....back at the table...after getting to know who do what on the day of graduation ceremony...same old thing...nothing worth mentioning...still have 20 mins before going for my run at YCK....here is a recollection of my thoughts for today....I thought to myself after working here for so many years, 7 going on to 8, doing the same old thing year in and year out, I am like a big information counter where people come to me for nothing but just for information, just like a street directory...like this morning my boss was asking me where to retrieve certain information where that particular infor is just one click on his screen.....well I think that is the price to pay for staying too long on the same job...people just take you like a street directory or an information counter always there...but somehow not appreciated....when it is there...and I counted 70% of my time is spent just on giving, retrieving information for other people...and being the senior staff among the junior staff....I am like their information counter....well, well....the moral of the story is never stay too long on the job other wise you will be a permanent fixture in an organisation.....well just like any other information counter you see in a shopping centre!
Time to go for a run in my new shoes!
Happy Ascension Day to ALL!
AlbertY
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
..still adjusting into my new office location
There is nothing like before....the old times seems to be the best of all the times and now I have been relocated to another office things are not looking up as my previous place...to start with the pantry is quite a distance away...the toilet...yeah...one at a time only...nothing really seems to be good enough to mention about this so-called office...but then perhaps this is what God wants me to be in and so I better refrain from lamenting so much but then I cannot help it...was feeling very down yesterday towards the end of the day...maybe I was tired.... yeah maybe...so I decided to take a cab home directly...spent $20 on taxi fares and slept at 8 pm but was awoken by noises around me...what a way to end my day! While shifting office, the cleaner threw away my dustbin as well leaving me with no waste bin for my new place...so I managed to draw a new bin for myself from the bookshop yesterday...so now I have a proper bin...
Now let me think about something that is positive about this place.....for sure it is nearer to the MRT station,,,,no need to take the crowded lift as it on the ground floor.....environment is much quieter (in fact it is too quiet)...ideal for in-between personal prayer session...only 3 occupants in this room unlike my previous office which 4 to a room....extremely high ceiling....
Today a colleague of mine gave me a pair of jogging shoes (brand new one) as her hubby could not wear it (it was provided by the NS) so I thank her for it.....not much activity today except for a 2 hour lesson at 1pm...
Perhaps I would go a for a run this evening at YCK...tomorrow is Ascension Day of our Lord, day of obligation also Labour Day public holiday and that smoothens things a bit for me though I am still feeling "blue" about this place.
AlbertY
Now let me think about something that is positive about this place.....for sure it is nearer to the MRT station,,,,no need to take the crowded lift as it on the ground floor.....environment is much quieter (in fact it is too quiet)...ideal for in-between personal prayer session...only 3 occupants in this room unlike my previous office which 4 to a room....extremely high ceiling....
Today a colleague of mine gave me a pair of jogging shoes (brand new one) as her hubby could not wear it (it was provided by the NS) so I thank her for it.....not much activity today except for a 2 hour lesson at 1pm...
Perhaps I would go a for a run this evening at YCK...tomorrow is Ascension Day of our Lord, day of obligation also Labour Day public holiday and that smoothens things a bit for me though I am still feeling "blue" about this place.
AlbertY
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Felicia & Colouring Contest
Dear All
This morning (Mon, 28 Apr 08), whilst waiting for the school bus with Feli and Tiff, Feli was super excited. Not because today is her orals (that reminder gave her some stress) but because today is the colouring competition of Nadia and the prince of caspian (or something like that). I believe it'll be showing on the cinemas 29 May. She told me last night that today's art class would not be straw/paint blowing but instead, the teacher would be distributing the contest form for them to colour. Tiff forgot about it and exclaimed "Oh yeah ah. It's today." and added "Feli, are you really going to enter the contest?" Feli said "Yaahhh. 1st prize is 20 tickets to the show. 2nd prize is 10 tickets and 3rd prize is 6 tickets!"
So, when she returned from school today, Feli happily showed me her colouring. Due to food price increases, I also increased her allowance by 50cents since last Fri. And guess what she used the extra money for??? She bought a glitter glue for 70cents to use for her colouring contest form. She was so eager-beaver to win that she spare no expense to make her work look nicer.
I must say her colouring is not bad. There's some shading and colour combination. I later inspected and read the fine print on the rules of the contest, and discovered that only colour pencils are allowed, and the contest is opened to 6 - 9 year olds. I told Feli about the no glitter pen rule, and she tried to erase all her little dots of glitter. I didn't see what she did to remove them, but all I know was she burst into tears and wailed that now her work is all ruined! Any more erasing, there'll be holes in her work. I told her never mind, leave it alone and pass it up. Otherwise get another form and colour again. Both suggestions were met with more tears. She wailed that :"But I want to win!!!!". I reasoned with her that submission of the form does not mean she will win anyway. She then sobered down and didn't talk about the contest again.
