I was taking the lift down for lunch today. One person was telling his friend. Do you know that the greatest difference between a human and a animal is that a human have the ability to smile.....and most people are not using this ability enough.
Hmm...quite interesting, I thought, and I do agree that I see many sullen faces around.
Then, as I stepped out of the lift, I realised his statement is not entirely true.
My dog can smile as well!
Showing posts with label Anecdotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anecdotes. Show all posts
5.5.10
3.5.10
Middle child left out?
A couple of weeks ago during lunch, my colleagues (those with children) were debating whether it will be good to have 2 or 3 kids. It is the usual argument, one will be too lonely(for the kid), two seems just nice and three, the middle one will feel left out.
So I was there minding my own chicken (we were eating chicken rice!) because I am seriously not interested in all these talk on children.
Suddenly, one of them asked me, hey, since you were one of three kids, and the middle one, did you ever felt left out. Choking on my piece of chicken, and straining my brain to instantly unlock decades-old memories of childhood, I really cannot think of any incident. So I said no.
But this question was left lingering and the answer actually is yes. There were certain occasions I felt left out.
In my innocent childhood years, I always have this feeling that my mum doted more on my elder brother and my father liked my younger brother more.
But thankfully, my character is quite easy going and I found other avenues to channel my emotions for example in books and sports. I also had very good friends in school.
But on reflection, I have also been a difficult child. I grew extremely argumentative in secondary school and loathed housework so my mum was always scolding me. My dad has always been quiet but he could be very fierce at times. I always resented this and would antagonize him by being sarcastic. He always threatened to slap me but he never did.
Being a Buddhist, I would like to think that I have done something good in the 'past' and despite all my emotional challenges in my early years, I think I grew up rather normal and balanced! haha
I don't know whether it is karma, but as life would have it, my parents visit my place every week nowadays and this week when they are away travelling, I miss their company. It also seemed weird that they were not around for our weekly taiji lessons.
So I was there minding my own chicken (we were eating chicken rice!) because I am seriously not interested in all these talk on children.
Suddenly, one of them asked me, hey, since you were one of three kids, and the middle one, did you ever felt left out. Choking on my piece of chicken, and straining my brain to instantly unlock decades-old memories of childhood, I really cannot think of any incident. So I said no.
But this question was left lingering and the answer actually is yes. There were certain occasions I felt left out.
In my innocent childhood years, I always have this feeling that my mum doted more on my elder brother and my father liked my younger brother more.
But thankfully, my character is quite easy going and I found other avenues to channel my emotions for example in books and sports. I also had very good friends in school.
But on reflection, I have also been a difficult child. I grew extremely argumentative in secondary school and loathed housework so my mum was always scolding me. My dad has always been quiet but he could be very fierce at times. I always resented this and would antagonize him by being sarcastic. He always threatened to slap me but he never did.
Being a Buddhist, I would like to think that I have done something good in the 'past' and despite all my emotional challenges in my early years, I think I grew up rather normal and balanced! haha
I don't know whether it is karma, but as life would have it, my parents visit my place every week nowadays and this week when they are away travelling, I miss their company. It also seemed weird that they were not around for our weekly taiji lessons.
29.4.10
Locked Out
I was locked out of my own house yesterday night for one hour.
Admittedly, I was quite upset because it was almost 10pm, and I was tired and sleepy and I have not had my beer! S had to bear the brunt of my unhappiness.
Whilst waiting for the house keys to be fetched, I spent an irritable hour lying on a slab of concrete 'wall' at the void deck, inviting suspicious stares from nighbours walking to the lift lobby. Thankfully for army training, I can balance myself very well while lying down (face up) on the wall only 30cm wide.
The Guiness foreign extra did its work wonderfully after I got into my house later though. I did not have too much time to enjoy its taste as my bedtime beckoned.
Conclusion? I think I am a little stressed from work.
Admittedly, I was quite upset because it was almost 10pm, and I was tired and sleepy and I have not had my beer! S had to bear the brunt of my unhappiness.
Whilst waiting for the house keys to be fetched, I spent an irritable hour lying on a slab of concrete 'wall' at the void deck, inviting suspicious stares from nighbours walking to the lift lobby. Thankfully for army training, I can balance myself very well while lying down (face up) on the wall only 30cm wide.
