Quick Sidetrip to Beijing

First published on January 17, 2012, Tuesday

 

I was so disturbed of the thought that I will be celebrating my 9th BapDay at Beijing International Airport since we have 12-hour stopover before our connecting flight going back home to Singapore. 12 hours was so very long and I can't think of ways of making the time pass without me feeling so bored.

But you know, luck was on our side. At immigration, the officer told us that we can actually go out to the City to burn the annoying 12 hours. Wow! I was so happy and astonished! I was so excited that my husband even asked me to control my emotions hehehe. This was actually the way I wanted to spend the waiting but I thought we needed a visa. We did'nt know until that day that going out of the airport while waiting for a connecting flight is allowed. I consider this thing as a very unforgettable gift for my BapDay. Yehey!

 

In my imaginary list, Great Wall was the primary priority in my must-see-places in Beijing. However, we ended up visiting Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and one local mall because the famous wall is so many hours away from the city.

Without a tripod, we gotta make a way to have pictures with us together. And here's the results. I think these photos are not bad at all ;)

The Tiananmen Square has a great historical signifacance in China history. Few of the things that I can remember is the bloody protest wayback in the 80's, and some more political protests that I cannot remember anymore why people did such protests. Damn. I was still a child then. All I cared for were toys and playmates.

Just behind the famous square is the equally famous and historical Forbidden City. It was built and developed during Ming and Qing dynasties centuries ago. Among all ancient building clusters in the country, this place is the most well-preserved and best maintained. Each cluster shows the great Chinese architecture. Also, each corner of Forbidden City will make you imagine how the lives were back those ancient times.

Looking at the whole place, I imagined the scenes I saw in Chinese movies. Those well-choreographed marching of soldiers, a king so well respected in the midst of thousands of warriors asking them to do this and that with full authority, a lady fighter knocking down a batallion of antagonists (just like what Zhang Ziyi did in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and those warriors that can walk in the air and jump on top of trees and houses and buildings. When I was a child, I really believed that all of these were true. That all of these were special skills that is distinct to Chinese people only. Hahaha! What a gullible child I was.

Roaming around the busy streets Beijing. (From L-R, down) 1. Standing by Tiananmen MRT station, 2. Walking along a sidewalk across The famous square, 3. Outside the mall we went to. Malls name? I forgot hehehe. 4. Inside the MRT station. Stampede! Hehehe. Too much people! As in.

Kidding aside, I adored Beijing so much. It was so nice seeing it for real.The infrastructure was great. The citylights were amazing. A clear picture of a progressive city. Then, I can't help to feel a bit sad. Filipinos are far more better than Chinese. But.... nevermind. I might go on a protest in front of Malacanang if I proceed with this discussion LOL. But yes, the city I saw was so amazing. Clean streets, wide roads (normal roads huh, I am not yet referring to expressways), bullet trains, high rise buildings, multi-layered flyovers. I really wanted to see more of Beijing City but we were running against time. Well, hopefully, there will be next time.

 

On our way back to airport, we spotted a mall that is just a step away from MRT exit so we took a short glance to see if the malls in China are different from what we saw in other places we've been to. Hehehe, craziness! Then inside, as we looked for a place where we can find something awesome to fill in our stomachs, we found Pepper Lunch! Yumminess! It's one of my favorites. this may not be awesome to others, but it is for us.Then, Pepper-Lunch-ing we went :) We ate what we can't in Singapore, the yummy beef and chicken pepper rice :)

Hopefully, (yes, I am hopeful) we can comeback here and see more of the China's beauty. See you next winter. When is that next? I don't know. But still, I am optimistic that we will see each other again.

By the way, all these happened on 03 January 2012. :D

Dressing Up Anew

Its been a while since I last wrote an entry in this blog. It is really a shame. Busy? Lazy? No idea? Whatever.

Now, I wanted to write again. I am no good but I will still do this. Now, I will be incorporating some more other categories. I wnat to share what I cook on a Sunday, where I went for holiday, what special events I went to, new friends I met, etc. etc. I hope this will work. I wanted to make this blogsite informative and interesting at the same time. I wanted to put so many things that when I grow older, I will read this all over again to remind myself of all I had for the past few years.

Happy writing to me!

Bro. Eli Retweeted my Tweet

On this rainy Wednesday morning, I woke up feeling so heavy because I slept so late last night. And as part of my usual routine before getting out of bed: check phone for emails. And this one email in my inbox made me grin like a child who saw a box of lollies! A notification from Twitter telling that Bro. Eli retweeted my tweet. Hahaha. Yes, I know it is so absurdly childish and a bit shallow but it really placed a sweet smile on my face.

