Thou shalt not be tempted... or maybe?

A few days ago, one of my buddies emailed me loads of photos of doggies to tempt me. They are from dog adoption centres. She said since I like dogs, maybe I should consider adopting one for my birthday? It was tempting, as I spent some time researching on the different breeds of dogs and their behaviour. I know nuts about taking care of dogs and even more so the different breeds have different needs, so I'm not sure if I am ready for such a commitment.

These are my friends' dogs, Muffy (Shih Tzu) and Joey (Maltese). Don't they look so happy and cute? If I have my own pup, it can join these 2 friends for walks in the park. Tempting ...

I saw the photos of dogs up for adoption, mostly were bigger dogs abandoned or given up by their owners. They really looked so pitiful and sad that I don't have the heart to post them here. Instead I found these extremely cute and cheeky pixs online. Labradors, Beagles, Poodles..... tempting....

These Beagle and Pekingese look so cute and innocent you just want to hug them and smother them with kisses. Tempting....

These Shih Tzus look sooooo adorable.... just like Muffy and my niece loves him. Tempting..

At the bottom of my heart, I know I heart Golden Retrievers (beige fur ones) the most (think Marley). But they will grow and GROW and my house cannot accommodate such a big dog.

Or shall I get a Jack Russell Terrier? Tempting...

Maybe I should settle for a Yorkshire Terrier, which is small in size and manageable? No matter what breed, I think it's a gut feel. If you meet one, you will know it's the one, no matter what breed then. I know I will want to own a dog one day, however, I know now is not the right time yet.

For now, I shall just be contented with this handbag to carry and hug. I got it as a birthday gift - a Roccobarocco purple handbag. Friend said it was worth almost $500 but was selling at $100+ for GSS. Great buy, great gift. Thanks! And thanks to the rest too for the gifts and ang pow!!

Another day, another meaningful lesson

Decided last minute to attend the animal liberation on HH Dalai Lama's birthday today. Did not go out to sea to release the animals, but rather, went to the centre for the short prayers for them. To make it even more special, today is my birthday too, and my parents, niece and nephew decided to go with me.

We liberated a whole truck of 3120 kg of flower la la , 1240 kg of la la , 166 kg of mussels, 315 kg of chut chut and 40 kg of crabs, the total number estimated was 600,000 lives. We should rejoice for these animals and generate the bodhicitta and compassion for them, as these animals, being born in the lower realms, could have been our parents or someone close to us since beginningless times. We are creating the condition for their good rebirth in their next life as humans so that they can get to know the Dharma, and thus be enlightened.

I forgot to take photos, but here is one taken a few years ago when Lama Zopa Rinpoche was here. During an animal liberation, he was blessing many crates of crickets and crabs, saying and whispering extensive prayers and mantras and blessing the creatures. Rinpoche is a very compassionate guru.

Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life. - His Holiness Dalai Lama

Was out the whole day till evening. Had a nice quiet birthday with my family and the real nice cool weather. Usually I do not like to celebrate my birthday with many people or have any noisy party. Maybe I am shy and quiet or, I just prefer to spend the day with those close to me.

I received plenty of heartening wishes from many people - whether through emails, sms, Twitter, Facebook or calls - my buddies, friends, colleagues, new friends and even strangers. Ironically this year, the first one to wish me Happy Birthday was a stranger. He is someone I befriended. He was a semi celebrity of sort in his hey days and he sent me an email. I was just surprised by his thoughtfulness. This year I got to know many people, some of whom are prominent people in their field, who are strangers that turned out to be very kind and thoughtful, who went the extra mile to touch me with kind gestures. For that, I am very thankful. And even more ironically, there were a few close people in my life whom I was so concerned with not so long ago, who did not even bother.

An ex-staff who worked for me 5 years ago, sent me this eCard and a private message. So sweet of her.

I have learnt... yet another precious lesson about friendship, on my birthday. Through many ways and dreams, I know I am very blessed by the Buddhas as well as those who came into my life. Thank you!!! Om padmo unisha vimale hum phat!!!

