30.8.09
24.8.09
Room to Read
I was moved to tears while reading a book and eating my 小碗面 breakfast at the Bras Basah Complex food court so I had to stifle my emotions. The book "Leaving Microsoft to Change the World" was written by John Wood who is also the founder of the IGO Room to Read on which the book was based on. In brief, the background was that John travelled to Nepal, was appalled at the extent of illiteracy and the lack of books that he vowed to make it possible for more children in poorer countries to have access to books.
In one of the chapters in the book, John was in Vietnam and met a younger man named Vu. Vu works the graveyard shift (in the hotel John was staying) so that he can spend more time reading up and studying. John observed that Vu's hunger in reading and devouring whatever material he could come across when he observed Vu reading the manual of a digital watch (probably obselete). John, then still an executive in Microsoft was given the chance to show off his Microsoft Excel skills, but whatever John demonstrated, Vu could do the same process faster using shortcuts John did not know of.
John was impressed and wanted to help Vu by buying him a book on Excel. But Vu being proud and wanting to remain independent refused any help. John had to think of ways and means to 'trick' Vu to accept financial assistance.
In the end, John left a sealed envelope with US$20 as his 'scholarship' to Vu instructing Vu to only open the envelope a day later. Moments later, Vu knocked on John's door in tears. He had opened the letter, was so touched and finally relented to accept a new friend's help. After John sent off Vu and closed the door, John wrote in the book that "..at which point I collapsed on my bed and started crying with tears of joy, of hope, of optimism, for forming a connection that transcends words."
Holding in my chopsticks a fishball, I also had to fight back tears.
In one of the chapters in the book, John was in Vietnam and met a younger man named Vu. Vu works the graveyard shift (in the hotel John was staying) so that he can spend more time reading up and studying. John observed that Vu's hunger in reading and devouring whatever material he could come across when he observed Vu reading the manual of a digital watch (probably obselete). John, then still an executive in Microsoft was given the chance to show off his Microsoft Excel skills, but whatever John demonstrated, Vu could do the same process faster using shortcuts John did not know of.
John was impressed and wanted to help Vu by buying him a book on Excel. But Vu being proud and wanting to remain independent refused any help. John had to think of ways and means to 'trick' Vu to accept financial assistance.
In the end, John left a sealed envelope with US$20 as his 'scholarship' to Vu instructing Vu to only open the envelope a day later. Moments later, Vu knocked on John's door in tears. He had opened the letter, was so touched and finally relented to accept a new friend's help. After John sent off Vu and closed the door, John wrote in the book that "..at which point I collapsed on my bed and started crying with tears of joy, of hope, of optimism, for forming a connection that transcends words."
Holding in my chopsticks a fishball, I also had to fight back tears.
23.8.09
《太极拳论》- 王宗岳
太极者，无极而生，阴阳之母也。动之则分，静之则合。随屈就伸，无过不及。人刚我柔谓之走，我顺人背谓之粘。动急则急应，动缓则缓随。虽变化万端而理为一贯，由着熟而渐悟懂劲，由懂劲而阶及神明。然非用力之久不能豁然贯通焉！
虚领顶劲，气沉丹田，不偏不倚，忽隐忽现。左重则左虚，右重则右杳，仰之则弥高，俯之则弥深，进之则愈长，退之则愈促。一羽不能加，蝇虫不能落。人不知我，我独知人。英雄所向无敌，盖皆由此而及也。
斯技旁门甚多，虽势有区别，盖不外壮欺弱，慢让快耳。有力打无力，手慢让手快，是皆先天自然之能，非关学力而所为也。察四两拨千斤之句，显非力胜。观耄耋能御众之形，快何能为？
立如秤准，活似车轮。偏沉则坠，双重则滞。每见数年纯功不能运化者，率皆自为人制，双重之病未悟耳！欲避此病，须知阴阳。粘即是走，走即是粘，阴不离阳，阳不离阴，阴阳相济，方为懂劲。懂劲后，愈练愈精，默识揣摩，渐至从心所欲。
本是舍己从人，多误为舍近求远。所谓差之毫厘，谬以千里。学者不可不详辨焉，是为论。
虚领顶劲，气沉丹田，不偏不倚，忽隐忽现。左重则左虚，右重则右杳，仰之则弥高，俯之则弥深，进之则愈长，退之则愈促。一羽不能加，蝇虫不能落。人不知我，我独知人。英雄所向无敌，盖皆由此而及也。
斯技旁门甚多，虽势有区别，盖不外壮欺弱，慢让快耳。有力打无力，手慢让手快，是皆先天自然之能，非关学力而所为也。察四两拨千斤之句，显非力胜。观耄耋能御众之形，快何能为？
立如秤准，活似车轮。偏沉则坠，双重则滞。每见数年纯功不能运化者，率皆自为人制，双重之病未悟耳！欲避此病，须知阴阳。粘即是走，走即是粘，阴不离阳，阳不离阴，阴阳相济，方为懂劲。懂劲后，愈练愈精，默识揣摩，渐至从心所欲。
本是舍己从人，多误为舍近求远。所谓差之毫厘，谬以千里。学者不可不详辨焉，是为论。
Taiji Lesson today
