Five Balls (James Patterson)

From the book "Suzanne's Diary to Nicholas" by James Patterson


Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - Work - Family - Health - Friends - Spirit, and you're keeping all of these in the air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls -- family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered.

They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life. How?

1. Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.

2. Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.

3. Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

4. Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live ALL the days of your life.

5. Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

6. Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us together.

7. Don't be afraid to encounter risks It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

8. Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

9. Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.

10. Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

11. Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

12. Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved.

Finally the wait is over!

The stressful days are finally over. The long awaited day has arrived this morning. We finally got what we wanted.

Initiately, I was pretty worried that baby will not be able to come back Sg on time for our appointment but glad some kind soul who understood the reason why and the importance of his returning and let Baby come back sooner.

Looking at our queue no. I don't know if we are lucky or only had a slight brush with luck. The total no. of units available were only 270 and our queue no. was 271. Since the day the selection exercise started, I bookmarked the HDB link under my favs and monitor the balance of units almost everyday.

Today was the final day that all these enticipation ended and we are glad that we could still have some good units to choose from. The only grumble that I have was that the couple before us selected the 20th floor unit which we wanted and we have to chose the 17th unit instead. However, it is still a better choice among the 50 over remaining units.

Besides all the mental stress, both baby and I have learnt alot thru this BTO exercise that buying a flat is not as easy as just chosing a location. Since the day we gotten the Selection Package, we have been making alot of effort to discuss, eliminating and prioritising our choices.

East sun or West sun? Blocked views? Nearby carparks? Garden views? Near to MRT stations? Our targeted price range? Near the bin? Thankfully we surveyed, discussed and analysed the booklets over and over again and eventually we managed to identify the few units worth getting.

4 months worth waiting......we truely cherish this luck that luck has given us.

没那么简单

Came across 黄小琥's 没那么简单 and instantly fell for the lyrics. I used to think that way and was also like that until I met you, Baby. You have make me realised that loneliness is tormenting, companionship is indispensable...and nothing like what the lyrics have described!

Miss you....be waiting for your return soon and together, we shall embrace together what follows after your return! ;).......



没那么简单
就能找到聊得来的伴
尤其是在看过了那么多的背叛
总是不安只好强悍
谁谋杀了我的浪漫

没那么简单
就能去爱别的全不看
变得实际也许好也许坏各一半
不爱孤单一久也习惯
不用担心谁也不用被谁管

感觉快乐就忙东忙西
感觉累了就放空自己
别人说的话随便听一听
自己作决定
不想拥有太多情绪
一杯红酒配电影
在周末晚上关上了手机
舒服窝在沙发里

相爱没有那么容易
每个人有他的脾气
过了爱作梦的年纪
轰轰烈烈不如平静
幸福没有那么容易
才会特别让人着迷
什么都不懂的年纪
曾经最掏心
所以最开心曾经

想念最伤心
但却最动心的记忆






It's easy to fall in love, it's not easy to stay in love.
It's easy to have happiness, it's not easy to remain happy forever.

But I still believe, all these would be easy for us, because I have you and I be here for you too...

Sad Romance (Volin Version)

I came across this beautiful piece when Baby copied and pasted the link for me to hear. Damn good piece with very deep sorrow and sadness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQ6eHeBrhM&playnext_from=TL&videos=e_-6K3mjDlM&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_fresh%2Bdiv-1r-2-HM


It could really make you cry for no apparent reason!

Family outing at ECP!

We were all set to leave the house at 1pm. The weather was hot and warm. Setting up the tents with minimal challenge in fact it was really fun!

There was a lady sitting on the stone table whom we care less and shared her personal space without even asking. :P We aint big bullies although there are 5 of us, its just that she did not protest and I guess she was accommodating. The crawling ants become our topic and seriously, the East Coast Park is infested by many types of ants and I really mean invested. Along the long trail of lines, you will be able to see hidden small holes beneath. The big red ants will fall from the trees when the strong wind blew.

