Advent Reflections

The approach of X’mas and the New Year is a good time to reflect and soul search. This year has been mostly uneventful, with broken resolutions and a persistent reluctance to move out of my comfort zone. My plate was full and personal interests remained on the back burner.

Next year I hope to see some CHANGES. My plate shall be half full, thus giving me the time to pursue more deeply some personal interests and to build up a momentum for an exercise regime.

As we age, our priorities change and health becomes more important than wealth. Living with less becomes more attractive, hence becoming minimalist is an attractive option for me and I shall give priority to uncluttering next year.    

With these challenges in the offing, I look forward to 2015.  :)

Oh come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer /Our spirits by Thine advent here.”

imagesReflecting…

 

 

Needed: Whistle-blowers

(In the light of rising numbers of unscrupulous individuals…)

The cheat, the corrupt, the evil…they are manifestations of the DARK side of human nature. It is not easy to be ‘good’ when the good ends up being victim; the vulnerable also needs protection against unscrupulous people. Justice is ‘blind’ and seems under threat by these dark forces….

Just when it seems the good in human nature is being destroyed, along comes the WHISTLE BLOWER to the rescue! The wrong doer is punished! There is HOPE for mankind!

The long arm of justice depends greatly on whistle- blowers. I hope our country enact whistle-blower protection laws soon.  Meanwhile while waiting, we can learn to blow the recorder, the harmonica, the flute… and of course the TRUMPET!  :)

elephantjumbo trumpeting!

Xmas Walk (19-12-2014, Friday – 6.30PM to 9.30PM)

It is the time of the year again where we will say goodbye to the current Year (2014) and welcoming the New Year (2015).

It is also timely to count our blessing year by year by meeting with like-minded people to cherish our fellowship and having a simple Christmas food court dinner together. As with any other years, this is a good time and opportunity to stroll, after dinner, along Orchard Road and try your night photography skills with your smartphone and/or camera. For those interested, please see details below.

Date: 19th Dec 2014 (Friday evening)
Time: 6.30PM to 9.30PM
Meeting Place and Start Point: Tanglin Mall Food Court (junction of Orchard Road & Grange Road). End Point will be at Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station.
Program:
1) Dinner before chat: 6.30PM to 7.30PM: for those who can come early, we can have a dinner together in the food court and getting to know each other better.
2) Fellowship: 7.30PM to 8.30PM: Chat at Mall (free n easy – form your own small group on per table basis). Share what you have experienced this year, your reflections, what you can do better,
3) Start walking: 8.30PM to 9.30PM: Start walking and picture taking.
4) For those who want to know how they can enhance their computer skills, please come a bit earlier, say 6.00PM or stay back in Plaza Singapura Kopitiem till 10.30PM.
Size of Gathering: Registration will close when 20 is reached. This is an EC (Event Coordinator) event.
Hewlee
SIWA (2013)

Those coming:
1) Charles Wee
2) Gabriella Chua
3) Winnie Tan
4) Maureen Lee
5) Grace Kang
6) Joan Ang
7) Leon Lau
8) Peter Loo
9) Laura Wee
10) Dorothy Low
11) Serene Low
12) Noelle Tan
13) Moon Wong
14) Eyvonne Chew
15) Christina Pan
16) Lily Lim
17) Irene Poh
18) Lina Tian
19) Marg Tian
20) Irene Chua
21) Dorine Tan
Registration is now CLOSED.

 

Health and Longevity

A friend told me her brother- in- law (a Dutchman) is celebrating his 100 years old birthday soon. And this centenarian is as healthy as can be! What is the secret to his good health and longevity? I see much younger people already bedridden or needing wheelchairs.

What’s the use of living to 80s and 90s if one is suffering from debility? Hence I think it’s a good idea to ‘study’ the habits of healthy octogenarians and nonagenarians (or centenarians!) and try to uncover at least one thing that can impact health in old age positively.

There is a story in the *ST recently about a 99-year-old former principal who is still learning a foreign language. Every day he spends about four hours self-learning Italian. And he is so engrossed in his study he has no time to feel lonely. This made me conclude that serious learning will help keep dementia at bay. This is the one thing I would like to share with others and I hope to practice this one thing myself asap!  :)                              *Sunday Times 12/10

trees

  

 

A sad story

A sad story…

The childless widow is very rich; her bungalow compound is so large – there is a lily pond, a swimming pool and fruit trees ….  In her bungalow she has two galleries filled with paintings and precious stone ornaments – so much luxury to enjoy and she and her late husband had enjoyed it for a long time.

Alas! In her dotage she let in a wolf in sheep’s clothing and she has become senile and is completely helpless now – doesn’t know her wealth is being squandered by the wolf.

