Too late

Boarded the 9PM bus from home last night and the air conditioner system broke down, all the passengers were brought to the bus depot for a bus exchange. Oh boy that really wasted a lot of our time! The delay was nearly an hour, and I was mad. Already not in a very good mood and such a thing should occur? Anyway the journey to Singapore became longer last night. Scenes of all that had happened during the weekend kept on playing in my mind, whether to calm or to not, I was(am) not sure.

In the end I reached Singapore around half past midnight, was so lucky to have probably hopped on the last train though its service was terminated a station away from near where I live.

Ang Mo Kio, where I alighted at 12.45AM!

Walked to the bus stop only to find out that the last bus home was half an hour ago. Fortunately, Ang Mo Kio station is where I pass by everyday. In between Nanyang Polytechnic and my rented place in Bishan. So, it was a very long walk if I were to resort to walking, almost 10 bus stops away. There were taxis on the road but I knew it was(is) possible to reach home without paying for one. So, I decided to take the walk as a time to exercise after all the weekend's overeating.

The long long walk.... was torturous! All alone with the moon as a companion, all I felt was the aches due to playing basketball and sweat all over. By the way, was smart enough to change my shoe laces to black after wearing whites ones for the weekend, black so it wouldn't be obvious if there were dirt stains.

And when I was on the verge of giving up and turn to hail for a cab, one stopped by the road side voluntarily. The driver asked where I was heading but I was still double minded about hopping in. Taxi rides aren't cheap as compared to buses and trains, especially during such a time(I think) so I was worried about spending too much money. Anyway in the end I somehow got into the cab.

On the way, the driver and I chatted and he began to know I am new to the city. He also found out about the distance I travelled on foot because there were no more bus services home. And obviously he knew I have(or at least wish to have) tight budgets.
Upon arrival home, he, by grace offered me the ride for free. Showing compassion and hospitality to a foreign student. Can you believe it? Free taxi ride in the middle of the night!

So, I walked half the journey home and made the other half in the comfort on four wheels, courtesy of a kind taxi driver. It was too late for a bus ride but help still came.

I give thanks for the eyes above that watch me in silence,

and am grateful for the hands above that provide abundant grace.

As for my own eyes and hands,

I too, wish to show random kindness.

The old must go

It's hard to let go, quite hard to let go, a bit hard to let go, letting go is a should. What the heck, just let go...

Haha, as I moved out of XP into the new realm of Windows 7, I had been experiencing quite some problems here and there. Just getting used to Windows 7, there were some minor setbacks and irritating malfunctions.
Yesterday the whole screen just stared blank after Windows welcomed me, was so annoyed and felt helpless!

Was it a virus? Was the notebook trying to rebel?



Found out that some software I installed were culprits of the breakdowns and problems.
So how? Cannot use?
But these were software and programmes I liked and was familiar with back when I was using Windows XP.. and they served me well.

Goodbye PC Tools Firewall, hope to see you again.

It is hard to let go, but it makes sense to move on.

Welcome to Windows 7

24 hours

of what?


In the new place where I am currently on the embarkment of a new journey in life called Singapore, 24 hours of my time was spent in a new experience, working. Yes I took up a part-time job because it was simply too boring during the nights! Oh how I hope there will be internet access in my rented room...

Anyway, I now have a part-time job as a waiter in a little restaurant or tea place where Chinese dim sum and desserts are served. The wages aren't very attractive though, flexibility of working hours is priority.

For every new staff, there's this 24-hour thing to go through whereby the pay is much less. It is sort of like a probation period or training so-to-say. Mine was over in two weeks and now I am earning some side pocket money, by hour. The 24 hours was quite fun, getting along with the staff there, most of which are females. Again... Like I don't see enough girls in class everyday.....now working also have to work with girls!
Haha, never mind, lots of boys out there are probably jealous.

Working, serving customers isn't easy no matter how simple the tasks may seem, it really isn't easy. Kudos to those who really have a heart of service!
Serving is humbling, it is good though difficult to be humble. Therefore it is good but difficult to serve.

Your perspective towards the food business change when you look at things from the inside.
Your attitude towards waiters and waitresses changes when you start to become one.
Your eating habits might change after having seen certain things in this business.


Now, I make extra efforts to not make a mess on the table whenever I eat, and feel more irritated(than before) to see food being wasted.

Everybody should try working as a food server at least once in their lifetime.

24 hours of preparation to serve restaurant customers better,

serving them, preparing self to serve the public in the healthcare sector

even better!

Chocolate Beans from Mom

During my time home one fine weekend

sure enough, mom prepared items

for me to take away upon leaving, again

She like a secretary, more than an administrator

always getting things ready

with great initiative

Seated among the toiletries

and groceries

was an odd one out-

a bottle full of

chocolate shaped in beans

From the supermarket

courtesy of mom

probably a pre-incentive for me to study

Anyways she understood my liking towards chocolate

and knew my understanding to need for budget

thus bought the brown drugs for me

Simple chocolate beans,

bring no luxurious enjoyment

but warmth

to a homesick struggler

Love in almond coated with

bittersweet feelings

besides mom’s embedded blessings

I eat one when time is lonely

remembering mommy’s kindness

Take a second when my eyes water

Savour the third before they dry

Bottle in my hand

chocolate in my mouth

tastes of tears among bitter sweetness

A face in my mind

warmth in my heart

satisfaction to my soul

Thanks for the chocolate

© Joel Yap

Foto Friday

Shit!

arouses me

possibly my favourite topic

throughout this week

It is already Week 4

time flies...

Had a great time listening to the lecture

yesterday afternoon

ICA Building

The immigrations office
flooding with the public
I nearly got lost within
the walls of the building


Appointed there by half past three
on the twelveth day of May
year 2010
I went to collect an item
a one and only
which allows three years of dwelling
in the City of Lions


There I passed many people
of most were in waiting
Destined to be on level 4
thus swam through the flooding


And I achieved three floors up
found myself among familiar
people who are unfamiliar
our similarity is our diversity
in nationality
a common ground on which we stand
in a foreign land


These were folks of various
Age, Class, Race, Tongue
rich ethnicity gathered in one floor
generally purpose to stay in Singapore


Families with infants
some with elderly
and some more like me:
single, lone, full of energy
I saw parents coaxing their young
whose restlessness due to long waiting


Three hours of patience
paid off the multiple processed effort
that started weeks ago
I got what I went there for
and hope everyone else did too


Same different people

© Joel Yap

Contradict...

It cannot rain when the sun is blazing?

But it is happening right now above the roof of my home.

Stars cannot shine because the sun outshines them?

But the sun can only do so for half a day.

Rainbows cannot form in the absence of sunlight?

I've seen rainbows on not just the sky.

Just because you are in pain, it doesn't mean you cannot feel comfort.

Sorrow doesn't disqualify you from having joy.

Trouble may not necessary indicate your failure in experiencing peace.

The rich is vulnerable to many things,

just as the poor.

Healthy people can fall ill,

ill people can get healed.

Nature though is unchangeable, is not designed to cultivate perceptions of impossibility in the mind of mankind.