eHeart

5th anniversary

2012-01-14T22:35:00.001-06:00

This year, our first vacation will be in South America: Santiago and Easter Island in Chile,our first trip to Chile.This is to celebrate our 5^th anniversary.

So thankful to my love,husband. And grateful for everything.

今年的第一個旅遊將會是南美洲，另一個首次旅遊的國家，智利的Santiago和Easter Island。這是慶祝我們結婚五週年。

感謝丈夫，感恩一切。

Looking at thebackyard through the window, snow flakes fly, blown by the wind.

Looking at thebackyard through the window again, shadows move on the wall of the neighbor’shouse. They look like spirits flying! But it is just smoke from the chimney of anotherhouse.

The snow flakes and smoke shadows have different dance styles, one goingdown, one going up, but they dance slowly.

These natural dances are sowonderful.

望向後園窗外，樹上的雪花隨風漂飛在空中的景色。

再望向後園窗外，鄰家的牆壁有一團團的影子漂動。有點像魂在遊，不是吧！那是隔鄰的煙窗冒出的煙。

不管是雪花，還是煙影，雖然舞姿不同，一個向下漂、一個向上遊，但那徐徐的輕舞。剎是美妙好看。

A little in common

2012-01-02T16:49:00.001-06:00

We had a lunchgathering in our house. Three white men and three Chinese women, these are thethree couples.

We seem to have a little in common. However, the Chinese womenare all from different countries.

I am from Malaysia and I can speak Mandarin, Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese.

One of them is from Taiwan and can speak Mandarin andTaiwanese (similar to Hokkien).

The other is from Hong Kong and speaks Cantonese.

We chat in English, just sometimes Iwill help them interpret some words in Mandarin or Cantonese.

That is fun.

我們邀請朋友到我家聚餐。三個男白人三個女華人，三對夫婦。
我們有一些共同點，不過三個女華人來自不同國家。
我來自馬來西亞，能說華語、福建話、潮州話、廣東話。
其中一位來自台灣，能說華語、台語（類似福建話）。
另一位來自香港，能說廣東話。
我們用英語聊天，有時我會幫他們翻譯華語或廣東話。
很有趣。

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T13:04:00.001-06:00

Steve & sinE wishing you all have a prosperous, fruitful and joyful 2012.
Happy New Year of Dragon!

祝願大家新年丰盛幸福滿滿！

Gift culture

2011-12-28T22:06:00.000-06:00

The first time I receiveda gift from Steve’s friend here in the US, I just placed the gift aside,still wrapped. His friend saw I still hadn’t opened the gift after a while, andfinally said to me: “Why don’t you open up and see?” So, I unwrapped the giftas she requested. Then, she seemed happy when she saw I liked the gift.

In Malaysia,most people would wait until the gift giver was away, and then open the gift tosee what it is. I am not sure if it is considered ‘good manners’ or just thecultural norm. Are both parties afraid ofbeing disappointed if the gift is not as ‘expected’, so that it’s better to avoidit on the spot?

當我來了美國這兒，第一次收到Steve朋友的禮物時，我把禮物放置在旁。送禮者看我遲遲没折開禮物紙包裝，最後忍不住對我說: “為何不打開禮物看看？” 我才傻傻的按她的‘要求’ 折開禮物紙包裝。然後，送禮者看到我喜歡，送禮者也很歡喜。

在馬來西亞的文化是，通常都在送禮者離開後，才打開禮物看是什麼東西。不知這是不是表示禮貌，雙方都擔心禮物没達到‘期侍’及免於現出不雅之表情，所以還是别當場‘表現’？

Successful life

2011-12-27T17:49:00.000-06:00

Continuing the previous blog posted – Power ofwords :

‘Is it that people who have only ahigh school education can’t have success in life?’ This was one of hisquestions.

I remember I shared with him and the group: “Frankly to tell youall, I got out of school and started working after I finished my SPM exam. Ithink my life is good. Besides working, I do volunteer work. I continue learningand feel wonderful. I have a lot of friends with bachelor’s degrees, and some havemaster’s degree; however, I have self-confidence and never think that I am notgood enough or lower than others.”

In fact, I was very poor in Malay languagesubject; I got 8 points, meaning ‘Pass’ only (1 is highest; 9 is failing) on mySPM (senior year in high school) certificate. The system is: Regardless ofscores in other subjects, scores in Malay language must be between 1 and 6 toget an A grade certificate, which is required for admission to Malaysian publicuniversities.

