Living a meaningful and fulfilling life

We live life only but once. So in whatever things we do, listen to god's will, follow our heart, and do not be afraid to chase our dreams..........Amen........

Monday, March 31, 2008

Good Friday message

The three days of Good Friday & Easter weekend just passes by me in a flash & it has been more than one week since Easter, the day of Jesus resurrection, the day of hope for every Christian.

This Easter also marks the one year anniversary of coming to my new home, CHC, & gratitude fills me heart as I think of how our heavenly father leads me to this place, how he fills me with the holy spirit again, how he rises me up, & how he brings so many new friends into my life & strengthen my relationship with all the friends around me.

This journey of faith has not been easy for me, with many rounds of roller coaster ride filled with doubts & questions. But our heavenly father is good, he will not test me to the limit where I can't bear & he will always give me an answer & show me a way when I wanted to give up & backslide. His spirit filled my whole being as the scene of Jesus being whipped, walking to the cross & dying on the cross was being acted out. No matter how many times I watch this scene, tears will always well up in my eyes & flow down uncontrollably. No matter how hard our life is, we will always know that there is someone who loves us unconditionally, & died for our sin unconditionally. No matter how much we suffer, we will always know that there is someone who understand all our hurts & pain as he had been through the worst suffering in this world.

Because of Good Friday & easter day, although there is so much suffering in this world, there is also as much hope in this world.

意外(二)

星期五晚上所发生的意外是多么地戏剧化,不过因为这场意外,也让我从中观察到不同的人在面对紧急情况时所作出的不同反应,从而让我了解他们的性格。

我自己的反应就是在一旁默默祷告,而在潜意识中,有个声音似乎在告诉我,情况并没有想像中的那么严重,也没有像某人说的那么严重。

这起意外最后以喜剧收场。也许这起意外的发生是神在为C开路,也是神让我们更加互相了解的途径。这是个难忘的“食字路口”游戏之夜,因为有你们的陪伴,因为我们的关系更亲密了,因为所有的事情的发生都是神的安排。

意外(一)

那天晚上,当我读着那起惨绝人寰的意外时,我的眼泪不自觉地流了下来。我悲伤的主要原因是那个幼小的生命竟然奇迹般地活下来,而她却完全不知最亲的人已经离开她身边,而她长大后将如何回顾与面对这段令人痛彻心肺的过去。

人的生命是何等地脆弱,而神又是以什么原因决定一个人是否该离开或活下来。我相信我是个能够面对自己的死亡的人,可是却是个无法面对最爱的人的死亡的人。一个人失去了最爱的另一个人,真的能够继续活下去吗?尤其是当你失去的是一个幼小的生命。

我希望我最爱的人能够陪我一辈子,而不是先我而去。如果要走的话,也是我先走。身为基督徒,我虽然知道生命结束后的盼望,不过当我面对死亡时,我还是感到莫名的悲伤与无奈,因为这一生,你再也找不到能够取代另一个人的那个人。

Friday, March 28, 2008

前方- 丹女

她喜欢睡觉,她喜欢旅行。她喜欢旅行时的睡觉,在不同城市的旅馆,睡得不省人事。醒来的时候不晓得自己在哪里,看着窗帘缝隙处钻进来,清晨的阳光,一丝丝一缕缕的银白、金黄。她感觉幸福。

   很久没有过那种什么都不必多想的日子。什么都不必多想,只需要考虑生活琐事,像晚餐该吃些什么,该怎么做才好吃;周末要带小朋友到哪里玩耍;明天想去城 市的哪个角落兜兜,或者想窝在家中哪处舒适的地方静静地看书 。或许有人会因此说她懒或没志气,但这是因为这些人从来不晓得怎么样享受这样的生活,不懂得自己的人生少了些什么。

  回来这几年她经历了每个国人都熟悉的日子。不仅这样,她碰巧选择了比很多人都更刺激,更需要发挥冲劲的生活方式。她做了她不晓得自己会有机会做的事,她得到了她不晓得自己有可能得到的东西。但她也付出了相等,应该说是更多的时间和力气,精神甚至健康。

  她属于那种不做则已,要做就得尽善尽美的白痴。她看到一些人懂得如何放开,也同时看到自己怎么样融进事情里不能超脱,不能自拔。她将自己像火柴一样燃烧,不留一点点。

  还好这样的进行方式不是一辈子。或许因为知道不是一辈子,所以她才可以这样子燃烧。她最近思考为什么人能够一直以这样的速度前进,结果发现并没有多少人像她那样。那样不留余地的方式,是有期限的。

