Baobei's creation - Mother's Day cards - May 2012

My son loves to draw...

On Mother's day this year (2nd week of May)... he made special cards for me :)

Below is his card creations:

I received the card after coming back from my Bali trip.

And below is his Mother's Day card made for my mother-in-law:

At that time my mother-in-law wasn't feeling very well...

Thank you Baobei... we will always love you!!! Muachhhhh.....

I believe everything happens for a reason...

I guess my dream was perished when my friend told me that she's found someone to bring the tour. Hahaha.... She should be right doing so as I am just someone who has no experience on it.

At first I felt disappointed, but I tried to think positively that everything happens for a reason. Maybe they just want me to concentrate on my work. Maybe I just can't take leave due to something important to do in office, and so on. Just try to find many possible reasons, but of course, positive one.

Anyway, I had someone offered me to join (as a guest) a pilgrimage trip to Srilanka and Bhutan next year during Vesak day, but I haven't confirmed or agreed into it yet as it's still about 7 months away from now.

I told him I'd love to join pilgrimage trip as it gives me chance to get myself closer and remind myself again to lead life according to Dhamma, something that we might know but hard to practice.

Well, yah, maybe they want me to accumulate my leave, so I can jon this trip and another trip with my parents.. :D I just believe, if it's yours, it's yours.... Don't cling your desire on something.

Like the quote said by Albert Einstein, "If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or objects"

Have a great day everyone!!!

September - October activities :)

Jushinjung Korean BBQ

Today 3 of us went to have lunch at Jushinjung Korean BBQ. It's been quite some time we didn't patron this place. Suddenly hubby had a mood to eat. It doesn't come cheap, but the price had remained quite the same since many years ago. It is $29.90++ per pax, including 1 choice of main dish, e.g. grilled saba fish, spicy tofu soup, clear beef ribs broth, Korean mixed rice / bibimbab, spicy or normal cold noodle, and one more, I forgot what it is... plus 4 choices of meat to be grilled / BBQ-ed, which includes 3 types of pork and 1 type of marinated chicken. Aside from those, they usually come up with cold dishes, such as: cold tofu with spicy sauce, salad w/ salad sauce, salad w/ chilli sauce, kimchi, bean sprout, and many more.. hehehee.....

Wahhh.... I think both of us have grown old... We couldn't eat as much as before... hahahaha.... We only topped up 2 meat serving other than those had been provided earlier. My son ate a lot until the stomach like 6 months pregnant..... hahahaha...

It was wonderful meal, and thank you hubby for treating us :)

Me & Baobei

After that, we walked to the opposite of the building. We went to Haw Par Villa. It used to be a Singapore tourist main attraction in 1990s. Many people visited Singapore during that time would surely go to this place. Even I could remember that I went there before. Now we brought our son to go to this place :)

Entrance of Haw Par Villa

My son w/ Tiger Balm products

"In 1988, the Singapore Tourism Board took over the running of the Tiger Balm Gardens and renamed it as Haw Par Villa Dragon World. The statues were restored while retaining the original flavor. Plays, acrobatic displays and puppet shows were also organized. However, visitors were charged entrance fees. The high fees discouraged the public and the management incurred a loss of S$31.5 million after 10 years of management. The gardens made money for the first year of operations after renovations in 1994, broke even in 1995 but lost money for the next 3 years and was forced to have free entry in 1998. In March 2001, the Singapore Tourism Board renamed it Tiger Balm Gardens and entrance fees dropped. Now it is opened to public daily from 9am to 7 pm with free admission.

The park contains over 1,000 statues and 150 giant dioramas depicting scenes from Chinese folklore, legends, history and illustrations of various aspects of Confucianism. The attractions include statues of the Laughing Buddha and the Goddess of Mercy, as well as dioramas of scenes from Journey to the West. The most well-known attraction is the Ten Courts of Hell, with gruesome depictions of hell in Chinese mythology, all set in a 60 meter-long trail of a Dragon (Source: wikipedia.org)."

