Here's the itinery for mum and I'l pilgrimage this year. I plan to bring my laptop with me to write a journal of the trip and so I can upload pictures to it to leave space in the memory stick for more photos. Hope to share everything with bb. :)

There's a site claimed to have "the most important tourist site in Palestine." They do cover most of the places we are going to visit this summer.

Click here for another link.

I'm a bit lost. Geographically speaking, do the Isralis and Palestinians occupy the same country but different region??

*************************************************************

Day 1 (Tuesday) - Flight to Tel Aviv

Airport: Ben Gurion

Day 2 (Wednesday) - Tel Aviv - Jerusalem

Church of Visitation - Church of Dormition [(1), (2), (3), (4), (5)] - Church of St. John the Baptist.

Day 3 (Thursday) - Jerusalem - Bethlehem - Old City

Bethlehem - Church of Nativity [(1), (2), (3)]- Church of Shepherd's Field [(1), (2)] - Old City - Wailing Wall - The Mosque of Omar [(1), (2), (3), (4)]- >The Mosque of El Aqsa [(1), (2), (3)] - The Crusader Church of St. Anne [(1), (2)]- The Pool of Bethesda - Way of the Cross - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre [(1), (2), (3)].

Day 4 (Friday) - Jerusalem - Mount of Olives

Mount Zion - King David's tomb - The Cenacle - Mount of Olives - Garden of Gethsemane - Church of All Nations - Church of St. Peter - Pater Noster Church - Chapel of Ascension - Dominus Flavit Church.

Day 5 (Saturday) - Jerusalem - Qumran - Dead Sea

Day 6 (Sunday) - Tabgha - Capernaum - Mount of Beatitudes - Nazareth - Tiberias

The Sea of Galilee - El Kursi - Mount of Beatitudes - The Sanctuary of the Beatitude - Capernaum - St. Peter House - Ancient Synagogue - Tabgha - The Sanctuary of the Multiplication of Loaves - The Church of Primacy of Peter - Yardenit Baptismal Site - Mount Tabor - The Church of Transfiguration.

Day 7 (Monday) - Tiberias - Cana - Haifa - Caesarea

Cana - The Church of Miracle - Haifa - Bahai - Persian Garden - Mount Carmel - Elijah's Cave - Caesarea - Roman Theatre - Ancient Seaport.

Day 8 (Tuesday) - Tel Aviv to Rome

Rome - Trevi Fountain - Pantheon - Colosseo - Arco di Constantino - Piazza Venezia - Basilica Maria Maggiore - Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.

Day 9 (Wednesday) - Rome

Vatican - St. Peter's Square - Basilica San Pietro - Vatican Museum.

Day 10 (Thursday) - Rome - Naples

Duomo - San Gennaro - The Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore.

Day 11 (Friday) - Naples - Pompei - Assisi

Pompei - Mount Vesuoio - Porta Marina - Basilica - Tempio di Apollo - Giove - Forum.

Day 12 (Saturday) - Assisi - Rome

Basilica of St. Francis - San Damiano - Basilica of Maria degli Angeli - Basilica of Santa Clare - Santa Maria Maggiore - Rome.

Day 13 (Sunday) - Rome

Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano - Scala Santa - St. Paul's outside the walls Church - Catacomba di St. Callisto.

Day 14 (Monday) - Return flight

Day 15 (Tuesday) - Back home

Mum and I will join Father Lok and others on a pilgrimage to Israel and Vatican/Italy. I told Sister Catherine that I would do some homework before I go. I very much treasure this opportunity. It's my first pilgrimage and I get to go to where Jesus was born and lived, and a chance to meet the Pope (although at a distance)! I'm so lucky! If you have read the previous posts, you would know how much I wanted to go - so much so that I was seriously considering resigning if my boss wouldn't allow my leave application! Anyway, I didn't need the ultimatum. :)

What homework? Well, learning and/or refreshing my memory of the significance of the various places that we shall be visiting.

