Celebrate life!

"The Gang" - Hill top scene

2009-10-14T23:52:00.000+08:00

2 happy gangsters - Chang Jiang and Xiao Dan

Shouting, kicking, fists flashing, knives wielding, blood spilling.

Such a scene brought me back to long ago when my mother gripped my hand so hard and ordered me to run without stopping. We were in Tiong Bahru then and some gangsters had started a fight, right behind us.

"The Gang" - Scene in a barber shop

2009-10-13T20:37:00.000+08:00

Mr. Maniam is the founder of this barber shop. He used to cut the hair of my father-in-law and husband. Even Samuel had his hair cut by him once.

"The Gang" - Night scene in Tiong Bahru

2009-10-12T23:45:00.002+08:00

Committed Andie

Funny CK

Supporters visited crew and set

"The Gang" - Scene in a 1970s living room

2009-10-04T23:30:00.005+08:00

This 30-ish couple has their Hougang flat totally fitted with 1970s furnishings - sofa, curtains, clock, fan and even switches.

"The Gang" - Swimming Pool scene

2009-10-04T23:27:00.000+08:00

First day of shooting in which we committed the entire project to God.

An upbeat start.

7 days of Shooting of "The Gang"

2009-10-04T22:46:00.002+08:00

The 7 days were

eventful, eye-opening, enriching.

I saw commitment, art and professionalism flesh out in the talents and crew.

I also saw incompetence and tardiness in some.

Despite that, I saw, above all, the invisible hands of God guiding Kelvin and all.

What an unforgettable 7-day experience of trusting God for His leadership, provision and favour!

For Sarah and her NP friends, they were more determined to be film makers after being on the set and experiencing the real thing.

Compulsory Master Degree Reading Texts

2009-10-01T20:31:00.001+08:00

Reading is always a joy for me. It also enriches me and gives my imagination room to soar.
Ever the energetic me has learned since a long time ago that reading opens my mind and allows me to think deeper and understand better than my age.
So in this Master degree course, the reading part totally unfaxed me. The worth of the course is in the reading.
I've no regrets buying all these texts!

Shopping with Sarah

2009-09-27T21:38:00.003+08:00

It's fun shopping with Sarah .. the familiarility, the understanding, the kindred spirit.
An afternoon was spent in Ikea.
Couldn't find Sarah's chair.
But happy with the CD rack buy.
No potted plants this time.
Ate lots of Swedish meatballs.

Day 3 in Hong Kong

2009-09-07T17:04:00.013+08:00

Disneyland - Highly recommended place for Peter Pan type of personalities.

Mum found the weather too hot, so stayed put in her hotel room. We kids came out to play. Wooooooo!

We created a storm in the tea cup by spinning ourselves non-stop.

Tarzan was not at home!

Day 2 in Hong Kong

2009-09-06T22:34:00.000+08:00

Grandmother was the mahjong coach.

With good o' Charlie in Snoopy World

Went many times on our favourite sky ride.

Cable car ride to Ocean Park

Sweltering heat, but our spirits were high.

Day 1 in Hong Kong

2009-09-05T21:51:00.019+08:00

Celebrating life with my Mastereign colleagues in a Teochew restaurant.

A trip to Hong Kong with my dear Mother, Brother, Nephew, Son and Daughter is a rare and lovely treat.

Hong Kong is hot-33 degrees celsius.

Not my ideal weather for a vacation.

But for Mother, who is 71, the summer heat is better and safer than the winter cold. At least i don't have to worry about her catching a cold.

Pre-vacation rush

2009-09-03T18:36:00.004+08:00

Before a vacation, the amount of work to be done or delegated is tremendous. But this is not a complaint, just an observation that reminded me to be grateful.

Going for a vacation in Sept. was unthinkable and impossible -- at least for the last 9 years!
You see, I'd students sitting for the PSLE in Oct. and I never could bring myself to leave them during this crucial period. Then in my present role, I have the TTT to conduct. Unless I could find someone to replace me completely, I'd also not consider a trip in Sept.

