So sorry for neglecting this blog. After my parents in law left Sydney for Malaysia, my sister came to visit us. She's been really good and she's been so lucky that it's Christmas time. We've got so much events and invitations lining up and it just gave us the opportunity to bring her around.
I wish I can post up some photos soon although I have done so in Facebook, so please if you are keen to view the photos, just add me by searching for my name -> Sarah Cheong. However let me know that you are a regular visitor of my blog, so I can accept you as friend! Many people whom I don't even know added me for the sake of increasing the number of friends in FB. This kind of people, I have only one word for them=> LOSER!
On another note, I have been too pre-occupied with something else that will be taking over my life and also hubby's life for the rest of our lives starting from now. Please visit my new sister blog to find out what is it! Please do not worry, I will never neglect this blog. So, stay tune!
Monday, December 29
Monday, December 22
A blessed Christmas time!
Just wanted to wish everyone a
Happy and a Blessed Christmas time with family and friends...
Will be busy during Christmas so, will blog when I find time soon!
Happy and a Blessed Christmas time with family and friends...
Will be busy during Christmas so, will blog when I find time soon!
Sunday, December 14
Time flies
Before we knew it, it's been 6 weeks since my in-laws came to visit. Today, they left for Singapore and thank God there were seats as their seats were based on a waiting list. So, off they went in first class back to Singapore and Malaysia.
Andrew was pretty quiet on the way home. I knew what he was feeling, as I understand what it's like to be away from loved ones. When we don't see them, we have to get on with life, but once we are with them, parting deems difficult. Anyway, he should be alright. That's life.
As for me, I came back to the house, thinking that it doesn't feel like my home at all. We've forgotten how nice and comfortable our latex bed was. As I looked around, we've got so much addition into the house that I barely recognize. Gosh, I'll be having a jolly good time cleaning up again.
But the comforting news is that my sister will be coming to visit. I don't have to clean up the house as hard because I don't need to impress her, so does my mum if she's here. That's how easy I am with my mum and sis. But for everyone else, I am bound to receive judgment based on how my house look and if they were my aunts, it's death penalty if the house doesn't pass their satisfaction.
Although we have more freedom now, suddenly we feel lonely as if there isn't any purpose for us being here in Sydney. Hope we don't fall into depression again, although Big Elf is more prone to it than I am.
Andrew was pretty quiet on the way home. I knew what he was feeling, as I understand what it's like to be away from loved ones. When we don't see them, we have to get on with life, but once we are with them, parting deems difficult. Anyway, he should be alright. That's life.
As for me, I came back to the house, thinking that it doesn't feel like my home at all. We've forgotten how nice and comfortable our latex bed was. As I looked around, we've got so much addition into the house that I barely recognize. Gosh, I'll be having a jolly good time cleaning up again.
But the comforting news is that my sister will be coming to visit. I don't have to clean up the house as hard because I don't need to impress her, so does my mum if she's here. That's how easy I am with my mum and sis. But for everyone else, I am bound to receive judgment based on how my house look and if they were my aunts, it's death penalty if the house doesn't pass their satisfaction.
Although we have more freedom now, suddenly we feel lonely as if there isn't any purpose for us being here in Sydney. Hope we don't fall into depression again, although Big Elf is more prone to it than I am.
Sunday, November 30
Monday, November 17
The Painted Veil
I watched this movie some time ago and have been wanting to blog about it. First stop, I love Edward Norton since 'The Score'. He has this sex appeal that .. well appeals to me. But he's a little too thin in this movie but still sexy for me.
Not going to write a synopsis about this movie although I think it's a little too fast-paced for the story to be told and the sadness to sink in. One part that caught my attention was when Kitty Fane (Naomi Watts) asked Waddington (played by Toby Jones) a British who lives just next door to the Fanes in China, what is it that his girlfriend (a chinese girl, who looks a little insane to me probably due to too much opium) sees in him that she chose to stay with him. Toby Jones then asked the woman in chinese the same question, and to which she replied albeit to my surprise "because he's a good man". Because he's a good man.. wow, that was powerful, as simple as that!! I had expected the reason to be rich or something along that line since he is no good looking, short, stout well, to be crude, he was just plain ugly.
It then dawned upon me that being a good man, is still an admirable quality yet no one sees that as a priority pre-requisite in choosing a life partner today. Women will always boast about their partner being handsome, rich, talented.. and of course they want to live up to their standard and go all out to choose a man who possess at least one of these criteria. Not many women are willing to choose an ugly, poor and is incapable of any talent although they can be .... just ...plain good man.
I too am guilty of that. I remember rejecting guys who came after me and I judged them by their appearance, some short, some poor family background, some slow and not clever.. but I can tell you that they are all good man! I truly believe that they can make a good husband despite their seemingly unimportant short-comings.
For reasons that I figured out, women want the 3 things I mentioned because:
1. Rich - you don't have to boast that your husband is rich, people can tell from the house you live in, the car you drive, the clothes you wear, the handphone he uses and all the latest gadgets that he uses. These are all tell-tale signs that he is well-to-do. Women feel more confident with the fact the their husband is well-off.
2. Physical appearance - again, this doesn't need explanation. People who have eyes can tell your partner is awfully attractive that it makes other women feel intimidated and probably a little ashamed with their 'uglier' partner. Surely, women will feel proud to show-off their partner.
3. Talent - I know many women who are dying to be with talented men; gifted musicians, exceptional singers, great dancers, brilliant artist, commendable sportsmen and etc. They don't have to be famous like superstars, they only need to exhibit those talents among people they know. That is enough to warrant attention. Yet again, these talents speak for themselves. Everyone would be in awe with these talents.. not many people have them and surely women are proud of their other half because of their talent. Surely, they have been swept right off their feet with these talents.
Why then, isn't good man as desirable as the above-mentioned traits? Perhaps, a good man, I feel takes a longer time to 'discover'. Time and effort needs to be taken to truly discern a good man. And if one found a good man, are they truly satisfied? This is when I ask, do you love this man or do you love what he has?
The title is beautiful and is a great illustration of how women ought to look beyond the painted veil to discover what lies beneath a man whom they have no desire for initially.
Monday, November 10
Beautiful home? Not so!
It's been a while since I blogged and for obvious reasons (my in-laws are here), I am unable to blog. However, I have been typing serially and save them until I find time to finish blogging a post before posting them.
I've always dreamt of having a beautiful home since young. Well, who doesn't, I'm sure many people do. Personally, the interior matters more, so I don't need a big house, big yard nor a big garden. I like things to be orderly and beautiful placed and of course, clean! Unfortunately, homes like these comes with high price. Interior decors are costly and every little stylish/classy ornaments are expensive. If you know what I'm talking about, organised home needs a little more stuff than normal. With that I mean, nice boxes, drawers, baskets, cabinets, wardrobe and etc. Decorations are important too such as plants (artificial or non-artifical), lamps, picture frame, carpets, cushions and all the other impractical but pretty knick-knacks.
My dream home is to have a set of everything, a theme design and colour which is white and if I had to choose wood, it would be dark (chalet style) wood and not the lighter brown wood. Unfortunately, my husband prefers the latter and hence, you can imagine the conflict we are deemed to have.
Since we don't have a house of our own now, it really doesn't matter as much whether or not I have a beautiful home, as long as I have a clean and comfortable home. We perpetually choose not to have nice furniture as it may not fit our own house one day. We live in a very small flat and although so, I still try my best to make it look beautiful.
Council clean-up day happens twice a year. It was coming up, so I searched high and low for things we do not need, and placed them by the roadside to be picked up by the council. Sometimes, passers-by will pick up things which may be useful for them, like the saying goes, one man's waste is another's treasure. In a sense, we consider this as blessing others.
I did mention before and I believe I have changed my habit to only keep things I need. I have learnt not to hoard things. I tried so hard to de-clutter but I guess, things aren't as easy as I thought. Let me share with you. My in-laws are very shrewd and thrifty people. Perhaps, that is the reason why they are rich for they are good steward of God's money. However, I don't know if this is a good example to follow, being someone who loves to hoard things even when we don't really need it. Perhaps coming from their background and perspective, they do not view things like we do now. They think that we may need it someday, and when we do, isn't it good to have one ever ready for us to use without spending unnecessarily.
For us, particularly myself (since I'm the home minister and hubby is the food minister) I decide what sort of furniture we need and what we don't. Since council clean-up day is around the corner, the whole neighbourhood starts clearing stuffs and you can see there are at least something gathered at the front of every house. Hence, it is a great opportunity for my in-laws to pick up stuffs which 'they' think are useful. Inevitably, they managed to pick up several things, notably an old computer desk (wood in colour) now being used in the laundry area, a 3-drawer bedside table (also wood in colour) now being used to place our broiler at the kitchen and a fruit basket.
Here I was, trying so hard to clear unnecessary things at home, and instead I got a few additional unwanted stuffs at home. It was quite a blow to my effort of keeping the house beautiful and clean. I just totally didn't have the mood to clean up the house anymore because things just looked ugly the very instance I saw the picked-up furnitures.
Well, what can I say? Those furnitures aren't light, and we learnt that my father in-law actually carried them all the way home. It was cruel, unsympathetic and ungrateful to reject the good intention and well-meaning from my in-laws. I just had to take it with a pinch of salt and worry about the furnitures later.
Thank God it's only our rented home, should this be our own and beautiful home, I have no idea how to react to this situation. My dreams of a beautiful home might as well be squashed and trampled on the ground till it no longer exist.
Just so you know, what sort of furnitures I'm talking about..
The computer desk.
The supposedly bedside table.
This was collected by my in-laws last 2 year and no, we haven't done anything with it.
Perhaps, I am just being repugnant, but seriously it just isn't my liking at all. Oh, Lord, help me!
