Religion and Spirituality
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
31) Seed Song
I got a rubber tree seed
That’s seeking a place to please
I show him around my home, invite him for a sit
He looks happy
And start to present me his speech
What a joyful thing I have seen
What a lovely guy he is
Footing in the forest
Harmonize with the green
This is our home sweet dream
I got a pine tree seed
That’s seeking for a place to live
I show him my pine wood seats
He’s dancing happily
And singing in high pitch
What a joyful thing I have did
What a kind guy he is
Standing in the forest
Harmonize with the green
This is our home sweet dream
I got a coniferous tree seed
That’s seeking for a place to ease
I show him my cozy seats
He’s singing happily
And toasting in high spirits
What a joyful thing I have seen
What a simple guy he is
Standing under the moon
Harmonize with the green
This is our home sweet dream
Our three guy’s dreams
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!
9) Sydney is out for lunar party fun again!
Tonight is Lunar New Year Eve. Sydney is out for party fun again! In tradition believes, you must find someone to be with you in reunion night.
If not you’ll be stay alone forever!
Omg! How can Sydney do that to me?
In fact, I got something to plan for myself.
I have actually invite one of my girl friend to be my dancing partner tonight!
Let me proudly introduce to you, my girl friend! CoCo!
We are going to open champagne and toast it up!
Shall we start dancing and Karaoke No More lonely night?
Forget about Sydney’s lame story!
Forget about that grasshopper!
Let’s dance like a lion and wishing everybody Happy Chinese New year!
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!
30) Caring is the core of this festive season
The hall behind the Sri Mariamman Temple is a place to offer a reunion dinner to those new immigrants and the underpriviledged. Early days, immigrants from overseas go through hard life, many were earning token just to fill up their stomach. So it is understandable that they live alone and did not start a family. This temple was also used as a refuge camp to hold new immigrants. During Chinese New Year, you will see them gather here to celebrate the festive season irregardless of race or religion.
This is the front view of Sri Mariamman Temple. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. It was founded in 1827 and built to dedicate Mariamman, a Goddess, famous for her healing power of epidemic diseases.
Banana and mango leaves hanging over the temple door, welcome and purify visitors with a fresh reborn life.
Mango leave will withered after a few days and closed up by itself, this symbolizes a humble society, caring for the surrounding and to make way for their passing by.
Isn’t it sending a clear message across? Being caring and benevolent are the cores of this festive season!
Friend (25) – I am so glad you have grown up, my friend
On 21 August 2012, I posted a post on Peacock plant under ‘My Friend’ series. During that time, this plant was young and tender and I wish he’ll be growing happily like a kid.
6 months down the road, I heard him greeting me this morning. This one-foot tall kid greets me first thing in the morning. Before that, I don’t really pay attention on him. Reason being that I have too much things to care for in my secret garden. Also, too much thing to meddle on my daily job.
And to my surprise, this little kid has grown up to be a one-foot tall gentleman. When I talk about his greetings it’s as simple as just a warm stare at each other. I’m just too amaze about his speed of growing which is more than what I have expected!
There is a Chinese saying’无心插柳柳成阴”, literally means unintentional actions may bring unexpected success. I was truly enlightened by this word of wisdom!
Again, it is a sight I am looking for in this atmosphere of spring! It doesn’t matter how exuberant he is, or how much fruits he will be baring, I am looking at his uplifting spirits, his will to put enough effort to penetrate hardship and go through obstacles. Fruits or flowers are just extra bonuses!
29) Arrowhead & me
Planting arrowhead is famous among Cantonese tradition, as they believe keeping them for good luck and blessing. Sagittaria trifolia L is the scientific name for arrowhead plant. The name is related to the shape of the leaf when it’s mature.
In my young days, filling up pebbles or marble balls to decorate the pot is a joyful stuff to do. When the bulbs started to shoot up, tying a red ribbon around the stem is just like putting a color of red to your coming new year.
Arrowhead bulbs can be eaten as well. The usual way is to clean up the bulbs, slice it and fry it with sweet pork sausage. The texture is powdery, juicy and sweet. It is usually acceptable by most after a few try. According to some medical report, it has some medicinal properties too.
This year, I bought the bulbs quite late and foresee it will not shoot up on time. Nevertheless, am glad to see some new stalks turning green and some sign of growth. I believe it is the soul of my wish and I will keep it in my secret garden.
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