Noob Space

Three Months On And The Luck Has Yet To Continue

2011-08-24T17:01:00.010+08:00

How time flies. This is the fourth month that I am over here and things have pretty much been the same as when I first arrived. I have hoped that the rather good start could continue, but only to be a wishful thought.

There were just too many matters to sort out right after my resignation and before the flight: banking and billing, finance, domestic......the list goes on; there wasn't much time to look into these matters while I was still working. With no more than 8 hours everyday on average to play with, how much can one do, including sleep?

I reached the airport only about an hour and a half before boarding time. The check-in wasn't as smooth as expected because I had an overly over-weight check-in luggage - 27kg if I recall correctly. The things in the luggage were mostly minimal clothing to go round the years, but I had to sacrifice some warm clothing together with those meant for summer, just to make a pass; they were brought over for me by someone on a later trip though. Going through a late autumn with lesser warm clothes was just so "cool".

Perhaps Lady Luck was smiling at me. Not only did the ground staff allowed my 2-3kg lighter luggage to be checked-in, I was upgraded to Business Class because the Economy Class was full by the time I returned to the counter. Oh my, that would probably be my one and only time flying by Business Class.

Needless to say, everything in Business Class pale those of Economy Class. I don't know whether it was due to my special dietary arrangement or it is such for an upgrade, my in-flight meal was the same as that for the Economy Class. Nevertheless, the flight attendants professionally presented my meals no differently. I felt luxury in the air and luxury it sure was to be able to sleep on-board lying totally flat.

I had wished for this blessing to last longer, to at least extend till I achieve the first goal for this trip. But there aren't many things that last forever and this doesn't seem to be one. Things are still not happening as I have wished for and those unfortunates are better off left to the grounds.

Three months on, from the smell of fire wood burning to the smell of spring, the first goal is still far at the horizon. My optimism has been wearing off fast and pessimism has actually crept in. As much as I do not wish to imagine the worst, I have to prepare myself for it.

Flooded My Artistic Senses By December Rains

2010-08-08T13:00:00.025+08:00

Finally caught the first musical of my life last evening (second one if I didn't give up waiting till the interval to catch the remaining portions of Les Misérables when it first performed in Singapore).

Although the story is very much predictable (as also commented by the lady seated beside me), the overall presentation makes December Rain still a musical worth catching.

(Dr.) Liang Wern Fook's lyrical flair has never disappointed me, from the time I first listened to his songs in the 80's to now; his flair in writing is to my great admiration. Good lyrics need the accompaniment of good music and that's where Jimmy Ye comes in (Wern Fook composed some of the songs too).

Kudos to the three lead performers: Kit Chan, George Chan and Jeffrey Low. I just can't help but be mesmerised by Kit's rendition, of any song, since her very first album; nope, not 《心痛》 but 《不要傷了和气》 (her first local album). George is, well, marvellous. His singing is great and the next thing I want to see from George, is his dance.

What drew me into catching this musical, was the theme song, 《請你吿訴他》 which I first heard from Dr. Liang's compilation album. Once again, this song , although slightly different in the lyrics (to suit the story), didn't fail to satisfy me. I also found 《只要你相信》，《我以爲愛》, 《我終於看到》, 《渺小的我》, 《我該怎麽做》，《收起你的眼淚》 and 《我心中的雨》 well penned, composed and rendered. I got a copy of the soundtrack but it is to my dismay that some of the songs were not recorded by Kit and George, which they rendered so well in the musical. What a pity (to me).

Last but not least, the stage design must be applauded. Very artistically and well done. The "rope curtain" was ingeniously used to depict different things and meaning.

Why we only have rude kids who know how to pass exams

2010-03-21T14:06:00.004+08:00

A worthy read from miyagi.sg, especially the part on how Japanese pre-schools educate their children.

Why we only have rude kids who know how to pass exams

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男人玩女人很正常/平常？ (It is normal/common for men to womanise?)

2010-03-13T14:31:00.008+08:00

“有頭有臉的已婚大老闆，瞞著妻子，借故說要加班開會，但實為到酒廊風流快活”在本地極爲“平常”也好，“男人玩女人很正常”也罷，是不是就意味著“既然即平常又正常”，那麽背叛了婚姻的承諾就沒有“愧疚”可言，也因此無需“道歉與懺悔”呢？

原為“滅火”但所說出的字與詞更像是在引火自焚。當事人還算是有頭有臉，一家公司的老闆吧？那麽這樣的話語，是幫到忙，還是幫倒忙呀？是不是也在同一時候，把自己推向無底深淵呢？

說話到底是門功夫，也賴以智慧。還是效法聖人的“三緘其口”吧。

If "it is common for men of stature to use such excuse as needing to work overtime but actually to cheat on their wives" and "it is normal for men to womanise", being so "common and normal", does it imply that there is no need for "remorse and apology" even though the vows taken during marriage were compromised?

