Bread and butter #341 (Laoban! ♥)

Sometimes, just by talking with you, everything seems to make better sense...

:)

Garlic Naan and K.......

Had a supper date with Grace. Yeah! Feels great to step out of the house after nua-ing for the entire day aimlessly.

Bursting with excitement now... I wonder if it's possible. :P

Bread and butter #340 (Cactus Club 2010!)

Our second year doing Cactus Club! Seok Ai and me have mapped out what we want to do with our children this semester and everything sounds exciting so far!

We will be setting up a booth at a bazaar selling artwork (partially) done by our children. This is really hard work for both of us, as we need to paste beans to form the words (which would be too tough a task for the kids) Seeing beans... @.@ With the benefits of them completing and selling their own plaques at the back of my mind, the sickness I got from seeing the beans almost everyday will be worth it. Nothing benefits the kids more than experiential learning.

"How can a bird that is born for joy sit in a cage and sing?... the chicks in the nest won't need a classroom to make them fly, will they?"- Skellig (David Almond)

Never give up! Never give up! Got to stick to it, got to keep trying. Never give up!

Watch out for more Cactus Power! :P

Bread and butter #339 (Very very happy for my Miracles.)

Today, I'm very very happy... :) :) :)

For the past 3 years of work with the Miracles, I've seen them grow, appreciating others, accepting and respecting each other, forging positive friendships, and supporting each other. The experience is so rewarding, I'm almost moved to tears every time I think of it.

I had a very very good time with my 3 boys today. I've never ever had such in-depth conversations with them until today. I can really sense how our work impacted them and how worthy our words and actions could be. This all the more makes me happy and satisfied and even more excited to work harder for the kids.

One of the many things that I'm impressed with them was that they are very well-normed in sharing their thoughts and feelings. And I must say it is definitely not an easy task. I always feel that Asians are more reserved in sharing thoughts and feelings openly. (And not forgetting that my kids are not even mature adults to begin with.) But because we wanted to promote understanding and respect for each other and we believe in the value in tapping on each other's viewpoints to promote nurturance and growth, we always train them to do it. And it's amazing how they learned, applied and benefitted from it.

I bet the kids never knew how much I benefitted from working with them. How they managed to train me in my road of perseverance, how they challenged my thinking and perspectives (some of which could be kuku or unreasonable), how they managed to provide me with whole new perspectives... I've always wanted to tell them these, that I really appreciate them crossing paths with me.

Before they left just now, one of them turned back and thanked me for having a good chat with them. (That was really sweet.) Though I might be physically drained, I really don't mind doing more work, as long as it benefits them.

Just a few days ago, I thought they might be stressed out by their examinations, so I made cards for them, with the quote "Don't worry if your work is hard and the rewards few, the mighty oak tree was once a nut like you." I believe that one day, they will all grow up to be mighty oak trees. It may be hard, but they surely can do it.

I never regretted any single day in being a Social Worker. To be able to witness positive growth in the kids is probably one of the best things in my life. The kids are really worth the effort. Love them. Loads. :)

Coming Soon: Carefree Days!

Was browsing through my photos and I saw this. Despite the messy hair and the weird angle that the photo was being taken at, I like the smile on my face... Right now, I'm missing Europe and the carefree-ness that I used to enjoy. Cindy, wait patiently... and the days will come very soon! :)

The fringe benefits of failure.

A very inspiring speech by JK Rowling.

"What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality... We touch other people's lives simply by existing..."

About life: "...not how long it is, but how good it is is what matters."

Check it out: JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure Video on TED.com

Surprising Sharon.

Wanted to chill out and celebrate Sharon's birthday (supposed to be a surprise) together... but she suddenly informed us that she's not free!!! And we panicked! So I suggested that we throw her a surprise near her house. Our timing is so zun, that we found Sharon behind us as we were walking towards her block... and she didn't notice us until we turned to face her. :P

I love surprises! Here's the very unwilling-to-be-photographed Sharon with the matcha cake that was shared between Julia, Lijia, me and Prince (we are eating dog food... T_T).

That's me snapping away furiously and unintentionally pointing my middle finger at Julia.

And finally a group photo to commemorate the simple yet nice time spent together!

I'm so convinced that LJ is ADHD. :P

Ahh, I love Fridays... and Happy Chinese New Year! Huat ah!

Quando, Quando, Quando.

	Michael Buble - Quando, Quando, Quando .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Simple lyrics, lovely and soothing melody. Happy Valentine's Day!

Change!

