Category: Forum General

Starting a class on Basic Photography (actually intermediate also included) on 9th May Saturday 1-6pm and subsequently on 16th, 23rd, 30th May 4th and 11th July 2009 for a char kway tiow fee of $130.
It will be conducted at Eunosville beside the Eunos MRT, 2hrs theory and 4 hrs practical altogether 6 sessions 36 hrs total.
those interested can email me at cecil@1digital.com.sg
Topics covered: Equipments, Exposures, Techniques, Night photography, Flash,Photo Editing.

Sometime last year with my sister and her friend I drove in to Scudai JB to visit her apartment. Later in the afternoon she wants to go scouting for some furniture. I drove them to a row of shops nearby. After dropping them at the shop I went to look for a parking space. Not able to found one I decided to drive over next door where a petrol station is.

Having parked my car I decided to get out from the car for a breather. Soon, I was approached by a man holding a plastic bag. He showed me a camera in the bag. I told him that I was not interested but he insists that I should at least have a peek at the camera. From that look I was tempted, it looks like a new digital camera and I asked him how much? 600 ringits was quoted, I told him not interested again. He then asked me how much I will consider. I said 50 ringits, and he counter 200 ringits. From the glimpse it seems a good buy and I foolishly offer 100 ringits.

I said let me at least inspect the camera, he answered no, dun do it outside as people will see. He suggested, how about look at it in my car? My feelers were out, better not wait he drive my car away, how? I paid him the money and he asks me again for transport money and I gave him another 20 ringits, wat the nerve!

The scenario was I was alone; therefore he got the gut to approach me. It may not happen if I am in a group. I thought I have a deal, he probably couldn’t believe that a sucker was born every day. This may seem a small incident as I was not robbed or hurt. We have heard of numerous stories of innocent victims falling prey to the crimes wave over here!

I learned my lesson, dun be tempted easily. After I took over the camera, I found that it was not a digital camera and it also not working at all! I wanted to ask someone to kick me in the butt! How silly can I be to fall for such a scam!

Do you have a more interesting or ‘better not remember’ story to tell? Come on, let’s liven this post a bit more!

Dan

Dear All

There is an outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico and some parts of the United States.

Do read up on the latest updates and keep our fingers crossed.  Brings back memories of SARS. 

Take care,

INFORMATION ONLY

Confirmed dates/routes except Oct & Nov09 the routes will be firmed up in
due time:

25Apr (4th Sat)  –  Alexandra Arch(Hortpark) to Keppel Bay   (Scenic walk! not to be missed)

02May(1st Sat)  –  No walk.  

13Jun  –  Whampoa/Kallang  (educational, scenic)

11Jul  –  Pasir Ris (mangrove)

01Aug (1st Sat)  –  Bt Timah  (quarry)

12Sep  –  Kembangan/Tanah Merah (coastal)     

10Oct  –  TBA

14Nov  –  TBA

1)       Most walks will still be on 2nd Saturdays of the month.
2)       EXCEPTIONS: 2 dates shall be rescheduled to the  4th & 1st Saturday instead ie., 25Apr & 1Aug.
3)       Most walks will still be in the afternoons, starting at 3.30pm or  4pm.
4)       Detailed information for each walk will be posted: approx 2 weeks before scheduled date.

We urge Members to exercise personal and group responsibility:
.. Be punctual.
.. Stay close to the group and look out for each other’s safety.
.. If you are not feeling well, please inform your friends as well as the    EOs.
.. If you need to leave earlier, please inform the EOs prior to set-off.
.. Individuals are expected to adhere to rules set by relevant authorities.

Recommendation:
1) Wear ‘walking’ shoes; light, loose clothing
2) Bring a small bottle of water; umbrella/poncho
3) Optional items: cap, sun block, camera/binoculars, insect repellant
4) Bring only the minimum, light is good!

Let the joy of doing a pleasant activity be there always…….  

EOs of the Walk Team:   Charles Wee, Veronica Wong, Mary Tan, Jeffrey Lim,
Joyce Tan; Charles Chua, Serene Low and me, ChristinaCL Chan………..signing off…  

Stay Cool!  Be Cool!         c ya!