Though meant to correct the misread, the very words used seem to put the speaker at dire state. Is not the subject a person of considerable stature? Then, are the spoken words helping the situation or otherwise? Is it also at the same time, digging himself a grave?

Speaking is an art which requires much wisdom and training. The wisest thing to do is to speak only when we know what we want to convey.

Didn't stick-out that finger often enough...the middle one?

2010-03-12T22:24:00.007+08:00

My trigger finger seems getting worse.

It used to only refuse to stretch out when I wake up and would slowly stretch out within the next couple of hours or so. Just yesterday, and since then, this finger seem wanting to fold-in the whole day and it required an effort to stretch it out. I'm starting to find it a chore to do things, everything, due to the state of this finger.

I have heard from people with similar problems and doctors had, almost all, advised them to go under the knife; I have heard that this doesn't guarantee success and intrusive treatment is a big no-no for me.

To alleviate the pain, one could opt for steroid injection but then again, I've been told that it's painful, expensive and seems to have a limit on the number of jabs one can take. Quite a nay for this too.

Really need to know the cause of this and find a remedy aside what was mentioned above. I have been enduring the pain, discomfort and inconvenience for about 10 years or so now, though there was a break of a few years in between.

Could it be that I didn't stretch this finger out often enough that it has turned out to be such? Oh, this trigger finger happen to be my middle finger and I don't suppose I want to have a brush with the law by sticking it out - in the public. *grinz*

Yay.....My Birthday......But Not Quite My Birthday.

2009-11-19T10:38:00.009+08:00

In about 13 hours, it would be my birthday, but just not quite yet. Hmm......why is that so? Well, 13 hours from now, back at home, it really would be my birthday, but at New York City, where I am currently at, it is just not the day yet.

This is kinda strange cos unlike being in a place where the time is ahead relative to home, I could celebrate my birthday twice - that is if I reach home on the actual day. But here, I can't quite celebrate yet cos it's just not the day yet in New York and it would be over by the time I reach home. But still, I can celebrate once.

Actually, if we were to go technical on this, my date-of-birth, in New York, should be 19 Nov, instead of 20 Nov cos at the very instance I was born, it was as such.

Just lame. Why such a bother? I never really celebrated my birthday anyway. Even my 21st birthday was a low profile family affair.

But just as well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, to myself, in 13 hours.

在大約13個小時之後，將會是我的生日，但卻又不太是。怎講呢？從現在算起13個小時之後，在我的出生地，確實是我的生日，但是現在在美國紐約的我，在13個小時之後，還未見到這日期的到來。

還真有點感覺怪怪的。我現在若位于與家相對時間較先前的地方，我將有可能慶祝二次生日。當然，我必須在我的生日那天回到家。在美國紐約可還不能慶祝啊。而回到家後，生日也已過了。雖然如此，我還是能有一次的慶生。

其實，若從時差方面作計算，我在美國紐約的出生日期應該是11月19日而非11月20日，因爲我出生的時候，美國紐約這裡正是11月19日。

無聊之至。干啥爲此長篇大論？我從沒真正慶祝過多少個生日。就連我21歲生日也只不過是一個簡簡單單的家庭聚會。

也罷。在此，為我在13個小時之後的生日獻給自己一個生日的祝福。生日快樂。

It Has Been A Long While......

2009-11-19T10:04:00.009+08:00

Really, time and tide waits for no one, it has been over a year since I last posted. There have been times that I wanted to write and times I have things I wanted so much to write, but just did not manage to get it done.

So much has happened, so much has changed. So unconsciously letting time and life ticked-by that one does not realise that one is getting lesser time to fulfill one's destiny.

Ah well, it will be some re-collection of past happenings coming up.

真的，時間不留人；已經超過一年沒下筆了。曾經有過要下筆的時候，也曾有過我非要刊載的事項，但最終沒做到。

這期間，發生的事很多，改變的事很多。不知不覺中，讓時間和性命悄悄地流逝，殊不知已沒剩下多少時間來履行我們生命中的責任和義務。

罷了。接著將會是一些過去的回顧。

The Loss of A Loving Father

2008-07-07T19:29:00.008+08:00

It has been slightly more than 11 years - 11 years, 3 months and 1 day (according to the lunar calendar), that I have been with him and it has been 9 years or so that I have been close to him.

Strict he may be, he was no less loving, something many of us till today do not realise; many still do not see the LOVE he has on us in his many teachings and reminders, seeing those as lectures and scoldings.

He had taught us many things, but much more yet to be imparted. His demise is certainly a GREAT LOSS to us.

I know not now whether the emo's in me but I certainly would miss him in the days to come.

