Who?

who share our sorrows?

who laugh with us in celebration?

who bear our pain?

who need us as we need them?

who weep as we weep?

who hold us when words fail?

and who give us the freedom

to be ourselves?

Interesting Ordinary Day

I didn't expect this day to be interesting.

One day earlier I was freaking out because of the Anatomy test this morning. I didn't plan well for this test. I should be more careful next time. And I should have asked for help when I needed it.

After buying the birthday cake this afternoon, there was still about one hour left until the arranged time for gathering to celebrate Hong Yih, Vincent and Janice (senior)'s birthday. So, my housemates and I went to the Palackého Most for the Prague Boat Exhibition by the Vltava River, and ended up getting a free 15-min ride on a BBQ boat in the river.

The main purpose of those people giving free ride was actually to promote their business- 2 hours of BBQ on a boat for 700kc per person. Hm... not something I can afford really.

I really enjoyed the "river breeze" and the beautiful scenery. Lucky us!

The Vltava river, the Palackého Most which I cross almost everyday, the "BBQ boat", and the swans. I like the scenery around here a lot!

After that, we had a really filling buffet at Thai Delicacy for the celebration. Eating, eating, eating and lots of talking. XD

Photos of our boat ride and the buffet are found here, but some are in low quality because my handphone isn't good for taking photos under dim light.

Český Krumlov

What's so special about Cesky Krumlov? Actually I knew nothing about it until after I came back from the trip. I knew it's an UNESCO heritage site. That's all. =p

More about Cesky Krumlov

Adeline's sister Serena and her friend Yan came to visit Prague last week. Originally it was just Adeline, Serena and Yan who went to Cesky Krumlov last Saturday, but seeing that we haven't been there, too, we followed as well, forming a small group of about 9 people in the end.

The weather forecast for the day wasn't good. It was predicted to rain, but luckily it didn't. The wind was strong though... luckily I wore quite a thick jacket after much hesitation. Something learnt from previous trips: it's way better to wear too thick than too thin (not in summer I suppose?). You can never enjoy the scenery fully if you're shivering.

It wasn't a big place. As we didn't have time for museums, we mainly just walked around for the scenery.

I like the "shiny" water at the back... and of course the ones in front =p

Quite the same scenery from different angles. This is my favourite.

Landmarks of the town

I'm glad that we were invited to join them! It was a nice day out in the sun and wind indeed.

More photos (I don't have any group photo with me...)

I need to express this

Okay this is dangerous in a way as some people might overwork their brain cells and start thinking I'm talking about them. So, don't. I'm just bursting to express some opinions, in general.

I have a particular dislike to those who say beautiful words without meaning it. Saying bad things one doesn't mean is hurtful, and yes, the wound might take a long time to heal, if it ever does. But even this doesn't tempt me to roll my eyes.

I spent a few minutes wondering why. I looked back in my short history of life, hoping to find the root of this. Hm... and I can't.

This world is simply full with these people. I'll of course meet even more of these in workplace a few years later. Ah... okay I should accept the reality.

Wait... I think there's a tiny voice telling me not to judge anyone?

Easter 'Break'

This is a very belated post regarding my Easter break, which, for some meant 4 weeks without school, for us, meant 4 days.

Our Easter holiday lasted only 4 days, including weekends. Short as it was, it was truly enjoyable and eventful. As the dissection test just ended 2 days before the 'holiday', I was keen to give myself a break.

On Friday...

*check Phyllis' blog to recall what I did*

The morning was spent in the histology classroom with Dr Becke to replace a class lost due to dissection course. As usual.

We had lunch together with Adeline at her house because there was no water supply temporarily in our house. We cooked our favourite food - Bak Kut Teh. =D After lunch we went looking for a Museum of Traditions (or Traditional Museum, can't remember) as Phyllis suggested, in an area we haven't explored before. After 1 hour plus, we still couldn't find it. So we had a nice walk under the warm sun in the spring afternoon that day instead. Not that bad afterall.

On Saturday, Phyllis, Xiang Yan and I went to a Vietnamese trade market called 'Sapa' despite all the negative comments we heard from others who have been there. It was quite an isolated place from centre of Prague. The nearer we got to that place, the more Asians we saw. The place was just like a 'pasar malam', selling all kinds of cheap items, but many (esp the clothes) were only sold in big quantity. Benefits of going there:

1) I bought a packet of PRAWNS in a relatively low price (I miss prawns so so SO much! T_T)

2) ate some 油条, and it tasted just like those in muar!!

