Signing Off

Am signing off for now. I'm going to a nearby province for a 2-day conference and off for home for a month vacation. I will keep you posted guys. Have a good day everyone.

Saying Goodbye – The last Full show

My last days in Longchuan has been agonizingly sweet. For no apparent reason, I was lackadaisical. Looking at my typhoon-hit room, I realized, I accumulated so much in the 2 years that I stayed here. But they are not all rubbish. I decided to dispose and hand down the things that the Support Group and Orphans can salvage and put to use. I am excited of going home – I really am. I do. But something is heavy – nope not my luggage. I thought it’s the humbling experiences that have enriched me as a person.

It took me a week to pack my things and the experiences I gained in two years time. I felt heavy but light at the same time because I know I made an imprint in the hearts and minds of the people I have worked with, made friends and socialized with.

The final week was emotionally draining as I tried to hide the sadness in my heart. The send-off dinner, the photo ops, the send off gifts and the wishes of wellness and luck has been overwhelming. But I was really struck last night as the Village Doctor I am working with closely called us up and said they are coming and it’s already 10 in the evening. His wife, son and one of the officers of women group with her daughter in tow came and brought us freshly boiled eggs and a fruit endemic in Longchuan named Xian Yan (see photo attached). I was touched. I do. I was misty-eyed receiving all the things that I thought one would only do to a close family member. In fact, they have given me a lot including a Jingpo Zu ethnic costume (see picture below. I really didn’t know how to thank them. As they’ve given me several send off dinner. It’s overwhelming to be honest I can’t contain here in my heart. These are the moments in volunteering that are priceless. You would know in your heart that you’ve touched lives.

I realized, I don’t need a damn indicators and a lengthy questionnaire to measure my impact here in Longchuan. I know and I truly believe I made a difference especially in the hearts of the people at the grassroots level.

I can now leave Longchuan with smile in my heart – forever.

Parting Words

I am not good at saying goodbye to people. It eats me up all the time. Today, is my exit meeting with the partners here in Longchuan. I am happy that the support groups were able to come. I am grateful for the nice words and appreciation of my contribution. I know that at times like this, I can be emotional and so it was so wise for me to prepare my speech. It was nice as well that the support group would want a copy of it (souvenir baga - LOL). Take a look at it.

Tadjia Hao!

With your indulgence, allow me to read my prepared speech because at times like this (saying goodbye) I can become emotional and when I am emotional most of the time I lose my points.

Exit meeting like this is the event I would want to skip If only I can. If only I can leave Longchuan without a trace then I would really do it. BUT I CAN’T. I JUST CAN’T. I can not just leave all of you without saying GOODBYE because you have been a significant part of my wonderful 2-years stay in Longchuan. You made me feel like I am not a “laowai”. The warmth of your reception made me feel safe and secure. You made Longchuan my home away from home.

Looking back 2 years ago - Will I survive in China? Was the biggest question in my mind. And now I can proudly say, yes I survived China, I survived Longchuan. My journey as a volunteer might have been tumultuous but I felt triumphant of my decision to render my voluntary service in Longchuan. This placement has been very challenging in many different ways from language to working styles to organizational culture to local food, to weather and lifestyle. But these challenges did not deter me to work alongside people and try making a difference. I do not really know If indeed I made a difference here but I am already happy to know that I won many friends in Longchuan. Friends who are etched in my heart forever. To describe my journey is like riding a roller coaster with its up-and-downs but the beauty of this ride is that I was able to witness the unfolding of each event that led me to appreciate the beauty of life’s imperfections. The ride afforded me the thrill of a lifetime no one can give me.

My placement afforded me a very rich-learning and humbling experience. To have been able to work closely with People Living with HIV has been the most rewarding experience I would cherish forever. They are real people. Their stories are real. I deeply felt the big dent they have made in my life than I making an impact in theirs. I do believe that a volunteer placement is not only bounded with what is written in placement documentations. But the real challenge is how to bring the lives behind this placement documentation into full play in order to make a significant difference on the lives of those who are poor and disadvantaged.

I am so proud of Longchuan. Why? Because you showed to me that “unity in diversity” exist among various ethnic groups. The magnificent display of your pride of your diverse ethnic culture and customs bring an overwhelming lesson to me that I can take home. Longchuan made me realized that despite difference in language, race, color or belief, we can indeed create a friendlier and harmonious global community that is more habitable place to live in.

