What does a promise mean to you?

 What does a promise mean to you?
It can be as light as a feather, or as weight as a mountain.
A broken promise is like an overdue cheque, not only it's regretted, but the issuer would lose two important things in life - credence and respect from others.
Don't simply give a promise without knowing whether you could keep it, never lose your goodwill simply because of your impulse!

诺言，对你来说，代表着什么？
诺言，可以是一诺千金；也可以是信口开河。
没有被兑现的诺言，就像是一张逾期的支票；不但让人感觉惋惜，也让发票者失去很重要的 ～ 信用与尊重。
如果没有把握可以兑现诺言，就别轻易许下，别因为一时的冲动，而将人生最重要的信誉给丢了！

Appreciate life, you will never get a second chance!

     Yesterday, a sad news was broadcasted over the TV, a girl who had a heart transplant 5 years ago died due to heart failure.

     She is no stranger to us as the news of her waiting so long for a suitable heart has been reported years ago. Although she has to rely on a battery-operated artificial heart for her survival, she has always been a happy and optimistic girl. 

     I still remember how we felt happy for her when a suitable heart finally brought new light to her life 5 years ago!

     She is a real fighter and I truly respect her will to live a normal life despite her complicated condition.

     As many of the people shed a tear or two for the passing of this brave girl, another sad (or perhaps the more appropriate word is indignant) news was broadcasted on TV on the same day. A 23-year old woman flung her new born baby girl out of the window from her home on third floor, and the worst part is, the baby was still alive while her mother (I'm not sure that's the correct term to be used as she seems too cold-blooded) tossed her out from the window!

     While her ruthless act was frowned upon by everyone, I recalled couple years ago, a young boy (most probably in his 18 or 19) announced his suicide on Facebook due to relationship failure. No one has taken his posting seriously, everyone (including his family and friends) thought he was just joking, sadly, this boy took his own life jumping off a building, not long after his posting on Facebook.

     Seeing all these news, a question kept pondering in my mind: "What does life really mean to them?"

     And what does life mean to you?

     For the brave girl who long for a life which can provide her a longer chance to experience this beautiful world, to be with her loved ones; and yet, God took away her life, and all her wishes......without any negotiations.

     For the baby girl who was flung out the window, she didn't even get a chance to see how beautiful this world is; her so called "mother" crumbed her rights to live......

     For the teenage boy who ended his own life, not only he broke the hearts of his loved ones, but his act was a real mordacity to those who merely beg for a chance to be able to breathe, for example the girl who died of heart failure......

     Life is beautiful and yet fragile at the same time, for some, life could comes with hardships, but even it is, no one has the rights to take away a life, be it the life of their own, or someone else's. 

     Everyone born into this world with a purpose, and life is meant to be celebrated, not to be ended.

     At anytime, if there is a thought of hurting yourself, or ending a life, please, and please, stop for a moment and think: " Do I really want to do this? Do I have the rights to do this?"

     Life is so precious, no one has any rights to end such a precious thing; to be able to breathe, is a blessing, please remember that!

     Most importantly, appreciate life; as once you lose it, you will NEVER get a second chance!     

Be punctual, please!

     I dislike people who are not punctual.

     I even dislike more those who dislike people who are not punctual, but they themselves are not punctual.

     Get it?

     I often see people who always complain and make a big fuss when others were late, however, they themselves are always late, yet they feel it's not a big deal!

     I have no respect to these people at all!

     I'm a punctual person in life, especially when it comes to appointments with others, I always make sure I go out from home or office earlier, so I can arrive early to wait for the other party; that's my habit.

     Everybody equally has 24 hours a day, so why should we waste each others' time spending it waiting?

     It's not difficult to be punctual, you just have to put a priority to it, get ready and go to your destination a little earlier.

     Life is like a mirror, it treats you the way how you treat yourself and others; so never expect others to respect you when you couldn't even walk your talk, let alone complaining too much on what you don't even believe.

     Being punctual is a virtue, keep it up in your life and you will be well respected!

Feel grateful to wake up! 梦醒，真好！

     Last night, I had a funny dream about my sister and my niece who are 400km away from me.

     When I opened my eyes this morning, recalling the dream, I couldn't help but giggling on my bed.

     So, I picked up the phone and called my sister, "Hey sis, want some morning jokes?"

     "Sure!" she said.

     "Last night, I dreamed about......" I shared the funny dream with her over the phone.

