Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Hakuna Matata

I was young and foolish and caught up with the world. Indulging in whatever that served as pleasure, life was ‘Hakuna Matata’. No worries for the rest of my life. I was just going with the flow and not have to worry about consequences in life. How cool can that be? Little did I know God was watching over me. I always have God at the back of my mind but somehow I was not concerned with Godly things. Life was a rollercoaster ride of fun. I had my ambitions too but one that was strived to be on top of the world. One that can make most parents proud and make your friends goes green with envy. One filled with diamonds, fancy things, glitz and fame.

On the surface, everything seemed glamorous and exciting but however deep inside, my soul was rotting. It was far from Hakuna Matata. I would worry about what people think and when was the next big happening thing or what I should wear to the party of the night. I worried over petty and meaningless agendas and I was on the road to damnation. I knew it and sensed it but too blinded by the ‘pretty things’ of the young party life, I chose to ignore a lot of ‘warnings’. I never knew true peace but I am glad of prayerful warriors around me who prayed and interceded for me non-stop.

A series of events took place and shook my world built of empty treasures answering the prayers of my inner soul and those who wished to bring me closer to God. I started on my journey home to who I am supposed to be. I gave up a lot of pursuits to come closer to who I am meant to be. I am still on a journey and am still discovering and re-discovering the purpose of my life. I still fall again and again but I never give up. One thing I am certain for sure. I am a royal heir, the daughter of a King; not just a normal King but the King of Heaven and Earth. So are you. Do not give up your birth rights for temporary gems that will rot.

Do not live your life without a purpose. Do not live your life chasing after honour and fame because that will never last. Instead, strive for a kingdom that will last for eternity.

I am still living with the motto of Hakuna Matata but it takes on a whole new level. I need no worries for the rest of my life because I know a Father who cares and takes care of me. I need not chase to be someone because I am already someone in His eyes. He will provide and He will show me the way to be all that I am meant to be; no more and no less.

Do you find your life empty and you live life hopping from one ‘happiness’ to another ‘happiness’ but nothing seems to last forever? Come back to your Father. Tell God you are tired and ask Him to show you. You will be amazed at what lies in front of you if you surrender yourself to God and let Him direct your paths. Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…

You don’t know how to come out from the dark hole you are stuck in? Cry out to God and He will answer you. Read Psalm 107.

I want to leave a poem here for you to think about. It’s something I have written few years back. Give it some thought.


Many hearts are led astray,
Burning with passion for the wrong desires,
Why are you yearning for things that sway?
Why are you longing for temporary pleasures?

Many hearts are trapped in darkness,
Disillusioned with fake gold and glitter,
Why are you blinded by all things glamorous?
Why are you seduced by eyes that flutter?

Many hearts are covered with cobweb and dust,
Spinning around, choked and lost in a maze,
Why are you chasing dreams that don’t last?
Why are you circling yourself in a daze?

Many hearts are hidden by a thick fog,
Forgotten and locked away from livelihood,
Why do you let yourself tied down to a bog?
Why do you chain yourself to hell’s neighbourhood?

Why, my dear…

Oh Why???


Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
Where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For  where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt 6:19-21)





Come Closer

Waterlily blinks from the fall,
Awe turns into diamonds of blue,
Dancing keeps my lady afloat,
On riverbank of knights at sleep,
Fly me to the moon you say,
The stars bless your voice and pray

Grass from the bank sing memoirs,
Fly away from birds in the air,
Too long to pluck moringas of old,
Why the odd smile of coldness,
Whimsical pots of tea for the day,
Cools down the passion of Cherie

The day cupid sprinkles dust of love,
All follows the rhythm of the clay,
You belong to the pink blue skies,
Jazzy autumn hues you paint on me,
Blissful splashes of playful waves,
In denial only the elves can hear

Just like golden days of paradise,
Fresh milky dew climbs in whisper,
Softly to your ears my blossom dear,
Will you ever notice the dream,
Up high upside down over the hills

Someday lemon will drop like honey,
Twinkle of rainbow on your doorstep,
A drop of eternal dust on your palms,
Melancholia has come to bid and call,
Wake up no more from the blues
Come closer to me I say


Monday, July 29, 2013

New Research on Fibromyalgia

My fellow fibro-mates,

I am pleased to announce to all of you today that there is new research on fibromyalgia that finally makes sense!
It is not imaginary and it is definitely not all in the head!
Dr. Rice has discovered that fibromyalgia patients have surprisingly excessive amount of arteriole-venule (AV) shunts, a type of nerve fiber under our skin. It is found that there is a link between these nerves and the widespread pain that Fibro sufferers feel.

