I learnt a few good lessons in this trip. In particular:
1) Learning about how people change as they grew older
2) Learning to be human in a socially degenerative society
I didn't have much opportunity to blog in China. Well, thanks to the government, www.blogger.com is totally blocked for access. Thankfully, you can still reach www.blogspot.com to view what others have to say on the net.
About people growing old, I realized that people REALLY changes. Not that it's something worth 'banging-all-our-hope-for' (in the most crude sense of the word), but people DO change.
Many quotes 'a leopard will never change its' spots', 'what you see is what you get', while those being true to a certain degree, I did realize that in my family, people really changed.
This year, I noticed a different aura at home while I was having my Chinese New Year Holidays. Mum no longer nags at me nor my siblings. She does her house-work, keeping herself busy throughout the day, but she never complains. Dad is getting more absent-minded, a sign of moving over the hill. Brother responds and takes more initiative at home, a sign of maturity. Young sis gets more rebellious, a sign of teen-hood and adolescent at its prime...
For several moments, I hate to admit. I was bowled-over... (pardon my use of boombastic word.. am forcing myself to improve my vocab these days.)
Yet in all of these, I began to enjoy what I call 'the living the moment life experience'. Not that I have not been living in one, but I don't know if you've ever felt like life moves on too fast, and before we realized, we're at the other end of the journey where we have to start the painful process of growing up again? That feeling crept up gradually inside me and I was caught totally un-aware.
At the junction of the crossroad, I am now caught with responsibilities and decisions which will determine what my future will be. In some sense, I am afraid I will commit an err that I will regret during a mid-life crisis, on the other-hand, a calm re-assuring hand rests upon my feeble heart to assure me that in all things, God works in favor with those who puts His statutes above theirs and lives in His obedience.
(which reminds me... I have already learnt the lesson in making mistakes!)
I will share more after bathing on the second significant lesson I got from my trip. Especially during the trip back home (Singapore).
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Learning about people's comments or responses
I just thought about this right when I heard my house-mate commented something about some money issue. I realized that it's not about the words that she said which made me think twice what she said... (in a not so positive way), rather it's about my judgement towards her which gave me that negative first impression.
I know of a friend whom I am quite close, who's suffering from such social problems. It just seems like everything/every word which he/she said, seems to be associated with sarcasm and a negative or critical thought towards others. Even in times when they do not mean it.
It's really beyond of being un-aware. Instead, it'll be so difficult to change to the point that they may get very-very frustrated with how other people view them.
The weird thing is, if another person said those words which these bunch said (bringing all the negative remarks), the response will be different. For example, when someone said "Owe Money Pay Money", what constitutes a difference in reaction is not determined by simply how it's spoken (the tone, the body language, the eyes), somehow, I felt as though all those doesn't matter and so long as the 'marked' person said those taboo-phrases, they're pretty much -dead-.
So question is, does what they say matter any-more? Or have we passed judgement upon them to the point of no return... even if what they say may seem so 'harmless'....
I know of a friend whom I am quite close, who's suffering from such social problems. It just seems like everything/every word which he/she said, seems to be associated with sarcasm and a negative or critical thought towards others. Even in times when they do not mean it.
It's really beyond of being un-aware. Instead, it'll be so difficult to change to the point that they may get very-very frustrated with how other people view them.
The weird thing is, if another person said those words which these bunch said (bringing all the negative remarks), the response will be different. For example, when someone said "Owe Money Pay Money", what constitutes a difference in reaction is not determined by simply how it's spoken (the tone, the body language, the eyes), somehow, I felt as though all those doesn't matter and so long as the 'marked' person said those taboo-phrases, they're pretty much -dead-.
So question is, does what they say matter any-more? Or have we passed judgement upon them to the point of no return... even if what they say may seem so 'harmless'....
Learning to buy Muah Chee in a pasar malam
People has this tendency of taking advantage of me when buying things in a pasar malam.
I guess the ah-bengs of this world will generally take advantage of the kuai-kia..
Rule no.1
After handing items to weigh, state how much money you want to pay for it. If they offer something more than what you want, tell them you don't want it. Instead of wanting to pay, just ask them how much it'll cost first.
Rule no.2
Never show them how much money you have.
Rule no.3
Be firm.
Rule no.4
Be straightforward, and ask for discount.
Rule no.5
Remember... Customer is KING. You have every right to walk away and not buying anything if the service or product is not found to your liking or satisfaction...
Today, I got the best deal in town yet only to find myself buying the goodies much more than what I have asked for.
I guess the ah-bengs of this world will generally take advantage of the kuai-kia..
Rule no.1
After handing items to weigh, state how much money you want to pay for it. If they offer something more than what you want, tell them you don't want it. Instead of wanting to pay, just ask them how much it'll cost first.
Rule no.2
Never show them how much money you have.
Rule no.3
Be firm.
Rule no.4
Be straightforward, and ask for discount.
Rule no.5
Remember... Customer is KING. You have every right to walk away and not buying anything if the service or product is not found to your liking or satisfaction...
Today, I got the best deal in town yet only to find myself buying the goodies much more than what I have asked for.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Learning to Live A Long Life
Recently a news article published that Scientists found out that people who fast, naturally live a longer life. (That may also explains why Muslims generally live longer lives than chinese.)
