The Finer Things In Life

Good Conversations

theidealist — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:17:45 +0000

There is so much happening around us everyday, but good conversations are a welcome relief to take a break from the work or mindless chatter. A good conversation with a friend or family member enables one to pause and self-reflect, to think a little deeper about a certain issue and understand the causes for our actions, or really, just to enjoy a good laugh.

I am lucky to be in the midst of loved ones, friends and colleagues whom which I enjoy good conversations with, very often. A nice from the monotony of independent thinking, you listen to a different perspective, someone listens to you without judging you – I think these are all opportunities to develop a bond or to understand myself better.

I will continue to cherish the good conversations and I look forward to them

青春的紀念冊

theidealist — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:38:30 +0000

給你我的心作紀念　這份愛　任何時刻你打開都新鮮有我陪伴　多苦都變成甜　睜開眼就看見永遠
給我你的心作紀念　我的夢　有你的祝福才能夠完全風浪再大　我也會勇往直前　
我們的愛　鑲在青春的紀念冊去年夏天　數著貝殼和浪花的海邊
我們祈禱著明年的今天　還能夠保持這樣無憂笑臉
你是夏天　有海風吹過棕櫚的藍天讓我忘記了眼淚有多鹹你一出現就是晴天還想聽你任性的說帶我去環遊世界　
就算整個世界都改變也不改變　為你勇敢的自己給你我的心作紀念　
這份愛　任何時刻你打開都新鮮有我陪伴　多苦都變成甜　睜開眼就看見永遠
給我你的心作紀念　我的夢　有你的祝福才能夠完全風浪再大　我也會勇往直前　
我們的愛　鑲在青春的紀念冊一年以後　我們踏上了各自的旅途雖然經歷過不同的故事　
仍記得海邊的約定還想聽你任性的說　要帶我去環遊世界就算整個世界都改變也不改變　
為你勇敢的自己

***
已经有好一段时间没和初级学院的好友聚会。一年的时间一瞬间过去了。在Sean的家和大家吃火锅时，心里也不知为什么，感到一阵心酸。好朋友一起有说有笑，我似乎又回到了一起读书的时光。其实我们已经长大了，大家都过着自己的生活。可是，那不代表我们之间的友情应该随着时间的流逝而开始淡了。

好朋友会陪着我们走过人生的路程。我要好好珍惜。

Starting the new year afresh

theidealist — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:48:14 +0000

It can sometimes be seen as a convenient excuse, to ride on the start of a brand new year to improve oneself, start afresh, make things better. We ended 2011 on a high, with awesome parties. When the clock struck 12am on new year’s eve, we had just finished one round of the drinking game and fed from a luxurious chocolate fountain with fresh fruits. We clinked our champagne glasses and enjoyed fireworks from a distance, but together with great friends. Then, we took a peek into the new year as we played Bleigiessen.

I have created 3 new year resolutions for myself this year. I know it is pretty old school and the camp of people who don’t see the point of resolutions seem to be increasing by the year. But I thought that the 3 from last year came in very useful in guiding my decisions throughout the year as a driving force. For example, one of them was to ‘actively try new things’ – I tried Salsa, picked up another foreign language, made new friends from Germany and Austria, and even Estonia – 2011 was a great year spent with my dear loved ones and friends. I won’t stop that in 2012, but there are other things that I would like to focus on this year.

So, after the great parties, I settled into my couch and penned my new year resolutions on 1 January 2012. As a note to self, I shall also put them here:

(1) Embrace change with courage

(2) Have a BIG heart (ie. don’t sweat the small stuff)

(3) Focus on goals

and of course, continue to cherish the great family and friends that I have.

Already into the second week of 2012 but alot seem to have happened! Alas, I think this is really Sheryl living the life that she wants, but not just reading it from a book – She is making it happen. That is self-liberation and actualization at its best. And of course, to be ready for the challenges that will arise this year as a test of my mettle and means of self-improvement.

The stage is set. And here we go!

A Lifesaver Quote

theidealist — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:21:02 +0000

“Don’t waste your life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

A dear friend sent me this message just when I was in a flurry of submitting something important. The timing was impeccable. I think all I can do is my best, and then we will see if it is enough.

