Happy Mother's Day

Last time I always think those Mother's Day radio commercial are full of emotional marketing gimmick.
However, lately I've been listening very attentively to each and every of the radio commercial.
Perhaps it's when mummy is no longer around that I appreciate her more.
But then it's too late..
I hate myself for not giving you the best, mummy

Each time a radio commercial is aired or each time I come across Mother's Day advertisement & article in the newspapers and magazines... I can't help but feel sad.

They say time heals but I 'm starting to doubt how true it is.

There were times when I cried while bathing thinking what will it be like if you are still around, mummy.
I think you’ll be very happy if you were around to share my happiness for these past 10 months.
There are many good things that have happened to me and all of us … and I wanted very much for you to know, to be here with us.

Now, I can cook and wanted to cook for you mummy.
But why wasn’t I given a chance to do so?

Now all I can do is to treasure those good memories we had …. But I’m getting old and I’m afraid I may forget those memories. I cannot afford to forget because those memories are all I have…. They are all I have.

God, please take good care of my mummy.
I need your help, God because I didn’t took good care of her last time.

the legendary – right way of writing I LOVE U as told to Su by fairy god mother

Not so long ago, at the pangkor laut village was a pair of lovers. They have come together after many obstacles as they never gave up on each other.
She’s a simple girl by the name of Su. He’s a guy who’s always there for her.

As they were strolling by the sea side, the guy was busy admiring nature and capturing photos. The girl received this ‘blessing’ from fairy god mother. She started picking up fallen flowers and naturally arranged them in the shape of a heart.

‘This is your heart, my dear. Fill it up with love for everyone. It’s love that makes the world beautiful’ – those were the words of fairy god mother.

She stared at the heart shape and caught a glimpse of the guy.
Besides her family and friends, he is the first person who taught her so much about love. He taught her love is about accepting the person you love as a whole.

Seeing that this pair of lovers has gone through so much together, fairy god mother decided to give them a ‘helping hand’. Fairy god mother make a fresh green leave fall on the left side of the heart and gathered some golden dried leaves on the right side of the heart.
















The girl gently led the guy to where her heart is. ‘This is what I’ve always wanted to let you know’ she said shyly.

























The guy took a stick and wrote this on the sand. She is touched. Very touched as she knew her love for her was genuine and also his for her. They walked hand in hand enjoying the companion of each other while listening to the sound of nature.

As they leave, a young pair of siblings came – a sister and younger brother maybe in lower primary school.

“Jie, see here see here.
Write wrong already. I LOVE U don’t have S one.
Should be I LOVE U ma, not I LOVE SU”

The girl overheard what the little boy said and started laughing to herself. Such is the innocence of a child, she thought.
She went to share what she heard with the guy and they both started laughing. The guy just knew this girl is going to post this to her blog.
Fairy god mother who heard the boy too, began smiling to herself. It’s indeed love that makes the world wonderful.

The same night, as the pair of lovers was strolling at the sea side, the girl quietly went to check whether her heart and the writings on the sand are still there.

It was still there… fairy god mother must have spread her love around again. The girl wonder whether the beautiful arrangements have also made other couples closer and renew the love of everyone who saw it.









Meanwhile, someone has decided to strike the S in front of U.
That person whoever he / she is decided that the right way of writing I love you is ‘I LOVE U’ not ‘I LOVE SU’








From then on, people start to write 'I LOVE YOU' as 'I LOVE U'
many may not know how this way of writing originated, but this was the story behind it.
Fairy god mother has since copyrighted this story to be told on every 20th April ... the 'I LOVE U' day.

story as told to Su by fairy good mother

ps. For kids age below 12 and reading this, please refrain from using this story in the story telling competition. However, if you decided to do so, the author shall not be held liable for any consequences =p hehe

photos from heaven

Due to my wicked nature, I’m really lucky to be able to stay in this heaven on earth for 3 days only. I regretted for being so wicked but it was too late.

