After a While ...

Lessons we learn ... along this journey (Life).
I recall a time when I shared with Foong Yin "Life is a journey, not a destination" (a quote which struck me greatly while we were watching the movie 'Anna & The King' by Jodie Foster & Chow Yuen Fatt).

How true it is, we've discovered and yet continually discovering (over & over again...)
Friends whom He sends, to walk with us.

Thank you for being there during my darkest & scariest moments, Sheila.
This poem by Veronica A. Shoffstall is dedicated to you.


"After a while you learn
The subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't always mean security.

And you begin to learn
That kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman not the grief of a child

And you learn
To build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way of falling down in mid flight

After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers

And you learn
That you really can endure
That you are really strong and you really do have worth

And you learn and you learn with every good bye, you learn"

Limau Tambun

Seen here, is a peeled Pamelo. The locals (Malaysian) call them Limau Bali / Limau Besar / Limau Tambun. Widely grown in South East Asia ~ Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand & China.

Pamelo comes from the citrus family. Like grapefruit ~ only it's much bigger, thicker in skin, luscious flesh, high nutritional value (although some Chinese believes it's "Sup Yeet" (in Cantonese which means heaty) and taste much better. There are 2 types here (Ipoh, Perak State in Malaysia) ~ sweet & bitter sweet. I prefer the sweet type.

Although in Ipoh, Pamelos are in abundance but we hardly ever buy them. Why ??! I wonder ...
We (Lil' Sistah & I) only realised last night (after buying) that we have taken this luscious fruit for granted ...

So ... it is with life.
What we have in abundance we do not appreciate! yet we go around longing for something else we do not have. Something to ponder upon ... in relation with our lives, too.

Praying Our Belovedness

Mid September, I went for a Silent Retreat "Praying Our Belovedness" at Maranatha Retreat House near Genting Highlands. Henri Nouwen's "Life of the Beloved" is the inspiration of this retreat and Sr. Bubbles, r.c. (Cenecal Sister from the Philippines) was the retreat director who guided us through a journey to help us discover that we are the Beloved!, a 'coming home' to the reality of the Love of our lives, which was there before we experience any rejection and will remain even after all other rejections take place.

Excerpts from my journal (Henri's writing inter-minggling with mine) :

"For me it is not getting something out of my system but to take in, that deepens & strengthens my sense of goodness & allow my anguish/wounds to be embraced by Love
I will discover, the more Love I can take in & hold on to, the less fearful I will become (let this prayer manifest in me. Be real in my life, where I no longer fear tomorrow, people or anything which the mysteries of life brings coz' I have You, Lord)
I will speak more simply, more directly, more freely about what is important to me without fear of other's rejection (my utmost prayer, too)
I will use fewer words. Trusting that I communicate my true self even when I do no speak much
(which I have observed in some friends who God have graciously allowed us to cross paths)
The more I come to know myself (spirit, mind & body) as truly Loved, the freer I will be
This is the freedom I long for as a child of God"

Ipoh Old Town

There is a new cafe in Old Town, Ipoh. Have been there twice now with Sheila. She loves the curry mee there.

This shop faces Ipoh padang & St. Michael school. It would be lovely if it wasn't so crowded. On a quiet day enjoying a cuppa 'whatever' (tea or coffee or hot chocolate) facing the field and open landscape is a peaceful sight.

As you enter, it feels like you have gone to an ol' Chinese coffee shop once upon a time. It has that effect and ambience - the dark wood colour deco. and white paints.
They serve 'Old Town' (a famous brand name now of Ipoh old town) coffee with traditional food back in the old days (eg. egg on toast, Ipoh white coffee, kaya-butter toast & etc.).

Shall go there with Sandy & Lai Yin one day. With Sandy, I have hope but with Lai Yin... well, that will have to be some good fine day when she is not busy (which is seldom!).
I know Kim will like this place. She has probably gone to the one in Ipoh Garden South (1st shop).

Trees

Another passion of mine.
Trees and I are inseparable.
Something unspoken, yet a 'knowing' within.
A connection, a sense of being.
Oneness with Nature.

Are you hungry?

One of my passions in life ... Food !

It brings much joy preparing them when you know your family & friends will enjoy them to the last bite. Don't be surprised ... some of them will lick their plate clean !!!

Seen here :
'Sheila's Exotic Salad' (what's so exotic about it? Well, you need to try to know what I mean. It does wonders to me - something unexplainable)
'Alice's Ever Famous Potatoe Salad' (if you are lucky you wait half a year to a year before she makes them !!! *smiling*)
'Ma's Tomato Grilled Chicken' and
'Herb Pasta'

Beauty, in the eyes of the beholder

" Baby corn" Art

Can you guess what this is?

The family came over for curry dinner at my place last Saturday (01 Oct 2005).

While preparing dinner, I saw beauty unfolding before my eyes.

It was not planned but a creation of some sort started to form. In fact, these were to be thrown away. Yet, it brought so much pleasure while unpeeling them away.

Amazingly... the pciture came out so clear & pretty !!

Yet again, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

What is Life ?

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it
Life is beauty, admire it
Life is bliss, taste it
Life is a dream, realise it
Life is a challenge, meet it
Life is a duty, complete it
Life is a game, play it
Life is a promise, fulfill it
Life is sorrow, overcome it
Life is a song, sing it
Life is a struggle, accept it
Life is a tragedy, confront it
Life is an adventure, dar it
Life is luck, make it
Life is too precious, do not destroy it
Life is life, fight for it

~ Mother Teresa ~

Garden Beauties

Although my garden (fr0nt) is small, it's become very pretty. My garden managers (Ma & Lil'Sistah) are wonderful garderners!!! The director... well, that's another Sistah (she also gets to enjoy them without getting dirt on her! Ha ha ha ...). Without them, there would be no such beauties & treasures to enjoy. It's become our little heavan!

Refreshing Rain

It is indeed refreshing after a good down pour. Everything in the garden seem to perk up cheerpy & bright !!!

When I took this after the rain when I got back from work, it reminded me it is so with me, too. Every now & then, I need a good down pour. How refreshed I feel after that, even though still some soreness & tenderness. Painful, yet so necessary. It helps me grow & continues to remind me to be rooted where I belong. My Belovedness.

Little Treasures in Life

I am still new in this blogging thing !!! Still fiddling around to see what I can do here and how it works.

I've tried a few places to post some pictures and my thoughts but after 30 days, they send you an e-mail saying...

'Ok. Time's up!!! If you still want to continue, pay up! Hm.... *sigh*).

As I will be away early next year (2006) for 6 months, I thought I will start something online (where no fees are due) to journal my journey (thoughts, days & happenings in my life). It is also a place where we could come together (at your own pace), share thoughts, memories & especially to keep in touch with one another - with precious friends like you, whom I treasure very much!!!
Now... let me post this and see what shows up on the page!