It's past 1 in the morning and I can't sleep. Ugh.

I think I might do a lil packing for HK...

I am looking forward to my trip, I need to de-stress! Also looking forward to getting new pics taken, getting my hair done soon, adopting a new healthy lifestyle that does not include Italian cuisine binges and hopefully some form of exercise, spending tons of time with my babes (the good ones), saving up for a good travel experience (Spain, Morocco, Brazil, Greece, Paris, etc.), and so the list wears on...

For now I will just look forward to another weekend away, another weekend of rest, another weekend of absolute bliss, and another, another, another...It's nice to have something to look forward to...and try to get to bed in a bit. Night!

keep a secret, can u?

The 'Have You Ever' survey...Put an X to those those that apply to you.
Have you ever:

( ) Smoked a cigarette.
( ) Smoked a cigar.
(X) Made out with a member of the same sex.
( ) Crashed a friend's car.
(X) Crashed Dad's car.
( ) Stolen a car.
(X) Been in love.
(X) Been dumped.
(X) Shoplifted.
(X) Been fired.
(X) Been in a fist fight.
(X) Snuck out of your parents' house.
(X) Snuck into someone's house.
(X) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
( ) Been arrested.
( ) Made out with a stranger.
( ) Gone on a blind date.
(X) Lied to a friend.
( ) Had a crush on a teacher.
(X) Skipped school.
( ) Slept with a co-worker.
( ) Seen someone die.
( ) Had/have a crush on one of your Friendster friends.
( ) Been to Canada.
( ) Been to Mexico.
(X) Been on a plane.
( ) Thrown up in a bar.
( ) Purposely set a part of yourself on fire. (?!!)
(X) Eaten sushi.
(X) Been snowboarding.
(X) Tried skateboarding
( ) Gone Fishing
( ) Driven a boat
(X) Met someone because of Friendster.
( ) Been moshing at a concert.
(X) Been in an abusive relationship.
(X) Taken painkillers.
(X) Love someone right now.
(X) Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by. (LOve it!)
(X) Made a snow angel.
(X) Had a tea party.
(X) Flown a kite.
(X) Built a sand castle.
(X) Gone puddle jumping.
(X) Played dress up.
(X) Jumped into a pile of leaves.
( ) Gone sledding.
(X) Cheated while playing a game.
(X) Been lonely.
(X) Fallen asleep at work/school.
( ) Used a fake ID.
(X) Watched the sun set.
( ) Felt an earthquake.
(X) Touched a snake.
(X) Been tickled.
( ) Been robbed.
( ) Robbed someone.
(X) Been misunderstood.
( ) Pet a reindeer/goat.
(X) Won a contest.
(X) Ran a red light.
( ) Been suspended from school.
(X) Had detention.
(X) Been in a car accident.
(X) Had braces.
( ) Eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night.
(X) Had déjà vu.
(X) Danced in the moonlight.
(X) Hated the way you look.
(X) Witnessed a crime.
( ) Pole danced.
(X) Questioned your heart.
( ) Been obsessed with Post-It notes.
( ) Squished barefoot through the mud.
(X) Been lost.
(X) Been to the opposite side of the country.
(X) Felt like dying.
(X) Cried yourself to sleep.
(X) Played cops and robbers.
(X) Recently colored with crayons/colored pencils/markers.
( ) Sung karaoke.
(X) Paid for a meal with only coins.
(X) Paid for a cab fare with only coins
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(X) Made prank phone calls.
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose.
( ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue.
(X) Kissed in the rain.
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus.
(X) Been kissed under a mistletoe.
(X) Watched the sun set with someone you care about.
(X) Blown bubbles.
(X) Made a bonfire on the beach.
(X) Crashed a party.
( ) Have traveled more than 5 days with a car full of people.
(X) Gone rollerskating/blading.
(X) Had a wish come true.
(X) Worn pearls.
( ) Jumped off a bridge.
( ) Screamed "penis" in class.
( ) Ate dog food.
( ) Told a complete stranger you loved them.
(X) Sang in the shower.
(X) Have a little black dress.
( ) Had sex in a park.
(X) Had a dream that you married someone.
(X) Glued your hand to something.
( ) Got your tongue stuck to a pole.
( ) Kissed a fish.
(X) Worn the opposite sexes clothes.
( ) Been a cheerleader.
( ) Sat on a roof top.
( ) Had sex at a church.
(X) Screamed at the top of your lungs.
(X) Done a one-handed cartwheel.
(X) Talked on the phone for more than 6 hours.
(X) Stayed up all night.
( ) Didn’t take a shower for a week.
( ) Pick and ate an apple right off the tree.
(X) Climbed a tree.
( ) Had a tree house.
( ) Are scared to watch scary movies alone.
(X) Believe in ghosts.
(X) Have more then 30 pairs of shoes.
( ) Worn a really ugly outfit to school.
( ) Gone streaking.
( ) Played ding-dong-ditch.
( ) Played chicken.
( ) Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on.
(X) Been told you're hot by a complete stranger.
( ) Broken a bone.
(X) Been easily amused.
( ) Caught a fish then ate it.
( ) Made porn.
(X) Caught a butterfly.
(X) Laughed so hard you cried.
(X) Cried so hard you laughed.
( ) Mooned/flashed someone.
(X) Had someone moon/flash you.
(X) Cheated on a test.
(X) Forgotten someone's name.
(X) Slept naked.
(X) French braided someone’s hair.
(X) Gone skinny dipping in a pool.
(X) Been kicked out of your house.

