Peace within Ourselves

When I see someone angry,
instead of becoming irritated and angry, too...
I become compassionate...
for the man who's angry is hurt inside and not at ease...
A peaceful man can never be angry...

adopted from The Wisdom of Silence by Achan Brahm

It is true... contemplating about it, I become angry easily when I have a lot of work to do, too busy with all my stuff, and finally become under pressure and stressed out (even sometimes without realizing it...). However, when I'm 'okay' with myself, I become more capable, and spacious... I start to be able to listen to someone's angry mumbling without ,too, following him being angry...

No wonder that some people say if we hope peace to prevail on Earth, first, we need to cultivate peace within ourselves.

 This is one of six calligraphies done by Thich Naht Han... =)

Therefore...Let's do our best to cultivate peace within ourselves! for our own sake, and also for the sake of all sentient beings and the entire universe!... n_n Gambatte! =)

Separated ~ Usher

Yesterday, a student played this song...
I've known this song quite a long time ago, but never really paid attention to it...
Thank's to a friend of mine who showed me this slideshow from youtube... =)

Ms. Woi

Ms. Woi is leaving CIMP forever.... ='(

She will move somewhere... I'm not sure... somewhere in Johor Baru...
I wish I could meet her once again before I start my uni life...

Ms. Woi and I @ the CIMP graduation 2009 technical meeting

Few days ago, before knowing that Ms. Woi is moving out, I thought of her...
By doing, you'll know something better and this is what I felt and it makes me admire Ms. Woi even more.

Now that I am a tutor, there are times that I showed "I'm tired! Please, I'm not in mood now" -expression to my students who asked for my help in my recess time... Even, there is one time, after my last, the latest class of the day, at about 7.30pm, not only did I show the sort of expression, but also, "Dear, why d'ya ask me now? I can't think clearly at about this time..." slipped through my nonchalant mouth...
*Honestly, I really couldn't think so clear that time, even before that time because my mind was not very peaceful, and this is not the student's fault! so sorryy my dear...*

After several days, I contemplated about what I had done, and suddenly the reminiscene of Ms. Woi and I discussing the daily homework together popped up in my mind.
Almost everyday, after class, starting from the first day of MCV4U-Calculus and Vectors class, I took her recess time to discuss about my doubts about the subject, or even just to ask for her advice and chat about the things which I believe are no more important and enjoyable than her rest!
Awwwwwwww... now, come to think of it, I feel like crying... Thank you... Miss Woi!!!!!! I could never make it that well in CIMP without you.... ='(

Now, I'm still a tutor until the end of 2009 sem... With all my spirit and enthusiasm, I'll still give my best and teach all my students whom I really thankful that they have faith in me... =)
And, plus... one more thing, I'll do my best to follow Ms. Woi's example being a teacher wholeheartedly, not only teach, but do all the best that she can and try to complete the circle of love and respect between teachers and students... =)

Ms. Woi, I wish you happiness and luck! =)
I'm perfectly sure that you'll do well wherever you are...
Once again, I... thank you... from the bottom of my heart...

Daily Reflections

People are always changing-
how can anyone be yours to have and hold forever?

We can only love in the moment.
We can only "seize" the moment.

But do not be misled...
this moment is also not for you to have and hold forever.
It slips through your hands
like sand falling through clasped hands.

If the passing is going to happen whether you like it or not,
why not learn to enjoy it?
Enjoy change,
learn to be one with change.
Enjoy love in the moment.

Cited from The Daily Enlightenment 1 - Reflections for Practising Buddhists

PS. In this book, I've found several information from Bro. Shen Shi'an (TDEditor) for all who are interested in reading The Daily Enlightenment's reflections.. =)
To subscirbe, you can email to tde@TheDailyEnlightenment.com,
or you can visit the archive at www.TheDailyEnlightenment.com...

May all of us be well and happy! =)
May all beings be well and happpy too! =)
Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice! =)

Follow up stories about the Fruit Sandwich Cake

These are several pictures taken on 17th November 2009 @ Bukit Batok Residence, Singapore... Well, you can tell yourselves the stories behind it... =)

Happy Birthday, ko David! May you be well and happy always! =)
Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu! ^^

The Emblem of Friendship

Just got this cute dolphin plush-toy from a Kalyana mitta of mine, Phoebe... =)

Thank you so much! and moreover, thank you for our friendship! I'll treasure it in the best way I can... :) Devi and Phoebe, may our friendship lasts... =) May the Triple Gems always guide your paths! May Buddha bless all sentient beings too! =)

"Dear Friend, Dear Friend,"
"Let me tell you how I feel,"
"You have given me such treasure,"
"I love you so... I love you so..."

