Father's Love

It's amazing how little incidents in life impact one's life.

I was on the MRT, mind, hands and mouth full. On one hand, I was trying to figure out a way to work out the best possible rate for a client. RAR, gearing, basic business rules. That kept my mind preoccupied.

Hands. Fixed on the phone. Calling just about every expert I know. Market rates, market analysis. Thank God for Axlle, Dennis, Derek and Zhi Wei.

Mouth. Spewing banking lingos. Passenger beside me kept staring at my file that I was trying desperate to hide. MAS rules.

Needless to say, time whizzes past. What's traveling for a hour when you're preoccupied right? I'm such a workaholic at times. It must be the years of aggressive competition, from table tennis and dancing. Ever the need to perform.

Braddell: A young Father came in, pushing a pram. He looked tired, slightly unkempt. Most would consider him unfashionable, with a blue baby bag, a pram, t-shirt, faded trousers and signature Singaporean flip flops. He sat beside me.

What most women would do when they see a toddler in a pram: smile.

I did. But it was for a different reason. The toddler's head was 1.5 times bigger than an average kid. He had a deformed mouth and brown birthmarks on 80% on his face. It was a sight for sore eyes. It makes you wonder how the toddler would grow up and face the beauty obsessed world.

YET. His father had no eyes for anyone else. He was much less concerned about the stares from fellow passengers. I think he must have been used to it. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught people whispering. The toddler's father caught naught but continued to play with his child. The child smiled and so did his father.

Hurt people hurt others. Just look at Tiger Woods and Tiger Wood's father.

People who are loved, love others more readily. They are self assured.

The toddler would be hurt by society. Frowned upon since the day he was born. Yet he would be loved unconditonally by his father.

I felt his love and it reminded me of my dad's love. Sometimes I think that my dad deserves all the credit but I'm shy of telling him. He's always supporting the family, providing for us.

Caught in my life of busyness, friends, work and whirlwind schedule of appointments. I forgot how it was when I was like the toddler. I was an ugly child. I had no hair, tiny eyes, sickly and thin. Slightly better off them the creature in Lord of the Rings. YET I vividly remember going through pictures where my dad proudly carried me. Till today, he is the silent fan of my sisters and I. Uncles and Aunties call us the Charlie's Angels.

Today's incident will be the reason why I will enjoy my work, my life. It's a reason to make my parents proud and present them with the greatest gift a child can present to her parents - the gift of happyness.

:)

I love you daddy, mummy, Dajie Jas and Jo.

Dear God, thank you for my family.

:)

Melbourne - Day 1

Teeheehee. The boys must be so envious of me. Crusing along the streets near St Kilda's beach in a convertible.

Good day!


Introducing our awesome friend, Yongsiang! Not only did he welcomed Grouie (grace plus louie) into his posh Docklands apartment, Yongsiang was the perfect tour guide.

Check out his convertible!

I particularly like this shot. :) I was enjoying the moment, away from the stress at work.



NOM NOM NOM!!! Bakeries and cafes everywhere!

I can't really remember the name of the cafe but it delightfully serves the best breakfast and coffee I've had in 24 years!

Glowing with statisfaction.
Yup! Perfectly poached egg with generous hollandaise sauce, served on crisp toast and thick juicy ham.

The aussie portion is mega huge!
Yongsiang then dropped us off so that we could explore the city centre. Melbourne is big on graffiti!



And performing arts :)

I hope day 1 alone could entice you into visiting Melbourne in Summer. It isn't humid so you hardly perspire and that's always that unpredictable cold wind. Keep the cardigan near!


Adios to 2009!


HELLO 2o10! Year of Restful Increase!

XOXO,

GT

Great Ocean Road Day 1

Hello everyone! Happy CNY to you! I hope you had a good break because I did! I went to Melbourne for a week's vacation! whoohoo.

I have so many stories to tell, pictures to rave about that I have no idea where to start. Perhaps, with the Great Ocean Road drive. It was my favourite part of the stay in Australia.

Here we go!

The man behind the 8 hours drive. Without him, it wouldn't have been possible. -beams- We rented a car from Thrifty. If you're traveling on a budget,I strongly recommend renting from Thrifty's! Friendly staff, good service, very efficient.

I proclaim that Australians make the best breakfast! Eggs benedict - poached eggs with perfect runny yokes, drenched in hollandaise sauce, placed gingerly on crisp toast and seasoned ham. ahhh.. paradise





And here we go! Tummy happy couple..

Checked in at our hotel in Lorne. I simple have to rave about Cumberland hotel! Extremelyhelpfulstaffgloriousamenitiesscenicview! phoawww!

Room inauguration ceremony begins!
wheee!
For $250 per night per couple, you have your own spacious bathtub with a jacuzzi, generous display of towels and your very own washing machine and dryer! -bliss-

Oh OH OH..and complementary wine and chocolates, microwave, kitchen utensils.. did I mention dishwasher?

Simply fabulous!
We managed to drag ourselves out of Cumberland hotel to continue the journey to


TADA!!!



Yup the 12 apostles. It was breathtakingly beautiful!!! Worth every bit of motion sickness (I threw up 3/4 of the journey)

My lifesaver - motion sickness pills.


I loveloveloved the view. When I get to witness such pristine beauty, I can't help but be amazed at how marvelous our good Lord is.


Dear friends, you NEED to HAVE to and DIEDIEMUST dine at Casalingo! It's at Apollo Bay, tucked quietly off the main street. This quaint Italian restaurant offered the best pasta I had in Australia. Simply gastronomical!

Nom Nom Nom...

-grin-

Dreadful

I feel terrible.

Consolation for CNY cold is that there's an adorable little girl beside me who will be in tHe queue with me.

She's a brave one :)

Great Ocean Road

:)

Pen-What enlarger?

Hello! I may be a technophobe, a.k.a blogspot laggard, but how can anyone spam my blog with a

PEN** ENLARGER COMMENT!

ANGRY!

ROAR!!

I did something nice today!

I think I did!
I was exhausted from gyming and decided to cab home. I got an cabbie uncle that couldn't stop talking to me when all I wanted was some shut eye. I tried to entertain him and half the time I wasn't sure what I said.

I was so relieved when the cab arrived at my place and whipped out my newly withdrawn SGD 50 note. To my horror, the cabbie didn't have change!

Uncle requested that I get some change and I suggested to coffee shop opposite my place which is a fair bit of distance.

Guess what, after he dropped me off, I got change, went back to the spot and HE DISAPPEARED! Confused I stood there. I stood there for 10 minutes thinking to myself that $12 must mean something for cab drivers (very often, cabbies tell me how hard it is to earn a living). Well he returned, without so much an explanation, took my money, mumbled a thank you and drove off.

I walked home feeling incredible. Noisy uncle, inefficient, pulled a David Copperfield disappearing act, had me confused for a whole 10 minutes, and made me walk all the way home from the coffee shop.

Yet I paid.

I think God's promise of restful increase is manifesting. I Actually Felt incredibly happy that I had the patience.

:)