Why life is sometimes, NOT so awesome

Adults have told us time after time, "When you grow older, you'll regret having complained about your years as a student before."

And for a few years, that kept me very much contented with my current lifestyle as a student.

As I've just found out since Form 3, being a student may not be as easy or as relaxing as imagined.

In today's era where Google rules while Apple and Samsung constantly try to rip each other's heads off, being a student isn't just about exams any more. Sometimes, it's about being an employee.

Maybe it's an over-statement on my part. Students are supposed to do their schools proud, to "grab all opportunities" and represent schools in various competitions.

That's okay if you're specialized in one field.

But for some, becoming Superwoman is also on the check-list.

Just one activity, just one, is enough to make you feel like you're a worker doing OT.

I don't mind working OT, if it doesn't affect my other activities or my studies. Problem is, that one activity becomes the centre of your life, the thing by which you need to structure your life upon.

And what's more, we don't get paid for working OT.

I thought getting home at 8.30pm was bad. (I went to school at like 6.45 am)

Apparently, it might get a whole lot worse.

Is this preparation for me to become a worker used to doing overtime work?

I don't know. But I'm sure there could be some workers out there who'd actually pity my plight.

What 'Sup?

A love for eating is a joy. And it can also be a pain in the neck.

Do biscuits make healthy snacks? Maybe not.

Milo isn't chewable, so it doesn't give a sense of fullness.

I don't do protein drinks for nights.

There is only low-fat milk in the fridge. I take full-cream to gain weight.

There's ham and sausages and eggs. But surprise (not), it's night time and I can't be bothered to cook.

Hmm.. Maybe I'll call the delivery service. 

1. McDonald's? After 3 straight Saturdays (and assorted weekdays) of Drive-Thru lunches, no thank you.
2. KFC/Burger King apply for the same reason.
3. Pizza Hut? Bread crust is way too thick, I don't get to taste enough toppings.
4. Domino's? I have to wait for more than half an hour. 
5. Japanese? They're closed.

Instant noodles? I just had a packet two days ago.

Oats? I won't be able to sleep tonight.

Conclusion?

I am a very fussy eater. ;)

Why Disney?

First up, a million THANK YOUs to Astro for giving me one free week of Disney Channel!!!! And also the other channels that I just randomly skim through.

HBO, Max, and FMP are all nice too, but not as nice as Disney. Why?

1. Disney movies are the best!
2. Phineas and Ferb are just AWESOME!!
3. It reminds me of the days when I was younger.
4. Mickey Mouse is back!!
5. Because it's... well, Disney.

Teehee :)

Wishes of The Heart

Wishes of the Heart

            

   “You did a great job today! I’ll come over on Friday, okay?”

                The little boy in front of her nods silently.

                “Bye Alan.”

                Alan waves back, and he manages a smile.

                As Julia drives home from work, a smile breaks out across her face. One little smile can light up her entire day. Pulling into the driveway, she waves at the little children frolicking in the neighbourhood.

                She only has one client for today, so work ends early for her. She flips through her mini diary and checks her schedule. As a social worker for kids, she teaches kids with disabilities. She works six days a week, and tomorrow is a long-awaited break in a busy week.

                Being a social worker was never on Julia’s agenda when she was young. She had wanted to become a ballerina. As a young girl, she fell in love with the beautiful twirls of the ballerinas, dressed in pure, white chiffon silk and satin. Thursday was her favourite day as it was Ballet Day.

                She excelled greatly in ballet, not just because of her passion but also a natural talent for elegance. She was the teacher’s prized prodigy, the one who would always play the lead role in any ballet acts at their academy. Her ambitions were set, and her parents were supportive of her choice.

                An unfortunate accident on a cold, rainy night took everything away from her. She was left with a deformed left foot. She cried and cried when she saw how badly twisted her foot had become. There was nothing her parents could do to comfort her. She was only ten.

                She now faced a question with no answer – what was she going to do? A young woman by the name of Fanny gave her that crucial direction in life. Fanny was her new idol – she wanted to be a social worker.

                She loved the kids dearly – they were her little gems. The kids loved her too. She would tell them stories about herself and Fanny, about funny facts that teachers never told you in school. Most importantly, she gave them the love and hope that they needed.

