New Year's Eve

Its New Year's Eve in USA, and New Year's Day in Singapore. So while chatting with my friends online, I was technically speaking to someone in the next year, while I was still in the year before. Talk about time travel! Lolz

The year of 2008 has been an interesting one. I spent almost the entire year studying TCM but also doing some soul searching at the same time. Finally decided to quit and move back to Singapore in October. It was a major shift in my life direction. In the last 2 months of November and December, I have travelled through Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and the USA. Throughout, I have met many new wonderful friends in each country, gained many new experiences and insights towards my life. I have also managed to meet up with old friends as well, and catch up with the lost years that we've spent apart. I've met people who changed my life, and also met those whose lives I have changed. And I got to meet stars! Mario Maurer and Aoi Sora! Ok... the latter one doesn't really count.. Lolz

Despite not having any real tangible achievements in the year of 2008, I feel like I have gained alot from this year and that the year has not gone to waste. As the year of 2008 comes to an end, I just wanna take this opportunity to thank all those who have been in my life, and shared so much love with me. May the next year bring us more happiness and may whatever dreams or goals we have be fulfilled. Happy New year everyone! =)

Reliving the Past

Stayed at Andrew's place till 12 before heading back to San Ramon to Aunt Agnes' place. At night, as the the cousins sat about, Aunt Laysun, Aunt Agnes, Aunt Jane and my grand mother suddenly started talking about the past to us. The kampung village days, the days where my great grand mother was the village's matriach and how they suffered during those days. Getting whacked if they woke up after 7am, getting their heads smashed into concrete walls, looking out for flying porcelains thrown by her, travelling miles to get ingredients for food, tending to the various house duties from the age of 7, and only getting to eat left overs, sometimes even having to steal food. The neighbours all feared my great grand mother I heard. Tough times they were, but it was that that drew the family close as they grew up.

The later generations are a lucky generation, with elders who are no longer such strict disciplinarians. I guess those my age got to experience both. I lived in a kampung village all the way till 7 before moving into government estates. So I've had my share of canes and tough punishments, pounding chilli with a stone and getting slapped in the face... But those are the important times... the times that have built my personality, and made me who I am...

Party, Party, Party.. so Partied out...

Been attending a string of parties consecutively for the past few days. Totally partied out....

25th Dec was our Xmas party and Andrei's Birthday Celebration.
26th Dec was Aunt Daisy's 50th Birthday Celebration
27th Dec was an early celebration of Aunt Jane's Birthday.
28th Dec was the Grand Opening of our Family's Restaurant - Crab Landing. And also Aunt Jane's Brithday.
29th Dec was Natashia's Brithday Celebration.
31st will be the count down at Half Moon Bay again.

Been doing tonns of driving up, down, left, right all over N. California. So tired. Just fetched my mom and uncle to SFO airport at 7am this morning. Went to Andrew's house for a stop over. Missed them sooo much even thou its been only 1 month since we last met.

Head over to Mr. Lu's place in Sunnyvale after. Really funny. He's Andy's dad and was invited by my relatives to do the grand opening of the restaurant at Half Moon Bay. I don't really know both of them but after talking to Mr. Lu, I found out that both his grandchildren are currently in Cttb for school and that I've taught them during the recent summer camp! Really small world. He invited me over to meet his daughter who's now living in Cttb. Chatted till night about religion, medicine and life. Headed back to my old home in Pacifica to meet my old housemates, then to SF to meet Ken. Chatted with him till midnight before heading back to Andrew's house in Alameda to spend the night. Going back to San Ramon tml again. Drive.. drive.. drive...

Aunt Daisy's Birthday

The Ladies & Gentlemen. Founders of my generation. (Which means... our aunties and uncles. Lolz)

The 2 youngest cousins, Darius & Natashia, putting up a Violin Duet during the family dinner.

The young Ladies & Gentlemen. People of my generation. Cousins unite! And this is still not the full strength...

