An optimistic girl in search of her happiness. Learning life lessons as she grows, she found secret little recipes shared by wonderful people whom she met who teaches her recipes to a happy life. And here she is, sharing this recipes hoping this recipes can also bring happiness to other's life.

bolditalicunderlinestrikeout

IN PRISON...You spend the majority of your time in an 8x10 cell.
AT WORK...You spend most of your time in a 6x8 cubicle.

IN PRISON...You get three meals a day.
AT WORK...You only get a break for 1 meal and you have to pay for it.

IN PRISON...You get time off for good behavior.
AT WORK...You get rewarded for good behavior with more work.

IN PRISON...A guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you.
AT WORK...You must carry around a security card and unlock and open all the doors yourself.

IN PRISON...You can watch TV and play games.
AT WORK...You get fired for watching TV and playing games.

IN PRISON...You get your own toilet.
AT WORK...You have to share.

IN PRISON...They allow your family and friends to visit.
AT WORK...You cannot even speak to your family and friends.

IN PRISON...All expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required.
AT WORK...You get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.

IN PRISON...You spend most of your life looking through bars from the inside wanting to get out.
AT WORK...You spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.

IN PRISON...There are wardens who are often sadistic.
AT WORK...They are called supervisors.

IN PRISON...You have unlimited time to read e-mail jokes.
AT WORK...You get fired if you get caught.

Recipe :
"Look at the bright side...At least Mondays only happen once a week." <

I believe strongly in the saying "Everything happens for a reason."
Whatever the reason it may be, it could either turn out good, or perhaps bad.
But either way, we eventually learn something from it.
When in time of difficulties, just stay strong and overcome it, as at the end of the day, something good might come out of it.
When in time of relaxation, stay cautious, as at the end of the day, something bad might come out of it too.
Whatever the results may be, it is not up for us to say.
But it certainly does happen for a reason.

A story to share :



A story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years.
One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit.

"Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.

"We shall see," the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses.

"How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed.

"We shall see," replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg.
The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

"We shall see," answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army.
Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by.
Though the son's leg was broken, he managed to care for his old father until his death.


Recipe :

"What is right in one case is not what is right in another, What is wrong in one case is not what is wrong in another." -HuaiNanZi <

I came across to this beautiful story.
A must read to all who are in relationship.
Though I know not much of what a relationship is, but Love is wonderful.
Love may be wonderful, but when Love between two ceases, Hatred will arise.
Hatred arises because of Love. Agree?
Why?
Because, we couldn't love and have the one we love for ourselves. So we hate.
Time heals for sure.
Always remember the happy moments you shared with your loved ones.
Life is too short to waste.
So, appreciate always everyone whom you think is important.


Piya married Hitesh this day.
At the end of the wedding party, Piya's mother gave her a newly opened bank saving passbook with Rs.1000 deposit amount.

Mother:
"Piya, take this passbook. Keep it as a record of your marriage life. When there's something happy and memorable happened in your new life, put some money in. Write down what it's about next to the line. The more memorable the event is, the more money you can put in. I've done the first one for you today. Do the others with Hitesh. When you look back after years, you can know how much happiness you've had."

Piya shared this with Hitesh when getting home. They both thought it was a great idea and were anxious to know when the second deposit can be made.

This was what they did after certain time:

- 7 Feb: Rs.100, first birthday celebration for Hitesh after marriage

- 1 Mar: Rs.300, salary raise for Piya

- 20 Mar: Rs.200, vacation trip to Bali

- 15 Apr: Rs.2000, Piya got pregnant

- 1 Jun: Rs.1000, Hitesh got promoted

.... and so on...

However, after years, they started fighting and arguing over trivial things.
They didn't talk much.
They regretted that they had married the most nasty people in the world.... no more love...

One day Piya talked to her Mother:

"Mom, we can't stand it anymore.
We agree to divorce.
I can't imagine how I decided to marry this guy!!!"

Mother:

"Sure, girl, that's no big deal. Just do whatever you want if you really can't stand it. But before that, do one thing first. Remember the saving passbook I gave you on your wedding day? Take out all money and spend it first. You shouldn't keep any record of such a poor marriage."

