Friends,
How would you spend the last day of year 2008?
The weather looks warm in the morning. I am thinking of going to Seletar Reservoir or Marina Barrage in the afternoon. But looking at the hot weather really puts me off.
Time continues to tick without fail. I feel kind of sad to see that year 2008 will be going down into history real soon. I also feel happy that I will be able to witness the Count Down Celebration and watch the firework displays.
Do you know that the ships anchored in the southern water will "shoot" red flares at midnight to welcome the New Year? I always enjoy watching these red flares.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Collecting Keys on 2 Jan 2009
Something wonderful to share with readers; Dan & Ro will be collecting their keys for their units in City Square on 2 Jan 2009.
I feel so happy for them since they have been working and saving so hard for the past few years.
http://citysquare.cdl.com.sg/main.html
You reap what you sow.
I feel so happy for them since they have been working and saving so hard for the past few years.
http://citysquare.cdl.com.sg/main.html
You reap what you sow.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Last Few Days of 2008
I always feel moody during the last few days of a year. This year is no exception too.
After celebrating Christmas, New Year is just round the corner. I will always ask myself what have I done or achieved in the current year. Very often than not, I will find that I did not manage to do what I should be doing or intend to do. Excuses such as busy and irregular working schedule always crop up to make myself feel better.
Plenty of "big" events happened in 2008. These include Beijing Olympics, Formula One Night Race, escape of a detainee, death of a local in Mumbai Terrorists' Attack, etc.
Plenty of "personal" events include death of my mother-in-law, illness of a family member, etc.
Nobody knows what will happen in the new year 2009.
I pray for Good Health for Everybody.
After celebrating Christmas, New Year is just round the corner. I will always ask myself what have I done or achieved in the current year. Very often than not, I will find that I did not manage to do what I should be doing or intend to do. Excuses such as busy and irregular working schedule always crop up to make myself feel better.
Plenty of "big" events happened in 2008. These include Beijing Olympics, Formula One Night Race, escape of a detainee, death of a local in Mumbai Terrorists' Attack, etc.
Plenty of "personal" events include death of my mother-in-law, illness of a family member, etc.
Nobody knows what will happen in the new year 2009.
I pray for Good Health for Everybody.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Chew Chor Meng is OK!
MediaCorp actor Chew Chor Meng takes the first exclusive television interview since news of his disease came to light.
He says he is fine and is not afraid of the future. Instead of wasting time on an unsolvable problem, he would rather face adversities with optimism and thank supporters for their concern.
The bubbly and cheerful Chew has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy in September.
At that time, he was still filming "Love Blossoms 2". In face of the inner emotions and confusions brought about by the truth about his health, and the responsibility and professionalism towards his work, it was a tough period for Chew. Yet, the illness actually brought light to his life.
"In the past, many people say that Chor Meng is hostile or that I'm overly obsessive about work.
Now I feel more positive and happier, and I'm grateful and tolerant of more things. Especially after going through this episode in life, through my religion, I find happiness and peace within.
I'm able to carry on with life with a positive outlook. That's very important," he said.
Though discomforts in his limps have caused inconvenience in movements, it has also brought out the tenacious spirit in him.
"I can still walk now, just that I'm a bit slow and I can't run. But there's no point in dwelling over the fact that I cannot run now. If I can't run, I'll walk. I'll walk till the day I can't then I'll think of other solutions. I think it's pointless to think about it now. I have great confidence that the next time I take your interview, I'd have recovered," Chew tells reporter from MediaCorp Channel 8 News.
Chew expressed his gratefulness to members on Facebook who have initiated the synchronized fasting and prayers, but he hopes that people can stop worrying about him.
"I have no idea what will happen in the next five, seven or 10 years, and I'm not thinking about it nor worry, or be afraid of it. There are naturally things to worry about for tomorrow; I'll take things within my stride. I can still walk now, just that my movements are slower, but at the very least, I can still drive and send my children to and fro school, I can still work and act. I feel contented and blessed now."
(source: sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20081225/ten-317-chew-chor-meng-ok-2fbb342.html?printer=1 )
My comments:
What is more important than having a healthy body? I pray for good health for everybody during this christmas season.
He says he is fine and is not afraid of the future. Instead of wasting time on an unsolvable problem, he would rather face adversities with optimism and thank supporters for their concern.
The bubbly and cheerful Chew has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy in September.
At that time, he was still filming "Love Blossoms 2". In face of the inner emotions and confusions brought about by the truth about his health, and the responsibility and professionalism towards his work, it was a tough period for Chew. Yet, the illness actually brought light to his life.
"In the past, many people say that Chor Meng is hostile or that I'm overly obsessive about work.
Now I feel more positive and happier, and I'm grateful and tolerant of more things. Especially after going through this episode in life, through my religion, I find happiness and peace within.
I'm able to carry on with life with a positive outlook. That's very important," he said.
Though discomforts in his limps have caused inconvenience in movements, it has also brought out the tenacious spirit in him.
"I can still walk now, just that I'm a bit slow and I can't run. But there's no point in dwelling over the fact that I cannot run now. If I can't run, I'll walk. I'll walk till the day I can't then I'll think of other solutions. I think it's pointless to think about it now. I have great confidence that the next time I take your interview, I'd have recovered," Chew tells reporter from MediaCorp Channel 8 News.
Chew expressed his gratefulness to members on Facebook who have initiated the synchronized fasting and prayers, but he hopes that people can stop worrying about him.
"I have no idea what will happen in the next five, seven or 10 years, and I'm not thinking about it nor worry, or be afraid of it. There are naturally things to worry about for tomorrow; I'll take things within my stride. I can still walk now, just that my movements are slower, but at the very least, I can still drive and send my children to and fro school, I can still work and act. I feel contented and blessed now."
(source: sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20081225/ten-317-chew-chor-meng-ok-2fbb342.html?printer=1 )
My comments:
What is more important than having a healthy body? I pray for good health for everybody during this christmas season.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wet Christmas Eve
The heavy rain started in the early hours of Christmas Eve. This reminds me of some years ago, heavy rain flooded some florists shops during the Christmas period. I hope this is not a repeat of that episode.
Now widespread heavy rain continues to pour over our island. It is a good time to stay at home, spend time with family members or good friends.
How do I spend my Christmas Eve?
My family will be having our Christmas dinner with the rest of our family members. It is a gathering we simply love because the adults can play catching up and the kids can chit-chat.
Wishing you Merry Christmas.
Now widespread heavy rain continues to pour over our island. It is a good time to stay at home, spend time with family members or good friends.
How do I spend my Christmas Eve?
My family will be having our Christmas dinner with the rest of our family members. It is a gathering we simply love because the adults can play catching up and the kids can chit-chat.
Wishing you Merry Christmas.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Marina Barrage (part i)
My family went to Marina Barrage this afternoon.Some tips to share:
(1)How to get there?The car-park is small at the present. I guess it will be difficult to park your car during weekends. There is free shuttle bus service from Marine Bay MRT.
(2)For kids, wear short and slippers. There are "pools" with shallow water. Kids and adults enjoyed walking bare-footed in the pools.
(3)I don't know why some paths have plenty of centipedes. My dd was so scared that she cried. Indeed, plenty of centipedes were found along the 2 "arc" paths.
(4)Choose a cloudy day to go and your trip would be wonderful.
http://www.pub.gov.sg/marina/location/Pages/default.aspx
Please continue to stay tuned as I will upload some photos later.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Page One Bookshop in Vivo City
On Thursday, I spent a wonderful afternoon at Page One Bookshop in Vivo City.
After a heavy lunch in Vivo City, my family headed to Page One Bookshop.
http://www.pageonegroup.com/singapore.html
Of many bookshops in Singapore, this Page One is unique to me. I like the ambience in this shop. In particular, the Children's books section which has full-length glass windows, allow readers to see the road leading to Sentosa.
There are some stools in this area. Mums and kids can simply grab a book, sit on the stool and read it.
Due to the heavy lunch and the comfortable environment, I had a short-nap in Page One that afternoon while Isa was reading one of her favourite books by Roald Dahl.
Friends,
If you go to Vivo City, do make a trip to Page One Bookshop. You will have a pleasant experience in this bookshop.
After a heavy lunch in Vivo City, my family headed to Page One Bookshop.
http://www.pageonegroup.com/singapore.html
Of many bookshops in Singapore, this Page One is unique to me. I like the ambience in this shop. In particular, the Children's books section which has full-length glass windows, allow readers to see the road leading to Sentosa.
There are some stools in this area. Mums and kids can simply grab a book, sit on the stool and read it.
Due to the heavy lunch and the comfortable environment, I had a short-nap in Page One that afternoon while Isa was reading one of her favourite books by Roald Dahl.
Friends,
If you go to Vivo City, do make a trip to Page One Bookshop. You will have a pleasant experience in this bookshop.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Cloudy and Wet Weather Ahead
Notice the recent change in the weather? Instead of hot and dry weather, we had cloudy with occasional rain for the past few days.
It is normal to have wetter weather during the year-end. This is the time where most rainfall can be expected. I recalled some years ago, some florists' shops located in the low-lying areas were flooded during the christmas season. The owners and workers were busy saving the pots of flowers in knee-depth water.
I like this type of weather because I feel very comfortable.
It may be a bit inconvenient because I need to bring a brolly if I am going out. The washed clothes are harder to dry completely.
Alas, I know with the wet weather, the year-end festive seasons are approaching!
It is normal to have wetter weather during the year-end. This is the time where most rainfall can be expected. I recalled some years ago, some florists' shops located in the low-lying areas were flooded during the christmas season. The owners and workers were busy saving the pots of flowers in knee-depth water.
I like this type of weather because I feel very comfortable.
It may be a bit inconvenient because I need to bring a brolly if I am going out. The washed clothes are harder to dry completely.
Alas, I know with the wet weather, the year-end festive seasons are approaching!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Film stokes right-to-die debate
LONDON: Britons this week watched Mr Craig Ewert die on TV, in a film showing how he travelled to a Zurich clinic in 2006 to take a fatal dose of barbiturates.
Shown by Sky Television on Wednesday, Right To Die? is said to be the first British TV broadcast of the moment of death in a voluntary euthanasia case.
It has thrown a new bomb into an already contentious debate.
Almost totally incapacitated by motor neuron disease, Mr Ewert, a former computer engineer, was seen looking at his interviewer and laying out his options.
'If I go through with it, I have death,' Mr Ewert, 59, said. 'If I don't go through with it, my choice is essentially to suffer and to inflict suffering on my family, and then die.' He chose the quick way.
Britain's obsession with reality television reached new heights - or depths - with the broadcast of the assisted suicide of Mr Ewert at a Swiss clinic.
Showing the final moment of death had long been a final taboo, even for no-holds-barred British TV, where sex and violence are common.
Care Not Killing, an anti-euthanasia movement aligned with religious groups, denounced the broadcast as 'a cynical attempt to boost TV ratings' and persuade Parliament to legalise assisted suicide.
About 100 Britons have committed suicide at Dignitas in the past decade or so, said Ms Jo Cartwright, a spokesman for Dignity in Dying, a lobbying group.
It is illegal in Britain to 'aid, abet, counsel or procure' suicide.
Public opinion polls suggest 80 per cent of Britons believe the law should be changed to allow a doctor to end a patient's life in a case like Mr Ewert's, but opposition from influential religious groups remains strong and the anti-suicide law remains in place.
But while the law is clear, its application is murky. The authorities periodically prosecute people who have assisted in suicides in Britain. They are rarely sent to jail, but face many months of distress while waiting to stand trial.
Mr Ewert's wife, Mary, was not prosecuted, despite the fact that she broke the law by, among other things, helping him travel to the clinic.
'For Craig, allowing the cameras to film his last moments was about facing the end honestly,' she wrote in The Independent earlier this week.
'He was keen to have it shown because when death is hidden and private, people don't face their fears about it.'
In the film, Mr Ewert comes across as severely disabled and absolutely determined that he is doing the right thing. His final moments are almost unbearably poignant. Lying on a bed at the Dignitas centre, he signs a consent form with the help of his wife. In his laboured voice, he says: 'I love you, sweetheart, so much.'
She responds: 'Have a safe journey, and see you sometime.'
Using his teeth, Mr Ewert presses the button that turns off his ventilator. He drinks a fatal mixture of barbiturates. And then, as a piece of music he has selected - Beethoven's Ninth Symphony - plays in his room and his wife gently rubs his feet, his life begins to ebb away.
My Comments:
Death is confirmed once we are born. This is THE destination all living things have to arrive. The issue is the path leading to death. Not all paths are the same. Usually the path to death is a miserable one due to illness.
How to ensure one can die smoothly in a dignified manner?
Shown by Sky Television on Wednesday, Right To Die? is said to be the first British TV broadcast of the moment of death in a voluntary euthanasia case.
It has thrown a new bomb into an already contentious debate.
Almost totally incapacitated by motor neuron disease, Mr Ewert, a former computer engineer, was seen looking at his interviewer and laying out his options.
'If I go through with it, I have death,' Mr Ewert, 59, said. 'If I don't go through with it, my choice is essentially to suffer and to inflict suffering on my family, and then die.' He chose the quick way.
Britain's obsession with reality television reached new heights - or depths - with the broadcast of the assisted suicide of Mr Ewert at a Swiss clinic.
Showing the final moment of death had long been a final taboo, even for no-holds-barred British TV, where sex and violence are common.
Care Not Killing, an anti-euthanasia movement aligned with religious groups, denounced the broadcast as 'a cynical attempt to boost TV ratings' and persuade Parliament to legalise assisted suicide.
About 100 Britons have committed suicide at Dignitas in the past decade or so, said Ms Jo Cartwright, a spokesman for Dignity in Dying, a lobbying group.
It is illegal in Britain to 'aid, abet, counsel or procure' suicide.
Public opinion polls suggest 80 per cent of Britons believe the law should be changed to allow a doctor to end a patient's life in a case like Mr Ewert's, but opposition from influential religious groups remains strong and the anti-suicide law remains in place.
But while the law is clear, its application is murky. The authorities periodically prosecute people who have assisted in suicides in Britain. They are rarely sent to jail, but face many months of distress while waiting to stand trial.
Mr Ewert's wife, Mary, was not prosecuted, despite the fact that she broke the law by, among other things, helping him travel to the clinic.
'For Craig, allowing the cameras to film his last moments was about facing the end honestly,' she wrote in The Independent earlier this week.
'He was keen to have it shown because when death is hidden and private, people don't face their fears about it.'
In the film, Mr Ewert comes across as severely disabled and absolutely determined that he is doing the right thing. His final moments are almost unbearably poignant. Lying on a bed at the Dignitas centre, he signs a consent form with the help of his wife. In his laboured voice, he says: 'I love you, sweetheart, so much.'
She responds: 'Have a safe journey, and see you sometime.'
Using his teeth, Mr Ewert presses the button that turns off his ventilator. He drinks a fatal mixture of barbiturates. And then, as a piece of music he has selected - Beethoven's Ninth Symphony - plays in his room and his wife gently rubs his feet, his life begins to ebb away.
My Comments:
Death is confirmed once we are born. This is THE destination all living things have to arrive. The issue is the path leading to death. Not all paths are the same. Usually the path to death is a miserable one due to illness.
How to ensure one can die smoothly in a dignified manner?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Woman to take Mental Test
She challenged bank's call to assess her ability to handle $8.9m account By Selina Lum
A 92-YEAR-OLD woman who sued OCBC Bank for freezing her $8.9 million account has been ordered by the High Court to undergo an independent psychiatric test.
Madam Hwang Cheng Tsu Hsu took OCBC to court after it refused to let her touch the money, on the grounds that it had doubts about her mental capacity.