So I'm actually over the moon while rushing to organise my work duties and tick off items from a lengthy to-do-list.

Saluting all Teachers

2009-08-30T01:06:00.006+08:00

These inspired words [composed in a superduper short time] will be broadcast to all teachers in Singapore. How cool!

Dear Teachers,

You are the unsung heroes behind many great men and women.

Excel and stay true to your calling and believe that your

one inspiring word,

one kind act, or

one attenttive moment

can positively impact your students forever.

We at Mastereign Enrichment salute you!

Markson, the Magician

2009-08-17T00:04:00.007+08:00

Markson is only in his early teens but he has vision, spunk and determination.

Just early this year, he was awkward in his sharing of his magic skills, but on Friday when he rehearsed before his cell group his act for the coming Magic Show competition, i saw confidence and sure-footedness.

Mark me, Markson will excel on the stage of magic. Not only does he work hard on perfecting his skills, he's willing to invest time and money. He showed me who his teacher is and from what i gathered, he doesn't come cheap. An amazing trick can cost him $5000 and this guy Markson hopes to raise enough money just to learn that trick. And though costly, he believes he can earn back that amount in time to come.

He is also a humble guy. Exaltation to a high level of influence will be given to those who are humble.

Key #2 to celebrating life

2009-08-14T15:26:00.003+08:00

A buddy quipped that i knew how to celebrate life cos i enjoy dining, drinking, chilling, attending parties, etc, etc.

It's true that i celebrate life more than before. And in a deeper way too.

To truly celebrate life is to be doing what you are designed to do by your Maker. When that happens, every day is a celebration, not a chore nor another day. Because God, the Maker of heaven and earth, is so creative, He has endless ideas of making His children happy.

When S & S were very young, i used to think of many ways to make them happy. One that worked very well was that of buying "surprises" for them every day. These were inexpensive chocolates, sweets, crackers, ice-cream, stickers, etc. When they heard the door bell rang, they would dart to the door and wait expectedly for me to say, "I've got a surprise for you!"

Their expectant and delightful tiny faces thrilled me no end - cos i knew i'd made them very happy.

Now that they are older, they would spell out specifically those things they wanted. Though their faces fell when i was unmoved about buying another pair of branded shoes or I-pod, they were nonetheless over the moon when i surprised them with a 'yes'.

If as a parent i think of ways to make my children happy, how much more will my heavenly Father do that for me?

In the next post, I'll share more thoughts on another key to celebrating life.

Happy 44th Birthday, SIngapore

2009-08-09T20:28:00.002+08:00

Today Singapore is 44 and I think of my place in this nation and how my life is so intertwined with her. I’ve never lived in another country so I can't compare nor judge if I truly will like Hong Kong, a city I like a lot or Sendai which I am still so fond of.

Sometimes I wonder what it’ll be like to be born and live in another place. But I’ve stopped all the fantasising after I came across this in the Bible:

From one man He has made every nation of men to live all over the earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live,
So that they might seek God and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.
Acts 17: 26-7

Knowing that God is the one who is fully responsible for putting me where I am – the family I’m born in, the relatives I have, the schools I studied in – and it was in my final year in RGS that I became a Christian, the companies I’ve ever worked in, the churches I go to, the country that gives me an identity in this world – helps me feel at peace.

God knows everything and He never makes any mistake.
That’s why I’m comfortable about the education system [bilingualism, streaming, meritocracy], political system [inherited British system, dominant one party], cultural climate [acceptance of different races, customs, religions, languages] and I can go on, but I shall stop before the list bores you, the reader.

My identity is significantly shaped by the country’s identity and experiences. I feel so at home in Singapore and I don’t understand why some people berate this nation and pick on things like banned chewing gum or CCTV in the lift and how PM Lee is the son of MM Lee.

I say, just go and live somewhere else and while you are there, stop slinging mud from that distant. But remember to be a good citizen in the country you have chosen to pledge your loyalty to.