The owners of this place are the family who manufacture the famous Tiger Balm. It's a medicine balm to treat pain, inflammation and to strengthen muscle, consists purely of herbal ingredients, was originally named for containing tiger bone.

Fu Lu Shou - God of Good Fortune (Fu) - right, Prosperity (Lu) - middle, and Longevity (Shou) - left

Statues of these three gods are found in nearly every Chinese home and many Chinese-owned shops on small altars with a glass of water, an orange or other auspicious offerings, especially during Chinese New Year. Traditionally, they are arranged right to left (so Fu is on the right of the viewer, Lu in the middle, and Shou on the far left) - same like the photo above.

We also went into the famous Ten Courts of Hell. Inside, we could see the different punishments for every bad things that were done by human during their lives. Usually kids would be afraid of doing bad things after entering to this place, since the consequences were really scary.... Hope my son could learn from it and deter himself from doing bad things in his life.

Py, Me, and Ellen

26 September 2012 - My best buddies treated me birthday dinner at Ssikkek Korean BBQ - Oriental Plaza Building, Outram Park. They both are my ex-colleagues and I am so fortunate to have known them in my life. We could get along well and we help one another especially when our spirits were down and enjoyed our times together when there were happy occasions.

Definition of true friend: "Those who can listen to you when you are in need, those who you can share your sad and happiness with.., those who can lift you up when you're down and make your life more beautiful."

Hope we can grow old together. Like PY said, she hopes three of us can still 'lim'/drink coffee together in coffee shop when we have become aunties one day like what those aunties now do (it's very common to see aunties and uncles sitting together in coffee shop drinking coffee and chit chatting every morning :)).

Inside the Buddha's Hall - Students performance

29 September 2012 - Baobei last day of Buddhist class in year 2012.
I enrolled him to Saturday Buddhist school in Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Bishan since he was Primary 1. He learns the Chinese class. I just hope he also has good fate with Buddhism since young and can learn and practice it in his daily lives. He is now Primary 4, and it was his last class for year 2012.

Baobei was enjoying his ice cream :)

On the last day of the school, each class has to perform and he was chosen to join as well. My hubby and I watched his performance as they allowed parents to watch. He only played a small role, but no matter big or small, I think it's the participation and experience that matters. He was so happy seeing our presence there :)

Queuing for presents from teacher

The teacher distributed ice cream cup to each of them and his teachers gave them a card, stationery, so that they could remember the happy moments that they have had together during the one year they were together. 

My brother

30 September 2012 - My brother's birthday and also Mid-Autumn Festival.
My brother asked us to have lunch at Tony Roma's in Suntec. Other than 3 of us, he also invited Jack, my cousin from Hong Kong. I only have one brother and he also stays here in Singapore with his families. He is 40 years old now. Wow!!! Couldn't believe it how time flies.... Hubby and I bought him the Adidas cum Chelsea jacket, as Chelsea is his favorite football team all the time... Hope he likes it :)

Bright full moon

We celebrated mid-autumn festival (also known as Mooncake festival or Chinese lantern festival) every 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. On this day, the moon would shine brightly in the sky, unless if it's cloudy.

On that day, I went to 2nd floor of our house where the playgrounds were located. From there, we could see the moon. Many neighbours were there as well. They brought down their children, their pets and gathered together to see the beautiful moon, eating mooncakes, lighting up lanterns, etc.

Eating mooncake and orange under the moon-shines.... :)

Hubby and I brought orange, mooncake, my brother's birthday cake down. We found a seat and pampered ourselves to eat under the moon-shines... hehehe... My son was there too playing his basketball. We didn't buy any lantern for him anymore as he has grown up now. 

