iSalut!

I can’t quite recall when was the first time I had bought my first ipod but I can vividly recall when I was first introduced to apple. It started when my brother was completely sucked in by the wave in school where everyone had an ipod mini. That was the beginning of my journey with apple.

Somewhere along the way, my brothers were holding the ipod minis, ipod touches, I had the ipod classic that kept me company during my journeys across Europe. When my tech-friends ordered their first iphone and I’ve had an opportunity to play with it, I was completely consumed by it. It was the first one of a kind smart phone I’ve ever seen. Ipod with a wider screen, a phone and an Internet communication device all in one. Last night, after watching the keynote launching the iphone by Steve Jobs in 2007 for the first time, I actually teared. The crowd was in euphoria when he introduced the device. I now understand why a year after I laid my 2G iphone to rest. He was a phenomena. My first generation iphone actually lasted 3.5 years with me. Now its simply my alarm and pre-bedtime gaming device but still serving its purpose very well 5 year since its launch.

Just last year, I bought my first iMac after my brother bought his first laptop; needless to say a macbook. My worries of switching from a PC to a MAC were unfounded. It gets more user friendly by the day especially so after a frustrating day at work with the PC. There are very little bits of things that made the use of the computer so much easier for users. 6 months after, I got my first macbook. The only missing link is an ipad and whatever gadgets that will be in the pipeline without Steve Jobs.

Apple has become a form of lifestyle and an identity. The most unique part is that Steve Jobs wasn’t an inventor. He was simply a recreator. He made computer idiots like me enjoy each use of the computer. He made everything else from mp3s to phones pretty and user friendly. At the end of the day, one has to agree that everyone is attracted to aesthetic.

I wonder what will follow Apple from this day; I dread the day I have to abandon Apple. Lets hope I’ll never have to get to that.

His life has been more tumultuous than many of ours yet he shines amidst the dark clouds. From him I derive a lot of inspiration and motivation. Steve Jobs, I salute your brillance and it will be our huge lost without you.

Challenge Day 13

I apologise for the lack of entries especially with keeping up with my daily challenges. It was the long Easter weekend and I spent it repenting. Kidding. I spent it enjoying my exercises instead of rushing through it because it is a job that requires done. I spent it with my family and catching up on my sleep. Most importantly, I spent it away from the computer hence…

Challenge Day 13 requires that I write a letter to someone who has hurt you recently

Dear Mummy,

I’ve disappointed you many times by being rude, by being disobedient, by irritating you with my words, by talking back to you, by doing things you don’t expect me to do because you trusted me. Despite the age, I am disappointing you again. For that I’m sorry.

I guess as a mom you’ll never fail to be worried about everything we do. When I overheard you mumbling to yourself about why all three of us had to make you worried in our respective ways after learning that my brother was running all the way to our club up in the north, my heart wrenches.

I know you love us. Especially me because I have been the daughter you always wished for, and there is only one of me; no sisters (thank goodness). I know despite the fact that I’m a female you expect a lot more out of me than the rest of my siblings.

I want the best for you just like you for me and I can’t wait for the day when we can rewalk the trail we left behind together but this time, it’ll be me holding onto your frail hands and guiding you. Don’t you dare leave me before I fulfill this!

I love you mummy!

Later

How often has the thought “I’ll do it later” occurred to you in a week, a month or even a year? Or that you tell your loved ones, I’m busy now, I’ll talk to you later.

Has it ever occur to you that some things need to be done immediately. There is no later; if we delay it, there are consequences, or it might not need us to have it done at all. Of course if we push it to later and it doesn’t have to be done, we’ll think, “yay! thank goodness I didn’t do it or I’d have wasted the effort”. Rarely, anyone would have thought it as “damn, I just missed an opportunity to learn something out of it”.

Things are not as important compared to how we pushed our loved ones aside because of some non-living thing — work. It is undeniable that money is important, yet in our chase for money, we bulldoze our way through irregardless of how the people around us feel. They are our loved ones, and they are around us because they love us, so they let us be. They live silently in support, appearing when we need a shoulder to cry on, to rest on when we are exhausted. How often do we share happiness with the same people?

Later should never exist in anyone’s dictionary. The life span of our loved ones doesn’t lengthen because we do not have time for them, it stays the same but relative to the amount of time we have left for them, it is actually lesser.

Don’t ever push me away over and over again because you’re busy and that you’ll talk to me later. If you only have later for me, why should I spend my present waiting for a later time to spend with you?

Soursop & Him

Mommy bought a soursop today and shared a slice with me. I was than reminded that we had one growing outside because He gave it to me.

Back in my room, I put my iTunes on play and the songs lead to more thoughts of Him. Momentarily I made a promise that in future, when I’m somebody, I will tell him that he broke my heart of all days, on my birthday!

