Live Life SimpLe

Last weekend, I went back hometown for Qing Ming, a day to commemorate the ancestors. The clouds were thick, merely allowing the sunlight to seep through its stoma. I could feel the morning breeze gently touching my cheeks. While heading to our destination, the radio was playing songs from the oldies. The feeling was so chill and relaxing. I saw people starting to move their stuff from the cars while others busy cleaning the graves.

Soon we arrived, and then we went straight ahead to work. We cleaned, we prayed and we burnt. Slowly, I saw thick smoke all around. There were noises of fire crackers and people began to fill the place. I had to give my conscience a break, as the day seemed like a legal 'open burning day'. People burnt anything they could and it's everywhere. But that's just the tradition. And we are part of tradition.

We got stuck on our way to another destinations. In total, we had 10 graves to visit. Then, the sun decided to show up bravely. It was really a scorching hot sun! I kept sweating and sweating. The roads were disorganized. It wasn't like that last year but this year was a total mess. Cars came from both ways when the road was so narrow.

At one point, we just sat in the car for more than 30mins not moving. Here, you can see this guy supposedly directing the traffic was actually speaking on his phone!

Anyways, we did it like last year. To quench our thirst, a jug of icy cool fanta was all the relief. I don't know why I am talking on this topic but the moment when I saw the people around and the songs on the radio, I felt as if the world is so imperfect and this imperfection has made me realized that my handicap is nothing but part of the imperfect world. The people whom I saw were real people who were not pretentious but themselves. They were just simple people living in a simple way. Unlike most urban folks, they were genuine and nevermind the colour of the skins.

The weekend off from work was so essential that sometimes we need a reality check. Going back to our roots and realize who we are and what we want. Perhaps, this is the life I am looking for; perhaps, life has become more and more complex that being simple is no more ordinary.

Food is the RewarD..

When I am tired working overtime, I always find something to reward myself. Afterall, the hard work should always be paid off. So, I always find myself deserving tasty but not necessarily healthy food. Just to spoil myself abit.

.

I used to have this craze for fried chickens from CKF company, ehem. And also ice-creams from Dmc. Most of the time, I got exhausted from working overtime, and the first thing in mine was to resuscitate my GIT system aka stomach. So, I would drop by these convenient fast food stalls for a quick dinner. I know it isn't healthy but for once a while, I guess it would not do much harm.

Last week, despite not taking much food during the day, I wasn't feeling hungry. I wasn't even feeling to eat at all. But thinking that working overtime, as the norm I should reward myself with fast food, I bought 3 pieces of spicy chicken. Guess what. The next day, I came down with diarrhoea and a burning stomach. So, the moral of the story is... listen to your heart and most importantly listen to your stomach. If 'he' is upset, do not stuff 'him' with spicy stuff, hehe.

.

Anyways, I found a nice and interesting place for a quick dinner. The place is cozy as well, serving fish and chips with cheeeese. The price is not that expensive in view of its happening location. By the way, I still find Aunt Anney's (name changed) pretzels so delicious although it's a lil pricey but really worth it!

Hmm... it's all about food. So, how do you reward yourself?

I am Tired but it's PAY DAY!

Yeay! I am so tired but it's PAY DAY! At least with some consolations, I could go to bed tonight with a little smile, hehe. On top of that, I received gifts from a friend who is leaving the town soon. Very nice self-made card with a comfy towel. I thought it was a teddy bear at first! pheww...

At a certain point in life, we would have to leave the familiars and dip into the unknowns. Many things ahead of us are so unpredictable. Afterall, life is an adventure. So, no matter where you are, no matter how unsure you are, do not lose yourself.

While browsing through the newspaper over the weekend, I came across a very meaningful article: Our Four Wives. I find it very simple yet enriching. It describes a person as a whole. To cut the story short, try visiting this webpage whenever you are free to know yourself better: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/3/23/lifefocus/18099645&sec=lifefocus

Okay, until then.... write more again!

Knock on Heaven's DooR

When I looked into his old frail eyes, I couldn't help but thinking how long more the clock was gonna tick by. Perhaps, it's just minutes away. I was speechless while gazing at him gasping for his breath as if every breath was his last. I knew it was so wrong to think otherwise.

I started asking, what's playing in his mind. What would he be thinking at the very last second of his breath. Family, life, sins or simply comfort away from pain. Last evening, the daughter was having teary eyes and the wife almost cried looking at him. They kept asking how long would he be alive. Who would know but HIM. The anticipation of sending a loved one away was horrendous. What more the stress that he had to go through in anticipating his own departure.


Looking at him gave me another boost to appreciate life. Last week, the egoistic uncle that I mentioned earlier had passed on. I saw him well, I saw him sick, I saw him recovered, and I saw him went downhill but I never saw him leaving. His look is still so freshly played in my mind. I still could remember the feeling of his coarse hands, the look of his handsomely combed hair and his funny egoistic nature.

