tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81664117333587326182024-02-08T09:06:31.874+08:00A Thousand ReasonsThou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-75254708890612871082014-02-23T15:24:00.000+08:002014-02-23T15:24:22.519+08:00Farewell, My Friends!<br />
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<b><i>I've had just enough time... to say farewell but I'm not sure about the return...</i></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">This is my dead bonsai plant that I found too beautiful to stay dead...<br /><br /><br /><b><i>Farewell, my friends. I regret to write this note.<br /><br />But my health took a turn for the worse and I’ve to spend more time managing it which did not leave me quite enough time to write – at least not in the quality or with the same passion I had been sharing with all of you, my friends. </i></b><div style="font-size: medium;">
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So I sought to "revive" it to give it everlasting beauty...</div>
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<b><i>Recent events have also forced me to redirect my attention to other more pressing matters and is another reason why I have to leave. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>I don’t know when or if I will be back. Maybe, one fine day after I licked my problems and the sun is shining brightly; I may just find the energy to do it all again. Nothing is definite in life; that much I know. </i></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">To remind me that memory can preserve beauty forever...<br /><br /><br /><b><i>So meanwhile, it is farewell. Thank you for all the beautiful moments. I will cherish them and the memories of some of you will never fade, you know who you are. I did not have time to say individual goodbye so I apologize for saying it here. Sorry. <br /><br />I hate long drawn out goodbyes so this is it, I’m turning my back and walking away with heavy steps. The leaves are falling...<br /><br /><br /></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Something will never die if we don't let it... <br /> It may not live on in its original form but it can still live - <br /> In other different but no less beautiful way... <br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br /><br />Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-75233479031674491632014-02-14T23:03:00.000+08:002014-02-14T23:03:01.801+08:00Happy Valentine – With Orchids & How Do I Love Thee? – Part II<br />
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<b><i>I've had just enough time... to celebrate another Valentine Day cum Chap Goh Meh Day</i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><i>When I finished reciting that poem, one farmer’s wife clapped very enthusiastically and very loudly. Only one. The rest stared at me in stoney silence maybe wondering if I have gone out of my mind. I cannot remember how I connect the poem with the rest of the technical report but I must have done it somehow for I finished it off quite acceptably to receive decent applause at least, if not as enthusiastically as that farmer’s wife.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><i>But I never tried that stunt again in the other towns and cities. Not in Victoria with my stories of crazy Gila birds that hanged like bats and where that pretty reporter asked me to squeeze in with her into her small car with her microphones saying “it sounds better this way”. Not in the imposing steel and glass towers of Sydney. Not in Wagga Wagga where I was in my elements with my stories of tip toeing naked kangaroos on cold autumn nights and the horror of being naked in a hen house of hundreds of excited chicks. That performance got me a TV interview and the invitation to go rice sowing on a light plane.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><i>Mmmm… Come to think of it, maybe the timing was just not right. Maybe, I should have recited it only on Valentine Day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>I love with a passion put to use </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>I love thee with a love I seemed to lose</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath,</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>I shall but love thee better after death.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>Elizabeth Barrett Browning</i></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">I love thee to the depth and breadth and height </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">I love thee to the level of every day's </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">I love with a passion put to use </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">I love thee with a love I seemed to lose </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath, </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose, </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">I shall but love thee better after death.</span></i></div>
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<br />Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-46387575825521843972014-02-12T23:15:00.000+08:002014-02-14T22:40:54.962+08:00Happy Valentine – With Orchids & How Do I Love Thee? – Part I<br />
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<b><i>I've had just enough time... to tell how much I love thee -</i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><i>Valentine Day is just round the corner and if you asked me to choose a love poem, it has to be this one that I recited ten years ago to the farmers who gathered in the town hall of the small Australian town of Morawa. It was a freezing summer morning and I shivered nervously as I stumbled my way up the stage to stare at the weathered faces of rough, tough Australian farmers and their wives. They were firing up these huge electrical lanterns to generate some heat which I desperately needed. After the brief introduction, the silence was nerve racking as I cleared my dry throat to speak.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><i>I regretted my quirky sense of humour and romance but it was too late to back off. In the radio interview the day before which was aired that morning, some of these farmers had already heard some of the good as well as not so flattering views I said about their wheat as they drove their combine harvester before the crack of dawn. They then drove down with their family to hear what else I have to say. I was on a tour of 5 Australian farming towns and this is the first stop. I don’t remember much of the content of speech but I remembered opening it with – “How Do I Love Thee?” followed by the rest of the poem. I must be mad.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOos9wgowLiZmXYciB2NbblphAIE0_94UcuQJOnOvF9dGlMj3V6dlRPI4tfCA7o3ZPF9_OGAqdKCWyvjTfJcKzocyPCe5kGhyU-3T9p3tMXzYWq_CdRkzjFbInSdqKjQJY8wD3-Euvdw/s1600/Valentine+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOos9wgowLiZmXYciB2NbblphAIE0_94UcuQJOnOvF9dGlMj3V6dlRPI4tfCA7o3ZPF9_OGAqdKCWyvjTfJcKzocyPCe5kGhyU-3T9p3tMXzYWq_CdRkzjFbInSdqKjQJY8wD3-Euvdw/s1600/Valentine+3.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">Last Valentine, I shared the occasion with Desiderata, see link here– <a href="http://a1000reasons.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-valentine-saying-it-with-orchids.html">Happy Valentine - Saying it with Orchids & Desired Things.</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://a1000reasons.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-valentine-saying-it-with-orchids.html"> </a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">This Valentine, let me share “How Do I Love Thee” by </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">Elizabeth Barrett Browning </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;">with you accompanied by my orchids in light and shadows. Joined me for Part II for what happened after the conclusion of that speech in Morawa.</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>I love thee to the depth and breadth and height</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight </i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOLY_ASow50uvRzce6K1ILOqUyHvAHRjBio70t3NDm1OLmAecDfdlontIyLdashByHEBKA9BwNpYOAl_VoqAGdPFrkhtoqltok1iAsZg8QpBy0vKN0XwhWkkUPyNjHpdFyeFP_DC_n7U/s1600/Valentine+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOLY_ASow50uvRzce6K1ILOqUyHvAHRjBio70t3NDm1OLmAecDfdlontIyLdashByHEBKA9BwNpYOAl_VoqAGdPFrkhtoqltok1iAsZg8QpBy0vKN0XwhWkkUPyNjHpdFyeFP_DC_n7U/s1600/Valentine+7.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.</i></b> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNQdNLHu5S1O0YmVzluWizCp2hZCoaoGSUWSoVXp-RM5ZqFZri1sTR2tboRQ9rkdH5z3saxSR4GBp5ZEXM1JMyqxg_LwxZfzaBYRGXOifs40C6Q9ITGcKFxWZk5O_hurFrAgRhijtgAo/s1600/Valentine+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNQdNLHu5S1O0YmVzluWizCp2hZCoaoGSUWSoVXp-RM5ZqFZri1sTR2tboRQ9rkdH5z3saxSR4GBp5ZEXM1JMyqxg_LwxZfzaBYRGXOifs40C6Q9ITGcKFxWZk5O_hurFrAgRhijtgAo/s1600/Valentine+8.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>I love thee to the level of every day's </i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAXn2Q9NfY4JSL7otjGbZOmYjew0MQ_ZUtplLSWV6v7GHMUyr5L0XsMl4cynIU1cXcB53-0L8KI2KPd_-_yYaJmKMZn8yxiXHHI7XIZDOs1ZtRxX1otNywghx424KPdm-oH5zAjqYTWo/s1600/Valentine+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAXn2Q9NfY4JSL7otjGbZOmYjew0MQ_ZUtplLSWV6v7GHMUyr5L0XsMl4cynIU1cXcB53-0L8KI2KPd_-_yYaJmKMZn8yxiXHHI7XIZDOs1ZtRxX1otNywghx424KPdm-oH5zAjqYTWo/s1600/Valentine+9.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; text-align: start;"><b><i>Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>Check out Part II for the conclusion to the speech in Morawa and the rest of the "How Do I Love Thee?" poem on Valentine Day.</b></i></span></span></div>
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<br />Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-63322686795402734632014-02-08T23:58:00.000+08:002014-02-08T23:58:21.340+08:00My Chinese New Year Ang Pow of Immeasurable Worth.<br />
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<b><i>I've had just enough time... to receive a special ang pow.</i></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">60 pupils lined up to show how the character "horse" is written in Mandarin</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quite a
number of you like the ang pows that I showed in the last post so I shared a
few more varieties with you in this post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">However, my favorite Ang Pow is one that came in rather plain wrapper. But there is something very special about it. Only one person in the world have ever given me such a unique red packet every year and I always look forward to receiving it for I will never know what is the gift I may receive with it. It always come with only RM10 while most of my ang pows are richer, I treasure it more because the riches it bestowed is not the money. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_dM_7xsm5HcAbO7gD_E4StDDfs1cPdafehiWcrhx_xqLWJ66kfYqMcQOnrWOFC1rVuuWQnvPQqDG4xbMpCQsp8mUlts917PSt7maIZdmIXO6zOua7qdAs1K9guWEltO-dxaH5-23z-E/s1600/P1370072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_dM_7xsm5HcAbO7gD_E4StDDfs1cPdafehiWcrhx_xqLWJ66kfYqMcQOnrWOFC1rVuuWQnvPQqDG4xbMpCQsp8mUlts917PSt7maIZdmIXO6zOua7qdAs1K9guWEltO-dxaH5-23z-E/s1600/P1370072.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cute ang pow with "ears" that the young will love.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif;">It is given by my old Auntie who is a kind hearted soul who spends her own money traveling to and from Myanmar to do charity work and to teach the unprivileged youth. She is spending all her remaining years in the service of others. The world would be a better place if there are more like her.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8L0Pwf93i5lROhTloxjO5t9s_5EPCkagtnOQPxVkf6lAxt9TeffrUCcz8OflPkhHiPbdqI9FdMfDjBeA-UVathvVvGvNxsy_H3SOdl-OaKnNKEeNECaLod9O1CvPUGjeFgnCD-VJ0rA/s1600/P1370090+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8L0Pwf93i5lROhTloxjO5t9s_5EPCkagtnOQPxVkf6lAxt9TeffrUCcz8OflPkhHiPbdqI9FdMfDjBeA-UVathvVvGvNxsy_H3SOdl-OaKnNKEeNECaLod9O1CvPUGjeFgnCD-VJ0rA/s1600/P1370090+(2).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the prettiest ang pow I received that of the family having a reunion dinner.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: start;">In her ang pow, along with the $10 note is a card with a different message every time. The message is not pre-selected so we always wonder what we are fated to receive. The one I received this year is – “Let go of all worries, only then will you appreciate the happiness of a compassionate heart.”</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyv06M8UobTiWuCi5F8Y8c5TOgzFfUxBol_HOGO_tG04qXcWxz5cSz9JBW08Tz8Jw0mRW-F8RJ_R9d22ewacMUxWUey0K_fMP-7-odVEmIJOYKNGVCswfgcFm45tHwwOPsCg3QwIA1P4/s1600/P1370002+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyv06M8UobTiWuCi5F8Y8c5TOgzFfUxBol_HOGO_tG04qXcWxz5cSz9JBW08Tz8Jw0mRW-F8RJ_R9d22ewacMUxWUey0K_fMP-7-odVEmIJOYKNGVCswfgcFm45tHwwOPsCg3QwIA1P4/s1600/P1370002+(2).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The card with a message slipped into the ang pow from my auntie.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How
appropriate”, I thought. I had been working on “letting go” the last couple of
years. Only then, I believe will I be able to accept the reality of the
situation that it is beyond me to bring about the changes that I would like to
see. And if I persist, I will not only make myself unhappy. So first, I have to
let go. Next is to adjust my life to accommodate “letting go”. Letting go of
intention, letting go of bitterness, letting go of the past life and starting in
a new direction. Even letting go of compassion for you cannot force compassion
on others. When your gift is not wanted, it is of no use whatever your
intention. So this year’s “gift” is especially valuable to me as a reminder of
the path I have to take. And it comes in a little ang pow of immeasurable worth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT8Xjr0uQ8rGfk8EcDYLFop_3sP2CUHfHiOgBG6WH6Me2y-rnVC-TSSmXjAbnncqy9s2u_kuNmXzQpjxECTRwc5z2yg_lRK_vO1Jcv0EUrBVdvWkXaxRu5QxW3-S6U6fo4pITYsqushQ/s1600/P1370081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT8Xjr0uQ8rGfk8EcDYLFop_3sP2CUHfHiOgBG6WH6Me2y-rnVC-TSSmXjAbnncqy9s2u_kuNmXzQpjxECTRwc5z2yg_lRK_vO1Jcv0EUrBVdvWkXaxRu5QxW3-S6U6fo4pITYsqushQ/s1600/P1370081.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cheerful ang pow showing a lion dance.</td></tr>
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<br />Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-47128018554059970062014-02-03T18:49:00.000+08:002014-02-03T19:11:36.439+08:00Galloping into the Year of the Horse.<br />
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<b><i>I've had just enough time... to gallop like a horse.</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfs761nCnmlFdQuVHDoqYve0JMP75c0dZ-P_pKelQnLDDeEENQ8f277xzEQZL7hTEGNSfUr9uTZEtNtODPJYEpzFs_W0sGSz5fLcgvrCK99A26PFgAuM3hxWO3ivaUVxBWTGpkgj2QaE/s1600/P1370055+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfs761nCnmlFdQuVHDoqYve0JMP75c0dZ-P_pKelQnLDDeEENQ8f277xzEQZL7hTEGNSfUr9uTZEtNtODPJYEpzFs_W0sGSz5fLcgvrCK99A26PFgAuM3hxWO3ivaUVxBWTGpkgj2QaE/s1600/P1370055+(2).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Year of the Horse - galloping free!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is
the Year of the Wood Horse. Full of energy and high potential for conflicts.
