Don't learn the same lesson twice

I've been pondering over and over lately on the lessons learned during these months of recuperation and rest.  

These lessons are precious and important to me 'cos they come with a price.  And more importantly, they will be part of my new life, new beginning.  

I want to learn well, do well and never have to learn the same lesson twice.

To my beloved Mama in heaven

Dear Mama, though you're gone for more than 20 years, you've always live in my heart.

Watch over me as I step into a new milestone, guide my steps to walk the path ahead.

Happy Mother's Day! (: .... loving you always.

My sovereign vote as a true-blue Singaporean

I woke up early this morning to go to the polling station to cast my vote for the General Election 2011.  This is my second time voting since 5 years ago and the thoughts and feelings I had are so different from my previous.  

I'm clearer in my mind and heart what I hope to see for our nation and people.  I'm not looking for a political party, I'm looking for the LEADER who will serve the country before himself and love the people as his own, with a HEART.

I'm proud and blessed to be a Singaporean. I hope to give back to society in my small ways and be of service where there are needs,  especially to the lesser ones.  This will be part of my pursuit in my new phase of life as I'm counting down now.

Today is a memorable day indeed.

Remember the former things no more .....

A passing sojourner only

Never were you my destiny

Step out from the former

Don't linger any longer

The past remains

The future shall reign

~ The renewed Grace

I M Possible!

I recently saw this post in my friend's Facebook: "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" ~ Audrey Hepburn.  I really like this!

How true!  Many a times when we are faced with challenges, all we see is impossible .... impossible .... impossible .... but if you'll look closer, within the impossibility itself is hidden the answer 'I M Possible'!  It just takes a change of perspective and mindset to see the possibility within the impossibility. 

What a lovely word 'Impossible' is 'cos it only reminds us that 'I M Possible'!  

I'm inspired by the quote to do this artwork (:

Blessing

I've received this wonderful charm of health blessing from my Taiwan girl pal.  Nothing means more to me now than to be in the pink of health.  It is not just in the physical state but also in the state of mind.  The change in my life is needed and it is good.

This gift means a lot to me, the thoughts behind it is precious .... Thank you, gal!  I'll carry it with me, always.

Sakura . Hope

Last year this time, I was in Tokyo for hanami (cherry blossom flower viewing).  It has been my long time desire to go see the beautiful sakura bloom in the land of the rising sun. And my wish has finally come true last Spring, April 2010. These are beautiful and sweet memories that will stay with me and worth a lifetime's reminiscing.

Words alone will be inadequate to describe the ethereal beauty of the mesmerizing cherry blossoms, I shall let the pictures below speak for itself ^.^.

In hindsight, I'm glad to have made plans last year or it'll be a different scenerio this year.  In view of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, I don't think I'll want to be in Tokyo at this time and even if I'm there, I wouldn't have the mood to admire the beauty of sakura.

Sometimes I wonder with all the global warming and frequent occurrences of  natural disaster across the globe, will there be a day where all the places on earth with natural scenery of mountains, lakes and landscapes be gone forever.  Will I still get a chance to travel to these places to behold nature's beauty and awe in my lifetime?  Will the next generation get to see them at all?

Sakura is synonymous with  Japan and the Japanese culture and spirit.  It bears great significance from the samurai culture to the Japanese Buddhist/Zen thinking, belief and ethics.  In this difficult time of mourning for the many dead and despair of the countless homeless and helpless, I pray that the Japanese will rise up in good spirit beyond their ordeal and look up to hope in this sakura season.  

Sakura still blossom this spring as before, hope is still ever present and renewed.  Go forth in good faith!  New spring promises new hope and new awakenings to a stronger spirit and a better tomorrow!

Amidst the doom and gloom

Came promises of sakura bloom

Lift up your heads

Brave up your hearts

Behold the new hope

Fellow man around the globe

Standing with you

********

Hanami at the Shinjukugyoen, just 10-15mins walk from Shujuku station

There are many species of sakura in the garden

Different hues and species of sakura .....

 

Picturesque view and scenery from different spots in the garden .....

 

Striking a pose with nature ;) ... pure bliss!

The perfect picnic spot!

Spotted a couple doing their wedding photo shoots

Sakura view in the night on the way to Tokyo tower .....

Sakura at the shopping street near the Sensoji temple at Asakusa .....

 

And, here comes the spring theme and all things sakura!! .....

