Gifts of the world

My mum's birthday was just recently and it was quite good because she said she didn't want any presents. In the end we pampered her by letting her soak in the bath with nice salts, I gave her a back-rub, we put a face-mask on her, and let her not cook for the day.

She was really happy by the end of the day, and looked like it was one of the best days of her life. Although she didn't have any real things the next day to play with, or read, she still had the memories of what happened, and enjoyed that.

Before, I would have been sad if I didn't get any "real" presents, but now I am rethinking...

Anyway, real presents, what are they worth? A book I will read, and probably forget about soon, but a party, or a nice day will probably stay with me for longer... A book costs $20, but how can you express the price of memories?

A lot of people might agree with this idea of priceless memories but could you go deeper than that?

When you get older, don't memories expire too? I feel so sorry for a grandparent who doesn't remember her son's face. So even memories don't last the test of time. Then what does?

To me, that is heaven. God promises that Heaven will go on for eternity, and when we get there, we will also be there for eternity. This gives me so much hope, that I do have something that I can cling onto in this disappearing world.

Today, I learnt that although worldly things will pass away, God, and Heaven will last forever, giving hope to me during tough times.

Thanks for reading my blog, and please comment if you would like to ask a question, or just say something.

treebytheriver

Ideas that don't exist yet

Thanks for reading my blog.

Here are some ideas I thought I could pull off but I am too lazy. If you want to do them feel free to. I would love to buy or see the new thing!

1. A website called what consumers want.
Where consumers could give ideas to companies on how to do better. If lots of people saw what people were thinking then they could also push that idea to the company. Many voices becoming one, till the company put it into effects.

2. An umbrella that covers all sides.
I hate when it is raining. Because whatever i do with my umbrella I still get wet. Rain comes from an angle, my bag is sticking out, it reflects of the ground. To prevent this, a umbrella with dangling down sides would stop the rain coming from an angle, and protect any sticking out things! Like a bag. I would definitely buy this umbrella.

I especially hope No.1 comes into effect. Whoever makes it will make lots of money!!!

Thanks for reading my blog.

treebytheriver

Respectful relationships

Today, in Health class we were discussing what a healthy relationship is made up of. I said that for a relationship to work, everyone involved should not be selfish, and think of the other person first. As soon as I said this, every kid in the room laughed, as though I was imagining things. They said that is just old fashioned, and a stupid thought. To me what was essential in a relationship, to others was something that didn't matter! Has the relationship rules changed in the last few years?

Meet Ab & Ba. They are flatmates and friends. Ab goes into emotional breakdown for a week, and Ba helps him out, as that is what he would've wanted Ab to do to him. Next month, Ba goes into an emotional breakdown. To return the favor, Ab helps him out. It might seem like a nice relationship, with both supporting each other, but looking deeply, there is only selfish motives. There is no love. This is kind of sad. Probably, their friendship will fall apart, as Ab or Ba ask or more help than they are giving.

I can't just point out what is a bad relationship, what about a good one. Well, to put it perfectly, we all should follow God's example, which Jesus tells us. He says "Love our neighbor". He doesn't state why, he doesn't give a reason, but just to love. Love is what is important in a relationship. Through love, it will grow, and become stronger. It will be what relationships were meant to be.

Meet the changed Ab and Ba. They now know that the way they were acting with each other was wrong, and that were being selfish. Now, they don't have a motive to help, they just do. They don't have a selfish heart, they think of their friend first. However, human relationships will never be perfect. Ab and Ba had differences. They thought different on politics, TV shows, who should do the dishes, and all other things. What matters, is that they both still thought of each other.

Just to wrap up, I hope you have love in your relationships now, and that you could keep thinking of others, and not yourself.

Thanks for reading this post. Please comment on any issues you think of, or just want me to talk about.

treebytheriver

Reply to comments...

Thanks for reading my blog. Since I got a reply, I better respond! (Check the grandparent post October 1st for the question)

Grandparents hidden away in retirement villages...

I think Grandparents are not necessarily hidden away in retirement villages, but more like the whole of retirement villages are hidden away from everyone. Until my grandparents went to a retirement village, I didn't notice any around, but now, in nooks and crannies I can see their are retirement villages. They are just not visible to those who are not looking for them.

I think it would be good if there was a retirement village right near a school, so to make it natural for people to meet grandparents. They are part of the family, and love talking to people. Then they could also help with some school activities like gardening, or library. It will be a good way of giving back to the community which supports them.