Hi All

Thank you to the following SHCians :Jie,Gwyneth, Karen, Sock Cheng who met me at the foodcourt 6F and  Spotlight at Plaza Singapura for the time and informative sharing on crafts.

I must admit that I never had been a diligent needlework pupil in school and also lacked patience and time in the past. However, I’m looking forward to picking up some handicraft skills before it’s too late.

Jie shared her quilting knowledge and even kindly brought along a library quilting bookfor me.Karen kept me updated about her crystal craft with members last year and the interest generated.She also mentioned other things that she does eg macrame.

With the short time here, I’m hope to pick up some skills from them. Hence I’m posting two craft learning sessions and do join in the sessions if you are interested and let’s learn together.

Joan

This gives us something to think about with all our new electronic
technology  –  GPS
A
couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she knew had their
car broken into while they were at a football match. Their car was
parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans.
 
Things
stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money
and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard.

When
the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked
and just about everything worth anything had been stolen.  The thieves
had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage
remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The
thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time
the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they
had to clean up the house. It would appear that they had brought a
truck to empty the house of its contents.

Hi everyone,

– LATEST ANNOUNCEMENT — In case some of you missed this announcement.

We were informed by the chef at H.K. Best Soup Restaurant that they have closed for business with effect from early April. Hence, we regret to advise this dinner has to be called off.

We will be arranging to refund everyone, either in cash or via internet transfer to the respective account in due course. Please email the following : Your Name, Bank name, A/C Nbr and type of Account (saving or current) to Lina Ng at linang14@gmail.com so that a refund can be made.

We would like to thank everyone for the great support and kind understanding.

We truly apologise for the bad news and sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Suzhang, Ah Nee & Lina

Dear SHCians,

Lets continue walking… it’s on Saturday, 25Apr.’09. We’ll cover the trails of Southern Ridges and cross over to Keppel Island.

Where to meet: At the base of Alexandra Arch, leading to Hortpark. (Alexandra Rd, junction of Hyderabad Rd)

How to get there: Bus service # 51, 61, 93, 97, 100, 166 and 963

Time: 4.00pm sharp

Leaders: Joyce Tan & ChristinaCL Chan

Our Routes:

Forest Walk – Not to repeat the earth trail this time, we’ll take the elevated walkway which span 1.3km. You’ll come face to face with the rich wildlife of the secondary forest : flying dragon; asian koel; hanging bat; squirrel; spider; carpenter bees etc. (just to name a few). As you pass thru this soothing sanctuary of greenery, do watch out for huge nest of weaving ant, and try to spot the different types of fig tree. Know what’s the national flower of Brunei?

Alkaff Mansion – Take a break at this historical site which stands at the top of Telok Blangah Green. It commands a panoramic view with the sea down below.

Henderson Wave/Mt. Faber – Many of us have visited before, we’ll walk thru these seamless link to…

Marang Trail – Work your legs a bit on this steps & shaded foot path…the decending way… 0.8km only…

Keppel Island – Almost the southern tip of Malaysia Peninsular, sitting at the end of a newly built bridge, you don’t have to take a boat to reach this beautiful place. With floating docks that can accommodate upto 200 yachts, it’s a safe haven for the international boating community.

While looking down the turquoise sea, count the number of jelly fish & other fishes swim freely as this area is a ‘no fishing’ zone. Look out to where the ships sail from/thru and watch the changes of colour in the sky during sunset. Enjoy the sea breeze with swifts flying by and the breath-taking sight of the reflection of colourful lights.

End of the walk, you can choose to rest & relax at the chic & cozy ‘Prive’ waterfront cafe/restaurant/bar, or,

a Japanese restaruant and TCC (at the bay) are also welcoming you.

Alternatively, just dine at any eateries you prefer at VivoCity on your way back.

