So... who are the bad people?

Kids with their innocence are wise beyond their age. If only all the grown up possess or perhaps still cling to an ounce of these innocence will perhaps lead this world to be a better place. My heart is sadden with what happen in Egypt and these past few days, Syria. News from all around the world show war and killing everyday. Syria tragedy really broke my heart. All those childrens lifeless... with future and childhood ruthlessly robbed from them. I honestly avoided the news these past few days... quickly clicking to other link and scrolldown the facebook newsfeed whenever I see another news or pictures of Syrian massacre. No... It's not that I don't care... I am a mother and I saw my daughter in each and every one of those children in war-torn areas... It is painful.

These past few days I have been struggling to keep up with my dissertation deadline. I mostly came home exhausted and fall to sleep right after dinner. However, I have a habit of waking up very early for quiet time. Those are the times, I looked at my daughter and wonder what kind of world she will grow up into? Praying for wisdom to raise her in Christian faith. Praying for her innocence and curiosity will develop healtily towards constructive and caring character. How I want to savour those moments as she sleepily trace her tiny hand on my neck - she always do this for comfort, then snuggle closely while breathing steadily. I can only pray and do my best to raise you little girl. Instead... my daughter with her innocence, reminded me of all those pearls of wisdom from day to day with her fresh perspective of life.

Arundel Castle - Photo from the Internet

Yesterday, we had a day-out to Arundle Castle in West Sussex. Simon, me and Tania together with our brothers and sisters from Holland who were visiting us in Brighton. It was a wondeful day, even the rain did not dampen our spirit to explore the castle and the village. The castle was beautiful and very well preserved. - I will continue the entry about the castle later - Anyhow... we explore the castle keep where there were the castle dungeons

Arundel Castle Dungeons

Tania and I looked down to the dungeon and saw a manequin doll posing as a prisoner to reenact the old days. she said, "Mommy, I saw something. What is that down there?"
I said, "That's a prisoner honey"
She said, "But Mommy... why?"
"Well...long time ago they put bad people in the dungeon"
Tania looked down again and think for a minute then she said,
"but... but.. but... Mommy! No Mommy... BAD people put people in the dungeon."

There you go... Wisdom out of the mouth of babes...
In the light of Syria... in the light of any war anywhere...
who are we to reduce others as enemy...
and justify punishing them to the point that you took their life away from them.
Who are you to play god?

Library

I love spending time at the Library, one because of the books. I love books, their smell, their physical presence that symbolizes rows and rows of rich knowledge ready to devoured. I love the still sound of the Silent study space, where sometimes near lunch time, my rumbling tummy threathened to turn me into a vicious troll whom everyone will cast and evil eyes on.

This morning as I waited for the library computer to boot, I cast my eyes around the social study areas where I have been 'nesting' for the past 3 weeks. Indeed, I see the same face on exactly the same spot. Different clothes and different hairdo.. but the same person, same frown and same dead serious stare on their computer screen. Occasionally, there's a new person who came early and seize someone 'regular' spot. Then that someone will come along, stop for a second few steps from the occupied 'regular' spot... cast a killing look toward the 'regular' spot snatcher then take a deep breath before unwantingly looking for a new spot.

I have several favourite spot in the library. I get bored easily and need suitable spot for different study need. Sussex University Library (Which I am sure similar to other library) has different study areas: Social Study areas, Quiet Study areas and Silent Study area. I am more of a silent study areas person. Silence helps my brain to focus and able to produce productive thoughts. One of my classmates and fellow library 'sitter', claimed that the silent study area drives her crazy. She needs to see people around or at least some movements and sounds. She always picks the social study areas. However, lately I have been using the social study areas simply because they have wide screen so I can see 2 or 3 douments at once. This is beneficial for my cross analizying research findings and comceptual frameworks. However, I do not really like the surrounding. First, too many people walking here and there. Second, people talking (although in a low hushed voice) but that's distracting. Third, nosey people glancing over the sceen I am working... that's highly irritating. Fourth, the ding sound of the elevator and the bam sound of the swing door always drives me mad.

Therefore, by lunch time, I shall look for another spot before I lose my sanity.

Anyway, do you have a favourite Library spot?