Choco In Dry Ice

A Good Question...

2009-05-26T19:48:00.002+08:00

A Padewan asked me this afternoon:
"Jedi Knight... why do you Jedi Knights, want to know more about us Padawans?"

It was a question, no Padawans had asked before... Something I took for granted... Something that many other Padawans like her took for granted...

Who are we to know more about another person?

It was a tremendously good question, as far as I'm concerned...

It was a question, whose answers, answered all my other questions, which I'm struggling to find answers to up till that very moment...

I paused for a few short seconds before answering her because I didn't see it coming at all...

But I think it was a very timely question to be asked... For it has reminded me my purpose in being a Jedi Knight...

The best analogy I could think of the explain would be this:
"A doctor took the blood pressure of his patient... It was below normal range... If he doesn't know that the patient has an amputated hand behind his back which was bleeding profusely, he'd think that his patient is having a weak heart..."

Where's the Pot of Gold?

2009-02-25T20:07:00.002+08:00

Saw this beautiful rainbow this evening...

If not for the fact that I was trying to check if there's anymore students staying around at the back of the school, I wouldn't have seen this lovely sight...

Spotting a rainbow almost always brings out the joy and fascination in me... It's a natural phenomenon that requires the right elements put together in order for it to form... Just prior the this, was a super heavy downpour... Then the sun started to peep out of the thick dark clouds when the rain subsided and the light got defracted by the water droplets in the clouds...

It gave me a feeling of hope all of a sudden... Hope that things which weren't going well or smoothly would somehow work out alright... Such assurance... Such joy...

A timely reminder for me to feel again... a timely reminder for me to stay hopeful again...

So nice...

Just Got to Hang In There...

2009-01-29T23:18:00.004+08:00

Almost didn't make it to shoot the fireworks during last year's fireworks celebration at the Marina Bay...

The show was scheduled to start at 9 pm...

I reached the Marina area well before 8pm... but the roads around the floating platform was so congested with cars and people... Parking around that area were all full...

I decided to drop my mum, sis and bro-in-law off first to enter the viewing gallery, while I tried to find parking...

Nearest available was at Suntec City... I estimated that if I hurry, I could still reach the floating stage gallery within 10 mins... I thought I should have enough time...

But I ended up going round and round inside Suntec City's carpark, finding the elusive parking lot... And when I finally did find a lot, the time had just past 9 pm...

The show was scheduled to start at 9 pm...

I had wanted to just give up and forget about lugging my camera bag and heavy tripod over to the Marina Bay and just meet my mum, sis and bro-in-law just to walk back again to collect my car. I thought I would miss the fireworks completely...

But I still came out of the carpark and when I was out in the open, I realised the show has not started... It was a quarter past 9pm... There seem to be a delay in the fireworks...

I decided to make a dash for it... I ran with my heavy gear... The last time I ran like this was when I took my SOC during my NS... It was tiring... But I just didn't stop...

When I finally reached the Esplanade, just outside the floating gallery, the MC of the fireworks show started counting down... I thought I was beaten to it... I had wanted to just stand at the roadside and watch the fireworks from outside...

But at the end of the counting down, there still was no fireworks... It was some musical prelude before the firing...

Made a final dash into the floating gallery and managed to set up my camera and propped up my tripod... And I made it in time for the fireworks at almost 9.30pm...

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And why dig out something that has happened almost half a year ago now?

Because I realise I needed a reminder that at times when I feel like really giving up... when the chips seem to be down... when all hopes seem to be waning... There might just still be a way out and a good chance of a miracle happening...

Now is the time to dig in really deep within me, and find that resolve to not let up and continue 'running'... I might still have a chance to achieve... I just need to dig in deeper... And it will happen...

Heaven Smiling on Us : )

2008-12-03T12:41:00.005+08:00

Very literally, heaven was smiling on us...

On 1 Dec, while waiting for dinner at Loola campsite, just outside our sea dormitory, we spotted a smiley face in the dark sky above...

Everyone got excited at the very rare sighting... How often do we see the crescent accompanied by 2 bight stars, forming the smiley face?

Some of the cadets decided to take pictures of it, but without tripod to handle the long exposure, it's very difficult to capture it...

I told XR that some beautiful moments in life are meant to be enjoyed and savoured and be totally immersed in those moments... Rather than getting ourselves so busy and hectic trying to capture it in a photo in vain... And that moment would be lost without us fully enjoying it, while we are busy tying to get things to work...

It was only later that I found out from a staff of Loola that the two bright stars were actually Venus and Jupiter!!! It's a rare conjuction of the 2 planets and our moon!!!

So I decided to try my luck with my G10 and managed to capture this rare conjuction... Not the best quality shots, but I was able to make do with the settings to get this shot...

The brighter one on the left is Venus, and the other is Jupiter...

Looking back at the 4 days 3 nights in Loola, Bintan, I really feel that heaven was indeed smiling on all of us on this trip...

1) An overseas trip for my NPCC cadets had been long overdue... loads of reasons cropped up last couple of years and we couldn't realise this plan... Even this year, we started with plans to go Thailand... Then the political instability there forced us to reconsider other locations... Our friendly neighbour up north was also out of consideration also due to some uncertain political developments... We had no choice but to consider Batam or Bintan... Never had I considered these two places for an adventure trip... But lo and behold, came Loola... A never heard of location in Bintan... offering an adventure getaway... The preparations for this trip was amidst the most hectic phase of my work in school... Was juggling quite a number of other matters while trying to get this trip going... I almost felt like giving up... But for the cadets who have been really enthusiastic about this, it was well worth the effort...

2) There were a number of moments during this 4D3N camp where my heart was almost in my mouth...

- On the 2nd night, the wind was howling all though the night and there was lightning at somewhere far far out in the open sea... My greatest concern was for the 10 boys who were sleeping in the open sea dorm.... Though sheltered, they would be quite drenched should the sea storm come in the night... Prepared them for the worse and prep them to evacuate in the middle of the night should there really be a need... Thankfully, the storm didn't come...

- On the 3rd day, we went kayaking after our flying-fox... There was a patch of dark clouds further out in the sea, but we pressed on to do some kayaking... the sea was a bit choppier than usual, and two kayaks capsized... The delays from helping these 2 kayaks caused us to be drifted further away from the land and to make matters worse, it started to rain very heavily and we were soon paddling against the current... This was the last thing I had wanted to happen... In fact, this shouldn't even be happening, to get ourselves exposed in the sea, in the heavy rain, against the strong current, and with 6 kayaks and 3 single canoes trying hard to return to land... Thankfully, there was no thunder and lightning, and we all managed to return to mainland after some struggle, safely...

- On the 3rd night, we were all quite excited to spot the smiley face phenomenon in the night sky... And many of the cadets started to crowd themselves on the little bridge connector linking to my sea dorm... And while we were all so engrossed looking up, all of a sudden, we heard a crisp cracking noise... The wooden bridge couldn't take the weight of so many people, and it cracked!!! Thankfully, the bridge didn't collapse or gave way totally... Otherwise my cadets would have fallen down into the muddy seabed below...

- On the very same 3rd night, our debrief session was cut abruptly when the wind started to howl again, and unlike the previous night, lightning began to strike... We decided to take no chances, and we quickly evacuated the boys to the land dormitory... It was a 200 metres walk to the land dorm from our sea dorm... What was freaky was that we were walking in the open with lighting occurring right above our heads... Had to take this risk as the alternative of staying put was far riskier... Thankfully, the thunder and lightning ceased by around 3 am... We didn't have to manage the unimaginable...

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And so, by the end of the very fruitful trip, I really feel that heaven was really smiling on us... And personally, I'm really so glad that this trip happened... The cadets were wonderful... Such a cooperative group of youths... So much fun and laughter we had... So many important lessons we have learnt together... I've lost count on the number of times where I laughed till tears were flowing and my stomach was cramped... It's been a while since I had so much fun organising a camp... And for that, I really have to thank all 13 of cadets, my 2 very capable Cadet Inspectors, and of course my fellow TO, who without her enthusiasm, this trip would not have been possible... And I guess, this trip is our parting gift for her, for this will be her last camp with us before joining her new school...

(Check out camp photos HERE)

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(For more reading on the Moon Venus Jupiter conjunction, check THIS OUT.)

Hard-Earned Shirt

2008-10-19T12:20:00.000+08:00

Managed to complete the New Balance Real Run 2008. This year I feel is
a tougher route. 5km of cross-country terrain right at the beginning.
I almost gave up after coming out of the trail. Was so tempted to turn
together with the 10km runners instead of taking a longer detour for
my 15km race.

This race was just as tough as the Army Half-Marathon I'd did in
August. Just as tough because I wasn't as well-prepared for this run.

No excuse of course. But I better cover the necessary mileage before
any major runs in future. Today, I can feel my body complaining and
responding to my lack of preparations already.

Here's some vital statistics from my heart-rate meter:
Max heart-rate -> 204 bpm
Average heart-rate -> 183 bpm
Max speed -> 12.5 km/h
Avg speed -> 7.5 km/h
Total distance -> 15.9 km (where did the extra distance come frm)
Calories burnt -> 1881 kcal
Total time -> 2 hr 7 mins

I know I'm pushing my body beyond what it could currently take. I'm
basically running at over 90% of my max heart-rate most of the time.
And that's a sign that I'm not fit enough.

Furthermore, when I reached the 10km mark, my left knee is trying to
tell me it's getting weak already. And that's not a good sign. And by
the time I reached 11km, my right knee is also sending the same
message. I had to slow down. No point risking my knees cartilage. That
would only mean that I can't run anymore in future.

Well this race also completes the races I intended to do for the year.
There's still a Standard Chartered Marathon in December. But I don't
think I'm ready for that. Not sure if I'm ever going to be ready for a
full marathon. I'll need a proper training regime if I'm ever reckless
enough to sign up for one.

Oh What A Week...

2008-10-11T08:27:00.003+08:00

Had Mr. Newton be living in our exciting era, he would still have discovered gravity... But of course, given the hectic pace of the 21st century, and given that there probably wouldn't been so many apple trees these days for the apples to fall onto his head, he would have discovered gravity the 21st century way...

On today's ST headlines:
"Oh, What a Week
- Global markets lose US$6 trillion in panic selling,
- Governments pump in at least US$6 trillion to little effect."

Newton would also have figured out very easily that whatever that goes up, will come down eventually...

And it was in my studies of A-level physics, too, that there's such a concept called "conservation of energy"... Put simply, there's a finite amount of energy going all around, and energy is just being transferred from one form to another...

And this concept was similarly learnt when I did my Accountancy course in NTU... That was the time of the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, and it was at that time that I realised the world economy is but a "zero-sum game"... The amount of money is finite... What this means is that when someone is making obscene amount of profits, some losers out there are bleeding in their banks...

For all those who are studying Economics or any financial management courses right now, this is an excellent opportunity to see for yourselves what your books have been trying to tell you... Our financial markets are, in a nutshell, trading on perceived values and perceived networth... What's valuable and worth something today, can be whitewashed overnight... Once the market confidence is lost, values depreciate...

And that's the reason why I didn't believe in such a system, and that's the reason why I had to get out of that kind of system... A system driven by a pure pursuit on the concept of money...

But having said that, I do accept, and admit that I'm quite impressed with this entire concept of economics... A man-made creation, invented out of necessity... A necessity as a result of human-nature... If some alien colonies were to study our human civilisation, I'm sure they'd be impressed how the human-race rise and fall together with their stock markets...

Oh, and btw, Singapore is officially in a technical recession as declared by MTI yesterday... it seems each round of economic crises or recession is taking a shorter turnaround time to repeat itself...

And interestingly, a few other noteworthy pieces of news these last couple of weeks laid the ground for what's probably to come in the near future...

1) Electricity price is going up... amidst prices of oil falling... (Newton would be confused too)

2) AIG executives were spending US$400,000 at a spa resort, amidst the US taxpayers pumping in US$85 billion of rescue package into the company.

3) Starbucks was found to leave their water taps running continuously, as a company policy to prevent bacteria from accumulating in the water pipes, so that coffee-drinkers like you and me would be drinking cleaner coffee... How considerate of them... so now we know who is paying for the millions of dollars worth of water bills each year... (and did someone say something about the zero-sum game?)

4) Lehman Brothers CEO was interrogated after the collapse of the bank and was asked if he felt was fair that top executives in his bank were paid gross amount of bonuses a few days before they filed for bankruptcy... Well, he explained and clarified of course... cos' everything in business is justifiable... his system is in place and his system is working, he claims... But the bank collapsed anyway...

Oh... really... what a week!

Get Her!!!

2008-10-02T21:12:00.000+08:00

Now that's perseverance... (^o^)

Dreams Are Made of These...

2008-09-25T17:42:00.001+08:00

Couldn't help but feel an adrenalin rush and excitement when I saw
this beautiful set of F1 Grand Prix passes.

Wow!

Some People Just Don't Get It... Or Maybe I Don't

2008-09-24T17:23:00.004+08:00

I received a call this morning from an unfamiliar number... It went like this:

Caller: "Hello, is this Mr. ****?"

Me: "Yes, speaking."

Caller: "Hi, I'm calling from XXX company and we're located at Suntec City. Our company is celebrating our 5th anniversary and we'd like to congratulate you as we've chosen you as a lucky customer to receive a FREE FACIAL... You just need to PAY $10.70 for the products that we'll be using during this facial... Would you like to make an appointment to come down?"

Me: "Thank you... I don't think I'm interested in this... Good bye..."

Caller: "Oh... okie thanks."

I hung up phone...

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For a moment, I was really confused... Did I get the free facial part wrong? Or was I informed that I needed to still pay $10.70...

I actually spent a few minutes to analyse what I didn't understand correctly... I thought it was free?

But I guess, they could argue that there's no misrepresentation whatsoever... The act of giving facial could be free... But the products that they'll use, I'll have to pick up the tab... So there's nothing too wrong about that... It's just that I'd expect the entire facial should be in fact free, including the products that they'll use...

Nothing too different from other gimmicks such as:

1) Winning a car in a lucky draw - car is free, but COE not so...

2) Winning free air tickets - but will have to pay for the other tour expenses

3) Free XXX products - but only if you have spent $xxx amount first

And the list goes on and on...

There's no free lunch in this world... And I was momentarily naive enough to expect that I would have a free facial...

Perhaps that the nature of things in life... some form of exploitation of human nature... some form of exploitation of words as well...

Big money can be found usually within crevices between orthodox practices... that's how many people becomes rich anyway... that's ironically also how big banks such as Leh*** Bros got into trouble... and a string of other major financial institutions too... all thanks to sub-prime loans, a marvelous invention of man-kind, which lures banks to lend to people without creditable credit histories... Amazing behaviours, resulting in amazing fall from grace...

As far as I can see it, basically it just can be summed up in one simple 5-letter word...

GREED...

And what was it that I couldn't understand initially?

Nice & Soft

2008-09-10T18:47:00.000+08:00

The clouds look so soft and nice this evening. Such a lovely sight to
make up for a long draining day a work.

Simple pleasures... (^•^)

Hail the iPhone

2008-09-04T10:41:00.001+08:00

Muahaha. Now I can officially blog on the go. :)

转转转。。。

2008-07-18T22:22:00.002+08:00

“山不转，路转。。。
路不转，人转。。。
人不转，心转”

Saw these phrases on one of those advertisements in the subway stations of Taipei...

Loosely translated, it means:

"When you can't move the mountains, move the roads...
When you can't move the roads, move the person...
When you can't move the person, move the heart."

Of course, by 'moving the heart', we mean we take a fresh perspective and gather new insights...

Chinese wisdom at its best...

My trip to Tibet some 2 years ago had shown me this wisdom already... that the physical geography of Tibet is so harsh and unforgiving that roads really need to be built meandering around the slopes of mountains... and when roads can't lead one to one's destination, condition the heart to attain Nirvana...

And I must remind myself of this wisdom continually... there are some policies that I can't move... so I relook at strategies and approaches that may overcome the red-tapes... when strategies and approaches are helpless, maybe I just need a reframing of my mindset...

Some things/ people need to move... but they aren't... Some grudges need to be let go of... but they aren't... I can't change the world... I can't change other's priorities... I can't remove other's frustrations completely... but I can definitely choose how my mind is conditioned to perceive...

Mindfulness...

Concentration...

Compassion...

Loving kindness...

Lessons from my journeys...

G9 Tribute...

2008-07-07T10:34:00.009+08:00

To my Canon G9... thank you for being with me for the last 4 months... Thank you for recording all the beautiful memories for my trips to Taipei, Gunung Panti, Kukup, and all over Singapore...

You probably is now resting somewhere under the P.Ubin jetty... You might have been washed ashore... It was a split second of clumsiness on my part that let you slipped out of my grip, and into the choppy waters of the Ubin jetty... I tried... but I couldn't bring you back...

LIFE IS NOT ABOUT HOW MANY BREATHS YOUR TAKE...
IT'S ABOUT HOW MANY MOMENTS THAT TAKE YOUR BREATHS AWAY...

My cadets asked me on that fateful day if I feel sad about losing my G9... And I told them yes, it's rather disappointing... Disappointing more from the fact that in my 10 years of photography, I've never lost or dropped any of my photography equipment... And to lose it this way, I'm rather disappointed with myself... However, I told them (and myself too), that it's not healthy to attach too much of me emotions onto an object... It has served me well, very well indeed, while it was still with me... And I should be gratified about that...

