Obviously the stage doesn’t belong to me.

Obviously the stage doesn’t belong to me.

I have noted, whenever I was asked to perform (singing only lah), give a speech, give a public address, be the emcee of an event or even just to make an announcement, I’ll be so nervous. Nervous for don’t know what??!! The worst thing is no one believes me. Haha.. Some even thought I must have enjoyed every moment of all those experiences.

Let me recall some (not very long ago) instances.

Oh, I was approached to be the emcee of F’s wedding dinner just last December. I remember the first 4 dishes tasted rather blend, but all the dishes after that was wonderful. This is because my official duty stopped after the fourth dish. Haha..

Just about 3 years ago, I was asked to give a kind of farewell speech, without being provided with much guideline. Mm.. The night before, I turned in late and I don’t think I’d slept well either. During the day of the speech, I can’t really enjoy my lunch as it was so blend. I kept on going to the rest room for so many times during the few events before my item. When my name was announced to be on the stage finally.. heh… I think my heart must have skipped a beat.

Mm.. And I was approached thrice (once every year since 2003) to perform during our college very own mid autumn celebration. I think in the first occasion, I ate so little for dinner, and for the second occasion, I skipped my dinner entirely although quite a few close pals offered to buy for me. And, I had to politely declined the offer to perform during the third occasion. I knew I may not be able to take it that well. I’m weak sia. My stage-fright can be that bad. Heh..

This afternoon, I gave another go (during our Youth Day Celebration mini concert put up by staff members). Yeah! But this time, F and N noted how nervous I can be liao. Finally someone noticed that. At the backstage, more fellow colleagues noted that also. I think I must have appeared rather pale and stoned. Haha..
My hands were icy and clammy.
Was I going to faint?
Was that sensation the so-called butterflies in the stomach?
What was that choky feeling on the throat?

Strangely, when the music started, I was more or less stablised after singing the first line. Still feeling nervous, but that kind nervousness (at that stage) only makes me more alert (and not scared). My hands immediately felt warm after the song. Such trend happens all the time. So you see, those watching as audience will not believe how nervous I can be. Again! Haha.. They may even try their best to sabo me for more public appearances.

“Its such a waste that the criteria for Singapore Idol is a bit strict.. if not, we would be seeing u on screen.. ”,
“the performance was great.. ”,
“u should sing more often.. ”,
“that was so cool.. ”,
“din noe u could sing so well.. ”,
“cool man.. ”,
“seriously your singing not bad leh, but I think better to only sing songs in your generation.. ”,
and so on.

Haha.. I particularly like the last comment stated above.
Anyway, my singing is not really that great. Just average, I think. It is just that these people are kind enough to give encouragement to people around them.

Aiyah, I am simply not a stage-person lah. I also don’t understand how come I can be that nervous. I just cannot tahan the full attention thrown on me, I guess. I don’t mind singing just to you, to a small group. But to try performing to so many people, my legs usually turn soft automatically lor. Not the way I like it actually. I shall think of a way to conquer this limitation of mine.

How I admire F, N, S, K and E for taking on the stage so naturally. :)

- - - - - - - - - -



小故事、大启示

国王与宰相的故事

国王与宰相在商议事情，适逢天下大雨，国王问：“宰相啊！你说下雨是好事还是坏事啊？”
宰相说：“好事！陛下正好可以微服私访。”

又有一天，天下大旱，国王又问：“宰相啊！你说这天大旱是好事还是坏事啊？”
宰相说：“好事！陛下正好可以微服私访。”

又有一天，国王吃水果时不小心切掉了小拇指，他又问道：“宰相啊！你说我的小拇指切掉了是好事还是坏事呀？”
宰相回答说：“好事！”

于是，国王大怒，将宰相关入地牢，然后自己独自去打猎了，不想误中土人陷阱被捉，好在因为不是全人（缺手指），免去被吃掉的恶运，死里逃生才回到了自己的国家，这时他终于知道宰相的好了。就这样，他把宰相从地牢放了出来，然后又问宰相说：“我把你关在地牢里好不好啊？”
宰相又答道：“好！好极了！要不是陛下将微臣关在地牢，微臣恐怕就陪陛下打猎被捉，被土人给吃掉了。”

[ 结论 ]
做人一定要有平常心，凡事均有利有弊，正所谓“塞翁失马，焉知非福。”
就是这个道理，所以说，我们在日常生活当中，对于每一件事，都要善于从积极的角度去考虑问题，乐观地处世，如此，我们才会拥有一个美好与圆满的人生了。

GET FIT WITH YOUR FEET – WALK

Without training, proper warming up, stretching or whatsoever, I took a “trail-walk” for a walking test. I think I can secure a silver award quite easily. I checked the parameters, if my heart-beat was more under controlled, I may even be able to get the gold award ($100). Hehe.. I shall sign up.

We were discussing how to measure a lower-count for heart-beat rate (apparently, the lower the better). We strategize the following lowly plan…

- At the end of the run, “play gentleman”. Need not rush to the measuring counter. Take every opportunity to cool down as much as possible, as fast as possible. Go by the “ladies first” principle, or maybe “you first”, “you go ahead”, “after you please” phrases spoken kindly to anyone should be just as useful.

- Go to the toilet after the walk. Say or just pretend to be very very urgent.

- When there are many measuring counters, make 100% never to go to the counter manned by any 辣妹, unless you wanna have a sudden urge in heart-beat rate when she is helping out in taking your measurement.

Nay, we were just crapping.
I will just go for it, be it gold, silver or bronze. Bronze also got $50 you know?! Haha..

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

善有人善，若无人善，设立天堂，何人愿？
恶有人恶，若无人恶，设立地狱，何人落？
修有人修，若无人修，紫袍锦带，何人戴？
骗有人骗，若无人骗，牛马犬羊，何人变？

When Aloe Vera Gel is your Best Friend.

My skin has started peeling. The skin feels irritated. Thanks to Mother Nature for making Aloe Vera gel available.

