I am amazed at what one man can do. And I meant – the one man who had created and founded this silver hairs club. Terence Seah – please take a bow! You have founded this silver hairs club providing opportunities for people to connect and to learn from each other. More importantly, the opportunities to enjoy ourselves together.

Hi Everyone, I’d like to introduce myself, briefly – I am a practical and introspective person. I live my life in a minimalistic, no frills manner. That could be because my growing up years were frugal. I grew up in an attap hut built on stilts on swampy land. By some lucky twist of fortune – life’s events have somehow unfolded in my favour. Society uses material possessions as yardsticks of success. If I use the same yardsticks? I think I am not doing so badly…

I chose to retire early last year. I wanted a change of environment. I wanted to explore other opportunities. With that in mind – I had spent several months in Melbourne. While there, I had volunteered at a charitable organization, and had taken up a TEFL course. (TEFL stands for Teach English as a Foreign Language.) Yes – I am a recently certified TEFL teacher. I am toying around with the idea of teaching English in China. Or – I could volunteer to teach English to the underprivileged. I am excited at the prospect and the possibility. But I am not adamant about it. I go with the flow – depending on which way the river flows….

My “psycho-analyst” had told me that my “material success was not all just luck” – and that I should give myself credit for having clambered out of the poverty pit. That is the other thing about me – I don’t give myself enough credit. Generally, we tend to underestimate ourselves. This could be the result of our Asian upbringing: our parents usually do not approve of any “self praise”. Yep - we have been deeply ingrained to be modest about our achievements. So much so, that we forget to pat ourselves on our backs.

Career wise: my younger days were in the banking industry. In later years, I was an administrator with a MNC. At present, gainfully unemployed.
Interest wise: I enjoy keeping fit, reading, writing and travels.
I love to read – books on philosophy and psychology, and the mysteries of life – known scientifically or unknown as yet. For lighter reading, I love science fictions to tickle my imagination, books on self-development; or health and nutrition.
Travels - I love natural beautiful scenery rather than man-made buildings. Although I must say that I was quite impressed with several centuries old cathedrals and Egypt’s pyramids.
I enjoy my moments of solitude. I seem to need more “alone time” than many people I know.  I enjoy doing absolutely nothing. I could be seated on a bench in crowded Orchard Road, or seated on a swing in a quiet playground.

To keep fit and healthy - I exercise daily by climbing stairs to the 19th floor of a tall building. It is an easy way to exercise, no need to book a court (for tennis/badminton), rain or shine I can still climb the stairs. I also have a simple diet regime whenever the pounds creep up on me. If any one is interested, I’d be happy to share it with you.
I look forward to meeting like-minded members during the monthly get-together. Till then, I wish you all the best. May the rest of your life, be the best of your life.

Please be inform that Chess Game Cafe is renamed to Board Game Cafe!  

Date:   November 2, 2008 (Cancel last scheduled date fixed on November 1, 2008)

Venue: White Tangerine Cafe at Kovan/Paya Lebar CC

Time: 2.00pm - 5.00pm

We have the following member who are keen to participate: 

Chess   -   Dan Huang(Coach), Daniel Chan, Dennis Wee, Patrick Khoo, Douglas, Jassmine, Jonathan

Chinese Chess   -   Daniel Chan, Albert Tan

Chor Tai Tee   -   Maggie Teo n Albert Tan(Coaches), Jassmine, Ah Nee, Mary Chan

Scrabble   -   Joy, Mary Chan, Magge Teo, Lydia, Tim Liu

Crossword Puzzles   -   Jassmine

Golf   -   Mary Chan (Coach)

Mahjong(Card type)   -   Patrick n Dan(Coaches)

Backgammon   -   Constance 

Tarot   -   Andrew Thio (Coach), Stella

Checker   -   Jonathan Ong

Bridge   -   ?

Gin Rummy   -   Maggie Teo, Albert Tan (Coaches)

Carrom   -   Who got a set lying in the storeroom and ready to donate!

Indian Chess   -   Tim Liu, Maggie Teo

Strip Poker   -   ? 

Those who are interested to come and join in the fun please indicate your choice of games!

Wow! Happy to know all of you.I am new to this interesting club.

  Wish to know more friends with the same interests.