I asked Juls if she thought of her Him, but apparently she sees Him everyday. So they talk. Its been awhile since we last had our conversation. My birthday to be exact. How great!

Challenge Day 7

A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Can I make it two?

He and She who shaped my life! Wouldn’t have been where I am and who I am today if not for them. Nuff said.

Challenge Day 5

A picture of the somewhere you’ve been to

Auschwitz

“That attempt at the systematic destruction of an entire people falls like a shadow on the history of Europe and the whole world, it is a crime which will forever darken the history of humanity. May it serve, today and for the future, as a warning: there must be no yielding to ideologies which justify contempt for human dignity on the basis of race, colour, language or religion.” -Pope John Paul II

Challenge Day 3

A picture of you and your friends

This post won’t be meaning without words. After all this is a good opportunity to tell them how I feel though I doubt majority of them won’t be reading.

Amy – the best friend. She understands me the most may be cause I tell her the most. Often I burden her with negative thoughts, rants or complaints. She often gives me the reaction I wish to see instinctively; only attainable amongst people of the same frequency I believe. She doesn’t tell me much and often would prefer not to talk about the bad stuffs that happened unless its about people I know too. I wonder if its because I don’t match up to her expectations but with her I am truly happy. The walk back home after meeting with her, despite after a long day at work, my foot steps are light. THAT is the effect she has on me. Thank you bestie!

Serena – She is the next closest I am to in the group. I think its because she matches my crazy frequency. My very first memory of her was how the both of us evilly tried to evade Michelle. My next memory was how she began my love for Chinese romance books. I still re-read the books I have. Re-read because I never have the time to browse for newer ones. For that I’m thankful Serena. My appetite becomes surprisingly good when with her. We had seafood paella, rosti, salmon crepe, mushroom soup, a medium piece of pork, a drink each at Marche the last time we met. Its amazing because as I grow older, I find lesser people actually being less selective of food than before. She never used to be such fun to hang out with. Maybe I hadn’t given her that chance, or maybe we have all grown up.

Chermaine – I got to know her better with that chance to travel with her across the Scandinavian countries. She is a rich kid but she never behaves like one, or she does behave like one but only for that split second. She lugged her heavy luggage without whining. She was agreeable to anything I say. She trusted me with the map reading wholly because she doesn’t know how to read and when I get it wrong and make her walk more, she doesn’t complain. Even though she thinks its unhygienic eating at one of those steamboat buffet places at Bugis, she obliges. “Just for you!”. I’m impressed Cher! You behave so much better in those circumstances than those who are not brought up with a silver spoon.

Louisa – I always take her presence for granted. For that I’m sorry Lou. She is someone I wished I could invest more time in to get to know better because she is worth it. Together with the bestie, she puts in the most effort when preparing presents for the rest of us. I recalled how I wished out loud for a stuffed toy and I got it for Christmas. A purple toothy round rabbit. I was caught by surprise.! Maybe my new years resolution is to ask her out more often this year. Or rather, start asking her out!

Then there is Juls a Judith McNaught fan too whom I reunited with at a random bus stop. I always wondered, if I hadn’t appeared at that bus stop (it is not very regular that I use it as compared to her I think), she wouldn’t have been one of those close to my heart today. We’d not have planned to go to Austria. Where would I have gone that Easter? If she hadn’t moved to her aunt’s place we’d not have the walks home together, given that we had yet we lost complete contact after O levels, wouldn’t we be complete strangers? All these are questions I never want answers to because the memories we left behind us were so fond. I particularly chose this picture where both of us are in heels for the first time. That one incident when she thought I was wearing heels and she wore it to match my height but turned out I was in pumps was a hilarious memory I can’t help but still smile heartily everytime I think of it. Juls, you’re joy to the child in me. Thank you!

There is LI who spared me the agony for a 2 year journey. She is now a spirit who comes when I need to scream at someone and leaves when I am happy. Its quite a rarity to find someone who chooses only to stand by you at the toughest part only. I wish she is more available to me but I guess she has her group of friends to rely on like I do. We agreed that our frequency matched. Even our lives do too! All that is happening to me does happen on her too which makes me realise that I am indeed very fortunate. Keep up your smile love.

Soon to be bride and the owner of 2 boutiques in Singapore. She is so busy we rarely have time to chat like we used to unless I can keep up to the odd hours of hers which I can’t. Like meet at 2/3 in the afternoon. Our friendship is surprisingly lasting even though we were only physically together for a period of one month from the time we first got to know each other. I never thought friendship could blossom over distance but it did! I wish you success and happiness my dear. You have been a joy in my life that I’m happy that the storm has finally passed and now you’ll be enjoying the rainbow.

A mom to be or already a mom as we speak, when measured against this lady’s ability to stand out, I am lagging quite far behind. She has cleared all 3 bike licences before she got pregnant, had been with the same guy since secondary school and is now married to him. Its amazing. We both share a love for dim sum and yam (wonder if that has changed after hormonal changes). She is on my friends list where we can meet once in a year or two yet there never was a moment of awkwardness. I’m happy for you dear!

