Hosea הוֹשֵׁעַ

Tag: sabbath

  • Take Time To Rest

    There were three wood-cutters. Matthew, Mark and Luke.

    Matthew was a hardworking cutter who worked day and night. On the other hand, Mark worked for an hour and rested for ten minutes. Luke who was the laziest worked for ten minutes and took a break of ten minutes.

    At the end of the day, they gathered together and see who had the most woods. Mark had the most woods after calculation.

    Matthew: ”Why I worked so hard and so many hours than you and yet you had more woods than me?”

    Mark: ”During my rest, I sharpened my axe”

    After a year of resting, I recovered from my mental breakdown. Now I was more acute then I was before. Ever since I started joining the workforce and taking the responsibility of adulthood, life was getting weary as years went by. Sitting down and looking back my past achievements, it was a relieve that I came this far but not worth the sacrifice i had made to achieve what I had today.

    During my sabbath year, I really rested my whole being. I took my time to renew my life, my missions, my destiny, etc. I took the time to evaluate my goals I had set ten years ago and set new goals for my next decade. My body was weak and I took the time to get back my health by losing weight, keeping fit and healthy diet. Now my body was in good condition again to accept new challenges in life.

    My Sabbath year was ending soon and my whole being was energized again. Now, time for me to step out, step up, and conquer the world again.

    So when was the last time you took a good break?

  • 2005: Year Of The Chicken

    2005: Chronicle
    From year 2003-2005 were the dark ages of my soul. Everything I did, ventures embarked, project I led, etc, everything started to fail and failed damned badly. Year 2005 was the darkest of my entire life. I felt abandoned by God, rejected by society and forsaken by friends.

    In 2003, I anticipated that years ahead may be a big disaster for me so I started to make provision for the upcoming tough years. The worst ever happened to me was my 6-year-old girlfriend left me. Ever since that happen, it seem like the whole world was against me. I lost focus in my business and lost big time. Kinships and friendships began to break up and by the beginning of 2005 I lost myself, I lost my health, I lost friendship and everything I had seem gone, disappeared, vaporised into thin air.

    The provision I made was to take a year break in 2005 and happened to be in conjunction with my sabbatical plan, I planned 10 years ago.

    In 2005, Now, I was alone but fearless as before. I braced up again, putting all the past behind and looking forward, I went for a year tour and declared 2005 my Sabbatical Year.

    2005: Sabbatical
    This is my resting year because it was the darkest year of my life. I thought doing nothing was the best thing I could do to keep myself alive. I did try to jumpstart some ventures during the year but the favour of God was not with me.

    My original plan was to go Canada for my sabbatical break but then a year before my departure I decided to go China. After Chinese New Year, I took my passport and my baggage and travelled around neighbouring countries and finally retreated to Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province of China.

    In Guangzhou, the favour of God was not with me again and I moved from town to town and finally ended up in Zhuhai. Here I found peace and new friendship. I was happy and about to settle down, the wind of God changed and blew me to Chongqing province (an hour flight from Guangzhou airport or 30 hours of train ride).

    2005: Reflection
    I knew this year was the toughest year of my life, nevertheless I still set goals for it but simple and achievable.

    The four goals were:

    1. Go for my Sabbatical Break.

    2. Complete writing the book I decided to write 4 years ago.

    3. Restore my health by losing weight from 100kg to 75kg, restore my physical and mental fitness back to my peak state.

    4. De-gadget my life.

    Go for my Sabbatical Break. Yes I had accomplished it. Leaving all behind, breaking away from support system and leaving your comfort zone were not easy tasks. It was a state of mind, an emotionless calm mind. To some, I might be an irresponsible person running away from responsibilities. To others, seem to be a cool thing to do.

    As for me, taking this break, it took me one year to decide and this decision did not come easy. I had to struggle within myself to unify my heart, my mind, soul and strength as one. The fruit of the decision was not the enjoyment of my one year holiday. It was to destroy the “soulish ties” and rekindle the “passion of life” in me. Do not be bothered if you do not understand, I am talking theology.

    The book… Sad to say I did not complete or near completion. At least I started to pen now.

    Yes! Yes! Yes! From 100kg to 75kg, what an achievement! It took me almost three years to get back in shape. Huh! What was the secret recipe? Go vegetarian, that was my secret. I was not a die-hard vegetarian. Had vegetable meals as possible as you can and avoid meat if you can. Another secret was to eat enough and not eat full.