Neuroscientist Dr. Frank L. Rice explained: “We previously thought that these nerve endings were only involved in regulating blood flow at a subconscious level, yet here we had evidences that the blood vessel endings could also contribute to our conscious sense of touch… and also pain,” Rice said. “This mismanaged blood flow could be the source of muscular pain and achiness, and the sense of fatigue which are thought to be due to a build-up of lactic acid and low levels of inflammation fibromyalgia patients. This, in turn, could contribute to the hyperactivity in the brain.” (taken from http://guardianlv.com/2013/06/fibromyalgia-mystery-finally-solved/ )

I am excited and happy to know of these new findings. Thank God for scientists!
Please read also from the links below to find out more :)



Let's continue to pray for ongoing research to discover new treatments and possible therapies to cure this disease.

God bless you!




Sunday, July 28, 2013

Echoing Silence

Echoing Silence...
Silence is Golden...
So few truly enjoy silence, even fewer embrace it and many are afraid of it...

"...religion goes beyond words and actions, and attains to the ultimate truth only in Silence and Love. Where this silence is lacking, where there are only the 'many words' and not the One Word, then there is much bustle and activity, but no peace, no deep thought, no understanding, no inner quiet. Where there is no peace, there is no light and no Love. The mind that is hyperactive seems to itself to be awake and productive, but it is dreaming driven by fantasy and doubt....."

"Precisely because of this lack, modern Western man is afraid of solitude. He is unable to be alone, to be silent.....Therefore it is all the more necessary at this time to rediscover the climate of solitude and of silence; not that everyone can go apart and live alone. But in moments of silence, of meditation, of enlightenment and peace, one learns to be silent and alone everywhere. One learns to lie in the atmosphere of solitude even in the midst of crowds. Not divided but one with all in God's Love. One opens the inner door of his heart to the infinite silences of the Spirit out of whose abysses love wells up without fail and gives itself to all."

" In His silence, the meaning of every sound is finally clear. Only in His silence can the truth of words be distinguished, not in their separateness, but in their pointing to the central unity of Love. All words then say one thing only: that all is Love.

I hope you will inspire to some moments of silence.The above excerpt was taken from the book "Echoing Silence - Thomas Merton on the Vocation of Writing".  I highly recommend all to read this book even to those who do not feel called to write.

Do not be afraid to be silent or be alone in the silence. Perhaps God will finally speak to you. Perhaps you will finally hear His gentle whisper.

Echoing Silence - a random sketch in silence

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Come Away with Me

It is Sunday.
Let us take a break from the careers, noises, worries and cares of everyday life.
Remember the story of Martha and Mary? Sometimes we are so busy with everything else that we forget the single most important thing..that is to be connected to God, to abide in Him and to rest in Him. Even Jesus needed a break.

Mark 6:31 says "Jesus said to them, `Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.' Many people were coming and going. They could not even eat.

Even in the midst of busyness and endless caring of other people's needs, we need to be alone for a while so that God can fill us with His love. You can't run a car on an engine without fuel. You can't fly a plane without a pilot. God's our pilot and we need His love to fuel us up!

Sometimes God desperately wants to speak to us but because we are bombarded by noises from Ipods and Ipads, dramas and MTVS, Facebook and Twitter, even television and magazines that we often fail to listen to the gentle voice speaking to us.

1 Kings 19:11-13 says that the Lord speaks gently,
"The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”"

At times, the Lord wants you to go through the 'desert' of life where you will experience emptiness and dryness so He can speak to you. If youre feeling broken and weak, go somewhere and take a retreat. It is not a bad thing to be alone for a while. Let God speak to you.

