Pinnacle @ Duxton: A 360-degree View of Singapore

For my hubby's 40th birthday (8th February 2015), I told him that I'm going to bring him to a special place.

Until we were there, he only knew it as 'very high place with a 360-degree view of Singapore - a great place to take photographs, so bring your camera'.

And to amp up our son's excitement too, I told him that I'm going to bring him to the highest playground in the world! Well, at least that's true to my son.

Needless to say, they were all really excited. My son kept repeating to himself for days before we finally went there: Yay! We're going to the highest playground in the world! It was my first time there too.

After parking our car at block 1F and paying cash to the guard at block 1G office, we headed up to the 50th floor immediately. Note: It's $5 dollars cash for each adult, no need EZ-link card. My 5-year-old child went in free, carried by my hubby while going through the full-height turnstile.


Squinting eyes at the glaring sun




Southern view of Singapore from P@D

Put on hood! The constant wind can be rather cold




Close up of Jeff and Jovie (hubby and son)




Eastern view of Singapore from P@D




Maaahhh meeee!




Stone structure




I'm alive!




Probably the highest playground in the world



Living happily :)




Another southern view of Singapore from P@D




Seating areas peppered throughout



One of the many playgrounds/structures




Western view of Singapore from P@D



Another western view of Singapore from P@D

Sunset. Western view of Singapore from P@D




Evening view of Singapore



Blur image of a happy family photo.
The wind is just too strong to keep
the camera still!

Marriage In a Nutshell and 5 Simple Tips to Stay Together

It's incredible. After 10 years of marriage and after one five-year-old child, hubby and me are still together. I mean, living with someone is really not that easy... and raising a child together is another feat on its own. So, what went right? Or rather, what is the secret for a lasting relationship? Along with the romantic tide of Valentine's Day this month, let me share with you - from my own experiences - what marriage actually feels like and what makes couples stay in love and stay together.

First up, let me answer this question: What is marriage like?

Marriage is like a boat.

Cracks are inevitable but

They should be mended soon.

Otherwise, the boat will sink.

Your hearts must beat as one and

You'll be able to weather all storms*



Looking back, our decade of marriage began with loads of passionate love and laughter - residual components from the earlier dating period. Then, things began to stabilise and rather routinised: we moved in together into our spanking-new first marital home, gotten used to each others' little habits, and went through daily bouts of quarrels and happiness happening one after another in a random cycle.

Years passed quickly and later, we sort of started to concentrate on other aspects of our lives - career, self-improvement, solitary pursuits, further studies, or kids - that was when I weirdly feel that the queen size bed seems to get smaller. And our conversations became lesser - except when we're talking about our child. In fact, a few discussions/attempts on divorcing took place.

But, thankfully, in the end, we decided to work together to save our marriage. Trust me, even old couples who'd been married for 50 years would have had quarrelled or talked about divorce - do not think that there are actually marriages that are problem-free. Couples that stay together are couples that are willing to work things out together.

From all the events, I narrowed down to the top 5 factors that couples should have for a meaningful and blissful marriage. Specifically, they are the factors that keeps couples stay in love and stay together. I call them The Marriage Five!

Honesty: Lies begets lies, there'll be a snowball effect! So, when communicating, be genuine, open, sincere and honest. My husband needs to work on this! By my standards, not saying or avoiding saying is also lying!

Effort: Couples have to put in effort to maintain their relationship. Sometimes, it's the littlest things that matters. Make an effort to find out what makes each other happy and work from there. More effort needed on this for both of us.

Respect: Respect each other as an individual and as much as you think you yourself deserve. Everyone needs their own time and space once in a while. We're doing quite ok on this.

Patience: Practice tolerance towards each other. Squeeze out every ounce of patience if that's what it takes. Take a step back or time out, if needed. Remember, nobody is perfect. So, I can guarantee this: The person you marry is NOT Mrs. or Mr. Perfect! I'm struggling on this because I think I have zero patience! Will work harder.

