家 -- 不是讲理的地方

If anyone were to say to you that “家 -- 不是讲理的地方”, what would you think?
Rubbish?
Nonsense?

A pair of experienced parents expressed their views on this matter and I kind of agree with what they had said.

Let me present their views in a slightly more story-like manner.

A young lady was preparing to get married.

A Chinese young lady was staying in a foreign country, not with her parents living in China. She met her heart-throb and after some years of courtship they decided to get married. She informed her parents staying in China inviting them to come over to attend her wedding. But for some reasons both her parents couldn’t make it on the wedding day. Instead they wrote her a letter as a wedding gift, wishing them to have a blissful marriage.

Just a letter? Yes, no more, no less.

However, the content written on that letter is priceless. The couple decided to have it read by their MC on their wedding day.

When the letter was being read, everyone was listening in awe. It was the quietest moment in any big gatherings anyone had ever witnessed. Through the words alone, everyone was moved by the deep love of the parents. Over the years, the impression still ran deep in their minds.

Mind you, the letter is rather long and yet I read it more than twice myself. Worth it, I feel. Equally relevant for the married, non-married, about-to-get-married, thinking-of-getting married. Haha.. Let me cut-and-paste for you…

儿：

爸妈听到你要结婚喜讯，真为你高兴，
远隔千里，我们不能参加你的婚礼，
不能在婚礼上献上我们的家长致辞，
这是我们內心的一点遗憾。
但你是我们的女儿，
相信你能理解爸妈的一份感受。
那天放下电话，我和你妈沉默了良久－－
我们的孩子怎么一下子就长大了？
后来，你妈对着镜子淡淡地说：
你看，我的白头发又多了，萍儿也该结婚了。
我数着你妈的白发，那些白发竟象许多往事，
一件一件浮上心头．你妈提醒我：
还是给女儿写一封信吧！就算是我们送你的一份新婚礼物。

兒，我们只是天底下最平凡的父母，
我们的孩子也只是天底下最平凡的女兒，
我们不奢求太多，
只是希望我的孩子踏上婚姻之路，
走向人生之旅后，能满怀感恩，
一路平安在這里給你一个我们的生活体会。

先要告诉你：家不是一个讲理的地方。
这句话听起來，很沒有道理。
但千真万确。
这句话是真理，是至理，
是多少夫妇，多少家庭（包括我们家），
用多少岁月、多少辛酸、多少爱恨、多少是非、多少对错、
在纠缠不清、难解难分的混乱中，梳理出來的一个最后结论。

当夫妇之间开始据理力争时，
家和就要开始布上阴影。
两人都会不自觉地各抱一堆面目全非的歪理，
敌视对方、伤害对方，最后只能两败俱伤。
难以多少夫妻，
为了表面的一個〔理〕，落得负心无情。
他们不知道，家不是讲理的地方，
而是温情讲爱的地方。
不用计较比强，更不是算账的地方。

那么，何为〔家〕，家是什么地方？
兒，我们年轻的時候，也回答不了这个问题；
也象许多夫妻那样，为一点小事争闹不休。
那一年为了你小叔的调动问题，
我和你妈大吵了一场，
甚至闹到要离婚的地步。
只是在那个时代我们还缺乏勇气。
直到有一天，
一位老战友在他孩子的婚礼上说：
〔希望你白头偕老，相愛永远〕时，
爱这简短的字，象春雷响在我心头。
是的，家不是讲理的地方，
家该是讲爱的地方。
爱一时很容易，爱一生一世却不容易，
这里头含许多妙处需要我们去总结和体会。

其次我们要告诉你：

婚姻是个空盒子。
你必須往里面存滿东西。
才能取回你要的东西；
你放的愈多，得到的也就愈多。
很多人结婚时，对婚姻有许多期盼，
期盼从中可以得到富貴，借慰，爱情，宁静，快乐，健康。
其實婚姻开始的时候，
只是一个空盒子。
走到一起的两个人，
一定要养成一个习惯，
去给，去爱，彼此侍奉，彼此赞赏，
日后，那个空盒子才会日渐丰富起來。

空盒子最先该放的应该是〔思念〕。
思念是一种使我們刻骨铭心的东西。
它是两个人有了肯定，有了情感，
然后進而关怀，進而疼爱的一种情绪。
〔思念〕是疲惫时通向家庭的一条小路，
是寒冷冬夜中一股暖意，
是匆忙推开家门后扑面而來家饭香....

空盒子必須放進〔艺术〕，婚姻生活中的艺术。
在婚姻生活中，需要讲艺术的地方无处不在。
生气有艺术，吵架有艺术。
有一对夫妇含辛茹苦养育了五个孩子，
其中之艰难，只有他们自己能体会。
一天，夫妻为了孩子的一件小事吵起來，
越吵越厉害，眼看不可收拾了，妻子突然说：
等一下，我要去生孩子了。
这句话，就是吵架的艺术。

婚姻的盒子中除了放〔思念〕和〔艺术〕外，
还有许多东西，都可以放進去，
这有待于你们自己去填补。
写到这里想到一位作家说过的一句话
〔你们生养他，教育他，你们的責任已尽，
而你们给他最好的礼物，是一对翅膀〕。
兒，这封信，就是爸妈送给你的结婚礼物，
我们希望你帶着我们的祝福，快乐的飞翔！

爸妈

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寒立风雪中的家
也可以非常温暖

Creative Bugs Bite…

It life is a little too bored, it may be a good idea just to look at something creative, interesting, cute.. or whatever that is (however slightly) different from the norm.