I’m very thankful to dear & mum for bringing me along to this heaven =)

Hopefully you’ll too, like me enjoy the (visual) visit to heaven on earth =)

ps. This heaven is perfect for honeymoon, in fact, I’ve 2 pair of newly weds friends who had their honeymoon here.

This post will be all on the fabulous sceneries. We’ll leave some other themes for coming posts =)

blogging from heaven on earth

dear friends,

this place is wonderful. I didn't know we have such beautiful place near home.
yah Cam, like what you told me about what Jessica told you ... it was really nice to bath in an open view bathroom =p

will share more pics of this heaven on earth when I'm back. I took quite a number of photos because i don't think wicked people like me will ever get to come to heaven again =)

Till next post,
Cheers

The Keys

Keef has got her keys, I was trying to find mine
would you like to find yours too?

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who have a split personality - cold as ice on the outside but hot as fire in the heart. In love, you feel the most alive when your partner is patient and never willing to give up on you. You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change. You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Donate blood, Give life

pic : http://www.corbis.com

17/4/08

Today, there's a blood donation drive at my workplace by PDN (Pusat Darah Negara)

Some of my colleagues went to donate blood, I wanted too but I'm disqualifed.

I have great respect to people who donate blood, I think they are beautiful people.

I've always wanted to .... it is one of the many ways we can help especially those in need.

God has given us life (and enough blood to donate). Our blood can save lives.

pic : http://www.corbis.com

Donate Blood, Give Life.

So my goal for this year is to put on weight (at least 45kg to qualify to donate blood).

<----- Then you'll see me wearing this =)

I've always wanted to pledge my organs too but I didn't actually got to doing it.

So, this year on my birthday perhaps, I'm thinking of signing up to pledge my organs (if they are still usable)

I've gotten so much in life and I'm thankful. If my little effort could make a difference in other lives, why not?

Smart Kids

something light for today =)

Little Becky looked at her mother one day and asked, ‘ Why are some of your hairs white, mummy?”
Her mother replied, “well, every time you do something wrong and make me unhappy, one strand of hair turns white.”
After a pause, Becky asked, “Mummy, how come all of grandma’s hairs are white?”

Source : The Malaysian’s Women Weekly – March 2006

LOL... hopefully our children do not ask us questions like these ... else we'll have to be smarter parents =D

Garden @ work

I know Ikea’s curry puff and hotdog bun are tasty plus can get to endless flow of refills. But allow me to just bring your attention to the paper cup, I love the concept … (not the concept of paying once and get many refills ah!) Read below --->





Picking wild flowers on riverbanks or in forest and letting them blossom at home is very Swedish. Thanks to the ancient common right called ‘Allomansraif’, anyone may pick wild flowers without asking anybody for permission.


And guess what I’m already practicing what I’ve learnt ... keke…


Picking plants from the fields / LRT stations / common areas and letting them grow at home / office is very Malaysianish. Thanks to the modern common right called ‘Malaysia Boleh’, anyone may pick plants without asking anybody for permission.



My report card ...
How did I fare? =p hehe

Till my next post,

we’ll visit my garden @ home ... Cheers

the credit card story ...

At my office building on the ground floor, there were some sales agents offering free gifts for credit card application.

Of course there were many 'tham pin yi' people (yes, i admit i'm one of them) who apply for the cards just because we wanted the free gifts... POLO golf umbrella and Mizuno backpack.

But this is not what I wanted to talk about in today's post.

There I witness many people characters while they are applying for the cards. Most of them use apply on card to card basis (ie. using another banks credit card to apply for this bank card)
For some who hasn't got other bank card, or didn't bring their card, they can also apply with latest 3 months pay slips.

There were a group of Malay & Indian guys in their mid 20s to 30s who were applying using pay slips. After the sales person gone through, all were excepted except for this one Indian guy who was told that his salary does not qualify for card application because his pay had not reached the minimum RM1500 per month.

