Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Count Our Blessings

According to MSN Money, inflation in Asia is out of control and the situation most likely will be getting worse in the coming months. For Malaysia, the 3% annual rate for April was a 15-month high, and Bank Negara is now predicting inflation will climb to 4.2% for all of 2008. *sigh*

But if we think our situation is bad, it looks like our neighbour country, Indonesia, is even worse. There's an article in NST today about Jakarta's urban poor that makes me realize how lucky our children are compared to some other children in other parts of the world.

The article reminds me of what happened during our recent trip to Bandung.

It was around 8pm. My husband wanted to alter the pants that he bought at one of the factory outlets. He asked our taxi driver who was waiting for us outside the shop and before the man could answer, there was this young girl about 8 years old who said "Pak, saya boleh tunjukkan" (Sir, I can show you"). So, my husband followed her.

After about 30 minutes, I saw my husband walking back and just slighly infront of him was the same girl who showed him the way just now. When he arrived at the place where I was waiting for him, I heard the girl kept saying "Terima kasih Pak" (Thank you sir) a few times. Then she left.

My husband was quite for a while during our journey back to the hotel. Then he told me what happened.

According to him, after the girl showed him the way, he gave her Rp2,000 which is equivalent to about 76sen. She was so happy and quickly she went to buy 2 pieces of bread. She ate one and she kept the other one. The way she ate it somehow showed that she was hungry and my husband asked her "lapar ya?" ("hungry?"). She answered "ya Pak. Ngak makan dari pagi" ("yes sir. I have not eaten since morning"). Later she said that the other piece was for her brother.

Anyway, my husband told her that she could go if she wanted to as he knew how to get back to where I was waiting but she continued to wait with my husband until the pants was ready.

My husband kept saying how lucky our daughter is. Imagine those children who have to do all sorts of odd jobs to survive. Rp2,000 which he gave to the girl may not mean much to us but to her it filled up her hungry stomach and maybe her brother's as well. And the Rp2,000 given to her was enough to make her waited for my husband to finish his errand.

This happened before the recent fuel hike. If life was difficult for them before, I'm sure it will be worse now.

We should count our blessings. At least our children are able to enjoy a much better life.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

What I Learned

Exactly 3 years ago, I made a decision which I later regretted. It took a while to rectify things and as expected, nothing was the same anymore. But little did I know that it was actually a blessing in disguise.

I guess if I did not make that decision, life would not be as it is now. Even though I do have my 'down' moments, but on the whole, life is a lot more tolerable. I began to look at things at different perspectives and in a way it makes me become more adaptable. I thank God for that.

Anyway, here is something that I happen to find on the internet which I would like to share.

What I Learned
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

I've learned
- that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I've learned
- that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.

I've learned
- that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned
- that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.

I've learned
- that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something.

I've learned
- that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it. I've learned - that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I've learned
- that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned
- that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I've learned
- that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I've learned
- that learning to forgive takes practice.

I've learned - that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I've learned
- that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned
- that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I've learned
- that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many years you've lived.

I've learned - that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed you.

I've learned
- that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned
- that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned
- that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

l've learned
- that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned
- that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.

I've learned
- that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I've learned
- that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned
- that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.

I've learned
- that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I've learned
- that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I've learned
- that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.

I've learned
- that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I've learned
- that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.