A Singapore girl who appreciates design, has passion in craft making and photography, likes to travel, likes inspiring and heartfelt movies, chat when needed to, likes reading more.
Just smiles when happy and cries when sad.
Simply loves her family and true friends who stand by her when she's in trouble!
Just a simple girl.
I have fond of drawing intricate heart shapes recently. This is to remind myself that I am giving and recieving love from the universe. Yesterday, I bought a couple of clothes, a shop owner asked me to take part at the AMK Hub mix and match lucky draw.
My first thought is sounds fun. I went to the counter, gave my ic to the counter girl to register. The counter girl told me to think of any 3 random no from 1 to 9. I did. The first 2 tries I didn't win anything, so I thought hmmm just go with the flow. I pressed 1, 2, 3. Guess what? I won a gift!
Actually it doesnt really matter what I win. It is the fact that I won something :) This is the thought that I makes me very happy. I didn't expect myself to win anything. When I open the box, I saw this spoonful of affections gift is shape of the heart shapes and I laughed. :D
I think I have been sending too much love to the universe and universe hears me therefore gave me this spoon hahaha :D Sometimes it is a blessing to me to recieve such nice gift from the universe without having any expectations.
When you love life, life loves you back double :) Maybe time for me to make some food for my family :)
Heard this phrase many years back, recently I have decided to make myself happier. I start to think about more positive things and be more open about myself. Doing my best to fulfil the goals that I wanted to do. I feel more calm and ease.
Surprisingly people that I met are friendlier and warmer, the events that I have are interesting and meaningful and I have value my things better.
I have changed my pair of specs. Hopefully this pair of specs can let me see more business opportunities and building more quality relationships :)
Very long time never sing this song already. I think the lyrics are meaningful. Happiness needs wisdom.
Yesterday my Yoga teacher tell us that most of the yoga postures require good guidance and our own self awareness of our body. Sometimes we make these pains ourselves. With the right guidance and being mindful in the present, I managed to do some yoga posture which I never thought I can do.
My yoga teacher also tell us that we need to be happy so that we can release the pain and tension in our body. She shares that usually the pains or negative energy resides on the neck and shoulders. Daily stretching and gentle massage exercise will help to release our negative emotions.
I love what T. Harv Eker has shared today. It is not the materials things that we have. It is the qualities that we cultivate each day within us that makes up who we really are.
He said, "When it comes down to it, who you really are is what you value the most; and what you value then becomes reflected in what you do; where your energy and resources are directed on a regular basis. Not just the value of material things like cars, houses, or the latest gadgets. I mean what you value as in honesty, self-respect, respect for others, kindness—qualities that have no price because their impact can’t be measured."
I am slow and steady in cultivating my good qualities. It doesn't matter what speed I'm taking, it matters where am I heading to. My 5 values that matters to me are: Gratitude, Courage, Honesty, Kindness and Open-mindedness.
Whenever I look at a hardcover book, I notice there is this colored strip band. I asked my designer friends and Shirley told me this is called Head and Tail band. Initally, these are called Head and Tail band but now some people just called it headbands. It is used for hardcover books. I went to read up on the information about head bands.
A functional and/or ornamental band at the head and tail of a book between the sections and the spine covering, which projects slightly beyond the head and tail. Originally, the headband consisted of a thong core, similar to the bands on which the book was sewn, around which the ends of the threads were twisted and then laced into the boards of the book. Today, however, the headband is much simpler and is usually made of colored silk sewn to the book or simply attached after the volume has been forwarded.
Although Head and Tail Bands (H/T bands) most often people refer the bands to be the ornamental decorative. An additional asthetics of a colored band. It is often checkered style cloth piece at the top and bottom of a book. In the modern days, some book makers have discarded the book band tradition.
However, I personally think the function of the bands had the great advantage of also banding the top and bottom of the sections together tightly. I will use this book head bands for my book as it can protect the book for a longer period of time.
I have finally decided what I want to do for my daily morning exercise. Monday to Friday Meridian Points exercise, Tuesday Yoga, Saturday Dancing and Sunday Qi Gong. You may think it is too much to exercise daily. I recently feel that exercise should done regularly in fact it is better to exercise daily so that our body is able to detox the unwanted toxin in our body.
