Mickey Brown Eyes
Meet Mickey, the new addition to my family. He came last week at 7 weeks old. Isn't he extremely adorable? When he set foot in our house, we knew that he should never leave. .. so he did ... stay.
My dad decided to get the pup, I was pretty surprised. Perhaps since Rocky went away, we kinda miss the nice big dog greeting us every day after a long day's work. Mickey's a Golden Retriever, pure breed. His fur is like a little sheep rug, really soft. He has the cutest face I've ever seen in a dog. And he's pretty obedient too, in his cage. Only whines when I come home and he wants to play. He's very much like a little baby. And like all babies, the 'parents' suddenly go mad and snap like tons of pictures like a paparazzi... as though, we will never capture these moments again. So here are some of my favourite takes...
Do you believe in yourself?
Someone believes in me... but that does not matter, until I believe in myself. That's what I've learnt over the past few months. I was challenged to do what I thought was not possible & I was stretched to my limits (and still am) . I believed what I needed to do required too much of my
weak points, how could I ever deliver on that? I could not even imagine myself in that position.
Lately, I told myself that I had no choice. It was what was envisioned of me, someone believes that I can do it. And if anyone was to blame for not achieving that, it was me. As I was told today 'whether you like it or not, you are going to have to lead, so might as well get used to it".
I read that self confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings. How true! As Tuck wrote to me, if you only do what you are good at, then what can you improve on?
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.""That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." [2 Corinthians 12:9-10]All glory to God for being my source of strength, and being there through it all to help me achieve the 'impossible'.
Innocent Steps
That's the title of this Korean movie I watched yesterday. No, I'm not a fan of Korean movies - I thought of watching one to set the mood for my trip end of the month. I always believe that before you travel somewhere, you should at least read about and learn something about the uniqueness of the country, immerse yourself in the culture, food and livelihood. So, to a small extent, a Korean movie sounded right.
I didn't expect much at all, in fact, I was thinking that it's gonna be another 'soppy love story'. Strangely enough, I actually enjoyed it! The film makes you laugh and cry. It was a love story but not such a naive one as typically, most Korean shows are. It was about dancing - though I don't dance, I love shows that are about dancing. Dance just captivates my heart... the rhythm, the music, the expression and the passion.
http://www.seoulselection.com/screening_dvd_view.html?pid=859The movie portrayed that with determination, you can achieve your dreams despite major obstacles. Never let anyone undermine your abilities. Money cannot buy love. True love sees beyond the surface - the materialism, the outer appearances, the superficiality. The part that I disliked though was the chauvinistic-ism (if there's such a word) of the Korean culture. No man should ever hit a woman. No woman should ever be made to feel that they are second class. Submission is one thing, respect is another. We are all created equal.
Triumph of the Human Spirit
I've been touched by kindness. I've always appreciated the goodness of the human heart. The people who have been there for me, to listen and simply be by my side when I needed them most. I'm very fortunate to always meet people with sincere hearts, and touched by their warmth and kindness.
I'd never forget how Mum stayed with me the whole night before my major operation, and with me for the whole few months until I recovered or how Papa always makes sure I get anywhere important on time or go all out to help me get things done when I need them most. I heard somewhere that you will never find anyone who loves you as much as your parents do. Thanks also to all my good friends out there - just received the parcel that Jason sent...thanks heaps, and Chin Ai for listening me out through my trying times at work (to ensure I can go on with the rest of the day), and Jes Min for your awesome friendship & honesty (yes, amoeba it is :P) ... the project will never be the same without you around! And to Nick who has helped me shifted all the time in Melbourne and taken care of me when I was unwell... and countless other people who have passed thru my life and made a difference - big or small.
There is no value you can place on the triumph of the human spirit. My only wish is that I can do the same for all my family and friends out there. Such is my way of restoring the peace and love that is much lacking amidst the violent wars, natural disasters and senseless bombings out there that infiltrate our minds. Let us not forget the little things that make life.... worth living :)
Maybe I am a l'il nuts
Am having on of my slack days - went back early after a meeting, didn't feel like doing anything except visiting my granny. On days like these, you think of the crazy, fun times and wish you were there to relive the moment again...
