Just something nice to share..

This is a very good article. Those who are still single may learn something from here...
Those who are already married may take it as a guideline to improve your marriage & relationship ...

DID I MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON?

During one of our seminars, a woman asked a common question. She said, 'How do I know if I married the right person?'
I noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so I said, 'It depends. Is that your husband?'
In all seriousness, she answered 'How do you know?'

Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's weighing on your mind.

Here's the answer.
EVERY relationship has a cycle. In the beginning, you fell in love with your spouse/partner. You anticipated their call, wanted their touch, and liked their
idiosyncrasies (unconventional behavior/habit).

Falling in love with your spouse wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely natural and spontaneous experience. You didn't have to
DO anything. That's why it's called 'falling' in love... Because it's happening TO YOU.

People in love sometimes say, 'I was swept off my feet.' Think about the imagery of that __expression.
It implies that you were just standing there; doing nothing, and then something came along and happened
TO YOU.

Falling in love is easy. It's a passive and spontaneous experience. But after a few years of marriage, the euphoria (excitement) of love fades. It's the natural cycle of EVERY relationship. Slowly but surely, phone calls become a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens), and your spouse's
idiosyncrasies, instead of being cute, drive you nuts.

The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship, but if you think about your marriage, you will
notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage.

At this point, you and/or your spouse might start asking, 'Did I marry the right person?' And as you and your spouse reflect on the
euphoria of the love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when marriages breakdown. People blame their spouse for their unhappiness and look outside their marriage for fulfillment.

Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes. Infidelity is the most obvious. But sometimes people turn to work,
a hobby, a friendship, excessive TV, or abusive substances.

But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your marriage. It lies within it. I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else.
You could.

And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later. Because (listen carefully to this):

THE KEY TO SUCCEEDING IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON; IT'S LEARNING TO LOVE THE PERSON YOU FOUND.

SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. It'll NEVERjust happen to you. You can't 'find' LASTING love. You have to 'make' it day in and day out. That's why we have the __expression 'the labor of love.'
Because it takes time, effort, and energy. And most importantly, it takes WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make your marriage work.

Make no mistake about it. Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific things you can do (with or without your spouse) to succeed with your marriage.

Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there are also laws for relationships.
Just as the right diet and exercise program makes you physically stronger, certain habits in your relationship
WILL make your marriage stronger. It's a direct cause and effect. If you know and apply the laws, the results are predictable... you can 'make'
love.

Love in marriage is indeed a 'decision'... Not just a feeling.

Remember this always:

'God determines who walks into your life. But It is up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'

To Compromise or Not?

I am pretty sure I blog about this topic often, whether to compromise and give in? Like I mentioned previously, there's an angel and a devil living inside me and they are constantly battling each other.

Sometimes I really do not see the need to reciprocate and do you a deed. Of course I understand that you have your own problems and perhaps this is the moment in your life when you need lots of encouragement or support. However, that does not entitle you to be willful or reprimand someone without getting your own facts right! At least for today, the devil in me triumphs. I am sorry.

I am an impulsive person. Sometimes so much so that I can't even tolerate my own doings. Yet, I do lack the rash I need in certain aspects of life, at least for this once, I am a coward. Well, we should all just fold our arms, cross our fingers and see what God has in place for us. :)

Swine Flu 101 Facts.

1. What is Swine Flu (Swine Influenza)?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease affecting pigs that is caused by type A influenza
virus. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but
most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to influenza
outbreaks in humans. It causes high levels of illness but low death rates in pigs.

2. Does Swine Flu affect humans?
Swine flu viruses that cause disease in pigs very rarely affect humans. However,
sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these
cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs but there have also been
documented cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu.

3. How does Swine Flu spread to humans?
Swine flu spreads to humans mainly through contact with infected pigs, which shed
the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces. Limited human-to-human
transmission can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people.

4. Can people catch Swine Flu from eating pork?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that swine flu can be transmitted to
humans from eating pork or pork products that have been thoroughly cooked.

5. What are the symptoms of Swine Flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of
regular human seasonal influenza. An early symptom is high fever, and this is
followed by cough, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes breathlessness a few
days later.

6. How can human infections with swine flu be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine flu, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected
within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be
shedding the virus). However, some persons, especially children may shed the virus
for 10 days or longer.

7. What medications are available to treat swine flu infection in
humans?
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in Singapore for the
treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While
most swine flu viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine
flu viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this
time, the US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir
(Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine flu viruses.

8. Are there any cases of Swine Flu in Singapore?
To date, there have been no human cases of swine flu detected in Singapore.

9. Is there any cause for alarm in Singapore?
No human swine flu cases have been reported in Singapore. MOH is monitoring the
situation closely and will update the public should the situation change.

