flu season

if only there is one less selfish person

I've always heard stories from colleagues about how often they fall sick because their kids fall sick because someone from their daycare/school was sick.

One even told me that someone from school passed the virus to his boys, who then passed the virus to him, who then shared it with his team at work. One by one, the team members fell sick. My first thought was 'you shouldn't even have come in when you're sick', let alone spreading viruses to a quarter of the people at work.

Just a week or two ago, a friend's daughter contracted the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) which started from someone from the next class. And who knows where this 'someone' contracted the disease from. Why did the parents even send him/her to school knowing that he/she is carrying and has the potential of spreading some kind of viruses?

A friend told me she's having sorethroat and headache, but she stressed that her nose isn't runny so she doesn't think it was caused by virus. She thinks the sorethroat and headache were developed from her body internally. Sorethroat and headache are flu-like symptoms to start with. It's unlikely that it's not a viral infection (in my 'non-medical-background' opinion).

This is only one of the many times that she fell sick with sorethroat, headache, flu or fever symptoms. Sigh. Either she has weak antibody. Or she is surrounded by virus-carriers all the time. Or she is negligent to the causes of flu-transmittal. Or all the above.

Each time my toddler niece is sick, my sister will keep her away from the two nephews (or vice versa) to avoid spreading the virus to them. Virus could be passed on by just touching the same toys, sharing the same food/drinks, or coming in contact with saliva/mucus. Even during healthy times, saliva-passing should be kept minimal.

I know of a friend who falls sick every month. It's not just her, it seems like her colleagues fall sick frequently too. This is an obvious sign that the viruses are spread amongst themselves. Sick people should just stay home for a day or two or five!

Sigh.

The most recent conversation I had on viruses:

A: I can't eat ice-cream as my cough will get worse.
D: It's good. So you can officially take a sick leave tomorrow.
A: No. I'll still go to work.
Me: *zzzz*
A: I haven't taken any sick leave before.
Me: What?! But you've been sick so frequently. From memory, you have flu every now and then. You never taken a day off at all?! *wth?*
D: Wahlao.......you'll spread to other people leh.
Me: (exactly what I thought)
A: Hahaha. Ya I think so. I was coughing for a week and this morning my boss started coughing too. Hehe.
Me: (It's not funny, Hello???) Why don't you ever take a day off?
A: I'm doing them good. Giving them free flu vaccination. So they can fight greater viruses next time. 
Me: *it's getting too ridiculous, I don't even want to discuss it any further*
D: It's not just your colleague you're harming lor. Think about their kids, their family.
Me: Just take a day off and rest at home.
A: It's boring at home. That's why I'll still go to work regardless. 

I gave up trying to convince people like this.

People who think sick leave exists only for the sake of sick people.
People who think taking or not taking sick leave is solely for their own good.
People who have no consideration for other people in terms of spreading illnesses.
People who think viruses never spread.
People who think it's not their fault if other people contracted the virus from them.

The harder I try to 'educate' them, it only makes me seem like a paranoid and un-compassionate person.

No amount of brainwashing or nagging is comparable to self-awareness.
In the end of the day, only they can change their own mindset.
It's scary to know that there are plenty of 'unaware' people like this around me.
Haven't even taken into consideration, the ones who aren't around me.

Everyone needs to be considerate and educated about how not to spread diseases/viruses to innocent healthy people.
People don't need to fall sick just because you are sick.
Stay home, recover.
Spare the virus from spreading to others.
Or at least wear a mask, cover up when sneezing/coughing, sanitise.

This is just 'domestic' flu we're talking about.
I can't imagine if they have swine flu, bird flu, or ebola.
Would they still think it's okay for them to walk freely in public spaces?

monday mess

life gets messy sometimes,
in order to stay interesting

Decided to not 'race' to work today.
Left home at 8.40am for the 'walking meditation' to the station. Lol.
Stopped by Macq Centre to recharge the Opal.
Got in to work at 9.40am.