The Guiness foreign extra did its work wonderfully after I got into my house later though. I did not have too much time to enjoy its taste as my bedtime beckoned.
Conclusion? I think I am a little stressed from work.
28.4.10
Enlistment
Cousin JL will be enlisting in a few months time and he is not a whee bit concerned, like I was in my time. Why? Because he has been medically downgraded.
I still remember my enlistment day, the images of climbing up the three-tonner, of glancing at my parents sitted and waving at me, picking up the ali baba bag, waiting for the hair-cut, waiting at the range for shooting practice, of many punishments (especially one change parade I was responsible for for reporting back camp late), a female sergeant screaming obscenities at us, the same female sergeant making me 'knock-it-down' when I offered to give her a hand going down a steep slope, of having an emergency pee session while firing blanks in the midst of tall lalang somewhere in Lim Chun Kang, of being estatically happy when I chanced upon a secondary school friend who was also involved in training in Lim Chu Kang .... the list goes on.
In a way, I am sorry that JL will not be having the FULL NS experience, though I doubt very much he will mind.
I still remember my enlistment day, the images of climbing up the three-tonner, of glancing at my parents sitted and waving at me, picking up the ali baba bag, waiting for the hair-cut, waiting at the range for shooting practice, of many punishments (especially one change parade I was responsible for for reporting back camp late), a female sergeant screaming obscenities at us, the same female sergeant making me 'knock-it-down' when I offered to give her a hand going down a steep slope, of having an emergency pee session while firing blanks in the midst of tall lalang somewhere in Lim Chun Kang, of being estatically happy when I chanced upon a secondary school friend who was also involved in training in Lim Chu Kang .... the list goes on.
In a way, I am sorry that JL will not be having the FULL NS experience, though I doubt very much he will mind.
Little White Dog visiting
Snowy (I call her Little White Dog) is staying over at our place for a week as Ben and parents are travelling to Hokkaido. Dana, aka Little Brown Dog, is a little concerned and quite jealous. So S and I have to be careful that the two little dogs do not end up fighting, not that they will actually.
S has also being kept busy, preparing their meals, and monitoring their small and big businesses. It has also made my life a but more exciting, as I have another dog belly to scratch.
Separately, I am happy for parents that they have an opportunity to visit Japan with Ben and LL accompanying. And it is sakura season, it will be beautiful!
S has also being kept busy, preparing their meals, and monitoring their small and big businesses. It has also made my life a but more exciting, as I have another dog belly to scratch.
Separately, I am happy for parents that they have an opportunity to visit Japan with Ben and LL accompanying. And it is sakura season, it will be beautiful!
16.12.09
My own journey with bilingualism
I did well enough in my PSLEs to qualify for a SAP (Special Assistance Plan) school which teaches both English and Chinese as first languages. I owe this satisfactory outcome to my mother who had to spend what limited extra money we had in those days for English and Mathematics tuition for me; Ben and I went to tuition together but that story is for another post.
I grew up in an all-chinese family. My standard of english up, till secondary school, was rather poor and this was not helped by having predominantly chinese friends and playmates. I recall now being very nervous when speaking with my malay and indian classmates in english.
Realising this weakness, I deliberately chose to study, in secondary school, english literature instead of chinese literature which most of my good friends did. In E. Lit class, I remember my teacher Miss Foo would have us to read aloud passages from texts such as "Things Fall Apart" and "To Kill a Mockingbird". I must have impressed my teacher somewhat in my english oratory abilities that I was asked to represent the class in a debating competition. That experience was both agony and enlightenment. I was shaking when it was my turn to stand and speak, my hands twitched, I stammered and I was an obvious nervous wreck. I was so embarassed that I told myself it was time to improve.
The trouble was although we were in a SAP school, the focus was actually on learning a higher level of chinese and not english. So to practise english, when speaking (or scolding) the NPCC squad which I was in charge of, I would only use english. I would like to think this gave me added confidence in using the language later in my life.
On the other hand, as we were a SAP school, the methods of learning chinese were decidedly traditional with lots of tingxue and moxie. Long bus journeys were the perfect time to study the textbook in preparation for quizzes although this severely damaged my eyesight. But becuase of my background growing up speaking chinese, I never had any serious problems in chinese.
Since I started working, what I had to continue improving though was writing in english: in being clear in explaining, appreciating the flow of ideas and tightening prose. And this has so far been a daily learning process that will probably never stop.
