Hi all.. the bookings for the courts at Bukit Gombak stadium is rather erratic - sometimes Thursdays, sometimes Fridays - because we can’t predict the enthusiasm of the public who sometimes choped/booked the courts before we do .. (sigh..) So, for next week, booking is on 18th May, Friday and then the following week, it will be Thursday, 24th May, at the same time of 10.00am to 11.00am. The regular group will be reminded via SMS but all are welcome to join. Cheers

Whenever I am in Singapore on a Sat or Sun, I would rush home to keep a date with the TV drama LOVE. Now that the series has ended, I found another one "Night Market Life".  Never been so dedicated about such Peyton Place"  type shows until this late age of my life. When I travel and I have the time, I would try to watch the drama online 1-2 hours via XinMSN, but nowadays, it is not possible to view them due to territory restrictions.  But, this part of my life is not what I want to share with you.

I find these dramas very down to earth.  They are always about people, and always about love and jealously. In Night Market Life, the show starts with the actors and actresses as young kids, and finally now the kids have grown to adults.  The boys and girls get to know one another, got married and continue their adult life journey. Along the way, they find someone exciting, and make effort to spend time with the new found friend.  And, soon the relationship gets stronger, and good or bad, right or wrong, a new bond exists between people.

I am one of those in this group.  That’s how I got into my second relationship.  I still dare not say if I was right or wrong.  During the change, I had such a strain on my life, that some or especially my female friends called me all kinds of names, with nasty attachments.  But what can I do?  It’s done and life must go on.  I treasure what I have today and have not regretted it since.

As I get older, my outlook of life changes.  I tend to see human beings as chickens in the farm or fishes in the aquarium.  We run around or swim around, and we meet many other people.  In Night Market Life, the starting of all the different relationships are always sweet and pleasant.  Then, very quickly, life changes for all the actors and actresses.  Soon, one or both parties suffer.  Who is right and who is wrong?  As TV viewers, do we have the right to condemn him or her?

Allow me to share with you how I feel.  Neither do I condemn, nor do I bother myself.  I feel I have no right to say whether she is wrong or he is wrong.  I do not feel it is right to intervene, interfere or dissuade either parties. In a TV drama, there will always be an ending.  The actors and actress are far away from me.

So, why do I crazily watch these dramas?  Because they are a reality in human lives, that’s why.  This is my personal view, hope you respect it’s my view.  Agree or disagree, I only hope we all respect the actions and decisions of fellow members.

Feel free to express your views and give your comments.  I just read that Obama administration is in favour of gay marraiges.  I just cannot believe it.  By the way, I am still a no Saint.

Terence Seah 

Those of you who are wondering wat to do on a picnic day may consider flying a kite. We are not talking of spending money to buy one. What we want to do is to make our own kite. Anyone out there good at making kites. A simple kite to make can be from paper or plastic.

We going to make it full of fun at the picnic day. Indicate here if you can make a kite and let fly it together. While we were young most may not have such an opportunity to fly a kite. So, let’s do it here.

If you are cracking your head how to make a kite, try googling.

The date is May 19, 2012.

Dan

We get together to jam in the afternoon at Pasir Ris on a weekday. So you need to be a retiree to engage in this pastime. The room where we make our music is air-conditioned and we play the oldies made popular by Elvis, Cliff, Shadows, Eagles etc. We have the full set of hardware - drums, guitars and amplifiers - so you just need to bring yourself. If you think you can be part of our outfit please drop me a note at itti16@singnet.com.sg. It’ll be a pleasure to hear from you.

Again, I dont have the dates.  Likely dates are Jun 9, 10 and 11, or 16, 17, 18, all dates inclusive.  Do read on. But, dont buy your tickets yet.  I can only confirm around 28 May.

As usual, all my trips are disorganised, so I dont really know anything until we get into the car. 

June is a hot month, but it can be just as fun.  This time, we are going on a driving holiday; which means participants drive, and i sit on the left side of the car.  Dont worry about the road signs, they usually have English text.  As long as you have a Singaporean licence, can can.

Like May, we shall have a coastal trip, scenic and romantic.  We get to drive along the coastal roads, stop where we like, eat when we feel like it and rest, when it is time.  You must have a Singapore licence.  Dont worry as I will sit next to you, and take over when you are tired.