1. When I was making coffee, one engineer came in, asked about my weekend, thanked me for sharing the 'Better Place' to them, followed by 'I've completed A and B, when you're ready can you come around my desk to explain the next task to me.' I said Ok (but let me have my brekky, read some news and articles, and check my emails first? Haha).

2. As I sat down and checked my phone, I saw texts from the housemate who's moving out this Friday. She's moving out on Friday but only paid till Thursday. I was giving her kind reminder on the rent. She let go at me and called me RIDICULOUS. I hesitated on whether I should point out to her that there is something called 'courteous' in the English dictionary which we should use when dealing with issues and talking to people. In the end, I told her not to be cranky and be more calm and professional. Hahaha.

Halfway through, I decided to stop dealing with her as it starts to affect my mood for the day. Only got back to her after the day has wound down a little and I'm mentally ready to deal with her shit.

She gave up replying. Maybe I had too much facts which she can't win over. Lol. 

When she got home, we discussed in a peaceful manner, and she said sorry for being mean and harsh, and I'm not the only person she's mean to today. Well okay, not that I take your 'barking' seriously anyway. Thanks for training and putting my patience to test. I think I passed the test again.

3. I'm supposed to review some drawings and designs for issue by lunchtime. Found so many funny notes in the drawings, by the ex-team leader. Now that my name is going to be on the drawings, I need to make sure I don't look like a clown. The designer is working in another office which makes communication more difficult and slow.

4. Then this email came in, Subject: ACTION REQUIRED: EXPENSE CLAIM REJECTED.
The email shows that the sender is the accountant in the UK office. UK? What the hell?
So I hit forward to the accountant in Sydney and the IT guy who designed this crippled accounting system, and CC the Operations Manager of Sydney office.

As I was typing the email, the Sydney accountant turned up beside me and went 'Hahaha'.
Like wtf? Sitting next to me, laughing at my screen?
I looked at her and said 'Sorry, I'm pissed now, give me a minute I need to type this email.'

My email went "Can someone tell me what is happening here? Expense claims often get stuck in the cloud for ages and only to be informed that it hasn't been processed. Let me know where do I go from here. Thanks and Regards."

When I turned to the accountant,
Me: Yes? What are you here for?
Her: 'I rejected your 10 dollars claim.'
Zzzzz.
Me: Why? And why did the email has to come from the UK? *looking calm on the outside, but eyes rolling on the inside*
Her: I thought it was mistake. So I declined. But I ask M, he said it was right. So maybe you want to submit it again. That's not from UK, it's by the system.
Me: Why did you think it was wrong?
Her: I didn't know. I thought you shouldn't charge it to a Project.
Me: (that's the dumbest thing to say and do) *screaming in my lungsssssss* 
Her: Can you resubmit?
Me: Ok. I'll do that when I'm free. *roll eyes for the millionth time*
Her: Are you still pissed?
Me: Ya, kinda. It's a freaking crap system. Why does one claim have to go through 4 diff people, back and forth? That's the only thing he is paid to do here, and he can't even get it right. What is he here for?

Honestly, they should have paid whatever price for a 'healthy' system than paying this IT guy some ongoing salary for a crap system. Why does accountant have the right to reject claims which were approved by the Project Manager? It should be as simple as 3 steps: Submit. Approve. Pay.
And not Submit. Send On. Approve-1. Approve-2. Finalise. Pay. Shit system.

5. The engineer came back again cos I forgot to drop by her desk to explain her next task. In fact, I didn't forget, I haven't stopped since I got in. Ok. There goes 20 mins. And then another person came. And another one. I wonder why they can't pick up things on their own. If I managed to do it, I don't see why they can't. Not angry, just tired of repeating. :(

6. Because the admin did not come in today, I had to answer every freaking call and every freaking garage buzz for her. How many things can I handle at a time man? I was so annoyed with it that I sent out emails asking everyone to inform me if they are expecting guests to come through the garage. I will now ignore all uninformed buzz's.

