Friday night
Started my first yoga class. Barely made it on time thanks to a long-winded lecture (sigh). The class was small which was good for beginner like me. We began with simple breathing exercise before moving into the harder positions such as cobra. It was quite a struggle for me. By the end of the class, I was totally soaked in sweat. Even though my body was sore from the exercise, I had a lot of fun and am looking forward to the next class.
Saturday night
Theory of enough - This was the last phrase to appear on the presentation slides. It carried simple meanings but significant enough to to make an impression.
The theory is linked to our realisation of divine intervention in our life. Most of the time, we find ourselves unable to control things that happen around us. In addition, as we grow older, we find our options in life decreasing. If these are facts of life, what else can we do? Do we sit around and accept our fate?
Not necessarily. There are things which are still within our control which may or may not have an impact on divine intervention. Firstly, do good things - What goes around comes around. Mom has always told me that if a person thinks evil things and do evil things, God knows and God will make sure the person receives the right punishment even though the punishment may only come very much later in life. So, if ever someone does something unkind to us, we should not retaliate by behaving in similar manner as that person. Rather, we should continue doing what is right.
Second, do only the white things, never the grey nor black. Once we decide to do something that falls in the grey area, we will become more acceptance of the grey things and without realising, we might have moved into the black area. This reminds me of a chinese saying - To become bad takes 3 days, to become good takes 3 years.
Third, self-renewal (solitude and reflection) and the theory of enough. The theory is about considering what is enough in your life. For example, you need a house to stay in, a car to drive to work, a secure job etc. When you have accounted for all the things that is enough for you, then anything beyond those are a blessing. It is only when we know what is enough that we can be grateful with that we have. And when we are able to be grateful, we will be happy.
The theory really made me think about my life. I have come to realise that for awhile, I was consumed by my desire for more. To me, I still don't have enough when in actual fact, I am already a blessed person. I may not be rich but I have all the basic necessities in life. I have my family with me. I am learning to appreciate everything I have now. I hope this is a lesson I will never forget.
Sunday morning
I was at the temple this morning. While my previous intention for going to temple was to pray for a desire, today was different. It was to express my gratitude for things that I have in life.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Kiasuland
1 April
7 years later, I made my second trip to Singapore. Again, it's official. Four of us from the delegation were on the same flight. As soon as we arrived at the arrival gate, we saw a man holding a board with our names. I was tempted to snap a photo of him for memory sake but never did.
The trip to the hotel took about 40 minutes. We checked in and having freshen up ourselves, promptly left the hotel for a late lunch. Our adventure began with attempts to locate the nearest mrt station, Outram Park which was around 25-minute walk away! After a hectic walk, we arrived at Orchard Road. I was disappointed as there was no sale around this time of the year. So I made my way to Chinatown next. It was late afternoon by the time I arrived. I walked and walked before finally settling down in a small restaurant specialising in dimsum and porridge for dinner. As I could not bear the thought of walking to the hotel from the mrt station, I braved myself to take the bus. Thanks to the efficient transportation system in Singapore, I had no trouble catching the right bus back.
2 April
The whole day was spent in the meeting room. I nearly nodded off. The discussion was pretty dry.
Finally at 5.30pm, the meeting was adjourned. I made my way back to the room, freshen up and left the hotel for Raffles Place. I was to meet two friends for dinner. I managed to catch sight of the Singapore River and the Raffles Place before we decided to dine in a Japanese restaurant. It was nice catching up with them.
3 April
Another day spent on meeting.
At about 6pm, the delegates left the hotel to experience a ride on the Flyer, courtesy of our gracious host. It was my first time up on a flyer as I have neither went on the one in Malaysia nor the one in London. A little past 7pm, the sun began to set. The host had arranged such that we saw both the day view and the night view. Dinner was in an Indonesian restaurant known as Tambuah Mas, Marina Square. We were treated to plates after plates of seafood - fried mini octopus, fried soft-shelled crabs, fish, huge prawns, stir-fried vegetables with scallops etc. Pity we didn't manage to finish everything.