Last month, a lower court granted OCBC's application for Madam Hwang to be examined by an independent psychiatrist to evaluate whether she was mentally fit to handle her finances.
Madam Hwang then challenged OCBC's move and appealed against the decision, as well as an earlier decision rejecting her request for summary judgment - asking the court to decide without a full trial.
On Tuesday, Justice Tan Lee Meng dismissed her appeal on the summary judgment issue. Her lawyer Andrew Ee then withdrew the appeal against the issue of appointing a psychiatrist.
At the hearing, OCBC's lawyer questioned if Madam Hwang was the one driving the lawsuit.
Why is she vigorously resisting being examined by a court-appointed expert if she is indeed mentally fit to handle her financial affairs, asked Mr Adrian Wong.
'This makes no sense unless the plaintiff (or the true engine behind the suit) is afraid that she will fail a re-examination.'
Madam Hwang's lawyer had pointed out that she had already been found mentally fit by a psychiatrist and a psychologist.
A separate application by Madam Hwang, asking the bank to release $18,000 a month as household expenses, will be heard at a later date.
The sum includes $3,600 for her adopted daughter, who is her caregiver and only child; $1,000 for toiletries; and $3,000 for holidays and entertainment.
The impasse between Madam Hwang and OCBC began in May when she and her daughter, Madam Amy Hsu Ann Mei, 43, went to the bank to ask about opening a joint account. The bank refused.
The women visited OCBC again in May to close Madam Hwang's account. This was also denied.
OCBC later said it had doubts about Madam Hwang's mental capacity.
The bank said it was acting prudently and refused to accept any instructions on any of Madam Hwang's accounts until she was shown to be mentally fit.
She proceeded to sue OCBC to have her locked funds returned.
On Tuesday, Mr Ee argued that the matter did not need to go to trial, citing her earlier mental examinations.
However, Mr Wong said the reports only dealt with whether Madam Hwang was fit to make a will and not whether she was capable of handling her accounts.
He also noted discrepancies in these mental reports.
In psychiatric and psychological tests, Madam Hwang could not recall items like a book, chair or clock after five minutes.
Yet, she scored full marks for her response to the question: Tell me about the parole system in Singapore.
Mr Wong urged the court to see the case 'in its proper context', citing an article about the responsibility of banks in fraud against the elderly.
He noted that at a previous hearing, Mr Ee had indicated that Madam Hsu was not prepared to give an undertaking that the money be used only for her mother's expenses.
Assistant Registrar David Lee, who was hearing the matter, reminded Mr Ee that his client was Madam Hwang, not the daughter, said Mr Wong.
The lawyer also drew attention to irregularities in a letter from Madam Hwang authorising her daughter to act for her.
The letter was signed by Madam Hsu on behalf of her mother.
'In effect, she was authorising herself to deal with the plaintiff's accounts,' said Mr Wong.
(source : www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_313027.html )
My Comments:
1) Does the bank have the right to freeze a person's bank account?
2) Does an old woman age 92 incapable to handle such a huge 8.9 mil asset?
3) On one hand, I think the bank has the right to "suspect" because this 8.9 mil asset is too huge to imagine and how an old lady being able to handle it? On the otherhand, I question the rights the bank has to freeze one's bank account.
A 92-YEAR-OLD woman who sued OCBC Bank for freezing her $8.9 million account has been ordered by the High Court to undergo an independent psychiatric test.
Madam Hwang Cheng Tsu Hsu took OCBC to court after it refused to let her touch the money, on the grounds that it had doubts about her mental capacity.
Last month, a lower court granted OCBC's application for Madam Hwang to be examined by an independent psychiatrist to evaluate whether she was mentally fit to handle her finances.
Madam Hwang then challenged OCBC's move and appealed against the decision, as well as an earlier decision rejecting her request for summary judgment - asking the court to decide without a full trial.
On Tuesday, Justice Tan Lee Meng dismissed her appeal on the summary judgment issue. Her lawyer Andrew Ee then withdrew the appeal against the issue of appointing a psychiatrist.
At the hearing, OCBC's lawyer questioned if Madam Hwang was the one driving the lawsuit.
Why is she vigorously resisting being examined by a court-appointed expert if she is indeed mentally fit to handle her financial affairs, asked Mr Adrian Wong.
'This makes no sense unless the plaintiff (or the true engine behind the suit) is afraid that she will fail a re-examination.'
Madam Hwang's lawyer had pointed out that she had already been found mentally fit by a psychiatrist and a psychologist.
A separate application by Madam Hwang, asking the bank to release $18,000 a month as household expenses, will be heard at a later date.
The sum includes $3,600 for her adopted daughter, who is her caregiver and only child; $1,000 for toiletries; and $3,000 for holidays and entertainment.
The impasse between Madam Hwang and OCBC began in May when she and her daughter, Madam Amy Hsu Ann Mei, 43, went to the bank to ask about opening a joint account. The bank refused.
The women visited OCBC again in May to close Madam Hwang's account. This was also denied.
OCBC later said it had doubts about Madam Hwang's mental capacity.
The bank said it was acting prudently and refused to accept any instructions on any of Madam Hwang's accounts until she was shown to be mentally fit.
She proceeded to sue OCBC to have her locked funds returned.
On Tuesday, Mr Ee argued that the matter did not need to go to trial, citing her earlier mental examinations.
However, Mr Wong said the reports only dealt with whether Madam Hwang was fit to make a will and not whether she was capable of handling her accounts.
He also noted discrepancies in these mental reports.
In psychiatric and psychological tests, Madam Hwang could not recall items like a book, chair or clock after five minutes.
Yet, she scored full marks for her response to the question: Tell me about the parole system in Singapore.
Mr Wong urged the court to see the case 'in its proper context', citing an article about the responsibility of banks in fraud against the elderly.
He noted that at a previous hearing, Mr Ee had indicated that Madam Hsu was not prepared to give an undertaking that the money be used only for her mother's expenses.
Assistant Registrar David Lee, who was hearing the matter, reminded Mr Ee that his client was Madam Hwang, not the daughter, said Mr Wong.
The lawyer also drew attention to irregularities in a letter from Madam Hwang authorising her daughter to act for her.
The letter was signed by Madam Hsu on behalf of her mother.
'In effect, she was authorising herself to deal with the plaintiff's accounts,' said Mr Wong.
(source : www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_313027.html )
My Comments:
1) Does the bank have the right to freeze a person's bank account?
2) Does an old woman age 92 incapable to handle such a huge 8.9 mil asset?
3) On one hand, I think the bank has the right to "suspect" because this 8.9 mil asset is too huge to imagine and how an old lady being able to handle it? On the otherhand, I question the rights the bank has to freeze one's bank account.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Another fatal accident at North-South Highway
TWO Singapore children survived a deadly accident early yesterday morning on Malaysia's North-South Highway when the coach they were in crashed into a tree and split in two, according to Shin Min Daily News.
The accident, which happened around 2am, killed 10 people. The bus was travelling from Ipoh to Singapore.
The newspaper reported that the Singapore children, a girl aged five and a boy aged seven, escaped with scratches.
One of the dead was a 20-year-old Malaysian woman who was a university student here, the paper added.
The crash was one of two fatal accidents on the North-South Highway over the weekend that involved Singaporeans.
On Saturday evening, a 59-year-old man died when the car he was in plunged off the road and hit a tree.
The victim was with his wife and three sons, who all suffered injuries. One son was badly hurt.
The family was on the way home after a vacation in Malacca.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the vehicle was being driven by the man's eldest son, who lost control near Pagoh, Muar.
The man was flung out of the car and died at the scene.
(source: www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_311858.html )My Comments:
(1) Although travelling during the night saves the traveller's time, it may be more dangerous because visibility and tiredness can easily cause an accident.
(2) The driver may be rushing to complete the journey so that he can continue with his next assignment.
(3) With a vast part of the journey without any street-lamps, the road conditions are not favourable even to a seasoned driver.
(4) Going to Malaysia via a coach is very popular and common for the locals. But the occurrence of accidents is also quite high especially during the school holidays.
Shopping Time for All
Did you go to Spore Expo recently for the IT show?
Did you go to Spore Expo recently for the John Little Sale?
The IT show was held in Hall 5 & 6. The John Little Sale was in Hall 4. The former was meant for men. The latter was for women.
This was the best shopping time for everybody.
I bought quite a number of items during the John Little Sale. It was really value for money as a dress for a girl cost $10, a simple blouse cost $10 etc.
I will worry about my credit card bill later.
Did you go to Spore Expo recently for the John Little Sale?
The IT show was held in Hall 5 & 6. The John Little Sale was in Hall 4. The former was meant for men. The latter was for women.
This was the best shopping time for everybody.
I bought quite a number of items during the John Little Sale. It was really value for money as a dress for a girl cost $10, a simple blouse cost $10 etc.
I will worry about my credit card bill later.
Story Books Time
The weather for the past few days has been cloudy and wet. It was such a good time to remain in-doors. I was glad to spend most of this time reading books.
And I am not ashamed to share with you that I read Charlotte's Web by E.B.White, Animal Farm by George Orwell and now into Boy Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl.
Charlotte was just a small and ordinary spider. Yet she managed to use her determination and wits to save Wilbur, a pig from being slaughtered. She died in the end. After I read this book, I passed to Isa. Isa shed her tears and did not like this ending.
Animal Farm might be a bit complicated for her. Isa has yet to read this book. However, I like this book. "All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others". Is not this a reflection in this world?
I know Roald Dahl is a popular author among the children. This is my first time reading his book. I have yet to finish reading it. But this book is attractive enough for me to read on.
I have enjoyed my quality time with books and Isa.
What about you?
And I am not ashamed to share with you that I read Charlotte's Web by E.B.White, Animal Farm by George Orwell and now into Boy Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl.
Charlotte was just a small and ordinary spider. Yet she managed to use her determination and wits to save Wilbur, a pig from being slaughtered. She died in the end. After I read this book, I passed to Isa. Isa shed her tears and did not like this ending.
Animal Farm might be a bit complicated for her. Isa has yet to read this book. However, I like this book. "All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others". Is not this a reflection in this world?
I know Roald Dahl is a popular author among the children. This is my first time reading his book. I have yet to finish reading it. But this book is attractive enough for me to read on.
I have enjoyed my quality time with books and Isa.
What about you?
Friday, December 05, 2008
Genting - City of Entertainment
My family went to Genting during the last weekend. It is just a 6 hours' drive by coach.
Genting is a City of Entertainment. It is also a City that Never Sleeps, a place where young and old can have their fun. The young and darings can go for the rides in both indoor and outdoor theme parks. The old can just sit in front of the jack-pot machines to get their thrill. All will be spoilt for the choices of entertainment available in Genting.
We stayed in the First World Hotel which is the largest hotel in the world. It comes with 6118 rooms. Depending on the types of rooms, the amenities vary accordingly. Our room was quite basic. But is just nice for us because we only return to the room to sleep. We were out of the room most of the time.
Food is pretty expensive in Genting. A plate of chicken rice or noodles can cost as much as RM 14.50. This works out to be about SGD 7 per plate ! But the restaurants and cafes are always crowded. There is no poor people in Genting.
Friends,
If you have not thought where to head during this year-end holiday, why not consider Genting? It is quite near to home. With the attractive currency exchange rate, Malaysia seems to be the best choice for a short retreat.
(source: http://www.genting.com.my/ )
Genting is a City of Entertainment. It is also a City that Never Sleeps, a place where young and old can have their fun. The young and darings can go for the rides in both indoor and outdoor theme parks. The old can just sit in front of the jack-pot machines to get their thrill. All will be spoilt for the choices of entertainment available in Genting.
We stayed in the First World Hotel which is the largest hotel in the world. It comes with 6118 rooms. Depending on the types of rooms, the amenities vary accordingly. Our room was quite basic. But is just nice for us because we only return to the room to sleep. We were out of the room most of the time.
Food is pretty expensive in Genting. A plate of chicken rice or noodles can cost as much as RM 14.50. This works out to be about SGD 7 per plate ! But the restaurants and cafes are always crowded. There is no poor people in Genting.
Friends,
If you have not thought where to head during this year-end holiday, why not consider Genting? It is quite near to home. With the attractive currency exchange rate, Malaysia seems to be the best choice for a short retreat.
(source: http://www.genting.com.my/ )
Thursday, December 04, 2008
A Memorable Dinner at Fullerton Hotel
To celebrate the Japan emperor's 75th birthday (actual date on 23 Dec), the Japan embassy hosted a dinner at one of the ballrooms in Fullerton Hotel recently.
The guests of honour include Japan Ambassador and our Defence Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean.
I must say that this dinner has been very impressive and memorable among other dinners of such events. Food and fruits such as pears, apples, melons and pesimmons, salmon etc were flown in from Japan.
The pear (nikkori) is large and has meltingly sweet juice. The apple (sun fuji) is yellowish-white, very juicy with a strong sweetness and fresh fragrance. The persimmon (fuyu) has dense and soft flesh. It has sweet and delicious juicy too.
I love the melon (musk melon) the best. I was told that these melons are grown in glass greenhouses under complete cultivation management. They are raised with complete concentration of all nutrients. The taste and fragrance are both very satisfying.
This is also my first time eating unlimited serving of raw fish/seafood.
I tried the sake (traditional Japanese rice wine), There were several bottles of various tastes. I opted the one meant for beginner. Again, the taste and smell was just nice and wonderful.
The governments of both Japan and Singapore have been working closely and promoting ties for many years. All would like to see the present situation continues.
Maybe my next holiday would be to Japan.
The guests of honour include Japan Ambassador and our Defence Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean.
I must say that this dinner has been very impressive and memorable among other dinners of such events. Food and fruits such as pears, apples, melons and pesimmons, salmon etc were flown in from Japan.
The pear (nikkori) is large and has meltingly sweet juice. The apple (sun fuji) is yellowish-white, very juicy with a strong sweetness and fresh fragrance. The persimmon (fuyu) has dense and soft flesh. It has sweet and delicious juicy too.
I love the melon (musk melon) the best. I was told that these melons are grown in glass greenhouses under complete cultivation management. They are raised with complete concentration of all nutrients. The taste and fragrance are both very satisfying.
This is also my first time eating unlimited serving of raw fish/seafood.
I tried the sake (traditional Japanese rice wine), There were several bottles of various tastes. I opted the one meant for beginner. Again, the taste and smell was just nice and wonderful.
The governments of both Japan and Singapore have been working closely and promoting ties for many years. All would like to see the present situation continues.
Maybe my next holiday would be to Japan.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Kungfu Panda
For friends especially with kids, I am sure you have watched the cartoon movie Kungfu Panda quite some time ago.
I watched it many times. I watched again during my return trip on an 18-seater coach from Genting.
I forgot which character mentioned the below phrase but it was very meaningful.
"Yesterday was a history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift and that is why it is called present".
How many of us after appreciating this phrase and can learn to apply it to our daily life?
I watched it many times. I watched again during my return trip on an 18-seater coach from Genting.
I forgot which character mentioned the below phrase but it was very meaningful.
"Yesterday was a history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift and that is why it is called present".
How many of us after appreciating this phrase and can learn to apply it to our daily life?
Friday, November 28, 2008
Palliative care dept at TTSH (ST Nov 28, 2008)
It is first public hospital to do so; move follows growing need to improve lives of the terminally ill By Salma Khalik
WHEN her father and grandfather died two weeks apart after losing their battles with cancer, Ms Angeline Chew was devastated.
Fortunately, she was able to draw strength and comfort from palliative care doctors and nurses at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). They helped the family members come to terms with their imminent loss, while also seeing the patients through their painful last days.