So... it was a 'smack right in my face' kind of lesson... and I shall and never will ever repeat such silly and clumsy acts ever again...

iT's Finally Here... Almost

2008-06-12T16:58:00.002+08:00

Well, even when it's not been officially launched here in Singapore, the Apple iPhone has been used by many people here already... by means which I do not wish to dwell upon here on my blog...

But... SingTel has also finally, come to their senses, to work with Apple to bring in another very desirable (to be at least) Apple product into Singapore... And I'm pleased to announce that I've made a reservation for a set with SingTel... Muahahahahah : )

Swiftly Defensive

2008-05-26T11:27:00.006+08:00

I am SWIFT...

But Defensively Swift... ;)

Attended a Suzuki Swift Defensive Driving course two Sundays ago... In a nutshell, I've learnt to be more confident about how my Swift would respond under an emergency situation, and finally learnt how to activate the ABS (anti-lock braking system)... Could save my life...

The Aussie instructor asked all the participants a question which I've quite overlooked...

"What is the most important and critical safety feature in a car?"

Answer... The DRIVER

How many car accidents out there happened as a result of malfunctioned ABS?

How many car accidents out there happened as a result of no air-bag?

How many car accidents out there happened as a result of no Electronic Power Steering?

The "How many" question list goes on...

It's the driver... It's the driver... It's the driver...

And kind of interesting perspective because it's related to my previous post too, about "It's the Photographer"...

Honesty

2008-05-13T23:25:00.008+08:00

Someone posted a comment on one of my galleries in Pbase recently (see above):

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lena
Nothing special. You are not real photographer. You are just button pusher. Probably your camera is better and does not fit with you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wasn't really bothered by this kind soul, but what kept me wondering was what's on the mind of him/her...

Frankly, Lena has uttered a lot of truth... I'm not a REAL photographer, just a button pusher... hahaha, how true... all I did was really push the shutter button to record the shot...

I was quite amused really, that Lena actually even bothered to comment... And I guess there just could be a few possibilities...

a) Lena is a professional and REAL photographer. And if so, this really is an extremely constructive feedback for me to think about :)

b) Lena is not a REAL photographer and merely drops by randomly and happen to hantam my gallery with this comment. And if so, I should just brush this comment aside and move on...

I've seen this quote somewhere which says "a camera helps the photographer record what he sees... But the photographer must first be able to SEE..."

I like this quote a lot because I'm a believer of "a photo is only as beautiful as the photographer can see"... Being a partially geeky guy, I have GAS (gear acquiring syndrome) as well... i.e., I'm fascinated and has a tendency to acquire better and newer gear...

But these quotes as mentioned above have kept me on the ground, and I've lost quite a lot of craving to keep up with the latest and newest camera bodies out there... My current EOS 20D has been my regular workhorse for the past 4 years... 4 years in today's pace of DSLR development translate to at least 3 generations of upgrades and better cameras... But I still can't find a good reason to upgrade simply because I still can get what I want to capture with my 20D...

Anyway, I'm glad this Lena character popped into my gallery this way because it's a timely reminder of what photography means to me, as well as a reminder for me to keep 'seeing' things around me in ways that are special...

As I've done so in my reply on my gallery, thank you once again, Lena, for your (brutal) honesty... hahahah (^o^)

(btw, my button-pushing photos can be see HERE)

iWonder

2008-05-02T23:47:00.003+08:00

A recent short conversation with a Padawan went something like this:
Me - "Hey, I think as long as you take part in this XYZ activity, you'd still qualify to attain the most prestigious and highest attainable PQR Badge..."

Padawan - "I'm not interested in these attainments and badges anymore... I just want to go through and experience as much activities there are, and learn the most out of all of them... Because at the end of our life, everything will end up in dust..."

That reply shook me...

It really did...

Because it reminded me of how I used to look at life too...

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I remembered during the time of my Jedi training, a fellow trainee asked me what do I aspire to become in my work as a Jedi... And I replied that I'm not sure... I couldn't see very far how good or bad a Jedi I could be, but deep down, I knew that the path of the Jedi is what I want to be... And I knew deep down that this is the path that I should and would tread... I don't quite care if I'd just be a basic Jedi, a Jedi's Jedi, a Jedi of all Jedis or THE JEDI... All I wanted to be was to be a Jedi to train and bring up my Padawans well... What's in a name to the Jedi anyway?

I play the guitar... I learnt it almost all by myself... Having been greatly influenced by the Great Mr A... I read up on music theory, I read on up guitar playing techniques, I listened to lots and lots of guitar music, I watched guitar videos... But I just didn't have the FORMAL training to play the gutar... And most naturally, I do not have any FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS nor CERTIFICATIONS to ascertain my ability to play the guitar... But I enjoyed it thoroughly... Learning to play the guitar opened so much possibilities for me... It gave me my much-lacking self-confidence... It gave me my much-lacking sense of achievement... And most importantly, it gave me the exposure to a wide genre of music... So qualifications/certifications or not, I enjoy what I was doing...

I enjoyed and grew the most during my 3 years university education... Those were the days which shaped so much of my world view and perceptions and thinking... And ironically, the education I received most wasn't from the books... In fact, I did not manage to attain a GOOD DEGREE that we so often see being published in the Classified sections... I remember a good friend asked me after we graduated if I have any regrets for not having spent more time in studying to as to attain the GOOD DEGREE... And I replied that I have no regrets at all, because I learnt so much more lifeskills during my 3 years there...

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And now... iWonder... I wonder if I have lost some of that very pure and purposeful pursuit of my passions... I have a very strong conviction, still, that there's a great difference between "Doing things right" and "Doing the right things"... The former, I feel, is almost always easier... The latter demands moral courage...

Or maybe, I'm just being ignorantly naive...

But recently, I came across a very interesting definition of what a "Mind" is...
"A mind is just a construct of a great many thoughts"

And thoughts are temporal in nature... a state of mind at any cross section in time is but a fleeting moment in the multitude of criss-crossing thoughts... And it's almost always due to all the thoughts that bring us all up and down in our roller-coaster life... And all these attachments of life, which come in the forms of attainments, achievements, ranking, and qualifications, are just part of the temporal construct of our thoughts...

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And I thank this Padawan for reminding me of this... Reminding me that life is to be lived, rather than just a pursuit of achievements or attainments...

No doubt the world we live in usually and generally do not help remind us to LIVE our lives, but I hope I could gain some assurance that such is also the temporal nature of the world we live in too...

Photos Galore

2008-04-12T17:00:00.003+08:00

Attention one and all...

Photos of school events are now available at MY PICASA GALLERY

Events such as:

NPCC CCU Competition 2008

NPCC Cadet Leaders Camp 2008

Singapore Flyer Experience

AND

GROWTH Camp @ Gunung Panti

All future photos of school events will be posted up there... Enjoy : )

Where is the Truth?

2008-04-01T23:04:00.004+08:00

It was once a sacred land... A peaceful and holy land... The rooftop of the world...

Where prayers were sent up to the heavens by the winds... Where the people take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha...
It is a piece of high altitude land which demands the hardiest of people, the most courageous of humans and the deepest of faith, in order to survive and thrive... Where mother nature exposes the inhabitants of this land to extremities, its people has learnt to live in moderation and practice the middle path...
Such richness in culture... Such depth in tradition... Tracing back to ancient history... Its people has occupied this high altitude plateau...

But then in the 1950s, a neighbouring land began to LIBERATE this holy land...

As far as I'm concerned, this LIBERATION is such a vulgar and dirty word...

Who on planet earth has the right to LIBERATE another civilization?

I now begin to slowly appreciate how another civilization in the Middle East develop such immense hatred towards the West... and how unfortunate it really is for humanity, for the oppressed civilization to react in such devastating manners...
And I'm very afraid that the same would happen to this sacred high land... Their spiritual leader has inadvertently been blamed for starting all the chaos...

But in all honesty and true faith, who really is the trouble-maker here??? How could history be warped just to claim their rights to LIBERATE??? How could the stronger civilization expect the oppressed to keep still and remain oppressed??? Definitely not so considering the manner in which the LIBERATION took place!!!

Tears flowed out of my eyes uncontrollably when I stood in front of a Buddha's statue in a monastery in this holy land... I could not explain that feeling with words comprehensively... But I know it was a feeling that I am being completely accepted and that I have arrived at a place where somehow I belonged...

It could be some kind of a connection with my previous lives or something, because I could not otherwise felt compelled to visit this special land...

And with what's happening to this land right at this very moment, all I feel is exasperation and helplessness... That inexplicable connection that I have for this land saddens me...

I don't know why... I can't explain why...

But I do understand that what I'm experiencing in this lifetime is a culmination of my previous karma...

May the strength and faith of these great people pull them through these nonsensical turn of events... And may the Truth present itself for all the see...

Turkish Little Fellas

2008-03-08T15:10:00.004+08:00

These little fellas were supposedly from Turkey... Or rather, this Fish therapy thingy was supposedly originated from Turkey... Saw this at Kenko @ Singapore Flyer a couple of weeks back and decided to give it a try...

Very tingling, I must say... with probably a hundred of these little fellas nibbling on my legs... They're supposed to help with my blood circulation, clear away dead skin, and smoothen my skin...

Not sure if my legs became smoother as a result (the presence of my leg hair got into my way whenever I tried to feel if my skin was smoother)... But I do know these fellas seemed to savour my legs quite a great deal...

See my colleague's leg on the left? And compare that with mine... And it's not hard to see whose legs had more dead skin...

And these fellas do hands too...

Pretty fun...

Qian Hu next....

The Next Big Voice

2008-03-08T15:06:00.001+08:00

Such a talent...

Such a big voice...

Such a joy hearing her play the guitar...

Such a joy hearing her sing...

Joanna Wang...

我只在乎你

My Favourite Things

Accountability

2008-01-25T00:34:00.000+08:00

Once upon a time, a man named Greenfingers, was employed by a nursery owner to look after and help his orchids grow and bloom.

When Greenfingers first reported for work, he realised that the few pots of orchids were not given enough care for the past year or so, and were very much frail and almost drying out. He found out that he had a lot of work to do to re-pot the orchids and give them the right amount of sunlight. But Greenfingers was determined to give his all to ensure that the orchids under his care were well taken care of and he hoped that they would blossom into beautiful flowers.

And so he slogged for a good year... but at the same time, the nursery owner added new species and introduced new technologies with the hope of making the nursery become the most productive and most beautiful nursery in the region...

But with the added demands on the need to care for more species, and to cope with learning the newer ways of growing plants and flowers, all the other helpers employed by the nursery owner found that they had more and more tasks and plots of plants and flowers to tend over.

There's only so much they could do... weeds started to grow at corners over-looked... time were taken away from these helpers in coping with new changes...

By the end of the year, Greenfingers realised that despite his orchids which he had diligently tend over had blossomed nicely and beautifully, he couldn't say the same about all the other plants and flowers in the nursery... One look across the entire nursery, the sight was kind of messy and disorganised...

So Greenfingers began to wonder if he should be happy that his orchids finally managed to grow beautifully, or be disappointed that the nursery as a whole has not been well tended over...

Greenfingers also began to reflect in what other ways he could have helped get the whole nursery back in order again...

Patience...

2008-01-19T17:32:00.000+08:00

Pretty darn long...

Time, that is...

Since my last post here...

Wonder if anyone's still bothered to come here...

Been occupied...

Occupied...

Much occupied...

Being occupied is good...

Being occupied in the right way, is more important though...

Very eventful, last couple of months...

Learnt a lot about myself... about my health... about my deep-self...

Realised that I've lots to learn... lots to unlearn...

Dizzying, at times...

Ecstatic, at others...

Time flies... is never enough still...

Yet... even as time flies so quickly... quicker than I'd like it to be, I realised I still need to learn more about the virtue of being patient...

Patient with myself...

Patient with others close to me...

Patient with others' words...

Patient with others' actions...

Patient with things I do not see...

Patient with words I do not hear...

Patient with everything that I do not yet understand...

Patient with myself learning ever so slowly to understand...

And the greatest virtue that I also need to acquire, is none other than be thankful to people around me who have been patient with me, while I learn to be patient...

And be hopeful that their patience do not end... Just like I've not given up on learning to be patient...

Getting Close...

2007-11-22T12:03:00.000+08:00

Just when I though that there's only so much joy I could explore to derive from the kinds of photography that I've been engaging in, in came the world of macro photography...

Only the sharpest of eyes would see the beauty of all things so close, yet so small... Easy to miss... Easy to take for granted...

Although it has taken me oh so long to discover the beauty so near me, I'm so glad that I've done so...

No doubt there's this regret that I should have made this discovery much earlier...

No doubt life often has its very unique and inexplicable way of unveiling itself...

All I know is that I've taken that first step to our lookout-point... "go as far as you can, and you'll always see further from there"... and I do know from deep within that I have found something very special... Something that I'll treasure and sustain for a lifetime...

Running into the Starry Night

2007-10-29T23:15:00.000+08:00

So glad that I finished the 15km REAL Run yesterday...

And after the race, I can somewhat appreciate why it's called the REAL Run... Runway, road, trail and beach... all the "run-able" tracks were covered in this race...

To be honest, I was quite worried before the run... Since the last 12 km S'pore Bay Run in Aug, I really attempted to condition myself (after numerous reminders by my close friend too) by going for long runs to Bishan Park... I didn't want to end up collapsing from the rigorous heart activity...

But having completed it, there was an immense sense of satisfaction... Running is an 'out of my comfort zone' activity... I've always felt that human beings were not designed to run (otherwise why do we have to design shoes to protect our feet and knees from the impact?)... All along the race, I kept having to push myself and encourage myself not to stop... I could run slowly... I could walk briskly... But giving up was not an option...

And along this race, I also found myself running somewhere at the 2nd third of the entire pack of thousands of runners... There are those who are capable and fit and they are well way in front of me... and there's also those who are way behind me as well, running their own race...

And I come to some kind of realisation that in life, there's always a place for all of us... I need not be the fastest runner all the time... I need not feel bad about not being the better runners out there... I'm already out of my comfort zone, pushing my bodily limits, sun-tanning myself evenly under the morning sun, risking further wear & tear of my leg joints, trying my best to finish a long race... And I want to enjoy it, and affirm myself that I can accomplish something that I've never been good at doing...

I know that I will get there, no matter what... I may not be running at the pace that some may deem acceptable... I may be less fit than those in my age group... But I don't really think I mind that at all...

Having completed 4 long runs this year has allowed me to benchmark myself against the really ardent and serious runners... I know my fitness level will never get me anywhere near them... But the good thing about joining such races is that they gave me good motivations to complete these ridiculous distances which I'd never convince myself of completing all by myself...

And I think this 'benchmarking' that I've learnt from my running can also be applied in my area of work... It's not all about achieving achieving achieving the best the best the best results all the time... It's all about giving giving giving our best our best our best that really matters... We may never be comparable with the absolute best out there... But if we are all willing to step out of our comfort zones and push ourselves, we will achieve something that we may not have believed we ever could...

Yes... for the most part of my under 2 hours run yesterday, my mind was preoccupied with processing such thoughts... Something similar from meditation , I suppose... And also to distract myself from focusing too much on the discomfort...

But of course, the greatest motivation of all that really made the difference in yesterday's race was really the fact that I know deep down in my heart, that there is someone who's waiting for me right at the end, waiting for me to finish my run safely... I also know deep down that there is someone there who wouldn't be judging me on how well or how badly I've done for my race... It was this assurance which gave me the strength and determination to finish this run... This run into the Starry Night...

旅行的意义

2007-10-04T23:52:00.000+08:00

在 Youtube 找到了陈绮祯的吉他版“旅行的意义”。。。不必看见面孔。。。一把好的歌喉就以足够。。。

旅行的意义。。。旅行到底有什么意义？旅行就只是到处走走看看吗？

我上一趟出国到柬埔寨的吴哥窟时，在吴哥窟的最顶端，在吴哥窟最壮观的顶端，我听到了一位旅客上气不接下气地说：“上了也不是白上，还不是得再爬下去！”

的确。。。如果上去的目的只是因为别人都上去了。。。如果上去的原因只是因为都到这儿了，不如就跟着上去。。。那么到那儿旅行都只是“还得回去”的。。。

每一位到了旅行景点看到的一景一物都可以一样。。。但是，每一个人的心境却是不一样的。。。就是这不一样的心境判辩了旅行的意义。。。

那我本身旅行的意义又是什么呢？

心。。。

从心出发。。。

目的地很妙的竟然也是。。。心

这是一种很难言语的心态。。。一种我非常享受的心态。。。摄影常常能让我的心能够看得见。。。摄影也早已经成为了我的心的窗口。。。

我一直以为旅行的意义是一个很个人的意义。。。不过，我可能已经确定了这意义也可以和心爱的人共同分享的。。。

Run for your LIFE...

2007-09-29T12:42:00.000+08:00

April 2007 - Mizuno Mt Faber 10 km Run

July 2007- Saucony 10 km Run (East Coast)

August 2007 - Singapore Bay 12 km Run

October 2007 - New Balance 15 km Real Run (Changi Airport)

Never in my life had I believed that I could complete such distances in running... Let alone doing 4 such runs in a year...