The Indian guy expression at that point of time ... I do not know how to describe but it was a mixture of sad, embarassed and sort of lowered his self esteem. He took back his pay slips & application form before walking away to another corner while his friends happily redeemed their gift. He was looking at his payslip with great intense.

The last I saw him, he was still standing at the lifts waiting area, thinking hard and didn't move even when the lifts arrived. All his friends has gone back to office. I may not know exactly was he was thinking but it must have hit him hard, maybe hurting his vulnerable self esteem at that moment. I felt sympathy for him I do not know why.

Thoughts were running in my mind at that moment ...

1. Should have the sales agent be a bit more 'sensitive' towards his customer and avoid the kind of situation where someone may be embarassed?

2. Was his friend reaction of leaving him alone appropriate?

3. Regardless of what happen, this guy (which is about mid 20s to 30s) with the current inflation and price increase, how does he manage? and i wonder whether he has a family to feed and whether there will be enough? and if it's just enough or barely enough, how do these people grow their money when they don't even have extra? <--- i know i think too much.

4. If a person is earning lesser than most of his / her friends and if the group chooses to enjoy a more lavish lifestyle, is it right not to follow or is it wrong to follow. Sometimes I think we people are in situation like this, we want to be with these group of friends and they choose to eat at some places which may not be our budget, do we go along or do we not. If we go along, our budget suffer but if we do not we risk being anti-social or being 'kedekut'

5. I hope this incident will wake the guy up... to at least motivate him to increase his earning capabilities. Given the benefit of doubt that he's an average guy with no attitude problem at work, I really did hope that he earns more ... not so that he can apply for a card (which may land him into deeper trouble) but maybe for him to regain his self esteem or to give his family a better life.

6. and I count my blessings ... and I told myself I will share whatever little I know to people who wanted to know. For the world is full of abundance for everyone.

F.I.T - Filing Income Tax

I've just completed the draft copy of income tax and file all the receipt in place.

It took me about 1 hour plus ... putting all the figures in place, deducting whatever that needs to be deducted - optimizing the taxation reliefs and deductible entitlements so that I can reduce the amount I need to pay legally.

Not long ago, a friend forwarded an email on 26 ways to slash our taxes. It was very helpful. TQVM CY =)


Sometimes, ignorance is just not bliss ...

Take for instance, imagine if I had not received the email / if I had not know the reliefs and deductable, I could have just thrown away all my receipts and ended paying more because I've got nothing to help to reduce my taxes.

Just in case you conveniently forget, the dateline for submission is 30th April (for non-business income earners) and 30th June (for total income include business income earners)

For e-filing, you may visit https://e.hasil.org.my

Take some time to study and do your tax, for if it has got to do with your hard earned money, it is worth the time and effort. For if you're a big timer and have tax experts to do for you, better still but just make sure you know what are you paying for.

I wanted to write, but my eyes wanted to sleep

so, I'm writing tomorrow.
Sorry

So I'm putting a lullaby (one of my fav song) for me to sleep.

容祖儿-曙凤蝶

oh my precious ...

These items are slowly becoming my precious ..

MENA - my favourite complete line of skincare and make up brand.
GSP - the jewellery outlet I frequent to buy jewelleries for myself & loved ones.
Vietnam - my next holiday destination.

I've just turned myself into a materialistic girl going for the most expensive brands, buying make up and skincare, buying jewelleries and going for holidays on debt without a little inch of regret.
Oh... you may not have any idea what have I become. The problem is neither do I.
Can someone tell me why?
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If the above paragraphs got you thinking? Please keep reading.



