I was looking at a domain name that was on sale. It cost $120, 000~! Omg.
I think I should use twitter instead of writing such nonsensical posts on my blog.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tennis frenzy
I had another gruelling tennis session today. I played for 3 hours in total. That was not the bad part. The bad part was the intense heat! It was crazy. By the first half hour, my skin felt like it was melting. I slabbed on more sunscreen but it was in vain. Soon after, I had to take a break. I couldn’t concentrate because it was just too hot! After a while, I was back on the court again. I felt a little more refreshed and hydrated but the heat was still killing me. I don’t think I can sleep again tonight! Heat is radiating from my body. It’s bad!
The last time this happened was during a weekend hike. I was hiking during a heat wave! I’m smart like that. For two weeks after the hike, I broke out in heat rash. I never thought it was possible to die from heat stroke till that experience. I told myself never again will I expose myself to such extreme heat but I went against my own words! No more! No more! I don’t want skin cancer, or worse…freckles! heh.
p/s: I didnt run this week~!!! Urgh.
The last time this happened was during a weekend hike. I was hiking during a heat wave! I’m smart like that. For two weeks after the hike, I broke out in heat rash. I never thought it was possible to die from heat stroke till that experience. I told myself never again will I expose myself to such extreme heat but I went against my own words! No more! No more! I don’t want skin cancer, or worse…freckles! heh.
p/s: I didnt run this week~!!! Urgh.
Cutting costs
In the past one month, I've discovered that I'm paying $30 more for my home phone bill than I should be paying. For the heck of it, I called up the phone company and asked if I could get a more optimal plan than the one I'm on. After being put on hold for about 15 minutes (feels like one hour) and being asked numerous details, he said that there's a much cheaper plan out there for me. The plan I'm on is the old one and there's a cheaper alternative plan! Omg, imagine if I didn't make that phone call!
And a few days after, I called up my internet provider and I find out the same thing! The plan I'm on is the old one and there's a much better alternative out there for me (double the download quota!). Grr...Again, thank God I called!
Dear friends, here's a friendly advice. Call up your various service providers and ask whether there are better plans out there for you. You never know. You might be saving thousands in a year. Imagine what you can buy with you extra cash - air plane tickets, shoes, bags...
And a few days after, I called up my internet provider and I find out the same thing! The plan I'm on is the old one and there's a much better alternative out there for me (double the download quota!). Grr...Again, thank God I called!
Dear friends, here's a friendly advice. Call up your various service providers and ask whether there are better plans out there for you. You never know. You might be saving thousands in a year. Imagine what you can buy with you extra cash - air plane tickets, shoes, bags...
Sleepless in Melbourne
Can't sleep again. I used to pride myself on the fact that I would zone out the moment my head touches the pillow. Those sweet victories are fast becoming distant, forgotten memories. I've been lying here for 4 hours and I have not slept a wink. I've decided that I will stop trying to fall asleep! Tomorrow, I will play tennis for 3 hours straight till I'm dead tired, go for a massage and hopefully I will have better luck tomorrow. Sigh.
p/s: Post title is a little corny because I've just watched 'Sleepless in Seattle'. My take on that movie? A typical chic flick movie. A movie that's about romance, fate and destiny. You know, the usual stuff. The movie was inspired by and has numerous references to the classic 1957 movie, 'An Affair to Remember'.
p/s: Post title is a little corny because I've just watched 'Sleepless in Seattle'. My take on that movie? A typical chic flick movie. A movie that's about romance, fate and destiny. You know, the usual stuff. The movie was inspired by and has numerous references to the classic 1957 movie, 'An Affair to Remember'.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Intimacy
Here's a backdated entry from my other private journal for your reading pleasure. I thought of sharing this with you guys because it captured exactly how I felt at that particular time. Hopefully, some of you can relate to it in one way or another =)
There are days that I feel better and there are days that I don’t. And I wonder whether you love me any less than you did 6 days ago. And I lay in bed tonight wondering what is this connection that we have between us. I ask you so many questions all the time. Over the phone, in the car and on the bed late into the night - how was your first kiss? do you fear moths too? And many answers began with - you want to hear a secret? My ears will perk up, I will lean in and hold my breathe like its the biggest secret in the whole world. And when I’m allowed into your world, it felt like I was inside a secret, formidable place that not many have stepped into. It was beautiful that way.