Hosea 2:14 "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.

Rest a while...
Take a break from the noises and busyness of the world...
Rest in the arms of the One who loves you most and longs to give you rest...

Matt 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

A sketch I drew yesterday while lying on my couch resting
Come Away with Me

Friday, July 26, 2013

The Ordinary Great Living Saint


I have just woke up from an off and on sleep. Groggy and light-headed, the drowsy flu medications sent my head spinning and my weak body flying into the couch of Villa Maria. I can't believe it is already almost sunset. It is terrible to have serious flu and chronic sinusitis when you also have fibro pains crawling under your skin poking you every now and then. It was definitely not a restful sleep. I haven't been doing much but I kept thinking of this great sick person whom I was given the privilege to visit. I aspire to have qualities like her.

She is a relative of mine, probably about 50 years of age or slightly more. She's currently in the nursing home as she couldnt walk. She needs to move around in a wheelchair. She suffered so much since a child. She has epilepsy since a child and had difficulties growing up normally. She got married but heartbreakingly, her marriage ended because her husband cruelly did not want to stick around a sick person. Her kids were snatched away and although they were not living oceans apart, she never saw them again. She lived with her parents in their small village and she was happy although life has not been kind to her. Few years back, her parents died leaving her all alone. She has siblings but everyone was so busy to attend to her because of work, kids, travel and etc. For the benefit of everyone, she agreed to stay in a nursing home for the aged.

We visited her not long ago and she was overwhelmed with joy. She only has a bed and a few belongings on a shelf next to her. She was sharing a big hall with many beds occupied with elderly people. Some are bed-ridden and some have dementia. All of them looked years older than her; probably around 75 and older. It was hot with only a few fans around but she was happy and contented.

She told us that everyday she thanked God for her life and she is contented being there. She has no worries or hold bitterness upon anyone about how circumstances are thrown upon her. She also thanked God for the nurses who looked after her and she goes to bed peacefully every night after saying her night prayers.

Everyone seemed to like her there. Most of the time she would sit on her bed because she is immobile as in her legs could not walk anymore. When she can, she will be moving around in her wheelchair saying hi to everyone in the hall; just paying the old folks a visit. The aged ladies and men are happy to see her. They claimed she's like a shining sun to them ever since she entered the home. Despite her terrible circumstances, she chose to be joyful and be a hope to others especially with the occupants who are paralysed and are left there forgotten. Many of us would have been depressed for the lack of privacy or blamed God for taking everything away but she chose to be positive.

She truly lived God's words and putting it in action everyday. Quietly, she is like Jesus to the people in the nursing home. I aspire to be like this ordinary yet great living saint of today that nobody knows.

                         1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:11
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Romans 8:18
 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.


Most of all, I felt the presence of Jesus when I visited her. That speak volumes. I hope you are inspired by her life and may you be the shining Christ to those around you who may never know Christ no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. The joy of the Lord is your strength!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Worry not but Trust God

Do you worry about what to eat and what to wear?
Do you worry endlessly whether you will make it safe to a destination?
Do you worry about your loved ones whenever they are apart from you?
Do you worry about what to do next?
Do you worry about the tragedy that striked you and you feel overwhelmed?
Do you worry about what other people might think of you?
Do you worry and feel anxious because you have just lost everything?



The Lord said: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)


Cling unto Him and refuse to give in to negativity and darkness. Surrender all to Him. For whatever that shall fall on you will pass in time. There is a purpose for every trial and tribulation.

You know very well the story of Job. Here is something he said..which is something we should all ponder on:

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21)

and here he said something wise and something that makes sense in

 Job 2:10....'If we take happiness from God's hand, must we not take sorrow too?....' 


Let us not fret, worry and be overwhelmed by all the stress and cares of life. Let us continue to trust God that He will bring us out of this dark hole that we are in and trust that He will bring goodness out of all the darkness that has fallen upon us. 

May God bless and keep you.

