30395 Blog Feed: jthomas 2008-06-17 07:06:01 jthomas Your e-mail address 96529 2008-05-13 20:10:31 Yesterday was my daughter's (Sarah) birthday. She turned sweet 16. We went over to my in-law's place where our 2 girls were putting up (since our home is still under renovation) and celebrated her birthday.

She was so happy and excited when we got her a new electric guitar (bought yesterday). It was so nice seeing the joy expressed, I believe she had never even guessed it!

I taught her how to play the guitar last year, even bough her a basic acoustic guitar. I was too busy to continue teaching her but she persisted, got the chords printed out from the net, printed some lyrics from Back Street Boys and started practising on her own. So I guessed it was time to let her have an electric guitar so she could advance faster learning the scales and lead.

I'm excited too cos I'll be able to borrow her electric guitar everyday and learn some lead!  ]]> 94148 2008-05-07 10:37:15 I got my test result on Monday last week but was too busy and tired to post it, what with the front of my home being renovated and some furnitures had to be covered with unused curtains and bedsheets.

Well, it was really good to know what my blood could tell me. My sugar level is within healthy range. So are my kidneys and my hepatitis B's immunity still present. But, my cholesterol's a little on the high side, so I have to work on it.

Doc told me I should take more oats and I said I love oats. I normally mix condensed milk into my oats and really enjoy it. Immediately she shrieked, 'Noo! Don't use condense milk! Don't you know it's the worst thing you could do to your body?' Now, how in the world could I eat plain oats, or eat oats with powdered milk? It just isn't the same!

Anyone out there, please, tell me you have a great recipe for oats! ]]> 90825 2008-04-27 12:12:24 Finally, last Friday I had my blood sample taken by a doctor cos I wanted to check on my cholesterol level. Never done it before, and as age is catching up fast I thought now is better than never. Doc said she could also check for sugar level, my kidneys, uric acid and hepatitis.

Results would be in 2-3 working days time, that means this Tuesday or Wednesday, and I'm so eager to know what my blood sample could tell me. If my cholesterol level is high at least I could start controlling my food intake. Same goes to my sugar level. But the other three, well, I hope nothing to worry about..

Stay tuned for the results!! ]]> 90814 2008-04-27 11:32:02 Finally! It was a moment of great relief when I left the college after attending the final class today, but at the same time, I shall miss it. What happens now is I have targetted the next 2 months to complete all my 8 assignments for submission to London. I think I can make it..

Looking forward to weekend siesta! ]]> 88692 2008-04-20 22:23:25
Actually, a funny thing happened, which was really embarrassing.. After I started my notebook, I sat down but drowsiness overcame me like I was drugged! Kept nodding my head to and fro, fighting the feeling. Finally I succumbed, and the next moment found myself almost kissing the floor. Instinctively, and out of reflex, I found my hands stopping my face from being flatten and I realised i fell sideways from my chair! Thank God my head didn't get knocked by the corner of the dining table next to me!

Well, I should strongly consider the bed or sofa next time I feel drowsy.. ]]> 85389 2008-04-10 19:53:22 That is my home, before and during renovation. Rather late to have our home done up but better now than never. This renovation will provide my 2 girls with a separate room of their own, besides creating the extra room in our living hall.

Funny thing, the renovation started on 31-March when it was hot and dry throughout the day. From the second day onwards till today it has been raining in the afternoon ever since and work had to be stopped whenever it rains. Today looks like it's gonna rain again..

I love doing up our home but don't have the creativity and finance. Someday, hopefully soon, I'm gonna make our home beautiful and as comfortable as possible. There's no place like home... ]]> 85225 2008-04-10 11:27:33 I was never good with kids, I mean, interacting with them. Maybe for me it takes a while for that kind of relationship, me and the kids, to get established. When I was a bachelor I ‘d never imagined that I would ever get married and have children. Well, perhaps at that age you don’t get to think about it until you’re hooked with someone and day by day you grow in that relationship.

Anyway, I got married to a really wonderful and beautiful girl in 1990. And when she was pregnant with our first child I really wondered, at the time, how my child would look, how she would turn out to be.. pretty, ordinary, pudgy, average looking? Would I know how to relate to her, and so forth, that’s what was going on in my mind at certain times.