The need for such support has grown over the years. Once offered exclusively to terminally ill cancer patients, palliative care has since been extended to other terminal illnesses such as organ failure. Last year, palliative care doctors at TTSH helped more than 1,400 dying patients and their families, up from 1,100 in 2005.
To cope with the larger numbers, the hospital has decided to set up a department devoted solely to palliative care - the first public hospital to do so. If it works out well, a Ministry of Health spokesman said others would follow suit.
With the change, the current team of four doctors will be able to grow the service with more nurses and registrars, as well as train more doctors in this field, said Dr Wu Huei Yaw, a consultant in palliative medicine at TTSH.
Only about 60 per cent of people who need palliative care are getting it, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said recently.
Palliative care doctors treat not only physical symptoms such as pain and breathlessness, but also the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient. They spend a longer time with each patient, with a new case taking anything from 30 to 60 minutes for the first consultation.
The question they most often have to deal with is 'Why me?', said Dr Wu. Patients, especially those in their 30s or 40s, often protest that they are not ready to die.
Older patients, on the other hand, are usually less afraid of death, but they do fear pain and suffering, he added. This can be helped by palliative care doctors explaining what they can do to alleviate suffering.
If the pain gets really bad, they will get anaesthetists to administer an injection into the spinal cord - like epidurals given to women in labour to help them cope with the pain. In extreme cases, a patient can be kept sedated till he dies.
Ms Chew's father suffered from intense pain in his last days. But 'his eyes would light up when Dr Wu or the nurses came by', she recalled.
He knew they were doing their best for him, and was grateful. Dr Wu once returned to the hospital at 10pm when he heard that Mr Chew was in great pain.
Mr Chew was given a 'terminal discharge' after the doctors told his family that there was not much more healing they could give him. Instead, he would die at home, while his pain treatment continued through a home hospice care service.
Dr Wu said an increasing number of patients and their families are opting for terminal discharge.
Last year, more than 50 patients chose to go home. This year, more than 80 have already done so.
Another new department, called Community and Continuing Care, is working with nearby nursing homes to provide their patients with palliative care, so there is no need for them to be admitted.
This is better for both the patient - who does not have to be shuttled to and fro - and the hospital, which faces a perennial shortage of beds.
When first approached some months before her father's death, Ms Chew, who is in her 30s, was upset and rejected their help. Her father was only 57 years old, and the diagnosis of late-stage colon cancer came as a shock.
'I thought the doctors had given up on my father and were sentencing him to death,' the mother of two young children said. 'I couldn't have been more wrong.'
(source: www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_307844.html )
My comments:
I recalled the recent demise of my mother-in-law. She was discharged from SGH around June 2008 and hospice care was given because she was deemed to be terminally ill. Since then, a nurse and occasionally a doctor from Hospice Care Association would visit her weekly, talking to her, ensuring her health condition was still "fine".
Lately, when my mother-in-law was unable to move around, a wheel-chair and a toilet pan were loan. Morphine solution was given to relieve pain and suffering. Just a few days before she passed on, the nurse said that my mother-in-law might be at the last stage of her life and advised her family members to spend more time with her. True enough, my mother-in-law left this world within a week.
Special thanks goes to Debbie, who is so patient, thoughtful and sensitive to our needs.
WHEN her father and grandfather died two weeks apart after losing their battles with cancer, Ms Angeline Chew was devastated.
Fortunately, she was able to draw strength and comfort from palliative care doctors and nurses at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). They helped the family members come to terms with their imminent loss, while also seeing the patients through their painful last days.
The need for such support has grown over the years. Once offered exclusively to terminally ill cancer patients, palliative care has since been extended to other terminal illnesses such as organ failure. Last year, palliative care doctors at TTSH helped more than 1,400 dying patients and their families, up from 1,100 in 2005.
To cope with the larger numbers, the hospital has decided to set up a department devoted solely to palliative care - the first public hospital to do so. If it works out well, a Ministry of Health spokesman said others would follow suit.
With the change, the current team of four doctors will be able to grow the service with more nurses and registrars, as well as train more doctors in this field, said Dr Wu Huei Yaw, a consultant in palliative medicine at TTSH.
Only about 60 per cent of people who need palliative care are getting it, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said recently.
Palliative care doctors treat not only physical symptoms such as pain and breathlessness, but also the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient. They spend a longer time with each patient, with a new case taking anything from 30 to 60 minutes for the first consultation.
The question they most often have to deal with is 'Why me?', said Dr Wu. Patients, especially those in their 30s or 40s, often protest that they are not ready to die.
Older patients, on the other hand, are usually less afraid of death, but they do fear pain and suffering, he added. This can be helped by palliative care doctors explaining what they can do to alleviate suffering.
If the pain gets really bad, they will get anaesthetists to administer an injection into the spinal cord - like epidurals given to women in labour to help them cope with the pain. In extreme cases, a patient can be kept sedated till he dies.
Ms Chew's father suffered from intense pain in his last days. But 'his eyes would light up when Dr Wu or the nurses came by', she recalled.
He knew they were doing their best for him, and was grateful. Dr Wu once returned to the hospital at 10pm when he heard that Mr Chew was in great pain.
Mr Chew was given a 'terminal discharge' after the doctors told his family that there was not much more healing they could give him. Instead, he would die at home, while his pain treatment continued through a home hospice care service.
Dr Wu said an increasing number of patients and their families are opting for terminal discharge.
Last year, more than 50 patients chose to go home. This year, more than 80 have already done so.
Another new department, called Community and Continuing Care, is working with nearby nursing homes to provide their patients with palliative care, so there is no need for them to be admitted.
This is better for both the patient - who does not have to be shuttled to and fro - and the hospital, which faces a perennial shortage of beds.
When first approached some months before her father's death, Ms Chew, who is in her 30s, was upset and rejected their help. Her father was only 57 years old, and the diagnosis of late-stage colon cancer came as a shock.
'I thought the doctors had given up on my father and were sentencing him to death,' the mother of two young children said. 'I couldn't have been more wrong.'
(source: www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_307844.html )
My comments:
I recalled the recent demise of my mother-in-law. She was discharged from SGH around June 2008 and hospice care was given because she was deemed to be terminally ill. Since then, a nurse and occasionally a doctor from Hospice Care Association would visit her weekly, talking to her, ensuring her health condition was still "fine".
Lately, when my mother-in-law was unable to move around, a wheel-chair and a toilet pan were loan. Morphine solution was given to relieve pain and suffering. Just a few days before she passed on, the nurse said that my mother-in-law might be at the last stage of her life and advised her family members to spend more time with her. True enough, my mother-in-law left this world within a week.
Special thanks goes to Debbie, who is so patient, thoughtful and sensitive to our needs.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Boy Jumped over CCA
A 15-YEAR-OLD jumped from the 11th-floor bedroom window of his home - in front of his mother - after a disagreement with his parents over his intention to switch his co-curricular activity (CCA) in school.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_307353.html
My comments:
My heart goes out to the mother of this teen. How can the son do such a cruel thing to his mum? Seeing your loved one ended his life yet can't do anything at all is simply the most cruel thing in this world.
I don't think time will heal this wound. A significant part of this mum was gone forever.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_307353.html
My comments:
My heart goes out to the mother of this teen. How can the son do such a cruel thing to his mum? Seeing your loved one ended his life yet can't do anything at all is simply the most cruel thing in this world.
I don't think time will heal this wound. A significant part of this mum was gone forever.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Time to do something extra for Forgery Cases
On the same day (25 Nov 2008), I read two articles from Straits Times Online on forgery cases; "Borders staff jailed 4 years " and "Woman jailed for forgery, CBT".
In both cases, both forged signatures on the cheques to direct banks to transfer money into their own bank accounts for personal usages. In the first place, forging signatures is already a serious crime. Secondly, they are taking money which does not belong to them openly. Thirdly, much resources have been employed to prove forgery and to prosecute them in the courts.
Have we forgotten one crucial point that the banks involved which allowed such cheques to clear need to bear some responsibilities? How can such cheques be allowed to clear in the very first place?
The relevant authorities should look into the loopholes in this process before more forgery cases emerged in this difficult times. In addition, I urge severe punishment imposed to act as a deterrent.
In both cases, both forged signatures on the cheques to direct banks to transfer money into their own bank accounts for personal usages. In the first place, forging signatures is already a serious crime. Secondly, they are taking money which does not belong to them openly. Thirdly, much resources have been employed to prove forgery and to prosecute them in the courts.
Have we forgotten one crucial point that the banks involved which allowed such cheques to clear need to bear some responsibilities? How can such cheques be allowed to clear in the very first place?
The relevant authorities should look into the loopholes in this process before more forgery cases emerged in this difficult times. In addition, I urge severe punishment imposed to act as a deterrent.
Up to 19% pay cut for top civil servants; lower year—end bonus
SINGAPORE: Ministers and top civil servants will get a pay cut of up to 19 per cent next year. The Civil Service is also reducing the year—end bonus payment for this year.
Top civil servants and ministers were supposed to get a pay rise in January next year to bring their salaries in line with private sector pay.
It was to be the third adjustment to bring public sector pay to 88 per cent of the private sector benchmark, a move announced in April 2007.
The benchmark is set at two—thirds of the median pay of the top eight earners in each of the six sectors: multinational corporations, lawyers, bankers, accountants, local manufacturers and engineers.
In April 2007 and January this year, the salaries of top civil servants and ministers were revised to keep pace with soaring private sector salaries. But the Public Service Division said the 2009 salary revision for this group has now been deferred, in view of the clouded economic outlook.
In fact, the annual salary for top civil servants and ministers will fall next year to levels below April 2007, because close to 25 per cent of their annual salary comprises variable payments linked to the GDP growth of Singapore and their salary will fall as long as the economy remains weak.
In 2009, the Prime Minister and President will see their annual salaries cut by 19 per cent. Ministers and Senior Permanent Secretaries will see an 18 per cent fall. The allowance for Members of Parliament will be cut by 16 per cent.
Commenting on the pay cut, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister in charge of the Civil Service, said: "Public sector salaries follow the market up and down. The mechanism we introduced last year to link a significant proportion of the salary of senior civil servants to the performance of the economy is working as intended. This mechanism allows salaries to respond more rapidly to market conditions."
The Public Service Division also said the Prime Minister has and will continue to donate all increases in his own salary after the April 2007 revisions, to good causes for five years.
Next year, the Prime Minister will actually see his salary fall to pre—revision levels.
As for civil servants such as teachers and police officers, they are getting a total of two months’ bonus payment this year, plus S$100 to S$300 paid out in July. This comprises the 13th month payment or Annual Wage Supplement and a one—month Annual Variable Component or AVC.
The year—end AVC has been reduced to 0.5 month.
Last year, the total bonus payment was three months plus S$220, including a half—month Growth Bonus which was paid for the exceptional economic performance in 2007.
Public Service Division news release on civil servants’ annual pay
(source: sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20081124/tap-904-civil-lower-year-end-payment-ser-231650b.html )
My Comments:
I am glad that I am still holding onto a job which means I am still getting my monthly salary until further notice. The year-end bonus is an extra amount of money meant to pay tax and bills or saved for rainy days.
Top civil servants and ministers were supposed to get a pay rise in January next year to bring their salaries in line with private sector pay.
It was to be the third adjustment to bring public sector pay to 88 per cent of the private sector benchmark, a move announced in April 2007.
The benchmark is set at two—thirds of the median pay of the top eight earners in each of the six sectors: multinational corporations, lawyers, bankers, accountants, local manufacturers and engineers.
In April 2007 and January this year, the salaries of top civil servants and ministers were revised to keep pace with soaring private sector salaries. But the Public Service Division said the 2009 salary revision for this group has now been deferred, in view of the clouded economic outlook.
In fact, the annual salary for top civil servants and ministers will fall next year to levels below April 2007, because close to 25 per cent of their annual salary comprises variable payments linked to the GDP growth of Singapore and their salary will fall as long as the economy remains weak.
In 2009, the Prime Minister and President will see their annual salaries cut by 19 per cent. Ministers and Senior Permanent Secretaries will see an 18 per cent fall. The allowance for Members of Parliament will be cut by 16 per cent.
Commenting on the pay cut, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister in charge of the Civil Service, said: "Public sector salaries follow the market up and down. The mechanism we introduced last year to link a significant proportion of the salary of senior civil servants to the performance of the economy is working as intended. This mechanism allows salaries to respond more rapidly to market conditions."
The Public Service Division also said the Prime Minister has and will continue to donate all increases in his own salary after the April 2007 revisions, to good causes for five years.
Next year, the Prime Minister will actually see his salary fall to pre—revision levels.
As for civil servants such as teachers and police officers, they are getting a total of two months’ bonus payment this year, plus S$100 to S$300 paid out in July. This comprises the 13th month payment or Annual Wage Supplement and a one—month Annual Variable Component or AVC.
The year—end AVC has been reduced to 0.5 month.
Last year, the total bonus payment was three months plus S$220, including a half—month Growth Bonus which was paid for the exceptional economic performance in 2007.
Public Service Division news release on civil servants’ annual pay
(source: sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20081124/tap-904-civil-lower-year-end-payment-ser-231650b.html )
My Comments:
I am glad that I am still holding onto a job which means I am still getting my monthly salary until further notice. The year-end bonus is an extra amount of money meant to pay tax and bills or saved for rainy days.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Christmas - a month away
Today is 24 Nov. Exactly a month later, it will be christmas eve and many will be celebrating christmas.
Christmas is not only a day for party, drinks and food. It is also a day to remember our loved ones and spend some quality time with them.
Since the demise of my mother-in-law, I have been quite depressed. I can only keep myself busy with work so that I don't think of her often.
We will only treasure when we lost it.
Friends,
Treasure your parents and loved ones now. Drop your work now and spend some quality time with them. You will never know what is going to happen the next day, week or even month.
Christmas is not only a day for party, drinks and food. It is also a day to remember our loved ones and spend some quality time with them.
Since the demise of my mother-in-law, I have been quite depressed. I can only keep myself busy with work so that I don't think of her often.
We will only treasure when we lost it.
Friends,
Treasure your parents and loved ones now. Drop your work now and spend some quality time with them. You will never know what is going to happen the next day, week or even month.
Monday, November 17, 2008
My mother-in-law's final moments (part 3)
Around 0255hr of 15 Nov 2008, my mother-in-law finally gave up her last breath. She left this world while two family members were at her bedside.
She was cremated today (17 Nov 2008 9am) in Mandai Crematorium. Collection of ash was done at 3pm.
What gave me a deep impression was when the casket was being wheeled automatically away from us in the Viewing Hall, it gave me a feeling that my mother-in-law was on her way to another world alone. I finally understand the meaning of the final journey.
She was cremated today (17 Nov 2008 9am) in Mandai Crematorium. Collection of ash was done at 3pm.
What gave me a deep impression was when the casket was being wheeled automatically away from us in the Viewing Hall, it gave me a feeling that my mother-in-law was on her way to another world alone. I finally understand the meaning of the final journey.
Friday, November 14, 2008
My mother-in-law (part 2)
Since Wednesday, I have not been sleeping much at night, for fear of receiving a call to break the news.
My mother-in-law's conditions are deteriorating. She could no longer control her bowel. She could not drink or swallow. What left behind are just a set of skeletons and a breath.
The HCA doctor and nurse visited her yesterday. They did nothing except to console the family members. Anybody without any medical knowledge would know that D day is coming.
It is really painful and heart-breaking to see a loved one to be in such a state, so thin, helpless, lifeless.
This is how a person appears at the last stage of its life.
