Little Pleasures in life

My 15 months-old niece refusing to let me take her photo.

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Just now, my sister, my brother-in-law and my mum were coaxing my little niece to drink finish her milk. As usual, she would only finish half a bottle of milk and refuse to drink anymore. When the 3 adults tried their luck to "force" (coax) her to drink, my stubborn niece protested by crying very loudly.

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My father came to her rescue and carried her.

He asked my little niece "Who is bullying you?"

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Everybody was looking at each other wondering what would her response be?

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She just said in the cutest and most innocent voice

"Milk! Milk!"

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And everybody burst out into laughter!!!

hahaha...

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She gave the most politically correct answer without offending anybody.

So smart! =)

++++

These are little pleasures in life that i enjoyed.

everyday she would do something new which never fails to amuse us.

those moments are so very enjoyable and priceless...

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Alot of great things in life are free.

Just takes abit of love and care.

=)

Random Pics from my old Phone

Recently, I just changed my phone and uploaded the photos onto my laptop.

Below photos are some of memorable moments taken by the old phone during the past 2 years.

Just want to share:

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1st Row: Grand Mosque in New Delhi, Bodhi Tree where Buddha attained enlightenment, Plain of Bagan in Myanmar, The Bund in Shanghai.

2nd Row: Work in Shanghai, Lunch prepared by a good friend before he left for Tokyo, my niece when she was born, Darjeeling @ the foothill of Himalayas.

3rd & 4th Row: Temple near my old office, walking on the street of SH, Self-portraits etc...

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It has been great.

Grateful to be alive to see and experience so many things.

=)

Book: Leaving Microsoft to Change the World

This is the second book that I bought this year (and I still have not started reading those books that I bought long time ago).

It was good to spend 2 weeks in reservist, as I had lotsa time to read books & magazines. I finished reading this book easily and glad that I purchased it.

http://www.leavingmicrosoftbook.com/

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In summary, John Wood was a high-achiever in Microsoft. He went to Nepal for a trekking trip, while during the trip, he kinda found his calling – to provide education opportunity for kids in developing countries. He struggled between answering this calling and the “bread & butter” needs. He took the plunge (dwindling savings account, breaking up with his girlfriend who thinks differently, uncertain future outlook, long long working hours etc...). It was very heartening to know that there is such passionate, smart & capable person, willing to devote all his time to charity work.

The world is lucky to have such people around.

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A trivial: He ran Boston Marathon with a Timing of 3hrs 4mins despite his heavy schedule as a top executive in Microsoft.

(Respect! Respect!)

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These are some quotes from the book:

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“...How many millions of kids will not have the opportunities I have in life, simply because they were denied an education at a young age? It’s almost like there is this ‘lottery of life’. At a young age, children are arbitrarily deemed to be winners or losers, based upon where they were born.... It is not fair. I think it is in our power to do something about it” – John Wood

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“... I then rationalized to myself, what good are savings if you can’t use them to fund your dream.” – John Wood

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“...We tell the parents, especially those with girls – don’t let your daughters become prostitutes or drop out of school.” – One of the Volunteers

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“... these Kids do not get a second chance..” – John Wood

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“Each of these acts (charity work) is symbolic of the best that exist inside all of us...” – John Wood

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Below was written in the context of leaving his job & dwindling savings, so much so that he could not afford to buy any properties, he had to beg frequent-flier miles from friends etc...

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“...Yes, there were trade-offs, but there always will be in life.... I feel lucky to know who I am, what I want to focus on, and the yardsticks by which i will measure myself.” – John Wood.
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++++

Another Inspiration!

Do visit http://www.roomtoread.org/

Let’s see if we could just do our bit to make this world a better place.

=)

Count my Blessings

Recently, out of the blue, this incident surfaced in mind.

It was end of May 2005. I was on my graduation trip - travelling in China and Tibet. I wanted to go back to Langmusi (A paradise), so I had to spend one night in transit @ Lanzhou – one of the cities along the route of the ancient Silk Road. Lanzhou is the capital city of Gansu Province (one of the poorest province in China - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanzhou), despite its long history, there was really nothing much in the city.

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(Random pictures taken on May 2005 @ Lanzhou)

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As I was travelling alone for that leg, I spent my evening walking aimlessly around the city, trying local food prepared by the Muslim-Chinese, and surfing Internet. I stepped into “an internet cafe” – (well, you know the Chinese standard, it is not the Starbucks kinda cafe), anyway, I checked my email and found that my University last semester result was out.

