the races), but when his Godfather's boss heard about it, they decided to send him down for the F1 to entertain their Asian clients, as their bank was one of the sponsors for one of the teams. What a blessing, an all expense paid trip!

For those of us without tickets, and not willing to part with our hard-earned cash for live action, we witnessed it all on TV, which, if you ask me, may have been better. We got to watch the race in entirety, with replays of parts of interest - eg Massa driving off from the pit-stop before the re-fillers disengaged the fueling nozzle.

This year, there seems to be less excitement over the whole event. There is not much talk about getting tickets for the event, except for the high society ones. Traffic around the city is just as jammed. As for me and my family, it will be status quo, where we will watch it all on TV again. Yes, we will still be screaming our voices hoarse for our favourite drivers. will you?

Heavy Foot

Do you have a heavy foot? Well I do. I frequently floor my accelerator pedal and must say (*touch wood*) have not been caught for speeding yet. I can just imagine the thrill of speeding on the german Autobahns, without having to look out for cops.

But, that is not a good thing to do. I am endangering not only my life, but others as well. So I must say, I am trying very hard not to rush so much, and drive at a slower speed.

And, since its Friday ~ yoohoo!! here's my laugh for the week:


After getting all of Pope Benedict's luggage loaded into the limo, (and he doesn't travel light), the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb.

'Excuse me, Your Holiness,' says the driver, 'Would you please take your seat so we can leave?'

'Well, to tell you the truth,' says the Pope, 'they never let me drive at the Vatican when I was a cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.'

'I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! What if something should happen?' protests the driver, wishing he'd never gone to work that morning..

'Who's going to tell?' says the Pope with a smile.

Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kph.. (Remember, the Pope is German..)

'Please slow down, Your Holiness!' pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.

'Oh dear… I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!' moans the driver.

The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches, but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.

'I need to talk to the Chief,' he says to the dispatcher..

The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 kph.

'So bust him,' says the Chief.

'I don't think we want to do that, he's really important,' said the cop.

The Chief exclaimed,' All the more reason!'

'No, I mean really, really important,' said the cop with a bit of persistence.

The Chief then asked, 'Who do you have there, the mayor?'

Cop: 'Bigger.'

Chief: ' A senator?'

Cop: 'Bigger.'

Chief: 'The Prime Minister?'

Cop: 'Bigger.'

'Well,' said the Chief, 'who is it?'

Cop: 'I think it's God!'

The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, 'What makes you think it's God?'

Cop: 'Well… his chauffeur is THE Pope!'



Have a great Hari Raya long weekend!! :D

Giant Lollipop

Who would buy a lollipop as big as that?

Guess what? My daughter came home from school one day with a lolli that size (diameter of approx 10 inches). Her teacher had given it to her as a reward because she was the only player in the school team that won all her games during a recent tournament.

I was puzzled. Why would a teacher buy something like that for children? Are there no other more suitable rewards?? Maybe I am being too harsh.

Even before she came home with that lolli, we had seen it in a shop, and my kids got all excited. As some of you already know, my children have a very strict dentist that does not encourage the eating of candy and a fairly strict Mum that does not believe in unnecessary visits to the dentist, and dreads hyperactivity in children caused by sugar overload.

I reasoned with them, that with a lolli that size, it wouldnt even fit into their mouths. Furthermore, you would never ever be able to finish licking it in the 5 minutes alloted by the dentist on lolli days. The lolli would then end up in the bin, and it would be an utter waste of money.

So we did not spend our money foolishly on it.

But I really hate it when people give HUGE candy to my kids. Even if its relatives. I will tell them that if they want to spend money on such gifts, its better that they contribute to my children's dentist fund. (PS - small candies and chocolates are fine, but not wastefully large ones that have nothing in them but loads of cavity causing sugar which makes kids hyperactive!)

Naturally, that giant lolli is sitting somewhere in one of the drawers uneaten (unless the ants have gotten to it), and I tell my kids it makes a good "spanker"!

Would you buy a giant candy like that for your child?

Brave no more!

Not sure if it comes with age, but recently, I have found that I am no longer as brave as I was before.

In my younger days, I would not hesitate any death-defying stunt ... ok, maybe not death defying, but similarly daring stunts. Like, I wouldnt think twice about going on a roller-coaster, any roller coaster for that matter. These rides would see me joining the queue for it. And many times, I would do anything to be in the front seat - where of course, its more thrilling, coz you dont have any heads in front of you.

But recently, that has not been the case. When I was at Movie World in Gold coast a couple of years ago, somehow, even tho the Superman ride looked super thrilling, it just wasnt compelling for me to ride it. Even the speed boat ride (to the Tengku Abdul Rahman National Park in June) had my heart thumping super fast!! Now even going on the cable car or a chair lift, I would have my heart in my mouth and a prayer on my lips.

