Lost for words

Latest scribing on the parking lots at my area. Every word explicitly stenciled out. Leave no rooms for doubts as to when and to whom the parking lots are available.

Gee... looks more like it's Chinese new year, with all the fired crackers littered on the road.

Paper Matters

Agreed. More varsity places should be created. At the end of the day, to the majority newly graduates, paper qualification still opens more doors. Gives a more presentable 1st impression when looking through a resume. Gives that bit of edge in business and social gatherings . Most of all, that bit of self confidence. Of course not forgetting, with it comes the accorded renumeration.

Insomnia

Mopping around for the past few evenings. Desperately looking for a book to read. Not just any book but a good book. A queer creature I am. The normal bedtime ritual involves, tucking into bed with a book in hand to. Slidding lower into the blanket, till finally slipping into oblivion. Never mind about the effect on the eye.

Finally I chance upon this at the library today. An insight into the lives of the wealthy peranakan community in Singapore. Life back in the 50s and 60s seems so much more uncomplicated and laid-back. How times have change. As always it for the better of course?

Numbers

Dad reviewed just the other day, that my brother's handphone number is in his handphone hotkey no.3 while mine is no.4. He has not the faintest idea what any of our numbers are. I am not surprised. Most of us are making full use of the many functions of the handphone that we are slowly losing the interest to commit anything to memory. It has dawn on me, that this would render me helpless and utterly frustrated in times when the handyphone is not by my side. So diligently I punch the 8 digits of the phone numbers till it's etched into my brain. These are the numbers that connect me to my families and close friends. Numbers that in times of trouble, I can call from a pay phone or a stranger's phone. I wonder how many out there still punches 8 times to get connected.

This red dot

A dot in the world atlas this Island may be, but she has made many pearly islanders of yonder very proud to be here.Many have made a mark for themselves in the various medical fields. Then there are others who have won the hearts of the local to champion for their cause. This island has made it possible for dreaming big For it is attainable if you dare to aspire.

His life (part 2)

The continuation of the story of his early childhood taken from his blog.
"Loved pets kept more than 70 white mice, 5 dogs, 6 turtles, 15 rabbits, 1 snake
(poisonous - but I was ignorant)&
countless fighting fish in little jars
bitten by the snake, monkey, centipede, rat, (not all at the same time of course!)
Saddest Childhood memory

lost all my pets in one day.... :-(
mom gave them all away because I was bitten by the snake

the first time I remember myself crying
I never cried even when being beaten up by mom
Most hilarious memory mom chased me with a slipper in her hand
while I held my left index finger in the air with my the other hand
after it was bitten by the snake
(my finger was turning blue black from the poison, or lack of bloodflow?)
it was a hilarious scene,
everytime I remember this,
I just can't help but to smile - my mom does too"

to be continued.......

Tropical snow

With such unpredictable climatic changes happening due to this global warming, we just might see snow in this tropical country we call Singapore!

Toes wriggles

It helps when the surgeon is from his alma mater . A wriggle of his toes after a 3 hour surgery gave dad the reassurance that all is well. Now he has to rest and recuperate. The nurses and all the supporting staffs at the hospital have been nothing but professional, understanding and most of all patience.

Prickly spine

It started with some back discomfort then back tiredness. Then the walking pace slowed down. Sometimes, it was just sheer frustration why others were walking so fast. Then a fall, the back ached and discomfort became more pronounced. Finally unbearable. A trip to the orthopaedic discovered that spinal stenosis, disc prolapsed and pinch nerves. All these contributed to all the agony and pain. What's worse, this has slowly been going on for the last few decades due to bad posture and the lack of exercise on the back muscles. Due to spinal stenosis, certain function of the toe has been lost.

As such, dad has no choice but to go for a TLIF, laminectomy back surgery and laminaplasty back surgery come monday morning.

Mine is different

It's a amazing, how in a sea of children, all in the same school uniform in two pigtails, mothers can still spot their little girl. She just looked different from the rest. I guess, that is how the penguins and the seals identify their youngs. Theirs is just different from the rest.

