Tuesday, April 3, 2012
(860) Loss of money or love
Some people are more prone to depression than others. Let us look at two text book cases:
A. There is a beautiful lady who is capable as well. She rose up from a very poor background to be successful in business. Everything turned to gold until she ventured into the middle east. As she puts it, she took a chance and ended up paying heavy tuition for the lesson learned.
From a spacious end lot house she narrowly escaped bankruptcy and hid in one room in a good friend's house. Like an animal licking her wounds, she recovered in her temporary sanctuary. For about a year, she could not work. Happy to say, she bounced up and is running now.
B. There is a kind lady who married well. She gave up her successful enterprise to tend to her daughter who needed special attention. As the years go by, the gap between a successful husband and a homemaker wife tends to widen. Unless people change together towards the same direction, they can grow apart.
It is easy to be depressed if one day a person wakes up and find that her beloved is no longer the man she thought she loved dearly and chose over all other contenders. Then what is she going to do? That is a very difficult question to ask, it is even more difficult to answer! And so I found myself watching and waiting to see which way my friend will choose to go. I still don't know, because she said nothing. But she looked better, she dressed with more care, there is a serenity about her that I didn't see the past few years. And so I am happy for her to find peace.
A tripped because of the lack of gold. B tripped because a perceived loss of youthful love. Perhaps there is a C that I haven't met who would fall into the pit of depression because of lost glory? Since time immemorial men fell because of gold, girl or glory.
(859) Rock solid
What is more solid than rocky mountains? Whom should we place our trust in?
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:2-3
Photograph used with permission from Ms Ong Bee Lian
(858) No to motor-cycles
The boy arrived as promised, riding on a motor-cycle. While he expected to hoot and Rosy would come out to join him, in actual fact he was invited into the house.
Mr. Razi explained that he would only allow Rosy to go out with him if the young pair walk, take bus or taxi. Motor-cycles would not be an acceptable mode of transport. The older man thanked him for coming. When asked whether the young suitor is agreeable to these terms, he elected to go home for that day. Interestingly he never visit nor call again.
* Food-Face.jpa from andakita.com
(857) Works of Art
What a beautiful pavilion! Built for the use of an Emperor.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before Kings; he will not serve before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29
Photograph used with permission from Ms Ong Bee Lian
(856) Collecting homework
Elizabeth's junior started on a teaching job while waiting for her examination result. According to Elizabeth, she has a hard time getting homework out of her pupils.
I have had that problem too, at least right up until the first college level English class I taught. I recall the first time I received payment for teaching: I was a thirteen year old teaching a ten year old. My mother's friends knew that I was transitioning well from Chinese medium into English and the National language. One of her friends sent her son to be tutored in English. He was taller than me probably weighed 1.5 times my weight. As long as I don't assign too much homework, he obliged by doing some. If I got too ambitious, he did nothing at home.
To overcome this, I pushed him as much as possible during the hour I had with him. For every page of undone homework, he would rather skip 50 times for me. Honestly, he probably become quite fit doing penance rather than improving much in English. One thing I remember, he finally could handle simple singular and plural nouns and verbs-to-be during the final week, after being drilled for about six months. From me, he was sent to a retired disciplinary teacher. After that, his family moved away.
I have had that problem too, at least right up until the first college level English class I taught. I recall the first time I received payment for teaching: I was a thirteen year old teaching a ten year old. My mother's friends knew that I was transitioning well from Chinese medium into English and the National language. One of her friends sent her son to be tutored in English. He was taller than me probably weighed 1.5 times my weight. As long as I don't assign too much homework, he obliged by doing some. If I got too ambitious, he did nothing at home.
To overcome this, I pushed him as much as possible during the hour I had with him. For every page of undone homework, he would rather skip 50 times for me. Honestly, he probably become quite fit doing penance rather than improving much in English. One thing I remember, he finally could handle simple singular and plural nouns and verbs-to-be during the final week, after being drilled for about six months. From me, he was sent to a retired disciplinary teacher. After that, his family moved away.
(855) Panorama
A panoramic pastoral view of the countryside! It gladdens my eyes!
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4
Picture used with the kind permission of Ms Ong Bee Lian
(854) Bringing up children
I looked around my church, which is a very productive one in terms of having a bunch children below the age of six, and see three women as interesting study.
First let us look at Aline, who lives with her in-laws. She was already introverted when she was single. After her first child was born, she was quieter than usual. Then she seemed to find her own groove and I saw that she dressed a little better than when her baby was an infant. Sad to say, it was then time to have baby number two, and she looked so tired and drawn in. Honestly, I have not seen a big smile on her face since number two was born. Her husband, who talks incessantly and grins constantly, still behaves like a bachelor. No wonder the poor wife was weighed down by the care of her two. Now, number two walks unaided, I expect to see her cheer up soon and return to the land of the animated. Aline worked full time in a job related to children.
Next we look at Betsy, she had a difficult time with her first child. She lives in a small apartment with her husband and child. Apparently the arrangement with a full-time baby sitter and no house hold help did not suit her. She dropped from being a fashion queen to one who could barely get herself together to come to church. She showed more self awareness then Aline. After talking to different women, she decided to change line and work from home. The abrupt change must have worked, I see her happier and less tired. By the time her second child is born, she is well adjusted. Now, she moved around on her own terms. Number one is very secured with many teenagers tailing behind. Number two is a sleepy head who sleeps in the carrier most of the time.
Then we consider Cathy. The week she returned to church with her baby, she looked many years older. As the weeks pass by, she did not improve. Her husband looked equally sleep deprived. Both of them hold good jobs and are well paid. I suppose it is their choice not hiring house or baby help.
In them, I see myself. I probably looked as bad for the first two years with my first two children. Since I did not want a live-in maid, I roughed it out. By the time I had my third and decided not to work, it became easier. There are just so many hours in a day, if we take away a few hours for work and some for commuting, then all the child care and house chores had to be squeezed into very few hours left. Life became a battle trying to get everything done.
My role is that of an observer. I do not try to find out more, nor do I contribute any opinion. Each generation decides what to do on their own.
First let us look at Aline, who lives with her in-laws. She was already introverted when she was single. After her first child was born, she was quieter than usual. Then she seemed to find her own groove and I saw that she dressed a little better than when her baby was an infant. Sad to say, it was then time to have baby number two, and she looked so tired and drawn in. Honestly, I have not seen a big smile on her face since number two was born. Her husband, who talks incessantly and grins constantly, still behaves like a bachelor. No wonder the poor wife was weighed down by the care of her two. Now, number two walks unaided, I expect to see her cheer up soon and return to the land of the animated. Aline worked full time in a job related to children.
Next we look at Betsy, she had a difficult time with her first child. She lives in a small apartment with her husband and child. Apparently the arrangement with a full-time baby sitter and no house hold help did not suit her. She dropped from being a fashion queen to one who could barely get herself together to come to church. She showed more self awareness then Aline. After talking to different women, she decided to change line and work from home. The abrupt change must have worked, I see her happier and less tired. By the time her second child is born, she is well adjusted. Now, she moved around on her own terms. Number one is very secured with many teenagers tailing behind. Number two is a sleepy head who sleeps in the carrier most of the time.
Then we consider Cathy. The week she returned to church with her baby, she looked many years older. As the weeks pass by, she did not improve. Her husband looked equally sleep deprived. Both of them hold good jobs and are well paid. I suppose it is their choice not hiring house or baby help.
In them, I see myself. I probably looked as bad for the first two years with my first two children. Since I did not want a live-in maid, I roughed it out. By the time I had my third and decided not to work, it became easier. There are just so many hours in a day, if we take away a few hours for work and some for commuting, then all the child care and house chores had to be squeezed into very few hours left. Life became a battle trying to get everything done.
My role is that of an observer. I do not try to find out more, nor do I contribute any opinion. Each generation decides what to do on their own.
(853) Eden
This is a picture of bracken in Norway. Used by permission from Ms Ong Bee Lian.
When I saw this lovely photograph of exquisite tiny plants, I thought of the garden of Eden, where God placed Adam.
Then God said,"Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruits with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. Genesis 1:11
(852) Strong Medicine by Arthur Hailey
This book was written after Overload. Like one or two other Hailey books I read, it is well researched and a good read.
I like the heroine he created, Celia Jordan. She belonged to the new group of women who desired both family life and a meaningful career. By good planning and sheer strength of will, she managed to do both well.
Closer to home, I don't see many examples like her. On the contrary, I see powerful woman who may be able to purchase expensive residential homes, one for each child when the youngest is merely ten year old; but her children were spoiled rotten. I also see successful career women who, at a certain point, decided to quit their high flying positions to concentrate on their children. It is a good thing they could fall back on their husbands who earned well.
But I suppose those women in my home towns hired the cheapest foreign maid available, one really cannot expect maids from very rural areas in dirt poor countries to be able to take one's responsibilities during one's long working hours. Celia and her husband actually hired and paid for a husband and wife team to run their home. When they paid the right candidates well enough and won their loyalty, they were served well. Of course we need to bear in mind the fact that Celia is a fictitious character.
I like the heroine he created, Celia Jordan. She belonged to the new group of women who desired both family life and a meaningful career. By good planning and sheer strength of will, she managed to do both well.
Closer to home, I don't see many examples like her. On the contrary, I see powerful woman who may be able to purchase expensive residential homes, one for each child when the youngest is merely ten year old; but her children were spoiled rotten. I also see successful career women who, at a certain point, decided to quit their high flying positions to concentrate on their children. It is a good thing they could fall back on their husbands who earned well.
But I suppose those women in my home towns hired the cheapest foreign maid available, one really cannot expect maids from very rural areas in dirt poor countries to be able to take one's responsibilities during one's long working hours. Celia and her husband actually hired and paid for a husband and wife team to run their home. When they paid the right candidates well enough and won their loyalty, they were served well. Of course we need to bear in mind the fact that Celia is a fictitious character.
(851) Rest
Looking at this picture, I sense rest. Imagine sitting in the summer house and feeling the sea breeze blowing, all earthly troubles will be blown away. Just an afternoon spent sitting and resting in God's great outdoor, and you would feel rested.
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Picture used by permission from Ms Ong Bee Lian.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
(850) Julie by Catherine Marshall
This is the last book Catherine Marshall worked on before her death. I first came to know of her when I started reading the book in which she collected her husband's prayers as a chaplain to the Senate of USA in Washington DC. At that time, I was a free thinker. The prayers must have sounded sincere and genuine to attract a skeptic like me.