Teamwork: Work hand-in-hand like the bestest buddies. Teamwork here signifies the couple doing well in what each of you are supposed to do, coming together as one to brave whatever storms that may come, and give moral support in whatever each other likes to do. The more storms or hurdles the couple overcomes together, and the more bittersweet happiness they share together, the stronger the marriage bind will become. And a stronger marriage bind will bring about a happy family life. In turn, like a feedback cycle, a happy family life will further strengthen the marriage bind! We seem to do pretty well in this department. Will continue to maintain it.

In the end, I always remind myself why I married this person in the first place and try to look at the bigger picture by reading this:

 Choose the one you love.

Love the one you choose.**



*PS: Poem above adapted from Channel 8 show: Blessings. Episode 16.

Original script:

A married couple (marriage) is like a boat.

There musn't be any cracks,

otherwise the boat will sink.

Your hearts must beat as one and

You'll fear no storm

 ** line from a Mediacorp host Mr. Pornsak.



My Thank Roll

Another year came and went (adiós 2014) and we're now venturing into the second month of the New Year already! Happy 2015 everyone ;)

If we are turtles and could live up to 150 years, one year would seem like next to nothing. If we are butterflies and may only have a lifespan of 1 month, even one hour would be so precious! But as humans with an average life expectancy of about 70 (if nothing goes wrong, that is), how should we live our lives? What should each of us achieve as our time peters out?

The break of the new year may trigger many of us to take stock of what we have and should have done and perhaps create new year re-solutions. But it's different for me this year. Instead of coming up with lists of things to do/achieve, I pondered about the people who'd helped me to become what I am today, and how my life would turn out if it were not for them. They are kind, helpful people that I am really thankful to have met throughout my life. I thought it will be truly wonderful if I thank all of them here and now.

So, let us kick-start 2015 with a THANK ROLL!

A HUGE thank you to all of you! To me, beautiful people like you are like angelic white flowers roaming about the surface of the earth! 

  

1. The "bubble uncle" I met from 5-9 years old for literally 'bubbling up' my childhood - thanks for your bubble tricks that you did to entertain me and the other kampung kids. I'll never forget you ;)

2. Joanne, Xiu Hui and 4-eyed zhou for being my childhood friends since I'm 9 years old. The marble games, catchings, Risk board game, dancing sessions, late-night story-telling, forest walk and swimming/fishing in the canal or long-kang (drain) will be remembered as long as I live - we were the dirtiest kids around!

3. Shinyun, for being my primary school bestie. I still remember the pre-dawn walks in the school field (Bt. Batok Primary, now defunct) where it's cold enough to see our warm breath when we breathe out. And also: The 50 cents mee sua and lor mee, the hop-scotch and five-stones sessions, and the times we buy little packets of fish food from the nolstalgic school bookshop (with lots of stationery wares hanging from strings in the air!) to feed the fishes in the big pond.

4. Not forgetting the German couple who lived at the top floor of our 4-storey hdb building (I lived on the ground floor) in Bukit Panjang back in the year 1992 (est). I'll never forget the checkered high ceiling in your house, the built-in picnic table, your huge carpeted master bedroom and the ballroom dances you have taught us girls.

5. The golden couple of our neighbourhood - Jack and Jill. It started out as we kids joking about both of you being together (being 'Jack' AND 'Jill' from the famous nursery rhyme) and you two actually got married few years later - you know, we couldn't be happier to see both of you getting married! To Jill jie jie (sister), thanks for the dictionary you'd given me back then (perhaps you saw that I loved reading dictionary?), and those air mail that you've send me, literally from the air, from your apartment window on the 16th floor. You apologised in those mails for not meeting us kids as often because you were studying for your exams. Thanks for all your care and concern :)

6. Shu Hui, Peiwen, Michelle for being my secondary school sisters. I'll remember the sweat, tears, laughters and vomits. (Eeeeks!)

