Janz & i: Going East (China, Japan)

by JanizB

The West Gate welcomes us!-by mmc

February 8, 2012 - China and Japan in just one day. Yes, believe it or not, I and May wandered through these places in just 6 hours.

First destination was the Chinese garden. Upon entering this garden, the seven-storey pagoda will catch everyone’s attention. We also took this opportunity to climb this pagoda and feel the cold breeze upstairs.

WARMING UP! This 7-storey pagoda really squeezed out our sweats and breath. Accordingly, the odd number of floors symbolize continuity.  -by janz

A SHORT CUT PLEASE! This is inside the pagoda. Like a shell, huh... -by janz

MULAN. Nearby the 7-storey pagoda are China's heroes. -by janz

The background is the Stoneboat which is a replica of a stone boat at the Summer Palace in Beijing. -by cam

 A little bit of walk and we reached the twin pagoda. A twin of three-storey pagodas facing a body of water….

YES, JANZ, YOUR TWIN SIS IS....THERE. - by mmc

WHITE IS...the cloud, pagoda, building, me (err my shirt & shoes). -by janz

 

A place that really attracted May's eyes was the abundance garden. We were wondering why it was called such. Then upon entering, we finally realized that all the animal statues are by pairs – hmmm, abundance!

HMM, VERY ABUNDAT, hihi... -by mmc

NOW, this is getting to abundance, heha... -by janz

 

There was also a turtle museum in which we have encountered more than a hundred varied turtles/tortoises from different countries. A Chinese businessman (sorry, forgot the name) collected and organized this endeavor. Take note, this is the largest collection in the world of turtles/tortoises as confirmed by Guinness World Book of Records.

JANZ and the owner -by mmc

Oops, traffic jam. No pushing please... -by janz

SMILE! Some turtles are left to roam around freely so one needs to be mindful of his steps.   -by mmc

Cool! They're vegetarians, heha... -by mmc/janz

 Across the Chinese Garden is the Japanese Garden. An awesome bridge connects these two.

The Bridge of Double Beauty connects the Chinese and Japanese gardens. -by mmc

 

There, we saw the stone lanterns artistically distributed at a vale.

Accordingly, the Japanese Garden (also called Seiwaen) may not be as visually stimulating as the Chinese Garden but it evokes feelings...ahemmm... -by mmc

Stone lanterns are important icons of Japanese gardens. -by mmc

 Hills are covered with bountiful green grasses and flowers that are really blooming and beautiful.

This is a kusari doi, a creative Japanese rain chain (which i think, we can adopt in every household, recycling plastic bottles). -by janz

 

The journey ended at about 6 o'clock in the evening and we’re back to reality that we’re still in Singapore.

Having fun with the BUnDDHAts^^ -by mmc

He signed when i asked for a sign

SIGN...

Why not try? I asked myself. 

A few weeks ago, my best friend, Clair, told me about her experience of asking God for a sign. She's been wanting to work a li'l bit far from home and there's an offer for her. Though tempted to grab the chance, she first inquired God about it by asking for a sign: If she will see a white butterfly the next day, then that job is not for her. Sure enough the next day, she saw a small, white butterfly along her way. This means she will let go of a 'good chance' but she trusted in God. Until now, I don't know what God's plan is awaiting her. But you see, my best friend's place is a crowded area where you seldom or never see butterflies...and puff! There goes the sign...Isn't it amazing?^^

So with that, I also tried. Well, to admit, I've been asking signs when I was younger, but i also have to admit that during those times, i some kinda manipulated the events. Lacking faith, eh...

Last week, one of my older sisters asked me to help her find a job for her here in my place. I did go to an agency that Monday afternoon but the staff are busy so i and my best friend, Gretch, went jalan-jalan. Since I'll be on night duty the next day, i told myself to go back to the agency the next morning.

Tuesday. I did wake up early but i felt lazy to go out. My manana habit started to bite me again. While having breakfast, i went to our backdoor and looked up at the mango tree behind the home. I silently talked to God, telling Him that if i see a squirrel on that mango tree within two minutes, then that means He wants me to go to Lucky Plaza and inquire at the agency (wow, S-M-A-R-T). For several seconds, I didn't see any movement from the tree, then...Whoops, out jumped a squirrel from (?) nowhere.... Ah, Lord, OK, so You want me to go there. And off, i went to LP.

The agency was closed when i got there so i walked, sight-seeing in the nearby shops. Then i remembered that i need to buy top-up card for my broadband so that i can upload the video i am preparing for my Ate Rhod's birthday. After getting info at LBC, I looked around for a top-up card. I didn't find any; the shop where we usually buy cards is closed. Maybe, God wanted me not to buy; obviously, i don't have much money. i laughed to myself. Asking Him for another sign, i told Him that if i go back to the agency and it's still closed, then that means i don't buy. well, shrug, it's closed so i didn't buy. May Your will be done, Lord, i silently prayed.

i decided to go back home and as i walked down, i met the agent. i followed him to the agency and discussed for awhile and then i went back home.i relayed the message to my sister about it...and i slept.

that night, our boss, who just came from a three-month work at New Zealand, dropped to check the home. i reminded him of the inpatient medical record for June...and he sat down and started to work on it until he finished at past 2AM, hehe (i just reminded, it's not a rush hihi)... and y'knowhat? he gave me the password for the wifi in our area...woooooowwww!!!!God's sooooo gooooodddd!!!! i dunno what more to say...every time, i'm so overwhelmed with His providence...He's so marvelous!!!

friends, keep up your faith. let's always TRUST in HIM!

Striking GREAT QUOTES from people around me

every day, i am surrounded by different people - loved ones, mere acquaintances, strangers...

every day, there's a lesson for me to learn and adopt, especially from these rational beings...

God placed these many 'someone' around me to enlighten, guide, protect, cheer, entertain, inform me. (aims of journalism na toh, hahak..)

here, let's take a closer look at these words i overheard and took note of from them: (more will be added from time to time)

• Han ka nga bumaba nu agpasuro ka. - Ma'am Pulicay (during the PGNT meeting)
• Proper time, not anytime. - Ma'am Pulicay (during the PGNT meeting)
• Take it as a constructive criticism so that our service will be improved. -Ma'am Saguidic (during the PGNT meeting)
• You let them do something to respect their dignity. -Ma'am Laurenza Pulicay, BeGH PGNT Orientation, April 15, '10

• They are patients so we have to have patience. -Ma'am Laurenza Pulicay, BeGH PGNT Orientation, April 15, '10

• Hindi porke naligo ang isang tsonggo ay mabango na. Naligo man o magshave, tsonggo pa rin. -from a store owner to a gay friend (i overheard this while i was passing by), May 31, '10
• Home is heaven's gate. -Ptr. Max delos Reyes (when he gave a message during Dr. Nocum's house blessing)
• Ay apo, ti downfall lang met ti tao ket kwarto or kwarta. -from a friend
• The genesis of any change is Awareness. -Dr. Lily Ann D. Lando, Director of Applied Communication Division (when she served as guest speaker during the BSU recognition day), Januray 12, '10
• Nasakit ti sakak. Ada rayumak. -from a patient
• Han mo gamin biruken, ma, urayem. -Kuya Jr (while we were waiting for taxi and mama's getting impatient saying, "Nagrigat agbiru taxi dituy trinidad.")
• When God closes the door, He opens the windowSSSSSSS.... - Clair and Kanny
• Sometimes nagagalit ka hindi dahil galit ka pero para magawa ang dapat gawin. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. - Dr. Nocum (during our morning devotion when we had medical mission at Besao, Mt. Province)

=========to be continued========