Life

Life is a journey of finding answers to many questions. We may not live long enough to get the answers, and this really is a mystery. However, the rewards are the little things we stumble upon when we keep going, despite the twists and turns, the bumpy roads sans streetlights. These are the diamonds (of wisdom, grace and special people) we can choose to pick along the way... Life's journey is a joy, never a bore.

Seeds of Philosophy

I remember when I was vacationing at my grandparents’ house how my cousins thought our young neighbors from another Christian denomination were not like us and treated them in a different way.

I think that was also the first time I started asking questions about faith and belief systems. To my young mind I asked if the Jesus they believed in was not the same Jesus I believed in. These thoughts later recurred when I first heard about Buddhism. When they pray to Buddha, does Jesus hear those prayers too? Are we worshipping the same person? If Buddha was not great, why would people pray to him? At the end of the world, will Jesus save Buddhists too?

from 31 to -31

It's been 6 weeks since I left Singapore, indeed a month and a half. And after a STRING of flights from Singapore, Scotland, England and Toronto, I am here in Winnipeg - safe and cold!

I'm taking this relocation as a chance to go back to writing in here - to record observations, culture shock, new acquaintances, people and places until I could say I've found my stride, I've formed new habits. We'll see :-)

finally doing things...

a few weeks ago i decided i will go for a swimming lesson (yes, to really learn how to swim and save myself from "self-embarassment"). check, as on the 7th of july, i will head opposite NUS Arts Canteen to meet my swimming instructor for the first time.

Monday i called Julia's number and was booked for 16th of July by a French guy - for haircut, and not just a trim this time!

mundane stuff, but happily ticking out from the list!

good for 3 flights

still i Q'd, but now that i'm home (and more level headed), i could say that i was still satisfied with the service i got from the embassy:

1. i've got my OWWA membership renewed (with not much questions);

2. i've got 3 OECs (t'was a bit annoying to request for the multiple OEC, but i prevailed ;-)

and most of all

3. i was welcomed by the new look of the embassy premises

i don't know if that was a new building. i'm not a construction expert to determine if they could have a new one in about 8 months (the last time i was there was in October 2010 for the renewal of my passport). nevertheless, it was great! the windows, the number notices (i don't know the name of the thing), the waiting tables/chairs, the entrance, are quite decent. so much different from the last time i was there! see the few photos pls (thanks google images)

surely, there are still some improvements to be done (i.e. electronic OEC application/request as well as payment by NETS or card). but for the time being - i feel good and 'dignified' with the gradual improvements.