Whenever I see the New York City police officers walking around the World Trade Center train station in the morning, I sometimes expect they will make a big deal out of it. Yeah, I have a pack of chewing gum in my bag, that makes me feel edgy like it's illegal to carry.
You know you have lived in Singapore for a long time in the past when you catch yourself skipping a heartbeat to the sight of a chewing gum! Someone offers it to you, you face lit up and you start acting like you have never had one in ages, secretly opening it, mastering how to put it in your mouth swiftly like a ninja, then chew it discretely with this cute little guilt feeling the whole time. By the time you are done, you would never want to throw it unless you got tissue paper, you walk all the way to the trash can and dispose of it like getting rid of some evidence on a crime scene. In case you are not aware, there is a ban on importing chewing gum into Singapore which is strictly enforced. Under the rule, no gum is allowed to be bought or sold inside Singapore and there is a $700 fine for spitting out gum on the streets. As a law abiding person, of course, you follow the rules so whenever my colleagues that are from Malaysia, it never fails to still give a scare.
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It started one fateful morning, baptism of my younger brother. I wore blue and I was standing in those kneeling boards you get in front of you in your traditional seats in church. She was in front of us, she kept looking at me instead of concentrating on the mass. I presumed she is about 4 yrs older than me, she kept sticking her tongue out trying to annoy me. I tried to hold on to my composure, I knew the importance of patience back then. She never stopped trying to make a fight, well, that’s how it was conveyed to me, sticking her tongue out at me placing each hand on her ears waving it back and forth, making rabbit ears. I looked at my Mommy, she was busy carrying the baby, I wanted to escalate but then again, I have always wanted to manage things on my own. I felt like I got everything in control and I can handle it like a big girl. At an early age, I remember praying, “Lord she hurt my feelings, I don’t want to be angry.” We were in church, in front of the altar so I knew what would make God mad at me. At this point, the godparents are lighting their candles to do their prayers for the baby.
Next thing heard in the whole church was a loud cry, a commotion, screaming and a woman splashed water on fire. The girl was crying and her Mom started to walk towards us, “Who burned your hair?” The crying girl pointed towards me and I was shocked myself, I was shocked that she called me out for doing that to her. All eyes shifted to this little girl, wide eyed trying to look around wondering what happened. I tried to give mommy my usual puppy eyes, she was trying to defend me which is her first motherly instinct to protect me. I tried to communicate my justification, she asked me: “Did you burn her hair Honey?” I nodded, “Yes, I’m sorry.” Honesty is the best policy, I gave Mommy the candle in my hand. I was 3 years old, I remember that exact moment and in my head, all I could think of was, “How did she know it was me? And I did not try to burn her hair, I only tried to light up her veil.” The trip to Siem Reap was awesome plus the stay at this hotel is very much highly commendable - Angkor Ry Boutique, Cambodia. The staff in the hotel are extremely nice, they took care of our every need, as to the breakfast despite we had to have it prepared so early. The room was very clean and the bathroom is very clean. The staff also drove us around the city, he took us to a good buffet location with a nice cultural show to watch. It kick started our very positive stay. We had lunch at the hotel too the next day, their food was great. We were going to Phnom Penh in the afternoon and they helped us book our tickets too with their partner bus provider, of which they came to the hotel to pick us up. The staff too helped us go to the shopping night market as well as helped us find a great place for massage. The place might be a little easy to find, but just get very specific instructions, then it's all good!
If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask the guys and gals there, they are so helpful, friendly and always there to lend a hand. It was a great stay! Thanks to the Staff! ... and he sings to her, with all of his heart & soul, his voice sounded like it was the sweetest melody she has ever heard. The sincerity of singing a song for a loved one, makes the song beautiful in its own form of simplicity. It does not even matter how it was sang, how it was delivered, whichever song it was. It is the intent that matters, in the effort to show affection out of the abundance of love & happiness that fills the heart, it overflows.