Dad and mum went off to cycle with brother and the reccee the ECP while I sat in the tent comfortably reading newspaper. Then a loud sudden thud shocked me. Some dried coconut husks fell off from the tree right in front of me and then the strong wind blew directly towards me! The dried soil and flakes from the tree fell on my shirt and face. The poncho and mat right in front of my tent were covered with many different types of ants which had fell from the coconut tree together with those dried coconut husks. And its REALLY ALOT. While I panickly complaining and thinking about what to do, glad brother returned in time and he cooly used the newpaper to sweep off the ants from the mat and I follow suit. Then I realised that when crisis occurs, I can actually overcome my fear for these crawlies well (only for that moment).

A beautiful day out for picnic becomes me, cautionly looking out for ants. Sweeping off any of it if I spot it crawling on my beloved tent which was my only shelter and kill those big red ones because I NEED TO PROTECT MY SHELTER TO BE ANTS FREEE. Dad looked on and laughed at me say that I will spend my day there sweeping ants and thats all I will do for the whole day.

The worst is yet to come. Thunder heard. Then we thought we should BBQ the food and bring them into the tent so that even if it rains, we could hide inside with the nice foood....

We shifted the tents closer and used the thin mats to cover the top of the tents. So dad started the fire. I was bbq-ing the prawns half way and it started to rain.....heavily. Thank goodness we have brought in most of our belongings into the tents but then! rain water started to seep into the bigger tent. It was a funny sight when mum screaming, and using rags to soak the rain water, and passing it to me who was standing outside the tents, to squeeze the rain water out from those rags. Dad and me and bro was outside the tents with umbrellas, discussing about how we could invent better and bigger tents next time. After about almost half an hour passed. I decided to give command and relent that we should head home...

We continued our BBQ at home and enjoyed our food as much and with more comfort. At least even if there are ants, I have insectides at home, when it rains, I have ceiling above my head. AND THERE WILL NEVER BE DRIED COCONUT HUSKS FALLING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!!!

A family outing went wrong however all the wrongs did not cloud our spirits at all. We still have our fair share of laughters about the weather and our bad luck. Well! There will always be another time with better preparations and tents!

HOME SWEET HOME......Baby....miss you....glad you missed this outing and is at UAE now else you would be laughing at me...but I know you will still do while reading this post. :P

(All set to go!)




(We reached!)



(Goodies! Before the coconut husk fell)



(Could you spot the stranger whom sat infront of my mum (in red) whom we impolitely intruded her privacy by setting our tents next to her and shared her personal space without even asking?!)

(MUM's curry!)

(Happily hiding in the tent and enjoying the breeze. Before the disaster coconut fell)

(Dad and Mum riding off while I bid goodbye behind...they cant be bothered with me!@$%$#%^)

(Quick! Lets bbq all the food before the rain comes!)

(The group of burmist dancing and not shaken nor affected by the heavy rain at all)

(Bro who squeezed into my running tee when he when topless after the rain...)

(And the worst insect bite (maybe its BIG RED ANT) on my finger! Can you see the lighter white spot and the bruise surrounding it?)

The Osim Triathlon

It was a great experience yet again, Baby has given to me. I went to support him at the Osim Triathlon. Although I supported him last year, but I only arrived after he finished the whole event. It was quite a disappointment for him and me cos I could not witness and experience with him during his first triathlon due to the fact that I was not familiar with the change venue at time.

Nevertheless, this time, the event that was held at East Coast Park, was a much an easy place to locate and I am glad I reached there before his race start. The first challenge was to swim in the open sea for 2 rounds, 1.5k in total. Standing under the scorching sun for hours is no fun. I hid under the shade and return back to the shore to capture his moments when he returned back to the shore and into the water again for his second round of swim but mostly was under the sun because I don’t know when he will return back to shore and didn’t want to miss taking pictures of his moments.

