A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.
'Daddy, may I ask you a question?'
'Yeah sure, what it is?' replied the man.
'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'
'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the man said angrily.
'I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?'
'If you must know, I make $50 an hour.'
'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down. 'Daddy, may I please borrow $25?'
The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don't work hard everyday for such childish frivolities.'
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?
After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down , and started to think, 'Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he really didn't ask for money very often.'
The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door. 'Are you asleep, son?' he asked.
'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.
'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the man. 'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $25 you asked for.'
The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you, Daddy!' he yelled.
Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled upbills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.
'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the father grumbled.
'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied. 'Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.'
Time spent with our family is always priceless...
Monday, December 22
Sunday, December 21
You are Special!
One day, a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then, she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.
That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.
On Monday, she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.
No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.
Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature. The church was packed with his friends. One by one, those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.
As she stood there, one of the soldiers, who acted as pallbearer, came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he asked.
She nodded, 'Yes.'
Then he said, 'Mark talked about you a lot.'
After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.
'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'
Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew, without looking, that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.
'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark treasured it.'
All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.'
Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.'
'I have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my diary.'
Then, Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued, 'I think we all saved our lists.'
That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.
The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be. Tell the people you love and care for that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.
Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.
That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.
On Monday, she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.
No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.
Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature. The church was packed with his friends. One by one, those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.
As she stood there, one of the soldiers, who acted as pallbearer, came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he asked.
She nodded, 'Yes.'
Then he said, 'Mark talked about you a lot.'
After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.
'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'
Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew, without looking, that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.
'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark treasured it.'
All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.'
Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.'
'I have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my diary.'
Then, Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued, 'I think we all saved our lists.'
That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.
The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be. Tell the people you love and care for that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.
Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.
Thursday, December 18
Letter from God
Today, I will be handling ALL of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you.
P.S. Remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, DO NOT attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in MY TIME, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic jam, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard-of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!
Count our blessings. So simple and yet hard to do! We are often bothered by what we don't have, rather than what we have. As such, life becomes complicated and an unhappy experience. When we count our blessings, life becomes simple and we can live much happier!
P.S. Remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, DO NOT attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in MY TIME, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic jam, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard-of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!
Count our blessings. So simple and yet hard to do! We are often bothered by what we don't have, rather than what we have. As such, life becomes complicated and an unhappy experience. When we count our blessings, life becomes simple and we can live much happier!
Wednesday, December 17
Happy Holidays!
Although I did not go overseas this holiday, this is by far one of the better holiday. Cos Mommy is on leave as well. We have been spending time doing things together... taking her out, doing things for her, watching telly together with her...
I think it has been a great holiday spent with Mommy.... she has been happy too! :)
I think it has been a great holiday spent with Mommy.... she has been happy too! :)
Sunday, December 7
April's Wedding!
April finally got married yesterday... after an almost decade-long courtship with Jun Hao, affectionally known as JH. It was so wonderful to see her settled down after all the trials in their relationship. To maintain a relationship for 10 years and grow into each other's best friend has not been an easy journey for them, but they have done it. Congrats!
It was a really beautiful wedding. The decor at Grand Hyatt was really classy. Plus the food was good. It was also a wonderful gathering of ex-colleagues. Unfortunately, there were quite a lot who were unable to make it. They were either overseas or fell sick. Despite that, everyone had a great time and April was thrilled to see everyone.
She wanted to linger with us to chat and take photos. Unfortunately, she had to go to other tables too. Anyway, I'm meeting her for lunch this Thurs, as a post-wedding celebration. I really wish her happiness in this journey ahead. ;)
April finally got married yesterday... after an almost decade-long courtship with Jun Hao, affectionally known as JH. It was so wonderful to see her settled down after all the trials in their relationship. To maintain a relationship for 10 years and grow into each other's best friend has not been an easy journey for them, but they have done it. Congrats!
It was a really beautiful wedding. The decor at Grand Hyatt was really classy. Plus the food was good. It was also a wonderful gathering of ex-colleagues. Unfortunately, there were quite a lot who were unable to make it. They were either overseas or fell sick. Despite that, everyone had a great time and April was thrilled to see everyone.
She wanted to linger with us to chat and take photos. Unfortunately, she had to go to other tables too. Anyway, I'm meeting her for lunch this Thurs, as a post-wedding celebration. I really wish her happiness in this journey ahead. ;)
Joys of car ownership!
My friend's bro (the one who got me a good deal for my car) has rented me a car to drive around and practice till my car arrives. I'm been driving myself around since Monday evening, a one week old driver... lolz.
Right now, I'm enjoying the bliss of car ownership. My mom commented that since I've started driving, I've become more happy. :)
Honestly, a car has provided me a lifestyle that I've always wanted. I am able to get from place to place, with less hassle and less time spent on transport. I've also been able to do more things for my dear mom and godma. I feel that with the car, I have been able to bless people I care about.
Monday
Drove Mom to my Uncle's house to see Grandma. Mom hasn't been there since Sept. My uncle stays in the middle of the Bukit Timah private houses. It's diff to get there without transport and Mom doesn't like to rely on my uncle and aunts to drive her back. Too much hassle for them.
Tuesday
Drove to school for meeting. Drove my colleagues, Ben and David, out for a yummy lunch at Yuhua Hawker Centre. Went hospital to see Godma. Pick Mom up after work - she carried more stuff back knowing I was going to pick her up.
