Tooth and ENT Doctor

Yesterday, the company treated us with a full course Chinese meal in celebration of the Lunar New Year. We had the traditional Yusheng, or prosperity toss, a salad consisting of strips of salmon, mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments and other ingredients. The higher you toss with your chopsticks, the more prosperous your new year will be, they say. While eating the 6 course meal, our boss handed out to each one of us a red envelope known popularly as ‘ang-pau’ with 88 Singapore dollars in it. It got me thinking, what’s with number 8? Why is it considered a lucky number? “8 has long been regarded as the luckiest number in Chinese culture. With pronunciation of 'Ba' in Chinese, number 8 sounds similar to the word 'Fa', which means to make a fortune. It contains meanings of prosperity, success and high social status.” I respect the belief and I sometimes catch myself saying ‘good luck’ to people. But our faith should put it in the right per...

After a short break and vacation to be with my girls, I am back on the bus en route to the SG office. With a wireless earphone listening to praise songs, I reminisce the weekend that was. Four days are really not enough to spend with love ones. There are too many things to do, stories to catch up and lazy moments to just hug and lie around in each  others arms. These are the precious times that we often  neglect when we are always with them. Indeed, you will never know how much you love your family unless you are away from them. 

Love is the most powerful thing in this world. It is much more than feelings, instincts or emotions. It has an unlimited reach. As Jesus says, ‘Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength”. He even demonstrated it by becoming man and dying for our sins!  Love is indeed costly. “ Real love demands sacrifice that can’t be found in self-centeredness. You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. Sacrificial love requires that we give what we value most.” So if you ask me, ‘Love can only be understood from the actions it prompts. When we bear with the failings and weaknesses of others, divine love reveals itself ( Ephesians 4:2 ). At all costs, this love compels us to give so that we alleviate the suffering of others. Instead of seeking to fulfill our emotional and physical needs (receiving), we humbly give of ourselves ( 1 Peter 3:8 –9)’.

Bus ride in Singapore never cease to amaze me. It is convenient, predictable, comfortable and relaxing. I cannot remember the last time I rode a bus in Manila but it is surely not a similar feel good experience. I can’t help but postulate on the many reasons why there’s such a big difference but there are actually just two glaring ones, systems and discipline. What can go wrong with designated bus numbers and bus stops, almost on point arrival times, passengers on queue and automated card for fares? What can go right when buses stop anytime and anywhere, and passengers flag and alight at any point they wish to?  The fact that I can write a blog post while on the bus in Singapore is proof enough that it is such a joy ride.

It has been 26 days since I courageously accepted the challenge to come to Singapore and work for a few months, alone and without my family. It is a big move considering that I haven’t lived singly for the longest time and so the anxiety and fear of having to do everything and navigating through life by myself are overwhelming. But surprisingly, despite some first day mishaps, I found myself settling quite well and easy. I guess it is because this ‘exile’, as I call it, is with a bigger purpose, more than just for career advancement. I am going to write about this wonderful journey as it happens and it is a great opportunity to go back to blogging once again.