Time flies..yet again.. It's already mid-Jan! Received news last week that a friend's dad had a fall and had an operation as his condition worsened. It was a pretty serious one. Friend must be feeling extremely worried and anxious about his dad.
Though all will go through birth, old age, sickness and death, yet, when it hits any one of us or our loved ones, we aren't prepared to let go of our life or our loved ones.
Yesterday, I was having a conversation with another friend who gave me a lift home. She was on her way to visit her father-in-law who was in a rehabilitation centre, recovering from a stroke. We agreed that though we are always in a mad rush at the workplace; work is really not that important after all. We should be looking further ahead, knowing well what will last and what will not. Instead of filling our mind constantly about work and worrying about deadlines... Are we really that indispensable at work?
When I first started work, that question was asked and answered by a friend. You see, I was given a class when I was posted to the school. However, just before a new school term started, I was told to take over another teacher's class. The teacher had an asthma attack just before school closed and she slipped into a coma. Subsequently, she did not come out of it... she passed away. To encounter that at the beginning of a career is really quite a thing. This friend wanted me to think about what's most important to me, before I joined the rat race. Do we have to put in all our time and effort into our work? And in the process neglect our family and friends who are dear to us and who we are dear to? Who would be the ones grieving if we were gone one day? Our customers? Our colleagues? Our boss and superiors? Our family and friends are the ones enduring the pain of losing us.... isn't it? In this way, does it make it clearer where we should be placing our priority?

Goodbye 2006...Hello 2007!

Wow! Another year has passed and a new year is here! Time passes extremely fast! It's already the 3rd day of the new year! I think I'm still grappling with the transition into the new year... and it's the first day of school =(

Surprising I wasn't exactly sleepy in the morning when I woke. In fact, I woke up on time! Perhaps it's becos it'll be a good start to a new year? Back to the same old routine, the rat race, monotonous life...and what have you? What would 2007 hold for me? What are some of the things to look forward to?? Am I ready for 2007? And don't ask me for new year resolutions... we know it doesn't work.. at least not for me ;p

The True Essence of TIME

Am reading a book these few days - "Chasing Daylight" by Eugene O'Kelly, autobiography of the previous CEO of KPMG (USA). He was diagnosed with advanced stage brain cancer in May 2005 and the book chronicled his journey of this last phase of his life - planning his own death and saying goodbye. He passed away last Sept.

Had some realisations while reading the book. He said he was blessed to receive the death sentence while he was alive. Indeed, come to think of it, isn't it true? How many of us will have the chance to know an estimation of how much time we have got left in this world... enough for us to plan our death and to say good bye to our loved ones..and to this world. To read about how a super high-flyer like Eugene to take a step back (or down, literally) to slow down his lifestyle, reorganising his priorities, learning new things and viewing life and his surroundings in a new perspective is indeed insightful. Even though it doesnt make me want to rethink about my life (yet) and what's it all about, it certainly has enlightened me in certain aspects. One of it is the true meaning and value of TIME.

Only a dying person will comprehend the true meaning and value of TIME. Not the time spent (the past), nor the time ahead (the future), but the NOW time (the present). There's no time to look back and wish one can turn back the clock... neither is there any chance of living beyond one's own death. The only time one can possess and enjoy is the present. The NOW time is in itself, a present (a gift).

I learnt - "Being present in the present time is the best present you can give to those around you."

Where have the gentle-men gone too?

Last Sat I attended a friend's wedding dinner. It was my first time wearing a tea dress. Nothing great right? But I seldom wear such "formal" dress, so it was definitely quite an experience for me ;) Anyway, it was a nice wedding dinner. Tho, there were a couple of incidents that irked me!

The solemnisation ceremony was held in the events hall, where the dinner would be held too. While the pastor was giving the message, three times a mobile phone rang and we could hear people talking non-stop at the back of the room (the hall wasn't that big). Such irritating and discourteous behaviour!

Another incident that annoyed me was the inconsiderate behaviour of two men. I was coming out of the restroom and there was this young man in front of me, holding on to an elderly man, who was walking very slowly. As we turned the corner and approached the glass doors to the dining hall, I saw 2 men standing at the other side of the doors. I should think that they saw us coming? It was obvious that the young man would need help to open the heavy door while holding on the old man, right? But there wasn't any proactive act of opening the door for the young man with the elderly man...or even for me, as I walked on faster than the two in front of me! I was appalled that I, a lady, had to move forward to open and hold the door for the young man and the elderly man to walk thru! Those two men merely looked and turned away, continuing with their conversation! Mm...am I unreasonable to demand some gentlemanly act from those two guys? Even in this modern times, women are and will still be impressed when a guy acts in a gentleman way. It's not treating the woman as a weakling, but simply remembering and showing respect for the woman! Even to fellow men when the needs arises. In general, a man (and a woman) should be considerate in his dealing wih others, isn't it?

beta - The Dummy's Guide to Blogging

Heard from my bro that blogspot beta version is much simpler to navigate...esp for new blogger (not exactly a dummy) like me. Today Bro taught me how to add a site meter, so that I can track the number of visitors to my blog. Not as if many will visit my blog becos mine's a private blog! Haha! Well, maybe in time to come when it's more established.

What does it mean when a blog is "more established"? Now I know why an older friend didn't inform us that she has started blogging. It was only during a casual conversation that she let slip that she blogs... and that was a month after she started... and guess what?! She already had about 1000 visitors when she accidentally let the cat out of the bag! And to think she told us she was considering telling us only when her blog is, well, "more established". Mm... so about 1000 visitors before it's considered "more established"? Or do I go by how much I know about blogging? Or is it the content and the number of blogs I've written? Well, when the time comes, you will know ;)