I've always dreamt of having a beautiful home since young. Well, who doesn't, I'm sure many people do. Personally, the interior matters more, so I don't need a big house, big yard nor a big garden. I like things to be orderly and beautiful placed and of course, clean! Unfortunately, homes like these comes with high price. Interior decors are costly and every little stylish/classy ornaments are expensive. If you know what I'm talking about, organised home needs a little more stuff than normal. With that I mean, nice boxes, drawers, baskets, cabinets, wardrobe and etc. Decorations are important too such as plants (artificial or non-artifical), lamps, picture frame, carpets, cushions and all the other impractical but pretty knick-knacks.
My dream home is to have a set of everything, a theme design and colour which is white and if I had to choose wood, it would be dark (chalet style) wood and not the lighter brown wood. Unfortunately, my husband prefers the latter and hence, you can imagine the conflict we are deemed to have.
Since we don't have a house of our own now, it really doesn't matter as much whether or not I have a beautiful home, as long as I have a clean and comfortable home. We perpetually choose not to have nice furniture as it may not fit our own house one day. We live in a very small flat and although so, I still try my best to make it look beautiful.
Council clean-up day happens twice a year. It was coming up, so I searched high and low for things we do not need, and placed them by the roadside to be picked up by the council. Sometimes, passers-by will pick up things which may be useful for them, like the saying goes, one man's waste is another's treasure. In a sense, we consider this as blessing others.
I did mention before and I believe I have changed my habit to only keep things I need. I have learnt not to hoard things. I tried so hard to de-clutter but I guess, things aren't as easy as I thought. Let me share with you. My in-laws are very shrewd and thrifty people. Perhaps, that is the reason why they are rich for they are good steward of God's money. However, I don't know if this is a good example to follow, being someone who loves to hoard things even when we don't really need it. Perhaps coming from their background and perspective, they do not view things like we do now. They think that we may need it someday, and when we do, isn't it good to have one ever ready for us to use without spending unnecessarily.
For us, particularly myself (since I'm the home minister and hubby is the food minister) I decide what sort of furniture we need and what we don't. Since council clean-up day is around the corner, the whole neighbourhood starts clearing stuffs and you can see there are at least something gathered at the front of every house. Hence, it is a great opportunity for my in-laws to pick up stuffs which 'they' think are useful. Inevitably, they managed to pick up several things, notably an old computer desk (wood in colour) now being used in the laundry area, a 3-drawer bedside table (also wood in colour) now being used to place our broiler at the kitchen and a fruit basket.
Here I was, trying so hard to clear unnecessary things at home, and instead I got a few additional unwanted stuffs at home. It was quite a blow to my effort of keeping the house beautiful and clean. I just totally didn't have the mood to clean up the house anymore because things just looked ugly the very instance I saw the picked-up furnitures.
Well, what can I say? Those furnitures aren't light, and we learnt that my father in-law actually carried them all the way home. It was cruel, unsympathetic and ungrateful to reject the good intention and well-meaning from my in-laws. I just had to take it with a pinch of salt and worry about the furnitures later.
Thank God it's only our rented home, should this be our own and beautiful home, I have no idea how to react to this situation. My dreams of a beautiful home might as well be squashed and trampled on the ground till it no longer exist.
Just so you know, what sort of furnitures I'm talking about..
The computer desk.
The supposedly bedside table.
This was collected by my in-laws last 2 year and no, we haven't done anything with it.Perhaps, I am just being repugnant, but seriously it just isn't my liking at all. Oh, Lord, help me!
Sunday, November 2
Kindred Atmosphere
My in-laws arrived on Thursday evening and are comfortably settled in our place. They had a pleasant flight from Singapore to Sydney, well, obviously since their son, Paul was the pilot. They only had praises for Paul throughout the whole journey, commenting about the smooth take-off and landing, how well the announcement was made and how he went to the first class cabin numerous times to make sure his parents are comfortable. I am happy for my in-laws for being so blessed.
Andrew and I arrived at the airport shortly before my in-laws passed the custom check. Praise the Lord that it was a smooth one too. Nothing was confiscated and the custom officer was very kind towards my in-laws. So, no drama at the airport. However, we weren't at the airport earlier to catch Paul before he left the airport. I was told how good he looked in the captain uniform. No doubt about it, I can imagine.
We headed home soon after and gave my in-laws some time to freshen up a little before going out for dinner with Paul. My mother in law was particularly impressed with our humble abode, and commented how clean and well-kept the place is. I was absolutely flattered and happy that it made an impression on her. Soon, it was time for dinner. We expected to meet Paul at the Hurricanes (Darling Harbour). All SIA crews stay in a luxurious hotel, so no need for Paul to crash at our small little flat.
We met up at the restaurant and Paul still looked good for his age. We greeted each other and for the first time, to my surprise, Paul gave me a hug! I wasn't expecting that at all...(I could've worn a better bra, ohh anyways... he's my brother in law, for goodness sake!!!). I think Paul doesnt know I have a blog, and he's somewhat a very private person. So, I think it will cheese him off to find that I blog about him.
Look, girls, there IS someone out there still!! He's handsome, he's a pilot and a captain that is, needless to say he's rich, he's kind, generous and has a heart of gold. The only proverbial downside is that he has very high expectation of a partner. So, it's not going to be easy to fit his criteria. He has another downside but... I believe his good points outweigh the bad ones.
Ok, enough about him.
We proceeded to the restaurant and had one of our favourite meal, pork ribs. Everyone wasn't as famished as I was, so we only had 2 full racks to be shared among 5 people. The treat was on us. After dinner we headed back home to show Paul where we live. We had a good time just catching up with one another and Paul was so kind to help install some useful programs on my laptop. It was really nice to have family members around. It was close to midnight and so we sent Paul back to his hotel and called it a day.
Both Andrew and myself took a day off on Friday. I have no qualms about blogging my day off as my boss knows my in laws are in Sydney. My boss even reminded me, in-laws will never be like family. To what extent it's true, only I myself know. We had planned for yum-cha for brunch and we picked Paul up from the hotel. Went to Marigold for yum cha and my in-laws loved it although they thought it was rather expensive. Paul graciously treated us and soon, we had to part with Paul as he had to fly back to Singapore that afternoon. Sadly, it will probably be another 6 months or 1 year before we see Paul again.
We had a lovely weekend. We went for grocery shopping, had lunch at a Shanghainese restaurant. Andrew and I made sure his parents are comfortable and forbade them from doing anything at all. Our arrangement is such that we will cook on weekends, and they can cook on weekdays if they like. Andrew cooked some nice lamb steak and marinara pasta whereas I made the vietnamese cold dish. They absolutely loved our cooking so far.
That's our weekend. So far, no dramas with my in-laws and I pray pray pray hard that there won't be any for the next 4 weeks. Ok, that's all the update for now.
Andrew and I arrived at the airport shortly before my in-laws passed the custom check. Praise the Lord that it was a smooth one too. Nothing was confiscated and the custom officer was very kind towards my in-laws. So, no drama at the airport. However, we weren't at the airport earlier to catch Paul before he left the airport. I was told how good he looked in the captain uniform. No doubt about it, I can imagine.
We headed home soon after and gave my in-laws some time to freshen up a little before going out for dinner with Paul. My mother in law was particularly impressed with our humble abode, and commented how clean and well-kept the place is. I was absolutely flattered and happy that it made an impression on her. Soon, it was time for dinner. We expected to meet Paul at the Hurricanes (Darling Harbour). All SIA crews stay in a luxurious hotel, so no need for Paul to crash at our small little flat.
We met up at the restaurant and Paul still looked good for his age. We greeted each other and for the first time, to my surprise, Paul gave me a hug! I wasn't expecting that at all...(I could've worn a better bra, ohh anyways... he's my brother in law, for goodness sake!!!). I think Paul doesnt know I have a blog, and he's somewhat a very private person. So, I think it will cheese him off to find that I blog about him.
Look, girls, there IS someone out there still!! He's handsome, he's a pilot and a captain that is, needless to say he's rich, he's kind, generous and has a heart of gold. The only proverbial downside is that he has very high expectation of a partner. So, it's not going to be easy to fit his criteria. He has another downside but... I believe his good points outweigh the bad ones.
Ok, enough about him.
We proceeded to the restaurant and had one of our favourite meal, pork ribs. Everyone wasn't as famished as I was, so we only had 2 full racks to be shared among 5 people. The treat was on us. After dinner we headed back home to show Paul where we live. We had a good time just catching up with one another and Paul was so kind to help install some useful programs on my laptop. It was really nice to have family members around. It was close to midnight and so we sent Paul back to his hotel and called it a day.
Both Andrew and myself took a day off on Friday. I have no qualms about blogging my day off as my boss knows my in laws are in Sydney. My boss even reminded me, in-laws will never be like family. To what extent it's true, only I myself know. We had planned for yum-cha for brunch and we picked Paul up from the hotel. Went to Marigold for yum cha and my in-laws loved it although they thought it was rather expensive. Paul graciously treated us and soon, we had to part with Paul as he had to fly back to Singapore that afternoon. Sadly, it will probably be another 6 months or 1 year before we see Paul again.
We had a lovely weekend. We went for grocery shopping, had lunch at a Shanghainese restaurant. Andrew and I made sure his parents are comfortable and forbade them from doing anything at all. Our arrangement is such that we will cook on weekends, and they can cook on weekdays if they like. Andrew cooked some nice lamb steak and marinara pasta whereas I made the vietnamese cold dish. They absolutely loved our cooking so far.
That's our weekend. So far, no dramas with my in-laws and I pray pray pray hard that there won't be any for the next 4 weeks. Ok, that's all the update for now.
Tuesday, October 28
My loving husband
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What the???!!!!!
What the???!!!!!
He brought this home from work which was shared among all colleagues. Left one and he took it home (with the big empty box). Oh well, at least he thought of me! I enjoyed it to the very last bit!!!
Sunday, October 26
La Dolce Vita
We live in a suburb in Sydney best known as "Little Italy". If one should live in Sydney and inner-west to be precise, Leichhardt should be the place. It has everything a little community needs, perhaps even more. Every year round about this time, Leichhardt community will hold an annual event called "Norton Street Italian Festa". Norton Street is the main street in Leichhardt and is most busy on weekends. We don't really follow the events and happenings in Leichhardt as we are too busy working and on weekends, our ideal activity is to stay at home apart from doing grocery shopping. We were on our way to the marketplace but to our surprise, all roads were blocked. Immediately it dawned upon us that it's that time of the year again.