See if you can figure out the intended use of the following items.
(You may click at the picture itself to see the actual intended purpose of the creation.)

Some may say the creations can be a little 无聊. Oh well, this I’m not too sure. But I know I lack the creative to come up with anything like that.

I hope I can be more creative (in whatever sense), to add colours to my own life and/or to add flavours into the life of others. I am working hard on it. ;)

你说
是华而不实？
是无聊透顶？
是创意无限？
是新奇有趣？

我说
只要能是博君一笑又何妨？
或许能抛砖引玉也说不定？哈哈。。

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小故事、大启示
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
Don't judge life by one difficult season.
Persevere through the difficult patches
and better times are sure to come some time or later

一点矛盾 ...

她问：你彷徨吗？
我答：我很开心。
There are simply too many good things happening.
I am counting my blessings.

他问：你开心吗？
我答：我有一点彷徨。
There are many things for me to be worried about…
Do you know … ? Erm…

她问：有个机会让你到 X 学习三天。你可以去吗？你安排得来吗？
我答：我... 我 ... 恐怕安排不来。
内心两股力量在挣扎：
一者、我没有拒绝的理由。因为，那是本分事、是责任事也是一种... 。
再者、我实在很惭愧，也知道自己不够格，也不知道要如何面对... 。

我想，
人的心有的时候就是那么矛盾的吧。
或许人生本来就是有很多灰色地带。

I guess I got to make some re-arrangement ; not to the things around me, but within me.

~ Being Curious ~
I quite like the "curious" look of this cat.
I am also very curious of many things happening or will be happening.

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有一位圣者这么说：

在个人心向上有信，
你必定会给自己一个方向、一个志向，
你会去落实这个心愿，在不断地落实中，
去印证你“自我的提升与成熟”。

在印证过程中，也许你的信会不够坚定，
所以必须一再的、不断的建立你的信念、
不断的回顾、省思、再开拓。

在你一生的过程，有“信、愿、行、证”在维持着你的这个心，
你才能够保持到最后。

He is Leaving the “Force”

I was bouncing around at a corner of Singapore and I bounced into T with his wife (and actually some other *little pals too). The world is kind of small, really. Heh..

A little catching up and erm.. a little finding.

T is good (erm.. of course this is not news). He is good enough for his superior to say to him “I expect to see your Senior Teacher (ST) application on my table at the end of this year”.

To some that may be a very encouraging note. But to him, this is the signal to leave the teaching “force”. He doesn’t believe in the system anymore. He is leaving to a place where he is really (only) asked to teach. No SEM, no TSLN, no TLLM, no PW, no I&E, no Traisi…. I am not saying he is leaving to a place with no structure, no system, but to a place (a private school) where he can focus on what he likes most – teaching.

Every year, we see the ministry is trying hard to draft policies to keep teachers and to draw new blood in. Somehow, it is also observed that every year, many younger officers are leaving (or planning to leave) the “force”, with many even willing to break the bond by paying a hefty sum of money. Oh well, it depends on how you want to interpret it. Mm…

Sure, oh sure, the not-so-young ones are staying. But it is not necessarily because they enjoy what is currently happening. The main question boggling them may be what are the other avenues for them if they were to leave the "force"? This December, I know at least one is traveling overseas to explore for such avenues, besides having a good break.

Don’t press me too hard. I now know where to “bounce to”. Haha..

T, may the force be with you, the "teaching force" I mean, even though it may not be the ministry's teaching force. :P

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有一位圣者这么说：

面对不可预料的未来，谁都不能保证自己会有怎样的变化；
但你自己唯一可以确定的是：「我的坚持，我不会改变」，
这是你自己对自我的一种自信。

自信心不足就会有许多的不确定，自信心足够，
纵使你面对黑暗时你会沮丧、你会挫败，
但终究你撑得过去，你还会再站起来，
而不是从此一蹶不振。

Feeling Fortunate

Just the other day, a pal (K) was telling me that he was "planning" of going Taiwan with L and S this December. I mean the three of them did agree to travel together. I think that will be a nice break from work for them. K was also enquiring about my holiday plan overseas. He was trying to see how things can be / should be worked out in the planning of a holiday in a free-and-easy style. He was amazed how things are working out fine and taking shape on the side of my team. He "lamented" about how he, L and S had conceived the idea of going together quite some time ago, but at the moment none of them seems to be free enough or bother enough to sit down to plan or to read about it yet. Of course, he wasn’t complaining. He was merely reflecting why he himself also lacks the kind of energy to start off to make their plan more concrete.

Of course, there was no secret why my team is moving on and taking shape so rapidly. We have a professional “holiday engineer”, I tell you. Haha..

Early this month, Wil showed us this :

Air tickets purchased. That's so cool!

Today, we were shown an invoice :

A pretty big car. How wonderful!

