Thank You

this one is for Lei's swim coach.



My son has been quote a challenge to coach over the last one year that he's with Speediswim. He has been throwing tantrums at the poolside, and disrupting the lessons. But the coach has been most understanding and patient with him.

I strongly believe that, other than swimming skills, there are important life skills that my son has to learn at the swimming pool. Like respect for the authority of the coach, endurance of unfavourable environment conditions, discipline to keep up with the training week after week, perseverance in mastering swimming skills through training and practice.

And I sincerely thank the coach for teaching Lei all these in one way or another, as he patiently show him the techniques, and guide him to correct his errors, and encourage him to keep trying.

Thank you, Mr Lim, for not "giving up" on my son. Through this period, you have made a difference in Lei's life.

Writing

... is a form of therapy. Sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic fear which is inherent in the human situation. - Graham Greene.

hmmmm... think about it...

People I meet...

We meet a lot of people at the store. And see a lot of things about human behaviour, human psychology and human emotions. We are lucky most of the people are good, and genuine and nice.

Then there are the selfish and arrogant people, who behave rudely and can be very mean and demanding. It is always a big challenge to deal with such people; a delicate balance between meeting their demands while defending our dignity and integrity.

Despite all these ugly behaviour, atually the ones most difficult to deal with are the two-faced ones. They laughed with you and appear sweet and friendly, and even claiming to be your friends. But once your back is turned, they behave in a completely different manner, saying totally different things about you. These type of people, I find the most difficult to deal with.

I don't know who I can really trust. I don't know who is just acting in front of me. Why are there such people???

Christmas Shopping

Note To Self: must start Christmas Shopping soon.

Every year around this time, I start to panick... I start to think about the gifts for my loved ones and my friends, and "people-I-must-buy-gifts-for-but-I-have-no-idea-what-to-get-for-them"... I start to wonder whether I should buy all the gifts or handmade some of the gifts... I start to question myself whether I should get someting for so-and-so...

Starting a couple of years back, I have actually started shopping throughout the year. But I often lost track of what I have picked up along the way, and sometimes, I realised I bought 2 or more items for the same person (either I really love that person very much, or that person is not shy to let me know what she likes, or that person does not have very expensive taste : P). This is the time to take stock before I cheong to the store and start shopping.

I love and hate Christmas shopping.

Do you know that I love shopping??? There's an inherent shopaholic in me (though she has been suppressed and tamed over the recent years because of tight financial budgets and busy schedules)... I love to buy things... useful things, useless things... Unfortunately I am no good with sales... I hate squeezing with crowds... and Christmas shopping can be extremely stressful - I dont know what to buy! I cant find anything suitable! I dont have that kind of budget, though I know so-and-so will really like this! This one is better that the one that i got for so-and-so last week... should I replace it? Then what do I do with the one I got earlier on? Maybe I can give that to another so-and-so instead? Maybe I can keep for so-and-so's birthday next year? Maybe I keep for myself lah!

Some years I was 'crazy' enough to think that I was going to make handmade gifts for everyone... like knitting scarves or socks, creating mini albums, altered art projects, sewing a pouch, etc.... what was I thinking of??? Of course, these never materialized... I give up. 'Nuff said.

From The Frying Pan...

Into the Kwali.

{The Frying Pan} - First Scratch.
Date: 2 Nov 2009 (Mon)
Time: 645pm
Venue: Plaza Singapura Multi-storey Carpark Lot 4-16
Party Involved: my car and the pillar next to Lot 4-16
Casualties: my car
Cost of damage: superseded by car accident on 5 Nov 2009
Remarks: I called HS immediately to report the damage, and he sounded cool and calm about it. But when I got ome, his face was black as Darth Vader.

{The Kwali} - First Car Accident.
Date: 5 Nov 2009 (Thu)
Time: 835pm
Venue: Intersection of Grace Park and Lorong Chuan, in front of Caltex petrol station
Parties involved: my car and Comfort taxi
Casualties: my car and Comfort taxi.
Cost of damage: to be confirmed. Car under repair for 2 weeks.
Remarks: I am thankful that SY and YH were in their car behind mine, and they helped manage the mess (while I was in a state of shock). I am thankful the taxi did not hit me directly. I am thankful no one was hurt; and I am alive and kicking.

What Kind Of Life Do I Want?

Life seemed to have whirled past me in recent times... I have been caught on the 'superhighway' of things, and didn't find the windows to make posts here.

But one thought that keeps going around my head is this: What kind of life do I want?

This came about since my Bali trip (early Sep 2009), I think. I made the following conclusions within the hour that I touched down on that island: One must travel out of one's familiar environment to be made aware of how big the world is, and the many choices available in life. I remember when we were in Tokyo (Aug 2008), I concluded that life can be better, standards of living can be higher. However, when we were in Bali, I saw the other side of the spectrum (not the extreme opposite but the contrast was obvious, and realized that life can be simpler, and we should be contented with the comfortable lifestyle that we have now.

I have no answer for now... sometimes, when I desire nice outfits or crave for that dining experience in a posh restaurant, I think of Tokyo... sometimes, when I am more down-to-earth, I'd think of Bali and tell myself to forgo that pair of shoes or take the MRT... : S

Mama Is A Christmas Tree

I cannot remember when it all started. But I have a habit of carrying big bags... and many bags. I have no qualms of slinging bags on both shoulders, and hanging more bags on both arms... maybe it was the habit of my days as a studious student, lugging all my textbooks to school... maybe it was the habit of my days as a serious shopaholic???

Well, this habit of mine has led my boys to call me a Christmas Tree, where they can hang their bags and jackets and even toys on me!

I wish someone will hand jewellery and gems on me instead!