Well, when our first child, a girl, was born she was really, really sweet. The second child, also a girl, was born after a year and a half. So there, we had 2 sweet little girls, or babies then, and during that time I was feeling eager for the day when I could really talk to them and they would reciprocate. I would imagine the day I could go out with them and have a dialogue, knowing what’s on their mind, talking about common issues, stuff like that. But all they could muster up were just baby words.

As time flies they began to speak a few words here and there, imitate new words, trying to form sentences, but nowhere near proper dialogue. But that was good enough for me because I was really excited that I was able to interact with them, even if the scope was somewhat limited.

When they started primary schooling, they would listen to us whenever we advise them on everything. When they were naughty or too playful I would put up a stern front and command them to behave. When things got out way of hand I would shout at them and instantly peace and quiet would fill the air, but certainly not their hearts.

Well, things are different now that they are in their teens, 16 & 17. Relationships tend to get a little more complicated. And when complications come in and things get heated up dialogue with them gets harder to establish. I’ve stopped shouting at them 2 years ago after they gave me the silent treatment each time I shouted at them. I also stopped scolding them like how I used to when they were little. They would naturally interpret my actions for lack of understanding in their problems and still treating them like little kids.

Here’s where tact and creativity comes in handy. A few years ago I started to think about how I could improve in my relationship with my girls. I came down to their level and started to make an effort to get interested in their hobbies, for example, their taste of music. I used to dislike the modern music like pop rock and rap, and all those MTV hits. But for the sake of my girls I pushed aside my feelings and actually made an effort to at least try to enjoy those kind of music. And presto! I found myself actually liking them! I would talk to them about those kind of songs, who are the singers and so forth. I began to take interest in their lives, such as issues regarding their friends, sharing ideas and jokes, in the computer games that they’re currently playing, etc.
All these really help in building a healthy relationship with them, and break down the age gap barrier. I strongly believe the onus is on parents to let their pride down and get leveled with the children in order for both children and parents to grow together, instead of each party growing separately.
]]> 82706 2008-04-03 11:56:47
Tried looking for Nature's Sunshine 'Focus Attention' to help me but guess it's not selling here. Coffee doesn't help when the body and mind suffers from fatigue!  ]]> 73862 2008-03-11 05:12:23 Glad I was on leave yesterday. I was able to complete 7 out of 14 mini-questions for the 2nd module. Previously, I have made several attempts but failed. Then I took my materials and went to Starbucks but it was too noisy with music and the air-conditioning wasn't good. Due to the heat I had to make several effort to try to stay awake - that was how I spent most of my precious time. Later on I went to a cafe at a shopping complex but was overcome by drowsiness - another fruitless attempt. But yesterday was unexpectedly fruitful. Guess I just had to put my foot down and stay focused.

]]> 73261 2008-03-09 11:28:51 69823 2008-02-29 23:28:31 Friday after work was the greatest time for me cos of weekend - rated 10/10 (10 for best).

Saturday is rated 5/10 due to my weekend TESOL classes.
I'm in my office trying to do some work for an hour before going of to class. Haven't done any of the assignments given and I'm getting worried if I'm really able to do it at all. Weekdays I get off work around 8pm and by the time I reach home I get very tired and sleepy. I'm no longer like any student who could stay focus. I get distracted very easily. When I missed an opportunity to do my assignments I get remorseful and keep saying to myself that I'm a procrastinator.

Sunday is rated 1/10 cos of Monday blues and class.  Unless I've applied for Monday off from work.  ]]> 68485 2008-02-26 10:41:04
But nothing like Ugly Betty to brighten the rest of the night! I got hooked to the series (here we are watching the 2nd season).

My best part is the chemistry between Betty and her boss. She'll always cover for him, saving his butt when he's entangled but he's always feel undeserved of her caring acts. They have their separate inclinations but will always care for each other. The chemistry is so strong that it moves me and I'm always feel touched when each one come to the other to help.