The journey will cover most of where the May group will travel on.  We will cover places where the van would not want to travel to.  Food wise, simple and local.  Language, we try in whatever thai you know. Bring your camera, as  you are not likely to capture the scenes with any organised tours.  No cockroaches, as most would have die or killed by the may group.

Where we stay, you have to be game.  We see a place, we like it, we stay.  If not, we drive on.  Cost wise, it will be slightly more than travelling via a van, as the car is shared among 4 people, instead of 8 to a van.  At most, we will have two cars.  Likely cost per car is Baht 1,800 per day, fuel excluded.

We should have a mixed participation of 4 men and 4 women; not 2 men and 6 women.

Preference to participate will always be given to those who register before 20 May 2012.

Terence Seah 

Registration:

1. Terence Seah
2. Jassmine Teo
3. Caroline Gee
4. Janie Leong
5. Sock Cheng
6. Eileen Ang
7. Eyvonne Chew
8. .
9. .

Every since I was a school boy, I had always wanted to play the guitar.  Today, 30 years later, I still cannot play the guitar.  I had bought a guitar, played it for a few days, and then, I forgot where it was.  Recently, I met a couple of friends, during dinner, and I was impressed by a 60 year old member, who could play the guitar, and was playing old songs that we all like, same age lah.  So, I am now hot up to learn how to play the guitar.

Dementia is a serious concern, although it can affect all oldies.  We forget our parents, the names of our children and where we left that gold coin.  In SHC, I learn that two kinds of activities can delay the onset of dementia.  One is learning a new language, the other is playing a musical instrument.  Of course, there is mahjong and soduko.

Well, I determine this time to learn how to play the guitar.  First, I bought a guitar song book of old songs.  Second, I subscribe to an online video of a series of "How to play the guitar" for USD 19.  All done in one day.  My next step is to look out for a second hand guitar, suitable for strumming.  Maybe if Jassmine permits in her online fleamart, I can advertise to buy an used guitar.  I like to buy it this week.

What I hope to do is to attract other like-minded Silverhairs to join me in this dementia delaying activity.  Then we can meet once in a while, somewhere and play together.  I have decided to go for online training because I don think I can find a patient teacher, and also I can practise and play at my own time.

Anybody else, like to go along the same line as me.  Helpers would be appreciated, in forming small groups.  A chance to teach an old bird how to sing.

Terence Seah

SHC Registration list for an online beginners group (Guitar strumming):

1. Terence Seah - a real beginner.
2. Caroline Gee - beginner, wants to sing along
3. Tang May - Picked up guitar before, stop and restarting.
4. Johnny Pow - Played guitar during school days, and formed a band.
5. Andrew Yeung - mid level
6. Bobby Bok - sounds more than a beginner
7. Lina Ng - beginner, at least has a junior and senior guitar
8. Yew Kwong - beginner
9. Karen Thio - beginner
10. Andrew Yeung - mid level
11. HC Lee - mid level
12. Ann Giri - got a guitar from son, sounds like a beginner
13. Celia Ng - sounds like more than a beginner.
14. ..
15. ..

The march of time rambles on relentlessly and the passing of each month is forever manacing. It is time for our gathering. How do we treasure our time and engage in meaningful occupation.

 For some, as retirees, they may spend quality time by  helping to bring up the grandchildren. For others, they may embark on a  new endeavour such as learning a new skill on playing a musical instrument, attending a dance class to find entertainment. Our gathering is also another escapism from the drudgery of routine.  

Outdoor activities are part and parcel of our lives. It has been reported in the media that a study on myopia in children reveals that the ailment  is not due to inheritance but due to lack of exposure to sunlight. This finding has profound  relevance and far-reaching impact in the Singapore context.

The May gathering will be as follows:

Hi All SHCians,

Annie Tan and me is going to watch Concert Live at Stars Genting on 26 June
(Tuesday).

The last Live Concert at Genting Highland we watched was two months
ago. Its seating capacity for 6.000 people at the Arena were all taken
up.

Yes we do also go to the casinos and to the lounge listening to
philipinos band (the three ladies singer’s voice really powerful).

On the second day we book a cap to Chinatown in KL and shop at Petronas
tower.

