It was my cousin sister's wedding lunch reception yesterday.
I've never tasted such delicious vegetarian food!
The entire 9-course meal (we're Chinese, that's why)was very satisfactory to the entire table of relatives - all 11 of us, which has never happened before.

Everyone was in good mood and chatted cheerfully - which again, has never happened before either.
Even my brother made the effort to hold a conversation with cousin brother L(someone we meet annually).
I was very surprised that my brother was willing to share his troubles with L.

L gave suggestions to my brother.
"At your own pace, try surprising yourself each day/week/month. Your emotions and mental state will slowly find its original positive state."
"For example, why don't you try serving the dishes to each separate plates to everyone?" (an act which all the other cousins had taken turn to do)

My brother did.
Much to everyone's surprise.

very important reminder

I was inspired by a friend to play dress up. (we were all very eager trying to find ways NOT to feel depressed )
I went to the fitting room, trying out the XL outfits that were on sale.
They were very pretty and reasonably priced.

"Ha ha, for the first time, there's an advantage for being BIG!"
She shared my humor too. I absolutely love this cutting

This color is nice but doesn't show here due to the yellow lights in the fitting room. I was too shy to step out.

Felt good about myself but I didn't buy any.

Baby steps... baby steps..

This brought me back to my old post http://teasips.blogspot.com/2007/07/its-my-first-time-venturing-job.html#links

I have been pushing myself to go out and do things.

Yesterday, after a two-hour Facial (bought online at discounted price) , I went to O'Brien's to have their famous Tripledecker sandwich which was on 50% discount.

I was very tired when I got home but I don't regret going out.

Need to do more things.

I desperately need to 'live'...

This pretty bookmark was given by co-worker. She bought it on her Cameron Highlands vacation. She brought delicious strawberry chocolates to the office too.

A friend bought a book for the group to read.
Something about managing anxiety and panic attacks.
I thought it was very sweet of her to have us in her thoughts while shopping for herself in a book fair.

Another friend brought chocolates for us, each individually packed with variants.
It's hard not to be impressed and touched by the thought and time put into the gifts.

My dear friends,

Thank You.

I was browsing the support group's attendance book.
I noticed the handwriting of a member who has stopped coming for a long time.

"He has very nice handwriting!"
The person next to me agreed.
His penmanship was really uncommonly stylish.
I began to recall his demeanour during sharing time.
He reminded me of my primary school Headmaster.
He couldn't really express himself, but you'd know that he is burdened with a heavy heart.

I continued staring at his handwriting, while silently wishing him well.

LOOK at the camels first and then read the message below. This is a picture taken from directly above these camels in the desert at sunset. It is considered to be one of the best pictures of the year. When you look closely, you can see that the camels are the little white lines in the picture. The black images you see are just the shadows! Sometimes, our "problems" seem to be as big as the shadows...but they are little.

My co-worker confided in me about her 9-year-old nephew who is currently having problems with stress.
We were sharing coping skills that have been tried and tested, and how devastating mismanagement of unstable emotions can be.
I was very eager to share with her a real case study, a friend who was severed by mental illness but finally found his way to overcome it.
At the height of my eagerness to prove the authenticity of this story, I revealed to her that I was hospitalised in the ward before.

I don't know if I was being too trusting or simply careless.
But I do trust her.