We headed back home to secure our street parking before any car comes along and park on our spot. Then we took a stroll to the park and then the street to check out the festival. It was a great day for such festa but boy, the heat took a toll on me after just 10 minutes. I am never fond of direct heat from the sun. There were stalls of all sorts set up along the streets. There were children's activities in the park. There were throngs and throngs of people wandering the street and feasting on italian food, wine, cheese and etc. It's amazing how people seem to be enjoying themselves still and not seem to have much care about the financial crisis hitting the world. People still spend and continue with their lifestyle as usual. As for us, the 'kiamsiapness' in us still prevail, we have to save money and hope others (who are not affected) spend to help boost the economy. Hence, we didn't have any urge to spend on anything.
Oh did I mention we had to get some groceries, which was our initial plan. So we walked all the way to Coles and got us some essentials like eggs, bread, toilet rolls, etc. That was the only thing we spent on. Had italian sausage for lunch (notice the singular word for sausage, that's because we shared one!) before long and came straight back to our home, sweet home.
Managed to take some shots of the event and I was just thinking, we live in the perfect suburb, perfect location, perfect community, perfect food! What a life!
A view of the park from our balcony.
That's Norton Street right at the end of the road.
They even have an SIA booth promoting A380!
Actually there was a MAS booth nearby, but I didn't bother taking a photo of it.
That's my gym!
She's a real lady!
There's live music, too! It was jazz by the way.
After grocery shopping and on the way home. Thankfully we didn't have the car with us, so that limited us to buying only what we needed!
Big Elf queuing up for sausage roll.
We headed back home to secure our street parking before any car comes along and park on our spot. Then we took a stroll to the park and then the street to check out the festival. It was a great day for such festa but boy, the heat took a toll on me after just 10 minutes. I am never fond of direct heat from the sun. There were stalls of all sorts set up along the streets. There were children's activities in the park. There were throngs and throngs of people wandering the street and feasting on italian food, wine, cheese and etc. It's amazing how people seem to be enjoying themselves still and not seem to have much care about the financial crisis hitting the world. People still spend and continue with their lifestyle as usual. As for us, the 'kiamsiapness' in us still prevail, we have to save money and hope others (who are not affected) spend to help boost the economy. Hence, we didn't have any urge to spend on anything.
Oh did I mention we had to get some groceries, which was our initial plan. So we walked all the way to Coles and got us some essentials like eggs, bread, toilet rolls, etc. That was the only thing we spent on. Had italian sausage for lunch (notice the singular word for sausage, that's because we shared one!) before long and came straight back to our home, sweet home.
Managed to take some shots of the event and I was just thinking, we live in the perfect suburb, perfect location, perfect community, perfect food! What a life!
A view of the park from our balcony.
That's Norton Street right at the end of the road.
They even have an SIA booth promoting A380!
Actually there was a MAS booth nearby, but I didn't bother taking a photo of it.
That's my gym!
She's a real lady!
There's live music, too! It was jazz by the way.
After grocery shopping and on the way home. Thankfully we didn't have the car with us, so that limited us to buying only what we needed!
Big Elf queuing up for sausage roll.Saturday, October 11
Reminiscing the day!
I was just reminiscing on our wedding as I was looking at some wedding photos in facebook. I just can't get enough of weddings and each time I see those wedding photos, they are all beautiful beyond words. Oh well, I had my share of photo taking on my wedding day and I guess those were the best photos I've ever taken in my entire life. My really good friend Lilian just celebrated her 2 years of marriage.. it puts a smile on my face knowing that she's blissfully married.. =) Congrats darling and I wish you both "white hair till old".
Tuesday, October 7
An Imprint in My Heart
I was just browsing on facebook since I had some time to spare before I call it a day. The thing I enjoyed most about facebook is that I get to see many photos uploaded by friends. Pictures do tell a thousand stories and you would assume from the photos how your friends have been keeping. Of course, you will never be able to tell the sad side of their lives because everyone only puts on their most beautiful photos on the net for another's pleasure viewing. Nevertheless, I am satisfied to learn that people I know are doing fine judging from their photos.
I then caught a long lost friend of mine through facebook. I asked if my friend has MSN, no was the answer. Why not? I thought. "Dunno" was the reply. What a peculiar answer, I thought. Hm... that leaves me no choice but to chat through FB. I have a slight dislike for chatting through FB. I find the bopping sound whenever a message comes out, annoying. Still, I had wanted so much to chat with my long lost friend that I couldn't care less about chatting through facebook, whatever it takes to get hold of my friend and update myself with stories that I've missed out.
When finally we concluded our conversation, I said to my friend, "You are a good friend, remember that" to which my friend replied, "You left an imprint in my heart, remember that."
I was so taken aback by those words. It was so powerful that it just hit me in an overwhelming way. It's just wonderful and reassuring to know that my presence in this world actually meant something to some people, especially my friends. I also happened to learn from C.S. Lewis that there is apparently 4 kinds of love. With my family, it's storgē, with friends, it's philia. There's eros too which involves physical love and with my husband, it's a combination of philia, eros and agape. After talking to my friend, I'd experience one of the strongest philia I've ever felt for a long time.
Time to time, we do need emotional reinforcement such as this. One of the reasons I don't make many friends is because if I know our friendship is going to be superficial, I'd rather not have one. A strong friendship needs constant nurturing, a mutual understanding shared by both. This however, is not easy once true friendship has been developed and over time, lack of nurturing and distance can add strain to the friendship. Still, it's understandable when life is so demanding, that it's quite difficult to hold the friendship as priority. But I do believe that once true friendship is forged, it will always remain in my heart.
My friend, I cannot thank God enough for making our paths crossed. I haven't been a great friend and I hope you'd forgive me. I wish you all the best in life, from the bottom of my heart.
I then caught a long lost friend of mine through facebook. I asked if my friend has MSN, no was the answer. Why not? I thought. "Dunno" was the reply. What a peculiar answer, I thought. Hm... that leaves me no choice but to chat through FB. I have a slight dislike for chatting through FB. I find the bopping sound whenever a message comes out, annoying. Still, I had wanted so much to chat with my long lost friend that I couldn't care less about chatting through facebook, whatever it takes to get hold of my friend and update myself with stories that I've missed out.
When finally we concluded our conversation, I said to my friend, "You are a good friend, remember that" to which my friend replied, "You left an imprint in my heart, remember that."
I was so taken aback by those words. It was so powerful that it just hit me in an overwhelming way. It's just wonderful and reassuring to know that my presence in this world actually meant something to some people, especially my friends. I also happened to learn from C.S. Lewis that there is apparently 4 kinds of love. With my family, it's storgē, with friends, it's philia. There's eros too which involves physical love and with my husband, it's a combination of philia, eros and agape. After talking to my friend, I'd experience one of the strongest philia I've ever felt for a long time.
Time to time, we do need emotional reinforcement such as this. One of the reasons I don't make many friends is because if I know our friendship is going to be superficial, I'd rather not have one. A strong friendship needs constant nurturing, a mutual understanding shared by both. This however, is not easy once true friendship has been developed and over time, lack of nurturing and distance can add strain to the friendship. Still, it's understandable when life is so demanding, that it's quite difficult to hold the friendship as priority. But I do believe that once true friendship is forged, it will always remain in my heart.
My friend, I cannot thank God enough for making our paths crossed. I haven't been a great friend and I hope you'd forgive me. I wish you all the best in life, from the bottom of my heart.
Sunday, October 5
****Special Note****
Hey everyone,
If you noticed my blog's new makeover, you'd grasped that I am trying to find out who have been visiting my blog, be it regulars or not (particularly the latter), or it so happens you chance upon my blog by googling or through another friend's blog. I must say, I am flattered by the number of people visiting my blog. You guys are from everywhere around the world!!! I just feel so....... grateful and touched!
Of course, this is not a blog to promote myself (I have nothing to promote anyway) nor to earn any income, fame or glamour. This is just a very plain blog by a plain lady (but is being accused by one's own husband that she is full of herself when she blogs) who tries to express her feelings and more for discovering the real her in the midst of blogging. This of course is a realization only to be discovered by me and me only in due time.
This blog initially was meant to update my mum and sister about my life, being so far apart from them... but inevitable, the whole world will be updated too! Like I said, I don't have many friends or rather I have a handful of friends, so blogging is a fantastic way of making friends. However, it is only possible if this intention is being reciprocated. I would like to get acquinted with all of you who visits my blog. If it was referred, I thank you for visiting. If it's by chance, it must be a divine plan. I am not desperate but I sincerely hope that you will let me know if you like what you read here, so as to serve as encouragement for me to blog.
I hope that you will drop me a note, a simple hello and a word or two about yourself on the chat box. Or if you'd like to remain discreet, please email me. If you have listed me in your blog, let me know, because I'd love to check out your blog!
Thank you once again, for visiting this very ordinary blog of mine.
If you noticed my blog's new makeover, you'd grasped that I am trying to find out who have been visiting my blog, be it regulars or not (particularly the latter), or it so happens you chance upon my blog by googling or through another friend's blog. I must say, I am flattered by the number of people visiting my blog. You guys are from everywhere around the world!!! I just feel so....... grateful and touched!
Of course, this is not a blog to promote myself (I have nothing to promote anyway) nor to earn any income, fame or glamour. This is just a very plain blog by a plain lady (but is being accused by one's own husband that she is full of herself when she blogs) who tries to express her feelings and more for discovering the real her in the midst of blogging. This of course is a realization only to be discovered by me and me only in due time.
This blog initially was meant to update my mum and sister about my life, being so far apart from them... but inevitable, the whole world will be updated too! Like I said, I don't have many friends or rather I have a handful of friends, so blogging is a fantastic way of making friends. However, it is only possible if this intention is being reciprocated. I would like to get acquinted with all of you who visits my blog. If it was referred, I thank you for visiting. If it's by chance, it must be a divine plan. I am not desperate but I sincerely hope that you will let me know if you like what you read here, so as to serve as encouragement for me to blog.