I love you Art

It is amazing what Art can do..
I was feeling sombre since yesterday. I woke up feeling groggy and foggy yesterday morning with a bit of aches and pains here and there. I guess it was one of my fibro-fog days.
I felt sluggish all the way to the hospital to follow up on my vitiligo. Lots of waiting and I had no energy the whole day.
Today I felt the same. I did not really have mood to go out. I just dragged my feet to follow my family to the mall but still feeling down somehow. A bit of unrest residing in my heart as well.
The time came when I am supposed to meet my buddies, my college's girlfriends. I must cheer up yet my heart feels dull.
Sipping on my starbucks chatting away with them, we started to open our sketchbooks and draw. I did something abstract and just sketched away! After a few hours, we had to go.
I felt the last few random doodles had set me free from my foul and 'depressed' mood. I felt energized, happy and relieved! I felt peace and somehow a notch closer to God.
I think God give us talents and when we bury them and not practice them, we will feel dead.
I thank God for Art and I thank God for friends who share the same interest.
Can you imagine the world without Art? Can you imagine everything is in black and white and square instead of the multi-colours and beautiful art creations that we see everyday of our lives?
A friend quoted that 'Earth without ART is just EH..'
How true is that hahhaha..

I love you Art

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Message of Love

"My beloved children!  Nothing can be accomplished without faith or love.  
With faith, you can move a high mountain, but, 
with love, you can lift up even the world." - Naju


1 Corinthians 13:13 
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."



May you never fail to love as the Beloved has loved you. 

Peace be with you.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Diamonds of The Land Unseen



There are many rivers up in front,
Branching to fields beyond our homeland,
Many sit on the rock to stare at the stream,
Waters that never run dry from up the rocks,
Wondering where they lead and guide,
Some ventured and never again return,
Following the rivers and never look back,
Crystal clear and refreshing the waters seem,
Beckoning all who are curious of heart,
Questions of life dwell in the heads,
Wary of choosing which water to drink,
Quenching one’s thirst from the same rock,
Yet to each flow comes a different path,
Some fairylands where pixies fly and smile,
Some rough deserts where waters stop,
Some hilly mountains filled with fresh air,
Some dead valley with a stench of corpse,
Nobody knows which is which,
Along the shore of the misty riverbanks,
A journey of a warrior lies ahead,
Waiting for the right time to march ahead,
When the sun calls and shines brightly,
The breeze will blow pass the gloomy hair,
A fresh trail of mystical adventure begins,
Along the road wisdom and patience shall meet,
Hope will be there to shield from the blinding rays,
Flames of courage set ablaze no matter which road,
Hunger will strike but not to consume the soul,
Divine intervention will help the lost in the woods,
Alas to move forward is better than gaze behind,
Throw away the comforts of familiar handshakes,
Cheer on to meet diamonds of the land unseen


Luke 10:1-3 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Are you Ready for Eternity? Heaven is nearer than you think...

I am thinking a lot about Heaven lately.
It is only natural that we, children of God would long for our eternal home where we will never be separated from God ever again.
It is funny how the last few days/weeks I have come across readings and writings and mentionings of heaven.

First of all, by Akiane describing about the beauty of heaven.
I was given two books about heaven by two different people and I am compelled to blog about it.
I have just finished reading, "To Heaven and Back" by Mary C. Neal and what she saw when she sort of died during her kayaking tragedy and came back truly set a reminder to me that Heaven is real and nothing in this earth can compare to the glory and love awaiting us in Heaven.

Now, I am reading an even more comprehensive description of heaven penned by Rev. Richard Sigmund when he died, visited heaven and came back to earth to tell God's children that our Heavenly Father has prepared a magnificient place for all of us.

Many of us have forgotten about heaven and even hell. Many perhaps have never heard of it or worse, never even heard of the existence of God. I am blogging here to tell you that Heaven is very real, more real than you and I combined.

Read his book and be overwhelmed by the beauty of Heaven that even Rev. Richard Sigmund could not properly describe in worldly words. His book is entitled 'My Time in Heaven: A True Story of Dying and Coming Back".