I recall a picture of one of our posible accommodations being this :

And of course, I “see” not just that. I “see” a Toyota Camry parking in front of it. You “see” that too? :P

Further effort was made by him to read up, talked to people who had travelled there before to get solid very-personal-out-of-guide-book kind of travel guide. Itineraries were then artfully revised to only become more colourful, at the same time taking into account any personal requests (if any) from the team. And so on...

I’m simply .. erm.. amazed.. erm.. speechless…

Thanks Wil! :o)

Besides, the team to travel together comprises of really wonderful people.
How can I not feel so fortunate?! Haha..

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小故事、大启示

有一个天使缺了左边的翅膀，想飞飞不起来；
有个天使缺了右边的翅膀，想飞也飞不起来。
这两个天使有同样的苦恼，
只能眼睁睁看着其他的天使自由自在，
没有任何困难，想去哪儿就去哪，想做什么就做什么，
这两个天使却什么也不能做。

可是他们最后想到一个互相扶持的办法，
两个人搭起肩来成了互补作用，
他们也能象其他的天使一样自由自在的飞。

这个故事，也可以运用在大家的身上；
同样都是伤痕累累的人，多给对方一点鼓励，别人多一点信心，你也多一点自信，每个人都能多那么一点点，情感是不是会更好？

Fasting

Strange. I have only decided to talk a little about it (fasting) when it has all “ended”.

We learn that during the fast of Ramadan, Muslims have a tradition of fasting until sundown. This is supposed to be period of spiritual cleansing. Besides, fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

Actually I find the practice of fasting beautiful and admirable (when it is practiced the way it should be… ). I don’t think the continual conflicts still arising in the Middle East can discount my belief of this good practice. Although I don’t really practice formal fasting, I don’t mind going without meals occasionally.

I also learnt that “fasting” is not solely an issue of the Muslims. There were several mentions in the Bible. Among many verses in Bible mentioning fasting, I like the following two best. They are namely, Matthew 6:16-18 (Fasting) and Luke 18:9-14 (The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector).

These two verses demonstrated very well that fasting is to be done in a manner of humility and "secrecy".

Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. It tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Luke 18:9-14
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable :
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself : ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evidoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘ God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Cool!
But do not take verses of Bible just at the surface meaning. There are usually other different / deeper shades of meaning. The more “connected” you are with God, the better you see and understand, perhaps. Haha..

Most importantly, we must all continue to be good and wholesome throughout our life-span. One month per year is only 1 out of 12 months, is only such a small fraction.

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教授在教室黑板上写着～
「I will meet the class at 5:00.」
（我会在五点來上课）

几个刚到教室的学生看到留言，就开玩笑地把 class 的「c」擦掉，变成～
「I will meet the lass at 5:00.」
（我会在五点会见情妇）

当教授回来看到黑板上的留言被修改后，他拿起板擦，又把 lass 的「l」擦掉，变成～
「I will meet the ass at 5:00.」
（我会在五点会见驴子）

然后对着学生说：「驴子们，上课了！」

Unexpected Amazing Microderma Peel-Tox Experience

Early in the morning, when the eyes were not fully opened and the senses were not fully awakened, I walked to the bathroom to wash my face. I noticed a new dark-red tube among some of the more familiar facial cleansers. I decided to try it even without taking a good look at what I was using. (It was amongst the other facial cleansers, so it must be a facial cleanser also what…)

After wetting my face, I squeezed out the cream-like substance from the tube. It appeared a little dry. Mm.. I’m not too impressed already. Never mind, must give face to new product. I applied it. Kaoz.. So rough?!! Never mind, should be a kind of facial scrub. I tahan a bit. A moment later, my face actually felt warm. That was when it became worrying. Cham liao, I thought. Was that some cheapo facial cleanser I was using? Was that feeling a kind of allergy reaction?

Took a quick rinse with the water. Then my senses were fully awakened liao. I grabbed the tube to look/read for clue to explain that sensation (as if I know, if I see any). Haha.. More like I was searching for whom to complain to? :p

Only then I realized it wasn’t an allergic reaction I was experiencing. I was actually in for quite a treat by one of the latest skin-care technology. It read : Silkpro – Microderma Peel-Tox – Softpeel Smoothsilk – Instant Renewal & Polisher For Dull and Uneven Skin Tone. Extra Benefits : Sensational warming effect that triggers the instant skin renewal… blah blah blah..

Oh… Orh… So I actually underwent 『微肌换肤』. Hehe.. It feels good even now. Didn’t know someone at home had actually invested in it. I don’t mind being an user and becomes a potential spokeman of the product. Aiyo.. But they only want spokewoman. :o(

Anyway, I can’t be that bothered about facial cleanser. I just wanna get rid of the oil slick on my face. At times, when I am out, I could just make do with any liquid soap I can get on hands on in public toilet. When I am on short trips overseas, I can be that lazy to bring along with me any facial cleanser and simply use tooth-paste as substitute for facial cleanser. I tell you, tooth-paste feels super cooling and fresh on the face. Haha..

Anyway, I was equally amazed to have spotted this (in the following picture) in the heart of a busy residential town.