7. Simon Lim for bringing me around Singapore and sometimes halfway up the Peninsular Malaysia to attend weddings, meet your friends and basically eat, drink and be merry - with your 'wives' no less! Wife no.1: Gold wing [which we crashed at Keppel Road, head-on with an oncoming car and you thought that I was going to lose both my legs], wife no. 2: Black bird. PS: I don't use 2 straws to drink green tea anymore :) That was the goofy me.

8. Brian and Yienshen for being my bestest polymates! Won't forget the lessons, projects, exams that we've went though together. And the extreme fun that we've had in those night cycling trips across Singapore! (Talk about dangerous and ghostly encounters! Haha!)

9. Hun Boon for your warm, true friendship. I really treasure our time.

10. Uncle Tan Gek Hwa for being such a nice uncle/ah pek. Thanks for treating industrial attachment students like me with warmth, care, apples, late lunches and best of all, laughters. Keep scooting! And did I mention that you really looked like my primary school bus driver uncle??

11. Teng Huat Tian for winding up as my 'supervisor' in the attachment company. Firstly, it's because I want to hide from that naggy manager. Secondly, because I know I can learn alot from you since you are one of the best there. You know what? The best thing I've got out from the attachment is to came to know you. You are my best buddy. Really. And that moment at late-night where you brought me a mango mousse cake just because I crave for it while pregnant [in 2010] - it's priceless! I'm still thankful to you for that! Hee...

12. My SAF BMT batch girls, Navy coursemates [like Ong Lay Leng and Ah Sin], LST shipmates [Amanda, Wei Ming, Don] and NDU divers. The memories at Pulau Tekong, Sembawang Camp and Changi/Tuas Naval Base and Iraq will be deeply etched in my heart.

13. People who looked out for me onboard ship and on shore: Col Bernard Miranda, Encik Chia Yew Lam, Ah Lu, and the 2 silly guys!

14. Especially grateful to the 2 lecturers in NUS who interviewed (and passed!) me - you have changed my life for the better. And to Dr. Nicholas Hon for teaching your subjects so well, so succinctly. Love your lectures. And also to the other respectable lecturers and assistants who worked really hard to pass on their knowledge to the students. I'm grateful! I don't have permanent friends in uni but there was one particular girl from Malaysia who is really kind and warm. She literally warms up the artic-cold lecture halls everytime I see her. Her constant handphone messages makes life in uni so much more beautiful. Thanks Hui Yee ;)

15. ICA instructors and coursemates (e.g. Hui Fang, Azlan, KK, etc, etc). You guys rock, big time. Because you know what, you'd made up the happiest period of my life. I am literally on cloud nine! Haha. Like seriously, I am so happy very single day. Love you people! Love my job, my colleagues and team members. I have the chance to lead my team because you guys are willing to lend me a listening ear. Your efforts in your work are heartfelt, appreciated, and duly noted in your reports. I hope I did not disappoint you guys in any aspect.

16. Special thanks to Mr Phua Gek Lian for being the best colleague I ever had. For one, you know your job exceptionally well, and two, you don't hold back when it comes to sharing your knowledge and helping your team members. You have my full respect. Salutes! By the way, I cried on my last day of work partly because I could not work with you as a team anymore. If there's such a thing called love for another human being without lust, a love for another person just because he is such a genuine, kind soul, that person will be you ;) I'm grateful to have met you. Best wishes to you and may happiness and health be with you and your family always.

17. Another nice person is the ever-so-jovial ajumma, Mdm Leow Sok Ting. Thank you for being such a real person: what I see is what I get - nothing's hidden. I won't forget the laughter you induced in me. I love you! You really brighten up the workplace. Your joyous personality is so contagious.

18. The classes of primary students at the tutoring centre that I have taught in 2001. The handmade cards I received for Teacher's Day are still with me. Super priceless! You guys have given me a lot of inspirations and aspirations. And to my niece and nephew, Shannon and Damien, for letting me be a part of your lives. Seeing both of you growing up from birth, to toddler, and now to being school-going children is such a delightful experience.

