Life's Little Lessons

Aphorisms teach the best life lessons. They are the accumulated wisdom of the ages, teachings of the sages, gurus, philosophers and people who had experienced and understood what life is about. They are valuable lessons. That is why motivational speakers quote aphorisms in their speeches to inspire and motivate their audience.

A gift consists not in what is done or given, but in the intention of the giver or doer. - Seneca

Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it. - Baltasar Gracian

Recognizing our limitations and imperfections is the first requisite of progress. - Dale Turner

Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others. - Confucius

In a full heart there is room for everything, and in an empty heart there is room for nothing. - Antonio Porchia

Kill the snake of doubt in your soul, crush the worms of fear in your heart and mountains will move out of your way. - Unknown

Do not be sweet lest you be eaten, do not be sour, lest you be shunned. - Sicillian Proverb

It is the nature of the strong heart, that like the palm tree, it strives ever upwards when it is most burdened. - Sir Philip Sidney

We have to do the best we know how at the moment; If it doesn’t turn out right, we can modify it as we go along. - Franklin Roosevelt

If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things. - Rene Descartes

Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. - Shakespeare

We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once. - Calvin Coolidge

Progress always involves risk; you can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first base. - Frederick Wilcox

What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight, what counts is the size of the fight in the dog. - Mark Twain

A short clear message is always better than a thick report because it is more likely to be read and understood. - Unknown

Nature is a labyrinth in which the very haste you move with will make you lose your way. - Francis Bacon

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Trees and Flowers

Some snap shots of the plants and flowers of the Gardens by the Bay. It has been a while since my last visit. Perhaps it is time for another visit. Meanwhile, here are some shots from my previous visits.

This is the flower of the Couroupita Guianensis plant, also known as the cannon ball tree.

Flower buds of the Couroupita Guianensis tree.

The fruits of the Couroupita Guianensis tree looked like cannon balls. That's where the 'Cannon ball tree' name comes from.

This is a Crescentia Cujete tree, also known as the Calabash tree. The fruits resemble that of the pomelos.

I don't know what these flowers are.

This resemble the yellow bell flowers. Probably same family.

These look like ferns of some sort.

A Saribus Rotundifolius palm

Beautiful palms, but I don't know what these are.

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What is true happiness?

All of us seek happiness. All of us want to be happy. Unfortunately, due to our ignorance, we strive to find happiness in places where it cannot be found. We keep on doing this because superficial appearances delude us into thinking that it can be found where we seek it – within the world of desires and senses. However, true happiness cannot be found there.

True happiness lies in understanding, acceptance and letting go. It comes from peace of mind. Expect nothing, and appreciate what you have. Happiness cannot be far from a grateful heart and peaceful mind.

True happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise; it arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one’s self, and in the next from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions. - Joseph Addison

True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not. - Seneca

The journey to true happiness and to happiness nowis not a journey of physical distance or time; it is one of personal "self-recovery," where we remember and reconnect consciously to an inner potential for joy – a paradise lost – waiting to be found. - Robert Holden

Where else can true happiness be found?

True happiness is not found in materialistic things. It comes from the love and laughter found with each other. - Unknown

Depend not on another, but lean instead on thyself. True happiness is born of self-reliance. - Unknown

The only true happiness lies in knowing who you are, and making peace with it. - Laurel K Hamilton

True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A virtuous and noble character built on lofty principles is man’s highest possession, bringing him true happiness in a changing world. - Unknown

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Trumpet Trees

Tabebuia Rosea - known commonly as the Trumpet tree is commonly seen planted along roadsides, or in parks in Singapore. The tree can grow up to 35 meter tall, and has a large, broadly conical and shady crown. The tree got its name from its trumpet-shaped flowers.

Flowering seasons are usually around late March, April and around August. The flowers are five-petalled, trumpet-shaped and are either pink or white in colour. The bloomed flowers last for a couple of days before they start to wilt. When the flowers fall to the ground, they form a beautiful carpet of flowers around the tree.

We call it our Cherry Blossom Season. The trees, covered with blooms of pink, or white flowers are quite spectacular and quite a sight to behold. Very impressive indeed. So is watching the flowers spiralling down to the ground on a breezy day, forming a carpet of white and pink.

The following pictures are some of the flowering trumpet trees on my walk route.

The fallen flowers form a carpet of pink and white. This is just the beginning of the flowering season. So, the effect is still not very amazing. Give it a few more days. It will be an awesome sight to behold.

This is a relatively young tree planted not too long along. I am pleased to see it has started blooming.

The tree got its name from its trumpet shape flowers.

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Of Quips and Quirks

Life can be stressful. Especially during these difficult times. We constantly have to deal with our problems, frustrations, irritations and our fears of what tomorrow might bring, what the future holds for us. That is why we have to, once in a while put aside our worries, and have a laugh – at ourselves, at our troubles, and at Life. Laugh and be happy, come what may!

Below are some humorous quips and witty comments. There will be some you can relate to. They are funny, and at the same time, there is truth in some of these quips.

I hope they bring on a chuckle, or put a smile on your face.