I hope that you will drop me a note, a simple hello and a word or two about yourself on the chat box. Or if you'd like to remain discreet, please email me. If you have listed me in your blog, let me know, because I'd love to check out your blog!
Thank you once again, for visiting this very ordinary blog of mine.
Wednesday, October 1
City to Surf 2007 II
Unfortunately, I didn't join the race this year although my company pays for it. Partly because I had no motivation and no company. It is a tough 14km walk/run so finding someone who is fit enough to do it, is quite hard.
Anyway, I am sick today and took a day's leave. Since my in-laws are coming to visit us end of the month, I took the opportunity to clean up the house. Gosh, I have to really clean up every nook and corner of the house as preparation. As I was organising the drawer containing all my mails, I came across this newspaper which I kept since last year. I wanted to keep it forever but I didn't think I'd be able to keep it for that long. It's a special edition on SunHerald which contains the finishing list of all participants for City2Surf 2007, and needless to say, I was one of them (feel so proud of myself).
Thought I'd take some photos and keep it as remembrance!
Anyway, I am sick today and took a day's leave. Since my in-laws are coming to visit us end of the month, I took the opportunity to clean up the house. Gosh, I have to really clean up every nook and corner of the house as preparation. As I was organising the drawer containing all my mails, I came across this newspaper which I kept since last year. I wanted to keep it forever but I didn't think I'd be able to keep it for that long. It's a special edition on SunHerald which contains the finishing list of all participants for City2Surf 2007, and needless to say, I was one of them (feel so proud of myself).
Thought I'd take some photos and keep it as remembrance!
Sunday, September 28
Bolehland
I have no idea how to translate the title. It basically refers to Malaysia, the bolehland ie anything is possible in Malaysia. I wish I can be brave and vocal towards Malaysian government, then again, as long as you have ISA (who recently arrested RPK for blogging), you literally have to stay put and be quiet else you'd end up in the detention centre. Scary but true!
As usual, I updated myself with Malaysian news and my oh my... what a hot potato!!! After reading several blogs I am seriously infuriated at what I have known all along. Things are really getting way out of alignment. I really doubt blogging about the government through the perceived "freedom of speech" is going to help at all. Don't get me wrong, I just don't want bloggers to get into trouble. Personally, all I can say is, don't waste your breath, you are dealing with retards. They can hardly think for themselves, all they can do it retaliate physically, by putting you in jail! That would solve their problem, but little do they know, they will be the main sufferers if they don't change their mentality.
Was reading BrisbaneTimes regarding world's most corrupt country and what a shame Malaysia isn't the top 10. I was like...hello.. Malaysia is right there on the map. It' quite visible in the world map you know? Can you see it??? Perhaps you should open your eyes bigger... no?? Still can't see it?? Let me help you la..
There!!! My verdict of the most corrupt country in the world or at least give it a top 10 la. How can it even be in orange?? Oh by the way, the lower the CPI, the higher the corruption. Malaysia should at least be in red!!!
How do people even do a survey on corruption?? Maybe it's not political corruption but more of social corruption. That is understandable because if it's political, it must be well-guarded. Sorry, I'm not a political science student, so spare me the orthodox understanding.
Anyway, for information sake:
Most corrupt country and CPI score
Somalia: 1.4
Myanmar: 1.4
Iraq: 1.5
Haiti: 1.6
Uzbekistan: 1.7
Tonga: 1.7
Sudan: 1.8
Chad: 1.8
Afghanistan: 1.8
Laos: 1.9
Least corrupt country and CPI score
Norway: 8.7
Denmark: 9.4
Finland: 9.4
New Zealand: 9.4
Singapore: 9.3
Sweden: 9.3
Iceland: 9.2
Netherlands: 9.0
Switzerland: 9.0
Canada: 8.7
Source: http://www.gulfnews.com/world/General/10185179.html
As usual, I updated myself with Malaysian news and my oh my... what a hot potato!!! After reading several blogs I am seriously infuriated at what I have known all along. Things are really getting way out of alignment. I really doubt blogging about the government through the perceived "freedom of speech" is going to help at all. Don't get me wrong, I just don't want bloggers to get into trouble. Personally, all I can say is, don't waste your breath, you are dealing with retards. They can hardly think for themselves, all they can do it retaliate physically, by putting you in jail! That would solve their problem, but little do they know, they will be the main sufferers if they don't change their mentality.
Was reading BrisbaneTimes regarding world's most corrupt country and what a shame Malaysia isn't the top 10. I was like...hello.. Malaysia is right there on the map. It' quite visible in the world map you know? Can you see it??? Perhaps you should open your eyes bigger... no?? Still can't see it?? Let me help you la...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
There!!! My verdict of the most corrupt country in the world or at least give it a top 10 la. How can it even be in orange?? Oh by the way, the lower the CPI, the higher the corruption. Malaysia should at least be in red!!!How do people even do a survey on corruption?? Maybe it's not political corruption but more of social corruption. That is understandable because if it's political, it must be well-guarded. Sorry, I'm not a political science student, so spare me the orthodox understanding.
Anyway, for information sake:
Most corrupt country and CPI score
Somalia: 1.4
Myanmar: 1.4
Iraq: 1.5
Haiti: 1.6
Uzbekistan: 1.7
Tonga: 1.7
Sudan: 1.8
Chad: 1.8
Afghanistan: 1.8
Laos: 1.9
Least corrupt country and CPI score
Norway: 8.7
Denmark: 9.4
Finland: 9.4
New Zealand: 9.4
Singapore: 9.3
Sweden: 9.3
Iceland: 9.2
Netherlands: 9.0
Switzerland: 9.0
Canada: 8.7
Source: http://www.gulfnews.com/world/General/10185179.html
Dedicated to Yi Jien
We all lose our family and friends one day and sometimes in ways we can never comprehend. Thank you Karcy, I have been following your blog almost everyday for the family's update on Yi Jien. Though my heart didn't feel like letting go, though somehow, I still believe there is hope, I will not question God. I just want to dedicate a song to Yi Jien and Aunty Kim Guat.
Yi Jien, I hope it is not wrong to assume the worst, yet the worst for us, may in fact be for the best, I do not know. Wherever you are, I know God is with you.. and for that I am glad and I know we will meet someday.
Aunty Kim Guat, I know you as a strong woman of God, we all know there's really not much to worry about. We will all be united with the Lord one day and I really look forward to that day. Love you...
HELD by Natalie Grant
Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.
Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred know our sorrow.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
Boomp3.com
Yi Jien, I hope it is not wrong to assume the worst, yet the worst for us, may in fact be for the best, I do not know. Wherever you are, I know God is with you.. and for that I am glad and I know we will meet someday.
Aunty Kim Guat, I know you as a strong woman of God, we all know there's really not much to worry about. We will all be united with the Lord one day and I really look forward to that day. Love you...
HELD by Natalie Grant
Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.
Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred know our sorrow.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
Boomp3.com
Saturday, September 27
Recommended viewing
Watched The Dark Knight last weekend. I didn't watch the first batman movie acted by Christian Bale, but I must admit, he's so good looking!
Movie was excellent, especially the Joker, Heath Ledger, he is an amazing actor. Regretfully, he did not live long enough to enjoy his post-production fame as the best Joker.
However, I have one tiny little problem. I do like Maggie Gyllenhaal and I think she's a good actress. But I just don't see the chemistry there between her and her love interest and Batman. Perhaps that's why she died in the movie (sorry, spoiler for those who haven't watch). Somehow, I didn't think she suited that role.
Anyway, it was a great movie overall. So, go watch it. (I'm pretty sure many have already watch the movie, I am perhaps the last one standing).
I also rented this movie which I came across starring Ralph Fiennes. I liked him since I watched the English Patient. However, he is well-known as a notorious playboy in real life. He is a good actor, I must say. Which was why, I watched the movie, Constant Gardener. Also, highly recommended. Thought it was pretty good.
Movie was excellent, especially the Joker, Heath Ledger, he is an amazing actor. Regretfully, he did not live long enough to enjoy his post-production fame as the best Joker.
However, I have one tiny little problem. I do like Maggie Gyllenhaal and I think she's a good actress. But I just don't see the chemistry there between her and her love interest and Batman. Perhaps that's why she died in the movie (sorry, spoiler for those who haven't watch). Somehow, I didn't think she suited that role.
Anyway, it was a great movie overall. So, go watch it. (I'm pretty sure many have already watch the movie, I am perhaps the last one standing).
I also rented this movie which I came across starring Ralph Fiennes. I liked him since I watched the English Patient. However, he is well-known as a notorious playboy in real life. He is a good actor, I must say. Which was why, I watched the movie, Constant Gardener. Also, highly recommended. Thought it was pretty good.
Thursday, September 25
Love Languages
I found this at my godbrother's blog and took the quiz. It's based on the five love languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. The questions are quite tricky in a sense, but I guess it's aim is to put into hierarchy the languages of love that means most to you.
I think it's pretty accurate. I always need Big Elf's honest opinion on something, and he always keeps things in perspective by telling me the truth. When I was younger, I always wanted him to sweet talk me, but he can hardly! It was frustrating at times. Well, those were the old childish days when we first met. Nowadays, I appreciate everything he says including negative ones and I accept it with no hard feelings. However him on the other hand is affected when I tell him frankly what I think (is that bad???).
Here are some of the conversations we once had (with some improvisation):
SCENARIO 1:
HIM: Do you think I play basketball well??
HER: (Argh..... thank goodness I wasn't facing him when he asked, I had to gather my thoughts to answer him)Well, dear you always know you are not sports incline one what.. (bad opening!!!!).
HIM: So, I really cannot play one la hor..?
HER: (Realized that he wanted some confirmation to motivate him to exercise) Nola, it takes lots of practice one. Have to keep playing until you are good lor... (slightly better answer I would presume)
HIM: Nola, I think I cannot play one la. I think I'm not good at basketball lah.