19. My brother - a marathon/triathlon junkie. Although we quarrelled and had cold wars before, I will always be thankful for things that you've done for me. E.g. you were awakened from deep sleep, and you jumped up and ran out of the house, in the middle of the night to catch the robber, when I told you I had just been robbed. Once, you gave me money to eat (we were really poor) from the pay you earned while working as a rubbish and dish collector. Those days where we have to earn money for our own three meals while struggling to study was... [me: sighing, shaking head, smiling pensively, and speechless] Like they say, it's always nice to have a big brother who looks after you. Especially so when life bites at you.

20. My baby sister. I know you are grown up already but you'll always be my baby sis! Thanks for listening to all my constant nonsense and nagging for the past 25 years (est.) of your life. Thanks for politely polishing up the horrible food that I used to cook for you many years ago. Remember the cards and letters you'd given me? They are well-kept in my "treasure box".

21. My hubby and son. Thanks for just being here and there, being yourselves, being alive.

And the rest of the beautiful people who "sent coal during snow" (provide help when one most needs it)

• The person who 'saved' me while I was drowning in the sea. Although it was a misunderstanding (I faked a drowning act) I am still thankful for your help. I mean, what if I'm really drowning?! (est. 14 years old)
• The lawyer who came up to help after witnessing a pickup truck hitting me and sending me flying across the road at Petir Road. He gave his namecard to my friends who were with me and offered his services, pro bono. (est. 15 years old)
• The couple who came up to help after witnessing my bike accident (as a pillion rider) in Keppel Road in 1999 (est.). They came over to prevent traffic from running over me as I lay on the road while waiting for the ambulance to arrive and even offered to be our witness. (17 years old)
• A lady supervisor of the Giant Supermarket at Pioneer Mall who helped me up when I fainted while I was heavily pregnant. (28 years old)
• A lady officer who helped me up when I fainted at the canteen of my workplace. (yes, I fainted twice, while pregnant) (28 years old)
• People who offered their seats without asking for it while I was pregnant. And people who offered to help carry my pram up and down the bus without wanting anything in return. Grateful, grateful! (28 years old)
• The wonderful feeder bus captain who is oh-so-helpful in many ways, looking out and making sure about this and that, especially to the elderly and children. He even helped to search for my key pouch on the bus when I couldn't find them. Thanks for spreading your kindness in our little neighbourhood. (33 years old)

Wow! Completing this thank roll is such a catharsis - all these gratefulness that have been building up inside me can finally be released! But I know I can never thank these people enough. If you are like one of these kind people, please continue bringing love and joy to the people around you, like a wise quote from Mother Theresa: Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier... Isn't this such a beautiful way to live our lives? Who knows, someone you help will be thankful to you forever :)

Song Lists From My Ipod

MJ Dangerous Album via

Music. Never underestimate the power of music. It can instantly change your mindset. It can evoke feelings of happiness, sadness, anger, love and it can also be a great tool for motivation and relaxation. In fact, I really think that music can amplify or bring out the positive power from within you. *Try You Tube-ing these: the happiest/most motivational/relaxing songs ever.

        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear all,

It is time I share the song lists on my ipod as promised before. Many of these songs have been painstakingly chosen over the past 10 years - they are the best of the best, I would say. They are really the 'classics' which I will not get tired of listening to even when they are on replay mode. And there is, in fact, a song list for just about everything I do daily. For my pre-dawn brisk walks, my solo-dancing sessions, housework, driving, bus/train rides and also for the occasional relaxation/lounging/winding down at night. Yes, I am such a slave to the music [na na nae]! I am into various genres like Bossa Nova, Jazz, Classical, Oldies, Pop, and my favourite, RnB (Rhythm and Blues).

PS: Read about how I fell in love with RnB (thanks to something my brother did) at the end of this post. No one should be forced to read long stories unnecessarily, right?

Hopefully, you can find your favourite songs here that can help amp up your daily life :) So, here you go!

