Gifts

Recently went to a trip to Melbourne. These are all my achievements! :) Spent quite a bit of time getting them. Mostly for my nieces and nephews (8 of them). Some for parent & sisters and snacks for friends.

Can be quite a headache the choice of gift. Especially to balance usability and aesthetics. I was cracking my head, thinking about what I should get for them. Combing Swanston Street up and down. And for myself, I bought a lanolin lip balm for my cracked dry lips and manuka honey.

Deep in thoughts

Wearing the ez-link card over my neck, I waited for the bus. My mind on the many happenings in office that day. I saw my bus and boarded it, choosing a seat at the back of the bus. I was the lone person who boarded the almost full bus at that bus stop.

Strangely after a while, the bus seemed not to have move. I then noticed the bus driver walking towards me. He said loudly " I think you have forgotten to tap your card." I was hmmm.... embarassed. I stood up, apologizing and walked forward to the bus stop to tap my card. I walked back, laughing at my forgetfulness. I could hear some passengers talking about the episode. Brushing it aside, I soon settled back into my original seat.

The whole episode took maybe 5 minutes but I think the bus driver handled it very well. From his tone, he did not give me a feeling that he think I tried to take a free ride. He has managed to perform his duty, getting the errant passenger to tap her card. It was an embarassing incident though.

The Neverending Interconnecting Loop

Whatever we do, we exert an influence on people close to us who will go to to exert an influence on their close ones. There is an interconnection, a never-ending loop that make every individual a force that can be reckon with to change the world!

I guess that is why they said children take after their parents' characters. Especially true since children observe their parents' actions since young.

I guess that is why we especially like to be near joyous and cheerful people. They brighten up our life.

In our way, we can all brighten others lives when we act positively. Hmmm.. easier said than done. Is really not easy especially if the people around may not be exactly giving the positive vibes.... In our never ending interconnecting loop, lets try to find within ourself the positive light and give out a roar!!! A healthy roar that resonates with happiness and may its echo spread across the valley! :)

Elderly workers

Today I was at KFC queuing up to buy a meal for my nephews/niece. The queue was quite long so I had quite a bit of time to observe the kitchen behind. From the corner of my eye, I saw a KFC cap moving very slowly at the side of the Kitchen. On closer look, it was a very elderly KFC crew member. Her head was tilted almost 90 degree to the side (maybe due to weak bone). Her movement was very slow and I could see that she needed to support herself as she walked.

I saw her move slowly to the side. Then she opened some tins and started her work, scooping mash potatoes into the small containers. I ache when I saw her working as it must be hard on her. However I think we must be proud of her. Despite her conditions. she is working hard to support herself. And I am very glad that there are employers like KFC that are willing to hire people like her. Though they may not be as quick as the other younger crew members, they certainly can contribute to the workforce as well in their own ways. It also allows them a mean to support themselves.

Hopefully she is doing this work only to pass her time and that there are welfare benefits available for her if she need them or is unable to work.

I think in our everyday life, we do encounter many elderly workers involved in rather physically exhausting work eg those clearing the tables in the food court, dish washers etc. Many of them probably really need the jobs to support themselves and their families. It is a harsh reality, especially when you see them straining themselves physically. In the midst of our busy lifes. sometimes people may treat them as invisible. Certainly they should be appreciated for their work and contribution.

The harsh reality should also serve as a reminder to many of us that we should save for our retirement and hopefully next time when we grow old, we have a choice on what we want to do.

Travel gifts

Today I met up with my good friend that has just came back from a vacation in Japan. She was very thoughtful and gave me a paper back full of gifts from her trip (there were 5 different items). Wow so many... I am very touched by her thoughts of friends like me during her trip!

Actually before she went on her trip, when I met her, I was very thick skinned and told her not to buy anything for me (even though she did not say she would buy, but knowing her....). Wanted her to just go and enjoy her trip instead of worrying about buying gifts for others. Despite that, she still bought so many gifts! So thoughtful of her.

Actually, this is a difficult gesture for me to reciprocate. Whenever I go on trip, unless I see something that I think people will like along the way else I may end up with no gifts. Usually I will be buying snack items as gifts.

I am an advocate of travelling light and free. Hope my friend has enjoyed her trip trememdously and spend little time worrying about buying gifts for others. We will be just as delighted looking at great photos and listening to the travel tales! :) In the spirit of travelling, bring nothing back but wonderful memories.... (hmmm....This of course excludes shopping trips haha..

Kallang ROCKS!

Kallang rocks! It must be the first time in Singapore where there were 2 popular concerts held side by side together in Kallang. When I went Kallang yesterday, the normally quiet place was bustling with concert-goers attending SHE and Mayday concerts. One was held in the indoor stadium and the other at the National Stadium. The whole place was so alive and you could literally feel the energy in the air!

I was there to attend SHE concert. It was a sold out concert. Among the audience, you could see families and young people. Beside me was a young fan with her mum and beside my friend, was a teenage boy with his family. The boy was immersed in a book before the concert, and I truly thought he was just dragged along by his sister to the show. Once the show started, the transformation started, he was singing loudly along to most of their songs, I could hear his voice even though I was a seat away.

It was really a great concert! :) The concert opened with a bang as the group belt out a series of fast songs. What was great was the rapport that they built up with the audience. It was like a big sing-along session. A lot of people were familiar with their songs and were singing together with the group! The feeling was unspeakable to be singing together with so many people! Felt so surreal.

I really admire the very close friendship shared between the group members, Selina, Hebe and Ella! They enjoyed such good good chemistry with one another and made the show very enjoyable as they belted out their popular songs! :) Thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Conversation with a 5-year old

I was wearing a relatively baggy top yesterday and my nephew saw me. My conversation with him went something like this

5-year old: Why is Ah yi (meaning aunt)'s clothing so big?

Me: This is the design of the clothing.

5-year old: What is design?

Me: Hmmm... design is the drawing that people make before sewing the cloth. Is all right, Ah Yi is fat, so wearing the big clothing is ok.

5-year old: But Ah Yi is not fat. Is the clothing that is big.

Me: Wow, thank you!

I was a bit taken aback on his reply. My nephew is truly adorable when he is not naughty! haha ;> I think he really mean what he says. Hmmm...I can see him popular with gals when he grows up. :)