Is there a moral to this sad story? What came to my mind was “Vanity of vanities. All is vanity.”! Now for the moral – beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing?

Is he a wolf in sheep's clothing?
Is he a wolf in sheep’s clothing with a get- rich- fast idea?

“Made in Singapore”

Very few things are made in Sge. In today’s ST there’s an *article about some products that were made in Singapore many, many years ago. Reading about it made me feel proud of the little red dot and I hope the present IT generation will produce more inventions and original ideas to do Sge proud.

The silver generation today comprises mostly of baby boomers –mostly educated people – and I believe they have the potential to create/produce  something –  a simple, wonderful idea that benefits a community/society. A case in point is the new social network that was created in Slovenia. It allows residents in retirement homes to travel. Ref. “Social network connects globetrotting seniors” ( ST 9 august – A31). This social network is enhancing the life of the elderly in homes and I’m sure some of us here would make use of it in the near future.  Lol!

Could the silver generation in Sge create something original with the label ‘made in Singapore’ ? Not impossible, I believe. :)

*Celebrating ‘Made in Singapore’ products, ST wed 16/8. Pg. A2

 

A very near miss…

Life is fragile and unpredictable –  we are all aware of it, but when one is directly involved in a very near miss, I’m sure some people will feel they have been given a second chance and they generally become better people, certainly not as petty as they were before. I’m referring to the very near miss over Ukraine air space for SQ 351 which was just minutes behind MH17 when the latter was shot out of the sky!

Wonder who those in SQ 351 were and wonder if the knowledge that they had a very, very,  narrow escape affected them deeply in some ways.  Often it takes a close brush with the grim reaper to effect a real change for the better in a person.

Just reflecting, after reading the revelation that SQ was just 90 km behind MH and with *“The Road Not Taken” in mind.

*The Road Not Taken by R Frost

How Not To Retire

HOW NOT TO RETIRE

I have been comptemplating retirement for a long while and my concept of retirement has been
constantly evolving as I look around , “listen to my body” and observing retirees.
.
I have seen many friends and neighbours who became so bored that they have become a nuisance to their spouse and children and to others!
A few of them have solved the problem by going back to work. They were able to do so because they have a skill/expertise that is still in demand. The rest live aimlessly or are waiting to die – a very sad situation, indeed.
There is no right or wrong but I have come out with some thoughts for sharing.

4 Pre-Conditions for Retirement

You should retire only when you fulfil these 4 pre-conditions:
1. Your children are financially independent (e.g. they got jobs),
2. You have zero liability (all your borrowings are paid up),
3. You have enough savings to support your lifestyle for the rest of your life,
AND most importantly,
4. You know what you would be doing during your retirement.
DO NOT retire till you meet ALL 4 Pre-Conditions. And of course you should not retire if you enjoy working and are getting paid well for it!
The problem cases I know of are those who failed to meet Pre-Condition #4.
When asked, “What would you be doing during your retirement?” some replied, “I will travel/cruise and see the World”. They did that, some for 3 months and then ran out of ideas. The golfers replied, “I can golf every day.” Most could not because they are no longer fit to play well enough to enjoy the game. Those who could, need to overcome another hurdle – they need to the find the “kakis” to play with them.
It’s the same with mahjong, bridge, badminton, trekking and karaoke – you need “kakis”! Most could not find others who share their favourite game and playing/singing alone is no fun.
Thus if you are into group sports or games, you must form your groups BEFORE you retire. You need to identify your “kakis”, play with them and discover whether they “click” with you.
The less sporty “can read all the books bought over the years”. I know of one guy who fell asleep after a few pages and ended up napping most of the time! He discovered that he did not like to read after all. We do change and we may not enjoy the hobbies we had.

Routine Activities To Fill Your Week
For most people, your routine work activities are planned for you or dictated by others and circumstances. When you retire, you wake up to a new routine – one that you yourself have to establish as nobody else would do it for you!
The routine to establish should keep your body, mind and spirit “sharpened”. A good routine would comprise:
a) One weekly physical sport – you need to keep fit to enjoy your retirement. If you are the non-sporty type, you should fire your maid and clean your home without mechanical aids. Dancing and baby sitting are good alternatives.
b) One weekly mind stimulating activity – e.g. writing, studying for a degree, acquiring a new skill, solving problems or puzzles, learn or teach something. You need to stimulate your mind to stay alive because the day you stop using your brain is the day you start to die.
c) One weekly social activity – choose one involving lots of friends/neighbours. Get yourself accepted as a member to at least 3 interests groups. Unless you prefer to be alone, you do need friends more than ever as you get older and less fit to pursue your sport.
d) One weekly community service activity – you need to give to appreciate what you have taken in this life. It’s good to leave some kind of legacy.
With 4 weekly activities, you got 4 days out of 7 covered. The remaining 3 days should be devoted to family related activities. In this way, you maintain a balance between amusing yourself and your family members. Any spare time should remain “spare” so that you can capitalise on opportunities that come your way like responding to an unexpected request to do a job or to take advantage of cheap fares to see places or to visit an exhibition.

