Last Day Of The Year

Happy New Year to all my readers and followers. Hope 2010 is another wonderful year for you and another great year coming your way in 2011. Will be quite busy in January, beginning of new school term, Chinese New Year, spring cleaning and all. I will continue to post like usual but I don't think I would be able to blog hop as much as I would like to, like before. Anyway, thanks for reading and following my blog, will try and visit as many of you guys / gals as possible.

Happy New Year! Smile always! Stay happy, healthy and wise!

Hold my hand

Every time when an elderly couple seen walking together, holding each other's hand, most would stop and say "Oh! So sweet!" or "Maybe they became a couple just recently."Is it to most, their expectation is that, when couples reach that ripe age, they were suppose to grow apart?

Someone once told me that when she is interested in a guy, she could not see other guys that is around her except for him. Once he is her steady boyfriend, she began to notice that other guys are far much better than him. Guess once she discovered all his strength and weaknesses, she focus on his weaknesses, and other guys seems to be better now.

Perhaps this is what makes couples grew apart, the longer they stay together, the more they see their differences. Oh, I had seen married couples, not only grew apart, but starts to hate each other. Wasn't she / he your first choice, those days, when you have so many to choose from? In the end it would lead to divorce.

I find that a lot of Asians, as they grow old, think that it is a bad thing to show their love and affections to their spouse in public, especially when their children are around. What is so wrong about giving your spouse a kiss or a hug or hold hands in front of your children.

There was a time when hubby and I was lying around in bed, side by side, watching t.v in my room and my 13 year old passed by. He stopped, looked at both of us and said, "Do two of you have to be so romantic?" Hah hah. That was funny, to both of us, then. Maybe he too, after so many t.v dramas and movies, thinks that as parents grow old, they aren't suppose to do things together.

I would say, if you really want to stay as a couple, happily for ever, accept each others differences. Act and think like a conjoined twins. Even twins have their differences. They only look alike, don't really think alike. A couple of arguments and disagreements is healthy between anyone. Don't make it a big deal and never try to change the other person.

Thanks for reading and hope, hand in hand, we make it work, happily ever after.

Good Wife (funny tale)

A man was wandering around in a field, thinking about how good his wife had been to him, and how fortunate he was to have her. He asked God, "Why did you make her so kindhearted?"

God responded, "So you could love her, My son."

"Why did you make her so good-looking?"

So you could love her, My son."

"Why did you make her such a good cook?"

"So you could love her, My son."

The man thought about this. Then he said, "I don't mean to seem ungrateful or anything, but why did you make her so stupid?"

"So she could love you, My son."

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" A psychiatrist is a person who will give you expensive answer that your wife can give you for free."

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Just for laugh! Enjoy!

Another year

December is here again, so soon, marking the end of this chapter, regardless of a full few hundred pages or just a piece of nothing. If you made it this year, good for you, if not there is always next year, but if continue to think that way every year, you are going no where. Life must go on regardless of what happened this year, no doubt. One more week to a brand new year, a new start with new hopes and new targets and maybe new friends or new office for some. What ever the future holds, make full use of the next 365 days, as there are only 24 hours in a day, not to mentioned those hours we need for sleep, meals, bath etc which means that we only had quite little time to spare. May next year be a better year for all, Happy New Year to all, welcome 2011 with open arms, new hope and create history.

Lab Mouse

Look at the cute little fellow. I am actually very afraid of mice. One did came in my house one day. As hubby was looking around for it, I would hide myself in the room with the door shut tight, and up my bed. If I happen to be at the kitchen with a mouse around, I would be on top of the chair in no time. Hubby would laugh at the silly me. He always said why a huge fellow like me be so afraid of a tiny fellow like this. I just can't help it.

This cute little fellow was to be sacrifice in the name of science the next day. My eldest son is in the science stream, form 4. Few months back, his biology class need them to dissect a frog and a mouse. I did that too when I was in form 4. My son was in charge of getting the mouse.

We went to the local pet shop and asked for white mice and the lady said they ran out, ask if it is alright to have a grey one. Well, a mouse is a mouse be it grey or white. Took it home in this container. I have been staring at this little fellow for quite sometime and noticed that it cleans itself almost every half an hour. Never knew a mouse would want to stay clean at all time.

The more I and my youngest son look at it, the more we find it adorable. My youngest even suggested that we free him. He also asked why the school syllabus includes killing adorable animals. Hmmm at least he died for a good reason, education, good enough.

The next day, my son said, even though the mouse was heavily sedated it didn't stop kicking when they try to cut it open. My son said it was a real fighter. He felted pity, couldn't cut, his friend did it. Oh so cruel. Guess none from my family would end up being a doctor.

Thanks for reading. Merry Christmas to all Christians around the world.

Helping a robbery

When I was young, we stayed in a two room flat, walk up apartment with no lift, with my grandma, mum and sister. All the units shared a common corridor. There is only one door leading to each unit, that is through the kitchen. So our unit's kitchen faces the kitchen of the opposite unit. At the end of the common corridor at both end, is the stairs.

The unit opposite ours, lived an elderly lady in her late forties. She stays alone. She goes out to work at about ten in the morning and be back late at night. One day, a boy, around 19 or so, came and stayed with her. She told us that he is her son, from outstation and will be staying with her for a few days. During his stay, he was quite polite, would always smile and say hi when ever he sees one of us.

Few days after he moved out, he came back, one afternoon, on a week day, with few friends and look like they were snooping around the house. My sister and I were at school. The lady opposite was at work and so was my mum. He turn around and saw my grandma cooking in the kitchen. He came over to our house and told grandma that he had left something very important in the house and his mum could not rush home in time. He said he is going to break the pad lock and need to borrow a hammer. He also said that he had called his mum and she don't mind him breaking the lock.

In just seconds, he broke the lock and went in the house with a friend, while another friend kept watch at the gate. Within few minutes, he came out and even return the hammer and thank grandma for it. He left in a hurry.

Few hours later the lady came home and was shock that her house was broken into. She asked around if anyone had seen anything and grandma told her everything. It must be difficult to accept being robbed my her own son. I can't remember if she made a police report.

Same thing happened to my neighbor few years back. The elderly couple came home at night after work to find their room being ransacked. Made a police report. There was no sign of break in. After thorough investigation, found out that he was robbed by his own son.

Guess it must be devastating to be robbed by their own flesh and blood, that adorable little fellow whom they nurtured and cared for, that had suddenly turned into a monster overnight. Maybe there are signs that indicates that this might happen but like most parents, they could either be in denial or ignorant to acknowledged. Poor folks, hope this never happen to any one of us.

Thanks for reading. Really an eye opening tale for me.

Incompatibility (funny tale)

Edward : Jame's wife is suing him for divorce

David : How come?

Edward : Incompatibility

David : How in the world did she catch him doing that?

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Court Humour

Q: How was your first marriage terminated?

A: By death.

Q: And by whose death was it terminated?

Q: Can you describe the individual?

A: He was about medium height and he had a beard.

Q: Was he male or female?

Q: Are you sexually active?

A: No, I just lie there.

Q: How old is your son, the one living with you?

A: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember.

Q: How long has he lived with you?

A: Forty-five years.

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Thanks for reading and hope this is good enough for you to laugh out loud.

Hilarious journey of pregnancy

Due to my miscarriage (my 1st pregnancy) I was extra careful the second time when I got pregnant. My mum was staying with me that time. Everyone treated me like a queen. Kinda missed those days, hah hah hah.

Hubby would drive me to work right up to the door step. Fellow colleagues would treat me extra nice. Anything heavy, or they think should be heavy for me, I don't have to lift, not even a small file. At home, mum would serve me. All I have to do, after I came home from work, is to take my bath and sit in front of the t.v.

Boy, was I pampered, but little did I realize it was the biggest mistake ever. Due to lack of exercise / movement, I had to wait very long to get my baby out, during labour.

