Hearing it from a Cat: Life & Love

Extracted from "Mao Ke Xuan Yan":



"In life, the most important thing is to know how to love. For if you don't know love, you don't know what life is about."

Something to Chase Away the Blues

How about some dry humour to start off a new week?

My Own Drama

I went through a drama myself on last Sunday...

I came down with a cough and flu on 22nd Sept. I almost finished the medication, I still was unwell so I went to see the doctor a second time. I was diagnosed with a viral infection and put on antibiotics. While I was sick, I suddenly coughed and hurt my back. Tried self-therapy by rubbing Tiger Balm and pasting Tiger Balm plasters on my back. My backache somehow got better but my cough didn't go away and I still had a slight running nose (already finished my second course of medication).

Back to MY drama on Sunday, 1st Oct... In the morning, I suddenly made a few continuous big, 'strong' sneezes. I had already 'injured' my back a few days back so this 'outburst' kind of made things worst - I sprained my back. I had to get up real slow, couldn't sit for long and couldn't bend nor squat.

It was already mid-day so I quickly ringed up my mom and brother for 'sinseh' contacts. Grimlock accompanied me to a "tui na" shop in Jalan Bukit Merah. The shop was very smoky because part of it is devoted to some fortune-telling activities. The man pressed real hard on the front of my ankle and my arm (I kept shrieking when he did that). After he finished pressing, my back felt 'loosened up' and the pain seemed to be gone. He made several comments about my state of health (my back problem is supposed to be related to this) and recommended that I take some pills that cost $12 for a daily dosage, to be taken over 40 days. So this would come up to $480. In my state of blurness (and maybe too overjoyed that the pain was gone), I almost took up the prescription until I finally 'woke up' and told him I would think it over and we left the shop.

We then walked over to an adjourning block to check out something. It was just about 8-10 minutes later and the pain came back and this helped me decide not to take up the prescription afterall (I doubt his credentials) .

We took a cab to Causeway Point to visit a shop that my brother recommended. Turned out that the shop only does foot reflexology and not 'tui na' for back sprains. It was already close to 6pm so we decided to go home (it was a Sunday, the other shops would have closed). I had to bear with the pain. Before I slept, Grimlock helped me rub Tiger Balm and paste Tokuhan plasters on my back. If I hadn't taken medical leave the week before and serving probation, I would take the Monday off.

My back felt slightly better when I woke up (2nd Oct). Went to work and I had to be very careful with my movements, keeping them to a minimal. In the evening, I went to a sinseh whom I used to visit - he does accupuncture which I feel more comfortable with, as compared to 'tui na'. For the first time, I had accupuncture done on my back. Immediately, I felt the difference and the sustained relief. He also prescribed a bottle of medication for my running nose and cough and to strengthen my back.

As at this evening, my running nose has stopped, still got a little cough (no more phelgm) and a little soreness at my lower back. I will monitor. I should be finishing my medication by this Sunday. Will see if I should make a second visit on next Monday.

Who would think so much drama can result from sneezing?!?

Hearing It from a Cat: Facing Oneself

A colleague recently lent me a book that I was immediately interested in. It is a compilation of cat drawings peppered with the feline's take/perspective/philosophy on life. As I read, some of the observations got me nodding in agreement, some got me laughing, some got me thinking and some I didn't understand. The author is a famous Hong Kong comic artist, Cai Zhi Zhong so the writings are in Chinese. The title is "Mao Ke Xuan Yan". Too bad the book is no longer available in the bookstores, otherwise I'll get my own copy.

I extracted 10 of the quotes which I particularly liked. I'll translate the gist of the quotes in English, but they're still best appreciated in Chinese. There is the comments box so if you wanna help to bring out the essence of the quote, don't be shy hor.

Here is the first one:

"Unless we ourselves allow it, no one can make us unhappy. Unless we accede to it, no one has the ability to make us happy. The reason why we dare not face the problem is because we dare not encounter the true self."

Drama, Drama & Drama

Yesterday was a drama-filled day in the office:

Drama 1: A colleague was on the phone in a tiff with his girlfriend, for almost 1.5 hours. I'm not seated very near him but I could still hear bits and pieces of his side of the conversation (the office was quite quiet). I was told this will happen now and then.