After my graduation, I lost my access to the book. It was kept in a bookcase in my college chapel. I started looking for the book wherever(libraries, book stores, even friends' book cases) I went. A friend's friend heard about my search and kindly gave me A Man Called Peter. It was in reading this book one night when I could not sleep, subsequently the next morning I counted seven things I have read about being mentioned by the Pastor in a church service that I realized that the Almighty God was "talking" to me.
I read the other novel written by Marshall, Christy, many years ago. If I can trust my vague impressions, Julie is a better paced story. I like the refreshing way she crafted her story with a family facing difficulties financially during an economic depression. They survived a flood, a dam break, commercial attacks, hoodlums, fire, and co-ordinate verbal and written attacks as a small town newspaper publisher. As a family, they weathered illness and nervous breakdown of the father and the tragic death of an only son. It is wonderful to have a happy ending. Julie married her true love, lived long and have her children and grandchildren around her.
After my graduation, I lost my access to the book. It was kept in a bookcase in my college chapel. I started looking for the book wherever(libraries, book stores, even friends' book cases) I went. A friend's friend heard about my search and kindly gave me A Man Called Peter. It was in reading this book one night when I could not sleep, subsequently the next morning I counted seven things I have read about being mentioned by the Pastor in a church service that I realized that the Almighty God was "talking" to me.
I read the other novel written by Marshall, Christy, many years ago. If I can trust my vague impressions, Julie is a better paced story. I like the refreshing way she crafted her story with a family facing difficulties financially during an economic depression. They survived a flood, a dam break, commercial attacks, hoodlums, fire, and co-ordinate verbal and written attacks as a small town newspaper publisher. As a family, they weathered illness and nervous breakdown of the father and the tragic death of an only son. It is wonderful to have a happy ending. Julie married her true love, lived long and have her children and grandchildren around her.
(849) A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horwitz
This book presented facts contrary to American popular beliefs and myths. I did remember learning about Spanish expeditions to the new world, but nowhere did I read of settlements lasting more than a few months. To think of all the turkeys, pumpkin pies and sweet potatoes I ate during the few Thanksgivings during my college years, it might be symbolic of the first difficult winter the pilgrim fathers experienced or it might not be.
What was shocking was the huge mounds left by wealthy agricultural societies in the middle part of USA exceeded that of medieval London or Paris, or any city north of Mexico until Philadelphia surpassed it in 1700s. (page 233) All it took was two groups of Spanish forward parties bringing diseases as well as wholesale slaughter to reduce that sort of civilizations to small villages and tribal groups roaming the plains that the British settlers found later.
Although there are people in my country that hold it against the British for colonizing us, I suppose we are much, much better off than the American Indians. The British shipped away tin and rubber, but they did leave us an excellent colonial government and a good education system.
What was shocking was the huge mounds left by wealthy agricultural societies in the middle part of USA exceeded that of medieval London or Paris, or any city north of Mexico until Philadelphia surpassed it in 1700s. (page 233) All it took was two groups of Spanish forward parties bringing diseases as well as wholesale slaughter to reduce that sort of civilizations to small villages and tribal groups roaming the plains that the British settlers found later.
Although there are people in my country that hold it against the British for colonizing us, I suppose we are much, much better off than the American Indians. The British shipped away tin and rubber, but they did leave us an excellent colonial government and a good education system.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
(848) Myelination
Just the other day I was chatting with my friend. She mentioned that her friend Stacy was having problems with her adopted daughter, Crystal. Crystal went into Grade 1 at the beginning of this year. Until now, she failed to grasp the idea of addition. For failing to add 2 and 3 together, this is the second case of supposed normal girls I have come across. My cousin's youngest daughter had this problem. Her teacher was at wit's end. Her mum screamed at her own inability to make things clear. In the end, it took the father's patient coaching over a three-day weekend to get her across the hurdle.
Years later, I asked the father how did he learn to do special education. He said he did not have any such difficulty himself, but he had to help all his brothers and sisters. Sure enough, he was the only graduate in his own family. I suppose if dyslexia run in that family, his daughter was suffering from discalculia.
I have no problem with calculations. But I did have some difficulties teaching my eldest son the time tables. He can recite it alright at age 10. But twist the problem a little and he got waylaid, couldn't apply either multiplication or division to solve the problem. For Grade 1 and 2, he was doing well. But when the times table was slowly introduced, he did not understand the principles behind it at all. Yet for standard problems, he could solve them. So he was not doing badly in terms of marks. I was highly stressed those few years, diligent as I was in drilling, he was not making any progress. Then, interestingly, it happened exactly as my husband predicted. Somewhere towards the end of Grade 5, over one weekend he leaped. On Friday night I was still shaking my head over his failure to spot the tricky problems. Surprisingly on Monday night he aced and had no more problems with all types of questions to do with multiplication and division from that point on. I was shocked!
Years later, I read that this happened when the nerve bundles in the child's nervous systems become fully myelinated. Imagine individual nerve as electrical wire, each should be totally insulated. In the case of wire, we need rubber or plastic insulation. Nerves, on the other hand, are insulated by fatty acids or such like organic compounds. According to the experts, prior to perfect insulation, electrical signals crossed wire. Hence, all my hard work drilling was going no where. Yet when he was ready, the nerves individually insulated, he could not only understand, but he could solve all kinds of problems on his own. I did not improve in my teaching at all, but he had the needed apparatus and hence could hold his own.
Interestingly, even though he was not particularly gifted in mathematics (in his case, he is able to pick up phrases rather easily in any foreign countries), he did not require any more coaching in maths from that point onward. Once he got past pre-u mathematics, he excelled in linguistics.
Years later, I asked the father how did he learn to do special education. He said he did not have any such difficulty himself, but he had to help all his brothers and sisters. Sure enough, he was the only graduate in his own family. I suppose if dyslexia run in that family, his daughter was suffering from discalculia.
I have no problem with calculations. But I did have some difficulties teaching my eldest son the time tables. He can recite it alright at age 10. But twist the problem a little and he got waylaid, couldn't apply either multiplication or division to solve the problem. For Grade 1 and 2, he was doing well. But when the times table was slowly introduced, he did not understand the principles behind it at all. Yet for standard problems, he could solve them. So he was not doing badly in terms of marks. I was highly stressed those few years, diligent as I was in drilling, he was not making any progress. Then, interestingly, it happened exactly as my husband predicted. Somewhere towards the end of Grade 5, over one weekend he leaped. On Friday night I was still shaking my head over his failure to spot the tricky problems. Surprisingly on Monday night he aced and had no more problems with all types of questions to do with multiplication and division from that point on. I was shocked!
Years later, I read that this happened when the nerve bundles in the child's nervous systems become fully myelinated. Imagine individual nerve as electrical wire, each should be totally insulated. In the case of wire, we need rubber or plastic insulation. Nerves, on the other hand, are insulated by fatty acids or such like organic compounds. According to the experts, prior to perfect insulation, electrical signals crossed wire. Hence, all my hard work drilling was going no where. Yet when he was ready, the nerves individually insulated, he could not only understand, but he could solve all kinds of problems on his own. I did not improve in my teaching at all, but he had the needed apparatus and hence could hold his own.
Interestingly, even though he was not particularly gifted in mathematics (in his case, he is able to pick up phrases rather easily in any foreign countries), he did not require any more coaching in maths from that point onward. Once he got past pre-u mathematics, he excelled in linguistics.
(847) Battle of will
There was a baby boy of a neighbour who seemed to try to keep his mum at home. It went like this: through the difficult pregnancy, mum took maximum medical leave. It was a long and drawn out labour. Mum took no pay leave to care for infant. After a few months, junior was passed to the care of a trusted babysitter. Mum went back to work. Junior started sleeping during the day and kept awake at night demanding for frequent change of nappies and attention. Mum fell ill through insufficient sleep and stayed home. Junior went back to regular and normal sleeping pattern.
After a few bouts of exhaustion, mum quit her well paid job. It was hard to believe, the toddler now eats well, sleeps normally and is finally thriving. Of course now he has a stay-at-home mum.
*BlanketFlower.JPG from wallpaper-valley.com
(846) Stories I told my Nephew 3
I told my nephew real courtship stories of three couples.
Sean has been pursued by his present wife since he was in Form 4. She somehow at age 14 could see something in him she liked. With the help of her sister and brother-in-law, she spent every Sunday with Sean even though her mother forbid her to see Sean. Seven or eight years later, they were married. Sean is a graduate holding a job that entailed lots of overtime. Yet he was also the one who does every bit of house work and he wakes up at night to do night feed.
John went out with a group of young people. He originally has his eye on a quiet and rather shy girl. But another bolder specimen chased him and managed to corner him into taking her out at every possible opportunity. A few months later, the girl's side pressured him into marrying her. John has school going children. While his wife sleeps until ten am, John wakes up at five to prepare breakfast for his children, he took them to school before he goes to work. Apart from ironing her own clothes, John's wife does not deign to wet her little finger. Since he preferred not to have a maid, he does every chore in his house.
Ian is an old fashion gentleman, he took over his best friend's girl friend when she dumped the latter for him. The abandoned man was consoled by another girl waiting in the wing. This rather enterprising girl dumped a high school graduate for a college educated engineer. Today she lives in a big house. Funnily enough, she could bake two loaves of bread a week but her own immediate family eats store bought loaves.
My nephew asked me if all three girls are youngest in the family. The 1st and 2nd are but the 3rd is a middle child. He asked if all are city girls who grew up in the capital. The 1st and 2nd are but the 3rd grew up in the countryside.
Interestingly enough, all three wives do not cook. To this, my nephew responded that if a woman does not do house chores, then at least she should cook. "Then, what do they do in their free time?"he asked. Well! Shopping...watching soap opera on TV...playing mahjong...following the poor husband everywhere they go... There is no accounting for taste, it just seemed like when a woman is capable of taking the initiative to pursue a man she chooses, she is also bossy and manipulative enough to make sure the husband toes her lines at home.
Sean has been pursued by his present wife since he was in Form 4. She somehow at age 14 could see something in him she liked. With the help of her sister and brother-in-law, she spent every Sunday with Sean even though her mother forbid her to see Sean. Seven or eight years later, they were married. Sean is a graduate holding a job that entailed lots of overtime. Yet he was also the one who does every bit of house work and he wakes up at night to do night feed.
