Happy New Year

A time for the new year, to ponder, reflect

On the tasks of last year did I bear some neglect?

.

Were my floors cleaned and scrubbed

On which a diner could sup?

Did my life take direction,

Was it down, was it up?

.

Can I look back and smile,

Feel I learned from the past?

Were the lessons I learned the type that will last?

.

Did I give of myself without being asked,

For no personal gain, just rewards in my heart?

With those whom I met, did my soul see their needs?

Was I selfish or giving, could a true friendship start?

.

Could they see I meant best, did my close family know

That their growth and their acmes set my heart all aglow.

And when looking within at the mirror on the wall,

Can my soul still stand proud,

Did I give it my all?

.

- Pamela Pauley-Perreault

Year 2007 has drawn to a close. Things that you have undone, things that you have done, reflect on it. There is no right and wrong, it's how you made your choices. No matter the choice, it always had consequences.

Like the paramitta of Viriya, the end result is of little consequence, what truly counts, is the effort. Do your best in everything that you do. Be mindful of what you do, for a wandering focus is not favourable.

I hope that the poem above will touch you suffciently, at any rate, to allow you to reflect on the past year and resolve to improve in year 2008.

All the best in your endeavours, and Happy New Year.

Best regards,
Marc Sng (House of Maha Kassapa)

Laugh out loud!

A young man named John received a parrot as a gift for Christmas.

The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary.

Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got even angrier and more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Suddenly, there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."

John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in its behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"

- from Cherise

庆公宴 '07

Kassapians,

Please confirm whether you are going to attend 庆公宴 ASAP and let your leaders or Clorine know.

Thanks,
Marc Sng

Annual Appreciation Dinner 2007 (庆公宴 '07)

Celebrating Singapore Buddhist Mission (Youth) 11th Anniversary and Singapore Buddhist Mission’s 26th.

The Annual Appreciation Dinner: Back to School is to reward and thank all members of Singapore Buddhist Mission’s youth group, for their countless contributions and sacrifices to the family!

2007 has been a fruitful year for us. We have organised many events together, played together, fall and cry and learn together as a family. We have shared tears and laughter, shed sweat and blood. But most importantly, we have shared a nostalgic and sweet wonderful memory of being together in the youth group!

Back to School! is fully sponsored for every one of you in this SBM youth family! Because every one of you matters!

Expect a nice sumptuous buffet meal and many fun games and activities! There will be a dance floor where all of you are welcomed to show your smooth moves and a karaoke system for you to show your singing talent.

This event will be held at the famous Lim Chu Kang crab farm. Private buses will be available to transport the members there and members are also encouraged to stay overnight.

Dress code: What else but your school uniform!

And if you do not have, (which is very unlikely) come in SBM tee shirt. Do come and enjoy yourself and have a laugh at everyone in the myriad of different school uniforms! It will be a fresh and interesting way to look at one another again!

TransportBuses will be arranged for the members to go to the crab farm. The bus will leave SBM on Saturday afternoon at two timings: 3.30pm and 5.30pm.

There will also be buses arranged for those who want to go back on Saturday night at 10.30pm to Lavender and Potong Pasir MRT station.