| In Transit Ramblings of a Prodigal Singaporean |
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We spent the last few days in Preston, Lancashire. Stayed with my dad’s colleague’s friends, a sweet older couple who have such big and open hearts! So warm! Their home is so cosy and comfy.
From there, we drove to several places – York, a bird’s nature reserve & other places.
Here are some pics & a video of the cute birds!
Castle Howard
Castle Howard
Castle Howard - So big & grand!
Castle Howard - A "peeing" fountain
Pretty Swans!
New born ducklings!
Day 1
We arrived early morning, tired and drained from the 13 hours of flying in a crammed and recycled-air plane. After an amazingly fast custom clearance, we hopped on the underground (train station, like Singapore’s MRT, but more intricate and complex) and navigated through its many stairs, tunnels and walkways, till we finally made it to our hotel (after another 15 minutes of walking from the station).
Our London hotel, Oxford Hotel, is small, but clean. The staff? Friendly. I took a much needed shower, glad to be clean of the dirt of the plane and relaxing under the hot water.
Then it was off to the half price ticket booth to see what cheaper tickets we could get for a drama, musical, etc. We ended up choosing “A Woman in Black,” a thriller, or so we thought. It ended up being a horror drama acted out by 2 men on a bare stage. And boy, they were GOOD!!! Their acting was solid, terrifying at times, so convincing that they had the audience gasping, jumping in time with them! Everyone was on the edge of our seats, and my heart was beating so heavily by the time of the intermission. Turns out this drama has been running in for 20 years. If you ever go to London, go see this play. You won’t regret it.
Day 2
Jet lag set in. I woke up at 3AM London time, 10AM Singapore time. Went back to bed after a while and woke up at 7:30AM London time.
After a very bare breakfast in the hotel (well, we get what we paid for… and we didn’t pay much for London lodging), we headed off for the half price ticket booth AGAIN. Did I mention that I have only 2 goals in London?
1. To see as many theatre productions as possible.
2. To go to the British Museum
Goal 1 is well on the way to being fulfilled.
We settled on The Mousetrap, based on the novel by Agatha Christie. Before that, we walked around Trafalgar Square, went to St. Martin’s Church and just enjoyed the sites and sounds. My mom and I went back to our hotel in the afternoon for a break, my dad and brother ventured onto to other sites.
After a good long nap, I woke up refreshed, my aching back much better. The plane journey has knocked my back out and all the walking about had aggravated it.
Then it was The MouseTrap drama. Nice set, good actors, good storyline. But the suspense wasn’t as good as the night before. Halfway through, I guessed who the killer was, and I wasn’t as captivated as I could have been. But overall, not a bad play.
And then the Debby blundering began. I had put our room key in the inner picket of my jacket… that didn’t have a zip, only a button. Well, guess what, it fell out of the pocket when I took off my jacket as the theatre. Only realized it one or two train stops away. So back my brother and I rushed to the theatre. Climbing up a super long and steep escalator, of which I nearly keeled over from the effort. The theatre was closed, no one seemed to be around. My heart dropped. I ran around the back, hoping to see someone. Someone was just leaving the stage door. I ran up and begged him to let us find out key. Thankfully, they had done a check through the seats after the show and someone had found the key! PHEW!! I came out of that incident with 2 valuable lessons.
1. Always put the key in a pocket that ZIPS close.
2. Never try and run up a steep, long escalator. I thought my heart was going to fall out of my chest!
Day 3
British Museum is HUGE!! By this time, my muscles and bones are so sore from all the walking and stairs climbing, that I had to stop every 5 minutes to sit down. And the museum doesn’t have many seats!
We only managed to look at 3 exhibitions – The Egyptian, Greek & Asian parts. I loved the Greek gallery the best. All the stuff that the British stole was bestowed upon by the nations they conquered lovingly entered. They had a pillar here, an obelisk there. Even took an entire humongous tomb and reassembled it in the museum.
