WHAT IF GOD WAS ONE OF US?

What if God was one of us
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus trying to make his way home?

There are times when I can't help but believe that God exists. Or it could be one of his angels hanging around to lend a helping hand. Like that time when I was in a supermarket picking out tomatoes and a stranger came up to me, thrust one of those perforated plastic bags my way saying, “Here, this is for you. I got it for you.” Before I could say anything he had quietly glided away, pushing his shopping cart.

Or that afternoon when raindrops started to fall just as I stepped off the kerb.  Out of nowhere, a Japanese lady appeared with a large umbrella.  She gestured, offering to shelter me.  Did I hold her arm or did she link hers in mine?  What was the color of the umbrella?  Did she even speak to me? I don't remember any of that.  All I remember was the sun was still shining even as the rain hit harder on our umbrella.  After we ran across the road safely, she gave a sunny me smile before diving into the rain to head back to the other side of the street.

There are days when God is out for a bit of fun. Some months ago my colleagues and I were in the MRT. “Did you hear about the fire that happened in AA building yesterday?” one asked. “I used to work in the same building, you know?”

“Really?" I answered in surprise. "I used to work in AA building too!”  As she went on to tell us about what she had read about the fire,  I suddenly noticed him - a boy leaning beside the train door, a pair of white earphones stuck in his ears.  Printed on the front of his T-shirt was this:

This picture is from http://www.pixpow.com/tag/building-in-fire/

Coincidence, or God's sense of humour?

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

Some call it a shoe box, others call it a match box. Sure, my apartment isn't very big but it's a place I call my own.  It doesn't have a garden or courtyard but it commands the most stunning views.

Sunrise

and all is quiet

太阳在一片沉睡之中缓缓升起

Magical sunsets

Fog

Sunny skies

 Top of the World

It feels like Manhattan

我似在小山崗上观看山下的万家灯火，一丝丝温馨拥上心头 

BANGKOK BREAKFAST BAGELS

Tammy likes bagels. Wait, let me rephrase that - Tammy LOVES bagels. When we went to Taipei some years ago, the crazy woman dragged me to the local McDonald’s three mornings in a row. Why? Because it has bagels on its breakfast menu! On this trip to Bangkok with Tammy, I was armed and ready.

BKK Bagel Bakery has a good selection of bagels and spreads. I opted for Sea Salt Bagel (THB35) and Scallion Cream Cheese (THB30), which added up to only S$2.62 or USD2.08!

The perfect spot for a bagel and coffee before the morning meeting.

 Or a leisurely breakfast.

BKK Bagel Bakery

518/3 Maneeya Center, Ploenchit Road, Bangkok 10330

(Next to the Chidlom BTS station)

Tel: +66 2 2548157

http://www.bkkbagelbakery.com/

Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 6:30pm and Saturday, 8:30am to noon

Read the CNNGo article

BEDAZZLED

This was the day I almost died of heat stroke.

We explored the Grand Palace on a ridiculously hot day. Constructed in 1782, the palace complex is made up of so many temples, halls, pavilions and courtyards, making it difficult to navigate. Why would the early kings and queens need a ridiculous 218,400 square metres (2,351,000 square feet) of space, I wonder?

The first thing that struck me upon entering its premises was how everything shimmers and glitters under the morning sun – 简直就是金碧辉煌嘛! Each building is different and every single one covered in gold, stained glass or jewel-like tiles. Stunning.

Despite the heat, you should not hope to gain entrance to the Grand Palace in tube tops and skimpy attires. The palace grounds and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha within are sacred and you should respect the strict dress code. So read up about it before you travel.

Everywhere we turned there were tour groups from different countries, accompanied by their bawling guides, all trying to speak in different languages, all at the same time.

Would I go back again? Well, yes, if the weather is less harsh and if I'm accompanied by a guide. The palace grounds and its fascinating architectures certainly deserve more than just a brisk walk-through.

JIM THOMPSON HOUSE

It's always such a pleasure to catch up with my old friends in Bangkok, especially Khun Kai and Tan-Tan who spent the weekend was us. Tan-Tan is so cool now!  When I last saw Tan-Tan, he was probably 7 or 8 years old – then a naughty boy with too much energy to spare. Now a teenager, he has transformed from a prancing monkey into a young gentleman.  After Tammy and I shopped out of control in the weekend market, it was Tan-Tan who lended his muscles.

I've always wanted to visit Jim Thompson House. If you've never heard of Jim Thompson (只能用“一生传奇”来形容他吧) he was an American who arrived in Bangkok after WWII, fell in love with Thailand, and made it his permanent home. The hand-woven silk industry captured Jim Thompson’s attention and he decided to devote himself to reviving the long-neglected craft. Jim Thompson and the Thai silk industry attained worldwide recognition after his silk found its way into the 1956 musical film “The King and I”.

The Jim Thompson House combines of six teak buildings, which represents the best in traditional Thai architecture. Even though the House was built in 1959, most of the houses were at least two centuries old. Jim Thompson had purchased them from different parts of the country - some from as far away as the old capital of Ayudya – dismantled and brought to the present site.

You can tell that Jim Thompson was a quirky designer and decorator. For instance, in his dining table was formed by joining two intricately crafted mahjong tables.  Burmese drums were inverted to function as table lamp stands.  He reversed all the walls in his drawing room to bring the beautifully carved panels to the interior.

If you’re ever in Bangkok, it would be worthwhile to take the 40-minute guided tour of the Jim Thompson House. For only THB100, you’ll learn how the house adhered to the customs of early builders, why the house is above ground level, why the doors inside the house is slanted, the fascinating stories behind his vast collection of art pieces and antiques. You’ll also come face to face with a 17th century Buddha from the Ayudya period, as well as a 19th century Mouse House.

This photo is from http://sparklette.net/

On March 26, 1967, Jim Thompson disappeared while on a holiday to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. Not a single valid clue turned up as to what might have happened to him. He was 61 years of age.

Jim Thompson House
Soi Kasemsan 2, opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Road,
6/1 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road
+66 2 216 7368
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (last guided tour at 5pm)
How to get there: Take exit 1 from the BTS National Stadium Station, turn right into Soi Kasemsan 2 and continue walking all the way to the very end. The museum will be on your left-hand side.