Saturday, January 23, 2010

Chapter 7.1 - Sacrifice



Been three weeks into the new year, another three to a whole new semester. Well, not actually, every semester is somewhat linked to one another. Hmm. But yes, a new year, with a whole lot of new friends. When I first came over to Perth, I thought six years of vet school seemed forever. Now that one year's down, five more to go! It certainly hasn't been easy but the many skills in life and lessons learnt throughout the year would have been priceless. It surely takes quite a bit out of one's life for him/her to grow up.

Many a time, it dawned upon me that I'm here by myself, my parents ain't gonna be around. My mom isn't going to be there to wash my clothes over the weekend, my dad won't be there to settle the monthly bills. No one's going to be there to tell you dinner's ready. No one's going to tell you to start studying, no one's going to teach you to manage your money. Basically, it's telling you, you ain't a child anymore; this is the start of adulthood. Even if everything seemed too harsh for you to accept, there don't seem to be another way to go about doing it. We take stride in what we do. We make mistakes, and we learn. We fall and we get up. Everyday is special, the whole learning process of what we term an 'adult' doesn't seem like ending anytime. As part of that process, we learn to accept that things don't always go our way, we learn to handle tricky situations, we learn to accept differences in people, we learn to make wise decisions.

As the saying goes,


By 3 ways we may gain wisdom. -

First by reflection, which is the noblest.
Second by imitation, which is the easiest.
Third by experience, which is the bitterest.

********




Recently, I learnt sacrifice. The meaning of sacrifice from within, a question that I've found answer to. I never understood how far, as a father, would go for his son. Sacrifice. It's such a big word. Big, big, one.

Now I do, I think I do.

"We reject someone else's sacrifice because we feel bad they are doing it,
not realising,
by rejecting them, we actually make them feel more pain."


And so..in trying to help dad save some money for my flight back home during winter and summer breaks, I've decided not to go back so often. Seeing him work long hours everyday, and not even letting a Saturday or Sunday off, I feel very bad of the financial burden I've imposed. So I've always think..by saving that $700-$900 for airfare, the money can be put to better use on my brother who needs it more. Despite of me telling dad all these, he said I should go home during the breaks if possible. I do agree with him because I believe spending time with loved ones, cannot be put on hold till another day. But still, I insisted the money can be better spent, and I'd work to gain some income.

However, little did I know, he worked so hard everyday, to earn that extra cash for my flight back home, and to see me. It's so hard to imagine how a father will feel, to want to see his own son, grown up; safe and sound. And so, never did I realised, my act of rejecting him, hurts him even more; that his sacrifices weren't appreciated.

Now I know. I really do.


Saturday, January 09, 2010

Chapter 7 - The battle against yourself



And so we have half of the summer gone already. Yup, survived with just a little bit of burnt skin and toasted face. When December first came I dreaded the holidays because it seemed too long and hot over here for me to take it all. Especially when everyone heads back home one by one; been to the airport at least nine times in the month of December alone.

"See you next february! Have a joyous x'mas, new year and chinese new year. Remember to come back!" - classic sentence outside the airport departure hall.



Lucifer

That's Lucifer the mouse. Been with me since a friend of mine went back home. He loves nibbling on the spoon, he loves yoghurt, eating lotsa veggie and he gets high on beer. Imagine chasing him around the house after he gets high on alcohol. Once bitten, twice shy. "No more beer for you, lucifer!"

*****


Alfred. Nicholas. me - Monkey Mia; 19 Dec '09

Alfred and Nicholas came over for a tour around Aussie! Went north to Monkey Mia, and I'm proud to say I'm a finisher of 878 km on road; 10.5 hours drive! - Impossible is nothing. Yes, and so they are supposed to leave on the 21st night, but we spent a tad bit too much time at the casino and missed the flight to Brisbane. Tensed situation but this is what made things better - "When things go wrong, a smile is a curve that set things straight." One of the most valuable lessons I've learnt since coming over.

*****
~ 22 Dec '09 - 7 Jan '10 ~

/King's Park on x'mas day/


/Caversham Wildlife Park/


/Animal Show; shearing sheep and cow milking!/


/Magaret River Chocolate Factory/


Fremantle Port


/Rottnest Island/


/Train Ride/


/Pinnacles/


/Northbridge; Hawker's Cuisine/


/my room; new table from Ikea!/


/Burswood; (A)lure Restaurant buffet lunch/

/Murdoch University/


/Murdoch University's lawn/

- 7 Jan '09; you guys will be missed.

A really BIG BIG thank you to everyone who made the summer break enjoyable, despite the scorching heat, yes 38 degrees isn't a joke! As I said, Perth is a wonderful place, you guys just made it even better. Your impact on my life is immense; though the days may be already gone, we never forget the meals we cooked together, the barbeque we came up with and the endless jokes. Yes, memories is what we created, and they will last for an entire lifetime.

Good luck guys. Stay healthy and safe. See you soon!

life will never be the same without you.