Posts

Yuna

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It has been 3 months and not one day has gone by without missing our dear Yuna. You left us so suddenly and the quietness in the house had become deafening. Through the journey with us for 10 months, you have filled the Chan household with incredible joy and amusement. You’re a fast learner, and so good with simple commands. You spend most times sleeping, chasing flies and checking out our every human movement of the day. You specialise in peering through the window pockets longingly, waiting for some attention or treats and catching our sympathies with your heart melting whines and pitiful eyes. I never imagined myself being so attached to a dog, given that I spent the least time playing and interacting with you, compared to your Pawma. I guess it’s because I work from home a lot and got used to your daily presence. You’re a real ball of joy and excitement, always sniffing out food and guarding patiently at the kitchen door every evening when we prep your dinner. You sit like a ...

Behind the smile

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  Behind the sweet smile. It took close to an hour to get my 91 year old mum-in law dressed. I would say it required team effort, together with the help of her grandson and granddaughter. We laid the new clothes on her bed. In between the process, she will ask a host of questions or make seemingly valid comments.  Why do I need to change ? This is not my clothes. Let me go to the washroom first. I don’t want to change ! (looking at you in fear and holding tight to her clothes she’s wearing) What is wrong with what I’m wearing now ? Have you cooked dinner ? (walking out to the kitchen and opening the pots and pans) It’s getting late. If left on her own, she would have folded the prepared clothes and hung it back neatly into the cupboard and walked out of the room to take a cup of water, oblivious to all that had taken place seconds ago. Yes, it is true and real for someone who struggles with dementia. Every second is a whole new activity or event. They hav...

Unexpected U-Turn

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  It has been a while. It was a bright and sunny day on a Tuesday morning🌞as I made my way to attend the MC1 State of Company event organised by Reapfield Keller Williams, a real estate organisation whom I am part of. The phrase it has been a while has taken a whole new meaning the past year, in the light of the global Covid-19 situation. So it has been a while since I had the privilege to hop onto a LRT train 🚉 . At 8.15am, there were only a handful of commuters. Working from home is still a norm for many. I was grateful for the minimum crowd.    The U-Turn I knew the station I had to get off at, but as I was standing near the train door, the refreshing view of the Petaling Jaya terrains caught my attention. My mind decided to switch to a wandering mode towards the list of things I had to do that day. Very typical of me and a weakness I constantly battle with each morning as I arise.   Long story short, I missed the station.😅😜Jolted back to real...

Watch Your Steps !

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With the considerable amount of time spent at home these days🏠, even the stairs catches your attention. At least it caught mine. 😁  I  realised that the two flight of stairs are different. (yes, after staying here for more than 20 years)😅 We never really take note of how we go up and down the stairs.  I began to appreciate the open riser stairs and the closed stairs. Interesting notes I gathered from an interior design article which states "Whether designing a residential or commercial staircase, open risers are a consideration for creating an open, well-lit space.  With endless design options, they can be incorporated into both straight and curved staircases for interior and exterior projects." So let’s take a step back and appreciate your in-house manual lift with a new perspective. For those who live in condominiums, perhaps it's time to hit the stairs for some much needed exercise !😀👟 On a side note, if you are on a look out for homes this year or...

When was the last time you used a pen?

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Those days…. A pen was an important marketing tool for real estate agents, especially so when you need to seal a deal. It’s amusing I have encountered many who have asked me for a pen when they realised they didn’t have one during those crucial “closing moments”. Be it during a form-filling process or signing of documents for clients. Even strangers in government departments reached out to me for a pen. These days…. Fears have taken hold of our minds during the pandemic season. A pen is no longer a welcomed tool to save your face or deals, it is treated almost like a diseased object. To be safe, most rather use their own. I am sure you would to.  The truth is …. Well, for those who know me well, I always carry a pen in my handbag. Not one exactly, I have a variety of multicoloured pens. Blue, purple, black inked pen (non-smudge type), red pen and even a highlighter! I have a permanent marker pen kept in the car too. These 13cm (average length) tools comes in handy when ...