7. A friend is visiting this week and I'm kinda packed. Thought I could use a little help from another friend to accompany this friend. But the first thing she told me was, I can only do Fri dinner or Sat dinner or Sun brunch. OR??? Ok. Not very helpful but that's okay. I'll put this aside for today cos my brain is getting too overwhelmed by now.

8. Then, the sampat girl in Msia text me to see if she could use my aussie address to get some swimming trunks delivered. It's for her husband's cousin's sons. BOYSsss. I was like what kind of trunks have to be specially bought from Aus? She said Funky Trunks.

So I had these funky men in funky trunks on my wide screen monitor while I typed the delivery address to her. Suddenly, the engineering manager came behind me. And went....'C, do you know where's Ann.............oh wow! What's that?'

=_=""""""

Me: Hahahahaha. Woops.
Him: Hahaha. *paiseh face*
Me: Hahaha. My friend's asking me to buy some trunks. (Omg. The dumbest reply ever! My 'friend' is a female, and the trunks are for BOYS, website shows MEN. I'm not actually shopping for trunks for a male. zzZZzzz)
Him: *trying to continue talking but keep getting distracted by the funky stuff*. Hahaha I'll pretend like I never saw it. *close his eyes*

I quickly minimised the browser while he talks. Lol.

9. And then, the unibuds club president text me to see if I can attend a meeting this Sunday morning, to share some experiences/knowledge or anything. Ahhhhhhhhhh. Can the day get any more exciting? Thankfully, I have a roommate who has met almost all of my friends. Lol. She agreed to accompany my visiting-friend on Sunday morning so I'm able to 'help' attend the meeting.

Left work at 5.30pm. Goal achieved!

Despite a longgggggg and somewhat taxing Monday, I believe the week will only get better. Hehe.

chess

blessed to grow up without technology

Derek once told me, one decision he did right as a kid was to learn how to play tennis.

Being good at tennis was one of the reasons he didn't have problem settling in when he first came to Sydney as people always count him in for quality games. He was never left out on weekend tennis. And that's where friendships were made quickly.

I thought to myself, do any of my childhood hobbies actually enhance my life as an adult? I don't think so, no.

As kids, our 3 main 'toys' were Lego, barbie dolls, and chess.
Lego has probably sparked the 'engineering' side of me.
Barbie. I don't think it brings any benefit really. Her life objective is to dress up for dates with Ken. Such shallow mentality. Girls have better things to achieve in life. Lol.
As for Chess, after the topic was randomly brought up by my sis, now I believe it does play a huge part in shaping my personalities and way of thinking.

We used to represent our schools in chess competitions.
Not that I'm extremely good at it, there just weren't enough people to make up the team.

In a chess competition, there is one timer for each player.
When it's your turn, your timer runs. Once you completed your move, you stop your timer which then automatically activates your opponent's timer.
The game may end at any time if any of players' time runs out.
It's not just about trying to checkmate your opponent, it's also a race against time.

There's also the touch-move rule in chess. If a player touches a piece on the board during his turn, he must then move that piece during his turn. If he touches the opponent's piece, he must then make moves to capture that piece during his turn.

What is a chess game like?

- Plan and think ahead of not just your own moves but your opponent's moves too. 

- Observe your opponent's each and every move to find out his intentions and forecast his next move/game plan.

- Think before you act. Do not touch anything on the board until you're sure.

- You don't have all the time in the world to think or make decision as the clock ticks down.

- Every move should be strategised with purpose - to threaten, to trap, to lure, to kill, to defend, to distract, to slow, to run for life or to force the opponent into taking a certain move.

- Sometimes you have to sacrifice the less important (or least favourite) pieces to keep the 'useful' ones.

- Sometimes you kill for the sake of being killed. The less pieces there are on the board, the easier it is to have an overview of the game. 

- No talking, pure thinking, full concentration.

- Every time a move is taken by yourself or the opponent, you quickly repeat the what-if, if-not, if, and say-if in your head because the dynamic of the board changes with every move.