~ ~ Skating Ring with Ramps ~ ~

A skating ring with ramps in the heart of a busy residential town – Bedok. That’s pretty cool. I was hoping to see some actions. Mm… Don’t have leh. By the way, this picture only shows us about half the skating ring. It is rather big. Even for this photo, I have to take two pictures and digitally stitch them together.

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A Writer Wrote :

Life is drawing without an eraser
Plan for tomorrow, but LIVE for today
What happens, happens for a reason
We seldom think of what we have, but always think of what we miss

馒头变石头

没有错，一些小巧可爱又可口的馒头，到我手里竟然变成了石头。

I was only thinking of steaming some buns to fill my stomach. Got the steamer ready, switched on the gas stove, and I waited. Mm.. I can’t be just waiting like that. Time is preciously you know. And so I decided to multi-task. I left the kitchen to sort out some mails and to rearrange some notes/files and whatever. Got myself too absorbed in whatever I was doing and forgotten all about the buns.

Time passed. I smelt something strange. It could be something burning. In my head, I even suspected the haze. I continued to do my own things. The smell became stronger. Only then, I literally jumped up from my seat and dashed to the kitchen realizing I could be the culprit.

I checked. The water in the steamer dried completely. The steamer somewhat softened and sank slightly downwards nearer to the gas stove. In fact, the steamer got torn by the heat at the bottom too. Hence, I couldn’t confirm whether the water within was heated dry and simply drained away, unless I “experiment” it again. Haiz..

How about the buns? They all became pretty hard and got themselves stuck to the metal plate they were placed onto. I struck them all out. I had to use quite a bit of force. The bottom part of the buns was all charged dark brown to black. Tsk..

The buns were gone. The steamer destroyed. But those were relatively “small” things. I just realized I can be so hazardous. I certainly wouldn’t want the whole flat to burn down because of me.

I went out to get a replacement of the steamer. I thought of getting exactly the same one and to quietly replace it. No one will even know the difference and the mess I had created. I decided otherwise, I wanted to make it obvious. I got a slightly bigger one and a better one, for 2 reasons.

Firstly, it will be noticed and I will get a good shelling later. I hope that will cast a deeper impression and I will really learn this time. *Ahem.. A little shy to say, that was the second steamer I had destroyed this year. In the previous incident, I turned a sumptuous rice-dumpling into a stone too. Secondly, I replaced it with a bigger and better one just to atone my wrongness a little bit.

For the good of mankind, maybe I should be barred from the kitchen.
Don’t know how to cook?
Never mind, just
- get the right person(s) to cook for me.
- know where to find good food.
- remember to show appreciation to whatever food being served to you and to whoever that serves you.

馒头变石头，此等上乘功夫相信无人能及于我。Haiz..

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有一位作者这么说：

如果「爱」，是一件容易的事情，就不会有这么多迷惑的众生 。
因为「爱」，是每个人內心深处最温柔的渴望，所以珍贵脆弱 。
然而「爱」，要超越小小的自我並爱上敌人，需要智慧与方法 。

3 Decimal (Places) Please!

A *little pal was so eager to show me something. He remembers quite clearly that I mentioned if we were to leave the answer in 4 decimal places as lifted from the standard normal distribution table, we wouldn’t be penalized, although the norm is to leave the answer in 3 significant figures.

He was puzzled as to why a suggested solution (from a certain source) seems to stress that we cannot leave the answer in 4 d.p., but must change it to 3 d.p. instead. What a contradiction, he felt.

He showed me this :

He said, “You see, they say must change to 3 d.p.. Why huh? They even write down the word ‘please’. Why huh?” He underlined the word '3 dec. pls.' while trying to draw my attention to the correct places.

*Ahem.. Of course his face turned to quite a unique shade of red when I lightly told him “N ah, 'pls.' stands for 'places' and not 'please'.”

Consultations…

This is the period when most of us will be “drowned” in consultations. I’m glad most (if not all) *little pals are now coming to us more prepared and noticeably the kind of questions they are asking slightly more “reassuring” that they are on the right track leading themselves somewhere.

在我眼里，认真的人都很美。

Certainly, they are stressed up quiet a bit. They know how much they need to cover before the examination and they know even better just how much time is left for them. I can only say they must look ahead now and be positive. Easily said than done, many claim.

沉醉在担心与彷徨，铁定没有进展；
保持着信心来努力，就有一线希望。

This is a stressful, but definitely not a “lonely” path. Just yesterday, two *little pals spent the entire afternoon (till late night) not studying. One was spilling out his sorrows and the other was providing a listening ear. In the examination perspective, a good day had been wasted; in a more holistic perspective, a soft-skill in life was learnt and demonstrated well.

There is just too much pent-up stress in that *little pal. Besides, he is also currently facing many family problems. I think it is not easy for anyone to imagine always going back to a home where parents always hurl vulgarities at each other and are constantly “fighting”? Mm… Tough time. Somehow, I feel that the other *little pal who was willing to lend such an attentive listening ear had done a pretty good job too.

