#48 Appreciation: Letter

Saw a FB post today, about a teacher cried after receiving a letter from her student after she left the school (which located at a rural area)... A letter, is a fruit of thoughts and sincere appreciation.

In this modern era, letter is not perceived to have much value...because
1. It cost money - postage and evelope
2. It is slow
3. It is usually notification or bills
People today prefer to email, message and call - which all of these can be achieved much faster and obtained prompt reply when compared to a letter.

But with a letter, it shows affection, thought, effort, expression and more. It is a slower process (undeniable), at least we put in much more effort (even when we dont know how to spell a word, we will check the dictionary because we dont want the letter to reflect bad on us - due to spelling error). We 'decorate' the letter with picture, cursive writing, we are more expressive (as we can take our time to write down our feelings and thoughts.)

Is hard to receive a pure greeting letter, so ever since I am in my uni years, I start to collect all letter received by mail from friends. A delicate evidence of our friendship..once upon a time... (now only FB msg...)

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#47 Appreciation: Ups

Life is fill with ups and downs...(Part 2)

The ups in life is all about happiness, cheerfulness, success, achievements, delight surprise and all the positive vibe! But be reminded that there are they not to make one arrogant, to think as if one is better than the rest. Rather they exist to let us reflect and be thoughtful, be grateful and appreciate what we have today. It could be a paid off effort, or a call from your besties, a surprise birthday, a celebration, and even a simple thing of having my own set of lego...

Be content with what I achieved as long as I have given my best. :))))

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#46 Appreciation: Downs

Life is fill with ups and downs...

No matter how painful, regretful, hurtful, bitter, sad the downs are (in my life), they are there with a purpose... To amplify the sweetness that we going to harvest in future. :)

From another view, disappointments made you/me realized what you treasure the most, and will definitely make you/me treasure it from this point, and be a better self :)

Cheer up my dear self!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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#45 Appreciation: Betrayal

*This is going to be the shortest post ever!*

It hurts, especially when someone (closest to me) betrays me, but then at least I know, this person is no longer worth being with.

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#44 Appreciation: Nag

When anyone nags... ARGH~~

All the message has been repeatedly mentioned over and over and over again!

I know, is irritating! Especially when one overly nag, or when you are not in the mood or when you are impatient... Like my mum, who always remind me to sleep early, have proper meals, to return home early yada yada yada.

Come to think of it, this might be someone's character, but most of the time, people nag because they care and they concern about you. They worried if you forgotten something or being in an unpleasant situation, hence the keep reminding you. When is from parents, you know that they care, when is from colleagues or team mates, you know that they concern about the outcome of what you have done. So even though I always hear the same thing from the same person (with the possibility of being annoyed by them), still, is good to know that they care. Imagine one day none of the people bother to know what you are doing and ignore your situation... Is pretty sad (to feel abandon) XD

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#43 Appreciation: Time

Time to live, time for adventure, time to spent with someone I love and time to do something meaningful.

I always find time is insufficient for me. One might think that I am bad with time management? Well, I dont really agree with that (although I do procrastinate from time to time). I think I got ambitious and take time for granted. To me, time is a scare resources, and whenever I have spare time, I tend to go beyond and volunteer to do more and end up keep myself overloaded. Then, when things crashes together, that is the period where I usually stress up and tense up and murmuring and mumbling and  complaining that I have not enough time for myself to do things that I want. Simple thing like sleep. Worse still, stress --> sleep deprive/ eat --> gain weight --> health ...

So never thing time/youth for granted! Is my time to reconsider my capacity when doing things... regardless how tempting the opportunity is...

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#42 Appreciation: Trust

Trust is something cant be value in monetary terms, especially those who trusted each other yet not taking it for granted.

Trust is about having faith in someone, relying and believing that the person can be count on, and giving wholeheartedly that he or she will be there to back you up. Trust is about giving out your heart, hope, energy to someone. Due to this TRUST that comes from the bottom of the heart, that's the reason why betrayal hurts.

Thank you for those who have faith in me, entrusted me and supported me throughout my life journey. I sincerely hope that I have live up to expectation, as a family member, friend, colleague and as a citizen =)

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#41 Appreciation: Sun

Weather has been weird lately in Sydney.... as if is like Melbourne, where sunny during the day and suddenly it rains during mid day... Weird...

In scientific terms, the sun is the source of energy, elements for photosynthesis etc...
For poetry, the sun is the symbol of hope and passion...
As for the ordinary one, we just want a day out, and just pray hard that it wont rain. =)

Nevertheless, a sunny day just made me feel energetic! And is always a good weather to spend your time outdoor as long as is not burning hot. Here's a friendly reminder, have your sunscreen with you! Skin cancer has been on the top list for some time.

