Lookout for Rainbows and Stars

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." -- Dolly Parton

"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." -- Vincent Van Gogh

"Yeah we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun." -- John Lennon

"When you share your light, you live in a brighter world." -- Mary Spio

Oh, btw, if you like the above poster, please click here to visit KLOSH. Look  for Wall Decor under Home & Living at www.klosh.online

Photo credit: www.klosh.online

Let Your Dream Grow

Don't Uproot Your Dream; Let It Stand and Grow Up!

Let PINK Inspire You With "Try"

"Try" as sung by Alecia Beth Moore, who is better known by the stage name Pink, is stirring and powerful. It was written and composed by Ben West and Busbee.

Image Credits: Vevo

An extract from the lyrics of "Try" is as follows:-

"Funny how the heart can be deceiving

More than just a couple times

Why do we fall in love so easy

Even when it's not right

Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame

Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned

But just because it burns, doesn't mean you're gonna die

You gotta get up and try, and try, and try

Gotta get up and try, and try, and try

You gotta get up and try, and try, and try"

This song may well inspire you to keep trying even when you have been hurt in a relationship or venture; to keep on trying even when you don't succeed at the first or even after several attempts. The hurts may remain (for a while more), but your resolve must not diminish. 

Keep listening to "Try". Better still, sing it like you mean it until you really get it. And, your subconscious mind is thus set in motion to work for you and not against you so much so that you no longer see yourself as a failure like a bird with a broken wing.

The images from the dance choreography would help you to identify with your struggles and prompt you to steel yourself to keep on keeping on. 

According to www.songfacts.com, "The Floria Sigismondi-directed video features shots of a paint-covered Pink and her male counterpart expressing their frustrations through dramatic dance moves, choreographed by the Golden Boyz. (who have worked with the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears) and stunt choreographer, Sebastien Stella. It was inspired by the Apache dance, a highly stylized Parisian street performance."

You may have to pivot and look at things from fresh perspectives, or make some adjustments to your approaches, say, by seeking first to understand more about that someone or your target audience/market before you are, in turn, understood and celebrated.

Yes, there are obstacles and maybe even risks to your endeavours, but there are also payoffs when you do eventually succeed, if you don't give up. 

As PINK would have you know, "You gotta get up and try, and try, and try."

Of Donkey's Flute and Rain Cheque

When you use two different words side by side, it is fun to note that they will transcend their respective literal meanings. Here are two idioms which I have came across, recently.

A donkey's flute is best played in your own private space like a bathroom or bedroom and perhaps out in the open faraway from people, for goodness sake. 

However, when a person (I would like to think that it's only the men) could help it but still persist to proceed with a full-blown blowing of his nose in public (e.g. during a meeting), we may well say that he is like a jackass playing his 'flute'.

In general, who wouldn't mind receiving cheques in the mail? 

A rain cheque, on the other hand, is a polite form of saying that you are declining the current invitation but would make good on a future occasion. 

Have you asked for a rain cheque or taken a rain cheque, recently?

Incidentally, according to Free Online Dictionary, a rain cheque ("rain check" a la American English) also refers to:

"1. A ticket stub entitling the holder to admission to a future event if the scheduled event is canceled because of rain.

2. An assurance to a customer that an item on sale that is sold out or out of stock may be purchased later at the sale price."

It is good to know that when it rains, be it literal or figurative, all is not lost. You can count on a rain cheque. Check this out!

Twelve Cupcakes for Every Day and Season

Click here for more of Twelve Cupcakes. 

Why twelve? Well, they serve twelve everyday flavours, and their founders former radio DJ Daniel Ong and Miss Universe 2001 and TV personality Jaime Teo, think that 12 is ubiquitous -- 12 numbers on a clock, 12 months in a year, 12 holes in a muffin pan, etc.

Sugru - the world's first bendable glue

I am a little late to the party -- just got wind of Sugru today. 

(Photo credits: Sugru.com)  Jane Ni Dhulchaointigh - the inventor of Sugru

As gleaned from its website:-

"Sugru sticks permanently to lots of stuff like  ceramics, glass, metal, wood, and most plastics and fabrics. Just push it onto something, then it’s time to build, seal, fix, create and stick things together. You’ll have 30 minutes to get the job done.