John went out with a group of young people. He originally has his eye on a quiet and rather shy girl. But another bolder specimen chased him and managed to corner him into taking her out at every possible opportunity. A few months later, the girl's side pressured him into marrying her. John has school going children. While his wife sleeps until ten am, John wakes up at five to prepare breakfast for his children, he took them to school before he goes to work. Apart from ironing her own clothes, John's wife does not deign to wet her little finger. Since he preferred not to have a maid, he does every chore in his house.
Ian is an old fashion gentleman, he took over his best friend's girl friend when she dumped the latter for him. The abandoned man was consoled by another girl waiting in the wing. This rather enterprising girl dumped a high school graduate for a college educated engineer. Today she lives in a big house. Funnily enough, she could bake two loaves of bread a week but her own immediate family eats store bought loaves.
My nephew asked me if all three girls are youngest in the family. The 1st and 2nd are but the 3rd is a middle child. He asked if all are city girls who grew up in the capital. The 1st and 2nd are but the 3rd grew up in the countryside.
Interestingly enough, all three wives do not cook. To this, my nephew responded that if a woman does not do house chores, then at least she should cook. "Then, what do they do in their free time?"he asked. Well! Shopping...watching soap opera on TV...playing mahjong...following the poor husband everywhere they go... There is no accounting for taste, it just seemed like when a woman is capable of taking the initiative to pursue a man she chooses, she is also bossy and manipulative enough to make sure the husband toes her lines at home.
(845) Anne's House of Dreams by L.M.Montgomery
This is the book I like least in the series. It was heart breaking to have the much awaited baby dying soon after birth. I suppose life is often like that, it strikes out at one when she least expects it. But I like how Montgomery wove together Leslie Moore, Owen Ford, and Captain Jim.
When Cornelia sent Owen as a boarder to Leslie, she was just being helpful as Leslie needed money to repair her house. Owen found the material for his great Canadian novel in Captain Jim's Life-book. Captain Jim could read through the newly published book, breathed his last and went out with the tide at dawn's first light just like he wished for. What a way to go! Leslie was being selfless in taking the idiot whom she thought was her husband to Montreal for treatment. As the idiot regained his faculties, they realized he was her deceased husband's cousin. She was then free from a disastrous marriage. Leslie and Owen made a lovely couple. Much, much later, Kenneth Ford married Anne's youngest daughter, Rilla.
In modern life, for folks like me who live in a metropolis of a few million people, what is the chance of any one of my children marrying a child of a couple I know? Practically, the answer is almost zero. I suppose that is why reading an old fashion book like this is immensely satisfying.
When Cornelia sent Owen as a boarder to Leslie, she was just being helpful as Leslie needed money to repair her house. Owen found the material for his great Canadian novel in Captain Jim's Life-book. Captain Jim could read through the newly published book, breathed his last and went out with the tide at dawn's first light just like he wished for. What a way to go! Leslie was being selfless in taking the idiot whom she thought was her husband to Montreal for treatment. As the idiot regained his faculties, they realized he was her deceased husband's cousin. She was then free from a disastrous marriage. Leslie and Owen made a lovely couple. Much, much later, Kenneth Ford married Anne's youngest daughter, Rilla.
In modern life, for folks like me who live in a metropolis of a few million people, what is the chance of any one of my children marrying a child of a couple I know? Practically, the answer is almost zero. I suppose that is why reading an old fashion book like this is immensely satisfying.
(844) Anne of the Island by L.M.Montgomery
Here we find Anne studying for her B.A. in Redmond. She was with Priscilla, Gilbert and Charlie. In this book I like the chapter on Patty's Place. I can just visualize the simple cottage among the mansions on Millionaire's Row. Trust Anne to find Priscilla, Stella, and Phil to room together to save on living expenses. It was a God send for the four girls to have Aunt Jimsie to keep house for them.
The romantic side of Anne encouraged Roy on for almost two years. But when things came to the crux, Anne could not say yes to his marriage proposal. On the one hand, she had treated him pretty shamefully. Yet on the other hand, she did imagine herself in love with him. I suppose it was difficult to refuse money, position, good looks and good breeding in a man.
It took a life threatening disease in Gilbert to shake some sense into Anne. For someone who had had admirers all her life, it is easy to take Gilbert as a boyhood friend and no more. It took the two years of being courted by Roy to help Anne realize the difference of what is being in love and what is feeling flattered by the attentions of a highly eligible man.
In fact different people marry for entirely different reasons. Anne had chosen love.
The romantic side of Anne encouraged Roy on for almost two years. But when things came to the crux, Anne could not say yes to his marriage proposal. On the one hand, she had treated him pretty shamefully. Yet on the other hand, she did imagine herself in love with him. I suppose it was difficult to refuse money, position, good looks and good breeding in a man.
It took a life threatening disease in Gilbert to shake some sense into Anne. For someone who had had admirers all her life, it is easy to take Gilbert as a boyhood friend and no more. It took the two years of being courted by Roy to help Anne realize the difference of what is being in love and what is feeling flattered by the attentions of a highly eligible man.
In fact different people marry for entirely different reasons. Anne had chosen love.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
(843) Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M.Montgomery
While Gilbert was studying medicine, Anne was working as the Principal of Summerside High School. This book is mainly made up of excepts of love letters written by Anne to Gilbert.
This is a fair to middling book. Not the best of the series, not the worst either! This particular time I read it, I was highly entertained by the wedding at the Nelson's at Bonnyview. It is in Chapter 15 and starts at page 102. There were six daughters in the Nelson household. Four were married off. Anne went to be a bridesmaid to Sally. Nora, the last single daughter was certainly not having a good time with all and sundry teasing her.
The problem with Nora is that she loved to quarrel with her child hood sweet heart, Jim. She took his loyalty and unswerving devotion for granted. All seemed well until they had a big, loud quarrel and Jim gave up coming to court Nora. Anne, being her impulsive self, decided to help Nora by putting a lamp at the attic window to summon Jim over for the shore dance. Well, Jim was away until 1 am. Anne, distracted by having a good time at the beach, forgot all about taking the lamp down. Poor Jim, he rushed over the bay and was caught embracing his beloved in the downstairs library in the middle of the night. Goaded by an ancient aunt, he proposed in public. Much to his shock, Nora accepted the proposal immediately.
I suppose it is rather unfair that an unmarried woman past forty is called a spinster. Yet an unmarried man in his forties is eligible. Being parents of girls, we worry if there are no suitors. If there are too many suitors, it is a problem. When a daughter decides to marry, the mother is ambivalent until quite a while later before she can be sure that her daughter made the right choice. Now that girls are well educated and have equal opportunities of being employed outside of the house, things are much better than before.
This is a fair to middling book. Not the best of the series, not the worst either! This particular time I read it, I was highly entertained by the wedding at the Nelson's at Bonnyview. It is in Chapter 15 and starts at page 102. There were six daughters in the Nelson household. Four were married off. Anne went to be a bridesmaid to Sally. Nora, the last single daughter was certainly not having a good time with all and sundry teasing her.
The problem with Nora is that she loved to quarrel with her child hood sweet heart, Jim. She took his loyalty and unswerving devotion for granted. All seemed well until they had a big, loud quarrel and Jim gave up coming to court Nora. Anne, being her impulsive self, decided to help Nora by putting a lamp at the attic window to summon Jim over for the shore dance. Well, Jim was away until 1 am. Anne, distracted by having a good time at the beach, forgot all about taking the lamp down. Poor Jim, he rushed over the bay and was caught embracing his beloved in the downstairs library in the middle of the night. Goaded by an ancient aunt, he proposed in public. Much to his shock, Nora accepted the proposal immediately.
I suppose it is rather unfair that an unmarried woman past forty is called a spinster. Yet an unmarried man in his forties is eligible. Being parents of girls, we worry if there are no suitors. If there are too many suitors, it is a problem. When a daughter decides to marry, the mother is ambivalent until quite a while later before she can be sure that her daughter made the right choice. Now that girls are well educated and have equal opportunities of being employed outside of the house, things are much better than before.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
(842) Search for the Green Leaf Tribe
I participated in a missionaries' conference recently. Here I will recall one particular testimony. One couple, the husband is from the Philiphines and the wife is from Sabah, were called to a hill tribe in Indo China. Mr Missionary has had a recurring vision for many years. At first he did not know where the tribe is, nor did he know the name of this tribe. After much prayers, he has a burden for Laos. However, Mrs Missionary thought she was called to China. While preparing and waiting, each prayed for his or her country. As the years passed, Mr M's burden for Laos deepened. Mrs M gradually cared more about Laos than China. They joined a mission organization, received relevant training and raised support.
One day, they flew to Laos and learnt the language. Still, they do not know where their tribe is. When their language teacher went back to his hometown for a visit, our harassed missionaries thought they too would take a little trip and leave the capital city. In the hotel, Mr M flipped through some government publication and to his surprise, he saw his tribe (exactly as appeared in his vision) listed with its name and location. Here we will call them the Green Leaf people.
They become very excited and bought bus tickets to that province. Sad to say, these people were quite illusive, they weren't in the area the publications said they would be in. Mr and Mrs M almost given up after a four day search. Mr M said they would look for one more place as suggested, if they cannot find the Green Leaf people, they would go back to the capital.
That night, Mrs M dreamed that she and her husband traveled on a motorbike taxi, they followed a yellow river as it meandered. As the river forked into two, in the dream they took the right hand fork and crossed a stone bridge.
The next day, they went to the town suggested by the bus station master. No one seemed to have heard of the people group they were looking for. As Mrs M walked across a wooden bridge, her left sandal parted from its heel. She limped over to a small stall and was talked into having her hair washed. As she was chatting with the shampoo man in Laotian, her husband came back and spoke to her in Sabahan. Suddenly the shampoo man burst in a big smile and spoke to them in fluent Sabahan. It seemed he went to work in Sabah for two years as a foreign worker. As he asked what this couple was doing in so remote a village out of the tourist scene, they confided they were looking for the Green Leaf tribe. He chuckled and called a small boy from the noodle stall next door. That urchin is from the Green Leaf tribe. Together the shampoo man and the urchin found a motor taxi willing to take the couple to the Green Leaf village.