Anyone?

wish upon a star

I've been up to my neck in preps, let's not go there tho. On a different note, watched Walt Disney World Resort on tape just an hour back and I'm really amazed. All I can say is that I can't wait to go to Florida! It's gonna take more than a week!

Got yet another email at work today from Yappy, it's quite a brillant speech, so thought I'd share certain paragraphs which inspired me for reading pleasure... :) After reading it this afternoon, I started to wonder when I'd ever be able to write the story of my life...I guess I'm working towards it. We all are, aren't we?

Stanford Report, June 14, 2005 'You've got to find what you love,' Jobs says. This is the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005.

"I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle. "

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. "

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. "

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.
Thank you all very much.

Well, I stumbled on a wonderful photographer this evening and I've quite the mind to enlist his services. The way he captures movements is simply breath-taking!

"If you live each day as if it was your last, someday it'll most certainly be right"

the heat

The weather yesterday was unbeliveably hot. Unbearable heat. Cousin came back from the UK with husband in tow for her local wedding reception. It was nice. Haha, the British humour still gets me at times tho.

My last couple of days were spent shopping, dashing around aimlessly trying to put my plans in place. Was supposed to hit a club with Reii last night but I just felt so out of it all...turned on the air-con at full blast and just chilled under my duvet. Felt a lot better, and then I see Tom Cruise's pic with Katie Holmes' pic plastered on the cover of my NW mag. I have no idea what's running through his mind. It seems all too fabricated to be even close to reality. I mean, what's with jumping on Oprah?! That said, I do love her clothes though. Well! Next, I see Michael Jackson's face plastered on the subsequent page...

Was talking to Yappy the other day and she was saying that perhaps I should look into taking up an interior design course...hmm...

On another note, check this out...

Got this in my mail today. Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

5. You mean the world to someone.

6. If not for you, someone may not be living.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

9. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

10. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

12. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.

13. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Send this letter to all the people you care about, if you do so, you will certainly brighten someone's day and might change their perspective on life...for the better.

Have a good weekend guys :) What's left of it anyways...

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away"

Daily routes

I was seriously rotting the day away at home. Last week when I was smothered with IPO work, I deliberated and then promptly put in my leave form for approval. So here I am, with a few days off work just to rest from my relentless flu (which resulted in many sleepless nights) and to do planning etc.

