Simple Effort Creates Simple Happiness

Yesterday, I have earned a lesson that a simple thing can create simple happiness. So real, so genuine. In fact, I know this simple fact of life. Just, it feels so good to experience it, again by myself (instead of reading and listening from others).

 

More than often, we are so paralyzed with the idea of getting the latest, best, branded stuff in town to make people around us happy. Example, like getting them a pair of Jimmy Choo's shoes, hot-selling LV bag, expensive 5 stars restaurant, Audi R8, iPhone or etc. Thank to the power of advertisement that work so well in creating such a picture in our minds. It is sounds like, if you don’t have them, you are not happy.

 

Well, I did think so. I feel that if only if I can get stuff with certain standard and criteria, only I am able to  impress and make them happy. That is why, I always have this desire to earn the best amount of money so that I am able to pamper my loved ones someday, including my parents, partner, friends and siblings.

 

I thought I am not capable of creating any happiness in others at the moment, because I do not have strong buying power. After yesterday incident, my thought has changed.

 

It is all because of the bowl of mee suah soup I made and the precious smile I received that have enlighten my mind. It touches my heart and unconsciously teaching me the meaning of real happiness with minimal involvement of money, but with great amount of care and love.

 

Not the one I made but look something like this. Photo from link.

 

This has reminded me of all the people whom have treated me well throughout my 24 years including my grandmas, parents, aunties, uncles, siblings, teachers and friends. Each and every effort they have made for me, like making meals for me so that I won’t get hungry, provide me shelter so that I can have a place call home, accompanying me with jokes so that I can laugh when I am feeling down, punishing me so that I know what is right and wrong, and fetching me to school so that I can have a promising future.

 

These small little efforts are what actually making me happy all these while, and not those shinning bags, silky dress or cool gadget. And, I am happy that I can actually instill happiness in others too with my simple effort.

 

Just a scene of seeing someone you love, sipping noodles joyously, enjoying every drop of homemade soup and ending the meal with a smile of satisfaction makes me happy. As simple as that with no condition apply. I am grateful to own such a beautiful moment at an unexpected hour… =P

Now I understand why my aunt, grandma and dad enjoy cooking. Because, it can be an addiction to receive another priceless expression again, and again. And I am good in it too (cos I love food!).

 

Like this -----------------> =D

 

P/s: Btw, don’t get me wrong. Money is still an important element to sustain life. My point is, we don’t have to spend much to make someone happy. Forget about the price tag and look for sincerity and love.. =)

 

P/s/s: I have the urge to sing, “It’s not about the money, money, money, we don’t need your money, money, money, we just wanna make the world dance, forget about the price tag” – Jessie J

Calvin Seet

Like I have promised in my previous post,  this is the man who has caught my heart and making me to believe in love and happiness again. His name is Calvin.

He is my loyal blog reader, as well as twitter follower. Well, I hope he still is… Now, I wonder what will be his reaction when he discover this post. Haha.. No idea.. :)

It actually took me some times, considering whether should I make my love life visible in the blogosphere. Thinking, should I introduce him publicly? And, shall I share some of our stories? Well, I am a type of person who used to be private with my love life where I rarely post up things online about my partner because I don’t want my relationship to be affected, especially by others’ judgment (in fact, I’m still a private person as I care my relationship more). For me, love relationship is a special bonding between two persons who commit for each other. There shouldn’t be other party to interfere the relationship, not other than the couples themselves.

That’s why, you rarely read about my love stuff back then. This time, I found another perspective over this matter. Probably I have found a new lens for my dslr (eyes). Lol.. cold joke.

I am thinking things come and go, as well as human. No one is permanent in this life. We will die one day. Sorry if you are sensitive with the word ‘dying’ but then, it is still a fact of life. We will die one day. Instead of worrying ‘what if’, wouldn’t it be better to cherish every moment using various method – like blog them out here and keep them as good memories? Well, this is my way =)

 

I realize that no matter how much precaution I take, how much worries I inserted in, if things are meant to happen, they will still happen. We can plan and control things, but the results are in God’s hand. I guess, my life experiences have taught me this lesson – to reduce my ‘worrywarts syndrome’. Well, call me a Virgo.

 

So, I have invented a new approach of life. I want to be more expressive. Besides, I wanna record down my happy and memorable moments as a sign of gratitude towards others’ love and blessing. At the same time, I wanna create more exciting and meaningful life. Well, how many life do we have? One and the only one. Probably you might interested with this approach. You can head over to old post on Counseling Theory for Existentialism.

 

I don't know is this a sign of growth or just a small change. Anyway, my main objective here is to appreciate and treasure every blessed moment which I’ve gained, together with the person(s) whom I cared and loved. So ya, I admit. I wanna share my moment with him and he will appear more often in my blog starting from today (in fact, he has already appeared in my blog since some times ago. Well Calv, should I be loved more?) =P

So my dear reader, this is Calvin Seet.