I don't think I am being sentimental but I certainly feel that I am growing to be more humane. I learnt so much through life. And I do believe each of us does. It's just how we interpret our experience through our journey of life differently.



I came across this song called "Knocking on heaven's door". Find it very simple yet meaningful. I felt it so much so that I had goosebumps everytime I listened. Knock, knock, knock on heaven's door..

Chuck A dAy?

This is very funny. Try looking at the lyrics while he sings:



My colleague just insisted that this is gonna be funny. Well, it really is!

To be Respected is to Respect

The 'POLITICS' fever has come once again. And due to the recent local political tsunami, this issue will last for quite sometime. I am not sure of my stand. Everytime I look in the newspaper, I feel as if I have been alienating myself from the world. I am somehow immersed into my job where skin colour is not an issue anymore.

It's really disheartening to read about racial dishormony due to struggle of power. I mean, life is so much better if we treat each other equally. I really have the priviledge to do so. And I find it so much comfortable and that makes my job interesting.

Perhaps the mentality of people differ. I find the people who live in the rural area respect others most. They are friendlier and treat you like part of them. It's different from the ego-centric urban folks who think they know more than others and subdivide standards among their peers. ( I don't mean all of them...)

The Chinese saying always goes: One mountain is taller than the other. You can never be the smartest and being smarter doesn't give you the right to look down on others. I am merely speaking based on my own experience. Perhaps someone would like to correct this statement but that's how I feel. I do respect others at my work place and in return I get respected, and that's what HARMONY is all about.

So much so about politics. I glanced through the newspaper yesterday and this caught my attention. CALL TO STOP SELLING JUNK FOOD TO KIDS. I know kids have the right. But do they have the judgment of deciding what's good for them and what might complicate their health if they don't watch out. This is all back to parenting and health education.

The population of obese people is shooting up due to the affluent lifestyle that we practise. But the implications towards health are tremendous. I know it's easier to talk than do. The health of body and mind is ours. I have seen many people suffers from obesity. People always look back and say, "If only I could prevent this,...." but again it's too late. But for many, there is still time to start eating and living healthier.

Last thursday, I have decided to buy a pair of new shoes for work. It's more of a sport shoes. To me, it looks really odd when dressed up with my working clothes. Nevertheless, I put the comfort of my feet first because I know my health is more important coz my work involves alot of standing. These two cute feet are mine, ehem.. and if I don't take good care of them, who will?

I found a very cozy place for dinner. This is just a typical coffeeshop-looking restaurant. But the oldies music and the terrace have added a special touch to the atmosphere. Chicken rice and noodles are their specialty. Really cozy especially after a long working day and it's cheap! Perhaps I will speak more at other time.

It seems like a long entry this time. Well, I've just recovered from 2 hrs of sleep last night and then I grabbed a McFlurrrrry on my way back home. I think I deserve a lil treat this time, hehe.

If I would ever Care..

Every morning when I passed by her, she would give me that look. A sweet silent smile from afar. It was like watching an 8-year-old kampung girl being curious and looking every move that you were making. I would shout a HI! and then she would turn red and shy. So cute and innocent.

He was an egoistic man. He wanted everything to be done his way. He thought he was all the time right. But when it came between him and me, he could only give me a boring glance when he was out of words when reasoning with me. He would ultimately listen to me. But at times, I would just please him by agreeing with whatever stories he made. Though he looked stern outside, he was afraid to sleep alone, hehe.

When I held her hand, she would tell me all the pain she had. When I pat her shoulder, she would release a loud cry and hold my hand closer. She's like a baby. When I said, ok ok, she would pretend to cry a little. When I ignored her, she would go to sleep.

He saw me from afar, he would call out for me. I couldn't miss out on this cos he was all the time trying to catch my attention. He spoke in Hokkien and Cantonese even though he was not a Chinese. Everyone would look at us as if we were neighbours in Chinatown.

The night came, she would yell. She was paranoid that people were not treating her well. When I was around, she would pull me aside and tell me her personal stories. She had an uplifting soul as she smiled to me all the time. She made me feel that I was part of everything. But she left without me noticing but I'd always know, someone is looking after her.

Sometimes I wonder if these people I met now would come back into my life once again. They are really elderly people with many many stories kept behind their lil closet. Though time is against them in this world, I do believe there will be one fine peaceful place, where once again we will be meeting again.

