RE-flection: Blackie

Blackie is dead, lying peacefully in the food tray.
Blackie was a gift to my sis 3 years ago. When she first joined the family, she was as white as snow (almost named Snowy). Unfortunately she changed from white to grey to dark brown! Hence we conveniently called her Blackie.
Blackie bit and nibbled at anything but she gave us joy. Seeing her running up and down the ladder and playing on the wheel, loosen up your tired muscles. For the past one year, she had kept my father busy after his retirement. My father took care of Blackie.
Now Blackie is gone. This is also my first time, witnessing how Blackie aged slowly, from an active little creature running up and down nibbling away to just a few to no rounds on the wheel. And finally staying practically whole day in the food tray. For the past few months, it has been a silent night, no scrabbling, tumbling and screeching of wheel.
We knew and we were waiting. I was watchful everyday even up to this morning. I saw her in the food tray, breathing slowly, most probably the last few breath.
The time was approximately 10.55pm on 29 Nov 06. Blackie spotted dead, lying peacefully in the food tray.

We suspect that Blackie belongs to winter white breed.

Re-Joice: Enjoying my Day

I'm attending a blogging session now. The trainer is trying his best to give attention to all the students with different needs. At the same time, he keeps assuring the class not to be afraid to create own blog (can delete later, no worry!) Now he is trying to show how to create a post by creating a "silly" post (that's what he claimed) :) Few questions the class asks:
1. How do I delete a blog
2. How will people know your blog (trainer's answer: ask the person directly!!! lame! but sometimes it is true that technology is not so "high tech" as claimed :))
3. How do we read someone else's blog
Trainer "angry" now, tapping on the white board cos' students get very excited over questions asked.

Trainer murmurs something like "don't know why I'm here..." Just keep quiet... quietly sitting at a corner to "report" on the session. My classmate sitting beside me jokes, "like a secretary!" Hmm... who knows, right?

Now I'm so bored... cos' trainer talking to himself... maybe is me cos' me not paying attention but I observe that the students sitting on the left side are very attentive.

Nonetheless I do learn something on "comments" feature and have helped my classmates sitting near me :)

ReFlection - Managing Anger

My church newsletter has an article on "Right Anger?" by Xu Chunxi. In summary, the writer is pointing out that it is alright to be angry because it is an emotion in human. Biblically, we read that God, Jesus and Paul had angers. Therefore, anger is a "normal feeling". However, we must always keep our anger in check and never allow it to "sin".
Chunxi highlights two verses in the Bible that help us to manage anger:
"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26
"In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent." Psalm 4:4
In addition to managing yourself, I'm surprised to learn that there is a need to manage others too. We need to initiate peace with people that we know are not happy or against us. This will avoid further conflicts and make our relationship with God right.
By God's grace, there is a need to learn to be slow to anger, listen more and speak less.

Reference: The Beacon, vol 33 no. 4, Sep/Oct 2006 by Paya Lebar Methodist Church

My Trip to China - Jiangnan

Because of my sister, I visited China last year in early Dec. Joined a tour group and toured Jiangnai. I quite enjoyed my trip, if not for the extreme weather and the pressure to purchase medical products, jades, pearls and other stuff at an exorbitant price. However, I must salute them and admit that they were very persuasive in marketing their products. I enjoyed 'Xiang Yang Shi Cang', however it was a pity that the authority has closed it with the aim to cease the transaction of imitation goods. Gone were the days where you could purchase LV, Burberry, Gucci, etc goods at 'low' price and the thrill of bargaining! Well, I believe you still can bargain in China, however I'm not sure if there is another place where you can really slash the price to about 25% of the original quoted price. Oh gosh! I've finally experience the doorless and drain system lavatory! Thank goodness, yet to see the 'forbidden stuff'. I almost wanted to take a pic of it! Overall, it's not such a terrible place like what many people have talked about. Every country is unique with its good and ugly side. Why look at the ugly? Focus on the beauty of nature that God has created for all people! And the simplicity of life at many parts of China could be a blessing and happiness :)

ReJoice - New York

I was in New York for library visit in March this year. Only stayed for 1 day!!! No statue of liberty, only Broadway (see picture on the left) because my hotel was just a street across Broadway. However, don't ask me if I've watched any shows - nope, nothing... it was strictly a working trip. *sigh*

My first impression of New York - "Metropolitan" and somehow I did not feel "safe" as compared to the other cities I've visited - Boston and Seattle. Before New York, I was in Boston for PLA Conference. Stayed there for 5 days and adapted to the place within the day. Love the colonial touch of the place and the people.

I'm really grateful for the opportunities given to visit New York, Boston and Seattle, although the journey from Singapore to US was REALLY a hassle. In addition to the many hours flight - 24 hours!!! you have to go through check after check at the immigration points. The "losing" a day when you reached US and "gaining" a day when you're back has caused the biological clock to ring in the wee hours. Somehow, I just couldn't get use to the time difference and I felt lost. Really missed home when I was there.

Nonetheless, I still enjoyed my stay in US. Last year, when I was in Seattle for conference presentation and library visit, I've managed to visit the Space Needle - an icon of the place and the market place. Below are some pictures of the place.

My Last bLog was in sep 2005!!!

Good grief, I realise that I've abandoned my blog for almost a year! My last blog was in Sep 2005! Alright, so what must I do now? I'm thinking aloud now as I'm typing... the root cause, what is it? Too busy? No time? Nah... it's all about time management and passion :) Yes, I'm a very philosophical person, although not as philosophical as one of my colleague. A month ago, I've just done the DISC test. So I'm a S,C,D person. As I read through the descriptions, well, is ME! I've a very close C and D... Alamak, I'm torn between an introvert and an extrovert inside me. Nonetheless, one thing never change in me throughout my 32 years - service-oriented... that's why I'm a public librarian *smile*

Think I've diverted from my main topic - what must I do to maintain my blog? To tell myself that I've to constantly update my blog? To draw up a schedule for myself and ensure that I follow it closely? In order not to be too ambitious and get the "mission impossible" syndrome, I will start by visiting my blog once every month, which also mean a monthly reflection to rejuvenate my mind and spirit and feel the joy in all things in life.