Excuse me, do you play Tennis?

"Excuse me, do you play Tennis?"

That was the question a man asked me when I was on my way home yesterday from the gym. I was wearing an orange sleeveless t-shirt with the word "Tennis" printed on it. Having just got back from Greece, I am burnt! My skin reflects a dark tan, closer to black, I would say.

I replied, "Sorry, I don't play Tennis."

The man smiled and said, "Oh I see. Thank you."

I smiled back and walked on.

It was just a simple incident but it has some sort of an impact on me.

First lesson : People assume and form perceptions in their mind based partly on what they see.

I deduced that the way I dressed and the colour of my skin may have given the man the idea that I am a sporty person. And since my shirt had the word "Tennis" on it, he assumed I played tennis.

Second lesson : Having the courage to speak to someone you don't know.

I admire and salut the man for having the courage to approach someone he does not know and ask that simple question. People build barriers and boundaries around themselves to protect themselves. It takes quite a bit to step out of these boundaries and do something that one does not normally do. I could have reacted politely or aggressively. That was the risk he took.

If the human race is more trusting and accepting of one another, this incident probably would not account for one of my entries in my blog. But, as imperfect as life is, there is still a certain degree of distrust and suspicion among people.

The Sunset at Oia, Santorini

Observing the sun set at the steps of the cliffs at Oia, Santorini. It was approximately seven o'clock and people were already crowding along the steps of the town of Oia, the best place to watch the sunset on Santorini Island in Greece. While the residents of the houses along the strategic slopes had access to comfort while admiring the beautiful and amazing phenomenon, we had to resign ourselves to the hot and hard surfaces of stones. Despite that, I have to say that it was worth it.

The sun was still high up in the sky when we reached the spot. As we waited, we had the opportunity and time to admire the beautiful colours created by the sun on the waters. It was heavenly.

Minutes passed and the sun was moving slowly down the horizon. We watched the colours changed from bright red to orange. Slowly, the sun touched the horizon and went below. While this happened, a string of clouds formed a horizontal line across the sun. It seemed to me that the sun is very shy that so many people was watching it perform its duty. The clouds had a mixture of colours from blue to red to pink. The view was just indescribable. No words could describe the beauty. Very plainly, one could say that it was a display of colours in a natural setting. However, if we look beyond that, we may see something else. We see the wonderful creation of MOther Nature. We see that the harsh work of the day has come to an end and people could finally get some rest and rejoice in food and wine. For some people, perhaps it means an end to an ordeal that they have been going through. For other, it could mean an end to a chapter in their lives and the beginning of another.

When the sun finally set, everyone clapped and cheered. I wonder why. Was it to mark the end of a wonderful performance by Mother Nature? Or was it to celebrate a phenonemon that happens everyday but we do not appreciate?

Suddenly, I was reminded that the sun rises and sets everyday. So why is it that we do not appreciate the things around us so often? WHy do we go to the extremes to appreciate the little things around us? I have not come across a satisfactory answer to this question so far in my life. Perhaps, one day, I will be able to find the answer.

What brought the entire evening to the climax was an opera played by one of the residents. While the sun was setting, an opera was played. It was a lady's voice, high-pitched and sharp. THe music and singing got more aggressive and strong. THe tempo increased with a crescendo. Finally, at that very moment when the sun went below the horizon, the singing peaked and a decrescendo commenced.

What an evening....opera and the sunset....an experience of a lifetime.

I feel blessed to be able to experience that. Thank you Lord.

The handicapped and the destitute.....

My latest trip to Greece brought my attention to another side of life. While the tourists stream through the streets of boutiques, there were a few persons sitting along the streets. Some sat under the shade of the trees, while some sat under the shelter of the shops. Looking at them, one is shocked. One sees a living person sitting on the ground, dressed shabbily, without their hands and legs. Yes. They were without hands and legs. I am not sure what happened. Perhaps they met with accidents which caused them to lose their mobility.Looking at their faces, I see misery, sadness, lost of faith in life perhaps. THeir eyes do not sparkle. THeir faces do not glow. The skin on their faces sink with wrinkles at every possible centimetre square.

