After a 6-1/2-hour sleepless flight, we landed in Jorge Chávez International Airport, Lima at 2:18am. Hugo, our contact person in Lima, was nowhere to be found. After some aggravating and fruitless trials of trying to reach him via satellite phone, we decided to proceed to the checked-in counter with only the confirmation number; otherwise, we would have missed the connecting flight to Iquitos at 5:15am. There are only two daily flights to Iquitos from Lima, one at 5:15am, another late at night, to avoid the numerous flying birds during the day sucking into the plane engine which could cause plane crash.
Most teammates were sleep deficit, by this time.
The high humidity and temperature in Iquitos made me feel right at home in Malaysia. Lois collected our boarding pass with checked-in luggage tag on it and gave them the airport personnel for our luggage retrieval.
Mike Dempsey was there to greet us with big smile. His workers helped loading all our big luggages to the top of the big unair-conditioned van. Then, we headed to Nina Rumi, the base of his mission organization in Iquitos. The streets were filled with "tuk-tuks", the taxi equivalent in the States.
It took 25 minutes to reach Nina Rumi. Half of the journey was on a bumpy dirt road. We embarked onto the Chosen Vessel, our home for the next five days, and Annie was my cabin roommie. She was sick - couging.
As we had our first delicious breakfast at 8am, the boat was moving to farthest point of our journey, which was 8 hours from Nina Rumi. There was NO hot shower on the boat. Taking cold shower in an air-conditioned cabin was indeed challenging.
While the rest of the teammates were napping, I chose to sit at the bow of the boat to enjoy the Amazon breeze and enjoyed the scenery lined up along this mysterious Amazon River. Nonetheless, fatigue did catch up with me. I managed to nap for an hour.
After lunch, we met at the deck to go over our programs, preventions, job assignments, and drama for the next four days at various villages. My assignment was to dispense reading eyeglasses to the villagers with Bryan.
Steve and Lois shared some of their wonderful trips in the States and how they helped some of the accident victims and got blood all over them when enroute to their vacation destinations.
Instead of joining some younger people to play board games, I decided to have some quiet time in my cabin.
After dinner, we sang hymns and practiced our spanish songs in the dining room. Around 9 pm, we went up to the deck and Jessica called TeHua via satellite phone for the update of the day.
The sky was especially clear in the pitch dark of the Amazon river and a perfect place for star gazing. We tried but hardly identify any stars.
Steve, Paul and Bryan did some fishing, but I chose to retire early.
(Additional updates from TeHua and Eudora)
This morning we heard from Paul Poy who called at 7:05 to let us know the team had arrived safely in Peru. After a 3 hour delay, they departed around noon on Saturday from O'Hare Airport. Since the flight from Atlanta was also delayed, they were able to make their connecting flight to Peru. They landed in Lima at 2:20 am, and took a
connecting domestic flight to Iquitos. Everyone made the journey intact, albeit understandably were tired. The luggage also all arrived without being stolen or confiscated.
This evening, we heard from Jessica Suen, who told us that the team spent the day reviewing their schedule and practicing their drama. The team has been joined by another doctor and a dentist, bringing the total number of health professionals on the team to four. The food is "great" and they are "being well fed." Bryan Woosley successfully went fishing and was able to catch a small fish. Presumably he is not
their only source of food! The team (perhaps only certain members?) are hoping to spot (any) anacondas in the water. They've been told they can grow to 30 meters long (??) When asked if I should pass this along in an emailing list that includes anxious parents, Jessica laughed and said, "Sure!"
Thanks be to God for:
1. safe arrival of team members and supplies
2. resolving nausea in those team members who experienced this side effect of the preventive anti-malarial drug they are all daily taking
Specific prayers requested by Jessica:
1. be praying for their program, including their drama, which will debut tomorrow when they go to their first village. They anticipate around 250 patients, so along with family members or neighbors who may accompany the patients, the total number they could be presenting the Gospel to might be quite large.
2. please also pray for the distribution of the goodwill gifts
Please also pray for:
1. physical rest for the team, as they spent many hours in transit, and sleeping on a plane (not to mention needing to change planes at 2 or 3 in the morning) has resulted in a sleep deficit
2. unity and harmony amongst team members. This is really the first time the whole team has been together
3. receptive hearts and minds of those who will be hearing the Gospel
4. clear communication of Christ's love, despite language and cultural barriers
5. safety and health of team members
Saturday, January 10, 2009
December 27, 2008 Peru Amazon Medical Trip Day 1
With much anticipation, this day had eventually arrived - my first medical mission trip to Peru Amazon.