FLOWER POWER

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There is a saying that goes, "a picture paints a thousand words." True to that, for those who are easily captivated visually.  Would you agree that to some the joy and thrill of receiving flowers paints more than a thousand words? It can even melt the hardest heart.  Let's smell some flower power facts : 🌸 Warms the hearts 🌹 Brings a smile 🌼Adds sparkle to your eyes 🌺 It gives hope 🌻 Lifts up your spirit You will be surprised that flowers has the power to mend relationships too. At least it has a some percentage of contributing factor !  If you are looking for some simple, fresh and unique customised flowers to spread some cheer, try checking out Spring Bouquets Florist  ! A flower resource specialist, adding a special touch to your celebrations and occasions that speaks louder than words.   Nothing beats a personalised gift from the heart. Go make someone feel special today !  Have a flower-ful week !

3+1 Meal Plan Tips For Busy Mums

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EVERYONE CAN COOK ! Cooking to some is therapeutic and I can’t agree more. For others it is just a need and necessity for day-to-day family survival. As the saying goes, you either eat to live or eat to live.  During this pandemic season, the increased need to have home-cooked meals can be a daunting task, especially for busy mums who are juggling work and caring for the children.  Thinking of what to cook and what groceries to buy is a very time-consuming but essential task. But did you know you can save time by practicing meal plans?  Whether you are a seasoned cook or just starting out on your kitchen adventure, I hope you will find this helpful and motivating. This serves as a general guide for married couples or those with family. Choice of food items and ingredients are flexible according to your own family needs, health conditions, cultural beliefs and influences. 1.        Plan Ahead  Over the...

What’s the Rush ? Prospective tenants that may spell trouble !

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Picture this.  As a real estate negotiator you have been given the responsibility to market and advertise the properties given by the seller or landlord. So you happily place the relevant information on the available property platforms with the aim to generate enquries. One day, you received a call. A really serious prospect in search of a home urgently.  As part of your due diligence, you screen through the prospect as best as you can and concluded that he is a perfect fit to rent the property. You then excitedly inform the owner and all the transaction process was concluded within two days, including collection of full deposits and signing of tenancy agreements. Case closed. Tenant moved in. Landlord is relieved that the property is finally rented out to help with loan repayment. And of course as the closing negotiator, you are rewarded with your agreed professional fees. Moving forward 4 to 6 months, you get a frantic call from the Landlord.  Distressed over u...

Kindness of a stranger

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As I had a deadline to complete and needed a distraction free space to work, I decided to park myself in a family owned café that serves delicious home cooked comfort food in a cosy and warm environment. I was caught up in my work from the laptop,   asking God for some inspiration for a content write up, then the   café owner hurriedly came over to me with her mobile, and asked me “ how do you spell company ? “. It was obvious she was trying to whatapp a message to someone but was having difficulty with English. I asked her in Cantonese dialect what message she wanted to convey and without hesitation I spelt out every alphabet as this over 60 year old lady tried very hard to follow as she focused on her mobile keyboard.    I admired her persistence, wanting to get the message across despite her lack of fluency in the language. It turned out that her friend was experiencing discomfort in her body and needed to check into the hospital. As a concerned friend,...

Human Watch - The heartbeat of Real People, Real Estate

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Like it or not , we are being watched everyday. By head hunters, by people in the street, neighbours, marketers, and even by the driver next to you during a traffic light stop. Closer to home, our lives are an open book in the presence of our family members. When it comes to business, do you truly know what makes your customers tick ?   It could come in the form of an uplifting word, a gift, a kind gesture, consistent updates, or just being present with a listening ear. Sometimes by watching and observing people, it reminds us that we too are human. And recognising  we are individually different in colour, character and values, discovering and connecting well with our customers is an essential part of any service industry. So how do you make Human Watch happen ? Just 3 simple IDK steps :       1) Identify Watch Areas Identify your target locations. Prospecting areas and get familiar with the neighbourhood and its surroundings. Don’t...

BALLOONS !!

