Staying Sweet for 2020

6 Jan 2020

First Parcel in 2020 for a friend whom I hardly see but is always supportive of my animal work since 2007.

School & work started on the 2nd day of 2020 for most in Singapore.

Since primary school days the ending of the old year and the beginning of the new one carry great significance for me.

As I age, I find myself more selective and making more efforts in the simplest of activities that I partake in around this season. (This would be the main reason why I need to operate alone. 😄)

Ollie poses with a Street Dog Care calendar from Nepal. This was the first gift I mailed out in 2020.

So on the 2nd day of 2020, I decided that leaving my house to make a trip to the post office to mail a calendar to a friend was top priority.

Now the taxi fare to & fro would easily cost me at least $14, and if I were pragmatic, I should have waited a few more days to gather up more errands and mail her the calendar while I was running them. But this friend definitely deserves more, and shall not be part of my errands.

My sore throat was also healing. Although I didn’t think it auspicious to begin the new year with one, it had the benefit of making me stay home to write OM and drink honey water.

After the Westgate Post Office, I stopped by a costume jewelry counter on my way to the supermarket.

The counter was just on the walkway of the mall so it wasn’t even in a proper shop.

Ollie, like Planet Jupiter, wears my choker of 12 moons.

But the salesgirl on duty that day was dressed as if she was working for Cartier.

She showed the low priced trinkets respectfully to customers who were mostly in carefree and casual clothes.

I was immediately impressed by her regal air even though her retail space was tiny & cluttered, and even though she only had a plastic stool to sit on, despite looking like a million dollars.

When she saw me, she was very interested in the rudraksha beads on my wrist and tried to recall their Mandarin name.

“Boudhi Seeds (菩提子),” I offered.

The young Queen smiled.

After she realised I understood Mandarin, she started telling me how she liked the way my choker looked against black.

This 12-moon choker of buffalo horn reminds me of Jupiter and has accompanied to many places. Its bovine presence often allows total strangers to relax and smile at me.

I returned the Queen’s kindness by complimenting her on her youth and dress sense, and she replied, “我只是年轻罢了。而你的时尚是打从骨子里来的.” (Rough Transl: I’m just young, but your style is bone deep).

As I watched Her Grace greeting customers who didn’t even bother to look at her, I felt I needed to give her something to remind her of her sweetness.

So before I left the mall, I bought an extra bottle of honey from GNC and went back to the costume jewellery counter to give it to her.

“May your life be sweet no matter who you meet.”

At first she looked a little puzzled. Then she held up the bottle of honey and revealed excitedly that this was her first gift from Singapore! She had only been working here for a month plus. And for her to receive honey at the start of the new year was auspicious, she gushed.

And standing tall on her fine stockinged legs, the Queen bent low to ask if I could give her a hug!

As I did, I wished her a happy and youthful 2020 and may the honey gift remind her of her own sweetness, and to remain sweet no matter what kind of customers she meets.

A Himalayan Christmas Blessing

29 Dec 2019

I was all set to leave my flat for a post-christmas gathering at a friend’s place when a clear voice rose in my head and went, “Bring something from Nepal.”

I tried to ignore the voice because I had already wrapped up a present for gift exchange and saw no reason to bring another.

But reluctantly I went back to my room and selected a notebook made of Lokta paper from among the gifts from Nepal to take with me.

I’m fond of buying handmade gifts, compelled by a vague logic to honour the makers and the belief that they will bring blessings to the recipients.

As I didn’t know who I would be meeting at the gathering except “a few close friends and family members,” I wasn’t sure if the Lokta notebook would be appreciated.

When I arrived at her home, my friend had the Nepali greeting, “Namaste,” on her door.

So my first word upon my arrival was a “Namaste!” to the guests who were already inside the flat.

A tall and lanky netball player with gorgeous curly hair came to hug me. She knew me from sports school days.

A quick sweep across the living room confirmed that I was The Oldest person in a meet up of supple youth from the sports and art fraternity.