Grandparents aren't something you would want to hide. With their amazing experience they are a joy to meet, in any part of town.


About grandparents becoming parents again as both real parents have to work...

I think this is quite sad, although it might be the fact that the grandparents enjoy taking care of their grandchildren everyday. Taking care of kids might be a hassle, but it is another blessing that God has given us, and we should enjoy it.

In the end, Grandparents are really a blessing from God, with their wisdom, and help.

I am a tightwad

Being a tightwad (person who doesn't spend money) is really annoying.

I love reading junk mail (I call it window shopping without the walking), and in about every leaflet I find someone that I really want to buy. iPod touch, DSLR Camera, even just a cheap book, or CD, or anything! Never going to the shops unless I actually needed something, I would have a period of time just mulling over the things I would do with my new purchase. After a while though, it would begin to seem not that special, I would see some faults in the product, or just get bored of thinking about it. In the end, I eventually give up on putting it on my shopping list and go without.

Even when I do actually buy something it takes me ages, as when I bought my compact digital camera. From when I said I wanted to buy one, to actually buying one, took me about 2 years! Not because I was saving money, but because every single junk mail would advertise a newer, better camera, so I just waited. I wanted my camera to be the best value for money. In the end, it took me one hour to actually buy the camera, only going to one store. Since I already knew what I was looking for, I just went to the counter and bought it. However, even when I was handed my new camera, I felt sick that I spent so much money. Will I like it, will it work, will it be good? Tons of questions went through my head, and I didn't even get to enjoy the euphoria of a good purchase some people feel much anyway. In the end I rented out my camera to my family members for cash, so it didn't really cost me anything anyway! Plus, my camera of 4 years now, outlasted my two sister's cameras that they bought later! I did make a good choice after all!

Reading this, you might think that I am just a person like any one else who doesn't want to spend money. But looking at my school mates, what they do with their money is, spend on snacks, spend on other fun, and spend on other things. Occasionally, they will save up for something that they want, and then buy it, but other than that there is no saving! On the other hand, what I do with my money is usually always save! I don't even think of what I am saving up for, but it is the only alternative to not spending! Lucky I did save in the end, because I had a bike crash and my bike needed major repairs, which took about half my savings.

One lesson I am learning from this little personality trait of mine is that, in the end money will dissapear when I die. No point in saving it! I keep on challenging myself to give more to church, because that is something that will benefit people.

Thanks for reading this blog, and if you wnat my opinion on anything just comment.

Bored? Then read this...

I love the holidays. They give you time to relax and to not think about school or work for awhile.

But soon you get bored of sitting around doing nothing, and want some outing.

But, outings usually cost money, or you need to be organized, so they get annoying too.

I have tons of times when I just want to do something other than my computer, get up, and do something on my own, to get me out of my boredom.

Here are some suggestions.

- If you have time make a website, or a blog. Its fun!

- Climb up a tree! Look at the world. Scare your siblings when they go under you.

- Read books! They make you smarter, and get you out of boredom for a few hours!

- Write a long email to someone you haven't met in a while. Hope that they will write back!

- If you have a dirty room, clean it! It feels good to relax in a nice, clean room, and it takes a while!

- Try and get lost around your neighborhood and then walk back home. Make sure you carry a phone just in case though!

- Write a short story on a random topic

- Take some artistic photos. Try and be creative!

- Make up an exercise routine and stick with it!

These are all things that I have personally done throughout my holidays, so I don't get bored as much.

If you still couldn't think of something to do, at least you wasted some time reading this post! Check out my other website for some tutorials to do, which only need paper! www.treebytheriver.co.cc

Thoughts on Grandparents

I visited my grandparents today. It was really fun, and they were really interested in what was going on in my life. They were really watching over me, and cared about what happened to me. It was really encouraging.

I know it might be childish, but here is an acrostic poem to my grandparents, and any other grandparents. I do give you permission to send it to your grandparents too.

Generously giving time and effort to make me grow.

Reaching out when I am about to fall.

Amazing knowledge

Never ending praise

Different perspectives on everything

Proud of all my achievements

Apple pie, and custard that is the best in the world

Reading all my assignments even if they are a bore

Ever-ready advice in any situation

Noting down everywhere I go

Thank you for being there for me

See you later!

Hope you liked it!