He was on his knees, looking up at her, singing to her that beautiful song he always knew she has ever loved. He looked at her with loving eyes, his soul baring everything that he felt towards her, offering his pure love. As she watched his face that's full of glee, she smiled her best to equally show affection. But behind the fake smile, she was restless. "Are you okay Sweetheart?," his facial expression changed to worry. "What's wrong?" "Nothing, I just a lot of things in mind. All these planning, a lot of work I have to do, this whole move," she spoke yet almost choked as she held back her tears. Ash agreed and assured himself it won't be too long for them to see each other again, it's only a matter of months. Lee knew it will be different once she moves, it will change their fate because of that. He spent the last weeks helping her pack up, as she gets prepared to move to a new job assignment, working in a high class Marketing Firm, it has always been her dream to go. And the day has finally come, he sent her to the airport to send her off. He hugged her like it will be the last time he would ever be with her and tears started to well up his eyes as she waved to him when she walked towards departure. They kissed like they never have kissed before. It broke his heart but hopeful, knowing he will see her again and he will work really hard for both their futures. He is young at 24, full of potential and starting a business. Lee is 2 years older and a dreamer who knows what she wants, unstoppable and strong. She sat by the window side of the plane, looking down but determined not to look back. That would be the last song she would ever hear him sing to her as things aren't meant as he expected. He loved her dearly but her heart does not belong to him. She still remember the day his parents spoke to her, They have always told her she will cause him distraction, as they were grooming him to be the next corporate tycoon in the family. "You will slow him down, it is better you keep your distance. We have set him to marry our business partners daughter. What can we do to change your mind?" Staring at the envelope labeled her name and logo of Ash's fathers company in her hands, she told herself, "I hope this is a decision I will not regret." He sat at the airport trying to keep himself together, his heart beating fast. He has started messaging her as soon as she left, sent but messages not seen. Dialed the number, the phone is off. -The End- As the suns rays on her face, she took a deep breath. It's a beautiful scene to watch as she waits for the day to end. She started scribbling on a piece of paper, realizing writing her name made her feel like it was as hard as she was still trying to learn how to write. Ducks all around the lake, she tried to bite thru the plastic packet to open it, but it all seemed like a struggle. This is the same place she always goes for refuge, her favorite place to hang out. She hears their laughter, the voices of her little kids, the sound of family. She had 3 of them, they were all wonderful kids. This is the same spot we always have spent for picnics. She called out her kids names, laughing at the sight of them playing, there was no answer. She spoke a little louder so they can hear her voice despite their noise, "Children! Mama is here! Can you hear me?" They continued playing and did not look towards her direction. Why aren't they listening & ignoring me? Why can they not hear my voice? It seems to her that she was invisible to them and she felt that stabbing pain of rejection deep down in her heart, tears started rolling down her cheeks, in both joy and sadness. A flash of beautiful memories of them as they were babies and little, taking care of them, watching them grow up. Now they seem to have their own worlds.
The sun has hid behind the clouds, it's time for her to leave. A light tap on her shoulder from behind, a woman came to talk to her. "We need to go back home before it gets dark out." She asked, "Can you ask my kids to go back inside our house, so we can eat dinner together. It's getting late, my husband will be home soon." "Yes I will let them know," as she led her inside. She sat at the table and waited for them, but they never went inside to eat with her. "I am tired, I'll go to bed now." She tried to stand on her own and realized she couldn't, as the lady pushed a wheelchair to her side. "Will you wake me up when my husband and kids come home? I find it hard to sleep without my husband next to me. Maybe tomorrow, you take me again as I wait by the lake, maybe then they will come see me? Tomorrow is another chance!" "Of course madam. Your husband is always with you." she glanced at her bedside, where her husbands urn is placed, left there by her children. She doesn't remember him passing, she still waits for him to come to bed at night. "Indeed, maybe tomorrow, who knows, maybe they will remember their Mother and find time to visit even despite their own busy lives. The nurse left her room, she breathed out a deep sigh and proceeded to her next patient in the other room. The End. Flowers are one of the most beautiful creations God has given to Man, it gives you such happiness. I grew up with Mommy growing her own garden, with colorful flowers and plants, she used to collect orchids. I watched her grow lots and lots of them. She always loved to take me and my sister to Botanical gardens. We traveled to Jakarta Indonesia and went to a flower garden. I vividly remember how happy she is having her photos taken with the flowers. Receiving flowers made me happy too but never really had that inkling in me to grow my own. We traveled to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia with her, she would always want to go places where there are beautiful gardens. Her eyes would sparkle seeing beautiful flowers and because I love mommy, what makes her happy, makes us all happy. That's what we all live for in our lives, making Mommy Smile. And that's why am making a collection of lots and lots of flower photos for her!