Jesus told him specifically, "Don't ever forget how much I love you and what I have done for you. Never forget how much I love those whom you are going back to and the place I have prepared for them and how much I love them." I am so touched by these words that I immediately feel the urge to write and tell you as well. Jesus loves you very much.

Rev. Richard saw the areas in Heaven that are prophetic and he was told of seven signs of Jesus's second coming to claim His people. Sign no.2 says "Signs and wonders will increase and be fought against". I have personally witness and experience many signs and wonders in Naju that has changed my life dramatically and brought about my deep conversion but many are sceptical of the signs and wonders being shown there. There are more messages from Heaven flowing through God's servants everywhere in this world like never been before. Eg, places like Medjugorje where I've seen many of my friends and relatives completely changed after visiting and making a retreat in this place. Sign. No. 6 says " ....the last great move of God breaking on the shores of eternity; the greatest part will be poured out in rural areas;"I seek my bride in humble places; I was born in a stable." I think of small and rural places like Naju and Medjugorje whereby ongoing visitations of heaven and heavenly phenomena is still taking place.

Rev. Richard also saw hell which was deadly horrific. I couldn't even type it here but many saints of all ages has recorded accounts of visions and visitations of hell that our Lord permitted for them to see and it was disgusting and beyond imagination. The terror in hell is nothing compared to all the earthly crimes and disasters put together. No one wants to go to hell and I pray with all my heart that you will not choose to go there too.

The Lord said,"Prepare yourselves and get ready because I am coming back soon, at a time when people don't think. I am coming back. I am coming back."(Matt 24:44; Luke 12:40).

Are you ready for eternity? You will never know the time when God will come or the time when your earthly life is over. Get ready for Heaven. Fear not because Jesus is with you. Repent and Believe!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Story of Let me Sow Peace

I wrote this in 2009 for the Delphic Games Competition.
Thought ill repost this.
God commands us to love..
I wish that each of us would spread love
I wish that each of us will show a little kindness
And try to make the world a better place
Like Gandhi said - Be the Change you want to see in the World
I hope this poem/story will inspire you to make that difference
Embrace His words: Love one another as I have loved you.

