Mother's Day

Today is Mother’s Day, where many in the world celebrate in different ways to mark this day. Occasionally on Sundays, my siblings and I will have dinner with our mum. Today is a special day having dinner with mum because it’s Mother’s Day. She is 78. I am counting my blessings to be sitting next to her and enjoying being with her. She is delighted, not because it’s Mother’s Day, but because she can be with her children and her grandchildren.

I was recollecting what a great mum I have. All my friends talk and praise their mum. Everyone claimed their mum are super mum. Yes, indeed they all are. I felt more so for my mum

As usual, I received many “sms” wishing me Happy Mum’s Day. There was one nice sms sent by my best friend Phyllis, and I felt that that was how I felt about my mum.

” A mother is God's love in action. She looks with her heart and feels with her eyes. A mother is the bank where her children deposit all their worries and hurt. A mother is the cement that keeps her family together and her love lasts a lifetime. Send this to a good mother. I just did. Happy Mothers' Day.”

I was also pondering as to what my children perceive about the kind of mum they have. My eldest son Caleb wrote a card for me which read:

“There are many mummies, there are many mums, there are even many mamas, but there is only one mumsies and that’s you. Happy Mother’s Day, and I Love You.”

And another card Caleb’s girl friend wrote that reads: “There are so many things that I want to tell/talk/say to you but I can’t express it all these words. All I can say is thanks for treating me like your daughter. Thanks for fetching me home everyday, thanks for everything you gave especially your LOVE and cares.”

Another heart warming card from my second son, Joash, that reads: "Happy Mother's Day! TQ for just one thing.... being "mumsies".

And another warmer card from my third son, Darryl, that reads:"Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for what you have done for me like: buying clothes, pampering me, buying yesterday's toilet paper, caring about me, thoughtful about me, many many more.... thank you for everything"

To all the mums out there and I passing on this Mother’s Day Message:

A mum is a Rose whose petals are soft,
A mum is a lily whose stem is tall and strong,
A mum is a person who is never wrong.
A mum is a person you should love forever.
Trust her, believe her and never doubt her.
From one mum to another…..
Pass this to someone who you think is a good mum.
I just did. Happy Mother’s Day!

Double Winnings in a Week

December is a busy month with many happenings. All these years I always experienced it with a very mixed feeling. Busy and rushing for annual business close, clearing backlogs, clearing papers and “rubbish” on the table, events and functions to go to; the feelings are like that there are so many things left undone. It is like spring cleaning physically and emotionally to pave the way for the New Year.

On 18th December 2007, my Toastmasters club held the Executive Committee Installation dinner. No announcement was made for the “Best Dressed” prior the dinner. Surprisingly, I was picked the best dressed. I had on a matching pearl necklace, ear stud and bracelet and a beige sandal to match my simple dress. It is just a simple dressing and nothing grand. I was delighted for the surprise.

On 21st December, 07, The Sarawak Club organized a “Big Tie” Christmas Party at the Badger Bar (I do not celebrate x'mas and it is a dinner for me). I have been a member for more than 20 over years but I never participated in most events. My friend asked me to go for this one as they are serving turkey. I will normally dress to the theme. This photo shows some other club member wearing a tie and bow.

So creatively, I used green and red-colored paper to make a big tie in the shape of a Christmas tree and decorated it with glitters (my son and daughter helped me with the glitters). My daughter, Sarah was curious and enquired why I took the trouble to make the tie (she went shopping with me to buy the items). I told her I wanted to win a prize for wearing a big tie to the dinner. I was taken aback when she said, “Mummy, you don’t have to win every time”. I asked why? She said, “Sometime let others win”. I ponder over it for a while. Can we let others win? Do we have such a big heart of giving? I told her, you are right. It is not all about winning but it is a matter of the heart and your effort in doing your best and having fun in doing it.

I really did my best and put an effort and I was the winner of the “Big-tie” event and won myself a bottle of white wine. It is such a nice feeling to be a 2-time winner in a week and a memorable round up for the year end.

BIRTHDAY WISH ON “AIR”

7th Oct was my birthday, and that of my third son Darryl’s too. I do not usually celebrate my birthday. Darryl and I shared our birthday cake.