All of this experience would have been impossible without you. First and foremost, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to Yang Xinmei for the leadership and the friendship. Yu Qiang – my counterpart who has been there every step of the way. Thank you very much.

I am indebted to People’s Hospital – Dr. Li Jiping, Dr. Yang Haiqin, Dr. Fu, Dr. Xu Yu Wun and the men and women working in the hospital for the friendship, the work and assistance whenever I needed them – words are not enough to say thank you very much.

I would also like to say thank you to the men and women of AIDS prevention and coordination office headed by Ms. Mei Hongying for the countless support you have given to all volunteers who have been here.

Ms. Yang Dafen of Foreign Support Office, Dr. Hou Zengsen of Women and Children’s Hospital, Ms Jiang Yong Yun of the Bureau of Education, Dr. Dao Qingfen and Dr. Zhang of CDC – thank you so so much for the wonderful work experience with you.

The active and energetic Village Doctors Dr. Yin Zu Luan, Dr. Yin Xing Wei, officers of I Care Support Group headed by He le ka and United for a Common Cause Support Group headed by Yue Maji – I don’t know how to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you but let me say it in my language – MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

Last but definitely not the least – VSO for providing me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To Li Anyuan (Kevin) and all my former National Volunteers – thank you very much for without you – there’s nothing that I can do. It is because of your work that made everything possible.

There are so many people to thank here today and my list is endless. I may not have mentioned you here but rest assured you are here in my heart.

I hope everyone can be an agent for change. Change to improve the loves od those who are poor and disadvantaged.

Xiexie Tadjia.

Poetry in Motion

You
I’m starting to miss you, Yes You
Oblivious when the time I first met you
You surprise me as time flies
I am falling I realized

You made me feel I am home
You made me feel I belong
Longing to be prisoner again
Of a world you and I belong

Your soft velvety skin…
Ah…how can I forget it
The warmth you gave me
When I needed them in those cold lonely nights

The comfort you gave me
When I am at my lowest ebb
The security you gave me
When my body inches close to you

And as I bid goodbye to you
Let your warmth ablaze me
That no storm nor time can efface
For in my heart, you are carved no one can remove

Until then. I’ll see you when I see you.

Khalil Gibran's Thoughts on Love and Marriage

Love is in the air whether you like it or not...whether you are alone or clinging to those warm loving arms of somebody else legal or illegal (LOL). But isn't it love is always right? For love can't be wrong but lovers do. And to console those who haven't been hit by Cupid yet, don't worry love can be expressed in so many ways and forms - all to your desire wahahahahaha.

I am actually in the middle of moving out - packing, report writing but something is poking my fingers to post something in my blog anything about love. Damn it - I've been out for a week from my blog and I hope I can catch up from my absence.

So I decided to share with you some of my favorite lines of Khalil Gibran's masterpiece (The Prophet). I have been reading his book for the nth time and everytime his words are very potent that it always give me chills down to the very core of me. I am always high with his thoughts.

So here they are:

On Love
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the Garden.

For even as love cronws you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He treshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
he grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;

And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.

On Marriage
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a movign sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

So, let's just wait and see the works of love. Indeed, it moves in mysterious ways. Stay happy guys and happy valentines day everyone.

World's Best Resignation Letter?

Let's take a break! When everything becomes toxic, we need to keep our sanity. I had a good laugh reading the post on Nax Joan's blog on the world's best complaint letter to Virgin Atlantic's Airways and I bet this world's best resignation letter will drive you nuts. I received this email from a Kenyan friend based in Lesotho, Africa. Enjoy.

Dear Mr. Baker,

As an employee of an institution of higher education, I have few very basic expectations. Chief among these is that my direct superiors have an intellect that ranges above the common ground squirrel. After your consistent and annoying harassment of my co-workers and me during our commission of duties, I can only surmise that you are one of the few true genetic wastes of our time.Asking me, a network administrator, to explain every nuance of everything I do each time you happen to stroll into my office is not only a waste of time, but also a waste of precious oxygen. I was hired because I know how to network computer systems, and you were apparently hired to provide amusement to your employees, who watch you vainly attempt to understand the concept of "cut and paste" as it is explained to you for the hundredth time.You will never understand computers. Something as incredibly simple as binary still gives you too many options. You will also never understand why people hate you, but I am going to try and explain it to you, even though I am sure this will be just as effective as telling you what an IP is. Your shiny new iMac has more personality than you ever will.You wander around the building all day, shiftlessly seeking fault in others. You have a sharp dressed, useless look about you that may have worked for your interview, but now that you actually have responsibility, you pawn it off on overworked staff, hoping their talent will cover for your glaring ineptitude.