These are lanterns that can be found at Chinatown - made for children (battery operated)

As for mooncake, usually a month or two before the festival date, hotels, restaurant, or bakery shop started selling mooncakes. There are few types of mooncakes: Normal one (round or rectangular shape), usually filled up with red bean, lotus seed paste, added with salted egg yolk, mixed nuts, etc; Flaky crust mooncake, usually crispy outside (layer of puff pastry) filled with yam paste; Snowskin mooncake - has to be kept chilled in refrigerator - more modern type with champagne paste, chocolate truffle, durian paste, etc. as fillings; Jelly mooncake - this one seldom be found in Singapore, etc.

Salad, soup, desserts and fruits

Chicken and beef sausage, roasted chicken, rosti, fries, sauerkarut, mustard

10 October 2012 - Oktoberfest at Cafe 1 (Staff cafeteria where I work) and my brother's son birthday

Every month, every department in my working place has to organize a theme day in staff cafeteria. I work in hotel so meals are provided and usually we eat our meals in staff cafeteria. This month, it is our department's turn to organize. Usually there were themes chosen as some public holiday falls on certain month, e.g. Singapore National Day falls in August, so the theme day for August will be National Day. As for October, we were given open options. From our meeting, we agreed to choose Oktoberfest as our theme.

My colleagues and I - Root-beer ladies... :P

Oktoberfest is actually beer festival that is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. These past few years the tradition has melted into Singapore. Usually there were Oktoberfest celebrations in German restaurants in Singapore as many Swiss/German people staying in Singapore and they really like to have it here. My GM is one of them. He and his families always attend the Oktoberfest at least once a year wearing the traditional Oktoberfest costumes.

Sausage eating competition (GM - 2nd from left and Turkish Chef - 3rd from left)

Root-Beer drinking competition - Prost!!!!

Short to say, we managed to get the Oktoberfest decorations (banners, flags, posters, etc), paper table clothes, beer glasses from our beer supplier. We also liaised with Chef and planned what type of food to be served during the day, and ensured that all ingredients were there. My other colleagues were in charged with the presents for our sausage eating and root-beer drinking competition, some was in charged of the poster, and songs to be played during the event. Oh ya, forgot to say... since it was held during office hour, we weren't allowed to serve beer, so as replacement, we served A&W root beer... hehehehe....

Everything went well. Our boss and GM also enjoyed the event. It's all team work. Well done!!!

Astro's Birthday - California Pizza Kitchen at Forum, Orchard
After work, I went directly to the restaurant and met the rest of the people. Hehehe... My hubby and son didn't join as hubby was working and son was at home. He turns 16 this year!! When asked about what is his birthday wishes... he replied, "To get good grades...". Wow... how I wish my son would say that to me.... hahahahaha........ :D

Astro Birthday Dinner

Well, that's about it!! Will update again... Hope you enjoyed your activities too.... Have a nice week ahead!!!

Memories of Bhutan - 16-20 Aug 2012 (Part 3)

Taktsang Monastery - The Tiger's Nest

Day 5 - Last traveling day in Bhutan
Our destination - Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger's Nest at Paro Valley

Time really flew and we came to the last day of our trip in Bhutan. All of us prayed that the weather would be good since we're going to a very important place. - If you didn't go to Taktsang Monastery, you hadn't been to Bhutan... - hehehe.. that's my phrase though...

As I've mentioned earlier, we went during monsoon season, so raining could pour down anytime anywhere. And as a matter of fact, before flying to Bhutan, I checked the weather forecast from the internet. All website forecast-ed that it would be rain for the whole 5 days during our visit. That's why I ran myself a day before flying to buy the jacket cum raincoat, so that I could get myself prepared.

The first day reaching Bhutan, I told my father about the forecast weather, but he said the weather would be good during our stay in Bhutan. I don't know if it was a miracle or was it our good karma.. Yes, it rained, but it rained just a few times... and most importantly, the weather was perfect during our hike to Tiger's nest. There was a little bit rain when we were near the monastery but it didn't affect our climbing path and the sun didn't shine too bright.. so we didn't get burnt and didn't get soaked either. Thank you Sang Buddha for the good karma.

