AME!!!

with the one and only Ven. K

Thank You

Was introduced this song. I think it's a very sweet evergreen love song.
Thank you for the song :)

I've been thinking lately
'bout the time you've spent with me
and I've been wondering
if you really knew
Everybody needs someone
To help them through the maze
Did you realize my someone's you
I've been down and out and you've been there
I've been less then kind sometimes I know
I don't have to see your face to know you care
And you've been a friend to me
Thank you, for being mine forever girl
For being by my side
You know I love you
And I need you too.. Thank you
Sometimes when its late at night
And everything is cold
I think about you and I feel warm inside
Maybe I've neglected you
And so it's time you told
You have helped me make it through my life
Let me say the words that you should hear
Let me say them 'till I made it clear
You're my lady
I believe that love is more than just a kiss
And you have shown me this

Loving Daddy - 爱心爸爸

In the search of touching stories,

I suddenly remembered the interview from "A Date with LuYu" on Phoenix TV a while ago: it was about a poor but generous high school Physical Education teacher, 柏检-Bai Jian that provides home and education for 24 unfortunate kids (and counting, I guess). I was teary when I watched the interview, hiks...

Here is the transcript from the interview (I just realised it wasn't the same interview on TV, but still worth reading) or if you can read Chinese, look here

I know the story is quite old, but still it's not much known. It would be beautiful to spread this around.

There are still some people with golden heart in this world. There's a hope, isnt it?

Fig and Olive

I’ve been to Turkey before, and the Istanbul itinerary was pretty much the same: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Bosphorus Cruise, Topkapi Palace, DolmabahcePalace, Belly Dancing show  and of course some Bazaar. After the 3^rd time round in the last 3 years, I finally get bored – kinda predicted now.

So, I also have visited Egyptian Bazaar thrice (called so ‘cos it used to sell goods from Egypt during Ottoman Empire). But this time, the local tour-leader was quite persistent to lead us to his acquaintances’ shops. I was quite annoyed by that he did that. He led us to away from the Bazaar’s entrance and go from a side gate near New Mosque. I couldn’t separate from the group, the bazaar is huge, I just don’t want to go missing in the midst of spices and Turkish delight; the shops all looked the same to me. So, I followed the group walking towards New Mosque, to the left side of bazaar. And guess what?! It was a heaven place for me, we crossed a flowers’ market. So many plants and flowers there. I started to pay attention for the way, I thought “I need to come back to look at those plants and flowers”

Here is the emergency map, in case you want to visit this market. Pics are taken from here, here and here. 

I was too busy with the plants that I forgot to take any picture. Who cares about pictures when you are in plants haven?

L-R: New Mosque, Flower Market, Egyptian Bazaar

Luckily, to my surprise, one of my group members  is a green-freak too and he accompanied me to check out the plants there. The sellers were nice too; I guess not many tourist visits their stalls. So, we both fell in love with olives trees, so we decided to get one for each. And we saw some black fig tree, and we got a couple of it too. I was so happy!!!  (though, now I kinda regret not getting the famous Turkey pomegranate tree >.<)

They are doing fine now. Here are their pictures, taken today.

Olive

Fig

I also got some tulip bulbs. I shared it with Mr.ES and Ling. I hope they are doing well on their side; cos mine is definitely failing here. 

How I smuggle it, is my own secret. Won’t reveal it here. I am totally proud of my mischievous act!

Desert Dress Code

On my recent trip to UAE, a friend of mine complained about “why are those Arabic women dress up like that? Why are they so fanatic about their religion? Why are they willing to cover up?”

What she meant was “why are those women wear hijab?” (or in Indonesia we call it jilbab). Hijab is headscarf used by Moslem women to cover up their hair, in accordance to their religion.

Arabic women take a step further, they usually wear all-black loose dress plus a long headscarf to cover up their hair and neck; and for some, they even put a veil on their face.

Most people think they are fanatic. But personally, I have different opinion.

If you’ve been to the dessert, you’ll understand why they dress up that way. You would be so thankful to have such dress-code when a sandstorm is a regular occurrence.

I've only spent a few hours in the dessert, and trust me, hijab would be very useful. And I understand why they need to put veil on their face. Apart from saving you from the scorching sun;  the desert sands are so fine, as fine as dust, but still very annoying to have in on your hair, your eyes, folds of your shirts, inside your socks and shoes…  and guess what, sometimes they get into your mouth too. It’s horror!!!
Cos I saw some camel dump some dung and soon the sand blowed and transferred the feces-contaminated sands into your mouth (you can feel the grit in your mouth. Ugh!).  By that time, I would slip on the full-attire plus a burqa happily, seriously!

See??!! Now can you get the idea why they need to dress up that way? Even the Arabic guys wear loose clothing and cover up their hair too. (and guess what, the black rope on their head isn't just for decoration, in the past it was used to tied up their camel too)

As the religion spread, so does the fashion sense. Isn’t that what happening in the world naturally?

Dress code can look ridiculous sometimes; it depends on how you see it. Our fashion sense really depends and influenced by our culture and society.

Come to think of it…

• If Moslem was founded in Indonesia, they might have different costumes, maybe kebaya and beskap?
• Or if Buddha was born in Arabic country, monks nowadays would have different robes rather than the Indian-insipred wrap around?
• And if those  Pontifical Swiss Guard of Vatican City were in Indonesia, they’ll  be mocked for such an Joker costumes.

So, what’s so odd about one’s fashion sense? Absolutely nothing. Look from different point of view, then you’ll even understand why Superman need to wear his underwear outside.

PS: Though some people criticize, I always think I look good wearing a headscarf.