2012 - Awesome Year

Year of 2012 must be an awesome year...though it has just started, good news have been coming along so frequently! :)

January - CNY celebration & 2 lil monsters got accepted to the World Olympiad Maths squad

February - one of the most luxurious & memorable wedding dinner

March - less workload as recruited new team member

April - celebrating 29th anniversary & project go live!

May - the arrival of new family member

June - sandy beaches & clear water island

July - shopping shopping & shopping...summer sales in UK

I guess there will be more good news coming up in the 2nd half of 2012...looking forward to a great year! :)

Pic - London July 2011 ~natecila~

人真的那么善忘？

人类真的那么善忘吗？还是人类宁可选择不记得呢？每一天我们都面对很多事，在工作上我们都有做不完的事务，回到家里还要把家打理的井井有条，再加上要理解家人，这些事情我们每日都反复的在面对。所以如果要把一件事或一个人忘了，有那么容易吗？

上班族每天上班打开电脑然后就不停的阅读邮件，再将每一件文件一一的处理好。就这样一天过一天，每天匆匆忙忙的上下班。在这样的情况下，难道一位上班族会忘记每天该做的事务吗？人类如果每天重复地做一件事，自然而然就会熟练也会牢牢记得每一件事的次序和做法。如果要把它忘了根本就不会是一件容易的事。

同样的我们每一天和很多人相处，免不了每日和朋友家人同事谈话交流。当然每日的话题都会不一样可是都很精彩，都会有深刻的印象。我们可能记不了每一个话题可是我们都会记得话题中的男女主角，更何况述说的那一位呢？如果一对人每天都见面和谈话，要把对方忘掉的可能信根本不高。所以我一直都不信人类能那么容易把一位每日见面和谈天的人忘得一干二净。一切都是我们选择把它忘了而不是我们善忘。

经过波折后我才接受事实 － 人类的确不是善忘而是自己选择把它忘了。过程当然不容易，而且是件很残忍的事 － 难道事情那么严重吗？那个人那么讨人厌吗？我们怎么那么狠心把一切之前所学好的技巧忘了，之前交头接耳的好朋友忘了？难道之前奋斗的事业和多年的友情都不值得珍惜吗？

话到此而言，今天的我终然醒悟了 －社会上有很多绝情狠心的人存在。读者们，相信自己开开心心的活下去吧！ 在想想每当一个人说他忘了一件事，那到底是真的吗？

Story of A Pencil

I came across this article & find it quite motivating! Just to share... :)

A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one point, he asked, "Are you writing a story about what we've done? Is it a story about me?"

His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to her grandson, "I am writing about you, actually, but more important than the words is I'm using this pencil. I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up."

Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil & said "It didn't seem very special. 'But it's just like any other pencil I've ever seen!"

"That depends on how you look at things. It has five qualities & which, if you manage to hang on to them, will make you a person who is always at peace with the world."

1st quality: 'You are capable of great things, but you must never forget that there is a hand guiding your steps. We call that hand of God, and He always guides us according to His will.'

2nd quality: 'Now and then, I have to stop writing and use a sharpener. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but afterwards, he's much sharper. So you, too,must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person.'

3rd quality: 'The pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the road to justice.'

4th quality: 'What really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay attention to what is happening inside you.'

Finally, the pencil's 5th quality: 'It always leaves a mark. In just the same way, you should know that everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action.'

*Story adapted from Like the Flowing River

Return......

It has been 8 months since I last posted a blog. So many things took place within such a short time!

Frustration, sadness, laughter & tears...no matter what had happened, the sun is shining brightly now! :) I have now return to keep up with more posts & updates.

Watch out for this space...stay tune!

Ramadhan Month

Time really pass by quickly, the Ramadhan month is back! I last blogged about Ramadhan when I was in Dubai. Well this time round, am experiencing it in my homeland with a bunch of foreigners workers. Just to share a funny yet annoying scene that happened recently.

Chris: "Hey everyone, tomorrow will be the first day of Ramadhan. This means the Muslims will be fasting - no food & drinks for them!"

Everyone turned and looked at him in dazed as there was an email sent out earlier informing everyone.

Lim: "So...?"

Chris: "So...from tomorrow onwards, no one is allowed to drink and eat in public! Make sure no food and drinks can be found on your desk!"

Everyone gave Chris a puzzled look and resumed to work. Chris left proudly as if he had made a great announcement.

Henry (German): "Wow! I didn't know it is so strict in Malaysia. The non-Muslims are not allowed to eat in public??"

Jenny (Brit): "When I was in Singapore, people are allowed to eat in public. Why not in Malaysia?"

After several questions and queries, Lim finally voiced out.

Lim: "Hey guys, there is no such law in Malaysia that we (non-Muslims) are not allowed to eat in public or in front of the Muslims. You guys don't need to hide yourself in pantry."

"By the way, the announcement was made by a Korean who was raised up in Australia. :)"

New Hairstyle @ Shunji Matsuo

A new hairstyle for a better lifestyle! =) I've heard so much about this salon - Shunji Matsuo at Sri Hartamas and finally today I've stepped in leaving the faith of my hair in their hands. I was the 3rd customer of the day and without any delay, the stylist's assistant (a Thai girl) gave me a hairwash. I would rate her 4 out of 5 as she accidentally wet my blouse during rinsing. =) Other than that, she has good strength giving me a nice head & shoulder massage. Also not to forget, the minty shampoo was cooling, leaving the scalp fresh after wash.