   她屈指算算,她需要这样子生活的期限大概不远了。这个期限的存在其实是她的动力。每当她觉得现实压得她喘不过气,她便翻开地图,想象自己在期限以后,在 地球的另一处生活,或者扭开电脑,研究关于这个地方的一切一切。大至最适合他们居住的房子的位置,小至附近的超市和学校,周末观光的景点和参观路线。她乐 此不疲,她的快乐想象全都在这个小岛以外的世界……

  有些人告诉她,倘若她就这样放弃自己苦心经营的一切会很可惜;有些人告诉她,不管去到哪里,像她这样的女人都应该继续攀爬事业的高峰。这些人都太不了解她对重新开始,全然不同的生活的渴望。

   生活是一个整,一个无所不容的整。她想画一个大圆圈来表示,但又觉得这个圈似乎会将她困住。除非这个圈能代表无所不容。她更关注的是自己有没有往前走。 从她离开大学所学决定不把它当本行开始,从她高兴地离开第一份让她成长的工作开始,从她认定没有工作不代表个人的退化开始,从她重新回到职场重新冲刺开 始,从她随时准备好离开开始……她知道在人生的道路上,她是一个探险者。

  她永远在找寻新的体会和生活,让自己改变。她期待看到下一个全新的自己,期待自己睁开另一只眼睛,看到从来没有看到过的世界,在面前展现开来……

(我好喜欢丹女的文章哦!她在文章中提到的人物的心灵不正是我的心灵的写照吗?世界上真的还有另外一个人跟我有一模一样的感受与想法吗?)

Colour test (link from P's blog)

You have little interest in your financial investments. You are not driven by material wealth & prefer to see where destiny takes you. (Bingo, I don't really check on my investment prices although I have invest quite a lot of my money & left very little in the bank.)

Having a lively & outgoing personality, you don't like to blend into the crowd & pity people that do. You take fashion trends to the EXTREME! (Yes, I'm becoming more & more outgoing as I grow older & become more confident of myself. I love trying "extreme" fashion now too......)

Variety is the spice of life! You are comfortable in any crowd or situation, get along easily with anyone, and always come away with new friends. (Yes, I realize that I make friends with foreigners very easily nowadays & I love making new friends from other countries because we can really learn a lot from each other & add colour to each other's life.)

http://vn247.net/flash/Color-and-Me.swf

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

变幻无常的天气,变幻无常的心情

最近的天气真是变幻无常。
我还以为雨季就要过去了,
因为一大清早猛烈的阳光就照进房间里,
把我从甜美的梦中“热醒”。
不过就在人们毫无预备之下,
天空又稀里哗啦下起了倾盆大雨。

我觉得我的心情也像这变幻无常的天气。
当我沉浸在自己的世界里,
当我逃入神与朋友的爱中时,
我的心灵是多么地喜乐与平和。
可是当我一踏入学校的围墙里,
我也不自觉地为自己的心筑了一道围墙。

华文华语,华文文学,永远会是我一辈子的最爱。
可是面对着一群群朽木不可雕的学生,
面对着一堆堆索然无味的作业,
我真的没有心思去批改任何作业。

我觉得我已变成一架教学与批改作业的机器。
我觉得我已变成一架赚钱的机器。
在热忱与金钱两者之间,
我如何再找到平衡点呢?
以我现在的消费能力与对美丽事物的追求,
我需要多少的金钱才会觉得快乐呢?

同志们,你们真的觉得一个人的成败是由他们来决定的吗?
一个人的成败是有一份EPMS来决定的吗?
一个人的成败是由这一大堆无止尽的会议与唇枪之战来决定的吗?
不是的,不是的,生命中真的还有许多重要的东西啊。

有时候,我真的觉得好累,想放弃这一切,
然后找个有能力的人来依靠。
你能不能快点成功,让我有个膀臂可依靠呢?

Monday, March 17, 2008

教师不是人?那我们是什么?

