Consider This

If only everyone thought about other people before they do anything. I was driving to SS18 one day and I had to pump my car tyres. There must be a million petrol stations along the journey but I've only managed to pump my car tyres after the 7th petrol station, because the air pumps at the first 6 stations either went bonkers or something was missing from the air pumps.

It can be 2 things - either these air pumps were badly maintained (which is likely the case) or people did not bother to take care of them (which is also likely). It's probably both. It infuriated me because it was such a simple errand I had to run but it became such a chore.

On another occasion, the tea lady went on a break for 10 days and in those 10 days, the pantry was filthy. Most did not bother to wash up (even their own measly mug which would take less than a minute) knowing that the tea lady ain't gonna be there to clean up after them. Sighs.

These could happen if we would spare a thought about other people more often:-
Less traffic because we would have kept to our lanes and not jump queues;Less "destroyed" public property, including air pumps at petrol stations and public phones;Church will be cleaner because we would pick up our (and other people's) rubbish from the floor and wherever else - AND we would not leave our bulletins lying on the chairs after service;Guests in church will always have food before the rest of us gobble everything up; No road blockages caused by someone who has double parked or parked almost into the middle of the road;No more mean bosses who pick on you just coz they are having a bad day;No more ringing tones from phones that were not silenced during church service, a movie in the cinema or meetings.It's a hard lesson but we have to learn it, for the sake of others.

On a different subject, something I felt like doing tonight.... (thanks for the encouraging input guys!)

Pink isn't my favourite colour so I would sell this to anyone who will take it.
Please leave a comment if you are interested.

This is What I Might Do if I Quit Practice

In the past year, this is what I decided to do when I'm free or when I felt like it....

The first project. I was so pleased with myself that I decided, hey, this is great therapy for stress! Subsequently, I made a few others but gave it away as presents (for Ly, Esther, LiiT, Sam and some other people I cannot remember) so I don't have pictures of those.

The 2nd piece which I kept. These are shoulder sweepers.
(I love butterflies! No points for guessing my favourite colour.)

I realized I had tonnes of red clothes but no red earrings. In conjunction
with the recent Lunar New Year, I decided to make these.

I made these for Sweetie's nieces, because they liked the red ones
(and the butterflies) so much.

This happened recently when I was depressed for being in the island where everyone else is fleeing (Refer to the post before this one. By the way, I'm still struggling to pray for the king of the island).

One of my favourites! You can never go wrong with white.


I have not become enterprising all of a sudden (although part of me wish I had). I just figured that I should not have to keep paying for earrings of all shapes and colours when I can design and make my own (and choose whatever colour I like). But I could not be making earrings just for me, so I decided that I may want to either give them away as presents or sell them (the former will depend on whether I like the person I'm giving them to.... haha).

So, maybe I'll start selling them. Any thoughts?

For what it's worth, I love the idea of being able to do something other than legal practice. *big grin*

Changes in the Neighbourhood

My neighbours who used to live on the island where I am in are moving out. One by one, they've decided to move on to greener pastures. It's pretty depressing, especially after I've gotten to know them so much better. I am happy for them because the king of the island has been a pretty mean person. I disagree with the way they were treated. At the same time, it depresses me because they've left the neighbourhood empty and quiet. It's a strange feeling; glad but really sad.

Sighs.

Order, Order

tatty-teddy.net © 2001-2004 Inge

There's something I realized about myself recently. I really like to keep the order of things. Although, I'm not necessarily the one keeping the order (which explains my disorderly sanctuary) but things that are not kept in order annoy me; things like:-

1) Drivers / motorists not keeping to their lane when driving, turning, changing lanes, etc;
2) People not indicating when they wanna turn or change lanes;
3) People who do not flatten their empty juice / milk cartons when discarding them;
4) Roads that are not perfectly laid and/or filled with pot holes;
5) Colours that do not match (or not tastefully mismatched);
6) Residential estates that are clearly not properly planned;
7) Parents who think it's OK to spoil their kids;
8) Bosses who do not respect his employees nor value them, however good they are;
9) Women who wear the pants in the family;
10) Documents that are not formatted properly and/or sentences that use a million words to say one thing.

Oh, one more thing. I love making lists. *smile*

Slow Down Process

This is something I'd like to remember when stress gets the better of me.

An interesting reflection : Slow Down Culture

It's been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience. Any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule.

Globalize processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to posses a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.

Said in another words:
1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo, a state in Brazil.
2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants.
3. Stockholm, has 500,000 people.
4. Volvo, Escania, Ericsson, Electrolux, Nokia are some of its renowned
companies. Volvo supplies the NASA.

The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn't say anything, either the second or third. One morning I asked, "Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot." To which he replied, "Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door. Don't you think?" Imagine my face.

Nowadays, there's a movement in Europename Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing. Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week.

Basically, the movement questions the sense of "hurry" and "craziness" generated by globalization, fueled by the desire of "having in quantity" (life status) versus "having with quality", "life quality" or the "quality of being". French people, even though they work 35 hours per week, are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 28.8 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%. This slow attitude has brought forth the US's attention, pupils of the fast and the "do it now!".

This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means reestablishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the "now", present and concrete, versus the "global", undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living.

It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit.

In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, "I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now". To which Al responds, "A life is lived in an instant". Then they dance to a tango.

Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".

Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalized world.

*Source Unknown

My Darling English Parents (et al)

I've never posted pictures on my blog... until now. The Beeston Oasis now has its own website and the pictures they've posted brought back tears to my eyes.

Bob, still looking young and dandy! I miss his words of wisdom and kind composition.



This picture reminds me of the times I spent at the Oasis Kitchen with Pat while she cuts up meat or cake or pudding and I observe and learn while being tempted to eat whatever food she has prepared, even if I was just so full (of food).

I love you, my English parents, and miss you so so much!! But wait, there is more....

Matt and little Lucy at Christingle. I could not find a picture of Christy though.


The entrance of the Beeston Oasis. The sight of it was always a relief to me especially when I had to walk to church on a winter Sunday.

Surprise Response

tatty-teddy.net © 2001-2004 Inge

Never underestimate the power of a kind or encouraging word. It does wonders and brings people together in ways unimaginable.

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