Innocent vs reckless

No!!!!! I cannot believe the authority is going to chopped down a grand old tree just because of a few irresponsible speedsters might not heed all the signboards. It has been there for the last 2 years. Clear visible signs have been placed way before reaching the fork. Is this the tree's fault? It has stood there soooo....bravely. Tall and majestic praying very hard that nothing will knock it down after being given a 2nd chance in life. And now, the very same people who saved it wants to chopped it down!! I cannot comprehend.

Kaimono

If there is such a word, "grocerholic". I am one. I simply love to visit the supermarket, stroll through the aisle checking for any unusual product on the shelves.

When in Paragon, I would end up at the basement. When at shaw centre, the basement of Isetan, is where you will find me. Going throught all the japanese dry produces, the pickles and the senbeis. In Hawaii, I was dissapointed not to find any nice looking pineapples in the supermarket the fact that Hawaii is famous for their pineapples. While in Alberta, Canada I had a berry time with packets of raspsberries, blueberries and of course strawberries. Not so much of buying but to understand better what actually the local eats.

During my homestay in Japan, I did not missed out visiting the local supermarket in the neighbourhood where my hostess was staying. The amazing varieties local selection that is sometimes not available else where.

Freshly harvested kelp salted in bags going for 200yen. Then there were those mouthwatering huge red umeboshi at 550yen a packet.

His life(Part 1)

On the 23rd of March 2006 I lost a friend. A friend whom I never took the time to cheerish. It was after knowing his death, I went through his blog for the 1st time. It was then I realised how much he had gone through. A pocket hercules, he had tremendous motivation to make good of himself. He had such huge capabilities. His earlyl childhood might not have given him a headstart but he never once considered that as a disablity. He fought a hard fight.

An excerpt from his blog. An account of his live. He had meant it to be in 4 parts. Sadly he had never did after part 1.

Early Childhood

adopted child of a poor illiterate family

grew up angry and rebellious in tough a neighborhood

daily showtime were gang fights- long-hair youth throwing

chillie sauce, soya sauce and tomato sauce bottles

from sundry shops

daily activity with mom:-

got whacked for fighting with neighborhood kids

(but they started it - I swear!)

went to school in trishaw could not speak English in Primary school

Pronounced baker as 'barker' (whole class ridiculed me for years with barking!)

threw a chair from a classroom at 3rd floor

at 10 years old (got caned by headmaster for that)

learned to gamble very early and played cards daily with neighbors and adults

never done any homework(nobody check anyway!)

hated people who smoke

liked outdoor -

went trapping in the jungle near granny’s during school holidays

learned survival skills

almost drowned in the pond the first time went swimming

(thought the water was shallow because everyone's head was above the water!

So I just jump right in only to find out

that swimming is all about being able to keep your head above water!)

- lesson learned :

"Never assume, even when everyone is smiling

they are not struggling through their lives!"

Seventh July 2007

Will all the resounding cacaphony bring out the urgent loud message to save the earth? I wonder. What happens after this?

As long as, we cannot give up the little luxuries of life. Not willing to be slightly inconvenient. A little poorer. Slightly leaner. A little slower. The earth will continue to melt. But of course, The innocents perish first.

Chung Cheng High School

On the 7th of July 2007, Chung Cheng High School(Main) rejoiced with their 'O' level students of 2006. Achieving the highest bumper crop of 89 students scoring at least 5A1s. MDD was among them. For their hardwork, they were each presented with a cheque of SD100 for scoring 5A1s and SD50 for every subsequent A1. Coupled with the appreciation and encouraging speech by the principal, the students were left with nothing but elation. Elated that they done their best. Elated that they had done the school proud. Elated that the school rejoiced with them.

Sharing is caring

Youngest offered 1st born a selection of strawberry, grapes or apple flavoured candy. 1st born picked sour green apple, youngest sheepishly revealed it was her favourite. 1st born picked delicious grapes. Youngest disclosed quietly that too was her all time favourite too. Hmm.... which delicious flavour to pick next?