To be precise, I started allowing you into my world from the very first day. Everything started during our first argument in the car (first of many to come) on the first day we met. In the heat of our fume and anger, I showed you the worst of me. I said everything in brutal truth and honesty. All pretenses were dropped. And that was how intimacy began…
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Goal #19: Valuable lessons from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (Part II)
On the viscous cycles in life and dying among the living
“I’m drinking,” said the drinker, with a mournful air.
“Why are you drinking?” said the little prince.
“To forget,” replied the drinker.
“To forget what?” enquired the little prince, who was already starting to feel sorry for him.
“To forget that I’m ashamed,” confessed the drinker, hanging his head.
“Ashamed of what?” persisted the little prince, who wanted to help him.
“Ashamed of drinking!” concluded the drinker, retreating into permanent silence.
And the little prince went away, perplexed.
On life's purpose and storing riches
“And of what use is it to you to own the stars?”
“Its use is to make me rich.”
“And of what use is it to you to be rich?”
“To buy more stars, if there are any more to be discovered.”
…
“If I own a scarf,” [the little prince] said, “I can put it around my neck and take it with me. If I own a flower, I can gather my flower and take it with me. But you cannot gather the stars!”
“No, but I can deposit them in the bank.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I write down the number of stars I own on a piece of paper. Then I lock this paper up in a drawer.”
“And is that all?”
“That is enough!”
“It is amusing,” thought the little prince. “It is even rather poetic. But it’s not terribly serious.”
…
“I myself own a flower,” he persisted, “which I water everyday. I own three volcanoes, which I sweep out every week. It is of use to my volcanoes, and it is of use to my flower, that I own them. But you are of no use to the stars.”
The businessman opened his mouth, but found nothing to say in answer, and the little prince went away.
“Grown-ups are decidedly altogether extraordinary,” he merely said to himself, as he continued on his voyage.
On selflessness and the perplexity of selfishness
‘This fellow,’ said the little prince to himself, as he continued on his travels, “would be laughed at by all others: by the king, by the conceited man, by the drinker, by the businessman. However, he is the only one who does not seem to me ridiculous. Perhaps that is because he is preoccupied with something rather than himself.”
On seeking pleasure in the smallest things
You see the fields of corn? Well, I don’t eat bread. Corn is of no use to me. Corn fields remind me of nothing. Which is sad. On the other hand, your hair is the colour of gold. So think how wonderful it will be when you have tamed me. The corn, which is golden, will remind me of you. And I shall come to love the sound of the wind in the field of corn…
On loving because she/he is yours to love
The little prince went of to look at the [5000] roses again.
“You are nothing like my rose,” he told them. “As yet you are nothing at all. Nobody has tamed you, and you have tamed nobody. You are as my fox used to be. He was just a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But I made him my friend, and now he is unique in the world.”
And the roses felt uncomfortable.
“You are beautiful, but you are empty,” he went on.
“One could not die for you. Of course, an ordinary passerby would think my rose looked just like you. But in herself she matters more than all of you together, since it is she that I watered; since it is she that I placed under the glass dome; since it is she that I sheltered with the screen; since it is she whose caterpillars I killed. Since it is she that I listened to, when she complained, or boasted, or when she was simply being silent. Since it is she who is my rose.”
On internal beauty
“What makes the desert beautiful,” said the little prince, “is that somewhere it is hiding a well.”
To my surprise, I suddenly understood for the first time this mysterious radiation of the sands. When I was a little boy I lived in a very old house where, according to hearsay, a treasure was buried. Of course, nobody ever discovered it, nor perhaps did they even look for it. But it cast a spell over that whole house. My home was hiding a secret in the depths of its heart.
“Yes,” I said to the little prince. “Whether it is a house, or stars, or the desert, what makes their beauty is invisible!”
On the most important lesson: Of heart matters
“Goodbye,” said the fox. “Now here is my secret, very simply: you can only see things clearly with your heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
“It is the time you have wasted on your rose that makes your rose so important.”
“People have forgotten this truth,” said the fox. “But you must not forget. You become responsible, for ever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose.”
“I’m drinking,” said the drinker, with a mournful air.
“Why are you drinking?” said the little prince.
“To forget,” replied the drinker.
“To forget what?” enquired the little prince, who was already starting to feel sorry for him.
“To forget that I’m ashamed,” confessed the drinker, hanging his head.
“Ashamed of what?” persisted the little prince, who wanted to help him.