Piya thought it was true.
So she went to the bank, waiting at the queue and planning to cancel the account.
While she was waiting, she took a look at the passbook record.
She looked, and looked, and looked.
Then the memory of all the previous joy and happiness just came up her mind.
Her eyes were then filled with tears.
She left and went home.
When she was home, she handed the passbook to Hitesh, asked him to spend the money before getting divorce.

The next day, Hitesh gave the passbook back to Piya.

She found a new deposit of Rs.5000. And a line next to the record:
"This is the day I notice how much I've loved you throughout all these years. How much happiness you've brought me."

They hugged and cried, putting the passbook back to the safe.

"Life is about correcting mistakes."

Recipes :
Secret recipes to a healthy relationship :

1. Always be honest with your partner about everything. Only with honesty, will the relationship work. "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything."-Mark Twain

2. Remember, no one in this world is perfect. Learn to accept both strengths and flaws of your partner. " When you struggle with your partner, you are struggling with yourself. Every fault you see in them touches a denied weakness in yourself." Deepak Chopra

3. It is always good to spend more time talking. As it helps to strengthen the bond between you and your partner. "Someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings." -Miles Franklin

4. Give yourself sufficient time to think over what you want to tell your partner when you are angry or bad mood. Many times, you end up saying things you don't mean to. Words you choose, the way you speak are the the main determination of your relationship. Either stays or an end. "Trouble is part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you enough chance to love you enough." Dinah Shore

5. Never forget to compliment your partner for even the smallest things he/she did for you. I believe everyone loves to feel appreciated. "Little kindness and courtesies are so important. In relationships, the little things are the big things." Stephen R. Covey

6. Apologize. Doesn't matter whose fault it is. When you apologize, it is not that you are weak or afraid, but rather, he/she is just that important to you that you only want happy moments in both your lives. "Apology is a lovely perfume; it can transform the clumsiest moment into a gracious gift."-Margaret Lee Runbeck

7. Forget not to stay intimate and close always. “People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.”-Joseph F. Newton

8. Never assume! If something turned out wrong, always ask before you judge. "Assumptions are the termites of relationships."-
Henry Winkler


"Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something. They're trying to find someone who's going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take." -Anthony Robbins

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Ticket Excuse

A man was driving home late one afternoon, and he was driving above the speed limit.
He notices a police car with its red lights on in his rear view mirror.

He thinks "I can outrun this guy," so he floors it and the race is on.
The cars are racing down the highway -- 60, 70, 80, 90 miles an hour.
Finally, as his speedometer passes 100, the guy figures he can't outrun the cop and gives up.
He pulls over to the curb.

The police officer gets out of his cruiser and approaches the car.
He leans down and says "Listen mister, I've had a really lousy day,and I just want to go home. Give me a good excuse and I'll let
you go."

The man thought for a moment and said, "Three weeks ago, my wife ran off with a police officer.
When I saw your cruiser in my rear view mirror, I thought you were that officer and you were trying to give her back to me!


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Sorry cartoons, for not updating often.
I was sent this story and thought of sharing it with you all.
Since some of you already plan to marry and have kids (*Ahem our crab)
This story was originally Chinese.
Sorry for my bad translation.
Just so you get the idea of the story.
Enjoy.