His Birthday

Tomorrow 6 July will be His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 74th Birthday. Today, one day in advance, I went ABC to celebrate and attend the Namgyalma puja with 1000 set of offerings. It was to offer prayers of auspiciousness for His Holiness’ long and stable life and for all his holy wishes to be fulfilled, as well as for ourselves and whomever we would like to dedicate to.

It was a joyous occasion. Despite the very hot and humid morning and noon, during the middle of the puja, light rain came - showers of blessings from the Buddhas. And when the prayers ended at about 5pm, the rain has already stopped. It was only when I came home that the rain poured again, heavy this time. As I have encountered many a times before, during any significant or important puja, there would always be a light shower of blessings from the above.

We ate the long life pills and drank the holy nectar in the form of blessed chocolate and milk respectively. We also sang a birthday song for His Holiness before cutting the cake.

May the Dalai Lama have a fantastic birthday tomorrow!!! May He and all the gurus and masters live long so as they can continue teaching, leading and benefitting many more sentient beings in the Dharma path. Om mani padme hum!!!

Ho Kee Pau

I passed by Ho Kee Pau and bought some pau. Usually we would take away their pau for breakfast. I like their pau. Morever there are many outlets - 17 of them all over Singapore.

We usually buy char siew pau (savoury), lotus paste pau (sweet), and bean paste pau (sweet). I like it that their pau is not too big in size, easier to eat. Besides pau, Ho Kee also sells other snacks like siew mai, har gow, dumplings, malay cake, chee cheong fun, all the typical dim sum items.

However, there is one item which is my favourite - the chives (jiu chai) prawn dumplings. They have both the steamed and fried versions. Their jiu chai dumplings are humongous compared to usual ones, they look so full as if they are bursting. That's because they are very generous with the ingredients inside - plenty of chopped chives, fresh prawns, meat, and little chestnuts. It is so fresh and meaty that it tastes crunchy. 2 or 3 of these you would already be full!

Difference between Westerners & Asians

Key: Blue = Westerners, Red = Asians

(1) Opinion

Westerners: Talk to the point
Asians: Talk around the circle, especially if opinions are different

(2) Way of Life

Westerners: individualism, think of himself or herself.
Asians: enjoy gathering with family and friends, solving their problems, and know each other's business.

(3) Punctuality

Westerners: on time.
Asians: in time.

(4) Contacts

Westerners: Contact to related person only.
Asians: Contact everyone everywhere, business very successful.

(5) Anger

Westerners: Show that I am angry.
Asians: I am angry, but still smiling... (Beware!)

(6) Queue when Waiting

Westerners: Queuing in an orderly manner.
Asians: Queuing?! What's that?

(7) Sundays on the Road

Westerners: Enjoy weekend relaxing peacefully.
Asians: Enjoy weekend in crowded places, like going to the mall.

(8) Party

Westerners: Only gather with their own group.
Asians: All focus on the one activity that is hosted by the CEO

(9) In the restaurant

Westerners: Talk softly and gently in the restaurant.
Asians: Talk and laugh loudly like they own the restaurant.

(10) Travelling

Westerners: Love sightseeing and enjoy the scenery.
Asians: Taking picture is the most important; scenery is just for the background.

(11) Handling of Problems

Westerners: Take any steps to solve the problems.
Asians: Try to avoid conflicts, and if can, don't leave any trail.

(12) Three meals a day

Westerners: Good meal for once a day is sufficed.
Asians: At least 3 good meals a day.

(13) Transportation

Westerners: Before drove cars, now cycling for environmental protection.
Asians: Before no money and rode a bike, now got money and drive a car

(14) Elderly in day-to-day life

Westerners: When old, there is snoopy for companionship.
Asians: When old, guarantee will not be lonely, as long as willing to babysit grandkids.