My mother-in-law's conditions are deteriorating. She could no longer control her bowel. She could not drink or swallow. What left behind are just a set of skeletons and a breath.
The HCA doctor and nurse visited her yesterday. They did nothing except to console the family members. Anybody without any medical knowledge would know that D day is coming.
It is really painful and heart-breaking to see a loved one to be in such a state, so thin, helpless, lifeless.
This is how a person appears at the last stage of its life.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Not Giving Up
WHEN the doctor asked 'Mr Charity' Gerard Ee to sit down, he knew the news about his colon check was not good.
'I told the doctor I'd watched enough movies to know that when the doc says take a seat, it's bad news,' recalled Mr Ee yesterday. 'I told him: 'Don't waste my time, tell me what the outcome is.''
The doctor replied: Stage 3 colon cancer, with a tumour almost as big as a tennis ball.
Patients at this stage of colon cancer are said to have a 40 per cent survival rate on average. 'If the cancer was Stage 4, I'd be a goner,' said Mr Ee.
For the veteran volunteer and charity personality, this marked the beginning of a period of contemplating the possibility of death and what it would mean for those around him, especially his wife and teenage children.
Almost a year since that day in the doctor's clinic, the 59-year-old came out in public yesterday to share the story of his fight against the dreaded Big C.
He did so to show his support for a campaign by the Lien Foundation to get people talking more openly about death and dying.
The campaign coincides with the Government's move to promote the Advance Medical Directive, a legal document to instruct doctors not to take extraordinary measures to prolong life if one is terminally ill or unconscious. The Lien Foundation's chairman, Mrs Margaret Lien, said of the campaign: 'A lot of unnecessary burden and pain can be avoided if we can talk about end-of-life matters openly.'
For Mr Ee, a retired accountant who is currently chairman of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and Public Transport Council, the past year has meant undergoing surgery to remove the tumour and 12 sessions of chemotherapy.
The good news is that he is now 'in the clear' since finishing his last round of chemotherapy in June.
Looking back, he said what helped him through the year was his faith in God, a sense of humour and the fact that he had put his finances in order. The devout Catholic said: 'People were surprised I was so calm throughout the whole thing. I think if I didn't have a strong faith in God, I would have been in a panic.'
His calmness helped his wife, 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter to accept the diagnosis as well.
'I tried to avoid using dramatic words like 'tumour' when I broke the news to my family,' he said. 'I said: 'I have a growth that needs to be operated on.' I knew that if I was hysterical about it, it would have had a chain effect on others.'
Mr Ee was hard-pressed to answer when asked what proved most difficult for him in facing up to cancer. But he confessed to being worried before the surgery to remove his tumour.
'There are only two outcomes: you wake up, or you don't,' he said. 'If you don't wake up, that's the end of the story and my will and life insurance would take care of what happens after that.
'But if you wake up, you have to figure out what to do after that.'
He woke up. And what he did after that was work to keep his spirits up.
He had a rule for his family: No one was allowed to treat him like an invalid.
So he drove himself to chemotherapy sessions and, within two weeks of the operation, was back to performing a host of volunteer commitments.
The surgery involved removing a part of his small intestine, over half a metre of large intestine and his appendix as well. Over the whole process, he also lost 25kg.
'Having a sense of humour is important. I told my friends I had a free liposuction with the operation,' he said.
After keeping his illness private for a year, the Lien Foundation campaign gave Mr Ee a chance to share what he had gone through.
He thinks it is important to get people to prepare for death. Among other things, their families may suffer if they fail to settle their finances before they go.
He said: 'The only thing in life you can guarantee, and nowadays people talk about guarantees, is death.
'If you treat death as taboo and don't prepare for it, you are leaving behind a legacy in which your family will suffer because you ignore it and pretend it won't happen to you.'
(source: www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_301700.html )
'I told the doctor I'd watched enough movies to know that when the doc says take a seat, it's bad news,' recalled Mr Ee yesterday. 'I told him: 'Don't waste my time, tell me what the outcome is.''
The doctor replied: Stage 3 colon cancer, with a tumour almost as big as a tennis ball.
Patients at this stage of colon cancer are said to have a 40 per cent survival rate on average. 'If the cancer was Stage 4, I'd be a goner,' said Mr Ee.
For the veteran volunteer and charity personality, this marked the beginning of a period of contemplating the possibility of death and what it would mean for those around him, especially his wife and teenage children.
Almost a year since that day in the doctor's clinic, the 59-year-old came out in public yesterday to share the story of his fight against the dreaded Big C.
He did so to show his support for a campaign by the Lien Foundation to get people talking more openly about death and dying.
The campaign coincides with the Government's move to promote the Advance Medical Directive, a legal document to instruct doctors not to take extraordinary measures to prolong life if one is terminally ill or unconscious. The Lien Foundation's chairman, Mrs Margaret Lien, said of the campaign: 'A lot of unnecessary burden and pain can be avoided if we can talk about end-of-life matters openly.'
For Mr Ee, a retired accountant who is currently chairman of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and Public Transport Council, the past year has meant undergoing surgery to remove the tumour and 12 sessions of chemotherapy.
The good news is that he is now 'in the clear' since finishing his last round of chemotherapy in June.
Looking back, he said what helped him through the year was his faith in God, a sense of humour and the fact that he had put his finances in order. The devout Catholic said: 'People were surprised I was so calm throughout the whole thing. I think if I didn't have a strong faith in God, I would have been in a panic.'
His calmness helped his wife, 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter to accept the diagnosis as well.
'I tried to avoid using dramatic words like 'tumour' when I broke the news to my family,' he said. 'I said: 'I have a growth that needs to be operated on.' I knew that if I was hysterical about it, it would have had a chain effect on others.'
Mr Ee was hard-pressed to answer when asked what proved most difficult for him in facing up to cancer. But he confessed to being worried before the surgery to remove his tumour.
'There are only two outcomes: you wake up, or you don't,' he said. 'If you don't wake up, that's the end of the story and my will and life insurance would take care of what happens after that.
'But if you wake up, you have to figure out what to do after that.'
He woke up. And what he did after that was work to keep his spirits up.
He had a rule for his family: No one was allowed to treat him like an invalid.
So he drove himself to chemotherapy sessions and, within two weeks of the operation, was back to performing a host of volunteer commitments.
The surgery involved removing a part of his small intestine, over half a metre of large intestine and his appendix as well. Over the whole process, he also lost 25kg.
'Having a sense of humour is important. I told my friends I had a free liposuction with the operation,' he said.
After keeping his illness private for a year, the Lien Foundation campaign gave Mr Ee a chance to share what he had gone through.
He thinks it is important to get people to prepare for death. Among other things, their families may suffer if they fail to settle their finances before they go.
He said: 'The only thing in life you can guarantee, and nowadays people talk about guarantees, is death.
'If you treat death as taboo and don't prepare for it, you are leaving behind a legacy in which your family will suffer because you ignore it and pretend it won't happen to you.'
(source: www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_301700.html )
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My mother-in-law
I have been thinking for a long time if I should pen this personal issue in my blog.
The days of my mother in law are really numbered. After battling so many years with cancer, she finally lost. She has been sleeping most of her days. Her sleeping hours are certainly much more than the hours when she remains alert and conscious. She has not been eating much too.
Her body systems are shutting down. She does not need much food since she does not have much energy left.
Her eyes are closed most of the time even when she is awaken. She is aware of the surroundings. I told her that she did not have to worry much. Isa has done well in her studies and I will take good care of her.
She can't move by herself. She is very weak. Her limbs feel cold and pale. She breathes heavily. All these are signs of death is very near.
Although I have read about death quite some time ago, when it is near, I feel fear and anxiety. I feel so helpless and weak. I can't do anything except to watch by her bedside.
"Mother, we will take good care of ourselves."
The days of my mother in law are really numbered. After battling so many years with cancer, she finally lost. She has been sleeping most of her days. Her sleeping hours are certainly much more than the hours when she remains alert and conscious. She has not been eating much too.
Her body systems are shutting down. She does not need much food since she does not have much energy left.
Her eyes are closed most of the time even when she is awaken. She is aware of the surroundings. I told her that she did not have to worry much. Isa has done well in her studies and I will take good care of her.
She can't move by herself. She is very weak. Her limbs feel cold and pale. She breathes heavily. All these are signs of death is very near.
Although I have read about death quite some time ago, when it is near, I feel fear and anxiety. I feel so helpless and weak. I can't do anything except to watch by her bedside.
"Mother, we will take good care of ourselves."
Monday, November 10, 2008
From A Face in the Crowd to One the Crowd Faces
If you travel along Bukit Timah Road, you may have noticed a very prominent banner outside Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS). It said "From a face in the crowd to one the crowd faces".
This phrase strikes me hard.
A crowd refers to a group of people. This crowd can be small or large. So a face in a crowd often goes unnoticed.
The last part of the phrase "to one the crowd faces" means the crowd faces a face of a person. So this particular face becomes prominent and the whole crowd faces him or her.
This phrase literally means from a little unknown person in a crowd and then become a person whom the crowd looks upon.
Next time if you travel along Bukit Timah Road, please take a look at this banner outside SCGS.
This phrase strikes me hard.
A crowd refers to a group of people. This crowd can be small or large. So a face in a crowd often goes unnoticed.
The last part of the phrase "to one the crowd faces" means the crowd faces a face of a person. So this particular face becomes prominent and the whole crowd faces him or her.
This phrase literally means from a little unknown person in a crowd and then become a person whom the crowd looks upon.
Next time if you travel along Bukit Timah Road, please take a look at this banner outside SCGS.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Global Ozone Map
Have you wonder what is the amount of ozone overhead? We know that the ozone layer in the atmosphere protects us from the harmful ultra-violet radiation emitted from the hot sun.It is the presence of this ozone layer that there are living things on Earth. Ozone layer is thinning, especially at the southern pole during a particular season in the year.
If you like outdoor activities, do not forget to bring your sunblock cream. This waterproof cream helps to protect our skin, which is our largest sense of organ.
(source:
ftp://toms.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/omi/images/global/FULLDAY_GLOB.PNG)
Euthanasia
Euthanasia (literally "good death" in Ancient Greek) refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner. As of 2008, some forms of euthanasia are legal in Belgium,[1] Luxembourg,[2] The Netherlands,[1] Switzerland,[1] the U.S. states of Oregon[3] and Washington[4] the Autonomous Community of Andalusia (Spain),[5][6] and Thailand.[7]
(source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia)
My comments:This topic is extremely sensitive. It deals with death. Much debate is going on whether euthanasia should be legalised. If so, would there be an abuse of this killing? Ending a life in a painless manner is still killing a life which can easily becomes murdering.
I support euthanasia.
What is the purpose of prolonging a life which isn't really a life anymore? Usually the patient involved would be in coma or terminally ill, which means death is already very near. Some doctors are required to certify the necessary conditions of the patient before euthanasia can be considered. The problems are : who can decide that euthanasia can be applied to the patient? Who (the doctor) is going to administer that lethal injection which will bring an end to a life? What are the psychological effects on the people involved?
I asked Isa who is only 9 years old. She does not support euthanasia. Her reasons being : now no cure for the illness does not mean cure is not available tomorrow or the future. She also said that she could not allow her loved one to die.
I am touched by her comments. She certainly has real and valid points.
Maybe this issue of euthanasia has to be relooked again seriously.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Very Close Competition
Exam results were out and the report book should be ready for parent's signature.
When I was young, I hate this moment because I always got lousy grades. Crying and canning became inevitable. This situation stopped when I reached the secondary school where canning was deemed unsuitable.
Isa has done pretty well this round. Competition was very stiff and pressures were very high.
After a year's of hard work, it is time to taste the fruit of success.
You reap what you sow.
Well done Isa and keep it UP.
When I was young, I hate this moment because I always got lousy grades. Crying and canning became inevitable. This situation stopped when I reached the secondary school where canning was deemed unsuitable.
Isa has done pretty well this round. Competition was very stiff and pressures were very high.
After a year's of hard work, it is time to taste the fruit of success.
You reap what you sow.
Well done Isa and keep it UP.
Helping the Dying with Living
Instead of discussing euthanasia, the focus should be on helping terminally ill live with less pain, says expert By Radha Basu, Senior Correspondent
Dr Shaw with Ms Joyce Neo Soh Hoon, 54, at St Joseph's Home and Hospice. Communicating with the dying can be taught and learnt, Dr Shaw believes. Often, what doctors need to do is simply to listen.
Dr Rosalie Shaw, 70, is executive director of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, which helps develop services for the terminally ill in Asia. She is also a consultant at the National Cancer Centre and a visiting consultant at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
EUTHANASIA is the wrong conversation to have in a nation concerned with dying with dignity.
Often, those who have the hardest time accepting death are successful men in their 50s and 60s 'who seem surprised that wealth cannot buy health'.
The focus instead should be on care - how to help the terminally ill live with less pain, says Dr Rosalie Shaw, a palliative care specialist who has helped hundreds here live out their last days over the past 16 years.
'Euthanasia is not about allowing the terminally ill to die with dignity and without distress,' asserts the Australian, who moved to Singapore from Perth in 1992 to help set up hospice care here. 'That is what palliative care does. Instead, it is an act with the intention to kill.'
As a consultant at the National Cancer Centre and visiting consultant at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, she tends to the terminally ill. As executive director of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, she helps train doctors and nurses in end-of-life care all over Asia.
Weighing in on the euthanasia debate, which was sparked off here when Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan raised the issue last month in response to letters on euthanasia in the Chinese press, she says most terminally ill people do not really want to die.
Yet, once every few months, a patient asks her for help to end it all. 'When people ask to die, what they really mean is, 'Do you know how difficult this is?',' she says.
The plea is usually a cry for help. 'As their bodies break down, they hope that they will not linger long, but they don't expect doctors to do anything but listen.'
Her zeal in opposing euthanasia resonates with that of Catholic Archbishop Nicholas Chia who last weekend called on his flock, including Catholic doctors, to reject euthanasia.
Dr Shaw declines to discuss her religion, saying it is a 'private matter'. The grounds on which she opposes euthanasia are both professional and personal, she says. As a doctor taught to heal or cure, the 'intent to kill' is anathema.
Listening to hundreds of terminally ill people has taught her that the wish to die is not always due to physical pain. Very often, distress is made more acute by mental turmoil - caused by social isolation, depression, anxiety or sorrow.
Dr Shaw has distilled 16 years' worth of experience caring for the dying here into a book, Soft Sift In An Hourglass, now available in book stores.
It offers haunting portraits of how different people face the inevitable.
There is the unmarried violin player dying of bowel cancer, still in love with the married man she spent one weekend with 30 years earlier.
There is the frail housewife with two young children, angry at leaving the world before her time.
'The book is not meant to be didactic,' she says. 'It merely opens windows into issues we must all confront some day.'
While no two people face death exactly the same way, she has noticed broad similarities.
Such as how the dying often lose their appetite as their organs shut down, yet their families continue to force-feed them in the hope that they will recover.
And how some embrace religion before death, hoping for a miraculous recovery, but feel let down by God as death closes in on them anyway.
Often, those who have the hardest time accepting death are successful men in their 50s and 60s 'who seem surprised that wealth cannot buy health'.
In general, she has found that most people cling to life, rather than want to end it.
Studies bear this out. One by Melbourne University's palliative care professor David Kissane examined cases of seven cancer patients who had sought euthanasia when the practice was made legal for eight months between 1996 and 1997 in Australia's Northern Territory.
'It showed that some people asked for euthanasia not because death was imminent, but because they found life intolerable,' she says.
Singapore, she says, should not be taking a short cut and legalising this form of killing. 'A society that allows euthanasia devalues life,' she maintains.