HER: (Since I've watched him play before) Your only problem is, you are too lazy to run around for the ball. People run to the ball, you jog to the ball!!! You don't like to exert yourself one... cannot like that one. Have to go all out to play basketball one.
HIM: (Sighed deeply) Nevermind la, I accept the fact that I can never be a good basketballer.
HER: (Felt so remorseful.. after not even trying to encourage husband).........
Tell me now, what kind of wife am I??
SCENARIO 2:
HIM: Dear ar, I think I am quite slow one.
HER: (Without hesitating and wanting to be honest)Yeah, abit la.. it's okay one la.. everyone has their own weaknesses! (Opps, did I just say something wrong??)
HIM: (Startled at my revelation) Where got wife so discouraging one??
HER: Nola, you are fast and good at other stuffs what.
HIM: Like what???
HER: You cook very well, you can be a well-known chef (This is 100% true!).
HIM: Really???
HER: Of course (in all seriousness). You are so creative when it comes to food!!
HIM: But you say I am slow... what if I'm also discouraging towards you??
HER: Say la..I accept everything and anything!
HIM: What if I say, you don't dance well??
HER: I know.... of course I don't dance well. No lesson, no training, no nothing.
HIM: (Not satisfied as he knows I loves dancing) What about you don't blog well??
HER: I know.. I cannot write one.. I never think I blog well.
HIM: (Again, unsatisfied) What about, you are not pretty!
HER: (Ouch, almost hitting the bull's eye he thought) I know, I never say I'm pretty. I'm never pretty!!
HIM: (Pouting)Why you don't feel anything one??
HER: It's because I accept the truth about myself. I don't tell myself things that are not true about myself. I don't lie to myself!! Life still goes on even when you are not NO. 1!!!!
HIM: Hm........ (dumbfounded)
Anyway, that's the sort of person I am with Big Elf. The true self I guess. Somehow, it's harder to be genuinely truthful to other people because I try to guard their feelings from being hurt. We do give each other praises when praises are due. All the more meaningful, I believe.
Anyway, I tried the quiz, and here is my result --->
I feel loved when...
I think it's pretty accurate. I always need Big Elf's honest opinion on something, and he always keeps things in perspective by telling me the truth. When I was younger, I always wanted him to sweet talk me, but he can hardly! It was frustrating at times. Well, those were the old childish days when we first met. Nowadays, I appreciate everything he says including negative ones and I accept it with no hard feelings. However him on the other hand is affected when I tell him frankly what I think (is that bad???).
Here are some of the conversations we once had (with some improvisation):
SCENARIO 1:
HIM: Do you think I play basketball well??
HER: (Argh..... thank goodness I wasn't facing him when he asked, I had to gather my thoughts to answer him)Well, dear you always know you are not sports incline one what.. (bad opening!!!!).
HIM: So, I really cannot play one la hor..?
HER: (Realized that he wanted some confirmation to motivate him to exercise) Nola, it takes lots of practice one. Have to keep playing until you are good lor... (slightly better answer I would presume)
HIM: Nola, I think I cannot play one la. I think I'm not good at basketball lah.
HER: (Since I've watched him play before) Your only problem is, you are too lazy to run around for the ball. People run to the ball, you jog to the ball!!! You don't like to exert yourself one... cannot like that one. Have to go all out to play basketball one.
HIM: (Sighed deeply) Nevermind la, I accept the fact that I can never be a good basketballer.
HER: (Felt so remorseful.. after not even trying to encourage husband).........
Tell me now, what kind of wife am I??
SCENARIO 2:
HIM: Dear ar, I think I am quite slow one.
HER: (Without hesitating and wanting to be honest)Yeah, abit la.. it's okay one la.. everyone has their own weaknesses! (Opps, did I just say something wrong??)
HIM: (Startled at my revelation) Where got wife so discouraging one??
HER: Nola, you are fast and good at other stuffs what.
HIM: Like what???
HER: You cook very well, you can be a well-known chef (This is 100% true!).
HIM: Really???
HER: Of course (in all seriousness). You are so creative when it comes to food!!
HIM: But you say I am slow... what if I'm also discouraging towards you??
HER: Say la..I accept everything and anything!
HIM: What if I say, you don't dance well??
HER: I know.... of course I don't dance well. No lesson, no training, no nothing.
HIM: (Not satisfied as he knows I loves dancing) What about you don't blog well??
HER: I know.. I cannot write one.. I never think I blog well.
HIM: (Again, unsatisfied) What about, you are not pretty!
HER: (Ouch, almost hitting the bull's eye he thought) I know, I never say I'm pretty. I'm never pretty!!
HIM: (Pouting)Why you don't feel anything one??
HER: It's because I accept the truth about myself. I don't tell myself things that are not true about myself. I don't lie to myself!! Life still goes on even when you are not NO. 1!!!!
HIM: Hm........ (dumbfounded)
Anyway, that's the sort of person I am with Big Elf. The true self I guess. Somehow, it's harder to be genuinely truthful to other people because I try to guard their feelings from being hurt. We do give each other praises when praises are due. All the more meaningful, I believe.
Anyway, I tried the quiz, and here is my result --->
I feel loved when...
The Five Love Languages
My Primary Love Languages are probably Quality Time and Words of Affirmation
| My Detailed Results: | |
|---|---|
| Quality Time: | 9 |
| Words of Affirmation: | 9 |
| Receiving Gifts: | 5 |
| Physical Touch: | 4 |
| Acts of Service: | 3 |
About this quiz
Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.
Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.
I would like to tag......
1) Li Lian
2) Jiunn Li
3) Alex Chew SS
Wednesday, September 24
Talk about breastfeeding
Remember that time we had some friends visiting us and stayed with us for 3 weeks? Of course, you don't. How can you remember, unless you are my family members who knows every single thing about me. Anyway, I remember asking my friend unending questions about having a baby, and one of our conversation included breastfeeding. If you know science, and if you are well-informed, you will know that breastmilk IS good for the baby. But I was appalled when she told me how she was discouraged by her family members especially relatives when she breastfeeds for more than a month. But she is a very strong-willed person and is not easily dissuaded. She knows what's best for her baby. When she was here, her little boy was almost 2 years old and she was still breastfeeding! I was amazed as I never knew anyone who breastfed for that long.
Today, I came across this article and thought it was an excellent article. The message was clear and right to the point! I thought I'd reproduce that article as I'm afraid it will be taken down soon.
Yes, actually, breast is best
Linda McIver
September 20, 2008
I didn't set out to be weird. I didn't intend to be strange. It wasn't a deliberate choice to do something so way out, something that was obviously not quite right. Not just bizarre, but frankly rather distasteful. Some even find it disgusting. The thing is, it's OK when you start. People are even supportive initially. But as you keep going, failing to stop at the invisible stop sign, people start to get very edgy. It starts to seem a little perverse.
Apparently there is a rule I didn't know about. You stop breastfeeding by 12 months at the latest. Continue any longer than that and … well, it's a bit twisted, isn't it?
"Will you still be breastfeeding her at her 21st?" It's delivered with a smile - it may be the funniest thing the speaker has said all day, possibly even all year - but, let's face it, this is the 100th time I've been asked the question this week, and it wasn't funny the first time. My mother was the first to say it. I knew she would have a hard time with me "failing" to stop breastfeeding when my daughter, Chloe, was one. She always referred to my friend Ann as "that woman who was still breastfeeding her toddler at your baby shower".
But, to her credit, she came around. When I asked her why it was so wrong, she had no answer, and finally admitted that it was just what she was used to. She could find no reason why I should stop at the magic 12-month mark.
Which is just as well, because I would not have stopped whatever she said. I was happy to keep feeding Chloe, and Chloe was happy to keep feeding, so why stop? When I went back to work when she was 11 months, a feed when I got home on Daddy's day, or when I picked her up from child care, was a nice way to reconnect. It was an excellent behavioural tool - a feed could always calm her when she was hurt or upset. A feed always helped to get her off to sleep (yes, I committed the terrible crime of feeding her to sleep, right from the start. Oh, the shame), and it was brilliant the few times we flew - feeding on take-off and landing made the flying thing a breeze.
Yet despite the fact that breastfeeding was overwhelmingly positive for Chloe and I, and for my second child, Jane, who is still feeding at 18 months, I have received a host of negative responses and comments. Everyone feels qualified to offer an opinion. From the type of social pressure in the joking comments such as the ones above, to the more disturbing pseudo-medical comments. "It's time you gave her own immune system a go" (actually breastfeeding has a host of immune benefits, and helps to strengthen the baby's immune system at least until two years of age - studies haven't been done beyond that age yet, but there's no reason to believe that immunological components of breast milk would disappear at that age). "You're stopping her from getting adequate nutrition from solids" (breast milk is nutritious, and my children eat plenty of solids as well). "It's too draining for you physically." (I'm doing fine, thank you!) "It will make her too dependent on you." (Research in the US by Professor James McKenna of the Mother-Baby Behavioural Sleep lab at the University of Notre Dame suggests that the reverse is true - children who are attachment parented, who tend also to experience sustained breastfeeding, are more confident and independent in the long term.)
Why do people have a problem with it?
The problem seems to be a strong feeling that it is wrong for the child somehow. That it makes the child "unnaturally dependent on his mother" as Dr Spock wrote in the 1950s, or interferes with nutrition or taking up of solid foods. A GP once told me that I should not be feeding my toddler at night, because it "interferes with her daytime nutrition". This is based purely on prejudice - there is no medical reason for it.
It is interesting to challenge our assumptions and instinctive reactions to milk. Apparently it's OK to feed your child cow's milk (or formula made from it) at any age, but continuing to give her your own milk is weird. Possibly even perverted.
At a recent meeting of the Australian Breastfeeding Association someone mentioned that her mother was raised in a village in Eastern Europe, where they would try to ensure that two women got pregnant at similar times, so that they could share working and raising the children. One mother would go to work in the fields, the other would stay home and breastfeed both children. The next day they would swap roles. Almost every woman in the room immediately went "Eeeew! How could you let your child drink someone else's milk?" A very wise breastfeeding counsellor by the name of Shirley Brown smiled at us all and said, "It's funny, it's OK to feed your child an animal's milk, but not another person's!" Until we question our prejudices, we can't detect the ones that are baseless.
