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The Autumn Leaves in Singapore

2012-05-24T01:03:00.000+08:00

6.30PM on a bus, joining others who can't wait to be where they are destined to be. Most look really tired. Some are playing with their "smart" gadgets, like moi. Some are staring blankly through the windows.

2 French ladies board the bus and my ears seem to have an auditory orgasm. With my limited vocabularies, I try to pick up as many words they utter. It is not easy.

Then, the bus stops in front of the traffic light. You may have heard the saying - stop and smell the flowers, but how can one do that on the bus. One of the French lady "sort-of" does that.

"Oh, what beautiful autumn leaves."

Autumn leaves? Singapore? I think I need to go back to my French school or I need to clean my ears.

"They remind me of the chilly weather that I love."

Seriously? Is she high? I wanna know what she's drinking. French autumn wine? I was still looking up and down for the autumn leaves she was referring to.

"When the leaves change their colours and they fall onto the ground. J'adore ca."

I see only green bushes. Lady, where is it?

The friend did mumble something, I couldn't really hear. The lady continues ...

"Having such painting at home. Oh, ça c'est la classe."

Aaaaaahhhh!!! Painting!!!!!!
She is admiring this huge painting in one of the art gallery while the bus stops. I didn't even notice it though I have been passing it a few times.

Her keen observation and verbalization of the entire experience have also transported me to this autumn-ish place. I felt the chill. I felt the breeze and I even felt the "classiness" if you hang this huge painting in your bare living room. That's how powerful our mind is. What you choose to observe and pay attention to will determine your experience and imagination.

It is indeed an ordinary day with paths and routines that you experience on regular basis. But if you are able to spot just one new thing during that journey, you will see life with a totally new perspective.

Do just that! Try it! If you don't feel a tingle in your soul, you haven't paid enough attention to life. Maybe you too need to stop and stare at something. I did and I went back to Paris. :)

What Do You Need to Make You Complete?

2012-05-15T15:32:00.002+08:00

With a really heavy heart, I am saying farewell to one of my favourite TV show that I used to "mock" when my friend introduced it to me - Desperate Housewives. I am glad I didn't dismiss it just because of my ignorance. Surprisingly, this show has supplied me with tons of quotes and wisdom. I love the prologue and epilogue by Mary Alice - always, always, my favourite parts of the show. But like all good things, like most things, they all come to an end. I have to accept it.

The last episodes seem to be pretty rushed and forced at times, but what I enjoy the most are always the lessons they are trying to impart. One of the theme they brought up was Lynette's constant search of happiness and fulfillment. Being a strong woman who knows she is more than just a stay at home mom, she's a capable career woman who sacrificed for her family. She carried this discontent in her through her controlling nature. Even with a husband who truly loves her, and whom she loves too, she just never feels contented.

As usual, when the storms finally subside, when her love life and family are settled, drama has to spring out somewhere. She has a job offer which requires her to move away from the lane. As she is contemplating and justifying her decisions to Tom (her husband), he said the following:

"Lynette, I would do anything. I would go anywhere in the world if I believe it would finally make you happy. But as long as I've known you, you've always thought you needed something else to make you complete. And I'm starting to realize, nothing ever will." - Tom Scavo (Desperate Housewives - S08E23)

How many of you can relate with those phrases? I believe many of us do. Because, the number of people who think they are/have enough around us, I believe they belong to the minority. We are always seeking. We are always looking for the next thing to fill the gap. When our job is fine, we think we can improve in the relationship department. Then when we have that perfect relationship, we think we can do better financially. Then we have career, finance and relationship covered, we think we can do better spiritually. We always discover more and more holes to be filled. Will it ever stop? When will it be enough?

I was one of those people. When I was young, without realizing, I always thought I was not good enough. Then I grew up (not in height), I became more aware that I still think I am not good enough. Being in a very typical Chinese family doesn't help at times, because you were constantly being compared with others. When you were young and unsure about yourself, then others compared you, of course you will think,"Geez, they are better. I am not.". Then the search for the next best thing continued. Never enough. I kept seeing flaws everywhere.

After remembering and finally living my mom's advice, I realized I am enough. Oh, kidding me. I'm not only enough. I am awesome, like all of you are too. I love myself. I love life and life simply loves me. With such realization, all those noises on insufficiencies stopped pretty instantaneously. We all were born unique and perfect despite whatever humanly flaws we think we have, we are simply perfect spiritual beings. We forgot about that by feeding ourselves with beliefs that were passed down by others. We forgot how complete we already are.

Then we thought of seeking completeness through others, through our partners, through our possessions ... but completion doesn't come from outside. It comes from the inside and it spreads out. Not the other way round.

"...it's the day you realized that I finally have the things I need to be happy, and then you forget. So, then what happens is, instead of waking up every morning and shouting - somebody loves me - you start looking around and thinking - what do I want now? what's the next thing I need to be happy? So, you look and you look and you keep thinking you found it but nothing works and the reason why nothing works is because that hole in your heart that you try to fill is already filled. You just forgot.

Don't ever forget. Always remember how much you wanted to be loved and how much you are loved. And I think if you can do that, and it isn't easy, you will stop looking and realized you already are happy." - Lynette Scavo (Desperate Housewives - S08E23)

What a beautiful realization.An A-Ha moment that everybody should experience at least once (Once is enough to create a big impact in your life). If you think she can say that because in the fictitious land, Lynette has a husband who truly loves her. Then you are wrong, all along her husband has loved her but she forgot and couldn't see it. (And of course it's a TV shows that lasted for 8 years, they needed more dramas).

What if you don't have that special others like Tom Scavo, don't forget, you have yourself. Don't ever forget that you should love yourself first and that you should be the first and last person who loves YOU when no one else will. When you do that, completion will fall into place. Life will make sense. Relationships will flourish. The universe will love you more and bless you with more. How do I know? I am living and breathing it. I only really start loving myself completely for less than 2 months and already my life is unfolding in its magical and mystical way. (Before that I was having, as Facebook puts it as "it's complicated" kinda relationship with myself.)

To end the post, the conversation between Tom and Lynette from the last episode of Desperate Housewives summed it really well. I hope you get the message. I hope you see that what you really need to make you complete is simply to embrace the here and the now as they are. You are already complete.Nothing more. Nothing less.

Lynette: "I'm happy right here right now."
Tom: "I bet someone like that, could be happy anywhere."

Who Are You in Front of the Kids?