The journey they took was exactly as Mrs M dreamed. They traveled on rutted roads for many miles following the winding of a yellow river. When they approached the fork, even the taxi rider was not sure where to go. Mrs M insisted he followed the right fork. Soon after that they reached the few bamboo houses on the road side. They have found their tribe!
One day, they flew to Laos and learnt the language. Still, they do not know where their tribe is. When their language teacher went back to his hometown for a visit, our harassed missionaries thought they too would take a little trip and leave the capital city. In the hotel, Mr M flipped through some government publication and to his surprise, he saw his tribe (exactly as appeared in his vision) listed with its name and location. Here we will call them the Green Leaf people.
They become very excited and bought bus tickets to that province. Sad to say, these people were quite illusive, they weren't in the area the publications said they would be in. Mr and Mrs M almost given up after a four day search. Mr M said they would look for one more place as suggested, if they cannot find the Green Leaf people, they would go back to the capital.
That night, Mrs M dreamed that she and her husband traveled on a motorbike taxi, they followed a yellow river as it meandered. As the river forked into two, in the dream they took the right hand fork and crossed a stone bridge.
The next day, they went to the town suggested by the bus station master. No one seemed to have heard of the people group they were looking for. As Mrs M walked across a wooden bridge, her left sandal parted from its heel. She limped over to a small stall and was talked into having her hair washed. As she was chatting with the shampoo man in Laotian, her husband came back and spoke to her in Sabahan. Suddenly the shampoo man burst in a big smile and spoke to them in fluent Sabahan. It seemed he went to work in Sabah for two years as a foreign worker. As he asked what this couple was doing in so remote a village out of the tourist scene, they confided they were looking for the Green Leaf tribe. He chuckled and called a small boy from the noodle stall next door. That urchin is from the Green Leaf tribe. Together the shampoo man and the urchin found a motor taxi willing to take the couple to the Green Leaf village.
The journey they took was exactly as Mrs M dreamed. They traveled on rutted roads for many miles following the winding of a yellow river. When they approached the fork, even the taxi rider was not sure where to go. Mrs M insisted he followed the right fork. Soon after that they reached the few bamboo houses on the road side. They have found their tribe!
(841) Crocodile meat as medicine
A friend was having lots of phlegm in her lungs and coughing continually but did not seem to dislodge it. I thought of my experience with Michael when he was about three years old.
Around that time I was working part-time in a local college but was sending Michael to a full time nanny. Michael was prone to cough and cold. One particular episode of flu was unusually virulent. He went through three sets of antibiotic plus other medication but was still coughing badly. My nanny's husband was a rather over bearing man. He instructed me to go to one village medicine shop (Chinese physician), ask for crocodile meat and whatever herb accompanying, boil them as instructed and force it down Michael's throat.
I was at wit's end then, so accordingly I did exactly as he instructed. The boiling formula was to add two bowls of water to the ingredients and boil it on low fire until I have one bowl of liquid left in the pot. I measured two bowls, started the slow boil. Then I sat down in the kitchen wondering how on earth would I know when to stop. After all, my eyes cannot tell me how much liquid would make one bowl. My dear husband walked in and asked me why I was sitting there watching the brew heating.
When he heard my difficulty, he tried not to laugh. He took a spoon and showed me the level of liquid with two bowls. So he said that when the liquid level falls to half that mark, the brew is ready. He used the spoon upside down, there was a leaf conveniently carved on the handle at the level where I should turn off the fire. I thought, why was I so stupid not to think of that myself. The big problem being solved, so I checked the brew every five minutes until it was done!
I remembered my husband and I forced fed the smelly medicine down my poor son's throat at about 5 pm. That night(at 1:30am) he woke up gagging and vomited a large pool of thick phlegm on the bathroom floor. The following day he was completely well.
My friend said her God ma did cook some foul broth twice like I said but it did not help her. She commented that if she were to go through what I related: having the difficulty of judging liquid level, she would be soundly scolded by her ex-husband. He could not accept the fact that she is not as clever and accomplished as he is. After about twenty years of being ill treated, put down, humiliated, emotionally abused... she finally called it quits. Her divorce finalized three years ago. She is rather happy earning her own keep now.
I believe she and I are both dyslexic to a certain extent, for her certain traits are more severe, I could have overcome my short comings a little further. I suppose it helped that my parents treated me like gold. I have spent the earlier part of my life earning honors. God was good that I won a scholarship to an American college. Many smarter people applied but could not go. I worked hard and graduated with honors. More than that, I was honored by the nomination to Phi Beta Kappa. Even if my husband dared to belittle me, I would not meekly swallow it. I know my own worth. It is not that I deserve honors, it is more of the fact that God has endowed me with lots of talents. He more than made up for all my short comings.
As I continue to listen to this woman who has suffered much. She in turn is helping her niece. That niece displayed even more classic symptoms of dyslexia. Well, the niece is fortunate that her aunt stuck her neck out to explain things to the former when she was 21. She will have many years of understanding and working within herself to overcome what needs to be worked on. She would not fall prey to others who might put her down because she could not help being what God made her to be.
Even for my friend who first learnt that she was merely dyslexic and not brain damaged at age 47, there is healing in God. As she accepts herself, peace and confidence would be her portion.
Around that time I was working part-time in a local college but was sending Michael to a full time nanny. Michael was prone to cough and cold. One particular episode of flu was unusually virulent. He went through three sets of antibiotic plus other medication but was still coughing badly. My nanny's husband was a rather over bearing man. He instructed me to go to one village medicine shop (Chinese physician), ask for crocodile meat and whatever herb accompanying, boil them as instructed and force it down Michael's throat.
I was at wit's end then, so accordingly I did exactly as he instructed. The boiling formula was to add two bowls of water to the ingredients and boil it on low fire until I have one bowl of liquid left in the pot. I measured two bowls, started the slow boil. Then I sat down in the kitchen wondering how on earth would I know when to stop. After all, my eyes cannot tell me how much liquid would make one bowl. My dear husband walked in and asked me why I was sitting there watching the brew heating.
When he heard my difficulty, he tried not to laugh. He took a spoon and showed me the level of liquid with two bowls. So he said that when the liquid level falls to half that mark, the brew is ready. He used the spoon upside down, there was a leaf conveniently carved on the handle at the level where I should turn off the fire. I thought, why was I so stupid not to think of that myself. The big problem being solved, so I checked the brew every five minutes until it was done!
I remembered my husband and I forced fed the smelly medicine down my poor son's throat at about 5 pm. That night(at 1:30am) he woke up gagging and vomited a large pool of thick phlegm on the bathroom floor. The following day he was completely well.
My friend said her God ma did cook some foul broth twice like I said but it did not help her. She commented that if she were to go through what I related: having the difficulty of judging liquid level, she would be soundly scolded by her ex-husband. He could not accept the fact that she is not as clever and accomplished as he is. After about twenty years of being ill treated, put down, humiliated, emotionally abused... she finally called it quits. Her divorce finalized three years ago. She is rather happy earning her own keep now.
I believe she and I are both dyslexic to a certain extent, for her certain traits are more severe, I could have overcome my short comings a little further. I suppose it helped that my parents treated me like gold. I have spent the earlier part of my life earning honors. God was good that I won a scholarship to an American college. Many smarter people applied but could not go. I worked hard and graduated with honors. More than that, I was honored by the nomination to Phi Beta Kappa. Even if my husband dared to belittle me, I would not meekly swallow it. I know my own worth. It is not that I deserve honors, it is more of the fact that God has endowed me with lots of talents. He more than made up for all my short comings.
As I continue to listen to this woman who has suffered much. She in turn is helping her niece. That niece displayed even more classic symptoms of dyslexia. Well, the niece is fortunate that her aunt stuck her neck out to explain things to the former when she was 21. She will have many years of understanding and working within herself to overcome what needs to be worked on. She would not fall prey to others who might put her down because she could not help being what God made her to be.
Even for my friend who first learnt that she was merely dyslexic and not brain damaged at age 47, there is healing in God. As she accepts herself, peace and confidence would be her portion.
(840) An Autobiography by Agatha Christie
This is a rather thick book, all 551 pages of it. I feel very blessed when my daughter, Elizabeth, borrowed it from her uni library for me. Had she chosen to take up a study loan and gone to USA, I would not be writing this blog.
To you, there may not be any thing special about getting hold of this book. I have been buying Christie book one at a time. Through the years, my family has collected 62 books of hers. Many a time, I saw this autobiography in a book shop. But I have never thought of spending about $100 to buy it brand new.
After reading in between the lines through many detective novels of hers, it is wonderful to find out more about her as a person as she told it straight in the book. Here I will focus on one incident: the mother of Christie's death and Christie's decision to grief alone.
Logically speaking, Christie had one sister and a brother; she need not take it upon herself to spend months clearing her childhood home. Moreover, by then she had much funds. She also had quite a number of women whom she trusted as secretary, nanny or house keeper. Surely she could make arrangement to have a small team of trusted retainers to sift through those things and she herself went one afternoon every weekend to make final decisions on what to keep and what to throw or sell.
But I suppose she had neglected her mother's advise that a woman's place is by her husband. Particularly that Christie's first husband was the type that was rather attractive to other women. When she turned down her husband's suggestion that they both spend a few months in Spain, the die was cast. A few month's separation opened the door to her husband having the opportunity to see other women in gay London; he promptly fell head over heel in love with a woman he did not fancy just a a few years previously.
But I suppose it is rather good riddance to bad rubbish! A man like that is liable to fail his wife in the most delicate situation. It is good fortune for Christie to be rid of this unfaithful man when she was young enough to dare to take on a second husband. She made an excellent choice! An archaeologist would not cast aside an aging wife for a newer model. Finally, she has a person she could depend on by her side for the rest of her life.
To you, there may not be any thing special about getting hold of this book. I have been buying Christie book one at a time. Through the years, my family has collected 62 books of hers. Many a time, I saw this autobiography in a book shop. But I have never thought of spending about $100 to buy it brand new.
After reading in between the lines through many detective novels of hers, it is wonderful to find out more about her as a person as she told it straight in the book. Here I will focus on one incident: the mother of Christie's death and Christie's decision to grief alone.
Logically speaking, Christie had one sister and a brother; she need not take it upon herself to spend months clearing her childhood home. Moreover, by then she had much funds. She also had quite a number of women whom she trusted as secretary, nanny or house keeper. Surely she could make arrangement to have a small team of trusted retainers to sift through those things and she herself went one afternoon every weekend to make final decisions on what to keep and what to throw or sell.
