I was so surprised and glad to find Skateline School putting their easy-to-learn blading tutorials on a YouTube channel. This is really useful for a beginner, e.g. noobies like me! I really enjoyed myself when I was enrolled for the basic level 1 and 2 classes last year, my best buddy there being a young Korean kid (aka 김성진 no.2.. lol). Now I can actually use the clips to review what I have learned so far before moving on to level 3 (kind of rusty now.. Marcus, Aaron, Daniel, pls get me out for blading!!!!). You can go direct to the channel itself, or browse through the nifty moves that I have organized based on Skateline's own "Learn-To-Skate Program" booklet format:

Learn-To-Skate Program (ICP Standard)

Level 1:

• Stride 1
• Heel Stop (I bought a pair of blades without heel brakes, hence I shunned using heel brakes to stop initially. Never did I know that it is in fact very important, especially for slopes, after going through the lessons. This is also my main reason for failing my first ever evaluation..ㅠㅠ ! Learn well.)
• A-Frame Turn (The very first basic turn to learn and you can then turn everywhere!)
• Scooter (Important to familiarize placing your weight on one foot.)
• Swizzle (Looks easy but watch your balance.. it is easy to fall backwards doing this! Bend your knees for better thrust and balance.)

Level 2:

• Stride 2
• 1-Foot Balance (Another very important aspect to master.)
• Toe Roll (Fun to try, luckily not tested during evaluation.. lol)
• Heel Stop 2
• Scooter Turn
• Parallel Turn (I like this turn, it is so smooth. Maybe the hip is the trick.)
• Simple Slalom (my instructor told me ppl can fail this 8 times in a row.. his stern advice: no body rotation!)

Level 3:

• Stride 3 (My first lesson in level 3? Speed skating? *ahh* looks difficult!)
• Spin Stop
• Forward Cross-over (Nice move.. always wanting to learn this.)
• T-Stop (*hehe* I had secretly started training on this using the sloping overhead bridge at East Coast.. many horrifying experiences to share though! Maybe I should wait until proper lessons start...)

Level 4:

• Backwards Swizzle
• Backward Stopping
• Backward Skating (Cool!)
• Mohawk Turn
• 2-Foot Transition
• Backward Power-slide

Level 5:

• Lunge Turn (Marcus seems to know this instinctively!)
• Lunge Stop
• 1-Foot Slalom
• Heel-Stop 3
• Forward Power-slide
• Backward Cross-over

Level 6:

• Forward Criss-cross
• Backward Criss-cross
• Three Turn
• Edge Stop

Anyway, nothing beats having someone qualified to guide you along, and through my experience with Skateline's group of dedicated instructors, I find them to be pleasant and *overly* enthusiastic to impact knowledge, not forgetting the feel-good environment for all beginners during classes. The fun thing about inline skating is that there are so many interesting moves that I can gradually pick up as my skill improves (but I just can't do Aaron's Eagle move *sianz*) , as opposed to my first impression then as a leisure activity plus *lazy* way to exercise from one end of East Coast to another. I'm thinking of going for level 3 class this Saturday, anyone joining me? =p

Age doesn't matter so don't be shy to learn! For more information, check out the Learn-To-Skate Program by Skateline now!

➸ Other useful downloads...

Skateline Tutorials (in video format): Level 1-3 4-6 Intermediate Skate Backward Viewable in Nokia Phones 1-4 5-7 Skating Guides: Skate Rockering pdf Skate Backward pdf Slalom FAQs pdf Slalom Progression Chart (by SGSkaters): Level 1-2 3 4 5-7 Interesting Clips*: Tricks by Universkate zip The Chinese MSTeam zip Paris Slalom World Cup zip Shanghai Slalom Open zip IFSA Slide Contest zip The Clopinettes' Gang zip and more... * use winzip if cannot uncompress file in this section.

I laughed myself silly along with this little bundle of joy! This is seriously not a laughing matter not for the faint-hearted!