On the eve of my due date, I was watching t.v until 12.00 mid-night because I find it quite uncomfortable to sleep by the time I reach the 9th month of my pregnancy. Right after the show was over, I went to the bathroom to pee before I go to bed, like usual. When I got up and was ready to go to bed, I felt I had just wet my pants, so I went back to the bathroom thinking that maybe I could not control my bladder that well now. Silly me, I went to and fro to the bathroom several times before I told hubby what happen. Then my mum said that my water bag had broke.

I had read quite a number of books on pregnancy and labour but little did I expected it to be like this. Mum put few layers of towel in the car for me to sit in case I might wet the car. I took my packed bag and off to the hospital. It was midnight, so no traffic, smooth driving all the way, hubby drive of course.

The nurses put me in a "waiting for labour" room. I stayed there up to almost morning and still no labour pain. The doctor decided to induce me. That was when the pains starts. I was also given a pain killer jab, which is of no use at all. Then the nurse ask if I would like to use the gas. I did, uncountable times, made me drowsy but the pain was still there, no doubt.

That morning the midwife gave me a vitamin pill and half a glass of water. Soon after that a lady came in asking what I would like for breakfast, I told her, too painful to eat. Then came lunch, follow by dinner too. I didn't eat at all. I had never gone without food for so long. I felt I had been laying there in pain for years.

Hubby already mentioned that he doesn't want to be in the labour room when the baby arrived and my mum said it is best not to force him as not everyone could take it. He did pop in to check on me from time to time. Every time when he pops in, I felt the pain to be more painful than when I was alone in the room. Is it just me or do you all felt the same?

There was a time when he walk in and I was in great pain, I griped hold of the side steel bar of the bed and almost bend it. He had never seen me in such a manner before. Straight away he told me that it is alright to have only one child. I did mentioned to him, before this, that I wanted 2 children no matter what.

Then, the moment we all had been waiting for, had arrived. The midwifes put a plastic sheet on my tummy. I was asked to push as hard as I could. Boy, I was already exhausted trying to combat those horrible pains and now they want me to push? I was so numb and drowsy I could feel nothing from waist down but was a good girl and did push with all my strength. Once he was out, the midwifes put him on my tummy. They cleaned him right there, on the plastic mat, on my tummy. The nurse wrote my name on a plastic tag and place it round his little ankle.

The next day, very early in the morning, a nurse woke me up, telling me it is high time to try to breast feed. I walk slowly to the nursery room and before I enter the room I thought I have a look at all the babies there, to my surprise, I could not recognize which was my son. Oh boy, this is embarrassing. I walk into the nursery room, a nurse asked for my name, due to security wise, the nurses there will only release the baby with the name tag, same as the one I was wearing, bearing my name.

During breast feeding, I had a good look at him. Oh boy, I had better be able to point him out later when friends and relatives starts visiting. What an experienced, such a miracle and a hilarious journey too, as for me. Don't mind going through the whole journey again, minus the pain, of course. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy reading it too.

Pumpkin snack

Got this recipe from The Reader's Digest. Remove the seeds from the pumpkin, rinse to separate them from the stringy pulp, pat dry and cut it into cubes. Toss with olive oil and salt. Bake it at 180C for about 25 minutes until it is slightly puffed and a bit golden. I don't think mine was golden at all, but it did taste nice for a snack.

Since it is going to be a long school holidays (for Malaysians), maybe I should bake this more often and leave it on the table as snacks rather than my kids snack on junk foods.

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Happy holidays to some of you and enjoy your Christmas shopping, cooking, baking and preparing for Christmas to all my Christian friends all over the globe.

Sharing means caring?!?

I was listening to the radio the other day and they were talking about mistresses. Most people's perception were mistress is someone who is hot, sexy and most of the time way much younger and better looking than the wife. Most female caller mentioned that if it happens to them, they are not willing to share their man.

This reminds me of a classmate of mine in my teen years. She stays quite near my house and very often for school projects etc, me and some classmates would hang out at her place. She is an only child, staying with her mum in a double storey house. We rarely get to see her dad. Her mum has an intimidating face but she is very nice to us when ever we visits.

One day, at her house, as we were searching for photos for school projects, we came across a photo of a man blowing candles from a birthday cake with 2 ladies standing by his side. One lady was kissing his left cheek and the other lady kissing his right cheek. We recognized the lady on the left as her mum, the man, her dad and she told us the other lady is her dad's wife.

Both ladies look about the same age, not only are they not good looking, both had a fierce looking face. Anyway, all three looks happy in that photo. There were few more photos taken with all of them having dinner, including the wife's 2 other children. My classmate don't seems to mind telling us about all these. She is also quite close to her elder half brother and sister.

Her dad really took good care of both wifes and all his children. Both wifes are staying in double storey houses at separate location, he sends all his children oversea to further their studies and both wifes are housewife.

I wonder what was the wife's first reaction when she found out about my friend's mum. Her dad must possess a lot of charm to be able to get his wife and children to accept his mistress. Long time ago in China, a man's success was measured by his wealth and number of wifes and children he has. During those days, all the wifes and children stays in the same house and more often then not, the wifes always allows the husband to have more than a wife. Maybe they have no choice but to follow the customs.

But in this century, when I hear stories about wife and mistress eating at the same table, it is very odd. Sharing your man openly now a days makes the female feels like her man does not respect her as a wife. Don't you think so?

Thanks for reading anyway. Just some tales that I think is worth sharing. If the above did ever happen to you (touch wood, hope not) would you mind sharing your man?

Fax (joke)

This really did happen to me. It was during my second job. I just started working a few weeks, I was a clerk then. My lady supervisor, a local university graduate, had been working there for almost a year. Since she was a graduate, she joined the company as a supervisor and had never knew what a clerk does. Neither does she knows how to operate the photocopy machine, fax machine etc.

One day she asked me to fax something over to a branch office. Before I start faxing, she ran back to me and said, "Please make a photocopy before you fax, this is the only copy I have"

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Insecticide

Mary went to a store to buy some insecticide. "Is this good for beetles?" she asked a clerk. "No," he replied, "It will kill them."

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How was your day

Sam was waiting in line at the cafeteria of the hospital where he works and he overheard a doctor ask an anaesthetist how his day was. "Good," came the response. "Everyone's woken up so far."

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Just for laughs! Enjoy!

Sometimes I wish ......

Sometimes I wish I was blind so that I don't have to look at those horrible pictures of natural disasters, accidents, murdered victims etc on t.v news and the local paper. Sometimes I wish I was deaf so that I don't have to listen to those sad stories about domestic abuses, famine, abandon babies, cruelty to animals etc from all around the world. Sometimes I wish I was mute so that I can't voice my opinion since my voice alone could not change the world. But then again, if I am blind, I wouldn't be able to see the beauty of what nature has to offer. If I am deaf then I would not be able to listen to those words of wisdoms from inspiring individuals. Guess I should not be so selfish as to not to witness all those horrible unfortunate happenings mentioned above, but to be grateful that I am fortunate enough to just see it in the paper or the news and not experienced it.

Flower within a flower

Look at that. Isn't that lovely. A tiny flower within a small flower. This is the original color of this type of flowers. Occasionally I do see an all white or all pink flower among them. Too bad, so sad that the flowers only open when the sun starts to shine and close once it gets dark. The petal is extremely soft and when watering the plant make sure water does not touches the petals when the flower is at full bloom or else it would look like some wet tissues.

It didn't bloom that nicely lately due to the whether. Now a days it is either cloudy or rainy. It needs hot sun. Hope it will bloom well again during the hot and dry season in January and February, just in time for Chinese New Year, I hope. It was given to me by my neighbor. We exchange plants once in a while.

Thanks for reading. Just want to share photos of some of my lovely plants with you so that you could admire it like I do.

Latest Blog Award

I would like to thank Pinx (http://hazeljlabado.com) for this lovely award. Glad you find my site interesting and worth reading. This acts as another booster shot for me to continue blogging. This is the fun part about blogging, just when I thought my hard work and effect went unnoticed and here pop an award. Thank you very much, I appreciated it.

