After a week of shopping, eating and clubbing, it is nice to spend some quiet time rotting at home before heading to KL tomorrow. Last night was especially nice watching Live The Dream, with my hubby coming in occasionally to stuff me with some chocolates.  Bliss. 

After watching Live The Dream, I question how many of us dare to dream and actually live the dream?  It was funny to watch a seventy-four year old man singing in a talent contest show, just to live his dream for a few moments.  Why not ?Watching TV’s Live The Dream relates me to the movie Dare to Dream.  It inspires us to dream our dreams.   

For me, one person that really impressed me to “Dare To Dream” is Adam Khoo.  He has inspired and motivated my dearest nephew, Augustine to greater success in his studies. He is very passionate in teaching and has taught Augustine the desire to achieve what he wants and to reach his goals. Augustine’s Dare To Dream has been very encouraging.  He moves on to new challenges with courage and confidence every single day.   

My dream has always been to open a small restaurant or cafeteria selling coffee, pastries and muffins.  Food has always been a passion for me.  My entrepreneurial journey needs lots of guts and drive. I believe I will live my dream someday.     

Recently, I am not sure if I am suffering from writers block. Perhaps, it is due to lack of sleep, willpower, or inspiration; I just can’t seem to have the urge to blog anymore.  Also, I have been extremely busy. I was very alert and happy this morning.  I met my good friend @ Vivo city, but she was late for 30 minutes.  While she and her car were stuck in PIE, I was enjoying my cup of latte.   After 30 minutes of my latte-drink, my right knee started to “bother” me.  Out of blue, my right knee cap was painful.  I was wondering what happened as I was perfectly OK this morning.  Then my good friend told me that the pain was due to the latte or coffee that I was sipping.  But I did not quite agree as I drink coffee daily.I related my knee pain condition to my hubby this evening.  His reply triggered my thoughts.  He said that latte is 1/3 espresso, and 2/3 milk.  He reinforced the fact that coffee does not cause the knee pain.  It is our body reaction that causes the pain.  He said it is not the coffee or latte but my body chemistry.  The alkalinity and acidity of my blood determines which drinks and food I should put into my body.So if your blood is alkaline and you drink coffee, your body should feel fine.  If your blood is acidic and you drink more acidifying food and/or coffee with/without sugar, you are going to feel low in energy and fatigued.  It may affect your health and well being too.  Therefore if you are addicted to coffee, latte and cappuccino, check your blood pH with your doctor first.  It is not the coffee or latte but your body chemistry. 

Our 1st pilgrimage trip to Kathmandu was really an amazing and blissful experience.  The best part of the whole trip was we got to witness the enthronement ceremony of Venerable Tulku Tenzin Puntsok Rinpoche and meeting up front with Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Khenrinpoche, followed by pilgrimage to the holy sites in Kathmandu valley. 

1^st Holy site -Swayambunath Stupa or the

Monkey

Temple  This nickname was given due to the large community of monkeys surrounding and guarding the hillside and temple.   We had a long climb to the top, but worth it to see Kathmandu

Valley’s oldest and most sacred shrine.  It was in the middle of the day when we sat foot on Swayambunath and it was also the best time to visit as we could see that this holy place was not just a tourist attraction but a very active shrine.  Swayambunath was so crowded with many tourists.  Of course we could take a taxi and drop us at back of temple and save us climbing 300 stairs, but we missed out on that fun.    We managed to climb up the steps to the top of the Stupa – a climb that was even more challenging than the Great Wall of China. According to the legend of this Stupa climbing up without stopping - cleanses us of so much negative karma it automatically assures us of a good rebirth and eventual enlightenment.  Hey, we made it.  Rejoice !!

NOTE: Swayambunath Stupa is listed as a World Heritage Site.   