YouTube: Laughing Baby (mp4 / advert) 

Imagine a pride of sly gangsters ambushing some really blur passersby, out sprang a jaw-dropping robber challenging the gangsters to a tug-of-war, while the young victim's comrades reunite to bring forth the world's greatest rescue act *my gang is bigger than yours*! Never in my life have I witnessed such incredible wonders of nature..

YouTube: Battle @ Kruger (mp4)

For more real wicked videos, check out YouTube's award winners for 2007! Woah... =P

(This post is best viewed in Firefox)

How to spend a very romantic day on the 29th of February? Watch "The Leap Years" with your dearest of course! And then promise to keep each other company on the next leap year *sweet*! This is simply just what Marcus did, and his review of the movie is equally saccharine and telling...

Quote

Interestingly, today is the 8th leap year that I have experienced in my life so far :P and I did not really pay much attention to this date previously. However, I decided to mark today to be a little bit more memorable as I will be spending the first leap year with my special one, our first leap year together. The significance here for me will be the rare occurrence of the date, once every 4 years. And due to historical tradition, this date can also be associated with romance and touching moments. I already had this thought in mind during the day and after watching the movie The Leap Years, it really further reinforce my belief.

The movie had a predictable plot, a simple cast and nice soundtrack from Corrine May. However the selling points of this movie for me are really none of the things mentioned above but more of the heart-warming n touching scenes, sweet quotes n union and sad partings. The soul of this movie centered on this couple making a promise to meet on every Feb 29. A promise that sets the stage for heart piercing decision to be made, romantic n memorable stories to be told. I was first attracted to this movie by the background music of the movie trailer which never failed to bring a sparkle to my eye whenever and wherever I hear it.

After doing some search, I discovered the music was actually composed by a Japanese musician; Ryuichi Sakamoto titled Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. A simple story with underlying love messages for you to take away if you ponder long enough. A resolute mentality towards holding your own dream and courage to plunge into a dream believing that your true love is there waiting for you, just like the way you are waiting...

`·.¸¸.☁‧: Read more @ Marcus's blog :‧☁,.¸¸.·´

You can also read other interesting reviews at Marina's Bloggariffic (very, very nice pics), Memoirs of a Geri (nice quotes) and Call Me Uray (her 3 stars worth). I have been *persuading* Shimin to go ahead to watch it with her beau before the movie run ends *hurry.. book now*! If you find it dragging a bit, just close your eyes and listen to Corrinne May whenever her songs enter the scenes, that will justify the ticket price too. =p

And about the nice OST by Corrinne May (mostly) as recommended by Marcus, you have to believe him:

• Scars (Stronger For Life)
• Love Song For Number 1
• I'm All About You
• Baby Girl
• Little Superhero Girl
• The Birthday Song
• Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
• Strings Version
• Vocal Version (with David Sylvian)

listen ... and enjoy ^^

Note:

The soundtrack music used in "The Leap Years" cinematic trailer is an adaptation of Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence". It was re-arranged by Robert WS, a composer commissioned by Raintree Pictures solely for the trailer. Composer Ricky Ho, who composed the main movie soundtrack, is not in any way associated with the trailer, as stated on his website on 1st March, 2008.

Possibly due to some unforeseen  issues, the trailer music has not been released to the public as a full single at the present time.

The original version of the 1983 soundtrack for the movie "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence", the strings version, as well as the vocal version with lyrics by English musician David Sylvian, are included in this collection.

Last but not least, thanks to itsallen for the songs!

The ever-likeable Professor Lim Siow Yong wishes his students a great *mugging* month ahead! I miss going to his tutorials some time back; he is really good in interacting with us and is an extremely warmly person to boot! =p

He reminded (yet again!), "Maybe I have sent this before….GOOD to read again. Really must concentrate on study now….."

"The happiest people in the world are not those who have no problems, but those who learn to live with things that are less than perfect."

* A group of graduates, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor.

* Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

* Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to  the coffee.

