牛年（09）展望 Ox Year (2009) New Year Resolutions

元宵过了，新的一年正式开始。哈哈，人人的新年在阳历一月一日就开始了, 我的现在才开始。没办法啦，我这人总是慢半拍！

写了08回顾后，我拿了去年定下的新年愿望来看看，很惊讶也很高兴, 原来自己还真完成了好几项(除了第五项） 。虽不是每项都做足一百分，不过总算很努力。

今年的愿望和去年的很相似。

• 第一 , 安康快乐。吃要吃得健康，继续煲汤，喝茶，学煮一手好菜给Ed (当然也给自己啦）。

• 第二，修心养性，少发小姐脾气。

• 第三，要更努力学好中医。回马时，继续向爸爸学习。希望今年好好研读《黄帝内经》和专注妇产科。

• 第四，部落搬家。突然觉得这里的文章有点散乱，想搬家和整理一下。搬家时会通知大家。

• 第五，这个嘛，要看我在哪个国家。基于种种原因，我正考虑着回澳十个月左右。如决定留在加拿大，要继续考药剂牌，还有好几张试卷。如回澳洲，要回大学读针灸学。这也是我一直想取得的学位。

五个够啦，不可太贪心。至于，去年没完成的第五项　（开一个中医知识部落格），再看吧。

Finally, the traditional 15-day long Chinese New Year is officially finished a few days ago. So, my ‘new year’ is officially started. Well, I know most people’s new years have started from 1st January.   But for me, who studied so hard for exam, I allow myself to start the new year later. Heehee…

To start a new year, I normally begin with a few new year determinations. Looking back at my 2007 new year resolutions, I am quite surprised and a little overwhelmed that I DID achieve most of them (except no.5) ! Although I can’t say I have achieved them 100% (those goals require continuous effort anyway), at least,  I have tried my best. For example, for someone so fussy like Ed, complimented on my cooking, I think I am doing ok 😉  .

To keep up with the flow and the continuity, this year resolutions are similar to last year.

1. Oh happiness and health !  Continue my effort in becoming a better cook, eat more at home, drink more teas and boil more soups. All for Ed, of course, for myself too 😉
2. Just wanna be a better person, so will start with whine less to my hubby !
3. Continue to improve and deepen my knowledge and experiences in Chinese Medicine. It is my greatest treasure to have a dad who has more than 30 years of experience in Chinese Medicine, so learning from him is a must this year. Hope to focus my studies in Gynaecology and the thousands year-old classic <Yellow Emperor’s Canon Internal Medicine>.
4. Move this blog to a new domain. I suddenly realised how messy this blog is, moving will help me to do some cleaning up. Will keep everyone in loop if I move.
5. Ummm….this no.5 will depend on where I will be living this year. Due to a few reasons, I am considering moving back to Australia for 10 months. If I decide to stay in Canada, I will continue my journey to become a registered pharmacist here. If I go back to Australia, I may go back to university to pick another master degree. This time acupuncture, something I wish to do for a while.

Ok, five goals are enough. Don’t want to put too much on myself.

What about the no. 5 goal last year (start a new blog on Chinese Medicine) ? Ummm….shall see….

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都烧毁了，都烧毁了…

Our Darkest Day

photo from www.theage.com.au

她风景如画，幽静闲逸，她让你心悦神怡。

她是Marysville 小镇，约有500名居民。离墨尔本只一小时车程, 常被视为度假和度蜜月的好地方。

我去过两，三次。一路上，两旁青绿高大的树林飘送出丝丝草香。她镇上的主街不长，有间游客咨询所，有一，两间小型杂货店，好像也有间邮局。 林木间，你偶尔可见到清幽的度假屋。当地人和蔼可亲。

可是，在2月7日，她被无情的大火彻彻底底地烧毁了….整个小镇只剩下十多间房屋….Marysville, 这个名字，现在只是灰黑一片，人间炼狱。不只她，还有很多很多漂亮小镇，美丽家园都被烧毁了。更可悲的是，很多珍贵生命和家人朋友都离去了….卖给我冰淇淋的杂货店老板还在吗？给我详细指示的游客咨询所自愿者还在吗？我不敢想…

在墨尔本住了十多年，一直视她为第二个家。现在远在他乡，看着那么多家园崩溃，真的无法想像当地人会多悲哀．．．

只想在此送上深深的哀悼．．．希望被影响的人们勇敢地站起来，再建立美好家园．．．

大火前的Marysville和邻近的国家公园 (2005) The Beautiful Yarra Ranges and Marysville Regions (2005) Before the Bushfire