 Currently working part time,staying in the East/Siglap area.
 My interests for
                     Sports :  ( Cycling/Mass walk/Bowling/Billard)
                          Art : ( Dancing/ Music /Singing)
                       Other : ( Short Trips/Shopping/Activities)
                      …..bye……..

Dear SHCians,

———————————————————————————————————————————–

A BIG APOLOGY!

DUE TO LOW RESPONSE, WE ARE UNABLE TO MEET THE TARGET NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS.

AS SUCH, THE CHRISTMAST EVE PARTY WILL HAVE TO BE CANCELLED.

MY SINCERE APOLOGY TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE MADE PLAN TO ATTEND THIS EVENT AND WHO

SUPPORT THIS PARTY IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

MAY I RECOMMEND OTHER C.C WHO ARE ALSO ORGANISING A SIMILAR FUNCTION AS WELL.

KINDLY REFER TO THE LINK BELOW:

http://one.pa.gov.sg/CRMSPortal/CRMSPortal.portal?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=CRMSPortal_1&_urlType=render&_mode=view&CRMSPortal_1_action=CMFSearchResult&_pageLabel=CRMSPortal_page_1&CWT=

Keyword: Christmas Party                On: Activity

WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION !

———————————————————————————————————————————

If you have enjoyed the dance performances earlier at this month’s gathering, we have more
for you!

Christmas is coming and we are planning a Christmas Eve Party cum dance performances and
many more at Kovan CC. Preliminary details:

EOs   : Danz (with Joy), Susan Chan & partner, Lydia Chin, James Tan
Event : Christmas Eve Party  
Venue: Kovan CC Multipurpose Hall (aircon) and Tangerine Cafe (alfresco dining)
Time   : 7.00pm onwards
Program : Dance Performances
                Singing Performances
                Sing-along Session
                Social Dancing, and more dancing
                Games/Quizzes/Lucky Draws
                Buffet Dinner

Price   : Estimated S$18 to S$22 pax (don’t have to make payment yet, just register first!)
Closing Date : 8-Nov-2008
Target number : min 100 (Spouse and children > 15yrs are also welcome)
This is a NON-PROFIT event.

Note: All performance by our very own members. If you would like to contribute any performance
like singing, dancing (partner or group), magic show, impersonation (no copyright infringement),
skit/story-tellimg, musical interlude, etc  ……..  we greatly welcome you.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS AND SPONSORS FOR PRIZES TOO!

We hope to garner your support and put up another spectacular gala.

Supporters’ list:

1) Doreen Ng (dancer)
2) Vivien Ler (dancer)
3) Francis R Mangalam (dancer)
4) Thomas Loh
5) Pearlynn Tan (+3)
5) Pearlynn Tan (Catherine Chan)
6) Pearlynn Tan (Cynthia Ong)
7) Pearlynn Tan (Ivy Ong)
Mary Lee (Perth) (sponsor)
9) Neo Sock Cheng
10) Susan Chan
11) Danz
12) Joyz
13) Lydia Chin
14) James Tan
15) Christina Chua
16) Catherine Chong (bbcat)
17) Patricia Lim
18) Lilian Lee
19) Maureen Lee
20) David Chan
21) Shirley Wee
22) Grace Ong
23) Cecil Ong
24) Roy Koh
25) Lilian Koh
26) Abel Tan

sincerely,
james

Eat Less Rice!   