     Then, both of us had a good laugh in the morning breeze!

     I always feel grateful about waking up in the morning, and will smile into the mirror as I dress up, telling myself: "Hey, you have woke up to another brand new day, it's gonna be an amazing day!"

     Wearing my favorite perfume to complete my dressing up, I will then begin my day in a good mood! Most of the time, my day will be smooth sailing!

     Many many years ago, I worked as a temporary teacher at a primary school while waiting for the results of my high school exam. I remembered one of my students who was then a 12-year old boy died in his dream, without any prior symptoms nor any last words; besides dying too young, the saddest part is, he didn't even get a chance to wake up and share his dreams with the people he loved.

     As I grew up, I witnessed and heard of many cases where people passing in their dreams, without getting a chance to share it, but to leave their loved ones with broken hearts.

     Because of that, I always feel grateful to be able to wake up every morning (in the voices of nature as I live close to the woods), it's even better if I had some sweet dreams the night before to be shared with my loved ones!

     Isn't that wonderful?

     Live and enjoy every moment as life is too precious to be wasted! Carpe diem!

  

真性情，做你自己！

     今天，跟一个好久不见的朋友聚餐，大概有半年没见了吧...

     他是一个帅气、性格开朗...嗯，或许我应该说性格有点“大喇喇”的男生； 他从不掩饰自己，喜怒哀乐总写在脸上； 偶尔聊得兴起，他会忘形大笑，不会在乎别人的眼光； 跟他相处，让我感觉舒服自在。

     他，就是有一种魅力，可以将自己的快乐，感染了身边的人，让四周的气氛一并融洽起来； 说真的，偶尔，我还挺羡慕他的。

     一阵子不见，他留了短胡子，整个人变得成熟稳重起来。一见我，他第一个反应就是：“你怎么瘦了？”

     啊哈，我们是太久没聚了吧？

     “你也变得成熟了耶！” 我调侃他。 他马上展开那“招牌式”的忘形大笑。

     话匣子一打开，他的真性情马上“无所遁形”； 纵使留了胡渣子，他的心里边，仍旧住着一个最真的他！

     这样，真的很棒！

     还记得，在一次的旅程中，遇上一位年轻的洋人男生， 我们一见如故，并结伴一起去旅行。在旅程中，他跟我分享他的想法，当时，我告诉他：“或许，五年后或十年后的你，就不会这么想了。”

     当时的他听了，带点负气地回答我：“为什么你一直告诉我以后的我会变得怎么样？以后的我会是怎么样，我一点都不在乎，我只知道目前的我，只想做我自己！”

     顿了顿，他望着我说：“其实，你也一样，应该做你自己，这样，才会比较快乐，不是吗？” 

     现在回想起来，我觉得他说得一点都没错。跟他一起去旅行时，我们讲了好多玩笑式的粗口，为旅程增添了不少乐趣，至今仍旧让我回味无穷。 这，也让我发掘了自己的另一面，原来，这是一个可以让我发泄，并快乐起来的管道。

     平日，基于身份、工作，以及种种的理由，人都不自觉地为自己戴上面具，将自己最真的一面隐藏起来。说我就好了，在别人眼里，我是“乖乖女”一名，行为举止都很淑女； 我想啊，如果有一天，我在人前说起粗口，地上不摔满了眼镜碎片，才怪！

     前阵子，那位洋人男生在面子书上跟我聊天，我打了个“F”字母的粗口，他笑：“哎，不是说我离开后，你就不再说粗口了吗？”

      “唉，这就是最真的我，已经回不了头了...是你教我的耶，不是吗？" 我调侃自己，也调侃他。

     “做自己最好，对吧？” 他说。 

      “ :-) ”  我回了个笑脸。

     虽然，在某些场合，我仍旧必须顾及自己的形象，但在那些熟悉我的朋友面前，我都不会掩饰自己，也不会在乎别人的眼光；那一刻，我只想做我自己！     

     有些人，基于种种理由，戴了一辈子的面具，没办法将自己最真的一面表露出来，很悲哀吧？ 我想，我是幸福的，至少，在某些地方、某些人前、某些时刻，我可以轻轻松松，做个百分百的自己，就像婴孩一样单纯！

     做自己，不容易，但也最珍贵！     

No one can resist a nice warm hug!

     I enjoy hugging others, I would hug the people around me whenever there is a chance.

