Business isn't good here in Kopitiam these days, is it? Looks like everyone has either gone on holiday somewhere, got stuck in Orchard Road traffic or maybe got stranded in the floods!? So it's left to pple like me with no holidays to take and no interest in shopping to keep the business going.
I've been wanting to join in the discussion on some of the earlier postings, but never got down to doing it. For this round, I'll pick the post by catalyst on whether or not you are an expert in your work. Btw, I'll stick my head out here and guess that your company is Grace.. something? And you sell catalysts? Or have you moved on already? See, this is part of the point for this post. In the spirit of Kopitiam, which is to get this bunch of 30-somethings connected, this is perhaps a good avenue for us to let each other know more about our work. More so because work is something we probably won't want to dwell too much on during our occasional gatherings. Maybe we should each have an entry here entitled "My typical day at work". I think I'll enjoy reading that from all of you, no matter how boring you think your working day is. Ok my contribution will come in the next post.
It's the last working day of 2006. My career, which is barely there, only just took off this year. After what seemed like an eternity, and after a long-drawn saga of fighting bureaucracy and politics, i finally got my PhD. The issue of being an expert or not struck a cord in me because PhDs should be experts in their fields, shouldn't they? But are they really? What do you put down as occupation in the many forms of all sorts that you have to fill? I struggle with this, usually ending up with "research", "researcher", "research fellow"... depending on what comes to mind first. I should really be putting down "scientist", but have never been convinced in calling myself one. This has been an issue that has plagued me from the day I decided on pursuing a PhD. What has a mechanical engineer got to do with biomedical sciences? Am I able to cope? I find myself caught in between two worlds many a times. On the positive front, this keeps me on my toes, because I have to work hard to carve a niche for myself in a world dominated by biologists. On bad days, it gets overwhelming, to the point that I stop and think about exit strategies. But it is a job that I'm proud of, enjoy, and one that I find meaningful and challenging, so I think I'll stick around for a while more.
So, expert or not? I say we all are. We are all knowledgeable in our own specialized area of work, aren't we? So bring on the forms, I shall call myself a scientist.
May 2007 be a great year for everyone of you, my friends. Live it well. Carpi Diem! Happy New Year!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
new born ii
allow me to post a picture on behalf of kok chuan and gladys, presenting little ashleigh!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
New Born
Hi all, this is the first time I'm posting a blog.
Just want to share with you guys/gals my joy of being a father...for the 2nd time. Haven't decided on the name yet, but my baby girl was born on 20 Dec 2006, 1336 hrs. Vital statistics, weight: 2840g, length (cannot stand so they note it as length instead of height): 50cm and head circumference: 35cm.
Though it was a C-section procedure, Junyi was well enough and both mother and daughter were discharged yesterday. Below are some of the photos of my girl-girl.
Merry Christmas!
Hi guys, Hope everyone is well during this festive period. Many of you must be busy with some last minute shopping and leisure traveling, hence the relative low contribution rate in this blog. Myself included....I am very busy because this is the peak season for weddings. Had to stop taking on jobs over this weekend, becasue it's certainly no fun when everyone is enjoying quality time with families while I work. Happened in the last 2 years, so this year, no way!I am going to have a quiet xmas. And here's a wishing everyone Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Memory lane
This post is my tribute to WQ. Not to conjure up more sadness, but to serve as a reminder years down the road that we were fortunate to have once enjoyed the company of a great friend. May this also be an avenue for Yushan and others in the family to re-live some of the moments that WQ has shared with us. These are obviously samples from my own collection, many of which you will be familiar with, but if you have more from your own stash do think about sharing them too.
Happy days in CHS class 4B. The Class T-shirt and mural at the back of the classroom were both designed by WQ. Notice how slim and handsome KC once was... and yes, ahem.. the signature playmobil hair.
The 4B soccer team, of course the school champions. Who worked hardest for the team? probably the one with the most soiled jersey.
Back in CHS after the release of O-level results. Forget the show off plaques, this was the era when large spectacles were the rage of the town.
Good old Bukit Batok council room. If you have forgotten, WQ was the canteen IC. What's the name of that teacher he had to work with? Mr Tian? Now i finally know how they could click, see the resemblance on WQ's face?
This has got to be the pick of the lot. Nevermind that signage falling while being hoisted, we did a good job, didn't we? And WQ scored an A*, no doubt. Classic!
One of my favourite pictures, think Yingchek shot this. And thanks to his dad, we got to do a one day cruise on Lady Olivia. Look how satisfied we all were.
I had to put this in, because i shot it! Could have done better with manipulating the depth of field, though. Recognise the big old tree behind Bukit Timah council room?
I can't recall when or what the occasion was, might be one of the mid-autumn homecomings. But when you see Catalyst this lean and mean, you know it's during those NS days.
This was the time WQ, Yingchek and myself spent at NUS Sheares Hall. We were "pressured" into joining the National Day Celebrations Committee, effectively my last working comm with WQ. Man, we hated those 4am work sessions... Notice Fengling in the picture too.
Many of you probably know that WQ draws quite well. We did a history group project in CHS, on Mahatma Gandhi. As part of that, a choose-your-own-adventure book was produced, with WQ drawing all the cartoons. We won second prize in the school wide project day competition. Check these out:
Happy days in CHS class 4B. The Class T-shirt and mural at the back of the classroom were both designed by WQ. Notice how slim and handsome KC once was... and yes, ahem.. the signature playmobil hair.
The 4B soccer team, of course the school champions. Who worked hardest for the team? probably the one with the most soiled jersey.
Back in CHS after the release of O-level results. Forget the show off plaques, this was the era when large spectacles were the rage of the town.
Good old Bukit Batok council room. If you have forgotten, WQ was the canteen IC. What's the name of that teacher he had to work with? Mr Tian? Now i finally know how they could click, see the resemblance on WQ's face?
This has got to be the pick of the lot. Nevermind that signage falling while being hoisted, we did a good job, didn't we? And WQ scored an A*, no doubt. Classic!
One of my favourite pictures, think Yingchek shot this. And thanks to his dad, we got to do a one day cruise on Lady Olivia. Look how satisfied we all were.
I had to put this in, because i shot it! Could have done better with manipulating the depth of field, though. Recognise the big old tree behind Bukit Timah council room?
I can't recall when or what the occasion was, might be one of the mid-autumn homecomings. But when you see Catalyst this lean and mean, you know it's during those NS days.
This was the time WQ, Yingchek and myself spent at NUS Sheares Hall. We were "pressured" into joining the National Day Celebrations Committee, effectively my last working comm with WQ. Man, we hated those 4am work sessions... Notice Fengling in the picture too.
Many of you probably know that WQ draws quite well. We did a history group project in CHS, on Mahatma Gandhi. As part of that, a choose-your-own-adventure book was produced, with WQ drawing all the cartoons. We won second prize in the school wide project day competition. Check these out:
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Food, Glorious Food...(2)
Visited a few breakfast/brunch places while i was in New York... some slightly uppety and some average but authentically American. Let me start with the slightly uppety one called Balthazar which has wonderful ambience and nice food!
Balthazar, which is Zagat rated (above 20 but can't remember the exact number), is a nice restaurant with a Parisian touch on Spring Street in hippy Soho. We went there at about 10am on a lazy Sat morning and was surprised to be seated really quickly (in less than 5 mins - which i think is due to the rain that morning!). Three of us ordered from their breakfast menu (till 1130am) - both TC and myself had Eggs Benedict while GL ordered their omelette. To perk ourselves up, we had mimosas (champagne and orange juice). TC, a sucker for bacon, ordered a side of bacon which is really tasty and not too salty. The coffee was also nice - not merely "coffee water" and it also came with refills!But talk about food envy.... we saw someone's order of waffles with warm berries !! It was just so pretty and i bet it was delicious! But we were already stuffed and could not take any more food!
Everything about Balthazar was nice - the service staff was friendly, the food was good and the overall experience - wonderful. A bit pricey, but it was all worth it. A nice way to reward yourself for waking up early (eh, 930am) on a Saturday morning!! Check out their website for more details, especially their menu! http://www.balthazarny.com/
Balthazar, which is Zagat rated (above 20 but can't remember the exact number), is a nice restaurant with a Parisian touch on Spring Street in hippy Soho. We went there at about 10am on a lazy Sat morning and was surprised to be seated really quickly (in less than 5 mins - which i think is due to the rain that morning!). Three of us ordered from their breakfast menu (till 1130am) - both TC and myself had Eggs Benedict while GL ordered their omelette. To perk ourselves up, we had mimosas (champagne and orange juice). TC, a sucker for bacon, ordered a side of bacon which is really tasty and not too salty. The coffee was also nice - not merely "coffee water" and it also came with refills!But talk about food envy.... we saw someone's order of waffles with warm berries !! It was just so pretty and i bet it was delicious! But we were already stuffed and could not take any more food!
Everything about Balthazar was nice - the service staff was friendly, the food was good and the overall experience - wonderful. A bit pricey, but it was all worth it. A nice way to reward yourself for waking up early (eh, 930am) on a Saturday morning!! Check out their website for more details, especially their menu! http://www.balthazarny.com/
Friday, December 15, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
NZ
Just came back to Singapore after several months of traveling, both for work and vacation. It's certainly good to be home!
