Mummy's Visit

Today, my hubby & I went to visit grandma together with my parents. I felt happy to see my parents and grandma. Although we could have meet yesterday... due to some nonsense we have to postpone to today (3rd day of CNY). I bought some goodies (brands, biscuts, nuts, mandarin oranges, nian gaos, dried mushroom etc.) for grandma and I also give away my old Sony (but still in good condition) TV to grandma. It has been such a long time since I saw her last TV broken and none of her children who are living with her ever think of buy a new TV for her. I am heartbroken to see such things happening to grandma. SO I decided to give her mine. And me & hubby were so happy to see her sooo happy when she saw the new TV.

Later that evening, my mum stayed overnight at our house. We had a good time chatting and jogging around my neighbourhood. It was good to see mum so happy and delighful. I'm glad to have invited her and to see her happy face. The next day, we went shopping spree down town. Bought her a few things - shoes & pillows. We had breakfast, tea break & dinner together in the same mall. She enjoyed her food too.

Wish she could stay longer at my house if not because of my nonsense dad! :<

Ushering the Year of Ox

Gong Xi Fa Chai!!! :) Here are the wishes you will hearing the most often during these two days... Chinese New Year is a time for feasting, family reunions and fun! Each year, Chinese throughout the world spend weeks preparing for the 15-day celebration, officially called the Spring Festival.

How did Chinese New Year come to be celebrated? According to an ancient legend, people were once tormented by a beast called a Nian - a ferocious creature with an extremely large mouth, capable of swallowing several people in a single bite. Relief from the Nian came only when an old man tricked the beast into disappearing. In reality, New Years festivities probably evolved from a desire to celebrate the end of winter and the fertility and rebirth that come with the spring, much like the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia. Today, New Years is about family reunions and wishing everyone good fortune in the coming year. The Spring Festival is China's major traditional holiday, and is also celebrated in other parts of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam (where New Year's Day is called "Tet"), Malaysia, Taiwan, and of course, Hong Kong. However, in my research I couldn't find any mention of Chinese New Year's celebrations in Japan.

Lisa Heupel, an expert on Japanese Culture, came up with a possible reason - apparently the Japanese followed the lunar calendar until the middle of the nineteenth century. However, after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, they adopted the Gregorian calendar. Since that time New Years is celebrated on January 1st. While there are other popular festivals celebrating the arrival of spring, such as Hanami or the cherry blossom viewing festival, for the most part Chinese New Year goes unnoticed in Japan, except for a few small celebrations by the Chinese who live there.

Here, I want to wish my dear hubby - May the new year brings you good health, good wealth and happiness. Gong Xi Fa Chai! May all your wish come true on this special year! :) Thank you for the wonderful CNY celebrations. I love spending it together just the two of us! :)

C H A N G E

Finally the new US president, Barack Obama is taking over the White House today. "Change has come to America" that's the tagline appears on his website - you can check it out at www.whitehouse.gov. I believe millions of people from around the world are watching this unbelieveable event happening either via TV or Internet.

The dream finally become reality for most of the African American. There is still hope for change not only for the people in America but the world. This will be a good example that the Americans have shown so far to the world. I have to say I'm lucky to be able to see such great event happening at my time. ALthough this is not happening at my own birth country, I am as happy as those Americans. This is a good sign to us... that miricles do happened. This gives me a good reminder not to give up hope and faith so easily when confronted with obstacles in life. Obama can, we also can!!! :) He is such an inspiration for all of us.

The word 'change' in dictionary refers to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone or to transform or convert. I read somewhere that sometimes change is good! But the question is are you ready for a change? I guess there is still not many people out there who are ready for a change or shd I say they are afraid to change.

I guess ones should embrace change no matter in what age you are. The world keeps changing from time to time... the weather too... why don't we??? We must adapt to changes and make it flexible in our life. If paln A doesn't work, we have to change to plan B, or plan C or ... till we finally meet with the result that we want! Never to give up your hopes, dreams & faith in Jesus Christ.