The label on the bottle reads

Cooling soothing gel from nature’s miracle plant of the ages. Made from fresh Aloe Vera leaves. Forms a protective barrier which helps retain moisture and promotes healing. Non-Oily moisturizer provides effective relief from Sunburn, Minor Burns, Skin Irritations, Insect Bites, Chafing, Itching, Dry Skin.

DIRECTIONS : Apply liberally to sunburned or irritated skin as needed.

Quickly absorbed. Will Not Stain.

Sunblock is your friend before playing under the sun.
If we are kuku enough to forget about the sunblock, I believe after the play, we have to rely on Aloe Vera gel to relief the effects of sunburn. It’s really effective. Amazing.

I really quite like the tone of my skin now. Many people are also "commending" it. Haha.. I must be super fair in the past. But I know it's going to be temporary. Erm.. Maybe not that temporary. What's coming this July? Hehe..

~ The Sun ~
I just like the sun.
What an energy source!
How life-giving!

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

有阴阳对待之分，才有因果循环之报；
有布施喜舍之心，才有金玉满堂之福；
有仁慈爱物之心，才有松鹤延年之寿；
有低心下气之心，才有成圣成贤之贵；
有残忍暴戾之狠，才有逆境夭穷之果；
这是天地循环之道，宇宙之定力。

From Questioning...

She said :
They asked a lot of questions. Asked till I was dumbfounded. I don’t know how to answer them.

He said :
You mean they asked such difficult questions?

She said :
No. I mean they only asked many unrelated and irrelevant questions. For examples,
"Why need to study?"
"Study for what?"
"Many people never study this but also surviving very well what?"
"Why study this topic? Got relevance in society meh?"
"My parents are rich. I need not work next time. I don’t feel the need to study. Can?"

He kept quiet for a while, trying to empathize with her little frustration.

He said :
Do we really find their questions “unrelated” and “irrelevant”?

She expressed a little surprised about his reply.

He said (very gently, this time) :
Why were we “unable” to answer their questions in the first place? Could it be we don’t have satisfactory answers for ourselves also? In our position, when we can’t answer these questions, we may be indirectly affirming their “not-so-right” beliefs. They might say or feel, “See, adults also don’t know.”

She seemed to be expressing :
But.. Aren’t the answers obvious?

He said :
One may know the “standard” answers, but may not buy in the ideas. Things that are obvious to us, need not be obvious to them. We are not talking about forcing our ideas on these young minds. They are thinking individuals also. We merely play a role in sharing with them.

She said :
How would you answer their questions then?

He said : … …
(Not typing his reply here. You ought to think about these questions yourselves, and hopefully you can come to a more balance state. If you are only thinking about getting a degree and getting a job, next time, heh.. your learning journey seems to have missed out something. Anyway, his reply is just an informal sharing.)

He continued :
I don’t know all answers, but I welcomed their questions. Their questions reflect the blank or grey areas they have. From then, I can see how I can best assist them. Furthermore, if they were to really ask a question that I can’t answer, admit it, need not hide or lie. In the process, I have to face the fact that it only signals that the question is also mine. If thereafter, I manage to find the answer, I am not only helping them, but also helping myself.

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

离别要不哭、不泣、不丧志，才有积极乐观的人生；
聚合要能忍、能劝、能珍惜，才有天涯咫尺的情谊。

Only Wants Wonderful Lies??

S was asked to write a report about a project she was involved in. She did it with the best effort, although report-writing is never her cup of tea. T, a fellow colleague of her who was also working on the same project was also approached to write an independent report. In other words, both were to write a report on the same project, without consulting each other.

S isn’t very fluent in the language, but she made sure she got the facts right. The facts being the outcome of the project wasn’t that glamorous at all and many improvements could be done. T, however, has a solid proficiency in the language and he painted a wonderful picture, making their unit looks so great.

When both reports were submitted to the boss, T’s report was accepted without much verification. Moreover, a general email was sent to S (and others), suggesting that she can’t write and she somewhat failed to bring out the essences of the project.

S read T’s report. In the linguistic aspects, S has to agree T writes very well. However, when facts are concerned, T is quite a liar. S felt a little sore, not because her report was rejected, but how sad what the world wants is just wonderful lies. Some of her colleagues were telling her to accept it, as such is the “reality”.

(S and T are working at two different branches of a company located at different sites. Their reports were submitted separated to the HQ, (again) at a different location altogether. The branch where S works at knows what is actually happening, but succumbed to the so-called reality.)

“I cannot take it!”, …
“Why the world can have such people?”, …
“What am I to do?”, …
were some of her immediate responses.

M : 你生气吗？
S : 我很生气！为什么会有这种人？！
M : 我到觉得他们倒是很可怜。他们都只顾全着自己的私利。
他们都在卖弄自己的才华。他们都以为正掌握局势走向。
殊不知都被玩弄与命运的网罗中。
而我们的责任又是什么？

S was a little stunned to hear this, but continue to be attentive.

M : 不要因而看不起他们或生他们的气。
他们不懂他们对自己所造成的伤害。
你有本事的话，就去感化他们，要不然就默默地为他们祝福。
不是祝福他们继续犯错而还能平安无事，而是祝福他们早日能醒悟过来。
我们还是要继续自我要求、不断提升。

Mm..
Very different perspectives, indeed.

Come Tomorrow ..

Come tomorrow, I will be meeting many dear colleagues and *little pals again. During the past 4 (effectively only 2) weeks’ break, hope they were doing real fine.

I actually look forward to meeting them, working with them. A moment please, did I say “working”? Heh.. Perhaps, I am using the word not the way you perceive it to be. I don’t really feel like “working”. I mean I think I like what I am doing. Going to the college is more like meeting friends (colleagues and *little pals alike) trying to “work” things out to the better (or best) outcomes. Okay, things need not always work out the way we want to be. But the rectifying process (if any) can be another learning experience altogether.

