July 2nd, 2005
Dad, I'm sorry.
You brought me into this world, gave me an education, and watched me grow from an awkward plump toddler to now a big, still-awkward and much-more-sensible daughter. I remember when you let me and Sis climb to your sarong you wore last time, pretending it was a swing and throwing us up and down despite Mum's desperate efforts to stop us from puking. I remember when you bought everything I liked once when I was young, just to make me smile coz you once said I have the most beautiful smile anyone could have yet I didn''t show it by having a perpetual sulk on my face. I remember you coming to my defence when Mum scolded me when I told her excitedly that I got my first temp job when I was waiting for my O'level results. She said I was too young to go out to work and that I will be bullied by older employees who are more experienced in the ways of the working world, but you gave me encouragement and even convinced Mum to let me learn. You said I had to fall in order to learn. Although you took my side only once (that time) after so many years til now, I still remember that particular incident.
You gave me an unspoken curfew without discussing it with me and reprimand me everytime I come home a little later than you want me to, though I may seem rebellious and unconcerned, I do realise that you care about me and that you just don't want to be another parent whose kid goes missing. A thing about you that may seem funny to others is that though you focus a lot on my studies and results, you didn't care much when I failed my Maths (which is almost every time), yet you scolded me harshly when I scored below 75 for my Chinese. Whenever you looked at my Maths grade, you just shook your head and said the usual things of practising more and stuff. However, the moment you saw I got a 72 for Chinese, you start to really tear into me and tell me that you were really disappointed with me. I didn't know why when I was young, but as I grew older, I realised that you saw potential in me for Chinese, and since I expressed an interest in that subject, you placed high hopes for me and wished that I can do particularly well in it. You knew I was weak in Maths, had no interest in it whatsoever, hence you didn't really push me into getting a good grade for it, a pass will suffice. I developed that interest in Chinese because of you, Dad. You were Chinese-educated, and hence you spoke more Chinese to me. When I was Primary 1, you sat me in your lap and read the Chinese newspaper out loud to me, pointed out the pictures (even the advertisements) and explained to me page by page. I really love you for that as now I know I am able to read, write and speak Chinese as fluently as the next Chinese person.
When I told you last sem I was switching from an Eng/Chn shared major to just a English single major, you didn't say anything and just told me to work hard. But I can see a little disappointment in your eyes when you turned away. I am sorry. To study honours, or to even have that little a chance to, I had to switch my major. But I assure you, Chinese will never be gone from me. That level of Chinese you instilled in me will always be honed to perfection.
We are a traditional family, hence there was none of the hugging and kissing some families do. We don't say I love you to each other, we don't hug each other, we don't even talk to each other about our problems. Your strict demeanour, straight face and stern words kept me from confiding stuff to you. Sometimes I want to tell you something that happened to me, but the moment you asked me "What?" in such a rough, gruff voice made me just want to hide under my covers. I am perpetually afraid of you scolding me, afraid of disappointing you. That's why I always choose not to tell you anything unless it's really important or unless you ask. I'm sorry.
Dad, I'm sorry for some things I've done to make you mad. I'm sorry for my poor results that always made you wonder what happened to the factory-making-process since Sis always got excellent results. I'm sorry.
And above all, I've never said that to you face-to-face, but I love you.
________________________________________
Comment away...................
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Of School and Assignments
October 12th, 2005
A kick and off we go.
Running into the wind. Heading towards emptiness. Sprinting into wilderness.
"I can't finish! How am I supposed to do 3 essays at the same time while preparing a presentation that is worth 25%?" Tearing my hair out.
"Oh man, pls don't go weird on me. You know I'm doing the same thing, but you don't see me getting ready to be a candidate for monkhood, or nunhood for that matter." Seng Wai turned his head and looked at me.
I whacked him on the shoulder. "Hello, you do not have 3 essays, you only have 1! And that presentation of yours, you don't even need to do anything. You just talk on and on about everything. I don't have your presentation skills you know. Other people like me have to prepare."
With nothing to say, Seng Wai turned back pointedly and reverted his attention to the lecturer, who happens to know my name. The heated debate between us must have been loud. Very loud. He raised his microphone, which incidentally has been unused on the table for all his previous lectures. "Joanna, Halliday's Functional Grammer states which 2 principles, do you remember?"