But I suppose she had neglected her mother's advise that a woman's place is by her husband. Particularly that Christie's first husband was the type that was rather attractive to other women. When she turned down her husband's suggestion that they both spend a few months in Spain, the die was cast. A few month's separation opened the door to her husband having the opportunity to see other women in gay London; he promptly fell head over heel in love with a woman he did not fancy just a a few years previously.
But I suppose it is rather good riddance to bad rubbish! A man like that is liable to fail his wife in the most delicate situation. It is good fortune for Christie to be rid of this unfaithful man when she was young enough to dare to take on a second husband. She made an excellent choice! An archaeologist would not cast aside an aging wife for a newer model. Finally, she has a person she could depend on by her side for the rest of her life.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
(839) Trying to be kind to our maids
Ming Choo went to visit her brother's family. They recently brought in a new Indonesian maid. While the working members were out at work, Ming Choo went out to meet up with friends. She returned and got in with the keys given to her and heard weeping in the kitchen. She walked quietly in and handed some tissues to the maid and settled down to listen to her.
The story went like this: the maid came from a rural area and was used to eating rice three meals a day. She did not look for much except salted fish, chillie paste and lots of hot white rice. Her Mam was being kind in insisting that she eats noodle and meat and vegetables just like Mam for lunch. She hiccup and confessed that she was very hungry, a bowl of noodle even with much meat could not fill her. She felt a hollow in her middle and had no strength to work.
It takes Ming Choo quite some time to mediate between Mam and maid, even Sir was brought in. At the end of discussion, the working daughter run out and bought a kilo chillie padi(tiny chilly pepper), half a kilo of small cheap salted fish and ten kilo of the normal white rice. The maid was given leave to cook however much she pleases to eat, at the same time Mam said that whatever other food is available, the maid could eat as well. There after, they have a well fed, happy and hard working maid.
The story went like this: the maid came from a rural area and was used to eating rice three meals a day. She did not look for much except salted fish, chillie paste and lots of hot white rice. Her Mam was being kind in insisting that she eats noodle and meat and vegetables just like Mam for lunch. She hiccup and confessed that she was very hungry, a bowl of noodle even with much meat could not fill her. She felt a hollow in her middle and had no strength to work.
It takes Ming Choo quite some time to mediate between Mam and maid, even Sir was brought in. At the end of discussion, the working daughter run out and bought a kilo chillie padi(tiny chilly pepper), half a kilo of small cheap salted fish and ten kilo of the normal white rice. The maid was given leave to cook however much she pleases to eat, at the same time Mam said that whatever other food is available, the maid could eat as well. There after, they have a well fed, happy and hard working maid.
(838) Stories I told my nephew 2
The second time I chauffeured my nephew to work, I asked him about his preference on the location of his future house.
You see, the house opposite my brother's is up for sale. My brother is due to take out his EPF (employee provident fund) soon. A few days ago my mother happily suggested that my brother considered buying it up, let it out for the time being until my nephew gets married. However, my sister-in-law responded very off hand that probably he wouldn't want to live in such an old neighborhood. Being a quiet person, my nephew listened to all that without saying anything.
I pointed out to him that should he decide to live in this city, his wife would probably have to work full time for her entire adult life unless she is moneyed or my nephew strikes it rich. By the time they have children, if they choose to have children, it will be very convenient to have one set of grandparents nearby. In the event that he chooses to live in another part of the country, a property in this neighborhood would never go below the price he pays. For the past twenty five years, houses in good areas in this city have the highest rates of growth. He could easily sell it off to build his dream house in another town.
After a few moments of thinking, he expressed that he did not think so far. The area they are living in is peaceful and safe. Perhaps that house opposite is rather run down, but he would not object to another in the vicinity. He did recall that during my father's last illness, my brother drove, he and I had our hands full in helping the old man to walk to the clinic toilet. He could appreciate the fact that I chose to live near my parents. After this conversation, I reported all details to my mother. She will judge when will be a good time to relate to my sister-in-law. Within these six months before my nephew is confirmed at his job, they would have ample time to look for a suitable property. With the expected rental value, he would have to set aside the difference(between rental and installment payment) to help pay for his house. That will be good discipline in learning not to live a high life on his pay.
You see, the house opposite my brother's is up for sale. My brother is due to take out his EPF (employee provident fund) soon. A few days ago my mother happily suggested that my brother considered buying it up, let it out for the time being until my nephew gets married. However, my sister-in-law responded very off hand that probably he wouldn't want to live in such an old neighborhood. Being a quiet person, my nephew listened to all that without saying anything.
I pointed out to him that should he decide to live in this city, his wife would probably have to work full time for her entire adult life unless she is moneyed or my nephew strikes it rich. By the time they have children, if they choose to have children, it will be very convenient to have one set of grandparents nearby. In the event that he chooses to live in another part of the country, a property in this neighborhood would never go below the price he pays. For the past twenty five years, houses in good areas in this city have the highest rates of growth. He could easily sell it off to build his dream house in another town.
After a few moments of thinking, he expressed that he did not think so far. The area they are living in is peaceful and safe. Perhaps that house opposite is rather run down, but he would not object to another in the vicinity. He did recall that during my father's last illness, my brother drove, he and I had our hands full in helping the old man to walk to the clinic toilet. He could appreciate the fact that I chose to live near my parents. After this conversation, I reported all details to my mother. She will judge when will be a good time to relate to my sister-in-law. Within these six months before my nephew is confirmed at his job, they would have ample time to look for a suitable property. With the expected rental value, he would have to set aside the difference(between rental and installment payment) to help pay for his house. That will be good discipline in learning not to live a high life on his pay.
(837) Stories I told my nephew 1
While my nephew is waiting for the delivery of his first car, I was drafted into sending him to work every Tuesday. Since I am a firm believer in grabbing the opportunity of instilling a lesson, it is wonderful to have a captive audience once in a while.
I related a real incident in my life. My uncle was a government servant. His wife is a home-maker. When a government long serving servant retired, there is a decent amount of gratuity given upon his 55th birthday. This couple came to the agreement that they would split the gratuity half-half. There after she would not touch a cent of his pension. He also agreed that when the children chipped in house keeping money, he would not demand any.
All went well until the eldest son has been working for a year or so. He then noticed that his father would avoid sitting and talking with him in the lounge area. Over a drink, he casually asked me what could have gone wrong. I tuned my data base of Chinese customs and shot my first question,"Did you greet him on the way out to work? What about when you reached home in the evening?" Answers were in the affirmative. Next question,"When was the last time you gave him money?" The answer was the last Chinese New Year. I was shocked! Since my cousin was educated in the national language, I have to start explaining that giving money to an elder is a very Chinese way of showing love and concern. He has to give regardless whether his father needs any allowance from him or not.
My cousin was teachable. He started giving his old man $50 in a red packet the very next month. He was laughing when he related how his dad bought him a six pact of beer for him the week end after. Then the following month, his dad accepted another $50 but bought him two pairs of very nice bermuda pants( foo- pants in Chinese meant wealth, the old man is blessing his first born son.). This time, I had fun estimating the value of the pants and told him that he actually gained numerically when he accepted the pants. I was happy to note that father and son were closer than before.
And with the real incident, I taught my nephew that he should give whatever he could afford to his parent who controls the housekeeping. In his case, he needs to pay monthly car installment. Suppose if he gives $300 to his dad who shops for food, he could lovingly gives $30 to his mom as a gesture of love. Unless they refused to accept it, he should continue to give. Then as he gets increments and promotions, he should increase his contributions proportionately.
I related a real incident in my life. My uncle was a government servant. His wife is a home-maker. When a government long serving servant retired, there is a decent amount of gratuity given upon his 55th birthday. This couple came to the agreement that they would split the gratuity half-half. There after she would not touch a cent of his pension. He also agreed that when the children chipped in house keeping money, he would not demand any.
All went well until the eldest son has been working for a year or so. He then noticed that his father would avoid sitting and talking with him in the lounge area. Over a drink, he casually asked me what could have gone wrong. I tuned my data base of Chinese customs and shot my first question,"Did you greet him on the way out to work? What about when you reached home in the evening?" Answers were in the affirmative. Next question,"When was the last time you gave him money?" The answer was the last Chinese New Year. I was shocked! Since my cousin was educated in the national language, I have to start explaining that giving money to an elder is a very Chinese way of showing love and concern. He has to give regardless whether his father needs any allowance from him or not.
My cousin was teachable. He started giving his old man $50 in a red packet the very next month. He was laughing when he related how his dad bought him a six pact of beer for him the week end after. Then the following month, his dad accepted another $50 but bought him two pairs of very nice bermuda pants( foo- pants in Chinese meant wealth, the old man is blessing his first born son.). This time, I had fun estimating the value of the pants and told him that he actually gained numerically when he accepted the pants. I was happy to note that father and son were closer than before.
And with the real incident, I taught my nephew that he should give whatever he could afford to his parent who controls the housekeeping. In his case, he needs to pay monthly car installment. Suppose if he gives $300 to his dad who shops for food, he could lovingly gives $30 to his mom as a gesture of love. Unless they refused to accept it, he should continue to give. Then as he gets increments and promotions, he should increase his contributions proportionately.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
(836) Abduction and murder
Recently a five-year-old was abducted and later her remains was found burnt in a palm oil estate. She apparently went out to buy eggs for her mum to cook breakfast. Bystanders saw three men bundling her into a car. Out of the three suspects remanded, one was her biological father.
While this was shocking, I can't help but recall that at five years old, I was commissioned to send a tray of coconut sweets to the cottage industry neighbor every afternoon at three o'clock. (My mum led all the children in wrapping sweets to earn a few dollars a month.) Of course that was well over forty years before this. Therefore, things weren't this bad many years ago. As a child, I was out of the house after breakfast until it was lunch time. Then we weren't allowed out until about four pm when the sun was not quite burning our skin. We were expected to go back before sunset. Of course we roamed in packs, both boys and girls, the older ones being in charged of the younger ones.
When my children were young, I was most careful not to let them out of my sight. Even then we heard of children who were missing being sighted in a neighboring country begging for syndicates. Most of those tales related the child missing both legs or in one case an older child was missing a tongue.
These few years, quite a few young girls were taken. One or two were found dead and tortured. The rest were just missing with lots of photographs pasted in public places. Common sense tells me that they were either dead or had been smuggled out of the country much earlier.
