Monday 31 December 2012

What I wanted for 2013.

This seems a terribly delayed post to talk about goals in 2013. Well it's not even a goal to start with.

Took a photo of this witty photographer during Christmas last year. She was happily taking the photographs of our finished products, the stage and space ship we built.

That's life. The simple and peaceful life I very much wanted and hoped for in 2013, the real me living peacefully and happily with my family.

Just like those days I spend with yt and 小tz towards the end of 2012. Bringing 小tz for breakfast, slow walk, hours of fun at the playground, building castle at home and catching up with each others at the bowling alley (we just sit there watching others, no games and money spend).

Reflecting my life since Christmas last year, I concluded that's what I wanted to do in 2013. To focus on living, developing good habits and being a good role model for 小tz.

It's not difficult to be happy if we just be ourselves and allow others to be themselves.

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Up, up and away! The great way to fly.

To both of us, it's tons of excitement. Our first trip on Jet Star travelling by air, you know AIR! Not sea and not land where it takes hours and hours of travelling. It's our first trip to KL, our first overseas holiday by air!!!

Yippeeee!

The only difference between the 2 of us is she is 5 and I am 44 this year!

Even taking into account that I don't really enjoy travelling till I meet yt, 小tz is still consider fortunate when compared to our generation, having the opportunity to be able to fly at such a young age.





Monday 24 December 2012

A wonderful Christmas.



For many weeks, I am able to have my peaceful breakfast during weekdays. Taking my time to eat my breakfast and catching up with my reading. It has been so peaceful that I am kind of getting a little uncomfortable.

You see, the issue is about the disappearance of an ex-client that I used to support. For years, I have been seeing him walking pass the coffee shop where I have my breakfast. We always have our friendly greetings and short conversation 1 to 2 times a week. He standing on the pavement and I seated in the coffee shop, shouting at each other due to the distance between us.

Yes, it's embarrassing. Sometimes the situations get worst when the topic of our conversion err... goes a little unconventional or socially not acceptable. There was a period he keeps asking me why I have no hair on my head. You guys should see the stares we received from people around us. I was really thinking about getting a paper bag and cover my face, you know?

So when I did not see him for a few days, I am kind of happy to be able to have that little "me" time for myself. However, after a few weeks, I am kind of missed his smile, friendly greetings and his familiar “teo chew” (local dialect) tunes he sings while walking.

Felt very uneasy this morning and managed find time to call a friend to check on him. I am really happy that I did and relieved to know that he is still the old him, walking and singing along his way to work.

Without that uneasiness, I am now able to relax and celebrate Christmas with 小tz.

Merry Christmas to all!  :D

Saturday 22 December 2012

An experience so great that once is enough.

It rare to have the opportunity to get so excited, to have the feeling that as if I am floating, to have my heart pumping to the beat of disco, to be on the road at such a high speed, seeing cars being overtaken and be intimidated with tailgating and constantly honing. One would never believe that the driver was an old man with a pair of cool sunglasses.

Oh... one important note, driving a bus with passengers on board.

As the quality and interior of the buses improved through the years, the rides seem to be getting shakier with those improvements. The problem lies with the road, the bus or its driver?

I remember that back in my school days, I was able to sleep standing on the bus. Err... wait. So am I the root of the problem?

Ageing, they say...

Saturday 15 December 2012

That's the best life gives.

Found this photo in my album and I thought that was one of the best moment I have in life. Watching the great fireworks, eating my dinner and having the company the person I love and care most.

What's more should I ask.

Thursday 25 October 2012

My NEW Toy!!!


Just managed to get my NEW toy!!!

No, it’s not Samsung Galaxy S3, not iPhone 5, not Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and not even the latest new iPad Mini. It’s much better, more awesome than any of those, really!

In life, we always say it’s good to be exposed to new things and this I must say, is really awesome. Something that I have never tried in my entire life! Know what? Playing Barbie Doll with 小tz. Great and wonderful isn't it?

New experience is always good, they say… … …

Hey, the Barbie Doll wasn't even mine. Thanks 小tz for asking me to play with you. Thanks dear.   ;-s

Sunday 9 September 2012

Be warned, the scary cashier!


"Daddy, this blue stirrer is 50 cents."

"tz, but you just sold me a similar yellow stirrer for only 30 cents."

"Oh… I am sorry daddy. That yellow stirrer should be $10. I forget."

"How come it is so expansive tz?"