Now it is my turn to forward this award to 15 others that I have newly discovered. I am passing this love award to:

1) Owen's mum (http://adventuresinallthingsfood.blogspot.com/)

2) Polly (http://angelsinmygarden.blogspot.com/)

3) Diane (http://createdbydiane.blogspot.com/)

4) Christina (http://www.dinneratchristinas.com/)

5) Sofia (http://from-japan-with-love.blogspot.com/)

6) Tami (http://heartsmakefamilies.com/)

7) Jenny (http://www.imafulltimemummy.com/)

8) Jesslynn (http://jesslynnclarissa.blogspot.com/)

9) Sushil (http://sushilkatre.wordpress.com/)

10) Kerrie Riggs ( http://kerrienriggs2.blogspot.com/)

11) Gautam (http://gautam-mywall.blogspot.com/)

12) Bridget (http://brewerfamily8.blogspot.com/)

13) CM (http://www.alittlelilac.blogspot.com/)

14) Ness (http://www.inbetweenbreaks.blogspot.com/)

15) Bonita (http://bonita-purplebee.blogspot.com/)

Hope I get all your names right. I have visited your sites recently and think you all deserves the award. Hope you all will visit me regularly too. Happy Blogging and thanks for reading and visiting.

Take it or leave it

This is a picture of a local dessert. We local called it Tao Foo Fah (not sure of the spelling but sounds like that phonically) It was made of soybeans. Taste like tofu but much smoother and eaten with sugar or brown sugar melted / boiled in water (sugar in liquid form) This is not a food review.

I was told that there was this stall at TTDI market selling the above dessert, was claimed to be the best in town. One fine day I went there to check it out and found the stall. Just a small stall with no table or chair. So either you eat at the nearest bench provided in the middle of the market or take away. Normally there would be a long queue but so happen at that time it was quite late and I was the only one buying.

The lady (the owner) in her late 50s was the only one there at that moment. Normally she has few Indonesian helpers and occasionally her children would helped around. I walk up to her and ordered 4 take away. She filled the container up to the top and when she close the lid, I could see like the dessert is about to burst. Normally they wouldn't fill it up to the top, they would leave a small gap between the lid and the container. So I ask her "Wouldn't it spill later?"

She look at me with her tiring eyes and said "If you are going to take away then don't spill. If you are going to spill, then don't take away." Wow! I am indeed speechless!

She must have reach the stage where she is really fed-up with what she is doing. I was told that this stall had been around for many years. Maybe it is time for her to retire.

Besides her, there was a small sundry shop near my place. Once I went in to buy something in a hurry, so I ask the lady sitting in front where I could find the stuffs that I need. Without looking at me she just point to one of the racks at the back.

These are those self employed, running small business folks who didn't learn the art of customer services, or perhaps they did but as they grow old, and business were too good with customers coming in non-stop, they kinda taken things for granted.

In my opinion, no matter how big or small your business is, be grateful that customers still like coming to you so don't ever take it for granted. Should be thankful. Even if you don't feel like showing your appreciation, at least don't show your temper.

Thanks for reading. Just want to get this out of my chest.

Peanuts anyone? (funny)

A tour bus driver is driving with a bus load of seniors down a highway when he is tapped on his shoulder by a little old lady. She offers him a handful of peanuts, which he gratefully munches up.

After about 15 minutes, she taps him on his shoulder again and hands him another handful of peanuts.She repeats this gesture about five more times.

When she is about to hand him another batch again .... he asks the little old lady, 'Why don't you eat the peanuts yourself.' 'We can't chew them because we've no teeth', she replied.The puzzled driver asks, 'Why do you buy them then?'

The old lady replied, 'We just love the chocolate around them.'

It pays to be careful around old people!!!

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Just for laugh! Thanks for reading. Enjoy.

Learn to let go

I find most parents now a days, finds it hard to let go of their children. This reminds me of a true story of someone I met during my nine to five job. We have fresh graduates joining us every year. One of them was this particular girl, in her late twenties. She has a very unique way of interacting with others (meant to say weird actually, ha ha ha).

Then I found out that every morning her aged parents, both mum and dad, by the look of their wrinkles and lines on their faces, they look like they were in their late 60s, send her to work everyday. They would drive to the doorstep, stopped the car and watch her disappeared into the lift. If so happen the lift didn't reach that floor in time, the parents would sit in the car and wait until she gets into one. Sometime I saw her waving her hands with an agitated face signaling to her parents to leave as their car is blocking the narrow driveway. Could you imagine those cars lining up behind, waiting to drop their love ones off to work.

Every evening, without fail, both her parents would park their car nearby and sit in the car waiting patiently for their daughter. Regardless of what time she will be off. She only has a brother, so that makes her the only daughter at home.

She told us that when ever she needs new clothes, shoes or bags, she would go shopping with her parents. Hardly hear her hanging out with friends or office colleagues. Guess the only time when her parents were not around her was during her lunch break at the office. She would have lunch with us all. The time when I resigned, she was already in her early 30s and I could still see her parents sending and fetching her to and fro from the office.

I wonder how is she going to get a boy friend when her parents hang around her at all times. I am astonished as these type of parenting still exist. They think that kids are like pets, keep them around for as long as possible. They forgot that kids will grow to be adults. Children need to learn those survival skills from young. Skills on how to take care of themselves when mummy and daddy is not around. These skills will help them a lot when they become adults.

Thanks for reading and happy parenting. Teach your kids those survival skills early as it is a jungle out there, if you know what I mean.

Fried Chicken (own version)

This is my style of fry chicken. You can use chicken wings, chicken thigh or the whole chicken. I normally would use chicken thigh, more meaty and better texture. The above are actually chicken thigh cut into 3 parts.

Ingredients:

Chicken cut into bite size
shallot (pounded - just need the juice) - about 1 table spoon
dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil
a bit of sugar or honey - about 1 table spoon

Marinate the chicken with all the above for about 1 hour. I normally don't use salt when I marinate but you can replace the light soy sauce with salt or add both salt and light soy sauce. For this recipe, it is best you used non-stick pan as there are sugar and it caramelized very fast if you used normal wok.

Medium heat, don't have to add oil on the pan as there are sesame oil in the marinate sauce and the natural oil from the chicken. Pour all the chicken and the sauce that you used to marinate, into the pan. Keep stirring once the pan become hot. Cook until all the sauce dried up and stick to the chicken. Those dark burn parts on the skin are actually caramelized sugar. Those part does not taste bitter but sweet, so no worry, it is not burned or overcooked. The aroma released by the dish while you were cooking will make your mouth watery, guaranteed.

Thanks for reading and hope you like it as much as my family do.

Fall in love again

The latest song that keeps ringing in my ears lately is Jason Castro's "Fall In Love Again". This song never fails to bring a smile to me. It brings back those sweet memories, those days when I was falling in love. Just like the lyrics, I don't mind falling in love with hubby again.

Those lovely feelings and sweet moments. Those days when we just met and think that he is staring at times, those curious moments, those days when I can't wait to find out if he is really interested or is it just me. Those waiting moments really kills me. Wanted so much to know but don't have the guts to ask or find out. When others start noticing too and start asking me if it is true, I sense that it could be 20 percent true.

Then he asked me out on a date, just the two of us, it is like I was given the 50 percent assurance that it is going to come true. I was in dreamland that day and didn't really pay attention to what movie we were watching. My heart wasn't beating normally and my head feels like I am floating in mid air. Hubby could still remember that movie till today and when the rerun of that movie was on t.v he would ask me if I could remember that show and I always said no.

The magic moment happened after the show when he hold my hand while we were crossing the road. My heart felt like it stopped beating for a moment. I just follow where ever he goes and didn't really know if I was walking or floating. No more guessing. Felt the relief. Now it is 100 percent sure that he is mine.

When he hold my hand or put his arms around me when we were with friends, I knew then that he was proud to have me and can't wait to show me off to others that I, now, belongs to him. Fun to watch the faces of our friends at that moment. They look so surprise and at the same time happy for us. There were faces that weren't please but they can't do anything any more. The competition ends here.

Even after so many years, sometimes when we were at the mall, walking with my two teenage sons, he would hold my hand and called out to his sons and said, "Look! I am holding mummy's hand!" and his sons will turn and give him that "So?!?!?" kinda look. He is always so funny and loving. My big cute huggable teddy bear.

