Visiting Phrae

Visiting Long, Phrae during the festive Songkran celebration in Thailand gave me a glimpse of how beautiful yet rustic the northern part of the country what with its vast rice fields, mountains, and nature bounties. I visited and marvelled at the great architecture of Wat Salaeng, located some distance to the southwest of Phrae.

These will greet you as you enter the main gate of the temple.

I stayed for three days as I had to attend to an ordination of which I will post photographs as the pictures tell the stories themselves. Meanwhile, let me walk you around the expanse of the surrounding area and see the grandeur of the place.

Three seated Buddhas of different postures and shade of colours.

I am a witness to how Thai people revere their Gods in such respect and honour, removing shoes or slippers before performing a wai ( clasping of the hands for prayers) and then bowing three times.

A smaller house of worship.

The strings that are attached to the main entrance are tied to some smaller strings under tents for the religious. When I see how the people tie the strings around their heads and hands, chanting together, it is the best way to pray in unison. As they always say, "If there are two or three that gathers in My name, I am in your midst."

A huge Buddha statue along the main entrance.

Each and every statue that are built along the vicinity are honoured and paid respect with flowers and incense sticks coupled with the proper wai and bow.

Sort of a watch tower as it is located at the western side of the temple.

The architecture itself is embellished with Thai designs making it prominent not just as a watch tower  but as a support to the entire architectural marvel of the area.

A great place for chants and prayers.

Here is where the Great Abbot stood near for the washing of the hands and where the novices gathered in groups of three to pray as a start of their monk hood.

The Old Ubosot

And the main attraction of the temple is this old ubosot (holiest prayer room), hidden by tall trees and greens. I saw each and every monks enter this small place of worship before doing their usual rounds.

I arrived home in the city feeling refreshed admist the heat. My coloration turned brown around the neck and my arms but they will be reminders of how rich and personal my experience were being a visitor and a spectator of something grand.

Three Cities

Art Exhibition again and these are three of the art pieces my students will be auctioning next week.

Standing City

Dancing City ( Orig: The Lost City 2 by Madart)

Dreaming City

All are inspired from original paintings found on the web. The children used acrylic to create the different colours and shapes. All of the art pieces this year are about their representations of the city.

Apologies

I received the news early Monday morning, the 25th of March. For the first time in a long while, I turned on my mobile phone at school since I asked a friend to call me about the air conditioning repairs to be done at my house in the afternoon. Knowing nothing about an incoming bad news, it was a shock when I heard from my youngest brother of my mom's demise. I bursted in tears.

I was brought home by the owner's driver and bought myself a ticket to go back home. That afternoon, I felt restless and wanted to do a lot of things but I had no energy to move. I received text messages from some few friends consoling me. I even received a call from a close friend from Australia but no tears came. I was holding everything in me.

The following day, I arrived the Philippines at 7 in the evening and went to the memorial chapel right after leaving the airport. There was an on going mass at that time. I found a seat and when family members were called to bless my mom with holy water I went, stood for awhile, and I was overwhelmed with grief, with tears running uncontrollably. It was my first glimpse of my mom since the day she said goodbye to me.

Jon, take care of yourself. (then giving away her sadness with tears)

Ma, don't cry when I leave the country. I cannot bear to bring your grief with me. I don't like to see sadness in your eyes. I am just some miles away and will always be back to visit. 

With sadness on our faces, we gave each other a big hug.

For the next few days, I discovered many things about myself. That I allowed myself to be away for so long with only little time to be with her. That I allowed myself to be away because I do not want to be involved in most of our family affairs. That I allowed myself to establish distance amongst my siblings and relatives. I became alone and lonely.

And as a few of my closest friends came to visit, I became even more humbled by being reminded that no one can be in this world alone. The presence of my friends during that particular moment became a shield to combat loneliness. It was a wake up call.

I sent my apologies to my mom through my constant conversations with her during the wake. I know that she understands me for being aloof and cold. I am just hoping that she will forget my shortcomings and treasure my undying love for the only mom I had.

With sincerest apologies, sorry Mama Josie.