Goodbye 2012

Reflecting the year.

I believe it's the age. I look at things from a different perspective these days.I am now beginning to realise there is an end to things in life. Once, I thought I should not bother to pause but to assume that life will forever remain the same; that I will not age ; hahahaha. My hair count make me think twice.

My eyesight further tells me all is not so bright and shiny anymore.There is a count to life.

So, I want to treat matters with a softer touch and tone now; for surely what matters most in life is to touch people who come along your way. Again, there is this to consider: to compromise or to do what is right?

 I pray for wisdom to bestow my path.

2012 came and went.

First, I want to thank God for keeping the family together and keeping us safe.

 The girls keep their dad on his toes especially with the boyfriend challenges.

I also want to thank my friends and colleagues who had kindly worked with me and helped achieve the aspirations of the school; no major upheaval and a pleasant year.I hope to enjoy another 2 more years with them before I call it a day. Wow; a good 19th year with some of them in 2013.

My friends in school are a happy-go lucky group; provided I don't harp on them !

The 3 Amanah children were a delight to lead and teach. Their warmth and responses made teaching fun; although there were a couple of boys who never seem to see eye to eye with my expressions !

 My happiest and most rewarding moment is when Raizil, Norzatti and Arifah got their As in English !

The Heidelberg Exchange

 Perhaps accompanying the choir to Germany for an exchange programme is most unforgettable. The performances, friendships acquired and the experience gained will be etched in my memory for all the years to come. The pride that seeped through my being as I see the students sang is hard to express.

 Seafield can do it.

For that we have the principal to thank for. Her outward disposition is the push factor for the school's international link; a rare gem. Seafield is blessed.

Another milestone in the year is when the last child completed her bar studies. 

We are grateful to God for seeing her through her studies and making it happen. 

May she continue to do what is right in life.

For all the good happenings, I am grateful to God.

We lost a mother in 2012; my mother in law; grandmother to my children and mother to my husband. A lady of steadfast faith, she was seen to be faithful to Jesus till her very last days.I am grateful for the son she gave me; who till this day has been a great husband and a dotting dad to the girls. Mother Janet Lim taught many in school and left behind a legacy for many to admire and remember. My only regret is not getting to know her deeper. Her upbringing ways though traditional, nevertheless nurtured responsible beings and I am privileged to be part of her family.

Her last suffering days; though short, is a stark reminder that days are numbered in life.

Gratefully geared with a new grit and spirit, I look forward to the coming year with the covering of God and and his favour.

So, it's Auld Lang Syne for now.

Goodbye 2012.

Joy

 May this season of joy bring us good feelings for all around us and let us appreciate one another in good tidings and love.

 A special thanks to Esther for her labour of love and time. She is the girl with the touch. May the gifts bring joy to the recipients but most of all may they receive the blessings from Our Maker as they ponder over the happenings of the past year and as they look forward to another year of good walk with Him.

 

Even as the year is coming to a close, let us bathe ourselves in good joy and gratitude as we remember the One who has come to save the earth.

So, with this here's a Merry Christmas to you and your family !

O Christmas Tree

The power of WhatsApp.

3 sisters created a chat room and decided to send one another pictures of the tree and as usual; compare.

Who has the best tree?

Why not include the cost and see which is the best cost-effective tree?

The sister in Penang says hers is professionally done by the DIL. It's good to have many hands in the house. When you cannot do it yourself, you just assign it to someone else; especially so to someone who is creative and meticulous. Beautiful?

Then the sister from Taipei says...nah...hers I am sure is done by herself with the help of Celine. Uncle Lou will not have the time for it. Poinsettia on the tree too; so nostalgic.Why? You may ask. Papa back home has always had them on his tree. But this year they went missing and so it's a different feeling without them.

So this year the tree back home has a different theme; no poinsettia. In its place are pretty ribbons. As usual the tree is decorated by the man of the house but not the lady. The reason being he being the creative one. Fair?

So what is the significance of the tree? Nothing actually. The tree is here to evoke nostalgia for the Christmas season; a time for family gatherings and exchange of gifts.So, people catch every moment to be happy. It's sometimes difficult to stay happy; so everyone grabs opportunities to be happy. Why is life so complicated? Must there be a reason to be glad?