* When all the students had a cup of coffee, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the simple and cheap ones.

* While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

* Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee.

* In most cases, it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

* What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... Then you began eyeing each other's cups.

* Now consider this:

• Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups.
• They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.
• Sometimes, by concentrating on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us. Enjoy your coffee!

* The happiest people don't have the best of everything..

* They just make the best of everything.

• Live simply.
• Love generously.
• Care deeply.
• Speak kindly.
• Leave the rest to God.

* You are the miracle, my friend;

* Your life either shines a light OR casts a shadow!

* Shine a light & Enjoy the Coffee!!!

"Live every day with enjoyment..... we don't know what tomorrow will give".

Regards

Siow Yong

Hypothetically, if you knew that you were going to die and you had one last lecture, what would you say to your students? Randy Pausch (more about him), a professor of Carnegie Mellon University and a married father of 3 young children, has terminal stage pancreatic cancer and had just given his one last lecture to his students.

If there are times when you find it hard to go on in life, you might be inspired by the candor of his presentation to live your life to the fullest, to realize your dreams, to give joy to others and to help others along to realize their dreams too:

Click here for smoother stream  "Time Management" by Randy Pausch (subtitled version)

As a rejoinder, you can read a summary by Wilfrid over here as well. This is easily the best lecture that I have ever *attended*! Do come in and listen too.

An amazing story of Moko the dolphin, quintessence of nature that has captivated me ever since I was a child!

Most days Moko the bottlenose dolphin swims playfully with humans at a New Zealand beach. But this week, it seems, Moko found his mojo.

Witnesses described Wednesday how they saw the dolphin swim up to two stranded whales and guide them to safety.

Before Moko arrived, rescue workers had been working for more than an hour to get two pygmy sperm whales, a mother and her calf, back out to sea after they were stranded Monday off Mahia Beach, New Zealand Conservation Department worker Malcolm Smith said.

But Smith said the whales restranded themselves four times on a sandbar slightly out to sea from the beach, about 300 miles (500 kilometers) northeast of the capital, Wellington.

It was looking likely they would have to be euthanized to prevent a prolonged death, he said.

"They kept getting disorientated and stranding again," said Smith, who was among the rescuers. "They obviously couldn't find their way back past (the sandbar) to the sea."

Then along came Moko, who approached the whales and appeared to lead them as they swam 200 yards (180 meters) along the beach and through a channel out to the open sea.

"Moko just came flying through the water and pushed in between us and the whales," Juanita Symes, another rescuer, told the Associated Press. "She got them to head toward the hill, where the channel is. It was an amazing experience."

Anton van Helden, a marine mammals expert at New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, said the reports of Moko's rescue were "fantastic" but believable because dolphins have "a great capacity for altruistic activities."

There's evidence of dolphins protecting people lost at sea, and the swimmers are known for their playfulness with other animals.

"But it's the first time I've heard of an inter-species refloating technique. I think that's wonderful," said van Helden, who was not involved in the rescue but spoke afterward to Smith.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed (unless on a blog?).

See here (video) for more...

I remembered the good old days when I would read finished all the books available on nature, animals and insects in the Marine Parade National Library and had to wait longingly for new releases. Just want to show you a couple of pictures of one of my favourite mammals, the Narwhal, or "unicorn" whale:

At times, a male Narwhal may even have 2 tusks, although such instances are rare. The sociable and ever-smiling Beluga whales are also another of my favourites, the scene of a baby Beluga stranded on the shore helplessly as the family waited in anxiety was a really distressing sight: =(

Beluga Whale Stranded (National Geographic): When a baby beluga whale gets stranded on the shore, there's nothing its mother and pod can do but wait.

The doom and gloom for the last few months finally lifted for all Liverpool fans, and chasing all doomsayers and critics away for some needed breathing space for Rafa and Co. A heart-warming report that I saw in The New Paper recently, the camaraderie is a joy to behold as Gerrard presented the match ball to the hat-trick hero followed by a warm embrace as the Kop roared its approval.

