灰藍色的五月

這個五月晴天的日子多,本應是個青蔥明媚的五月,可是對我來說卻是深沉的灰藍色.

還沒從A逝去的傷感中恢復過來,今天從袋鼠國傳來J母親病逝的消息.
在袋鼠國唸高中的時候,J每星期接送我去教會,也常常邀請我回家吃飯.那時,伯母的老火湯和家庭料理對於身在異鄉的我來說充滿溫情,讓我有回家的感覺.而我也愛做一些蛋糕曲奇孝敬他們,伯母看到的時候都會很高興.想起伯母的臉,很懷念.
不傷心,因為她在兩星期前決志信主.
只是可以想像一直照顧伯母的J情緒會有波動.然而在天家重聚的盼望是真實的,相信J會平復過來.
願主垂顧!

也是今天,新聞報導了第一隻放歸野外的大熊貓祥祥被發現在野外死亡.推斷原因是在與野生大熊貓爭奪土地或食物時意外從高處跌下重傷致死.在年初,新聞曾經報導祥祥在與其他大熊貓爭土地時受傷;但保育員在治療後忍痛也得把他放回野外.當時在我看來就像把他送死一樣.誰知不到兩個月就已經不行了.
這兩年看有關臥龍和大熊貓的報導看得多,被研究員的努力感動而對大熊貓產生了一種莫名的疼愛.因此看到這則新聞時覺得特別難過.

也是在這五月,讀了 Mitch Albom 的 "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" 和 "Tuesdays with Morrie".很comforting,很令人感動的兩本好書.但這兩本書也是談及人生,生,與死的書.在讀的過程中有許多的反思.

加起來,這個五月真的很沉重,很沉重.

港龍

飛國內通常都會選港龍,除了因為東南西北方航空公司總是讓人坐得有一點不放心之外,也為了一些窩心的周到安排 -- 如網上check-in, 座位上有一小瓶室溫水, 還有餐後甜品的HD冰淇淋. 記得有一次在本該人月兩團圓的中秋出苦差,冰淇淋換了一個小小美心月餅,這小小月餅帶來的安慰可不小呢!

不過港龍的空姐們帶給我的難忘經歷卻.... 唔....

飛機上的毛毯有限供應,所以通常上飛機坐下來後就會請空姐拿一張給我.可是通常都要追問多次才會有.雖然是小事情,但每一次都這樣子的話卻令人很懊惱...

又有一次和客人IW從福州回港,起飛不久IW頭頂上的compartment滴下一些很臭很臭的液體,但由於飛機還沒有飛穩定,空姐不讓IW離開座位,那液體一直流,IW的西裝外套,頭髮,椅背都被滴到.當飛機飛定了,空姐和IW馬上查個究竟,發現原來前座的客人把一些生的螃蟹放了在那compartment內,那些液體就是蟹釋出的水... 飛機滿座IW不能換位,也就算了;那空姐頻對IW說這完全是前座乘客的責任,與港龍無關,最多幫我們與前座乘客交涉乾洗費用云云... 把我的IW氣得頭頂出煙,狂罵粗話... 這種情況通常是避之則吉,我卻要在那邊翻譯...

昨天, 我又拿不到毛毯了... 也算了... 送飲料的時候空姐在我身旁打翻了一杯紅酒!裙子,外套,鞋子,手袋無一倖免...! 可惡的是打翻飲料的空姐繼續倒飲料,來幫忙的空姐只拿了一疊餐紙來.起碼也應該拿一些濕毛巾之類的吧?!也該看看客人被潑到甚麼程度吧?!?!倒在地上的也該擦乾吧?!?!?!

下星期去上海.
還是訂了港龍....
為的還是那瓶水和冰淇淋....

好笨啊!

missing A...

In the past week, B, R, OO, AT & I were still talking about A a lot, just as if we want to share everything we know about him and to know more about him from each other. Probably we had never realized how important he has been to us...

受委屈有得獎...?

相信這只會出現在中國...