Drama 2: A colleague drifted into my room in the late afternoon and told me she just tendered her resignation. She has been with the company for close to four months. Looks like I'm gonna be very busy after she's gone. And I'll have to find another lunch 'kaki'.

Drama 3: After Drama 2 just ended, another lovers' tiff unfolded, also over the phone, in the room next to mine. Drama 1 was in whispers but Drama 3 was close to a shouting match. Fortunately, his door was closed.

What a Friday! What's my weekend going to be like?

"Excuse Me, Do You Have a Blog?"

This article, published in The Straits Times on last Wed, 27 Sept, easily caught my eye. The title: "Politicians are going to the blogs". Hey, I'm a blogger too. People from all walks of life are fast taking up their space on the blogosphere.

The article reported that "more than 50 million blogs had been created by last month - and the number is doubling every six months". It was interesting to read of how politicians is using this media to generate interest and support. Some interesting points that I picked up from the article:

1. According to political advisers, blogging is meant to let politicians communicate directly with voters in a folksky style.
2. Blogging is politically significant, precisely because it is not a tool of the elite.
3. Bloggers can impact the popularity/'fate' of politicans.
4. Virtues of blogging as a medium: speed, spontaneity, interactivity and the vast array of information and expertise that millions of bloggers can bring together.
5. Vices of (political) blogs: favours instant response over reflection, commentary over original research as well as stream-of-consciousness over structure.

I'm gonna check out the blogs links in the article...

"Oops, I Did It AGAIN..."

This song by Britney Spears must be one of Braun's favourite...

Here's why I thought so. This evening, Braun chewed through Grimlock's FIFTH mobile phone headset!

Thought for the Week

"What happens TO us is not nearly so important as what happens THROUGH us." - Anonymous

Leave Room in Our Hearts

In the recent months, there had been a continuous spate of cat abuse incidents. The victims suffered terrible torture and even death. I feel indignant because these animals, whether cats or dogs or some other kind, have equal rights as humans in owning their ‘rightful’ place on this earth. And if the animal had been of any form of annoyance, what gives the abuser the authority to dispense such cruel punishment? The cases also show how sick the abuser is mentally, to take it out on an animal which is unable to fight back as an equal being. So what if one is affluent when the soul is lacking in compassion towards animals? One can also look ‘ok on the outside’ but behind closed doors, darkness lurks and he lashes out in anger towards another being.

First to hit the news was David Hooi Yin Weng, a serial cat abuser. He was arrested on 27 June 2006 for torturing a four-month-old cat until its eyes swelled and one of its teeth broke. A few months before his arrest, he was jailed three months for abusing a kitten which had to be put down. For his recent crime, he was originally sentenced to three months in prison. As there is a high likelihood that Hooi would continue to seek out cats in future and with the public outcry for a heavier punishment, he was later given the maximum one year’s jail.

In August 2006, 28-year-old Wong Geng Thong was jailed for eight weeks for cat abuse. He was caught on camera grabbing a cat by the neck and repeatedly bashing its body against a wall in a multi-storey carpark in Kallang. He strangled 10 cats to death in a similar manner.

Earlier this month over three weeks, one cat after another showed up dead in Jurong. All in, 18 cat carcasses were found. After the killings were reported by the media, they have stopped for now.

Two weeks back, I read of another case where a four-month-old kitten was thrown down a block in Hougang. Cats don't have nine lives so of course, the kitten didn’t survive the fall. Last week, another black kitten was found with his eyeball pierced. Such cold-bloodedness.

This week on Wednesday, a white kitten was found dyed completely in permanent orange colour. This morning, I came across a headline in the New Paper that a man had been caught on film kicking a cat around like a football.

What kind of person would commit these brutal acts?

Psychiatrists who were interviewed said it would be someone who enjoys the feeling of power and because of that, he can be expected to do it again. They get a lot of thrill from killing and getting away with it. Those who kill small animals in this manner are also likely to have experienced violence during childhood.

“In future, they can transfer the violence towards people, especially children who are helpless.”

Cat lovers and volunteers have banded together, coming from all over Singapore to carry out night patrols to catch the cat killers of Bedok and Kallang. They have swung into action once again to nap the Jurong cat killer.