Among us supporters, I saw touching moments, a participant gave a kiss to his wife before jumping back into the sea again to complete his second round. Another female supporter wrote “Go RUFUS! GO!” on a board and wave for her bf’s attention when he emerged from the water. Some others were shouting some encouraging words to their loves ones. Then I saw one participant who ran to the transition point after his first round and returned back to the shore, scolding the helpers for giving wrong instructions while jumping back into the water to complete his last round of swim. I stood and waited with anticipation for Baby to complete his swim and witness him swimming against the strong current. Although he was making efforts to swim with every stroke, but he seems to stay put at the same spot. I watched as he made his turn safely and until he is far until I can’t see his blue cap before I hid in the shade again.

Then I saw him completing his last round of swim, running back to the transition point, grab his bike and cycle the 40km. I wasn’t that worried at this point anymore because the toughest among the three (Swimming, Cycling and Running) was over.

There I was transit myself also to the “Bike in” point, hoping to catch his moments again. He safely returned and completed his cycling stage and made his way to start his 10k run. I transited myself also, waiting at the finishing point for him. At the finishing point, I saw helpers busy putting on the finisher medals on the participants, making a mark on their bib, removing the time chips. I saw supporters shouting and clapping for their friends, I saw a father greeting his kids and wife while his kids were shouting “Daddy! Daddy!” and the Daddy gave a cool “Hi!” to his kids.

I saw some participants about to collapse. I saw some who never forget to raise both their hands into the sky when they reached the finishing point so that the camera could catch their glorious moment.

I finally saw Baby safely completed his run and really really glad the whole event is over. We had some food, took a long stroll before collapsing in the cab on our way home…..

(Starting soon!)

(Pinky caps..how cute!)

(Baby rushing into the water!)

(Swimming..swimming....)

(Completed his cycling)

(Returning back after his long run)

(And my badly burnt arms.....)

My first and last with Desaru

Had a nice gathering with my childhood friends before heading off to Desaru with baby. Ginnise, Moon and I had great time catching up and it has been so long since we last met up.

This time, Jelaine and Javern came along and I had a fun time playing with Jelaine. I am usually "not so popular" with children because of my cold and distant nature and partly because I become helpless when I face them but glad Jelaine was willing to give me the chance to get close with her and we eventually had countless rounds of paper scissors stones (Opps! I mean, scissors paper stone) and having her rewarding me with her sweet sweets.

Baby was waiting with a stalk of rose and surprised me. The rose was strong and sturdy, with a healthy thick stalk and big petals. As we are approaching Desaru, we realised the rose was blooming...bigger and bigger.

We were so looking forward to this trip but were a little pissed off (esp me) with the series of events that had occurred during our stay. Below are my "reviews" and reasons why Desaru should be strike off from our traveling destination list, even if it’s a short getaway:

Point 1) Changi Ferry Terminal
There is no nearby bus stop. You have to take a cab to the terminal. There is no food, only a vending machine that is dispensing can drinks. No aircon. The ticket staff is a BIG TURN OFF with her gloomy depressing and expressionless look. We were filling up our arrival and departure cards when she told (it sounded more like chasing) us to the empty counter there to write. There were no other awaiting passengers behind us at all. But she chose to chase us to an empty counter a few steps away from her. Ok! Small case.

Point 2) Bumpy Coaster Ride
Upon reaching the other ferry terminal, a van picked us up to send us to the resort, Pulai. The ride was fast (as expected), bumpy (not so expected) and scary. If you were another 2cm taller, your head would have hit the roof and hit hit hit again after and after each bumps on the road. Anyone with spinal problem (or degeneration disc) would have his/her spine squashed into pieces, because the driver will not slow down and would travel at the same speed even if there are a few continuous bumps ahead. If the vehicle ahead is traveling slower, he will overtake quickly from the right and the risk of bumping the opp vehicles.

