Earth
32) Be a Happy Monkey
This is the front cover of positive thinking campaign post card by the Singapore Health Promotion Board. Though the campaign was held many years back, but the post card is still sticking on my wall. It pose as a reminder to me and the cute monkeys always made my day.
The campaign is also broadcasted on TV, with a few animated monkeys talking about how they feel so blessed though they are only getting peanuts for their salary.
At the back of the card, the Authority concerned throw 3 questions asking for feedback for a positive mind. This is an effective way of getting people to think and find a solution to their own answer.
I’ve chosen “I think about the good things in my life” among the 3 answers.
First of all, there are too many good things in my life. I’m not here talking about how much I have in my savings, and not referring to how complete a life cycle people always define to be.
I’m talking about the living up to an age with a moderate health condition, moderate standard of living, moderate unevenness of my path. That is good enough for me to conclude how much good things I owned in my life!
I’ve yet to include the blogging trails with the world that I have started 6 months ago. And I have not included my good bonding friendship with all my dear friends, my family members and my other half. Last but not least, how about my pet dog, Cougar!
All these enhance my quality of life and are comfortable enough to be treated like a 5-star dinner. I have so much side dish to recommend if I wanted to!
I can be served with a simple meal just with vegetables, though I’m not a vegetarian. I can bring in plants to add lush to the dinning hall, but I prefer to eat under the sky beside the green.
That’s the reason why these cute monkeys are still swinging on the wall without resting for a day! My gratitude to them for serving as a reminder, reminding us to create positive energy for our own and extension to others beyond your own circle. How about that?!
61) Who are they footing outside Singapore Botanic Gardens
We always stumbled over the grand entrance whenever we enter a brand new tourist spot. The next moment we just can’t wait to see the new adventures coming your way. So gate crash!
And we ignored the little fairies calling outside the entrance that made up the big picture as a whole.
This may happen in Singapore Botanic Gardens but not the way I perceive it.
They are not invisible, they are just lying low.
They are as gorgeous as fairy.
They are the encyclopedias in silent I should read.
So who are they…?
Some I don’t know, some I knew, but most importantly, they need to be known!
Young ginger changing himself in blush!
Banana flower dressing up in pink!!
Floating musical notes!!!
Listen to the Weeping Tea tree’s calling!!!!
Where are your bamboo friends, My Bamboo Orchid?
Bring them outside the fence. We need more fans!!!!!
31) The 9th Day of Lunar New Year
The number 9th day of Lunar New Year is a day where we offer our thanks to God of Heaven. It’s a big event to some Chinese. But I set up some simple offerings for my thanks giving. Some cookies, cakes, fruits and paper gold for prayers (not too good for the ozone layer though) and also a pair of sugar cane.
Ever wonder why is sugar cane significant to this big event of the Lunar Calendar?
Some legend began way back to the old era in China, in the province of Fujian (Hokkien). The story has it that villages in Fujian tried to escape from the killings and rummage of robbers on the 9th day of Chinese New Year by hiding themselves in the sugar cane plantation. Their lives were saved. Thus, from then, villagers offer a pair of sugar cane on this 9th day of Lunar New Year to thank the Heavenly God for the good blessings, protection from natural disasters and a year of good harvest in return.
Besides, ‘sugar cane’ in Hokkien pronounciation coincidently sounds like ‘thankful’ in meaning. That’s how the fable arises.
I gift-wrapped my pair of sugar cane in red-paper, hug him with good luck while I offer it to the Heavenly God, and wishing that he hugged me in return.
11) Spending a week with Miss Coco
When Miss Coco gets ready to pack up and go home, I left all her belonging on the sofa, and she seems strange to me.
She sat quietly by her belongings and stayed at the corner for hours without her usual jumping up and down and wriggling her tail seeking for hugs. This is unusual scene, it reminded me of the song by John Denver “I’m leaving`on the jet plane”. When a new journey is beginning, there may be something you can’t bear to leave behind.
Coco needs special diet advised by her vet. So, pan fried pork with potatoes and beans are must for her daily two meals. Whenever I am preparing her meal, Coco will not be the one sitting on my feet but it is our greedy Cougar instead.
She stayed away from me not because of my cooking style but because of this clumsy monster (Mr Cougar) trying to dash for the first hand meal.
When I’m done with the meal, I have to segregate the two by using the timber gate. Cougar will try to force his way through the gate for a bite of the meat. I have to deter him and at the same time cajole Miss Coco to sit tight, enjoy her meal without worries. Miss Coco will munch her meal bit by bit just like enjoying herself in a posh restaurant. While she maintain her civilized personality, she enjoyed the ‘lion roar’ at the same time behind the wooden gate.
This little princess is different from my rugged Mr Cougar. One so rough, the other so gentle. One is a rugby player, the other one a ballet dancer.
That is why when she knew she’s returning home, she started guarding her belongings and waited for her owner to arrive. This is the only reason I could figure out.
Man best friends undoubtedly have strong senses. She may be able to sense her owner 10 miles away who can’t wait to fly home soon to see her. Or she may be feeling glad she is leaving us soon…
Whatever is her reason, I thanked her for spending her time with us. The 7 days is not a long time but the memory is going to be forever.
Lastly, Miss Coco allowed me to have her picture posted without copyrights.
I hope to see you around, but I’m not sure if you feel the same…
21) Hundred poses, thousands of love
Lately, there’s a father of China mainland who put up a series of “百睡图” (Hundred Poses Sketches) in the website and got himself famous overnight. “百睡图” literally means “Hundred of Sleeping Poses Sketches”. The sketches capture hundred styles of sleeping poses of his young daughter.
This dad is an Architect and started his sketching hobby in early 2011. It took him more than a year to finish his works on his little daughter’s sleeping positions.
