Best gift of all

To all the lovely people who made my life and my 26th birthday full of smiles and pleasant surprises, thanks heaps!

Thanks for making the efforts to remember my 'hatch' day, for celebrating and spending it with me, for bearing with me and for every little thing you've done for me, my amigos...

I truly appreciate you... Your friendship is the best birthday gift of all!

"A friend loves at all times..." - Proverbs 17:17

Thirty, flirty and thriving

No, that's not me.

"Thirty, flirty and thriving... Thirty, flirty and thriving... Thirty, flirty and thriving... Thirty, flirty and thriving... Thirty, flirty and thriving..."

That's the wish of Jenna Rink on her thirteen birthday, and under the power of some sparkling wishing dust her best friend gave her, poof! she (or should I say, her body) turned thirty and flirty - what she has always dreamt to be - except the thriving career that's won over by underhand means she herself is totally unaware of.

I wonder why the thirteens so yearned to grow up and the thirties wished they could get their hands on some wishing dust or elixir or anything that attempts to slow down or cover up the process of ageing so they can become young again? Irony.

In her effort to present a fresh look for the sale-plunging magazine she works for, Jenna reflected... "I think we all - I think all of us - want to feel something that we've forgotten or turned our backs on because maybe we didn't realize how much we were leaving behind. We need to remember what used to be good. If we don't, we won't recognize it even if it hits us between the eyes." (Source: The Internet Movie Database)

Behind all that fun and glamor, Jenna eventually figured what she has always wanted aren't the best things after all. The good was she gets to go back to where she left off and undo the nightmare. The bad is, we can't.

At thirty, in her reality, she possessed everything that matter to a person most - family, friends and true love. Most importantly, she loves who she really is.

I ain't thirteen going on thirty, merely twenty-five going on twenty-six... crossing from a quarter of a century to the next. What have I missed? Any regrets? Well, more or less.

But there's no way I can go back to change history or turn back time. I only have time on hand to make my present and future right. Alas, there's only one life to live!

The thing about birthdays is this: You can't wait to have it around the corner when it's far from near. But when it's arriving, you get moody and melancholic for odd reasons.

So I wish I'll be twenty-six, flirty happy and thriving!

Dreams in reality

"Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

Fairy tales don't come true, but dreams do. Dreams come true to those who persevere by keep on keeping on.

The movie 'A Cinderella Story' has more substance than I thought it to be.

Not exactly thought-provoking, but it made me reflect if I am more like Sam or Austin. The whole deal about life is not what others think about me, but I, myself mustering enough courage to stand up for what I believe and what I really want to do.

Whether you are a realist or a Cinderella-hopeful, your make your own dreams and the living "happily ever after" come to pass!

As a footnote, while I want to remember the same day 3 years ago as the day the world changed, let's also not forget that trials and tribulations, big or small, should never crush us but strengthen us on the inside.

World Animal Day

Why not make this weekend count by celebrating World Animal Day 2004?

Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) invites all to promote kindness to animals and increase awareness, by checking out the two road shows at Ngee Ann City and The Heeren. Visit www.spca.org.sg for more details!

I cannot put into words how my heart goes all out to these abandoned creatures, but perhaps my best quality shines through in how compassionate I am.

If there is no space in our lives for an adopted pet as yet, why not support movements like this instead? I will be there... Will you do something for the little ones too?

Shut up

Don't tell me how 'unthin' I am, as if I don't know.

Mad about O

This week's issue of 8days says Odie is a dachshund-terrier mongrel!!!

Let me explain for the exclamation. I have always thought it to be a beagle and this breed is not allowed in Singapore HDB apartments, despite its manageable size as compared to the golden retriever. I guess it has got to do with its frolic nature. Well, dachshund and terrier are permissible, which means I have hope for an Odie-look-alike in my current home!

Hmmm, and that reminds me about Putter - a black-silverish miniature schnauzer we had a couple of years back. My dad is a religious golf player and that apparently explains the name given. Regretfully, we kinda failed to be good carers for the intelligent canine and after a couple of months, we entrusted him into the hands of the cousin of my dad's friend, who is a dog trainer. Miss my dearie Puttie heaps.

Well, the 'advice' in my earlier post about having man's best friend around still stand and I believe none wants to be a well-meaning but an ill-prepared owner. So while I may not have the time and ability to care for one now, knowing the truth has set me free and made me happier... Thanks for that little revelation within the movie review, 8days! ;)