Pursuant to Rule 705, Section 4b of the SilverHairsClub, I, Ron-Oz (so that other silver-haired Rons may not be subrogated to me), currently domiciled in Melbourne, Australia, having been duly admitted to SHC, do hereby voluntarily submit for the perusal of all and sundry with SHC membership my curriculum vitae.
No, I’m not a legal eagle, just a frustrated writer wannabe. I am in fact a quitter – quit Singapore at the tender age of 19, arrived in The Lucky Country and shortly after decided to call it home. Wow, have I actually lived here for almost 40 years? I do amaze myself sometimes! During that time, I’ve lived and worked in three capital cities (Perth 12 years, Canberra 4 years, Melbourne since 1990), several provincial towns and cities in between including a couple of places that seemed like the end of the world.
Working in the media has given me the opportunity to see the length and breadth of this vast continent and I doubt if I can see it all before I reach my use-by date.
Retirement is not yet in my vocabulary because (a) I love my job, (b) need to finance my daughter at university for another four years, and (c) my son will continue to sponge off the old man until such time as he decides to give up on his dream of becoming a heavy metal rock star and finds himself a real job.
To all the single parents among you, I belong in your ranks because my wife was afflicted with post-natal depression shortly after my son was born. Her illness has deteriorated over the years and she is now certified as schizophrenic.
But hey, the world keeps turning and life must go on. So I try to enjoy as much as I can of the many things that give me pleasure – reading, writing, films, music, swimming, cooking and most sports (as a spectator). I spend much of each winter following my football (Aussie Rules) team around the country.
Don’t know where or when we’ll meet, but meanwhile let’s just enjoy this cyber intercourse that modern technology has afforded us.
Ron-Oz
PS: Vale Benson Koh
Hello RonC,
A BIG WELCOME from all of us at SHC. Melbourne is really not very far away. You are truly an Australian by now having lived there for a good 40 years. It is right that you have not forgotten your roots. Come and visit us whenever you can .
Do you know you can start a SHC group over in Melbourne. It may be a good idea.
We all look forward to meeting you.
cheers
Hi RonOz,
Welcome to SHC.
Something you said in your profile bothers me. I didn’t know that there was a relationship between post natal depression and schizophrenia. Sounds firghtening.
I think many women suffer to some extent from post natal depression, but most get over it after sometime right? I think I’ll go look it up on the net.
That aside, enjoy yourself here at SHC. :-)
Hi Ron Choo
From one Ronlai to one Ronchoo, no doubt there are many RONALDS in the SilverhairsClub.
We have a link to two members in PERTH, namely Mary Lee and Joan Wong. SHCians heading to Perth are contacting them, for their knowledge
in and around Perth, likewise, we hope you will assist any of us heading to Melbourne. My wife, Alice and I had been to Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns and Perth. So far we have not visited your city, Melbourne. We have plan to visit Australia again, soon, maybe we will have to keep Melbourne in mind.
RONLAI & ALICELAI
Hi Charles
Thanks for the welcome. You’re right, Melbourne is only 6000km from Singapore and a 7.5hr flight. I’m not too sure about starting a SHC group in Melbourne. I think there are enough support networks around for senior citizens in Melbourne. Perhaps one of the greatest difference between Singapore and Australia is the social welfare policy.
Let me give you an example of Australia’s fantastic social policy. My wife suffers a mental illness. There is a support group that comes to pick her up one day each week for outings. Activities include cinemas, bowling, shopping, etc. These trips often require her to contribute $3 towards lunch. The “group leaders” are qualified social workers – trained and paid to do the job.
So, if I am to start a SHC group, how do I compete against such experts?
Anyway, nice to know you. Who knows, we may yet get to meet.
Cheers
Hi Mary
I’m not sure about a direct relationship between post-natal depression and schizophrenia. However, they are both mental illnesses. My wife went from post-natal depression to bipolar disorder (or manic depression) and then schizophrenia.
Post-natal depression is very common among women after childbirth. Of course such depression (as in any other depression) come in varying degrees of severity. Some women recover and hardly realise that they had it while others just can’t seem to overcome it (as was the case with my wife).
Thanks for your welcome. I can feel I’m going to enjoy my stay here, judging from the quality discussions that transpires here.
Cheers
Hi RonLai and Alice
How can you have made all those trips to Australia and not visit its most liveable city? Or are you “saving the best for last”?
Of all the places that I’ve been to in Oz, I’ll have to say Melbourne tops the list as the place to live. It is especially appealing for anyone who loves sports. Talking of which, the Australian Open tennis tournament is only six weeks away.
The complaint one hears often in Melbourne is its freakish, unpredictable weather. But like most things, you get used to it.
One of the great bonuses from groups such as this is the contacts we establish. So, of course, when you are ready to visit Melbourne, come and pick my brain. If the timing is right, I’d love to be your tour guide.
Look forward to meeting you both one day soon.
Cheers
Hi Ron-Oz
In Singapore context, sorry to say that Melbourne does top the list of visit by Singaporean. So much as to say, even the publicity given by your Tourist Promotion Board of Australia in Singapore travel fairs, often give high publicity to places like, Gold Coast & Cairns, because of the SUN, SEA n SAND.
Speaking about sports does not draw tourists to the particular destination, unlike Olympic, whereas Sydney hosted (which drew thousands).
Even Perth, where Singaporean has the first love, due to the fact of close proximity and the housing very much cheaper than Melbourne.
Being informed that your city of Melbourne is very beautiful with modern buildings and price of properties are sky-high, am I right?
Thanks for being the tour guide, if the days come for visiting your City of Melbourne, that will not be the last, will be thinking of the State of Tasmania.
REGARDS
Ronlai n Alicelai
Hi cyberfren,RonOz
When i first saw yr profile,thot..alamak so long, so lazy to read..
but today when i ponder..wow!..u hv such wonderful & exciting journey in yr life.
Yr daughter must be very pretty & sweet, yr son..must be like u lah..following his dream..hhhmmm..sori to hear abt yr wife
Well..i shud say that u r definately not a quitter..left spore at that age, must be so brave & very adventurous,wish i cud that..hehe.
RonLai/Alice…If u all wanna visit Melbourne…can we follow?..ahnee & me nvr been there too..shall we ahnee?…dream first lah..
as u said been many parts of aussie but how come not Melbourne ah??
RonOz…..Welcome aboard!
Hi Norlinda
Put your dream aside, nowadays flight to most places need not cost a ton, budget-air available. Will definitely keep you and Ah Nee inform, if and when plan is fruitful.
Aiyoh, you are the second person to ask me this question, have already said in Comment #7 to Ron-0z.
CHEERS
Ronlai
RonLai..
that question was meant for myself lah, I’ve also been many parts of aussie but not melbourne..
no right kaki to jalan jalan..
RonOz..
I hv a sister who reside at Townsville,nice quiet town..very relaxing.Before that she tried staying at Tasmania for a shortwhile,but a bit expensive to buy a home
Nor
I will be going 2 Melborne nx yr. U want 2 join?
Yes!Yes!…I want,but don go fasting mth (Sept) hor…tks buddy!
Yeah!…ahnee & Sue..shall we?
Hi all
Wow, so many comments. This daylight saving can be a nuisance sometimes. Makes me look like I’m slow to respond … but a slow response is better than no response.
Looks like the SHC may soon descend on Melbourne. Well, if Ron can’t go to the SHC, the SHC will go to Ron. Keep in touch guys and I hope to show you why Melbourne is the world’s most liveable city.
Ron Lai: I’ll post a separate reply to your comment #7 soon.
Norlinda: I’m glad to hear you say I’m no quitter, but a certain Mr Goh thinks otherwise. You have to believe that this is a small world because I lived in Townsville for two years and my daughter was born there. We moved back to Melbourne because I had a job offer I couldn’t refuse.
Eh, can postpone the fasting month or not? Because September (spring) is a good time to visit Oz. Just kidding lah … anytime also good to visit Melbourne but maybe not in winter.
Yew Kwong: Keep in touch so that we can catch up for dinner or something when you get here.
Ronlai
I feel sure you meant to say “Melbourne does NOT top the list of visit by Singaporeans”. Perhaps that’s why Fran Bailey (our former Minister for Tourism) very nearly lost her seat in the recent election. Fran is a Melburnian, so she really should be pushing Melbourne as a tourism destination. Funny thing is that although Melbourne is not high on Singaporeans’ list when they plan their holidays to Oz, many who do visit Melbourne would say it is their favourite Aussie city.
I don’t quite follow you point about Perth housing being cheaper than Melbourne. Why would housing costs be a concern to someone visiting a city for holidays? I mean, you don’t need to BUY a house for your holidays. If you mean accommodation costs, I don’t think there’s much difference between Perth and Melbourne.
The thing about Australian cities is that each has its own peculiar charm. I still think Perth is probably one of the prettiest cities. Melbourne property prices are “sky-high”? I feel that is relative and sky-high property prices are due to the capitalistic system with its supply-demand mechanism. The most important skill for surviving in this capitalistic system is to forsake any bellwether tendency. Follow your head, not your heart and forget about keeping up with the Joneses. Simply put, live within your means.