David Young from CCUC gave Bryan and I a ride to the airport. The weather had warmed up dramatically from 20s to 60s over 24 hours and as a result it caused severe thunderstorm.
We were the first one showed up at O'Hare airport and then Jessica 5 minutes later. The malaria pill (Malarone 250mg) upset my stomach quite a bit. To ease the GI upset, I ate the whole sandwish bag of grapes.
TeHua, who was our key contact person in Chicago when we were in Peru, reverified all our emergency contact information so that he could send out daily updates to them via email. Realizing Mary was in Costa Rica, therefore I quickly replaced her with Chun-yen. But then, immediately I realized neither Chun-yen nor Mary has my family contact in Malaysia. Silently I prayed that nothing would happen to me or my family members for the next 9 days.
We took a group picture before proceeding to checked-in counter. The e-checked-in machine failed to read my Malaysian passport in which it required the assistance of the agent in order to issue my boarding pass.
Due to the gust wind exceeding a certain knot, our flight "sat" in the runaway for nearly two-half hours before take-off at 2:33pm. During this waiting period, my mind uncontrollably wandered off to the analysis mode of what had taken place in my personal life for the past 5 months.
Our connecting flight in Atlanta to Lima, Peru was pushed to 8:30pm. I had a great chat with Tanya and Jessica in regards to the need of having an Adult Bible Fellowships at CCUC for singles ages between 30s-40.
I have criss-crossed the transatlantic and transpacific for the past 16 years, but I had never encountered one in-flight medical emergency. This time, I did. The flight attendance called for medical doctors on-board for assistance, and all three of our medical doctors went up. However, only Steve got to see the deceased, who was a 85 year old Japanese lady. She died of a heart attack, and by the time she was discovered she was already beyond resuscitation. Luckily, her family members were with her on the plane. The pilot did ask Steve if an emergency landing was necessary in which Steve answered, "No".
Most of the teammates seemed to be able to rest a bit, except me.
The in-flight service of Delta airline wasn't as satisfactory at all, and how I missed my 5-year of flying on first-class service when working for Worldspan.
David Young from CCUC gave Bryan and I a ride to the airport. The weather had warmed up dramatically from 20s to 60s over 24 hours and as a result it caused severe thunderstorm.
We were the first one showed up at O'Hare airport and then Jessica 5 minutes later. The malaria pill (Malarone 250mg) upset my stomach quite a bit. To ease the GI upset, I ate the whole sandwish bag of grapes.
TeHua, who was our key contact person in Chicago when we were in Peru, reverified all our emergency contact information so that he could send out daily updates to them via email. Realizing Mary was in Costa Rica, therefore I quickly replaced her with Chun-yen. But then, immediately I realized neither Chun-yen nor Mary has my family contact in Malaysia. Silently I prayed that nothing would happen to me or my family members for the next 9 days.
We took a group picture before proceeding to checked-in counter. The e-checked-in machine failed to read my Malaysian passport in which it required the assistance of the agent in order to issue my boarding pass.
Due to the gust wind exceeding a certain knot, our flight "sat" in the runaway for nearly two-half hours before take-off at 2:33pm. During this waiting period, my mind uncontrollably wandered off to the analysis mode of what had taken place in my personal life for the past 5 months.
Our connecting flight in Atlanta to Lima, Peru was pushed to 8:30pm. I had a great chat with Tanya and Jessica in regards to the need of having an Adult Bible Fellowships at CCUC for singles ages between 30s-40.
I have criss-crossed the transatlantic and transpacific for the past 16 years, but I had never encountered one in-flight medical emergency. This time, I did. The flight attendance called for medical doctors on-board for assistance, and all three of our medical doctors went up. However, only Steve got to see the deceased, who was a 85 year old Japanese lady. She died of a heart attack, and by the time she was discovered she was already beyond resuscitation. Luckily, her family members were with her on the plane. The pilot did ask Steve if an emergency landing was necessary in which Steve answered, "No".
Most of the teammates seemed to be able to rest a bit, except me.