All-Time Favourites - Great for brisk/leisure walks, lounging, bus/train rides and especially driving. [By the way, no speeding please! No fiddling with phone while driving please! Just cruise with care. You say you have to rush to an important meeting, pick up an important phonecall or return an important message? But, what can be more important than a life, you tell me?? You may kill yourself or even someone else!].

1. Turn Your Lights Down Low

The Countdown Singers

2. Once In A Lifetime (L.A. Mix)

Gregorian [The Best 90's Party Album]

3. Miss You Much

Janet Jackson [Design Of A Decade 1986-1996]

4. Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Lauryn Hill [The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill]

*I love to sing this to my son. Sometimes I just can't stand him, sometimes I just can't stop ogling at him lovingly.

5. Dying Inside To Hold You

Timmy Thomas [The Best 90's Party Album]

6. What's Up (4 B's Mix)

DJ Miko [The Best 90's Party Album]

7. Close To You (Downtown Remix)

Whigfield [The Best 90's Party Album]

8. Missing (Todd Terry Remix)

Everything But The Girl [The Best 90's Party Album]

9. Doo Wop (That Thing)

Lauren Hill [1999 Grammy Nominees]

10. Beautiful Girl (DJ Rob Dinero Stand By Me Remix 12")

Sean Kingston w/Ben E. King

11. Gonna Get Your Love (Radio Edit)

S-Sense Featuring Jenny B [Heart Attack 91.3]

12. Stole

Kelly Rowland [R&B The Collection 2]

13. I Try

Macy Gray [RnB The Collection 2]

14. Everything's Gonna Be Alright

Sweetbox [In Tune]

15. I'll Be Missing You

Puff Daddy

16. My Place

Nelly Featuring Jaheim [BLaZn Sykwitit Vol 24]

17. Mercy Mercy Me

Jeff Golub [Closer]

18. By Your Side

Sade [Closer]

19. Corcovado

Everything But The Girl [Closer]

20. If I Ain't Got You

Alicia Keys [The Diary Of Alicia Keys] 

Audiophile/Jazz/Bossa Nova - Great for relaxing, lounging, bus/train rides and driving. Many of these songs can instantly transport me to Paris and it felt like I was in a scene from Da Vinci Code on the quest of the Holy Grail which begins in Musée du Louvre. Also, one of my childhood friends actually use many of these songs (esp. those from Pink Martini) during her wedding night. Great ambience!

1. So Nice (Summer Samba)

Bebel Gilberto [Audiophile Bossa Voices]

2. O Barquinho

Karrin Allyson [Audiophile Bossa Voices]

3. Quando A Lembranca Me Vem

Miucha [Audiophile Bossa Voices]

4. Fly Me To The Moon

Ana Caram [Audiophile Bossa Voices]

5. Gailos Abertas

Ramon Leal and Beatrice Binotti [Audiophile Bossa Voices]

6. Smoke In The City

Marcelo Salazar Featuring Itamarah Koorax [Audiophile Bossa Voices]

7. Hang On Little Tomato

Pink Martini

8. Anna (El Negro Zumbon)

Pink Martini

9. The Gardens Of Sampson and Beasley

Pink Martini

10. Autrefois

Pink Martini

11. Clementine

Pink Martini

12. Sympathique

Pink Martini

13. Amado Mio

Pink Martini

14. La Soledad

Pink  Martini

15. There's A Kind Of Hush

Snow Rose

16. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

Snow Rose

17. More Than I Can Say

Snow Rose

18. The Girl From Ipanema

Stan Gets/Astrud/Jo [Bossa Nova]

Clean The Home - I know, it's such a boring title. But these songs make doing house chores so much more enjoyable with that joyful rhythm. I do not play these songs for other purposes other than for housework, so much so that hubby and I will be turned into 'housework mode' the moment we hear these songs! But come to think of it, this song list is actually great for a little dance during an afternoon slump ;) It'll instantly perk you up!

