Forgive Me, Father

Our Heavenly Father,

The past 12 months have been traumatic for me, my family and my friends. The things I've done, the acts that I showed and the words I uttered are not what I'm used to, and not what is expected of me. Please Lord, I beg you to forgive me for all my sins which I've done toward the people I love and I care. And I also beg for forgiveness to those whom I have sinned. Give me more wisdom, patience and selflessness from now on to be better than the person I once used to be. Bless all those who still care for me, Lord, whether they're my family members or friends. I pray that they and their families will stay in good health and in happiness always. Pray for me...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in Heaven

Hallowed by Thy name

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done on earth

As it is in Heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us for our trespasses

As we forgive those who trespass against us

Lead us not into tempation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom

And the power

And the glory

Forever and ever

A-men.

Amigos Para Siempre

Friends are plenty, but true friends are very few. I have one really true friend. I dedicate this song to her. It is hoped our friendship lasts a lifetime.






I don't have to say
A word to you
You seem to know
Whatever mood
I'm going through
Feels as though
I've known you forever

You
Can look into my eyes and see
The way I feel
And how
The world is treating me
Maybe I have known you forever

Amigos para siempre
Means you'll always be my friend
Amics per sempre
Means a love that cannot end
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre

I feel you near me
Even when we are apart
Just knowing you are in this world
Can warm my heart
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre

We share memories
I won't forget
And we'll share more,
My friend,
We haven't started yet
Something happens
When we're together

When
I look at you
I wonder why
There has to come
A time when we must say goodbye
I'm alive when we are together

Amigos para siempre
Means you'll always be my friend
Amics per sempre
Means a love that cannot end
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre

I feel you near me
Even when we are apart
Just knowing you are in this world
Can warm my heart
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre

When
I look at you
I wonder why
There has to come
A time when we must say goodbye
I'm alive when we are together

Amigos para siempre
Means you'll always be my friend
Amics per sempre
Means a love that cannot end
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre

I feel you near me
Even when we are apart
Just knowing you are in this world
Can warm my heart
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre

Amigos para siempre
Means you'll always be my friend
Amics per sempre
Means a love that cannot end
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre
Amigos para siempre

Pulpo Paul

A week ago, a colleague told me about this octopus that became a craze in the World Cup. I didn't know what was happening as I am not a soccer fan. A few days later, I discovered what the heck this eight-legged creature has to do with the sports... and he has a name, too - Paul.

"Pulpo Paul" became an icon, an almost instant celebrity, when he (or is it a she), picked out the winners of the last eight games correctly. That's truly amazing. Now tell me how many Nostradamuses could predict with accuracy for eight times? Highly unlikely. Paul did it. I think everyone is gonna name his child "Paul" or something connected to this sea creature to honour him. Every one was talking about Paul and his predictions. Every newspaper had headlines about him. The local Chinese newspaper glorified him by having his photo splashed on the front page of the paper.

Gee... does Paul know how lucky he is? No, he's oblivious to everything... poor thing. Now that the World Cup is over, he will continue swimming at leisure in an aquarium in Germany.

Back to the House of God

I've been thinking of doing this for quite some time. So, yesterday evening, I decided that after a 30-year lapse, I'm following my mom to church today (Sunday) - and I did. Whatever prior arrangements I had today was called off. Sorry, Tzu Chi... I was supposed to attend a full day volunteer training today, but I sent a message to the Commissioner to inform her that I'm withdrawing. I'll still be a volunteer, though.

Mom was so delighted that she immediately gave me the Holy Bible to read. Sorry mom, I had to do what I did because I wanted answers NOT to religious questions but answers to my own life because I've not been good enough. I brought about the divorce, and I've hurt my best friend real bad. So I can't take anymore hurt. The Bible might shed some light, but I'll have to see. I've brought pain to people (not deliberately of course), and I want God to show me the way out. I wanted to go to church not because Buddhism has failed me, but because I believe an alternative might give me what I've been looking for.

Do you know what happened when one of my mom's closest friends met me at the church entrance? She was the usher for today's service. When she saw me, she immediately put her hands together, closed her eyes and said loudly: "Praise the Lord. You're here." ... and went on to tell me that I should get my dad to join me too. She reminded me again about this after the service.

