THANK YOU! Over the past week, we received a number of lunar new year greetings. I would like to share one specific greeting from a student, who is in his final year in the university. He mentioned:
"In the lunar year of the Rat, I hereby wish you and your wife have a fruitful and enjoyable the final few months in Happy Valley before coming back to join the Rat Race once again."
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So far, we have not seen any rats in Happy Valley. The closest resemblance would be the playful squirrels. A few of them like to climb the maple trees surrounding the house. Although we do see them everyday, it has not been possible for us to get close enough to snap a picture of them. From the video below, you will appreciate how challenging it is to ask those "rats" to stay still, smile and pose for a photo. Doesn't their frantic pace reminds you of the life in some places?
Time flies. We have been in Happy Valley for more than 6 months. And in 4 months' time, we will be going back to Singapore. Already, a friend who will be visiting S'pore in mid March is asking whether he could help to bring back some of our stuff. I remember a conversation I had with a fellow academia on my sabbatical plan. When he heard that I would be taking my sabbatical at PennState, his immediate reaction was, "its only a small college town, there is nothing much happening there. You should consider taking your sabbatical in a university in a metropolitan city, such as New York or Los Angeles." He was worried that my wife and I would be bored in Happy Valley. Well, our reply was that Singapore is a metropolitan city and that it would be a refreshing change for us to go hinterland, where there would be more greeneries and open space.
photo: wild petite flowers growing under the maple trees in our backyard
After staying here for 6 months, I would concur that in comparison to a big city, nothing much happens here. But you know what? We are enjoying the pace of life. ...
A slower pace that allows us to actually "stop and smell the flowers", explore new terrains, read widely and leisurely, cultivate genuine relationships, and take time out to contemplate. Truly, Happy Valley has truly been a resting place where we enjoy the lives God has given us instead of rushing through them!
I can imagine that many city dwelling folks would yearn for this kind of life, at least for a moment, away from the"'stress-ridden", 'hurry-worry" society such as in Singapore. Charles Swindoll once wrote in his book, Stress Fractures,
“Gone are the days of enjoying babbling brooks along winding pathways or taking long strolls near the beach. The relaxed bike ride through the local park has been replaced with the roar of a motorcycle whipping through busy traffic. The easy-come, easy-go lifestyle of the farm has been preempted by a hectic urban family going in six different directions, existing on microwave food, shouting matches, strained relationships, too little sleep and too much television.”
In Wikipedia, "rat race" is defined as:
picture source: msnbc
A rat race is a term used for an endless, self-defeating or pointless pursuit. It conjures up the image of the futile efforts of a lab rat trying to escape whilst running around a maze or in a wheel. In an analogy to the modern city, many rats in a single maze run around making a lot of noise bumping into each other, but ultimately achieve nothing (meaningful) either collectively or individually. The rat race is a term often used to describe work, particularly excessive work; in general terms, if one works too much, one is in the rat race. .
Let's face it - for many of us, stress has become a way of life. We're all too busy, aren't we? And to a large extent, the society teaches us to take a lot of pride in how busy we are... as if our overloaded schedules will impress our colleagues and bosses. We may think that our never-ending, ever-growing assignments are impressive. But are they? The trouble with the rat race, according to Lily Tomlin, is that "... even if you win, you’re still a rat”.
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Don't get me wrong... I am not advocating "slacking" or "laziness". I still have > 10 items on my "to do" list, and yes, I still run with the aim of finishing well the race God has set has before me. I still rise early and sleep late. Also, should you get the wrong perception, let me stress that PennState professors are one of the most hardworking and productive groups of people I have met. But one good advice my wife and I received when we first arrived was from the Department Chair. When we told him of the long list of things that needed our attention, he wisely counselled us to take things slow, aim to accomplish one or two things a day, and don't forget to enjoy the scenery.
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For Christians: "When you get deep into the rat race, you don't know whether you're coming or going. And as busy as you are, you're not accomplishing the things that are most important in life". The rat race will hinder your spiritual growth, damage your walk with Christ, and suck every ounce of joy from your life. Eugene Peterson, author of The Message, said, "I can be active and pray; I can work and pray; but I cannot be busy and pray."
Sources: http://www.chapinbaptist.com/sermons/20030622.html
http://www.redlandbaptist.org/sermons/sermon20030518.htm
After staying here for 6 months, I would concur that in comparison to a big city, nothing much happens here. But you know what? We are enjoying the pace of life. 