我那上国中的女儿，她同学都管叫她23号。
My daughter was dubbed as number 23 by her classmates.
她的班上总共有50个人，而每次考试，女儿都排名23。
The reason is because every time when there is an examination, among the 50 students, she is ranked 23rd in her class.
久而久之，便有了这个雅号，她也就成了名副其实的中等生。
As time passed, this became not merely a nickname but also a reality. True enough that my daughter is indeed an average student in her class.
我们觉得这外号刺耳，女儿却欣然接受。
Even though this nicknamed jarred on our ears, but my daughter accepted and said nothing about it.
老公发愁地说，一碰到公司活动，或者老同学聚会，别人都对自家的'小超人'赞不绝口，他却只能扮深沉。
Whenever a company event, or friend reunion is held, parents will be singing their children's praises for their talents and achievements. As for my husband, he could do nothing more than feeling disappointed and dull.
人家的孩子，不仅成绩出类拔萃，而且特长多多。
Their children not only they excel academically but also,each are gifted with special talents.
唯有我们家的23号女生，没有一样值得炫耀的地方。
It is only our number 23 daughter who doesn't have anything that we could be proud of.
因此，他一看到娱乐节目那些才艺非凡的孩子，就羡慕得两眼放光。
Whenever she happens to watch any entertainment TV programs that shows incredible stunts performed by people of different talents, she couldn't help but to admire with utmost happiness.
后来，看到一则九岁孩子上大学的报导，他很受伤地问女儿：
One time, my husband came across to a news that showed a 9 years old girl, who entered to one of the local university, and he asked our daughter softly :
『孩子，你怎么就不是个神童呢？』女儿说：
"Daughter, why are you not a saintly child?" and our daughter answered :
"因为我爸爸不是神父啊!』 老公无言以对，我不禁笑出声来"
"This is because my dad is not a Father(catholic)." My husband was speechless and I laughed softly.
中秋节，亲友相聚，坐满了一个宽大的包厢。
During one Mooncake Festival, relatives and friends from all over gathered together.
众人的话题，也渐渐转向各家的小儿女。
Everyone was busy mentioning about their children's achievements.
趁着酒兴，要孩子们说说将来要做什么?
In their cup, parents started asking all their little children:
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
钢琴家，明星，政界要人，孩子们毫不怯场，连那个四岁半的女孩，也会说将来要做电视的主持人，赢得一阵赞叹! 15岁的女儿，正为身边的小弟弟小妹妹剔蟹剥虾，盛汤揩嘴，忙得不亦乐乎。
"Pianist!" "Actor!" "Member of a political party", shouted all the kids without hesitation. A little girl as young as 4 years old said "I would like to be a TV host". She caught everyone's attention and praises. As for my 15 years old daughter, she was busily helping other little kids to clean the prawns and served soups to the guests.
大家忽然想起，只剩她没说了。
Then they noticed that everyone was asked except our daughter, and thus quickly asked her what her ambition is.
在众人的催促下，她认真地回答：
Everyone was impatient in wanting to know her answer. And then, my daughter finally answered in a serious tone :
"长大了，我的第一志愿是，当幼儿园老师，领着孩子们唱歌跳舞，做游戏。"
"When I grow up, my first ambition is to be a kindergarden teacher. I want to guide little kids to sing, to dance and to play."
众人礼貌地表示赞许，紧接着追问她的第二志愿。
Although not very impressed by her, every one still praised her with respected expression, and asked :
"What about your second ambition?"
她大大方方地说：
And she said whole-heartedly :
『我想做妈妈，穿着印叮当猫的围裙，在厨房做晚餐，然后给我的孩子讲故事，领着他在阳台上看星星。』
"I want to be a Mother, wearing a Doraemon apron, making dinner in the kitchen, telling stories to my kids,accompanying my kids to watch the stars in the balcony"
亲友愕然，面面相觑，不知道该说些什么。
Every one listened and got the shock of their life. They look among themselves, not knowing what else to say.
老公的神情，极为尴尬。回家后，他叹着气说：
As expected, my husband was beside himself with despair. When we returned home, he said with a sigh :
『你还真打算让女儿将来当个幼儿园老师？我们难道真的眼睁睁地看着她当中等生？』
"Are you really going to let our daughter to become a kindergarden teacher? Are you just going to sit and watch her being just an average student?"
其实，我们也动过很多脑筋。
To be frank, we have thought about it many times.
为提高她的学习成绩，请家教，报辅导班，买各种各样的资料。
In order to help her improve her studies, we hired private tutors, registered her for counseling sessions, and we even bought her numerous kind of references that she needed.
孩子也蛮懂事，漫画书不看了，剪纸班退出了，周末的懒觉放弃了。
My daughter understands the situation she is in very well. She stopped reading her comics, quit her art classes, and she even gave up her nap hours on the weekends just so she can study with those time.