Feli is such a competitive little girl. When I showed Tiff her sis's work, Tiff said "Oh yahh, teacher didn't give me the form. Anyway, I forgot about it." So I told her she won't get the form anyway cos it for those aged 6 - 9 only. She didn't comprehend why Feli is so worked up anyway...the prizes were only movie tickets afterall...As far as she's concerned, it's not worth her while. I tend to agree too. But NOW I am beginning to understand, it doesn't take much to motivate a 7 going onto 8 year old, yah? ;)
Love Theresa
This morning (Mon, 28 Apr 08), whilst waiting for the school bus with Feli and Tiff, Feli was super excited. Not because today is her orals (that reminder gave her some stress) but because today is the colouring competition of Nadia and the prince of caspian (or something like that). I believe it'll be showing on the cinemas 29 May. She told me last night that today's art class would not be straw/paint blowing but instead, the teacher would be distributing the contest form for them to colour. Tiff forgot about it and exclaimed "Oh yeah ah. It's today." and added "Feli, are you really going to enter the contest?" Feli said "Yaahhh. 1st prize is 20 tickets to the show. 2nd prize is 10 tickets and 3rd prize is 6 tickets!"
So, when she returned from school today, Feli happily showed me her colouring. Due to food price increases, I also increased her allowance by 50cents since last Fri. And guess what she used the extra money for??? She bought a glitter glue for 70cents to use for her colouring contest form. She was so eager-beaver to win that she spare no expense to make her work look nicer.
I must say her colouring is not bad. There's some shading and colour combination. I later inspected and read the fine print on the rules of the contest, and discovered that only colour pencils are allowed, and the contest is opened to 6 - 9 year olds. I told Feli about the no glitter pen rule, and she tried to erase all her little dots of glitter. I didn't see what she did to remove them, but all I know was she burst into tears and wailed that now her work is all ruined! Any more erasing, there'll be holes in her work. I told her never mind, leave it alone and pass it up. Otherwise get another form and colour again. Both suggestions were met with more tears. She wailed that :"But I want to win!!!!". I reasoned with her that submission of the form does not mean she will win anyway. She then sobered down and didn't talk about the contest again.
Feli is such a competitive little girl. When I showed Tiff her sis's work, Tiff said "Oh yahh, teacher didn't give me the form. Anyway, I forgot about it." So I told her she won't get the form anyway cos it for those aged 6 - 9 only. She didn't comprehend why Feli is so worked up anyway...the prizes were only movie tickets afterall...As far as she's concerned, it's not worth her while. I tend to agree too. But NOW I am beginning to understand, it doesn't take much to motivate a 7 going onto 8 year old, yah? ;)
Love Theresa
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Miraculous Medal
Well, in my previous entry, I mentioned that I would tell you more about the Miraculous Medal.....here is the very interesting story of the precious medal..
The Medal of the Immaculate Conception, popularly known as the Miraculous Medal, is unique among all medals. It was designed by the Blessed Virgin Mary herself! No wonder, then, that it wins such extraordinary graces for those who wear it and pray for Mary's intercession and help. Our Lady manifested the Medal to Sister (now Saint) Catherine Laboure on November 27, 1830 in the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, in Paris. Catherine saw Our Lady standing on a globe, with dazzling rays of light streaming from her outstretched hands. Framing the figure was an inscription: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Then Mary spoke to Catherine: "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck."
The vision then seemed to turn to show the reverse of the Medal: the letter M surmounted by a cross with a bar at its base; below this monogram, the Sacred Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced with a sword.
With approval of the Catholic Church, the first medals were made in 1832 and were distributed in Paris. Almost immediately the blessings that Mary had promised began to shower down on those who wore her medal, and soon all of France was clamoring for what the people referred to as the "Miraculous Medal." Use of the Medal spread from country to country and now blankets the world. Everywhere the Medal is still drawing down from God golden blessings for body and soul.
As far as we know, the last photograph on the left reveals what the first Miraculous Medals might have looked like when they were made and distributed in the 1830's. This would be about two years after Our Lady manifested the Medal to Sister Catherine Labouré (now saint) on November 27, 1830 in the Apparition Chapel of the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris.
...And here is the Miraculous Medal given to the world all over...Front and Back
The Medal of the Immaculate Conception, popularly known as the Miraculous Medal, is unique among all medals. It was designed by the Blessed Virgin Mary herself! No wonder, then, that it wins such extraordinary graces for those who wear it and pray for Mary's intercession and help. Our Lady manifested the Medal to Sister (now Saint) Catherine Laboure on November 27, 1830 in the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, in Paris. Catherine saw Our Lady standing on a globe, with dazzling rays of light streaming from her outstretched hands. Framing the figure was an inscription: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Then Mary spoke to Catherine: "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck."
The vision then seemed to turn to show the reverse of the Medal: the letter M surmounted by a cross with a bar at its base; below this monogram, the Sacred Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced with a sword.
With approval of the Catholic Church, the first medals were made in 1832 and were distributed in Paris. Almost immediately the blessings that Mary had promised began to shower down on those who wore her medal, and soon all of France was clamoring for what the people referred to as the "Miraculous Medal." Use of the Medal spread from country to country and now blankets the world. Everywhere the Medal is still drawing down from God golden blessings for body and soul.
As far as we know, the last photograph on the left reveals what the first Miraculous Medals might have looked like when they were made and distributed in the 1830's. This would be about two years after Our Lady manifested the Medal to Sister Catherine Labouré (now saint) on November 27, 1830 in the Apparition Chapel of the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris.
...And here is the Miraculous Medal given to the world all over...Front and Back
You can obtain a lot of information on this medal from the internet....
[BTW, St Catherine is also another saint whose body is not corrupt just like St Bernadette; and now you know why I favour France so much over all other countries in this world...]