Maybe I am working in a school environment and felt as if I have never really stepped into “society”. I mean I may not truly understand the “reality”, the “harshness” of the “true world out there” and may even remain “naïve” in the eyes of many. Anyway, I shall try to understand such “reality” or “harshness”, but I shall still maintain as positive as possible. There must be “goodness” in each and everyone out there. It’s happier to work with such assumption, I guess. Besides, it is the only fair assumption, the way I see it.

Come tomorrow, I will be going through my first biopsy. Oh yes, a 4mm diameter lobang will be made with local anesthesia. Just the thought of it is so yucky. I’m not so much worried about the pain, but the little inconvenience thereafter. Never mind, I shall take it with a smile too.

Come tomorrow…
Actually there are quite many things to look forward to.

~ Looking Ahead ~
Perhaps, I shall learn to live by each day, valuing it and look forward to every tomorrows and not just tomorrow.
Looking ahead, what have we got?
Be as optimistic as possible.

Phuket : A Pictorial Recollection.

This is just a pictorial recollection (since Blogger is working fine now and enable me to do so). But it is going to be so incomplete. As I said, the best moments were when we were in water or when we were so wet : a kind of environment that my camera simply cannot make it. Okay, I admit, I cannot make it. :)

We lunched just beside this beach. The little restaurant is of alfresco setting, of course. A pretty relaxing one hour we spent there, I would say.

At the so-called Monkey Beach, one of the monkey was fed Coca Cola. I wonder what's going to be next?

Oh my, oh my... Let me show you what is "give & take".

Reminding myself, just how green is green...

Reminding myself, just how turqoise is turqoise ...

The images of the colourful corals and fishes remain deeply in my mind. If I'm an artist, I can certain draw/paint for you, but.. erm.. I'm not one.

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有一位圣者这么说：

富贵要不淫、不乱、不贪求，才有慈悲喜舍的成就；
贫贱要能勤、能修、能知足，才有乐天知命的喜悦。

A Brief Account of the Phuket Trip..

Many people would like to visit Phuket during the peak period (from December to April). It’s called the “peak period” for a very simple reason. That period is dry, promising solid sunshine, only gentle waves, crystal clear water, etc..

We (W, F and me) had decided to give it a try just a few days ago. Okay, A silly decision some may think, as it’s during the monsoon season over at Phuket. But..
- The rate of the accommodation is (usually) slashed more than half (or more).
- The prices of many activities, day trips, etc. are also slashed more than half (or more), without any need to bargain.

Wow! Do note that monsoon season doesn’t mean raining all the time. It is just that the probability of raining and strong wind is much higher.

While we were over there, it rained quite a lot on the first day actually. It rained when we sleep, when we lunched, when we dined, when we were on the move, but … the rain came to a stop or diminished to such an insignificant light drizzle when we reached where we want to be. Is that divine intervention? Such pure good luck! As such, we could carry out our planned activities very much the way we like to have. Wow! The second day, there were gentle sunshine almost throughout the day.

Some memories are just too wonderful :

Snorkeling ..

It was my first experience at Phi Phi Island, a rather famous island just beside Phuket. It is a destination not to be missed by anyone if you were to visit Phuket.

I was still a little skeptical when our tour guide told us to take a dip. Yes, I saw fishes and corals on the speed-boat itself, but to go into the sea.. erm.. I can’t really swim, you know. But once inside the water, my first peep into the waters using the snorkeling gear really took my breath away, literally.

I wasn’t prepared for it. It was such a colourful under water world presented right in front of me. I was stunned. I forgot how to breathe. I forgot that I was wearing the snorkeling gear and therefore I can actually draw my breath while my head was still in the water. Believe me, the first breathe-in took me some courage. But after getting use to the breathing, I simply feel so relax and enjoyed the marvelous sight from Mother Nature.

The fishes and corals were really colourful, quite a different shade when we viewed it above the water level. The beautiful thing was those fishes and corals were so near to us. How near? If we just stay still enough, the small fishes just came to us and nibbled at our figures and our body. They must be thinking I was a big piece of bread, I sure looked like one. The corals could also be touched if we want to. But better not to touch them, in case we accidentally destroy it. We know how slow corals grow and how delicate they are. It wasn’t only the small fishes we saw. Some real fat ones could be as long as 30 cm. What colour, just name it, you have it. Some fishes even appeared to be luminous in colours. Simply amazing.

Two particular instances were especially memorable.
- I sighted an almost translucent fish. It was quite thin but very long. Its pair of eyes was about 20 cm away from the tip of its mouth. Its tail was very much sword-like. So the fish measured easily about a metre long. I went after it. So we were actually swimming quite close together for some distances.
- There was a school of small silvery fishes just swam past below me. The number of silvery fishes in that huge group must be in hundreds or even thousands. Wow! Did I remember to breathe?

I am short-sighted and the snorkeling gear cannot be worn if I have my spectacles on. Yes, you are right. When snorkeling is concerned, I think contact lens is utmost important for people having short-sightedness with high degrees. Luckily, I brought my contact lens along.

I remember the moment I close my eyes to rest for that night, the colourful fishes were just flashing past in front of me again.

I so believe I will continue to try snorkeling. After a few more times of snorkeling, I may be even dream of diving. It is understandable, at a different depth, we see different things.


The Beach..

The monsoon makes the water not as clear as it supposed/promised to be. Nevertheless, we will still say the water is clean and the sand is fine. At some more enclosed bays and beaches (just like the one we done our snorkeling), the water was clear enough for us to see the bed of the water clearly.

We were at Patong Beach enjoying the monsoon waves. Before we hit the water, the waves seemed mild. But.. ahem.. The waves appeared somewhat different when we were in the water itself. The beach remains shallow even after we walked into the sea for more than 30 metres. Okay, to be more specific, the water level was still below waist level when we walked more than 30 metres into the sea. But the waves, I tell you… If we were to face the sea, the waves will raise till you can’t really see the horizon clearly. The waves roared in and almost slapped us gently. “Gently”.. erm.. but we were not able to stand still during each slap of waves. In other words, many times, we even lost our grounds and were simply being carried inwards a little by each slap of the waves. A little threatening for someone (me) who can’t really swim. Nevertheless, I stayed in the sea, in the waves for quite a while.

