I Am Addicted To Blogthings ... Haha!

When you're confronted with a problem, you take it on immediately - but with your eyes wide open. You deal with stress well. You take things as they come, and you don't panic. In fact, you often enjoy challenging situations. Difficulty makes you feel alive. You are alert and observant. You notice every twist and turn in the road.

What Street Sign Are You?

Try the quiz, and let me know what sign are you!

Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry

Not meeting the minimum entry requirement!

You Are ONLY 30% Witch

It's unlikely that you're a witch. At least, no one thinks you are. You may still be interested in witchcraft, but you're by no means a stereotypical witch. While you don't seem all that witchy, people may think you're a bit weird. You're definitely a little offbeat. No one really knows what to make of you sometimes.

Are You a Witch?

Silver Jubilee National Day

Happy 25th Birthday to Brunei Darussalam!

Which Is Cuter?

Are You Clueless Or Fearless?

Your Birthdate Predicts You're Fearless

Ever since you were born, you've always been able to assert yourself. You are confident in carving your own path. Soon enough, other people will be persuaded and follow along. You are driven and competitive to the point of being impulsive. You'll do just about anything to win. It drives you crazy when you have to stay still in life. You are too dynamic to stay stagnant.

What Does Your Birthday Predict About You?

How To Reset Your Resolutions?

You Should Make 5 Resolutions for 2009

Lose Weight Get Fit Reduce Stress Overall Take a Trip Spend More Time With Family and Friends

What Should You Resolve to Change in 2009?

What Kind Of Pancakes Are You?

You Are Banana Nut Pancakes

You prefer complex and interesting foods. You shy away from anything that's ordinary or tired. It's not likely that someone would find white sandwich bread or boxed mac n' cheese in your kitchen. Instead, someone might find an original recipe of yours cooking up - or some interesting ethnic food.

What Kind of Pancakes Are You?

Happy, Small Things

      Happy

     Small

   Things

It's Easy To Be Happy!

Photo taken from http://www.happinesstrainingplan.com.

Happy 25th Birthday Soon!

5 days to 25th National Day of Brunei Darussalam!

Really? Yes, Really :-)

Five years ago when I rang Louis to confirm if he was really getting married, or it was just rumour. He replied, "Yes, I am, in 3 weeks time". 

I asked stupidly, "Will you invite me?"

He hesitated for a while and replied, "I don't invite friends."

I didn't cry but I was very upset for 2 days when Louis got married because I had the thought that he used his marriage to annoy me. Actually, he did invite other friends. He lied to me. Several weeks later a good friend, Qalbi, passed me a book and she told me the book has all answers for me. I took a look at the book and the title read: "He's just not that into you". 

If I were to rewind it further to the year 2000, in fact I shouldn't blame Louis because it was me who pushed him away. I still could remember how he walked away with a birthday gift in his right hand. 

Now that I have completely forgiven myself for my stupid mistake in letting a good man go, in fact I think it's blessing in disguise. With our personality clash, I would probably end up as a runaway bride! 

I walked past a mall cinema few days ago, and I spotted a poster with familiar title. It has been 3.5 years since I read that book for the first time. It's funny that I have no more regrets and his name doesn't hurt me anymore. 

I believe I don't have butterflies in my stomach anymore when I hear his name again. I have no more heartache when I bump into him on the road. In fact, without realising, I've already closed that chapter of my life and moved on. 

"Be who you are and be that well"

Saint Francis de Sales 

It's only when you have the courage to put him away, then you can see the world around you is bright again. 

Most important of all, I have the power and energy now to walk into my future path with more confidence and happiness :-)

My Goal

Along Came Polly

I thought about adopting a ferret as pet when I woke up this morning! I know, I know. This is strange thought. Last night, I dreamt about living in a big house with big backyard and had many pets around me when I was having my afternoon tea err ... coffee. And, ferret was one of them. Don't you agree that ferret is cute ;-)

Happy Moo Moo Year!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Danger below: A major traffic jam leading to Kiulap roundabout caused by the closing of the underground pass due to flood water still stuck in the tunnel. Picture: BT/Rudolf Portillo (http://www.bt.com.bn/)

We were informed that normal power at our housing area may be back in two days if rain stops.

