New Theme for 2018

Hi! It is me again. I hope you had a blast this holiday season in spite your busy schedules. Where I am right now, we already had a countdown twelve hours ago. I had fun.

As I face another year, this also means a new theme for my blog as you can see in my header. It is a new concept conceived in the name of creativity. And so a new journey to embark--hoping for more good things to come. If you have read my post about my plan of having this year's blog--a journey to prose and poems, then this will not at surprise you at all. Let us all welcome with gladness and gratefulness the year 2018 and leaves the previous one with the same attitude. Let me join you in celebration--10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Happiest New Year!

See you very soon!

My Christmas & New Year's Message

Although I still have a few or more things to blog about, but I am afraid won't be able to post them because I am traveling this time--a winter-season break. I want to enjoy this rest and recreation than think a lot not getting my hands on to work for the matter. So I have decided to end my entries for this year's theme--Behind Every Journey--but not my literal journey of course. I am not taking my laptop with me. Being able to blog last night and today is a miracle. The place I am staying for now has a desktop for guests to use. Sad to say, I will not be staying here longer. And if in any case I would pop up again--in the middle of nowhere, that would mean someone could have been lent me a computer to use.

Before my silence and absence form the net happens, let me bring my Christmas message and so my New Year's wish to your homes, doors, and hearts. For this holiday season, I bring you a wonderful message of love that will soothe your aching hearts, peace that will transcend all your confused minds, joy that will lift up your dying spirits, and hope that will help you understand life is beautiful still after all. For another year that will soon to come, I wish you abundance, health, and happiness to last your whole life long. Have a blessed Christmas and a joyful New Year! God bless everyone!

      

Christmas Decors

I am so immersed in countries where Christmas isn't that anticipated much (except for some enthusiasts like me), but this doesn't stop me from being effusive about it. You can see with the way I show it, I think--in joyful celebration. A decade ago, I started my own tradition to walk around downtown Saigon like a few days before Christmas. I did that just to take photos of the decorations--hints and symbols in all sizes, shapes, colors, styles, and motifs. It made me feel home although I was miles and miles away from my family and friends. I still keep this annual hobby to this day. It helps and shoos homesickness away.

Yesterday, I did it even earlier. But I had to keep my phone in silent mode not to hear those annoying clicks. The city isn't that much filled yet with decors to behold, and so crowds to endure though. Usually, it happens a week before Noel. And so I had the whole time enjoying, in awe, looking at the beautiful scenery at the moment. After all, what I needed is a hint one day at a time. It doesn't matter whether or not it is grandeur. Will I go through the hustle and bustle of the city in a few days' time only to get more shots? Perhaps or perhaps not. I don't know. Wish I was still ten years younger. Anyway, the picture below is my favorite this season so far--it is so homey.

Freebies

Good Morning! Mister Sun didn't show up at the park today left the place a bit gloomy. I woke up early just to see a beautiful sunrise and to feel at least the warmth it could have given me, but it was the irony instead--not even a sign of a silver lining--only the coldness of the wind that chilled my entire body. I fancy eating breakfast at the park aside from doing exercise.

Today, I did it again after countless attempts. And I will be doing this for the rest of the remaining mornings of this year. Nature serves best and I am so glad how these people here preserve their parks beautifully, green and clean. Thank you God for the freebies of traveling when I do not have to leave an empty pocket. 

  

The Park

This park is located at the heart of Saigon, in the First District of the city has been my favorite for almost two decades now. I spent many times right here writing my journals, my reflection papers in grad schools, goals for the year, and some creative planning for work. I still do such habit to this day even though  journaling  seems out-of-date in this highly sophisticated realm and era. Seeing myself here again reminds me of the past. It's just so beautiful how memory after another keeps flashing before me. There is an endless nostalgia in the air. Thank You, God, for the gift of rest and undeserved grace. 

I don't remember how many times I've been here in the span of eighteen years, and how many entries/write-ups/articles I thought of, conceptualized, and wrote down as I took advantage of the place itself. Of course, God's creation is always amazing. And for people who love natures--of all kinds, a park is always the perfect place to enjoy--peacefully and relaxed--at least the way I see it.

  

Waterbus

Of course, my best friend and I really love spur-of-the-moment decisions like we usually do. Tonight we had another one we thought would be fun--but a failure. As soon as I arrived in Saigon from Cambodia just this afternoon, he messaged me that we should try this water-bus ride which has been operating in the city for the past two weeks. There we went in hopes of something unusual--to get on a boat--the last trip at six in the evening. But we missed the ride. The boat had already left five minutes ago. Haiist! Well, there was another plan in stored for us. Thankful still to have spent the whole four hours with my best friend. Till next time, I mean... we'll do it again on the weekend. 

