- global financial crisis

Thursday, October 16, 2008

- global financial crisis

The recent global financial crisis has taught us a lesson that human nature is very predictable. Whenever there is mega fortune to be made, there will be financial wizards and there will be undiscerning victims. We believe in people who come with high sounding jargons backed by creditable institutions/establishments. The people whom we believed with awe and respect can one day take us to a place of despair and wreckage.

The dust will no doubt settle over time. There will be another big leap forward in financial engineering. There will also be another financial tsunami with perhaps more serious consequences. This time around there will be different players in the world of high finance. And these will be the same people who are condemning the wrongdoers vociferously now.

1 comment:

Anna TehOctober 16, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Couldn't agree less with you; hope your writing will help innocent people to realize "all that glitters are not always gold" ... happy blogging!
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Lay, Lady Lay

Monday morn, feeling refresh, energized and purposeful.

Looking forward to another busy week ahead.

Submerged in her work at ease, proud of her top job.

Her heart smiles, as she thinks of Sunday’s secret rendezvous.

Planning, discussing, directing, organizing, meetings….

Whatever it takes, she plays her role well; she is good in what she does.

Justifying the company’s faith in their lady CEO.

The day ends, sitting at the back seat of her chauffer driven company car, heading home.

She could hear the excited barks of her happy pet poodle as the car approaches her tightly fenced up house.

Poodle is a clever breed, he could distinguish the engine sound of his mistress’s approaching car.

If it’s not for the dog, it’s a silent empty house.

She cooks a simple meal, eating alone, only her poodle the TV keeping her company.

The day is done, she climbs to her room upstairs.

Lay, lady lay.

Laying on her big soft empty bed.

Her routine, but she seems happy.

She keeps to herself, fervently guarding her privacy.

Nobody in the neighborhood knows exactly why she leads her life this way.

Soon it’s Saturday.

She takes her dog out for their usual morning walks.

But, that’s not enough exercise for her; she needs to keep fit.

After taking her dog home, she changes into her sporting outfits.

She runs out of the house again and starts jogging around the neighborhood.

She feels good about her body, she takes good care of her body.

But lately she has become conscious of her advancing age.

Some wrinkles begin to set in her smooth youthful looking face.

Middle age is catching up on her.

After the jogging, she decides to tidy up the house and do some cleaning.

Saturday is the day she normally does her household chores.

In the afternoon, she drove to the local supermarket to buy her weekly supplies and provisions.

She has decided not to employ a live-in house maid.

She has heard of their notorious conduct and security risk when left alone in the house.

Feeling bored, she walks gently over to the piano lying at the far end corner of the lounge.

And starts to play some songs inside her head; songs of yesteryears.

She remembers the young man she fell in love with in school.

He was her first and so was she to him.

She remembers the handsome man in the office when she first started out after graduating

The first man who really stole her heart.

They would dance the night away and play among the stars.

Then one day he told her he has to move to another town.

For there is another waiting for him; she is not his true love.

Lay, lady lay.

Lay spreading over your lonely cold bed.

She manages a smile, for tomorrow is Sunday!

And Sunday finally comes.

She decided to visit her parents whom she has not seen for a while.

She observed that her parents’ physical movements have become slow and clumsy.

They have suddenly aged.

She hurried home after lunch at her parents’ home.

She gets restless by the hour, frequently checking her WhatsApp messages.

Waiting anxiously for his text.

“Will be at your place in half hour”.

That’s the text she has been waiting for.

She keeps looking at her CCTV, until it shows his car appears in front of the fenced up gate.

The iron grilled gate swings open by remote control to let his car in.

The electric gate then shuts automatically.

No one must know his coming and going.

They went upstairs, wasted no time.

Frantic embrace, lusty kisses, uninhabited love.

Tender trembling moments that echo the love she once knew.

How can this be wrong when it feels so right?

Once again he says his goodbye; he has to return to his family.

Lay, Lady Lay.

Laying so alone on your bed again.

She knows one day this would all end.

Guilt isn’t enough to stop her from seeing him.

For he has given her a new meaning to her empty life.

He told her it’s not about the sex.

It’s the emotional dissatisfaction in his relationship with his wife

She loves the way he treats her so tenderly.