    I was not physically fit as before but I am much stronger now. Five years ago, I injured my back and was bed-ridden for ten days. It took me till now to be able to walk upright. As a semi-pro sportsman since childhood, my muscles started to ache as my age was catching up.

    Two years ago my mind started to weaken and I lost the will to live. My mind was so weak that I even gave up driving because I almost had accident almost everyday. My mental health resilient from the break. I was thinking again and thinking of things that were beyond comprehension.

    I was proud to say that I had achieved the fitness level that I wanted to attained. In fact I was more acute that before. I was ready to get myself into peak state again.

    As a techno geek, I was always the guy that had the latest gadgets, hi-tech devices, etc at hand. Always an early adopter of technology. In 2004, I made a decision to de-gadget myself, reducing my dependency on devices by 2005. It was tough to change my habitual lifestyle but I finally made it. From four mobile phones reduce to one (but now back to two). Remember schedules than depend on Pocket Outlook reminder alarm but I did miss Avantgo and reading ebook on my IPAQ. I was glad to say my stay in China had let me break away from all this hi-tech toys and left it all back in Singapore. Finally I also free myself from the “upgrade” curse, whatever new in the market, upgrade, upgrade upgrade. Switching to Mac platform helped break the curse.

    Although it was a lousy year for me, I was satisfied with my achievement.

    Thank you God for your grace and mercy.

  • Sabbath Tour 2005: Pearl River Delta, Guangdong, China

    Although I spend most of my time in Zhuhai, I travel frequently around the Pearl River Delta. If you want to build an illegal business, this is the best place to start. Best place for prostitution, best for money laundering, best for operating gambling den, you name it you have it. It is also a hideout for wanted criminals. Nevertheless Guangdong is a beautiful place to visit.

    To all that love Chinese cuisine, Guangdong must be one of the places you have to visit.

  • Sabbath Tour 2005: Chongqing, China

    Chongqing JiaFangBei

    Having spent so much time in southern China, I had finally moved northwest to explore another part of China. When I reach Chongqing and step out of the airport I say to myself, “is just another town”. As the taxi driver drove me toward city, I was surprised to see the place was better organised and the people were more cultured than the cities in southern China. Now I understand why Chongging was separated from Sichuan province.

    Now was winter season and I hardly see the sun. At most was sunlight every few days. I saw first light at about eight in the morning, sometimes almost ten in the morning. Nightfall around half-past-six. This place was cloudy and foggy.

    Time for me to adapt my new environment.

  • Sabbath Tour 2005: China

    I have been in China for almost two months and have been travelling between Guangdong and Fujian Provinces. I like China, it give me the feeling of being a chinese. It is different from living in Singapore as a chinese. Over here, we talk, we eat, is in chinese languages.

    I have lot of friends and business associates come to China to do business. Many of them failed and i also hear alot of similar stories and their encounters. So now I am here, living like a China man, blending into this diverse ethics society. Now I know why so many Singaporean businesses in China fail. To succeed here, we have to think like China.

    So how long will I be here? I really don’t know but at least one year. Have not settle down, but most likely will be staying in Guangzhou or Xiamen.

    What will I be doing here? Explore China in details and blend into this society. I also plan to travel to dongbei area during winter to ski throughout the season. If I manage to learn russian language, i will cross the border to visit Russia.

    Will I be doing business in China? Did think about it but have no intention for now unless some interesting opportunities pop up.

    Do I have China girlfriends? No I do not have. But in China, you really spoil for choices. Guys! You know what I mean huh!

  • Sabbath Tour 2005: Phuket, Thailand

    Phiphi Island, Phuket

    Yes, I just came back from Phuket, Thailand for ten days, enjoying the beaches and to help out in the Tsunami recovery. I stayed in Baan Boa Hotel, Patong beach.
    PHUKET, DAY 1:

    Woke up at 5.30am and left for the airport. while browsing the in-flight catalog, I saw an Adidas sun shade, then I realised that i did not bring my sunglasses. Hesitated for a while and decided to buy it. Cut the story short, i thought it was $128 and when i signed for it, the payment was $180. Oops! Did I see wrongly or what!