Total Distance: Approx. 7km

Total duration: 2 to 2-1/2 hrs depending on the pace we take

What to bring: sun block; cap; umbrella (just in case); small bottle of water

Who’s coming :

1) CharlesC, 2) JoyceT 3) MaureenL, 4) StevenC, 5) JamesT,  6) SusanT, 7) MollieT, 8 ) DaisyY, 9) Susan(SW), 10) JeanO, 11) Han FongChin, 12) Han FongChoo, 13) AliceS, 14) SereneL, 15)FeztusL, 16/17) Arthur & Peggy + friends 18) Gingko, 19) ChristinaWH, 20) Leah, 21) Veronique, 22) JenniferL, 23) JoyceK, 24) DanH, 25) JoyC, 26) KingSengL, 27) Wee Chin, 28) ThomasG, 29) Lettishia, 30) Sock Cheng, 31) LydiaC, 32) Bobby, 33) PaulineK, 34) Sally, 35) SharonW 36) CharlesW 37) GenetL, 38) Kristin, 39) JanetN, 40) Cecil, 41) Dolly, 42) ChristinaCL, …..

EOs of the walk team: CharlesW, VeronicaW, MaryT, JeffreyL, CharlesC, SereneL, ChristinaCL & me (Joyce Tan).

stay cool & be cool, C ya

Click here for photos

Maximum pax is 16 persons (including myself and 2 others as co-leaders). 

Interested members, please pick your choice from the following 2 destinations, and the majority selection prevail:-

Batu Pahat (Straits of Malacca seafood) with optional river-cruise, Sungai Api Api. 

                                                        OR

Mersing (South China Sea seafood) with optional boat-cruise to Pulau Besar.

• 22nd May (Friday)

9.00 Depart by bus (yellow-coloured Causeway bus) from Ban San / Queen Street junction terminal

10.30-45am  Arrive at Larkin terminal

11.10am Depart for Batu Pahat  OR  11.30am Depart for Mersing

Both destinations take about 2hours 10/15mins (without breaks)

Upon arrival Batu Pahat, check-in Hotel Garden (70 plus ringgit or more)

Upon arrival Mersing, check-in Hotel Seri Malaysia (90 plus ringgit or more)

Other hotel choices are available upon majority’s request

• 23rd May (Saturday) 

10.00am Optional river or boat cruise OR detour to Keluang and take 1.05pm train for home

2.30pm depart BATU PAHAT

3.00pm depart MERSING

Registration :

1. Bira
2. Eyvonne Chew
3. S.K. Chua
4. Genet Leong
5. Sockie
6. Daisy Yeo
7. Pauline Chew
8. Norlinda ?
9. Ah Nee ?

Hi Members

We are proud 2 annouce that we had received an invitation from a Straits Times’ reporter who would like 2 interview our members on their interests n likes. Here’s the invitation :

"Basically, I’m working on a special report on the Silver Dollar Industry. We want to highlight that this group of people (babyboomers in their 50s and 60s) are a very viable group of people who are willing to spend on their hobbies, interests, and things like traveling. Too often they are forgotten and neglected when actually they are the people with the spending power as well as the ones providing demand for niche services or activities.

So I would be curious to interview members of your club who are very passionate about certain hobbies, e.g. appreciating wine, collecting luxury items, painting, gardening, skiing, extreme sports or even chasing idols – most importantly they must be people with a passion who are willing to spend and invest on their interests and hobbies.

Would really appreciate it if you could put me in touch with a few like minded people who are willing to be interviewed and photographed, in a group if they prefer.

Now for the questions:

What is the median age of members in the Silver Hairs Club?
Why was it set up, and by whom, when?
Besides sports, what other activities are organized by the club? Are there wine and dine trips or food appreciation, art appreciation, golf trips?

And for those who are willing to be personally interviewed, What are your spending habits like? Are there hobbies you spend on, for example, collecting figurines, gardening, golf, or fishing? How much do you spend on your hobbies in a month?

Apart from the daily necessities, what kind of items do you spend on on a regular basis?

Has the current recession affect in any way these spending habits? How? Do you find that you travel less or is travel considered a must-do for you?

Do you think that companies out there have are selling products that look into your needs as an older person? Why and how?

What are some of the products that you wish you could buy but are not available in the market? (eg. big sized font books.)

If you are interested, please give your names n topics here. Successful members will be notified. Closing date Mon, 13 Apr 2009.