The human body was never meant to consume rice! You see, our genes have hardly changed in more than 30,000 years. However, our food choices and lifestyle have changed dramatically. The caveman would hardly recognize our food or way of life. Caveman food was never cooked as fire was not yet tamed. Thus, he ate only those foods that you can eat without treatment with or by fire. He ate fruits, vegetables, fish (sushi anyone?), eggs, nuts and meat. Yes, even meat. You can even eat meat raw if you were starving in the forest. You have the necessary enzymes to digest meat. However, rice, like wheat and corn, cannot be eaten raw.. It must be cooked. Even if you were starving in the desert, you cannot eat rice in the raw form. This is because we do not have the system of enzymes to break rice down. You were never meant to eat rice. To make matters worse, you not only eat rice, but also make it the bulk of your food. ! In some parts of Asia , rice forms up to 85% of the plate. Even if you take rice, keep it to a minimum. Remember, it is only for your tongue - not your body. Actually, rice and other grains like wheat and corn are actually worse than sugar. There are many reasons:
Rice becomes sugar - lots of it!   This is a fact that no nutritionist can deny: rice is chemically no different from sugar. One bowl of cooked rice is the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. This does not matter whether it is white, brown or herbal rice. Brown rice is richer in fiber, some B vitamins and minerals but it is still the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. To get the same 10 teaspoons of sugar, you need to consume lots of kangkong-10 bowls of it.
Rice is digested to become sugar.  Rice cannot be digested before it is thoroughly cooked. However, when thoroughly cooked, it becomes sugar and spikes circulating blood sugar within half an hour-almost as quickly as it would if you took a sugar candy. Rice is very low in the ‘rainbow of anti-oxidants. ‘ This complete anti-oxidant rainbow is necessary for the effective and safe utilization of sugar. Fruits come with a sugar called fructose. However, they are not empty calories as the fruit is packed with a whole host of other nutrients that help its proper assimilation and digestion.
Rice has no fiber.  The fiber of the kangkong fills you up long before your blood sugar spikes. This is because the fiber bulks and fills up your stomach. Since white rice has no fiber, you end up eating lots of ‘calorie dense’ food before you get filled up. Brown rice has more fiber but still the same amount of sugar.
Rice is tasteless-sugar is sweet.  There is only so much that you can eat at one sitting. How many teaspoons of sugar can you eat before you feel like throwing up? Could you imagine eating 10 teaspoons of sugar in one seating?
Rice is always the main part of the meal. While sugar may fill your dessert or sweeten your coffee, it will never be the main part of any meal. You could eat maybe two to three teaspoons of sugar at one meal. However, you could easily eat the equal value of two to three bowls (20-30 teaspoons) of sugar in one meal. I am always amused when I see someone eat sometimes five bowls of rice (equals 50 teaspoons of sugar) and then asks for tea tarik kurang manis! There is no real ‘built in’ mechanism for us to prevent overeating of rice:
How much kangkong can you eat?
How much fried chicken can you eat?
How much steamed fish can you eat? 
Think about that!
In one seating, you cannot take lots of chicken, fish or cucumber, but you can take lots of rice. Eating rice causes you to eat more salt.
As rice is tasteless, you tend to consume more salt-another villain when it comes to high blood pressure. You tend to take more curry that has salt to help flavor rice. We also tend to consume more ketchup and soy sauce which are also rich in salt.
Eating rice causes you to drink less water.  The more rice you eat, the less water you will drink as there is no mechanism to prevent the overeating of rice.. Rice, wheat and corn come hidden in our daily food. As rice is tasteless, it tends to end up in other foods that substitute rice like ! rice flo ur, noodles and bread. We tend to eat the hidden forms which still get digested into sugar. Rice, even when cooked, is difficult to digest. Can’t eat raw rice? Try eating rice half cooked. Contrary to popular belief, rice is very difficult to digest. It is ‘heavy stuff’. If you have problems with digestion, try skipping rice for a few days. You will be amazed at how the problem will just go away.
Rice prevents the absorption of several vitamins and minerals. Rice when taken in bulk will reduce the absorption of vital nutrients like zinc, iron and the B vitamins.
Are you a rice addict? Going rice-less may not be easy but you can go rice-less. Eating less rice could be lot easier than you think. Here are some strategies that you can pursue in your quest to eat less rice:
 Eat less rice-cut your rice by half. Barry Sears, author of the Zone Diet, advises ‘eating rice like spice’.
 Instead, increase your fruits and vegetables.
Take more lean meats and fish.
You can even take more eggs and nuts.
Have ‘riceless’ meals. Take no rice or wheat at say, breakfast. Go for eggs instead. Go on ‘riceless’ days - Go ‘western’ once a week…
Take no rice and breads for one day every week. That can’t be too difficult. Appreciate the richness of your food. Go for taste, colors and smells. Make eating a culinary delight. Enjoy your food in the original flavors.
Avoid the salt shaker or ketchup. You will automatically eat less rice.
Eat your fruit dessert before (Yes! No printing error) your meals.
The fiber rich fruits will ‘bulk up’ in your stomach. Thus, you will eat less rice and more fruits.
It’s your life. Decide what you want to eat!