The SMRT Gospel

I spend a good chunk of time on public transit in Sing. That is the understatement of the year- I spend A LOT of time on public transit. I've tried so many different tactics to make being crammed between people in what I think is consistently the strangest smelling combination of things (at least no Durian smell, of course) just a little more enjoyable. But the other day, when I left my book at home and my phone was flat, I thought a lot about the route I take everyday on the SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit) and how its story is so similar to my experience with faith and my relationship with the gospel of Jesus.

First, my mentality so much of the time with the MRT is to "fight the good fight"...for a seat. I mean, sitting during my commute is of utmost importance for the outlook of my day and I WILL do whatever it takes (elbows out, mean mugging, etc). Me, me, me, I want a seat. In Singapore, it is expected that you give up your seat for pregnant women (#peoplegetcreative), older people, and kids but when I had my arms full of groceries and someone got up and gave me his seat, I realized it's not necessarily all about "fighting the fight" but learning to LOVE like Jesus-to put someone's needs before your wants. "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." (Plato)

Then, I thought about this: you know how you can get in the mindset of being unhappy about whatever that "big bad thing" (BBT) is in life at that season and you are convinced it will always be that way, because you can't imagine life without the constant nagging of that BBT (maybe your financial situation, your relationship status, your kids' baddittudes, my constant frizzy hair in Sing or my long commute...insert nagging BBT here). And how often I let the BBT put me in a funk. But aren't we always taken aback when inevitably something unpredicted does happen to change our relationship our BBT (like looking to my left one morning to a man in his 80s shaving his beard on SMRT next to me). haha No, maybe a better example: One morning I sleepily pushed my way onto the subway #morningsarenotmyfav and 2 stops later, the guy beside me had an impromptu Gangnam Style singalong/performance that everyone got into. Ordinary thing (commute) turned extraordinary...and totally unpredicted when I started my everyday common commute. So then I thought, why don't I expect interesting changes in life from an interesting Jesus? Like Robert C. Gallagher put it, "Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine" and of all the interesting things I have observed/been party to on the SMRT, even on the SAME seemingly "predictable" commute, there is a brilliant joy in the unexpected changes we spend so much time convincing ourselves will never happen. 

Being PRESENT. I have overslept my stop, gone in the wrong direction on the train line, and gotten off at the wrong stop so many times (shamefully unashamed). When I'm not present or paying attention, I miss what was intended for me and it takes a lot of work to get back to where I was going. I used to get upset when I'd mess up the route, I'd run up above ground and quickly flag a taxi, mostly because of stubbornness and just pure surrender, TKO. However, I think about how now, I correct myself, get back on track and make it there-sometimes the consequence is loss of time or loss of a seat (and we know how devastating that is for me), but the point is, I'm still able to get there. When I miss my chance on occasions in life or make mistakes of decisions, God's grace isn't always like the taxi that will easily chauffeur us to our destination but his grace is also sufficient for us to get back to the destination intended for us or to show us a new bus line or different train to make it there a different way from where we are. When we make mistakes, it doesn't ruin our chances of making it to the joy God planned for us in the first place-it just may look a little different, you might be a little more weathered, and the alternate route can be a little rough going. But I've seen A LOT of the city through being lost and have made discoveries I would have never seen otherwise. Same same in life.

So today might be extraordinary, but even if it's not, let us be motivated by love, expectant in adventure, and present in His grace. 


I'm SINGing: "Beautiful Things" -Gungor AND "Something Beautiful" -Needtobreathe

Me in a hurry to get anywhere in Sing:

Sing Population: 5.31 million
Size of Singapore: 274.13 square miles
Population density: 18,943/sq mi

Compare:
Size of Augusta, GA: 306.49 square miles
Population density: 816/sq mi 


Thanks Frogger for preparing me in 1996 for what I would need to know for 2013. The legacy lives on. 

I'm SINGing: "Bright Lights" -Gary Clark Jr.

Escalator warnings. Noted.

 You know back when your parents told you if you cross your eyes, your face would get stuck that way but you secretly knew it would never happen? Well, don't make that mistake with escalator safety. It is not in fact like that...

After the escalator was stopped and before a band of security
guards came to cut my skirt out of the escalator
with craft scissors.

The escalator at the National Library of Singapore: 1

My skirt: -4 inches off the bottom 

But you can see why it could get confusing:

So, lesson learned. 

Aikid-you not.

My vision for my first day of Aikido: 

Reality: 

Martial Arts is no walk in the park. After trying several different traditions, I have officially become a deshi (student) of Aikido. I was so moved by what it stood for, the Sensei (teacher) at my Bishan Community Centre dojo (training centre), and the hearts of the Aikidokas (practitioners of Aikido) and so here we go. 

Let's talk Aikido (Eye-key-doe)

Ai = harmony, Ki = spirit, Do = The Way or Path
(For more vocab)

Aikido (合気道) is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba and is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy” or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury. Aikido focuses on using the attackers' negative force against him/her--to not push back but to pull when an attacker pushes, to use the attacker's momentum to disarm.

Sensei Kelly Tan with Steven Seagal

To the right is my Sensei (Kelly Tan) doing a demo in Singapore

My teacher, Sensei Kelly Tan always stresses taking care of each other during practice and creates an atmosphere where the Yundanshas (Black belt holders) guide the kohais (junior students...me). They are so patient with me, the only ang mo in the class. The only trouble is it's a bit hard to blend in when I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing. My "ginger hair" usually lands me a spot in front...obvious rookie. 

 I was so impressed with Sensei Kelly on my first visit because he talked about the importance of Aikido being about centering yourself on love while being firm and purposeful. Oh, and did I mention he's friends with Steven Seagal? He is an incredible teacher and even connected me with one of his students in Singapore who is from Atlanta, GA! He just exudes composure and patience but I also know he had me face to the mat in 3 seconds using only one hand on my elbow. Wax on, wax off. 

