Garut - Satisfied my thirst of nature beauties

I know it's long overdue. My trip back home, spending exclusive time, only me and my dear parents, was happening about two months ago. Wow, it felt just like yesterday. We went to a place called Garut, which took us almost 5 hours driving from Jakarta.

We spent two nights in a modest hotel where our room was equipped with a big bath - free flow of hot and cold spring water.Three of us stayed together in one room. 

Our humble place to stay in Garut

In the morning, the sunrise view was fabulous!! Perhaps I was lucky to be there in such a good weather.

Beautiful sunrise

At night time, we could see the bright moon above the sky too (on Vesak day's eve - where moon was at its brightest).

Beautiful moonlight at Vesak Day's Eve

The weather was cooling down there as its location was surrounded by mountains.Oh, I love the place sooo much!!! It was so beautiful!! There were fields of rice, corn, beans, wheat, potatoes, and so on. The land was so fertile and water was abundance over there.

Beautiful natures - Loving it so much!

On second day, my father brought us to Derajat Mountain. From there, we could see the view of the mountain located opposite of it, called Mt. Cikurai. Again, its view was marvelous! We were very lucky indeed blessed with such a perfect view and weather!!!

Mount Cikurai

In Derajat Mountain, we went to see Kawah Derajat. The place was rich of natural gas and hot spring water.

Kawah Derajat

After that, we went to a resort called Kampung Sampireun. It was located somewhere inside the village. It was so beautiful!!! The room rates are not cheap too! It ranges from Rp. 2.2 million to Rp. 5.5 million (USD$210 to $550) per room up to Suite with three rooms. Wow!!! It's a nice place for honeymoon though. Very close to nature. We had afternoon break over there enjoying a plate of deep fried banana, pineapple, and sweet potato with a glass of coffee / bondrek (ginger drink with coconut) / and bajigur (sweet one with coconut milk drink). Very nice la... I wished I could stay there for few days and had myself relaxed!!! Hehe...

Kampung Sampireun - Garut, West Java

Talking about relax... Usually my father went to Garut to have a foot reflexology. It was done by someone (we called him 'Pak Haji', but his name is Pak Endang). He is Muslim, but he does the foot reflexology very well, learned the skills from his father. His brother does that too at his house.

We went twice, on first and last day before going back home. On first day, we were quite lucky that no other visitor there, so we could start the massage right away. But on the last day, there were so many people waiting for their turn. Believe it or not, we waited for three hours before our turn.

If you think that we did a comfortable and relaxed massage, you are wrong!!! Hahaha... Just by looking at other people being massaged, you could make yourself scared and perhaps going back home right away. Lolx!!! Telling you, it was hurt!! Hurt like hell!!! Hahaha... I was crying out loud when he massage my foot. He knew the points to massage on foot. Each point represents our organ body. So, if you sick or suffer from something, he would know it just by pressing into your foot. And he would press it hard, as he believes that pressing it harder and often, would cure the sickness.

When it was my Mom's turn, she was shouting and crying out loud!! People who were initially waiting outside, all came and sat inside immediately. You know why? They were enjoying the suffering felt by my Mom. Hahaha... The louder the shout, the happier they are. Haha.. Didn't know that this could bring some entertainment and make others happy too! Hahaha... So, if you want to make others happy, you can go there and try the massage yourself :P

The trip was wonderful!! I enjoyed it very much! While waiting for our turn, my father and I had a chit chat. It's our own private time. Most of the time he did the talk. I was his listener. Haha.. Because I wanted to learn from him, from his experience in life, from what he encountered in his life. I loved having this kind of conversation with him. I learn a lot from him.

Thank you Pa and Ma for bringing me to this trip. I had a wonderful time with both of you. I've satisfied my hunger of this beautiful natures from a small place like Garut. I've seen the unexpected so beautiful sunrise and sunset. I've eaten lots of nice local food, which I enjoyed it very much. I've a foot reflexology, which I knew from there that apart from SLE, my other organs were in very very good conditions :) except some area la.. haha... I've spent precious time with both of you, who pampered me a lot and made me very happy. Thank you, thank you and thank you! Hope we can have much more chances to go together again!! Love you both!!!

Paint competition winners + Cafe 1 makeover

Still remember my previous post regarding the half day weekend burn to paint the wall with my son and colleagues??? Now all walls had been painted fully by all five teams.

The theme this time called "Around The World"

There were total of 29 Posters displayed next to each drawings of significant icons of various countries. We were divided into five teams into five zones and we were allocated few countries in each zone. It took us 3 weeks to paint the walls. 