My family was poor and couldn’tsupport me to study in a private college. Also, I didn’t like studying boring books,so the only way for me was going to ‘work university’.

I rarely share aboutthis; only when someone asks questions. I know a successful life is in one’sattitude, not based on how high he/she graduated.

接下篇載文Power ofwords:

‘考完SPM出社會的人就不能成功？’ 他的其中一個問題。

我記得我給他及組員們的分享大略是:“老實告訴你們，我只是考完SPM就出社會工作。我覺得我的生活很好，除了工作還當義工，一直學習，人生很充實。我的義工朋友很多是大學生、有些是碩士，但我對自己很有自信心，從不覺得自己比人差。”

其實我的馬來文科最差，SPM成績是得到8，即是Pass而已（1是最高分; 9是不及格）。教育制度 - 不管其它科目，不過馬來文科必須介於1至6，才有甲等文憑，及有可能上政府大學預備班。

我家庭不富，不能讓我上私人學院，我也不是很喜歡啃書，就這樣只好上社會大學了。

除非有人問起，我是不会刻意分享這方面，因為我認為一個成功的人生並不是在於他的文憑學歷，而是態度品格。

Power of words

2011-12-24T13:33:00.001-06:00

In Facebook, I ran across a friend who graduated and is anengineer now. When I first met him, he was a form 5 student (senior year in highschool.) I helped a counselor conduct seminars in a high school for students preparingfor their high school final exam. My friend was one of the students and amember in one of the groups I facilitated.

After the seminar, he is one of a fewstudents who sometimes contacted me, but just for a while. We hadn’t messagedeach other for years, so I wrote to him, asking about his life there.

Hereplied, “I am fine. Ya, I still remember what you mentioned in the SPM examseminar. After that, I always enjoy life in school and working. Even today, yourwords still help me make decisions in my life. At here, I have to say THANK YOUVERY MUCH again. ^^”

I asked, “Really? I am glad you aretelling me, but I do not remember what I said. Can you let me know what I said and why I mentioned these words, or was itthat you questioned something?”

He replied, “You said, ‘the result from theexam does not determine your whole life, as long as you try your best, have aclear conscience and don’t worry about whether you have a good or bad result,because that is your result.’ If I am not mistaken, my questions were, ‘does thatmean if I don’t have a good result then I wouldn’t have a good future? Is it thatpeople who have only a high school education can’t have success in life?’ Afterthis seminar, I found that I could face every exam easier. I study hard to get 'my result', and I alsoaccept all the bad results that I get from the subjects that I not expert in,like language and history. After I finished the exam, I won’t worry about theresult, because it is 'my result'. All of this I got from you, I love you too,Sister Sin E.”

Oh yeah, thanks to him for reminding me.I really did not expect that my words to help and encourage him would still benefit,even now. I feel pleased and satisfied.

If you were motivated by someone’swords, just tell him/her. He/she would appreciate, it should be a greatreverberation.

在面子書上看到一位朋友已大學畢業，而且已是一名工程師。我初認識他，是我協助一位從事輔導員的朋友到中學辦學生營，他是其中一名中五學生，是我的組之學員。

過後有一些時日，他是其中幾几位學員主動與我聯系的一位。不過，我們很多年已沒寫訊息了，所以我就問候他及問他生活如何。

他回覆: “我很好。對了，我還記得當時SPM考前充電營，你提到的話。之後，我常愉悦面對我半工半讀的生活。至到現在，你的話還是讓我在人生做決擇時很有幫助。在此，我要再說非常感谢你。^^”

我再寫給他: “是嗎？我很高興你告訴我，但我不記得我說了什麼及為何而說，或是否你問了些問題？元鈞，謝謝你，我愛你。”

他再回覆:“你說，‘考試的成績不代表是生活的全部，盡了全力去考就好。只要盡了自己的全力，問心無愧，就不用擔心你考到的成績是好是壞，因為那是屬於你的成績。’ 如没錯，我的問題是，‘是不是考不好大考就没有美好未來？考完SPM出社會的人就不能成功？’ 充電營後，我發覺我較能面對考試，我努力讀書，得到‘我的成績’，我也能接受所有不擅長的科目如語文及歷史的不好成績。考完後，我並不擔心成績怎樣，因為這是‘我的成績’。這都是我從你那得到。我也愛你，心憶姐。”

啊，是。謝謝他讓我記回。我真没期待，我的話能幫助及鼓勵他，而且受用至今。我覺得很欣慰。

若你有某人的話激發到你，記得要告訴他／她，這又可讓他／她感受迴響。

Men's heaven vs Men's hell

2011-12-23T17:02:00.000-06:00

This is a quote told by an American friend:

Men’s heaven is tohave an American salary, a British house, a Chinese cook and a Japanese wife.