I'm told that there are about 123 of us. Yes, it would be a very big crowd! It will be divided into 3 groups. I don't know if I would be in Father Lok's group, but it doesn't matter - I'm sure the other Fathers are just as good and kind :)

I also suggested to mum that she should do the same too. As Sister Catherine and she are going through the bible, starting from the Old Testament, I suggested that perhaps they could do the New Testament first.

I surfed on the net and came across a website of someone's journal to the Holy Land. I quite like the layout - it started with a summary before going into details. I may do similarly, in due course.

Nothing in particular to note today, at least as of now (the time this post is published is genuine, for a change! hee hee). I finished all my work and in fact, I didn't do much today. I've been surfing. The film Da Vinci Code is coming out soon and the Christianity (Catholics, Church of England and others) have some views about it. Opus Dei issued a statement in reply to what the Director had said too. Below is a copy of it from Zenit.

I spent the afternoon catching up on post of the last few days. Yes, I bit of cheating, I'm afraid. :P

**********************************************************************************

Code: ZE06051502

Date: 2006-05-15

Opus Dei Response to Director Ron Howard

"Catholics Are Victims of an Offense"

ROME, MAY 15, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The press office of the Opus Dei Prelature sent this statement to ZENIT on Friday in response to comments by the director of the soon-to-be-released film "The Da Vinci Code."

* * *

On Thursday the Italian press published interviews with Ron Howard, director of "The Da Vinci Code" film. In statements attributed to him, Howard said that "to deny the right to see the film is a fascist act," and also "to tell someone not to go see the film is an act of militancy and militancy generates hatred and violence." The Opus Dei is mentioned several times in these interviews. The phrases seem to refer to recent statements by Church authorities.

I would ask Ron Howard to keep calm and express himself with respect.

It is not wise to lose sight of the reality of the situation: This film is offensive to Christians. Howard represents the aggressor, and Catholics are victims of an offense. The one offended cannot have his last right taken away, which is to express his point of view. It is not the statements of ecclesiastics or the respectful request of Opus Dei -- to include a notice at the beginning of the film that it is a work of fiction -- which generates violence. It is rather the odious, false and unjust portrayals that fuel hatred.

In his statements, Howard also repeats that it is simply a film, an invented story, and that it must not be taken too seriously. But it is not possible to deny the importance of the movies and literature. Fiction influences our way of seeing the world, especially among young people. It is not right not to take it seriously. Artistic creativity certainly needs a climate of freedom, but freedom cannot be separated from responsibility.

Imagine a film that says that Sony was behind the attacks on the Twin Towers, which it promoted because it wanted to destabilize the United States. Or a novel that reveals that Sony paid the gunman who shot the Pope in St. Peter's Square in 1981, because it was opposed to the Holy Father's moral leadership. They are only invented stories. I imagine that Sony, a respectable and serious company, would not be happy to see itself portrayed in this way on the screens, and that it would not be satisfied with an answer such as "Don't worry, it's only fiction, it mustn't be taken too seriously, freedom of expression is sacred."

In any case, those who have taken part in the film's project have no reason to be concerned. Christians will not react with hatred and violence, but with respect and charity, without insults or threats. They can continue to calculate tranquilly the money they will make on the film, because the freedom of financial profit seems to be in fact the only sacred freedom, the only one exempt from all responsibility. They will probably make a lot of money, but they are paying a high price by deteriorating their prestige and reputation.

I hope the controversy of these months will not be sterile but serve to reflect on the relative character of financial profit when high values are involved; on the importance of fiction; on responsibility, which always supports and protects freedom.

[The statement added:]

The plan of Opus Dei's Communication Office in regard to this case may be found on the Web page www.opusdei.org, which explains in detail its position over these months.

[From] Manuel Sánchez Hurtado, in charge of relations with the international press, at the Opus Dei's press office in Rome

bb returns from her business trip yesterday. She called me in the office when she was waiting for her baggage by the conveying belt. So nice of her! But very soon, she sounded irritated and we didn't speak for long.

