What caught my eye

KL Tower against the backdrop of eye-catching cloud formations. God's a great sculptor. Taken en route to work. Yes, traffic was slow-moving.

The adorable little girl on the right is one of the most sociable tykes I've seen - in fact she wanted to follow me home!!! The younger daughter of the PD church pastor (captured on the far right in the background).

I can tell Daddy's had more time on his hands. He's started planting flowers again, this time in our backyard (it was always in the frontyard in the past, but now that's for the cars). The Sunday I was back, we had 13 blooms; lovely hibiscus in various colours. He also has the "keng hwa" plant, where the rather-large white-petalled flower blooms only at night and gives off a fragrant smell. Wish I could be home to see that again.

I'll never forget the day I received these for the first time, some years back. Something about the vivid colours just makes me smile, even in mid-stride in bustling Sydney, Australia. Thank you for the memories.

Twillight Zone. No, it's the view of KLIA terminal as we were on the SkyTrain, hurtling speedily towards the international terminal. Sometimes I wish I could take a train to escape into someplace surreal; after all, in some parts of life we feel as if we're living in unreality.

Tell me about it

"I feel sorry for the person who can't get genuinely excited about his work. Not only will he never be satisfied, but he will never achieve anything worthwhile." (Walter Chrysler)

p.s. - If you're thinking "Walter who?", he's the Chrysler in DaimlerChrysler.

One Breath

It all starts with one breath
That ushers you into this world
To enter into all the possibilities
The endless opportunities….

It all starts with one breath
Just before you step into the world unknown
Not knowing what the future has in store
But hoping that it’s better than what was before…

It all starts with one breath
That we decide to love
To take another in our arms
To promise to keep them safe from harm

It all starts with one breath
To begin it all anew
To move on in this journey of life
To forgive those that hurt you

Just as it starts with one breath
One day we’ll reach the journey’s end
And on that mountain we’ll stand
Will we stand tall and say
“We’ve run a good race, and lived a life of grace”…?

Take one breath
Live your life to bless

‘Cause it all starts with one breath
Before you step into the world unknown
Not knowing what the future has in store
But hoping that it’s better than what was before…

Juwita and Friends

Caught the all-awesome Juwita Suwito LIVE at Alexis Ampang over the weekend. Words aren't enough to describe this vocal powerhouse who mesmerised me for those 2 hours. This little lady had spunk, pizzazz, showmanship, the works.

Above all, she had soul. The black gospel type that makes you gape when she did trills and vocal somersaults in a manner so effortless it seemed almost illegal that anyone was allowed to make it look that easy.

Watching her belt contemporary hits the way only Juwita can... now that was really somethin' to remember. She added life to Avril Lavigne's "When You're Gone"; did a surprisingly-cute rendition of Rihanna's "Umbrella"; gave it her all for Alicia Keys' "If It Ain't You." Then there were old favourites: "Put Your Record On" ... "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"... A gorgeous medley of Kris Dayanti's "Menghitung Hari" and another Malay song... And of course, her own songs too: "Walking Again" and "Only In The Dark..." (Good stuff, and I'm not being biased.)

More than once I had goosebumps of the good kind; more than once I turned to my girlfriend, stunned speechless. I had read about Juwita's flawless technique, emo-ness and stage presence. Seeing it for myself... made me wanna pinch myself, you know?

Felt almost bad for not paying cover charge for a performance this great / fantastic / phennnnnomenal / all of the above. (There was no cover, not that I sneaked in; thank you very much.)

... The best part? She was so down to earth. No kidding. Greeted her after the show was done and jogged her memory and hey before you know it she joined us for chamomile tea with her mum and we were laughing and chatting all the way to our cars. Now I know why all her pix have her grinning impishly!!! But truly, it was really really awesome (I'm runnin' outta words here) to see her live. Believe me I'll probably be watching out for her next gig and telling you guys and gals about it!

.... Oh oh OH - the other best part? I was there with a friend so dear that she should qualify as my relative by now. Thanks, Phylls. Here's to more great times!! *hugs!!*

PAIN

"Women have a higher threshold for pain," so I was told today.

"It's only because God knew how beastly men could be," I thought bitterly.

Even though a thought half-deranged, I suspect that there is some grain of truth in this.

PAIN is when I'm told to edit some work that is badly done.
PAIN is when I'm also told to be kind, and as a result I cannot lose my temper.
PAIN is when I'm mistaken for an unkind person when all I seek to do is set the record straight and move on.

There are some things I cannot stand.

1) STUPIDITY. --- Sometimes also called the 'illogical' mind. Instructions are given for a reason: to be followed. And if they aren't, you better have a good - no, a better - reason to convince me why it should be done the other way. I welcome new ideas, but only if they are better than the last one. Else, buzz off, and toe the line.

And oh, I hate nagging. So if I have said something once, I don't wish to repeat myself; not once, and certainly not up to 5 times.

2) LACK OF INITIATIVE. --- Nothing falls from the sky onto your lap. You have to work it out. Try, at least! If I cannot trust you to be resourceful and look for the info you need, I cannot trust you to do anything at all. If you are not interested to drive your own way, I'm not going to help you. It's too much work, and it's not worth it.

3) HAVING NO OPINION. --- I cannot imagine how people can go through life without making their own decisions, or having their own thoughts and opinions about things. Heck, I've come across some people who are totally IGNORANT of the issues that affect them. I have no respect for persons as such. I mean, I'd rather be with people with opposite views than no views at all! Fight it out, if we must, but at least there is some brain activity going on; you know what I mean?

... think I better stop here before I draw blood. Suffice to say that sometimes, blur-and-unresourceful beings get in my way, and hamper my own progress. I might be accused of being unreasonable, unhelpful, and impatient - and perhaps that is true to an extent, but only if I'm faced in a helpless situation, with limitations imposed on me.

It is true. Women have a higher threshold for pain.

No prizes for who could be inflicting it.