We witnessed para-sailing and water-skiing at the beach too. They were too expensive and we preferred to just slack by the beach watching people para-sailing, water-skiing.

I learnt another lesson too. The sun looked pretty mild when we were at the beach and hence we were just lazy to apply the sunblock. In fact, the sun just felt like morning sun and it was quite soothing, certainly not blazing. Furthermore, when we left the beach and headed towards a restaurant for our lunch, everything still seemed fine. However, after lunch, the skin (on my face and upper torso) somehow turned a little red, pretty noticeable. When I took a shower back in the hotel, I noticed a weird sensation on my skin. I looked into the mirror and I found the reflection of that figure a little unfamiliar. Who’s that red guy??! Argg.. Me lah. Gosh! The sun even when appeared to be mild, had an effect. And the effect was a delayed one. When I noticed it, the damaged done was already irreversible. Now I can only hope the healing process for the burn/bake is going to be a bearable one. Okay, I wasn't the only red guy, W is just as red. Haha..

Don’t play play ah. Want to play in the sun at the beach, you just have to apply sunblock to protect yourself from sunburn, no matter how mild the sun may appear to be.

Somehow, this rule doesn’t really appear to Mauritius. F just returned from Mauritius. He shared that he could rest all day under the sun, by the beach at Mauritius and he would not suffer from sunburn. True. He is still such a fair guy after spending 9 days at Mauritius.

Conclusion? Mm.. The ozone layer over our Asia sky is worryingly thin?


The Food..

The food is relatively cheap, I would say. A great variety, but somehow catered more towards tourists’ tastes or likes.

Eating vegetarian food at Phuket (or Thailand at large) is not really much of a problem. It may not be easy to spot a vegetarian restaurant. Nevertheless, all restaurants are willing to specially prepare for you. Just have to tell the waiter or waitress that you would like to eat vegetarian food. The Thai people who are not very fluent with English may not understand the word “vegetarian”, but I learnt the Thai equivalent for the word. How do you say “斋” in Hokkien? Yes, more or less like that. In Thai, it sounds very much like “jay”. So I just tell the waiter I would like to eat “jay” food.

Again, W never fails to amaze me. He read up before the trip and brought us to a street (at Phuket Town) with two vegetarian restaurants side by side. I remember the road as Ranong Road. We dined at one of the two restaurants once for only THB20 ( appro. S$0.90) per person.

I also learnt that during every October and November, Phuket will be having a kind of Vegetarian Festival or something like that. During those months, many restaurants will be setting up special vegetarian menu. How we came to know about this was quite interesting too. We stepped into a Thai restaurant in Royal Paradise Hotel. When I asked for “jay” food, the waiter kindly brought me a special menu for reference. I couldn’t remember the exact heading of the heading of that menu, but the words “vegetarian”, “festival”, “November”, “October”, “2005” were there.


Night Life..

Phuket is still buzzing with life even late at night. The shops at the major shopping areas usually don’t close that early. We were out near 11pm and many shops were still open. Of course, at Patong, some streets are practically 24 hours active. Some streets are “hyperactive” at night. I leave it to your imagination about that. To assist you in your imagination, I write you a point to be found in almost all accommodation offers around Patong region : “free for lady joiner”. Erm.. Happening man! :P

Since we were near by, we decided to take a stroll along one of those happening streets. Wa.. There were many people automatically approaching us offering what they have. Almost all of the stalls have big entrance. In other words, you know what are happening within, what they are offering by just walking past the stalls. Many people were drinking. Many girls were dancing. Some were dancing at the bar top. Some were dancing around poles. Some girls dancing were wearing school uniforms, etc..

We know what’s better for us. We left that street and headed back to our room to catch up on the World Cup matches. Oh yes, in Phuket almost everywhere is screening the matches, live and free.

- - - - - -

Another important factor that made the trip enjoyable and memorable is perhaps the company was simply so great. The thoughtfulness of W is rather touching. The easy-going nature of F brightens up every moments together.

They aren’t many photographs during this trip. Basically because the most precious moments were when we were in the waters, when we were so wet. My camera just cannot take that kind of environment. And when we were wearing so.. erm.. minimal. Haha.. I don’t think I want to capture that. :P

(Anyway, shall try to post up a few pictures when blogger is working better.)

This brief account is by no means official. It’s not meant to be accurate, but just an individual’s recollection.

Wishing Wishing : Sunny Sunny

It’s already the last week of the June break and I’m still stuck here in this tiny (but homely) island?! I’m packing up now, tickets bought, accommodation booked. I’ll be flying away, in just a while. Okay, it will be just a while. A while is enough with great pals. :o)

I must say I was working pretty hard as well during the first 3 weeks of this June break. I am really looking forward to this little get-away. I would say the days / weeks of anticipation can be rather interesting as well.

Only wish for the moment :
Stay healthy enough to enjoy the heat of the sun and the healing touch of the clear water. Oh dear, while I am typing this, the weather forecast doesn’t seem that promising. We need the sun . . . .
Erm..
Calling for divine intervention liao.
Wish for sunny days over there. Up till Friday, please, please. Okay, let’s compromise… Stormy nights will be fine… Haha.

~ Take a Break ~

我们常听人说
『休息是为了要走更长的路』。
我相信大家也是这么想的。

然而，我们的重点是放在『休息』二字，
还是在真心的要走那段『更长的路』呢？
我们的路能走多『长』啊？你看的到吗？

我来提另一个观点好与大家分享。
古今中外好多的伟人，他们一点要『休息』的念头都没有。
他们都抱着『春蚕到死丝方尽、蜡炬成灰泪始干』的精神，
不间断的默默为大众耕耘、牺牲。
有的就是有『死而后已』的决心。
有的甚至有『死而不已』的浩然之气，冥冥之中继续付出。
相比之下，觉得我好凡、好平庸。

First Time Watching a Soccer Match.

