People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Gnap signing off....

Happy Valentine's Day to you, you, you and you.  :)

Pick one.  From me to you... :P

Like everyone else, I am no exception.  But instead of crying over why half the cup is empty, I choose to laugh over how full half the cup is.  It isn’t too difficult to think this way when u have people around u who put smiles on ur face every day.  I really want to say Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Muaks!  ;)

And here, just to share an experience that happened today (not really related to above):

It's Mike's birthday today, and his simple wish's to have a KFC drumstick n mashed potatoes. So at 8.30pm we were at Queensbay Mall KFC for dinner. 

After makan (eating), me n Mike were at the wash area to wash our hands.  There were 2 basins, 1 of which was lower - meant for kids.  We were q-ing and got the taller basin, but then this young guy beside me smiled and let us switch places.  He looked no more than 18 or 19.  Cute like Daniel, our Msian Idol.  Before he left the basin, somemore turn to wish me Happy New Year - with a really wholesome smile.  I was like "wah, such a fine young fellow! i wanna speak with his mom (learn how to teach my son to b like that mar!)". 

I mean - these days, u don't see many people like this anymore.  There are times when I greet ppl with a smile and they pretend din see.  So kurang ajar! (bad manners!)

And later, when I was searching for T and the kids, I met Ky and Sujatha at the escalator goin up to ground flr.  2 very pleasant and lovely young ladies and we chatted a while.  A great evening indeed!  :)

Plasma asked me to write something fun this time.  I tried.  But not easy I realise.  So, I’ll just write something funny about myself.  Today, we’ll talk about my self-esteem.  Yep, u heard right.  My self-esteem story.

The 1st time my grandma n aunts set eyes on me at the hospital, the day I was born, the 1st comment to my mom was, "Aiyer, so ugly.  U sure she's not someone else's baby swapped by mistake?!”  My poor mom.  She cried.  (today she’s laughing all the way to the bank lar.  Hahahah)

As I grew up, people called me “malai mooi” (malay girl) bcos I had dark skin (my kin all fair fair one), big eyes (well not really that big, but big for chinese stds) n straight teeth.  Strangers would say my dad must be malay, bcos those days usually chinese kids’d have moongchi (small) eyes n rotten teeth.  Actually, my dad looks malay.  Kehehehe.  My darling cool dad!

The above are pretty tame.  But check out some of my nicknames below:
Malaikai, as in “kampung chicken”, as in fatless lean-meat – jes bcos I kurus n hitam.
Fat-lip or pig(long)-mouth, my sis’ top fav name for me – jes cos, as the name says, I hv fat lips lar.
Gold fish eyes, this one I totally dunno why!
Ker-ling-phor as in indian woman, bcos I had kutu during primary school mixing only with indian kids.
Ma-lau-jing as in monkey king, bcos I was skinny n I climbed trees
Larm-yan-phor as in tomboy, bcos I was mat-bmx (now u hv mat-rempit), y’know it was very “in” then to pull the front wheel up n jes speed with the back wheel….

Guess which one affected me most negatively....  The 2nd one.  For years, I believe I had really ugly fat/long lips.  Every year, 1st day of school, I'd rush to be 1st to enter the classroom so I can get that seat right at the far back corner of the room, so no one can see my mouth/lips.  If I’m unlucky, ie someone else already got the backseats, gonelah… whole year I have to sit with my elbow on the desk and knuckles beside my mouth to cover it from others view.  I still have that habit today.  People probably don’t even notice, but if you’ve been told how ugly your mouth is every single day, from the moment u understand human language to the day you leave home to explore the world, u get very negatively self-conscious and the habit sticks with you for life.

Hey, this is no laughing matter.  When I came out to the working world, and people started calling me “lenglui” (pretty girl) or make compliments about any parts of me, I’d be so MAD!  I thought the whole world was mocking me.  Hence, ppl started to think I was plain stuck up – cos the more they try to say nice things, the more ticked off I get.  I walk into a shop and if the owner so much as mention the words “lenglui”, I’m gone I tell ya.  Oklah, in recent years, I’ve grown more receptive to compliments lar.  No longer imbalance ugly cuckoo case.  Maybe just a bit left.  :P

I will never understand why any family member would wanna make a child feel so bad about themselves.  Luckily, I have a really dotting loving dad who constantly tells me I'm smart and talented (in his eyes lar).  I have kids, and I have nephews and nieces.  In my eyes, they will always be beautiful in their own way.  And I will never call them ugly names.  Never.  Oklar, with exception of Mike’s “fang phi siao wang” (little farting king bcos he farts a lot) and David’s “nau kai tai wong” (manja king) – which btw they encourage me to call them one.  These are affectionate nicks, so no harm.  (er,... kuar).  :P

Warning: after reading this post, if any of u so much as joke abt this nicks at me, I’m still going to be angry.

