Love without prejudice,

Silent but not empty.

The past two weeks have taught me aplenty, especially a noteworthy serendipity on board bus 95 on the way back home from Arts. It was 3pm, I avoided the window seat because of the intense midday sun. Left it empty and sat next to the aisle, secretly praying that the bus would be empty enough for some personal space. But alas, everyone started filling up the bus at the NUH stop. One of them was an intellectually disabled guy who staggered his way through, in hopes of getting a seat. What was most astonishing was that no one in front offered their seat, or removed their bags on the empty seat next to them; so I grudgingly moved into the midday sun spot, using my calendar as my shield against the sun glare. He smiled politely, but didn't utter a word of thanks.

Later, after he alighted at the Buona Vista train station stop, he knocked profusely on the window pane next to my seat and placed a foolscap against the glass with a "Thank you" scribbled clumsily over it whilst waving fervently. The woman who received him, presumably his caretaker, smiled and gave a nod of acknowledgment.

What a day brightener and a humbling incident! The mile in the smile truly lives up to its name, for it goes a long way. If only we could celebrate our differences amongst ourselves, and love without prejudice.

In a whole different context, past two Fridays have been really therapeutic - Be it sipping white wine in the stillness of the night by the beach, or in the embrace of the breeze by the poolside staring at festive light reflections on the surface of the water. Such moments which just take you away from the bustle of everyday life. Or in my words, the true luxury of life.

Photograph: Sunset taken at Pinnacle@Duxton