Sometimes I wished people understand that happiness can be very simple.
Happiness comes in many different forms and can vary differently to different people.
To me, happiness does not need to come in physical forms nor be presented by expensive and luxurious gifts. Happiness does not equate to spending a bomb on something you know may not necessarily be a need to one person's life. Happiness, to me, is not about money or a grand dinner menu in an expensive hotel or a luxurious car to ride in or to be in a beautiful silk dress.
Happiness can be in slippers and shorts, happiness can be walking home from the MRT station, happiness can be eating kway chap at the hawker center near your house, happiness, to me, is anything, anywhere, anyhow, anytime, with someone I love.
Simplicity is beauty. Life comes in many forms and many times we'd find ourselves finding happiness in the simplest things available. Maybe an act of kindness, a meal cooked by your mom, a cleaner cleaning your table right away, a bus stopping for you, a moment is all you need to feel happy.
Embrace these moments.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Appreciating Singapore
Afterthoughts of visiting Bangkok
Finally the long awaited BKK trip was here and we just came back last night. The trip was filled with so much feelings I have to pen them down before it all goes away and before I start to take Singapore for granted again.
It is definitely not the best time to visit BKK now, I would advise all who're planning for a trip there. The political position they are in right now causes a lot of chaos and it made us really paranoid the whole time we were there.
We were lucky to have chosen a hotel away from the rally sites so we felt pretty safe every time we were in our room. But honestly, no one stays in their hotel room (unless for sleeping) on a trip right? We still managed to visit a few shopping places and I am just so grateful for our safety.
During the day, it was pretty safe because the protestants are not out on the streets. It is during the late afternoon when they will slowly gather at rally sites to listen to talks. They would just sit on mattresses or newspapers or stools, eat and drink there and whistle real loudly whenever there's a climax during the talk. All these were strange to me because I grew up in Singapore and never have I been to a country with unstable political situation.
It is very advisable to not go near the rally sites at night because you never know what will happen next. On our first night, we went near one of the rally sites for our dinner. We were too lucky to find ourselves going back safely without anything happening. We merely saw groups of people blocking up roads and giving out food to their fellow protesters...
On the third night, while we were at a night market shopping, we heard a loud explosion sound and we were so curious on what had happened. We obviously have never heard an explosion before and it was really loud. We then saw people walking very quickly away from where the sound came from, heard sirens and saw police cars and ambulances and we took very quick steps back to our hotel immediately.
After checking online websites, we realised it was a grenade explosion and several people have been injured. Again, I'm too thankful we were unhurt.
I'm so glad it was already our last night there when the explosion happened and I couldn't wait to be back home already, where it is all safe and peaceful.
I just wanna say, how many of us actually noticed how safe it is here in Singapore? We probably have always took it for granted. Going night jogging, coming home real late, staying up late at night, nothing will happen to us. Even if something happens, we know the police will take action immediately.
All these are not happening in many countries out there. We are too lucky to have the government protecting us, so many policies and welfare benefiting our safety and health. We are too lucky because we will never find ourselves hearing explosions or the sound of a gunshot here in Singapore. We are always safe and protected.
After this trip, I have learned to cherish Singapore a lot more. For its peacefulness and serenity, for its cleanliness and safety, for its vibrant nightlife, for its culture that I'm so familiar with, for its convenient transportation system, for its safe drinking water, for its food that will never be too dirty to be consumed, for it's the place I grew up in and will never want to leave, because it's my home.
Thank you Singapore. I love you.
It is definitely not the best time to visit BKK now, I would advise all who're planning for a trip there. The political position they are in right now causes a lot of chaos and it made us really paranoid the whole time we were there.
We were lucky to have chosen a hotel away from the rally sites so we felt pretty safe every time we were in our room. But honestly, no one stays in their hotel room (unless for sleeping) on a trip right? We still managed to visit a few shopping places and I am just so grateful for our safety.
During the day, it was pretty safe because the protestants are not out on the streets. It is during the late afternoon when they will slowly gather at rally sites to listen to talks. They would just sit on mattresses or newspapers or stools, eat and drink there and whistle real loudly whenever there's a climax during the talk. All these were strange to me because I grew up in Singapore and never have I been to a country with unstable political situation.
