The mooncake pig

This is the "mooncake pig", half-eaten. I took photos of it as it sat on top of the microwave (better colour contrast). Have been meaning to post it, but only got round to doing it today. I'd purchased it for S shortly after the mooncake festival. This year, we didn't buy mooncake (we had an overdose of it last year). When I saw this little pig at the chinese supermarket, I remembered that S likes the "mooncake pig" that I so detested as a child and decided to buy it for her.
We have issues with mooncake. S likes the crust, the thicker the better. She also likes the yolk. I on the other hand, like the filling, so the thinner the crust the better. Plus, I really really dislike the yolk.

Back to the reason for the picture. Well, S commented after chomping the pig's abdomen and half of its gluteus maximus that the manufacturers must have squirted the filling in through a small orifice in the pig's butt. Yup, the poor pig got filling squirted in through its butt hole (anatomically speaking, through it's anus). I thought this most amusing and decided to attempt to capture it on photo. It was virtually impossible to zoom in on the anatomical orifice in question, so this was the best I managed.

Btw, S consumed the head last... which disturbed me much. I had previously advised her that the pig should be consumed in the same manner as jelly babies- you bite the head off first to prevent it from screaming. Oh well, it's her pig...

The sorrows of the world

The world I live in is full of sadness. Within my extended family, there is evidence of the pain of living itself. The pain that the troubles of this world brings. Then there are the people whom I meet at work- colleagues, patients... And there are the people whom I walk past in my rush to get to my next destination. Spoken or unspoken, there is much sorrow.

Big problems, small problems... who's to judge? The same problem, 2 different people, 2 different responses. Why do some people have so much upon their shoulders and yet still find within them the courage to carry on? Not only carry on, but to love and to serve others with a big smile on their face. Yet there are others who seemingly have so much going right for them, but are filled with worry, with fear that they wouldn't be able to cope with the little load on their shoulders, with fear that they won't have enough for tomorrow?

We have each been given 1 life. It's up to us to live it. We have been given choices and the ablility to make these choices. Ever wondered... "Where would I be if I had taken the other road? Made a different choice?" Life is full of decisions. What would life be if we didn't have to make choices? Sort of like one of those books that I would read as a child, where you start from the first page, but how one gets to the ending is dependant on the options that one chooses along the way. Not only do those options determine the end, but they also determine the route and the length of time the adventure takes. Not dissimilar to life, isn't it?
Am reminded of a song by Michael Card- "Joy in the Journey". The joy is in the journey.

Troubles. People cope (or fail to cope) in different ways. Some just grit there teeth and get on with it, albeit miserably... others take it in their stride and cling on to the hope that it will get better... yet others just cave in under the pressure. Some turn to alcohol, others to drugs, others try to find an escape in the form of work or a hobby. Denial. How long can a person deny the existence of their troubles for? Surely it will one day drive them to insanity or depression.

And then there's God. Where does He come in? "If there is a God, why does He allow me to experience so much pain" you might say. I guess I don't have all the answers. I don't think anybody does. All I know is that whilst there are troubles in my life, I know that my Lord is always with me. He will never leave me, He will never forsake me. That in itself, along with the fact that I know He will never give me a burden to heavy to bear is more than enough for me to cling on to. If only everyone- my relatives, colleagues, patients, people whom I encounter on the street knew God, they wouldn't have to cope with life alone.

Since the beginning of time, since the fall of man, there has been pain in the world. And because there is a God, a God who loves us so much, He provided a way out. He endured all the pain, more pain than anything our lives bring. He died so that we don't have to, so that we won't perish. So, what does God know about pain? He knows everything there is to know about pain!
It's so hard for me to grasp why this world is so opposed to the Truth. And yet, I obviously must think that the truth is hard to understand, cos if I thought it easy to understand, I would be out there explaining it to everyone. It contradicts, doesn't it? Will they label me a lunatic? Will they call me a fool? Or will they just reject me outright? And come to think of it, instead of sharing it with people, I'm blogging it. Ok, it meets my need of wanting to tell someone (or the computer) in this instance, without having to await a response.

Well, I guess there is the chance that someone out there who stumbles upon this blog is hurting and in search for an answer. Small chance, but not impossible, right?

To all the people who are looking for answers to their troubles, their sadness, may the Joy of the Lord be your strength.


"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Rom 5:3

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isa 40:31

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2Cor12:9

My bed residents

Meet my bed residents... Yes, I've got an interview on Wednesday for the Edinburgh A&E job... and I really should be preparing for the interview... instead, I'm busy msn-ing and taking photos of my the inhabitants of my lovely bed... Let me introduce them... starting with the photo on the right (from left to right)- Mr Snowman, Elmo and Sheepy. The 3 of them have a special place on my bed whilst the rest of the clan sit on top of the chest outside my room. I know it's not right to show favouritism, but I can't help it. The three of them are special. Ok, I guess they're really cute (in my opinion), but that's not it. They each carry with them the sentiments of people dear to me-
1. Mr Snowman was a gift from SC. She had a Mr Snowman in her room and everytime I was there, I had to cuddle him... and one fine day, I found Mr Snowman on my bed! I thought someone had played a prank and kidnapped SC's Mr Snowman and put him on my bed... cos he looked exactly like SC's Mr Snowman! Complete with dirt on nose! But it was a case of mistaken identity. Sweet SC had bought me Mr Snowman's twin. Actually, they look so alike I reckon he must be a clone! Btw, he's the softest, squishiest creature ever! I won't go into the details of my favourite parts of his anatomy...

