A Bout of Homesickness

I felt a little homesick today at around 6.45pm as I turned in to bed because I couldn't concentrate on my work. I miss hugging mom and following her around the house while helping her with housework and boring her with my stories. But after about a half an hour nap, I was feeling much better. Being happy is a choice. It always is. Only I can choose to be happy and I should never let myself be annoyed by the antics of other people. I have a very low annoyance tolerance. If someone shows how bossy he or she is or just how right they are in every single thing we talk about, I get annoyed but never do show it. Perhaps I'm scared? Or I'm just plain tolerant afterall! =)

I've been getting much more time for myself these days, which is something I've been in want of for almost a year. I realize how much I like being alone. It gives direction and focus to the mind. And I love focus! It keeps me in tune somehow.

For dinner tonight, I cooked a soup with chicken, sweet potatoes, ginger, carrots, and mushrooms. I just used water to boil all of these and walla a tasty dish was produced! No salt, no artificial flavourings. Isn't that healthy? =) And did I mention sometimes, we need space to cook alone too? Then, I'm less influenced by comments from other people or what they are having so that I have what I really want to! Some 'me-space' is definitely a good remedy to a long day at school.

Conquest of the Mind

Phrases can inspire. Words can tickle your mind. Ignorance can cause stagnation of brain matter. I was just reminded again today about the best (but not so easy) way of getting around challenges in life. It's all a matter of ATTITUDE, the way we respond to predicaments, the believe we have in ourselves that we can master an unfavourable situation instead of being a victim of it. We are only victims if we choose to be, never victimize ourselves. These words are so easily sprouted yet to adhere to them, it takes resilience, courage and optimism.

I know I'm a person who always looks at life as a glass half full. It's an unconcious point of view that I choose to take on the so called 'negative' things in life. Well, a problem should actually be viewed as a challenge or a temporary snag which will serve to better ourselves in the long run.

One good thing about me though, is how I'm inspired by words. Today, the phrase 'Conquest of the Mind' has struck me hard. For about a year, I've been agonizing myself by becoming sulky and complaining in the face of hardships. Who is to blame for my problems? Me myself and no others! I do not deserve to parade my annoyance at the expense of other people. Rather, I should smile, put my head up, and brace myself for the hike up any molehill, hill or mountain! CONQUEST OF THE MIND compounded with God's grace, I shall make it through the rain, any rain.

Sunday!

Today was another great Sunday! On my way out to church today, I met two very friendly flat mates also staying at 151. We had a nice chat on the way to church, a divergence from my plan to run to church to work up my metabolism; but nonetheless, I enjoyed talking to them (Audrey and Chun Di)! On the way back, KJ wanted to come see HX so we walked together and no jogging for me today..lol In the evening, I was supposed to go cycling while YH jogged but again, the plan was cancelled because the skies were already dark by 5pm. I guess it's just sit and stand-ups for me today. :p

I was stuck on one PDC question for quite a long time today so I emailed my lecturer Nina. She sent me the most awesome reply and I managed to solve the bugger =) I am ever ever ever so grateful to her! I felt sad because I usually never do try to stay awake in her lectures. She has commanded my respect today! In fact, she reminded me of the importance of staying awake as a sign of respect to the one speaking. I experienced this this week too since I had to present to a whole bunch of sleepy coursemates on a dead scientist =S . I shall try my best to uphold RESPECT for a speaker from now onwards. No excuses sometimes... If I shall have to sleep come what may, I should do it in the less obvious way possible. Humans are sometimes unforgiving. It's only when they do get into the shoes of another person that they learn what it's like to face that person's difficulties and challenges. Even then, the memory of a human being can be like a sieve. We often forget why it's important to be vigilant when it comes to lending an ear to a speaker with humility and eagerness. I hope God will keep me from offending anyone (especially lecturers) by a display of my shortcomings such as uncontrollable fatigue, tiredness or a plain bout of distracted thoughts.

Relevant Thought of the Day

To quote from The Imitation of Christ, a part of a passage I read today:

"The pure, simple and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all in the honour of God. And since he enjoys interior peace, he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction, than uncontrolled desires of the heart?"

Lately, I find myself being distracted by the many things I have to do: work, study, visits to friends, calls to home etc. It's easy to get overwhelmed but this passage offers me solace.