Sakura-inspired menu

Spring-sakura theme bento

Simply sumptuous, yummilicious & very satisfying too! (^_^)

Nice design on the bento box

Cherry blossom flavoured ice-cream!!  Must try!

Ice cream sandwiched in between a lantern shaped wafer, nice!

Ice cream with sakura petal bits .... tastes heavenly! Yums!!

A peace no one can give

 

This peace means a lot to me .... it means life and death.

Childlikeness

Lovely pictures of my dearie godson! ^.^

Somehow, little children always have their way to our hearts.  There is a magical touch in their laughter that heals.  

Whenever I'm feeling low, I'll watch the video of my godson's laughter - so pure, so angelic, so happy.  He's a sweet reminder to me ... to enjoy the simple things, laugh heartily always and to stay true at heart.
  
There's a difference between being childlike and being childish.  I always believe that in every man is a little boy and in every woman is a little girl.  Childlikeness is keeping the truest and purest within despite our age and the storms of life.  Being childish is just refusing to grow up and living in one's own world.

It takes wisdom and depth to be truly childlike.  I'm still far from it but will start to learn .... 

Like a wind, let it go

My first artwork assignment using Adobe Illustrator ;)

The seasons changes

trees swaying in the wind

waving goodbye

falling leaves

caressing the ground

softly whispering

Feel the wind in your hair

listen to its soft whispers

like a wind

let it go

to where it belongs

A friend once said to me: "Though no one can go back to make a new start, but anyone can start from now and make a new end."  Let it go, the future is yours.

graceawakening

The meaning behind the name 'graceawakening' for my blog .....

In the darkest moments
The GRACE of God awakened
a ray of hope in my life

Grace is awakened
to live again, to live anew

Have you ever imagined losing the important things in your life? ... health, job, friends, finance, dignity, purpose .... the rude awakenings of life may hit us at our most unexpected moments but lo and behold, look up from the valley of despair and see that the sun still rises every day, promising new hope for each new day! 

明天会更好！

Stay strong, Japan! Stay strong, Grace!

The 11 Mar catastrophe of a devastating 9.0 magnitude quake and tsunami in Japan has set me thinking .....

My heart reaches out to Japan as I followed the news daily and prayed for the nation and her people. I did my little part to donate to the cause of relief efforts. I wish I could be there physically to help the victims too. It was a relief to know that my friends in Japan are safe.

Strangely, I've got this certain affinity for Japanese which I can't really explain. Perhaps it's through the course of working with my Japanese counterparts in my previous job where I've come to respect their spirit of excellence and there are certain values in the Japanese culture which I hope to emulate too.

The massive destruction was beyond any human's comprehension. The wrath of nature is indeed formidable. With near death experience and despite losing their homes and loved ones, the Japanese have braved themselves up with their admirable stoicism and resilience. I was reminded to look at myself again. Have I been responding the same to my current situation? Certainly, there's something I can learn from them now to overcome as they did.

As I say 'Stay strong, Japan!', let me also say to myself 'Stay strong, Grace!'

My friends, my guardian angels

In the darkest moments of my life, friends had been my beacon of hope, walking by my side through the difficult journey of recovery. They offered selflessly of their love, time, companionship and resources which had moved my heart deeply.

It's in moment like this that it dawned on me who are the people and what are the things that truly matter in life. It's an awakening to the true treasures of life - friendship - which I've not invest enough time and effort in the past and often take for granted .... but it's going to be different from now onwards ...

I want to remember every one of them by name as I count the every blessing they have showered upon me. These are the precious one whom I cherish and hold dear. They are angels sent from heaven!

I started to pen down my appreciation and put together sweet memories of our friendship as I remember their birthdays. This is the least I can do to express my heartfelt gratitude to these dear ones .... and I will continue to do so - to remember, appreciate and celebrate our friendship.

Thank you friends! I'm forever grateful to you! Loves.

Hello! I'm back finally ....

Started this blog in 2009 but had let it laid waste till now ....

A series of unexpected events since then has prompted my awakening soul to return ....

So, here am I! (^_^) ... and to stay .... more actions coming up ;) ....

(Wanted 'graceawakening' as my domain name but it has been taken up, so got to comprise for 'graceawaken' instead ... not perfectly ideal but it's ok .. don't sweat the small stuff .... this' part of my awakening too .... ha!)