Sanctioning it could pressure the elderly and terminally ill to want to end their lives. They may feel compelled to 'shuffle off' so they do not become burdens to society.
It could lead society down a slippery slope to involuntary euthanasia, where others make such choices for patients no longer able to decide for themselves. The Netherlands, where euthanasia has been legal since 1984, has reported many cases of involuntary euthanasia.
Dr Shaw warns that doctors may also be inclined to take the easy way out when they are unable to control difficult symptoms. And families may make decisions on behalf of patients who are unconscious or have dementia.
What Singapore should work on instead, she feels, is improving end-of-life care.
Currently, home hospice services reach nearly three in four cancer patients here. But for non-cancer patients, such care is limited. Only about one in four patients who died last year had subsidised hospice care.
The network of home care services for the elderly is also limited. Both need to be broadened.
Back home in Victoria, Dr Shaw's father had heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and prostate cancer. Yet he lived alone. His meals were brought to him and his home was cleaned by state-subsidised home care professionals.
'He loved the people who came. We need more of that here,' she says.
Keeping the elderly out of hospitals and nursing homes would not only make them happier, but could be cheaper too.
At the same time, doctors need to be better trained both in how to control symptoms such as pain, and how to help the gravely ill face death.
Often, young doctors are reluctant to discuss openly with patients how little time they have left.
'They interpret death from their own perspective,' she says. 'Because they are not ready, they feel their patients may not be.'
During a training course she conducted, a young doctor asked how he could avoid lying to his patients.
Dr Shaw's reply: 'Often, what is required is not for doctors to talk but to listen.'
Communicating with the dying is an art which can be taught and learnt, she believes.
Some doctors ramp up treatments during their patients' last days, even though it is futile, because they do not know any other way to help. 'They don't have the heart to explain how ineffective the treatment is likely to be.'
But explaining that, and stopping the treatment, may prove liberating.
Just last week, one of her patients was told by a cancer specialist that she had reached a stage where neither chemotherapy nor radiation was likely to work.
'It was like a cloud of confusion had lifted. Now she knew what to do - go home, eat just what she wanted and enjoy life,' said Dr Shaw.
Not all patients, however, like to discuss death or say their last goodbyes. Dr Shaw's own mother, who died of heart disease in 1991, was reticent till the end.
'When I asked her how she was feeling, she said she did not want to talk about it. But she was prepared and had sorted out all her drawers. We have to be sensitive to what patients want.'
Either way, listening is key.
When a patient in great pain asked for help to end her life some years ago, Dr Shaw asked why.
The woman revealed that she had never told her husband - or anyone else - that their child was actually fathered by another man.
'All I did was listen. All she did was cry,' Dr Shaw recalls. 'And the pain just melted away.'
The woman died three days later, unburdened and at peace.
(source: www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_298600.html )
Dr Shaw with Ms Joyce Neo Soh Hoon, 54, at St Joseph's Home and Hospice. Communicating with the dying can be taught and learnt, Dr Shaw believes. Often, what doctors need to do is simply to listen.
Dr Rosalie Shaw, 70, is executive director of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, which helps develop services for the terminally ill in Asia. She is also a consultant at the National Cancer Centre and a visiting consultant at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
EUTHANASIA is the wrong conversation to have in a nation concerned with dying with dignity.
Often, those who have the hardest time accepting death are successful men in their 50s and 60s 'who seem surprised that wealth cannot buy health'.
The focus instead should be on care - how to help the terminally ill live with less pain, says Dr Rosalie Shaw, a palliative care specialist who has helped hundreds here live out their last days over the past 16 years.
'Euthanasia is not about allowing the terminally ill to die with dignity and without distress,' asserts the Australian, who moved to Singapore from Perth in 1992 to help set up hospice care here. 'That is what palliative care does. Instead, it is an act with the intention to kill.'
As a consultant at the National Cancer Centre and visiting consultant at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, she tends to the terminally ill. As executive director of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, she helps train doctors and nurses in end-of-life care all over Asia.
Weighing in on the euthanasia debate, which was sparked off here when Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan raised the issue last month in response to letters on euthanasia in the Chinese press, she says most terminally ill people do not really want to die.
Yet, once every few months, a patient asks her for help to end it all. 'When people ask to die, what they really mean is, 'Do you know how difficult this is?',' she says.
The plea is usually a cry for help. 'As their bodies break down, they hope that they will not linger long, but they don't expect doctors to do anything but listen.'
Her zeal in opposing euthanasia resonates with that of Catholic Archbishop Nicholas Chia who last weekend called on his flock, including Catholic doctors, to reject euthanasia.
Dr Shaw declines to discuss her religion, saying it is a 'private matter'. The grounds on which she opposes euthanasia are both professional and personal, she says. As a doctor taught to heal or cure, the 'intent to kill' is anathema.
Listening to hundreds of terminally ill people has taught her that the wish to die is not always due to physical pain. Very often, distress is made more acute by mental turmoil - caused by social isolation, depression, anxiety or sorrow.
Dr Shaw has distilled 16 years' worth of experience caring for the dying here into a book, Soft Sift In An Hourglass, now available in book stores.
It offers haunting portraits of how different people face the inevitable.
There is the unmarried violin player dying of bowel cancer, still in love with the married man she spent one weekend with 30 years earlier.
There is the frail housewife with two young children, angry at leaving the world before her time.
'The book is not meant to be didactic,' she says. 'It merely opens windows into issues we must all confront some day.'
While no two people face death exactly the same way, she has noticed broad similarities.
Such as how the dying often lose their appetite as their organs shut down, yet their families continue to force-feed them in the hope that they will recover.
And how some embrace religion before death, hoping for a miraculous recovery, but feel let down by God as death closes in on them anyway.
Often, those who have the hardest time accepting death are successful men in their 50s and 60s 'who seem surprised that wealth cannot buy health'.
In general, she has found that most people cling to life, rather than want to end it.
Studies bear this out. One by Melbourne University's palliative care professor David Kissane examined cases of seven cancer patients who had sought euthanasia when the practice was made legal for eight months between 1996 and 1997 in Australia's Northern Territory.
'It showed that some people asked for euthanasia not because death was imminent, but because they found life intolerable,' she says.
Singapore, she says, should not be taking a short cut and legalising this form of killing. 'A society that allows euthanasia devalues life,' she maintains.
Sanctioning it could pressure the elderly and terminally ill to want to end their lives. They may feel compelled to 'shuffle off' so they do not become burdens to society.
It could lead society down a slippery slope to involuntary euthanasia, where others make such choices for patients no longer able to decide for themselves. The Netherlands, where euthanasia has been legal since 1984, has reported many cases of involuntary euthanasia.
Dr Shaw warns that doctors may also be inclined to take the easy way out when they are unable to control difficult symptoms. And families may make decisions on behalf of patients who are unconscious or have dementia.
What Singapore should work on instead, she feels, is improving end-of-life care.
Currently, home hospice services reach nearly three in four cancer patients here. But for non-cancer patients, such care is limited. Only about one in four patients who died last year had subsidised hospice care.
The network of home care services for the elderly is also limited. Both need to be broadened.
Back home in Victoria, Dr Shaw's father had heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and prostate cancer. Yet he lived alone. His meals were brought to him and his home was cleaned by state-subsidised home care professionals.
'He loved the people who came. We need more of that here,' she says.
Keeping the elderly out of hospitals and nursing homes would not only make them happier, but could be cheaper too.
At the same time, doctors need to be better trained both in how to control symptoms such as pain, and how to help the gravely ill face death.
Often, young doctors are reluctant to discuss openly with patients how little time they have left.
'They interpret death from their own perspective,' she says. 'Because they are not ready, they feel their patients may not be.'
During a training course she conducted, a young doctor asked how he could avoid lying to his patients.
Dr Shaw's reply: 'Often, what is required is not for doctors to talk but to listen.'
Communicating with the dying is an art which can be taught and learnt, she believes.
Some doctors ramp up treatments during their patients' last days, even though it is futile, because they do not know any other way to help. 'They don't have the heart to explain how ineffective the treatment is likely to be.'
But explaining that, and stopping the treatment, may prove liberating.
Just last week, one of her patients was told by a cancer specialist that she had reached a stage where neither chemotherapy nor radiation was likely to work.
'It was like a cloud of confusion had lifted. Now she knew what to do - go home, eat just what she wanted and enjoy life,' said Dr Shaw.
Not all patients, however, like to discuss death or say their last goodbyes. Dr Shaw's own mother, who died of heart disease in 1991, was reticent till the end.
'When I asked her how she was feeling, she said she did not want to talk about it. But she was prepared and had sorted out all her drawers. We have to be sensitive to what patients want.'
Either way, listening is key.
When a patient in great pain asked for help to end her life some years ago, Dr Shaw asked why.
The woman revealed that she had never told her husband - or anyone else - that their child was actually fathered by another man.
'All I did was listen. All she did was cry,' Dr Shaw recalls. 'And the pain just melted away.'
The woman died three days later, unburdened and at peace.
(source: www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_298600.html )
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Mimi arrives
Thanks to barbs who found an abandoned rabbit at her flat and willing to let go this lovely mammal, Mimi started to live with us.
Before Mimi's arrival, Isa and I have borrowed some books on rabbits from the library. We have cleared a corner in the living room to be her new home.
After picking Mimi up, we headed straight to a petshop in the neighbourhood to buy the hay, dried food and other accessories. Dad helped to set up the folded metal cage. In no time, Mimi's home is ready.
Mimi is an adult rabbit whose fur is almost black with white patches. She has a pair of big and round eyes. She is short-fur and has a pair of pointing ears.
She settles well into her new home.
Before Mimi's arrival, Isa and I have borrowed some books on rabbits from the library. We have cleared a corner in the living room to be her new home.
After picking Mimi up, we headed straight to a petshop in the neighbourhood to buy the hay, dried food and other accessories. Dad helped to set up the folded metal cage. In no time, Mimi's home is ready.
Mimi is an adult rabbit whose fur is almost black with white patches. She has a pair of big and round eyes. She is short-fur and has a pair of pointing ears.
She settles well into her new home.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
I am becoming a Mum soon!
I am going to be a mum soon! And yet not pregnant! How can this be possible?
Ok, let me reveal more. My family will be going to keep a pet soon. This time, Isa has been very determined to keep a small pet. I tried the cooling off period. After this period, the decision is still the same - "Yes, I want a pet and I promised I will look after it well."
All along I resisted the idea of keeping a pet because I am fully aware of the responsibilities of looking after a life. From the moment the little animal enters my family, I will have to look after it till "death do us part". Everybody is so busy with his or her own work. Who will have the spare time to look after this pet?
After some considerations, I think I should not be so stubborn and deprieve a learning opportunity for Isa.
Yes, we will be looking around for a small pet soon! We will shelter it with lots of love!
Ok, let me reveal more. My family will be going to keep a pet soon. This time, Isa has been very determined to keep a small pet. I tried the cooling off period. After this period, the decision is still the same - "Yes, I want a pet and I promised I will look after it well."
All along I resisted the idea of keeping a pet because I am fully aware of the responsibilities of looking after a life. From the moment the little animal enters my family, I will have to look after it till "death do us part". Everybody is so busy with his or her own work. Who will have the spare time to look after this pet?
After some considerations, I think I should not be so stubborn and deprieve a learning opportunity for Isa.
Yes, we will be looking around for a small pet soon! We will shelter it with lots of love!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Missing dog shows up
WISCONSIN - A MALTESE dog named Max is headed home to Florida after he was spotted in Chicago - 1,609 km from where he vanished.
Mr Richard Gonzalez had reported a pet theft after Max disappeared several months ago from his daughter's yard in Brandon, Florida, The Journal Times reported.
Mr Gonzalez says he thought that Max would never get far. But the pooch was identified in Chicago by an implanted microchip.
Mr Gonzalez contacted the Northcentral Maltese Rescue to retrieve Max. Rescue director Mary Palmer had the dog taken to Racine, Wisconsin, and he will be flown on Saturday to Florida.
Mr Gonzalez says he has no idea how his dog got so far away. He says he was so thrilled about the find that he almost asked Ms Palmer to put Max on the phone. -- AP
(source www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_296856.html)
My comments:
Simply incredible and amazing! The owner must have felt he was on the top of the world when his beloved dog was found after several months.
Year-end Plans
I read from the papers that despite Singapore being in technical recession (btw, what is the difference between the terms "technical recession" and "recession"?), year-end tour packages continue to sell well.
This is another sure trend in Singapore ie getting out of Singapore whenever there is chance.
In the beginning of this year, I dreamt of a long trip to some faraway places by A380. I wondered if arranging to meet my Swiss friends in Hong Kong would be possible since they always make their annual trip in year-end. Then so many things have happened and making a long trip overseas is impossble for me.
I am unwilling to settle down with just visiting the cut-throat island (Sen*), zoo or bird-park. In the end, a trip to Genting has been planned for this year-end.
Following the nerd's trend, I spent some money to feel "normal".
What an irony?!
What about yours?
This is another sure trend in Singapore ie getting out of Singapore whenever there is chance.
In the beginning of this year, I dreamt of a long trip to some faraway places by A380. I wondered if arranging to meet my Swiss friends in Hong Kong would be possible since they always make their annual trip in year-end. Then so many things have happened and making a long trip overseas is impossble for me.
I am unwilling to settle down with just visiting the cut-throat island (Sen*), zoo or bird-park. In the end, a trip to Genting has been planned for this year-end.
Following the nerd's trend, I spent some money to feel "normal".
What an irony?!
What about yours?
Outside Food
Do you notice that eating outside food becomes a culture for Singaporeans? For breakfast, office-workers simply grab a sandwich along their way to the train station or work-place. For lunch, besides the office-workers, housewives also go to the hawker centre or coffee shops to get it done. For dinner, office-workers simply pack some food on their way home.
Eating outside food becomes a norm in our culture.
This is a sure but worrying trend.
Regardless how delicious outside food is, it is never as good as home-cooked home. The only advantage I can think of, for eating outside food, is the convenience. There is no need to prepare, cook and wash. One simply point at the food that looks appealing to our eyes, pay and viola, this food is on its way to our stomach.
I admit I often succumbed to this convenience. I often tell myself that after a day of hard work, why bother to cook? Just walk across the street, food is such easily available.
It is time to re-look and access this convenience, if it is good for us in the long-term.
Eating outside food becomes a norm in our culture.
This is a sure but worrying trend.
Regardless how delicious outside food is, it is never as good as home-cooked home. The only advantage I can think of, for eating outside food, is the convenience. There is no need to prepare, cook and wash. One simply point at the food that looks appealing to our eyes, pay and viola, this food is on its way to our stomach.
I admit I often succumbed to this convenience. I often tell myself that after a day of hard work, why bother to cook? Just walk across the street, food is such easily available.
It is time to re-look and access this convenience, if it is good for us in the long-term.
Halloween (31 Oct)
Today, many western countries will celebrate Halloween. Although Singapore is a little modern country and we follow many western trends, the celebration of Halloween hardly takes off.
I have been on leave for the past 2 weeks and today is the last day of my vacation leave. This means from next week onwards, I have to report to work faithfully.
After sending Isa to school in the early morning, I took the chance to have a a breakfast in the coffee-shop in my neighbourhood. It always amazes me that there are so many people having their breakfast outside. And the variety of breakfast is vast. Besides the usual tea/coffee with toast bread, cakes, puffs or sandwiches. Some even eat nasi lemak, noodles, laksa, mee goreng etc. The portion of food is just like that for lunch. I wonder if they are having their breakfast or lunch, or simply brunch.