~Song from Plumvillage Album~

"You, my trusted friend,"
"I'll walk with you 'till the end"
"On the path of freedom"
"Now and again"
"My happy beautiful friend,"
"I'll hold your hand in us we can depend..."
"Kalyana Mitra, please take care of me"
"We somehow share the same destiny"
"Kalyana Mitra, I'll take care of you"
"Beautiful friend, I truly love you..."

~My Beautiful Friend by i.gemz~

dv I vb

Sadhu...Sadhu...Sadhu... (Rejoice 3x!) =D

Fruit Sandwich Cake

My sister's boyfriend's birthday is drawing near. And what I admire and adore from this couple is that they always try their best to spend their times in some (many I guess... isn't that so sweet?? Aawwhh...*squeal*) special ways together whenever they have events to commemorate. =)

Learning that David dislikes sweet foods, this time, my sister prepares a handmade card and plans to make him sandwiches with his favorite half-boiled eggs. Speaking about sandwiches, I directly suggest her to make him a fruit sandwich cake instead, which I've read (and somehow wish to prepare it for a special bf later some time in my life... GG!!!... =P) from Delicious! - a comic by Yui Ayumi & Miyuki Kobayashi.

Okay, giving you a hint, Fruit Sandwich Cake is actually sandwich spread with whip cream all over its suraface area and inside filled with various pieces of well-cut fruits. Unlike the normal sandwiches, this fruit cake sandwich has piles of 6 or more bread/toast slices. So, it's a tall sandwich filled with fruit! =D

Here is the illustration of the sandwich:

Isn't that tantalizing??? Yummy! :D

Oh well, my sister asked me to try out the recipe that I've copied from the comic, and with very limited ingredients that I have... I... somehow... try it out... so, sister... wanna know how it turns out?? Just read out my blog! =D

Okay, I made it into like this:

But wait! I believe that yours is gonna be more attractive and tempting! This is because I ONLY prepare 3 slices, and I DON'T have any whip cream, and I ONLY have apples and papaya...


As the substitute of the whip cream, I use blue band margarine and let caster sugar spread and stick on the margarine layer.
And, I don't think I can finish all the 6 slices! that's why I only prepare 3 slices!
Also, too bad that the sandwich only filled with two kinds of fruit, with many colourful fruits! It will be more eye-catching! and of course tounge-catching! LOL! :D


Conclusions and Advices after trying this out:

1. Jie, if u don't wish to use thick whip cream to cover all the cake (it means that you still can see the sandwich, the surface of the bread slices), do cut more or less 3-5 mm (not too wide like in the pict) from the edge of each sides of the sandwich because it's much nicer to see the layers of colourful fruits instead of the plain bread slices.
2. But, if u choose to cover all the sandwich with whip cream... Do keep it a secret that it's actually a sandwich! Decorate it with cherry, chocolate chips, almonds (I think almonds or other types of nuts will do since he does not like sweets), sunflower seeds, crumbled cookies like oreo or anything that usually sit nicely on a birthday cake. While spreading the cream, spread it thick and naturally not too orderly, so it will blend with the nuts nicely. Do prepare candles! and wait until he cuts for the first cake (or maybe you should do it for him cause it's quite a fragile cake, use moist sharp knife!), he'll be surprised that it's no ordinary cake! It's fruit sandwich cake specially made by you, especially for him! =))))) Aaawwhh... co cuit.... :D ROTFL!
3. Do put it in the fridge for at least 30 mins before serving! There's no things worse than serving a fresh Fruit Sandwich Cake with NOT-fresh fruits inside it! And hey, it taste good! when it's cool! The fruits feel so fresh, and the cool sensation prevents the sweet whip cream causing you to become satiated and stuffed!
4. Don't cut the fruit too thin! you won't be able to taste it to the fullest! Well, not too thin, not too thick, just right. Maybe it's about 3mm thick?? or if you wanna make the cake looks taller, maybe 5mm thick? but when you arrange the fruits, arrange it in a packed position so that when you cut it, the sandwich won't tilt due to large-spacious holes between the fruits! Ooopps! :P
5. Try choosing fruits with different kinds of texture and taste. Like the soft watery papaya, and crispy sour apples combine very well. Or else, just choose his favorite fruit! and I think, do include watery type of fruit maybe like kiwi, etc. because moisture in a cake plays important role in indulging your appetite! and the best is, when the watery fruit is served cool, you will get the best freshness out of fruits! =D
6. About the bread, I'm not sure about using toast, because it will be difficult to cut it (I haven't tried it but it seems to be so...). If you insist on using the toast, maybe not too crispy and hard, just a light toast just to get the tasty colour! :D

Well, this is it! Fruit Sandwich Cake ala Chef Devi! (imitating Chef Farrah Queen... Kikiki... evil laugh... ;D)

~Good Luck! :)))))))))))))))))))) I'm waiting for the follow-up stories! :D~