The in-flight service of Delta airline wasn't as satisfactory at all, and how I missed my 5-year of flying on first-class service when working for Worldspan.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Morning (8:20am) Prior to My Peru Departure - December 27, 2008
As usual, a bookworm that I am now seriously debating whether I should bring C.S. Lewis's devotional book. Ponder it a while, I decided NOT to bring any books other than my journal and my Bible. I want to enjoy the people I go with, just as what Amelia E. Barr said, "The great difference between voyages rests not with the ships, but with the people you meet on them.”
Weird but true, I already begin to miss C.S.Lewis' brain. :(
My heart is ready for this adventure. I will definitely do some fishing and sacrifice some of my sleep just so I can watch sunrises and sunsets on Amazon River. How my heart soars at this moment.. I wonder how strong piranhas will be when they get hooked. I look forward to the thrill of reeling them to the shore.
Life is about taking risks and adventures, at times. This is my first one.
Weird but true, I already begin to miss C.S.Lewis' brain. :(
My heart is ready for this adventure. I will definitely do some fishing and sacrifice some of my sleep just so I can watch sunrises and sunsets on Amazon River. How my heart soars at this moment.. I wonder how strong piranhas will be when they get hooked. I look forward to the thrill of reeling them to the shore.
Life is about taking risks and adventures, at times. This is my first one.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Have-It-Not vs Have It
Having-it-not may not be as painful as having-it and yet can't really love it without being guilt-stricken or grief-stricken.
One of my girlfriends, due to a complex legal proceeding, ended up giving up her only son for adoption. The separation has definitely NOT weakened/lessened her love and longing for holding that little boy of hers. The thoughts of him brings excruciating pain.
Is love blind? Maybe. It is far better to have no one to love than having one that you can't love legitimately due to his/her marriage status. Is it possible to genuinely love someone even when the nature of the r/ship is morally wrong? True love has a price tag, and it is neither for cowards nor part-timers.
One of my girlfriends, due to a complex legal proceeding, ended up giving up her only son for adoption. The separation has definitely NOT weakened/lessened her love and longing for holding that little boy of hers. The thoughts of him brings excruciating pain.
