Cats who teach me to fly…

Earth hour is on the 26th of March, Saturday at 8.30pm. On that day, I would switch off  all electrical appliances and probably be making use of that hour for meditation with a candle. Hmm… sounds good. Miemi doesn’t need any electricity. She probably would find it exciting because she only gets to see lighted candles on her birthdays. Yes, her birthday not mine. She is now lying comfortably on my bed and with her head on my bolster. She is all so cute.

I am happy as I am beginning to receive orders for flowers for Valentine’s Day and it is keeping me busy. I like it when someone buys flowers from me. This shows that they like my flowers. I always make sure that all flower arrangements are  done professionally before sending them out. I also make sure that my recipients know how to take care of  fresh flowers by leaving them a note on how to take care of fresh flowers. I want to make sure that the flowers are happy too :).

After Valentine’s Day, I would revamp my business website.  I want to make it look more lively. I will be using Flash or Dreamweaver to help me revamp my website. New products will be coming up with new web designs. I am excited about it and no doubt, the next few days would be busy for me. Not forgetting the middle path.

Mel gave me a digital photo frame. It looks like it is not working but it was all right when she used it at her place. Perhaps I damaged it unknowingly. I was thinking of displaying photos of beautiful flower arrangements which I have taken from websites. These flower arrangements help to spark ideas on new products I can make. I need to look at it every day in order to get it into my head. That’s one of the ways I learn… 

I have a lot to look forward to.

I went to Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple again today. Look at the crowd today. It was quiet on CNY eve but today, devotees began to flow in again. I was here to ask for blessings :).

I am feeling tired now. I went to the temple in the morning and to my aunt’s place next. Had lunch there and played poker cards with my family and relatives again. Since we are all relatives, we only played 50 cents to a dollar. My sister and granny taught me mahjong. Mahjong is an interesting game but it is  rather tiring as it takes quite some time to finish a game. One has to be patient.

I went to Mel’s place in the evening. Had dinner at her place and watched “Wipe Out”. I nearly fell over when I was laughing at the participants struggling to complete the obstacle courses. It looks like an easy game but it isn’t easy at all. I believe it is a tiring game as every participants seemed to fall into the water and they had to swim back to their position.

It’s Monday tomorrow. Schools would reopen, workers have to start work and I have to start getting my stuff done. Plenty to do…

The picture on the left was taken during the eve of CNY. I had an early reunion lunch with my family. Yes, lunch and not dinner. Since I had nothing to do after that, I went to Bugis, hoping to do some last-minute shopping for CNY. I got myself another pair of bunny decorations for my main door.

The picture shows the God of Fortune.  The Chinese believe that the God of Fortune could bring wealth to the people. As you can see, the God of Fortune is dressed in red. Red is an auspicious colour to the Chinese and he is carrying golden ingots on his right hand, ready to distribute to the people.

The picture on the right is a temple which is situated at Waterloo Street, Bugis. It is named Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple (观音堂佛祖庙). It is a popular temple for the local devotees. These devotees worship to the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin.

It is incorrect to address Kuan Yin as Goddess of Mercy. I can’t remember why… Well, as soon as I remember, I’ll pen down the reason here…

The picture was taken around 6.30pm that day. As you can see, there were not many people. Devotees began to flow in after 11pm on the eve of the Lunar New Year. The reason for these devotees to flow in at this hour was because they want to receive good fortune from Kuan Yin Pu Sa (观音菩萨）on the first day of CNY. When the clock strikes 12 am, devotees would rush to place the joss sticks into a large copper pot, which is meant for the joss sticks. Whoever gets to offer the joss sticks first would be the luckiest one.

No, I didn’t stay there till midnight, I left immediately after prayer. The picture below shows a white lotus flower.  I bought the white lotus flower for offering. There were three colours: red, pink and white. I chose white because it symbolizes purity and I love white.

This white lotus flower had not blossomed. I have not seen a real blooming lotus flower yet. I think I am going to set another goal, that is to see a blooming lotus flower not from any florist shop but from where it originally grows. Yes, lotus grows in murky ponds and swamps. In the day, it  rises to the surface to bloom. At night, the flower closes and sinks underwater. At dawn it rises and opens again. It must be beautiful!

I have set a goal this November, that is to visit Chang Mai Elephant Nature Park this November. My purpose to be there is to do volunteer work. I love elephants so very much.

Now back to what I did on the eve of CNY. I watched TV and stayed up late to 2am that night. It is a ritual I always do. I wanted to make sure that I welcome the new year. This year, it’s the year of the rabbit.