    Landed and our arranged transport pick us up to Thara Patong Hotel. The hotel rate was 2000 Baht per night. so expensive and the room was not up to my standard and the staffs were very “mechnical”, no personal touch feeling. Check-in to my room and head for the town to explore. Bored! The US navy and marine also here for their rest and relax. We decided to look for a better place to stay.

    Suddenly hungry! Stop by at Rock Hard to eat and get to know the waitress. Had Tom Yum Kun with rice. Stayed in this place quite a while to chat with the waitress and used the internet. After that, we moved on to scout for better place to stay.

    We found this place Baan Boa hotel. Wah! Just right in front of the beach and my room got balcony that got a sea view. Further more we only pay 1000 Baht per night. The staffs were all friendly. The swim pool is cool too. Beside it got 7-11. Isn’t it amazing to have everything I want for SG$50 per night! The best of all is, I like the reception girl call Aoy. We reserved the next 9 days to stay in this hotel and gave myself a chance to know Aoy.

    Finally settled the accommodation, We headed for the beach to get our hands on the sea-doo. I cruised out to the sea. I did not know how far out but I estimated at least 5km away from the shore. Really fun playing the sea-doo. After all the fun, I spent the rest of my time practicing 180 degree turn. Quite cool, keep flanking out into the water ‘thou.

    We went back hotel for a nice washed up and headed for Sol Bangla to party. Cool night! Heineken, Singha, Heineken, Singha, until stomach bloated. Really fun.

    It was about time and we went to a bar and met the waitress that serve us lunch today. After discussion, she took us to a-go-go bar and introduced a girl to me.
    PHUKET, DAY 2:

    I checked out to change hotel. Quickly get acquainted with the receptionist, Aoy. I liked her and chatted with her for quite a while before going to my room.

    Got my barang barang (gears and stuffs) ready, I headed for the beach, I had a really great to walk the 3km beach, to and fro, total of 6km. Then I swam, suntanned, swam, suntanned… That’s life man! Be a sunshine boy spending my whole day at the beach.

    Evening came, I went back to bath and headed to Sol Bangla for dinner and party again. That’s life here man! Too tired to party, so I left around midnight and went back to sleep.
    PHUKET, DAY 3:

    7.30am, I woke up fresh, headed for the beach, walking to and fro again, but this time I walked, jogged and swam, enjoying the beautiful sun. I kept going until I was tired.

    I was planning to drive up to Bangkok. After evaluation, I decided not to but keep my fun in Phuket.

    Today we decided to go sight seeing. I rented a scooter for a day (24 hrs). It only cost us 200 Baht (appx. SGD$8), Wow! Damn cheap man! To rent a jeep at only 600 Baht. We decided to explore the beaches northward. First we went to Kamala beach, Surin beach, Phansi beach, Bang Thao beach, Naithon beach and finally Mai Khao beach. We did not have enough time and we skipped Saikaeo beach because we need to rush back by 7pm for Rotary Club meeting.

    We really enjoyed the ride and we did not wear helmets too. We did not travel much on the main roads. We kept going those side roads in and out to explore small villages. It was really an eye opening for us, when we went to a village. saw a group of workers building a boat out of a 3-metre wide tree trunk. The workers chipped out the wood, out of the trunk. Beautifully amazing! Seen once in National Geographic Channel how the Red Indian natives do something like that. They had been working for 2 months before we came by. It going to take them until November to finish the 15-seater boat to go catch lobsters in the coming season.

    We also went to check out many other resorts and hotels to see their glamourous building and structures. It was a fulfilling journey of discovery. truly, amazing Thailand!

    We rushed back on time for the meeting. The reason we were there because we want to find out how we could contribute and support the recovery of the Tsunami disaster. It was really a disappointment after the guest speaker expose to us what was going on and the progress of the recovery.

    After the meeting, I headed to the bar street again. Beer, Bacardi Breezer, Beer, Bacardi Breezer… Oh yes! I had been doing this since I came Phuket and teasing the bar tenders.
    PHUKET, DAY 4:

    7.30am, had a good breakfast and head for the southward. wow! The beaches toward the south were much more beautiful. As usual, we travelled through small roads and treks and avoiding main roads and highways as possible. We went to Freedom beach, Karon beach, Kata beach, Naihan beach, Rawai beach, Friendship beach, Paradise beach, Chalong Bay, Makham Bay, Phuket Aquarium, Sea Gypsy Village, Phromthep Cape and Phanwa Cape.

