Saturday, August 30, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Where Is My Usual Rainbow?
Isn't this a cuter version of rainbow? On our way home last Friday afternoon, my mother and I spotted it - only 1/3 of the rainbow was seen, the rest was covered by clouds.
To Light And Guide
My family is the source of energy to my life, and my students are the source of energy to my work. Everyday my mood gets better when I stand in front of them, teaching and observing them from knowing nothing at the beginning of lecture to full of ideas by the end of it. They listen, they take notes, they ask questions and they laugh when I tell them jokes.
I hope I have the strength of a guardian angel to always light, guide, and guard them.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Birthday Fulla Happies
Wedding Dress
Today is the wedding day of one of my better friends, Mei (better, because they are better than good friends). Mei, an English of Chinese descendant, is getting married to James, an English of Spanish descendant, I believe they will have beautiful children. To start with, Mei is a charming woman. Her charm came from her heart, not only from her looks and awesome fashion sense. I should be in London this week to celebrate her big day, but work is piling up and there is no way I could get away from my desk this month without feeling guilt. So, I called her at London time 2am today, yes I must be mad to interrupt a bride's beauty sleep. But it is not easy to choose a good time with the 7 hours time difference.
Thinking back, I have already known Mei for 11 years. We got to know each other during our Master years. I recalled it was a cold autumn mid-morning in Keele, I was having bad jet-lag and hungry, and had no place to stay, yet. The warden asked me to wheel my two big suitcases myself - and later I found out my dorm was a good one km walk from her office. Having pampered with the facilities of having own car in Brunei, I wheeled the suitcases and annoyed with the warden and the university at the same time!
Then, a tall, Chinese girl in her early 20s walked past with rocket speed, I stopped her and asked: "Excuse me, how far is Horwood from here?"
That Chinese girl answered with very strong British accent: "That's far, can you manage these things on your own. Let me help you!"
We walked for a further 10 metre, and I asked her, "Err, I know this might sound weird, but do you happen to have instant noodles? I am extremely hungry. This is dinner time back at home."
"Yes, I do. You poor girl. How long do you have to travel to get here? I am from London. My brother drove me here."
"I had to take a 14 hours plane from Brunei + an hour domestic flight from London + 2 hours coach ride from Manchester to get here" (Back then during my first trip to Staffordshire, I didn't realise I could just take a train ride from Euston Station to reach Stoke-On-Trent, and another 20 minutes cab ride would take me to Keele University).
"Oh, you really must eat. I will cook instant noodles for you as soon as you settle down."
This is how our friendship began. Over the years, we have come up with a phrase together from our Keele experience ie. "If we could survive Keele, we could overcome all other things in our life".
Friday, August 22, 2008
How To Convert Dreams To Things?
Recently, I always dream. Sometimes, I dreamt about some enterprising ideas that I have never seen or heard in my life before. A month ago, I dreamt about a place, its structure and decoration, I was thinking to myself if I have the money to build I would probably own the world greatest zen's empire. Last night, I dreamt about tulips, lots of fresh tulips. The colour is so vibrant that I was thinking to myself when I woke up this morning - if I can find out the technology to preserve them as fresh and vibrant as what I saw in my dream, I could get rich from patent rights and selling the technology to food industry.
Am I dreaming too much? Haha ..
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"
- Eleanor Roosevelt
"The key to happiness is having dreams; the key to success is making them come true" - James Allen
Happiness To Key Of Good Life
“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”
- Aristotle
Strength Training For Mind
"It is in the small decisions you and I make every day that create our destiny"
- Anthony Robbins
Thursday, August 21, 2008
CSI: Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover
Women are usually more sympathetic, some even let sympathy overshadows rationality. This has to be corrected, because statistics show that a majority of serial killers dressed themselves well, portrayed as well-educated men and played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. Some walked with a cane, some pretended to be limp and poor, and asked "for help" into his vehicle, or with his vehicle etc., which is when they abducted their next victim.So, be rational in every decision.
