books have crossed without marking
friends have passed without smiling
seeds have sprouted without light
memories have faded without letting go
i did learn something valuable there:
"..no matter how great we are,
we cannot change the world alone.."
Welcome friends, to this Life
made interesting because you're in it
together with me..
- [91.7] Hello from me again,
First, let's recap from possibly the last time we connected, maybe 2006, when I journeyed to Greece* (Athens, Mykonos, Santorini) and learnt about www.BookCrossing.com* but didn't do much about it until now. This is a planetary library, something that seems a bit more fun than a fixed library, a bit more meaningful than storing books on my shelves. Wild books that are travelling the world, left at places to be discovered by the next person. So I thought I’ll DO something now and release at least 100 books* with special dedications this year. This is hard for me to do, since I love books, especially children's books – it’s my imagined substitution for pseudo-trees growing in my room. Letting go* of possessions can be tough (even with school books that I don’t read anymore,) but interestingly liberating and more spacious when done.
Second, I got invited to be a guest lecturer for 2007* at the P.S.University - Faculty of International Business of China. Apparently I did well, so the Dean asked me back for another semester in 2008*. The students are a great bunch, full of energy and ideas, and I got to experience more* than I would just working alone. There is a great sense of accomplishment when different ideas meet and work together from different cultures; we learn a lot more mutually than we would alone. (2009 semester - possibly, probably, maybe if I'm still here.) 2013* saw me sharing more English tips with the junior college kids which was so much fun.
Third, “tough times never last, but tough people do” (R.H.Schuller, I read this book.) A more creative lifestyle* indeed – I have lots of opportunity to do things because of a series of unfortunate events, assisted by loads of kind people. From taking an air ambulance in 2006* and another in 2011* (also called a medical evacuation - I met very nice nurses and doctors who made me laugh); To a massive home clean-up (15 years of family-stored junk - friends and family helped lots); To handling local mafia in 2007* (who unsuccessfully tried to boot some of us out - I got to spend time with family and get to know some cool protectors); To the funerals of two gentlemen who made a difference to their countries in 2008 (Uncle Lim, age 63, who was called “possibly one of the greatest minds” in strategic diplomacy, and a son of Singapore. Gramps Manit, age 81, who was a Police-Colonel in the border patrols of Thailand and lost his left arm in his service.) Both have connected to my life as a kindly uncle and an eloquent grandfather, taking a walk in the rain, simple men who loved their food and books.
Fourth, discovering Ko Surin* TWICE in 2007 and 2008. Swimming with reef sharks, moray eels, sea snakes and jellyfish as well as the other fish species. This was nature, a whole other world that I really enjoyed. I pitied the fish in the aquarium that had all the food fed to them in a pool, and no longer free to roam the sea. It was the difference between a techno-filtered, air-conditioned office, and the naturally crisp, cool ocean environ. Perhentian Islands* in 2011 is just as awesome, I can't swim much, but I love to float with the fish.
Fifth, fast track to 2009’s first week: FaceBook*, Blogspot*, I have arrived.. 2012's Picassa and G+*. I have to admit, I do not make that much time to maintain online presence but I can upload photos and an occasional summary of adventures and people who are with me in this moment. It cannot replace actually meeting up with you and sharing something together, but I will write you stories. 2013 finds me exploring Instagram*.
Sixth, to all my friends, new and old or young, lost and found or hidden, here and there or nowhere - we are remembered. As we move distracted and entranced around this earth, so easily and so often now, keeping in touch is a matter of our wills. I have not been a very constant friend in your life, and I am going to - as an evolving goal - DO something in HERE, NOW to immortalise our moments together. The tea parties and philosophies under the stars have begun; I am grateful that we have these moments together. And if we do not meet again, just smile at our best memories together.
Seventh, Thank you, thank you sincerely;
Big hugs for the present, and doing more.
Bestest wishes from the stars always.
Live well, do good, be great.