Is love blind? Maybe. It is far better to have no one to love than having one that you can't love legitimately due to his/her marriage status. Is it possible to genuinely love someone even when the nature of the r/ship is morally wrong? True love has a price tag, and it is neither for cowards nor part-timers.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
『誠信』漂流記
大陸高考滿分作文：『誠信』漂流記
下面的文章是中國大陸前些年高考的一篇滿分作文，文章樸實簡單,要找出用字遣詞比這篇好的文章實在數不勝數，然而為什麼這篇小短 文卻可以在千萬中國考生中得到滿分，我覺得理由是它真正的把每一位的心聲說了出> 來，撼動了每一個改考卷的老師的心靈.....
大家想想,現在社會不正如文章中所言,誠信變得一錢不值,人人喊打, 為了保護自己的安全,大家在自私的心理作用下,以欺騙,暴力,鬥爭的手段在生活著，要賺錢,要有地位,都得靠關係,...唉不多說了...
大家先細細品味這篇文章吧！
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
話說誠信被那個『聰明』的年輕人投棄到水裡以後，他拼命地游著，最後來到了一個 小島上。
『誠信』就躺在沙灘上休息，心裡計划著等待哪位路過的朋友允許他搭船，救他一 命。突然，『誠信』聽到遠處傳來一陣陣歡樂輕鬆的音樂。 他於是馬上站起來，向著音樂傳來的方向望去：他看見一隻小船正向這邊駛來。 船上有面小旗，上面寫著『快樂』二字，原來是快樂的小船。 『誠信』忙喊道：『快樂快樂，我是誠信，你拉我回岸可以嗎？』 『快樂』一聽，笑著對『誠信』說：『不行不行，我一有了誠信就不快樂了，你看這社會上有多少人因為說實話而不快樂，對不起，我無能為力。』說罷，『快樂』走了。
過了一會兒， 『地位』又來了，誠信忙喊到：『地位地位，我是誠信，我想搭你的船回家可以 嗎？』『地位』忙把船划遠了，回頭對『誠信』說：『不行不行，誠信可不能搭我的船，我> 的地位來之不易啊！有了你這個誠信我豈不倒霉， 並且連地位也難以保住啊！『誠信』很失望地看著『地位』的背影，眼裡充滿了不解> 和疑惑。
他又接著等。
隨著一片有節奏的卻不和諧的聲音傳來，『競爭』們乘著小船來了， 『誠信』喊道： 『競爭，競爭，我能不能搭你的小船一程？』 競爭們問道：『你是誰，你能給我們多少好處？』 『誠信』不想說，怕說了又沒人理，但『誠信』畢竟是誠信，他說：『我是…… 』『你是誠信啊，你這不純心給我們添麻煩嗎？如今競爭這麼激烈，我們'不正當競爭' 怎麼敢要你誠信？』言罷，揚長而去。
正當誠信感到近乎絕望的時候，一個慈祥的聲音從遠處傳來：『孩子，上船吧! 』 一個白髮蒼蒼的老者在船上掌著舵道：『我是時間老人。』 『那您為什麼要救我呢？』 老人微笑著說：『只有時間才知道誠信有多麼重要！』 在回去的路上，時間老人指著因翻船而落水的『快樂』、『地位』、『競爭』， 意味深長地說道： 『沒有誠信，快樂不長久，地位是虛假的，競爭也是失敗的。』
下面的文章是中國大陸前些年高考的一篇滿分作文，文章樸實簡單,要找出用字遣詞比這篇好的文章實在數不勝數，然而為什麼這篇小短 文卻可以在千萬中國考生中得到滿分，我覺得理由是它真正的把每一位的心聲說了出> 來，撼動了每一個改考卷的老師的心靈.....
大家想想,現在社會不正如文章中所言,誠信變得一錢不值,人人喊打, 為了保護自己的安全,大家在自私的心理作用下,以欺騙,暴力,鬥爭的手段在生活著，要賺錢,要有地位,都得靠關係,...唉不多說了...
大家先細細品味這篇文章吧！
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
話說誠信被那個『聰明』的年輕人投棄到水裡以後，他拼命地游著，最後來到了一個 小島上。
『誠信』就躺在沙灘上休息，心裡計划著等待哪位路過的朋友允許他搭船，救他一 命。突然，『誠信』聽到遠處傳來一陣陣歡樂輕鬆的音樂。 他於是馬上站起來，向著音樂傳來的方向望去：他看見一隻小船正向這邊駛來。 船上有面小旗，上面寫著『快樂』二字，原來是快樂的小船。 『誠信』忙喊道：『快樂快樂，我是誠信，你拉我回岸可以嗎？』 『快樂』一聽，笑著對『誠信』說：『不行不行，我一有了誠信就不快樂了，你看這社會上有多少人因為說實話而不快樂，對不起，我無能為力。』說罷，『快樂』走了。
過了一會兒， 『地位』又來了，誠信忙喊到：『地位地位，我是誠信，我想搭你的船回家可以 嗎？』『地位』忙把船划遠了，回頭對『誠信』說：『不行不行，誠信可不能搭我的船，我> 的地位來之不易啊！有了你這個誠信我豈不倒霉， 並且連地位也難以保住啊！『誠信』很失望地看著『地位』的背影，眼裡充滿了不解> 和疑惑。
他又接著等。
隨著一片有節奏的卻不和諧的聲音傳來，『競爭』們乘著小船來了， 『誠信』喊道： 『競爭，競爭，我能不能搭你的小船一程？』 競爭們問道：『你是誰，你能給我們多少好處？』 『誠信』不想說，怕說了又沒人理，但『誠信』畢竟是誠信，他說：『我是…… 』『你是誠信啊，你這不純心給我們添麻煩嗎？如今競爭這麼激烈，我們'不正當競爭' 怎麼敢要你誠信？』言罷，揚長而去。
正當誠信感到近乎絕望的時候，一個慈祥的聲音從遠處傳來：『孩子，上船吧! 』 一個白髮蒼蒼的老者在船上掌著舵道：『我是時間老人。』 『那您為什麼要救我呢？』 老人微笑著說：『只有時間才知道誠信有多麼重要！』 在回去的路上，時間老人指著因翻船而落水的『快樂』、『地位』、『競爭』， 意味深長地說道： 『沒有誠信，快樂不長久，地位是虛假的，競爭也是失敗的。』
家有中等生
I received this message via email. I enjoyed it tremendously and hence shared it with my viewers/readers. Though this little girl may not have high IQ, she definitely is very wise at her age to distinguish the essential of life.