So, below are the results for you to enjoy. While looking at it, try to guess who the Champion is! :)

Zone A

Zone A: Asia - Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Sydney, Osaka done by FnB service staffs

Zone B

Zone B: Asia - Beijing, Foshan, Kunshan, Shanghai, Kolkata, Goa, Bangalore - done by Rooms department's staffs

Zone C

Zone C: Saudi Arabia/ Turkey - Makkah, Ankara, Izmir, Istanbul - done by Culinary and Stewarding staffs

Zone D

Zone D: Germany/ Switzerland - Berlin, Bremen, Dresden, Duesseldorf, Basel, Geneva, Zurich, Amsterdam - done by Housekeeping, Security, and Engineering staffs

Zone E

Zone E: United States/ Peru/ Ecuador/ Estonia/ Russia - Chicago, Lima, Quito, Tallin, Moscow - done by Executive Office, Sales, Finance, Reservation, and HR staffs

And the winner of this competition is........ Actually every team is a winner. All other teams, except the Champion team get S$500! While the Champion team gets S$1,000. And the Champion team is....

Before telling you who the Champion is, I would like to show you our staff cafeteria, which has just undergone 3-week renovation. It has become very modern now, different from what we had previously. The photos shown below:

Renovated Cafeteria :)

And the Champion is.... ehemm... actually the Champions are.... Zone D and Zone E!!! Yeah!!!! There were two Champions since the judge couldn't decide who would be the one since both got equal points :)

Uhuy.... Congratulations for all!!! And today onwards we shall start using our new Cafeteria!!! :)

Hamba Kahle - From The World Book of Happiness

I managed to borrow ‘The World Book of Happiness’ in Bishan library two weeks ago. It’s quite a big and thick book but the content was marvelous. I love this specifically one part of the books, titled Hamba Kahle, which is Zulu greeting, meaning ‘Go well!’.

In this chapter, Professor D.J.W Strumpfer, from South Africa, tried to convey some thoughts in a practical way, without letting the theory come through. Below is what he wrote:

Flourishing 

Life is brimming with health, beauty, joy, loving relationships, and much more. These are the fountains of our strength. When we lean into them, emphasize, explore and exploit them, we begin to flourish joyously. 

Some of our strengths are in our genes, influencing our mental and emotional functioning. Some grow out of experience and personal learning, some out of education. Numerous strengths flow from our relationships, from our communities, and from the places where we live. The time we live in also determines numerous specific and general strengths. 

But like physical strength, one also has to work at developing psychological strengths. Developing some strengths demands arduous work, but so much also comes through actively going in search of joyous experiences. 

How do we succeed? 
- Allow yourself to feel. Smile! Laugh! But also cry when you feel like crying – it will bring relief. 
- Keep your eyes and ears open to the beauty around you. Seek out beauty. One can gain great happiness from listening to birds singing and watching their flight, from intently seeing trees, plants and flowers, flowing water, clouds, sunrise and sunset. 
- Listen to nature: water, rain, wind, thunder – but also to nature’s silences. 
- Attend carefully to what you touch, taste and smell – and experience those joys. 
- Listen to music. 
- Sing, whether you can or not. 
- Appreciate who you are and what you are. 
- Believe in your own abilities. (Remember the little choo-choo train from the children’s song: ‘I think I can, I think I can…!’) 
- Do your best to remain optimistic and to find satisfaction and meaning in whatever you have to do, including your daily tasks. 
- Guard your health: eat, drink and exercise sensibly. 
- Search for insight: through discussion, listening, reading – but then think as well! What does it all mean to you? 
- Anticipate and open yourself up to support from your family, friends, strangers, your doctor, a police officer, the company, the union, your religious community – everyone around you. 
- Anticipate spiritual support, too. However, this support will not always come without asking: seek it actively when you need it and continue asking until you receive it. 
- Provide support to others too, wherever and however you can – strangely, it will strengthen yourself in turn. 

Undeniably, life is also brimming with negatives: acute and chronic disease, disability, sorrow, death, disaster, bleak family, social, economic and political conditions – an uninterrupted flow of demands, from bearable to devastating. Sometimes we languish there. However, we are resilient beings: we are able to returning to where we were before – but also to ‘bounce forward’ – going beyond where we were at first. The very overcoming of inordinate demands is often a source of growth and of new strength for future hardships. Our strengths help up to bear up, to overcome, and eventually to flourish again.

And below are some of their meaningful quotes to share with you.

Can money buy happiness???

Honey and Its Benefits

Source: Google

Until today, despite drinking lots of warm water, eating more vegetables and light food, and taking medicines regularly (including antibiotic), my sore throat hasn’t recovered yet. It even gets worse. The phlegm appeared days ago and now its color has turned into yellow (sign of too much heat inside my body – perhaps the throat infection??).