The way he touches her is so heavenly.

‘I feel the blood moving in me again’, he once whispered to her.

But every form of refuge has its price.

She knows she is cheating too.

She gets up and pours herself a strong glass of whisky.

And stares out at the stars far up in the night sky.

She draws the shade and lays down on her bed.

It’s going to be another familiar long night.

Lay, lady lay.

Laying on her big empty bed.

She hangs her head on the pillow and starts to cry.

He wakes up, gently rubbing his eyes, letting out a loud yawn

Intuitively, stretching out his hand for his inseparable Samsung mobile phone which is by now fully charged.

He receives an unusually large number of WhatsApp messages this particularly morning

It’s Father’s Day!

He begins to read them. He has several WhatsApp chat groups

Friends and relatives posted nice pictures and photos, all with moving messages and quotes

They are some thirty jokes too; like the one which says ‘Dad, Thanks for NOT using a Condom’.

Then he switched to his own family chart group

His face immediately lightens up, radiating with a brilliant smile

“Happy Father’s Day, Dad. You are the best Dad in the World!”

“Happy Father’s Day, Dad. Thank you for taking care of us all these years. You are awesome. We Love You, Dad.’

“Fathers are people to look up to, no matter how tall you grow.”

“You are so lucky to have gotten such a beautiful, well-rounded, smart and funny child. No wonder I am your favorite. Happy Father’s Day”

And the list goes on.

His wife lying next to him smiles too

For she can tell why he is especially so happy looking this morning.

She has helped him bringing up three well-behaved, filial children

“No golfing today Daddy. The children have booked buffet lunch at Shangri-La Hotel to celebrate Happy Father’s Day with you, and tonight we are going to have dinner at the Overseas Restaurant in PJ. Your brother and sister’s families will be there too. They all want to celebrate Father’s Day together”. “Your children have bought you a really nice Lacoste cotton shirt. Please wear it tonight”, she continues.

What a happy day indeed. He feels so blessed.

He will sleep well tonight.

He wakes up

Checks his IPhone for messages as is his usual habit

He too has several WhatsApp chat groups

He too received well-wishing messages from relatives and friends

He too received naughty pictures and dirty jokes from his buddies today

But he feels a void

How come his children didn’t send him any well wishes on this Father’s Day?

He gets up reluctantly, trudges to the bathroom, brushed his teeth and changed into his round neck t-shirt and Bermuda short.

Then he goes downstairs, put on his pair of Nike jogging shoes and takes his pet dog for their usual morning walks; IPhone in his pocket.

He could hear the clicking sounds of messages coming through his phone

Every now and then, he stops to check; hoping to read one from his children

Every now and then, he stoops to pick up the dog’s droppings with the old newspapers he is carrying

Finally they have finished their walk, and making their way home.

He decides to fry some chicken sausages and eggs, microwave some green peas and toast a couple of brown bread to go down with some 2 plus 1 sachet coffee.

Eventually all prepared, he sits down and eats his breakfast

Every now and then, he checks for messages on his mobile

Then the message he has been waiting for appears.

“Happy Father’s Day, Dad! You taught me so many things in life. You are the greatest Dad one could ever ask for. I love you Dad”, his son texts.

He manages a controlled happy smile, his eyes well up

An hour later, he receives another message

This time it is from his married daughter who is residing overseas

She must have read her brother's message, better late than never, he can't help thinking

"Happy Father's Day, Dad! Stay forever young and healthy Dad. I love you always"

She also attached a well wishing card on his IPhone

Finally he has finished eating his breakfast

He cleaned up, went upstairs to shower and changed into a nice clean short-sleeved shirt and Timberland brown pants

He then drives to his church to attend Sunday Mass

At the end of the Mass, the good parish priest asked all fathers to come forward to receive blessings from him. The good Father sprayed holy waters sparingly over their heads.

He took a late lunch alone and then headed straight home

He felt the need to call his son.

“Can we have dinner tonight, David?”

“Dad, I know it’s Father’s Day. But, can we bring you out another Day? Because Jenny and I have already promised to take her dad out for dinner this evening”.

“Ok, Son’, he puts down the phone.

He then walks to his piano and starts to play some old favorites.