While this was shocking, I can't help but recall that at five years old, I was commissioned to send a tray of coconut sweets to the cottage industry neighbor every afternoon at three o'clock. (My mum led all the children in wrapping sweets to earn a few dollars a month.) Of course that was well over forty years before this. Therefore, things weren't this bad many years ago. As a child, I was out of the house after breakfast until it was lunch time. Then we weren't allowed out until about four pm when the sun was not quite burning our skin. We were expected to go back before sunset. Of course we roamed in packs, both boys and girls, the older ones being in charged of the younger ones.
When my children were young, I was most careful not to let them out of my sight. Even then we heard of children who were missing being sighted in a neighboring country begging for syndicates. Most of those tales related the child missing both legs or in one case an older child was missing a tongue.
These few years, quite a few young girls were taken. One or two were found dead and tortured. The rest were just missing with lots of photographs pasted in public places. Common sense tells me that they were either dead or had been smuggled out of the country much earlier.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
(835) Murder in the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
"I remember a saying of my Great Aunt Fanny's. I was sixteen at the time and thought it particularly foolish." ... "She used to say,'The young people think the old people are fools -- but the old people know the young people are fools!' " (Miss Marple said this in her old age)
Just like Miss Marple, I grew up with a wise old grandma who knew a proverb for every occasion. Nowadays I find myself trying to remember them, usually my mother had them word perfect. It is funny that a peasant could have a storehouse of folk saying that is not recorded in the written language. I spent six years learning proverbs in school and another six reading newspaper and magazines. Yet somehow I don't remember coming across some of my grandma's sayings.
Now that there is a fair amount of grey hair on my head, I realized my grand ma was wise. I am in turn considered old and obsolete by the teenagers of today. And so history repeats itself!
(834) America by Stephen Fry
When I first landed in the US, I started making a list of states I have walked on. Of course then I was sure I would stay for a long, long time. Reality is certainly a long way from wishes. Now the way things are it is most unlikely I would add many to the fourteen I have visited. It is no longer regrets looking back. I choose to be thankful for wherever I was privileged to have been, whatever I have done and whomever I have met.
When the above book came into my hands I have a whale of a time going through the fifty states that Stephen visited in making his television show. While he shared what struck him about one particular state, I relive what I like most about that state. We start with South Carolina. One of my college mates took me home the first spring break I had. All the way we drove to South Carolina, I saw an entire hill filled with the most beautiful trees in full blossom. Some pink but mostly white. They looked like brides lining up along the country road. They were peach blossoms. Had I visited South Carolina at any other time, I would not have been treated to such a beautiful and delicate sight.
Next I think of Texas, where I spent a summer. What I like most was the arid hill country I drove through. While most people may not think it scenic, I really found the scene peaceful. Had I stayed on and married the nice young man who was courting me then, it would not be a far out idea to live on an acre or two among such hills. There I experienced dry heat which was much more bearable than humid heat. Yet it is ironic that I did come back and got back used to intense humid heat and daily hope for cooling rain.
Then I see in my mind's eye the blue, blue ocean of California. My "little sister" from college was driving me along the coastal highway while I feasted my eyes. My brother's landlord was right that the stretch just north of San Francisco was more than beautiful. I love the Californian weather. No matter how hot the sun was, one just have to step into some shade and it is rather cooling having the sea breeze blowing.
Although now I live in a very green country, nothing here can compare with the shiny dew drop green velvety grass on a mountaintop in Hawaii. Since I don't remember travelling on any boat while in Hawaii, it must have been on the same island as Honolulu. Since that day I have only seen the same intense green in the scenery of The Lord of the Ring -- New Zealand.
Now I don't feel quite so alone when listening to Star Spangle Banner brought tears to my eyes. Stephen Fry confessed to feeling the same way. Out of the huge, wide world, Stephen and I are two of a group of people who just happened to be partial to America.
When the above book came into my hands I have a whale of a time going through the fifty states that Stephen visited in making his television show. While he shared what struck him about one particular state, I relive what I like most about that state. We start with South Carolina. One of my college mates took me home the first spring break I had. All the way we drove to South Carolina, I saw an entire hill filled with the most beautiful trees in full blossom. Some pink but mostly white. They looked like brides lining up along the country road. They were peach blossoms. Had I visited South Carolina at any other time, I would not have been treated to such a beautiful and delicate sight.
Next I think of Texas, where I spent a summer. What I like most was the arid hill country I drove through. While most people may not think it scenic, I really found the scene peaceful. Had I stayed on and married the nice young man who was courting me then, it would not be a far out idea to live on an acre or two among such hills. There I experienced dry heat which was much more bearable than humid heat. Yet it is ironic that I did come back and got back used to intense humid heat and daily hope for cooling rain.
Then I see in my mind's eye the blue, blue ocean of California. My "little sister" from college was driving me along the coastal highway while I feasted my eyes. My brother's landlord was right that the stretch just north of San Francisco was more than beautiful. I love the Californian weather. No matter how hot the sun was, one just have to step into some shade and it is rather cooling having the sea breeze blowing.
Although now I live in a very green country, nothing here can compare with the shiny dew drop green velvety grass on a mountaintop in Hawaii. Since I don't remember travelling on any boat while in Hawaii, it must have been on the same island as Honolulu. Since that day I have only seen the same intense green in the scenery of The Lord of the Ring -- New Zealand.
Now I don't feel quite so alone when listening to Star Spangle Banner brought tears to my eyes. Stephen Fry confessed to feeling the same way. Out of the huge, wide world, Stephen and I are two of a group of people who just happened to be partial to America.
Friday, March 16, 2012
(833) Self esteem
What we are today is affected to a certain extent by what happened in the past. I have a friend whose mother married three times but none of the marriages last. In her old age, the old lady amassed all her alimony and lived very well. She shopped. She has tried every new restaurant in town. She flew oveseas at least twice a year for expensive trips. She played Mahjong and has a crowd of other ladies of leisure to socialise with.
But her daughter seemed to be suffering from her experiences. Looking at the younger person's figure and appearance, I would think she has plenty of suitors. She is smart and rose up the career ladder quite fast. But somehow her relationships with the eligible bachelors that came a-courting did not lead to marriage. She is now in her mid thirties, not quite over the hill yet.
Perhaps it has something to do with her mum's divorces, she distrusts people like police, lawyers and she is none too fond of judges. I suppose there is still some part of her that is vulnerable, the helpless little girl being pushed from one parent to another. Whether it is a custody battle or being an unwanted child, it did not help with a person's self esteem.
(832) Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie
The other day I met an old woman in the hospital. She bemoaned about the fact that she depends on monthly allowances her six daughters gave her. She said, "Wouldn't it be nice to have my own money and not to have to depend on my children?"
While I was telling her the gift of gratitude: to be thankful that each of her daughters cares enough to give her $50 each month, and to be grateful that her deceased son's fiancee allows her to stay in her apartment rent free; I was thinking of Emily Arundell of Dumb Witness. Arundell did not marry but she had two nieces and one nephew. They each had inheritance from their parents, but one way or another they spent or speculated it. Each of them was waiting for their aunt to kick the bucket so that they could get their rightful share. From my way of looking at life, this woman in the hospital is much more fortunate than Miss Arundell who was independently rich.
You may disagree with me and said Arundell was just a fictional story. That is true. But in real life, things are not that much different! I had a close friend who inherited at least one million from her dad. She has the ambition of not touching the principal nor interest, and she wanted to build the fortune for her children. I suppose life is not fair. She happened to marry a man that her father and kin despised. As things turned out, those relatives of hers were right in that her husband did marry her so that he needs not work anymore but can live a soft and comfortable life. She found herself scrimping and pinching even though she is an heiress. Neither her husband nor any of her children wants to live frugally. It won't be long before they would be waiting for her to die so that each of them could spend her tightly held money.
Money in itself is neutral, but the love of accumulating more money has caused my friend a rift from her comfort loving family. She is not wrong in wanting to add a little more to her holdings. Her family members are not wrong to want her to release some extra money to add to their enjoyment in life.
While I was telling her the gift of gratitude: to be thankful that each of her daughters cares enough to give her $50 each month, and to be grateful that her deceased son's fiancee allows her to stay in her apartment rent free; I was thinking of Emily Arundell of Dumb Witness. Arundell did not marry but she had two nieces and one nephew. They each had inheritance from their parents, but one way or another they spent or speculated it. Each of them was waiting for their aunt to kick the bucket so that they could get their rightful share. From my way of looking at life, this woman in the hospital is much more fortunate than Miss Arundell who was independently rich.
You may disagree with me and said Arundell was just a fictional story. That is true. But in real life, things are not that much different! I had a close friend who inherited at least one million from her dad. She has the ambition of not touching the principal nor interest, and she wanted to build the fortune for her children. I suppose life is not fair. She happened to marry a man that her father and kin despised. As things turned out, those relatives of hers were right in that her husband did marry her so that he needs not work anymore but can live a soft and comfortable life. She found herself scrimping and pinching even though she is an heiress. Neither her husband nor any of her children wants to live frugally. It won't be long before they would be waiting for her to die so that each of them could spend her tightly held money.
Money in itself is neutral, but the love of accumulating more money has caused my friend a rift from her comfort loving family. She is not wrong in wanting to add a little more to her holdings. Her family members are not wrong to want her to release some extra money to add to their enjoyment in life.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
(831) Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie
In page 162, we find " The party of travelers had arrived at the place of no return. Hilary had gambled with death and lost. And she knew now that Jessop's disgnosis had been correct. She no longer wanted to die. She wanted to live. ..."
Hilary realized all these within a few moments. We are of course talking about a fictitious character in a Christie story. According to what Christie wrote, her characters belonged to her. She might have seen them in a public place like a bus or a restaurant. Within a brief time of observation, she selected them for the next story. But if she had a chance to know them or meet them again, then it won't work. She would have to look for other people or go on to another idea.
In 1990 I went through the valley of the shadow of death. It was Elizabeth that pulled me from dying inside. For quite a few years, the wish to end it all revisited. For me, the will and zest to live again came when I moved to my airy five-bedroom detached house with wonderful neighbours. It took me months to feel human and alive, getting up in the morning became a joy instead of a dreadful duty. At the happiest point of my stay in Silver City, I had thirteen chickens to care for. That was also the period of time I attended the training for home tutoring a dyslexic child. A whole lot of suppressed memories came back. I saw my checkered past in a boy I was tutoring. As his disability was being corrected by an expert using the Davies' Method, I felt that my life has turned full circle.