Torres es magnífico!

By David Lee (TNP)

It is always nice to relive the wonderful actions of the last 3 matches again, and the goal against Inter at the San Siro was simply brilliant! What more can I say; Torres and Gerrard's expressions said it all! Wow!

watch

"The Spaniard's movement, control and finish were an object lesson in centre forward play at its finest, and the combination of all three of the striker's main arts produced a moment which Torres will, quite rightly, cherish for ever." (Liverpool Echo)

Get the full match torrents before the seeding ends, highlights from the fan sites listed, or direct from the official LFC TV:

• Premiership: Liverpool vs West Ham (mininova)
• Premiership: Liverpool vs Newcastle (mininova)
• Champions' League: Inter vs Liverpool (mininova)

Credits: liverpool-vlog.blogspot.com, www.liverpoolclip.com

Enjoy and let's aim for this! =p

*updated on 16th Mar, 2008

Moments earlier, I was listening to Tanya Chua's recent album, Goodbye & Hello, which was released back in October last year. It was a captivating journey into the love experiences of Tanya, and I simply put down whatever I was doing to listen intently, her unique voice bearing an emotive yet soothing empathy.

Unlike most music albums, the feeling was almost like listening to a good friend confiding her misfortunes in love and what she had learned from those painful experiences; 她的吉他总是安静俐落地划开爱情的伤口, 坦言不讳地述说着人类与生俱来的孤寂与欲念. The songs 达尔文 and 当你离开的时候 left me with the deepest impression. Then I remembered, a song from her previous album actually summed up what I still feel despite the memories:

这个世界 随时都要崩塌
我没有其它的愿望
假如明天将消失了 趁现在我爱着
只想记得 被你抱着 温热的感受
Love's beautiful, so beautiful...

 蔡健雅's Beautiful Love (listen)

Thereafter, I received a surprising email from Boon Seng, and a poignant story titled "I Believe You" was revealed:

Quote

Joanna is a 17 years old student in National Junior College. Like any other Singaporean, she lives in a HDB flat and eats at coffee shop. But she believes that she has a curse; She believes that whatever negative things that she said will come true.

Jacky, a classmate of Joanna, believes that Joanna is not suffering from any “curse”. He believes that Joanna is just suffering from some mental illness. When their paths crossed, a touching love story began...

Read their bittersweet love story at:
http://www.goodybooks.com/ibelieveyou.htm (pdf)

Over ten thousand readers in Singapore had read their story; now it’s your turn!
(I didn't know that.. maybe I am really getting old =p)

You can watch the video trailer of the story at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIDRtEOLWiU

`·.¸¸.☁‧: From Low Kay Hwa :‧☁,.¸¸.·´

What a joyous occasion for both day-care and in-house residents at Assisi Hospice! A very interesting event, The Garden of Love, was held a few days ago by undergraduates from SMU.

Not only did they serenade everyone with folk songs (one of the guys sang a Teresa Teng's song bravely, despite his lack of karaoke talent... although I'm much worse.. hehe =p), a pot of flowery plant was given to each and every resident for them to take care of either in the garden or within the room. Kudos to these group of warm hearted youngsters for such a great idea to brighten up the mood and provide a therapeutic experience for them! *clap clap*

My mum absolutely loves plants with her array of pots along the corridor at home, and had chosen a pretty plant with pinkish flowers, while my aunt was quick to point out that the small leaves should be easy to maintain. I even brought a fitting spray bottle for our daily 浇花 session. Moreover, it was an event that she thoroughly enjoyed!

