A Jar Of Clay

Friday, March 21, 2008

Thursday, March 20, 2008

this time we want

Allowing myself to be caught up in the political fervor in the US, I find a speech that resonates within me even though I am not there.

"This time we want to talk about the men and women of every color and creed who serve together, and fight together, and bleed together under the same proud flag."

Senator Obama's speech spoke of looking and working forward for the future; what has happened in the past, let's take it, understand it, and move forward - together.

It struck a chord, because of the state of affairs I perceive in an organization that I closely associate myself with. Despite the fact that everyone is united together through some core beliefs, division and discontentment is strife within the ranks. Call it a mismatch of management styles or perhaps a difference in generation, what exists remains as a fact, and it must be solved.

The hurdle that precedes everything comes from both sides, the disgruntled and the oblivious. Some of disgruntled stand up and speak up. Before their voice can stir the crowd into a frenzy, they are shot down by their fellow grunts. In such a light, few dare to even broach the issue in places where they can be overheard. Once in a while, someone stands up and raises his voice, gaining the attention of a few grunts. But before he knows it, the footstool that served as his platform was taken away by the oblivious.

The oblivious call for forgiveness and reconciliation; they choose a few they can manage and do what needs to be done. The rest is up to the disgruntled to accept the humbled speech of their leader. Perhaps some issues were solved, but they remain oblivious to the cause of those problems, themselves. A second call for forgiveness is made. This time, perhaps even wondering why they have to put up with such a difficult bunch of disgruntled people. "We have to love them", they tell themselves, once again oblivious to the source of the angst.

How I wish I can serve together, fight together and bleed together; even till the point of death, under the same proud flag.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

the amazing race

As their destination draws near, the participants ready themselves. Tightening their grips on their bags, they move closer to the exit, so that they can leave their competitors in the wake of their dust. They cannot afford to lose any second; for who knows what might stand in their way during the later part of the race.

The train starts to pull into the station, the atmosphere within the carriage goes up a notch. They start to push closer to the exit, not wanting to leave any gap between themselves and the door.

The doors open, and off they go! Some head for the escalator that is 3 meters further than the stairs, while the others tackle the gray stairs instead, hoping that they can out run the speed of the escalator. As they reach the top, they reach into their bags and pockets to pull out their EZ-link cards, so that they can tap out in the fastest time possible...

Welcome to the Amazing Rat Race.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

stop this train..

the times where you could take things for granted, now threaten to leave.

and it is keeping me awake.

"Once in a while, when it's good

It'll feel like it should

And they're still around

And you're still safe and sound

And you don't miss a thing.

Till you cry when you're driving away in the dark. "

Monday, February 18, 2008

frozen in time

The "frozen in time" series from the last day of my exchange in Paris. These photos remind me of how much i wanted time to stay still on that day, so that i need not leave the city that i fell in love with.

A place to find relief by basking in the limited sun of winter.

Sometimes, solitude brings about fortitude.

Ever had a life-changing idea sprout up in your head before, only to lose it after a few seconds?

Frozen both ways - inside and outside

Perhaps things will remain the same when I sleep - hope they are still around when I awake.

Wrestle as much as you want; sometimes it is easier to let go.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

le nom

i have decided on the name for my iMac - kat.le.mak

you will realize that it is pretty lame if you understand it.

but it is not as bad as the name of my iPod - paulie.podkat

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Happy Chinese New Year!

So I decided to take photos for this year's Chinese New Year Celebration. Finally some action for the family! We used to take photos a long time ago, but somehow stopped due to my dis-interest in pictures (i always have closed eyes, thus i dislike pictures of myself). So it's my call to start things rolling again!

So here are some from the reunion dinner cum birthday celebration for my auntie and her son.