*************************************

京司機打不還手可得委屈獎 (2007年5月22日)

北京公交集團推出獎金，被打不還手、罵不還口的司機及售票員，可申請最多二千元的「委屈獎」。

北京「新京報」報導，北京公交集團專線分公司說，為提高公交員工的服務水平，專線分公司專門設立了「精神文明建設獎勵基金」。該基金共設立五個獎項：「委屈獎」、「見義勇為獎」、「精神文明共建獎」、「助人為樂獎」以及「拾金不昧獎」。司售人員申請獎勵批準后，便可以獲得50元到3000元不等的獎金。

根據獎勵基金的申請辦法，司售人員在受到乘客無端打罵後仍然能夠做到「打不還手、罵不還口」的，便可申請獎金從50元到2000元的「委屈獎」。而當司售人員在拾到貴重物品並交給公司處理的，可申請300到1000元獎勵金。

此外，該基金「見義勇為」獎的範圍還將覆蓋社會人員。在公交車運營中，司售人員為了維護正義，保護乘客人身及財產安全，而不顧個人安危，挺身而出制止不法行為的，可以申請100-500元獎勵金；為維護公交企業正常運營秩序，協助公交員工制止不法行為的社會人員中的見義勇為者，也可以申請1000-3000元的獎勵金。

上述五種獎項的申報除了要求有司售人員的自我鑒定外，還需要當事乘客的證明、車隊的初審。

新聞來源：http://www.mpinews.com/

小手

最近P2SS的寶貝們經常會主動來拖我的手 -- 有時候是在從禮堂回課室的途中,有時候是要跟我講話的時候,也有些時候並沒有甚麼原因.
這些伸出的小手代表小孩子對大人的依賴與信任.每一次他們拖我的手,心裡都會很甜很高興...
這些小小的,暖暖的,軟棉棉的小手彷彿有一種神奇力量,無論心情有多不好或是多疲累,被他們拖著的一刻一股平安和力量就從心裡湧流出來,驅走心裡的不安和難過.

「容孩近我.」

不知道當小孩子擁著主耶穌的時候,主的心情是否和我一樣呢?

阿貓地攤...

...貓咪成地攤... 周圍攤...

Orientation Day

Today is the orientation day for the Volunteer Programme. It consisted of a series of video shows on the Olympic equestrian events, proposed competition venue, the Beijing Olympic volunteers and briefing on each function group. There were about 800 volunteers today and they will soon organize another orientation for another 800~1000 volunteers.

I was assigned to the GS3 group -- one of the subgroup of the Games Services group serving as spectator hosts. The Games Services is basically "customer service", or "the face of the Olympic game", as they call it. I wish I were assigned to the catering group as I love handling and giving out food. But well, being able to join the team is already a precious experience and I should not be too greedy :)

Each volunteer got a badge and a "Smile" wristlet. We need to carry this badge to each upcoming training session to record attendence. The "Smile" wristlets are designed for the Beijig 2008 Olympic Volunteers with the Olympic Volunteer logo and slogan printed. The wristlets come in 5 colors symbolizing different meanings: Red represents readiness to help others; Yellow -- civility and politeness; Black -- honesty and trustworthiness; Blue -- studying and forging ahead; and Green -- environmental protection.

Mine is orange... So does it mean Red + Yellow...?

A & I

A was one of the few people who have influenced me deeply. The conflicts we had have inspired me a lot. He had a strong character, and so do I. This caused a lot of tension and direct confrontations when discussing business policies and management direction.

He didn't like me at the start we work together. Me neither.

He was a gifted speaker and seldom losed an argument as he could always skillfully lead the discussion to reach his conclusion. But I knew his tactics so well and would not let him ward off the points and concerns I raised. Although quite often things turned out the way I wanted, I didn't feel good about it as I was becoming arrogant and did not respect him in the way I should.

I was not a good subordinate. Submissiveness and humbleness was what I need to learn in this relationship.

But at the same time, A treasured my existence. And so did I.

For more than a few times he mentioned to people close to him how much he appreciated my care and support when he was fighting cancer. He knew I love and cared about him and his families from my heart, although he still got irritated with this bold, arrogant, straight-line thinking and stubborn subordinate.

He possessed a very charming charisma that is rarely seen in a Japanese -- visionary, daing, confident, flexible, versatile and vibrant. Plus his handsome appearance, he always drew people (and business) to him. The longer I work with him, the more I appreciate him as a leader, although I still got cranky when he ignored the company rules and decide things the way he fancied.

