Emotional control is an art and i have yet to master it.
There are too many things, too many people, too many sticky situations to deal with in life.
That is why holidays are the best. A relaxing holiday to a quiet destination with no cares in the world.

I do not really like dealing with family members and even friends. When things are rosy, all is good. But sometimes, it is hard to be firm on them when you have to say "NO".
I am just bad at it. That is also why I admire those who can do it easily.

I also HATE dealing with obnoxious people. There are people who suck up to you because of that little bit more money that you have, but unfortunately, I am not one of them. Because you have that BIT more amount of money than others, you expect a higher level of service. I do not mind giving better service to deserving people, but do not expect good service with an arrogant and mighty attitude.
You are working with a fellow human being, not a machine. Show respect and humility towards fellow beings and the world will be a better place to live in.

At this juncture, I like to quote a liner from Mitch Albom "Have a little Faith" - "What gains a man if he profits the whole world but loses his soul". - It's really a food for thought book.
(I think it is time for me to read the book again)

Therefore, when I am met with someone of the above two combination, I just go ARGH!
The devil in me tells me to unleash the anger and frustration in me... and every time I want to do so, I will and must think of other more sensible ways to overcome this barrier in me.
I may call my big sis to rant on it and usually, she can give me very good advice. Some people are just more cool-headed and calm, and I am not one of them.
I will also think of this sentence that Greg always say to me, "I can never control what others do or talk, but I can control MYSELF".
Yes, self-control is the crux here. There are so many kinds of people out there and some people are just too irritated to live with. Its a kind of human chemistry but everyone does face it. Whether at the workplace, home, club, social gathering. We cannot control such irritating people, but YES, we can CONTROL OUR own emotions.

Expectations. It all boils down to expectations. The haughty customer expect a certain level of service whereas the service provider expect her clients to be kinder, nicer, more understanding. There must be a meeting point somewhere in between, for if not, emotional outburst will happen.

And I have to repeat to myself something that my sister once said, " ...its my own thinking and perceptions, which are laced with expectations. when all these conditions are not met, feelings of anger and disappointment surface" Therefore, I have to be flexible and tune my thoughts and mind a little and life goes on...happily ever after.

Happily ever after.............

Departure Gates

Everytime I travel, it's always a nice feeling to walk through the departure gates of any airport.
At Changi Airport, the feeling is usually good because I am a step nearer to my holiday destination. Furthurmore, the carpeted floor at the immigration, the big brand names of tax-free shopping is so welcoming.

At overseas' airports, the feeling is also good because I am heading back Home Sweet Home. No matter how much fun I had during the holiday, nothing beats HOME.

However, I have come to realise that there are moments of saddness at departure gates too. I have never experienced it until someone close chose to walk through that gate. Once you witness the "crossing over" to the other side, everything seems really far. We were just seperated by a glass wall, but it is a true real case of "So near, yet so far".
Of course, on the lighter side, there will be goodness coming out of this temporary seperation and hope that everything will work out smooth and good for her.
Luckily, we have the Internet now and contact is seamless with the likes of Facebook, MSN, Skype etc.
And I think that we are considered very lucky in Singapore as our departure gates are pretty much "happy-looking". Not just plain old walls or metal gates with glass panels. That will be really sad.

Anyway, life goes on as usual and I can't help but think of a song at this point in time.

Dedicated to my little sister:
放心离开我
我会记得这一刻
那些还飞翔着，
不可思议的梦

雨后的天空
会有深蓝的彩虹
像最初相信着，
我们总会找到自由。。。

Little Mango

I am approaching my 20th week soon. Time really flies. It only seems like yesterday when I just learnt about my pregnancy but I am already half-way thru!

The iphone app says that the little living thing inside me now is as big as a mango, measuring 16.5 cm and weighing 0.28kg.

Hmmm, I have gained around 6kg till date...and if the baby is not even 1kg, I wonder where all the weight gain goes to! *SHUDDERS!!!*
The average ideal weight gain is around 13-16 kg which means I have another 10 more kg to gain... OMG! These days, I am starting to show..no more hiding behind flowy dresses. My tummy is getting really big and the bump is getting obvious. Besides this, I also feel myself expanding... ARGH! Hates flabby arms and thunder thighs!