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I was excited and nervous. I put in a lot of effort during the last semester (despite the fact that I really hated and didn’t see the point in studying anymore – other than getting the college degree). I clicked the result button and I was shocked with what I saw – C+ for my FYP!!! My first C+ for my university result, and it was given to the most important module – FINAL YEAR PROJECT.

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I was devastated and extremely frustrated. I knew I pissed my professor off by challenging him, by going to useful business seminars instead of staying in lab to do experiment etc... But there was no way I deserve a C+. The examiner was commenting that I did a good job during my thesis presentation. I was fuming with rage and felt that it was so UNFAIR.

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I worked really hard for the last semester. In fact, I have no life other than study. While most of my peers were doing 16MCs for their last semester, I was doing 32MCs (and required special permission from the Dean). I wanted to graduate in 4 years like my peers, despite spending 1 full-year in US. I thought of the weekday nights and weekends that I spent in my university lab to study and do this FYP. I spent so much effort, yet, my result was miserable. I was disappointed and very very angry that I was trembling with rage (I think that was my first time).

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SO UNFAIR!!!!

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When I stepped out of the internet cafe, the sky was already dark. I was quite depressed and angry. Then, I saw road-repair works on the side of the road. There was this young guy that caught my attention – he should be around my age or slightly younger. He was perspiring, working hard, shovelling the soil...and his clothes was soiled and torn. It was very clear that he was having a tough time.

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My angry and frustration vanished immediately.

Who am I to talk about fairness?

Has life really treated me badly?

Has life been fair for the young hardworking chap?

On one hand, I felt very blessed to be born in a loving family in Singapore, on the other hand, I felt sad for the young guy. I felt it strongly as I was at the stage of life where i was excited about future, I had lotsa dreams, I just came out of university, I was enjoying my 44-days graduation trip, I already had a job offer from a US MNC etc..

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Then, there was this young chap (around my age) – who was shovelling and working hard at night, seemingly devoid of opportunities and education... It was a sad reality. I hope he would be fine – hardworking people deserve a good life.

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I had been fortunate. Comparing to him, I have nothing to complain about.

My anger was gone instantly.

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It was amazing that perception and emotion could change instantly.

Learn to count my blessing is a great tool to find peace and happiness.

=)

Story about invisible cracks in a glass

(Ajahn Brahm - the monk on the left)

Recently, I went to a talk by Ajahn Brahm again. I have become a fan of his. He never failed to impress me with his wisdom and kindness. Below is my recollection of a story about an invisible crack in a glass told by him.

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There are invisible cracks in every glass.

These cracks are so small and microscopic that they are naked to the eyes.

Some chose to believe it (“Believer”); while some chose to ignore or not to believe it (“Ignorance”).

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For the believer, because they are aware that there are invisible cracks in the glass, hence, they took good care of the glass and making sure that the glass was not placed in a compromised position where it could be broken easily. Because of his care, the believer is able to use and enjoy the glass longer. At the same time, the believer is aware that the glass would eventually be broken, just like any other things in life.

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On the other hand, the “Ignorance” felt that the glass can be used forever and will be there forever. Hence, the “Ignorance” did not treasure or take care of the glass, and abuse it at times. Naturally, the lifespan of the glass shorten and was broken. Inevitably, the “Ignorance” was devastated, as he assumed that the glass is there forever.

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When the glass is broken, just let it go.

Nothing in this world is permanent.

Have the wisdom to let it go.

Be glad that you have treasured it.
=)

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Apply this to your life, your health, your relationship and everything in life.

If you are alive, treasure it while it last.

If you are in a good relationship, treasure it while it last.

If you are in a good health, treasure it while it last.

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When these things in life are gone, have the wisdom to smile – knowing that you have treasured them (That's the best effort), as nothing is permanent.

Learn to let go and make peace.

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One of my favourite quotes:

"Don't Cry When It Is Over
Smile That It Happened"

=)

Mas Selamat

While I rejoice like more Singaporean on the capture of Mas Selamat.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/427691/1/.html
I was surprised that I sympathise him while I was reading the news report. I am definitely no supportor of terrorism.
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To me, it was kinda sad that he harboured so hatred towards non-muslims. Jihad - the idea the holy war - has created more segregations and hatred.
It is encouraging exclusion, and not inclusion.
How Holy can it get?
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While Mas Selamat and his fundametalist JI team felt that they are the holy warrior and protector of Islam, inevitably, they had created hatred in their hearts.
Having Hatred is like sowing the seed of evil.
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They must be thinking how to kill, how to destroy... 24/7
I am really skeptical if they could sleep peacefully at night.
They have no peace in their lives.
It is quite sad to lead a life driven by hatred.
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Peace is priceless.
Peace is a part of Freedom.
They are trapped in their cage of hatred.
How can they be truly happy?
That's why I feel sorry for them.