2012-05-09T01:24:00.000+08:00

"The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from, more than what you tell them. They don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are."
- Jim Henson

In June 2012, will mark the 14th year that I have been living far away from my parents. I simply couldn't believe how time simply flies right through you without you noticing. It felt like not so long ago, my parents came with me to Singapore to make sure I was ready for the university. It was 14 years ago, my parents left me outside the lecture theaters area as I was too occupied and rushing to join back my orientation group. It was 14 years ago when my mom kept repeating actually one of the most important advice one can ever get in life and it really took me almost 14 years to finally understand and implement that simple two words' worth of advice.

The quote above came to me just few minutes ago and I couldn't help but to reflect on what I have learned from my parents. It's so true. I could hardly remember the things they have told me though I know it's meant for my well-being. Imagine, it took me 14 years to realize how important the one and only thing my mom ever passed down to me knowing I will be away from them for long. I can't imagine how many important gems they have uttered and they simply went in from my right ear and went out through the left one. But I am always grateful for what/how my parents have always been in front of me, because that's where I learned the most.

My parents have been ...
Compassionate and Generous. I always see them helping those in needs. By frequenting their shops, by spreading the words to help their business, by asking them to keep the change, by donating some of the items knowing some family really can make good use of them.

Curious. They never stop learning. Their thirst for knowledge and making sure they are up-to-date amaze me even up until now. My mom reads anything that she can get hold on to. My dad manages to figure out how to use blackberry messenger, iPad, whatsapp, etc by humbly asking others to teach him (including the impatient me, sometimes).

Thoughtful and Prepared. Especially when we travel, whatever they bring will be like the most complete Swiss Knife of the travelers. They bring medicines just in case people fall sick in whatever way may be. They bring extra photocopies of important documents just in case the immigration may need one and we don't need to rush out to find photocopy machine. We never leave house without wet/dry tissues knowing they are not so readily available in my country, especially in the toilets.

Congruent and Consistent. This should be one of the most important essence I have drawn from them. What they say they mean. What they mean they do. This applies to both of them. When one thinks I need to be caned, the other one would really be congruently agreeing and my legs and ass would always be in trouble. Ouch

I agree fully with the quote above. We tend to learn by mimicking others. As our parents tend to be the very first people we encountered, we learn the most by mimicking them. I don't think I have graduated learning from them. Nobody will ever be. But I will be forever grateful for their existences in my life.

This doesn't mean parents should stop telling their kids what to do. They will eventually listen. Like me, some may get the important message, 14 years later. My mom, like most Asian mothers, loves to nag. But the one and only time when she gave a very clear and concise advice was before I came to Singapore and she emphasized it many more times before she went back to Indonesia after I have considered "settled down" in the hostel.

Her message was - 自愛 (Zì'ài). It means love yourself.

Every time she said that I would say,"我知道了" (I already knew). Oh, how cocky I was. I didn't know anything at all. What I meant was, I understood the definition of those words but I don't know what they really meant at all. It took me 14 years to realize. 14 years to start practicing it consciously. 14 years to have my A-Ha moment over the very simplistic two-letter word. Mom, I got it now. I don't think I am too late, but I got it now.

Sometimes, even when the master appears, the student listens, doesn't mean the student is ready. But when the student is ready consciously, his/her world expands to another realm. As adults, we really need to be more mindful and aware of who we are in front of the young ones. You really don't know what they will bring with them as they grow up.

Ringtone La La La ....

2012-04-26T17:42:00.002+08:00

Have you ever felt frustrated in choosing your ringtone?

You have the perfect song but due to the limited tools to edit the song, you have no choice but to stick with the entire song. Instead of ringing from the chorus, it will ring from the beginning. When people call you, you will always listen to the part that you don't really fancy but that's the best you could do.

Did that happen to you? It did to me.

Then, Google arrived and I managed to find free audio editing software. A few of them were only free for a while and the process was quite tedious. But I used it anyway because I loved the song so much. Guess what? Technology is moving so fast that, seriously, who can keep up with all these? With the convenience in creating apps nowadays, there's even ringtone apps to help you do this with a few clicks only! Who said life doesn't get better? Haha. In this sense, it does.

But even with the technology, sometimes, I am still lazy to do it. Ultimately, they are just ring tones ... something fancy, not necessity. And, lucky me, my favourite ringtone - What a Wonderful World (by Louis Armstrong) doesn't require any tweaking. How about yours? :)

24 Hour Caskets

2012-04-26T17:08:00.001+08:00

The title above is not a metaphor to something deep. It is literally what it means - 24 Hour Caskets. Even casket sales have taken into the virtual world and I simply can't believe it. Wow! Well, this is not McD Delivery hence it wouldn't be delivered within 30-90 minutes but from the website it's stated that they are able to deliver within 6-8 hours if transported by plane. Of course, this is only valid for locations in the USA. But still, it's amazing. Business is changing and either you keep up or you will be left behind, literally.

When it comes to this slightly morbid but important industry, do you know even that Federal Trade Commission who protects the American consumers' interest actually have a kind of funeral advice for people who are "shopping" for funeral services? This guide will assist the consumer in making better decisions such as choosing what kind of funeral is suitable, should it be cremated or buried, what you are legally required to buy, and ultimately how much all these will cost you.

Death is not a glamorous thing. But when the time really comes, there are so many earthly decisions that still need to be made. Sometimes without a concrete plan, it may leave the family in confusion and shambles, as they need to mourn but still need to be strong enough to handle all the practical matters. Guess soon or later we do need to face this matter, don't we? But for now, let's just enjoy every breath we take, we really never know when we may just need to call for McCasket one day. Happy living!

Come On! You Are More than Enough!

2012-04-22T13:34:00.001+08:00

Hello readers.

How are you doing? How has your week been?

My life has taken for a great spin especially in the last 4 weeks. For those of you who are really close to me have witnessed very clearly that my life is changing so rapidly and I haven't had the chance to stop and reflect and dissect it like a surgeon. I don't have the time to stop yet, may be next week. The torrent has been pretty rapid.

Just this week alone, I have been meeting different people every single day. Some in a big group, some I was fortunate enough to simply have the one-on-one quality time. No matter what mode it was, I was always having a blast and at every passing moments, I am grateful.

