Have tea with the President? President of what?

That was exactly what my husband asked me when I called to tell him that we're having tea with the President.

I don't blame him. I tried very hard not to grin like an idiot all day and understand, REALLY understand, that this conversation to accept an invitation to tea with the President actually took place.

OK, here's what happened: I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting President S R Nathan (yes, the President of Singapore) and his lovely wife on a few ocassions where I had hosted events over the last few years.

They have been nothing but friendly, unassuming and so genuine about meeting and talking to the legions of people they must meet everyday.

It's a well-known fact that President Nathan and Mrs Nathan are doting grandparents so I decided to give them a copy of What Sallamah Didn't Know.

And I did it before I could change my mind, because that little voice in my head kept nagging me, "What do you think you're doing? How good do you think your little book is? Good enough for the President? Please."

Now of course, I didn't expect to hear anything from the Istana. It was really just my gift to two such lovely people that I had the chance to meet.

I figured, good enough or not, my intention was to share my mother's story and one of my passions (writing) with two people I like. That was it. No expectation of any returns.

So picture my jaw on the floor when the Istana called to invite my husband and I to tea with President! I'm still recovering from the news. (And still grinning like an idiot.)

Well, that's it for this post. I'll save the after-visit post for later :)

Gosh, you never know what would happen if you just took a chance, huh?

(In case you think that sounds familiar, check out The Secret and The Attractor Factor. Yes, yes, I've been re-reading my old books again.)