Many people object that "it's just for comfort", which raises the question, "What's wrong with comforting my child?" (It's also medically wrong, by the way - as well as the immunological components, there is plenty of nutrition in breast milk.)
It may be that it challenges the notion of parental control - that we should be controlling, almost forcing the child to do what we perceive to be right. Child-led weaning is the antithesis of this - allowing the child to do what feels right seems to be a real source of tension. There is a perception that a child left to wean herself will choose never to wean.
It may be true that they don't "need" it - after all, plenty of children do fine on formula from the start. But even if they can survive without it, that doesn't make it necessary to stop. I can survive without chocolate, too, but I choose not to give it up, even though it has nowhere near the benefits of breast milk.
It is interesting that many people don't simply feel that sustained breastfeeding is not something they could contemplate themselves, but that it is actively wrong for anyone. This may be partly the usual human desire to see others replicate and hence confirm our choices, but it seems to be more than that. Somehow breastfeeding seems to have become tangled up in our strange attitude to the human body, nakedness and sexuality.
Is it about breasts? Certainly feeding a toddler in public increases the chance that a stranger (or worse, a friend!) may inadvertently glimpse your breasts. Yet I can't for the life of me work out why that should be so problematic. Is it the risk of accidentally arousing someone for a moment? Most mothers will not leave their breasts hanging out longer than necessary, and if a brief glimpse of nipple sends someone into a frenzy, I think there are other issues involved (and they're not my issues or my problem). Is it the interaction between child and breast? Particularly if the child is male, there seems to be a fear of sexualisation, that the child will somehow perceive his mother's breasts, hitherto a source of nourishment and comfort, as sexual objects. This, again, says more about the perceptions (and, yes, perversions) of the observers than the child. Anthropologist Kathy Dettwyler points out that the idea of breasts as sexual objects is a largely Western cultural belief, rather than inherent in the breasts themselves.
HOW do we decide what is obscene? It's not fundamental. There is no secret list, or magic criteria. It's a value judgement, based on social norms. Why are breasts obscene (particularly when they're under-age, as in the Bill Henson furore) but violence is not? As a society, we seem to have developed some odd attitudes to nudity, and to breasts. I know parents who go out of their way to make sure their children never see any naked breasts or bottoms, but people beating each other up, blood everywhere, guns and other random violence? No problem. By letting our children see naked flesh, and use breasts for their fundamental purpose, are we setting them up for some dreadful fixations? I can't see it. I don't understand how seeing breasts as a food source translates to sexual perversion. In fact, the recent media story about a model who refused to breast feed because she preferred to reserve her breasts for her husband strikes me as far more perverse than sustained breastfeeding.
Despite the World Health Organisation recommendation that children be breastfed until at least two years of age, a recent long-term study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that at 12 months, 28% of children were breastfeeding; at 18 months, only 9% of children were being breastfed; and at 24 months, the rate was only 5%. In contrast, by about two years of age a third or more of the children in sub-Saharan Africa were still breastfeeding. In five out of seven Asian countries studied, 50% or more were still being breastfed at two years; in Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala 40% of children; and in Indonesia 63% of children are still breastfed at this age.
Rather than asking why people continue to breastfeed, perhaps we should ask why people stop breastfeeding? It is interesting to note that, in the 1880s in the US, 95% of children were still being breastfed at two. By 1990, only 50% were being breastfed at birth. So what has changed? There is the problem of returning to work, plus the powerful marketing strategies of formula companies. That very 1950s idea that anything out of a scientific lab was far superior to anything natural may have played a part. Some women are forced to wean for medical reasons, or because breastfeeding is difficult or painful. Others choose to stop breastfeeding, and there are many possible reasons: wanting to drink alcohol; wanting the "freedom"; wanting their body back; wanting space; working; wanting to go out without needing to express; wanting/needing to go away; being fed up with it.
Sometimes children wean themselves. Some women wean due to the pressure and negativity surrounding sustained breastfeeding. Others become closet feeders, feeding in secret to avoid being judged. Sometimes even medical advice is inaccurate - mothers are put on to medication that is incompatible with breastfeeding, despite a safe alternative being available, or mothers are told they must wean for surgery, instead of expressing for the necessary duration and resuming the breastfeeding relationship when it's safe. Too often I hear stories at breastfeeding association meetings of mothers who visit a doctor because they have health problems and are told "first of all you need to wean" before the problems are even investigated, let alone identified.
I dream of a world where we don't impose our ideas on others, where women are given all the facts on breastfeeding, and none of the myths. Where the decision to wean is left to mother and child, where it belongs. Where we support women and children to continue their breastfeeding relationship as long as they want.
Linda McIver is a Melbourne writer.
I wanted to put a picture to correspond with the blog, and for a second there, I wanted to put a photo of naked breasts!! But nah, I don't want to arouse perverts!
Today, I came across this article and thought it was an excellent article. The message was clear and right to the point! I thought I'd reproduce that article as I'm afraid it will be taken down soon.
Yes, actually, breast is best
Linda McIver
September 20, 2008
I didn't set out to be weird. I didn't intend to be strange. It wasn't a deliberate choice to do something so way out, something that was obviously not quite right. Not just bizarre, but frankly rather distasteful. Some even find it disgusting. The thing is, it's OK when you start. People are even supportive initially. But as you keep going, failing to stop at the invisible stop sign, people start to get very edgy. It starts to seem a little perverse.
Apparently there is a rule I didn't know about. You stop breastfeeding by 12 months at the latest. Continue any longer than that and … well, it's a bit twisted, isn't it?
"Will you still be breastfeeding her at her 21st?" It's delivered with a smile - it may be the funniest thing the speaker has said all day, possibly even all year - but, let's face it, this is the 100th time I've been asked the question this week, and it wasn't funny the first time. My mother was the first to say it. I knew she would have a hard time with me "failing" to stop breastfeeding when my daughter, Chloe, was one. She always referred to my friend Ann as "that woman who was still breastfeeding her toddler at your baby shower".
But, to her credit, she came around. When I asked her why it was so wrong, she had no answer, and finally admitted that it was just what she was used to. She could find no reason why I should stop at the magic 12-month mark.
Which is just as well, because I would not have stopped whatever she said. I was happy to keep feeding Chloe, and Chloe was happy to keep feeding, so why stop? When I went back to work when she was 11 months, a feed when I got home on Daddy's day, or when I picked her up from child care, was a nice way to reconnect. It was an excellent behavioural tool - a feed could always calm her when she was hurt or upset. A feed always helped to get her off to sleep (yes, I committed the terrible crime of feeding her to sleep, right from the start. Oh, the shame), and it was brilliant the few times we flew - feeding on take-off and landing made the flying thing a breeze.
Yet despite the fact that breastfeeding was overwhelmingly positive for Chloe and I, and for my second child, Jane, who is still feeding at 18 months, I have received a host of negative responses and comments. Everyone feels qualified to offer an opinion. From the type of social pressure in the joking comments such as the ones above, to the more disturbing pseudo-medical comments. "It's time you gave her own immune system a go" (actually breastfeeding has a host of immune benefits, and helps to strengthen the baby's immune system at least until two years of age - studies haven't been done beyond that age yet, but there's no reason to believe that immunological components of breast milk would disappear at that age). "You're stopping her from getting adequate nutrition from solids" (breast milk is nutritious, and my children eat plenty of solids as well). "It's too draining for you physically." (I'm doing fine, thank you!) "It will make her too dependent on you." (Research in the US by Professor James McKenna of the Mother-Baby Behavioural Sleep lab at the University of Notre Dame suggests that the reverse is true - children who are attachment parented, who tend also to experience sustained breastfeeding, are more confident and independent in the long term.)
Why do people have a problem with it?
The problem seems to be a strong feeling that it is wrong for the child somehow. That it makes the child "unnaturally dependent on his mother" as Dr Spock wrote in the 1950s, or interferes with nutrition or taking up of solid foods. A GP once told me that I should not be feeding my toddler at night, because it "interferes with her daytime nutrition". This is based purely on prejudice - there is no medical reason for it.
It is interesting to challenge our assumptions and instinctive reactions to milk. Apparently it's OK to feed your child cow's milk (or formula made from it) at any age, but continuing to give her your own milk is weird. Possibly even perverted.
At a recent meeting of the Australian Breastfeeding Association someone mentioned that her mother was raised in a village in Eastern Europe, where they would try to ensure that two women got pregnant at similar times, so that they could share working and raising the children. One mother would go to work in the fields, the other would stay home and breastfeed both children. The next day they would swap roles. Almost every woman in the room immediately went "Eeeew! How could you let your child drink someone else's milk?" A very wise breastfeeding counsellor by the name of Shirley Brown smiled at us all and said, "It's funny, it's OK to feed your child an animal's milk, but not another person's!" Until we question our prejudices, we can't detect the ones that are baseless.
Many people object that "it's just for comfort", which raises the question, "What's wrong with comforting my child?" (It's also medically wrong, by the way - as well as the immunological components, there is plenty of nutrition in breast milk.)
It may be that it challenges the notion of parental control - that we should be controlling, almost forcing the child to do what we perceive to be right. Child-led weaning is the antithesis of this - allowing the child to do what feels right seems to be a real source of tension. There is a perception that a child left to wean herself will choose never to wean.
It may be true that they don't "need" it - after all, plenty of children do fine on formula from the start. But even if they can survive without it, that doesn't make it necessary to stop. I can survive without chocolate, too, but I choose not to give it up, even though it has nowhere near the benefits of breast milk.
It is interesting that many people don't simply feel that sustained breastfeeding is not something they could contemplate themselves, but that it is actively wrong for anyone. This may be partly the usual human desire to see others replicate and hence confirm our choices, but it seems to be more than that. Somehow breastfeeding seems to have become tangled up in our strange attitude to the human body, nakedness and sexuality.