What I notice from all my encounters with people from all walks of life, putting aside their material accomplishments, putting aside their gender and status. They are really all the same. One common thread I could discern from most of them, especially if they have some kind of discontent, it tends to be caused by either:

- Their insecurity

- Their belief that they are not enough

I used to be like that. I think part of me also still feel like that, at times. But I get better as my awareness is heightened. Then again, I wonder who don't? I don't think any of us are born to feel secure all the time. I grew up being compared to my cousins, friends, etc. No wonder feeling "not enough" has been an integral part of my life. But thank God I am able to move past that. It hasn't been an easy process because imagine being "brain washed" that the ones outside you are always better.

"She has better grades, why can't you?"

"The son of who and who has better career, you know?"

"Wow, that person is so talented and she started the same time as you."

"Yeah, they are of the same age as us, but look how far they have gone."

Those are just a few lines that I grew up listening to not only from my parents, relatives, and friends but worst of all ... from my own head! The later is the most poisonous and speaks the loudest. Finally, this is the year that I managed to find the volume button and slowly tweaking its volume as I move along in life. It's not an instant process but it has been a worthwhile one. Slowly, slowly, the only story that is loud enough in my head now has always been - I am more than enough. I am really blessed. I am awesome. I am Titanium.

Hence, when I met all the faces who were sitting right in front of me, sometimes I really hope they could see how awesome they really are too. I really feel like giving them a big hug and say - you are more than enough. You are beautiful the way you are. If you can't see it now, it's okay, eventually you will.

I really believe no matter what shitty situations you think you are in at the moment, you still have one thing that you are in control to not let it seems shitty at all. And that one thing should be your self image. You have to protect it and don't let what others say/think affects you. You should also protect it from your own nasty voice that say you are not good enough. Tell yourself, you are awesome now and you are also in the process to be more awesome. Tell yourself that everyday, plant the seed of self love and self appreciation. When the time is right, the fruit will ripe, you will see yourself blossoming into what you are meant to be.

Retiring to Florida

2012-04-18T13:17:00.001+08:00

Guest post written by Mikel Trevino

I never thought I would live in a beach town in Florida. I never wanted to. Florida is one of those states that I love to visit because I love to watch the ocean swell and fall, walk and run on the beach, feel the warm sea breezes, listen to the waves lap on the shore, and absorb the sun. I have always thought living there would cause me to take for granted those fabulous feelings I get when we vacation there. And, I know that sand would become a part of life – in my car and house all the time. So when my husband suggested we move to St. Petersburg, I was a little shocked. We love that city! Our daughter lives there and we visit a lot. She was excited when I told her we were coming to look at homes. I asked her aboutTVByDirectwhen we were discussing moving preparations. Some things I do not want to change! I am sure I will become use to the sand and will love looking at the beautiful water every day!

Marvel’s The Avengers

2012-04-12T18:08:00.004+08:00

Finally another heroic movie that's worth waiting for. I was just telling my friend about this movie and about who is my favourite Avengers superhero and now I have the chance to blog about it too.

Honestly, I am not familiar with all the characters but I know clearly who's my one and only favourite, Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark - Iron Man. He is the billionaire playboy, entrepreneur and an engineer and he has the look not just mere brainiac. However, to me, the most impressive thing in the first movie of Iron Man was his classy abode! Check it out below. He's truly a hero with great taste.

Albeit his unpleasant attitude may irk you sometimes, but his bad boy charm covers his flaws easily. Casting Robert Downey, Jr. for the role has proven to be one of the best decision ever. Tapping to his own turbulent life, Downey has definitely embraced the role as authentically as possible.

How about you? Who's your favourite one in The Avengers?

Image courtesy of http://www.home-designing.com/2010/05/iron-mans-house

Catch Marvel’s The Avengers in cinemas this 1 May 2012 and like the Official Marvel’s The Avengers Singapore Facebook Page and subscribe to Marvel Singapore YouTube Channel!”

Even Your Turf Can Be Synthetic

2012-04-10T16:51:00.005+08:00

Ever wonder why someone's lawn always look so perfect? Though this is not very applicable in Singapore due to scarcity of land, but those you see in TV shows and movie, they look too perfect to be true sometimes. I just discovered there is such thing as synthetic turf, which are normally made from synthetic fibers and they are made to look like natural grass. They are actually used in wide varieties but most often to be discovered in sports such as baseball, rugby, soccer, field hockey, tennis, etc. The world of artificial landscaping is not limited to just the sporty arenas but also to beautify one’s property such as airports, playground, garden, etc.

The idea came from David Chaney from USA in 1960 that was coined as the man responsible for indoor major league baseball and millions of welcome mats. You may think that since it’s synthetic, it will be very easy to maintain. Unfortunately, it still needs a bit of maintenance to ensure its longevity. Some may require silicon sand or granulated rubber infill. Some need periodic disinfection so that it will not break down by natural processes. It’s also said that artificial turn retains heat from the sun and can be much hotter than natural grass.

Whatever it is, ultimately, synthetic turf will add value to the visual aesthetics of a space – just like its natural counterpart. I really think human minds are amazing in always finding ways to recreate what nature already has. But ultimately, nothing beats the feel and smell of natural grass as created by the One up there.

Do You Really Love Surprises?

2012-04-07T11:28:00.006+08:00

A friend of mine shared a quote on Facebook on Thursday that says - Sometimes, rejection is God's protection. I gave it a very deep thought but at that point of time, I couldn't really relate with it yet. But those words reminded me of something that I watched recently.

Anthony Robbins (one of the world most influential motivational speaker) asked his audience once whether they love surprises. Most of them said yes. He then said that's not true and they are bunch of liars. He then elaborated that you only love the surprises that you want. Those surprises that you don't want, you call them problems.

Think about how true it is. I started to reflect and I can really relate to it. I used to be pretty anal in terms of planning stuff. I need to be certain most of the time. But recently, things have changed pretty drastically. It's not that I don't plan anymore. I still do. But I live life embracing changes and surprises. Good or bad. When things don't go as planned, at that moment, one may feel agitated due to the attachment to the plans. That's normal as we tend to have a very myopic view when we are served with changes on the platter. But once you see the big picture, once you just trust the flow of life, like what I have been experiencing lately, the experience ALWAYS turns out for the better. Since then, I am a strong embracer of change and surprises. I simply trust life knows better than I do as life is governed by something bigger than myself.