世间上不同的人好像都有不同的『苦楚』。
有的时候，
只要有几句关心的话语，
或者只是一只聆听的耳朵便可得以安慰。
接着，便好像更有力量来面对所谓的『苦楚』。
这个时候，就好像学着了解何谓『苦中带甜』。

While going through the many “queries” with the *little pals, I must say I am learning too. I am learning
- when one wishes to learn, one can
- when one sees the need to be serious, one can
- when one is encouraged/motivated, one can progress very fast
- I need not be the best in explaining, for I need to go through certain concepts a few times
- I should be more patient than I think I am
- I can and I should make their learning more enjoyable
- etc. (the list can just go on... )

Hence it will constantly be a challenge for any tutor (for me, especially) to make any *little pal self-motivated enough to self propel themselves forward.

Oh, the following picture sums up well..

Seasonal Haze : 还我一片蓝天

The picture below was taken from a corner of Singapore on this afternoon when the PSI was approaching the 100 mark. It was so hazy that my digicam faced some problems in focusing.

It was a hot afternoon, but where was the clear blue sky?
原来能看得到一片蓝天也不是一件理所当然的事！

A comparison with something far and near...

Mm.. At least the near objects are still clear.

I found a bush near by, and I took a quick snap :

The nearer the object, the clearer it is lor.
还好，近距离的东西还是看得清楚的。
这当然不是什么新鲜逻辑。
我总是得往好一点的方面想嘛。哈哈。。

- - - - -

It’s difficult to complain when we witness the kind of condition now happening in that country which is worse many folds. Haiz..
But it’s also difficult not to feel a thing when we understand that the fires (causing the smoke) seem preventable since they are intentionally set to clear land for cultivation.

Some said “it cannot be resolved by one government alone. For example, we cannot enter Indonesia without their consent…”

It may be added that “they give a commitment but we believe that they lack the resources or have limited capacity…”

I just have to believe the people in powers are working it out. Real soon, please. Thanks!

The sky is so gloomy, how can we feel sunny?
The outlook is so hazy and my throat and eyes are now feeling a little funny! Argg..

I believe just everyone is looking forward to a clear blue sunny day.
请还我一片蓝天！！

- - - - - - - - -

被烟雾笼罩的天空自然是暗淡而不光明的。
同样的，
被贪、嗔、痴遮蔽的人性也很难对人世间的事务有着明确的判断。
就如人世间的
对错、好坏、是非、喜怒、正邪、善恶、等，
我们真的看得清吗？
我是觉得好难。

Stop Him...

The Economist, October 14th – 20th

With the possible exception of South Africa, no country that has tested an atomic bomb has given it nuclear weapons up. So no matter what the world now does to punish North Korea for its underground test on October 8th, Kim Jong Il’s hermit kingdom is likely to hand grimly onto its bomb. If you are the paranoid dictator of a friendless state that is still technically at war with both South Korea and the United Sates, a nuclear arsenal is your ultimate insurance policy.

To say this is not to say that North Korea should go unpunished. On the contrary, it must be punished even if the punishment is unlikely to change its ways. That is because other would-be nuclear proliferators, with Iran to the fore, are now watching to see whether it is really as easy as Mr Kim has made it look to go nuclear in defiance not only of the dire warnings of the United States and the United Nations but also of powerful neighbours such as Russia and China.
... ...

It’s worrisome that Mr Kim has “presided nonchalantly over mass starvation inside his country, cares little about the suffering of his own people”. I mean we know “the Chinese could, if they wished, starve North Korea’s people and switch off its lights”.

Oh well, seemingly, many decisions made by the powers were primarily out of self-interest. (Is this what we call basic human instinct?) But for Mr Kim, it seems like it is another level of don’t-know-what “self-interest”. He is a leader and yet “cares little about the suffering of his own people”??!!

With the nuclear treats around, with dictators around, with weapons that could kill millions around, … Haiz.. Apparently, it seems like man is destroying himself.

Learning that all things happened for some reasons, I may have to learn to ‘accept’ things as they come along. Yes? No? Heh..

很多事情我也不想它会发生。太凄惨了。
但事出必有因，一切仿佛都在因果循环当中。太可怕了。
可是人类只有懂得接受所谓的现实吗？不是的。
如果说我们现在所受是过去的『果』，
那么我们现在所做便是将来的『因』。
想想我们的未来，
我们现在还敢为非作歹、为所欲为、心存邪念、欺凌弱小、自私自利吗？

如果世人无法导正金先生，
而他对世人也带来巨大伤害，
相信老天自有安排。

咳！。。。

~ ~ Threats Behind? ~ ~

前瞻后望
提醒我：做事需要考虑后果。

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位作者这么说：

只要有一颗美丽的心，
这一生必定会过得很美丽。

Their Graduation

Just conducted the last lecture, the last tutorial for the year
Definitely have not said my last goodbye, my last word
For I’m sure we will still meet again and talk again
And more sharing in the years to come by

In the ceremony we were sitting by
Submerged in many utterances of kind words, demonstration of kind deeds
And many proofs that the eloquence of our students is fine
Quite memorable and certainly a delight

In just a few weeks’ time the examination will start
So nervous and anxious they are
Sleepless nights and panda’s eyes
Mind over body, they continue to strive

Getting good grades is all in their mind
Helping their friends along they also try
I can only say Good Luck to all
A helping hand from me they can rely.