Men’s hell is to have a Chinese salary, a Japanese house, a British cook and anAmerican wife.

My question: Why not an American wife?

這是一位美國男性朋友講的:
男人的天堂是擁有-美國薪金、英國房屋、中國廚師、日本太太。
男人的地獄是擁有-中國薪金、日本房屋、英國廚師、美國太太。

我問: 為什麼不要美國太太？

Abstract expression of love

2011-12-22T13:31:00.000-06:00

When I was a littlekid, I waited for my brother to get back home from school everyday. I expectedhim to come back with a snack, taken out from his pocket. Sometimes, there wasdried fruit, sometimes it was a cracker, sometimes it was candy… All those made me happy inside my littleheart; I felt so nice from my brother.

The kid days were short, and I didn’t realizethat my sensibility was going into hiding.

After I became an adult, my brotherhad a job in another state for a few years. However, he came back home and helpeddad’s hawker business in the wet market. Even though we were staying together,we did not talk much. And my brother had a temper, so we were not close at all.

My brother married, and he took my dad’s job, but the business gradually declined.Nevertheless, my brother often came home with fruits he bought from otherhawkers. Sometimes there were papayas, sometimes lychees, sometimesdurians… We were happy to have them, butsomehow I didn’t think my brother was nice.

Later, when I realized love can beexpressed through behaviors, I finally figured out my brother likes to buy foodfor the family; it is the way he shows love.

Can adults understand this kind ofabstract expression of love?

小时侯还沒上学的那时期，我每天会有一阵期待三哥放学回来。那是期待他回家后，他从校服的口袋掏出零食给我。有时是半包的蜜饯，有时是一小包脆饼，有时是糖果… 这都让我小孩心眼中很高兴，觉得哥对我真好。
小孩时期不会太长，那时的感性也不知藏在那了。
长大后，三哥去外地工作几年，不久回来帮父亲的菜市场生意，虽然住在一起，但我们都不擅表达，沉默寡言，而且三哥脾气暴躁，所以我们关系并不亲密。
三哥结婚，父亲去世后，继承父业。可是生意越做收入越不佳，然而三哥收档回家，不时都会买隔壁档的一些水果回家，有时木瓜，有时荔枝，有时榴连… 虽然我们吃得很高兴，可是不知为什么，我并沒觉得哥对家人真好。

后来，当那时我知道爱可以是由行为表现的，我才明白三哥喜欢买东西给家人吃，那是他的爱的表达。

抽象的爱，成人看得懂吗？

A virtue

2011-12-04T19:10:00.001-06:00

There is a culturein Malaysia and among Chinesein Asia: people will call an elder personeither sister or brother, or aunt or uncle, depending on their relative ages. Thatis a manner or respect, even though they are not related.

It is a virtue thatmost Chinese are proud of; something parents begin to teach their kids when theystart learning to talk. For example, the parents would teach the kids to call theirfriend Brother/Sister XX or Uncle/Aunty XX when they meet.

If the younger knowsthe elder’s name, the younger would take initiative to call the elderBrother/Sister XX or Uncle/Aunt XX instead of hi or hello.

And it is not very goodmanners to ask someone older what his/her name is at the first meeting.

A lotof times, you would hear someone call someone uncle or aunty in public like ina store.

In the USA, when twostrangers first meet, they will tell each other their names or ask what yourname is. And most, even when they know each other or are related, they just sayhi or hello.