Nothing is secure. That is my message. Nothing can be secure, because a secure life will be worse than death. Nothing is certain. Life is full of uncertainties, full of surprises -- that is its beauty! You can never come to a moment when you can say, "Now I am certain." When you say you are certain, you simply declare your death, you have committed suicide. - Osho

Funny enough, on the same day I chanced upon my friend's quote, life let me experienced minor rejection, which I took it with a sigh of relief. I got it now, what God's protection through rejection mean. I understand now, how life will always want the best for your if you can only trust it. This doesn't mean you don't try and strive anymore. You should actually do more, try more, get rejected more as that's how one really grows. That's how one really experiences life to the fullest. As life is a flow of chances and experiences, don't resist it. Like the rivers, in the end we will flow to the sea. Dory in Finding Nemo gave the best advice - Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.

Detox

2012-04-04T16:23:00.001+08:00

Detox programs! I believe you must have heard a lot of such things being advertised everywhere. Sometimes I wonder if they really work. Detoxification is the process of removing of toxic substances from our body. For our bodies, there are tons of ways to detox. I haven’t really tried any yet as I’m too lazy or just not disciplined enough to do it. I wonder fasting is considered one way to detox too. Hmm … However speaking of emotional and mental detox, I have been pretty good at it. I think, especially in the area of removing people who are really very toxic to your souls.

Don’t you just have those people who sap away all your energy and creative juices and yet you don’t know why you still bother to linger on to them until you are slowly dried up. I believe one must be aware when such toxic presences appear in your life. Don’t take them too lightly. One really needs to purge them away in order to stay mentally and emotionally sane. At first it may be very difficult to let go, but after a while you will feel refreshed and renewed.

How about you? Do you detox physically and emotionally on regular basis? After gulping some fast food last night, I am seriously contemplating to do some detoxing to my body. But seriously, Singapore has too much great food. I will just have the detox in my mind for now. :p

The Power of Logo

2012-04-04T00:37:00.004+08:00

We are surrounded by so many logos. Some are so successful that when you see them, you know what they represent. You know their stories, their advertisements, their slogan and most importantly you may just support their products because the logos are cool. Then there are those which are so unsuccessful and complicated that they become forgettable. Some were too old that the companies need to renew their image and create a new one. For the last one, I remember strongly for one Indonesian company, very big oil firm called Pertamina. I grew up with their old logo until the day I left for Singapore in 1998.

Then only in 2011 when I went back I noticed they have refreshed their logo. Wow … really different image it portrays!

The process of logo design may make or break one’s business. Hence, the role of the logo designer is so important. But like everything it’s a two-way process. If the customer doesn’t know what they want, the designer can’t deliver a good job either. But if the customer knows what they want too clearly that they are not flexible for changes, the logo may turn out to be a flop too.

What do you think is the most successful logo on earth? To me it will be Nike. It represents an attitude. Though I guess they are slowly losing out to Adidas but as a logo, they represents stronger image.

Oh, wait a minute. How can I forget the most successful and life changing logo ever … the company that challenges everyone to Think Different! Never underestimate the power of a logo. What started out on someone's sketch book may one day be found in every household.

Don't Rain on My Parade, Shoo Shoo!

2012-03-30T14:19:00.003+08:00

As you are going through the day feeling extremely happy for no reasons, you project your happiness through hyperactivities and your energies could simply be felt across the screen. Those who know you well understand that it’s simply one of those moments when you are elated. Those who don’t know will wonder, “Are you on drugs?” I got that quite often, especially recently. I have been hyper happy for no reason. But not all the time, when I slide down to the valley of the darkness, it turns really ugly. But while I am high and mighty and being the titaniumish self me, I can be quite annoying to some. I wonder why happiness is annoying to some, shouldn’t joy be contagious? Apparently not to all.

When I was asked as such and being treated differently, I did question myself. Was I doing something wrong? Were my extreme joyous acts offensive? Was I abnormal? How can happiness be wrong? How can showing you are excited about something deserves to be poured with sarcasms, cynicisms and unnecessary teases. Though I didn’t portray my confusion and dislikes towards such comments, deep inside I was really not comfortable with them. But to “maintain peace” and to “please people”, I tone myself down, or I simply ignored what they said and changed the topic.

But as I move on further in life, I realize, I don’t think I have done anything wrong by being happy and I definitely think I don’t deserve such rain to be poured in my parade. Now I totally understand the song by Barbra Streisand – Don’t Rain On My Parade. It’s my life parade after all, if someone shows any kind of rain to it and you don’t like it, feel free to bring your parade elsewhere. Unless you really need some shower, then go stick with them for quite sometimes.

As cliché as it sounds that life is short, life is actually very unpredictable. Don’t waste another breath being in the company of people who keep raining on your parade. Don’t waste another second accommodating people who don’t accommodate you in their lives. Move on. Trust me, eventually, you will find people who will march together with you in the same parade. You may play the drum, they may play the trumpet. I’m not saying those rainy people are bad. They are just different. Maybe to them, you have been raining on their parade. So, move on, march into your own band. Each of us simply has different melodies anyway.

What I learn for sure is that if someone questions your overflowing state of happiness, never doubt yourself. As it’s always better to be happy and elevate others with it than to be doubtful and bring others down with you. You will find eventually where you really belong but you must first create the space for it by getting rid those that don’t fit.

"Don't tell me not to live,
Just sit and putter,
Life's candy and the sun's
A ball of butter.
Don't bring around a cloud
To rain on my parade.
Don't tell me not to fly--
I've simply got to.
If someone takes a spill,
It's me and not you.
Who told you you're allowed
To rain on my parade!"

- Don't Rain On My Parade by Barbra Streisand

Air Bed & Breakfast

2012-03-28T16:31:00.002+08:00

In short, it's called Airbnb. It's a website - a community marketplace - founded by Brian Chesky (CEO, Co-Founder) and Joe Gebbia (Chief Product Officer, Co-Founder). Both of them used to study in the same university and on the day of the graduation, Joe said Brian that one day they will start a company together and guessed what. It became reality.

It all started with Brian Chesky who was having problem looking for a a place to stay when he was in San Francisco for a conference. All the hotel rooms was fully booked and he had to pay a lot for the rental during those period due to the conference. That's when an idea struck, they decided to create a temporary bed and breakfast as they were pulling their air beds from the closet to sleep on. Eureka! That's how the concept of airbnb apartments were created.

Airbnb.com was launched but nobody noticed them until their 4th launch in August 2008. They never gave up. Their idea is to take people online and bring them together offline. Currently they have 35,000 properties in 8,000 cities in 165 countries. From the site that nobody noticed, to a community where people welcome each other into their home, with a price of course. But what better way to travel and learn one's culture if not through witnessing directly how one lives? I am really glad to stumble upon this website and hope one day when I travel elsewhere on my own again, I will opt for staying with a local rather than in a hotel. Hope the price will be cheaper and hope the host is cute haha!