Last 1 liner:  Beauty should not be skin deep lor.  Aiyah, who doesn’t know this right!

Guess I'm writing this post to warn u all, or even plead, NOT to call your kids, your relatives' kids or your friends kids, ugly nick names.  It may affect them more than you realise.

I was just goin to bed last nite 12++ when i recd a msg fr Tai Suan (Uglymen) that Hooi's mom had just passed away after 9days in a coma following a road accident. 

Throughout the past week, TaiSuan had kept all of us updated on the progress of Hooi's mom in ICU and then in HDU.  I was really touched by the way filial Hooi stayed by his mom's side, slept at the corridor outside her ward, and how he cried when talking/updating friends on the condition/progress of his mom.  It really brought tears to my eyes.

I don't know her and have never met her, but knowing a loving filial son's mom passed away, is quite heartbreaking.  My pillow was so wet, I had to turn the other side of it to go to sleep.

My heartfelt condolences to Hooi and his family.  I'm glad he has great friends like TaiSuan and Mike to be by his side during a sad time like this.

Whoever's reading this, thanks for "listening".  Now, go hug and sayang your loved ones.  :)

You. Yes, you. You beautiful violet chiffon dress at Le Nice, QB. So blardy expensive!!!

:P

Next morning, horror of horrors!  - I saw T wearing his!  You probably think I’m over-reacting or being silly, but man + jewellery, to me, jes look like a pimp lar.  So man plus “phik cheh” jewellery?  What else… superstitious pimp.  Seeing this, for me, is tantamount to seeing a croakcroach or centipede – my spine freezes. 

Sigh… what can I say…  after so many years of marriage, when you’re supposed to “renew attractions” with each other, you suddenly find your significant other WEARING BRACELETS! 

So…. I made it crystal clear that I “beh tahan” the sight of him with that thing on his wrist, which of course he had no qualms ignoring.  You see, to him, mom is always right – I usually have no objections to that (hey, I’m a mom too.. ).  And then, guess what happens, that nite, he started to feel sick.  Feverish, and most suspiciously, a day-long spate of hiccups that doesn’t seem to be going away.  I went in for the kill.  “U c, u c…  this kind of thing cannot simply wear one.  If bor ngam u, funny things start to happen.”  See - I have to speak this language sometimes. Talk like auntie so that uncle listens. :P

“OK, why not u try taking it off for a nite and see what happens.”  Silently, I prayed… “God, your turn now!”  And halelujah!  In less than an hour, his hiccup stops, and he felt a lot better.  The cheeky side of me challenged – “Now, wanna wear back that thingy and see what happens?”  One eyebrow (mine) blatantly raised.  He din say anything. 

So, T, if you still read my blogs, and you’re reading this… please… don’t… wear that thing…ever again!

Then, the song Feelings came....  kinda weird....  the quiet intro of acoustic guitar and then the soulful vocal crooned.... "feelings.... nothing more than feelings... "    All of a sudden, I was like transported to another dimension...  where for a moment there...  there was only me drifting somewhere in time...  peaceful, quiet, no rush, no pain, no worries...  just me, flowing in the wind...  wasn't thinking of anything at all...  just blank....

The song ended soon enough.  I came back to this world.  I must have driven on auto-cruise, cos somehow, i still arrived at our multi-level carpark.  haha  Darn those flu medication!!

Suddenly my eyes opened.  I find myself, not in a hospital bed, but in bed at home.  Looked around.  The kids are sound asleep.  T snoring like a very resting kingkong.  It is raining heavily outside and the aircond is freezing me to death.  Phew!  It was just a dream.  Increased the temp, went back to bed.

Next morning, I tell T about it.  The kids listened with eyes n mouth open big big.  Then, T picks up a “number book” looking for 4 ekor.  Yeah.   Isn’t he romantic!