“Ashamed of drinking!” concluded the drinker, retreating into permanent silence.
And the little prince went away, perplexed.
On life's purpose and storing riches
“And of what use is it to you to own the stars?”
“Its use is to make me rich.”
“And of what use is it to you to be rich?”
“To buy more stars, if there are any more to be discovered.”
…
“If I own a scarf,” [the little prince] said, “I can put it around my neck and take it with me. If I own a flower, I can gather my flower and take it with me. But you cannot gather the stars!”
“No, but I can deposit them in the bank.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I write down the number of stars I own on a piece of paper. Then I lock this paper up in a drawer.”
“And is that all?”
“That is enough!”
“It is amusing,” thought the little prince. “It is even rather poetic. But it’s not terribly serious.”
…
“I myself own a flower,” he persisted, “which I water everyday. I own three volcanoes, which I sweep out every week. It is of use to my volcanoes, and it is of use to my flower, that I own them. But you are of no use to the stars.”
The businessman opened his mouth, but found nothing to say in answer, and the little prince went away.
“Grown-ups are decidedly altogether extraordinary,” he merely said to himself, as he continued on his voyage.
On selflessness and the perplexity of selfishness
‘This fellow,’ said the little prince to himself, as he continued on his travels, “would be laughed at by all others: by the king, by the conceited man, by the drinker, by the businessman. However, he is the only one who does not seem to me ridiculous. Perhaps that is because he is preoccupied with something rather than himself.”
On seeking pleasure in the smallest things
You see the fields of corn? Well, I don’t eat bread. Corn is of no use to me. Corn fields remind me of nothing. Which is sad. On the other hand, your hair is the colour of gold. So think how wonderful it will be when you have tamed me. The corn, which is golden, will remind me of you. And I shall come to love the sound of the wind in the field of corn…
On loving because she/he is yours to love
The little prince went of to look at the [5000] roses again.
“You are nothing like my rose,” he told them. “As yet you are nothing at all. Nobody has tamed you, and you have tamed nobody. You are as my fox used to be. He was just a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But I made him my friend, and now he is unique in the world.”
And the roses felt uncomfortable.
“You are beautiful, but you are empty,” he went on.
“One could not die for you. Of course, an ordinary passerby would think my rose looked just like you. But in herself she matters more than all of you together, since it is she that I watered; since it is she that I placed under the glass dome; since it is she that I sheltered with the screen; since it is she whose caterpillars I killed. Since it is she that I listened to, when she complained, or boasted, or when she was simply being silent. Since it is she who is my rose.”
On internal beauty
“What makes the desert beautiful,” said the little prince, “is that somewhere it is hiding a well.”
To my surprise, I suddenly understood for the first time this mysterious radiation of the sands. When I was a little boy I lived in a very old house where, according to hearsay, a treasure was buried. Of course, nobody ever discovered it, nor perhaps did they even look for it. But it cast a spell over that whole house. My home was hiding a secret in the depths of its heart.
“Yes,” I said to the little prince. “Whether it is a house, or stars, or the desert, what makes their beauty is invisible!”
On the most important lesson: Of heart matters
“Goodbye,” said the fox. “Now here is my secret, very simply: you can only see things clearly with your heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
“It is the time you have wasted on your rose that makes your rose so important.”
“People have forgotten this truth,” said the fox. “But you must not forget. You become responsible, for ever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose.”
Monday, February 16, 2009
Conversations
“Do you know how I know I loved him? I knew I loved him because I couldn’t pinpoint reasons why I loved him. I loved him simply because I loved him. It’s as simple as that.”
“And now I know how love feels like again. For a moment, I thought I forgot.”
“And now I know how love feels like again. For a moment, I thought I forgot.”
Goal #20: Learning chinese through podcasts
As mentioned, I've been taking up Chinese lessons. So far so good, save the blunder I made calling a taxi meter "da bian" which means doing number #2 in the toilet instead of "da biao" which is the correct one.
Anyway, I've recently been introduced to this awesome website that publishes daily podcast on learning Chinese. It is an extremely (cannot emphasize enough) useful tool if you want to pick up the language. It comes with a price though. I'm not too sure how much is the subscription fee as I'm still using the trial version. They repeat short sentences in Chinese so many times that you'll remember them in your sleep. In addition, the dialogue can be pretty funny too. A lot of the dialogues are reflections of the Asian culture - cute, sulking girls who go, "hmph!" and storms off while the boyfriend chases after her with flowers in hand.