The teachers from my meridian points, yoga, dancing class are very helpful and patient with the students. As long as you are willing to learn, they are willing to teach.
I am fortunate to get a good deal for my dancing class. $24 for whole year at Ang Mo Kio CC. I think it is a very good deal especially nowadays the dancing class minimum cost around $60 for 8 lessons. This dancing class that I join teaches 80 variety of dances. Today is my first class, I learnt Tango, Exercise Dance and similar to Hip hop dance.
Even though I have danced before, I felt my legs are entangled, can't really coordinate properly. Thankfully the dance instructor is very patient. Keep revising with the beginners like us. I still try to practise with steps with my classmates. Everyone is helping each other to remember the steps. I remembered the dance teacher says it is easier for us to remember the steps than to follow others. True enough, when I try my best to remember the steps, somehow my legs seems to coordinate better and I danced lighter and more relax.
My sis took up Qi Gong recently. I joked with my sister that we are two 武林高手，hers is 武功的武，mine is 舞蹈的舞 Haha:) Looking forward to my exercises everyday :)
It all started by my sister's friend who wanted to learn clay making during the weekends. Surprisingly, both my sis and her friend are busy with their activities, unable to attend.
I was thinking since I have the time and I have the interest to take up new skills. Why not? The first day I met Alyson, she is the clay instructor. She teaches me how to make the clay and docorations. At first, I had no idea what do I want to design. Then I saw a lady who is doing her coloring of the mug. She gave me some ideas and inspirations.
I decided to make a flower handle and the land of beautiful sky and grass. Alyson, taught me how to make the flower petals and the leaves. I asked her guidance on how to make the handle. Whether is it too fat or too thin? Too short or too long? From her experience, she is able to see it at one glance and she advised me accordingly.
I spend one afternoon making the design of the mug. As I was making this mug, 2 children come over and ask me is it very difficult to make? I told them just enjoy what you do. :)
On the 2nd afternoon, Hazel, another clay instructor. She taught me the basic of coloring. I explore the colors on my own. The colors looks pastel when I color. Thinking that I need to color more layers to bring out the colors, I color many times haha :D Turns out to be the colors are very bright in the end, which is what I like :)
Hazel commented,"Wow, you can sat there for 3 hours just to paint the mug. You really got alot of patience." I smiled. This is the first time I heard someone saying me having patience haha :D I think mainly because I enjoy painting the mug and making sure the paints come out well :p
Hazel asked me if I will sell this mug, I told her of course not. This is my fruit of my labour :p It is really enjoyable making this mug. Seeing the mug from nothing to transform into a beautiful mug. This making of the mug requires patience, concentration and love :) It is the process that I learnt, makes the mug beautiful :)
Today I met 2 courageous women. Early in the morning, after I had my exercise at the park. I saw a beautiful flower. A woman walked over and offered her help to hold the flower upright for me to take the photo. I took 2 shots and she asked me if I know the name of the flower. I shook my head and she asked me to go to the library to find out. I thanked her.
As she about to walk off, she told me that she is a cancer patient. She told me that the teacher who taught me the merdian points exercises is very good. I told her I feel the same way too. I will continue to learn from this teacher. She saw me wearing shorts and advised me to wear long pants and bathe warm water after 2 hours later. This is to prevent rheumatisms. I find her very caring and helpful despite of her illness. I think she is courageous to share about her illness and she has overcome her emotional challenges.
Another woman is a blind girl who walks confidently up the escalator just like any other people. At first, I didn't know she is blind because she is carrying a bag, a paper bag and a stick. Then I take a closer look at her eyes and realised that her eyes are blind. A few minutes later, I notice a older woman was running towards her and talk to her. I think she could be her mother because they board the train together after that.
Their positive outlooks have taught me to look at brighter side of life :) Confidence can be build up day by day. Have the courage to explore and by doing the right thing continously, it becomes a routine and thus confidence is built.