I looked around me, pretending to scout for that offending person. Seng Wai, no longer my best mahjong-cum-group project-cum-slacker-cum-winniethepoohlover friend after he did this, nudged me with his foot and said in a 100 decibel voice, "Jo, asking you leh. Don't pretend can..."
Telling myself homicide is a crime, I looked at the lecturer and answered the best I could. Satisfied, the lecturer turned and continued his a-yawn-a-minute droning. Snickering, Seng Wai reached over my back to get his bag. If I hadn't moved, he would have gotten his bag. However, knowing manslaughter will also do the job, I turned abruptly and his hand landed on the leg of the girl sitting behind me. Palm down. Fingers searching for the bag. Now on the leg. Fingers still moving.
Time froze.
Seng Wai, with still a grin on his face, tried to mimick the way I answered the lecturer while searching for his bag. I heard a soft gasp and Seng Wai with an "Ahh..".
"Sorry, sorry. Really sorry. I really didn't mean to do that." With the students streaming out of the lecture hall behind us, Seng Wai apologised to the girl again. The girl stared at him and walked off, not forgetting to slam her bag "accidentally" in his face.
I laughed. Loud. With the lecturer just walking up behind me.
"Joanna, are you ok? You seemed so distracted just now and you weren't like that previously in my lectures."
"Sorry Professor."
"It's ok." Walking faster now, he called the unfortunate girl just now who was now at the stair landing. "Yu Ling! About the..." His voice got softer as they walked away.
Seng Wai, still confused, looked at me and said, "Wow, what was that? He actually knows her too. Hey she's quite pretty."
I looked at him and fluttered my eyelashes. "Prettier than me? You don't mean that."
"I don't fancy nuns. And who's supposed to go to the computer lab now to rush out a 500-word proposal for later?" Whish. The sound of dust flying behind my heels.
___________________________________________________
Comment away................
A kick and off we go.
Running into the wind. Heading towards emptiness. Sprinting into wilderness.
"I can't finish! How am I supposed to do 3 essays at the same time while preparing a presentation that is worth 25%?" Tearing my hair out.
"Oh man, pls don't go weird on me. You know I'm doing the same thing, but you don't see me getting ready to be a candidate for monkhood, or nunhood for that matter." Seng Wai turned his head and looked at me.
I whacked him on the shoulder. "Hello, you do not have 3 essays, you only have 1! And that presentation of yours, you don't even need to do anything. You just talk on and on about everything. I don't have your presentation skills you know. Other people like me have to prepare."
With nothing to say, Seng Wai turned back pointedly and reverted his attention to the lecturer, who happens to know my name. The heated debate between us must have been loud. Very loud. He raised his microphone, which incidentally has been unused on the table for all his previous lectures. "Joanna, Halliday's Functional Grammer states which 2 principles, do you remember?"
I looked around me, pretending to scout for that offending person. Seng Wai, no longer my best mahjong-cum-group project-cum-slacker-cum-winniethepoohlover friend after he did this, nudged me with his foot and said in a 100 decibel voice, "Jo, asking you leh. Don't pretend can..."
Telling myself homicide is a crime, I looked at the lecturer and answered the best I could. Satisfied, the lecturer turned and continued his a-yawn-a-minute droning. Snickering, Seng Wai reached over my back to get his bag. If I hadn't moved, he would have gotten his bag. However, knowing manslaughter will also do the job, I turned abruptly and his hand landed on the leg of the girl sitting behind me. Palm down. Fingers searching for the bag. Now on the leg. Fingers still moving.
Time froze.
Seng Wai, with still a grin on his face, tried to mimick the way I answered the lecturer while searching for his bag. I heard a soft gasp and Seng Wai with an "Ahh..".
"Sorry, sorry. Really sorry. I really didn't mean to do that." With the students streaming out of the lecture hall behind us, Seng Wai apologised to the girl again. The girl stared at him and walked off, not forgetting to slam her bag "accidentally" in his face.
I laughed. Loud. With the lecturer just walking up behind me.
"Joanna, are you ok? You seemed so distracted just now and you weren't like that previously in my lectures."
"Sorry Professor."