10. What is MOH doing to ensure that the disease is not
transmitted here?
MOH maintains a comprehensive and well established disease surveillance system
for the early detection of human cases of novel influenzas such as swine flu. In
addition, MOH has sent a medical alert to all medical practitioners and staff in
hospitals, national centres, private medical clinics and polyclinics to update them on
the outbreak of swine flu in the USA and Mexico and to advise them to be vigilant for
any suspect cases. When the situation warrants, MOH will step up public health
measures e.g. quarantine of contacts, issue public health advisories, and work with
other government agencies to screen visitors at our border checkpoints. Further,
MOH has an influenza pandemic preparedness plan in response to a pandemic
situation.


11. Is it safe to visit countries with cases of Swine Flu and will I
be quarantined when I return? What travel precautions should I
take?
There are currently no travel restrictions or quarantine advised by the World Health
Organisation for swine flu. If you intend to travel to areas which have cases of swine
flu (currently – Southern California and Texas in the United States; and Mexico), you
should take note of the following measures to minimize your risk of acquiring swine
flu:
Avoid contact with persons with symptoms of influenza
Avoid crowded areas and maintain good ventilation.
Observe good personal and environmental hygiene. Wash hands
thoroughly with soap and water frequently and when they are contaminated
by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.
Maintain good body resistance through a balanced diet, regular
exercise, having adequate rest, reducing stress and not smoking.

12. What should I do if I suspect I have swine flu after returning to
Singapore?
You should consult your doctor as soon as possible and inform your doctor if you
have symptoms of swine flu and had recently travelled to areas which have cases of
swine flu (currently – Southern California and Texas in the United States; and
Mexico).

13. What should I do if I fall ill overseas?
You should consult a local doctor as soon as possible and refrain from traveling until
you are certified fit by the doctor.

14. Does influenza vaccination help in preventing Swine Flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no
vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine is unlikely
to protect against H1N1 swine flu viruses.

15. Is it safe to come into contact with live pigs in nature reserves
and the wildlife reserves?
So far, there are no known cases of swine flu in Singapore. However, proper hygiene
practices, such as washing of hands after contact with animals including pigs, should
be maintained.

Credits to Omma for her contribution. :) Everyone, please take care of your own health!

The last lap....

I keep wondering to myself: "Is this really the last lap?"

I have been staying home the past week (other than going for tuition or JP) mugging for the upcoming exams. No doubt I am proud to say that this is my final year and this semester is probably the last that I have to mug for 5 modules consecutively, but I am feeling the fatigue mentally.

What I am feeling now is exactly how it was like a year ago in Stockholm when I was mugging for my finals. Yet, I had more motivation back then and of course not to forget, it was just a torturous 1 week compared to this time round's 3! I am not even halfway through the battle yet the drive and desire to hold on is wearing away fast. After 4 long days, I am only halfway through the macro text. I do not deny that I take breaks quite often but I ain't got a clue why the stagnation?!?!?!

Alright, better stop whining and continue hitting those books hard and fast so that I do not flip open the exam paper with the pen in my hands and feeling the words not flowing.....

World Cup 2010

I can't believe my luck!
I just randomly went for the draw to apply for the 2010 World Cup @ South Africa!
Guess what?
I got it!!
3 matches for Portugal's Group matches.
But it is like 1 year away?!
Well, cross my fingers and see what will happen next... :))
I hope this luck stays with me for the upcoming Exams!

If only we could keep it that simple

I recall the cab ride last saturday home.

The uncle was extremely friendly and the moment I got on the cab, he asked if I was going home? Usually, if I was really tired, I would just keep it a simple YES and then pretend to doze off to shut the driver up (hopefully). However, I was in a pretty light mood that day so I appeared to be more approachable and open to conversations.

The cab driver then questioned why I was not out dating on a Saturday night and he casually said "Today is a good day!" I found it so random and I could feel myself drifting away from the conversation when he started turned and looked at me and said, "Xiao mei, You are not too bad-looking. Don't you have a boyfriend?"

I was startled and was so afraid he is going to come up with some smart-Alec suggestion of asking me to go match-making and stuff like the typical uncles and aunties do nowadays to their own kids. Lol. Instead, he told me to just relax and take my time to search for the right one. The conversation slowly went on track and he asked about where I am studying and how old I am etc. I am not the kind of person who tries to avoid such questions so I answered every single question honestly then he started to comment that I should earnestly find a bf while in UNI otherwise once I graduate, things are gonna get a bit more trickier..... So the conversation continued.....

Maybe he is right that I should start relaxing the restrictions I place on myself and ought to give others a chance before shutting them off from my life. However, if only we could keep things in the simplest way we want always, life would not be as intriguing then. We need not flipped open the newspapers to see headlines like "World's End Day", Suicides, Murders, Unemployment Rates soaring, Economic downturn, Political uprising etc...

I did try to keep my life simple... In the end, we ended up in circles, idling time away. When we finally decide to grab hold of that something, curtains drew and we have to move on with our own lives. To keep life plain like water? No one guarantees happiness in that way anyway. Or at least the way some people always try to put it to be.... ?

The incidences that I have over the past week then reminded me of the commercial by MCYS that is being broadcast on Channel 5 and 8 since about a month ago.

