Vēnī, vīdī, vīcī

The Beggar's Bowl.

2012-02-17T00:42:00.003+08:00

Yes. The Above picture I post is a beggar's bowl. I found these items at Brunei's Museum. There's a story for these Beggar's Bowl.

Once upon a time, there is an King who met a beggar. He asked the beggar, : " What do you want?"

The beggar laughed and said. " You are asking me as if you can granted all my desire!"

The King felt offended and he said, " Of course I can. What do you want? Tell me and I will fulfil your wish."

The beggar said, " Are you sure? Is this a promise?"

The King insisted, " Yes I promise to fulfil all your desire."

The beggar then said: " Ok, you see this beggar bowl? My simple desire is for you to fill in something."

The King thought he heard wrong and ask again: " That's it?" The beggar nodded his head. So the King called upon his minister to fill the beggar's bowl with coins but no matter how many bags of gold coin the minister pour in the bowl will never be full.

Soon the King ask the minister to pour in more pearls, diamonds and the kingdom's treasures but the beggar's bowl was still empty and seemed to be bottomless.

The King felt defeated and beg the beggar to leave and before the beggar left the King asked out of curiosity, " What is the beggar bowl made of?"

The beggar laughed and said: " It is made up of human's desire - human's mind."

This understanding transforms life.

Look at all our desire. What is the influence of our desire to us? Thrill, excitement and feels great when yiu get something that you want. First a car, then a house, a family, more cars, bigger house then second family ( perhaps) and suddenly all this become meaningless. Why?

This is because the human's mind are playing. When the desire is filled, the car, the house, the miney in the bank, all the excitement will be gone. Thus, the emptiness in our heart will start to eat us up and we will start to look for something else to fill it again. In the end we become our own beggar and from desire we give ourselves frustration.

Hence live in a simple life is the most happy thing. We cannot get all of what we desire but I am sure that God will make sure we get what we deserve.

Xoxox

Venie

Admire More than Desire.

2012-01-31T19:34:00.002+08:00

"We invite you to listen to your desires and to renew your hope to see the world not as it is, but as it could be. Go ahead, wish. It’s what makes the holidays the holidays.” - Starbucks.

These few days the most frequent question people ask me is : "Brunei is so bored and not much entertainment, how can Brunei people survive these kind of life style?" I replied: " Brunei people live in a very simple life and most of the people are very happy because they admire more than desire hence they always get what they deserve."

When you get some, you want more. When you get more you desire even more. But when you lose it all, you will realise that "some" is enough....

1st day of CNY 2012

2012-01-23T17:56:00.000+08:00

Let's guess the first person I take photo on the 1st day of 2012 is who???!!!

The Emperor of the Empire Hotel. :D This picture surely look funny and weird. Hahaha! Anyway, I will continue my work until the 5th day of Chinese New year. I will Gambateh! I hope all my readers will do the same :)

When you smile the whole world smiles with you. I am smiling now, so if you are wearing a frown...... Just turn your body upside down!! :D

“If you're reading this...
Congratulations, you're alive.
If that's not something to smile about,
then I don't know what is.”

― Chad Sugg, Monsters Under Your Head

Xoxox

Venie

Happy Chinese New year 2012

2012-01-22T23:52:00.003+08:00

I have just finish all my work and this is the first time I celebrate Chinese new year at my own home.Bryan was asleep now because he is too sleepy while Aple is still waiting for her dad to play the fire crackers. Me? I wanna sleep already but still have to wait after 12 midnight because I hope that my parents and my Mother in law will live longer and healthier.

新的一年到來祝福所有朋友事事順心~♥
心情=╔══╗╔════╗
財源=║╔╗║╚═╗╔═╝
人氣=║╚╝║╔═╝╚═╗
智慧=║╔╗║╚═╗╔═╝
健康=║╚╝║╔═╝╚═╗
幸福=╚══╝╚════╝
＊◎快樂★甜蜜★溫馨★美麗★平安★健康★

Anyway to everyone in my life, let's forget the bad and remember the good. Chinese new year is around the corner, let's make it one of the best yet.... Here's to the Dragon year 2012 :D

Xoxox

Venie and Family

Welcome to Brunei Darussalam

2012-01-19T14:50:00.000+08:00

I have been saying about the new change in my life last year.