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(Taken in Eastern Tibet, 2005)

Could you sense the Happiness and Joy of this Tibetan herds-woman?

=)

Why am I a vegetarian (ie. Flexitarian)?

As absurd as it sounded, it started with a weird dream. The next day, I decided to be a vegetarian for a day, as meat reminded me of my vivid dream, which disgusted me. Ever since that day, I had becoming a flexitarian (Given a choice, I would definitely choose to be a vegetarian as long as it does not cause too much inconvenience to myself and people around me. )
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Upon reading more and more about vegetarian – I realised it makes a lot of sense for me and the world. It is a more conscientious way of living – be responsible for your actions.
There is enough information on the web about the benefits of being vegetarian (http://www.vegetarian-society.org/)
(http://www.meat.org/)
(http://www.ime.usp.br/~kon/vegetarian.html)

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Some friends used to me ask this:
Are you a vegetarian because you are a Buddhist or Animals’ Right activist?
My reply was whether I am a Buddhist or Animals’ Right activist is not important. These are just terms to categorise or stereotype people. Generally, I do not conform without rational and logical reasoning.

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Be it for Buddhism or Animals’ Right, the reason is the same.
Compassion for Animal.
We do not want to see animals to suffer.
I do not want to eat tasty meal at the expense of an innocent and helpless domesticated animal.

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My Colleague told me that animals are created to be eaten by man.
Based on my mortal and limited reasoning ability, I do not know about the purpose of creation of animals (That’s beyond my intellectual ability), but I do know that animals can experience pain and suffering. If the animals are meant to be food for human beings, why let them suffer? Why let them go through the pain? This is something that I could not comprehend and could not reconcile.

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Normally, the next question posted would be: How do you (vegetarian) know that plants are not suffering?

I really do not know if plants are suffering or not, but i know for sure that animals are suffering while kept in farms and are experiencing pain while being slaughtered.

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Then, the next thing posted to me would be:

You are not enjoying life – like enjoying the nice food etc... The typical “live to eat” mentality.
I take pleasure and joy in knowing that I am not part of the equation that causes animals to suffer. I believe in “eat to live” – life is not about eating good food, life is way beyond that!

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It has been more than 6 months since I became flexitarian. Not sure if I have the self-discipline and determination to become a Vegan. How long am I going to be vegetarian? I do not know either– may be as long as it makes sense to me.

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I was contemplating if I should upload this post, as it challenges some fundamental beliefs. I might get unnecessary negative feedbacks, but I believe that challenging ideas and beliefs is for the good of the progression of the mind and the society as a whole.

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If someone, after reading my post, decides to eat less meat. I have already achieved my objective of posting this entry. =)

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Some Quotes:

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"What is it that should trace the insuperable line? ...The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?"

Jeremy Bentham, philosopher.

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"Our task must be to free ourselves . . . by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty." "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."

Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel Prize 1921

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"People always tell me that it's useless to be a vegetarian. But, if I can save a single cow during my entire life, I'll be happy."
Bruna Angotti, student

Desaru - 100km Cycling Trip

Group Photo before setting off.

It was a good way to spend the Labour day.

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+++

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There was a point when I was cycling downhill,

the view of rolling green hills of palm trees was beautiful.

I decided to stop peddling.

Enjoying the wind

Enjoying the beautiful view

Enjoying the beauty of the world.

And Soaking-up that moment.

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Then that moment was spoilt,

when I heard a guy cyclist peddling besides me asking me to peddle harder (with good intention) to catch-up with the 2 ladies infront. (yup! that 2 ladies were pretty good, or should I say I am a bad cyclist. haha..)

Well, since "my moment" was spoilt, I decided to peddle hard to keep up.

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Well, sometimes in life,

we need to slow down.

Not because we are lazy or tired.

But Just to enjoy the moment, the present and the journey.

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While it was satisfying to complete 100km ride,

that moment was the highlight of the trip.

=)