Honesty* - Billy Joel

I was reading this to my daughter a couple of months ago:-

She stopped me and asked, 'What is blubber'?

I told her as what the book says, it is fat. 

She asked, 'So whales are fat?'

I replied, 'Yes'.

She added, 'Like daddy?'

'Yes, fat like daddy', i told her. She giggled.

You can count on kids to be honest on matters like these. Brutally honest!!!

*One of his many Top 40 hits, one of my favourite songs of his.

Just the two of us* - Grover Washington Jr & Bill Withers

Our kids are wonderful! Sure, there are times when they really drive us up the wall but we cannot imagine our lives without them now.

Still, it would be nice for us the spend some time together once in a while, to enjoy each other's company without being distracted by the wants and needs of the little girls.

So it was good that in recent months, we managed to spend some time alone, just the two of us.

The first was during our wedding anniversary - it was our 6th anniversary and we left the girls with my mom and went for dinner - at the very place where we hosted out wedding lunch 6 years ago.

Then at the beginning of October, just a few days ago, we actually spent 2 days and a night away on our own. It was very short but it was better than nothing. We went to Singapore. It was really nice just being with each other, not needing to be responsible parents for a short while.

Still, at the end of the day, it was nice to be back with the girls whom we missed very much!

Wonder when will we ever get to go away again like that? Doubt it'll be anytime soon as Gemma really gave my mom-in-law a difficult time.

Ah well.... better enjoy the time we get to spend with the girls for i'm sure there'll come a time when they wouldn't want to spend time with us. So while they still do, we better make the best of it!

*This song won the Grammy for the Best R&B Song in 1982. A brilliant funky jazzy song.

Don't worry, be happy* - Bobby McFerrin

Saw these flowers in the car park the other day. Reminded me of these Bible verses:-

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It was a timely reminder to take one day at a time. Everyday, i pray to God, help me through today.

*Such a brilliant song, hit the charts at the time when i was going through my STPM revision.

I will carry you* - Michael W Smith

Exactly the reason why i do not refuse the opportunity to carry my little girls. Especially the older one. I don't know when carrying her would be the last time i do so.

* A track from his 14th studio album, This is your time.

Send in the clowns* - Judy Collins

Someone sent me this after last weekend's game:-

I think it portrays the team very well! We have a bunch of clowns at the back!

After taking the lead at 3-2, we gave up 2 points by conceding another comical goal close to the end in added on time!

This morning, we performed slightly better. Our keeper was better and he even saved a penalty (albeit a poorly taken one). But the defence still leaves much to be desired.

Sigh... what is Klopp up to? Everyone knows our weakest link is in the defence but he hasn't done anything to strengthen it, has he?

*This song was written for the musical, 'a Little Night Music'. this song has been recorded by many popular artists and is considered a jazz standard

You make me feel like dancing* - Leo Sayer

I played some instrumental piano music on me phone last night for my youngest daughter. She loved it.

But the silly girl started to 'dance' - going round and round and round until she fell down on her bum, obviously feeling a little dizzy!

She sat there, with a silly smile on her face and making us all laugh.

I think music is gonna be very important to her just like how it is with her daddy!

*His first no. 1 single in the US but only managed to reach no. 2 in the UK. This song also won the Grammy in 1978 for the best R&B song.

Baby you can drive my car* - Lulu

I've read and heard a lot of good things about the movie, 'Baby Driver'. To be honest, i wasn't too keen. So he's a getaway car driver who has a baby face. So what?

But then i saw this clip as i wanted to find out what all the buzz was about:-



WOW!!!

I began reading up more about it and realised why the writer and directer's name sounded so familiar (sorry but i really couldn't remember). He wrote Shaun of the Dead - one of the best movies ever!

And he also wrote the screenplay for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World!

It also brought back to memory this scene - one of the best movie scenes ever for me:-


Then the music in the first 6 minute clip made sense if the movie was directed by Edgar Wright.

So i made my way to watch it. It was one of the most enjoyable 2 hours i've had for a long long time. It really is sooo good! From the story line, to the wonderful cast and the music that was chosen for the movie, it was so near perfect!

I had a big struggle internally after that - is this the best movie for 2017 for me? Clearly better than the ones that i was looking forward to (Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Aliens Covenant, Spider-Man) and better than the ones that critics have been raving about (Dunkirk, Wonder Woman). But is it better than Logan? Logan is definitely the best superhero movie i've seen. And it was just as good in terms of storyline and cast. But Baby Driver for now edges it into the top spot purely on the music part.

I doubt the upcoming movies that i am looking forward to will top this - Thor, Blade Runner, Kingsmen. But i hope that Star Wars will be better than this. I really do.

*Her remake of the Beatles' classic 'Drive my car'.

Shape of you* - Ed Sheeran

I saw this on social media today:-

How to talk to your daughter about her body, step one: Don't talk to your daughter about her body, except to teach her how it works. 

Don't say anything if she's lost weight. Don't say anything if she's gained weight. 

If you think your daughter's body looks amazing, don't say that. 

Here are some things you can say instead: "You look so healthy!" is a great one. Or how about, "You're looking so strong." "I can see how happy you are -- you're glowing."
Better yet, compliment her on something that has nothing to do with her body. 