Tada~ <3

I am officially a tour guide. So no Happy Chinese New year for me this year because I will start to bring local tour on the 22nd this month until 27th. Now I feel kind of regret because I will miss out all the fun of celebrating the Chinese New year. *sob* But then this year the kids will start their class on the 3rd day of Chinese new year, so no long holidays this year. Plus this year's CNY come too fast. No one is in the mood and don't have the strong feeling like last year. So, like what Crystal said to me : " Think of the $MONEY$ as motivation."

Money, Money, Money.

p/s: Never design your character like a garden where anyone can walk. Design your character like the sky where everyone desire to reach~ ♥

Warning: ~ 31/12/2011

2011-12-31T23:32:00.001+08:00

Warning: ~
Do not go into the toilet at 23:59 on the 31/12/11
you will come out next year.....
LOL!!! Happy New year to All ♥ ♥ ♥

2011-12-26T08:04:00.000+08:00

This video is so cute. I hope you all enjoy =)

Too many things I would like to share but too tired these days. Maybe Later~

Happy Holiday to All!

2011-12-19T22:57:00.002+08:00

It's been along time since I update my blog. I got a new change in my life and I hope it'll be a good one. I'll update it once a while and as soon as i confirm the new change. Happy Holiday seasons to all. =)

In case I am not back for X'mas, Here I wish my readers a Happy advance Christmas 2011 ^^,

The land of Bomb

2011-11-23T09:49:00.001+08:00

Laos: Picture from Google

Recently I saw a documentary at Astro about the life in Laos. It is said that in between 1964 and 1973 America waged a secret war and rained down millions of bomb by which a30% of it failed to detonate. And now 38 years later after the end of Vietnam war a lot of Laotians was killed and many are injured by the unexploded ordnance ( UXO). So that is why clear ground de-mining is a must do everyday in Laos. Other than that they also have to give the innocent children in Laos a lecture about the risk of playing with the unexploded bomb.

Source: Laos: the enduring threat from cluster munitions

Souce:

Cluster bombs dropped by US troops in Laos during the Vietnam War continue to kill and maim -- and it's children who are most at risk

Just look at the face of those innocent children make me want to cry. They have done nothing to deserve all these yet because of some stupid adults decision long time ago that make them have to suffer now. However my hope and prayers will be always be with them.

For those stupid people who decided to sent a bomb next time I hope that u just sent it to the house of your enemies instead. If you still cannot agree with each other then come out and fight like WWE. Make an Effort Not an Excuse!

Give me five!

2011-11-23T09:45:00.001+08:00

I do come with a warning label: May cause, laughing, crying, anger and fun. Do not take if you have allergic reactions to the truth.

From Pau to Donut

2011-11-22T15:27:00.001+08:00

One morning Bryan play with his breakfast - pandan pau. He said: " Mommy, look! Donut!!!" Then I saw his pau had a hole in the middle. Apparently he use his little finger to poke his pau and he had eaten the fillings. I really don't know if I should laugh or cried so I smile to him and said: " Ok, That's a lovely donut, let's finish it." Then Bryan said: " Mommy, I can't finish it." I said: " Nope, you are gonna to finish it or I'll spank you." After a long while Bryan still holding that "donut" he made so, I gave up and asked him to leave it on the plate and go take a bath. Later that night the donut disappear. Someone had ate it and I am glad that person enjoy Bryan's "donut". =P

This week Aple no need to go to school any more, so Bryan had to go to school alone. He was confused that why he still had to go to school and he hate it so much! The first day of this week I trick him to bring along his friend "Elmo" to school and promise him with ice - cream and shopping later on. Today he still ask me why his sister no need to go to school while he had to. I explain to him again and tell him that his sister had finish K3 already and that is why. I know Bryan really don't like to go to school because he finds it boring but then he still go to school unwillingly with tears on his cheeks. No shouting or throwing tantrum but only tears. My hubby saw this and promised Bryan to bring him watch Happy Feet2 later. Then Bryan smile and ask me happily " Is sister going too?" I said yes. Bryan ask again: " Are grandma and cousins going too?" I said yes. Bryan ask again " Mommy, are you joining us too?" I pretend to frown and teased him : " No, I am not going 'cos no one ask me." Bryan giggle and said: " Noooooo~ You must go!" I laughed, wipe his tear off his face and kiss his cheeks. I am glad that Bryan is finally in a good mood again.