I realised that even though I was "being paid to surf the day away on the net" at work during this low period, I can still miss the feeling of waking up at 10am and even just strolling for a lovely lunch at my own pace. Not to say that I couldn't do the same at work these days, I've been having one too many 3hour luncheons on weekdays, but it just doesn't quite feel the same. I can really just get used to this! Haha.

Made plans to meet GA tomorrow morning for the MNG sales. 8am in the morning. It's madness I know but I'm on leave now anyways. Oh yeps, I just passed my CPA, couple more hurdles to go! Once I put in my application when I get back from HK, I can just about start preping up for 2 more papers...

Alrighty, here's one to share...



And this email from EL cracked me up earlier...

Reasons why I never visit my rich friend

Once while visiting a very rich friend, the maid approached me and.....
Question : "What would you like to have..Fruit juice, Soda, Tea, Chocolate, Capuccino, Frapuccino,or Coffee?"Answer: "Tea please"
Question : "Ceylon tea, Indian tea, Herbal tea,Bush tea, Honey bush tea, Iced tea or green tea?"Answer : "Ceylon tea"
Question : "How would you like it ? black or white?"Answer: "White"
Question: "Milk, or fresh cream?Answer: "With milk "
Question: "Goat's milk, or cow's milk"Answer: "With cow's milk please.
Question: "Freezeland cow or Afrikaner cow?"Answer: "Um, I'll just take it black."
Question: "Would you like it with sweetener, sugar or honey?"Answer: "With sugar"
Question: "Beet sugar or cane sugar?"Answer: "Cane sugar "
Question: "White, brown or yellow sugar?"Answer: "Forget about the tea, just give me a glass of water instead."
Question: "Mineral water, tap water or distilled water?"Answer: "Mineral water"
Question: "Flavored or non-flavored?"Answer: "I think I'll just die of thirst, thank you"

I'm going off to watch A Kutcher in a bit. I wonder how "A lot like love" is gonna be. Hard to beat Batman though I reckon. O well...ciao!

grooving to it

Listening to my song of the moment, "Magic Love" by Bent. Loving it...Kinda inspired by what Stevie B wrote, so there, what's the soundtrack of your life?

I was 16 and dancing to Kylie's "Better the devil you know", and Rick Astley's "Together Forever". My heart first broke at Lauryn Hill's "Can't take my eyes off you".

Lenny Kravitz's "It ain't over til it's over" was the song I cried to at 21. I cried my heart out, days on end. "I wanna know" by Joe upset me all the same.

My mind stopped when I listened to Norah Jones' "Don't know why". That was three years back.

These days, I listen to my fav station Lush 99.5 every single morning without fail. Chill-out by Stephane Pompougnac wakes me up first thing. Janet Jackson's "Let's wait awhile" is still an all time fav, together with Minnie Riperton's "Loving you".

What's the soundtrack of your life?

happy big 21

I love the Batman movie. :) Gotham graphics and the lot. Chris does look a tad like Michael Keaton with his mask on. What can I say? The best Batman movie ever. Can't wait for the next one!

It's Father's Day weekend here. I miss my bro at family events like this, sometimes I can't help but wonder what I'd do with him in Chicago. Anyways, we bought Dad a shirt. He didn't need one I'm sure, but he loves it anyhow. :) Dim sum lunch tomorrow, and yes thereafter I'm meeting my babes!

Dinner at Felle's BBQ was fantastic, the spread was thoroughly immense. There were chicken wings marinated in honey, orange and garlic (nice!), satay skewers, nicely de-shelled and skewered prawns, sausages, crab sticks, pasta, cocktail finger food, chilli squid, fish pieces, sweet potatoes and a lot more! Amazing! Happy 21st Felle! :)

Also, had a nice little dinner with the gals on Fri...got Yappy a Song+Kelly dress...happy happy bday in advance Yappy! Hope u have a good one!