Mind stimulating activities
Most judges live to a ripe old age. They use their brains a lot to decide on cases.
Mind stimulating activities are hard to identify. They require your will to do something useful with the rest of your life, a mindset change and the discipline to carry it through. Find new field to learn or new hobbies.

Your Bucket List
Despite your busy routine, you will at times be bored. Then it’s time to turn to your Bucket List.
Your bucket list contains a list of things to do before you kick the bucket. They are not routine and are usually one off activities. You need them to have something to look forward to. These include anniversaries, trips (and pilgrimages), visits to friends and relations abroad, re-doing your home, attending conferences (related to your hobbies), acquiring a new set of expertise. 4 such activities that are spaced our quarterly would be ideal.

Retirement Is A Serious Business
If you can afford to retire and want to, do prepare to live to your fullest. You need to be fit to enjoy it – therefore get into shape now. You do not want to get up on a Monday and wonder what to do each week, therefore identify your set of weekly routine activities now and try them out to confirm that they are the activities that you will be looking forward to doing each week, week after week. You bucket list of “rewards” or “projects” or “challenges” is needed to help you break away from the routine thereby make live worth living. Start listing what you fancy and refine it as you chug along in your retirement.

I hope the above help for those who are planning of retiring. I am looking forwards to my retirement to embark on my various personal projects.

Leon

Familymemory.SG

In our twilight years at 65+, we may have put a comma in our life. But hey, it is not a full stop yet, we still have some petrol left in our tank to move on.Some of us not only have done our national service, but also have raised a family. Some who are singles or living alone may have travelled wide and kept a lot of photo records.Whoever we are, there must be times we bring out our photo albums (Vol. 1, Vol. 2 and so on) and recollect the good times we had. The joy, the satisfaction, the achievement we had done to the nation, the family and with friends etc.In the spirit of sharing, do your children know what you have done, how you or your parents look like when young like your children or among friends how you all look like in your youth.In this digital age, there are better ways to share our memories. We can join all our photos with background music and create a slide show, playable with any IT equipment, DVD player or even with your smartphone. You can also burn your records into DVD disks.Let’s be forewarn, this is A PROJECT. It may take months to complete, depending how much photos you have and what story line (or theme) you have decided. A coffee meet is being organised on 27-09-2014, 3PM to 5PM @ City Hall Food Court. Also, a preliminary course of 3-sessions is being considered sometime in Oct-2014. It will be on three Fridays from 2PM to 5PM. For this preliminary course, a maximum of six participants are invited. Registration for this preliminary course is OPEN now. It will closed when six is reached.
hewlee
The following have indicated interests in this Project:
1) Jassmine Teo
2) Freda Lim
3) Karen Thio
4) Angela Straaten
5) Judy Lim
6) Winnie Tan (registered for course – 1)
7) Joan Wong (withdrawn)
8) Bobby Bok
9) Roland Leow (withdrawn)
10) Caroline Sit (withdrawn)
11) Oi Cheng
12) Cindy Wee
13) Dolly Lim
14) Lilian Teo
15) Pearl Kwan & Simon
16) ChristinaCL Chan
17)

We see more and more elderly people around us

elderly1elderly2elderly3elderly4

Two Sundays ago, I took this shot of an elderly lady in the park; she was enjoying herself in the middle of the city.  She didn’t say a word, and while I was looking at her, neither did the caregiver say a word.  But, I could sense in the lady the feeling of peace and satisfaction. This picture was not taken in Singapore.

Then, I began to see myself and my fellow SHC friends and members in a wheelchair. Various thoughts came to my mine.  Many of us are fit, perhaps working and enjoying our lives.  We cannot wait to see the rest of the world; so many countries to go and not enough time.  We feel we are still somewhere up there, and that we have made it after all these years; and that no one should tell us what to do, how to do it right and that I am wrong.  Then, one day, we land up in that wheelchair.  No one talks to us, not even the caregiver, if we have one.

Ever since SHC started in 2005, I see many fit and young faces among Club members. Where will we be?

Terence Seah

A thought going through my mind

payment3hahahapayment1

Here’s a thought that has been going in my mind since our last BBQ picnic at Changi Beach Park. It has also bothered me as to how some members think about the cost of events.

Paul came all the way to meet me at the BBQ picnic, specifically to bring me the message on what some members of his group feel about the cost of the BBQ event. I won’t try to read further into the comment, but it goes like this.
To participate in the BBQ picnic, members who come without bringing along any food have to pay $10. Those who bring food, enough for 4, will have a discount of $8. In other words, they pay a net of $2.