An Ego Strategy to Avoid Surrender by Eckhart Tolle

2012-03-27T16:27:00.008+08:00

A beautifully written article but a little bit dense for me that I have to pause at each sentence or paragraph to reflect. But there are so much truth in it that I gotta share with all of you. Hope you will benefit from it too. You will be surprised that you may just see some patterns in your relationships in this article.

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What is conventionally called “love” is an ego strategy to avoid surrender. You are looking to someone to give you that which can only come to you in the state of surrender. The ego uses that person as a substitute to avoid having to surrender. The Spanish language is the most honest in this respect. It uses the same verb, te quiero, for “I love you” and “I want you.” To the ego, loving and wanting are the same, whereas true love has no wanting in it, no desire to possess or for your partner to change.

The ego singles someone out and makes them special. It uses that person to cover up the constant underlying feeling of discontent, of “not enough,” of anger and hate, which are closely related. These are facets of an underlying deep seated feeling in human beings that is inseparable from the egoic state.When the ego singles something out and says “I love” this or that, it’s an unconscious attempt to cover up or remove the deep-seated feelings that always accompany the ego: the discontent, the unhappiness, the sense of insufficiency that is so familiar.

For a little while, the illusion actually works. Then inevitably, at some point, the person you singled out, or made special in your eyes, fails to function as a cover up for your pain, hate, discontent or unhappiness which all have their origin in that sense of insufficiency and incompleteness. Then, out comes the feeling that was covered up, and it gets projected onto the person that had been singled out and made special – who you thought would ultimately “save you.” Suddenly love turns to hate.

The ego doesn’t realize that the hatred is a projection of the universal pain that you feel inside. The ego believes that this person is causing the pain. It doesn’t realize that the pain is the universal feeling of not being connected with the deeper level of your being – not being at one with yourself.The object of love is interchangeable, as interchangeable as the object of egoic wanting. Some people go through many relationships. They fall in love and out of love many times. They love a person for a while until it doesn’t work anymore, because no person can permanently cover up that pain.Only surrender can give you what you were looking for in the object of your love.

The ego says surrender is not necessary because I love this person. It’s an unconscious process of course. The moment you accept completely what is, something inside you emerges that had been covered up by egoic wanting. It is an innate, indwelling peace, stillness, aliveness. It is the unconditioned, who you are in your essence. It is what you had been looking for in the love object. It is yourself. When that happens, a completely different kind of love is present which is not subject to love / hate. It doesn’t single out one thing or person as special.

--Eckhart Tolle

The Other Precious Commodity in Our Lives

2012-03-16T11:52:00.018+08:00

People tend to say that we have to use our time wisely as it's precious. Once it's gone, it's gone. But what if, you have all the time, then what other commodity is precious in your life? Erm, no, I am not talking about Titanium (David Guetta's song that I have been mad about for almost 1 week).

That reminds me of a friend, a very dear friend of mine, who has a heart of gold and a mind of a sage, with a pool of wisdom to share with so many people. A true giving and loving soul. She has the time, she has the drive but she lacks of energy. It's something she's still fighting to regain back. Really hope she will win the war so that she can do so much more.

Remembered one time, when we were excitedly planning for our next food adventure. The place is a bit far. We haven't really set the time yet. I said something like we must plan the time wisely. She said,"and I need to manage my energy wisely too." We laughed. But I know there were so much more in that one sentence. Something that we tend to take for granted as it's something so normal for us, is something that is so rare for her. But in her despair, she still finds a silver lining in it. Seeing the bright side and making an effort to still enjoy life to the fullest. What a rare soul. She still remembers my birthday and always chooses something that she knows will speak to me. She puts in her limited energy in all these small thoughts without expecting anything in return!!!! She's doing it out of pure love.

Her life story is a wake-up call for me on how have I been using my time and energy. Have I spent it wisely? I know most of the time I am pretty upbeat. I don't get tired easily. I don't need 10 hours of sleep to recuperate. I laugh. I joke. I give my attention to whoever I am interacting though sometimes interrupted by the use of my BB. I think. I create. I crap. I consider myself blessed and lucky in this sense. But with such luck, what have I done with it? Even if I think I have done good, has it really been worth it?

My time is indeed limited but my energy is as precious. Have I been spending it at the wrong places? A question that I really need to answer on my own. Only we can decide if something is worth our breath or not. In the end, it's the quality of the things you choose that matters more than the quantity.

18.11.2011 - A precious and thoughtful gift from Miss P. You really have been God-sent.
Thank you for being my friend, can't believe we met online and love you lots!

Authenticity

2012-03-11T23:20:00.004+08:00

Gone is the time where I just wanted to fit in
Or so, I think and feel
As the numbers are catching up with my age
I feel more comfortable in my own skin
Even with my insecurities and doubts
I don't feel the need to hide it anymore
It's me, my friends. It's me.

I am full of flaws
I am full of questions and wonders
I am ... comme ca ...
What you see, is really what you get
Unfortunately sometimes it comes with some turbulent moments
But mostly good, I hope ...

Ultimately, one life ... live it authentically
So authentic that when others imitate you ... feel honoured
As they don't know better and they look up to you
So authentic that you do things because you want to
Not because you need to please anyone

In the end, more authentic souls will come to you
Join you in this dance of life

As it takes up so much more energy to be someone else, why don't you just be yourself?

Retiring

2012-03-11T08:22:00.000+08:00

Guest post written by my buddy Aldo Mays

When my parents decided to retire in Florida, I thought they had lost their minds. They had always lived in New York, and I thought they wanted to live there forever. We had never discussed them moving to Florida, so it just wasn’t on my radar. I was sad that they wouldn’t be near me anymore, and my sister and I knew the move would mean a lot of work for us. Our parents haven’t moved in forever, so they had no idea how to organize everything. They knew the general area they wanted to live in, but other than that they were clueless. They decided to keep their apartment in New York and buy a condo in Winter Park. Once that was all taken care of, we were relieved. My sister and I insisted they get clear wireless internet winter park so that we could video chat at least once a week. We taught them how to use the computer before they left, and then they were on their way. I can’t wait to go and visit them in the warm weather this winter!