Later that night, as he lays down on his bed

He thinks to himself, “How does my life gets to be so crazy?”

The Long Goodbye

Still mystified until today. She left as sudden as she appeared. Walking away at dawn’s break, not a word, only a note. Morn’s whispering trees still hide a secret from him. If only she had told him so. It’s not meant to last forever; they both knew it was quite impossible. Questions in their eyes, weighing on their minds. So wrong down the path, yet the shared feelings felt so right. Senses so fully filled; hard to let them go. Fun to be with, so full of life, brightened up his life. Sweeping away the sad times, making him laugh again. Heart beating fast, the rush of excitement. Filling that empty space inside him. Oblivious to what might have become. Secret rendezvous, sandy beaches, distant places. Avoiding attention and the glare. Wine colored days, stolen kisses, hidden passion. Tender trembling moments, when hearts were one. Deep moaning nights, when love was right. No one heard, but the stars above the moonlit sky. “If you ever get to missing me, just look up the stars’, she once told him. Her warm laughter, mornings after. Sharing a love that only they would ever know. She felt his pain, he kissed her smile. They laughed, they loved and they cried. If only they had met when they were both free. Beautiful memories and yet painful. Never be together again, but life goes on. Almost five years have since passed. Just when he thought time had set him free, her memory flashing by. Old feelings caressing his consciousness. Laying his lonely head on the night pillow, or walking in mingling crowd. In his heart lies a memory. Sadness and happiness, feeling both at the same time. A feeling he never quite outgrew. Part of his past and never his future. The howling winds, the sighing breeze. Maybe one day he will meet her again. It’s hard to say goodbye.

Her brothers are always better than she. She has to do the chores, washed their clothes, cooked theirs meals. Mum and dad say it’s ok. Culture and traditions passed down from generations. Why are you crying?, her friends asked. “The scars you can’t see are the hardest to heal”. He shuns social interaction with work mates. Surfing hours on ends on the Net who knows what. Living out his solitude, a lonesome existence. Masking a much kinder person or hiding an inner turmoil. “Take care of your thoughts when you are alone”. He is such a bully, yet you don’t rebuff. She is such a show off, only you can tolerate. We should expose their ugly behaviors to everyone, they would urge. Give them the treatment they rightly deserved. “People will never forget how you made them feel”. Graduated with flying colours, make your folks so proud. They are on clouds nine, expecting you to carve out a bright and glorious future. You broke their hearts when you told them you wanted to give a try at the fashion business. ‘Are you mad? Why are you doing this?’ they cried. ‘I studied for you and Mum, Dad’. “I want to follow my dream before I grow old!” I’m staying with my parents now, our son is safe with me. He is hurting just like me to see the person that you have become. Success has changed you; you have become materialistic, arrogant and conceited. I know that you still have it in you to go back and be the person whom I have fallen in love with. ‘P.S. I Still Love You’. At last, we have graduated! Just realized that we have been together since primary school. Together, we have learnt, grown, laughed and we have cried. Soon, we would go our separate ways, to wherever our dreams take us. Can’t imagine not seeing you anymore. “Don’t forget to remember!” My wayward ways have brought you nothing but shame, sorrows and pain. Always angry and blamed on you and mum, despite you have worked so hard to provide for the family. But you never gave up on me, the love you always have within you. All my life, I have hurt you so much. I have my own family now, and you just have a grandson. “I love you Dad”. I am so sorry that I hurt you throughout the years, Jenny. I was cold, insensitive and mean towards you. Jimmy was all I needed, giving him the generous love that I could only offer to his father; the love child I carried when I was just a teen. I hope you can find in your heart a way to forgive me, Jenny. Give me a chance to make up with you as I work on changing myself. “I Love You Mum”. She said it would be better if they stopped seeing each other. They both have commitments, neither can handle anymore. Kissed and said goodbye for the last time. Five years passed, she received his letter. “You are always on my mind’.