CSI: Crying Baby Theory
I just received an e-mail which mentioned of:
"Someone told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door".
The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that the baby would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door". He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they are home alone at night."
The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that the baby would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door". He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they are home alone at night."
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
8 Days 8 Golds
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Olympic Games Special Part 3: Well Thought Of
Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their colour and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace - and good wishes from China - to children all over the world.Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form a good circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals - the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow - and the Olympic Flame.
Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name - a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. BeiBei is the Fish, JingJing is the Panda, HuanHuan is the Olympic Flame, YingYing is the Tibetan Antelope and NiNi is the Swallow.
When you put their names together - Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni - they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.
Fuwa also embody both the landscape, dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature - the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky - all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.
In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing - and will honour this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity, Happiness, Passion, Health and Good Luck will be spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation from Beijing 2008 to every part of the globe.
At the heart of their mission - and through all of their work - Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through the Olympics spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 to spread its theme of "One World, One Dream" to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship through the Games - and to invite every man, woman and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China is hosting in the light of the flame in 2008.
Above information taken from: http://en.beijing2008.cn/spirit/beijing2008/graphic/n214068254.shtml
On Your Mark
"Do not be careless. We would be easier target for our opponent when we are off-guard"
- Pancakeism
Friday, August 15, 2008
A Happy Penguin
Despite I have a "Swallow" in my middle name, lately I have started to feel like I look like a penguin especially after a big meal, haha!! A colleague yesterday commented I look strong compared to other women. Well, I took it positively, and believed he meant I don't look weak. However, if I were to flip and read the other side of the coin, he might have probably implied I am FAT! HaHa .. whatever .. as long as I am healthy and happy ;-)
One World One Dream
To me, Day 7 is where the highlights of Beijing Olympics is - the centre stage at any Olympic Games is always athletics and August 15 is the day these athletes enter Beijing's marvelous new arena - the National Stadium - commonly known as the Bird's Nest.
Enclosed are some of the snippets in the past week.
Because She Was She, And I Was I
This is a HK sitcom (supposed to be sitcom, unsure why the leading lady cried so much in this MV haha ...) which Vincent has waited for 20 years before the woman he loved, Ka Nam, has finally accepted him. Vincent always stands by her, and even helps to mentor her 20 year old son. Even so, their relationship has a lot of ups and downs. Vincent supports her decision even when she decides to go away for a period of time because she needs to follow the trails her late husband supposed to walk with her. If you really in love with a person, you shouldn't attempt to change her into the woman you always dream of. That's unfair to her, afterall life is different from dreams. Vincent has never attempted to change Ka Nam's decisions or add to her burden by changing her into the woman he wants because she is she, and he is he.
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved"
- Winston Churchill
Olympic Games Special Part 2
These two look cool, aren't they? I am still waiting for the archery one!!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Moonlight Resonance
In case Woofhams is wondering what tv drama is getting our mother so preoccupied every workday evening these days at 9.30pm, this is the first time our mother is so addicted to a HK drama haha!!
If You Think You Can Win, You Have Already Won Half Of The Battle
Baby K is learning fast, and now he demands to sit at dining table like grown-ups and he wants to drink from his own cup.
I am telling my brother and my SIL, we have to be careful with words we use, and tv programmes we are watching. He is like a piece of new paper, and it's the family's role and responsibility to make sure the good moral and good values are drawn on that piece of paper. I am not allowing guns and knives on our tv screen now, and I am forbidding all silly teenage dramas which fetch no value. I'll let Baby K watches them, but not now, not at this stage when he can't differentiate right or wrong, good or bad.
A friend asked me last week, what's the first thing on our mind when Baby K was born? It's "Faith", especially on my brother's mind I must say.
We were panicked when my SIL was in the labour room for about 7 hours without food or water, when she didn't feel she was in labour at all due to the epidural. I had no experience of child birth. But, a decision needed to be made, so I told my SIL, "You have to go for the c-section. The water broke too many hours ago".