DD and the Dark Passenger

2012-02-28T10:12:00.008+08:00

People thought I am a happy go lucky person who sees beauties and lessons in every single things - to the point of oblivious about reality. Nah ... I am not all that. There will be the rare occasion when my dark passenger will take the driver seat, just like the past few days, and things ain't looking rosy anymore. Unlike Dexter Morgan, my dark passenger doesn't harm people physically, but unfortunately, I may have caused unnecessary worries in my friends' psyche. That just ain't cool, DD.

I went berserk. Not without reason. But with reasons only a selected few will know as it's too ridiculous and utterly useless to be mentioned. I wouldn't even spend another breath sharing about it anymore as it was really redundant.

What I learned is that in this uncool, unglam, irritating and dark moment, there will be a few starry starry friends who shine so bright that the dark passenger has no choice but to give way. Some of them came from the most unexpected places. I thank you and so grateful for your presence and efforts. Then there was also one fat star who didn't just shine brightly but shined so close until I was blinded and instantly snapped out from my darkness.

To all my dearest friends who have been worrying, I sincerely apologize. Forgive me as I knew not what I did. I will know better. I have decided to kick my dark passenger away and come back from my unpleasant retreat. Thanks for the secret message by FB, group chat and SMS. Thanks again for the painting, the nicely setup studio photo of the monkey and most of all the intentions that matter. It works. You all cheered me up. :)

Unfortunately, sometimes it takes darkness to make one realizes how bright the stars around have always been. I hope I didn't take too long to realize that.

PS. It's been a while since I blogged under the label of "Dark Aura". I really hope this doesn't come too often. Once every 5 years, I don't mind. :p

... Forgive Them, For They Know Not What They Do

2012-02-21T22:27:00.011+08:00

For those of you who are familiar with Christianity, you will know where I have to borrow that phrase - Luke 23:24, to be exact. But don't you worry. I am not here to talk about religion. But after going through a day with unnecessary pebbles being thrown my way ... I reflected ... I nagged ... I bored my friend, again, with the usual story ... then I stopped and thought ... this has to end. It's not healthy for me. It's not healthy for my friends. It just ain't fair. I limit my nagging to maximum 1 message - sentence per time. Unless the friend is interested to know more, I will entertain, if not, I stop myself. No point wasting breath (inhaled and exhaled) in such activities.

But I was thinking, why does it bother me? And how can I move on? Because seriously, there will always be people, despite no matter how pure and sincere your intention is, they will see you as a threat. They will be more powerful than you. They will have a band of brothers ready to rip you apart once you make a small little mistake. In their dictionary - compromise, doesn't exist. Peace, doesn't exist. They have to be right, all the time. Why? Because they can't take any types of criticisms. Why? Because they think criticisms to their ego will be a sign of weakness. That's how insecure they are. They have to get things their way and most importantly, they have to be in control and you will witness, they are in control. They are even controlling people who think they are in control.

Then, 5 hours passed. Out of no where ... that phrase came to me. I swear it was out of nowhere. I was in an Indonesian cultural event held in my French school .... see how random the events can be and suddenly, this phrase decided to parachute itself into my mind. Then I realized ... "Ah ... indeed. It's a cure to such incidents!"

"...forgive them, for they know not what they do".

What a great reminder.
I thought to myself.
Those people really don't know what they do.
They may just be clueless, uninformed, uneducated, ignorant, oblivious, one sided, narrow minded, ____ go and fill in the blank.
Forgive them anyway. Don't waste your breath. You have better people to focus on.

Every moment is so precious that it should be filled with something that makes you happy. Ok, may be "being happy" is overrated, then fill it with something of your choice. If you choose to dwell in some unnecessary drama, then good for you. It's ultimately our own choice. I don't and I won't. I will limit myself to one phrase/sentence (unless I forget and unless someone has a special request), then I will move on. New chapter. New story. New adventure to be discovered.

The next time someone has you crucified through their words and ill intentions, remember to tell yourself .... "...forgive them, for they know not what they do"

Don't let the ignorance of others lower your standard of being. You know you can be better than that.

Old Age is Such A Pain (An Article by Sumiko Tan)

2012-02-20T22:19:00.003+08:00

A sunny Sunday afternoon, was sitting restlessly by the pool, spreading out the newspaper and eyes landed on an article by Sumiko Tan. Once I finished reading it, I forced 3 of my friends to read too. Once a gracious friend sent me the soft copy, I made sure 10 more friends of mine got the same message.

What your personal opinion about Sumiko Tan, I don't really give a damn. But this article, is simply portraying the hard truth of being old that many young people tend to take for granted. They do think they are going to live forever.

Hence, taking this chance to share it here. Hope you will find it a good read too. If not ... it's also okay lah ... may be next time I will find a more interesting article than this.

------
Old Age is Such A Pain
by Sumiko Tan
as featured in The Sunday Times, 19 Feb 2012

I try to be sympathetic, but his voice just gets on my nerves.

It is peevish, it is querulous and it is very loud.

'Missy,' he screams, and his voice reverberates throughout the neighbourhood.

My bedroom must be at least 100m away from where he sleeps, but he sounds as clear as if he were next door.

Who is this angry old man who shouts so loudly at such ungodly hours of the day - 11pm, 3am, 6am - and disturbs everyone's sleep? And why is he so unhappy?

We started noticing his 'Missy' cries about half a year ago.

H, who is new to my neighbourhood, was startled the first time he heard it.

What's that, he asked, alarmed.

Relax, I said, it's just a patient in the nursing home behind our house. Missy means nurse. He's calling for the nurse. He's probably one of those difficult patients.

I knew what the sound was because it wasn't the first time I'd heard it.

Back in the 1990s, there was a patient in the nursing home who was also prone to 'Missy' fits. Another patient would bark 'Encik' all the time.

We put up with their shouts for years until there was silence, which could mean only one thing - they were dead.

Although they were strangers and had caused me sleepless nights, I felt a little sad thinking about that.

Nobody, I'm sure, would want to deliberately make a nuisance of himself or be unpopular with the nursing home staff and their fellow bedmates. They must have been in a lot of pain to be bellowing for attention so often. It can't be easy to be old.

I got a taste of it recently when I attended an Age-Friendly Workshop organised by the Changi General Hospital.

The sessions teach frontline hospital staff how to be more sensitive to the needs of the elderly.

I joined a group of nurses and care co- ordinators, and we started off by listing the ailments the old are likely to suffer from.

