The Floods of Johore

Went to Batu Pahat last week- saw houses submerged in water in Pagoh & Parit Sulong. Despite the flood, saw some teenagers having fun wading the water in Parit Sulong. In Pagoh, next to the river, male youths used a net to catch fish in murky water, of chest height.

Inner road in Tangkak was inaccessible- our bus used the Pagoh way instead. Suspect that Yong Peng is also flooded- Sri Medan was affected, as reported in the news.

We passed by a school that housed the affected families. Saw clothes hanging outside, on a makeshift clothesline.

Yesterday, a quake hit Taiwan and disabled international internet links. Some people complained about the inconvenience (of not having Internet connection) while somewhere far far away, some other people are made homeless.

My Place in the World

Went to a meeting on Friday related to a state-level competition. The committee members were primarily academics and I learnt a lot just by being in the same room with them. One important lesson that I learnt after 25 is that 'I can learn a lot from others when I stop talking and start listening'. Listening, to me, is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish especially when I love talking so much.. and I like being right all the time. Maybe that's why I have so few friends growing up.. haha.

Observation is another skill I'd like to hone. I have noticed that with age, I am able to 'read' people by what they say and how they behave. And objectivity is key when people-observing.

I came away from the meeting thinking- what do I do next? Where do I belong? I know, big questions as a result of one meeting. But rest assured, my ultimate aim in life is to make a difference. Let me just touch one life at a time, starting with my little ones.