Desiderata

The Disederata, a beautiful old poem by Max Ehrmann I read years ago of how one should live one's life. Highly recommended.

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
Not "Found in Old St. Paul's Church"! -- see below

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

My Bullies - Toro n Badger

Here are recent shots of my two lovely babies, taken after my return from Coolangatta. They just cant wait to be taken to their weekly walks/runs at Bishan Park.
Fred

Holiday at Coolangatta on Gold Coast Queensland

As I promised KY, here's a recollection of my week's holiday at the Beach Resort Hotel at Coolangatta, a two and a half hour drive south of Brisbane and at the border with New South Wales. Interestingly, just across the road is its twin city of Tweed Head in NSW where there is an hour time difference. Therefore shops and restaurants close an hour earlier. Btw, it's 2hrs and 3hrs respectively ahead of Singapore.
The drive south along the Gold Coast is the famous Surfers Paradise, packed with a hundred km of beautiful beaches and highrise building to cater for the crazy tourists including Aussies who were there for the sun and surf.
The view from our hotel room overlooking the stretch of beach facing the Pacific was breathtaking. We had a nice 2 br suite on a high floor via time share.
The 3 ladies however were more interested in mundane things like shopping and eating. I dutifully accompanied them for the first 2 days to the shopping centres, bazaars, markets doting the various towns and quit after that. They let me do my own thing - nature walks in the great outback, beachcombing and of course fishing along the coast and rivers.
Met 2 interesting characters - Turks named Mehmet and Engin - who owned a Turkish restaurant on the ground floor of the resort we stayed in. Their kebabs and fish n chips were good and reasonable.
They were pretty kind - they loaned me the fishing rod and gear - and chatty. They love to drink and so became my drinking buddies as I shared my bottle of rum with them. Mehmet has been here 9 years and is married to a Chinese national (with an MBA) whom he met in Newcastle. He tells me Aussie women are easy lays but dont marry them as they'll take all your assets when its over. Funny, as I thought his well educated wife (his second marriage) might be doing so for Aussie citizenship and then dumping him, as instances in Singapore.
Now for the 4 glorious days of fishing - the weather was mostly a great 20-25c, though it can be blustery at times along the groynes (rock wall jutting into the sea). In total I caught 5 fishes - breams and trevellys and they were great eating. We fried and had them for lunch. Only regret, I lost a big 2 footer - a tailor - as it bit and snapped the 9lb line after a 5 minute fight. As they say, the big one got away, only it was true. But it was fun anyway.
The rest of the time was spent at the hotel swimming, in the jacuzzi and sauna, great after all the eating. They is also paid internet service at the hotel but not on the high floor I was in, so bringing the laptop was a waste of effort.
The nite before we left the beautiful weather changed drastically. Typhoon, rain and hailstones along the coast, even a lightning strike which destroyed a home. Though it was still raining the following morning when we left, the worst was over.
I must say while I enjoyed the change, my heart was very much in Singapore and looked forward coming home. After all I had missed my 2 wonderful babe and their joy of seeing me was overwhelming.
Some photos attached
Cheers
Fred