Finally there is HM

HM is someone stuck in a job that isn’t hers. She is the arty farty girl I know who is really good with writing but ended up riding the tides with the other accountants; odd crazy hours unglam dress code which is quite the opposite of who she truly is (imo). I guess her practicality as a capricorn has guided her towards a job with greater stability and riches! We REALLY should meet up soon!

I made many good friends too in Uni, in fact too many for me to list. For them, distance will always matter. Distance is inversely proportionate to the strength of a friendship (imo). They are not good travelers so it is only when I do make a trip down that we will be reunited again. The memories with them are simply unique and if not for them, my University life would have been bleak. Thank you!

To all my friends. Thank you for standing by me. I am not exactly the coolest character to deal with but thank you for the patience and most importantly, thank you for remembering me.

Ling’er

At Oia, Santorini Soaking In The Sunset

Everytime I hear news of the Japanese quakes; whether more casualties, injured and missing, I’m glad you’re safe! :)

Thank You Very Much! Merci Beaucop! Gracias! Kamsahamida! Arigato!

When the cab driver couldn’t get me to my destination on time, I knew something was brewing. Even with the help of the GPS, he took me on a tour around the housing estates of Yio Chu Kang before bringing me to my destination half an hour late. The one kosong prata, one egg with onion prata and one teh terik at Casuarina Curry is probably the first and last time for me. Seems as though the upper-beings know how to soften the blow for me by making it my new year’s resolution to move on. Thank you!

I meet the gang for lunch at Tea Cosy. This year, just as I stopped wishing that the 5 of us will gather on my birthday, everyone came and it was pretty smoothsailing for the bestie to organise it (in her words). Maybe the upper-beings had it all planned to cushion the blow even further. Thank you again!

I do not know why I have this silent wish to have all of them present on my birthday (especially so since the recent two years fall on a weekend), just like how I’d wish that my family (all of them) would sing a birthday song for me even now that I’m SO old, yes crazy. It felt like a short get-together (because Serena and I were rushing off to begin out tour around Singapore) but it was heart-warming for me as it was another session of catching up; first for the year at that. Thank you lovelies, I truly appreciate it.

thank you for being the rainbow after the rain and making 09012011 especially memorable for me. love you all. xoxo

After lunch, Serena and I went around Singapore. I shall do that in another post because it’d be ridiculously long right here. On this day, even the weather Gods have been good to me because it rained in the morning to make the walk more barable and it didn’t rain until Serena and I ended our walking tour at Clarke Quay. I’ve indeed been watched over by some upper-beings who love me. Thank you once again!

Cass, Inn and Rab came as a surprise to end the rather trying day. Thank you.! Can’t quite put into words the appreciation I get right there.

Touched to tears by the surprise and mango cake (my all time favorite)!

When they left, I finally opened the present my brother got me and the ang pow my mom gave me and they made me cry.

All through the day, I got messages from YT, YB, JY, Jeremy, LJ, Winnie, EY, William, Andy, HM and Juls (who wanted to be the last to wish me). Thank you for not leaving the message over FB and letting me live the hope that you guys actually cared enough to remember. Thank you. And of course to the people who posted on FB, thank you too for taking the effort. :)

I am blessed. Thank you. Thank you. And besides thank you, I still want to say, thank you. One door did close but I’ve many around me who bothered to make me feel like that closed door is not the end of the world. Thank you!

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

18th December 2010

At the funeral service, the pastor talked about life and the choices we make. One thing he said that struck me the most was his criticisms of probably a very well known interpretation of laymen’s theory: laymen think the good deeds accumulated will bring them to heaven. He told us that the Jesus is the path and only through him that we (laymen) can go to heaven after death so despite it being a funeral sermon, he had to urge those who were there to pay their respects to join Christianity. I am disgusted with his words because I didn’t think this is the appropriate time to discuss this.

The deceased is a distant relative; my great great grandfather is the brother of his grandfather and he is a good friend of my grandfather. He had only converted to Christianity a few months before his death because he wanted to be with his children and grandchildren after death. We were not that close but did out of respect visit him when he returned home from the hospital. Turns out, that was the final time we’ll ever see him again. He was very close to my grandfather, closer even than the brother my grandfather had. Everything my grandfather did from running the bread factory to quitting as a chain smoker, he was there lending his support and doing the same. My grandmother lamented that he will no longer be able to reunite with my grandfather after death as a result of their difference in religions, that made me sad. It got me wondering why there must be a division of religions. I could not find an answer.

Just before we went to have our final look at him in the coffin, we sang this song that brought me tears… I recalled singing this hymn during mass in primary school and would never have thought this song will be one song that will have a special place in my heart. May you rest in peace. We will miss you.

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

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