Tasmania is beautiful. When you are ready, I’ll help you to plan your itinerary to catch the spectacular sceneries of Melbourne and Tasmania. The problem is that there is so much to see and do, so you’ll need plenty of time. My daughter will be spending the coming Christmas in Tasmania.
BTW, check out Tiger Airways, which has just begun budget flights between Singapore and Melbourne via Darwin. Takes a fair bit of planning, but apparently it offers much savings in air fares.
RonOz..
what RonLai meant by housing is cheaper ,cos lots of sporean went there to recky 2nd/holiday home besides holidaying..& think also many migrated there & hence maybe visit relatives, is that rite Mr Lai??
btw, i also got a cousin & niece married & migrated in Perth
Oh..what a pleasant surprise, u know Townsville.I guess Melbourne is hip & much happening city rite? Townsville is for retirees who only wants to sit around & do nothing!
ooppss!…din notice the time!..beta tido lah..
chat again later..yAwn!..
Norlinda
Apa ini … if I do go shopping when on holidays, it’s usually for souvenirs — and very cheap ones at that! So Sgporeans actually go shopping for houses when on holidays????
Have to rush …
Hi Ron Oz…welcome to the club. I just read your profile…yes u go MAN!!!! we all hve to look on the bright side of things…JiaYou (do you understand what’s JiaYou?? :-))) and Archah!!..(that’s the Korean version of JiaYou :-))
I may look you up for a cone of gelato icecream whn me and hubby are in Melbourne sometime end 2008/early 2009 to attend my son’s convocation. He is now studying in Uni of Melbourne.:-)))
Nor
Its set. We shall go 2 Melborne (e plc where “Mel” Gibson is “borne”) 2gether nx yr.
“Fast”ing mth is better cos everything can b done fast fast lor.
Hi Ron-Oz,
Agreed with you, Melbourne is my favourite Assie city (#14) and I have always been fascinated by Tasmania. Missed that stop many years back because we couldn’t get a returned flight. Really hope to visit it one day….
Ok lah…we all go Melborne not 2gether lah…4gether or more-gether boleh?..
the more the shiokest rite?..hehe
don fasting mth lah…apa macam walk so fast, when time to makan, i stand one corner is it?…hhhmmm
RonOz…
ya lah, spore very stressful place with no scenaries to retire what?…so, many pple go holidays abroad also look-see where to settle down..rite miss Caroline Gee?…another Perth fan..haha
June: My daughter is also at Uni of Melbourne. She just finished her first year … in fact results out today. What’s ur son studying?
I’ve seen the expression “JiaYou” in many posts but don’t know what it means. Plse explain. Archah?? I thought the Korean version is kimchi! Btw, I make excellent achar. Only prob is that it is too much work.
Deal! I’ll shout you and ur hubby gelati when you get here. Lygon St near the uni sells first-class gelati!
Annto: Thanks for backing up my statement. Yes, Tassie is a must-see place and has to be done leisurely to really appreciate it.
The best way to do it is catch the Sprit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne to Devonport then drive around the island and catch ferry back to Melbourne.
Norlinda: The crazy thing is that Sgporeans want to escape the stress, but then choose to live in the city area when they migrate. Your sister has the right idea … live in Townsville … laid back and relaxing … no stress.
Hi Ron-Oz
What you say abt your vibrant city maybe correct in a sense that, unless the tourists visited, they will not know. In the first place you rightly put it that your “Man” on tourism does not do the job properly, to attract tourists, including Singaporeans, to Downunder, especially Melbourne, even though it maybe a vibrant city.
Norlinda may have spoken for me, right, as far as visiting Perth is concerned, Singaporeans are killing two, if not three birds with one stone, namely: holiday, visiting relatives and buying properties for holiday homes, as I have mentioned, owing to the close proximity to Singapore. It seems that the property price in Perth is now going up, may not comparable to your home town as yet, I presume. A few years ago, Perth properties were hot cakes, very cheap, and many of my friends rushed to buy.
If ever I am to visit Melbourne, Tasmania, will definitely be on my list, as it is not far of from your place, heard that there are beautiful sceneries, and thanks you in advance for your effort in planning.
Now as Tigerairway has spread its wing, I think Melbourne, will definately attract Singaporeans.
Ronlai
Hi Ron-Oz
Ejoyed reading all about Melbourne from you. Has been unwell so did not write earlier. Been to Sydney and Canberra for more than 10 times because my two older daughters studied at the UNSW and my youngest sister lives in Canberra, and once to Brisbane/Gold Coast.
Heard a lot from my sis about how lovely Melbourne is and its a must to visit but then its always rush, rush and rush. When in Sydney, want to cook curries to be packed and frozen so that daughters can have them when they are too busy to cook. Clean up their place etc.
Nor, after hearing what Ron-Oz say about Melbourne, aiya “sum yok yok” – know what that means, “heart shake shake”. Must visit first then talk. Also must visit Perth as I have not been there either.
So when you, Ah Nee and Sue plan to go visit Melbourne, remember me hor.
So Ron-Oz, when this bunch of “crazy” women go and visit, must wear your armour and helmet he! he!
Have a nice weekend!
Hi Caroline
I honestly feel we pamper our kids too much. When I first left Singapore almost 40 years ago to go to uni in Perth, it was my very first trip to a foreign land and I was suddenly thrust into an alien culture to fend for myself. I can still vividly remember coming to terms with western food and went without eating any rice during my first month in Oz.
Nowadays, the kids have their mums to travel all the way to cook their favourite foods, clean for them, etc. This is despite the fact that these days there are outlets that sell fairly authentic Asian foods.
In my time, the only way that I could get Singapore-style food was to learn to cook them myself. So much so that I dare to lay claim to cooking a mean roast port (sio bak), chicken rice, Singapore fried hokien mee, chicken biryani, mee goreng, bak kut teh, assam fish, etc, etc. All these after much trial and error, of course.
Did you like Canberra? I venture to presume that it is “too quiet” for you. I did my post-graduate studies there and returned later to live for four years. Canberra’s one advantage is that it is a handy three-hour drive to Sydney.
Yes, it’s hard to fathom how big Australia is until you get here. That’s why I always burst out laughing when Sgporeans contact me to say they are planning a two-week Aussie holiday and would like to visit Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania — all in the one go!!!! And yes, they also intend to visit all the theme parks on the Gold Coast, the Blue Mountains, Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, Great Ocean Road, Philip Island to see the fairy penguins, Puffing Billy, Sovereign Hill …
Hi RonLai
Further to my reply to Caroline Gee, promoting tourism to Australia is a very difficult task. The country has practically everything to suit all interests. So it is a mammoth task to try and sell every destination. Perth, no doubt, is promoted heavily in S’pore because of its proximity. The sizeable Sporean expats in Perth is also a criterion.
At the end of the day, it boils down to personal choice. Thirty years ago, Perth didn’t get a look-in as a holiday destination. It was a place to send your children to university — airfares were cheaper to Perth than Sydney or Melbourne. Perth gained popularity as word got around that the sights in the south-west of Western Australia were something to behold. Suddenly, every Sporean wanted to visit Albany, Pemberton, Busselton, Margaret River, etc.
Now, how many Sporeans who have driven from Perth to Albany made the detour to a town called Katanning? What has Katanning got to offer the tourist from S’pore? Nothing, except that Katanning has a sizeable and active Muslim community “transplanted” to Australia from Christmas Island. The majority of these first-generation Xmas Islanders work at the abattoir in the town. This abattoir supplies much of WA’s halal meat.
Many of the first-generation migrants from Xmas Island couldn’t speak a word of English and quite a few were illiterate. During my sojourn in Katanning, I was very much involved in teaching some of these people “survival English” on the strength that I could speak some Malay. I believe they have become a very integral part of the town and are highly regarded and respected.
Sorry, I got carried away. Stay tuned for my two cents worth about property prices.
Ron Lai
Please refer to my comment #14 where I said the former Australian Minister for Tourism Fran Bailey NEARLY lost her seat. I’ve just heard on the news tonight that she has actually LOST her seat by SEVEN votes. Now that’s a REALLY close contest!
If you’re wondering why it took two weeks after the election for the result of this seat to come through, it is because Australia uses the preferential voting system rather than the first-past-the-post system as practised in Singapore and many other countries.
It is actually a fairer system although it may seem complicated. England is considering adopting this system after some close results in its last election there.
Oooops, I hope I haven’t broken the rule about not discussing politics here! Anyone interested in knowing more about this system of voting can email me.
Hi Ron Choo
On the contrary, I love Canberra. I have always enjoyed visiting Canberra than Sydney because of its quiet. In Singapore, everything is in the expressway mode. I like it there as its away from the maddening crowd. The malls are less crowded and you can take your time and walk the malls, sit down for a cup of coffee and continue shopping, without any cares in the world.
Yes, I know what you mean. I actually wrote a little cookbook for my daughters, the oldest is 29 years old and my second one is 23 and they both already have Australian PR. My youngest who will be doing her ‘A’ levels is also planning to do uni in Sydney.
