Small Talk

It was very rare that i have a good talk with my partner. Usually, we would just 'settle' work matters and he would go off.
Visited him @ GWC yesterday and we sat on the bench outside the shop for chit chat. Of course, we discussed about work but this time we went a little further to talk about others things.
Don't know how we came about one topic, he was astounded, shocked, stunned ................ of something that 'happened' to me last Aug. I have to tell him a few times that it was true.

Nothing is certain in this world, who knows (except GOD) what will happen the next minute of our lives. The higher the mountain one climb, the greater the impact would be of a fall. I always tell myself to be careful of any danger lurking but still ..............Maybe it's because i don't get too many opportunity to climb mountain.

Didn't chat long with him, not nice of him to stay out for too long and it was not till an hour later before his dinner.
Tempted to go another place after GWC but headed home instead.

Mark Ng

Mark is one of my longest serving teacher in the school.
Today is his last day of service @ my school as he will be enlisting for NS (Civil Defense) mid of next month. He would like to take a break and enjoy himself before he 'goes' in and hence teaches till today.

Have had a very good working relationship with him since day one. He gives me full support and has been very understanding to some students.
He is very seldom late for lesson and that has (really) saved me a lot of problems.

During lesson, he has the least 'problems' with the students and all of them like him very much.
Never heard him raise his voice at the students, always giving me a 'cool' impression when he teaches them.
He will be hard to replace and hopefully with GOD's grace and help, i shall be able to find a good replacement next week.

Well, take good care during your service to the Nation. Visit us when you are free .............
A very Big Thank You for all your contribution and service to the company.

Cinema Paradiso

The 50s was a golden ear for local cinema. TV had not arrived in Singapore (only in the 60's)
At that time we only have street wayang. The cinema came about when both Shaw Organisation and Cathay started making movies in their studios here.

Singaporean began to flock to single screen cinemas to catch P Ramlee and Ge Lan .............
Remember these 3 cinemas?
1) Roxy Theatre (Shaw Organisation).
It's non air con and tickets were mere 50 cents and free seating. Today it has became Roxy Square.

2) Capitol Theatre, 1929 (Shaw Organisation)
An icon @ Stamford Road. It was first used as a theatre for live shows before being converted into a cinema in 1940's.
Tickets priced at $1, $2, $5 for gallery, stall and circle seats.

3) Odeon Theatre, 1953 (Cathey Organisation)
At North Bridge Road, this was Cathay flagship cinema. It screened the first instalment of movie franchise, Star Wars in 1977.
Demolised in 1983, now it's replaced by a commercial building.

Anyone watch any movies at these cinemas before? Well, i have been to 2 of them ...........

Commitment

Have a new undertaking next month. Hopefully, i shall be able to commit with God's grace and help.
Commitment can takes several forms, be it project, work ......... or relationships. It would be easier if it does not involve other party or person such as a relationship as many a times you will have no control over the situation (ball is not in your court) even you may be very committed in it.

Luckily, my next important 'task' does not take into account another party. So, it's all up to me if i were to accomplish what i have set up to do. Of course, there will be many hurdles to clear, problems to handle along the way but i shall try my utmost best.
The future remains to be seen ..............

Wish me luck.

You Raise Me Up

When i am down and oh my soul, so weary,
When troubles come and my heart burdened be,
Then i am still and wait here in the silence, until you come and sit a while with me.

You raise me up so i can stand on mountains (Chorus)
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas,
I am strong when i am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than i can be.

I find this slow song sang by Westlife very meaning.
The words are simple yet touching.
Some say that it's a christain song ...............
What about you?

Read

I have never imagined even in my wildest imagination that i would read something i dreaded most during my school day.
It brought me back to the mid 80's................I have no interest in that subject so i decided to 'drop' it though it was compulsory back then (beside English and Chinese)

At that time there were no other religious studies to choose from, everyone have to take Bible Studies and needless to say sit for the exam. I was a 'star' back then as i was the only one in class who opt out from that subject.
During lesson, i would still sat in class and do my own work or sleep (did i?)
During exam, i still have to attend. Guess, it wouldn't be difficult to guess my result.

Now, i am taking a keen interest to read that 2 'booklets' (Luke and Acts) needed for school exam back then.
Isn't that amazing??

Looking back, i would have passed the exam if i am back in school now. It is not too difficult to understand and apprehen afterall.
Of course, since it was for exam, there are many verses, phrases, parables, words .......... i have to memorise.

Mood

June is approaching which means the 3 week school holidays too (starting last week of this month)
Some of the students will be going for overseas vacation. Caught some of the virus (holiday), felt like going for a short break too but what if ...........esp that thing that i dreaded off happen?
Have not been for vacation for sometime. Plan here and plan there but never realised

Aiya, maybe just go Sentosa lor. Have not visited that small island since 1981 or should i wait for the IR there? A friend promised to go with me but ..............
Have wanted to visit my 'lo heng' and his family eversince he was posted to Sweden many years back but he has returned to Japan last year.

