A Fifteen Year Old Boy’s Wish To Go To A Playground A day before the September term break began, I suggested excitedly to my fifteen year old son, Kyan, “School holiday is starting tomorrow. Dad is taking you out to play.” Kyan is non-verbal and moderately autistic. He […]
Our Days Are Numbered I told a friend MM recently that my days were numbered. “Probably no more than fifteen thousand day left,” I emphasised strong on the numeral. MM was stumped for words. I explained with a chuckle, “I am not dying. Just do your sums. It’s […]
I have decided to take a break. A brief hiatus of two weeks from everything I usually do, including blogging. It’s a month of school holidays for the children in June. And it’s also a time for the family to spend time doing something different. Finally, after nearly […]
An Insensitive Remark Two days ago, I received an alert to look out for an autistic child X who had gone missing. What would you have done? Some people might have carried on with their own business without batting an eyelid. Some people might have taken a closer […]
Living in the moment or evading problem? About three weeks ago, a friend Ms. Loo joined me for a morning walk. The air was fresh, the scenery was beautiful and the company of a like-minded friend was great. I told her, “I realise that as we get older, […]
Something Happened Just When The Plane Took Off Just hours ago, I was on a flight to Perth, Australia. Safely buckled up in my seat, I was all ready to fly. Then just moments after the plane took off, a piece of heavy-looking luggage flew out of a […]
近凌晨1点了，我竟还没睡意。不仅如此，我还悠哉悠哉地一个人坐在一家茶室，慢慢地消磨时间。 认识我的人都知道，我的作息习惯像老头儿一样，晚上十点上床，早上五点起身。本来朋友们怕我一人在外地寂寞，还相邀陪我吃宵夜。后来顾虑到我看来有些不适，又知道我有早睡的习惯，才做罢。让他们知道我竟一个人深夜溜出来泡茶室，不掉眼镜才怪！这时候不睡觉，还有闲情逸致，听听歌，喝喝茶，写写字，连我自己都惊讶。 茶室里播放的歌曲都是近年熟悉的流行音乐，像薛之谦、李荣浩、周杰伦等的K歌。因为对歌词还算熟悉，我也不觉地随着哼歌起来。独自一人的心情并不寂寞，反而有些许任性的自由感。 坐着坐着，原来点的一杯玄米热绿茶也喝完了。就随意再点了杯珍珠奶茶和两样台湾风味的小吃：盐酥鸡和梅子番薯条。不知觉中，一个人竟享用着两人份的饮料和食物。平日运动上的努力和饮食上的用心，总在海外出差和旅行的时候破功！没办法，我觉得做人就该及时行乐。 这家位于新山奥斯丁（Mount Austin)的18度C茶室，我猜想是受台湾的18度C巧克力工房的启发而命名的吧。据说18度C巧克力工房的原意是代表制造巧克力时对温度的执着，这间茶室的执着又是什么呢？ 还好碰见年轻又健谈的老板之一家凤，我得到想知道的答案。可能是见我不像其他客人有朋友相伴，又看我对这地方甚是喜欢的样子。她也乐于和我聊两句。这下子，我才知道原来18度C茶室的名字由来并非模仿他人，而是她们坚持在奶茶制作的过程中，把煮得滚烫的茶水迅速冷冻至18度C以防止细菌滋生。听家凤说话，我觉得，难能可贵的是年轻人对创业的热忱和用心。就借这篇博文给年轻人的用心打气！ 18°C Tea•Café 地址：No 8 Jalan Austin Height 8/2 Taman Mount Austin 81100 Johor Bahru 营业时间：12pm – 1am (Monday-Thursday)；12pm-2am (Friday-Sunday) 想好了，下次还是会再来的。不过呢，和几个夜猫子的朋友在这里聚聚聊聊，那也会是件乐事吧。 我想，人若想身心健康，规律化的生活是必要的。但是，不必像守清规戒律般地一成不变。有时候，放松一下，会发现生活中不一样的精彩，同意吗？ 陈惠谦 William W. K. Tan 1 June 2018, Friday
