An interview on my mum on the book that inspired her most

Qns:What is the book that inspired you most?

Ans:There are many books that I have read since I was a child that gave me much inspirations at different stages in my life. One book has inspired me most is “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom.

Qns:Why & How?

Ans:Mitch Albom is an award-winning sportswriter. In this book, he recounts how he renewed his warm relationship with his revered mentor, Morrie Schwartz, who was his college professor some sixteen years ago.

Mitch heard about his teacher from an interview show on TV and decided to pay a visit. This visit soon turned into regular meetings - on Tuesdays, in his study, just as they used to do, back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final "class": lessons on how to live.

Albom plots Morrie's declining health, which is quite depressing, but at the same time imparts Morrie's wisdom. As a dying man, Morrie shows us how he learns to appreciate the things he used to be able to do. As readers, we soon begin to realize that human relationships and health are more important than all the gadgets, modern conveniences, pressures to get ahead professionally and monetarily combined.

From time to time, we get so obsessed with the real trivialities of life. We become lost in a fast-paced lifestyle and we stop to care. We are always in a hurry that we never think of stopping and appreciating what is around us.

This book sets me into self reflection, just as Morrie took Mitch through the weekly lesson. The many lessons include asking us to stop for a minute, breath, and remember why we are doing what we do. It teaches us to grasp the things that are really important in our lives and not to let go. It also tells us that the one thing that we should do best is to love, to love the people who have enriched our lives.

Tuesdays with Morrie helps me ponder over what matters most to me, rethink what I really value in life, and that I should live according to what really matters.

There are many meaningful quotes by Morrie in this book, which I like a lot, such as, “You live on - in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here”, “If you can accept that you can die at any time - then you might not be as ambitious as you are" and “Love is when you are as concerned about someone else's situation as you are about your own."

Village by the Sea

This is a book review on the book Village by the Sea by Anita Desai.
Here's a brief summary about the book:
In a small sleepy fishing village of Thul, four siblings have to take care of themselves as well as their sick mother. Their father is a drunkard who always goes to the toddy shop at night to drink. Hari, the only son, climbs trees for coconuts and fishes in the sea for food. Lila, Bela and Kamal help to do housework. Only Bela and Kamal, the youngest in the family, get to study.
When money runs very short, Hari runs in desperation to Bombay, where he gets a job in an eating house. He leaves his family to cope with their problems while he earns money to bring back home to Thul.
The siblings received help during the time of the crisis, so they eventually managed to pull through. In the end, Lila's mother was sent to the hospital to be treated(sponsored by a rich family), her father turned over a new leaf and Hari returns with money.
I think that this is a very well-written mordern day fairy tale and adventure story. Anita Desai writes in such a way that Village By The Sea not only introduces many themes that relates to real-life situations, but also more about India.

Confessions of a Bubble Tea Junkie

I was addicted when I drank my first cup of bubble tea - a Singaporean treat. All around Singapore you can find shops which sell bubble tea. One cup of bubble tea mainly consists of tea, tapioca pearls and syrup. If brewed properly, it can be as addictive as alcohol.
However, I must admit, it is unhealthy. (do not take it too often) But that is what most Singaporeans do right? Consume unhealthy stuff. Let us take a peek into the recipe of cup of bubble tea:
How to make a bubble tea

• 1 Scoop non-dairy powder creamer
• 1 Scoop bubble tea sugar syrup
• 1 cup ice
• 2 fl. oz. of cooked Bubble Tea Tapioca Pearls
  

1. Put hot tea, creamer and Bubble Tea sugar syrup in shaker and mix well.
2. Add in ice, cover shaker and shake for a nice froth.
3. Add tapioca pearls to a cup, and pour your drink over.
4. Put in your fat bubble tea straw and enjoy.

The most popular of bubble teas are milk tea, green tea and red tea. The non-local types are black, green, oolong, chai, or yerba teas.
One last question: Could you share your thoughts on bubble tea with me? (post it in the comment box)