In a world of managerial evolution, you are the blue-green algae that everyone else eats and laughs at. Managers like you are a sad proof of the Dilbert principle.Seeing as this situation is unlikely to change without you getting a full frontal lobotomy reversal, I am forced to tender my resignation; however, I have a few parting thoughts:

When someone calls you in reference to employment, it is illegal for you to give me a bad recommendation as I have consistently performed my duties and even more. The most you can say to hurt me is, "I prefer not to comment." To keep you honest, I will have friends randomly call you over the next couple of years, because I know you would be unable to do it on your own.

I have all the passwords to every account on the system and I know every password you have used for the last five years. If you decide to get cute, I will publish your "Favorites," which I conveniently saved when you made me "back up" your useless files. I do believe that terms like "Lolita" are not viewed favorably by the university administrations.

When you borrowed the digital camera to "take pictures of your mother's b-day," you neglected to mention that you were going to take nude pictures of yourself in the mirror. Then, like the techno-moron you are, you forgot to erase them. Suffice it to say, I have never seen such odd acts with a ketchup bottle. I assure you that those photos are being kept in safe places pending your authoring of a glowing letter of recommendation. (And, for once, would you please try to use spellcheck? I hate correcting your mistakes.)

I expect the letter of recommendation on my desk by 8:00 am tomorrow. One word of this to anybody and all of your twisted little repugnant obsessions will become public knowledge. Never f*ck with your systems administrator, Mr. Baker! They know what you do with all that free time!

Sincerely,

David Blocker
Network Administrator

Embracing Diversity

Everything seems to be back to normal. The festive mood of the spring festival has died down gradually. The streets are deserted once again. Longchuan is back to being silent. But in the 2 years that I witnessed and joined their festivities – the memories has been banging my heart and my mind and the messages flashing are too loud to ignore.

Seeing the local and ethnic community so ecstatic over the 3-day ethnic dancing is truly refreshing and heartwarming. There are 5 major ethnic groups in Lonchuan and these are Jingpo, Dai, De’ang, Lisu and Acang Zu. These ethnic groups converge every year for the ethnic dancing during spring festival.

The Ethnic Dance…

The 3-day ethnic dancing of around 5,000 – 10,000 people as I was told is about thanksgiving. It could be likened to ‘Sinulog’ in Cebu (religious festival in the Philippines) or ‘Kadayawan’ in Davao (thanksgiving festival). There is something special in this event. The formation of this dance, to me looks like a ‘cabbage form’ or a 'brain' which is highly convoluted. This formation apparently depicts their history of migration, attitude and convergence in diversity as a community despite their differences. The Chieftain (wearing an eagle headdress) takes the lead. The dance is simple but the beat is uplifting.

As an outsider, I saw in the people their overwhelming pride. Pride in their roots, in who they are and in what they are as an ethnic group living in a highly changing modern China. I personally felt there is that conscious effort to preserve their culture as ‘Indigenous People’. And I have seen this not only during the ethnic dancing but in their day-to-day activities. I just really hope my country, my beloved country – Philippines would also learn from this. Western influence is higly changing the attitude, the norms and the culture of people. Recognition and respect of Indigenous Peoples’ Right to ancestral domain, culture, ways of life is crucial. By recognition and respect, I say that the Government should put genuine programmes and resources to cultivate and preserve the roots of Indigenous People. Let’s help as well IPs to take pride in themselves. How many ethnic people would introduce himself or herself as Bagobo, Manobo or Aeta (ethnic groups in the Philippines) when asked to introduce? Truly, we can hardly count.

I am so proud of China. I am so proud of Longchuan. Why? Because they showed to me that “unity in diversity” can exist among ethnic groups. As magnificent as the display of their pride of its diverse ethnic culture and customs is the sincerity and purity of peoples’ heart that I am able to develop meaningful relationship with local people. Longchuan made me realized that despite language and color difference, we can indeed create a friendlier and harmonious global community that is more habitable place to live in.