(15) Moods and Weather

Westerners: The logic is:rain is pain.
Asians: More rain, more prosperity

(16) The Boss

Westerners: The boss is part of the team.
Asians: The boss is a fierce god.

(17) What's Trendy

Westerners: Eat healthy Asian cuisine.
Asians: Eat expensive Western cuisine.

(18) The Child

Westerners: The kid is going to be independent and make his/her own living.
Asians: Slog whole life for the kids, the centre of your life.

Are you a fussy foodie?

TGIF!!!! Hmm, I'm surprised a reader asked me to show more food pixs. Thought I'm already overloading this blog with too many foodie pixs, haha!

One of the days, after my meeting, it was almost past 2pm and was as hungry as a hippo! As I was in Millenia Walk, there was not many choices and I didn't want to walk over to Marina Square (too hot!). So called a friend who was working nearby to join me for late lunch. We decided on TCC after much deliberation.

As lunch time was over, the place was quieter and we got a real nice cosy corner all by ourselves, a round table with red round sofa complete with dim lightings, black wall, mock chandelier and all. I ordered something called Tomcat or Tomcan something (forgot the name!) which was a new creation. It was a mix of prawns, avocado, tomatoes with melted cheese on toasted bread, complete with salad and chips (which was more like Indian-style pappadum). And I ordered the Mint Choc Frappe, it was really chocolate milk shake with a teeny weeny hint of mint taste.

This is a close up of such a delightful meal. I had to use flash for this pix as it was too dim. The earlier pix was without flash. I simply love the generous toppings of avocado, tomatoes, and prawns with mild melted cheese. I always love plain tossed up salad like this. The entire blend of all these ingredients with the pappadums was just perfect to me. Wonderful lunch.

I don't dine in restaurants everyday, you know. Mostly I prefer hawker food and so many favourite local dishes to tempt me. This was simple Bak Chor Mee from a stall in Fortune Centre. It tasted only so-so to me, not sure why so many people ordered from this stall. The only good thing about this was they obviously added vinegar which enhanced the otherwise mediocre Bak Chor Mee.

At other times, I can be even more simple. When I got sick of all the usual hawker stuff, I would crave for something light and easy on the tummy - plain porridge. Being half Teochew, I love plain porridge with simple side dishes. One lunch, I could just eat plain porridge with fried beancurd with minced pork, braised beancurd skin and just salted veggies (kiam chye) - heaven.

I love it when I find good wanton noodles. It is such a common noodle dish in Singapore that it is pretty hard to distinguish which is good or not so good. Nowadays I have a tendency of ordering wanton mee without chilli. Our local version, if without chilli, they would add tomato sauce instead. While I would never have ordered non-chilli wanton mee in the past, nowadays I think my taste has changed. The slight sweetish taste of ketchup with springy noodles, char siew, fried wanton, steamed wanton with veggies, sort of grows on me. I do still add green chilli though....

Sometimes it is also simple to cook at home as you can cook whatever you like. Fuss-free. This is my spaghetti with tomato base sauce. My niece told me she ate the $1 spaghetti in school which was horrid with just chopped cucumber. So I made this for her, with shitake mushroom, meatballs, squid, minced pork, green capsicum and chopped onions. Yummy!

Other times at home, I just prefer a simple stir-fry of a plate of veggies which goes well with plain rice, and I had be contented. These are some of my favourite home-cooked dishes - Sambal Petai with prawns, and Kai Lan with cuttlefish.

So you can see, I'm quite a foodie myself. I enjoy all kinds of food and sometimes like to cook as well. I'm not fussy as in I'm adventurous in trying different cuisines but I'm fussy in that they are well-done in their own right. Like what ieatishootipost says... "never waste your calories on yucky food".

Her thoughts

All thanks to the 'new media', I would never have imagine I could one day communicate with wonderful stars from the present and the past in the virtual world, and to be able to know of their personal thoughts. Bottomline is.... celebrities are human after all... they live, they die, we bitch about them, we love them..... they are as human as can be, just like your neighbour next door. Sometimes they seem so much more endearing compared to their onscreen persona, because they are more real, and not ethereal.