I meditate. I burn candles. I drink green tea. And I still want to smack some people. - Unknown

Home is where you can say anything you please, because nobody pays any attention to you anyway. - Joe Moore

No man in the world has more courage than the man who can stop after eating one peanut. - Channing Pollock

Never trust people who smile constantly. They’re either selling something or not very bright. - Laurell K. Hamilton

I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner

Never use a big word when a little filthy one will do. - Johnny Carson

No one ... appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as a dog does. - Christopher Morley

I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best. - Oscar Wilde

Housework is like bad sex. Every time I do it I swear I will never do it again. Until the next time company comes. - Marilyn Sokol

Judge not a man by his clothes, but by his wife's clothes. - Thomas R. Dewar

No human being believes that any other human being has a right to be in bed when he himself is up. - Robert Lynd

I never set out to be weird. It was always other people who called me weird. - Frank Zappa

Most mothers are instinctive philosophers. - Harriet Beecher Stowe

It is better to be looked over than overlooked. - Mae West

The easiest way to get a divorce is to be married. - Unknown

I get lost inside my mind. - Unknown

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Gifts

I am sure you have received gifts which you have absolutely no use for. But you are reluctant to ditch them because it is from a good friend, or a well-meaning person. Or maybe you are a believer in it’s the thought that counts. So, what happened to the gifts then? Into your box of memorabilia they go, collecting dust in the attic.

Cash or Gift Vouchers are actually a practical gift. The receiver can go and get something he likes for himself or herself. But, that seems like a cop out, and lacking in sincerity. There is also the question of how much is appropriate? Big question, this! We don’t want to give too much, because it would be showing off. Besides, we might not have that much. We don’t want to give too little either. We don’t want to be seen as stingy. So, how much is appropriate? What a dilemma!

My friends and I have an agreement. No gifts! Life is too short to spent half a day in a store cracking your head over what to buy for a gift – and then find out that that was the last thing your friend needed or wanted.

Have you ever thought about what is the greatest gift you can give to someone?

Actually, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of people. Anything that has real and lasting value is always a gift from within.

For example, the gift of your time. When you dedicate your time, you are offering a part of your life that you will never get back. What can be more precious, or valuable than that?

To your loved ones, the most precious gifts you can give is the gift of unconditional love, understanding and acceptance, of loving words and deeds, of forgiveness and appreciation.

To your friends, the greatest gift that you can give is the gift of friendship. Compassion, a pat on the back, a sympathetic ear are also valuable gifts you can give to those you work with, or are acquainted with. Times of crisis only increase their value.

And the greatest gift that you can give to yourself? - a little bit of your own attention.

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Lau Pa Sat (Old Market)

Lau Pa Sat which translates to “Old Market” in Hokkien, was built in the 19th century. It used to be known as Telok Ayer Market – one of Singapore’s oldest markets. An iconic Singapore landmark, it was gazetted as a national monument in 1973.

Located in the heart of Singapore’s financial district, Lau Pa Sat is one of the more popular food centers, or what we refer to as ‘hawker centres’. Here, you will find delicacies and local favourites like chicken rice, satay, Char Kuay Teow, as well as the other cuisines.

The building is octagonal in shape. It has a clock tower, with a clock face on every side, and bells that chime every 15 minutes. I find the chiming a nuisance.

Lau Pa Sat has the advantage over the other hawker centers because it is in the heart of the business district, within the tourist belt, and it is open 24 hours.

Foreigners may say that Lau Pat Sat is the best place to try Singaporean dishes, but most locals would disagree. There are many other hawker food stalls which serve more scrumptious local food. That is why although reputed to be a popular food place, it is never a first choice for the locals when it comes to eating out. In fact, none of my friends have ever suggested going there for a meal. That is probably why I have never been there before. Had my friends and I not wandered there by accident, I wouldn't have eaten there at all. Since we found ourselves at the place, we thought we might as well give it a try.

There are plenty of stalls to choose from, so we had a walk around the place first to check out what was available. The place needs getting used to, not only because it is quite a big place, but also because of the shape of the place. One would need to eat here regularly to know where everything is.

A picture of their billboards. The place looked very busy. I think foreigners and tourists like the novelty factors of the place - the distinctive design of the place, the chiming of the clock, the dining out on the street, and cheap local food. Sometimes, the food might be mediocre, but the atmosphere and the company makes the evening memorable.

We ordered from a 'Tze char' stall. And we ordered some satays. These were what we had.

The food looks good in the pictures, but we agreed that it is not the best. Maybe, because of its reputation, our expectations were higher. Or, maybe the food here is catered more to the expats and tourists' taste. Or, maybe we ordered from a mediocre stall. Whatever it was, we were disappointed with our first visit to the place.

French beans fried with sambal chilli.

Their own home-made tofu.

Barbecue Sting Ray

Dice chicken with onions, spring onions and chilli

Prawns fried with sambal chilli

Chicken and beef satays

Lau Pa Sat surrounding by tall buildings. The road will close at 7 pm, and tables and chairs will be set up in the streets. This is when 'Satay Street' opens.

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