 

 

Calvin is an adventurous person, just like me. We appreciate good music, nice food, beautiful scenery, quality time with family & friends and most importantly, time together. I am still considering myself as a lucky person. Why? It’s my secret. shhhhh… =)

May our relationship grow stronger and lovable each and everyday. God bless

 

P/s: I Love You.

Forget The Past. Look Into The Future

“Forget the past. Look into the future. A brighter road is waiting for you” – Calv Seet.

 

It is a simple quote which many of us will come across if we are found to be dwelling in the past for too long. I remembered there was a day where I was extremely disappointed over my final semester result. I am so close to achieve the desire result – like another 0.01?

 

Egg-it.

 

I was in dilemma whether should I request for remarking as there will be risk in losing the mark which I used to have. After giving a deep consideration and seeking for trustable advices, I give it a try but submitting a remark form to the office and waited.

 

There was drama in between. I was worried and stressed while waiting for things to end.

 

After 3 weeks, a letter was received and well… the board has decided to remain the mark. Surprisingly, I wasn’t that sad or upset anymore though it means that I’ve lost the chance of applying for attractive RM5000 rewards, a cert and the opportunity to continue PHD straight away. Well, I believe there are reasons for everything. I believe God has better plans for me. The material stuff which I used to want so badly is no longer important because, I have found something even more ‘breathtaking’ – something money can’t buy. Love.

 

Most importantly, I have tried to fight for my right and do things for myself. Thus, living no regret in future.

 

I am a person who will look into the past once in awhile to find if there is anything I can gain for my personal growth. The highlight is: I don’t like repeating the same mistake. Thus, learning from history is somehow important for me.  But, I will not let past interrupt my current life because, past is past. There is nothing we can change.

 

So, thank Calv for your original quote. I have found a suitable picture to instill the quote. Thank Mac for finding me a good angle =)

Experiences Are The Best Teacher

My fingers were flipping through the pages of a book named, ‘A Blessing In Disguise’ (written by Andrea Joy Cohen) which I place it at my mini bookshelf, just beside my study table. It is an uncommon morning where I have the intention to do some reading on my long-time-no-read-book. Or in another word, abandoned resources.

 

What to do? I recently facebook more than readbook =.=!!

 

Ever since the end of my 4 years course, books are no longer my close friends. Instead, my digital camera (pink eggie) replaces the friendship. Well, it is not that I have changed. Reading is still my thing. It is because I am currently using another approach to connect and understand life when I have no commitment at the moment (no study, no job) – by experiencing real life by myself and at the same time capturing the best moment of every moment.

 

So happen, today is the day where I did some reading and there is a strong sense of connection when I came across with this quote:

 

 

When you use life’s experiences as your teacher and learn from them the true nature of the world and you part in it, those experiences become valuable guides to eternal fulfillment and happiness.

– Paramahansa Yogananda.

 

 

I strongly agree with Yogananda in which experiences are the best teacher – no doubt. I find that only through real life experiences can help us in believing what we read or what we hear from others’ sharing. You get to feel the immense emotion which lies in every event that is happening on us, be it happy, sad, angry, upset or simply stunned. When the emotion subsides, only we can see things more clearly. That’s when wisdom is created after having a clearer view on what had happened on us and how we perceive things.

 

 

It happens to me. Well, call me a human. We all do, aren’t we? There are ‘stars and roses’ as well as ‘scars and wounds’ lying underneath of us as we grow up when we faced life events. What have I gained?

 

• I’ve learned to appreciate both beautiful and ugly events.
• I have sharpen my skills of turning pain into strengths.
• I can do my baby dance in the middle of the storms (not yet break dance lah).
• I can shout, ‘Hell ya. This is ME, So what?’ when others are trying to intrude my life

 

If there are scars and wounds, it is our job to be truthful to ourselves, acknowledge the pain (or any emotions that submerge), and find healing alternatives. Denying and avoiding will only prolong the suffering. Thank to my 4 years Counseling course. It doesn’t turn me into an iron lady. Instead, it teaches me to be imperfect and accept own flaws and weaknesses – which is the catalyst of the healing process.

 

Well, it took me at least 5 months to understand and come up with this reflection. Back then, friends and family members were so worried about me. They had never seen a cheerful angel turned into someone closed to filthy mud. Telephone bills hiked up like mad for many months as I was unable to withstand the fact that I was being taken for granted, unappreciated and being played with feeling for many times, and talking to friends were my daily drugs besides diary writing.

 

 

Tears were the only therapy for me to go through each day with overloaded of stress during internship and academic writing. Can you imagine having to give counseling to others when you could barely handle yourself?