Here is wishing all of my friends and readers a vibrant year of galloping into
good fortune and galloping away from troubles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0d7D__hQPPQNZfqr7oO78bDRsMT_-nvAscnkL8DzX4t2A0E9oYZoTx5dsC4ODg5kYS6-KutIMms6rZr1u9ZvqPI4iutAT_I-krP5aP2HJd159SeZcBFoDyldd4_KhhE6_qz3NyIIQbs/s1600/P1360997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0d7D__hQPPQNZfqr7oO78bDRsMT_-nvAscnkL8DzX4t2A0E9oYZoTx5dsC4ODg5kYS6-KutIMms6rZr1u9ZvqPI4iutAT_I-krP5aP2HJd159SeZcBFoDyldd4_KhhE6_qz3NyIIQbs/s1600/P1360997.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embossed red on gold ang pow </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here are some of the “Ang Pow” I received this year. “Ang Pow” meant “red packet” in
the Hokkien, one of the Chinese dialect. It is the tradition of the Chinese to
give out red packet containing money during the Chinese New Year. It is given by
the elders to unmarried relatives or visitors (whether those who visit you or
whom you visit) during the New Year. Tough luck if you are married for you are
now considered an adult. You can only receive from your parents or bosses but
these are considered as “start work” ang pow for a good business start. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_M6ek0kJKxSek-H9FlCKipbSuEsqxIXN1FJ4Tnv0qw2k4qGmHN3toT95EaLGmfkKPCX8i5hzClURDz2i8owJj1v2J2uPt9v4CQNIp9kkZ4brVLQEgEV45qnFAW9vtApvy10gb9kyOFU/s1600/P1360993+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_M6ek0kJKxSek-H9FlCKipbSuEsqxIXN1FJ4Tnv0qw2k4qGmHN3toT95EaLGmfkKPCX8i5hzClURDz2i8owJj1v2J2uPt9v4CQNIp9kkZ4brVLQEgEV45qnFAW9vtApvy10gb9kyOFU/s1600/P1360993+(3).JPG" height="400" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brightly coloured family coloured theme.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 16.5pt;">But if
you are unmarried, you are still considered a child and thus eligible for ang
pow no matter how old you are! However, I’m not sure if that is considered a
blessing or not. You will receive a lot of reminders to get hitched along with
the ang pow until you are sick of hearing it. On the other hand, as an
encouragement, your children are eligible for ang pows so go forth and be
bountiful so you can have bountiful harvest of ang pows too!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the
old days, all ang pows are red in colour hence the name. But these days, many
of them are beautiful multi-coloured designs with various New Year theme. The
Year of the particular animal such as horse this year, auspicious animals or
birds, family gathering, lion dances, calligraphy wishes are popular themes.
There are even some with the faces of celebrities. In this posts, you get to
see some of the ang pows I received this year. “Huat! Ah!” (Prosper! Ah!”)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQAZVCxMxJv6T9nZule-ZP0UlTF8MLEqpqtka4QjoxY1SYtDGmvfIBLYGGP_sM4sWy3mvV1OzLY8seLfRTCtqX6_d790CuoOyWZxDerzJFKZS2TGQVF6VDaMJjg4AlOmjZGBN-JC4sSQ/s1600/P1360995+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQAZVCxMxJv6T9nZule-ZP0UlTF8MLEqpqtka4QjoxY1SYtDGmvfIBLYGGP_sM4sWy3mvV1OzLY8seLfRTCtqX6_d790CuoOyWZxDerzJFKZS2TGQVF6VDaMJjg4AlOmjZGBN-JC4sSQ/s1600/P1360995+(2).JPG" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!</td></tr>
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Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-27996778692351559002014-01-30T15:28:00.000+08:002014-01-30T15:28:40.462+08:00Where Will This Path Leads Me?<br />
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<b><i>I've had just enough time... to take the path that is offered.</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAVrLR7Queu_sKKfWl3T4ewZUiMukD5C3qXjyHoxTt0kMm2mlrDVeQVRg9mWODEeBVppT1m6k5gX3PwWcgYUeUjNcah3Gl8DKO8-LThETMM5RCZnJWld36inX-w_xwNNzaeHwPQse1NQ/s1600/P1250823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAVrLR7Queu_sKKfWl3T4ewZUiMukD5C3qXjyHoxTt0kMm2mlrDVeQVRg9mWODEeBVppT1m6k5gX3PwWcgYUeUjNcah3Gl8DKO8-LThETMM5RCZnJWld36inX-w_xwNNzaeHwPQse1NQ/s1600/P1250823.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I let the path leads me wherever it leads me but<br />I do not forget to smell the flowers along the way</td></tr>
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It is interesting where paths will lead you if you let them lead the way. That is why when I find myself in a strange city, I like to wander off on my own. Aimlessly. And let the path leads me wherever it may lead. I have always made interesting discoveries this way. Without fail. In every city I have been to.</div>
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I just started a new blog and it already is leading me to interesting places. I wrote about the books I read and the books I intend to read. That led me to a mail exchange I had with Liza Dalby, the author of Geisha and The Tale of Murasaki a long time ago about my graveyard of books - <a href="http://a1000reasons.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/my-graveyard-of-books/">http://a1000reasons.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/my-graveyard-of-books/</a>. A comment by a reader led me to reflect on my first meeting with a geisha - "When I was a young man of 21, ages ago. I found myself one night in Tokyo along with a colleague and my ex-boss; each with a geisha accompanying us. We were hosted by maybe 6 or 7 Japanese gentlemen from a large organization toasting us with a mixture of Suntory beer, Black Label whiskey and warm sake..." You can read it here - <a href="http://a1000reasons.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/the-geisha-who-showed-me-her-empty-cup/">http://a1000reasons.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/the-geisha-who-showed-me-her-empty-cup/</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5csxMPT4_6UAA1Tt_syvt9PUXVQYXWKncMzU40WkSPdIUKQ2KRTavCmiQ0Dohl7ihQvT6uEhU-K-B-MtQqFcnR6un28g3KMIe7Bwrtmat5iV-W5HFCLVuPIp9w4JOHd0V6wE_YawcQVs/s1600/P1250830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5csxMPT4_6UAA1Tt_syvt9PUXVQYXWKncMzU40WkSPdIUKQ2KRTavCmiQ0Dohl7ihQvT6uEhU-K-B-MtQqFcnR6un28g3KMIe7Bwrtmat5iV-W5HFCLVuPIp9w4JOHd0V6wE_YawcQVs/s1600/P1250830.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes it leads me to strange places<br />But it never fails to lead me to interesting places</td></tr>
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I will continue to wander off the main track and let Life surprises me. It is one of my greatest pleasure to find Life's hidden treasures.</div>
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<br />Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-15823116101687521372014-01-26T22:52:00.000+08:002014-01-26T22:57:30.193+08:00The World Is Moving Too Fast For The Slow Loris<br />
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<b><i>I've had just enough time... to feel sad for the slow loris</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0u1_moTU3lmjs0Tmpu79OW024uof_vyOWquqkvaM6vg2qgub_2AEYVXkN9o-oOX9E9hFbNV8emPN1ZDRN3LrLVAS6cIx3sxeJ4BglTm-YDe6e91RoACLSlVPh7ukUgJN7ZyA8iBVtAk/s1600/P1240877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0u1_moTU3lmjs0Tmpu79OW024uof_vyOWquqkvaM6vg2qgub_2AEYVXkN9o-oOX9E9hFbNV8emPN1ZDRN3LrLVAS6cIx3sxeJ4BglTm-YDe6e91RoACLSlVPh7ukUgJN7ZyA8iBVtAk/s1600/P1240877.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The slow loris kiss his owner </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In the Pahang jungle, I saw this man with the slow loris. It
was obvious that he has bonded with the animal and they treated each other
affectionately. But the slow loris is an endangered species. The cute, adorable
and gentle loris with its large eyes is popular as a pet but wild life trade
has decimated their population endangering them. Loris also do not breed well
in captivity and they have one of the slowest birth rate for a mammal. Before
they are sold as a pet, their teeth are ripped off with a plier as they have a
toxic bite. Many do not survive this treatment. When Rihana took a selfie with
a slow loris in Thailand, two men were arrested.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jmSRifmDzR6hQPWY9XREFrQAmw54wfVSnVUZXtPaEPmaK56SmaPuQ5t058Gf0YvZJeJ_mCFM7D2DvefbK7zPZJhnZDALwu3gTYjUJKrTcRj20LNCOLzHPTJQ66C_dkaw-kF8IVFjUAo/s1600/P1240862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jmSRifmDzR6hQPWY9XREFrQAmw54wfVSnVUZXtPaEPmaK56SmaPuQ5t058Gf0YvZJeJ_mCFM7D2DvefbK7zPZJhnZDALwu3gTYjUJKrTcRj20LNCOLzHPTJQ66C_dkaw-kF8IVFjUAo/s1600/P1240862.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But it does not belong to the world of man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I asked the man about keeping an endangered animal as a pet.
He told me that his loris dropped off from the tree when it was still a baby.
It would have died if he have left it where he found it. He could not return it
to its parents for they would reject it once it is tainted with the human
smell. So he had no choice but to rear it himself. I have no reason to doubt
him. I have no reason to believe him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0ScLGAr6kiGVrOnUW4S5zS65pNWuxUYHH_9UQqOyx1UJDORJ_KOL7-sx4J5ukF0iaWeBc-Pqz-wugDktqUVyBIuA0x9V_5tmqFRc00oQv5AVpJv5LJtxSAkEjL_yRD3Ub9zoaUt3KUA/s1600/P1060823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0ScLGAr6kiGVrOnUW4S5zS65pNWuxUYHH_9UQqOyx1UJDORJ_KOL7-sx4J5ukF0iaWeBc-Pqz-wugDktqUVyBIuA0x9V_5tmqFRc00oQv5AVpJv5LJtxSAkEjL_yRD3Ub9zoaUt3KUA/s1600/P1060823.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If it is true he save it, did he do the right thing to keep it? (he does love it, I'm sure)<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See this disturbing video -</div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RF9-Dp3unTU?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-15608971843633754462014-01-22T23:28:00.000+08:002014-01-22T23:28:09.037+08:00Al Fresco Dining the Hawkers Style.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time... to have my favourite noodles the Al fresco style</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FycQqwgulEUXiS6TE8B3qNEnbU3AO2qW9DU03nSMrT-oeiE4FMx42WtPAe4M1YR-JlsEYvxdQDskC7wbsKW0DVwRoJC3vweFC1I67JQcSn9JXDT9ixtjjYnOBypfJY-egBgx6Lq7T90/s1600/P1020020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FycQqwgulEUXiS6TE8B3qNEnbU3AO2qW9DU03nSMrT-oeiE4FMx42WtPAe4M1YR-JlsEYvxdQDskC7wbsKW0DVwRoJC3vweFC1I67JQcSn9JXDT9ixtjjYnOBypfJY-egBgx6Lq7T90/s1600/P1020020.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Al fresco dining the Malaysian style</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>In the early evening, in a parking lot on a corner by the
side of a busy street of Kuala Lumpur, hawkers were busy setting up food stalls
for the night business. Carts and chairs were arranged on every available
places trapping cars left behind by drivers that were not aware of or were slow
to remove them. Tables and stools were arranged in the center framed by hawkers
stalls selling all kinds of mainly noodles dishes in various styles of
preparations, “dried” style with black sauce, different “soup” styles – beef,
beef tendon, chicken, chicken spare parts, pork, pork spare parts with light
soup, curry or a whole varieties of different stocks and flavors. They may be a
rice stall such as chicken or duck rice, or a “roti chanai” (Indian flat bread)
stall among them as well as various other types of food and desserts. It will
not be surprising to find a stall selling a local fried burger or Western food
such as Maryland chicken and chips. It was a food heaven.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>This is a typical food stalls congregation in any city or
towns in Malaysia and they are always crowded and a fun place to be. The scene
we are seeing is in the early evening when the stalls is just being set up but
already a few early birds are already tucking in. Another hour, and you will
find patrons waiting for a seat to be available. No one managed the place but
it seemed to be very well organized with each stall contributing towards
maintenance of the area for the benefits of all concerned. The prices are very
economical and is a fraction of that available in restaurants. The food are
generally also quite hygienically prepared and is safe for consumption. This is
the favorite form of food consumption for busy Malaysian who are not cooking at
home.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-43477694730551470952014-01-19T10:59:00.000+08:002014-01-19T10:59:49.663+08:00The Melon I Found In The Borneo Highlands<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time... to find the melon in the highlands</i></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpWQBrT91gOG14MPDwvfQlFzr7YlV_6wmwuwPPWTBtFsi1oBxvOPdsd6Hu3eOHfdYYPBDBvbKlHKahMU3mhmMQfyyc9O6blPfFk_S68wpuDlCuVBfwgBgAfnHnvRdgFbvytozO5QZZjs/s1600/P1240996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpWQBrT91gOG14MPDwvfQlFzr7YlV_6wmwuwPPWTBtFsi1oBxvOPdsd6Hu3eOHfdYYPBDBvbKlHKahMU3mhmMQfyyc9O6blPfFk_S68wpuDlCuVBfwgBgAfnHnvRdgFbvytozO5QZZjs/s1600/P1240996.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful melon with intricate patterns I found in the Borneo Highlands Resort in Kuching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>The melon I found on Borneo Highlands<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I know not its name and<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>There is no one to enlighten<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>But it is all the same<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>One need not know to appreciate<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>One only need know to appreciate</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</div>
Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-16239658844106806142014-01-15T19:03:00.000+08:002014-01-15T19:03:00.655+08:00Don't Be Caught Off-guard By The Irish Rooster!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I've had just enough time to... be caught off-guard by the Irish Rooster</b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dTrVor27ypJ-DKgboylpX59kuTxR89-3QLyLH-HaBN_j7IXmSGmWtUb0_D-j7C6xHRiRqjYO6FPLkMKqfl7kikpe0f_8yFpkFMGx-5zKnxreJsNguEHuwQNiKSNnqBD965IPCPoHSlQ/s1600/P1030884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dTrVor27ypJ-DKgboylpX59kuTxR89-3QLyLH-HaBN_j7IXmSGmWtUb0_D-j7C6xHRiRqjYO6FPLkMKqfl7kikpe0f_8yFpkFMGx-5zKnxreJsNguEHuwQNiKSNnqBD965IPCPoHSlQ/s400/P1030884.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that an Irish Rooster in Shanghai?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><i>Irish Music - The Rooster Lyrics</i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>We had some chickens no eggs would they lay</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>We had some chickens no eggs would they lay<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>The wife said honey we're loosing money<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Because those chickens no eggs would they lay<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Then came a rooster into our yard<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>And he caught them chickens right off their guard<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>They're laying eggs now like they never used to<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Since that rooster came into our yard<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wOi8qJnhIB0" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-46560101629066318112014-01-12T19:20:00.001+08:002014-01-12T22:24:27.697+08:00In A Mosque in Beirut<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time... to speak about God</i></b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIeb0Tb0ukQi1yNULR3O9CJbANeQpTlgS5adD4m9UQEhv04tHFyemHEuEwNirP7nA2qn6wQoY7THaAZPIehxB_EampNOsFTl4Xa_onKFXvzIJOr6IDKaMkOIIWrmqAwlIhAAvxtTqjh0/s1600/P1060580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIeb0Tb0ukQi1yNULR3O9CJbANeQpTlgS5adD4m9UQEhv04tHFyemHEuEwNirP7nA2qn6wQoY7THaAZPIehxB_EampNOsFTl4Xa_onKFXvzIJOr6IDKaMkOIIWrmqAwlIhAAvxtTqjh0/s1600/P1060580.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>In a mosque in Beirut, a father speaks softly to his child...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>In a mosque in Beirut<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I saw a father softly </i></b><br />
