Ever Cheerful Liwen (AKA "Coco") Leading our group in one of the many Beijing streets 

To China and Back...

Arrived back in Singapore yesterday afternoon. Must say that I enjoyed my 2 week long immersion programme at Beijing University. The lessons were on the Chinese culture, practices, religion, social norms...to name a few, were pretty interesting (though somewhat heavy). And of course...not to mention, the shopping and food that we got to have over there (Peking Duck! *slurp!*) =P
I also managed to squeeze in time last Friday morning to grab a cab with Rach and attend mass at Beijing's oldest cathedral, "Dong Tang" (Literally translated: "East Hall") at Wang Fu Jing. Must say that it was an experience to attend mass in an orthodox Catholic church, in downtown Beijing...at 6:30 am. I've never gone for service so early in my life! Maybe its a start...haha! To see the devotion that the followers in that congregation have (who incidentally seem to be largely made up of old folks) would put our own congregations in Singapore to shame. The volume of their prayer, and the singing of hymns was all loud and clear...in unison and with focus (What the OCS Sergeant-Major would proclaim as "Sing with Gusto!!").
The same religion...but practiced in different parts of the world...sometimes reflects the social attitudes and demography...and even betrays mindsets toward religion. In Singapore, we are not restricted by laws governing religious practices. We are free to practice any form of religion, and hold any faith; as long as it does not carry detrimental effects toward our society. We see Hindu, Buddhist temples, Christian and Catholic Churches, everywhere. It is this incredible accessibility which we have (to find a way to salvation) which ironically makes us take it for granted. Perhaps, when we juxtapose our own situation to that in China - where churches are few and far between (the rest having gone underground to carry on their practice) - we would be able to see just how fortunate we are to freely proclaim our faith to a particular religion, without the worry of being persecuted.
Not been feeling particularly well either...must have been the air in Beijing...as well as the medicine I've been eating for the the flu/stomach upsets/etc...just pray that I'll pull through this ordeal. Urgh.

A Graduating class in front of BeiDa Xi Men (West Gate)...the Oldest Entrance to Beijing University. 

Comrade Shaun and I conquering the Badaling Great Wall... 

Here's lookin' at ya! =P (From Top: Xinyi, Dawn, Shaun, Rach, I, and Deliang) 

The class of Chinese Thought and Culture...at Yi He Yuan 

Huiying, Emelia, and I in front of QingHua University's old gate 

Soaking in the rays...with the world behind me, and the footfalls of thousands before me. I let the world pass me by...for a moment...