It is very advisable to not go near the rally sites at night because you never know what will happen next. On our first night, we went near one of the rally sites for our dinner. We were too lucky to find ourselves going back safely without anything happening. We merely saw groups of people blocking up roads and giving out food to their fellow protesters...
On the third night, while we were at a night market shopping, we heard a loud explosion sound and we were so curious on what had happened. We obviously have never heard an explosion before and it was really loud. We then saw people walking very quickly away from where the sound came from, heard sirens and saw police cars and ambulances and we took very quick steps back to our hotel immediately.
After checking online websites, we realised it was a grenade explosion and several people have been injured. Again, I'm too thankful we were unhurt.
I'm so glad it was already our last night there when the explosion happened and I couldn't wait to be back home already, where it is all safe and peaceful.
I just wanna say, how many of us actually noticed how safe it is here in Singapore? We probably have always took it for granted. Going night jogging, coming home real late, staying up late at night, nothing will happen to us. Even if something happens, we know the police will take action immediately.
All these are not happening in many countries out there. We are too lucky to have the government protecting us, so many policies and welfare benefiting our safety and health. We are too lucky because we will never find ourselves hearing explosions or the sound of a gunshot here in Singapore. We are always safe and protected.
After this trip, I have learned to cherish Singapore a lot more. For its peacefulness and serenity, for its cleanliness and safety, for its vibrant nightlife, for its culture that I'm so familiar with, for its convenient transportation system, for its safe drinking water, for its food that will never be too dirty to be consumed, for it's the place I grew up in and will never want to leave, because it's my home.
Thank you Singapore. I love you.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
CNY 2014
This CNY has been a happening one.
Being a proud Chinese, I've always loved CNY. I've always taken this festival very seriously. I'd be so happy to see my relatives all at once. And I've never really understood why people dreaded CNY.
Through the losses my family went through over the last two years, CNY has never been the same anymore. After my grandmother passed away, occasions never really did feel the same. Every year we had lesser houses to visit and lesser people around and lesser angbaos to receive...
However, my family did not let this last for long. We slowly picked up many activities along the way to bond ourselves more, despite the passing of my grandmothers and uncles. We made time to organise activities and trips so we are truly a family, not only in name but in actions too.
I used to eat reunion dinners only with my immediate family, grandmother and 5th uncle. But after my grandmother passed on, more and more people are joining my family. This year, I had reunion dinner at a zichar stall at Blk 515 with my immediate family, 5th uncle and his wife, 3rd aunt, 4th aunt and 1st aunt with their families. We took a total of 3 tables and I really enjoyed myself thoroughly.
I also visited River Angbao later at night with my sisters and my elder sister's bf. It was a first time experience for me and I really liked it too. I like to see the exhibitions about CNY, the different lightings and decorations as well as the super lovely fireworks at the end. I saw people coming to see the fireworks even though they looked really tired, some even fell asleep while waiting, hahaha. I saw families together, laughing and talking, people with really professional cameras. It was a nice experience.
I spent 初一 at my 5th uncle's house coz there weren't any other houses to visit. Everyone just gathered there and it was super fun! CNY isn't really about following the traditions anymore. I feel that as long as you're with your family, spending time together, it's really almost there. Gambling with my family is really one of the funniest things. Their reactions and comments never fail to make me laugh. And they never fail to surprise me with their loudness...
I spent 初二 and 初三 at Kukup Village with my family! It was quite an impromptu trip and my parents only decided to go at a very last minute notice...but I am SO glad we all went. Even though Kukup was kinda boring, it was not very advanced and there wasn't much activities to do, I really still enjoyed myself. I always believe that it is not where you're at that matters but who you're with that counts. Really. Just talking and laughing and spending time together, it was enough to make me feel happy.
If you ask me, I'd say I'm really proud of my family. I will probably never comprehend people who dislike spending time with their family because I don't know how it works for other people. But in my case, I'd give up a lot of things for them. I don't ever want to miss spending time with them for fear of missing out new stories or jokes. I want to spend time with them as long as I can.