Is it sheer coincidence that there has been a continual spate of cat abuse? My fear is that Hooi’s heavier sentence and the capture of Wong have ‘spurred’ some other sick individuals to take it out on stray cats as a “Catch me if you can” challenge to the authorities and the cat grassroots activists. The photos that came with the media coverage were so gruesome. My blood boils each time I read of an abuse or a killing. Some suffered tragic deaths while others are permanently scarred/disfigured for life.

I look at Skoda and Braun. Their fellow kind roam the streets and have to do with scraps, fend for themselves (eg dogs, naughty children, busy traffic), find a place to take cover/rest and now, they have to learn immediately to be street-wise and keep a distance from HUMAN BEINGS.

Town councils are also hot on the heels of these stray cats. There have been mass culling exercises of neutered strays in the Tampines and Ang Mo Kio areas. You may ask, "Why?" Well, cats are listed as pests under some AVA list. This is also why we are disallowed to keep cats as pets in HDB. Take a good look around your neighbourhood. Aren't there less stray cats nowadays? Where have they gone to?

I pray for the killings and the abuses to cease and for the streets to be safe again for strays which otherwise have nowhere else to turn to.

What Forgiveness Isn't

Just last week, I posted an article/sermon on forgiveness. I was clearing my personal mailbox and came across another article on forgiveness in Today's Christian Woman Magazine. Did you know that there are myths about forgiveness?

Here are six myths that may be keeping us from letting go:

Myth 1: Forgiving Means the Offender Didn't Really Hurt You.
"Forgiveness is a redemptive response to having been wronged and wounded," wrote author Lewis B. Smedes. "Only those who have wronged and wounded us are candidates for forgiveness. If they injure us accidentally, we excuse them. We only forgive the ones we blame." Choosing to forgive the offender acknowledges the pain you endured at his hands. It also begins your healing.

Myth 2: Forgiving Means You Excuse the Offender's Hurtful Act.
When you chose to forgive the offender, you are not condoning his cruel behavior. Forgiveness is a response that seeks to redeem the hurt, not brush it off. An accidental "slip of the tongue" needs no forgiveness because it isn't deliberately caused. Intentional hurts need forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t lessen the impact of the offender’s painful action. But forgiveness unlocked your own "prison" of bitterness.

Myth 3: Before Forgiving, You Must First Understand Why the Offender Hurt You.
Our human mind yearns to make all the confusing puzzle pieces fit together neatly before we forgive. However, the truth is we can forgive an offender even if we never discover the reasons for the inflicted pain. Author Philip Yancey writes in What's So Amazing About Grace, "Not to forgive imprisons me in the past and locks out all potential for change. I thus yield control to another, my enemy, and doom myself to suffer the consequences of the wrong."

Myth 4: Before Forgiving the Offender, You Must Feel Forgiving.
Forgiveness has nothing to do with how you feel. You can feel hurt, betrayed, and angry, and still completely forgive the one who wounded you. Biblical forgiveness is an act of the will. It's a choice you make.

Can you still feel angry after you forgive? Yes! Anger means you're in touch with reality—it's part of being human. But be careful to aim that anger at what your offender did, not at the offender herself. Then let your anger push you toward justice.

Myth 5: Forgiving Means the Offender Will Face No Consequences.
When we choose to forgive someone, our forgiveness doesn't "let him off the hook." Forgiveness also doesn't mean justice shouldn't be served.

Myth 6: When Your Offender is Punished, You'll Find Closure.
We think we can more easily forgive others if they confess the crime and apologize for the pain they caused. But don't look to justice, imprisonment, or execution to bring needed closure and healing. Only forgiveness will do that.

The Choice to Forgive
The decision to forgive an offender is probably the hardest choice we can ever make. Some crimes seem too horrible to forgive. Our instincts tell us to avenge the person who caused us pain, not to release him from the debt he owes us. But as Christians, we can't afford to have unforgiving hearts, for we have been greatly forgiven by God in Christ (Ephesians 4:32).