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雪(和)人的欣喜

家附近的雪人

最近，伦敦下了一场18年来难得一见的大雪。世界各国的报章和电视新闻都长篇报道。 我的伦敦朋友也在Facebook贴上很多照片，其中雪人最受欢迎。

这场雪虽为伦敦带来很多不便，可是人人欣喜若狂。我和Ed在电视上看大人小孩们眉开眼笑地抛雪球，堆雪人，滑雪，玩toboggan…我们也笑了。真的这么快乐吗？这里冰天雪地，我们见怪不怪，天天抱怨。

快乐这回事真的是相对的。

记得，我在多伦多看第一场大雪时，何尝不是一样欣喜若狂…

现在，窗外正下着雪．．．

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愿祝圣诞快乐 ! Wish You All Merry Christmas !

圣诞娃娃

昨晚，我一边包圣诞礼物，一边在自言自语．．．．

记得，约十年前，我药剂行的澳洲洋人老板问我，“你是华人，不庆祝圣诞的，对吗？你是佛教徒，不庆祝圣诞的，对吗？那你在圣诞当天上班一定没问题吧?＂这哪是问我，简直是要我内疚，要我上班　（注：我是那间药剂行唯一的亚裔药剂师。那间药剂行365天都开足13个小时）。

我心里算一算，“哗！十三个小时，双倍工钱，即可赚二十六小时的工钱。划算划算。”　那时，我刚大学毕业，穷，又要学人储钱旅行，傻。我假装推迟一下，就答应下来了。反正，我是真的不庆祝圣诞的。接下来的五，六年，我的圣诞都是在店铺里过，从早上七点到晚上十点。我一点都不在意，顾客很少，很空闲，不难挨过。

一直到四年前，圣诞还是与我无关。没想到，现在，圣诞突然变得这么重要　－圣诞树， 礼物，卡片，火鸡，团圆，假期，派对，还有白雪飘飘。

人生一个转弯，有些重要的好像变得不重要了，不重要的好像开始重要起来．．．．

今早起来，我忘了昨晚思考的问题，匆匆赶去预定两个蛋糕 – 一个要带去明晚朋友家的派对，一个要带去圣诞晚Ed大家族的团圆晚餐。今天不预定，明天一定卖清光！26日晚，和Ed父母吃饭要带的已准备．．．．

愿祝大家圣诞快乐！

Christmas Dinner

Last night, I was talking to myself while I was wrapping Christmas presents….

I still remember vividly how my boss asked me to work on Christmas Day. It was about 10 years ago, ‘Shirley, you are a Chinese, Chinese doesn’t celebrate Christmas, right? You are a Buddhist, Buddhist does not celebrate Christmas, right? So, I think you are the best person to work on Christmas Day !’ Since I was the only Asian in the pharmacy, and he was right about a Chinese Buddhist (plus as a immigrant whose family is in Malaysia) does not celebrate Christmas.

So, I accepted the offer. Well, who won’t? The shop opened on Christmas Day for 13 hours, and I got paid double. In fact, being a poor newly graduate who dreamed of saving for travel, I felt grateful to have the shift ! Since then, my boss never failed to give me the Christmas shift and all my Christmas for the following 5 or 6 years were spent in the pharmacy from 7am to 10pm. Frankly, I did not mind at all. The pharmacy was normally quiet on Christmas Day and it was not a difficult shift.

It was not until 4 years ago, I stopped working on Christmas Day. Prior to that, Christmas was just another day for me. I am surprised to realise that it has suddenly become important in my life – the Christmas tree, Christmas presents, the turkey, Christmas parties, family gathering, holiday, Christmas cards,  and the previously unthinkable White Christmas. I have them all now.

Life is interesting, just a small twist and turn, previously important things are no longer important, and what never appeared important has suddenly play an important role in my life….

Woke up this morning, totally forgot what I was pondering last night, I rushed to Loblaws to order two cakes – one for tomorrow night Christmas Eve dinner with friends, one for Christmas Day dinner with Ed’s extended family.  I know if I don’t order today, I will have trouble getting the cakes I want tomorrow. And we have already prepared what we want to bring for 26th dinner with Ed’s parents….

Merry Christmas to you all !!!

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The Secret Ingredient (Kung Fu Panda)

I had headcold these two days, had enough of study, hence decided to give myself a rest last night, and watched the Kung Fu Panda.