Day 3 in Hong Kong

2009-08-09T16:42:00.000+08:00

Disneyland ... wooo!

Mum stayed in hotel cos of the hot weather.

We kids went out to play

God provides

2009-08-05T00:22:00.002+08:00

John sent me this sms yesterday:

"God is good to my family.
My sister is taking a sabbatical break from work life and one day she prayed to God to provide for her.
Today, McDonald's Delivery called her and told her that she won a $10 000 cash prize.
To God be the glory."

God is a perfect loving Father. He provides for His children who ask Him. The good news is that God has no adopted, foster, step or god children.

Don't be afraid

2009-08-04T01:03:00.007+08:00

i love this verse tugged in the last chapter of Genesis. It's in chapter 50, verse 21 - "Therefore don't be afraid. I will provide [take care] of you and your little ones." The speaker here is Joseph, a type of Jesus. He was speaking kindly to his brothers who had once rejected him, wronged him and wanted him out of their lives. Joseph did not bear any grudges but benevolently forgave and comforted them.

It's the same as how we turn away from God and put ourselves in a dangerous state. God in His love and mercy will reach out to us and bring us safely back to Him. He will not give us the "I told you so, you foul sinner" tone or attitude. That is NOT the way of our loving God.

The little word "therefore" in particular reminds us how God always knows what we go through - whether it's finanical anxiety, mental instability or emotional bankrupcty.

"Therefore" is uttered to show how He understands that fear can assault us. That's why He assures us with these three words "Don't be afraid". When we are afraid, we sometimes think that we are stepping out of faith and not trusting God enough. But God did not say, "Don't be faithless". He recognises the fear that presses on us. Very gently and kindly, He says, "Don't be afraid".

He is never harsh or upset with us like some people do.

Reduced Shakespeare

2009-08-02T21:37:00.003+08:00

The genius of Shakespeare is that after all these hundreds of years his plays are still watched and appreciated by the 21st century man.

The audience at Drama Centre totally lapped up all his plays - wickedly twisted and compressed into 2 hours of rapid slap dash display of comedic timing and slapstick hilarity by 3 funny men of the Reduced Shakespeare Company.

From the moment a serious-looking English announcer stood on stage to remind the audience to switch off all sound devices and to get a handphone if they still have a pager :), there was not a dull moment. The 3 players leaped, danced and jostled on stage all the time - no exaggeration. It was full energy all the way. Volunteers got pulled onto the stage and were given names like Barbara and Bob [??]. The front row audience got vommitted on, theatrically, and some got sat on, physically.

It's money well spent, the players reminded us, and i so totally agreed. All $154.80.

Key #1 to celebrating life

2009-07-26T23:53:00.007+08:00

How does one celebrate life?
By feasting, toasting, clubbing, laughing, coupling?
Enjoying parties, shopping, merrymaking and revelry?
Or living like an epicurean?

i know of only one sustainable way to be full of joie de vivre:
Embrace Life and love Life is the way to
truly celebrate life.

When Life flows through me, there will be an overflow.
This overflow is a manifestation of the blessed life.
It is heaven in my heart, paradise in my mind.
It is about being so blessed that i will just be a blessing.
For as He is, so are we.

Write down the vision

2009-07-25T23:05:00.003+08:00

i worked on the summary of my master degree change project late last night.
It has a lofty vision, the kind that is larger than self.
Writing it down helps to crystallise my thoughts.

i used to think that a vision, like goals, need not be written down. My belief is that if it truly stems from within, the words are already inscribed in the heart and soul. One's whole being will make it happen. Words don't matter at all.

I don't think like this anymore after i read Habakkuk 2:2-3

"Write down this vision,

clearly inscribe it on tablets

so one may easily read it.

For the vision is yet

for the appointed time;

it testifies about the end

and will not lie.

Though it delays, wait for it,

since it will certainly come

and not be late."

Will also be spending some time thinking over the vision and mission statement of Mastereign.

Will have them written down and discuss with John.