Why? How did I turn into such an "unbrave" person (dont want to use the word "coward" here!) overnight? I dont know. Maybe it comes with "maternal responsibilites". How to put my life at risk when I have young dependants? I sure hope that's the reason, or maybe, I have just grown up!

Game imitates real life

Playing games can show you how a person will react in real life. Well it did for me when I noticed my children's "strategies" when they play.

For example, both of them are on restaurant city. The older one, will keep all her money, and then spend them on all the ingredients necessary to upgrade her dish. Doesnt matter if she doesnt have all the ingredients, but she will spend all the money necessary, so that when the ingredient goes on sale, or if she is able to get it thru trades, she can reach top level very quickly. Also, she will purchase or trade and plan in advance even for levels which she has yet to achieve!

The younger one, is the kind soul. He will happily trade with his friends for ingredients to help others achieve their upgrades. Never mind his own. Also, he would rather spend his money buying gadgets for his restaurant - like the TV, boom box, speakers. And when the ingredients that he needs goes on sale, he finds that he is short of cash to buy what he needs.

I have been using this game to teach him on the need to save for what he needs and not blow it all on the latest items. It also really shows me how their attitudes towards cash are, and who I know will make a good treasurer, and who the interior designer.

So it looks like there are benefits to be obtained from them playing games. Its not time all lost or wasted on the game. They can learn real life strategies as well.

Gifts for teachers

My son was telling me about the gifts the various boys in school brought for their teachers. In particular, he was telling me about two boys who brought the same gift, just in different sizes. One gave a 3-piece Ferrero Roche chocolate, whilst another gave a 20 piece box!!

I for one do not believe in giving BIG and EXPENSIVE gifts to teachers. I feel that the child has to contribute to it for it to be meaningful, and we usually try to make something for the teacher. If its cookies or cakes, my child will have to help out. And as for the cards, they make their own. Anyway, I hope the teachers do not treat the children according to the gifts that they get! Coz if they do, my kids must be ostracized by their teachers!!

I cant believe its the end of term 3 already. How fast the school year has gone by. Ten more weeks of school and the kids will be all mine for some 6 weeks. Yikes!!

Anyway to end the week, here's another joke:

It was at the end of the school year, and a kindergarten teacher was receiving gifts from her pupils.

The florist's son handed her a gift. She shook it, held it overhead, and said, "I bet I know what it is. Some flowers." "

That's right" the boy said, "but how did you know?"

"Oh, just a wild guess," she said.

The next pupil was the candy shop owner's daughter.

The teacher held her gift overhead, shook it, and said, "I bet I can guess what it is. A box of sweets."

"That's right, but how did you know?" asked the girl.

"Oh, just a wild guess," said the teacher.

The next gift was from the son of the liquor store owner. The teacher held the package overhead, but it was leaking. She touched a drop of the leakage with her finger and touched it to her tongue.

"Is it wine?" she asked.

"No," the boy replied, with some excitement.

The teacher repeated the process, taking a larger drop of the leakage to her tongue.

"Is it champagne?" she asked.

"No," the boy replied, with more excitement.

The teacher took one more taste before declaring, "I give up, what is it?"

With great glee, the boy replied, "It's a puppy!"


*Be responsible - do not give pets as gifts!!*

2 kids and a kite

Little D came home with a kite from school. That got her and her brother all excited.

They wanted to go out to fly the kite, but I told them that there was no wind, so the kite wouldnt be able to fly. Little D answered that she could stand next to her brother and blow!!

I then explained to her that blowing wouldnt work coz you needed at least a breeze to carry the kite up, and just blowing wasnt strong enough.

10 mins later, I had two kids running around outside the house. One with a kite behind him, and the other following behind him with a fan, fanning desperately trying to create the "wind" necessary to get the kite up in the sky.

A pity I did not have my camera handy! It was quite a hilarious sight.

Used vs Love

Got this from a friend via email.

And the funny thing was that Little D had used her nails to scratch some chinese words on my car just yesterday. Was I upset? You bet! But fortunately I didnt react the way the man in the story below did. I told her NEVER to do it again, in a fairly stern voice, which I think frightened her a bit. But I did tell myself that I had to cut her nails Coz, If she didnt have the "tools" she wouldnt have been able to put her masterpiece on my car! :D

Now I need to get my car waxed to get rid of it! Or maybe I should keep it, so that I remember!!


USED vs LOVED

While a man was polishing his new car, his 4 yr old son picked up a stone and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child's hand and hit it many times not realizing he was using a wrench.

At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures.

When the child saw his father.....with painful eyes he asked, 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?'
The man was so hurt and speechless; he went back to his car and kicked it a lot of times.

Devastated by his own actions ....... sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches; the child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'.

The next day that man committed suicide.

Anger and Love have no limits; choose the latter to have a beautiful, lovely life & remember this:
Things are to be used and people are to be loved.
The problem in today's world is that people are used while things are loved.

Let's try always to keep this thought in mind:
Things are to be used,
People are to be loved.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character;
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.