家有中等生 其實沒有遠大理想也不是什麼壞事，這輩子能夠做一個正直的人就可以了。女兒的同學都管她叫“二十三號”。她的班裏總共有五十個人，而每每考試，女兒都排名二十三。久而久之，便有了這個雅號，她也就成了名副其實的中等生。我們覺得這外號刺耳，女兒卻欣然接受。老公發愁地說，一碰到公司活動，或者老同學聚會，別人都對自家的“小超人”讚不絕口，他卻只能扮深沉。人家的孩子，不僅成績出類拔萃，而且特長多多。唯有我們家的“二十三號女生”，沒有一樣值得炫耀的地方。因此，他一看到娛樂節目裏那些才藝非凡的孩子，就羡慕得兩眼放光。後來，看到一則九歲孩子上大學的報導，他很受傷地問女兒：孩子，你怎麼就不是個神童呢？ 女兒說，因為你不是神父啊。老公無言以對，我不禁笑出聲來。 中秋節，親友相聚，坐滿了一個寬大的包廂。眾人的話題，也漸漸轉向各家的小兒女。趁著酒興，要孩子們說說將來要做什麼。鋼琴家、明星、政界要人，孩子們毫不怯場，連那個四歲半的女孩，也會說將來要做央視的主持人，贏得一陣讚歎。十二歲的女兒，正為身邊的小弟弟小妹妹剔蟹剝蝦，盛湯揩嘴，忙得不亦樂乎。人們忽然想起，只剩她沒說了。在眾人的催促下，她認真地回答：“長大了，我的第一志願是，當幼稚園老師，領著孩子們唱歌跳舞，做遊戲。”眾人禮貌地表示贊許，緊接著追問她的第二志願。她大大方方地說：“我想做媽媽，穿著印叮噹貓的圍裙，在廚房裏做晚餐，然後，給我的孩子講故事，領著他在陽臺上看星星。”親友愕然，面面相覷，不知道該說些什麼。老公的神情，極為尷尬。回家後，他歎著氣說，你還真打算讓女兒將來當個幼稚園老師？咱們難道真的眼睜睜地看著她當中等生？其實，我們也動過很多腦筋。為提高她的學習成績，請家教，報輔導班，買各種各樣的資料。孩子也蠻懂事，漫畫書不看了，剪紙班退出了，週末的懶覺放棄了。像一隻疲憊的小鳥，她從一個班趕到另一個班，卷子，練習冊，一遝遝地做。可到底是個孩子，身體先扛不住了，得了重感冒。輸著液體，在病床上，她還堅持寫作業，最後引發了肺炎。病好後，孩子的臉小了一圈。可期末考試的成績，仍然是讓我們哭笑不得的二十三名。後來，我們也曾試過增加營養、物質激勵等等，幾次三番地折騰下來，女兒的小臉越來越蒼白。 而且，一說要考試，她就開始厭食，失眠，冒虛汗，再接著，考出了令我們瞠目結舌的三十三名。我和老公，悄無聲息地放棄了轟轟烈烈的揠苗助長活動。恢復了她正常的作息時間，還給她畫漫畫的權利，允許她繼續訂《兒童幽默》之類的書報，家中安穩了很久。 我們對女兒，是心疼的，可面對她的成績，又有說不出的困惑。 週末，一群同事結伴郊遊。大家各自做了最拿手的菜，帶著老公和孩子去野餐。一路上笑語盈盈，這家孩子唱歌，那家孩子表演小品。 女兒沒什麼看家本領，只是開心地不停鼓掌。她不時跑到後面，照看著那些食物。把傾斜的飯盒擺好，鬆了的瓶蓋擰緊，流出的菜汁擦淨。忙忙碌碌，像個細心的小管家。野餐的時候，發生了一件意外的事。兩個小男孩，一個奧數尖子，一個英語高手，同時夾住盤子裏的一塊糯米餅，誰也不肯放手，更不願平分。 豐盛的美食，源源不斷地擺上來，他們看都不看。大人們又笑又歎，連勸帶哄，可怎麼都不管用。最後，還是女兒，用擲硬幣的方法，輕鬆地打破了這個僵局。回來的路上，堵車，一些孩子焦躁起來。女兒的笑話一個接一個，全車人都被逗樂了。她手底下也沒閑著，用裝食品的彩色紙盒，剪出許多小動物，引得這群孩子讚歎不已。 至下車，每個人都拿到了自己的生肖剪紙。聽到孩子們連連道謝，老公禁不住露出了自豪的微笑。期中考試後，我接到了女兒班主任的電話。首先得知，女兒的成績，仍是中等。不過，他說，有一件奇怪的事想告訴我，他從教三十年了，第一次遇見這種事。語文試卷上有一道附加題：你最欣賞班裏的哪位同學，請說出理由。 除女兒之外，全班同學，竟然都寫上了女兒的名字。 理由很多：熱心助人，守信用，不愛生氣，好相處等等，寫得最多的是，樂觀幽默。班主任還說，很多同學建議，由她來擔任班長。他感歎道：你這個女兒，雖說成績一般，可為人，實在很優秀啊。我開玩笑地對女兒說，你快要成為英雄了。