I have try to tell him many times that going school is good and fun for him and I hope that he one day will understand the meaning of going to school and will love it.

I'm going to bring him back from school now and I had a nice surprise waiting for him

Cheers and Have a nice day! =)
Venie

P/s: Tomorrow is the last day to school and I hope I will have some new idea to make Bryan to go to school then...

Dear Child, Did you cry today? -亲爱的小孩

2011-11-21T10:11:00.001+08:00

Last night I sang a song to Bryan: "Dear Child, Did you cry today?" ( 小小的小孩今天有没有哭?)
And Bryan sang back : "Yes, Mummy~ I cry today~" ( 有 ~ 今天我有哭~)
Then I sang again "Is it because I beat you buttock" ( 是否妈咪打你的屁股~? )
Then Bryan nodded and sang back: " Yes, Mummy~ u beat my buttock"( 是的~ 妈咪打我的屁股~!!! )

亲爱的小孩 - 杨培安

小小的小孩今天有没有哭
转是否朋友都已经离去
自留下了带不走的孤独
音（歌词转自音魁网 www.inkui.com）
魁漂亮的小孩今天有没有哭
网是否弄脏了美丽的衣服
ｉ却找不到别人倾诉
ｎ（歌词转自音魁网 www.inkui.com）
ｋ聪明的小孩今天有没有哭
ｕ是否遗失了心爱的礼物
ｉ在风中寻找从清晨到日暮
· （歌词转自音魁网 www.inkui.com）
ｃ我亲爱的小孩
ｏ为什么你不让我看清楚
ｍ是否让风吹熄了蜡烛
　在黑暗中独自漫步
　亲爱的小孩快快擦干你的泪珠
　我愿意陪伴你走上回家的路
　（歌词转自音魁网 www.inkui.com）
　亲爱的小孩今天有没有哭
　是否朋友都已经离去
　留下了带不走的孤独
　
　小小的小孩今天有没有哭

转是否朋友都已经离去
自留下了带不走的孤独
音（歌词转自音魁网 www.inkui.com）
魁漂亮的小孩今天有没有哭
网是否弄脏了美丽的衣服
ｉ却找不到别人倾诉
ｎ（歌词转自音魁网 www.inkui.com）
ｋ聪明的小孩今天有没有哭
ｕ是否遗失了心爱的礼物
ｉ在风中寻找从清晨到日暮
· （歌词转自音魁网 www.inkui.com）
ｃ我亲爱的小孩
ｏ为什么你不让我看清楚
ｍ是否让风吹熄了蜡烛
　在黑暗中独自漫步
　亲爱的小孩快快擦干你的泪珠
　我愿意陪伴你走上回家的路
　（歌词转自音魁网 www.inkui.com）
　亲爱的小孩今天有没有哭
　是否朋友都已经离去
　留下了带不走的孤独
　亲爱的小孩今天有没有哭
　是否遗失了心爱的礼物
　在风中寻找从清晨到日暮

Bryan's Advance Birthday in Kindergarten

2011-11-21T09:28:00.001+08:00

Recently there's a lot of birthday celebration in the school. One day Bryan said he want to celebrate his birthday too. Since his birthday is in December so we decided to let him celebrate his birthday before the school holiday begins. Bryan requested for a Ben10 cake which is very unusual because we know that he only loves Thomas the Train and Chuggington. We think maybe because Ben10 might be the latest trend now in the school and that is why he will ask for it.

Aple's Graduation Day

2011-11-20T08:38:00.001+08:00

The moment we had been waiting~

Darussalam Hall

Most of the parents came as early as possible to get a good sitting while some came at the last minute. They also try to get a Good sitting at the "Teacher's Section." And when the scout and the teacher went and invite them to sit somewhere else they refuse to go. I really hate this kind of irresponsible people. What if everyone think the same and all sit at other people's sit?

