A Promising Day

It was foggy and misty; the air was fresh and cold.

It was a fine sunny morning, a promising day for work, leisure, romance, and relationships, I told myself.

I was ready to go to work and my youngest daughter to school.

There were not many vehicles along the road. Many were still dozing and snoring loudly, I presumed.

The journey was smooth and unrushed, occasionally disturbed by reckless drivers who ignored authority and followed their own rules on the road.

My workplace was quiet and pleasant, and I loved the gardens and the surroundings.

As I alighted from the van and stepped onto the trail leading to the office building, I was surprised to notice that the grass was dry and bare, possibly because of too many people passing through it. It would soon be a barren trail, I sighed.

Nature has provided men with hope for the day when God's glory would shine on them.

Nature has provided men with joy for the day when God's blessings are poured upon them like sunshine.

Nature has provided men with patience for the day when God continues to bear with us and forgives us our wrongdoings.

The breeze was chilly and lovely as the sky slowly rose up into the sky.

The morning sun was bright; a promising day of hope, inspiration, and commitment.

I stretched out my hands and welcomed the day.......

Payday

It’s nearing the end of the month. Some said payday is today. A feeling of relief comes over me, making me happily smiling and laughing again.

For the past two weeks, the children had been around for their holidays. We had gatherings, outings, shopping, sightseeing, and more together. We enjoyed each other’s presence with an unspoken delight; we ate, did things together, shopped, and had fun together; unknowingly we had spent a lot more than we intended.

On normal circumstances, we would spend according to what we can afford and stay within our budget limit. But sometimes we break the rule for the benefits of all; it is not always possible for the family to come together, to meet and talk and have fun.

Now that holidays are over, it’s time to live within our means and reduce spending. Careful planning and budgeting is important to provide for all, without unduly resort to past savings.

We all have different kind of responsibilities at different stage of life; one of my good old friends is getting ready for his daughter’s marriage. Hopefully he would be a grandfather soon, we teased him.

Living responsibly with dignity, honor and respect, and living well within our means are two obligations of our lives as we age. It is not easy. In fact, nothing is easy in life. But it is always worth living.

Payday.......

I have a big smile.

Open House

It was Hari Raya celebration, after a month of fasting for Muslims.

The children had returned home for a two-week holiday. We enjoy each other’s company and have a good time together everyday.

A good friend of ours called to visit him. He is celebrating Hari Raya and he wants us to celebrate together. We got ready, locked our house and were ready to begin our journey.

It was a hot sunny afternoon. Traffic was heavy and driving was slow. Of late, I was easily irritated by the traffic congestion in this small town. Someones just have to change their attitude of driving too slowly and hesitantly during peak hours!

It was sometime before we reached his house. I found a nice place to park and then we had a round of handshakes and greetings.

I don’t usually enjoy loud noises and would always try to avoid big party gathering. But I don’t want to disappoint my good friends. Good friends are hard to find these days, especially ones who are understanding, accepting, caring and respectful.

I was surprised to find some of my friends ever chasing after new friendships, always find faults and flaws with their friends, and always criticizes others.

Good friends are to be loved, cherished and treasured; they are like good wine, tasting better with time.

Food has always been my obsession and I always succumb to food cravings every festive season. Sometimes I wonder whether I am living to eat or eating to live.

The beef rendang was nice. So was the deer meat curry. I ate and laughed heartily, then had more helpings.

A full tummy is a happy tummy. We had many latest regional, national, and international issues to dwell on; we have children issues, health related issues, house decoration ideas and inspiration...

More people came and more topics to talk about. No one was ill at ease; everyone was happily sharing and talking with others. The children were smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves.

Time passed and we had been there for an hour.

More people came and the house was congested; it was time to make a move.

We thanked our friend. He was very appreciative and thanked us for our coming.

We had a good time together.

Open house during festivals is always a good way to cultivate and nurture friendships; it is always a good time to perfect our love and care for one another.

Personally I like open house.

Some Glimpses Of Good Friends

If you live to be a hundred,
I want to live to be a hundred minus one day,
so I never have to live without you.

True friendship is like sound health;
the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.

A real friend is one who walks in
when the rest of the world walks out.

When you die,
if you've got five real friends, then you've had a great life.

If all my friends were to jump off a bridge,
I wouldn't jump with them,
I'd be at the bottom to catch them.

I'll lean on you and you lean on me and we'll be okay
Friendship is one mind in two bodies.

Don't walk in front of me,
I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me,
I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend.

Everyone hears what you say.
Friends listen to what you say.
Best friends listen to what you don't say.
A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart
and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

We all take different paths in life,
but no matter where we go,
we take a little of each other everywhere.
Friends are God's way of taking care of us.

Doing The Ordinary In The Extraordinary Ways

My days are ordinary; though everyday is a new day with its many fresh happenings and challenges.

I continue to do my daily routine and continue to enjoy my solitude and my company.

Everything is normal and everyone is busy thinking, talking and doing.

Nothing surprises me these days and nothing draws much attention.

Flipping through the news and watching the latest happenings....

A young girl committed suicide, jumping from a tall building after sending her SMS “I love you” to her daddy....

The New Zealand earthquake in Christchurch....

The increasing death tolls on our roads....

The price hikes and shortages of essential goods and services....

House burglarizing, motorcycle snatching, gang fights, goldsmith robberies, ATM vandalism....

Power outages, dirty water supplies, traffic jams, flash floods....

Sensational news and headlines....with colorful pictures and illustrations, vivid first-hand stories....

Feeling rather bored and depressed at the negative happenings, I sip my mineral water and rush to the backyard....

The flowers, plants and trees in the backyard offer much better comfort and surprise. They may look ordinary but are not really ordinary, I smile in triumph.

We don’t have to look far or do something extraordinary to make our days colorful and pleasing; the surroundings always have all their beauty and glory.

The morning sunshine, the country air, the open blue sky....

The busy insects, birds, and fish in the sea....

Doing the ordinary in the extraordinary ways....

Oh no...

My day is not ordinary... and never ordinary....