"I used to be a grade school teacher. Last year, I was in charge of the fifth graders. Anyway they fight quite often. But some of them become spiteful, and then sometimes it leads to bullying. When those problems arise, I would tell them, “Let’s think. You’re in the same class, so when there’s something you don’t like or you’re not satisfied of, then tell them properly, and listen to them properly. Then let’s think thoroughly.

Then they’ll realize that they’re different.

Since we think we’re all alike, we get mad when we get contradicted. When someone acts different, we think “what the heck?”. That’s when fights and bullying begin. But no two people are alike. Everyone thinks differently and encounter different situations. That’s why I wanted them to understand that they’re different from each other. After that. Think of what words to use so that their feelings will reach each other… and so that they can convince each other… I ask them to think about that…

Therefore from now on, let’s talk thoroughly. I’m sure we’ll find an answer that will satisfy us both."

That was what Asakura said when he faced the challenge of negotiating for a win-win situation.

This drama is amazing, in the sense that it got me a little bit more interested in politics. It made me realise the importance of having good politicians around... understand a little bit more about the life of politicians (albeit it may not be totally accurate), and ascertained the belief that one must really have the passion for what he or she is doing.

For almost every episode, I could identify a learning point which I can apply either at work or in life. It's certainly another drama which touched my heart in 2009. Thumbs-up!

P/S: Been wanting to blog about this but have been occupied with other stuffs... So, since the night is still young and I'm refusing to sleep, hahaha.

Bread and butter #338 (For Mutton Rendang, I will.)

Can't help but constantly think of Mutton Rendang recently... the extra work that I could have done... Should have... Could have...

Life shouldn't be like this, you know. No such thing as "regret", "could have" or "should have"...

My heart aches every time I think of what happened to some of them. Want to try my best, but sometimes it is just so tough. Damn the limitations.

That's it. I'm not going to have anymore regrets.

I will work hard for you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you... Yes, especially you.

Absolute Boyfriend. Zettai Kareshi.

How timely- very in line with my conversations with two of my girlfriends recently. Haha!

By the way, I think Night is a really fabulous boyfriend, hahaha. :P

OST- my soft spot. Loving the soundtrack and loving the drama. :)

After finishing the drama, I feel extremely touched by Night. At first, he tried very hard to win Riiko's heart. Even though he had to face a lot of competition, he persevered... continued to love...despite that his system was threatening to break down. He really loved Riiko and gave it all. My heart went all out for him when he saved Riiko from the car that was going in her direction at the carpark scene. 02 (the other series of Robot Lovers developed by the scientists) calculated the risks of saving Riiko (99%) and the possibility of him being safe (1%), thus decided not to save Riiko and stood on the spot. Night, however, ran all the way out to save her, which then caused his system to experience more pressure. Even till the moment he knew that he was going to "die", he tried his very best to create happy memories with Riiko and wants the best for her- to fulfill her dream of becoming a passitier and of course, to have everlasting happiness.

At the end of the day, it's not about being similar, growing old together, or any other factors..but about creating and treasuring memories together. 活在当下！:)

Don't ya feel like going there straightaway? ;)

This is specially dedicated to Eliz, JY and MZ.

March 3, 2004: Prince Harry leads young orphan Mutsu Potsane, 4, to plant a peach tree together at the Mants'ase Children's Home for orphans in Lesotho.

---

This post is specially created in celebration for the African Dream' 2010.

Fridays♥

Chilled :)

Bread and butter #337 (First week of February.)

Work has been good this week! I think I really did a good job in maintaining my responsibilities, bearing in mind my weaknesses and trying to improve on them, churning out new ideas (for my closure), and conquering my fears. :)

Although school-based work has not officially started for me, every day was filled with work and personal goals to achieve. It felt great to be able to focus well and reach the small goals I had in mind. It was a fulfilling and enriching week! I hope every week will be like this!

Good news: Our record-setting event was featured in NYC newsletter!

I bet the kids would love to see this!

Strong. Focused. Passionate. That's the way to be!

Before the morning swim.

The fajar was lovely :)

Bread and butter #336 (This certain extent...)

Yeah! I feel very efficient today! Checked and replied emails, wrote affirmation card for Boy, edited PPT, typed a report (I usually take days... but today I took less than an hour!) and filled in some forms, printed a letter, had a session with another Boy, and typed a long session recording. The length actually doesn't matter, of course...

After the session, I had a chat with BT and something he mentioned struck me. Even if something could have been very systemic, the worker can definitely contribute or help to a certain extent. Things might have been better if I could have done better. But I must be mindful not to self-blame too much... because the result actually depends not only on me, but also on the decisions made by them.

Today's session with Boy has been fruitful, I feel. It could have been him... or it could have been me. Anyhow... I can always help, but only to a certain extent. I will do my best for this certain extent, for all of them definitely.