Writer. Fighter. Lover. Dreamer. The doctor's say she's generally functional.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Leaving (on a jet plane)

Seems this is a year of departure.

Last night Yi Han left to study in Brisbane. Gonna miss that boy a whole lot but can't put into words how excited I am for him. Going off by yourself is something that everyone should do. Even if it's just for a while, surely there will be lessons learnt and experiences you wouldn't trade for anything.

Soon Shila leaves for SwitzerlandSweden. We're all going our separate ways and I can't wait till we're all back here together. But in the meantime here's to a great (but safe) time for all of us, this is gonna be awesome. =)

While my friends are leaving, there are some coming back. Noelle and Craigo are coming here! Cheap beer at Prince of Wales shall be first on the list, yes? hehe.

While in many situations, there have been some things and issues to sort out that I spent much time pondering and stressing and worrying about, in most cases, well in ALL cases there's nothing I can do about it. Just have to have faith that things will work out, which isn't easy when you're a do-er and fixer (or always try to be). So another lesson learnt - one doesn't need to travel far and wide to learn things and gain new experiences.

Am reading Life of Pi, highly recommended. It's about this Indian, hindu boy who's dad works in the zoo. I'm just starting out but already so many quotable quotes.

Here's one on aethism being agnostic.

Doubt is useful for a while. We must all pass through the garden of Gethsemane. If Christ played with doubt, so must we. If Christ spent an anguished night in prayer, if He burst out from the cross, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" then surely we are also permitted to doubt. But we must move on. To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation.


Sweet, right. Just what mum and I were talking about the day before.

And here's one on being Catholic.


Catholics have a reputation for severity, for judgment that comes down heavily. My experience with Father Martin was not at all like that. He was very kind. He served me tea and biscuits in a tea set that tinkled and rattled at every touch; he treated me like a grown-up; and he told me a story. Or rather, since Christians are so fond of capital letters, a Story.

And what a story. The first thing that drew me in was disbelief. What? Humanity sins but it's God who pays the price? I tried to imagine father saying to me, "Piscine, a lion slipped into the llama pen today and killed two llamas. Yesterday another one killed a black buck. Last week two of them ate the camel. The week before it was painted storks and grey herons. And who's to say for sure who snacked on our golden agouti? The situation has become intolerable. Something must be done. I have decided that the only way the lions can atone for their sins is if I feed you to them."

"Yes father, that would be the right and logical thing to do. Give me a moment to wash up."

"Hallelujah, my son."

"Hallelujah, Father."


It's brilliant, it really is. Where I left of:

I entered the church without fear this time, for it was now my house too. I prayed to Christ, who is alive. Then I raced down to the hill on the right - to offer thanks to Lord Krishna for having put Jesus of Nazareth, whose humanity I found so compelling, in my way.

I love it. I really do.

Pictures!



2 comments:

  1. hey! i suppose the life of pi was from cambodia?! haha i wanted to buy it at vietnam too, looks interesting... tk care!

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  2. Hari Rama, hari rama, krishna krishna hari rama.....

    ReplyDelete