It's the last day of the year! Many will be thinking of their new years resolutions, if they haven't by now. It's also time to reflect on the year that has gone by, the highs and lows, the challenges, the blessings, and life. A time to move on and start new beginnings, pursue those dreams that seem so within reach, and act upon those "great" thoughts.
Fresh and new beginnings always seem to be desired. Many say "next year will be a better year", not realizing just how good we did have it in the old year.
So as you get ready to see and welcome a new year in, don't forget to be thankful for the wonderful, successful, inspired and awesome year that you've had.
May 2012 be everything you desire it to be, and may you never lose focus of those inner dreams...nothing is impossible to achieve if you keep your eye on the end result. It's the journey of getting to your destination that is most fulfilling.
Have a Happy, healthy, blessed and safe end to 2011!
May you and your families be blessed with an abundance of love and light, good health, joy, happiness and peace in 2012! God bless you all.
Be safe and be kind, and most of all appreciate and enjoy life!
Far too often we're always worrying about what tomorrow will bring, and we forget, or rather neglect, appreciating what today actually holds for us. We're busy saving for a rainy day, saving for that house we're going to buy one day, kids college funds, and rightfully so...we need to be realistic as well!!
We need to find the time to enjoy our lives just as much, because we don't know when the day will come when we won't see tomorrow.
Write a list of things you would like to do, maybe a bucket list, be spontaneous, and just go with it, without any doubts. The rewards of happiness are immense and immeasurable, and maybe it's not that fancy house or car that you want, but the wealth of memories is priceless, and something that will live forever in your heart. Material things come and go, they have a warranty on it, and the novelty wears off eventually until something new comes along.
So if its someone that you've been trying to find an excuse to ask out on a coffee date, or a dream holiday (within your wallet range off course), what's stopping you!! Don't live to have regrets, or worry about the woulda's, coulda's or what if's. In a few years time, it might be the greatest memory of your life, or just a glimpse of something wonderful that actually happened!!
Take time to appreciate the finer things around you, nature at it's finest and best, find time for loved ones and neglected ones. Appreciate what you have, and the moment you're about to complain about how bad you might have it, remember there's always someone out there having it a million times worse. Don't blame the world for your problems, you are your problems and your solutions. You have the power to strengthen and encourage others, and believe in yourself!! You are instrumental in who you are and who you can be. Break the cycle and make a difference!
Be kind!!! Be yourself, and spread the love!!! Remember :your wealth of material value does not define you!
Born Philippe Pagés (28 December 1953), Richard Clayderman is a world renowned French pianist of easy listening, classical, jazzy and romantic music. He became most famous for his recording of "Ballad pour Adeline" in 1976 which was composed for the daughter of a French record producer Paul de Senneville and partner Olivier Toussaint. This ballad went on to become world acclaimed and popular selling more than 20 million copies in 38 countries. He is very popular in Asia, performing around 200 concerts worldwide, out of 250 days. He is an inspiration to young and old encouraging the love of music through piano playing, and the appreciation of classic and jazzy music. His French accent coupled with his sincerity ( and good looks ) no doubt is enough to capture the hearts of many. Watching him perform is like watching his hands glide over silk....ever so captivating and enrapturing. Picture from here
According to the Guinness Book of Records, he is "the most successful pianist in the world".
Ballad pour Adeline:
Rhapsody in Blue:
Some of my faves:....they're endless :)
Thankyou for the incredible inspiration, and for bringing such joy to so many hearts through your passion and blessed talent!
They are probably two of the next important words, after greetings, that people tend to translate when visiting another country. It's just human nature, kindness and social etiquette. They maybe little and simple words but they carry much weight in meaning. Sometimes people tend to forget to use these little words. It's a part of manners and etiquette that we are taught as kids and that we ought to teach our kids.
Respect begets respect. Make a difference and be the change you want to see!!
I was in the city in Picadilly Street, took two wrong turns and I realised I was in Savile Row. If you've ever heard of it, you would know it's renown for it's exclusive suit houses, and I mean elegant and úber exquisite tailor made suits to fit!