Even during the phase in my life when I was fittest (NS days and Uni days), the max I ran were 5 km... I've always felt that running is a very boring and time consuming activity... You are left on your own (mentally at least), and it's mind over body after a certain distance...

But as I age (gracefully, mind you), somehow, that mental toughness grew and compensated for my fast diminishing fitness... I now know that as long as I run at a moderately comfortable pace, I can just go on and on, notwithstanding the usual tightness of thigh and calf muscles and knee pains... On such runs now, I often find myself being able to talk to myself and process thoughts as I run and I realised time passes pretty easily and my mind won't be preoccupied with feeling tired or thoughts of stopping and giving up the run...

On my own, I also realised that I don't usually have the motivation to complete long distances... I've tried running from my place near the AMK MRT down to Bishan Park, make a complete loop round both of the Bishan Parks, then run back home... But that's about the furtherest I'd go and that's merely 8 km thereabout...

But on such mass races, the act of running with thousands of strangers, and knowing that I won't be the last, somehow spur me on and make me just keep going and going and going... Initially, I kind of feel lousy when the super fit female competitors speed pass me... But now, I respect and acknowledge them as capable competitors, and I also now learnt to take it in my stride and enjoy admiring their super well-toned legs as well... And talking about legs, I believe I've seen enough well-toned legs, males and females alike, from such races that I can quite confidently differentiate long distance runners from all other wannabes... I'd like to believe that I used to have a pair of such legs when I was at the prime of my fiteness, but now, I can only admire others and aspire quietly to maintain a fit and healthy pair of legs myself...

The last race for this year for me would be the New Balance Real Run... 15 km over road and some sandy beach... A distance I've never conquered... And for the first time, I'm a bit more worried about my fitness and condition in completing this race... It's a personal challange... Completetion would be an achievement for me... Timing is secondary for me, as with all other races... I've never been a competitive person all my life anyway... I've always thought that there's simply too many rat races all over, but the thing is, I'm NOT A RAT! Simply can't be bothered about any perceived competitions anywhere...

Life is to be enjoyed and lived meaningfully... Life is Beautiful enough to live it to the fullest... And on long races, I envision myself to be running on my Life journey... Every step towards the destination, is always one step nearer... And even upon reaching the destination, Life still goes on, another destination awaits, loved ones await as well... And that's the wonder in Life... overcoming oneself, sharing life with loved ones meaninfully and peacefully...

Kinda Freaky...

2007-09-21T18:52:00.000+08:00

I just don't feel quite comfortable at all with this strange phenomenon...

For the past few months, the above photo I took off the car reflection of myself when I was in New Zealand North Island, Dargaville, has been the highest hit photo on my pbase photo gallery...

Freaky, in fact... and I completely do not understand who or where or how there're people in the world-wide-web who got to know of this photo!!!

And why me??? Or why this photo? You can't see my face... You can't see the interior of the car too clearly... You can't see much landscape of the quiet Dargaville either...

Why why why why why why why why?

Very puzzling...

Very puzzling indeed...

AJC Wanton Mee!!!

2007-09-17T22:04:00.000+08:00

And it's finally found!!!

Our famous AJC wanton mee!!!

Now located at ABC Brickworks Market!!! Thanks to http://ieatishootipost.blogspot.com/

I don't think I've tasted any better tasting wanton mee since I left AJC!!!

Everybody must try must try must try okie? : )

What They Taught Me...

2007-09-11T22:55:00.000+08:00

Last Friday, at the East Coast Park, near carpark E2, this group of beautiful people taught me some valuable lessons...

- that there's happiness to be found in every corner of the world...

- that with a sincere and open heart, your care, concern and love can be passed on to others...

- that there are people out there who would truly appreciate simple gestures and actions that we do...

- that there's no point in mulling and sulking over unhappy pasts and start appreciating that there's beautiful people such as these, who bring so much joy and laughter to a group of elderlies...

To the 8 beautiful boys and girls, I sincerely salute all of you, for sharing a small part of your life with the elderlies... I could see in their eyes how touched and happy they really are after spending these beautiful times with you guys and gals... And I am touched and am proud of all of you...

Thank you for brightening up my day as well... You have shown me, and many many others who might have chosen to believe that the end has befallen on them, that with a beautiful and simple heart, joy can be passed around and can be felt...

You all have certainly inspired me... :)

恋爱症候群

2007-09-06T16:09:00.000+08:00

我想全世界歌词最长的歌绝对是黄舒骏的“恋爱症候群”。。。

第一次接触这首歌是在我初级学院第一年时，听到六弦琴学会学长自弹自唱的。对于一位吉他初学者来说，甚至是任何一个人，能听到某人能把这首歌一字不漏的唱完，且能将吉他和弦弹得完整的，绝对是一种赞叹与佩服。

所以我也誓言要学会自弹自唱这首将近千字，即幽默，且深情的歌。。。真的好不容易啊！我还记得真正完整的表演完这首歌是在我念大学第三年时，在一个宿舍歌咏组的表演上呈现的。当时我的吉他根基也相当的稳健了。所以自弹自唱不是问题。。。

黄舒骏也是另一位让我非常崇拜的创作人。。。他的写词技巧与深入性非常据有特色。。。也是才子型的一位创作人。。。

重新再看了一看“恋爱症候群”的歌词，不禁又有一番新的体会。。。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“恋爱症候群”
关于恋爱症候群的发生原因　至今仍然是最大一个谜
不管性别年龄职业体重学历长相和血型　没有一个人可以免疫
有些专家学者研究后相信　恋爱是内分泌失调所引起
却有别人认为恋爱属于滤过性病毒　像感冒无药可救但会自动痊愈
不管你同不同意　自古到今许多例子证明
恋爱不但是一种病态　它还可能是一种变态

一般发病后的初期反应会开始改变一些生活习性
洗澡洗得特别干净　刷牙刷得特别用力　半夜突然爬起来弹钢琴
有人每天站在阳台对路人傻笑　有人突然疯疯癫癫　突然很安静
有人一脸痴呆　对着镜子咬着指甲打喷嚏　有人对着小狗骂三字经
女人突然改变发型　男人开始每天练着哑铃
食欲不振歇斯底里四肢萎缩神经过敏发抖抽筋都出现在这时期

随着病情越来越变本加厉　人会变得格外敏感勇敢和恶心
写的说的唱的都像天才诗人一般才华洋溢　愈肉麻愈觉得有趣
有人恋爱之后每天躲在厕所哭泣　有人开记者会宣布恋爱的消息
有人总是喜欢两个人躲在黑漆漆的地方　像做了不可告人的事情
每天忙着找人算命　挖空心思改变自己　配合对方的习性
把每天都当作纪念日　把自己当作纪念品

每天漫无目的的腻在一起　言不及意也觉得好有趣
走着坐着躺着趴着都形影不离　像是两人三脚又像连体婴
心里想的只有爱你爱你爱你爱你　也不管家里米缸有没有米
也不管路上有人示威抗议　只管爱你
心里想的只有爱你爱你爱你爱你　也不管海峡两岸统一问题
也不管衣索匹亚多少难民　只管爱你

经过一段轰轰烈烈热恋时期　不久就会开始渐渐痊愈
两人开始互相厌倦　互相攻击对方缺点　所有甜蜜都随风而去
然后开始从错觉和误解中清醒　惊讶自己为何如此不聪明
为了爱情不管一切　不顾父母朋友姐妹兄弟　开始感到后悔不已
然后开始感到疲惫沉闷气喘心悸牙痛头痛梦呓
然后是精神不济瞳孔放大脾气暴燥四肢麻痹　终于受不了要分离

虽然结果颇令人伤心　了解之后也没什么了不起
爱情终究是握不住的云　只是我想要告诉你哦......
在我落寞的岁月里　你的温柔解脱我的孤寂
带给我深深的狂喜　如此颤动着我的心灵
轻轻诉说爱你爱你爱你爱你　不管是黑夜或是黎明
不管是梦中或是清醒　深深爱你
我要对你说爱你爱你爱你爱你　不管是黑夜或是黎明
不管是梦中或是清醒　深深爱你
多么幸福　让我遇见你　
呜......

一人一半，感情不散

2007-09-01T11:25:00.000+08:00

Definitely two of my favourite songs of the moment...

881 啊摇啊摇啊。。。 881 啊摇啊摇啊 (Chant in Hokkien to make sense of it... )

一人一半

代替

夜的眩晕

2007-08-23T22:58:00.000+08:00

夜的眩晕

词曲：梁文福

你说夜有万颗眼睛，我说何如你的晶莹。
只有在你梦里，才看见自己。
你说夜有千种声音，我只听到你，
你的手指在轻诉温柔言语。

望着你仿佛在梦里，闭上双眼又看见了你。
灼热的唇，锁上今夜于短短一瞬。
层层夜浪经已掀起，淹没了我淹没了你。
又是沉醉，又是沉回，在静静的汹涌里。

纵然夜有万颗眼睛，任他千种声音，
又是沉醉，又是沉回，在静静的汹涌里。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

又是一首梁文福的歌。。。
又是一首我非常喜欢的歌。。。
一首柔美且深情的歌。。。

夜。。。 尤其是在满天布满星星的夜，就很容易想起这首歌。。。

“夜有万颗眼睛。。。何如你的晶莹
夜有千种声音。。。 我只听到你”

真佩服梁文福写词的功力。。。 就这几行字，道尽心底的感觉。。。

夜。。。 当然没有万颗眼睛。。。
夜。。。 当然也不会发出任何声音。。。
所以看到眼睛的，听到声音的。。。 必然是思念人的心。。。

所以， 我喜欢这首歌。。。
所以， 我为这首歌编了一段眩晕的吉他和弦。。。

你愿意听吗？

天冷就回来

2007-08-20T01:08:00.000+08:00

终于。。。我一直都很欣赏的本地作家与创作家，梁文福，他的数几十首新谣创作，现在已被呈现于一出舞台剧《天冷就回来>...

今天... 有幸与友人观赏这部剧... 心中不禁涌出了许多极深的感触...

梁文福的作品,我可说是非常熟悉... 在我年少时期, 他的歌曲陪伴了我蛮长的一段时间... 从喜欢,到渐渐的深入欣赏,甚至是崇拜... 佩服他那非常带有文学色彩, 却又能够以简单的字句, 描绘出极生动及感人的情绪... 我的华文根基也是因为读了他的词及散文而打下的...

今天... 再度重温梁文福的词曲创作... 不仅再度的重温当年的情绪... 也重新更深入的体会他词句里所包含的感情... 他的词曲,在这舞台剧里,被赋予了新的画面... 新的画面也为我带来了新的感动...

"天冷就回来"... 五个简单的字。。。但字里所包含的意义却是如此的深不可测。。。舞台剧到了第二幕的开场时，当演员唱出了这首歌时，我的眼泪不禁的掉了下来。。。那感动的降临是如此的迅速，降临得如此毫无防备。。。

“从前对着收音机学唱旧的歌
我问妈妈为什么伤心像快乐
妈妈笑着说她也不懂得
我想出去走一走哦妈妈点点头
天冷你就回来别在风中徘徊
哦妈妈眼里有明白还有一丝无奈
天冷我想回家童年已经不在
昨天的雨点撒下来那滋味叫作爱
呜~别在风中徘徊呜~天冷就回来

渐渐对着收音机学唱新的歌
我问朋友为什么做梦也快乐
朋友笑说他从不相信梦
我想出去走一走哦朋友点点头
天冷你就回来别在风中徘徊
朋友的眼里有明白还有一份期待
天冷我想回家年少已经不在
今天的雨点撒下来那滋味就是爱

现在对着收音机听自己唱的歌
我的他问为什么幸福不快乐
我微笑着说我也不懂得
他想出去走一走我对他点点头
天冷你就回来别在风中徘徊
我猜我眼里有明白还有一丝无奈
天冷他没回家我仍然在等待
明天的雨点撒下来那滋味就是爱
呜~别在风中徘徊呜~天冷就回来“

第二及三段歌词深深的打动了我。。。

我们都是怕冷的人。。。
天冷了。。。
我想回来了。。。
天冷了。。。
雨点撒下来了。。。
你也该回来了吧？

Simplicity...

2007-08-14T21:03:00.000+08:00

Just 10 mins drive from Simpleville... Yet seldom thought of dropping by... Couldn't help but feel as if I'm back in Middle Earth this evening...

Simply simple... That's how life should be lived... Simple joy, simple relationships, simple peace, simple aspirations...

Simply perfect...

Retail Therapy - Men's Poison...

2007-08-11T17:52:00.000+08:00

Felt like rewarding myself for working hard making a living... Went out on a retail therapy trip today... And burnt some cash on a couple of items...

Finally, after many years of making do with a cheap and serve-its-purpose SLIK tripod, I bit the bullet and went ahead with a set of Manfrotto tripod and ballhead... Long-term investment, I tell myself...

Will it make me a better photographer?

Nahhh... I doubt so...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There's a few other items that's calling out for me, urging me to own them... in no order of priority (I'd love to have all of them if cash is of no concern), these are:

1) The iPhone

Won't arrive on S'pore shores till next year...

Would it make me a more organised and well connected and cool person?

Nahhh... I doubt so...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2) The Canon EOS 1D MKIII

The ultimate body that I could dream of owning at present...

Would it make me a better photographer?

Nahhh... I doubt so...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3) The Taylor GA 8 or Martin D28

Would these make me a better guitarist?

Nahhh... I doubt so...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4) The MINI Cooper

My dream car...

Would it make me a better driver?

Nahhh... I doubt so...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5) The new iMac

My dream machine to organise and edit my digital photos...

Would it make me a more organised person and a better photographer?

Nahhh... I doubt so too...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's a whole load of paradoxes... For the many WANTS of a man basically doesn't necessary make him better off... Well, maybe not directly anyway...

All the above items don't seem to give me any further edge in what I could possibly do... Probably more convenient... Probably they merely make me feel that I'm much better than I actually am...

But even so, if there's really such a thing as a self-actualising prophecy, then there's no harm in owning them and thinking that I'm better off and then in turn really perform in a better off fashion...

What a whole load of self-justifying expensive crap ;)

Where's the FIREWORKS??!!!

2007-08-05T17:52:00.000+08:00

Heard that there's going to be a final NDP rehearsal yesterday, so rushed down to my shooting spot at 7.30pm to have a shooting rehearsal myself before the actual day...

Parked my car by the roadside... walked double-quick time... leapt over the Kallang River railing... hurried along the river to the river mouth... under the Sheares Bridge... hit the spot... set up my tripod... set up camera... aimed and composed... did a few test shoots... and waited...

And waited...

And waited...

And waited...

7.50pm...

7.55pm...

8.00pm...

8.05pm...

8.10pm...

8.15pm... National Anthemn...

But where's the fireworks???

Finally dawned upon me that this last rehearsal wasn't a preview rehearsal... No fireworks... It was a standby rehearsal date to have a final run-through to iron out the kinks...

Felt silly and disappointed about the rush to make this trip... Learnt some lessons as well:

Not all NDP rehearsals will have fireworks...

Just like
Not all people who are nice to you will not harm you...

Just like
Not all people who are mean to you will not be nice to you afterall...

Just like
Not all people who appears strong on the outside will not succumb to pressure and stress...

Just like
Not all dogs who barks will ever set its teeth on you (deja vu ehh, Madcat?)...

Just like
Not all schools who has not won any accolades or awards are not capable of producing youths with character...

Just like
Not all photographers who has all the wonderful gear that money can buy will ever produce breathtaking photos...

But at least I do know for sure that there'll be fireworks on 9th August 2007... I have faith that the SAF and pyrotechnics team will not mess it all up ;)

Unexpected Safe Sanctuary

2007-08-02T18:25:00.001+08:00

Was churning a lot this morning... Over a case which amplified the weaknesses of every one involved, Padawans and Jedi Knights alike...

The feeling was bad... Felt so down... Over my abilities, over my inabilities...

Had to attend a briefing at NCSS in the morning as well, and throughout the journey to and fro, my mind was preoccupied with what had happened... Felt as if I was sinking and sinking and sinking...

Then, on my way back, for some reasons or other, my thought suddenly took an unexpected turn... I remembered I was trying find some source of confidence or a sense of security to calm myself down... Then amazingly, memories of my NS days in the 20SA Medical Centre came flashing back... ... ...

Lee and I were the only two medics who were posted to 20SA from my batch of Combat Medics... We found out that there was a shortage of medics in the unit for the past 1 year before we were posted... So we were kind of a relief to the manpower constraints there...

We also found out that we were greatly anticipated as all the medics there were to ROD in a years' time and should there be no medics to be posted and understudy, there'll be a major problem of handing and taking over of duties for the proper functioning of the medical centre...

And since there's only two of us, and since it was to be another 1 more year before another batch of medics were to be posted, all my seniors were eager to hand over their duties to the two of us...

Basically, that meant that the Admin I/C, Medical Board I/C, Medical Store I/C, Batallion Casualty Station Store I/C, Treatment Room I/C, MO Personal Assistant duties would fall onto the two of us... And that's only the HQ medics' duties... There still the Battery-line medic duties not covered...

Then there was our Senior Medic (the only regular soldier, and our boss of the Medical Centre)... He was a very difficult man to please... His train of thought and logic is something that none of us could comprehend... His eccentricities were our constant source of agony, frustration, hopelessness and despair... His concept of fairness was something that made us all wonder if we had all owed him something in our previous lives...

