My Christmas This Year

I'm so glad to be at home.., finally. Seeing home once a year, or maybe twice?.. Well, that's a very long time.

I went back to my hometown on December 20, and then everything started to be busy and "playing" after that...😅

So, it's Christmas again! Everyone is happy and excited especially when you're already at home. Because everybody is here.., to be together again, to be able to meet each other after quite a long time. Well, that's how Christmas does. It brings us the moments of togetherness in families and friends. Near and far.

Anyway, celebrating Christmas this year is so different. And, I do think, you know what I mean... :) Mass gatherings or special events are absolutely not allowed. It's all about celebrating only with the family members at home or maybe with some close friends. That's it!

But, that doesn't matter that much, really, if you do know and understand the true meaning of Christmas in your heart. It's just simply all about love.., no matter how the environments around us or our surroundings are going to look like :)

At home, the excitement of the Christmas feeling is always there... So, it's the same too, when it's the time to take out the Christmas tree!

Anyhow, this year, I have my little lovely people who are willing to help me and can't wait to setting up the Christmas tree, and with all the Christmas decorations, as well..😄😍

Well, it's not that bad, even though they're too short to reach out the highest peak in order to hang up the Christmas ornaments at the top branches.... They have to climb 😂😂. The older sister helps to do at the top peak, whereas the little ones do and play at the bottom. Well, that's how they do it.., they're my nieces!

Yes, it's a bit messy, but everyone is enjoying doing it and it's fun. They're really have that fun time together that I think, most children with their age will like or love doing even more.

Let's just say that this year Christmas celebration is very unique. The only one Christmas which I think, comes with it's own interesting message compare to the other last Christmases that we have had ever celebrated. To be with the family, and loved ones together during this Christmas is the priority reason in this year season.

I do think, despite of all the restrictions or rules or laws that we need to take or consider during this time, being able to be with your family and loved ones are far more important. And, I'm happy enough just to be with them after a long time. And, also to remember about the greatest love we received in our hearts which is always remain and stay forever, is the one we should feel more grateful the most. Thinking of it, there's no other joy than this!

And, not forgetting that, apart from just getting visited by close relatives and friends, there's time, I would just simply like being a "nanny" for one day... Haha. The things that I usually do whenever I come back to my hometown 😅.

So, finally.., the Christmas tree is done! After all the hard work 😂.. Thanks to my little nieces who are eager to help me from the beginning till end!

Merry Christmas to you with love! 💗💗

I Have No Idea

This time, I'm going to do something that is far more random than usual. I'm just going to play with the words...

Hence, it's all up to you to make full use of your own imagination, your understanding and your thinking while reading this... And perhaps, make your own conclusion at the end!.. :)

But, before I begin, pardon me for not being that "creative" enough this time, as I really have no idea what to write...😅. And maybe because, it's going to be the end of this year 2020 soon, so I think, I would like to just summarize all things in simple and fun read... I hope...😊

Thus, it goes something like this....

I stopped blogging for quite a long time ago, and then, I eventually started to blog all over again.., lately... There's nothing serious, it just that I would like to do something which I would love to do.., to be "outside the box", sometimes, and simply just as a way to stay sane.

So as time goes by, it mentioned that, the Cherry blossom at the front of the house hasn't bloomed yet this time, whereas my so-called Sakura trees have had once blooming into pretty pink trees long time ago, now turned out to be just like the ordinary green trees, once again.

From finding a book, in a book shop or book store that sooner or later could be your "Chicken Soup for the Soul" at the end, which was, it sounded, well yes, interesting too...😄

Also not forgetting about the healthy salad recipe that you can make simply at home during the lockdown period.., which then, suddenly it brought in the avocado.., followed by the guacamole..😂. And, at long last, out of the blue, it has led to the making of the super extra healthy avocado smoothie recipe, instead!..😂😂. Anyway, that was fun and really interesting.. :)

When I listening to so-called "My story" podcast from somebody, knowing that she played softball and literally to playing basketball and all.... But then, I didn't even know how the "orange colour" slowly came in after that...😆. Then, from the Zumba videos to the first dancing moves in TikTok?.... Okay... :)

There was a full story of coffee only, and it seemed that after every meals, coffee is a must. And, on that very fine day after coffee, it happened to ultimately walked into a nice bakery shop in town and ended up bought cheesecakes for two. That was sweet!