I felt like I was in a scene out of a 60's movie as I walked past them with the best of the best displayed in the window, and not all modern day suits, but tweed styled typical English "Mark Darcy" suits as though you were a resident of Pemberly! As I walked past each house I could see, below road level, staircases that led to the tailor's workshop, and through the windows you could see them busy with a new suit or probably measuring up some "ol chap". They were tailors that looked Italian, with a measuring tape around their neck, and quite serious looking men, as though they had strict instructions from Valentino Garavani, and if you've seen him at work, you would see why he's such a perfectionist!
These suits will probably cost you an arm and a leg, and one could only try to understand why.
The vehicles parked outside the shops were Porsche enough, and 4x4's almost lined most of the parking spaces. It's understandable how London is the fashion capital of the world. Down New Bond Street you see people dress with such panache and pizazz, with brand stores Louis Vuitton, Prada lining the streets, and where a price of a handbag would cost you a months salary (and that's in Stirling!).
As much as they say "clothes don't make the man", it sure does makes one fine statement!
I saw a blind elderly couple travelling on the bus, aided by their teenage grandchildren. Watching them interact as they got off the same stop as I did, made me instantaneously feel blessed and greatful for all that I have in my life. Sometimes it takes something little and simple to jolt you into reality to appreciate and realise what you do have in life, and just how fortunate you are! We do take alot of things for granted in life, and it's only when we put ourselves in someone else's less fortunate situation do we sometimes realise how blessed we actually are.
We all have our gripes, moans and groans, and at the end of the day after the "huge" disaster has occurred, we often forget that it ever happened, or wonder why we made a big deal out of something so little!
Life is too short to be expending energy stressing about the little things, because the big things will end up running you dry!! We often forget just how good we have it. Watching someone appreciate the little that they have without any whinging can teach us so much.
Before you complain about your studies, job, spouse or "material stuff", realise how fortunate you are to be in that place and what got you there :)
It's the faith that you hold in your heart, the love that you believe in, the belief that gives you strength and courage, the wisdom to know the importance of it all....
Online shopping is truly a life saver!! If you're into it, you'd know what a time-saver and a blessing it really is. It's not virtual shopping, but it's as good as it gets.
The first time I heard about it, I didn't think it a good idea, and I thought that you'd have to be really lazy to buy your groceries online. It wasn't until one day a few years back, I was so under the weather and pretty much house bound, I had no choice. So I decided to explore this path of buying my groceries online, not physically being able to see and feel what I was ACTUALLY buying, all you get is a photo of the product you're buying, which is questionable especially with fresh produce.
The beauty of it is that it gets delivered right to your door, all bagged, you save time walking to the bus stop, and you don't have to brave the weather, and best of all you don't have to force your sick sorry weary self out the front door.
The fresh produce, by the way, is very fresh and not on it's way out the next day or next few hours. I was quite impressed, and now it's become a necessity whenever I'm a bit under the weather.
If only there was a way to order EVERYTHING you wanted online...but I guess there are some things that will just never be available online!!
Pic from this site
Note: being a couch potato just counts for a lazy excuse!
So it was no surprise when my brother and his wife told the family that they had set up an email for their daughter....who was just about 3 weeks old at the time! My niece who is now just over 6 weeks old, who by the way is just the most gorgeous little princess, has an email account!! She obviously won't be accessing it for a good few years, and when she does she has alot of catching up to do...some of it, thanks to me of course;) I think it's an awesome idea. She gets to look back at all the highlights of her precious life, and they will be treasured memories....just for her!!
When you look back to the technology that was around when you were just a baby, even just a kid, it was a "toy" telephone, kiddy programmes on telly, playing with dolls/cars, and just simply spending your time outside with the kids from the neighbourhood. The Commodore 64 had come out in the 80's, and there was no such thing as the internet!!
Today they have plenty of IPhone apps for babies with Mozart baby music and the letters of the alphabet which my beautiful niece gets to listen to everyday and listens ever so intently. It's incredible and ever so precious watching her gaze as she focuses on the colours and objects and listens to the music and pronounciations of the letters~it's priceless!!
Technology aside, I actually can't wait to send her first snailmail when she starts reading, just to hear how excited she would be when she opens her first mail from me.
It's known to be the most beautiful time of year! If you live in the northern hemisphere, you can truly appreciate it that much more. It's a colourful and somewhat romantic season with the weather just about still perfect, not too hot or cold, the leaves on the trees looking a brilliant golden brown to orange, and the magnificent maple leaves you walk through on the ground making a soothing crunching sound!