Btw, since everyone I'm certain has more or less spread the word for me, so again yes, I'm engaged!

My new Coach bag and shades. Hehe.



Have a fabulous weekend y'all! ;)

what the...?!

The one thing I hate most is certain people with an obvious lack of courtesy and plain rudeness.

My recent weeks' of training with BB has left me with an indescribeable impression. One time I was at the office, I was at the pantry and I took 2 tiny packets of M&Ms, and before I could even turn around, a certain pantry staff told me, "Miss, you can't take so many packets, only one." I was thinking, "If that were the case, please do put up a sign." However, I didn't say anything.

The next time I was there at BB, I was having lunch with a colleague once again at the pantry before our seminar, and the pantry staff came up to me and said, "You can't eat anymore, your seminar has commenced." I was truly appalled. This time, I thought, "Firstly, yes, thank you very much for your kind reminder, secondly, it is really not in your position to tell me I have to stop eating." I was very upset about how rude the staff was, yet, not one to create trouble, I decided to leave things as they were.

The third encounter, I was having lunch with a different friend at the pantry after our seminar, and the very same pantry staff came up to me and said the same thing once again, "You can't eat anymore, your seminar has commenced." This time around, I corrected her, "I am not attending the afternoon seminar, my session has just concluded." She glared at me, frowned and then said, "Very well then, show me your pass." (Being that we have our session times printed in bold on our passes) I showed her my pass and then she just walked off. Believe me, I have absolutely no idea what overcame me to even show her my pass! There was no reason for me to have to do so. She was clearly accusing me of false information, and my having to show her my pass was to prove to her that I was indeed not the liar which she had already in her mind branded me to be. I was extremely offended. When I returned to office, I called up BB and lodged a complaint. But wait, it doesn't end here.

After that incident, I finally went back down to BB for yet another seminar yesterday. And the first person I saw after my seminar standing there was (no surprises for guessing who) the very same old pantry staff. She was with her fellow colleague clearly discussing very loudly about wanting to tell me off. Problem was, she couldn't put a face to my name. So, there she was standing around, running around trying to find out who I was. Thereafter I realised that because I attended 2 seminars in the same day, BB made an error and printed out a second pass for me, which I'd not collected from the reception since I'd already gotten my first pass. The pantry staff thus assumed that I didn't make it to my second seminar. She told there talking all about me very loudly the whole time I was having lunch. I really felt sick to my stomach. It's unbelieveable how a professional corporation like that could have such rude staff. She was standing there gesturing and claiming that she would not hesitate to tell me off. Well, here's my two cents' - if she does ever come up to me and tell me off, I will calmly decline to respond in any way, and simply ask to speak with her manager.

There, I've got it off my chest.

that crazy little thing called...

My friend once told me, "On my first date, I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that this might be it." I understood what she was trying to describe -- the knowledge that she'd found her "other," her soul mate, the person she knew with utter, overwhelming certainty was meant for her. God, that sounded good to me. I waited years for that feeling. It never came.

That may sound odd, given that when I met D, he was almost everything I wanted. But sharing values, habits and even sex doesn't keep one from clashing over the fact that a person doesn't like one's friends, or from being convinced that dropping one's options might derail one's career.

Out of such moments grow doubt -- the inner whispers that something is missing. For a long time, I listened to those whispers. I don't any more. Mostly, I've come to realize that my failure to experience that "aha" moment of clarity about D isn't really about him. It's about me. At heart, I'm a compulsive second-guesser, the kind of person who always finds it easier to long for what I don't have than to rejoice in what I do.

A case in point: For years, all I wanted was a dream job. But after I did, I couldn't stop scouring the ads -- I searched, overcome by an excited, sick feeling, for the one that got away. It's the same with love. I've always found it easiest to be passionate about men who are elusive, unavailable or half out the door.

I'll be honest: I'm sorry I never felt that "This is it!" lightening bolt. But D and I remain bound by the same shared ideas, values and habits that brought us together, as well as by brief history. It's a connection that goes all the way to the soul -- even I can see it.