QR, I love you, and I pray that your efforts for the past 30 over years shall not end in our hands.

R.I.P

Witnessing Life Draining Away is VERY PAINFUL

2008-07-03T04:13:00.014+08:00

The pulse rate was normal, only because the heart was under the effect of medicine. The blood pressure told us no lie - it was way too low.

We just couldn't pull our eyes away from the machine even though we were calling out for him to open his eyes and crying/sobing at the same time. Every time we saw an increase in blood pressure, even the slightest bit after every dip, we bore hope that he will pull through and everything will just be fine.

Alas, the graph went flat, there was no pulse reading and the blood pressure was exceptionally high. Out of denial I suppose, we thought it could be some machine problem or the contacts were loose. We called for the nurse but the reply was our worst nightmare - he is going, really going......

Death certified, tears poured by many, but for me, I was grieved to no tears, we call it 慾哭無淚 in Chinese. Containing our own grief, some of us had to help the fainted and rationalise thoughts of the lost ones.

That short two hours or so seemed to have lasted forever. The pain, I know not when it will go off. I think I now know roughly how it feels for those I've "got to know (of)" who have lost their love ones rather recently.

Death leaves an heartache no one can heal.

Change of Date of Deepavali for 2008

2008-06-04T12:43:00.007+08:00

In a press statement on public holidays for 2008 released on 29 March 2007, the Ministry of Manpower announced that Deepavali would fall on 28 October 2008 (Tuesday). However, the date needed to be checked against the Indian Almanacs when they became available.

The actual Deepavali date for 2008 is now known; it falls on 27 October 2008 (Monday) instead of 28 October 2008 (Tuesday). You may want to note the change of date of Deepavali on your calendars.

PASSING IT ON 2008

2008-06-04T12:31:00.007+08:00

Make a difference in the lives of needy families by passing on your children's clothes, toys, books and stationeries that are in good condition and suitable for children below 12 years old. The collection period is from 1 Jul to 15 Aug 08, 9am to 5pm (Monday - Friday). Donors are to provide your own transport to transfer your items to TRANS Centre at Blk 411 Bedok North Ave 2 #01-106 S(460411).

For more information or clarification, please call Wa Ying (email: waying@transcentre.org.sg) or Kwee Huay at 64490762.

Nope, you've got it wrong.

2008-06-02T23:27:00.019+08:00

Quite some time back, an aunt asked me why my "sudden interest" in Reuben('s stuff). It took me quite some time to explain.

Just a few days ago, another aunt, her sister, told me she thinks I must be up to something with this "interest", even to the extent of thinking I started this blog because of Reuben. Oh come on......she is not entirely wrong though.

Many years back, I had wanted to create my own homepage which was the in-thing then. I did start building one in geocities but eventually gave up. Then with blogging, it did occur to me to have one but had brushed the thought aside due to commitment and language concerns. It was because of the 5 fine young men that inspired me to pen down the thoughts I had and will have, especially during that same year when I lost quite a few young acquaintances.

Be my guest auntie, read my blog; there isn't anything funny for you to find - nothing up in my sleeves. :P

As mentioned in my earlier post, I shall share on my thoughts about them, and/or rather, the chronological events before and after that fateful incident.

A few days before 12 Nov 2007
EG: Hey, a new colleague will be joining us next week.
group: Another pretty gal?
EG: Nah, it's a guy, does DB-ing, his name is Poh Boon San.
Me to WM: ooohh......you've got yet another hunk to work with....
WM: (laughed it off - I think)
someone: erm......XXX will always top her list lah, followed by XXX then XXX...
group: (laughed)

Week of 11 Nov 2007

Saw Boon San around in the office, even sat beside him while working in the lab, but just didn't speak with him, not even a simple "Hi", probably because no one introduced him (to me) - something out of our norm. Missed the recreational event that Friday as I had to clear my work before going for my ICT the following week so yet another opportunity lost to know him.

Week of 18 Nov 2007
My first week of ICT and the week Boon San and his team flew over to Cambodia. Received a message, on Thursday (22 Nov 07) or Friday (23 Nov 07), from a colleague that the father of another colleague has passed on. Booked out on Friday (23 Nov 07) evening and attended to something till late at night so didn't know of the accident in Cambodia.

Made a call to my supervisor the next morning (24 Nov 07) to inform that I wouldn't be able to attend to the funeral wake of our colleague's father and to ask him to pay for me first the bereavement money. He told me we might have lost one colleague in a DB-ing accident. The first person to appear in my mind was Boon San cos he was the only one I know in our Programme Centre to do DB-ing. I questioned my supervisor whether this was certain cos it just didn't register in me and at the same time, switched on to Channel News Asia and that very piece of news was being reported; I was dumb-founded.

