Years of Tears

2007 saw me cry over errant students - my heart and soul. It was my first betrayal by those whom I taught with love - my whole being. The pill was too bitter to swallow. It saw me being assaulted by students, and their parents, one case by another case. It left me an empty shell - hollow and battered. That year end saw the frailty of Dad as he was stricken with stroke. Naked and childlike, he returned home with us on boxing day. It was so painful.

2008 saw the tears of fear, desperation, anguish, and uncertainty. The roller coaster ride as Dad's health plummeted and then stabilized sent me reeling with despair. The constant arguments with Ma broke my heart. The sense of abandonment was too great as I clung on to every shred of hope that Dad might be healed - but it was never to be. The constant in and out of the hospital drained every ounce of energy from my being. It left me broken in spirit - eager to leave the living.

2009 was the year of anguish and deliverance work wise. Anguish because I saw the despicable and ugly maneuvering and lack of integrity on the part of the admin - treating diligent staff unfairly. There was a reason why so many colleagues left and yet the boss refused to see the downward spiral that she was sending the whole team to. I guess I didn't leave soon enough but I stayed on long enough to see situations that I would never tolerate anymore ever again in my life - as long as I have the life and breath and the fighting spirit in me. Deliverance because the most miraculous and splendid 'holiday' landed right on my lap. I left for a 2-year fully paid study leave. It was my saviour!

2010 was filled with good memories. I studied at a very relaxing pace, traveled, meditated, rested and rested and rested. There were ups and downs at home but I could handle it better as there were no distractions from work. I could devote all my energy and mind to deal with the difficult moments. And I had good memories with Dad, and of Dad. His weekly indulgence of his favourite fruit, banana, and soft bread on Sundays are my loving memory of him. If there were tears, they were tears of joy and happiness.

2011 started with a good and routine beginning. Yet there was the gnawing sense of uncertainty as my study leave was coming to an end. The year opened my eyes to the frailty of friendship. It was mind-boggling but it was a good realization. Some people are just meant to be in our lives for a certain season. The painful lessons continued with the ugly truth of professionals who worked with no integrity. I had the misfortune (or fortune?) of meeting one. Truly, I learned that there was no way of knowing a person until we meet them in a professional setting. Sheep in wolf's clothing. And as much as I had wanted to go to a new workplace, I was assigned back to my old place. It was half-a-year of easy money that did nothing to challenge my brain cells because the admin was just too lazy and non-committal to assign me to tasks more challenging to my capabilities. The year ended with grief. Dad left us. It was a painful five days of caring for him at the hospital, knowing that he was leaving. Yet begging with God to spare his life. Seeing him with his laboured breathing and frail body broke my heart. Just too painful and heart-wrenching. If only I could be in his place... The year ended with much tears - of grief, of missing, of absence, of loss, of heartbreak, of trying to move on...

Backdated

Thought I'd update my blog now that the critical moment is over. Just want to blog. Had had enough of my dissertation proposal.

Click here for my backdated posts. Will slowly update this blog.

Rich and Poor

My Taiwan trip has been a journey rich in:

sight - of the MTR rush, night market culture, and the daily routine life of its people,

taste - the tantalizing textures of every bits and bites of the variety of local food, delicacies, street food, desserts, etc,

smell - the aroma of gluttony and the smell of rain,

sounds - the inviting calls from the vendors, "Huan ying guang ling. Qing kan kan oh." (Welcome. Please have a look.).

Of course, my wallet was a lot poorer...

Our last breakfast in Taiwan: Xiao long bao

Oct 22: Another nondescript but busy stall

I hope one day when I've saved up enough, I'd visit again you again - but minus the rain.

Rainy Day

For the most part of our trip, it was raining nearly everyday except on the first and second day where the weather was gloomy and there were the occasional light drizzles which stopped just as suddenly as they've begun. I was saddened by the fact that we had travelled so far to a different country only to see its dark and cloudy weather, but it did not deter me from enjoying myself.

Next to my traveling companion, the umbrella was my most reliable friend.

The second last day of our trip saw us travelling in a taxi to the county of Yilan. Yilan is well known for its natural volcanic hot springs, fresh seafood, beautiful beaches with brown volcanic sands, homestay farms and panoramic views of mountain terrains.

Alas, it was also the day with the heaviest downpour of rain - non-stop, from the previous day until the next day. 

 Rain, rain, go away...

Oct 21: Yilan

Nevertheless, we ate fresh seafood, dipped in jacuzzi tube filled with clean hot spring water in the privacy of our rented motel units, were treated to some local food by our taximan, tasted Yilan's oolong tea and bought lots of local biscuits and products from Yilan.

We were oblivious to what was happening to the rest of Taiwan as we travelled snugly in the comfort of our chartered ride. It was only towards evening as we were heading back to Taipei that we saw the current news on the mini satellite TV in the taxi.

