Gardening and Retreat

Shannen once mentioned that I'm not one to give up easily. I'm not sure how she came to the conclusion, but indeed, I can be quite stubborn when I make up my mind to do or complete something. Not sure if you still remember me mentioning something I found I could do over here, but I did give a little clue some posts back.

It's nothing too exciting or amazing, hahaa, but I started working on the garden in the office building. The staff gave me something easy to start with - garlic and some sweet potato. There was nothing growing out of the ground for almost two weeks after I planted and the staff started commenting, perhaps it's because the garlic was old and had died. I also had my own doubts about the soil since they wash their mops there and all the detergent and dirty water might have killed the soil, but that was only one portion. I continued to water everyday regardless. And the result was growth! Not one, not two, but 5 now. Probably with more watering, I'll see more sprouting.

The staff must be amused to see me planting the seeds of whatever fruit I ate, and to keep watering despite the lack of growth. They even said they'll get me proper seeds since it must be disappointing to see a lack of results.

I also cleared up their backyard, but it's probably too dark to grow plants here. Probably I can transfer trees here after they've grown a bit. A male stuff and I managed to clear a lot of the overgrown plants here and we've turned a 'forest' back into a backyard. I had to cut down some of the bamboo plants and I'm reminded of one of Jacky Chan's lines from one of the Rush Hour movies. "Chinese bamboo. Very strong..."

I just came back from a retreat and initially was wondering how my plants will be. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that more plants had sprouted; especially the seed which I planted in a container and set on my window sill. Previously, a weed was all I got, now, there's a little seedling.

A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps of gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.

The speaker for the retreat was a very good one. He talked about Joseph's life and how it applies to people who have left home to work here. I am very sure the BCI people are touched by his words. He spoke of detouring, not reaching the destination directly, but having to move on elsewhere first; of delaying, having to wait and wait for something to happen; of being faithful where we're planted, as Joseph was as a slave and in prison; disappointments and betrayal and yet still have the grace to forgive and serve when we're down ourselves.

He even talked about another thing, being faithful in relationships. I had always wonder how difficult it would be to be faithful if as a single, it's so easy to be attracted to attractive women. Would getting married make it easier? Of course not. It would take work on our part. He was honest in saying that we would still find people who draw us to them, but it would be our job to put distance between as, going against our heart (not following our heart as the saying goes so commonly) and that requires self-discipline.

We had a talent night and amazingly, no 'forcing' was required. People volunteered on their own and I got roped in into a group of youths because they lacked a person. Still don't know why I agreed. Anyway, it was just doing some easy repeated actions, but it was comical. The audiences were laughing away.

Even young kids sang, danced, acted. Kids from primary school to secondary. There were many solo violin recitals as well. The children were amazingly sporting. There were these 2 sisters who even went up repeated times and danced, surprising even their father who was playing the guitar, thinking they were just going to sing, hahaa.

Some of us, 2 sg and lots of Americans went to a nearby cave to explore. I was expected to see some natural wonders but was disappointed. The cave was carved out with steps and lights. Coloured lights. Blue, green, red. When I told my boss, he and his wife laughed about it.

There's a place called dinosaur valley near my town, and I was thinking of visiting it. Apparently they had discovered dinosaur bones and fossils there. Now, I'm not sure if I still want to go. It would be traumatizing to find a dancing T-rex skeleton complete with multi-coloured disco neon lights...