2^nd Holy site -Boudhanath, Kathmandu

Our third day in Nepal was spent exploring Boudhanath.  We visited the temple of

Boudhanath, the colossal Stupa, one of the largest in the world. It was awesome.  The Stupa is huge and has the all seeing-eyes of the Buddha by king Mana Deva.  As we circumbulated the colossal Stupa, we could not but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony and quiet happiness.   Also, the smiling faces of the Nepalese, the rich culture and their warmth were forever imprinted in our memories.  It was a pity that we did not walk our way to the top of the Stupa, as the buses were waiting for us.Again, we could not but be overcome with great positive energy coming from the glow of the Stupa.  Our rooms in Hyatt Kathmandu faced the excellent view of the Bouddhanath Stupa.  Hyatt Kathmandu is located directly opposite the Boudhanath Stupa  ( to be precise - it is on the same road ).   

3^rd Holy site -Pharping (Mother Tara Shrine)

On our fourth day, the whole group visited Pharping.  We arrived at the New Treasures site early in the morning on buses from Kathmandu.   Arriving at this legendary place was almost overwhelming. The site was so beautiful, so peaceful, and so holy.This is a place of Enlightenment.  Again, we had to climb the steep steps in order to reach the holy sites.  It was challenging, fulfilling and fun with the camaraderie of more than 350 people from Nepal, Tibet, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, USA, and UK.

Although our trip was just five days and four nights, we enjoyed this amazing country very much.  For sure, we would like to visit Nepal again to explore more of its history, culture and people.  

Visiting Kopan and Kathmandu have transformed our minds and hearts.   My hubby and I felt that we were one step closer to divinity.   We also found the right balance between spiritual practice and daily demanding routine.   Just like the 80/20 principle.   

The recent headline caught my attention; my thoughts immediately started revolving around all fruit juices that are making “phenomenal” sales as the latest health fad takes off.  I thought we were crazed about Pomegranate juice a few months ago, as we have been stocking few bottles during our weekly shopping at the supermarket. The juice was so popular due to its antioxidant ability and it contains potassium too.Just when we begin our “love affairs” with Pomegranate juice, another juice (Bilberry juice) are found in the supermarket.  Bilberries is said to be good for maintaining sharp vision and the repair of tissue cells and blood vessels.While we are on the subject of berries, another  well-known

Berry surfaces.  The Goji Berry Juice – used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine and soups. Goji Berries are known as “the Super fruit”.. Also known as wolfberry, this fruit native to

China has long been known for its tonic effects, especially on vision, hormonal system and the brain.

Goji Berry contains polysaccharides, which stimulate the immune system. Goji also has the highest concentration of carotenoids, especially beta-carotene, of any plant in the world, making it a powerful antioxidant.

 With all the juicy benefits, no wonder they are making “phenomenal” sales in Singapore. I am wondering why the mangosteen juice has also became the new big thing among the health fanatics.  I asked: what’s so special about mangosteen juice that  costs as much as $68 a bottle?   Yup, mangosteen has chock-full of xanthones.  The xanthones are found mainly in the fruit’s husks.  The husk is usually not eaten due to its astringent taste. So are we still taking mangosteen juice for $68 a bottle?Yup, I will.  I’m a huge fan of  Mangosteen. It reminds me of another version of rambutan that my husband loves it so much (he introduced me to this tropical fruit on our several trips back to

Thailand).  And since mangosteens are in season.  I’ll find time to make some Mangosteen juice myself.  It tastes better with my own creation. It is a healthy drink supplement.  Drink more and you live longer and live healthy !!!  

 

The first two week of July has been pretty busy. Apart from attending a three-day course in Traffic Mastery Workshop, I have been swamped. I met up with a close friend from Harvard