Aple's Cheer leading Performance

The pompom gal~

~The End~

Worry about her new teachers....

Will she able to catch up if her teachers speak different language?

It's not the end yet 'cos there will be Part II in another 6 yrs....

So, it should be To be Continue...

Venie~

Who is fatter?

2011-11-10T20:55:00.001+08:00

Last nite when I was waiting for my food, and felt bored while waiting I ask my gal Aple a question when a fat lady who past by us.
" Who is fatter? She or me?"
Aple replied: "Her la..."
After that I point at a slimmer lady and ask Aple again: " Who is fatter? She or me?"
Aple blushed and said cheekily :" Her la..."
I giggle and said: " You lied!!!" But inside my heart I was so happy. :P
Then I ask Aple again: " Between you and I, who is fatter."
Aple replied: " Both of us are slim." .
I said: " NO......!!!! You are Fatter!!!"
I laugh out loud and Aple said playfully: " You lied!" and squeeze my hand.
Both of us had a good laugh.

One of the reason why sometimes we look slim and sometimes we look fat is because of the way we dress.

Sometime for the sake of health, we need to control ourselves not to intake so many junkies.

My mother in law always said that my kids' eyes are hungry, not the stomach.

Yes... We should never compare our life to other's and also compare the size of our bodies to other's...

You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins

Have a Nice Day & like what Uncle Lee always say to me : " keep a music in ur heart! "

Venie ~

Aple finally graduate

2011-11-08T22:57:00.001+08:00

Aple wrote: Time flies, I am going to graduate soon.

I wonder if she really know the meaning of Time Flies? But I really understand what she mean time flies, Sigh... So fast my gal is going to be Primary one next year. I don't know if she is going to miss her teacher or not but I am sure I will because her class teacher are the nicest teacher I have seen so far.

This Sunday will be her graduation day and the ceremony start at 7.30am. Aple is so used to her afternoon class, I wonder will she be able to wake up so early in the morning & Bryan too... Hahaha!

The secret to happiness

Don't use this door...

Have a nice day!
Venie

Bandar Seri Begawan's first sister city - Nanking

2011-11-07T21:44:00.001+08:00

Source : http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2011/11/05/nanjing-bandar-seri-begawan-become-sister-cities

Recently I was very addicted to the HK TVseries about the History of China and especially I just finish watching the story of Hong Wu 32 (洪武三十二) I really wish that I can watch what is exactly happen to the Empire of Brunei just like the TV series.

Checking the Brunei Sultan's family tree is making me headache...
It's something worst than Donald Duck Family tree

Hm.... I wonder where is Daisy Duck?

A mother’s advice

2011-11-05T23:13:00.003+08:00

Oh Sugar sugar~

2011-11-04T17:12:00.000+08:00

I remember when I was a kid, my favourite biscuit is this:

The icing sugar swirl on top of the tiny biscuit

I will bite off the biscuit first and save the icing sugar for the last. I will let the sugar melt in my mouth and let the taste of the sugar remain. Ah... the nostalgia of this tiny biscuits for sure bring back a lot of good memories to me.

Look what I found today?

Aren't they cute?!

It's a handmade candy that I found at the superstore. The taste of the candy sugar is exactly like the icing sugar which swirl on top of the tiny biscuit except for that there's no biscuit but only candy.

The Candy Monster.....

The kids love this candy so much but after taking 2 pieces I find it too sweet.... and I still cannot resist it!

I can't get this song out of my head now. Let's sing it LOUD:

Barry White's Just the way you are~

~ A wise woman puts a grain of sugar into everything she says to a man, and takes a grain of salt with everything he says to her. ~
Helen Rowland

Have a Sweet weekend ahead~ <3

~Venie~

The Versatile Blogger Award

2011-11-03T13:44:00.000+08:00

I'm so surprise to receive The Versatile blogger Award by Matt. Thank you so much for this honor! If any of my readers love fish pls hop on to Matt's Blog : http://coloradocastersblog.blogspot.com/ With this award I think I should not be lazy and try to update my blog as often as possible =) ( Yes, there's really a smile on my face now )

Definitely not like this:

Ok, Back to Versatile Blogger Award .
The rules for the Versatile Blogger Award are as follow:
1. Post ur acceptance of the reward on ur blog and link back to the person that gave you.
2. Tell 10 things about urself.
3.Nominate 7 Versatile blogs and let them know that you have award them.

