Carrots, Eggs and Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.' 'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

The Rose

......another inspirational story.....


The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.
I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose.
I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze.

'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked. She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'
'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.
'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.
We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went.
She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'
As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, 'We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.
There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!
There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.
The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.'

At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.
One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS
OPTIONAL.

We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.

Never Give Up

As I go through my inbox, here is another story I've been saving to share.

Don't give up.....

One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the
bamboo. He said.
"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would
not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared
to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".
"I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."
He said.
"The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful.."
"Your time will come", God said to me.
"You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?"
I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. Never, Never, Never Give up.
For the Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,
tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

The Charles Schulz Philosophy

I received this e-mail and felt it was worth sharing......

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point..

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress....
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.


How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school..
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!
5.. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.


Easier?

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials.. the most money... or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most!

Dhivia's "The Serpent Saga"

What is a mere serpent when you have the wisdom and mental capacity to take on the Lochness Monster????

You never fail to amaze me with the way you evaluate a certain situation and form your perceptions. You have the ability to see the bigger picture and prepare yourself for what lies ahead….so don’t let all these little incidents scare and scar you. Let me assure you, you are the one who is going to have the last laugh.

I think you have the institution of Friendship in the right perspective; unlike me. You know how I have been taken for a ride by some of my ‘friends’, even backstabbed and how much it has upset and affected me. I am not embarrassed to admit that many times I have wished that I could see things the way you do.

The time is approaching for you to be on your own. As difficult as it is for me to let go, I know I have to. I have full confidence that you will do very well. You have the maturity, intelligence and are independent enough to handle anybody or any situation.

So go forth and conquer!

24 YEARS!!!!

Yes, that’s how long I’ve been married today! And if asked would I change anything if given another chance, I’d say… NO. Hmmmm….perhaps on second thought….some of the in-laws!

29-11-1985.... The journey began...

...1990...

...1995...

...2000...

29/11/2009... and the journey continues.......


I LOVE YOU DEAR ♥

yes, you too Dhama, Dhivia and Karthi :D

Camping to connect

I always feel refreshed after a camp, despite the late nights and lack of sleep. This year was the third time (not in a row) I accompanied the prefects for their camp. I have also camped overnight during ‘Kem Integrasi’ in school and also somewhere near Batu Caves a couple of years ago. Committing myself to say ‘yes’ to these overnight camps is the most difficult part – thinking of leaving behind the family and household chores for the weekend. Of course it’s only the family that I miss not the chores, but knowing I’ll have to deal with them (the chores) during the week days is not comforting!

Once I’ve said yes I actually look forward to spending time with my friends and the students. This is the time we get to share…more then the food! I always come back feeling closer to these friends…knowing that the time we shared together helped us understand each other better.

This is also when I get to know the students better. Some are friendly while some keep their distance from me. I appreciate the maturity of those who understand that I’m a different person in the classroom, school and outside school. My roles are quite different respectively. For example, at camps I am a guardian for all the children there. It was so amusing when some guys ran down from their apartment at 1.30 am, afraid to tuck in for the night because there was a ‘huge’ insect (bug/beetle?) there. Fortunately our 8 year old facilitator (Mr. Ruben’s son) said he’ll take care of it; saving us teachers the climb up to the apartment on the 3rd floor I think! Before we could move off, another couple of BOYS came running to us – the smaller (in size!) boy asking us to convince the bigger one that there were no ghosts and it was safe for him to go to bed!!! Ironically there were no girls in sight – they must have all bravely retired for the night.

I can also see how the students tend to bond with one another and I think some friendships grow stronger after a camp. However I tend to agree with the principal (in her closing speech) that a true camp is where we pitch our own tents instead of sleeping in apartments and cook our own food. I can’t imagine how much fun that would be – burnt meals, sleepless nights watching out for creepy, crawly ‘visitors’, no decent toilets!!!!!I have gone through these during my university days and I remember them better than the marks I scored in my exams!

Maybe Samad should have a camp-out for all the staff and students one weekend…..Oops I better not say. Don’t think it is going to be a well-received idea! But it will definitely help us connect.

You can be whatever you want to be

There is inside you
All of the potential to be whatever
You want to be –
All of the energy to do whatever
You want to do.

Imagine yourself as you would like to be,
Doing what you want to do,
And each day, take one step
Towards your dream.

And though at times it may seem too
Difficult to continue,
Hold on to your dream.
One morning you will awake to find
That you are the person you dreamed of –
Doing what you wanted to do –
Simply because you had the courage
To believe in your potential
And to hold on to your dream

~ Donna Levine ~

Isn’t that just beautiful?
This one is dedicated to all my beloved students who are now either struggling or strolling through their SPM!
Especially for Yu Hong who has constantly reminded me to update my blog. Thanks for your support Yu Hong.

2009 – Bullish at SMKSAS!

Yes, the bull has come charging in even before the start of the new lunar year. The bull is known to be a hardworking animal and that is exactly how everybody in SAS seems to be this year. I can’t seem to get my choice parking lot when I arrive in school at about 7.05 am as there are already over 20 cars parked there. The staffroom which used to be half empty when the bell rang at 7.25 am is now almost full by 7.15 am. Absenteeism in school and at meetings has greatly reduced. I have not seen the relief list for a whole week! Last Friday I saw the teachers’ record books stacked up pretty high on the office counter at 12.30 pm.
Sorry, I have not been able to make more observations as I too am rushing to get things going! But at this rate SMKSAS is on its way to being selected as Sekolah Kluster.

2008 ~ the Year That Was

Thank you 2008 for being kinder to me then you were to the country and the world on the whole. In retrospect, I find there is much for me to be thankful about.
As for my job, I have had more than enough to keep me busy through the year. The year end holidays gave me time to catch my breath and get ready for the year ahead. I am actually looking forward to seeing the students again but am hoping for a change in the teaching routine. Am not sure what I want, just for work to be more interesting.
Things have been good at home. The children have been doing well with Dhivia finishing her 1st year of the M Pharm program in IMU, Dhama getting excellent results in her PMR and Karthi comfortably in the 3rd year of his engineering course. My husband had a chance to do a certificate course in the U.S. and also made a couple of trips to the U.K. He felt rewarded for all his hard work.
The family was fortunate enough to have a few holidays together. The highlight was our trip to Bali which was our 1st overseas holiday for the 5 of us since 2003. We had a great time. We also made a trip to Penang for Deepavali, spent a few days in Langkawi in November and visited Malacca for Christmas. Can’t remember having so many family outings in one year!
Health wise too we have been blessed. Thank God! No major catastrophe except for some aches and pains (that comes with age!) for me and a couple of asthma attacks for Dhivia.
The petrol price hike and subsequent rise in prices of almost everything else was a little worrying. But with a simple lifestyle, we are handling it quite well. I hope to save enough money for a holiday in 2009.
There has been a downside though – I attended funerals of 6 relatives/close friends, the biggest number in a single year! Sadly too, 4 of them were still in their 50s. That’s scary especially since I’m going to be 50 this year!
Well… briefly that was 2008 for me and will be grateful for a repeat in 2009.