1. Samba de Orfeu

Bob Brookmeyer [Bossa Nova]

2. O Pato

Coleman Hawkins [Bossa Nova]

3. Minha Lagoa

Luiz Henrique [Bossa Nova]

4. Meditation

Oscar Peterson [Bossa Nova]

5. Summer Samba

Baden Powell [Bossa Nova]

6. Agua de Beber

Astrud Gilberto/Antonio Carlos Jobim [Bossa Nova]

7. Felicidade

Joe Henderson [Bossa Nova]

8. Fly Me To The Moon

Astrud Gilberto [Bossa Nova]

9. E Luxo So

Luiz Bonfa [Bossa Nova]

10. Besame Mucho

Los Panchos [Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps]

 

Dance Baby Dance - Just let go of everything and groove to the music! Great for brisk walks too. It's a random mix of old and new songs on this list.

1. Mack the knife

Bobby Darin [Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps]

2. Fire

Babyface and Des'ree

3. The Hustle

Van McCoy

4. All About That Bass

Megan Trainor

5. Shake it off

Taylor Swift *shake all that stress off instantly!

6. Crazy In Love

Beyonce

7. Grown Woman

Beyonce

8. Single Ladies

Beyonce

9. Check On It

Beyonce

10. Run The World (Girls)

Beyonce

11. Hey Ya

Outcast

12. Hot In Herre

Nelly

13. Y.M.C.A. (Remix)

The Village People [Super Hits 1993-2003]

14. Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Hermes House Band [Super Hits 1993-2003]

15. Mambo No. 5

Lou Bega [Super Hits 1993-2003]

16. Papa's Got A Brand New PigBag

Carrilio [Super Hits 1993-2003]

17. What's Up (4 B's Mix)

DJ Miko [Super Hits 1993-2003] *this is also in the all-time fav list

18. La Copa De La Vida (The Cup Of Life)

Football All Stars [Super Hits 1993-2003]

19. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Heart Of Asia)

Watergate [Super Hits 1993-2003]

20. 1 Thing

Amerie [Hits 2 Hot To Handle]

Let's Relax - R.e.a.l.l.y R.e.l.a.x. Sit down on a comfortable chair. Let go of the tension of your shoulders. Then of your face, ears, arms. Breathe in deeply. Breathe out slowly. Repeat slow, relaxed breathing. Slow down your thoughts. Slow down your world. And then close your eyes. And smile.

1. Cielito Lindo

Marta Gomez [The World's Greatest Audiophile Vocal Recordings]

2. Spanish Harlem

Revbecca Pidgeon [Best Audiophile Voices VI]

3. Dream A Little Dream

The Beautiful South [Closer]

4. Vincent

 Sara K. [Best Voices 3]

5. First of May

Angela [Best Audiophile Voices VI]

6. Perhaps

Janet Seidel [Best Voices 3]

7. Don't Make My Brown Eyes Blue

Sofia [Best Voices 3]

8. Don't Know Why

Angela [Best Voices 3]

9. Close To You

Noon [Best Voices 3]

10. That's Amore

Sofia Pettersson [Best Voices 3]

11. Corcovado

Carmen Cuesta-Loeb [Best Voices 3]

12. Love's Theme

Barry White and Love Unlimited Orchestra [Pure Disco 2]

* This is the favorite song of my life :) I can replay it back-to-back the whole day! Read about my deepest feelings towards this song here.

13. La Mer

Cynthia McCorkindale [Bistro Blue]

14. La Vie En Rose

Cynthia McCorkindale [Bistro Blue]

15. C'est Si Bon

Cynthia McCorkindale [Bistro Blue]

16. Soul Bossa Nova (Original Version)

Quincy Jones and his Orchestra [Jazz- The 2 of Us (Day)]

17. So Danco Samba (Album Version)

Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto [Jazz- The 2 of Us (Day)]

18. Over The Rainbow

Jane Hombre [Jazz In The City]

19. Just The Way You Are

Various Artists [Jazz In The City]

20. Come Away With Me

Nelly Jackson [Jazz In The City]

21. More Than This

Charlie Hunter Feat. Norah Jones [Pink Champagne (Disc 1)]

22. Fly Me To The Moon

Julie London [Pink Champagne (Disc 1)]

PS: There are more songs in my list which I shall not bother everyone with - there are just too many songs I love! I actually adore many music legends of my time e.g. Micheal Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Beyonce. I also like Mandarin music legends like Ah Mei, Sammi Cheng, Teresa Teng, Jay Zhou and Beyond. Furthermore, there are some songs that is permanently tagged with some very close people of my life.

