Category: Forum General

Hi, Gang:

Apart from some former colleagues and pre-SHCian friends who have joined SHC, I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting any of you. I find it a little odd, being new to SHC and all, but I did agree to help Terence with the organisation of the Kelong Trip.  So here I am, you got me, for better or worse. :o)

I had a bit of bother compiling the list as not everyone registered on the same thread, and a few registered more than once on different threads. As far as I can make out from the two threads that I know of, the #33 people listed below have registered for the trip.

If I have inadvertently left anyone out, spelled your name wrongly (blame it on feeble eyesight) or there are others who have not yet done so but wish to register for the trip, please let me know as soon as you are able.

If there are more than 42 people wanting to go, we will have to work something out

Thanks and best regards,

Ron Koh

Note: #62 people have registered as at 4 Feb 2008,  including 6 tentative:

1. Tim Liu
2. Lily Ho Willocq
3. Dan Huang
4. Peng Peng
5. Mary Chan
6. V Wong (Tentative)
7. Dennis Wee
8. Wendy Goh*
9. Alice Seah
10. Margaret Chan
11. Ron Koh
12. Ros Chan
    
13. Paul Leong
14. Jenny Leong
15. Christina C L Chan* (Tentative)
    
16. S B Khoo
17. L H Jie
18. Gingko
19. Veronique Lee*
    
20. Catherine Yeo
21. Joyce Tan
22. Christina Chan
23. Fong Cheong Kong
24. Eyvonne Chew
25. Josephine Yap
26. Grace Kok
27. Rene Leong*
    
28. Maria Tan
29. Douglas Chan
30. Mary Tan
31. Annie Loh
32. Peter Goh
33. Linda Chang
34. Boon Liang
35. Meifoo
36. Terence Seah
37. Janet Chan
38. Chian Wah*
39. Charles Wee*
40. Ron Lai*
41. Alice Lai*
42. Alan Bock*
43. Ann Chew*
44. Vincent Wong*
45. Eliza Chua* (Tentative)
46. Gwyneth Lee* (Tentative)
47. Kris Leong*
48. Venika*
49. Andrew Kuan* (Tentative)
50. Aileen Kuan* (Tentative)
51. S K Chua*
52. Andrew Koh*
53. Jimmy Chew*
54. Sally Chew*
55. Pearlynn Tan*
56. Wana Tay*
57. Catherine Chan*
58. Jennifer Ong*
59. William Wong*
60. Grace Kang*
61. Alfred Ang*
62. Margie Koh*
    

* updated as 5.17pm, 4 Feb 2008

Ron Koh

Charles Wee has put up the pictures of the walk on Sat 12 Jan.  See if you remember any of the walkers.  And, the place Bishan Park and Lower Pierce.

Click here to see the pictures.

On behalf of Charles Wee and team.

Just what is this game anyway?

The game of Lawn Bowls is played on a large, rectangular, precisely leveled and manicured grass or synthetic surface known as bowling green which is divided into parallel playing strips called rinks.

The general object of the game is for participants to roll each of their BOWLS as close as possible to a single small white ball called the JACK (or kitty). Bowls may hit the jack, but the jack must remain within the boundary markers or the END will be declared "dead." Bowls are likely to hit other bowls, and may propel them into a position that is perhaps nearer to the jack, or perhaps to a distant position outside the boundary marker line that will take them out of play.

Games are played between opposing teams, each with from one to four players. SINGLES games are played between two players, DOUBLES between two pairs, TRIPLES between teams of three, and rinks between teams of four players.

After all members of each team have rolled a set of bowls (the completion of an END), the bowl closest to the jack counts one point for its team, and every other bowl belonging to that same team that is closer to the jack than the nearest one of the competitors’ counts 1 additional point. Game is made up of a series of these completed ends.

Each BOWLER has a matching set of four bowls. Each bowl in a set has a matching pair of distinguishing decorations on opposite sides. The number of bowls that each player uses is dependent on the number of team members. Bowls are not perfectly spherical, and will not roll straight. One side is slightly flattened, and it is toward that side with its BIAS that will draw the path of the bowl in a sweeping arc. The mastery of this phenomenon is at the heart of the challenge and excitement of the game.