Every recipe was written to the nearest measurement so they were sort of “idiot proof”. But then when mum went to visit, they loved to be pampered by the chief cook. Or maybe it was just an excuse to get away from the cooking and cleaning.
Now that they are back here, they do show off some of the culinary skills they acquired while living on their own in Sydney.
I usually spend 10 to 14 days in Sydney and Canberra each time I visit. I also know what you mean when some Singaporeans want to visit north-sout-east-west in two weeks. Its just like trying to see the whole of Europe in three weeks.
From what I gather, you must be enjoying life down under? I suppose we should try to make the best out of everything we do, no matter where we are, so that life will be more fulfilling.
Someday, when my children move to Australia, I may follow suit. And hopefully, I will be able to adapt to life there and be as happy as you are.
Have a nice Sunday.
Warmest Regards
Caroline Gee
Yes Melbourne is a beautiful city.My daughter is studying there. She told me ifyou throw a stone ,it will most likely hit an asian. So there are quite a big asian community there. The people there are friendly.
Let meet there someday sometime.
Hi Ron-Oz
As you have said “30 yrs ago Perth did’nt get a second look” true enough, defintely lack of publicity and promotion. Now everything is looking up for Perth, quite often the Australian developers would come to Singapore to promote the properties, sales talk being held, and how to apply for PR. There’s lots of by-word-of-mouth at the same time, popularlising the destination down-under, Perth.
By the way, are you in anyway a Peranakan, it seems you like “Sio Bak”, “assam fish” and “Archah” and the like. Your Australian friends must have tasted your Singapore cuisine that you brought to Oz.
Have tasted our Caroline’s cooking, during one of our get-together, she’s a great cook, and have had tasted her “carrot-cake”, I’ll say Superb……
Ronlai
Thanks Ron Lai for the compliments.
Cooking and baking happen to be my hobbies, doing them with lots of passion. But when it comes to handicraft or sewing, like what my mum used to tell me “aiya hands like legs” :(
I assume with all the trials and errors, Ron Choo must be an accomplished cook by now, with all those sio bak (I love the crispy skin) and assam fish, etc.
Chowweng: Is your daughter at Uni of Melbourne too? Yes, there is a higher density of Asians in areas like Carlton, which is near the uni. This density decreases just about exponentially as you move away from the CBD.
I live in a suburb about 35km (as the crow flies) from the city. As far as I am aware, there are only a handful of Asian families in my suburb.
Sure thing, when you do a Caroline Gee (meaning when you come to cook and clean up for your daughter — ha ha) we should meet up.
RonLai: No, I’m not peranakan, but many Sporeans I meet always ask that. I suspect it is because as a child, the nanny who cared for me was a peranakan. There’s a saying that goes: “Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man.” So, if you believe in that maxim, what you are today owes much to the influences you are exposed to until you are 7 years old.
Caroline’s “carrot cake” — is that “chye tau kueh” or the angmoh-style carrot cake?
Oh yes, I get hassled frequently by my angmoh colleagues for my achar after making the mistake of letting them try it.
I will always know that my angmoh neighbour is having a party because he will come over to “order” siobak to serve as finger food.
Caroline: any thoughts about publishing your little cookbook? With the number of Sgporeans going abroad for studies and many more migrating, you could sell a few books.
My daughter is just the opposite. She’s pretty good with sewing but hates cooking. And having said that, she is at this very moment baking some muffins!
BTW Caroline, just wondering if you do know about “super co-contribution” for your daughters, seeing that they have Aussie PR.
Hi Ron Choo
My carrot cake is the ang moh one. The chye tow kueh also know but too much grease so its not so healthy. Haven’t touch that for ages though I really like the black one with the sweet sauce.
Your sio bak must be good. Hope that someday we can have the opportunity to have a cookout with other SHC members and enjoy the food together. As I am Hainanese, I can make mutton soup and of course chicken rice. And my beef rendang is I quote “very good”. So boastful huh? No, its just that I enjoy cooking and baking so much that at the mere mention of it, I lose control. Ha! Ha!
Yes, I have been toying with the idea of writing a cookbook and a simple one(but delicious lah) for students going overseas. Whenever I come across or is given a recipe of certain food I like but don’t like what I get from the recipe given, I will do trial and error and come up with one that suit my taste bud.
I am intending to come up with Caroline’s own concoction but that will have to wait until I retire which will be another ten years or maybe if my daughter decides to give me a grandchild early, then I may retire sooner than planned.
No Ron, I do not know anything about “super co-contribution” thing for my daughters. Care to explain.
Many thanks.
Btw, I enjoy your style of writing, Very witty, humorous and yet real.
Warmest Regards
Caroline Gee
Caroline
There should be no need to wait till you retire to write your cookbook. Just expand on the one you have written for your girls and seek out a publisher. When you are ready to get serious with it, I can help to guide you along.
Thanks for your post-script about my writing style. Phew! I will be in real trouble if anyone finds difficulty understanding what I write, seeing as I depend on my writing skills for my livelihood.
Re “super co-contribution”. If any info here that you are already familiar with, please just ignore them.
Okay, “super” is superannuation (or CPF in S’pore parlance). Not sure if your daughters have a “super account” in Oz. Anyway, the compulsory employer super contribution is 9 per cent. Employee contribution is voluntary, so not many people contribute – prefer to have the money what! To encourage employee contribution, the Oz government introduced “super co-contribution”.
As an example, if your daughter earns less than $58K a year and makes a voluntary contribution of $1000, the Oz government will top-up another $1500 towards her superannuation. That is $1500 “free money” each year in superannuation!
This is the gist of super co-contribution in simplified terms. The accurate maximum amount of the government co-contribution reduces by 5 cents for every $1 above $29K up to the maximum $58K cut-off point.
If your daughter wants to know more, she can email me.
Hi Ron Oz,
I have been to Melborne a few times, but never get the chance to explore far. I get the feeling there are many Vietnamese, Thais and Malaysians living here. What is the size of the Asian community in Melbourne, and maybe what activities do these group do whether retired or still working?
Some years ago, I was told Melbourne has been voted the most “liveable city” in the world; and yet I see Melbourne is very cold during the winters.
Terence Seah
Hi Ron Choo
Thanks for the insight on super-annuation.
I apologise that I failed to tell you that my daughters are currently working in Singapore though they have got their Australian PR.
So how did your daughter’s muffins turn out. As good as Dad’s?
Yes I have noted your offer about my cookbooks. Will keep you posted once I am serious about it.
Now I look forward to your posting as its interesting and easy reading and I need not crack my brains trying to figure out difficult terms and words. Which is what I think reading is all about. Thats why I love watching comedies and animated cartoons – easy on the heart and head.
Have a nice week ahead.
Warmest Regards
Caroline Gee
Hi Terence
To properly explore Melbourne – or any Australian city for that matter – you need plenty of time. It is not uncommon for Australians to take a year or so off work to explore the country – driving around the country and stopping at selected towns and cities for varying lengths of time. Even so, many would return to work, save up more money and do it again but stopping at other places they missed the first time.
I couldn’t give you a figure for the size of the Asian community in Melbourne. At a guess, I would say maybe 250,000 or about 5 per cent of the population. The Vietnamese make up the bulk of the Asian population because Australia accepted a fair number of refugees from the fallout of the Vietnam war. With the great number of second- and third-generation Asians coming through now, it further blurs this demographic breakdown because these newer generations, while exhibiting Asian physical features, are truly Australian in their mindset. I say this with first-hand experience because my kids can’t speak any Chinese. They understand their heritage, love spicy Asian foods but are otherwise Australian in thought and attitude.
A fair number of the first-generation Asians are still in the workforce. Many would be self-employed and owning businesses (primarily restaurants and retail outlets).
If my memory serves me right, it was 2002 when Melbourne was named “most liveable city” for the second time. If Melbourne’s weather was a little better, it would have got a perfect score during the 2002 survey for the most liveable city. Unfortunately, weather is in the hands of the gods and we mere mortals just have to cop it for better or for worse.
Wow!…when i came back from my weekend ‘hiding place’, so much cakap2!,tak boleh tahan so chat a little lah
Yes..dear Caroline is a great cook alright!, she’s a very passionate cook,that’s why her recipies always very sedap..yum yum!..RonOz..dont get tempted, u can only drool..haha
RonOz..yr daughter is just like me…love sewing, but i also love home decor. I shud say i dislike cooking, not hate..its just that i prefer not to wet my hands!..hehe
of course i know simple dishes like sayur lodeh,sambal prawns,asam pedas..alas! my rendang always failed lah!..paiseh!
next time must get missy caroline to teach me, boleh?
Oh..so that must be the place i heard about, Katanning..much talked in malay commmunity here..maybe last time is not popular but it is now…
Yew Kwong…ok set, we have ahnee,sue & carly.
ssshhh!..don let others know..hehe
alamak, late again..tido lah!
