Christmas in Genting

Dear Diary,

Christmas is near. Beautiful ornaments are greeting me from each corners of supermarkets, hotels, restarurants and even on the streets. Lovely christmas songs kept ringing in my head as I hum along to them. They constantly reminded me of the BIG day which is around the corner. I anxiously anticipate for that very day to come.

       Last weekend, I was in Genting with him and my family. There were many other vacationers who crowded the place as well. We snap pictures at every opportunity we had.

Rudolph the red nose reindeer leading the sleigh

A candy store

DAY 1

Dinner in K-Box
We sang our lungs out during the two hours of fun. My mom was too tired somewhere in between that she slept on the sofas. Guess our voices were too 'soothing' and sounded very much like a lullaby to her. *giggle*

Dazzle in Genting International Showroom
This is the first time we landed ourselves with four free tickets to the exclusive showcase of 'Dazzle'. The whole sixty-minutes of performance was fun and fantastic. The showcase features:-

Magic show - Mr Ernesto Planas from Cuba
Hand shadow show - Mr. Sonny Fontana
Quick change illusion act - Duo Presto
Statue of Jerome Murat - Jerome Murat from France
and plenty of dance performances which completed the whole performances and left us in awe.


A poster of 'Dazzle'


DAY 2

Breakfast at New Orleans Barbeque Restaurant
There were 3 selections of set menus to choose from; pork chop, chicken chop or beef chop + cream of chicken soup + salad. The view overlooking Genting together with the ambience was mesmerizing. This was also free.

40 minutes in SnowWorld
Brrr.... it was chilling in there. Even the insides of the snow boots were cold. We had a few slides down the hill on a rubber float, ate strawberry flavoured ice-creams and almost licked the ice to see if it's real. There were some lil cute penguins running around in circles; o wait those were lil children wearing overly large jackets. The snowdrops gently fell on my face as we were snow-fighting. I finally got my white christmas afterall... 

The entrance to SnowWorld

A Winter Wonderland in Genting

Love Jo.

Conditional Love

Dear Diary,

A friend brought up a topic today during our usual pillow talk; a topic which many of us might fear even just imagining it. She asked, 'What will you do if you know your child is not like any other normal children?'

     This question brings me into deep thoughts. What will I do? Will I opt for abortion? If it is so, then does it mean that my love is conditional? We have always denied that we would love someone or something based on our expectations. So do you often pay more attention to cuter babies? This is what I meant by conditional love....

Photo taken by Landako with the theme 'Children Love'

     What do I do if my children would be born disabled? Am I strong enough to have this child? I have thought it over and I felt it is not the fault of the lil one. Unless of course the child would be born brain dead, I would have this child so that he shall see how beautiful the world is. It is going to be difficult for me as a mother but having this child I believe would give me greater emotional strength. 

Love Jo.

      

10 principles for Peace of Mind..

I came across this article about things you should avoid in order to obtain peace of mind. The interesting part lies in the truth on what we usually practise in our daily lives. So here are the 10 principles :-

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality. God created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.
Jo's words of wisdom ' This we can see everyday... That is why there are always gossips running wild... hehe'  

2. Forgive And Forget

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,20Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

Jo's words of wisdom 'It's easier said than done...'

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yours lf in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.

Jo's words of wisdom 'The hardest person to please is oneself... The more you expect of yourself, the more difficult you will be pleased with something.'  

4. Do Not Be Jealous

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

Jo's words of wisdom 'Women are green-eyed monsters... no doubts about that... No wonder women are constantly restless...'

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

Jo's words of wisdom 'Blend into a situation... Then bring it to your advantage...'

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control... If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

Jo's words of wisdom 'Smile and the world smile with you... Smile is the best medicine'

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

Jo is thinking .... hmm... *nod nod*

8. Meditate Regularly

Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

Jo says 'Ohm... ohm.... ohm...'

9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant

An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile . Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting.

Jo's words of wisdom 'But the mind is the hardest to control'

10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret

Do not waste time in protracted wondering " Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over spilt milk?

Jo's words of wisdom 'Life is a passage but it is a one-way journey. Regret not even if you only have one more day to live. Live life to the fullest.'