"Daddy, can't you see its yellow colour? It's special!"

"OK… "

"Daddy, do you want to buy this?”

“… … …”

Saturday 8 September 2012

A taste of loneliness.


I was away on a trip to Malaysia from 30 Aug 2012 to 1 Sep 2012.

2 nights, 3 days away from Singapore for the first time without my family, I thought it would be a great break and having the most awesome “me time” I ever had. Imagine having all the time I wanted to reflect, to catch up with my reading and to have a peaceful break to plan what I wanted to do next in life. What’s more, having the luxury of a queen size bed all to myself! No more fighting for spaces to sleep leow. Isn't this just simply, awesome, wonderful and the best opportunity I would ever asked?  
;-D

The trip was fruitful with lots of positive outcomes and I totally enjoyed it. However, after all the excitements, positive charging and thinking, I felt the loneliness and emptiness once I walk into my resort room. I just simply couldn't sleep. No amount of sheep, babe and any other counting helps to make me sleep. Staring blankly at the ceiling from 11pm till 4am, before I finally gave up and left my room for my Tai Chi.  
:'-(

Fortunately, I brought along a SD card full of the old songs that accompanied baobei and I through our life journey. It didn't helps in my sleep, but it does take away some part of the loneliness and gave me some sweet smiles recalling those wonderful times we have been through together. I love you baobei. It's really terrifying to imagine how life would be without you.  
:-*

On a side note, I was really amazed by the ability of the mosquitoes there to respect the territory rights of the resort's occupants. Be it in my air-conditioned room, the restaurant or seminar room, or on the airy walkway and lobby, as long as I am under the shelter of the resort, I am safe from those blood thirsty mosquitoes. Once I am under the sun, they dashed towards me to have their stomach filled. Just 5 minutes and I have more than 5 bites on my body and my head, of all places. Aiyoyo...
:-O

I forget to ask the staff before I left the resort. Can somebody tell me what the logic is and how the resort managed to do that?  
;-p

Thursday 26 July 2012

Stripes and Circles

"I really like this drawing you did. Can I post it on my blog and what should I name it?"

"Yes daddy. You can put on your crazy daddy writings and call it 'Stripes and Circles'. Err... daddy; you know how to spell stripes? It's S T R I P E S."

#facepalm

Is my spelling really that BAD? Sigh…

Anyway, I really like this drawing. How it harmonize 2 different sets of elements. It's great to see the firmness and solidity of the lines complimenting the roundness and flexibility of the circles. And I amazed to see how the hard and passionate red can work alongside with the softy and cooling green.

Err... I don't think my daughter gets it. It should be more of a coincident rather than her intended work. Disclaimer needed before you guys start teasing me self praise. Ha ha ha …

Oh! Isn't the above statement going to get me into trouble with my pretty daughter? Oh man…

The drawing reminds me about life. About how we should balance our expectation on quality of life and it's associated responsibilities, and how we should measure of our happiness as against feeling contented.

Studying and working with people with intellectual disability, it's easier to discover how the lack in perceived quality of life had affected a person's happiness, and how quality of life is measured in relation to our exposures in life. Many people asked why people with intellectual disability seem always asking for more after increased chances in exercising choices. There are many literature and researches on this behaviour. For me, I always explained in relation to my daughter's changes in her expectation. How a bottle of milk, that used to make her very happy when she was 1 years old, is on longer good enough to satisfy her now.

Why?

With exposures in life, she started to learn more and therefore wanted more to feel satisfied. Adults without disabilities, like children and person with disabilities too, felt unhappy and frustrated when their perceived quality of life in relation to their life experiences wasn't met. The reasons why it's clearer in children and person with disabilities are (1) it's easier for us as an external party to observe the behaviour, (2) the above group either experienced a rapid changes or (3) they suffered from prolonged suppression of choices in life.

However, we need to be mindful in our continuous effort of meeting the ever increasing demand of ours and those around us. Failing which, we are encouraging the growth of the greed monster. 

Right?

This is where the responsibilities come in. If we wanted higher salary, we need to accept our increased workload and responsibilities. If we wanted the freedom to go out unsupervised, we need to be responsible to take good care of ourselves. If people with intellectual disability wanted more chances to participate in community activities, they need to have socially acceptable behaviour. There is always a trade off for every incremental enhancement in our quality of life.

Whining, crying, and being angry, venting out our frustration on others for that increased responsibility you need to shoulder is not going to get you anywhere. It only hurts you and others around you.