<b><i>Speaking to his child</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Sitting in the shadows as<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Lights streamed through<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>The windows, I believe<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>As he believes, there is God<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>And in churches and temples<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Everywhere, a man speaks<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Softly to his child about<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>The God he knows</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-58788385297519147922014-01-07T21:07:00.000+08:002014-01-07T21:07:22.998+08:00The Old Man Looking for His Center<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="f25946df-58da-477c-9535-96e841d0cbd6" id="f499371b-af41-4c66-a969-eb7dc39f0cbf"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="1515c676-e137-4b8f-abd2-f8ba49ec2013" id="16d040c8-d281-4e58-aeaa-94b9c4698e86">to</span></span> look for my center</i></b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24s2D7CpLdtEUJ9E40i1MoUBUyeNn49PJmWjSCWTZnM52XtDGOtjeBfWoAU2IjP1gNzdRjCdeEbghm2V27AHA2FvH-d08rQABedhhDID_8AS57Zcws3R_fAujsMdDjXb8nu98O4HU9og/s1600/IMG-20120317-00073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24s2D7CpLdtEUJ9E40i1MoUBUyeNn49PJmWjSCWTZnM52XtDGOtjeBfWoAU2IjP1gNzdRjCdeEbghm2V27AHA2FvH-d08rQABedhhDID_8AS57Zcws3R_fAujsMdDjXb8nu98O4HU9og/s400/IMG-20120317-00073.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw the old man walking unsteadily on edges...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>The old
man<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Walked on
edges<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Struggling
to maintain<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>A
balance, not<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Too much
right or<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Too much
left<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Might
fall off<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Into the
abyss<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK2SA4ZrffMLsZBGfqoB5IuZRuKcqIzOcbkqibF7IgVOCqk2hBATbYB8rV73a_IaMpJWBx_6G-tzF7bkNVs8pUIZaIdsh2b1jXmTFt50MjpgKhZuCrnrSPLl6DubCVDMnF40WzswsNgc/s1600/IMG-20120317-00074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK2SA4ZrffMLsZBGfqoB5IuZRuKcqIzOcbkqibF7IgVOCqk2hBATbYB8rV73a_IaMpJWBx_6G-tzF7bkNVs8pUIZaIdsh2b1jXmTFt50MjpgKhZuCrnrSPLl6DubCVDMnF40WzswsNgc/s400/IMG-20120317-00074.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He is trying to find his center.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>I asked “Why?”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Almost
causing his fall<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>He
brushed me off<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Walking
unsteadily forth<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Then
stunned me <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Left me
pondering<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>What his
voice carried<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>With his
departure<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>“How can I find my center,</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Walking on level ground?”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>_______</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">What's Your Center?</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8k8s0JyzJsk" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-85815113122724613182014-01-04T20:58:00.000+08:002014-01-04T20:58:41.390+08:00The Caterpillar or the Leaves<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c6a0e22d-321f-4cae-9a98-207eb25c2b09" id="8ca21f7c-1edc-4caf-9028-78f4b9c38aad">to</span> harvest a butterfly</i></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GtnE-29fV9LZciA4jZwjVnAaMDBrX8b3WgLqdgKRfDX6VWmQtXBRa0ESRoKKy0EkjK25hzYCm8bbt7TolYPu8jX3Aa4TnkU5bOPxzab15clvHPBqb2w4iTyGcwGT6htoJkrI1XClgNE/s1600/P1360661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GtnE-29fV9LZciA4jZwjVnAaMDBrX8b3WgLqdgKRfDX6VWmQtXBRa0ESRoKKy0EkjK25hzYCm8bbt7TolYPu8jX3Aa4TnkU5bOPxzab15clvHPBqb2w4iTyGcwGT6htoJkrI1XClgNE/s400/P1360661.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The caterpillar hiding under a branch...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Two pots
of ailing <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Flowering
plants<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Nursed
back to health.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>New
leaves from<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Barren
branches<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Pleased me.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Shocked
me<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>To see leaves
<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3a929999-5671-497c-ac19-4ec7a55cd452" id="afa2f573-3dca-4a83-a6da-bb94ec2c116e">of</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>One
stripped bare.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The next
day, <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="6f9e9b5f-3245-4444-8b78-b2106e27d8c5" id="bebc1f37-5aed-41fd-997b-4ac76970a20d">the</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Rest
disappeared.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The
culprit was found<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Fat
under a branch<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Shyly
hiding from <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The sun,
leaving me<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>To
decide the fate of<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The
<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="f3d930c2-b18c-4d8a-bdfe-453c89e1c2ec" id="7486c349-e126-4218-bcac-9766ff0d2203">caterpillar</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Or the
leaves</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1caaJXmlYiHQ86__NKYspS-1njnAM_uTTxXNNieCC_e3EKqUy075JmFRKNzZlw9p0apCm8z-dmKOXw3NDpuzmKDN6tH95jI1y6V_gVkLv6iE8H13fwwVHeHeZQhb463RgX4uTskMFs0k/s1600/P1360652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1caaJXmlYiHQ86__NKYspS-1njnAM_uTTxXNNieCC_e3EKqUy075JmFRKNzZlw9p0apCm8z-dmKOXw3NDpuzmKDN6tH95jI1y6V_gVkLv6iE8H13fwwVHeHeZQhb463RgX4uTskMFs0k/s400/P1360652.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My prosperity flowers whose leaves were devoured.<br />Can you see where the caterpillar is hiding?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>I wanted
the flowers<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Of the
plants nursed<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>To
health, but strange<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Are the
fruits of the <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Tree one
sowed<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>I
harvest a butterfly <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Instead.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-Pzhs1czcjqbCzfTCSC-lIkYMa9ygBdjvqsu0XRDKP5QPiWg7NKAdEyZeH1Fn2Y102RHcH2WgCRP5bSXR3wb7W1f9Cn3WODslNqWsB1iLpcXmnzy9dRWrGuU-SXuRi_-JodB_ATwPs0/s1600/P1360668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-Pzhs1czcjqbCzfTCSC-lIkYMa9ygBdjvqsu0XRDKP5QPiWg7NKAdEyZeH1Fn2Y102RHcH2WgCRP5bSXR3wb7W1f9Cn3WODslNqWsB1iLpcXmnzy9dRWrGuU-SXuRi_-JodB_ATwPs0/s400/P1360668.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What would you choose?<br />The leaves or the caterpillar or...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-59249024590307306522014-01-01T19:37:00.002+08:002014-01-01T20:25:04.394+08:00Thoughts on The Act of Giving.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="1a559b55-6b59-4e4d-b030-d95f81110eb2" id="3955dab7-d6fe-4286-8e8a-fd23dcf38bd0"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="cc2e401c-3b5e-475e-b3d2-ef2d41b6685c" id="ce524cb9-4075-466c-9968-1c82fe801750">to</span></span> give and to receive...</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPu1m654o6Gi0aZJ35ttU3M3uBnTkj_yMJkLTLxYFr802OES4wN-TUgwxTgDG3ydontYdCR9UCvJ_Epqri86DmNvNYIAsEKKFAjgvIAhhXSdWUr0b9x1frKYjyAih0uPhHtgsqkpThNY/s1600/1P1310161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPu1m654o6Gi0aZJ35ttU3M3uBnTkj_yMJkLTLxYFr802OES4wN-TUgwxTgDG3ydontYdCR9UCvJ_Epqri86DmNvNYIAsEKKFAjgvIAhhXSdWUr0b9x1frKYjyAih0uPhHtgsqkpThNY/s400/1P1310161.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tribute to all who gives...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US">The last two years were the toughest
in my working life. It was a mixture of extremes, some of my greatest
achievements and fulfillment mixed in with some of the unhappiest moments and
heart-breaking failures. There were several junctures during this period of
living dangerously when I was more than ready to throw in the towel, to call it
quits and walk into the sunset. But somehow I persevere. I made it through to
this point, another crossroads in my life. I made it because of friends who
believe in me, who stood by me and who needed me to carry on. But I also made
it because the act of giving gives me enough strength to withstand the <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5f9adc28-af0c-4323-ba79-eb5b016dc27f" id="0bcad5fe-18a7-4d2c-9fc9-ee826529f6cf"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="787baead-cf41-4bcb-8f55-df0db3d2f241" id="21b8e4c3-a397-4c4a-a0f1-394e047cc8e8">hurts</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGubLYq7gFbI81JlvVxtkiiW2XWCbD4G7UwTt814-kGFo-AJRCTHOwHyaWcLDSsbf_XfkrnWdFX0AFZOVTIlqvJ_9XCl1zxFPYKwB1KrqzSyaeftLout16wKBp66CKdHCBCWGXG_7Yqxo/s1600/2P1310108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGubLYq7gFbI81JlvVxtkiiW2XWCbD4G7UwTt814-kGFo-AJRCTHOwHyaWcLDSsbf_XfkrnWdFX0AFZOVTIlqvJ_9XCl1zxFPYKwB1KrqzSyaeftLout16wKBp66CKdHCBCWGXG_7Yqxo/s400/2P1310108.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To all who empathizes...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I was given
the task of setting up a new business/company and to transform another, one in
which I had been working for a very long time. In just a year, the new company
radically changes the very industry in which it was in and its innovative
product became a household name. And it is on its way to be a successful
company with modern management and a compassionate attitude towards its
workers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvo-egsdwKzQ07g2n6PORsbfL6aBT0QosAjQSu71yIxFf9EyMs4g90ymwGHxTZif-5cXnimFb_cxIiGVZsQrsuJm03k036kQWrBZIg63C0abFtD6nax5mo84F2T-XU_6poin6W1wk-J8/s1600/3P1310064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvo-egsdwKzQ07g2n6PORsbfL6aBT0QosAjQSu71yIxFf9EyMs4g90ymwGHxTZif-5cXnimFb_cxIiGVZsQrsuJm03k036kQWrBZIg63C0abFtD6nax5mo84F2T-XU_6poin6W1wk-J8/s400/3P1310064.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To all who cares...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">But
transforming the old company proves to be akin to moving an elephant that does
not want to be moved. I pushed and pushed and hurt my back. And to add insult
to injury, the village condemned me for disrupting the nature of things. I was
the madman for trying to move an elephant. And I underestimated the vindictiveness
of dead woods. Their poisons infected all who came near them and in the jungle
where they inhabit, they protect themselves with vapors that blinded <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d15493c9-ba56-467c-9dd6-baec4bef3ce6" id="c9a331ac-4fc3-4a85-bde7-78f8007d0ef7"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d6e36ecd-238b-4fcd-b28e-9110cc33f509" id="26dd0f49-b11d-40dd-8721-8de79fef2245">man</span></span> of
their own follies. Only little <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="ffa6d711-1b23-42a9-8608-87fb440027a4" id="9c0e3939-04d1-428e-a603-d2f544390707"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="ed55199d-32f2-4a37-bc22-0f9e524711e7" id="033e0d81-77cd-4dd1-ae0a-e7fb50e5169a">Napoleans</span></span> staking out their little turfs thrived
in the swamp of decays. Even with the support of people who believe in me, it
was a lonely bruising fight and I came to question what I was fighting for. I
have many good reasons to leave and only a few to stay. One of which being a
leader of a tribe, I’m duty bound to improve their lots for them but even this
has a limit which in honesty I<i> </i>feel I’ve
more than fulfilled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGzWmWmXzMOBO4iQ2O-OBtP2in2EJFdv0lyFRiKmq1bSQ0Kc-VROJy5IdIEl2sDRB0OnMBtQiD8nHC64y4wfj-wptGIG1RNc-UMK83QHufFpSl4qRdhXTnXLHNXjEZSO9OCbjFQ5SBGo/s1600/4P1310168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGzWmWmXzMOBO4iQ2O-OBtP2in2EJFdv0lyFRiKmq1bSQ0Kc-VROJy5IdIEl2sDRB0OnMBtQiD8nHC64y4wfj-wptGIG1RNc-UMK83QHufFpSl4qRdhXTnXLHNXjEZSO9OCbjFQ5SBGo/s400/4P1310168.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention <br />
- Oscar Wilde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">It was
during this period that I made a pledge. If I can last two years, I will put
aside a part of my salary enough to donate a kidney machine for the hospital of
my charitable organization of choice. Sometimes, when the going got really
tough and I was left with little to hang on; the thought that I was not only
fighting for myself or even my friends but also for others who needed help was
the little extra that helped me <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="1a432ac8-2e76-4b9f-9996-b1a1962f3ae1" id="e2e83774-65e5-4939-b9a3-54a9f0842103"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="b297b56d-20d7-41e3-9ef2-0dfa64919bf7" id="4a7a4ffa-6d0d-48d5-b132-f310292edc41">got</span></span> through another day. Another bitter contention.
Another injustice. Another insult. The two years had passed. The kidney
machine I donated is now in operation in a hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBco3lIzK-9dlHPVcQNZpi9o5M7Tvk4u_eWc-fKp43gxHxVdm_Bj5EV_P1QGikQOvRK65KUMN91u9sKAYsWtOtfSsvJc0VhgsG6rpxK0oa6S8fgLvgwl83d9Jg1lbCjLIIYigjAl9wgww/s1600/5P1310163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBco3lIzK-9dlHPVcQNZpi9o5M7Tvk4u_eWc-fKp43gxHxVdm_Bj5EV_P1QGikQOvRK65KUMN91u9sKAYsWtOtfSsvJc0VhgsG6rpxK0oa6S8fgLvgwl83d9Jg1lbCjLIIYigjAl9wgww/s400/5P1310163.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No one has ever <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="1cb5c8a0-cbaf-4aed-b6c9-556a42945031" id="9d0d00c9-4911-4d93-a595-5bf59170de42"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8e67695a-c024-41a1-8f91-8533f69b9ade" id="2e689453-0f95-4deb-a001-8e3c31ac4e51">becomes</span></span> poor by giving <br />
- Anne Frank</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Recently, a friend in need wrote
me a quote from Oscar Wilde “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than
the grandest intention”. I thought about that and felt guilty how often my
grand intentions did not translate into acts of kindness. I resolve to intend
less and try to do more. I’m not a well-to-do man. Far from it. But I’ve enough
for my need. And I feel it one really wants to give, then one should give until
it hurts. I would like to be one of those really generous soul, one of those
that feels only joy when they give. I am not nor pretends to be. When I give, a
lot; it also hurts. In the sense that the sum I gave away I could have used it
to change a new computer, down payment for a new set of wheels, go on that
faraway vacation I’ve always wanted. You get my drift. I can only afford my charity by denying myself some 'wants'. I am not a <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="15d19086-c0cc-4d6d-ae7b-e11428955d09" id="4d8b92eb-d860-4fb5-b4f2-4cb1fbd43a5c"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="487722e9-6db2-434f-9788-43e40d4d8fed" id="436b3922-2245-44e5-9bea-eabb9d4858f2">saintly</span></span>
giver. I gave in spite of sacrifices. But I don’t give for recognition. That
kidney machine is donated anonymously. And Thou San is not my real name. This
blog is used for both reflection and a record of my journey through Life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdamBjnC0adMtW2AY3Flh7lOjr0W8kpK4jAbtXdVOpgu9gzgWtCcbvXoZTcyVnqwZu58mndOOoGd_Evftwn5HZ6LUMuZ-qcrMv4spL3daHTN7UJt7BWDGjQQk8zN_DoIfwLVckoM1yik/s1600/6P1310123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdamBjnC0adMtW2AY3Flh7lOjr0W8kpK4jAbtXdVOpgu9gzgWtCcbvXoZTcyVnqwZu58mndOOoGd_Evftwn5HZ6LUMuZ-qcrMv4spL3daHTN7UJt7BWDGjQQk8zN_DoIfwLVckoM1yik/s400/6P1310123.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving <br />
- Mother Teresa</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">I am a
selfish giver though. In the sense, I know the act of giving has its rewards. I
am not religious and don’t look for my rewards in the next life. I select my
charitable organization carefully, for what they do rather than their belief.
