Home sweet home

'You will never know how much you love someone until you lose them." One of my friends told me this, after experienced losing his loved one. His loved one is still alive, only that she chose not to be with him.

Lots of time we take things for granted. We always think that there is always tomorrow. People that we love will always alive tomorrow. So that we don't treasure our days and live just like that. More often or not, the quote above will let us know if we love them much - too bad, it often happens too late when we realized.

I decided to go back home to spend more time with my parents just few weeks before. I came back alone as my hubby has to work and my dear son has to go to school. I only have 4 full days but I guess it's quality that matters over the quantity. So, I hope I can use this limited time worthwhile and have some break out of my daily routine.

I took night flight yesterday. I had enough time to prepare after finishing my works. I had McD for dinner at the airport before entering the departure gate. I browsed around and did some shopping in the airport. Btw, Changi Airport was chosen as World's best airport at Skytrax World Airport Awards. You have lots of choice to shop, eat and spend time. Free wi-fi, using internet at computer provided, foot massage machines everywhere, and most importantly, clean and fully air-con. Hohoho... I love to stay there longer :P

The flight was delayed about half an hour. While waiting I watched Running Man using my Ipad mini (again, thanks for the free wi-fi). The plane was full. Many people returned back home and only few were to visit and holiday or work.

It took 1 hour and 20 mins to reach Jakarta. We landed at new terminal (T3) of Bandara Soekarno-Hatta (named after Indonesia first President and Vice President). There were long queue at Immigration Checkpoint and also luggage clearance. By the time I went out, it was 12.30am already (supposedly I should reach at 11pm).

My parents were waiting outside for me. They both looked very tired. But they never complained or showed discomfort to me. They even asked me if I was hungry and would like to have food to eat. I told them, "No, i am not hungry. Let's go home and rest." We all went back home. Luckily the airport wasn't too far from my house. We reached home in less than half an hour.

My mom showed me my room. It was all prepared with clean sheet and air con had been turned on, and mosquito repellent had been sprayed too as no sign of mosqiito bite on me this morning when I woke up. Thank you for your unconditional love Ma and Pa.

Sometimes I wonder. Supposedly, I should be the one who treated them like that. But at my age now, they still treated my like their own young princess. Hehe... I feel like never growing up when they are around. (No wonder I always feel I am in my 20s only) Hahaha.... :P

This morning, I woke up late. I set my alarm, but forgot to turn it on. We supposed to depart at 6am, but I only woke up ar 6.30am. Haha... Seems like my parents were all tired too. I quickly took a bath and prepared my things and we departed at 7am. We are going to a small village called Garut. It's about 4.5 hours driving from Jakarta. But since we departed a bit late, the traffic has made our journey longer. Now we are still on the way there. I hope this journey will be wonderful, especially it's only three of us. Hehe... Hope to spend quality time with them. Continue again!!! Have a great day everyone!!!

Gratitude

“Gratitude means to recognize the good in your life, be thankful for whatever you have, some people may not even have one of those things you consider precious to you (love, family, friends etc). Each day give thanks for the gift of life. You are blessed” - Pablo

I am sorry to hear about the devastating news reported on TODAY newspaper this morning, “A 3-km wide tornado with winds of up to 320kmh has attacked Oklahoma city suburb on Monday morning. It flattened homes, flung cars through the air, and landed a direct blow on an elementary school.” Many lives were taken including children.

Around a month ago, we also heard the news reporting the Lushan in Sichuan Province’s magnitude 7.0-earthquake that killed almost 200 lives.

How fragile human life is, isn’t it?

The disaster can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone.

From these incidents, I can’t stop being grateful of staying and living in this small country. Although it’s small, but during my period staying here for more than 10 years, I never heard of any tragic disaster reported just like what happened in other places in the world.

No Tsunami, no tornado, no hurricane, no big earthquake, no major flooding (only minor one and only attacked some areas), no forest fire, no volcano eruption, etc. Other than that, Singapore is also considered as a safe country with low crime rate. However, low crime rate doesn’t mean no crime rate. We still have to be alert and careful.

The point that I want to make it here is that… I feel grateful for the place I live in. I also encouraged my hubby and son to be grateful with where we stay. Sometimes, they would have complained and expressed their dissatisfaction on how high the stress level is here; people work all day and night just to be able to earn for living (well, I bet everyone does this everywhere, not just here ba?); high standard of living cost (yes, we are one of the country who has a high living cost in the world.