Week of 25 Nov 2007
The loss of 5 fine young gentlemen was confirmed and with the little amount of news we caught before booking in, we talked quite a bit while having our exercise the whole week. By then, the news had already reported that Reuben was a talented chap, so on and so forth, and we thought it was almost always the case that upon someone's death will he/she be recognised for his/her talent/contribution, regardless the magnitude. This was my initial thoughts of Reuben. Nothing so much on our/my thoughts of the other 4 cos I guess Reuben's profile outshone the rest.

Following the end of my ICT, I was so tied up with work that it was not until the second week of December before I could settle down to start catch up with all that is related to the accident. And after reading all that I have access to, the following is my thoughts of the 5 individuals.

Stephen Loh Soon Ann
A filial son and a brotherly brother. A caring and inspirational educator. A reliable and dependable comrade. One year my junior, I have learnt from him that age is never the reason for not pursuing our dreams and aspirations. I think, we don't stop pursuing our dreams and aspirations because we have grown older, but rather, we grow older when we stop pursuing our dreams and aspirations. Keep our hearts and minds young, always.

Stephen's family, apparently, is somehow acquainted with these 2 cute aunties of mine but there wasn't much more that I can find out from them cos they said Stephen was still a little boy when they were still in contact with one another.

Poh Boon San
A fighter against odds and adversities. A bearer of faith, belief and trust. A filial son. A misunderstood person, at times, but eventually appreciated by his friends and buddies. I am learning from his legacy, to stop whining that I am disadvantaged cos I started off late - earned my first degree at the age of 30, and thus falling behind most of my peers. I am hoping to be alike Boon San, that I will be less misunderstood if not appreciated, but I think I need to work on my stern-bold-and-quick-tempered character to achieve that. Hey, I always have the best of intention, ok? *sigh*

Jeremy Goh Tze Xiong
A filial son, a loyal friend, a respectful and humble person. A person who always bring smiles and laughters to others - not a single anger. One kind soul. One particular story shared by one of his friends moved me the most: On one particular rainy day, while Jeremy and this friend were walking, he went around removing snails from the pathway to prevent anyone from stepping on them. I, personally, would merely make sure I don't step on those poor snails but never ever thought of helping them to not be stepped on by others. This really put me to shame but at the same time, makes me want to befriend this kind soul.

A friend who would try his best to attend gatherings even to the extent of attending a few events on the same night. I reminded myself that being tired and not having the time is seldom, if not never, justifiable for not catching up with (long-lost) friends; the little extra effort means a zillion.

Reuben Kee En Rui
A filial son and loving brother. A multi talented guy. One kind and friendly soul who never fails to give others encouraging smiles and words. A gentle and soft-spoken person - I think. A person whom I find so matured in his thoughts that could bring shame to many of us older than him. A strong believer in pursuing ones dreams. A great composer whose music almost never fail to awe me.

Auntie Kim, it is not the person that is the reason for me liking his music, okay. So what if the singer is a Heavenly King/Queen? What matters to me is the music/song. And I did not start listening to ABBA because Reuben did an ABBA medley; I have known and heard ABBA songs when I was in my teens, just as for Carpenters and the likes. For all you know, I was very much into music in my younger days as well, listening to Richard Clayderman, Kitaro, Kenny G, Chinese orchestra, etc.

Chee Wei Cheng
A filial son and a caring brother. A fine gentlemen whose behaviour puts many of us to shame. Read more from here. A capable young man.

It was definitely a great pity to have lost these 5 fine men. I pray for their family to tide through the pain and sadness.

Unprepared! That's what caused dragon boat deaths

2008-05-30T13:32:00.008+08:00

The Straits Times (page 3) carried an article on the dragon boat deaths in Cambodia. According to the article, the inquiry report, which is expected to be released today, is likely to point to the dragon boat team's state of readiness as the main cause of the deaths. It was noted that besides having little time to train for the race, the team was unfamiliar with the water conditions and race equipment, and did not have any practice sessions at the race venue.

死者已已，生者猶在，願諸位節哀與珍重。

The Supposed 21st Birthday

2008-05-28T09:44:00.008+08:00

If my findings is correct, today should be Wei Cheng's 21st birthday.

A pity really, whenever I think back on that incident.

Let us, regardless of Wei Cheng's family, friends, acquaintances or complete strangers, celebrate his life, draw inspiration from his gentleman-ness (as described by his former teacher, Miss Jessica Goh) and inherent good-nature (as described by his good friend cum teammate, Woon Howe), and pray for him and his family.

Hope all is fine for his mother and younger brother, Wei You.

Eat with Your Family Day

2008-05-23T22:46:00.005+08:00

We are encouraged to knock off by 5pm today so that we can have dinner with our family which most people do not usually have the opportunity to. This is the 'Eat with your Family Day' - a prelude to the official launch of Family Day Celebration tomorrow.