That day I heard and watched Andy Lau's Everyone is No. 1 video at Olympics 2008, Beijing. I think the lyrics is very inspiring. Today I managed to find his MV. I think this video is even meaningful together with the lyrics.
I did question that why is it necessary to go through the downs? I think this video has the answers for me. With the ups and downs of life experiences we had is to have the courage to live on and live meaningfully. We will have our triumphs at the end of the day. Because we have overcome our life challenges.
Time really flies. Olympics 2012 is arriving in 128 days, 4 years have past since Olympics 2008. May those who take part in the Olympics have overcome their own challenges. Letting go of the past and moving forward. This is the true essence of courage.
Don Taylor has worked as a bookbinder for 31 years. It's really great to see someone share their love of craft with people. Book binding is an art and those that take the time and patience to restore, should be honored.
I like the way this video is filmed and narrated. Great production style and story-telling. Toronto Standard presents 'Made in Toronto' - The Bookbinder: Don Taylor. Directed & Edited by Tate Young / Produced & Written by Ian Daffern. Photographed by Tony Edgar.
I was looking for videos teaching how to make book binding step by step. Of course there are many professional tutorials, what interest me was I came across this video. The tutorial teached by Eva, a 4 year old child. She makes a sketch book from scratch. If a four year old can do it, so can I! Good Job, Eva :)
I started illustration skills in Feb 2012. At first I was full of doubts, fear, uncertainty, no clarity. I still continue to draw despite I was facing my own negativity. My confidence grow when I was drawing 10% of the image and slowly builds up along the way. Slowly bits by bits, I feel joy, relaxation and confidence each stroke that I draw. I feel that each stroke becomes easier and smoother.
I was sharing with Evelyn that I was hurt when Laselle teacher threw my drawing on the floor. Even though, this event has past for 6 years. I still felt the rejection, the pain and the hurt and I cried. She helps me to release some of the pain. However, she told me such hurt could be even happened before this event happened.
I tried to recall for the past few days but I can't until today I remembered that during Sec 1. I took up the drawing class. I can't remember who was the teacher already. I remembered it was a still life painting class. I drew. As I didn't learn any skills about still life drawings before. It is naturally I drew out of porportions. The teacher gave me a F.
From that day onwards, I had this belief that "I can't draw well." This belief carries with me for 20 years! During that time, it didn't affect me at all as I was scoring As in my Chinese, Maths and Science.
However, ever since I wanted to be a successful creative director. This belief actually hinders me. I didn't dare or most of the time I avoided drawings to my best ability. As a result, this belief affected my learnings!
Fortunately, I have slowly overcome this belief which no longer serves me. Now, I can say to myself confidently. Yes, I can draw and I draw well. :)
Recently I have a lot of thoughts what I wanted to do in my life. Then I realised it is the quality time with my family and friends that I want to spend time to work on.
My focus and plan for this year are
Spend quality time with the nature, exercising, meditate
Spend quality time with family and friends
Improve my drawing skills
Make a book
Write my book about gratitude
Take up interesting courses like learning mug making, origami, maybe ballet hahaha
Of course attend Buddhist classes
Finding more businesses for my freelance work to substain my current lifestyle
Attend my Toastmasters meetings once awhile
Yes It is about my well being, I think I really need that :) To give myself a new insights and fresh perspective of how I want my life to be.
I feel more excited and happier about my life as I am doing what I like :)
Last week I attended the basic Vision Board Workshop. The workshop was interesting and fun. The idea of having a vision board is to allow myself to stay focus on what I really want in life and make them into reality. Actually I want to remind myself that I am creative, I am courageous and I have a clarity mind.
The Making of Vision Board
"Dreams of Inspirations, Playfulness & Creativity." Commented by Evelyn Lim, Life Coach
Although it is just a week, I felt that by looking at the vision board, I felt happier and lighter. My thoughts are more positive and motivated. It keeps me wanting to learn more about my family, friends and noticing the surrounding with an open heart.
Xie Kun Shan - He is an amazing handicapped artist who uses his creativity mind in his daily life. I was touched by his positive thinking and there will be successes when we truly put in our efforts in the things we do.