I've been always love to just have night walks in the nearby park at night, and met my Mr. Moon. If only the night allowed the perfect and clear view of it (moon), it would be awesome! But at day time, it appeared to be feeling hot and heaty. And, I would just need an umbrella and held it over my head while sitting down on a bench in the park...

* * * * * * 

Anyway, it's all about the normal ordinary life that we have gone through this year, but then gradually realised that this so-called "new normal life" slowly sets in.., and bit by bit, it seems to steadily being a part of our daily lives from now onwards.

Well, maybe next year will be different, good or bad, we don't know. But, this is the life we're having right now, at this time. All I know, this year seems to be moving so fast, and I don't even really realise that next month, we're all will be in the month of December, already.

And I think, we used to have known that the last month of the year would be the one that we're going to have holidays or taking a long break before entering a new beginning of next year.

So, maybe I should take a long break next month, and I'm planning to go back to my hometown after a long time. I really miss home! Well yes, travelling is a bit hard nowadays due to the new normal life things, but I do hope everything will be just fine and smooth...🙏

Anyway, I can't wait to see home. I can't wait to meet my mom's "polite" cat. I can't wait to meet my naughty but adorable nieces. I can't wait to see everything about home!

And therefore, I wish you all a Happy Holiday! And, a wonderful Merry Christmas in advance! And a Happy New Year! :)

Because Real Is Rare

I think, working within a place surrounded by 4 plain white walls in long hours would be quite tough, right?

I mean, despite those empty white walls and just seeing only beds, monitors, machines, stationery counters and even your colleagues..,😅 their faces, and with the alarm sounds and all, would rather make you feel so dull and boring.., sometimes... Well, I know that is work. And, I totally don't blame on that because it's definitely the common thing. The daily work routine as to say... :)

By the way, there's always a spot that somehow can change those gloomy and cold feelings into something bright and warm and colourful.., that is the pantry..,😂😂. I mean, the one and only huge window which is located at our pantry. Or, I would say the only "precious" window to the outside world.

I don't know why, but it always happened to be my favourite spot of so-called "panorama view" during my break time at work :)

Looks familiar?.. Well yes, it looks the same but different....

Well, it's actually that they're at the same spots but taken in different day and time. I remember that they're both taken at around 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm in the evening during a long dry season, but not in the same day.

It's obvious that it's sunset with those red-orange-yellow coloured sky whereas the other one is more cloudy, which appears to be going to rain soon but, it isn't.., it turns out the sky to be so very blue, instead... It's awesome!

It's like it seems to be looking the same but, it's also just like each day with its own story to tell... Or, I would say, one day with one unique story....

And, at the same time, it reminds me of His, the One up above greater works. The beautiful sky painted by His hands. His beautiful works of art for all of us to appreciate. He even really wanted to put in extra chores into His works so to make us feel joy and cheerful, and to be grateful, in the midst of our busy daily lives. And also, to make Him known, as if He's simply saying, "I AM here"...

Well, it feels silly sometimes when all these funny thoughts come to mind especially when I'm alone and gazing into the so-called "panorama view" again through the window of the outside world... :) But, the funny thing is, it's always feels so real!... And, because real is rare!

Now, I think this one view is truly superb!... And, by just seeing those dark grey clouds, it's going to rain soon but, I could already see the rain has started falling at the other far end. It's likely to be something that is seldom happens, or that something does not happen very often. And again, I would say.., yes, it's rare!

This one taken early in the morning around 6.50 am while I'm just get ready to go back home soon after my night duty finished at 7.00 am. But, before I could go out from the building, suddenly it started to rain so heavy outside. So, I just need to wait for a while.

It happens that one of my colleague is also waiting, and we both have decided to just go to have our breakfast first at the nearby Kopitiam (coffee shop), as we're hungry right now, while waiting for the rain to stop or at least, slow down a little bit.

Anyway, it's good that the rain doesn't last long. So, both of us parted ways after saying good bye and, then go home.

It's like while others are starting their new day today, I just finished mine. And now, it's my turn to go to bed and get ready again for tonight. But, when others are going to finish their day later on tonight, that's the time I'm just starting mine.

So first, good night all... :)

After The 3 Months

Actually, this was the day when I able to hang out with my brother after 3 months.., finally....