I was asking my colleague why my throat was so itchy. Was it a sign of recovering??? She told me, for her, it was a sign that the sickness would get worse. O oh… Then how??? My medicines were almost finished. Some had even finished. What should I do?? Panic had stricken my brain. I even thought of visiting the doctor again this morning and who knows he would give me MC for today… Hehe… my wishful thinking :P

So she suggested me to drink honey. She asked me to buy a good quality of honey, not those cheap one as it could help up in sore throat recovering. I forgot to buy it last night since I was too tired to walk after dinner gathering. So this afternoon, after finishing lunch, I went out and looked for my honey… :)

Oh.. the weather outside was soooo… hot!!! No wonder I got sick so easily… After a desperately hot sun, I entered into a cool air-conditioned mall. It felt good, but that was how the sickness all came and got worse (drastic change of temperatures). And I think, I was not the only one who suffered from this. There were few colleagues not feeling well too and I could hear people coughing and sneezing inside the MRT. So, blame it to the hot weather la! Hehe…

I walked down the escalator. First stop, Chinese medicine shop. They sell honey. There are many different types of honey. I focused on Manuka Honey and originated from New Zealand. After that I took a closer look on those categories. There were still different types. Manuka Honey plus Active UMF 5+ (S$30), UMF 10+ (S$40), UMF 15+ (S$58), with Royal Jelly and with Ginseng (both at S$25).

The sales promoter explained that UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) is a certified process to measure the level of anti-bacterial strength within the Manuka Honey. The higher the number, the better the function is. You could also notice with the changing of number, the prices have dramatically increased too…

She said, if for normal drink, I could choose the one with UMF 5+ and 10+. I should buy the UMF 15+ only if I need a much stronger remedy. In fact, I need that la. But I was thinking again, if after I recovered, how about the honey? If I keep drinking it, would it be too strong effect to my body? Because I was not very familiar with honey and its benefit and also, the price was so expensive la, so I decided to go to other shops and compare :)

After carefully consideration, I decided to buy the Manuka Honey with UMF 10+. I bought it at $35.60. It was imported from New Zealand. The brand was ok too.

Once reached my office, I boiled the water and took few slices of lemon and took a spoonful of thick honey put into my cup. I mixed the water with a cold one as not to kill the good enzymes inside the honey (Luckily my colleague reminded me that before I poured the hot water into my cup).

Hhmmm…. It tasted so good. Honey lemon drink. After having it, I felt very comfortable on my throat. For some time, it wasn’t itchy. Also, I burped few times (removed some gas from my full stomach).

As I was curious, I browsed internet to find the benefit of honey. And here is what I found:

Cinnamon and Honey  
Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing". When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey. 

Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. 

Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists: 

HEART DISEASES:  
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins. 

ARTHRITIS:  
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain. 

BLADDER INFECTIONS:  
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder. 

CHOLESTEROL:  
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol. 

COLDS:  
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses. 

UPSET STOMACH:  
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root. 

GAS:  
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas. 

IMMUNE SYSTEM:  
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases. 

INDIGESTION:  
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals. 

INFLUENZA:  
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu. 

LONGEVITY:  
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old..

PIMPLES:  
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root. 

SKIN INFECTIONS:  
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections. 

WEIGHT LOSS:  
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet. 

CANCER:  
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day. 

FATIGUE:  
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week. 

BAD BREATH:  
People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day. 

HEARING LOSS:  
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. 

After reading it, it made me want to drink it three times a day for everyday. Hahaha… One, on an empty stomach after waking up, one before sleeping (both could help up in weight loss), and another one after lunch – for other benefits mentioned above. People say it is good for the skin too… :D

No wonder my father was willing to spend so much money to buy a bottle of honey when he was traveling to New Zealand few years ago and he drank it every morning regularly. Aiyah.. I should have learned about it before. Hope it’s not too late now to start the honey drinking habit. Perhaps you can also start doing it now :)

Notes of my thought (in Chinese) - please use Google to translate :)

我好久没写汉字了. 今天突然有个感觉想写一下关于我的感受. 其实我自己也不是很清楚我有什么感受, 呵呵! 我这样写就想起来以前在北京的时候在读书的感觉. 那时, 我常常写封信给我的父母，尤其是我父亲. 因为我想他知道我是认真在那边读书, 不是去玩玩, 或者去浪费他的钱. 哈哈!