Interestingly, found this movie quite philosophical, or just me, trying to be philosophical in everything. No wonder Ed can’t stand me ! 😉

x     x     x     x     x

‘Son, I think it is time that I should tell you something I should have told you long ago.’ Panda’s father continued, ‘There is no secret ingredient in our noodles.’

‘No secret ingredient? Not even some kind of sauce or something?’

‘No, no secret ingredient. You just have to believe it is special! ‘

With this new realisation, Panda went on to become the great dragon warrior, who loves to eat and still capable of defeating the evil Tai Lung.

x     x     x     x     x

How often do we believe we are  special? Special in our own way, and accomplish something only we can accomplish, in our own way…

And how often do we believe other people are special too? Just like how the master Shifu and his other followers eventually come to trust Panda is very special, so, he can accomplish only what he can accomplish, in his own way….

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美国总统选举 – 历史性的一天

奥巴马 - 美国新总统

Photo from theage.com.au

从来没追美国政治，至到今年。

今晚，美国人投下神圣的一票。

选出美国有史以来第一位黑人总统。

加拿大是美国邻居，气氛当然也很浓厚。

我和Ed坐在电视前，观看这历史的一页。

X     X    X    X

一个人，可以做到什么？

一个人，可以带来这么多希望吗？

一个人，可以影响那些多人相信同一个信念吗？

奥巴马都做到了。

终于，马丁路德的梦想实现了。

内在被证实重要过肤色。

X    X    X    X

虽然，很多人说，期望太高，失望也会更大。

可是，今晚，不需谈这些。

今晚，我们要相信希望。

相信只要有心，只要团结，什么困难都难不倒我们。

美国人愿意相信，全球很多人都愿意相信。

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Where is my tranquil Melbourne ?

Peak hour commuters cram onto the platforms at Flinders Street station. (photo by theage.com.au)

When I was reading theage.com.au yesterday, I was shocked to see the photo above.

When did Melbourne, my favourate city have become so crowded? It is definitely not safe for public transport like this. This sort of image only reminds me of Hong Kong or Tokyo, not Melbourne.

Almost three years ago, when Ed first arrived in Melbourne, he said :’Melbourne is too slow, it is like 20 years behind Toronto’. At that time, we were walking on the quiet, green and tranquil Drummond St in Carlton North, a neighbourhood I had lived for more than 5 years and still loving it.

Obviously, Melbourne has changed since. During my recent visit back to Melbourne a few months ago, I recalled there were many incidences I was told to have to wait for at least 30 minutes for my favourite hot chocolate at Koko Black. Is Koko Black too popular? Or economic too booming? Or simply just too many people now?

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英雄 We all need a Hero

当我看完Dark Knight后，我不停想着一个问题 – 英雄。在电影中， Harvey 说他其实是Batman, 因为他相信真的Batman会现身救这个城市。到时，市民就会知道Batman 是个好人，是个英雄。因为，Harvey 不要人们对心目中的英雄失去信任。到最后，Harvey 虽‘变坏’。Batman知道这个城市乃善良，至少那两艘船只没有为了自我的生存而炸掉另一艘船。所以，为了不破坏人们心中的英雄形象，Harvey 坏的一面不可让市民知道。

我们都需要一个英雄，我们心中都有一个英雄。在电影如是，在现实生活如是，在奥林匹克如是。

Carol Huynh 和她闪闪发亮的加拿大第一面金牌。

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Beijing Olympic : Good or Bad?

photo from New York Times

Okay. I have just finished watching the Olympic Opening. It is indeed a mix bag of feelings.

It is absolutely a spectacle. Being a Chinese myself, though not born in China, I am proud and amazed to see such dazzling opening ceremony China has put up. However, while I was watching, back in my mind, I inevitably think of the issues of pollution, human rights, and all things between that I read and hear day in and day out here.

Curious of what other people think, I went online.  And I am shocked by the amount of negativity out there (mainly from the western world) for China.

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爱我们的同性恋子女 Love Our Homosexual Sons and Daughters

Pride Parade 08

要写Pride 游行很久了。但Ed很自豪他为这部落拍的照片。硬要自己来整理，不让我这个闲空小姐来做。他说，我的水准没他的好。我等啊等的， 等到花儿也谢了，都见不到他‘专业水准’的照片。唉！男人靠不得。还是我自己先贴上一张让大家赏赏吧。

Pride 是多伦多一年一度同性恋者的游行。我去年错失了，今年当然没‘走宝’。暂不多说当天的游行。先说一说这张照片。

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哀悼三天 3-day Mourning

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Our Valentine’s Days

Late last night, while Ed and I were walking on the Cenang Beach in Langkawi, I suddenly realised it is our 4th Valentine’s Day together.