That brings us to the measurement of being happy that affect our perceived quality of life, and the importance of feeling contented.

Each of us has our own limit of which we can shoulder responsibilities; therefore, it's only reasonable to expect that there is a limit to how far we wanted to enhance our quality of life. Any attempts to keep on enhancing of quality of life so that we feel happy, will only bring us suffering. It's like us on a journey of ever lasting quest; always busy trying to achieve the next target without much time to enjoy the fruit of our hard work.

We need to know that enough is enough so that we can spend time enjoying and sharing our joy with those around us.

Thursday 28 June 2012

TGIF, it's wonderful!


Photograph of the Marina Bay Sands taken from Esplanade Drive.

The essence is not about the quality of the photograph from my humble Samsung Galaxy Mini running on CM7, but the quality time spent with yt and 小tz strolling along Esplanade Drive, enjoying the scene, relaxing and having a good time on a Friday night.

Monday 25 June 2012

More than words...


"Daddy, actually you will need to help me wash my towel later after I bathed. But then, because grandma just changed the towel, you don't need to wash it later. Oh man, I forget to take my clothes! Daddy, can you help me take my clothes later? I want the ABC t-shirt with any pants. Just any pants will do daddy. Go to my room, open the second cupboard door, second door daddy, not the first OK? You see daddy, I know how to bath myself. You don't need to help me at all… … …"

And you go on and on, and on, and on… … … . Oh, where is the off switch?
:-P

Well, I cannot blame you for that because I recalled something like this 5 years ago… … …

"小tz, daddy is not an expert, you know right? You must wait huh. Don't urine now OK? Let me finish changing your diaper then you urine OK? Daddy is not like mummy dear, I cannot change your diaper very fast… … …"

And I go on and on, and on, and on… … … All this time, your eyes were wide open staring at me. If you can speak then, will you be saying: "Daddy, where is your off switch?" Ha ha ha… Will you?
;-)


It really made my day receiving that father's day card from you. Thank you dear.

Daddy loves you.

Sunday 17 June 2012

What is hardship?

小tz,

Do you think a family with 2 teen children, one studying in a private art school without scholarship, earned a family income of $7,000, capable of employing 2 maids to look after one of their bed ridden parent, and staying in a HDB Maisonette to be living in hardship?

This seems to be what it is implied in the documentary I saw recently on our local television channel. In another documentary, a family with a wheelchair bounded father being look after by his 3 adult children, 2 working and 1 studying in our local university, seems to be struggling to cope with life that they don't even have the time to clean their cobweb filled house.

Watching both documentaries, I believed that the stories being told by the tearing and sad family members ought to be true and genuine. Well, at least from their perspective.

What I am concerned and worried is that the scenarios mentioned in both documentaries, were deemed to be well to-do years back when I was still studying in polytechnic. So it leads me into thinking if we have lowered our expectation in defining what hardship meant to us? In those days, studying in mainstream school instead of the private art school, helping to look after their bed ridden parent instead of engaging not 1 but 2 maids, working part time to support their
studies, and sleeping shorter hours to clean up the house are norms in household who are living in hardship.

Before I continue, this entry was written on 17 Jun 2012 and the documentaries I mentioned were viewed a few months ago. Yeah, the slow daddy always writes about history instead of current affairs, right? Well, I have the excuses to work and keep my cute little daughter
company ma. Right? ;P

Why?

Because I am not sure what would the standard be when you are able to read and understand this post. You might even think that daddy is such an unreasonable person with no compassion on the sufferings of others.

Having seen and known that others who fit into the description of those 2 families were called well to-do years back, it's kind of hard for me to accept that those situations are now being classified as families in hardship. It's not about the re-distribution of wealth among Singaporeans that people had been talking about recently. It's not about whether those 2 families require help. And it's definitely not about me trying to judge them with my life experiences and perspective.

It's about my concern that we seems to have slowly and noticeably lost of resilience nature, our ability to withstand hardship and the fighting spirit so much needed for survival.

Daddy can give you the best education I can afford, I can share my limited life experiences with you, and I can support you to the best of my ability when I am still around.

However, I cannot guarantee that I will always be there for you, as daddy can never out live you. I cannot accumulate enough wealth to ensure that you have a comfortable life and not worried about hardship. I cannot replace you in handling those stressful moments in your life. Most importantly, while I would wish to, I am no god to ensure that your life will be smooth sailing.