Those who came just for the event, will need to pay $10.

If everybody brings along food, they will need to pay $2 each.

The issue is if a member comes along, with food, he/she will have enough food for 4 Pax.

The question is if there is food for 4 Pax, then why is there a need to charge $10. Where did the $10 go to?

And, if everybody brings food, what is the point of collecting $2.

I decided to EO this event because I was looking for a breezy place, for a members gathering, with plenty of standing room to move around for chitchatting and getting to know one another. And being a Sat afternoon, this will be a pleasant change.

Thinking about it again, I am grossly shocked at the insinuation by Paul’s group. And I am wondering if I should be affected by these remarks.

I hope to hear members’ views.

Terence Seah

Season of grief

Spring becomes the season of grief (ST 21/4) this year for S Koreans because of the ferry sinking disaster with so many still missing. The suicide of the vice principal who was rescued but found the burden of guilt unbearable – why could she not see it was not her fault? Today’s ST – all the desperate calls for help…heartrending.

Season of blossoms,

The eye sees, the mind enjoys –

This time tears falling

Thinking Aloud

Is the lives of 239 on board the ill-fated mh370 matter much more then lives of 11,420 children killed in Syrian’s civil war? Coverage of the missing plane dominate international media and get lots of political leader’s attention. Not only had the government of those countries, its commercial entities also put in lots of effort and money tracing its flight destination. This will cost countless millions of dollar. However, very little of Syria story was publish by media and on the political leaders. Why?

One may say flight safety and securities is most important because people all over the world travel by planes compare with issues only involves the lives of one specific country. The civil war had been fought for the last three year and people already got tired wanting to know. All this seems logical.

According to a former head of Al-Jazeera and CBC News who teach journalism in a university – “Syria is complicated to cover and very costly” The mh370 “is the stuff for fiction … theories of black holes, kidnappings etc is very easy to do”. Is he agreeing with the writings by an American media and cultural critic in 1985 who wrote that “TV news was treating serious issues as entertainment and demeaning political discourse by transforming it into show business”

Hmmm, will think about that when next alone drinking coffee and eating bao at a food court.

Would you like to have a birthday party? Shall we have common birthday parties? (Dinner Party on 6.6.14 for the June babies), Keong Saik Road at 7 pm

hbirthday1party3party2 birthday4

When was the last time your family members or friends organised a birthday party for you? Maybe, the kids or office mates got everybody together, bought you a cake and sang you a birthday song.

I think we all should have birthday parties.  And, we should celebrate a grand birthday party for you.  Dont you like to feel young or at least wanted?  How about all those borned in Nov get together.  Are you expecting a present from those who come to your birthday and give yo a big kiss.  Or do you shudder at this horrible idea, why would I want to celebrate my birthday.

I am not sure how will SHC be, to have a monthly birthday party.  I like the idea too; but Some of us would hate the idea of food, food and food, and managing our wastelines.

Or shall we go to MacDonald or KFC?  How about Cher Char at the backstreets of Tanjong Pagar?  Nothing firm yet.

Have you been quiet all this while?  Shy to say anything.  Let’s hear from you.  And please respect the other person’s opinion and comment.

Terence Seah

Registration List (June Babies) (Dinner Party on 6.6.14)(at Keong Saik Road)

  1. Terence Seah
  2. Sue Chan
  3. Lilian Teo
  4. Caroline Gee
  5. Molly Chua
  6. Joan Ang
  7. Catherine Yeo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF YOU LISTED HERE.  ENJOY YOURSELVES AT DINNER TONIGHT.   CHEERS!

 

Life is like a Mountain Railroad. April 5 (Sat) 1.00-5.00pm (Cancelled)

Life to us is like going on a journey by train to our destinations. From day one it may not be as smooth as we expected. We meet with all kind of challenges and people. To some of us it may be near the end of the journey but we accepted the good and the bad and make the most of it. Do find time to share and lift up one another.

We meet again at same place same time and hopefully more enticing foods! There will be kok and singalong and board games like chess, mahjong(cards) and Big Two (Cards game). You may bring along your own cds and snacks for High Tea.

Venue: Kolam Ayer CC/Geylang Bahru/From Lavender MRT Bus-stop on Lavender Rd Bus 107 and 61. alight 5 stops later.

Time: 1.00pm -5.00pm

Cost: $6.00 if we have 10 pax. $3.00 if we achieved 20 pax.

EO, Dan

 

Life of a Taxi Driver

It was the last thing on my mind to become one. Being past 60 and unemployable I have decided to take up taxi driving. It probably the only job we can work to age 75 and only for Singaporean. Just started on a 10 days training course I look forward to the day I get a license. It was quite a while since I get to attend class. The problem is if the air-con get too cold I tend to become a ‘sleeping beauty’. Now I worry whether I will pass with flying colors. With nothing to my name I am just happy to be alive and kicking, to drive, to teach chess in school and play badminton.