Hello 2015, Goodbye 2014

Events in 2014 that would live in my memory for some time: •Ebola- Pray that it won’t kill people in the same magnitude as the Spanish Flu which killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million people in the last century. •ISIS’ savage beheadings of American and European hostages- Refused to watch the videos. •Tragedies of Malaysian airliners MH370, MH17 and AirAsia’s Airbus A320-200- Except for AirAsia’s Airbus, there remained too many answered questions. Flight 370 with 239 passengers simply disappeared from the radar, prompting the most expensive search effort in history. •Hong Kong students’ street protests for democracy- They will be back again for sure. How would it end? • Li Na defeated Dominika Cibulková to win the Australian tennis open-Will women tennis in Asia take off the way Seri Pak influenced the South Korean women golfers? •Scientists discovered how to convert normal cells into stem cells in mice-OMG, let’s hope they don’t clone humans! •Same-sex marriage was legalized in England and Scotland-Hmmm, my mouth is sealed on this subject. • Abducted, killed, raped, sold, forced conversion of Nigerian school girls by Boko Harem-What justification can ever justify such inhuman brutality? •Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank claimed that climate change will lead to battles over water and food within the next five to ten years-Everyone is talking about it. Everyone now believes it. So, more global regulations, tangible actions please. •Psy's "Gangnam Style" became the first video to reach 2 billion views on YouTube-Put a smile on your face. •Luis Suárez was charged with biting at the 2014 FIFA World Cup-This is not the first time he did it. Talent and madness can sometimes be a thin line. •Australian entertainer Rolf Harris was sentenced to 5 years and 9 months for indecently assaulting female minors-Used to enjoy his squeaky clean cut shows. Holy Cow, this must be the year of skinning of the celebrity cats! Bill Cosby, Jimmy Saville, Freddie Starr, Max Clifford, Gary Glitter and many more. Even the home of Cliff Richard was searched. Our perception of celebrity status will never be the same anymore. •The Church of England voted in favor of allowing women to become bishops-Will the Catholic Church also do the same? Would not be surprised, considering fewer and fewer men are taking up the priestly vocation. •Oscar Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp-Hero and darling of South Africa. Born with disabilities but against all odds, rose to the pinnacle of his sports. What an anti-climate. •Scotland voted 'NO' in a referendum deciding whether or not to stay with the United Kingdom- Aye, jolly good show. • Malala Yousafzai & Kailash Satyarthi won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize-Little girls with big hearts, big dreams, creating history. •Stephen Hawking claimed that Artificial Intelligence could spell the end of the human race – What else is new? •Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak and Perlis were hit by flash floods including some areas in Sabah-This disaster has witnessed so many Malaysians coming together to help the flood victims. Our world has many good people; a lot more than the bad. Sadly, it is the few bad apples who managed to inflict the most devastations, sufferings and pains. The Guardian papers coined the phrase, ‘2014 is the year the people stood up!’. ‘2015 is the year good people finally stand up’- Romantic or naïve as it may seem, it sounds good nevertheless.

The Last Goodbye

Dawn is breaking, she is barely waking. Clouds of night’s darkness fleeing. Still in blissful slumber, embracing her warmly against his heart. Melodies of tender trembling moments in the night still linger. Softly words of love, never mind they are just make beliefs. She opens her tired thinking eyes, trying hard to find a smile. Can’t forget the feelings they have shared. Tip-toeing to pick up her clothes, silently she dresses up. Afraid to wake him up. Met by chance, they instantly rhymed. Like long lost lovers separated by fate, they danced. Sometimes things happen that can never be explained. Colourful, beautiful days, warmed by the sun. Deep passionate nights, when they were one. Questions in their eyes, weighing on their minds. Deep in their hearts, they know this would one day end. It breaks her heart to have to leave him now. Like a drum, her heart is beating. The joys of love are fleeting. Knowing that they may not meet again. Through the years, crying those happy tears. Though it hurts inside, be thankful for the memories. Another cruel twist of fate. Life goes on, the world will keep on turning. Planting one last gentle kiss on his soft warm lips. Quietly she opens the door, looking at him once more. Whispering, ‘Goodbye my love. I will always love you’. Their last goodbye.

