Too Summer-Y!

My Beautiful Country Part 1

Location: The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei Darussalam

Seven Lucky Blessings

May we always have ...

Irish Blessings make everyone feel good! In honor of belated St. Patrick's Day, here are the seven classic lucky blessings for a good life.

May we always have...

Walls for the winds 

A roof for the rain 

Tea beside the fire 

Laughter to cheer you 

Those you love near you 

And all your heart might desire. 

Source: http://www.beliefnet.com/

The Wonder Of Pancakes

Me & My Cute Disney Crocs

These Are So Cute

FairyGodMother WishGrantingFairy WishGrantingFairy HappinessFairy
FairyGodMother WishGrantingFairy WishGrantingFairy HappinessFairy FairyGodMother WishGrantingFairy FairyGodMother HappinessFairy HappinessFairy FairyGodMother FairyGodMother WishGrantingFairy 

Must Age Gracefully

I remembered few years ago I laughed at a scene in "The Next Best Thing" which Madonna compared herself then and 10 years ago. Those things never seemed to bug me in the early 30s. Geez, looking at my recent photos, I have begun to develop phoebia to look at myself in the photos - I've aged, and I can't fight the force of gravity. 

Sighz, in a blink of an eye, I am no more babyface hahaha. 

Believe It Or Not

Actually, I grew up not actually having a fixed religion. I particularly find it annoying when I am required to fill out section on forms which inquiring about my faith. What is the correlation between faith and my insurance premium? On paper, I put down "Buddhism" but my family as well as myself never visit temples. In principle, my parents never ask us to follow the same faith as they practise. I remembered at some point during my teenage years, my family "migrated" to Mahayana Buddhism for a while. My mother followed Catholic faith when she was young because my Dusun-Kadazan maternal grandmother was a dedicated Catholic. But I know my mother believes more now in respect for each other's faith. She and many of her siblings are now following Theravada Buddhism. I don't think my father follows any faith, but he believes in Karma and respect for ancestors. We put flowers and light candles at the altar (viz. first and fifteenth day of lunar month) to show respect.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my faith. Just for fun, guess what Belief-O-Matic says about my faith: 

Belief-O-Matic lists 27 faiths in order of how much we have in common with our professed beliefs. The higher a faith appears on this list, the more closely it aligns with our thinking. How did the Belief-O-Matic do? 

1. Jainism (100%)
2. Theravada Buddhism (94%)
3. Mahayana Buddhism (90%)
4. Orthodox Quaker (90%)
5. Neo-Pagan (87%)
6. New Age (82%)
7. Unitarian Universalism (79%)
8. Hinduism (76%)
9. Liberal Quakers (75%)
10. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (65%)
11. Seventh Day Adventist (63%)
12. Taoism (63%)
13. Baha'i Faith (61%)
14. Secular Humanism (60%)
15. Sikhism (60%)
16. Orthodox Judaism (55%)
17. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (50%)
18. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (47%)
19. Eastern Orthodox (46%)
20. Roman Catholic (46%)
21. Islam (45%)
22. Jehovah's Witness (43%)
23. Reform Judaism (41%)
24. Nontheist (40%)
25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (33%)
26. New Thought (31%)
27. Scientology (24%)

When Did Singledom Become A Sorry?

The loan policy required me to buy a mortgage insurance. Two days ago, I dropped by our local insurance company to fill out the proposal form. While filling out the beneficiary section, the very nice lady (I'm highly impressed with her good mannerism and patience) advised me:

Nice Lady: Ma'am, you can put your children's name even if they are currently under 18.
Pancake: Is that so?
Nice Lady: Yes, but they have to wait till they are 18 to receive the sum of money.
Pancake: Ok, that's good source of info for me but I will still put my two siblings as my beneficiary.
Nice Lady: Oh, how about your husband and your children?
Pancake: I'm not married.
Nice Lady: Oh! I'm so sorry.
Pancake: No, it's ok. My not-married is not your fault. You don't have to apologise (said in a big-sisterly tone to soothe her worries).

When I walked out of the insurance company, I reflected on the entire conversation and I thought to myself: May be the sorry is she felt sorry for me?

Anyway, no matter in what way the sorry is. I'm happy currently in the state I am in :-)

2 Days Before CLCA Event

Our students worked very hard to make the event a success. 

Traditional Snacks That Can Be Found In Brunei Darussalam Part 1

Panganan CinCin

Rempeyek

Penyaram

Jit-Manis

Sesagun

Children's Pop Culture

Baby K currently loves this song. 