:P

And now the bright side of life….

I don’t know.  Somehow, as you get older, u begin to see frens as gems, rather than gems as frens.  Ok – that’s jes a figure of speech.  I never did like gemstones in the 1st place anyway.  You walk thru the garden of life, and there's just some flowers that pleases you so much, you wish they will never die (this expression inspired by a poem someone wrote).  Well, the good news is, friends are these flowers of life, and they live much longer than flowers do.  Haha.  (I can sense someone asking – what abt family.  Well, it’s that tree you always go back to, that branches out beautifully with your proper nurturing).

Just last weekend, T and I met up with old buddies KK and CC bcos they’re now working outcountry, and we last met b4 CNY2006.  We had dinner, and xchanged some quality baloney - as usual, with good frens, I felt like 1 of the guys despite being the only gal among us.  It always feels great when u r beyond gender cat-ing.  ....  Then we went to see the Yamaha Asian Beat Band Competition - Png Finals in BJ complex.  BoundByHonor, SC, Ky and Plasmabstract were there already.  BoundByHonor chasing me to come, and Plasmabstract helping me with the video recording of Mike’s (Michael Lee of Uglymen) solo acoustic guitar demo performance, just in case I was late, which I was. (Mike’s also 1 of d judges for the competition that evening).  I felt so surrounded by wonderful friends.  That nite, I recd an sms fr CC saying “I enjoyed fr the moment I stepped into the restaurant.  Friendship forever!”.  It was exactly my thought too.

I realise, all my lasting buddies, have somethings in common and they are…. Gila-ness, sometimes demonstrate childlike characteristics, generous, humble, super kind, simpletons and cincai ppl.  All this despite being high in the corporate ladder or successful in their musical/teaching careers or simply being talented.  Don’t make me mention names cos it will be so yuk-ma.  Just know who you are enough lah.  I’m just so so honoured to have friends like you all.  :)

And…If u weren't there at BJ to catch the competition last Sun, and wanna know some, here’s the clip I uploaded to Utube of Mike’s Acoustic guitar demo performance (dashing performance!!  If i saw this perf 20yrs ago, i sure wanna learn guitar one! Serious!), and the winning band - Ocean Of Fire (fun cool) fr the competition that evening.  For a professional review of the competition, go here.

I have problem finding a most appropriate title for this post.  Anyone with better suggestions, drop it below.  :)

I’m bleeding.  The dark circles around my once radiant n mesmerising (hahahahaha) eyes, hv now grown roots.  Look into them n all u’ll see r shadows screaming, “I’m so tired, I wanna cry!”  My once sexy (hahahaha again!) back is hunched fr persistent exhaustion n physical stress (I still can’t resist my 40pounders calling “mama, carry me..”). 

In exactly 2 mths time, I hv to sit for my Marketing n Stragetic Planning papers.  But I think, I’m gonna hv to defer SP; cos I bor lat (no energy). 

My typical weekday routine is this:  reach home by X.XXpm.  Switch on d air purifier/aircond, put d kettle under d tap, do d laundry while d tap is running, come back put d kettle on, vacuum n wipe dust around d hse, pour d boiled water into d flask, take shower, go downstairs pick up kids fr sitters, do homework n play with them, hang d laundry while they play with toys, fold dried laundry, time for kids’ poo poo time, wipe pet pet, wash clean clean, wash baby bottles n water tumblers, make milk for kids, chg them into pyjamas, n put them to bed.  Note: “put them to bed” is not like in movies where d parents say, "goodnite darling", switch off d lights n close d door behind 'em.  With David n Michael, I hv to lie down with them, let them hold each of my hands.  I am not allowed to leave until they r asleep - which takes up to an hour.  (I know I’m supposed to train them to sleep on their own, but nvrmind lah, I know for a fact that with boys, this clinginess won’t last for long.  Truth is, I love feeling close to them too - while they still let me...)

So by d time, they’re asleep, it’s usually abt 10.30-11pm. I pick up my books, eyes staring at d loads n loads of words n diagrams……… but d brain oredy VERY DEAD.  I read pages n pages.  But ask me what I read, I go – “wha?!!”