You still don't get it?... Allow me to explain.... :)

I actually came across to have found several pictures of me, when suddenly they reminded me of that one day when I had the chance to meeting my brother after a long time.

I didn't even know, when or how many times he snapped this while I was already outside of the shopping mall, just to found out that he was missing in action... All I knew, it was a hot day outside and I couldn't see straight to the front due to the glaring sunlight. I could only feel the intense heat at the same time that makes me feel all red!

Anyway, when he finally done with his random snapping, he sent them all to me...

I asked, "What are you doing?"..

He said, "It's candid!".. 

"😳😳"..

I think, the whole world would have familiar by now with the life that we're all got into for the past few months, and also with these very similar words that we tend to hearing everyday like pandemic, lockdown, quarantine, social distancing and all.., I believe, you already have better understanding about all these things.

So, back to the story of "after that 3 months" period, when the lockdown started to gradually lifted, I finally had the chance to went outside the house and met my brother for the very first time after the lockdown period. It simply means, in 3 months you're not allowed to go outside from the house, and in 3 months you're not allowed to meet other people as well, such as your brother, your sister, your father, your mother, your husband, your wife, your children, your grandparents, your friends and well yes.., everyone!

But, when things came into my work, it was different.... No matter it was a lockdown or no lockdown, I still went to work as usual because hospitals and medical centres were the ones that left running while others were not. Thus, no matter the situations might like, I still had job to do, while some others need to just stay at home. So, it's the opposite.. :)

However, that one particular day was far more better after that 3 months period had passed, at least, where I'm actually able to hang out with my brother.., at last!.. But yes, you definitely still need to used face mask, hand sanitizer, social distancing a lot more, especially whenever you're outside of the house.

I'm excited that we had late morning brunch in town, and then went to the shopping mall for the first time, after a long time... I felt like a deer coming into a village for the first time.., and everything felt odd and awkward!

The very first spot that we went to first was the hair salon. My brother had missed the cut he loves so much for quite long time now, so finally he had the chance to visit his hair salon today!

As for me, I'm happy enough to be able went outside of the house for a while, and away from my work for a day, just to seeing how was life outside really are looked like, after some times. Well yes, it was a lot more different now, unlike the ones that we used to have before. It was the beginning of the new normal life... But, after we spent the whole day together, I only ended up bought myself a pair of pink in white sneaker.... :)

Anyway, out of all pictures he took, I came to like this one, actually...

I remembered, my brother said, "I just don't know... But, you were just standing there between those giant athletes, and literally you looked so tiny!"...

Huh?...

When I Grow Up

I remember once when my English teacher asked me, "What is your ambition?".. Uh?

Actually, the question is just a way for the teacher to get the entire class's attention into writing essays, one day. So basically, the teacher wants the students to write an essay merely about what do you want to be when you grow up.... And, believe it or not, I really need to cracked my head at that time, just to find out what is mine, as there's not even a single one!

However, I'm surprise to find that the other students can easily discover about theirs, but not me... They even mentioned that it's their ambitions or passions to be a doctor, engineer, architect, pilot, policeman, cooking chef, businessman and so on..., but when it comes to me, my brain get stuck!

But, way back then, I only knew I had few of my aunties were nurses, and the rest with most of my uncles were teachers.., so meaning that my whole families and relatives were meant to be teachers... Haha!.. And, the funny thing is that, I ended up writing an assay about just being a nurse!?.. Aa?

Anyway, that was a very long time ago when I was in primary school. But, if it happened that if somebody is asking me the same thing today, I'm likely still giving you the same answer... "No, there's still not a single one, yet!".. But again, the funny thing is, I turned out being a nurse myself!.., even until today!

We often heard about those people whom to have their ambitions or passions in a certain thing, that eventually has turned their passions into something they can work onto or as their job is wonderful. But, I think, not everyone is fortunate enough to have had that one opportunity as those mentioned, and they ended up into something different, instead. But, it's still pretty good, though!

Anything can happen and, it happened to me too. To be honest, I truly do not know what is to be a nurse all about until I become one myself. But, from the very beginning until today, there're so many things that I've gone through and, to my surprise, it teaches me about lots of things in life and, it even hit me many times!.. It makes me learn and appreciate life, not just be a nurse.

