MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
Well, I had one of the best Christmas as well. Met so many friends during the 全球慈青日, and I get to use English so frequently without anyone complaining about my accent, talked to a dear friend for a long long time, and got some very nice gifts from home, as well as a surprise gift of a second monitor for my use.
It’s a blessing to know so many people, to receive so much love from everyone. Thanks.
More stories to tell soon… =D
HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO!!!
Ever since my ranting about some expensive stuffs in Hualien, someone brought some nice gifts all the way from Malaysia. Thank you so much. Didn’t expect so much love from everyone.
Has been so busy these few weeks… and I really hoped that I could find time to share some experience here with everyone…
Today marks a quarter century of Tzu Chi Medical Mission. For the past 25 years, the doctors have served so many people in need of medical care, and the patients were, and still are, very much like family to them.
During the presentation of some medical cases, it showed how much the doctors cared towards their patients. All of a sudden, you see hope in the future. A future where doctors treat their patients as if they are flesh and blood. A doctor who tried their best to save lives and not take fortune and fame into consideration.
Doctors and staffs from all 6 hospitals scattered all over Taiwan came gathered during this magnificent ceremony to present everyone this beautiful hand-sign language.
And after that, a magnificent dinner surprise which took everyone’s breath away…
The best buffet dinner ever! Even the decorations and the colours made everyone smile!
And ice-creams too! I know the food looked VERY nice, but please don’t lick your computer screen okay? =D
Anyways, the day ended very well and tomorrow’s dinner, they’re having special mooncake festival dinner! How am I ever going to slim down with meals like this everyday?!
As doctors and nurses and other medical personnel from all over the world pour into Hualien these few days for the celebration of 25th Anniversary of Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation General Hospital, the mood was very much joyous and you see some rarely seen (famous) doctors and physicians going around the Tzu Chi area in Hualien.
During the opening ceremony of the welcoming of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) members, superintendent Dr. Chin-Lon Lin proudly announced that Tzu Chi Hospital ranks as the 4th best hospital in the world, and the 1st in Asia.
Top 1000 Hospitals:
Top Asia:
In short, I’m happy to be here… haha
Anyways, they’ve arranged several activities during this period of 5 days. I’ve attended the Second International Conference of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine. It was pretty much informative and I certainly learn more about stem cells research. Some fascinating discoveries too!
The past two days have been pretty busy and really learnt a lot from the doctors and researchers.
By the way, I met Dr. Chin-Lon Lin on my way out of the conference room. I was pretty much stunned and I only managed a “Hi” and a wave of my hand, didn’t had much conversation, but he definitely looked very much friendly, busy but approachable.
Till then, more updates to come!
It has been 24 hours since my arrival.
Marking a new beginning of my new life in Taiwan.
Along the way, I’ll be posting up some tips along the way to survive in Hualien, especially if you’re from the Tzu Chi Big Family.
So here goes,
| TIP #01: | Not all Tzu Chi University (TCU) students agree with the Buddhist Foundation itself, and frequently, if you are not friendly enough, they would find those Tzu Chi People (慈濟人) as aliens. |
| So, try your best to blend in with the group of friends. Like I, although I insist on being a vegetarian, I don’t talk much Tzu Chi stuffs in front of them, for they may not like it very much. Try be befriend with those around first. And you shall find much joy in mingling with them. |
Till then, will keep everyone posted from time to time, and hopefully with photos too!
The honking of a motorcycle out there in front of my house took me a little by surprise, as I expected that to happen next week, or perhaps not at all. It turned out to be the postman from the local post office. There it was, came registered, a big white envelop printed with that familiar sender’s address.
Mom did the opening, though the mail was for me, I knew that somehow my mom was more anxious than I am. There it was, that magazine, and a little gift of blessings from everyone from the Tzu Chi Humanities Development Centre.
Thank you for the mail. I really appreciate it. And the blessings are wonderful too! By the way, I wonder if the English Edition for the month of September would still have some of my work there…
There I was, staring at the magazine. Somewhat, a mix of emotions clouded my senses – relieved, joy, touched. I did not expect that they would published that work of mine in the magazine.
It was a proud moment for me. At the same time, I am thankful for the opportunity to be featured, to be able to see both my writing and photographs published in the magazine. It was amazing.
Often, my work get published in the magazine and I must admit, none of this is possible if I weren’t given the opportunity to try and explore. The opportunities given to me are so much more than what I have given back to the society.