After the gift exchange and a couple of group shots, a young man came to sit with me and asked if I was a teacher in SJI before. He had been a student there and recognised me the moment he saw me at the door even though I didn’t teach him.

Our conversation drifted to school days and the convergence of circumstances that set him on a path in film & animation.

Young Man laughed at my attempts during teaching days to interest his SJI mates in “Dreams” by Akira Kurosawa when all they mostly cared about was having a lesson in the air-conditioned comfort of the AVA studio!

But years later, one of those boys would become a partner in a law firm and write to say that whenever the sun shines on a rainy day, he would remember the foxes’ wedding in “Dreams,” and think of me.

I mused that perhaps Kurosawa’s films were too stark and too abstract for teenage boys. They might have responded better to “Totoro,” or “Spirited Away,” although Hayao Miyazaki’s animations are as profound, if not more, than Kurosawa’s films.

Young Man’s eyes lit up at the mere mention of Hayao Miyazaki, the 70plus year old Japanese animation guru. This creator of fantasies is renown for his meticulous hand drawn details and his ability to convey difficult themes such as death, abandonment and loss through his tales.

Young Man then shared that even though these days lots of animation work has gone digital, he is still very “old school” at heart. He really enjoys drawing every detail by hand and still does so with his projects.

I knew by then for whom I had been told to “bring something from Nepal.”

I showed him the last minute gift that I had brought from home.

He was stunned and told me he didn’t know what to say.

And thus it was in the living room of a flat by the Kallang River in Singapore, that a young animation artist came into contact with handmade paper made from trees growing at 3000m in the Himalayas.

I invited him to use the notebook to incubate his ideas for films and animation so that the many blessings from Nepal on survival, gratitude and beauty will bring him assignments that not only pay the bills but also be of great benefit & service to others too.

Young Man accepted the Himalayan blessings reverently. I was very grateful to have obeyed the prompting to bring a gift even when I thought it wasn’t necessary.

Singleminded

21 November 2019

A couple of days back I was in the Lavender Street area after attending the wake of a pioneer street animal rescuer.

She had served the needs of homeless and dying animals faithfully even as she knew her life was ending. It’s now time for her to rest and let someone continue The Work.

At the traffic light junction outside the funeral parlour I asked a young lady in her late twenties if the way I was headed led to an MRT station.

She cheerfully offered to walk with me as she was also going in the same direction.

It turned out that she was learning to travel alone for the first time in her life. She had picked Singapore to be the first country for her solo practice and appreciated the predictability and order of our little island.

In her 4 days’ stay here she had memorised the MRT map and even knew I was living on the west of Singapore when I mentioned Jurong East. 😊

Solo Girl’s family has 7 dogs and care for a number of street cats. Her eyes opened wide in a mixture of horror and relief when I gave her the real reasons why unlike in her home country, she didn’t see any stray dogs or cats roaming Singapore streets.

I was to alight at Chinatown Point and she at Bugis Junction. Before we parted, Solo Girl asked me if I had any children. And when I told her I never married and never had any kids, she smiled warmly while her eyes lit up in amazement.

I believe this had to be the first time in my life that the mention of my unmarried and child free status solicited such looks of admiration! 😄

Solo Girl revealed that she felt very pressured to get married by her family and community. People told her that happiness could only come from being married and having children. She was getting a little stressed as she neared 30 and all her friends were settling down.

“Your family wants you to be happy and to them getting married and having kids is happiness. And because you’re such a pleasant girl, they cannot imagine you being alone. But it’s precisely because you’re such a lovely girl, you shouldn’t just marry anybody out of pressure,” I said, and we both laughed heartily at my touch of theatrics as I shared my opinion.

The tourist couple seated opposite us smiled. They could be wondering what kind of joke these two women from different races and generations were sharing.

Solo Girl was still laughing when I wished her a life of happiness on her own terms as I alighted the train.

In hindsight, Solo Girl’s short stay in Singapore might not be about sightseeing or shopping. It could have been a brief respite to recalibrate her emotions and clear her thoughts from gossips back home.

