Recent Reflections.

I went to visit Ms. Lim today at her shop today with Leslie. We had a nice chat, talking about stuff and reminiscing about ahschoir. She seemed happier than before, and her shop has turned into a meeting place where her ex-students can visit her and join her for tea. Her shop sells all kinds of music books and choral scores, and is located inside Swee Lee Music Co., 3rd Floor, Bras Basah Complex. Do go to her if you need any music books!

Before that, I met up with Louis to collect my Adidas bag and pass him his present from Prague. We chatted for awhile, and he showed me his journal. I was very touched by his journal. It was just a simply sketch book with designs made by himself. But somehow, I felt that it was very Louis and I am glad that he found a way to express his inner feelings. As for myself, I used to have that artistic streak in me but recently, I have turned shallow and found myself losing that streak. The creative me is lost. The only outlet of expression for me now is only through singing in the choir. Well, at least I still have that outlet.

WW has got some very lucky breaks and I am truly happy for him. It is a wonderful thing to be closer to your dream, although the path that you tread on may be full of obstacles. Whose path to their dreams aren't? If so, that can't be what you truly wished for.

I have also been reading this book, The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang. It is a recollection and examination of the invasion and occupation by the Japanese of Nanking in World War II. As I read this book, tears filled my eyes several times as I took in the gruesome details of the numerous nameless men, women and children who were killed, raped or tortured. I finally understood why till today, the Chinese are still so filled with hatred and anger towards the Japanese authorities who denied or misreported the facts of the invasion. I have been taught for many years to read everything I come across with skepticsm, and not to believe wholly and easily. But it seems that academic works and books on this so-called massacre are few, and this book is one of the most famous and detailed.

There were many first-hand accounts and documents depicting the true horror of the invasion, some by the victims and mostly by the brave international community who stayed and tried their best to protect the Chinese during the war. I cannot comprehend why till today, some Japanese authorities choose to play the whole thing down, or even deny it fully. I feel that Iris Chang has done a good job trying to describe the whole event as objectively as possible and quoting from a large pool of resources. And I think that many factors caused such a tragedy to happen. No one side is fully right or wrong. Human nature can be so distorted and ugly, yet in such tragedies, it can also be so courageous and selfless. How contradicting the human nature is! We cant even understand ourselves, how are we going to fully comprehend the things that happen around us?

Hmm.