What I hoped is, by writing this post; you will understand the need to have a strong character, to be brave and to build the ability to fight the challenges in your life.



Your loving and cRazY dAdDy.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Having a 5 years old daughter, WIN!

The other day, while attempting to root my Samsung Galaxy Mini, it suffers a heart attack. Without a phone, I seek another friend's help to contact this friend who knows a skillful phone paramedic that I thought, might be able to do a CPR and revive it.  After giving the contact, with our history of Android versus iOS fight, he "swan-ed" (teased) and ask me to get a new iPhone.

So, after I successfully rooted my phone on my own, I used it to send him a sms then the conversation follows:

Me:       Na~ na na bu~ bu~.  ;p
Friend:  Change iPhone haha u will never regret. :p
Me:       Done. Now rooted and using android 4. ;p
Friend:  Samsung will give u continuously problem.
Me:       Nah.
Friend:  Boo. :p
Me:       Married man please behaves. Ha ha...
Friend:  Haha that goes the same to u hehe.
Me:       I can be childish because I have a 5 years old daughter. Have one then we say la.
Friend:  Rubbish haha.

I feel bad posting our conversation, but this is really awesome, isn't it? How can I not record it? Haha…

Feel great to have "new" phone running on CyanogenMod 7 RC5.7 with an Android 4 ICS Holo Theme and sound enhanced with DSP Manager. What's more, thanks to the new soft buttons, I effectively extended my phone live even with its failing hardware button.

Oh, to that friend of mine. Have a baby then we can have another round of conversation 5 years later, ok? Peace! ;P

Sunday 10 June 2012

I am so going to LOVE my new exercise routine!

The Vivo City Drummer Boys!

Ah~ the start of my exercise routine every Sunday, once at 4.00pm and another time at 7.00pm, chasing after them all over Vivo City with 小tz.

Well, my daughter's favourite. She gets the fun and i get my exercise.
:'(

Monday 4 June 2012

You, crazy daddy!

The first thing I heard when I saw my daughter yesterday was:

"Daddy, I saw your crazy daddy writing. You crazy daddy! Haha..."

She is talking about this blog and I just cannot hide my happiness knowing that she is starting to read it.

Thanks to grandma for introducing my blog and reading it with her. She likely may not be able to understand everything that I had written but it's a good start, anyway.

Can you see my BIG smiling face? :-D

Thursday 31 May 2012

Life still goes on, right?

Hi tz,

Still remember the fun we had at SAFRA Mount Faber's bowling alley on Tuesday, 15 May 2012? Well… it’s not just you, daddy and mummy joined you in washing the “long kang” (drain) of the bowling lane. Literally throwing money into the drain, they say. Haha…

Fortunately, we limit our losses to just 3 games; else we may have to eat bread throughout the week. Err… ok, daddy eats bread.  ;P

In playing games, like life, I hope you will understand that one can never win all the time. No matter how well prepared we are, there will be times when we will lose. Yes, it hurts, but life still goes on, isn’t it? Crying, throwing tantrums and making life difficult for yourself for not winning are not going to help you win the next time. We should really reflect and learn from our failures, train harder and aim for the next opportunity.

It has been more than a month since I last blogged. This blog was really so quiet that even mummy asked “why somebody stop blogging huh?” last night. Well, since the queen herself mentioned, daddy better start writing something. Right? ;P

Oh, oh… Daddy is going to get scolding soon.  ;’(

There are a few excuses why I stopped blogging all together for an entire month, like I was busy with work, lost my stylus to draw and wanted to take break. Ok, ok, the truth is I have been preparing myself for a big challenge. BUT, like our games of bowling, I lost. So, it’s preparing, losing and the grieving thereafter that resulted in this space being so quiet for one entire month.

See, daddy is not going to be egoistic and tell you I am ok. I am not; I grieved just like most people do. But you know what? Life goes on and here I am, up and ready for the fight again!

Tata! Here comes Ben 10!!! Oops…. It’s Ben Ben.  ;(

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Here comes Ben 10!




Thursday, 12 April 2012 at 5 pm,
Home, Singapore. 

小 tz: "Daddy, can I call you Ben 10?"

(Jumping around, excited and happy)

My daughter is naming me Ben 10, her favourite superhero!

Me: "小 tz are you saying Ben 10, the boy with superpowers in the cartoon?"