At 0000h of the day, I was seated comfortably in a nearby Mac Donald Outlet with K watching the match between Brazil and Australia.

Believe it or not, that was my first time watching a soccer game from beginning to ending. Perhaps, I was trying to experience something more “manly”. Heh..

I never really understand the magic of soccer. I see that many guys (and some gals) are totally “crazy” over it while I am so cold towards it. I remember when I was much younger, I even questioned myself about it. Heh... I never really got an answer. I thought I must have no / less ball-sense. I tried to play the game with some friends, but found myself silly running after a ball. And when the ball finally reached me, I just kicked it without any sense of direction. I gave up. Later, I tried basketball, but I don’t particularly feel comfortable also. Finally I landed up pretty comfortably with volleyball when I was in my secondary school days.

Back to the soccer.

This WC is such an international event and I am missing it? How can? But it’s soccer lor : A game I am not in the least interested. But… The fever is on… Erm… I don’t want to feel that left out anymore, I guess.

Since it’s going to be my first, somehow I can’t be starting with a boring match, can I? My spirit will be so dampened then. Haha.. Brazil has such a good reputation. Besides, Brazil was the champion 4 years ago. Hence, for the start, I had decided to pick this match. I initiated a call and requested K's company. Ha.. And there we were, watching.

The audience crowd was there. Luckily K reached earlier and was able to secure a seat for us. Not bad, we were really just right in front of the TV LCD screen. Throughout the game, K played another role. That is, K has to induct me into the world of soccer. Right, I was starting from scratch. Haha.. And I learnt. Thanks K!

I must say, I am quite impressed with the way the guys passed and dribbled the ball. What a powerful control over the tiny ball?! But.. Somehow I wasn’t really impressed with the entire match. Maybe I am just not a soccer-person. Haha.. Oh I must add, given the good name of Brazil, Australia 虽败也荣 because Brazil didn't really pin them down that badly. There were some tough times given to the Brazil team too.

The entire experience was fine, though. Maybe because…
(1) K was kind enough to induct me into the game. So, the boring moments of the match were actually neatly filled with his sharing.
(2) Watching at a public place… Erm.. The crowd will teach you when the exciting moments are. You just have to observe their expressiveness (be it physical, facial, verbal, … ) every time the ball is so near the goal-post. Quite funny actually.
(3) When I entered the venue, I was stunned to be greeted by many *little pals. They were equally stunned to see me there. Haha.. I just don’t look like a soccer match craze, perhaps.
(4) The close-up clips showing the reactions of the coaches were also quite interesting actually. Could it be their name and fame are also dependent on the performance of the matches too?

~ Seemingly, Not Just a Ball ~
Feeling a little funny that I am (finally) writing about soccer.
I am still trying to explore the magic within.
Anyway, I can imagine myself catching up some of the other up-coming promising matches. ;)

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

失败要不怒、不悔、不气馁，才有再接再厉地勇气；
成功要能谦、能让、能慎退，才有人敬人服的善果。

T Wrote..

T may appear somewhat not-too-friendly to some people. I mean he seems to prefer to remain distant and aloof, especially lately. There must be reasons.
外表看似孤僻，
他的内心情感倒是很丰富的。。。

He has ideas and he writes pretty well. Lately, he wrote something and it somehow strikes a chord in me.

He wrote :

He went on…

Basically, I like these two paragraphs, but the two last sentences in each paragraph don’t particular suit me. I respect his views, but at these two points, I differ slightly.

“Provided it’s worth our time that is”…
Call me naïve if you want, I never question the “worthiness”. I will put in every joules of my energy.

“If you give up on the person now, you might live to regret it later” …
Call me simple-minded if you must, I never give up on anyone, even if I don’t get anything in return. I don’t mind. I don’t think I will regret either.

Haha.. This young man can write, indeed.

He is now striving for his goals.
Wishing him all the best! !

Today, I just feel like listening to this song again : 天下父母心

- - - - - - - - - -

去年的这个时候 ，我 …
我不是不知道。
其实历历在目。
就是有一点不一样嘛。
事隔一年了，好快。
今年 …
他们 …
我 …

小明 Wrote…

The past few “entries” might be a little heavy. I shall try something light today.

Many times we observed wrong words being used. “Wrong” as in they don’t make sense. For examples…
We cannot write
- 你到低在写什么？
- 足球世界杯之大战进行的如火如茶。
- 买得起豪宅养不起娃，白领求生活质量再所不惜。
and so on…

However, I have also seen some cases of so called “wrong” words being used, but can be “correct” at the same time. I mean they carry a totally different meaning and can be rather comical.

Just a few examples I can recall off-hand now …

小明 was rushing through an assignment. He used his computer to type a Chinese essay. He had just learnt 汉语拼音. He found out inputting Chinese text using computer was such an easy task. The inputting-method is so useful. He doesn’t really need to refer to a Chinese dictionary anymore. Or is it?

He wrote…

- 孙悟空与唐三藏一同到四方取精。
Erm.. Is it correct if the journey was meant to be such a productive adventure?

- 我妈妈是个家庭煮妇。
Erm.. Is it correct if his mum does cooking and nothing else?

- 我不管，你一定要给我一个胶带。
Erm.. Is it correct if he was asking for some adhesive tape or plastic bag?

- 老友，这真的是我的废腐之言。
Erm.. Is it correct if he is super crappy and filthy in his speech?

哈哈哈。。
Poor 小明, must go back to the basic lah.

- - - - - - - - - - -

是不是我带他走到那个阶段，
我的责任就算是尽了？
可是他不懂的还是很多啊 …
不 …
应该是说我还来不及引导、我不懂得引导、我的不足 …

希望他会遇到其他有缘高人的指点，
好让心性更加提升。

我也不必太灰心了，
毕竟心性的提升是蛮个人的事…
毕竟还有其他人我需要关心的…

祝福天下人。

“自疗”

On the journey back home, L was doing most of the talking. That was a little unusual because I’m supposed to be the more talkative one. Our conversation seemed very simple, but somehow, I like the little conclusion.