Us with our grand mother. Creator of all our beautiful Aunties and Uncles who passed on those genes to us! Heez

Double X'mas

Got to experience X'mas day twice this year. Woke up at 9am on Xmas day for breakfast, then went to check out the supermarket - vegetarian's paradise! There were so many vegetables! Lolz. Got to meet Yuka Shimizu in Asakusa for lunch! Been years since we met! Then we had to leave for the airport to catch the 5pm flight to USA. Pretty smooth flight and when we arrived, it was 9am, Xmas day again.... Ground hog day.. lolz. The 3 days in Japan was wonderful. It was sunny everyday. Heard from some friends that before we arrived it was raining daily. Thank you sun! For accompanying me whereever I go! =)


Jolyn and Weiliang can to pick us from the airport and drove us straight to Aunt Agnes' house for xmas lunch and our annual gift opening session with all the cousins. Basically just hung around till dinner before heading over the Andrei's restaurant at half moon bay.

Had dinner and cerebrated his birthday there. Yup. Xmas baby. It was nice meeting everyone again. All the relatives from Singapore flew over as well. It was a big party. Tml, we continue with more partying with Aunt Daisy's birthday party.

Xmas Eve

Had really wonderful xmas eve. And a really wonderful friend showed us around Japan, bringing us to Yokohama, the Chinatown of tokyo, then to Landmark hotel where my mom made her nails and we saw a singer - Toku. But I don't know who that is. Then to Ruppongi, the expensive district of Japan for dinner at Gompachi and to walk around. Drove pass the Emperor's palace. And finally headed back to the hotel passed Midnight.


Think this is one of the best x'mas I've experienced, despite not having an exchange of gift, nor celebrating by a christmas tree... yet I met the star I wanted to meet, I met another star whom I didn't know, I found my string, and was shown kindness by an extremely kind family.... This is what xmas is really about... not the gift exchange, but the exchange of kindness, and the happiness in the heart! =)


I had a really happy xmas eve, and I wish everyone a merry xmas as well! =)

Tokyo Day 1 - Always pray before doing anything! Heez

Arrived in Japan and and went to Asakusa with my mom and good friend Mario Maurer! Yah right... I wish! Lolz... After checking in to the hotel, the first thing we did was to go pay our respects to the Guanyin Temple. While burning my incense, I noticed I was being recorded by a huge video camera so I looked up to see who it was and my jaw almost dropped. Lolz... Standing beside the camera was Mario Maurer, one of the lead actors of one of my favourite films. I used to dream of going to Thailand to meet the cast. Never in my wildest dream did I think of actually meeting one of them in Japan! Lolz... I guess dreams do come true. And when he said Khorp Kun to me, it was like the ending scene of the film! Lolz... I guess u can never go wrong with deciding to go to the temple to pray 1st! Lolz


Went to Ameyoko to walk later in the evening. The parking system was really cool and the place was comparable to the night markets of Taiwan! As crowded with people, and lined with many cool stores. Walked for really long. A very tiring 1st day, but extremely happy!

And a miracle happened! I lost my 5 colored string from Charlie when I was in Singapore during September. Tried finding everywhere but just couldn't find it. Traveled back to US, then back to Sg, then to Taiwan and back. Nope. No sign. And just a minute ago, guess what... my mom found it on the floor in the hotel room that we're staying at in Japan. Wow...

冬至 - The Winter Solstice

Actual day of 冬至. Woke up early to pray. Then I set off for an early swim before heading over to Wendi's house. Met up with Sunny too! How i missed them after leaving the states. So nice to hang out with them again. We just chilled at the house, listened to Sunny's korean music and singing, and shared lots of lame jokes until it was time to pick up Dharma Master Tsung! Then went out for dinner together and Wendy's mom noticed that both Sunny and I ate with our forks in the right hand. Lolz... I don't even notice such minor details. But that was cool. Guess most people use forks in their left.