亞洲的華人及馬來西亞人，有一种文化，是對年紀大的長輩，即使不是親人，都會視其年齡相差階層來稱呼對方為姐或哥、姨或叔、婆或伯，以表示禮貌尊敬。

這是大多數華人引以為傲的美德。我相信那是從小會說話那天開始的家教，比如父母的朋友來拜訪或在街上碰到，父母都會教孩子稱呼聲其朋友為 XX姐／哥或XX姨／叔。

如果年少者知道年長者的名字，年少者會主動先打招呼叫聲年長者為 XX姐／哥或XX姨／叔。

據禮儀，初會面長者，就問其姓名，是有些不敬的。

很多時候，你會在公共場所如商店，某人稱呼某人為阿姨／叔。

在美國，兩位陌生人初見面，他們各告訴其姓名或問叫什麼名。而且大多數，彼此認識或是親人，都只說嗨。

Vegetarian Satay

2011-11-24T15:12:00.001-06:00

A monastic from Taiwan,who is stationed at the Fo Guang Shan temple here, knows I am from Malaysia, and askedwhether I know how to make satay. I said I had never made satay or vegetariansatay before.

Oh, sounds like Malaysia’ssatay is well known in the world, so I would give it a try.

Here I made it. Theylook like real meat, don’t they? However, this was the first time I did it, so thetaste was not the same as vegetarian satay in Penang, Malaysia.I need to edit the recipe and improve the taste to get as close as I can.

一位駐在這兒佛光山寺的台灣法師，知道我來自馬來西亞，問我會不會做satay。我說我沒做過而且是要做素的satay。

原來馬來西亞的satay在國外這麼著名，我想試試做素satay。

想做就做了，看來很像肉，像嗎？不過，第一次做，味道不很像在檳城吃過的素satay。我須再調改食鐠改進其味道。到時再提供我的食鐠。

Overwhelming

2011-11-18T15:57:00.001-06:00

In my life, I never met anyone who had been in prison. Then Iwent to a Buddhist group called Inside Dharma (http://insidedharma.net/About.htmland same link to Shinzo Zen Meditation Center.) I met a few of them who are ex-offenders. Lastweek, one of them shared with me and my husband, the first time he received a Christmascard (from Inside Dharma) after he had been in prison for several years. He said it was overwhelming.

My heart was so touched. What a huge impact alight little card made!

Even when someone makes a mistake and is being punished,they still deserve peoples’ care and support to get through. Help them to growand change.

All human beings need to feel loved.

在我的生活裡，我從未接觸過曾監獄者，至到我參與一個佛教組織名為Inside Dharma及同屬的Shinzo禪修中心，在那遇到幾位前犯罪者。上星期，我和丈夫與其中一位在閑談，有一小段分享。他說，在牢獄幾年，有一年第一次收到一封聖誕卡（來自Inside Dharma）。那是他很大的感觸。
我看到他真情的述說，我的心很感動。一張小小輕輕的卡，沖擊的份量卻那麼大！

當某人犯錯及受懲罰，他們仍然值得被關注和支持他們走過去。也能幫他們成長及改變。
每個人都需要得到愛。

價值觀

2011-11-16T16:12:00.001-06:00

住在美國，遇到剛認識的華人，都離不開問我這些問題:

你做什麼工作？

這麼多年沒工作，在家做什麼？

在家煮什麼給先生（洋人），吃什麼？

不同的人問我同樣的問題，我同樣回答給不同的人; 我答的很腐舊，他們聽得很新鮮。

有人問了，我就只好回答，目的是問問談談而已。

有一位聽我回答，我不用煮給先生，他一向以來自己烘煮雞肉，她的回應，讓我覺得她的思想很華人傳統:

“在家時間怎麼過。” “他結婚了，還得自己煮，他很虧本。”

當現代的妻子必須有職業？娶老婆，就有如老婆是免費的煮飯鍋？

社會的價值觀有時候真的會影響個人所響往的生活。

Remarkable Good-bye

2011-11-10T19:14:00.001-06:00

Tree: Why do you want to say good-bye?

树: 为什么要道别？

Leaf: Why not? Because I came, I have to leave. Andleaving is also another cause that will start its own chain of effects.

叶: 为何不。这就是我来的因，去是果，去也是另一个因。

Tree: I feel cold and lonely.

树: 我感到孤单凄凉。

Leaf: This is it. I am just a passenger. Who is notalone? However, I choose to leave with a brilliant smile.