Did I say anything wrong? I guess I have. Sorry lah!

It's Mother's Day today. Went to Sunday Church in the morning and met mum for lunch at noon. She was happy to see the bouquet. Of course, it's from me! hee hee.

I also gave a bouquet to Ms. Chu. She didn't look at it much. She was busy collecting money for donation, doing this and that. Anyway, I noticed that she was a bit agitated. A few others noticed it too.

I told her I might not be there next Sunday. Before I told her the reason, she asked if I would be doing work for Legion of Mary. So smart! I told her I might be needed for the Procession of Mary Mother for Legion of Mary, but am waiting to be told what needs to be done. Then she said I couldn't escape from Father Lok. I don't know whether that was a positive, negative or neutral comment. But as Sister Catherine taught me, I should do what I think it is right. I think helping God through her Church is good and right. Even if Ms. Chu doesn't like it as she prefers us to stay with CC, I can't help it. And you are right, I'm not leaving CC, so sometimes, I'm a bit lost on what exactly is the issue or the problem.

Other members of CC also help their own parish church, but they keep quiet about it, and didn't tell Ms. Chu. If CC's event clashes with their obligations with other church, they just say they would be busy or not available.

I wasn't going to tell her, but she guessed it.

Lunch was good. There was just mum and I. We both enjoyed it. Then we went back to her home. We spent time chatting, and she taught me how to make flowers with ribbon (those you would put on gifts after you have wrapped them). We shared our believe and talked about our pilgrimage this year too. I felt close to her and very much enjoyed the time with her. I hope she feels the same too.

At the end of our lunch, I asked mum if I am any different to before I was baptised. She said yes. She said I'm a lot more energetic now. She said before that, when she called me on Sunday, I'm usually in bed and sometimes, she was afraid to call or she would wake me up. Asking me to join them for dim sum lunch was bad. Either I would say yes, I'll be there in an hour as I needed to wash myself and travel there, or I would ask them not to count on me as they would have to wait for me lah. It was so funny when she said it. Yes, I remembered I said those things myself. Mum said at least now, they get to see me more often and there is better hope for me to join them for dim sum lunch and dinner. I was a bit ashamed of myself, being such a bad daughter.

I'll work on it and improve on it. God help me lah!

For dinner, we stayed at home and she cooked. My brothers and their families joined us too. The food was excellent. Mum is the best cook! The atmostphere was good too.

My sister-in-law said my younger brother and she would be going on pilgrimage this summer too! What co-incidence! They too are going to Israel, although they won't be going to the Vatican. Instead, they would be going to Egypt. That's natural, as they belong to the Church of England; the Vatican doesn't have special meaning to them. Their trip would start on the last few days of ours, so I may not see them much around that time.

It's a wonderful day. My heart is filled with love and joy! Alleluia!

A lot happened today:

1. Sam's admission

Yes, I did it! I moved Sam's admission to be a solicitor of the local courts. It's my first time. Got up early, got into the office first to collect the robe and took a taxi to the Court. I was there even before her and her boyfriend! ha ha ha!

I made a few amendments to the speech yesterday and she approved of it. I practised that speech a few times. I was a bit nervous and prayed before I left office that I won't mess things up for Sam!

It went ok, I think. There were only about 11 to be admitted. We started just after 9:30am and finished by around 10:30 am at the most. Then we had champagne at the Shangri-la and stayed there chatted until around 12 noon. bb called my mobile and we spoke in the interim. :) They booked a table for lunch at a very nice restaurant but I wasn't keen. I said I'll do some shopping - need to look for a departure gift for my secretary. And I went to my brother's office to return the robe to him (He borrowed it from his friend for me), stayed there a little while before I went to do a little shopping. Didn't buy anything at all. I think a Burberry wallet would be quite nice but it's slightly out of budget. So, I'm still considering it.