AlbertY
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Felicia & SACPS recyling Project
Dear All
Felicia is one very "si-bay-on" (i.e. very on the ball) little girl. When SACPS embarked on the recyling project, where 1 point is given for :
- 3 tetra packs; or
- 3 sets of newspapers; or
- 3 can drinks
she IMMEDIATELY collected tetra packs. She asked Tiff to buy and drink a packet drink so that she can collect it, and she spent her meague cake-money to buy a 60cent packet drink!! And she's been doing that EVERYDAY this week, I'm so afraid she'll put on weight cos of the added sugar intake from the drink!! And for what??? She's eyeing the top prize. And guess what are the "coveted" prize in the eyes of primary 2 girls??? See for yourself...
The girls with the 3 highest points will win:
- 1st prize : ticket (s?) to Sentosa
- 2nd prize : ticket (s?) to the zoo
- 3rd prize : ticket (s?) to fun factory (whatever that is..I also don't know)
They started the 1st collection yesterday (Thursday) and Feli reminded me to pack all the recyled items into a bag for her to bring to school on Thur morn.
Whilst waiting for the school bus, Tiff couldn't believe that her little sis wanted to win the Sentosa ticket so badly. She couldn't believe that anyone would be so dope to win such lousy prizes. Tiff told her, we can go to Sentosa anytime what, and it's not so expensive what.
Then, do you know what Tiff said to Feli after school that day? You should have seen the incredulous look on Tiff's face when she told Feli and me..."Felicia! So many P1 and P2 girls brought so much newspapers today!! You sure to lose already!!" Tiff just couldn't believe that the P1s and P2s would try to win those kind of prizes. I guess she didn't think her sis was the only stupid one afterall :)
Another sharing. I guess 1 good deed deserves another...Felicia style..
Feli had CCA on Tue, so she had to stay back in school for lunch. I guess with the increase in food prices, the food portions are reduced for the same price that they usually pay. As Feli was short of 10cents, she asked her sis to give her 10cents. Tiff (being the more generous one) gave her the money. I told Tiff that it was very nice of her and asked both girls if it was a gift or a loan. Tiff teased Feli, it was a loan, and said aiya, forgot about it actually, it's a gift so no need to return the money.
Then today (Fri), when Feli went downstairs to play with our neighbour, I didn't know she brought her wallet along. When she came back, she bought 3 60cents ice-cream sticks 1 each for herself, her sis and 1 for "mom and dad to share as I didn't have enough money with me". She said it was her treat! So sweet right? On top of that, she also bought a sweet for Kai Yee (her neighbour), but kid being a kid, she only had 40cents left, so she told Kai Yee "you cannot buy too expensive stuff...only something for 30cents." So she bought a 30cent sweet for Kai Yee which she also ended up eating with Kai Yee!! (instead of burning off the fats at the playground!!).
I think what Feli did was very generous and I believe the generosity Tiffany showed her sis has had an impact on her somewhat. The 2 girls may be as unlike as day is to night, or North is to South, teasing and bickering with each other everyday, but it's little gestures like these that makes me happy that my constant reminder to the 2 sisters to love each other somehow has been simulated by them. Makes any mother's heart smile.
Love Theresa
Felicia is one very "si-bay-on" (i.e. very on the ball) little girl. When SACPS embarked on the recyling project, where 1 point is given for :
- 3 tetra packs; or
- 3 sets of newspapers; or
- 3 can drinks
she IMMEDIATELY collected tetra packs. She asked Tiff to buy and drink a packet drink so that she can collect it, and she spent her meague cake-money to buy a 60cent packet drink!! And she's been doing that EVERYDAY this week, I'm so afraid she'll put on weight cos of the added sugar intake from the drink!! And for what??? She's eyeing the top prize. And guess what are the "coveted" prize in the eyes of primary 2 girls??? See for yourself...
The girls with the 3 highest points will win:
- 1st prize : ticket (s?) to Sentosa
- 2nd prize : ticket (s?) to the zoo
- 3rd prize : ticket (s?) to fun factory (whatever that is..I also don't know)
They started the 1st collection yesterday (Thursday) and Feli reminded me to pack all the recyled items into a bag for her to bring to school on Thur morn.
Whilst waiting for the school bus, Tiff couldn't believe that her little sis wanted to win the Sentosa ticket so badly. She couldn't believe that anyone would be so dope to win such lousy prizes. Tiff told her, we can go to Sentosa anytime what, and it's not so expensive what.
Then, do you know what Tiff said to Feli after school that day? You should have seen the incredulous look on Tiff's face when she told Feli and me..."Felicia! So many P1 and P2 girls brought so much newspapers today!! You sure to lose already!!" Tiff just couldn't believe that the P1s and P2s would try to win those kind of prizes. I guess she didn't think her sis was the only stupid one afterall :)
Another sharing. I guess 1 good deed deserves another...Felicia style..
Feli had CCA on Tue, so she had to stay back in school for lunch. I guess with the increase in food prices, the food portions are reduced for the same price that they usually pay. As Feli was short of 10cents, she asked her sis to give her 10cents. Tiff (being the more generous one) gave her the money. I told Tiff that it was very nice of her and asked both girls if it was a gift or a loan. Tiff teased Feli, it was a loan, and said aiya, forgot about it actually, it's a gift so no need to return the money.