MENA ie. Middle Eastern and North African countries. Many local investors (funds) are diversifying into MENA region. We shall explore the push and pull factors in a moment.
- Economic growth spear headed by oil revenues and increasing demand
- Increasing FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)
- Undervalued markets - valuation is attractive.
- low correlation to world markets
- Infrastructure development by government is massive and expanding
- strong future domestic demand from population growth (100 million population - half is below age 20 thus large emerging consumer market, labour force. & every male is required to provide a house before marriage .. talking about real estate)
- under researched region / market
- high market capitalisation & turnover
(Modified and simplified from various sources primarily MENA related funds)

Just one thing, please don't ask to point where these countries are on a world map / globe. Most probably I'll never be able to cause I'm utterly useless in geography =p


GSP ie. gold,silver, platinum
There are 2 ways here - we either go for the precious metal itself OR into equities / funds of companies engaging in the upstream & downstream of activities related to these precious metals.
- To diversify portfolio (negative correlation with other asset classes & show lower volatility in cycles)
- Hedge against currency
- New demand - spur by renewed interest by investor
- Central bank activity - Asia underweight vs US & Europe
- Rising demand and decreasing / stagnant supply (gap) - discovery rate slowed.
- commodity switching (oil to gold)
- ETF for GS is gaining demand
- Platinum - supply constrained, demand growing as is used as auto catalysts to reduce emissions.
(Modified and simplified from various sources primarily GSP related funds)


VIETNAM ie. Vietnam
is said to be the 'Next China'
- steady GDP growth
- export sector - healthy & blooming. world largest exporter of pepper, 2nd largest for seafood, rice & coffee.
- Underdeveloped consumer market
- Rapid FDI (some restrictions uplifted)
- work force in abundance - quality and cheap
- banking & financial sector penetration low - infancy stage - only 6% of population have banking accounts - tremendous potential.

(modified & simplified from various sources of Vietnam related funds)

Hopefully i think i had made the right selections, and oh, the part where I mentioned about debt... Do not invest on debt. It is never a wise thing to do. Invest only with the extras.

谢安琪 - 钟无艳

Heard it 1st time on radio while travelling to work .... love it
especially the melody
the cantonese is a bit deep for me to understand fully though

This BIRTHDAY GIRL

This lady, she has a heart of gold.

Somehow this lady has her own ways to your heart, she cares for everyone a lot although she may never display her affection openly.

Sometimes, she'd rather suffer herself rather than burdening others.

She has been through alot and has made sacrifices too ... but she's being just herself... always putting others before herself.

She may look cute, however behind this cuteness there’s a strong and determined lady. Taking life in her own strides.

A filial daughter and a good wife (perhaps soon-to-be good mother).

Her family means everything to her.

She's the spark plug of the group, often brighten our days with her antics and jokes.

There's never a dull moment with her around.

She used to like yellow colour but not too sure whether that has changed.

Oh...and she used to name all the colours in Cantonese too.

It’s strange how we got to know each other but this friendship I’ll treasure to the end of my life.

Mai,

On your birthday, would just like to say

Happy Birthday Mai!!! (and to mak Mai juga)

May your everyday be filled with happiness, joy and abundance

I'm no good with birthday wishes ...

but I just want you to know that being your friend was one of the best things in my life.

Thank you so much for being there always

I treasure this friendship alot

As I'm writing this, I have a lot of memories coming back to me, also looking at some of our photos ... and guess what, they make me laugh and cry at the same time =p

macam mana baca?

If you notice, on the left hand panel of my blog,
under the heading of 'tea leaves brewing'
I've listed some books which I had read, am reading, and going to read

I didn't notice I have this strange ability =p until a friend asked me (on behalf of another friend) =p
how do I read so many books at the same time???

haha... I didn't know how I've acquire this ability ... but it think it must have been because I place my books and magazines all over the places.
Thus, i read the book / magazines nearest to where I'm at that point of time.
For instance, when I commute to work, I read the book that's in my work bag.
Bedtime, I read the magazine / book beside my bed.
When I need to use the toilet for 'big' business ... I grab the book nearest to the toilet.
When I go out on weekends, I read the book in my 'jalan jalan' bag
Relaxing in the hall, I grab the book in the living room.
In short, I'm never short of supply of books / magazines / any reading materials anywhere in my home =)

Won't I get confused reading so many books at the same time ...
So far I do not seem to have problems ...
maybe there were once or twice where it took me a little longer to remember what was prior to what I read. But it just need a little refreshment by reading a paragraph or two back.