So my take on the current bilingualism issue is this. Based on my personal experience, the environment a child grows up in is crucial. In Singapore's context, if a parent appreciates the importance of chinese, then chinese should be the dominant language at home. As for english, there will be more than ample opportunities to develop proficiency or even mastery of the language in formal settings such as in school or work.
I grew up in an all-chinese family. My standard of english up, till secondary school, was rather poor and this was not helped by having predominantly chinese friends and playmates. I recall now being very nervous when speaking with my malay and indian classmates in english.
Realising this weakness, I deliberately chose to study, in secondary school, english literature instead of chinese literature which most of my good friends did. In E. Lit class, I remember my teacher Miss Foo would have us to read aloud passages from texts such as "Things Fall Apart" and "To Kill a Mockingbird". I must have impressed my teacher somewhat in my english oratory abilities that I was asked to represent the class in a debating competition. That experience was both agony and enlightenment. I was shaking when it was my turn to stand and speak, my hands twitched, I stammered and I was an obvious nervous wreck. I was so embarassed that I told myself it was time to improve.
The trouble was although we were in a SAP school, the focus was actually on learning a higher level of chinese and not english. So to practise english, when speaking (or scolding) the NPCC squad which I was in charge of, I would only use english. I would like to think this gave me added confidence in using the language later in my life.
On the other hand, as we were a SAP school, the methods of learning chinese were decidedly traditional with lots of tingxue and moxie. Long bus journeys were the perfect time to study the textbook in preparation for quizzes although this severely damaged my eyesight. But becuase of my background growing up speaking chinese, I never had any serious problems in chinese.
Since I started working, what I had to continue improving though was writing in english: in being clear in explaining, appreciating the flow of ideas and tightening prose. And this has so far been a daily learning process that will probably never stop.
So my take on the current bilingualism issue is this. Based on my personal experience, the environment a child grows up in is crucial. In Singapore's context, if a parent appreciates the importance of chinese, then chinese should be the dominant language at home. As for english, there will be more than ample opportunities to develop proficiency or even mastery of the language in formal settings such as in school or work.
14.12.09
Hainan Trip 2009 - Falling sick
The weather was nice and cool in Wenchang, in which we spent 5 days. The days were packed. We woke up early and gathered at the hotel lobby at 7am and took a short walk to the city centre park for our morning exercise.
This will be followed by a hearty lunch before we took the 2 hour plus ride for sightseeing before returning to the village home for dinner. We then had to endure another long ride back to our hotel in Wenchang. The day does not stop there. We will then take a walk in the city streets and have our daily dessert of ginger soup. By the time leave for the hotel, it will be around 11pm.
When we proceeded to Haikou from Wenchang on the fifth day, all seemed fine in the morning. We had our morning exercise followed by our breakfast.
But mum recalled later that once their car entered Haikou, my cousin and Dad immediately started sneezing. By the way, Haikou is warmer and the air is more polluted.
The hotel in which we had planned to stay turned out to be a bad choice as it was situated in front of a wet market, and the condition was quite run-down. It was made worse when I observed that the toilet had no door but a curtain for separation.
By the time we found a hotel and took a short drive to have lunch, Dad was already not feeling well and had to visit the toilet twice. I felt a little tired but was not feeling unwell.
When we reached the hotel, we all agreed to take a much needed rest from the long journey from Wenchang. Ben was already not feeling well. As for me, once I started to lie down on the bed, I felt a little cold, a familiar sympton that the body was trying to cool itself.
I woke Ben up and he immediately gave me some panadol.
I grew increasingly cold and weak and slept until the next morning.
But the most surprising part was that Mum did not fall sick at all despite the fact that she was complaining she wasn't feeling well at the airport!
This will be followed by a hearty lunch before we took the 2 hour plus ride for sightseeing before returning to the village home for dinner. We then had to endure another long ride back to our hotel in Wenchang. The day does not stop there. We will then take a walk in the city streets and have our daily dessert of ginger soup. By the time leave for the hotel, it will be around 11pm.
When we proceeded to Haikou from Wenchang on the fifth day, all seemed fine in the morning. We had our morning exercise followed by our breakfast.
But mum recalled later that once their car entered Haikou, my cousin and Dad immediately started sneezing. By the way, Haikou is warmer and the air is more polluted.