                Julia smiles as she recalls all the kids that she’s helped in her career. She alights from her car and unlocks the front door.

                The answering machine beeps. Julia opens the voice message.

                Hi Miss Julia, this is Mrs. Thompson, living on Carrol Street. I have a daughter aged 10, and she’s going through a rough patch in life. I was just wondering if you could drop by the St. Jude’s Hospital tomorrow and talk to her for a while. I’ve heard from my friends about your skills as a social worker, and I’ll be really grateful if you could help me out. Thank you.

                Julia considers this for a moment and rings up Mrs. Thompson. Tomorrow’s her birthday, but she never celebrates it with anyone, so working on her birthday doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

                When she arrives at ward 105 of St. Jude’s Hospital, she sees a girl with blond, wispy hair, lying under a snow-white duvet, staring soulfully at a picture.

                “Hi, I’m Julia. Did your mum tell you I was coming?”

                She nods silently, and then Julia sees the tears in her eyes.

                “What’s wrong, sweetie? Are you upset that your mother isn’t here?”

                The girl shakes her head and slowly lifts the duvet covering her leg. Where her right foot should’ve been, there was now a heavily plastered and bandaged block. Julia opens her mouth but no words come out.

                She gently removes the picture in the girl’s hands to take a closer look. In the picture, she sees a young girl twirling around in a tutu.

                “Is that you?” The girl nods between tears.

                Julia moves over to the bed and hugs the little girl. She can feel the girl weeping into her clothes, and for the next half an hour, Julia strokes the girl’s hair gently while she sobs.

                Julia glances momentarily at the patient name card. Dani Thompson.

                “Dani?”

                “Mm.hmm?”

                “I wanted to be a ballerina too.”

                “Really?”

                “Ya. I was just like you. I loved that white tutu.”

                “Then why aren’t you a ballerina?”

                At this, Julia takes off her custom-made shoe and shows Dani her left foot. Dani gasps and looks at her.

                “That’s why I didn’t become a ballerina. But that doesn’t mean you can’t become one.”

                “But mummy said I can’t dance anymore….”

                “Your mummy isn’t wrong, but that’s just for now. When you’re out of this place, there’s a whole world of opportunities out there, you know that? Being a ballerina doesn’t mean having two perfect feet.”

                “Then what is it? My tutu?”

                Julia smiles. “There are many different ways to tell a story. A great ballerina can perform a simple routine, but it sends a message beyond any other. Work hard, and I assure you, you will be a great ballerina when you grow up.”

                “Really? Will I get to own white and pink and purple tutus when I do that?”

                “Yes you will, honey. You will.”

                And then they both sat on the bed, staring silently at the setting sun.

“Today’s my birthday, Dani. What wish do you think I should make?”

“Oh, happy birthday. I don’t know, maybe you can wish to become a ballerina again.”

 Julia closes her eyes and makes her birthday wish.

Fifteen years later….

                An elegant dancer stands in the middle of the stage. She has come to the end of her routine, and the lights fade on her as she does a graceful pirouette. The audience get up on their feet and clap for the ballerina.

                It is a simplified routine from The Swan Lake, not as complex as the original, but the dancer’s limited dance movements tell a story like no other. Her abnormally twisted right foot has made her success even more respected.

                Congratulatory words are exchanged, but Dani is not interested in any of these. She rushes off at the first chance she gets and hails a cab.

                “St. Jude’s hospital, I’m in a hurry.”

                The cab driver nods his head in acknowledgement and lives up to his word – they arrive in less than 5 minutes.

                Dani enters Ward 105 tentatively. It’s night time, and she’s worried that her visit will disrupt the patient’s sleep.

                “Dani, is that you?”

                “Julia! I did it!” She rushes over to the bed and gives her a big hug.

                “Thank you so much!”

                The lady lying on the bed smiles weakly and readjusts her IV stand. “I didn’t do anything.”

                “You used your wish on me, didn’t you?”

                “It was just a birthday wish you know.”

                “But it was a generous one. Thank you.”

                And then, roles reversed, they sit together on the bed and stare at the twinkling stars in the night sky.

                We all have wishes for ourselves and our loved ones. And like gifts, wishes come in different shapes and sizes. But the most precious gift of all is a simple wish that is not used for ourselves, but rather for a stranger in need.