Reading through the lines

Image from www

 

I used to read a lot.  Since I was in primary school, it was a challenge to find the time for leisure reading because of school, homework and activities.

Even when I was working, I still read quite a bit.  Often, I would give up a bit of my night sleep just to finish a chapter.  

Now when I am retired and able to read at any time I want, I haven't.  I did when I first arrived, but circumstances were such that I couldn't concentrate.  Eventually, I stopped reading but didn't stop buying books, though.  

Despite buying whenever I saw some book that I wanted, I still went to the library to borrow books and very often, with a tail between my legs, returned some without having touched them.  Thankfully, there was a drop-off box where we could just deposit the books without having to face the librarian.  It would have been so embarrassing if she had asked, "how was the story?".

Just when I was free to just stay home and begin reading, Netflix arrived, and I got snatched into the world of TV series (10 seasons or limited) and movies.  Recently, we also subscribed to the Disney channel, and this opened up a new world of other documentaries and shows that we enjoy.  I'm not complaining as this kept me happy during the covid times.

Today, I am going to pick up a book and see if I can revive my love for reading.  I have some in my Tab but there is nothing that comes close to holding a book and leaving a bookmark between the pages.  I'll be wise and choose the right book.  Let's see if I can reduce my intending-to-read list by one book!

Culture of complain

Image from WWW

Complaining is such a pervasive culture.

Often I hear people talk about all their issues; without once saying what they are doing about it.  

The habit of counting all their problems and not ever looking at possible solutions doesn't do much.  Sometimes when a suggestion is made, the quick reply would be, "cannot be done".  How nice it would be if instead, the reply was, "tried that".  

Everyone wants a quick fix.  More precisely, they want a winning lottery ticket but if you ask them if they had bought a ticket, they would say, "No".  

Life isn't always easy but I've learnt that complaining doesn't make it better.

Do I still complain?  Perhaps I do, unconsciously.  Will I do something about it?  Yes, because to complain without doing anything doesn't help.

Blissful living

From Pinterest

Stephen is a joker.  He can make me laugh at almost anything.  Sometimes he will just pluck something out of thin air and make a joke out of it and we will both laugh like idiots.

There are so many things that make me love him.  Like how he makes my coffee in the mornings, no matter what he has to do.  Or how he switches off my alarm so I will sleep on.  Just simple things that all add up to what makes for a happy marriage.

For a lot of my life, I've always felt that I was always giving more than I take but for the first time in my life, I actually believe that I am taking more than I give.  It's taken a lot of adapting to reverse this and learning how to receive and not to worry about any hidden agenda.

And it's not just about relationship between husbands and wives, it's also about what goes on between friends.  

We're always concerned about paying back and keeping the record clean but every once in a while, we cross paths with someone who is happy to just give and be counted as a blessing.  We must remember to appreciate the kindness and be grateful when people are kind.  It is their intangible gift to us.

Some would call it karma but the bible says this

From Pinterest

Carefree and car-free!

I saw this huge banner outside the NEX Mall recently. I guess it's to encourage people to take public transport. It caught my eye because it's catchy and does epitomise my life here in Singapore.

I suppose it only means much more to people who once drove daily. When I look back on how many hours I spent behind the wheel of a car, it boggles the mind. 

Since moving away from the hustle and bustle of KL living and into the concrete jungle of Singapore, I haven't really felt a sense of inconvenience without a car.  I thought I would and maybe I did have some fleeting moments of "I need a car" when I first arrived but now after nearly five years I don't even think about it.  I've adapted well.

Even when I am back in KL, I hardly ever drive now.  I do when I have to but usually my son or daughter-in-law takes the wheel. I used to not like being a passenger before.  I always wanted to be the driver.  But they are both excellent drivers and I've learnt to take the back seat.  I can place my trust in them.  I don't say this lightly because there are many horrible drivers around.  Also I pride myself on being a rather good one and when I let someone drive me around, it's not just for convenience but also because I have faith in their driving skills.

Sometime over the last few years I had developed a new sense of being carefree and car-free.  This has to do with getting used to moving around via trains, buses and/or taxis.  I've yet to use uber but I just registered.  :)

It's a good advertisement!  I like it.  It suits me.  It works for me. 

Alarm bells ringing

Woke up at 8 am but only because of the alarm.  Why did I ever think that I would never need one again? It was wishful thinking when I retired.  

Strangely during the first week of my retirement, I was up bright and early almost as if I wanted to enjoy being home during those hours instead of at work.  

But now, without an alarm ringing, I can sleep till noon!!! Mwahahahahahahaha!!!  Of course, this is only because I sometimes watch TV series till 4 am so if I wake at noon then I feel I have had the obligatory 8 hours of sleep.  And I don't always do that. I'm usually up by about 9ish unless I'm very tired.

Even if I am up early, there's always the long nap that I can take either before or after lunch to be refreshed again.  Sleeping is never a problem for me.  

I also don't suffer from insomnia.  Once I'm in bed, I fall asleep quite easily.  

There are some days when I don't want to sleep but because I have something to do very early the next day, I try to have an early night. The remedy, for me, is to read a bit and soon enough I'll be feeling sleepy. 

Life is good.  With or without alarm bells ringing, life is good. 

The leap of faith

Image from Twitter

I almost cannot believe that I have been in retirement for FOUR years now.  It seems like I've taken to this new life like a "fish to water". That's lame but the best description that I can think of. Hahahahahaha.  

Also, I almost cannot remember what it's like to be working in an office. 

My "office" now is wherever my laptop is placed at home so it's either on the dining table or on my lap (pun intended) in front of the TV!  