My heart ached when I had such sights in my vision. There were so many questions in my mind. How did they end up like this? Why? Is the government doing anything to help these people? How do these people survive?

I had tears in my eyes. I felt sorry for them and not being able to help. At the same time, I feel fortunate for my life has been blessed.

It is difficult to imagine how these people get through the minutes of their lives. Without ther mobility, they are unable to perform many of the little actions of daily lives. One such action is the action to feed themselves. Imagine losing the use of your arms and legs. HOw can you put food into your mouth? How can you move to release the toxins in your body daily?

It seems like these persons are waiting to reach the Pearly Gates where God would take pity on them and give them shelter and comfort. The wait is long, hot and difficult.

THis scene is painted with the backdrop of affluent people shopping in the boutiques and dining in the comfortable air-conditioned restaurants in the sweltering heat of the summer in Greece.

It is ironic. We can see two extremes here. The rich and affluent versus the poor and destitute. If we look up the meaning of the word "destitute", it would mention something about the lack of the ability to sustain one's life. While some lack the ability and resources, the others have so much of them that they have no idea where to put them to use.

This is a stark reminder to me that while the world and society progresses, we may have intentionally or unintentionally forgotten our fellow beings suffering the results of possibly our actions.

Efficiency at Public Service Offices

My experience with MOM was not this bad. They were efficient and they knew what they wanted. The entire recruitment process was smooth. However, my experience with MOE is not that good. They were slipshod in their handling of information. The way they handled communication with customers is not professional. I just wonder how many applications they have lost, how many potential candidates they have lost. Is this a contributing factor to the quality of education in Singapore today? I wonder.

Perhaps I should lower my expectations. Afterall, they do not belong to the private sector where customer service is a top priority. Empathy is the key word. Understanding is another. Whenever we do something, do we understand the cause and effect should anything happen? Perhaps the lifestyle in Singapore is too stressful for anyone to even think of it. (An excuse?)

Teach In Kenya.....One Day....

Will I be able to teach in places where the children are less fortunate? I will and I must do it at least once in my lifetime. (Kenya)

There are less fortunate children out there who do not have access to Education. As we all know it, Education is one critcal means to success and better living. Just because someone is born into a less fortunate family or country should not deprive them of the access to knowledge to make this world a better place. Together, working harmoniously, with our collective power, we should be able to make this world a better place.

It is a challenging idea to live in a place without all the luxuries and comforts. I will overcome that in the years to come.

Living the moment...the moment of Spontaneity...

Heute ist Samstag. Die Leute in Europa machen viel Spass, weil sie nicht arbeiten.

Today is Sunday. The people in Europe have fun because they do not need to work. It is true. I watched a live telecast of a variety program where they had song and dance on an open-air concert stage. There, the people made do with the weather, bringing umbrellas, ponchos etc to keep as dry as possible, while the show went on. The performance artists were not extremely pretty, or should I say, "packaged". They were themselves. They dressed according to their own style, which exudes a sense of simplicity. They sang and dance the way they planned. The party was neither hip nor Generation-X. Perhaps of the youths of Singapore would term the show as something out of fashion or ancient. But somehow, I just liked it because I saw several lessons.

Firstly, you do not need to be a beauty or a handsome hunk to be able to go up on stage to perform. Performance arts or music go beyond the superficial level of external looks.

Secondly, the audience is spontaneous. They do not hesistate to live and have fun in that moment. Whether you are old or young, somehow, the energy level gets to you and you just have fun without much of a difficulty. I love this spontaneity. I can feel the exhileration and enjoyment the people have.

Somehow, the Europeans, or rather most of them, know how to enjoy life and live in that moment. They are carefree and happy. But when I think about Singaporeans, the feeling of disappointment and stupidity engulfs me. Perhaps my subscription to the European way of life is one reason why I think negatively about Singapore and Singaporeans. I do not regret that. I know that deep down inside me, which is the kind of life that I want to lead, and I am working towards it.

Feeling helpless....