I didn't always think that two people could be soul mates. You might say I believed in work instead, as in, Don't all relationships require work? Couldn't I get along with almost anyone if I worked hard enough, if I made enough sacrifices, if I put enough of myself on the back burner for a while?

That's what I did for years before now. Soul mates, it seemed to me, were for dreamier girls with Cinderella complexes who lacked the gritty determination to hammer their relationships into shape. Little did I know, as I labored, that I would stumble onto a soul mate myself.

Not that meeting the partner of one's dreams takes the place of good old-fashioned hard work. For instance, after the stomach-flipping first few months with D, along came the tougher stuff: my learning that his occasional choices were best left unquestioned; his coming to understand that when I say I'm hungry, I can't wait another 10 minutes to eat. But beneath our sometimes odd talks lay something else, something surprising. Sure, we both loved food and travel. But what startled me was the sense that we had always known each other. There was an instinctive kinship between us that had nothing to do with sex or dating or even love.

A soul mate, I've discovered, is a person with whom you can communicate on the deepest level -- beyond words, beyond our clothing and imperfect bodies, regardless of time and age and the awkward agreements we reach. And when you meet someone who warms to what's buried beneath your surface, who sees and celebrates the essence of who you are without your having to explain it over soggy breakfasts and late-night negotiations, you have found a soul mate.

Of course, not everyone marries that person. Some of us, if we're lucky, have a great marriage and find a soul mate on the side: a friend at work, say, or someone we encounter online. Soul mates don't have to be about sex or marriage. The soul doesn't care about all that stuff, about a person's taste in restaurants or flossing habits or ability to argue a point. All it wants -- whether we owners know it or not -- is the company of other like-minded souls.

I used to think that finding a soul mate was finding my "other half" -- a person who would reflect my thoughts, my desires, who would satisfy all of my emotional needs. I wanted him to do for me what I couldn't do for myself. This notion led to a multitude of disappointments. Although the man who became my boyfriend certainly wanted me to be happy, he couldn't come close to accomplishing the enormous task I had set out for him. What I really wanted, it turns out, was a soul slave, not a soul mate. Either I had made the wrong choice in a boyfriend, or I needed to figure out how to be with the one I'd opted for, which meant I had to find a way to get my needs satisfied. I took the latter route.

Now I know that you can find soul mates wherever you look for them. But first, you have to abandon the idea that there is only one soul mate in the world for every person. Strapping yourself to that idea is like wearing the first pair of shoes you ever really loved for the rest of your life. Yes, they're beautiful. Yes, they fit perfectly. But that doesn't mean you'll never wear another pair. Eventually, those favorites will wear out from the strain of bearing your weight, day after day. Wouldn't both you and your shoes be happier if you had several pairs you loved -- each a bit differently perhaps -- but loved just the same?

My mate is only one of several people I consider to be a soul mate. I love each of these people deeply, but differently. In all of these relationships, I often know what the other is thinking. In the constellation of life's friendships, we are one another's most constant stars. What makes them burn so brightly? Love, loyalty, trust and the mutually understood intention that we will be ourselves, sharing what we're thinking and feeling, and recognizing and respecting our differences.

Reaching that soul-mate state with D was not instantaneous. Though we felt a compelling connection, it took us time to get to know each other, and to establish what I now think of as the real beginning: the mutual recognition of each other as "different" -- from one another, from everyone else, even from whom we originally thought we were. It was then that our deepest connection grew. Each friendship reminds me how to practice my capacity for connection. And the better I get at that, the happier I am, alone and with all of the people I love.

a silent sigh

I felt low this week, perhaps it was the flu. The one kept me up for many nights, with me blowing my nose out. It just dawned on me then how important sleep was...I was truly zombified yesterday. None of that TGIF feeling but rather, the "shits I can't wait to get home and crash" thought. Running around settling some accounts the whole day didn't help either.