Went back to the house to chill for a while more before I had to rush off to my next appointment. I think this is how life should be. Chilling around with friends at their homes. Low expenditure and lots of fun. Lolz

Got to Yio Chu Kang mrt and realized I just missed the bus 70. So I sprinted to the next bus stop down the road and guess what? I got there before the bus! Muahahahaz! Guess my years of training didn't go to waste. Its good for catching buses! Got back home to have a bowl of grandma's tang yuan before heading out with my car to meet up with Yong Chao and Andre for supper at the Hong Kong Cafe. Sat there till 2:30am. Thanks Andre for the treat! It was a wonderful night catching up! =)

The night before 冬至

On the way to meet Alvin for Lunch at North point, I bumped into my PS John Lee in the bus, and then one of my soldiers Ervin at the bus interchange station. I also bought Muah Chee from the same old aunty I used to buy from since primary school. I call her the Yishun bus interchange muah chee auntie. Lolz.

After lunch, we drove to the Esplanade to catch a play - "Late Check Out Please." Think its my 1st time watching a drama play. Enjoyed the experience. Following that, we walked around Marina Square where I bumped into a secondary school friend. He remembered my name. I forgot his.. Oopz... And he got me to write a wish on some ballon ball thing that will be tossed into the Singapore River on new years day.

Did some window shopping with Alvin for a while as he was going to a xmas party after and when Weyman showed up, I left. I wasn't invited to that party anyway. Lolz. Went to Causeway point to meet Jeffrey for dinner and we bumped into his mum and aunt! What a coincidence... so we had coffee together before going our separate ways.

Came back home and I saw that my grand mother had prepared glutinous rice balls for tml! MMMmmm Mmmz! My favourite! Especially when it is cooked the traditional nonya style! And no its not an inspiration from the current nonya movie. Its a tradition in my family. We're part peranakan.

This dish is usually ate only once a year on the day we call 冬至, (the day where day and night is just as long，and the arrival of winter) And whenever we ate this dish, it holds the significance that the year is coming to an end and we are yet another year older. Really fun experiencing all these traditions. But of course, the supermarket these days sell them year through. Back in the days when we could only have this once a year, you can imagine the anticipation I have whenever I see my grandmother rolling those 湯圓 the night before.

Australia

Slept at 2am last night and received a call at 6:30am from my uncle from Australia to go out for breakfast =.=... Since my beauty sleep was already disturbed, I got up and went.

After breakfast, came back home and had a mini reunion lunch with all the Aunties and my Grandma. When they finally left, I went back to collapse in bed but got up after an hour. Started doing some of my long overdue translation project of Shr Fu's lectures before my uncle called me out for dinner again.

After dinner, I drove him to Grand Aunt No. 2's house. Yeah... they have their hierarchies and you have to remember them! Met up with my distant relatives and cousins from New Zealand. Last time I met them was 10 years ago. So they're all going on the India trip. How fun. Pity I'm not going, but I'm sure USA will be fun as well! Hee heez..

Was checking up some programs in Australia as encouraged by my Aunt and I found a Translator/Interpreter's Master Degree at Monash University in Melbourne. Good thing about studying in Australia is that you can work and earn money to pay your tuition even as an international student. So I submitted my application. Just opening up more options. We'll see how this goes...

Weary traveler

孤山廣海亦見巡
古林忙市亦淹行
東南西北四周尋
疲倦迷客在搜尋

過十六年空又閒
四年過在悟空間
兩年空在自豪感
一年海邊命覺空
巡遊各國尋回應
疲累而回一律空
疲倦迷客在搜尋
尋找美夢在何處

I've walked through lonesome mountains, and stared at endless seas...
I've strolled through ancient forests, and drowned in busy cities...
From North to South, from East to West, I've search through with my heart...
I am the weary traveler, searching ceaselessly...

16 years I lived my life, simple and carefree...
4 years I lived my life, learning about all things empty...
2 years I served with pride, a pride that had no base...
1 year, I lived by the sea, and felt that life was empty...
I traveled on, to several countries, seeking for an answer...
I returned home, tired and weary, finding all things empty...
I am the weary traveler, searching ceaselessly...
Searching for the dream that I cannot find...

~jozhade

A small small world

My uncle and aunt from Australia arrived this morning and so I brought them out for breakfast and so it happened that Aunt Maliga from Australia was in town as well and so we asked her along. On the road, i just so happened to turn my head to the left and saw Wee Jia driving in the car beside! My sister's boyfriend's sister who's also studying in USA. Lolz...

