Bloody Snake

I went down to the local Burger King (aka Hungry Jack's in Australia) joint for lunch late yesterday morning. On the way there, I saw a few unmasked sandmen (DBKK workers) clearing the drains. I enjoyed my meal and was on my way home again. After I turned off Jalan Kolam, I was thinking that may be I should have worn my sandals to look more local and it was then also that I noticed a truck parked under a tree. I noted the lady seated on the passenger side but it was while I was distracted by the truck that I nearly step on a bloody snake. It was sun baking on the muddy path. After I stepped over it, I thought there was something looking at me and went back for another look. It was a bloody snake, alright! It was at least the length of my arm. The body was mostly mud in colour with disticntive reddish markings. I jumped around like I was doing a local version of Riverdance to get away from it. I wasn't doing step dancing to amuse the woman in the truck. I was scared. I definitely do not like snakes. I have been to Melbourne Zoo numerous times but I have never ventured into the snake house.

2013 is indeed the year of the snake. Some people also call it the little dragon year. A few months ago, towards the end of the dragon year, a baby snake explored our kitchen. It hid behind the water filter. A few days later, another baby snake explored the spare bathroom! Later another one was spotted near my brother's hobby area. 

Thank goodness that the snake didn't bite me. I wondered if I was protected by a couple of saints at the time. St Francis is the patron saint of animals and St Patrick apparently chased away snakes. When I was in Melbourne, we usually go to St  Patrick's when my family visited. After I have started taking the church more seriously, I used to go to St Francis on Lonsdale Street. The snake I encountered yesterday did move about a bit when I stepped back to take another look but really, I thank God that I wasn't bitten. I quite believe that it wasn't time for me to get hurt. I have returned to Kota Kinabalu for 21 months. I am still pretty clueless as to why I am still here. There must be a reason. God has a plan and I am beginning to realize that he wouldn't set me up for something that I do not have the strength to go through. I was abandoned and I have survived thus far. So I probably could manage what He really has in store for me.