Grace -- my first Car

Good Bye, Grace

Grace is our first car.

saying good bye to her is like saying good bye to a good friend, a little sad.

as the decision to get a replacement car came quite suddenly, i found myself with just one weekend to gather my thoughts and say good bye.

it may appear that we are too sentimental with just a piece of metal that gets us around, but i can tell you why we were attached.

you see, i bought Grace when i was at one of my frustrating low point. 2 years ago, i was out of a full time job and was doing some full time temp work that paid me a thousand dollars a month. i couldnt quite make the monthly insurance payment and was very frustrated with myself. what was i doing and where was i heading?! in my frustration and disappointment with myself, i went to the insurance office to cancel the policy, after having it for like 9 yrs i think. then the lady told me i can encash $9K and continue with the policy. i took her advice nonetheless.

supposedly the $9K could last me a couple of months but my husband interested me with a nice little diahatsu that is left with 30 mths on the road. i wasnt for it but i thought, well, i have never seen my husband keen in getting anything and i would like to get him the car. so against many people's advices we bought an old car and i named it Grace.

Grace was fabulous. she is fast, fierce and very fun to be with.
she had such a personality that my friends began to tell me they saw Grace here and there. (haha)

but as all good things, there is an end. Grace's lifespan is due in a couple of months and we want to say good bye while she is still hot and running well.

on reflection, i realised how much my life has improved with her.

i had bought some bulky gifts and send them to old friends, sent my dad to the hospital with Grace, had late nites out with friends, slept late and no need to hurry for public transport, went to hill top at Jurong for many romantic dinner, went JB just to drive around and speed. worked till midnite and know that Grace would pick me up. sent my aunties home after family gatherings. brought mark's mother to the clinics and BBQs. many many more.

Grace had opened doors for us. and our lives have never been the same again, in a good sense.

so, Thank you Lord for giving us Grace.

the pursuit of happiness

i used to be very troubled because i felt i wasn't making any worthy contribution with my job and felt that i could do better but at the same time felt inadequate and small and did not try.
it was frustrating times and i am glad it was a passing phase.

i read a science article on "the fulfilment factor" and was amused that it says
"All that stuff about needing to find a job that you love is overstated. Research shows your level of optimism and quality of relationships impact your happiness more than your job does."

no wonder i was unhappy.

asking a job to give me happiness is too much.

I now learnt that in order to be happy with my job, it has to :-
Stretch without defeating,
Provide clear Goals,
Provide unambiguous feedback and
Provide a sense of Control.

in short, any job that gives you the above will be fulfilling.

lastly,

"Positive Psychology is not only about maximizing personal happiness,
but also about embracing civic engagement and spritual connectedness, hope and charity"

the science of being happy.

Cousin Hong Jing

my aunt has 2 older kids aged 15 and 12 and recently she gave birth to a baby girl.

it was not planned and it was certainly a delight to have a new cousin for me.

the first few months was quite difficult for them because baby has a hole in the heart.

she got better these few months and it is a relieve for all of us especially her parents.

initially she was very small and dark as i guess there is not enough oxygen going in her bloodstream. but her condition has imrpoved now and my aunt believe it is the power of prayer.