Story of Let me Sow Peace







An old wise man lived in the town,


He lived alone right by the fount,


No one knew of his real name,


He had grown past beauty and fame






Everyone seek him because he was wise,


You get a piece or two even if you’re not nice,


He was someone and whom everyone sought after,


For he was eccentric and unlike any other






One day came a shy young lad,


Handsome and tall but scantily clad,


He was what the world perceived as mad,


One who knew nothing of fashion and fad






The old man pitied he who was smeared with grime,


Gave him a seed the size of a dime,


He took it gladly with a newfound joy,


Promising to nurture it with a look so coy






He skipped and danced overflowing with happiness


He still could not believe this old man’s graciousness


There was none who has given him such treasure


He would keep to his heart his one and only pleasure






This young boy had no gold or glitter,


He had nothing that would make eyes go flutter,


He had no riches, not even a coin or two,


He had no one to love, hug or even to coo


 He thanked the old man with deep gratitude,


Telling himself to be charged with greater fortitude,


He hugged, held and clasped the seed so tightly,


For fear of losing what remained his one and only






The next morning he gathered some brown soil,


Back at the park where he begun to toil,


He buried the seed with extreme care,


Something he did on a note so rare






He sprinkled water on the spot so damp,


Finishing his task he felt like a champ,


He knelt on his knees ignoring the searing pain,


And prayed God will grant him sunshine and rain






He had no place to call a home,


So he slept by his seed with no need to roam,


He watched over it every second day and night,


Never leaving his precious seed out of his sight






Days went by and turned into a week,


He patiently waited by himself nearby the creek,


A small stalk begun to shoot and grow,


Sprouting baby leaves but it seemed so slow






The young man endured long hours of cold and grind,


Keeping warm by all means that he could find,


Never giving up despite pangs of hunger,


Although at times an empty stomach provoked him to anger







Alas the stalk grew taller reaching to the sky,


He made sure no one trampled on it when they pass by,


He loved it even more with tenderness and care,


Although his own sufferings are hard to bear






Spring came and the sun shone with majesty,


Heat burned the young man and he couldn’t help but be sweaty,


His stalk grew bigger with small buds sprouting,


He jumped for joy with his young face beaming






He faithfully continued to lie and wait,


Of what would become of his seed’s fate,


He did not lose hope nor became agitated,


Lovingly he watered and tended to it unabated






Summer came and shined forth a blinding glow,


Even the trees, birds and grass to it must bow,


A small purple flower from the stalk started to blossom,


Its petals were delicate and soft like a mother’s bosom






The young man was overjoyed to see a flower so dainty,


He could not help but gazed at its dazzling beauty,


His heart cried with pride and glory,


All his efforts were returned bountifully






He felt like a father seeing his daughter mature,


His purple flower had blossomed even without manure,


Such a rare sight in the midst of an empty park,


What a charm that it had made its mark






It grew and bloomed and multiplied


Smaller buds rapidly emerged and one wondered why


Soon after the park turned into a flowering bed


Passer-bys stopped amused at a park once used to be dead






Each passing day became enlightenment,


A bigger crowd would hung around with faces of bewilderment,


Children playing hide and seek amidst the enchanting flowers,


Parents admiring the scenery without realising the passing of hours






The young man felt contented and satisfied


He felt he had done his job right


He longed to show that old man his accomplishments


He hoped to meet him and fish for compliments






More and more visitors came to relax and unwind,


Some walked their dogs while some brought wine,


It was quite a spectacle to see,


Till the press and media had to agree






Someone found out about the young man’s actions,


Seeing his poverty the public gave him donations,


He then owned a home which he claimed his mansion,


Young and old they made endless contribution






Students are inspired and started making plantations,


College kids are encouraged to build gardens of carnations,


Housewives are influenced to plant roses in their apartments,


Secretaries are prompted to have flower pots in their compartments






The city was booming with a picturesque so lovely,


A colourful array of flowers filled every corner amazingly,


A scent flooding so great it was almost heavenly,


A sense of peace and tranquillity filled the entire city






The young man could never be happier


Alas one day he found an old man looking at him so dear


An instant flash everything came back to him so clear


This was the man who touched his life without fear






He thanked the old man and asked if he remembered


‘Of course’ he said ‘you’re the one covered with sod and amber’


‘Why did you give the seed to me?’ the young man implored


‘O why not? I was only passing a piece of me to my fellow kindred’






Tears swelled up in the young man’s eyes,


The old man never looked at him as if he was infected with lice,


He vowed to be kind and compassionate without hesitation


To spread messages of love and peace with full exhortation






Who would have known a single seed,


Could be fruitful and encouraged all to do a good deed,


What more to say if a single soul would please,


Stand up and say ‘Let me Sow Peace’









Caged

It was piercing dark again
Time seem to have stood still
The little bird flutters its wings
It made sounds that no one hears
Its master seem to have forgotten it
Dawn presents itself very rarely
The glimpses of light cares for no one
The little bird waits patiently
The coldness of the air creeps like mad
It counts the clicking sounds of doors
A glimmer of hope resides with each open door
Yet the door slams shut without a smile
Unbearable cruelty slaps its beak
Unseen forces of torture resides inside
The little bird gasps for air and cries
No breathing being to talk to
Noises outside the doors shuts its screams
It longs for its master to save it
The agony of abandonment and forsaken
The little bird sits and stares into blindness
Its wings slowly decay and may never fly again
The little bird misses the day it took flight
Dreams of soaring into the air
Alas its hopes just crash into nothingness
Misery that goes beyond brokenness
Its wings might as well be broken
Will it ever survive
Will it be forgotten
It wishes to die instead
Yet it weeps alone in the cage

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Magical Night in Borneo Rainforest - RWMF

I am finally sitting down at home, winding down after those ‘busy’ and fun days over the past few days. I was sort of a ‘tour guide’ for a visiting friend and a long-lost cousin who decided to pop by my hometown for a random holiday.

