The day Heaven shook my hand ...

In bad economic times, people seek religion to subdue their fears of instability and I am one of those who do the same.

 

Frankly, I was astonished when I had such a close encounter with the subject and I never thought I'll ever stand that close to Heaven.

 

I always heard that Heaven and Hell were separated by only one thin line but not many can tell the story about what both places have in them. A rosy garden versus a fiery oven? I don't know.

 

As usual, I do think a little too much. Have I been good or have I been bad. Do I deserve the finer things in life or do I not.

 

As we often hear preachers talk about Heaven, I always wondered how heaven really look like.

 

Within minutes, the news spread. Heaven has arrived at her new work place.

 

While Heaven was introduced as she made her rounds with a HR colleague, I sat at my chair nervous.  Like every new face in the company, Heaven was shown her way around the many desks filled with files and more files. I too didn't escape from this really difficult taks. The number of people you had to meet and the names you had to remember did cause me anxiety then.

 

Finally, they made their way to my desk and as Heaven approached, she reached out her hand and introduced herself politely.

 

Aren't we all glad now that Heaven is going to be on our side at least for the next couple of months at work? What more can we ask for in times of trouble.

A rainbow birthday ...

In an hour's time I will hit the big 3. Yes, I will be 30.

So what happens when one turns thirty from twenty nine? The cake gets lesser candles.

As usual, birthday week is often lined up with dinners and get together with family and friends. What else can we do but eat in Singapore? Frankly, I enjoy eating and having the company of family and friends so this is always a great excuse to be with them or should I say, it is a very good excuse for them to be with me. Both ways only benefit me. Just think of all the delicacies one gets to enjoy in the birthday month.

All these 30 years, I had my fair share of birthday parties, surprise parties, get-drunk parties and sex parties. Ok, kidding. Haven't been to a sex party just yet.

I often try to recall the birthday parties I have had. From MacDonald's to high end hotel parties, I had them all. My parents dote on me so much that they make every effort to throw a party for me and my friends whenever possible.

I can still remember how I spent my 17 year old party at the Pan Pacific hotel and the gifts my parents and my godparents bought me. At that time, Sandy hasn't entered my life fully. We were only acquaintances from the January 1997 orientation at school.

That year's party had all my close friends with me. Hanwen, Edwin, Timothy and Yiliang. Sadly, am only in contact with Hanwen and Edwin. I guess that's life. We thread on certain journey together and after that phase of journey passes, we split ways.

Now as I am turning 30, I sit back and think of my life. Frankly, I have it all. I can be considered pretty lucky in life. In terms of affinity and career, it is sailing pretty well. The occassional storm comes and goes but I know at the end of it all, I make it and make it pretty good. So what more can I ask for?

At times I feel like a lost child even though I turn 30 at the stroke of midnight. I acheived most of my goals ( except for little Mark / Sandy) and I crave for more. Cravings can be dangerous if kept unsupervised. The more ambitious one gets, the harder he falls. I guess at the age of 30, I should just let the year pass me by slowly and gently and let loose the tight reins I have forcefully held on. It is time to relax a bit and enjoy a little.

For now, I shall sit back and enjoy the beautiful sound coming from the sound system that sits in my living room. Happy 30th Birthday Mark! May all your wishes come true and may you find lots of happiness in the many more years to come.