Travel has always been a passion, not just for the purpose of exploring the places or a stamp on my passport but more on the full experience you get being in another country, or being in another place, always moving. My travels started very early and our parents raised us to travel independently. It has started as a child, the first time I traveled was just few months after I was born. Our family traveled 6 hours by boat thru Cokaliong Lines towards Surigao from Cebu to visit my Dads side of the family. You board the boat at around 6pm to get to your cot or your cabin, then it starts leaving Cebu at around 7pm, expected arrival is early morning like 5am. There no flights yet at those times. Nowadays, there are flights now that is a much quicker option to get to Surigao from Cebu, flights can be booked with Philippine Airlines as well as with Cebu Pacific Airlines. When you get to Surigao city, you will need to take a 5 hour smaller boat that leaves around 6am, as we didn't have speedboats yet at that time, to go to Tubajon, an island in the Dinagat. You usually get to Tubajon at 12noon. While in Dinagat islands, we traveled towards an island on a much smaller boat for island hopping and our boat accidentally flipped. I fell into the Philippine Deep sea, 8 months old, mommy held me close even if she couldn't swim well. They used to have this joke of making me act like I'm strong that I clenched my teeth together hard, making a face and putting both arms down flexing as a baby. Mommy always tells me she saw me doing the "Strong" gesture as we started sinking under water. My uncle tried to take me away from her but she would not let me go so she squirmed clutching me as we sank deeper and darker into the ocean. Long story short, we got rescued, hence the reason why I'm here to write about it. There were others who came to help and rescued us, one of my grandfathers both rescued me and my Mommy. From then, whenever I come visited Tubajon, whenever the old folks see me, they would say, "oh! I remember, you were that baby who drowned in the middle of the shark infested Philippine Deep Sea and survived." That experience kicked off my love for the waters, the underwater, for travels, for life and for survival. That was just the start.
First thing I wanted to do as soon as I got home last night was to have a drink. I started to miss its scent, its taste in my mouth, I started to miss how it makes you feel, how much you need it. My head battles, should I or should I not? Quit a long time ago, since 2006, but there are just random times recently you crave, I feel guilty for depriving myself, yet I give in knowing it makes me happy. Keep reading. Don't judge. Hahah! Well, last night I couldn't fight it. I told my husband, sorry, I needed it, his response was, "Like, right now?" So there, my little rebellion, had it for dinner. Only to regret it hours after, when at 1am I was still wide awake in bed, heart racing like dragon boat gongs. But Still, that first sip though? You know what I mean? That "Ahhhhh .. so goood" moment, my goodness!! Why is COFFEE this GOOD! Hard to resist its temptation.
One of my workmates told me he is not feeling too well and he said he could start feeling sick. I asked him if he has a cough or cold, he said he just feels stressed. I told him I will walk with him to the pantry and help him make some water with lemon. Went to the office pantry, I advised him to mix hot water and a little cold water in a cup, then add in some lemon to it and drink it. No sugar. He feels better in a way, told him to keep hydrated for the rest of the day. He was grateful for the advise. I gave him a few other things he can do at home to rest.
