Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Smile from a stranger
Today, as i entered the lift, a complete stranger greeted me with a smile and a hello. A warm looking chinese man probably in his sixties, dressed in a shirt and tie. The smile instantly lifted my moods and made me smile too. Smiling is contagious - it is hard nt to smile back when someone smiles at you. You never know the difference u could make to the day of a stranger who's had a bad day. So guys, do smile more. After all, its an inexpensive way to improve your looks and brighten up your day. =)
Monday, October 1, 2007
Misuse?
I just came back from prayers. Since i work in a government building (thought we r just tenants here) there is this room allocated to muslims for their prayers. It is normal to see fellow muslimahs making up after finishing their prayers.
But earlier, i saw 2 malay girls who came into the room. They were both nt going to pray. initially they were fiddling with a digi cam and later, one of the gals started making up for the other girl and teaching her more about make up. Their reason for making up? 'Nak ambek gambar kan'. Take photos. Hmmm so is the prayer place the best place to do that? If you are nt able to pray, is it alright to step into the prayer place in the first place? I myself am nt very sure abt the answer to the latter cos there r differing views. But i think its allowed la.
I actually found it quite funny. And if there were any younger like in their late teens, i would just have laughed about it. But they were pretty grown up, prob in mid 20s? Hmm..
But earlier, i saw 2 malay girls who came into the room. They were both nt going to pray. initially they were fiddling with a digi cam and later, one of the gals started making up for the other girl and teaching her more about make up. Their reason for making up? 'Nak ambek gambar kan'. Take photos. Hmmm so is the prayer place the best place to do that? If you are nt able to pray, is it alright to step into the prayer place in the first place? I myself am nt very sure abt the answer to the latter cos there r differing views. But i think its allowed la.
I actually found it quite funny. And if there were any younger like in their late teens, i would just have laughed about it. But they were pretty grown up, prob in mid 20s? Hmm..
Reminiscent
Yesterday we had out annual family breakfast session at Bishan. This used to be a much anticipated session - when we were all much much younger.. just like the raya gathering at bishan every year.. but as the years have progressed, things seem to change, as do people.. To be honest, i would nt have gone if chachi had nt kinda 'coerced' me and ma bros to go.. One obvious thing i noticed was the no of people, as well as the variety of food has reduced greatly..
Maybe the cause for the change is the demise of some of our loved ones (in the past few years, we have seen 4 close loved ones pass on - jalal mama, chachi and my parents), the rifts between some families and even cousins.. or maybe, its jus that we have all grown up. What seemed to excite us when we were 10-15 does nt seem to excite one once u reach 20. Maybe also cos u hav seen the through the facade that many of them put up there. haiz.. Also largely cos rashi and banu are nt there.. whichever the case, things jus aint the same anymore.
I truly miss my childhood, the carefree life and the way i always got what i wanted, the way small joys seemed wonderful, and small things (like $2) seemed big. haha. Like i mentioned in my previous post, the grass is always greener on the other side.. When i was young, i wanted to get older. When i was a teen, i wanted to start working and now that i am working, i just wanna go back to my childhood or school days. Maybe its jus a human thing, never being satisfied with what you have.
The transition from being a student to a working adult is great, especially so if you're a working adult who is also studying. I have to admit, i am a slacker. I always wait till the last min to slog and somehw by god's grace i have made it this far. *alhamdulila* but honestly, working life aint all glitz and glam. True, my salary is alright for someone who jus turned 21. Some of e people around me even feel envious abt it. But hey, about 40% of it goes to paying off my poly and degree loan and not forgetting there are household bills to share with my bro..
Having chachi stay with us sure helps alot. Atleast she takes care of the groceries and cooking. i cannot imagine having to cook and clean while working and studying. i will die of exhaustion, really. Even the finances can be manageable but its the people and issues sorrounding us that makes life harder. Suddenly, you're faced with responsibility. Bills (did u know there was a bill for dustbins, tv licenses etc), notices, hse tenures, transfer of home ownership, cpf issues blah blah blah.
And you have to please the people around you, make sure u dun do anything (even minor) that may cause any resentment. Long gone r the days when i used to belief that 'I live my life the way i want. I dun bother abt what people have to say so long as my conscience is clear'. To have peace of mind, I have to bother these days and this is the hardest part of it all.
Like i mentioned earlier, i'm a slacker. i dun usually do something unless i really have to. I just hope i dun cock up anything big time anytime soon. Supposed to go see a lawyer for the hse issues later with bro. And bro just had a minor surgery on his leg! i really hope he recovers soon.
raya is cmg soon, and i'm nt in the mood for it. Its the 19th day today if i'm nt wrong. Time flies and i am glad! not cos raya wil be here soon, but cause the year will come to an end soon. Cant wait for that!.
Maybe the cause for the change is the demise of some of our loved ones (in the past few years, we have seen 4 close loved ones pass on - jalal mama, chachi and my parents), the rifts between some families and even cousins.. or maybe, its jus that we have all grown up. What seemed to excite us when we were 10-15 does nt seem to excite one once u reach 20. Maybe also cos u hav seen the through the facade that many of them put up there. haiz.. Also largely cos rashi and banu are nt there.. whichever the case, things jus aint the same anymore.
I truly miss my childhood, the carefree life and the way i always got what i wanted, the way small joys seemed wonderful, and small things (like $2) seemed big. haha. Like i mentioned in my previous post, the grass is always greener on the other side.. When i was young, i wanted to get older. When i was a teen, i wanted to start working and now that i am working, i just wanna go back to my childhood or school days. Maybe its jus a human thing, never being satisfied with what you have.
The transition from being a student to a working adult is great, especially so if you're a working adult who is also studying. I have to admit, i am a slacker. I always wait till the last min to slog and somehw by god's grace i have made it this far. *alhamdulila* but honestly, working life aint all glitz and glam. True, my salary is alright for someone who jus turned 21. Some of e people around me even feel envious abt it. But hey, about 40% of it goes to paying off my poly and degree loan and not forgetting there are household bills to share with my bro..
Having chachi stay with us sure helps alot. Atleast she takes care of the groceries and cooking. i cannot imagine having to cook and clean while working and studying. i will die of exhaustion, really. Even the finances can be manageable but its the people and issues sorrounding us that makes life harder. Suddenly, you're faced with responsibility. Bills (did u know there was a bill for dustbins, tv licenses etc), notices, hse tenures, transfer of home ownership, cpf issues blah blah blah.
And you have to please the people around you, make sure u dun do anything (even minor) that may cause any resentment. Long gone r the days when i used to belief that 'I live my life the way i want. I dun bother abt what people have to say so long as my conscience is clear'. To have peace of mind, I have to bother these days and this is the hardest part of it all.
Like i mentioned earlier, i'm a slacker. i dun usually do something unless i really have to. I just hope i dun cock up anything big time anytime soon. Supposed to go see a lawyer for the hse issues later with bro. And bro just had a minor surgery on his leg! i really hope he recovers soon.
raya is cmg soon, and i'm nt in the mood for it. Its the 19th day today if i'm nt wrong. Time flies and i am glad! not cos raya wil be here soon, but cause the year will come to an end soon. Cant wait for that!.
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