"It's ok." Walking faster now, he called the unfortunate girl just now who was now at the stair landing. "Yu Ling! About the..." His voice got softer as they walked away.
Seng Wai, still confused, looked at me and said, "Wow, what was that? He actually knows her too. Hey she's quite pretty."
I looked at him and fluttered my eyelashes. "Prettier than me? You don't mean that."
"I don't fancy nuns. And who's supposed to go to the computer lab now to rush out a 500-word proposal for later?" Whish. The sound of dust flying behind my heels.
___________________________________________________
Comment away................
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Of the Past
November 6th, 2005
20 years ago, a little baby girl was carried to a kind lady for looking-after. This kind lady took care of the little girl like she was her daughter, despite the fact she already had 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. The lady bathed her, fed her, played with her and patted her to sleep. When night comes, the little girl's mother would carry her back home to spend the night. The next day, she is again carried to the lady's house as the mother had to work. This carrying to and fro went on for a very long time. Even when the little girl started school, she still went back to the lady's house everyday after school and only went home at night when her mother came to fetch her. Feelings grew between the little girl and the lady, even between the little girl and the lady's children. During the day when the lady has to do housework, the little girl played with the lady's youngest son, 4 years older than her, and youngest daughter, 8 years older than her. They grew up playing and fighting together, and though squabbles were aplenty, love between them was abound. Even her other 2 older children treated the little girl just like a sister, caring for her, teaching her homework and looking after her.
The little girl knew this family so well and they treated her so well. Maybe they just treated her as a guest in the early days, but soon, when the little girl fitted in so well with them, she was just like a daughter to them. They took her on holidays abroad, paying for her full expenses and air tickets. They bought her stuffs when they went out, knowing exactly what she liked and disliked. The kind lady cooked all her favourite foods for 14 years, 3 dishes and a soup without fail. It got to an extent that when the little girl left the place, she couldn't eat her dinner for the next month due to the absense of soup. The little girl and the lady's family were so close that she called the lady "Mama" and the lady's husband, who absolutely doted on her, "Papa". She was so proud of them that she went around telling all her friends that she has 2 sets of parents, 2 Mamas and 2 Papas. Her own family was very glad that she was so close to the lady's family and not once did they think of being jealous or envious.
Alas, the time came when the little girl had to grow up. Growing up entails independence and responsibility and hence when she was in Sec 2, her mother gave the little girl her own set of house keys and told her that now she is old enough to stay at home by herself and hence no longer the need to go over to the lady's place after school. The little girl was solemn throughout her mother's speech. She understood her new-found independence and responsibility, therefore she didn't resist. She went over to the lady's house the next day and hugged her tight. She played a last game of Monopoly with her "brother" and "sister" and let them win all the money. She got the newspapers ready for the lady's husband when he got home from work in the evening. 7 pm came and her mother came to fetch her back.
The little girl cried.
The kind lady cried.
The "sister" cried with her brother standing beside her looking sad.
The lady's husband hugged her with eyes shining suspiciously.
When the little girl got home, she couldn't do anything but sit on her bed. Her mother walked in and said,"You silly girl. You can visit them anytime. They stay so near us. You could go back once a week if you like, but you must remember, now you are independent. You can't depend on that Mama anymore."
For the next 7 years, the little girl went back frequently to the lady's house to sit down and have a nice chat with her. If the lady's son was there,she would play with him, or just enjoy the squabbling that always ensued when they meet. Now the little girl is already 21 years old, in university and have a life of her own. She spends less and less time going back to the lady's house, because she has no time. But she has not forgotten her life there and she knew she will be welcomed back anytime. The lady visits her at the little girl's house from time to time too, chatting with her mother and just basically catching up with each other.
Last Saturday, the lady's youngest daughter got married. The little girl was invited, of course, with her parents to the wedding dinner. When they got to the dinner venue, the first person the little girl saw was the lady. Significantly older with lines crinkling at the corner of her eyes, she still looked the same. Even though they met only recently, the little girl suddenly felt a tug at her heart. "She looked so old. But she still is as nice and caring as ever. I've grown up; she has too. In fact, she grew at a faster rate. With an ailing health and weak bones." The little girl went over and greeted the lady. When the lady saw her, her eyes lighted up with pleasure and directed them to their seats.