What can we do for you?

1. We’ll tell you about the game.

Lawn Bowling has its roots in antiquity and has been played where English is spoken since the l3th century. There are over 130 Clubs in the United States and thousands more around the world. We are mostly amateurs and we bowl for the fun of it.

2. We’ll meet you at the Green.

After you’ve rolled that first bowl you’ll know why lawn bowlers love the sport. You too can become addicted to the sport of the ages. Just contact me (Chin) at h/p nos 98797949 if you are interested. 

3. Training lessons are free.

Our trained instructors will soon have you bowling on the green.

4. Low cost for a lifetime of enjoyment

A set of four bowls costs about the same as a good tennis racket or one of the better golf clubs and will last as long as you want it to. The club probably has some second hand bowls for sale.

Here it is. This is one rare payback for suffering unprecedented inflation and vaporising CPF values.  But it is up to you to take it up.

If you have an idea of devices and systems for the idea, you can tap into the new established government fund.  The Government’s focus is on developing and adapting new ideas and technologies to local conditions and producing prototypes for HDB living

http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_195694.html

Any ideas? Get together?

From last night’s SHC Saturday Online, I think there is a topic which interests many people.  This is about investments in anything else, other than savings, fixed deposits and insurance.  Our newspapers carry many articles on seniors, and how to maximise returns in preparation for retirement. 

Last night, though adhoc, the participants shared some of their experience on interest rates in Australia, bonds and exchange rates.  We had a good discussion, although I must admit the discussion was not structured.  I dont know if there is a demand for such discussions, although investments can be a pretty private activity.  I use to believe that most SHC members keep their monies under the pillow.  But, in reality, I see many SHC members do try to get more than 1 – 2%.  Some make, but, of course, many do lose monies too.

Picking up from this evening, i think we can have a similar activity, a SHC investment chat online.  We pick a date and time, and if it works or is interesting, we can have a regular timing.  For a start, I would suggest 1000 to 1100 hrs on Wed 16 Jan 2008.  You can participate without leaving your home or your office, just infront of your computer.  It’s live.

For this event, we welcome the newbies investors, those who lost monies, and those who make some monies.  If you are a small or part-time trader, has some experience in equities, forex, bonds, etc, come join in too.  After this event, we shall develop further into more specific groups, if there is interest.

If you like to participate, please register your name here.  Here’s how to enter the conference.  https://silverhairsclub.com/monthly-sunday-meeting/.  This is a live event,  and participants must be on time.

Strictly for registered SHC members only.   Not for institutional traders. 

Terence Seah

I read the Straits Times today.  The heading "Retirement means death" and the sub-heading "Urging seniors to stay active" and that "those who lead sedentary lives after retirement die quickly".  Pretty gloomy; but the message was strong.  Don’t retire, work.  People must remain active.  Use all your faculties.  Use them or lose. When a person retires, he must have a second career. 

For many of us, at our age, we do have strong views on retirement.  We have experience 45 years living on this earth.

Do you agree?  What do you think?  We can shout and we can complain.  Many of us have a good feel of the situation each of us are in today, and maybe tomorrow.  What can we do?  What should we do?  And, maybe as a club, what can we do?

Terence Seah 

Sat, 19 Jan 08 from 4 p.m. at East Coat Park Meet at the rear of McDonald Marine Cove (former East Coast Recreational Park). Rented bicycles are abundantly available at reasonable rates.

Activity will not be cancelled even if it rains but will be brought indoor to turn into chitchat session.

We will go for a dinner together after the session. Please come and join us.

Rain or shine, we will definitely be there 4 U. Look forward to seeing you guys.

Ah Nee, Jade Phua, Lily Ho n Yew Kwong

Who Are Coming – Ah Nee, Yew Kwong, Caroline, Andrew, Norlinda, Douglas Chan, Dan, Lina Ng, Anne To, Gingko, Veronique, Daisy Phua, Eileen Lee, Lisa Ong, Grace Kok, Mollie Tan, John Howe, Jimmy Chew & Sally & …

For guys n gals who cant make it tis time, no wori n we shall c u on 16 Feb 08.