A rather nice and thoughtful initiative but when the (working) environment does not conduce such privilege, it becomes meaningless. I, personally, have not been able to enjoy this since the inception of such initiative; I left my office today at 7:15pm. Dinner with my family? That's 9pm when I reached home. *sigh*

Am I working too hard? Yes, I think I am but not that I like to. I guess it is very much due to the "exigencies of work", something my boss doesn't fail in reminding us.

Now, who says working for gahmen is nothing but leg-shaking? Well, definitely not at where I'm working.

WoW: World of......Whoof

2008-05-22T22:57:00.006+08:00

Skill: Blessing of Sovereignty
Casting time: Within a few seconds
Recast time: Whenever desired
Effect: Gain Sovereignty of area(s)

Dogs are adorable, dogs are loyal but......

Dog owners nowadays seem to prefer walking their dogs down the staircases and at void decks of our HDB flats. Nothing so wrong about this, not until their beloved "sons" or "daughters" decide to lift one of their hind legs to "cast" the above-mentioned "spell", claiming sovereignty of wall corners at staircase landings and pillars at the void decks.

Stench or not aside - I wouldn't want to put my face close to the puddles to find out, it definitely is an eyesore to have puddles of their excretion by the walls and pillars. What about hygiene issues?

I kinda like dogs but not an avid lover; I don't keep a dog but I have nothing against anyone having one (or two or three...). But please, walk your dogs at the available parks or little grass patches you may find, and let them enjoy their game of territories building in the nature. Now, aren't their distant cousins - the wolves, doing theirs the nature way?

Adios to Public Service......At Last?

2008-05-22T21:41:00.012+08:00

Had a farewell dinner for Lenco with the rest of the team on Tuesday evening at Modesto, Vivo City. Guess the near 2-year stint as a Public Servant is enough for him. After all, it isn't easy to be one especially when one is not a, ahem, scholar.

Someone did comment to me that it is very much a case of opportunities given first to scholars to prove their worth (of monies spent on them) than of elitism instead of meritocracy, and that farmers are just as capable as scholars if not better. I second this analysis. Then again, it would seem to be a variant of elitism.

Ah well, Lenco will be out of the PS scene for quite a while if not forever. Wish him all the best in his future endeavours and sorry for my contributions to his agony and frustrations at work - me being the strict-and-no-nonsense (at work) senior.

Dilemma

2008-05-22T01:29:00.002+08:00

I saw on my desk, upon my return from the trip, an envelope bearing the things I was expecting. Since then, I have been caught in a dilemma of whether to do what I have planned to; I am worried that healing wounds would be opened.

I do not wish to cause hurt to anyone with whatever I have intended to do.

I am still considering......

Went Back In Time

2008-05-21T23:56:00.022+08:00

Came back from Tanjung Pinang last Tuesday (13 May 2008) after a 6-day stint there. Though it was not my first trip there, there were several new experiences.

Housing
I had never really stepped into many houses there so what I saw during this trip was rather surprising.
This picture shows a narrow lane between two rows of houses built above water; yes, this is a coastal residential area. One would easily mistake these as modest little houses until one steps into one. The floor area of each house is even bigger than a semi-detached house here in Singapore! wootz. And it also cost much less to own one!

Food
I have long knew that people in Tg. Pinang likes their food sweet, salty and spicy but have not tried much of it before. This trip saw me trying several kinds of delicacies and they sure are all very sweet, rather salty and quite spicy.

Durian Ice Kacang @ 8,000Rp (approx. S$1.20)

Well, this durian ice kacang is not very much different from what we can get back here, less the smaller portion of durian and the addition of chocolate fudge.

Before and after of BBQ corn @ ???Rp (forgot le :P)

Barbecue corn the satay way

The corn is first dipped into coconut milk (which makes it salty) then sent for barbecue. Then after, the barbecued corn is glazed with condensed milk to the customer's liking (which makes it very sweet). Didn't taste too horrid, rather tasty actually but is something to eat once in a very blue moon cos it's way too sinful.

Home-made chwee kuei @ priceless

These are highlights of only some of the food I have tried during the trip. Overall, food there cost about half of the price here and the portion is generally about 50% more than at home. So it would seem food there is about 75% cheaper?

Water
Now, water doesn't come everyday in Tanjung Pinang but water not coming for 5 out of the 6 days is gruelling. The only day with water supply was enough for 1 day's of consumption only! Luckily, all of us who were there grew up in the days of water rationing so the theory got to be applied: jit gong lah dum, jit gong ker lah sam, dae sa gong hoe chut lai (one scoop to wet, another scoop to wash away the filth, and you jolly-well come out of the bathroom after the third scoop). Nah, this doesn't really work, but we had to make do with one pail of water each for bathing; we were lucky that the host stocked up water the day before we arrived. Even then, the stock couldn't last for all 6 days and one of our friends was kind enough to bring over an equivalent of 6 jerry cans of water from his home, which isn't very much also.