小 tz: "No daddy. I say Ben Ben the nobody. Can I call you Ben Ben forever?"

Noooo... ... Daddy still sounds better than Ben Ben.

Did you guys saw the blood flowing out of my body? :'( 

Tuesday 10 April 2012

Were they thinking about me?


Were they bored? Were they thinking about me? Err... more like they were thinking about the fishballs noodles selling in the coffee shop near grandma's house. Sigh...

Well, that's what I was thinking when I mirrored their postures sitting opposite them, listening to grandma talking about it. Interesting right? Like daddy, like mummy, like 小tz.

Friday 6 April 2012

What is love?


Love is having the opportunity to hold your hands till our hair turns grey. Going through moments when we laugh, smile, giggles, quarrel, cries, get bored and stares at each other.

Love is going through our daily routine of waking up, preparing breakfast, entertaining and teaching our kid. 

Love is screaming at each other, insisting our views, having cold wars till the kid pulls us together.

Love is seating in an empty unit, staring at each other from the day break till night’s falls when our kid have her own life.

Love is having you at my side from the day I say "I do" till I graduated and leave this earthly world.

Love is thanking fate for giving me the opportunity to be by your side supporting you for as long as my body can last.

Love is not getting tired in saying "I love you".

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Mummy, any other places you need me to vacuum?



1 April 2012 at 3pm,
Our home, Singapore.

We have the most efficient housekeeper in town. Forever ready and excited to vacuum. 

"Daddy, look at the pretty girl!"


31 March 2012 at 3:10pm,
Our home, Singapore.

Excited over the Malay wedding happening at the void deck in the opposite block, 小tz shouted to me: "Daddy, you missed the pretty girl!"

Shh... 小tz, if you want daddy to look at pretty girls, don't say it when mummy is around next time. You want daddy to die ah?! 
;-)

Tuesday 3 April 2012

Daddy, no ice cream for you.


31 March 2012 at 6:50pm,
Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, Singapore.

"Daddy, you can't eat this ice cream. Anyway, it will make all your teeth drop so I am going help by finishing it, ok?"

Win liao lor...  :-\

The best Roti Prata in Singapore!


31 March 2012 at 12:30pm,
coffee shop next block, Singapore.

Err... That's what 小tz implied when she says: "Daddy, this is the best Roti Prata! It's very nice!!! Come daddy, I let you try one piece."

Oh oh... Somebody is going to be jealous, very jealous. 
:-P

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Our holiday trip photographer.


Saturday, 10 March 2012 at 7:45am,
getting ready to board the coach,
Singapore.

Presenting... ... ... 小tz, our photographer for our holiday trip!

Err... this photographer have her mood one. It's totally up to her to decided what and when to use her camera. *fainted*

Anyway, after we arrived at Lotus Desaru Beach Resort, she decided to quit and focus on the fun she is having in the "Lazy River". Oh... That will be another posting. 
:-\

How to lost weight?


Saturday, 10 March 2012 at 2pm,
The Desaru Fruits Farm, Malaysia.

Carrying an overly excited and now tired 小tz, who have not been sleeping well since the night before and after having travelled for hours on a coach, walking around the fruits farm.

The experience was fun and educational for 小tz to see the guava, passion fruits, banana and laksa leaves, and visiting the monkeys, chickens, rabbits and goats in their small zoo.

Incidentally, I happened to find out that Singaporeans are not the most horrible looking people when we are having our buffet lunch. That lost in appetite contributed to my weight lost too! Haha...

Monday 26 March 2012

The great scholar!


19 Mar 2012 at 7:08pm,
Grandma's house.

小tz did not recognised and read the letters in one word. Neither did she read one sentence nor a paragraph. She read the entire book without assistance! OMG!!!

* Jumping around *

Thanks to my mother-in-law. Yippee!!! :-D

Sunday 25 March 2012

Having hours of fun without an iPhone.



Monday, 12 Mar 2012 at 2:30pm,
Desaru Beach, Malaysia.

小tz and I had hours of fun building sand castles and soaking our feet in seawater. 小tz told me: 

"Daddy, come soak your feet in seawater, your wound will recover faster you know. Let's go!"

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Unexpected show of little kindness.



Enjoying my food at a food court, I saw a little girl pointing to the pair of Crocs slippers left on the floor, under the table she and her grandma were about to occupy. The gentleman sitting at the next table heard the little girl, look at the Crocs then continue eating his food.


