Excuse Me

Dear faithful few who bother to find out what's happening in my mundane life,

I've to make an apology. There are so many things going on inside my mind that I can't concentrate on any single task, let alone blogging. I know there's this 'sister award' thingy going on in some blogs where fellow bloggers show their appreciation to each other by giving out 'awards'. This is a wonderful gesture, but I'm sorry I can't find the time to do anything about it. I appreciate the award handed to me, and I really appreciate those great blogs I'm following once in a while. Diverse thoughts, rich emotions, interesting lives ... thanks, but you'll be missing me for a while till I sort out new directions in my life again. :)

Each of you deserve an award, erm ... the ... erm, (?) I shall try to come up with a name for your award later. Meanwhile, SMILE! :)

Take care everyone!

Jane

Officially Unemployed

I'm now officially unemployed. Have been applying for part-time or temporary contract jobs off and on, but spending more time organizing stuff at home. Now I've the time to attend to other matters.

Being unemployed isn't totally bad (IF you've already made provision for a rainy day), as you can take the time to do things which you would otherwise not find the time to do, OR, finding excuses not to do.

I've started exercising again, daily for at least an hour each time, just by brisk walking in the park. It is good. And I'm watching my diet once more. Exercise lifts up one's moods and I'm really happier to find myself fitting better into my clothes again. :)

The next thing on my mind ... has the world's market bottoms out? What should we do? I need the time to re-examine our finances; how much we've lost, how much we still have, and how to re-position ourselves henceforth.

Then I intend to brush up my microsoft skills in preparation for a new job. Or perhaps I can run courses of my own? Hmmmm ...

Also toying with the idea of joining some internet programmes for a side income (I'm not totally new to internet marketing, so I'll be going in with my eyes open).

Oh, it's a good time to catch up with friends, go for Church camp and perhaps a short holiday, etc. Ah, there are endless things to do.

Thank God for life, its ups and downs, its possibilities and potentials. Whether another part-time job's coming soon, I shall enjoy, cherish and embrace every day of my mundane life. :)

A Gracious Exit

Aaargghh ... have lots of stirrings within, wonder how to post this, thoughts are all jumbled up ...

Well, today's my last day of work. Since they have only regarded me as a temporary contract staff, they were taken by surprise when I brought 2 cakes to 'celebrate' my departure. They've expected me to leave quietly. Nah, won't do. If we don't make life interesting for ourselves, who else will do so for us? :)

We've a good time chatting, cracking jokes, exchanging thank-yous and all other niceties. (They're obliged to do so 'cos they're eating my cakes! Haha, just joking ...) ;)

Ah 'tis the art of a gracious exit, a skill I've learnt from a former colleague. Whatever the reason for leaving, never burn bridges. I've honestly and sincerely treated them as friends. It doesn't matter that the time was short. I've enjoyed their different personalities and have indeed learnt life's lessons from interacting with them.

They're very generous towards me too, quickly sneaking off to buy me presents etc. I just can't outgive them!

Last impressions are as impactful as first's. Thank God for a good closure to this chapter of my life. I've exited with pleasant memories. :)

Here's Your Hottie

"Here's your hottie ..." my spouse says to me.

Gasp! "What hottie? Since when do you start talking about hottie?"

"Your hot tea ..." he continues nonchalantly.

"Oh, haha, do you know what's a hottie?"

Puzzled, "Ya, proud?"

"What?"

"Haughty!"

"No, no, er yes, haughty IS proud, but I mean, er ... never mind."

Sheesh, confusing English!

Ten Promises To My Dog

After wiping my eyes and blowing my nose, I would like to share this movie with you: Ten Promises To My Dog . It's in Japanese, but it has English subtitles.

It's about a dog and a mother, don't get mixed up, it's not about a mother dog, but a dog, and I think the movie is more on the mother's thoughts really, and not the dog's, the mother dies, and the dog dies eventually, and er, well, before I confuse you further, just watch it ok? You may shed a tear or two, but you'll enjoy it.

My soju.com has broken it up into 8 parts, be patient, watch them all, it's a beautiful show. Perhaps you can come back here and share your thoughts?

Rats & Mosquitoes

Just saw the news that the economic downturn is so bad in Taiwan that well-educated out-of-job professionals are competing for the post of rat-catchers! They have to undergo an aptitude test, catching rats. If successful, they'll get about US$500 a month. Goodness! Is it good salary? Desperate times call for desperate actions. Perhaps they are saddled with debts or something.

Hm, what am I to do comes next Friday, my last day of employment? Well, I won't catch rats even if they have it here in Singapore. I mean, yes we have rats here, but I haven't heard of rat-catchers. I can't stand rats. What else can I catch then, to make a living here? Oh yes ... mosquitoes!

Our region is having a dengue outbreak and we have 'environment officers' checking houses, parks and drains for larvae. A friend of mine who was laid off from his executive post has been doing this. He likes his job cos it gives him lots of exercise and it's doing good to his blood-pressure. He does look better and more relaxed.

Hmmmm ... lots of walking eh? It's somewhat alluring ... unless I get bitten ... ummm ... worth considering ...

The World Is My Toilet

Not mine, really, lest you think I'm out of my mind. I'm talking about a cat. Sigh, wish I was armed with a camera to capture its private moments ... how intrusive and rude of me, I know :)

One night while walking home, I saw this cat making a 'deposit' besides the road, along the curb. I was annoyed, really. Why couldn't it just do what any decent cat does? Go somewhere else, dig a hole in the ground, poo in it and then cover it up with earth? As I went, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, what kind of cat are you?", it'd finished its 'business', and to my utter surprise, it started scooping and throwing sand found along the road curb over its poo!

Then, I realized what its problem was. It hadn't rained for days you see, and the ground was too hard to dig into, can you imagine? With a paw? I mean unless the cat knew how to use a spade or something, so it had to come out with another solution fast, you know, something can't wait ... That was a nice thoughtful kitty after all!

Wow, talk about ingenuity! Well, a cat's got to do what a cat's got to do :)

Happy Birthday To Me

You're invited to coffee fellowship,

and at the same time, you're welcome to

join in my celebration.
Now clear your throat and sing with me:

Ahem ...

"Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to MYYYSELFF ...
Happy birthday to Meeeeeeee ..."

Now isn't that wonderful? I am 51 years young! Praise the Lord! Praise God for tolerating my existence for so long, heeheehee. Given Him a lot of trouble in my life. Thank you God for loving me so. I love you for you have first loved me.

Coffee, anyone?

My Cup Overflows

While I busy myself with life, God gently asked me one morning, "What do you mean by half full?"

I have an earlier post on the importance of looking at the blessings in our lives and not focusing on the unhappy part, that we should be able to see a cup half full and not half empty ...

I was surprised when I heard Him. Oops, He's interested in my blog! Better be careful what I'll post next! :)

"Huh?" I responded.

"My cup OVERFLOWS ..." was the reminder, THEN I suddenly remember Psalm 23:

Psalm 23 (English Standard Version)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Praise the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me, praise the Lord! Yes, my cup runs over, my cup overflows, with a job, without a job, in good times and bad. I do entrust my soul to a faithful Creator, my Lord Jesus Christ.