Slowly, I learned to be submissive to his commands. I listened more and argued less in our discussions. But when I start to feel that he will soon appreciate me as a helpful, supportive subordinate, the chance is gone, forever.

On the second day...

we were busy arranging for a memorial ceremony in office so all staffs can sign the condolence book and pay their respects to A for the last time. We collected the condolence money and exchanged it into Yen.

Then R set off to Japan with these condolence gifts.

R wanted to attend the funeral, and so were many others who were close to A -- ex-subordinates, colleagues, customers, suppliers and friends. He was loved by many.

I don't mind to pay for my own trip, I really want to see him for the last time. But in reality, it is not possible for all 3 managers be out of station in such a critical situation. Someone got to stay and manage things at HK side. It is a deep regret for not being able to say good-bye to A in the funeral, but the work and business in HK is what A cared so much for, maintaining its proper operation might be another good way to pay my most sincere respects to him.

True Friend

She bought a ticket and flew to HK straight after hearing the shocking news from her, arriving late last night and returned to Japan with her this morning.

Beautiful friendship.

On the first day...

after A's decease was known to us, before work start, we called for a meeting. Everyone listened silently, girls came near to tears. The meeting ended with a note that all we can do now is to work to our best.

As R has been promoted to DGM, he could take over A's work without much problem; I was working with other departments to settle some internal matters for A, and make sure all pending staff claims can be completed as soon as possible; we discussed when and how to inform business partners about the sad news...

By mid morning, the somber mood was gone and most of the staffs were working as usual, there were jokes and laughters, just as if nothing has happened.

Someone said that no one is irreplaceable in an office. It is so true. After a week, or a month, or a year, probably most of the staffs will not think about A anymore. Perhaps people will talk about him, his achievements, but would people MISS him?

But to his family, for years, may be for the rest of their life, they will mourn for losing him, and will always miss him. To them, NO one EVER can replace him.

走了

A走了.太突然的消息不知該怎樣handle.

坐在他家中,看著他太太強裝冷靜把要處理的事情一件一件寫下,收拾行李.平常繳費單,銀行statement全都是A處理,太太亂了起來....

看著可愛的小天使不用媽媽催促乖乖的吃飯,表演一些新玩意給我看--他還不知道,他的爸爸已經不在了.才4歲,卻沒有爸爸了.他長大後,還會記得爸爸的臉嗎?

放在玄關那一排磨得發亮的黑皮鞋,大家第一次上A的家都讚嘆不已的漂亮皮鞋,就在一瞬間變成了遺物,睹物思人令人更難過.

在他公司的抽屜裡看到一些不願意看到的.和R不發一言把它扔掉.他已不在了,何必讓他在她心上再砍一刀呢?

Passed! (2)

After a group interview and months of waiting, I was selected one of the volunteers to serve in the Olympic Equestrian Events!! Hurrah!!!

There will be an orientation soon and some training in coming June & July. This service requires devotion in both time and energy and I'll try to do my best!

It is the first time for Hong Kong to hold an Olympic event, and will probably be the last. It is my honor to be able to serve Hong Kong in such a historical event.

I'm getting really excited now!!

http://www.equestrian2008.org/chi/front_c.aspx

告る

小さい頃に読んだまんがによく女の子が片思いの相手に告るシーンが出るけど、
読むたびに、こんな事する？と思っていた。
特に女の子が憧れる相手の事を遠くから見て好きになって、ある日とうとう告った
という展開に対して、
相手の事をよく知らないのに、こう簡単に好きになるかい？と疑問を持っていた。

友人のSさんからよくWさんの話を聞いた。
SさんはWさんが自分に興味があって、よく纏わりつくから困っているという話だった。
しかし、詳細内容を聞いたらSさんの勘違いだとしか考えられなくて、
あまり考え込まない方がいいよ、と　いつもSさんに言った。

そんなある日、Sさんから電話があった。
Wさんに手紙を渡したら、Wさんが困ったようで無責任な返事をしたと。
Sさんが今までのWさんの思わせる態度を恨み、泣きながら話をしていた。。
予想のつく結果だったけど、聞いた時はさすがにびっくりした。
でも、Sさんの勇気には尊敬していた。

