I am now resting on a hammock between 2 mango trees at my wife’s parents home in Korat, some 3 hours North-east of Bangkok. Just had lunch with Tom Yam country chicken.

Feeling lazy and sleepy, I write to tell you the weather is a comfortable 22C. The only sound I hear is the movement of leaves and a family of chickens playing among themselves.

Am going to have a kid’s party at 3pm, with balloons, coconut ice-cream, bbq pork balls, beer and spy wine. It’s going to be fun. Wish you were here too.

Just being a wee bit nostalgic, looking back, we, the walkist did well.  In Feb06, Charles initiated the 1st walk and if I recalled right, there were only 4 of us and now, there are more than 20 walkists.

Want to say "Thank you" to all who came from all corners of Singapore to participate.  Glad you have enjoyed the walks as much as we have whilst planning them.  Also most importantly, hope each of you have made some new friends - This is what it is all about   smile, smile

I am going to sneak you in for a preview of the first 3 months of 2007:

13Jan     intend to coincide with the forthcoming Potluck event.  Venue: awaits                             Terence’s advice. 

10Feb    Let’s have a Break ie., no walk for the group

10Mar    Bukit Timah Hill

 …new trails, old trails, scenic trails, let your eyes "capture" the sights besides your camera and, more challenging trails like the Treetop, Pulau Ubin   (haha)

There is 1 request and we need your help:

Normal Start time of walk: 4.15pm (strongly encourage all to be on time as we do not wish to keep those who are punctual waiting).  There will be some walks due to circumstances beyond our control; need to start off earlier as well.  so, please note each Start Time, Be Punctual.

NB:

Scheduled walks (2nd Saturday monthly) will not be cancelled unless it is a no through way, definite "no go" situation eg., flooding, landslide… (just joking).

Detailed information for each walk will be posted in this website about 2 weeks before scheduled date, please check website regularly. 

To each of you and your loved ones :

a JOYOUS Christmas, a HAPPY & PROSPEROUS 2007  from Charles, Veronica & Christina.

so long farewell I’ve got to go…….. see you next year.  Till then, stay Cool!

Hi to all Members

Some members like to backpack, travel with little or no frills. I, on the other hand, like to travel with reasonably priced frills such as 3* hotels, organized transportation, pickup services to airports. I am wondering if there are like-minded members who luv museums, palaces, castles etc and would like to make specialized single-country trips to Germany, Italy and Spain. If U do please post here. Kind Regards

Some SilverHairs have suggested the use of nicknames (not related to the real names).  As this is a members’ website, we encourage the use of real names.

However, for the benefit of new members, and to encourage confidence, I have been convinced that we could have "Guest" participation.  Let’s give this a try.  Guests are allowed to write new Posts and Comments.  Guests cannot register to participate in events.

• Username: Guest
• Password: guest

Have fun!.

Terence Seah

Winnie Lim is definitely very resourceful.   I learnt from her about her entrepreneurship skills.  And, I feel she is one member who will continue to be active through her SilverHairs years.  I wish that some of us will learn from her.

She is really into cakes.  I was surprised at the different types of cakes she can make. Get to know her at www.2GreenDots.com under specialty shops "Winnie Bake Delights". Find out more about the cakes she can make.

For SilverHairs who are into cake, cookies, chocolates and bread making, and selling them, let us know.  We would like to promote your skills and hobbies.

Terence Seah

Here is an update by Ronald Wi.  We must all congratulate Ronald Wi for taking effort to participate in this Starhub challenge.  And, also to all the participants who would make the winning possible.  Please review and give your newest and latest comments to Ronald.

Hi everybody,
Yes we have been getting some excellent commitments and good responses, and the idea of having the starhub $50k to help start our SHC Clubhouse ( although only on rental lease of 2 years - to cover rent, utilities and basic maintenance ) seems a possible reality.

Let us look again at SHC objectives, so that we can all have a clearer picture of what our SHC clubhouse should be like and be promoting.

The SilverHairsClub is a platform for us to meet new and more friends.  The objectives of SilverHairsClub are:   

*      Find new and meet more friends.
*      Share common interests.
*      Exchange knowledge and information on retirement, and
*      Enjoying a fruitful and meaningful retirement.

And also Starhub Challenge http://app02.vocanic.net/draw/dreammachine?cat=1

OVERALL THEME - Our Passion is to make retirement as refreshing and rewarding as possible to all Silver haired members, by sharing whatever they are good at with others, learning new interests, knowledge and hobbies.  We also have monthly nature walks, group cycling, karake sessions, Investment and  Retirement Village group meetings and am also promoting art, handicraft ,costume jewellery making, cooking and cake making classes. We feel that with the $50,000 we can rent a place for 2 years ,for the display of some of our members’ passion of forgottten art, paintings,  crafts of handiwork. This venue will be designed to serve as our classroom, workshop, kitchen, cafe ,library, exercise room and also as a guest house for SHC friends from overseas. Visitors and memebres can discover the rich heritage of Singapore forgotten pasts of simple arts like porcelain painting, jade oranamental collection and designing, paper origami,and old crafts , and not forgetting reliving culinary skills of forgetten recipes of food dishes, cake, and desserts long forgotten. We hope after the 2 years of Starhub   sponsorship ,this SHC Clubhouse can be self sustaining  by charging a minimal fee that is as close to the good old days as possible, providing an escape down memory lane.