The only times I can really absorb what I’m reading is when I come to d office in d wkends to do some intense data entry (fr book to brain), w/o any distractions.  That oso, after I’ve bathed d kids, played with them, feed them lunch, n leave at jes abt their afternoon nap time.  But my other problem is, d PC beside me, beckons like Pamela Anderson to d average guy, “chk me out, come”.  And once I open up my email, up to a couple of hours of office related work ensues. 

Distractions, distractions!

I need help!

Don’t ask me to get a maid, cos I hv no where to put her during wkdays when no one’s home.  N there’s not that much of hsework i can delegate anyways.  N maids oso cannot be used to help with the “Playing n bonding with kids” part too – most definitely. 

Jes tell me, if u can… suggest what kind of supplements I shd take to help improve d efficiency, memory n alertness of my brain/mind.  Or whatever smart tips u can offer….  I jes need d “boost” for another 8mths (when I finish all papers) – if I’m lucky.

Come, come.  Fire away ur bright ideas!  Help me!  URGENT!!

Remember Al-terror Idol's guest judge (the one seated on my right), Tai Suan? 

2 Sundays ago, Uglymen were featured in an 8TV programme on homegrown bands.  Some ppl i knew saw it, and started asking about them.  Apparently, some members of the public who've seen Uglymen perform, when asked by 8TV to guess where Uglymen came from, all guessed HongKong or Taiwan or China.  Well, Uglymen are actually fr Kedah M'sia.

Check out the following video clips of some of their live performances.  Mike's the lead vocalist and guitarist in the center.  Tai Suan with the longest hair, is the guitarist on the right.  And bassist Ah Hooi on left.  And Jiunn the drummer.  When they were still 4-pc.  (Now they are 3pc, with TaiSuan as the drummer).

Robot (Live at Hard & Heavy)

Si Ai Bin (Live at Esplanade Singapore).....  btw, don't be drinkin water when u watch or listen to this for the 1st time...  :P

More here at Uglymen's Myspace.  I personally like Love Bubble Tea (a slow number).  Refreshing vocal performance fr Mike.

These dudes ROCK!!!  What's most endearing about them is that the band is very much about friendship and their love for music (ROCK music!). 

(I'm usually not into Rock music, but....)  -   I like.  :)

ps:  Mike, I beh tahan the myspace take so long for loading n buffering.  I've not had the chance to listen to the complete Love Bubble Tea without the intermittent pauses.  Will i be able to get your CD at just any CD shop?

See the attached pictures of how bad the haze condition is.

Our entire office is full of sick ppl - coughing, having bad inflamed throat, nose allergies ... n whatever else. 

My older son, has been having an inflamed throat and fever for a week now.  My younger son just started developing the same symptoms.  I've been feeling quite under the weather too, with an irritable throat the past 2 days.  Drinking 2 huge mugs of HorYanHor yesterday saved me!!  (try it - you all)

At least we have aircon and air purifiers at home, and we can avoid the full bad effects of the haze by staying home and shutting all the windows and doors.  We also don't have to be outdoors when we work in an airconditioned office environment.  (Tho we need to dash fr car to inside buildings, or hold our breathe).

BUT what about those who live in the village (kampung)?  Or those who have to work in the open, such as the construction sites?  The traffic policemen, the fishermen, planters, trishaw pedlars.... ?  Life must be hell for these people.

Isn't anybody with power doing anything useful, or AT ALL, to stop this blardy forest burning in Indonesia ??!!

@#$%@#$%@#$%@#$%!!!

So 40 M'sian bucks for an ORI dvd is sooo....  oooooooh!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, GREAT FISH!  (I will not eat fish for … erhm… a week, as a show of gratitude.  :P).

It’s an Alfred Hitchcock romantic thriller, to do with past n present life of the main characters… played by Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson (then, still married to each other).  Fiction of course.  And if u a fan of AH, u’ll know the plot always good one, tho sometimes/most times …. twisted.  I like the ending of this one.  It’s when d ending is beyond ur guess dat makes it all d more unforgettable. 

If ur one of my frens who’s oredy got a # waiting for ur turn to watch it, be patient.  I watch 1st, then so n so, n then so n so.... If ur my frens n not thinking of taking a #, it's ok.  Later, I’m gonna MAKE U WATCH IT anyway.  :P

If ur feeling as tho I’m “choking” or pressuring u into seein it…. Nevermind.  I don’t care. 

U’ll be thanking me later.  ;)