No power. No internet. No lights. No air con.

No More Kids Talk

Yesterday 2 of my ex-students visited me, mainly to talk about their work and discuss on their future. When I was their age, I only knew how to grab all opportunities fell upon my head, and never paused for a moment to reflect on whether the job will benefit me in long term, neither did I think about my future, much. 

I know I shouldn't refer them as kids anymore. I am glad that I am the first person they think of when they want a solution - glad not because I am crazy and I love to listen to problems. Glad because they have grown up, grown more mature and they talked about very sensible things that I don't hear from friends my age these days. I am thirst for sensible and no-nonsense talks these few years. 

I've promised not to disclose the content of our conversations with Mr I and Ms AT yesterday, but one statement - they've truly amazed me with their respective levels of confidence and self-assurance. In the past 4 years, I've heard of friends my age telling me things like: "You think you are so clever. You don't know a thing you said". I didn't bother to defend, because I always believe if I am good, I am good. I don't depend on others' assurances to live. I've heard too many words that hurt my feelings because they said to me when they claimed they were depressed (well, I've never come to know whether they have a minute of no-depression, honestly) and didn't bother to send a word of apology after that. I've also heard of too many stupid questions that I've become immune to them but I make sure I won't become one of them.

Yesterday was a refreshing experience for me, and I believe from now onwards my life will be better because even if most things don't go the way I want, I believe my teaching hasn't gone down the drain. My students have assimilated my every word, and now they have become persons I want them to be. I am happy, and I feel like I can enjoy a good cuppa now to relax, before I advance to my next level of challenge. 

Mr I said to me when I had "worried" written across my forehead: "Cher, I'm not going to react to words of incompetent people. I know my vision and missions, and I am going to strive towards them". 

Ms AT said to me before she left my office: "I'm always strong. I know this is just a testing period. Thanks for your encouraging words. I know I will pull myself out of this dark period very soon and I will train myself to have an optimal good mix of rationality and intuition from now on". 

In the blink of an eye, kids no more kidding ...

When I Was 6 Or 7

Note: Look at Ruthie's facial expressions ... hahaha.

A Lot To Say

I love this painting and the Chinese phrases, especially the first 3 phrases (note: Chinese words are read from right to left).

So Cute ...

I love this poster (from Hallmark - Baby Products), it reminds me of Baby K and my two siblings (of course, they are both in their thirties now and still look cute. Haha ...). 

Bubblegum

One morning in late December last year when I was ready for work, I overheard this conversation between my father and his so-called-friend (our new neighbour few doors away, who seems to me is very "Bubblegum")!

Anyway, ...

Papa (pointed at my grandparents' wedding portrait): This is my parents' wedding portrait.

Papa's Friend: Oh, you still keep them. 

Papa: Yes, of course. I want my children and grandchildren to know who are their ancestors. We are Baba descendants, and do you notice the details of my mother's wedding gown in the other portrait - that's Baba Nyonya culture. 

Papa's Friend: Oh, ok. Many children in the other picture. Hey, which one is you? 

Papa (a bit annoyed): I told you, this is my parents' wedding portrait. How can I be in it when I wasn't even born!!! 

Papa's Friend: Oh yeah, sorry sorry sorry. Btw, you looked handsome in your wedding picture. 

Papa: How did you know? My wife has never kept our wedding pictures in the living room. 

Papa's Friend (pointed to my grandparents' wedding portrait which my father shown him just a few minutes ago): Isn't this you? 

Hahaha ... before my father started to raise his voice, I've decided to eat my breakfast quicker because I didn't (and don't) think I would have any answer for my father's friend who might ask me: Err, which one is you in your grandparents' wedding portrait! 

LOL.