We were told to divide them into visual, emotional, cognitive, hearing and muscular problems. We came up with a very long and woeful list.

We discussed the best ways to interact with people suffering from these problems, and what can be done to make their lives a little easier.

A care coordinator related how she deliberately wears bright 'wayang' make-up and floral 'auntie' clothes to work. Old people have poor eyesight, and if she is a colourful presence, they can see her better, she said.

A nurse pointed out that a person's vision in dim lighting and his perception of depth deteriorates with age.

To prevent him from tripping, steps should be clearly delineated, and the walls and floors of a room should be of different colours.

The next segment of the workshop involved morphing - sort of - into an old, sick person.

To see what it was like to suffer from cataracts, we put on goggles which were pasted over with translucent tape.

To experience hearing loss, we stuffed our ears with plugs, and to experience stiff joints we taped our fingers together with surgical tape.

We then took turns to move around the hospital on a wheelchair or walking frame. We had to fulfil a series of everyday tasks - take a lift up and down, collect and read a brochure, go to the canteen to buy a drink, and use a toilet.

It was depressing work.

It's tough wheeling yourself around on a wheelchair, especially when your fingers are stiff. Corners are difficult to manoeuvre, slopes are a nightmare and it was frustrating buying a drink. You feel bad because you're in everyone's way and it was near impossible to reach up and pay because the counter was so high.

It was horrible not being able to read faraway signs as well as the brochures and price tags you hold close to your eyes. Even the going-up and going-down arrow buttons next to the lifts were hard to decipher.

But I must say I didn't mind that much the muffled hearing. It wasn't so bad being shut off from all the noise and nonsense around you.

Going in and out of the toilet in a wheelchair was an exercise in willpower and dexterity, even though it was a wheelchair- friendly toilet I was testing.

The normal-sized door was a tight squeeze for the wheelchair, which meant you had to gingerly ease yourself in or risk your fingers being squashed between the chair and door.

There was no way I could have entered the toilet unless someone was there to help me hold open the door. And once inside, there was no ramp to allow me to heave myself from wheelchair to toilet seat, and back.

Going around the hospital, we met the real elderly in wheelchairs and walking frames who were there to seek treatment. Many were accompanied by equally old companions.

Looking at them, I told myself that this is me, and H, in just two decades' time, if we are lucky (or is it unlucky) to be still alive then.

Ageing sucks.

It's not as if I were a young chick experiencing the amazing, eye-opening stages of ageing at the workshop. I'm already 48 and every year, every decade, has already brought a decline in bodily functions, not to mention physical appearance, and it's only going to get worse.

The skin dulls, the hair loses its shine, the metabolism slows, the heart becomes less efficient, the bones shrink, the muscles weaken, digestion slows, kidneys take a longer time to remove waste, bladder becomes loose, brain cells die, memory fades, retina thins, hearing goes, teeth rot, sex drive diminishes and, baby, it's really the beginning of the end.

One can try to cling on to youth by exercising like crazy, eating healthily, breathing slowly, driving fast cars, chasing after young women, or men, wearing sexy clothes, designer shoes, whatever.

But there's no escaping the clutches of time and sooner than you think, you find yourself with cataracts, blindly manoeuvring hospital corridors in a wheelchair, the bottoms of your trousers rolled.

Is it any wonder, then, that the old man in the nursing home behind my house screams an anguished Missy?

I shouldn't be impatient with him, really, for in time, it could well be me.

sumiko@sph.com.sg

Goodbye and Thank You, Whitney!

2012-02-12T15:33:00.001+08:00

Singapore - Sunday, 12 February 2012, I woke up to the news that the diva (positive way) has took her last breath and left this earth. What a sad news, but may be it's just the hours for her to leave.

The first thing came to my mind were her songs ... so many of them. I grew up literally with her "presence". My very first exposure to her song was - "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", an upbeat and dance-able song. I saw it on MTV and I don't think I knew who was Whitney when I was still so little. The rest is history ... she sang ... her songs became #1 hits and remained in my heart and mind. I believe most of you will feel the same way too. Wasn't she amazing?

At the moment when I found out about her departure, "The Greatest Love of All" spoke to me.

Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

What a beautiful words, I thought to myself ... "Why didn't she love herself more?", I wondered.

But come on, who am I to judge. Nobody is perfect. She lived her life, her way. It's not easy to be someone whose life were constantly under the public eyes. Think about it, does it really matter if she stumbled and fell? Most important of all, through her imperfect life, she has shined her brightest through her God's given talent - her voice. She has touched lives and inspired millions through the writings of others - her songs. Some of her songs are not originally hers but she made them better ... she added "value", tuned it up, made it her own and voila ... created a legacy.

She has lived a life that contributes, and for that I am so grateful that I lived in the era that she shined the brightest. Thank you for your voice, your songs and your spirit to keep on living despite your difficulties that I will never comprehend.

As it has been sung by her in "One Moment in Time", she said ...

Give me one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will be
I will be
I will be free

She did have many moments in time and finally, she's free now.
Rest in peace, Whitney.
Thank you for making a difference by being the best you could be.

PS. Someone has compiled all her hits on this Youtube playlist. If you are like me now, drowning and emo-ing in her voice, hope you will enjoy it.

An Unusually Usual Friday

2012-02-10T22:23:00.000+08:00

10.25PM on a pretty quiet Friday night. I am sitting down accompanied by my ergonomic keyboard with the sound of wind gently banging on my balcony door. It feels like an unusual Friday night ... How can it not be? This is the first since 16th of September 2011, I finally have my Friday to myself doing absolutely nothing. Provided my calendar is not bluffing me. If it bluffed, then the previous "Me Time" Friday would have been on 24th of June 2011.

Startled!

As I went through the list of my past happenings, damn I did lots of things every Friday! I ate, drank, watched play, watched movies, went to friends house, traveled, invited friend to my house, etc ... can't believe those have been the past. Some of them still felt so fresh as if they were few weeks old. Time really waits for no one and moments just pass you by without you realizing. What you held once as "an awesome time" now it's simply a part of your memory. Sometimes make me wonder,"So, that was it? A fragment of my memory?"

But that's life. It passes. It flows. It doesn't stop and wait for you.
Each and every breath that you are inhaling now, is unique, then it passed and ... gone. Next breath. Inhale. Exhale. Gone ....

On this unusually usual Friday, without any outside activities, without much interactions, I am actually consciously breathing and aware of my each and every breath. Surprisingly, it feels unusually awesome to feel and breathe life in its stillness.