Caroline: Oh, I didn’t realise your girls are back working in Spore. Anyway, that’s another bit of useless info you have acquired. The muffins turned out very well. No, dad can’t bake very well without the help of White Wings. Oh you’re so generous with your praises for the way I write — thank you.
Norlinda: As a matter of fact, as I was writing that bit, I was thinking to myself: “Norlinda would be interested to know about this!”
Those Xmas Islanders who moved to Katanning are such gentle and wonderful people. That’s why they were so readily accepted by the angmors there. The schools bent over backwards to help the kids to integrate and made sure they coped with their education. The Xmas Islanders were better accepted than the indigenous Aborigines, which was quite tragic — I mean tragic for the Aborigines.
Hi Ron – Oz
So you must have had a good afternoon tea with the delicious muffins.
I am not being patronising for the sake of doing it. I only give what one deserves – whether its good or bad he!he!
I believe many people share my views except I put it on print :)
Have a nice day
Warmest Regards
Caroline Gee
Hi Ron,
Just to recap from last night’s webchat, we discussed the interest of some SHC members wanting to visit Melbourne and “How’s life like in Melbourne”.
In principle, we discuss a seminar to be conducted by yourself, sometime in late Jan or Feb 2007. The topic would be “Living in Melbourne”.
Thank you for your acceptance. Please keep us update, closer the date. I would also like to know more about Melbourne.
Terence
Caroline
I don’t think you were being patronising at all — in fact the exact opposite. To be patronising means to be looking down on someone. I didn’t think you “see me no up” (ha ha). I thought you “see me very up”! Now, I sound like I am being patronising towards you. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. I’d better shut up before I get into more trouble.
I’m heading for bed now … Terence kept me up last night until 11.30pm (which was 2.30am Melbourne time)!
Catch you another time.
Ron-oz, don’t go to bed yet. There are many SHCs queuing up to talk to you until dawn breaks.!
Charles..
Let him sleep lah…poor guy,u can talk whatever, if u lucky maybe he will chat u up in his dreams hehe..if not he’s will answer u next day lah..
U r 2 hrs ahead of our time,is it RonOz?
Kantanning..when i mentioned to my fren, she said, Yes she also hv some distant relative who is an ‘imam’ in the mosque..i guess they are more accepted cos they are humble & frenly..stay away from any trouble,after all they are immigrants!
Terence…u mean the seminar will be in Melbourne?..walah, so near ah? Jan or Feb 08…so short notice leh?
Charles: maybe shld start a numbering system — plse take ticket and wait in the queue. But that won’t work for Norlinda bcos she sounds like she’s a queue jumper (joking only, okay).
Norlinda: Two-hour difference is the standard time. During summer we go into daylight saving time, making the difference three hours. If you want a “panjang angin” explanation of that, let me know.
Re Katanning, I felt the most important thing was that the “leaders” of the original group were very “level headed” and guided the group well. They were very patient about the angmors trying to understand the Muslim culture and religion. It was a classic two-way exchange towards harmonious living without having to introducing laws, etc.
Terence and I were talking about a seminar via internet. I have since given it more thought and will discuss with Terence to drop that idea, preferring a “live” seminar (rather than an internet one) when I can organise a trip to Spore.
Then you will REALLY need to get a ticket number and wait your turn in the queue … not like internet can simply jump queue (ha ha).
Alamak Ron – Oz
Salah meaning huh? I always think that to be patronising means to say or do nice things for people but dont mean it? No?
Next time must use this word carefully. Thanks for the pointer. Don’t worry. Words won’t kill. If little things like that makes one angry, then better go to timbuktu right?
Of course see you up up :)
Caroline
This English language is so complex it is quite amazing that we non-native speakers are using is as our primary language of communication.
If I tell you some of my misunderstandings of the Aussie vernacular, you will laugh till your sides ache.
Terence
Re your msg #40, can I ask that we put the idea in the background for now? After some thought, I would prefer to do a “live” seminar rather than a “tele-seminar”. This would of course necessitate my travelling to Singapore to conduct the seminar. I shall give serious thought to making a trip to Singapore in the near future. I shall then get in touch with you to organise a date and time most convenient for members interested in such a seminar.
My apologies if this has caused you disappointment and/or inconvenience.
Terence
As an afterthought, members needing “urgent” info about living in Melbourne are welcome to post their questions here. I am also happy to have discussions with members via MSN if they so prefer.
Ron – Oz
OK will wait for the chance for you to make my sides ache.
Hope to catch up with you when you come over for your visit. And as I mentioned earlier, we can have a cook-in and makan session with fellow SHCians who enjoy this type of activities.
Hi Ron – Oz
Just spoken to my oldest daughter and told her about my boo boo about the word “patronising” and she said ma, the correct way to say it is “I’m not kissing your a..” and then she kept laughing and teasing me. She is as Australian as can be in the way she speaks,lingo wise but a Singaporean at heart.
Caroline
The way your daughter put it is much more colourful! They say: “You can take the girl out of Singapore but you can’t take Spore out of the girl!” And it applies to both genders.
After all these years living in Oz, I can still slip into Singlish without too much difficulty. My kids can’t speak any Chinese, but their way of teasing me is to add “lah” at the end of their sentences.
Hi Ron – Oz
Its one thirty am there and you are still awake. I usually sleep early but I had just finished baking some angmor chye tau kueh so I am still awake. Otherwise, this kuay bak would have been in zzzz land.
Yes, my daughter, she is a very funny girl. What you say is so true. I sort of thought that you have not lost the “Singaporean” in you when I sometimes notice certain way or words you use.
Its always nice when parents and their kids can tease each other :)
Caroline
I live in the Lucky Country. I’m very much a nocturnal person … have always been. The good thing is that my work hours are 2pm to 9pm, which means I can sleep-in everyday. I do try to get out of bed by 9.30 each morning and go for a short swim before going to work.
I feel the parent-child relationship has to be like one between friends with mutual respect. Too many parents “demand” respect, forgetting that it has to be earned!
Hi Ron-Oz.
Looks like you are getting along very well at SHC. I’ve just managed to catch up on all the chats that have been going on this past week. Melbourne sounds like a lovely place. I’ve only been to Brisbane and the Goldcoast and very briefly to Sydney.
You remind me of my sister, who left Singapore, also at the age of 19, to further her studies in New Zealand. She’s still there and has her family in Auckland. She speaks like the Kiwis but when she converses with us, she lapses easily into the Singaporean style, although she does not know very much Singlish.
I have plans to visit Oz, but don’t know when. Next year is reserved for various parts of Europe as I will be going to Ireland for my daughter’s wedding and I plan to take about a month to tour. But then again, that will be in September.
I might pay Oz a visit before then, who knows?
Yes, do come to Singapore. Then you can get to meet all the SHCians and interest them in Melbourne.
Ron-Oz
Now I know why you can get to stay up so late. Lucky you! I have to wake up by 5.30am, do some exercise then get ready for work. Too cold to swim in the morning. I start work at 9am but then I am in the office by 8am cos I take my breakfast there. Have my toast and coffee and read the papers before I start work.
Yes, I agree. I always treat my kids like my friends but they know where to draw the line. They can confide in me about their work, boy friends, school work, anything. If sometimes when I make a mistake, I do apologise to them.
Someday, when my children have all moved to the “Lucky Country”, I will join them cos I will go to where they go.
Hi Ron-Oz,
Re comment #47, am glad you are planning a trip to Singapore. Do share with you the schedule when you have the dates. I am sure, for many of us, hearing and learning from a fellow SHC, from Melbourne, would be useful. Look forward to your “Living in Melbourne” talk.
Terence Seah
Hi Mary Chan
The most distinctive aspect of the Kiwi accent is their interchange of the “e” and “i” vowels. If you listen carefully, when Kiwis say “test” it comes out as “tist” and when they say “six” it sounds as “sex”. I used to work with a girl from New Zealand and every time she says “windows” it sounds as “one dose”.
I think we have a member who is a “Professor Higgins” (a phonics expert). Perhaps he/she can enlighten us about accents.
Will certainly be good to catch up when you do make the trip to Melbourne. It IS a lovely place … but I’m biased.
Hi Ron-Oz.
You know, you are quite right. What I notice is that they stretch out their ‘i’ sound into a long ‘ee’ sound.
I like NZ a lot and have visited it several times, both North and South Islands. It’s a lovely country to spend some time away from the warmth and noise of Singapore, but it’s the cold that stops me from staying there longer.
I don’t think you are biased about Melbourne. I have friends who tell me that it’s about the best place to visit in Oz.
Ron-Oz
How have you been?
We will be having our D&D on 29 March 08. Remember you were planning a visit here. Maybe you could schedule it to coincide with this event so you could attend it. Its a very good opportunity to meet up with fellow SHCians.
Do you dance? If yes, then you will be very laku.
Hope you can come.
CHEERS!
ya lah..dinno carly oredi invited ,i also kepo..thot its good idea 4 u to come back visit spore..im sure u wont regret..
when was the last time u tengok yr old kampong?
jangan lupa kita lah..