《教师的“非人”生活》 蔡深江

教师也是人,不过在一般人理所当然的眼中,对教师的要求高于常人;为人师表者,言教身教缺一不可,作为学生的表率榜样,待人处世自然马虎不得。  

然而,在所有专业领域中,也只有教师是可以被临时取代的;其他如医生、律师、会计师等,从没有听说在专业缺席下,非专业训练者可以取而代之。即使是护士、警察等,都不可以任由谁懂谁来做,偏偏教师可以;只要是考完A水准考试,即使还没有领取文凭,都有资格申请成为代课老师,代上一年半载的课,可见取代一个教师的工作是如此的轻而易举。  

对教师的职业道德要求高,替代要求低的事实,说明人们在价值判断上显然出现了矛盾。  

教育部一再强调严格把关的遴选标准,只录取达到资格的全职申请者,不会录取那些纯粹为教师的高薪所吸引,或抱着“骑驴找马”心态来应征的人。  

代课老师的存在,显然干扰了当局高举旗帜的姿态。  

教师的尴尬,也在于那是一个任谁都自认有资格说上几句的职业,报章上谈论其他专业的意见不多,可是,一旦涉及教育,好像谁都可以指指点点,提出不同看法。  

在道德意义上,教师绝对不可以偷骗拐抢,不可以感情出轨,当然教师也不可以争抢停车位,不可以排队买万字票,不可以说谎,在专业上更不可以偷懒,不负责,不积极主动。教师触犯法律,绝无葬身之地,即使是对不犯法的生活平常事,也有诸多无形的限制。  

教师允许代课的制度,让即使没有专业训练的人也都可以当教师,而在人人都可以对教师提出要求、批评的情况下,教师的日子当然不好过。加上人们的权利意识提高,表达意愿强烈,现代社会中的教师非人生活版图,肯定无限扩大,教师几乎到了动辄得咎的窘境。  

不要忘了,教师也是人,所有凡人会犯的错、都有的缺陷,以及难免的失策,甚至是不应该的行为,都是教师队伍中部分成员的性格成分,问题只是这一部分成员的多寡而已。  

对教育的整体素质,我们当然信心满满,相信教师群中,愿意奉献、牺牲、无私无怨者众。然而,做为一个人,教师当中也难免有无可避免贪小便宜的,勾心斗角的,混日子得过且过的,见利忘义的,明哲保身的,精打细算的,自私自利的……甚至也有人做出了有违专业操守和逾越法律尺度的事。借一句耶稣的话,如果谁自认没有犯过错,就站出来骂吧。  

对教师的要求、指责,也许是父母爱子心切的表现,却也可能在毫无目标的一片谩骂声中,打击了教师的士气,破坏了教师的形象。  

人们总是对教师有更高的期待,这是可以理解的。教师毕竟是良心工作,但每个人对专业的认知与表现,并没有共同的标准,到后来好与不好,该与不该,只有自己最清楚;旁人的意见也许有助于提高教师的专业表现,却也可能适得其反。相比之下,一些过度爱护子女的家长所表现出来的恶形恶状,以及得理不饶人的姿态,更让人担心。  

正如任何领域,教育界中有极少数人偏离专业航道,然而要把所有不适任的人排除在体制之外,并不容易。按制度一板一眼办事的人,即使不应该,却也没有错。需要改进和被质疑的,是制度本身,以及管理的心态。死跟着制度走的人,在制度面临挑战前,走的仍是自认安全的路。

害群之马难免,这个社会不应该花过多的精力与空间,为“教育”少数人而伤了整体教师的尊严和快乐。

(这个新学期一开始,我的士气非常低落,今天还产生了"SCHOOL REFUSAL"(拒绝来学校)的心态。昨晚看了这篇文章后,心里产生了无比的共鸣。在我所执教的这间学校,我更深深体会到华文老师不是“人”的感受。我们是弱势的一群,我们是没有言论自由的一群,我们甚至是被学生“欺负”的一群。

我现在开始感觉到,每天来学校上课,仿佛是上战场打战似的。这间学校是个迫使人斗得遍体鳞伤的战斗之地。如果我再继续呆在这里,我真的不知道我会变成怎样的一个人。我的善良、脆弱、富有怜悯的心将会一点点、一滴滴被啃噬得千疮百孔。我又会以什么样的心态来应付周围所有的人事物呢?