    The most amazing discovery was the Paradise beach. It was not even in the offical map. It was by bashing through small treks that we discovered this beach and amazingly, there was a drink stall, beach chairs and umbrellas. A small beach with the setting that gave you the feeling like the Leonardo Di Capro’s The Beach movie.

    From the port of Phuket Bay, we saw the US aircraft carrier docking and took a picture of it and continue the journey.

    We returned to hotel around 3pm. and I headed for the beach for my power walk and jog again. walked a total of 6km then swam in the pool for a while and headed for dinner. We went to eat foundue (think I spell correctly) and had wine to go with it. Headed to the bars again. Beer, Bacardi Breezer, Beer, Bacardi Breezer… and teasing the girls but this time the ladymen. So much fun and laughter that my jaws felt like dropping.
    PHUKET, DAY 5:

    7.30am, headed for the beach and did the usual walking. Went back to hotel and swam in the pool and to have my breakfast by the pool. So wonderful to be able to enjoy all these. We had booked for a snorkeling trip but postphoned to saturday because we wanted to swim at Karon beach. Rented the scooter again and off we went. Wow! Karon beach is beautiful. Spectacular ocean view, cool, clear sparkling water under the scourging hot sun. Once u get yourself into the water, the water is cool, like got airconditioning in the water. So refreshing swimming in it. So amazing! We spent 4 hours, swimming, body surfing, sun tanning, sleeping, etc… Really feeling good doing all these things that I could not do in Singapore beaches. While I was enjoying body surfing, came a thought and I now wanted to go Hawaii to ride the big wave.

    Next time I came back, I would stay at Karon instead of Patong. Karon beach is so much better than Patong.

    Almost evening and we decided to view sunset. We headed further south to Phromthep cape view point. This place was a tourist place. Over crowded, we decided to go Kata view point. On the way there, we found another nice location through small road, to view the sunset. The sunset view is so beautiful that I wished I could stop the time to capture the moment forever. Yes I did, by taking pictures. Now i am motivated to build my own house near the sea or up on the hill with sea view. This was what I called “life!” you could not have such experience and feeling in Singapore, our sunrise and sunset really pathetic.

    Nightfall again. Back to hotel to washed up and head for dinner. Beer, Bacardi Breezer, Beer, Bacardi Breezer… and teasing girls again. There was one girl deserved my attention. she wore a translucent black dress and not wearing bra. Her nipples protrude and got ring on her left nipple and belly button.
    PHUKET, DAY 6:
    the purpose of this whole Phuket trip is to help out in the tsunami recovery. done my best to help in whatever ways i can, but is fruitless. took the bike and head north to meet up a friend, a couple. during the journey, i go to Bang Thao beach again, i come across Hands On Thailand organisation. went to their office get more info how i can get involve with them and decided to join the other team at Phi Phi island on sunday. continue my journey to my friend place. wow! cant imagine my friend got a villa on a hill with a picturesque of the sea view. the whole house is build with pillars and glass sliding door. no walls at all. i love the bedrooms bcos every morning u wake up u can see the beautiful sea all the way to the horizon and not the next block of building. and from the foot of the hill u can see waterfall flowing down, out of the house. in front of the main house is the swimming pool. if u r in the pool and look out, as thou u r in the sea. i just dont know how to describe the feeling, the ambience, all i can say is, beautiful beyond description.

    went back to hotel and quickly wash up again and head to the town for party again. nothing special tonite, just eat, shopping and SOP again. singha, breezer, singha, breezer… went back early bcos tomoro is another full day and need to plan for my phi phi island trip reschedule activities.

    PHUKET, DAY 7:

    wake up early to have breakfast and set out to khai and khai noi islands for snorkeling. had lot of fun “finding Nemo”… hee hee!!! trying to catch fishes, feeding them and they all gather around you. veri fun! but disappointed with the coral. not as beautiful as i expected. may be is caused by the tsunami waves. went in to the water and swim. the cool part is i can drink my breezer in the water and lying on the beach the water is so clear and fish swimming around u is so fun. really enjoying the clear sea water under the big hot sun. also be careful not to be bitten by the fishes. then came 2 japanese gals from another tour group. see them take pix of each other, then they came and swim near me. ha ha! they didnt know the water current was strong and one of them drifted toward me… ha ha ha… i open my arms wide and she flow right into my embracing arms. hee hee. had all the fun at the beach and head back to hotel.