The hotel in which we had planned to stay turned out to be a bad choice as it was situated in front of a wet market, and the condition was quite run-down. It was made worse when I observed that the toilet had no door but a curtain for separation.
By the time we found a hotel and took a short drive to have lunch, Dad was already not feeling well and had to visit the toilet twice. I felt a little tired but was not feeling unwell.
When we reached the hotel, we all agreed to take a much needed rest from the long journey from Wenchang. Ben was already not feeling well. As for me, once I started to lie down on the bed, I felt a little cold, a familiar sympton that the body was trying to cool itself.
I woke Ben up and he immediately gave me some panadol.
I grew increasingly cold and weak and slept until the next morning.
But the most surprising part was that Mum did not fall sick at all despite the fact that she was complaining she wasn't feeling well at the airport!
Must know how to earn money!
Mum and I were joking with cousin A, who happened to be 'unattached' now that we will be able to find suitors for him from Hainan who can help with household chores and can cook.
This was not purely in jest because mum was requested by a Hainan acquaintance to look out for such opportunities for her nieces.
Cousin A replied," In Singapore, no need to know how to cook, most importantly much know how to make money!"
This was not purely in jest because mum was requested by a Hainan acquaintance to look out for such opportunities for her nieces.
Cousin A replied," In Singapore, no need to know how to cook, most importantly much know how to make money!"
11.12.09
Grandfather's one year anniversary
It is a cliche, but visiting Grandfather at the columbarium, I asked my uncle,"Time flies, has it been a year already?" I have since been a little moody the whole day from the visit.
I was at the columbarium early and as it was a weekday, it was largely deserted save for one family also paying their respects to their beloved relative.
So I ventured to the 'block' housing my grandfather. Beside my grandfather was my grandmother and a couple of other relatives. My grandfather had the foresight to have booked the lots for all of them early :)
I remembered this phrase regarding 'the longest distance in the world': 乡愁是一方方整齐的骨灰坛，我在外头，外公在里头。
Uncle K prepared the food, drinks, paper-money and incense offering. At that point when we were performing the rituals, I realised that this is not about superstition, it is about remembering a loved one, and wanting to have a way to display the love.
Cousin A and I were then given the task of burning all the paper-money and artifacts and we have quite a fun time playing with fire, literally.
We adjourned for a satisfying lunch of dumpling noodles before making our separate ways home.
I was at the columbarium early and as it was a weekday, it was largely deserted save for one family also paying their respects to their beloved relative.
So I ventured to the 'block' housing my grandfather. Beside my grandfather was my grandmother and a couple of other relatives. My grandfather had the foresight to have booked the lots for all of them early :)
I remembered this phrase regarding 'the longest distance in the world': 乡愁是一方方整齐的骨灰坛，我在外头，外公在里头。
Uncle K prepared the food, drinks, paper-money and incense offering. At that point when we were performing the rituals, I realised that this is not about superstition, it is about remembering a loved one, and wanting to have a way to display the love.
Cousin A and I were then given the task of burning all the paper-money and artifacts and we have quite a fun time playing with fire, literally.
We adjourned for a satisfying lunch of dumpling noodles before making our separate ways home.
28.9.09
Aunt S hospitalised
Aunt S felt weak at the MRT Station this morning and the station control officers very kindly arranged for a ambulance to send her to A&E. As she was running a slight fever as well, her symptoms were initially diagnosed as minor-stroke which worried all of us.
When I visited her at the hospital in the evening, I was happy to note that she looked and sounded normal. She was due to take a MRI scan of her brain to assess whether there was stroke.
In any case, I gently told her that this was a wake-up call she should heed and suggested that she find time to join us in our weekend taiji and leisure activities both to find some exercise and to relax.
Post-Note at Noon, 29 Sep 09
Aunt Sherry is being discharged now. According to Cousin Jing, who just visited her, "Everything seems fine".
When I visited her at the hospital in the evening, I was happy to note that she looked and sounded normal. She was due to take a MRI scan of her brain to assess whether there was stroke.
In any case, I gently told her that this was a wake-up call she should heed and suggested that she find time to join us in our weekend taiji and leisure activities both to find some exercise and to relax.
Post-Note at Noon, 29 Sep 09
Aunt Sherry is being discharged now. According to Cousin Jing, who just visited her, "Everything seems fine".