叶: 本来就是，我只是一个过客，谁不孤单？不过，我选择漂亮含笑离去。

Maternity

2011-11-07T19:05:00.002-06:00

We attended Steve’s cousin’s daughter’s weddingand reception. Most relatives attended, and the youngest one too, with hisparents.
Chinese-Malaysian friends, I’ll let you guess, how old is the youngestone? I think you wouldn’t guess right!
That was just eight days after he came intothis world. When I saw that 8 day old baby and his mother, who just gave birtheight days earlier, coming together to attend their cousin’s wedding, myconceptualization was a little shocked. American women really have it sodifferent?
Americalaw is 0 weeks of paid maternity leave, so based on their situation, they haveto apply vacation time or unpaid leave, unless the company they work for givespaid maternity leave.

我们参加Steve表姐的女儿结婚礼及晚宴，多数的亲戚都出席，甚至最小的一位也随父母一起去。
马来西亚的华人，你猜最小的这位是几岁？你绝对猜不到！
那天是他来到这世上笫八天。当我看到这只有8天大的婴儿，以及才产儿后八天的妈妈，一起出席她（婴儿妈妈）的表姐／妹婚礼及晚宴，我脑内储存的观念被冲击了一下。
美国产妇真的这么不一样？美国法律是0天有薪产假，所以看个人的状况请假或无薪假。她们不须在家坐月养身吃补，婴儿还未满月就带出門。

Malaysian law is 60 days of paid maternityleave. Most Chinese women would stay home a full month to recover. The babies are also notallowed to go outside for the first month. The celebrations are done a fullmonth after babies are born.

Last trip back to Penang,I visited a friend and her baby, who was born just one week before. They bothwere taken care of by a maternity center.

马来西亚法律是60天有薪产假。华人产妇须在家坐月养身吃补，婴儿满月后才庆祝。

上次回槟城，探望生产后约一周的朋友及婴儿在坐月中心被细心照护。

Outer & Inner

2011-11-04T11:16:00.003-06:00

What can I see when I look outside?

The outer world seen by my eyes is just very limited.

What can I explore when I look inside?

The inner potential that is hidden in my subconscious is immeasurable.

从内向外看，我能见到什么？

眼睛所能见到的外在世界，仅仅的那么有限。

往外向内看，我能探寻到什么？

心底隐藏住的内在潜能，深深的那么无际。

My car - Fei-Long

2011-11-01T18:50:00.004-06:00

After I moved to the USA, most of the time I was at home. Sometimes, I did nothing and I felt a little stagnant. When people ask me - what am I doing at home, gradually I don’t know how to answer.
In the past, I had an excuse; I need to adjust to the environment. But now, I have been here almost four and a half years. I think this excuse couldn’t be used anymore.
Then, what excuse next?
Yes. There is a phrase - no car is similar to no legs. In the past, I didn’t want to have a car because I don’t like driving. However, it is really difficult not to have a car here. So, I pestered Steve for a car (used car is also okay for me) for few months.
Finally… my car is in our garage. It is a new Honda Civic Sedan LX Auto.
Wow! I never dreamed I would have a Honda Civic in Malaysia (I just day dreamed for a sports car)! Honda Civic in Malaysia, the price is over RM115,000. How can I afford it? In Penang, my car is a used Proton (Malaysian car manufacturer.)
The price (including tax) for a Honda Civic Sedan LX Auto is about US$20,000 in the USA. I am staying in the USA, so don’t use exchange rate. However, if using the exchange rate, the price equates to RM66,000.
The price is so much different.

來了美國，大多數時間都是在家，有時無所事事，覺得有點頹廢。當每次有人問我在家做什麼，我漸漸不知要怎麼回答。
之前我有要適應環境的藉口，但現在已住了近四年半，我想這藉口已不中用了。
那又會是什麼理由呢？
有。這裡沒車就好像沒腳。我不是很喜歡駕車，所以之前並不很想要有車，但是這裡沒車真的不行。最近積極吵Steve買車（致使二手車也好）給我。
終於…我的車到了家的車庫。嶄新的Honda Civic Sedan LX Auto。
嘩！在馬來西亞時做夢都沒想到會有Honda Civic囉（發白日夢要跑車就有啦）！馬來西亞的Honda Civic價錢RM115,000以上，我那捨得或買得起？我在檳城的車是Proton二手車。
美國的Honda Civic Sedan LX Auto價錢加稅後大約是US$20,000，不要把美元換馬幣，因為是生活在美國。即使換率成RM66,000)，價錢也是相差很大。

Alright, now I need to find a non-profit organization. One of my wishes: do volunteer work.
Oh yeah, I named my car, Dragon (Fei-Long). And had a newborn ceremony for Dragon with Metta sutra.