Point 3) Weather
THIS IS A BIG TURN OFF WITH NO ONE TO BE BLAMED. IT WAS RAINING, RAINING AND STILL RAINING…

Point 4) The room
Pulai Desaru has a very very nice website picture showing the resort amenities. But the actual one, was almost like the ancient look of what we have saw in the web. There was a smell when you open the room door. No I don’t mean aroma smell but a kind of stale smell. The room is very spacious, with a pathetic one metre width-sized woredrobe. I was looking for bedroom slippers and am surprised to see NONE. We called to request for it and I was SHOCKED to hear "we don't provide".

Point 5) The toilet
Rusty ceiling, stale smell. Hmmmm not that bad actually because though it’s old, it’s clean.

Point 6) Flies Flies…
Well! Because of the rain, there were countless flying ants all over the place. Even as you are walking along the corridors, it will be good to keep a look out of those flies while you are happily walking. In order to keep those flying ants away, it will be good to keep a compact camera sponge casing with you and “piak” the ants away before it lands on your shoulder, hair or in your mouth. Do it like you are in a badminton game. Fast and swift action.

The next morning, we thought we could walked out to the beach from the balcony, but to my shock, I screamed and jumped back into the room after seeing a lot of broken wings and dying ants on the balcony..and it’s really A LOT.. covering the edges, all over the floor, the sides were all covered with these ants. We closed back the sliding doors.

Point 7) One and only restaurant
Food that are not worth the price esp the 'cream of chicken and mushroom" which turns out to be mee soto's soup base with some chicken skins. A bowl of soup like this cost RM12. The only thing worth eating is their main course which I feel, still a reasonable price to pay for, taking into consideration that resorts are by default, out to earn and knock every cents from the tourist's pocket.

Point 8) NO TOOTHBRUSH
HOW CAN THAT BE? Yes, it’s true. They say they DON'T PROVIDE. Perhaps that’s because ppl there do not have the culture of brushing their teeth. The only place that provides toothbrush and paste is the small and badly lit souvenir store in the resort which OPENS AT 9AM. And the morning breakfast will be ending at 10AM. So meaning to say, either you wait till the store opens at 9am, brush your teeth and head to have our bfast or, eat your bfast with your sinko breath before brushing your teeth. I should have read this review before packing our bags (see this).

Point 9) The stuffy ferry
While we thought we could happily wave bye bye to Desaru Pulai without looking back, another disaster strike on us. Apparently , the aircon was not working at all. I believe that it could have happened quite often because there were fans installed, implying that “in case if the air con is not working, there are still fans”. Why would they install fans when there is aircon in the ferry, correct?! So I thought, it’s all a scam!

"That’s it”. Once the door is closed, we are all going to die in the ferry, die of suffocation when we reach Singapore" I felt like an illegal immigrant, hiding in the ferry among others, trapped in the ferry for hours. I couldn’t withstand it and decided to stand on the upper deck, never mind having to stand throughout the journey. The sea breeze made me felt I am alive. Never mind the Ah Nxhs walking up and down stairs....nothing matters more than the fresh sea breeze blowing on our faces.

Am so glad to be back in the arms of our home town yet again and swear we will never return back to Desaru aka Disaster ever again. Nevertheless, we took some nice pictures to remind ourselves that we still have each other's accompany despite the bad experiences. Opps! Forgot to mention about the long worm wriggling next to my feet while I was bathing…..bye bye wormy!

'Auntie Mary" (centred) taking picture with us

Javern's meal time!


Look over here!

Jelaine (aka Auntie Mary) feeling bored..

Striking a nice one for me!

On board heading towards our disaster discovery trip!

The after rain effect of Desaru Beach. Not that bad after all..:)

Mini zoo?! yahoo!

<----This is the mini zoo..... what the.......!
Another beautiful side of Desaru..with photoshop editing of cos..

The vintage effect of the beach