Serene and I went on from a wonderful self-driving trip in New Zealand for close to 1.5 weeks. It was tiring at times with all the driving but the scenary was simply breathtaking. We went on glacier hikes, jetboating, cruises, whale watching etc and it was just great. And I have never eaten so much lamb in my entire life! We only managed to cover South Island this time round and we will definitely cover North Island next time. If any of you are thinking of traveling to New Zealand in the near future, do let me know and I can provide some useful pointers.
Serene and I went on from a wonderful self-driving trip in New Zealand for close to 1.5 weeks. It was tiring at times with all the driving but the scenary was simply breathtaking. We went on glacier hikes, jetboating, cruises, whale watching etc and it was just great. And I have never eaten so much lamb in my entire life! We only managed to cover South Island this time round and we will definitely cover North Island next time. If any of you are thinking of traveling to New Zealand in the near future, do let me know and I can provide some useful pointers.
Monday, December 11, 2006
What's the Catch?
Has anyone had bad experience or any experience at all with making insurance claims from NTUC Income? Their premium is so much cheaper than the other 4 big insurers it makes one wonder what's the catch. From the reseach i've done, their premium can be twice as cheap as others like Great Eastern or AIA.
I've heard people say that Income is difficult and slow to claim but does anyone have real life personal experience?
Thanks.
I've heard people say that Income is difficult and slow to claim but does anyone have real life personal experience?
Thanks.
Friday, December 8, 2006
Yet another one
Sigh....
Have you guys read Thurs' Newpaper?
Yet another young man died in his sleep, but this time after a short bout of fever.
Worse, his wife is like 7 months pregnant and the fact that this man was reported to be enthusiastically buying stuff for her baby really saddened me big time....because I thought of my baby and how it would be like if I never got to see her pretty face.
Our dear friend's name was mentioned again in the sidebar, about who else had suffered the same fate over the last two months. Unfortunately the reporter spelt his name wrongly.
On the same note, wonder who went to the ritual on thursday?
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Not to dampen your festive spirit, I'm sure most of you have noticed the christmas songs playing at shopping malls and the toy fairs galore everywhere. Let's not forget the caring and sharing spirit of Dr Toh and do our part for the less fortunate. It's a shame that after NUS, I haven't been very active in the charity movement. I never buy tissue paper from old ladies or blind folks because I was told that was not the right thing to do.
I never dialled in at NKF or Ren Ci gala shows because the cynic in me loathe the ra-ra nature of such charity shows, and doubt the sincerity of those involved (the downfall of TT Durai proved me right, sadly). My wife and I have been contemplating for a long time to want to make regular contributions to Kwang Wai Siu Hospital along Serangoon Rd, but procrastination meant that the cheques never reach the deserving personnel. Maybe we are really growing old and becoming more cynical. Don't you agree that most charity drives are mooted by people (eg. insurance/pharmaceautical companies, young guns with political ambitions) who just want some cheap publicity? It was especially obvious when I was with the press and saw through it all. Sick.
So I guess this year is the year to kickstart my personal agenda again.
But to who? Which org has the integrity and the resolve to make sure the deserving parties get the pie?
Any ideas/suggestions?
Have you guys read Thurs' Newpaper?
Yet another young man died in his sleep, but this time after a short bout of fever.
Worse, his wife is like 7 months pregnant and the fact that this man was reported to be enthusiastically buying stuff for her baby really saddened me big time....because I thought of my baby and how it would be like if I never got to see her pretty face.
Our dear friend's name was mentioned again in the sidebar, about who else had suffered the same fate over the last two months. Unfortunately the reporter spelt his name wrongly.
On the same note, wonder who went to the ritual on thursday?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not to dampen your festive spirit, I'm sure most of you have noticed the christmas songs playing at shopping malls and the toy fairs galore everywhere. Let's not forget the caring and sharing spirit of Dr Toh and do our part for the less fortunate. It's a shame that after NUS, I haven't been very active in the charity movement. I never buy tissue paper from old ladies or blind folks because I was told that was not the right thing to do.
I never dialled in at NKF or Ren Ci gala shows because the cynic in me loathe the ra-ra nature of such charity shows, and doubt the sincerity of those involved (the downfall of TT Durai proved me right, sadly). My wife and I have been contemplating for a long time to want to make regular contributions to Kwang Wai Siu Hospital along Serangoon Rd, but procrastination meant that the cheques never reach the deserving personnel. Maybe we are really growing old and becoming more cynical. Don't you agree that most charity drives are mooted by people (eg. insurance/pharmaceautical companies, young guns with political ambitions) who just want some cheap publicity? It was especially obvious when I was with the press and saw through it all. Sick.
So I guess this year is the year to kickstart my personal agenda again.
But to who? Which org has the integrity and the resolve to make sure the deserving parties get the pie?
Any ideas/suggestions?
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Food, Glorious Food....
Hmm... I've decided that rather than start a new blog to document the food places i've been while i was in New York, i will do it here! After all, what's Kopitiam without food right?
I've been lucky that many of my colleagues are also foodies and we spent most of our time exploring interesting places to dine during (ie lunch) and after work. For this maiden post, i'll start with classic american must-have for breakfast... BAGELS!
There's this very good bagel shop near our office called Ess-a-Bagel (along 3rd Avenue, between E.50th St and E.51st St). My favourite order is their "Everything Buttered Toasted Bagel" which only cost US$1! Their Everything Bagel has literally everything savoury - salt, sesame seed, garlic, poppy seed, etc. The best part is that the guys there are really generous with butter. Hmm... imagine a warm bagel with melted butter - it's heavenly! It's even better if you go there at about 9.30am, when the bagels are fresh out of the oven! But it's also the time when queues start to form and people take-away bagels by the bags!! When that happens, hokkien expletives are most useful!
They also have a good spread of cream cheeses, salads, meats and fish... Their sundried tomato cream cheese and tuna salad is commendable, but nothing beats their buttered bagels. Check out their website @ http://www.ess-a-bagel.com
Watch out for my next instalment of other interesting breakfast/brunch places!
I've been lucky that many of my colleagues are also foodies and we spent most of our time exploring interesting places to dine during (ie lunch) and after work. For this maiden post, i'll start with classic american must-have for breakfast... BAGELS!
There's this very good bagel shop near our office called Ess-a-Bagel (along 3rd Avenue, between E.50th St and E.51st St). My favourite order is their "Everything Buttered Toasted Bagel" which only cost US$1! Their Everything Bagel has literally everything savoury - salt, sesame seed, garlic, poppy seed, etc. The best part is that the guys there are really generous with butter. Hmm... imagine a warm bagel with melted butter - it's heavenly! It's even better if you go there at about 9.30am, when the bagels are fresh out of the oven! But it's also the time when queues start to form and people take-away bagels by the bags!! When that happens, hokkien expletives are most useful!
They also have a good spread of cream cheeses, salads, meats and fish... Their sundried tomato cream cheese and tuna salad is commendable, but nothing beats their buttered bagels. Check out their website @ http://www.ess-a-bagel.com
Watch out for my next instalment of other interesting breakfast/brunch places!
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Saturday, December 2, 2006
The Road and the Sea
OK, if this new post goes through, it's 99% credit to Eik, who has tried all kinds of tricks from his secret sachet to drill a little blog-savviness into my head. But i'm pretty sure it does since this box that i'm writing in looks as foreign to me as newfoundland.
So, before the road trip bubble bursts, can i start throwing in some ideas of where we can go? For a start, a short 3-hr drive to Malacca can be nice. There's really nothing much to do there, except heading straight for the chendol and chicken rice ball at Jonkker Street. Of course there's Mahkota Parade but that's a little like any shopping mall here. On the way, we can also make a detour to Segamat for what else but durians.
If we have a night or two to spare alternatively, we can venture up to Cameron Highlands. HC and I took our outdoor wedding photos there (then drove a gruelling 12 hours to Terrangganu for part 2) and it was a really nice, cool place to hang out. Obviously, there's none of the buzz in the city but the drive up the windy road (sometimes foggy) is really good in transporting your mind into the subliminal realm of nature. There are some civilisation at the top, which offers pretty good food and even a Pasar Malam on weekend evenings. The yuan yang steamboat is a popular dish that heats up the body inside out on a typically chilly evening. Overall it should be a great place to hang out, talk and just soak in the surrounding nature, if we can afford to commit a night or two.
At the end of the day, it's really not important if there are exciting things to do, famous food to savour (which is why i didn't even bring up KL), but rather a trip that really allows us to re-establish the bonds we once had and to share it with our loved ones too. Over the past years, there were several attempts to keep it going, some did it rather nicely, others were pretty lame. Once in a while, the memory of one of these attempts popped into my mind and reminded me of the fun times we used to have. Just that day i was reminded of a beginner's windsurfing course a couple of us took at the Sembawang Canoe Club. WK was one of them. It was a really silly course as the Johor Straits was dead calm. So much so that most of the time we had to balance the sails with our bodies rather than make use of the winds. For me the lesson learnt was how bad a backache could be.