What a rookie. #can'tevenlookintimidating.

The biggest thing I have learned so far from Aikido is that you can't fight negative energy with negative energy, on the dojo (the practice area for Aikido) or in your life. People will always out power you in negativity or force but when you learn to neutralize that energy through directing its path, you exert minimal energy and you have protected yourself and the other person-even the haters. 

Just don't go ninja'ing nobody who don't need ninja'ing...

I'm SINGing: Mortal Kombat Theme Song

Caught between a Komodo Dragon and a hard place

You see, what had happened was...

On this ominous stratonimbus studded day, we traversed through MacRitchie Reservoir to check out the tree top walk. Little did I know I was about to be bullied for the first time in my life (barring the jumping bikes over my head and other bullying from Mike and Ben Comer in the late and great 90s)

So it all started by almost stepping on this little (highly venomous) guy, the Malaysian Coral Snake. Aint no thing-just some wildlife, recovered. 

After about 12k of hiking and a little rainstorm, I was led into a well executed trap by some clever Ray Ban predators. 

First accomplice, this swimming komodo dragon/monitor lizard. He did not play an active role but he secured restriction to exit by water.

Now, public enemy #1. We were just walking on our merry way and this guy jumped down out of the trees directly in front of us, separating our group. We were instructed by probably 10 signs not to make "direct eye contact" (he must be related to the basilisk from Harry Potter and Medusa). So this picture was taken at extreme risk.  

We were also warned that the monkeys here felt like any cameras, bags, bottles, SUNGLASSES, etc. were subject to their taking...and so it was. So once he came and stole Dona's water bottle out of her hand, two more of his cronies surrounded us. To recap, brazenly bold bottle snatcher monkey at our immediate 12 o'clock, side kick #1 at our 9 o'clock, komodo dragon at our 3 o'clock and one other monkey taking a lap, and all closing in. We were surrounded. 

So what were we to do? RUN! I Usain Bolt-ed out of there as fast as Comer-ly possible. Once I had reached a safe distance, I finally looked back only to realize my Ran Bans had been jacked. Do I dare step back into dragon and monkey territory?...and now in the rain. The outcome:

My Valentine from one of my coworkers 

Well, at least they are being put to good use. You're welcome you scoundrel. I got swindled.   

I'm Singing: "Survivor" -Destiny's Child

Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Happy Chinese New Year!)

How could I have lived my last 24 years without celebrating CNY? There is something really magical about everyone's gladittude approaching the Lunar New Year...I woke up on Chinese New Year's Eve and skipped down the street (literally) and hugged the first person who told me "Gong Xi Fa Cai!" 

Out with the year of the Dragon (my year) and in with the year of the Snake. When it's your year, it is supposed to be the hardest on you as much is expected from you so hel-lo year of the snake! 

Here's a little peak into some of the festivities-

The Lion dancers at the temple next door:

Different lion dancing groups came throughout the day and played drums coming down the street (starting at 8am...) so I had my shoes ready and when I heard them drop the beat, I would run over!

Welcoming the New Year in Chinatown with firecrackers/fireworks:

The static-y noise you hear are millions of firecrackers (imagine mega-sized Black Cats from Wacky Waynes) lit on the ground

Pictures of CNY in Singapore (click here) 

Here's a guide for how to "fit in" at your next Chinese New Year (haha who are we kidding, "fitting in" might be a reach, at least for me): 

1. Red envelopes ("angbaus"): Basically when all your married friends give you money (in a red envelope) for being single. wooooo wooooo! Fist bump, high five, cue the Taylor Swift song. Red envelopes are given the first time you see the intended recipient after it has turned the New Year. There are some rules to keep in mind: The amount of money inside should always be an even number, and should never include a "4" in the digits of the amount (because the pronunciation of "4" resembles death...)

 1b. So, as a counter offer, you need some Mandarin Oranges: This is the return gift for someone giving you an angbau. They also must be given in even numbers (again, never giving 4 or anything with 4 in the amount). Also, don't try to get fancy and spring for a pear-that will be extra insulting as that would mean you wishing separation for that person and his/her loved ones. Irre-PEAR-able faux pas. 

2. No sweeping, no problem: You don't have to tell me twice...It is traditional to do Spring cleaning on the days leading up to the Chinese New Year b/c after it reaches midnight on the beginning of the New Year, you should not sweep your house for at least the next 2 days. Otherwise, you will be sweeping all the blessings and good luck out. If you're feeling a bit resentful to someone, you could take a very crumbly dish when visiting family and friends because it would be bad luck for them to sweep after.

3. Lo Hei: A Singaporean tradition of tossing a salad symbolizing all prosperous things for the new year, because Who doesn't like a good group toss?

The higher you toss the salad, the more prosperous you will be for the next year.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR, welcome the year of the water snake. So far, I've had some very lucky and unlucky occurrences (e.g. I found $10 in my jeans pocket but also there is a monkey in MacRitchie now wearing my Raybans so the verdict is still out on what kind of year the snake has brought)

But one thing I do know, the promise of a new year brings the hope for something great! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

I'm SINGing: "This is the New Year" -Glee cast

The Return of the Crow Culler...

And so the crow culling saga continues. 

After waking up to 4 gun shots (and you know, almost having a heart attack), I realized it was just the servanthood of our dear, devoted neighborhood crow culler right outside my window. Shew. I have yet to see one crow (except for the dead one falling from the tree I was walking under in crow culler meeting 1) but I have in fact seen more crow cullers than anyone else I know in Singapore. I guess that means they are good at their jobs and that I'm a natural culler magnet? Well keep on fighting the good fight, but maybe next time, let's aim for post 9am cullings.