Felt like today is a new chapter for me because I just filed in my income tax. It has been almost a year since I left my ad agency. What need to let go have to let go, that is what I tell myself.
For a past whole month, I have been going to illustration classes. It has been rewarding for me. I find joy in drawings. What amazes me is from a simple lines or just using dots can be manifested into any form of interesting images. Today, I walked into Art Friend, I felt that I'm walking into a playground. I'm still looking forward on how can I stretch my imagination and using the tools to push my creative works into greater heights :)
For the nutrition survey, most of the Singaporeans do not eat breakfast. However, eating good breadfast helps us to be fresh and alert during the day. I like this song because the lyrics is quite cute and funny. I thank my parents especially my mum for making breakfast every day with variety :)
蘇打綠 - 你在煩惱什麼 沒有不會謝的花 there's no flower that never dies 沒有不會退的浪 there's no tide that's always high 沒有不會暗的光 there's no light that always shines 你在煩惱什麼嗎 what's the trouble on your mind
沒有不會淡的疤 there's no scar that never fades 沒有不會好的傷 there's no wound that always stays 沒有不會停下來的絕望 there's no desperation that won't go away 你在憂鬱什麼啊 so why the sadness on your face
時間從來不回答 Time goes by without a trace 生命從來不喧嘩 Life goes on without fanfare 就算只有片刻 我也不害怕 Don't be afraid of any moment that you have 是片刻組成永恆哪 Life goes on and on and on
After attended so many self discovery courses, I want to put my learnings into action. We have 5 main pillars of Harmonic Wealth that we need to take care of: Mental (Mindset), Financial (Knowledge), Spirtually, Health and Emotional.
To have a fulfilling and meaningful life, we need to know what we really want. We can look into areas of relationships with our personal well being, family, friends, romance, work, recreational, finances, environment, contribution to the society and spirtuality.
I am working on from my inner self, discover who I really am, in order to create positive outcome.
What are my values? Gratitude Courage Honesty Kindness Open-mindedness
What are my 3 power word? Creativity, Courage and Clarity I am creative, I am courageous and I have clarity. I be who I really am, then do what I need to do in order to have what I want.
My mantra is I inspire people through my creative works. I learn better through play.
My big dream is to create a better everyday life for the many people.
This video is done by Evelyn Lim. She is now a certified life coach, a published author, intuitive consultant, Master Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner and EFT Practitioner.
Visit http://www.selflovesecrets.com/ She is sharing about what self love is all about. I felt calm and at ease after watching this video. Hope you like it too :)
Today is bodhisattva's special day. At first I thought that it is bohisattava's birthday then my mum told me it is bodhisatta's special day.
I went to wish her happy birthday. With bodhisattava's great compassion, I felt that I need to share with her my heart. I need her guidance.
When I was young, I believed that there is one person I would love in my own entire life. I met my first boyfriend during poly times at the age of 17. During that time, I didn't know what romantic love is all about. I had this fuzzy feelings, easily get happy, sad, worked up easily because sometimes he cares and sometimes he doesn't and thus sometimes confused on this romance. The romance only lasted a year as he requested to make love to me, I wasn't prepared at all because from my understanding making love was meant to do it after married. Both of us were hurt and we decided to move on. He taught me I need to have faith in love.
I met my second boyfriend, he was very thoughtful and caring. The feeling about him is steady and calm. We have many good memories as we spend our time from poly till working life. It lasted for 6 years. His mum didn't like me but she accepted me who I was eventually. However, he become ambitious and wanted to setup a business with his friend, I didn't agree with him because I didn't really know what he wants in life. He said why can't I be more supportive over his career? He didn't really care much about our relationship and I have nothing much to talk to him either. His partner cheated on him and he didn't make the business worked. He borrowed money from me. Out of goodwill, I lend him. Although it took years for him to return me the money. Eventually he did. He taught me to be down to earth and know when to be supportive and have similar values and life direction in order for the relationship to work.
I fall for a good friend of mine. However, he was with someone at that time already. Thank god that I never get involved with him. I still wished him and his wife all the best everytime I see him because he taught me what is being faithfulness.