It’s a pleasure to receive so many birthday wishes from friends via sms, e-card, instant messaging and emails. Feeling good to be thought of. Strangely, this year a few close friends I consider dear totally forgot my birthday which they never missed. Does it hurt? Yes and No. Actions speak louder than words, I seem to concur, and I knew what it meant. I believe we choose to remember or forget and it is a matter of the heart.

Coincidentally, I had to fly to Kuala Lumpur for my office meeting on my birthday which I don’t really like because I want to have a more relaxed time to enjoy Darryl’s birthday cake and dinner.

It turned out to be a pleasant surprise to fly then. When the plane touched down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), I heard an announcement wishing me “Happy Birthday”. The chief stewardess walks to my aisle seat to confirm to my identity and shook hands with me and presented me a mug and some tarts instead of a cake… That was a nice gesture and going all out to service the passenger. I was embarrassed in a way too because it seem most of the passenger knew it was my birthday when I would prefer to keep a low profile. I don’t think Malaysia Airline System (MAS) does this to all passengers who flew on their birthday. It was the random act and pro-activeness of the crew of that flight. Well done! Hope they do keep that up to cheer people.

I really feel good and a consolation that I was remembered and wished in a different situation. It really made my day and I feel so light hearted when walking out of the plane to the custom clearance and arrival hall and smiles on my face while in the KLIA express train. I should say it was my best birthday. Life is not that bad after all.

Somehow, I realize that no one is perfect in this world but always remember that nothing can make us more perfect than being patient. When we learn to stay calm, the world will be the most peaceful place to us. :)

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is Broadway’s longest-running and most popular musical which returns to Singapore for a limited season in March 2007. It is a worldwide sensation which takes Singapore audiences on an unrivalled musical theatre journey. Together with my two friends, Damien and Daphne, we flew all the way to Singapore on 5th May 2007 and were later joined by my godson, Gabriel who works in Singapore – four of us to be among the lucky audience.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal hit first burst onto the London stage 20 years ago, and continues to play to full houses nightly in London, New York and around the world. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has been seen by over 80 million people worldwide, has been performed in more than 20 countries, has won over 50 major theatre awards, and has grossed more than S$5 billion.

Why go through all that distance and spent that money? Well, we should go where the heart desires. It’s worth watching this two and half hour musical put up by 130 casts, crew and orchestra members, spectacular sets and more than 230 costumes, It contains some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous and stirring music. The performance was really superb, with mesmerizing songs played through the wonderful sound system. A great show really.

It is a heart-wrenching story of the mysterious “Angel of Music” who lives beneath the Paris Opera House. The hideously disfigured Phantom falls in love with the young singer Christine, devoting himself to creating a new opera star while exercising a reign of terror over the Opera House’s occupants.

It’s a touching story with a sad ending where Christine gave the Phantom a kiss and a hug. He let her go to her lover reluctantly. He has a big heart. Could we do the same? Christine ran to her lover and seeing her go, he called out “I love you, I love you”…… That scene was heart wrenching. It makes you feel so much sympathy for the Phantom because of his unrequited love and passionate desire for Christine. I believe many were touched to the verge of tears, including me. Why does the Phantom want to fall in love?

We all want to fall in love like the Phantom. Why? The reason being that experience makes one completely alive. Where every sense is lifted, every emotion is magnified and our everyday reality is shattered. It’s like flying into heavens. It may last a moment, an hour and an afternoon. That doesn’t diminish its value because we are left with memories that are treasured for the rest of our live. The Phantom chose to treasure those memories and the feelings for the rest of his life.

The show will be over at the end of May. "If you see only one show, make sure it is this one!" Seize the chance to see it in Singapore or grab a VCD to enjoy the musical. The songs are lovely.

Mother's Day

I don’t celebrate the stereotypical and commercialized Mother’s Day. To me everyday is and should be a Mother’s Day.

Well, you may ask why the title in this blog………?

It’s the warm feelings of friends remembering me and knowing that I am a mum and sending those wishes through sms and emails. It’s the thought that counts that make today so nice. I was thinking, are we only remembered during such occasions?

The following are some nice sms greetings received locally and from overseas.

“Happy Mother’s Day” (many with these greetings)

“As the Sky Breaks into a Beautiful Sunrise, May God Open the Heaven to Shower You Lots of Love and Happiness to Make Your Day a “Blessed” one. Happy Mother’s Day!”