2. Shopping at the local convent garden

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I thought about getting something for mum. Eventually, I opted for flowers. I don't think she receives bouquet often so I think that'll be rather nice. All female like flowers, right?

So I shopped at the local convent garden. I must have went round that market a few times as I spent some 2 hours there! I didn't have anything in mind and when I did, I couldn't get fresh and nice ones for my mum, and had to look for alternatives. I wasn't going to buy anything for Ms. Chu but then a thought came to my mind and thought it would be nice to get her some flowers too. So I did eventually. She's an elderly lady, having limited families afterall. Whatever happened, happened. I should open my heart and put it in the past. I felt happy for being able to put it behind and have a "big (or bigger) heart" . :)

3. Mass and class

Yes, then went to the Anticipated Mass and the post-baptism class. I deliberately went there early to join the others to say a Rosary before that mass. I thought I might be a little late so I walked pretty fast from the flower market to the church, but I got there just in time - hee hee!

I felt very good after the mass, as it's one of those I concentrated well. My mind and thoughts didn't wonder off too much. I like this week's Gospel. It has a lot of depth and I like this in particular: "Abide in me, and I in you." I feel so close to Him, especially when I received the Communion. It's so romantic!

The class was good too. Lot's of fun! The group is pretty nice and a few of us have a good sense of humour so we often have a good laugh ! :D

4. Wrapping papers and ribbons

After that, I looked for wrapping papers and ribbons. I needed to arrange the flowers into a nice (or at least, acceptable) bouquets for mum and Ms. Chu. I was late and a lot of the stationery shops on my way home were already closed. By the time I got everything and got home, it was already 11 pm. I had something to eat and then started the flower arrangements. No, I never learnt how to do it and I'm not artistic. When I was young and was attending school, my artistic works that needed to be handed in (as it was part of the curriculum) were finished most by my sister at my mum's request. My sister often couldn't understand why she had to pick up the pieces for me. You see, I usually left those artistic homeworks until the last minute and usually after the clock had struck 10:30pm or 11pm, I would have started a little bit of it but would be stuck, or started to sob, or something, then my mum would come to help. When either she had something else to do or when she too was stuck, she would ask my sister to help me out. She was young too and often she had to climb out of bed to help me! ha ha ha! Thinking back, it sounds so funny and a lot of memories come back to me. Only if my sister is here to share those memories with me now. But I should wish that she's now in heaven, be with our Father, enjoying peace and everlasting life. And I will see her again one day. I suppose I better be good from now on or I may not go to heaven to see her lah! :P

It took me 2 hours to finish wrapping two bouquets, which are not big at all ! By the time I finished, it was already 2am. I didn't realise it was so late, but I enjoyed doing it. :)

I visited Legion of Mary for the 3rd time this evening. Before that, I sent an email to Father Lok enquiring if that'll be ok. He said I was most welcome. Bless him!

I enjoy those visits. That praesidium was good. Good spirit and enthusiastic. I discussed with Father Lok - because I would be starting a short course for the newly baptised then will be joining Father Lok to pilgrimage, he suggested me to start my 3-month probation as member of the Legion in August after we return from pilgrimage. In the meantime, I could still visit them.

After the meeting, I stayed a little while to chat with the others then went home. They asked me to join them to grab something to eat. I declined as I wanted to go home early as I needed to get up early for Sam's admission. I'm meeting them at 8:45am in Court ! Feeling very honoured and privileged to be asked to do so for her. :)

It's been a while since I post anything here. (I just checked - it's almost been a month! wow, time really flies!!) Yes, because of laziness. A number of things have happened and I wanted to post it here so that there'll be a record of them, but ...

That's the past. I'm making an effort now. Here's a summary of what has happened, insofar as I can recall and/or worth mentioning here.