Elizabeth Taylor is such a great gorgeous beauty from my mom's era. Here are some of Elizabeth Taylor's immediate thoughts upon the death of her closest friend, Michael Jackson, in her own words.

My heart...my mind...are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him. 4:57 AM Jun 27

We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together. 4:59 AM Jun 27

I was packing up my clothes to go to London for his opening when I heard the news. I still can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. 5:00 AM Jun 27

It can't be so. He will live in my heart forever but it's not enough. My life feels so empty. 5:01 AM Jun 27

I don't think anyone knew how much we loved each other. The purest most giving love I've ever known. Oh god! I'm going to miss him. 5:04 AM Jun 27

I can't imagine life without him. But I guess with God's help I'll learn. 5:06 AM Jun 27

I keep looking at the photo he gave me of himself which says, "To my true love Elizabeth, I love you forever." And I will love HIM forever. 5:08 AM Jun 27

Sending the greatest blessings to Dubai, by Speedpost!

Yesterday, during lunch time, I went to the temple in Waterloo Street, to pray for my buddy Veggie in Dubai. She is supposed to be due anyday anytime now and I am praying for her to have a smooth delivery.

I understand the fear she is facing, especially the pain she has been suffering from for the past 1.5 years. We, as friends around her, also feel her pain. You see, she lost her second baby Andrew at birth 1.5 years ago and the trauma and the pain of grieving did not exactly go away immediately. Hence I have been praying for her that she stays strong and calm during this 3rd pregnancy, especially in recent weeks when her due date draws nearer.

Even though Veg and her hubby are Christians, I told her I will pray for her. That is the least I can do for her. Veg has been my buddy since Primary One! Naturally, I feel for her and everything that is going on in her life. I know everything will be fine and I am sending her all my best wishes, blessings and prayers all the way from Singapore! Awaiting excitedly for her good news...

Stop disharmonious acts

Today someone knocked on my door. Seeing that he was a stranger and possibly a sales promoter, I ignored him and did not open the door. I did not want to make myself frustrated by any aggressive salesman. I didn't want to lose my temper either. He kept pressing the doorbell for the next 5-10 minutes. Then he started to speak in Mandarin (he must have assumed the one inside was an old lady or old man). He said, "don't worry, I am not selling anything .........(pause)..... I am not a sales guy..... (pause)..... please give me a few minutes of your time .... (pause)..... just a few minutes. ........ let me share with you something ........ which can give you HOPE etc....."

So he finally said it, and I knew what he was up to. He was someone from another religion trying to preach to me at my door step! He must have seen the tiny plaque of Buddhist mantras above my door and thought my house was a damn good target! On and off, I have encountered this situation before, whereby perfect strangers tasked upon themselves to introduce to me their God, and worse, discrediting everything about Buddhism without the slightest sense of guilt or sensitivity. That's how many old dying Buddhists who could not even talk in their final moments, were "coerced" into converting. Is there a quota or something..... like a report card to God to show how many sinful people they have converted?

On the other hand, how would they have felt, if I go on the streets and approach anyone who is from that religion and start to tell stories of how great the Buddha was and how if they do not become a Buddhist, they would be creating loads of negative karma etc... Would anyone from the other religions be happy to hear this? Why didn't they knock on a Muslim house? All hell will break lose then. We all remember the couple from that religion who were recently jailed for distributing evangelical publications that cast Islam in a negative light. We also remember what we have seen from the AWARE incident a few months ago.

Coincidentally, this evening I received an email from the Buddhist Fellowship :

Dear Members

Over the years, we have been informed of incidents where family members who have converted to another religion, were encouraged by their new faith leaders to damage/destroy Buddhist and Taoist artifacts (e.g. statues, prints, ornaments) and even make degrading statements at funeral services.