像一只疲惫的小鸟，她从一个班赶到另一个班，卷子，练习册，一沓沓地做。
She rushed for classes after classes, one examination after another, revising over and over,just like an exhausted little bird.
但到底是个孩子，身体先扛不住了，得了重感冒。
As much as we want her to study, she is still young. Just a little girl. Her body could not hold much longer and begun suffering from high fever.
吊着点滴，在病床上，她还坚持写作业，最后引发了肺炎。
Even on her sickbed, she insisted on doing her revisions. It didn't took long before pneumonia resided in her.
病好后，孩子的脸小了一圈。
Upon recovery, my heart ached as her face got smaller than before.
可期末考试的成绩，仍然是让我们哭笑不得的23名。
We still could not comprehend why, despite all her countless efforts, she still ranked 23rd in her class.
后来，我们也曾试过增加营养、物质激励等等，几次三番地折腾下来，女儿的小脸越来越苍白。
Not wanting to give up, we even tried giving her vitamins, and food that we thought could help in making her performance better, however, everything was in vain.
而且，一说要考试，她就开始厌食，失眠，冒虚汗，再接着，考出了令我们瞠目结舌的33名。
In one of the examination, upon doing revisions, she could not eat properly, could not sleep properly, and even sweat uncontrollably. To our surprise, this time she ranked number 33 in class.
我和老公，悄无声息地放弃了轰轰烈烈的揠苗助长活动。
My husband and I begin putting down our expectation towards her being a genius.
恢复了她正常的作息时间，还给她画漫画的权利，允许她继续订《儿童幽默》之类的书报，家中安稳了很久。
By then, my daughter, gradually recovered to her usual schedule. We allowed her draw, to read comics that she like. To that, everyone is happy and peacefully enjoying our life.
我们对女儿，是心疼的，可面对她的成绩，又有说不出的困惑。
Though we still have high expectations toward our daughter, yet when faced with the reality of her achievements, we could not express our heart out.
周末，一群同事结伴郊游。
One of the weekend, we went for a picnic.
大家各自做了最拿手的菜，带着老公和孩子去野餐。
Everyone prepared dishes to be brought over.
一路上笑语盈盈，这家孩子唱歌，那家孩子表演小品。
During the picnic, laughters are everywhere and kids are showing their talents.
女儿没什么看家本领，只是开心地不停鼓掌。
As for my daughter who did not performed anything, she clapped all the way throughout the performances.
她不时跑到后面，照看着那些食物。
Besides that, she was running back and forth, looking after the food as it will have to be packed.
把倾斜的饭盒摆好，松了的瓶盖拧紧，流出的菜汁擦净。
She arranged the lunch boxes as it was poorly arranged, closed tightly the lunch boxes as condiments were spilling out.
忙忙碌碌，像个细心的小管家。
Just as busy as a housekeeper.
野餐的时候，发生了一件意外的事。两个小男孩，一个数理天才，一个英语高手，两人同时夹住盘子上的一块糯米饼，谁也不肯放手，更不愿平分。
When we were having our dinner, something happened. 2 little boys, one a mathematic genius, another an English expert, both picked on the same piece of biscuit at the same time, and neither one of them wanted to let go nor share that piece of biscuit.
丰盛的美食，源源不断地摆上来，他们看都不看。
Even when sumptuous mouth watering food are continuously served, but yet was not heeded by the 2 little boys.
大人们又笑又叹，连劝带哄，可怎么都不管用。
The adults tried their best to advise them but nothing came out to it.
最后，还是女儿，用掷硬币的方法，轻松地打破了这个僵局。
The argument ended when my daughter got their agreement to yield that piece of biscuit to the winner of the coin game, "head and tail".
回来的路上，堵车，一些孩子焦躁起来。
Good times will always come to an end. It was a bumper to bumper traffic on our way back, and little kids are starting to feel agitated.
女儿的笑话一个接一个，全车人都被逗乐了。
To make the atmosphere lighter, my daughter started to entertain us with jokes. Everyone felt delighted.
她手底下也没闲着，用装食品的彩色纸盒，剪出许多小动物，引得这群孩子赞叹不已。
My daughter used the colorful paper from our lunch boxes to cut out numerous shapes of animals, and all the little kids were impressed by her art work.
直到下车，每个人都拿到了自己的生肖剪纸。
By the time we reached home, every one has their own little paper cut zodiac.
听到孩子们连连道谢，老公禁不住露出了自豪的微笑。
Everyone couldn't stop thanking her, and my husband could not help but to smile.　　
期中考试后，我接到了女儿班主任的电话。
After my daughter's midterm exam, I received a call from my daughter's class teacher.
首先得知，女儿的成绩，仍是中等。
The first thing that I was told was my daughter's result. It is still the same. Neither bad nor good.
不过，他说:
However, she added:
『有一件奇怪的事想告诉我，他从教三十年了，第一次遇见这种事。