- You sit face to face with your opponent for about an hour but the only words spoken are Check, Touch-move, Castling, Checkmate, and Good-game. 

So what has chess instilled in me?

- 'One step at a time' is a good way to not over-stress on things but sometimes we gotta think and plan a few steps ahead to have a more 'structured' life.

- Observation is a good way to get to know someone better inside out - why they do/act/say/react in certain ways. We don't always need to ask or judge, just observe and learn.

- Never do/act/say/react on things before thinking through the consequences or alternatives. Touch-move serves as a good reminder.

- Think and make decision there and then unless the decision is dependent on other factors which are not within your control. The habit of not wanting to commit until the last minute is a form of running away from things. Time waits for no man.

- Always be reminded that each step taken in life leads to another. We might as well take the steps purposefully, making full use of the chance we have.

- You can't have best of both worlds. If it means sacrificing something to keep another, so be it. Know what's best for you, make choices, let go.

- Less is more. Trying to hold on to too many things will in turn blind us from the things that truly matter. The lesser we have, the clearer it is to identify and easier it is to grasp on what matters most.

- When I'm quiet, I'm thinking. And often, my thoughts are confined in my head and I'm used to not speaking out.

- Nothing is definite as things are meant to change as we go.

- Silence is not awkward. Some may find it uneasy.

Chess has definitely influenced me in many ways.

My analytical and critical thinking skills, my calmness in facing and solving problems, my observant nature, my habit of not lengthening any decision-making process (not liking to spend so much time thinking of the same things over and over again), my introvert traits, my habit of doing all the thinkings in my head and not voicing out, my ability to quickly let go of thoughts/things/people which/who aren't worth or not meant to be, and my love for quiet space. Also, people think chess is: Boring. Slow. Complicated to some. Brain-killing. Not fun. Perhaps that's why I'm a boring person at times. Lol.

Thanks to the aunty (I don't know which aunty) who gave us her spare chess set.

instafeel

friends who are connected by heart

Miss Petite texted me out of the blue today because of the photo above which I posted on instagram.

We don't normally text each other but she asked a random question which kinda caught me off-guard and by surprise - her 6th sense is creepy. Hahaha. The question was triggered by the photo but was unrelated to the photo at all. Wonder how that happens...

Hopefully she's the first and last to ask this, for now. Haha.

Months ago when I posted this, she texted me too.

Funny how her senses are connected to mine through photos. She does 'feel' me well. Haha. Ladies and their 6th sense are no joke.

strange fate

something more than stranger

For 3 Mondays in a row...

Same time.

Same train line.

Same 4th upper carriage from the front.

Same 3 grannies.

Different starting point.

Different destination.

Different reasons for being in the 4th carriage.

Different concerns for choosing the upper carriage.

Funny how little things like these, could make people cross paths.

This scene is a kind of comfort which reminds me of popo at home.

They've unintentionally become my 'companions' to start off the week. 

Hope to see them for as many Mondays to come, in healthy shape and size.

a good listener

blessed to have you

Out of randomness...

From a friend who has always been there to entertain my utter randomness, though I may not do the same in return for lame reasons like 'too caught up with work'.

A good listener...that's all she asks for.
It explains why she's one herself as this is what she thinks a friend should offer.
I could have done a better job if not for all the other priorities I've put before her.
I've understood that it's the willingness to spare time for each other and accept the differences in each other's priorities that make every relationship work.

While I work on finding a balance in my life priorities, thanks for being the patient one.
For all you know, you have never dropped out of my priority list.
Just that I've procrastinated in producing a balanced list.

We are under-utilising each other. If not for the distance, we could be of more use to one another. I'll make sure to use you more often and in more ways - not just the eyes and a companion in Msia - and be ready to be used by you.