The course I am taking now seem very heavy and it was meant for us to pass out as professional taxi driver. How many are taxi drivers or aspiring to be one. What are your grievance or joy, share with us.

Dan

An incident on the train

get well soon1    get well soon 3all the best for you

(Best wishes for Terence – click on the pictures)

thank you so much  thank you so much 2

(Thanks to all ~ from Terence)

Something happened to me this Tuesday, and I like to share with members who have been looking for me, but I did not reply.

Tuesday, I had raw fish lunch with Kenneth, Robert, SS and Andrew. Raw fish was the best in Chinatown and the company was fun. We had a good chat. After lunch, we left separate ways. I took the NEL train to Hougang, but landed up at Harbourfront. Realised that I was in the wrong direction, I crossed to the other side of the platform to catch the train. I then took a seat. The time was around 2.30pm.

The next moment when I woke up, I found myself inside SGH, at the ICA unit. The time was about 7pm. I was put through numerous blood tests, regular blood pressure monitoring, ECG, urine tests, etc. This unit is the intensive care unit.

What happened was that I had a fit or seizure during the train ride, and remain unconscious until 7pm when I woke up on the hospital bed. I can imagine the commotion caused by train stoppage and ambulance transporting me from train to hospital. I am still in hospital for further monitoring. There is no need to visit me as I am fine now. Thank you for your concern.

To Tian Soo, my apology I couldn’t call you as I had no phone access in the ward.

Terence Seah

What A Wonderful World – March 1 Sat (1 – 5 pm)

Have we taken the time to appreciate the life given to us? As Louis Armstrong sangs ‘I see trees of green…red roses too, I see em bloom…for me and for you, And I think of myself..what a wonderful world’, and Tom Jones would sings ‘Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, Or touch a leaf, or see the sky, Than I know why, I believe’.

Come join us for a hilarious time of karaoke, singalong and fellowship!

Date: March 1, 2014 (Saturday) 1.00pm-5.00pmVenue: Kolam Ayer CC, Geylang Bahru./ Cost: $6.00 if we have 10pax, 20 pax at $3.00.

Those coming may contribute snacks and titbits for high tea.   Disposable plates and utensils needed    Hot beverages provided

You may also bring your own cd.

So many reasons to come together to give gratitude for all the gift of life that we took for granted.

EO, Dan

Who’s coming:

  1. Dan
  2. Joy
  3. Gabriella
  4. Lily Ho
  5. Bobby Bok
  6. Lily Lim
  7. Patricia Low
  8. Susan Tan
  9. Goh Ah Lam
  10. Vincent
  11. Shirley
  12. Daniel Chan
  13. Peng Peng
  14. Robert Ong
  15. Freda
  16. Tony Ang
  17. Ronald Lee
  18. Lydia Chin

High Tea, Anyone? (21-02-14, Friday 3-5pm)

Men and Women, all are welcome,
in this month of twenty-one.
Found a place in HarbourFront,
to meet and not to get drunk.

We invite eight of you to come,
cause we can discuss as one.
Jokes and laughter are welcome,
if each of you can bring one.

The Details …
High Tea with a Small Chit-chat Group
Date: 21-02-2014 (Friday)
Time: 3PM to 5PM
Venue: SwissBake @ HarbourFront (Level 1)
Meeting Place: When you arrived HarbourFront on NE-Line Station, there are three directions of EXITS (go STRAIGHT or turn LEFT to VIVO and the third is to turn RIGHT to HarbourFront). We will be waiting at the turn RIGHT EXIT.
We will start walking to the cafe (from the meeting place) at 3.05PM.
Hewlee (EC)

Those registered coming (max 8-pax):
1) Hewlee
2) Gingko Tay
3) Zara Lim
4) Sim Seng
5) Alice Seah
6) Peter Loo
7) Joy Chuang
8) Joan Ang
9) Registration is now closed.

Can we searched for meaning in the face of uncertainty?

Less than three months after retiring as chairman of a publicly traded investment company Harris was diagnosed with colon cancer. He was actually a very private person, however he decided to set up a blog as a means of staying in touch with his many friends.

Spending 15 months chronicling his life after diagnosis he wrote nearly 250 blog entries. Writing helps him to fight the isolationism and depression that can strike at many people with a terminal disease.

In his blog, Charlie wrote not only about his cancer, he shares his joy in association with owning and racing horses; his financial expertise; his travel experiences and observations, and about friends and family who have had an impact on his life.

