Mindless Followers

Came across the below article - which I totally agree.

Try not to follow blindly or for the sake of doing it or just becos everyone's doing it or becos of peer pressure


Anything you repeat mindlessly is a pointless rite and ritual. - Stonepeace


Once upon a time, whenever the monks in a monastery were about to begin their evening meditation sessions, a stray cat would prance around and create quite a din, making it difficult to meditate.

With no workable solution then, the master asked the cat to be tied to a pole some distance away. Years later, after the master passed away, the same cat was still regularly tied, even though he had stopped making a nuisance of himself. Even more years later, when that cat died, another cat was brought in - to be tied up during meditation.

Absurdly, the master's disciples began writing lengthy scholarly pieces on the significance of the cat ritual! This is probably a good theory of how something done for a good reason can eventually degenerate into pointless superstition when its rationale is forgotten. Worse still, 'rationale' that is not the original might be wrongly imagined.

It's not suprising to come across many following customs without knowing their real intentions. This becomes ritualised display of blind ignorance - that might repeatedly create negative karma - e.g. by animal abuse!

Many religious rituals started simple - to serve practical functions, but became lavish in form over time, which distracts the followers from their true meaning. Some routines might not even be spiritual in nature!

As such, truly responsible disciples should question traditions instead of just adhering to them 'responsibly' - or there would be no wisdom gained.

Attachment to rites and rituals happens to be one of the first fetters to break on the path to enlightenment. Rituals are but means to a greater goal. Don't just stick to them and stay stuck!

Sound of Music

More than 200 dancers were performing their version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. with just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt!

Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23 of march 2009, 08:00 AM.

It is a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program, where they are looking for someone to play the leading role, in the musical of "The Sound of Music".


Absolutely delightful!




I remember when I was young, I just love watching musicals and my dad would bring me to the movies. "Sound of Music" was one of my favourite and I think I must have watched it at least 5 times! - my dad loves musical too.

When I started working, I was fortunate to visit Austria and went a "Sound of Music" tour in Salzburg. I saw the palace, the garden pavillion and the church where the couple got married in the movie. It is a small church and so quaint.

Salzburg is so beautiful!

S-Factor - Susan Boyle

I had just watched Susan Boyle on YouTube.

When she stepped out on stage, many people in the audience gave her a look of disdain. What, look like that want to be an Idol?

But when she opened her mouth to sing, wow, wow, wow, it was so angelic. And she had a standing ovation.

Yes, most of us judge a book by its cover, including moi, I'm ashamed to say.

I remember once temping in a company and this lady will pass by my desk every morning and put a copy of the newspaper on my in-tray for my boss. I thought she was the coffee-lady - turned out she is the PA to the top guy.

note to myself : I must be even more aware and not be judgemental whether consciously or subconsciously


Which brings me to the next subject : Model = Bimbos?

I heard about the local show S-Factor but never watched it. But I finally watched half of an episode yesterday while surfing thru the channels and happened to come across it.

Aiyo, yo.......

I watched the part where the gals have a debate - man, I just switched channel half-way thru - the way they talk, arguing their points etc.... Well, I hope that people from other countries don't think that all S'poreans gals are like that.

I don't know in real life if the gals are really like that, or becos of the editing - my goodness, the gals do come across as really hare-brain, no-brain bimbos. Pretty gals but not much grey matters.

Ok, ok, I am trying not to be so judgemental but the way those gals are behaving, it's hard to shake off the stereotypes about models.

Ok, enough said.

Hello Babe!

Baby E is basically a sweet, sociable baby. If anyone talks to him and smile at him, he will smile back.

But I've just realised that he is partial to sweet young thing!

Hubby and I were having our lunch at a kopi-tiam and E as usual was in his pram. Suddenly, he let out a yelp and we turned to see what he is looking at - that boy ah - he was looking at this sweet, young thing with long hair.

And when she started to leave, E followed her with his eyes - looking to his left and then to his right when the young gal passed behind his pram.

This is not the 1st time it happened. When he sees a pretty gal, he gets all hyped up especially if the gal have long hair.

If the gal got short hair, no interest. If the gal is not young, also no interest.

I just wonder how come? Most of the time he is at home with me. He does not watch TV except for a little cartoon in the evening. So how come the typical stereotyping like must be young and have long hair.

Hubby said it's in-born in the male genes.

Well, looks like E is going to be such a Cassanova.

Cousins' Gathering & Up The Stairs We Go

06 April 2009


Hubby's sis organised a cousins gathering to be at the 'New HongKong Restaurant' at Novena Ville but since it's such a big crowd, M graciously invited everybody to her house since it's nearby.

Hubby's sis and two cousins went to 'tar-pow' food from the restaurant.





Very yummy food and the restaurant's signature dish is their 'Fish-Head' noodle soup but sis-in-law just bought the soup without the noodles.


I like M's open concept kitchen and a kitchen island.



Xbox Rock-Band time!



Everybody had a blast!






It was fun with the kids trying to be a rock-band.



And here's E on his maiden flight up the stairs with the 'kor-kors' egging him on.
Luke took this video.




E did very, very well. He was looking and judging how and where to place his legs and hands to go up the stairs.

YOU GO BOY!

Airport Rendezvous

04 April 2009 - 6pm

All of us went to the airport to pick up my brother who is back from Indonesia for a short 10 days break here before he heads back to Indonesia.


Mom & Dad with baby E




With my 3 nephews



Dinner at Swensons at the airport.

My brother with his sons



Mom with my sis-in-law










We like the baked mussels with cheese best of all.

Mom who only will take Chinese food tried the baked mussels and liked it.

Bravo Mom for trying other varieties of food besides only Chinese.

Wedding by the Bungy

4 April 2009 - 11.30am

Attended hubby's cousin's wedding at their 'Bungy Bar' at Clarke Quay.


With the bride 'M'. M has a very bubbly and infectious personality. We always have a good time and laughter with her around.


With hubby's sis



M's sis - ML



M's other sis - MC


MC's son



Mom-in-law looking smart in her outfit.



Oh man, the queue is so long, I'm soooo hungry.......











Hubby feeding E.





E is such a sociable baby. He was smiling all the time and everybody loves carrying him.

E usually needs his nap after every feed but due to so many distractions, he did not take his naps (2 naps) and he did not even cry.

He was out cold though when he got onto his car-seat on the way home.

Oh, baby E, you're such a good boy.