Then today (Fri), when Feli went downstairs to play with our neighbour, I didn't know she brought her wallet along. When she came back, she bought 3 60cents ice-cream sticks 1 each for herself, her sis and 1 for "mom and dad to share as I didn't have enough money with me". She said it was her treat! So sweet right? On top of that, she also bought a sweet for Kai Yee (her neighbour), but kid being a kid, she only had 40cents left, so she told Kai Yee "you cannot buy too expensive stuff...only something for 30cents." So she bought a 30cent sweet for Kai Yee which she also ended up eating with Kai Yee!! (instead of burning off the fats at the playground!!).
I think what Feli did was very generous and I believe the generosity Tiffany showed her sis has had an impact on her somewhat. The 2 girls may be as unlike as day is to night, or North is to South, teasing and bickering with each other everyday, but it's little gestures like these that makes me happy that my constant reminder to the 2 sisters to love each other somehow has been simulated by them. Makes any mother's heart smile.
Love Theresa
Friday, April 25, 2008
Office shifting this week and mum's 100 days passing on...
This week there has been so many little changes in my life that I felt a little burnt out....but then I managed to have my usual dose of exercise...as I have learnt to let go and let God take charge of my life...to day is Friday and my day begins at 6am to reach school by 8am. My Friday is the worst day of the week as I have lessons practically back to back and also right smack in the middle of lunch hour...well let me see where do I begin this blog entry..
22 Apr 2008 is exactly 100 days since mummy has passed on to eternity...I felt a sense of loss, sadness overcome me as I recall the entire episode of my mother's death on 14 Jan 2008...how I accompany her body from the ward to the morgue in NUH....and on to her final journey to Mandai etc... cause of death? Acute Myocardial Infarction..(In layman terms: Heart failure)
Then came office shifting on the 23 Apr 2008....I felt a great sense of loss too as I will be leaving my room mates which I have been sharing the office with them for the past 2 years and I also I have been occupying my place there for the past 7 years...I felt sad to be very honest...leaving so many wonderful memories that my room mates brought to the room...they are really a bunch of wonderful people that God has given me in this stage of my life but then I have to move on...prior to moving I clear so many junk out of my office including old newpaper dated back in 2003...believe it or not...then I told myself from now on my target for myself is to work and live out of a suitcase..I told myself this: I don't need so many things to get by with my daily living....I will now live with the minimum not the maximum.
As I type this entry, I was thinking of the extend of unpacking that I need to do I felt overwhelm by it....I am in no mood to unpack and chose to leave them in the boxes....
With so many negative feelings in me I decided to just go easy....and I intend to go for long run this evening just simply to run "off" all these negative feelings in me in which I cannot help it.
....one positive thing comes out from this week events is that I realise that my blue rosary in which I have been carrying with me has actaully the Miraculous Medal on it...it so comforting...Oh how can I be so ignorant of my faith..this blue rosary was given to me by mum will now be even more precious and dear to me....
Will tell more about the Miraculous Medal story...it is truly amazing!
Got to leave this entry for now as I need to go for class and won't be back after 2 pm...
AlbertY
22 Apr 2008 is exactly 100 days since mummy has passed on to eternity...I felt a sense of loss, sadness overcome me as I recall the entire episode of my mother's death on 14 Jan 2008...how I accompany her body from the ward to the morgue in NUH....and on to her final journey to Mandai etc... cause of death? Acute Myocardial Infarction..(In layman terms: Heart failure)
Then came office shifting on the 23 Apr 2008....I felt a great sense of loss too as I will be leaving my room mates which I have been sharing the office with them for the past 2 years and I also I have been occupying my place there for the past 7 years...I felt sad to be very honest...leaving so many wonderful memories that my room mates brought to the room...they are really a bunch of wonderful people that God has given me in this stage of my life but then I have to move on...prior to moving I clear so many junk out of my office including old newpaper dated back in 2003...believe it or not...then I told myself from now on my target for myself is to work and live out of a suitcase..I told myself this: I don't need so many things to get by with my daily living....I will now live with the minimum not the maximum.
As I type this entry, I was thinking of the extend of unpacking that I need to do I felt overwhelm by it....I am in no mood to unpack and chose to leave them in the boxes....
With so many negative feelings in me I decided to just go easy....and I intend to go for long run this evening just simply to run "off" all these negative feelings in me in which I cannot help it.
....one positive thing comes out from this week events is that I realise that my blue rosary in which I have been carrying with me has actaully the Miraculous Medal on it...it so comforting...Oh how can I be so ignorant of my faith..this blue rosary was given to me by mum will now be even more precious and dear to me....
Will tell more about the Miraculous Medal story...it is truly amazing!
Got to leave this entry for now as I need to go for class and won't be back after 2 pm...
AlbertY
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Bookuburra and Felicia
Dear All
Last year when Felicia was P1 and the book vendor came to SACPS, she had already "selected" her books and given the money. However, I guess we put too much trust in her and guess what? She made a bad purchase. When Tiff was in P1 or P2, we would have given her a cheque with the titles of the books written on a piece of paper. We thought Feli was more "zai" (steady) but I guess she's still a kid. We had a lengthy debate with the owner of the bookstall and she finally relented when Albert told her SACPS was a catholic school, so she had to be even more careful about what kind of books she brought in. Tell you about that next time we meet, if you are interested in the details. Anyway, Felicia sure says the darnest thing. When Bookuburra came again this week and her form teacher gave her the brochure/booklist, she told her form teacher "No need to give me as my mommy doesn't allow me to buy books" and she promptly returned Miss Yap (her form teacher) the brochure.