    then on my way to my room, ha ha ha… i bum in to a norway gal (RA) that just check in. we greeted each other and went back to our respective room.

    so i when out for dinner and she is on her way back hotel. and we pass each others along the street. she didnt notice me. after pass her i keep turning my head back every few sec, and say wouldnt it be good to spoon her when sleeping… 10 metres, 20 metres, 30 metres… i turn back and run back to her and say halo and invite her to join me for dinner. surprisingly, she agree. wah lau leh! i whr got such luck! but is true. then i think think may be got “catch”. so better be carefully. had dinner and beer and tcss and slowly we talk about sex. both of us are getting high liao, then i start to rubba rubba her back and use my hand to comb her hairs. we continue to tcss and as i was getting higher, i neck her and she hold my hand and make circles with her finger… one thing lead to another and we end up at the 7-11 next to our hotel to but some more bottles of bacardi breezer.

    then i went to her room to tcss some more. as i get higher and higher… then too drunk liao and cant remember anything, but i woke up the next day spooning her.

    PHUKET, DAY 8:

    wake up hang over. SIAN man! late soon, rush everything and have a super duper quick breakfast rush to phi phi island. reach the pier, help out the ppl from Hand on Thailand with their logistic. sleep along the way to phi phi island. i was disappointed to see the paradise island destroy and look like junk yard. the island is devastated, so am i. i want to help but i dont know whr to start. get myself orientated on the island and talk to the local ppl to know more. there are many different groups that are helping out on the island. i get to know another group call the Hi Phi Phi that is helping out specifically on the island. chat with some members to find out more info and exchange contacts. the island has become a waste land and is already 3 mths since the diaster and there are still so much work to do to rebuild the community. my heart dishearten and i break down and cry.

    so i went around to spend my money to help out the ppl. that is the least i can do for the locals. as i was walking around the town, i saw a writing on a broken wall, “rich man buy land, poor man must go”. i also saw another writing, “buy from the local, they can eat for few days”.

    seeing all these, i decided not to stay overnight and head back to patong bcos there is not much i can do to make a different and there are already many groups with specific work to do for the ppl of thailand. so i went to Hand on Thailand office on the island for discussion and donated some money to fund their two projects for the next 2 days.

    i reach phuket and back to hotel around 6.00pm. i pass by the RA’s room and knock on it. surprisingly, she open the door and agree to have dinner with me. ha ha!!! so went for dinner and singha, bacardi, singha, bacardi… then here we go again… rubba rubba and lead to on the bed in her room again. ha ha ha!!! here comes the catch, she ask for 10k baht. she didnt ask me to pay her like a hooker will ask. she wants to claim her expenses from me while staying in patong beach. so i act blur blur and continue playing mind game with her then went to sleep. well, all good things come to an end liao. so is my phuket trip.

    PHUKET, DAY 9:

    wake up in RA’s room. then we go have breakfast and take a walk on the beach. about 9am, she went for her scuba dive and me went swimming in the pool. well, this is my last day in phuket, so i start to laze around doing things slowly. some how feel tired after the swim or may be drink too much. went back to my room and use my powerbook to get some works done and some how doze off for an hour plus. wake up and went to the beach again for my final walk and enjoy the clear blue sea water.

    after dinner i went for my final massage and went back to hotel to pack my barang barang and ready to leave early tomoro morning.

    Hope to meet RA but didnt managed to. so that’s it, the end of my phuket trip.

    PHUKET, DAY 10:

    nothing much to say, wake up at 6am and head for the airport. nothing much happen until i watch the CNN in the waiting area. holy shit! no wonder the last 2 days in phuket, i realise the tides veri funny and unpredictable. at times the tide can go veri veri low and suddenly i can go very high and almost reaching the beach chairs and umbrellas. so another quake at scale of 8.7. thk god, i m safe and nothing happen to me. “hallelujah! praise the lord”. if there is another killer wave, i may be gone bcos my hotel is just a few steps away from the beach.
    so now i m home and posting my boh liao adventures for u people to read… ha ha ha… just kidding lah….
    exhausted and tired but have a really wonderful trip and at the same time disappointed not able to help out in the tsunami recovery.