In an ideal world

I almost choked when I saw this kid begging solo on a sky bridge just opposite MBK in Bangkok a few nights ago. She wasn't even begging, she just hold out the cup with the face downward and stayed in that position the whole time I was observing her from afar. She must be really tired and sleepy... afterall, it was almost 10pm at the time already.

In an ideal world, she would be in a safe home, with her loving family, instead of on the street.

In an ideal world, she would be nicely tucked in her comfy bed, probably with fairy-tales read to her before she closes her eyes for the night.

In an ideal world, i would not just be observing... I would pick her up and bring her to someplace safe. And feed her too.

But this is a nasty world afterall... and I am just a weakling. Instead, I just quickly hurried away after this photo was snapped and rejoined the company of people I came with, into the shopping mall, although I didn't shop at all.

Yes, I am a weakling. And the image of that little girl is still haunting me.

Bunuh masa

I have atleast a couple of posts that I wanted to put up here .. one on my visit to Orang Asli settlements at Tasik Bera in the first week of March and another on my recent Tioman trip. But both (and other thoughts that I have jotted down in the draft tray) have to wait... in a few hours' time, I will be heading to the city where this photo was taken 6 years ago..



The above photo was taken with my then ever-so-bulky Sony Clie PDA... Ever since then, my interest shifted from tulips and daffodils to water lilies and I would take photos of these lovely flowers whenever I found them during my travels, locally or abroad. Here are some..


Bangkok 2006 (a return visit)


Vietnam 2007


Sabah 2008


Port Dickson 2008


Port Dickson 2008
____________________

All packed up and another 1/2 hour to go before I shall hit the shower and get ready. My eyes are having a hard time to remain open but I wouldn't want to take any chances. Going back to bed again at this hour would risk me missing my flight!

Life is short

I saw a very fragile elderly lady at our usual INR clinic last week. She has multiple health problems and wheelchair-bound but was all smiley, very pleasant indeed. This was my second time seeing her in a month I think, and she was accompanied by her equally pleasant husband on both occasions. Pleasant but tired-looking I'd say. From our conversation, I got to know that the husband does everything for her... from taking her to all the clinic appointments and 3 times a week dialysis sessions to taking charge of her long-list medications including injecting 3 times daily insulin for her.

At the end of the consultation, I commented to the makcik that she is very lucky to have a very caring husband and wished I could find one for myself too one day. The pakcik replied instead with a full smile "Isteri pakcik ni datang dalam satu package.. dengan kencing manis, sakit jantung, sakit buah pinggang sekali!" while patting her shoulder gently.. The wife just smiled and I'm pretty sure I saw the exchange of loving stares between them at that moment. So sweet and touching!

That was, to me, the true meaning of "for better for worse"...

_______________

I am sorry.

That is one sentence that I don't say that often but I have no qualm of saying if I know I am in the wrong.

I am still the ol' strong-headed girl. I can be sad, angry, bitter or just plain wrong at times ( I am only human afterall) but in the last few years, I have also learned to apologise more easily when I am in the wrong and to forgive and forget when I am wronged.

Life is too short for negativity. So..I am saying it now: I am sorry.

_______________

I have two songs stuck in my brain today: Aspalela (thanks to a friend's ringtone) and the song below:

Remember the dancing baby from Ally McBeal? Comel kan?