However, I still think the money we paid was returned with good standard of service too as we seldom experience blackout/no electricity – during my stay it only happened once and it only lasted for less than an hour; we always have water and gas supply. If they do maintenance or stop the supply, they will inform us days before; mobile/internet connection – well, can’t say we can connect very well, but compared with some other parts of the world, we’re so far quite pampered with the convenience); high level difficulty in studying (well, this one I agree. Lots of students here are very stress. After school, many of them still have to attend the tuition, even on weekend. But I have heard my Indonesian friends who have kids too. They all complain on first, how expensive school fees in private school in Indonesia. Second, their kids learn not only one or two, but three languages at the same time – Indonesian, English, and Chinese. Third, their kids are attending much additional tuition after school as they all believe education is very important for their future and only those who are able to master it all, will be successful when they grow up. Well, I am not sure if their success will be guaranteed after attending it all, but I still believe people’s characters and attitudes towards life are still the ones who hold the importance of being a success and happy people. However, Singaporean students are not the only ones who are having hard time in studying no?).

Sometimes my friends would grumble over a low salary that he/she receives here. But when I told them how much salary that others earn in other part of the world - who works in government sector- they would open their mouth and disbelieved. They would start arguing how cheap their living cost there, how government would pay for their education, medical bill, and so on. Well, they were not wrong either. But, I told them, even with that amount of salary, they still had to take loans in order to buy car, build house, education for their children, and so on. But he/she should have been lucky to have that amount of salary.

So the key here is to be content with what we have and be grateful. Yes, our salary is not that much, but at least we have a work. We don’t depend on others in living. We have two hands, two legs and healthy body to work and move around. We still have a roof to stay (be it rent or purchase). We have at least two meals a day (some even three or four meals a day). We have clothes to wear (even some managed to get branded one). And no matter how high our salary is, if we are not controlling our spending, we’ll still be haunted by loans till the end of our lives. And no matter how high our salary is, if we are not happy with our job (higher stress level, no time to spend with family and loved ones, made us sick and tired everyday), then what’s the purpose???
Wherever you are, people all encounter same things – same challenges in life. It’s how we face the challenge that is different.

Before this, I always wonder on how come many Bhutanese who studied overseas would always return back to their country after they graduated. I seldom heard they chose to settle down overseas. I asked few people
about their opinions and now I understand why.

Life in Bhutan is much more relaxing. They have plenty of time to be spent with friends and families after work (Those who works in office mostly works from 9am to 4pm – during winter and to 5pm – during summer). Their time is abundance (in other part of the world, people rush for time, and for them time is money). They are pampered with rich natural resources and plenty of fresh air (they’re living surrounded by natures, not by tall buildings and concretes. They even have pedestrian day where no cars are allowed on street once in month – in some countries, you can’t even see clearly what lies in front of you due to the very bad air pollution). Their food supply is much more healthy as they can grown their own plants in their house’s backyard, garden, or some even have own field (oh, I just saw in Facebook how miserable those who lived in big cities in USA, they paid an incredible high rental fees but living in place that you couldn’t even stand up on it, or lots of Chinese people live in a room that no window on it and in a very small space. Don’t even think of growing plants!!). Government would pay their expenses when they fall sick and provide scholarship for further studies.

Most importantly, people there are friendly, full of courtesy, and live simply. In rich countries, many people are showing off their wealth with luxury cars, big and beautiful house/apartment, branded bags/ clothes/ shoes, bling bling jewelry, and so on. But does it mean they are happy? Well, try to get the answer from them ba! Happiness is not always be counted by how much money you have, right?

However, gratitude and contentment will still be the important keys of happiness level that we are in, no matter where we live in, and who we are. Many simple things can derive happiness, such as: smile, children’s laughter, beautiful sunrise/sunset and sky, and so on.

And here, I want to express my gratitude for what I have now, what I have in the past, and what I will have in the future. I hope you all can express your gratitude too toward what you have and encountered in life. Have a great day everyone!!!