我就讲一下我的爱好吧! 我有不少的爱好. 比如: 旅行, 摄影, 写博客, 跟朋友保持联系, 吃东西, 等等. 我的博客里面写了各种各样的题目. 不知道人人喜不喜欢看. 平时我就跟着我的情感来去写. 有时候我写有用的东西, 有时候我就从书本里写它那边好的句子. 有时候写一下我自己当时的感觉, 还有, 有时候我就乱乱写东西吧! 哈哈… 好像现在咯 :P

Source: Google

出国呢, 我什么地方都想去. 尤其是我没去过的地方. 在这生活里, 如果有缘的话, 我很想去: 冰岛 (我想去Reykjavik (雷克雅未克), 冰岛的首都. 我想去那边喝Reyka Vodka (伏特加酒), 吃最新鲜的三文鱼:) 别忘记哦, 我也喜欢吃东西 :D 那里有好多天然美景. 我想走走，打轿车, 拍好多的照片, 还看北极光(Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis). 那里还有午夜的太阳(midnight sun), 也还可以泡在热水池 (thermal pool). 哇!!! 我等不及了!!! 我也不懂我的梦想及时可以实现呢? 也不懂可不可以实现在这辈子呢? 希望如此吧!!!

 我想去那边是为了’Reyka’ 这个名. 我是从我上网聊天的弟弟来自这个名. 好听吧? 我从十五年前用着这个外号. 也许如果我生了个女儿, 我就会选择给她这个名. 呵呵…

其他的国家呢? 我还想去印度. 我想去 达兰萨拉希望可以根达赖喇嘛见面, 也想看天然和美丽的风景. 我想去佛教朝圣的地方. 我很喜欢去跟佛有缘的地方. 感觉的很舒服, 和平快乐.

从这两个地方你们大概可以知道我是什么样的人吧? 我的要求不多，我只是要活得开开心心过日子.

我先写到这里吧! 改天再来! 祝大家快乐, 身体健康, 万事如意, 也开开心心过日子! 保重!!!

Good husband

I’ve got this picture from my friend’s Facebook. Chinese believe in face reading, palm reading, and other kind of body parts reading. And when the above translated, it means like this:

Which part of the body that should have more meat???
1. Lips – Kind
2. Chin – Obedient
3. Nose – Have desire and wealth
4. Ear – Long life
5. Cheek – Lucky face
6. Shoulder – Can be trusted
7. Palm – Rich
8. Legs – Reliable
9. Butt – Take care of family well

Looks like in general, fat man has better chance of becoming a good husband. So ladies, especially single ladies, when you’re looking for a good husband to stay with you throughout your life, find a man who has all the criteria above :) Cheers and good luck!!!

Marry me!!! I've got all that except for the ears ;P

Awful but happy :)

It's been an awful weekend this time round. I felt some discomfort on Friday on my throat but I was still went ahead with hot plate lunch and steamboat dinner with my colleagues. The dinner was for a farewell plus gathering.

I tried to eat less spicy Tom yam soup and eat more herbal soup, but I forgot that I took the cold lime juice and water chestnut drink after the meal which made my throat angry.

It was nightmare when I slept on Friday night :( I could feel the burning sensation over my throat while sleeping. I felt like crying :( I woke up few times to drink some water but the pain was still the same...

So on Saturday morning I decided to visit the doctor. He gave me antibiotic plus other medicines, many of them. For stand by. For throat inflammation, phlegm, running nose, and cough. I forgot to ask some lozenges to ease the itchy throat....

After that I had porridge for breakfast and went out to send my son for his Buddhist class.  While waiting, I sat at Yakun coffee shop, ordering tea with Kaya Toast and read my book there.

This time, I was having Fifty Shades Darker (second book). There are total of three books (Fifty Shades of Grey, Darker, and Freed). Knew these as they have been under top ten list of popular selling books. But I had no idea what was the story of the book about. Because it was sealed with transparent plastic on each book sold.

I got my copies when I helped up selling things on our company Bazaar where the money accumulated would be donated to Singapore Children's Society.  I was quite lucky back then to get it as there were not many books donated. And I got it at very good price.

Only recently then I had time to read it. I was so surprise reading it. Never knew that the book was so.... interesting. And yesterday when I stopped by at the book shop, I took a closer look on the plastic that covered and wrapped the books nicely.  There was sticker on it saying - 'Strictly No Browsing. Contain adults materials.  Not suitable for children'. Hahaha.... now only then I realized... Yallama!!! And now I know why browsing wasn't allowed hohoho....

And I posted the book cover on my Facebook. It drew attention of my girl friends. One has bought the online version, still reading the first book. One hasn't read yet but interested to read it. One has finished reading it. And to my surprise, my sister whom I know only love to play the game online, has finished reading it. Hahaha.... I didn't know that she got time and interest to read the book. Ended up she said that she read it before getting pregnant with her second child. Hahahahaha.... I faster asked my girl friend to read it finish, and practice it so she can also have one baby soon :D just kidding dear... and she shot me back lor.... asking me to do it first to get baby 'Reesa'. I replied to her... 'Reesa??? You mean Reyka???' Hahahaha....

