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.

 

A Loyal Old Junk

I'm not referring to myself la.... I may be old, but it's only a number. I'm still so young at heart... ahem! I'm talking about my beloved Sunny, my 15-year-old car. I sent my car to the workshop today to have the air-conditioner fixed. I moved around for a week without the aircon. I had no choice as I was unable to take leave any time I like due to the nature of my job.

15 years and still going strong. They don't
make cars like this anymore.

I didn't wanna wait as I know it would take half a day to complete, so I left my phone number with the foreman, and walked home.... yes, I WALKED home...well, it's only 10 minutes, and the morning sun is good for me but I'm not walking back there in the afternoon or later when I collect the car. The foreman called as soon as I got home to confirm that there was a leakage in the condenser, and the dryer (whatever it is) has to be replaced.

Hope he does a good job... this is my first visit to that workshop.

UPDATE: I've got my car back two hours ago, and the aircon is working again. It costs me RM350. Gosh...aircon servicing is always more expensive than regular auto servicing.

First Guidance Class

Yesterday, 28 June 2010 was a historical day for me. I held my first guidance class for MUET. I don't wanna call it tuition because I'm not here to make big bucks like some teachers out there. I just want to guide my students to get them to know MUET and practise so that they're able to achieve the minimum Band 3 set by the university in order to proceed to Beta level.

Any kind of service comes with a fee, and this guidance class is no exception. How much I charge my students? Well... very minimal because my students can't afford to pay too much unlike city kids. Pity them la... they want to learn, but if I charge them too high, they will be discouraged to have that opportunity to learn. I'm not ashamed to say that I'm getting a bit of pocket money which is sufficient to pay my utility bills while helping students who need help. Part of my earnings will go to charity, too as they need donations - this is my pledge to society.

I planned to have such a class years ago but somehow it didn't materialise. It takes something bad to happen to me to realize that I've got to do something with my life or else I'll rot forever. So, I decided it's time to start this guidance class - I did it... and I got my first batch of five students last night.

Start small but aim big. I won't be greedy yet, but I've plans over the next few years to expand (not sideways) but it all depends on how I handle this first batch of students.

Wish me luck that I'll succeed this time... for once.

A 6-hour Torment

At dawn, while almost everyone else was still fast asleep on that "fateful" Saturday morning on 26 June 2010, my phone alarm screamed at me. It was 5:30 AM, and I was supposed to wake up to get ready for an event - The Writers' Workshop - at Cyberjaya. We were told to get to campus by 6:30 AM as the bus leaves at that time. We departed almost 7:00 AM in a typical Malaysian style. OK, so here's what I captured with my 3.2MP smartphone ... ain't that smart, you know:

Catching up with lovely sleep

Cyberjaya campus: The venue of our workshop

Generous breakfast spread, tea breaks and lunch for us
Thank you, we're starving. 

Some of the participants - teens!

The man who could talk for 6-hours
He really knows his stuff.

Practice time: Mock press conference

Despite having to listen to Willie (the only facilitator there) for 6 hours, I didn't feel too bored, but I must admit that I daydreamed quite a bit, while I saw someone snoozing away. His lecture was intermittent with five activities that are tied to each other.

The participants were 99% students from both campuses. There were only two staff members as participants, me and another guy. Basically we learnt a lot of journalism and reporting. The skills are useful as I've plans to be a writer some day ... perhaps make that as my full time job.

Well... it was worth the early morning wake up call. By the way, my hands are lousy when it comes to taking snapshots... see the blurry pix?