Or maybe I'm generalising. Maybe I'm the only sulking Asian girl (might not be cute though). heh. But only sometimes do I sulk. Make that rarely (don't want to scare off anybody here, would we? :P).
I digressed.
Here's the link: www.chinesepod.com
Anyway, I've recently been introduced to this awesome website that publishes daily podcast on learning Chinese. It is an extremely (cannot emphasize enough) useful tool if you want to pick up the language. It comes with a price though. I'm not too sure how much is the subscription fee as I'm still using the trial version. They repeat short sentences in Chinese so many times that you'll remember them in your sleep. In addition, the dialogue can be pretty funny too. A lot of the dialogues are reflections of the Asian culture - cute, sulking girls who go, "hmph!" and storms off while the boyfriend chases after her with flowers in hand.
Or maybe I'm generalising. Maybe I'm the only sulking Asian girl (might not be cute though). heh. But only sometimes do I sulk. Make that rarely (don't want to scare off anybody here, would we? :P).
I digressed.
Here's the link: www.chinesepod.com
Goal #19: Valuable lessons from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
On pure love
If someone loves a flower of which there is only one example among all the millions and millions of stars, that is enough to make him happy when he looks up at the night sky. He says to himself: “Somewhere out there is my flower.” But if a sheep eats the flower, it’s as though all the stars have suddenly gone out!
On wisdom
“In that case, you shall judge yourself,” replied the king. “That is the most difficult thing of all. It is far more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself correctly, then you are truly a man of wisdom.”
On grown-ups necessity for validation
“But you are all alone on this planet!”
“Do me the kindness: admire me all the same!”
“I admire you,” said the prince, with a slight shrug of his shoulders, “but can that be of any interest to you?”
And the little prince went away.
“Grown-ups are decidedly very odd,” he merely observed to himself, as he continued on his voyage.
If someone loves a flower of which there is only one example among all the millions and millions of stars, that is enough to make him happy when he looks up at the night sky. He says to himself: “Somewhere out there is my flower.” But if a sheep eats the flower, it’s as though all the stars have suddenly gone out!
On wisdom
“In that case, you shall judge yourself,” replied the king. “That is the most difficult thing of all. It is far more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself correctly, then you are truly a man of wisdom.”
On grown-ups necessity for validation
“But you are all alone on this planet!”
“Do me the kindness: admire me all the same!”
“I admire you,” said the prince, with a slight shrug of his shoulders, “but can that be of any interest to you?”
And the little prince went away.
“Grown-ups are decidedly very odd,” he merely observed to himself, as he continued on his voyage.
Rant Rant Rant
11.14 pm
88.3%.
11.7% more to go. I’m downloading a movie to watch now. My mind is restless. So I’m hoping a movie will keep me company till it’s time to fall into the slumber of dreams. I’ve written about 4 blog entries, yet none of them seem to capture exactly how I feel right now. I can tell you what it encapsulates – fear, solitude and the meaning of love. Perhaps, I will look through them again one day soon and publish them.
11.20 pm
4.9% to go. I’m feeling better than how I was 6 minutes ago. I thought about the wonderful people I’m surrounded with and how blessed I am.
I thought bout our late night/early morning chat, how I complained and grumbled and sulked about how life is so unfair. And I kept asking you the whys and hows even when I knew the answers to my questions. There were no answers. I’m spoilt that way. But at that point in time, I wanted those moments to be mine. I felt that I deserved to be bratty. Why? Because life was unfair to me, I thought. At least that was how I felt for that few hours till the sky was painted with pink soft strokes and I fell into unconsciousness. Thankfully, I woke up with a clearer head the next day.
And how you cooked dinner for me. Yes, me! I haven’t had anyone cook dinner for me in ages, save mum and dad. A home-cooked meal was very much welcomed, needless to say. It was better than eating out in over-priced restaurants. And it’s way better than anything I’ve cooked in the past few weeks.
Thank you.
I will stop here for now. Download has completed. I’m watching Closer.
2.47 am
I was done with Closer a while ago. But I’m still not able to fall into the slumber of dreams. Sigh.
88.3%.