Thanks for always sparing me your eyes, reading my lengthy texts on boring repetitive stories - work, colleague, friends, flatmate, etc. I wish I have more to share especially on the 'husband' topics, cos that's what you've been hoping for. While that hasn't happened yet, I know your eyes are always actively searching on behalf of me whether I like it or not. Lol. It's hard to get mad when you're just being you, xoxo.

Thanks for all the times you try so hard to squeeze into my calendar whenever I'm back in Msia. Hahaha. I really mean THANKS okay, don't roll your eyes. You're probably the next most excited person after my sisters, which is the reason why I'll always have time for you when I'm back.

Thanks for all the food-hunting adventures, though they are mostly to satisfy your cravings rather than mine. Hahaha. No matter how much cash I bring with me, you always have a way to over-order and leave me bloated, out of cash, and gain 2kg overnight! For all the times I don't have enough cash with me, you're always my boss - I'm so sorry but I'm more a 'credit' than a 'cash' person. I'll ensure to do a better job in controlling your greed for food.

Thanks for all the times you say things straight to my face. It's just so you and I love you!
Thanks for all the birthday cakes you've ever made/designed/bought for me - from a hummingbird to ice-cream to Pandora. Make me a KitKat M&Ms next, please? Hehehe.

Thanks for being a friend, twin sister, matchmaker, food-decider...

Thanks for so so so much more.

Love you always, Birdie!

allergy

look can be deceiving

The beautiful culprit. 

Mega bought this beautiful fruitcake for the informal 'house-warming' yesterday. 

There were two slices left. 

I thought I shouldn't put it to waste so I ate a slice together with its beautiful but harmful toppings.

Zzzzzzzz.

Within an hour, I'm down with flu, sorethroat, itching and prickling sensation on my tongue.

One more slice left.

I should eat it tomorrow to see if the same reactions occur. 

Once bitten, twice shy.

Twice bitten, thrice bye?

9.25pm: Developing fever. 

Site inspection on 13 hours. Omg. Tough luck.

1st day of summer 2015

 summer, please be kind and mild

Summer. You're too hot!!
Not sexy hot.
Not spicy hot.
I mean temperature hot!

Freaking 30deg at 9pm?!

This is the second time in my 8.5 years in Sydney that I'm 'enjoying' the luxury of aircond in my room.

The first was 36deg 2 weeks ago.

The aircond is too luxurious but my flatmate needs it cos she's fainting.
Now I'm wrapped up in my winter blanket on the first night of summer - like I got the seasons mixed up.
Poklangggg!

I start to doubt the usefulness of having centralised aircond.
People survived without it anyway.
If only I could dismantle it. Hehe.
Just bear with the fan will do.

I'm not very pleased with your hotness, summer.
Please don't go overboard, else my electricity bill's gonna sky-rocket!!!

weekend in a flash

random as can be

Saturday

Woke up thinking what should I do today?
What's after yumcha with Ching?
Decided to check out 'What's happening in Sydney?'
So there was an Etsy market in Chippendale.
Christmas' coming, all the headache shoppings...maybe I should go for a browse at the market.

Grabbed coffee on the way to the market

SYDNEY made Etsy

card makers 

baby diaper pants, head accessories

customised pillows

some kind of pillow case or bag or whatever

porcelain maybe? sorry, not good with artsy materials

jewellery and blablabla...

Pretty much an upscale of Glebe Market.
It was a quick browse.
There were TOO MANY people.
Overcrowded.
The items were pricey if not overpriced.
Not complaining, cos that's how they sustain themselves.
Didn't have time to stop and fall in love with anything because of the ever-moving crowd.

Headed back north to Macquarie Centre for some Christmas shopping.
Spotted a girl in furry home slippers on the train station escalator.
Did she forget to change shoes on her way out?
Is this some kind of latest fashion which I'm not aware of?
The socks were weird enough, and then plus the shoes.....far out...haha.
Let's assume she's here for shoe-shopping.

Spotted a lovely white cake. Must take a photo of it cos it's too beautiful. 