“Hope you have a Good Rest. Happy Mother’s Day!”

“Happy Mummy’s Day, dear”.

“Happy Mother’s Day, godmum. I love ya so much”

“It Would Take a Thousand Workers to Build a Castle, A Million Soldiers to Protect its Country, But it Only Takes One Woman to Build a Happy Home…. Happy Mother’s Day!”

“Happy Mother’s Day, love.”

Many e-mails poured in but I love this one:-

When I'm an old lady,
I'll live with each kid,
And bring so much happiness...just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided.
Returning each deed! Oh, they'll be so excited!

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,
And I'll bounce on the furniture...wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they'll shout!

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat,
I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,
And when they get angry...I'll run...if I'm able!

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click,
I'll cross both eyes just to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud 'til the end of the day!

(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh,
I'll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes.
My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
And say with a groan, "She's so sweet when she's sleeping!"

God Bless All Moms and Grandmas and Great-grandmas everywhere!
(author – unknown)

What else makes the day better? I can’t ask for more. A good coincidence: spending five hours with another mother - my best friend, Phyllis. Due to her work, she has to transit in my city before boarding the last flight back home. We talked and laughed over her coffee and my green tea and then dinner with my family and my mothers before sending her off to the airport. Many hugs were given and received from the children for both mothers.

A good wrap up for the day was when I received a card from my only 8th year old daughter before she goes to bed, which reads as follows:

“My mum is the most wonderful mum in the world!
She’s as pretty as a flower.
Her favorite food is fish and vegetable.
I think mum is funny when she laughs.
But I know she’s really angry when I do not do my homework.
I love my mum because she helps me with my homework.
Happy mother’s Day” Love, Sarah

To all my friends and wonderful mothers, have a wonderful Mother's Day everyday!

Friend's Reunion

Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold, for dear friends are hard to find and bring peace to the mind.

There are many things in life in which we need a certain amount of effort to make it happen. That includes making an effort to meet up with my old friends for a reunion for drink and a game of Balut.

About 8 to 9 years ago, I used to hang out with 4 of my friends namely, Jef, Pete (not in picture because he cannot make it), Wendy and Daphne (gang of 5) every Friday night over many years for drinks, singing and a game of Balut. It was during this Balut playing night that we enjoy ourselves and let our hair down and drown ourselves with laughter and shouts at our luck when we strike a score of Balut (see picture), chatting and talking about different topics and “gossiping”.

However, the chain of these Friday meetings was broken due to individual life commitments, busy work schedules, social functions and engagements. So the gang was dispersed for about last 3 to 4 years with the exception of the occasional get-together. However, we keep in touch with one another over the phone and sms. We really missed this Friday Nite rendezvous.

On 14.7.07 (Friday), I made an effort to round up all my gang of five, but Pete could not make it. I also made an effort to take a picture of our reunion. I feel that it’s hard for us to get together and I treasure this moment and want to remember it. What else can jog the memory other than a photo? A picture paints a thousand words. We agreed that we will make an effort to meet up at least once a month from now on - on the last Friday of every month. Of course, we have to put in effort once again.

Friendship isn’t always easily described. It has been said that Eskimos have a hundred different words for snow. Unfortunately, the vocabulary of the English language isn’t quite as vast, though it has ample opportunities to differentiate meaning. Certainly, Love is one of those opportunities. And so, too, is Friendship.

Instead of different words, however, we’re stuck with simple words and phrases. Friend. Close friend. Best friend. Childhood friend. Intimate friend. Trusted friend. Beloved friend. But whether you use different phrases or words, few can deny the nearly infinite meaning in such a simple word.

Friends are special people. We can’t pick our family, and we’re sorely limited in the number of them at any rate. Society and mores (and often our own conscience) dictate we select a single mate. But our friends can be as diverse and infinite as the phrases or simple words we choose. Our friends, in a very real sense, reflect the choices we make in life.

Friends Care, Friends Share, We Need Friends Everywhere!

P/S The strange instinct was, I wanted to take a photo of our friend’s reunion. And that was the last photo taken at the Club. The Sarawak Club unfortunately and sadly was burnt to the ground on the early morning of 27th July, 2006. Gone was the 130 years old club’s history. Currently, it is in the rebuilding process.