If u nak tau..Carly is winner of our recent Talentnite!..so u must come..she’s will nyanyi specially 4 u!..hehe..rite miss EO?
Caroline: I will give due consideration to attending the D&D. Just hope that I can schedule my visit to coincide with the D&D. As you’ve said, it would be a good opportunity to meet SHC members.
I had always thought I could dance until someone pointed out to me that I actually have two left feet, so my dancing career ended before it could begin.
Will try to let you know in good time if I can make it to the D&D. Sounds like fun and I am overdue for a holiday anyway.
Norlinda: Last time I tengok my old kampong? Lebih kurang enam tahun. When my father died, my desire to visit Singapore was buried with him. You could also say that losing contacts with my concubines also contributed to it (haha). But if Caroline is willing to serenade me, it may rekindle my desire to visit Singapore.
Ron-Oz
Thanks for responding to our appeal hehehe!
If my serenading can bring you back to our shores, just name me your favourite song and I will gladly oblige.
Seriously, please just think of all the fun you will have at the D&D.
Hope you can come.
CHEERS!
RonOz..
Adoi! 6 yrs? begitu lama tau..jangan merajuk panjang..come lah..time has changed,perhaps its a blessing u join SHC,we all like family..kadang2 gadoh but still sayang each other! hehe..
So we tunggu dgn penuh harapan…kesian leh we all..
Tomorrow..alamak later(din know its oredi morning) im going holiday..so u wont heard me bising2 till christmas..
Merry Xmas to you & family..tata!
Caroline: I’ve checked the calendar and the date for your D&D is a rather awkward time for me. The Easter break for uni in Melbourne starts the previous weekend, so my daughter will be home for the week and returning to college on the weekend of your D&D. I shall try my darndest to work around this inconvenient timing and let you know as early as I possibly can if I can make it to the dance on time.
Norlinda: How come you people are always on holidays? I can understand those who have already retired going on holidays frequently, but those still working seem also to be on frequent holidays. I get 6½ weeks (33 days) annual leave a year and I feel like I’m chained to my workstation. Anyway, I hope you had a good time and have recharged your batteries to cause commotion at this website.
Ron-Oz
Thanks for giving due consideration re: D&D.
I can understand that the awkward timing makes it difficult for you to decide quickly. I know you wish to spend as much time as you can with your daughter when she is home for visit. Take your time to think about it and let me know when you are ready to give an answer, hopefully by Jan 08 as I will be requesting for payment from those who have registered in early Feb 08.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may all your wishes come true.
Warmest Regards
Caroline Gee
Helo RonOz..
Just landed this morng fm my short trip..alamak jatuh sakit pulak!think its the food,bad weather & macet!(traffic jams)Raining most times made our holiday so ‘hectic’!
Nonetheless,Bandung is a hip town…its the ‘Paris’ of Indonesia..fashion icon!…the houses so big & beautiful on top of the hills!..got invited to a fren’s home..wah!…so cooling & very scenic overlooking the mountains & the air so fresh!..made me wonder..why we stay in spore?…hhmmm no wonder u cabot!..haha!
While typing,saw my daughter dressing up to go her partime job (waiting for her ‘O’s result)as passenger service at the airport…din realise she so ‘adult’ & ‘pretty’ in her uniform!
Today suppose to go Xmas party at my JB fren’s home..but think i better stay home & recuperate lah…so that i can still go to our dance class tom!..baru mahu belajar!
So..wat u doing 2day on Xmas day?having party with family & frens?…enjoy!
btw..if u wanna know…we go holidays often bcos..its only short ones every now & then ,
must take a break, if not jadi ‘gila’tau!..haha
I also hv 33days like u…sama2 leh?
Norlinda: So you’re back to do the low commotion (do the locomotion) — couldn’t resist it, my warped sense of humour tells me it’s a funny line.
Sorry to hear about your jatuh sakit during your trip.
Actually, I worked on Xmas day. I knew my kids were going away for Christmas, so I volunteered to work on Xmas day. But it was an easy day with Xmas lunch thrown in. And I get new year’s day off as a trade-off as well. Can’t complain.
Hi Ron-oz
Just want to let you know your pun ‘do the low commotion (do the locomotion) is greatly appreciated. The context is perfect.
I can still remember a line from the song (Common, baby, do the locomotion…ooo..ooo..) Wow, so nostalgic.
It’s sad that that era (music of the 60s & 70s) is gone with the wind and we are only left with karaoke.
Regards,
JassmineT
hi Ron..
so kesian must work on Xmas day..but nvm lah…for good bargain,rest on new yr’s day..
hey…that funny line ‘do the locomotion’ is Carly’s favorite!…she can serenade 4 u if u come for D&D lah..boleh or not dear miss
Carly?..another ‘bait’ to tangkap orang Oz..haha
Jassmine: Phew, glad to hear that someone else out there doesn’t mind my warped sense of humour. Yes, “Do The Locomotion” is a catchy tune written by Carole King for her babysitter Little Eva. If there are enough music trivia buffs among us, maybe we can start a music trivia thread — if only to remind ourselves how old we are.
Just the other day as I was driving, the radio station I was listening to played Ben E King singing “Don’t Play That Song For Me”. It reminded me of Keith Locke and the Quests back in the 60s.
Yes indeed, those were the days my friend!
Norlinda: I’ve already compiled 50 songs for Caroline to serenade me (no lah, only joking). My daughter will be back from Hobart tomorrow night, so I’ll try and work out an alternative arrangement for her to return to college while I’m boogie-ing in Singapore. Also need to dig out my tux and find my bow tie.
Also read your comment in another thread about food supplements. Eat healthy foods like sushi because “if you knew sushi, like I know sushi …” (I hope Jassmine likes this one too! I suspect this song may be much too old for her to remember.)
Wow! RonOz…so we got hope on seeing u at our D&D!..thats great news!..im sure our EO will be much delighted..but mana dia pegi ah?…so senyap..takda suara?..maybe not in town?
So now u must choose a romantic song to duet with Carly lah…hhhmmm..what a glam nite!Yeah!
btw…tku for yr sushi,i love it vm!
Hi Ron Oz
I am back at the office today. Has been busy with baking my sugi cake and apple pie for the lunch on 25 Dec. I am not a Christian but we find excuses to have a big makan makan.
My youngest daughter wanted turkey and ham and roast beef etc so I had my sisters and their families over for lunch.
Warp sense of humour, you got another fan here hahaha!
Thanks for making the effort to come to the D&D. I can do for you the “Low Commotion” – quote and unquote hehehe! Love that. I can also sing for you “Don’t Play That Song” – this is one of my favourite song, besides the “Love Potion No 9”. I can do Connie Francis “Where The Boys Are” etc. Ben E King’s “Stand By Me” is also another good song.
BTW, whats your favourite song?
Miss Apa Macam – I was in Singapore during the hols lah. Just nua-ing, coming out once in a while. Busy lah. Buat kueh dan masak masak. Also go shopping mah so got no time to write lah.
Hi Ron-oz
You have an elephant’s memory! Is it sushi? And I suspect you are a walking encyclopedia of music in the 60s.
I recognise many melodies of the 60s-70s but can’t remember their titles and lyrics because I was in Elvis Prestly’s camp and focused mainly on the man and his music.
It’s quite uncanny that you mentioned Keith Locke and the Quests because I was going to mentioned the Quests and “Shanty” but I thought you probably wouldn’t be interested in local bands having left S’pore so long ago. Glad we’re on the same branch.
Those were the days and we were the young ones!
Thanks for the memories.
JassmineT
Caroline: You should have sent your daughter to my place. I bought a 3kg leg ham (don’t know why, seeing as my kids were away for Xmas) so I’ll be having ham sandwiches for lunch for the next month.
Btw, it’s not yet certain that I’ll be at the D&D, although I dare say the probability is very high. I just hope it’s not peak season in Spore for hotel accommodation. Again, will let you know as soon as I can.
My music taste is pretty eclectic. I switch from classical to pop to country and western to rock, but stop short of heavy metal. However, some years ago my son re-arranged a Metallica song and played it on the piano. I had to admit that it was pleasant listening (surprise, surprise).
My favourite song? Now that’s a $64 million question. It is just so hard to name ONE favourite. I do like listening to Donna Fargo sing “Funny Face” though.
Jassmine
That was my warp sense of humour at work. The song I was alluding to is “If You Knew Susie”. I only ever heard Frank Sinatra singing it but I’m led to believe that the song was from a musical — apparently long before you and I were born!
Oh yes, The King, although many people refer to him posthumously as the Burger King.
I feel music is such a significant part of our lives because it jots our memories. We often hear a song and then say something like: “That song was playing when I was out celebrating my O level results.”
Hey, music is music, whether they be American, British, Australian or Singapore. It’s just that some music are better than others, subjective as each of us may be.
For my second-year radio journalism project at uni, I had to prodcue a radio documentary. My topic was “The influence of popular music in South-East Asia”. I remember getting hold of a recording by Susan Lim (she of The Crescendos fame). She was screaming out “Long Tall Sally” on the record … and it helped me score an A+!
