Saturday, August 28, 2010
Back home from everything
Hello! Good evening! I'm back!Past few weeks flew by and now I can't really remember the events that took place, well not clearly. I was out of the country for a while and I'm somewhat glad to be back, somewhat missing the place I was at. With mixed feelings and me, a little disoriented, I now relay an episode of my life here.
Australia was fun, but not without hiccups. I now know how it feels when situations get out of hand, situations that I have no control over. I had some trouble with my plane ticket. Apparently there was a double booking and some numbers didn't match up in their system. My flight was at 9.30am. By 9, I was still standing at the airline counter with no ticket and a whole lot of worry in my mind. The atmosphere was so tense, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to board the plane. Everyone else had already been seated and the gate had closed. I was left looking at airline personnel shouting across counters to each other, frantically trying to put me on my flight. There was no choice but to run. I got my ticket shortly after, had to pick up my backpack and was escorted through immigration (which I cleared in a few seconds at each point). Never in my life have I ever had such an experience. What about all the duty-free shopping I was planning to do at T3? Sadly, it never materialised. All I got to see was a glimpse of all the shops as I ran across the carpet to catch my sky train. Running with a heavy backpack, and with a heavy mental burden was no joke. My escort was running out codes at every checkpoint and I was running late. I got on the plane at 9.20, 10 minutes before we were scheduled to fly. Such relief! A horrible experience with an established airline, but nonetheless memorable. At least I can tell everyone I was the last person to get on a plane with scheduled take-off time being 10 minutes later, with this;
a handwritten boarding pass. Now, how many people in the world can say they did that?
However, my flight back was pleasant, and I would not discourage anyone from flying with them. My case was just one in a million. Now moving on, my days in Australia were filled with much fun and nice scenery and surroundings. Did you know? The view of the Indian Ocean is just amazing! The Australian sky is always so beautiful, like it's been painted with pastel. It seems unreal, just looking back at my pictures. It's like I was photoshopped into all my pictures with the sky. Just incredible. An example;
Blue melting into blue. Australia is a place where you can whip out your camera, take a random picture, and still have it turn out a keeper. It is just so scenic and picturesque. Beauty can be captured from any angle, and nature just breeds and extends her arms to the lucky person that happens to stand on her pad. I happen to be very fortunate, to be able to witness such beauty. The world that God created, of which only He knows all of its secrets, the world that is so filled with beauty and wonder. Makes me feel in awe of Him. He who knows such splendor, and yet, He still is my Father. I praise God, for all he has created with love is good.
I did drink a lot there. The drinks kept flowing for a few days. But even if you don't drink, check out the vineyards down at Margaret River because you just might be able to capture this sight;
I did drink a lot there. The drinks kept flowing for a few days. But even if you don't drink, check out the vineyards down at Margaret River because you just might be able to capture this sight;
A visual feast to behold! I just like being in the country, being around trees and cows and sheep and some kangaroos. Being there is having my engine slowed down, enough for me to relax and contemplate life. Having so much freedom to do anything, and the different culture and food shakes me up. I missed home and being around all my loved ones to the point of having national day songs playing in my head and heading out to eat local food like char kway teow. Anything to feel a little bit of home! After a week I was more alone and I got used to the cold and the life there. When I had to come back, it felt like being uprooted again to live my life back here. I guess both countries have their pros and cons and I just happen to like both (of their pros). That's why I'm still in my current state. I'm sorry, do I live here? I still live in Australia don't I? I still want to say "hi" and "thank you" to the bus drivers I meet. I still want to shiver in the cold. I still want to pile on 3 layers because goodness! It is just too hot here! I miss my new friend there. I miss the view. I miss the country. But I'm back here, where I belong. I guess I can never really uproot myself from here. This trip has taught me that I can never leave this place, where I was born and brought up.
It was a good trip and I learnt a lot of things. I lived with myself and grew as a person. Now I have new perspectives! Hurray! To the only place where I saw the Sun and Moon at the same time...
And like the setting sun
The traveller returned home
With much heart
Slip away little grains
It's time to go
Cheers!
It was a good trip and I learnt a lot of things. I lived with myself and grew as a person. Now I have new perspectives! Hurray! To the only place where I saw the Sun and Moon at the same time...
And like the setting sun
The traveller returned home
With much heart
Slip away little grains
It's time to go
Cheers!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
A Traveller's Prayer
A Traveller's Prayer
Dear Lord,
Please take away my worry, anxiousness and fear
Dear Lord,
Please always guide me wherever I go
Dear Lord,
Please may Your Presence be with me now and tomorrow
Dear Lord,
Thank You for being such a good God
Amen
Dear Lord,
Please take away my worry, anxiousness and fear
Dear Lord,
Please always guide me wherever I go
Dear Lord,
Please may Your Presence be with me now and tomorrow
Dear Lord,
Thank You for being such a good God
Amen
For when bombastic words cannot express so clearly. For when I run out of big words of praise and petition. For when I keep repeating a routine. For when I just need to express my heart simply. The return to a child.