2. Elmo was a gift from "the nasals"... yup, the bunch of secondary school friends whom I treasure so much to this day. Just before I left for the UK, we had a get-together session and they presented me with an elmo cake that they had made together. I was most touched! And at the airport, I was given elmo... the little red creature himself to take on board the flight. He's been with me all these years, through good times and bad... I'm sure he's got some of my dried up tears on his torso! And btw, my elmo's a haemophiliac - it's my explanation for his bright red fur. Poor Elmo!

3. Sheepy once lived in Takashimaya departmental store in S'pore. He travelled a long way to the UK with his purchaser and guardian to the UK in July 2004. The first time we met was on the day of my graduation. He's no longer as white as he used to be, but I love him to bits. Back to Sheepy's guardian- I love her to bits too... yup, even more than Sheepy... that really does say a lot. That's the reason why sheepy even has a solo photo... to emphasise his status in my bed-dom.

Now it's back to the "questions they could ask me at interview"... I've come up with a list of questions (not exhaustive). That's a tenth of the problem solved. I now need to come up with the answers.

Musings of a birthday grouch

Yet another year. My birthday ended 55 min ago.

Birthdays... are they worth celebrating? I do sometimes wonder. But, like most of the human race, I've celebrated my coming of age somewhat conventionally. Through the years, this has taken on many forms... from the pool parties and 'care bear' cakes to 'sit down' sophisticated lunches with my family, to 'surprise' parties, to 'try to be surprised' parties...

But a strange phenomenon has plagued me since my 21st birthday. That of the "birthday grouch" effect. For some reason, unknown to myself, I have been grouchy on my birthday. Don't get me wrong, I really do appreciate all the effort, love, well wishes and prezzies that my family and friends shower upon me. The problem lies within. I don't understand it. Has anyone ever experienced an itch at the sole of their foot that wouldn't go away no matter where or how hard you scratch? Well, it's a bit like that... I can't identify the source!

And yet, I have absolutely nothing against birthdays. I thoroughly enjoy celebrating other people's birthdays. I especially love the joy and surprise that lights up their faces. So, what is my problem? Do I feel unworthy of their love? Am I a reluctant recipient? Hmm... perhaps it's my self-esteem... Or just the odd embarrassment of being the centre of attention. (Oh how I do like blending into the background)

Having said that, I resolved last night that this year's going to be different. I'm going to embrace my birthday and everything that comes with it with a big smile and a thankful heart.
And guess what... I've had a fantastic birthday. Enjoyed the whole lot... the cakes, the birthday choruses, the overload of rich food... yup, even the awkwardness of being the centre of attention for a day.

More than anything, I thank the Lord for the year that has passed. He has been there, just as I've prayed each morning- that the Lord will walk before me, walk beside me and watch me from behind. For each step that I take in the future, big or small, I know that He is there to guide me. In faith, I shall step forth.

"To hear with my heart
To see with my soul
To be guided by a hand
I cannot hold
To trust in a way
That I cannot see
That's what faith must be"
-Michael card

Till next year...

The public library

I registered myself with the local library today. Yup, the library that I must've walked past more than a thousand times over my 7 years in Glasgow. Before today, I had only walked into that library once. Even then, it was only because I was accompanying a friend who had to return a book. Gosh, public libraries sure have evolved since the days when I frequented them (ok,I lie... I've never really been a regular library-goer, but you know what I mean). If the ones in Glasgow are offering wireless internet access, imagine what the libraries around the rest of the world must be offering! (literacy rates in this city ain't fantastic, in case you were wondering)
Why hadn't I ventured in before? I guess during my uni days, I always had access to the Uni library and Med school study landscape. When I started working, there was the hospital library. But now that I've joined the booming unemployment market, I figured it would be a good time to join the local library.
So equipped with my new Glasgow City Council library card, I'm looking forward to cold, wet days spent in the warm local library amongst novels, magazines, DVDs and flat screen computers... a welcome change from the shelves of kumar and clark, robbins, harrison's, bmj issues and the like...

I fail to understand

Whenever I walk home from the gym, I go past a funeral home. Today however, I noticed that there was a black SUV-like vehicle parked outside and on it was painted "Funeral home ambulance". Yup, a funeral home ambulance, complete with rooftop sirens and all. I fail to understand... why on earth would a funeral home require an ambulance... I mean... surely it'd be too late by then...