Grandma's Hands

Grandma's Hands
by
Bill Withers

Grandma's hands
Clapped in church on Sunday morning
Grandma's hands
Played a tambourine so well
Grandma's hands
Used to issue out a warning
She'd say, "Billy don't you run so fast
Might fall on a piece of glass
"Might be snakes there in that grass"
Grandma's hands

Grandma's hands
Soothed a local unwed mother
Grandma's hands
Used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands
Used to lift her face and tell her,
"Baby, Grandma understands
That you really love that man
Put yourself in Jesus hands"
Grandma's hands

Grandma's hands
Used to hand me piece of candy
Grandma's hands
Picked me up each time I fell
Grandma's hands
Boy, they really came in handy
She'd say, "Matty don' you whip that boy
What you want to spank him for?
He didn' drop no apple core"
But I don't have Grandma anymore

If I get to Heaven I'll look for

Grandma's hands

Yes, its a song... a beautiful and meaningful song by Bill Withers (listen to this song). But I was actually motivated by a forwarded email on a story about how grandma's hands were in good use; for prayers, for soothing, for assisting her to move around in her old age.... I suddenly realised that how important our hands are. And in honour of my grandma who has passed on years ago, I now take pictures of my mother's and sisters' and nieces' hands.......DO CARE FOR YOUR HANDS!!This is an original photo but not an original idea......

The Sexiest, The Funniest & The Most Admired!

The Sexiest Man

The Funniest Man

The Most Admired WomanOkay, there you are, I managed to take pictures with the
3 most interesting personalities
of the World!!

Ooopps!!
I have been busted.... ya you were right, I was in the wax museum,
Madame Tussauds, London. How else can a common person
take pictures with the uncommon.......

"Kiasu" Syndrome

Are you "kiasu" or "kiasi"? Do a survey; first on yourself, then among your friends. Ask yourself whether you are "kiasu" or "kiasi". For those who do not understand these terms; they are actually Hokkien (one of the multitude of Chinese dialects) coined to portray "afraid to lose - kiasu" and "afraid of dying - kiasi". If I am not mistaken, this started in Singapore due to the competitiveness of this small nation and they, the Singaporean are being labelled "kiasu" for their fear of losing out due to the smallness of their country - unfair but quite apt!

So the "Kiasu" syndrome has expanded to include "kiasi" and the like "kiaboh". I personally do not advocate "kiaboh" - meaning - fear one's wife, simply because it has a gender connotation and a personal attack on all men without their defence being called. Also, I do sincerely respect men who listen to their wives and pay due respects to them instead of those, chauvinistic types who treat their wives as mere second class.... so "kiaboh" is definitely not in my category of vocabs!!

So back to the question in time ~~ are you "kiasu" or "kiasi". For me, after some thoughts, I think (feel) that I am not afraid of dying but I probably would be more afraid of losing. I have always try to do better than others, I love to compete and win and there..... I am "kiasu"!!!! What about you??

William Arthur Ward

Here are some beautiful quotes by William Arthur Ward which can be used as pillars of our life...his timeless words of inspiration can help everyone understand life better, live better.....

Before you speak, listen

Before you write, think

Before you spend, earn

Before you invest, investigate

Before you criticize, wait

Before you pray, forgive

Before you quit, try

Before you retire, save

Before you die, give

~~

William A Ward

(1921-1994)

The pessimist complains about the wind;

the optimist expects it to change;

the realist adjusts the sails

~~

William Arthur Ward

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it

If you can dream it, you can become it

~~

William Arthur Ward

The mediocre teacher tells;

The good teacher explains;

The superior teacher demonstrates;

The great teacher inspires.

~~

William Arthur Ward

Study while others are sleeping;

Work while others are loafing;

Prepare while others are playing;

And dream while others are wishing.

~~

William Arthur Ward

The Regent's Canal Dock

I was really fascinated by the workings of the Regent's Canal Dock when I was shown by my friend on arrival in London. I would called this simply the miracle wonder of the man's mind. The Regent's canal was opened in 1820 to connect to River Thames for coal shipment.
What is interesting is the simple workings of the canal junction where one higher canal meet another canal with a lower water level. In order for the boat to turn into the lower canal, the boat operator has to open a gate to allow the water to flow into a basin so as to create a water level of similar height. From my understand, hydraulic power is in use here. Once the boat passes through, the boat operator once again closes the gate and thus creating 2 different water levels again until the next boat comes along.