Oh yes, such mammaries … sorry, sorry Freudian slip by a DOM! Of course I meant memories!
Hi Ron-oz
I wonder if the musical you mentioned has something to do with the world of Suzie Wong.
I caught the movie “To Sir With Love” after my “O” and thereafter adored the song and the singer.
I read the drowning of Susan Lim in the paper. I think the band disbanded when she was gone. I don’t understand why her scream was the magic and I’m surprised your supervisor (An OZ I presume) understood and gave you an A+! What’s the reference to “Long Tall Sally”?
Your “Freudian slip” gave me a scare! I scrolled back to see if I had made the slip. Fortunately it’s made by a tonic!
Again, thanks for the M-E-M-O-R-I-E-S.
JassmineT
Jassmine
You got me scampering for my outdated reference books on my bookshelves. “The World of Suzie Wong” was a play rather than a musical. The film was released in 1960. The song “If You Knew Susie” is not related to “The World of Suzie Wong” although both characters are portrayed similarly – Susie in the song and Suzie Wong are portrayed as prostitutes serving American sailors.
“To Sir With Love” – good song, great movie. The song was a great hit for Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, who was for a short time Mrs Maurice Gibb (of Bee Gees fame), but better known to most of us as Lulu.
I think Susan Lim drowned in 1970 and The Crescendos had truly disbanded by then. The theme of the radio documentary I produced was the pervasiveness of western pop culture in South-East Asia. The Crescendos’ recording of “Long Tall Sally” was a classic example of that pervasiveness. “Long Tall Sally” and “Tutti Frutti” were great hits for Little Richard during the 60s and Susan Lim was trying to imitate Little Richard. I would like to think that I scored an A+ for content, so maybe I should have said “… despite Susan Lim’s screaming while trying to imitate Little Richard”.
On reflection it was such a pity because when they (The Crescendos) shirk the western influence, some of their recordings were actually quite pleasant listening – songs like “Bengawan Solo” and “Waktu Fajar”. Hey Norlinda, can you remember those songs? You were probably too busy singing “Burung Kakatua”.
Enough of my ramblings. Btw Jassmine, did I read somewhere that you teach literature or have I confused you with someone else? I have a question if you are indeed a literature teacher.
Also, what did you mean when you said my Freudian slip was “made by a tonic”?
Ron-Oz,
Don’t want to take your attention away from the other ladies, but your comments in #77 sure brought back a lot of memories. I remember Susan Lim and the Crescendos. I used to enjoy their songs very much. It was so sad when she drowned. I didn’t even noticed that she had ‘such mammaries’ hahaha. I guess it’s only men who would zoom in on that.
You really have ‘reference books’ on these people? Must be interesting to reminesce on them.
:-)
Hi Ron-oz
With all the nuggets you’re dishing out, many of my rusty synapses are springing back to life. I remember catching “..Suzie Wong” the movie in the 70s. It starred William Holden and Nancy Kwan. Then there was “Flower Drum Song” starring Nancy Kwan. Could you scamper to your library and dish out some nuggets on Nancy Kwan? Did she win an oscar?
Lulu’s real name is such a mouthful and to think that you could still recall it – your memory prowess is awesome. What mental callisthenics do you do or is it sushi (no pun!)?
You must have researched the other groups too besides The Crescendos. Heather and the Thunderbirds? Of course the Quests, Tokyo Square? The bands were singing mostly covers of western pop but Tokyo Square did compose a beautiful ballad called “Roses”. And of course the Quests’ “Shanty” and two others. They were all trailblazers but the sun set and there has been no renaissance.
If your lit. related question is not at Phd level, I’ll try to answer it.
“Benedictine DOM” is a tonic wine we present to ladies in confinement to help them recover their strength and vitality. Now surely it’s better to be a healthy tonic (in general demand)than the other…DOM where only the Suzie Wongs in Geylang will appreciate.
Farham tak?
JassmineT
Hey Mary, u r not luring away Ron’s attention lah..if i gather, u r an ardent reader & he is a writer wannabe..so matching rite?..sori, juz kidding hehe
Jassmine…u sound more like a musician cos u know so much abt those songs & singers,maybe a little lit teacher..hhhhmm, hv we met?
RonOz..I remember ‘the young ones’ by cliff richard?but tak ingat burung kakak tua!..apa lah?
i din even know Lulu got such real long name & she was Mrs Maurice Gibb ah?
only knew Andy Gibb died bcos of Victoria Principle…kesian orang bercinta tak kesampaian?…if its U…u wud say…bunga bukan sekuntum!..haha
Norlinda,
My reading circle has gone ‘kaput’ already. There doesn’t seem to be many book lovers here or perhaps they don’t want to share what they are reading? Cosmopilitan perhaps? Playboy, Playgirl, Porno…? hahaha. Hey, I’m not criticising. I read them too, the interesting articles I mean. ;-P
I love writing, but that doesn’t mean people will enjoy what I write. Besides, what I write about are usually of a personal nature and I’m not prepared to share them just yet. Maybe one day.
Anyway, I’m still open to recommendations and discussions on books if anyone is interested. Helloooo, anyone??
Eh Nor, you don’t have to be a ‘musician’ to appreciate music, songs and singers lah.
Mary: No. Jassmine and I were not referring to Susan Lim’s mammaries. The “mammaries” bit came about when I stretched my warped sense of humour a little too far.
My reference library is a result of the time when I freelanced writing questions for trivia quiz nights.
Norlinda: Can I ask you to please go easy on the Malay … it is getting beyond my comprehension. You must kesian lah, after so many years away from Singapore you expect me to understand Malay like you … mana boleh?
Jassmine: I’m writing this reply while at work in the office. Without the luxury of my reference library and recalling what I can from this morning’s research, I think Nancy Kwan won a Golden Globe for her role as Suzie Wong. I honestly think the Golden Globe is more prestigious that the Oscar.
I have just been told to go home, so I’ll catch up with you good people again soon.
The literature question: Does the literature syllabus in Singapore still focus only on American and English texts? The reason I’m asking this is that my secondary schooling in Singapore only exposed me to American and English texts, so when I got to uni in Oz, I had to also read European literature (works by Dante, Sartre, Homer, etc) and I had a lot of trouble.
Catch you guys later.
Hi Norlinda
No, we have not met but we are encountering now. My knowledge of the music of the 60s and 70s is at best, superficial. I think many other members in SHC have a deeper knowledge because we are mostly from the baby boomer generation.The veritable guru is Ron-oz.
I guess you are a baby in SHC and in the 60s you were probably still playing masak masak. You would be more familiar then with music in the late 70s and 80s.
But I’m rather surprised that you tak ingat Burong Kakak Tua. Go to YouTube. There’s a video of Anneke Gronloh singing a version of Burong.
Cheers,
JassmineT
Hi Ron-oz
Re. Lit qn.
No, the trend at “O” level is moving towards a good balance of British and/or American lit. and local lit (including works of Malaysian writers). Still no European lit at the secondary level.
Can provide details of texts, exam format if you are interested.
I detect a tone of bitterness in your last paragraph and deduce that you didn’t get an A+ for Lit. and is still feeling sore about it. When I am in this upset situation, I’ll subscribe to the philosophy “What’s yours will be yours, and what’s not yours, will never be yours”, then I’ll get back my equilibrium… .. my two cents’ worth.
JasmineT
Jassmine
So, some things don’t change. No, I’m not bitter – I’ve gotten over that, although at the time I was upset that my poor grades for literature did drag down my aggregate.
Fortunately, though, I was saved by about half a dozen works that I particularly enjoyed, including those by Montaigne, Plato, Machiavelli, and Marx and Engels.
The many European writers introduced to me at uni opened up for me a bigger world of literature – a literary world beyond Shakespeare, Shaw, Dickens, Twain, Steinbeck, etc. I’m just interested to know if the schools in Spore have opened more literary windows for the students.
Btw, re Nancy Kwan’s Golden Globe award for “World of Suzie Wong”, just to clarify that she got the award in the “Best New Talent” category. Just in case someone says: “… but Nancy Kwan didn’t win any ‘best actress’ award.”
You have now contributed to cluttering my brain with more trivia. Found out some interesting things about Nancy Kwan. Her father was a Cambridge-trained architect and her mother (of Scottish-English descent) was a model. Her younger son became a successful stuntman in Hollywood but unfortunately succumbed to AIDS at age 33.
Have a good day and I hope it’s not as hot as in Melbourne (36 degrees and rising).
Hi Ron-oz
The change, a major one, is the inclusion of works of local writers. In lower secondary, the English classics have been supplanted by local writers. So young teens today don’t know much about Shakespeare; don’t know much about Keats..
Do start a thread on music trivia if you have the time.
JassmineT
Ron @ #85
Wow. I am impressed by your reading list.
So which of the philosophical works made the biggest mpression and why.
Take your pick. Start at your favorite.
What about The Prince. Niccolo has established one of the most enigmatic school of thought. It is not that he has many followers of the faith. Practical everyone today is on the game. But many gurus have many followers. Uniquely enigmatic because his many followers deny his influence. In fact, his most ardent students deny his influence most.