(830) A Dream
There is a retired missionary with a dream: setting up a non-profit Christian hang out place for college students offering Christian as well as other healthy literature and snacks. There is currently no bookshops, no public library nor any second hand book store in that college town.
This missionary happens to have an ex-employer who is rich and influential. More important than that, this rich man has children who are committed Christians. These children who are bosses in their own right have decided to help in providing a rent free venue for this Christian center. Besides herself, the missionary has found two women willing to help run this venture.
Now I must confess that a few years back I saw the need for such a place even in my own neighborhood. There are two schools right on my street. But I have prayed about it and realized that it was not my call. Since we have gone to look at possible venues up in that college town, I have examined my own heart. First of all, I yearn to move back out of the metropolitan area. It would be nice to live in a small town with no traffic jams. Secondly, I have spent much of my free time dealing with books and libraries as soon as my children started reading. They have grown into book loving adults. If God is willing, I will be able to help select donated books, purchase second hand books to build up just such a library my missionary friend is visualizing. But dreams are dreams until the economics are worked out. Therefore I put out a fleece to see if I am the one that should take up this challenge.
Within the next nine months, should what I have been praying for come to pass, then I will gladly move from my current place to that college town. If and when that happens, some of my friends who have not met my Lord will continue to wonder why I do not work for financial security even as I approach retirement age. To that I have a rather trite answer: Seek ye first His kingdom and righteousness, and the rest will be added unto you.
Continued in (993)
This missionary happens to have an ex-employer who is rich and influential. More important than that, this rich man has children who are committed Christians. These children who are bosses in their own right have decided to help in providing a rent free venue for this Christian center. Besides herself, the missionary has found two women willing to help run this venture.
Now I must confess that a few years back I saw the need for such a place even in my own neighborhood. There are two schools right on my street. But I have prayed about it and realized that it was not my call. Since we have gone to look at possible venues up in that college town, I have examined my own heart. First of all, I yearn to move back out of the metropolitan area. It would be nice to live in a small town with no traffic jams. Secondly, I have spent much of my free time dealing with books and libraries as soon as my children started reading. They have grown into book loving adults. If God is willing, I will be able to help select donated books, purchase second hand books to build up just such a library my missionary friend is visualizing. But dreams are dreams until the economics are worked out. Therefore I put out a fleece to see if I am the one that should take up this challenge.
Within the next nine months, should what I have been praying for come to pass, then I will gladly move from my current place to that college town. If and when that happens, some of my friends who have not met my Lord will continue to wonder why I do not work for financial security even as I approach retirement age. To that I have a rather trite answer: Seek ye first His kingdom and righteousness, and the rest will be added unto you.
Continued in (993)
(829) Spousal Abuse
Contrary to general thinking, highly educated women did and do get physically abused in their marriages.
In my last blog, we saw a fried noodle seller who seemed to get away with wife abuse. But this is really the tip of the ice berg. While I was bringing up my babies and toddlers, it is not unusual to see bruises on my neighbours in a poor neighbourhood.
What was unusual was one case that went on for years in an expensive residential area. We were renting a detached house in a small town. I am certain it was definitely spousal abuse. I have seen the bruise that my friend was vainly trying to hide. Her maid told me why her Sir wacked her Mam. My friend's relative confirmed it.
But this woman steadfastly protected her husband. I sat with her regularly for tea once in a while for years. She slowly pulled herself out of her depression. She is not only a college graduate. She is a professional who holds a very important position in society. You may ask me why she decided to put up with it all? I may have lots of data I collected on her through the years, but honestly I can't tell you why. I don't think she loves him anymore. Neither is she financially dependent on him. Perhaps she feared him!? Perhaps she was afraid of losing her children. Maybe she did not want the the stigma of a divorce?!
Throughout this relationship of being neighbours, I was a listener. Whatever decisions she came to, I did not contribute to it directly. If I had been of help at all, the glory goes to God who taught me to listen through personal pain and recovery.
(828) Out Live Your life by Max Lucado
I was reading the first chapter when Elizabeth asked me how did I find the book. without thinking, I answered it made me feel sinful.
"And in the five minutes it took you to read these pages, almost ninety children died of preventable diseases. More than half of all Africans do not have access to modern health facilities. ..." This quote was found on page 5. Now what can I do about it? What have I done about it? Nothing! Never have I thought of praying for the Africans in my weekly prayer nights. After reading this book, I will probably sleep well tonight. Tomorrow the sun shall rise and I will eat my breakfast with good appetite.
My limited links with the poor, off hand, are:
1. Giving small articles like tooth brush, hair brush, face towels ... or some cheap food like biscuits, bread, mandarin oranges, ... once a week to needy old folks in front a mosque for slightly more than a year right before I moved away from Silver City. The money for this project came from a few kind ladies ( from my church and neighbourhood)
2. For the past ten years, I have collected good and serviceable clothes. Destinations were: the hill tribes in northern Thailand, a small village near Bacalod, Filiphines, and a poor area in Java.
3. Recycling for disaster relief with a Buddhist organisation for close to six years.
I am by no means considered rich. Yet I have much more than the poor in Africa. After reading Max's book, prayerfully I want to do more. I am holding three books my neighbour left in front of my door. One is a Malay dictionary for Primary School children. Another is a book of opposites and same meanings. The third is Black Beauty. When I see my missionary friend (the same one in Recycling 6) next, I will ask if she wants to keep them as seed books towards her dream: setting up a reading room in a poor area to reach children who have no books at home. Perhaps I should take her to the second hand clothes store that raises funds for single mothers. The founder of the store runs a weekly English class. Maybe a mobile library that opens once a week before the class would be a start.
(827) Sniper One by Sgt. Dan Mills
This book is written by a career soldier(U.K.) who was excited to be sent to Iraq as he was itching to be in the midst of real action.
It was written in soldier speak with lots of four letter words. In a way it seemed fitting as these folks dealt with heavy weapons that could cost limbs and lives any second of the day or night. Of course I am old enough not to be influenced by the vocabulary of any book I read. Since my youngest child reached twenty one, I have been a lot easier with any books with racy language lying around my house.
Mills is a very straight forward writer who wrote things as they were. Through his eyes I see Iraq and its people. Not a pretty sight! But one sees how human endurance could enable the population to survive in the worst possible circumstances.
Although I don't pretend to understand international politics. I do see that soldiers were paid by their Governments to serve as peace-keeping force in a foreign land. It was quite an experience reading what the ordinary citizens had to endure (the actions dealt by the extremist cloaked in religious uprising). Even things are not perfect in my country, I do appreciate the peace we have in this land.
It was written in soldier speak with lots of four letter words. In a way it seemed fitting as these folks dealt with heavy weapons that could cost limbs and lives any second of the day or night. Of course I am old enough not to be influenced by the vocabulary of any book I read. Since my youngest child reached twenty one, I have been a lot easier with any books with racy language lying around my house.
Mills is a very straight forward writer who wrote things as they were. Through his eyes I see Iraq and its people. Not a pretty sight! But one sees how human endurance could enable the population to survive in the worst possible circumstances.
Although I don't pretend to understand international politics. I do see that soldiers were paid by their Governments to serve as peace-keeping force in a foreign land. It was quite an experience reading what the ordinary citizens had to endure (the actions dealt by the extremist cloaked in religious uprising). Even things are not perfect in my country, I do appreciate the peace we have in this land.
Monday, March 12, 2012
(826) Murder She Wrote by Maida & Spornick
This is a study of Agatha Christie's detective fiction by Patricia D. Maida and Nicholas B. Spornick.
I find it gratifying that two authors who obviously knew everything about Christie took the time to write the book. It was published by Bowling Green State University Popular Press, Ohio in 1982. In this book, the authors recorded what they could find out about Christie, which is not a lot of information. Christie was a mystery writer who was mysterious herself.
Chapters 4 Hercule Poirot: Dandy Detective and Chapter 5 Miss Jane Marple: Little Old Lady Sleuth are particularly interesting. The authors placed each book in its year of being written. Each character was being worked at, fleshed out through years of development. The authors thought that Christie based the personality of Marple at her grand aunt.
Somewhere in the early chapters, a mention was made of her disappearing act right before she divorced her first husband. Here I first read that she wrote three letters before she left. Only the content of one letter was revealed to the authorities. She was found in a resort, hale and healthy, registered under the name of the woman who was made correspondent in her divorce case. Later her publisher came to her rescue with a noted mental specialist who claimed that she suffered from amnesia. Her first husband was a poor man, at least when she condescended to marry him. It is rather unbelievable that he decided to abandon her for a newer model just as she was becoming rich and famous. Should we choose to think that she was becoming too pompous and self important for her first husband, another man(Max Mallowan) who was sixteen years younger than Christie had had forty five years of wedded bliss with her.
Next to the bible, Christie is still one of the most published and translated authors.
I find it gratifying that two authors who obviously knew everything about Christie took the time to write the book. It was published by Bowling Green State University Popular Press, Ohio in 1982. In this book, the authors recorded what they could find out about Christie, which is not a lot of information. Christie was a mystery writer who was mysterious herself.
Chapters 4 Hercule Poirot: Dandy Detective and Chapter 5 Miss Jane Marple: Little Old Lady Sleuth are particularly interesting. The authors placed each book in its year of being written. Each character was being worked at, fleshed out through years of development. The authors thought that Christie based the personality of Marple at her grand aunt.
Somewhere in the early chapters, a mention was made of her disappearing act right before she divorced her first husband. Here I first read that she wrote three letters before she left. Only the content of one letter was revealed to the authorities. She was found in a resort, hale and healthy, registered under the name of the woman who was made correspondent in her divorce case. Later her publisher came to her rescue with a noted mental specialist who claimed that she suffered from amnesia. Her first husband was a poor man, at least when she condescended to marry him. It is rather unbelievable that he decided to abandon her for a newer model just as she was becoming rich and famous. Should we choose to think that she was becoming too pompous and self important for her first husband, another man(Max Mallowan) who was sixteen years younger than Christie had had forty five years of wedded bliss with her.
Next to the bible, Christie is still one of the most published and translated authors.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
(825) Crooked House by Agatha Christie
This is a story that Christie truly enjoyed writing.