“How would your life be different if... you began each day by thanking someone who has helped you? Let today be the day...You make it a point to show your gratitude to others. Send a letter or card, make a call, send a text or email, tell them in person...do whatever you have to do to let them know you appreciate them.” – Steve Maraboli

“Good people give you happiness. Bad people give you experience. Worst people give you a lesson. And best people give you memories.” – Unknown.

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive- to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love-then make that day count!” – Steve Maraboli

Never stop rejoicing and adoring!!!

Beautiful and peaceful daybreak

It's 3rd Saturday I went cycling, and this time together with my dear son. We departed at 5.50am, when the sky was still so dark, with no moon around. The road was still so quiet and there were few joggers and cyclists in the park.

When the sun slowly appeared :)

Love the sunrise, the sky and the birds, everything!!! I am blessed :)

Since it's Saturday, I slowed down following the rhythm and my son's speed. It's much more relaxed than what I usually had on myself. Slowly but steady. We made one round of Punggol Park and met up near the Sunrise Bridge. Just nice, after reaching there, we managed to witness the slowly rising sun, which was beautiful and mesmerizing. Simply wonderful!!!

Slowly appeared into the sky

View of the airplane - so this is where the sound coming from :D

Enjoying breakfast early in the morning :)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Wealth

When I mention ‘WEALTH’ word, what will appear first in your mind??? ‘MONEY’?? I think most people will think of that. But Robin Sharma defined wealth in seven forms, as per what he wrote in his book, ‘The Greatness Guide’. I will share his points here:

1. Inner wealth. It includes a positive mindset, high self-respect, internal peace and a strong spiritual connection.

2. Physical wealth. Your health is your wealth. What’s the point of being the best business person in the hospital ward? Why be the richest person in the graveyard?

3. Family and social wealth. When your family life is happy, you will perform better at work. No one gets to the end of their life and regrets making their family their first priority. Related to this is the importance of building deep connections with friends and members of your personal community (including mentors, role models and trusted advisors)

4. Career wealth. Actualizing your highest potential by reaching for your best in your career is incredibly important. Getting to greatness in your profession brings a feeling of satisfaction on a job well done. It helps you make your mark. Being world class in your work is so good for your self-respect.

5. Economic wealth. Yes, money is important. Not the most important thing in life but very important. It absolutely makes life easier and better. Money allows you to live in a nice home, take beautiful vacations and provide well for those you love. And as Yoon Chouinard, the founder of the outdoor gear company Patagonia, has said: “The more I make, the more I can give away.”

6. Adventure wealth. To be fulfilled, each of us needs mystery in our lives. Challenge is necessary for happiness. The human brain craves novelty. And we are creative beings so we need to be creating constantly if we hope to feel joy. Lots of adventure (ranging from meeting new people to visiting new places) is an essential element of authentic wealth.

7. Impact wealth. Perhaps the deepest longing of the human heart is to live for something greater than itself. Each of us craves to be significant. To make a difference. To know what the world has somehow been better because we have walked the planet.

After reading that, you will realize that money alone does not define being wealthy as there are many rich people who are unhappy and unsuccessful as human beings, won’t you? Think about on what you plan next in order to get those seven forms of wealth in your life, which will make your and other’s life happier and more meaningful.

HMD - From me to my dear Mom :)

As what were written above, I assumed these were what my Mom think about us everyday. Hehe.... :) One thing that I believe it's true is that she always prays for our good health, safety, and most importantly, our happiness. 

Every night I saw my mom lighted the joysticks and prayed to the above. I could always feel her prayers. I could feel her sincerity in hoping us doing well in our lives. I want to thank you Mom for all your dedicated time, effort, and prayers that make us who we are today.

When I looked back, I realize I didn't give much for you. I seldom called back home. I seldom flew back home. I never sent you any letters home for years. I didn't buy any presents to you on your special day. But it doesn't mean I don't love you Mom.

As my thanks and appreciation, you and Pa will always be my priority, my number one list in my prayers. When we did good deeds, both of you would be the first that I want the good karma to be given to. I hope both of you are blessed with good health, live full of loves, protected from any danger, received help when you need it, have your dreams and wishes come true, and most importantly, be able to let go all suffering, and be happy. 

I know you can't read or understand English much. You might not read my blog post too. But no matter what, I want you to know that I always love you Mom! And thank you for everything that you've done and given to me.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Your love, MQ :)