Bahasa

Bahasa malaysia, satu satu bahasa yang telah diajar sejak sekolah rendah dulu. Terimbas kembali detik sewaktu bersekolah rendah di Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Methodist, Brickfield. Setiap hari terpaksa menghafalkan puisi and simpulan bahasa. Selain dari buku buku sekolah, dunia saya terkecimpung dalam bahasa inggeris dan berbagai bagai loghat bahasa cina. Dalam sekolah menengah, setiap kali bila ke perpustakaan, bila cuba nak meminjam buku bahasa malaysia, terbinggung saya melihat bertapa banyak buku tetapi tak dapat sekali mencari satu yang dapat memikat hati saya.

Setelah sekian lama, 2o tahun, dalam umur 40an , teringat kembali bahasa yang telah saya bertukus lumus berlajar. Demi mencari pengetahuan sahajakah?

Seminggu dulu, di perpustakaan, terlihat akan buku karya Abdullah Hussain tertajuk INTERLOK. Satu satunya sasterawan Negara. Novel ini memaparkan tema tentang integrasi kaum terbesar iaitu Melayu, Cina and India di Malaysia yang diwakili oleh tiga keluarga yang berusaha menjalani hidup bersama sebagai rakyat negara yang merdeka dan berdaulat.

Dalam rangkuman zaman sekarang yang sering mencari cari akan kemewahan hidup, intergrasi antara kaum tersering kalanya ketinggalan.

Untuk pertama kalinya, saya telah mencari satu buku melayu yang merangsangkan pencarian ilmu saya.

Over a cuppa, she confided.

Had it all planned.

Step one: Stop interaction altogether

Step two: Sever all forms of communication

Step three: Keep the mind fully occupied

It worked for 7 weeks then..... a chance meeting, fate or will all the weeks of sheer hard perseverance came crumbling tumbling down.

He works sooo....hard

Girlfriend: wished I could go on a holiday on my own. Take a break from all the hustle and bustle. But you know, he will never agree. He worked soooo......hard. Hardly home. He travels so much only back on weekend. He expects us, the children and I to work just as hard. He never takes more than 5 days of his annual leave for the family. It's work above all. He will never approves of us, the children and I taking a break without him.

He has provided sooo....much. A home with a maid. A car. What more can we ask for. How could we think of taking a holiday while he works?

School

It's that time of the year, primary school registration. The choice of school. For some, the decision have been made way before the child comes along. The choice of school affects the locality of the family home, the language spoken at home, the child's enrichment classes, in some cases the churches and profession. Some parents even have their volunteer programmes all planned out. Dads up at 6.30am to direct the morning school traffic. Taking time off to coach or give talks. Mums, with maid and baby in tow, reading to the students, volunteering their service in the library.

In my opnion a good school, is one with a very strong sense of discipline. The students must have all time have strong respect for the teachers while the teachers must at all time have the strong sense of duty and conduct to warrant such respect.

Good deeds by the students should be aknowledged publicly while misbehaviour should be swifly dealt with in the most appropriate manner. Nib the problem in the bud.

To know the law

All the hype. All the front page coverages. And no wrong could be found except just one slipped up. All for a 'friend'

Insatiable

Contentment is one of living humble and appreciative of life. Affording the little luxuries in life. For at the end of the day we cannot but leave all behind.

squash

While in Japan, I realised how delicious kabocha tempura is. Skin and all. Hmm... the texture is rich and smooth. Simply melts in your mouth. I love kabocha.

Wrong turn

It's profit in however and whatever form over morals, conscientious and principles. It's just an encouragement, a suggestion, an alternative, it's up to each to make that final decision. At 18, are most of them responsible enough in their intoxicated mind? To be responsible to society? To be sober on the road at 3 am? Recent statistic screams volumes. Taking positive action is most commendable. Most pressing issue is definately not going smoke free .

Note

Resist curiosity to pick unfamiliar brands off the shelves to try.

Make a habit to check the origin of the produce.

Never buy on impulse just because it's cheaper, has a nicer packaging than the original.

It could be fake, poisonous or deadly.

