Fate?

I had a special encounter while I was travelling in Beijing.

Kev, my travelling partner-cum-tour guide took his undergraduate studies in Beijing and did not feel like re-visiting all the landmarks again so I was on my own adventure to the Summer Palace. After roaming the Palace, I dragged myself wearily to take subway to the next destination on my list: the Temple of Heaven. I was determined to find a seat in the train which I could lean my head against to take nap. Of all the empty seats, I chose the first one that I passed by which was close to the door and I dozed off.

When I woke up, the guy sitting next to me initiated friendly conversation. At the beginning, I was reluctant to engage in the conversation actively as I was warned by so many people about the existence of con men in China. But out of courtesy, I just listened patiently to him and responded with smiles accordingly. I prevaricated when he asked which part of China I was from. I tried not to reveal much about myself, especially not the fact that I was not a local but a foreign tourist.

“So what do you plan to do after this?” He asked.

I am on my way to Temple of Heaven.

“Maybe we could visit together!”

Yeah! Why not?

I waited behind JP for my turn to buy my entry ticket but he was flashing extra tickets with him. I wanted to pay him back, but he said, “Just take it as I’m buying a friendship!” During our visit around the temple together, JP’s sincerity made me dropped my guard and I started to tell more about myself.

JP, the kind soul that I met in Beijing

Not only I had a good company to visit around the temple, I also had a personal photographer now

I rented an audio guide to know the history of the temple better. I should return the audio guide the latest by 5.30pm to get my deposit back. It was running late already when I realized I had to return the guide and I was very far away from the booth. JP asked me to wait for him at the entrance of the main temple, the last place to visit while he dashed to the booth on my behalf. Truth to be told, I was deeply touched by this scene that I had tears welling up in my eyes. In this hurting world, when everyone becomes more and more apathetic, cynical and indifferent, JP showed this much of kindness to a stranger like me!

Upon visiting the temple, I had to meet Kev at Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre for our opera. JP sent me to the exit of the subway station in front of the theatre then only he headed back to his friend’s place at the totally opposite direction.

I told Kev about my encounter. He mocked, “You are so afraid that Chinese people will con you, but now you are conning a Chinese to foot the cost of your entry tickets!” I felt one kind and that the whole experience is very surreal, it’s like I flew a thousand miles to fulfil something like destiny: to let JP help me up and then he’s out of my life. I can’t help but to relate this incident to FATE. Also, JP has taught me a valuable lesson that each one of us, can bring a positive change into this hurting world by doing little good deeds here and there. Beijing will remain as a place with warmth in my memory now!

Gonna conclude this post with a pretty piece of writing which is somewhat related to what I have written above.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

– Source Unknown.

Alternatives to saying cheese!

The conventional way of making people smile before taking photos would be saying “Cheese!”  But we could be a lot more creative and humorous than that!

Cheese in Korean context would be, “Kimchi!” I innovated kimchi futher to Malaysian context, which was “Tahi (shit in Malay!)!” Then I thought, asking people to make the shape of a smile all the time is dull, it’s time to add some variety:-

“Say A!”

“Say E!”

Say “E—!”

“Say I!”

“Say O!”

Say “O—!”

“Say U!”

One day, while getting all ready to have a photo taken together with G, my kiwi boss, just before the cameraman pressed the snap button, he shouted, “Vagina!” Everyone guffawed! Apparently, my creativity/humor is pale in comparison with G’s!

I tried to implement the “vagina” trick onto the gang, I myself cracked up! And I think only Suecing appreciated the humour…

When suecing visited KL last week, I brought her to eat durian as supper, bringing my mom along to haggle about the price. When asked to take a photo of the 3 of us eating durian, my mom suddenly said, “你们的西瓜甜不甜？？？？ (Translation: is your watermelon sweet?)” Then I realized, my mom surpassed everyone’s creativity/humour in this sense.

Mom: Is your watermelon sweet?????