Immediately after that, my new hairstylist - Terry, greeted me with a big grin! His first impression to me - friendly, calm, fresh & yummy. After running through my hair texture, he started to snip confidently. His haircut techniques were unique & he maintained a positive body language through out the haircut session. I could see his passion and professionalism when he carried out his job, which impressed me a lot.

Finally after 2 hours, I have a new hairstyle! It is a total contrast - the short hair has lifted me up, I felt great after the session! I love my new hairstyle but I love my hair stylist more! ;) Definitely 2 thumbs up for him!

~Picture courtesy of Okinawa~

The difference between......

What's the difference between "To love a person for who he is" and "To love a person for what he is"? I was asked this question by a friend and it took me some time to answer. I was wondering would one actually thought of these when he or she is in love?

Well in actual fact, to love a person for who he is means - you fall in love with his character. You are attracted to his attitude, personality and most of all his true self. He is the person you can foresee to spend the rest of your life with, you look forward to spending quality moments together, his temper sweetens your relationship and ultimately his presence is an assurance to you. According to surveys, a couple will have a lasting relationship if both parties are into each other for who they really are.

In contrast to that, to love a person for what he is means - you love (or rather like?) your partner for what he has in life. You are basically attracted to the luxurious items surrounding him. For instance, you choose to be with your partner because he is well to do, drives a luxurious car, owns a decent house or just because he always uses designer goods. These are the non-living things that make you think that you are in love with him, but in actual fact, you are attracted to the external factors. Obviously, this relationship does not last. Even if one party is sincere and truthful to the other, the bond between both will not be strong.

I was skeptical initially, thinking true love only happens in romance movies. After reading several articles, I have been convinced that there are individuals out there who really fall for a person's personality.

It probably takes time for you to come across such individual, hold on to faith - if the special someone is meant to be with you, he'll cross your path in life. You might want to re-evaluate your relationship with your partner if he appreciates your penthouse but complains about your snoring! =)

~Find a partner who completes you!~

Attainment of Bliss

"As an inspirant, you should always seek the truthful and joyful, and avoid all thoughts that are sad and depressing. When your devotion is well established, even if depression, doubt or conceit appears, you can easily discard them.

It is best that as an inspirant, you are joyful, smiling and enthusiastic under all circumstances. This pure attitude is more desirable than even devotion and wisdom. If you are worried, depressed or doubting, you can never attain Bliss, no matter what spiritual practise you perform.

Hence, the first task of an inspirant is the cultivation of enthusiasm. Never get inflated when you are praised, never get deflated when you are blamed. You must analyze and correct your faults. Be a Spiritual Lion." ~SB~ 23-05-2010

Lead-Free Mug

Saw something new yesterday - a lead-free mug. Never heard of it before and therefore gave it a try. I've bought it purely because the mug is pretty and it's safe to be used in hot water - according to the salesgirl. =)

I've google-ed to read more regarding lead-free as I didn't know that some mugs are not safe to be used. After reading several sites, only that I realized mug that has been colourfully painted, vibrantly coloured or decorated with cute designs are at high risk of being contaminated by lead. It is believed that the colour and ingredients used to paint the mug contains lead or plumbum that are harmful to our body.

Not only colourful and cute mugs are exposed to lead, some plain glasses also contain lead - captured during the process of glass making. Thus, do not think that a plain glass is always good for drinking your favourite hot tea. =)

After much surfing, I came across quite a number of sites that actually sell lead-free mugs lately. These mugs are mostly ceramic mugs and decorated with lead-free paint. The paint are scientifically proven to be lead-free as well as plumbum free. Therefore, they are safe to be used with hot boiling water.

With all these information that I've read, I am pleased to be the new owner of my lovely tall ceramic mug which is lead-free and also 100% hand-painted! =) Taking into consideration of the benefits of using a lead-free mug, it pays off to pay a little more to own it!

So, maybe it's time you should check and consider to replace your cute mug - for a better living! =)

Flu Flu Go Away

It is true when the elders say "When age is catching up, our health deteriorates." It was proven today - I used to walk and have fun in the rain without catching cold, but today, I was caught in the rain for less than a minute and I am down with flu already. It is so unbelievable!

Well, I wanted to recover asap so I've googled home remedies for flu. Meanwhile, I was holding a box of tissue, using sheet after sheet. I was hoping to find simple and practical remedies for fast relief, but after an hour of clicking and reading several links, I gave up totally. The remedy is either involving ingredients that I've never heard before or it has not been proven. I admit that I am not an adventurous person - at least not on edible stuff.

Finally, I've decided to pop-in a flu pill and gulped down 2 big glasses of lemon juice. I could not tolerate further as the thought of getting dehydrated due to running nose kept crossing my mind. It sounds funny but you'll never know....

Guess what, I've typed this blog for the 3rd time. I've accidentally deleted it twice earlier, due to...err...age catching-up??