I was hurt and I stopped searching for romance until few years later, I met a doctor online, at first I didn't believe that he is a doctor. Because there are scams online. Eventually, we hit off as friends. He seems nice at first then one day I was a bit late, he shouted at me because he called 7 times and I never picked up his calls. To me is an small issue. I apologised and the next time he was late, I waited for him for 2 hours, he never say anything and as though nothing has happened. I never expect anything from him until one day, we saw someone lying on the floor near the road. I asked him to go over and see what was going on, he said it is okay as there are so many people crowding around that person. I felt that he should do something but he didn't. We broke up because I felt that I shouldn't be with someone who is so cold. He let me realise that I have a compassionate heart.
I met another person, we have the similar childhood, same common dreams, to me he seems like a long lost friend. We clicked off very well, we shared a couple of memories but it didn't last because he is not truthful. I was once again hurt. He let me realised how important trust and commitment are in the relationship.
I was standing in front of bodhisattava, I cried really loud today. It is a good cry I must say. I have not given up hope on love because love heals. If bodhisattava asked me what have I learnt, I will tell her that I have learnt more about myself. Love have understanding, faith, compassion, trust, commitment, forgiveness, honesty, acceptance and fun.
Afther a good cry, I saw rainbow. I think universe is kind enough to let me listen to this song.
【蔡健雅《说到爱》温暖首播[唱歌] 】Tanya的新碟保持了她一贯的风格，唱着独立熟女的心事，这首主打歌《说到爱》强调的是"珍惜"，歌词里写了不少Tanya的真实经历。"Sing it out of love"，Soothing ballad about cherishing your loved ones, which Tanya composed to remember her late father who passed away earlier this year.
I personally feel is a very relaxing song where you can listen when you are about to sleep during the night time :)
English translation: Poem written by Meng Jiao (751-814, Tang Dynasty) Loving him, the mother takes thread in hand; Leaving her, he’ll have this coat on his shoulders. Now that he’s about to go, she mends with fine, fine stitches; She knows the fear that he’ll be gone a long, long time. Who would say the heart of a tiny blade of grass Could repay the sun for all the warmth of spring?
I personally think that the chinese explaination is more touching haha :D I dedicated this photo to all parents who put in all their heart and soul to nurture their children. Feel the kindness towards our parents today :)
I watched My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ, Tonari no Totoro?) today. It is very nice animation, with great storyline. It is a 1988 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli.
The film follows the two young daughters of a professor and their interactions with friendly wood spirits in postwar rural Japan. The film won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize and the Mainichi Film Award for Best Film in 1988.
To watch the video: http://www.veoh.com/watch/v16162450GfdGAfpf?h1=my+neighbor+totoro+(eng+dub)
Yesterday was Leap Day, I was excited to see rainbow on my way to mrt to attend my Toastmasters Club contest. Rainbow to me has a special meaning. Whenever I see rainbow, I feel there is hope in life. Maybe it is rare, therefore it becomes precious. Life is beautiful as it as many interesting things for me to explore and notice. I realised the colors of rainbow are gentle and soothing. I really feel blessed when I saw the rainbow as if it is just meant for my eyes.
There is a saying, though I do not know who quote this, someone said,"There will not be rainbow without rain." Actually, it should be there will not be rainbow without rain and sunshine! Whether it is sunshine or rain, they are part of beauty of life, without one of them, life will not be complete. Rain helps the farmers to nourish their rice in padi fields. Sunshine helps the farmers to dry up the rice for harvesting. To the farmers, both are equally important. I will appreciate the rain as much as the sunshine. Thank You, Rainbow! :)
Some knowledge taken from Wikipedia: A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines on to droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere. It takes the form of a multicoloured arc. Rainbows caused by sunlight always appear in the section of sky directly opposite the sun.
In a "primary rainbow", the arc shows red on the outer part, and violet on the inner side. This rainbow is caused by light being refracted while entering a droplet of water, then reflected inside on the back of the droplet and refracted again when leaving it.