Coming home, 耀空師 called me up and chatted with me on the phone till it was time to go meet Shaun Jarrod. We caught the movie - The Day the Earth Stood Still. Hmmz... Not recommended. No good... its like another Interdependence Day kind of thing.

Went to the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce to enquire about a translator's course afterwards as Shaun went for his Violin and Piano class. The ultimate Asian kid combo. Lolz. On the train back, I so happened to take the same compartment as my Elementary School classmate Nicklaus! He's studying in Australia now and back for the hols.

Went to Compasspoint after to pass some stranger some things. The tour guide in Taiwan had asked me to pass the stuff. Then when i reached home I got a call from 覺校師！Lolz... What a busy day. I basically talked to people from Australia, USA, Myanmar, Taiwan, Vietnam and of course Singapore all in one day. Lolz... Its a small small world...

Crossroads

祖永師 asked me over again today as he wanted to pass me some books. While there, he also prepared tea and oranges... wow... and we chatted in the afternoon all the way till dinner time, and he even asked me to stay for dinner. Its really nice hanging out with them, a place where I can be "normal" in my own terms, which means, being vegetarian and talking about the sutras and buddhism and not having to feel awkward or that I'm boring somebody. I guess to most people, that wouldn't be considered as normal. But oh well... its a part of me... a part of the multi-personality, multi-identity me...

Once again, I feel like I have reach another crossroad in my life, the same crossroad that I've been coming to. Seems like I have been going in circles... the same question hovers over my head... what should I do with my life? What kind of future do I want?

Tough... Part of me wants to run away again, the other part of me wants to stay and experience what life is like in Singapore. But so far, I have experienced nothing new of the life in Singapore. The same drone plays in the background.

I walk on like a spectre haunting the same old place again. I am now swimming in the ocean and there is no island in sight. I need some direction, a lighthouse to guide me to shore. The compass spins continuously... when will it stop?

At night, I chatted with 覺聞師. He said he wishes to go to 萬佛城 in the future. And I told him then when he goes, he must tell me and I will go with him! Any reason... any reason at all to go back.. and I shall take it. So we made yet another agreement... which should happen in about 5 years time... after he finishes his basic monk's training, and after I finish whatever I'm trying to finish... lolz

Grateful...

Had a reunion with some of my old high school classmates last night. Can't believe its been 8 years since we graduated from high school... Hung out till about 2am before coming home.

Today, met up with Leon to pass him the Abercrombie cologne he wanted and got S$75 in return! Yes! Have been running really low on cash the past few days that I had to practically turn down many outings to sustain myself. Reinforcement has arrived! Lolz. Caught the movie "The Vistor" afterwards... and one line from the movie really stuck with me: "I haven't done any real work in a long time. I pretend, pretend that I'm busy, that I'm working... I'm not doing anything." Hmmz... sounds like me... Lolz

But i'm happy, and happy that I have made more wonderful friends. 2 days ago 耀空師 messaged me about whether I have found a job and how's my life. Yesterday I chatted with 覺聞師 online, and today 祖永師 called me up to ask me how's my job hunting going on. Guess they really take an interest into my life. Lolz... I'm grateful.

Reminds me on one of my favorite songs written by Master Hua - I'm really lucky

what a coincidence

Another day with no plans, so I decided to go to AMK Hub to find out about cameras for 覺聞師. When I got there, I first bumped into Rayson! Heard that the officers of my batch have started to be called back for reservice. I didn't receive anything.. I shall pretend I don't know about it. Lolz. Then I bumped into the previous S4 Andy! But this time i shunned aside and pretended I didn't see him. Lolz. Then I saw one of the pioneer sergeants as well. Singapore is really so small.... And then even more unthinkable, I bumped into 覺校師 and another monk! Wow... how coincidental can things get... Lolz.