Mr Yang shared his encounters with a Mr Ding, former principal of Ai Tong school. After retirement, Mr Ding was diagnosed with cancer. Numerous operations and chemotheraphy rendered him weak and the doctor had informed his family to prepare for the worst. Mr Ding did not wish to accept his fate as such and went to China's villages to look for answers. Apparently he came to a remote village and saw the villagers practising a form of exercise. Curious, he asked one lady and was told that all of the villagers were all cancer patients. He stayed on and learnt the exercise. According to Mr Yang, Mr Ding's cancer went into remission and he is still alive today. Mr Ding agreed to teach Mr Yang the exercise provided that Mr Yang promised to teach others.
Mr Yang then offered his personal experience. After his father and then his elder brother passed away with cancer, he began to worry that he also had cancer one day when he felt pain in the right side of his chest. Many tests later would show that he was not suffering from cancer.
But he said the experience thought him that one's will or frame of mind affects one's wellbeing. When he thought he had contracted cancer, he began to feel weak, depressed and desperate. But when he was cleared of cancer, it was like turning on a light in a dark room, he felt strong immediately.
Another learning point today was when he shared Taiji's grand ancestor Mr Wang Zongyue's Taiji Thesis. I asked him about one phrase "意气君，肉骨臣 ". The crux of the phrase is on what is "君" and what is "臣". The phrase therefore means that the will and spirit （意气）should be the master （君）and therefore lead the body（肉骨）.
Mr Yang then offered his personal experience. After his father and then his elder brother passed away with cancer, he began to worry that he also had cancer one day when he felt pain in the right side of his chest. Many tests later would show that he was not suffering from cancer.
But he said the experience thought him that one's will or frame of mind affects one's wellbeing. When he thought he had contracted cancer, he began to feel weak, depressed and desperate. But when he was cleared of cancer, it was like turning on a light in a dark room, he felt strong immediately.
Another learning point today was when he shared Taiji's grand ancestor Mr Wang Zongyue's Taiji Thesis. I asked him about one phrase "意气君，肉骨臣 ". The crux of the phrase is on what is "君" and what is "臣". The phrase therefore means that the will and spirit （意气）should be the master （君）and therefore lead the body（肉骨）.
21.8.09
18.8.09
12.8.09
10.8.09
Luxury Dates from Qatar
Sis-in-law LL recently returned from a business trip to Qatar. Owing to this, I had the good fortune of tasting some tasty and sweet middle eastern dates.
Dates are the staple food of the middle-eastern people. I like dates because they are immensely sweet and nutritious. This version that LL shared had been de-seeded and restuffed with various combinations of nuts which works very well.
Dates are the staple food of the middle-eastern people. I like dates because they are immensely sweet and nutritious. This version that LL shared had been de-seeded and restuffed with various combinations of nuts which works very well.
1.8.09
Growing Up with Luncheon Meat
Canned food was a regular accompaniment to my childhood meals, and although my parents did provide us with ample fresh meat and vegetables from the wet market, canned varieties such as fish with black beans, button mushrooms, sardines and especially luncheon meat added variety and taste.
How did we do luncheon meat?
1) Fried and dipped with tomato sauce
2) Dipped in egg batter and fried
3) Steamed and eaten with rice or bread
4) Cubed and stewed with carrots, potatoes and onions in a combination my father called "Seetoh" (I think it is a play on the word 'stew')
How did we do luncheon meat?
1) Fried and dipped with tomato sauce
2) Dipped in egg batter and fried
3) Steamed and eaten with rice or bread
4) Cubed and stewed with carrots, potatoes and onions in a combination my father called "Seetoh" (I think it is a play on the word 'stew')
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