While I was there just now, it was a delight to see her fall asleep contentedly after given her a little massage, and with her favorite tunes (from the album 民歌100首) streaming softly in the background from the portable CD player. I was surprised to find it on the table one day.. thank you, Assisi staff! It is another good day for her. =)

I was utterly famished on reaching home that I bought a sumptuous $5 香港面 to curb my growling tummy. I think the coffee shop staff on night duty are starting to recognize me coming from afar.. *lol*. After washing some clothes and doing a bit more research on notebooks for IT Show (if you are buying a notebook during this weekend at Suntec, I think this list will be quite helpful), I reckon it is time to call it a day.. Ciao *fainting, exhausted, dreamy*

I had only watched the first 20 minutes of this dazzling musical journey of love, and I was already enraptured by it all. Even before continuing, I was enthusiastically telling Kyong, "August Rush 真的很好看！！Wow！！没得顶！！有一部分很有震撼力，就是在街上拥起的音乐，随着感觉而起，也随着男孩的迷惑而坠。演员们表露出来的感觉我喜欢，还有一个钟头多，我对这电影很期待"; There was this part whereby the street turned into a concerto of sound that rose and fell with the boy's feelings. Another good friend, Inji, exclaimed to me earlier on, "I saw a movie 'August Rush'. Did you see it? I was so moved. The OST is so great".

In a nutshell, "August Rush" must be one of the best movies I have seen in recent times, "Atonement" notwithstanding. My spirits just kept on going up and up right till the resounding finale...

There is no one better, me included, that can be counted on to write a more definitive review on the movie than Kloudiia Tay IIng, our very own professional love coach: 

Quote

Call me Tricho Kiia. Never mind that it does not sound as chic as August Rush. For the better of my career, I have decided to change my name anyhow.

Besides having a modish name, Evan Taylor aka August Rush (Freddie Highmore) really boasts an unique and stunning ability to hear sounds, all thanks to the great genes inherited from his acclaimed musician parents, Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) and Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). To ears like mine, the capability to string mundane noises into an orchestra piece is not nothing. It is something.

Imagine the thumping of basketballs. The clanging of bins. The humming of wind chimes. The clattering of foot steps. Now put them all together, and play it in C Major. You get it? Never mind if you don’t. Me too, but that does not stop me from enjoying the grand music.

Music aside, let’s talk about the movie. But we can’t! Because August Rush is all about music and love. And some magic.

 

Continue reading Leap Year Bonus 3: Rush for August, Rush ...  

`·.¸¸.☁‧: By kloudiia :‧☁,.¸¸.·´

Some of the most beautiful sounds in the movie:

• August Rush
• Bari Improv
• Dueling Guitars
• August's Rhapsody
• Someday

... enjoy ^^

Many relatives and friends have been left in doubts for some time as I could not describe my mum's condition easily. Hence, I decided to divulge what I can in this post so I won't have to explain again:

It happened in early August last year, when my mum felt a numbness on the left side of her head and for once, nearly could not find her way back home from Bedok Central, a place she had been familiar with for decades. She visited the doctor at a Polyclinic and was referred to a brain specialist in SGH, but the given appointment date was in late December. She is such a fiercely dedicated mother in taking care of my sister and I that even though my family is financially not well off, we are blissfully pampered throughout our lives and home is always a comfort zone. Suddenly, she needed the occasional help in walking and experienced frequent dizzy spells. I stopped going to work and school completely to look after her, while my sister took on the responsibility of the sole breadwinner. Sensing something amiss, I decided to force her appointment through early by registering her as a private patient and a week later, we were in SGH to see the neurologist. For about 2 weeks, She had to go to hospital frequently for many tests, including MRI, blood, eyes and cognitive assessment.

In late August, the dreaded phone call came as a nurse informed us to see the doctor immediately, but she seemingly could not reveal the reason. Once we were there, a locum showed us an MRI scan on the screen, and it was strange. There was a large irregular mass on the left side of the brain and incredibly, the doctor could not explain it and at the same time, we were referred to a senior consultant in neurosurgery. He simply spoke in a forthright manner, saying that it was a large malignant brain tumor and needed surgery soon. Otherwise, my mum could only live for another 3 months. It was definitely a shock to me. However, the neurosurgeon spoke only in English, and my mum could not comprehend what he was saying. How on earth do I break this fact to her? Without me saying anything, she knew something was wrong and suddenly started to insist she would rather die than be operated on her head, and was absolutely stubborn on this. As we sat outside the doctor's room, I tried persuading her that the tumor must be removed to no avail, although I did not have the heart to convey the fact that it was malignant. In fact, both of us was simply numbed emotionally at this point of time, possibly a typical reaction to the shock realization.