My family is made of up so many different types of personalities and yet we all blend in really well. We may be loud, probably TOO loud, we may be self-centered, we may be overbearing, we may be unreasonable (sometimes), we may practice a lot of bad habits (e.g. drinking, smoking, gambling), we may not be as friendly as you think we are, but deep down we're all kind-hearted. And I believe that is the most important factor of all.
If I had a choice, I'd want to start every life being a Toh. I'd want to be in this family forever. I cannot even start to imagine how life would be like being in a total different environment. We may be loud and crude but that's how our ancestors were like too. I love my family for who they are and I always will.
Please love your family as much as you can and for as long as you can. And always, always, always practice filial piety. Happy CNY!
Being a proud Chinese, I've always loved CNY. I've always taken this festival very seriously. I'd be so happy to see my relatives all at once. And I've never really understood why people dreaded CNY.
Through the losses my family went through over the last two years, CNY has never been the same anymore. After my grandmother passed away, occasions never really did feel the same. Every year we had lesser houses to visit and lesser people around and lesser angbaos to receive...
However, my family did not let this last for long. We slowly picked up many activities along the way to bond ourselves more, despite the passing of my grandmothers and uncles. We made time to organise activities and trips so we are truly a family, not only in name but in actions too.
I used to eat reunion dinners only with my immediate family, grandmother and 5th uncle. But after my grandmother passed on, more and more people are joining my family. This year, I had reunion dinner at a zichar stall at Blk 515 with my immediate family, 5th uncle and his wife, 3rd aunt, 4th aunt and 1st aunt with their families. We took a total of 3 tables and I really enjoyed myself thoroughly.
I also visited River Angbao later at night with my sisters and my elder sister's bf. It was a first time experience for me and I really liked it too. I like to see the exhibitions about CNY, the different lightings and decorations as well as the super lovely fireworks at the end. I saw people coming to see the fireworks even though they looked really tired, some even fell asleep while waiting, hahaha. I saw families together, laughing and talking, people with really professional cameras. It was a nice experience.
I spent 初一 at my 5th uncle's house coz there weren't any other houses to visit. Everyone just gathered there and it was super fun! CNY isn't really about following the traditions anymore. I feel that as long as you're with your family, spending time together, it's really almost there. Gambling with my family is really one of the funniest things. Their reactions and comments never fail to make me laugh. And they never fail to surprise me with their loudness...
I spent 初二 and 初三 at Kukup Village with my family! It was quite an impromptu trip and my parents only decided to go at a very last minute notice...but I am SO glad we all went. Even though Kukup was kinda boring, it was not very advanced and there wasn't much activities to do, I really still enjoyed myself. I always believe that it is not where you're at that matters but who you're with that counts. Really. Just talking and laughing and spending time together, it was enough to make me feel happy.
I hate coming back from trips with the family. It makes me miss them so much. Days with a lot of laughter, zero worries and just enjoying life. I am amazed at how at ease my family makes me feel. There will always be endless things to talk about and endless jokes to laugh at. There will always be countless things to bring up from the past, stories the young ones have never heard of and the elders are so eager to share.
If you ask me, I'd say I'm really proud of my family. I will probably never comprehend people who dislike spending time with their family because I don't know how it works for other people. But in my case, I'd give up a lot of things for them. I don't ever want to miss spending time with them for fear of missing out new stories or jokes. I want to spend time with them as long as I can.
My family is made of up so many different types of personalities and yet we all blend in really well. We may be loud, probably TOO loud, we may be self-centered, we may be overbearing, we may be unreasonable (sometimes), we may practice a lot of bad habits (e.g. drinking, smoking, gambling), we may not be as friendly as you think we are, but deep down we're all kind-hearted. And I believe that is the most important factor of all.
If I had a choice, I'd want to start every life being a Toh. I'd want to be in this family forever. I cannot even start to imagine how life would be like being in a total different environment. We may be loud and crude but that's how our ancestors were like too. I love my family for who they are and I always will.
Please love your family as much as you can and for as long as you can. And always, always, always practice filial piety. Happy CNY!
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