P/s: I know right... when it rains, we want sunny day; when is hot, we hope that it rains... What a contradicting human being we are XD

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#40 Appreciation: Travel

When there is a chance and capacity to travel, I will definitely be there, regardless how big or how far the place will be, domestic or internationally.

Travelling is the time where I not only able to discover how massive this world is, and it is also be a self-discovering journey, where I realize that I am such a fortunate person and I am able to find the strength to empower myself to do more. I regard this as the mystery of travelling. I can feel the aura and it motivates me to go beyond, to break through! And I need to do it before the invisible push disappear. My guess to why this happens is because I am out of my daily routine, and travelling is the time to explore, and to absorb something new, no matter how frequent the you have been the place (Not that often until such travelling is part of your daily chores).

To be able to travel seems a minor thing. One could just pay the travel agent and let them have everything sorted out. But I think the effort of making this effort (to research, to book, to decide the destination) is something one should applause. Then, the time where one is experiencing the journey will be the fun time that filled with amusement! The last bit of the journey is about self-reflection, making decision after discovering the differences... also, the sweet unique memory that you and only you have engraved in your life.

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#39 Appreciation: Opportunity

With economy not doing well, unemployment rate is one of the common issue arise within the community. Even when companies are recruiting, they often want to cut of the training cost and wish the candidate to work efficiently and effectively. They want a high ROI.

But hello~~~~ Every year there are heaps of fresh graduate from the university, and depending on their background, not all of them will have work experience! Is just like a simple egg and hen question, which come first? If the employer dont give the opportunity to a fresh graduate, the fresh graduate will not be able to gain experience, and without experience, how are they going to work or being promoted? One looks for job to get experience but the job is seeking for people with experience. This cycle thing is driving me nuts!

That is just an example that I illustrated. Regardless which kind of opportunity that I am referring to, I am always grateful for the chance given, even with simple thing, an opportunity to do something that I have not experience, to meet a total stranger, to attend some functions that is out of my comfort zone. There is a saying "Opportunity is available to those who are ready.", and my question is, who determined the state of readiness? Chance and opportunity does not solely depend on one's state, but it also rely on the availability in the context. I regard Opportunity as  "Luck + Readiness", so just be ready and when we are ready, is all depends on when the luck arise. Saying this, luck is not something controllable by anyone, any device anything. Just need to be thankful when the lucky star shines on you :)

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#38 Appreciation: Smile

Smile is one of the beautiful thing in the world. No matter what do one looks like, when he/she smiles, it will make him/her the prettiest and good looking person in the world! =)

Why smile? One might ask.
Why not smile? I asked back.

Well, it is true that there are various implied meaning can be interpret through smile, but in general, smiling is an expression of polite, delight, happiness and fun. This also can be consider as facial exercise too! When frustration and anger is brothering me and I am so tensed up, a person's smile can somehow cool me off and giving me a sense of tranquillity. So lets try to smile when we are affected by negative vibe (Although I often forget about that, need to work this out!)

Surprisingly, a stranger smile can make your day and similarly if they give you a cold response your mood will also be affected by that response. Well, at least to me, it will. And I will start wondering is there something wrong with my action, or what am I being treated so etc.

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#37 Appreciation: Sports

My mom always said that I don't exercise. I beg to differ. Well, it is true that I don't enjoy gym, running etc, those that I can do it alone. I felt so lonely, and is sort of boring.

But I enjoy sports! I love the fact that playing in a team or playing against someone, make me thrill and excited. Like netball, is about team play, the chemistry and the cheer from your comrade! In sports, it is also about the competitiveness, the focus and strategy! It is much more than the usual exercise and running on a treadmill and cycling...

To add on, I recently watched a sports variety show and the amateurs explained the tactics the 'mechanism' behind the sports which make me realized that sports are more than what we seen (if you are not into that certain events). For instance, the middle section of the bowling alley is quoted with oil, to allow the ball to curve and hit the pins! He also mentioned about different angles, the spins, the formation etc. I am absolutely amazed!!

So what I had watched in the anime "The Prince of Tennis" are not exaggerate in anyway....Hmmm... Interesting!

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#36 Appreciation: Cartoons/Animations

If I love watching animation, does it make me immature? Maybe? Maybe not. Life is full with ups and downs, and the reality has always been a cruel 'thing'. Silly cartoons not only allow me to distress and cheer me up, it also gives me hope at times.

Why cartoons? As mentioned, life is filled with uncertainty and the fact of life is that nothing is perfect. So my perception is, why keep watching those "sad" movies while this has been the norm, we should watching something that brings hope that make us longing the future XD

I especially enjoying watching humorous and meaningful animations/cartoons. It is true that the cartoons are designed for the kids, allowing them to learn the lessons behind the story. I dont think cartoons are limited to children, but for us, adults as well. It somewhat reminds me what are the basic things that we tend to forget as we grow older... Simple thing, like relationship with family, staying positive, and evil always defeated by the good at the end of the day.

