Thursday, October 22, 2009

Less is More, Oct 2009

"飄流日記"

Today (1st) is a leisurely day and a public holiday in Hong Kong due China's 60th Anniversary. I bought a new monthly pass (HK$180) when Green Green opened her doors at 9 am, allowing me unlimited access to the pool this month, so I intend to go twice today. An hour later we had breakfast (HK$24) at Blue Blue, read the papers there and shopped at the supermarket, arriving home at 1145 am. We prefer to stay in Ma Wan on Saturdays and holidays to enjoy a quiet rest and to avoid paying for fares. After having fruit salad for lunch, we slept till 3 pm. Wife prepared soup and watched a cable movie at the same time, while I headed for the pool again. After dinner, we went to the pier for an hour's walk, returning home to do the laundry.

Mid-Autumn/Mooncake (3rd) festival is a festive occassion and a big thing at Ma Wan. I don't know where the revelers are from, but they brought their lanterns, candles, towels and even picnic tables to the beach. It was quite a sight. We could not resist and joined them for a stroll.

After 40 days at Park Island, we went to the third, last and grandest of swimming pools - Chic Chic - the moment they opened the doors at 9:30 am. I swam five laps, the first time I do so in Hong Kong. Like I say, I live in Ma Wan, not Hong Kong, because it is more like a hamlet community than a city estate. No wonder I hear that kids sometimes cannot adjust to schools or living outside the island.

Flu season is in, I feel it today (5th), and I am one of the first victims. I am so used to sneezing in the morning that I dismissed the symptoms. Thankfully, I survived the rest of the morning's class, but the full effects were felt in the afternoon. I can not get sick yet because I still have a class to teach tomorrow night. After work, I took a rest and then went for my pool exercise, which was quite relieving, but the symptoms reappeared again after exercise was over. So I intend to take Panadol - my first in Hong Kong - and sleep earlier tonight.

After mid-autumn's arrival the weather has cooled down considerably. Occasionally I sleep without the ac unit on. I sneezed today (9th) after exercising in the outdoor pool. In the coming weeks I will try to stay indoor to avoid catching a chill.

DHL is a joke. It took making at least seven calls and talking to seven employees in two days to get a package in my name. We had a package (9315 727 831) sent from the States on Friday that landed in Hong Kong at 1 pm the Saturday but did not get to its Tsuen Wan facility as promised by 11 pm. So we asked it to be transferred next day to its only 24-hour center in Cheung Sha Wan since all its other centers were closed on Sunday (11th). We went there at 8:15 am but they refused to let me have my package for the next 45 minutes even though I was in person and I have my I.D. with me. They said I do not have the documentation for the transference, which I had sent. Plus, I am not allowed to do the documentation on the spot. They said it is policy. Say what? Is policy more important than the person? Is man made for the Sabbath, or the Sabbath for man? What is the purpose of a policy? Seems that its purpose it to protect the company rather than the customer. Such policy will spell its doom. Already it is not competitive in the States, the biggest market, with UPS and FedEx grabbing the lion's share of the market. Then I found a blog with worst complaints than mine.

Today I was grouchy because a new ferry leaving Ma Wan at 7:24am was late arriving at Tsuen Wan by one or two minutes, making me barely miss my 7:42am train to Yuen Long. The next train was due in 3 minutes. I wonder why the new ferry service in a newer ship and all is slower than the old one. Such is life in Park Island due its distance from land, but it is a small sacrifice for the tranquility there. Thanksgivings abound, too. I was blessed today (21st) reading a comment from Iraq, which also reminds me not to miss out on others, see below:
“Mr. Yap, I am in the US Air Force Stationed in Iraq. I have enjoyed reading the first three sermons you posted for Nehemiah. Have you finished this series? If so, is it possible to get an email copy. I would love to finish them. Thank you for your assistance.” In Service to God, Paul MSgt Paul Lyman United States Air Force
“Every time I receive your message, it's great helper for me, thank you very much. God bless” David Lee, Ethnic Ministry Pastor, Matthews, NC 28105, Oct 14th
“Thank you Rev. Yap, this is what we need to do on the earth in such dark hours. God bless your heart and work, it is so encourage, we helping people not because of man, but of God.” Judy, Oct 14th

I have been doing some soul-searching, examining how can I best use my gifts for ministry. After a year here, my heart is still on developing Bible study and preaching resources for my website http://www.preachchrist.com/, then translating all my sermons into Chinese, which is halfway done, and doing more intensive courses in Asia. The first two are priority because my internet project and writings travel around the world far quicker than I can. Today (29th) vinemedia.org requested my materials for their website. It seems like literature ministry might best compliment my vision.