Out in the Chilly Night

Today, I made a graduation card for C.K and went out at 11pm to buy him a gift. Kor decided to follow me because he said he needed to get away from work for awhile. So, we ran out to Sainsbury in shorts. It was so cold! Both of us got our seniors some chocolates which we hope they will like =) Kor got some for Shi Chian and Sze Hwei. He is in hardworking mode now, making them cards, and he even wanted to wrap up all the chocolates a moment ago. Semangat!

Tonight will certainly be one of those good old memories in my upper storage. Running out in the cold with kor, with all the mist, and coming back home with a bag of chocs and joyful moods.

I'm so proud of my senior C.K. He's one of the most helpful people I've met at university, and also the first senior I got to know. He'll definitely be great wherever he is, whatever he's doing!

Frozen Grapes After a Day at School

When I got back to my flat today, I munched on a muffin almost immediately! Oh I do love cakes so much. Next, I swallowed some frozen black/purple grapes. I got the idea of doing this from a dieting book I read back in Malaysia and I can tell you just how great they taste! The texture is akin to that of a fruit sorbet and the fruit tastes much much sweeter. Such is the delight of this low calorie dessert/snack. Everyone should try it!

Today was pretty much a happy day. Although the cold is starting to settle in, (I completely abhor it when it gets to my bones), there are still a great many other things to cheer me up. Cheesecake, friends, and upcoming events sort of motivate me during the day. At least there are things to look forward to even in this mundane life of mine.

Some Points to Ponder

Today, my nephew Seng followed to to church at More House. It was his first time attending a Catholic Mass and I was thrilled to see the spark of enthusiasm in him. He told me last week he's now interested in Christianity and I am trying to assist him and answer any questions he may have regarding the faith.

What made me happy today was all throughout the service, I didn't get the uncomfortable feeling of being afraid that he was bored. I didn't even need to ask him. So I was glad to receive questions from him regarding Dan Brown's novel, Mother Mary, the Eucharist etc. It was indeed a pleasant service which ended with coffee in the bar and a nice chat with Father Geoff. I never knew Father to be addicted to Sudoku! And he sounded totally hillarious when he pronounced it Soo-du-koh ^^

One point I have in mind is that a truly humble and curious person wouldn't mind asking questions pertaining to an entire new subject but as for people with a more decided mind, they often don't show interest in something deemed 'suspicious' with respect to their already established thoughts. I totally understand since a Bahai' once spoke to me about his faith and I was at first a bit apprehensive. However, it's different for me now because now, I don't mind asking people about their believes and hearing them out. I guess intelectual discourse is the way to go. Mum always said that Jesus chose his disciples from amongst fishermen because they were the ones who didn't judge. This does not go to say that Jesus avoided the pharisees because He wasn't up to combating their intellectuality, but rather, He could see that their hearts and minds were closed and he relayed his messages to them by parables and satires instead. When learning new things, be it about religion, politics, science or what not, to be receptive, we have to be willing not to necessarily accept immediately, but to explore first.

Another interesting thing I heard today was when Father mentioned how we must always forgive TOTALLY and UTTERLY. I am no saint and I can come up first and attest to the fact that this requires mammoth effort on my part especially for about 2 persons I've met in this lifetime. How unfair of me! How selfish! Hasn't God already forgiven me all my sins thus far? I say the Our Father everyday but I've lost it's essense along the way. ( "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us") It's time for me to learn again..to pick up the pieces of my life which has gone missing. I thank the Lord for what He has reminded me of today =)

It was a sunny morning today. My heart is filled with joy and plus, I got to jog a bit after church! That made my morning!

My ramblings have come to an end for today. I have cooking and dinner plans with my fabulous cooking group mates later on in the evening (certainly something to look forward to!) and I better get myself busy with whatever I can find.

Ciao!

My First

Ever since I stumbled upon a blog while I was surfing the net 6 years ago, I have been impressed with the idea. Isn't it nice to have a place where your thoughts can be outpoured, used to inspire, and entertain readers? Well, as it is, I'm such a lazy person with a total lack (or fear!) of commitment that I've shunned the idea for some time. Last night however, a good friend of mine casually asked me to start one and I guess I'll just give it a shot. =)

Perhaps I should elaborate on the title of my blog. Well, nothing special, it's just an image that came into my mind at the moment when I was deciding on the name of this blog. The idea of a lightly sunny afternoon in the meadows with a book and a piece of carrot/banana/pandan/fruit etc cake just seems so inviting. I also love writing (or trying to write) and this will be a place for me to vent all that 'writer's-wannabe' angst!

Cheers all!