The dinner started and the little girl stood, shell-shocked, when the newly-weds walked in within the midst of dry ice and flowers. Is this really the "sister" she played Monopoly with? Is this really the "sister" who used to be such a tomboy, never a skirt in her wardrobe? The little girl stood dazed, watching a lovely vision walk past her on the aisle, her charming husband beside her, an Aussie no less.
The dinner went by pretty quickly and soon it was time to go. As usual, the couple and their parents stood in a line at the exit, shaking hands with everyone and thanking them for their coming. The little girl shook hands with the groom, his parents, and she turned to the bride. Impulsively, the little girl hugged her. The bride was surprised as they seldom show such display of affection with each other but tears could be seen in her eyes. Then the little girl hugged the lady and her husband. Turning away to go, the little girl felt nostalgic and happy at the same time.
The little girl knows that she is always welcomed in the lady's family. She will always be missed and thought upon. And she, in turn, will miss them very greatly.
_________________________________________________________________________
I love you, Mama. I used to have so many reasons for not going over to pay you a visit. Those are excuses, I know now. I can spend so much time going out with friends, yet I can't even spare a little time going over to chat with you. I'm sorry and I miss you.
Thank you.
________________________________________________
Comment away......................
20 years ago, a little baby girl was carried to a kind lady for looking-after. This kind lady took care of the little girl like she was her daughter, despite the fact she already had 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. The lady bathed her, fed her, played with her and patted her to sleep. When night comes, the little girl's mother would carry her back home to spend the night. The next day, she is again carried to the lady's house as the mother had to work. This carrying to and fro went on for a very long time. Even when the little girl started school, she still went back to the lady's house everyday after school and only went home at night when her mother came to fetch her. Feelings grew between the little girl and the lady, even between the little girl and the lady's children. During the day when the lady has to do housework, the little girl played with the lady's youngest son, 4 years older than her, and youngest daughter, 8 years older than her. They grew up playing and fighting together, and though squabbles were aplenty, love between them was abound. Even her other 2 older children treated the little girl just like a sister, caring for her, teaching her homework and looking after her.
The little girl knew this family so well and they treated her so well. Maybe they just treated her as a guest in the early days, but soon, when the little girl fitted in so well with them, she was just like a daughter to them. They took her on holidays abroad, paying for her full expenses and air tickets. They bought her stuffs when they went out, knowing exactly what she liked and disliked. The kind lady cooked all her favourite foods for 14 years, 3 dishes and a soup without fail. It got to an extent that when the little girl left the place, she couldn't eat her dinner for the next month due to the absense of soup. The little girl and the lady's family were so close that she called the lady "Mama" and the lady's husband, who absolutely doted on her, "Papa". She was so proud of them that she went around telling all her friends that she has 2 sets of parents, 2 Mamas and 2 Papas. Her own family was very glad that she was so close to the lady's family and not once did they think of being jealous or envious.
Alas, the time came when the little girl had to grow up. Growing up entails independence and responsibility and hence when she was in Sec 2, her mother gave the little girl her own set of house keys and told her that now she is old enough to stay at home by herself and hence no longer the need to go over to the lady's place after school. The little girl was solemn throughout her mother's speech. She understood her new-found independence and responsibility, therefore she didn't resist. She went over to the lady's house the next day and hugged her tight. She played a last game of Monopoly with her "brother" and "sister" and let them win all the money. She got the newspapers ready for the lady's husband when he got home from work in the evening. 7 pm came and her mother came to fetch her back.
The little girl cried.
The kind lady cried.
The "sister" cried with her brother standing beside her looking sad.
The lady's husband hugged her with eyes shining suspiciously.
When the little girl got home, she couldn't do anything but sit on her bed. Her mother walked in and said,"You silly girl. You can visit them anytime. They stay so near us. You could go back once a week if you like, but you must remember, now you are independent. You can't depend on that Mama anymore."
For the next 7 years, the little girl went back frequently to the lady's house to sit down and have a nice chat with her. If the lady's son was there,she would play with him, or just enjoy the squabbling that always ensued when they meet. Now the little girl is already 21 years old, in university and have a life of her own. She spends less and less time going back to the lady's house, because she has no time. But she has not forgotten her life there and she knew she will be welcomed back anytime. The lady visits her at the little girl's house from time to time too, chatting with her mother and just basically catching up with each other.
