Brugges, Day 2

The next morning, I had an emergency text from Singapore and required some emergency communication tools from Tom. Thank God I wasnt living in a hotel. How expensive would all those overseas calls etc cost. And my plans were so delayed, I was so worried. I ended up cursing an irresponsible family member in SG (for screwing up big time) in front of Tom. I bet that changed his impression of Asians being very collectivistic and family-oriented.

Nevertheless, it got settled for the moment and Tom dropped me off at Brugges. I was so behind time - wanting to visit mini-europe back in Brussels, and had to get to Paris in time to meet Mayuko - I could sense an imminent break down. But break down is the last thing I could afford to have. I walked into the Heilig-Bloedbasiliek, a church which supposedly possess a relic containing remnants of Jesus's blood. I thought I had to pay, but amazingly, I walked in uninterrupted. Moreoever, there wasnt so much people. (I had expected a horde of tourists, all obsessed with seeing Christ's blood) The church was rather hidden but had impressive, albeit superfluous interior.

At 11am, I participated in this ceremony where people would queue up to touch the relic of Jesus's blood. As the priests was praying, the atmosphere intensified and the "presence of God" can be felt. Some participants broke down in tears when they touched "Jesus's blood". Curious I anticipated my turn. As doubtful as I was, when I neared to blood relic, I could feel very strong presence I never experienced before. I touched it, and I could almost tear. I left, with both a sense of awe, bewilderment and confusion. "Was that really the only remnant of Jesus's blood?" As I walked towards the souvenier shop, a church lady chatted with me. She asked me how I learnt of the blood ceremony. I replied "Long story. There was some serious mix up with my return flight. I planned to visit this church in the morning but here I am, chancing upon the ceremony." She replied "Wow. Truly, this is God's will."

I felt, feeling less angry towards that family member, and with a sense that perhaps, God is in control and could use bad events for good.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for the good to them who love God.

The Tabernacle

The priest with the blood relic. Photographs of the relic is not allowed.

Taking turns to touch the relic.

Heilig-Bloedbasiliek

Before leaving, I had time for a take away of some of Brugges's delicacies. Great stuff.

Today's a good day!
I remembered waking up to a bad sleep of block nose (i thought my nose blocks cos Sg is too humid. But I think staying in my room for too long causes my nose to block too). And today was the day I decide to go school (i have school 1 or 2 days a week). And I was seeing that the snow is melting. I have mixed feelings about it. Firstly, its not that cold, so its good. But the snow is melting and I really wanna ski when my leg recovers :(. So I was walking to school and asking God what am I doing here really, just keeping myself in my room for 6 days and going school for 1 day for the past 2 weeks.
Then I had project meeting. Wasnt that keen on it, bcos of the Korean girl & China girl in my group. Didnt really like them. I was so angry w the China girl once, I didnt publish that post. But basically, 2 weeks ago, she slammed the door at me, TWICE in concession, at me on clutches! And once, I open the door for her, while on clutches. Can you believe it. I dont want to generalise to all Asians, cos I think there are nice ones around, esp Sg ones. But bcos there are much more AngMohs here, some of the AngMohs strangers would rush over when they see me in clutches, just to open the door for me.
She offered chocolates, and I simply ate 90% of them myself.