4.9.09
不管
张雨生有一首歌叫《不管》。 歌里面唱到：不管，不管，让我们交换，你才知我心酸。
想到这两个字，和这首歌，是母亲告诉我一段关于她和外公的故事。父母结婚之后便在外公家住了下来。后来，有了下一代之后便买了政府组屋搬了出去。外公为此不高兴。
有一天，在邻里的湿巴刹碰面，外公转过了身子，不睬母亲。母亲说她眼泪霎那间便流了下来。
===========
当然，后来他们都合好了，我记得小时候母亲常带我们三兄弟搭巴士去拜访外公外婆。当时外公外婆开杂货店，我们三个便在那里玩上好几个小时。
父母与子女那里会有隔夜仇，只是一时面子过不去。雨生的另外一首歌说得很好，《我最疼爱的人伤我最深》。
人生是马拉松，日子还长，一切都可能改变，只是时间的长短。
很久沒和爸爸貼心交談,
卻發現他動作滄桑緩慢,
滿臉皺紋漫長,
見證我成長
內疚也心酸,
時間太趕,愛得太晚
想見的人,待到燈火也闌珊
為了不平凡,
忙忙忙會讓人盲.
贏到了風光,
輸去了我的心肝,
生命苦短,
人不過是人,
世界有太多東西流轉.
別把風景搬上天堂.
想到这两个字，和这首歌，是母亲告诉我一段关于她和外公的故事。父母结婚之后便在外公家住了下来。后来，有了下一代之后便买了政府组屋搬了出去。外公为此不高兴。
有一天，在邻里的湿巴刹碰面，外公转过了身子，不睬母亲。母亲说她眼泪霎那间便流了下来。
===========
当然，后来他们都合好了，我记得小时候母亲常带我们三兄弟搭巴士去拜访外公外婆。当时外公外婆开杂货店，我们三个便在那里玩上好几个小时。
父母与子女那里会有隔夜仇，只是一时面子过不去。雨生的另外一首歌说得很好，《我最疼爱的人伤我最深》。
人生是马拉松，日子还长，一切都可能改变，只是时间的长短。
很久沒和爸爸貼心交談,
卻發現他動作滄桑緩慢,
滿臉皺紋漫長,
見證我成長
內疚也心酸,
時間太趕,愛得太晚
想見的人,待到燈火也闌珊
為了不平凡,
忙忙忙會讓人盲.
贏到了風光,
輸去了我的心肝,
生命苦短,
人不過是人,
世界有太多東西流轉.
別把風景搬上天堂.
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
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）.
18.7.09
NPCC
NPCC stands for National Police Cadet Corps, and it is an extra curricular activity that secondary students can pick up. Compared to the NCC or National Cadet Corps (aka student soldiers), NPCC focuses a lot more on foot drill. For this express purpose, the soles of the boot are affixed (at the student's own cost) with a metal horse-shoe at the heel and three pieces of metal at the front to produce a clicking sound when the shoe comes into contact with the ground. When marching in unison, the squad or platoon makes delightful percussion.
NPCC was not my first choice ECA in RVHS though. I signed up for NCC-Air despite already having terrible eyesight at the tender age of 13 and also despite knowing that anything less than almost perfect eyesight means not being accepted. I think I signed up because of a friend. My friend got in and I did not.
Then I tried to sign up for NCC but the Secondary 1 Squad was already filled up; such was its popularity.
So NPCC it was. And I was welcomed with open arms.
ECA in those days was on Saturdays. Our program typically starts early morning around 8am to 8.30am with a PT session. More often than not, this will be followed by frantic changing into the police uniform (there is not even time to change in the toilet) for one to two hours of solid foot drill under the increasingly hotter sun. Part of the fun was learning the Malay drill commands. Even today, I can still rememeber all the complex Malay commands. The ultimate command for most of us was for sizing, i.e. to bring about a nice V 'sized' platoon when viewed from the front, with the taller ones on each side.
Let me try to recall, lousy spelling notwithstanding, the mouthful command: Yang tinggi ke-kenan, renda ke-keri, dalam satu barisan, khra! (It means tallest to the right, shortest to the left, form a single file, move it!) There are four other commands before the desired shape of the platoon is formed, but don't let me bore you.
Related to foot drill is the exacting standards of how the shoe should shine. And that is to be able to see the reflection of one's teeth. I kid you not. It takes a few years to perfect this state of shine.