One of his friend said “He did his best to maintain a normal and vibrant life, traveling during the early stages of his diagnosis, reading, watching movies and sports, listening to music, and constantly communicating with friends. It wasn’t unusual to get an e-mail from Charlie at midnight, or at 5 a.m. for that matter.”

His online diary was brought to the attention of editors of the publishing arm of a cancer research center in New York. Charlie signed a deal with the company to publish his writings. 100% of any profits from the book will go to cancer research, something he and his wife already are supporting in hopes that future patients will have a greater chance of survival.

Each chapter of the book starts with a quotation but three I shall share:

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way” – Viktor E. Frankl

“He who pretends to look on death without fear lies. All men are afraid of dying, this is the great law of sentient beings, without which the entire human species would soon be destroyed.”, Jean-Jacques Rousseau

“The meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love.” – Viktor E. Frankl

Reading his diary I learn not only the detail of treatment a cancer patient have to go through but how one can choose to live to the end of one life.

Chuang Tzu, one of my favourite philosopher said; “To have attained the human form is a source of joy. But in the process of evolution, there is an infinite number of other forms that are equally good. What incomparable blessing it is to undergo these countless transformations!”

Be brave, live and let go when time comes.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow : Jan 4,(Sat) 2014. 6.00-10.00pm

There is in each one of us a wish for a better tomorrow. A hope that life will be smooth sailings with no worry of ailing health or a weak heart. A desire for good companionship and unfailing friendship.

The story of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is the story of mankind struggle for existence. The Scarecrow wish to have a brain, the Tin man for a heart and the Lion for courage. Let’s look forward to the New Year with excitement, meeting and cherishing new friend.

Join us for a time of singing and singalong as we celebrate another year coming to an end. We shall have High Tea, bring snacks to share. After the session we may adjourn for Steamboat Fish Head nearby and a leisurely stroll on Orchard Road. Alas, I wish for red wine but not with High-Tea!

Venue: Kolam Ayer CC, Geylang Bahru, 11 minutes walk from Potong Pasir MRT.
Date: December 28 (Saturday), 2013
Time: 1:00-5:00pm

Cost: $6.00 if we have 10 pax, $3.00 if we achieve 20 pax. Balance of $44 from last gathering will be use to defray snacks or reduce contribution from each of you.

EO, Dan

  1. Dan
  2. Geraldine (Tentative)
  3. Daniel (Tentative)
  4. Lily Ho
  5. Skchua (Tentative)
  6. Lydia Chin
  7. Barbara Ong
  8. Bobby Bok
  9. Anne Chee
  10. Tony Ang
  11. Ronald Lee

A little about barter of knowledge

This idea started in New York in 2010. The ‘class’ runs on barter. “Anyone can teach and pupils sign up by agreeing to meet the barter requests of teachers”.

Named Trade School, the concept has gone global. It came to S’pore last year, brought by three young, energetic ladies. They ran the first round of activities last year, and this year, they plan to run the second round.

We, the silver generation, can adapt the ideas from the Trade Schools around the world. The silver generation is a large resource pool for skills and knowledge and is well-placed, in my opinion, to contribute to the nurturing of an ethos of generosity and trust in our community.

The challenge is how to adapt. Hmmm…Any ideas from the SHC community? :)

Deepavali

Someone just mentioned that Deepavali is 2 weeks away. I am ashamed that being a Singaporean, I have no Indian friend close enough to invite me to celebrate with them. We use to have an Indian kid as part of our gang in teenage years. We always look forward to his invitation at Deepavali because his mother cooks a really good Indian meal. Even up to today, we reminisce about it when we have old boys gathering. But this Indian friend did not get the message, he has since married a Chinese girl…. with all our help in the early days. He is now a Towkay and behaves more Chinese then me.

.

Fact of Life?

Amid the gloom and doom let’s take some times to laugh and laugh at ourselves. Share a light-hearted moment here with us and chase away all the worries.

Here is one, courtesy of Jeff Gan:

A girl brings her boyfriend home to meet her parents. After dinner, her mother tells her father, a business tycoon, to find out about the young man.  He invites the boy to join him for green tea in his study.
 
“So what are your plans?” the father asks the boy.
“I am a religious scholar and want to marry your daughter,” he replies.
 
“A scholar,” the father says. “Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in, and to which she is accustomed?”
“I will study,” the young man replies, “and God will provide for us.”
 
“And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?” asks the father.
“I will concentrate on my studies,” the young man replies, “God will provide for us.”
 
“And children?” asks the father. “How will you support children?”
“Don’t worry, sir, God will provide,” replies the boy.
 

The conversation proceeds like this, and each time the father questions him, the boy insists that God will provide.

Later, the mother asks, “Well, how did it go?”
 

The father answers, “He has no job and no plans, but the good news is that he thinks I’m God.”