Well, watching the Les Arts Sauts last night with EL was an interesting experience. The french acrobats were amazing, and the whole mix of music, lights and well-trained stunts was indeed entertaining. Lifted my spirits a little.

My weekend is once again packed up. I'm catching Mr & Mrs Smith today, and I've got JY's wedding to attend. I've seen their wedding photos and they look lovely, and I'm sure the wedding will be wonderful. :)

Have got an entire list of errands to run, better get down to it then.

Cheerios...Happy summer weekend, and make that winter weekend down-under...



"Knowing which way to turn gives you self confidence. Taking a chance and going the opposite way gives you a chance to see what you are made of." Bob Perks

pples whose lives have crossed

It pains me to remember how a person I once knew had certain fixated ideas and assumptions about me, and made a pass at me, as well as an indecent proposition. And this person was dating a friend of mine back then.

It pains me to remember how a person I once knew o/d on drugs and left the world just like that.

It pains me to remember how a person I now know is "trapped" in a verbally and physically abusive relationship, without seeming to let it go.

It pains me to remember...

Is this the same for anyone?

knocking on heaven's door

My sleeping pattern was a mess after the girls' late night out. By the time I crawled back home with D and cleaned up, I fell into slumber at roundabouts 6am. Got up at 11am to hit the pet adoption centre (which by the way, didn't have the cutie pup I was looking for), had yummy chicken rice, and then ran my errands at the mall. When I finally got back home, I napped at 7pm, and only just drowsily woke up 3 hours back at 11pm. Since then, I watched Alfie on Dvd. Interesting film. Not a huge fan of Jude Law, but the whole film closely reminded me of an ex. One who was entirely lost on his own. Anyway, I loved Jude's suits tho. :)

This weekend was a good one. It left me smiling. Things are picking up in all aspects. Optimism, positivity and fulfillment.

I'm glad that D stood by me. Religion is one that never cuts clean. I've been told about an old friend lately who is extremely pious (and truly, I don't think anything wrong in that) but this strong belief is then in turn imposed on others. I don't think this right. I've been baptised a Catholic at birth. I admit I'm not the best of believers, but I always trust in free will. I don't buy that belief in the faith and constant preaching will make one a saint and others sinners. No offence taken but while there're tons of people out there who are fantastic Christians, they are also others who taint the faith. That said, who is to judge anyone? And really, who has the right to say that to be a good religious person you have to push and pull others into the faith? I'm one who would never do things for someone else's sake. I subscribe to that it's only right to do something if and only if you truly want to, and believe in it. I feel that what's most important in life is to live it well, and to live it right. And that, it's never ever too late to do anything in a lifetime. :)

Yet another monday tomorrow...I'm looking forward to my week. Night guys!

"Thats right baby I'm going crazy
I need to be your lady
I've been thinking lately
that you and me, yes we can make it
Just ride with me, roll with me I'm in love with you baby"

"Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have." Louis E. Boone

velvet night out

Great music and I love dancing the night away..It's been all too long since I last stepped into Velvet Underground :)



Would blog more but I'm rushing off to the SPCA to look into puppy adoption...back later!

midgets fight lion

Lunch with Yappy and Sha...And this is disturbing...

Eeks.

the speech that moved LKY to tears

EULOGY BY GRANDDAUGHTER OF FORMER PRESIDENT WEE KIM WEE - LIM HUI MIN

Weekend May 7, 2005

MY grandfather's achievements as an editor, a diplomat and a head of state are now the stuff of legend. You would have read all these things in the newspapers or watched them on television - he was a public man.

What I should talk about is my grandfather as a family man. I cannot talk about my grandfather without also talking about my grandmother. She was the rock of his life. His last thoughts were of her. They were holding hands when he finally went to sleep on Monday morning. Last year, we celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. After dinner he presented her with a red packet full of money, which he then followed up with a jewellery box - because my grandmother loves wearing jewellery. There was a jade brooch inside the box. And, in return, in front of everybody, she kissed him three times. They were 87 and 88 at that time.