Each of our Valentine’s is celebrated in different countries. We celebrated our 1st Valentine’s in China, 2nd in Australia, 3rd in Canada and now the 4th in Malaysia. Though we did not plan it, it was just co-incident. Yet, it is indeed a beautiful and seemingly ‘romantic’ co-incidence.

Each of our Valentine’s celebrated simply – with no candles, no expensive dinner or flowers or gifts. Well, we both don’t like too expensive stuffs anyway. Yet, each celebrated with hearts. In China, we had a drink in a bar, and Ed ‘stole’ a rose in the bar for me. In Australia, I came home from work and a dinner was ready. In Canada, Ed came home from work early to make a salmon (my favourite) dinner for me. And I put together a slide show for him. Now in Malaysia, umm….nothing has planned for tonight. Maybe just some satays for dinner 🙂

Being back to Malaysia this time, I have seen some newly wed happy couples, also some couples who have been married for a few years are going through some tough times. Hearing all these stories, it gives me lots to ponder.

Since each of us are very different persons, for two persons to come together and being together needs extraordinary efforts. I think all efforts in relationship are efforts to understand ourselves and our partners more deeply and respectfully. From there, it will challenge our wisdom and creativity to find a way to be together happily, and hopefully for a long time.

Well, just some of my thoughts on this day.

May I, on this Valentine’s Day, from Langkawi Island, wish each and everyone of you a very Happy Valentine’s Day !

Wishing you all a happy, sweet, long-lasting and respectful relationship, not only with your partner, also with all your loved ones, and more importantly, yourself….

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健康要紧

这次回马，有一个重要的原因 – 就是要跟爸爸学习中医。所以，这三个星期来，都坐在爸爸的诊所内旁听。

有个现象，我觉得很值得思考。我发现，有蛮多的病人是年轻人。即使是中年人，很多时候中年时病发，也是因为年轻时没照顾好身子。 生病已不再是老年人的专利。

很多身体上的毛病归根究地，多起因于学业或工作压力，或饮食不适，或情绪不稳定。

年轻人在长期学业，接着工作上的压力的压迫下，透不过气来。因压力，学习或工作时间就越长，天天开夜班至深夜。可能连发梦都会梦见工作。不但，没足够的时间休息，也没时间自己煮。在外头吃，尤其在马来西亚，辣的，炸的，煎的，味精多多的，吃个不亦乐乎，却不知病从口入。加上，精神长期紧张下，脾气就暴躁，或怎样都开心不起来。

还有，华人总是有一种爱比较的心理。不管是父母，或是对自己。什么都好，一比下去，一定有人比自己好。这种不健康的心理，造成更大的，无形的生活和社会压力。使人更不开心，更要拼了命。

这是个恶性循环。 在这种情况下，身体哪会健康？

我知道，生活艰困，不拼就被人抛在后头。我知道，要趁年轻，好好捞一把。我知道，不做好，会被人看不起。我只希望，我们也同样放心机在健康上。

希望大家需要休息时，就好好学习放松下来。也希望吃得健康些，多做运动。心理感情上多做调适。看开些，多在心灵上努力。该放慢脚步时，就走得慢些吧。一路风景很好。别人怎样看是别人的事。如为了别人嘴巴说的，弄垮了自己的身体，值得吗？钱即使赚多了，又怎样？到最后还不是拿出来交医药费。我看着这些年轻人，年纪轻轻就那么多病痛，以后年长了会怎么样。

健康要紧啊！

(Dear English readers, due to my busy study schedule, I may not have times to translate most of the posts for the next few weeks . My deep apology. Sorry. )

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旧朋友和三个小瓜 Olds friends and three little ones

(Dear English readers, please scroll down to find the ‘click’ for English translation)

昨晚和两位旧朋友 – Ah Ben 和慧沁，出来吃个饭。

认识他俩有十五年以上了。

Ah Ben 是我的小学和中学同学，慧沁是我的中学同学。

他俩已是夫妇多年，带着三个儿子出来。

我们失去联络蛮久了，是最近才在Facebook重遇。

多年不见，难得又聚在一起。没想到有说不完的话题。

或许也因为我找到慧沁的部落 ，常上去‘看’她。

也在那认识到他们的另一面 – 爱上长跑。

我们谈他们的长跑，谈我的背包旅行，谈我们和身边朋友的近况，谈他们的儿子经…

我们一边谈，一边看着那三个小瓜嘻嘻哈哈在餐厅玩。

他们甚至和用餐的顾客打成一片，好活泼 🙂

旧朋友就是旧朋友。

虽在过去很多年，在不同的国度，过蛮不同的生活。

再相聚时，感觉还是很温馨。

很难得 ，真的很难得….