Photo from here
It's time when you realise that you actually start eating a little bit more, getting your reserves ready for winter, pretty much like a squirrel!
With winter around the corner from this beautiful season, it makes you WANT to go out to the parks and enjoy how lovely the trees and lakes look. In the USA, it's known as the FALL season (rightly so), it's just the epitome of this passing season. The days evidently become shorter and you start preparing yourself psychologically for the short dreary wintery dark days. Take consolation in that they're just all passing seasons.
I'm no baker or pie maker, but occasionally I love the odd cakes and pies now and then ..who doesn't? So I've been thinking about mince (vegetarian) pies this week, and decided I needed to make some. I bought the Jus Rol Puff Pastry sheet, and was quite excited about my little "project". As I walked home from the grocery store, I realised I had no baking flour which you roll the pastry onto to undo the doughiness (I think). The mince was cooked and cooled and ready to fill the pastry. It was fun rolling this pastry into an oddly shaped rectangle, and it was fun closing the corners and edging fork patterns onto the pastry, and then "dousing" it with some beaten egg (to give it that golden brown colour?!).
The oven was ready and in went these uniquely shaped pies, and within a few minutes the smell wafting from the oven was that of a cake baking (obviously an overpour of the beaten egg onto all the pies!!). After 20 minutes I peered into the oven and saw these humongous pies (I should have used a bigger tray), but they were looking golden brown!! :)
The poor pies were stuck to the foil...yep...I didn't grease the foil!! Well, I had good intentions with these pies. I was really determined to take some to work for my colleagues. I guess I need more practice, and next time will be able to take the most perfect pies to work. They say that "the way to a man's heart is through his tummy"...if that's the case, I've got alot of practicing to do!! Unfortunately I have no pictures to show the proof, but next time (if it looks really good), pictures and recipe will be provided!!
What I can say is that it tasted great... well, I would say that :)
Get your pastry today...you even get a recipe on the pastry box!! Happy pie baking!!
The day has arrived...a life changing day! We thank God for life, and for all that a new life represents.
When a child enters this world, an abdundance of love and blessings flow.
This day marks the beginning of an amazing, blessed and happy journey of your life, because your life will always be surrounded by those who will always love you. You've made this day the happiest for all those around you, and have brought so much joy most especially to your special and beautiful parents, who have been waiting eagerly for this day.
There will be good times, great times; times when it seems so challenging, it's times like these you need to know and remember that you will always be loved selflessly and unconditionally. You are the most beautiful little angel that has arrived in our lives, and we thank God for you!! You have made your loving parents the most proud couple that you could ever imagine. May God always have His hands of protection on you as you begin your extraordinary and exciting journey through this life!
In life we can be so overwhelmed by the pressures that we may face on a daily basis, whether it's deadlines at work, making sure that we're on time for work, picking and dropping kids of at school and their extracurricular activities, paying bills on time, preparing meals on time, finding time for yourself... with all the hecticness that goes on it's so easy not to allow time to yourself, or even just enjoy living your life.
It seems that life has become more demanding of our time, and somehow it seems that we're never happy enough, always wanting more than what we really need. There are people who have so little yet are so greatful in life for what they have.
The late Seve Ballisteros said in one of his last interviews: " I'm fine, don't worry about me. This thing I have is little, compared to what other people have to face in their lives. I've been blessed with an impressive life and I'll get through this" "...It has been a fantastic life.This what's happened to me.... I would call destiny....one test that God is putting on me...and I win.." He was a charismatic great golfing legend who was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and lost his battle with cancer after 2 years.
We always seem to think that we have it worse off than others, and in our heart of hearts we probably we do, but find consolation in the fact that most of the times it really isn't....and it really isn't.
There are moments or experiences in our life that tend to bolt us into a reality check every now and then, whether it's an illness that's hit us badly, a death in the family, or something that's affected someone close to us...whatever it is, we feel it, and our bodies have a unique way of letting us know..it's time to slow down, live your life, and enjoy it too!
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
And they lived Happily Ever After.... not just true in the good 'ol fairy tale books, but living very much to those words.