Danger of not having a specific Christmas shopping list beforehand - bought a couple of books for 'anyone'.
No idea who to give to.
Decided to go home and read them, if they're no good I'll return them tomorrow.

Few important points to note:

#1 

#2

So far so good.

As usual, fell asleep with the book in my hands. Lol.

Sunday

Brunch date with Mega, Charlie, and Vv.

Brought the books with me so I can read them on the train (and return them today if they suck).

Finished reading the first book from yesterday. 

Not my kind of book.

Couldn't think of anyone to give it too. 

Started on the second book.

A very good one I'd say.

I have the urge to give this to everyone on my Christmas list. Haha.

Random pages:

#1

#2

 Sorry for the bad quality phone camera and those freaking permanent grey spots which just won't go away.

Xmas tree in Central Station
and a boy whose mum's took soooooooo long to take a shot,
he could pose there for an hour.

UTS building

Spotted a quirky car while waiting for a table at the cafe.

moooochaaaaaaa

coffee-fix for the addicts

uekkk. too much food 

After brunch...
Randomly ended up in Kinokuniya.

Found a bright corner and started reading my own book.

#3

Decided that this is THE BOOK for this season.
Went to the shop to return the first book, and bought two more of the second book.
Walked too much.
Decided to rest on the benches for a bit while I figure out where's next.

Chilling at the bench with the senior citizens, aunties, uncles, and bloody smokers,
while enjoying the music from buskers.

Smokers should all smoke in a room, smell their own smoke, and kill each others lungs.

Winterbourne busking at Pitt Street Mall

Made up my mind for a cup of Boost.
Wanted to try their new Black Label series but damn....$9 for an original Boost?
You're so kidding me!
Wonder if they did a market survey on these prices. Ridiculous.
Plus all of the choices have pineapple in them. zzZZzz. Forget about it.

Headed to the station for home.
Got out of the station, bus was coming in 11mins.
Decided to run to Coles on the next street to grab some Connoisseur ice-creams.
Got a couple of tubs.
Ran back to the bus-stop - 2mins till the bus comes.
It only came 12mins later - M54 you're never ever ever punctual!
Poor Connoisseurs melted under the 26deg sun...
Finally home - 5pm.

Recorded 75,000 steps for the week on my pedometer.
Should aim for 100,000 next. 

if someone died today...

not always a happy ending

Something to think about...

If I died today, would you be satisfied with the last conversation we had?

If you died today, would I be satisfied with the last conversation we had?

If any of us died today, would I regret that a conversation didn't take place?

Familiar faces flashed through my mind.

- My sis - our last conversation was about me brushing her off when all she wanted was to vent her frustration. She hasn't been heard for more than 24 hours.

- My grandma - I can't recall the last conversation we had just cos I haven't called home for awhile.

- A friend - we haven't talked for a long long time cos all of a sudden I'm not sure if what I see is what I know and what I hear is what I'm not supposed to know. If one party isn't sharing openly and has so much to hide, would it be sustainable? It takes two to tango isn't it? I can't be dancing on my own all the time. Till I figure this out...

If they died today, no, I won't be fine.

If I died today?
Family will be hit hard.
But friend would just move on, I believe.
We're unique to our family, but to friends, we can always be replaced with another.
Oh well, C'est la vie.

Reminder:
- Be kind and empathetic with our speeches.
- Keep in touch with people we care. 'Busy' is never an excuse. 'Tomorrow' may never come.
- Keep conversations in a healthy state such that there's no regret whatsoever.

Random conversations from today:

- My roommate - I showed her proof of how farting could burn calories and she went zzzz. Lol.