正在織圍巾的女兒，歪著頭想了想，認真地告訴我說，老師曾講過一句格言：「當英雄路過的時候，總要有人坐在路邊鼓掌。」她輕輕地說：“媽媽，我不想成為英雄，我想成為坐在路邊鼓掌的人。”我猛地一震，默默地打量著她。她安靜地織著絨線，淡粉的線，在竹針上纏纏繞繞，仿佛一寸一寸的光陰，在她手裏，吐出星星點點的花蕾。我心裏，竟是驀地一暖。那一刻，我忽然被這個不想成為英雄的女孩打動了。這世間，有多少人，年少時渴望成為英雄，最終卻成了煙火紅塵裏的平凡人。 如果健康，如果快樂，如果，沒有違背自己的心意，我們的孩子，又何妨做一個善良的普通人。 長大成人後，她一定會成為：賢淑的妻子、溫柔的母親，甚至，熱心的同事、和善的鄰居。在那些漫長的歲月裏，她都能安然地過著自己想要的生活。作為父母，還想為孩子祈求怎樣更好的未來呢？
家有中等生 其實沒有遠大理想也不是什麼壞事，這輩子能夠做一個正直的人就可以了。女兒的同學都管她叫“二十三號”。她的班裏總共有五十個人，而每每考試，女兒都排名二十三。久而久之，便有了這個雅號，她也就成了名副其實的中等生。我們覺得這外號刺耳，女兒卻欣然接受。老公發愁地說，一碰到公司活動，或者老同學聚會，別人都對自家的“小超人”讚不絕口，他卻只能扮深沉。人家的孩子，不僅成績出類拔萃，而且特長多多。唯有我們家的“二十三號女生”，沒有一樣值得炫耀的地方。因此，他一看到娛樂節目裏那些才藝非凡的孩子，就羡慕得兩眼放光。後來，看到一則九歲孩子上大學的報導，他很受傷地問女兒：孩子，你怎麼就不是個神童呢？ 女兒說，因為你不是神父啊。老公無言以對，我不禁笑出聲來。 中秋節，親友相聚，坐滿了一個寬大的包廂。眾人的話題，也漸漸轉向各家的小兒女。趁著酒興，要孩子們說說將來要做什麼。鋼琴家、明星、政界要人，孩子們毫不怯場，連那個四歲半的女孩，也會說將來要做央視的主持人，贏得一陣讚歎。十二歲的女兒，正為身邊的小弟弟小妹妹剔蟹剝蝦，盛湯揩嘴，忙得不亦樂乎。人們忽然想起，只剩她沒說了。在眾人的催促下，她認真地回答：“長大了，我的第一志願是，當幼稚園老師，領著孩子們唱歌跳舞，做遊戲。”眾人禮貌地表示贊許，緊接著追問她的第二志願。她大大方方地說：“我想做媽媽，穿著印叮噹貓的圍裙，在廚房裏做晚餐，然後，給我的孩子講故事，領著他在陽臺上看星星。”親友愕然，面面相覷，不知道該說些什麼。老公的神情，極為尷尬。回家後，他歎著氣說，你還真打算讓女兒將來當個幼稚園老師？咱們難道真的眼睜睜地看著她當中等生？其實，我們也動過很多腦筋。為提高她的學習成績，請家教，報輔導班，買各種各樣的資料。孩子也蠻懂事，漫畫書不看了，剪紙班退出了，週末的懶覺放棄了。像一隻疲憊的小鳥，她從一個班趕到另一個班，卷子，練習冊，一遝遝地做。可到底是個孩子，身體先扛不住了，得了重感冒。輸著液體，在病床上，她還堅持寫作業，最後引發了肺炎。病好後，孩子的臉小了一圈。可期末考試的成績，仍然是讓我們哭笑不得的二十三名。後來，我們也曾試過增加營養、物質激勵等等，幾次三番地折騰下來，女兒的小臉越來越蒼白。 而且，一說要考試，她就開始厭食，失眠，冒虛汗，再接著，考出了令我們瞠目結舌的三十三名。我和老公，悄無聲息地放棄了轟轟烈烈的揠苗助長活動。恢復了她正常的作息時間，還給她畫漫畫的權利，允許她繼續訂《兒童幽默》之類的書報，家中安穩了很久。 我們對女兒，是心疼的，可面對她的成績，又有說不出的困惑。 週末，一群同事結伴郊遊。大家各自做了最拿手的菜，帶著老公和孩子去野餐。一路上笑語盈盈，這家孩子唱歌，那家孩子表演小品。 女兒沒什麼看家本領，只是開心地不停鼓掌。她不時跑到後面，照看著那些食物。把傾斜的飯盒擺好，鬆了的瓶蓋擰緊，流出的菜汁擦淨。忙忙碌碌，像個細心的小管家。野餐的時候，發生了一件意外的事。兩個小男孩，一個奧數尖子，一個英語高手，同時夾住盤子裏的一塊糯米餅，誰也不肯放手，更不願平分。 豐盛的美食，源源不斷地擺上來，他們看都不看。大人們又笑又歎，連勸帶哄，可怎麼都不管用。最後，還是女兒，用擲硬幣的方法，輕鬆地打破了這個僵局。回來的路上，堵車，一些孩子焦躁起來。女兒的笑話一個接一個，全車人都被逗樂了。