The night before that, Tshering has briefed us about the situation that we'd face to reach the Tiger's nest. There were two options to go up to the hill. First, you could ride a horse, and second, you could walk up to the hill on foot. They would prepare the wooden stick for us to climb. He also asked us to wear comfortable sport shoes, comfortable clothes and pants, bring a bottle of water, and if we think we couldn't go up anymore, we have to inform them. There were 2 tour participants that chose not to go as they thought they're too old for this journey.

As for me, I chose to ride a horse. First, I love horse, and second, I didn't know how high it was and I was just afraid if my joints would pain if the climbing was too harsh. My parents chose to climb up on foot as my mom didn't dare to sit on top of the horse where the road was ascending.

Starting up point

We departed the hotel early in the morning and it took less than half an hour to go to the base of the valley. There were 5 of us riding the horse, and obviously I was the youngest one. The rest were climbing up on foot. Tshering, Raymond (Indonesia's tour guide), and Gyelshen led and accompanied those who walked up. Tensin was accompanying us who riding the horse, together with 2 horse owners.

Riding up horse up to the Cafetaria

Wow, Tensin was very strong!!! He went up like a normal walk. He didn't lose his breath and he handled the horse well. He even brought some of the tour participants' bags with him while climbing!!! Salut to him!! After that I found out, he went to 28 days trekking trip not long before this, that's why he could have a very great stamina. For him, this was nothing ba??? I also found out that every time they brought their tourists to Tiger's nest, they would go up and down to accompany them to ensure that they all would go up and down safely. Continue your Bhutan spirits!!! :)

Finally reached half way to Tiger's Nest

Yup, I stopped here.. I mean, the horse riding. If walked up on foot, it would take 1.5-2 hours depending on how fast or slow you walked up.

When I was halfway riding up the horse, I met up with Gyeltshen. He kept saying, 'It's bad karma to ride the horse.... Why you can't walk??' Errr... I told him, "Bad karma??? Why didn't you tell me earlier???' Eh, I really don't know about that, as in Indonesia, riding on horse is part of recreational activities.. But anyway, I had my own reason why I rode on a horse. But if next time I have a chance to go to Tiger's Nest again, I will ensure I walk up on foot, and not taking a horse ride!!!!

It was really not easy. The path was not made by the solid rock, but still much on the soil. There were horse shits everywhere along the way up, made it more difficult for them to climb up. They had to walk carefully as to avoid stepping on it and ensure they didn't slip.

My mom, she has an asthma. I worried that she couldn't take it. Pa accompanied her along the journey. They walked slower and managed to reach halfway in almost 2 hours.

My strong Mom and Pa... It required lots of determination to climb this hill.. Well done Ma and Pa!!!

From here, we headed to Taktsang Cafetaria where we could sit, take a rest, had a cup of coffee/tea, and biscuits to recharge energy. I was a bit feeling bad not to climb up with them actually... While the rest were soo.. tired, full of perspire, feeling pain here and there, I was like.. eh.. no feeling tired at all....

So from here, there were 2 choices again. To ride horse and to walk. Obviously, I chose to walk. Hahaha... to redeem my guilt feeling... So there we were... walking up together with the rest of the group.

Cave where Late Geshe Gendün Rinchen was born - also known as "Dragphugpa"  or Cave Man

We passed by a cave where Geshe Gendun Richen was born. He was the abbot (a title given to the head of a monastery), and in 1990, he was enthroned as the 69th Je Khenpo of Bhutan (a title given to the senior religious hierarchy of Bhutan).

At the age of 61 he resigned from the post of Je Khanpo and retired to a life of prayer and meditation. In 1997, on the ninth day of the third month according to the Bhutanese calender, he passed away sitting in a straight meditation posture.

It is reported that his body remained sitting for more than a week or eleven days during which time his body remained flexible and showed no signs of decay^.. His physical remains are now preserved in a gold and silver reliquary stupa in the Shabdrung Chapel of Tashichö Dzong, Thimphu. (Source: wikipedia.org)

Amazing story!!! How many human can be like him???