So fellow Singaporeans, be grateful that we have water by the turn of the tap and please, do use water wisely. Reason for not having water supply everyday? I shall not discuss......sensitive noe.

Power Supply

The "authority" has somehow, decided that every area of the village shall take turns to not have power supply every three days for two/three hours. Nope, they are not being environmentally friendly, but it has something to do with oil prices; the detail of such decision shall not be discussed......another sensitive one.

Romantic night without electricity

Romantic your head! No power = no fan = darn hot and stuffy + no water supply = WTH!!!

We finally decided to adopt the locals' solution:

Power Generator

So all was well during the following power cut, except the water problem. :)

Plant of Fortune

I was told this little plant cost 700,000Rp (approx. S$104.48) and its value will increase rather exponentially with its size. Anyone has any idea what this plant is? Perhaps we can consider making a fortune out of this plant. =P

Ah well, this kinda summarises the little notes of my trip.

Composer is Back...

2008-05-07T01:30:00.002+08:00

Composers Block is alive yet again. Kudos to Uncle Freddie.

Have changed the auto-play music to "Favour" cos this is one of the many I like a lot.

Still have much to say about my thoughts of Reuben's music and the 5 of them but my body has long signaled me.

Shall find time to share on this before I go out of town else it would have to be after my return.

Natural Exfoliation

2008-05-06T13:29:00.004+08:00

I have been, or rather my skin has been peeling off since Sunday and I now look like a freak; I sure can do with the little "extra" attention from others with this hideous look. :P LOL, needn't spend tens or maybe even hundreds of dollars to perform exfoliation at the facials, just go under the sun for 6 straight hours. =P

Went to the East Coast Park on Labour Day and did a 2 X 45-min-non-stop cycling amid a recovery on the knees, and the price to pay: aches around the knees. Darn. Thought it should have little impact to the knees. That was noob act 1.

Returned the bicycle when it was due, then in less than 30 mins, rented a pair of roller blades. Price to pay for picking up roller blading: blisters on the ankle and the ball of my feet. That was noob act 2.

I suppose that was my second or third time trying roller blading - over several years that is, and every time, I get the blisters. I really wonder whether it was my inefficacy in blading, the wrong size of blades or both that constituted to this.

Seeing others blade is wonderful, trying to do it myself isn't though. I tried emulating others but just couldn't get it right. If only someone could guide me in choosing the right blades, and to blade. Yoohoo......anyone out there care to help?

IRON MAN

2008-05-01T00:50:00.003+08:00

Attended a private screening of "Iron Man" a few hours ago at Cineleisure Orchard. That made me one of the few to catch it before all others. wootz.

I vaguely remember watching the cartoon when I was younger but just couldn't recall what the cartoon/comic was all about. But one thing is for sure - this movie has no reference to the cartoon (and/ or comic). Not much of a storyline or plot to speak of; so predictable. Nevertheless, for the lighter notes of it - the silly little jokes and humour here and there, I would give it a 3.5 popcorns out of 5; the other 1.5 made their way into my stomach - literally.

One thing caught my attention was the realisation of Tony Stark - the Iron Man, that the very power to protect can turn into the power to destroy, weapons that is, and that one shall perish under the very weapon he or she creates - something told to me by an Elder. Coincidence?

LOL, my colleagues and I agree that this movie is better than many of those we have caught, so do give it a try if you may wish. I think there isn't many good ones to catch lately anyway.

To Speak Charity Screening

2008-04-30T00:39:00.015+08:00

Attended the charity screening of the movie 'To Speak' in United World College last Saturday. Tian Hong has written a rather concise excerpt and review of the movie. We were honoured to have Janne Ritskes, founder of Tabitha, to grace the event.

Thank you Uncle Freddie for the kind invitation to the screening. It took me quite a while to muster enough courage to introduce myself to Uncle Freddie for I am just too shy. :P If not for the need to collect the drink vouchers (intention was actually to ask for the ticket but there was actually none to issue in the first place), I would have remained anonymous.

At first look, uncle seemed to have been coping well, but I just felt that uncle was still trying to cope with Reuben's departure. As the saying goes:"Still water runs deep." When he was asked to the stage to say a few words, it was rather obvious that the emotions were oozing out of him, but uncle was strong enough to keep them at bay.

Love leaves a memory no one can steal,
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.

How true. It must have been real hard on him, Aunt Patsy and Shimona - I think. Wish them well.