To be more specific, I'm a critical care nurse. Apart from just being on duty or work, I have had worries or fears in certain situations, and I have had feeling of empathy or tears towards ill or dying circumstances and so forth.., but all of these feelings are normal regardless you want to accept it or not. All of these life events have been always be a part of me, my daily life routine.

As for me, my job will never be my passion, not my ambition either too. But, I would rather take it as one of my responsibility and to serve others in need. Because, I only know one thing that in everything I do, I do it entirely only for Him, the One up above, and not humans.

Now, you may be thinking or wondering why am I telling you all these? Well, actually I really don't know!.. :)

It just happened that my mind, out of the blue, had these funny thoughts came by after one of my colleague's friend have shared a video, actually, that showed a little bit of insights into working in a critical care setting which eventually has bring me all the flashbacks of my own experience as well, and believe me, it's absolutely almost the same!

However, it's just that the (working) surroundings has changed pretty a lot due to the Covid-19, where there're times that you'll get to see few "astronauts" around with those who wearing normal scrub suits... :)

Anyway, no worries. It's the new normal looks nowadays. And, as to what as many of us may have think of right now.., well yes, we might be as well, can't go back.

So, thanks to the one friend who kindly share the video, and it does really gives me the feeling of warm at heart and grateful. And again, thank you so much!

Alone In The Park

It's been awhile, right?.. I just feel too lazy, lately... Haha..

Anyway, it's still the same old day... Clear blue sky with clouds... Well, there might be a slightly difference, but these past few days everything seems like still almost the same, though.

I'm trying to find something else to do, away from busy work, like watching movies maybe, but it's kind of hard lately for me to even find actual free time. I remember, my last visit to the cinema with my brother was to watched "Jumanji : Welcome to the Jungle". I think, that was about 2 or 3 years ago? Huh!.. But now, recently, I'm more into watching documentaries rather than movies, though.. :) Anyway, Jumanji was still a good one. I didn't know how many times I had been laughing each time until my stomach hurts!

However, there was one movie that I always remembered and has really made my mind puzzled even until now. It was an old movie, called "The Lake House" in 2006, played by our beautiful Sandra Bullock along with handsome Keanu Reeves. I just felt that the story was confusing and it didn't make sense, which I really have to watched it again few times. It's a little bit of fantasy type of movie but in fact, it's actually a touching and heart-warming story. And, it made me almost cry...

Anyway, since I can't promise when I could watch a movie again, I managed to free myself just for one day after quite a long time, and ended up finding myself sitting alone in the park, instead. Well, everything looks quiet... No sound... No people, only me... Alone...

But, I don't really find it's strange or weird nowadays, because of the new normal environment that we're living right now. I think, you know what I mean... :) Well, we used to have people or families with kids walking, playing and running around the park, with having fun, happy and laugh... But now, it doesn't feels that way anymore. And, that's normal.., for now.

So, it seems I needed to get used to myself now of having to experience this kind of surroundings with less people or even no people at all, whenever I want to go for a walk in the park. It's funny when I suddenly thinking of this, like you're practicing social distancing too, apart from wearing mask, at the same time.. Huh!

Initially, I didn't plan to go for a walk in the park. It happened that I needed to passed by the park to go to a convenience store nearby. But, when I came back from the store and was walking along through the park, I decided to stay for a while. I thought, I wanted to just cleared my mind a little bit... So, I found myself a bench to sat down and held an open umbrella in one hand above my head. Well, it was not raining but a so damn hot weather!

It was around 3.30 pm. It felt very heaty due to the intense hot that may have caused less or no people around in the park at this hour, mainly the children. Or, it could be due to the new normal condition that we're living right now?.. But, speaking about the children, I suddenly realised that I seldom saw any children or kids playing in the park nowadays. Normally, the park used to be their playground. But now, it seems to be no more. Today, kids were advised to just stay at home or play at home.

However, there's a planning to reopen the schools later in the end of the month, which it has to go by stages, at first. It's been awhile for the children hasn't gone to school for about 3 months now?.. I think.. And, with all the things that have changed a lot right now, it appeared to have made the kids to really have to adjust their lifestyles altogether too. They need to wash their hands, wearing a face mask, practicing social distancing and so forth, which I feel, a bit empathy for them at young age. And I even think, it's the same goes to the playground in the park as well?.. Would the children's playground soon will be left empty? But if yes, it wouldn't be left alone for too long... I hope...