所以我已经下定决心逃离这个战场,所以即使他们没有考到100%A,我也不在乎,不受影响了。)

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Friendship with foreigners living in Singapore

It seems that I have a kind of affinity with foreigners living in Singapore.
My 1st close & special friendship is the one I build with GP, a mainland chinese.
And now, I am starting to build a close & special friendship with JX, a taiwanese.
As the relationship between China & taiwan is so sensitive because of the past history,
I am glad that I am a Singaporean Chinese as I am able to be close to both of them.

On the 1st day that I got to know JX, we were able to click immediately,
and I was able to show my warmth & care for her so naturally.
She is so different from a typical Singaporean.
She is a typical Taiwanese & I really love her this way.
I guess I'm the only one in the whole group who knows so much about taiwan culture, arts, music, media, food, etc. etc......
When I was younger, I had also dreamt of marrying a taiwanese actually. Hee.......

She is really great & fun to be around & her character really brings out the other side of me where I don't really show to Singaporean friends except really really close friends
and when I'm backpacking around & meeting new friends.
We had a fun time "playing" in the kitchen & cooking food which are reminiscent of her hometown.
I believe I would love cooking & be able to cook well if I have my own kitchen.

We just cook a few simple dishes like dry noodles with soupy meat & vegetables, fried bean sprouts & a pot of soup. We also bought 2 cheese sausages from "e blackboard", 2 bottles of yogurt drink & 1 box of ice-cream.
But all these together make up to become a great enjoyment for our taste-buds.
We also had a great time sharing about many stuff,
from arts & culture to beliefs & meaning of life.
It was the 1st time I shared so much with a friend whom I knew for only around 1 month.
I have finally found someone who is able to share my passion in certain things that I had never been able to share with my Singaporean friends.
Thank you JX, we have brought light into each other's souls.......;)
I would continue to pray for all the desires of you heart,
& do remember to pray for me too as only you know certain secrets in my heart.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

放晴的天空

放晴的天空,让人觉得好清新、好温暖。
整个世界好像被天上的甘露洗涤了一番,
又绽放出全新的生命力。

最近我一直在思考喜欢与爱的感觉。
喜欢与爱之间的距离到底有多遥远呢?
一个人要花多少时间才会喜欢上另一个人?
一个人又要花多少时间才会爱上另一个人呢?
又或许喜欢与爱的距离只是一线之隔,
并不是时间能够衡量的。

我希望我的心也能够像天气一样,快点放晴,
找到能够让它投入怀抱的太阳。

爱-张爱玲

这是真的。

有个村庄的小康之家的女孩子,生得美,有许多人来做媒,但都没有说成。那年她不过十五六岁吧,是春天的晚上,她立在后门口,手扶着桃树。她记得她穿的是一件月白的衫子。对门住的年轻人同她见过面,可是从来没有打过招呼的,他走了过来。离得不远,站定了,轻轻的说了一声:“噢,你也在这里吗?”她没有说什么,他也没有再说什么,站了一会,各自走了。

就这样就完了。

后来这女人被亲眷拐子卖到他乡外县去作妻,又几次三番地被转卖,经过无数的惊险的风波,老了的时候她还记得从前那一回事,常常说起,在那春天的晚上,在后门口的桃树下,那年轻人。

于千万人之中遇见你所遇见的人,于千万年之中,时间的无涯的荒野里,没有早一步,也没有晚一步,刚巧赶上了,那也没有别的话可说,惟有轻轻地问一声:“噢,你也在这里吗?”

世界上最遥远的距离-泰戈尔

世界上最遥远的距离,不是生与死
而是我就站在你的面前,你却不知道我爱你

世界上最遥远的距离,不是我站在你面前,你却不知道我爱你
而是明明知道彼此相爱,却不能在一起

世界上最遥远的距离,不是明明知道彼此相爱,却不能在一起
而是明明无法抵挡这股想念,却还得故意装作丝毫没有把你放在心里

世界上最遥远的距离,不是明明无法抵挡这股想念,
却还得故意装作丝毫没有把你放在心里
而是用自己冷漠的心对爱你的人掘了一条无法跨越的沟渠

The furthest distance in the world is not between life and death
But when i stand in front of you , Yet you don't know that I love you

The furthest distance in the world is not when i stand in front of you,
Yet you can't see my love
But when undoubtedly knowing the love from both,
Yet cannot be together

The furthest distance in the world is not being apart while being in love
But when plainly cannot resist the yearning,
Yet pretending you have never been in my heart

The furthest distance in the world is not when plainly cannot resist the yearning,
yet pretending you have never been in my heart
But using one's indifferent heart to dig an uncrossable river for the one who loves you

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

"Winter" in Singapore

As the world becomes more erratic, the weather also becomes more erratic.
It is already april now, but suddenly it started raining everyday & the temperature just drops tremendously & its time for a revamp of my wardrobe.
I started wearing long pants, thick clothings & long-sleeved tops to school this whole week.
Its really a change of image for me & I have to start getting used to it.