Well. I didnt need to do the stupid project work on leadership. They wanted to work on the Czech president. But it didnt seem interesting to me. Seriously, I think LKY owns. But I dont want to appear to be so nationalistic and bias. You can find utterly brain-challenging controvery articles on LKY and his leadership. They decided to split the work and they gave me the hand-in assignment with this Black girl. The Korean girl, was simply, not give any task for this seminar group. And when I pointed it out, she defended by saying that the czech guy (jakub) said she didnt need to do. How conveniently lazy. But anyway, I looked at the assignment qns and thought that this is so easy to do, so I offered to do everything myself and the Black girl had nothing to do. So 2 person in my group had nothing to do. Much to their delight that I volunteered to complete the assignment alone. Reward is that they will not touch me for the next 2 weeks :). But really lah. I completed the assignment in 40 mins. What makes it so difficult? Sometimes I wonder whether Singapore education makes Singaporeans work so damn fast compared to them.
Jak()b is RIDICULOUS.
He said "But my english is not so good to present to everyone"
And they said my english is good. But I said that Im on clutches, so dont expect to stand while u guys sit. Please, their english is good enough. How lame. Its just a presentation, to the rest of the class whose English is not 1st lang anw. Sometimes, Im tempted to speak as fast as Singaporeans speak, just to watch their baffled look and reply "sorry I dont understand" Especially to people who keep saying their English is not good and whine is this self-pity, and always use this EXCUSE to escape work or push things that they dont want to do to others.

But then, this is a good day because.
1) I opened my bank account finally (they said they'll do it for me by mail 2 weeks ago but didnt. Either way, Im just glad that I did. And then monday, I have to go down again and 2 weeks later, get my Visa :). It'll be much better since many places here in Europe dont accept this card, that card, whatever. Now I have a card from a European bank. No excuse for not accepting my card)
2) I went to international coffee hour. Francesso said he lives not far from Venice. And he could meet me there in June and show me around :))). I get excited travelling alone. I get excited travelling with fellow Singaporeans or wherever you are from. I get more excited travelling with the native of that country who can proudly show me their country :)).
3) Lesson in East Asia was really good. "New religion" is really interesting. And I can write a paper on Christianity in East Asia. Its not gonna be easy. But at least something I dont mind doing.
4) I met a good China boy (HOW RARE). Who, decides to be abit different from the other antisocial China pple, and go to international coffee hour regularly. He showed me the cheapest rice I could find, even cheaper than the Asian Immigrant shops. Its the same price as rice in Sg.
5) Ganesh lend me his rice cooker for 3 days cos he's going on a holiday trip to tromso over the weekends. :))).
6) My leg is getting so much better. I hope I can go Lofoten with Anne and Anna end of next week. Air ticket, please dont escalate in price this week.
7) I managed to kop alot of cookies from International coffee hour. The people working in the bar already knows me as the guy on clutches who loves cookies. So some of them give me ALOT ALOT ALOT. Some dont bother to pour it out in a plate, just give me the packet - which is better for me. Its not nice to be seen putting cookies one by one into my bag like im stealing. So I save money on snacks.
8) Carling Cup Final between Spurs and Man U.
9) I can tell my dad to stop telling the nieghbour to keep quiet. Its not their fault. Its "marble-dropping phenomenon" So he can rest well.
10) For once, there was a concert that I enjoy. The one in Bla was really good the first time I went. But they keep singing the same thing and it gets bored after a few weeks. And I feel damn weird ever since that Norwegian woman stranger made me dance with her twice in front of everyone. It wasnt that nice an experience. There are many other exotically oriental pple (the Asians) in Oslo. Pick on someone else. But I was impressed with this Solo guy who studied MUSICOLOGY and he's having a concert in Amatoren, which is 2 mins walk (ok 5 mins for me on clutches). It at 10pm. :)
11) VERY IMPORTANT. I FOUND THE OTHER SIDE OF MY EAR PLUG! I'VE BEEN SO WORRIED THAT ITS GONE FOR GOOD. Today, I strip and dont know where, it drop out. Hahaha. (I need ear plugs to sleep for those who dont know)
12) Yes, I want a party to celebrate that I am walking again, and I am finally settled and not moving house ANYMORE! This place is perfect. It is the highest floor and I live on a slope. My balcony can see the whole city. Perfect for party.
13) I am not moving anymore, so I can finally put in effort to make this room more decent for living.
14) i dont know. Jesus is good. :)
15) Everyday, I bask in God's love more and more.

Paris, Day 1

End of Paris, Day 1