Gentle rebellion

Image from WWW

 

I've been called a rebel many times in my life.  This is why I find this such a heart-warming image and phrase. 

I've become accustomed to putting other people first.  I put it down to being a secretary and always wanting to pre-empt the needs or wants of others in the office.  I can't use that excuse anymore as I retired in 2012 and those habits should no longer be dominant.  

Anyway, this is just a great reminder to me, myself and I!

A date to remember

Image from WWW

31 years ago, I started work at the Embassy of Peru.  It was a Wednesday, and I cannot, for the life of me, remember why I didn't start on a Monday or the 1st of the next month.  

Anyway, I joined as a young and impressionable person who had skills to offer but also much to learn.  Thankfully, I had very kind and helpful colleagues who taught me all that I needed to know.

After almost 20 years of being the ambassador's secretary, I discovered more about myself than in any other period of my life. It was a time of change and evolution into who I was meant to be and though I remember some difficult times, I cherish the amazing moments more. 

I've been retired now for over 11 years.  Sometimes I still need to pinch myself when I wake up and see the life that I have now.  It is a simple life but an easy one.

Today, for instance, Stephen asked me if there was anything more that he could do for me.  Without hesitation, I know that there is nothing I need or want.  I have enough of everything.

Just remembering today's date and smiling for all the memories and milestones I have had since that day!

Both sides now 2.0

Image from Pinterest

I say 2.0 because I have used this title before.  Somewhere it was tucked in my memory, and I had to check before I decided to click on "publish".

People somehow tell stories based on their inflated view of themselves.  I guess it's human nature to want to be the hero or heroine of any situation.  But if you aren't the saint then shouldn't the story be less exaggerated.  

If you only did 1%, how could you possible paint yourself as having done 99%?  Yet that is how it sometimes is even when the truth is obvious.

I do check myself when I share about any experience.  I make a conscious effort not to inflate my role and true to my Asian roots, I almost always downplay what I have done.  But that's me.

Father's Day 2023

 

Image from Instagram

Being a parent is such a tough job.  It is a never-ending roller coaster of emotions.  I have been mightily blessed that I have Stephen who has been an absolutely great source of support in every way.  

As the father and head of this family, he's made sure we have enough and never to be in want for anything.  

While he is a great dad, he shines as a granddad.  Cayla is only four now, but she already claims that her Pops loves her the most in the world.  

I thank God for Stephen especially on this Father's Day, 18 June 2023.  

Busy living life

Image from thetarotjournalpakistan

I always surprise myself by neglecting this blog because I have all the time in the world to do anything and everything I want.  Writing here has always been a nice hobby.  It's a way to organise my thoughts and keep them here for posterity.  Also, I may forget and so, saving them here allows me to revisit these moments.

I was in KL in the early part of January and then again for most of May.  Travelling now is via Seletar/Subang/Seletar instead of Changi/KLIA/Changi.  This tremendously cuts down the time from home to airport and vice versa. 

Although my blog title is "Busy living life", I haven't really been busy.  Most of the days just flow into the next.  I'd have to say it is a simple life.  I wake up when I'm fully rested. Usually, Stephen has already gone off to work.  He makes my coffee and puts it next to my chair.  It makes me smile every morning when I see this!  As they say, it's not what people profess with their mouths, it's their acts of love that prove what they feel.

Now that I've settled back into my usual SG routine, hopefully, I will spend more time writing on my new laptop.  New because sometimes, it is easier to just get another one instead of replacing the charger for the old one.  But, as luck would have it, the new charger works on the old one and so now we have two laptops. Stephen was actually thinking of buying two and discarding the old one!  Thankfully, he had the idea that maybe, just maybe the new charger would work on the old one!  Lo, and behold, it does.  Yay!!!!

I'm consciously cutting down on my time online.  Actually, I'm even toying with the idea of going cold turkey but what would that achieve?  I enjoy the camaraderie and the mini chats with some of the people.  I also like to think that I bring joy to people who have little or no contact with family or friends.  There are many lonely people out there.

Busy isn't a bad thing if we are also living our truth.  Doing what we enjoy and using moments to make a difference in our own as well as other people's lives is great.