Another year of resolutions?

Just arrived back from Paris and wondering if I should set aside some time for New Year resolutions or not bother since these are likely to be broken (as is the tradition too).

Yet, we continue to may resolutions so that we can at least make the year count or our life count (year by year).

I should be in bed, but I think I should still try to make a list of things I want to do

- Piano in a year (learn one serious piece ONLY)
- Try to bake at least a cake, an awesome cake
- Continue to stay healthy and exercise twice a week
- Make time for loved ones
- Not to allow work to be my all
- Set aside more time for quiet time
- Set aside time for me
- Stop, stay and breath

It will be a chaotic year ahead, but I think in the midst of the uncertainty, it is necessary to stop and count our many blessings.

Exploring Oxford

Despite the lack of train service, we were determined not to let that affect our holiday plans. Thanks to the wonderful world of internet, we found an alternative, but longer way to get to Oxford.
So, we boarded a bus and headed out to Victoria Coach Station to take the Oxford Express bus to Oxford. The journey went fairly smoothly and we managed to get there after more than one hour on the bus.
The town is quite bustling, really quaint and nice. The weather remained cold and we walked and enjoyed the scenery. We highly recommend a visit if you have never been to Oxford. It is quite full of history. We even chanced upon a place which used to house prisoners, but is now a hotel.
We went to Christchurch Cathedral. It was beautiful. The sun sets early and cast dark gloomy images around, but I find it very beautiful, got a soulful feel to it. I believe it is the place for the inspiration of some Harry Porter scenes.
We took the 515pm bus back to London and went to check out the freemason temple in the hotel. It is quite amazing. Our hotel is so new, and yet nested in the inside is an old grand temple!
It was another fruitful fun day in London despite the cold.

Winter in London

I think winter is meant for rest, rest, rest! It gets dark early at around 4pm and the sun only rises at around 8am – the long dark night is meant for rest, rest, rest! And trust me, we are indeed well rested.

It has been a fabulous trip so far with some minor adventures. The weather is cool, but not unbearably bitter. The company is fun and hilarious. My little nine-year is a real joy to be travelling with. She is chatty and funny with an adult in her. It is almost possible to discuss any issue with her and see the young-old perspective from her. It has been enriching so far. She even know old songs like Ye Shanghai!

Paris is as usual beautiful – and more so because there are fewer tourists this time of the year. The same in London. We have gone to several places including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de triumph, Big Ben, British Museum, Westminster Abbey, Harrods, London Bridge, River Thames, etc. This is quite good for the short few days. We have walked a lot, but the little girl managed to keep pace with us. She sang her songs happily and it is quite fun having her around.

I am thankful for this break and the good weather so far. London and Paris are both beautiful in winter!!!! There is a certain beauty and romance about these places and it carries a certain magic!
Yes, it is indeed winter wonderlands!

Oh yes, our one little scare took place when we were taking the Eurostar from Paris to London. We didn’t know we had to check in early as we had to clear customs. We took our time, the little girl went to toilet, we bought breakfast, etc. When we were near the gate, the guy told us we may have to take the next train as we may not clear customs in time. At the time, they asked a lot of questions and on how we were related and whether if we have documents to prove our relationships. We watched as the minutes ticked away and almost had a heart seizure. Finally, after long interrogations, they let us through and we ran all the way to the train! Barely in time. Our hearts were racing for an hour after that! It was quite an adventure!

Thankful for abundant grace

It has been another eventful year, characterized by so many changes in the world and in our surroundings. New opposition members in parliament, economic storms in US, Europe and perhaps even slowly brewing economic issues in China, earthquake in my beloved Japan, harsh property measures that will scare off foreign investors, etc. Even breakdowns for an efficient world-class transport system!!!

In the midst of these unsettling events, what stood out for me was that family and friends matter. I am thankful for them in my life.

Some of my friends were not well this year, and several were warded or had surgeries and I remind thankful that they have all recovered.

I know that my journey with God was especially meaningful this year and I had witnessed and experienced His gentle guiding hands leading me down the path that He deems best for me, despite my wilful needs to step away from what is expected of me or do it my way. I am thankful for another year of learning and growing. I am most thankful for a saviour who is there for me always.

In the land of love and romance

Yes! I am off soon. After weeks of crazy work, work, work, I am off. I am finally getting my wish to have a quiet and reflective break. Every year, it is a mad period of celebrations, eating, more eating, drinking, more socialising, etc.