     No, I'm not a hugaholic; I just like the warm feelings of hugging others and being hugged.

     Unlike the Western countries where hugging is a normal gesture,  living in the other part of the world, hugging is not something common in the society I'm living in.

     Being a Chinese growing up in a traditional family, hugging is not a common practice in my family; when it comes to love expression, we are reserved, we don't tell, but show it by action.

     However, my perception changed when I ventured out from home, to the world. 

     Seeing and experiencing hugging myself, opens up my mind; I enjoy the good feelings from hugging, be it a friendly hug, or an affectionate hug.

     Then, I started to practice it in my life, in the society I'm living in. Initially, it's kinda hard for me and also the people around me (as they are not used to it). There were some awkward and funny moments, but as time goes by and I continue to do it, wonderful things happen!


     "Can I hug you?"

      Vanessa is my close friend for more than 14 years, but I never hug her. Being Asians, we are more reserved in this; as much as I feel like giving her a hug, but I never did simply because I scared she couldn't accept it.

     One day, before we waved good bye at each other after our meet up, I had an impulse of hugging her; not wanting to hold it any longer, the question blurted out from my mouth: "Can I hug you?"

     Then, it was a good moment of silence between us, and the situation is kinda...awkward!

     "OK." she nodded her head after a while.

     So, I spread my arms and gave her a hug. It was a quick one because I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. "Good bye and take care!" I waved at her after the hug.

     On the way back, a smile blossomed on my face, for the awkward yet funny moment ~ I have just hugged my best friend, although I need to ask for her permission!

     No one can resist a nice warm hug!

     Last week, I met Vanessa again for afternoon tea.

     When we bid each other goodbye in the mall, I spread my arms, expecting to give her a hug. To my surprise, instead of hugging me, she gave me a handshake and said: "I don't think I can hug you here."

     My arms were rushed to empty, don't know how to react, then to my surprise again, she gave me a hug, "Good bye and take care," she said.

     A smile blossomed on my face again (and on hers too). 

     Not long after, I received a text message from her...Initially, I thought it would be awkward to hug you in the public, but in reality, it feels good.

     I replied... Yes, no one can resist a nice warm hug! :-)

      That was our second hug to complement our friendship of more than 14 years, the feeling? Superb! And I believe there will be more hugging for us in future.



     Mama ~ how I wish I could hug you tight, for one more time...

 
     I used to hug my mom when I was a little girl, but as I grew up, I stopped hugging her (without any reason), and the hugging disappeared between us.

     On one of my trip going back hometown, I took a good look at her and I noticed aging had left ruthless trace on her face. The fact is, I couldn't even recall when was the last time I hug my mom (most probably when I was 7 or 8). Suddenly, I felt a deep sorrow in my heart.

     "Why do I stop hugging the person I love the most in this world?"  I asked myself.

     From that day on, I told myself to hug her and show my love to her. 

     However, it was not easy since is has been close to 20 years I never hug her. So, I need to use a little tactic. How? I began by holding her hands and her shoulders, seeing her comfortable with that, I moved another step further by hugging her from the back. I continued to do that over a period of time and finally one day, I gave her a real good hug!

     To my surprise, she liked it very much as I can see the smile on her face, she even hug me back tightly. Perhaps, she has been waiting it for many years from me!

     From then on, I hugged her more and more often, I even took a step further by telling her I love her and kissed her on her cheeks. Initially, she was a bit embarrassed, but she quickly get used to it and enjoyed my love to her.
  
     The bonding between us got closer and closer until she passed away in 2009. 

     After her passing, I felt no regret as we have shared all the best moments while she is still alive.

     If you ask me what do I wish for now, I would say if there is a chance, I wish I could hug my mom for one more time...real tight...and tell her I love her!


     Time waits for no one, hug the people you love NOW! 

     
     Knowing the fact that nothing is permanent and you might lose someone you love anytime, I don't keep my feelings nowadays; I hug the people I love whenever there is a chance, I even hug my sister now (whom I never hug before). She is 15 years my senior and I always felt there is a gap between us. However, it all changed after our first hug, our bonding is getting closer now, and we feel great about it!

     Time is the most cruel thing in life, it waits for no one; if you love someone, please don't keep it, just follow your heart and express your feelings to them, better still if you could give them a hug.

     Believe me, no one can resist a nice warm hug!