That's what I truly believe how friends should be. Not abandoning the other in the thick of times. Way to go Ugly Betty! ]]> 68481 2008-02-26 10:22:35
Both my daughters have been taking up piano lessons, got through Grade 2 and this year preparing for Grade 4 exams. Now Sarah is improving in her guitar. Both girls love to sing but will never sing in our presence. I know they have good vocals and they can detect if someone goes out of tune or pitch. Once we were gathered in a circle with my in-laws during an occasion and each one in turn has to contribute a song or at least a verse of any song. My wife and I had a shock when my elder daughter (Rachel, 17) sang a number from Alicia Keys just like her! After that, never heard her sing except when I pressed my ear against her door listening in to her singing, in private, some of Avril Lavigne's songs. I know it's bad of me to do that but that's the only chance I can hear her singing!

Sarah wants to play drums too, maybe I'll let her, later. Me, just want to learn how to play lead guitar but my fingers' stiff! ]]> 68057 2008-02-25 10:03:53 And how can I upload files like mps & wav ?
Thanks a million! ]]> 66336 2008-02-20 11:41:43
Tomorrow, well, is like going back to the vicious den - office!! ]]> 65883 2008-02-19 10:04:31
My boss told me to go see a doctor but I couldn't cos I was more worried about my work. I have too many outstanding work and, without my assistant, calls keep coming in and interrupting my work, so frustrating. Each time my phone rang I gave out a sigh or let out some frustrating breath but I don't show it over the phone. Sometimes I feel like I'm a slave in this bank. I'm really glad I'm almost halfway through my TESOL course cos there'll be no turning back to this vicious den once I leave. ]]> 62661 2008-02-12 10:49:28 For want of friendship
suffering endures pain.
For lack of friendship
Loneliness suffers again.

Every which way I take
havoc reigns in brokenness,
But every stop I make
can turn cries to gladness.
]]> 59874 2008-02-06 10:36:13 Here's a song I wrote when I was a bachelor. I always find it hard to write the lyrics beyond the 1st verse and chorus. This song is about hope, not giving up, and that you're not alone in your journey..

Here goes..

Once upon a time I see colors in your eyes
     but now it's gone
Is tomorrow too far away
     you can't hold it in your hands
Are you going to sit all day
     and watch the sun go down on you
You will fall if you close your eyes to the reality 
     that you're facing in your life

Chorus:

So get yourself up walk into the light
   If you wanna live a thousand lives
So take my hand and we'll walk together
   It's not too late nor it's hard
But we'll take our steps
   one at a time
We'll fly the sky we'll sail the sea
   Like a bird with freedom to fly
(*sigh* got stuck finding the words for the last line..)

(My girls love the tune though..)


Amended: (last 2 lines of chorus)
     Like a bird with freedom we'll fly
You and I, we'll fly away..


]]> 59037 2008-02-04 11:24:23
Why can't I simply switch to dreams as I wish? That way I wouldn't have to face my troubled world whenever things go wrong for me. Every night I keep thingking of my work, how to approach my boss about some work not properly executed, how I did not complete certain projects, how I overlooked critical stuff, all that crap!

I keep buying lotteries just to escape this job and get depressed with each results. I just can't stand to see other higher paid and higher ranking workers leave office on the dot while I slog like a dog. I don't get the opportunity to be with my family much during the weekdays. I'm not even compensated for the time I put in after office hours. The management must be crazy enough to think managers are paid highly and can afford to work extra hours for free!

Every morning I reach the office before the sun rises, and leaves after the sun sets. No matter how long I stay back I'll never clear my work. When I don't clear them I'm not prioritizing. When I prioritize my work, more critical ones come in between. A small mistake due to oversight earns the boss wrath over job cleverly completed.

Management talks about transformation accross the board which is really translated as sales talk. Cold heartless people. How long will I have to endure this hardship? And putting up with their crap! Have they become so mighty that they become self-righteous? Don't they want to remember the days when they were just like me, strugging to earn my keep and avoid their wrath?
]]> 56164 2008-01-28 04:52:47 I don't blame the other person, but I blame myself for getting over-excited until my actions seemed a little out of control.
I hope she will come to understand that my intention is always sincere.

After many years, today I realised that friendship is very powerful.
It can really touch and move the heart.
It can heal.
It will heal.
I know it will..
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