After that, came back home to slack, watched my animes and did nothing. Was asked to go clubbing by friends, but I don't know why, felt pretty tired and lazy today so i turned them down. Sorriez... While slacking at home, my youngest sister came back with her boyfriend and his twin brother, and they decided to do a BBQ, at 12 midnite.. yes.. so i joined in. Guess, when you give up one thing, there's always another thing to do... Lolz

Zouk Out

So fast another year has past and it is Zouk Out again, the biggest dance party in Singapore, and once again I am staying home for it... Remember writing a post about it last year as well. Well, didn't step out of my home at all today. Watched 海角七號, a taiwanese movie that is in hokkien，mandarin and japanese. Quite nice.

Then Aunt Pauline dropped by with some Indian snacks. So basically chatted with them till night. They're going to India in 2 weeks time. I was supposed to go with them, but decided to go back to USA again. See how much i miss u all lil bro and sis? Lolz...

Then I had a really long chat with 覺聞師 online. And we made a pact to each other that should any of us get lost along the way in life... the other shall pull him back on path. Hahaz... really really cool having this friend.

Twilight

Went to check out the MOE recruitment drive at Raffles Place and speaking to the teachers there makes me really wonder if I really want to be a teacher... They seem so bored of their lives... I don't want to become a zombie! Sigh...what a disappointment... Now I am at a lost at what to do again... But I certainly need a job soon...

Went to watch the Sneak preview of Twilight with my son after. Pretty interesting show about teenage love between a human and a vampire. Heard the book is much much better though. Gotta wait in line for it... My younger sis just finished it and my elder sis took it before me. The modern vampire in movies and animes seem to be really cool people... Lolz... Sigh... I miss my vampire teeths. It got filed away by my dentist when i was young. And she didn't even ask for my consent! So what if they were a lil too sharp? doesn't mean u have to file it off... i was happy with it... Sob sobz...

Adium

Brought 祖永師 and 惟康師 to Fu Lu Shou complex today. They were buying some buddhist equipments for their temple in Myanmar. Then back at home, I got to chat with 覺聞師 on msn！ Lolz pretty cool. Didn't know he's only 21 years old as well. In my opinion, he behaves the most mature as he's the 惟諾 and is constantly reciting no matter where he goes.

I also got a QQ account as most of monks from China uses that to chat... Yes.. they are up with the times! Lolz... So to accomodate all my messengers I installed a program called Adium. Pretty cute chat program! When you have an incoming message, the duck flaps its wings. Lolz... So cute! lolz. It for Mac users and incorporates Msn, Aim, yahoo, icq, qq, jabber, myspace im, facebook, and alot of other unknown chat programs. Pretty smooth using it so far.

Siyuan came to pick me up for supper at night. He's probably the only fellow soldier from 11th mono that really keeps in contact with me. But I guess we did spent alot of extra time outside of our normal military program preparing for our swimming competition back then. Really glad to have u as a friend! Thanks for the ride! And thanks for the treat as well! =)

法喜充滿

Today was the 送僧 ceremony. A ceremony to send off the monks to conclude the end of the session. I was supposed to help carry the lanterns, but I wore the wrong footwear and was not allowed to help. I rushed home to change and rushed back, but it was too late. Alvin then asked me if I wanted to go to the movies, I was tempted since I couldn't carry the lantern anymore, but decided to stay on. It was another pretty grand ceremony and at the end of it, I drove home, dejected...

Just as I got home, 祖永師 called me and told me to get back to the monastery to have dinner! I went back but by the time i got there, dinner was over, and the monks were in a meeting. =.=


I decided to wait till the meeting ended and when 祖永師 found out I have not had dinner, he brought me out to eat! And then I was invited to go to Sentosa with them to watch the Songs of the Sea! It is my 1st time watching it as well, and walking through Vivo City with 38 monks does attract alot of attention. Lolz. And I guess it is also pretty pressurizing to be in a bus with 38 monks - The tour guide kept asking for forgiveness just in case he said something wrong.. lolz. I also got to know 萬意師 and 覺校師 and they invited me to visit their temples in China and Vietnam.