11.7% more to go. I’m downloading a movie to watch now. My mind is restless. So I’m hoping a movie will keep me company till it’s time to fall into the slumber of dreams. I’ve written about 4 blog entries, yet none of them seem to capture exactly how I feel right now. I can tell you what it encapsulates – fear, solitude and the meaning of love. Perhaps, I will look through them again one day soon and publish them.
11.20 pm
4.9% to go. I’m feeling better than how I was 6 minutes ago. I thought about the wonderful people I’m surrounded with and how blessed I am.
I thought bout our late night/early morning chat, how I complained and grumbled and sulked about how life is so unfair. And I kept asking you the whys and hows even when I knew the answers to my questions. There were no answers. I’m spoilt that way. But at that point in time, I wanted those moments to be mine. I felt that I deserved to be bratty. Why? Because life was unfair to me, I thought. At least that was how I felt for that few hours till the sky was painted with pink soft strokes and I fell into unconsciousness. Thankfully, I woke up with a clearer head the next day.
And how you cooked dinner for me. Yes, me! I haven’t had anyone cook dinner for me in ages, save mum and dad. A home-cooked meal was very much welcomed, needless to say. It was better than eating out in over-priced restaurants. And it’s way better than anything I’ve cooked in the past few weeks.
Thank you.
I will stop here for now. Download has completed. I’m watching Closer.
2.47 am
I was done with Closer a while ago. But I’m still not able to fall into the slumber of dreams. Sigh.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
My first and last letter to you
Dear you,
Remember the first time we spoke that fateful morning? We were both waiting for the library doors to open and I stood next to you. The foyer was dead quiet. The few people there were just sleepily waiting for the doors to open. But you turned to me and asked me aloud whether we have done any classes together before. I told you that I didn't think so. You said that we did. We took the EPM subject together the semester before and had classes on Wednesdays at 2.15 pm. I was surprised that you remembered such detailed information. You asked me whether I studied law. I said yes and asked you the same question in return. You said no.
So I asked you why were you carrying so many law books. You told me that you were helping this girl with her 5 000 word essay. Subsequently, you asked me for my phone number so that we could study together. Before I could mutter a word, you quickly told me not to worry as the girl you were doing the essay for was not your girlfriend, even though you slogged away helping her with it. I was stunned and did not mutter a word for a few seconds. You see my dear friend, I was not used to such brutal honesty. Normally conversations were covered with layers of pure flattery, lies and bush-beating to what conventional society call social etiquette. And that was our first conversation. An honest one.
Dear friend, it's exactly 24 days to your birthday. When you announced that you were going to have a big celebration for your birthday this year and seemed so hyped up about it, I was amused. Simply because, Ive never seen someone so excited about one's 23rd birthday 7 months in advanced. You see, seeking pleasure in the simplest things is rare these days, to the point that one might be deemed a fool. The world taught us that. But you saw it differently. I also remember how excited you were telling me that you were going to join this karaoke competition. Or how you cooked up a storm for your friends. How can one be so excited to give, I thought.
Your quirkiness, honesty and optimism are akin to finding diamonds in one own's backyard. You are definitely one in a million.
So today I heard news about your passing. I was deeply shocked. I know about the Victorian bush fires and feel saddened when I see pictures or read the papers. I even donated a meager amount of $8 at the post office for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal the other day. But it only struck a deep trembling chord in me when I knew you had unfortunately perished in the fire too. Posts on your Facebook wall confirmed your passing. I'm still in disbelief. Just the other day, I deleted a voicemail from you . I'm sorry I didn't pick up your call. I wasn't in Melbourne then. If I knew how fate would spin out, I would have kept that voicemail and play that voicemail just once more. And perhaps, over and over again.
God gives life and takes it away. But you're merely 22 going on 23. Dear God, wasn't he a little too young to move on from this world? He had his whole life ahead of him. But alas, life's a journey and then you die. So quit worrying. Just do the best you can and that's all one can ask for. I took that off your Facebook page. Well said.
My dear friend, I am signing off now as I need to move on to other stuff. I've been typing this for a while. Like you said, we need to make the best of what we can. And that is what I'm going to try to do. But when I'm standing outside the library, singing karaoke or birthday songs, I'll remember you and whisper a prayer for you and your family.
Rest in peace Jaeson Castillo Hermocilla.
