Work Vs. Family (I)

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,

'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.

He said, 'Please excuse me too;

I did not notice you.'

We were very polite,

this stranger and I.

We went on our way

and we said goodbye.

But at home

a different scenario,

How we treat our loved ones,

young and old.

Later that day

while preparing dinner,

My son stood

beside me very still.

When I turned

I nearly knocked him down.

'Move away,' I shouted.

He walked off slowly

his little heart broken.

I didn't realize

how harshly I'd spoken

While I lay awake in bed,

A small voice came to me

'While dealing with a stranger,

common courtesy you used,

but that someone you love,

you seem to abuse......

Go and look on the kitchen floor,

You'll find some flowers behind the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.

He picked them himself: pink, yellow and orange.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,

you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'

By this time

I felt very small,

And now my tears

began to fall.

I quietly went

And bend towards his bed;

'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said. '

Are these the flowers you picked for me?'

He smiled, 'I found 'them', in our garden.

I picked 'them' because they're pretty like you.

I knew you'd like 'them', especially the yellow.'

I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;

I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'

He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's ok.

I love you anyway.'

I said, 'Son, I love you too,

and I like the flowers, especially the yellow.'

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow,

the company that we are working for

could easily replace us in a matter of days.

But the family

we leave behind will feel the loss

for the rest of their lives.

But suprisingly

we pour ourselves more into work

rather than into our own family

This is an unwise investment indeed.

So...what's behind this story ?

What say you.....???????

Move on

Disappointment are like road humps,

They slow you down a bit

but you'll soon enjoy the smooth road afterwards.

Do not stay on the humps,

for far too long,

Move on.

When you feel down,

because you did not get what you want,

just sit tight and be happy,

because Lord Buddha is thinking

of something better to give you.

Domestic Violence

Wife Abuse is assosiated with a deliberate act of causing physical or mental suffering on the spouse.

It usually occurs when they are in conflict or unable to control their own emotions.

The problem of wife abuse is a serious matter and should be taken into serious considerations.

The husband often becomes the major abuser.

Cases of wife-abuses are on a rise recently...esp in Malaysia.

The common factors include:

-Extramarital affair
-Unemployment
-Work pressure
-Financial worries
-Excessive drinking and drug abuse

Beast-Part II

The continuation of Ms. W's story.










It never crossed one's mind that such a well mannered guy would have the guts to hit the woman whom he had married for more than a decade.


The beast holds a high ranking position at a MNC.


Therefore, it's pretty hard for one to believe that Beast could had done such a nasty thing to his wife.

Beast seems to be a soft spoken kind and a loving family man.

Probably, it's only "drama minggu ini". Beast must has been an award winning artiste..in his own way. Who knows..

Well..I do not have a clear picture about what actually happened between Ms. W and Beast.

Therefore, I daren't elaborate further. I wouldn't say that Ms. W is right meanwhile Beast is in the wrong side.

Ii wrong for me get into such conclusion without hearing Beast side of story.

However, Beast is extremely wrong for hurting Ms. W physically if not mentally.


What say you ?



A Troubled Union

Beast-Part I

I have this sad tales to share in my blog today. However, I need protect the identity the person involved as she doesn't know that I would make this as one of my post here. Sorry, Ms W.

In order to maintain her anonymity, lets call her Ms. W.

I had known her since our secondary school days. Which is exactly two decades...phew....am I that old hah ? Yup..we left our beloved all-girls school way back in 1988. She started working meanwhile yours truly went to an all-boys school for Form 6.

Both of us went separate ways but kept in touch thru phone calls and meet for makan once in a blue moon. You know lah..the gap between a student and a working personnel...two different world. Our topic of conversations were narrowed to merely exchanging greetings.

Nevertheless, our friendship still maintains right till today.

Over the years, we did visit each other and go for lunches together.


I received a call from Ms. W on Sunday morning. She sounded pretty sad as if she was facing some trouble. I invited her for 'dim sum' but she rejected. I suspected something amiss in her voice.

Ms. W's call still bothers me....so I ....

So, I went over to Ms. W's office this afternoon, hoping that I could get a clearer picture of it.

It's school holidays and my schedule wasn't tight. Furthermore, my boy had gone over to grandma's house. ...which means...yours truly could 'sneek-out' for a lil "jalan-jalan,buat siasatan".

There's a famous chicken rice outlet near Ms. W's office, so I thought perhaps we could have lunch together.