Not Again, Father

Advent; season of hope, of reflecting on prophecies and promises fulfilled and what to come. Surely your spiritual training has prepared you well for this role, Father. It’s second week in succession you have let anger clouding over discernment. Condemn injustice if you must, but don’t make fuming attacks on the judges. The accused could have committed the sin. You don’t know the real truth. But, you almost canonized him. Condemn racism if you must, but don’t blame the whole other race. There are good and bad, you should know better. Words that only the common men in streets would swear, uncontrollable fits of anger you so publicly displayed. Man of the Hour, Man in Robe; you speak in His presence. Looking up to you, young and old, people of all walks of life, different races, varied social and political backgrounds. The influence you must have had. And the uneasiness, confusion and sadness they must have felt. So much resentment in you, so much hurt inside you. What is troubling you, Father? You need help; what an irony. Turbulent times, fiery spirits. Outrageous preaching, often in conflict with Church teachings. Pray for the new seed of power. Challenging path he walks, hard decisions he must make. To nudge his bunch of wayward frock to walk in line. In the same direction, the right direction.

REFLECTION

Silent night, starless night. Staring at thoughts that you still want to think. Stirring hidden memories. Some are clear as skies; others as misty as the distant moon. Remembering when you first met. Walking her home after school. Holding her hands, with a warm glow in your heart. Afraid to say ‘I love you’. Carefree days, happy days, growing up days! Learning by going where your heart wanted you to go. Memories you left behind; the laughter and the tears. Good times, bad times and others in between. They wanted love, you gave them tears. Role reversed and your turn to feel the pain. Walking in the rain, soaking wet. Torturing your heart, trying to forget. Many came and went; still your tears remained. A long and winding road ahead. Someone will come to kiss your tears away.

Times They Are A-Changing

‘And don't speak too soon, for the wheel's still in spin. And there's no tellin' who that it's namin'. For the loser now will be later to win. For the times they are a-changin'. The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast. The slow one now, will later be fast. As the present now, will later be past. Your old road is rapidly fadin'. And the first one now, will later be last. For the times they are a-changin'........ Poetic, hauntingly unfolding lyrics of the song written by Bob Dylan in 1963. Perhaps the finest piece of prophetic folk music ever written. Captured the spirit of social and political upheaval of the 60s. And far beyond! They say the only thing that is constant is change itself. And how things have changed! Has the world become a better place to live? Or has the rainbow turned to grey? The end justifies the means. Winners take them all and the losers must fall. What’s the purpose? Where is the shame? Yet, in God’s name they constantly call and pray. A chilling starless dark stricken night. Bad moon arising. Are we heading towards the inevitable?

Everyone Needs a Song

“I’m sorry”, that’s all he could say Married for 30 years and suddenly he wants to end it all! You have loved him throughout, cared for him ceaselessly, bore him three wonderful children Why did he choose to leave now? Can he really find happiness after you? How could he? You want to run and hide, and to cry He hurts you so bad, you are in utter shock and dismay You tremble with shame You don’t know what to do Go pick up your favorite CD, ma’am Sing out loud, tap your feet, hit the town!

He couldn’t bring himslelf to tell both of you in person So, he wrote it all down in a letter; begging for your understanding and forgiveness “What! He is gay? Oh my God!” He is the life, the hope and the future All is well, all is in the grand plan Until he dropped the bombshell How could he? He is your only son Shocked beyond belief Shame he brought to the family Stop wallowing in your sorrow and pain Don’t stop the music in the house Turn up the volume; the music must continue The music will soothe your soul.

He is your first love It’s love at first sight, right from secondary school You gave in to all his demands You put him above all else But now you know Behind your back, he has been dating your best friend He says he loves her more than you And they plan to marry soon You drive around aimlessly Wiping away the tears running down your cheek You want to scream You are driving crazy, you are speeding You sure are going to cause an accident if you don’t slow down Switch on the radio, girl Hum along with the song He is not worth it.

Memories you still keep in mind Burning passion still haunts your memory Crying yourself to sleep every night You can’t take it anymore Want to end your deepest pain and darkest sorrow Want to end your own life No, No, No There is a beautiful tune inside your heart Feel it once again Let your feet feel the beat Feel the rhythm in your heart Calm will return after the storm Rainbow after the rain There will be love and laughter Just you wait and see

Everyone needs a song!

Today Is My Daughter's Wedding Day

My beautiful daughters, I am blessed with two
You came into my world, so tiny and so small
Watching both of you through the years
We laugh, we cry and we grow
Someday I’ll have to let you go.

