Forging Men of Steel

I see the light,
But how to make you see?
That simple path,
Out of the woods we are in.

Are the standards not clear?
Or the requirements obscure?
Must I really be the terror,
To hold you all together?
Must I pull out the cane,
For you to learn through pain?
Must the fire be lit?
Must the forest burn?
Must all be lost,
Before we can learn?

Let the occupation begin,
For the Black Knight has come.
The beatings shall continue,
The screams fill the halls.
All shall suffer,
Until as one we walk free.
Forged in the fires of Hell,
Tempered by the Abyss.
Men of character,
Leaders supreme,
Living up to their name,
Surpassing all always.

* I know it doesn't really rhyme, but this is an echo of my thoughts as I sit here now, unable to sleep, because of all these things that keep my mind occupied. The second part reads:

When you emerge from the woods,
Emerge from the darkness,
Free from oblivion,
Free from despair.
Will you remember me,
The smith of men?
Who from lumps of metal,
Forged men of steel.
Or will I just be,
The painful terror?
Best forgotten,
Never remembered?

First day at school

The kid's first day at school today. I didn't manage to go with him; wife accompanied him to school instead. Seems like he managed to adapt well into the new environment, even though he may not be very used to the language (we don't usually speak English at home).

Seeking the origins

I am obsessed with knowing why we do certain things. I like to know the origins of what we do.

Why do we bury our dead?

How is the origin of Christmas linked to religions in early human civilisation? In similar fashion, how is Good Friday and Easter linked to celebrations of the coming of spring, and why do we celebrate the coming of spring in the first place?

Where did we originate from? How did our ancestors move across that time and space to spread over the whole earth?

Why is it in some cultures, wives are called by their husbands as "sisters"? Is there a root in more primitive times? Or is it something to do with social structure?

The list of questions goes on...

Hit list 2013

I don't like to list down resolutions, but here are some things that I want to do for 2013.

- Learn Korean.
- Visit South Korea.
- Help my taiji teacher write his book.
- Attempt qualification exam for taiji instructor.
- Visit my mentor at his new home in Nevada.

That's all for now. The list is likely to grow...

Welcoming 2013

Goodbye 2012! It has been a fast year, eventful too, spanning two countries.

Parted with my MTG cards.
Met ex-PM Nakasone.
Returned to Singapore after a year in Japan.
Moved onto a new and more challenging job within the same organisation.
First movie with the kid.
Short break in Japan.
Switched to Linux Mint.
Got myself a tablet.
Class gathering after 22 years.

Welcome 2013! Hope it will be a good year ahead too!