1. Pilgrimage in July 2006

At the end of April 2006, Father Lok told me they were going to Israel and Rome in July 2006. I was very interested and wanted to join them immediately. Me being me, I obtained the itinery and the application form (yes, you have to apply for it; something that - at least on the face of it - money doesn't seem to be able to buy) and considered it over the long week in the beginning of May 2006. It goes without saying that I was babbling to bb.

On the following working day, I applied for 2 places - for mum and I. Yes, mum is coming too. I was hesitant as I'm not patient enough and in fact, I debated whether to ask her to join us. I blame myself for having such hesitation as afterall, she's my mum! I only have one; my sister is not with us, my brothers are busy with their respective families ...

There were two difficulties: (1) the travel agent said the tour was already full and mum and I were on waiting list (2) the dates directly clashed with my boss and Richard's leave. (1) was quickly resolved - Father Lok said no problem, although the travel agent still maintains mum and I were on waiting list. (2) was difficult. I spoke to Richard twice and you should have seen the guy's attitude. Not only was it totally non-negotiable, he was rude and bold - bearing in mind his leave had not been approved !! I even told him that if we could not reach a compromise, it's possible that neither of us would be going away. He went, "If the partner tells me he doesn't approve my leave, I'll live with it." So much for a friend ! From then on, I don't talk to him. If he comes into my office, I pretend I'm busy.

I so much wanted to join the others to pilgrimage that I was planning to resign if necessary. Yes, I was very serious about it. To say that I'm interested is an understatement. As I was saying to sf, somehow I felt an urge to go; I don't remember wanted something so badly. I prayed earnestly. I was very sad for an evening or two I was hard-pushed to have someone to talk to; someone who would understand where I was coming from. I called Sister Catherine and felt much better after having spoken to her. She said she would pray for me. In one of my emails to Father Lok keeping him up to date of my position, I asked him to pray for me too. So thick-skin!

My boss is a Christian so he could understand much better. Eventually, he approved my leave - so all 3 of us are going way at the same time. When I told Sister Catherine the good news, she was very happy for me and said after we hang up, she would go to their chapel and thank God. She's wonderful ! I don't know what to do without her.

2. Argument with Ms. Chu on 7 May 2006

I had an argument with Ms. Chu last Sunday. She returned from her pilgrimage last Saturday evening and took Sunday off, so I didn't see her that day. I excused myself from attending a talk about Mary Mother in this coming Saturday, as I have to attend an after-baptism class that runs until end of June 2006. I went back to the office in the afternoon after Sunday Church. Around 3pm, Ms. Chu called. She yelled at me and cross-examined why I'm not attending the talk. I said because I needed to attend the class at St. Teresa's Church. The timing of the two clashes directly with each other. I can only be at one place at one time. She said people put in effort to organise a talk, she told the speaker (Sister Watt) that there'll be a great turnout, whatever I'll learn at that class I can always learn it any other time (implying that she could teach me too), that all I needed to do is to speak to Father Lok and excuse myself, that I'm newly baptised ... blah blah blah. I told her I have taken all those into account when I considered the matter and I think it's more important for me to attend the class than the talk. The class is a once in a life time thing as you are only baptised once, whilst you could and would have talks about Mary Mother later. She wouldn't accept it and kept yelling and screaming at me. Eventually, I said I'd consider it. I just wanted to put down the phone. No point of arguing with her. My position is clear and I have stated it in unequivocal terms.

I was so upset - what have I done wrong??! Why was I put under such tremendous pressure? She sounded as though if the turnout is not good, that's my fault. Am I that important??! Shed a few tears because I was furious with her attitude. Prayed again, then spoke to Yolanda. I said I'm sure I'll learn something whichever event I attend. I weighted the importance and meaning of them before making the decision. And Ms. Chu sounded as though it's important for me to attend the talk on Mary Mother because she needed the number of people or she'll lose face. Sorry, how does that come into the equation??! I felt much better having talked to Yolanda. :)

A few days later, she called again and asked if I'd make a donation to some charity. I agreed at $100. As soon as I said that, there were a few seconds of silence. She must have been expecting more. Well, charity is not the kind of things you could force upon another, right? During that conversation, she said re talk on Mary Mother, she would respect my decision whatever I decide to do, although she wanted me to go to CC. I said nothing. As I said, I have already stated my position. Why repeat myself, when doing so may provoke her??