Only forgiveness can release us from a life of hatred and bitterness. "Forgiving is a journey, sometimes a long one," wrote Lewis B. Smedes in Shame and Grace. "We may need some time before we get to the station of complete healing, but the nice thing is that we are being healed en route. When we genuinely forgive, we set a prisoner free and then discover the prisoner we set free was us."

To read the whole article, go to: http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2006/004/14.38.html

Looks Can be So Deceiving

Braun has a longer name, ie Braun Braun Sweetie Pie. I call her sweetie pie because she can and loves to be stroked. For Skoda, you got to catch her in the right mood and if she 'consents' to be stroked, I cherish the moment and enjoy while at it because it may just be 'touch and go'. Stroking a cat is very therapeutic. All the more enjoyable if the cat starts to purr (it means you're doing a good job and the cat is feeling contented).

Braun looks rather 'harmless' and she is timid (will go into hiding when there are visitors) BUT we discovered another side of her. She loves to chew wires. For the record, she has chewed through the wires of FOUR mobile phone headsets, THREE mobile phone chargers and ONE computer mouse. And the strange thing is these headsets and chargers belong to Grimlock. My things have not suffered the same fate (yet). So we must always remember to keep away things that come with slim wires (Braun leaves cables alone). Is her mischief going to get her into trouble one of these days, eg get electrocuted?

A Vertical Challenge

Skoda and Braun will, without fail, get real paranoid when they sight a lizard on the ceiling. In the recent two weeks, lizards keep appearing in the cove. Skoda and Braun will climb to the highest spot possible, closest to where the lizard is, and yeow away (not meow hor, it is rather high pitched). And if either Grimlock or I are around, they will look at us with their big round eyes as if we should 'fly up' to the ceiling and get the lizard down rightaway for them. Grimlock hates lizards so I don't think he will mind if they hunt down one or two. As for me, I just can't imagine the yucky mess.

On high alert...

The target...

"Lizard, lizard on the wall, pls come down to play with me. I promise to be nice!"

Abstract Art, Anyone?

If you like art that leaves intepretation to the imagination, then this exhibition may be your cup of tea. I attended the opening ceremony and took time to look at each painting. I stared and stared, and looked to the caption for "guidance" and had no clue how to "read" the painting. Maybe the key is not to try too hard in making that connection?!?

Curated by Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa), and co-organised by Goethe-Institut and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, this exhibition features 40 gouaches by the German artist, Sigmar Polke. Born in Oels in Silesia (then Germany, now part of Poland) in 1941, this internationally acclaimed artist, who started practicing in the early 1960s, has been concerned with the relationship between the reality contained in a picture and reality itself. Titled 'Music from an Unknown Source', Polke makes the dripping and flowing of the paint the central theme in this show which also represents an artistic form that holds a significant and singular position in the art scene of post-war Germany.

Exhibition dates: Till 20 October 2006
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm, Monday to Saturdays. Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Venue: NAFA Gallery 3, Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street

Our Greatest Enemy - Unforgiveness

At one point in time or another, someone will do us wrong. Depending on the extent of the hurt and injustice, healing may or may not take place. The world says, "Forgive and forget" but can one really forget? I heard this sermon on forgiveness last Saturday and what struck me most was that most "abusers" never will apologise for their wrongdoing (which makes forgiving even harder) and forgiveness is also about effective time management because a lot of us expound much time and energy dwelling on the misgiving. God did the greatest act of forgiveness when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins. It is by His great love and grace that we can let go.

The scriptures were from Matthew 18:21-35 (The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant):

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked: “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’

In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.

The sermon outline:

Servant owes $10million. Tax for all Israel: $800,000. Fellow servant owes $20. He does not forgive! Unforgiveness imprisons one in the past, dilutes energy and destroys potential for change.
1) Feel no justice is done.
2) Want to “pay back”.
3) Want to hate the person.
4) What if the abuser does not apologise? (Most never will)
5) Hidden blame: Parents (90%), God, Self.

1) Forgiveness is from God (Proclaim the Good News!)
A) God has forgiven us far more than we will forgive others.
· Repayment was impossible for the first servant.
· True forgiveness reflects God’s forgiveness.
· True forgiveness is required in order to receive God’s forgiveness.

B) Justice is giving people what they deserve. We all deserve hell. Mercy is not giving to people what they deserve. Grace is giving people what we do not deserve. This is the Good News!

