Easter is Almost Here...

It has been a long week and Easter is almost here.

It has been a very stressful week for me, a real test of faith - a test of fire. I just hope and pray that all will go well in the end.

Despite all that has happened, I am very thankful and grateful for all the support that I've received during this very trying period. These friends and family members stood by me, helped and encouraged me to do what I needed to do.

I believe it was God's plan for me to meet these people. Although there were times I felt alone and "abandoned" like Jesus did on the cross, He did send someone to help me stand up when I fell. For these friends, I call you my guardian angels. For this, I really thank God for this blessing and gift!

People say things happen for a reason and I don't doubt that everything that is happening now, is just part of God's grand plan. The only thing which irritates me a little is that sometimes, don't you wish that you can find out what God has in store for you? ;-)

I know God will do things in His time.

As Easter approaches, I hope that we will all rise in Christ and be renewed in our faith!!

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46)

Did I Just Lose Another 2 Kg??

 

Snoopy looks a bit surprised... So am I...

This is rather shocking.. I just weighed myself and found out that I've lost about 2kg!!

Well, I didn't check my weight last week but I'd guess I was surprised that I dropped by 2kg this week, despite not going to the gym. 

I've been quite strict with myself - no coffee or Milo at work. If I did take Milo, it was only one cup that week. Other than that, it has been nothing but green tea, hot water or natural fruit juices. 

As for lunch, it is often a challenge to eat healthily. Most foods have a lot of salt, sugar or oils and to make the right choice is hard. If all your colleagues prefer to go to this chap fan (economy rice) where the foods are tasty but has a lot salt and oil, your choices are kind of limited. Of course, the best option is to pack your own food - that way, you control what you eat. But often, do we have the time or are we disciplined enough to prepare our food daily? 

Besides that, no supper or any kind after 9:30pm. I have my dinners quite late due to work, but when I do have it, my portions are smaller and often have a lot of leafy green vegetables in it. I move around quite a bit after dinner and will go to bed 4-hours later. It's not good to sleep with a full stomach.

Perhaps my "recent" weight loss was that I managed to clean my bowels completely this morning? (^.^)

Anyway, this small win is a cause for celebration... BY GOING TO THE GYM TOMORROW!!! 

With Christmas coming and the temptation to indulge in all foods very difficult to fend off; this season will be a testing one... So, stay strong! Stay fit! Choose the right foods! Be motivated to stay fit!!!!

Tapped Dry...

I'm really tapped out of ideas.

Not sure why my blog is really in a rut lately. I seem to be losing subscribers as seen in my Feedburner.. eep!!

I want to rant about stuff but can't seem to find the energy for it.

EV will say that I'm suffering from Mondayitis. It could be a bit true. Even watching some funny football antics at I'm On Setanta Sports did not help much.

Perhaps I need a nap.

Perhaps I need to binge on a bag of chips (uggghh), but after watching a 5-hour marathon of Dr Oz on Oprah on the Hallmark channel yesterday, I am compelled to eat more fruits, vegetables and do more exercise to get into shape. Note that when Dr Oz pulled out the "omentum" of a fat/obese person, I got really scared... and disgusted!!

OK OK... Maybe I need to spend some quality time at the gym. After all, I have missed my sessions for the past couple of weeks due to being sick.

I wanted to go shopping for Christmas stuff this weekend but traffic around the malls is just horrendous. And, we're supposed to be in recession, no?

Or, perhaps I can start thinking about some lens for my new camera? **Hint - Christmas pressie**

Oh well, at least a holiday is coming up next Monday. (^.^)

Sentimental Thursday - Lucky

I really really like this song. Brings back a lot of sweet memories. :-P



Here's the lyrics, if you're not interested in the song.

Do you hear me,
I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Oooohhhhoohhhhohhooohhooohhooohoooh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music, feel the air
I'll put a flower in your hair
Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooooh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

I do agree with the song, it is very lucky to find a best friend to be in love with. Someone who knows how to make your life easier when it is hard.