Thanks for reading and hope you have sweet moments like mine too. Fall in love again with your other half from time to time. Renew that magic moments.

Chicken sandwich (funny tale)

A little boy and a little girl attended the same school and became friends. Every day they would sit together to eat their lunch.. They discovered that they both brought chicken sandwiches every day! This went on all through the fourth and fifth grades, until one day he noticed that her sandwich wasn't a chicken sandwich.

He said, 'Hey, how come you're not eating chicken, don't you like it anymore?' She said 'I love it but I have to stop eating it. 'Why?' he asked. She pointed to her lap and said 'Cause I'm starting to grow little feathers down there!' 'Let me see' he said. 'Okay' and she showed him..

He looked and said, 'That's right. You are! Better not eat any more chicken.' He kept eating his chicken sandwiches until one day he brought peanut butter. He said to the little girl, 'I have to stop eating chicken sandwiches, I'm starting to get feathers down there too!' She asked if she could look, so he showed her!She said 'Oh, my Gosh, it's too late for you! You've already got the NECK and GIZZARDS!!!


Just for laughs. Thanks for reading and hope you like it.

Words

When I was a toddler, I try to shape and form words with my mouth but it all comes out like babbler and all those around me pay full attention trying to figure out what I was trying to say.

When I just started school, I try to talk like an adult, those around me finds it amazing and how brilliant it is seeing the little me talk like that.

When I became a teenager, I talk exactly how an adult should, but was labeled as disrespectful, harsh, no manners, rude and all sorts as I was yet, to be accepted as an adult and normally those around me rarely pay attention to what I have to say.

When I enter the work force, all those around me realize I am an adult now and what ever I have to say was taken into consideration and was taken more seriously now.

When I got married and have kids, words that I say sounds like nagging and repetition as all those around me, looks like they are not listening very well to what I have to say, therefore I have to say it a few more times to be heard.

Hope when I grow old, words that I am going to say becomes good advice and words of wisdom, inspiring others because I was born a chatter box and can't seems to stop talking, so might as well make full use of what I have to say.

Baby Bird Camouflage

Look at that. Sorry, hand a bit shaky. Not really a good camerawomen. This is not the first time that these birds came and visited. This was shot in my tiny garden. Both the parent birds would leave the baby at a suitable corner and they will take turn to look for food. One of the parent normally will hang around nearby to keep an eye. With that loud chirping, I would say this is not really a good camouflage.

Could you see the baby bird hiding in the middle of the t-shape pole. This is my dragon fruit plant. Hubby went and make a t-shape pole for the plant to hang. No space to make a ring / circular shape like how a dragon plant suppose to hang on.

This is the wonder of being a housewife. When I was on a nine to five job, I would have to leave the house before the sunrises and be back home way after the sun sets. Not to mentioned bird watching, I don't even have time to notice the ants or bug or what ever. These are those stuffs that I missed and enjoy now a days. I get to lay back and watch as nature goes by slowly and getting to admire it up close.

Thanks for reading and hope you find this fascinating. By the way, this video was taken some months ago and I had almost forgotten about it.

Ghosts?!?!?!

Do you believe in ghosts? Sometime ago, during the Chinese ghost festival, something weird happened to my office colleague. She was single then, and from another town. She rents a room, if not mistaken, from an elderly couple. She takes the bus to work every day.

During that period, one day, she received a call from the bank, informing her that her ATM card is with them, asking her to collect from them as soon as possible. She was puzzled, and asked if that was a renewal card. They said no, they found her card in the ATM machine, due to after three try with the wrong pin number, the card will remain in the machine.

She checked her wallet and true enough, her ATM card was not there but everything else was. She went to the bank and collected her card during lunch time. She told us about it and we suggested that maybe she could have dropped it and some one tried to used it. Logic enough.

It happen again the next day. She got worried and told us about it. Now we begin to think that it could have been a prank by someone close to her. Again, she went to the bank and collected her card.

Few days later it happened again. This time she got really worried and told her parents about it. Her mum went and checked with a medium and found out that she, my friend here, had unintentionally offended a guy ghost. They did some sort of ritual and stuffs and got rid of it and her ATM never went missing again.

I always believed that there is always a logical explanation behind everything. If I were to hear this story from someone else, I would find it so lame, but when it happened to my friend and by the look of her frantic face, I don't know what to believe any more.

Since Halloween is just around the corner I thought I might as well share a spooky, not scary enough, tale with you. Thanks for reading. By the way, have you ever come across any spooky stuffs lately?

What Time Is It (funny tale)

Exhausted after driving all night, a man decided to pull over to get some sleep. He had just settled back to snooze when there was a knock on the window. He opened his eyes to a jogger, who asked, "Excuse me, but do you have the time?." " It's 8:10.""Thanks," he replied, running off. The man had just dozed off again when there was another knock. "What time is it?" asked a hiker. "8:25."

Fed up, the man put a sign in his window that read "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS!" Knock, knock! He was suddenly awakened again. Scowling, the man rolled down the window. "What?" he yelled at the boy standing there. "It's 8:45."

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Pull The Plug

A man and his wife are sitting in the living room. He says to her, "Just so you know, I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."

So she gets up and unplug the TV.

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Just for laughs. Hope you love it.

How I got my sons

After the miscarriage, if you had read my previous post about my first pregnancy, I was pretty upset for the first few months. Kept thinking what was wrong with me. What have I done or didn't do enough or something that I ought to do. In between those few months, I consulted several other doctors and Chinese physicians to find out if I have a healthy womb. I was told, all the time, that I was perfectly healthy and should be able to conceive.

Before I was pregnant with my first, mum came across a lovely cross-stitch kid, a picture of a sweet baby sleeping and was covered with a blanket. She knew I love cross-stitch and got it for me. It took me only about a month to completed it, got it framed and hung it in my supposedly baby room.

After the miscarriage, quite a number of relatives, friends and colleagues came and visited me and one of them saw the picture of the baby in the room and said it could be bad omen. I am not really superstitious but since she mentioned it, at a time of grieve, I began to hate that picture. Every time I pass by that room, the picture upsets me, so I gave it away.

I was told by my gynae to wait at least six months before I try again. By the fourth month, I told myself, these grieves had gotta stop. I have to move on. In order to keep my mind busy I bought myself two more cross-stitch kits. This time, a picture of a cute chubby boy climbing a tree trying to rescue a kitten and another piece, a boy sitting on a swing. Took me only about a month to completed both. Got it framed and this time I hung it in the living room so that every night when I come home from work, I can get to look at it. It makes me happy and feels like there is hope.

You can call it fung shui, good luck charm, fated, law of attraction or even just a mere coincident. I really end up having two lovely sons. They are in their teens now. Maybe because I had been thinking and wanting two boys so badly that it became real and I am thankful and grateful about it.

Moral of the story here is never to give up hope. Keep trying, pray hard, do what you think you should do to get to where you are, and you will eventually get there. Thanks for reading and hope this inspires others. Just don't give up.

Pumpkin cook with meat

This is a simple dish. All you need is pumpkin, chicken or pork, had not try with other meat yet, and some garlic. Cut pumpkin into cubes. Cut meat into cubes or in slices. Marinate meat with light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, a bit of corn starch, pepper and a dash of sesame oil.

Heat pan and saute minced garlic. Add meat. Stir fry till all meat are properly cook. Add in pumpkin. Add a bit of water, soy sauce and dark soy sauce. Cook till pumpkin becomes soft. When it is hot, the pumpkin is not so sweet. Once it cools down the pumpkin is sweet. So this is kinda sweet dish.

Thanks for reading and hope you like it. Happy trying.

Wedding Ring

As I was blog hopping last week, I came across a post about Diamonds being the wedding ring. The blogger mentioned that why should a wedding ring be a diamond ring. It doesn't really show anything except that he could afford it. It makes me wonder too as to how far back that diamonds were taken as the wedding ring. It is universal, right? Most of the time when someone propose, it is mostly with a diamond ring. It is like other rings are good only as a casual gift, and not during a proposal.

