Rest In Peace

I didn't expect Normal to go so fast.

Yes, it had poor appetite 2 weeks back. Its stomach was slightly bloated and whenever it gobbled up the food pellets, it simply spat them up without swallowing. But didn't its stomach go back to normal after several days? Yes, it seemed to have shrunk in size without having much food over those days but didn't it start to eat and swallow some smaller pellets again?

Things seemed to be going well until 2 nights ago, I noticed little bloating at its stomach again. It couldn't have put on that much weight overnight? Oh dear. And guess what, yesterday night its condition got even worse. The bloating became more intense and even the scales seemed to have puffed out. Internet sources say that this is a disease known as "dropsy" where there is building up of internal pressure caused by bacteria infection. Although there is antibiotic treatment, most cases of dropsy are fatal. But I didn't give up hope after knowing that. We planned to get the medicine from an aquatic store the very next day (today). I said a prayer before I went to bed last night, hoping that Normal would recover soon.

But just this morning, when I looked in at the quarantined pail, poor Normal's body had flipped. It had gone....

Normal's body lying in its "coffin"


Coffin being sealed... (sob sob!)

Burying in progress...

You must have suffered, Normal. Hope you rest in peace...

Never to grow up

Sometimes I wish I had never grown up.

Being a child is great. No burden, no responsibility. They just need to eat and play. No one will blame them if they do not excel in their studies. When they make mistakes, they will be let off after they get punished, and their mistakes would be forgotten by adults. If they show improvement in their behaviour or studies, they get lots of praises and rewards. They can say whatever they like, without thinking whether their words will hurt others. What is money to them? They just know money can buy things, but never wonder how hard it is for the money to come by.

Being a toddler is even better. Adults are happy as long as they do not cry and do not fall sick. Who remembers what kind of tantrum the child got into the day before? If they can follow simple instructions, it is a bonus.

What about an adult? Lots of burdens and responsibilties. People remember the mistakes you have done. Sometimes there are nice people around to show you some guidance, but you are expected to show improvement fast. If you do not perform up to par in the expected time frame, the nice people will still get annoyed.

Smart people pick up things fast and they get more in life. For example, in a dance workout, if a student can catch the steps and routine in that lesson, she gets to work out more and enjoy the lesson more. The slower students remain blur throughout the whole lesson and don't get to perspire much. In short, they waste their time and money. It is even more true in any workplace. Which boss likes an employee who is dumb and slow?

This is a competitive society we are living in. Is the society willing to be more patient with slower people or slower people have no choice but just have to keep striving?

I wish I had treasured my childhood days more.

Happy MV :)

When I saw this MV on cable tv the first time today, I was really captivated by its bright cheerful colours, cute bubbly artistes and lively tempo! Although I didn't really catch what the lyrics were all about, although I could tell that Fahrenheit's singing was way below SHE's, I was really in high spirits throughout that few minutes. :D (unfortunately this Youtube version is not as clear as the one I saw on tv)

I really felt strongly, for the first time, that the artistes in the MV did succeed in their role, that is, to entertain.

How to enjoy your life and job

Author - Dale Carnegie; Publisher - Vermilion

I find this library book so awesome that I simply must make a record of its summary somewhere, lest I forget them in the near future.

Part 1: Seven ways to peace & happiness

- Let's not imitate others. Let's find ourselves and be ourselves. Remember, there is no one else on earth like you.

- Apply the four good working habits that will help prevent fatigue and worry: Clear your desk of all papers except those relating to the immediate problem; Do things in order of their importance; When you face a problem, solve it then and there if you have the facts necessary to make a decision. Don't keep putting off decisions; Learn to organise, deputise and supervise.

- Most of our fatigue derives from our mental and emotional attitudes - boredom, resentment, anxiety, worry, etc. Such emotional factors exhaust the person, makes him susceptible to colds and reduce his output. Therefore you must learn to relax while you are doing your work. Begin by relaxing your muscles. Think of yourself as an old crumpled sock. Otherwise you are producing nervous tensions and nervous fatigue!