Yesterday I saw a sweet elderly couple walking in front of me, with matching khaki trousers, and dark short sleeved tops, and beige coloured shoes ...( I wasn't reallynoticing that much!)... I watched them walk side by side, step to step and, in sync...and finally, like a natural act, their hands just met, and they walked hand in hand. That caught my breath! It was special. It was a true love that existed there, in two total strangers to me, their body language spoke it all. There was an understanding, a warmth, a selflessness, and a relationship that seemed to be based on unconditional love.
It reminded me of a 92 year old man that I met, who is married for 70 years!!! His secret to a long lasting marriage....listening to one another, and treating each other with respect, and most of all loving each other unconditionally... this to him was actually no secret, it was simply a given.
There's always hope and trust in love, you just have to believein it!
Friendship is one of the most valuable experiences you can have in your life..that's something you get to know as you live your life from day to day. They're the friends who stand by you through thick and thin, good and bad times, and who will be brutally honest with you. It's awesome and a blessing to have people in your life whom you can sit and have a whinge with, be totally comforable with, and most of all be accepted for being yourself. In this day and age when life can be so hectic in so many ways, it's great to know that you've got a friend that you can turn to, a friend you can count on.
Friendship works both ways. True friends are priceless and a rarity, treasure them!
Great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget ( G Randolf)
Mother's Day is celebrated throughout most of the world today. A day on which mothers and motherhood are honored, which really is just ONE out of the 365 days every year that it is actually OFFICIAL...because we know well and truely that Mother's Day is actually EVERYDAY of the year, as would be Father's Day!
They're the women with the greatest gut instinct, the right words to say when you're hurting, the safety net when you fall, your best friend, the women who have the most incredible strength inside and out, the biggest heart, and they become the angels in your life when they're no longer with you.
God Created Mothers
God knew that little ones need love
so He created mothers
With understanding hearts and
gentle hands that care for others...
They feed us and they hug us and they help us find our things... Then later on, they step aside and let us try our wings...
We know the're always on our side whatever may befall, That's why we need them just as much when we're no longer small...
Yes, God created mothers to give love their whole lives through... That's why they're treasured very much especially one like you!
Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her. (NIV)
Today I will remember, like every other day, how lucky and blessed I am to have had an extraordinary, exceptionally beautiful and loving, and remarkable lady in my life, whom I will always and forever be proud of to hold dear as my mum.
So today, and always, I hope that you will make your mum know just how special she is in your life, and what a 'keystone' she is. She is the epitome of human love.
With the daffodils springing up at every corner, the weather somewhat warming up and the daylight seeming a bit longer, you could almost smell the hint of spring pushing its way through. The clocks went forward last weekend and this happens in the last week of March at 1am on Sunday morning when the clocks automatically switch to 2am. Who knows what happens to that ONE hour of our lives, it's like it has been lost in space!! We lose ONE hour of the day! Whatever happens to that hour, it's just great that it's still bright at 7pm!
We look forward to this time of year, when we can get rid of the winter overcoats, wear one pair of socks instead of two or three, start looking brighter and wearing lighter clothing, and just being exposed to a greater amount of Vitamin D that puts a smile on our dials! Out with the black and dark, in with the bright and light! Energy levels have an instantaneous boost. London seems to be wearing a bright smile, and everyone seems so much more friendlier, the sunshine and warmth make a revolutionary change in this historic city.
So, it's a great time of the year to celebrate the budding of new flowers, more time out in the parks, barbeques, concerts in the parks, picnics and a very refreshing overall feeling!!
The local bus on my usual route has changed. It's now this bright red shiny transportation vehicle with it's well lit numbers on the front. I got onto it a week ago, and was gobsmacked when I saw it approaching the stop, so much so that I had to ask the bus driver if it was just for that day!! To my surprise and delight this lovely little bus will be replacing the little faithful "sometimes running late" rickety 'ol bus! When I got on, I couldnt help but appreciate that lovely "new" smell reminiscent of a brand new car!!
Everything about that bus was simply and strangely exciting..sometimes it only really takes the little things to excite my grey matter especially after a long day at work!! It had brand new bright looking coloured seats, with more space, and it even had a telly that you could observe all the passengers from...just in case you get bored on the journey. I think even the passengers look brighter, that and the fact that we're into summer time :)
Well I realise that some of the buses in London have changed to new hydrogen fueled ones (that does not contribute to CO2 emissions), that actually look pretty cool and oh so lush, in order to prepare for the forthcoming 2012 Olympics!!