In the evening, my parents went to see The Lion King, the musical, and my brother and I saw A Little Night Music, another musical. Our play was good, with the exception of a lady in front of my brother with a huge curly hairstyle that blocked his view!
Day 4
Another musical… this time, one that I’ve been waiting for since a few years back. WICKED!!! Oh, the set was beautiful. The music was great! The singers amazing! Only annoying thing? Younger theatre-goings who didn’t know theatre etiquette. Standing up in the middle of the play to go to the bathroom, standing on the corridors that blocked everyone else. So rude!!!
During the day, my brother and dad went exploring around London. My mom and I stayed back in the hotel, resting and enjoying not having to do anything. Ahhhh, this is the life!
The night before Chinese New Year is typically when families come together for the reunion dinner. For my family, the weekend before the 1st day of CNY is for my dad’s side reunion dinner and the night before is my mom’s. A family tradition done every year. Well, for my mom’s side reunion dinner this year, my family, my maternal grandma, my god-sister and her family, and Annabelle, our Filipino helper, came together over yummy food. Here’s a snapshot of the food, the important part. 
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Tossing of the Yu Sheng. The higher you toss, the better your fortune… Or so they say. |
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Some Mushroom Dish. (I stay clear of it. It’s full of vegetables, mushrooms & it’s been boiled out of its mind.) It’s a annual tradition dish. My grandmother’s recipe. |
Fried Chicken. Yummy! |
Sauted Beef. With tons of spring onions. yummy. |
 Rotisserie Chicken. My fav dish. I’m salivating just looking at this! |
Sweet & Sour Pork. A classic. |
Longan & Aloe Vera Dessert. Refreshing! |
2009 is my year! And it’s proven. 2009 is the Year of the Ox and I’m an ox, specifically a wood ox. Wohoo!!
*You’re an ox? How? What? Who?!* Some might say. Well, here’s why.
The Chinese believe in the Zodiac system, consisting of 12 animals (Greeks came up with shapes in the stars, Chinese has the animals).
The animals consist of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. In that order. Why in that order?
“Well, according to one Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish.
All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox’s back, and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second, and the pig last.”
To the traditional (& superstitious) Chinese, the Chinese Zodiac System is highly important in planning out the year. Dates of marriages and births are determined by which day is “luckiest” and most properous. Compatibility of couples are also influenced.
To me, while I don’t believe in the whole zodiac system of luck and prosperity and superstition, it is still fun to see how the “animal” in me is explained. Let’s compare shall we?
| Wood Ox | Me |
| Personality: - Dependable, Strong, Determined - Capable of trusting others and will listen to their opinions with an open mind |
Generally yes. But, factor in absent-mindedness and a dislike for people who try and push opinions on me aggressively. |
| Health: - Strong individuals who overall are healthy and live long, fulfilled lives. - Tend to work too much, rarely allowing themselves enough time to relax. |
Ha! You have got to be kidding me on this one. I have a slew of health issues since young (bronchitis, ear problems, leg problems, back problems, chronic gastritis, always having a cold every month…) |
| Career: - Prefer work that is routine. - Take a methodological approach to their tasks and excel in jobs that are specialized. - Possess a keen eye for detail and an admirable work ethic. - Work well as part of a team, but because of their work ethic, self-confidence and strong sense of morals, they’ll always perform better as the team’s leader. - Tendency to be quick-tempered and outspoken. |
Hm… I dislike routine work… boring! I am so not methodological and not detailed-orientated. I do have good work ethic, if I have work to do.