Wish all of you out there change for GOOD! :)

Right Attitude

Sometimes I really don't understand why some merchant are so unprofessional & irresposible in doing their job! >_<

The word business owner not only sounds glamourous, it also makes the person look affluent when he is being reffered. Looking at the market nowadays, as the people are getting more & more sophiscated and educated, their lifestyle & taste have also become more & more complicated. They are not easily pleased nor satisfied. Still, many business owners find that this is an opportunity for them to satisfy those complicated needs and demands. That is why, now, you can see there are millions and millions of products and services out there being created each day in the supermarket shelves. This is good business for the business owner, of course! This means they see money ($$$) going into their pocket and they can buy big car, big house with big garden, etc.etc... this is only happening when your business is making profit.

However, they failed to see futher than that.... while you can create a business today, your business could also close shop or some even worst than that go bankcrupt the next day. It's not all greenery and sweet as you imagine it! The title "business owner" or "enterpernure" wouldn't exist for no reason or meaning.

While some people like to call themselves the business owner/enterprenure, most of them failed to listen to their customer needs or demands! When a person goes to them and started to complaint about their services/products, you will two very extreme kind of reactions... 1 - Argue & then ignore it and started to make excuses or blame it on the customer instead to avoid embrassment or penalty by the customer. 2 - Listen and apologise for their mistakes and try to achive a win-win situation for both party. Most of my encounter, the "business owner" will choose route no.1 as it is the easiest and it can not only save your face, it can also save your sliva from apologising to your customer.

I always wonder how those business can survive with that kind of 3rd class attitude??? I guess they still can make money but they won't make great deal of money. While their business concept may be superb, but with their kind of attitude in doing business, I wouldn't think the business will go very far. Like the maid agency which I've hire recently. She don't even bother to contact me to let me know that she won't be able to send her maid to my house today for service because her father has passed away (this is the reason she gave me when I called her after 1 hour of waiting for her maid which didn't seem to arrive at my house). I do not need her to write me a letter or a lengthy reports on why she wouldn't make it today as confirm by her last week but as a courtesy or service to your client, this is no brainer work! Even a 3 year old will do better than this!!! This is what I call services with an attitude! Deeply disappointed with how ethical is those people in doing their business.

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~ Winston Churchill

The most successful people are those who are good at plan B. ~ James Yorke

The problem is not the problem, the problem is your attitude towards solving the problem.

What A Day !

What a morning to begin with... It all heppened while I was doing my routine cleaning in my living room and I found that my wedding photo frame inside the glass-door cabinet has fallen (now I know where the big 'bang' sound came from in the morning). So, as I open the glass door to move my photo frame, one of the angle-glass suddenly fallen into the ground and broke (-_-") I was terrified!!! Two very precious things has broken today in my house!!!! :$

I suddenly started to pray to the Al'mighty Lord. ~ Dear Lord Jesus, please keep me & my dear hubby safe under your watchful & loving eyes. Guard us against the evil spitits that came to disturb our peace. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. ~

Then, in the afternoon, while I was busy in my studyroom, I suddenly heard a loud shouting voice coming from outside my house. I quickly go and check and found a man (60yo+) which is a cab driver holding a bouquet of flowers standing outside my house. I quickly ran outside the house and find out what was happening. As I receive the flowers, I saw the uncle face was smiling and I am too was smiling with him. What a day to start with.... such lovely flowers sent by hubby from our long-time friend florist.

And... back to yesterday, I don't know why suddenly I have this feeling of sadness inside me. All the 'what if' questions suddenly creep into my head making me really moody and unhappy. I suddenly felt very tired... not physically but emotionally. I know God have given what I asked for but I am the one who is to be blame for not being careful enough. How careless I am (!!). Sometimes I keep blaming myself. But what I cannot turn back the time. Now, I can only pray to the mercyful God for his blessing for a bettwe future for me & my hubby & never to look back again. Like my doc said, I have to keep looking forward and strengthen my body to face whatever obstacle in life.