University, ran a couple of errands, and had my medicals done.  There goes my two week!    Caught all the latest nice movies and I must say the funniest was Shrek3 and silliest was Spiderman3. I always thought he was the silliest superhero ever actually.  Fantastic Four  was a very creative movie. The biggest attraction was the Silver Surfer and Jessica Alba (the invisible).   Ocean 13 – was good but not that great.  It’s all about revenge.   Quite frankly, I broke my record by watching more than 2 movies in a week, which I never had the luxury to do so before.  I am trying to spend more time on my blogging since my domain took off 23 June 07.  This is a significant date to me as it is my dearest brother’s birthday. Belated Happy Birthday, my babe brother. I am also trying to spend more quality time with my dearest Mummy who had a fall on 3^rd July 07.  It was a pretty bad fall as she fractured her right arm and had bruises all over her body.  Ouch! I can imagine her pain.  We started to sob when we saw our dearest Mum in that condition.  I stayed with my Mum @ Mt. Elizabeth Hospital for one evening as she was alone in a 2-bedded room.  I am happy that my endearing Mum is recovering well at home now.   

At this moment, I am reading up on  The Art of Happiness  by Dalai Lama. It is a wonderful book.  It reveals how one can find balance and complete mental and spiritual freedom.

I will be shopping for a Nikon or Casio digital camera so that I can upload my pictures in the next blogging entry.  What the heck, I lost my digital camera in Bangkok.  We were rushing to another venue and I left my Nikon in the cab.

 

I am writing my first blog since my domain (www.dorislive.com) was born on 23 June 2007.  It might be just a domain, but for a few brief moments, I was experiencing the simple joy of achievement.  It was my passion, that I started this journey. 

How it began. My turning point started, after attending the WIS Singapore on 26-29 May 2007. I decided it was time for me to store and showcase my writing.  For a Business Professional for more than 23 years, it is second nature to keep a record of my work, which is my writing.  My training in Mass Communications also came in useful.  However, something critical was missing; I didn’t have the technical know-how to develop a Web site.  At this moment, I am sharing my thoughts, and my anxieties buffered only by moments of optimism throughout this journey of bringing my first blog into the marketplace.   

The prospect of blogging is fun, amazing and interactive. I can share my passion and my interests with the world.   However, to be an expert blogger, it is an entirely different ball game.   I have so many considerations. (1) what type of blog I want to start, what to craft my niche topic, (2) what type of skills I need to develop  (3) how to build a thriving blog,  (4) how to be responsible for my own content and (5) how to take charge of my own personal cyberspace and my own time.  Then, you must be wondering why I became a blogger.  It was my endearing nephew, Erwin who introduced me to the world of internet marketing.  I would say he is the driving force behind my excitement.  He shares with me the great gurus’ names at the WIS Singapore. I was so inspired by Tom Hua, Brett McFall, Jay Abraham, Mark Joyner, Stephen Pierce, Ewen Chia, Armand Morin, Mike Filsaime and John Childers.  Because of their valuable presentations and amazing financial results, I won’t have any excuse for not “joining” them.  They are awesome; these guys are talented in their own niche.  That evening, I took action. I could not wait to showcase my thoughts, my ideas and my experience.  Hence, www.dorislive.com was developed a month after the WIS Singapore.   

Perhaps, it is also my belief that I can leverage on my business skills even though I know nothing about Word Press and simple programming.  Besides my passion in writing, quite frankly, I love to tinkle with PC too.  Even with my limitation, I forged ahead with my blogging journey.   As I mentioned earlier, I have limited knowledge on Word Press and I do face frustrations navigating around the Word Press platform.  I wish I have the ability to work on my domain on a technical level as I need to  ‘tweak’ my blog from time to time.   Anyway, one thing that really motivates me most about blogging, is that the world is a big market place and blogging can be very interactive, very fun and very entrepreneurial too.  I believe my passion in blogging will take me to another level.  Hey I am doing what I love to do. With patience, time and commitment, my business project will take off. Last but not least, it is good to share our passion, knowledge, interests, and experiences, especially the inspirational ones.   

Hi, my name is Doris Tan,

I’m passionate about blogging !
I’m also an avid reader, enjoy good food, love watching movies, love singing and travelling.

I would like to welcome you to my blog and I will be sharing some reviews about food, movies, travelling and what’s under the sun.

Do remember to bookmark this page as I will be posting tons of resources,tips and reviews on interesting articles at DorisTan