About some 20 minutes later, he stood up and proceeds to walked towards the back of the food court. Hmm... maybe he is going for his second helping, like me.
:-P~



Instead of another plate of food, he came back with an old lady following behind him. Looking closer, I remembered she was seen sitting at the table next to the gentleman, together with a younger lady carrying a little boy who was sleeping. They left the table after finding a bigger table that can accommodate 2 friends who joined them later.


The old lady picks up the pair of crocs and thanks the gentleman. I saw the gentleman smile, gestured, and said something like "its ok" before moving out of the food court.
Either he is very cool or like me, food is as important to him. Well I did see him enjoying his food in the entire 20 minutes.


"Oopsy! Dear, I am interested in his food and not him." Err... Politically incorrect answer cause either way, my baobei is going to nag at me.
:-/

Ok, ok... This is a better answer. "Dear, I am interested in how he was concentrating on his food and being mindful with his eating. I am also surprised how he is NOT tempted by the many options of delicious food surrounding him." Yippee! Is this model answer passable?
:-P

Monday 19 March 2012

My witty daughter.



小tz: "Daddy, it's so cool and sunny! I am going to wear my sunglasses."


Me: "Dear look, it's raining. Rain goes with cool and Sun goes with hot."


小tz: "Daddy look again! It's raining but the sun is high up there. Hee hee.."


Me: "Then?"


小tz: "It's cool and sunny so I am going to wear my sunglasses. Haha..."


Me: "... ... ..."

Friday 16 March 2012

3 reasons why we should not get angry.



"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." - Buddha


I know it’s easier said than done. Especially so when you see with your own eyes that people who did bad deeds, have ill intention like the person mentioned in my earlier post, are still living their life.


It is very wrong of you to think about it in that way for 3 reasons:


(1) As Buddhist, I believe in karma. Explaining in a very religious manner (and you can skip this paragraph if you are not comfortable), this person that you are angry with may had done well and accumulated many good karma which he/she is currently enjoying. Continuously doing bad in the present life, only quicken the usage of his/her good karma. She is on the journey of self destruction when her good karma finishes and started to face the consequences of her bad deeds.


(2) Seeing her doing bad deeds and knowing her doesn't mean that we have the ability to understand how she feels or struggle in her daily life. Is she having company of good people, happy family and reliable friends? Is she able to sleeps well every night? Only she knows. Besides, we should not be judging her without knowing why she does so. Is she doing the bad deeds to prevent greater harms to others? Choosing the lesser of the 2 evils?


(3) We should be concerned with our life and not others. What is it that you wanted to do in your life? Have you been spending time with your loved ones? More importantly, did you notice that by you getting angry at that person, your mind is frequently occupied with unproductive thoughts, you missed spending time with your loved ones and your health get affected. Notice you need to eat more to comfort yourself, the rise in your body temperature and blood pressure when you are angry?


Are you still angry, still holding on to that hot coal and burning yourself? Let go and live life.

Thursday 15 March 2012

NEL train service between Dhoby Ghaut and HarbourFront stations disrupted - Channel NewsAsia

NEL train service between Dhoby Ghaut and HarbourFront stations disrupted - Channel NewsAsia



"Attention passengers using the North East MRT Line, train services from Harbourfront to Dhoby Ghaut are affected. Please use the free bus shuttle service outside the station if you are going to Dhoby Ghaut, Clark Quay, Chinatown and Outram Park station. Thank you."

Great! It is finally my lucky day to experience a disruption of the public transport service. So great too that it fall on the day when I needed to do a presentation early in the morning.
;-/

After sending a message to my boss and colleague, I proceeded to the boarding area as directed by the MRT staff. Overall, from the numerous disruptions they had encountered previously, I believe they must have learned and they were well organized this time. There was adequate staff to direct the traffic and handle enquiries. The police and extra MRT staff not in uniform were also activated to handle the crowds.

My only complain is that there aren’t adequate buses to transfer the crowds. While the bus was pretty empty when I boarded, it is packed with people when it reached Outram Park MRT station.

"Hey, MRT close down la! Stop pushing people up the bus!!! It is packed like the buses in India and it will overturn ok!"

Ah~ that’s when my peace ended. The start of the arguments between the Chinese man that shouted and an Indian lady who replied:

"Please don't mention about India. It’s racist! Thanks."

During the arguments between the 2, a few Indians spoke up for the lady. The Chinese man became angrier and commented why no Chinese stand up for him, and start calling his friends for help.