(Photo credits: sugru.com)

Give it 24 hours, and Sugru turns into a durable, flexible silicone rubber that stays stuck (unless you remove it)."

Click here to check out Sugru's amazing properties, applications, and join this community of users. Oh, and remember to take note of the precautions, as well.

May you have a blast of refreshing ideas and really useful fixes as you delve into Sugru world.

Persistence Beats Resistance

"Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success." - Napoleon Hill

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." - Calvin Coolidge

"A great leader once told me 'Persistence beats resistance'. And after working at Facebook, Intel and Microsoft and starting my own company, I've learned two major lessons: All great things take time, and you must persist no matter what. That's what it takes to be a leader: willingness to go beyond where others will stop." - Noah Kagan 

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

One day a garden snail hitched a ride from a giant tortoise. They came by a slug who was also keen to take a ride.

By the by when the slug was settled on the tortoise's back, the snail quipped, "Hang on tight. This tortoise is really fast!!" 

Choose To Be Happy

Do not be like sour limes with smiles turned down.

Image credits: City Harvest Church

Stand out from the crowd like an orange with a smile from ear to ear that brings sunshine and positive energy (liveliness) to your sphere of influence.

Smile and the world will smile with you, too.

"Your wrinkles either show that you're nasty, cranky, and senile, or that you're always smiling." - Carlos Santana

"A smile is happiness you'll find right under your nose." - Tom Wilson

Best Salmon Porridge in Singapore

Long John Silver's is pretty well known for its food fare, particularly seafood such as fish and prawn. They serve awesome chicken and french fries, as well.

Their recent spread of breakfast deals is a refreshing option for hungry residents of Singapore. 

Their salmon porridge is simply the best that I have come across and it's a steal at S$4.90 (inclusive of hot coffee or tea) considering that a cup of hot beverage at a fastfood joint would costs at least S$2.00, if not more, at last count.  

The portion of porridge served is generous and as with the chunks of stir-fried salmon. Yes, you can eat to your heart's content. For garnishing you have a selection of ginger, shallots and spring onions. Additionally, you may wanna add S1.00 for 2 soft boiled eggs.

And, you get to stomach a priced-in cuppa, as well, to help you get started for the day.

N.B. It's available for a limited time. 

The Sound of Christmas

Christmas 2016 is just 12 days away and the time to enjoy this festive season (and a spiritual one at that for Christians) would be now rather than on the day itself.

And, aside from the feasting, gatherings, shopping, Christmas services, charity givings and so forth, this is also the time to listen to Christmas carols and songs.

Here are just a sample from YouTube for your refreshing:-

1) Winter Wonderland / Don't Worry Be Happy - Pentatonix (ft Tori Kelly)

Pentatonix is a surprising discovery for me (better late than never) and their acapella-style will put a smile on your face with added finesse from Tori Kelly. 

2) Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- Christmas Canon (video)

J. Pachelbel's Canon in D is renown the world over and this rendition will not disappoint as it stretches and sketches the depth, height, width and immensity of Christmas.

3) Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You 

This song by powerhouse songstress Mariah Carey will help you reflect on those dearest to you during this Christmas. (Daily Refreshing wishes that you would be home for Christmas with loved ones.)

4) Gayla Peevey - I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

This song was recorded way back in 1953 and sung by Gayla Peevey at age 10. It is whimsical yet commendable as she negotiated her way through the song with earnest patience and conviction. This is one tall order for Christmas!

5) O Holy Night - Hometown 

Be blown away by the singing of Hometown -- the next biggie after One Direction(?), and be drawn into the divinity of that first Christmas which was heralded by the Star of Bethlehem and a host of angels.

Have a Blessed Christmas today!

Can't Get Enuf of Star Wars?

If you are still mesmerised by Star Wars and its seemingly never ending stream of movies and memorabilia, then the following spread of pewter by Royal Selangor may well perpetuate the force to be with you. Enjoy.   

Click here to explore the pewter world of Royal Selangor.

Inspiration on Finding Happiness

This is an endorsement found on a recently sighted bag which goes to show that inspiration is everywhere. 

"My best advice for finding inner happiness is to reach outside yourself, to use your talents and brains and personality to make life better for someone else. I've been on the receiving end of that, and I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that it changed my life." -- Nick Vujicic