重游上海总结：记得要快乐

I was in Shanghai when the Mumbai bombs went off, and having just returned to HK today I could only catch the numerous Projectwhy blog posts I've missed over the past one week. As usual, I am touched. I felt warmth though my hands and feet are cold from the chilly weather. In the face of great upheaval, it is admirable being able to go beyond the grand narrative and fixing one's eyes on the pertinent details of daily life. Tears welled as I read about the plight of Radha's mother. I really want to help, but all I can offer now is the care of a fellow human being as I'm tied up financially having to put 4 children in rural China through high school and saving up for my brother's tertiary education.

These days, I've really been thinking what I would choose to do after my scholarship bond ends. Till now I have always fixated my sights on Singapore's education system, and gradually taking on more responsibilities as I ascend the hierarchy of the civil service. However, there came moments when I decided perhaps with greater knowledge of education systems back home and in developed cities, I could try to do more for developing states. Therefore, when the time comes, I think I will take time off to work with UNICEF or UNESCO, or even just spend 6 months to a yr with an NGO like Project Why. Who knows, I could even just do up my PhD then as well, combining knowledge and realities. Most Singaporeans probably wouldn't consider such decisions, because members of a small nation-state are often risk-averse and narrow-sighted. I guess China and India changed me, allowed me to fathom the power of spiritual happiness and understand life as I never knew it.

This December is a season of great inspiration, as I began to break down many barriers of thought that have built up over the past months. It's time I took stock of them and begin drafting commentary articles.

X'mas is coming in less than 3 weeks' time. I pray less souls will have to starve and chill this season.

Prayers,
Xiong