I love you. You love me. We're a happy family. With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you. Won't you say you love me too? 

I love you. You love me. We're best friends like friends should be ...

I Miss This Sitcom!

1st Brunei Custom Motorbike Show

Foot Detox

To date, this is the weirdest Foot Detox advertisement I have ever seen in my life! 

Wake Up Call

A friend commented recently that I have been given a number of good opportunities in the last few years, be it work or relationships. But, the comment didn't end there. After the first full stop, the subsequent sentence said: "However, you've never learn to cultivate on them".

"However, you've never learn to cultivate on them.
You let it grow by itself.
Like a plant, when you don't give sufficient care, effort, time;
Eventually it will wither and go."

I'm neither old nor young at this stage. I work hard and I work smart. The results are good. I don't normally take in every word friends said to me, but this particular remark does make some senses. The results are good, but they can be even better. Opportunities don't knock twice. I must capitalise on them, and be more assertive and proactive from now on.

The Realisation

I bumped into this interesting online article few days ago.

********

THE REALIZATION:

Just then - I realized that when we are trying something new, It is only the first step that seems difficult. May be we are afraid of it because we have not done something similar before ... But once we take the first step, we realize that we can do it, things start seeming easier, we start gaining confidence and we feel more motivated to accomplish that task.

That’s why I am saying : Once you take the first step, other steps will become easier for you.

So, Don’t just wait to do it later; Don’t listen to others who say you can’t do it. Don’t think you will not be able to do it, Try building up some faith in yourself and - Just go for it. Take the first step and other steps will seem easier.

Source: http://thepositivelife.com/2008/11/taking-the-first-step-to-achieve-your-dreams/

My Initials Say

You Are Shrewd and Talented

When You Are Comfortable: You are ambitious, and hard-working. Adversity allows you to shine. You resourceful and able to make due. People see you as honest to the point of bluntness. But they always know that you'll be fair. You have the good intentions. When You Are At Your Best: You are a glamorous, social person. You love being the center of attention and an object of adoration. People see you as charming and charismatic. You are naturally dazzling. You are ambitious, and find it easy to get ahead in life. When You Are in a Social Setting: You are a hyper, restless person. You need to keep busy, and you always are willing to take charge in life. People see you as energetic and motivating. You inspire people to be the best they can be.

What Do Your Initials Say About You?

Wii Sports

Amazing, this 22 months old toddler is playing better Wii Tennis than me haha. Source: http://www.youtube.com.

Third Sister Liu

My grandfather used to play this song very often. Set in the Zhuang Minority region of scenic Guilin in China, this is an entertaining musical of a young woman overcoming adversaries with a unique weapon i.e. witty folk songs featuring her lovely voice.

Isn't Life Ironic?

Gigi Leung plays a translator, and Takeshi Kaneshiro plays a violinist, who live parallel lives and appear to be perfect for each other, but somehow fate seems to keep them apart. They live in the same apartment building, but don't meet. This is because when they leave, one turns left and the other turns right.

I Am NOT Fat

I AM JUST FLABBY! Haha ...

I am so sick of people commenting "You are fat!" especially after my discipline diet and more exercise these few weeks.

Alive Doll!

I am spending more time in children's educational toys aisles more than clothing shops these days. One of my major discovery is that toys are getting more and more sophisticated. Few days ago, I was amazed with this "alive" doll. Originally introduced in 1973, the much-loved BABY ALIVE doll can "eat", "drink", "sip" and "poo". You can even buy disposable diapers to change her diapers. Amazing! 

Barbie 50 Years On

I never owned a Barbie Doll until 2005 when my sister Woofhams bought me a Surfer Barbie Doll because she could see the resemblance of me in that doll. The Surfer Barbie Doll has a sweet coconut (not coconut oil) scent. Unsure it's the surfer outfit or the scent, I found it de-stressing every time I look at it.

Last Sunday when I was out shopping for Baby K's educational toys with my family, I saw a few Collector items of Barbie Doll that are so interesting. I may buy one if I happen to stumble upon this "Wizard of Oz" Barbie :-)

Tooth Time Kelly Doll

Isn't she cute? Barbie doll's little sister, Kelly doll, has lost her very first tooth. This Kelly doll has a fun color change feature i.e. when she brushes her teeth, her front tooth "magically" disappears. She can leave her tooth under her pillow at bedtime for the Tooth Fairy. This Kelly doll set comes with a comfy little trundle bed with pillow.