Is it about breasts? Certainly feeding a toddler in public increases the chance that a stranger (or worse, a friend!) may inadvertently glimpse your breasts. Yet I can't for the life of me work out why that should be so problematic. Is it the risk of accidentally arousing someone for a moment? Most mothers will not leave their breasts hanging out longer than necessary, and if a brief glimpse of nipple sends someone into a frenzy, I think there are other issues involved (and they're not my issues or my problem). Is it the interaction between child and breast? Particularly if the child is male, there seems to be a fear of sexualisation, that the child will somehow perceive his mother's breasts, hitherto a source of nourishment and comfort, as sexual objects. This, again, says more about the perceptions (and, yes, perversions) of the observers than the child. Anthropologist Kathy Dettwyler points out that the idea of breasts as sexual objects is a largely Western cultural belief, rather than inherent in the breasts themselves.
HOW do we decide what is obscene? It's not fundamental. There is no secret list, or magic criteria. It's a value judgement, based on social norms. Why are breasts obscene (particularly when they're under-age, as in the Bill Henson furore) but violence is not? As a society, we seem to have developed some odd attitudes to nudity, and to breasts. I know parents who go out of their way to make sure their children never see any naked breasts or bottoms, but people beating each other up, blood everywhere, guns and other random violence? No problem. By letting our children see naked flesh, and use breasts for their fundamental purpose, are we setting them up for some dreadful fixations? I can't see it. I don't understand how seeing breasts as a food source translates to sexual perversion. In fact, the recent media story about a model who refused to breast feed because she preferred to reserve her breasts for her husband strikes me as far more perverse than sustained breastfeeding.
Despite the World Health Organisation recommendation that children be breastfed until at least two years of age, a recent long-term study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that at 12 months, 28% of children were breastfeeding; at 18 months, only 9% of children were being breastfed; and at 24 months, the rate was only 5%. In contrast, by about two years of age a third or more of the children in sub-Saharan Africa were still breastfeeding. In five out of seven Asian countries studied, 50% or more were still being breastfed at two years; in Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala 40% of children; and in Indonesia 63% of children are still breastfed at this age.
Rather than asking why people continue to breastfeed, perhaps we should ask why people stop breastfeeding? It is interesting to note that, in the 1880s in the US, 95% of children were still being breastfed at two. By 1990, only 50% were being breastfed at birth. So what has changed? There is the problem of returning to work, plus the powerful marketing strategies of formula companies. That very 1950s idea that anything out of a scientific lab was far superior to anything natural may have played a part. Some women are forced to wean for medical reasons, or because breastfeeding is difficult or painful. Others choose to stop breastfeeding, and there are many possible reasons: wanting to drink alcohol; wanting the "freedom"; wanting their body back; wanting space; working; wanting to go out without needing to express; wanting/needing to go away; being fed up with it.
Sometimes children wean themselves. Some women wean due to the pressure and negativity surrounding sustained breastfeeding. Others become closet feeders, feeding in secret to avoid being judged. Sometimes even medical advice is inaccurate - mothers are put on to medication that is incompatible with breastfeeding, despite a safe alternative being available, or mothers are told they must wean for surgery, instead of expressing for the necessary duration and resuming the breastfeeding relationship when it's safe. Too often I hear stories at breastfeeding association meetings of mothers who visit a doctor because they have health problems and are told "first of all you need to wean" before the problems are even investigated, let alone identified.
I dream of a world where we don't impose our ideas on others, where women are given all the facts on breastfeeding, and none of the myths. Where the decision to wean is left to mother and child, where it belongs. Where we support women and children to continue their breastfeeding relationship as long as they want.
Linda McIver is a Melbourne writer.
I wanted to put a picture to correspond with the blog, and for a second there, I wanted to put a photo of naked breasts!! But nah, I don't want to arouse perverts!
Tuesday, September 23
My dislikes II
Today, I had two encounters which will be added into my aversion list. My first blogging about it was here.
One of the worst thing one can experience in life would definitely have to be stucked in traffic. I must salute those who never think traffic jam as an absurd way of wasting time and how they can endure every minute and every second of it. In Sydney, what makes it worse is the number of traffic lights one has to pass before reaching a destination. When I was still residing in my previous domicile, I literally counted how many sets of traffic lights I pass on the way to work. It was 29!!! It was a freaking 29 sets of lights! No wonder it took me almost an hour for a 15km distance in a bad traffic. Nowadays, I take the freeway which is so much better but still 17 sets of traffic lights. =) So I do appreciate it if people actually geared up to go when the lights turn green. Unfortunately, there are a bunch of people who think they have ample time in the world to do their 'whatever' in the car while waiting for the lights to turn green. So, when the lights says go, they are not vigilant and it has to take a nasty honk or several just to alert them. Inevitably, this will only allow several cars to go and the next few cars in line will have to wait for another couple of minutes. This is one scenario that will cause me to blow!! (Lord, I ask for more patience in me, please.)
Secondly, we had dinner out just today and we were seated next to a group of people which I assume was a couple with 2 kids (a baby and a small kid) and their 3 single friends (from their conversation). Not just on one occasion, but several, the mother drew much attention when she raised her voice at her little boy (probably 2-3 years old). Of course, people tried to be polite and dared not stare, but we were right beside them. Gosh, it was so annoying! Although seemingly, she was trying to discipline her son, but I don't think that sort of treatment is suitable in public. She repeatedly had to raise her voice to tell her son off, "this cannot, that cannot, no this, no that... etc". I really have an issue with mother's trying to proove in public that she's a stern mum!! Especially the tone that this lady used.. is so similar to many of the 'well-educated mothers' I've seen around, as opposed to the not-so-educated ones, of which the latter will simply shout at their kids, slap them around (understandably, this is prohibited in Australia) and ask them to shut up and sit quietly! So, this lady actually tried to show her smart-arse (in hokkien we call it, ke gau) motherly demeanour in public and I absolutely loathe it! Can't they do it at home??? I have seen many children and friends with that kind of mother, and eventually they turn out to either be resentful and/or timid and/or another smart-arse product!! (Lord, please help me to be more accepting and forgiving and not judgmental.)
I know, I am a very judgmental person, no one person in this world can be unison in character and attitude. I just have to learn to accept them as they are. Oh well, I sound very petty and I'm not someone into the deep stuffs, well I do but in seclusion. So, as much as those are meaningful and worthy to be pondered upon, one just need to succumb to the fact that life in itself is hard. I have long accepted that, which is why I don't dwell in the deep stuffs because it just complicates things even more. I want to live life in contentment and in thanksgiving because I know, there's pure joy by just knowing the Lord!!
Ok, I digressed. One minute, I am judgmental and now I'm talking about joy! Hmm... told you I have identity crisis. Oh wait, I was actually talking about pettiness and the deeper stuffs!
Alrighty, enough with that. Before I end, I want to show my mum the dinner we cooked yesterday. We had some thai sweet chili chicken with some salad. Big Elf likes his garden salad with balsamic vinegar whereas I wanted to have a different salad ie silverbeet (mum, that's the name of the vegetable I told you about) with mashed sweet potatoes. No MSG, no salt for the salad. Quick, easy and healthy!
Big Elf's dinner
My dinner
One of the worst thing one can experience in life would definitely have to be stucked in traffic. I must salute those who never think traffic jam as an absurd way of wasting time and how they can endure every minute and every second of it. In Sydney, what makes it worse is the number of traffic lights one has to pass before reaching a destination. When I was still residing in my previous domicile, I literally counted how many sets of traffic lights I pass on the way to work. It was 29!!! It was a freaking 29 sets of lights! No wonder it took me almost an hour for a 15km distance in a bad traffic. Nowadays, I take the freeway which is so much better but still 17 sets of traffic lights. =) So I do appreciate it if people actually geared up to go when the lights turn green. Unfortunately, there are a bunch of people who think they have ample time in the world to do their 'whatever' in the car while waiting for the lights to turn green. So, when the lights says go, they are not vigilant and it has to take a nasty honk or several just to alert them. Inevitably, this will only allow several cars to go and the next few cars in line will have to wait for another couple of minutes. This is one scenario that will cause me to blow!! (Lord, I ask for more patience in me, please.)
Secondly, we had dinner out just today and we were seated next to a group of people which I assume was a couple with 2 kids (a baby and a small kid) and their 3 single friends (from their conversation). Not just on one occasion, but several, the mother drew much attention when she raised her voice at her little boy (probably 2-3 years old). Of course, people tried to be polite and dared not stare, but we were right beside them. Gosh, it was so annoying! Although seemingly, she was trying to discipline her son, but I don't think that sort of treatment is suitable in public. She repeatedly had to raise her voice to tell her son off, "this cannot, that cannot, no this, no that... etc". I really have an issue with mother's trying to proove in public that she's a stern mum!! Especially the tone that this lady used.. is so similar to many of the 'well-educated mothers' I've seen around, as opposed to the not-so-educated ones, of which the latter will simply shout at their kids, slap them around (understandably, this is prohibited in Australia) and ask them to shut up and sit quietly! So, this lady actually tried to show her smart-arse (in hokkien we call it, ke gau) motherly demeanour in public and I absolutely loathe it! Can't they do it at home??? I have seen many children and friends with that kind of mother, and eventually they turn out to either be resentful and/or timid and/or another smart-arse product!! (Lord, please help me to be more accepting and forgiving and not judgmental.)
I know, I am a very judgmental person, no one person in this world can be unison in character and attitude. I just have to learn to accept them as they are. Oh well, I sound very petty and I'm not someone into the deep stuffs, well I do but in seclusion. So, as much as those are meaningful and worthy to be pondered upon, one just need to succumb to the fact that life in itself is hard. I have long accepted that, which is why I don't dwell in the deep stuffs because it just complicates things even more. I want to live life in contentment and in thanksgiving because I know, there's pure joy by just knowing the Lord!!
