there can be unity in diversity

Every year, when the Lunar New Year rolls around, someone always asks if I celebrate it. Yes I do, I always say.

I may not celebrate it in a purely traditional Chinese way, but it’s still an occasion that I look forward to. For me, this is often a poignant time because it reminds me of who and what I am.

My family -- including my in-laws -- always come to lunch on the first day of every Lunar New Year. Over the years, visiting friends and family have also found their way to my table on this day, and it is always a time of camaraderie and laughter.

This year, my dining table groaned under the weight of oxtail devil curry, Malay chicken curry, beef rendang, waxed pork sausages, homemade ngoh hiang (meat rolls), homemade char siew (barbecued pork), roast pork, udang nanas (prawns in pineapple curry) and asparagus with tofu.

And I was surrounded by Chinese, Eurasians, an Indian and a Dutchman -- every one of whom was family. A combination of English and Cantonese was spoken at the table, and if any of my dad's side of the family had joined us, Malay would have been added to the mix.

If it wasn't for the fact that everyone was shaking hands and wishing each other "Happy New Year!" while exchanging hongbaos, this could have been just any family get-together.

And for me, that's exactly what this was: a celebration of family; about ties that cannot be broken by anything -- least of all language, race or religion.

The eclectic menu that we enjoyed was simply a reflection of the diversity that makes up my family; that is a part of me.

My mum's pure Chinese, my dad isn't (there's Dutch blood somewhere but he grew up in a Peranakan family). My husband is Eurasian, with Portuguese ancestry. One of my two sisters is married to a Chinese. My husband's sisters are married to Chinese, Indian and Dutch men. According to my dad, my son is maybe a third or a quarter Chinese.

Much as I love Christmas, it is really during the Lunar New Year that I am reminded of my roots and grounded by them. And I rejoice in the fact that such a large group of people, with such diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, can still come together as a family, bound by the common threads of love and respect.

And at times like this, I'm also proud to be Singaporean, for it is truly one of the few countries in the world where people of different religions and cultures can sit together at a table to share food and conversation, in celebration of each other's festivals.

If it can be done at my home, and in this country, then surely it can also be done elsewhere in the world.

Happy New Year.

happy birthday to me

I've spent most of my birthday at work. Twelve straight hours in the office. I'd really wanted to get a day off today, but it being a Friday (the busiest day of the week at work), I couldn't.

So... bummer.

But there were lots of bright moments throughout the day.

Thanks to Facebook, a lot more people were alerted to the occasion and the well wishes that came my way -- not just from Singapore, but also Abu Dhabi, Australia and Germany -- really made a difference. Those well wishes started coming in from yesterday and kept on coming till about 11 tonight.

Wow.

I know some people will laugh and say that it's quick and easy to send birthday greetings these days because it's free.

Sure.

But I am still touched and grateful for the fact that these people
1. cared enough about me to even want to greet me on my birthday
2. took precious time off their busy schedules to type or text me a message of love and well wishes.

As I sit here now, I do regret that I was unable to spend my birthday more meaningfully.

But I'm glad to have this time now to reflect a little on the past year, on the choices I've made and the things that I've done. Not all have been wise and wonderful, but the fact that there are people in the world who love me and wish me well despite that, tells me I'm also doing some things right.

And that's a great birthday gift. Thank you all very much.

the letter

It's been a tough week.

Having returned to work only on Jan 6 after being on leave since before Christmas, getting back into the office routine has been a little difficult. And it isn't because I'm still nursing a hangover from the festive season.

I was actually really busy, juggling Christmas and my son's new school year preparations, but I loved every minute of it.

I got to catch up with friends whom I don't often get to spend much time with because of our busy work schedules. Best of all, I got to just be around my husband Brian and son Jordan, and enjoy one another's company. In between wrapping presents and preparing for Christmas, I spent whatever time I could conducting angel readings, healings, workshops and meditations.

My days and nights were full, but I was happy.

Even before I went on leave, I'd been getting signs and indications that the new year would bring more changes for me, and that I would very likely end up working part-time and doing more spiritual work. But because of the economic crisis, I thought I'd better hold on to my stable job for as long as possible, just to be safe.

But going back to work has confirmed that I am now at a point in my life where a career is no longer as important as it used to be. It's a good job, but it isn't something that I'd like to do for the rest of my life. Most of all, I hate the unending office politics and the negative energy that comes with it.

I knew in my heart that change was coming; I just wasn't sure when or how it would happen. But my answer came much sooner than I dreamed it would.

On Friday, we got our annual letters from Human Resources that tell us how well or how badly we've been banded by our supervisors, and how much, if at all, of a salary increment we will get. Let's just say that mine was a bummer.

Knowing that my immediate supervisor, who is younger, feels threatened by my experience and skills, I have tried for the past year to keep as low a profile as possible at work. I simply put in a full day's work and go home because I have found a joy and fulfilment in my home life and spiritual work that my job cannot compete with.

Yet despite lying low, everything about me riles her. And nothing that I do is right, as far as she is concerned. The letter that I got was proof of that.

But Brian has been wonderful. He was as upset as I was, at first. But later he came to me and suggested that I should consider working part-time so that I can concentrate on my spiritual work.

"We can easily tighten our belts," he said. "We've already got all that we need. We have our house, our car, and our animals. And you have your angels. You can just work three times a week and do your spiritual work. We'll manage. And we'll be happy."

And that's when I realised that this is how God and the universe has worked things out for me. The letter was simply a physical sign that was sent to me to confirm my life path. Better yet, it served to help Brian understand and accept that this is the direction which is best for me to take.

And he's right. I do have all that I need.

I am blessed with a loving husband, a wonderful son, beloved pets, supportive parents, true friends, a roof over our heads, food on the table, and a car to get around in. I also have guides, angels and archangels always around me, guiding, protecting and working with me. And last but not least, I have an almighty God who loves and watches over me, and who provides me with the tools and the assistance that I need to live a happy, fulfilling life -- even when I don't know what I want or need.

After having read my letter on Friday, I stuffed it into my handbag and couldn't even look at it again without feeling upset and angry.

Today, I look at the letter and I feel love and gratitude. For all that I have, and for the knowledge of what truly is important to me.