Then there was this idea that we could all go and learn how to sail a keel boat, and then buy one together and go sailing every so often. Well, let's just say the plan shelved itself after we finished that exciting discussion. But we did have some nice moments with the sea, and some of those on the yacht that my dad works on. Didn't we go to Pulau Hantu in a big group and stopped right by a gigantic oil rig to fish? Even as recent as Kiwi and PS's wedding, we were out at sea again taking their wedding pictures. Maybe we can do the yacht thing again sometime in the future? Any other suggestions?
So, before the road trip bubble bursts, can i start throwing in some ideas of where we can go? For a start, a short 3-hr drive to Malacca can be nice. There's really nothing much to do there, except heading straight for the chendol and chicken rice ball at Jonkker Street. Of course there's Mahkota Parade but that's a little like any shopping mall here. On the way, we can also make a detour to Segamat for what else but durians.
If we have a night or two to spare alternatively, we can venture up to Cameron Highlands. HC and I took our outdoor wedding photos there (then drove a gruelling 12 hours to Terrangganu for part 2) and it was a really nice, cool place to hang out. Obviously, there's none of the buzz in the city but the drive up the windy road (sometimes foggy) is really good in transporting your mind into the subliminal realm of nature. There are some civilisation at the top, which offers pretty good food and even a Pasar Malam on weekend evenings. The yuan yang steamboat is a popular dish that heats up the body inside out on a typically chilly evening. Overall it should be a great place to hang out, talk and just soak in the surrounding nature, if we can afford to commit a night or two.
At the end of the day, it's really not important if there are exciting things to do, famous food to savour (which is why i didn't even bring up KL), but rather a trip that really allows us to re-establish the bonds we once had and to share it with our loved ones too. Over the past years, there were several attempts to keep it going, some did it rather nicely, others were pretty lame. Once in a while, the memory of one of these attempts popped into my mind and reminded me of the fun times we used to have. Just that day i was reminded of a beginner's windsurfing course a couple of us took at the Sembawang Canoe Club. WK was one of them. It was a really silly course as the Johor Straits was dead calm. So much so that most of the time we had to balance the sails with our bodies rather than make use of the winds. For me the lesson learnt was how bad a backache could be.
Then there was this idea that we could all go and learn how to sail a keel boat, and then buy one together and go sailing every so often. Well, let's just say the plan shelved itself after we finished that exciting discussion. But we did have some nice moments with the sea, and some of those on the yacht that my dad works on. Didn't we go to Pulau Hantu in a big group and stopped right by a gigantic oil rig to fish? Even as recent as Kiwi and PS's wedding, we were out at sea again taking their wedding pictures. Maybe we can do the yacht thing again sometime in the future? Any other suggestions?
Friday, December 1, 2006
Happy Anniversary, Daddy & Mummy
It was my parents' wedding anniversary yesterday... 36 years of union... 3 bundles of joy, of which one came with a 'free gift'... and a home full of love.
I started giving my parents gifts for their wedding anniversary especially after i got married... to celebrate the union that was the cause of our existence and to thank them for their efforts in making us what we are today. But to date, it was just flowers and cute plushies lah... haven't got round sending them off to a romantic dinner/escapade yet coz i guess it will take some coaxing...
Incidentally, I was shoppping for wedding anniversary cards while in NY (Hallmark cards cheaper there lah...) and my friend was shocked that i actually bother to send a card to CM on our wedding anniversary. I told him we send each other cards during those special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries) just to thank each other for tolerating our nonsense, noise (mostly mine) and patience. Cards are just so powerful as a communication tool... coz they say so little yet mean so much. I've collected all the cards we sent each other, so that i can show them to my children and grandchildren when we are old!
Happy Anniversary, daddy & mummy!
I started giving my parents gifts for their wedding anniversary especially after i got married... to celebrate the union that was the cause of our existence and to thank them for their efforts in making us what we are today. But to date, it was just flowers and cute plushies lah... haven't got round sending them off to a romantic dinner/escapade yet coz i guess it will take some coaxing...
Incidentally, I was shoppping for wedding anniversary cards while in NY (Hallmark cards cheaper there lah...) and my friend was shocked that i actually bother to send a card to CM on our wedding anniversary. I told him we send each other cards during those special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries) just to thank each other for tolerating our nonsense, noise (mostly mine) and patience. Cards are just so powerful as a communication tool... coz they say so little yet mean so much. I've collected all the cards we sent each other, so that i can show them to my children and grandchildren when we are old!
Happy Anniversary, daddy & mummy!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Expert or not
Sometimes i wonder, what am i doing in my job? Can anyone tell? OK....dun pretend...how many of you know the name of my company? See, all you self proclaimed good friends are all not at all concern one...dun even know my company.....Anyway, that's not my point.....I am technically a Technical Sales person.....So what does that means? I sell them my product and provide technical consultation to my customers. My customer consults me when they have any operational problem, or any problems they think they have. Most of them have more than 15 years of experience, some 20. Day in and day out they operated the unit whereas I have only worked on this job for 4 years. Strange right? And do you think i can say..yah right, the problem is my product, not your operations. And they have to believe me because i am the so called "expert" in my field. So you see...the experts that we see everyday in the corporate world...are they experts at all? Seems like many firms just hire postgraduates, exp those with MBAs, to be consultants when they dun even have experience, (unlike me, I have 4 in this area OK, yah that helps). What it takes is really BS. Mastering the art of BS definitely helps in consulting. The better you BS, the more you get consulted, the more senior is your position.
Imagine one day you walk into Best denki, wanting to buy the most current HDTV, in readiness for the upcoming launch of HDTV islandwide...then which one should you choose? So you walk up to the first salesperson (he's the expert right?) then he says, " ok Phillips is now having a promotion, features good lah best definition, 100000x100000 pigsels, 10000 loomens very blight, Conterast is vely good, about 1000:1 somemore now got free gifts leh, if dun want free gifts, can convert into taka vouchers...whoa...your heart is beating, "Man, I din know Phillips is a so good in LCD TV, some more so cheap PLUS 5 years warranty!" But then how come I feel that Samsung looks clearer although the expert says otherwise? So you decided to look for another expert and he says exactly the last expert had said....but this time it's not phillips, it's for LG..Wah lao eh.....how to choose....Finally you understand that all the "experts" in the LCDTV sales line are driven by the commi$$ion. So, although they are all wearing denki uniforms, but they get different comm from different brands for each expert. Experts? My foot, experts. Better trust your own eyes lah.
But what's my point really? Nothing actually, just too free now and drank a few cups of coffee (not from Carpi Diem)..can't go to sleep so decided to talk some rubbish. Sometimes there is some pressure in pretending to be an expert.....when i am not....not that i want to but need to. Otherwise how can i persuade pple to buy my stuff? But i guess this will slowly goes away and i am beginning to know why.....because slowly, u'll get more comfortable with BS and pple automatically think you are the expert when u are so confident in your delivery. And as time gets by, the visible white hair will stand out more prominently, especially when you have a younger audience. This helps because of the saying, "wise old man" . Automatically, I guessed, becoming an Expert in one's field is just a matter of time........
On hindsight, I think it is the best to sell/buy 4d and toto because got diok means got diok, no diok means no diok, no need consult expert to explain or justify, just need wan bao or sinming.
Imagine one day you walk into Best denki, wanting to buy the most current HDTV, in readiness for the upcoming launch of HDTV islandwide...then which one should you choose? So you walk up to the first salesperson (he's the expert right?) then he says, " ok Phillips is now having a promotion, features good lah best definition, 100000x100000 pigsels, 10000 loomens very blight, Conterast is vely good, about 1000:1 somemore now got free gifts leh, if dun want free gifts, can convert into taka vouchers...whoa...your heart is beating, "Man, I din know Phillips is a so good in LCD TV, some more so cheap PLUS 5 years warranty!" But then how come I feel that Samsung looks clearer although the expert says otherwise? So you decided to look for another expert and he says exactly the last expert had said....but this time it's not phillips, it's for LG..Wah lao eh.....how to choose....Finally you understand that all the "experts" in the LCDTV sales line are driven by the commi$$ion. So, although they are all wearing denki uniforms, but they get different comm from different brands for each expert. Experts? My foot, experts. Better trust your own eyes lah.
But what's my point really? Nothing actually, just too free now and drank a few cups of coffee (not from Carpi Diem)..can't go to sleep so decided to talk some rubbish. Sometimes there is some pressure in pretending to be an expert.....when i am not....not that i want to but need to. Otherwise how can i persuade pple to buy my stuff? But i guess this will slowly goes away and i am beginning to know why.....because slowly, u'll get more comfortable with BS and pple automatically think you are the expert when u are so confident in your delivery. And as time gets by, the visible white hair will stand out more prominently, especially when you have a younger audience. This helps because of the saying, "wise old man" . Automatically, I guessed, becoming an Expert in one's field is just a matter of time........
On hindsight, I think it is the best to sell/buy 4d and toto because got diok means got diok, no diok means no diok, no need consult expert to explain or justify, just need wan bao or sinming.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Catching up
Great, I can finally get some time to blog! Let me start with a technical note. So… there are posts and there are comments. How do I keep track of new comments without having to look through them one by one to see which ones I’ve missed? If that is really the only way, would it be easier if everyone just make new postings everytime (since it'll help make our blog big, according to eik)?