She was relating how weird one of her male flat mate is. She was once wrongfully accused by him something she didn’t do (.. the details are not important here.. ). From then onwards, they never communicate at all, conveniently ignoring each other’s existence.

However, while she was relating and I was listening, some things changed. She began to see how poor thing that flat mate is. Weird he may be, she feels that he is super lonesome and so far away from his friends and family. She began to see that she herself might be a little 小气 also. In her words, “I think I’m a little 小气 . I simply just ignore him. It has been so long already. Maybe I shall try to at least smile and say a ‘hello’ to him.”

I am not really concerned with how weird that guy is (at this moment). Here, I am impressed with the way L faced her ‘flaw’, admitting it openly and willing to make changes to herself.

How many times we really look into ourselves?
I know many of us are just experts at looking at others.
- Oh, he is so good.
- OMG, she is such a hypocrite.
- Ee, he is crappy.
- Aiya, she CMI lah.
- Chey, he is so selfish.
- Alemak, she is … , the list just goes on.

During the not-so-frequent times that we actually do, how are we dealing with it? I mean we look at ourselves and see the flaws; do we make any effort in rectifying them?
I observed that many people seem to be quite comfortable with what they are or who they are already. Heh..
- Yah, I am not good
- Oh dear, I am such a hypocrite
- Ha… I can be that crappy
- Wa.. I really CMI leh
- Mm.. I know I’m selfish
- Argg.. I’m just.. , and the list can go on, too.
But, “That’s me! Hehe.. “

Yet at times, we are even "powerful" enough to point-finger at others. Haha..

~ A Step Taken : A Step Closer ~
I have to admit, I am a man with a lot of flaws.
I don’t know how long I will take to rectify all of them. It takes time.
I can only strive on.
A step taken is a step closer, they say.
I am simply impressed with L in a way.
Her way of “自疗” by simply talking about it, is kind of cool.
Glad for her somehow.
Glad that she can let go one of her dislike-feeling towards another person.

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

常见自己过，与道即相当。
若见他人非，我非却是左，
他非我不非，我非自有过。
你们要当丢垃圾的人，还是装垃圾的人，或者是清除垃圾的人呢？

Sending The Wrong Signals?

A group of pals was telling me some days ago..

Y : Hi H, D and W will be registering for their marriage this coming Sunday.
H : That’s Great.
But H added…
H : So when is Nanzi and B registering theirs?
Y was stunned for a while.
Y : Erm… Huh? I also don’t know they have started. No lah.

C was around and she cheekily commented.
C : Actually, H was not the first person asking that same question.
Y : Huh? Really? Aiyo, Nanzi.. Why not just make it real for them.

I can only laugh lor. What can I do?

- - - - - - - - -

I thought of another incident a few months ago.

L : Does Nanzi has any close girl friend? If not, I thought of recommending him one.
T : I am not too sure leh. But he seems to be rather close to B. Seems to be hor. I am not sure one.

- - - - - - - - -

Another isolated episode.

B’s mother (in the presence of B also) : Nanzi, do you have any girl friend?
Me (joking with her) : Oh. Aunty ah. Many leh. But Singapore’s policy does not allow to marry all, so still remain single lor.
B’s mother : Aiyo. Like that how can? One is enough.. More than one very quarrelsome one.
Me (continue to be cheeky) : No worries. As long as they are good sisters. Can liao.

OMG, even her mother was “testing ground”.

Frankly, B is a nice lady and she can really cook too. But we started of as friends and I have always regarded her as a younger sister. Friends. Mm.. Glad to stay this way. By the way, she has quite many suitors too. Haha..

I am thinking…

- When did I send the sala signal along the way?
I try to be good to everyone lor. Female, Male, Old and Young, all included leh. Too good to guys, they might think I have "skewed" sexual-orientation. Too good to gals, they often think unnecessarily "deeper" and think I must be interested in them. How ah? Haha.. Never mind, just true to my heart and continue to be good to everyone. =)

- Maybe, they are just kind souls, thinking I have a lonely heart and they were merely trying to help me out?
I don’t feel lonely lor. Maybe I have quite a busy schedule and I do value any personal, private space.

- Maybe I have lost faith in this kind of relationship / marriage?
No leh. But I have to first have the feeling that someone is the one. All of the ladies that I am impressed with are either attached or married. Argg.. Haha. But really no rush man.

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位作者这么说：

以美好的心欣赏周遭的事物

以真诚的心对待待每一個人

以负责的心做好份内的事

以谦虚的心检讨自己的错误

以愉悦的心分享他人的快乐

以喜舍的心帮助需帮助的人

以不变的心坚持正确的理念

以宽阔的心包容对不起你的人

以感恩的心感谢所拥有的一切

以无私的心传承成功的经验

以平常的心接受已发生的事实

以放下的心面对对最难以割舍的事

After Reading...

I was browsing through the newspaper and had spotted many things pretty disturbing. Okay, I shall just mention a small phrase that had stirred quite sensationally.

In one of the articles today, MOH released a figure quoting, here (in Singapore) 1 in every 4 pregnancies ended in abortion. In other words, the abortion department performs more than 10000 such procedures yearly, just in our small country.

If the figure is correct, what the hell is happening? Erm… I am not really questioning about the physical-body-contact sense, whereby seemingly many more people are involved in unprotected sex. I am questioning more in the line of the what-is-in-your-head sense, whereby seemingly many more people disregard life.

What is abortion to these people who opted for or were being coerced (by someone) to go through that kind of horrific procedure? Just go and google “abortion” to learn more about it. Again, there are different schools of thoughts too. Mm...