On the same day, Tiff brought back her list. When Feli saw it, she told her sis why did she bring it back when mommy says cannot buy from this vendor anymore. When I told Tiff what Feli said to her teacher, Tiff said "What a pooper!! Aiya, who cares! Just take it lah!!"
I guess one is street smart the other is still so naive!!
Feli does say the darnest things sometimes. She's sometimes smart, but sometimes a little stupid too! Whatever it is, these two darling girls do make my day and makes me laugh!
Love Theresa
Last year when Felicia was P1 and the book vendor came to SACPS, she had already "selected" her books and given the money. However, I guess we put too much trust in her and guess what? She made a bad purchase. When Tiff was in P1 or P2, we would have given her a cheque with the titles of the books written on a piece of paper. We thought Feli was more "zai" (steady) but I guess she's still a kid. We had a lengthy debate with the owner of the bookstall and she finally relented when Albert told her SACPS was a catholic school, so she had to be even more careful about what kind of books she brought in. Tell you about that next time we meet, if you are interested in the details. Anyway, Felicia sure says the darnest thing. When Bookuburra came again this week and her form teacher gave her the brochure/booklist, she told her form teacher "No need to give me as my mommy doesn't allow me to buy books" and she promptly returned Miss Yap (her form teacher) the brochure.
On the same day, Tiff brought back her list. When Feli saw it, she told her sis why did she bring it back when mommy says cannot buy from this vendor anymore. When I told Tiff what Feli said to her teacher, Tiff said "What a pooper!! Aiya, who cares! Just take it lah!!"
I guess one is street smart the other is still so naive!!
Feli does say the darnest things sometimes. She's sometimes smart, but sometimes a little stupid too! Whatever it is, these two darling girls do make my day and makes me laugh!
Love Theresa
Sunday, April 20, 2008
PSLE Stress!!
Dear All
Tiffany just had her SA1 chinese and english orals today. Despite our preparations and cramping of all possible scenarios for her chinese orals, we did not prepare for the picture on a school carnival! As the orals were done flip-flop (half of them do the english first and then chinese and vice versa for the 2nd half), those who did the 1st chinese orals was on the MRT train. This was covered by their school teachers. But carnival wasn't covered at all. Just imagine being tested on materials you had never touched before. Tiff told me none of her classmates knew how to say carnival in chinese!! (Just checked it up -- it's called kuang(2nd tone)huan(1st)jie(2nd). The picture also showed a stall selling popcorn which she doesn't know how to say in chinese either --it's called bao(4th)yu(4)mi(3)hua(1). She felt so deflated and demoralised! She then did her best but I guess she must have been shakened---she kept mixing sell and buy words up (the intonations are different) and stalls with shops (tan wei and dian wei).
At first, I wanted to email a comment to her school that moderation is needed. Then I checked that she doesn't have any SA2 this year but instead the prelims and then the PSLE, so I decided not to shoot off that email. I guess there are alot of things that no matter how hard we prepare for, are out of our control. We just need to pray that she'll have better luck in drawing the better straw at the main exams.
In order to give her some relief, she did very little revision today. She went for cathecism class with Felicia, then we went for a fun swim. Afterwhich, we had swensens at Changi Airport T2. The airport was streaming with people! Earls swensens at T3 (which Felicia calls the Fake Swensens) had a queue. So we went to T2 (the Real Swensens) and guess what? The queue was even longer. Felicia cried when we didn't want to queue and walked off, so in order not to disappoint both girls, Albert joined the queue while the 2 girls played at the water fountain. It was a yummy dinner. We spent 1h plus walking from T3 to T2 and finally got into the restaurant about 9pm. We left at 10:20pm and the queue was just as long!!! BTW, its now a 24h restaurant. Business sure is good.
The girls are too bushed to hit the books, so we'll give them a break for today. The girls compo exams start next Tues and the main exams in 2 weeks time. I feel they are both not yet sufficiently prepared, but Tiffany seems to be so busy, I just can't stress her further and yet we hardly covered much materials together. I ask if you all could help me pray for Tiffany's PSLE this year. We need a lot of prayers.
Love Theresa
Tiffany just had her SA1 chinese and english orals today. Despite our preparations and cramping of all possible scenarios for her chinese orals, we did not prepare for the picture on a school carnival! As the orals were done flip-flop (half of them do the english first and then chinese and vice versa for the 2nd half), those who did the 1st chinese orals was on the MRT train. This was covered by their school teachers. But carnival wasn't covered at all. Just imagine being tested on materials you had never touched before. Tiff told me none of her classmates knew how to say carnival in chinese!! (Just checked it up -- it's called kuang(2nd tone)huan(1st)jie(2nd). The picture also showed a stall selling popcorn which she doesn't know how to say in chinese either --it's called bao(4th)yu(4)mi(3)hua(1). She felt so deflated and demoralised! She then did her best but I guess she must have been shakened---she kept mixing sell and buy words up (the intonations are different) and stalls with shops (tan wei and dian wei).
At first, I wanted to email a comment to her school that moderation is needed. Then I checked that she doesn't have any SA2 this year but instead the prelims and then the PSLE, so I decided not to shoot off that email. I guess there are alot of things that no matter how hard we prepare for, are out of our control. We just need to pray that she'll have better luck in drawing the better straw at the main exams.