I'm not sure about the kids today, but for me playground is a must when I was a child. No matter how many times when I'm on my way back home from school, I must dropped by at the park first, to just wanted to play in the playground until late evening almost everyday.. My mom.., well yes, she knows me.. And, she would definitely grumbled at me as soon as I came back home late :)

But, back to what I'm seeing things here right now, the playground is empty. The entire park is quiet. The environment is dull. It's kind of gloomy feeling....

Then, suddenly... Oh! I better get going now. I can't stand with the heaty feel due to the hot weather. It was not even 15 minutes I've been sitting here and, I already could feel an intense hot!...

So I think, bye for now!.. Or, maybe I should take things slow??

I Talk Only Coffee

I'm holding my big mug when suddenly these funny thoughts simply come into my mind... It's only a big white mug, nothing else. But, it reminds me about coffee?.. Oh, okay...

I'm not a coffee addict, not really a coffee lover but I do like and love coffee. But, that depends to at what time, or at what place, or at what things that I wanted to do, where I may need a good cup of coffee at the same time.

Some people say, coffee is their best friend. It seems, well yes it's also true because they need coffee while doing their other things, being their companionship, a way to cherish others, or to bring along 2 people together and all... Thus, it's truly as simple as that!

When I'm thinking of all these, everyone would have been experienced the same thing, and that also including myself. So, the question is....

"At what, or where, or when exactly you or I need coffee time the most?"

I'm just going to make some sort of listing of the things briefly and in simple way possible. Hence, it goes something like this...

# First...

I would love to have coffee when I'm reading a book at home. And, this also same goes to when I'm writing or do my blogging. Well, it depends with how much free time I do actually had, as there're days that I couldn't spend more time, mostly blogging because of other matters or circumstances that also need to be accomplished.

Initially, I write or blog just to pass the time when I'm not working or just stay at home. And, I'm definitely not a pro blogger or something like that. However, when it comes to reading, I like to just read at home or sometimes in a cafe with a cup of great coffee by my side!

# Second...

Whenever I have my tea time. But, instead of having tea, I go for coffee! Maybe, I should call it coffee time instead of tea time? Or, coffee break instead of tea break? But then I think, either one is the same :)

There this funny habit of me actually, where I used to always love to having my coffee together with my "Osborne"!.. Actually, "Osborne" is a name of these plain and tasteless crackers that I really love to eat together with my coffee when I'm at home. I just don't know why, it just that it tastes so good with coffee!.. Really!

Anyway, that's when if only just me staying alone... But, with my mom, it turned out into a higher version!.. So, whenever I have tea time with my mom, things will be a little bit more upgraded.., because of her! With her, there'll be no "Osborne" for me. She'll go with her favourite local Asian exotic desserts instead, which are actually taste really delicious! She likes fried sesame balls, fried banana cakes, Ang Ku Kueh (Red Tortoise Cakes), steamed rice cakes, steamed layer cakes and many others of traditional Chinese desserts or cakes, that even I, myself really have no idea about...

So, whenever I'm back in my hometown, I'll always get to meet my mom's red tortoise which is my favourite too.., because of her!

# Third...

Most of the times, I'll having coffee whenever I'm eating outside or dining out with my brother. We both usually spend time together on weekends while having breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. I'll go with my usual coffee with milk and he'll go with his black coffee, so-called Americano style...

Well, it happens only in the weekends as we're not staying in the same house, and sometimes we seldom meet because of we both are working, busy and all... Thus, we only have free time and able to meet during weekends, or when I'm off duty during weekends too. And, able to having lunch after church on Sunday with him is just fine. And of course, sometimes there're lots of stories to talk about while we meet after we had not seeing each other for a long time.

# Fourth...

When it comes to my working time at the working place, I'll have coffee during my break at work. Usually, I join in with my other colleagues who also having their break in the pantry and, most of us will go for coffee!

I do feel that there this some sort of connections going on between us when there's coffee around and, after a while you'll sense that whole pantry will be filled with coffee aroma. Well, it's good to just have free time for a while and re-energize oneself before continue back to work again. It's the time to just spending time together, chit-chat to one another or just to relax. And believe me, you're going to really need that!.. That's all.