The art of polishing ventures beyond simply applying 'kiwi' to brush.
Our superior technique includes burning the kiwi covered shoe with an open flame from a candle to coat the surface of the shoe with a even layer of kiwi. This has to be done very carefully to achieve a smooth surface -- sometimes the shoe can catch fire! Next, after allowing the molten kiwi to cool and harden, use a piece of cotton cloth, dip into some kiwi and polish in a small circular motion. Sometimes, a tinny bit of water will help elevate the shine to an even higher notch. This activity typically takes place on the Friday night and can last hours. You had no choice but invest in the effort because a less than desirable standard will mean 'knocking-it-down' -- push ups! We did hundreds of push ups every week. My NCO said polishing shoes builds patience and character.
We also have lectures then on subjects such as campcraft and first aid. In real life, campcraft came in rather useful on many occasions when the need arose to tie knots for various purposes. My knowledge of the reef knot, highwayman's knot, timber hitch and lashing proved to be valuable life skills. As for first aid, I have not encountered the need to provide CPR nor tie a bandage so I cannot say these knowledge was equally valuable.
NPCC was not my first choice ECA in RVHS though. I signed up for NCC-Air despite already having terrible eyesight at the tender age of 13 and also despite knowing that anything less than almost perfect eyesight means not being accepted. I think I signed up because of a friend. My friend got in and I did not.
Then I tried to sign up for NCC but the Secondary 1 Squad was already filled up; such was its popularity.
So NPCC it was. And I was welcomed with open arms.
ECA in those days was on Saturdays. Our program typically starts early morning around 8am to 8.30am with a PT session. More often than not, this will be followed by frantic changing into the police uniform (there is not even time to change in the toilet) for one to two hours of solid foot drill under the increasingly hotter sun. Part of the fun was learning the Malay drill commands. Even today, I can still rememeber all the complex Malay commands. The ultimate command for most of us was for sizing, i.e. to bring about a nice V 'sized' platoon when viewed from the front, with the taller ones on each side.
Let me try to recall, lousy spelling notwithstanding, the mouthful command: Yang tinggi ke-kenan, renda ke-keri, dalam satu barisan, khra! (It means tallest to the right, shortest to the left, form a single file, move it!) There are four other commands before the desired shape of the platoon is formed, but don't let me bore you.
Related to foot drill is the exacting standards of how the shoe should shine. And that is to be able to see the reflection of one's teeth. I kid you not. It takes a few years to perfect this state of shine.
The art of polishing ventures beyond simply applying 'kiwi' to brush.
Our superior technique includes burning the kiwi covered shoe with an open flame from a candle to coat the surface of the shoe with a even layer of kiwi. This has to be done very carefully to achieve a smooth surface -- sometimes the shoe can catch fire! Next, after allowing the molten kiwi to cool and harden, use a piece of cotton cloth, dip into some kiwi and polish in a small circular motion. Sometimes, a tinny bit of water will help elevate the shine to an even higher notch. This activity typically takes place on the Friday night and can last hours. You had no choice but invest in the effort because a less than desirable standard will mean 'knocking-it-down' -- push ups! We did hundreds of push ups every week. My NCO said polishing shoes builds patience and character.
We also have lectures then on subjects such as campcraft and first aid. In real life, campcraft came in rather useful on many occasions when the need arose to tie knots for various purposes. My knowledge of the reef knot, highwayman's knot, timber hitch and lashing proved to be valuable life skills. As for first aid, I have not encountered the need to provide CPR nor tie a bandage so I cannot say these knowledge was equally valuable.
17.7.09
Back to Basics
Just last week, my taiji teacher was saying, as you go through life, you realise what's more important or essential and shed the unimportant stuff, like unnecssary layers. An analogy he gave was he used to like to pick the finer fish to eat, like 'ang kau' (I actually don't now what kind of fish this is). But now, he realised that as long as the fish is fresh, the flesh will be sweet. Woah...a touch of zen!
Uncannily, I had a taste of this today.
My expensive Omega watch had let me down. Meant to be a diver's watch, but after a few weeks of swimming at the neighbourhood pool, yesterday morning I realised that moisture has seeped into the watch and mist could be seen under the glass face.
I sent in the watch for servicing and was told that the wait could be 12 weeks.