 

For many days and nights, I prayed and asked God for guidance with my roommate’s help. I even read bible with the hope of curing the emerging pain (btw, I’m a Buddhist). The pain and suffering is so intense that I barely handle myself. So, I search and try every alternative.

 

I begged Him to lead me to the road of happiness where I can find my cheerful smiles again. I was tired of driving in the round-about again, and again and I want to get out of there. Also, I pray that God will heal my broken heart, allowing me to give and take love again when I’m ready. I pray that I’ll be guided to my true love, someone who suit me best, deserves me and will treat me rightly and faithfully.

 

 

My prayers were being heard because each day, I am being shown with clearer evidence that I should leave the broken relationship untouched and move on. I’d damaged myself too long, lowering myself esteem and having no capacity for self love. Probably God knows my situation. Different angels are sent at different time and place, repairing my broken heart and wings, holding my hands and slowly helping me to fly again. It sounds magical but then, it is true. I feel it that way.

 

And. That’s where the process of turning from a filthy mud back into cheerful angel begins. It all started with the first few private counseling sessions which I attended. True enough, counseling sessions are enlightening and I continued my own self-discovering and self-healing after that.

 

There were nothing much can be done until I finished up my academic writing (thesis) in the beginning of May. Why? Because I can only hide in a room, read books and only books and typed on the computer. It is hard to not think about the issue when I was trapped in a quiet room with no company. Well, I am lucky that my parents are supportive enough to company me each and every day. They even helped me to filter out unwanted calls. Thank you mum and dad. I really love you both!

 

My stressed, ill look.. >.<

 

My journey of self discovery begins by first taking care and loving myself before going off for traveling. I pampered myself with more sleeps, good foods, more food and food! Besides, I groomed myself. Emm.. does my new hairstyle looks obvious? Lol..

  

#1. At Jane’s brother’s mini lounge. Trying to act cool with my new hairstyle. Don’t ask me why she placed the glass and drink on table. Probably it looks cooler >.<

 

I started to meet people again – old and new friends. I get my friend to dance, eat and do crazy stuff with me. I am close with my family again and able to be more open about myself and the issue. I begin my spiritual connection again with the nature and God. Also, I find back my passion in blogging and photography again. That’s how you are able to read my writing now. Be thankful! =D

 

#2. Shake and danced at Deebz’s house for the very first time. What song? It’s ‘Dance On The Floor’ by Jennifer Lopez, yo babe! =D

 

#3. My cousin, dad, mum and I for Wesak Day prayer at Penang.

#4. Family gathering

  #5. First dinner with a new friend. It is a new dish which is super nice – salmon avocado pizza. I wonder do they still have this?

#6. Attended communication and self help seminar. It’s called ‘Care, Act, Well’ – Turning Point. I made new friends. This is a place where I admit my pain and suffering by putting aside my ‘counselor cap’. It works well! =D

#7. Saratha and I. First time during eye-brow trading which introduced by Letchu. Well, not something I like but no harm for new experience.

  #8 River at Kuantan

#9. My new friends =))

#10. A very cool bridge at Sungai Lembing, Kuantan.

#11. Back to hometown meeting family, friends and food!

  #12. First time walking malls in KL by myself. It was a moment where I appreciate the most – just me, myself and I. At the same time get to understand photography from Jien Hau & friend.

#13. Meeting my long lost birdies. It is a memorable day where I get to connect with these angelic souls again. They are my main supporters throughout my down moment.

#14. First time, driving all the way by my self to South, including Malacca and Johor. Seriously, I’m proud of myself for trying. Spent a memorable moment with my oldest buddy, with Calvin being the tour guide. Thx ya =)

#15. 1st time presenting my academic research finding at an International Conference.

16. Did ‘grief & loss’ therapy during in a seminar conducted by Dr. Haniza Rais. It is good to connect with my inner-talk again. This time, it is about my late grandma. Miss her… <3

#17. Finally, mamak and I able to spend some quality time together – updating each others and doing fun stuff, like always.. ^^

#18. A melt-down day where no words are able to describe how I actually feel. He makes me believe that I am special, rare and priceless – and happiness is standing outside my door, waiting me to welcome it in. However, I still have doubt.

#19. Spending my quality time playing with my nephews who have been waiting me for so long. It is good to get in touch with nature and knowledge about music, parenting and education.

#20. A day where I’ve opened up myself and welcoming love again. Thank you dear for making me believe in happiness again =)

 

Well, I don’t know how far I’ve been through. But for sure, I have passed another test in life. I somehow feel like I’ve just completed a 1 year course. Or 100km of marathon (so far, I have only ran for 5km. not that much pun). Very tough leh.. >.<

 

One of the important lessons which I’ve gained is that, I have discovered more about myself. I have a clearer idea on who I am and what I want in life. I love and appreciate myself more. Before this, I tend to prioritize others’ happiness before myself – which is actually wrong because neglecting myself will leave me a hollow spirit. No one will give a damn on us. As a result, I was being taken for granted and mistreated.