That same evening, I bumped into Yolanda. Told her re this conversation. It's good to talk to her. :)

From that incident, I'm not sure if my relationship with Ms. Chu could be as good as before. Or look at it another way, I don't want to put all resources on one person. She has all the assistance from CC members. I think if possible, I should help others who are more needy. So perhaps not just this one incident, but it may be a catalyst. I should perhaps thank this incidence as it helps me to crystalise my views and gives me a chance to put some distance between us, as I find her too attached to me. I don't like it and don't feel comfortable with it.

I don't know how she feels. Perhaps she thinks I'm not obedient and rebellious, and I have changed since my baptism, because I don't need her anymore, etc etc. Perhaps the feeling is mutual in that she too, wants to put so distance between us.

If so, that's a compromise.

3. Ms. Chu's visit to CC on Sunday

Spoke to Yolanda re this Sunday. She would take Ms. Chu to CC, although taking her back remains an issue. It's Mother's Day this Sunday and we both have plans. We agreed that she would quietly ask CC members tomorrow when she sees them at the talk. The worst scenario is that we'll put her on a taxi, as there's no slope from where she usually gets off taxi and her flat, so she should be able to cope.

We also agreed that bringing her back to her place after Sunday Church is something CC needs to address as it's looking to be long-term. The problem is occupying someone to specially take care of her every week. We all have our own families, obligations and lives. That may sound selfish, and yes, it is selfish. But we are only human. Further, if we devote all time to her, how would that be fair to our own families, our friends and ourselves??

May be we'll see how well she copes this weekend; perhaps she doesn't need extra help? Even if she does, may be we could take turns??

4. sf

During our conversation today, sf said I should not be obssessed with the Religion; that I should keep a balance. That came about when he asked for my plans this weekend, and I told him I'm going to a class at the Church tomorrow and meeting mum and my family after Sunday Church. He didn't give me a chance to respond. Weird. He also said it's "nonsense" for me to become a nun. Why such unsolicited comments/opinions and also over-reaction it seems??

I just wanted to tell him that I enjoy doing what I'm doing. Who knows? My enthusiasim may die sooner than anyone knows - me being an Aries, although I pray that this will never happen to me.

Why can't he be a bit more like bb, just a bit??! (shoe-shining lah! hee hee)

5. Legion of Mary

Since this March, Father Lok has been recommending this to me. I visited them twice at their weekly meetings and enjoyed them. I like the team spirit and politics-free atmosphere. Father Lok is leading - may be that's why.

I told them I am interested to join them. The procedure is I would then be on probation for 3 months - a chance for me to see if it suits me and if I suit them. However, since I have registered for a short course for the newly baptised (a course in which a number of senior Fathers would be speaking), and that I would be going to prilgrimage, I would only start my probation in August 2006. No hurry. If that's what God wants me to do, I'll do it, sooner or later.

I wasn't going to go on the short course, but Sister Catherine highly recommended it. So I registered it.

6. Sister Catherine

I like Sister Catherine very much and feel very comfortable to share my feelings with her. I knwo she would understand and can see where I'm coming from. The issue of my intended resignation is an example. She didn't say, "yes, do it." Her advice was objective, balanced, realistic and she has no agenda! Now, that's very important.

7. Moving Sam

I'm moving Sam to be a local solicitor tomorrow morning. It's my first time - first debut! Feel very honoured that I'm asked to do so for her. I'm thrilled and excited about tomorrow. Tonight, I'll pray that all goes well, that I won't make a fool of myself and at the same time, embarrass Sam.