I Am A Water Snake

I am at present reading a book on Chinese Astrology.

Chinese astrology uses twelve zodiacal signs with which to try to define basic human characteristics. Unlike Western astrology, the signs are all animals. And while each Western zodiacal sign governs a month (and thus the month of birth), each Chinese animal sign rules a year ( and consequently the year of birth).

This cycle of animals governs a twelve-year period, starting with Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and ending with Pig. I was born in the year 1953 and that makes me a Snake.

So, what did the book have to say about Snakes??? Hehe... I quote, " The Snake is associated with beauty and wisdom. In China, the Snake is believed to be the guardian of buried treasure, and is therefore a symbol of good luck." :) :) :) I am still grinning...

Do you know, there are different kinds of Snakes???

• Wood Snake - born in the year 1905 or 1965
• Fire Snake - 1917 or 1977
• Earth Snake - 1929 or 1989
• Metal Snake - 1941 or 2001
• Water Snake - 1953

Guess that makes me a Water Snake, together with people like Thomas Jefferson, Mao Tse-Tung and Oprah Winfrey, "who slink through the corridors of power." Me? Power? Nah, no way!

According to this book, I am supposed to be astute, intelligent and practical, but with a creative view of the world. I am also supposed to be gifted with great powers of concentration and can block out all distractions. Having studied until university, I guess I must have a reasonable amount of intelligence and concentration power.

Like other Water Snakes, I am supposed to be ambitious, elegant, charming and very lucky. The book goes on to say that "Snakes are unmatched in physical beauty: they are the original femmes (and hommes) fatales!" Omigosh, was I a femme fatale during my younger years? And that Snakes want everything to be perfect. Yup, that's absolutely correct - I am a perfectionist!

Not everything about the Snake is good. There are also negative things - like Snake is not very sociable, but makes sure she is at the right place at the right time, and with the right people. Snakes are masters of timing! That's me; I don't like to socialize unless it is necessary.

The book also says, beware of the Snake whose anger is aroused, for she can be venomous. Furthermore, Snake will wait patiently until the time is right for her to strike at her enemies. Me? Waiting patiently to strike back?? Those of you who have worked with me will know - when I get angry, I voice it out immediately (very direct, no pretence) and then I put everything behind me.

I read about Monkey (my son), Pig (my daughter), Rabbit (my late husband), Horse (my brother), Ox (a very good friend), Rat (another good friend), etc.... and my conclusion is that the book is interesting, but whatever is written inside - hmmmm, take it with a pinch of salt!

Cheers! (^_^)

My Sister's Keeper

A beautifully written novel by Jodi Picoult. It was given to me by the students of Lower Six Science.

The story revolves around the Fitzgerald family. Sara Fitzgerald's daughter Kate is just two years old when she is diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. Kate has to undergo a bone marrow transplant in the hope of getting well but no one in her family is a suitable donor.

To save Kate, Sara has another baby - a baby genetically engineered to match Kate. Anna Fitzgerald is an allogeneic donor - a perfect sibling match - specifically designed to save her sister Kate.

When Kate needs leukocytes or stem cells or bone marrow, Anna provides them. Nearly everytime Kate is hospitalized, Anna winds up there, too.

Sara wants Anna to donate one of her kidneys to Kate. Anna, now aged thirteen, decides that she does not want to help Kate live anymore. She hires a lawyer to sue her parents for the rights to her own body.

How does the story end ? Actually the ending of My Sister's Keeper is surprising and terribly sad.

Read the book!!! :)

Anyway, after finishing the novel, I did something that I have always wanted to do but kept on postponing. Yes, I signed up as an organ and tissue donor.

Have you signed up as a donor ? You can download the National Organ Donor Registration Form at http://rayma.com.my/giftoflife/signup.html and post the completed form to :

National Transplant Resource Centre,
Main Lobby, Hospital Kuala Lumpur,
Jalan Pahang,
50586 Kuala Lumpur.

Remember, "Organ Donation is a Gift of Life".

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Only 4 more days to Hari Raya. I went to school this afternoon and found the office all nicely decorated to reflect the festive spirit.