Flashes going off from many perspectives
We smile and we pose allowing the shooting to continue
The aim being to freeze the precious moments for remembrance
What a wonder, technology making it all possible

Maybe it’s good time now for me to reflect
What have I done not right and what I should continue to strive
Have I make their learning journey joyful
Or am I just a stranger passing by

I hope they are not just good graduate of the college
But also a graduate in other aspects in life
Continue to learn and re-learn
The journey is long and the future is ours to define

Come next year March when the results are out
I hope they can shine
I will be so happy to say
Well done *little pals, the future for you is bright

~ Happy Bear ~
(o: Happy for them :o)

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

念头的起伏本来就很正常，只不过不要去放纵这样而已。
人非圣贤，谁能保证自己念头不会有一丝一毫的错误。
就算圣人也不敢担保自己每一个念头的起伏、
每一个念头的出发都是好的、都是善的。
但是圣人在念头起伏的同时，
他能够去发现、能够去自觉、能够去导正，
这是一个人自我提升的空间跟机会。

强制压抑欲念，反而会让自己更执著、更多欲念。
不如在欲念产生的同时，去反观自己的心，去看看自己；
是不是真的那么在乎这些、是不是真的这样执著这些？
如果不是的话，那么这些念头的起伏，
为何要让它干碍自己的路、或是平时所做的每一件事？
当你专心在做一件事的时候，
你对你的欲念、你的起心动念，不会去在乎很多，
因为你专注的是当下的这件事情。

固然你知道你的念头起伏有很多不妥，不执著的同时，
这些也自然而然就消失无影无踪。
但不一定，再一次就不会再有同样的事情发生。
不过，在不断又不断的淡化跟转化之下，
你能够慢慢去净化自己。

杂思片语

昨夜才提到心中之努火要提防；
今早遇上某人我却以破功收场。

说来自惭两人怒目而各唱各调；
看来自身内涵也不过如此一般。

本想收手但怨声再起我岂不理？
又来插手但表达拙却惹来事端。

无心怪于某人只叹多人会遭殃；
有心想圆融一点我又该怎么办？

事发前后心情起伏自然蛮不安；
还好几位好友轻言安慰才能降。

我并不担心自身会有如何下场；
只是可惜我没能建立个好榜样。

还以为可减轻八月秋初的秋意；
如今好象倍增九月秋中的秋寒。

You Call That Study Leave?

Just trying out a slightly different way of presentation...

- - - - - - - - - -

~ ~ Water Stirs ~ ~

Emotion stirred quite a bit, when I first learnt that the *little pals have to go through such. Of course, again, I may not be right. If it is already so decided, what can I do? Erm.. At least I can't keep quiet.

So Dreamy..

A *little pal messaged :
you know me dreamt of you messaging me eh. Or was it not a dream? Haha… really blur now. Looked through my inbox, never see your message leh. Or did I delete it while half asleep?

I played along and returned a message :
I was telling you about…
.
you…
.
you.. .
.
you deleted it? ..
.
.
Haiz..
nvm…
..

:o(

.
.
.
.
.
.
I was just telling you that you sleep like a pig. :p

- - - - - -

Is that the effect of studying too hard? Haha..
Maybe I should be a little glad that the dream was not about me darting formulae at them, or me going after their assignments, etc.

I have my fair share of dreamy state, and sometimes confusing reality and dream. Dream can feel so real, yet I'm often very aware while I was dreaming. I mean I saw the thing I want to see, I saw the person I want to see, I experienced what I wish to experience and during which I know very well that I was only dreaming, no matter how good, no matter how wonderful the dream is.

Nightmare for me? Very very rare. It came by only when I asked for it. Heh.. I remember once I thought to myself, "It's good to have nightmares. I can experience the scariest thing, experience near-death, yet in real life, I am so safe". After that thought, I had a series of nightmares for days. No joke! They stopped when I said to myself, "It's enough liao". Strange.

I don't like this kind of dream (dream-when-sleeping kind) anymore as dream and reality can be so different. Nevertheless, I will still dare to dream of the future and work on it.

我不在期待做梦。
因为梦与现实相差太远了。
然而，
我对将来仍然充满梦想、理想。
我也希望这样的梦想、理想可以不断地推动我一直勇敢地往前走。
当然，
我还是要提醒自己：
没有行动的梦想与理想便是所谓的空思妄想。

Linguistically Confused

When I wish to enter the Chinese text “你” by han-yu-pin-yin method,
I actually keyed in “y-o-u” and still patiently browsed through the long list of

有、由、又、油、优、游、右、尤、幼, ... ,

trying to hunt for the word “你”.

~ ~ Tired Kitty ~ ~
I must be tired. Physically tired.
The heart is also a little tired, I think. Mm...

- - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

人总是有个极限跟瓶颈，
不是每个人都有神的能力，
人也不尽然是那么十全十美，
多一点体谅，
就能够多退一步来替别人着想。

Sharing : 台南二寮清晨的美

This 台南二寮 is rather famous for the day-break photographs.
Just google the term and you may understand.
I find some photographs by a particular photographer rather amazing / breath-taking.