Last Saturday, the lady's youngest daughter got married. The little girl was invited, of course, with her parents to the wedding dinner. When they got to the dinner venue, the first person the little girl saw was the lady. Significantly older with lines crinkling at the corner of her eyes, she still looked the same. Even though they met only recently, the little girl suddenly felt a tug at her heart. "She looked so old. But she still is as nice and caring as ever. I've grown up; she has too. In fact, she grew at a faster rate. With an ailing health and weak bones." The little girl went over and greeted the lady. When the lady saw her, her eyes lighted up with pleasure and directed them to their seats.
The dinner started and the little girl stood, shell-shocked, when the newly-weds walked in within the midst of dry ice and flowers. Is this really the "sister" she played Monopoly with? Is this really the "sister" who used to be such a tomboy, never a skirt in her wardrobe? The little girl stood dazed, watching a lovely vision walk past her on the aisle, her charming husband beside her, an Aussie no less.
The dinner went by pretty quickly and soon it was time to go. As usual, the couple and their parents stood in a line at the exit, shaking hands with everyone and thanking them for their coming. The little girl shook hands with the groom, his parents, and she turned to the bride. Impulsively, the little girl hugged her. The bride was surprised as they seldom show such display of affection with each other but tears could be seen in her eyes. Then the little girl hugged the lady and her husband. Turning away to go, the little girl felt nostalgic and happy at the same time.
The little girl knows that she is always welcomed in the lady's family. She will always be missed and thought upon. And she, in turn, will miss them very greatly.
_________________________________________________________________________
I love you, Mama. I used to have so many reasons for not going over to pay you a visit. Those are excuses, I know now. I can spend so much time going out with friends, yet I can't even spare a little time going over to chat with you. I'm sorry and I miss you.
Thank you.
________________________________________________
Comment away......................
Friday, November 21, 2008
Of Nostalgia
I suddenly remembered I used to keep a personal blog some years back, and I've written some flashbacks and short stories in it.
NOTE: Flashbacks = Personal Recounts, Short Stories = Narratives (See how I can always link anything back to YOUR English? Muahaha...)
Anyway.
I kept some of those blog posts in Word Doc form for memory's sake, and reading them again just makes me wonder at how I actually used to write (and of course, wonder at the amount of time I had, from the length of some posts!).
Some of you complained that you can't write good and interesting stories or that you have no idea what recounts look like. For the next few entries, I will be posting up some of them one by one.
Here is the first one... Oh yes, do let me know if you want to see more ok? :) And yes, any comments are welcomed! :)
______________________________________
April 13th, 2006
08:15 pm
"Smile, Ah Boy, smile!"Ah Boy puckered up her mouth and scrunched her face for the camera. I laughed. The photographer took a priceless picture of Ah Boy making faces and, putting the camera down, he smiled too.
We were at Toa Payoh Senior Citizens' Physiotherapy Centre. Volunteering to help feed, push wheelchairs and attend to the needs of the elderly folk who were there due to some physiological problem. Ah Boy was an elderly woman who will always look for the chance to escape from the centre. It was amazing really, the way she walked slowly, very slowly, to the sliding door, and because she either had no strength or did not know how to open the door, she will sit on a chair just beside the door. Then she waits. If someone came in or went out without shutting the door properly, she will try her best to get out. But because she walked so so slowly, she can never manage to step outside without someone, a nurse or a physiotherapist, guiding her back with a firm hand. Once, a physiotherapist told us, Ah Boy managed to get out the door, and when she turned back to look, the people just waved at her and said, "Bye bye Ah Boy! Bye!" And off she went. Of course, someone will catch up with her in no time to guide her back. When I heard that, I laughed till my sides hurt.
I looked around me. Nurses and caregivers were bustling around tending to the old people who seem to want to do everything all the time.