Could still recall vividly my last trip to visit him years ago and he brought me a postcard of Mount Fuji as he felt bad that i couldn't see it caused when we drove there, it was covered with thick mist, fog and rain. How nice and thoughtful of him.
Must plan again, don't talk ...................Action speaks louder than words.

Favourite

Dropped by Rochor Market for my favourite carrot cake for lunch today. If i have the time, i never failed to go there for meal. It may be stuffy and hot there but there are lots of nice food and the prices are quite ok too but i still go for my cake first.
Remembering i always have char siew rice plus soup for dinner at night with friends that i 'brought' there but now if possible i shall have carrot cake.
The wan tan mee, mee pok store also not too bad and a big prawn noodle store ............

After lunch, took a walk around the area before heading back to work.

At Last .........

In my earlier blog, i mentioned that i have missed the food @ my friend's aunt shop last weekend, well, i have finally got to taste it yesterday during her birthday dinner together with 2 of my teachers.

The noodle was ok but for that price ...........er ............There weren't many customers at the restaurant yesterday. We sat outside together with about 20 of her friends and school mates. The serving was fast (probably not many customers or rather it was a relative's birthday).
Like the 'Tong Yam' soup but one of my teacher said otherwise. There were chicken, fried rice, 'purple' (i think, maybe i colour blind) rice, eggs ...............Maybe i ate too much in the beginning hence didn't really take the eggs.

After dinner, we went on separate ways as my friend has booked a hotel room nearby for an overnight stay with her friends.
This was my first birthday invitation for the year and i believed i am the .............on the dining table. (sigh)
Anyway, not too bad mixing around with youngsters, perhaps i can be younger. Like the saying goes, "young at heart"

My friend has said no presents but many of her friends still buying flowers and gifts for her. Luckily, i have got something for her or else ...............not 'nice' right?
Oh, she should be on her way to Thailand for holiday now. Enjoy yourself.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Car

Heard that one of my ex army pal will be getting his new weekend car today and he was excited about it eversince he has successfully bid for his COE.
Was told that he has installed some frills into his car like tinted windows .............Believed he will be taking his family out for a spin tonight and to test out his new car.

May probably get to see his car during another pal wedding on July or earlier (during gathering)
Unlike one of my friend, since i am not interested about cars, i didn't ask much about it. Have forgotten how much he has paid for it, COE .............. but he has spent a few thousand to upgrade the features.

People often reckon car as a wife and some will take extra care and effort to maintain their car.
Looks like it is quite hard to hitch a ride from him after any gathering (if any) as he is staying in Pasir Ris.
So pal, how's your new 'wife'? Must remember to polish it.

Forget

Oops, keep forgetting, shall remember the next time. Maybe not getting use to it.
How can i keep forgetting? Habit lah.
Hopefully, the clock can adjust.

Remembering those good old army days decades ago, could wake up in the morning without the aid of the clock. This was not by the noise of cupboards opening or closing, slippers, radio ...........
Just someone saying time to wake up.

First Picture

My friend has asked me to put some pictures in the blog so i have decided to use my entertainment @ HCA yesterday as it's first picture.

As always, it was wonderful entertaining and i have a great time spending more than an hour there before the patients take their lunch.

Sorry, i have purposely downloaded a smaller picture of the patients as i don't want to 'highlight' them.

There were about 20 patients there and some volenteers of the hospice care. These are day care patients where they spend their day at the centre with activities organised for them as they are more 'mobile'. However, ..................

The day started off with the co-ordinator singing and dedicating a few songs while i accompained him on the piano. Then some patients also sang while i joined them on the piano like songs from the movie Prison on Fire, 'rong su sia', xiao wei, U meant much to me, Moon song (Theresa Teng) .........

Fortunately, most of the songs they sang and requested were chinese oldies or .............

Could see most of the patients enjoying themselves which was what i aim to achieve. The applause and appreciation that i received at the end of my session made it all worthwhile.

Hopefully, they will always remain cheerful and optimistic in life.

May GOD bless them with good health.

Wait

Decided to patronage a friend's aunty restaurant @ East Coast Road last Sun for dinner so i went with her friend after her lesson.
Maybe it was Sun and Mother's Day, the place was pack with people. In fact, passing by all the eatries, i could notice that they were crowded. Are food business that profitable? Hmm...........