Sometimes, I feel helpless knowing that the kind of jobs that I am interested in requires special training and qualification. And by the time you obtain those qualifications, you are probably in your late thirties.

My current situation of being out of job is envied by many other people. While I get to enjoy myself without having to worry much, I am sometimes bored. I miss the active lifestyle, or rather, the fulfilling and meaningful lifestlye I used to have although it was fraught with challenges. Yet, at the same time, I am thankful for having the opportunity to take some time off to think about what I want to do for my career and what my passion is.

I read somewhere that there is no need to worry for the Lord has everything is his hands. All I need to do it to do what is necessary according to my action plan. Whatever happens shall be decided by God. No amount of worrying will help.


The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

A Sign.....

Is it a sign?

Today has been a cold and cloudy one. The skies are not that bright wie ein Sommertag. I went about doing my own things waiting for time to pass before I go to the gym to release the endorphins in my body.

It so happened that I was reading my mails. There was this story from Chicken Soup, which I subscibe to. It told about someone who became an author despite all the negatives comments that have been showered on her since young. As I read the story, I was inspired. So many times have we stayed in our comfort zone without exploring our dreams because of the fear of the unknown. I read with interest and happiness for this person, and at the same time, the edge of my eye sensed that the light outside the window was getting brighter. Is that a sign? A sign that things will get better and we can pursue our dreams? More importantly, to me, is that a sign that I will be able to write a book someday? Is that a sign that I will be able to help the young appreciate life and the world more?

I hope it is.....

Dear Lord

It has been a gruelling time the past few weeks waiting for an answer from MOE and realising that things have been screwed up. There has been a lesson learnt and I appreciate that. I pray that one day, while I am able to teach, I will also be able to write books to inspire people. Your blessings are seeked for such ambitions of mine.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

The Wind....

Whoooooooo.........whooooooooooo.......Bonnnnnnngggggggggggggggggg..............

The sound of the wind, the banging of the window ledges, the sound of the trees moving in the wind outside the window.

I could not sleep last night. The winds were blowing so hard that they produced loud sounds in the night. I imagined ghosts flying in the air, somehow looking for a place to rest. I imagined the trees as spirits swaying their arms. I wonder if the windows would ever break with the winds blowing so strongly.

This is the first time I have ever encountered such strong winds at night. And the worst thing is that the winds blew strongly for the entire night till the sun came out this morning.

With my imagination running wild the entire night, I hardly caught any sleep. And with the unconfortable pillows and my aching necks and shoulders, things just got worse.

What a night......

Good news coming my way??

I checked my horoscope today. Perhaps we can call this action out of desperation. What happened earlier could be attributed to communication and assumptions.

I called MOE to check if they still needed the additional information they stated in the email. The person checked and after some clarification replied that no further information is required. It seems like there are a few areas for examination here.

1. The officer received both my electronic and hard copy application which states that I had my first degree from NTU. Yet an email was still sent asking me which university I had received my first degree from.
2. Despite the email being sent, I ignored based on the very first half of the sentence asking me to ignore the earlier email. I did not read the second half of the sentence which informed me that I should refer to a particular section.

So when two persons make mistakes, the situation gets a little out of hand. THe application will be processed beginning today. So I will have to wait for another two to three weeks. By that time, I will be off to Greece on holiday.

Back to the horoscope. It says that good news will be coming my way. Something that has been on my mind will soon be solved and it will have a positive ending. I really hope that I can get that interview with MOE and get that teaching job despite what has happened.

Maybe this is a lesson learnt that we should not make too many assumptions and take things lightly. Maybe this is a lesson that I can share with my students in future. Oh, Lord Bless Me!

Guardian Angels.....

Do you believe in Guardian Angels? Guardian Angels who somehow has the power to warn you through your instincts that there is a step in front so that you would not trip. Guardian Angels who protect you from the small little accidents in daily life. I do to a certain extent.