It's good to know that my friends and sister love reading books. Any book. At least now I can understand what are they talking about. I still remembered myself just keeping quiet listening my both friends talking about books many months back. I felt out of their world. Now I'm even reading adult material books??? Hahaha.... not that I purposely doing so, but I just didn't know what the book story was about before having it :D

So last night, another sleepless night. Since I had to drink more water, I woke up many times to go to toilet.

This morning we had to wake up early as we had breakfast appointment. My sister and her children came here for a night before continuing their journey to other place to meet my parents. Since she had only limited time, I had to go and meet her despite my health.

We met up in Bugis. Had our meals in hawker center as there were more varieties of food to choose then went to Kwan Im Temple to pray. After that we had some shopping before going home.

My sis came to my house before flying off. She had never visited my house before. She came bringing snacks and some presents for me, oh I am so pampered by all of them. Thank you Erjie. My eldest sis also brought lots of things for me when she came the other day. Thank you Dajie. 

My brother and sis-in-law were here too. they have been busy lately as so many people came and went as they were all staying at their place. My brother had to become driver cum tour guide. Hahaha... and my sis-in-law was busy washing bed sheets everytime I went to their house. They are very good people and kind. That's why they are blessed with a pair of well behaved and clever children who love them very much.

Sometimes I envy them, but in good way. They have shown good examples, at least for me, in many areas in life.

I took my medicines and felt sleepy. My health got worse. I took a nap after they left and woke up hungrily. My son asked me how did I feel. He heard me coughing few times also went to toilets for few times too. He showed his concern to me knowing I wasn't feeling well.

When I asked him to buy food outside, to my surprise he didn't refuse. He agreed to it right away. He asked me what meat and veggies did I want to add on my rice and he ran out all the way to the food stall nearby my house (about 10 mins walk), and came back in minutes.

We just finished our dinner. I feel better now and now enjoying a hot ginger drink that I boiled myself yesterday night.  Later I need to make some apple juice to strengthen my immune system.

Left few hours before Monday starts. I will continue reading, hopefully can finish the second book by today. 

Have a great time everyone!!!

Favorite place to go in Singapore - Public Library :)

We are very lucky to stay in Singapore where the government encourages its citizens to read more - be it magazine, newspapers, books, and so on.

About eleven years ago I was surprised when my fellow Indonesian friend, who was Singapore PR, told me that she could borrow books for free after one time registration, which didn't cost much. I was Singapore PR too at that time and I forgot how much I paid upon registering. If I'm not wrong, it was same price as current fee of $10.50. After that we could borrow books at any library.

Currently we can borrow maximum 8 library items inclusive of 3 music scores or audio-visual materials. We are given a maximum of 21 days to borrow for books and music scores and 14 days to borrow magazines and audio-visual materials.

For more info, you can click the link here

There are 24 Public Libraries (including three regional libraries) across Singapore located conveniently.

There are 3 libraries that I often visit.

Sengkang Public Library

Sengkang Public Library - the nearest and the most reachable from my house. It was just being renovated not long time ago in the children book sections.

Cheng San Public Library in Hougang

Cheng San Public Library in Hougang Mall- I used to go there often before moving out to new house. Sometimes I still visit this place. This one has also just been renovated.  Look at the fresh look and colorful design.

Bishan Public Library

Bishan Public Library - I visit this place on weekend as it is located near my brother's house and place where I do my facial :) It is four-storey high, huge and spacious.  User friendly.  I love their book collections there.  They have newer and more latest published books.  There was a place where I found most of the books I wanted to read.

In all libraries they have special book area for children. Children are really pampered there. Other than a wide variety of children books, the reading area was also designed specifically to them. It was designed in colorful way, in comfortable sofa and chairs, to make them love to visit it at anytime. All libraries were full air-conditioned. So during weekend when you have no where to go, library is the place that you can visit to spend your time reading your favorite book in a comfortable environment without paying any single cent :)

There are tables available too for people to read daily newspapers available in many different languages.  Many elderly can be seen there almost everyday. 

Other than that, some libraries provide table and chairs for students to study, to do their projects. It's condusive for learning. Students can bring their laptop there. There are many electric outlets available to charge their laptop and handphone.

So this place caters to everyone at any age. Children, teenagers, adults, and elderly.  

I used to go library too to study for my exam. But you need someone to go together as to help you to take care your belonging if you want to go to the toilets.

There is Café available in some libraries where you can read the book and drink coffee/tea or having snacks while enjoy reading your book.

They have website available where you can check if the book that you want to borrow available at the library that you want to go. You can even reserve the book in advance for the book that you are dying to read, but you have to pay a small fee of $1.55 for the admin fee. Once the book is available, they will send you a notification letter to collect the book at the library within certain period of time. It's convenient, isn't it?

