Category: Forum General

Hi SHC members,

I had just joined the club about 2 months ago but had been so busy that I have been missing out on all the wonderful activities.  I am currently freelancing with the Textile Fashion Federation Training centre as a trainer for the garment industry and finally have time to do the things that I have always wanted to do.  I have been working way too hard all my life and even though I am not of retirement age yet, it is time to put balance back into my life.  In the past , I was travelling between 60% to 90% of my time and was hardly home. 

My hobbies are reading, computer games, entertaining at home and enjoying quiet evenings in the company of good friends.  I exercise 3 times a week at the SGCC gym to keep fit.  I hope to learn to cycle and perhaps someone from the club can teach me as I have noted there are in fact cycling activities in east coast park. 

I look forward to meeting some of you some day.

Hi fellow members

Appreciate your help to :

1) disseminate info of this project to our members (especially those who dont have PCs or surf the SHC’s homepage)

2) encourage those who need the PCs to come forward

3) provide storage space of 5 sq feet (at least for min 6 mths) to store the donated PCs (top priority)

Every little effort of yours counts. With your help, we hope to narrow the digital divide and bring up the level of IT literacy among our members and also the less fortunates in our community.

I and my project members thank you very much.  

Just saw Clara’s Happy Mothers’ Day greeting to all mothers posted as a comment to Kim’s profile. So, I decided to start a post.

Happy Mothers’ Day to all mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers and mothers-to-be.

Hi everyone

My name is Kim and born in 1961.  I am a single parent with a daughter in primary school.  Currently working as a secretary in a German firm.  Not much into regular exercise regime.  Ocassionally I do visit the gym and gather for group cycling.  My favourite is going to the movies.  Hope to join in and take part in group activities with new friends.

Hi All SilverHairs

Let me introduce myself, some of you may have known me liao, Ronlai, just join SHC only a month’s away.  Am married for the last 44 years to a loving wife, Alice Tan, a half-blue Peranakan.  We have two daughters and five grandsons.  I was born in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, in a small town known as………………………… the name will scare you of……………….."Pontianak", haha, not "Pontianak" of what you see in film, but real life of things might had happened in the small town in the early days, that’s how the name derived, migrated to Singapore and settled down. 

To reach the goal of being true SilverHairs, I exercise regularly, to keep my health in check, and make new friends to enjoy life, as time waits for no man. I go to Gym at my Condo regularly, doing the treadmill for half-an-hour daily (doctor’s order), and also do the light weight control.  More often than not, we are also at times at the SBG with a group of about 1oo, including European, early in the morning doing the Qi Qong exercise. The breathing  exercise helps us to control our Cholesterol, Hypertensionj levels and also Urine Incontinent, especially for people like us, the SilverHairs.

My interests in life are dancing (to enjoy as well as to keep fit).You will be surprised if I were to tell you that I first started line dancing with a Japanese Instructor, by the name of Suzuki ( I think some of the SilverHairs lion dancers will know him) at the Aranda Country Club, in the early days, where not even one Community Centre was organising it. You can consider that I am one of the "pioneers" lah, but now is very "rusty", no doubt.  I also love Ballroom and Social dancing.  Singing (especially the Oldies), Bowling, in which during my hey days am in the "200" leaque, but now if I can hit "120" , "tao chiu" liao, as the balling balls are gathering dust.  Love fishing. Gardening, where I toil with my spouse, who also love gardening, she has "green fingers", mine not so green, but lighter shade.  We managed to have flowers like "Passion or Pasiflora" (blood red colour), "Catus Rose" (orange in colour), "Forget-me-Not" (purple in colour) "Bleeding Heart" (white,red and pink), "Cup of Gold" or "Golden Chalice" (yellow)as well as the "Golden Showers" orchids, all in all in a small garden space to call our own, and to enjoy the sight of sweet smelling flowers in our twilight years. appropriately called the SilverHairs.

I love travelling too, travel at least once or twice a year, have been to the States with my spouse.  We stayed in our friend’s place at Los Angeles area a small town called Rancho Cucamango, where the temperature can reach 40 degree F. you cannot stand outside the roadside more than 10 min. from here  we went from West to East.  We had alsobeen to Europe, travelled from up north, Sweden, thru Holland, Belgium, West Germany, Yugoslavia, Italy, France, Manaco .In the middle East were Egypt, Turkey, Greece. In the far-east, or shall I say near-east, Korea, Central and south Japan, Shanghai, Vietnam, Phillippine, Brunei, Vietnam, Hongkong, Bali as well as NZ and Australia.

Love good food, have been following the "makansutra" trial for quite some time, and now the "Lost and Found" To reduce weight,after following the trial, do brisk walk at the East Coast Parkway where am staying is only a tunnel walk to the East Coast Park. need no driving.