Didn't have the opportunity to speak with Aunt Patsy, Shimona and Tian Hong; I managed to remain anonymous to them. Apologies, especially to Tian Hong. But I do wonder whether Tian Hong realise that we did see each other in the eye. :P

Even though it was my second time watching the movie, I was still as touched by the story and Reuben's magnificent compositions as my first time watching.

The plight of Ratana and her fellow villagers aside, I think the one other thing one can pick up from the movie would be the need to seek other means to convey one's message. Craig (one of the Executive Producers) ingenuously illustrated this by having Ratana leading the other children, who all are tasked to fetch water from another village, to their parents' workplace, staging a little "demonstration", in the form of massaging their "tired" arms.

Would definitely get the DVD once it is available.

I must say that Reuben has not left us in vain for his works has in some way, helped the less fortunates. And to many others like myself, he is very much an inspiration. God has been very kind to us by sending this angel to us all. Thank you Reuben.

Ah well, contemplating making volunteering a career.

Goodness Gracious

2008-04-12T00:07:00.007+08:00

The MRT train was more packed than usual due to the heavy rain in the morning rush hour. One gentleman, in his mid 40s, I think, boarded the train at Bishan MRT Station. Poor guy was he for he was being pushed from behind and was left with not much standing space. So, he politely asked this young lady, in her mid 20s, I guess, to move slightly into the carriage. This lady, who was busy with her mobile phone, looked up and without even making an effort to see if there was space for her to move in, replied immediately and quite rudely, "Uncle, there is no more space already!"

I suppose another lady beside this lady heard the commotion, and so moved in slightly into the carriage. Just one step, and viola, this gentlemen got a decent space to stand through the journey, that of course, is when this lady moved in subsequently.

See, it is never difficult to make a difference, never difficult to be gracious. All is needed, is to jump out of our own little world, be aware of the on-goings around us and take the little steps to make the day for others; it is a snowballing effect.

There is nothing so big to achieve to be gracious. Graciousness comes in little forms; so small yet so GREAT. And that is why I could not get myself to agree with one SM, then PM, quite vaguely in my memory, if I did not remember wrongly, that we need to bring in Arts to make Singapore more gracious. I can and will never equate graciousness with the inclination to Arts, just as academic achievements does not (necessary) bring about virtue and/or graciousness.

Graciousness lies within everyone awaiting to be released. Many a time, it is those men and women in the lower rung of the society displaying graciousness. Shame on us well-educated-so-called-Executives-and-Professionals.

I appeal for some self-reflection.

To Speak

2008-04-11T00:46:00.005+08:00

Watched "To Speak" a few hours ago at Sinema OldSchool - one of the screenings for this year's SIFF.

The music composed by Reuben is really awesome. Even though I have heard all the pieces he composed for this movie prior to watching it, I still find it so different, so mesmerising is the dynamics of the fusion of story and music. I was quite surprised and delighted that they actually showed a tribute to Reuben before the movie which I thought I could only catch it during the Charity Screening on 26 April.

The story is good and it sure made me ponder quite a bit on humans - the thoughts, mentality and behaviour.

Saw Kai Hong, Allen Poon, Yi He, Leonard, Darren and a few others whom I do not know their names, yup, Reuben's fellow Dragon Boaters, at the screening. And my did I have the most awkward first face-up-meet-up with Kai Hong. I was struggling to find something to converse with him and my body language was at its worst forms - I think. And I thought I noticed some uneasiness in Kai Hong. The whole thing lasted no more than a couple of minutes. Duh! I should have remained anonymous. Then again, I think it was nice that we met; a new "friend" is always better than a new enemy.

Hahaha......not really a FRIEND yet I think.

Oh, Shad-up!!!

2008-04-11T00:38:00.004+08:00

Please, don't put the blame on the adorable child.

Yes, he may be a little noisy at times with his own fascinations but shouldn't the mother realise she is making more din than her child?

Just SHUT-UP and the decibels will tumble down, dramatically.

Charity

2008-04-10T23:54:00.005+08:00

Had wanted to blog about this thing which happened on Friday but haven't got the time. After having read Mr Miyagi's entry on "Enterprise" a while ago, the more I thought I should say something about this.

See, this teenage girl approached me at Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange, explaining to me the charity ticket she was trying to sell and the situation was very much what Benjamin has mentioned in his blog, that "something something ex-convict, something something....", which I could barely make out. I requested to take a further look at the so-called authorising memo she was holding on to and couldn't helped but find it not substantial enough to indicate that she was authorised by the relevant authority(ies) (so said to be a member of NCSS) to sell the tickets to the public. That memo was merely one prepared and undersigned by the so-mentioned social service organisation. I did a brief comment that I was expecting to see a police permit instead even though I wasn't too sure it is the right document for her to have; well at least I recall we needed a police permit to sell movie tickets to the public for our fund raising movie screening back in my polytechnic days. I was quite doubtful but something just brushed this doubt aside making me decide to get one from her. My, she actually wanted to sell me 2 tickets which I turned down, indicating I'll just get one.