The photographer wrote :
连日下了十几天的豪雨，今天帶着快生菇的相机，第三次來到二寮。
这次比较晚，清晨 4:30 才到，现场已经挤满了，脚架快没位置了。
勉强找到一个角度 (太阳是在正中央 Orz)。
还好有些收获，与各位分享，谢谢赏图指教。
台南

Ladies and gentlemen, the photographs :

泼墨的二寮

居家的灯火，点缀着二寮

梦幻一般的二寮

这云雾好像一只藏匿在深山的巨鼠，一会儿功夫就不见了

尝试日出斜射并存的拍摄

左斜射、光映照的泼墨二寮

意犹未尽，层层的斜射光束，太美妙了

Wow!
If I were to set foot in Taiwan again, maybe I can consider visiting 台南二寮 very early in the morning. :o)

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

个人的因缘不同，能够相聚是有缘；
但是聚散离合，总是有个因缘的限制跟安排。
如果想要强求或是勉强，在勉强之下总会有许多的不顺，
而且也违反了自然的法则。

A Loving Account..

Many years back, they came together as a pair of wedded couple
He was a bus driver
She being a housewife
In the days when he was working as a bus driver
The route he took while driving happened to pass through his neigbourhood
She will time herself perfectly
And wait for him at a designated bus stop during the evening time
When the bus arrived she will board the bus
Passed to him packed warm home-cooked dinner
And she will go back home waiting for him to return after work
She will be happy knowing that he could have a decent meal at the end of that trip

At times, when she was more free
She would just accompany him while he was driving
I really mean while he was driving the bus
She would just quietly sit at the back of the bus
Accompanying him throughout the journey trips after trips
Engaging in small talks appropriately
During his off days
They would always appear in pair walking in their neighbourhood
Be in just a stroll or doing marketing for the family

He retired from being a bus driver not too long ago
That only mean they had more time together after that
How true

But few days ago, he silently retired from this mortal world
We know it is so difficult for her to take it …
From always being lovingly together for more than 30 years to …

人到黄昏，仍要孤飞，她会寂寞无助吗？
希望她能在亲朋好友的支持关怀下，仍然勇敢地走下去。

正值壮年，多代同堂，就会温馨美满吗？
希望我们也能够找到幸福美满之窍，更有意义地往前走。

- - - - -

Is this what we call the impermanence nature of life at large?

When there is a beginning (no matter how sweet, how bitter..), there will be an ending (no matter how long or how abruptly it will take..).

We have come to this mortal world quite some time ago.
We know full well one day we will be silently retired from this mortal existence.
What will we leave behind?
We remember we bring practically nothing (physical) when we arrived.
So don’t ever dream of taking anything away (physical) when we leave.

Maybe we should think beyond the physical sense.
Did we bring joy and laughter to the people around us?
How about some sense of security or a higher degree of comfort-ness with our company?
Or did we just spend our (limited) time otherwise?
Or just taking time to pick the bones in others?

Our mortal existence is not a long one.
Live it well, not in the selfish sense.

How would you choose to live it?

You are My Angel in Disguise

When I walked past N, he tried to show me something he had written in red on a piece of paper. He covered the lower portion and only showed me the upper portion. The handwriting was a little small and I squirted a little trying to figure out what was written. The upper portion read :
You are my angel in disguise.

That was sweet, wasn’t it? He was then smiling sheepishly. Mm.. Something fishy. He asked me to continue to see, when he gradually uncovered the lower portion. I saw a ring. That must be a halo, I guessed. I was right. He continued to uncover and I gradually saw a portion of a supposedly circular part appearing. That must be a head, I imagined. I was right again. In just a while, I saw the whole picture. It was a pig with a halo. Argg.. A dead pig??!! An angel in disguise??!! Totally in perfect disguise! Hahaha.. I would’ve given him a hard smack on his head if we were not in the midst of a lesson. Kidding.

Back to the phrase “Angel in Disguise”.
There is a relatively popular song by this title. Just about a week ago, I was approached to translate the lyrics to some people. Headache. But I tried anyway.

My (first) attempt went like this :

今早醒来觉得心情好郁闷
下了床拖着沉重的脚步去过了房间
就在大门前有一朵玫瑰
并附上了小纸条写着“有人喜欢你”

正走在大街上的时候，一场大雨忽而倾盆而下
在我还未曾淋得像落汤鸡之前
有一位陌生人向我跑来
给了我他身后的一件夹克，好让我遮雨
我转过身要跟他道谢
他只是脸带笑容地向我挥挥手
我不敢相信我的眼睛
他好像带上了光环渐渐飞去

试着来体会周遭最平凡的一切
无需刻意去寻找天堂
你的身旁或许就有一位天使的化身

约了一位好友共进午餐
我们共享好美味的一顿
可是我竟然忘了带钱包
我觉得我自己好糊涂
可是我朋友他人可好
不但请了我一顿
还买了一个三明治给我带回家当茶点

一位男子拖着行囊走在街头上
他没有食物可吃
他只有到处游荡
靠着善心人士的善举过活
我把我的三明治给了他
也和他简单的聊了一会儿
在他眼中我仿佛看到了一道彩虹
他给了我他的光环
我便开始飞了起来

试着来体会周遭最平凡的一切
无需刻意去寻找天堂
你的身旁或许就有一位天使的化身
不要躲着我
我知道你就在我的身旁

试着来体会周遭最平凡的一切
无需刻意去寻找天堂
你的身旁或许就有一位天使的化身
每一天都可以过得很传奇
每一分钟都可以有无限的惊喜
你也可以成为下一位天使的化身

今早醒来觉得会是个很美好的开始。

The original lyrics can be found here.