Shortly after Lee and I were posted, a few of my seniors came to me to warn me that for some incomprehensible reasons, our Senior Medic didn't quite like me... And he intended to throw me to the Battery-line and bunk in with the Gunners...

And that was a scary outcome... Because I wasn't quite ready to live with a whole Battery of rough and tough Gunners... Life would be miserable, I thought...

But goodness gracious... my Medical Officer (the doctor) wanted me to stick around in the Medical Centre to be his Personal Assistant... I was quite sure that his decision pissed the Senior Medic off quite a bit... though the Senior Medic is a regular soldier, the MO is higher ranking than the Senior Medic...

So my life in 20SA revolved around the Medical Centre... because there's only the two of us new to the Medical Centre, quite naturally, we were initiated into every aspects of the centre... For the sake of fairness and accountability, all these duties were split between the two of us... I took up the Medical Board, Medical Store, Batallion Casualty Station Store, MO Personal Assistant, and part of the Treatment Room duties...

So how were all these related to how I was feeling this morning?

I gradually realised that it was during these period of 1 year that I was groomed and taken care of by my seniors... they were the ones who look out for me and showed me all the ropes in managing the centre's duties and most importantly, how to manage our Senior Medic...

I could still fondly recall all those times where Big Chang would go though the Medical Board cases with me at night so that I could handle them myself... where Chris would pull me into his very organised Battalion Casualty Station store to show me how to pack, stack and identify hundreds of medical items stored in the numberous BCS boxes... where Ong would teach me how to operate and maintain every Treatment Room equipment (and also how to do anything we want, as long as we don't get caught)... and Leong who'd always say "Lai lai lai... come to my storeroom to do stock-taking for me..."... where Willie who'd teach me, albeit reluctanly, what he knew about being an MO's Personal Assistant...

These amazing seniors, upon looking back, were there for me and looked out for me and it was those days that I really didn't feel afraid at all of the daunting tasks and duties that fell upon me because I knew that they'd be there... If not for them, Lee and I would never had been able to manage the Medical Centre during the couple of months after they all RODed and before the new batch of medics were posted to our unit...

These memories and experiences were the source of security and confidence that I was craving for this morning... There was this temporal feeling of helplessness, insecurity and vulnerability this morning due to things which happened these couple of days... But a wave of calmness set upon me after I recalled all these wonderful moments when I was just a 19 year old youth...

And I'm thankful for these experiences that I had... they were experiences which toughened and strengthened my resolve... they were experiences which has moulded my sense of purpose...

And it's been a very long while since I've even thought about those days... It's amazing how these memories came flashing back when I really needed a booster from somewhere...

And I now wonder if I could still find a way to keep in touch with any of them...

This is the SPOT

2007-07-30T20:43:00.000+08:00

This is it...

The SPOT...

To get my 2007 NDP fireworks...

From here... I would only be able to shoot the fireworks... Perhaps the flypast too... But nothing more... Not the actions on the bay...

But that's the price to pay to get a different perspective...

CARE

2007-07-19T21:44:00.000+08:00

These couple of weeks, this word "CARE" keeps ringing in my ears...

CARE (Caring Actions in Response to Emergencies) Officer => a new hat I'm wearing now...

CARE Bear => A good friend says I'm like "Do-Your-Best Bear" of the Care Bears... So I did a research on the characteristics of Do-Your-Best Bear:

Do-Your-Best Bear is a Care Bear who dreams big and never gives up. Like his name says, he helps others put their best into everything they do. He's an upbeat bear who's always ready to say, "Great job!" His "aim high" attitude shows in his tummy symbol—a beautiful kite.

Caring Mission: Helps people be the best they can.
Symbol: Do-Your-Best Bear's colorful kite symbol reminds every one that the sky's the limit when you give your best.
Personality: Energetic and confident.
Character Quirk: No matter how hard he tries, he's the only Care Bear who can't fly a kite.
Color: Light green.
Best Friend: Champ Bear
Relationship Challenge: He wishes Wish Bear would wish less and try harder. Wish Bear wishes Do-Your-Best Bear would relax more.
Motto: You feel your best when you do your best!

Hmmm... this shall be my personal mascot to motivate myself to be more like him... :)

"It's Time to Let You Go"

2007-07-08T23:06:00.000+08:00

I thought I could control myself... never expected it to be so emotional... but all thanks to Mingli's photo montage, which ended with "It's time to let you go..." The moment I repeated those words, tears began to fall...

This is the 4th batch of cadets whom I've seen through their 4 years with the unit... The feeling every time is similar... I foolishly thought that I could suppress my emotions this time round... But alas, they decided to have a more intimate gathering after the POP Parade in the AVA room...

I used to feel that shedding of tears is a sign of breaking down, a sign of weakness...

But I finally understood that it could also be a sign of being human...

To my beloved Sec 4 NCOs, THIS is dedicated to you :) Thank you for bringing me so much joy...

30 Years...

2007-06-08T23:04:00.000+08:00

6 more hours... or thereabout... a 30-year long sibling-ship would have a new milestone...

As far as recalling my very early childhood is concerned, I can't quite trace precisely the point in time where I could retain a large part of my younger days...

But I vaguely could still remember visiting my new born sister in a hospital... that's when I was barely 3 years old...

I can't quite remember the entire setting... All I remembered was that as I was still not quite tall, and I wanted to take a look at my new sister, I stepped onto the lower tray of the baby trolley and tried to pull myself up... And in so doing, I think I almost toppled the baby trolley, with my sister inside of course... And someone pulled me away...

But I couldn't remember how much hostility I received...

And much of my childhood around that time was just a blur... Till I was much older...

The next patch of memory I could now recall was when I was about 5 years old... I used to live with my grandparents, uncle and aunt... All 8 of us in a little Toa Payoh 2-room flat... As a kid, my family was pretty strict on my movements... On a very rare occasion, I was able to play with some other kids in my block along the corridor... My little sister was with me... And for some reasons, we went upstairs from our 2nd level flat, and I can't remember how high we went... And after playing around, I came back down to the 2nd level with the other kids... But my little sis was no where to be found...

My grandparents, and aunt panicked... And formed a search party up the block to finally find my sis crying at some staircase up some level...

But again, I couldn't remember how much hostility I received...

Another episode, also around that age, I sat my sister down in my grandparents' little room... And I played barber with her... Snipped off some of her hair of course, with a pair of scissors... The adults only found out after a while later in the day when they saw some hair on the floor...

And again, I couldn't remember how much hostility I received...

Of course... 'hostility' is an over-stated word as far as I am concerned... being the eldest boy offspring in the family, I was treated with much care and concern... My grandmother would give my sis and I small amount of pocket money... And she would give me a dollar note, while giving my sis a few coins... My sis couldn't count, yet... so she always thought that she has 'more' money than me...

Both my parents are the eldest in their respective families and they married relatively early... so my sis and I didn't have any cousins to play with until we were both much older... So we played with each other for a large part of our childhood... My mum didn't allow me to leave the house after I get home right after school... So apart from doing homework, I'd play with my sis... Not that I have a choice anyway...

Somehow, the adults all around me has brainwashed me to make me understand that I should take good care of my younger sis and look out for her... I can't quite remember if there were any occasions where we actually quarreled badly... There weren't even any sibling rivalry too...

Maybe it's just because I've been doing better in school than her, that's why I don't feel any rivalry...

But as we grew older, and as I went to do my National Service, entered University, stayed in hostel, started work, we chat less often...

She has been at home all those while when I was away... She's the one who's always with my parents, while I'm staying away...

And in less than 6 hours, or thereabout, symbolically, she would be away from us... for a new chapter in her life...

And I could foresee myself having to fill in some of the void that she would leave behind... my parents wouldn't have her with them when I stay away... I could feel that I would gradually slip in this void that I rightfully should have co-filled in the past...

When I think about it deeper, it's really amazing to know that in this whole wide world, there is this person, apart from parents, who is so deeply and closely connected, by blood... No other being could ever come close to such kind of bonding... And such thoughts reminds and humbles me to treasure this remarkable relationship in my life...

She is very different from me, in terms of personality, and habits... She's most organised and tidy and orderly... A comparison in the way we upkeep our own rooms would be more than sufficient to see our differences...

Yet, we share a common love for quality chinese music... Somehow, I'm not sure if I was the one who first influenced her, we share a same passion for the local Xinyao, and some non-mainstream Taiwanese songwriters' music...

Just today, my sis joined me in my room during lunch, while I was watching 陈绮祯 concert DVD... and we lamented how regretful we both were in missing 陈绮祯's concert when she came a few years back... And when I need to find someone to watch any non-mainstream taiwanese singers' mini-concerts, I know I could always ask her along when probably none of my friends would have heard of those singers...

Such were the quiet bonds that we share... We are not brought up in an environment where we keep all our care and concern on our lips... subtle actions say it all... all these 30 years...

Technically, in the eyes of law, a couple is legally married once registered at the ROM... That happened a year ago already for my sis... But somehow, the customary wedding is most symbolic... probably because of the sheer amount of preparations and number of people involved... and that's something good...

Very happy for her... to have found a man in her life... to have found a man for marriage... and I'm delighted to gain a brother-in-law too, at least he a Manchester United die-hard fan too ;)

So in less than 6 hours... or thereabout... I'll be busy capturing memories for her... To preserve beautiful memories on her biggest and most important day in her life... To give her as a gift, to remind her of the beautiful day in years to come...

To remind myself also, of how beautiful a sister I have in my life...

Counter-Struck

2007-05-29T18:56:00.000+08:00

So many kiddos are into LAN gaming...

So intrigued by the draw that such centres have on kids...

So I decided to join my kiddos for a game this afternoon...

So long since I last stepped into Broadway Cinema... It's no longer Broadway Cinema now, of course... The theatre structure is still retained... But in place of the seats on the sloped steps, were rows upon rows of PCs all connected to the LAN...

So amazed at the maze...

So now I understand where their time went into... not in my A-Maths assignments obviously...

So impressed was I with the virtual skills that my kiddos possess... They killed me easily like killing an ant...

So worried, I have become... Of the countless amount of time that many others have spent in numerous centres all littered around the island...

So unreal, their real life have since become...

So dizzy I have become as well... both literally, as well as figuratively...

Living His Life Faster

2007-05-26T18:17:00.001+08:00

This is way too cool... done over 8 years...

A Day My Favourite Soccer Team Lost the FA Cup... But I Just Wasn't Too Bothered...

2007-05-21T18:51:00.000+08:00

Indeed... something lost, something gained... Man U lost in the dying minutes of the extra time... And I usually will be very frustrated and agonized over my favourite team losing an important match...

But not on that very special night...

And it was all because of these beautiful people...

Had a great time on Saturday evening with my first batch of students... Met them for dinner at Marina South... GZ & CP reminded me that when they were in Sec 4, we had an outing there as well... That prompted me to hunt down for the old photos I took with my old film compact camera...

It's been 5 years... look how young we all were... They are still young, of course... All young ladies and gentlemen now...

This was the best turnout since they graduated in 2003... So much to catch up, especially with the guys... Most of them I was still able to keep up with their progress via a few of them... So happy to know how well all of them have come along...

1) GZ - graduated from Poly, now working... looking into applying for a course in a private university
2) CP - graduated from Poly... looking into applying for ACCA or private university
3) TW - graduated from Poly... secured a place in NUS (Estate Mgmt)... awaiting NS
4) YC - graduated from NAFA... thinking of applying for NTU Media Studies
5) WL - now in Poly, after doing well from ITE...
6) WX - graduated from Poly, awaiting NS
7) SZ - now serving NS as a Police Officer a Changi Airport Division
8) LC - graduated from ITE, moving on to do a diploma
9) WH - graduated from Poly, awaiting NS
10) SR - doing his final term in Poly
11) LH - kindergarden teacher
12) SC - completed ITE, now working
13) SB - graduated from poly, now working
14) D - completed ITE, completed NS... now looking for job
15) KL - completed Poly, now working
16) SK - completed Poly, now working
17) XY - now taking an Airborne Course at Commando Camp (serious!)

I've probably said it before on this blog... They've really been the batch that I've learnt so much from... And I'm still learning from them now!

Every time I see them, I'll reflect upon how I've worked with them and grew with them... They've time and again given me a lot of strength and conviction to continue on my path and mission as an educator... They have moulded me, as much as I would like to think that the school has moulded them...

Before I left home that evening, I was pondering what would be a good time to excuse myself and return home to watch the 10pm FA Cup Final... But the moment I met all of them, I knew it'll be a special night that will absolutely have no replay whatsoever... And after dinner, we adjourned to Coffee Bean at J8 till well past midnight...

How I wish their other 2 very close teachers could be there as well... but alas, family commitments... But I'm very sure they'd be very proud of this batch of students too, just like I do...

Just when I thought I'm sliding down into a valley in the course of my work... I have these wonderful people to propel me back up again... Thank you guys and gals... :)

I'm a Slow Dancer??? Wow!

2007-05-14T16:39:00.000+08:00

Disclaimer: This entry is by no means a mode of self-advertising... Purely for fun & laughter :)

The Slow Dancer
Deliberate Gentle Love Dreamer (DGLD)

Steady, reliable, and cradling her tenderly. Take a deep breath, and let it out real easy...you are The Slow Dancer.

Your focus is love, not sex, and for your age, you have average experience. But you're a great, thoughtful guy, and your love life improves every year. There's also a powerful elimination process working in your favor: most Playboy types get stuck raising unwanted kids before you even begin settling down. The women left over will be hot and yours. Your ideal woman is someone intimate, intelligent, and very supportive.

While you're not exactly the life of the party, you do thrive in small groups of smart people. Your circle of friends is extra tight and it's HIGHLY likely they're just like you. You appreciate symmetry in relationships.

ALWAYS AVOID: The Battleaxe (DBLM)

CONSIDER: The Maid of Honor (DGLM) or The Sonnet (DGLD)

Link: The Online Persona Test

Which Famous Leader Am I?

2007-05-09T09:30:00.001+08:00

Sounds nice... :)

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Shoot Bird

2007-05-06T23:52:00.000+08:00

Okie... The Grammarians out there will condemn the title I've so chosen... But I figured it makes sense to lots of S'poreans at least... ;)

Very literally indeed... IIRC, the last time I went to the Jurong Bird Park was when I was in Primary School... Ridiculously long period of time since I stepped back there...

And pretty impressed with it, I must say... Had a lot of fun in the aviaries... So fascinating seeing birds flying all around you... Had lots of fun shooting them too, especially when I was trying to shoot birds in flight... Felt like I was doing trap shooting... Then there were the cheeky and friendly parrots in the aviary... So easy to shoot them... Immensely therapeutic... :)

Pink Flamingoes

"Trap Shooting"

Oooorh... So cuuute...

Love Birds...

Full series is HERE

Glorious Days Gone By...

2007-04-28T19:54:00.000+08:00

Amazing place... or should I say mansion... not quite easy to locate nor access... But worth the long walk... Doesn't take much to imagine how glorious its past used to be... Sad that it'll be gone soon...

The Istana Woodneuk

I'm A Talent?

2007-04-23T20:58:00.000+08:00

Okie, I know it's lame... But what the heck... Feels good to know I'm a talent... heheheh... ;)

You're a risk-taker, and you follow your passions. You're determined to take on the world and succeed on your own terms. Whether in the arts, science, engineering, business, or politics, you fearlessly express your own vision of the world. You're not afraid of a fight, and you're not afraid to bet your future on your own abilities. If you find a job boring or stifling, you're already preparing your resume. You believe in doing what you love, and you're not willing to settle for an ordinary life.

Talent: 62%
Lifer: 31%
Mandarin: 54%

Take the Talent, Lifer, or Mandarin quiz.

How Long More?

2007-04-17T18:16:00.000+08:00

It's either I can be so forgetful or I can forgive so quickly... I seem to be able to survive the recurrent frustrations, which stems from someone's apparent indifference or inability to communicate... For far too long, past two years especially, time and again I find myself running around covering for someone else's posterior... For far too long I've gone into battles alone, settling matters, become the middle-person to pass messages, explain on behalf of someone who's inexplicably incapable of doing it... For far too long, I've been crammed in the middle to the point where I no longer am able to perform my OWN ROLES!!! Perhaps it's all my fault for leaving it far too long... I do not wish to see my charges be short-changed... But that may in itself be a self-justifying image of mine... Self-glorifying myself... How naive? To think that I'd be relieved of his clasp, I still find myself living in his shadows... picking up loose bits after him... What on earth is this? "You are in the position to tell him!", I have been told many times... How many times do I have to bring it up? Why on earth is everyone not happy and it falls back to me? Can't everybody see that I'm unhappy too? Utterly ridiculous! "You ought to handle it better as you are expected to...", I've also been told... But for how long more???

How long more???

Basement 18...

2007-04-10T22:58:00.000+08:00

I wasn't even aware that the infamous Haw Par Villa is still open these days... until I came across a write up on the 18 levels of Hell...

Gosh... reading these alone sends shivers down my spine... That's the 'character education' that ancient Chinese received... Give me SEL any time...

18 Levels of Hell
1. Chamber of Wind and Thunder – People who kill and commit heinous crimes out of greed are sent here for punishment.

