Even Ceiling Fans Have Their Own Story to Tell

Who's not in touch with the issue of global warming nowadays? Everybody is talking about alternative source of energy or even alternative appliances. One of the most energy consuming household item that's heavily used in this tiny island of Singapore is air-conditioning. Honestly, one grows more and more dependent towards it and some can't even live without it. Aih ....

As I was lost in the realm of alternative energy, I got an email about ceiling fans. Honestly, I haven't been paying attention to one ever until I started to be in this job 3 years ago and I was living in hostel for 3 years (1998-2001).

During the hostel period, I remembered the ceiling fan was so essential (as there was no air-conditioning system in place). And, I remembered how we need to regularly cleaned them as somehow, the blades are able to trap soooooo much dust in such a short period of time. That amazes me.

Then, 3 years ago, I was in-charged of furnishing apartment units and that was the first time I started to appreciate the varieties of ceiling fans. When I bumped into this website, I realized that there are so many types of ceiling fans available, to name a few Casablanca ceiling fans, craftmade ceiling fans, Ellington fans, hunter fans, monte carlo fans, etc. I never know that even ceiling fans have their own story to tell the world. Each type has its own characteristics, pros and cons. So, can you spot a type of ceiling fan that may just represents your personality and preference? I know I simply can't resist and really intrigued by the Candelier ceiling fans. With a price tag of $4999 and above, I do wonder if this is better than air-conditioning.

When Everything is Stripped Away …

Image courtesy of Creative Alley Productions.

I just watched the most interesting episode of Cold Case ever - The Road aired on 6th April 2008. It’s so thought provoking that I can’t help to blog about it.

For those of you who are not familiar about this TV show, Cold Case is about a team of law enforcers who focuses on cases that are unsolved (and hence it’s given the term “cold”). Based on current leads and clues, they’ll try to reopen the case and by any means, solving it.

The latest episode is about a woman, Brenda, who was found missing (and believed was dead based on the evidence found) on the day of her engagement party. You can’t describe how devastated her fiancé was. What other state of mind can he be in anyway? After almost a year, he still couldn’t move on.

Then, they found the suspect and their purpose is hopefully to recover the body of Brenda. So, 2 police officers were trying their best in interrogating him in the hope to find more clues to find where Brenda’s body will be.

What I enjoy the most from the “interrogation” part is that the suspect was proposing such thought provoking questions that were even able to shake up the detectives' minds. Some questions make them think and reflect about their own lives, some agitated one of the detective to actually be more physical towards the suspect.

Anyway, to sum up the story (BEWARE, spoilers ahead), the villain is a home-video editor. He’s one of the best employees any company has ever had. He has been selecting his victims based on the home-videos he edited. The common thread that he chose from the victims is when he spotted that the victim had one thing to live for . For example,there's a choir girl whose life purpose is to serve God. Then there's a mother who adores her new-born daughter so much. And Brenda, who loved her fiancé so much that she proposed to him instead.

They all live for something, and the question that the villain asked that was really important was - what keeps you going? What makes you get off your bed every morning? When everything is stripped away, when what matters most of you are taken away from you, who will you be? Will you give up on life?

That's what he's curious about from all of his victims. There's not once he laid hands to his victims, he just locked all of them in a "dungeon" and observe how long they take to give up when everything is stripped away. He mentioned, the choir girl was the first one to give up on her life after wondering how can God did such cruel thing upon her and why God left her and didn't even exist in that dungeon.

How about the mother, you think? She had the passion to live especially when the villain was playing the video of her new-born baby again and again but when the monitor was taken away from her, that's when she lost it. She gave up on life completely. Even though the door was easily opened if she tried and he (the villain) will not even do anything to them, none of these girls bothered to try to "live" and escape anymore. How interesting can that be?

This episode really makes me think, what am I living for? "I don't know"

When everything is really stripped away from me ... will I give up on life? "I don't know"

Who am I beneath the job I'm holding, the possessions I'm having and the knowledge I'm acquiring? "I don't know"

But for sure, I believe anybody who's reading this are more than what you think you are. You are not your job. You are not your spouse. You are not your religion. You are not you family. You are not your mom. You are not your dad. You are not your siblings. You are not what you eat. You are not what other people say about you. You are not your career. You are not your car. You are not your house. You are not your knowledge. You are not your aspirations. You are not your wealth. You are not your bank account. You are not your fashion statement. You are not the people you are hanging out with. You are not where you live. You are not what you say. You are not your opinion. You are not ________ .... and ultimately, you are not any labels you or other people are imposing on you.

You are more than that.

When everything is stripped away and you realize you are not giving up on life yet, that's when you know you are bigger than life itself.

