51 and living it....

A little over a year ago..I started my blog. At that time, I wanted to write about being 50 and living it, living my life as I wanted it to be. Well, i just turned 51...and as I ponder and reflect on the past year...I wonder if I have achieved what I set out to do and be.

I think I didn't allow disappointments to hit me or bring me down. I didn't let racial bigotry or bitter rivalry get the better of me...for I still believed in the positive side of things...that one day, things will be better and one day...I will get what I should get. True enough patience served the day. I recently received an Excellence Service Award for Civil Servants in my category, of course with support from my immediate previous superiors. Thanks to all involved. I also received my promotion which I had waited with abated breathh since Sept last year and which I finally got in May. Somehow, that put my faith back in the system or maybe I was one of the luckier ones...Whatever, I will continue to look at the positive side of things...finally I would say..God is Great!

Today..being where I am, in a new post and trying my best to set things right and handle matters as best as I could...I find myself still doing what is best, what is right, still striving to make things right, still working hard to ensure that others do what is right and bringing out the best in themselves. My fellow colleagues all work just as hard, being a civil servant these days is no joke..no ordinary life, man, whoever said being a civil servant was easy..must be a real deadwood! We all try our best and hope that things will work out. With a new director and a new deputy Director who expect that we work our best at all times have helped set our directions clear and loud. I hope everyone will lend their support and help to bring quality education to our children in all our different capacities.

As for me...being 51 means a year older. It also means I can still look forward to another year of love and friendships with family and loved ones.My health has been generally good, I had a couple of bouts with a weak tummy this year thus far, my weight has gone up a bit..up 2 kilos from the 7 that I lost...shucks.. this weight yo-yo thingy has got to be another one of my resolutions this year...I feel great and I look ok...so they say for someone my age! What do you think it means :)

I still my maintain old friendships, I have started with Facebook and got connected to friends and relatives I lost contact with, I have been able to receive news from long lost friends and view photos of people I have not seen or met in ages. Facebook has its positives...wish I had more time to spend there...anyway, an occasional poke at it has been worthwhile.

As I age ...he he...I think I look at my life from a different prospect. I have had my share of problems and arguements but I am not as judgemental as I was years ago, I accept that some things cannot be changed, I refuse to challenge some things that really are negative cos' somehow I believe that the record will straighten itself out, especially when it involves friendships or relationships at the workplace. I simply deplore office politics but somehow one can never escape it...I wish people would spend more time working then gossiping about others and plotting how to get at other people. I have hopes for humanity..one day..things will be better...i sincerely hope the new PM and his Cabinet will make 1 Malaysia work!

At 51, I want to be living a healthy and fun life with friends and family. this year, I want to write, to present papers, to finish my proposal and contribute to society in some way or other.
I want to remain healthy, to play my roles right...wife, mother, daughter, sister, best friend, superior, subordinate, teacher... and in all make the years in my life complete. I shall live my life as I see fit. I shall give my best and I shall expect the best. I shall be a better person then I was last year. I shall be a stronger person then I was...I shall be happy with my life! Nothing will stop me from living the life I want it to be...be a friend and support me in my endeavours!
God Bless you all!

...and weddings.

Yes, 5 July saw our family's first nephew tying the knot with his long time girlfriend.

It was a reunion of sorts albeit my late father wasnt there. We missed you, dad.

The tea-ceremony at noon started the wedding celebration for us.

Then it was dinner at Hotel Mutiara, Century Gardens, Johor Bahru.

The theme was Nyonya Kebaya, seeing that our late great-grandmother was a Grand Nyonya herself. We took some lovely pics, you can view them in Facebook.

It was a fun and different wedding of sorts. There was karaoke, song and dance by members of the family, kids and grown-ups..then believe it or not, yes, a PS competition between bride and groom, then best man and bridesmaid, then free for all. It was as usual a gathering of old friends and relatives from far and near. yes it would have been complete if my dad was there, but some things we can't change... anyway, ...

To Adrian and Serene here's wishing you some verses by Joanna Fuchus..

On your joyful wedding day,
You begin a brand new life.

Friends and family give their gifts

To joyful husband, blissful wife.
But the greatest gift you'll ever get,

A gift from heaven above,

Is love forever, ending never, Everlasting love.
You'll share life's joy and pleasure;

You'll have plenty of that, it's true.

But love is the real treasure.

For your new spouse and you.
And if life hands you challenges,

As it does to one and all,

Your love will hold you steady

And never let you fall.
Your wedding day is full of joy;
Among the finest things in life,

a good marriage is the most satisfying and rewarding,

the deepest and best of pleasures.

That blessed relationship uplifts, enriches, encourages and strengthens both husband and wife.

A loving marriage overcomes any obstacles the world may put in its way,

strengthening the special marital bond with every challenge conquered.

Your wedding is the start of something better than you can imagine.

May your marriage be all that you dream of and more.
A wedding is a door to happiness,

When two decide to share their lives as one.

Your marriage is an adventure bright and new;

The pleasures and delights have just begun.
I/We wish for you a lifetime full of love;

May you always keep that magical attraction.

Let your bond and your commitment grow with time,

So that all your days are filled with satisfaction.
Congratulations and God Bless you both.

Of birthdays......

It's only been a month since I last wrote... wish I could find time to write daily..I should actually..well, June saw some birthday babies...including my first born, Jennifer who celebrated her 21st birthday on the 30 June. It was a wonderful occasion ..to see Jenny all grown up..

So here's some birthday verses for you..

How very fast the time has flown
The years seem such a whirl
The years were such a joy
Since you were just a tiny child
A precious baby girl.
How quickly you have blossomed
Through those tender childhood years
When every single day had moments
Full of joy and tears.

But those nostalgic schooldays
Which have sped so swiftly by
Have seen you reach twenty one
All in the blinking of an eye.So think about your future
Special things to see and do
New faces and new challenges
Just waiting there for you.
How could it be so long ago
You were just a babe in arms
Melting everybody's heart
With all those baby charms.

How could the years have gone so quick
It seems like yesterday
When you were just a little girl
Running out to play.
Did somebody put forward
The precious hands of time
And turn our little daughter
Into a woman so sublime.

For here you are today
All grown up and lovely too
A warm and gentle person
So special through and through.
And all those childhood charms you had
Have grown with you each day
And made you much more special
Than words could ever say.

So Jenny, may all the dreams
You hold within your heart
Come true and bring you happiness
From which you'll never part.
May the days that lie ahead
Be filled with gladness, success, good health too
For there just couldn't be anyone
Who deserves it more than you.
Happy Birthday and Congratulations!