"There is something that I want to tell you. I have been teaching for the past 30 years and this is the first time I encountered such thing."
语文试卷上有一道附加题：你最欣赏班上的哪位同学，请说出理由。
There is an additional question attached to the exam paper, stated "Who do you admire most in our class? Please state your reason."
除女儿之外，全班同学，竟然都写上了女儿的名字。
Everyone in the class, except your daughter, had stated your daughter's name.
理由很多：
There are many reasons to it.
热心助人，守信用，不爱生气，好相处等等，写得最多的是，乐观幽默。』
She is kind hearted, she keeps her promises, she doesn't gets angry, she is easy to get along with etc, and most stated that she is optimistic and has good sense of humor.
班主任还说：
The class teacher even said :
『很多同学建议，由她来担任班长。』 他感叹道：
"Many students has suggested her to be the monitor of the class."
『你这个女儿，虽说成绩普通，可是做人，实在很优秀!』
"Even though your daughter's result is only satisfactory, however she is very outstanding in the things she does."
我开玩笑地对女儿说：
Then, I jokingly said to my daughter :
『你快要成为英雄了。』
"You are going to be a hero soon."
正在织围巾的女儿，歪着头想了想，认真地告诉我说：
My daughter who was knitting a scarf, thought for a moment and said :
『老师曾讲过一句格言：当英雄路过的时候，总要有人坐在路边鼓掌....。』
"My teacher once told me this : When there is a hero, there must be someone there to clap their hand."
她轻轻地说：『妈妈，我不想成为英雄，我想成为坐在路边鼓掌的人。』
She said softly : "Mother, I don't want to be a hero, I just want to be the one clapping hands by the roadside."
我猛地一震，默默地打量着她。
I am again surprised by her answer, looking at her from head to toe.
她安静地织着绒线，淡粉的线，在竹针上缠缠绕绕，仿佛一寸一寸的光阴，在她手上，吐出星星点点的花蕾。
She continued knitting quietly, 　　
我心上，竟是蓦地一暖。
My heart melts.　　
那一刻，我忽然被这个不想成为英雄的女孩打动了。
At that moment, I was touched by this girl who claimed that she doesn't want to be a hero. 　　
这世间，有多少人，年少时渴望成为英雄，最终却成了烟火红尘中的平凡人。
In this world, there are many youngsters who dream to be a hero but ends up to be no other than an ordinary individuals.
如果健康，如果快乐，如果,没有自己的心意，我们的孩子，又何妨做一个善良的普通人。
If we are all healthy, if we are all happy, and if don't act contrary on what we have to say, our children will all be kind ordinary individuals.
长大成人后，她一定会成为：
When my daughter reached her adulthod, she will surely become :
贤淑的妻子，温柔的母亲，甚至，热心的同事，和善的邻居。何况她是班上50名之中的23名，我们还不庆幸，还不满足?
A good wife, a gentle mother, a very warm hearted colleague and a good natured neighbor. Who cares if she is ranked 23rd among the 50s? Should we not feel proud and satisfied?
还想要更高人一等，更出人头地!那后面还有27名半数以上的孩子呢？
We want our children to be high positioned, and well succeed. Then, what about the 27 other students who ranked below satisfactory?
如果我是她们的父母，我要如何自处呢？
If I were to be one of the parents among the 27 student, what do you think I should do?
在那些漫长的岁月，她都能安然地过着自己想要的生活；她又没学坏，我作为身教言教的父母，能教养孩子长大成人，并成为社会上有用的人，就可告慰先祖，还想为孩子祈求怎样更美好的未来？
Throughout her years of life, she will be able to live the way she wanted. If she behaves well, me, as her parent, being able to educate her into adulthood, moulding her into individual that contributes to the society, it is sufficiently explainable to my ancestors. What more can I ask for her future?　　
就算她将来能当上司法官，能考上建筑师，若她心术不正，口是心非，那又有何用？
They might be a judger, they might be an engineer, but if they lack sincerity, and always saying things that are on contrary to what they really want, what good will come out of it?


Recipe :
Many times, as parents, we tend to neglect the good in our children.
Also, each child is unique.
A child by nature is good and kind.
They would never will choose to want to disappoint or fail their parents.
We cannot expect them to be what we want them to be, unless they themselves wanted it as well.
Instead of looking at what they cant be or cant do, start looking at what they can be and can do.
Help them to develop in area they are interested in from young, and they shall succeed as well.

"Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small it takes time - we haven't time - and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time. So as your child's talent and abilities."

"If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others."-Haim Ginott
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