可惜没拍到朋友小康之家的照片。

那三个小瓜真的好可爱哟 ！

这两个星期在马，因两场婚礼，碰上了很久没见的旧朋友，都感到很贴心，尤其是昨晚。

或许是因为那三个精灵的小瓜。

突然，觉得我们都长大了。

不但要为自己的快乐负责，有些朋友已经要为下一代的幸福努力….

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新年愿望 New Year Resolutions

不知你们是否有许新年愿望？是否有定新年目标？

听说很多人都没怎么许愿定目标了。或许是因为目标常无法完成，经历太多的失望，所以，以一切随缘的心态来迎接新年就是了。

我嘛，则年复一年，从不间断地又许愿又定目标。还没认识Ed之前，我在新年除夕都不出门。当很多人在外派对疯狂尖叫时，我则留在家中，回顾过去的一年学了什么，和思考在新的一年想要做些什么。这是我为新年倒数的一套。

有个目标，生活有了个重心点，我做起事来也加把劲。今年没完成，没关系。尽了力就好了。明年再努力。我也常不能依时完成愿望。但都没放弃，一年年地做，至到完成为止。

可是，当Ed知道我这个除夕夜不出门的‘习俗’时，他几乎要喷饭，觉得我又‘畸形’又天真。他觉得生活不用太认真。于是，过去几年的新年除夕，他都有事无事地拉我出去凑热闹。

今年，碰巧我俩分两地庆新年，我没太失望，反而有点期待。因为，我又可以遵守我以前的‘习俗’。虽然，我和Ed出门狂庆新年后的第二天，我依然会写目标。可是，好像还是在除夕晚写下的较进心坎里。

好啦！我长篇大论了一番，其实是想和大家分享我在除夕夜写下的新年愿望和目标。

• 第一，当然是希望家人个个身体健康快乐，一家和乐，出入平安。世界和平，真的不想天天打开报章都要伤心好一阵子。至于, 要有健康，就要努力经营。所以，新的一年，我和Ed要吃得健康，少在外吃。要多褒汤，多煮中药调身体。

• 第二，爸爸生意顺利，Ed事业顺心。这个嘛，我虽帮不到，但我希望自己少发小姐脾气，不唠叨，做好家务。这样Ed回家时，可以好好休息恢复。（我怎么变成了个家庭主妇？哈！别问我，我自己也很惊讶！）

• 第三，今年我决心考取加拿大的药剂执照。要拿执照，就有好几个试要考。最令我头痛的是，考试范围竟包括所有以前大学的科目。大学是七，八年前的事了，很多日常工作不需用到的死板知识已忘了。现在要重考，真讨厌。没办法啦，我拖了这么久，也是时候要面对了。

• 第四，这两，三个月在马，要好好跟爸爸偷师，学好中医的临床经验。等我一拿到加国的永久居民证，就要跟多元诊所租间房来开始看病。虽有点战战兢兢的，可我已做好心理准备，知道我可能要等一段时间才有自己的病人。没关系，不踏出那一步就永远前进不了。还好，Ed也很支持我。

• 第五，今年，我想开一个新的部落。新部落和这个日记式部落有点不同。在新的部落里，我希望分享一些中医保健常识。写写对中医的体验和思考，还有提供一些容易在家烹煮的草药茶剂。希望你们也会捧场啦。

等新部落概念较完整时，会告诉你们多些。如果新部落受欢迎，希望有朝一日可以集合成书啦。嘻嘻！我又在发白日梦。至少，如果我的永久居民证申请继续拖延，我不可以工作时，我有个可以努力的目标。

暂时这么多。其实，我还有几个愿望。不过，知道自己性格不专注，很容易分心。定下越多目标越难实现，这个做一点，那个做一点，到头来什么都没好好完成。所以，今年五个就好啦。如果，我懒散了，或想要半途而废，或开始分心时，希望你们会提醒我，会为我加把油。嘻嘻！我太了解自己的弱点了。

你呢？你的新年愿望是什么？

愿共勉之。

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