When I and hubby were dating and decided to tie the knot, the first thing that came to my mind was to get a diamond ring. I got one, that is of cause, within hubby's budget. Wouldn't want to get him into debts.

Could it be that diamonds are forever, and it symbolize that the marriage would last forever like diamonds, no doubt that it might not be the case for some. Maybe diamonds were girls best friend, and wouldn't we want our best friend to be at our wedding. I have yet to come across a girl that dislike diamonds.

In a more materialistic manner, when a guy could afford a diamond ring as a wedding ring, doesn't that shows that he is capable of providing for you and your future generation to come. Like those cavemen stories I had heard, a cave women will only stay with the cavemen that is capable of hunting, natural survival skills. However, that would be the old school of thoughts. Now a days there are men who stay home as house husband and the wife be the provider. As long as they both agreed to it and are happy about it.

Well, some would say that it is just a ring, why all the fuss. Not to some. Not all of us get to get married so many times like Elizabeth Taylor, so it is important that we get a diamond ring as a wedding ring. At least we have something dear to hold on to, to remind us of that auspicious day regardless of whether the marriage last or not.

Gals, would you settle for just about any ring or that it has to be diamond? Guys, would you save up to get one for that special occasion or anything will do? What ever it is don't get yourself to be too heavy in debts just for a ring. Thanks for reading and hope you have a nice weekend ahead.

Cow jokes

Mad Cow Disease

A man and his wife went to a "SteakHouse" for dinner.
Waiter : What would you like to have?
Husband : I'll take a beef steak.
Waiter : Sir, what about the mad cow....?
Husband : She will order for herself!

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Herd of Cows

"Look at that bunch of cows."
"Not bunch! Herd of cows!"
"Heard what?"
"Herd of cows."
"Sure I've heard of cows."
"No! A cow herd."
"Why should I care what a cow heard? I've got no secrets from a cow."

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Just for laughs and thanks for reading.

Lets learn

Just like one of the Chinese old saying, the more we aged the more we will learn, provided if we are willing to. I believed that every song I heard, every tale I read, every movies I watched, every gossip I was told, there is always something to learn from. Be it long or short, facts or fiction, funny or sad, true or false, we could always learn something. The more we learn the wiser we become and the lesser chance of getting hurt or disappointed. So don't stop learning, keep on listening, carry on reading and don't stop watching. Thanks for reading and hope you learned something from every post you read here like I do when I read yours.

Special Hibiscus

My father-in-law got this plant from someone and gave me some. It is a type of hibiscus but the special part about it is that when it bloom, the flower stays like that for few days, day and night. Normal hibiscus, when it bloom, it's flower only open up during the day time and by night, it shut close and will not open again the next day. After a day or two it will drop off.

Most of my neighbors start asking for some. Thanks to me, most of them who loves gardening has one now. We sort of exchange plants once in a while. That's the fun part of gardening. The house opposite mine, operates a hair saloon business at home and occasionally her customer would ask for plants from me too.

Not sure of the plant's actual name but I know it is from the hibiscus family. Well, it doesn't really matter as long as it stays pretty like that in my garden, day and night. The flower is actually quite strong as it can withstand strong winds and storms. So this is the only plant that has something to show off regardless of rain or shine, day or night. Just lovely.

Thanks for reading and hope you admire my flowers like I do.

Charity went wrong

Those days, quite a number of sales person and folks from churches, temples etc going from door to door either selling stuffs or asking for donations. Due to the increase in robberies and scams, most people would not entertain these folks now a days.

My grandma loves to donate for charities. We are Buddhist but grandma always says when it comes to charity, she don't mind giving donation to Hindus, Christians etc. As long as her donations are for good. I remembered grandma once told me, there was this sami from a Hindu temple, dress in white dhoti, holding a tray with a miniature statue of a Hindu goddess. He came knocking on our door and grandma answered. Since it was a donation for a temple, she went straight to her room and took out a 50 cent coins and put in on the tray. Those days 50 cents are quite a lot. He look at the 50 cent coin and mumble something in a very harsh tone. Grandma then gave him another 1 Ringgit coin. He gave her an intimidating look and left. Oh my! Big or small it is still charity from her heart, can't he sees that.

Just few months ago, an old lady in her late 50s came knocking on my door. She was well dressed, looks healthy and well fed. She was holding a long umbrella with a small purse. One glance I thought she loss her way and needed directions so I ask who is she looking for. She said she had not been eating for days and need some money for food. I look at her and turn away. Before I go far, I heard her murmured something softly and then she spit (loudly) on my floor. Oh boy! She came back and did the same 2 weeks ago. Guess she forgot that she had visited this neighborhood and no one gave her anything.

Many years ago, another old lady dressed in rags begging at a bus stop near where my family was staying. I was just a toddler then. My grandma and a few neighbors felt pity for her. She obviously told a lovely pitiful story. Everyone chip in and gave her food, cooking oil, some money, old clothes and stuffs. One of the neighbors son, in his early 20s, even took a cab and help this old lady home. Not sure which house she showed him then but few months later this boy saw this old lady, dress in rags still, walk into a bungalow. She walk in like she stays there. She unlock the gate herself etc. He asked around and found out this lady actually lives there. Hmm wonder why?

Another charity story from a friend. This is a funny one. His dad heard someone knocking on his door and found a young boy asking for donation. He said the donations was to build a swimming pool for his school. My friend's dad ask him to wait at the door and he went back inside his house. Few minutes later he came out with a pail of water and gave it to the boy saying this is his contribution for the swimming pool. He is such a joker.

I don't mind charities as long as I know who I am giving it too and for what. Thanks for reading and hope all my readers have a great weekend ahead and Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslims readers.

Doctor jokes

Stop My Hands From Shaking

"Doctor, Doctor, you've got to help me. I just can't stop my hands shaking"
"Do you drink a lot?"
"Not really. I spill most of it"


Seeing Spots

"Doctor!" complained the patient, "I keep seeing spots before my eyes."
The physician scrated his head. "Why have you come to me? Have you seen the opthalmologist?"
"No," replied the patient. "Just spots."

Stop the drum

Lee : My doctor said if I don't give up playing the drums, I'll be dead before the month is over.
Mia : My goodness! Why is that?
Lee : Because he's my downstairs' neighbor.


Just for laughs, thanks for reading and enjoy.

My first pregnancy

A few months after I got married, I found out I was pregnant. So happy that I told the whole world about it. Mum says she only consulted the gynaecology after her third month of pregnancy. So I thought I do the same.

On the third month, I went for my first check-up. The doctor told me that she can't find a heart beat. She says maybe it was still too early and ask me to come back a week later. I did and there was still no heart beat. I went to consult another few doctors, same result. It seems that there is nothing they could do. The fourth doctor told me that this is quite common these days. I could either wait for the womb to reject it or they can get it out for me.

I, hopping for a miracle , told him I will wait. The very next morning I woke up and found stains. So, it is time, I guess this is the end of this pregnancy. Hubby admit me to the hospital. The doctor explain to us what they were going to do. I listen but not really paying attention. I didn't cry at that time but felt like my whole world had just crushed into pieces.

I was asked to change into the hospital clothes, that thin piece of cloth. I remember the nurse took me to the operation room. I was asked to sit outside of that room and wait. It was extremely cold in there. I could hear my teeth clutter, not sure because of fear or was it too cold for me. A while later another nurse took me into that huge bright scary room (for me it was). Nurses and doctors all around and I was asked to lay down on that bed, that steel cold bed that reminds me of those shows from CSI. A guy was holding my hand, rub it and injected me and start asking my name and a bunch of stuffs that before I could answer all I was knock out.

Later I could hear a nurse calling my name and gave me a push on my shoulder telling me that it is all over now. I could hear her and could feel that they are transferring me to another bed and wheeling me to a room. I could also hear her telling hubby that everything was fine and to let me sleep for a while but I just can't open my eyes nor speak. The whole process took only few hours.

From the time I found out there was no heart beat till the whole procedure of ending the pregnancy, I didn't cry. Only starts crying after I reach home. Every single stuffs that reminds me of baby will bring a tear to me. I remembered hubby had to hide every single stuffs that we bought in preparation for the baby.