May our lives as what shown in these animations, and we can live happily ever after =)

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#35 Appreciation: Heater/Electric Blankets

I worship the inventor of heater and electric blankets!! I  never thought that I will appreciate their invention that much, until I have experience winter!

I am a person who sweat easily, so I dislike heat and hot weather! I love semi-cloudy days, when you still enjoy a lil of sunshine under the cooling cloud. When given a choice to stay in a desert or north pole, I used to prefer the latter. Not until when I am here... I realized that I cant withstand cold weather, my body just cant take it... The heater and electric blankets have saved me from most of the suffering... Really! They are literally my life saviour XD (although they gonna cost me lots of bombs)

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#34 Appreciation: Rain

A week ago, it was quite hazy back home, due to the neighbouring country who has been doing illegal burning etc. Recently there are articles published that those open burning are not done by the locals but companies owned by Malaysians and Singaporean, hence is not the Indonesian fault etc. Hackers even hacked into various MYs and SGs website (redirect to the page?) and modified the content stating that Indonesian should not be blame and is MYs and SGs being unlucky due to the weather and geographic location.

It was so serious that the unhealthy index reached to the highest point Singapore have experienced, and so many schools have to be closed down because the index indicated that the air was so unhealthy and it was dangerous to stay outdoor. Worse still, the haze and dust particles trap all the heat, and without rain, the temperature will just continue to shoot up!

Thank God after a few weeks of torture by the-chocking-dusty-air, a huge down pour finally washed away all dust and heat.

I know that raining is a "bad weather" on normal days, because we have to avoid getting wet and have to go through all the trouble of drying ourselves. Still, after rain, that's our chance to see the rainbow isn't? =)

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#33 Appreciation: Waste Collector

Similar to the previous post, waste collector is another occupation that we should pay our respect to. It is tough to work under the hot sun or heavy rain, in addition to the high labour/physical demand job. Not to mention, the waste and bins that they are dealing with.

I still can recall during Chinese New Year, back home, my grandmother used to give them "red packet"/angpao, as appreciation for what they have done. I believe their contribution should be recognise although they are being paid for their work, since this job is not highly sought due to the work condition.

There are also a few touching stories about those waste collector. I came across the article about a waste collector, who found a purse by the roadside, was constantly seeking assistance from the public and  taxi driver to contact the owner of the lost purse. Once the owner (a university student) arrived, he even shelter the student with his umbrella while he was exposed to the rain. With this, it concluded the 2 hours long of lost-and-found process. This incident occurred back in 2010, and I believed that there are more similar incidents that remain unreported. This guy is just one of the many the unsung heroes.

P/s: I also understand that not all people is as honest/helpful as him. But is always good to stay positive isnt?
Original news article here

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#32 Appreciation: Waitstaff

Given the options to choose between an office job and wait-staff job, I am guessing most of us would definitely select the former? Given the fact that the former paid is usually higher compare to the latter. Yet, it is still possible that people are just enjoying servicing people.

To earn additional expenses (for bubble teas, dining out, movies etc) and my travelling plans, I have to work my butt off for that additional cost that I need to incur, and I realized that being a waitstaff is not as easy, stress-free as what people usually thought. Besides the running and serving, waitstaff have to clean the table and the food waste, clean and dry the cutleries etc. In a day, I realized that waitstaff cant live without hand lotion, if one can afford to have it.

Often not, waitstaff got all the "scolding" and complaining from the customer, when at times is not their fault. When the food is not out, when the order is wrongly entered (due to poor handwriting by the customer themselves - for self-ordered restaurant chain), when there is long queue, when there is lack of floor staff, when there is a spill... Regardless the incident happens is the fault of the wait staff or not, they are the one who usually will get the target.

To all customers who paid for to dine in for the food and ambience, please be considerate and be patience (in particular during peak hours), waitstaff dont deserve poor treatment when they work so hard for it...

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#31 Appreciation: Competitors

This is a love-hate relationship.

Love it is because with their presence, one only can feel the urge to do more, to improve, to be better. Like people always said, it is good to have some sort of pressure in order to perform, to evolve and creating a better environment and innovation.

Hate it is because of the pressure as well. When the stress exist, one can either win it or lose it. Even worse, competing in the event which you are not wholeheartedly into. This will turn up to be a negative force rather than a motivation for one to move forward.

I am loving the success, hating the failure (or to be precise, the consequences of failing).
Competitors, a two-edge sword huh...

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#30 Appreciation: Music

What will happen to the world in the absence of rhythm, beats and music...