The Monday

Today is Monday... (well, soon over for some)
To most they call it Monday blues but to one of my dearest friend it's more than that.

He called me earlier and told me his dad just passed away.
While on the other side, another friend of mine was counting down to the long weekend due to Easter holiday and how excruciating the work appears to be.

What happened to my friend's dad? Well, I don't really have much details to provide, I only know it started off with the complications of the heart (some valve or artery or .. erm .. I'm sorry, I'm really not sure :|) which led to the surgery to rectify that. The surgery went well but alas, the bloodstream was somehow infected. Until now I'm still curious at how on earth it was infected in a supposedly clean and sterile operation room. Anyway, due to the infection, it spreads to his lung and the last thing I heard from him, the kidneys failed. :(

Needless to say, his dad passed away when he's still in the unconscious mode. My friend told me even though his dad was sedated, he seemed to feel and acknowledge the presence of his dearest family members (wife, daughter, son, grandchildren, etc) and in that non-verbal manners, one of the most important words are being exchanged. I believe his dad must feel at peace and left in the happiest manner knowing everyone that matters to him was there with him.

My friend was calm in conveying the message to me too, it's like he's transcended to another realm of maturity. Well, it's only over the phone but it did sound like he's really "grown" a little bit more.

I can only send loving and peaceful vibes to him and his family. Especially his mom who really needs all the strength and courage she ever needs in life. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank his father for bringing up such a wonderful son who've been one my greatest friend I've ever encountered despite of our differences at times. His dad will be proud to know how great a person he is. Though I'm not sure whether there's any access to internet in heaven but I believe his dad will know that he has done a great job. And to his family, I hope they will never forget that life in this earth is just temporary. This too shall pass and one day everyone will be able to meet again.

Wize: Millions of Opinions. One Score.

What an interesting tagline, isn't it? Millions of Opinions. One Score. Something that is so humbly simple can kick-start an interesting web business all together. I found Wize when I was browsing around and I thought Cnet.com is the only place you can think of when it comes to electronics reviews site that assists people in making their decision before purchasing any electronics and now we have a new kid on the block.

What's more interesting is the site is not limited to geeks but it provides information on products for health and beauty, kids and baby and even home and garden. So, when you need to find out what other people are experiencing after they've purchased the products that you are contemplating, be sure to check out Wize. I know I would. :-)

Speaking of being "wize" I'm hoping everyone is making great decisions in their lives in whatever areas they are in right now. Whether you are at the crossroads or what may seem to be the end of the road, choose wisely. I think one can be wiser not just due to the experiences gained, but also when you have more than enough information on hand. Sometimes, it doesn't hurt to take in other's opinions, does it? :-)

I Know?

I know "this"
I know "that"
I know enough
To speak and laugh

Strangely
I feel a gap
In my knowing
This space
That I can hardly grasp

I thought I knew
But actually I don't know enough
About the subject
Which named
"I"


This poem or ... erm ... piece of rambling was struck upon me when I realized how much I think I know and how much I want to know about stuff. I read. I watch. I listen. I ask and I am constantly learning. And the realization comes upon when those I inquire are not really about me. If I were to ask myself the question - Who am I? - I seriously don't know how to answer the question. So ... have I grasp the realm of knowing? May be not. But suddenly at that moment, I remember what Joni Mitchell has summed up in her beautiful song - Both Sides Now, which said,"I really don't know _____ at all". What's filling the blank? In my case ... I really don't know me at all.

Do you know YOU?

1 Month .....

Can you believe it?
That's exactly the time I took to write a post in my blog?
Geez ... how pathetic that can be?
I'm so sorry, friends, for those of you who've been religiously checking into my site and got disappointed, I sincerely apologize. I've been under the weather when it comes to blogging.

Anyway, I actually have lots to pour out ... but I plan to change the way things are written from now ... thinking of writing poems ...

WHUUUTTTTT?????

Yep, I have the same effect too when I thought about it but I will give it a try from now.
There are so many inspirations everywhere, actually, but sometimes thinking of rambling them down in paragraph makes me laze in my laurel.

Since today is 1st of March, I'll mark it as a new beginning where D.D. will try some new approach in writing. :p I hope you will enjoy it ... I'm trying not to be too Bjork-ish, (You know the whole out-of-this-world type of work) though sincerely I really love her works. She's so creative I just admire her courage to be different and original despite how others may find her simply weird. I'll see what I can do now ... and hope you - my beloved readers - will somehow benefit from my train of thoughts. Thanks for your support. :-)

Just Fine

I think everybody should wake up and listen to this song everyday.