I thought I would share this experience with everyone, maybe you could learn a thing or two. Anyway, just like what one of my colleague told me, remember the message on the ATM machine when you accidentally keyed in the wrong pin? Your ATM card will be rejected and the message on the screen is "Please insert and try again". I had a good laugh and did try again and I have two lovely sons now in their teens.

Thanks for reading and if you ever encounter a miscarriage (hope not, touch wood), no worry, just try again.

Tofu with prawns

This is easy to make and taste lovely too, provided that you are not allergic to prawns.

Ingredients are prawns, tofu, minced garlic, fish sauce, salt, sugar and pepper to taste.

I normally buy tofu that is pack in boxes. Cut the tofu into your desire shape and size. Place it on a plate. Leave it to sit for a while on the plate and you will see water sipping out from the tofu. Drain the excess water away with a serviette.

Clean, wash and pat dry prawns. Season it with a dash of salt, pepper and sugar. Heat non-stick pan with a little oil and saute minced garlic. Before it browns, add prawns. Do not stir so much. Once you find one side is cooked (it change color), turn to the other side. If you keep stirring, it becomes watery. Do not cook prawns for too long. If you have chicken stock or anchovies stock, add a bit into dish. If not just add a bit of plain water. Then add a few drops of concentrated fish sauce. Also add a dash of salt and pepper. If you find dish to be a bit watery, thicken it with a bit of corn starch flour that has been mix in water. Make sure sauce is slightly more salty when you are preparing it because once mix with the tasteless tofu, it will not taste too salty any more.

Pour the above onto tofu and serve. If you prefer this to be a hot dish, you can stream the tofu for five minutes before you pour the sauce on top. My tofu was straight from the fridge.

Thanks for reading and hope you will like it. I know I love it. Yummy!

Male chauvinism

Before mum met dad, she was dating another boy. One fine day as both of them were watching t.v at mum's place, it started to rain. Mum ran out to collect those clothes that were left out to dry. There were so many so she called out to her boy friend for help. He proudly told mum that these are jobs for females only. She got so mad that she broke of with him. My dad on the other hand was a very helpful lad. He helps mum in washing, cleaning, folding clothes etc.

When mum told me this story I told her I was glad to be born in this century where most guys that I know does help around the house. Her ex-boyfriend could be the last of it's kind. Little did I know that this kind still exist till today.

I had a neighbor who both husband and wife are illiterate. Not sure if they were not given a chance to attend school or they did attend school but wasted their time there. Hubby and I rarely talk to them. We only get to chat with them during weddings or gathering around the neighborhood. I don't recall I ever offended my neighbors.

One fine day, this neighbor of mine, the husband, came knocking on my door asking for my husband. I told him, hubby was in the toilet and ask if I could be of any assistant to him. He show me a letter saying that he just received a letter from the bank and he can't read. I took the letter from him and before I could read it hubby came in to say hello. Straight away he snatched the letter from my hand and pass it to hubby.

The second time when he show me his male ego was when our housing area decided to employ guards at the main entrance due to a lot of robberies lately. He was somehow being appointed as one of the committee member. Every time when there is a meeting, he need to inform all the neighbors. When ever he knock on my door and happen that I am the one answering it, he hesitate to tell me about the meeting. He just ask when will hubby be back. He don't mind coming back to my house later.

He does that to all the females around my neighborhood. The worst part is during gathering etc he finds it difficult to look a female in the eye when having a conversation. He still has that mentality that females of the house are not suppose to make decisions and not to have the last say in a conversation or argument.

To all my single friends out there, beware of this species of males. They still exist. This neighbor of mine has two sons and a daughter. Hopefully his sons does not follow his foot steps.

Thanks for reading and hope that all men around the world now are caring and loving and most importantly they respect females like another human being and not treat females as second class people or worst, as their slaves.

Funny but true facts

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a picture of a thousand words worth?

If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?

If your plan is having no plans, do you have a plan?

If anything is possible, then is it possible that nothing is possible?

Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist, but a person who drives a race car not called a racist?

Why do doctors call what they do "practice"? Isn't that frightening?

If there was a "Knowledge" contest, would the female winner be crowned Miss Informed?


Just for laughs. Found these in a joke book. Thanks for reading and hope you have a good laugh and lots to think about.

Self Praise

When I was young, occasionally I would praise myself out loud and mum would tease me by saying "Self praise is a disgrace." Well, obviously it would be much better if others could do it instead. At least, when it comes from others, it carries more weight, sounds better and gives me that booster shot to continue doing what I am good at. Till then, it is important to praise myself and give myself a pat on the shoulder for things that I have done right and most importantly that I believe in me. Do yourself a favor, praise yourself out loud once in a while and feel good about it. Thanks for reading and don't forget to praise someone else that deserve it, too.

Escape plan

Looks like my rabbit has an escape plan. He thought he could bite his way out. Every morning around 11, we would let him out of his cage to roam around the compound. Sometimes too busy we forgot and this is what he will do. Bite the steel bar till one of us let him out. He is 4 years old this year. He was born on April Fool's Day. His getting smarter by the day.

Thanks for watching. Hope you like my shot video clips of my pet rabbit.

People that I try to avoid

Being an Aries, I am quite an impatience lady. Sorry, maybe not all Aries, just me. There are some people that gets to my nerves when ever they talk to me. Not all conversation are two ways. Some expect you to only listen and not to say a word and there are those who would hang around waiting patiently for you to talk.

Have you ever talk to those who talk very very sloooooooooooooooowly? There was this guy whom I know, talks like that. When ever he try telling jokes, the jokes become stale. At every 2 to 3 words, he would pause for at least 3 seconds. Could you imagine how long it took him to complete a full sentences, let alone sharing the whole joke. Every time when he says "Do you know (pause 3 seconds) that day (pause again) ......" I start counting 10 backwards to keep my cool in order to stay calm and listen to him finish the whole story. Nope, he is not an old man, he has been like that since very young.

Then there was this lady friend of mine, who rarely says more than 5 words in a sentences. Mostly 1 word answer and no questions. I bump into her at the mall one day. After so long since I saw her, I went up to her and say hi. After I said "Hi", she said the same and just stand there waiting for me to say something else. Then I ask "How's your 2 children? Must have grown a lot since I last saw them?" Her reply was just "Fine" and continue to stand where she were and waited again. Oh my, luckily for me not all my friends are like her. Wonder what she gets for her essay in school. The best part was, she works a s a customer service, sometime via phone sometime face to face with customers.

The one that I really could not stand are those who repeat what I say, word by word. Like for example, I would say "Hey, looks like it is going to rain", her reply was "Yeah, looks like it is going to rain." Then I said "it has been a while since it rained. " her reply " Yeah, it has been a while since it rain." Oh boy! so robotic. She only added 1 word. Can't she form sentences herself? Doesn't she have any opinion of her own?

There was this lady, we used to have lunch together sometime when I was on a 9 to 5 job. When ever she starts talking, everyone on the table should not talk or she would sssshh you. We were only allow to talk after she is finish.

Guess this is what makes life so interesting. I was born a chatter-box and do need a good conversation and not like those above. Well, it is not their fault that I was born to be such an impatience listener. Thanks for reading and hope you could let me know what sort of conversation do you prefer, one way or both ways.

Man with 3 dogs (funny tale)

A woman in an expensive, meticulously maintained car is driving down a country road. Suddenly she sees a man running hard with three huge dogs snapping at his heels. She is troubled by the fact that this sweaty person will sully her upholstery, but she accepts that she has to rescue him. She pulls over and shouts, "Get in!"

"You're very kind," gasps the man, jumping in. "Most people would not offer me a lift when they see I have three dogs."

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Wrong suit

An elderly lady visits her recently deceased husband at the funeral parlour. "I see he's wearing a black suit," she tells the undertaker. "His dying wish was to wear a blue suit."

The undertaker says he'll see what he can do. The next day, when the woman returns, her husband is wearing a blue suit. "Where did you get it?" she asks.

