Into Languages

The World I Live

It Is Not The End Of The Road Yet

“When God closes the door, He opens the window.” 

It isn’t easier to absorb than I thought would. It is because I’m facing one big rejection at the moment–not knowing how long this feeling lasts. Let’s say a thirty-year-old dream I’ve been looking forward to happen till my interview yesterday. I wasn’t granted a US visa and I was rejected big time. 

For sure, the author of this famous quote which evolves within the Christian realm had his major rejections too–worse than I had without a doubt–a rejection from his own blood and flesh–his family. And so it is not about questioning the relevance or the necessity of the verse itself, but it is how I am facing my emotions this time.

Honestly, it’s like the end of the road. “It is not even worth reapplying.” my instinct keeps telling me. I just hope whoever have reviewed my application understand my intention. I never had a plan to live in America–it is not my world–my life is in Asia–I know it by heart. I just wanted to attend the conference where I am invited to volunteer. That’s all! 

Don’t get me wrong, I understand the policy even if I wasn’t given any explanations for such a big NO. They haven’t even asked or checked my documents to see how legit they really were. It was just a no. That’s the hurting part. 

I do understand that they are just doing their job, but I’ll insist my mind still–they read me wrong and grasped not my personal purpose well. I respect the decision they made, but I just can’t deny how regretful I am.

Am I bitter? Yes, I am. Not to mention the hassles, expenses, and efforts of my friends and I behind this desire to attend the conference, it is really very upsetting. I don’t think I can fake my emotion and tell people I’m OK. It’s not me.

My chance is over and the wound is still here, but it is not the end of the road yet. I want to move on. If I have lived my 42 years of existence happy and contended without America–I can live for another 42 years or more without it. This opportunity is not for me sad to say. 

Maybe this is not how my destiny would like me to write the last pages of my journey for this year which I’ve envisioned it to be–a white Christmas with angels–it must be something else perhaps. Let us see what these remaining months have for me. 

Do I have to blog this? I think so! This is to remind me that it is not the end of the road yet –no, not yet. Soon this feeling of rejection will be gone, but I want to face it for now. 

New Work, New Environment

A Chat With A Prince

Laughter filled the small, glassed-room coffee shop that late afternoon. We just felt like laughing and laughing and laughing–simply to celebrate our friendship through the years–over some cozy drinks. All of a sudden, an unfamiliar woman who was sitting across from our table looked at us, but with kindness in her eyes. I didn’t mind her at first. 

It was another wonderful day when stories told seemed endless. But then a man who was in the same table with a woman who just gave us glances also tried to mind us a few times, and yet with a friendly, big smile. This time I got alarmed. 

“Don’t you think we are too loud, guys?” I asked my friends. They couldn’t agree more and so we slowed down and asked for an apology to the couple. 

“Oh, no, we are fine, don’t worry about it…” He said generously.

It took several hints before my curiosity has finally stirred up. Then I started to construe our situation especially when another woman approached the couple with reverence. She bowed before them the way a servant bows before the king. This alarmed me all the more. He must be the prince. And I was right.

Who would have thought from that seemingly annoying laughter evinced a wonderful memory that none of us will ever forget eternally–an unexpected favor from God to be able to chat with the Prince of Cambodia.  

  

The royal couple (the prince and his wife) was actually very assiduous to us despite our status in life–the ordinary ones. I don’t think we really deserve an amazing treatment like this from the royals like them. I was so overwhelmed with joy. And I’m forever grateful for this great surprise–an amazing conversation with the prince of this country. I found out days later that he actually the former prime Minister. 

My first time to this kind of a real-life-encounter with regal people–for sure angels brought them to us. They talked to us that no other royals have done. They chatted with us that no other nobles have dared. They also gave us their golden time to take photos with us that no other transcendent have offered.

“You’ll never know who you’ll be crossing path to in this life’s journey. And in an amazing way, who will you sitting next to. Millions are desperate to meet the royal family of Cambodia. And here is another effortless favor from God.” I posted on Facebook to express my uncontainable happiness for such beautiful moment.

      

Surprisingly they talked to us and went where ordinaries like us go. It was an extraordinary experience to stamp on our memories. Thanks your highness!