But her colleague informed me that Ms. W. is on MC.

To cut the story short, yours truly being a 'kei poh chi'.......hopped over to Ms. W's house which is a short distance away.


I was shocked to see her this time around. She literally looked like a walking aubergine @ brinjal. Her entire face were swollen and there were bruises on both cheeks.

She attempted to hide it with a face towel. Tears emerged from her redden eyes.

I didn't utter a single word but immediately hugged her. I knew she needed it badly from a friend...a good friend.

When she regained her composure, I began to investigate.....kei poh chi la... I realised that there were more blue black marks on her other body parts.

I wonder....What kind of homo sapien could have this heart to do this inhuman act to such a fragile woman?


I do not know what actually happened in her relationship with her man.....but I strongly disagree to see men laying hands on the weaker sex.

I really looked down on such beast ! What about you...?

Let's seek some justice...!












Ann's Advice for Ms. W.

-Lodge a police report.

-Leave him.

-Children ? You can bring up the kids without him as you're financially independent.

-Lastly....the decision still lies in your hands.



Hey..I'm not trying to be smart nor intending to replace Datuk Michael Chong.

This is just "Kei Poh Ann".

School Holidays 26 May-8 June

Today is the first day of the two weeks school holidays before schools resume on the 9th of June, 2008. Have you planned your activities? If not, I hope this guide could help you (teachers) in planning your school holidays. Here are a few suggestions on spending your school holidays effectively.

1. As for those of you who are teaching exams classes, then I guess, you still need to conduct extra class for your students. Indirectly, you don't get to enjoy your holidays 100%. Do not sulk, it's your duty. Perhaps, next year, try to avoid holding exams classes. hahaha...which is rather difficult if your Pengetua/Guru Besar still insist that you hold important critical classes. Unless, you 'jampi" or "kow tow" at her. Tengok nasib la.

2. And to those who are doing your PJJ, then I guess, you can start looking for materials to complete your many assignments. Do not wait till the date line, baru nak start engine ! Make full use of these 14 days to finish off all the assignments..then start preparing for your exams. Burning the midnite oil isn't a wise idea coz we are no longer young teenagers. it's definitely gonna affect your health. Don't complain, it's you who choose to further your studies.

3. And to those with families, don't forget to allocate some time for your spouses and children. If possible, organise a short family trip. Balik kampung should be a great idea. Travelling and sight seeing can be relaxing and refresh your mind and soul. However, with the shocking increased of many things (food items, petrol etc), guess you need to budget and plan your expenditure wisely. By travelling locally certainly won't dig a huge hole into your pockets. Malaysia has a lot to offer with its rich kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and colours. Therefore, let's ....."Cuti-Cuti Malaysia".

4. Do take this opportunity to do revision for your PTK whick will be due in August. Who knows kalau nasib baik boleh score IV & IV. Gaji naik melintang.

Have a great and meaningful holidays!

The month of MAY

Beautiful, Colourful...Flowers are blooming in the month of May in Ann's blog.

Yes..this month is full of celebrations..

Mother's day, Teacher's day,Wesak day and best of all....school holi...day...hooray..!

As most of my worries had been lifted from my shoulders, I felt much happier now. I'm beginning to move forward and been my gaiety self once again. You can anticipate many lively interesting stories in Ann's blog from now on. However, as I've resumed my uni studies now, I doubt I could blog on a regular basis. But I PROMISE to write whenever I have the time. With a proper time management, Ann sure "Boleh". No matter how busy..I will attempt to squeeze in some time to blog.

Meanwhile...enjoy this school break. make full use of the time to rejuvenate your soul.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.....

PTK

This is a continuation of my previous posting dated Thursday, March 13, 2008 (do check it out, so that you know what I'm gonna tell you in today's posting).

Sharing a piece of good news with those of you who are reading this blog. Thanks for visiting Ann's humble blog.

I've passed my PTK exams with perfect score. This was my 2nd attempt..and I managed to flop through it which was a total suprise to yours truly. I don't expect such a result coz I wasn't prepared and hardly did any revision. I walked into the exams hall armed with my 2B pencils and an empty mind. Perhaps, I had chosen the right answers thru guessing...haha.

Not forgeting my lucky index number...007.

Thanks to Lord Buddha.

Had been experiencing lots of downs these past few months. Therefore, with this piece of news at least mend some 'broken heart" in me. Thanks for all the prayers. Appreciated them.