Manage to find a place at a corner of the restaurant, so i ordered a simple meal but i was made to wait for more than 45 minutes but still no food. Could see my two friends running up and down the restaurant, taking order, clearing the tables, delivery food ...........
There weren't anyone to man the cash counter too and i saw a customer standing there waiting for quite sometime to foot the bill. Had the urge to go and help them but ...........better not since i don't know her aunty.

My friend approached me and asked me not to continue waiting as it was going to take a long time before i could have my food so i left. Could see a family at the other table making some comments.
So .............i went to a nearby coffee shop to have 'zhi cha' instead. Ordered a plate of 'hor fun', this time i was made to wait for another 30 minutes as they have forgotten my order. Had wanted to walk off to have instant noodles @ home instead. Sigh.
What a night.

It has taken me almost 2 hours before i could have my dinner ...............By the time i had my dinner, it was almost 2200hrs.

Your Order?

Your last order, sir?
Oh, ...................can i have another cup of drink please?
Are you waiting for someone?
Er, ....................ya. But i doubt the person will come, nevertheless ..............
OK, anyway, we shall be closing for the day soon, hope your friend come.
Hope so lor.................

Sir, we are closing already ...............i doubt your friend will come, why don't you call?
OK, nevermind ..............everyone has left. Sorry ...............
Thanks .............
See you again.

She is ...........

She is ...........
a lover of life
a giver of joy
a provider of needs

She is ............
a wellspring of emotion
a comforter of fears
a helper and healer

She is .............
a believer in today
a dreamer for tomorrow
an inspiration to all.

Who's she?
Our MOTHER

H C A Hospice Care

I shall be doing an entertainment @ HCA Hospice Care @ Jalan Tan Tock Seng next Tues. This is also in conjunction with Mother's Day celebration on Sun.
This centre houses patients with serious life threatening illnesses eg cancer and is a stone throw away from Dover Park Hospice. However, since many of the patients @ Dover Park are bed ridden, i was asked to go HCA instead. Some of the more mobile patients from Dover Park will be joining in on Tues.
With GOD's blessing, hope i shall be able to have a good session and interaction with the patients.

One of my supplier asked if i am 'particular' (ban-tang) going to these places. Haha, perhaps age is catching up so there is no need to be 'afraid'. Yes, i may not be able to do much or make a difference in a hour, hope my music will at least spur and cheer them up and to let them know that least there is someone that cares.

Visit

Was surprised my ex army buddy visited me @ my shop with his wife to-be yesterday.
I am always happy to see friends dropping by though many a times i felt bad i couldn't go for drink with them as i have to man the place.
Caught him in camera taking out my drum sticks to 'play'. We discussed my role for his wedding in June. Camera man? Wow !!
We spoke for a while before they parted for lunch.

Remembering having a friend who always used to give me surprise visit after work. We would then go for dinner and it would be our usual Katong laksa, rojak and barley drink and not forgetting our usual sit. Then it would be my usual dinner for the night at home.
Now my night seems very quiet and remote. The element of surprise was not there. At times, i would just look outside for that familier figure.
Perhaps, my shop is out of the way for many to come ....................

So who is visiting next? Hmm ...............

Unusual

Have been ill almost everyday of the week. Till today, have to go visit my GP for further treatment in the morning. Couldn't imagine me wasting and spending the Labour Day holiday in bed, sleeping. Seemed after taking many panadols my fever has not subsided so i was 'forced' to consult the doctor. As it was a public holiday and in the evening, i have to ask my friends for any clinic that operated. So i decided to go Clementi to visit this 24 hour clinic.
Was touched by my friend's gesture of offering to drive me to the clinic and sent me home but i decided not to trouble him.

Wow, the consultation and medicine cost me a bomb, $78 (for less than 5 mins) fever 39 deg, headache, cough, sore throat. Was told to monitor for Dengue Fever if i hadn't recovered two days later. (The fees would be more expensive if i were to go A&E @ SGH)
Seemed the next few days i am still feeling feverish, body ache, sore throat and cough. Almost all my conversation, i would have to cut short unless no choice. Did see a couple of blisters on my leg but there were no rashes. Thank GOD
So take more medicine again .....................sigh

Have never been sick for so many days. Am i getting old and more susceptible to illness, harder to recover??

Charles

Today, i am going to pay tribute to one of my teacher, Charles who has left for greener pastures.
He is one of my longest serving teacher teaching 2 courses, piano and violin.
A very jovial, happy-going person who always tries to lessen the tension in class. He is also one of my most talented teacher around, always entertaining students and customers with his music.

Every teacher is important to the company. As humans, they will have their weakness and strength. At times, it's not easy to balance the interest between my teachers and students. Many a times, i feel bad for my teachers as the interest of my students takes priority.

I am most grateful to all my teachers for contributing to the well being of the company.
To Charles, Thank you and best wishes for your new undertakings