3) bought some 小白菜 too! it's one of my favourite vege!! and it's cheap... hehe

exactly the same right? =p

That night, I went to a Catholic church for the Easter service. I didn't want to go at first because it was supposed to start at 8 and end at 12... but seeing that Phyllis wanted to go, and I haven't seen any Catholic service yet, so I went at last. The service was in 3 languages - English, Czech and Spanish, so, obviously, I only knew what was going on 1/3 of the time. The songs were all hyms, and many sung in languages I couldn't understand. However, it was a truly different experience indeed! The people leading the service (don't know what were they called) were in robes, mostly white in colour with a cross in front. They burnt some kind of... thing, which gave the church a typical smell you always get in a Catholic church. And some of us got to hold white candles, too, which we didn't really need because it symbolised 'renewal of baptism'. By the way, they started the whole ceremony with a fire in the courtyard, and I saw a Catholic baptism, too. In short, it was a truly special experience.

beginning of the ceremony

Sunday was the Easter itself. So, I went to another church. =p This time it was a Protestant church which Ian, Adeline, Yeng Tong etc attend. Phyllis, Evon and Vincent were there too, to support Ian's baptism (which was postponed later due to some problem but as far as I know, it's better know. Ian, have faith q^^p). However, I got the chance to listen to testimonies of those who were going to get baptized, including Ian's, and witnessed the baptism, which was SO different from a Catholic baptism. It was enjoyable, with lots of nice songs... ...

International Baptist Church of Prague. Ian giving his testimony.

Thank you!! =D

After church, for some reason, we (Ian, Phyllis, Adeline, me, some known people and many unknown people... I mean for me) went to a place to have pizza and pasta. Not really very nice, if you ask me. Maybe I don't really know how to appreciate Italian food =p Well, I guess it's good to join people we don't know once in a while, but for those who know me, you know I don't get acquainted with anyone just over a lunch's time. It's a pity sometimes, I lose chances to know more friends... but at the same time, this is just me!! Hm... I wonder is there a need to change??

That night my housemates and I cooked a late dinner (can be considered supper...), and again filled out stomach to the fullest...

The next day was the last day of holiday, and I started to sense a test coming soon. Alright, I KNEW the test was coming on Wednesday but managed to postponed the revision for all those activities mentioned above. So I had no choice but to stay home and revise... in other words, I only had 3 days of holiday in fact...

update: on Wednesday, the test was postponed!!

Random - a time and a season

"There is a time and a season for everything. It may be a time of new beginnings, a time of growth, a time of reaping the harvest of hard work, or a time of rest. Trust this beautiful order. Everything in its time."

I received this short message from a Facebook application today. It did make me think. Stray quite far from the original meaning of the above message though.

There's a time to meet. There's a time to leave. I once read an article saying that everyone comes into our life for a purpose. That person could be a stranger whose purpose in your life is just to hold a door open for you, or give you an encouraging smile when you're drowning in sorrow, and then he/she will disappear in your life forever. He/she can also be a companion to walk along with you, laugh with you, dry your tears when you cry, hear your complaints, or simply be there. Could be a few months or years. But when his/her purpose in your life is done, he/she's going to leave. By what means, we don't know.

I guess that article was to remind us that we should appreciate everyone in our life. However, I always feel a twinge of sadness mingled in the appreciation.

Everyone's going to leave. No matter what.

There's a time for this, yet we don't know when and how. We only know that the time WILL come.

This leaves me an empty feeling. Humans hold on to things and people that are dear to them, but it's like holding sand in your fist. They escape bit by bit.

I really hope that those difficult times and seasons wouldn't be too harsh for me. May it be natural and gentle, instead of dramatic. And may I have the strength to sail across it, and be able to smile at the memory when I ever look back.

I know it's weird to say these things out of nowhere and no clear reasons, but at the same time I know that one shouldn't wait to show gratitude and love. So to everyone who's reading this, thank you. Even if you've hurt me, even if you've done things against me without my knowledge, even if you've left me, even if you're going to leave me, even if you made me cry. Everyone of you left some trace in my life. Thank you. =)

Trust this order.

Everything in its time...