- A friend - where I told him about my diarrhoea, he said I needed practice and reminded me to drink plenty of water. And then went on to talk about Clash of Clans - zzz What's new?

blessed

blessed is a feeling. 

blessed is
having people to count on when in times of need.

blessed is
having people to count you in when in times of joy.

blessed is
seeing a familiar face when you haven't met one in days.

blessed is
having someone to entertain your randomness.

to all of you

thanks for helping me with the air tickets.
thanks for opening your Melbourne door by default for me.
thanks for having me in mind as a company.
thanks for the random free lunch and chatter.
thanks for the impromptu 360 km.

you may not realise the little things you do or say would have meant a lot on the other side.

thanks for just being here or there.

rest assured, I'll be here for you to count on. whenever, wherever, whatever.

no rush

stand still, once awhile

Everything was fine with the transport this morning.
No missed buses.
No missed train.
No long waiting time.
Except, I missed the stop.
Lol.
Didn't even realise it until 5 mins later.
Hopped off at the next stop, Chatswood.

While everyone's hurrying through the hustle and bustle at the platform to get to the escalator, one very 'calm' soul got onto it first.
Completely blocked out the human traffic on the escalator.
Ahhhhhh to cry or to laugh?? Omg...

Hello, Buddy. Are you a human-traffic controller on escalators?

Oh well... I guess I could wait.

What's 20 secs compared to the 10 mins for missing the stop?

This is the most unexpected 'delay' ever.

Thanks Buddy, for slowing my momentum down.

It's the first time I actually stood still on an escalator during the morning peak. Lol.

A simple act of showing all of us how to take it easy, don't rush, stay calm, and be patient. Haha.

of memories and brush

travel to see what you haven't seen,

explore what you haven't known,

experience what you haven't felt. 

It has been more than a decade

Since I last painted

I got myself a cheap palette,

brush, and colour which looks faded

Painted a house in Nyalam

Occupied by Tibetans

Where ladders replace staircases

And safety doesn't come first

It's been a year since I visited Tibet

Much of it still lingers in my head

More precious than anything money can get A life experience I shall never forget

#missingtibet

in the minds of kids

when naive isn't stupid

While on a bus one day, I heard a 7 year old boy ask his mum: 

Boy: Mum, are you gonna press Stop?

Mum: Yes, but not yet.

Boy: Ok.

Boy: Mum, what happens when you press Stop?

Mum: It will go 'beeeep' so the driver knows that someone wants to get off. And then he'll stop.

Boy: Ok.

Boy: Mum. You know what I thought will happen? I thought the bus will stop immediately once someone presses it. 

I can't remember what was the mum's response. 

Thank goodness it's not what he thought it was. 

Else, seatbelt will be mandatory on buses.

His naiveness reminds me of my nephew when he was about 2.

One day, I was on a phone video call with him, while my sister was preparing dinner.

He told me about his 'car', so I asked if he would bring me for a ride next time.

He said Ok.

The next thing he did was to put me (i.e. the phone) into the compartment under his car seat and manoeuvre around the house with me 'riding' under his seat.

Then his mum came out of the kitchen to check on him only to find him without the phone.

So she asked where's mummy's phone?

He said it's under the seat cos he's bringing 'eryi' for a ride. 

Hehehe.

This still puts a smile on my face every now and then.

The happiness of virtually riding on a plastic car driven by my nephew. :)

my nephew in his bunny cardboard house and car parked in the compound 

When I was 7, I used to think that the expiry date on spring water packaging is the date where the plastic bottle will disintegrate or become unsafe for use - which means it's an expiry date for the plastic and not the water in it.

I was curious to see how the bottles will look like when it expires so I tried to keep them until the expiry date. As bottled water generally has a long life span - at least a year, I never got the chance to see the bottles 'expires' as they often gone missing before the date arrives.

Over time, I grew out of this curiosity. I later found out from science classes that the expiry date can't be for the plastics.

Those were the days...
When our imaginations were wild because we knew less.
And because we knew less about facts and reality.

random

it's okay to miss transport. just catch the next one.