There were flash floods in the lower parts of Yilan only 20 minutes away from where we were enjoying ourselves the whole day, strong gusts of typhoon wind tearing through Taipei city centre and landslides in the mountainous tourist region of Hualian which  had trapped many groups of tourists in the mountain and took the lives of a whole busload of visitors from Hong Kong.

I was very thankful that we were safe and spared of all the unfortunate events that were happening on the very same day that we travelled the furthest from the county of Taipei to Yilan.

It was just so ironic - there we were enjoying ourselves and there were others who had their holiday, and lives, cut short...

Quaintness

I thought the streets of Taipei are most charming. Rows and rows of shops, with their colourful and unique goodies attractively arranged in the shops. 

The quaint but clean alleyways between the shops are very different from those at home too - but then again, I was an easily mesmerized tourist in my holiday mode.

Alleyway

Oct 20: Danshui

This exudes a sense of peace and calmness - with almost a nostalgic and melancholic feeling to it. Maybe it's  the lanterns. I was most drawn to this specific alleyway.

I Love Wasabi!

Succulent, lip-smacking, taste bud-tantalizing salmon!!!

Oct 19: Wasabi, Taipei 101

=D``````````

These thick slices of salmon were just so, so, so good. Smooth, melt-in-your-mouth goodness!

Had these at a buffet spread at Wasabi Restaurant, in Taipei 101. Apparently, this joint is so famous among the locals and tourists alike. The queue was nearly 30 metres long, snaking along the wide corridor. And that's for diners who have made reservations. I doubt those who just show up without prior booking will be able to gain entry at all.

Lunch time buffet was from noon til 2.30 p.m. at RM57 per person. Service was quick and efficient. Friendly staff.

So classy and exclusive that they did not allow any photography of their impressive buffet stations. There were different stations for sushis and sashimis, tempuras, soups, makis (rice hand-rolls), roast meats, veggies on skewers, drinks and ice-creams.

*BURP!!!

Mighty Rock

On the second day in Taiwan, we ventured out of the city centre and visited a few scenic tourist spots: Jiufen, Yehliu, Jinshan and finally, Shilin night market.

My favourite spot is Yehliu, a seaside geopark. It's a place where unique and natural rock formations were crafted by the forces of wind and waves.

Wish I had more time to slowly explore the place. It is really beautiful!

Stormy waves

Oct 18: Yehliu

My favourite pic of the place. Love how the waves are hitting against the rock. But this is a poor composition. Should have captured less land, more ocean.

Bitter Better?

I was falling sick just two days before my Taiwan trip. Falling - because all the tell-tale signs were there.

It was a trip that I had really looked forward to. Not willing to take any chances, I went to see Dr C to get my bag of medicines, just in case. Didn't want my trip to be ruined.

I really fell sick on the day I arrived in Taipei and the medicine came in handy.

And this was my poor attempt to quell my coughs, the Chinese way - drinking bitter herb. Just too bitter.

Bitter, bitter, bitter drink

Oct 17: Herbal shop, Wufenpu, Taipei

Did it work?

Of course not. Not with all the interesting fried street food, cold drinks and ice-cream that I was pigging myself with as I explored the streets of Wufenpu and Raohe.

Sick

Just got back from my trip to Manila last Tuesday and was immediately assaulted by a mild cough and sore throat the very next morning. I thought that I am coughing and sniffling more this morning. Hopefully it won't turn into a full-blown coughing frenzy.

The trip has been a very enjoyable and eye-opening experience for me. I am still missing the sight, food, culture and shopping - not that I bought a lot. There are just so many things to look at since it was my first trip to the Philippines after all.

Will try to update my quiet blog soon with more pics from the trip. For now, here's a pic of Philippines' famous food - Lechon (roast pig).

Lechon on a pit

June 5: Laloma Street

Inspiring

Yes! i'm having a break now which i've been looking forward to.

(All right, don't be envious of me, dear non-teachers. This is a working holiday for many of us.)

i'll still have to grade papers despite marking furiously before the break, in order to have a freer break. i've finished marking 167 sets of multiple choice questions, 948 sets of structured questions, 117 sets of comprehension questions, 78 literature essays and 78 essays. And i'm only left with 150 essays to go. So, i'm not that stressed up now.

i went back to school to clear some work yesterday and will clear some tonight before i go back again tomorrow to finish them all. Yes! And off i'll go to do some piano-coaching with Terence.

Then, i'm looking forward to a good lunch and Indiana Jones with a couple of friends. It's been more than 2 months since i've last watched a movie... couldn't recall my last movie :( Yeah... something forgetable.

Thursday is reserved for running errands, paying bills, etc...

Something that i'm most looking forward to is the Inspiring Worship seminars, concert and also workshops from 30th May to 3rd June. i want to be INSPIRED!!! And i'm going with a very expectant heart... and i will receive! Yes!

And next week, between invigilating some exams, i'll try to finish grading the rest of the 150 essay scripts.

There goes my break.

Meanwhile... happy holiday to me...

SiokJuga ^_^