If one is calm enough, he or she will have heard the “silent scream”.
Believe it or not, if one has the unique eye to see the presence of beings in the other realm, I am telling you, the abortion departments or abortion clinics are such sorry sights. There are just many souls waiting for their chances to be born into this world, but to so many, their dreams were shattered. I am not saying this world is that perfect. But there are certain things that could only be achieved/attained via the physical body existence. The souls in the other realms know best. This is not a nice place to elaborate such topic. Or rather, I lack the skill to be precise or concise. I just leave it for thought.

In the same article, it is also reported people seeking treatment to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) have increased many folds. In other words, I question how many partners are staying faithful? Mm.. While the skin-temptation may be great, where is the sense of responsibility and/or faithfulness? Oh sure, the hormones are raging and the insuppressible urge is there. Knock your head (literally, I mean), because the brain is your main sexual organ.

Babies ~ Wonderful Creatures
I think they are just so lovely.
They may be just sleeping, but maybe they are already planning the big things they will be doing in the future.
We are also yesterday's babies.....
Do you see remember your dreams?

- - - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

其实众生与圣佛，只在一念之差，就像天堂与地狱，只在一念之间。
前念迷即凡夫，后念悟即圣佛。
你们都想成圣佛，想成圣佛就当有涵养。
养智：以分真假善恶。
养慧：以奉行众善。
养德：以超尘拔俗。
养仁：以宽恕众生。
养惠：以渡化众生。
养勇：以抵诸万难。
养信：以待人交友。
养义：以认明天理。
修养的工夫，是要靠个人的实修，不是在言语文字上。
修行只贵人品，不贵钱财。
服务只在热诚，不在贵贱。

When Upgrading Their Poor Quality Life Style is of Top Priority.

I have heard of many disturbing stories of “小龙女”. I understand that this term carries some negative connotations. I am merely quoting it and I don’t mean to degrade anyone in any sense.

Lately, I only hear more about it, much like “affirming” such perception? Mm.. Let’s see.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Tale (1) :

Y was relating her friend’s husband one day got himself quite drunk and in his drunken state he actually brought his mistress back home. His mistress is a native Chinese. Upon entering the house, she actually boldly confronted the 原配. I don’t really pay attention to the details of the confrontation. However, the 原配 ’s reaction was classic.

Mistress : … 叽里咕噜的…
Wife (without losing her composure, in a very calm manner) :
没有关系，你要他，你可以带走。
不过我可以告诉你，他没有钱，他的钱都在我手里。
你不相信的话，我也可以证明给你看。
你可以得到他的人，不过你绝对得不到他的钱。

You know what?
The mistress left the house and the man. True love, or just practicality?

- - - - - - - - - - -

Tale (2) :

OG’s sister works in one of the country clubs in Shanghai. Obviously, such country clubs are frequented by many (rich) expatriates. OG’s sister put it plainly that the lady workers working at the country clubs are trying their very best to “钓金龟” at the same time.

OG gave a slightly different perspective. It is not easy to survive in the competitive environment of Shanghai or Beijing. Most of people are merely “房奴”. The prices of the accommodation are constantly soaring and a double-income nuclei-family can barely survive on. Literally, most of them slog just to stay afloat. If we think along the belief that everyone hopes to upgrade their life-style, what options do they have? Not too many, I suppose. Even a native Chinese (a present fellow colleague of mine) said to me he would not be able to survive back in his country. This colleague of mine married a Malaysian and is certainly settling here.

Tthere is another clear point to note. The income gap in China is very wide. The rich begin filthy rich, the poor being dirt poor. If anyone were to be at the “wrong” end of the income spectrum, how would he feel? He may be constantly thinking of making a difference in his quality of life. Yes? No? Yet the gap is constantly widening. Is it natural that he may have the thought of taking “short-cuts”? Mm…

- - - - - - - - - - -

Tale (3) :

G was telling some similar stories. He said in Vietnam, as long as the ladies know you are a foreign, you are sure to have a special treatment. If you wish to date some local ladies out, 99% will be successful. Maybe this G tried dating 100 of them and only 1 rejected him? Mm.. If not how he got his statistics? :P

He witnessed a few times whereby some agencies running some kind of marriage-proposals went there for interviews. The ladies really took effort to beautify themselves, went for the interviews and dearly hope they could be chosen ones. No joke, the queue is damn long okay!

- - - - - - - - - - -

Maybe it’s the environment forcing these people to be like that.
Who doesn’t want to have a better life?
However, should we measure better life only in the materialistical sense?
Frankly, if we were to be in their shoe, will we be just like them?
I would like to say no.
But we know even better, we need to be really in their shoe, to know the true answer.
The answer we give now is just too fictitious. Mm..

I am not suggesting whether what they are doing is right or wrong. I am merely noting how the environment may affects the way we people do things.

Hence, in the same light, what do you think our local environment has shaped your mind, your soul, your thoughts, your way of life, etc..?

一个想法掠过 …
努力就一定会有收获吗？
就如雨后就一定会有彩虹吗？
然而，收获和彩虹都是人类所向往的。

- - - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

用日常行饶益，就当服务，人生快乐何其多，无穷的快乐只一个，那就是舍己为人。

如孔子的有教无类，因材施教，周游列国，削迹伐檀，陈蔡绝粮，才有今日的万世师表。

如妙善公主的慈悲为怀，发七十二愿，受考受验，志气犹坚，才有今日的家家户户观世音，名留万古。

人生以服务为目的，服务应存的心态：也就是爱心、耐心、恒心、信心。

吾心信其可行，虽移山填海之难，亦有成功之日；
吾心信其不可行，虽反掌折枝之易，亦无收效之期。

服务他人是应尽之义务，大丈夫者，宁服务他人，勿为人之服务。

服务的真谛，乃是将所拥有的一切，富贵、钱财、地位、精神、时间，甚至生命贡献发挥于世界上，不惜一切来造福人群。

Wedding at a Yacht Club..

Wedding at a Yacht Club is certainly quite a cool idea.