Thus, of the two main charities I contributed to; one is a Christian and the
other a Buddhist. I believe when you work to helping others, you empower
yourself. It makes you feel good. It gives you strength. It gives meanings <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="524df00c-91d5-4ec4-b110-03a095b0b759" id="12d7a8d3-5264-4856-ae60-821c00e93dd7"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="93f41991-3df0-4488-9020-64fe077c822d" id="db3060c4-c0a2-4f38-8b37-d35f4d5b4de8">to</span></span>
your struggle and existence. That was how it gave me the reason to continue the
struggle when I could no longer find enough reasons to struggle for myself these
last two years. That should be reward enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVeI7UHP7_wqL0qKLY62B4ldlM2P5FHa5t1yAYWobi8HD-Ajd5Hyf4Z3-gzF2VCbSCufcZkbMbZyl0FF7jTDqaz_mbLpIZHOrqk6lVS8Bb6IZ6RUw0aO5ec97dshRQW4alUWMhKo8mJ8/s1600/7P1310175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVeI7UHP7_wqL0qKLY62B4ldlM2P5FHa5t1yAYWobi8HD-Ajd5Hyf4Z3-gzF2VCbSCufcZkbMbZyl0FF7jTDqaz_mbLpIZHOrqk6lVS8Bb6IZ6RUw0aO5ec97dshRQW4alUWMhKo8mJ8/s400/7P1310175.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayers <br />
- Mahatma Gandhi</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">Now, a new
year has come round the corner. It is another beginning. I look at the long
road ahead and can already feel the fatigue of the journey. I am not a
pessimist. If anything, it is the opposite of that. I’m more of a realist with
too much hope to be considered one and too little to be considered an optimist.
I know it is a long tough road and I need all the help I can get. So I make
another pledge. If I cannot make it another two years than half of something is still
better than none. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So may the New Year be a happy one <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="7346a1fd-d759-4a52-8e35-9eab7b5ca7ec" id="efcfc4a4-9a0d-41f7-b5b6-6d830276b31d"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="987511b2-6dbd-4ac0-8d6a-3df7a6624a54" id="f70fb8ab-58bd-422e-a91e-e6a2162fd89a">to</span></span> you, happy to many more whose happiness depends on you <br />
- Charles Dickens</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">I will leave
it with this wish from Charles Dickens to all my readers<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c87fb00f-ee3a-4b7d-800e-3dd8a246ecc3" id="c7279ee0-8d2a-4aac-8596-a3c531e68df2"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="2494af76-0d4e-41e9-bb4a-a793f2dc32e4" id="0b4e2e41-a2a8-44c6-a3e4-dcaed9f1d106"> –</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i>“So may the New Year be a happy one <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="0334adaa-3e26-4789-a645-7369f53f3051" id="09c634a2-1388-441f-8fe3-f44d849d332e"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="49a084fb-4221-4841-9658-64f08fa1454b" id="3473ddc1-7d2b-4653-8796-bf1ea61ff2a0">to</span></span> you, happy to many
more whose happiness depends on you!” </i></b></div>
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Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-30538632777399370742013-12-29T20:00:00.000+08:002014-01-05T13:49:26.093+08:00What I Stole On Christmas<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time to... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e728895e-9c62-4a99-9ec5-c8037414bbf0" id="f8acc326-7e92-4796-af18-4ab60dc9cad8"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="b50a1955-1aba-4ee6-a7ae-37dba9b439fb" id="24ff62bf-0c2d-4ed1-8e0e-d77d1c243b95"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="55dddbb6-9e2b-4552-8639-7dbe86d72e88" id="bf293cd2-4d50-4752-85ac-aef43143895f"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="b4f00a7e-c28f-4c2d-959d-6e0a3025fb26" id="f15c1f7d-44f0-46c6-ab32-d76863810854"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="940f3b31-3c50-453a-b666-04215d414ca0" id="279c7d22-2edb-41a6-9779-c56c0aeb8d45">steal</span></span></span></span></span> from others :)</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrBrRoSbduLSI4Ea9HuNIeAGkqbArZs676hvZ6zPyCDCi0ShMlcQ8upkpF3sKI5O-ECZEzN41KVy9g6Pa7N2s9cZR1mQKrBQLnqtYuZFXwYCjt5iBfJedXxF3TE2F2mE0F7rHGGr0Jgo/s1600/P1360583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrBrRoSbduLSI4Ea9HuNIeAGkqbArZs676hvZ6zPyCDCi0ShMlcQ8upkpF3sKI5O-ECZEzN41KVy9g6Pa7N2s9cZR1mQKrBQLnqtYuZFXwYCjt5iBfJedXxF3TE2F2mE0F7rHGGr0Jgo/s400/P1360583.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was this Laos monkey that taught me how to steal...</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>A close friend gave me a couple of
books for Christmas, one of which teaches me how to steal. I was flattered that
she considered me an artist (the good thing about friends is that they
exaggerate) but obviously she also thinks I should go and steal some more or
she won’t be giving one with the title “Steal Like An Artist” by Austin Kleon.
So on a quiet Christmas, I finished the book in a few hours (it was an easy
read) and steal as many ideas from it as I could. I find I do not have to steal
everything as I had the same conclusion as the author in a number of instances.
As he encourages me to steal, I am sure he won’t mind me sharing some of my
theft with you so that you can steal from him too.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8ELKA46Qo7DSxCUKqhF83L9auRK0Xk57xTJzZoNo1dGzppmRWn-wNFTr2r_ScOxsfqID8zHckrr9f49Cdrn3awfYRLso9ncph4Cko1061yH0CkxbjUf5N-nZI2IoiyGBh1A6cXsevr8/s1600/P1360587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8ELKA46Qo7DSxCUKqhF83L9auRK0Xk57xTJzZoNo1dGzppmRWn-wNFTr2r_ScOxsfqID8zHckrr9f49Cdrn3awfYRLso9ncph4Cko1061yH0CkxbjUf5N-nZI2IoiyGBh1A6cXsevr8/s400/P1360587.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When caught, it said Picasso said it is alright to steal...</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>The work starts with a quote from
Picasso “Art is theft”. That coming from such an accomplished artist, we cannot
help but take note. This is followed by one of my favorite poet, T<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c06df0d8-8096-4fcf-94d8-1f8e7da24aa3" id="14d1e0d1-4674-45ed-bfcd-967746700a72"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="0f1fee0d-0cef-4def-960e-8ab014b255c9" id="8f4e6835-796b-4152-ad5c-fe76db56f9d6"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="91fe2e3b-04d0-4b4e-b8b6-15d41e096d44" id="f6a61527-429c-488c-8684-65c602c8938b"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="03dbb192-1a6e-4a45-b86b-8d87b7ecc58c" id="8f598d67-e9cc-404d-9a86-f238fd6b69da"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="203df6e9-17db-490b-91b6-2723cdbd783f" id="4e9decd9-36ba-4b60-84d6-15be13a0bc3b">.</span></span></span></span></span>S<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c06df0d8-8096-4fcf-94d8-1f8e7da24aa3" id="556f10a4-2a57-4fc3-8ef6-4ccd45b83520"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="0f1fee0d-0cef-4def-960e-8ab014b255c9" id="2543a8bb-28b5-451e-9873-1eccf6224855"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="91fe2e3b-04d0-4b4e-b8b6-15d41e096d44" id="7d709605-425c-4417-908c-083fe860fbe6"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="03dbb192-1a6e-4a45-b86b-8d87b7ecc58c" id="2c0202cb-525d-4630-94f3-3e8da3d379c1"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="203df6e9-17db-490b-91b6-2723cdbd783f" id="a1fe4d2f-1331-47eb-921f-319f66a83b79">.</span></span></span></span></span>Eliot “Immature
poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good
poets make it into something better, or at least something different. The good
poet welds his theft into a whole of feeling which is unique, utterly different
from which it was torn.” These two quotes about sum up what the book is all
about and I like it for that happens to be how I felt too.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5dd79075-1d0a-4742-b770-97df76eb1afd" id="4dfc6b2a-dcc7-41d7-b078-984413d64a4d"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="4f32e686-d344-4259-939c-8c0e886b96ee" id="087f7086-2246-4958-84fd-d26435997e25"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5478f688-97fe-474d-b5c1-8524bd45e113" id="5b0cbf66-d3c3-419a-a763-9e813174b34b"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a2076971-5a04-4fef-b9bb-973fb4ef4705" id="baae6bb0-a808-4df9-8c7b-3058701cfad4"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="7b20f059-e835-424e-8179-69e51bf59c49" id="6d38a2d4-a8f3-4701-92fa-8b7a3a146cf9">Wood</span></span></span></span></span> Monkey said the real culprit is Austin Kleon...</td></tr>
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<i>“Nothing is original” the book declared for “all creative work builds on what came before”. It quoted the French writer Andre Gide, “Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” Put the two together and originality is just a different way of saying the same thing that had been said before. All knowledge is based on past knowledge. I like to say something in a similar vein to my <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="7adbe211-9fa4-49a5-b158-1056dd41d7a3" id="11891fd9-a4c8-436f-ba07-0b14eb2dbfb2"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="65c09c81-bf01-4932-8314-f5aca8fd00f1" id="717ac645-3483-4dde-a2e0-85f1211cc824"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5c20bba4-9593-46ab-a5e8-eee2771cb95e" id="5c860233-5263-4c58-8a2d-867d9f5cea3c"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="0ece53b2-6fd2-4fd2-8888-469080b734d7" id="24433ec0-0de3-402b-bee4-076a88bb4853">mentees</span></span></span></span> “For each of you, there is a teacher who has a way uniquely suited to you. Either you <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="de31c6ec-8d2f-46bf-92dd-bd20ecb95d98" id="a0eb1a78-6137-492f-99b3-e2d220877cea"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e5d26813-ecac-4ba0-bb71-89be161899a4" id="f8c1cb23-c76b-4084-8eb8-eb59a6c3c5a9"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a8db53cb-5a81-43ae-9a7b-57dfb606567d" id="1260e499-a401-4c89-9271-e20f51cd47ad"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3de1a49c-051a-4220-8d9e-c1b74a9f5b18" id="b1449d6f-5b10-4f83-950b-b0e0d064244c">suit</span></span></span></span> yourself to the teacher or you find the teacher suited to you, if I am not him.” I smile recalling all the silly things I said.</i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>I liked the quote by German write
Goethe too “We are shaped and fashioned by what we love”. I like to tell my
friends that if we were to walk through an interesting flea market, each of us
will immediately focus on different objects and that will reveal a lot about
us. I must thank the author for assuaging one of my guilt when he boldly states
that “Nothing is more important than an unread library”. So, there is at least
one guy out there who do not think my collection of hundreds of unread books is
a waste. Thank you.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Laos Monkey said that is how Kings get to sit on the throne...</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>Chapter 2 tells you –“Don’t wait until you know who
you are to get started”. And if it is necessary to – “Fake it till you make it”.
I like to use as an example of a Jackie Chan interview when I emphasized this
point. He told how in the days of his early success, he hated the obligatory
visits to the orphanage and <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="67a3e5f2-b9dd-454d-bd80-5ce50d1b951c" id="52c1b06b-9fb4-42a0-828b-aade615e1e27"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9114b315-b895-44ae-9695-9a6cae86f329" id="9c34c276-22ac-4956-adac-3d593e6e78c3"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="700251e1-8cb3-49b1-805e-b382d6bc627f" id="d399e6a0-2780-479c-a46a-5c321aa72796"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="52fd1a3e-6cfe-4936-98a9-ecf1a86410d1" id="2b17b12b-55f5-43d4-bed8-d3ec7a455654">children</span></span></span></span> hospital which his agent thought is
necessary for his image. He did not feel the love he was faking. Then,
something strange happened. Gradually along the way, the act became real and he
began to feel true compassion. So he too advocate fake it till you make it, even
for charity.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>Well, if you think I’m going to
retell the whole book; sorry. You will have to read it for yourself. But I will
leave you with one more secret. Secret #6 that resonates with me – “Do good
work and share it with people”. Don’t expect any return. Just do it for love.
And love will find you. <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="fadffbb5-32a2-4516-aa18-86c1a475d28b" id="ce2b67c4-6063-4c7b-9433-481c73f1d570"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="e39b8644-5295-4391-806e-71ffb8953faa" id="baff0dcc-3eb0-4117-9d62-9a6bd3322028"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="bc0dabd6-1687-45d1-8c52-95c63cf1b241" id="828454e5-e6ae-4529-9b9a-45123be05b14"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="8f570d8e-7cef-43ae-a5cd-36ab5ab4c0b7" id="4483ae02-aa32-4b7c-b104-7428b97ba441">Oomph</span></span></span></span>! <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Teddy Bear says if you want to steal, steal like an artist...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oww7oB9rjgw" width="560"></iframe>Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-33634942384244632942013-12-21T22:36:00.000+08:002013-12-21T22:36:31.721+08:00Christmas Comes Early to Parma.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><i>I've had just enough time to... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5ca94bb3-2140-42db-bcdb-5439a3a0bbf7" id="4464e1f2-95ce-4dfa-850a-348751c4fa21">wink</span> at the cherub</i></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sleepy Cherub that spoke to me without opening its eyes...</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>Wandering
through the narrow streets of Parma, we came across a brightly lighted window
that drew us light moths to a flame. Peering in, we were greeted with the sparkling
decorations of Christmas which brought us cheers. There is something magical
about Christmas. Something that lightens our spirits and drives away our woes,
at least until the resolutions of the New Year when reality once again intrudes.