Yesterday, the day started off with:

- Missing a bus by 1 min.
- Then waited at home for 11 mins for the next bus only to miss it by 5 secs - what a pain!
- Waited for another 10 mins for the 3rd bus.
- Arrived at the train station with 2 mins left for the train to depart AND all the sleep-walking humans in front of me. People should learn to keep left if they're walking slow or not in a rush. Sigh!
- Missed the train by 3 secs!
- Next train is due in 15 mins.
- Got into the office slightly after 9 am, usually it's before 8.30 am.
- Time spent waiting for transport was 35 mins while time spent on the tranport was 20+ mins - not impressed at all.
- Bumped into a colleague in the lift. As usual, the opening line was, How is it going?
- I was in a state of despair, still couldn't get over the 35 mins. So I replied, 'Bad.'

Hahaha. Yeah, most of the time people expect positive answers but NO, I just couldn't pretend to be positive. He was taken aback by my answer, we were both mute for a moment, then we burst out laughing. I told him, 'Sorry, I missed 2 buses and a train this morning! Aih~ That's 35 mins gone.'

We parted ways when we got into the office.

And then it's the senior's birthday. Hmm...Libra?  Hahaha.
My experience with Librans is they love putting themselves through tough situations, refuse to choose the easy way out.
No wonder he has the tendency to piss me off again and again despite always getting the 'death' stare from me. Being a Libran, I think he enjoys the stares. Hehe.

So in this office, if it's your Birthday, you don't get a cake.
Instead, you have to buy yourself a cake to serve everyone.
If it falls on a public holiday, bring the cake in on the next business day.

Hehe. Guess who is the drama-maker?

Yucky Blackforest.

Today, I couldn't be bothered to check the bus and train timetables.
The more I check, the more I tend to miss them.
Took me 30 mins to get to the office, including 10 mins of waiting time.
Slow and easy.
I realise whenever we try to get precise with timing, we always end up building unnecessary stress.

Ok. No more checking timetables in the morning.

End of story.

little living thing

hang in there buddy

My new living companion...

As we get busy with the hustle bustle of life, we sometimes forget to stop and breathe consciously. 

Sometimes, life gets tough and we lost our breath.

Sometimes, we question the reason for breathing.

Sometimes, people hope they could stop breathing.

As for this little living thing here...
No matter what day, what season, what weather, what time of the day, what environment, what love, what situation, and what mood it's in...

It just keeps breathing.

And continue to touch lives.

Does this sound like something you can achieve too?

Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks...they pass by so quickly. 

As monotonous as life could be, we hardly notice the little changes around us.

But changes do happen.

Rather than wasting time pondering on life's many imperfections, pay attention on the changes around us. 

Appreciate the present moment, it will never be same next.

My little buddy at work has been breathing well.

It's taller now, though a little pale.

But yeah, we just have to keep breathing - consciously.

Continue to touch lives in a positive way and life will be good on us.

kikki.k

how 'small' things remind you of people you care

Dear kikki.k,

You first caught my attention in The Strand Arcade in Sydney CBD. I fell in love with you in your White outfit and the Simplicity you portray. You never fail to amuse me with your Creativity. Your Thoughtfulness touches me in every possible way. 

I can't help but to praise you in front of my families and friends (again and again) - for your effort in keeping people's life as organised as possible, for reminding people of the importance of Gratitude, and for your Xmas gift ideas which saves me lots of time every year.

Tonight, you also reminded me of how close we are to 2016. It sends thrills down my spine, as I've just started to get a hang and obviously haven't had enough of 2015.

IT SAYS: "TOP THREE PRIORITIES: ALWAYS MAKE TIME
TO FOCUS ON THREE THINGS IN YOUR LIFE THAT WILL
HAVE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM IMPACT. "

Your products remind me of my families and close friends. I'm always able to put a face (family member or close friend) to each product - whatever the product is, it's as if it has been designed specifically for them.  A very good example from tonight was your new 'Top Three Priorities' notepad. It only took me a nano second to put a face to it. The description which comes with it is such a spot-on, it puts a smile :) on my face upon reading it. 

I look forward to more surprises from you, kikki.k.


p/s: If kikki.k were a man, I'd do whatever it takes to make him my man. LOL!