This is an even greater legend; Santa Claus. But this figure has caught the hearts of thousands and millions. Children love him because he brings good news; presents.So we can see that everyone loves to be remembered and given gifts. That's why Christmas is so meaningful to many.

But John 3:16 is the ultimate story of the season.

" For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

He is the perfect gift.

To many believing in God, that's the reason why Christmas is here.

Have a very lovely Christmas with family, friends and loved ones and may this Christmas be fulfilled with the prayers of your heart.

The Season

 Some say it's the best part of the year; as it speaks of holidays, celebrations and givings. 

The year sure went past in the blink of an eye; soon it will be Christmas.

So, dad got the tree up; mumbling all the way about who would be putting up the tree for the family if not for him? He kept ranting that the only possible one is no.2 who has a strong inkling for decorative feats.Anyway, anyhow, somehow the tree found its way into the house albeit missing bits here and there and took the toll on him! However, the good part is, it got him into buying new tinsels and ribbons and that means we had an almost new tree. Good to replace with newer ones.

 That's the new look and colour; themed purple and pink.

 At night, it lights up the room and create the ambiance.

 No.1 is back too; so on this quiet afternoon she took up the honour of baking for a good cause.

 Chocolate chip cookies; in many portions she made.

 How do you like the apron from Sri Lanka? Reminds one of British India.

It is meant for Allie who refuses to wear it.

The cookies ready to be put into the oven.

The baked ones ready to be packed.

The dearly packed cookies ready to be sent to church tomorrow.

Yes; you are cordially invited to the above premise for a Christmas service.

Free cookies for all !

Come celebrate the season with us.

The Chair

 Beautiful Sri Lanka; I was told.

No.2, the adventurous one left for the island a couple of weeks ago to savour in memorable architectural feats and admire the works of renown architects. Of course, besides the good curry-flavoured food and hospitality, she got to scale heights and see things from the top of the world.

When she told me she was going to walk paths for many, many hours with the help of a local guide, I could only pray for her safety each day.Wild imaginations went hay-wire and everyday I looked forward to little messages from her.

 Yes, I was glad she came back in one good piece.

 So, she told me she scaled that mountain and this mountain but little did she know I was uttering small reminders to God to keep her safe. Yes, you may say I am a bit of hypochondriac but that's why I am a mama. At times I told myself, what's with a little bit of adventure?  What's with bravery and ambition and what's with stamina? Don't I teach them to my children in school too?So I would pacify myself and say she would make it well. 

She did.

She would send panoramic spots; aimed at making me envious. "You would love the shopping of local pieces here and daddy would love the hills and mountains !" So, she guessed it well that I would probably dump daddy to the hills and I would get the thrill of aimless shopping !

 Then she would drop hints and say she would attempt the most notorious acts like putting her feet out of the train just to get the thrill of feeling being thrown out...she is just too much !

But she isn't too much when she bought sarongs,table runners, a beautiful top (which I would probably wear on the first day of the term) and best of all, a chair for daddy.

Last evening, the messages kept coming in; "...has daddy fixed the chair, has daddy fixed the chair..." 

She sure can be such a pest a times; pestering non-stop.

What can daddy not do where DIY is concerned?

But this CHAIR was the most challenging DIY piece I have seen him done.

 With the picture from a book but with no other instructions, where does one begin?

 Little cousin Jinn who was around chipped in too; but he's only good with figures...

 It this it? No, not yet. It seemed right but it was not. So, meddling it for half an hour or so, he said it was time for dinner...and the message kept coming in...is it ready? NO, LYN.

 The challenge came after dinner again. It's impossible daddy cannot do the job...

 Soon, very soon...the image came up.

 Yes, the final shape in place...the little joints were the answers but proved to be mind-boggling.

  The beautiful fixture; fully leathered; scrubbed and polished with all her love.

She just wants her story told; that she had bought  a master piece.

Daddy says it indeed was a piece of art to be admired and enjoyed; perfect for lullaby evenings.

Esther; it was a good buy.