Being a clumsy and blur person at times, my Guardian Angel protects me from the little accidents which otherwise would have caused me to injure myself even further to the weak joints I have now. My Guardian Angel also gives me answers to certain questions and thought that come up anytime. That is what I call Revelation. I am not sure who gave me the answers. It could be God or my Guardian Angel though. Still I am grateful for the answers.

Guardian Angels work in many different ways to help us through our everyday lives. We may not see it, but I am sure somehow, we can feel it. Guardian Angels put us at ease and show us the way. Guardian Angels know and understand how we feel at different times of the day. They know us inside out. Sometimes, they do let us fall to teach us something. They work miracles.

So, to my Guardian Angel out there. I know you are hearing and seeing me. And I know that you know what is weighing on my mind at this very moment.

Dear Guardian Angel,

Thank you for what you have for the past twenty-five years. It has been a quarter of a century and you have been there for me in every way possible. With the beginning of the next quarter of the century, I have decided to make the radical move of being a teacher. I hope that you will still be there for me and help me along the way. Together we can embark on this meaningful and passionate journey towards helping the young ones. I am sure you will be a partner in this quest for Good.

Love Jo

Suspense....The Wait....

Today is approximately two weeks after I received the confirmation from MOE that they have received my application. According to the website, the processing time is about two to three weeks.

Just like standing in the queue for a roller coaster ride, the wait is really killing me. I so very much want to join the service and teach. Hence, the opportunity to get an interview really means a lot to me. Throughout my whole life, I have never had such enthusiasm. The closest one was during University days when I had to choose a major. I had never wanted something so badly. So it really means something.

I guess the reason is because I have found meaning, or heard the calling. When you know deep down inside that something is significant to you, you want to protect it, or work on it or get it moving.

As much as I hope that I would get some news from them soon, I can do nothing except wait. Everyday, I go about my regime with this still in my mind. I go to the gym, I do the chores, I work on my assignments. Even when I sleep, I think about it. I dream about it. Guess that is why I have not been able to get much quality sleep lately.

During this time, I can only read up as much as possible about teaching to prepare myself, and pray. Lord help me!

Sunshine after the rain....

I love to stand in the kitchen to do the dishes. It is not because I love to do the dishes, but I relish the opportunities to look out of the window. The weather in Copenhagen is definitely more indiscriminate than in Singapore, especially now that summer is almost coming to an end and autumn is approaching. One moment, the clouds move away to allow the sun's rays to shin through giving the city light and warmth. And the next moment, the clouds are back again. THe skies look gloomy and the winds blow hard. I feel cold. TIck tick tick tick.....the next thing I hear is the tapping of the raindrops on the windows and pipes outside the apartment.

Many times, I would open the window which in right in front of the sink to allow the cold air to flow in. The air is cold and chilly. Yet, it has a refreshing scent of the wind and rain. It lifts me up and I feel that though it is raining, there is much to celebrate for having rain too. It provides us with water, it helps the forests to grow, it reminds us that there will always be times in our lives that we would weep, it washes away bad thoughts, it cleanses us.

The weather in Copenhagen is so temperamental. A few minutes later into my dishes, the clouds move, blown by the strong winds. Away goes the clouds and out comes the sun. The sun shines brightly, bringing warmth and light to the courtyard below. At this very moment, I am further lifted in spirits for nature is telling me that there is always the sunshine after the rain. I may be feeling down at one point in time, but fear not because I will soon be happy again. Such revelation and reminder brings me a sense of inner peace. I so very much want to bring this reminder to the people who need it, to the destitute whom I see along the streets in the countries I visit. I need to learn to appreciate what I have more. People on the streets are often without food, clothing and shelter. On the other hand, I have everything. My life is comfortable and fortunate.

Most important of all, I want to share this revelation with the next generation. As we become more affluent, it is often very easy to forget the people who share this planet with us, who are less fortunate. Extreme conditions make people do things that they do not want. They often are not able to answer for their actions because they are driven by the deprivation of the basics. We, on the other hand, are reluctant to give them a chance for fear of losing whatever we own. The divide grows bigger with each passing day. If only we could reach out to them in a way which puts them on the same level as ourselves. We respect them but not pity them.