Yes, Kopitiam has been really heartwarming. It’s good that I don’t get that much time during work to keep coming back, I can imagine it’ll be difficult emotionally to tune back to my experiments. I did that family trip as well last year. PS and I went to China with my parents and in-laws. I thought if we’re going to get them together on a trip, somewhere culturally not-too-different should be good, and so China we went. It turned out to be really enjoyable, the highlight being going up Huangshan, which we thought will be quite a challenge for our parents. Indeed, my mother-in-law could barely walk for two days after. She has since strongly proclaimed that there shall never be another “shan” in our future itinerary. But it was worth the effort. I remember watching documentaries about the beautiful sceneries on Huangshan back when I would still watch documentaries at home with my father, visiting the place together with him was even greater.
Yes, I’m certainly for the road trip idea, though I’m not sure if I’ll be available for one anytime soon. Btw, EDD for my baby is 30th Apr 2007. Anyway, can’t have everyone available. I remember P. Pangkor… I remember being a pillion on GH’s bike. It was raining and getting dark one evening on our way back to the hotel when we came across this little wooden bridge. Of all places, GH had to choose this point to demonstrate his in-singapore-no-license-but-in-M’sia-can-rent biking skills, by slipping off the narrow strip of wooden plank and then trying to get back on from the side. Comically, and almost in slow-motion fashion, we both fell over and ended up with nice momentos in the form of swollen bruises on our legs. I also remember on the day we first got onto our bikes, WQ was so excited that he couldn’t let go of the throttle and half rammed into the hotel building before stopping. And that was when we were only testing the bikes. Didn’t he also almost knock into a Malay auntie at the street market?
Yes, that hug from Yeek. Am I honoured! Though I can’t remember what exactly you said (perhaps my mind was still very much on the day’s proceedings or maybe you just mumbled), I certainly felt your sincerity and understood what you were driving at. And I enjoyed your hug.
Yes, YJ and I met up with WQ a couple of weeks before he left… KC had said to me at the funeral that it all felt very unreal because he hadn’t met WQ for quite a while, too long a while to recognize his new-found trendy image. In that respect, I think YJ and I were luckier. It was 4th Nov. We went to “Gone Fishing”, a laid-back cafe tucked away in a corner in Hillview. I suggested that place because it was started by a couple who quit their high-paced corporate life to get back in tune with a family-centred lifestyle. What an irony. I’m not sure if I’ll be going back to that place again, but I’m comforted by the fact that I have seen him in a more relaxed state, less cynical than he’s always been, even though it’s only for that one afternoon. It actually made the pain less unbearable, knowing that my old friend was a happier person when he left... I'd like to think that he has really gone fishing.
Yes, Kopitiam has been really heartwarming. It’s good that I don’t get that much time during work to keep coming back, I can imagine it’ll be difficult emotionally to tune back to my experiments. I did that family trip as well last year. PS and I went to China with my parents and in-laws. I thought if we’re going to get them together on a trip, somewhere culturally not-too-different should be good, and so China we went. It turned out to be really enjoyable, the highlight being going up Huangshan, which we thought will be quite a challenge for our parents. Indeed, my mother-in-law could barely walk for two days after. She has since strongly proclaimed that there shall never be another “shan” in our future itinerary. But it was worth the effort. I remember watching documentaries about the beautiful sceneries on Huangshan back when I would still watch documentaries at home with my father, visiting the place together with him was even greater.
Yes, I’m certainly for the road trip idea, though I’m not sure if I’ll be available for one anytime soon. Btw, EDD for my baby is 30th Apr 2007. Anyway, can’t have everyone available. I remember P. Pangkor… I remember being a pillion on GH’s bike. It was raining and getting dark one evening on our way back to the hotel when we came across this little wooden bridge. Of all places, GH had to choose this point to demonstrate his in-singapore-no-license-but-in-M’sia-can-rent biking skills, by slipping off the narrow strip of wooden plank and then trying to get back on from the side. Comically, and almost in slow-motion fashion, we both fell over and ended up with nice momentos in the form of swollen bruises on our legs. I also remember on the day we first got onto our bikes, WQ was so excited that he couldn’t let go of the throttle and half rammed into the hotel building before stopping. And that was when we were only testing the bikes. Didn’t he also almost knock into a Malay auntie at the street market?
Yes, that hug from Yeek. Am I honoured! Though I can’t remember what exactly you said (perhaps my mind was still very much on the day’s proceedings or maybe you just mumbled), I certainly felt your sincerity and understood what you were driving at. And I enjoyed your hug.
Yes, YJ and I met up with WQ a couple of weeks before he left… KC had said to me at the funeral that it all felt very unreal because he hadn’t met WQ for quite a while, too long a while to recognize his new-found trendy image. In that respect, I think YJ and I were luckier. It was 4th Nov. We went to “Gone Fishing”, a laid-back cafe tucked away in a corner in Hillview. I suggested that place because it was started by a couple who quit their high-paced corporate life to get back in tune with a family-centred lifestyle. What an irony. I’m not sure if I’ll be going back to that place again, but I’m comforted by the fact that I have seen him in a more relaxed state, less cynical than he’s always been, even though it’s only for that one afternoon. It actually made the pain less unbearable, knowing that my old friend was a happier person when he left... I'd like to think that he has really gone fishing.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Road Trip
We have been to many places (XE and Myself), on most occassions, only two of us. Never has it crossed my mind that I should go travelling with my parents. From baby till almost late twenties, I have always regarded parents to be always there for us, to put it quite bluntly, it would be taking them for granted. I must admit that since my US stay in 1999 (gosh! that's like 7 years ago! Man we are old!), I have learnt to appreciate them better. I missed them while I was away. I have made a promise to myself that i should bring them overseas. So last year, I have finally realised this wish. We went to Australia with the entire family, parents, brother and family, sister and family....It was fun, interesting, errmmm, maybe enjoyable. How should i put it? I mean I am really happy that we caould make this trip with 11 adults and 5 children on a free and easy basis. Coordinating everyone's leave and budget was not easy...but we made it. Then it came to coordinating everyone's taste for dinners. Daddy insists on Chinese....so we have not many choices....but it's ok..he's traditional....so be it. I was not sure if i really enjoyed the trip but I am 100% positive that they like it very much...not that they wanted to go on vacation, but the idea of spending time with their son married out, i think to them it's priceless....Everyday, we place our kids with them, park car, bring them up, open door, bye bye...off to work....then came back, call papa mama, dinner, then bye bye...i dun think there's even enough time to know what they are doing everyday. Sometimes, I think we spent too much time with our own lives that we forget our parents. So the trip was really worth it...I hope there will be another one...Therefore I strongly encourage you pple out there to go on a road trip or vacation with your parents....and enjoy the trip....maybe bring them to some place that they do not have much knowledge about, then they will rely more on you telling them what are the things they see, therefore more communication. Come to think of it, it's been almost one year since we have overseas holidays.....
We have been organising outings outings outings in singapore....how about a road trip? or a short vacation...again it would need tremendous effort to organise and coordinate. No ideas yet but perhaps somebody can contribute? I think it will be fun for roadtrip....now that most of us have families, we can have like a convoy driving up north. Anyway, just a thought, may not be a good time now since there are quite a number of mummies-to-be and newborn...Can KIV for later....coz quite sick of meeting for coffee liao....
Life is beautiful :D
To all my dear friends,
Thank you for putting up this wonderful blog site for all of us to keep in touch. Well, yes, things might die down after a while, but I'm sure this will be our common platform from now on! :)
Of course I have also been thinking over the past week since the news of WK’s passing landed shockingly into my handphone inbox 2 Fridays ago while I was still pondering the
nitty gritty as in “When do I have the time to pack up my stuff before my trip to KL over the weekends?" Things changed right after that SMS from Xian Ming who first got news from his friend. I couldn’t believe it too. I didn’t think much or WHY, I just didn’t believe
it...same as many of us when we got the news.
Yes, all of us must have had all the memories welled up especially last Wed when we
accompany WK’s journey into his next life. Memories are good. Memories are one of the rare gems in us that last as long as you wished it to, like diamonds...it is the only constancy in life. Keep it well friends! I am still trying to improve my memories all these while. I found out that the good way is to condition your mind tell yourself, wherever you are in, esp with people you cared for, always tell yourself to treasure that
moment!! You’ll then never forget it!
I must also admit that over all these years...like some...I didn’t know much of what has
developed in WK’s life...I remember fondly of his unique way of smiling, telling joke and acting funnily...his creativity in art and drawing comics, his stinge on himself but never stinge on others...and also his very unique way of gelling his hair! :D
Like Yilin and Ying jie, I only began to know what he had done to his people around him and his community when I read the WB papers. The hundreds of life he’s touched
and moved by his practice. That is a real measure of success in life! We’re all very proud of him indeed.
I can understand how Yingjie and Qiwei feels especially they’ve just met up with him just a few days ago. The feeling of loss is just so terrible. Even for some of us, who didn’t have frequent contact with WK, the past memories and the loss of a fren of 14 years is too much to bear...especially when I lifted him on my shoulder last Wed. I felt terribly sad when I walked through that short journey before we reached the funeral car. I felt very sad to have to carry my fren this way...but I also felt honoured to be able to
accompany him in his last journey. What a conflict!
