Wrong Era

A friend of mine blogged about this & I share the same quirky sentiment. I was born in the wrong era.

I know how to sew, cross-stitch, crochet, cook & clean. I've got a history of being excellent in art & craft & would love to pick up the piano forte again. I enjoy good books, girlie chit-chats & stimulating conversations over high tea (I even bought myself a tea chest & have multiple cups of tea a day). I think I'd find great fulfilment in looking after a family.

This makes make me an accomplished & elegant young lady. That is, if I were living in the days of Jane Austen or even in my grandmother's traditional Chinese generation. It is of zero use in getting a husband in the 21st century.

I'm a traditionalist at heart & we are typically looked down upon in today's society because we give off the impression of being unambitious or unintelligent. Somehow the gifts I've been bestowed with are a few eras behind the times.

Surprise, Surprise

I discovered this morning that my first boyfriend back in high school is now a Christian.

Wow.

I'm not only surprised, but also delighted because I can never fathom the ways which God works. I suspect our journeys were quite similar too. I sent him a private message as soon as I found out & his reply was incredibly encouraging. I couldn't stop smiling in front of my PC.

"I accepted Christ in the army 5 years ago and I've never looked back since... ... and I'm getting baptized in 3 weeks!
As you can see I've matured a lot and left my sinner self behind me. Done a lot of things I regret but God gave me a new start in life... ..."

I'm still grinning while reading it again. Heaven rejoices!

Bestest Friends

It is almost every girl's secret wish to marry her best friend, her high school sweetheart. The subtle changes which take place by growing closer together beats the rush of being chased by a near stranger any time.

My best friend & I joke that we would surely date each other if one of us were a guy (I secretly wish it wasn't me). We laugh at each other's lame jokes, call each other up at random hours of the day to chat on opposite sides of the globe & give virtual hugs when the other is in desperate need of one. The thing that's most appealing about dating your best friend is that he would know you almost inside-out -- the good, the bad & the ugly. And the fact that he still chooses to love you despite is so humbling & makes you want to reciprocate all the more.

It's rare to find love like that. Everyone loves to enjoy good times together & when your loved one is in a joyful mood, it naturally rubs off on you & they're easy to love. But it's how you stick it out when they're going through a rough patch which shows how you really care. A true friendship which has weathered the storm brings a solid foundation into a dating relationship. Unfortunately, we are selfish & want all the sweetness without savouring any of the bitterness. It's always about what we can get out of the other person before we feel they can't offer us anymore.

In that regard, we're no more mature than little children. Back in primary school, you had one friend you carefully hand-picked to be your privileged best friend. You would share your lunch with her, pass her the occasional note during class, or stand up for her should she get bullied. Then one day you have a fight & she tells you you're no longer her best friend. Or she decides that the popular girl with the new toy is her new best friend. Or you find out that it was an illusion on your part & that you were never her best friend to begin with. How crushed & betrayed you felt back then.

Even now that I'm older, I still tell my best friend everything & anything, from the mundane every day stuff to shameful secrets I wouldn't share with anyone else. Having a best friend means practising being other person-centred, listening to their problems even when you've got your own to deal with & giving up your time & needs to serve them. From the early onsets of our friendships, we can usually pick out those who are here to stay.

Dating your best friend definitely has it's pros. But on the unfortunate occasion where it ends badly, the hurt is magnified tenfold from what you experienced as a kid.

Assault

After a beautiful day out at Summer Hill yesterday, we ventured out into the city for the Vivid Sydney festival at the Opera House.

As I was walking out of Town Hall station, I noticed a teenage girl, hardly 18 years old, following me out. As I walked up the stairs onto the small platform just beneath Town Hall, the girl mumbled something to me inaudibly. Before I knew it, I saw her fist coming straight at my head. I felt the impact just near my temple. Then another one came flying at me & hit just above my cheekbone. It all happened so quickly, but I remember the thought that flashed through my mind - "Do I hit her back??? How do I defend myself???" At this point in time, 2 guards came out of nowhere & pinned her against the wall kicking & spewing out coarse words. They asked if I wanted the police, but I didn't want to cause any more trouble so I chose not to pursue the matter further.

This happened while my friends were only just above me waiting for me at the entrance to Town Hall. Even as I related the incident to them, I was still so shaken up that I was almost in tears & I felt myself shaking slightly (my body involuntarily does this when something upsets or shocks me quite badly). My head still hurts the day after.

Now that I've had the time to replay it over in my mind, I realise that if the 2 guards hadn't shown up at the opportune time, I probably would have been bruised quite badly. I was never taught self-defence in Singapore since it's such a safe country to live in. Furthermore, it's not in my nature or instinct to fight back. This realisation scares me. What if something like this happens again?

As Christians, how are we meant to react to physical or verbal assault? As described in the gospel & in 1 Peter, Jesus did not retaliate when he was on the road to the Cross. I somehow think that there's a difference between taking insults & abuse for the sake of the gospel, & not fighting back when someone strikes at you first. But I can't put my finger on what it is or how to explain it. It's something I've always struggled with. Where is the line between giving up our 'rights' & defending ourselves (against physical or verbal abuse)? How does this apply to a misunderstanding or an argument?

Thank God I didn't suffer any major bruising. But I might get my head checked out if it's still hurting after the long weekend.

Brunch at Summer Hill