Back at the monastery, 祖永師 and 耀空師 stayed back to chat with me till about 9 plus! They then insisted on walking me back to my car and I said it should be the other way round as they are the dharma masters! Then 耀空師 said "這是我的家欸！你是客人！" And grabbing me by the shoulders, he walked me to the car.. Boh pian... lol

Had a really really fun night in the end. I'm glad I waited... I guess its true when they say that good things come to those who wait... So even though I didn't get to participate in the sending off ceremony, I got to spend an entire night with them. And I think this is much much mUch Better! =)

功德圓滿

功德圓滿! Finally finished reciting the Shurangama Sutra once through! So sad... why must finish... How i wish it could go on and on and on! Lolz... Over the past few days, got to know the monks really well. Got to know 蓋信法師 and 耀空法師 today. And 耀空法師 is only 21！ Young... They're really cool and funny. At the end of the recitation, one of them said "來！今晚我來請客！大家到大齋堂去！“ And all the rest responded with a "Chey!" lolz... coz the 齋堂 has the same free food everyday. So the 1st one said "Chey 什麼？不吃飯你能修行嗎？“ And the other one replies ”能！不吃飯，那吃菜好了！吃包子！能持！” Lolz (reminds me of my NS days... lolz)

And as we finished the session, so did my wound finally heal. Finally covered up today. After 7 days of bleeding... Had dinner with my dad and sis at night. And yup... from the way things are, looks like i'm gonna be homeless pretty soon... oh well... what comes comes, what goes goes... 隨緣不變，不變隨緣. My elder sis then spent the next hour preaching to my dad why he should go to church instead. =.=...

New Old friends

Arrived at the monastery at 7am to recite sutras only to find out that there is a different ceremony going on - Offering to the Heavens. Pretty cool. I caught the last bit only. Sutra recitation begins only at 9am so while hanging around, I spotted Yong Chao and his family! Lolz... Small world.

And I exchanged contacts with my 2 new friends - 覺聞師 and 祖永師. Well, I'm sure that we've been friends before as well... long long before... and we're all in orange! The only difference is that.. i have hair this time.. lolz.. But it has been a really nice experience reciting the sutra with them. WE're up to Scroll 8 now. 2 more scrolls and I'd have achieved my intention to recite the Shurangama once through! Push on!

Met up with Weyman later to hang out and chat. Interesting to find out about what's happening in the outside world once in a while... But i can only stay outside for so long... It's like being a fish out of water... I need to return to my source... Heez

Homeless

So i heard from my elder sis that my dad plans to sell our house due to bad economic times... And there's no mention to where we're moving. Maybe a smaller house? maybe an apartment? Maybe a flat? Maybe I'll be put up for adoption... anyone wants to adopt me? Lolz

Oh well... makes no difference to me. I'm a vagrant. A wanderer. I shall continue living the life I live... and when the time is right, probably disappear into some mountains...

百僧供

Finally slept at 3am last night, woke up at 6:45am and headed to the monastery for the continuation of the Shurangama recitation. Tired, sleepy, but I managed to last throughout the day. Recited from scroll 2 to scroll 5 today. Lunch ceremony was breath-taking as we held the 百僧供 event today (Offerings to a hundred Sanghans). I have only read about it in Sutras, and this is my 1st time seeing it. A very grand event, and they got the kids to bring in the offerings (oopz... child labor? lolz) But its an event of tremendous merits according to Sutras.


I also chatted with some of the monks and was surprised to find out that most of them are around my age. Like 祖永師 is just 3 months older than me! They're all pretty cool and told me to come hang out more often. Lolz. We've become like friends. And 覺聞師 gave me a miniature version of the Shurangama Sutra. (Still pretty big... lolz) and a picture of 虛雲老和尚 and his teacher. Can't believe it. Several months ago i was just thinking of how am I to get a picture of 虛老 and now I got it!

The day's event finally ended at 5pm. Made my way to visit my bro Nathaniel and his family for a while. And I guess I look pretty tired as my bro kept insisting I take a nap. Lolz... thanks bro. Guess I can't hide from you... Guess u can tell the diff after seeing the same me for 15 years... lolz. After that, headed over to my maternal grandma's place for a while before returning home to collapse.

Gotta go pick my elder sis from the airport at 11pm later... then my youngest sis at 2am. 6am... its back to the monastery.... My day is packed. I'm Tired...