I know we need to have some food for breakfast. But having so much of food for breakfast is simply beyond the ability of my stomach. Perhaps my stomach is still sleeping.
After my simple breakfast, I walked around my neighbourhood. The feeling was relaxed. The sun was not shinning brightly. I went to the fittness corner to do some exercises. I am unsure if you are aware that there are some simple exercise equipment installed in each neighbourhood. Usually the ones who use them would be old folks and housewives. These equipment were built using tax-payers' money but I hardly use them. What a waste!
Back to Halloween, how shall I celebrate it? Maybe a pumpkin soup for dinner!
I have been on leave for the past 2 weeks and today is the last day of my vacation leave. This means from next week onwards, I have to report to work faithfully.
After sending Isa to school in the early morning, I took the chance to have a a breakfast in the coffee-shop in my neighbourhood. It always amazes me that there are so many people having their breakfast outside. And the variety of breakfast is vast. Besides the usual tea/coffee with toast bread, cakes, puffs or sandwiches. Some even eat nasi lemak, noodles, laksa, mee goreng etc. The portion of food is just like that for lunch. I wonder if they are having their breakfast or lunch, or simply brunch.
I know we need to have some food for breakfast. But having so much of food for breakfast is simply beyond the ability of my stomach. Perhaps my stomach is still sleeping.
After my simple breakfast, I walked around my neighbourhood. The feeling was relaxed. The sun was not shinning brightly. I went to the fittness corner to do some exercises. I am unsure if you are aware that there are some simple exercise equipment installed in each neighbourhood. Usually the ones who use them would be old folks and housewives. These equipment were built using tax-payers' money but I hardly use them. What a waste!
Back to Halloween, how shall I celebrate it? Maybe a pumpkin soup for dinner!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
"My" Exam Is OVER
30 Oct finally arrives and the school exam is over.
While this is certainly an end to a torture, it is a start of another torture - getting the exam results.
Whatever it is, all parents and kids deserve a rest from books. The teachers will have their busy time to mark the scripts.
I have plenty of things in line to do during this year-end school holidays. Besides spending time to read some story books, I intend to keep a hamster as a pet. I will be going to the library to borrow some books on hamsters.
I will be going to Genting for a short break.
I hope to spend more time appreciating the nature and my living environment. I will take more walks around my neighbourhood if the weather is cloudy.
What about you?
While this is certainly an end to a torture, it is a start of another torture - getting the exam results.
Whatever it is, all parents and kids deserve a rest from books. The teachers will have their busy time to mark the scripts.
I have plenty of things in line to do during this year-end school holidays. Besides spending time to read some story books, I intend to keep a hamster as a pet. I will be going to the library to borrow some books on hamsters.
I will be going to Genting for a short break.
I hope to spend more time appreciating the nature and my living environment. I will take more walks around my neighbourhood if the weather is cloudy.
What about you?
Thank-you, Mr Bernard Chan
They light up English lessons (ST 30 Oct 2008)
Nine teachers are lauded for their passion, innovation in the classroom
By Malini Nathan & Lim Pow Hong
IN AN effort to make learning English fun, primary school teacher Matthew Ong developed a game populated by knights and armies that sees his pupils conquer territories on a map.
The game acts as an incentive for pupils, who gain rewards like bigger armies for doing things such as writing the best poem in class.
'I try to get my pupils to see the importance of English and how they can use it to their advantage in different contexts,' said the Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) teacher.
Yesterday, the innovation landed Mr Ong, 28, an inaugural Inspiring Teacher of English Award.
He joined eight others in winning the first national award to recognise teachers who have helped their students improve their English skills.
Jointly presented by The Straits Times and the Speak Good English Movement, the awards were handed out at a ceremony last night at the National Library.
Each winner received a trophy and a cash prize worth $2,000 from Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Senior Minister of State for Education and Information, Communications and the Arts.
The winners beat 154 other teachers nominated by students, parents and colleagues. They emerged following a rigorous selection process that included classroom evaluations and interviews with judges from The Straits Times, the Speak Good English Movement and the British Council.
Madam Nordiana Sani of Mayflower Primary was among yesterday's winners. The 28-year-old was lauded for getting her pupils to act out - literally - while studying short children's stories.
'I stop at important points in the story and get my pupils to step into the role,' she said. 'They then think about what the character will do next.'
In a speech, RADM Lui said it is not easy for teachers to inspire students when they have so many demands on their time, such as marking. He believes the role of the English teacher is to infuse students with the 'excitement of the language' so it will stay with them long after they leave school.
Another winner, Mr Tan Ying Kiat, 34, said the award also works to inspire teachers.
The Nanyang Primary instructor said the honour 'will keep me going. It is an indicator that I am on the right track'.
(source: www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_296410.html )
Sunday, October 26, 2008
100% for Mathematics Paper
In the late morning, I was idling around in the house when I received an sms. "Good news, Isa got full marks for maths".
Immediately I realised this must be from Isa's teacher. OMG, this bomb dropped so early. Isa just had the maths paper on Friday and the results were known.
I mentioned that Isa did not do well in the dictation because she did ot manage to hear properly to the teacher's reading. Also, Isa seemed to be weaker in languages than other subjects.
Well done, Isa!
100% for Mathematics exam paper is simply wonderful.
Immediately I realised this must be from Isa's teacher. OMG, this bomb dropped so early. Isa just had the maths paper on Friday and the results were known.
I mentioned that Isa did not do well in the dictation because she did ot manage to hear properly to the teacher's reading. Also, Isa seemed to be weaker in languages than other subjects.
Well done, Isa!
100% for Mathematics exam paper is simply wonderful.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Year-end Exam
I did not update my blog for more than a week.
I was pretty busy and stressed. Yes, year-end exam is going on, the irrational behaviour of the global stock markets etc made me simply too moody to do anything.
Kids always ask why there is a need to have exam. I asked this question countless when I was a student. No student loves exam and wants to avoid it at all cost. But as a matured adult, I know that only through the exam, one would be able to proceed to the next level in our country. Only through the exam, what you have studied, learnt or memorised, will be recognised. Press on, the torture will be over very soon.
As for the irrational plunge of the global stock markets, nobody knows what is going on and all countries said that the whole world is going into recession. This R word again and so there is nothing I can do except to worry even more.
I was pretty busy and stressed. Yes, year-end exam is going on, the irrational behaviour of the global stock markets etc made me simply too moody to do anything.
Kids always ask why there is a need to have exam. I asked this question countless when I was a student. No student loves exam and wants to avoid it at all cost. But as a matured adult, I know that only through the exam, one would be able to proceed to the next level in our country. Only through the exam, what you have studied, learnt or memorised, will be recognised. Press on, the torture will be over very soon.
As for the irrational plunge of the global stock markets, nobody knows what is going on and all countries said that the whole world is going into recession. This R word again and so there is nothing I can do except to worry even more.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Sad Story
I was at KK Hospital on 14 Oct 2008 8am.
I saw a preschooler sitting in a stroller and another girl probably in the primary school. They were waiting for their blood test before chemo treatment.
I feel extremely sad for them and myself. Cancer has affected these children. What kind and sort of life they are having? Children at this age should be worry-free and almost stress-free. But what they face is probably needles and infusion, remain seated for a few hours during chemo treatment, more medicine to be taken regularly etc.
I feel sad because as a parent, how I wish the suffering is on me, and not my loved ones.
Health is priceless. Only when one loses it, then he will learn it.
I saw a preschooler sitting in a stroller and another girl probably in the primary school. They were waiting for their blood test before chemo treatment.
I feel extremely sad for them and myself. Cancer has affected these children. What kind and sort of life they are having? Children at this age should be worry-free and almost stress-free. But what they face is probably needles and infusion, remain seated for a few hours during chemo treatment, more medicine to be taken regularly etc.
I feel sad because as a parent, how I wish the suffering is on me, and not my loved ones.
Health is priceless. Only when one loses it, then he will learn it.
Bukit Timah Road
As a local, I am sure you have travelled along the famous Bukit Timah Road.
It is quite a long stretch of road. The start of this road is near Little India or KK Hospital. The end of this road is near Bukit Timah Plaza. From there, Upper Bukit Timah Road continues and would lead you to Bukit Panjang or even further.
There are many famous "places" along Bukit Timah Road. There are many houses and private condos. There are many famous schools such as Nanyang Girls, Hwa Chong, National Junior College, Raffles Girls, Anglo Chinese, Singapore Chinese Girls' etc, just to name a few of these top schools. There are a few wine shops and restaurants serving authentic foreign food.
Have you any experience travelling along this road in the morning rush hour say 7am to 8am?
There will be unusually more private cars due to dropping off kids at the schools. As a result, a lane is purely occupied for this purpose. It causes inconvenience to other road users especially the public buses.
I think of Electronic Road Pricing to ease the congestion!
It is quite a long stretch of road. The start of this road is near Little India or KK Hospital. The end of this road is near Bukit Timah Plaza. From there, Upper Bukit Timah Road continues and would lead you to Bukit Panjang or even further.
There are many famous "places" along Bukit Timah Road. There are many houses and private condos. There are many famous schools such as Nanyang Girls, Hwa Chong, National Junior College, Raffles Girls, Anglo Chinese, Singapore Chinese Girls' etc, just to name a few of these top schools. There are a few wine shops and restaurants serving authentic foreign food.
Have you any experience travelling along this road in the morning rush hour say 7am to 8am?
There will be unusually more private cars due to dropping off kids at the schools. As a result, a lane is purely occupied for this purpose. It causes inconvenience to other road users especially the public buses.
I think of Electronic Road Pricing to ease the congestion!
Do You Dare?
This is Singapore's Bungy at Clarke Quay. Do you dare to try? Not me as I am very timid and shy.
A lot of people gathered to see those daring ones who tried this ride. When I was there, there were not many takers, probably it was still early in the evening.
Monday, October 13, 2008
STRESS
Stress according to a psychologist Vincent Cornelli :
"Wear and tear of the body and mind caused by life's many changes and demands. It is affected by both the environment and the make-up of the individual in the environment"
All living things experience stress almost anywhere and anytime.
A new-born is stressed because suddenly it is brought into a new environment. It used to live in the womb of its mother.
A preschooler can experienced stress from parents and preschools. In this rat-race society, parents and teachers continue to pump as much info to the preschooler as possible.
When the kid enters the school, he is caught in the streaming or ranking exercise. He knows that the only way to please everybody is to get to the peak. But how many people can a peak occupies.
When the kid becomes an adult, he faces stress from his workplace, society and parents. Questions such as "when are you getting married?", "when are you going to have a baby?", "when is your promotion?", "when can you finish this task or project?"
When the adult grows old, stress is still around. Why my eyesight is failing? Why can't I walk faster? Why do I get tired so easily?
When a person is taking his last few breath of air, is stress still around? The answer is still YES because it is very tough to have that last few breath of air. The body systems are failing yet air is still needed desperately.
STRESS is always with us at all times.
"Wear and tear of the body and mind caused by life's many changes and demands. It is affected by both the environment and the make-up of the individual in the environment"
All living things experience stress almost anywhere and anytime.
A new-born is stressed because suddenly it is brought into a new environment. It used to live in the womb of its mother.
A preschooler can experienced stress from parents and preschools. In this rat-race society, parents and teachers continue to pump as much info to the preschooler as possible.
When the kid enters the school, he is caught in the streaming or ranking exercise. He knows that the only way to please everybody is to get to the peak. But how many people can a peak occupies.
When the kid becomes an adult, he faces stress from his workplace, society and parents. Questions such as "when are you getting married?", "when are you going to have a baby?", "when is your promotion?", "when can you finish this task or project?"
When the adult grows old, stress is still around. Why my eyesight is failing? Why can't I walk faster? Why do I get tired so easily?
When a person is taking his last few breath of air, is stress still around? The answer is still YES because it is very tough to have that last few breath of air. The body systems are failing yet air is still needed desperately.
STRESS is always with us at all times.
I Want A Change!
I live in Bukit Batok for more than 1o years. I am ashamed to say that I have been to Bukit Batok Nature Park less than five times. It is within walking distance from my home, yet I seldom go there to enjoy a break from the bustling city life.
I always give excuses such as the park will still be there next week, the weather is so hot and wait for a cooler and cloudy day to come, the bed is so comfortable and I deserve another couple hours of sleep during the weekend, why should I go there to feed the mosquitoes etc.
Last Sunday, I gave up a couple hours of my sleep and my favourite cartoon "Doraemon", put on my jogging shoes which were hidden in the dark corner of my store room and started walking briskly to Bukit Batok Nature Park.
The Park was already quite crowded with people, both young and old. Some people were jogging, others simply walking and chatting with their family members or friends. Some brought their pets and what a good time when both owner and pet exercise together. Isa brought her favourite blue bike.
Near the lake, there is a big playground and sandpit. There is a morning exercise session organised by 2 seniors at about 8.30am. A lot of people simply join the morning exercise.
We sweat a lot and it was quite a refreshing experience after the morning exercise.
On our way home, we went to the coffee shop to have our brunch. It was quality time spent with my family.
If the weather is dry, I will make a date with Bukit Batok Nature Park every Sunday.
http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=9&Itemid=73
I always give excuses such as the park will still be there next week, the weather is so hot and wait for a cooler and cloudy day to come, the bed is so comfortable and I deserve another couple hours of sleep during the weekend, why should I go there to feed the mosquitoes etc.
Last Sunday, I gave up a couple hours of my sleep and my favourite cartoon "Doraemon", put on my jogging shoes which were hidden in the dark corner of my store room and started walking briskly to Bukit Batok Nature Park.
The Park was already quite crowded with people, both young and old. Some people were jogging, others simply walking and chatting with their family members or friends. Some brought their pets and what a good time when both owner and pet exercise together. Isa brought her favourite blue bike.
Near the lake, there is a big playground and sandpit. There is a morning exercise session organised by 2 seniors at about 8.30am. A lot of people simply join the morning exercise.
We sweat a lot and it was quite a refreshing experience after the morning exercise.
On our way home, we went to the coffee shop to have our brunch. It was quality time spent with my family.
If the weather is dry, I will make a date with Bukit Batok Nature Park every Sunday.
http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=9&Itemid=73
Friday, October 10, 2008
What to do during a Recession?
Our government has confirmed that our country has slipped into a recession. What can we do?
I think
(1) Hold tight to your present job. Job hopping is only possible when times are good. Now times are real bad, be very glad that you have a job.
(2) Do not expect any bonus or increment for this year or even next. Be prepared to suffer a pay-cut than become jobless.
(3) Watch the money that is leaving your bank account or wallet/purse. Spend only on needed and essential items. Hold back your spending on big-ticket items unless is really necessary.
(4) Keep 6-12 months of emergency cash in case you become jobless. Companies will reduce or retrench staff to cut or save costs. Today you may be working. Tomorrow you may be at home
for a long time. This emergency cash is best deposited into a bank and used for emergency cases.
(5) Falling sick is inevitable during good or bad times. Falling sick at an economy downturn is worse because one may not have much money to cover the medical bills. Have a comprehensive Hospitalisation & Surgical plan (SHIELD) is a must as it helps to cover a portion of your big medical bills.
If you have any tips on how to cope with a recession, please share and thanks a lot.
I think
(1) Hold tight to your present job. Job hopping is only possible when times are good. Now times are real bad, be very glad that you have a job.
(2) Do not expect any bonus or increment for this year or even next. Be prepared to suffer a pay-cut than become jobless.
(3) Watch the money that is leaving your bank account or wallet/purse. Spend only on needed and essential items. Hold back your spending on big-ticket items unless is really necessary.