That autumn night, Christmas came to us early in Parma.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The delightful interior of the decoration shop.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>It was <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="c72d7a51-62d2-4ab4-aeee-eb5f24468c1b" id="b50e8d99-7a98-401a-9fa2-0f170431ec21">the
sleepy</span> cherub that spoke to me. I pointed it out to my friend who took a shot
and posted on her Facebook. Her friend thousands of miles away fall in love
with it and wanted it as a Christmas present. So we went back to the shop the
next day. The wonder of modern technology. But personally, I think it was the
cherub’s design to draw us back to the shop. I am not complaining or I can’t be
sharing this story and these pictures of the interior of the shop with you.
Now, do you still not believe in the magic of Christmas?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Happy Son & Father-In-Law - what a cheerful couple :)</td></tr>
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<i>So we found our way back to the shop the next night. With the intention to buy something, I could bring myself to ask the shopkeeper if it is okay for me to take a few shots. I can understand “yes” in Italian especially if spoken with a smile. But first we bought the cherub so it can fly all the way to the Philippines to spread <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="7c4b6e2c-4a55-4658-919d-be144dcbeceb" id="a0b7125e-d3ab-425e-ab82-e0c4d097d380">cheers</span> in a foreign land. I asked the shopkeeper if the older gentleman working alongside him is his father. He said “father-in-law”. Ah, that is an important word to know. I thought that was so nice, he and his father-in-law working together so warmly together like father and son. I told them so. I pointed to the two of them and gave them the thumb up. It looked like with just a couple of days in Italy, I’m already learning how to use my hands like a true bred Italian. We bought a few other souvenirs among which is a cute metal bird attached to a long spring that can spring up and down to give it as a Christmas present to my new friend whose birthday I just discovered was on Christmas eve. Wish that I could remember the Italian word for it which started with a “<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="080086dd-b586-4ef2-bfba-5352c1618cdb" id="ed4581ec-bbd7-46b7-9f86-316129922852">po</span>…….” that the father-in-law kept trying to teach me, unsuccessfully. </i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the delightful shop.</td></tr>
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<i>As we left
the shop with our presents, we were imbued with a warm glow. We must have
caught some of the spirits of Christmas that will nourish us through the approaching
cold winter. To All my Readers & Friends, I wish you all and your family –</i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">“Merry
Christmas & A Happy New Year!”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Merry Christmas!"</td></tr>
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<b><i>Italian Carol - Christmas - Natale - Tu Scendi Dalle</i></b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/THoF5snnSvE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-53729973211576712992013-12-18T22:20:00.000+08:002013-12-19T11:47:05.557+08:00A Curio Shop Where We Are The Curiosity<br />
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<b><i>I've had just enough time to... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3c4bb4ea-2ca4-4325-82b8-430397b09839" id="65a9adc1-e4cd-4636-9f02-e65be575e27d"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="0e076205-0c67-4cee-8f45-8360c97f21c0" id="7c7e385d-9e3d-4876-80a4-7958c39414d3">wander</span></span> through all kinds of everything</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSSEiwff2jZX0nd757LjBYU4Skt4JLiPg7mS9Gc2QVToB-n-8mYAOtG3CY79p1JI0tY118G6wQ1l6V5ehuJo4224Wid8xctU-qN-RLS80nHxc2KfFpwSL5ASiDJACkszcyUFKvCbCZnU/s1600/P1350212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSSEiwff2jZX0nd757LjBYU4Skt4JLiPg7mS9Gc2QVToB-n-8mYAOtG3CY79p1JI0tY118G6wQ1l6V5ehuJo4224Wid8xctU-qN-RLS80nHxc2KfFpwSL5ASiDJACkszcyUFKvCbCZnU/s400/P1350212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Old books in <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="163d7ee8-8eae-4d87-9e8e-77cd6bf9152b" id="3169abbe-7602-430d-9b4e-3b5e561c53c0"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="bbfe8305-6be8-436f-ad24-c4dba8a0b54e" id="f1dde8d7-0b5e-42c5-abd0-0e6c715e9618">an</span></span> used suitcase left by the side of a street in Parma, Italy<br /></i><br />
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<i><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; text-align: start;">On the same night that we met the fruit seller, we wandered into a curio shop. It was used books in an old suitcase placed on the walkway by the side of the street that stopped us in our tracks. Books that I have a weakness for like chocolate to some, sinfully delicious. Curiosity dragged us into the shop and into a world of wondrous things. Impractical, kitschy stuff mingled with surprising finds and genuine articles that may be Art to some and “what in heaven’s name is that?” to others.</span><span style="text-align: start;"></span></i></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The shop that sells "all kinds of everything"</i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; text-align: start;">I always love being in a shop of “all kinds of everything”. The mind wandered through a dozen cultures, hundreds of possibilities and impossibilities. It amuses and stimulates the imagination. Creative thoughts burst forth skipping from items to items never giving one chance to settle down before one’s attention is grasped and pulled away to yet another item of curiosity. A curio shop is fairy land and we are the child in a toy shop. The mad house is a testament of man’s creativity and insanity.</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> </span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Arts from many cultures of many lands and books of more...</i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; text-align: start;">There are two kinds of people running curio shops and if you do not come across the mercenary types, you are in luck. These other folks are like the items they sell - odd, impractical, amusing, interesting, warm with an earthly glow and what do you know? The Italian saint of Everything smiled on us. The old man with distinctive features and a <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="34a31943-3dbb-41e5-98e8-ecbcf11a2cec" id="4f09cc17-1af4-4144-b49f-d0d6e395375d"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="44c9c8f4-0bff-4e0d-83e8-c5b97d59c3c4" id="3e8ef8f3-be08-40ca-95dc-b0d7ab660ab2">pitchy</span></span> voice manning the shop spoke to us – in Italian of course. And we did not understand, of course. We tried English, that didn’t work. He called for backups. His assistants, or friends or family appeared from the woodworks. They tried French, no good. German, sounded strange. We tried Mandarin, drew recognition but no comprehension. Filipino, that stumped them. Portugese, <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="a28ec030-7c87-46e1-8ee8-f87ff6a7e5a1" id="25ad738b-3b58-4a8e-817e-2a0cbcac9844"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="d99fcd3e-b98b-423d-b69c-389850884da0" id="79ef96da-0ac2-4399-9d40-b1afa4089755">eh</span></span>-ah. Spanish, ah a few words both sides knew, but too few. In desperation, Bahasa, Cantonese, Hokkien, Hainanese and we drew to an agreed conclusion. We didn’t know what the hell the other party were talking about.</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> </span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The owner among his treasures, he deals in dreams...<br />
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<i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When words failed, smiles and laughter paved the way. We joked, laughed, more at ourselves than at the situation. In the shop of curios, we are the curiosity. We did not buy anything. But on the way out, the lady companion of the kindly old shopkeeper gave me a postcard of the shop as a memento. It was a good one.</span> </i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A precious gift of memory which is treasured...</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="color: #073763;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The Curio Shop - </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Interludes</span></span></i></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>Laughing dolls and painted soldiers</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>Standing in a row</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>Marching bands and ballerinas</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>Dancing on their toes</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>Carousels and photographs</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>Of memories that I know</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>You’ll find them all inside</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>Come see the <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="3528dfa3-d430-496b-a00a-726798c2053c" id="f5df7861-a70d-442e-9abc-6c766af89acb"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="5f056eed-5bda-4b5a-8792-83ef28fbb461" id="3425511f-3a73-42a3-987f-54e366ae89ee">curios</span></span></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>Come see the toys for sale,</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><i>There are so many things –</i></b></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri;"><i>Oh, won’t you come inside?</i></b></div>
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Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-354195634348577432013-12-14T16:48:00.001+08:002013-12-14T16:48:31.409+08:00What is Banana in Italian?<br />
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<b>I've had just <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="2d4ba06c-827f-45cf-8b6e-2ba249c5cb92" id="e6534853-85a5-4ab4-9982-27ca996e5aaa">enought</span> time to... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="0017add1-85af-4dc1-81d4-9b1bc54a707a" id="ed93047f-5d5c-4448-a3ef-84d4c6e07fb8">say</span> "banana" in Italian.</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm Italian on a cold autumn evening</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>It was 7.00 pm in Parma and we were cold and hungry. The last few days we had been having dinner at 6.00 pm in Denmark which was kind of early but in Italy, the restaurant only opens at 8.00 pm which was kind of late for us. While waiting for the recommended restaurant to open, we hanged around and ended in front of a small fruit stall. The owner came out and engaged us in a conversation where neither party understood a single word the other was saying.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>It was kind of fun though. He pressed his thumbs against the first finger and thrust it in a forward motion saying something we could not make head or tail of. This was repeated several times and we made our guesses about the significance of this gesture but not convinced we understood him. That was until he made the ringing sound before we realized he was kindly <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="19c32c1b-c97d-4034-9126-f5d507030878" id="0e497498-92aa-45d6-a88e-0ae2f53e4a2d">suggesting</span> that we rang the doorbell of the restaurant which is just down the road. We laughed and told him we had done that but was not sure he understood us. Everyone was smiling and the autumn wind did not feel as cold.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>With time to kill, we looked at his products and our puzzled look must have given away the fact we did not know what that ugly looking fruit with wrinkled skin was. He said something in Italian but that of course did not strike a bell. He then gently pushed against the skin revealing a deep wet purple meat beneath. Beetroot I guessed. I think. That opened the floodgate. We then pointed out the fruits and vegetables and he said it out <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="fb9d40fc-0cd6-4fcf-b64d-edb46c1ff4f1" id="80d61c06-ff95-43fd-a3de-6fc8bbba0c62">lout</span> in Italian. And we offered the English name. Who needs words for communication?</i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is this fruit/vegetable/root? Anyone knows?<br /></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>There was
no way we could remember all those Italian words. So we decided to remember at
least one word, an easy one. We looked at the fruits and pointed at a bunch of
banana –<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>“How do you
say that in Italian?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>He looked
at us with a bemused look and say “<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="535cd7aa-d0d1-4fe7-b51d-22d1b9570b42" id="2480cbb8-89fc-4346-ac2c-3a5fa1b4d11c">Ba</span>-<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="535cd7aa-d0d1-4fe7-b51d-22d1b9570b42" id="99c419d6-2222-4b6e-94c7-ad37443b6d6f">na</span>-<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="535cd7aa-d0d1-4fe7-b51d-22d1b9570b42" id="5e5a0be1-8d8c-4c3c-8f67-d2189e5f3556">nuh</span>!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>And we all
burst out laughing simultaneously. Okay, we will never forget that! We left happily
for the restaurant waving goodbye to our new found friend. We will probably
never meet again but every time I see banana, I will remember that happy Italian
face saying “<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="df327234-2566-47c3-add8-103b5da85ab2" id="ef1cf1c1-56a6-4df5-9980-d5c20e4dc478">Ba</span>-<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="df327234-2566-47c3-add8-103b5da85ab2" id="08a92a30-c28c-4588-810f-525427b3b279">na</span>-<span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="df327234-2566-47c3-add8-103b5da85ab2" id="bb4c876b-924e-4b40-9c43-bb870279bd56">nuh</span>!”.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-92090554198258256072013-12-08T19:40:00.000+08:002013-12-08T19:40:28.099+08:00Moment.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time to... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="dd13ef06-bd7c-4c1c-a26a-f635e8239dc6" id="3b3c6c5e-147d-4ba8-b7e5-7108dcb30b89">ponder</span> about a moment.</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IIB63iD4ORY-12_NipsWanOSF05o-dDCK0EOAZ5chyCBCcOzeMT3IUTCi3raZeAmWmPlxyBOsdgM0YCZg2Z0hb3U8Ay3OyKMK7u_xaXSyh28eGDOsSik_vUqFU__VSXGAT-fAcKoTdU/s1600/P1340513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IIB63iD4ORY-12_NipsWanOSF05o-dDCK0EOAZ5chyCBCcOzeMT3IUTCi3raZeAmWmPlxyBOsdgM0YCZg2Z0hb3U8Ay3OyKMK7u_xaXSyh28eGDOsSik_vUqFU__VSXGAT-fAcKoTdU/s400/P1340513.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moment I viewed the painting "Moment"<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I stood
before the large painting titled “Moment” in the empty dining hall of this
unique company I visited trying to take it all in and feel what a moment meant.