\Though a dad’s love is always treated as secondary to a mum’s. But for this instance, it has proven otherwise. The scene is hardly found anywhere, it’s just like a male angel guiding over his little angel. How not to be touched by such love?
You may explore further to get the meaning of “百睡图” through some Googling. Challenge the creativity of this little angel or you may like to try it out yourself!
59) When each day is a blessing
While we are enjoying a life of luxury in peacetime, have we wonder how the under privileged in the past had lived through their life? Are we able to understand how they cope with their daily stress? Are we able to put ourselves in their shoes and empathize how tough their world were?
When we are sandwich like sardine in the train, we started to complain and throw anger on others. When we face the cruelty of reality and went under boundless stress, did we ever question about how much we have contributed instead? A mouthful of swear? Confrontation? Or even an endless sigh?
So now, are we ready to step down on these uneven steps, to perceive their way of life from this little tiny corner from the past?
When you are away from your motherland, staying alone and dozing off on this single timber bed, what do you look for to warm your heart? A picture of your family during your happy day? Or a straw fan to release home sick sorrows?
Or do you make a living by making wooden clogs? Working day and night in your petite cubicle?
The simple abode of a respectable Sam Shui woman with all she has in her entire life.
A double-decked bed come with all-in-one, kitchen wares, resting stool and even a simple playground!
Open concept kitchen come complete with kitchen shelving, dressing room. Are we able to understand the meaning of this living standard?
Mirror and a pair of chopstick, let’s call it a day or let’s get ready for work?
When space is precious and it’s a constraint, hanging clothes on a hook is the most space saving and logical way.
Some physician may live under the same roof. Charging $2 for a consultation, $3 for outpatient and free of charge for those who can’t afford the bill. Are we able to hear and feel the bitterness of life?
Well, to me, compare to olden day, each day is a blessing and a blessed day!
Pictures was taken in Chinatown Heritage Center
32) River Song
Hey, are you able to perceive my vocal?
I know,
You were born beyond the heart of South China Sea
Driven day and night
Arrives at dawn
Who should we care when we look up?
Someone at the riverbank
Who will be there while we look up?
Someone at the riverside
It flows, flows and flows…
Flowing into my ground
Flowing into my house
Flowing into my tap
Flowing into my thirsty heart and dehydrated chest
Hey, are you able to hear my voice?
I know,
You were born within the heart of Sungei Serangoon
Lying there day and night
Awakening at dawn
Who should we love when we look up?
Someone at the riverbank
Who will be tearing when we look up?
Someone at the riverside
It flows, flows and flows…
Flowing into my land
Flowing into my home
Flowing into my cup
Flowing into my dehydrated chest and thirsty heart
Hey, are you able to hear my loitering?
I know,
You were born by the heart of My Waterway
Dreaming day and night
Awakening at dawn
Who should we stop when we look up?
Someone at the riverbank
Who will be smiling when we look up?
Someone at the riverside
It flows, flows and flows…
Flowing into my earth
Flowing into my room
Flowing into my throat
Flowing into my empty boat and uncountable books
10) Wishes in Lunar New Year
Today is the first day of Chinese New Year. I managed to set up a simple offer to the Lord of Heaven.
These fruits and Nian Gao – New Year cake are to show my appreciation for the past one year in Safe and Healthy condition.
And also, thank you divine, protect me for the past one year.
Hope that in this coming 2013, I’ll be able to learn how to cherish simple food, knowing more about gratitude,
looking more things at the bright side!
And finally, peace in the mind, peace in the world!
Friend (26) – My Pair of Sandals
This pair of sandals has been with me for the past 8 years. We have gone through life’s ups and downs, tasted the sweet and bitterness. No regrets, I would say, cheers to what we have been through these years!
Thank you for being my toes protector, guardian to my feet. You shade me from sun and rain. Even though the coverage is not complete, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Together, we search for the greens, stroll through the years looking for hope and revival. Staying in tune with nature, tolerated the attack of the insect troopers. We interviewed the leaves, chat with the plants, invited trees to be our guests. We worked as a team to be a green ambassador, rejuvenate our souls and even water the dry earth.
We traveled to Dubai, open our eyes and brighten our vision. We landed on Yanggon together, shaken by their cultures and warmness. We have seen many dark side of human and also seen many as bright as the holy land. The sandy roads we have traveled made your body wear and tear. The crack on your body reflected you have aged. But you have no complaints. I feel so sorry about it.
Thank you once more for what you have done for the past 8 years. You make my life more vibrant and wonderful. I’ll remember the many roads we have walked past. How many stories we have shared and how may days and nights we have roamed around. You were my true companion and going to be my friend of remembrance. I’ll put every individual scene I could remember in my book. Each page is linked. It’s just like the bond of our friendship. It’ll be penned down just like the beginning of a newborn, till your golden age, I’ll never forget.
I’ll remember you my friend, as a long journey companion and friend. Thank you.
8) Why I want to break free?
Today, Sydney arrived home saw me waiting in the gate that half opened.
He asked me how did you do that?
I replied, “I didn’t do it!”
Then he saw the Bakkwa that hang on the chair earlier this morning. Now it seems like half way hanging in the air.
He asked me again “who did that?”
I said, “The bird!”
I kept my close attention quietly of where he kept the Bakkwa and plan for my next strategy!
Bakkwa jerky (Sweet BBQ pork) is a must buy food for festive season. It is lean meat that has been trimmed off fat then marinates it and BBQ. This is world wide culinary delicacy; the names “Bakkwa” arise from teow chew dialect, literally means dry pork.
Bakkwa’s taste is awesome, I know! Is all written on Sydney face last night!
For that, I’ll never give up; break free for my lovely Bakkwa!
Wish me luck!
AddGrainOnEarth 