自分に絶対にできないから。

振られるのが怖いくないの？
告ってしまったら、今までの関係が壊れてしまうかもしれないのに、いいの？
なぜみんな告れるの？

相手の気持ちが分からなくて苦しくて辛くて、
そんな気持ちから自分を解放したくて、
「振られてもいいから、私の気持ちを伝えたい」
「このままじゃ相手の前で普通に振舞えられないし、いっそ告って振られた方がすっきりする」
と、いちかばちかの勢いで告ってしまうだろうか。

すごく勇気がいるよね。。。

30ん才になってこのようにれんあい沙汰を真面目に考えて
正直にブログに書けるようになるのはちょっと遅いかもしれないけど、
ある意味成長したのかな？

こんなことを私に考えさせたやつには感謝すべきなのかな？（笑）

Cost of Living

How much will you budget for an average two-day business trip in Japan/ Hong Kong?

Here are the figures suggested by "The Economist Intelligence Unit Worldwide Cost of Living Survey":
Japan = 121,410YEN
Hong Kong = HK$8,110

Sounds fair enough?
But this is the figures EXCLUDING flight!

Excluding flight, 121,410YEN can sustain a luxurious 2-day trip even in Tokyo.
121,410YEN can actually pay for my standard one-week business trip in full -- not a penny-pinching trip staying in a capsule hotel & get fed on 300YEN noodles or 7-Eleven rice balls, but staying in a comfortable conveniencely located business hotel, have every meal in proper eateries, plus a 1-week rail pass, and still have enough money to buy boxes of souvenir to bring home. I would consider this as "above average" already.

$8,110 in Hong Kong can guarantee another luxurious 2-day trip. Definitely enough to stay in a 5-star hotel, having every meal in top-class restaurant, and travel all by taxi.

Is it "average"??

I wonder what they included in the calculation...

BLOCKED!

After the YouTube, Web Messenger, e-buddy & Yahoo! Finance, ITC has also blocked Xanga...
What will be the next???
Hope it's not Mixi or Blogspot...

愛筵

星期五是今年第二次東區gathering.屈指一算,大家認識了十多年了.回港後這十年,大家投入在不同的教會,有不同的發展,但每年總會聚頭兩三次,說說自己的近況.每次gathering,也一定有餐好的吃^^

今次和上一次一樣在LW&WT家,晚餐有用了不知多少斤無花果乾煲的湯,肥美三文魚腩切成厚厚的sashimi,會令人吃上癮的羊排,蒸蟠龍鱔,蔬菜也有3種--有紅有黃有綠,還有茶,AG的smoothies和提子...大家都盡情地享受這頓豐富的愛筵.

愛筵--有甚麼名詞比這更貼切呢?在澳洲的日子,有一段時期LW每星期從北區開車到東區和我們做門訓,查考使徒行傳,他關心我們的成長和人生大事,always be available.在我們回港後再revisit澳洲時,LW總會抽時間和我們一起犯罪(噢!對不起,是飯聚).即使是現在,每次gather,總是LW&WT在關心我們的事情,耐心地聽我們口沫橫飛.幾個小輩都深深感受到亦享受著這位牧者的愛.

在與LW的關係裡真實地感到被牧養.這是神特別的祝福.

公平貿易

北角區的菜市場競爭激烈,許多貨品比其他區域的菜市場賣得便宜.有些當造的蔬菜甚至會賣$5兩斤,$3可以買到大大個又嫩又甜的白蘿蔔.逛菜市場買到價廉物美的好東西時,大家都會很開心.
不過許多時候爸爸都會慨嘆,菜賣到我們這裡才$3一斤,種的人能賣多少錢呢.每次,大家都會對農民被剝削心裡感到難過和無奈.

前幾天和小種子去了一個有關講解公平貿易的講座.講者指出許多貧窮國家的處境並非因為國民不勞動,而是因為富裕國家或一些跨國大企業在他們的採購過程中欺壓剝削,令他們被逼以賤價(甚至低於成本價)賣出他們辛苦勞碌的成果.