Of course, I could have finish one book before I start another ...
Had tried that but still the old habits kick in.
Especially when need to go toilet ... I wouldn't have enough time to go grab the only book I'm reading. My instinct is of course to grab the nearest book.

And oh ... just please don't ask me why do I read while doing big business in the toilet ...
I just do not know ... or perhaps I was toilet trained that way
Let me ask my parents 1st .... LOL

my little baby steps

7/4/08
marks the new beginning ...
I took my little baby steps in line dancing

We had done 2 songs... more to come next week =D
Enjoyed every moment of it ... we can't stop laughing at ourselves
especially when we stumbled on our own steps...

oh... n i didn't know we can sweat alot through line dancing too =)
looking forward next week class ... nevermind even if it's on Mondays

Help! There's iceberg in my fridge

That day, I decided to improve on my cooking skills (read : trying to finish cooking the leftover items and vege), I cooked a meal for 2.
Dad and sis went for trip.

These simples dishes, mind you, took me about 3 - 4 hours to cook.



and just in case you are wondering, no ... these dishes doesn't require slow cook / stew for long hours (beside the herbal soup which I boil in slow cooker)

The dishes are basically dried chilli sotong

Stir fried tao miu, mushroom and chicken meatball.

Why it took me as long as 3 - 4 hours?

Thanks to my fridge lor ...hehe, frezeer to be exact ^^!

When I wanted to take the ingredient out to defrost, I realised I couldn't pull the tray out.

Apparently both trays in the freezer were frozen with iceberg from the fridge ... so strong so much so that I couldn't move them a single inch.

Then I have to switch off the fridge, let the iceberg melt (something like the effects of global warming) before I can remove the trays by force.

Just in case you find it hard to imagine, I've capture some pics to facilitate your imagination...hehe =p

The slab of ice below was remove from the lower part of the upper tray.

I bet we can make 20 bowls of ice kacang and cendol with this slab of concrete ice =p

And so I ended up having to clean the fridge ... removing icebergs, wiping the dripping water, cleaning the trays... all because I needed the stuff to eat from the freezer.

And so crazy was I, that I had conveniently put some clothes for washing in the washing machine just right before I open that freezer door. So I had to juggle the drying of the clothes as well.

Talk about multitasking... I do salute housewife who is able to complete so many things in a limited amount of time and some with children wanting attention every minutes.

And as dear put it, staying focus really wasn't one of my strength.. hehe =p

Else how I ended up diverted to do so many other things when all I need to do is cook for 2 .... haih...

baby palm trees

Recently, my colleague & I are doing some exchange programmes in the office (besides the normal info and ideas exchange, that is)

We are bringing our whole garden for exchange in the office,
(yes, you read me right!!! )
Have I mentioned that my workstation is like a little garden in the office, I feel comfortable in this green environment.

The pros :
(1) it's infectious, so when people see your wrokstation, they like it too and they start their own plantation ... the whole office is filled with greens ... it's a very beautiful sight =)
(2) you get to spread your plants around, giving parts for people to grow and receive many varieties of plants in return. If I've not lost count, I've received 7 types of plants so far for my office as well as my home garden =)

The cons :
(1) when you have so many plants around you, the boss may think that you seem to be more interested in the plants than to work =p hehe. (But, they must understand that it's these plants that give me the motivation to work =)

Oh...back to the pic
It's the baby palm trees that I'm giving my colleague. She has always wanted those red palm trees which we have abundance at home. This colleague has given me many plants too =)

Message for the day : Start planting a plant today! You'll never know what you'll find =)

ps. hi Terence, is the offer for the floating cabbage like plant still available?? hehe cause I would like to plant some at my home too =) TQVM

happy sticks

Wouldn't it be nice if there is such a thing in the world?

That will give us happiness and the inner glow we need as & when we need it.

Maybe in the form of a glow stick?

But I must admit, glow stick is one of the most beautiful and amazing thing ever created.