There was not enough time. Ironic, isn’t it? Not enough time to feel what a
moment is like or what the artist was trying to convey. When a few years ago, I
was given the opportunity to start and manage a company, all I had was a vague
idea to mold it into “a successful and compassionate company”. In the short span
of time, we would be considered “successful” by most standards and now I found
a company by which I can model true success after. One that strikes a good
balance between profitability and workers’ welfare. That by the way is also true
compassion. There is much to learn and execute, but I’m running out of moments…</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY47e73Fw0NuyTIozX0rRm6OMVQut1ekbMNYjg5BRmhlInV7CeeqvBJi7wy7-P9W2HAy5Rcv-GDgGRbnCseUib42dt1K3fRVNtKkb7K5eusZ2x2KfXLCTUFQab3mE2N5Dkr_tAm3d10s/s1600/P1340473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY47e73Fw0NuyTIozX0rRm6OMVQut1ekbMNYjg5BRmhlInV7CeeqvBJi7wy7-P9W2HAy5Rcv-GDgGRbnCseUib42dt1K3fRVNtKkb7K5eusZ2x2KfXLCTUFQab3mE2N5Dkr_tAm3d10s/s400/P1340473.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last leaf on the tree - a moment in time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>If you have just a moment</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>To preserve your world<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Before it disappears forever.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Like the last quivering leaf<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>In the depth of autumn<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Just before its fall to Earth.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>What will you capture?</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Your
first tentative kiss<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The walk
down the aisle<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Praying
by your father’s death bed<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Safety
in your mother’s embrace<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The day
your child was born<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>
</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The
pressure of his little finger</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT8juykfF0W0OHArLitpiL5STS1981uYBNEQvAa9IyZPXI0d-jj1nq_X7CM9RX1fFhAwiPp-xekmGlVPU4WtMJ1WJzDD4aT6z_HRKTK_6sIqeOOpUqitkjYdBTfWXWtgGsPuev9kb_jI/s1600/P1340514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT8juykfF0W0OHArLitpiL5STS1981uYBNEQvAa9IyZPXI0d-jj1nq_X7CM9RX1fFhAwiPp-xekmGlVPU4WtMJ1WJzDD4aT6z_HRKTK_6sIqeOOpUqitkjYdBTfWXWtgGsPuev9kb_jI/s400/P1340514.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Lifetime in a Moment - What is Yours?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The
glorious birth of a bright new day<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The awesome
silence of a starry night<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The
golden goal or the perfect <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="66c4fe72-4440-41bf-a777-647c5b80c7b2" id="bf1c8267-d54e-4032-bf43-5c09903973f1">save</span>!<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The view
from the top of the mountain<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The cool
caress of Spring breeze<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>A slow
departing Summer sun…<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Each of
us will preserve <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>A
special moment<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Of
beauty, joy or love<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>But
whether it is beauty or joy,</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>It is
still love…</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-86281213843564474672013-12-01T22:36:00.000+08:002013-12-01T22:47:59.144+08:00A Walk On A Rainy Autumn Day - Part I<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time to... <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="738313c0-d9c7-42c5-8035-a77ba2061985" id="37d55232-fa4c-4826-8dcf-229e0e4b8b2b"><span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="7cdd63bb-7f6f-406a-a53a-4e1ae7bf64e0" id="f48cc00a-277e-41e7-8977-0bc9c75ed665">have</span></span> that walk on a rainy autumn day</i></b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zikkb2ovEMTY2oHlmlJ3DayTPpL-roES01sWzmUgmiFGdmI9OcDUhy2AD8Nu2U6t0EKmTUyXoIJiIeODBBX_PadCYYIBLkZjoS0JLSm3YtKFyoYDm-WMH83UYjmLkULM11bIew2jAR4/s1600/P1340548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zikkb2ovEMTY2oHlmlJ3DayTPpL-roES01sWzmUgmiFGdmI9OcDUhy2AD8Nu2U6t0EKmTUyXoIJiIeODBBX_PadCYYIBLkZjoS0JLSm3YtKFyoYDm-WMH83UYjmLkULM11bIew2jAR4/s400/P1340548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the farmhouse I stayed in that cold autumn morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The wind was colder than I remembered. They always were, weren’t they? It is our memories that betrayed us. They convinced us that the wind was kinder than their nature, the rain gentle and we were comfortable in our walk. But I shivered with every gush. It bit my ears and stuck its icy finger into the side of my ribs and the umbrella I was holding trembled like the quivering leaf. I remembered. I hated the cold. It remembered me too and taunted me its icy embrace, laughing at my discomfort and challenged me to give up the walk and seek the warmth of shelter.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94_X-j8EsP56IttDoQVfZK0PHEfWBlmWJsB4xWqApZWsM8M_Q35Iq3CNYhyphenhyphen57k3iVYFwPSxhJ6NFix5SCfTrlFXltUUOkLLALSq71lS-ksJRlooKIcZzRdh5eV7WI2oxQSsMyZPK2Vis/s1600/P1340636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94_X-j8EsP56IttDoQVfZK0PHEfWBlmWJsB4xWqApZWsM8M_Q35Iq3CNYhyphenhyphen57k3iVYFwPSxhJ6NFix5SCfTrlFXltUUOkLLALSq71lS-ksJRlooKIcZzRdh5eV7WI2oxQSsMyZPK2Vis/s400/P1340636.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some trees are bare, some still hold on to their leaves with grim determination</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;">I had strayed away from the
others, falling behind. My frozen fingers gripped hard on the metal casing of
my camera, shooting with one hand while the other shielded my body from the relentless
rain. I know the pictures will not turn out well in this low light but I had
only half an hour and I wanted to cover as much ground as I could before I had
to return to the bakery. There were cakes waiting to be baked. And I did not
have an extra day to wander this ground. I wanted to be back to this beautiful
part but I know how ways lead on <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="89a335f3-3e04-40a9-9223-9870a43b6794" id="de5d5ac4-137e-4d7e-bef2-d8c325ac6392">to</span> ways and I may never find myself back here
again. So I just took what Life has to offer and stepped over useless regrets in
my walk through the wood on that rainy autumn morning in the land of the Danes.</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgoJPzngBz0pupLoUOMOEu_X6urDH1UFU1dYIS9Prd9Kbo9PrjYEcyabfLfhBbQVuJI5yuT5nHU7bDGY23rdQQ2GXOjfC1ZRR_Q4me-c3ZV4J3o3eIDOyJC2AvOBRH907-8NMqZDfQYY/s1600/P1340659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgoJPzngBz0pupLoUOMOEu_X6urDH1UFU1dYIS9Prd9Kbo9PrjYEcyabfLfhBbQVuJI5yuT5nHU7bDGY23rdQQ2GXOjfC1ZRR_Q4me-c3ZV4J3o3eIDOyJC2AvOBRH907-8NMqZDfQYY/s400/P1340659.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rain created little ripples on the surface of the calm water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The cold bothered me. But I
welcome it as one would a familiar old enemy who brought your keenest senses to
life. No, not an enemy but an adversary. A worthy one. It was as determined to
push me back <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="7a13b5ee-6d93-4c94-b12c-52808a02a7ab" id="0b4c4443-5807-471b-b510-f79711244ec7">as I was as</span> determined to push forward. Time was not in my <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="cd1cdc81-c339-4756-9155-ecdf4900e841" id="b89b07fa-ef9e-4137-9a38-c676806cf1ba">favour</span>.
Some trees were completely bare by then but some still held on to their
depleting leaves with admirable determination. I was told I was lucky to even
see leaves this late in the year. But I was also told I was unlucky as just a
week ago, this park was a glorious blaze of <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="9c59a8d0-bacc-421b-aa65-46353a14ccc3" id="12217afd-8ab9-47ab-a770-d3a14938f33c">colours</span>. But can one be lucky and
unlucky at the same time? I guess so. I took a deep breath and was rewarded
with the nostalgic smell of wet leaves, damp earth and the crispness of <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="2585119d-6f6a-4bf6-ac26-e9401fe5b3ff" id="5bb61138-8426-4617-89bf-c3d2f5a0b7e8">autumn
air</span>. It reminded me why I loved autumn so much even though I hated the cold.</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9ukNvNjRw7wzZ2jjSJlkGVUMPRpUtK9Kxpw7weSP9zT9xhKWs2JYTQ67dG210G6XlOLgFuhM09ZdRk8lVuhfOn0vgDpUj7prSTg1GxPTREsEtppfoS-zDmOPH2g-yIYwoHRNKnx_bv8/s1600/P1340731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9ukNvNjRw7wzZ2jjSJlkGVUMPRpUtK9Kxpw7weSP9zT9xhKWs2JYTQ67dG210G6XlOLgFuhM09ZdRk8lVuhfOn0vgDpUj7prSTg1GxPTREsEtppfoS-zDmOPH2g-yIYwoHRNKnx_bv8/s400/P1340731.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone bird puffed up its feathers to withstand the cold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>As I walked, and observed, and shot; I let my mind wandered. Giving it free rein to gallop wherever it pleased. As expected, it preferred the more melancholic pasture and my thoughts merged with the rain till it became as blur as the fine mist over the pool of water along my path. The walk in the rain that autumn morning was so familiar to how I imagined it will be that it seemed so unreal…</i></div>
<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFWT1eSuvXV8xYkghxbIrU-JQDJxKwAKZP3tVcxZQ6DBq2FqvHmSJgs-lWVha38RyDYChJ2QVKFvQO1dy7IH2mqMWYqvV37DCnwbLQfiI7phtpNzr6HJvQNZ8uN7j_cd4OAG0NyT5yhw/s1600/P1340668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFWT1eSuvXV8xYkghxbIrU-JQDJxKwAKZP3tVcxZQ6DBq2FqvHmSJgs-lWVha38RyDYChJ2QVKFvQO1dy7IH2mqMWYqvV37DCnwbLQfiI7phtpNzr6HJvQNZ8uN7j_cd4OAG0NyT5yhw/s400/P1340668.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hardy ones but even they too shall pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 10.85pt;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">When you're walking from
your past</span></b></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 10.85pt;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">You can never walk too fast</span></b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.85pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 10.85pt;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">Everyone's the same</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #073763;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><i style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 10.85pt;"><b>When you're walking in the autumn rain</b></i></span></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><i></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><i><i style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 10.85pt;"><b>Walking in the autumn rain</b></i><i style="text-indent: -18pt;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span></span></b></i></i></span></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><i>
</i></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><i><i style="text-indent: -18pt;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">- </span></span></span></b></i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><i><b><span style="color: #073763;">Day
One: Autumn Rain</span></b></i></span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><i>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQG9QMd7YBxQI-R_LIv4jTgmrF_x_YchaBr7hrbMjoUgPHv5Z-yONL4_vOrO7P4pg2uRYG8qcuSdkp8Qd0iB8CQKbFuqPykkBnorjV5MfV2Ttqw9qb8iBOUh9Nx810tR4AfNV6MwtXy0/s1600/P1340711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQG9QMd7YBxQI-R_LIv4jTgmrF_x_YchaBr7hrbMjoUgPHv5Z-yONL4_vOrO7P4pg2uRYG8qcuSdkp8Qd0iB8CQKbFuqPykkBnorjV5MfV2Ttqw9qb8iBOUh9Nx810tR4AfNV6MwtXy0/s400/P1340711.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More rain and wind and gray skies are forecasted</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 10.85pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<b><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It doesn't matter where
you're from</span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 10.85pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">'Cause wherever you are from</span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 10.85pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">You got a long walk on</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 10.85pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">You got a long walk on</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEleSpFpE48g2gYyh5oQNY4wRFML8R-SEKVs-7YL6HyaYqXNJgSPAJQDYG1FGj425-CASjXpYu91fS_09zcl2YfvrP6YuQBQGKG8vx92UsU-G6mC8lFJ1zfLIHXJXWEZskk6mDhOTDio/s1600/P1340727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEleSpFpE48g2gYyh5oQNY4wRFML8R-SEKVs-7YL6HyaYqXNJgSPAJQDYG1FGj425-CASjXpYu91fS_09zcl2YfvrP6YuQBQGKG8vx92UsU-G6mC8lFJ1zfLIHXJXWEZskk6mDhOTDio/s400/P1340727.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The past scattered like <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark" ginger_software_uiphraseguid="6376e574-7ea6-4509-82e9-b756c7d4a67c" id="b21e4f4b-5a5d-41e5-9070-37fcd4674dee">fallen leaves and refection</span> on a pool of water</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tqPvN6iqos0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-14476090984800904442013-11-16T09:32:00.000+08:002013-11-16T10:41:15.068+08:00Autumn in My Garden - Visiting Autumn<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span>I've had just enough time... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e5e31a86-842a-41b4-baa3-3cebbea99dc4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="18743f54-a970-48e0-ab27-73d2ec871220" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> reacquaint myself with autumn</i></b></div>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZGuAJgMPj2dlW-8UrJFu5j4mJANwM332yL4Vrnvknb4FelJPvPN2H-Zkx1mXhPTBxMhl-nJjkmaof-7rLGGOwwqzWq-YzUXEaD0oj5YLkAhMvHLrpNo73jGK07JZiQbWWHTNvHKmPpg/s1600/P1040853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZGuAJgMPj2dlW-8UrJFu5j4mJANwM332yL4Vrnvknb4FelJPvPN2H-Zkx1mXhPTBxMhl-nJjkmaof-7rLGGOwwqzWq-YzUXEaD0oj5YLkAhMvHLrpNo73jGK07JZiQbWWHTNvHKmPpg/s400/P1040853.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I love autumn so much I planted autumn in my garden...</i></td></tr>
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<b><i>Memories hanging</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Like the last leaf of autumn</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Reluctant to fall</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFBumJFYMXRPkNdQhy0Of0y5rYTnsd36OmIO7XF0jDeFBU-hIUgBjgIICWZRnzxOwgLM0WuYr5zWnMiUXnVN1l0aLguUyJbx2HYB-cMu_WouTI0VL_zJs6K8pIebf8j9SuJjSyv-hTsI/s1600/P1040855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFBumJFYMXRPkNdQhy0Of0y5rYTnsd36OmIO7XF0jDeFBU-hIUgBjgIICWZRnzxOwgLM0WuYr5zWnMiUXnVN1l0aLguUyJbx2HYB-cMu_WouTI0VL_zJs6K8pIebf8j9SuJjSyv-hTsI/s400/P1040855.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>So I can be moody even when the sun is shining brightly...</i></td></tr>
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<b><i>After the last leaves -</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Silhouettes of trees lined hills</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Desolate beauties</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJKY3KuGiyPa8DpHROnoFPOTpqMRkXGjTRrlHkX3fzYmbPzokuqEhFFoNDpFwPWPq70VC_pBp4t4yMue3VRw3w4F9js5gXxRMFPRVC97p5w8lNmGnTtJdC3sr8idYM5gSwecj_wtJv4g/s1600/P1040852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJKY3KuGiyPa8DpHROnoFPOTpqMRkXGjTRrlHkX3fzYmbPzokuqEhFFoNDpFwPWPq70VC_pBp4t4yMue3VRw3w4F9js5gXxRMFPRVC97p5w8lNmGnTtJdC3sr8idYM5gSwecj_wtJv4g/s400/P1040852.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because sometimes, one <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e21395fd-8ede-452a-9399-7ad7b9e303ea" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4124292d-940e-4531-b5f6-b5576bb36ac1" grcontextid="just want:0">just want</span> to be melancholy...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I love autumn or I love the romantic fantasized idea of my imagined autumn. Melancholy, bittersweet, beautiful <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a4bef904-811b-4184-895b-35001d90b66e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e41e9dab-9233-4616-929c-1df46b96af92" grcontextid="whether:0">whether</span> in glorious colors or gray outlines of desolated trees. I imagined sweet loneliness, long walks in snapping cold, chilly winds that cuts and reminded me to preserve this fragile body, time to go deep into reflection, to visit the boundary of depression and know that dark country, to slow <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7194d479-4534-4862-bf57-a1baba514806" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3afb31f9-fc7e-4a9e-99d3-33e8544284d0" grcontextid="time:0">time</span> down and view the false promises of progress, ambition and speed; a time to gather, recharge and wait for the hibernation of winter and the rebirth in Spring. Maybe the actual autumn is none of these. Maybe it is just my illusion having never lived through an entire autumn though I have visited autumn in several countries over a long span of time. Maybe those living in autumn countries will laugh at my ridiculous notions. Maybe they are living too close to autumn. Whatever, I love my idea of autumn. So much so that I planted autumn in my garden so it can lead me there even under the tropical sun. And as fate would arrange, I'm going to reacquaint myself with autumn - tonight.</i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I am traveling again, flying off tonight. This time to Billund in Denmark and then off to Parma and Milan in Italy until the end of the month. So this is the last post until then. See you when I get back...</i></div>