It was lunch time. We queued up in the line together with other volunteers to get the plates of rice to distribute to the elderly folk. After doing that, we hung around to help any nurse who was having difficulty trying to feed porridge to two or more old people at the same time. I fed an old man who couldn't really say a word except tap the edge of the table whenever he wanted another spoonful. I used to reel in disgust when I see drool, especially that of elderly people. But that day, I quietly wiped up the drool that was dribbling down his chin, the bits of porridge stuck to his lip, the water that spilt on his clothes. I didn't mind at all. Not only did I not mind, I even feel happy doing all that.
I looked at J, who was opposite me feeding a physically disabled old lady who couldn't feed herself. Our eyes met and we smiled.
The day went by quickly and soon it was time to go. We said our goodbyes and decided to do something for their Christmas party which was coming up in a few weeks' time. We decided in the end to do the practical thing and gave some money to the kind physiotherapist who was organising this big party all by herself. She bought presents for everyone.
On the day of the party, we stepped in into the centre which was decorated in silvers and greens. Everyone seemed so upbeat, even the elderly whom some may not know what was happening but just got caught up in the mood. Some games ensued. J and I were pulled into a newspaper game where we were supposed to stand on a piece of newspaper every time the music stopped and the piece of newspaper will get smaller and smaller each time. The last duo standing that manages to both be on the smallest piece of paper wins. Both of us were extremely self-conscious at first, and we didn't dance like we were supposed to around the paper when the music was playing. Each time the movie stopped, each duo just jumped onto the paper with little shrieks and exclamations heard. We were the second last duo to lose and though we didn't win, not that we played to win anyway, we had so much fun. Both of us were grinning our faces off when the game ended and everyone clapped heartily for the duo that won.
The lucky draw segment after that sent smiles to all who had their tickets picked out. Big and small prizes were accepted eagerly by the elderly folk who, at that particular moment, made me feel that they were back to being kids again. And that was so heart-warming.
Soon the party ended and it was time for many of the elderly folk to go home. J and I stayed to help clean the place up and before we left, that kind physiotherapist gave us her most sincere and grateful thanks. She gave us a christmas card each with personalised messages that warms us right to the heart. I was touched.
I would give anything to go back there again. To see Ah Boy try to escape again in her slow and steady manner, to feed and clean up that uncle again, to talk to many of the old people there and listen to their problems, to feel useful again.
Thanks J, for bringing me there. That two days we went down taught me a lot. I learnt how to think about others instead of myself, and I learnt what giving is really about.
_________________________________________________
Comment away.......................
NOTE: Flashbacks = Personal Recounts, Short Stories = Narratives (See how I can always link anything back to YOUR English? Muahaha...)
Anyway.
I kept some of those blog posts in Word Doc form for memory's sake, and reading them again just makes me wonder at how I actually used to write (and of course, wonder at the amount of time I had, from the length of some posts!).
Some of you complained that you can't write good and interesting stories or that you have no idea what recounts look like. For the next few entries, I will be posting up some of them one by one.
Here is the first one... Oh yes, do let me know if you want to see more ok? :) And yes, any comments are welcomed! :)
______________________________________
April 13th, 2006
08:15 pm
"Smile, Ah Boy, smile!"Ah Boy puckered up her mouth and scrunched her face for the camera. I laughed. The photographer took a priceless picture of Ah Boy making faces and, putting the camera down, he smiled too.
We were at Toa Payoh Senior Citizens' Physiotherapy Centre. Volunteering to help feed, push wheelchairs and attend to the needs of the elderly folk who were there due to some physiological problem. Ah Boy was an elderly woman who will always look for the chance to escape from the centre. It was amazing really, the way she walked slowly, very slowly, to the sliding door, and because she either had no strength or did not know how to open the door, she will sit on a chair just beside the door. Then she waits. If someone came in or went out without shutting the door properly, she will try her best to get out. But because she walked so so slowly, she can never manage to step outside without someone, a nurse or a physiotherapist, guiding her back with a firm hand. Once, a physiotherapist told us, Ah Boy managed to get out the door, and when she turned back to look, the people just waved at her and said, "Bye bye Ah Boy! Bye!" And off she went. Of course, someone will catch up with her in no time to guide her back. When I heard that, I laughed till my sides hurt.
I looked around me. Nurses and caregivers were bustling around tending to the old people who seem to want to do everything all the time.