I was just thinking . During the puasa month, Muslim teachers in Munshi must be having a harder time than those in other secondary schools. Especially those teaching in the afternoon session. I can imagine.....towards the end of the day - already hungry, thirsty and tired - and having to go inside those classes where the students are noisy, unruly and who do not want to study!!! Luckily school starts and ends earlier. :)

Speaking of fasting, I am a Catholic. In my religion (as with all religions), there are three things that need to be done - prayer, fasting and almsgiving. To me, almsgiving is the easiest and fasting the hardest - anyone noticed that I normally take leave on those days that I have to fast?? Like Ash Wednesday and Good Friday?? (^_^) (that's only 2 days in the year, mind you... compared to the entire month of Ramadhan...)

So here's wishing all my Muslim friends "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri".
I am sure everyone is looking forward to a nice, long break.....
To students who are going to sit for the PMR, SPM, and STPM....study hard!!!!

I'm back! :)

Hi there everyone. I am back. :)

When I retired on 8 August, I expected to have more time and write more things in my blog. But it's been one month and I have not written anything!

What did I do the entire month ? Well, I went to KL to view properties, then I returned to BP. I then flew to Penang and stayed there for a week - by the way, the food in Penang was heavenly. Then I flew to KL, and viewed more properties!!

While looking at the residential properties, I made good use of something which I learned during my working days to help me make decisions. So I armed myself with a notebook, and for every property I visited, I jotted down the Plus, Minus and Interesting points. After much consideration, I decided to buy a condominium at Riana Green, in Tropicana.

My point is, whatever we learn when we go out for courses can be applied to everyday life. And that's the reason why I continued to attend courses even though I was about to retire. Strategic Planning, Blue Ocean Strategy, Coaching and Mentoring, Data Driven Decision Making, etc... They call it "Lifelong Learning".

Once I have settled down in KL, I will definitely register for some courses - the first will be at the Centre of Modern Languages, Open University Malaysia.

I went to school last Thursday to sign some documents and a few teachers asked why I had stopped writing. Thanks guys for visiting my page - I was touched when you asked me that question. And I thought - out of sight, out of mind ?? (grin....)

Ciao.

Self imposed quarantine...

Received sms from Pn Hjh Salbiah, Pengetua SMK Penghulu Saad last night: How are you? Kita nak raikan puan di Terengganu ni, malangnya puan tak hadir. Sedih pulak rasanya. Jom makan!

He..he.. what happened ? Well on Thursday, I developed sore throat. On Friday morning it became worse and I was shivering - so I went to the doctor (who immediately gave me a mask to wear!!). I came out from the clinic with a handful of medication. Being a responsible citizen, I phoned up the Pengerusi of PKPSM Batu Pahat and told him that I will be putting myself under self-quarantine and social distancing - i.e. I won't be following them to the East Coast, even though the trip was planned specially for me !!

So, at this very moment, I am staying home, getting lots of rest, drinking plenty of fluids and doing things that I like to do - i.e. listening to music, solving crossword and sudoku puzzles and reading.

Talk about reading, I came across something interesting called the "ripple effect". It goes like this....

Your behavior influences others through a ripple effect. A ripple effect works because everyone influences everyone else. For example:

You influence your family,
Your family influences your community,
Your community influences your nation,
Your nation influences your world,
The ripple effect spreads throughout the cosmos.

Remember that your influence begins with you and ripples outward. So be sure that your influence is both potent and wholesome.

As I was reading the book, I received message from Ms Siew:

"Hello Pn Lim . Good news from SMS. 2nd Rocket Competition in UTHM. Karnival Tg 6 - Johan Pidato B.I., Bowling Lelaki and Petanque 4th."

I replied, "Congratulations to the teachers and students. Gambate! "

Going back to the "ripple effect", all growth spreads outward from a fertile and potent nucleus. So teachers and students, you are the nucleus! Let the ripples begin.....

Another beginning...

After much pondering - 4 days and 4 nights, he..he.. - I have decided to rename my blog "Genesis".

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "genesis" means "beginning" or "starting point". Retirement, as I see it, is not a slow decline into old age. It is a fresh start, a liberating jump into new beginnings.

This is a wonderful time to reflect on all that I have, all that I have accomplished and to get closer to God. This is also the perfect time to take up hobbies I never had time for, to travel, to learn new things (Mandarin is a must!), to travel, to do some volunteer work and to spend time with family and friends.

I won't be bored, and that's for sure . Cheers!