I know that God has all planned out for me... But I'm duno why I have this unsettled feeling inside me that kept telling me 'what if it turns out not what you've expected?'.... I am started to get worried and asking how am I going to handle all the uncertainty in life later on? I'm mentally exhausted... Almighty God, I know deep in my heart that you always keep your promise. Remind me of that often, especially when I flater. Amen.

First Project

Yes!!!!!! I've started using my camera for business! :) Although, it's partly for charity purposes I'm still very happy that I've kick start my dream. I'm happy with the outcome of the photos too! :) Can't have too high expectations as the lens is just a normal lense and with no additional flash somemore.

Just let me share with you my personal experience about being a photographer (this is just me specaking for my own), 1 - you really have to be alret all the time during the event 2 - your hand and eyes will eventually tired at the 4th hours of working... 3 - there's no toilet break or drinking break in between so you need to juggle your time perfectly 4 - always shoot more (different angle) so that you have a good coverage of the event.

Well, my next target to photograph (hopefully) will be in ppl's wedding! :D Looking for someone's wedding to go to so that I can test my skills and put my camera to use. Any of you out there looking for a freelance photographer? hahaha... Do let me know ;-) I'm serious! But I think I should start as an assistance photographer first... and then get the lenses I need, second, and practice more, third.

Well, I guess like the saying goes, practice make perfect!

Spring Cleaning

It's exactly 2 weeks to celebrating Chinese New Year! :D Most of us will be busy preparing for the Lunar New Year which fall on the 26th & 27th Jan this year (the first day of the first lunar month).

As traditions, days before celebrating CNY, the chinese families will give their home a through cleaning. It is believes the cleaning will wash away the bad luck of the preceding year and makes their homes ready for good luck. Brooms and dust pans are put away on the first day so that luck cannot be swept away. Some people give their homes, doors and window-frames a new coat of red paint. Homes are often decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases (the most popular ones are 'fuk' or 'chun') and etc. Purchasing new clothing, shoes and receiving a hair-cut also symbolize a fresh start too.

Apart from that, we also decorated our home with red decoratives be it the red packets, new year greetings cards, auspicious charms, silver ignots, flowers, ribbons etc. I have not decide what to do yet for our living room as I've thrown away the Nian Hwa (we have been using it for almost 1 year). Well, I think this year we will decorate our home with some simple items but will give a cozy and comfort atmosphere to "our home sweet home" just like my sweety said this morning :)

When I was young, I still can remember I'm always looking forward to this day... because I can have more than 2 days of school holidays, eat lots of delicacies (noodles, chicken, roast pork etc.) during CNY especially sweets, wear nice & new dress, eating mandrain oranges (my fave), receiving ang pows, see my relatives and play fire crackers!!! :D But today, as I'm preparing for CNY, all the excitment when I was in childhood has gone... not as exciting as last time...

Nowadays, celebrating CNY is like a job more than having fun. You have to do the house cleaning all by yourself, prepare foods, buy clothes with your own pocket money, give ang pow instead receiving any pows, it's illegal to play fireworks now, eat less sweets and mandrain oranges (too yin for me), only hv 2 days holidays and eat less traditional delicacies like noodles and roast pork.

Anyway, I guess this is all part of growing up. Like I learnt from church on last Sunday, "Growth is the evidence of life."

Reminder Reminder Reminder

God really put me to test this time. I want to apologise to my dear Lord, please forgive me for I've failed you. It's harder than I thought..... I must say that when comes to emotion, grey vs black area, I'm easily fall into the trap and sometimes I tend to forget... too forgetful until the evil has over powering me to think all the negetive thoughts rather than positive.

Warning from my Zodiac Sign this year:

- To avoid tension, don't trust anyone too much (which I easily fall into trap) this year. Do NOT indulge in gossip as it will backfire against you.