Such acts have caused disharmony in families and much distress to other family members (who are still Buddhists or Taoists) and the community.

In the interest of social and religious harmony, should you come across such offending acts in the future, please write to us and provide the name of the religious organisation, priest/pastor and the individual who conducted the act, so that we can inform the relevant authorities.

Similarly, please alert us of unwarranted proselytisation - whether it occurs at your doorstep, workplace, in schools, hospitals or on the street -- kindly include details (and a photo if you have a handphone camera) of the occurrence.

Manager
Buddhist Fellowship
9 Chwee Chian Road
Singapore 117488
Tel: 6278 0900

If anyone of you encounter the same experience, you may wish to contact Buddhist Fellowship. And please help to pass this message. You can do something if you feel you have been harrassed.

We are living in Singapore, a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-religion place, and the government and ministers and even the heads of all religions have advised all religions to be sensitive towards each other so that we can co-exist in harmony.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the religion. I have some relatives and good friends who are from that religion and they are mostly nice people. And if I pass by any places of worship or seen any symbols of their God, I would just bow as a form of respect. I don't criticise their Gods in front of their worshippers, I don't say they have made the wrong choice. Well I just hope they do the same to my religion. Show some respect and don't insult others' choice.

"All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness, the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives. I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe." - HH Dalai Lama

Maybe I should have opened the door and talk to that "religion" promoter, get his name, snap his photo and send it to Buddhist Fellowship!! Like this remark I saw from the internet....

"I've got nothing against God.

It's his fan club I can't stand".

Accessorize!

This is NOT an ad for Accessorize, the accessories store owned by Monsoon (I find those items in Accessorize, although nice, are definitely over priced. Recently found photos of some accessories I owned. I have a lot of accessories over the years. During different phases, I would be wearing different ones. However nowadays most are already in cold storage, as I hardly wear any, except for the occasional ring.

At one time, Dzi beads were so popular that many people were wearing it for luck or something nice, even celebrities in Mediacorp. Godbro and I were also interested. I eventually got this 21-eye Dzi bead. The 21 eye Dzi is believed to enhance the wearer's energy and natural magic power and it symbolizes the fulfillment of all wishes and promotes good reputation. It is supposed to enhance meditation level and to purify one's mind.

This purple crystal necklace was a farewell gift by an ex staff before she left the company. The StarLite pendant was given to me by my buddy Jess one Christmas. It was from RISIS. I got that wooden string pendant from Chatuchak Market in Bangkok. It's got the syllabus "OM" which is very auspicious and spiritual to me.

This square golden pendant was given to me by an ex-colleague. I wore it a few times. There was one period of time, I was crazy over chunky long necklaces. I bought this necklace with different stones and designs somewhere in Bugis, it was quite heavy too. Another time, clover was quite popular too, being a famous symbolic sign of good luck.

I liked this bracelet alot, with different plastic and wooden beads and it was very light. I bought it for $5 in some sale. I had this flowery suede bracelet since early 20s. It can also be a choker. At one time, I was wearing funny bohemian style stuff.

This bracelet of gold and brown crystals was made by mom. It was customised for my wrist and I like it alot. Mom made another bracelet which I felt looked very nice with silver and blue crystal.

Rings got to be my favourite accessory since they are easy to wear and slip off. And I love chunky rings. See the wonderful gold copper flower ring. I like to wear chunky rings on my index finger. The silver U-shape ring was supposed to have healing capabilities. I like another copper ring with a huge brown stone which I thought was quite classy. The feathery thing is actually a satchet as a necklace which I seldom wear. I only wore it once to a Xmas party, the theme was Cowboys & Red Indians and I was a Red Indian, haha.

Recently I would be spotted wearing this big red flower ring occasionally. Other than this, I actually seldom wear accessories because too lazy. I just wear a diamond bracelet and ring Mom bought for me and never take them off. And I am wearing an Agate (red stone) Star of David necklace all the time.