Field trips

Best time to visit Japan mid-April through to May. Bright and sunny with dry cool breeze, just the right weather for rambling through the many many gardens and temples. May is also the time of the year where most schools in Japan organise field trips to historical monuments in Japan. Attired in their school uniforms, from little toddlers in their colourful sunhats to dark formal jackets of 15 year old they were seen at most of the tourist spots busy chatting and buying omamori(amulets) at temples.

Tucked away in the countryside is a 100 year old shop that is now a restaurant serving very traditional japanese cuisine.

A homecooked dinner most nutrious colourful and healthy consists of tofu, somen and salad accompanied by a healthy glass of mugi cha(chilled toasted barley drink)

Amazing arrays of souvenirs.

My adventure

Cool breezy walk along the small streets leading to the Nara Deer park.

I wanted a different experience, and I had. Spent 10 days learning and experiencing another family's daily life in another country. Wakes up 5.30am in the morning to see how busy okasan preparing bento for the musuko and shujin. Go grocery shopping at 10.30am at the neighbour supermarket with the most amazing array of produces. During my stay, was amazed on how polite and courteous the residences are to one another. Where I stayed was in a countryside of Nara. A small community linked to the rest of Japan by the the trusty railway at Oji Station.

Afternoons were spend visiting the famous temples amongst them is the biggest buddha statue at Todaiji temple around Nara park.

Evenings were spent with the family at the dinner table enjoying simple japanese fare. Was a great chance for me to practise in my smattering nihongo.

Not acessible

Over the past 3 weeks I have been unable to post. A glitch in the site that had rendered me inacessible to my dashboard.

Finally, taking time off to visit the land of the rising sun tomorrow. Choosing to be different. Will be staying with a family to immerse into the culture, the language and the daily lives of a typical family.

Will write more about this little adventure of mine when I return. Sayonara......

Papers

One mother vets through the papers every morning before she passes it to her 10 year old and 14 year old girls to read. Some days 2 to 3 pages missing and on a good day just a few missing cutouts. The father complained but the mother stands firm, they will not missed out on anything not reading those undesirable article. Yes, our children need to wake up and get real. Be aware of the wolves in sheeps clothing out there. But question is, do they need to know in such copious details? I strong think not.

Talk walking

It's confirmed. Not only does the skyline changes at every bull run, we talk fast so fast we talk in fWD mode with abbrev and mono syllabus to get the sms across in double quick time. Notice even when travelling at 80km/h is road hogging to the impatience some. Handphone is constantly at the tip of the finger ready on auto dial. This is scary. As the saying goes, live fast.......

Blip!

Horrors!!! as I clicked on to my normally reads, a screen of black stared back at me. Welcome to cyberworld where one stumbles into a conversation, leaves a comment and then blip! dissapears, it's presence never to be felt again. Some stay a little longer while others, becomes a network of links. Though the paradigm of life shifts, we are only human, we remember and cherish.

Not listening

Over the phone....

patient: Last year a red patch appear on the side of my leg. After a week it left behind a permanent mark. This morning, the same mark has gone inflame and itch. The only medication I was on is the one you perscribed, which I started yesterday at 1pm. This morning is my 3rd dose. Come to think of it, the red patch came about the same time last year when I too was prescribed the same drug? Any cause of worry? Can this be an allergy reaction?

Specialist: You are being over sensitive. You could have scratched in your sleep and infection set in. Antibiotic are meant to cure not cause infection!!!(sounding extremely pissed!!!) IF it's an allergy, then your whole body should break out in rash(Sounding really annoyed)

patient: So what should I do?

Specialist: Continue the medication for another 2 to 3 days and see. Meanwhile see a GP for some ointments(sounding like don't bug me on this small matter!!!!)

Bugs

There is an extremely virulent respiratory bug going around. MDH was the first to picked it up from office. Down with body aches, stuffy nose and pounding head from the raging fever. I was next to come crashing down similar symptoms. Ahhhh.......youngest daugther just couldn't tear away from me. She too is down. Need to get her up and running asap. She is sitting for her mid- year exam paper next week.