2. Chamber of Grinding – Wealthy men who do no good and waste food are ground into powder in this chamber.

3. Chamber of Flames – People who steal, plunder, rob and cheat are sent here to be burnt.

4. Chamber of Ice – Children who ill-treat their parents and elders are sent here to be frozen in ice.

5. Chamber of Oil Cauldrons – Sex offenders such as rapists, lechers, adulterers are fried in oil in this chamber.

6. Chamber of Dismemberment by Sawing – Kidnappers and people who force good women into prostitution suffer the fate of being sawn in this chamber.

7. Chamber of Dismemberment by Chariot – Corrupt officials and landlords who oppress and exploit the people are dismembered by a chariot in this chamber.

8. Chamber of Mountain of Knives – People who cheat customers by earning more than they should, profiteers who jack up prices and cheat on the quality of goods are made to shed blood by climbing the mountain of knives.

9. Chamber of Tongue Ripping – Gossips who stir trouble and liars suffer the fate of having their tongues ripped out in this chamber.

10. Chamber of Pounding – Cold-blooded murderers are pounded in this chamber.

11. Chamber of Torso-severing – Scheming and ungrateful men have their torsos severed in this chamber.

12. Chamber of Scales – Crooks who oppress the innocent, people who cheat on the quality of goods and daughters-in-law who ill-treat their in-laws have hooks pierced into their body and hung upside down.

13. Chamber of Eye-gouging – Peeping toms who go around peeking and leering have their eyeballs gouged out in this chamber.

14. Chamber of Heart-digging – People with evil hearts have theirs dug out in this chamber.

15. Chamber of Disembowelment – Instigators, hypocrites and tomb-robbers have their bowels dug out in this chamber.

16. Chamber of Blood – Blasphemous crooks who show no respect to the gods suffer the fate of being skinned in this chamber.

17. Chamber of Maggots – Crooks who use loopholes in the law to cheat and engage in malpractice are being eaten alive by maggots in this chamber.

18. Chamber of Avici – Crooks who have committed heinous crimes, brought misery to the people and betrayed the ruler are placed on a platform above an inferno. The unlucky ones fall off the platform into the inferno and burn while the lucky ones remain on the platform. These spirits are never to be reincarnated.

再见。。。优客李林

2007-04-01T00:48:00.000+08:00

Just came back from S'pore Expo... my favourite Chinese group 优客李林's concert...

A taiwanese group which released their first album in 1991...

The year when I started learning to play the guitar...

Was mesmerised by the guitar chords of their song 认错... a song which any decent guitar player who's into chinese pop would love to play and sing...

Was another beautiful and joyful experience, listening to 林志炫 singing live... He's one of the very very few male singers whose falsetto could sound so beautiful...

And it's an inspiration and admiration to relive the mastery of 李骥's songwriting prowess...

优客李林's music has been very distinguishable amidst all the run-of-mill chinese songs before they disbanded... A very unique 优客 brand of music and style... Something which all the full-house crowd tonight could associate with...

Found one of their songs which I love a lot on YouTube, both the music as well as th lyrics... and again, nobody's writing lyrics like this anymore...

黄丝带
作词：李骥作曲：李骥编曲：Tony Smith

站在面无表情灰色丛林中
面对冷默的你
也许等待的我不能再让你感动
将离开的你教我不知该怎么做
好久以前这样的心情也曾有过
年少的轻狂曾经让你走出我心中
现在你已将一切带走
我想这一次我也失去所有

等待你的我的心还在守候
守候对我冷默的你的眼会回头看我
离开我的你的背影是否听见我
我的爱你的心在门口守候

Took this poor quality video during the concert...

Where has all the 猜心 & 半袖 Gone?

2007-03-27T22:21:00.000+08:00

Chinese songs these days... do not have lyrics like these anymore... so sad...

Sung by an unpretentious and yet soulful 万芳, the images in the song just come to life...

猜心
作词：十一郎作曲：张宇

四方屋里什么都没有
只有被你关进来的落寞
你在墙角独坐心情的起落我无法猜透

握你的手却被你推落
惊见你眼中翻飞的寂寞
问你心想什么微扬的嘴角有强颜的笑

这样的夜热闹的街
问你想到了谁紧紧锁眉
我的喜悲随你而飞
擦了又湿的泪与谁相对

这样的夜热闹的街
问你想到了谁紧紧锁眉
我的喜悲随你而飞
擦了又湿的泪与谁相对

半袖
作词：姚若龙　编曲：洪敬尧

我凝视你的侧脸　你漠然数着木棉
骑单车的少年　结伴呼啸追逐笑颜

在街角那家花店　我停在红玫瑰前
你迟疑的瞬间　回忆也走的好远

你爱穿宽松的衬衫　你抗拒任何被束缚的感觉
沈思的我　落在你身后　而你头也不回

风扬起你的衣袖
无声的翻飞　无声的挥别
撕落的玫瑰　像眼泪

赶上前和你并肩发现你领口边缘
有一根我的发　斜斜在你胸前依偎

把我伸出的手轻收回　还是留它给你做纪念
代替我多陪你一会　送你穿过对街

风扬起你的衣袖
就像一双
白色羽翼
越飞越远
越飞越远

Finito...

2007-03-25T01:33:00.000+08:00

Okie folks.. it's done...

Finally finished processing the Growth Camp photos...

My eyes are about to dry up looking at the screen, checking colours, contrast, exposure...

Full series of 155 photos is HERE

Self-Inflicted Panic...

2007-03-22T21:57:00.000+08:00

Was feeling kind of frustrated over something this evening...

Decided to drive to Punggol Point to see what I could shoot...

Almost couldn't make it back home...

Reached the end of Punggol Road around 7.30pm...

I didn't know what got into me and I parked my car in the OBS carpark...

The carpark has a barrier and I saw a sign board stating the opening time of the carpark, and a warning message to drivers which says that once the barrier is lowered, drivers would have to collect their cars the next day...

And I thought I saw 5.30 am to 8.30 pm...

So happily I parked the car, and ventured to the beach to take the above few shots...

Didn't basically know what I wanted to shoot...

Eyes just weren't opened...

No vision of what I wanted at all...

Took some long exposure shots, and at the back of my mind, I reminded myself I had to return to my car before 8.30 pm...

And diligently, I went back just past 8 pm...

And to my horror, the barrier has been lowered!!!

I looked at the sign in the pitch dark carpark...

5.30 pm to 8.30 am... Carpark would be CLOSED!!!

I wondered why the heck was the carpark still open when I came in at 7.30 pm??!!??!!

Was quite angry at myself...

A few options quickly came to my mind...

- I tried to see if I could drive over the curbs...

- But my Red Swift Pod is too low...

- I figured I had to leave my car in that pitch dark carpark and walk all the way out to Punggol Central to take a public transport...

- I'll pick up my car some time tomorrow...

And then...

I saw a middle-aged uncle waving at me from about 50 m away, at the bus-stop near the jetty...

I ran towards him...

A miracle...

He said he could help me...

He said he's not from OBS... but he could help me...

He gave me the combination lock number to the lock that locked the barrier to the carpark...

***7...

He asked me to go try if it still worked...

I ran back and drove my car to the barrier, near enough for the headlamps to give me enough light to see where the lock was...

***7... the lock undid itself...

I was free...

I brought down the barrier again after I drove my car out...

Locked the barrier again...

I had to thank the middle-aged uncle...

I drove back to the bus-stop where he was still sitting...

He gave me a thumbs-up...

I thanked him profusely and offered to give him a lift...

He said a friend of his will give him a lift soon...

And I bade him farewell...

A miracle...

An angel...

Lessons learnt:
- Read the words of any sign boards, not just the numbers... a.m. and p.m. do differ!!!
- Just because it's stated that the barrier would be lowered at 5.30 pm doesn't necessarily mean that it should be down at 7.30 pm...
- Don't give up and succumb to panic when everything seems to be all hay-wired... U might just meet an angel to pull you out of agony...

Well... after this self-inflicted panic episode, at least I've learnt some lessons... and I now know the number lock sequence to that carpark... : )

It's a Bird...

2007-03-18T23:54:00.000+08:00

Kinda miss the roaring sounds of the landing planes at Changi campsite... I think the kiddos miss it too... ;)

无间道

2007-03-17T00:49:00.000+08:00

Okie... I've uploaded some Growth Camp photos to satisfy the appetite of those who inquired about it... Still have loads of them not done up... But if you want to see about one seventh of it, it's HERE

Chickadees

2007-03-15T22:16:00.000+08:00

Another performance during Growth Camp... :)

2007-03-13T20:11:00.000+08:00

It's been 21 months since I last changed my handphone... contract expired and was toying with which new model to change to...

My usage of handphone has always been making calls, sending sms, making simple reminders in the calendar, taking snapshots... never a power user of 3G capabilities...

So all I need is a simple phone... I must say that none of the fancy models in the market actuall quite make me want to make a change... Until the Nokia 6300 came along...

The number 1 reason why this model appealed to me straightaway was because it looks almost like the Apple's iPhone... well at least from the front view anyway... well, less the keypads...

Was telling myself to save up till the iPhone arrives onto Singapore shores next year... that'll be my ultimate gadget... Has always been obsessed with Apple's products... frm the iMac to the iPod to the iPhone...

But till it arrives, I got the 6300 for at least the next one year or so... : )

Mummy Mummy Come & See

2007-03-10T18:20:00.000+08:00

I almost died laughing when I saw the kiddos did this... Don't ask me why... Had a great time at the Upper Sec Growth Camp's campfire... : )

Joy...

2007-03-03T12:23:00.000+08:00

My Dragon batch Padawans who entered JCs received their long-awaited A-Level Results yesterday...

I sms WJ in the late afternoon, and she called back... She did really well!!! Despite her super active participation in school activities as a Student Councillor, she managed, what I felt, very very well indeed...

I was so happy... It was joy in fact... a kind of joy that's so pure and straight from within my heart...

And a wave of satisfaction came thereafter, after finding out also that several other whom I've taught previously, all qualified to enter universities... They'd be the first batch of students whom I've taught from Sec 1 to progress and reach universities... Hmmm, that's an amazing 6 years that's gone by...

I've always felt deep down that this batch of students would do well... SJ, CG, SK, NC, WM etc who entered JCs, and the numerous others, like BL, EL, CJ, and many others who entered Polys... They all had abilities and social skills which I lacked when I was their age... I lacked the kind of confidence and self-belief when I was their age...

All of them are still on a journey... a journey of discoveries and finding more about themselves, and giving what they have to others...

And it's great joy and satisfaction to know that I was privileged enough to be on a small part of their journeys of life...

The Harder Right...

2007-02-21T20:37:00.000+08:00

I first came across this phrase "the harder right" when I read a book on leadership during my NS days... The book was written by a retired officer from the famous US Military Academy at West Point... the context of this phrase was that as leaders, time and again he'll be tasked to make right decisions... and more often than not, the right decisions are usually very hard to make as well...

And over time, I've learnt to appreciate it a lot more...

So many harder rights to make at work... there's always an easier way out for many cases and situations... but we been trying to take the harder right... simply because it's young people we are working with on a daily basis... we just can't write them off... they'll continually need the guidance and hand-holding... some will need us to hold them and see them through every step of their way... some will be very independent very early on...

The harder right more often than not is energy and emotions sapping... Very sapping...

And that's where courage comes in... The courage to continually choose the path of the Harder Right...

And that's also where faith comes in... The faith to believe that we are seeing them through a phase in these young peoples' lives to better and brighter days ahead...

Eyes of a Photographer

2007-02-18T10:33:00.000+08:00

Seen this Korean MTV many years ago... it surfaced again in a photography forum recently... Reminded me that it's not the photography gear that makes great photographs... A photo is only as beautiful as a photographer's eyes can see...

Enjoy this touching MTV...

About Time...

2007-02-05T20:42:00.000+08:00

Well well well... how time flies... seems like it was just a while back when I posted an entry to remind my Padawans on what to take note of during their O Levels last November...

And very soon, D-day will arrive...

I'm anticipating eagerly too... Just like you guys and gals...

Been receiving some SMSes to find out when would the results be released... I seriously know just as much as all of you do... So there's no need to send me SMSes in the middle of the night...

Good Luck and all the best...

See you all very soon... : )

Mr. Slowhand

2007-01-14T20:48:00.000+08:00

13 January 2007 (Saturday)...

Singapore Indoor Stadium...

10,000 fans mesmerized by Mr. Slowhand...

He's over 60 years old... He's been rocking way before I was born...

But I managed to get onto the Clapton bandwagon some time back in 1991... when I was in junior college... where any decent guitar student would attempt to play his Wonderful Tonight and Tears in Heaven...

Last night's programme was quite different from his 2001 tour... I have his 2001 tour DVD and was expecting this to be something like that...

But boy I was wrong... He dug in very deep back into his music history, and played many of his older songs... and also, there were lots of blues in this programme...

It was during the concert that I realised that I've unconciously been converted to like Blues music... all thanks to Mr. Slowhand...

I remember I tried listening to B.B. King's blues when I started out playing the guitar... but I couldn't quite appreciate it...

Perhaps it's due to age... perhaps it's due to Eric Clapton... I now can feel the Blues... the angst... the improvisation... the way the guitar notes pulls my emotions... simple pleasures...

The Sunday Times today reported that the 10,000 audience literally were eating out of Eric Clapton's hands... I think that's an understatement...

His guitar solos were simply silky smooth and creamy... He has definitely aged gracefully and still full of oomph...

He has changed his band for this world tour... and I liked one young guitarist in particular... Derek Trucks... His guitar solos are amazing... Has a very distinctive feel to it... Techniques are impeccable... Such a joy to listen to... Kudos to Eric Clapton for brining on up and coming young guitarists into the limelight...

The only minus point about last night's concert, if there were any, would just be that Clapton only played one more song for his encore...

But come to think of it... He THE GUITAR LEGEND... he doesn't need to come out for any encores should he not feel like it...

EC ROCKS!!!!

I.C.E I.C.E Baby...

2007-01-07T12:02:00.000+08:00

I've always been particular with sound quality of any sound systems that I own... there'll always be a better system out there as long as one has got the money to spare... But within my megre budget, I'd like to get the best sounding speakers/ amplifier system available...

I changed the front speakers in my car over 1 year ago... and added an amplifier too... Didn't setup the sound too well then...

So yesterday, I went to shift the pair of front speakers to the rear, and added a better pair of Helix H236 component speakers to the front... At the same time, the installer shifted the pair of tweeters onto the edges of the dashboard to improve the sound staging in the car... Since I can't afford a sub-woofer (and my little RSP doesn't have any boot space anyway), I sound-proofed the front doors with a double layer Dynamat to boost the mid-bass of the speakers...

And oh my... the sound now is much fuller than before... All the musical instruments in any piece of music can be heard with greater clarity... But I guess I can only turn up the volume when I drive alone... I don't think anyone would appreciate sitting in my car with the volume cranked up... ;)

For the same amount of money that I spent, I could have modified the exterior of my RSP with front bumper, side-skirts and spoiler... Would definitely give the exterior of my car a brand new and sportier look...

But I'm the kind who's not too bothered with the exterior... I'm not bothered with swirl-marks, not too bothered with slight scratches, not too bothered with sending my car to washed at pertrol-kiosks, not too bothered with maintaining the exterior's absolute cleanliness even...

I'm more concerned with how the sound system should sound, and how well the engine is running... things that can't be seen from the outside... both poisons in their own rights, only to be meddled with with great discipline of the budget...

I guess this is quite reflective about the way I manage myself as well... Someone asked me recently to go get myself some good facial products to upkeep my face... Very nice of these friends... But I've been procrastinating this for quite a while... Can't seem to make myself spend such kind of money on facial products... Heheh, I don't think I'd even think a second if it's about spending on photography stuff or music CDs or DVDs... :)

Another Guitar Vituoso...

2007-01-06T01:15:00.000+08:00

Amazing technique... Simply stunning...

Glorious 2007

2007-01-01T02:10:00.000+08:00

Hadn't planned to shoot the fireworks because I just didn't feel like squeezing with the insanely massive crowd at the Esplanade area...

But I ended up shooting from my sister's new 18th storey flat... not a bad view at all... not a bad way to start the new year as well :)

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Don't Believe Everything You See

2006-12-31T17:05:00.000+08:00

The wonders of make-up, lighting, and Photoshop...

Pachelbel's Canon in D

2006-12-24T12:20:00.000+08:00

Ahh... Pachelbel... baroque era's one-hit wonder... Canon in D...

Grossly overplayed at weddings, advertisements, lullabies, self-help stress-relieve CDs, building pipe-in music, etc etc etc...

Anything in overdose just brings the puke out of a person...

The first time I heard this tune was during my college Guitar Ensemble days... my conductor walked in one day, bringing us a new piece of music to play... we had 3 sections in the guitar ensemble, guitar 1 plays the melodies, guitar 2 plays the supporting sub-melodies, and guitar 3 plays the accompaniment and bass...

I remembered we were all quite amused when all three sections of us received the same score... we couldn't quite believe that the everyone of us were to play the same tune...

But Mr A (my conductor) explained that the trick behind this Pachelbel's music is to stagger the starting time of each section... i.e. guitar 2 will start 2 bars after guitar 1, and guitar 3 will start another 2 bars behind guitar 2...