In order to give her some relief, she did very little revision today. She went for cathecism class with Felicia, then we went for a fun swim. Afterwhich, we had swensens at Changi Airport T2. The airport was streaming with people! Earls swensens at T3 (which Felicia calls the Fake Swensens) had a queue. So we went to T2 (the Real Swensens) and guess what? The queue was even longer. Felicia cried when we didn't want to queue and walked off, so in order not to disappoint both girls, Albert joined the queue while the 2 girls played at the water fountain. It was a yummy dinner. We spent 1h plus walking from T3 to T2 and finally got into the restaurant about 9pm. We left at 10:20pm and the queue was just as long!!! BTW, its now a 24h restaurant. Business sure is good.
The girls are too bushed to hit the books, so we'll give them a break for today. The girls compo exams start next Tues and the main exams in 2 weeks time. I feel they are both not yet sufficiently prepared, but Tiffany seems to be so busy, I just can't stress her further and yet we hardly covered much materials together. I ask if you all could help me pray for Tiffany's PSLE this year. We need a lot of prayers.
Love Theresa
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I have found yet another spiritual friend..
Well it seems that all my spiritual friends...are the ladies...and here is yet another....
St. Faustina Kowalska: Apostle of Divine Mercy
The story of St. Faustina Kowalska reveals the inspiration behind the Divine Mercy devotion. Helena Kowalska was born in Poland on August 25, 1905. She was the third child of a devout Catholic family. As a small child she reported seeing bright lights during her night prayers. At age 16 she went to work as a servant in a neighboring city. She soon resigned after a fainting spell, even though a doctor said she was healthy.
Helena told her parents that she wanted to enter religious life but failed to obtain her father’s permission because he felt she was too young. She took another post as a servant and made friends with a circle of young women. At a dance, she experienced a vision of Christ suffering that touched her conscience and revived her desire to be a nun. She soon left her job and sought entrance in a religious congregation.
In 1925, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, taking the name Faustina. She served as a cook, gardener and doorkeeper in Krakow and several other community convents. The sisters liked her but did not appreciate or understand her deep interior life, which included visions and prophecies. On February 22, 1931, Sister Faustina experienced a new and life-changing vision of Christ. She saw him wearing a white robe and raising his right hand in blessing with his left hand resting on his heart from which flowed two rays of light. Jesus told her, “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the prayer, Jesus, I trust in you.”
Faustina could not paint, and struggled to convince her incredulous sisters about the truth of her vision. Ultimately she persuaded her spiritual director, Father Michael Sopocko, that the vision was real. He found an artist to create the painting that was named The Divine Mercy and shown to the world for the first time on April 28, 1935.
Father Sopocko advised Sister Faustina to record her visions in a diary. At one point she wrote that “Jesus said I was his secretary and an apostle of his divine mercy.” She devoted the rest of her life to spreading the message of divine mercy and the growth of popular devotion to it. Her mystical writings have been translated into many languages. She died of tuberculosis at age 33. Pope John Paul II canonized her on April 30, 2000.
Oh how I wish I can be the secretary of Jesus...but then I am just only a very weak human being...nothing to shout about...
Time to go back!
Bye! Bye!
AlbertY
St. Faustina Kowalska: Apostle of Divine Mercy
The story of St. Faustina Kowalska reveals the inspiration behind the Divine Mercy devotion. Helena Kowalska was born in Poland on August 25, 1905. She was the third child of a devout Catholic family. As a small child she reported seeing bright lights during her night prayers. At age 16 she went to work as a servant in a neighboring city. She soon resigned after a fainting spell, even though a doctor said she was healthy.
Helena told her parents that she wanted to enter religious life but failed to obtain her father’s permission because he felt she was too young. She took another post as a servant and made friends with a circle of young women. At a dance, she experienced a vision of Christ suffering that touched her conscience and revived her desire to be a nun. She soon left her job and sought entrance in a religious congregation.
In 1925, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, taking the name Faustina. She served as a cook, gardener and doorkeeper in Krakow and several other community convents. The sisters liked her but did not appreciate or understand her deep interior life, which included visions and prophecies. On February 22, 1931, Sister Faustina experienced a new and life-changing vision of Christ. She saw him wearing a white robe and raising his right hand in blessing with his left hand resting on his heart from which flowed two rays of light. Jesus told her, “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the prayer, Jesus, I trust in you.”
Faustina could not paint, and struggled to convince her incredulous sisters about the truth of her vision. Ultimately she persuaded her spiritual director, Father Michael Sopocko, that the vision was real. He found an artist to create the painting that was named The Divine Mercy and shown to the world for the first time on April 28, 1935.
Father Sopocko advised Sister Faustina to record her visions in a diary. At one point she wrote that “Jesus said I was his secretary and an apostle of his divine mercy.” She devoted the rest of her life to spreading the message of divine mercy and the growth of popular devotion to it. Her mystical writings have been translated into many languages. She died of tuberculosis at age 33. Pope John Paul II canonized her on April 30, 2000.
Oh how I wish I can be the secretary of Jesus...but then I am just only a very weak human being...nothing to shout about...
Time to go back!
Bye! Bye!