There was a family living in the crooked house. From the mother side, Christie said she passed down ruthlessness. Yet her clan are honest people. From the father side, he passed down crookedness; the type that made him tons of wealth but he never broke any law. He was, however, a kindly man.
The ruthlessness met with the crookedness in one grand daughter. She murdered her grand father because he would not allow her to have ballet lessons. Often murders were committed for wealth or love, but interestingly here it was committed for such a trivial reason. All in, four lives were taken before the pathetic little monster was stopped.
To think about it, having children is like gambling! Who really would know what kind we would beget? It is a matter of different genetic combinations. Often we get dominant genes; once in a blue moon, we get double recessive - something which has skipped a generation or two has returned. Sometimes it is physical ailments. Other times we get an amoral off spring. May God help the family when that happens!
There was a family living in the crooked house. From the mother side, Christie said she passed down ruthlessness. Yet her clan are honest people. From the father side, he passed down crookedness; the type that made him tons of wealth but he never broke any law. He was, however, a kindly man.
The ruthlessness met with the crookedness in one grand daughter. She murdered her grand father because he would not allow her to have ballet lessons. Often murders were committed for wealth or love, but interestingly here it was committed for such a trivial reason. All in, four lives were taken before the pathetic little monster was stopped.
To think about it, having children is like gambling! Who really would know what kind we would beget? It is a matter of different genetic combinations. Often we get dominant genes; once in a blue moon, we get double recessive - something which has skipped a generation or two has returned. Sometimes it is physical ailments. Other times we get an amoral off spring. May God help the family when that happens!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
(824) Miracle?
This is a real incident that happened last year. An old man took his son to a drug rehabilitation center in a border town. Since he came from far away, he spent a night in that center.
After living with a son who would rob, steal and lie to get a fix for years, he was very careful with his cash. He had two hundred dollars in fifty dollar notes. They were folded neatly and placed in a small sealed plastic bag. It was then pinned in his hidden pocket. You would think the money would be safe, right?
But he had to bathe. Some how he was careless and lost the cash. We don't know if he was forgetful or he was rushed into leaving the bathroom? It suffice to say that the money was with him before he showered. After he came out of the bathroom, his money was no longer with him. That he discovered immediately. He reported the loss to the administrator. Both of them checked every inch of the bathroom. There was no money to be found. As the administrator is a man of faith, he prayed there and then that God would reveal the money to its rightful owner.
The next morning, the old man went to the same bath room to brush his teeth. Lo and behold, his tiny square of cash was sitting in a dark corner. He was so excited that he woke every one up. Until today he did not know if the person who took the money repented and replaced it or it was an angelic restoration. It was not money for splashing, he needed it for his monthly heart medication.
(823) The Gift by Cecelia Ahern
It is an out of this world tale! I have to say this about Ahern, she has extremely original ideas. Before I came across any of her books, I have watched the second half of the movie P.S.I love you. When Elizabeth borrowed the book P.S. I love you, it seemed hauntingly familiar.
Then my niece bought If You Can See Me Now. I heard about imaginary friends from fellow mothers as my children were growing up. Ahern developed the idea to the level of fine arts. I suppose a quiet and lonely child could easily imagine and create a friend he or she dreams about. In Ahern's imaginary world, unseen persons are assigned to at risk children and sometimes adults to help them. It is a wonderful idea!
Next I have access to A Place Called Here. What a neat idea! I can almost see this place with my missing belongings. The part about missing people is not quite so much fun.
More than the above best sellers, I particularly like Thanks for The Memories. I know it is rather weak premise: donated blood does not actually last long in the receiver's body. But what the heck! I love the story.
In The Gift, it is the magic again that distinguishes it from other books. Who actually is Gabe? Is he an angel? For all the things he is capable of doing, he definitely is not a mortal. Lou lives dangerously, sooner rather than later he would die prematurely. I certainly hope that such a person has his insurance and will all up to date for his family's sake. Whoever Gabe is, he has kindly enabled Lou to reconcile himself with every one of his loved ones before he departed. If there is a connection that links each of the Ahern stories, it is the thoughtful caring kindness that run through all of them.
Then my niece bought If You Can See Me Now. I heard about imaginary friends from fellow mothers as my children were growing up. Ahern developed the idea to the level of fine arts. I suppose a quiet and lonely child could easily imagine and create a friend he or she dreams about. In Ahern's imaginary world, unseen persons are assigned to at risk children and sometimes adults to help them. It is a wonderful idea!
Next I have access to A Place Called Here. What a neat idea! I can almost see this place with my missing belongings. The part about missing people is not quite so much fun.
More than the above best sellers, I particularly like Thanks for The Memories. I know it is rather weak premise: donated blood does not actually last long in the receiver's body. But what the heck! I love the story.
In The Gift, it is the magic again that distinguishes it from other books. Who actually is Gabe? Is he an angel? For all the things he is capable of doing, he definitely is not a mortal. Lou lives dangerously, sooner rather than later he would die prematurely. I certainly hope that such a person has his insurance and will all up to date for his family's sake. Whoever Gabe is, he has kindly enabled Lou to reconcile himself with every one of his loved ones before he departed. If there is a connection that links each of the Ahern stories, it is the thoughtful caring kindness that run through all of them.
(822) Outfits
This morning Elizabeth was looking for a birthday present. Her friend is the tallest and slimmest young girl in church. Choosing between a photo frame, a ceramic angel and a small bottle of cologne, I would say the last item would be the winner.
I have been enjoying watching the leggy beauty parading her many beautiful outfits lately. Although she is barely fifteen, she displays great flair in dressing. Even if it is her mum or elder sister choosing her outfits, she at least has the sense to obey the one with great taste.
Thinking along the line of clothes, I recall Elizabeth's prom dress. It was black, short sleeve with beads, a clean neck line and wide skirt ending mid calf. It was very simple. The fabric was somewhat shiny and the cut was elegant. Otherwise it would be down right plain. It is a good thing we did not have to pay for it. Quite a few years ago I received it as a recycled item from a friend whose classmate married into a tin mining tycoon's family. In such notable families, a gown is seldom worn twice to any crowd or function.
One Christmas Elizabeth has to dress in a maroon dress for a play. My neighbor came to the rescue with a vintage Christmas dress: long narrow sleeve, ruffled collars, and bouncy skirt almost ankle length. Elizabeth looked like a princess in that rich tone velvety dress.
Lately she has been phoning around for an ice blue outfit for a duet. Choosing between two long sleeve blouses, one short sleeve shirt and an old fashion long dress my elementary school class mate gave me, she might just wear that dress with its yesteryear look. It is often said that it is the dress that make the person. Yet isn't it true that a few outfits would show what a person is inside?
I have been enjoying watching the leggy beauty parading her many beautiful outfits lately. Although she is barely fifteen, she displays great flair in dressing. Even if it is her mum or elder sister choosing her outfits, she at least has the sense to obey the one with great taste.
Thinking along the line of clothes, I recall Elizabeth's prom dress. It was black, short sleeve with beads, a clean neck line and wide skirt ending mid calf. It was very simple. The fabric was somewhat shiny and the cut was elegant. Otherwise it would be down right plain. It is a good thing we did not have to pay for it. Quite a few years ago I received it as a recycled item from a friend whose classmate married into a tin mining tycoon's family. In such notable families, a gown is seldom worn twice to any crowd or function.
One Christmas Elizabeth has to dress in a maroon dress for a play. My neighbor came to the rescue with a vintage Christmas dress: long narrow sleeve, ruffled collars, and bouncy skirt almost ankle length. Elizabeth looked like a princess in that rich tone velvety dress.
Lately she has been phoning around for an ice blue outfit for a duet. Choosing between two long sleeve blouses, one short sleeve shirt and an old fashion long dress my elementary school class mate gave me, she might just wear that dress with its yesteryear look. It is often said that it is the dress that make the person. Yet isn't it true that a few outfits would show what a person is inside?
Friday, March 2, 2012
(821) Genetic variation 3
I learned about colour blindness when I saw the test picture in my science book in my early teens. No, I was not red-green colour blind. One of my classmates was. But in his case, he still could barely discern between red and green.
Later I met my first colour blind friend in college. From biology I know that female colour blindness is statistically lower in the population. If she chose not to disclose that to me, I would never have guessed it. All her clothes were well matched. I have never caught her wearing one green and one red sock.
Then after my children went to an excellent art teacher for two years, she told me that she was legally colour blind. I was astounded. Of course once one is open to such possibilities, the exceptions to the rule are many. Recently I came across a professional artist who is colour blind too.
In my childhood days, my mum, my brothers and I could never agree on certain shades of colours. We would argue with each other about whether a T-shirt is blue or green. Later as our vocab increased, we could not decide that a colour is cyan, aquamarine or turquoise. All I know is that my father refused to make any comment on colours at all. And he loved me and would pay special attention to me. For a chauvinistic old fashion Chinese man, he spent a disproportionately high percentage of his little free time educating a female child on the history, culture and significance of the Chinese civilisation.
With hind sight, I see that I was probably born without a natural ability to discern between blue-green colours at a glance. But somewhere in my childhood years of struggle, somehow I had overcome it to a certain extent. Right until today I would give way to my husband and children in terms of colours. I try not to laugh at any child or adult that picks up the wrong item because of the lack of colour discernment.
(820) Cholesterol
I was in the market when I heard one customer refusing to buy red meat because of the cholesterol content. Being a busy body, I suggested the folk remedy of a few spoonfuls of oats soaked over night. She asked me if I have tried it, I have not. As my cholesterol was and is naturally normal all along. Personally, I know of six people who tried it and found it helpful over a long period of time.
It was interesting to note that I acquired good eating habits from my grand mother. She had a tumour removed from her neck in her forties. Following Chinese herbal beliefs, she abstained from eating chicken, duck, goose and deep fried oily food. I was her shadow since I started to walk. Naturally I refrained from all these and more. It was funny that I found poultry having an unflattering odour -- which my mum said was fragrance. And so I never eat animal skin and thus avoided consuming animal fat. I seldom touch chicken (unless I absolutely have to eat a little to stave off hunger or to be polite), hence I avoided hormones pumped into the birds.
All my children loved pork fat fried into crispy bits but I habitually pick them out one by one. I have yet to meet another child who does not enjoy fried chicken, not in my generation nor my children's generation. In a poor area, we find rickets or beri-beri, now in our society of over-eating, we have cholesterol problems. Well, all God's 'chillen' got problems.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)