Miraculously, a kindly auntie who was waiting for her appointment sat beside my mum, and out of the blue, told her that the neurosurgeon in the room is extremely good. She had also undergone a brain operation by him a year back and she said he is a doctor we can trust and kept talking to my mum for a long while, sharing her experiences and comforting her. It was a relief when my mum decided she must be operated on and be healthy again. To be able to recover and continue looking after us was her sole concern and motivation. I informed the doctor her decision and a date for the operation was scheduled a week later...

At this juncture, I realize it is quite hard for me to describe more in details. As a rejoinder, she was able to recuperate at home for the next 3 months, which was a wonderful and emotional period of time within the family while I accompanied her on daily trips to SGH for radiotherapy. However, a relapse occurred in December and she was warded in SGH again, and later transferred to Assisi Hospice for specialized care on the advice of doctors and medical social workers, especially Mr Gilbert of NCC who spent a lot of time with me, advicing me and doing his best for my mum. I would like to take this chance to sincerely thank many people, including Dr Tan Yia Swam for her calming nature and care of my mum during the operation, Dr See Siew Ju and Mr Gilbert of NCC for bringing me through a difficult decision-making period and trying time, as well as all nursing staff of SGH Ward 74 during the second stay, especially Megawati, Jingsi and Tingting, for their tireless and professional care. Most of all, I am grateful to Yuqing for being there for me and listening when I was at my lowest point, Marcus, Aaron, Wenhui, Shimin, Zhiren, Xianmei, Huiyi and many more whom I may have missed out (sorry...) who have accompanied me throughout the difficult times.

My focus now shifts to this exceptional and quiescent catholic sanctuary for cancer patients in their last journey; Assisi Hospice, an outreach service of Mount Alvernia Hospital and Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood Sisters:

Having been here daily for the past months, I cannot but be impressed and overwhelmed by the dedication and sacrifices shown by all the doctors, nurses, assistants, social workers, sisters and volunteers in their persevering and unflagging efforts to provide excellent palliative care and emotional support to both patients and family, and a tranquil environment for my mum. Outings and events, such as the CNY Chinatown trip and upcoming SMU's Garden of Love and Assisi Charity Fun Day, are always interesting, gratifying and organized in a fun way. I am thankful for this group of extraordinary people.

Hospice and Last Journey are words that were strange to me a year back until I saw the k-movie "The Garden of Heaven (하늘정원)" and the j-drama "One Litre of Tears (１リットルの涙)" back then, which seemingly prepared me for the trials ahead...

• Soapbox Video: The Depth of Life

하늘정원：Life is like a dream, with some having longer dreams than others. Life is worth living regardless of any setbacks, and it is not length of life, but depth of life that matters. Life in a hospice is vividly described in the video as the doctor becomes the focus of attention.

• Google Video: 3月9日

１リットルの涙：努力生存下去，学会珍惜生命，无悔地度过每一天，不给自己的青春留下一丝遗憾. Based on the real-life struggles of a 15-year-old girl named Aya who suffered from an incurable disease, but lived life to the fullest until her death at 25.