Next, we finally arrived at a place where we could take photo with Taktsang beautiful view... :)

Gyeltshen, Me and Tensin :)

While looking at the photo above, it reminds me of something. Tshering said that poliandri  is allowed in Bhutan. Wow!!! Do you have any friend that is poliandri?? Can introduce one to me? I just want to know is this thing really working??? I heard about poligami before, it often happens in Indonesia, but it's first time I heard about poliandri, some more in country like Bhutan. Which man is willing to share their wife with other men???

Me, Ma and Pa :) Glad that three of us made it there!!! Good karma!!! :)

I am really grateful to have parents like them. My father has been working hard since he was very young. My mom has been a housewife, a strong pillar to support him, and also to bring us up. They ensure that all of us were provided with enough education, so that we can stand on our own feet.

When we were very young, he always brought us to travel to other places within our country by lorry or car, to see how other people lives their lives, see their culture, tastes their food, etc. He also encourages us to see the other part of the world, to open our eyes, that world is not only within our city and our country.

He didn't stop us when we said we wanted to change our nationality as he believes that everyone has their own lives, their own destiny.

Now my father is 65 years old. We all got married and some have children. He spends his time more on traveling now. No more burden on him, so he just wants to live life to the fullest while he can. He would travel to country that he hasn't been to before, together with my dear mom.

He would ask me to go along in some occasion, where I could take leave and join them. Otherwise, he would ask my cousin or other relatives to go along. He paid for my trip to Nepal and Bhutan as he can't speak English and needs someone to translate for him, or to bargain when he wants to buy something. I believed, it's fate that brought me here... and good karma too... Again, thank you very much Pa and Ma!!!

Continued on..

We walked and walked... Passing by the  beautiful waterfall at the foot of Taktsang Monastery (see photo above). We were nearly there!!!

Some of the path that we went through

Entrance to Tiger's Nest

Yayy!!! Finally, we reached to the entrance of the Taktsang Monastery!!! Next to this, there was a place where we could have a fresh water from the mountain... Nyummy!!!! Gulp, gulp, gulp.... Felt sooooo... gooooooddddd.......................

Wow!! One by one managed to come here... We left our belonging and went in.

It was built on 16th century. This place is known as Tiger's nest because it is believed that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong.

An alternative legend holds that a former wife of an emperor, known as Yeshe Tsogyal, willingly became a disciple of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambahva) in Tibet. She transformed herself into a tigress and carried the Guru on her back from Tibet to the present location of the Taktsang in Bhutan. In one of the caves here, the Guru then performed meditation for 3 months and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) and the place became holy.

On April 19, 1998, a fire broke out in the main building of the monastery complex, which contained valuable paintings, artifacts and statues. The fire is believed to have been caused by electrical short-circuiting or flickering butter lamps lighting the hanging tapestries (source - Wikipedia.org). However, according to Tshering, the main statue didn't get burnt. And when they wanted to bring the statue to Thimphu for repair, the water from waterfalls just splashed so hard and didn't let them to go over it. It was like a sign that they weren't allowed to remove the statue from this monastery. Therefore, the statue was put back into the temple and they covered the statue when they did the renovation. We could see the main statue inside the temple.

We went into the cave and prayed. We thanked Buddha for letting all of us coming to this place safely, with lots of effort and determination. My mom and another participant were crying. They were so touched that they would able to be there... It was really good karma that they could be there...

There was a cave where the Guru Rinpoche did the meditation, but the door was locked and it was only opened once in a year for people to see. I couldn't describe the feeling that I had when we were there. Grateful and felt very blessed!!

We went to see two other parts of the temple and Tshering was there explaining the statues and some Buddhism purpose of life. He was asking us, what is your goal and purpose in life? I answered to myself... to be happy.... It just came up without thinking. Then he said.. for e.g. my goal, is to have Ferrari in Bhutan.. Suddenly I was thinking.. ya hor.. everyone has different goals in life. But why I chose to be happy instead of those material thing??? :) I am glad I am stick to my goal until now.... to be happy..... :)

And to be happy, we have to maintain the balance of the effort that we put in, by practicing a middle way in everything that we do... I hope I can do that!!!