Kidding aside, I see something more important point on this. Bro Eli Soriano is the most sensible, loving, intelligent and considerate person I knew all my life. And I am pretty sure, he did retweet my tweet because it makes sense.

After few minutes of contemplation, I assessed myself. I know, and I admit that I am a bit careless and frivolous most of the time. And I am aware that I am sometimes offensive. So, starting today, got to make it a point that I say and do things more responsibly and sensibly. With God's help, I can do this.

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The reasons why we don't celebrate All Soul's Day...

Today is the first day of November and as my calendar says, it is All Souls Day. Today is the time of the year where most people give so much attention on remembering their dead loved ones. They are spending too much effort praying, believing that they still can do something to save their deads from  a  place called purgatory (unfortunately, purgatory was never mentioned in the bible, not even once). They  are holding on to their belief that prayers can still do something to lighten whatever burden the deads are carrying. They believe that  eventually, when the prayers are already enough ,the deads will be moved to heaven (well, at least for those who believe). People believing on this passed on custom from generation to generation are either visiting church or cemetery and then they offer prayers, flowers, lit candles, and they even serve food hoping that their dead loved ones are hearing  and appreciating what is braced for them. It is saddening to know that important commandments such as this was not thaught by their church leaders.  They are not aware that God is not allowing  living people to communicate with dead people. It is an abomination to Him.

Deutoronomy 18:10-12

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Thanks be to God, He introduced Bro. Eli to me. I have learned why I should'nt  be a part of this baseless  and unbiblical tradition.

Here are some questions that I once asked about death and living that I learned from Bro. Eli:

First, is it correct to believe that dead people can still roam around and watch over the living? Sorry, but the answer is a big NO.

Job 7:9-10

As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so one who goes down to the grave does not return. He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more. 

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.

So, why we should'nt be praying for dead people? Because they are already in God's hands. Death is the end and after  that, people will be judged according to how he lived his life on earth.

 Job 12:10

For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.

However, God commanded us to pray for the living and not for those that passed away already.

I John 5:16 

If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 

 And because when we die, there is no amount of prayers from our loved ones that can add up any good for us so better do our best while we are still breathing. 

Ecclesiastes 9:10

¹⁰ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

Watch these videos so you'll know more about life and death according to what the bible is saying!

Is it true that souls can come back on earth after they have died?

Is it right to bless the dead?What happens to dead babies?

Where are the souls of the dead people now?

Related articles:
A Failed Attempt to Defend The Doctrine of Purgatory
Human Souls Are Purged But Not in Purgatory

Goodbye, Sweet Yue Yue...

Days ago, the world was shocked and enraged at the same time by this brutal incident. I first saw a caption about this video captured by a CCTV camera in Gaungzhou, China in Facebook. I watched the first few seconds but  on the part when the child was already hit by the car, I can't merely stand watching the full film. I can't help but cry.  It was heartbreaking. For me, those people that saw the child but did not do anything to help, they are more than heartless.  Sorry, but that is the best word that I know will suit them.  The only person who dared to help the little kid was even accused of being publicity-looking old lady. Ridiculous.

Chen Xianmei, a helpful -old woman  was the only one who helped the 2-yr old kid.

Until now, I am astonished on the behavior that the passers-by have shown. The way they responded to the situation did not even show a slight shadow of concern. It was so unusual. I do not know what's in them but there is one thing I have learned from the bible and I strongly believe that it is guarateed true: by nature, all human beings are equipped with God's words. It is written in the heart of each one of us. It is just up to us whether we follow our conscience or not.

Romans 2:15 

They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.  

But it is not yet the end of the line. God is forgiving more than anyone else. he will surely be glad to accept those who will turn their backs from evil and decide to walk on the path He wanted us to take.  God has the power to enlighten people's minds. I hope and pray that God may see some beauty in their hearts and give them chance change before it is too late. 

Deutoronomy 30:19 

 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. 

The struggling toddler, Yue Yue..

Now, the toddler is dead due to internal organs failure. The kid managed to fight but God has taken back   the little child's life now. For Yue Yue, thanks be to God for the world have known you. Though it was in a tragic way, at least, you have left a mark and story that everybody will learn something from. You are indeed beautiful and God will bring you in heaven when it is the proper time already. That is for sure. Among with others who died as kids and babies, You are lucky.

Matthew 19:14

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Related links:

What is the true meaning of life?
Will God hear the Prayer of a Woman Facing an Abortion?