The magic and genius of Pachelbel henceforth unveils... the overlap due to the delay in the start gives this piece of music the full body and crescendo and grandeur... pretty amazing...

I used to like to play this piece of music a lot on the guitar... just the melody of course... but as I grew older, and the piece gaining popularity... over time, it begins to eat into me...

Almost like too much saccharine will cause diabetes... yuuucks!!!

Ground Zero

2006-12-13T03:28:00.000+08:00

Well... my sore and dry throat has miraculously disappeared after I returned to ground zero, sea-level Singapore... For once, I'm so glad to be back in the humid climate of this tropical isle... a few of the irritating symptoms that I experienced in the dry, cold and high altitude Tibet are cured... No more breathlessness... no more tight-chested feelings... no more blocked and blood-clotted nose...

Amazing how a human body can adapt and adjust with 50% lesser oxygen... I wonder how my body is adjusting when I suddenly return to sea-level, with much more oxygen in the air?

Back from the Rooftop of the World... Almost

2006-12-12T13:28:00.001+08:00

Now sitting in an internet cafe in Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, waiting for my flight back home at 8 pm... Long wait... Decided not to venture into Chengdu city after the plane from Lhasa touched-down at 12.30 pm... The sky is overcast, temperature is 7 degress celcius, drizzling, wet, cold... not the kind of weather to lug my 15 kg haversack and 8 kg camera bag around...

Shall just find some corner in the airport to while my time away...

Yeah!!! I've gone to the rooftop of the world... and back... the high altitude was demanding... thankfully, I only experienced mild Acute Mountain Sickness while I was there... Lhasa is 3650m, and it took me 2 nights before I could sleep well at night without waking up every 1-2 hours... but that acclimatisation process was disturbed when I ventured out to Gyantse (3950 m) and Shigatse (3900 m)... gosh... I had to sleep breathing through my mouth as I can't seem to breathe in enough of air at night... the result was super dry lips and dry throats... kind of reminded me of my trekking in Nepal...

Nevertheless, what's left of the traditional and mysterious Tibet is really amazingly awe-inspiring... I said what's left, because after China 'liberalised' Tibet from the 1960s onwards, much of the ancient Tibet has been mercilessly destroyed... A great pity and a crime to have detroyed such a great culture...

Anyway, shall elaborate more as I process the photos I took when I get home... Think I have shot over 1000 shots on this trip...

Closer to Heaven

2006-12-02T00:00:00.000+08:00

In 7 hours' time, I'd be on the flight to Chengdu... and there on, will board the Qinghai-Tibet high altitude train into Lhasa, the rooftop of the world...

Weather forecasts predicts an average high of 10 degree celcius in the day, and low of -4 degree celcius at night... freezing... and I've been asked many times why on earth do I still want to go there in December? Why not June?

Cos' I don't want to procrastinate any longer... looking at my workload, it'll be a blessing if I could even go for a trip at year-end next year...

Tibet is the kind of place where the environment is so harsh that I better get there while I still have the motivation and physical tolerance... and even then, I'm prepared to be hit with some Acute Mountain Sickness, diarrhea, nausea, headache etc... with an average altitude of 3900 m plus cold and dry climate, I hope I've done enough preparation and preventive measures to reduce any physical discomfort...

Checklist:
- goose feather jacket (bought it in 2000 for NZ trip but didn't use much since)
- goretex water and wind-proof jacket
- fleece jacket x 2
- woolen jacket
- long sleeves shirts x 3
- chemical heat pack x 10
- fleece gloves
- woolen gloves
- Acute Mountain Sickness pills
- cold pills
- diarrhea pills
- pain-killers

But all these discomforts aside, I'm really looking forward to the amazing terrain and impossible beauty of the Himalayan Range... And I'm also looking forward to the spiritual journey as well... to redeem myself of all the bad karmas I've accumulated in my lifetime...

I'm a bit more wary this time round, as compared to my other trips to the more cosmopolitan cities... got more things to watch out over and not let my guards down at all times...

Okie... all's set... haversack's packed... time to begin a journey that I've been looking forward to for so many years... Look out for this space for the photos of Tibet... : )

浪子心声

2006-11-26T22:33:00.000+08:00

I bought a 罗大佑 concert DVD last week and was watching it today... He sang an old song "浪子心声" from 1976 by 许冠杰 (Sam Hui)... A song which brought tears into my eyes...

This song was from a Hong Kong movie 新半斤八两, by the famous Hui brothers... I remembered watching this movie when I was little... My late uncle 司马光 used to whistle this song back then...

The lyrics to this cantonese song went like this...
难分真与假
人面多险诈
几许有共享荣华
檐畔水滴不分差

无知井里蛙
徙望添声价
空得意目光如麻
谁料金屋变败瓦

命里有时终须有
命里无时莫强求

雷声风雨打
何用多惊怕
心公正白壁无瑕
行善积德最乐也

命里有时终须有
命里无时莫强求

人比海里沙
毋用多牵挂
君可见漫天落霞
名利息间似雾化
君可见漫天落霞
名利息间似雾化

Essentially, the meaning of the song is about how life in a society is so difficult to understand and there's lots of wealth to entice people. But as the chorus goes, if something's destined to be attained, one would attain it anyway... and if it isn't, there's no need to crave too much over it... Live life conscience-free and do good and be happy...

A song whose tune that is so timeless... a tune that is so beautiful... a tune which brought back memories of my late uncle... a tune which resonates so much in me...

Dream Way to Parallel Park...

2006-11-12T17:23:00.000+08:00

(click to see animation)
Just need to set aside 1 set of tyres every week and imagine how much time I'm gonna save in parking?

Found My Dream Car...

2006-11-12T03:26:00.000+08:00

Visited the 8th Motorshow at Suntec Convention Hall yesterday...

And I think I've found my dream car... hahahahah :)

The Big O

2006-11-05T23:34:00.000+08:00

As QD puts it on the tagboard on the side, this year really feels very very short... Time never seems enough... and it never will be... so we've just got to make sure we live it to the fullest...

The main written papers of the Big O will start in a little over 8 hours from now... It's time for all you guys and gals sitting for it this time round to show off what you've got!!!

Okie, shall be the last time I nag at you all... PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:

1) Have a good nite's rest before every paper... unless u are a genius, lack of sleep will do you no good as it'll retard your brains during the paper.

2) Calm down and steady yourself before the start of your paper... Those last minute mugging and squeezing in of the last few facts juuuuuuuuuust before the paper will not be 100% useful to you... All it does is it'll make your heart pound unnecessarily faster and make you panic...

Remember... a calm and collected mind will tide you over any obstacles during the exams...

3) Listen to the invigilators' instructions!!! Don't talk n talk n talk n talk n talk n talk n talk n talk.... u get what I mean... find your seat quickly, and steady yourself and get ready to what the invigilators need you to do...

4) READ the questions CAREFULLY!!! Don't miss out on important details/ facts/ information given in the question.

5) Remember this: Should you encounter any weird/challenging/unusual questions, bear in mind that all the necessary information will be given in the question... and most importantly, you already have all the concepts/techniques etc you need to know... try to identify which topic(s) the question is most probably testing you on, and quickly recall what you have learnt in that topic...

6) Don't be complacent... CHECK YOUR WORK! There're a few ways of checking: redoing, recomputing, substitute back to check, use alternative method to confirm answer, ask yourself if the answer is reasonable, check the sign of the numbers, etc etc... Check and check and check until time is up... This is a make-it or break-it exam, so don't lose this chance to spot any possible mistakes...

7) No matter what, don't leave blanks in any answers... you'll never know how many marks your so -called 'not-sure' workings can fetch you...

8) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ENSURE that you SHOW ALL ESSENTIAL WORKING!!! Don't leave your working in any pieces of rough paper... The Cambridge markers can't see those in your rough papers...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I guess that's it from me for now...

ALL THE BEST!!
GAMBATTE!!!
加油！！！
BEST OF LUCK!!!

I want to see happy and smiling faces come next February :)

PS: If you're taking the Big O, and have read this far, it's time to hit right back to your books right now!!!

They Are Gonna Be BIG!

2006-11-04T10:13:00.000+08:00

And I mean it literally...

The rest of the series is HERE.

Appreciation...

2006-10-27T22:47:00.000+08:00

Went to Tan Tock Seng Hospital's Traveler's Clinic to get a couple of vaccinations and some altitude sickness pills today... Reached there just past 1 pm, and was told to return at 2 pm as it was lunch time...

So I loitered around and came to the main lobby of the hospital... and I saw this...

In March 2003, the deadly SARS struck the nation, and TTSH became the national centre for SARS treatment... All the medical staff became national heroes and heroines as they gave of themselves selflessly...

And thousands of support and tributes came pouring in and TTSH today, has scanned all the banners, cards, posters, letters etc into two huge posters and are hung up at the main hospital lobby...

And very anxiously, I scanned the huge poster for this:

It was a giant card which my Student Councillors made for TTSH back in 2003... led by enthusiastic and compassionate councillors like Weijun, Chun Jin, and Wu Sheng and gang, they rallied the whole school into writing messages on heart-shaped papers and pasted them all up onto the giant card...

When completed, we had to rent a mini-van to bring send the card to TTSH... I've always wondered since then (yes, it's been 3 years) what TTSH would do with so many of such tributes showered onto them... And I got my answer today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back in 2003, when Simpleville hadn't vigorously communicated the idea of being thinking and gracious, such acts of compassion and thoughtfulness for our community were already brewing and very much alive... Looking back, we did these not because we were told to do so, not because that's the direction of Simpleville, and not because it'll make us look good... We have students who had the heart to feel and to show gratitude...

I'm so very proud of Weijun and company... Wherever you guys may be right now, be it JC or poly, I'm sure you'll all still be carrying with you the same heart of compassion and spirit of giving... I believe I've told you all at some point in time during our most memorable days together, that 'the hand that gives, also receives'... This simple message has served me very well... I'm sure it will to you all too...

And here's my tribute to these group of beautiful people:

Tommy Emmanuel

2006-10-24T14:00:00.000+08:00

8th December 2004
City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney, Australia
"Hi Tommy... would you ever come to Singapore to perform? I'm sure there're lots of your fans over there..."

"Oh Singapore. Yes... I was there a couple of years ago... Hong Kong right?"

23 October 2006
Victoria Theatre, Singapore
"It's great to be performing here in hot Singapore..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1997
NTU Hall 4 Block 27, Cedric's room
"Hey Choco... check out this CD... "Finger-pickers Rule the World" by Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel..."

That was my introduction to Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel... I was playing more classical guitar music and knew more about classical guitar than acoustic...

I first met Cedric in 1990, during a Singapore Classical Guitar Society (SCGS... not the other SCGS we all are so familiar with) camp for JC guitar club members... He was from NJC... was my room-mate then... he's a very talented guitar player already back then... I was only starting out...

Then we went NS, and I met him again in the School of Medical Medicine... He became my buddy in the platoon... He took the lower deck, while I slept above... Well, no more guitar playing in camp then... but NS and combat medic training added to our "something in common" list... no six-string instrument to play with... but we had a ball of a time poking each other's veins for blood infusion practice... yah, sounds a bit gory and sadistic... but who else is there to practice on but each other...

After the course, we were posted to different units... He went to 2 SIR, while I went to 20 SA... incidentally, both units were in Amoy Quee Camp... had another 2 years of contact as both our medical centres often work together to smoke through the army auditors when they come to do stock-taking... But I'm straying off from my story...

Then after NS, we both went to NTU... and we got into the same Hall... though not room-mates, we often come together at night for jamming sessions... well, being poor uni-undergrads, the instrument of choice were our battered classical guitars from our JC guitar club days... and beat our guitars we did... hell of a good time...

And we did that for 3 years in Hall 4...

And he was the one who introduced acoustic guitar music to me... and a few years after graduation, it was Cedric who introduced acoustic guitars to me as well... I was at his house in Bishan after watching a guitar concert... his wife, Dawn, who's my guitar club president back in AJC, played some drums while I played his acoustic guitar... and I was hooked on acoustics...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Coming back to Tommy Emmanuel... there aren't many of his recordings in the 90s available in Singapore... but he's one of those acoustic guitarists who were influenced by the legendary Chet Atkins, the father of finger-picking... it's a genre which fuses jazz, country, blues, contemporary, and bluegrass all together...

TE's scaling on the fingerboard is ridiculously fast... hearing it on recording is one thing... watching him play it ridiculously fast live is out of this world...

I first saw him perform in a live setting on a DVD I bought online... I was blown away by what he did with his guitar... his Australian-made Maton guitar was so beated that the layer of finishing on the soundboard was already worn off... he played his guitar like the harp, snare drums, bass, electric guitar, piano, percussion... if you think you could only pluck or strum on the strings, he'll take your breath away with the amazing sounds that he could produce from his guitar... and it's just a normal guitar...

I was so inspired by his playing at one stage that I bought my grossly priced Taylor 714 grand auditorium guitar... but there's no way I could play like him...

I bought his CDs online from Amazon as I couldn't find it in the stores here... and it was sheer coincidence that I managed to find out that he was performing in Sydney exactly at the time I was planning to visit Sydney in December 2004...

And oh boy... I was like a little kid all over again... excited and mesmorised were understatements... seeing him playing live is well worth the air ticket to Sydney...

Couldn't pass the chance to get his autograph and speak with him then... and I didn't quite believe that he would consider coming over to S'pore to perform...

But he did last night...

Seeing him live for the 2nd time, the tunes were still familiar, but just like any great artistes, he never plays his tunes the same way every time... and that's the way I like it... breaking free from the form... freedom to improvise... and lots of surprises at every turn of the tune... could be a new synchopation, an additional slippery scale, some enchanting hammer-ons and pulling offs, new harmonics melody etc...

And I feel happy for the younsters in the audience last night... Reminded me of myself when I was still in JC... when my friends and I would catch those visiting guitarists brought in by Mr Alex Abishigenaden (yes, he's HER father)... Mr A, as we would call him, was my guitar club's conductor... he's another inspirational figure who sparked off my passion in guitars... but shall leave that to another entry...

Back to the young audience, I'm happy and excited for them because they finally get to see a master at work on stage... I could hear the audience gasp and cheer in amazement with every trickery and masterful exhibition of how a guitar could be played... And I'm very very sure that many will walk away inspired to play just like him...

I've grown out of such feelings of wanting to play like him... I'll never be anywhere near his standard... but I've grown to enjoy and devour such eloquence and immerse myself completely in such lovely music...

It's always a joy to hear great guitarists play live on stage... I get the same kind of blessed feeling at Tommy Emmanuel, John Williams, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Martin Tayler's concerts... All of them are masters of their craft... They are talented... and they enjoy what they are doing...

TE said during the concert that it is very important that the guitarist, the guitar and the heart have to come together as one in order to play it well... He didn't have to fret over performing on stage because he was just being himself...

How true... In everything we do in life, how congruent and consistent it would be, if we could be doing something that is most natural from deep within our souls... And that's where greatness comes from...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amidst all the work related stress lately, TE's concert gave me the much needed breather and perspective... for over 2 hours, my mind was released of everything else...

He promised that he'll come again next year... And till then, here's a sample of his greatness... In case you are wondering where's his band, he plays solo...

Random Thoughts...

2006-10-15T22:40:00.000+08:00

1) 戴佩妮 - 时间快转
Heard this very nice song on cable TV just now... exactly my sentiments... if only it's that easy to do...

时间快转它不停的快转
旋转我跟著旋转失去方向我没有方向
迷失方向我模糊了焦点
想不通太多道理呀就选择遗忘

2) Condemned England Team
First lost for Steve McClaren... England's loss to Croatia in the European Cup qualifiers sparked lots of questions... A new 3-5-2 formation was the main culprit... Even the best players get confused by a new formation... Unfamiliar job scope... Unfamiliar terrain... Unfamiliar players playing in unfamiliar postions around each other...

It was a necessary change... or so it was claimed... to break free from old shackles... to break free from old ghosts... to put one's authority over the tactics chosen...

And everybody seems to become an expert or authority to speak of the ills of the new team... everyone seems to have an opinion or two about how things could be better... and the pressure becomes ever so daunting for whoever's in charge...

So unfamiliar... yet so familiar in the way the new teams were formed around me...

3)Freezing Trip
Still yet to book my tickets to Chengdu and confirm with the Tibetan tour agent... there's rumours of the Qinghai-Tibet high altitude train stopping it's service from November onwards... keeping my fingers crossed on that...

It'll be winter in Dec... I'm a tropical person... I can't stand cold... I wonder if it's a wise time to visit the rooftop of the world... Somehow, I feel that I need to make this trip... the altitude and temperature is forebidding... isn't it so for any spiritual pilgrimmage? A test of my resolution... A test of my faith... What am I in my previous life? What kind of karma have I accumulated such that I'm living my present life this way?

Prince Sidharta renounced the world and left his palace to find his Nirvana... How many living Buddhas are there in the world today? How many of them actually know that they are living Buddhas? How long did it take for them to realise they are living Buddhas? Will I ever find my own Nirvana? I know what's holding me back actually.... the inability to let go...

4) Constant Nagging
My sis and bro-in-law are currently busy with their new flat's renovation... my dad seems to have extended his authority and opinions about what things to fix, buy etc a little too uncomfortable for my sis & bro-in-law...