However we do not mourn his passing for long for WK’s coming into our lives and leaving us after 16 years, has a meaning. It touched us in a sense. We’re a group of frens
who’ve come a long way since 1991. Though we might just get-together and only some turn-up once a while, it is becos many of us have to grapple with family, kids, work, career, financial issues, time schedule, other frens etc....
We do not have to feel bad or regret at all. So long as, we now know we’re still together as one group of frens available for each other. So long as we now know what is really important. Even if you can Retire-Before-You-Are-45 or achieve amazing feats in
life, we will congratulate each other and then do our utmost for our frens and loved
ones whenever they need us. WK’s departure has already this meaning to our lives from now on...this made us think and turn-around and treasure our loved ones and frens even more. This rallied us together once again, not like in the 18th SC days but at least we now have
a blog spot to share our thots!
On Wed, I had wanted to hug some of you who are still around after the funeral (QW, YJ, PS, GH, ...) and just say to you that “I appreciate and treasure you as my fren. Thank you for the wonderful frenship!” I started with Qiwei successfully...when it comes to Yingjie...I didn’t even managed to say out properly as I was too overwhelmed. Sorry. Sign... I guess I seldom expressed my self this way and I missed the chance. Few days ago, out of a sudden, I also hugged Ping Ping and told her that I treasured her and I will always loved her. Sort of like a renewal of vow again. That’s the impact of WK on me since then...it is not too late to start doing so from now on, and to always constantly remind ourselves not to take people around us for granted. Appreciating those around
us...esp our loved ones...in small little thotful ways! :)
Ooopss! I’ve written way tooo much. Going to be late for my meetings!! :P See? All
these mundane things crept up again... But have faith my friends, let us stay together forever. From my heart, I will always hold you bunch of great frens in my heart wherever I go. Find ways to do more for people around you as you continue your career and
plans in life. Everyone of us has a meaning in life. So make the fullest out of it!
Life is not death. Life is hope and faith. WK’s passing...GC’s gal’s arrival. One conclusion and the other a brand new beginning to this wonderful world! This is Life! Ha! “Always look on the brighter side of life....” What a beautiful song for us...!
YeeK
Thank you for putting up this wonderful blog site for all of us to keep in touch. Well, yes, things might die down after a while, but I'm sure this will be our common platform from now on! :)
Of course I have also been thinking over the past week since the news of WK’s passing landed shockingly into my handphone inbox 2 Fridays ago while I was still pondering the
nitty gritty as in “When do I have the time to pack up my stuff before my trip to KL over the weekends?" Things changed right after that SMS from Xian Ming who first got news from his friend. I couldn’t believe it too. I didn’t think much or WHY, I just didn’t believe
it...same as many of us when we got the news.
Yes, all of us must have had all the memories welled up especially last Wed when we
accompany WK’s journey into his next life. Memories are good. Memories are one of the rare gems in us that last as long as you wished it to, like diamonds...it is the only constancy in life. Keep it well friends! I am still trying to improve my memories all these while. I found out that the good way is to condition your mind tell yourself, wherever you are in, esp with people you cared for, always tell yourself to treasure that
moment!! You’ll then never forget it!
I must also admit that over all these years...like some...I didn’t know much of what has
developed in WK’s life...I remember fondly of his unique way of smiling, telling joke and acting funnily...his creativity in art and drawing comics, his stinge on himself but never stinge on others...and also his very unique way of gelling his hair! :D
Like Yilin and Ying jie, I only began to know what he had done to his people around him and his community when I read the WB papers. The hundreds of life he’s touched
and moved by his practice. That is a real measure of success in life! We’re all very proud of him indeed.
I can understand how Yingjie and Qiwei feels especially they’ve just met up with him just a few days ago. The feeling of loss is just so terrible. Even for some of us, who didn’t have frequent contact with WK, the past memories and the loss of a fren of 14 years is too much to bear...especially when I lifted him on my shoulder last Wed. I felt terribly sad when I walked through that short journey before we reached the funeral car. I felt very sad to have to carry my fren this way...but I also felt honoured to be able to
accompany him in his last journey. What a conflict!
However we do not mourn his passing for long for WK’s coming into our lives and leaving us after 16 years, has a meaning. It touched us in a sense. We’re a group of frens
who’ve come a long way since 1991. Though we might just get-together and only some turn-up once a while, it is becos many of us have to grapple with family, kids, work, career, financial issues, time schedule, other frens etc....
We do not have to feel bad or regret at all. So long as, we now know we’re still together as one group of frens available for each other. So long as we now know what is really important. Even if you can Retire-Before-You-Are-45 or achieve amazing feats in
life, we will congratulate each other and then do our utmost for our frens and loved
ones whenever they need us. WK’s departure has already this meaning to our lives from now on...this made us think and turn-around and treasure our loved ones and frens even more. This rallied us together once again, not like in the 18th SC days but at least we now have
a blog spot to share our thots!
On Wed, I had wanted to hug some of you who are still around after the funeral (QW, YJ, PS, GH, ...) and just say to you that “I appreciate and treasure you as my fren. Thank you for the wonderful frenship!” I started with Qiwei successfully...when it comes to Yingjie...I didn’t even managed to say out properly as I was too overwhelmed. Sorry. Sign... I guess I seldom expressed my self this way and I missed the chance. Few days ago, out of a sudden, I also hugged Ping Ping and told her that I treasured her and I will always loved her. Sort of like a renewal of vow again. That’s the impact of WK on me since then...it is not too late to start doing so from now on, and to always constantly remind ourselves not to take people around us for granted. Appreciating those around
us...esp our loved ones...in small little thotful ways! :)
Ooopss! I’ve written way tooo much. Going to be late for my meetings!! :P See? All
these mundane things crept up again... But have faith my friends, let us stay together forever. From my heart, I will always hold you bunch of great frens in my heart wherever I go. Find ways to do more for people around you as you continue your career and
plans in life. Everyone of us has a meaning in life. So make the fullest out of it!
Life is not death. Life is hope and faith. WK’s passing...GC’s gal’s arrival. One conclusion and the other a brand new beginning to this wonderful world! This is Life! Ha! “Always look on the brighter side of life....” What a beautiful song for us...!
YeeK
Monday, November 27, 2006
Fun Reading
This idea of blogging is getting fun......and interesting and now, almost addicted that each day, I will look forward to visiting this website. BTW, i think rockson is the first person who introduced me to blogging....Rockson? who's Rockson? Well, I dun really know him but someone just introduced me to his website http://www.rockson.blogspot.com/ during the NKF saga and from then on, I will check out his site for interesting posts.
Everyone was saddened by the news of our canteen i/c....me too....
During the last few years, WK was fully into his work and has turn up rates almost zero for council outings, or maybe we didn't invite him? Back then, somehow we seldom see him during our council gatherings as he was full steam into Laundry, Belair, working at clinic Blah Blah Blah...so i guess as a result, there's a period when we dun get to meet him. When his clinic opened behind our house, it somehow provided more opportunities for me to meet him as I do visit him on separate occasions (be it really sick or to be certified sick) and we often has some chat in his room about how things are. And when i invited him to Justin's full month in 2004, he said, " ok kan xian, will try to drop by if clinic is not too busy." So I added, "I have also invited many from council, the usuals..." And he really turned up that day. And I remembered it was one of the few occasions that he attended and I was pleasantly suprised because of the visible effort undertaken by WK to come, and his eagerness and willingess to participate in this gathering of old times friends. So this, i will always remember....
Ok enough of serious stuff......btw did anyone notice that doctor that wore the blueshirt on the fateful day? Aiyoh, not that we want to crack a joke out of this serious occassion but really buay tahan as i dun understand why did he still want to wear that KK Women and Children's hospital tag/Badge on his shirt when he is attending a wake...Why dun he wear a stethoscope around his neck too? Maybe i am too sensitive.....but then xue'e noticed too....Buay tahan....But he is good friend of WK, so we let it go....But why hah? But then do u all notice that this type of "showmanship" only happens with doctors.....? Started noticing this when we are in NUS with those medicine students wearing the labcoat and the scope and wander around the canteen. Can't believe after graduating, they still have a habit of telling pple that they are doctors in this manner....
Today is monday but i am already looking forward to Friday as I am missing the monkey and the puppy at home at this moment. Of course, and the tigress (no lah no lah...i mean the honey)........hehe.
Everyone was saddened by the news of our canteen i/c....me too....
During the last few years, WK was fully into his work and has turn up rates almost zero for council outings, or maybe we didn't invite him? Back then, somehow we seldom see him during our council gatherings as he was full steam into Laundry, Belair, working at clinic Blah Blah Blah...so i guess as a result, there's a period when we dun get to meet him. When his clinic opened behind our house, it somehow provided more opportunities for me to meet him as I do visit him on separate occasions (be it really sick or to be certified sick) and we often has some chat in his room about how things are. And when i invited him to Justin's full month in 2004, he said, " ok kan xian, will try to drop by if clinic is not too busy." So I added, "I have also invited many from council, the usuals..." And he really turned up that day. And I remembered it was one of the few occasions that he attended and I was pleasantly suprised because of the visible effort undertaken by WK to come, and his eagerness and willingess to participate in this gathering of old times friends. So this, i will always remember....