Daughters are like flowers
They fill the world with beauty, and sometimes attract pests
They can see it in your eyes, read it on your faces, feel it in their hearts
Say the hardest things that only best friends can understand
In between silent treatment and high dramas.

Life is fleeting, years rush past
And little girls grow up so fast
In his arms, they strolled down the isle
A picture of loveliness and happiness
Today is my Daughter’s Wedding Day!

For this moment let me pray
And thank God that we share this day
With misty eyes looking through the miles
The best part of my life is being her Dad
Today is my Daughter’s Wedding Day.

Sunrise, Sunset

Making your entrance at last; with an infectious smile on your face

I was instantly hooked and knew right away we would be so happy together

We laugh, we cry and we grow

Sunrise, Sunset

Swiftly the years rushed us by

All too soon you have to leave to follow your dreams

You hugged me tightly and whispered you would soon be back

But sadly it’s not to be

Your destiny is not here with me

Painfully I learn to accept; have to let you go

The hardest part is to have to learn to live again

I woke up with tears rolling down my cheek the other day

And realized that I must have been dreaming of you again

If only you know how my heart feels

If only you could see through my eyes

Only then would you know how special you are to me

Let the tears come

Let them sooth my soul

Soon you are going to walk down the isle with him

It won’t be the last time for me to say

‘I love you’.

Who Would That Be?

You have glided over the highways
Stumbled through the alleys
Taking in the greatest highs and the deepest lows along the way
Learning from every moment of the day

Through the years; through the good and bad
Who shared your joys?
Who kissed your tears away?
Who have stayed and who have left?
It seems like only yesterday

But, all too soon comes twilight time

Perfect silence on mountain top today
The mountain has seen untold sunrises and thunders
Your world has stopped revolving and spinning
Reflections and emotions
Filling up your senses
Remembering the times of your life
Do you look at your life with a sigh or a smile?

You want to sing out the greatest song you have ever sung
Or is it the one in your heart that was never sung?

Who would that be?

Father, Oh Father

Up on the mountain, down in the valley

Shepherd and his frock in perfect harmony

A tender nudge here and a gentle staff there

Shepherd and frock in seamless unison

A loud thunder, a sudden shriek, jolt the sheep

But, they still go, come rain or shine

Liturgy of the Word, readings and psalms

Keep them in deep prayers on bended knees

Inspirational messages of the homilies to take home

Even more so if delivered with love and gentleness

The Alter is not a stage for letting out your hurt and anger, Father

Find a way to forgive, Father

Your father’s action reflected his human intellect under the circumstances

Your good mother has kept the faith against all odds

And she paid the ultimate price

You longed for her warm embrace which you never had

Discard your pain and despair of yesteryears and unpleasant memories

Take it to the Lord and pray, Oh Father

Give the Lord all your tears and sadness

Give Him all your years of pain

Replace them with God’s glorious promise of new hope

May the Lord keep you and bless you, dear Father

Amen

Lady, Oh Lady

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Lady, Oh Lady
Silent nights, silent tears
Pain you must have felt deep inside
Tears hidden behind your pretty eyes
Pretty smiles hid the deepest secret.

Lady, Oh Lady
His text messages were brief and dry
You wished he were more loving
Never mind if only sweet nothings
He told you men are different from women
They keep their feelings deep inside them.

Lady, Oh Lady
You wanted to believe him
You were so in love with him
He filled up all your senses
He was in your thought, in your breath and in your mood.

Lady, Oh Lady
You could only cry when no one looked
In the kitchen, in your bedroom and even on family holidays
Your love unreciprocated, love taken for granted
The love you could not control.

Lady, Oh Lady
You wanted someone to ease your pain
You have to cry alone
But no one must know
Love is so cruel.

Lady, Oh Lady
You thought love was going to last forever
Every time you were happy together
But he said it is impossible
Both of you could only be friends forever.

But, Lady, Oh Lady
Today is a brand new day!
Heart no longer enslaved
Morning sun brings out your smiles
Its rays smell like scent of perfume.

Lady, Oh Lady
You drive home on spirits high
No more doom or gloom left to consume
You feel alive
You want your heart to dance again.

Oh Lady, Oh Lady
Wonder no more why you can love so deeply
But never had that love returned
He is not worth your sorrow and pain
Life begins again.