Go Sheryl !

All in a week

theidealist — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:17:04 +0000

A room of hatching chicks in an incubator, a simple lady telling me about her travels on a train up to Tibet, a lunch with a Swedish lady who reminds me what more there is to life and how we can always reach out for something less familiar to us, a birthday party with friends that I wanted to meet often but somehow could not find time, a million thoughts about how I want to emerge as the person living my life (not being reactive to the things that happen), something about cookies that I missed but can still eat, a love growing larger than I could ever imagine, a capacity to care for new people, a reason to accept that things don’t always happen in the easiest way possible, the courage to stand tall and admit that mistakes were made and you will not make them again, a loud concert with blazing effects, some time to listen to a friend’s love lost, the relentless pursuit of learning something, early morning jogger sister’s duties..
All in a week Sheryl, all in a week.

A Connection

theidealist — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:11:01 +0000

How does one ever measure a connection made, between two people?

There are so many ways to establish a connection with someone, sometimes even at a level we might not fully comprehend at the start.

All I know was that I felt such a connection with someone whom is also going to be an important person in my life. And it was a connection through music, and freedom. Freedom of expression.

A Season of Giving

theidealist — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:26:27 +0000

“Be the change you want to see in the world”, Mahatma Gandhi

Christmas is around the corner and I am reminded about the simple pleasures in life. To me, Christmas has always been about a season of love and giving. I am really blessed this year because a few people have entered my life and I feel that this is the start of good and long lasting relationships. I thank God for all the great people in my life, my family, friends and of course, a very loving boyfriend. My heart is full and I feel a stronger sense of purpose in my life – which has never really changed after all these years, that is, to touch the lives of the people around me.

Amidst the good things, I am reminded that life is not always a bed of roses. I look around me and I also see friends reaching out for better things in life, sometimes struggling. I try to do what I can, but I realize that sometimes, life deals us cards that we can’t choose. Yesterday, I met with dear Uncle Gummi Bear and it really left me feeling helpless, as he was slowly losing his eyesight and there was just so many things in life he still wants to see. Is there no other way than to cherish what we have? Our sense of sight, our loved ones, our mind and ability to rationalize…? The list is actually so long!

Above everything, how do we keep the sparkle in our eyes and warmth in our hearts? me, there is a well of love in my heart and I hope it is truly a bottomless one. And christmas is here, to remind us that while we should love and take care of ourselves, that we have so much to give.

*Photo courtesy of http://www.worldofchristmas.net/images/christmas-tree1.jpg

The Love Behind Surprises

theidealist — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:19:46 +0000

Picture of a homemade Viennesetorter Cake made by the loving hands of pastry chef Mom-soir. Almost 20 Luftballons, party hats, birthday banner, happy people and one very surprised Birthday Boy.
Cheers to a great 29th year!

happy times and the power of perspective

theidealist — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:49:14 +0000

Two seemingly unrelated topics. I found a great and simple way to understand that today. Changing a perspective [drawing clear lines --> going with the flow] – relationships deepen – good times are shared.

Balloons of Bhutan

theidealist — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:39:15 +0000

- For all living things to go to heaven
- After finishing my studies, to spend my life in meditation
- For Bhutan to remain peaceful

These are just but three wishes of Bhutanese living in Bhutan today. As part of his latest project, ‘Balloons of Happiness’, computer scientist and storyteller Jonathan Harris interviews more than a hundred Bhutanese of different ages. He asked about their wishes and their sources of happiness. Instead of “Gross National Product”, Bhutan uses “Gross National Happiness” to measure its socio-economic prosperity, essentially organizing its national agenda around the basic tenets of Buddhism.

Well, I am from Singapore and my first response to the wishes I read was – wow, these people are like angels. Their wishes are pure, simple and sincere. And how different they are from me. That said, it also served to remind that happiness can be made of very simple things (vis-a-vis a more materialistic life). I hope to always keep this in mind.

http://balloonsofbhutan.org/wishes.php