Incredulous? You laugh?
In fact, you and I may very well be following his creed without knowing. Unless you live in a hole on a remote mountain chanting “OM” to yourself, you are likely to have a strong streak of M in you. You need it to survive in this modern world.
Bhutto may be alive today if she practised ‘M’ a bit better. Now she wish she just stayed away OM-ing to herself instead of trying to out-M the sucide bomber. .
Hi KT
Tried to respond to your comment last night but my brain got fried in the 40-degree Melbourne heat yesterday.
Anyway, the philosophical work that has impressed me most? I am always hesitant when asked to rank my preferences. However, going by my personal anti-clerical and secular philosophy, Voltaire would have to rank highly among my favourites. I find in Voltaire an accomplice to defend my own philosophical views. Socrates is also up there on my list because I subscribe to pedagogy.
I ripped into Niccolo Machiavelli at uni and discounted The Prince as philosophy – it was a nasty instruction manual for ruling elites. Why else would Nicky’s most ardent followers deny his influence? No, I didn’t break out into incredulous laughter; in fact, I was nodding in agreement with you.
With regard to having a “strong streak of M” in ourselves, we need it to ASCEND in this modern world. To SURVIVE, I feel the manifesto by Marx and Engels should suffice. But alas, after all that philosophy and history has taught us, it still boils down to the old adage: “Divide and conquer”.
I also concur with you on Benazir, except to add that surely we can say she failed to out-M Musharraf because the suicide bomber is merely a weapon out of Pervez’s armoury.
Jassmine
Oh dear, so am I right to suppose that Spore students are not acquainted with Shakespeare and his peers until pre-u? As a literature teacher, how do YOU feel? I’m asking this to gauge if this change is really working for Spore.
Australian secondary schools only drip-feed the classics to their students but it seems to work because much of the local works introduced to the students do have merit.
I’m happy to start a trivia thread, but do you think there will be enough interest? If we don’t restrict ourselves to just music but also include film, sport and other trivia, we may attract enough interest.
Comments from other trivia buffs?
Ron @ #88
Musarraf even has “M” to his name. If he is behind it, it is a master stroke. Two birds with one stone (or bomb in this context).
We have our fair share of Millionaire M’s. All kinds of M’s. This M, that M. And all hardcore M’s like Musharraf will deny having the slightest philospohical inclination for M.
No. They don’t deny M because it is nasty. Think about it. The ultimate act of M will have you engage in total denial of the very art that you practise.
Volataire is the anti-thesis to M. V’s most famous quote is “I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write.” M would have said “You write what I think. You are entitled only to my opinion”.
Marx and Engels attracts just the opposite reaction to M. Most people pay lip service to their ideals but nobody practises. Just read the story of postwar Singapore. Did we step through history on the paving stones of Eliticism or Egalitarism?
And see where are we today. Did we swear by one and practise the other?
Hi Ron-oz
Living in a little red dot and trying to survive in a hostile environment, we cater mainly to needs. The English classics are wants; the local productions are needs.
The students get a chance to meet the bard in sec three if they opt for Lit. but many do not.
How do I feel? The same as how I feel on ” rainy days and Mondays …”
Collect the crumbs (of classics) and what do you get? A cereal bowl of nutritious feed.
Start the music trivia thread and get your oilskin and wellingtons ready. There’ll be a deluge. (Include films but exclude sports and other trivia.)
JassmineT
Jassmine
Thanks for the insight.
Nothing like the Carpenters to put you “on the top of the world … looking down on creation”.
I’ve put through the trivia thread and it should be up and running when Terence/Admin has moderated and approved the post.
Can I wear my bell-bottoms and psychedelic shirts instead?
KT @ 90
Your comments noted.
One other Voltaire quote that comes to mind in light of the discussions on health in other threads goes along the lines of “doctors amuse the patients and then leave it to nature to cure them”. But of course an M practitioner would say: “You die is your business!”
Hi Ron-oz
‘Top of the world’ is my favourite English karaoke song.
If you titled the thread ‘Trivia’ instead of ‘Music Trivia’, the deluge is a certainty.
Bell-bottoms and psychedelic shirts? So cool! Need any alterations? Bring outfits to S’pore. We have a cottage industry in clothes alteration.
Is it possible to add music in the thread?
JassmineT
Jass…
‘Top of the world’..my fav too
not that I cant remember burung kakak tua…but rather tak ingat the lyrics lah…this morning i just heard in the radio…so nostalgic!
RonOz…alamak…sori kesian…”if its U…u wud say…bunga bukan sekuntum!”..meaning she’s not the only girl…find another one lah….hehe
Jassmine: I called the thread “Trivia Thread” unless it gets changed during moderation. I should have called it “Trivia Thread and Serious Needles” … maybe not.
I don’t know about adding music to the thread. You’ll have to ask Terence that.
Norlinda: Thanks for the explanation. I got confused because I translated “bunga bukan sekuntum” as “flower not a flower”.
I wld probably have said “there are other fishes in the sea”.
Hi Ron-oz
Better not for baby Nor will ask ” Eh! Apa ini?”
I think I heard Susan Lim ( Crescendos)sing this song.
JassmineT
Jassmine
I’m not sure why the Trivia Thread is taking so long to be approved. Admin must have had a fantastic new year celebration. Hang in there … good things come to those who wait.
Happy New Year to one and all.
Gingko
You didn’t go to an Aussie Rules football match! But you must have caught a show or two and/or a concert or two. Didn’t they put on “The Nutcracker” while you were here? I’ll let you know the next time the Australian Ballet puts on “The Nutcracker”, so you can visit Melbourne again.
The penguin parade at Phillip Island is one activity I don’t take visitors to … I make them join a tour or find their own way there. I just feel that that attraction is over-rated. Do it once for the experience and that’s enough. Sovereign Hill I can do again and again. Did you get to the Grampians?
Glen Iris … beautiful old leafy suburb that comes at a price. I am in Sunbury … famed for its rock festivals during the early 70s but a rather sleepy little township today – that’s the way (aha aha) I like it.
Hi OZ Ron,
All the Australians, or almost, watched the Aussie Football games, but I wasn’t particularly fond of it. This Australian guy friend of mine was always talking about taking me to a match. It was like “let’s go to the football match this weekend”. This went on and on until the season was over. That was the way, aha aha, I detested it!
As a matter of fact, I was more familiar with English soccer and cricket. I used to live with an English couple so my life style then was more English than Australian.
We talked so much about going to The Grampians, but I missed out on that too when I had to return to Singapore to take care of my deceased father’s estate.
Oh, no. How did you know? “Nutcracker” was up and ran for a short season. The event organiser eventually gave in ‘coz they realized it was a hard nut to crack… Crumbs!
After my return to Singapore, I have had since been back to Melbourne and other parts of Australia a couple of times. Never get tired of the country. Stretch an stretch of massive land, so much to see and do. I know Melbourne has changed tremendously. A year when I returned and revisited the place where I lived, the unique quaint old architecture church that used to site in front of our house was torn down and replaced by a modern-looking old folks’ home. I was totally speechless. Progress! that’s the price we pay sometimes.
Very well Ron, many of us at SHC are looking forward to your visit and participation in our DnD. Have a pleasant stay and enjoy yourself while you are here. I will visit Melbourne again for sure and will come look for you :)
Hi Macadamia (oooops, wrong nut)
I know a couple of Aussie friends who lived in Spore for a while. Each time they say “when I was living in Spore …”, I would correct them to say “when you were WORKING in Spore …” going on to explain that they haven’t lived in Spore until they have eaten hawker food at hawker centres.
You will remember from working in Melbourne that the office gossip on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings tend to revolve around footy tipping. And there’s that unique practice of the office sweep come Melbourne Cup time.
I share your sentiments about progress. I am already dreading the thought of what progress awaits me when I get to Spore for the D&D. Looking forward to meeting you and other SHCians at the D&D.
well RonOz…
since u din tengok my note at yr Trivia thread…i will ask again here…Awak apa khabar?..sudah lama tak cakap2..
wow!..i dinno Gingko work/stayed in Melbourn b4…hhhmmm, no wonder she got so much stories to tell..
Ron..yes heard so much abt Phillip Island, the cute penguins..what happen to them now?..maybe too many visitors,shocked their livelihood?
I really want to visit Melbourn this yr…waitg anxiously 4 u to visit us in Mar…then we cud discuss with Yew Kwong,ahnee,carly & sue for our trip!
Yippie!..U r coming to spore after all,do u ever thot if not ‘knowing’ us here in SHC?
Norlinda
Very sorry lah … must be too many posts to reply and missed your post.
The little penguins still waddling to Phillip Island to tidor every night. In my opinion, not worth the time and the charges are ridiculous just to see the penguins walking to their “beds”. Also, have to sit in the freezing cold for hours waiting for them to come to land. Watching it on TV is more comfortable.
Looking forward to meeting all of you to chat about Melbourne, then you can all plan how long you want to visit and what you would like to see and do.