Ok enough of serious stuff......btw did anyone notice that doctor that wore the blueshirt on the fateful day? Aiyoh, not that we want to crack a joke out of this serious occassion but really buay tahan as i dun understand why did he still want to wear that KK Women and Children's hospital tag/Badge on his shirt when he is attending a wake...Why dun he wear a stethoscope around his neck too? Maybe i am too sensitive.....but then xue'e noticed too....Buay tahan....But he is good friend of WK, so we let it go....But why hah? But then do u all notice that this type of "showmanship" only happens with doctors.....? Started noticing this when we are in NUS with those medicine students wearing the labcoat and the scope and wander around the canteen. Can't believe after graduating, they still have a habit of telling pple that they are doctors in this manner....
Today is monday but i am already looking forward to Friday as I am missing the monkey and the puppy at home at this moment. Of course, and the tigress (no lah no lah...i mean the honey)........hehe.
Reconnection
I hope this works as it's my first attempt blogging and somehow the preview looks "weird".....
It's been very heartwarming reading Kopitiam. It's such a simple idea, a 18th SC Blog - but who would have thought of starting it? Maybe the thought did come across some people's mind but probably brushed off the very next moment. Afterall, everyone knows what a blog is but creating it seems such a challenge, as highlighted in the earlier exchange of e-mails. It's really amusing to see that we're slowly moving on to the "old" generation.
Very so often, inertia and proscratinations rule our lives. Day in day out, we go through the routines (more so after having children - for me, it's dropping my children off at my mum/mil in the morning, going to work, picking them up in the evening, putting them to bed, and alas! it's end of the day again! It's like Groundhog Day!). And gatherings, if there's one, are usually short, and for various reasons, not very conducive for "emotional talks".
The greatest surprise for me was to see Liangchuan's entry. If not for Kopitiam, there'll never have a chance to know the true story why he "disappeared". Also, I didn't know Qinzhong has a daughter already, who is currently a victim of his creativity. btw, the Min Zhen Hao pictures are very cute.
Perhaps this outpour of entries was triggered by the emotions that overwhelmed us with the sudden loss of a friend. Perhaps in a few months time, the entries will sizzle off...But at least we established a connection. I remember Qiwei was particularly emotional about Weiqiang's passing and wanted to do something for which he can be remembered for, something more lasting than a wreath or an obituary, which is how this fund raising came about. I think we've actually done it in another way, simply by picking up the connection that was lost as we moved into adulthood....And whenever we visit this Kopitiam, we'll always remember Weiqiang for the lessons he taught us with his passing on.... and I think this is one of the best gift that we can dedicate to him.
Memorial fund update
As of this minute, the fund balance stands at $900. Not the kind of amount that we can do much with. I think we'll close this by end of the week, as originally planned. From the replies i got, looks like pple preferred to contribute directly to the family. Most pple didn't reply though. Nonetheless, let's start looking out for possibilities with this fund. I'll contact wq's brother early next week to find out their situation and preference. Will also contact a few charities to see what is possible, given the limited amount we have. Ideas please?
Saturday, November 25, 2006
recent photos of WK
just to share some recent photos of WK taken at my wedding earlier this year. at that time i did not think much about him having to change shift with his fellow colleague and that he would not be seeing his patients for the day.
i would also remember him as a person with a smile to lift the atmosphere, always ready in action, and always the one to make the elderlys (my parents-in-law, in particular, for that day) happy.
a Virgin's lesson learnt
PART I
Its been a good 13-14 yrs since we graduated from HCJC. Hadn't been in contact with any of you since I left JC. Cos in all honesty, I've to confess that I see those 2 years as my worst time out of a total of 32yrs. Not that I dislike those times that I spent in JC. Its just that, on hind sight, I really sucked big time back then. Both in terms of academic & ECA performance. Vain, ambitious, greedy, selfish, stubborn, naive were some of my "attributes" I see flashing in mind whenever I thought of the SC days. I enjoyed the times we had together.
After "A" Levels, I had hell lot of time to reflect upon myself before entering NS. And the failure I see in myself was so great that I had never been able to pick myself up till now. I was an ambitious & enthusiastic chap, with drive & dare to pursue what I want. But I had almost always lost sight of the big picture...the consequences...the human factor. It was only about what I want.
I was dying to clinch that 18th SC presidency. Not because of my desire to lead, serve & contribute, but more of what happened in the CHS SC election & my desire to prove that I CAN DO it. I got what I want. I lost so much more than I could possibly imagine.
Ever since dawning on this realisation, just before I went for NS, I changed to the other extreme. From one who believe so much in himself to one that resigns most things to fate. My JC days really had the greatest impact to my life, albeit being the environment I spent the least time in.
I had started my own business in car trade last year. Since then, I was searching for the enthusiasm & drive that I used to have during my school days. But 12 yrs was really too long a time. The mould has hardened & its difficult to break. But I'll just have to continue trying & pushing.
If there's a chance for us to meet again, hopefully you can find me more matured & ....balance? Sorry, can't find the right word.
My sincere apologies to make my virgin post (1st time blogger) rather negatively toned. But its something that I really felt, that I hope someone from the 18th SC to know. To know that I had realised I was blind to my own fault & that I know I was not a good president.
PART II
In life, there are many lessons to be learnt. In our friend's death, we learnt to cherished what we have now (wah lao eh! see bay lao3 tao4). What I want to point out is that, there's a growing number of death cases while sleeping. I think they call it "lao2 si3" (tire to death). It might be a growing trend in S'pore. With our hectic work schedules, deadlines to meet, making ends meet, etc we have to realise the stress & pressure we're under everyday. WK is not the 1st one whom I heard would like to retire at 45. A few of my friends aimed to achieve that too.
In my humble opinion, a balanced lifestyle is more important than retirement age. Work & play now, so that we can still work & play at 65.
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Keep this blog going 18th SC!!
Liangchuan
aka Rex
Its been a good 13-14 yrs since we graduated from HCJC. Hadn't been in contact with any of you since I left JC. Cos in all honesty, I've to confess that I see those 2 years as my worst time out of a total of 32yrs. Not that I dislike those times that I spent in JC. Its just that, on hind sight, I really sucked big time back then. Both in terms of academic & ECA performance. Vain, ambitious, greedy, selfish, stubborn, naive were some of my "attributes" I see flashing in mind whenever I thought of the SC days. I enjoyed the times we had together.
After "A" Levels, I had hell lot of time to reflect upon myself before entering NS. And the failure I see in myself was so great that I had never been able to pick myself up till now. I was an ambitious & enthusiastic chap, with drive & dare to pursue what I want. But I had almost always lost sight of the big picture...the consequences...the human factor. It was only about what I want.
I was dying to clinch that 18th SC presidency. Not because of my desire to lead, serve & contribute, but more of what happened in the CHS SC election & my desire to prove that I CAN DO it. I got what I want. I lost so much more than I could possibly imagine.
Ever since dawning on this realisation, just before I went for NS, I changed to the other extreme. From one who believe so much in himself to one that resigns most things to fate. My JC days really had the greatest impact to my life, albeit being the environment I spent the least time in.
I had started my own business in car trade last year. Since then, I was searching for the enthusiasm & drive that I used to have during my school days. But 12 yrs was really too long a time. The mould has hardened & its difficult to break. But I'll just have to continue trying & pushing.
If there's a chance for us to meet again, hopefully you can find me more matured & ....balance? Sorry, can't find the right word.
My sincere apologies to make my virgin post (1st time blogger) rather negatively toned. But its something that I really felt, that I hope someone from the 18th SC to know. To know that I had realised I was blind to my own fault & that I know I was not a good president.
PART II
In life, there are many lessons to be learnt. In our friend's death, we learnt to cherished what we have now (wah lao eh! see bay lao3 tao4). What I want to point out is that, there's a growing number of death cases while sleeping. I think they call it "lao2 si3" (tire to death). It might be a growing trend in S'pore. With our hectic work schedules, deadlines to meet, making ends meet, etc we have to realise the stress & pressure we're under everyday. WK is not the 1st one whom I heard would like to retire at 45. A few of my friends aimed to achieve that too.
In my humble opinion, a balanced lifestyle is more important than retirement age. Work & play now, so that we can still work & play at 65.
COMMERCIAL
For car owners, you may log on to www.ra.com.sg for a quotation on your motor insurance. Its a site my partner & I started. Alternatively you may contact me direct.
Keep this blog going 18th SC!!
Liangchuan
aka Rex
About Those Council Diaries....
After 2 months in New York, i'm finally going home. Home to my family, friends, char kway teow, carrot cake (not the angmoh version) and chwee kway!
I was just thinking... what about starting a series of postings where we edit excerpts of what we, and Weiqiang in particular, wrote in the Council diaries? Everyone else can plonk in whatever pictures they have related to that particular entry. This will allow many more people to smile, tear or cringe about the stupid things we did or said then. And also to prove a point that the pen will always outlast the computer:) Hmmm... I'll gladly volunteer to undertake this project! Feel free to suggest the title we should use.... for a start, how about "The 18th Wonder of Hwa Chong"?