<span class="GingerNoCheckEnd"></span><br />Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-32603529949965691642013-11-13T19:30:00.000+08:002013-11-13T19:30:02.977+08:00Buah Keluak – From A Poisonous Seed Into A Delicacy.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3ed8f60b-76b3-44e8-a721-1f823c497f15" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3d0079a2-edbe-4f70-a9d7-f4f28774e300" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> get used to bitter medicine</i></b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW7FDLDdsLSyK0ZMcIBI_WUgrSV_Y-a4Q81bH7jMiH6Mn5i4y4FC6OWuKOT55MwJ222cmyLCW68e9c39po1OXBT91-117TGb4cilXGpWN5inFASWEkgRsYhGwOXY4XsIaoPHQKMUrzmo/s1600/P1040996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW7FDLDdsLSyK0ZMcIBI_WUgrSV_Y-a4Q81bH7jMiH6Mn5i4y4FC6OWuKOT55MwJ222cmyLCW68e9c39po1OXBT91-117TGb4cilXGpWN5inFASWEkgRsYhGwOXY4XsIaoPHQKMUrzmo/s400/P1040996.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buah Keluak before processing - poisonous (left) and after processing - safe (right)</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><i><b>There is a tall tree called Kepayang rising up
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61eca0db-ac60-41de-998f-ba206b0a7ca2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="321856d0-1267-454d-83ab-e717fedc1e40" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> 60m or 180 feet in the mangrove swamp of South East Asia. It produced a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3c9c5bde-405d-4bfa-8875-b942d9ed2b06" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1de9a454-47a4-40a4-8568-32e2d3468ae5" grcontextid="large:0">large</span> fruit called “the football fruit” as it looked and shaped like a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b562f1c8-e8de-446b-8a18-1000e9b83ccb" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f0f107f0-efd4-4dcc-9cd3-e88683b9fc1e" grcontextid="football:0">football</span>. Covered <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="abf120ed-987b-48f8-87bd-3b887fedf66b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="47771293-5bab-41a4-8aa2-428b32c1527f" grcontextid="by:0">by</span> a thick skin is the yellowish flesh containing large
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a500eb31-eb8d-4751-897e-a107ef378c32" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a33ab3b0-0b39-4c66-b15d-3b8c34ec0499" grcontextid="slightly:0">slightly</span> flattened seeds called “Buah Keluak”. The seeds are highly poisonous
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6eca4054-575e-41c9-8893-ff254b274806" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="10590dca-5433-44e7-9d83-68ff3d9187aa" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> contain hydrogen cyanide. Ingested, the symptoms are general weakness,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="afe3a451-648f-4027-97f7-f2b4668830ad" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="39c093cd-98ad-474a-887e-5f3ca47d1cc4" grcontextid="confusion:0">confusion</span>, shortness of breath, dizziness and coma. High amount of ingestion
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e6af07bb-6453-449e-bb60-6fdd2724a807" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2a34fdb1-d8f7-4505-ac89-4ec11ad1a32c" grcontextid="can:0">can</span> kill.</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtB5EUnZs5aHbpNYkK45CpcOE6atPPznIZlGOydv1I1lsyspOC3mmTBDvcmas586Tt5vN0LoBpo60fJZ84pJcq0PKX73wq_mL7nBIAY9PIrBAr5Su8KwOYwYeK8ZIVdW6oq1HSWdEnt0/s1600/P1040987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtB5EUnZs5aHbpNYkK45CpcOE6atPPznIZlGOydv1I1lsyspOC3mmTBDvcmas586Tt5vN0LoBpo60fJZ84pJcq0PKX73wq_mL7nBIAY9PIrBAr5Su8KwOYwYeK8ZIVdW6oq1HSWdEnt0/s400/P1040987.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Nyonya Ayam Buah Keluak - a flavorful dish</span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><i><b>How did man know they can make it edible? The
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ed5eb24-4366-425e-bdc4-3b263b24ff0f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e44e8d2e-b81a-4a1e-990f-a6229a0c921a" grcontextid="seeds:0">seeds</span> must first be boiled, then buried in ash for as long as forty days. The
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a6c7619-43ae-4482-b2a7-fe0112d943f6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27b9aa9d-a8b0-4ca9-a8ab-bc3ee3243743" grcontextid="modern:0">modern</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b2242c44-75f5-4976-b5d2-17a8e546a1e0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27b9aa9d-a8b0-4ca9-a8ab-bc3ee3243743" grcontextid="way:1">way</span> is alternate soaking, scrubbing and rinsing for days or even weeks
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="252351a0-c10d-4e31-a0f4-a81cee96c429" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="55a37732-d999-40b9-a64f-65412e841528" grcontextid="after:0">after</span> the initial boiling. The boiling and fermentation will release the water
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0c3009d9-ede6-4393-aa25-c6bbf550ad81" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8c1dec88-3d95-4d68-a685-18a41882028a" grcontextid="soluble:0">soluble</span> hydrogen cyanide which is washed out. The seeds <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef56160e-5710-4cc0-95ae-d60232b15278" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0a4c4a43-45e7-43b9-91e0-4dddd591dd70" grcontextid="are used whole to:0">are used whole to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0d549075-6b00-4dc9-aab7-326656cac77b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4542c6b2-6c03-476e-9a19-023df8eaae65" grcontextid="produce:0">produce</span> the famous Nyonya* dish – Ayam Buah Keluak (Braised Chicken in Black
Nut Curry). One can <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da8edce8-0285-4980-9805-8b50f77d70f3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="398237e9-8526-4fa0-bd51-6082e781eccc" grcontextid="scooped:0">scooped</span> out the black, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="977f20f1-8a77-4663-bb87-0b4b2c967c59" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="398237e9-8526-4fa0-bd51-6082e781eccc" grcontextid="creamy:1">creamy</span> and oily content from the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f24f41c7-eaec-485b-a49a-f9340f848a04" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ff242628-29fd-456c-a2c4-010f4f1667b4" grcontextid="seed:0">seed</span> with a small spoon. It has a tar like appearance and consistency that has
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="26d01ffe-a28e-4ba5-8279-56bb358842e2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1606a081-7869-47bc-b267-8d50147ffdb0" grcontextid="been:0">been</span> described as having strong mushroom or truffle taste. In Indonesia, the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4e29bb17-7b78-46a5-b8d5-b7e48af83c1a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7aee3f3d-cfb3-46ec-9802-ec06a8f1e244" grcontextid="kernels:0">kernels</span> are grounded to make a thick gravy called <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e36918dc-67ea-40e3-9cd1-edcbeb090499" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7aee3f3d-cfb3-46ec-9802-ec06a8f1e244" grcontextid="rawon:1">rawon</span> to produce a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75ba8360-728b-4430-b181-54c4f8518044" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="06b829a9-6b72-44a4-b2f8-f5867efd92d2" grcontextid="distinctive:0">distinctive</span> beef or chicken stew. Who would have thought that they can make
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9fd028d4-4985-4088-8dd9-7599e5e6540e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5e436c3a-8caf-47e4-a249-23a129ed1d73" grcontextid="this:0">this</span> highly poisonous seeds safe for consumption? And to even make delicacies
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8d7384b6-4d4d-4c6e-88df-8e9b8dd4221c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1e7b6edb-6d34-4909-9fb8-180db9694ef3" grcontextid="out:0">out</span> of them?</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scooping out the 'opium' or black tar out </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8efbf7ff-0de6-4b68-9f5b-ed6956bec02c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6c2552d7-3254-4458-99ca-f9c453c68faf" grcontextid="from:0">from</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> the seed</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><i><b>As I recalled the taste of the Buah Keluak, I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="44f0c2ef-56af-4344-a479-b5b691e0d970" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="576b5459-cda9-4e8d-9ddf-8b9592e12af2" grcontextid="reflected:0">reflected</span> on my bitterness and how to turn it into a winning recipe of living.
And how not to stay a poisonous seed toxic to others.</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUjHQoeAG-2PKLzswPFc-oyuC4V1omOT1tvonU_ljEIRCYpLTxKX0ZhsJ6Wcjw_13bEY74klmpmoL8T2xLjEPsmWCP11u4ujmmQnQeU8Ogaza_XQ-36ZJ4C-kZKs-4oFReVQ83E0B2JM/s1600/P1040962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUjHQoeAG-2PKLzswPFc-oyuC4V1omOT1tvonU_ljEIRCYpLTxKX0ZhsJ6Wcjw_13bEY74klmpmoL8T2xLjEPsmWCP11u4ujmmQnQeU8Ogaza_XQ-36ZJ4C-kZKs-4oFReVQ83E0B2JM/s400/P1040962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The little restaurant in Malacca where I had the black curry dish</span></div>
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Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-89229025639280791352013-11-09T20:01:00.000+08:002013-11-09T20:19:50.458+08:00We Are Blind Because We Can See<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f877287e-9c07-4d3f-9547-782b842399d8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f19128bb-1d5c-494b-ab8d-265e9da4eee3" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> learn that truth can be hidden in plain sight</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Qy3A-dUYOeyY2lZsGApQmFgkQw1FCBuO0XKpL_R6sHarNagq-44V7yeZhW1Dq6G6pGXjv4F-CaEFdEpv_HM9Eec4TpYHPA9YmBYCnPyJcWDGMfX8MkZo2GYd68qcGNWbzHgjF5AFV7c/s1600/P1250378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Qy3A-dUYOeyY2lZsGApQmFgkQw1FCBuO0XKpL_R6sHarNagq-44V7yeZhW1Dq6G6pGXjv4F-CaEFdEpv_HM9Eec4TpYHPA9YmBYCnPyJcWDGMfX8MkZo2GYd68qcGNWbzHgjF5AFV7c/s400/P1250378.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may not see the truth even if you have compound eyes...</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>I was so
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7c1f7cd1-7dca-4f5a-b9a3-8e164045da6b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a6869843-ce33-4143-acb1-c13ce7797875" grcontextid="sure:0">sure</span> of my <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f4990c1f-1e14-4c16-a1bf-74c3627802d4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a6869843-ce33-4143-acb1-c13ce7797875" grcontextid="sight:1">sight</span> because I could see<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Better
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="21b8666f-8985-4a02-a477-de0e01b652e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba251e6c-6d62-4797-a4a2-c7bb929d9c01" grcontextid="than:0">than</span> others, I thought<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>So I did
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7293748e-52d7-438a-a5ff-e27a6ab910bf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ab798125-e484-491d-927d-eeeedd9be616" grcontextid="not:0">not</span> heed those close to me<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>"Beware!
Things are not what they seem"<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>But I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="259802e5-6e92-4073-b69e-3b527e110f21" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="14fbdbd5-d876-49a9-b8c1-a5ca95868a5a" grcontextid="trusted:0">trusted</span> my sight more because I, could see<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>We were
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="848e1388-7848-4f6f-9912-1d022d31bab7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9aa7027a-6112-4acf-a7de-f1300a3fa884" grcontextid="so:0">so</span> sure of the rights we fought<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>That we could not be wrong<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Justice,
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="84365a9f-8b68-4248-b084-f29238b79be2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c2ea9bc6-d3d3-436c-8e74-fb431377ad6b" grcontextid="compassion:0">compassion</span>, transparency, truth<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>I thought
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="407c0147-e59b-4ebb-86a7-d80bc179fe52" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d3c5744e-d98a-4323-b00c-58aa519560fb" grcontextid="all:0">all</span> who came under the banners<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Fought
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2b79f1d3-65b7-4af0-959c-7b34b6506fd2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6a927b7e-6cfc-4539-8498-a7e8eb6c3695" grcontextid="for:0">for</span> the same God<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="475da682-332b-43ef-ab2f-12065794505f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ee16daaf-edee-4065-be96-749753e53fb7" grcontextid="battles:0">battles</span> had been fought and lost<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>The
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e33a14ed-4ff7-4f31-8c9a-79473b73d78f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bd67a568-d9d0-4497-aef3-ccc1a60a74f1" grcontextid="banners:0">banners</span> strewn on the battlefield<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>With the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="570a8405-12cb-45d6-a2ba-e13720866560" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1c51ef67-d1c7-4ec0-b974-767cc87c405e" grcontextid="corpses:0">corpses</span>, as I retreated I reflect -<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>Blindness
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="555a9e0a-4129-41d1-b79d-29f76698252e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ffc0063-fd11-42b2-ba30-ae9cb3a80247" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> such a strange ailment<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><b>We are
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e1be25bf-40da-487a-9257-9b02c00a00aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f6868e87-38dc-416d-9a8a-a0d39c30c0b7" grcontextid="blind:0">blind</span> because we are so sure we see</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrlU-UArSjqWLy_zVCwwaLR2lochTZFGkZrHq3jzXh75TPfV4O6XNzL8sMHi_YdZHvUdX5bc0AfjcDzfb4UC2GWRr0cvDxevSvMU8-v0NBwhsBKJwFaqenaoj71BetuHpGRRaB8nCILc/s1600/P1250377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrlU-UArSjqWLy_zVCwwaLR2lochTZFGkZrHq3jzXh75TPfV4O6XNzL8sMHi_YdZHvUdX5bc0AfjcDzfb4UC2GWRr0cvDxevSvMU8-v0NBwhsBKJwFaqenaoj71BetuHpGRRaB8nCILc/s400/P1250377.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken of the moth in my garden who reminded me that truth can be hidden in plain sight...</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>How our
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3cf1f9ed-0c65-48b8-b1bc-7fce4894215c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a0f8e208-e627-484a-9ca9-5f45e26f7a10" grcontextid="eyes:0">eyes</span> deceived us. We would not have been fooled if we were blind. I saw the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7b63b26b-6303-4c81-9467-3470c9fa2213" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="341d595d-0651-4144-ad59-6ebdad4b02d7" grcontextid="path:0">path</span> I was shown. I saw it lead straight to the castle. And we charged. But we
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fe649541-6703-4c4c-9034-dc78c8f5a343" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1113f629-32a2-45c7-96d3-642e022b614c" grcontextid="did:0">did</span> not see the swamp that bogged us down. That made us easy preys to the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f4b2db8d-d88a-4473-bf60-2527531b98aa" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23a743a6-3fcf-41db-b4d0-f221b780e641" grcontextid="hidden:0">hidden</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8010fcc3-7562-4f61-87a9-7c92ea944457" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="23a743a6-3fcf-41db-b4d0-f221b780e641" grcontextid="foes:1">foes</span> and the circling vultures. We felt the slings of arrows taking up arms
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a3012d0-f663-4b7a-94b0-f6da1a912c34" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b41904a9-f1a5-4c6d-ac83-b8d9dc089b96" grcontextid="against:0">against</span> a sea of troubles. No more! I lay down my arms but not before I reluctantly
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="14248ffd-ce02-42ed-b6c6-92367849804c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="27dd2c66-a220-4e3b-9ab8-e8c2914914b8" grcontextid="slay:0">slay</span> the beautiful illusive dream. But worry not about the dreamer, he dreams
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e7e45c75-1575-4967-9f9a-ca7638c46588" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="98e982b2-c0c6-48ea-8dee-3826f3e572b9" grcontextid="new:0">new</span> dreams without bloodshed instead...</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-56575090796136409052013-11-06T23:30:00.000+08:002013-11-07T09:24:15.676+08:00This Old Bucket Has Seen Better Days<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time to... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be219541-cb50-4042-84cd-3e7a6cf81879" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e4da967f-6751-463f-abe9-e0861bdeb39a" grcontextid="learn:0">learn</span> from an old bucket</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0iNX7rrqA4_lk5RaCA1mZS6G-w63fDSjtDIPZ9Ch8UytwxV0WKXFkDaEHSSVYyNwqPdMu_bGPlwbCupCrJQWt0rrcdWVpOSaKt3bV8C1LXLfghnG8L5pRruVHuXLzPybp1rKc9CvVo4/s1600/P1280995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0iNX7rrqA4_lk5RaCA1mZS6G-w63fDSjtDIPZ9Ch8UytwxV0WKXFkDaEHSSVYyNwqPdMu_bGPlwbCupCrJQWt0rrcdWVpOSaKt3bV8C1LXLfghnG8L5pRruVHuXLzPybp1rKc9CvVo4/s400/P1280995.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Taken one evening in Kansas City on a stopover...</span></i></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>This old