Meanwhile, we had to plan again what to do next since we had the time in our hands--no need to rush things out. Sitting on the dock of the huge river with a cup of cold tea in our hands and tiny slices of cakes to enjoy, the conversation was just perfect. Not much to catch up actually because I was here over a month ago. Christmas songs in the air helped grace the ambiance. Then we went to the First District for a bowl of noodles--not just noodles--it is the famous  that this alley can offer and so yummy to devour. After that, we drove around the city all the way to the Seventh District to get another cup of special tea. It was worth missing the water bus still--it was worth the night beating up the traffic. Oh, what a night!  

Other Roles

For the most part of my existence as an educator (or as a mentor if you prefer), I don't normally embrace one role alone--restricting myself only as a teacher. Some days, I could be a father--that's when I have come to know that parenting doesn't take a biological affinity or restrained by family constitution--it is simply a decision to bless and touch lives. There were days, and years to many, that I have become my learners' friend although cultural and age issues are undeniably in constant protest. But I believe that God gave me them as friends to cherish eternally as well. To the rest, like for countless circumstances, and to this day, I have been a brother, a counselor, a best friend, and a family more than all this classroom-relationship--where I learn God's grace and kindness every single moment.

Last night, for the first time in five years, and after all those innumerable failed-plans to meet up, and years of chatting and calling--there we were enjoying that wonderful time--catching up like father and son--like have never been happier. Three months from now, I'm gonna see him again on his Wedding Day before they migrate to New Zealand. Thank you, Lord, for bringing amazing people in my life.

A Thankful Heart

There will be time when you don't have to utter words to express how you feel--that unspeakable joy for instance--no, it doesn't make one less grateful in life. A thankful heart knows no circumstance--it is always a choice. Well, I prefer to live a life filled with things and times to be joyful about. Did I hit a jackpot today? Of course not, but being healthy, blissful, and wiser every day is already more than a jackpot--it is a blessing rather.

I think I'm just so blessed surrounded with people who are thankful in every way, and in little ways. After all, it is the attitude that counts. A lot of greedy, selfish, and discontented creatures who cannot tell happiness and sadness apart. Happiness for me isn't only the presence of abundance but it is how one should accept emptiness as well. On the one hand, sadness isn't just when abundant life is absent, but we can still be happy without all these earthly treasures. Once or twice I heard, "A thankful heart creates a thankful home", so begin your day with a grateful attitude--at all times possible--joy then will follow for sure. 

One Hint, One Day At A Time

Since I won’t be home for Christmas this time, I am thinking of decking this month with anything that represents the heart of the season–one hint, one day at a time–but only on my Instagram account. I started it today with this simple breakfast–a cup of hot coffee and a slice of apricot crumble from my favorite coffee shop called the Jars of Clay at the Russian Market in Phnom Penh. 

I have been looking forward to this day to come for the past eleven months. The season is finally here. I pray that this year's is full of wonderful memories to write down,  and very colorful ones to take photos, but above a lot of meaningful stories to tell. Join me in anticipation in spreading the love, in sharing, in caring with a thankful heart.  

  

Alone in Victory

How do you really celebrate triumphs in life? To many people everywhere, I suppose, they want it in a loud chorus or at the top of their voice for all the world to hear while I the total irony of it all. Last Wednesday, just a few days ago, I rejoiced over my victories in isolation–alone with my Creator and with a mug of coffee of course. I am not really an introverted person, but in some occasions, I rather be celebrating alone, in jubilation. Like this chance in particular.

As I counted each feather in my cap–feathers of great and small sizes–with a thankful heart, I knew they were only the end of a particular battle. There are more to conquer every single second of our lives. Isn’t it a reality in this unfair life and place we all live in? Anyway, whether or not life is perfect, I am grateful still. 

Walk and Coldness

Been coming up and down Phnom Penh last month, but never had the chance to walk around for health’s sake. I really prefer walking than riding a motorbike or haggling over a price with the tuktuk drivers. No ride, no hassle. Besides it is always healthy to walk. I can hear you agreeing with me. Thanks!

The other night, sometime last week, for the first time in eleven months, I started the walk again. I walked through the roads of 271, Monivong, and Mao Tse Tung including the small hems. The following mornings and so this morning, I did the same routine–same routes with the same purpose. The weather has been cool lately. It feels like Christmas is calling me home. Thank God for the coldness of the day and for the gift of life. I feel like I am the healthiest person ever.

Borrowed Time and Place

Glad to have been a complete outsider for once in my life right in this domicile not mine. Were it not for atypical existence, everything was just out-and-out uninteresting. I got lost several times but for every wandering turned out a beautiful disaster. I wondered about many things but that’s when I gained wisdom. This is only a borrowed time and place. Although it became my home for a while, but I knew it from the start that I won’t be here for a longer time. I might be coming back to visit in the future, but things will never be the same again perhaps. Through thick and thins, I learned to borrow a time and a place never I dreamed of my whole life.

Now and only until tonight, this place has become a home away from home. Tomorrow, this life will be as lovely as a memory. Sooner or later, it will be a history in the hearts and minds of those I had come to work with, to get acquainted with, to know well, to live with, and to love. And hope it will not just like waking up to dejavu.