(4) Keep 6-12 months of emergency cash in case you become jobless. Companies will reduce or retrench staff to cut or save costs. Today you may be working. Tomorrow you may be at home
for a long time. This emergency cash is best deposited into a bank and used for emergency cases.
(5) Falling sick is inevitable during good or bad times. Falling sick at an economy downturn is worse because one may not have much money to cover the medical bills. Have a comprehensive Hospitalisation & Surgical plan (SHIELD) is a must as it helps to cover a portion of your big medical bills.
If you have any tips on how to cope with a recession, please share and thanks a lot.
Recession has arrived!
SINGAPORE (AFP) - - Singapore's trade-sensitive economy has declined for a second straight quarter, the government said Friday, meaning the city-state has entered a recession for the first time in six years.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter annualised basis, real GDP declined by 6.3 percent in the third quarter after contracting 5.7 percent in the previous quarter, estimates from the Ministry of Trade and Industry said.
It did not describe the economy as being in recession, but a technical recession is generally defined as two consecutive quarters of quarter-on-quarter contractions in economic output.
Economists polled by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a 0.3 percent quarter-on-quarter rise in gross domestic product (GDP), the value of goods and services produced in the economy.
Singapore's last technical recession occurred in 2002, and the most recent full-scale recession was in 2001 when the economy contracted 2.4 percent during the year.
source: sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20081010/tbs-singapore-economy-growth-0b9af05.html
My comments:
Recession means job cuts, higher umemployment rates, gloomy days etc while we continue to live in a high cost environment. This time is global recession which means the whole world enters a recession. I can't imagine the days ahead. Very, very bad and hopeless...
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Disappointment
Isa can't make it to the second round of GEP selection which is to be held on 16 & 17 Oct 2008. I felt so disappointed because 5 of her friends made it and their mid-year results were no better than Isa's.
Greater expectations lead to greater disappointment.
I brought more stress to myself and Isa.
Life is never a bed of roses.
Greater expectations lead to greater disappointment.
I brought more stress to myself and Isa.
Life is never a bed of roses.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Wonderful to be healthy
I was at KK Hospital on 6th Oct 2008 around 3.30pm.
I witnessed a lady who was on chemo treatment (carboplatin) complained about itchy on her legs and wanted to go to the toilet. In a split second, the lady just went soft and she was almost on the floor before the nurses and others nearby went to hold her.
When she was seated, she did not seem to be aware of what has happened. So she lost consciousness for a few seconds.
Anyway, she was warded for observation. Her blood pressure was low too.
It is so wonderful to be healthy.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
The Square at Hotel Novotel
I had a buffet dinner at The Square (level 7) at Hotel Novotel. The price for an adult was $45++ and that for a child (5-12 years old) was $22++.
There was quite a wide spread of food. The seafood section was limited as I saw only some prawns and mussels or clams. The Japanese food section consisted a few types of sushi and a few selection on sashimi. The choices for dessert and fruit sections were surprisingly wide.
The kids were particularly interested in the mush mellows and chocolate fondue. There was no ice-cream available.
There was some space meant for diners who wish to stay out-doors to have their meals. The kids could go there to play catching.
I enjoyed the lotus-root soup the most. I had quite a few bowls of this soup because it was boiled with wolf-berries, red dates, chicken and plenty of lotus-root.
The service was average as I had to ask for a refill of water a few times.
If you happen to be in this area (Clarke Quay) and want to pamper your kids, do plan a meal at this restaurant.
There was quite a wide spread of food. The seafood section was limited as I saw only some prawns and mussels or clams. The Japanese food section consisted a few types of sushi and a few selection on sashimi. The choices for dessert and fruit sections were surprisingly wide.
The kids were particularly interested in the mush mellows and chocolate fondue. There was no ice-cream available.
There was some space meant for diners who wish to stay out-doors to have their meals. The kids could go there to play catching.
I enjoyed the lotus-root soup the most. I had quite a few bowls of this soup because it was boiled with wolf-berries, red dates, chicken and plenty of lotus-root.
The service was average as I had to ask for a refill of water a few times.
If you happen to be in this area (Clarke Quay) and want to pamper your kids, do plan a meal at this restaurant.
Clarke Quay
On Saturday, I was invited to a buffet dinner held at Novotel Hotel located near Clarke Quay.
Before I entered the restaurant, I took the chance to walk around Clarke Quay. It was a place full of restaurants. You can find seafood, food of Indochinese, Japanese, local delights and many others among the restaurants along the short stretch of road.
The most exciting was the Bungy Singapore and Extreme Swing. I was aware the existence of the former but not the latter until yesterday. For Bungy Singapore, 3 brave customers sit tight and then the elastic thick string would thrust them high up into the sky before free falling down. For the Extreme Swing, the customers would be lifted high up slowly and then allow to swing down.
I admit I do not have the guts to try these games.
The night scenary of Clarke Quay is quite unique. The sound of the river boats, the strolling of people along the riverbank, the high-rise buildings around provided a different ambience for this area.
Do visit Clarke Quay. It made me feel younger.
Before I entered the restaurant, I took the chance to walk around Clarke Quay. It was a place full of restaurants. You can find seafood, food of Indochinese, Japanese, local delights and many others among the restaurants along the short stretch of road.
The most exciting was the Bungy Singapore and Extreme Swing. I was aware the existence of the former but not the latter until yesterday. For Bungy Singapore, 3 brave customers sit tight and then the elastic thick string would thrust them high up into the sky before free falling down. For the Extreme Swing, the customers would be lifted high up slowly and then allow to swing down.
I admit I do not have the guts to try these games.
The night scenary of Clarke Quay is quite unique. The sound of the river boats, the strolling of people along the riverbank, the high-rise buildings around provided a different ambience for this area.
Do visit Clarke Quay. It made me feel younger.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
What is Life?
I admit that my recent posts were all on sad matters.
I continued my reading on death.
Death comprises of 2 parts: (1) the shutting down of our body systems and (2) the spirit is getting ready to leave. Death occurs only when both parts concluded. What a meaningful way to describe death.
We have seen cases where the body systems have almost come to a stop yet the person is still hanging on a thin thread, refusing to let go.
Death is not a simple and easy process.
I continued my reading on death.
Death comprises of 2 parts: (1) the shutting down of our body systems and (2) the spirit is getting ready to leave. Death occurs only when both parts concluded. What a meaningful way to describe death.
We have seen cases where the body systems have almost come to a stop yet the person is still hanging on a thin thread, refusing to let go.
Death is not a simple and easy process.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Fall Sick
A person who always watches her diet, exercises regularly, always prefer home-cooked food, always eat more vegetables than meat, not smoking and drinking etc, yet will fall ill or sick.
The worst is she has cancer which means the end of the world.
Cancer can be loosely described as uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in our body. These abnormal cells begin to take control over the growth of our normal cells.
Cancer patients often get thinner and weaker as they approach their final moment.
I pray to God if I ever suffer from cancer, please take me away fast without much pain.
The worst is she has cancer which means the end of the world.
Cancer can be loosely described as uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in our body. These abnormal cells begin to take control over the growth of our normal cells.
Cancer patients often get thinner and weaker as they approach their final moment.
I pray to God if I ever suffer from cancer, please take me away fast without much pain.
Population hits 4.59m
THE sense of a growing squeeze in shopping malls, MRT trains and hawker centres has been borne out by figures released by the Government on Friday.
Singapore's population grew by a record 5.5 per cent last year, the highest annual spike since Census figures were collected in 1871.
This means that as of June, there are 4.84 million people living in this country, up from 4.59 million last year.
Of these, the number of foreigners - fuelled by a fast-trotting economy last year - expanded the most rapidly, by a whopping 19 per cent, swelling their numbers to 1.2 million.
In contrast, the number of citizens grew by 1 per cent, while the number of permanent residents climbed 6.5 per cent. Together, they add up to 3.64 million residents.
The figures were announced on Friday by the National Population Secretariat (NPS), under the Prime Minister's Office, which is tasked with overseeing Singapore's population policies.
source : www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_282837.htmlMy comments:
More crowded shopping malls, schools, train stations, bus terminals etc?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Doc, I want to die!
I overheard this heart-breaking story.
A lady (middle-aged) was crying and begging her doctor to let her die because she has cancer. Having cancer is just like a death sentence has been passed. Having cancer is so common yet doctors even with modern medical technology, research and equipment are still so helpless and cueless about this disease.
The doctor and nurses who attended to her could only consoled her to be brave and face the reality and treatment. What else can the medical staff do?
A lady (middle-aged) was crying and begging her doctor to let her die because she has cancer. Having cancer is just like a death sentence has been passed. Having cancer is so common yet doctors even with modern medical technology, research and equipment are still so helpless and cueless about this disease.
The doctor and nurses who attended to her could only consoled her to be brave and face the reality and treatment. What else can the medical staff do?
Birth, Old, Sick & Death
Birth, Old, Sick and Death is a process where all living things have to go through whether one likes it or not.
My mother in law is facing the last stage now.
My own beloved mother is in the third stage.
I am in the second stage.
At times, I fail to see the meanings of life at all.
My mother in law is facing the last stage now.
My own beloved mother is in the third stage.
I am in the second stage.
At times, I fail to see the meanings of life at all.
Singapore Formula One Night Race (26-28 Sep)
To make it a history, Singapore will be hosting the first Formula One Night race during 26-28 Sep 2008. Roads involved are already closed for last minute preparations.
Lots of celebrities and racers have already reached Singapore. They will boost up the tourism and other related industries.
Lots of celebrities and racers have already reached Singapore. They will boost up the tourism and other related industries.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Ten Tales Worth Remembering One
The week that was 10 astounding market facts from Wall Street's wildest week
By Nick Godt, MarketWatch
Last update: 3:52 p.m. EDT Sept. 20, 2008
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The stock market ended little changed on the week.
Not usually a newsworthy assessment for equities, but in context, that's a fact that would surely make the list of astounding market numbers for what may well be one of Wall Street's most tumultuous weeks on record.
Here's MarketWatch's top 10 items from this week's markets news:
1. On the heels of 158-year old investment firm Lehman Brothers declaring bankruptcy, the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Monday tumbled 504 points, its worst point drop since Sept. 17, 2001, when stocks reopened after the Sept.11 attacks.
2. Hopes on Thursday -- followed by confirmation on Friday -- of a big government plan to take over debt instruments linked to bad home loans leads the Dow industrials to their biggest two-day gains since March 2000.
3. Scrambling for the safe haven of government debt on Monday led yields on two-year Treasury notes to slump the most since Sept. 17, 2001, before jumping by the most in more than 20 years Friday, on the heels of the government's rescue plan.
4. On the New York Stock Exchange, trading volumes for all shares traded by the NYSE Group spiked to 4.2 billion on Thursday, the highest on record.
5. On Wednesday, the volatility index otherwise known as the market's fear gauge, spiked to 41.97 -- its highest level since August 2002, on the Chicago Board Options Exchange.
6. On the same day, gold jumped more than $70 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange, its biggest one-day jump in dollar terms since at least 1980. In electronic trading Friday, the precious metal then tumbled by more than $68, its biggest drop in 28 years.
7. Also on Wednesday, the Dow slumped to its lowest level since October 2005 as lending between banks around the globe nearly ground to a halt. The 3-month U.S. dollar London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, saw its biggest one-day jump in 9 years.
8. As emerging markets tumbled in unison with Wall Street early this week, Moscow's Micex index plunged more than 17% Tuesday, before surging nearly 30% Friday, its biggest one-day gain ever.
9. Crude oil futures dropped to a low of $90.80 per barrel this week, their lowest level since early February. They climbed back as high as $103.64 on Friday, their highest level since Sept. 10.
10. Oh, yeah. The Dow ended little changed on the week, while the S&P 500
Nick Godt is a MarketWatch reporter based in New York.
(source: www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ten-tales-worth-remembering-one/story.aspx?guid=%7b795F0A3A-9AAC-4432-80FE-472589A33F2A%7d&dist=hplatest&print=true&dist=printMidSection)
By Nick Godt, MarketWatch
Last update: 3:52 p.m. EDT Sept. 20, 2008
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The stock market ended little changed on the week.
Not usually a newsworthy assessment for equities, but in context, that's a fact that would surely make the list of astounding market numbers for what may well be one of Wall Street's most tumultuous weeks on record.
Here's MarketWatch's top 10 items from this week's markets news:
1. On the heels of 158-year old investment firm Lehman Brothers declaring bankruptcy, the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Monday tumbled 504 points, its worst point drop since Sept. 17, 2001, when stocks reopened after the Sept.11 attacks.
2. Hopes on Thursday -- followed by confirmation on Friday -- of a big government plan to take over debt instruments linked to bad home loans leads the Dow industrials to their biggest two-day gains since March 2000.
3. Scrambling for the safe haven of government debt on Monday led yields on two-year Treasury notes to slump the most since Sept. 17, 2001, before jumping by the most in more than 20 years Friday, on the heels of the government's rescue plan.
4. On the New York Stock Exchange, trading volumes for all shares traded by the NYSE Group spiked to 4.2 billion on Thursday, the highest on record.
5. On Wednesday, the volatility index otherwise known as the market's fear gauge, spiked to 41.97 -- its highest level since August 2002, on the Chicago Board Options Exchange.
6. On the same day, gold jumped more than $70 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange, its biggest one-day jump in dollar terms since at least 1980. In electronic trading Friday, the precious metal then tumbled by more than $68, its biggest drop in 28 years.
7. Also on Wednesday, the Dow slumped to its lowest level since October 2005 as lending between banks around the globe nearly ground to a halt. The 3-month U.S. dollar London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, saw its biggest one-day jump in 9 years.
8. As emerging markets tumbled in unison with Wall Street early this week, Moscow's Micex index plunged more than 17% Tuesday, before surging nearly 30% Friday, its biggest one-day gain ever.
9. Crude oil futures dropped to a low of $90.80 per barrel this week, their lowest level since early February. They climbed back as high as $103.64 on Friday, their highest level since Sept. 10.
10. Oh, yeah. The Dow ended little changed on the week, while the S&P 500
Nick Godt is a MarketWatch reporter based in New York.
(source: www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ten-tales-worth-remembering-one/story.aspx?guid=%7b795F0A3A-9AAC-4432-80FE-472589A33F2A%7d&dist=hplatest&print=true&dist=printMidSection)
Last week (15-21 Sep 2008)
Last week (15-21 Sep 2008) has been a memorable one for me.
The collapse of 158 years old Lehman Brothers sent chill to world wide investors. To add salt to the wound, AIG was on the verge to collapse. Thanks to US Fed which stepped in with tons of money to rescue US from entering into depression (not recession).
The stock indices went on a wild roller coastal ride. One day they were all high UP and the other day, they fell into bottomless pit.
Not many people could take such a sight with much ease.
Following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, their products called minibonds which were issued by them a couple of years ago were in deep troubles. These structured and complicated products were selling like hot cakes to thousand of conservative investors. They promised attractive interest rates over a few years and linked to big banks and financial institutions which were too big to fail.
Now we can only do nothing but to watch how more ugly scenes to be unfolded.
The collapse of 158 years old Lehman Brothers sent chill to world wide investors. To add salt to the wound, AIG was on the verge to collapse. Thanks to US Fed which stepped in with tons of money to rescue US from entering into depression (not recession).
The stock indices went on a wild roller coastal ride. One day they were all high UP and the other day, they fell into bottomless pit.
Not many people could take such a sight with much ease.
Following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, their products called minibonds which were issued by them a couple of years ago were in deep troubles. These structured and complicated products were selling like hot cakes to thousand of conservative investors. They promised attractive interest rates over a few years and linked to big banks and financial institutions which were too big to fail.