So, the lesson learnt for me is for a watch, as long as it can tell time accurately, it is a good watch. So I went to get this $28 Casio watch which tells the time perfectly and can be worn to the local pool and water resistant up to 50 metres.
Uncannily, I had a taste of this today.
My expensive Omega watch had let me down. Meant to be a diver's watch, but after a few weeks of swimming at the neighbourhood pool, yesterday morning I realised that moisture has seeped into the watch and mist could be seen under the glass face.
I sent in the watch for servicing and was told that the wait could be 12 weeks.
So, the lesson learnt for me is for a watch, as long as it can tell time accurately, it is a good watch. So I went to get this $28 Casio watch which tells the time perfectly and can be worn to the local pool and water resistant up to 50 metres.
15.7.09
Health tips from Taiji teacher
I am very fortunate to be able to learn taiji from my present teacher; my parents and wife are also in the same class. Besides being very knowledgeble and competent in taiji, he also dishes out health tips on and off during lessons.
These are a few I have gleaned:
1) To prevent catching cold, make sure your shoulders are not exposed, i.e. cover them. Should prevent your feet from being exposed to the cold also, by using slippers even at home or wearing socks when sleeping, especially if in an air-conditioned room.
2) Hang on a monkey bar to stretch the spine like primates do.
3) Exercise the brain by softly clenching your fist finger by finger. This will train the different parts of the brain responsible for the movement of each finger. Particularly useful for the aged.
These are a few I have gleaned:
1) To prevent catching cold, make sure your shoulders are not exposed, i.e. cover them. Should prevent your feet from being exposed to the cold also, by using slippers even at home or wearing socks when sleeping, especially if in an air-conditioned room.
2) Hang on a monkey bar to stretch the spine like primates do.
3) Exercise the brain by softly clenching your fist finger by finger. This will train the different parts of the brain responsible for the movement of each finger. Particularly useful for the aged.
14.7.09
Parallel Parking tip
Source: Esquire MagazineFor detailed instructions Step 1 to 4, pl visit Esquire.
==========================
The first time I read this tip, I went to look for a parallel parking lot to try it. Works pretty well!
13.7.09
Chinese Orchestra
Since I am on the topic of Chinese Orchestra (my previous post on the drums performance), I thought I might search my memory on my dabbling with the art.
I think I joined my primary school CO in primary 2. I was following in the footsteps of my elder brother; my mum also encouraged me to learn to play a musical instrument. My brother learned the di zi (Chinese flute), I had absolutely no affinity with the flute (you need to be able to form your lips in a certain way to emit sound from the bamboo) so I settled, or rather the teacher settled for me, for the er hu.
I had some talent in the erhu. In fact, in my whole life, in many things I have a bit more talent than the average guy but not enough to be considered brilliant. So it was the same with the erhu. I stayed with the primary school CO until primary six. The valuable takeaway from the five years was the opportunity to learn music, to read music and to appreciate music, tempo and melody. I also had a good grounding in being on stage and because of this experience (and also my training as a student councillor doing PA duties), till today I never get stage fright.
Also because my elder brother did, I joined the CO at Woodlands CC. I received additional coaching and more performing opportunities. The two instructors I had then encouraged me a lot to pursue the art but as I reached seconday school age, the lure of a more physical ECA attracted me and after a few months into secondary school, I quit CO entirely.
I had found the weekly training quite a chore and realised that whatever talent I had had reached its limit. It was to be the same when I picked up the piano when I was 25 years old. But that is another story.
I think I joined my primary school CO in primary 2. I was following in the footsteps of my elder brother; my mum also encouraged me to learn to play a musical instrument. My brother learned the di zi (Chinese flute), I had absolutely no affinity with the flute (you need to be able to form your lips in a certain way to emit sound from the bamboo) so I settled, or rather the teacher settled for me, for the er hu.
I had some talent in the erhu. In fact, in my whole life, in many things I have a bit more talent than the average guy but not enough to be considered brilliant. So it was the same with the erhu. I stayed with the primary school CO until primary six. The valuable takeaway from the five years was the opportunity to learn music, to read music and to appreciate music, tempo and melody. I also had a good grounding in being on stage and because of this experience (and also my training as a student councillor doing PA duties), till today I never get stage fright.