My friend, Vun Linn at one of the tribal houses. 
The RWMF was awesome. I had such a good time although the heat was scorching my skin. The humidity is making me sweat like there’s endless water from my body but it was worth it. I actually slept in the ‘Orang Ulu house’ in the cultural village itself. Sarawak Cultural Village is a tourist haven with exact replicas of buildings made to look like the actual village houses of different tribes. I was staying in one of the tribal houses.Thank God I managed to find a place to hit the sheets through facebook via RWMF open group. All the resorts nearby were fully booked and the only rooms available were too pricey. 

I enjoyed the Irish Dance workshop..that was a great workout.  It reminded me so much of the dance in Titanic where Leornado swung Kate around. Fun fun fun. I enjoyed the war dance even more. The aborigines from Australia were clad in full gears with white drawings everywhere on their bodies and they were charging it up against the ‘warriors’ from South Africa. The Africans won lots of cheers and screams from us. Their dance was superb. The bongos were just bringing us to a new high. I wished I took more pictures to share it here.
The funny man who 'intructed' us at the Irish Dance workshop..my blackberry
shot really do not do justice to the venue

The wardance at rainforest world music festival 2013
Australian Aborigines against the South African warriors
I wished i brought a better camera to capture better snapshots
This picture is supposed to shine with vibrancy

We had a long break before the concert at night. It was cool to be in the rainforest and dance with thousands of music lovers without a care about poise or being cool and you don’t need to be stylishly dressed like you would in a city club. I felt like hippies in the woods during the sixties. It was fun. My favourite performers of the night were definitely the South Africans and the band from the States named the Pine Leaf Boys. The SA band even sang and dance with a tribute to Nelson Mandela. How wonderful it is to be able to celebrate with people from around the world for a good cause. He was a good man. The only downside of the whole celebration was the bad line connection. I was supposed to meet my cousin and a few other friends but I only managed to find my cousin minutes before she had to leave the venue. Sigh…

Anyways the highlight of the entire celebration was the after-event. As I mentioned, I was staying in the rumah orang ulu house and I paid for a bed in a dormitory-like room. I was sharing a room with 8 other people. The night was still young.  I could hear people playing music in the verandah so me and my friend decided to join in and watch. A few of the RWMF performers were there and some of the people staying in our place were there too. They were jamming to all sorts of musical instruments from the didgeridoo, wooden flute, trumpet to sounds from the waste bins and slipper-smacking. Although my legs were infested with millions of mosquito bites that night because I was clad in a loose dress..hence, my legs were not covered..i sat glued to the musical jamming for hours and hours. Again, I regretted not taking photos. I went to bed around 4 am but I couldn’t sleep a wink the entire night as my ears were flooded with beautiful music from outside. It was a magical encounter…one I would have missed if I were to stay in the city and took a shuttle back.

The Rumah Orang Ulu that we stayed for one night.
The sun was shining gloriously on the house


My friend, Vun Linn at the intriguing stairs of the Rumah Orang Ulu
I realised my photos have a misty feel to them
Must be some fog covering my lens :(

The next day I had to leave. It was a little sad to miss the other shows and workshops but I met some really cool people and had interesting conversations so it was time to move on and bring my friend to have a taste of other local ‘flavours’.

Below is a poem I’ve conjured up in the middle of the night because I couldn’t sleep while I was serenaded by the music outside.


Do do dum deee wooo ahhh,
Serenades of flutes flooding the floor,
Moths visiting with melancholy hopes ,
Borneoan men smiling cheekily looking down,
Prints of tribal stories blend into modernity,
Relaxing with ancient mother earth of Borneo,
Dreaming of oldern rattan mats and thinker pots,
Caresses of wind blowing sweetly to soft ears,
Long soulfuls suckling of the mosquitoes,
A bite to reality amidst twinkling of grace,
The rainforest is whispering to half asleep maidens,
Come stay with the elves and half moons,
Fly away and dance with the moon light,
Till dawn it shall be free of loneliness,
Stay awake till the music beats no more,
Embracing the sprinkling of magic in Borneo rainforest

We’ll continue the rest of the ‘touring’ soon.  Thank God for the rainforest and for bringing all cultures together through music.

p/s: i hope you will be able to experience the festival and the homestay as well one fine day!