AlbertY
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Updates from me, Theresa
Dear All
It's been ages since my last entry. There's been 1 funeral after another. My mum-in-law in Jan, my mum's godma in Feb, then it's my uncle (my dad's sis's hubby) in Mar, and most recently in Apr, my parents' old neighbour, Mr Otega. It was so frequent that my mum's maid, Dasini, commented, seems like 1 death every month since she arrived late Dec last year. In my heart was "choy!" Even Tiffany felt so sad that everyone seems to be dying. I told her they are all very old, so it's very natural for them to die. Since Mr Otega is the grandfather of Tiffany's classmate, I told her not to feel too sad that ah ma passed away in her year of the rat. Her classmate is experiencing the same thing too. They have lived to a ripe old age.
When we were at CGH's A&E cos of my leg, Bert commented that my uncle must have been here when he passed away. He had problem breathing and passed away in CGH. It also happened for my grand-godma too...difficulty in breathing and then passing on.
Felicia was unwell this week. This time from an unknown cause...head pain, tummy pain, dizzy. I thought it was because of the amount of insecticide we pumped onto the kid's new bed. After the big black ants infestation, we thought the problem was solved after the vendor replaced the infected parts of the bed. Then, it was very tiny red sugar ants. So pump pump pump! The doc said the smell should not affect her. Strangely, he said feeling unwell from an unknown cause is better than being diagnosed as gastric flu or other. I thought it was worse! Anyway, just be his non-diagnosis and 1 medicine for her stomach gas, I blew $21 away!! Imagine what I can get with $21!! Doctors are not cheap nowadays!
Bert's update from the office was also quite depressing for him. It seems these few days, lots of people want my job! To be a stay-at-home-mum! I told Bert this post is filled and will not be vacated for some time yet!!
Regarding tomorrow's question of the ups and downs in marriage, we had a recent episode at home. You know, with all the stress of ants infestation, me having fever and being very immobile for 2 whole days, carrying out Bert's instructions to spray spray spray, to the letter, and ensuring the kids are comfortable and safely tucked in every night in our 2 sofas in the hall, Bert and I are very tired! So tempers fray. He shouted at the kids, then he came after me!! I held my tongue and promptly did what he told me to do. Later on, I told him that what he did to the kids and to me was not very good to his relationship with us as children and wife respectively. The kids may keep quiet, but in their hearts, they would hate him. I told him I was hurt too by his harsh words. He told me he was tired. Anyway, he made up with the kids and with me the next day.
It's very hard to admit one's mistake. We tend to give reasons and excuses to why we blow our tops at one another. It's either that person made you angry, or we are stressed out etc. It's usually the ones that we love most and we hurt most, because we can let our masks down and just be ourselves. We just blah out our frustrations at the ones we see everyday. When my spouse is nice to me, it's so easy to love him back many times more than he loves me. But when he hurts me, I am so mad that I can lash back at him many more times for hurtful than what he did to me. What holds me back is my decision to love him in good times and in bad. I try to remember to hold my tongue and let the tornado past. If I stand up to the tornado, I may either be swept away or worse, it may split into 2 tornados (this phenomen have been documented to happen in real life!). As my mum advices, when my daddy shouts, just keep quite. After some time, he'll realise he's shouting at a wall and he'll cool down and feel silly later on. So I try to take and practise my mum's advice in our marriage. Luckily, the tornados are far between :)
Love Theresa
It's been ages since my last entry. There's been 1 funeral after another. My mum-in-law in Jan, my mum's godma in Feb, then it's my uncle (my dad's sis's hubby) in Mar, and most recently in Apr, my parents' old neighbour, Mr Otega. It was so frequent that my mum's maid, Dasini, commented, seems like 1 death every month since she arrived late Dec last year. In my heart was "choy!" Even Tiffany felt so sad that everyone seems to be dying. I told her they are all very old, so it's very natural for them to die. Since Mr Otega is the grandfather of Tiffany's classmate, I told her not to feel too sad that ah ma passed away in her year of the rat. Her classmate is experiencing the same thing too. They have lived to a ripe old age.
When we were at CGH's A&E cos of my leg, Bert commented that my uncle must have been here when he passed away. He had problem breathing and passed away in CGH. It also happened for my grand-godma too...difficulty in breathing and then passing on.
Felicia was unwell this week. This time from an unknown cause...head pain, tummy pain, dizzy. I thought it was because of the amount of insecticide we pumped onto the kid's new bed. After the big black ants infestation, we thought the problem was solved after the vendor replaced the infected parts of the bed. Then, it was very tiny red sugar ants. So pump pump pump! The doc said the smell should not affect her. Strangely, he said feeling unwell from an unknown cause is better than being diagnosed as gastric flu or other. I thought it was worse! Anyway, just be his non-diagnosis and 1 medicine for her stomach gas, I blew $21 away!! Imagine what I can get with $21!! Doctors are not cheap nowadays!
Bert's update from the office was also quite depressing for him. It seems these few days, lots of people want my job! To be a stay-at-home-mum! I told Bert this post is filled and will not be vacated for some time yet!!
Regarding tomorrow's question of the ups and downs in marriage, we had a recent episode at home. You know, with all the stress of ants infestation, me having fever and being very immobile for 2 whole days, carrying out Bert's instructions to spray spray spray, to the letter, and ensuring the kids are comfortable and safely tucked in every night in our 2 sofas in the hall, Bert and I are very tired! So tempers fray. He shouted at the kids, then he came after me!! I held my tongue and promptly did what he told me to do. Later on, I told him that what he did to the kids and to me was not very good to his relationship with us as children and wife respectively. The kids may keep quiet, but in their hearts, they would hate him. I told him I was hurt too by his harsh words. He told me he was tired. Anyway, he made up with the kids and with me the next day.
