Je suis Charlie

At around 11h30 in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, gunmen attacked the satirical newspaper/magazine "Charlie Hebdo." They killed 10 journalist and 2 policemen.

I saw the video where one policeman was hit, on the ground and one hooded man got closer to him and shot him point blank. I was horrified.

I am a stranger living in France for 14 years now. What I loved first about France is their sense of "Liberty." Liberty in all kinds of expressions. No one will judge what one believes or what are their point of views.

In 1997,  the first time I came here, just to attend the "World youth day," I saw a lady wearing rubber shoes. Although the right and the left rubber shoes were alike, the colors were different. The right shoe is pink and the left is blue. Same with her socks. I thought that she might be crazy and I tried to laugh, but my mother told me it is France's "sense of liberty of expression."

That is when, I realized that I would love to come back here, make it my second home and build a family here. I love to raise a family where no one can be defined by what we are, who we are and who we believed in. That whoever  brought you up, wherever you were brought up, what ever your conviction is or whatever status of life that you have, those things will never hinder you to do what you want or to show who you really are. I would love to raise a family in a country of liberty, equality and brotherhood. Where you don't have to be scared of showing others who you are. Where you don't have to be scared of saying what's on your mind.

Not until today.

Where is the old France where people were not segregated by religion. Where is the old France where friends are just mere friends whatever color of skin they have? Where is the old France where we can share different views about everything, yet it will not lead to killings or even disputes. Where one can listen and discuss about the other's point of view without being judgmental and angry about it because of the "Respect of each other's opinions." Where is that country now. The country that I made my second home. The country where I built my family.

But even with the shock in my heart that shows on my face, I am not letting that France just simply go away!

For the memories of the people who died today, let us not allow their lives to go in vain. No terrorism act! Yes to freedom of expression!

Vive la France! Vive l’Égalité! Vive la Liberté! Vive la Fraternité!

The Year of Great Blessings and Wonderful Changes!

Bonne fête de fin d'année! We thank 2014 for being good to us, for giving us memories to keep and for teaching us great lessons in life.

For the year 2015, we wish everyone to receive blessings of great wonders, wishing that we may have a good heart to be grateful for all the blessings big and small, that each and everyone may appreciate what we have, not to ask for too much but be grateful that we have more than enough (and a little bit more), I wish for all of us to have the ability to always pay forward the blessings that will still come our way and the blessings that we already received in advance, may we gain wisdom not only to know the difference but also acknowledge what is worthwhile, may we hold on to a faith that will let us be a better person/people and may we create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. 

And most of all, I wish for all of us to have an everlasting happiness together with our loved ones, family, friends and other people who come, who came, who passed by, who stayed and who is willing to stay in our life.

Happy, Prosperous and Wonderful New Year 2015 to each and everyone!!!!