Go, Tell!

John George “Jack” Phillips sat in the “wireless” room of the Titanic, busily sending telegraphic messages from the ship’s passengers. Trying to claw back what might have seemed a mountain of backlog after the “wireless” equipment broke down the day before. Then at 9.30pm came an iceberg warning from the steamship Mesaba. He quickly scribbled […]

When My Knees Hit The Ground

“What fortune lies beyond the stars Those dazzling heights too vast to climb I got so high to fall so far But I found heaven as love swept low” * I watched the throng of conference participants pour out of the main hall to the lobby. Like water going in different directions, creating eddies as […]

Time to Breathe (Being Quiet and Still)

A few weeks ago, I temporarily parked my blogger’s ‘pen’ to take the time to breathe, to renew and refresh my spirit. Now I’m back! I would like to share with you what happened, why I chose to be quiet and be still. “The procedure went really well.” I heard the doctor say those few […]

All Things New (We Get Sharper With Age)

“How do you stay so positive in the middle of all these #*^&* Joyce?” said Joseph* who sat across from me. It baffles my colleagues when I turn up each morning and greet them with a cheerful “Good morning”, a brilliant smile, and an upbeat attitude. We worked in a very tough environment, with challenging goals, in […]

What Is Your ‘Bowl Of Lentils’?

When her time to give birth came, sure enough, there were twins in her womb. The first came out reddish, as if snugly wrapped in a hairy blanket; they named him Esau (Hairy). His brother followed, his fist clutched tight to Esau’s heel; they named him Jacob (Heel). Isaac was sixty years old when they […]

Her Father’s Eyes

“Look at those big eyes!” I exclaimed as I gazed into the beautiful orbs of my new-born daughter. No, she does not have my eyes. Mine are like my father’s eyes, with hallmarks of his Filipino Malay-Chinese heritage. My daughter’s eyes are huge for her face. They are like her father’s big, blue ones. […]

Crucible Moment

“Tell me of the time you experienced a crisis and how did you handle it?” Phil, the interviewer, asked me. “Do I tell you of the worst personal crisis I ever faced or do I just mention one of many I have handled well at work?” I thought. “The worst crisis I ever faced was not at work, Phil. Would you like […]

It’s a Beautiful Day?!!

Whatever you are struggling with today, large or small, widely shared or yours alone, may you have hope. Early on Tuesday morning, lives were lost at the #sydneysiege. While I slept, others slipped to life beyond. Leaving many to mourn. Lives were changed, now always marked. How changed, no one can grasp. As I slowly went through […]

Papa, Can You Hear Me? (Loss and Hope)

It was a dreary day. And the sun disappeared too quickly. I was running late. So I half-ran to the small auditorium. “I hope I’m not too late to hear her sing.” I reached the door. Stop. Pause. “I hope the door will not creak when I open it. I don’t want to disturb the audience.” Applause. […]

50 Rejection Letters (My First Winter In Australia)

Brrrr. I looked outside the ground floor window of my bedroom. It is c o l d. Bitingly c o l d. I have three layers on! And I am inside the house. In winter, there is no snow in this part of the country. The snow is on the mountains, just beyond where my eyes […]

The Cactus Blooms!

“The cactus has flowers!” With delight, I rushed inside the house and declared my news to the children. I had just arrived from work, parked the car, then absent-mindedly made my way to the front door. Then my eye saw it. The cactus plant that I had in a pot, left behind (abandoned!) by our home’s […]

Sometimes I Just Have To Twirl

A late evening at work. Heading down to the ground floor lobby. Walking towards the front door, absent-mindedly. Ooops. Almost crashed on the glass doors. They didn’t open automatically! I forgot. It’s after-office hours. Where’s the button to open the doors? Oh, there you are. The bright green button. How could I miss you, dear bright green […]