好啦，我必須去找一些資源及非盈利團體，實現我的另一個願望: 義務工作。
對了，先給我的車一個名字，就名為飛龍。要給飛龍的新生命舉行慶賀儀式，吉祥經。

May Dragon accompany us on the road smoothly and safely.

Appreciate Dragon.

願飛龍陪伴路上順利吉祥平安。

感恩飛龍。

萬聖夜 vs 鬼節

2011-10-31T19:19:00.004-06:00

10月31日萬聖夜 (Halloween) 是西方人的傳統節日，傳說萬聖夜通常與靈異的事物聯繫起來，是鬼怪世界最接近人間的時間。

可是西方人不把這節日當成很畏懼，會看到有人家前佈置一些鬼鬼怪怪的裝飾奇奇。萬聖夜有人穿扮殭屍、鬼魂、女巫、惡魔等服飾，裝模作樣，搞笑歡樂。

更有小孩穿著怪模怪樣服裝，逐門逐户去按響鄰居的門鈴，大叫："Trick or Treat!"（意即不請客就搗亂），主人家便會拿出一些糖果、巧克力或是小禮物。

農歷七月十五日，佛教稱為盂蘭盆節，道教稱為中元節，也是民間俗稱為鬼節。傳說那天是地獄大門打開，陰間的鬼魂會放禁出來。有子孫、後人祭祀的鬼魂回家去接受香火供養；無主孤魂就到處遊蕩，徘徊於任何人跡可至的地方找東西吃。有人舉行設食祭品、誦經作法等「普渡」活動。更有人畏懼不敢在當晚夜出，僻邪。

鬼節對西方人及東方人，有如此的差別。

India - People come & People go 人來人往

2011-10-17T15:12:00.007-05:00

Coming from his/her eyes, what does he/she think about you?

從他／她的眼睛來看，他／她會怎麼想你？

Seeing through his/her eyes, what do you think about him/her?

望往著他／她的眼睛，你會怎麼想他／她？

India - Inside & Outside Windows 窗內窗外

2011-10-15T18:24:00.011-05:00

Inside Window

窗內

Looking out from inside. What you would see?

從內向外看，你見到什麼？

Outside Window

窗外

Looking in from outside. What you would find?

從外向內看，你尋到什麼？

India - Agra

2011-10-14T15:54:00.005-05:00

Taj Mahal

From Agra Fort

After Agra Fort, an older man came to me, asking if I needed a ride. I thought it was by tuk-tuk, so we made a deal to Itmad-ud-Daula.
當我走出Agra Fort，一位老者走來問坐他的車。我以為是Tuk-tuk車，講好去Itmad-ud-Daula景區及價錢。

When I went with him to where the vehicle was parked, I found that was a trishaw.
來到他的車停處，才知道是人力車。

I was sitting on it and I felt guilty. A senior man serving me by pedaling his feet, and he needed to stand up to use his whole body weight to pedal on some inclined parts of the road. I really felt sorry for him.
坐在車上，我的心很愧疚，畢竟讓老者出力服務，尤其有點斜的路，他必須用站起全身的體力來踩，我真是於心不忍。

On the other hand, if I hadn’t let him take me, would he have any business and income?
On some inclined parts of the road, I got down and walked while he pushed his trishaw, until we were on flat road again.
不過另一方面，我若沒給他載，他不是沒生意收入嗎？
在幾段很斜的路，我下來步行，他推車，至到平路。我又上車。

When we arrived, he said he wanted to wait for me. I said, ‘don’t wait for me.’
到了，他說要等我，我說不要等我。

Itmad-ud-Daula

I came out, and he was there ‘greeting’ me…
我出來，他就來‘迎接’ 我了…

附加我的分享...