When I finally boarded the bus, this girl also boarded the same bus with her group of friends, who apparently were also selling those tickets. Surprise, surprise.....I actually saw one of them filling up a time sheet and the time sheet was letter-headed as D****** Marketing or something like that. I also overheard that they actually needed to meet some sales quota!!! So they were PAID to sell the charity tickets!

Quite some time back, there were people questioning such pay-to-sell-charity-tickets activity, questioning the actual amount of money going to the intended charity / social service organisations when it made news. The authenticity of such activity was also discussed.

Yup, it did occur to me for a split-second-moment then that it could be a scam, or as what Benjamin has put it - a con in action, but finally brushed it aside. I was probably in a good mood to not turn it down, just probably.

Oh MiGosh!!!

2008-04-01T00:20:00.006+08:00

Gosh! Now that I have the bandage removed, I can see how badly injured my right knee is.

The sinseh first did some acupuncture then inflicted some small wounds with a needle......well, at least I think she was cos I was lying down and could not see what she was doing to my knee. She then did cupping on my knee with the help of a suction pump which normal consumer cupping instruments can't manage.

And anyone who has done cupping before would know what it means to see "bruises" after cupping. Holy-Gracious, my whole knee is covered with those "bruises".

Never expected a 7km jog could have done this to me...well, that's after 10 over years after my last such long distance run to speak of.

No matter. Once the right is done, then the left, and I should be up and running again.

Injustice To The Left Knee

2008-03-30T21:25:00.008+08:00

Oh, so sorry poor left knee of mine. I know you are just as injured as the right but somehow or rather, when the Sinseh ask which is in a worser condition (he/she says not a good idea to work on both at one go), I always mention the right cos it just occurred to me that since the right knee was initially injured, it only make sense I have it done first.

But then again, whenever I am at the clinic, both of you just couldn't make up your minds which to make me feel worse so that I can decide on which of you gets treatment first. Duh......

Anyway, was quite surprised to hear something from the sinseh today. DON'T JOG IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH SLEEP. Hey, this is really something I have never heard of in my life! And come on, when did we ever have enough sleep back in our army days? Didn't we go on with all those long distance runs? But well, she's after all the sinseh who is supposed to know the all-abouts and I am letting her (family) make good my knees. So ya, gotta trust her. Then again, I think age and lack of training adds on to that and these could very well be the culprits of my ordeal.

The sinseh also told me that the knee, spine and the neck are three places where we have to be very careful of, that once injured, gotta work on them soonest possible.

Erm, back to my dear left knee. Don't worry, cos I'm keeping check on ya. Like what the sinseh mentioned, the moment we have your partner revived, we will give you your due attention. So till then, please be nice to me ya?

The Power of Being ONE

2008-03-30T20:55:00.013+08:00

Forgot about this in my first post.

Went Kallang to look at peeps train yesterday morning. I know nuts on the dynamics of DB-ing, but I strongly believe the essence of it is same stroke at the exact same angle of the paddle at the synchronised pace. Now, this calls for camaraderie and utmost selflessness, giving ones full commitment to the team even to the extent of giving over-and-on-top of ones capacity.

A good team-sports person is a true team player, a true comrade, one who is dependable to give his/her utmost best in fulfilling the goal of the team. Extending this to the many aspects of life, this person would very well be a good man/woman and this is really what we need in our societies.

Sigh. Time and again, this is something I find so lacking in so many instances in so many groups/organisations. People can go around preaching the importance and need of camaraderie, of cohesiveness, but are merely talks.

I yearn to find at least a group in whatever nature, which I can practise camaraderie, witness camaraderie and harvest the joy it brings.

One day, when everyone realise the good of being ONE, we will not be too far from Utopia - I think.

First Thoughts

2008-03-30T01:17:00.003+08:00

Went to visit some "friends" yesterday morning. Yup, "friends" cos they have not known me but I would like very much that they do. During the visit, I saw families doing what everyone is supposed to do in this period of the year, not forgetting having breakfast together with some catching-ups. That's when this thought crept into my mind: "Has it got to be such occasion other than CNY, weddings, funeral, only will family members gather and find out how each and everyone is doing"?

Well, this thought is not without guilt, for I too do not meet often my relatives and friends. Thanks to these "friends" of mine, I have, since their leaving, woken up quite a bit. Really, like what the brother of one mentioned: "Time and tide waits for no one". You just have to put in that extra effort, no matter what.

Sent a birthday greeting to another "friend" who is a real friend and buddy of these "friends" of mine. It's his big 21 this year. Wish him well.

It is really getting late now and I guess this should be about all for my first posting. The next thing I need would be commitment and content to keep going.