As Min & I were shopping in Gurney Plaza, we came across this worldvision-One Life exhibit in the main concourse. We saw many people queuing up. I got curious and so walked near it.
"One Life Revolution (OLR) is an experiental exhibit. It allows visitors to walk in the shoes of the children who endure extraordinary hardships because of HIV/AIDS and trafficking. See life through affected children's eyes. You will be amazed by their resilience."
Min & I decided to join in the queue as well. We were given a headphone with a mini MP3 player which guide us in our journey. Both Min & I had different life story - mine Jothi, while hers is John.
Nevertheless, both of us were really amazed by what we saw and what we heard.
The message by worldvision is very clear. We are the fortunate ones. And we have only one life in this planet, so what are we going to do about it?
You have one life, do something! Be it sponsoring a child, giving a simple donation, etc. Do something which you feel is right and you feel good after doing it.
(One Life Revolution (OLR) experiental exhibit at the main concourse in Gurney Plaza)
(Below is the bracelet I am wearing to remind me of Jothi. The stamping on my hand indicates that I (Jothi) am HIV negative and is one of the fortunate ones)
So those in Penang, go to Gurney Plaza main concourse and experience it yourself. It will be a lifechanging experience!
I bought a book titled "What To Expect When You're Expecting" by Heidi Murkoff. It is a very good book. Something like a prenancy and baby bible to me.
There are a few thing mentioned in this book some of the preconception steps one should take before we conceive. Some which I find practical are:
#1. Start looking for a prenatal practitioner - Hmmm, i haven't really seriously gone to this far yet. I didn't even ask friends about it. I just browse the net looking for info.
#2. Smile for the dentist - Pregnancy hormones can actually aggravate gum and tooth problems. So I should get my 2 wisdom tooth surgery done. Sigh...I'm scared. I guess they have to wait.
#3. Check your family tree - There is no history of medical issues regarding pregnancy in both our families as far as I know. The only concern is that my mum vomitted 7 times daily for all three of her pregnancies during the first trimester! Oh god...help!
#4. Get tested - Some of the tests which I want to do are:
> Pap Smear > STDs and HIV test > Thalasaemia > Hepatitis B
I already made up my mind to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sally Ong @ Koe Clinic next Monday. I want to be as healthy as possible before I try to conceive.
I learned ballet since I was 7 years old. My parents sent me for ballet classes for me to acquire grace, posture and elegance through discipline and application.
I was one of the eldest in the class then. The recommended age for kids to start ballet class was supposed to be between 4-6 yrs old.
Therefore, after my few ballet classes, the principal Miss Grace Chew 'upgraded' me from Pre-Primary to Primary class (1 class higher). Then, during my Primary exams, I was caught with chicken pox thus I missed my exams. No matter how, I was given the greenlight to move up to Grade 1 based on my potential.
I still remember my first class, I refused to go as I was afraid to be apart from my mum. I cried and shouted but was forced to attend anyway. But the moment I stepped into the class, I loved it.
I can remember my first ballet lesson very well. Miss Grace had us all seated in a circle on the floor and taught us which are "good toes" and "notty toes". Good toes meaning pointed toes, while notty toes meaning sickle toes. We had fun learning to dance in a group.
Since then, I seldom miss my ballet classes. I love the way I sweat while doing workouts and we were taught to appreciate and love the music and dance. We were taught to recognize music and I recognized waltz music in my Grade 1 exams. We even did mime during our primary years.
There were many dancing styles in our syllabus. We danced classical ballet, free movement, character dances in Russion style, etc.
My Grade 1 to Grade 3 results earned me Honours in my ISTD exams, while we changed to RAD Exams from Grade 4 onwards. I got Distinctions from Grade 4-8 which the exception of Grade 7 which I only managed to get a Highly Commended.
I stopped after I finished my Grade 8 exams as I was in Form 5 at that time and was preparing for my SPM (I was 17 yrs old then). After SPM, I never continued to the next level of Pre-Elementary. Part of the reason being most of my friends stopped learning during that time too with some going overseas to further their studies.
I took pride in dancing ballet. It makes me happy to learn the steps and dance with my heart. Until now, I kind of regret not pursuing ballet after Grade 8. Sometimes, amongst my family which I am not ashamed to do what I feel like doing, I still spread my hands and legs and do some ballet steps out of nowhere.
I am now sad to say that I cannot even touch my toes with my fingers without bending my knees.....and it hurts....OUCH!