Details of our Anchor Tenants, in the SHC Clubhouse are as follows:-

1. Adult learning and Training Centre - by Thomas Kuan

For info Thomas Kuan is the president of SACE, Singapore Association of Continuing Education, and currently they are exploring Adult Education and Lifelong learning.

2. Passion for Forgotten Arts & Crafts -
a. Jocelyne Soh’s Art Collections and Classes
b. Daffydil’s  Collection and Design of Jade Ornaments
c. Patricia Ng - Paper Crafts , Jewellery design
d. Anne Low’s - Collection and Design of Crystal ornamental Jewellery

3. Patricia Ng - Passion for Reliving past recipes of food , cakes, deserts and also rediscovering healthier
ingredients for a healthier recipe. Patricia Ng has been experimenting quite alot in this area and she is also willing to teach anyone who is interested. I have tested many of her new healthier recipes of cakes and
Thai salad which is a must for everyone who is a cook to learn how to make it. For info, the Ministry of Health is promoting healthier lifestyle and giving grants to those who want to open up such cafes. Hey, who knows with Patricia help and other cooking enthusiasts in SHC , and with the large number of food critic wannabes in SHC ( CC , is one definitely the first one who will turn up for any kind of food ), we can have a good food recipec experimentation and research group. 

4. Suggestion of having a Karaoke Area in SHC Center, by Swee Loke
Swee Loke - Glad to hear from you , yes, it will be good if it can help to generate income so that in the long run we can keep the SHC Clubhouse not only self-sustaining but if possible profitable, so that more ventures can be explored. So far a start if we do get that $50K, can i have you to look into this area, as i do think having a Karaoke facility is a defintely suitable, but i would think we can try to build it up as cheaply as possible. Maybe we can get contributions from anyone of any equipment they have either to give or to loan etc, or we can also buy cheap 2nd hand equipment from the Converter Shop. ( I do see some good equipment there )

5. IT training, and Phototaking section - i hope Yew Kong and Benson can continue running courses (free lah) from time to time.

6. Guest House with basic kitchen - maybe just 1 room and some Sofa folding beds - ( really meant for Guest of SHC from other countries ) - to help generate income , and be for short term stay booking.  Teofirst, has had experienced and can surely help us out in this area, also Gary to recommend all his SHC friends from Hanoi.

7. Health Execise - Meridian point 312 - we have Ronald Lee , who is a certified instructor , to be our resident instructor and teacher .

8. Other acitivies - Monthly walks, cyling activities.

9. Library and Cafe section - Oi Cheng , Christina Chan

10. Retirement Village - I must say our retirement village seems to be quite the opposite , as we seems to want more out of life when we retire. Our expectations after our recent trip to Gunong Ledang & Malacca , seems to be confirmed that though we may want to travel and stay for a short term elsewhere, home is always where our hearts can find peace.

Observations from Trip to Malacca, Gunong Ledang private and public resorts and Eco - Village in Senai (Green Valley Eco Village )

a. On the positive side, as Spore progresses and cost of living has increase, the quality, facilities and expectations of our living style has also increased. So unknowling ,we do expect much more even though we may want to retire in a cheaper place. Sad to say, that even though  we can lower our expectations, the quality and development of the our neighbours seemed to be quite a gap apart, and this gap seems to be
increasing even more. 

b. Green Valley Eco-village, seems a little small with only 20 acres, and though it has been started 10 years  ago, the progress seems quite slow. There are some farming or Roselle , Vinegar ,etc in collaboration with the UTM (University of Technology of Malaysia) but the variety is quite limited.  There is also no paved road to the farm , and though the Main Building is quite big and nice , it is not yet furnished with basic needs of an air-con or ceiling fans.  ( On the positive side, it needs a lot of help, financially , ideas, and marketing , so a good investment opportunity for those who wants to build form scratch )

c. Condos in Malaysia - we went to look at two Condos belonging to a friend, and these are our findings-

d. Selat Horizon - along Klebang Besar, just acceptable with basic security and a swimming pool, not something you will be impressed. ( Like i have stated , our expectations are always moving upwards while theirs do not seemed to be moving in the right direction ).

e. Golden Showers - also along Klebang Besar just beside Selat Horizon, - from the outside we did not even feel like going in, looks worse than any 1 room HDB block,especially the external paintwork and surroundings.

Please feel free to send me your comments, suggestions, ideas and dreams even.

At the same, Happy Holidays, Merry X’Mas and a Happy and Prosperous 2007 Year ahead.

Cheers

Ronald Wi

Dear All

Is acting one of your passions ?  But you do not have time to go for training in the past !  Wait no longer !!