Kissing In The Rain

“Let me walk you to the station. It’s getting dark soon.”
“It’s ok. I walk to the train station every day. ”
“It’s ok. I’d like to”.

They walked in silence, yet conscious of each other’s presence.
Evening sky suddenly turned chilly and grey.
Flashes of distant lightning opened the grey sky to drizzle.

Intuitively, she reached for her folded umbrella in her bag.

Swiftly she opened and lifted it up to cover them both.

Drizzles fizzled out into rain.

“Here, take my arm. The grass is slippery”, he whispers softly.

“Ok. Thanks”, she locks her arm round his for support.

But, she slipped anyway and umbrella flew; exposing them to the pouring rain.

“Wait!”, she unlocks her grip on his arm, eager to go after her drifting umbrella.
“No. There is no need”.
“But why, we are going to get soaking wet!”.

He helped her up and pulled her close.

He clasped both palms on each side of her cheek and then bends forward to kiss her soft wet lips.

“You shouldn’t”, she pulled away.

“I know”.

“Let’s run to the shed”, she tries to free herself, trying to ignore what has just happened.

“No! Please don’t “, as he held her tight and pulled her close again.

She could feel her own warm feelings gushing through her.

The feelings played on her senses, weakening her resistance.

She lifted up her head and looked into his longing sad eyes and closed her own.

Tongues tangled in sweetness taste.

Feeling breaths against heated mouths.
Storms of passion sweeping through spines.

Bodies soaked as they combined in tight embrace.

Two souls kissing in dazed dance, oblivious to the world.

Kissing in the rain sets their emotions free.

Bodies tingled under lost control.

Two hearts thundered in pouring rain.

A kiss in the rain is all it takes for the hearts elope.

Ever kissed in the rain?

Change, change, change

Change, change, change………….
One man’s shining future, another man’s doom
The world is spinning, our world is crumbling
Oh Lord, the seed has been sown.

Change, change, change..........

The pen is truly mightier than the sword

Our fate was sealed

Oh Lord, the moment the seed was sown.

Change, change, change..........

Our spirit has died, our will waned

The dice has been cast

Oh Lord, the seed of guilt was sown.

Change, change, change..........

Where can we hide them, how can we shield them?

Johnny and Mary are already part of them

Oh Lord, can the seed be unsown?

Change, change, change..........

Dear fathers, what have you done?

The river of blood flows, your conscience is ours to bear

Oh Lord, the seed should never be sown!

Breaking Free!

I fear the night, for my tears fall so much easier at night.
I can hear his call in the middle of the night.
My screams start to ring out into the unknown.
I fear the morning light, for the pain I must wear my mask.
Can’t you all see?
I am suffocating, drowning, wriggling in pain.
I have to break free now.
Lest I would die!
Call it circumstantial; call it inborn; call it fate.
It doesn’t matter.
Sweet Mama, wooooh… wooooh... Please stop your crying.
Loving Papa, wooooh…wooooh...It's hard to accept I know. If only I can find a way to stop your suffering.
I love you both dearly, Mum and Pa; more than you ever know.
Sometimes I wish I wasn’t born.
Dear relatives and friends, please do not despise me.
Do not forsake me.
Give me solace. Give me peace.
Let me break free!
All my sorrow and grief I bring to bear.
Oh, precious Savior, in silence I kneel and bow to the Lord in prayer.

It was an instant success when first published.

The book was wildly sold.

The author was the first and most famous European to travel to Asia during the Middle Ages.

He traveled farther than any of his predecessors during his 24-year journey.

He travelled to the far reaches of Asia; places that Europeans had never before set foot on.

Is it true? Or it’s just a story; the fantasy of an incredible story teller?

Many had questioned his reliability; some even questioned whether he had actually set foot on the Far East.

On his deathbed, the religious fathers begged him to save his soul.

Visitors urged him to admit that his book was a fiction of his own imagination.

He famously proclaimed, “I have not told half of what I saw!”

His book continued to inspire countless adventurers and explorers.

One man read his book and was instantly intrigued by it.

He was irretrievably hooked.

Fascination quickly turned into an obsession.

He took the book along with him on his voyages.

And the rest is history.

Yes, the world is indeed round!