I'm not sick, Just a bit unwell

When things don't get right, many of a time we just stop there and stop pursuing what's left. While contemplating on the future, I often asked, what if it didn't turn out as planned? Do I really wanna go all out? I have no answer for that. For many instances, like last evening, I was preparing to go to the pool for a swim as the weather for the past few days was unbelievably warm. I was even all out on Thursday to check if the pool was gonna open, and it surely did.

But when the time came, the rain started to show. It was unbelievable. I waited and waited finally it stopped. Then my lil heart was whispering, shall I head to the pool? But the sane side of me was saying that nobody would care to open the pool after a rain, not especially run by these lazy morons. But I was adamant. I didn't want my plan to be screwed by the weather. I went, and ended up didn't get to swim. Speaking of life, it's so unpredictable. But should I let one event or maybe more in my case, to hinder me from going forward?

I came across an article about one courageous young woman in the country. She is Yvonne Foong. I don't particularly speak on one courageous human but this is really something raising the eyebrows. Being diagnosed with neurofribromatosis Type II and having 7 surgeries to remove tumours in the body didn't stop her from fighting for her dreams. Unlike others who lament on their handicaps and expect sympathy from others, I have respect for what she is doing, to raise her own funds for her next surgery! She is having hearing impairment and risking for visual impairment, thus needing more funds for her surgery.

She writes and sells her books in order to raise funds. Go and read on her full story here and decide if you wanna lend a hand. I have yet to read any of her books as I have just come across her story today but I'd like to know more about her. You can also go to her website: www.yvonnefoong.com

Now, who can say that they are perfect?

Back and running again..

Back from the long holiday break! Yes, very much exhausted. Gonna start working again. Until then, have a nice zzzzz....

Sailing

Come and sail with me...

The rain...

.... has once again revisited us today after a long break. It was really a welcoming weather. As much as we welcome the weather, there was so much to be done before myself taking a break to go back and see everyone. So yes, guys, I am coming back. What happened to be a holiday has become' almost' a holiday since I was asked to do some favours back home later. My choice of a holiday is being laid back by the beach or savouring a cuppa chocolate by the calm surroundings, may it be in a cafe or near the road side. OR simply backpacking around the town, stopping by the Mc D for their cheap sundae, ahaha... Oh yea, the trip of the year was in the philippines and yes, the pic above was taken there.

Whatever it is, I just want everyone to put on a smile on their faces. I am too tired to imagine how it's gonna affect me later. Today we had the choir competition again in conjunction with the English day in the office. The powerpuff girls team seemed to be more prepared and I was literally touched by their song, I am sailing....I am sailing... ( i think from rod stewart if I was not mistaken). It was the right choice and they really performed well. So, kudos...

There is still so much to do in the office. Yes, this is perhaps another channel for me to lament abit on work besides grumbling at the staff. I need a break and I know the coming one is not really a break per se. I wanna go back packing once again, maybe to a cooler climate place. Or going back to school again. Until then, keep dreaming...

People won't learn from mistakes

Boy risks life to save drowning girls. So the online news said. Irony but it's true. This article was celebrating the 12-year-old hero who went to save two drowning kids aged 5 and 4. The photo even shows the smiling faces of the kids and an adult. Wait. Before you get too absorbed at this hippy yippy thing, take a moment, and ask yourself: why in the first place the kids were drown in the river? Aged 5 and 4. Aren't any adults supposed to supervise these kids. They got it well this time, cause they met this guy. Well, we have a reason to celebrate now but what if...what if that guy who tried to save the kids was drown in that event as well? Would that change the whole headlines all together?

People never learn. Not till this story was reported in the news. How could we encourage this things to happen when it's an obvious human error/carelessness? It's portraying as if we got "2 miracle kids and a hero boy" and all that's the reason to celebrate. People who read this piece of article would definitely misguided. There's actually a lesson to learn behind this. No, not being brave. But we as an adult should play our part to keep the safety of our children away from dangers. Time and time again I went for talks, I stressed it out to people, the kids are not a burden or an item, they are our responsibilities. They don't choose to be born to this world. You brought them here. So stop smiling after looking at the kids were saved and then forget bout the whole event until the next "real" drown occur somewhere else.