This time we will leave Singapore on 26 June (Tues) and return 28 June
(Thu)

For two nights accommodations at First World Hotel Deluxe Room (Twin sharing
basis) the cost is S$78.00/pax which also include:

1. Two way coach transfer Singapore - Genting - Singapore by CEO Silver/Gold
Cruise.
   
2. Daily Buffet Breakfast at First World
Cafe

3. One Concert Ticket - 26th June 2012

4. Coach Travel Insurance by ACE Insurance

NOTE: This package is only for member of Resort World Genting. However you
can easily applied for one on the day of booking. This is free like
joining SHC.

For your information you can choose to take the coach at the following
location (must let them know on the day of booking)

0600 - Ang Mo Kio Blk 710, Tampines MRT (Exit B) or Pungol (Coral Edge LRT
Exit B)

0615 - Woodlands (Causeway Point) or Bukit Timah Plaza or Bedok (Ex-Princess
Cinema)

0630 - Choa Chu Kang (Outside Gain City) or Bukit Panjang Plaza or Clementi
MRT (Exit A Taxi Stand) or Bishan Blk 511

If you like to go for this trip, please let me know your prefered
pick-up point and I will email you the tour operator contact and the
information on the concert.

Cheers and stay healthy!

When I was young, collecting Marvel comics was an obsession to me. Each month I would head for Marshall Rd where a stall is displaying all the titles. At that time a copy cost about 35 cents butl now a copy would cost as much as five dollars each.

I am fascinated with all the characters portrayed in the comics books. My favourites are Daredevil, Thor, The Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer, Black Panther, Nick Fury agent of Shield and the X-men. I was just a boy then and without fail i would collect all the different titles. The colors and excitement presented in the comics was a constant delight to me.

I would go down various places in town especially the mama stalls where all the titles are on sale. I was by then a collector and laying my hands on whatever titles was on sale. If I run out of money I would dip into my late father pocket without his knowledge.

How many of you out there are fans of Marvel comics? Share with us your fantasies. I am thinking of organising a group to watch ‘the Avengers’ together, anyone keen?

Dan

Balloon IG (Interest Group)

• Workshop #4 at Kim Tian West RC
• Date: Wed, 16 May 2012
• Time : 8 pm to 10 pm.
• Meeting venue : Block 118A Kim Tian West RC, #01-143, Jalan Membina, Singapore 101118.
• $3 for material for basic sculpture. If sculpture get complicated, share cost of material for balloon.
• $3 for a flat balloon pump, $4.50 for a 260 pump. $6.00 for 160 pump

How to go there : Take a MRT Train to Tiong Bahru. Cross the road at Tiong Bahru Plaza. Walk straight, keep left path. you will see a school. Then a coffee shop at block 26. Cross the road you will see block 118. Two to three block you will see Block 118A. Its about 8 to 10 mins walk.

• Max 15 Participants.
• If you are interested, please register here or email at me: sylviaang38@yahoo.com.
• Please transfer $3 to my POSB saving bank account 048-20982-3.  Please sms me or email me once you have transfer the money and keep the ATM receipt for verification.

Those interested and confirmed coming please bring a big plastic bag or a foldable laundry basket (you can get from Mustafa, Level 4, Household Dept, Lane 5, or any local shop) to put your balloon sculptures, bring a pen, a black, red, blue, yellow, blue and green marker (you can get from Popular Book store), a scissor and if you have balloon pump please bring along.

• Bring camera to take picture of the balloon sculptures.
• We meet 3rd Wed of the month from May 2012 onwards.

Our balloon IG, workshop #1 on 29 Feb was a great success. 15 participants turned up.  They learnt basic twisting techniques, make a balloon basic dog, pirate sword, and intermediate balloon flower and an advance balloon ocuptus.

Our Balloon IG, workshop #2, 28 March, we have 12 members. They learnt 3 turtles and 5 petal flowers to pinch twist. 12 Members turned up for Balloon IG, workshop #3, 25 April 2012. They learnt Sunflower for mother’s Day Special.

EC - Sylvia Ang

Registration :

1. Sylvia Ang - EC
2. Ann Lim
3. Irene Seet
4. Sally Kang
5. Karen Thio
6. Janie Leong
7. And 5 other non-SHC members.

Hi all.. Does SHC have a regular blood donation group? I think there was a posting early this year about blood donation but i cannot locate it. Is anyone interested to spearhead this on a regular basis - 3 to 4 times a year SHC meeting at HSA Outram Road blood donation centre?