Saturday, July 26, 2008

TIPS FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL, SUPERB & POWERFUL LIFE!!!!!

Just had to post this ~ I think it is worth sharing!!

You may have read this before, but it' s worth reading again and trying to put in practice.

Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), 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.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.

7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.

8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.

9.) Dream more while you are awake.

10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

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

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

14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, 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. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class.......but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

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 take 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 screw up the present.

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

24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china, and wear your fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.

25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27.) Forgive everyone for everything.

28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time, time!

30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides ~ remember?!

34.) The best is yet to come. (in Heaven)

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

36.) Do the right thing!

37.) Call your family often.

38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
'I am thankful for __________.' Today I accomplished _________.

39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT!

T.G.I.F. - TODAY GOD IS FIRST

Friday, June 27, 2008

Just a Mum?

Received this from a friend via e-mail, and I thought it should be shared with all you wonderful Mums here.


A woman, renewing her driver's license was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,do you have a job or are you just a ....?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.

'I'm a Mum.'

'We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,'
Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.' 'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't)

In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?)

and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.


As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone
more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mum.'

Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations'

And great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?' I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants'.



May your troubles be less,
Your blessing be more,
And nothing but happiness come through your door!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

50 years today!!


Today marks the 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary of my parents.

No, there is no big celebration here. They are away in Alaska on a cruise. (with my brother and his family - bleah! :P)



And for those who tagged me on the a tribute to my mum and dad - this is it.










Morning wake up calls and breakfast was taken care of by Dad. He was a wizard at making half boiled eggs, french toast and oats which we were forced to consume, like it or not, before we made our way to school. He was really good at sleeping in front of the TV. A football fanatic, that saw me following him for numerous football games and even all the way up to Malaysia for Malaysia cup matches.

She slept in late and took care of lunch, dinner and the general household. A good cook who never liked anyone to mess up her kitchen. Making nonya kueh was her specialty, but she prefered spending her time on mahjong, which saw me sitting many a times by the mahjong table, and helping her out when she had to take a "loo" break. A fiery temper that seems to have mellowed a little with age.

And after 50 years, they have been blessed with 3 children, and 6 grandchildren.
Happy Anniversary Mum & Dad!!

Friday, June 20, 2008

An activity filled June Vacation

Tho' we did not go away this year for the vacation, we spent a lot of family time rediscovering Singapore, and having fun! Here's a sampling of what we did:

Discovering the Southern Ridges

We started off at Kent Ridge Park, the site of the Pasir Panjang Battle,

N posed next to a tank that was used in the war in 1944!!

We trooped along the Canopy Walk - thru' the rainforest.

Along the way, we saw some birds. Here's a kingfisher:

and a beautiful spider's web.


Little D had it easier than some of us, she was carried a part of the way!

The canopy walk brought us to Hort Park.
(I will write more on the Hort Park in a separate post)

From Hort Park, we made our way pass Alexander Arches, and then to Henderson Waves.

At it's highest point, it was some 74.14m above sea level. Pretty scary, just try not to look down at the road below.


On another day, we made our way to Changi Point.

The lazy charm of the place appealed to me.


Little D was so fascinated when she saw a coconut tree that she decided she wanted a photo.

We saw the fishing boats coming in with the days catch, and the trucks from the restaurants awaiting the day's live seafood.

Of course, the family also made their way to the Singapore Flyer. However, as it was already dark, we did not manage to see as much as we would have liked to.

The kids ended up amusing themselves in other ways.

So, I guess another trip there is in the pipeline!

And like bp said, all kids love to splish, splash, splosh! They kids enjoyed the days spent at the pool near our home.





And of course, we also spent time spent baking:

A doughnut looking chocolate cake.


and some no-bake oreo cheese cupcakes!!

We also tried smiling for the sunkist smile challenge.


Dont reckon we will win any prizes!

I guess that marks the end of our June Vacation activities as school re-opens in a few days time. Yippee!!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Men say the darnest things too!!

At a recent gathering with ol' friends, they shared with me some of the things their husbands have said, and I guess, I should share them with you:

On getting back into shape after childbirth:
This came from a father of 5.
His wife was commenting about how difficult it was to get back into shape, and he said: Blow a balloon up and then deflate it. Do that for 5 times, and see if you can get the balloon to be just like new. You are just trying to do something impossible!!
(So much for trying to encourage the wife to get back into shape!)

On the g-string:
You call that an underwear? It looks more like an anal floss to me!!
(So much for the wife trying to look sexy for the husband!!)

Well, like it has been said: Men are just like kids, they say the darnest things too!!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Goo-goo, ga-ga

Why do I go all soft and mushy when I see a baby?

Last sunday, in church, there was this lady carrying a really young baby sitting in the next pew. The baby was a real cutie - not more than 3 months old, with lots of black hair on her head. The lady carried her upright, and this little bundle of joy tried, with much difficulty, to lift her head up to take a peek at the world around her.

Later when the husband carried the baby, and started talking to her - guess what? She tried to respond by gurgling!! I know it was the first time she did it, coz when she did, the husband quickly nudged his wife to look! And they both had HUGE smiles on their faces!!

I could not resist it anymore, and asked hubby to look at the cute baby. He then asked me ~ you want another baby?? Goodness - NO!! Not at this age! Too much risk involved. Also, with 3, my hands are full. No more kids for me. To borrow somebody else's to play with, cuddle, smell and return, that's fine. But no more babies of my own.

BUT, why do I still go all ga-ga whenever I see babies??

Monday, June 16, 2008

Too Much

Yes, have been feasting too much.

It did not seem to have stopped since Christmas! You know, there were so many celebrations in the family in december (birthdays and anniversaries), and coupled with holidays and festive season, you tend to let go and indulge. Then it was followed by Chinese New Year ~ another 15 days of over-indulgence. In March, we celebrated 2 birthdays in the extended family. April was kind of a rest month. Then came May. 1st it was my dad's birthday, then we celebrated Mother's Day. You know how it is, we celebrate it with both sides of the family separately. And then again by ourselves?!!

And in June - It started with 2 rounds of Father's day feasting, then there were 4 birthday celebrations in the extended family! Add to that complimentary meal vouchers that we didnt want to waste, meals with ex-colleagues, meals with friends that are migrating and friends visiting from overseas.

And we have plans to celebrate my birthday sometime this week (2 weeks early) with my parents as they will be leaving on holidays at the end of this week, and will not be back until after my special day. In fact, I told hubby that with too much feasting, I really dont feel like eating anymore!!

And then I find that I am unable to buckle my trousers anymore! Yes, I have gone up one size at the waist.

Hmmm .... looks like its time to start that exercise schedule. Need to lose the weight, as I noticed that weight put on in middle-age tends to stay on forever!! Yikes!!