Build my creative habit

2009-07-24T00:36:00.006+08:00

There are many strengths, talents and abilities i must develop and multiply.

For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. [Matt 25:29]

I'll start with the building of my creative habit :)
Every day, week, month and year i will do just that .. first by builidng the list, then doing them one by one. Wooo!

Bejewelled gems biscuits

2009-07-19T14:16:00.009+08:00

Sarah still has a high fever [38.3]. i'm waiting for the doctor to see her and that should be about 45 min from now.
"Free like mircowave only!" she chirped in her sarah-ish way last night. She was referring to the amount of heat her body was giving out.
Just now, she asked to eat some retro biscuits, probably to get rid of the rubber mat taste on her tongue.
"Your tongue is giving out toxic which explains the rubber taste!" I explained.
"Eueeek! Are you sure?" I would also doubt if someone said that to me.

Just to change the topic, I promised to buy her the retro biscuits aka bejewelled gems biscuits.

See how compactly packed they are -

Did he think I was his mother?

2009-07-19T14:01:00.003+08:00

I've to admit that the little ones in my stage 2 classes are cute. They make my getting up earlier to make it for this 8.30 am class in a far flung place [Simei, hello!] slightly worthwhile.

Yesterday, Ryland, the notoriously naughty boy surprised me and the class by openly displaying his affection for me. He leant on me - imagine his small head leaning on my waist. He tried to get my attention by pulling my hand, then arm. At one point, he even put his skinny arm round my waist and crooned, "Please can you tell me if my answer is correct?"

Two of his classmates noticed his overt gestures and commented loudly, "Teacher is not your mother, Ryland!"

Perhaps in his mind, he really thought he could treat me like his mother. After all, his mother is also Yvonne.

Muscle-sculpting

2009-07-17T11:56:00.006+08:00

When i'm determined to do something ... first i talk about it openly and enthusiastically to people - from random individuals to close friends, buddies and family members. Then i'd start on the course of action, stick to it and see to its materialisation.

I believe in the power of visualisation and the power of confession. Coupled with the power of determination, it is not impossible to do anything.

In 3 months' time, i will achieve great definition and strength in my upper arms, have a flatter stomach and lose the excess fat around my waistline.

To work on my upper arms, Jovin, my ever-patient personal trainer, has gotten me to do the biceps curl and triceps push-down. There are a few more whose names escape me for the moment.

In that first workout yesterday, Jovin made no apologies about pushing those underdeveloped arm muscles. Some reps were difficult to complete. And if not for a little help from Jovin, i'd have just flung the dumbbells down to the floor.

Next week's workout should be focusing on the stomach or waistline. Woooo!

Later in the afternoon, i will go to the nearby gym and practise what Jovin taught me yesterday. Yay!

Pst. Alfred's birthday

2009-07-15T14:04:00.007+08:00

The JKL tribe celebrated P. Alfred's birthday last night.

Adults and chlldren all in tow turned up to toast, feast and fellowship.
It's amazing how it was so long ago, year 2000 to be exact, that most of us knew one another.
Through the years we had celebrated one another's birthday, Valentine Day [simply cos Annie's b/day falls on that day], marriage anniversary day, housewarming day, CNY, Christmas, son-join-army day, daughters-go-abroad day, and for no particular reason except to want to feast and drink any day of the week.

JKL - a tribal family committed to be there for one another in good, better and best of times.

Celebrate, in spite of

2009-07-12T12:24:00.006+08:00

i sleep well most of my life. Hardly have bad dreams.
The worst being one that i had when i was a child. A violent force pulled my leg and just as i was about to be dragged into some pit, i woke up. I remembered patting my chest, comforting myself that it's all right. it's only a dream.

Last night, a thought flitted into my mind: One part of my life is like living in a recurring nightmare. What did i do to deserve this?

No answer - don't want to anaylse anymore.
Wish i could just pat my chest or shake my head and wake up from it. But can't.

Well, i tell myself, i ain't losing sleep and i ain't counting sheep. It really doesn't matter anymore.