Anyway, I should not be complaining. Weight Gain is necessary during pregnancy. Just concentrate on eating healthy food will do.

We have thought of a few names... I like Joshua..He have chosen Xavier... I think both are nice... Hmmmmm....

The deposit for the confinement lady has also been paid. It's a recommendation by Audrey's sister. Hope she is good.

I have also signed up for childbirth education course starting in Oct. Looking forward to it!

Think somewhere in Nov, I will take a short break and go for a Babymoon! Really need one now..before the baby comes along!

Then for the last 3 months, it will be time to think about decos for the nursury room, lots and lots of baby stuff shopping ...

Thats about it..nothing much for this post.just want to run thru some of the random things in my head. At least, I kinda get a timeline and a clearer picture of what's to-dos now.

Tata!!

@ 17 weeks..

Measuring 10+ cm and weighing 0.14kg, you are now as big as a Turnip!

Cutez!

We went for the scan on Monday and it showed a BOY! Both of us prefer a boy although we will be equally happy if it's a girl. When the screen shows that important "part" sticking out between his legs, we were really happy and thrilled!

And of course, the most important thing is that the baby is good and healthy.

Well, so I guess I can paste Raymond Lam's photos everywhere and look at them. According to folktales, a baby will turn out good-looking if the Mum looks at beautiful people. Hahhahaa!!!

Now is also the time to brain-storm for boy names...ARGH!!!! *PULL HAIR*

Matthew 19:6.

What God has joined, let not man divide.

I read a note from Facebook today. It was a touching story about a 10 year old married couple. Their marriage has strayed and the ending was pretty touching and sad.
What strikes me the most was this proverb from Mathew 19:6. "What God has joined, let not man divide".

Indeed, a marriage is one of the sacraments in the Catholic faith. It is holy and is treated with utmost importance.
But of course, every relationship takes two hands to clap. It also needs a lot of understanding and communication. And the most important thing is that little spark. I like to term it as "friendship".
I am no love guru, so I have no intention to turn this post into a 101 Guide on Relationships.
In fact, every kind of relationship needs some working on. Parent vs Child. Siblings, Couple, husband and wife, friends etc.

I often tell Greg that we have to practice "friendship" in our marriage. Good friends with a hint of Romanticism. Good Friends whom support each other thru the years. Lots of communication and sharing, where possible.
Of course, there are times of quarrels and arguments. But at the end of the day, you always know that this good friend is the one who understands you most. Its not easy cause simply put, men and women are made up differently. So the difficulty to handling different mindsets is to establish that line of equilibrium.

Cheers!

家常小菜

some stuff I cooked up over the last few nights .. :)

1. Sesame Oil Chicken
- Marinate chicken pieces with soya sauce, oyster sauce, chinese wine, pepper, sesame oil and salt.
- Stir fry ginger slices with sesame oil
- Pour in chicken slices with marinade
- Add dried lily buds and button mushrooms
- Cover lid and let the dish simmer for 15 mins.
- Serve warm


2. Pig Stomach Soup
- Wash the pig stomach well and clean.
- Scald pork meat
- Put pork meat, pig stomach, garlic cloves, peppercorn seeds into a pot of boiling water and cook for 2-3 hrs.



3. Old Cucumber Soup
- Cut old cucumber into chunks
- Bring a pot of water to boil. Add in scaled pork meat, old cucumber, red dates, dried scallops (4-5pcs).
- Simmer for 2-3 hours on low heat and add in salt to taste before serving.



4. Bittergourd Soup with Minced Pork and Egg flower
- A very simple soup that is fast to cook.
- Prepare ikan bills stock
- Once stock is boiled , add in bittergourd slices and minced pork (shaped into balls)
- Once everything floats, add in a beaten egg
- Serve hot

Comfort food on a Mon night

My dinner for monday night.

Macaroni soup with watever ingredients I can find in the fridge. And always with lots of chilli padi.