10 Things About Me:

1. I am a BBC, Brunei Born Chinese and I am proud of it!

2. I Google almost everything from head to toe.

3. My enthusiasm sometime can make me a Nosey Parker.

4. I have two things on my lips. " Smile and Silence". Smile to solve the problem and silence to avoid the problem. Yes, sometime I even smile to the thin air....

5. I wish that when I open up my fortune cookie today, it will said: " Eat what ever you want, you are already FAT!"

6. I don't have a big house, a brand new car, or many money but I have an amazing family and good friends from all over the world who give me memories that will last forever.

7. They say that talking to yourself is a sign of mental illness, so I talk to my kids instead, no matter they understand or not.

8. Sometime when I am over excited I will tend to be very nervous. ( I am so excited about this award I am biting my finger nail now.... Hie hie hie)

9. I cannot pay attention on one thing at one time. I am now blogging, playing online games and listen to my favourite TV series and hearing what my kids play. ( No, Not typo error, I use my ears to listen to the TV series because I use my eyes to watch what I am typing now )

10. I sometime wish that I am an octopus so that I can play on-line games, ironing uniform and picking up the kid's toys at the same time.

7 + 5 Versatile blogs

1. http://sheohyan.blogspot.com/
Sheoh Yan is a very talented mummy. She blog about her kids and foods. Sometime she gives me idea what to feed my kids.

2. http://chumsyashley.info/
Little Chumsy is creative too. She knows how to creates simple handmade items.

3. http://mnhldiary.blogspot.com/
MnHL is a mother who blogs about her two lovely kids and she share her ideas of foods and her kids too.

4. http://stuffsammisays.blogspot.com/
I just love what Sammi says. She is so cute and adorable.

5. http://moonlightnightsstarryskies.blogspot.com/
Uncle Lee's blog is sentimental and romantic. So if you want to read his blog, pls get ready with ur tissue paper for tears and laughter.

6. http://www.smallkucing.com/
Small Kucing introduce all the fine food around Malaysia. reading what this small kitten eats always make me hungry.

7. http://hayleyong84.blogspot.com/
Hayley blog about everything she had in her mind and about her life. She always give positive energy in her blog.

8. http://igloo-yuinting.blogspot.com/
I am new to Yuinting's blog but what I love about her blog is because she had some fantastic idea for arts.

9. http://yvonnetanyh.blogspot.com/
I love this Mummy. She blogs about news, fashion and bla bla bla... LOL!

10. http://coffee-country-talk.blogspot.com/
Coffee girl is sometime very funny with her blog and I love her "coffee" idea... No she don blog coffee, she blog about life.

11. http://www.bestoodles.com/
BestOodles, the gal who teach me how to cook my 1st braised Pig legs

12. http://mymilktoof.blogspot.com/
I love the tooth that talk!

Ok~ I'm done!

Have a nice day =)

Venie

When my mum call

2011-11-02T10:42:00.001+08:00

When my mum call, something like that happen. But she is asking me about why her DVD player only play one song. Then I found out that because she did not click PLAY so it will only stuck with the menu's song.

I remember once I shock my dad when I told him to use the "mouse" to click on his computer.

Last Sunday of Oct 2011

2011-10-31T15:09:00.001+08:00

Sunday is our family day... To the park we go~

Catch me if u can~

Taman Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah

Time to go home....

Children are never mistake but a surprise gifts that you can't wait to open and didn't know that you wanted until u hold them in ur arms.

Grown-ups vs. Kids: How We See the World

Have a nice day~

Venie

Croc, Child and Escalator

2011-10-29T15:57:00.003+08:00

Picture contribute by Kimchi aka Icarus.

Everyone is blaming on the deadly Croc or None croc shoes when something like this happen. But I think this is the parents' responsibility. Those people paint the caution lines for a reason! The parents should observe the Warning Sign!

Not all young children know how to read those warning sign. Children are naturally curious and too many parents do not realise that escalators will cause tragic accident.