I was watching “Damages” just now. In the drama, a man robbed a woman’s ring and pawned it. The money was used for his daughter’s medical fees.  I asked myself if this is one of the reasons why people make wrong decisions because circumstances force them to make such a wrong move? People need money, therefore, they steal, rob, cheat, lie, etc… and end up making things worst. No, no… I still cannot accept it… I have to find a better reason…

It’s the first day of CNY. As usual, went to my granny’s place and played a few rounds of Black Jack. My luck looked good today. Next I went to my great granny’s place. She looked well today. She had been ill for the last few months and I can see she is better today. I was sitting quietly at a corner. I felt kind of tired, just needed to be quiet for a moment.  What was I thinking then? Thinking of going home and be alone.

When I got home, it was 5 in the evening already. I was hungry and bought a packet of noodles. I was thinking of doing something different tomorrow. Like? Like getting up early, go get myself an early breakfast and bring with my laptop along. Read up on flowers and understand one of my health products. I have a Chinese philosophy book to finish reading. Not too much about work but about understanding about philosophy and gaining knowledge. Intend to do it leisurely, nourish my head a little.  Yes, this is what I am going to do…

I came home late last night after my volunteer work with homeless families who were referred to the organisation through social workers. These are often homeless people who have been picked up on beaches.

In my opinion, I don’t believe that Singapore has poor families. Yes there are those who are single parents with low-income and have children to support, or those who are disabled or ill and not able to work or take care of themselves and their families. For these groups of people, I strongly believed that they need support from the society.

When I reached the venue yesterday, I saw big, strong and healthy parents with their healthy children. The first impression that I had was how these people could need support from the organisation – various organisations I should say. The parents are strong and healthy, big in size and mentally sound. “What could have gone wrong with them?” I asked myself. I told myself I am going to find out today.

Other volunteers and Mel were there. Mel had always wanted to be a volunteer but had no time to do so. She thanked me for pushing her to fulfil her wishes. She said she doesn’t want to wait till she retires. She doesn’t want to be too old and weak before she contributes to society. She wants to make time for it now. Ok, I am glad to hear that. Life is very unpredictable. We have to cherish every moment of our lives.

The event yesterday was a workshop for the parents to help them set goals to improve their lives. We served food for the participants before the workshop. Our role was to take care of the children and teenagers while the parents were at the workshop. We chatted with them, joked with them and played with them. The children were playful and noisy as expected. I played table tennis with them for only a while as I found that they were very violent. They were not playing the game properly. They were hitting hard on the ping  pong ball to make it fly high and far. Well, I freaked out and surrendered my table tennis bat to them.

Next, I played table soccer with an Indian boy. He behaved himself well and I liked him. He is clever and always winning. So I observed how he played. He played calmly and unlike me. I was as excited as a puppy. I started to stay calm like him and yes, I managed to win a few games while playing with him.

Whenever I play badminton games, I would make sure I show sportsmanship throughout the session. I will not allow myself to be angry. Anger is the ugliest and most meaningless emotion to me. Playing games like table soccer needs one to be calm too. I think a person should be calmed in all kinds of situation. That, I shall remember.

When it comes to the end of the event, I didn’t even realise that everyone was leaving as I was too busy clearing the tables. Sigh… no one even bothered to say “goodbye” to me. However, a teenager came to me and told me it was her birthday. I gave her my wishes and offered to give her another piece of cake but she said no. I wished her happiness.

It was nearly 10pm and we were going home. Mel, Rachel (the staff that was in charge of the event )and I took the same train home. I started to ask Rachel what is actually happening to the parents since they look healthy that they need support from them. She told me they made the wrong decision. In my mind, I knew that the wrong decision that these parents made might have to do with something illegal such as taking drugs or getting divorced. Something that must have hurt the family… However, the persistent me wanted to know exactly what were the wrong decisions that they made. I asked Rachel again.  The parents had actually sold their flat to repay their debt and they now have no place to stay. One thing I never like about myself is, I find it difficult to accept such reasons. How could someone be that reckless to not put their family members into consideration first before making silly decisions that jeopardise the comfort of their own home and family? I mean these parents are strong, healthy and mentally sound. Surely they can take up any jobs to help themselves and their family members. How bad can you be when you are in a developed country like Singapore? The pay might be low but jobs are plentiful if they aren’t choosy. I don’t understand and I can’t understand. Perhaps I was brought up by a set of lazy parents who refused to work. That might be the reason that I find it difficult to accept…

Maybe… I should accept the fact that people do make wrong decisions and not that they are being lazy or even greedy. Yes, I will start see things differently…

Looking back on my diary, the time spent in January 2011 was a meaningful one. I never took life for granted. I always picture myself on my deathbed and ask myself what I want to see in myself in this lifetime – a person who pursues luxury or someone who gives? It is the latter one I want to see…