Hi all SHCians

I came to know the club thru  the eNN newsletter and have been enjoying reading the interesting activities organised by the club. Cheers.

I am Alicia who loves the sun and that is why I look forward to my weekends doing either one of these activities like  roller-blading (not-pro), cycling, nature walking, swimming, trekking (if got kakis) etc etc. I also enjoy playing scrabble and practising yoga.

I am presently still working full time in a healthcare industry and hope to be able to work for the next ten years to come (official retirement age – 62)

Hope to see you all on the 17/1/08 meeting.

KONG HEE HUAT CHYE.

Alicia Soh

I had come across SHC quite some time ago following the article about it in the newspapers but in the hurly burly world of work (still actively working and hope never to retire) it was relegated into the black hole of the mind with all the other KIV items. Recently I was talking to a friend, Sophia Lim, and she reignited my interest and thus signed up.

Last year I should have been able to withdraw on my CPF account but it was not to be under the new regulations. That’s how old I am.

Also, I’m bi. Bi-location that is – living both in Singapore and Bangkok. The nature of my work involves the running of two offices of which I try to spend equal time on. Thus in a typical month, I’m two weeks in Bangkok and two weeks back in Singapore.

Outside of work I’m generally very outdoorsy – sailing and scuba diving, play bad golf (my golfing motto : I play bad golf for a good time!) and simple activities like jogging, walking and swimming. I run with the Hash House Harriers but it’s never considered as a serious running group. I love travelling too but never on package tours preferring to be a free and independent traveller even if it means getting lost every now and then.

That’s me in a nutshell.

Eleanor has booked Carlton Hotel for the above function to be held on 2nd February, 2008. We would like to have a "feel" of the response. The cost per head is approximately $45/= and the Dinner Menu include:

1. Raw fish salad
2. BBQ Combination
3. Beancurd with diced seafood
4. Suateed cuttlefish with vegetables
5. Steamed Perch with minced garlic
6. Sauteed shrimps with cashew nuts and pepper
7. Braised E-Fu noodles
8. Seasonal fruit sago

Your urgent feedback is required. Thank you

Roland

1. Roland Tong
2. Tim Liu
3. Yew Kwong
4. Dan Huang
5. Gwen
6. Eliza
7. ANee
8. Lina Ng

This question has been posed to me a number of times, ever since SilverHairsClub got started.  However, I must admit we have not got anywhere.  One member refers to SHC as a portal, others call it a website or a forum.  We do have sensible rules; and our  objective is well known.  SHC caters to the over 45s, and its needs to meet new friends.  So far, I think we have stayed well within the laws of Singapore.

Earlier discussion? Click here.

Of course, there are occasions some of us like to stray outside club rules; but whether we are a registered club or not, the laws of the country still apply.

Like many of us, and I know this very well from discussions, the majority prefers keeping our entity simple, flexibile and no-nonsense.  I too prefer the existing style and mode of operation.

Now, 2008 is here, and I like to highlight some points, hiccups and complications which were raised last year.  For everybody’s benefit, I point them below:

1. Project leaders had encountered difficulties with external projects eg govt bodies and corporations because we are not a recognised entity.
2. We do not enjoy the benefits and advantages of other similar social organisations.  Not possible to seek assistance from companies.

Interesting, SilverHairsClub does not have a management or committee structure.  We have no venue, and we do not collect funds.  We have no constitution, just one objective and a set of taboos.  No AGMs, etc.

But, we do have dedicated Event Organisers, and an active community of SilverHairs.

I like to take the next few months (until 31 March 2008) to hear from you.  And, would continue to maintain the following position.

1. Club objective will remain; and club taboos will stay.  No discussions on politics, sex, religion, race, direct selling and MLM.
2. Membership must remain free.  And strictly for the over 45s.
3. Members are free to organise their own activities; and other members are free to join one another.
4. Healthy activities are encouraged.  Continued jobs and entrepreneurship will be the drive for SilverHairs.