After the dinner, a colleague and I decided to do some last minute shopping at Mustafa which opens 24 hours a day. By the time we were done, it was close to 11.30pm. Time to head home.
4 April
I woke up early to do some last minute sightseeing. Incidentally, a friend from Philippines wanted to see more of Singapore too. So both of us left to find the famous Singapore Merlion. We thought we were early but there were already plenty of tourists crowding the park. The weather was extremely warm despite being still early in the morning. Our next stop was the more than a century old Thean Hock Keng temple. Once again, the place was surrounded by tourists. Our last stop together that morning was Chinatown. We had some trouble finding the place till we decided to ask for direction from an elderly man. The man took us to the entrance to Chinatown before turning back on his journey. I was touched to find such helpful people.
Soon, me and my friend had to bid each other farewell as I had to leave to meet some old schoolmates for lunch. Then it was farewell to Singapore.
I hope that the next time I come, I will be able to visit the night safari and do some shopping!
7 years later, I made my second trip to Singapore. Again, it's official. Four of us from the delegation were on the same flight. As soon as we arrived at the arrival gate, we saw a man holding a board with our names. I was tempted to snap a photo of him for memory sake but never did.
The trip to the hotel took about 40 minutes. We checked in and having freshen up ourselves, promptly left the hotel for a late lunch. Our adventure began with attempts to locate the nearest mrt station, Outram Park which was around 25-minute walk away! After a hectic walk, we arrived at Orchard Road. I was disappointed as there was no sale around this time of the year. So I made my way to Chinatown next. It was late afternoon by the time I arrived. I walked and walked before finally settling down in a small restaurant specialising in dimsum and porridge for dinner. As I could not bear the thought of walking to the hotel from the mrt station, I braved myself to take the bus. Thanks to the efficient transportation system in Singapore, I had no trouble catching the right bus back.
2 April
The whole day was spent in the meeting room. I nearly nodded off. The discussion was pretty dry.
Finally at 5.30pm, the meeting was adjourned. I made my way back to the room, freshen up and left the hotel for Raffles Place. I was to meet two friends for dinner. I managed to catch sight of the Singapore River and the Raffles Place before we decided to dine in a Japanese restaurant. It was nice catching up with them.
3 April
Another day spent on meeting.
At about 6pm, the delegates left the hotel to experience a ride on the Flyer, courtesy of our gracious host. It was my first time up on a flyer as I have neither went on the one in Malaysia nor the one in London. A little past 7pm, the sun began to set. The host had arranged such that we saw both the day view and the night view. Dinner was in an Indonesian restaurant known as Tambuah Mas, Marina Square. We were treated to plates after plates of seafood - fried mini octopus, fried soft-shelled crabs, fish, huge prawns, stir-fried vegetables with scallops etc. Pity we didn't manage to finish everything.
After the dinner, a colleague and I decided to do some last minute shopping at Mustafa which opens 24 hours a day. By the time we were done, it was close to 11.30pm. Time to head home.
4 April
I woke up early to do some last minute sightseeing. Incidentally, a friend from Philippines wanted to see more of Singapore too. So both of us left to find the famous Singapore Merlion. We thought we were early but there were already plenty of tourists crowding the park. The weather was extremely warm despite being still early in the morning. Our next stop was the more than a century old Thean Hock Keng temple. Once again, the place was surrounded by tourists. Our last stop together that morning was Chinatown. We had some trouble finding the place till we decided to ask for direction from an elderly man. The man took us to the entrance to Chinatown before turning back on his journey. I was touched to find such helpful people.
Soon, me and my friend had to bid each other farewell as I had to leave to meet some old schoolmates for lunch. Then it was farewell to Singapore.
I hope that the next time I come, I will be able to visit the night safari and do some shopping!
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