Oceangirl

Oceanman Krabi, Thailand 2019. One fine evening. I was walking along the beach on the way to the event's welcome dinner when I met a young girl. A 14 years old Canadian. She competed in the same category as me: half Oceanman distance, a 5 km open water swim race! Yes, that was quite an impressive stats for a young athlete but what impress me the most was the fact that she was picking up trash along the beach on her way to the venue! Oh, and did I mention that she ranked third in her age group?

Oh Joy! (2)

Happiness is getting a home made pumpkin cake from mama Dani in the morning. And a home made loaf of wheat bread as an early Christmas present from Adit & Putri in the evening. Bahagia itu sederhana di Eragayam. Wa wa wa. 

Ob Anggen

I thought I'm the one who will bring blessing for students in a school in the middle of gorgeous layer of mountains in Papua. Turned out I'm the one who are more blessed by my little brothers and sisters, by the beautiful nature, by the simplicity of life, by the warm-hearted parents, by gracious people and by inspiring, compassionate new friends. Dena, I'm high on life! 

Better Not Bitter

He bought some butter

but he said, "This butter's bitter!

If I put it in my batter,

It will make my batter bitter."

So I bought some better butter,

better than the bitter butter he got,

and it made his batter better.

So it was me, myself & I

who made the batter better

Not bitter! 

Stop Staring. Start Thinking

While some people back home busy arguing about what's right or not right with other people's ethics; some people here in Vancouver are learning to treat others with respect, empathy and kindness regardless what principles they adopt in their life. A self challenge: Can I agree to disagree and still be nice & kind with others? Who am I to judge? Hillcrest Aquatic Center's changing room: Woman. Man. Universal.  

Oh Joy!

The joy of receiving a birthday wish, hope & pray from friends and family is like the joy of receiving a finisher medal at the end of a race. Even more! Thank you for your kind and uplifting words. You are awesome with capital A. Looking forward what 50 will bring!

Every Little Thing You Do

One fine morning in a traffic jam. Feeling rather meh when I saw a  couple just got off their motorcycle. A young lady and a guy. Probably mid twenty-ish. She took his hand and put it on her forehead. Then he gently and lovingly stroke her very pregnant belly for merely five seconds or so. You should've seen her beaming face.  

 

Loud & Clear

Happy birthday Dad. Just want to let you know I am doing fine down here. A little drama here and there courtesy of Life but nothing I couldn't handle. You raised me well. Thank you. I love you to the moon and back. 

Space Invader

One hectic night at CKG departure gate. A long traffic jam and a long queue. A yellow line printed on the floor says it loud and clear. But this man followed me all the way to the check in counter. And when I pointed out nicely that he was suppose to wait behind the line my words fell on deaf ears. He was busy texting something with his mobile. He didn't say anything. He didn't even look at me. I took a couple of long deep breaths and silently told myself to let this one go. It has been a long night. I just want to get on the plane.

Mind Boggling

I don't get it. There is no federal speed limit on parts of Autobahn. Yet the accident rate is low compare to other countries that applied strict speed limit on its freeways. My wild guess is when I am deprived of speed limit, I would be recklessly tempted to steal an opportunity to speed. But when I am given the freedom to have no speed limit, I would be responsible because I don't want to loose this privilege. I wonder if this applicable to other matter in life.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

"I think the seperation between life and Paradise as a river," Mirdin said. "If there are many bridges that cross the river, should it be of great concern to God which bridge the traveller chooses?" The Physician. Noah Gordon

Good Friday

Two years ago my Dad passed away. Time really flies. Last year I remembered feeling restless around April. This year I feel peaceful. He is in Good Hands. 

Wacky Wed

What's eating Wednesday? It's been acting weird all day. Irritating. Annoying. Did it wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Oh, well! Tomorrow is only a day away.

Last Day

I can't believe it's the last day of the year! I woke up feeling restless, like life has just passed me by and I didn't even notice. Then I got really anxious because I felt like I have wasted so much time this year. Especially when lately I didn't feel like writing any new post for my blog. Not because I have blogger's block. I have tons of drafts but I just couldn't seem to bring myself to upload them. Perhaps I'm burned out with stuff. Perhaps I got the holiday blues. Perhaps I need to take a break. Perhaps....then I remembered that last year on the last day I wrote my future dreams on My Future Listography, a birthday present from Dena. I nervously looked for the book and checked. Eight things happened this year. Thank you 2013, you've been kind and awesome to me. 

Independence Day

Mindcraft

Me: What do you want to be when you grow up Marvin? 
Marvin: I want to be an archer. How to be an archer tante Tina? 
Me: You have to go to an archer school when you are big. 
Marvin: Hey! Look! An archer school! 
Me: Huh?!! Where? 
Marvin: There! There! Look at the sign! Will you take me there when I'm big? 
Me: Eer..Okay!

I Am Who I Am

In the old days you have to actually spend some time with people to get to know who they are. Nowadays you can get a sense of what someone like from the comfort of your home. Just look their Facebook status, blog posts, tweets, path pictures, mobile status and other social media. My grandma says you are what you eat. My daughter says you are what you tweet. Can you tell what kind of a person I am from my blog? 

Life Expectancy

Steve Irwin, extremely enthusiastic about animal kingdom, pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary film and died almost immediately. He was 44 years old. Ulrike Von Mengden, loves orangutan with all her heart, lives in the only house in Ragunan Zoo in Jakarta, Indonesia. She may look 93 years old or more. But her soul is 39 years young. Apparently doing what you are really passionate about can either kill you instantly or prolong your life.

I've Got Mail!

It's always lovely to see or to hear from former students. Whether I get a shy hi and a smile, a loud hello, a big hug, a long Facebook message, a high five, a comment on my post or an email. Thank you Andien for your kind and encouraging words. 

May Day

Best cleaning tips: Do small cleaning everyday so you don't end up spending a lot of time and energy cleaning all the dirt and dust that piles up over the time. No sweeping under the rug. Best relationship tips: Settle whatever things everyday so you don't end up holding grudges and spend a lot of time and energy fighting over unresolved things that piles up over the time. No sweeping under the rug.