People just don't learn their mistakes. I felt embarrassed when telling this to the mothers and fathers, but again it's a desperate plea. I don't know how much this will change the society's attitude but I am trying. I don't know if I was doing the right thing but it seems like people are just not interested and dunno. Trust me, I see more than many people. Life can be salvaged if you gave it a chance. I am not trying to impose any thoughts or believe in others because I myself is confused coz I just realized that something I believed all the while was actually a tale imposed by the aunty selling fish in the market. She's making up crap stories! And people started believing it and imposing them to others. What a messed up life huh? Why are we human not able to differentiate what's right and what's not? Yea, you are rite. We are just normal ordinary human. But is that an excuse good enough to prevent us to live a better life? To create a safer and better living environment for the kids and the people?

Like the theory of the sandals that I created before, the sandals can't function if the stripes were torn. It needs more people participation to make things right. This afternoon I specially arranged a talk for the fellow colleagues so we could learn something from the expert as to manage the work better. Letters were sent out. Expert was so prepared but the time came, none of the colleagues from other institution turned up. Isn't that a total let down? When things turned ugly, people would just accuse of each other but indeed, they were given the chance to standardized the system but people were just not interested.

Okla. You might start thinking, chill... take a deep breath, things will be ok. I know that. A cuppa milo since morning lasting till after office hours gets you crappy at times. And yes, I was a lil crappy, ahahahaha... the assistant who were actually fasting got so stressed out. Poor lady. Oh yea, we are having a poster competition this week. Public will start voting. Will try to post some pics later.

Weekend

It's weekend again. Another day to chil outl a bit. Sometimes being alone can be real relaxing, not having to follow anyone's pace. Yesterday while doing a jog in town, I felt so much peace. There were so many questions playing in my mind. I have this habit of thinking alot whenever I was alone doing nothing, for instance when I had a driver driving me to some far locations, jogging, lying on the beach or near the river, etc. There won't be an answer but it simply came to the conclusion to all the questions whether I like what I was doing at that moment. I guess most of the time I would put up a smile in the end of the thinking session and that's really a grateful remark.

This morning, I don't know what drew me to it, but I started reading on politics which is going on in the country. I am not a big fan of politics here. But everytime I read the local news on the internet, it breaks the heart (er... yea, it's that fragile, ahaha). What seems to be harmony 20 years ago was no more existed today. I remembered living in a multiracial neighbourhood and people were nice to each other. We played with each other and went to houses celebrating occasions together. It's just a simple neighbourhood with simple people practising simple cutures. Now, people are going even more backwards than 50 years ago. You have once again a place where there are majorities and minorities. I thought the DEB supposed to scale out all the differences and to arrange a better mixture of races in all places? Nevermind, but now there are some of these majorities not allowing the minorities to even have their own temple built in with the excuse that they are the majorities. What a shallow and selfish thought. There is just too much YOU and ME, but where's WE and US? Ok, full stop.

When I was in the kitchen this afternoon, I realized the front sandal stripe just gave way. So, basically, the sides are still intact. I tried using it as hard as I could. But it still didn't work. It's so difficult to move around! That again hit me. The leader is really important in any organization. Even how well and intact/loyal the side stripes are (the servants), without the front stripe (the leader), the sandals are useless. So, if you want to correct the roots, start from the top. If you have a lousy leaders, buy another pair of sandals, ahaha... is that easy?

Well, we had the choir session last Friday at the office in the effort to improve the English proficiency among the staff. I know I know it sounds dictatorial, but it's for everyone's welfare. I don't get paid extra to do all these extra non-working related stuff. But I am glad that everyone participated and so obedient. The purpose of this event is actually to build up the confidence and teamwork among all the staff. I always think that they could do better and I am also glad that it had fostered a better relationship among the staff. Or was it a delusion, ahahaha...

Ok, I will be off for a holiday soon. Gonna go back hometown for a while, but that doesn't mean an easy one. Usually that would be even busier than during my working time here. Thought of organizing a reunion with some old friends. See how la. Adios!

Recap on the community trip

Well guys...

Do allow me to share the experience which was gained during the community camp last weekend. Not much of a pictorial entry but let's sit back and chill while we go along with the trip. Come and follow me.... (ceh wa...., suspennyer)

We departed in the afternoon on the Saturday to meet up with the whole cruise at B area. Soon, we were divided into eleven 4WD cars to fetch us to our destinations. These 4WD drivers were voluntary workers who contributed their vehicles for this mission.


The GPS in our 4WD

Going through river and forest

The uncle who was fetching me was really so into his GPS as he explained so much almost the whole journey regarding how useful the system was until one point where the satellite literally unable to locate our location, ahhahaha... see how deep we went to. Anyways he was nice but drove very fiercely. That lil girl who was sitting at the back seat probably fell asleep during the whole journey coz it was really a long and taxing one.