"After you left, a man about your husband's size was bought in," the undertaker says. "He was wearing a blue suit, but the wife wanted him buried in black. After that, it was simply a matter of swapping the heads."
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Just for laugh! Thanks for reading.

Who do you love more?

Just a few weeks ago, my 16 year old son told me about one of his classmate who was very unhappy lately. She felt that her parents love her elder brother and sister more. They pay more attention to them than to her, and she being the youngest, felt neglected.

Me and my two sons were in the same room during this conversation. My 13 year old son asked me, who do I love more. Before I could say anything, my 16 year old snap at him jokingly and said, "Me obviously! I am the eldest, remember? So don't be jealous." I looked at my 13 year old and said, "Yes, it is obvious, right? He was born 3 years before you. I have no choice but to love him 3 years more than you." And we all end up laughing.

But seriously, there are parents out there who favor one child over the other. Some shows it to the world and some didn't even realize it is happening. At times when parents have more than 1 child to look after plus a demanding job in the office etc, it is quite difficult to divide oneself into so many, at the same time pay equal attention to everyone.

Wonder if those parents who do favor one child over the other, was it something that the child did or something happened, like my friend in my previous post, that makes parents pay more attention to that particular child.

Most Chinese parents on the other hand do show that they favor sons over daughters. They think having daughters are a waste of time and money. Once they get married, they become part of the spouse family, no longer their family member. Hmmm , really?

Indirectly all these will lead to sibling rivalry and that is unhealthy. They will start to grow apart. Then what's the point of getting married and stating a family if all it's members will grow apart in the future.

Guess we as parents should evaluate our parenting skills from time to time and the best person to do that for us is our children. Listen when they argue, watch out for sign, they will indirectly let us know how we fare.

Thanks for reading and hope you love them all equally, be it your children, your parents, your siblings, your pets or even your plants.

Simple Pumpkin Soup

I rarely cook pumpkin. Maybe because I grew up never eating pumpkin, don't know why but mum and grandma had never cook any pumpkin dish before. Had tried cooking it with meat (will post it some time later if I can remember) but once it cools off it makes the dish quite sweet.

This however, I like it very much. I learned it from a teenage boy ( my son's scout friends). Those scouts, including my son, borrowed my kitchen to cook for their scout sir to earn a cooking badge.

It is easy to make. Cut pumpkin into cubes and steam it till soft. Dice onion. Blend the pumpkin and raw onion with a blender. Pour the liquid into a pot and bring it to a boil. Add milk while boiling. Can serve while hot or can serve it cold. I prefer the hot one. Wonder if I can add meat in it? Maybe next time I will try.

Thanks for reading and please leave me a pumpkin recipe if you have any. I love trying new food every now and then.

I can't see (jokes)

The teenage boy seemed placid as I approached his hospital bed to give him a psychiatric evaluation. His mother was seated nearby, immersed in her knitting. I walked over and introduced myself to the boy. He looked right trough me and started screaming: "I can't see! I can't see!"

I had never witnessed such a dramatic example of hysterical blindness. "How long has this been going on?" I asked his mother. Without looking up she replied, "Ever since you stepped in front of his television."

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Dog Training

I heard the dog barking before he and his owner actually barrelled into our vet practice. Spotting a training video we sell, the owner wisely decided to buy one.

"How does this work?" she asked, handling me a cheque. "Do I just have him watch this?"

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Just for laughs! Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Keep you hands off please.

During my younger days, I used to hang out with a bunch of single young people. Every now and then, we would organize trips, visit places, go for movies or check out new restaurant etc. Guess that's what all young people do , right, even now, at this century?

There was this girl in our group, when ever she talks to guys, she would change the tone of her voice and she just can't keep her hands to herself. She has to either pinch him, play with his hair, rub his shoulder or chest or sit on his lap.

Few months later, some of those singles in our group became couples. She, too, got serious with one of the boy in our group. Old habit die hard, when ever she talks to guys, especially those in our group, she still couldn't keep her hands to herself. Her boyfriend don't seems to mind or just pretending not too, I am not sure which, but the girls who's boyfriends she is talking to, are not too pleased.

Very soon couples starts avoiding her. The following trips that we organized, she was not on the list any more. Sometime I felt pity for her but what can I do. Girls find her "cheap" and boys find her "easy". Maybe she finds it adorable. Well, I will never know and don't intend to find out either.

Last heard, she was married to that boyfriend of hers and had a son. Wonder if she still have that habit of hers. Like the saying goes, every group there is always a black sheep. In this case a flirtatious one. Those gals out there who has the same habit, please go find a cure or you might start losing your girlfriends.

Thanks for reading. Just want to get it off my chest. Have a nice week ahead to all my readers.

Just thinking

I was just thinking. Are you thinking what I am thinking? Well, if everyone thinks the same way, there won't be secrets or mystery or lies and loose all the fun and excitement of trying to figure out what the other person is thinking. The world would be so readable, so dull, so uniform but so whole, so one, so united because all would think alike. Thanks for reading about my thoughts. Just something for you to think about.

Money in a bottle

This would make a lovely gift. Just get a bottle, some gel for plants, some money plant, some lovely stickers and a ribbon. Wash the bottle. Soak the gel into water and wait for it to expand. It will expand to about 10 to 20 times it size. The gel comes in various colors and shapes, so find out first before you buy. The sachet of gel all comes in powdery form so you would not know the shape of it at a glance till you soak it.

Once the gel had grown to it's maximum size, put it in the bottle. Cut some money plant according to the height of your bottle. Slowly push it into the bottle through the small opening. This is the challenging part but fun. I use a long chopstick to slowly push the plant into the bottle. Then decorate your bottle with some stickers and a ribbon. I used a butterfly sticker here.

The plant in the bottle can last very long and easy to care for. You don't have to water it everyday. Just add water when you find the gel had shrunk. You can place it in-door or out-door. Would be lovely to have one on your office desk, one next to your bed or perhaps one on top of the aquarium, just like mine.

Hope you like my idea of a plant in a bottle. This would make a lovely gift on Christmas, house warming or birthdays too, provided that, that person likes plants. It is cheap too and those stuffs are easy to get. I have to start collecting bottles again. Gave quite a number of these away as gifts. Thanks for reading and start collecting bottles. May you have a green week ahead.

Live like we were dying

Ever heard of this song "Live like we were dying" by Kris Allen? Don't get me wrong. I am not starting a song review, not even close. Just that the lyrics got into me, keep running in my head, over and over again.

So many time that there were stuffs that I wish to tell others but force to bite my tongue for fear of hurting the other person. Have you ever encounter such experience? Well my grandma had a bad experience with a friend. She used to lived in a very small town. So small was the town that everybody knows everyone. My grandma, a teenager then, had a few very close friends there that they declare themselves as BFFs. They would do just about anything together, inseparable. They even dress up in the same clothes when ever they go out. Gosh! You will never catch me doing that. Wearing the same clothes make people look like they are wearing uniforms, like the waitress etc.

Anyway, one fine day, one of the girls had her hair done in the latest fashion. The front portion of the hair was rolled up, with a roller inside the hair, making it look like as if she was wearing a hat. Something like what Lucille Ball did in the 30's or 40's. She parade in front of her BFFs showing off her new look. My innocent grandma went and told her that this hair style does not suit her at all. It made her look very fierce. That's it. That ended their friendship.

After hearing that story from grandma, I have to think first before I open my mouth. Just like what the mother rabbit said in Bambi " If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". Now back to the song. It says that we should live like we were dying. Go tell those who are dear to you that you love them. Let them know. True enough, but what about those people that you dislike, or worst, those that you hate and can't stand the sight of them? Should we start telling them or bring it to our graves?

I once saw a documentary about Japanese tea drinking ceremony. They would serve the tea in a special way in a "tea room" and everyone would treat that moment like their last, their last day on Earth. Does it mean that everyone in that room have the right to pour out all those stuffs that they had bottled up in them? Can't imagine if one starts pouring all those nasty stuffs about others. Heh heh heh it would be quite an unpleasant tea party then.

Just pouring out stuffs that was bottled up in me. Thanks for reading. I feel much better now.