Now we can only do nothing but to watch how more ugly scenes to be unfolded.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
US Government $85 billion loan to save AIG
WASHINGTON - In a bid to save financial markets and economy from further turmoil, the U.S. government agreed Tuesday to provide an $85 billion emergency loan to rescue the huge insurer AIG. The Federal Reserve said in a statement it determined that a disorderly failure of AIG could hurt the already delicate financial markets and the economy.
It also could "lead to substantially higher borrowing costs, reduced household wealth and materially weaker economic performance," the Fed said.
"The President supports the agreement announced this evening by the Federal Reserve," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto. "These steps are taken in the interest of promoting stability in financial markets and limiting damage to the broader economy."
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the administration was working closely with the Fed, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other government regulators to "enhance the stability and orderliness of our financial markets and minimize the disruption to our economy."
"I support the steps taken by the Federal Reserve tonight to assist AIG in continuing to meet its obligations, mitigate broader disruptions and at the same time protect taxpayers," Paulson said in a statement.
The Fed said in return for the loan, the government will receive a 79.9 percent equity stake in AIG.
Earlier, Fed chairman Bernanke and Paulson met with Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio, to brief them on the government's option.
"At the administration's request, I met this evening with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. They expressed the administration's views on the deepening economic turmoil and shared with us their latest proposals regarding AIG," Reid told reporters. "The Treasury and the Fed have promised to provide more details in the near future, which I believe must address the broader, underlying structural issues in the financial markets."
On Tuesday, shares of the insurance company swung violently as rumors of potential deals involving the government or private parties emerged and were dashed. By late Tuesday, its shares had closed down 20 percent _ and another 45 percent after hours. Still, no deal emerged.
The problems at AIG stemmed from its insurance of mortgage-backed securities and other risky debt against default. If AIG couldn't make good on its promise to pay back soured debt, investors feared the consequences would pose a greater threat to the U.S. financial system than this week's collapse of the investment bank Lehman Brothers.
The worries were triggered after Moody's Investor Service and Standard and Poor's lowered AIG's credit ratings, forcing AIG to seek more money for collateral against its insurance contracts. Without that money, AIG would have defaulted on its obligations and the buyers of its insurance _ such as banks and other financial companies _ would have found themselves without protection against losses on the debt they hold.
"It might not just bring down other financial institutions in the U.S. It could bring down overseas financial institutions," said Timothy Canova, a professor of international economic law at Chapman University School of Law. "If Lehman Brother's failure could help trigger AIG's going down, who knows who AIG's failure could trigger next."
New York-based AIG operates an insurance and financial services businesses ranging from property, casualty, auto and life insurance to annuity and investment services. Those traditional insurance operations are considered healthy and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners said "they are solvent and have the capability to pay claims."
source: sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20080917/tbs-aig-f8250da.html
It also could "lead to substantially higher borrowing costs, reduced household wealth and materially weaker economic performance," the Fed said.
"The President supports the agreement announced this evening by the Federal Reserve," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto. "These steps are taken in the interest of promoting stability in financial markets and limiting damage to the broader economy."
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the administration was working closely with the Fed, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other government regulators to "enhance the stability and orderliness of our financial markets and minimize the disruption to our economy."
"I support the steps taken by the Federal Reserve tonight to assist AIG in continuing to meet its obligations, mitigate broader disruptions and at the same time protect taxpayers," Paulson said in a statement.
The Fed said in return for the loan, the government will receive a 79.9 percent equity stake in AIG.
Earlier, Fed chairman Bernanke and Paulson met with Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio, to brief them on the government's option.
"At the administration's request, I met this evening with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. They expressed the administration's views on the deepening economic turmoil and shared with us their latest proposals regarding AIG," Reid told reporters. "The Treasury and the Fed have promised to provide more details in the near future, which I believe must address the broader, underlying structural issues in the financial markets."
On Tuesday, shares of the insurance company swung violently as rumors of potential deals involving the government or private parties emerged and were dashed. By late Tuesday, its shares had closed down 20 percent _ and another 45 percent after hours. Still, no deal emerged.
The problems at AIG stemmed from its insurance of mortgage-backed securities and other risky debt against default. If AIG couldn't make good on its promise to pay back soured debt, investors feared the consequences would pose a greater threat to the U.S. financial system than this week's collapse of the investment bank Lehman Brothers.
The worries were triggered after Moody's Investor Service and Standard and Poor's lowered AIG's credit ratings, forcing AIG to seek more money for collateral against its insurance contracts. Without that money, AIG would have defaulted on its obligations and the buyers of its insurance _ such as banks and other financial companies _ would have found themselves without protection against losses on the debt they hold.
"It might not just bring down other financial institutions in the U.S. It could bring down overseas financial institutions," said Timothy Canova, a professor of international economic law at Chapman University School of Law. "If Lehman Brother's failure could help trigger AIG's going down, who knows who AIG's failure could trigger next."
New York-based AIG operates an insurance and financial services businesses ranging from property, casualty, auto and life insurance to annuity and investment services. Those traditional insurance operations are considered healthy and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners said "they are solvent and have the capability to pay claims."
source: sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20080917/tbs-aig-f8250da.html
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Cancer means The End of the World
I have heard colleagues suffered from various types of cancer and then eventually passed on. Then some of my relatives were hospitalised due to removal of cancerous tumours in their bodies. Recently some of my closed family members have to go under the knife because lumps were detected in their bodies and most likely to be cancerous too.
Why so many people are getting cancer? What have gone wrong in our life?
First is the denial stage where the patient simply can't believe that "why me? why do I have cancer? will I die soon? what's more suffering I have to endure?"
Then is either the depression stage or "self pick-up" stage. If one is in depression stage, the patient continues to live in grief and sorrow. If one can overcome his depression, he will readjust his mind-set and continues to fight against cancer.
Of course it is always easy to say than done.
I pray real hard to our mightly God for all who are suffering or have suffered from cancer.
Why so many people are getting cancer? What have gone wrong in our life?
First is the denial stage where the patient simply can't believe that "why me? why do I have cancer? will I die soon? what's more suffering I have to endure?"
Then is either the depression stage or "self pick-up" stage. If one is in depression stage, the patient continues to live in grief and sorrow. If one can overcome his depression, he will readjust his mind-set and continues to fight against cancer.
Of course it is always easy to say than done.
I pray real hard to our mightly God for all who are suffering or have suffered from cancer.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
More needs to be done to care for our elderly parents
The government continues to introduce and implement pro-family measures, in particular, longer paid maturity leave for mothers, paternity leave for fathers etc. What about our own old parents?
Growing old, fall sick and die is a process which everybody is not excluded. When we were young, our parents worked hard to earn a living and took good care of us. When we became parents, we again work very hard to make ends meet and take good care of our children. What about our old parents?
In the stat board that I work with, there is a parental care leave (3 days per calender year). Only 1 day per occasion can be taken. My mother has to undergo a surgery and requires to be hospitalised for about a week. This is considered as an occasion and I am only allowed to take 1 day parental care leave. I have to provide certified true copy of her MC since her original MC has to be submitted to her workplace. Of course I can still apply my vacation leave so that I can have some time to look after her.
I think more needs to be done to take good care of our elderly parents. Afterall, we will grow old one day and who does not want his or her loved ones to be around often?
Growing old, fall sick and die is a process which everybody is not excluded. When we were young, our parents worked hard to earn a living and took good care of us. When we became parents, we again work very hard to make ends meet and take good care of our children. What about our old parents?
In the stat board that I work with, there is a parental care leave (3 days per calender year). Only 1 day per occasion can be taken. My mother has to undergo a surgery and requires to be hospitalised for about a week. This is considered as an occasion and I am only allowed to take 1 day parental care leave. I have to provide certified true copy of her MC since her original MC has to be submitted to her workplace. Of course I can still apply my vacation leave so that I can have some time to look after her.
I think more needs to be done to take good care of our elderly parents. Afterall, we will grow old one day and who does not want his or her loved ones to be around often?
Monday, September 01, 2008
September School Holiday
Today is 1st Sep 2008, the first day of the one week's break between term 3 and 4. What are the reasons to have this break? Well, besides getting a break from school, it is also the time to play catching up with the studies and also to start preparing for the year-end exam.
I felt so ashamed when Isa called my office to ask, "Can I watch LOTR with you tonight?" My heart ached. I have been mean to Isa - I have been piling worksheets and assessment books onto her, instead of giving her a break from studies. I told her that she has to study harder and do better in the coming year-end exam. If she wants to be a school prefect, good academic results are generally preferred.
She has been wanting to wear the prefect tie very much. I have been using this "carrot" to motivate or push her to work harder in her studies. I did not ask her if doing worksheets and assessment books are top of her priority list.
Come on, give that poor child a break! Afterall, she is only 9 years old and she is already inundated with worksheets and assessment books daily.
It is time for me to reflect on myself.
Ok, let me pack up and leave this office which has tons of work that never seems to end. I want to watch LOTR with Isa tonight.
I felt so ashamed when Isa called my office to ask, "Can I watch LOTR with you tonight?" My heart ached. I have been mean to Isa - I have been piling worksheets and assessment books onto her, instead of giving her a break from studies. I told her that she has to study harder and do better in the coming year-end exam. If she wants to be a school prefect, good academic results are generally preferred.
She has been wanting to wear the prefect tie very much. I have been using this "carrot" to motivate or push her to work harder in her studies. I did not ask her if doing worksheets and assessment books are top of her priority list.
Come on, give that poor child a break! Afterall, she is only 9 years old and she is already inundated with worksheets and assessment books daily.
It is time for me to reflect on myself.
Ok, let me pack up and leave this office which has tons of work that never seems to end. I want to watch LOTR with Isa tonight.
Mid-Autumn Festival part 2
Remember that I mentioned I would be buying some "exotic" types of moon-cakes this year? I tasted them yesterday. One type was moon-cakes with fillings made of sesame with yolk. The other was lotus paste but instead of yolk, it was chocolate with cognac.
These mini moon-cakes come with a big price tag; the sesame type costs $42 (excluding GST) for 8 pieces, while the other was $68.
Anyway, it was a good experience to taste them.
These mini moon-cakes come with a big price tag; the sesame type costs $42 (excluding GST) for 8 pieces, while the other was $68.
Anyway, it was a good experience to taste them.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Driving in the City
I travelled from Bukit Batok to Asian Civilisations Museum. I went through 2 ERPs and a total of $5 was deducted from my cashcard. I considered myself lucky to reach my destination smoothly despite the heavy traffic flow. Look, the ERP is supposed to cut down the number of cars but I am unsure if this works.
I could have paid even more if I made a wrong turn.
It was close to 8pm when I wanted to return. The ERP into Orchard Road was still in operations! I managed to detour and took a long route.
It is pretty expensive to drive into the city, even during the evening.
Try it unless you want the experience. Else, save that few dollars!
I could have paid even more if I made a wrong turn.
It was close to 8pm when I wanted to return. The ERP into Orchard Road was still in operations! I managed to detour and took a long route.
It is pretty expensive to drive into the city, even during the evening.
Try it unless you want the experience. Else, save that few dollars!
Vietnam celebrates her 63th National Day
I attended a dinner at Asian Civilisations Museum on 28 Aug 2008. It was hosted by Vietnam Embassy to celebrate her 63th National Day. A lot of foreign guests were invited.
Finding a parking space in the heart of a city needs lots of good luck. Luck was with me at that moment. A car happened to leave its lot and zoomed, my little car went in immediately. I can't believe that the parking is free!
Besides the delicious food which was an international spread to satisfy the appetite of multi-national guests, I liked the ambience of an evening at Asian Civilisations Museum. Imagine yourself holding a glass of wine or having a dinner, facing the Singapore River which has lots of eatlets, enjoying the night breeze. The backdrop was the lighted high-rise banks. It was rather quiet in the evening though we knew it would be a different story during the day.
There is an event going on at Asian Civilisations Museum.
http://www.acm.org.sg/exhibitions/eventdetail.asp?eventID=404
Since the one week school holiday is just round the corner, do consider making a trip to this beautiful place.
Finding a parking space in the heart of a city needs lots of good luck. Luck was with me at that moment. A car happened to leave its lot and zoomed, my little car went in immediately. I can't believe that the parking is free!
Besides the delicious food which was an international spread to satisfy the appetite of multi-national guests, I liked the ambience of an evening at Asian Civilisations Museum. Imagine yourself holding a glass of wine or having a dinner, facing the Singapore River which has lots of eatlets, enjoying the night breeze. The backdrop was the lighted high-rise banks. It was rather quiet in the evening though we knew it would be a different story during the day.
There is an event going on at Asian Civilisations Museum.
http://www.acm.org.sg/exhibitions/eventdetail.asp?eventID=404
Since the one week school holiday is just round the corner, do consider making a trip to this beautiful place.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Mid-Autumn Festival
The lunar 7th month will be coming to an end and soon we will be celebrating mid-autumn festival or lantern festival or mooncake festival.
Have you tried any moon-cakes? This year, I am going for the "exotic" type; moon-cakes will fillings of sesame or some liquor ???
I will share my experience after eating them.
Yummy!
Have you tried any moon-cakes? This year, I am going for the "exotic" type; moon-cakes will fillings of sesame or some liquor ???
I will share my experience after eating them.
Yummy!
Beijing Olympics 2008 (last)
Finally after days of watching various competitions, this Game has come to an end on 24 Aug 2008. The closing ceremony at Bird Nest Stadium lasted about two hours. Again, we were able to watch spectacular firework displays, preformances and the handover to London 2012.
I can't help but feel sad because I will have to wait 4 years later to see the athletes to excel again, to see new World Records achieved, to share the joy and sorrow after a competition.
See you in London 2012.
I can't help but feel sad because I will have to wait 4 years later to see the athletes to excel again, to see new World Records achieved, to share the joy and sorrow after a competition.
See you in London 2012.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Beijing Olympics part 3
I watched the table tennis final where Singapore played against China on 17 Aug 7.30pm.
The results were kind of expected; how can we expect to beat a big brother unless a miracle has occured?
I have mixed feelings. On 15 Aug, our team fought from 2.30pm till 6pm+ against South Korean team and finally won and got into the finals. Our players were armed with great determination and will to fight on till the last minute.
On 17 Aug, our team barely spent 2 hours and was already "booted out".
I learnt something from watching these games.
You can earn points (or marks) by 2 ways, namely (1) create chances to attack our opponents successfully and (2) creating chances for your opponents to make mistakes. Our players consistently made many mistakes and thus "giving" away points freely and easily to our opponents.
Our opponents did make some mistakes but being much more experienced and skillful than ours, they were able to minimize such occurrences. Thus our chances of getting points from their mistakes were greatly reduced.
Is our opponent such strong such that our flaws and weaknesses were all exposed?
I am not a table-tennis player. I merely shared my personal views.
The results were kind of expected; how can we expect to beat a big brother unless a miracle has occured?
I have mixed feelings. On 15 Aug, our team fought from 2.30pm till 6pm+ against South Korean team and finally won and got into the finals. Our players were armed with great determination and will to fight on till the last minute.
On 17 Aug, our team barely spent 2 hours and was already "booted out".
I learnt something from watching these games.
You can earn points (or marks) by 2 ways, namely (1) create chances to attack our opponents successfully and (2) creating chances for your opponents to make mistakes. Our players consistently made many mistakes and thus "giving" away points freely and easily to our opponents.
Our opponents did make some mistakes but being much more experienced and skillful than ours, they were able to minimize such occurrences. Thus our chances of getting points from their mistakes were greatly reduced.
Is our opponent such strong such that our flaws and weaknesses were all exposed?
I am not a table-tennis player. I merely shared my personal views.
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