Leap Year 2016

Leap year comes but once every four years.

Here's to wishing those whose birthday falls on this special 29th February with year divisible by the number 4.

*** Happy Birthday ***

21 Again

My attending of a cousin's 21st birthday party this evening brings me for a walk down lane memory.

It seems like yesterday when I have my 21st year old birthday party. In a wink of an eye, its the next generation's party that I am invited to, along with my own little family. Looking at my cousin who turns 21 tonight, life is full of hope, full of optimism, full of promises of the beginning of many good things to come.

Looking at the many young adults at the party, I cannot help but feel old. Perhaps not mentally, but definitely physically. Time and tide wait for no man. Though it is important and good to feel young at heart, no one can deny the passage of time. Age does and will catch up. The worst nightmare is to have a active and 'youthful' mind trapped in an old aged body. One cannot help but feel helpless and dependent on others when that happened.

Every one of us hopes to leave this world gracefully. But how many of us actually have this luxury of choice ultimately? I shudder each time I think deep enough into the reality of life and death. Of course, I hope when it is my turn to go, I can have that inner peace to embrace it gracefully and let go.

Right Place, Right Time, Right Moment

I always believe there is a reason for everything.

People, things, events, they all exist and happen for a reason, for a purpose.

Originally I am supposed to start work on a Monday (yesterday). But due to some unforeseen circumstances, it is pushed back to Wednesday (tomorrow). 2 days and I have managed to do much packing and cleaning in the house. In fact, it is a blessing in disguise that my start date is delayed as both Jewel and Coral fall victims to the flu virus upon our return from Melaka and Genting. In addition, my mum gets to rest for 2 days before starting the tiresome job of looking after two young children.

Turn the clock back 6 years. When I look upon that period of time, everything falls into place. Whatever has happened then is a reason for whatever is today. If i have successfully referred my ex-colleague to my company then, I will not be starting work at where I will be reporting for work tomorrow.

Such is the power of being at the right place, at the right time, at the right moment. Things will naturally fall into place to fulfill their reasons of being.

Invaluable Lesson

I learn an invaluable lesson this morning when I visit my chinese physician.

I have always been skeptical when it comes to believing others, believing their supposedly good intentions, believing that there exist people who derive pleasure purely out of helping others without any ulterior motives, be it monetary gains or in kind.

Clouds of doubts have been hovering in the air for the past 1, 2 months. It is amazing how relieving it can be when these misgivings and uncertainties are finally cleared.

One does not command respect. It is earned. The same goes for confidence. It is invited. Respect and confidence, not forced, and certainly not demanded. Today, my chinese physician has indeed earned both my respect and confidence.

Each experience has its own story to tell. I am willing to share my special episode of experience with friends, with people, who care enough for themselves to believe in me.

China Roses

I am pretty sure you will remember what I have said before. This is one of my favourite songs, from album "Paint the Sky with Stars", Track #7: China Roses. Coincidentally, 7 is my favourite number and rose is my favourite flower. Do you remember the Holland rose? It is bigger than the usual rose with deep crimson red petals.  When it is my time, I want it to be decked in cheerful colours, in red and pink, not white. Who says it must be all serious, sad and sombre? *** Everyone has their own ideas of Heaven. What creates the beauty of the world is the love we have for it, connected to memories, wishes, desires. For each of us it is a different treasure we embrace - a changing sky, the crimson flower of the Keys of Heaven, a love token, the endless delight of fairy-tales, the ever-shifting pictures of our world that we find in the words of poets. For each one of us a different love becomes our own woo of dreams. ~Roma Ryan

Leisure

I never fully understand the meaning of this poem during my secondary school days when my Literature teacher shares it with us. Now it speaks volume.


Leisure (by W. H. Davies)

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Life's Journey

Just one week ago, I receive news of the passing of a senior who used to stay in the same hostel as myself during my early schooling days. News has it bad that he has been fighting a battle with leukamia, one in which he obviously lose to, and is forced to leave for the rainbow land, leaving behind his wife and a one year old son. A quick calculation tells me that he is at most 37 years of age, still so young. Even though I do not know him very well, just a hi-bye friend, I am greatly saddened by this piece of tragic report because he is someone real and I do know him.

Another piece of sad news. I chat with a long lost hostel friend the night before and mention to him in passing the departure of this common friend. He tells me that he understands because early this year he has lost someone very dear to him. "Who?" I ask him. "My wife," he replies. OMG.. I am at a loss for words. He told me it was a sudden death, no one in the family unexpect it at all. Cause of death is massive stroke to brain. And the doctors could not provide a good enough reason for the whys as his wife has always been in the pink of health. My friend remembers with clarity the events leading to the wife's collapse on that fateful day; they had dinner as usual, afterwhich his wife complained of a really bad headache. He sends her to the hospital A&E...unfortunately, one way trip in which his beloved 34 year old wife never return from. I am terribly affected by his sharing. I read his blog, all the entries he dedicates to his wife. I feel his loss, so fresh; feel his pain, so raw; feel his sufferings, so excruciatingly agonizing. So sad so terribly sad.

Life. We all behave as if we will live indefinitely, but in reality, we are walking towards death with each passing day, from the moment we are born. The only difference between those who are diagnosed with cancer versus those who are healthy is that these people have a known number tagged to their remaining lifespan; as for the rest of us, it is just an unknown number.

The demise of my friend's wife is yet another gentle reminder for us, to treasure and to cherish what we have at present. Our loved ones...