Karaoke - jokes

Grandson : Grandpa! What does "karaoke" mean?
Grandpa : "Karaoke" is a combination of people who shouldn't drink with people who shouldn't sing!.

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Family Tree

Two guys were discussing their family trees. The first said "Too bad you couldn't choose your ancestors."

The other smiled and replied, "Listen, chances are they wouldn't have chosen you either."

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Yes, I Remember

When my 3-year old son opened the bithday gift from his grandmother, he discovered a water pistol. He squealed with delight and headed for the nearest sink. I was not pleased. I turned to my mum and said, "I'm surprised at you. Don't you remember how we used to drive you crazy with water guns?" Mum smiled and then replied, "YES! I REMEMBER!"

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The 3rd joke was meant for Mr Stupid. Bear in mind, your parents and aunts could retaliate later for all those mischievous stun you did when you were young. Ha ha ha. Just for laughs and thanks for reading.

Overreact

Have you ever come across parents who are over protective towards their kids that they unintentionally cause hurt to another person? Well, I have, few years ago.

There was this guy who stays around my neighborhood. He told me he has three sons. The youngest son was born with some complication. I can't remember what it was. He had to spent his first few years going in and out of hospital. He said it was disheartening to watch his son with tubes chucking out from his tiny fragile body.

He survived it all and live to be a healthy boy. Due to all those trauma that they had gone through, this guy pay special attention to this son. In fact he pay all his attention towards this son. The elder two boys could feel it but what can they say. He is extremely protective over his youngest boy.

One day, when his youngest son was about nine years old, came back from school and start complaining about his classmates. He told his dad that there was this particular boy in school who likes to bully him. The dad obviously was upset but didn't really find out what he meant by bullying. Few days later he said the same thing. By now, dad's patience was running thin. How could someone bully his precious boy.

One day, he took leave from work and went to pay a visit to his son's school. It was recess time by the time he reach school. Upon stepping into the school gate, he heard his son exchanging harsh words with another boy. They were just standing near the canteen. Both were just talking, not even fighting. The dad, who already had so much anger coop up inside him, walk straight to that boy and gave him a good slap on his face.

He was quite a tiny nine year old. After the slap, he fell and knock his head on some flower pots beside them. Children nearby was screaming. They could see blood on his lips but his head was alright. Some of those children ran and told the headmistress. Things gone from bad to worse. The principle made him stay in the office and wait for that boy's parents. They had some discussion but they did not press charges. The worse thing was, that was not the boy that has been bullying his son.

He told me that he had never felt so bad before, in his entire life. . He didn't realize that after that incident, other children might start avoiding his son in school.

Well, I personally find that it is healthy for children to sometimes argue in school. This is part of growing up. As long as no one gets hurt, "bullying" is fine. They might be exaggerating. Their bullying could also mean that his friends refuse to share toys or books etc. or would not want him to be in his group etc.

So parents out there, please find out more before you take matters into your own hands. Thanks for reading and happy parenting.

Pork chop with rice

On weekends when everyone is around to help, I will cook something special like this. My own style of pork chop.

1. Cook a bit of carrot rice. Steam shred carrot with rice till cook with a rice cooker or a steamer. The amount of water for rice is the same as how we used to cook normal rice (Refer to my earlier post on carrot rice.) The above I scoop the rice with an ice-cream scoop to shaped it like a ball then put it on top of a lettuce and top with some seaweed cut in small rectangular.

2. I marinate the pork chop with a few drops of dark soy sauce, few teaspoon of light sauce sauce, a bit of sugar, a few drop of Lea & Perrins worcestershire sauce and sprinkle some dry rosemary on it. You can also add a few drops of sesame oil when marinate. Marinate at least for a couple of hours. I love the smell of sesame oil but not too much here or it would cover the smell of rosemary.

3. Boil water, add a few slices of lemon into water and add in the wedges. Boil till soft then remove. Once it is drip dry, deep fry it in oil till golden brown. (Learned this from t.v)

4. Heat pan and fry the pork chop till brown. Remove from pan. Saute slices of onion till soft then add in the left over sauce that we used to marinate the pork chop. Once it comes to a boil pour it onto the pork chop so that it won't be so dry.

Serve in any style you like. My whole family love watching cook shows, so when we have the time, we will cook something like this and decorate it like those chefs on t.v. and we will have a satisfying meal together. This is the cheapest and most fun family activities for us.

Try it sometime. Thanks for reading.

What does he sees in me?

I remembered I got my first love letter when I was only 9 from this boy who is from my class. Till now I am still not sure what he sees in me. I was really skinny and very tall, practically the tallest girl in my class. I am not a class monitor nor a prefect and not even popular in school. I was a nobody then. He was very short for a boy, much shorter than me.

He would get my girlfriends to pass love letters to me during recess time at the canteen and he would watch from the second floor of our school building. I would take it and throw it into the dumpster. I was too young to know how to tell him politely that he is not my type. He kept passing more letters through friends and I keep avoiding. Anyway, he never got the guts to walk up to me and express his feelings. I was prepared to tell him no if he ever did.

During the Chinese New Year the next year, he took his kid sister and walk to my house and knock on my door without being invited. Mum opened the door and invited him in not knowing that he is the last person I would want to see. Wonder how he knows where I was staying, gosh, he had turn to a stalker now. We all just sat there and eat cookies.

My family had to move, that was my last year in that school. Actually I start schooling there for only 2 years. We moved a lot that time. Never heard from him since.

Now I am married with 2 boys and guess where I am staying now? Just few miles from my old school. Sometimes when we pass that area, I would tell my sons this story. Well at least I have one more tale to share with my sons, niece, nephews and you.

I do wonder if he ever grew taller? How does he look like now? Don't think I would recognize him if I ever were to bump into him. I also wonder if I were to continue my study there, when would he have the guts to come up to me and say something and what would he say. Do you have any childhood memories like this to share?

Thanks for reading about my schooldays memories. Have a nice weekend to all.

MEMOIRS OF IMH (Institute of Mental Hospital)

Record I

A doctor asked a patient: "If I were to cut one of your ears off, what will happen to you?"
Patient: "Then I will not be able to hear..."
Doctor: "Hmm…that's normal...so if I were to cut your other ear off, what will happen then?"
Patient: "I will not be able to see..."
The doctor became nervous and asked: "Why would you not see then???"
Patient: "Because my spectacles will fall off..."

Record II

A nurse saw a patient writing a letter. She got curious and went to take a peek. But the patient didn't wanna let her see.
Nurse (unable to contain her curiosity): "Who are you writing to?"
Patient: "I'm writing a letter to myself..."
Her curiosity grew and she thought to herself (Why would someone write a letter to himself?)
So she asked again: "So...what's written inside?"
Patient (got impatient): "You crazy ah? I haven't received the letter, how would I know??"

Record III

One truck driver was doing his usual delivery to IMH.He discovered a flat tyre when he was about to go home. He jacked up the truck and took the flat tyre down. When he was about to fix the spare tyre, he accidentally dropped all the bolts into the drain. As he can't fish the bolts out, he started to panic.

One patient happened to walk past and asked the driver what happened.The driver thought to himself, since there's nothing much he can do; he told the patient the whole incident.
The patient laughed at him and said "can't even fix such a simple problem...no wonder you are destined to be a truck driver..."

Here's what you can do, take one bolt each from the other 3 tyres and fix it onto this tyre. Then drive to the nearest workshop and replace the missing ones, easy as that".

The driver was very impressed and asked "You're so smart but why are you here at the IMH?"
Patient replied: "Hello, I stay here because I'm crazy not STUPID!"

Grass is always greener on the other side

Is it true that the grass is always greener on the other side? We would only know if we look over the other side and compare it to our side, but if we don't peek, we would never know. If we do not compare, we would soon realize that our grass is also green, that what ever we have is also good, we would soon feel contented. When we are contented, we are happier, we are less tired and not have to chase after the greener grass. So why not just lay back and start appreciating what we have and stop whining about what we don't have. So, have you start noticing your own grass which is green or are you still busy comparing it with the grass on the other side, which you think is greener.