路上空氣的塵埃，附加了很多感受，飛塵扑扑。
我想我已嘗試處理，但不被接納。
一路思索想不出到底我那些言行得罪對方，引致不時我會被對方數落及謾罵。
我還要忍受壓抑嗎？
最后我毅然決定…我獨自旅遊最后的三天行程。

向好友略述了一些經歷，她問我，學到了什麼？
我說: “還是和丈夫去旅遊較好。”
她說: “不是。你很勇敢，你勇敢的脫離不舒服的狀況，去面對未知的環境。”
是的，反而那三天我很輕鬆。
當然，我回家后，與丈夫詳細談起這不舒服的經歷，希望他幫我找出我的錯誤點可在以后改進的。
他給我的答案是: “你沒有錯。那個人是要操縱控制。”
啊…的確。
比如一個‘團黨’，開始設立團黨者就像老大，那個人是第二個加入就自以為是老二，我是最后加入的，就得言聽計從（可是我以為只是三人行，可給意見）。一旦我有任何提議，及決意的話，老二就會在老大前數落我，及謾罵我。真是領教了。這是我最掃興的旅程，怎麼連旅伴也會出現‘政治’ 的現象。

嗯…不好意思，希望你不介意我的個人經歷分享。

India - Srinagar

2011-10-13T12:26:00.006-05:00

The route from Kargil to Sonamarg

Sonamarg
Horse riding

Climbing/Walking to the Glacier

Back by horse riding again.

The route from Sonamarg to Srinagar

Srinagar

Heritage Mughal Garden Nishat

Heritage Mughal Garden Shalimar

Shikara (rolling boat)
Dal Lake
Floating factory/shop

Sunset at Dal Lake

我的其中一個願望是: 願和我的終身伴侶一起環遊世界。

不知怎麼我竟然忘了，獨自訂機票到印度，加入朋友群的旅遊。以及和不認識的兩位旅伴延伸旅遊其他景區的計劃。
我後悔，我違了這次沒和我的終身伴侶旅遊印度。
一路上空氣的塵埃，附加了很多感受，飛塵扑扑。
我想我已嘗試處理，但不被接納。

India - Zanskar

2011-10-11T15:47:00.006-05:00

The route from Leh to Zanskar

Lamayuru Monastery

Buddha Statue Mulbekh

Pandum

Karsha Gonpa

旅遊是我的喜好，單身時與不同群的朋友去了幾次自助旅遊，雖然不是每次旅遊都與所有的旅伴相處得很融洽，但不至於很糟透的，比如無心的一些言行會令對方誤解了，傷了彼此的關係。
可是我從不夠膽獨自旅遊，所以我還是只好選擇加入朋友群的旅遊計劃，而且我自認都會附和不起爭論。
不過那時（在未認識丈夫前），我的其中一個願望是: 願和我的終身伴侶一起環遊世界。

India - Ladakh

2011-10-09T20:26:00.007-05:00

They said, “Here is Heaven”, so I came to see Heaven with my own eyes… Eyes are enjoying it, but my body is struggling.

I found that Heaven’s scenery is beautiful but the path is tough.

他們說這里是天堂，所以我來親眼看看天堂… 眼睛很享受，身體卻不恭維。

原來，天堂是美景，路途卻艱辛。

In fact, whether it is Heaven or not, is not because of the scenery (sound, smell, taste, touch) experienced with the eyes and other senses. It matters how the mind perceives.

Do we ever ask: “is my mind in ‘Heaven’?”

其實，是不是天堂，不關眼睛或其它感官對情景（聲、香、味、觸）的經歷。而是心境產生的念頭。

可有問自己: “我的心有和天堂在一起嗎？”

We visited some places around Ladakh.

Shanti Stupa

Hemis Monastery

Thiksay Monastery

The route to Nubra Valley

The Highest road in the world - 18380 feet

Nubra Valley

Nubra Organic Retreat

Diskit Gonpa Temple

Chamba Temple

Camel Safari (Hundred Nobra)

The route to Tsomoriri

Tsomoriri

India - Leh, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre

2011-10-07T15:11:00.008-05:00

They said, “Here is Heaven”, so I came to see Heaven with my own eyes…
他們說這里是天堂，所以我來親眼看看天堂…

Eyes are enjoying it, but my body is struggling. I found that Heaven’s scenery is beautiful but the path is tough.

眼睛很享受，身體卻不恭維。原來，天堂是美景，路途卻艱辛。

We are welcomed by Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) and the residents greet us with little flowers.

Mahabodhi禪修中心 (MIMC) 全體人員迎接我們的到來，并送上一朵小花。

And cultural performances. 為我們表演文化節目。

A half day meditation & Dhamma talk by Ven. Sanghasena.

