ThE rOaD nOt TaKeN.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
I heard from my MIL that he was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago and this week, he finally passed away. DW was saddened by the news and you could tell from her face that she was quite surprised by the news. There was a little frustration as well because we only heard about it two days after he passed away.
As I had to attend an event in school until late in the evening, we only reached the funeral at about 10pm on Friday. Although I wasn't very close to DW's uncle, I tried to maintain a respectful silence, which was quite difficult when I didn't have a proper dinner. While DW helped to fold the paper ingots, I had to satisfy myself with some groundnuts. Fortunately, my MIL noticed my apparent hunger and helped me to get some food before I developed any gastric pains.
After the first night, DW told me with an ironic smile, that she hasn't seen some of her cousins for a long time and the only social opportunities seem to be either weddings or funerals. I told her that in this fast-pace lifestyle that we have, it is a miracle if a big extended family can ever stay together once the members have their own nuclear families. So most of us make do with these 'major' family events.
I was chatting with her the next day about how being at a funeral always gets me thinking about what I would like my own funeral to be like. She said I was being morbid but I think if we put aside our superstitious concerns, we should really take some time to considered how we want to go. If I had the blessing to live a full and fulfilled life, I wouldn't want my family to feel sad that I had reached the end of my journey. I would want them to share my happiness and celebrate that my life had some meaning. I don't want to be a candle that is blown out prematurely by the wind and never lit again.
So funerals do remind us of our mortality and how our lives are so short when compared to eternity, but if you are an optimist like me, you will be spurred on to make the most of this short time that we have been given, to live life fully (without regrets) and make your lives meaningful.
Don't be too concerned about your mistakes and failures to miss out on celebrating every little success! Go out and live!
Labels: funerals
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Although my entries are not as frequent as they used to be, I told myself that I should make each one as meaningful and not just record down the day to day things that happen.
After school on Friday, I made a trip via the MRT from Clementi all the way to the Expo to check out the Library Book Sale. Despite being a Friday(a working day), there were still many people at the sale. Most of the people I saw walking towards the MRT station were carrying at least one bag from the library sale. I could feel my excitement rising as I reached my destination.
I came back with 37 books from the sale, struggling to carry my three bags full of books that I had specially picked from the sale carts. It was quite fun to search each cart, hoping to find something of value.
The sad thing was as I continued my search, I began to notice why some of the books could not be used in the library anymore. Some books were filled with graffiti or scribbles from blue ink pens or torn. I saw some other books where the previous reader had written in pencil, the Chinese translations of words in the text. Part of me was happy that the reader was trying to understand the text but I was really saddened by the lack of respect for the books. Each book that is published serves to entertain, inform and brighten this world that we live in. By taking good care of books, we safeguard this fantastic wealth of knowledge for future generations.
Perhaps it is because I came from a relatively poor family. When I was young, it was a luxury for me to buy books. I remember one of the few times I had bought a book was because I had received a book voucher as a prize for doing well in school. So my only alternative was to borrow books from the library. We were only limited to 4 books in those days! So every trip to the library was a chance to find something that could occupy me for the entire week.
Nowadays, the library has been transformed into an even better place for people from all walks of life to get their reading fixes. Where else can you find a free supply of books to enjoy together with your favourite latte frappe? So don't take it for granted, enjoy your books and take good care of them!
Labels: library book sale
Saturday, July 12, 2008
I think I came in with high expectations and like many of my coursemates, I have not managed to always provide the top notch lessons that I want for my students. However, learning is always a never ending process, so I comfort myself by striving to think about my lessons and how I can teach without losing the interest of the class. I'm just sad that I may not be able to do as much as I had originally planned because I only have the class for this term. But I will do what I can. =)
Looking forward to the Library Book Sale which will be happening next week, the details appeared in the news today, I think a lot of parents will be there to buy books for their children.
Next week is going to be quite interesting as well!
Labels: busy as a bee