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a621cc95-7ec9-4b0e-83bb-3c9bd330c367" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f422d250-4234-4578-9fdd-bd401cc39af3" grcontextid="bucket:0">bucket</span> has seen better days<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>New and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e784b527-633a-49e2-9dbd-3bfc6f19d593" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9541bd16-1ed1-4e03-a728-c2e37e8eeab4" grcontextid="shiny:0">shiny</span>, smooth and tough<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Strong
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ad5ffb47-ec73-4a6f-bc66-dd8097371913" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c8cfa56-5c4c-4d8a-b397-29a67eee7d76" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> sturdy, rugged and stout<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9714df79-dd8a-44c1-946b-022330b185fc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fa2f5f78-f27a-473d-b41d-fcc90bc29cdb" grcontextid="Whether:0">Whether</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f0302c23-8522-44f7-a2df-394ab21e5f80" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb12fd90-d55f-4198-9c2b-8732de75df0d" grcontextid="water:0">water</span>, sand or soil<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>It
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cae41ab7-bddd-459d-94b6-59781b123a9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="69ef5248-7f6f-4ba9-abca-7946d7ed801e" grcontextid="carried:0">carried</span> with unbridled joy<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Proud <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7a3efdd5-f367-4c98-b091-d99653d6edbf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="25e6d481-c669-4383-a889-ec84999837b5" grcontextid="to:0">to</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e76b318e-0715-4d09-8536-7b38b913de9b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="65a3dead-ec95-4974-85fa-3136bf0b1bc0" grcontextid="be:0">be</span> tough, to rough it out<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>But the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1ce60f24-e985-4a4c-96d6-759f0b8070c3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="01d74ee3-03d8-4a32-a25b-ac388da0861d" grcontextid="years:0">years</span> had taken its toll<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Knocked
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ddc4dc85-b58c-4234-82ff-5bbcd99e7c7a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bc7b57a8-4b0a-40f5-8463-143ec3467a8a" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> dropped, dented and cracked<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>Soldered
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f6b5b842-6c43-4bc2-8db8-39d275fdec07" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="432fda75-7cb6-417e-921e-01c9ee6ae921" grcontextid="and:0">and</span> patched, when it got too bad<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Discarded
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8fc6937b-4420-424d-bf21-16f1816240b9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="19c6a911-3529-401d-bc43-a92468ac2392" grcontextid="like:0">like</span> a soiled rag<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Another story, <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7ef39d1f-3368-4c5d-83ea-55b9ef748111" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fcca39c7-24b9-4c45-8a5b-00323ba1b48c" grcontextid="sad:0">sad</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L9AgjXnYPbJwbgCMVkvpE4sX_e3IsGbUam_-NueiWu7cdzhlgdTB3ky8fodzzPXpUfh4EsIxLUeq0H9XTKMrLbg-DlpHQy1TfgtlzGlKGe1URaoyiaCAcBcrpRUIUCYdSEq3B9o6Zkw/s1600/P1280997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L9AgjXnYPbJwbgCMVkvpE4sX_e3IsGbUam_-NueiWu7cdzhlgdTB3ky8fodzzPXpUfh4EsIxLUeq0H9XTKMrLbg-DlpHQy1TfgtlzGlKGe1URaoyiaCAcBcrpRUIUCYdSEq3B9o6Zkw/s400/P1280997.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="cd2a6d79-a81e-4b7d-a668-5e82ae87f141" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="dc6c37c8-759f-47c4-b1b9-65f635d6ced9" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> the old bucket taking in the sun...</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>One day
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9fb9c9c4-631f-4cb8-86b4-5a04f5768f1c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="17a4fd36-f80c-406d-90a6-7ca004e98f07" grcontextid="it:0">it</span> was picked up and painted over<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Its role
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="32050521-49fb-4868-b566-0b97561a9a6a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6fd4fd31-0de5-43af-a546-72d8f819f8f4" grcontextid="in:0">in</span> Life completely altered<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>A humble
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ef510f4e-4944-4e5e-9004-a6d588500f59" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb83386e-58de-4e01-9c9d-1b329da6e5cc" grcontextid="pot:0">pot</span> to hold beautiful plants<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Put in a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c82250a2-0bce-4fea-94dd-554f4c56f261" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="9cc67ea9-e72a-4b17-af95-2e246efad6ff" grcontextid="corner:0">corner</span> to welcome the sun<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>This old
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="75992dc2-31ce-43b3-8027-f8f81f71384a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1dfc401f-578d-41fd-ac77-4b573363b290" grcontextid="bucket:0">bucket</span> has seen better days<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>But the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="da46b65f-e597-458e-a160-19cb8acce580" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="2865a786-5037-4490-b46f-62be898928e6" grcontextid="old:0">old</span> bucket disagrees<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>It has
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="993a976c-1058-4d15-82d0-6f476bb77665" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a7f754ca-667b-4130-99e6-c225b9a0b11c" grcontextid="never:0">never</span> seen days as good as these</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166411733358732618.post-16303529050873891232013-11-02T23:53:00.000+08:002013-11-02T23:53:36.488+08:00The Secret & Riddles of the Sphinx<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I've had just enough time to... <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d52f34d5-eedd-4dcc-8c74-d749f357f7a3" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="66ba37f6-043f-405c-8cce-1d0d5baf66b4" grcontextid="learn:0">learn</span> the secret of the Sphinx</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhxg5-cLkRDjaXLOJifvqQZinmxCt5Kb7TZCPx_IV90Wn15Ch-vzveISiXhRGsfO9JdIoEbcR2hGUgzZQm5b1Ts2MEb9Ugg-1Yin-kx-FmmVak5ABmuiBFXiy8VwFZkGa7fEV9C46r8Y/s1600/P1280198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhxg5-cLkRDjaXLOJifvqQZinmxCt5Kb7TZCPx_IV90Wn15Ch-vzveISiXhRGsfO9JdIoEbcR2hGUgzZQm5b1Ts2MEb9Ugg-1Yin-kx-FmmVak5ABmuiBFXiy8VwFZkGa7fEV9C46r8Y/s400/P1280198.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">In Las Vegas, I could not decipher the secrets of the Sphinx...</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>In the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="54fbf349-2543-4377-9a2d-9bec8c897f77" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c241a682-0eb1-49be-8c38-e4b9d350d77e" grcontextid="land:0">land</span> of sand and gold<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>I was
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bcae567b-75ab-49d1-b0cf-7b28279dcd8f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="722ff12a-7c4d-4da5-b1cd-7eda547005e6" grcontextid="stopped:0">stopped</span> by a Sphinx of old who<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Asked
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1973a98-aba7-4e26-af63-5c8d6caf1ca8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="41e636f9-62ff-428f-a4dc-c845befc819a" grcontextid="riddles:0">riddles</span> to pass or be devoured<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>“What
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b1430ccb-74f0-44b0-8b5a-76b69a2d4177" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e276fb1d-a8c1-4573-9084-f8a614185b16" grcontextid="creature:0">creature</span> has one voice<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>And <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c727df7b-3bcd-4de3-9346-94f56e18008f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3937b6b3-7c99-4adc-bd0d-768b6c6ceaba" grcontextid="is:0">is</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bce3f048-494d-4898-aab6-a38424646d4d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="204f0770-7f98-442a-ab04-9de5d19f90ab" grcontextid="four-footed:0">four-footed</span>, two and three?”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>“Oh,
Man!” I exclaimed,<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>What
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="2ab65a37-36a4-4431-84d8-dbcf8410bfec" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="43542587-7656-490b-a424-b5297cf6c03b" grcontextid="answer:0">answer</span> can I give to that?<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>The
Sphinx looked up in surprise<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>The
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e76f6e2e-2a9a-488a-bdcd-d7fedabdee7c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b9dc10cf-031f-474d-a560-38c9f78648e5" grcontextid="correct:0">correct</span> answer I had supplied<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>For man
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="743c6b4d-cafe-4aa7-8fe1-b3030484cd26" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="8006ef42-35ab-4de0-8365-4db918d41dbc" grcontextid="crawls:0">crawls</span> on fours, walks on two<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>And in
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="c8a115d7-6d69-4eee-8d8f-abb45860ec2a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ac0aceb5-3216-43ae-af82-0036b0d1fbd5" grcontextid="old:0">old</span> age the cane makes three<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><b><i>The next question was about sisters, <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></div>
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<b><i>“One gives birth to the other <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i>And, she gives birth to the first. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Who are the sisters <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e7250f1d-3056-40ff-b712-1cc5c052b5f8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd48fa08-1895-4e2b-8aba-74ecc53599fb" grcontextid="two:0">two</span>?"<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>If I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="151ea0e9-1f9d-4dce-96b9-133ca1936c52" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="67a08121-5f9d-460a-a243-70b151e51974" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> to think “Night and Day”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="17f610e2-78a6-4b30-883b-d82344ead0d7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="b4abbf02-087b-4efe-b3b5-ebc7beb1ffa1" grcontextid="thought:0">thought</span> out loud, I could not say<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>The
Sphinx stood up on all fours <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Surveyed
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="7df13d06-b994-433a-b574-c4b5408e5ca2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="862d5846-f15f-44cc-9a79-b1eb4c32f7f8" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> curiously and said<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>“Only
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d6e6fd03-b871-4ddf-b374-9f3e38949836" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6e6b0d67-5e1d-4d5a-ade2-97cebf86b92d" grcontextid="one:0">one</span> last riddle remains,<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Answer and
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8a8537d6-de3a-42a6-80eb-cd169f4e54a7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="0c994854-ac0b-4fe1-b129-10266740fd02" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> will not be slain”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuf1Kg-F0TJ1tx7yi1N1y_U34MMeCCd873NfyDB9Pb5vjsmzLd3Y46iXrmgTlFV9MJBJeN8zBGmiiOF1Kw9dcu9SmAV40lHb1CwShCliIm9BXYa9YPJJAaaTu7te4XO8YJK2RrTIvMjg/s1600/P1280199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuf1Kg-F0TJ1tx7yi1N1y_U34MMeCCd873NfyDB9Pb5vjsmzLd3Y46iXrmgTlFV9MJBJeN8zBGmiiOF1Kw9dcu9SmAV40lHb1CwShCliIm9BXYa9YPJJAaaTu7te4XO8YJK2RrTIvMjg/s400/P1280199.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4d1cc13a-0600-4b0a-853f-871d33427b16" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="aea960cd-e0ea-46a9-bd57-358b5e8bd63a" grcontextid="because:0">because</span> I cannot tell the real from the illusion.</i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>“Would
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9b937a5f-767f-4657-a70c-595dabd9f6bc" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="46813fc4-13b7-42af-9a21-62743c0a9683" grcontextid="you:0">you</span> love a creature hideous<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>To save
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="631e9ffd-14d8-4ea4-9589-dcb451f0013b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6f7c2254-aec5-446a-b173-ff9e4857c330" grcontextid="or:0">or</span> kill for your own sake?”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>That is
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="61bf7f91-acf0-43d9-bc01-fafd97acac56" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fd3e8c08-c8b2-4773-bd0f-e9669225e16d" grcontextid="no:0">no</span> riddle but a trick<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Either
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="235b388a-7a5c-4b51-b722-64d3c9464b55" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="bb0b1766-b1ce-4ef1-8730-c7b5527a4d11" grcontextid="answer:0">answer</span> will be a mistake<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>If I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="544555a2-c014-469c-8ee9-043728f7861a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="100bb8d7-99ea-4f0c-9984-ee15a2913f78" grcontextid="were:0">were</span> to die, it might as well be for “love!”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>And I gave
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e2a81ae1-acc2-436c-9d93-93ada4982819" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ce7e936-ebb7-40a5-88f5-d266423fb538" grcontextid="that:0">that</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3df1aac5-1904-4370-ab7b-6a09b8e667b6" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="5ce7e936-ebb7-40a5-88f5-d266423fb538" grcontextid="to:1">to</span> the Sphinx straight<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>With a
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6396d004-fee3-47da-a3b1-9c5760990f7a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="678298de-ffef-4155-a40a-a4b0c4cfa768" grcontextid="mighty:0">mighty</span> roar, she sprang<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>My eyes
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="733260e3-30ba-453c-ac54-9c6682212f9d" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ea3311c9-b1c7-47a9-945d-3fc22d66b716" grcontextid="closed:0">closed</span> waiting for her fangs<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Over <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4e38ca2d-b54b-468c-8635-796058d899ef" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a222bd50-ecd4-455f-913f-d0a96605fe6a" grcontextid="my:0">my</span>
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f1a8f02b-0f86-45bc-8252-b62d5c8c2880" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb98a623-c78c-4f41-8b0a-2b5017a60993" grcontextid="head:0">head</span> she flew and dashed hers<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>Against the
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="722b4e0a-a99a-486b-8b85-9bae26195ad2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a35b007a-9637-4352-a870-839befd6547c" grcontextid="rock:0">rock</span> it smashed<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>I lived
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3be6b56d-c0fb-413b-8706-5f6f267dc569" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ba9b9fc8-60b4-45d5-afb4-b1b88ddc819a" grcontextid="to:0">to</span> tell this tale <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>But I
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="4dcffbe6-6984-447f-a761-4ed565ed47fd" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e3af56c4-27da-4738-9b55-ec826f2f3492" grcontextid="cannot:0">cannot</span> give you an end <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="60b25342-92c4-4774-ba81-6a8c73e36c13" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e3af56c4-27da-4738-9b55-ec826f2f3492" grcontextid="for:1">for</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>I never
<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="113bf7f0-7f13-4349-ada8-2442573f4db4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="92f43f99-cbab-4a08-baf1-484154e3ee0e" grcontextid="discovered:0">discovered</span> the Sphinx’s secret.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
Thou Sanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475763785246900213noreply@blogger.com6