Family nights are...

(#268)

Rare but truly cherished.

Word Struck of the day...

We are called to help one another grow in godliness.

A good day...

'Ploop!'

(#267)
Has never sounded sweeter than when you really really want things to be normal again.
=D

A Shortsie

Considering my Friday morning started of with a dose of vomit (again);
it was amazing to have achieved 2 feats on Saturday.

Attending Yosakai Parade.

(which was disappointing because there was no fireworks finale as indicated in flyer)

Eating at Abu's after that.

(It wasn't even half a plate but it was asking for trouble because of the consequences that haven't didn't happened)

I had normal food today.

I can only trust that things goes well this week.

It's really hard to not get paranoid after the past 10 days or so being what they were.

The not so short summary of away time

Day 1
Rode down to Commonwealth with Aunt Mae on MRT.
Dropped bag at Commonwealth.
Went to SBGardens for lunch at Food for Thought (bacon! finally!!) and a walk around.
Poor old Little Hearts couldn't take it anymore and broke apart.
Walked half barefoot to Tanglin Mall; took ages to finally decide on my Graceful Rose.
Couldn't bear to part with Little Hearts yet, so brought along to Orchard.
Went into Wheelock for a peek, since Rose was a necessity and I still wanted to find a pair that was just calling my name. Nothing came up.
Bought some stuff at M&S and had Skinny Pizza.
Took cab from Commonwealth to Woodleigh.

Day 2
Boiled an egg using a cup for a savoury breakfast.
Went to Dhoby Ghaut.
The initial plan was just to get a bag belt at Daiso.
Plan failed, ended up having lunch and shopping for hours there.
Finally made my way to the Gardens.
Breathtaking man-made waterfall in Cloud Forest made Flower Dome a let down after it.
Dinner at MBS. Trouble was, I fell in love with a pair of Tiermotiv calling my name right before eating.
Ended up getting it after dinner and a shared scoop of dark chocolate ice cream.
Walked over to the Esplanade to watch and listen to some jazz going on. Lovely stuff.
Made own way back to Woodleigh by City Hall.

Day 3,4,5,6 belongs to Bali.



About half of those days were spent under food poisoning conditions.
But before that happened....








There was this door I pushed open that lead me to the organic garden in Tegal Sari.
To my utmost delight, the gardener there let me walked away from the hotel area, and waited below while I climbed up this outpost.

Then there was this snake obstructing my way back to our room.
I was waiting for it to gobble up the frogs and be on its way.
But it just raised its head and stayed that way.
I went back to the entrance I came in and informed the staff there.
When we went back to the place where I've seen the snake, it had disappeared.
The staff accompanied me half way to our room, and I thought it was the end of it.
Some minutes later there was a knock, and the staff was there to show the snake that's been caught.

I would have preferred it dead, but the staff was going to release it elsewhere as part of their custom/religion.












I don't know what it is about the people there.
Because they really didn't have to accompany me all the way out to the paddy fields or catch the snake after it had disappeared from view and informed us that it's been caught.
I was touched with that level of hospitality to their guest.

Day 7
Packed.
Had a little moment before sending Little Hearts into rubbish chute.
The only comforting thought was that Little Hearts 'went back' in the land Little Hearts have came from.
Went to Food for Thought at Queens Street, where the waitress gave me a random uplifting note.
Browsed the Catholic store opposite before going into the Catholic Church.
Left before 5.30pm mass started. Ended up in Paper Market at Raffles City.
Dinner at Sushi Tei in Raffles City before walking to the Esplanade again for some piano works.
Watched the MBS light and fountain display on the roof garden as well.

Day 8
The toilet business strikes again.
Took a cab to Changi instead of the MRT as planned.
Did GST refund on my Tiermotiv Dog pair.
Found Giotto for colleagues.
Had Texas Chicken in defiant to the stomach.
Head home.

I left both places feeling lighter than when I arrived.

(#258) A super duper big thank-you goes to.....

Two snoraumatic people.

Thanks for putting up with me.

Snores.

Klutziness.

Turtle pace.

Thanks for looking after me.

Having me stay over.

Meals.

Toilet business.

And all that in between.
I'm thankful I have you both.

(#259) For clean pathways when I had to walk half barefoot.

(#260) The showers of rain that was momentary and not like all out spoiling my holiday.

(#261) For Cub's MP3 player, songs that kept me occupied on the MRT and comfort me when I was in bed from food poisoning.
(#262) The moments of alone-ness, that I needed so badly to reflect and stuff.
(#263) Great food!

(#264)Acts of kindness.

Especially the random note that says 

'SMILE!  There are always flowers for those who want to see! '

Reflections

Been lazy to hook up the old laptop.
So here it is, first post from the new one on a new year.

2012 was the year......

I drove in Aussie.

I had surgery.

I watched a lot of movies.

I had scars.

I watched a musical and a play.
I discovered Abu.
I wrote for a compilation book.
I bought a lot of books.

I watched Bon Odori fireworks.
I attended a company dinner.
I bought my own birthday cake.
I visited a cemetery for pure fun.
I went to work at 10pm.
I had my first BBW road trip.

I had a new bible and new laptop.

Lord, I'm thankful for the year that was.
Thank you for being there even when I was so blind to Your presence.
Help me to see the plans You have for me in 2013 are good plans; 
plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.
I pray that this time away this week will be revealing.
That You would show me again Your wonders and help me to find my way back to You.