The leap year used to brings memories of the Olympic Games and the Presidential Elections.  That's how diverse my interests are! Stephen and I share a common ground in our interest with some major world events and we enjoy talking about it over breakfast/lunch/dinner and sometimes supper.  But now the leap year has also become synonymous with my retirement.

I woke up yesterday to tell Stephen that we must celebrate today.  I said I want to have lobster for dinner.  He knows I'm full of plans and no action.  Just being able to say it is enough to make me happy.

The leap of faith was also a leap into faith.  It was when I found a meaningful relationship with God.  It has made such a big difference to my life.

So this 29 February 2016, I'm saying a special prayer for all the people who are special to me.  It's a way of giving back (behind the scenes) without fanfare. 

Most of all I'm thankful to Stephen, Jared and Gwen who have been my pillars of support and encouragement.  The countless other family and friends along the way have been the icing on the cake: always delicious and so enjoyable. 

Be blessed.  Stay blessed.  Shalom!

Mid-October and Christmas is around the corner :)

Image from WWW

Unbelievably, it's mid-October already.  

I love October for many reasons.  People start talking about Christmas during this month. Even stores and malls begin promoting Christmas things alongside the Halloween stuff.  

Some of my friends already think of putting up their Christmas tree so that they will be able to have everything ready when November comes.  I'm not one of them.

Our home in KL hasn't had any Christmas decoration since I left. The kids are either here with us in Singapore or in Sabah so it makes no sense to put anything up.  When I was still there, it was fun transforming the home into a Christmas wonderland.  I suppose I would be willing to do it all over again when the grandchildren come. *grins*

Over the last four years, I've noticed that Singapore stocks Halloween items so there must be a demand, hence the supply. While I am tempted to buy, I refrain.  I just take photos of the interesting displays.

Anyway, back to a reality check and a reminder to myself about the five points in the image.  

This thing I do...

Image picked from Facebook

Since April this year, I've had a change of lifestyle.  I somehow slipped into it without feeling or noticing that it was actually something sudden.

Perhaps it was best that I hadn't realised it because this meant that I didn't waste time analysing the whys and wherefores.  I just had to do it and I did.  

I'm sure it's the right thing to do but I wonder if it's a hard thing to do.  Some people think so and that's why this crossed my mind.

I don't think I've been unhappy.  In fact, I believe that I'm happier. Being of value to someone and making a difference, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can subconsciously add to one's self-esteem.

The right thing and the hard thing when done with love and a positive attitude can produce good vibes.

When ability meets with availability, everything is easy to do.

So this thing I do, works in a good way for me.

Things I love...

As we get older and wiser, the list of things that we love grows shorter and shorter.  In fact, the things we want are no longer fighting for space with the things that we need. 

There was a time when I made a mental note of whatever I wanted to get and eventually I would go out and get it.  There are many items on that list that I haven't yet bought but they have been relegated to the nether worlds now.  

It made sense not to buy that Jimmy Choo pair of shoes since I'm almost always wearing my Fitflops!  Designer bags? They aren't practical for me now.  Clothes?  Nawwww as I have more than enough.  I could go on...

However, the list of things that I love which money cannot buy has grown tremendously.  It's a good feeling and there's a release from the bondage of shopping.  I have time to love and also enjoy the basic things that make my day better.  

How I have changed in these last three years from always buying more than I needed!!  (Stephen will smile when he reads this!).

Even though I live so near the famous Orchard Road, I hardly ever go there because I already have all the things I love or need.

In fact, I've given away so many things that I used to love and I haven't even thought about them at all.  How wonderful not to be tied to stuff.  

I think that moving away from Kuala Lumpur and having to leave all my favourite things behind has taught me a good lesson.  I didn't really need any of those things.

At the end of it all, just having someone to love is all we really need in life.

Halfway mark

Image from Pinterest

This year has really gone by much faster than expected.  I still remember when it was January and now we are almost at the end of the sixth month which is the half-way mark of 2015.

A lot has happened but I'm a positive person and this has helped me in every area of my life.  The truth is that my cup runneth over and I am always grateful for where I am today.

I think I'm in some sort of a rut but it's a good kind of rut.  Routine is good sometimes.  Too many upheavals can be stressful.  I shall not complain that there isn't much excitement.  Overall, life is simple and good and I shall use this calm time to fill my cup with more of the things that make me smile.

Keep a notebook.

Image from WWW

I used to have a notebook when things became very busy in the office.  It helped me to remember details so I would not overlook any important matter.  While I am confident of having a pretty good memory, there are periods when we cannot trust it a hundred per cent. 

Recently when I stumbled upon an old notebook of 2011, I was pleased to see that I had made the effort to make notes because I had completely forgotten about what I had written. Some memories are nice to rekindle.

Now my notebook is in my HP.  I make notes to remind me of something for the present or the future. 

The new feature in my HP allows me to write and it's nice to flip through looking at my own handwriting. I've yet to master the art of writing neatly as when I'm using pen and paper but it works and I'm happy as long as the the content is saved.  This is all that matters so I shan't allow myself to fret over it.  

"Wasting brain space" is my favourite phrase for when I don't want to spend any more time than needed over trivial stuff.

Buy and buy

Image from Pinterest

I used to be an avid shopper.  My wardrobe was a good testimony of this.  Too many shoes, bags and clothes were common and never did I feel it was enough.

Maybe I was a working woman and so I justified all my purchases.  This made for mindless buying of things that I had sometimes used only once and never more.

How and when did I evolve into buying less and less? I can't really pinpoint a time but certainly it is because I am now a homemaker.  This must be the main reason that steered me out of senseless spending.  

At least I can say, "been there, done that" when it comes to shopping without a care in the world.  

Do I miss it?  Nawwwwwwwwww. Not a bit.

Now I have the time to choose well and because of this, I buy less as well.  It works for me.