The first time I heard Mary J Blige singing in The Ellen Degeneres Show, I was like ... "huh ... what kinda song is that?" ... then I paid attention to its lyrics and I realize ... wow ... what a great song to wake up to every morning.

It's a very positive upbeat song which emphasize on loving yourself and living your life the way you want to and being happy with it. The lyrics I love the most is when she says

Feels so good, when you’re doing all the things that you want to do
Get the best out of life, treat yourself to something new
Keep your head up high
In yourself, believe in you, believe in me
Having a really good time, I’m not complaining
And I’m a still wear a smile if it's raining
I got to enjoy myself regardless
I appreciate life, I’m so glad that it's fine

No matter how tough life may have been, when you keep listening to such words daily, I believe you can get through it with your head up high. Enjoy



Lyrics
Just Fine
By. Mary J Blige

You know I love music
And every time I hear something hot
It makes me wanna move
It makes me wanna have fun
But it’s something about this joint right here
This joint right here
Its makes me wanna…..Woooh

Let it go……
Can’t let this thing called love get away from you
Feel free right now, go do what you want to do
Can’t let nobody take it away, from you, from me, from we
No time for moping around, are you kidding?
And no time for negative vibes, cause I’m winning
It’s been a long week, I put in my hardest
Gonna live my life, feels so good to get it right

So I like what I see when I’m looking at me
When I’m walking past the mirror
Don't stress through the night, at a time in my life
Ain’t worried about if you feel it
Got my head on straight, I got my vibe right
I aint gonna let you kill it
You see I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just…..

Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Just fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
You see I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just fine

Feels so good, when you’re doing all the things that you want to do
Get the best out of life, treat yourself to something new
Keep your head up high
In yourself, believe in you, believe in me
Having a really good time, I’m not complaining
And I’m a still wear a smile if it's raining
I got to enjoy myself regardless
I appreciate life, I’m so glad that it's fine

So I like what I see when I’m looking at me
When I’m walking past the mirror
Aint worried about you and what you gonna do
I’m a lady so I must stay classy
Got to keep it hot, keep it together
If I want to get better
See I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just…..
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Just fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
See I won’t change my life, my life’s just fine

I ain't gon’ let nothing get in my way
(I ain't gone let nobody bring me down, no, no, no)
No matter what nobody has to say
(No way, no way, no way)
I ain’t gon’ let nothing get in my way
No matter what nobody has to say

Feels so good, when you’re doing all the things that you want to do
Get the best out of life, treat yourself to something new
It’s a really good thing to say
That I won’t change my life, my life’s just fine

Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Just fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
See I won’t change my life, my life’s just fine

So I like what I see when I’m looking at me
When I’m walking past the mirror
Don't stress through the night, at a time in my life
Ain’t worried about if you feel it
Got my head on straight, I got my vibe right
I ain’t gonna let you kill it
You see I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just…..

Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Just fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
You see I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just fine

So Small

Hi All

I'm sorry to be absent again for so long. Guess I'm the only blogger in the world that needs a kick on the butt by one of the faithful reader to kick start the blogging flow again. (I'm so ashamed hoho) ... Anyway, I'd like to share this song with everyone. It's a country song by one of the winner of American Idol - Carrie Underwood. She's definitely one of my favourite idol, not only she's pretty, vegan, down to earth, original, blah blah blah ... her songs speak to the heart every time ever since her first album is out. She's a special girl indeed.

This song, if you pay attention to the lyrics and relate them to any of your most difficult moments (or you think it's difficult) of your life ... look back and think through, it can really bring you to tears that you've been wasting life worrying and wrestling with things that seem so small compared to what really is important. And those burdens that you think it's heavy, suddenly appear so small.

And now ... hope you'll enjoy the lyrics of this song and you can view and listen to the music video from this link on my blog. Enjoy and remember this ... (quoting from the lyrics)

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
And when you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else seem
So small

You may watch the original MTV at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUtFEKhtB30&feature=related

So Small
By. Carrie Underwood

Yeah, yeah

What you got if you ain't got love
The kind that you just want to give away
It's ok to open up
Go ahead and let the light shine through
I know it's hard on a rainy day
You wanna shut the world out and just be left alone
But don't run out on your faith

Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
And when you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else seem
So small

It's so easy to get lost inside
A problem that seems so big at the time
It's like a river that's so wide it swallows you whole
While you're sitting around thinking about what you can't change

And worrying about all the wrong things
Time's flying by, moving so fast
You better make it count cause you can't get it back
Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
Oh, and when you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else seem
So small, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
And then you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Oh, it sure makes everything else seem
So small

Yeah, yeah