Yours sincerely,
Joanne
Remember the first time we spoke that fateful morning? We were both waiting for the library doors to open and I stood next to you. The foyer was dead quiet. The few people there were just sleepily waiting for the doors to open. But you turned to me and asked me aloud whether we have done any classes together before. I told you that I didn't think so. You said that we did. We took the EPM subject together the semester before and had classes on Wednesdays at 2.15 pm. I was surprised that you remembered such detailed information. You asked me whether I studied law. I said yes and asked you the same question in return. You said no.
So I asked you why were you carrying so many law books. You told me that you were helping this girl with her 5 000 word essay. Subsequently, you asked me for my phone number so that we could study together. Before I could mutter a word, you quickly told me not to worry as the girl you were doing the essay for was not your girlfriend, even though you slogged away helping her with it. I was stunned and did not mutter a word for a few seconds. You see my dear friend, I was not used to such brutal honesty. Normally conversations were covered with layers of pure flattery, lies and bush-beating to what conventional society call social etiquette. And that was our first conversation. An honest one.
Dear friend, it's exactly 24 days to your birthday. When you announced that you were going to have a big celebration for your birthday this year and seemed so hyped up about it, I was amused. Simply because, Ive never seen someone so excited about one's 23rd birthday 7 months in advanced. You see, seeking pleasure in the simplest things is rare these days, to the point that one might be deemed a fool. The world taught us that. But you saw it differently. I also remember how excited you were telling me that you were going to join this karaoke competition. Or how you cooked up a storm for your friends. How can one be so excited to give, I thought.
Your quirkiness, honesty and optimism are akin to finding diamonds in one own's backyard. You are definitely one in a million.
So today I heard news about your passing. I was deeply shocked. I know about the Victorian bush fires and feel saddened when I see pictures or read the papers. I even donated a meager amount of $8 at the post office for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal the other day. But it only struck a deep trembling chord in me when I knew you had unfortunately perished in the fire too. Posts on your Facebook wall confirmed your passing. I'm still in disbelief. Just the other day, I deleted a voicemail from you . I'm sorry I didn't pick up your call. I wasn't in Melbourne then. If I knew how fate would spin out, I would have kept that voicemail and play that voicemail just once more. And perhaps, over and over again.
God gives life and takes it away. But you're merely 22 going on 23. Dear God, wasn't he a little too young to move on from this world? He had his whole life ahead of him. But alas, life's a journey and then you die. So quit worrying. Just do the best you can and that's all one can ask for. I took that off your Facebook page. Well said.
My dear friend, I am signing off now as I need to move on to other stuff. I've been typing this for a while. Like you said, we need to make the best of what we can. And that is what I'm going to try to do. But when I'm standing outside the library, singing karaoke or birthday songs, I'll remember you and whisper a prayer for you and your family.
Rest in peace Jaeson Castillo Hermocilla.
Yours sincerely,
Joanne
Just for laughs: Why Men Don't Write Advice Columns
Dear Walter,
I hope you can help me here. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't driven more than a mile down the road when the engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in our bedroom with the neighbor's daughter. I am 41, my husband is 44, and the neighbor's daughter is 22.
We have been married for ten years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that they had been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won't go to counseling and I'm afraid I can't get through to him anymore.
Can you please help?
Sincerely, Sheila
Dear Sheila:
A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors.
I hope this helps
I hope you can help me here. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't driven more than a mile down the road when the engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in our bedroom with the neighbor's daughter. I am 41, my husband is 44, and the neighbor's daughter is 22.
We have been married for ten years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that they had been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won't go to counseling and I'm afraid I can't get through to him anymore.
Can you please help?
Sincerely, Sheila
Dear Sheila:
A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors.
I hope this helps
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Save tonight - Eagle-eye cherry
Go on and close the curtains
cause all we need is candle light
You and me and a bottle of wine
going to hold you tonight
Well we know I'm going away
and how I wish, I wish it weren't so
So take this wine and drink with me
let's delay our misery
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
There's a log on the fire
and it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes with one desire
to take me away it's true
It ain't easy to say goodbye
darling please don't start to cry
Cause girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Tomorrow comes to take me away
I wish that I, that I could stay
Girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight
cause all we need is candle light
You and me and a bottle of wine
going to hold you tonight
Well we know I'm going away
and how I wish, I wish it weren't so
So take this wine and drink with me
let's delay our misery
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
There's a log on the fire
and it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes with one desire
to take me away it's true
It ain't easy to say goodbye
darling please don't start to cry
Cause girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Tomorrow comes to take me away
I wish that I, that I could stay
Girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Note to self
I will not purchase anymore casual clothes, household items and bags till my birthday (which is in September).