2) Forgiveness is a Choice (Choose Freedom!)
A) Do you want healing? 75% in hospital have sicknesses with emotional roots.

B) Do you see the situation accurately? Jesus: forgive them, they know not what they do.

C) By refusing to forgive:
· We imprison ourselves with the root of bitterness.
· Our prayers will not be answered.
· We forfeit much intimacy with Christ.
· Our service will be ineffective.
· We forget we are victors, not victims!

D) Choose to trust God! Get rid of bitterness.
Ephesians 4:31-32: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

3) Forgiveness Claims the Future
A) Forgive and forget? ------------> Forgiveness is a Process (70 x 7 times)
B) Liking? ------------------------> Forgiveness is Choosing
C) Overlooking? -------------------> Forgiveness is Confronting
D) Fatalistic? ---------------------> Forgiveness is Hope in a good God!
E) Human generosity? ------------> Forgiveness is God’s grace
F) Reconciliation ------------------> Forgiveness is Building Bridges

Thought for the Week

"Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future" - Beverly Flanigan

Calling All Japanese Animation Fans!

If you're a Japanese animation fan, you may not want to miss this "Japan Anime Now in Singapore" exhibition jointly organised by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA).

This exhibition, in dedication to the Japanese animation from the 1950s till now, brings together 48 leading Japanese animators. Creators of Doraemon, Konan, Pokemon, Gundam, Astroboy, Kureyon Shinchan, and The Cat Returns, are some of the many on the list. Besides the film presentations of original animation made for TV broadcast, this visual extravaganza also features the originals and replicas of preparatory sketches, the production process and technology behind these familiar and beloved cartoon characters from Japan. In addition, there will be an AJA documentary about the development of Manga into Anime and exclusive, limited screenings of animated programmes for the public.

Exhibition details as follows:

Date: Till 24 September 2006
Time: 10am - 7pm daily
Venue: Galleries 1 & 2, NAFA Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street
Admission: FREE

Tongue Lickin' Good

Braun loves to lick water off the tap. Sometimes, we'll let the tap run a little and she'll use her paw to swipe the stream a little and then start licking/drinking the water. It seems that cats like to drink 'moving' water which is why there are products like mini water fountains for them. Braun is one lucky gal. If Skoda did that when she was younger, I would give her a light smack on the backside and whisk her off the sink. I can't explain the double standard. After Braun came, I've relaxed on quite a few of the house rules.

The Charms of a Boy Named Linus

This is my four-year old nephew, Linus Loh. After the cat show, Grimlock and I went to visit my mom who is staying with my brother (Linus' dad). Linus has big, round eyes. He resembles my brother when he was young. My mom dotes on Linus. It was so difficult to take his photos because he wouldn't keep still. That is the thing about young children - when you aim the lens at them, they get out of focused.

I had a great time playing with Linus. He is quite easy to entertain. I just spinned stories using his toys and he played along with me. He has a few Ultraman figurines (come to think of it, Ultraman has maintained his charms thru' the years) and he likes dinosaurs too. I got a thrill racing him down the hallway (and he chased me too) - me on the bigger traffic police bike (yes, I managed to get onto it) and he on a smaller bike. We were laughing away. To get into a child's world, you just have to quit being an adult.

Beauty Pageant of a Different Kind

Some 140 feline beauties took to the catwalk at the recent Science Hill's Championship Cat Show 2006. How would I give this a miss? The super-packed Comex show was just next door but still, the choice was clear. I was quite tempted to enter Skoda for the Household Category (non-pedigree cats) but Grimlock felt she didn't have the 'cut' in the area of temperament (we can't imagine what she will do if the judge tries to carry her) and let's put it this way, she is 'a little' out of shape, hee hee.

Anyway, here were some of the contestants. To me, all were winners in their own right.

Samurai Makes Surprise Ambush on the Cove

The Cove has had its fair share of unannounced visitors. Not long ago there was Her Catjesty and then there was a samurai who descended upon the Cove in broad daylight, armed with two killer weapons. Now wait a minute, doesn't she again look familiar?

Verdict that Requires No Further Evidence

I rest my case...

No wonder Skoda holds the strings to Grimlock's heart...