A Highly Effective Habit

I pride myself on not re-reading a book. Well, mainly because I think there are SO many books in this world and my time is precious and I cannot, simply cannot, waste that time re-reading.
I think as I age, I tend to take back some words that I’ve spoken.
Nowadays I do. Not novels of course. I just can’t stand it if I already know the story and keep ploughing the same lines. Or coming back to the same ending.

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Not Over the Moon

Went shopping last minute for mooncakes today. I know, Mooncake Festival is not for another week or so but these sweet pastries aren’t for me. They’re for my parents and Nic’s parents.
It’s this tradition we have where we mail (yes, good old Poslaju) the solidly wrapped mooncakes in their steel tins to our parents – one set to Selangor and the other set to Kuching – each year.

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Meme from Lydia

Thanks Lydia! Now it’s my turn to tell you some stuff (personal most likely) about madame moi. Have to dig into my brains to think about things like these. But awful good fun and great way to reflect on how I’ve grown.
Twenty years ago (1985)
I was 11 years old and in Standard Five, busy mugging for my Penilaian Darjah Lima. Important exams to me. Had to study hard and get the 5As. That time, Michael Jackson, Lionel Ritchie, Madonna were all the rage. Loved waking up on Sunday mornings to watch my fave cartoon “Jem”. Dad bought me my first issue of Galaxie when it came out, and I remembered it was hidden in my cupboard as a surprise. I remembered Rock Hudson’s face on the cover of Galaxie then. Also, loved submitting my stories and such to the Starchild section of The Star newspaper.

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When God Was There

There’s no wonder that most people are pessimistic about life. Look at the happenings around us. It would seem as if Mother Nature herself is pissed. Look at Katrina, Talim, Mawar. And why named after women? Hell hath no fury…?
Anyway, I read a very powerful first hand account this evening and am soberly reminded that this Sept 11 would mark the 4th year anniversary of the collapse of the World Trade Centre, and the indelible course of action which has changed many peoples’ lives.
At times, I think, “What if someone took one step backwards and decided NOT to do what he had been instructed to do? Would things have been a lot more different?”
So I read Guy Yasika’s tribute to the heroes of 9-11. The man in the wheel chair. The fireman on his way up the stairs when everyone were filing out hysterically. The people who could not escape.
Guy Yasika survived 9-11 although he was in the building the morning it happened. He felt the building shake.
Sometimes one needs to read experiences like these to be reminded to fervently pray for peace.
To read his personal account of the event which rocked his life, go here.

This Baby of Mine

It’s easy to worry, and to let worry eat at you. I know the past few weeks have been turbulent and sometimes I wonder if I am crazy to have started what I did.
But along the way I’ve met friends and learnt about others, and that makes it worthwhile. I also feel that I’ve grown so much along the way, giving myself a chance to really look into myself and learn how I’ve changed over the last few years.

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Big Fat Frog Jumping About

Was having lunch the other day (yes, yes, I seem to be having lunches ever so often….but then again, that’s me. I think food and me and conversation just flow) with my KL aunt. Let’s call her Auntie J (yeah, I have to protect some people’s identities here, especially if they’re not mine). Auntie J is the ultimate advertiser’s dream come true. She is. She is the Penangite who works in KL and has infused so much of KL culture that she says watching Penangites in action makes her squirm.

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