It was lunch time. We queued up in the line together with other volunteers to get the plates of rice to distribute to the elderly folk. After doing that, we hung around to help any nurse who was having difficulty trying to feed porridge to two or more old people at the same time. I fed an old man who couldn't really say a word except tap the edge of the table whenever he wanted another spoonful. I used to reel in disgust when I see drool, especially that of elderly people. But that day, I quietly wiped up the drool that was dribbling down his chin, the bits of porridge stuck to his lip, the water that spilt on his clothes. I didn't mind at all. Not only did I not mind, I even feel happy doing all that.
I looked at J, who was opposite me feeding a physically disabled old lady who couldn't feed herself. Our eyes met and we smiled.
The day went by quickly and soon it was time to go. We said our goodbyes and decided to do something for their Christmas party which was coming up in a few weeks' time. We decided in the end to do the practical thing and gave some money to the kind physiotherapist who was organising this big party all by herself. She bought presents for everyone.
On the day of the party, we stepped in into the centre which was decorated in silvers and greens. Everyone seemed so upbeat, even the elderly whom some may not know what was happening but just got caught up in the mood. Some games ensued. J and I were pulled into a newspaper game where we were supposed to stand on a piece of newspaper every time the music stopped and the piece of newspaper will get smaller and smaller each time. The last duo standing that manages to both be on the smallest piece of paper wins. Both of us were extremely self-conscious at first, and we didn't dance like we were supposed to around the paper when the music was playing. Each time the movie stopped, each duo just jumped onto the paper with little shrieks and exclamations heard. We were the second last duo to lose and though we didn't win, not that we played to win anyway, we had so much fun. Both of us were grinning our faces off when the game ended and everyone clapped heartily for the duo that won.
The lucky draw segment after that sent smiles to all who had their tickets picked out. Big and small prizes were accepted eagerly by the elderly folk who, at that particular moment, made me feel that they were back to being kids again. And that was so heart-warming.
Soon the party ended and it was time for many of the elderly folk to go home. J and I stayed to help clean the place up and before we left, that kind physiotherapist gave us her most sincere and grateful thanks. She gave us a christmas card each with personalised messages that warms us right to the heart. I was touched.
I would give anything to go back there again. To see Ah Boy try to escape again in her slow and steady manner, to feed and clean up that uncle again, to talk to many of the old people there and listen to their problems, to feel useful again.
Thanks J, for bringing me there. That two days we went down taught me a lot. I learnt how to think about others instead of myself, and I learnt what giving is really about.
_________________________________________________
Comment away.......................
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Still Around
An ex-student contacted me yesterday and we talked for a while. He was telling me that a lot of his friends and people he knows are having relationship problems recently. It's like a frenzy of relationship issues. Relationships consisting of friendships, couplehood and family issues as well.
I couldn't solve any of his problems, but he told me at the end that he was glad he came to talk to me because I listened.
I just want to say, to whoever's reading this now, that although sometimes you may meet someone or some people who make you upset, make you disappointed, make you angry, there are still plenty of people around you (friends or family) that have been in the sidelines, supporting you silently all this while. Just because you don't hear from them often doesn't mean they are not there.
They are definitely still around. If you would only look around.
Here is a song (an old old old old song from MY generation, but hey it still works! :P) from the long-unheard-of boy group A1: Still Around.
I find the lyrics heart-warming and touching, especially when I run into relationship problems myself. I always turn to such songs to soothe my feelings and remind myself that however unloved or lonely I might feel at that time, I still have people around me who love me and care for me. I hope this helps some of you too :)
I couldn't solve any of his problems, but he told me at the end that he was glad he came to talk to me because I listened.
I just want to say, to whoever's reading this now, that although sometimes you may meet someone or some people who make you upset, make you disappointed, make you angry, there are still plenty of people around you (friends or family) that have been in the sidelines, supporting you silently all this while. Just because you don't hear from them often doesn't mean they are not there.
They are definitely still around. If you would only look around.
Here is a song (an old old old old song from MY generation, but hey it still works! :P) from the long-unheard-of boy group A1: Still Around.