Conclusion: God designed fasting so that we can be less stressed out with our self-overly-complicated mind and focus on Him.
My uncle (Dad's Friend), is 78 years old. He still go to work on his own, use the computer to print emails. He helps out in a friend's business and is renting a room from a friend. He lives a tough life as he got separated with his wife, has no home to go to, lives on his own, and travels to Batam quite often. On his shoulder, carries the burden of my Dad's company which is suppose to be close, but not closed down due to some complications.
Conclusion: People usually won't reach the age of 78. In my opinion, they're too comfortable. To the point that they die. It's through a certain amount of pressure, struggle and work that we can all live long.
So... What do I want to do when I am 78?
My Sweetheart replied: "I don't know. Didn't expect myself to live tat long. But if I really live tat long, I wish i'm healthy and mobile. I also hope tat my husband will still be around."
For me: "I hope to write a few books, play an online game. If possible, open a farm. A vegetable (organic) farm. And then sell my vegetable online."
Of course I would hope my wife to be around! It'll be a blast eating my own planted vegetable!
Conclusion: God designed fasting so that we can be less stressed out with our self-overly-complicated mind and focus on Him.
My uncle (Dad's Friend), is 78 years old. He still go to work on his own, use the computer to print emails. He helps out in a friend's business and is renting a room from a friend. He lives a tough life as he got separated with his wife, has no home to go to, lives on his own, and travels to Batam quite often. On his shoulder, carries the burden of my Dad's company which is suppose to be close, but not closed down due to some complications.
Conclusion: People usually won't reach the age of 78. In my opinion, they're too comfortable. To the point that they die. It's through a certain amount of pressure, struggle and work that we can all live long.
So... What do I want to do when I am 78?
My Sweetheart replied: "I don't know. Didn't expect myself to live tat long. But if I really live tat long, I wish i'm healthy and mobile. I also hope tat my husband will still be around."
For me: "I hope to write a few books, play an online game. If possible, open a farm. A vegetable (organic) farm. And then sell my vegetable online."
Of course I would hope my wife to be around! It'll be a blast eating my own planted vegetable!
Learning to slow down and take things at a time
I recently realized my passion to rush and go over the edge in life.
This year, I found myself at times trying to get myself into doing many things!
Thoughts kept popping up with ideas and actions, it is of no wonder that I didn't have enough time to do what I want to do.
Next year, my challenge for myself will be to take things 1 at a time.
I learnt that in life, it's definitely not measured by my task-list. Instead, it's measured by the meaning of the tasks which I am doing.
"Somewhere a week ago, I learnt from somewhere that persevearance is not measured in how much time you put in, or how much effort is emphasized. Persevearance is measured by whether or not we manage to complete the things we planned doing!"
Does it mean that I have to slow down in all that I do?
How do I balance between taking my own-sweet-time versus not being stressed out while trying to push myself...
I tried this before, perhaps I should keep myself busy but watch myself if I am getting overly busy...
This year, I found myself at times trying to get myself into doing many things!
Thoughts kept popping up with ideas and actions, it is of no wonder that I didn't have enough time to do what I want to do.
Next year, my challenge for myself will be to take things 1 at a time.
I learnt that in life, it's definitely not measured by my task-list. Instead, it's measured by the meaning of the tasks which I am doing.
"Somewhere a week ago, I learnt from somewhere that persevearance is not measured in how much time you put in, or how much effort is emphasized. Persevearance is measured by whether or not we manage to complete the things we planned doing!"
Does it mean that I have to slow down in all that I do?
How do I balance between taking my own-sweet-time versus not being stressed out while trying to push myself...
I tried this before, perhaps I should keep myself busy but watch myself if I am getting overly busy...
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Focusing on God instead of the present
Today I learnt something about my life. It seems to me like I am in a rat-race for happiness and fulfillment. It's like this.. I want to have a more 'settled' life, and I know having 'some' things in life will help me to be more 'settled'. However, for me to get the 'some' things, it's taking me quite a long bit of time.
Then I realized, what's theology without application? If the essence of Christianity in God so loving this world, including me, is willing to sacrifice His life for my sins, then what more could I expect especially when He, the maker of the universe has re-assured me:
Therefore, my new year plans for 2009, will be planned around these 2 core values.
They are:
Then I realized, what's theology without application? If the essence of Christianity in God so loving this world, including me, is willing to sacrifice His life for my sins, then what more could I expect especially when He, the maker of the universe has re-assured me:
- I will not let you go through what you cannot bear (1 cor 10)
- Not to worry for God will take care of needs (mat 6)
- Delight in the Lord and he will give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37)
- His plan is to prosper and not to harm me (Jer 29)
Therefore, my new year plans for 2009, will be planned around these 2 core values.
They are:
- let my life be filled with thy-ways instead of my-ways.
- prioritising pleasing God above pleasing me.
"God help me!"
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A Quote I learnt about Humans
I recently learnt about this quote from my weekly tuesday tv programme Criminal Minds.
By Ben Okri, “The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to
create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater
than our suffering.”
With this, It reminded me so much as to why God wants us to have faith and believe, at the same time, have hope in things greater than ourselves, greater than what we're in control of.
By Ben Okri, “The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to
create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater
than our suffering.”
With this, It reminded me so much as to why God wants us to have faith and believe, at the same time, have hope in things greater than ourselves, greater than what we're in control of.
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