time to talk

After almost 3 months of slacking, I finally started work :) it’s not very interesting, quite boring really. All I do is pick out a patient’s medical document and do a bit of sorting, and I can’t sit! So while I’m standing and my legs are suffering I’ll remember that James also won’t be sitting down as well, haha. Most of the staff are married middle age women so you can imagine the workplace to be quite funny sometimes, like when they gossip... and again I was mistaken as younger again, this time as a 16 year old, haha. Generally I think I like the job and should be able to last till end of July.

09/02/08:

Went to watch ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ with a few church ppl, namely Enci, James, Kaising, Lanfang, Kaixiang n Yongkiat :) Honestly speaking I find watching movie a really bad way for fellowship. We don’t communicate with one another, everyone just fixated on the screen. Though we do talk about the movie after the show, it’s only for a short while and superficial. At least I managed to do ling xiu with Lanfang and Enci before dinner, which I think was more constructive than spending close to 3h watching the movie. (The rest couldn't reach earlier) Don’t mistake me for saying that the show was lousy or watching movie is a waste of time, just trying to say that there are better activities for a group outing than catching a movie.

11/02/08:

Met up with Meihui, Shien and Lanfang at the esplanade after discipleship class with Caixia laoshi ended at her house, it was already 2245h then. Initially we were playing some ‘games’ but afterwards they were reminiscing their childhood days in church, whereby I was listening most of the time. It’s a bit sad to hear some unfamiliar names cos they’re no longer in church :( Nonetheless it was awfully hilarious to hear some funny/ weird things some did, like Guorong’s ability to remember a lot of hymns and his way of clapping hands with the feet. Also, how a few would compete to finish drinking a bottle of water first thing when they reached church and how fierce Wanxin was, haha. Guess everyone grew up.

We ended up doing ling xiu, which I thought was very meaningful :) There were not much distraction so we could concentrate on the bible. Knowing the bible in depth is definitely good, but if you don’t know how to apply the knowledge, why bother? And also asking questions is never bad, but before we ask we should think what the purpose of posting that question is. Even if you had the answer, what good would it do? Xinru laoshi said this to me, and so I hope others can learn too. We discussed for so long that it was past 3am by the time we decided to leave, feeling sleepy and hungry... and I had work the following day! But it was definitely worth staying up, just no more late nights. That was my 1st time staying up so late :(

13/02/08:

Met up with lf at seletar reservoir (I think that’s what it’s called) for ling xiu again. I had no idea where it was but lf, who claimed she knew, led us crossing the wrong road, haha. But we found it eventually. Too bad the others couldn’t join in but I guess it’s good in another sense not to have too many ppl sometimes. Not that I don’t like having more ppl for quiet time, we can share and learn more from one another, but on the other hand ling xiu is also a personal time spent with God, so varying the number of ppl can be a different experience every time :)

The scenery was really nice, but the butter sugar bread we ate was nicer, haha, kidding. To be seated on a platform extended out into the river with the constant sea breeze brushing your hair, coupled with the sunset as the backdrop and sounds of the waves and wind was stupendous. Lf was saying she felt like writing a poem already.

James once remarked that 说话是好的。But I’d like to modify slightly and say that 谈心是好的。Some talk are simply shallow, meaning that the people engaging in the conversation like to hear what they want to hear, and tend to say things that might please the other. There’s not much profundity in the dialogue, is easily forgotten and probably wouldn’t last long. I’m guilty of this myself sometimes :( but I guess before I can progress to the next level I must start somewhere? I just find that talking serious things with some ppl very difficult, not because they’re immature, but rather they mask themselves with smiles and laughter.

I must admit that I had a quality time at seletar reservoir. It feels like separating yourself from the hectic urban life and going into a cave, aside from having wind and light, haha. Communication is such an enjoyment. You get to discover lessons learnt by the other person, the interesting/ funny/ scary/ experiences he/she has gone through, and how you can apply them on your own. Plus you can share common experiences to motivate one another, and know the other person’s dreams and aspirations, as well as his/her past. All of which wouldn't be possible if there were too many ppl, cos some things could be personal.

Have you noticed how the sky gradually darkens? The process is so slow but sure, that before I knew it, it was dark already, 3h had just zipped past and it was time for us to head back home for dinner, and lf to fly to beijing the following morning.