I was just thinking... what about starting a series of postings where we edit excerpts of what we, and Weiqiang in particular, wrote in the Council diaries? Everyone else can plonk in whatever pictures they have related to that particular entry. This will allow many more people to smile, tear or cringe about the stupid things we did or said then. And also to prove a point that the pen will always outlast the computer:) Hmmm... I'll gladly volunteer to undertake this project! Feel free to suggest the title we should use.... for a start, how about "The 18th Wonder of Hwa Chong"?
Friday, November 24, 2006
Easily the best in Sengkang, and some say Punggol too
Some of you may know Mr Mohammad Abdooh. He is the brave cancer patient who went public in a video blog to share his experience over his last days. It’s another stark reminder that death is real. (lifebeforedeath.org.sg) Mr Abdooh passed away on 20th Nov, 3 days after wq left. I’m reminded of the last non-work-related book I read… “Tuesdays with Morris” by Mitch Albom (I think). Briefly, it’s a true story about Mitch himself finding out years after he left university that his professor, Morris, was dying from a terminal illness. Mitch had promised Morris that he’ll visit after graduating, but he had always postponed that visit in order to attend that next business meeting, to rush that next work report… So Mitch finally went back to visit Morris, on a Tuesday, like in the university days. And the Tuesday meetings became a ritual, during which Morris taught Mitch his last lesson... how to die graciously.
It was my first day back at work yesterday, after bidding farewell to wq. The day went by pretty much in a daze. Everyone asked me about my holiday, how I must have spent my time with peishan in preparation for parenthood. I glossed over casually about spending time at a holiday chalet, shopping, eating and catching a movie. Not a word about wq. Spending half the time mourning the loss of an old friend is just not the topic for casual conversation. Back at my parents’ place for dinner after work, I was pleasantly surprised when my mum related a couple of her colleagues who were wq’s patients. Their anecdotes further cemented wq’s success as a kind, compassionate and really popular family doctor. Easily the best in Sengkang, and some say Punggol too.
Ok, i can call myself a blogger now.
It was my first day back at work yesterday, after bidding farewell to wq. The day went by pretty much in a daze. Everyone asked me about my holiday, how I must have spent my time with peishan in preparation for parenthood. I glossed over casually about spending time at a holiday chalet, shopping, eating and catching a movie. Not a word about wq. Spending half the time mourning the loss of an old friend is just not the topic for casual conversation. Back at my parents’ place for dinner after work, I was pleasantly surprised when my mum related a couple of her colleagues who were wq’s patients. Their anecdotes further cemented wq’s success as a kind, compassionate and really popular family doctor. Easily the best in Sengkang, and some say Punggol too.
Ok, i can call myself a blogger now.
Testing 1 2 3
At least we have some happy news this week with the birth of Ashley. Glad to know that many of us are becoming fathers and mothers/ or becoming one. I have really enjoyed this part of my life so far. Ha! I did help out too....not only playing with them....dun believe? Ask XE....Justin is getting naughty (Hah, and i am not supposed to tell him that!) but fun....Darren is beginning to identify his playmates...(hopefully it's not our maid).....and i am looking forward to playing Nintendo Wii with them......but prior to that, I'll probably need a LCD TV.....any sponsors?
And I am going to miss them next week....of course, the three of them.....
Anyone going for RT in Dec? I am in for the RT in Khatib....
And I am going to miss them next week....of course, the three of them.....
Anyone going for RT in Dec? I am in for the RT in Khatib....
Weiqiang, my doctor...
Hi everyone... greetings from New York. btw, thanks for setting up this blog, KC....
Well, i bet the past week has been really sad for everyone. I learnt about weiqiang's passing from media reports on Monday. It all started with a leisurely craving for Singapore news when reports of recent incidences of sudden deaths caught my attention. Then i saw "Toh Wai Keong" and "Sengkang". As there was no pictures of him, i could only hope that it was not the weiqiang we knew (afterall, they got his dialect name wrong), and it was also too early to call anyone to check. But the fact that the clinic was in Sengkang and how the doctor was so well-loved by his patients, i knew it had to be him. Coz i was one of his patients too. And he was a wonderful doctor.
The news about his passing just seems so surreal... I last visited him in Sep to get a flu jab before i left for NY. I dashed into his clinic about 15 mins before closing shamefully (you know how Singaporeans like to do things last minute lah...) and asked the nurse if i could see Dr Toh. He obliged. As he would always do. In between the medical consultation, we indulged in some casual banter. I asked him where he would relax in between consultations and was surprised to hear that he was running another clinic during that time. I told him that he should try to relax a little but he said he could not get away coz of his patients. I guess it's a no-brainer why his departure had been so devastating to his patients, me included.
I just hope his family is taking it ok. btw, thanks for starting the memorial fund.
Well, i bet the past week has been really sad for everyone. I learnt about weiqiang's passing from media reports on Monday. It all started with a leisurely craving for Singapore news when reports of recent incidences of sudden deaths caught my attention. Then i saw "Toh Wai Keong" and "Sengkang". As there was no pictures of him, i could only hope that it was not the weiqiang we knew (afterall, they got his dialect name wrong), and it was also too early to call anyone to check. But the fact that the clinic was in Sengkang and how the doctor was so well-loved by his patients, i knew it had to be him. Coz i was one of his patients too. And he was a wonderful doctor.
The news about his passing just seems so surreal... I last visited him in Sep to get a flu jab before i left for NY. I dashed into his clinic about 15 mins before closing shamefully (you know how Singaporeans like to do things last minute lah...) and asked the nurse if i could see Dr Toh. He obliged. As he would always do. In between the medical consultation, we indulged in some casual banter. I asked him where he would relax in between consultations and was surprised to hear that he was running another clinic during that time. I told him that he should try to relax a little but he said he could not get away coz of his patients. I guess it's a no-brainer why his departure had been so devastating to his patients, me included.
I just hope his family is taking it ok. btw, thanks for starting the memorial fund.
Wrong info....
Sorry folks!
The expert (Yilin) has spoken!
Pardon my oversight in asking you to sign in under the same username as me.
For those who need a Google/Gmail account, pls approach Yilin or myself by sending us your email addresses. This is because a new google account can only be created when an existing google account holder invites you in.
my email address is khingchong@gmail.com
The expert (Yilin) has spoken!
Pardon my oversight in asking you to sign in under the same username as me.
For those who need a Google/Gmail account, pls approach Yilin or myself by sending us your email addresses. This is because a new google account can only be created when an existing google account holder invites you in.
my email address is khingchong@gmail.com
Change the way you live to embrace the circle of life
we watch channelnewsasia before heading for work (an old habit for those of us who are born in the era of colour tv) listen to radio/CDs in our cars and send email as the form of communication. as we reminiscence on how our fathers and mothers watch black and white tv, listen to 黄清元and丽的呼声, send snailmails, indulge in penpals and write diaries, the children of the 21st century (the era of the computers and internet) has embraced iPods, send instant messages (email is too slow!!), communicates with blogs/podcasts, watch internet TVs, idolises Jay Chou, Rain (?!) and BlackEyedPeas, download mp3s (only those they like, and not buy the whole CD like we used to), installs bitTorrent to transfer files at the speed of broadband (excuse me uncle, what is pirated CD/DVD?) and make cool-cyber-friends within MySpace.
so for goodness sake, at least learn how to blog!! or else your kids in hwa chong institution will be looking at you the way we have looked at our parents, 10 to 20 years from now, old fashioned and laggy. be fearful, be wary.. no graffiti on their baby photos will help, no sending to the best schools will eliminate the generation gap between you and your child.. join them! learn hip-hop dance instead of mass dance!
so for goodness sake, at least learn how to blog!! or else your kids in hwa chong institution will be looking at you the way we have looked at our parents, 10 to 20 years from now, old fashioned and laggy. be fearful, be wary.. no graffiti on their baby photos will help, no sending to the best schools will eliminate the generation gap between you and your child.. join them! learn hip-hop dance instead of mass dance!
The Circle of Life
The fact that I'm finding it challenging to learn how to simply be part of a blog reminds me that age is catching up. Even as i'm writing this, i'm only half-sure that i have successfully 'created a post', so to speak. Hopefully we are all getting wiser, if we needs to be getting older. But indeed, knowing that some of us are becoming fathers and mothers one by one, to one, two or even three offsprings is uplifting and awakening at the same time. The evening after WK's passing, a few of us hustled around a table at a Serangoon Gardens Carpi Diem....er, i mean kopitiam, and news of a handful pregnancies were exchanged. And Guochuan exclaimed, "sigh....the circle of life!".
Only the next day did i realised the full meaning of that statement when i found out his imminent fatherhood.....as well as Zhixiong's also very imminent 2nd fatherhood. That's when i wondered "hmmm, who else among you people are also stocking up diapers and milk bottles?"
Now that this blog is set up and since we're on the topic of kids, maybe it's time to update everyone how are we doing in the parenthood department. As a start, i'll just throw in the latest joke that Kiwi, Peishun and I will be having kids who may eventually become classmates in Hwa Chong Institute (born in April, May and June 2007 respectively)!
Do they also accept girls now?
Only the next day did i realised the full meaning of that statement when i found out his imminent fatherhood.....as well as Zhixiong's also very imminent 2nd fatherhood. That's when i wondered "hmmm, who else among you people are also stocking up diapers and milk bottles?"