At the end of the day, I am glad that I was given the opportunity to serve, to ask nothing in return. All I could say is, thank you for letting me learn. I really appreciate those who helped me along the way. Thank you.
| | P/S: Get your copy of this magazine for free at http://chn.tzuchi.my/ or direct download link here. |
Remember those days when we sat down together and chat.
Those long hours of talking, and we discussed nearly everything in and out.
Then we parted our on ways, wishing the best to the both of us.
After nearly a year without seeing each other, we met again yesterday.
The meet might be short, but it was very much meaningful to me.
We may have chattered a lot of things,
some topics were very much in common, some others were mainly personal.
Still, our chat reminded me of those days:
when we sat down to enjoy a simple meal, where we get to know each other better.
A day will come when we meet again, and hopefully that time, we could have more time for a cup of tea, to chatter like those old times again. Someday… one day.
A change of stress, towards positive stress.
It’s very much helpful to my mind.
No wonder those who came never left!
要像小孩一樣，具有單純天真的心。
用這單純的心去學習，發揮自己的長處，改進自己的短缺，增加自己的智慧。
就像下圖的阿媽，放下自己的雜念，放下一切的擔憂，用心做環保。
單純的那念心，改變了她的人生，治好了自己長久的心病。
最後的人生，也只有快樂、歡喜。
加油！
I used to be grumpy when we worked together, but today, we are one of the closest friends ever.
As I see it, when we forgive and forget, we cherish more of our friendship.
Didn’t expect till today, we could cam-whore together. Haha.
And you could see me looking fat in the photo…
Anyways, I took this photograph during the TIMA Thanksgiving Concert session, and I personally find the shot quite intriguing.
沒想到這次的新年會是追《一閃一閃亮晶晶》的日子。
看見做老師的偉大，教育學生，改變學生的人生。
頓時響起曾經想要做老師的夢想。
看見學生的改變、成長，那種成就感，喜悅，難以形容。
現在，換個人生的方向，也還是不錯。
Days before Chinese New Year, I already participated in a few Lou Sang…
It’s nice to share the joy and happiness with your family.
Here, wishing everyone, Happy Chinese New Year, have a safe journey home.
This was the first time I shoot at Batu Caves. A nice place to meet foreigners and talk to them…
These Iranian kids came here for a week’s holiday in KL with their parents.
These two Turkish ladies were huffing and puffing by the time they reach the 200th stairs.
Strangely, though there are over 200 stairs, it was quite an easy climb for me, perhaps because of the short breaks to take photographs along the way?
Not sure where these kids are from, but their parents were quite willing enough to allow us photograph their children.
As usual, seeing people praying inside the cave…
The team of photographers… =D
Dinner to bid farewell to 3 學長姐...
Table full of food, and yet like not enough… they ordered some more!
A final group photo of all of us…
Will miss them dearly when they’re gone… 慈濟路上一同精進，大家加油哦！
This year’s KLPF, the organizers invited Rhythm Magazine from Taiwan (Under Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation) to exhibit some photos of the Mekong River. As the river passes by more than 6 main countries, the photographers recorded some of the most interesting photos of the people staying around the river.
I was lucky enough to enjoy the large prints of the book prior to the event. Even better, I got the chance to be part of the team that made this exhibition possible.
So if you’re free this weekend, why not head over to Mid Valley Exhibition Centre at level 3 for this annual Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival. I’m sure they’ve got some interesting events and also some free workshops for you to join in.
Today is an important day, the ground breaking ceremony of KL JingSi Hall.
The construction is expected to be completed by year 2013. Hope that the contractors can build it swiftly and nicely. Definitely look forward to the new building…
Let’s hope that I’d be still around KL to witness the opening ceremony of KL JingSi Hall at Kepong.
Last weekend was busy busy busy… busy preparing for the 百蔬V族 (V-Gen) Launching Ceremony. So many things to do, yet so little time.
Anyways, the event was a success, and we had great fun!
988 Radio Station DJ dropped by to support as well…
Then, I saw this dog and talked to the owner… The dog is actually a vegetarian!!!
Even the dog agreed to be a vegetarian… those who are not… you want to lose out to a dog?
Be a V-Gen today! Do your part and save the earth!
The event ended around 9.30 pm, but by the time I reached home, it was almost 1 already…
Nonetheless, I had great fun during the event.