Blessing in disguise

Necessity is the mother of invention

This is the way we should be heading.

No time to mull and sulk

Thinking

My youngest in deep thought on the up coming mid-year exam.

Seek

Overheard
"He actually baked his own birthday cake and brought along the plates and forks"
And what is wrong with that? I asked
One must make things happen
Not wait for things to happen
Seek happiness and contentment
Not wait to be sought out.

This young man has a bright future ahead of him.

Grocery bags

Slowly, gently this blazing red dot is doing it's bit in preserving this big blue planet of ours. Starting with every 1st wednesday of the month, all the supermarkets here are encouraging shoppers to bring their own bags to load the groceries or donate 10 cents for every bag used on that day. Of course, there are those who protest, as now they will have to pay for trash bags. Still others are not too frazzle. Just don't shop on That wednesday.

When will people stop thinking of themselves for once.

Swatow Lane

Just had to nipped down to Swatow Lane to check it out. The ice kacang stall. From the basement of a prewar house to this new spanking concrete stall. The compact pushcarts that could churn up such delicious treats. It's just not the same. That nostalgic feeling of Penang charm. Now it's just another hawker centre.

Olivia

She is coming to perform her maiden concert one night only here in SINGAPORE!!! Seeing her sing would truly be super. One of the few squeaky clean female singer that has weather through the decades and still looking fabulous in her 50s. To see her performing would be sheer nostalgia. Only one problem, the price of the ticket is just too too pricey. I'll have to give this once a lifetime event a miss.

Custard apple

Oh yes, the other favourite in mum's garden. The angmoh nona, custard apple . As usual you'll have to beat the birds to it. Either you pluck it before it's fully ripen from the tree or share with the birds. Must be the delectable sweet scent that wafts the morning air.

Back home, back to nature. Join in the harvesting of jambu air in the garden. The fruit of Mum's dilligence in watering and feeding while dad's patience in wrapping all the buds. Hiding the fruit from the unrelenting insects. Ultimately it's the bats acute sense of smell that never fails to pick out the ripe fruits.

The week that was

The week that was had me everywhere except to be sitting in front of the computer.

In Penang, spending quiet time with mum and dad.

At the stadium as a parent volunteer for the atheletic meet.

At the clinic for my annual medical checkup.

In front of the piles of bills, notices and letters from the schools on the upcoming exam schedules, extra classes and not forgetting the parent meet up.

In the study room. Coaching. Time to tickle the grey matter on Primary 4 mathematical questions. When unsure, stop the urge to use algebra. It's the age of models. Convert the messy question to model and Presto!! answer can be seen.

In a flash we are racing into the middle of year. And I thought my year just began.*sigh*

Oto san

When looking for a book to read, I would like to introduce this book written by Ototake Hirota, to all. Though translate from japanese, it's written in simple but heart warming tone. A book on true grit and fierce optimism in an unforgiving society to these ability people. Recently he is again in the news. This book is available only at Kinokuniya bookshop. Do have a read.

At 67

Zoom...... off I fly to the pearl of orient tomorrow for the weekend. Dad is 67 this sunday. Born and bred in Penang. Into a family of 12 siblings. Going to school meant cycling 9km to Penang Free School. Landed his 1st job a the statistic department in Kuala Lumpur. His 1st car, a Renault number plate BQ719 The first few who foresaw the power of the computer technology. Became a system analyst. The 1st in Malaysia to computerise the billing system for the waterworks department in the 80s. His expertises were sought by the worldbank . Sending him travelling to Vietnam, Nepal,China and Monggolia for consultatiion work. Now a granddad to 5 grandchildren.

Crash!!!

Sun: Argh........the screen went blank while MDD was using it.

Mon:Argh........need to be patience while MDH checks it out.

Tues:Oooh...... must not let my fidgeting fingers shows. Patience.

Wed :Hmm......things are looking positive,MDH concluded tha the mother board need to be Replaced

Thurs:Yipee....it's fixed!!! Now to treat it with caution.