Snaghasena法師引導半天的禪修及講座。

They have a Sunday service in the meditation hall. 星期天MIMC 全體人員一起共修。

A Ladakh festival at MIMC. 適逢有一項拉達克的節慶在MIMC舉行。

Devotees’ donations of money and goods to MIMC. 信眾的捐款及物品給MIMC.

Cars show off

2011-08-23T13:25:00.006-05:00

Enjoy life 自娛娛人

2011-08-18T17:57:00.003-05:00

第一天，他沒搭到校車。

第二天，他又錯過了校車。

第三天，他又再沒搭到校車。
暑假結束，學校新的一級開課了。

最近每早都到我們家附近健行，沿途觀賞各家前園的景色。
有些沒什麼特色就像我們家; 有些家種植花菜爪瓜果樹: 有些還擺設裝扮，不僅娛己，也娛人。

心情和眼睛得到享受，真是有素質的人生。

不過，要上銷防東西被偷。

難怪‘他’上不了校車。

Miss 思念

2011-08-15T20:32:00.003-05:00

第一年我來美國時，我們去 Steve 的父親墳墓致祭…

這是軍人的墳場，只供軍人及其眷屬。

Steve 父親曾參與世界第二次戰爭，韓國及越南戰爭。

Steve與父親感情深厚，但父親從不對家人談到戰爭期間的事。戰爭對任何人都不是件愉快的事…

Steve的母親是火化，骨灰盒葬在一起。

前面是父親; 后面是母親，在同一石碑。

Speechless

2011-08-14T22:27:00.002-05:00

A man flew a business trip in a business class of airline. Unfortunately, the entertainment system was out of service when the way flew back to home. Anyway, the flight attendant told them online to claim their compensation.

After the trip and back to work, his colleagues in the same flight did their claim, but he didn’t. His wife reminded him several time to get the compensation. However, he doesn’t care and ignore. At last, his wife frustrated and said to him, if he not does it, then he not allows talking to her.

He said okay, he rather chose not talking to his wife.

一位男士乘坐出某航空公司的公務艙出差，可惜，在飛回家的行程，娛樂系統無法服務。不過，空勤員告訴他們上網索取補償。

回公司工作后，同機出差的同事們上網索取所得的補償，但他沒有。他的妻子提醒他上網索取，提了很多次。然而，他並不想要該補償，不理會。他的妻子失望，最后對他說，若他不索取補償，就不用與她說話。

他說OK，他選擇不與妻子說話。

Ellebracht family reunion in Cincinnati, Ohio

2011-07-28T16:45:00.008-05:00

這張照片是參與Ellebracht大家庭聯歡會的人數，我想沒參與的可能有一半人數。嘩，有這麽多家人，三代同堂，其實姓Ellebracht的只有Steve一人。
怎麼說？原來這裡的習俗是女兒嫁了人，身分證就換丈夫的姓。
Steve已故的父親和爺爺都是單傳，Steve有倆位已故的姑姑，有七位表兄弟姐妹，有倆位姐姐已嫁，當然已不再和他同姓。
為何我沒改姓呢？原因是當我一來到美國急著早一點申請到居留證，填申請單都按照我的出生紙及護照姓名呈上，Steve在如何換姓的程序一無所知，也不介意我姓什麼。所以我就保留華族的習俗，身分證用父姓，除非有一天心血來潮去換夫姓的證件，或等到那一天我的墓碑才放上夫姓。
哎，怎麼說了這麼多，還是得說回大家庭聯歡會。這次的興起應是今年Steve母親的喪禮後，Steve的大姐及姐夫就提議夏天選一週末到他們家聚會。

我們的Missouri州St Louis城市到他們的Ohio州Cincinnati城市，駕車約5小時半。
星期四去，星期天回。

在那期間孩子們去遊樂場或兒童博物館。

我們到花園，IKEA、Jungle Jim商場，還有去看一項紙皮製作的划舟賽。

紙皮划舟賽真有趣，

紙皮舟若做得不好，不僅划不來，

人還會下水。

一晚在Steve大姐及姐夫家聚餐

遊戲

玩牌。

一晚在Steve表姐及女兒租的一渡假村木屋聚餐

大人小孩水槍、水球戰

及慶七月聖誕，想不到還有Steve表姐的準女婿扮聖誕老人。

玩得真盡興。

另一表姐及女兒，他們說住camp（帳棚），回家路上遇到他們，我才知道原來他們的帳棚是高級的，鋼製，還有冷氣。