I'm so grateful being here. Thank you library to lend me so many books that can enrich my knowledge and feed my hunger and thirst of information, making me wiser, and of course it wasn't only me who enjoy, also the rest of the people.  Thank you :)

My expression of happiness

Last Friday my friend sent me a link and he asked me to join the photo contest called "Happiness Photo Contest". You can find the details of the contest here.

So during weekend I was thinking what is my definition of happiness and what photo should I relate it to.

At first I tried to scribble down my perception about happiness.  I did lots of scratching here and there then putting on more words then to scratch it off again.  Still I couldn't decide. 

I tried to recall what photo should I post and whether it brought happiness feeling to those who read or look at it.

I thought of compiling some happy photos in one page but then the story would be quite selfish because I would only mention my own happiness, which I don't think others would feel the same.

I also thought of sending a smiling photo.  Because when you are happy, the smile would appear on your face naturally. But the photo that I thought of sending, does it refect the happiness of that person?? Is he really happy?? Will it bring happiness too those who see it?

Only until last night, when I browsed around my old picture, I saw this photo. Well, people say picture will say a lot and replace words. But here, I could feel the emotions in it.

My intention of joining this contest is not to win the prize (which is very appetizing - free trip to Bhutan for 2 pax), but it was for me to find out what is my expression for happiness :)

So, I decided to send this simple photo.  Not much graphic on it, only emotions of 9 years old boy (at that point of time), who loves his Mom, and expressing it in simple forms like what he showed in that photo.

And if you like it, you can support it by clicking 'vote this photo' in this link. Thank you very much!!! Na me sa me kadinche la!!! :) Have a great day to you!!! ^^

Seriously???

Kitty's fever has over.  Now what???

Taken from Stomp

Yallama!!! (Means OMG!!!) It seems like a never ending possession over things. And we, humans, behave this way, as part of our lives.

Luckily so far I don't like both characters (Kitty and Minions). But we'll never know.  If it comes to Doraemon's turn, I might be one of those who woke up and queued in the middle of the night just to get it :P

But seriously, I really want to own less and just buy what  I need (cos I don't have any space any more) Lolx!!!

I don't know if the picture above was exaggerating.  Perhaps they were planning to treat those children in kindergarten and make their lives happy??? Hehehe... I don't know.  

From 'The World Book of Happiness' :)

Happiness - It’s a topic that most human beings are craving. We all want to be happy. We all want to get out from the suffering. But as we know, we were born into this world to suffer and it was all resulting from our karma in past life.

Lots of time, people will disgruntle as when they do good things in current lives, nothing good comes into their lives now. While others who do bad things, are still gaining so much and enjoy their lives now. That’s why they don’t trust in doing good things in current life. Sad no?

Anyhow, I browsed the internet one of these days and found the below articles in order for us to be happy. And these were extracted from ‘The World Book of Happiness’ by Leo Bormans.

1. ACCEPT WHAT YOU HAVE
Research shows that happy people have modest levels of expectation and aspirations — they want what they can get — while unhappy people never seem to get what they want.
They also know how to avoid disappointments and how to generate pleasant surprises. This is because they strive for realistic goals and are happy with their lot. 
As Dr Jose de Jesus Garcia Vega, of the University of Monterrey, Mexico, confirms, we must accept things as they come.
‘We spend a lot of time complaining about the things that happen to us, but this is a waste of time and effort,’ he says. ‘To be happy, we need to enjoy what we have.’ 

2. ENJOY WHAT YOU DO
Happy people do what they enjoy and enjoy what they do — and don’t do it for the money or glory. 
There’s no point being stuck in a job you hate, surrounded by unfriendly colleagues just because the money is good — people forget that they are allowed to be happy at work, too.
Many spend the best years of their lives trying to make money, sacrificing their health and family in the process, says Dr Garcia Vega. Later, they spend the same money they made working trying to recover their lost health and estranged family.

3. LIVE FOR TODAY
Don’t dwell on the past, on things that went wrong or previous failures.
Similarly, don’t dream about an idealized future that doesn’t exist or worry about what hasn’t happened yet.
Happy people live for the now. They have positive mind sets. If you can’t be happy today, what makes you think tomorrow will be different?

4. CHOOSE HAPPINESS
Don’t be afraid to step back and re-evaluate your goals. Imagine your life as a story that you can edit and revise as you go along. 
This kind of flexible approach requires positive thinking and an open mind — you need to actively choose to be happy.

5. RELATIONSHIPS
We get our happiness from other people, and from supporting other people.
Remember that just as other people can make us happy, we are all ‘other people’ to someone else and cherish people who are important to you. 
Research also shows that married people are happier than single people.