Upon reaching Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, I was relieved to see a row of police man standing and getting ready to handle the crowds and any disputes.

Why am I blogging this? Wei, it’s a once in a lifetime (I hope) experience to be affected by the train disruption leh. I am "proud” to be involved. 
;P

Tuesday 13 March 2012

Care for the care-givers.




Having shared my view as volunteer and staff in the social service sector supporting the lives of the disadvantaged in my earlier post, it is only fair too that I share the difficulties faced by the care-givers looking after their family members with illnesses or disability. I felt there is no better way to share this than to tell the story of my friend's journey in looking after her sick father.


Being the eldest in the family with 2 other siblings, she was destined to look after her father when his health failed. At that moment, she decided to leave her successful career to look after her sick father so that her 2 siblings can focus on their study and the start of their career. 


Both her siblings subsequently did very well, married and moved out of the family. While she wasn't happy with her siblings over the care of their father and issues related to money, the family had been living peacefully as what she and her father wanted. She recalled some of those small incidents of unhappiness when she was asked to pay her father's share when they went out for meals. Her siblings had always argued that they pay for their wife and my friend should pay for her father. He is her father? I thought it is also theirs, right? 


Anyway, the second biggest frustration came when her 2 siblings chose to forego their bi-monthly visit, after their father was discharged from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, even after her father's home quarantine order ended for weeks during the SARS period. If not for her friend's help during the quarantine period, my friend and her father may have to suffer without proper meals.


The biggest disappointments came when my friend announced that she had found a partner and decided to proceed with her marriage. Both siblings starts to talk bad about my friend's partner, influenced their father and one even told my friend to 


"... stop thinking about marriage. You are already so old! You can't have children so why waste time and money. Just be happy staying and looking after father."


There were lots of tension in the family and situations between her and her father was really bad. The worst came when the siblings discharged her father without her knowledge when her father was hospitalized. Keeping her father, they then forced her to surrender her father and her money and assets to them.


To others and their relative, her father seems to be having a good life thereafter with a maid, new wheelchair and nice clothing. Gone are the days where they saw how she and her father struggled to the dialysis centre or making their way to the market next block to have their breakfast.


She received the news on the death of her father half a year later, just a few hours on the day before her father was cremated. It saddened her with the news as she cannot come to terms with her father's death. Her father who survived many operations and hospital visits died within 6 months after leaving her.


Knowing that I worked in the social served sector, she shared this with me in the hope that I can share this with my fellow colleagues to gain a better understanding on the difficulties of care-givers, their frustrations and sacrifices. She also hopes that more help can be made available to provide the care-givers with their much needed financial, physical and emotional support.

Sunday 11 March 2012

"Tell you a secret, Daddy."




A conversation tz and I had in the bus on our way home.

tz: "Daddy, I tell you the secret between mummy and me. You want?"
Me: "Ok."
tz: "But Daddy, you promise not to beat me again then I will tell you the secret. Ok Daddy?"
Me: "If you promise not to be naughty again, then I promise I will not beat you. Ok?"
tz: "Ok Daddy! The secret is 'easy peasy lemon squeezy'. "

tz turned and faced her mummy seated 3 rows behind us and shouted: "Mummy! I told Daddy the secret because he promised not to beat me!!!"

Err... Did I have a paper bag with me? Wa!!! Where to hide my face huh? Mama me ahhhh....

Thursday 8 March 2012

路是人走出来的!



路是人走出来的, 你注意到了吗?

很多路都是人从草地踏出一条沙路, 然后又被人放上木板, 再慢慢被人发现而造成石灰路的。从找寻目的地, 到一脚步一脚步的印在草地上, 到最后的石灰路,
费时费力,流子很多人的汗洫, 得来不易呵!

很多人明了这道理, 只要是目标一致, 都会跟随先人的指标而到达目的地。可这世上就是有一些人, 死都要自已开发一条署已自已的路。

没有人教他盲目跟从。他可以去查看, 去探听以了解这路是否能到达他要去目的地。没有人教他不求突破。他可以改进原有的路, 加上扶杆给老人家方便与安全,
或加上路灯方便夜间行驶。可他却扁扁要浪费时间与精神, 迷失方向。就算只要传个湾走回旧路, 或开口问人, 他都不要。

路, 是人走出来的。而最痛的是始终如一的要走着自已的路, 那其实是没有路的。先人费心费力为你铺好的路你不走, 何苦呢? _/\_

Monday 5 March 2012

How can I say "no"?