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At the mention of the balloons, it brings a sense of delight and joy . One can almost hear the squeals of  laughter and delight of children piercing through the crowds in a shopping mall, at a marketing event or during an exciting party fun in the comfort of your own home. To some, it reminds them of fear. The trauma of experiencing a balloon accidentally popped in front of your face can leave a great impact on the faint hearted. On one ocassion, I had the opportunity to hold on to a bunch of colourful balloons, it took a step of faith to pose a picture with it in a public place but I did it anyway. It could be a once in a lifetime experience. In fact, it does brings a sense of liberation while holding it. Looking back, it reminded me how our lives is so much like a bouquet of balloons. 1. It is light and filled with air 2. It can burst any time without warning 3. It can fly away if you intentionally let it go 4. It can bring joy and comfort to children and adults alik...

A Hidden Gem in Petaling Jaya

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  A Hidden Gem in the heart of Petaling Jaya   Tucked away in the quietness of Gasing Heights, this beautifully renovated Maxwell Tower is yours to call home in Section 5, Petaling Jaya. *Spacious space of 1861sf  *3+1 rooms 3 baths  *Tastefully equipped with quality fittings  *Breathtaking view of lush greens and well kept forest  *Beautifully landscaped pool area that will refresh your mind and soul *Owner has put in much care and detailed efforts to maintain the home. Nestled in neighborhood of Bukit Gasing, Maxwell Towers is well surrounded by several amenities. Just about 10  minutes of walking, there is SMK Taman Petaling. Besides that, there are SK Petaling Jaya, SMK Petaling and SRJK (T) Saraswathy nearby – which are reachable within minutes of driving.  Assunta Hospital, MBPJ Hockey Stadium, Arena Rakan Muda and Jamek Sultan Abdul Aziz Mosque is also within close proximity. Maxwell Towers is well-served by a number...

There is Strength in Silence

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While browsing through the news, I came across an article on a book review called Quiet Power by author Susan Cain. I was immediately drawn by the content that struck a cord in me. Let me share an excerpt from her book Quiet Power. "Being introverted is not something to outgrow. It is something to accept and grow into, and even cherish.  The more you notice how special your introverted qualities are, and how some of the things you like best about yourself are probably connected to your introverted nature, the more your confidence will flourish and spread to other areas of your life." Get to know more about the author in  Quiet Revolution You don't have to be loud to make an impact in your home, organisation or community. Embrace your uniqueness.

Simple Things In Life

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It was a typical school day morning, except that nature decided to pour down showers of rain, which have been quite frequent of late.  After the children have gone to school, I settled comfortably on our sofa (which I rarely do) looking out the door, admiring at how interestingly the rain drops drizzle down the mango tree leaves, onto our car and how it makes such beautiful splashes of art onto the cement porch floor. Some trickled down slowly onto the flowers. There was just a light and gentle breeze, enough to bring a refreshing reminder of the awesomeness and faithfulness of God. Sometimes it just takes a few minutes to capture and appreciate the simple things in life. These times can be easily missed and taken for granted in the midst of our own daily pursuits and busyness of life.  As December is drawing near, my prayer is that we will continue to reflect and learn from the past, enjoy the present (yes, with the challenges and all, reminder to self too...

Power Of Entrepreneurship - Jennifer Wong

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Owners, buyers, tenants, clients, loans, lifestyle, integrated, exclusive, connectivity etc, one can’t help but connect these words to REAL ESTATE. Reapfield is no stranger in the real estate industry. As the real estate company of choice, it p ortrays a professional and structured agency where training and customer service is paramount to the success of the company. It has received numerous awards of recognition as the trusted real estate agency of the year.  Its mission is to honour God, provide service, to train, equip and empower individuals to excel in their profession as real estate professionals. Currently there are 13 branches across Klang Valley and holding the fort as the Chief Executive Officer of Taman Sea Branch (Ss23, PJ), Jennifer Wong shares her humble journey. Jennifer knew there was something more she could do to bring her life into the next level. Having served the corporate world for many years, and holding on to the dream and aspiration of becomin...