Perhaps, they will show me a smile and hold my hands like how I held theirs. Perhaps, they would listen to me like how I'd listened to them. Perhaps, they would cover me in warm blanket like how I'd cover them. Do the same to others, and they'll do the same to you :o)

The Vote that Voices the Leaders

The election for 2008 is finally done. I have the priviledge this year to cast a vote. I have to say that it's a fast and easy procedure. Everything went so well and it took less than 10 mins. The night was a surprise one. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears while watching the tv when the results were read out time to time.

At this time, the oppositions were coming back fierce. They won many areas which were not expected. And there were big shot ministers who were not able to defend their seats despite being there for so many years. I wonder if the people were starting to get frustrated with the existing system. It's a revolution. A peaceful revolution.

Now that we are heading a whole new government. Let's see if the new government can provide a better service to the people. I particularly cross my fingers.

1am

The clock just struck 1am. I woke up suddenly realizing that I was sleeping on the couch. I had not eaten much the whole day but a bowl of soup. Quickly, I woke up and walked towards the kitchen looking for food. I wasn't feeling much of a hunger. My lethargy had in fact overwhelmed my hunger. Nevertheless, I need to get something down into my GI system.

I was very much deprived of sleep last night having to work, and it quickly kicked into my system that the first thing I arrived home was knocked off to sleep. I planned to wake up for dinner but I guess, it's more of a supper now.

After having a bowl of self-made noodles, I feel much better. Having said that, my eyes are burning and compelling me to retire to bed soon.

As calm as the sea. The wee hours of the day is always so quiet and chill.... till the sun rises again.

I see darkness in the night

While switching on the pc tonight, the lights suddenly went off. There was a blackout! It felt as if my sight was stolen away for a moment. I could hear palpitations from my chest. Then, I smelt something was burning. I was worried! There was noise here and there. The chillness slowly creeping under my skin and along my spine. I sensed there was something not right.

Slowly I got my way to the main power box and switched the power on again. For once, I was really afraid of losing my eye sight! In fact, I always thought that eyes are the most important asset for everyone. Eyes let you see the joy that this world can offer. Eyes let you see the colours of the rainbow and beautiful nature that surround us.

Previously, I was a volunteer for the MAB, an association for the blind. It disturbs me that some people do not have the opportunity to read as reading is a source for knowledge. And to read, these blind people need a special medium called braille, a type of printed writing read by feeling it with your fingers. So, it's important to have many reading resources/materials converted to braille so that these people can learn things that we are learning.

Anyways, eyes to me are important. I can't imagine living in the dark. Though recently I have some problems with my eyes, I still keep my fingers crossed so that my eye sight will last forever as it may be. I'd like to write a poem about eyes and appreciation of being blessed with proper vision. Nonetheless, I am too tired this time to think of one.

Perhaps, if anyone would like to contribute one, kindly do so by posting it in this comment box. Then, I shall have it written on my next entry.

Until then..keep eyeing on this blog ;o)

My next destination..

People say, plants at home are good for the environment. I have a small lil plant. It grows so well. That young greener shoot outgrows the rest in just 1 week time. There is one more catching up soon.

.

It's always nice to be surrounded by plants. I can't wait for another holiday to some places with lots of plants...mmm perhaps chiang mai, with lots of small hills and waterfalls. I was there backpacking sometime ago. I like that place alot coz it's so cozy and cheap!

.

One more place I'd really like to visit is putou island in China, a very sacred place full of legends.

.

What bout you?

Life's but a journey..

When she put a lil' cry in front of me, my heart melted instantly. She was like a small lil' baby asking for attention. I put my hand on her left shoulder and comforted her. Then, slowly but loudly she told me, .. pain, pain..., while pointing to her back and stomach. She was 80 yrs old and had hearing difficulty.

I know that I have been talking about these old people lately. I have been working with them very closely nowadays that I didn't realize, I had bonded with them. I've learnt so much from them. And I learnt that there are so many things in life that I should appreciate and be grateful of. On the contrary, they started listening to me and make me like a friend.

My aunt's brother-in-law had just passed on. He was 72. I saw him 5 days ago in the hospital and he was well although he had a stroke. But things didn't went well. 3 days ago, he slipped into a coma and yesterday, he was gone. Life is so vulnerable. You never know what's gonna happen next. I don't know but tonight, I am especially disturbed. I have mixed feelings of every bit of life. Perhaps, it's the time of the month when the hormones go haywire, hehe.

Perhaps, my mum isn't feeling well these days. While my dad won't spell out his problems if he had one. I am kinda worried. I don't know why but I am just so worried inside. I want to help but it's not easy because they won't listen and I have no idea how to pursue as I am also busy with work.

Nevertheless, I put my hands together and pray for their health. Money can't buy health and even more, money can't buy family.


I could hear the rain outside now. I start to have phobia when the night rains. It's a sign. Somewhere, someone is leaving. Some people say that life is like a stage. But I'd say that life is a journey. Life goes on when we keep on breathing every second.