Looking back, perhaps I am a little crazy as my friends have been telling me... ahaha.. my recent nutsy experiences:
- Walking into a nice hotel restaurant in pajamas & 2 pink hair clips, due to my own idea of having some theme party at my project trip (which obviously everyone didnt dare to be too 'obvious' in their dressing)... at least I know that they DO let u in wearing pajamas - down with dresscodes!! Thanks to the 3 others who were brave enough to walk in together! ;) - not forgetting one wearing bedsheets!
- Overflowing the jacuzzi after pouring a whole bottle of bath foam and taking crazy pictures... it's awesome!! Feels like you're a 'cappucino'
- Being thrown off the Banana Boat even though I can't swim, and on the same day, thrown in the pool while tipsy (definitely will not do it again ;)
*hint* do not throw me in the pool!!
- Walking around Melb city after midnight in pajamas, 2 pigtails and a soft toy after a Theme Party River Cruise (I love theme parties!)
- Having our own party in a little hostel room blasting music like no one's business till we got scolded by my floor counsellor
- Making a spontaneous decision to go to Bangkok and shopped like there's no tomorrow!! And next, is Korea... making a decision under pressure at Matta Fair via a phone call is really really spontaneous - I still can't believe I'm going..
- Staying in a tent for 7 days (yup, self built tent) under negative temperature desert conditions in Central Australia ... awesome experience!! Not to mention taking a bus for 2 days straight ONE way...
- Walked home barefooted from Uni to my apartment coz my shoes were hurting too much
- Driving in the opposite direction up the carpark (not for fun) ... by accident
I love being spontaneous... ;) and yea, doing weird things once in a while just for the heck of it..
Grandma dearest...
I've just got back from visiting my dearest Grandma at the hospital. This is the 4th time she has been in and out of the hospital this month for gallstones. She's in so much pain till she can't really sleep or eat anything concrete. Due to her diabetes and some liver infection, the doctors are unable to perform the operation as the risks are too high. Some good news finally shed in today. Tomorrow, the doctors will be using some 'endoscope' thingy to remove the gallstones and she would not need to undergo any surgery. Thank God for new technology!
I've been visiting dear Grandma whenever I have the time. It just hurts me to know that I can't do anything to make her feel better and I really hope that my prayers will be answered. I just have to trust God to take care of her.
Mama, as I fondly call her, is such a wonderful lady. She's always cheerful, kind-hearted and generous & funny too! She's so extremely polite too, always apologizing for troubling us - even to the extent that we don't have seats in her hospital room! She always goes all out to help others... at one time, she fell down while trying to bring in the clothes when it was raining without letting us know. During her last birthday, my aunts taught her some English phrases and amazingly at her old age, she could remember and recite the lines "Thank you for coming to my birthday party." Even at her hospital bed, she never fails to say something funny in each visit, though she is in pain. The other night, she teased my dad before we left with her little jokes. She's the nicest & sweetest person ever... and not to mention, single-handedly raised up 10 children by herself after my grandfather's demisal.
Mama, I hope that you will get well soon and feel better. You are always in my prayers. :)
90% people management, 10% actual work
I just had one of those days at work where my clients just decide to go berserk. Always brings my mood down, the remarks are always the same... drains me out.
It's part and parcel of the job as one of my managers said. He seemed to be all smiley when he saw another junior and myself coming back from 'one of those sessions'. It's all about people management, it's part of the job. It's great though to have such positive energy when you are down. I also escalated another issue to my project manager and he also took it so optimistically and made the whole situation so 'simple'. Perhaps they have been seasoned... I need to learn the art of people management.
Like all jobs, if you look at the core of the job, it's actually very simple... that is if you take out the
people factor - in a perfect world, where everyone is cooperative, wants to get the job done well, fast and efficiently and where people actually reach a resolution and agreement after a fruitful discussion.
Yea, dream on... nevertheless, I still like my job.