Lastly, just to add a bit more of my humble self, worked two years as sub-editor in newspaper line and later shifted to banking as a Bank Manager inan International Foreign Bank, for the later part of my life, for a long 32 years till retirement.

In July 17th this year, my spouse and I will be making a tour to Hokkaido for eight days to unwind, where you will find carpets of beautiful Lavender flowers, any SILVERHAIRS care to join us……….most WELCOME.

REGARDS

RONLAI

Hi, I need some help with the SilverHairsClub T-shirts.  I have a number of T-shirts to be given out to SHC members who have participated in some of our programs.  However, I have not been able to keep track of the names and sending them out to the right persons and address.  Basically, my travelling makes it difficult for me to keep track of this process.

If you would like to help me manage the club’s T-shirts, I would appreciate it.  Essentially, I would send the stocks to your house, probably 50 – 100 T-shirts of different sizes at a time.  I shall also bring along the brown envelopes, for you to insert in the T-shirts.  You have to keep track of the stocks, and I shall replenish them every few months. 

Preferably, you should live near a post office.  Club shall pay for the postage.  I have a preference for T-shirts to be sent via mail-order, registered.

Key issue is to manage the address, as the address has to be correct, or else they dont reach the individuals.

If you like to volunteer with this task, please let me know.  Thank you.

Terence Seah

The Blue Helmet project has taken a new ange, and undergoing new developments.  A few SilverHairsClub members have taken this project to new heights.  Blue Helmet is being developed as a separate entity, and is likely to be renamed.

The group is looking to complete a team with the following skills and background.  Let me know, if you would like to join the team.  You should preferably be retired, or about to be retire.

1. HR manager, with experience in organising training programs, recruitment, staff surveys, recruitment and profiling.
2. Training manager, with experience in training, courses, career path planning.
3. IT manager, with experience in personnel database, web integration, portals
4. Interior designer, with experience with club houses, office space.
5. Exhibition organisers, with experience in exhibition space (sales and marketing).

Please indicate the postion interested, and add a comment here.  We will get in touch with you.

Terence Seah

Here are the pictures of the SilverHairsClub April gathering at the Botanic gardens, organised by Oi Cheng.  Click here.

For pictures of the cycling, organised by Yew Kwong.  Click here.

Recently, we had Shirley Wong who shared with us her idea of a Hot dog outlet.  Following which, we had supportive feedback from Lily Ho on the different licences, Tim on tenancy agreements and Guest on type of flooring to be used.  Last year, we had a session on small business ideas, and we had participation from 28 members.  Last year, some members ventured into the idea of an internet cafe along Holland Road.

I feel we should keep the small business ideas moving.  As you see from my earlier comments, I am a firm believer that SilverHairs should  continue to maintain their SilverHairs years physically and mentally active, while still able to financially support the many years ahead.

Of course, there are also many SilverHairs who treasure their retired and non-working lives, and would dread the idea of doing any business.  30 years of working is enough.  At the same time, there are business risks, and parting with hard earned money after 45 years can be an equally dreadful idea.  One SHC member with experience in financial accounting for small business wrote to me last year, saying running a F&B cafe is a sure failure.

I am more optimistic.  What do you think?

Terence Seah

We have some response to the idea of an overnight gathering.  We have interests from:

1. Maria
2. Joy
3. LH JIe
4. ann
5. Terence
6. Tim Liu
7. Rosalind
8. Lily Ho
9. Kenneth Tan
10. Ronald Wi
11. Venika Leong
12. Eyvonne
13. No limit, except room subject to reservations.  Please indicate your room share partner.

Ideas for places include Batam (Bagus Hotel), Pengerang (Desaru) and Kukup (Tanjung Piai Resort.  This could be a bungalow or hotel rooms, near the beach.  Some SilverHairs have suggested this would be an idea to get to know one another, plus add on a couple of knowledge sharing.  Hot water is a must.

If you have a contact with a travel agent, able to organise for 20 people, please drop a line here.   We need your help to start the process here.  Please share your ideas.

Read earlier post.

We can now confirm the place at Batam View Tourist Resort.  Click here for info.

The rates are: 

• SGD 98 per person, twin sharing – standard room, breakfast and ferry two-way.
• SGD 133 per person, in a 2 Bedroom villa (can take 4 persons), breakfast and ferry two-way.

And, anybody, who can get a better package, please raise your hands.

The original intention for this overnight gathering was not shopping or sightseeing.  Really, more for SilverHairs to get to know one another better, learn some yoga from one another, sing some songs with inhouse guitarists, chat or just drink some beers togethers.