Hopefully I could get a lil pay rise next year which is a very very small figure. Am keeping my fingers crossed. Our PM had announced recently that the PTK exam will be revamped. Therefore, not sure if I am entitled for this pay rise ..."Pergerakan Gaji Menegak".

Am looking forward to this tiny bit of extra cash to compensate the higher cost of living. Everything seems to get so expensive nowadays. Am struggling to make ends meet....lo.

Petrol naik, beras naik

Semua pun naik.

Hidup jadi susah.

Alamak !

My Prayer goes to you

On this auspicious Wesak Day, I would like to extent my prayer to the victims of the recent disaster in Myanmar and China. My heart goes to all the Cyclone and Quake survivors.

NA MO A MI THA BA

Happy Wesak Day

To the Buddhist all over the world,
...Happy Wesak Day.

May Lord Buddha

bless your soul

today and everyday

on this auspicious

Wesak Day

May Lord Buddha

bestow peace & happiness

in all that you do

on this aupicious

Wesak Day

May Lord Buddha

showers his choicest blessing

on all human beings

on this auspicious

Wesak Day.

May Lord Buddha

enlighten your path

with bounties of pure joy and happiness

on this auspicious

Wesak Day.

Happy Teacher's Day

This morning, our Head-Prefect dedicated a "pantun" to us during a short Teacher's day celebration in my school. It was so sweet. And today is my 15th Teacher's day...yes you read the figure correctly. I had been called a "Cikgu" for the past fifteen year. Guess, I need to ponder, look back and reflect on those fabulous years of myself in the noble profession. Perhaps, if time permits, I shall blog about it in the near future.

I had been so engrossed with my workload till I forgotten that today is May 16th. It's Teacher's Day.


A perfect teacher always deserves a Perfect teacher's poem. Therefore, I've included a special poem dedicated specially for myself as well as all the Teachers in the world on this auspicious day.









A Teacher Is…

Someone who is wise...

Who cares about the students

and wears no disguise.

But is honest and open

and shares from the heart.

Not just lessons from books

but life where you are.

A teacher takes time

to help and tutor.

With English or Science

or on a computer.

She's someone who's patient,

even in stress.

Who never gives less

than the very best!

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day.

Hmmmm … I would have to say my best Mother's Day gift is this unique little handmade card I've gotten from my son yesterday. He painstakingly cut out pictures from newspapers and paste them onto a paper plate. Even the wordings are cut outs combinations of letters alphabets taken from newspapers. That's a pretty tough job for a young Std 1 child and I considered it well done. It's really meaningful to me.

Appreciated all your hard work. Thanks son.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Mothers --- "Happy Mother's Day.

And to my mum too.

Toughest Job

The Toughest Job

A CEO, a lawyer or a broker

Which job is harder..you may wonder

What about that of a mother?

Hands down, it's the toughest...no need to ponder.

Morning sickness, back pain and weight gain

Nine months later, aaarggh...it's labour pain

Baby crying, night feeds and three hours of sleep

You would be cranky too, if not weep.

The toughest job you have procured

Would you do it again?

"Oh..but for sure!"

"Well done, great job" that's very clear

To all mums,

We celebrate your day

Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day

A toast to all the sacrifices you have made

You're the greatest, enough said.

Hope

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome

related to events and circumstances in one's life.

Hope implies a certain amount of despair

wanting, wishing, suffering or perseverance

believing that a better

positive outcome is possible

even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

Hope is to wish for something

with the expectation of the wish being fulfilled.

People often say hope dies last

I believe this to be true

When I have nothing left to believe in

Hope gives me the courage to hold on

Giving me the strength that I didn't know I had

Hope picks me up so I can continue on

It fills me with warmth

It encircles me with safety

It keeps me strong in times of despair

And just when I think I'm all alone.

But it does exists just at the right time.

Behind storm clouds lies a silver lining.

I was so overwhelmed by my troublesome uni matters since the start of 2008. It badly affected and crippled my daily lives. I was so extremely down over it until I lost a few pounds...ya you can say that I looked slimmer now. I even gotten a nickname from my mum..."Lidi".



However, finally this ordeal is almost over now. I managed to get what I deserve. Though I only won the battle partially but it's already better than losing completely. It's gonna be extra work for me as I have to take extra papers this Semester. But..with Lord Buddha's blessings, I'm sure I can brisk thru this hurdle easily. "Ann, Sure Boleh".





