My first encounter with Ocean Sky was when my boss, Ms. Evelyn Chan, and I were visiting her daughter at the building across the monastery, which looked more like a restaurant than a temple. After that first meeting with the two Shifus, we started bringing food regularly to the monastery.
When the Shifus asked Ms. Evelyn to assist in preparing the food, I began to help out in the kitchen together with others, including Ms. Pin Pin, who also came over to help. I was asked to cook vegetarian food and I prepared simple vegetable dishes, because I was not yet used to cooking vegetarian. Now, I am no longer scared how my cooking would turn out, if it would turn out palatable or not!
I joined the Beginners’ Class which I completed with former Abbess Master Jianyong. As a volunteer, I would accompany Ms. Evelyn in bringing the Shifus where they wanted to go. Later, I was also assigned to buy fruits and flowers.
Through the years in the monastery, I learned tolerance and patience as I worked harmoniously with others. I also learned how to be a team player, with the intention of helping with my best efforts. Even during my vacation leave, I find myself always thinking how the monastery is being maintained. Because of this, there are less and less vacations and more of the monastery for me. THE MONASTERY IS NOW LIKE SECOND HOME!