Self Reflections, Chit chats – Page 3

Remembering our mothers and what she has done for us

Today is Mother’s Day; and some of us may wonder why we have to remember and celebrate Mothers’ Day on this special day. We should be celebrating this occasion any day or every day, and not just today.

Many occasions have become commercial events. There is Fathers’ day, secretaries’ week, Valentine’s day, Lover’s day, etc …. And, the restaurants are full, the hotels are busy, and the shopping centres are packed, but these occasions do help us remember the people we care and who have looked after us all these years.

We have lived many years, and still many more years to go. Perhaps, you may be celebrating Mother’s day today. Or your children may be celebrating mothers’ day for you today. You got a present, maybe a new handbag, a new blouse, or a dim sum lunch at Golden Gate restaurant in Chinatown. Or maybe, you got nothing, but a sweet call from your son or daughter from half around the world.

Dont you think it would be nice if we can share what Mothers’ day mean to you. Or what are you doing today on Mothers’ day.

Terence Seah

Ladies’ Skype Chat, Sunday, April 21

Hello SHC ladies
We haven’t had a chat session for some time. Will you be able to spare two hours this Sunday, April 21, for a chit chat? I will be logging in at 3pm and will make my calls to all who register their interest here. If you are new to our SHC Ladies’ Skype and would like to participate, please add me, sue6382, before Sunday. I look forward to reconnecting with my friends and making new ones too.

SHC faces a sex imbalance problem; or rather has Singapore a serious problem

Hi members,

I am going to raise a topic which has always been one of our concerns; and this is the most common observations among members and Singaporeans alike.

Why is it that there are always more ~~men~~ women than ~~women~~ men at social events? It’s not that the ratio of women to men is 60:40; but it’s more like 80:20. We always thought that many men do not like dancing; and this may be partly right.

When it comes to other social events, we are also having the same observations. Why are the men shying away? Are they too busy? But really, I think we have to understand the reasons. And then, we need to know if we try to do so, we are banging our head against the wall. If we cannot have an equal ratio, then we will continue to face the same problem, even if the membership is increased.

So, should we increase our membership? What do you think?

Terence Seah

Close Encounter of a Certain Kind.

It seems so long I have not started a new post. We experience different kind of encounters, some bad some blissful some life threatening! Some we may live to tell some we may not live to share.

There are people who need a stent or a bypass to survive, other a pacemaker. Still other have to live with diabetes, high cholesteral or high blood pressure.

Had my quarterly appointment with the doctor yesterday after a delay of one month. My reading for glucose shot through the roof, 14 and above. Doctor asks me, Dan wat to do? Strange question you are the doctor you tell me wat to do? Doctor wants to hear from my mouth. He knows that I have put it off for more than three years.

I said okay, let’s do it, put me on insulin. For the last four months I chose not to take my medications. Someone told me that virgin coconut oil is good for me so I took two bottles courtesy of a friend. After consuming the two bottles, I got no better.

A nurse show me how to take the insulin, one before breakfast and another before dinner. First, wash you hands, use a alcohol swab to clean your stomach, put the needle in two fingers from the navel. I used to faint at the sight of a needle. Here I inserted it in stomach and feel nothing, no pain not even a ant bite.

It was a breeze going though the process, all my fear were unfounded. I wish I have done it earlier. Last night I slept soundly through the night, waking up at 9:30am and feeling very good. So my friend if you see be taking out my shirt before dinner, encourage me on. It would be better too if I say a prayer!

Whatever we may go through in life, let’s try to accept it and hope for the best. Do you have a worse scenerios than this?

Desperate Dan

Share with us what are your plans for the coming Dec holidays?

Many of us may already have made plans for Dec, and into January 2013. Guess our kids will be having their school holidays, it’s time to clear our annual leave, or really we are at the time of the year where we just need a good rest. Retirees or semi-retirees may have more time at their hands, to watch the forever unending Taiwan or Korean movies, or perhaps scoot up to Genting highlands.

But at the same time, many of us will not have plans, perhaps make plans to do nothing. This is always an expensive time of the year, holidays, Christmas, parties and presents. We have different life scenarios.

Sharing what we do is a great way for others to know more about us. SHC makes this possible. We tells others we like to eat nice laksa, and laksa lovers will start to gather together. Simply share that we like playing mahjong on a Sat, and suddenly a gang is formed.

If we share with others that we have this itch to go to Port Dickson, you never know, a bus pops up and there we go as a small gang. I love home potlucks, make soya beancurd, wow, another group is formed. I think it is nice to share our interests and desires now, rather than wait until we are immobile. This is how SilverHairs friends are developed. The club provides the opportunity, you have to share, rather than wait for someone to come over to you, and say, Hi.

December is a good time for topics. It’s a time to think about what we will do in 2013. Perhaps, you may want to start a fishing group, a small business to make and sell kaya, even to go out and ask friends for snake grass, hoping to find a cure for cancer. So, if you have just bought a series from Korea, share with everybody.

If you are planning to get married, why not, tell us your plans. Complete your dream to start charity work in Cambodia, NE Thailand or even in India. Gosh, so many things we can do in Dec. I look forward to hearing from you share your Dec plans.

Please be encouraging. Encourage your fellow SHC friends to share too. This is what I mean by participating.

Terence Seah

Pros and cons of returning the food trays after eating – forum discussion

I have always been curious about anything and everything. My latest curiosity is the headlines in our local media and the government asking Singaporeans to use food trays and return these food trays to designated areas after eating. There are many view points on why, how and what are the benefits. Am sure you have your talking points. Share it then, maybe we will come up with something more workable.