There was just no time to sit back and relax. This year has been another eventful year, and I want to end it on a different note. I want it to be different from the usual parties, parties, parties. So, I am off, to the land of love and romance, for me, it is more a land of good and awesome food, great museums and quaint little places.

I sense major changes coming in 2012, and I want to seize this present moment to just stay still, and not be rushing off from one appointment to another, to meet one friend and another. So, I hope I can use this period to recharge and just have a simple good holiday with loved ones.

I am so looking forward to it. Watch this space for updates!

Merry Christmas in advance and have a God-filled year ahead. May you find peace and contentment in Him and Him alone.

People can surprise us!

Part I

My friend of more than ten years recently called me for lunch. Reason? To celebrate my birthday. I was stunned. She has never celebrated my birthday, why start now? She said she is thankful for my friendship and wanted to celebrate it. I was speechless. We have never spoken out loud about this, and I think she must have just encountered a life changing moment!
Anyway, I am glad. I admire her for her courage and her desire to say things in her heart.
How many times we have avoided that awkward conversations, only to regret it later!

Part II

Another friend also invited me out for lunch and surprised me with a birthday lunch and two wonderful and thoughtful gifts. Yes, I am blessed and I am thankful.

Yet, I do realise that there are friends who are also struggling with issues and with no one to share with. I hope they find the courage to reach out and I hope they surround themselves with good friends. This Christmas, let’s try to at least touch one heart.

No passion? No worries.

I was in the train recently and saw this little girl, maybe 0.7m with an old person face. On closer examination, I realised that she is actually quite old. I felt sad. She may never know what it is like to be able to reach the handle on the train, to touch the top of the fridge without assistance, to do all these simple tasks and more. Yet, she seemed chatty and happy.

I had a major reflective moment and realised that we truly do complaint a lot and that we do not count the simple blessings in our lives. We tend to take all the small things for granted, not realising that we are indeed very blessed.

We may not have big talents to sing as well as the King’s Singers or to write music as well as Lady Gaga or to design as well as Karl Lagerfeld or to draw as beautifully as Van Gogh or to be as talented as Brad Pitt, etc., but we are blessed with normal height and normal body. It may not be perfect, but it is quite normal. And normal is good! Normal is good!

An incredible act of kindness

I am truly blessed. Once when we were at the cemetery, someone commented at one of the well-kept graves, regularly maintained by a son that “you don’t need many children, just one who loves you truly and deeply.”
That stayed with me and today I am reminded humbly that you don’t need many friends, just 1-2 close friends who are there for you always.
I was looking distracted over lunch and she asked me why?
I replied that I have some issues that I need to resolve.
Later, she dropped me a message offering help beyond my expectations and it was something that most people would hesitate or not even bother.
That act of kindness touched me deeply. It impressed upon me the value of our friendship and I am determined that this friendship is for keeps!
How do you repay such unexpected grand act of kindness?
I have been touched by a really awesome person today and I think God has blessed me with her unwavering friendship.
Another friend asked me, “but are you an awesome person He can place somewhere?”
I hope I am. I hope I am…

Let me count the ways I adore thee…

I had a great time on Sunday. My niece had lunch with me and then she came over to my place. We talked about a lot of irrelevant stuffs and broke into our silly loud laughers. It was funny!
We laughed almost the same way, and it was doubly hilarious!
Out of the blue she commented, “Do you regret not having any children?”
I replied, “No, because I have you.”
We laughed again, and it was a great day of bonding.
Nieces and nephews are such great joy and blessing in my life. And I am truly blessed to have them in my life because my life is so much richer and fun just because of them.

The Joy of Cooking

I have this humongous book called “The Joy of Cooking”, bought a while ago from the recently demised Borders. It is very thick with hundreds of recipes, and what is more painful, besides the weight on the wrist, is that there are very few pictures.
I picked it up recently to flip through and was thoroughly amazed at the useful tips inside.
This together with a new oven means that there are reasons to do a roast.
After thinking it through, I have settled on roast chicken, and there are instructions on preparation of the chicken and the various ways to cook it. I am so delighted.
So, it is decided, I am going to do roast chicken. I am excited. I hope it is nice and crisp.
Strangely, it is really about the joy of cooking. I have never thought it is possible to feel joy at cooking, but it is true. It is really quite fun. I am thinking of baking next, then flower arrangement, and then who knows I may become the Martha Stewart of the East!!!!!