Relaxation is very important, for me it is Essential to life. I have always set time for relaxation in all different means and it is part of my day to day activity. There are a lot of things you can do for relaxation and here are a few things I could suggest: 1. Morning exercises - Well, I know some would think exercising would not be a means of relaxing, but it actually does help your body get pumped up, hyped and get your body ready for good relaxation. I do morning exercises, stretches, yoga poses, dance routines and a little running. It gives you that great feeling about yourself and your body too. 2. Soaking in the Tub - The next thing I do after my exercise. This is vital, no matter how busy one can be, you definitely need to find time to take warm baths in the bath tub. Even if mornings are busy to get ready for work, I have always set time to turn the hot water on, fill the tub, light the candles, set the music, start my day right. 3. Hot Showers - If soaking in tub would seem to take a lot of your time, then you can always go for hot long showers. Aaahh, everyone loves showers. Make sure you hydrate yourself time to time, have some water within your reach. 4. Body Scrub, Bath Bombs and Body Salts - I love collecting bath salts, bath scrubs, body scrubs and bath bombs! I super love them and everyone I know close to me know how I spend so much time on my weekends or weekdays doing my relaxation time. We shop most of the time at Bath and Body works, though I still order a few ones that are from Bali Indonesia. I love the lulurs they have and I enjoy getting full body scrubs then soaking in the tub after. Heaven! 5. Getting a facial, scrubs and masks - This is essential and we all have to set time despite how busy our schedule could get. You can do it with your husband or you can set time with your friends. I enjoy doing it for my husband and my friends, it has just become part of a habit. Skin care is as important as taking care of your health. Stay healthy, stay happy and take care of yourself. A healthy happy self always boosts mental health, psychological, social and physical health. The number of invites for Snowboarding is equivalent to the number of times I had to give no for an answer. Yet, after several invites to go snowboarding with friends, I had to get over the fear of breaking a bone in my body. But last Sunday was one of those days I have decided to conquer that fear. We decided to travel from New York towards New Jersey, to go to Mountain Creek to go skiing and for my husband to do snowboarding. I traveled with family to go there on an adventure trip for the weekend. It all went well and fun, of course I was more cautious and careful not to fall or slip so I don't break anything. We spent a few times practicing, we decided we were ready to go up that hill and I started to hesitate. Well, surprisingly that hill was just the Basic hence the name bunny hill so I got all my courage and went for it. It was a really wonderful feeling to be up the ski lift watching the others below and it was a good few minutes ride watching the sunset too. It was beautiful and magnificent! Then I saw we were about get to the end, I asked them, "oh what are we supposed to do from here?" They said, "were getting off the lift now.. you jump and ski down" and we got off and I jumped in unison with them. Got my feet on the ground! Hurray! Wohoo I was all in one piece! Hmmm except when I looked at my gloves on my left hand, it kinda looked twisted so I made the announcement, "guys I think I broke my thumb!" and my husband replied, "If you broke it, you would be in a very excruciating and terrible pain" I removed my gloves and showed him my thumb which is now facing a different direction, saying, "You know how high my tolerance for pain is right?" In my head I told myself, oh I have seen how they do it on tv, so I held on to that finger and straightened it back, ughhh! Well, that didn't fix it hhhahahha so I guess I needed to take it to the hospital. The very first time I had to go to the hospital here in the US for an injury caused by sports. After all the X-rays and verifying that I won't need surgery the doctor came back to my hospital room and told me they will put it back since it got dislocated. Deep breath. No pain relievers no injections, she straightened by thumb and felt like my heart stopped for a few seconds. They then placed a splint on that to make sure it gets back into its place. My cousin was with me, holding my arm to make sure I'll be okay and she asked, "Are you okay? How was it." And I replied, "All I had in my mind is that I am able to take this pain, for I gave birth twice on normal delivery and without much help on medication and pain reliever." The doctor and the nurse just laughed when I said, "Wow! Impressive!"
We were cleared to go home. I didn't take any medication, I'm a big fan of natural remedies and healing so I'm nursing my thumb. Still we had to go to the orthopedic so I had to get a splint on it and let it heal for the next 3-6weeks. All good. No pain no gain right. Will do it again of course! |
EmilyAnderson
And now these three remain: FAITH HOPE LOVE. But the greatest of these is LOVE. I LOVE to write, about LIFE, LOVE, PEOPLE, EXPERIENCE, day to day life and INSIGHTS. I love to Travel. I travel a lot, I create Video blogs on my travel as well as I write about experience, culture, highlights and knowledge. May this site serve you well. I will be open for comments and suggestions, as well as topics I could write about. Thank you very much. Archives
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