      

      

The Beauty of Journey 旅程的美丽

     At a rest area along the highway

     "Come on, take some!" you passed a pack of chocolate cookies to me.

     While I was busy reaching out for the cookies, you looked at the chocolate cream (from the cookies) on your fingers; a nasty smile emerged on your face...

     Before I can react, you already rubbed the cream on the tip of my nose!

     "Ha ha ha......you didn't even dodge!" you laughed like a kid.

     I shrugged my shoulders, snappily. Then, I rubbed the cream off my nose and put it into my mouth.

     Walking under the corridor of a building

     "Look, up there!" you pointed your finger to the ceiling, there was a row of mirrors.

     I looked up, "Smile!" you said.

     * Click *

     You shot a photo with both of us looking up with sweet smiles...


     At the tickets counter of sky view deck

     "I don't like to wait for nothing, if I win, we go up; if you win, we go out," you said.

     1, 2, 3......  Rock, Paper, Scissors...... and you won.

     "We did that sometimes when we couldn't make up our mind," the sales personnel behind the counter gave us a smile.

     The magnificent night view, the fresh air, the laughter we shared; I think we have made the right decision to come up.

     

 Enjoying our dinner at a Shabu-shabu restaurant

     "Hmmm......this looks good!" you took a plate of ingredient from the conveyor.

     "This looks nice too," I took another plate.

     Soon, our table was full of different types of ingredients ready for the Shabu-shabu.

     Both of us took out our cell phones, clicking a few pics before getting our eating bugs moving.

     "Hey, wanna give the camera a baseball finger?" I teased at you.

     "Sure!" and you really gave a good one! Then, we began our dinner with a really good laugh. 

     Fantastic!

     
     Taking a night walk at the park near my apartment

     After a fulfilling dinner, you asked, "Shall we take a walk?"

     "Why not?" I said.      


     "Just be yourself, if there are people who try to mess with you, just show them that you are not afraid of them," you said.


     Almost a week after you hugged me good bye at the airport

     Whenever I passed by the places that we have shared our memories together, smiles kept emerging on my face.

     Although you were only here for few days, it was amazing to realize how much good memories we have created together!

     The beauty of the journey is, we get a chance to meet different people, experience different things together, and turn it into shared memories.

     After the journey ended, we might not recall all the faces (unless we take a picture), but the memories stay forever; and we eagerly look forward to the next journey!

      旅程，最美丽的地方，就是在途中遇上不同的人、不同的事， 一起累计记忆； 然后，再将它转变成美好的共同回忆。

     旅程结束后，或许我们根本无法将每一张脸孔给牢牢记住，但可以肯定的是，美好的记忆将长存； 然后，我们逼切地期待着，再一次的出发！ 

Put on your shoes, let's walk!

     I always enjoy walking, I will seek the opportunity to walk whenever there is a chance.

     In the morning, I normally do brisk-walking on the walkway located downstairs of my apartment; on the weekends, I will take a long walk or jog in the park, enjoying the fresh air, listening to the sounds of nature; it feels great sweating after the walk, the releasing of endorphin makes me feel happy, relax and can't hold the smiles on my face!

     Sometimes, I will choose to walk the staircase instead of taking the elevator, or to park my car at a distance away and walk to my destination.

     Living in a big city, I rely heavily on a car to move around; not that I do not want to take the public transportation and do more walking, but the crowd, the waiting time and the inconvenience really sucks!

     I do a lot of walking when I'm on holiday, last week, I accompanied a friend for a short trip to Singapore. He has never been to the country, even with the convenience of its public transportation system, we decided to take a walking tour.

     "This is where we stay, and we will walk from here, to here, then here..." he circled the destinations before we began our journey from the hotel.

     Then, there we were, embarking our journey from Little India, admiring the beautiful Indian temples and colourful life of the Indian community; 

     Buying our return coach tickets at the Golden Mile Complex located on Beach Road;

     Visiting the Malay Heritage Centre and the mosque along Beach Road;

     Witnessed the people praying at the Guan Yin Temple and Sri Krishnan Temple on Bencoolen Street;

     "Let's have our lunch here," he stopped upon seeing the local hawker centre, Kopitiam.

     "Why not?" I said.

     "Oh, I love this, it's really good!" he said while scooping the roasted pork rice into his mouth.

     With a fulfilling stomach, we continued our journey on the Waterloo Street passing by the Singapore Art Museum to Fort Canning Road;

     We spent few hours walking in the Fort Canning Park, taking pictures, talking to people on the road, sat down on a bench and exchange our stories; it was really fun!