The background forest

Ok, that boy certainly wasn't interested, hehe

The surroundings

Soon we arrived and were ushered at a huge compound where refreshments were ready but coffee was still not my cuppa drink. Gotta pass that. We arrived at the river side and found ourselves very isolated from other places. It was so quiet and tranquil. The water although muddy in colour, it was so calm. We walked down the stairs to take a clearer view and breathed in the fresh air you could never find in the city. The sunlight shining on the river reflecting upon us as if the river was full with diamonds and crystals.

River reflecting upon us. Pretty....

The house that we stayed in

We were assigned bedrooms and it was always nice of them to provide us a better place to lie on in that circumstances. The first night was rather smooth flowing. We prepared all the stuff for the following day. The moment I lied on the bed, I dozed off. Strange enough, I had the most vivid dreams that night, not really a nice one. Perhaps I was too tired but the rain was so soothing. You will find out why I say so.

Yup, that's the toilet cum bathroom. Cleaner than expected.

Th 4WD team picnicking obviously..

The next day was D-day. After a full breakfast, we started setting up booths. It was busy busy and busy. There were more than 300 people who came for the service. Then there were short of hands at the dispensary booth, so I went to the rescue, ahahaha... I was literally drenched in sweats as I didn't have time to even take more pictures during the event. People came from far places, young and old. Some needed to travel by the river while others walked for a distance. They were given foods and mainly medical needs. People were so fun and nice. Children were laughing and playing. We took turns for lunch and boy, the lunch was like so tasty, yummie...

The action goes on

Obviously, it seemed like a joke to someone that I was doing the dispensing. Otherwise, someone would really bruise her fingers and sore her throat. So be thankful instead k, ahaha...

Action still going strong

The weather was really hot the whole afternoon. Even during dinner time, I was like still sweating. We took a stroll around the village. The fruit trees were so tall. We had our taste on the local rambutans. Then we saw a villager proudly exhibited his captured wild piglet or boar. It was so quiet that the sound of the insects was only heard at night. Then slowly some lights coming out from the trees. These were the fireflies, so clear and bright almost mimicked an xmas tree.

View from top

Free haircut

We assembled once again in the hall. The certificate ceremony was held there. Then people were sharing their experiences of the day. Later the generator went off. The whole village became dark once again. I was told that they were using solar power most of the time. So I went back to the room. It was really an exhausting day. That night while lying on the bed, the moon became my only witness. The light just shone on my face and I could see the whole moon just lying there as if the sky and roof were so bare. As if I was lying in an open field. That feeling was so unreal. That night was really warm. We were turning left and right not really sleeping much.

Pretty morning dew

The next moment I realized, the cocks were coo coo-ing... It was just 5am. But we had another mission that morning. So I woke up early in order to use the not fully secured bathroom. The water was so cold. It came so natural to me that it was alright as this was so much we could get from this remote village. Again we had breakfast before departing down the stairs to catch the speed boats. Wang, Tey, Wing and me were at the same boat. Cruising along the river was really something. The view of nature and passing by the friendly waving people was so surreal. It was an experience not to be missed.

Boat trip in the nature

Eager people

We arrived at our second destination and set up booths again to provide the service for people of another village. It didn't take too long before most of the meds were supplied. Then we lunched abit while relaxing at the hall. Afternoon came and we gotta go back. Wing and me were following Uncle B's car. During the service, I couldn't get to know all of them coz we were so busy all the time and there were so many of us volunteering at different areas. So I gotta know more of Uncle B and his brothers when they gave us a lift home. Uncle B was saying to me, "I saw you in the paper. You were quite involved in the community service, ain't you?" I was stunned and at the same time excited coz who would read that local newspaper, let alone noticing my pics. "I do read the newspaper," he responded after looking at my puzzled look.

Trying to be funny.. didn't work well eh?

People coming

Uncle B and his two other brothers were so nice to us. We chatted quite alot and I could see his interest in community service as well. They treated us late lunch before sending us back to my car. Very nice people with the same mission. When I arrived home I went for a quick shower and then jumped into the bed and slept right away. It was the bestest feeling of all to be able to get home and lie on your own bed, hmm.... That night, Ray and I went for late supper while sharing my experience coz I overslept, hehe.

Yay, we did it again!

Overall, it was another nice experience. I like the boat ride. I like meeting new people, some are colleagues like Joseph, Wang, Tey and Wing. We didn't take lotsa pictures coz we were busy most of the time. I like living simple at times, taking time off from the outside world and keeping in touch with the selfless side of ours. Afterall, this world is not only all about me. It's about everyone and the nature!