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.
She wore a ripped denim overalls, a wool beanie hat, and carried a skateboard. After dinner she took me to a park to play swing. She said it's the tallest swing in Van city and if you go up high enough you can see the mountain. She is soon to be 22. She is the epitome of George Bernard Shaw's quote: We don't stop playing because we are old, we grow old because we stop playing. I should get on a swing more often ;-)
One fine Tuesday in Hillcrest Aquatic Centre, Vancouver. The woman changing room was a big open area with DIY lockers. There were no closed cubicle to change! Yikes! I have to be naked in front of these people? Anyone who knows me can tell you that I'm a very private, reserve, and introvert-ish kind of person. So there I was putting all my stuff in my locker, feeling rather awkward and uncomfortable when a naked elderly lady, walked into the changing room and went into her locker like it was business as usual. Fine! If she could do it, I could do it too. I swear it felt liberating to be naked in front of strangers; to be comfortable in my own skin. Literally & figuratively. I should be more naked :-D
One fine Friday. Cycling the coastline of Vancouver. Handsome landscape. I was slowing down to stop and take picture for a thousandth time when a white male cyclist passed me and yelled, "HEY, APA KABAR!" How did he know I'm... oh right. My jersey!
Dena: Ok meet me at the starbucks on broadway and cambie. It should be easy to bike there. its all downhill Me: Haha I can tackle uphill. That's an insult! Dena: But you can also take the train that heads to waterfront and stop at broadway. Hahaha I'm just saying get there fast Me: I rather bike Dena: Cause I'm taking the train. Alright lets race then. Lol. {To set the record straight I got there first. Sure Dena, you had stuff to do. Haha ;-)}
One lovely Wednesday night. Same coffee shop. I rode my bike there and walked in with my helmet on. I was looking at its salad selection when a guy said, "Healthy choice!" I smiled and said, "Yeah!" And just like that we had a great conversation about Vancouver, cycling, life & fish. Tall, handsome, brown hair (I think), charming, twinkling eyes. (Single) Ladies be my guess! He is quite a catch (no pun intended) ;-)
One lovely cold Wednesday night. Waiting at a coffee shop at Cambie & Broadway, Vancouver. A coffee date with my daughter. Last time I saw her was three years ago. She entered the coffee shop, paid her coffee and said hi to me. She didn't even asked me for money. It's weird but heart-warming to see her act like a responsible, self-sufficient human being. I need to wake up and smell the coffee!
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Sungailiat Triathlon 2016. Bike leg. Tanjakan gila sebelum vihara. While I was recovering from my unfortunate fall, I saw a male triathlete being pushed by a guy on a motorcycle. And guess what the lady on its passenger sidecarry? A wheel set.
Sungailiat Triathlon 2016. Bike leg. He stopped to help me fixed my flat tire. Then when all failed he gave me his front wheel. Oh did I mention it was his first triathlon? Who needs roses, love notes, I love yous and candlelight dinners? Bike's wheel is the real deal! Wolfgang Oey you are Awesome! I love you to the moon and back.
