12 November 2019
It was full moon last night.
After dedicating a mandala, I met up with a friend for dinner. I had been wanting to hand him a souvenir from Taipei since September.
It was an access card holder with peacock embroidery on it. I bought 3 of them and two have already found delighted owners.
The 3rd piece was a bit tricky to give away because this friend and I seldom meet. By the way, the intended recipient of this gift has spent nearly his whole life studying birds.
I was slowly doubting the necessity for an ornithologist to own an embroidered bird as a keepsake when he’s surrounded by REAL feathered beings every day. 😄
I had my “selling ice to an eskimo” moments which made me harbour thoughts of keeping the gift for myself.
But I’m so glad I didn’t.
Last night, not only was my friend very very pleased with the gift from Taipei. It turned out that he’ll be there this December for new year countdown!
As he learnt about my September visit to Taipei and Kinmen Island, my grandma’s birthplace, he became intrigued by the latter.
He wanted to know more about the old streets, slow life and ancient houses. His eyes shone in wonderment when I told him about the abundance of blue peacocks on the island.
By the time dinner ended, my friend was thinking of including Kinmen Island in his new year celebration.
After we parted ways, I saw a young man on the linking bridge between Westgate Mall and JEM Mall. He was aiming his cell phone camera at something in the distant.
As I followed his hands, my eyes landed on a Peacock shimmering away outside the Jurong East MRT Station.
The Peacock, despite his majestic beauty, is associated with humility and magnanimity. Being light-footed, he carries his magnificence with ease. He is a reminder not to turn blessings into burdens because of our craving for control.
Lisa Ong 