This program is confirmed.  Can I have a volunteer for an Event Organiser?  Lily Ho has volunteered to be the Event Organiser.  Thank you.

Terence Seah, Lily Ho

Hi fellow members

My sincere apology for keeping you guys in the dark since the first meeting was done on 14 Apr 07. We had our 2nd meeting at a member’s place this afternoon. My apology again for not broadcasting this information on the SHC’s webpage because of space constraint. 

We are now firmed to kick off this project. We want your help –   

1) To give us your name if you need a set of used and working Computer. Priority will first be given to those who cant afford to buy.

2) To donate your unused, spoilt or unwanted Computers to our Project. They will be refurbished to working condition or salvaged for parts for future use.

3) To conduct lessons for members and / or assist in helping out during the session.

4) To help in refurbishing the donated Computers and / or in writing courseware.

Collection and delivery – Fixed on 1st Sat of the month.

Pls contact via email or sms or call to : Bernadette Chung at rosycute@gmail.com / 91172778 or Yew Kwong at lohyks@hotmail.com / 97892492.

Members in this Project –

Yew Kwong, Chan Kwong Wah, Timothy Liu, Shirley Yeo, Serene Tay, Gary Ong, Pheng Sok, Bernadette Chung, Ronald Lee, Chow Weng and Andrew Yeung.

Annie Loh, Dolly, Ronnie, Mary Lee, Jade, Charles and Dennis Har.

Hi SHCians. I will be holding my tea party as promised. The venue is
open air so no air con so very hot lah. So I would like to have it from
6pm to 11pm. Ang Moh Carrot cakes, various types of cakes and kuehs,
pies and BBQ chicken wings will be served with coffee and tea. Wines and
Beers not on the menu so BYO. It is actually a tea party so chicken
wings (Caroline’s recipe) is a bonus  . As the place can only hold
limited no of people, so it will be 30-40  30 guests on a first come first
served basis (sorry about that)  Those attending who wish to take a dip
before the sip and eat can come earlier. There is an open air Jacuzzi
and a big swimming pool. All rounder and Andrew, if you are coming, you
could bring your "girlfriends" and we can have a mini sing a long – a
prelude to our coming singalong session. 
 
Date: 26 May 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 6pm-11pm
Venue: 37 Jalan Sempadan, Villa Marina BBQ Pit 3

Confirmed Guest List – Limited to 30paxs, so hurry to register and chope a place to avoid disappointment – First come first serve

1. Tim Liu
2. Rene Leong
3. Andrew Yueng
4. Shirley Wong
5. Catherine Yeo
6. Joy
7. Ron Lai
8. Alice Lai
9. Peggy
10. Ann Lim
11. Susan Chang
12. Molly Chua  Pheng Sok
13. Oi Cheng
14. Ronald Wi
15. Linda
16. Dee Ang
17. LH Jie
18. Ronald Lee
19. Lisa Ong
20. Eileen
21. Benson Koh
22. Eliza Chua
23. Veronica
24. Jenny
25. Lina Tan
26. Jade Phua
27. Melissa Khng
28. Robert
29. Kristy
30. Clara Chay

Closed for registration….. Job Done….

Posted by Caroline Gee

Hi All SHC Members,

I have registered many mths ago and have posted a few comments. I have found it to be very interesting and sharing concerns of interest to most pple here.

Allow me to introduce myself. I hope to retire in 2 years time but otherwise work to 62. I studied in Perth in early 70s and qualified as a psychologist which i am currently doing. My clients are pple with relationship issues, work/career, mild emotional problems eg anxiety, depression, stress, etc. I get immense satisfaction when my effort thro psychotherapy, counselling, family therapy, etc, results in their improvement and help them to move on. i am married and wife is a hsewife and only child just started his career after NS. My interests include jogging, table-tennis, fishing, cooking, self-development talks/training, and travelling.

My retirement plans include doing free-lance counselling work as a psychologist, spending more time lazing ard in OZ (say 6mths per year) and looking fwd to be a grandparent.

I welcome comments and other possible retirement plans from members. Hope to join some of the activities soon. will be attending the mtg on 16 May so hope to meet u pple there!

Cheers! Henry 

Lena Chin is looking for a lady friend to tour E. Europe – 5 countries ($3,100)

Leaving 10 May for 13 days.  Her travelling companion backed out last minute.  Anyone interested, contact her lena_chin@hotmail.com.

Post on behalf of Lena.

Enjoy and have a great time.

