I

Hobson's Choice
This is unbelievable! I've survived the 3rd month and broken all records; 15 years ago, i spent 3 mths in Osterreich and was terrible homesick; kyunghee, wan tan noodles and the fear of not getting any meaningful employment in Europe. The EU just started the single currency but employment prospects is bleak. A  year earlier, i was in India, trottling through Calcutta, Darjeeling, Kamlimpong, Gangtok, Patna, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Lucknow, Agra, Delhi, Pushka, Guhawati, Shillong.
Tomolo, Elaine from SIF will be arriving. This is the first time since i set foot in Bangalore that I've broken the 5th precept.  What a dAy!

After a month in Bengaluru...

The routine life of school and the cave is beginning to become a little depressing at times; robbing me of cycling, swimming and nature has taken it's toll on my physical and mental well-being. The kids still continue to give me sustenance to continue my work here; though i am very doubtful how much i can do; in the land of harsh realities, overpopulation and a culture where everyone has to fight to be heard. I can only meditate daily and share my merits to all the suffering beings.

1st Week at Koramangala

It's been a humbling experience, trying to relive the experience of my maiden trip to India 16 years ago; meeting these wonderful kids despite their disadvantaged background is heartwarming.
May i share the good merits i have reaped in the past to be able to make this life-transforming trip and may the merits thus created be shared by all my loved ones, relatives, friends and people i know.
Sabbe Satta Suki Hontu

3 Funerals and a Wedding

Life is indeed something that no one word can aptly describe at times and since my submission of my resignation letter 2 weeks ago, I've been experiencing life never felt before, even before i set foot in bangalore in 2 weeks time.
In as many days this week, i receive news of 3 funerals and a wedding! On Monday morning, i read the news that shocked the whole nation of 2 boys killed in a road accident involving a cement mixer; with gory photos to follow....the next morning, instead of the usual 'good morning' and motherly smile from helen, she held up her daily Newpaper with a huge photo of a similiar face kneeing down by the pavement in grief right smacked on the front page; from the previous facebook photos of my colleague, Helmy Sarpan, i knew immediately it was his elder sister; i was dumbfounded.
Most of us at SEC went to the wake yesterday during lunch time; it was the first experience in my life to go to a wake with 2 coffins; it affected the mood of everyone for the rest of the day. In that same evening last nite while still at the upper boon keng residence with parents, nephews and niece, Yuzhang, my GESS classmate SMSed me; informing me that Wende's dad have succumbed to his illness; i guess uncle had his last wish fulfilled seeing wende tying the knot and having a son.
Upon reaching home; another SMS, this time from my Army pal and close friend Geoffrey, telling me one of our former team mates (from hotel team actually) have passed away; he saw the obituary in yesterday's ST.
Last but not least, just after potluck lunch with steffi, sarah, yin teen and ambrose moments ago; Dave Newman texted me; reminding me of his wedding on the 23rd of Feb; Alas! i am flying off on SQ502 16 feb evening...

Sipping a cuppa of Indian Tea

 

In Dec, someone give the council a hamper with british tea-time goodies and with it came some special teas from India. As i sipped a cuppa of Assam tea; it surely brings back memories of my backpack trip to India 15 years ago. I was very lucky to be able to venture to the North-eastern states of Sikkim, Assam and Meghalaya.
I  had a Skype interview with Ms Shukla Bose, founder of  Parikrma Humanity Foundation in Bangalore, India 2 weeks ago, i will be heading there  mid-Feb. It's almost 1 year ago when my attempts to go to Thimphu, Bhutan was unsuccessful. As i tendered my resignation last week with a heavy heart as i spent 10 years of my working prime at the council; A timely reminder of Anicca.