YK (Admin)

1. Francis (Dancing)

Hi Terence 

Firstly, its heart-wrenching being unable to attend Saturday’s annual D & D, because another colleague had earlier than me applied for a weekend day’s leave.  Only one from each of the 4 services’ staff section is permitted to take a weekend leave of ONE day only.  Glad you guys had a good time and several new faces were welcomed.

Your flattering confidence regarding my expertise in outlying Indonesian islands’s potentiality for retirement living do overwhelm me.  As stated in my previous remarks, the crucial factor is one must be quite conversant in Bahasa Indon/Melayu so as to gel comfortably with the locals and thus it is due to my proficiency in BERCAKAPAAN Jawa dengan Melayu which easily integrate me into the local scene unlike my sheer incompetence to pick up the Thai language or Teowchew dialect during my frequent sojourns in peninsular Thailand re: Satun, Betong, Hatyai, Songklah, Ban Upai, Rayong & Hua Hin during the early 70s to early 80s.

Next year, probably in July will arrange a 2days/2nights trip to(50minutes flight from Batam) to Bangka island, nearly centrally in the Java Sea, a big island more than 4times the area of Spore.  The island with its one-third sized sister island(more than 20 others in this group of islands) Belitung island are for the past century till today, producers of more than half the tin output in Indonesia.  There are beautiful beaches (Pantai Parai Tinggiri at Sungailiat, a smaller town) plus for me am attracted to the jagged peaks and aura of the 3000ft plus Gunung Daik.

Bangka was promoted as a inter-country tourism of Indonesia during the former presidency of Megawati 2001-04.  The development of Pangkalpinang the biggest town of less than 100,000(propably 25% Chinese Indons) amazes me in May 2007 with a couple of nice hotels and the attractive El John(what a name) shopping plaza.  Unlike Thailand(spurred by the American GI’s R & R during the Veitnam War days), my take is Malaysia, Phillipines & Indonesia are not overly keen in drawing tourism perhaps due to the locals abhorrence of brash and uncultured foreigners eg the backpackers whose unkempt appearance and tendency to nude sunbathing is disturbing re: my conversation with a few Kelantanese at Pantai Ser Tujuh(Beach of the Comely Seven), Tumpat, Kelantan, in the early 90s and with one English-speaking Mindanaon in Butuan 1995, north-east coastal town in Mindanao, southern Philippines.

Overlooked to mention that Kuching, Sarawak can be considered by the Sporean retiree as well as Labuan.  Unlike Indonesian islands, nearly all Malaysian islands are more than 95% populated by native Malays and comparatively less developed too.  Smaller Malaysian towns like Teluk Intan & Sitiawan(Perak), Segambut & Rawang(Selangor), Bentong(Pahang), Muar, Batu Pahat, Segamat, Keluang and Mersing(Johore) with significant Malaysian Chinese residents are considerable choices too.

Regards 

Abel Tan

Are you a “handy-man”? Are you a “fix-it enthusiast”? Do you enjoy the challenge of repairing household items and getting them to work again?

If you answer "yes" to any of the above questions, here is good news!

I have several household items that need to be repaired, and can be put to good use again.

If you are "Mr Fix-it", and you can repair TV, washing machine, stand-fan, microwave oven, please come and take them away. FREE.

OR – If you know someone who is connected to an old-folks’ home or orphanage, that has an in-house handy-man who could repair and put these items to good use, please ask him to come and take them away.

The external conditions of these household items are well-kept, and look better than the ones you’d find in second-hand dealer’s stores:

Washing machine, fully-auto, Samsung 5 litre load.

Problem: It moved very slowly and made a groaning sound as it tried to swirl clothes.

TV, 32 inch, Toshi, color.

Problem: Went blank. One small dot of white light.

Microwave oven, Farfella.

Problem: inside’s turntable and light work fine, but “no heat”.

Stand-fan, Mestar, has timer and speed control.

Problem: fan blades rotate slowly.

Please email jacqhan@gmail.com for “collection address” or queries.   

Hi All

I believe most of us now welcome the time we have and the opportunity to do things we missed out. I am wondering how to fill my time now with activities that can still allow for new learning or relearning what was forgotten. Some have found their niches, some like me are still looking. I wonder if any who share this view would like to learn new things or teach things/skills they know to other SHCians.