Dan

Hilarious Hours of Fun and Song – 29 Sep (Sun) 1 – 5 pm

Now that the Mandarin class is under able hands I shall focus on another topic of interest. Book reading seems out of place for us oldies. Back to the drawing board and losing more hair in the process. Singalong session will be encouraged throughout. Everybody will have to sing in groups.
One of my policy from day one was to organize event that can reach to as many member as possible. How else can we get the new member to come forward to become active and to play a greater in adding vibrancy to the Club?
Four hours for singing.  An opportunity to meet new friend here.

Date: September 29 (Sunday)
Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Venue: Kolam Ayer CC, Geylang Bahru (11 minutes walk from Potong Pasir MRT)
Cost: $6.00 if we have 10 pax, $3.00 if we achieve 20 pax or pro-rated.
Hot water provided, bring your own beverage packages and some snacks for High Tea.

Depending on respond, we may have it on monthly. Please indicate whether you are coming for one or both session.

EO, Dan

“I forgot I only exist when you need something from me”

UH-OHH…………..

Yes, when your child says, “I need money to go hang out with my frens after school.  Mommie?  Pretty, please??”

When you are eating your meal and your dog sits right next to you and nudges you on the leg……….

When your husband says “Honey, care to go for a drive to the mall?  I need your help to lug 10 cartons of beer.  My drinking buddies are coming over later.”

Anymore?

High Tea with a small group (6 pax), anyone? on 19-09-2013 (Thursday)

I chanced to come across a cafe with good ambience, good quality bread & confectionery, quiet and good for relax casual conversation. This cafe has a small sitting area. The problem with large group is that not everyone can sit at one table in a large gathering (in any cafe). This will result in many sub-groups formed. To have effective conversation, a small group is desired, possibly 6 pax including me (for this gathering). We have to be mindful these type of outlets (proposed for 19/9) are not suitable for large gathering and long sitting.  To be considerate, we will not spend more than 90 minutes in the shop. If longer time is necessary, we can adjourn to the food court upstairs.

Details of the first gathering and sharing are as follows:

Objective: Getting to know each other better through sharing our skills, life experiences, etc.
Place: Within the NEX Mall (Serangoon)
Date: 19-09-2013 (Thursday)
Time: 3PM to 5PM
Menu: Desserts with a cup of coffee/tea cost less than $7.00 or you can just order a drink.
Meeting Place: Serangoon Station (North-East Line) – control room/office.

We will start walking to the cafe at 3.05pm.

Invitation will be sent to the first five confirmed participants.

If this idea of networking is well received, I may consider to have it on a monthly basis, say every 3rd Thursday of each month. Venue can change but the basic awareness of good ambience, reasonable expenditure and healthy food to be the prime consideration. The number of participants possible will depend on the sitting arrangement at the next proposed venue.

Criteria for invitation for the next gathering:

Though invitation is based on first-come first-served, we will hold back the confirmation – on those who have just attended the last month (for the balance 50% number) to allow new members to have a chance to meet new friends – until one week prior to the event date.
hewlee (EC)

Those registered coming:
1) James Tan CL (not coming)
2) Geraldine Ting
3) Susan Chong
4) Barbara Lim
5) Andrew Yeung
6) Noelle Tan
Registration is now closed. Any further request will be put in the waiting list for future gathering (to be announced at a later date).

Mind your language.

To avoid any confusion I shall start a new post here. How many of us have a desire to improve ourselves whether to speak a new language, a new hobby or a new pastimes. Do we live with regret that certain things in our life should be achieve and experience but due to our laziness and procrastination we lose sight of our dreams and desires.

Learning Mandarin have been a goal I have set out to do but I did nothing and nothing happens. Now we have our own Daniel Chan who have kindly step out to help us. The date and the time was set.. Daniel being a lecturer himself will make it easy for us. Whether learning by rote or through karaoke singing he will guide us.

This is also an opportunity to meet and learn and laugh our hearts out. Who want to join us?

Venue: Kolam Ayer Community Club/3188 Geylang Bahru
Nearest Bus stop: Bus. 26,61,107,107M,853 and 853#
Nearest MRT Station: Potong Pasir MRT (NE10) Walking 11 minutes from Exit B to here.
Date: August 25, 2013 (Sunday)
Time: 1.00-2.00pm. Lesson time/2.00-3.00pm. Learners sing/3.00-6.00pm. All sing.
Dinner: 6.30pm, at the Fish-head Steamboat Restaurant on Serangoon Rd(Corner of Opal Crescent) Optional.
Cost: $60 for four hours. If we can achieve 10 pax, it $6.00 each. If 20 pax $3.00 per pax, where to find? All to pay the same whether you are early or late.