Behind storm clouds lies a silver lining.









One can't be experiencing down falls all her life. There's sure to be certain time where she could face some lucky stars. As for me, I'm thankful that my ordeal has finally ended though not exactly 100 percent on my side but I'm satisfied with the outcome.

As I'm unable to turn back the clock and alter history...I will just look forward to what is bout to come and work towards it.


I'm truly thankful to a very special friend, whom had been very supportive and often offers word of encouragements during those difficult moments. Thanks....V.

Rapunzel

I had been neglecting my poor boy for such a long time. Hey..I still see to his daily needs except that I hardly spend quality time with him. I rarely talk to him or listen to him due to my hectic schedules. I felt really guilty about that. Due to my recent "topsy turvy" condition....I had almost "lost myself" and "mentally unsound". To be honest, I have not really spend much "quality moments" with my boy. As a mother...I felt really GUILTY over my actions. How selfish I am..huh?

Therefore..I gave myself a hard slap and reminded myself that I need to do something to make up the lost time before it's too late. Sorry boy...please forgive mummy.
I realised that what is more important than my boy. So..I am going to brush aside all my problems from now on....and carry on with life.


Now that I had finished my exams, I decided to spend an evening with him...just the two of us. Candle light dinner to compensate the lost time...hahahaha.


Had a sumptious dinner with him at a Japanese restaurant. (FYI, my boy fancied Jap food. Both of us shared the similar taste bud). Later, we had dessert at Swesen's. Phew...more than one hundred ringgit gone....but it's ok la..once in a while !


Later that Saturday night, as we were cuddling in bed, my boy requested for a bedtime story. I told him to choose his favourite book from our mini library in the study. He personally hand picked the story "Rapunzel". How many of you guys know this story ?


Rapunzel was a princess who was imprisoned in a tall tower by her wicked stepmother out of jealousy for her beauty. And finally a handsome prince rescued her and...happily ever after.

When my son dozzed off, I read the story again as it some how brought out the child spirit inside me. And something caught my attention....

Hey...do you notice that there is a deeper meaning to this fairy tale ?

Rapunzel had lived locked up all her life. And she was repeatedly brain-washed about her ugliness. Her stepmum repeatedly reminded her about this. Until a prince came to her rescue.

Based on my personal opinion, "Rapunzel was kept imprisoned by her own inferiority complex". Not because of the tower nor her wicked mum. If she was brave enough and confidence...she would have find ways to run away. There were many ways which she could...like using her long hair as a rope or shouting for help. I'm sure she could use her brains. She doesn't really needed the prince to climb up to to the tower to bring her down...! Do women really need to depend on men to survive..?

Rapunzel courage and confidence were only triggered when the prince emerge before her. She began to recognise her own beauty when the prince describe it to her. Then only she saw the importance of setting herself free.


All of us have this inferiority complex buried deep inside us. We dare not admit our capabilities and often worry about our own weaknesses. We seldom focus on our strength. That is the reason why we don't set ourself free. And often get hurt over critism.

You see..for the past months, I had been traumatised by my very own inferiority feelings. It had been bothering me for months. Now I learned a lesson. Thanks to Rapunzel.

Any comments...?

This Long Wait....

Insecurity
Heartache,
Sleepless Nights,

I'm doubtful that those people are really helping me,
I seems to be getting all kinds of assurance words from them,
Which tend to create some kind of peaceful feelings in me,
However right till today,
There is still no sign of a conclusion nor verdict,
Instead it's still dragging on and on,
Looks likely that this case is gonna prolong
I just can't wait for this entire episode to end,
So that I can proceed with my life,
Perhaps GOD is testing my patience,
I am starting to feel extremely tired,
To fight in this battle,
Though my inner soul kept whispering "There's hope, Don't give up!"
For how long do I have to wait and suffer ?
Am I not given a second chance at all ?
Can someone please give me an ANSWER...?

Prisoner

'Thoughts of a prisoner'


The journey is long,
Painful imprisoning.
There's no freedom,
Any more.

I sleep to be free,
But my dreams aren't peaceful.
Scary things happen,
For which I want to get off.

I need to get off.
For I'm not a criminal,
What did I do?
Imprisoned by my thoughts,

Once proved right.
No hope of escape,
Still on suicide watch.

No space,
No freedom.
Stop the world,
I've had enough.

The journey must end
With freedom,
Release from pain.
I can't carry on in prison
For something
I didn't do.