     From there, we walked to Clarke Quay and Riverpoint View, taking a rest by the riverside;

     China Town was our next destination packed with the Chinese community;

     From China Town, we took the MRT to Harbour Front, "I wanna experience the subway in Singapore," he said.

     After Harbour Front, we took the MRT back to our hotel, freshen up ourselves for the rest of the day.

     We spent our evening at the Raffles Boulevard watching the sunset, then we walked to Marina Bay Sands, went up to the sky view deck to complete our one day walking trip; admiring the night view of Singapore from the high altitude, sharing a joke or two, making our journey an unforgettable experience!

     The map was badly torn due to the frequent folding, "Look, we f***ed up the map!" he cracked a joke in "our language"; and we ended our journey with a good laugh!

     Although, the walking trip left me with a small wound on my ankle (my new shoes 'bit' me, LOL), but there is only one word to describe the whole journey - fulfilling!

     Now, I even enjoy walking more, it allows me to slow down in my life, smiling and talking to strangers on the road; teasing and patting the dogs or cats on the streets; or simply surprised by some buildings that I never notice they were there......

     I could never get all these via driving, and the feeling? AMAZING!

     If you are not a walking person, perhaps you should try it and I'm sure it's gonna change your perception about life and the things around you!

     Come, put on your shoes and let's walk!    

...we shared memories

     "Hey, it's good to see you again!" You gave me a BIG hug at Starbucks @ LCC-T, with a BIG smile on your face.

     Like wise, I'm happy to see you again after 3 weeks.

     "Schoko-Bons?" I said with a teasing tone while we walked by the convenient store at the airport.

     "Nah, maybe later," you said as we were rushing for our coach to Singapore.

     2D1N, we took a walking trip touring the island of Singapore ~ good food, jokes and laughter, enjoying the magnificent night view......

     Then, we came back to my place at KL, for you to take some rest before flying back to your home after a 1-month long holiday.

     "Arrff, I wish I have a pack of Schoko-Bons to share it with you now!" you said upon reaching my place.

     Too bad, we forgot to buy one.

     Even without the sweet schokolade, we shared many things ~ delicious local food, fruitful conversations, stories, music, dance......

     "It was good to have you with me in Singapore, you know the place better than I do," you said.

     "Yeah, it is also good that we can share the cost," I said.

     "No, not only that; not only we shared the cost, but we shared the memories too," you said.

     Ahhhh......how wonderful is that?

     We shared the memories together. (I really like your statement)

     This afternoon, I hugged you good bye again at the same bus terminal; only this time, I wouldn't know when will I see you again. Maybe, the time that I visit your country?

     And, I start missing you already, my dear friend...^^

   

Schoko-Bons = Happiness

     "If I buy a pack of this, will you share it with me?" You picked up a pack of Kinder's Schoko-Bons and asked me.

     I nodded and a smile blossomed on your face.

     "I love chocolates!" you popped a piece of Schoko-Bons in your mouth and said to me, with a sweet smile on your face.

     Sitting on the bench at the airport waiting for the shuttle bus, sharing the chocolates (which are really SWEET), you told me: "Schoko(lade) means chocolate in German, and Bons means good in French; so it means chocolates that taste GOOD!"

     "Eating chocolates make us feel happy," I said.

     "Exactly!" you put a piece of Schoko-Bons in my hand while popped another piece into your mouth.

     "At this speed, I think all the Schoko-Bons will be gone before we even reach the terminal," I said with a smile.

     "Who cares?" you shrugged your shoulder.

     Yeah, who cares? And the Schoko-Bons ended up in my fridge for more than a week even after you left for your next vacation destination.

      "Remember to eat the last piece for me, and post it on Facebook, ok?" you said while hugging me good bye at the airport.

     "I will," I said with a chuckle. 



     .........3 weeks later.........

     Hey, I'm coming back to KL soon. Will you be free? It would be nice to chill out with you and have some more Schoko-Bons together!

     A Facebook message from you!

     Sure! Why not?

     I replied.

     And a smile blossomed on my face, for the friendship that we have shared together.

     Schoko-Bons = Happiness...How nice can that be?

     That's also the reason behind the inception of this blog ~ to give every reader a SWEET smile, a WARM hug, and lots of HAPPINESS!