I’ll try to remember to bring some tourism brochures for you all.
You are probably right … I probably will not be visiting Spore if I had not known you people at SHC. So make sure you behave yourself when I get there ya?
RonOz…don worry, we all maybe ‘naughty’ in this forum…but we are gentle & caring in person u know!..haha..
U wont regret…Spore is so much different now, im sure the last time u saw..u wont recognise some places!..but u must visit Sentosa..we’ll hv picnic & chill out there with some other SHC gang,wow! must be fun!…hhmmm, Mar is near, yet so far!
Hi RonOz..long time no hear from u leh?..mana sudah pegi?..How are u?busy?Are u all ready to come visit us?Time flies so fast, next mth is March..counting the days..29th!
We all eager to meet u & hv fun together with all other gang..its so nice to have u this time.im sure u’ll be fully booked the moment u touch down..hehe
Norlinda
Apologies for this slow response to your comment. Almost missed your post. I’ve been flat-chat with work … have to get them done before I can go to Spore to boogie with all of you.
Not quite fully booked lah … still some time slots available for appointments. Contact my social secretary (haha). Looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible during my very short stay.
helo RonOz…its me again!
D&D..in just 2 wks …time really flies don u think?..but to think of it..we only ‘know’ u in Dec 2007…seem like sudah kenal lama sekali!
So, hv u pack yr bag for the trip to yr ‘forgotten’ island?haha
After D&D..we can plan for an outing with the rest…maybe u should hv yr own itenerary on how to spend yr short time here..some days we can sebok2 accompany boleh..
Now we are busy preparing for that big nite, so that everybody will enjoy & hv fun!.
Hi Ron,
I guess you are busy at work, while preparing for your trip to Singapore. Definitely, we would see you during the D&D.
I am out the Sunday, after the D&D. Some SHCians may have contacted you.
On this note, any SHCians who would like to meet and chat with Ron Oz re Melbourne, please drop a note here. He has a tight schedule, so an early note would be great.
Terence Seah
Terence,
I thought you and some of us are supposed to meet with Ron-Oz at Changi village between 4 to 6 pm on the 30th of March? Is that still on? I’m interested to find out about Melbourne too.
Btw, which part of Changi village?
Ya Terence,
You are leaving on Sunday wat time? I thought we have an appointment with Ron Oz.
Mary, Changi Village was a suggestion. If there are many people coming and if we are going to ask many questions or chit chat, then we must find a less noisy kopi tiam.
We have about a week to go. I have your mobile number so will keep you informed.
Hi Caroline,
I am likely to leave Sun 30 morning 1st flight, after the D&D. For the moment, I have to apologise for this change. But, please go ahead as planned.
Terence Seah
Caroline, wildo. Keep me informed.
A less noisy kopitiam could be the one at Downtown East.
OK Terence.
I suppose you could catch up with Ron Oz at the D&D and post D&D supper – that is if I share your choju and whiskey.
You can pack your stuff ready for your flight and after supper, we can “drop” you off at the airport :)
Hi all
Most humble apologies for my disappearing act due to “extra” work so I can afford the extravagance of attending the D&D.
Norlinda: Never meant to ignore you or your post here. I’ve been so flat-out with my freelance work from home (apart from my normal full-time work) that I didn’t even have time to scratch myself. I hope to make it up to you by giving you my undivided attention when we meet.
Terence: We’ll catch up between the hectic schedules of the D&D and your departure from Spore.
Mary Chan: I’ll leave it to Caroline to liaise with you for a convenient time to sit and talk about Melbourne.
Anyone else interested in picking in my brains about Oz, please feel free to corner me at the D&D. Otherwise, we can meet some time during the week after the D&D. Looking forward to meeting as many of you as my tight schedule will allow.
Hi RonOz..
no problem, we know u are busy & i also forgot to check yr reply till now.
eh!, awak tak boleh cakap kasi full attention tau..nanti ada yg ‘jealous’ haha!
Oh yes!..looking fwd to meeting you & talk abt Melbourn/Sydney..some of us might want to visit you..hhmmm..banyak ‘girlfren’mahu chope for a dance at D&D..so u better gear up!
Norlinda:
Aiyah, very susah lah … I can’t dance. My first and last attempt to dance was at a disco many many years ago and I was ejected from the venue because “your dancing puts other patrons in danger”.
Ron..takpa donno how to dance, lagi bagus..we same gang & im sure many agree we just boogie gelek lah..let the moves & rhythm go wild!
Just realise that on the day u arrive here, I hv a parent dialogue with college leaders at my daughter’s JC..so, maybe i see u for awhile & hv to rush off.Anyway we surely will hv swell time at D&D & thereafter!
Ha.ha.. Ron @116,
You really make me LOL lah… so funny!
Ron, don’t worry too much about how you dance at SHC D&D. No one will tell you that, unless you have weapons all over you..ha.ha..
Good day to you till we meet ya!
Cheers,
Suzhang
Ron Oz,
Looking forward to ‘picking your brains’ about Melbourne and Sydney and Perth perhaps? Have been to Sydney but only briefly.
Don’t worry about how you dance. Just drop your inhibition and groove to the music in any ‘style’ you want. :-)
Cya
Hi Ron
I’m planning to drive around eastern states next year. Am wondering which is the best city to fly into and rent a car – Melbourne or Sydney. What is car rental like in these two places.
As the cities Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne are closeby, I’m thinking of these 3 and maybe even Adelaide. Any tips on where to stay if we do a budget travel.
In WA, I can rent a 3R SC chalet for approx 5-7 people for approx AUD 160/day. Can I do that in Melbourne?
Regards
Joan (Perth)
Hi Joan
Sincere apologies … just noticed your query about your intending trip to eastern Australia. I had been in S’pore to attend the SHC D&D. I have a personal policy of avoiding the computer while on holidays.
Anyway, re your query about travelling east, my humble opinion is that there is no “best city to fly into and rent a car”. Which city you fly into to start your drive very much depends on your itinerary. It’s your personal choice whether you arrive in Sydney and drive to Canberra then Melbourne before flying back to Perth or the reverse (arrive Mel, drive to Canberra then Sydney and fly back to Perth from Sydney).
I think car rental in Sydney or Melbourne is no different from Perth. Avis, Budget, Europcar, etc, are national car rental companies. They should be able to provide you with info about rental rates in Melbourne and Sydney and even arrange your bookings in Perth.
From past experiences, I have vowed never to recommend accommodation. Each of us has different expectations about accommodation, and I don’t wish to be responsible for “room too small, bed too uncomfortable, too far from shopping, etc, etc”. However, I can direct you to some websites that offer “reasonable” accommodation rates. You can then assess their facilities and location and decide if they are indeed “value for money” and/or meet your requirements.
All that aside, I feel you will need to allow three weeks to do a decent self-drive trip covering three cities and whatever else in-between. The drive between Melbourne and Canberra is about 10 hours with proper rests and meal breaks — much longer should you decide to spend time at interesting places along the way.
Good luck with planning your trip and call out if you think I can be of further help.
Hi Ron
Thanks for the reply. A couple from Singapore that we know just did a self-drive covering Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra in 3 weeks. I will be meeting them soon and will have an idea of their itinerary.
My hubby and I hope to make that tour after next summer. That will give us plenty of time to source for more info. Looks like we need at least 3 weeks or so. Tentatively our plan is to fly into Melbourne, drive around up to Sydney and Canberra, then fly into Adelaide, do another self-drive before returning to Perth.
Yes, will contact you if I need more assistance.
Joan
Hi Joan
Yes, someone who has done the trip recently will have more current info. I have only driven from Melbourne to Sydney and Canberra separately — ie, Melb-Sydney and Melb-Canberra.
It is very important to plan your itinerary well. Eg, it will be more logical to drive from Melbourne to Canberra and then onward to Sydney. If you drive from Melbourne to Sydney then down to Canberra, you are in fact doubling back and hence would have wasted a day or so.
Since you are planning to also do Adelaide, may I suggest that you consider the train instead of flying. That way, you don’t have to worry about car rental.
You can book yourselves and the car on the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney. After three nights on the train, you arrive in Sydney. You then drive to Canberra, on to Melbourne, then further on to Adelaide. Once in Adelaide, book yourselves and the car for the return trip to Perth on the Indian Pacific. Two nights on the train and you are back in Perth.
When I moved from Perth to Canberra almost 30 years ago, I booked myself and my car on the Indian Pacific. I can’t remember now if I got off the train at Port Augusta or Port Pirie. I then drove to Mildura in Victoria, stayed the night in Mildura, then drove all the way from Mildura to Canberra the next day.
I thoroughly enjoyed the two-night train trip from Perth to South Australia. Crossing the Nullarbor gives you a great perspective of the size of Australia.
Anyway, it’s something worth considering and I assure you it’s a tremendous experience.
Cheers,
Ron
Helo RonOz..
Apa khabar?..suddenly just thinking of you when my nebor said her daughter is going Melbourne to further her studies..
Alamak..so late oredi,beta cabot..maybe i’ll chat when at home..tata :)