Maybe our meet up outside a funeral parlour of all places is a reminder for me to take responsibility for the choices I make, even if I have to make them alone.

Deepavali Delights

27 Oct 2019

During the Festival of Lights season, a school cat that had been injured and warded for medical boarding finally made a full recovery. His homecoming was much anticipated by staff & students.

On Deepavali morning, a former student dropped by my home to hand deliver her wedding invitation card.

Hand delivered wedding invitation card from Habibah who is now a primary school teacher and bride to be this Nov.

Habibah Najihahbi Ahmad, the bride-to-be was 15 when she studied English with me.

In these days where relationships are often hurried & transient, not to mention contractual, Habibah’s visit on Deepavali morning has brought such warmth & light.

Habibah and her mountain guide above 5000m in the Himalayas in 2018.

Now in her 20s, she’s completed her academic & professional training, driven & camped solo around Iceland, trekked the Himalayas, become teacher to primary school children and is going to be married this November.

Habibah wrote this in 2010 as a response to a question on childhood memories. In 2018, she would go on to trek the Himalayas. I think what childhood exposures & activities have power over adult behaviour later on.

The young lady who used to scale walls & sit inches from the ceiling in her childhood, wrote articulately in English, and faithfully fed the school cats till she graduated from secondary school, will be someone’s precious life partner soon.

Removing cat fur off visitors is the last ritual whenever people visit me.

Through the years, I’ve seen Habibah in polo t-shirt and school skort, sports training gear, concert attire, baju gurung, trekking jacket and I’m now looking forward to see this lovely lady in her bridal finery. ♥️

Universal Light

25 Oct 2019

It was the second last lesson at the old campus. The students had been checking their marked exam scripts and tallying marks.

As much as we like to believe that marks are just marks, we also know marks determine GPA scores and have the power to call up all kinds of intense emotions.

We’re usually good at celebrating success but awkward at handling disappointments. Sometimes in our eagerness to help someone see the bright side of things, we ply them with glib platitudes & unsolicited solutions.

On that day I had prepared a lesson inspired by the Deepavali (Festival of Light) season and brought a small tea light in a decorative clay holder to represent a traditional oil lamp to class.

We explored the literal & figurative meaning of light, and the various symbolism of fire & light across cultures and in our everyday language.

The students cheered softly and their eyes lit up when the youngest in class struck a match to light the lamp.

A hush came upon the room as each child carefully passed the light from hand to hand, taking a moment to still their hearts to give thanks for the mental faculties to sit for exams and for whatever scores their efforts have brought them.

Slowly the heaviness of discontent lifted as the light burned brightly.

“I feel that there are a lot of things that I can look forward to in the future, and I feel motivated to work hard for the things that will happen next,” a student responded when asked how did holding a light in her hand feel like.

By contemplating on light, the students experienced how their minds could rise above the temporary disappointments that had threatened to lock them in a permanent state of fear and self-doubt.

When the lesson ended, I gave thanks to light and bless the room that had hosted us all these months.

That lesson turned out to be the last time I would be using that room as the following week, I would receive notice that the campus would close permanently.

As a result of the campus closure, we had the chance to conduct our final lesson of the year with a field trip to Little India where the students became part of the Festival of Light celebration.

My wish of having our final lesson at Little India had been fulfilled by factors beyond my understanding.

So I like to take this chance to wish all my friends the blessings of Fire and Light, especially when we face situations & outcomes that are beyond our control.

Namaste.

Becoming Open-minded

22 Oct 2019

First Tutee and his red tote canvas bag.

I’ve kept a red canvas bag in mint condition for some time. It was designed to raise funds to help homeless dogs.

Each dog printed on the bag is based on an actual dog looking for a home. Hence the tag line, “Hello, is it YOU that we are looking for?” goes with the graphics.

As I only recall First Tutee gushing about Captain America, wrestling & Ronaldo Cristanto, I didn’t think he would appreciate a red bag with sketches of dogs on it.

But I was wrong.

First Tutee took the bag home and folded it neatly amongst his belongings.