Wednesday
Drove to school to settle finance issues. Went to my paternal Grandma's place for lunch. Collected a free gift at Techpoint for Mom. Went to buy my Hello Kitty car accessories. Visited Godma after her discharge. Drove out to hunt for drainage bags - hers had a leak.
Thursday
Survived the Orchard traffic by driving myself for gym lessons.
Friday
Drove to school to settle finance issue once again... sigh... Had lunch with David at IMM. Went for tuition. Met Mom at Toa Payoh Central where I went to the library and she bought a lot of things.
Saturday
Survived the Orchard traffic by driving down for April's wedding dinner. Went out for drinks with my colleagues. Drove Chee Chuen and Irene home.
Sunday
Took Mom to Ghim Moh Market - her fav market but we had no direct transport for. Went to Uncle's house to see Grandma with breakfast for all of them.
While I've enjoy the use of the car and made productive use of it, it is a huge financial drain. Plus, I also had a couple of minor accidents.
Accident #1 - Hit the kerb and punctured the air tube for the wheel. Had to change the entire wheel. Thank God, my friend's bro had a lobang who did it for him FOC. Just that I was v embarassed by it.
Accident #2 - Parked too near a pillar and ended up with a scratch in front. Sigh...
Accident #3 - Hit the kern at a sharp turn and the wheel cap flew out. Didn't even realised it till I got home. Had to drive back to the spot to find it. It was in the drain. Had to climb down the drain to pick it up. Luckily, Mom was with me. She held on to the wheel cap while I kicked it in. That's how I managed to fix that! :p
These accidents have helped me to be more careful. Let's hope the list ends here...
While it is expensive for me to maintain the car, seeing the satisfaction on Mom's face as I drive her around has made it all worth while. :)
My friend's bro (the one who got me a good deal for my car) has rented me a car to drive around and practice till my car arrives. I'm been driving myself around since Monday evening, a one week old driver... lolz.
Right now, I'm enjoying the bliss of car ownership. My mom commented that since I've started driving, I've become more happy. :)
Honestly, a car has provided me a lifestyle that I've always wanted. I am able to get from place to place, with less hassle and less time spent on transport. I've also been able to do more things for my dear mom and godma. I feel that with the car, I have been able to bless people I care about.
Monday
Drove Mom to my Uncle's house to see Grandma. Mom hasn't been there since Sept. My uncle stays in the middle of the Bukit Timah private houses. It's diff to get there without transport and Mom doesn't like to rely on my uncle and aunts to drive her back. Too much hassle for them.
Tuesday
Drove to school for meeting. Drove my colleagues, Ben and David, out for a yummy lunch at Yuhua Hawker Centre. Went hospital to see Godma. Pick Mom up after work - she carried more stuff back knowing I was going to pick her up.
Wednesday
Drove to school to settle finance issues. Went to my paternal Grandma's place for lunch. Collected a free gift at Techpoint for Mom. Went to buy my Hello Kitty car accessories. Visited Godma after her discharge. Drove out to hunt for drainage bags - hers had a leak.
Thursday
Survived the Orchard traffic by driving myself for gym lessons.
Friday
Drove to school to settle finance issue once again... sigh... Had lunch with David at IMM. Went for tuition. Met Mom at Toa Payoh Central where I went to the library and she bought a lot of things.
Saturday
Survived the Orchard traffic by driving down for April's wedding dinner. Went out for drinks with my colleagues. Drove Chee Chuen and Irene home.
Sunday
Took Mom to Ghim Moh Market - her fav market but we had no direct transport for. Went to Uncle's house to see Grandma with breakfast for all of them.
While I've enjoy the use of the car and made productive use of it, it is a huge financial drain. Plus, I also had a couple of minor accidents.
Accident #1 - Hit the kerb and punctured the air tube for the wheel. Had to change the entire wheel. Thank God, my friend's bro had a lobang who did it for him FOC. Just that I was v embarassed by it.
Accident #2 - Parked too near a pillar and ended up with a scratch in front. Sigh...
Accident #3 - Hit the kern at a sharp turn and the wheel cap flew out. Didn't even realised it till I got home. Had to drive back to the spot to find it. It was in the drain. Had to climb down the drain to pick it up. Luckily, Mom was with me. She held on to the wheel cap while I kicked it in. That's how I managed to fix that! :p
These accidents have helped me to be more careful. Let's hope the list ends here...
While it is expensive for me to maintain the car, seeing the satisfaction on Mom's face as I drive her around has made it all worth while. :)
Thursday, December 4
Godma is finally home... after 73 days in the hospital. This is her longest stay ever!
Anyway, she has been taken off the steriods for good and only given morphine to manage the pain. She's going to be on catheter to reduce risks of infection. Her bed has been changed to the hospital-bed-type so she will be more comfortable. The house has been done up for Christmas, her favourite holiday.
She looking good and happy. I hope things will continue to be better for her. :)
Anyway, she has been taken off the steriods for good and only given morphine to manage the pain. She's going to be on catheter to reduce risks of infection. Her bed has been changed to the hospital-bed-type so she will be more comfortable. The house has been done up for Christmas, her favourite holiday.
She looking good and happy. I hope things will continue to be better for her. :)
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