The surprise gift basket

November 10, 2017 | Newbloggycat

gift basket

Just two days ago I wrote about the gift baskets I collected and I thought that’ll be all for my collection this year.

This afternoon, I spotted this beautiful maroon basket across the street where I lived. It’s a beautiful and sturdy looking gift basket. Life is full of surprises!

I was feeling a bit under the weather today and I believe this gift basket carries with it a simple yet poignant message just for me:

coollogo_com-285911594

These gift baskets waited for me

November 8, 2017 | Newbloggycat

I love gift baskets especially those made from bamboo/cane. Since the beginning of this year, I had collected five baskets that were abandoned on the roadside in four different locations. I believe these baskets were meant for me and each carried a meaningful life-lesson.

The Green Basket

green basket

I found this basket about 50m away from Shaye’s school. This is a basket of nature. The colour of this basket may have faded but it is still in purrfect condition. Just like this basket, growing older is inevitable. Though taking care of our outward appearance is important, we must not neglect what’s going on in our hearts and in our minds. We need to focus less on ourselves and focus more on enriching the lives of others. May we all grow old gracefully!

The Twin Basket

big and small baskets

I saw these twin basket a few blocks from my home. I was rushing to send Shaye to school and I did not have time to turn back and pick up the baskets. I told Shaye I will collect the baskets on my way home if they are still there. Well, the baskets waited for me alright.

The baskets were exactly how I found them as shown in the photo. It’s looks like a mother protecting her young child. It shows a mother’s important role in nurturing her child early in life. It is a reminder that children are young only once and we cannot turn back the hands of times.

I am a full time mom and a freelance event planner and banner/backdrop designer. Honestly, I do not make much but I believe in investing my time in my daughters’ lives. And I look forward to the day they are mature and independent and I can humbly say, “I have made a difference in their lives.”

The Brown Basket

brown basket.jpg

This basket waited for me about a kilometer away from Sydelle’s school. In life, there will always be troubles and challenges. This is a basket to put all our doubts, worries and fears away. We have to focus on the positive and possibilities and make the right choices to overcome our problems.

The Red Basket with Gold Lining and Yellow Lily

red basket

This is the last basket I collected two days ago somewhere near the place where I found the green basket. The colour red signifies strength and courage. But we need to be careful not be carried away by these traits or we will become egotistical and self-righteous. After all, there is a thin line between self-confidence and selfish pride.

The gold lining on the basket is a sign for us to remain kind, compassionate and generous. And by just looking at the yellow lily on the handle brightens my day and made me smile. Don’t you think this would make a beautiful Christmas gift basket?

That’s all folks! Perhaps my next story would be the case of the missing baskets.

sending-you-a-basket-full-of-love

Rhythm of the falling rain!

October 27, 2017 | Newbloggycat

Just listen to the rhythm of the falling rain,

coming down like confetti from the sky,

singing us a soothing song of nature.

When it rains, I love to

watch the trees dance,

hear the children’s laughter as

they play in the rain and

jump in the puddles.

When I was young

I was so taken with those

lovey-dovey scenes in movies.

And I thought it was so romantic

to kiss your lover in the rain,

But in reality, we most likely

cuddle and watch TV,

play scrabble,

read a book,

or have a cup of coffee.

I love it when it rains.

Maybe it’s because

rain is not afraid of falling,

when it could no longer

hold it’s heaviness.

Our tears are just like rain.

And we have to let them flow freely

on days when our troubles

seemed too much to bear.

Just like the plants,

we’ll never grow if there’s no rain.

So let the rhythm of the falling rain

soothe and heal your soul!

PLANTastic CactUS!

October 24, 2017 | Newbloggycat

It’s a scorcher!

It’s been unbearably hot and humid

for more than a week now.

My daughters thought it would be cool

to have their very own cactus

since it feels like we’re living in the desert.

My 11-year old chose the moon cactus,

moon cactus

just like her personality – reticent and artistic.

And my 6-year old picked one

that I do not even know what it’s called.

cacti

It’s a nice-looking succulent – fresh and pleasant,

that compliments her carefree and vibrant nature.

They both have such distinct personalities

like day and night.

I bet the little one will never stop

annoying her big sister.

And I wish for big sister loads of patience

to endure the never-ending nonsense.

But I pray they’ll grow to be

confident and resilient

yet gentle and kind,

always loving and caring for each other,

that they’ll show up in good times

and times of dry spell in life.

Alone, a cact-I.

Together, a cact-US.

May they be bosom friends forever!

cactUS

Time to PONDer

October 20, 2017 | Newbloggycat

I have always been fascinated

by ponds – big, medium or small.

Some are natural, others may come

with lovely sculptures or refreshing fountains.

But, my favourite is the pond that has healthy

well-fed Koi swimming in it.

I visited a Catholic church recently and

I was delighted to see a beautiful pond

with a statue of Jesus Christ.

And when I took a closer look

I was thrilled to see a group of energetic

Koi swimming in the pond.

Just watching the Koi makes me glad.

I feel peace within and at the same time intrigued

by these amazing Koi, for they embody

a kind of quiet beauty and mystery.

And I can’t help but ponder

on the importance of

love, unity, and friendship.

pond with koi.jpg

Quote

diwali20greetings202203

To all who are celebrating Diwali,

the festival of lights ;

A celebration of triumph

of light over darkness and good over evil,

A festival where thousands of oil lamps

will be illuminated throughout the night;

May the light of hope be there

when we seek it in our darkest hours;

May the light of faith be seen with our hearts

even when our eyes see only darkness;

Let us shine and share this beautiful light

with those around us;

Wishing you delightful moments and

overflowing joy this Diwali and always!

– NBC

diwali2banimated2b2

The homeless man – NBC

October 16, 2017 | Newbloggycat

homeless_man

The other day, I was walking behind this homeless man after getting a few things from the grocery store.

He’s most likely in his mid-thirties. He seemed normal and healthy and in no way inadequate though his clothes looked old and worn out. He often carries a plastic bag with what looked like the few essential items he possessed.

I often see him loitering about the vicinity where I lived. I wonder why he is homeless and if he had a family. I’m sure he has a life story to tell like everyone else.

There were a few occasions I saw him sitting in the playground nearby writing in a notebook. And he just kept on writing and writing.

Otherwise, he can be seen standing outside a 24-hour convenience store where he would place a plastic container for anyone who is willing to spare him some loose change. He seemed to have a kind of dignity and confidence in him that I could not explain, unlike most homeless persons I have met. I am sure he knew who his regular supporters were. After all, this is a very small suburb. And most long-time residents here respect and accept him for who he is.

Apart from that, he is self-sufficient and content to live his life this way. Once, we happened to be both queueing to buy food from a food truck. A four-wheel drive drove pass and stopped in front of us. A middle-aged woman winds down her the car window and handed the homeless man a bag of Chinese takeaway food. To my surprise, he told her in fluent Cantonese “No need, I have food today.” But the woman was persistent and said twice, “Take it, I bought it for you.” And again he told her no. The lady then drove away bewildered by the rejection from this homeless man.

Here is a person who I guess had not eaten a decent meal in at least a few years and I cannot help to think how often we are guilty of overindulgent when it comes to food.

There were days we too may feel just like this homeless man – unloved, lonely and disconnected. The only difference is that we have a place we can go to, which we call home.

My prayer for everyone is may we never end up like this homeless man. Life has its ups and downs and so often life seemed so unfair and our suffering unbearable. But in those times may we be grateful to have a roof over our heads and food on the table. And most of all to have our family or someone by our side, to love and to be loved cos at the end of the day love is all that matters.

music-with-love-peace