I will only buy what I NEED.
Shouldn't be too difficult, yes?
7 months.
I will only buy what I NEED.
Shouldn't be too difficult, yes?
7 months.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Forgiveness: Lessons learnt
by http://allthebestdreams.deviantart.com/
The past two weeks have been pretty trying for me. One incident led to another, it snowballed and it became a time bomb waiting to explode. It was definitely an accumulation of events over the past many years and a built up of emotions and grudges. I know that I should forgive another as God has forgiven me. How about forgiving 77 times? I can do that. How about forgiving everyday of my life? Some days I feel that I can. But there are days, I look in the mirror and I see a person who has been flawed by the past. There are days, I'm afraid of inevitably becoming that person I hate to be. And then, I'll wish that I wasn't created in the first place because life isn't worth living.
However, over the past few years, I have learnt that forgiveness is about yourself and not the other person. You are only hurting yourself when you do not let go.
Forgiveness is a commitment. Sometimes, you need to forgive everyday of your life. When you think you are over that phase, it may come back to haunt you. Take the poison darts shot at you, turn it around and send it back to the devil who wants to tear you down. Sometimes, I think I will never heal from this experience or that I am permanently flawed by this experience. But when I have the strength, I'll tell myself that it's not the truth. Learn to discern the truth from the lies.
Even if you don't feel like forgiving because emotionally you are still hurting, still do it. Just commit to doing it. Sometimes, it may require you to tell the person, 'I forgive you for that act you have done.' Or, you may just write those words down, 'I forgive X for that act he/she has done'. To your surprise, you may find that your burden will be lightened the next day. Soon, you'll find it a little easier to forgive than before. Remember, forgiveness is about healing yourself.
Thank God I've seen better days...
And I saw it coming
I saw emptiness and tragedy
And I felt like running
So far away
But knew I had to stay
And I know when I'm older
I look back and I still feel the pain
I know I'll be stronger and I know I'll be fine
For the rest of my days
I've seen better days
Put my face in my hands
Get down on my knees and I pray to God
Hope he sees me through till the end
I noticed most things
But I didn't notice the change
It was hot in the morning
Then it turned so cold, toward the end of the day
There was no conversation I just felt like I was in space
I needed my friends there I just turned around
They were gone without a trace
I've seen better days
Put my face in my hands
Get down on my knees and I pray to God
Hope he sees me through till the end
Now I have just started
and I won't be done till the end
There's nothing I have lost
That was once placed in the palm of my hands
And all of these hard times
Have faded round the bend
Now that I'm wiser I cannot wait
Till I can help my friends
I've seen better days
Put my face in my hands
Get down on my knees and I pray to God
Hope he sees me through till the end
Seen better days
Put my face in my hands
Get down on my knees and I pray to God
Hope he sees me through till the end
Seen better
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na(x4)
Better Days by Pete Murray
Friday, February 06, 2009
I tag myself
I tag myself from WY's blog (i actually like reading tag entries =) )
DIRECTION: Once you've been tagged, you have to write a post about 16 random things, habits or goals about you. At last, choose 5 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them.
1. I love reading up on interior designing! I spend endless hours surfing interior design blogs and reading interior magazines in bookstores.
2. I recently purchased a train station clock to put up in my room. It adds so much character to the room.
3. I am not musically inclined despite taking piano lessons up to Grade 7. I jump for joy when I can clap in time.
4. Speaking of which, the only music lyrics I can remember all the words to is 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz.
5. I love travelling - especially to 3rd world countries.
6. I HATE moths. I get cold sweat being in the same room as a flying moth.
7. That being said, I hate all flying living things (birds included) - they have an advantage over me.
8. Recently, I've gotten into the habit of making my bed every morning and having fruits for breakfast *pats self on back*
9. I'm quite picky with my food. I don't like most deep-fried food, cake (usually) and most sweet food (chocs are exceptions during the time of the month), food that has too much msg or salt.
10. That being said, I love nasi lemak and char keoy teoh (yummy malaysian food). Am I contradicting myself here?
11. I love sour food - sour mangoes, tom yam soup, assam laksa. You name it and I'm there.
12. My camera is still dead *sob sob* I'm eyeing the Canon G-10 model.
13. Two days ago, I was without the internet, a mobile phone, atm cards, credit cards and only 100 dollars in hand. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty lost.