Life is still good, in spite of.

A friend to cherish

2009-07-11T22:37:00.005+08:00

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar.
but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.

Whoever said those wise words must have been touched by a true friend.
Last night, i asked a dear friend out for a drink. He was lately affected by a series of unfortunate events. I wanted to offer him a listening ear, to say that i care. Cos' that's what friends are for.

3 hours later, I came back from Brotzeit and felt emotionally more filled than before i left.
In my reaching out to touch, i felt drawn closer to one who truly understands, who can discern and who in his transparent sharing has shown his vulnerable side. That is a precious connection that i will not take for granted.

The warm fellowship of a dear friend on a cold night is succintly expressed in this Tang poem 问刘十九 by 白居易 What more can i add except to say that i felt so blessed to have a friend to cherish.

绿蚁新醅酒,
红泥小火炉.
晚来天欲雪,
能饮一杯无.

'Cashless' is worth watching

2009-06-29T00:45:00.010+08:00

I saw the Cashless trailer, liked it and held certain expectations as i watched this short local film.
I must say i left the auditorium feeling satisfied and pleased that
1] the pace did not induce a yawn from me
2] i was not befuddled by the narrative
3] the protagnist has the kind of complex psychology that the i/audience can relate to
4] it moved me to tears

Several other things i like about the filmmakers and their approach:
i know that Danny doesn't drive, but the directors did not take the short cut and remove the driving scenes. Despite the technical odds, they overcame. I like their 'can-do' spirit.

i like the creative way of amplifying the screen when Leslie withdrew $5000 from the ATM . That's good editing, Derek.

i like the absence of over-the-top melodrama and over-acting. Danny was really at his element. The subtlety of Leslie's emotions was drawn out and the ending was truly memorable.

That's why right after the screening, we just had to pop a champagne bottle and celebrate the memorable night with Danny.

In Celebration of Mastereign Trainers

2009-06-27T14:21:00.012+08:00

Few people knew this: this inargural TTT Night was put together in a shockingly short time.
But that's the type of velocity and speed Kelvin noticed that the Mastereign tribe worked in. And he liked the flavour and the spontaniety.

There were some hiccups that could be prevented. So after i dismissed the crowd, i felt bad about the poor organisation.
I told John and Whai Aun that my personal appraisal is 5/10.
John recoiled and judged that it was an A+ performance and Whai Aun said, "Focus on the large picture. You've done well."
Kelvin told me this morning that the event was good!
Just got a msg from Danny - "It was good. U handled it well."

Buddies are God's gifts and manifested grace in my life.
How miserable i will be if i do not have them.

For Part 2: Jovin cordinated the Dbl O party for some of us. I love his enthusiasm.
Nicholas was really kind to get 10 of us in FOC. Pity that the other smaller group broke off and went somewhere else. And Kelvin went with them! Anyway, i'm sure his presence is a blessing to them.

Many Dbl O partygoers are so young. Haha! Still very nice. Here are Calin, Jovin, me, Angel and Regina.

Jovin want to be one of the girls???

When MJ's music was played, suddenly i'd a deja vu experience. Those days of disco and house functions of the 80s came back. Those young and restless days were coloured by the music of Michael Jackson, Donna Summers, Bee Gees, Blondie, Kool and the Gang, etc, etc.

So when John asked if i cried when MJ died, he probably expected an emotionally choked 'yes' reply from me. I only dug deep into my memories and relived those happy moments that are linked to his music.
Just 2 months ago (mid May, I think) i was watching one you-tube after another on MJ. And now he is gone.

Re-structuring

2009-06-25T09:47:00.006+08:00

The re-structuring in the company will kick in very soon.
Had lunch with John yesterday and hearing from him directly, I know it's gonna be difficult to implement it fully since it means taking unpopular steps.
People will be affected and it's really tough to think of a sole breadwinner being laid off or a single parent having to take home less for the month.
shakepeare is right when he wrote: "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown."