Quietly, I'm heaving a sigh of relief for not taking the lead just this once over my sis... all these years, being the elder son at home, I get to do everything first... Well, not this time when it comes to marriage... I get to see some of the quirks and nuisance that my well-meaning parents will show during this period when my sis & hubby are preparing their home etc... Not something that I envy, I'm very sure...

And it kind of make it more inconvenient for me to reveal the fact that I'm going on a solo trip again in Dec... shall just delay breaking the news after I firm up everything... the naggings will come... but the trip shall go on... ;)

5) Scalett Johansson
There seems to be a flood of work lately by one of my favourite actresses... First noticed her when she was still a little girl in "The Horse Whisperer"... then a few other films made her one of the leading serious actresses... Lost in Translation, Matchpoint and Scoop were a few that I managed to catch... still to come, The Black Dahlia and Prestige... she's hot in Hollywood these days...

There's something about her acting... nothing excessive... something very close... can't really put my finger onto it...

6) Woody Allen
Never used to like or notice his works... But I think I'm beginning to see his genius...

Watched his latest work, Scoop... One of his quirky dark humoured jokes was this (something to the effect):
"I don't put on weight even after eating so much. It's anxiety. Anxiety is like aerobics. It helps me lose weight."

7) World Trade Center
The initial feelings when watching this film was the seeming lack of pace and intensity of the collaspe of the twin towers of the World Trade Center on Sept 11 2001... The focus of the film was just on the 2 lead rescuers...

But there's a good reason for this, I realised... the director wanted to focus the viewers attention, not on the gore, terror, panic and disaster of the collaspe... but rather, he wanted viewers to focus on the people who were right in the thick of the actions...

At the end of the film, the character played by Nicholas Cage said something like this...
"It's not about revenge... It's about how great people can be in helping one another..."

And how true... post 9-11 has been numerous calls for war on terrorism and numerous attacks in the Middle East in the quest to destroy the Al Queda... all in the name of peace and justice...

But the irony to me is: I can't differentiate the terrorists and victims after a few years... they all seem the same to me now... Ones' peace is attained at the expense of anothers' agony... What's peace?

8)He'll be Beck?
Still on soccer... Someone said Beckham should be re-instated back into the England national squad... of course, there's loads of theories and reason why he should or shouldn't return...

There's an article in today's Sunday Times on players who didn't perform in positions that's not cut out of them... Which brings me to ponder over something that's all so familiar in life around me...

Do we just deploy just because there's no choice? Do we just deploy a midfielder anywhere in midfield just because he's a midfielder? And for that matter, any defender or striker... Well, there are those players who could adapt... but there's many other contributing factors for such deployment to work as well... If players are deployed in areas of their strength, common sense will show that the whole team will perform as well...

But there are managers who work on the basis of convenience... managers who work on the basis of no choice... managers who work on the basis of personal gain...

9) And did I say that I heard this song over cable TV just now?
时间快转它不停的快转
旋转我跟著旋转失去方向我没有方向
迷失方向我模糊了焦点
想不通太多道理呀就选择遗忘

Smells Like Tibet...

2006-10-09T22:20:00.000+08:00

The local tour agencies in Lhasa, Tibet seems to be more efficient that I thought... Replied me within 24 hours!

It's beginning to smell a lot like Tibet in December already...

Day 01-Day 03 09/12-11/12 Arrive in Lhasa
Accommodation: Train/Shangbala Palace Hotel or Similar if late booking
You are supposed to take the train T22/3 from Chengdu (18:18-18:28, 48hrs10min). Our Tibetan tour guide will meet you at the train station and transfer you to your hotel in Lhasa. Upon arrival, just take rest for high altitude acclimatization.

Day 04 12/12 Sightsee in Lhasa
Accommodation: Shangbala Palace Hotel or Similar [B]
We will start from the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism - Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is the famous bustling Barkhor Street where you can get a close touch with local Tibetans.

In the afternoon, we'll visit the Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibetan people's wisdom and power. Beside numerous art pieces it stores, you can also have a bird-eye view of the whole Lhasa City and the undulating mountain ranges in distance.

Day 05 13/12 Sightsee in Lhasa
Accommodation: Shangbala Palace Hotel or Similar [B]
Today we will visit the great Gelugpa monastery - Drepung Monastery about 8km west of central Lhasa. It was once the world's largest monastery housing more than 10,000 monks. If we are lucky, we can enter into a dark columned hall quiet easily to see and hear the lilting, booming, chanting of sutras.

In the afternoon, we will visit Sera Monastery, about 5km north of central Lhasa. Here you can see the interesting "Buddhism Scriptures Debating" between Lamas.

And in the evening, pay a visit to a Tibetan family.

Day 06 14/12 Lhasa-Gandan Monastery-Lhasa
Accommodation: Shangbala Palace Hotel or Similar [B]
In the fresh morning air, we'll drive 70km to Gandan Monastery for its extremely delicate murals and sculptures. On the way, you can enjoy the beautiful countryside view of the high plateau.

Day 07 15/12 Lhasa - Gyantse
Accommodation: Gyantse Hotel or Similar [B]
Drive about 270km to Gyantse, a famous historic town in Tibet, crossing the Karola Pass (5010m) and the Khambala Pass (4800m) with a beautiful panoramic view of Yamdrok Yumtso Lake on the way. Upon arrival, visit Pelkhor Monastery for its superb Kumbu Stupa, a stunning architectural wonder in Tibet.

Day 08 16/12 Gyantse - Shigatse
Accommodation: Shigatse Holy Lake (Shenhu) Hotel or Similar [B]
It's about 90km from Gyantse to the second largest city of Tibet - Shigatse. Upon arrival, visit the foremost attraction there - Tashilumpo Monastery and then wander around the old town for its nicely decorated Tibetan houses, interesting market and bazaar...

Day 09 17/12 Shigatse - Lhasa
Accommodation: Shangbala Palace Hotel or Similar [B]
Get back to Lhasa along the Yarlung Tsangpu River with in about 4hrs.

Day 10 18/12 Leave [B]
The guide will transfer you to Gonggar Airport and help you board the plane to Chengdu. Your wonderful trip ends.

Gotta book tickets to fly into and out of Chengdu, China, first... The rest, I'll have to trust that the local agency is trustworthy enough to connect me from Chengdu to Lhasa... Worse come to worse, I'll just stay at Chengdu and see pandas in the zoo...

Btw, I emailed PLong last night asking if he's got any lobang for Tibet... He told me that there's a few deaths on the Qinghai-Tibet high altitude train already... Gosh... I mustn't be another one...

Need for Pilgrimmage

2006-09-25T21:57:00.000+08:00

Yes I do... am in need of a pilgrimmage of some sort... to search for some answers... to search for some meaning... to search for myself...

Messed up... indeed... lots of loose ends... lots of irony... lots of directionless pursuits... or so it seems...

Not seeking to escape from the agony... but rather, seeking to trace to the source of the knot...

I remembered I felt it once... up in the quiet mountains in Nepal... that feeling of being embraced and without being judged...

Always felt a need to be in Tibet... nevermind how commercialised it has become... it has become more accessible... and at the same time, become less myterious, less unbearing...

But I somehow feel that there's a place in Tibet where I would feel embraced... almost like going back to a place of origin... a place where it all began... a place where it would all end...

Am in need of a pilgrimmage... indeed... perhaps... I already am... on a pilgrimmage called life... there ought to be a reason... why it is as it is... it will probably be a solitary pilgrimmage... for in solitude, there might lie an answer...

Wonder what's evoking such thoughts... could be the mess I see in Taiwan, Thailand, Middle East... could be the death of a passionate crocodile hunter... could be the irritable misunderstanding in the surrounding... could be the constant need to reinvent oneself... could be the frustration of seeing people abandoning ship... could be my disgust at how people can behave for the sake of glory and ambition...

Perhaps it could just be the fact that I'm coughing so much that my abdominal muscles are getting more conditioning without having the need to do a single sit-up...

Perhaps... a pilgrimmage is due... to leave it all behind... to find out where it all began... and how it should end...

Courage to Teach!

2006-09-10T12:14:00.000+08:00

Chatted with GZ briefly some time last week over MSN about how I missed my first batch of students from Simpleville who graduated some 3 years ago... she then promptly set out to organise something with the rest... and I finally met up with a few of them last night for dinner...

This batch of students have a very special place in my heart for many reasons... They were the first batch of students I taught even before I was formally trained as a Jedi... Our age gap is exactly one chinese zodiac cycle apart (that makes us all Tigers!!!)... They were the first batch of students whom I followed up every year till they graduated... They were my first batch of graduating students... They were the most well-behaved and responsive students I could ever ask for...

In the book "Courage to Teach" by Parker J.Palmer, which I'm reading now, it says that "Mentoring is a muatuality that requires more than meeting the right teacher: the teacher must meet the right student. In this encounter, not only are the qualities of the mentor revealed, but the qualities of the student are drawn out in a way that is equally revealing."

How true! I still remembered when I left my previous job in the private sector to join teaching, I wasn't exactly sure what kind of teacher I could really be. My very first 30 mins lesson in my teaching career was with an extremely notorious class... I could still recall that after coming out of that class, I sat in the staff room seriously wondering what have I got myself into? My energy was sapped... nobody in class bothered about me... I was literally ignored... and I couldn't manage their discipline problems without raising my voice...

I learnt gradually that I need to earn their respect...

Thankfully, the other class that I taught, i.e. the group of people in the above photo, were far more encouraging... They were the ones who lifted me up and giving me the self-believe that I needed before I gave up... They were the ones who brought out the teacher in me... They were still in Sec 2 when I first taught them... It's quite an unfortunate set up back then as their class kept receiving all the relief, temporary, contract teachers since they came into the school... When I first started out with them, I found that their foundations in Maths and English were really not up to the level that I thought they should. It was quite unimagniable, for an inexperienced and untrained teacher like me...

But what they lacked in academic abilities, were more than compensated for by their good attitude... I was so fortunate to have started out with them... they were extremely teachable... they responded to me, accepted me, and I literally grew up with them...

I had to leave them after half a year for training, and they gave me a card before I left. Those words of encouragement were extremely motivating for me and I still go back to that card whenever I feel down time and again because it just reminds me of the reason why I chose to teach...

I had the chance to return to Simpleville for teaching practice and I took over this lovely class again. They weren't assigned a permanent Maths teacher and hence I didn't have any trained teacher to understudy during that period of time... So I took over this class almost as if the postion had been left open for me...

After the training practice, I was posted back to Simpleville... I continued with them from where I left off... in fact, it didn't seem as if I've left them at all... after the formal posting, I told myself that I have to teach them well as I felt indebted to this class... I was untrained when I first taught them... I told myself I have to unlearn and relearn all the good teaching practices to help them perform better...

And I requested to follow up with this class every year... I learnt together with them... and I grew so much as a teacher with them...

This batch of students, till today, still hold the record for producing the best N level results, as well as O level results from a normal acad class. I remembered when I saw their O level results in 2004 Feb, I cried... it was tears of happiness... A 4-year journey ended on a sweet note...

But of course, our journey in life didn't end after their O levels... We still kept very much in touch... In fact, I'm very much amazed that some of the boys in the class are now serving NS, a bulk of them are finishing their last semester in polytechnics, a couple of them are already working...

I've always believed that the indicator of how well I've done my job is never the results of my students' O levels results... But rather, the best indicator will be how well they applied themselves in their own respective lives after they've left school...

And I make it a point to keep in touch with my ex-students, and I'm beginning to see some traces of the fruit of my labour... What works, and what didn't... I could tell from all my ex-students...

And I must say that they are the greatest source of strength for me... to see them grow up and mature and seeing them facing up to life's challenges... that's the greatest satisfaction...

After last night's gathering, even though not all of their classmates could make it, so much of their old school days were relived... from all those happy moments, funny moments, juicy gossips, to the lastest updates of how everyone is doing... I felt so blessed that I could bond with them so well, despite the fact that they claim that I was the teacher who scolded them most... ;)

With the latest announcement of how the teaching force remuneration package is going to be improved, I can't help but to wonder if these will really motivate me... The work of a teacher is so complex and unique and beyond a certain point of reward, it really isn't all about material motivation anymore...

For me at least, a gathering like the one I had last night is more than enough motivation and satifaction...

And to the 5NA of 2003, thank you for giving me the Courage to Teach... I am eternal thankful :)

Of Discovery, Nat Geo & Ani Planet

2006-09-05T19:45:00.000+08:00

If I can only choose 3 tv channels to subscribe, I think I can survive just on Discovery, National Geographic & Animal Planet...

I was down with a little irritating flu and sore throat, and thereby gave me a grand excuse of doing nothing much but sitting in front of the TV... With my remote in my hand, toggling between channels, I found a pattern... I tend to settle down watching documentaries from these 3 channels...

I learnt so much about the world just from these 3 channels... from flora to fauna, to mega constructions to bike construction, to natural to man-made disasters, from religions to human culture... All nourishment to my brain...

Just as I'm typing, the show currently on Animal Planet is a documentary on the life of Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, who passed away yesterday, killed by a mantle ray's sting... such a great man whose contribution to humankind is in the conservation of the wildlife... And I respect and admire him for spending his lifetime doing what he does... I don't think he'd chose to die in any other way...

Last couple of days, there's a series on Tibetan Buddhism... on the reincarnations of living buddhas... The series intrigue me greatly... mostly because I'm extremely facinated with Tibet... and more importantly, right within the core of myself, I know I'll feel most at ease believing in the teachings of Buddha than any others...

Then there's the American Chopper... it could be the boy in me, but I really find the customised motorbikes that this family of querky men produce extremely desirable... It's really inspiring to see this bunch of grown up men being so passionate and creative in having such great mastery in their craft... Really makes me have an urge to go learn how to ride a bike and own one chopper myself.

And of course, there's the Myth Busters... It's a series that really enjoy because this couple of weird guys go round testing and proving myths that common people are passing around for ages, but not proven... I like their systematic, methodological and scientific approaches to testing the myths... that's the way I feel many things in life should be, rather than just believing what others say...

Last night, as I was dozing off, I was watching a documentary on the Taiwanese singer, A-Mei 张惠妹. It was a documentary on the singing prowess of native minority tribe Taiwanese... And just before I swtiched off the TV and go to sleep, a song, which I hadn't heard for a while was played...

The song was of course sung by 张惠妹. It reminded me of a very good friend of mine back in my university days... She said the same of me as the song:

原来你什么都不想要
我知道这样不好
也知道你的爱只能那么少
我只有不停地要
要到你想逃
泪湿的枕头晒干就好
眼泪在你的心里只是无理取闹
以为在你身后
是我我一辈子的骄傲
原来你什么都不想要
我不要你的呵护你的玫瑰
只要你好好久久爱我一遍
就算虚荣也好贪心也好
哪个女人对爱不自私不奢望
我不要你的承诺不要你的永远
只要你真真切切爱我一遍
就算虚荣也好贪心也好
最怕你把沉默当做对我的回答
原来你什么都不想要

How apt... how ironic... how much I've learnt about myself... how much of myself that hasn't changed...

Of Cantonas Keanes and Rooneys

2006-08-21T19:52:00.000+08:00

These were and are some of the greatest and most influential players who have donned the famous red shirts...

All of them are players with superb skills...

All of them are players with great guts and determination...

And all of them are players who are also very explosive and volatile at some point or other on the pitch...

Eric Cantona... who could forget his double-feet kungfu retaliation at a fan sitting beside the pitch?

Roy Keane... who could forget the most influential skipper in all of Man U's history who gets angry at even his own team-mates when the team don't play well?

Wayne Rooney... who could forget his ungracious antics during the World Cup 2006 in Germany?

Such explosive and tempermental players? A nightmare for any manager to manage... And only Alex Ferguson has the ability to re-channel their power, angst, energy and explosive passion into super productive performances on the soccer pitch...

Ferguson sees the greatness in all of them... He stood by them even when they flounder and disappoint their team-mates time and again by getting themselves into trouble... He believed in them and push them to realise their greatness...

And I have some Cantonas, Keanes and Rooneys in Simpleville too...

Explosive and angst-ridden characters... they don't conform to rules and regulations... they jump "double-footed" at anyone who antagonises them... they think that they are above everything else...

But there's also greatness in each and everyone of them...

My body is still aching from my badminton session yesterday... but such aches will go away... at least I know that my muscles had a good work-out and they'll only become stronger after they recover...

But there're some aches that's more difficult to recover from... Aches from knowing that these Cantonas, Keanes and Rooneys have gotten themselves into some kind of trouble again... These are aches in the heart...

How I wish I could be like Alex Ferguson... Motivating, developing and grooming his charges to become great soccer players... I've tried... And I'll still try... Cos' I see greatness too... In all these Cantonas, Keanes and Rooneys...

Yonex!

2006-08-20T18:59:00.000+08:00

I'm really not a racket game kind of person... Soccer and basketball are more like it... But it's hard to find kakis to play soccer and basketball these days, with many of my friends already tied up in their families or are already sprouting bellies...

My sis asked me to play badminton today... My bro-in-law and two cousins came as well... Considering I'm not getting enough exercise already, and with the Sheares Bridge run looming, I went...