Once, (when) I was learning the piano, I thought I would learn some songs to play at my grandmother's birthday party. I asked my grandfather what songs he thought she would like. To my surprise he gave me a type-written sheet (with songs listed) in order of preference. He was always a busy man - he used to tell me that he had two million things on his mind. But at some point in his life, he had sat down and thought hard about what music my grandmother would enjoy and typed it all out and kept it in special folder ready to be whipped out at anytime.

Husbands who are here today: Do you have a list of your wife's top 10 favourite songs in a folder? That's a lesson you can take from my grandfather. They celebrated 69 years of marriage together in April this year. I thank my grandfather from the bottom of my heart for showing us what it really is like to love a person.

I also thank my grandfather for showing us what it is to love life. He was a man who enjoyed life. He collected snuff bottles, coins and stamps. He travelled the world; he played sports; he planted fruit trees; he loved the smell and taste of hazelnut coffee. Whenever his grandchildren visited him in his office - whether at the Malaysian High Commission, the embassy in Tokyo, the Singapore Broadcast Corporation or the huge halls of the Istana - there would come moments when he would wink at us, open his desk drawer and say "have a chocolate". Unknown to my grandmother, who disapproved of his snacking in between meals, he always kept a secret stash of Hawaiian hazelnut chocolates, which he ate out of her sight during office hours. My grandfather loved animals as well. He liked to watch horses running. He liked dogs and cats and he liked fish. At the last count, his house contained 11 chickens, eight terrapins, two goldfish and one dog.

Once, someone gave him six turkeys. I think the idea was for them to be fattened up and eaten. My grandfather looked at them and spoke to them. He gave them names. I remember my mother saying to me, "Oh no, he has given them names - we'll never get rid of them now". And so the turkeys were with us for quite some time. But one day, they started irritating the chickens so my grandfather decided to find them a new home. The Singapore Zoo was chosen. When the family heard about this, of course we all joked that the turkeys would be fed to the crocodiles. He was so alarmed by this that he made special arrangements with the zoo. They were to send him a written report every time a turkey died. The report had to state the cause of death and age of each turkey. That was the kind of man my grandfather was. He revered and respected life - even the life of an animal. The stories of his life are, to me, all stories of love. If you wish to honour his memory in your life, then live your life to the full, stand by your friends, cherish your family, listen to everyone with an open mind and welcome those who cross your path with an open heart. He has gone on another journey now. We have spent the past five days saying goodbye to him and it is now the time to let him go.

From all your grandchildren and great grandchildren: I know you love us all so very much.

Goodbye gong gong (granddad). Goodbye.

break time

"You are likely in a quiet, reflective mood today, JD. It may be that you receive a communication from an old friend who sets your mind thinking back to the good old days of your youth. You can't help but look at some of the pivotal decisions you made in your life and wonder how your life would be different had you made different choices. This is a pointless game to play, JD. Rather than wondering about "what if," your time would be better spent embracing what you have."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

old woman who lived in a shoe

T'was a lovely Wed night yesterday. Met up with Blogerator for a drink, dinner and gym. Haven't seen him in ages...so that was nice. Blogerator thinks I still look much the same as I did in college just "the eyes look worn"...What can I say? I'm supa stretched.

Alrighty, my agenda for the rest of today -
Going off for Bloomberg training in a bit
And...ýou know what, I'm gonna go for my waxing appointment, then stuff it.
I'm cancelling all my other engagements for the day & night.
Going home to Zzzz...

I feel sombre these last couple of days. Slightly monotonous and the usual smiles but that's bout it. Had a good chat last night (thanks Lex) and read a couple of emails which set my mind racing. Gonna leave those to another time. My heart is really racing now. Bleah, I'm babbling! I'm exhausted. :)

Hmm, do you think it's true that we're all very selfish by nature?