Aren't They Adorable?!

A christmas gift for my girls...from their Aunt Shea Yin.

The bear stripped bare! Be ready for a transformation by my girls...

A sweet little girl with a lovely hat...

A cool girl with an army hat & dark glasses

a mysterious spy

A sexy blonde in a bikini & sun glasses

A rock star?

Having a nap...zzzzzzz

A book lover (but it looks as if she's dozing off too!)

Kids can be really creative (My girls dressed up the bear and took the photos without my help at all). That's why they're as cute & lovely as the cuddly bear!

Merry Christmas!

My office deco...

Please, Please Don't Compare!

Mom tells the little girl, "Quick, finish your food! Even our neighbour Ah Hua is done with her meal."

Teenage girl tells her mom, "I sure wanna join. Even our neighbour Ah Hua has signed up for it!"

My cartoon above was published in Sin Chiew Jit Poh back in 1996. I still remember I was inspired by an article in Reader's Digest about "Not to compare your child with others".

I constantly remind myself of that. Of course, at times I'd forget especially when my kids are too complacent and didn't give their best. I would compare them with others and that would usually made them very unhappy.

I know it's unfair to make comparison. Everyone is unique and has different strengths and weaknesses. Most of the time, I would encourage them by saying, "Hey, with this new piece of knowledge/new vocab, you're better than yesterday!" And I'll be happy for them as long as there's some improvement in their grades.

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Comparison

the following are extracted from the internet:

"Comparison brings inferiority, superiority. When you don't compare, all inferiority, all superiority, disappears. Then you are, you are simply there. A small bush or a big high tree--it doesn't matter; you are yourself..."

Commentary:

Who ever told you that the bamboo is more beautiful than the oak, or the oak more valuable than the bamboo? Do you think the oak wishes it had a hollow trunk like this bamboo? Does the bamboo feel jealous of the oak because it is bigger and its leaves change color in the fall? The very idea of the two trees comparing themselves to each other seems ridiculous, but we humans seem to find this habit very hard to break. Let's face it, there is always going to be somebody who is more beautiful, more talented, stronger, more intelligent, or apparently happier than you are. And conversely, there will always be those who are less than you in all these ways. The way to find out who you are is not by comparing yourself with others, but by looking to see whether you are fulfilling your own potential in the best way you know how.

- Osho The Sun Rises in the Evening Chapter 4

A Meaningful Afternoon

Last saturday afternoon my family and my daughter's friend's family visited a childcare centre with kids of single parents who can't afford to take care of them. We brought along food, art & craft materials and gifts. (All the items were prepared by the mother of my daughter's friend who initiated the visit and invited us a few hours before going)

The lady in this picture is the mother of my daughter's friend. I'm grateful she invited my family along.

Kids love gifts...especially the gifts of love.

Pay It Forward

Last Sunday evening my family witnessed a motorcyclist falling off his motorbike and got injured. He had blood at the corner of his mouth, and seemed to be in pain.

We pulled over to check on him, while leaving our kids and maid inside the car. We knew the passers-by might think we knock him down. However, we did not have the heart to leave him lying helplessly by the road. We repeatedly asked him whether he wanted to go clinic but he said he wanted to go home. After a while, we realized he might be short of cash. We offered to pay for him and he then agreed to let us drive him to the clinic.

The clinic nurse cleaned his wounds and the doctor gave him a jab & some pills which cost RM98. When we reached his hostel, this young security guard from Sabah who was only 5 years older than my boy thanked us with a “terima kasih” . He did not offer to pay us back and I did not expect that either. Just a month ago, he was knocked down by a car but that driver just sped off! HOW I DESPISE SUCH IRRESPONSIBLE DRIVER!

Many years ago my girlfriend and I were helped by a kindhearted Pakcik when our motorbike broke down at night. He helped us to fix the spark plug and that enabled us to go back to our hostel safely. I was forever grateful to that unsung hero.

Being a young student at that time, the only thing I could do was kept thanking him for his help. Now, I'm glad that young motorcyclist gave me a chance to help him. I hope one day he'll also "pay it forward" by lending a helping hand to others in need.