And so we have watched the movie, CARS 2, a Disney-Pixar production.  

What’s my thoughts?
1. It is not as innocent as the original CARS movie – the movie was laden with the themes of spies, gangsterism, “killing” other cars, sinister motives etc

2. The sub-theme seems like an afterthought
- In the first movie, there was a strong theme centering around how a selfish and boastful car was transformed into a humble, selfless and well-loved car.
- In this sequel, the sub-theme about accepting “accepting your friend as they were” didn’t fit too well into the story

3. The number of new characters seems overwhelmingly large
- is this a ploy to get kids hooked into buying all the characters?

At the end of the day, I can safely say most children under the age of 6 wouldn’t understand what the story was about. The only thing that kept them going was probably the idea of how many of the new toys they could buy!

Its Easter time! Bakeries are selling piping Hot Cross Buns again..yummy!

In the midst of chewing your sweet spiced, raisin-filled bun, have you ever thought about the origins of your tantalising HOT CROSS BUN?

According to Answers.com, the origin of the hot cross bun was that a monk from St Albans Abbey in England made the first hot cross bun in 1361. The cross was originally just cut in, not piped on. The spices represent the frankincense & myrrh. The fruit represents the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The monk then began a tradition of giving Hot Cross Buns to the poor of St Albans on Good Friday.

In years that followed, many customs, traditions, superstitions, and claims of healing and protection from evil were associated with the buns. In the 16th century, Roman Catholicism was banned in England, but the popularity of Hot Cross buns continued. Queen Elizabeth I then passed a law banning Hot Cross Buns except during festivals such as Easter, Christmas and funerals.

In line with our earlier post on “Where is your ideal summer vacation?”, this video looks like great rustic fun for city kids!

Thanks for your inputs, Donald, Bk and Affection! I myself am thinking where to bring my parents and my own little family of three to. Tough to think of an ideal location where young (my 4 year old son) and old (my 70 yr old parents) can equally enjoy.

My son started watching a children’s program called “Wonder Pets” recently, which is fine….until he fell in love with the duck character called Ming Ming!

He absolutely adores the character and has been asking my wife for her. No, not the toy Ming Ming. Nor the books on Ming Ming, but “I want Ming Ming“!

It seems like there are times when he cannot tell the difference between an animated characters and real characters. I have even shown him how the program was made (thanks to youtube) but he still wants his Ming Ming.

Worse, there was once he asked me to be Ming Ming! (Well I must admit I like to animate characters to him myself, holding a toy etc, and making it talk to him)

Well I hope the infatuation goes away soon….or else I have to be Ming Ming in the coming days…

I am a sucker for Dream-comes-true stories.

Bring out your tissues and watch Charisse Pempengco sings with her idol Celine Dion at Madison Square.  Charisse is magnificent as is Celion Dion magmanimous. Wonderful.

“Man, alone, has the power to transform his thoughts into physical reality; man, alone, can dream and make his dreams come true”
~ Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)

I don’t know about you, but I was so so touched when I watched this.

Susan Boyle epitomises the very song she sang – I Dream A Dream – in the recent audition in “Britain’s Got Talent”

What can we teach our kids, or for the matter, ourselves about her amazing adventure?

NEVER STOP DREAMING.

PS: I seldom watch TV these days, but I am absolutely hooked on the this show after watching some SPLENDID auditions on the show’s website.

Check out my current top  4 :
- Shaheen Jafargholi
- Flawless
- Julian Smith

& of course,  SUSAN BOYLE.

PSS : For a talent-hunt show, I find it amazingly touching. Enjoy.

One of the DVDs I have at home is Madagascar (the first one).

We seldom play through the credits portion at the end of the show. But we did one day, and this was what happened…..

And here’s the REAL thing :

I actually wrote this song about 2 years back. It’s a shame I haven’t really share it much since.

Apart from procrastination, there was also a feeling of inadequacy like, “are you sure people will like this song?” etc. But I am going to throw all those feelings away and rejoice in who God has made me to be, and share the song that He has put in my heart. So what better time than to share this than Christmas Day!

So here you go! Hope you enjoy it anyway
PS: yes that’s my voice, my “need-to-improve” guitar playing, and my own editing too!

SHOW ME YOUR WAYS (Psalm 25)

Close our eyes
Close our eyes
Close our eyes to the temporary glory of men

Build our lives
And fix our eyes
Fix them on the Glory of Our LORD

(repeat)

chorus
O LORD Show Me Your Ways
Teach Me Your Paths
And Guide Me In Your Truths
For You Are My GOD
My Saviour
And My Hope Is In You Eternally

bridge
I wouldn’t be what I am
If not for you who’ve shown me the truth
I wouldn’t be where I am
If not for you, if not for you