Brother: Ride Wit Me - Nelly (read about this below)

Sister: The Moon represents my heart - Teresa Teng. We used to sing this song for our evenings walks in the huge grassland near our old house.

Hubby: Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers. (Have you watched the film Ghost?) I knew that hubby was The One when we sang it together loudly in his car - there was so much rapport between us and chemical reactions within me that led on to an unsettling sense of déjà vu. Have we really met before, my dear? The best part is, we were not even together yet!

Son: My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean (bring back,... bring back my Bonnie to me, to me) This song brings back so much loving memories of my newborn child. Sadly, the origin of this song seems to have nothing to do with love. 

How I fell in love with RnB

I didn't think too much about music until one day, my brother did something while we were teenagers. I can't imagine typing about this so many years later - we are now in our 30s, have our own family and living separately in our own flats. Anyway, that scene can be replayed vividly in my mind's eye:

Once upon a time, as usual, my brother was dancing around the house (irritatingly!) while blasting RnB music (it's Nelly's Ride Wit Me). I happened to walk past him and that was when he starting grooving his butt at me! He was really into the music as if in some sort of blissful trance. So, not to be outdone by him, I grooved back at him. By now, my brother intensified his moves, with arms swinging in the air, and I retaliated too, as my little sister watched on in amusement. That dance episode really ignited my love for RnB music, thanks to my brother. Now, whenever I dance to RnB music, I feel that I am in my groove (literally!) coupled with a feeling of absolute joy.

You see, different people can be drawn to different parts of the same song. My brother loves moving to RnB beat, rhythm and bass, and I am both into singing along to the lyrics of the song and dancing to the beat. But it was only until I was studying English Literature in university that I realised song lyrics are actually poems! Why didn't I see the connection? Those rhymes and syllables.

Fast forward about 15 years, my love for RnB is still going strong. Like I did since I was in primary school, I still love dancing to RnB music regularly - it instantly makes me feel 5 years younger.

Yes baby! Don't ever stop movin your booty!

By the way, it's Christmas in a couple of days so Merry X'mas to everyone! Stay warm and cosy with your loved ones! Here's a beautiful X'mas tree, about 1 hr 30 mins bus and train ride from home! It's worth the effort, since my 4-year-old boy is rather fascinated by the sheer size of the tree. That awestruck look in his eyes and the way he said wow! is priceless :0

X'mas tree at Vivocity, Singapore.
My son in blue jacket, prancing around, looking for fun.



The Song Of My Life

Love's Theme by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra


This is the best-loved song of my life. I can replay it non-stop for the whole day. Why is it chosen as such? Maybe because it was frequently heard on the local radio during the most carefree days of my life - I am finally financially stable, got a job I love and I met my husband-to-be. Or perhaps I simply have great feelings toward this song. It reminds me how beautiful life is and how great it is to be simply alive.
 



Even the sky and land can smile. A man's face winking at you. Can you see?

Here's a short note about how I deeply feel when I hear this song:

Suddenly, you burst into a new realm of boundless, ultimate expansion, both of your mind and also your body, releasing the energy of unlimited love in you. Now, you have the capacity to embrace the whole wide world.

This is a song of total freedom, of absolute liberation!

I'm grateful simply for being alive, to be even breathing in air, to feel, touch, see and be aware, awake and conscious. It is such an ultimate bliss to be able to experience life itself, even for a short span of several decades.

For that, I'd say: Life is already a celebration by itself! So, love and laugh through life!

[Click here to listen to song]