Approaching Easter

Living in L'Arche brings almost everything onto the surface again (all those I've put under the carpet), when all I want to do is hide and run away from myself.


As Easter approaches I am surprised by the unexpected experience (although not new but I much prefer smaller doses of them then an avalaunch of memories) I am experiencing and expected to do (like coming out in the open and talking about it).
As much as I'm negotiating (internally) with the 'Man Upstairs!', deep within I know what needs to be done. Yet, I have absolutely no courage or strength to face it or do it.
On one hand, I do know what must be done. Yet, on the other hand I am terrified even at the thought.


In the midst of all the internal struggles and negotiating, the daily routines still goes on. Work still needs to be done. Chores still needs attending to. Stomachs still needs to be fed. Weather getting colder as the days goes yet today, it was quite nice and sunny except when the wind blows it can get quite cold. The birds, bees & insects are starting to appear. I can hear the birds singing. Ants crawling in Bats-Ombak's bathroom. Daffodils blooming.

Yet, deep within (consciously or unconsciously) something is happening & only God knows what. Time has become my friend and in time, it will be revealed.


Whatever it may be, I ask for courage and strength to face my greatest enemy - myself.

Me & Food Again

I discovered this restaurant in South Croydon one day when I jumped on a bus (not knowing where it was taking me or going) and just went. Walking along the high streets of Croydon, I saw something intersting and popped my head on the window to discover 'Chicken Briyani' and it looked good.

So, in I went and ordered a plate. Oh.... it tastes so good, I've been going back (and taking friends there, too) ever since then on my rest days or whenever I crave for some really good Indian food.

They also serve Naan, Roti, Paratha with Chicken Curry of all sorts, Mutton Curry of all sorts and a variety of other stuff. The only thing I didn't enjoy there was their 'Lassi' (I found it too milky plus it wasn't sour enough as lassi's should be).
Apart from that, it's just ' heavenly'.

Along this road, you'll find 'Zaika Restaurant'

Day After Christmas (Boxing Day) 2006

The red oven (called 'Arga') is hot all day & night (never switches off). Most food are cooked in it or kept warm.
Top right = 1st hottest, Bottom right = 2nd hottest.
Top left = not so hot & Bottom left = to keep warm.

I've never experienced cooking pots as heavy as those we have in Gothic Lodge (name of our home). They weight a ton each (i think) and luckily I'd practiced taking weights in the gym before so that helped !

And whenever it gets too cold inside the house, I go there to keep myself warm, too.

I cook once or twice a week mostly (it's what I enjoy most... of all the other house chores! that needs to be done)

My 1st Snow Experience

Taken from my room window

Taken from L'Arche Lambeth office.

Never say Never !

It's been ages since I last wrote anything here.

I've been in the UK for more than 3.5 months now. Arriving on the 1st Dec. 2006 in L'Arche Community, Lambeth in South London.

Community life is very busy and hectic yet at the end of the day, it's very satisfying and I'm enjoying every moment of it.

There were many moments, I've had inner temper tantrum to throw everything away and just walk away from it all. Yet, deep within me... I know better than that.

The experience is invaluable although at times very painful coz I often meet myself time and again at places I'd love to run away from. Yet, deep within me... I know better than that.

What give me the strength (even though painful) to keep going?! At the end of the day... it's Bats-Ombak, Karo-Maro, Magi-Feri, Padi-Padi & Tari-Menari (not their real names). They are the ones who gives me the strengths and the joys.

What's the hardest/toughest/painful living here?

Comminity life.

What brings/gives me joy living here?

Community life.

I thought we were going to have an early Spring this year, 2 weeks ago but the weather have changed tremendously suddenly.

2 weeks ago, we had such sunny and bright weather. The Cherry Blossoms, Magnolias & Daffodils were blossoming so wonderfully until last Tuesday we had snow. I was at home at my Aunt's & Uncle's place when we had all 4 seasons in 1 day (snow, sun, rain and occassionally sleet! & frost, too !!!). I know when they say 'English weather'. Now, I know exactly what they mean. Since then, we've had occassional light snow and the wind eats into your bones.

Tonight, our clocks move forward 1 hour (which signifys the beginning of Spring officially-26 March every year) and it is exactly 1 year from today, I'd come to UK for my 6 months holiday last year.

I still remember saying these words (when Amar & Im had asked if I was going to visit L'Arche Community while in the UK) "No way! We'll see."

Now, look where I am. *smiling*

Never say never!

Wales

Although I am determined to write more often but there hasn't been any opportunity to do so.

I've been to so many places and taken so many pictures yet haven't had a chance to post them.

Today I will try to post some pictures of Wales. It's an awsome breathkingly beautiful country. Lots of space - as far & wide as your eyes can see. I felt so close and at one with the Creator. Seeing is believing!

For the first time, I had a walking holiday. Every single day, we walked an average of 7 hours - up hills, mountains, forests, jungles, rivers. So peaceful and quiet. Yet, there were moments of challenging terrains we had to endure to get to the other side in order to continue our journey. There was just no turning back but only forward ahead. That taught me alot about life, too.

An interesting walking holiday!!! All we had was only a map and ourselves.

Thanks to Angela for making this trip to Wales possible.

Pareo Magic

All the pieces of pareos I brough with me was not used as a 'sarong' or wrap-arounds as I would usually use (as in Malaysia) but as you can see, we used a lot of them in our play. Saffy & Oscar enjoyed buiding their little tent - a little shower & bathroom area, sleeping area and work area.

We had to use whatever we could think of or could find at home. We used Grandma Nancy's little tables, little chairs, cloth pegs, plastic bag cut into long strips to tie one end to the other side to make a room.

In the beginning, it was Saffy's play and Auntie Lay Hoon was her construction worker and eventually Oscar got intersted too which was just wonderful !!!

Oscar directed with lots of ideas to the construction of how the tent should look. Saffy... she must have her roof top to every tent we've built !!! *Smiling*

Since I had a few extra pieces of Pareos, I gave them to choose one just for themself. Oscar chose the green-blue-purple with circles on them (you can see it very clearly in the picture). Saffy chose a red one (which is just at the back of Oscar's in that picture).

I do miss Oscar very much. He's now in the hospital and we won't be able to see him for the next 6 months as he's in an isolated ward only parents can go in.

Tracing back ...

I haven't posted for ages!!!
Can't seem to find the opportunity to update this as often as I would like to. Will have a lot of tracing back and shall try to post as much as I can with what has been happening since I last posted.

Easter Weekend

Mommy & Finn















Saffy going to the garden to play
Oscar & Saffy discovered a wind chime on the tree branch






Play hide & "peekaboo" with my camera

A Day In London

Fruit Stall along Oxford Street in London














Oxford Street, London


On Tuesday (11 April 2006), I went to London with Yvonne on the train. The fare cost £14.50 for the day. You can jump onto any trains and tubes to wherever in London. She did a lot of shopping for herself & children.

We met up with Lorna & Elisha (her daughter) at 'Noa Noa' shop and went for lunch at 'Cafe Rouge', a French cafe. They served one of the best onion soups I've ever had and their dessert was just 'heavenly' !!! I had a chocolate 'something' - can't remember it's name now!

The train journey was very beautiful. Lots and lots of countryside landscapes and we chatted all the way. It took 45 minutes into London. We got off at Bond Station and walked to Oxford Street. Although it rained all afternoon, freezing cold and windy I had a lovely day out in London.

We came home at about 6pm-ish. Phil was at Leigh Station to pick us up and we went back to U.Pat & Kor2's for dinner. Dinner was lovely too - Kor2 cooked plus some Indian take-away.