Health:

- You will face bad health this year as you will be overloaded with work and emotions.

Wealth:- Don't harbour negative thoughts of people and their motives. Try to stay positive and you will see positive results.

Love:

- If you are married, you may face some problems due to a difference of opinions.

Dear Lord, please protect me and my dear hubby against evil thinking and please light up our paths if it's getting darker and harder to see. Help us to see the positive more and grant us the wisdom to know the difference between good vs. evil. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Delightful

Today, as I logged on to my facebook, I was prompted at the top bar indicating that I've received a new message and two new friends who wanted to add me to their contact list! :) As I open the message folder, I saw a dear friend of mine who has sent me the message. As I click to open his message and begin reading it and I read with delight and pleasure that all our messages are so simple and honest!

I never thought that I will be able to meet this secondary school friend again but here we are chatting away in facebook! :D I'm gald that there's still people who think of or remember me sometimes (in a good way I mean... not that I remember I've done any bad stuff to any of my friends back in my secondary school years but I've also not done any special thing that made them remember me till now!) :))) In short, I'm just an ordinary school girl back in those years apart that I'm a school prefect.

I've also met a few of my old old friends who I've not been able to keep in touch with for almost 10y years++ and here we were, poking at each other's wall in facebook.. hahahah.... these are the kind of friends whcih has gone through the time with you (even we don't talk much coz all that need to be said is known in the heart) and which you would also like to keep for long-term. I'm glad to said that I have it all! All I need is just ONE true friend (thank you Lord for blessing me with 'the one'). That's all I need. If there's more than one, it's really a blessing from above. Thank you Lord again! Amen.

However, one thing I hate is those hypocrite! If I dected one, I will ditch it right away with no further questions ask! It's contageous.... it will destroy you & your poor soul if you are not careful with who you choose as your friend. I read somewhere - You canot choose your family nor your parents but you can choose your friend... so choose wisely! I'm a picky friend... I don't easily mixed with anyone... that's just me! :)

We've Launched

Hey y'all !

Ta-daaa....!!! Finally, finally, finally..... my official production finally out and to-be-seen in public! :) Hope y'all will like it!

The above picture was taken pretty recently by my dear self (heheh). It was part of my 2008 flowers collections which I've been shooting using my new camera (of course!). Among all the flowers, I applaued my neighbour who successfully planted this rare and difficult to grow flower namely the Hydrangea (!). It bloomed just beautifully in her garden and everytime I passed by her house I'll stopby for a few second just to adore the prettiness of this rare flowers and it's pretty colours.

The name hydrangea means "water barrel", and refers to the extensive thirstiness of these plants. The more water they drink, the larger their blooms are. Hydrangeas are a genus of 76 species of plants, ranging natively from Asia and the Americas.

Hydrangeas range in color from blue to pink to white. The pH of the soil determines the color of the flowers, with colors ranging from purples and pinks (alkaline) to pale ivory (neutral) to blue (acidic). Shown at left is an antique green hydrangea, one of the more popular colors on the market.

Hydrangeas today are very popular flowers in both everyday and event work. Their distinctive round fluffy heads give arrangements a soft, classic look. A vase of white hydrangeas bears a strong resemblance to an arrangement of clouds, so there's no surprise the most stylish arrangements and wedding bouquets usually feature hydrangeas. (Much of this information was provided by Transflora)

Happy viewing!

Welcome to Year 2009!

Happy New Year everyone!!! :) Wish you have a blessed and fruitful year in 2009!

Yesterday, I received quite a few sms whishes from my friends one of which I found the message is truely meaningful... The message goes - A new Year, A new Start, A new Chapter, A new Begining, Forget the bad & Cherish the Good!.... This is what I truely wish for in year 2009 for the both of us!

Dear Lord, have mercy on us and help us desire Your approval far more than afforded by the world. We seek Your covering and favour in events that would unfold in the time ahead. In Your strong Name, we pray, Amen.