Now that this blog is set up and since we're on the topic of kids, maybe it's time to update everyone how are we doing in the parenthood department. As a start, i'll just throw in the latest joke that Kiwi, Peishun and I will be having kids who may eventually become classmates in Hwa Chong Institute (born in April, May and June 2007 respectively)!
Do they also accept girls now?
For the Virgins. You can collect your angpow from me later.
For the benefit of those who are new to the blogosphere, like me, this is what you should do to create a new post.
before i start, to create a new post means you are starting on a new topic, like making a new entry in the council diary. what michael did was to click on the "comment" link below yilin's post. usually you do that in response to the previous entry. however, if you wish to talk about something else, then create a new post is the way to go.
how to do it? when you visit the blog, notice the top right corner. sign in using"in_memory_of_wk@yahoo.com.sg" as username and type in Dr Toh's dialect name (toh******** without spacing) as the password (i'm not spelling it out here because this is a public blog).
once you are in, check top right again for "dashboard".after clicking on it, you should be able to see something like create/edit post. from there, it should be easy because the interface is like microsoft word. hopefully more of you can contribute to the content of this blog and keep the hwa chong/council spirit alive (wah biang eh!spare me!)
we also need new content to attract a critical mass, to create a virtuous cycle.when more people visit the blog, we attract more content and so on.....who knows? maybe we can be the next Mr Browns and Xiaxues. Then we can have advertisements placed on this blog and we get to share the profits.
My role is to kickstart it, so that's why you see many of my postings. Hopefully you guys hop in!
basically this is an open platform...you can share the latest stock tips, the hottest property to look out for, the technical specs of the latest car. but the more domestic and sedated ones like me can share with you baby stories, parenting tips, how to win over wife and influence the mother while being sandwiched between the two, you know, stuff like that. if you are interested in what I do as a living (in case some of you wonder why I have so much time to create so many new posts) , you can visit another blog of mine called www.greymatterphotography.blogspot.com
Meanwhile, congrats to Guochuan on the arrival of her newborn baby girl, Ashley. Hopefully, pictures to come!
For yilin, below is the unadulterated beauty of my girl. Watch that afro hair. Attitude.
before i start, to create a new post means you are starting on a new topic, like making a new entry in the council diary. what michael did was to click on the "comment" link below yilin's post. usually you do that in response to the previous entry. however, if you wish to talk about something else, then create a new post is the way to go.
how to do it? when you visit the blog, notice the top right corner. sign in using
once you are in, check top right again for "dashboard".after clicking on it, you should be able to see something like create/edit post. from there, it should be easy because the interface is like microsoft word. hopefully more of you can contribute to the content of this blog and keep the hwa chong/council spirit alive (wah biang eh!spare me!)
we also need new content to attract a critical mass, to create a virtuous cycle.when more people visit the blog, we attract more content and so on.....who knows? maybe we can be the next Mr Browns and Xiaxues. Then we can have advertisements placed on this blog and we get to share the profits.
My role is to kickstart it, so that's why you see many of my postings. Hopefully you guys hop in!
basically this is an open platform...you can share the latest stock tips, the hottest property to look out for, the technical specs of the latest car. but the more domestic and sedated ones like me can share with you baby stories, parenting tips, how to win over wife and influence the mother while being sandwiched between the two, you know, stuff like that. if you are interested in what I do as a living (in case some of you wonder why I have so much time to create so many new posts) , you can visit another blog of mine called www.greymatterphotography.blogspot.com
Meanwhile, congrats to Guochuan on the arrival of her newborn baby girl, Ashley. Hopefully, pictures to come!
For yilin, below is the unadulterated beauty of my girl. Watch that afro hair. Attitude.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Who is dear to you?
I'm usually freer on weekdays, that's why you see more postings from me at hours you are working. but it's not to say i'm not working at all.....just that more flexi, ok?
some of you might not know that i have also become a father of sorts. In name only, because I still feel like a Geen Nah inside. My baby daughter is more like a playmate to me. She's 10 months now and a constant victim of my mischief.
I'm sure I won't get sued over this......just something fun to share....(the one with the hat and beard is inspired by the Korean character Min Zhen Hao.....Da Chang Jin's husband). You can tell from her eyes that she has resigned herself to fate, and the kind of father she has.
some of you might not know that i have also become a father of sorts. In name only, because I still feel like a Geen Nah inside. My baby daughter is more like a playmate to me. She's 10 months now and a constant victim of my mischief.
I'm sure I won't get sued over this......just something fun to share....(the one with the hat and beard is inspired by the Korean character Min Zhen Hao.....Da Chang Jin's husband). You can tell from her eyes that she has resigned herself to fate, and the kind of father she has.
Private dining experience
recently i went down to craig road for a private dining experience with yijun and gary (from S64) and spouses. they don't entertain walk in customers and you have to make bookings months in advance. i can't remember how many months but in our case because i am usually not free on weekends, finding a slot was particularly difficult.
menu changes rather frequently, and you can see some of their signature dishes on the website.
excellent service (any waiters who bother to play with my baby are good, haha)...you get plenty of attention from them because they only serve a maximum of 50 guests per night. minimum booking is for 6 pax....around $80+ per head.
dishes were rather refreshing, and i'm sure there is something for everyone. i like their appetisers but find some main courses too heavy on the flavours (sze chuan style). i can recommend some of you to try it for the experience when considering the next gathering (if you haven't tried it already). can check out www.xiyan.com.sg
there is also another private dining venue near my studio. it's called palate sensations (www.palatesensations.com). it's actually a cooking school (quite high crass type) and have fun cookie making lessons for kids as well. quite a fun way to spend weekends with your children. aside from that, they do cater to private dining events...menu is mainly western. worth another thought. don't forget to call me when you are in the vicinity. maybe i'm in. The place is at Blk 1 Whitchurch Rd, and my studio is just next door at Blk 5.
menu changes rather frequently, and you can see some of their signature dishes on the website.
excellent service (any waiters who bother to play with my baby are good, haha)...you get plenty of attention from them because they only serve a maximum of 50 guests per night. minimum booking is for 6 pax....around $80+ per head.
dishes were rather refreshing, and i'm sure there is something for everyone. i like their appetisers but find some main courses too heavy on the flavours (sze chuan style). i can recommend some of you to try it for the experience when considering the next gathering (if you haven't tried it already). can check out www.xiyan.com.sg
there is also another private dining venue near my studio. it's called palate sensations (www.palatesensations.com). it's actually a cooking school (quite high crass type) and have fun cookie making lessons for kids as well. quite a fun way to spend weekends with your children. aside from that, they do cater to private dining events...menu is mainly western. worth another thought. don't forget to call me when you are in the vicinity. maybe i'm in. The place is at Blk 1 Whitchurch Rd, and my studio is just next door at Blk 5.
invite
have just invited the rest of us to become contributors. just sign in using your google and start contributing.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Lao Du's Legacy
Hi guys, this blog was yet another result of Lao Du's legacy (sorry, I always call him Lao Du), of yet another example how he has and still is touching the lives of people around him. With his passing, many of us have come to realise that life is so unpredictable and short, and that perhaps at age 32, is a time to take stock of where we are, where we were, and where we are heading to.
It's a time to re-prioritise our lives and think who we wish to see attend our very own funerals. (Pardon my language)
I come with this idea mainly for selfish reasons:I am always unavailable for gatherings (if I'm invited) because I'm always the one working on weekends. That makes my weekends even more precious. I rue the fact that I have lost touch with so many of you. So perhaps from today onwards, I encourage you guys to post your thoughts on issues, happenings around you, your families...i.e. basically things which you wish to sharewith all of us. You can post video clips of your baby's birthday parties, pictures of your last BBQ dinner, or simply a mindless ranting after a long day's work (after which you will be closely monitored by the moderator).
So now, I start the ball rolling here. To tell you the truth, I haven't seen Lao Du for so many years that I couldn't really feel the loss. In my mind, I always have the picture of him sitting at a desk next to a patient, or coordinating plastic surgery for clients, or giving media interviews. That's my memory of him. I think it still is. I'm sure he's still doing it somewhere.
I'm actually new to the blogosphere, so I don't know if you guys can post your thoughts just like that. Awaiting feedback and assistance from the more saavy ones.....
It's a time to re-prioritise our lives and think who we wish to see attend our very own funerals. (Pardon my language)
I come with this idea mainly for selfish reasons:I am always unavailable for gatherings (if I'm invited) because I'm always the one working on weekends. That makes my weekends even more precious. I rue the fact that I have lost touch with so many of you. So perhaps from today onwards, I encourage you guys to post your thoughts on issues, happenings around you, your families...i.e. basically things which you wish to sharewith all of us. You can post video clips of your baby's birthday parties, pictures of your last BBQ dinner, or simply a mindless ranting after a long day's work (after which you will be closely monitored by the moderator).
So now, I start the ball rolling here. To tell you the truth, I haven't seen Lao Du for so many years that I couldn't really feel the loss. In my mind, I always have the picture of him sitting at a desk next to a patient, or coordinating plastic surgery for clients, or giving media interviews. That's my memory of him. I think it still is. I'm sure he's still doing it somewhere.
I'm actually new to the blogosphere, so I don't know if you guys can post your thoughts just like that. Awaiting feedback and assistance from the more saavy ones.....
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