# Fifth...

So, the last one will be during my night duty. Well yes, whenever I'm working in night duty, there's a time I need coffee in the shift. Some people think that drinking coffee at night will make you stay awake?.. Well, maybe.., or maybe not... I think, it depends to each individual.

As for me, it doesn't make any difference although I would agree that my eyes started to falling down at around 2.00 am to 4.00 am, in the morning. And, I used to have my coffee during these chronic times as I need something to make me feel warm or keep me warm and also to keep me company at the same time. It's something like, my coffee is my only friend now during those hours :)

So, I guess that's it!.. My coffee's story all about!..

You may think it's just an ordinary coffee... Well yes, it is!.. But, when you see and realise about the things that happened surrounding it, it's more than just that coffee... Isn't it?

What A Strange Day

What a strange day, funny clouds with odd colours?... I have no idea...

Anyway, I'm so excited right now, as I'll finished my duty soon at 7.00 pm, and I can't wait to go home!.. :)

Well yes, it looks like sunset to me and, it's 6.30 pm now. I just took this view simply from our pantry's window at my working place. I don't know why, I just feel simply want to snapped it!

It feels funny when the sight of it caught me suddenly that eventually lead me walking into the pantry and staring at it for a while. And gradually, I just slide open the window from the middle to a side then to another side, only to make a huge opening from the only already-huge window in the pantry.

"What are you doing?"

I startled, when someone noticed my behaved like that... And, I turned and just simply smiled at my colleague... No words... Only then, I knew that there this someone was watching me. Anyway after all is done, I straight away close back the window.

You can't really see sunset here as this place is a bit far from the sea or beach. You need to travel for quite some time before you really reached the most nearby beach or sea. But, it's a far way different from my hometown actually, where it takes only few minutes to reach the ocean or beach from our house. Anyway, it reminds me a lot about the beautiful sunset in my hometown...

However, it's a long, dry and warm season actually now with intense hot weather sometimes. It has been long time no rain. And suddenly I feel, I really miss the rain.. :)

But, the view really is not bad. It looks pretty though. The moment I see it, I come to realise that it's been a long time now, I haven't really looking up into the sky. Sometimes, it's true to say that there is a feeling of peace and serene when you just looking up for a second and forget about all things that happened down here, on earth.

Well yes, there are always jobs to do, works need to be done. Yet in reality, work is never finished. It's something that you'll do in entire life until at one point, that you unable to working on it anymore.

Yes, you're working hard, but it's best to just have stopped for a while if you need to and take time for yourself. It's something like, while we're living in the midst of our busy lives or schedules, and feel overwhelmed by the routine of our lives, He, the One who watches from up above, will always want to seek for your attention as He is longing to see you and to be with you. Sometimes, it's sort of a funny feeling, but it feels real.

I think, that's why I feel at ease and contented each time when I looking up to the sky and knowing that He, the One who holds everything in our lives.

And, by just knowing that, it's more than enough.

Into The New Normal

Firstly, please do not ask.... I assume that you have already know better by simply looking at this without any further explanation from me. You know, "picture speaks louder than words...". Yes, that's right!

Anyway, this is how we look like right now in the working place. And, it's not an unusual phenomenon to all of us in this present time, as to in what situation that we're facing or dealing right now... And I think, you already know better.

We initially used to be using only face mask, but then eventually upgrading to wearing a face mask together with a face shield for extra protection. At least, these are the basic requirements as the most relevant and useful protection measures that we all must utilise or doing in this critical time.

To be honest, I never had wearing a face shield in my entire life. So well yes, this is my very first time to wearing one after so many years working and, I think, it feels awkward and funny! And, it seems not only me but also to my colleagues as well.

I even show myself to my brother and ended up, he laughed at me, after just looking at me. Yaa.... Now only, you do know that you really do have a brother... So bad, right?.. He even asked me, "Why not wearing a helmet?"

If I need to wear a helmet, I think, I will be look like a policewoman rather than a healthcare personnel. It's just that, for the moment, it's enough to just have wearing a blue cap at this point in time.

Well, it's not easy though. Sometimes, it's kind of feeling warm and itchy when you have to wear cap for too long. I used to keep my hair short, most of the time. But now, it has grew longer that it feels a bit annoying each time I put my cap on. I've been thinking to cut short hair again but now, the worst part is, there is no place for you to cut or trim your hair. All hair salons and barbershops are closed long time ago during the lockdown.