These days, with crisis here and there, little pieces of such joy should be held very dear to us.

Not to fear... Friday is ALMOST here!!

So, What's Next?

Mama Cat - She's wondering what is going to happen next...

It's another political tsunami... But then again, we all saw it coming. (^__^)

The next question is, what can the 44th President do within the first 100 days in office? The Democrats have taken back both the Senate and House of Representatives, which means they have the bigger say in the US government.

Anyway, interesting times ahead. Mr. President, let's hope you set out to do all what you have promised to do for your nation, and in consequence the world. All eyes are on you now.

I wonder... would this be a catalyst for us in Malaysia?

Oh Mamma Mia!!!!

=====Dedicated to all readers who were alive during the 70's... Oh Gawd... I'm such an old fart!!!=====

Mention the name "ABBA" to any adult aged late 20-something and above and you'll get a reaction of sorts. Either they start jiving to "Dancing Queen"; burst into song, singing "Thank You For the Music" or just shake their head to think that they lived through the Disco age somehow. Perhaps for some of us, we couldn't believe that we have been wowed by these people who wore clothes with so much sequins that it literally blinded us.. back then.

I FINALLY caught Mamma Mia! yesterday with my parents who are big ABBA fans. We never went on a road trip without our ABBA tapes. My sister and I would try to sing to "Honey, Honey" or "I Have A Dream". Yes, ABBA was drummed into us at an early age.

The movie was fantastic! It was what I really needed to feel happy after going through such a crappy week. Nothing is more uplifting than jiving to the song of "Dancing Queen" - a song about having the "time of your life". The last ABBA-related movie I watched was Muriel's Wedding and that was a pretty good movie with some ABBA songs in it.

Sure, some of us would like to make fun of ABBA music but deep down, I'm sure some of us can't help tapping our feet to the music or humming their songs. In fact, the Swedes have this joke about their country's biggest exports were Volvos, IKEA and ABBA... (^___^)

The best part I liked about ABBA's music was that their lyrics were simple, and so easy to sing to. They had a variety in their music too, where they didn't just stick to a particular tempo. Perhaps that was what is so appealing about them.

Anyway, for an inspiring song, try "I Have A Dream"... Listen to the lyrics carefully.

Now, I can't wait for the musical to come down to KL!!!

And yes... I have a feeling that I'll be singing more ABBA songs at the Christmas Karaoke this year... LOL!!!

Are You Part Of "The Shift"?

My colleague sent a very cool link this morning and so, thought I'd share with you folks.

There is a global revolution going on now and it is gathering pace... It is called The Shift.

'Nuff said. The embedded video will give you folks more info.



The question is... Will You be part Of "The Shift"?

Thanks Sharon for the link! (^ ^)

Ethical Entrepeneurship

I just got news that Anita Roddick, the founder of BodyShop has just passed away yesterday.

She struck me as an inspiration as someone who was an ethical entrepreneur who not only started her own business but was able to use her business as a platform for world issues such as environmental concerns, women's issues and children's causes.

When BodyShop first opened in M'sia, I was rather excited since I was interested in the environment to learn that there is a cosmetics establishment which cared for the environment. The shop was different as the staff explained that the products were not tested on animals and that they do not encourage people to take a bag when they bought things unless necessary. My mom used to go back to the shop to get refills on some of the products as they encouraged recycling.

Later on, my sis joined their organization and she told me that the staff were shown videos of how animals were slaughtered for cosmetics products as well as how animal testing was conducted. She said many people had tears in their eyes after watching the video.

Anyway, it is heart-warming to note that there are entrepreneurs out there who feel that their business can give back to the community. Certainly, she is not one of the first business leader who became a philantrophist but she used her business as a platform to spread awareness and fight against world issues.

God Bless Her and her family.
Note: this entry was written in green as it is a green post.

Image source: here