First Cycling Experience

It was exciting to have got on the chinese road for the first time on a bicycle a dear friend lent to me. Haha! To recall back the first time when I first used the pedestrian crossing.. and after I realised that traffic control is different from Singapore.. this is one personal breakthrough.

I rode to a bookstore 30mins walk away, stopped once to buy some oranges from a peddling fruit seller to quench thirst. The bookstore had moved 2 streets further and so I rode again. I bought a photo frame, a notebook, some stickers and a badge. The journey back was as easy as going there. I stopped by Carrefour for a can of cream corn to go with an asparagus dish, and picked up a packet of prunes on the way. I picked up a packet of sweet skin duck along the way to the wet market and returned. I parked the bicycle where it was and removed my purchases from the front basket.

I like the bicycle and enjoyed the freedom of riding it on the road. I wished there can be such a provision for bicycles in Singapore too. I like also these words, by Alfred D Souza, printed on the photo frame:

DANCE as though no one is watching you.
LOVE as though you have never been hurt before.
SING as though no one can hear you.
WORK as though you don't need the money.
LIVE as though today is your last day.

Edge of the Box

Inspiration comes unexpectedly, in my opinion, most of the time. Somehow I had been waiting for this inspiration to sweep me into writing my blog once again, not out of a 'I-ought-to' but that 'I-want-to'. So, thank you, Guo Shi, for that blog entry about us, which gave me the confidence to write again, as honestly, as boldly and as real.

I have been struggling with the writing of a newsletter for the past few months. Same issue perhaps. First, there was fear, due to new ground - new expectations, more unknowns, new infringements that brought about new breakthroughs. I dared not write too much, after thinking too much. So, why do we need to do all this, sometimes I will ask. And I remember the very words I spoke to someone, that 'everything has its purpose'. Many times I realise between 'right' or 'wrong', and 'yes' or 'no', I begin to see the reality of 'yes' or 'no' playing their roles more in the events around me. Somehow, I hate the 'right' or 'wrong'.. for I can be reminded for being wrong for saying this. I seemed to have said this before in a blog posted earlier.. Hm, why surface again. I will probably come back to this again.

Well, something else to think about, I am going to cook nasi lemak this evening for friends to come. Lily's blog had been such a blessing to me, inspiring me to cook. She made it so simple for people like me. :)

Night Dreams

Last week, a friend shared her dream. She saw herself and a friend driving down basement of 30 over levels, of which there are probably 50 over. Perhaps something to do with her flat search.

And then I recalled having a dream on the same night too. A bug with wings and a body like that of the cicada (which I remembered seeing being eaten deep-fried by some local Chinese). And I saw a hand plucking the wings off.

如‘遇见大圆满’

现在已到这儿也有38天了。回想之前到今天，我才明白信心的能力——可使一个以前从不善常使用华语的我也开始改变了。这也是我感到非常意外的呀。。

来到了这个称为‘神州大地’的土地有一个像回到家特殊却熟悉的感觉。尤其是当知道外婆在12日过世后，有时会想她以前在家乡的生活到底是这么样的。。又如何会离乡背井，到新加坡去。这一切我深信都是已经安排好的。我在新来临的一年里，盼望我们家能在这计划里一同成长。我们爱，却需要跟多的力量。

现在最需要的，就是可以把一些美好的体验记录下来，与亲爱的朋友们同享！最后，想分享刚购买到的一本独特书刊——(2003) 谢尔*希尔弗斯坦(Shel Silverstein) 所写的‘失落的一角遇见大圆满’。

网址：http://www.shelsilverstein.com/

Heartlanders

Having spent much time at home, I took a walk at our neighbourhood park this morning. The usual crowds of housewives who did their morning stretches and martial strokes. It is strange to feel so relieved of all responsibilities I had to bear and there seem to be a void.

I sat on the swinging bench for awhile and an Indian lady in her late 50s came by with her little grandson. They sat on a bench for awhile and a Malay lady also in her late 50s came by with her little grandson. I then witness something that warmed my heart: The Malay grandmother gave a curry puff to her grandson to offer to the other young lad. And the Indian grandmother helped her grandson to receive. They sat together for awhile and the Indian lady got off and left with her grandson, leaving the Malay lady and her grandson to themselves.

posted on 5 March 08, 11:40a.m.

'Who Moved My Cheese?' (1998)

Last night, I picked up this book (written by Dr. Spencer Johnson) and the more I read, the more determined I was to finish it before I go to bed. In the parable, of all the 4 characters mentioned (Snif, Scurry, Hem and Haw), I could very much identify with Hem when he faced a change.

More There are also interesting variations for the Chinese, for e.g. 'Chinese People Eat Cheese?--Who Took My Meat Bun?' and 'Who Moved My Rice?' :D

Storms

Someone 'foretold' I will go through a storm. I was apprehensive, having realise in all certainty that all things are possible with God. With that, I did find myself in a storm indeed, the battling of winds and waves in my head, losing heart.

I am glad, however, in the midst of this storm, I saw clearer the weakness of men (generic). Perhaps it is just the stages or seasons we are at. It shows how limited we can be. I have no doubt that we do need God - to know Him as He is.

The storm seems to have calm down; with rays of light shining through the soft drizzle.

Grandmother was admitted to the hospital last night, this time at NUH. I will go visit shortly. Must remember to bring my umbrella along.