The next day he brought it to school to hold his water bottle and a couple of his favourite story books which he likes to have with him during recess.

When he came back from school he told his family that every single one of his classmates like his red canvas bag, especially the cute dogs on it.

And so it came to me as a lesson to mind my own assumptions & biases. For a boy who loves superheroes, martial arts & soccer, can also delight in a red bag full of cute doggies on it.

Full Moon Blessings from Youth

13 Oct 2019

A week before some students texted to say they would like to drop by. Their exams just ended.

As I had a prior commitment they visited yesterday instead.

“…we have graduated …but we’ll never forget your kindness.” – student moving onto Year 5.

They came bearing gifts of fruits, food, scents and words, and made me feel like a village school teacher in the old days.

Before their visit, I also met up with a young Nepali undergrad doing her part for stray animals in her country. Yesterday she found the medicine she urgently needed to bring home for a rescuer and her sick kittens.

And yesterday happened to be full moon. According to Krison it was also Myanmar’s Thandingyut Festival, where youngsters honour older members of the family & community.

Unrest among youth and confrontations between generations dominate the news of late. The unseen suffering of animals continue even without media coverage.

In the midst of the above, may the love and grit of the youth I met on this full moon bring reconciliation between the young and the old, and healing for all sentient beings recovering from trauma and sickness. 🙏

Wishes of happiness, health & peace from Yang Liu, the calligrapher of these auspicious words

The Future is Now

10 Oct 2019

Sometimes I buy or collect stuff without really knowing why. They are not expensive or rare items – a book here, a stone there, little knick knacks at fund raising etc.

Many years ago I bought “The Diary of Rags,” to support Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD).

It was a story told from the perspective of an abandoned dog called Rags. It was meant for very young readers whom I had no contact with at that time.

I could have easily tossed it away during the many decluttering exercises teachers need to do if they don’t want to be buried under an avalanche of lesson materials & books.

But still I held on to the thin book. Perhaps keeping the book was my way of giving Rags the story book dog a home.

This September while I was away in Taiwan, First Tutee had to read a story book and create an alternative ending for it.

“Rags” came to First Tutee’s rescue.

Rags’ abandonment and hardship in the construction site with no prospect of rescue resonated with the primary 2 boy.

So for his alternative ending, First Tutee decided to put himself in the story. He went to the construction site and with outstretched arms, stood between Rags and the bullies.

I noticed in his drawing First Tutee was unarmed.

Me: Why didn’t you bring weapons with you when you went to rescue Rags? The dogs at the construction site might not like you entering their territory.

First Tutee: I only want to scare the dogs away, not hurt them.

He had included the cats, Ollie & the late Kitty in his rescue mission because they are his protectors.

The new term began. His English teacher texted to say that First Tutee was one of the two pupils who handed in their holiday assignment on the first day of school.

When I bought the “Diary of Rags” at the animal welfare event, I didn’t know one day a little Malay boy would need it for his English assignment, and show me a compassionate & courageous heart sitting in that 8-year-old body of his.

Even as no one knows what the future holds, it is assuring to see that all kind acts will be of benefit to someone somehow at some point.

So may we try to do all the good we can even if we can’t see the results yet.

The Last Lesson of the Term

5 Oct 2019

“Ms Ong, you’re Chinese so you know these things. I had a terrible nightmare last night? Why ah?” the teenage boy asked.

I saw his strange logic as an attempt to access his spiritual side.

“Well, words have energy. Maybe the bad words you use so freely in the day time collect themselves in your head as nightmares when you sleep,” I said quietly.

“Really ah?” He asked.

“The words had to go somewhere after they come out of your mouth. So it’s natural for them to return to their creator,” I reasoned.

“So why don’t you try to be nice for a change and use better words? Swearing is also very tiring you know?” I continued.

For the rest of the lesson, it was quite touching & comical to watch him looking towards my direction & placing a finger on his lips to fight the urge to use expletives over things that didn’t agree with him.

Two days later he was very excited to tell me that he had tried very hard to avoid cursing. The night before he didn’t have a nightmare, but he dreamt he was on an outing with friends and very happy.