As the saying goes "You are what you eat", I also believe that "You are what you wear".
I do enjoy this change in image, & I'm adjusting my heart & mind to this new weather conditions.
As the surrounding gets colder, my heart is also starting to hibernate in this cool weather.
When spring & summer comes, and the sun is out, I don't know whether my heart will be able to wake up & smell the flowers outside & take a stroll on the green pastures outside......

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

无题(三)

好几天没写了,就代表我的心情已经平静了许多。
我深深地体会到两个截然不同的人要在一起,
真的需要付出很多的爱、关怀与耐心。

我把大多数的不满都说了出来,
也“试着”让他的爱抓住与溶化我不安的心。
我开始让我的心冬眠在他的真心里面。

不过,现实的距离还是那么残酷。
我不知道我还能够支持他多久。
如果有一天,他所努力的都化为过眼云烟,
我该如何跟他一起走下去呢?
我的冬眠的心还是会醒过来的。

我不敢相信神的允许,
因为后来才出现的人,
毕竟还是个未知数,
让我没有勇气放弃现有的,
然后去追求一个未知的未来。

不过,我和他的未来,
何尝不是个未知数?

我又开始说着互相矛盾的话了。
我到底是要让我的心继续冬眠,
还是让它醒过来呢?????

Saturday, March 01, 2008

T3 Top, a place to calm my wandering heart.

Have been going to the cafes at the new terminal 3 quite often recently. I have suddenly fall in love with T3 & its surroundings. I really thank god that I'm living in the east & living so near the airport. I guess it will be my favourite hang-out for the whole of this year.

Armed with a book when I went out today, I was prepared to sit in the cafe alone & read my book while waiting for R & C. Dad sent me there today & the car journey takes only 5 mins. The moment I entered the new terminal, I just felt a wave of peacefulness & calmness swept over me. This is really an alternative to going to the beach when I feel down & depressed next time. I started exploring the whole area of "tree-top" & found many nice restaurants like Lerk Thai, dian xiao er, TCC, swensen, & sakae cafe. In the end, I decided to choose TCC because of the nice ambience. I like the chandeliers especially.

I ordered a pot of berry tea & started reading 于丹《庄子》心得。I love this book very much & my heart & mind start to wander between the vast world outside & the beautiful little cafe around me. What a way to spend a lazy afternoon. A pot of tea, & a nice book in hand, don't need for any people around to make my heart feel so vexed......

And I really feel so bad for treating C so coldly, but I really don't know how to tell him that I just don't want to submit to his suggestions anymore & deep inside my heart, I actually don't like doing certain things that we have been doing for the past 2 years......

无题(二)

这样夜深人静的夜晚,心里突然觉得好寂寞,好孤单,好想找X聊天。原来距离有时是件好事,能够拉近两个人的关系。这整个星期,我都没能和Y聊天。他完全察觉不出我的心已经渐行渐远,而两条勉强拉在一起的平行线,也正在朝各自的方向前进。他答应我今晚会来的,而我根本没抱任何希望,也不期待他的出现。所以他最后没出现,也是我预料中的事。

这两年的时光,我觉得我是在用头脑幻想着所有的浪漫与感觉。我太自私了,太自私了,我在浪费彼此的时间,可还是没勇气改变现状。原来感情是不容易培养的,因为所培养出来的感情都是那么的理智。我好痛苦,好痛苦。原来我需要的是一个能够一辈子对我“用心”的心灵伴侣。可他......并不是这样的人。一切都是他的策略与手段。我好累,好累......;ooooo

不过,当我想到有一天,我会因为我的决定而伤害到他时,我又觉得于心不忍,觉得好难过。当你不忍心伤害另一个人时,这是爱吗?不过,如果我不伤害他的话,我又会对我的心不诚实......
今晚,我的眼泪又不自觉地往心里面流.....流......