Don't comment on other women's bodies either. Nope. Not a single comment, not a nice one or a mean one. 

Teach her about kindness towards others, but also kindness towards yourself. 

Don't you dare talk about how much you hate your body in front of your daughter, or talk about your new diet. In fact, don't go on a diet in front of your daughter. Buy healthy food. Cook healthy meals. But don't say, "I'm not eating carbs right now." Your daughter should never think that carbs are evil, because shame over what you eat only leads to shame about yourself. 

Encourage your daughter to run because it makes her feel less stressed. Encourage your daughter to climb mountains because there is nowhere better to explore your spirituality than the peak of the universe. Encourage your daughter to surf, or rock climb, or mountain bike because it scares her and that's a good thing sometimes. 

Help your daughter love soccer or rowing or hockey because sports make her a better leader and a more confident woman. Explain that no matter how old you get, you'll never stop needing good teamwork. Never make her play a sport she isn't absolutely in love with. 

Prove to your daughter that women don't need men to move their furniture. 

Teach your daughter how to cook kale. Teach your daughter how to bake chocolate cake made with six sticks of butter. Pass on your own mom's recipe for Christmas morning coffee cake. 

Pass on your love of being outside. Maybe you and your daughter both have thick thighs or wide ribcages. It's easy to hate these non-size zero body parts. Don't. Tell your daughter that with her legs she can run a marathon if she wants to, and her ribcage is nothing but a carrying case for strong lungs. She can scream and she can sing and she can lift up the world, if she wants. 

Remind your daughter that the best thing she can do with her body is to use it to mobilize her beautiful soul. 

~ Sarah Koppelkam

I absolutely hate it when some people say to my daughter, 'Look at your tummy!!!! You are soooo fat!!!!!' If a girl is obese, you can tell her to take care of her health. If not, then just keep your views to yourself.

When I was overseas recently and was channel surfing, I saw this ad about a product which will help the (woman) wearer enhance her cleavage. It starts of with her feeling really sad and miserable as she has a colleague at work with a nice cleavage - and it ends of with her being so happy because now she can have a nice cleavage too!!!!! I felt so sad that these advertisers try to promote the idea that your life can only be complete if you look or are shaped in a particular manner - and if you are not, then you should feel miserable.

I think it is important in this day and age to emphasize the important of being beautiful inside and not to be so shallow and only be in 'love' with the shape of a person.

I am so surprised that so many people actually like the song that is the title of this post. To me, it is a song which objectifies women - which is why it is so surprising to me that people like it. It is a song that demonstrate how shallow the song-writer is. I hope my daughter will never end up with a person like that, who is only infatuated by her external looks - but that she will find someone who loves her for who she is, and for the wonderful person she is.

*Everyone probably knows - and loves (except me) this song now.

Walking in the rain* - The Ronettes

I love walking in the rain!

Well, i used to! And it also used to drive me mom up the wall! She would always get on my case when i would return home drenched and soaked to the skin.

It did not start out intentionally. I walked everywhere. And during the rainy season, it would be inevitable that i would get caught by the rain. And during those emotional days, the rain seemed to be the perfect companion on those lonely walks. I remember one classic moment as i walked back home, i asked rhetorically 'What else can go wrong???' and almost immediately, it started to rain. That made me laugh. God has a good sense of humour!

These walks increased when i went to London to study. Yes, gloomy rainy London - where i also walked everywhere. It was a different kind of feeling, walking in the rain there - the rain there felt so much more gentle, unlike the rain here which sometimes feel like icy pin pricks.

But when i got back, it was time to grow up. It was time to get a job - and i certainly cannot be going to the office or into the courtroom dripping wet!!! Still there were the odd occasions when i would forget about what people think and enjoy my wet stroll. A memorable occasion was when it started to rain after a particularly long dry spell. It was a moment to celebrate - and i did so by running out of the office and let the rain fall onto my face.

But those moments were few and far in between. And come fatherhood, i surely cannot be doing these kind of stuffs, can i? Can't i?

Well, the opportunity came when i was travelling for work - and away from the kids. That was last week. Got caught in the rain, was soaked to the skin and absolutely loved it!!!

Wet look!

I only wish someone would invent mini little wipers to fit onto the specs which will help when it rains too heavily!!!

Thank God i didn't fall sick, though! And it reminded me how wonderful it is to do walk in the rain. Yes, i will do it again with my girls!!!! They cannot grow up without experiencing the joy of walking in the rain. It'll drive their mom up the wall but it'll be worth it!

*Released in 1964, it was nominated for a Grammy back then. It has been in the Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

19* - Paul Hardcastle

19th Grand Slam! 8th Wimbledon won without dropping a set!

I've said so much about him - there's really nothing more i can say right? After all, the facts speak for themselves.

"I was just really a normal guy growing up in Basel, hoping to make a career on the tennis tour. I guess I dreamed, I believed, and really hoped that I could actually maybe really do it. So I put in a lot of work, and it paid off."

*This was a big hit when it was released back in 1985 - hitting no. 1 in a lot of countries.