I like to work in productive and no-politics groups. Oh yes. totally Am quick-tempered and outspoken, sometimes I shoot myself in the foot. |
| Relationships: - Aren’t very sociable and rarely participate in group activities. - Abhor small talk and won’t waste their time flirting. - Will search long and hard for the perfect partner as change makes them uncomfortable. - Whether due to an ox’s tendency to be overbearing or tendency to place blame on others, relationships with Oxen don’t always work out. |
*Chuckle* I’m sociable, when I wanna be. I like group activities, if it’s with the right group. Small talk… I’m okay with it, as long as not utterly useless. Flirting… I think I flirt a bit. Just a tinnny bit. Perfect partner – No such thing. Overbearing-ness and blaming others: Unfortunately, a bit of truth in there. But not that extreme. |
To find out what animal you are and your “description”, go here. It’s purely just for fun! 
Chinese words used in this post:
Nien (Year) & Kong-Si (Congratulations)
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There are many stories about the beginnings of Chinese New Year (CNY). Some myths, some practical.
The most widely known myth is not exactly a happy tale. Legend tells of a wild beast named Nien (Chinese for year) that would come out every New Year’s eve to attack and kill villagers. To scare away the beast, villagers started making loud noises with firecrackers, pasted red paper everywhere (for they believe that Nien was afraid of red) and used tons of bright lights. The next morning, as feelings of triumph and success fill the air at successfully keeping Nien away for another year, people would greet each other with kong-si , or “congratulations.”
A more practical and down-to-earth explanation is that the end of the year also meant the end of a harsh winter in China. Families would gather together after the tough season to see who was still alive, to celebrate the start of a better life and wish each other good luck and prosperity for the new year.
Historically, the date of CNY has been set according to the emperor that ruled China at that time. For a few years, CNY was actually based on the Gregorian calendar (Western Calendar). It was only after the Chinese Revolution and the start of the Communist government did the Chinese Lunar calendar became the master calendar that ruled all Chinese holidays, including CNY.
CNY typically happens around late January and early February. This year, 2009, it starts on 26th January 2009 and runs 15 days. In China, that means 15 days of public holidays.
In Singapore, that means 2. *grimace* (Part of being a racial and religious equal country. Every major religion and race gets 2 days of holidays a year. That’s it. I’m sure non-Chinese would enjoy 15 days of CNY public holidays! I don’t think I’ll hear anyone complaining. Well, except the Government.)
Chinese New Year is a special time for Chinese all over the world. It’s kinda like Christmas time for Westerners (minus the Christmas meaning). Familys reunite for dinners and catch up, families visit close friends and eat more. Instead of presents, unmarried people get hongbaos (red packets) of money as a symbol of prosperity and good wishes.
Having celebrated Chinese New Year all my life, I never really treasured the value and importance of it till I missed it for two years when I was in college.
So, from now till the start of Chinese New Year, January 26th, 2009, (and I say start because it’s 15 days long), I’ll be running a series of posts on Chinese New Year. I’ll post about what Chinese New Year is, the history and dynamics behind it and than move on to how my family traditionally celebrates it.
So watch this space!
As we celebrate the birth of Christ in our safe and cosy homes and churches, our fellow brothers and sisters-in-Christ in places in Iraq are risking their lives to praise the Lord for His gift.
“At the nearly thousand-year-old Chaldean church of Miskinta, where a bomb had exploded in October and graffiti praising the insurgency remains on a nearby wall, about 50 parishioners followed a deacon outside to the courtyard, where a fire was lighted to symbolize the birth of Christ.
Many tried to hold back tears as they prayed for “the rebirth of tormented Iraq to a new life of forgiveness and compassion.”” Read full story.
It’s funny how things turn out. During the dictatorship of Saddam, Christians lived safer and more peaceful lives. (Interestingly enough, Saddam didn’t really touch Christians.) But then the ‘liberation’ started, and Christians were targeted and had to fled their homes.
Let’s pray for our siblings-in-Christ, even as we celebrate this special season in safety and comfort. For the protection, inner peace, comfort and joy of the Lord.
Matthew Chapter 1
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,
25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.[e] And he called His name JESUS.
Isaiah 53
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
While surfing on YMIblogging, I came across this beautiful song written by the team.
You can hear the song here.
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