I will be spending even more time with my mum in her ward in the foreseeable future, and I know it is hard to contact me these days. But, I know you will understand. Take care everybody, and hope we meet up some time later. My mum and family are coping well so please don't worry ok? There are many trials, tribulations, happiness and sorrow that we must go through in life and it is important to always stay strong and optimistic. Take heart and 홧팅! ^^

" 비가 와도 모진 바람 불어도 다시 햇살은 비추니까 "
无论下雨还是刮着凌厉的风，阳光会再次照耀

Last but not least, I hope to share this lovely song with you:

聽媽媽的話 (listen)

作曲：周杰倫
填詞：周杰倫

小朋友　你是否有很多問號　為甚麼
別人在那看漫畫　我卻在學畫畫　對著鋼琴說話
別人在玩遊戲　我卻靠在牆壁背我的ABC
我說我要一架大大的飛機　我卻得到一只舊舊螺旋機
為甚麼　要聽媽媽的話　長大後你就會開始懂得這種話　哼

長大後我開始明白　為甚麼我跑的比別人快　飛的比別人高
將來大家看的都是我畫的漫畫　大家唱的都是　我寫的歌
媽媽的辛苦　不讓你看見　溫柔的事　是否在她心裡面
有空就多多握握她的手　把手牽著一起夢遊

聽媽媽的話　別讓她受傷　想快快長大　才能保護她
美麗的白髮　幸福中發芽　天使的魔法　溫暖中慈祥

在你的未來　音樂是你的王牌　那王牌談個戀愛
而我不想被你教壞　還是聽媽媽的話吧　晚點在戀愛吧
我知道你未來的路　幹嘛比我更清楚　
你因為太多學習的同學在這塊寫東寫西
但我在　媽媽我會用功讀書　用功讀書　怎麼會從我嘴巴說出
不想你輸所以要叫你　用功讀書嗎

媽媽交給你的毛筆　你要好好收著
因為不許告訴我　也告訴他我還留著
對了　我會遇到了周潤發
所以你可以跟同學炫耀　賭神未來是你爸爸

我找不到你寫的情書　你喜歡的要承認
因為我會了解你　會在操場上牽她
你會開始喜歡唱流行歌　因為張學友開始準備唱吻別

`·.¸¸.☁‧: From littleoslo :‧☁,.¸¸.·´

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth.   Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same.   And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.   I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

By Robert Frost

Sometimes, Life just throws up circumstances that are unfathomable, out of the blue and beyond control. I have to quietly ask myself, "Why must this happen?", and more often than not, I could not come up with a reason. Do I blame it on fate? That will be an excuse to pin a blame on something. I realize I might be losing people dear to me, dreams that were once parts of me while an austere future starts taking shape. It will be better to accept the circumstances that I cannot change calmly and focus on the positives, and take the less trodden path with no regrets. These are words that come up in my mind when I need to find my peace within;

"Let it avail what it may, come what may"

- Let whatever events crop up come to pass (ref).

"C'est la vie"

- That's life. An acceptance of the unpredictable fortunes of existence, often spoken with an air of weary resignation (ref).

"The serenity prayer"

- God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other (ref).

"The road less traveled"

- Once we truly know that life is difficult - once we truly understand and accept it - then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters (ref).

"Luck"

- A lucky person fires an arrow in the air, and where it lands, they draw a target. 'Oh, look,' they say, 'another target' (ref).

And my favourite Calvin and Hobbes shall have a say too:

"Persistence"

Yesterday was the most beautiful day to treasure in recent memories, the unbridled joy coursing through me due to my mum that I could not describe properly in words (though I am trying to do it now =p). It was a happiness that wasn't really showing on my face, but my heart was bursting with fireworks and then more!

It all started at 7.15am when Marcus managed to get me out of bed for an early basketball game. I told him I just wanted a good start to the day, hence the morning dew still shimmering on the hoop. Despite shrinking over 5kg through the last few weeks, a lack of proper exercises for the last few months, and losing elasticity in my steps over the years, I had somehow emerged victorious over the formidable Marcus, who have always maintained his tone muscles, finesse and stamina, on aggregate 19-18 over 3 games! It is rare for me to blog about beating him in thousands of games since young, and I held bragging rights in only 2 posts. The feat accomplished of course, not without 2 big bruises, 1 reddish scar and aching limbs he inflicted on me under the still lazing sun, which he easily placated by treating me to a hearty Macdonald's Big Breakfast at East Coast.