We are always attempting to search for the perfect boyfriend, life partner or even husband in our lives. Otherwise, we search for the perfect job, perfect career, perfect retirement etc. Yet, we all know that nothing is perfect in this world. So what is that perfect element that we are constantly seeking? In my opinion, it is the element that is lacking in us that we find it to be of perfection.

That ultimate someone must possess something that is lacking within you and being with him or her will perfect that little imperfection you see in yourself. When these two imperfect persons who complement each other get together, they perfect each other and tells the story of a "Beautifully Imperfect" Image....

I especially love the last sentence by the Indian lady, "I hope some day, you children will find yourselves life partners who are as beautifully imperfect as your father."

I am sure we all will.... :))

Bidding Goodbye....

Well, today is the official last day of school in NUS for the semester. It just suddenly dawned on me that I will not be seeing my friends for a long long time. Friends whom I hang out with week in week out in NUS, laughters, complaints, whines, jokes, lunch buddies etc. They will all be leaving and here I am, left alone in this familiar yet alien environment without the people that I am so used to seeing. Unlike in Europe, we didn't bid each other our goodbyes with a hug or even a word of encouragement. We were just so silent and chatted about the past, doing the last bit of reminiscence and catching up. Yes, we will still be back for the examinations but it will be a completely different feeling. During the 3 years in NUS, I have met people who walked in and out of my life, swift like lightning and also people whom I have built up lasting friendships with. I realise that we have a latent filter inside our minds and heart in that we segregate people into groups and we share different things or feelings and opinions with them. There are those whom you want to appear smart and elegant in front of them, some who are merely hi-bye friends and of course others whom you reveal your true self to. Regardless of the category, it must have been that latent filter in you that make you decide to carry yourself the way you are in front of them. :)

This semester is probably the toughest and trying one for me, not only having to cope with a total different level of workload but also having problems with bidding and spending a lot of time in school, having a 5-day week in theory but 4-day one in practice. :) LOl.. Breaks were long but I had lots of surprises this semester. Just like what my lecturer said, whenever you turn a corner, you will know what anticipates or awaits you at that blind spot. I had to cope with doing projects with people whom I completely not know and honestly, it was something which I would use the phrase "short and sweet" on. We need not have to meet often to discuss or pressurize each other on moving and getting things done. Everything fell in place when it needed to and it was lovely!

Not to forget, soccer really bridges gap between people. Like Seng and I always have lots to talk about outside the fact that we are both Econs major, that is Soccer. Being rivals in the league, we showed gracism and patience towards each other in class and in our post-match comments always.

Then it went on to Ben. It seems like both of us were just so shy in front of each other which apparently I have no clue as to why though we are both enthusiasts and frequent participants of social networking. When the two of us first met, we tried so hard to sound and behave politically and socially appropriate towards each other. Yet, deep in our hearts, we knew that we could simply behave like friends who had already known each other for ages and talk about anything under the sun. As the semester progressed, contact minimized and when the time for it arose, things suddenly took a different turn. Perhaps it was because of the addition of another member to our clique that changed the whole setting. Our chat was always so casual and filled with laughter, no longer those that you had to be smart or elegant or appropriate. Just when we were about to bid farewell, we realise we are both die-hard fans of the all-time famous sport-soccer! It's a pity that we love a different football club but it felt so great to finally break-down the front that we were both putting up for the whole semester. Isn't friendship in such a way beautiful and lovely?!

I struggled, I attempted, I fell, I stood up and now I will be entering the mugging phase of my school term. But no denials, this is the best semester I have ever had in my entire NUS life, hitherto. Perhaps bitter-sweet memories are the most lasting and make people crave for more. Remember the government's latest campaign --> Beautifully Imperfect.! Thanks to all those who had made the mark and hopefully, the exchanges never end.... :)

Simplest of all friendships.

I wonder how many people have actually seen this video but personally I really wish to share it.

Just copy the link and then share it. Imagine this actually took place like 3 decades ago yet it is still one of the most talked about topic. Where on earth is Christian now? The link at the bottom is of better quality and includes the 2nd and final visit by the owners.



Animals are God's wonder creation except CATS cause I really hate them. But look at all these huge cats and dogs, they are lovely ain't they? Wild animals attack humans because they feel threatened by us, aliens who walk on two legs and speak a different language. But if you learn to live with them, they are your best friends, just like Marley (if you caught the show Marley and Me).

When you are frustrated, they sit around with you and listen to your sorrows without a single complaint. When you feel tired, they cuddled around you and give you a hug and make you feel the warmth. When you are happy, they share your joy by partying it away with you. Of course they do have their bad days and tire you out since you need to take care of them and clear their shit. Sometimes I wish for a Christian, not to boost my own ego nor because I find him cute. I wish for the simplest kind of friendship that always exist between humans and animals. When you put in 100% of your effort for them, they reciprocate 101%. You need not shower them with the most expensive gift or tell them the nicest words just to please them. All you need to do is spend time with them, sit around even if it means doing nothing or take a stroll and you will bring up your own Marley or Christian. They will know you really LOVE them!

Isn't love supposed to be that simple?