The founders have never envisaged SilverHairsClub to this size and activeness.  But, fact is we have grown, and we have to review how to manage this.  I will not call an open meeting to discuss this issue; but let’s use this forum to discuss and offer feedback.  Can we or do we need to formalise SHC as a society or a company?  You may have ideas, let’s hear them.

Terence Seah

As you all know by now, I spend almost all my weekends in Thailand.  And, over the Christmas period, I travelled one week to Chiangmai and Mae Hong Son.  Temperatures were 5 – 18C, lower if you are up there in the mountain tops.  Visited the National Parks & resorts, enjoyed the fresh air, dry season, mists, mountain views, rivers and reservoirs, and nice people. 

A number of Singaporeans enjoy great holidays in 5 star hotels and fabulous buffets.  For a change, I like to share with you another type of holidays.  Camping and tenting in the mountain and national parks of Thailand’s north.  No hotels to stay.  Clean and safe, with toilets (no hot water) and good roads.  Two persons in a 4 persons tent.  Enjoy the scenery and air.  Eat only fresh vegetables from breakfast to dinner.

Two years ago, a few of us including Oi Cheng and Ann Giri went up to the above described places.  We enjoyed it, because there was no shopping.

This year, I am pretty determined to organise something bigger for SHC members only.  Fly Singapore/Chiangmai, arrive at 6am at Chiangmai airport.  And, immediately whisked to the mountain resorts.  Hopefully, the return flight will cost us $180.  There are no hotels to book, I suggest you start to look for a 2 – 4 person tent (costing around $40 – 50) and share.  For tent mates, make sure you find acceptable snoring partners.  Sound travels far at night, even in different tents.

Food and fruits, we share, cannot cost a bomb.  If we cannot cook, I might look for a local cook to travel with us.  And, last depending on numbers, we will travel in 10-11 seater vans.  We share cost of transportation.

For those who loves cycling, walking, fresh air, quiet surroundings, waterfalls, and consider.  And, we will be comfortable, have fun and safe.  Even, if the trip is just to chat among friends, consider join this trip.  The date Tue 18 – Tue 25 Nov 2008.  Your thoughts?

Here are the list of dreamers.  The ones who wants to see the stars, be a veg for a week, bathe in cold water, wants fresh air, and a comfortable tent.  This list is tentative until 31 Aug 2008.

1. Andrew Yeung
2. Kathy Dng
3. Gingko Tay
4. Veronique Lee
5. Alice Seah
6. Rene Leong – 51% participatiang
7. Norlinda
8. Su Zhang
9. Joyce Tan
10. Kenneth Tan
11. Caroline Gee
12. Oi Cheng
13. CJ Ang
14. Ann To
15. Janet Chan
16. Ann To
17. Dee Ang
18. Alice Teo
19. LH Jie
20. Molly Chua
21. Andrew Kuan
22. Ron Koh
23. Lily Ho
24. Melissa Khng
25. June Lim
26. Sompho
27. Terence Seah – definitely on.
28. Dan Huang
29. Mary Chan
30. Grace Wong
31. Eyvonne Chew
32. Gwyneth Lee
33. Ron Koh
34. Ros Chan
35. Cheryl Ho
36. Elizabeth Hwang
37. Margaret Tian
38. Sompho Homjumroon
39. Charles Chua
40. ChristinaCL Chan
41. Annie Loh – 51% attending
42. Margaret Chan
43. William Chan
44. Helen Wong
45. Daisy Yeo
46. All names above are pending leave approval, available of hot water, comfortable tents and acceptable sleeping partners.  Closing date 31 Aug 2008.

Terence Seah

All Members,

Every  First and Third  Friday of the Month, SHC Investment Club is holding its Meeting at Scorebot Pte Ltd. 

Time: 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Cost: Purchase of F&B

Agenda: Open to members suggestion prior to meeting by posting on SHC website.

In order to better co-ordinate and subsequent follow up on the meeting. 