Date: 12th May 2007 (Saturday)

Park:  Clementi Woods/West Coast Park

Start Time:  4.30pm
Meeting point: Bus stop at Clementi Woods Park (West Coast Rd)
Getting there:  by MRT/BUS

• Bus No 189:  B Batok Central Interchange or at Clement Ave 2, Clementi MRT Stn).  It is roughly 4 stops from Clement MRT station at Clementi Ave 2.   Alight after Ginza Plaza/Pink overhead bridge.  The bus stop is in front of Clement Woods Park (West Coast Rd)
• Bus No 51:  From Hougang Central Interchange. Alight after West Bay Resort Condo at Jin Tai Pr Sch before the pink overhead bridge (Ginza Plaza) along West Coast Rd.  Clementi Woods Park is on the opposite side of the road.
• Bus No 30:  From Bedok Interchange.  Details as in Bus No. 51
• Bus No 143: From Toa Payoh Interchange.  Details as in Bus No. 51

Be prepared for long bus ride journey.

By Car:  Park at West Coast Park (carpark 3) along Westcoast Highway.

The Walk: Take a stroll at Clementi Woods Park accompanied by wooded ambience trees and natural vegetation. The size of the park is approximately 12 ha. Facilities such as amphitheatre, reflexology footpath, fitness corner, playground, shelters, woodball lawn and viewing tower.  Clementi Woods Park is connected to West Coast Park by West Coast link (Park connector). West Coast Park – Park 1, 2 and 3.

Standing at the centre of the area 3 is the adventure play area that caters to people of different age groups from toddlers to young adults. This is the heart and most active zone of the West Coast Park. If you like a quiet and peaceful environment, the eastern portion at the area 1 would be a good choice for park users to rest and relax. Facilities: Adventure playground, bicycle distance course, fitness corner, exercise garden (including chess garden, foot reflexology facilities and bird cage trellis), grand lawn, sand play area, marsh garden, bird sanctuary, 15 boat-shaped barbeque pits, tent pitching ground and dog run corner.

After the walk:  You can enjoy tea/coffee & muffin at McCafe in West Coast Park or walk to the HDB estate opposite Ginza Plaza for dinner. BTW I heard from colleague that Ginza Plaza has been sold and is now closed. Bus 176 runs along West coast Highway (West coast Park).  We can also take this bus to somewhere (?) for dinner.

Bring along umbrella and water bottle.  See You there!

cheers!  Veronica Wong

Here’s my profile :

Born in 1956, I am a single parent with a teenage daughter.  I was married to a French expatriate and moved with him to Cairo (4 years), Shenyang (4 years), Beijing (2 years) and France (2 years).  Prior to that, I worked and lived in England for 3 years.  My daughter and I returned to Singapore in December 1998 and the long-distance divorce procedure was finalized by 2000.

I am currently a secretary to the MD of a French MNC.

I am not much into sports.  In my early 20s, I used to swim 3 times a week, play a little badminton, table tennis and billiard.  I started bowling when I was 15, and for about 2 years, my average score was around 150.  Although I can do some ice-skating and skiing, my only exercise regime these days, is dancing.   I dance 4 to 5 time a week doing line-dancing, social and Latin dances.  (I was a part-time dancer for the People’s Association in my mid 20s performing for National Day and Chin-Gay parades.)  I also enjoy cycling for leisure.

Unlike Terence, I’m not into cheap and low cost travel because of safety and time factor.  When I was single, I travelled mostly alone either for work or for holidays.  For work, I traveled mainly to Asian countries.  For holidays, I traveled mostly to Europe (I’ve seen more of Europe than my French husband).  After I got married, I travelled only first class because my ex-husband wouldn’t have it any other way.  All in all, I’ve been to 36 countries.

Food wise, I’m the type who eats to live and not lives to eat.  I’m not fussy with food and will not go out of the way or join a long queue for food like how some of my fellow Singaporeans do.  However, I do pine for certain gourmet food such as caviar, fois gras, couscous, steak tartar, salade gourmande, moules, fruits de mer, tarte flambé, jambonneau, rillettes en baguette and paté de lapin.

My greatest concern is my daughter – that, I will bring her up well to be a responsible and sensible person, strong in her faith and belief.  So far, she hasn’t given me any cause for worry.

My primary goal in life – is to be strong in my faith.  My secondary goals, is to be financially independent, fit and healthy, and to remain active for as long as I can.

I joined SHC since Oct. 2005 (Terence, please correct me if I’m wrong) and joined the first cycling meet in Nov.  There were only 4 of us (Charles Wee, Andrew Yeung, Low Yew Kwong and myself).  Charles added bubbles with remarks on the pictures taken on that day – they were so funny.  I tried to attach these photos of SHC’s first cycling meet here but was not successful.   (Charles, may be you can post those pictures on the SHC website huh?)

Hi SHC members

Ronald & Alice Lai we are new members, would like to get a group of members with partners to take up social dance class in LATIN RUMBA, anyone care to join us.

REGARDS

Ronald & Alice Lai