He and some of his friends were prone to insomnias and mood swings. So I think he really cherished the change, even if it was just a dream.

On the morning of our final lesson the first thing he said when we met was,

“Ma’am, can you pray for me?”

I was a bit surprised by such a wholesome wish so elegantly put forth by a boy known for temper flare ups.

I said to him I already did so every day before I left my home to teach. ( I dedicate a light to invoke compassion & wisdom before setting out)

He looked surprised.

“But after you don’t teach me anymore can you still pray for me?”

He was worried that his prayers couldn’t reach God because of his corrupted speech habits.

I assured him that God can hear everything, including dirty words. But if we guard our speech we make a clean space in our heart to receive His guidance. Then whether things turn out the way we want them or not, we will still be fine.

Before we broke for lunch, he came to shake my hand.

“Promise you pray for me even if we don’t see each other again? I’ll be thinking of you.”

I said OK.

Facing Light

29 Sep 2019

Light in Sydney on June 2018.

“I want to draw the devil!” the lanky boy replied as he studied my reaction. I had asked him if he would like to do art since he wasn’t in a mood to do English work.

He had been having one altercation after another since morning.

During English class a casual request from his fellow classmate to fill up his drinking bottle had easily spiralled downwards into a shouting match of vulgarities.

It’s difficult to imagine this doe-eyed individual capable of setting fire to public property. But then again there’s also an African saying that goes, “An unloved child will set fire to the whole village to feel its warmth.”

“Why don’t we give the devil a rest today and do some mandala colouring for a change?” I asked him calmly.

His defiance dropped a little. Perhaps he was puzzled by my suggestion.

My late Kitty with Mandala Book on Christmas 2017.

I quickly produced Susanne Fincher’s book of mandala templates and a box of Derwent colouring pencils.

The sullen boy was mildly intrigued by the display of colours before him. But the residual anger from the storm that had broken held him back.

“Yes, you should try the mandala colouring! It took me damn long but it’s nice,” one of he boys who had an earlier confrontation with him quipped. This boy had completed two mandalas to date and was very proud of his ability to start & finish well.

Mandalas coloured at Park Village Hotel, Nepal in 2014.

The boy moved closer to my desk to have a better look at the mandalas completed by other students.

“Wow! This is nice! Who did this?” Hatred gave way to fascination as he ran his fingers over the beautiful circles.

It took him a while to choose his mandala template. When he finally did, he retreated to the corner of our study room and faced the wall to get started.

I desperately wanted him to face the large window to receive the healing light of the morning sun. His battered soul needed it.

But I knew that his brittle nerves would not tolerate being told where to sit. It was good as it was that he agreed not to draw the devil but colour a mandala instead.

So I watched him quietly from my desk.

Suddenly he stopped colouring and asked, “Miss Ong, how come these two colours on my mandala look the same even though I’m using different colour pencils?”

He was referring to chrome yellow and lemon yellow. He had used them side by side in his mandala.

One night Ollie just got very fascinated by the windhorse flags.

I looked at what he had put on his mandala and said, “Your first colour is blue representing water. And your second colour is green representing earth. And you have used two kinds of yellow to represent the Sun. The Sun must be very important to you!” I said.

He beamed at my interpretation and like a primary school child, asked me to repeat every thing I just said.

The way he smiled and breathed as I repeated what his colours might mean looked like he was listening to some beautiful secret language that his soul understood.

I then went on to explain that the reason why he couldn’t tell the 2 yellows apart was because where he sat didn’t allow enough light to see clearly. Had he faced the window where the Sun was coming from he would have been able to differentiate the colours easily.

Without a word, he gathered all his materials and turned his chair towards the Sun.

And for the rest of the lesson there was peace as the boy concentrated on making his mandala beautiful. Whenever he looked up, there was the Sun smiling back at him.

So I wish for myself and all sentient beings the grace to look towards light for healing when disappointments in life make darkness feel good and inviting.

Prayer Flags at Boudha Stupa on the full moon of Dec 2017.