2009-06-25T09:30:00.002+08:00

4th day into the course.
Still have solid content, but i wish we have more peer interaction and discussions
While i can sponge and receive great information for 4 straight hours, it'll be very nice if there's some variety in the learning process.

Servant Leadership

2009-06-22T21:35:00.010+08:00

Today's the first day of my master degree course on Organisational Leadership.
Very rich, very satisfying.

Dr Mannoia is an eloquent and erudite man. For close to 3 hours, i found myself completely engaged by his ability to facilitate discussions with a large class and his knowledge in the field.
The whole concept of servant leadership is just so attractive.

For some time, i'd discussed about the place of nature and ability and the idea of 'being' and 'doing' in the context of leadership with people who cared to engage me intellectually. Sometimes i got flummoxed by the whole debate, sometimes i was as clear as day.

Today i felt very enlightened about servant leadership, a concept that sits well with me.

Dr Mannoia explained how most people viewed servant leadership as one of the styles of leadership, such as transactional, autocratic, etc. It is believed that there is a set of skills unique to a servant leader, and if acquired and applied, BINGO! a servant leader is born.

However, Dr Mannoia argues that servant leadership is not a style of leadership. It is about the condition of the leader and his influence reflects the inner values of a servant whose aim is to uplift and empower the people he leads.

The master and servant paradigm must be fully understood in servant leadership. There is no servant if there is no master. And the servant conforms to the master’s nature and priorities. In other words, a servant leader takes on the nature of his master and the servant's priorities are re-ordered to align with that of the master.

A servant leader is not one who serves the people he leads.
A servant leader serves the master he follows.
Wow!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's class. :)

Why i blog

2009-06-21T21:48:00.006+08:00

To blog or not to blog?
The moment i decided to blog, i started to list my motivations behind the act.

Why i blog
To be part of the blogosphere - i love the sound of it

To satisfy readers' appetitie for information

To add a new perspective to a concept

To engage in interesting debates

To gain some mindspace

To share my life

To celebrate

How to be a dream dasher

2009-06-21T16:06:00.009+08:00

If you are like me and many ordinary folks, you must have ever dreamt before.
Like being the top student, win a scholarship and do your parents proud.
Like being the sharpest guy in the office and earmarked for a prestigious post with a plump paycheck.
Like losing fats in all the obvious places and able to wear a bikini for the beach party.
Like living a life that is described as where all your fondest dreams have come true.
If you're nowhere close to experiencing your dream, I guess, like me, you've figured out how to lose it and the tragedy is that it might happen soon!

So how do you lose your dream? Not difficult.

Just follow the these steps diligently.

Step 1:
Keep asking yourself "When, oh when?"
And even if there is a sign of fulfilment, still ask when. Don't try to be patient. Dreams like instant noodles should be cooked under three minutes too.

Step 2:
Keep filling your mind with this little word"Why?"
The power of this little word lies in its abiltiy to question, reason, analyse and finally paralyse the dream.

Don't forget to think narrow and focus on the silent now. Even though you know some great successful guy ever said that "endurance produces proven character and proven character produces hope", just brush the teaching away.

Step 3:
Share your grievances with people who love pity parties.
They will hasten your process of losing your dream. These people are dream-stealers. But they don't keep the dream that they've stolen from you. They only dump it into the sea of disappointment and bitterness. Dream-less themselves, they don't want your dreams to come true.

Piteous and pathetic, they lack the courage and steel-like character of dreamers. Mix with them, think like them and all your cherished dreams will NOT come true.

Written by Paul Williams and used by Kermit the Frog, of The Muppets, Jim Henson Productions

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that
and someone believed it,
and look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing?
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell,
we know that it's probably magic....

Have you been half asleepand have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.

La, la la, La, la la la, La Laa, la la, La, La la laaaaaaa

Day 2 in Hong Kong

2009-06-09T21:55:00.003+08:00

Visited Ocean Park .

Weather was sweltering hot. At least 33 degrees Celsius.