Coolcat's Jottings

[img]"/images/jesse/jesse.jpg" width=150 align=left hspace=5[/img]Awww... I couldn't resist posting another picture of Baby Jesse taken with my phone camera. I've spent a better part of yesterday just staring at his cute photos and wondering when will I see him again.

I have been bitten by the love bug when I least expected it. And to a guy so much younger than me! Gosh, I used to prefer older men. Now I've turned into a cradle snatcher!

Eeeks!

Ok, [url=http://loopymeals.blogspot.com]James[/url], before you hit the panic button, I think that it's just a bad case of baby-itis. [url=http://www.ireneq.com]Irene[/url] is seriously ill with it, too. And so is [url=http://www.xanga.com/jotay]Joanne[/url]. So, be expecting any of us again anytime soon. You have been warned

[img]"http://www.coolcatalyst.com/images/jesse/all2.jpg"[/img]

[img]"http://www.coolcatalyst.com/images/jesse/ariel1.jpg"[/img]

[img]"http://www.coolcatalyst.com/images/jesse/ariel2.jpg"[/img]

[img]"http://www.coolcatalyst.com/images/jesse/ytiq01.jpg" width="500"[/img]

On one of the most memorable Sunday afternoons ever, 3 bloggers unite to go where no blogger has gone before - Baby Jesse's abode. The resident blogger in that abode, [url=http://loopymeals.blogspot.com]James[/url], doesn't count because he's Jesse's dad.

We, the 3 bloggers - [url=http://www.ireneq.com]Irene[/url], [url=http://www.xanga.com/jotay]Jotay[/url] and myself are so honoured to be the first in the online community to hold this precious bundle of joy in our hands.

When James commented that I look positively maternal, I felt as pleased as an apple pie. Honest!

Now, I am normally nervous and all thumbs when it comes to carrying newborn babes. But when it comes to cute Baby Jesse, all apprehensions faded into oblivion. [b]I just had to carry him in my arms.[/b] As he slipped into my arms, he also unknowingly snucked into my heart. If there was a moment where we feel that all is right with the world, this was it.

We gaze into his contented face in each of our arms, amazed at the miracle of life. Babies are indeed a beautiful gift from God. Congratulations, James and Mae on your amazing little boy!

[i]Photos courtesy of [url=http://loopymeals.blogspot.com]loopymeals.blogspot.com[/url][/i]

It never fails to annoy me when I hear of parents and teachers who abuse their authority in a child's life and pronouncing curses and unhelpful words into their lives.

Today, my friend Joe, finally stood up to his lecturer after a few months of verbal abuse.

Here's the straw that broke the camel's back:

"Joe , you are a real idiot , I don't know what stupidity you have there and I think it must have been a curse from your generation. I bet your brothers and sisters are all irresponsible, stupid damn morons," so says the lecturer.

I found it very hard to stomach such remarks and I was glad to note that Joe's classmates have filed a complaint against this lecturer.

As we contemplated on the situation and prayed about it, God reminded us that He is more interested in our response than in the lecturer's words. Bad stuff happens all the time, hand in hand with the good ones. We cannot prevent people from spewing their poison to us, but we can choose to respond rightly.

Now that Joe and his classmates have taken the proper course of action by complaining to the relevant authorities, we prayed that God will give him the grace to forgive and wisdom to relate to the lecturer in future. And we prayed that God will heal the hearts of those who have been wounded by the thoughtless and bitter words uttered the lecturer.

What the lecturer uttered to Joe was quite extreme but it is a sober reminder that I should be careful of the words that I use whenever I am angry.

In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.

~ Psalm 4:4

"I have waited so long I have forgotten what it felt like not to be in love with you. That was indeed another life, long ago and I can never return there."

~ by [url=http://greenbooks.theonering.net/moonletters/creative/files/c103003_04.html]Windfola[/url]

She wrote this, inspired by Aragorn's love for Arwen. It speaks of undying love - a love that has a beginning but not an end. A love that lasts forever.

What powerful and majestic words.

And indeed, there is One who sits in the throne of my heart. One whom I can freely declare what Aragorn declared to Arwen.

I have forgotten what it feels like not being loved and loving God. That was another life, long ago, and I can never return there.

I called a client's office just now to confirm if they have received my fax.

A polished male voice answered, "Yes, may I help you?"

I asked if he could check to see if my fax got through and he said in a dignified voice, "Yes, hold on please."

Then he ventured to address his colleague to check the fax machine in a flurry of Hokkien words, "Khe che hi geh fax eh sai bo? Wah lau eh, de khua to lo ah? Ooo boh??" [i](Translation: Can you check the fax machine please? Aiyo, where are you looking? Got or not??")[/i]

Then after his colleague replied with an affirmative, his voice reverted to his professional mode, "Yes, we have received it."

The transformation was so instanteneous that I couldn't help grinning broadly as I thanked him.

Wah lau eh!