For the time I’m in S’pore I would like to meet members to discuss this with the objective that perhaps we can get together to hold some of these activities at various locations. An example can be hand quilting which I like to learn or even making sushi/dumplings/mooncakes. Other areas can be conversational Japanese, swimming, ebay buying etc. If there are some who can teach these and some who are keen to learn, we can start lessons. Who knows, this can turn out to be business opportunites for some.

Regards

Joan

 Hi Guys ie. Lily, Bira, Norlinda, Ah Nee, KC Lau & Tian Soo, am pleased that all of you had a nice time.

 Probably when the "round island" road in Karimun is ready in a year’s time hopefully (you guys would have notice that from the incline of the hillside Hotel Gloria, the new road is less than 50metres ready) we shall make another trip to Karimun.

 Meanwhile, as soon as the travelling logistics are correctly certain, Lily will assist in organising a ONE DAY/ONE NIGHT Free & Easy trip to Segamat town, central Johore state.  Maximum pax is TWENTY persons including myself and with AT LEAST Seven males in the group for the purpose of "showing off muscle".  This excursion is slated for mid or end July where we can savour seasonal fruits of durians and mangosteens.

 Regards 

 Abel Tan

I have been asked many times if certain threads or Posts would be approved to appear on this forum.  Here are some guidelines.  As long as the Post does not dwell on discussion topics eg politics, sex, race, religion, direct selling and MLM, the Post is considered approved.

If you are organising a new event, and would like to invite other SHC members to join you, please go ahead.  But advertising is strictly not acceptable.  Please do not bring in non-member’s names into this forum.

Comments should come under appropriate threads.  Comments should not be written as new Post.  If  you do, it will likely be deleted.

Go ahead and argue, but please be sensitive and respect the opinion of other SilverHairsClub members.  Please have all the fun in your life.  Everybody is here to make new and more friends.  So, please don’t quarrel among yourselves;  it gives me headaches, and panadols wont help.  There is plenty of space on this website for you to dream and share your life’s vision, so write your "Reflections".  Fair enough?

Terence Seah

Hi dancers and all those keen to learn and have fun! Some of us have just ended our classes on Jive and Salsa, let’s go further!

These are very low cost dance class, do take this opportunity to attend.

Clementi CC
 
1) Social Dance  (Rock n Roll) elementary commencing on 27.3.09(Friday) from 7.30pm to 8.30 pm- course fee S$32/35 for 8 lessons
 
2) Latin Dance ( Latin Rumba) elementary commencing on 27.3.09(Friday) from 8.30pm to 9.30pm – course fee S$35/40 for 8 lessons
 
3) Line Dance elementary II (Tuesday) from 7.00pm to 8.00pm -course fee S$32./35 for
8 lessons

Dan

hi bro francis,good afternoon 2 u all. i ve remit 50 bucks dd 20.03 fri,sori got no 5 buck lah.how abt the mugs deliver 2 where ? btw do u pp need any help 4 the d & d

"Ni Hao"! Here is another trip date/itinerary to yunnan.

This year, you can also join trip in the month of June, August, October and December 09. Please email me for itinerary. Each august in yunnan has its season of fruits and weather which will decide where are the best destinations inside Yunnan. Of course I still need to give myself sometime to do my work. For the trip to go, we need around 8 pax.

Following is the tentative end april trip itinerary. Will be revised if necessary. If folks going on the trip are interested, I am open to abandon few destinations and accommodate to visit the Yuan Yang Rice Terrace in south Yunnan. According to Nature Products Network,

Yuan Yang Rice Terraces: Definitely the world’s most spectacular!
If you have seen the famous Banaue rice terraces of the Ifugaos in The Philippines and then visit the endless rice terraced mountains of Yuan Yang in Southern Yunnan, you regret having wasted time and gone through an unsafe trip on Luzon’s killer roads. Compared with Ifugao, the Hani people in Yuan Yang have much larger mountains and gorgeous sites to cultivate. Their endless irrigated terraces are giving a new meaning to paddy rice cultivation in Asia.

Anyway, email me at ethniceast@gmail.com for your inqueries etc.,