Prayer from the heart
Dear Lord,
Of this day I ask you to give,
The faith to believe,
The strength to keep the drive,
The serenity to await,
And most of all, the sensitivity to care,
The care to tread softly among others along the way.
Amen.
"HAD I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams"
W.B. Yeats
Thoughts that turned in the head.
Over here in Heidelberg, I have incubated two dreams for next year....but hey folks, would be only sharing when it comes to past. Have you guys watched Cinderella, where she says that a dream is something you cannot share, less it does not get fulfilled? =)
Dreams, require such a fine balance between realism and hope. Too much of hope could lead to foolhardiness, yet the dream would not be able to fly under the weight of practicality. This week, was given a healthy dose of both, hallelujah.
The latter came from friends, whom I've met over the course of the week. Because the burden of the dream was rather heavy, I did let on a little about possible future plans. Real friends; guess they would be the people the ones who dare tell and share with you what they really think. Was told that this dream would be relatively difficult to pursue, as compared to the academic roads more taken. This is what my parents though, and what I had previously thought and didn't think to defy. There is truth in thinking this way, and I would like to thank friends for such candidness. This candidness, though initially unpalatable, would do so much good as compared to the fleeting gratification of hearing what one hopes to hear.
Having said that, it did put doubts in the head. The heart was heavy, and the burden of the dreams became weary.
Talk about divine intervention, my spirit was lifted once more this morning. So, I'm well-known for my acute amnesia and had misplaced my handphone somewhere after lecture. So I got Weiyao to write my number on my hand, so as to call myself. Then as I went for another jog-cum-singing practice session in the hills late in the morning, I met yet another gentleman that lives on Philosophenweg. We had a neat conversation and he wanted to keep contact. THANK GOD that it was still written on my palm! He was so encouraging and asked if I had made contacts with the theatre here. When I said no, and that I have no certification, he said, 'No problem, you could simply just sing in an audition." My heart soared again....gosh this isn't just pure serendipity. It's God.
And to add on....
Was just in the library's photocopy room scanning statistics. I was surprised at the apparent "sound-proofness" of the room, as a girl just had a conversation in the room and I heard nothing. Convinced of the soundproofing, I unconsciously started to sing lightly something that was to the volume of the copier. After 10 minutes, I could feel some eyes from outside boring in, a girl came towards the room and quickly went away. A nagging suspicion, that I could actually be heard, developed in my mind, and thus I reduced to a hum softer than the drone of the machine.
So! When I opened the door to leave, all turned around and gave me broad mirthful smiles. Horrors of horrors, they heard me crystal. I profusedly apologized and scrambled out of the library. Along the way, one girl gave me a thumbs-up and another guy gave me a sign "it's cool. " So nice, thank God that they didn't call the librarian.
In addition, I think I've learnt something more about internal strength this week. My father was recently suspended from his license for 16 months. I was not supposed to be lead on into the news, but oh well, what are sisters for. =)I called Mum, and asked, "so how?". She laughingly replied, "Haiyah, take it as a long holiday lor ", and we guffawed over it. As I went for a run this morning, somehow this phrase kept turning over in my head. The significance of it was great, coz she took this loss of income in her stride. Such grace in such times, despite her non-flattering real-life physique. This 'Ah-Q" spirit, ability to turn the negatives into positives, is something I would really hope to emulate. I would really need this, in the next year to come. O So, await news. =)On a bright end note to this episode, it could be a well-timed rest for my father, as his constitution has not been too good. An enforced holiday, where perhaps he could find something in his life too.
Amazing, how God works.
Around Germany
Munich, where I met friends again. Was truly happy to meet them after so long. =)
(From left: Julius our resident yandao, Bo Tao, Ying Chao (check out that beard!), keshi, yours truly, Junfu, Wu Zhe, Li Ling, Fei Hao.) Picture was taken at Königsee, where one could see a part of the Alps against the clear blue lake.
One of the must-stops: Dachau Concentration Camp
Poignant pictures from our resident budding photographer, Mr Cai Junfu, aka Xiao Cai. =) Those calamitous clouds looming overhead the central barracks, captures deliciously all ill portends that could have been associated with this place. Absolutely well taken.
Two different versions of Wu Kong: Don't you think Yingchao looks like Wu Kong from DragonballZ and Julius looks like the Monkey King?
Langeoog, a rustic untouched island north of Germany.
Ms Cheong, my biology teacher from AJC, came up for a visit on the 5th of June and we did a little travelling trip together. We went first to Langeoog, coz Andre's mother was going up north for a seminar course for doctors (can you believe it? They actually have such seminars on a holiday island?!), and she had a lovely room for three. Upon her invitation, we landed ourselves on a island free from bus-loads of tourist; we were the only asians there. COOL.
Angie and Helga. =)
This picture doesn't do justice to the real thing that I saw the first evening there, which had inspired a little prose:
In soft beams, radiates the fading glow of the sun behind majestic clouds,
falling into the gushing waves; a mingle of gold and silver.
With steady rhythm, the waves carry this treasure towards the shore,
spilling its wonders over the sand.
High overhead, dance the gulls against the blue sky,
gliding to the waltz of the wind.
Against these wonders, are humans, so small.
The majesty of creation, envelopes us all.
In Heidelberg
Heidelberg's Nature.
Her face, makes men wonder.
The castle that would be crawling with busloads of tourists anytime now. Nice to look from afar, but the stuff inside is...well...the usual museum stuffs.
View from the old bridge of one side of the hills surrounding Heidelberg
The lovely practice corner along the Philosopher's Way.
Neighbours
Zsofia, Adriana, Ole, Mischa, Maria, Max
Meals with them are always satisfying. Max is one of our resident cook. As he has strong affliations to Indonesia (he grew up there), he supplies the much-needed asia fare. =)
No prizes for guessing what Mischa's trying to show. =)
Baking
A recipe from Zsofia's grandmother.... in english it's called "Hazelnut Bow". Zsofia's a closet baker. Gonna try to whip up other baking experiment together before she leaves in July.
Cornflakes short bread. Girlfriends, we've gotta come together for one baking session at least during the next sem break. =)
Last but not least,
I received a lovely package of reinforcements from home. Thanks ppl!!!!! =) But sigh......Yunwei's (my sister) gonna use this favour as a emotional blackmail henceforth.....
