Happy 2011!
2011 is a special year, because it’s the first year of the second decade in this new millenia, in this 21st century. We’re going to create history again for this new era, and I’m glad that I’m part of it.
To start with, let me give you a toast to all things good for this year.
If you have been partying over the night, I suppose you’ve gotten out of bed at this hour? Well, what’s the first thought that came to your mind when you opened your eyes?
I was watching TV when my mobile rang. I checked the screen–a China number–and knew instantly who were at the other end.
‘Godma!’ Issac’s high-pitched childish voice screamed over the line.
That’s one of my lovely godsons–the elder one–rambling on about what he was doing at home, and wishing me Merry Christmas. At three-plus years old, he’s already yakking on and on about anything and everything under his roof, before his eyes, in his world.
Was there ever a teacher in your life who has made a big difference to you? It could be someone who has really taught you, or someone who has had that midas touch on you without even having to meet you.
When the plane finally landed, I heaved a great sigh of relief. We’re here, at last. I thought. I eased myself out of the uncomfortable seat, and stood all ready to flee from this metal bird. My body was aching to have a warm shower then throw myself into bed and sleep, sleep, sleep. Right now, I couldn’t wait to get out of the plane and land myself firmly on the ground of Las Vegas! Las Vegas, the much-talked about place that one had had to visit to know what sin and pleasure is all about. This thought just swirled and swirled in my mind . . .
I must be the last one to learn of Mrs Lee’s passing, I thought. With all the social commitments going on for the past few days, I didn’t have time to catch up on news. So, when I finally caught up today, I was shocked to know that Mrs Lee has passed away. A sudden pang of sadness shot through my heart. Yes, even though I barely knew her. Thank God I still had a chance to say my final farewell as today was the last day for her wake, and I went with my sister.
I do my sister a great service now, by likening Jeff Chang to an angel’s voice. Indeed, there can be no false claims about this, if you’ve been to any of his concerts and listened to his live singing.
Last Saturday counted as the third time that I’ve been to Jeff Chang’s concert, and never once was I disappointed. No glitz, no glamour, just pure two and a half hours of unadultered singing and good music.
It’s more than half a year over, and slightly more than four months before 2010 is wrapping up. When I was in Iowa, I got an email alert from Google, and I was stunned for a little while. It was a link from years ago, when my blog was nominated by readers for the “Most Insightful Blog”, a blog award organised by this community Ping.sg. I don’t know why I am getting this link again in my email, after so many years, but it certainly gave me a jolt back to reality. And that’s why, I’m going to make a resolution here, now, with four and a half months left before finishing 2010. Hey, it’s better late than never, right?
When someone from the Health Promotion Board approached me to do something with them on positive thinking, I said yes without a second thought. I’m honoured, I thought. In my mind I figured it’d be some talks on keeping yourself happy and positive, but I was so wrong. They could never been more creative. Positive thinking and positive actions are their focus this year in the lead up to World Mental Health Day (WMHD) in October. Haven’t I been talking so much about minding our thoughts? That what we think will affect how we feel and what is eventually translated to real actions? This is exactly what HPB’s message is to all of us this year, and the messenger is not a person, not words, but art. Yes, art.
I was lucky.
Even though I burnt my lunch and dinner the day before–an entire six-inch organic spinach pizza. But because that one afternoon of bad timing–just five minutes–was sandwiched between two good days, so I was one happy woman after all.
Before that day, I had visited a friend’s house. Condo, she called it. Townhouse, I told Donna what we, in Singapore, would refer her humble abode to.
The outside view of her home
Happy July 4th! That’s what people say to each other today in Iowa. I said that to the smiley lady cashier with short blond hair at the supermarket too.
It has been a week since I’ve arrived in this city of literature. Ten days of reading, writing, more reading and more writing has not dampened my urge to want to read more. It has been such a liberating experience for me. Until now, the TV has been sitting in my room, observing my every movement and listening to my every breath, without uttering a single sound, as I haven’t allow it to. So, living without a TV is okay, after all, when there are better things to do.
On LuvLifeCoach