I had created this thread. Please use it solely for discussing matters related to meeting.

Our first meeting in 2008 was 4th January 2008.

Future meeting will have their respective comments added.

Members present:

1. Terence Seah
2. KT Wong
3. Dennis Har
4. Ronald Lee
5. Ronald Wie
6. Roland Tong
7. Eleanor Chan

Please add your comments

Reading the Trivia thread, I see many of us love music.  Maybe you have a song, an old song in mind, English, Chinese, Hokkien, Thai, Malay, etc.  and you like to dedicate it to all of us, who cannot sleep before 1am.  Well, we do have many late birds.

I started to love youtube.com after Charles, Susan and Yew Kwong help me look for my Talent-Time song.  If you have a song, pick one up from youtube.com.  you can play it for all of us to hear.  Don’t know about youtube, but you have the song name, I guess we can find it for you.

Join us tonight 1100 pm to 0100 hrs for Saturday night Online".  You need to log in here.  You can also chat online.

• Conference name:  star-conference
• Conference password:  star
• Guest name:  Your name

Strictly for SilverHairsClub members only.

Terence Seah

Come and experience  the state-of-the-art conference tonight. Join us even if you are not present physically. You can log in now from anywhere in the world.  You will seldom have a chance to have the unique experience of communicating seamlessly with both the physical and virtual world at the same time.

The physical meeting is for both the Investment Club and Travel Club.

Venue: Scorebot at 18 Bali Lane (opposite Raffles Medical; nearby MRT Bugis Junction)

Date:   Fri 4 Jan 2007

Time:   7 pm for the main physical session

If you cannot join us just log into our multimedia on-line chat conference. You can use both chat and audio to address the group.

It is very simple. Just log in here

http://www.star-conference.com./

Use the following:

Conference name: star-conference

Conference password: star

Guest name: their name.

In case you need more info, the user guide is here

http://www.webpresentationserver.com/download/stwps-clientguide70.pdf

Page 16 & 17 shows you how to "phone" in and talk to us. Otherwise just stick to on-line text chat.

You can now log-in to start a chat,  submit suggestions, ask questions for the group even before the real meeting starts. You are encouraged to do so earlier to familiarize yourself especially if you are new to SHC on-line chat. During the actual session we may be too busy to handle connection issues.

So come in now and be ready. Have a great session. Enjoy.  

Dear Dancers n anyone interested,

How many of you have notice the graceful and alluring dance movements of social waltz?

Ever wish that you knew the dance steps and to be able to swing with your partner round the dance floor to the tune of the Tennesee Waltz and the Last Waltz.

Here is the opportunity!!

Start Date: Thurday, January 10th, 2008

Time: 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Venue: Kembangan CC (Less than 5 minutes walk from Kembangan MRT) Proper dance studio with mirror!

Dance Coach: Jeffrey Gan

Cost: $60.00 for 8 lessons.

EO, Dan Huang

Good Day to all!

I’m a new entrant to the club, having snooped around the SilverHairsClub site on and off for a couple of months last year.  Found the stuff put up and exchange between members interesting.  Decided to do something out of my comfort zone for 2008 by joining the club.  

Am in transitions of sorts and planning for Halftime journey, hoping to reclaim some time and life.  Currently in full-time employment and fortunate to enjoy paid job, tutoring dyslexic kids and training others to support dyslexics.  

I have similar hobbies and interests with most people, and willing to try something new to learn, to grow. 

Food for thought from my current reading:

"To be human we must engage life — we must make decisions, build relationships, create beauty and give ourselves."  Donald W McCullough

Best wishes for a Blessed New Year of opportunities to live, laugh, learn and love,

Alice Chua 

Hi Good people,

For the life of me I couldn’t find the earler Reading Circle postings/comments, except for the latest by Ron Wie. The last thing I want to do in a discussion of books, is to be listed under ‘Fart Facts’…..interesting tho’ it may be.

ELibrary costs and is tedious. Nothing like putting up your feet, relax in an armchair or better yet be in bed  with, a good book. The libraries in S’pore are good sources and free.