Haha.. The translation may be a little strange. Find it rather difficult to capture the essence of the song. Never mind. However, I actually appreciate the song better after this out-of-the-blue attempt.

Yes, everyone can be an angel to someone. If you are “powerful” enough, you can even be an angel to everyone. Look around us, it may just take a small gesture of kindness to let another person feels good, warm, secured, welcomed, etc. We don’t have to first possess a halo and/or a pair of wings to do that.

We know it feels good at the receiving end of a simple kind gesture. If we really have learnt, then we should take every opportunity to be at the giving end as well. How I like the idea “we could be the next angel in disguise”. Mm...

Oh, certainly, there are many angels by my side. Yes, you.. he.. she.. them..

- - - - - - - - - -

天使不一定带有光环，
也不一定要长有一双翅膀。
同样的，魔鬼也不一定是青面獠牙，
它也可以如菩萨般地慈眉善眼。

Oh WELL..

Just recall that a few days ago, I was talking about well – a water source. I’m actually rather fascinated by well, I remember during my childhood days, one of the many attractions at my maternal grandmother’s house is the well she had, besides many durian trees around. Yup in those days, durians were seasonal and pricey, but we needn’t pay a single cent to eat the savory fruit. Oh, how I had digressed. Back to the well.

I liked to play by the well, very much to the adults’ dislike. The water was so refreshing, so clear. Taking a quick bath by the side of the well during a hot day was unarguably the best treat. Ha. That well wasn’t that deep and I could see the bottom of the well quite clearly. Besides the clear water, there were rocks, sand and noticeably some greens. I would just stare at the bottom or try and learn to draw out some pails of water myself. Oh drawing water from a deep well using just a pail (with string attached) needs quite a bit of practice, surely.

When I grow older, but still young, I began to question.

- Is the water from the well, rain water? Erm.. Rain can get in obviously, but it can’t be just rain water. In my own kampong house back in the 80s, we collected rain water with huge containers. The rain water was then used for washing and cleaning purposes around the house, including daily showering of the pigs and the pig sties. But if the rain water was left untouched for a few days, I would see many mosquito larves floating within. In other words, collected rain water appeared stale and it was not meant to be used from drinking or cooking purposes.

- Who puts in the water? I had noted, we can draw out pails and pails of water, but the level maintained the same. This is so cool! But why?

- The water may appear a little cloudy during stormy days, but otherwise, it is often very clear, very fresh. Why? Tell me, please.

- I drank from the well directly. A natural response, I guess. I feared the collected rain water. Looking at the swimming mosquitoe larves had that repelling/close-to-disgusting effect. Haha..

- Who is the first one being so smart to dig so deep into the ground in search of water? Really so smart.

Of course, many of my “queries” were answered (or partially so) by now. Still, I find well pretty amazing.

Another magical observation I have missed :
If we were to draw some water from the well often enough (daily, maybe), the water remains fresh. If we choose not to draw from the well for weeks, the well will never have the problem of spilling over. On top of that, the water of an unused well will also become stale, much like the collected rain water I talked about earlier. This is the part I like best. And of course, an interesting saying I heard years before re-surfaced :

布施犹如井中水，一边吊打一边盛，
三日五日不打水，何曾淹到井槛边。

这一句话有一点禅意。试着领悟。 :o)

- - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

这次如果失败，也不要指责自己，
下次再不断的用心，失败没有关系，
但是我们要得到教训。

My Day…

Kidding. It’s Children’s Day. Haha..
Err.. But am I entirely wrong? There is a child in everyone, you know?

As the years pass on, we will age by and by
These added years are valuable
For together with these, we have added experiences and wisdom
Have we not?

Nevertheless, let’s not forget
We can still be young at heart
Not mean to act childish
But being able to engage the youthful bunch
Understanding them, guiding them
And to learn together with them

岁月给咱增添的不单是岁数，还有智慧。
懂得善用否？
岁月或许也在我们的面容上留下了痕迹。
不要只懂得掩饰这外在的容颜，而忘却心灵早以老化。
我们的年龄心境决定…
这应该不是 Ah Q 吧。
有的年少者，过于的老气横秋。
却有的年长者，仍可与青少年打成一片。关键于何？

哈哈…
岁数不要让它白白地增加。
我们也曾经年轻过…
我们要了解那一种心境。
在保持那一种心境，加上我们如今比较成熟的观点来待人处世，应该不错。

So…
Be it Youth Day or Children’s Day,
Let’s Celebrate. :o)

孩子们的单纯，我们失去了吗？
复杂的心灵又带给了我们什么？
孩子懂的少，烦恼也少；我们懂的多，烦恼就多。真的是这样吗？
孩子们，今日吵架，多半明日仍然还是兄弟一场。我们做的到吗？

- - - - - - - - - -



老师：
「请班长选三人出來，我要『班』花。」

班长就很认真地选出三个漂亮的妹妹，
妹妹们很害羞地问：「要做什么事呢」

老师：「跟我去搬花！」