6. STAY BUSY
If you want to be happier, develop an outgoing, social personality — accept that drinks invitation, join the walking club, book group or choir. The best way to savor pleasure is in the company of others.
Build a rich social life, says Eunkook M. Suh, a psychology professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, not as an obligation, but because it is rewarding, meaningful and fun.
Active, busy, social people are the healthiest and happiest, in society. 

7. DON'T COMPARE
Ambition is healthy and makes people happy, explains Claudia Senik, a professor at the University of  Paris-Sorbonne, but envy makes them unhappy. Yet comparisons with others can spoil the benefits of ambition and are only useful if you learn something from them.
Focus on your goals and dreams so you can enjoy your ambition and achievements. 

8. BE YOURSELF
Just as you shouldn’t compare yourself with others, it’s important not to worry about what others think about you — then you can truly be yourself.
Happy people are spontaneous, natural and real. They say what they think and feel, and aren’t concerned what others think of them. Being oneself makes one feel free and authentic. 

9. STOP WORRYING
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Happy people don’t worry and they recognize that 90 per cent of worries never come true. --> These are absolutely true!!!

10. GET ORGANIZED
You might envy those laid-back bohemian types who just do things on the spur of the moment, but don’t be fooled.
Happy people plan and organize; they have goals and a purpose. 
You can only get what you want or desire if you know what it is you want ror desire in the first place. So while those chilled-out friends might seem happy, they’re actually just drifting along.

11. THINK POSITIVE
Bottling up emotions and bad feelings creates psychological distress and physical discomfort.
Happy people get things off their chest, their motto is: get rid of it, or it will get rid of you. Similarly, work at developing optimistic thinking; happy people always look on the bright side. 
We need to switch from a negative, glass-half-empty outlook to a glass-half-full and put optimism into practice to be happiest. Optimism is the mind’s natural self-defense mechanism against depression.

12. VALUE HAPPINESS
Happiness can be learned, but finding meaning and a purpose in life is what leads to it, not the other way around. The happiest people appreciate and realize that being happy adds years to their life, and life to their years. 

I never read his book before but I found that all these points noted here reflected fully on what I've been doing all this while to attain happiness. Amazing right? Seemed like he was analyzing my life and put it into writing on his book haha... :P

Seriously, I can’t agree less with all those points. And seems like it has grown inside me unknowingly since long time ago throughout my experience in life. Maybe in past life I was learning all these??? I don’t know. But those were all things I’ve encountered, believed in, and been doing it all the time.

So, I’m sure you can get your happiness too by practicing all that. Try and experience it ba!!! Hope all of you can be happy too!!! Good luck!

Thank you my sisters and brother :) I love all of you!!!

I loved it
When we were together
Although we lived in different countries
It didn’t stop us
To be crazy
To be wild
To joke
To tease each other
To laugh uncontrollably
I think it was in our genes
That we laughed without limit
Anytime…
Anywhere…
Until tears dropped in our eyes
And sore throat as a result
Didn’t really bother who looked at us weirdly
But sure they know we were happy
I just loved it
And this was how we were
When we were together  

Since young
We grew up together under one roof
We played together
Traveled together
Adventured together
Until certain age
Where we were separated into two parts
Three of you
and two of us  

But no matter what
Every night
Once we entered Mom’s room
We all girls would chit chat together
About anything…   

Our school’s life
Our friends
Our neighbors
Our pets
Even among ourselves
Anything…  

We also always found ways to entertain each other
The fashion show using Pa’s sarong, or Mom’s blanket, or even our own towels
Singing those adult’s heartbroken song that we could hardly understand,
while our hands moved accordingly while singing
I.e. Bukalah kaca matamu…… (Open your sunglasses….); Ibu… Maafkan akuuuu…. (Mom, please forgive me…)
Sometimes even practicing to read and memorize poem before the competition day in school
This was how we trained ourselves to be confidence in front of public  

Time flew just like meteor passing by
Each of us had grown up individually
For few decades unknowingly
It has made us who we are today  

When we are adults now
We accommodate to each other’s needs
We offer advices on what we knew
We seek for advices too from those who knew
We confide to each other's personal problem
We also told them the truth when we didn’t know anything  

We gave supports to those who were in low spirits
And gave them blessings for any happy occasions
Most importantly,
We prayed to each other
So that everyone blessed with good health and life full of happiness  

Distance was not matter for us
What’s app… BBM…
It has made our world smaller and nearer  

Life was not always a happy ride
We went through sadness too
Or anger
But it wouldn’t last long  

We knew each other’s characters, strengths, and weaknesses
Some were so talkative
Some full of complains
Some full of worries
Some full of positivity
Some was so relax as if nothing happened
Hahaha…
It’s our diversity that clicked us together  

It was a bless that we were born under the same parents
It was a bless that we were all loving to each other
It was a bless that even after few decades we were still so close, so funny or even so annoyed
We still hope that we would always be together no matter what,
and would never give up our bonds and fate.  