And to my surprise, my sis brought along my very first badminton racket!!! It was a racket which my grandfather bought for me some 20 over years ago!!! It's a simple Yonex racket, not one of those featherweight Carbonex carbon fibre rackets, but an aluminium one... Not super light, but not excessive heavy either...

My sis had restrung the string some time back and had changed the grip... And my very first racket is still working fine!!!

During my childhood, my father was the only bread-winner of my family... so he's very strict with us spending on things unnecessarily... I don't get to have many "good-to-haves" that many of my friends get... nintendo, game-watch, casio digital watch, toys, etc etc were all out of bounds for me...

BUT... I sometimes do get to have some nice things along the way... I've got my grandfather, uncles and aunties around... Just occassionally... not all the time...

And the badminton racket was one of those things that I could only 'convince' my grandfather to buy for me...

And I remembered that same night where I got my badminton racket, my father scolded me and chided my grandfather for buying something that might give me a chance to damage the furnitures and fittings at home...

Looking back and my childhood, and comparing with the cousins and kiddos in school, it's an entitlement for kids these days to get anything they desire...

Affluence allowed parents to buy many things that their kids want... but should there be a control over it?

I learnt the virtue of taking good care of all the things that I own... Many things that I have are kept for long long time... My 20 year old badminton racket is but just one of those things...

I'm also very gratified and blessed that although my father was so strict over us spending unnecessarily, he was never stingy when I wanted to buy any books to read... And I developed this habit and joy of spending time in bookshops, looking for books and keeping good books... And I still do now...

When I go downtown... the only locations where I don't feel out of place would be bookshops... even when I go overseas, I'd stop by bookshops to browse around...

There wasn't much distractions for kids back then... just TV and radio... I don't really envy parents today where there's simply too many things that their kiddos are obsessed with...

Times are changing... I don't think many people would keep their badminton rackets for over 20 years, and still use it anymore...

Serving the Nation

2006-08-18T22:05:00.000+08:00

Was watching Channel 52 on TV just now... heard this song... a song which I almost forgot by 周华健, Emil Chau...

璀璨
每当曲终人散之后
眼看缤纷色彩变灰暗
我在等待那一份孤独的来临
还是等待那一阵寒冷的偷袭
不知道我永远不知道
冷冷清清我的心情
璀璨的所有已远去
精疲力尽我的声音
喧闹的回音却挥不去

Listening to this song, memories on the night of 4 Jan 1993 came flashing back...

It was the night before I was enlisted into my National Service...

Loads of uncertainty... loads of apprehension... loads of discomfort... loads of longingness...

I remembered I was figuring out the chords for this song which described my feelings at that very moment... I felt a choke in my throat as I tried singing this song back then...

I remembered the quiet dinner I had with my parents and sister that night... quiet... nobody knew what to say...

I was one of those few randomly selected ones who had sending-off ceremonies organised for us... Mine was held at Braddel Heights Community Centre. I can't remember which MP came to grace the event though... there was a little reception, before all of us enlistees were ushered up the 3-tonne trucks...

I remembered looking down into the crowd after I boarded the 3-tonner... I caught a glimpse of my father... I saw him waving back at me... his eyes were red... with tears... it was the first time in my life that I saw my father tear... a solid and hard character in my life tearing... but he still put on a smile... that was the last image I had of someone close before I was enlisted...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
2.5 years of National Service came and went... I firmly believe that without this uniquely Singapore experience that every male citizens go through, I would never be who I am today... much of my attitude and principles in life were shaped and developed during those 2.5 years... some life changing events happened during that period of time too... and looking back, I'm extremely gratified that I went through those days... even though there were many moments then where I had wished that I could get of NS quickly, those very moments really made me stronger than ever before...

I was reading with great intrigue on Clupsnap forum some days back, where a Junior College student posed this question on the forum: "Should NS be made optional?"

He proposed that NS is taking up 2 valuable years of a male citizen's life and such mandatory regulation imposed on us would only stifle our talents and contribution to the nation... And furthermore, NS actually was the main reason cited by people who chose to migrate...

Such ignorant sweeping statements... he doesn't know the price of peace and security... but he'll find out and grow up after he has served our nation...

Perhaps he's experiencing some pre-NS jitters, just as I did in 1993...

Singapore Fireworks Festival 2006

2006-08-14T00:59:00.000+08:00

Team Italy

First show for SFF 2006...

Italy is one of the leading fashion nation in the world... Rightly so... It's a nation rich in style and great taste in the arts...

And it's reflected in their fireworks display too...

I felt immensely happy while shooting the fireworks... Tapping my feet to the music during the high tempo moments, and admiring the colours and synchronised explosions while Pavarotti's singing was played... Fast, then slow, then fast again... My feelings were driven entirely by this majestic display...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Team New Caledonia

3rd display of the SFF 2006...

New Caledonia... Debutant of the SFF... Where on earth is New Caledonia?

It's actually an island lying somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean... to the west of Australia, somewhere near Papau New Guinea... It actually a country belonging to France!!!

It's a country similar to New Zealand, with it's unique species of flora and fauna due to it's isolated geography...

And this very display was inspired by mother nature...

I thought I saw a tropical isle with swaying coconut tress and palm trees... I thought I saw flowers of different colours in full majestic bloom... I even thought I saw chinese calligraphy painted in the night canvas... It's absolutely calming and unique in it's choreography...

This is in fact my favourite show among all 4... It might not have the glorious colours of Team Italy... But it's artistic depth becomes more apparent when I began to realise what it was trying to portray...

Simply amazing...

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Team France

Last show of SFF 2006...

The organisers tried to save the best for last... It's a French Encore... After a splendid display and popularity last year...

Lesser colours than last year... Deceptively so... A quick count and there were only 3 major colours throughout the entire display... And this is where the mastery of the French Team becomes most apparent...

Like last year, the French has the knack of keeping things unhurried... indifferent... and in an enticing and teasing manner even... the display slowly built up to a climax... an extended climate even, when the entire night sky was littered with golden explosions after golden explosions... and just when I thought there's only so much the night sky could contain, the French just kept them coming...

What a glorious ending!!! So typical French... No wonder they are the best lovers in the world!

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Team Singapore

Team Singapore's display was reserved for the eve of the nation's 41st birthday...

All I can say is that the team has been there, and done that... nothing more...

It's a display that shows that Singapore has the technical expertise to produce a fireworks display... But it stops just there...

In all the other shows, I could feel... I could feel what the choreographers wanted to portray... My feelings and mood were driven and led by the fireworks... And these foreign teams have raised fireworks displays into an artform... I do not feel like I'm watching a technically perfect execution of pyrotechnics... There was a soul behind each displays...

That's exactly what Team Singapore lacked...

In our pursuit of excellence in every aspects in our nation building, our pursuit of artistic excellence has not been able to keep up... We still lack a bit of soul... We still lack that ability to express artistically... We can boast to the world with our magnificant Esplande where world-class performances are presented... But how many of our own productions are world-class in standard?

Technically, we are almost there... Soul-wise, 41 years of nationhood is still considered at its infancy...

(My whole series of the SFF 2006 is HERE)

Warning!!!

2006-08-07T23:23:00.000+08:00

Decided to go jogging yesterday...

And I thought some universal constants have gone disarray...

My shorts seemed to have enlarged by a scale factor of 0.8...

Gravitational pull seemed to have increased to 12 m/s^2...

Oxygen level at sea-level seemed to have gone thin as if I was at 3000m altitude...

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Apart from trekking to Bt Timah, MacRitchie Reservoir, walking all over Kyoto & Osaka carrying my camera bag, I havent'been jogging since I don't know when...

I used to be able to bank on my youth and was able to regain my fitness rather quickly after a few workouts... but I now can feel the drag...

Maybe I've been zipping around too much in my RSP... gotta enforce some discipline to regain my fitness quickly once again... Sheares Bridge run and another don't know what quarter marathon run are coming up...

I don't want to be unfit!!!

Breaking Out of the Cocoon

2006-08-04T22:55:00.000+08:00

A man saw a cocoon where a butterfly was about to break free from. Upon seeing the butterfly struggle so hard and appearing to be having a lot of difficulty breaking out of it, he decided to use a knife and cut the cocoon open to release the butterfly within...

To his horror, the butterfly did not survive long after being released prematurely. The butterfly didn't develop enough strength to fly because it didn't have the chance to go through the process of struggling and breaking out of its cocoon by itself.

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I constantly remind myself with this story... I was reminded of this story again today...

A young padawan of mine requested that I cut open a cocoon prematurely... I'm very proud of him for having such great compassion and displaying such great friendship. I'm very touched in fact...

However, just like a little chick using all its strength to break out of the egg shell, the butterfly needs to do it himself... All we can, and should do is to give the butterfly all the encouragement that he needs, and await the day when he will break out of his cocoon, turning into a beautiful butterfly... That will be the day where we will all cheer and celebrate his rebirth... a new beginning... putting the past behind, and looking forward to greater success and achievements...

I am most humbled... I am looking forward to that day...

Jedi's Day 2006

2006-08-01T10:44:00.000+08:00

Posted this last year... Jedi's Day...

Come 1 Sept 2006, it'll be the 7th Jedi's Day for me...

Time flies... so unconciously... especially so when I find myself waking up everyday doing something I feel passionately about...

The past Jedi's Days were very fun for me... I always get to assemble groups of talented Padawans strutting their stuff on stage... Jam bands, boy bands, modern dance, skits, break dance, songs... Still remembered having to rent guitar amplifiers out of my own pockets for a group of guys who loved playing in a jam band... Those were guys who liked pretty much nothing else in school, but jamming in a band... Miss those guys...

Then progressively, other jam bands came up... Most enjoyable band I worked with was the one made up by Joakim(lead vocal), Melvyn (lead vocal), Jainthan (bass guitar, Andra (electric guitar), and Shawn (drums)... and I really enjoyed all those late afternoons/evenings in the school hall jamming and scolding and correcting some of the songs they were gonna perform... Don't know if they found me irritating, but heheh, I kinda enjoyed that... ;)

There was only one guiding principle that drove me on organising those concerts... to showcase the talents of these Padawans... They need a stage... and all I need to do was to give them that stage... And they fly...

Jedi's Day's coming in a months' time... Some padawans asked me to play in a semi-formed up band with them... But I'm kinda rusty already... been a long while since I played my guitar seriously...

Maybe it's time to pick them up again...

(JEDI's Day Website)

Simply Inexplicable!!!

2006-07-29T23:48:00.000+08:00

After these few months, finally managed to get tickets to watch Joakim perform live again...

What an experience it was...

It's been about 10 years since I stepped into Mediacorp's Theatre again (the last was a charity concert back in NTU Hall 4)...

It's such a joy meeting some of my ex-Padawans who have grown taller, wider, prettier, "handsomer", smarter, more mature, cheekier etc... very nice indeed...

It's just so awesome to realise just how organised the supporters for Joakim are... Huge posters, banners, dancing monkey placards, printed T-shirts etc... all held/ worn by every of his supporter in the theatre...

And I got to hold one of his poster as well... very nice one... and if anyone would to wonder why they couldn't see me on TV, look out for Joakim's posters... I was behind one of them...

The screaming, shouting, cheering, wildness that were all around during the show was simply earth-moving... I couldn't help but join in the support... And the moment when it was announced that he's now in the top 9 was simply magical... Great fun it was :)

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I guess the only logical explanation as to why I am behaving in such a 'silly-fan' manner, supporting an SI contestant when I've never quite believed in such shows, is just very plain simple... I'm supporting a talented boy whom I've seen him grow and develop into such a fine young character who has a special place on the stage... I'm so proud of him... There need not be any other reasons why I'm supporting him...

Some of my friends and family members and people around me may scorn at my behaviour, but I don't think they quite understand what it means to me... It doesn't matter anyway... It's just plain simple and pure support for a boy whom I've always believed in...

Red Swift Pod

2006-07-25T22:29:00.000+08:00

Read from somewhere that in the US, the car insurance premium for RED CARS is higher than cars of other colours... Reason being that statistically, the probability that the owners of RED CARS will speed, and therefore involve in accidents, and therefore cause insurance companies to receive claims, are higher...

I drive a RED SWIFT POD...

So do I have a statistically higher probable tendency to speed?

I must admit that I do enjoy taking long drives at night after work along quieter expressways/ roads... I find such drives therapeutic... Relieves me of the stress and agony of the day... Blasting my audio away and shielding myself from the outside world with the sound waves...

Back to the question of whether I have a tendency to speed... Ermmm, my pod is small... very small... how fast could it go anyway???

Ermmm... Do I really need TWO???

2006-07-09T21:18:00.000+08:00

Bought TWO (2) copies of THE OFFICIAL SINGAPORE IDOL MAGAZINE today... It's says it's the COLLECTOR'S EDITION some more... so must be good right?

I don't usually behave like this...

But just felt that I needed to... One copy for flippin', and one copy for keepin'...

Just have to do it...

GO JOAKIM GO!!!

Solo

2006-07-07T01:26:00.000+08:00

Redang 2003 => Solo

Sydney 2004 => Solo

New Zealand North Island 2005 => Solo

Japan 2006 => Solo
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I'm getting more and more used to travelling solo...

My pace (or lack of) and itinerary (or lack of) will irk any travelling partners should I travel with any...

I can stop for hours at a location just to observe and wait and rest and enjoy the moment and then shoot as much as I like, before I move along...

I plan my trip on the fly... I just need a broad itinerary, and I will always work out the details as I go along...

That's the way I function best... that's the way that I'll enjoy my travelling photography best... No stress of not following any plans... No stress of irking anybody else... No stress of hurrying my photo taking...

I'm not ready to travel with anyone at the moment...

Not yet...

Man in Blue, Red & Yellow...

2006-07-03T19:26:00.000+08:00

Yes... The favourite Man of Steel in blue, red & yellow is back...

And I thought I've grown out of it...

The moment the by now famous and oh-so-familiar John Williams composed theme music came on at the start of the movie, that awe, respect, admiration, nostalgic, back-to-being-a-little-boy feelings came rushing back...

It's still the same feelings... the very first time I watched Superman I, with Christopher Reeves as the original man of steel in the movie version... Superman must have been the first English language movie I watched at the cinemas... I was still little... Parents brought me to watch it at the then President cinema (the present Balestier Cinema)... Those were the times when long movies were shown with an intermission in between... Superman, as well as Jaws, were considered long movies back then... I wonder if Lord of the Rings would be shown over 2 days if it was made then...

Superman Returns retained many nice moments from the Superman I to III... The new Superman even looks like the original Superman...

Who cares if the story is cliche and our super-hero will always win the day... Superman, compared to many other super-heroes, is the most wholesome among them all...

And our world today, DO need a Superman... a Superman who'll always be around...

Blue, Red & Yellow... All primary colours... the only colours needed to spin off all other colours we can ever imagine...

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I stayed on to listen to the entire Superman theme music again... as the credits rolled out, I saw these:
"This film is dedicated with love and respect to
Christopher Reeves and Dana Reeves."

Indeed... Christopher Reeves epitomised what Superman really is... a courageous fighter who lived on despite the horrendous paralysis... A true Man of Steel...

(EDIT: It was brought to my attention that the primary colours are not blue, red and yellow!!! See HERE for detailed explanations... Gosh... like that also can... I need Superman!!!)

Lesson with STUDENT

2006-07-02T19:48:00.000+08:00

Met STUDENT at a photoshoot yesterday... I've always had high respect for his passion in photography and the manner in which he pursue it is simply inspiring...

He shared his journey of learning with me while we were having a break yesterday... He had his very first photography lesson with an established and well-known photograher in France a few years ago... This was what he learnt:

- the teacher brought STUDENT to a beautiful beach somewhere in France.
- the sunset was gorgeous.
- the instinctive thing a photographer would do would be to whip out his camera and start shooting the spectacular sunset.
- STUDENT almost started shooting the sunset when the teacher stopped him.
- the teacher said: if you've seen enough sunsets, all sunsets would probably look almost the same. That's not what a photographer should shoot.
- the teacher further probed STUDENT:
=> where are you now? (ans: on a beautiful beach with a spectacular sunset)
=> how do you feel? (ans: I feel that the sunset is spectacular, obviously)
=> and how does that make you feel deep down? (ans: I feel so previleged to see this sunset, coming all the way from S'pore)
=> and deeper still? (ans: and I feel that mother nature is so amazing>)
=> and? (ans: and I feel that I so small and powerless in this great big world.)
=> and? (ans: I feel lonely on this beautiful beach...)
=> Good. Use your camera now and shoot this lonliness that you are feeling now...

It's an amazing lesson that I learnt too...

Photography is not just about getting the technicalities and acquiring the best gears that money can buy... To really know photography, one must know oneself... Listen to oneself.. Know what one wants to express.. know how one feels...

Photography is expression... Expressing what one feels deep down... Expressing one's current state of mind... current state of feelings...

There is no absolutes in photography... no absolute rights... no absolute wrongs...

But shooting without reaching deep into oneself, the dimension and depth of an image will be missing... in other words, the SOUL of an image will be missing...

STUDENT's story sets me reflecting on my pursuit in photography... There's more yet to learn... More yet to discover... More of myself to know and explore...

I've leant... from a STUDENT...

Cheapo MTV

2006-06-27T21:32:00.000+08:00

I aint't got no videography skills...

I ain't got no music editing skills...

But I've got my ixus and my... whistling skills...

(Paihia, New Zealand North Island)