I find the lyrics heart-warming and touching, especially when I run into relationship problems myself. I always turn to such songs to soothe my feelings and remind myself that however unloved or lonely I might feel at that time, I still have people around me who love me and care for me. I hope this helps some of you too :)
In this life of uncertainty
There are people that we all need
Someone to face you
With no disguise
In you there's a remedy
That makes every day
Seem trouble-free
No distance and no device
'Cos you hear the words
When no one understands
When my world has come undone
And I've lost my setting sun
When all I see are clouds
You're still around
When I fall into a tear
Inspirations disappear
You clear away that doubt
'Cos you're still, you're still around
Now I've stumbled on uncertainty
Never thought this could ever be
No contradictions
Left inside
When I feel the rain come my way
You give me sun, you're my brighter day
Intuition's telling me
To stay
'Cos you hold the words
When nothing's left to say
When my world has come undone
And I've lost my setting sun
When all I see are clouds
You're still around
When I fall into a tear
Inspirations disappear
You clear away that doubt
'Cos you're still, you're still around
I find the lyrics really meaningful. What do you think?
Those who want to hear the song can go to http://www.metrolyrics.com/still-around-lyrics-a1.html, I think you can play the song there...
To all who's faltering: You're not alone. I'm still around. :)
Comment away...........
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Oops, I Meant to Say...
A malapropism is a a word used incorrectly in place of another, often with hilarious results. For example, in the sentence, "He is a man of great statue", "statue" is the malapropism - the correct word should be "stature".
Soooo... let's try something now shall we?
See if you can identify the malapropisms in the following letter and replace them with the correct words!
_____________________________________________________
Dear Jinny
I'm throwing a small dinner party for a few elected friends this weekend. Do say you'll come! I know you don't like to show off, but this is the perfect opportunity to suppress the other guests with your expansive brocade dress - you know, the one that makes you look so svelte and ravenous.
I've invited three other couples and two 'singletons'. Perhaps the two will hit it off - Dan is a very illegible bachelor; he's a very nice fellow and runs his own design firm. The lady, Sok Chin, is a marvellous cook and a great conversationist - she can talk about anything under the sun and put you at your ease at once. I'm hoping she'll draw out the Tans who are quite a shy couple. They were at this party where the guests were quite a raucous bunch - much to the Tans' constipation. Oh yes, I've invited Nigel - he's always got a store of amusing antidotes. Must remember to bring the two dogs over to Mum's place though - Nigel's wife is putrefied of canines.
The last couple are the Lims. As you know, they live in an effluent neighbourhood and Mr Lim talks about nothing but making money - he's always trying to make me infest in some unit trust or other. His wife is quite an auspicious woman, always giving unwanted advice. But despite all that, they mean no harm and are really quite a kind and helpful couple.
Just call me to confirm you'll be coming - don't bother to email me back. I hope you don't mind me saying that it's rather painful to read your e-mails - your spelling is quite abdominal, you know!
Cheers
Soo Chen
Soooo... let's try something now shall we?
See if you can identify the malapropisms in the following letter and replace them with the correct words!
_____________________________________________________
Dear Jinny
I'm throwing a small dinner party for a few elected friends this weekend. Do say you'll come! I know you don't like to show off, but this is the perfect opportunity to suppress the other guests with your expansive brocade dress - you know, the one that makes you look so svelte and ravenous.
I've invited three other couples and two 'singletons'. Perhaps the two will hit it off - Dan is a very illegible bachelor; he's a very nice fellow and runs his own design firm. The lady, Sok Chin, is a marvellous cook and a great conversationist - she can talk about anything under the sun and put you at your ease at once. I'm hoping she'll draw out the Tans who are quite a shy couple. They were at this party where the guests were quite a raucous bunch - much to the Tans' constipation. Oh yes, I've invited Nigel - he's always got a store of amusing antidotes. Must remember to bring the two dogs over to Mum's place though - Nigel's wife is putrefied of canines.
The last couple are the Lims. As you know, they live in an effluent neighbourhood and Mr Lim talks about nothing but making money - he's always trying to make me infest in some unit trust or other. His wife is quite an auspicious woman, always giving unwanted advice. But despite all that, they mean no harm and are really quite a kind and helpful couple.
Just call me to confirm you'll be coming - don't bother to email me back. I hope you don't mind me saying that it's rather painful to read your e-mails - your spelling is quite abdominal, you know!
Cheers
Soo Chen
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