她手底下也沒閑著，用裝食品的彩色紙盒，剪出許多小動物，引得這群孩子讚歎不已。 至下車，每個人都拿到了自己的生肖剪紙。聽到孩子們連連道謝，老公禁不住露出了自豪的微笑。期中考試後，我接到了女兒班主任的電話。首先得知，女兒的成績，仍是中等。不過，他說，有一件奇怪的事想告訴我，他從教三十年了，第一次遇見這種事。語文試卷上有一道附加題：你最欣賞班裏的哪位同學，請說出理由。 除女兒之外，全班同學，竟然都寫上了女兒的名字。 理由很多：熱心助人，守信用，不愛生氣，好相處等等，寫得最多的是，樂觀幽默。班主任還說，很多同學建議，由她來擔任班長。他感歎道：你這個女兒，雖說成績一般，可為人，實在很優秀啊。我開玩笑地對女兒說，你快要成為英雄了。正在織圍巾的女兒，歪著頭想了想，認真地告訴我說，老師曾講過一句格言：「當英雄路過的時候，總要有人坐在路邊鼓掌。」她輕輕地說：“媽媽，我不想成為英雄，我想成為坐在路邊鼓掌的人。”我猛地一震，默默地打量著她。她安靜地織著絨線，淡粉的線，在竹針上纏纏繞繞，仿佛一寸一寸的光陰，在她手裏，吐出星星點點的花蕾。我心裏，竟是驀地一暖。那一刻，我忽然被這個不想成為英雄的女孩打動了。這世間，有多少人，年少時渴望成為英雄，最終卻成了煙火紅塵裏的平凡人。 如果健康，如果快樂，如果，沒有違背自己的心意，我們的孩子，又何妨做一個善良的普通人。 長大成人後，她一定會成為：賢淑的妻子、溫柔的母親，甚至，熱心的同事、和善的鄰居。在那些漫長的歲月裏，她都能安然地過著自己想要的生活。作為父母，還想為孩子祈求怎樣更好的未來呢？
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Passing Feeling 1:
2008 has already gone by nearly a quarter. With the daily bombardment of life issues from every corner, my cluttered mind chases away the joy I once knew and prevents me from writing.. I couldn't even recall since when I stopped venting my inner world through writing. Now that I force myself sitting in front of my laptop with my favorite music playing in the background, I just want to write, aimlessly or aimfully..
Since when I desire anything else but God's Himself? Since when I have majored in minor? Since when I become so unhappy? Since when I can easily feel irritated? Since when I have started to operate my daily life based on my own understanding?
Since when I desire anything else but God's Himself? Since when I have majored in minor? Since when I become so unhappy? Since when I can easily feel irritated? Since when I have started to operate my daily life based on my own understanding?
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