公平貿易認證組織與國際另類貿易聯盟的成立開通了一個途徑讓工農能夠以一個合理價錢賣出他們的產物,同時鼓勵買家與供應商建立長期合作的夥伴關係,買家亦有義務提供經濟支援改善供應商所處的社區環境.在某些個別事件中,許多民間團體亦會以群眾壓力逼使大企業盡上應盡的社區責任.

極端點說,在日常的消費中不知不覺間我們也間接地剝奪著貧窮的工農.不過作為end-user的也實在沒可能每種商品都在買之前調查一番或真的做到罷買.那是不現實的.不過好像咖啡,茶,可可的種植者是眾所週知長期被欺壓的一群.起碼在選購這類產品時可以儘量購買有公平貿易認證的產品.神賜給我們溫飽有餘的生活,同時也要求我們要好好管理使用祂所賜與的.儘管買一兩盒公平貿易咖啡對解決剝削貧民所起的作用微不足道,這也是一個好開始.

香港在這方面才剛起步,能夠買得到有公平貿易機構認證產品的地方不多,暫時看到過的有百佳的Clipper咖啡和馬莎的部分咖啡,茶和朱古力產品.另外有香港公平貿易網絡的公平貿易專門店——《公平點》.
http://www.fairtradehk.net/forum/viewthread.php?tid=67&fpage=1

今年國際人權日的主題為：「戰勝貧窮——是義務，不是慈善」

朋友們!多多支持啊!

小仙人掌

Rev. Smith著我們多點栽種和觀察鳥兒來幫助我們默想天父的供應和慈愛.聽到後馬上想起放在公司案頭上的這小小仙人掌(中間的那棵!後面那棵是假的!!).

雖然我喜歡用花花草草來逗人和貓開心,但我沒擁有green fingers.雖然喜歡園藝,植物在我手裡卻通常沒甚麼好下場.種得最成功的要算給小白的貓草(但白爺完全沒興趣...),這有賴貓草的強韌生命力.不過粗生如貓草也在我疏乏灌溉的情形下不知不覺枯死了(會讓它不知不覺地枯死,可想而知它是何等的缺乏照顧...).

只有這小小仙人掌,居然能夠在我的手下生存下來.別小看它只有那丁點兒大,它已差不多一歲了,而且還曾多歷險境呢!

日本人極有商業頭腦,他們把泥土,種子都塞進一個可愛的陶製蛋殼裡出售,顧客只需把殼殼的頂端敲開,每天灌水,它就會發芽長大.就那麼簡單.被它的包裝和仙人掌的照片吸引就買了下來.心裡期待這小仙人掌在我手裡會好好發芽長大.

回到公司高高興興地敲蛋殼 -- POK!!太大力了,整個蛋殼裂開兩邊!
哇!哇!哇!
趕緊用紙條把它粘好,小仙人掌才不至於胎死腹中...

往後每天灌水,久久不見它發芽,心想這種子可能是死的.有一次要出差整個星期,請N和W代為照顧.回來後喜見一顆小小的綠芽!心裡既高興卻又有點酸溜溜的--因為看不到它破種而出的一刻.多月後,W自爆說其實在她們照顧它的第一天曾經把蛋蛋打翻,泥土種子都潑出來了!然而小種子卻在這一刦後長出了嫩芽...

雖說之後每天灌水,實際上是只有weekday而已.經過許多個weekend,假期,見小仙人掌還是長得好好的,我又開始懶惰,灌水有一天沒一天的,很多時候泥土都完全乾凅了.有一次見小仙人掌站歪了,嘗試用手把它扶正,發現可以整棵拿起來!細心觀察,原來它的根其實不發達,不會牢牢地抓住泥土.它為了在缺水的情況下仍然能生存,儲存大量水分在莖裡而不依賴發達的根部從泥土取水.這小東西的生命力令人讚嘆.

相比許多人,我的人生十分平順,十分溫室.不過困難,難敖的日子還是有的.對我來說,能夠支持我在逆境往前走的生命力又從何而來呢?(應該不是水或身上那厚厚的肥膏...)

「萬事互相效力,為要叫愛神的人得益處」,「神在掌管」,「我們受的難處不會多於我們所能承受的」,「神愛我,看顧我」,「每一個試練都是為了要refine我們的生命」;還有神賜給我的家人,朋友...

就是這些了^^