- Our life is what our thoughts make it. You can direct yourself to think thoughts of courage and happiness, power and peace. By thinking the right thoughts, you can make any job less distasteful. Think of what getting interested in your job will do for you. Remind yourself that it may double the amount of happiness you get out of life, for you spend about one half of your waking hours at your work, and if you don't find happiness in your work, you may never find it anywhere. Keep reminding yourself that getting interested in your job will take your mind off your worries, and in the long run, even if it doesn't bring promotion and increased pay, it will reduce fatigue to a minimum and help you enjoy your hours of leisure.

- Would you take a million dollars for what you have? Count your blessings - not your troubles!

- If you are tempted to be worried about unjust criticism, remember that unjust criticism is often a disguised compliment. Remember that no one ever kicks a dead dog.

- Do the very best you can; and then put up your old umbrella and keep the rain of criticism from running down the back of your neck.

Part 2: Fundamental techniques in handling people

- God himself does not propose to judge man until the end of his days. Why should you and I? Therefore, don't criticise, condemn, or complain.

- The big secret of dealing with people - give honest and sincere appreciation.

- Arouse in the other person an eager want. He who can do this has the whole world with him.

- Do this and you will be welcome anywhere: Be genuinely interested in other people!

- How to make people like you instantly: Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.

Part 3: How to win people to your way of thinking

- A sure way of making enemies and how to avoid it - Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, " You're wrong."

- Gentleness and friendliness are always better than fury and force. Begin in a friendly way.

- In talking with other people, don't begin by discussing the things on which you differ. Begin by emphasizing - and keep on emphasizing - the things on which you agree. Get the other person saying "Yes, yes" at the outset. Keep your opponent, of possible, from saying "No." This will set the psychological process of the listeners moving in the affirmative direction.

- How to get cooperation: Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.

- Appeal to the nobler motives. Individuals who are inclined to chisel will in most cases react favourably if you make them feel that you consider them honest, upright and fair.

Part 4: Ways to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment

- How to criticise - and not be hated for it: Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.

- Talk about your own mistakes before criticising the other person.

- Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.

- Let the other person save face.

Onboard Star Aquarius!

View from Harbourfront Cruise Centre: Getting ready to go onboard!

Checking in...

11 years ago, we stayed in cramped cabins with double decker beds; now the cabins are much more spacious!

Sumptuous lunch at Dynasty Restaurant, with yummy cakes and pies!

Lift lobby on Deck 9

Posters of past performing artistes - eg.费玉清，张宇，甄妮

Sun rise on 2 Aug, 7.15am

Short workout at the gym

Swimming pool outside Dynasty Restaurant


Live band at outdoor restaurant serving BBQ food

I must say I really had a good break during the cruise! Well, there wasn't much to do except to stuff myself silly with the yummies and take little naps when there weren't any interesting programmes. What a waste of time by sleeping away, you may think, but waking up at 6am to catch the morning sunrise (and sleeping at 1am the night before) was really tiring! Of course I needed to make up for the lack of sleep! :P

The casino was really an eye opener. It was much much bigger than the one at Genting. My little sis and I had a great time going from table to table, not to play, but to figure out how the different games worked. Heeheehee! We even discussed which game dealer had an easier time in his/her work!

Oh yes, almost forget, I counted more than 70 stars on the night on 2 Aug 2008! At first I could only see a few bright stars but as I stared longer into the sky, my eyes were able to see more and more faint stars. Hmm.... This taught me not to see things on the surface only... and to be more patient.... :)

Weekend Cruise!

Woohoo! Guess what, I will be onboard Star Cruise this weekend! Will be going with my parents and little sis. Well, my 2nd sis was supposed to go with them instead of me but she had to pull out due to a last minute arrangement by her company to go to Malaysia. And I get to go instead! The most exhilarating part is, my father sponsored the trip and I just paid $20 to the tour agency for amendment fee!

Wow, it has been 11 years since I last went on a cruise. Looking forward to watch the stars, sunrise and sunset! Am going to feed myself fat with the sumptuous buffets! They have really yummy Chinese and international cuisines. Hmm... shall I bring my track shoes and sports attire to their gym? After all, I won't be able to go Amore this weekend...

Will post photos when I come back! :D

梦

有谁会解梦？

最近我常梦见以前的同学，尤其是中学的同学，十多年没见的同学。在梦里，她们的样貌依然是十多年前那样。有句话说“日有所思，夜有所梦”，可是我并没有在白天的时候想着她们啊，哪来的“日有所思”？

难道在我心深处，我很想回到以前那种无忧无虑的日子？