Dramaplus Arts, 33 Kerbau Road, Singapore will be conducting a 5-week Drama Workshop for Seniors on Mondays for both English and Mandarin Groups in 2007 as follows:

Date:

Feb 2007 5, 12 and 26

Mar 2007 5 and 12

Time:  2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Venue:  Dramaplus Arts, 33 Kerbau Road, Singapore

Registration Fee:  $20.00 per person

Contact Person: Maria Tel No. 6 299 0013 

As a retiree, if you wish to pursue your passion for acting or to take up acting as a hobby, do join the Workshop and have lots of fun ! Please state your preference whether you wish to join the English or the Mandarin Group.

Kia Chew

Hi All SilverHairs,

We have not tried this before, and that is to ask every SilverHairs to write a post here to wish fellow SilverHairs a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

And, on the same greeting, we like to hear your New Year wishes.  Please say how you would like to see the SilverHairsClub in the year 2007.  We will compile your wishes for follow-up action next year.

Don’t worry about your greetings jamming this forum.  Don’t be shy, go ahead.   Pick up the courage if you have never written on this forum before.  We like to know you to know other SilverHairs too.

Terence Seah

Look around for that something you dont want in your house or office.  It could be a nice dress which has grown too big for you now.  Or a carpet you have been keeping in your store for a long time.  Or a car which you have been advertising to sell for some time.  Maybe a fish tank, books, toys or hifi sets which have taken too much space.

Before the Chinese New Year spring cleaning, look around.  And if you dont want an item, someone else might want it.  Put it up for sale at 2GreenDots.com.  Add a picture. It helps.

We are organising a briefing session cum dinner at Kaushal’s house at Lichfield Road (Serangoon Garden, near Chomp Chomp) on 4 Jan from 1730 to 2030 hrs. Find out what it is like to live in India, short-term during retirement. A trip to Hyderabad is likely to be organised by Kaushal in early 2007. Limited to 15 people, $10, if you are having food.  Free, if not having food.

Registered to participate:

1. LH Jie
2. Christina Chan
3. Irene Chan
4. Terence Seah
5. KT Wong
6. Ronald Wi
7. Rosalind Tan
8. Tan S.T.
9. Linda Chang
10. Pauline Chew - unable to come
11. Ronald Li

To all SHC members,

A Merry Christmas and lots of joy, hope, success and love for the coming new year.

For SHC in 2007, I wish to continue enjoying the travels with our silverhairs friends; nothing beats going to interesting places with good travelling companions!

Am also looking forward to participate in more interesting and innovative activities in 2007!  

Charles Wee, Veronica Wong and Christina Chan have just completed their walk at the Changi Boardwalk last weekend.  They have given us photos for all of us to view.

Click here for pictures  Wow, very scenic.  And watch out for the next walk in January.

Keep our thoughts positive, because our thoughts become our words.

Keep our words positive, because our words become our actions.

Keep our actions positive, because our actions become our habits.

Keep our habits positive, because our habits become our lifestyle.

Keep our lifestyle positive, because our lifestyle becomes our destiny.

Hi All,

There is a talk on ‘exploring adult education and lifelong learning’ at the Cairnhill Community Club tomorrow night (14th Dec) at 7.30 pm. For some of us who interested to teach functional English regionally, this talk would give us a headstart to understand basic principles of adult learning. See you at the talk tomorrow night. (I will pay for your fee if you attend this first talk.) Have a nice day.

thomas kuan

Christmas is round the corner. Hoping for a Christmas present from Santa? What happens if he drops you a map of a small little island with nice treasures to be sniffed out? Form a group of 4, and you may be cycling throughout Pulau Ubin for a treasure hunt. And what’s more fun than to enjoy Christmas with a new found friend? Drinks, transport and bicycle included.

Date : 23 December 2006, Saturday
Time : 10 am - 5pm
Venue : Pulau Ubin
BTFC member : $30 per pax
Non-member : $35 per pax
Group size : 30 pax
Registration deadline : 15 December 2006

For enquiries and booking assistance, please drop us an e-mail at btfriends@income.com.sg or call 6877 3752.
http://www.bigtrumpet.com.sg/friendship.

Hi morning pals

Thank, I received a couple of new pals interested and hope to has a group where we can enjoy hopping and dancing. However, I old but new to this club, like a sotong trying hard to struggle managing the forum. Hope you pals can assist me.

Hope to receive more response from u pals if you are interest in linedance.

I love to crotchet, make 3-dimensional origami swans, baskets, trays, jewellery-sets with beads & crystals & prepare to teach.

It will be good to have cooking demo in member’s home only for those non-working retired.

I am interested to teach handicraft or organise making of handicrafts to donate to old folks home for sale.

New member Mrs Patricia Ng ACE

Hi,  I am registering to join the Potluck Dinner gathering on 13 Jan 2007.    I would like to bring fruits.  Thanks  Bernadette 

~ FRIENDS ~

As we walk our path of life,
We meet people everyday.
Most are simply met by chance.
But, some are sent our way.
 

These become special friends
Whose bond we can’t explain;
The ones who understand us
And share our joy and pain.

This love becomes a passageway,
When even the miles disappear.
And so, these friends, God sends our way,
Remain forever near.