Also because my elder brother did, I joined the CO at Woodlands CC. I received additional coaching and more performing opportunities. The two instructors I had then encouraged me a lot to pursue the art but as I reached seconday school age, the lure of a more physical ECA attracted me and after a few months into secondary school, I quit CO entirely.
I had found the weekly training quite a chore and realised that whatever talent I had had reached its limit. It was to be the same when I picked up the piano when I was 25 years old. But that is another story.
26.6.09
You just cannot change people
At the 1967 convocation dinner of the then University of Singapore, MM Lee (then PM) gave a speech to the new graduates.
I quote one interesting paragraph:
"But no single anecdote, I think, illustrates the problem more vividly than this. He recounted the fortunes of a great surgeon who occupies a position of great eminence in civilian life. He was fully aware of what he required by way of his diet. Yet he could not control his craving for cigarettes, and he bartered precious calories for cigarettes. He knew that he would die but he went on doing it. And he died. "
This is not only true of the many many smokers still out there today, but the rule applies to me as well. You see, I love fatty meat, pork lard and prawn heads, all the unhealthy stuff. I am probably going to suffer one day because of this, I try to control but nothing is going to keep me away.
So this is a mental thing, of the mind and rather complicated. I am not going to try to explain this but I think it applies to emotions as well, attachment to certain states of mind that no amount of persuasion nor logic will change.
Not that people will never change, because human beings do have the positive capacity to be influenced for the better. But this needs time, opportunity and possibly strategy. In the meantime, for me, just let things be.
[Post Note on 27 Jun 09: While playing badminton this afternoon, I think there are two qualifiers on my above post. First, that if people show the desire to learn or to change, we must help them, because they have given you a reason to. Second, reflecting on myself, the learning point is to always show to the people around you that you welcome their comments and criticisms, or lose the benefit of their counsel.]
I quote one interesting paragraph:
"But no single anecdote, I think, illustrates the problem more vividly than this. He recounted the fortunes of a great surgeon who occupies a position of great eminence in civilian life. He was fully aware of what he required by way of his diet. Yet he could not control his craving for cigarettes, and he bartered precious calories for cigarettes. He knew that he would die but he went on doing it. And he died. "
This is not only true of the many many smokers still out there today, but the rule applies to me as well. You see, I love fatty meat, pork lard and prawn heads, all the unhealthy stuff. I am probably going to suffer one day because of this, I try to control but nothing is going to keep me away.
So this is a mental thing, of the mind and rather complicated. I am not going to try to explain this but I think it applies to emotions as well, attachment to certain states of mind that no amount of persuasion nor logic will change.
Not that people will never change, because human beings do have the positive capacity to be influenced for the better. But this needs time, opportunity and possibly strategy. In the meantime, for me, just let things be.
[Post Note on 27 Jun 09: While playing badminton this afternoon, I think there are two qualifiers on my above post. First, that if people show the desire to learn or to change, we must help them, because they have given you a reason to. Second, reflecting on myself, the learning point is to always show to the people around you that you welcome their comments and criticisms, or lose the benefit of their counsel.]
15.6.09
Analogy of how to keep one's back straight
After saying goodbye to wushu, it is hello taiji. We went for our first class last Sunday. I was a little worried beforehand on the quality of CC teachers but thankfully the teacher was very experienced and sincere. Besides sharing the movemenets, he shared the theoretical side of the martial art form, especially how it helps in wellbeing and health.
I remember an excellent analogy he used.
To remind practitioners to keep their backs straight, the typical example given is to imagine one's hair is being pulled up. But for someone who has never had such an experience, it is quite difficult to imagine.
But this teacher had an interesting analogy with a local flavour. He said to imagine you are a kaciam puteh seller. I am quite fortunate to have observed, in my very very tender years, the vanishing sight of a kaciam puteh man, head-dress and all, balancing the 1 metre diameter tray on top of his head.
Now, that's easy to imagine. And you better keep that back straight.
I remember an excellent analogy he used.
To remind practitioners to keep their backs straight, the typical example given is to imagine one's hair is being pulled up. But for someone who has never had such an experience, it is quite difficult to imagine.
But this teacher had an interesting analogy with a local flavour. He said to imagine you are a kaciam puteh seller. I am quite fortunate to have observed, in my very very tender years, the vanishing sight of a kaciam puteh man, head-dress and all, balancing the 1 metre diameter tray on top of his head.
Now, that's easy to imagine. And you better keep that back straight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