We were all so panicked. Thinking back, I couldn't even recall what I said to my brother before he went into the labour room with my SIL. All I knew we should all have faith. Have faith that God is with us, to guide, light, lead and guard us.
An hour after Baby K was born, my brother called Woofhams and also told my mother and myself that, "A person must have faith. Without faith, I wouldn't know how to cope with the time when my wife was in labour. I felt so helpless initially until I decided to have faith in myself, in my wife, in my son, in the doctor and in the hospital".
It is indeed true of his words.
"If you think you can achieve it, you can achieve. Faith is necessary tool to Achievement"
"If you believe you are the best, you can be the best"
- adapted from William Hazlitt, English Essayist (1778 - 1830)
"If you think you can win, you can win. Faith is necessary to victory"
Monday, August 11, 2008
2008 Olympics Pool Shark
The much discussed topic and Olympics athlete at our dining table this week is Michael Phelps - probably due to my over-publicity at home, haha!! I used to be a Thorpedo's fan, but I can't d
eny my brother's comment that Thorpedo was good in 2000 Sydney & 2004 Athen Olympics for his freestyle only, while Phelps is a more versatile swimmer - look at how he swam in the 200m butterfly heat recently.It's really difficult to imagine this is the same boy who used to swim breastroke only when he started swimming because he disliked his head under the water, ha!! Could you imagine this is also the same boy whom mother claimed had an attention-deficit disorder when he was younger!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
How Will I Look Like In Cartoon
If Pancakeism were to be given a role in Simpson, this will be how I look like (haha):
Saturday, August 09, 2008
I Smile Like My Pancakeism Aunt
Baby K likes to pout these days. He also likes to say "Boooooooo" when he wants attention. I wonder whether all babies do this at this stage. He also loves to pull my hair, I have counted, to date, - he has pulled at least 15 strands of my hair. May be I should wear a shower cap next time when he wants me to carry him, haha!!
I spotted these two designs in MotherCare when I was there yesterday afternoon thinking of adding more varieties to Baby K's wardrobe. Aren't the designs cute, especially the blue jeans and the little vest.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Another New Chapter
Woofhams reminded me a few minutes ago that at this time (8.08am) and this date, it's marked in history as 08.08:08.08.2008
I've made my three wishes, how about you?
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Until Christmas
The Polar Express - When Christmas Comes To Town
I have been thinking too much lately.
Self-doubt will get me nowhere, but path to negativism.
Besides Courage, Energy and Power, I need to Believe Positively in myself.
I have been thinking too much lately.
Self-doubt will get me nowhere, but path to negativism.
Besides Courage, Energy and Power, I need to Believe Positively in myself.
"You have a past from which you have to learn, a present to live, and a future to dream. Strive today so that with the experience from the past, you can reach the future you dream. You can do it because you have the necessary strength and wisdom".
"You'll have everything you need, if you believed".
"You'll have everything you need, if you believed".
"The BELIEF in a thing makes it happen"
- Frank Lloyd wright
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Impossible Is Nothing
"Like attracts like. Positivity draws in more things that are positive. Negativity draws in more things that are negative. These are the basic Laws of Attraction" - Rainbeau Mars, “Ra’yoka” Professional in Los Angeles. "Ra’yoka" is Rainbeau's own method that combines yoga, martial arts and core conditioning.
"Play a sport that gives you more energy than you started with”
- Rainbeau Mars
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Find Wisdom In Irritation
According to Chin-Ning Chu, the author of Do Less,
Achieve More (HarperCollins Publishers, 1998), Lord Buddha said, "When one refuses to t
ake in the negative criticism from the abuser, then his gift of viciousness will be returned and absorbed by he who handed out the criticism".
Achieve More (HarperCollins Publishers, 1998), Lord Buddha said, "When one refuses to take in the negative criticism from the abuser, then his gift of viciousness will be returned and absorbed by he who handed out the criticism". How hateful a person towards others will determine how hateful his mind will be to him in equal dosage.
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