14. I love kite flying. Kites have a mind of its own when it's up in the sky. It kicks, twirls and dances with the clouds at its whim.
15. Once I purchase a nice looking bag, I'm happy using it every single day for the next few years. I'm happy wearing the same clothes very often as well - at least till WC told me, "No offense, but you really need to go shopping".
16. I still wear clothes that I have been wearing since I was 16.
*heck, I'll do a couple more. Why not,eh*
17. I love my Macbook. One of my best purchases last year. Will never go back. I've crossed sides.
18. I love Peter Alexander PJs. That being said, I only own one nightgown from that shop.
19. I think I sprained one of my toes two days ago but I don't know how I did it.
20. I've learnt a lot about myself and others the past month.
21. I realised that I have a lot of wonderful and loving people in my life. For that, I'm blessed.
I tag every blogger who reads this. If you do this tag, please notify me. I would love to read your entry =)
*currently listening to Snow Petrol - Open Your Eyes*
DIRECTION: Once you've been tagged, you have to write a post about 16 random things, habits or goals about you. At last, choose 5 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them.
1. I love reading up on interior designing! I spend endless hours surfing interior design blogs and reading interior magazines in bookstores.
2. I recently purchased a train station clock to put up in my room. It adds so much character to the room.
3. I am not musically inclined despite taking piano lessons up to Grade 7. I jump for joy when I can clap in time.
4. Speaking of which, the only music lyrics I can remember all the words to is 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz.
5. I love travelling - especially to 3rd world countries.
6. I HATE moths. I get cold sweat being in the same room as a flying moth.
7. That being said, I hate all flying living things (birds included) - they have an advantage over me.
8. Recently, I've gotten into the habit of making my bed every morning and having fruits for breakfast *pats self on back*
9. I'm quite picky with my food. I don't like most deep-fried food, cake (usually) and most sweet food (chocs are exceptions during the time of the month), food that has too much msg or salt.
10. That being said, I love nasi lemak and char keoy teoh (yummy malaysian food). Am I contradicting myself here?
11. I love sour food - sour mangoes, tom yam soup, assam laksa. You name it and I'm there.
12. My camera is still dead *sob sob* I'm eyeing the Canon G-10 model.
13. Two days ago, I was without the internet, a mobile phone, atm cards, credit cards and only 100 dollars in hand. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty lost.
14. I love kite flying. Kites have a mind of its own when it's up in the sky. It kicks, twirls and dances with the clouds at its whim.
15. Once I purchase a nice looking bag, I'm happy using it every single day for the next few years. I'm happy wearing the same clothes very often as well - at least till WC told me, "No offense, but you really need to go shopping".
16. I still wear clothes that I have been wearing since I was 16.
*heck, I'll do a couple more. Why not,eh*
17. I love my Macbook. One of my best purchases last year. Will never go back. I've crossed sides.
18. I love Peter Alexander PJs. That being said, I only own one nightgown from that shop.
19. I think I sprained one of my toes two days ago but I don't know how I did it.
20. I've learnt a lot about myself and others the past month.
21. I realised that I have a lot of wonderful and loving people in my life. For that, I'm blessed.
I tag every blogger who reads this. If you do this tag, please notify me. I would love to read your entry =)
*currently listening to Snow Petrol - Open Your Eyes*
Goal: #20: Ni hao!
After much deliberation and hesitation over the past two years, I've finally put my foot down and out the door. I'm learning Chinese! I made one quick call today and 2 hours later, I found myself in a Chinese learning center. Trust me, it brought back lots of unwanted, dreadful memories of chinese tuition days. Urgh. I kept asking myself why am I doing this. This answer was simple. I am Chinese.
So, there's no turning back. I'm locked in for the next 10 weeks, 2 hours each session. And, IF, I'm still keen, there's another 10 levels to go. Right now, I'm doing level 4 - that means, I'm learning about 1000 chinese characters. My goal would be to be able to read the chinese newspaper - that's about 3000 characters. It will be a long process but I need to start somewhere.
So, there's no turning back. I'm locked in for the next 10 weeks, 2 hours each session. And, IF, I'm still keen, there's another 10 levels to go. Right now, I'm doing level 4 - that means, I'm learning about 1000 chinese characters. My goal would be to be able to read the chinese newspaper - that's about 3000 characters. It will be a long process but I need to start somewhere.
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