New Zealand Trip Itinerary

Jsn 25-28: Auckland
Jan 29: Christchurch
Jan 30-31: Dunedin'
Feb 1: Te Anau
Feb 2: Doubtful Sound
Feb 3-4: Queenstown
Feb 5: Mount Cook
Feb 6-9: Apcapa farm
Feb 10: Back to Hong Kong

I'm pleading

I'd loved you. I still want to love you. I think I do...

I've asked you to find me. But you didn't. Or so I thought..

Now I think I need you. Do you still want me?



I've written you this weeks ago out of desperation.
Did you see it? Did you hear me?


"find me
love me
be with me
guide me
love me"



Have you given me up? Have you forsaken me?

Find me, would you, please?

From Vilnius

I've just arrived Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

I spent the last three days in Krakow, the old capital of Poland. Before that we were in Warsaw. I think Krakow has a more cultured atmosphere. The old buildings there are really "old" buildings instead of post-war reconstructions - not like the old town of Warsaw.

There was a big event going on while we were there, the 750th anniversary of the incoporation of Krakow. There were classical music concert in the square. An unbelievably huge crowd went. That'd never happen in Hong Kong. You know, some Hong Kong people would prefer listening to Twins.

People (CCC) said Krakow is more touristy. I don't care. I like Krakow.


P.S. We went to a chamber music concert in a huge cathedral. It was touristy.

P.P.S. I've sent out six postcards from Poland. I wrote more or less the same things written here. So for those who are expecting a postcard. Do NOT read this post.

P.P.P.S. Oh, you've read it already? Too bad...

Eastern Europe June 1-23

CCC, Auntie Jacqueline, Uncle Martin and I are going to:

June 2-5: Warsaw, Poland
June 5-8: Krakow, Poland
June 8-11: Vilnius, Lithuania
June 11-14: Riga, Latvia
June 14-17: Tallinn, Estonia
June 17-18: Savonlinna, Finland
June 18-20: Kuopio, Finland
June 20-22: Helsinki, Finland

Welcome!

Our special guest,

HAPPY!

Happy is staying at my home for three weeks!

HUGE Suprise from CCC

BIG TOE

Big Toe is very busy, but he's
going to take care of
everything. Just Watch.
At first, Big Toe may seem a
little slow...until you realize
he's always one step ahead.
Those donuts you were saving for tomorrow?
Gone.
Those leftovers from the picnic?
Done.
Big Toe's on top of things!
An unstoppable force of knowledge,
Big Toe's got the scoop
on all the latest info, and knows
what's going down at all times...
Except for when it comes to you.
What's up with you?
Big Toe wants to know.

An email

--------------------------------------------------
From: Scarlet Ma
Date: May 16, 2007
Subject: Re: Dear Darling...
To: Dorothy
--------------------------------------------------

Hey Darling

Just as I've discussed with Daniel, I believe there's a God. But why does it have to be the Christian God? That's the question!

I'm lost, because when I said I left Christianity, it means I've also left behind the whole way of life that religion tells me to live. Saying that I'm a Christian is a relatively easy way to know how to lead my life. I read the Bible, go to Church, and do what the Bible and the Church tells me to. The Bible and the Church people also tell me who I am, the reason why God created me, my purpose in life... And Church makes sure that you have someone to turn to when you are desperate. Christianity is the whole package. It's easy, much easier than to go through the painful process of finding out all the answers for yourself.

But I don't want to be lazy. I'd rather feel lost than simply accept what other people tell me. I don't want to tell myself every morning that I believe in Jesus Christ, just because I'm not that sure I do. In the past, when I was in Church, I rarely doubted if Jesus is the real God, and had rarely doubted if everything in the Bible were correct. When I did have doubts, I asked people at Church and they answered. Sometimes I didn't really think the answers made perfect sense, but I thought it was because I wasn't as spiritual as they were. I accepted their answers and when people asked me questions, I told them what other people told me, which were things I had never verified myself. That was wrong.

Someone said different religions provide many pathways to get closer to the same God, but at the same time, not any religion can "own" / "define" God because individual religions are limited. I'm not sure if it's totally true, but for now, it makes more sense to me than just accepting everything the Bible tells me.

So, I didn't say I'm not a Christian because I am no longer close to Christ. And it's not like I dont' believe in God anymore. I do believe in God. As I've said, maybe one day I'll become a Christian again. If that's the case, I'll become a better Christian. Or maybe I never will. Whether or not I do, I am taking a step forward, because I am trying to find the truth.

So no worries, I'll be fine.

By the way, I love your blue sky green tree pic! :)

Take care!

Your SS :P

--------------------------------------------------

Photo: Dorothy Lam

I love you too!

From my darling little cousin, who is 13 days younger than me:

My darling, I miss you.

You may be lost, you may not understand, you may think life is a mystery. It can be tough but it is said, seek and you shall find. Things around you are exciting, people around you are always busy-busy-busy, and life is sometimes just too colorful. Don't rush, don't just go with the flow. Slow down, pay attention and appreciate the little things around you. Look at the sky, oh how blue, look at the trees, oh how green. All of creation, oh how great. When I do that, I find myself so in love...with the Creator.

My darling, I love you.

Thank you Dorothy! I love you too!

An ordinary statement

I'm more ordinary than most people in the world.

Congrat me!

Today is a day to be remembered.
For the very first time in my adult life,
I finished the whole course of my medication.
A FIVE-DAY medication course!

Wow...... What an achievement!

I'm so proud of myself!

Follow-up on Valentine's Day

After reading our Valentine's Day Special cover story, Sharing the Secret of Everlasting Love, on February 2, one reader was so touched that he approached us to donate a small sum of money anonymously so that the old couple featured in the story could go out for a good meal on Valentine’s Day or at their golden anniversary.

“We were very excited that the story of their plight hit a chord with readers... Being able to help people through reporting is very rewarding,” said Scarlet Ma, the journalist who wrote the piece.

Quoted from scmpimpression, March 2007 issue

There were two more readers responded to the piece, one offered the Ng couple a washing machine, another offered them a dining coupon. I bought Mrs Ng some wool, because when I interviewed them, she was knitting with the wool from decades-old sweaters.

Banyan Tree Phuket

Scarlet in her PRIVATE POOL!

(will write a post on the Phuket trip "a bit" later...)

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my dearest CCC!!!

MOXY the UGLYDOLL

MOXY

Moxy’s got a lot of moxy.
She’s a real get up and go Ugly,
with far more energy than her older
brother OX. Moxy’s favourite
activity seems to be bouncing off
the walls and jumping in and out of
mischief. Her giant antennas are
always on the look out for a good time,
and she can hear a party from miles
away. She could hear you coming from
all the way back over there!
Are you a party animal?
No?
Would you like to take care of one?
No?
Well that’s Ok because Moxy is here to
take care of you. She can take care
of pretty much any problem you
may have...it’s a gift of hers.
For example, see how messy your
room is? No problem!
See? Moxy is on your side.

TRAPPED

Aeroplane
Aeroplane flying
I, on the aeroplane
The aeroplane
Flying
But still, though it flew
The aeroplane's
The sky?

From Aeroplane: or, How He Talked to Himself as if Reciting Poetry by Haruki Murakami; translated by Jay Rubin

Original photo here.