The clock just ticked 9.30am when I set off to school to settle some weighty administrative matters that luckily went off without a hitch and by 12.45am, I was at Clementi Fairprice purchasing some adult diapers and freshening wipes. Happily, I was able to utilize some gift vouchers courtesy of SCS. When I sat beside my mum in her ward, it was still an early 2.10pm. Initially, it seemed she was no different from the last few days when her condition deteriorated to a greater extent. For the past few weeks, I could only watch helplessly as her mind slowly sank into confusion and increasingly, she was not able to communicate sensibly with people around her. It was painful to see her like this. As my aunt arrived followed by my sis, we went for a scheduled meeting with the doctors, nursing officer and medical social workers at 3pm. For most parts, it was an important update of my mum's current condition for both my aunt and sis which I could not convey at length myself otherwise, and to have a chance to share our concerns with one another.

It was almost 5pm when we went back to the ward as my sis's boyfriend, Lexiang, and his cell leader, Paul, also arrived by then. I could see my mum's attention perked up considerably in the crowded ward while we maneuvered her to a more comfortable semi-sitting position. Paul initiated an animated chat with my mum in fluent Cantonese as he spoke about my mum's past and his own family. It was incredible, when my mum started to reply with vivid clarity as all of us listened and laughed along to his funny tales, and soon, she was in the thick of actions with her wits and little jokes entirely beyond our expectations while enjoying the mee hoon dinner I was feeding her with relish. That wonderful moment lasted almost 2 hours and she was not tiring at all, as Paul continued spinning about his own misfortune with relationship and seeking my mum's help which she gladly agreed, as the lady in demand, another cell leader, Huimin, was coming later. It was a great joy to see my mum the way she was, like she always is.

Everyone left a little after 7pm and with me alone with her, she was speaking of just the two of us in the room in a warmly way. A while later, she talked a little about certain things troubling her, and in ways not seen in the last few weeks, she lucidly listened and replied to me. There was a certain clarity in her thoughts that I wished deep inside that I could hold on to as long as possible. She ate a lot during lunch and dinner rather surprisingly, so the sole frantic moment was to find the nurse assistants to help clear her loose stool which was affecting her quite a bit. Huimin arrived promptly at 8pm, and being equally adept at chatting as Paul, my mum was again enraptured by her words and was in a good mood. Although her stay was not as long, the half hour she spent with my mum was likewise memorable and sweet. After she left, I continued chatting with my mum amidst the joy dancing through my heart. Once I told her she had forgotten to serenade Paul to Huimin as promised and she was like "Oh no! I had forgotten! How?", and it was heartening to see her jovial self. Moreover, she could tell me softly that she had talked a lot today and was a little tired, and a little cold as I lowered the fan speed, and she would try to sleep before I go. I was moved...

All these, she had apparently lost for the last week, as she was previously mumbling about imaginary things and scenarios, such as her insistence on lifting a baby, cake or rope that wasn't there, making impossible demands, and often too agitated to sleep even under sedation on a daily basis. At that moment as she gradually fell asleep, her breathing was serene, and gave me a sense of calm and bliss. I waited until 9.30pm before taking the long journey home, but not before sharing my experiences excitedly (or crazily should I say..) with the staff nurse at her counter, a nursing assistant who walked past, calling my aunt up and sending smses to Qingwan, who has looked after my mum's needs since her stay at the hospice. My sis was as soundly asleep as the samsoon pig next to her when I reached home around 11.30pm but I managed to mutter a bit about Huimin rather sleepily before she left for work. =p

My mum has fought this battle with GBM for 7 months, and will not give up without a fight being the fighter and protector she is to my sis and I, and a big sister to her eight younger siblings in a tough Malaysian village. Yesterday was a day I treasured so much and I pray for more good days ahead. The previous night was the first time in months that I could fall sleep with joy in my heart. ^^

"

"