If you just love to sing, do join us as we have booked the karaoke room for four hours. Hot water provided, bring your own beverage packages. A guy will be on standby to play our songs selection and you can bring your own cd or dvd.

Those comings:
1. Dan – learner
2. Daniel Chan
3. Daisy Yeo
4. Gabriella – learner
5. Sbkoo
6. Susan Tan – learner
7. Goh Ah Lam – learner
8. Eunice Tay
9. Bobby Bok – learner
10.  Seok Cheng – learner
11.  Ronald Lee – learner
12.  Robert Ong
13.  Mega
14.  KK Yeo
15.  Peggy Low
16.  Myra Chia
17.  Ann Lim
18.  Ann Giri – learner
19.  Evon Lim
20.  Meng Wai
21.  Peng Peng
22.  Gingo Tay
23.  Joy Chuang – learner
24.  Freda Lim – learner
25.. Grace Kang – learner
26.  Christina Chan
27.  Amy Ko – learner
28.  Fred Ho – learner
29.  Marg Tian – learner
30. Jessica Barbara Ong
31. Janis Han – learner
32. Anna Lee – learner
33. Henry (3.00pm)

EOs, Dan/Daniel

What i like to see happening at the Club?

We may have voice this before but I feel it time to hear it again and better still if someone take the initiatives.

A matter close to my heart is to start a Mandarin speaking session for those wanting to improve their Mandarin conversation with one another.

The other idea is to start a Book Club for those avid readers who want to share their passion for reading and to encourage one another with setting goal to read more books.

As with any concern, just to put up a post can be life threatening. We worry for the responses, we worry how is the reaction and we just worry worry.

Give your encouragement here and if there is enough show of hands I will buck up and do something.

Dan

Are you happy for this Singapore man?

I have a story to tell.  Can’t resist sharing with you as I felt so happy for this man, and yet cannot imagine what this man and woman have to go through.

I just arrived at T2 today.  Was so thirsty that I decided to have a bubble tea outside belt 35. After ordering my favourite Al isan Tea, without sugar, and enjoying the pearls, I realised that there was this 50+ man standing in front of me, carrying a bouquet of flowers.  He was neatly dressed long sleeved and alone, pacing up and down the glass panels, peering at Belt 35 for someone he had been waiting for.  A man carrying flowers, quite a rare site in Singapore?  I guessed he was waiting for a lady.

10 mins later, he was joined by another men, slightly older and a lady, about 40 years old.  They too joined the first man, looking out for the same person.  After a while, I realised they were waiting for a lady, whom they likely know before, and probably it’s a first time for her, coming into Singapore.  From the conversation, loud enough, they had been waiting for an hour.  I could feel the second man was already annoyed and he said that she may have been stopped by immigration or customs, after all, it was her first time.  The first man obviously was not listening to the second man and the lady.  He persisted to look closer at the people around the belt.

Another 30 mins passed.  The second man and the lady, whom I suspect is the wife of the second man decided to leave.  But the first man stayed put.  He walked away for a few seconds, and then he came back to look through the glass. If my counting is working, he must be repeating these steps for at least 30 times. There was this feeling of pity in me, if he walked away and she arrived, or he waited longer and she never turned up. Finally, I saw him waving to the person he had been waiting for.  He tried to find the second man and lady.  But they must have left.

Although I did not dare to walk closer to him because I didn’t want to behave like a busy body, I could see the big smile on his face.  Now, this is when I couldn’t resist the urge in me.  I quickly finished my bubble tea, as you can imagine how difficult it is to suck in these pearls.  I followed him quickly to the exit to see him and peep at the lady from 2 metres away.  She was young and pretty indeed, I think around 25 years old, and very likely from Vietnam, as I had heard this language quite frequently.  She was dressed in a long colourful dress, with a slim fitting white floral blouse.

He gave her the bouquet of flowers, and hugged her many times, finally putting his hand around her shoulder, so intimately.  She was like a treasure to have for the remainder of his life.  And she too had a big smile on her, coming to Singapore for the first time and experiencing a new life in a foreign city.  Suddenly it daunted on me that she was half his age, and I wondered how the future would be like for both of them.  Right in my heart, I wish the best for both of them.  But, right behind my heart, I can imagine how tough going a life both of them would face.

In our national newspapers, we have always talked about this issue of Singapore men marrying foreign ladies.  My situation is no different.  I am not sure about them getting married, but seeing the big bouquet of flowers, and the presence of his brother and sis-in-law, the big smiles and the closeness between them, they could be or must be heading to ROM.

At the time of writing this post, I was actually on the train from the airport, and at Tanah Merah, the train stopped and everybody got out except me.  Few minutes later, I realised I was back at Changi airport.  I had to go back all the way to Paya Lebar MRT.

How do you feel for the guy and the gal?

Terence Seah