Music, is not my expertise. I never able to catch up with the rest when reading the notes when playing music instruments nor to differentiate the octave and notes, even though I like to sing. I am grateful that I can hear the sound and listen to the music. Although I am not really into this industry, I do appreciate how the music industry have motivate us, entertain us, heal us or even act as a tool for us to release our frustration.

I came to a foreign land alone, and was quite despair due to a huge misalignment of expectation. I thought I will have fun and mix along with all different people, unfortunately it is not happening in reality. I so happen to come across Kelly Clarkson's Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You). It sort of comfort my loneliness, give me strength to continue to work towards my expectation and keep me motivated to step out. Loving this song until now....

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#29 Appreciation: Water

I am a "drinker"... specifically referring to water. I dehydrate very fast, and I sweat a lot... I am born this way... Our body compose of 70% of liquid and we need to drink at least 8 glasses of water (approx 2 litre) per day to keep ourselves hydrated and carry out our daily routine. To me, I need for than 2 litre. I used to drink 2 litre per half day and my parents are quite worried because of this. They afraid that my kidney cant handle such huge amount of water and the kidney might be damage as both kidneys have been continuously filtering the water etc. Not sure which kind of test need to be taken to examine whether my kidneys are function normally, but normal blood test result seems Ok..

I still can recall back in 1997 during the haze season, everyone was encouraged to drink more water. But to worsen the situation, it was not been raining for quite a long time and the air was so dusty and dry. I think the water reserve was dried up and there was not water supply in the state. No water for drinking, bathing, cooking, washing... It had been a nightmare for many of us. The government ended up sending tanks of water to each neighbourhood and we will take all the bucket and bin we have just to queue for water.

I consider that year was one of the year where people suffered a lot. Until today, I still feel how fortunate to have water supply (even better, clean water supply) to be used and drink. Every single drop counts!

*ps: really hate it when there is not enough water and ended up with an ulcer!

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#28 Appreciation: Sleep

Since we are young, we most of us tend to stay awake till late night, regardless how often the elderly advise us to rest early and have a good night sleep. Like my mom, she reads lots of health magazine and almost everyday, she reminds me to sleep early (because human body starts to detox around 11pm) before she goes to bed (about 10pm). Being a stubborn youngster, I just nod and continue with my assignments, work, dramas, blogs etc.

I understand the consequences of not having enough sleep or not sleeping early. The effects of having sleep debt are aged looks, slower response, blank, headache, low focus and concentration, excess acid etc. I bet lots of us know about it but we cant be bother to practise the habit because we have lots of things to deal with, we want to have fun and more. When it reaches a busy period (eg closing, assignment, exam), we sacrifice more sleeping time and we thats the time where we feel like, having time to sleep and rest is such a "luxury"... Yet, after those period, we are back to the square. I guess, we only be grateful for the sleeping time when we are force to stay awake rather than voluntarily being a night owl.

I want to sleeeeeeeeep! (Need to make it a habit to sleep earlier... sigh)

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#27 Appreciation: Books

Reading is one of my hobbies, and it is one of the hobbies that I used to "addicted" into. I mostly read fictional story about relation (ie friendship, family, romance etc) and I can read for hours and hours due to the suspension and the climax of the novel.

Even if I had watched a movie, which its storyline is based on a novel, I will still prefer to re-read the book rather than watching the movie. Unless the casting members are my favourite and I am their die-hard fans (which I will keep re-watch the movie) or I am just lazy to read. I feel that through reading, I can simulate the scenario with heaps of pictures running across my head. Read, process, and imagine, rather than solely depending on my receiving the image through my eyes.

Of course, when I refer to books, it does not only limited to fiction books but inclusive of all kind of genre depending on one's interest. To produce a quality and content rich book, it is not that easy as lots of editing need to be done. I am not as expressive as the writers, so I always amaze with how they describe a context and lead the readers to the heart of the story. Reading is just an stimulating journey as it brings me across the nation, differentiating various personality, understanding the differences of the world and inspiring my world.

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#26 Appreciation: Oldies

Oldies, the forever lasting songs that most people enjoy! Love the soothing rhythm, meaningful lyrics, unfortunately the frequency of radio station playing these songs has significantly reduce. The oldies contain shared memory between my parents' memory/generation with me, as I grow up listening to to what they listen.

Those singer like The Carpenters, BeeGees, The Corrs and lots more, which I cant remember the name, but the rhythm of the songs. It has been such a long time I have not been tuning into the same channel as my dad, ever since I have "grown up" and hanging out with friends, listen to the idol song rather than spending those time with my dad and mimicking the singer on stage with a broom as mic. While I was writing the previous post, I realized that it has been so long I have not listen to the oldies...

What I miss out, is not only the beauty of those song, but also the childhood days, when I spend my dream (as singer) with my family, reminiscing those warm-hearted moment as a child... Oldies, songs that last for generations, also a reflection of the precious moment with family, filled with love, that similarly lasting.

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