However, I'm thinking to just shave my hair off because that's the easiest way. Besides, it will feel more comfortable and neat whenever you wear your cap on. And, it's absolutely easy to taking care of and much more convenient too. So, if I really can't bear more any longer, I'm just going to shave my head bald in the future.. :)

Anyway, to my fellow colleagues, I'm truly grateful for having them and working with them as a team in whatever situations we're dealing with.

And, to those some of us who are likely need to be isolated at home or undergoing home quarantine and all, please do stay strong and be courageous. And also, to every each one of us, those with their family, their kids, their husbands, their parents, their friends and all, please do take care and stand together in this difficult times until end.

I do think that sometimes, there is nothing more than just to be thankful to every each one of us for the support and care. Do stay calm and pray, be patience and move on.

And, know that the Lord is our shield! God bless you!              

Time To Slow Down

Tonight is absolutely different... Again... No people, no cars, no movement. The city becomes suddenly still and quiet... Dead?

I'm walking along the overhead bridge crossing the highway to the other end. As usual, I'm just coming back from work and the time now is 9.45 pm.

It's truly not a normal night view in a normal city at time like this... It used to be a busy and noisy highway, packed and jammed with lots of vehicles and people... But right now, it's not. The city is empty!

It's almost like a city in the lockdown... It sounds familiar, right? Well yes, it's almost... And I think, at this stage, you probably already know about the situation we are in, right now.

The authorities initially has initiated the so-called Movement Control Order (MCO) in the country that involving the police patrol and military personnel into making roadblocks, as to monitor or control the movement of all people in the city, which emphasize more after 7.00 pm onwards. So, meaning that starting from 7.00 pm until 7.00 am tomorrow morning the next day, everyday, will be the time for totally shut down. So, people are not allowed to be outside of their houses during those hours.

But, that was almost 2 weeks ago. And, I've seen this empty city at night almost every night after work. And, there are times I spotted few handsome policemen on duty almost every night :)

Then, again at another one night, during the MCO period. I'm walking again back from work and heading straight to the overhead bridge and crossing the same highway. I never know, it's actually drizzling outside when I leave the building. I couldn't exactly tell the time when it has started to rain that evening.

From the overhead bridge, I see the entire highway is wet. The roads are wet. There are no vehicles nor people. Everything looks gloomy and empty. But, it's only 7.30 pm now...

"Is this because I've just started my 12 hours shift today that makes everything looks even downhearted?" How sad I feel...

Yes, I'm working from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm starting on that very first day as due to the lockdown session we're having now. Hence, everything seems to be moving slow, and I even feel the time is moving even slower. And, it feels like it has been raining all day long...

Now, coming to the 3rd time night. While I'm just only few blocks away to my house, I took this view while crossing the road. Again, there are all empty roads with only traffic lights blinking. The night is so silence.

I'm standing at the middle of the road while snapped this view... Yes, it's simply almost an empty space with only just me standing. But, please don't do this during peak hours time. People will think you're crazy. It's surely is not safe.

Anyway, there is the possibility that this MCO thing or so-called the lockdown, may be extended up until May or even June this year. That means, roughly it can be extend up until 2 to 3 months more.

And I think, most of us will find it's hard to get through this time, and well yes, it's not as easy as you think. But, I only know one thing that, we can take one step at a time. Do not worry about tomorrow as we're living for now, at the present time. And, if you believe that our God is with us, just let go everything into His hand. Yes, it may takes longer time for us but He is up doing something better for those who believe only in Him. So, just keep calm and carry on... :)

I reached home, finally... And, I can't wait to take a shower, go to bed and sleep as my "battery" now is almost flat!

Therefore, good night... And rest.... 

Silence In The Night

It's heavy rain outside now... And it's dark... I'm just sitting near the window and looking outside into the street... Alone...

Then, suddenly my house blackout! Immediately my room turned into complete darkness. "Yaaaa....".

But then after a while, I could only see dim lights coming from the street through my window. For a moment, I could feel just silence. I could only hear the rain tapping heavily onto my window glass with the sound of thunder from afar that come and go, and come again...