It's great when the little things in life can still excite you in the most wonderful and weird ways.
Another day, a new year. The wheels of life keep turning...
It's funny how as we get older, you look for the changes, be it a few
more strands of grey hair, or a secret patch of greys that we're so not aware of until spotted by our hair stylilst, we look for wrinkles, crows eyes, the few extra pounds that seem harder to shake off, those cute hot numbers we have a problem even squeezing into,...and I'm sure much much more.
Irrespective of how the numbers look, and how much they've gone up and how quickly too, it gives us a new perspective of what to be greatful for , and what new priorities take precedence, and how our life is shaping out to be along with what we've accomplished in those years. If anything, it's a blessing to see another year in good health, and to realise how fortunate we are with all the little basics we have in life that are actually little luxuries for many of those unfortunate.
So this new year in my life called for a new hairstyle just to feel "a few days" younger, well at least psychologically, and just for me. I still feel like I'm in my early twenties, with the (almost) same drive for life and adventure, and yes, it's all in the mind about how you really feel.
Most of all, I'm greatful and thankful for my family & friends, and for all the love I have in my life, and for me ... that's priceless!!
For some people a birthday might just be another day in their lives, but celebrating the day you were born is special and should be memorable.
Time for me to embrace my amazing year ahead, with my little guardian angel at my side!
Somethings in life are best learnt through experiences because everybody's different and their opinion could be totally different to yours, and nobody can REALLY tell you how it will be without you actually FEELING it for yourself...
people are going to be mean ...it takes all sorts to make up the human population, everyone can't be good, you have the meanies to balance it out, just do good and be good....it's better that the good outweigh the meanies anytime!
guys aren't all the same...and maybe they do come from Mars, but like them too, the generation changes as the years pass on by, there are still some gentlemen out there!
Listen to your elders, they have so much wisdom to share...they've been around longer than you! It's called seniority and they will always have it!
In life you can be so wrong about love sometimes, but better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all; if you want something very badly set it free, if it comes back to you, it's yours forever, if it doesn't, it was never yours to begin with.... just move on, don't be hung up about it! True love is hard to find, and when you do find it, it's one you'll cherish always in your heart.
women may not be great with maps sometimes, but they're great with almost everything else, so what does it really matter if they're not even driving??...ok, I admit that was a bit bias...but guys, you know that's true!!
there IS such a thing as a broken heart, and ....it sucks! you spend endless sleepless nights crying yourself to sleep, but you wake up the next day, and somehow you just know you're going to be okay. Pick up your broken pieces,get some superglue, and get it together, and someone will see it as a golden treasure, like it was never broke before. ...and when you're not even looking, that's when love comes a'knocking!!...and sometimes, you're even spoilt for choice!
you need to start looking after your skin at an early age, and water is a great source for youthful skin; as well as a good moisturiser, invest in a good one early....foundation layers on your face is not very complimentary....guys like gals in their natural state! after you reach 30, you realise you don't have to make so much effort to dress up, you enjoy it, but it's more that feeling of looking great for your very own self.
your faith and prayers is what gets you through if you believe, never give up on it.
you will always have your family, you were born into that and can't change it.. friends may come and go in your life, but your family will always be there, love them , it's never too late to start. you may fight and argue with your siblings, but they will be your best friends for life if you learn to nurture the relationship and simply love them!
Save for a rainy day, but enjoy your life too, that rainy day may never come or you may never live to see it! Travel the world if you can, life isn't all about what you do for a living. Some people live their best lives free of all material value, earn enough to put food on the table, but have happier lives than those with generous incomes. All the money in the world certainly can't buy you happiness, it will buy you material things, but only for a temporary time.
Don't wait till it is TOO LATE to say you're sorry! Say you're sorry today, and make your peace! Don't live have to have any regrets especially when a loved one has passed on.
Your parents will be the most wonderful and greatest inspirations and motivations in your life, you don't have to wait to hear some big story on Oprah. THEY have your best interests at heart. Love them, cherish them and respect them. They too become your close 'pals' as you mature in life. You have your own story to tell already!
Don't let anybody tell you that'you wouldn't be able to do that', you are beyond your expectations, it's just up to you to believe it! Believe in yourself and remember that you are the architect of your dreams, and the driver of yourdestiny!