It's very hard to admit one's mistake. We tend to give reasons and excuses to why we blow our tops at one another. It's either that person made you angry, or we are stressed out etc. It's usually the ones that we love most and we hurt most, because we can let our masks down and just be ourselves. We just blah out our frustrations at the ones we see everyday. When my spouse is nice to me, it's so easy to love him back many times more than he loves me. But when he hurts me, I am so mad that I can lash back at him many more times for hurtful than what he did to me. What holds me back is my decision to love him in good times and in bad. I try to remember to hold my tongue and let the tornado past. If I stand up to the tornado, I may either be swept away or worse, it may split into 2 tornados (this phenomen have been documented to happen in real life!). As my mum advices, when my daddy shouts, just keep quite. After some time, he'll realise he's shouting at a wall and he'll cool down and feel silly later on. So I try to take and practise my mum's advice in our marriage. Luckily, the tornados are far between :)
Love Theresa
Friday, April 11, 2008
See you all at LC300 group gathering tomorrow...
See you all at LC300 group gathering tomorrow. And here is the reflection Question :
Happily-ever-after happens only in the movies. Even
the best marriage needs work. How do you manage the
ups and downs of your marriage?
See you all,
AlbertY
Happily-ever-after happens only in the movies. Even
the best marriage needs work. How do you manage the
ups and downs of your marriage?
See you all,
AlbertY
Friday, April 4, 2008
My wish in this life......for the life next...
I have not been blogging this days....so long so as you may have think that I have left the blogging scene..but actually not quite...I was actually quite busy this days...piano shifting, piano tuning (tomorrow actually) and guess what...we bought a double decker bed 2 weeks ago...only to discover that the bed was infested with brown black ants measuring 1 cm in length.....wow what a traumatic experience......well managed to return it back to the vendor but the replacement parts will take a couple of days..and meantime T&F sleeps in the hall with aircon on at nite...hopefully things will be back to normal next week. Sweetie was down fever in the start of the week and her leg suddenly experience extreme pain on the right side.....accompany her to the CGH A&E...but everything is OK for now...probably just a muscle sprain..
Today is Friday....need to go a jog in YCK!
God Bless!
AlbertY
Today is Friday...and some how was invited to a sumptous lunch and beer by my one of my colleague....as these days when people invite you to lunches there must be a reason to it...as you don't get free lunches everyday....so it is natural for me to ask what was the occasion...my colleague being the playful (like myself) kept on insisting that is nothing actually....well nothing? Really? When the invitation was extended to the entire department and you tell me that the free lunch was just a goodwill lunch...that's all?Well hard to believe...anyway...so we went to Brewerks for lunch...the portion was monstrous...I ate half and kept the rest for my colleague. It was not that I do not want eat...it was good...but it just that I am unable to finish the entire portion of fish and chips. Now coming to the reason of the lunch invitation...during lunch my colleague revealed during lunch he is now the DyMgr and that is the reason of the free lunch. ....and during lunch there was so much talk about organisation change, who sits where and who will be shifting to a bigger office and who will be appointed as Asst Mgr..[Btw, what is the difference between Asst Mgr and Dy Mgr].....etc etc that kind of typical talk about office politics...and who will be their new subordinates etc etc etc.......I listen intently and quietly over my glass of Brewerks beer...I can't help but to think of what St Therese will be telling me if she is present at the table at that moment...most likely...most likely... she will be telling me this: ALBERT, AIM HIGHER.....all this things....all this things on earth like.... positions of office, size of office, whether you have a secretary or not....are actually quite futile....short term....and very, very temporary....and perhaps a stumbling block to our eternal destination...we have been told in our faith that set not your hearts on earthly things but on things in heaven...
Thinking back these things use to matters me a lot and a great deal 10 years ago but as I grow with age, somehow these things do not really matter to me much anymore....the passing on of my mum recently, my colleague who recently down with Stage 3 cancer.... seems to put all these in perspective......in fact these things matters to me the least..nowadays.....it somehow saddens me hearing all these in front me but somehow unable to make a change on the situation but St Therese would definitely recommend praying under such situations where you can't make much of an impact, the way to go is to pray....but having said all these, this does not mean I have lost all zeal to strive for a better career prospect and be laid back...but it just that I have to constantly remind myself my thoughts and opinions has to be align with God's plan for me in this world in my daily encounters with HIM and not let myself be caught in the worldly pursuits which will distract me from intended path.
Back to office my roomates ask me how I felt about the revealed office situation....as I know they are concern as I have not been promoted since I join the organisation since day one... 7 years ago..I told my roomamtes am I am perfectly OK as like everyone else...myself too needs a boss...even in heaven...I still need a boss!
But here is my wish in this life, and I told them this....I hope that in heaven there would not be politics of such....like who is the Director....who is the Dy Dir...etc etc....and worst infighting for such "positions"....This is my sincere wish. Anyway, I am OK with where I am...staying clear of office politics....and do my part and enjoy life and oberving a more prayerful life with the long a term focus on heaven..This is my simple daily philosophy in life...
Today is Friday....need to go a jog in YCK!God Bless!
AlbertY
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