Below is a clip from 14th Dalai Lama on Finding Purpose in Life - I play this over and over again, to remind me the purpose of life.

After that, we went to have lunch at nearby the area. It was lunch with a great view :)

On the way to the lunch place, I saw many people stacking the stones.. So, I picked up some stones on the path and built mine :)

Dadadada.... May wishes come true.....

I saw this when I traveled to Tibet. Many people do that, as they believe that their dreams would come true.. Indeed, I have lots of my dreams come true in this life.. Hope it will continue on...... :D

Good cuppa of coffee with Taktsang view behind us :)

After a wonderful lunch, we walked back to where we came. It was not easy to go down as we had to control our steps all the time not to slip or fall down. Many older participants had difficulty in stopping their steps, but luckily there were kind soul like Gyeltshen, Vicky, Vicko, and Tshering who walked with them to ensure they could reach the destination safely.

Our way down

Victor w/ beautiful view from the top :)

Take back memories of a Kingdom - I did! :)

When you saw the board above, it means we reached our destination soon... hehehe... We could see beautiful view and natures along our way back. Simply love it!!

Isn't this lovely???

There were horses too....

There were souvenir stalls waiting there for tourists to browse around. I didn't buy anything though... Some people bought something to compliment themselves being successfully attempted the journey.

Doma Pani (Areca nut and betel leaf with a dash of lime)

While waiting for the rest of the people, I sat with other group of tourists from Malaysia and had a chit chat. One of their local tour leaders showed me doma pani (areca nut and betel leaf with a dash of lime).

Myth has it that the inhabitants of Bhutan traditionally known as Monyul, the land of Monpas where Buddhism did not reach lived on raw flesh, drank blood and chewed bones. After the arrival of Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century, he stopped the people from eating flesh and drinking blood and created a substitute which is betel leaf, lime and areca nut. Today, chewing doma has become a custom.

Doma is served after meals, during rituals and ceremonies. It is offered to friends and is chewed at work places by all sections of the society and has become an essential part of Bhutanese life and culture. It is offered as present when visiting villages and shared with friends and even with acquaintances. It is an element that brings people closer, from stranger to acquaintance and acquaintance to friends (Source: Bhutan 2008)

If I didn't meet him, I might not know about it... :) I had a small bite of the areca nut. It tastes bitter, and I don't quite like it... hehehe....
 

We saw someone was doing prostration. I don't know if it's common, but I just wonder how he could do that all the way up to the Tiger's nest. It was really a difficult practice and required lots of determination. Hope he could do it!! Jia you!!!

We really had lots of time waiting. Tensin borrowed the "khuru" or darts from the stall and played it w/ Gyeltshen, Vicky and Vicko.

It's a popular traditional Bhutanese sport, involves throwing darts outdoors with a target approximately 10 meters (33 ft) to 20 meters (66 ft) away. While playing the game, players actually stand near the “Target” as other players are throwing the darts from far away using all their strength and every time when they hit the paperback-sized target. . . the players "Sing and Dance" - (Source: S Arman S).

Below is their clips - for your enjoyment and to visualize what the games look like :)

Another one, with "Sing and Dance".... hahahaha....

Well, hope you enjoyed this post.. Thank you for friendly Bhutanese who have introduced their cultures, sports, beliefs, and many other things to us. It's a fate that we could meet together and hopefully our friendship can last forever....

If there is a fate, we might meet together again... see how fate and life brings into our lives.... :)

I am grateful being able to know some more Bhutanese even after I returned back to Singapore. Although some, I haven't met them yet, hopefully one day we can meet up and share more things together.... :)

Leg shembe shug...  Log jay gay la...

Day 6 - Flying back to Kathmandu, Nepal