In my room, it starts to feel cold now... I grabbed my blanket on my bed just at the side of me and wrapped it all around me. I seated again at my window and gazing outside into the street. I see no people walking outside. I only see lights coming from vehicles on the road and traffic lights.

In the midst of the quiet and silence moment, I don't know why I come to feel suddenly calm, warm, serene and peaceful in mind. Then, my mind begin to wander...

Then, it goes...

I completed my school and studies, then stepped into the outside world, for the very first time in my life, away from my families and friends, and my hometown. This was the time, I began to live all by myself, surrounded by just friends and colleagues and strangers. All I knew was learned to be independent. Well yes, I did sometimes flew back home to be with my family and friends, then again away...

In the outside world, I've been working in private healthcare in all the years that have made such great influences and impacts onto my being all together. I've had the experiences, the lifestyles, the people, the social life, the food, the cultures, the events or happenings, and almost anything in life.

I've had working in new or different work environments that led me to be more responsible, self-discipline and might always be physically, mentally and spiritually prepared, as this was the time when I started to work in shift duties, 7 hours or 10 hours shift in a day.

Along the way, I met people who come and go. Making new friends were vulnerable and acceptable. There were friends that sticking together and some were not. But yes, that was normal. You got to know them well, as they were too got to know you well. And try to kept in touch always if possible.

Hence, these were all the things or life events that happened throughout our lives. It could be something good or bad. Happy or sad. Fun or bore. Stress or calm. Worry or peace. Healthy or sick. Strong or weak. Win or lose... All were the ups and downs of life.

We learned in all things. We were learning all the time...

As for myself, what I learned the most was all about me, my purpose in life. And, it didn't just end. It kept on moving and I'm learning all the way...

**********

Suddenly, my room becomes bright! I startled for a while... "Oh! The electricity is back!". I almost jumped.

Then, I realised the rain has been slowed down. It's drizzling outside now...

For a moment, I come to remember the thoughts that had happened just now were all the flashback from the past, which had dwelt deep inside my mind for a long time. To my surprise, I still can remember them all very clearly!

I really don't know how long I've been wandering. It astonished me of how well those memories came at just like that while I'm in the state of silence in mind, and in the quiet time.

And, what truly amazed me is that those old times memories are nearly 20 years ago now...

The moment I realising it, I stunned!

Read A Book

Today, I off day after a long one week straight of evening pm duty... Finally! I feel like I'm crawling all the way... Huh!

When I'm not working, most of the times, I prefer to just stay at home. Despite of doing anything housework, I'll take my own leisure time to just doing other things that I like or fun or enjoy doing. So, this minor or casual leisure interest I've been love doing especially when I am alone at home is just to read a book!

Speaking of books, I always have a great interest in reading short stories that inspire. I had always thinking of we all are the people who living in this world with unique and personal life stories of our own. And I believe, there are those stories that can be powerful in changing life, finding the truth, lifting up our spirit, including anything positives that inspiring.

So, there was this one day, I came to a book store in a shopping mall. After spending some times in there flipping and reading each books I took from the shelf, I caught my eye on this one, the inspiring short stories type of book, which I've always wanted.

I held the book up and it read "SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE HEART" in big and bold words title, then followed by "Passionate and Caring Stories to Open the Heart and Energize the Spirit to Succeed in Life and Love".

By just reading at this, I've had by far more than enough insight about the book contained stories which I'm looking for and better understanding of what type of reading that I'll get from it. It was just simple as that.

Then, when I turned it over to see at the back, it read "PERSONAL-GROWTH EXPERTS SHARE THEIR PRESCRIPTION FOR LIVING A SUCCESSFUL LIFE".

This time, it's mentioning about the writers who have contributed their stories essays in the book. Now, speaking of the authors, I've always feel grateful and really appreciate the works of the wonderful authors, who willingly to share their stories of life-changing events that are touching and inspiring. Because, sometimes we may just need a boost from the story tellers to just keep us moving in life.

Therefore, I have decided. I bought one!

I can just finish reading it and, I can just start to read it all over again at anytime. Because, real life stories never stopped inspiring us in our journeys of life. Personally, it reminds me a lot about there are real people living around you, near and far, around the globe. And, you are not alone. It may be not about the people but their life-changing stories. But if you do still feeling lacking, our God is with you if you trust in Him :)

So, as for today, I'm still enjoy reading it and still keep on reading it!