RonW if you are looking for a good classic book that pertains to our forefathers culture, hardships in China….then " The Good Earth " by Pearl S. Buck is a very good start. Very well and interestingly written. Its about a farming family and  gives an insight of life and attitudes in China. It is no wonder why our ancestors left the Orient shores and sailed the 7 seas to look for a better life. So here we are alien, to our own kin in China.

If its possible watch the {black & white} movie. Over the years I have read the book twice and the movie 3 times….I don’t seem to tire of them. They are classics.

 It sure beats reading a foreign Russian setting like " War & Peace " with its very long winded names that you cannot identify with after a while.

Hope this is informative and encouraging. Anyone, with further input or books to recommend???? Do share………………..Happy reading…………Jie

It is oft said that forgetfulness is the first sign of ageing. We cannot stop the process but, perhaps, we can try to slow it. So, after much egging here is a thread to test our mamm – oops, not again (another sign of ageing) – test out memories or otherwise gain that knowledge our parents and teachers told us were unimportant and wouldn’t get us anywhere. Now is a time to find out how sweet that forbidden fruit is and have a good giggle at how little we know because we had allowed the good life to pass us by.

So move that cursor over your hippocampus (the hard disk in your brain, for the technology savvy), click out those trivia questions and put out the challenge: “So, you didn’t know this did you … smart-a***?”

Okay, so you take pride in not wasting your youth with trivia. Well, show us that you are indeed a real smart-a*** and answer the questions posed here!

Please also  participate even if you are genuinely seeking answers.  Example, a tune keeps going through your head and you are dying to know the title of the song. You may want to ask the title for the song with the lyrics:

    "Stepped into a church I passed along the way/I get down on my knees and I pretend to pray"

Also, you may not want to ask the question, but just want to share some trivia information like:

    Cat Stevens, who had a big hit with "Morning Has Broken", has embraced Islam and now goes by the name Yusuf Islam.

But do keep questions as trivial as possible – we’ve all got this far in life because we’ve passed the “other” intelligence tests already. And for starters, we’ll stick with trivia pertaining to music and films.

So, ready … set … let the fun begin!

I will take up the  Science of Smell and Sex here rather than confuse it with the other smelly but otherwise unrelated "Fart Facts" subject at https://silverhairsclub.com/2007/12/1347.

Dear all,

I’m Susan Goh, a newly registered member of SHC. My interests are travelling, group makan, Karaoke and cycling. I look forward to participating the activities organized by SHC. Hope to see you all at the 17 Jan meeting.

Here’s wishing all a happy and blessed new year 2008!!!

Cheers,
Susan Goh

After all the Christmas & New Year feastings, it is time for us to burn up some excess calories. Join us for the first monthly walk of 2008.

CharlesW,ChristinaC,VeronicaW & MaryT

Bishan Park and Lower Pierce Walk  
12^th Jan 2008, Saturday, 4.30pm
Meeting place:  Bishan MRT , next to  Taxi/ Bus stop

From meeting place, we take a 7-minutes walk to Bishan Park . Walk through  Bishan Park 1, then  cross Marymount Road to Bishan Park 2 , after which we cross over Upper Thomson Road to Lower Pierce Reservoir .

Bishan Park is a matured park. Along the way we visit a small vegetable & spice garden , a beautiful lotus pond, and view a variety of flowering trees, shrubs and palms amidst ponds with Chinese style bridges. For dog  lovers there is  a dog run enclosure where the pets are let loose. See roller blading ring and visit  Aramsa, Singapore first garden spa. Identify the source of our famous Kallang River.

Toilets,  rest benches and rain shelters are easily available along the way .There is also a nice cafe near the big pond .

At Lower Pierce, enjoy the magnificent reservoir view and perhaps meet some real monkies and marvel at the cute babies hanging onto their mothers. We take the board walk by the waterside  and follow a short trail into the forest before  emerging at our destination the famous Casuarina Roti Prata  Café .

Total distance is about 6 kilometres and takes about 2 hours including rest breaks.