Tough times ahead....

Hard times are upon us. For the past months, I had been in regular contact with my cousin in Australia. She had been residing there for about 20 years and holds a job with the New South Wales government. With the current economic turmoil and financial crisis grappling almost all the countries in the world, Australia is not spared. She lamented that she lived in fear of losing her job and means of income. The NSW government is slashing jobs and downsizing left and right. Since the onset of the crisis, staff recruitment were put on hold and she had to handle double the job. She's so loaded that each morning when she saw the piles of work on her tray, she's already tired even before starting the day. It sound really depressing.

Back home, the harsh reality is sinking in fast. Even though the government reduced fuel prices several times during the last few months, the prices of most consumerables and essential items remains on the uptrend. Almost everyday, I hears sighs left and right that times are worsening. Hence, it is not surprising that we are sinking into the economic crisis, then the financial crisis and finally the employment crisis. There seems to be more doom and gloom along the way. Sigh...sigh.....

Sharing The Storms..

I first heard this song " You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban sometime in June last year, when I was doing some shopping in the local supermarket. Although I did not get to hear the whole song, I was struck by the beauty of the music and the lyrics. The song remained in my memory for a long time.

Just recently, I heard the same song again, but this time, I managed to learn the title. So, I quickly went to Google, my favourite search engine to download the complete song. The music is simply inspirational, beautiful and uplifting. Here, let me share the lyrics :-

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you came and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when i am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life-no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

I must admit that the lyrics of the song touch me in a special way, and it is a fitting tribute to my late dad, who pass on some 15 years ago. Memories of him flowed through my mind as the song was played along as I recall how special he was. He weathered the storms with me and was there for me on mountain tops and valleys. He raised me up to love life and to love others.

Gardens........

I must admit that I possess neither green thumb nor fingers. It will be a death sentence for any plants if I were to take care of them. But, not my maid. She loves gardening and all my potted plants, orchids and fruit trees are well taken care by her.

About two months ago, my next door neighbour bought some "four angle beans" or "si-kak-tao" seeds and pass them to my maid to plant. She planted them next to our chain link fencing separating our lots and four of the seedlings sprouted. We agreed that each of us will be entitle to harvest the beans on the respective sides of the fencing. The plants have grown real well and with some fertilizers, we are now enjoying the fruits of our labour, so much so that I gave the extra beans to my friends and the other neighbours. Hmm....Savoury and crunchy when fried with garlic, eggs or "ikan bilis". Plus, real healthy as we do not spray any pesticides.

Gardening aside, Ruth is into the second week of her holidays and enjoy snoozing late, watching TV, drawing cartoons, blogging and trying to complete the homework given by her teachers. She had to complete 7 workbooks of the respective core subjects and write 22 essays. She had been complaining since the day the whole assignment was handed down. It somewhat spoiled her holidays! But, it's a big relief for me, as I need not worry about assigning her any homework. Yipee!

Ah life..........

Recently, I was surfing through the blogsite of one of my ex-colleague, who opted for early retirement earlier this year to assume the responsibility of a full time Stay-At-Home-Mum (SAHM). She has all the time on her hands to nurture her children, show all the tender loving care to her hubby, have leisurely breakfasts with the other "tai-tais", go shopping, "enjoy" her housework, gardening and write interesting and up-to-date blogs.


For a long time, I had always envied and admired those ladies who could afford not to work. Just imagine, no deadlines to meet, no rushing off to work, no asking for leave or permission to run errands or bring the children to clinic when they are sick, etc, etc. and most of all no work related stress. But, sadly up to this moment, such dreams are still beyond my reach.


Well, looking back, of course that are always two sides of the story. No doubt, without a job, there will be no salary, bonuses or increments to look forward at the end of the month or the year. I can say that financial freedom and balancing the check book could be an issue now and then. Saving up for rainy days is a must if one does not have sound financial backing. Being a homemaker can also be a challenging and daunting task, spinning broomsticks and mops from living, bedroom and kitchen with pots and pans permanently attached, that is if one do not have a maid or in-laws to help out.

On the other hand, a paying job would meant that one can at least, have some financial freedom to enjoy little luxuries here and there, once in a while. Not to mention the experience of interacting and keeping up with the mainstream, and telling friends, relatives and families that " I am working as a ....................with so and so company". Of course, besides the ones mentioned, there are alot of other advantages of having a paying job.

Well, each one of us has got different priorities in life, so like what they say, finding happiness, contentment and a place for oneself is a journey in itself.

How about it.....

So America elected its 44th president-Barrack Obama. Americans will be watching and waiting in anticipation for the changes he promised during his presidential campaign. In fact, the whole world is also on the lookout on his next course of action to steer America out of the current financial and economic doldrums which plunged the nation. A really big job to clear the mess he inherited from the previous administration. Hopefully, he will do a good job out of it.

Finally, Ruth started blogging. For past month, she had been pestering me to help her set up her own blogsite. Entitled Chronicles of Ruth, the site documents her bits, pieces, dreams, ravings, views, feelings, frustrations, etc, etc .........Something refreshing, something new for her. Another classroom and facet in her life. Feel free to visit her blogsite at http://www.ruthtiong.blogspot.com/. Let's see how it goes.

She also did fairly well in her finals this round recording marked improvements in her grades and position in the class. Keep it up, Ruth!