Oh...found below "oh-so-familiar video in YouTube"
RAD Grade 8 Valse Printemps
I miss my ballet friends. Pls bear in mind that tt was a time when ICQ, MSN, Email nor even Mobile Phone was popular...all I had was their house phone# (which by now most have moved). I am now only in contact with Sze Wei, Diane Chan, Yen Hoi, Chuey Szu, Esther, Hai Lin, Khai Lin, Chew Chia Lin and U-Nee.
I'm now 'searching' for Ch'ng Li Ling, Tan Hui Ling, Tan Yee Ling, Nikki Cheah, H'ng Khai Li n Khai Lin , Hui Pin, Jesicca Peh, Chen Mei, Yu Lin.......
If any of you know these people, pls let me know :D
More videos for those who are interested to see more ballet steps:
I fetched mum to Emah's house yesterday to prepare for a mini prayer session during the Hungry Ghost Festival month. Both kuma and my mum are usually the ones who does all these prayers preparation.
Upon reaching Emah's house, I could feel the heat the moment I stepped into the house *i once again told myself how lucky I am that my apartment is so windy everytime i opened up the balcony door*
After a while, Tua Pek, 2 Pek, and Ru Phing came as well. I made myself useful by helping to arrange the chopsticks, cups and spoons on the prayers table, while mum and kuma did some other stuff.
We had vegetarian and fruits offering to our ancestors. I then decided to take some photos - I believe this is a tradition that may not last through many generations after this. I for one, do not even have an alter in my home.
(altar table)
(food and fruit offerings)
(tua pek, 2 pek and Ru Phing pray using joss-sticks)
I like planning. Planning for marriage, planning to have a baby, planning for my honeymoon, etc. Planning makes me feel prepared. Of course not everything goes according to plan, but it makes me feel safe. Most of all, I like planning my life.
I know most of you out there will think I am crazy. "Why plan when things always do not go according to my plan?" Well, as much as I can help it, I hope things will just go smoothly according to my plan. As for things beyond my control, I won't let it bother me and I will see what I can do about it to "shift" it back into my planning. This is called contingency plan! :)
Well, I think I have my whole life planned out since I am matured enough to think (the skeletal plan of coz!). I plan on completing my degree and to join the workforce. I plan to get married and have a baby or two.
Well, I can say I have completed my degree and worked for approximately 4 yrs before I resigned from an MNC. I am still working now, but it is for my husband and not for an employer. Thus, more free time ( but less money!:P ) for me to do what I want to do.
Now that I am married and we are planning for a baby soon, we already plan to start saving for my kid(s) education. (In fact, we already started saving!) Besides that, both darl' and I have insurance plans, and both of us also already wrote a will.
People always tell me "No need to plan also your kids will grow up and be strong and healthy". Yes i know. People always tell me "No need save money ler. What if we die tomorrow? We may not live to see next year". Yes i know.
But planning makes me feel prepared and safe. I like feeling safe. It is one of the nicest feeling in the whole world. Feeling loved and feeling safe.
However, remember...planning alone is not enough. You need to execute your plan!
It's gonna be a year since we our wedding dinner reception, and almost 2 yrs since we were legally married. Sigh...so should I say 1st or 2nd Wedding Anniversary?
Well, anyway, no matter 1st or 2nd wedding anniversary, we have decided to go back to our honeymoon destination to seal and to grow our love.
Tanjung Rhu Resort @ Langkawi took my breath away the moment I stepped into the resort last April. So we have decided to return there and celebrate our love.
However, we also wanted to try out a new place. We have chosen Casa Del Mar @ Langkawi after reading about the good reviews 'thru the net. Hope it won't disappoint us.
Win Win will also be following us there to shoot us and capture the moments...amazing huh?
So, Casa Del Mar and Tanjung Rhu Resort @ Langkawi are our wedding anniversary destination for 2008!
So if by that time I am not pregnant yet, we hope to conceive our little angel there....in the love nest ;D
Finally, I've made up my mind and booked Casa Del Mar (CDM) and Tanjung Rhu Resort (TRR) for our wedding anniversary celebration! It will be my 1st time to CDM and my 2nd visit to TRR and my erm...4th visit to Langkawi island!
Casa Del Mar
Tanjung Rhu Resort
Win Win has also confirmed with me that she will be shooting for us during one of the days we are in TRR as well. I'm really looking forward to it!
Decided to go experience a new hotel, thus we chose CDM (after listening to Pat's advice) and we couldn't bear to forgo our romantic haven, thus we are going back to TRR no matter what! ;D
Oh ya...we are spending a fortune for this. Thanks darl' for making me feel this trip will be worth the money spent. Peter always makes me feel so happy.