Lichun or Chunli? Does It Really Matter?

2012-02-05T02:56:00.000+08:00

Today ... eh ... yesterday - 4th of February 2012, was the first day of spring. Chinese calls it "Lichun" (立春). My friend said, Chinese believe what you do on this day, will set a precedent to the days to come in this new year.

It's apparently quite common that people will bank in cheque or cash to their account in hoping to have more of such occasions in their lives.

If that is so, this simple Saturday has brought so much joy, laughter, and slight tears to remind me that I have been really fortunate to be able to breathe, laugh, cry and share.

My Lichun, to be more accurate, started at midnight where I was having fun with my time-proven Frenchies group - taking photos with cute baby, eating and drinking great stuff and discovering generous souls through the games we played. Pure fun.

Image courtesy of me but baby is not mine

I then began my day with the two great supporters in my life over brunch, planning and plotting for more exciting "mini adventures" to come. Continuing from my previous conversation with them, we plan to have at least one new thing to do per month. However silly it may be such as - to approach a stranger and ask him/her "What's your purpose of life?" - well, that won't really happen ... just yet.

I continued with doing what I love to do - learning French in a carefree and without pressure environment. I also discovered through the lyrics of a song by Francis Cabrel how fortunate my life has been compared to those people who crossed borders with the risk of being shot dead just to have a better future. Saw 2 beautiful Black-Naped Orioles flying around outside the window of my classroom. Talked to a few really nice and friendly classmates of mine and got to know them better.

One Black-Napped Oriole sitting on a tree branch

My last stop for such special day was having another gathering with another group of French classmates (ex- and/or current). We had great food, wine, game, conversation and most importantly pure joy and laughter. Overall, my Lichun ended on a perfect note complete with the occasional serenades from a possible wannabe theatre singer. I had an awesome 24 hours of my life with a few minutes of work glitches that came through my phone.

The awesome Yusheng (Prosperity Toss) - Photo courtesy of DQ3

Whether it will turn out to be true that what happens on Lichun will be an overview of the year to come, one may never know. But by going through a day with such mindset has made me more aware of my own thoughts and expectations. When you set your day with such positive outlook, it doesn't mean glitches won't rain in your parade. You may get nudged here and there but the overall effect of psyching up yourself a notch has its little wonder. You are after all, what you decide to see, hear, feel, think, and ultimately choose.

If Lichun is just some superstition created by somebody, then, what's stopping us in making everyday a Lichun-ish day? That everyday is indeed a new fresh beginning. That everyday is different and unique. That everyday can be a Lichun or a Chunli or whatever you want the name/label to be. That everyday is a blank canvas waiting for you, the artist, to create something as per you wish. Then why don't you just paint it your way? It may not be perfect, you may have a small canvas, but, make it yours. Own your day.

This year is my first time celebrating such concept. I am glad to be aware of it and have the opportunity to spend it with people who enrich my life in all ways possible. I extend my overflown and rebuilt joy of the week to all of you, who even bothers to read my humble blog. In the spirit of Chinese New Year, I would like to say,"HUAT AH!"

An Eulogy with Wicked

2012-01-11T10:40:00.000+08:00

Recently, I had the privilege to watch Wicked in Singapore. A musical that has been glorified by a few of my friends who were lucky enough to watch it in US. I am grateful Wicked managed to find its way to Singapore and I didn't need to fly so long to watch it.

Image courtesy of www.applause-tickets.com

Geez ... what an awesome performance it was. I was genuinely amazed. Love the story. Love the songs. Love the lyrics. But most importantly, I just love the lesson it tried to impart through the "perceived" good and evil, that some things are simply not what they seem to be. In the darkness there is light and vice versa.

Ideally, I would love to watch Kristin Chenoweth plays Glenda but I don't think that will happen as she has left the Broadway scene for quite a few years now. I first chanced upon her in Pushing Daisies, although she was not the lead actress but she sure made sucha big impact and you couldn't help but to love her so much. I remember her more than the lead actress anyway! At that time I was ignorant about her big role in Wicked.

Then, she appeared again in my momma Oprah's farewell spectacular and she sang "For Good". Another round of ignorance, I didn't even know that song was from Wicked. I only know,"Wow! What an appropriate song hor ...!" Then I dug deeper and found out ... damn, this is from Wicked! Damn, the lyrics is so awesome. Damn! I love this song to the core and then a light-bulb-moment dawned on me ... I want this song to be played in my funeral as an eulogy, as a thank-you note to those who have given me something in life.

Ok. Call me crazy. But those who are really close to me know that I have been really fascinated with "death". I love to visit quirky places that have relations to death and so far I have been to Les Catacombs (Paris), Cimetière du Père-Lachaise (Paris) and Trunyan Village (Bali). More to come.

Then a friend introduced me to a Latin phrase - Memento Mori which means "remember your mortality" or "remember you will die". What a beautiful and morbid concept. But how can it be morbid when that is the absolute truth about life? We will die one day. You will never know when, won't you? Unless you choose to take your own life by your own hand. But majority of us do think we are going to live forever. Going through everyday simply by ticking the to-do lists. Sure, nothing wrong with that actually. But on your death-bed, once you have fulfilled them, I just wonder, will all be worth it? I am not sure. I can't answer this question myself.

However, I do know for sure, up until now, quality relationships with people who are genuine and connected well with your souls are worth it. When you do look back, you will think of those moments how someone have touched your life, how someone have awakened you and pushed you to grow further. You will also think about the great happy moments that you have. Occasionally you may dwell into the dark sides but those will not last, unless you love to stay in the dark for long. I know I don't. Those happy shiny moments will takeover and simply make you feel so much better. Then you know, you do have a life well lived.

I have been really fortunate and blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful souls in this lifetime. I have also been fortunate to be able to cut off the energy suckers, not easy but sometimes it is simply necessary to do. Hence to all the beings that I have been in contact, what else can be more appropriate then when I am gone from this earth, to thank each and everyone of them by singing "For Good" as an eulogy for me to you.

Here, I share a snippet of the beautiful lyrics and its video when Kristin Chenoweth sang for Oprah, while the men of Moorehouse College who had received scholarship from her, appeared. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I do while remembering those people who have indeed changed you for good.

PS. Apparently, having a rehearsal by singing to my best friend was not a very good idea. Many tissues were "killed". Guess I will keep the rehearsal session to myself.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good