Perhaps..
- I just like the alfresco setting too much.
- I am just tired of the boring four walls in hotel ball rooms.
- Overlooking the calm waters and the stately yachts, enjoying the soft touch of the evening breeze at the same time while we dine is quite a nice combination.
- It’s just romantic.

Besides, I’m often quite impressed b the restrooms of country clubs or yacht clubs. We will appreciate better why the name rest rooms. Oh. Nope. I did not rest inside. :p

Another draw for the night would be..
Sx, an old pal of mine, is a pilot. Needless to say, there are noticeable dashing pilots and gorgeous air stewardess among his guests.

Wa. This Sx good ah, arranged me to be seated on a table where I know no one. But again, I know no one in his entire guest list. Haha.. Should I feel a little honoured to be the only one from xx unit where we first came to know each other, like more than 10 years ago? It’s alright, being talkative myself, I have no problem breaking the ice. It turns out that, the person seating right in front of me is the son of one of my fellow colleagues and his brother-in-law is my primary school classmates. Small world? Indeed.

Sx and Co, they looked so blissful tonight. :)
Congrats!

A View of that Yacht Club by Day

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

要求别人，是别人成就；要求自己，自己提升。

They Say They Wanna Meet the Terrorist

They say they wanna meet the “terrorist”. And today, their little dream came true. Yes, they met the “terrorist”. They refer me as their “terrorist”. Heh.. That’s the way they put it. So crude. But so cute. Haha.. Oh yes, in a way I “terrorised” them.

Just some days back, they had decided to hunt me down. I was hunted. So today, we dined and we talked the evening through. We ate so much. We talked so much.

They are the *little pals that crossed my path in year 2000. Ha.. The ladies are already in the work force contribution to our country’s GDP while the guys are just about to embark on their 3rd year in the university.

After JC, they went separate ways. How wonderful to learn that they are still so close to each other. They meet up so often. And all these years, they play, they dine, they wine, they take, they share, they give. Wow! Happening.

So many years apart, and frankly I still find them charming.. ha.. especially the ladies. Maybe because they were my first complete batch. I mean they were the first batch I followed them throughout their entire stay in JC. Hence, they had left quite a wonderful impression.

Ha.. Again, they were ever so eager to meet my better half. Let them continue to imagine. Haha..

We will meet again.

A quick check :
Jx, being a broker
Ck, studying life sciences
Jo, studying accountancy
Jr, studying architecture and will be having a study stint in Korean soon.
M, studying medicine in KL.
R, being a teacher,
S, working in Aust, ...

He Has His Ways of Doing Business..

I vaguely remember going to this shop at Orchard at most thrice. Every time, it was with a pal as he was checking out something, or buying something. I was never the boss’s economical focus when business is concerned, as I merely tag along, look see look see. I can’t even engage in meaningful conversation at those moments as their conversations were too technical. Ha.. I can only smile along, I guess.

I need something simple and I happened to be at Orchard area today. Naturally, that store came to my mind. The minute I walked in, I can tell from the warmth of the boss’s smile that he can recognize me, though not by name (we were never formally introduced mah.. haha.. no need lah). He attended to me straight away. He didn’t have what I requested, yet he spent a bit of time suggesting logical alternatives. But I really don’t need anything that high-end. So immediately he sent one of his guys to get what I want from another stall and sold it to me at really reasonable rate (significantly lower than the rate published in hardwarezone), without any need for me to bargain at all.

From the way I saw him doing business with a pal of mine, and from the way he did business with me, erm… I think I will go to him again, if I ever need any other related accessories.

This was so unlike another stall I visited within the same complex. The lady salesperson started off my proposed deal of a small item by first stating an unreasonably high selling price. When I try bargaining, she only insisted that her stall is different / unique as their stocks are all of high quality. High quality? Erm.. I was touching the items. Why the need to elaborate? Because the fact their goods are of high quality is not obvious? Haha.. I hesitated. Maybe my hesitation was unnaturally long and she gave in a little and even proposed (in the plainest tone, with no facial expression, not looking at me) to sell the item to me at warehouse price (so she claimed), if I’m really interested. But while I was still thinking, another pair of couple walked in, obviously more eager than me to get some much bigger items. The lady salesperson actually just walked away to attend to them. Wa.. How am I to going to feel interested in her goods? Haha.. Anyway, I think I don’t really need that item. The push-sales-factor then was also that lacking. I just have to put the item down and I so believe I can find better equivalent somewhere.

The GSS is on…
- To get things from the first stall, I don’t even have to wait till GSS.
- It is the GSS, yet the second stall fail to close a deal (that I was partially interested in) at warehouse price.
- It is during sales time, we spent the most. Yes? No?
- I didn't know I also can be drawn by it and I actually purchased quite many things already.
- I hope the amount "saved" from the discounts can cover the petrol, car-parking and ERP charges.

Sales is indeed quite a 学问, I think.

2 “Weird” Encounters

An Orange Coloured Merz.
To many people, the orange colour may be rather cool. I think I like it too. But I hardly associate this colour with an automobile, a merz. This orange coloured merz was just passing by me. It appeared like a big toy car being remotely controlled by some big-kid nearby.

Intuition Tested.
I was a little bored. I noticed a particular blog was updated by more than 1 person. I predicted that the user name and password must then be quite easy-to-remember kind. OMG, at first try, I broke into his blog. My intention was only to test my intuition and not to perform any damage. I left the scene quickly. Strange. There are actually people using the password as the username, when the username itself is already an obvious part of the URL??!!

Weird, Unusual, Outstanding, Unique, Special, Exceptional, Uncustomary, Atypical, …
We may call them synonyms, but we would agree that the connotations differ quite significantly.
Sometimes I asked, “Who are we to judge?”

In the above-mentioned encounters, I am not really “laughing at them” or “questioning their mental faculty”. I am looking at my own threshold level of what I deem a little strange. Heh.. Oh sure I can still accommodate them all, no problem. Anyway, I'd left a little note to the author of that blog, confessing my discovery.