Err... excuse me. What? Hello, I'm not here to be converted yet, OK? I'm going to church to learn something. And I'm not the type of person who goes around persuading others to join the Fellowship. It's their choice; let their heart speak the way it has spoken to me. Well, to be fair, my mom's friend was just happy for me. One reason I shun away from Christianity three decades ago was because of this kind of people - they scare the heck out of me!!! I guess I was naive then. But this morning, I wasn't afraid of such people anymore because Buddhism has taught me rather well.

People who knew me as a little boy in Sunday School over 30 years ago still recognise me, and welcomed me. There were plenty of happy faces - yeah, and I still knew my way around the church despite it being heavily renovated. And you know what? Today is special because my brother, a staunch Christian, was the Worship Leader. What a coincidence! He didn't see me till toward the end of the service. As expected, he wasn't really surprised, but I know he was glad, and I'm glad my younger brother makes a good Leader. So I'm back to the Wesley Methodist Church - I guess for good.

The Gift from the Heart

In my entire life, I've got gifts from my ex-wife, colleagues who came back from a trip abroad, and from students. However, I got a gift today from someone whom I've known a long time - my best friend. She told me about it last week but refused to tell me what it is. This morning, at approximately 8:30 AM, I found out what it was when I personally collected it at the PosLaju collection centre:

The counter wasn't opened yet. Waited 2 mins.
I was customer No. 4 already

Unwrapped it in the car. Oh! A clock... cool :)

Back in the office.
Oops, it's a figurine. So cute and meaningful

There you go little one. You're on display permanently.
Yeah.... teacher - that's for me alright.

There was also a note to apologize for the unsuitable wrapping (or no wrapping), but the wrapping doesn't matter to me. What matters is the message that is printed on the gift, and the pureness of the heart to send this to me when she knows that I needed to be pushed. It doesn't take an Einstein to see that I'm really touched now, and that has motivated me to do what I've wanted to do.

There was major anxiety with regard to the collection of the gift, and that anxiety lasted a few days. Well, it's over now. The gift is now in safe hands. Yen, if you are reading this blog, I wholeheartedly thank you for taking the trouble, and for putting so much effort in getting this meaningful gift just for me.

Once, I thought there was no such thing as a best friend. Now I've got not only a best friend, but a true friend as well... and I believe, I'm lucky to have such a friend... this song is just for you:

SONG: Best Friends Forever
PERFORMED BY: KSM

For My Best Friend

Ode to A Best Friend
(Dedicated to Yen)

I found you one day

You found me too

Through thunderstorms and winds

Through meadows and blue oceans

We became best friends

Sorry for the pain

Sorry for the tears

Sorry for the words

That have hurt your ears

Thank you for the love

Thank you for the care

And all that we share

Thank you to the One Above

For bringing you into my life

Shall we take this vow

 Nothing can stop us now
as best friends
Forever in our heart
Till death do us part

Spending Sundays with Kids

I was at the Tzu Chi premise this morning before leaving with some volunteers to my inaugural home visit. Yup, this is the first time I'm visiting a home NOT for Hari Raya or Deepavali but to see the other side of life - the not-so-fortunate. Prior to the home visit, there was a parent-children bonding session in the music room.

I arrived at 8:20 AM, and there was ample parking space. I headed off to Tzu Chi's music room which I've never stepped into in my 4-5 months as a volunteer. As soon as I arrived, a senior told me that there's a problem with the audio-visual, and my colleague was already waiting for my help. Gosh, I'm not an expert in AV stuff. I had to take off my shoes and put them into a cloth bag which was provided, then bring them along into the room. My colleague, who told me about today's event, was meddling with her notebook.

Let's cut the story short before you nod off... see the photos below:

A senior volunteer giving a briefing in the music room

Senior volunteers doing a role-play of a scene.
Kids and parents watch attentively

So, what did you learn from the role-play?

Senior volunteer discussing the home visit etc. with parents
while their kids listen

Food time after the home visit. Bring your own containers.
No styrofoam boxes, please.

Now it's the parent's turn to talk. Feedback time.

The kids were cute, and they got restless after some time. What did they do? They sat on the floor and turned the chairs over and played with them :) Why those people can't keep their speeches short? I also noticed that the legs of each chair have white "booties" to protect the parquet floor from scratches or marks. Cool idea.

Guess what? I didn't understand almost all of what was said because the entire session was conducted in Mandarin. Tzu Chi, being a Taiwan-based organisation, conducts all activities in that language. Nevertheless, there are some English-speaking people there, too.