Ok, I digressed. One minute, I am judgmental and now I'm talking about joy! Hmm... told you I have identity crisis. Oh wait, I was actually talking about pettiness and the deeper stuffs!
Alrighty, enough with that. Before I end, I want to show my mum the dinner we cooked yesterday. We had some thai sweet chili chicken with some salad. Big Elf likes his garden salad with balsamic vinegar whereas I wanted to have a different salad ie silverbeet (mum, that's the name of the vegetable I told you about) with mashed sweet potatoes. No MSG, no salt for the salad. Quick, easy and healthy!
Big Elf's dinner
My dinner
Sunday, September 21
Appleseed
Yesterday we invited some friends over for dinner. Big Elf loves to be host and he will cook really nice food for his guests! Unfortunately, the food looked too good that I totally didn't bother to snap a photo of it. I am always ravenous when there's prawns!!
The dinner setting
The dishes were:
1. Spicy Black Bean Beef
2. Ma Po Tofu
3. Sambal Tumis Banana Prawns
4. Stir-fry bak choy (I cooked this la, simple and easy).
If you don't already know by now, Big Elf always leave the vegetable dishes to me and he will get his hands on the seemingly more important and substantial dishes ie the meat and seafood.
Calla lilies
Some random shots just to make up for the dishes I didn't photograph. Sorry =( These are calla lilies which I plucked from my landlord's garden. They grow very well towards the end of winter and of course spring time. Soon, there will be hydrangeas in the garden. Can't wait for it to grow!
Candle light holder from Ikea
The dessert!!!
At least I remembered to snap a photo of the dessert while Big Elf was preparing it. It was just a simple cookies and cream ice-cream with strawberries and chocolate topping. Our friends left us with a movie they bought, an anime called Appleseed! We then watched it for the night and it was quite good.. not so much of a Studio Ghibli style movie, you can tell. It was war and bloody... I'm sure you get the gist of it. All in all, it's highly recommended.
The dinner settingThe dishes were:
1. Spicy Black Bean Beef
2. Ma Po Tofu
3. Sambal Tumis Banana Prawns
4. Stir-fry bak choy (I cooked this la, simple and easy).
If you don't already know by now, Big Elf always leave the vegetable dishes to me and he will get his hands on the seemingly more important and substantial dishes ie the meat and seafood.
Calla liliesSome random shots just to make up for the dishes I didn't photograph. Sorry =( These are calla lilies which I plucked from my landlord's garden. They grow very well towards the end of winter and of course spring time. Soon, there will be hydrangeas in the garden. Can't wait for it to grow!
Candle light holder from Ikea
The dessert!!!
At least I remembered to snap a photo of the dessert while Big Elf was preparing it. It was just a simple cookies and cream ice-cream with strawberries and chocolate topping. Our friends left us with a movie they bought, an anime called Appleseed! We then watched it for the night and it was quite good.. not so much of a Studio Ghibli style movie, you can tell. It was war and bloody... I'm sure you get the gist of it. All in all, it's highly recommended.
Tuesday, September 16
Howl's Moving Castle
I have been watching Studio Ghibli's anime diligently since this year.Many of my friends have probably watched them long long time ago, yet I only started now. Perhaps it's good in a way because I'm sure I wouldn't understand it better than now. I have watched several but didn't think my interest would last this long. Hence, I didn't blog about it. The whole idea behind studio ghibli is something worth respecting from the movie plot they produced. Time and again, they never fail to impress audiences, especially me. Every anime has a good story line and morale in it. However, it may not be suitable for Christian audiences, especially kids as they engage in all these supernatural, magical, gods and goddesses and monsters like theme, overtly non-Christian beliefs. Then again, I am not an extremist and I know who I serve. So, I'm not too worried about watching it and being a fan of Studio Ghibli.
My first Studio Ghibli's anime was Howl's Moving Castle. I was immediately fascinated by it, an animation with such engaging storyline. I was absolutely drawn to the visual effect and I cannot believe, I was totally charmed by it. I never knew about Studio Ghibli before but this was a great start to my venture on watching all Studio Ghibli's production.
My first Studio Ghibli's anime was Howl's Moving Castle. I was immediately fascinated by it, an animation with such engaging storyline. I was absolutely drawn to the visual effect and I cannot believe, I was totally charmed by it. I never knew about Studio Ghibli before but this was a great start to my venture on watching all Studio Ghibli's production.
Howl's Moving Castle is based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones. Here's the spoiler for those who haven't watch. But even after reading the plot, it is still worth watching!
The film starts off with the protagonist of Howl’s Moving Castle, Sophie, a timid and unsure 18-year-old girl who works in her late father's hat shop. She has a chance encounter with the mysterious wizard Howl (27 years old), who rescues her from some menacing soldiers. However, by doing so, Howl brings Sophie to the attention of the Witch of the Waste, who visits Sophie and whom Sophie inadvertently offends and puts a curse on her, transforming her into a 90-year-old woman. Unable to tell anyone of the curse, she sets off on her journey to the Waste, to beg Howl to lift the curse. On the way she meets a magically animated scarecrow whom she names Turnip Head. Together they find Howl's moving castle.
Inside the castle, Sophie comes across a fire demon, Calcifer, with whom she makes a deal: He will change Sophie back to her normal age if she can break the contract that binds Calcifer and Howl together. "Grandma" Sophie also meets Markl, Howl's young apprentice; Howl himself appears soon after. Sophie hides her true identity and claims to be a cleaning lady hired by Calcifer to maintain the castle. (However, Howl, like Calcifer, has been able to 'see through' the spell all along.)
Sophie discovers that the front door of the moving castle is magical, allowing transport to four different destinations. She also begins to see Howl's true nature. He shows this when Sophie messes with his potions in the bathroom, accidentally causing his hair to turn red at first, then to black. Howl throws a tantrum, claims 'There's no point in living if I can't be beautiful!', and calls on the Spirits of Darkness.
Time passes, and Howl receives summons from both Porthaven as Wizard Jenkins and Kingsbury as Wizard Pendragon to fight for the King. A war is being fought over the missing Crown Prince Justin. Howl suspects the Kingsbury summons is a trap set by Madame Suliman, Kingsbury's head sorceress and Howl's old mentor. Too cowardly to confront her himself, Howl convinces Sophie to speak to Suliman by posing as his mother, "Mrs. Pendragon."
Sophie runs into the Witch of the Waste while going to the royal castle. In the castle, the Witch of the Waste is captured by Suliman's stronger magic, stripped of her powers, and shrunken into a helpless old lady. Suliman then confronts "Mrs. Pendragon" and demands that Howl become a war magician. Howl comes to her rescue disguised as the King of Ingary, but Suliman sees through his disguise. They escape on a flying machine along with Heen, Suliman's asthmatic errand dog, and the now-helpless Witch of the Waste. Howl stays behind, fighting off the chasing soldiers, while Sophie goes ahead, flying back to the castle. Suliman, however, learns of Sophie's identity. Howl returns in a large birdlike form later that night and Sophie wakes up as her young self again. She confesses her love to him and tells him she wants to help him break his curse. Howl rejects her and flies away. Sophie wakes up to find it was all a dream.
Howl transforms the castle into a larger and more beautiful version of itself as a present for Sophie. Meanwhile, the self-confidence she has gained, along with her developing affection towards Howl, has begun to reverse Sophie's curse, returning her gradually to her true age. Madame Suliman attempts to track Howl down at the hat shop. Howl flies off to defend them; however, each time he transforms into a large birdlike creature to defend himself and his friends, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to revert to human form. Sophie receives a surprise visit from her mother Honey, sharing a brief but emotional reunion. Honey, secretly blackmailed by Madam Suliman, leaves a small bag which turns out to be a spy bug. The Witch of the Waste destroys it by feeding it to Calcifer, but it severely weakens him as a result.
Eventually, Suliman's henchmen swarm the hat shop, forcing Howl and Sophie to retreat. Howl transforms into the bird creature to draw the enemies away, while Sophie moves the castle back to the Wastes. Sophie convinces Calcifer to rescue Howl, but in his weakened state, Calcifer is unable to move the entire castle. Sophie removes Calcifer from his hearth, to reduce the size of the house, but then returns him and uses her own hair as fuel. However, the Witch spies Howl's heart in the ashes — the one thing she had been seeking for ages — and greedily grabs it. The heart sets her aflame, forcing Sophie to throw a bucket of water on her and Calcifer. Calcifer is reduced to a small flame that is unable to control the castle. The castle breaks down even further and they are all thrown off a cliff.
Sophie cries for Howl, thinking he is dead, but then in the rubble, she finds the magical castle portal. She enters to find herself transported into Howl's childhood. She learns of the relationship between Howl and Calcifer, and discovers why Howl is unable to truly love anyone. She returns to the present to find Howl outside the door. Howl is in bird creature form, badly injured and bleeding, but is able to take them back to their friends.
Sophie, Howl and Heen land on the remnants of the castle, and Howl falls unconscious as he transforms back into human shape. Sophie convinces the Witch to give Howl's heart back to him and pushes it into Howl's chest. Calcifer emerges in his true form and shoots off. Without Calcifer powering it, the remnants of the castle give way. Turnip Head sacrifices himself to stop the castle from sliding off a cliff and Sophie thanks him by giving him a kiss. Turnip Head then turns into Crown Prince Justin, who had been transformed by a spell that could only be broken by a kiss by his true love, Sophie. However, when Howl wakes up, Sophie shows she is really in love with Howl, which breaks her own curse. The Witch of the Waste tells the Crown Prince Justin to tell the king to stop the war, resigned, goes back to tell his king to stop the meaningless war. Calcifer returns and decides to stay even though his contract with Howl was broken.
Heen reports all this to Madame Suliman back in Kingsbury through her crystal ball; which showed that Prince Justin was rescued, there is no reason to continue the war. The film ends with Sophie, Howl, the Witch of the Waste, Calcifer, Markl, and Heen traveling in the newly-rebuilt castle and with both Sophie, and Howl kissing — which now flies.
Wikipedia (you mut be kidding if at one point, you thought I wrote the synopsis...hehe )
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