 
Thank you all my sisters and brother
Who had made me who am I today  

Without all of you,
I wouldn’t be so wise and understanding
I would be so selfish person who only think about myself
I wouldn’t know what ‘sharing’ means
I wouldn’t know what ‘happiness when we were together’ is
I wouldn’t know what ‘help each others’ means
I also wouldn’t know how good it is to be part of big families  

After we all got married
I had even more brothers and sister-in-law
Who loved, taught, and took care of me
Oh I felt so blessed!!!  

Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!!
I am indeed a lucky youngest sister
Protected and taught by many before me.
I love all of you!!!
Very much!!!
Thank you!!!

Paint the wall competition

It's time for painting the wall competition again this year in place where I work. We were divided into 4 teams and we had to paint it according to theme that we got. It's all related to countries where our sister properties were located around the world.

For instance our team, we had to draw things related to Chicago, Lima, Russia, etc. We were given 2 weeks to complete it and there were few big walls available at our back house area (usually the route for staffs). At the end of it, there will be prizes available too for each team. 

Each team comprises of staffs from different departments. And everyone was expected to participate. In order to make the painting session going on smoothly, time schedules were created and we could choose the time slot according to our wishes. Each slot was 2-hour session and we had to fulfil 3 sessions per person. 

I chose 2 of my sessions during weekend, which was today as otherwise we had to paint during office hour and extend our working hour. At the same time I could bring my son along to experience it. Hahaha...

So, there were 4 of us who came today. We did our painting from 9am to 1pm. See the photo on the Russian dolls - before and after :)

Quotes - Positive Thinking

Quotes - Friendship

Quotes - Passion and Dreams :)

Quotes Collections - Love and Relationships

I started collecting quotes when one of my friends posted it on her Facebook. I found many meaningful quotes and saved it either on my computer or my handphone.

Since I changed my handphone to S4, I downloaded an apps called "Cymera" which helps me to arrange and decorate it beautifully. It's a very useful apps, at least for me since I loved to arrange photos and decorate it since many years back.

So, I compiled some of them and share it to all of you here. Enjoy!!!

Free MRT ride brighten up my day :D

I had a headache last night due to didn't have enough sleep the night before. So after taking a bath and had dinner, I read few pages of newly borrowed book from library and slept.

At first I thought of riding a bike this morning. But tonight I will have a yoga session so I thought of getting myself enough rest by sleeping more. So when my alarm rang at 5am, I extended it to 7am.

However, I woke up at 6.30am. Since I had nothing, I decided to take a bath early. While applying moisturizer on my face, the radio had just broadcasted news, which meant time shown was only 7am. Wow!! Suddenly I thought of trying to go to work early and get the free MRT ride, which was just started on 24th June.

I faster applied powder on my face, some blush and lipstick, sprayed perfume and threw clothes into the washing machine. I walked to the MRT station in normal pacing rate.  Didn't forget to notice and to enjoy the beautiful sky that appeared in front of me :) The sun hadn't appeared yet from behind the buildings, which means I was quite early than the past few days (in fact the past few days I reached office above 8.15am and every time I walked to MRT station I could feel the heat from the sunrise).

Just nice after a while MRT came and I managed to get a seat.... Thank God since I really need a seat for almost half an hour journey.... and by the time I reached, it was only 7.40 am and Woohooo.... when I tapped my EZ link card, no amount was deducted from my card.  Yippeeeee!!!!! Hahahaha....

I know, sometimes I behave like a small child. But this thing really made my day. I saved $1.76 for going out early.

The was an exception though.  Check out the notice below.

And when reached my office, I shared my happiness with my 2 colleagues who always reached office much earlier than me everyday (both stay nearer to office than me) and told them how exciting I was.

Even when I took coffee and bread from the canteen, that essence of happiness was still there.  I greeted other colleagues happily. Some I even called them 'handsome' Hahaha.... I didn't even get angry when someone who just came cutting queue for coffee (She did that too yesterday and behaved innocently).

Hahaha.... Thank you SBS Transit for making my day ;) Hope I can do it more often. Cos after reaching office early, I can spend my time to read and to write while enjoying my breakfast on my desk :)

Have a great day everyone!!!

31 Signs You're A Third Culture Kid

Just got this link from my friend in Facebook. I found it amused and think that I shall share the link here on my blog :) Go and check it out and see if you are one of them :)

From The Time Keeper