That is why parents or any adult should have the responsible to tell the the children that any clothes or shoelaces may get caught in the escalator.

Yes, some people will do that too...

This is so sad that there's still many people eager to jump on blaming Crocs while they should blame themselves for inattentive parenting. Next time just use lifts or stair case.

But some escalators are too cute and are irresistible...

But no matter what, use for ur own risk.

Have a nice day!
Venie~ =)

Piano

2011-10-26T22:02:00.000+08:00

When I was young I had some piano lesson before. One day my piano teacher asked me: " Who ask you to learn piano?" I answer: " My dad". Then after that my dad was so mad that he make me quitted my piano lesson. I really don't know what the teacher told my dad that make him so mad. She probably thought that I meant my dad force me to take piano lesson. After that the piano at my house was left unattended for many years.

When Aple agrees to learn how to play piano, the whole family was very excited because we never had a pianist in our family before. ( Although I almost become one =P ) I kept telling my husband that we will give Aple a try, if she is not talented and not interested after a few months then I will not force her. So in between I try to motivate Aple and discuss with Aple's teacher and to see what's her progress and we found out that Aple is a fast learner and she did very well.

One day my dad came to our house then he saw the musical keyboard and he teased me:

" If you did not tell your teacher that I let you have the piano lesson, you should be a Pianist right now."

I replied: " Dad, she was asking me who let me to take piano lesson and I reply that it's my dad and I don't think there's something wrong with the answer. If she asked me if i was interested to learn piano, I will replied YES!" I continued again: " Hence at that time the teacher taught me boring and silly song, I was 12 at that time. You see what Aple learn now? She knows how to play Rain rain go away, Old McDonald have a farm and Long Long ago."

My dad kept quiet.

However I will never blame my parents for anything because why do I hate my parents when I know that they will be there for me and one day when they are gone, I will cry my heart out. That's why I cherish them now.

Dramatic Reading

2011-10-25T20:07:00.000+08:00

Jenny: Debra! you are crying!!! Who's the idiot who brought you tears?
Debra: Joan!!! She was so mean to me.

Jenny: Why? I thought you two are good friends!
Debra: She said I was a snob and two faced as well!

Jenny: Joan said that to your face?
Debra: Not really! Amy said Veron heard from Madeline that Joan said that to her!

Jenny: Good grief, girl! You are talking about IDLE RUMOURS!
Debra: Where there's smoke there's fire! I never thought Joan would do this to me. She is spoiling my reputation!

Jenny: Nonsense! No one will believe that slander!

Later when Jenny met Joan....

Jenny: Are you mad at Debra?
Joan: Of course I am!! She's been telling everyone that I 'm a snob!

Jenny: Who says that?
Joan: Danny told me he got it from Kathy who said Madeline heard it from Debra herself. How dare that little sassy little twit badmouth me?

Jenny: Arghhhhh!!! don't you girls have any common sense? The common denominator in these rumours seems to be Madeline.

When Jenny and Joan arrive at the Ice - cream house they saw Madeline...

Jenny: How about the war between Jessica and Kathy, Madeline?
Madeline: Wow!! wasn't that something?

After that Madeline run away in a hurry...

Joan: What war?
Jenny: There's none. Give Madeline a little time to give it her " Dramatic Reading"!

Sometime later Jenny and Joan met their friends - Amy and Veron.
Amy: Well, it's been a long time coming
Veron: Right! That little pot's been bubbling for years!

Jenny: What's that? What are you talking about?
Amy: Danny!! The way he broke up the life long friendship! Jessica and and Kathy's jealousy over Danny finally exploded! They'll never talk to each other again!
Veron: Madeline was there!! She heard the whole thing!

When Amy and Veron left, Joan said to Jenny:
Joan: Jenny! You didn't say that!!
Jenny: See what I mean? Madeline always has to give everything a Dramatic Reading!

Joan: Dramatic my foot! That was an outright lie!

Debra: You mean Madeline? ...
Jenny: She has to juice up every remark she hears! That's what gossip leads to!

Debra hugging Joan

Debra: Joan!!! I'm so sorry!!!
Joan: Me too!! I should have known you wouldn't say anything mean to me!