小tz: "Daddy, can you take leave on Thursday?"

Me: "Why dear?"

小tz: "I want you to go picnic with me. Ok Daddy?"

Review of the Cheese and mushroom ham sandwiches by yt & Co.




Even before eating, the bright yellow, rounded rectangular box that stores the sandwiches had already captured my attention. What a thoughtful packaging, I say to myself. It reminds me of the “back to school” kind of feel, just like the good old days. Err… wait! I just remembered I never ever bring sandwiches to school previously. Ops… err… imagine (just like whattz always says) la, the good old days when we are in primary school. Hee…

The sandwiches were perfectly cut with no extra bits and pieces showing at its edges. The feel was great too, with the sandwiches chilled and compressed to give it a unique feel. The mixture of its coolness with the assurance of its fillings from the firm touch was simply amazing!

You must be thinking that it’s great right? No, it’s simply, terrifically, wonderfully great to be able to taste such a unique, limited edition sandwiches. With my first bite, the mixture in taste from the chilled bread, the cheese and mushroom ham filled my mouth and instantly satisfied my taste buds with its coolness, the smell of the mushroom and the texture from the ham and cheese.

Hmm… wondering if I ever have another opportunity to write another review on the food from yt & Co.

Sunday 4 March 2012

A Beautiful Sunday!

Brought 小tz to enjoy Beautiful Sunday, an Esplanade presented concert titled “Symphonic Pop!” by Singapore Wind Symphony on 4 March 2012 at 3pm. Yeah, it’s FREE! 
;-D


Initially, 小tz was amazed and interested by the set-up and decoration in the Esplanade Concert Hall. However, after sometime, she started to get bored and ask…


tz: “Why the people are all on stage but not performing mummy?”
yt: “They are waiting for the Conductor, without him, they can’t start performing.”
tz: “Oh, why the Conductor is still not her yet mummy?”
yt: “小tz, why not you go and ask the Conductor when he arrive?”
tz: “But mummy… … …”


Fortunately, when the music started, she was seen shaking her head, swinging her body, clapping her hands or tapping her fingers. Hee… like father like daughter.


Ops… who farted in the Concert Hall? Wa!!! Smelly sia for one whole hour! 
:-/

Saturday 3 March 2012

"Daddy, can you come home earlier?"





小tz,


The other day while I was working late, you called to tell me what you did in school and how you have enjoyed yourself after school with mummy during outing. Before you ended your call, you asked: 


"Daddy, can you come back earlier? Why you always work and worked until very late?"


This, together with your other usual question:


"Daddy, can you put down the phone and play with me?"


has been troubling me ever since you started to ask them. The actual reason is much more complicated than what I had always told you. It is not as simple as earning an income to support you and mummy.


As usual, I am writing it here so that in case I had forgotten to tell you when are older, or when you no longer wants to hear my nagging, you are still able to find the answer when you wanted.


I had been speaking about the right livelihood in my earlier post. Taking up this job before I court mummy, is also about this and about paying forward for the help I had received previously. I am always thankful to mummy for allowing me to keep the job and support my desire to pay forward.


To others in the commercial sector, not answering a call or sms, not working late or over the weekends may result in them for not able to submit a report, losing a sale or the very most losing their job. For daddy, not doing those may result in a delay in taking an action that affect the life of another person or even the entire group of residents with disability under our care. It is simply too great a responsibility to simply ignore.


Having said that, I am equally guilty for not being able to spend more time with you and mummy, fulfilling my responsibilities as a husband and father. 


Recently, I am guilty when I was at the void deck answering a work related call, leaving mummy at home to cope with the bad news she received. I am saddened for not able to support mummy and you, busy replying my sms when we were looking for a resting place for Gong Gong. I am frustrated for having to answer a call when I visited Gong Gong at the hospital. I felt bad for discussing cases and signing documents at Gong Gong's wake.


小tz, those are necessary as I had mentioned earlier for the well-being of the people under our care at work. I take this opportunity to apologies for those disruptions and having arranged for some of them to happen. 


I really am looking forward for you to grow older so that daddy can share those with you over a cup of tea.


Oh! I am delighted to find out that teh-o-kosong is selling at $0.60 at our place as compared to Hougang. Hee...


I wanted you to know that I will always love you and mummy.