I suppose it is not easy to imagine how this works and you will have to really see for yourself to believe and understand it.

It is just simply amazing how one can think of ways and means to provide transportation in the olden days. This system is still in use in "The Regent's Canal" near Islington/Angel Station. There are 10 such canal docks along the famous River Thames in London.

The Mouth of Truth

The Mouth of Truth

On the last day of my visit to Rome, I managed to get onto a bus and explore Rome city with 2 of my travel mates. We found a few more sites not included in our package tours. One of them is "The Mouth of Truth". It took us quite a fair bit of walks and asking numerous people before we finally found it. It was such an achievement for us!

This site was made famous by an old movie, "Roman Holiday" (1953) ~~ A bored and sheltered princess (Audrey Hepburn) escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman (Gregory Peck) in Rome.

Legend had it that if you lie and when you put your hand into "The Mouth of Truth" your hand will be bitten off; that was what Gregory Peck (the newsman) told Audrey Hepburn (the innocent princess) in the movie. I watched this movie a long time ago and when I spotted the picture of "The Mouth of Truth" in a postcard, I suddenly remembered that it is here in Rome; that started our frantic search for it.

So long, farewell, Bambino!!

Introducing.....................Bambino and Bambinee!!!

First it was "Bambino", originally white in colour, rescued from a young owner who took good care of it but have to part because of his father's nagging. "Bambino" came to me limping with 4 flats but with the help of my brother-in-law, I managed to nurse "him" to health. That was 25 years ago.......

10 years ago, "Bambino" had a whole body overhauled and was given a nice "Mercedes" blue outfit, grey seats, air-condition, polished antique number plates, new lights and indicator covers even with the original "Fiat" sign specially imported from Italy!!

"Bambino" served me well as a reserved and it was alway a pleasure to go with him around town. He commanded respect and attracted quite a bit of attention..... sweepers stopped their work to salute him. He is also a subject for conversation; strangers came up to me to talk about him.

But viola! there he goes, I have to part with him due to my changed of lifestyle.... I have to just only stick to "Bambinee" because she is the only one I can manage to cope with, she is the only one that can take me around town quickly.....

So .... so long, farewell "Bambino".... I am happy you have got a new owner who will appreciate you and take good care of you... The last I heard is that he is going to give you a brand new RED outfit..... YOU SURE WILL LOOK GOOD IN IT!!!

Believe it or not --- Queen E!!

I went to London to see the Queen!

Believe it or not... this is a powershot of the Queen and her husband passing by us while we wait by the road side to see who is the important person going through. Its none other than the Grand Old Lady ~~ Queen Elizabeth ~~ just coming out of her son's, Prince Charles resident.

Some Britons said they have never seen the Queen in person.... how lucky can we be?

All in a "Name"

How do one come out with an appropriate name for a business, a company, a shop in order for it to be successful. Or is it just a random name plucked from the air? Could it be just any name you fancy and channel great effort in promoting or is it just clever advertising?

So what is the theories and strategies behind these names.......

How do names like "Ugly Duckling", "Fat Face" or just a simple "Eat."
or "All Bar One" can get so famous and successful... Go figure......

The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World

One of my life long goals is to visit all the 7 ancient wonders of the world. After visiting the 1st one; The Great Wall of China many years ago, the opportunity of continuing to visit the other 6 did not opportune itself until recently with the wide offer of budget airfare, also thanks to the understanding and support of my family, I have finally managed to surge on to visit 4 more, making a total of 5.

I have always been fascinated with the 7 Ancient Wonders and did not cease to be in awe even after visiting some of them...

1. The Great Wall of China
2. Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia

3. Colosseum, Rome, Italy

4. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

5. Stonehenge, Wiltshire County, England

There are many versions of the 7 Ancient Wonders and I would like to consider these 5 that I have visited as the 5 out of the 7. 2 more in my list of must see are the pyramids and Taj Mahal.

However, my list of must visits goes on...... there are the natural wonders like Niagara Falls, Grand Canyons etc etc...... life is full of wonders and they are always there for all of us to discover and explore...... Happy travelling!!!