 

Besides, I realize I am one lucky soul who is blessed with a bunch of beautiful angels. They are always right by my side through thick and thin, including my family and closed friends. I feel touched each time I received help or even a small wishes, prayer, hug or a simple hello as each of them mean so much to me. I guess, this is a valuable treasure that money can’t buy.

 

 

Last but not least, when I am so happy being myself, I found someone in the end of my self-discovery (in fact, self-discovery will never end). I would say, it is a blessing in disguise – unexplainable by words but felt by heart. He makes me realize the meaning of happiness again. His name is Calv and I shall introduce him in next coming post :)

 

Thus, experiences are the best teacher – if only if you know how to turn them into wisdom and appreciate what you’ve gained. Then, apply!

 

Note: Thank God for all the guidance and wonderful plans. I’m blessed. May I continue to be blessed and loved by you <3

 

P/s: This post is specially written for those who are facing challenging situation. I pray and hope that this post can at least give you a feeling of ‘You are not alone’. Have faith for life. Happiness will come knocking your door when you’re ready =)

 

P/s/s: This is also a closure for myself by appreciating whatever I have in the past, take the lessons and continue my eggie’s journey.

The Day When We Had Fun Together

It was about couple of weeks ago when May and I finally met after that big 'World War 3' between myself and my pens. Of course, I mean my final exam! Well, it was all over now. In fact, new semester is arriving and I have only a few more weeks of holiday to go. How sad.... uurrgghh....

Back to my story. Talking about May and I, we hadn't met for nearly 5 months although we stayed not far away from each other - except through calls, sms and MSN. How sad... Ever since we left secondary school, we hardly get the chance to meet each other. Twice a year?

I like this picture the most. Just, a little blur on May's image... :(

The chances of 'dating' is even lower ever since May starts working. Not to mention on her new relationship with her Mr. Right. Both of her work, family and relationship take up almost all her time. So, there is hardly any spare time for me.




Anyway, I am glad she managed to come over to my house and stay a night with me in my Curry house. Frankly, a day wasn't enough for our 'Pillow Talk' moment. Let alone the play and eating time. Lol.. Oh dear.. I have been longing for that moment for so long, even now. Thanks buddy for all your time and effort in spending time with me. Of course, thanks to Kevin too for being the loyal driver..

*wink*

The happiest photo!

We managed to have a short walk in Midvalley during in the afternoon. Guess what, we did some shopping! Shopping with buddy is always the best event for a girly girl like me. One of the unexpected moment was... I met Joshlim (The founder of Adverlet) in front of the MPH bookstore. What a coincident. Haha.






Fun moment always passes fast. There is always 'hello' followed by 'goodbye'. The one day trip of hers ended so fast. Sigh.. I wonder when can I meet her again? I hope the bond of friendship between May and I will last - as long as I can taste the curry and eat the egg as long as I can see the sun and feel the moonlight.







"So Mamak, when can we meet again?"
;)

Dad... You're Rock!

As I've promised, the last 7th song will be my dad's song!
Today is his day, Father's Day! So his daughter has done a wonderful post for him and which might make him famous in no time... Haha.. I'm such a 'good' daughter... ;D



Full version of Rhinestone Cowboy when he was driving. Lol... Dad.. Be my superstar please! *Flower.. get him a bouquet of flower*

A note for dad:
Dad, you're such a great daddy and I hope you know it. All the things you've done to the family are being appreciated- love, cares, support.. We may have lot of arguments but everything will be alright because I know you're teaching me something, something useful for my life. And thank dad for making me such a special meals ever since I was small. I know you cook better than mum.. shhh... haha...

Spaghetti
(it looks untidy.. but it tastes great!)

Chicken chop
(I've written a post about this before)

Mee suah soup
(my favorite)

• A comment from my reader in cbox:

UnknownSunwayBrats did leave you a comment and he/she say that your chicken chop is really yummylicious! Lol.. I wonder is it true? Anyway, it prove that you do have admire? HAha... (unknownSunwayBrats, if you read this do let me know your website or email address so that I can reply you.. thx)

Thank for giving your love and care to the family in which will strengthen the bond between family. I'm glad to have you as my dad... Dad, you're ROCK!!!

Happy Father's Day
Hugs.. ;)



By the way, Dad... when are you going to sing another song?
;D

No One Should Give Up, Not Even You

What's your feeling right now?
Can you feel the pain?
What can we do to help them?



Every photo here tell a story. No matter what, no one should give up, not even you. Life is fragile. No one will know what will happen in another few seconds. Therefore, be grateful with what you have and share your love with others. They need you.

Because...
When love is around, life is around.

Photos from: The New York Times

No one should give up their life, not even you. I know we can go through this, together.
Promise?