Just a short while ago, I was eating in my local kopitiam. I was observing the cleaner. At the table and with a tray, she selected certain bowls and pour all the similar food together and put them into a bigger bowl. Suddenly it strikes me that what a waste if we were to put everything on a tray and send it to the disposal bin. Could she have sorted out the food, there is always spare meat in a fish, soup is rarely finished and there is always plenty of sauce left. Someone could have enjoyed the remainder. i suddenly thought it would not be a good idea to return our food trays.

Mind you, I support returning of food trays, but this observation gives me second thoughts.

What ideas do you have?

Terence Seah

Are you having sleeping difficulty? Care to share?

Insomnia is a sleeping difficulty. "Do you experience difficulty sleeping?" It is common in the elderly. I understand it is a sleep disorder not attributed to medical, psychiatric, or environmental causes.

SilverHairsClub has a number of members who cannot sleep at night, especially between 3 and 5am. I had a discussion with some of them, to find out what they can do about it. They watch a movie or they just toss around on the bed. Some take sleeping pills, and this became a habit. No one whom I spoke to, went out for a walk because other members of the family are fast asleep.

Cannot make a cup of coffee or tea, as this will make the situation worse. Some advise me to do some work at that time, for example, to do some end-of-day US trading.

They tried all kinds of concoctions but non work.

Are you one of those with sleeping difficulties during the early hours of the morning? Any suggestion on how we can do something or take advantage of the time looking at the ceiling? Perhaps, we can come up with some good ideas to make night into day. Look forward to your suggestions and ideas.

Terence Seah

Funny familiar forgotten feelings.

In response to Terence’s fantasy on our secondary days I want to add on it. Those were the days in school where we rejoice over the time spend learning and preparing our life for the tasks ahead.

I remember where towards the end of our secondary days we gathered together to do something meaningful and where we will cherished for life. The thing we do is to get those friends that we met to write on our autograph books. It will be something for each of us to remember the good times spend together in school.

I want to recollect here some of the poems that were written down. Most of them I have forgotten. These are some I remember. Some are rhymes and rhythm, some love poems. How many have ever ask your school mates to sign your autograph?

Here goes:

"Roses are red and violet are blue, I am allergic, I will sue".

"Drink hot coffee and drink hot tea, burn your lip and remember me".

"Remember me and my wishes while in the kitchen washing dishes, if the water is too hot, cool it and forget me not."

"Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you."

"Remember me early, remember me late, remember me at the old school gate".

More to come and I hope to get more contribution from fella members.

Dan

Some of us went through O-levels. Do you remember the good old days?

I hope you will share with us your O-level days. And, to start with, I like to share with you mine.

Secondary school days were indeed memorable days. I remembered having to go through subjects which I had never liked. They included history, gergraphy and literature. To me, these subjects were too academic, and I did not think there was any value in studying them. In fact, I loved science and mathematics. I was brought up to think that being a science and maths genius would land me a good job when I leave school. Well, I worked and studied hard, and landed with 5 distinctions for my O-levels. I felt I achieved well, at that time.

During my secondary days, I was not conscious of having a girl friend. I had many friends, but being in a boy’s school "Montfort School" in Hougang, all my friends were boys. We had a great time, and if I remembered clearly, I went cycling up and down Punggol road, catch small crabs with a tiny coconut hair, swim in the murky mangrove swams and enjoy teasing girls in the nearby convent school.

They were all memorable days. I remembered songs like "To Sir with Love", "Mrs Robinson" and the entire Abba series. I looked forward to Fun Fairs, fund-raising Saturdays and playing "Hum Tum Bola".

I think some of us went to Poly and other went to Technical schools. But, those days cannot be forgotten. Do share with us your memories of your secondary school days, leading to O-levels or a Poly of Technical diploma?

I also hope you will also share with us one or two songs which you remembered very clearly during these days.

Terence Seah

Critical Thinking: Viewpoints

A few days ago I happened to catch on Talking
Point (tv prog), a very interesting and informative talk on the topic "How to
raise the fertility rate in S’pore". One of the viewers who called in suggested
that a young married couple be allowed to jump queue and be allotted a flat on
condition they produce a baby within a year. Immediately the two hosts and the
panel of speakers laughed at the amusing suggestion, with a grinning host
saying in general "what happens if there’s no baby after a year…"

I thought this kind of engagement is good for
critical thinking and decided to start this post to provide an opportunity for
interested members to write and share their views, thoughts, ideas…etc to
questions/statements posed on this post. I think Silverhair can contribute to
challenges facing our nation.

However. i must add that comments CRITICIZING
other people’s opinions are NOT WELCOME. This post does
not support superior/judgmental attitude.

To get the ball rolling, here is the first
poser: What can be done to increase the fertility rate in
S’pore?

Do you think adult children should give their
parents a monthly allowance?
Are you comfortable with the idea of today’s
youth asking the rich for expensive things?

Put on your thinking cap and cepat tulis/
???????

What if I decided to start a blog?

Terence have clear intention to pass over the mantle of hosting the Silverhairs website and is still waiting for an interested party or the SHE will take over. I cannot imagine having SHC without Terence. What will it be like if he is not around to check on us?

Since joining SHC I have invested a lot of time and effort in organizing activities for the Club. I feel a sense of belonging, we get to meet new friend and doing a lot of thing together. The feelings was great as we rub shoulders with all kind of people.

I still remember my first outing at the Botanic Gardens and having to meet the Indian Chief in person. Such an unassuming man he is. It make you want to be part of this group of people.

If I run a blog, my expectation is to remove two taboos. MLM will be permitted subjected to certain contraints and religion can be discuss only with regard to Bible studies. Discrimination and derogatory remarks about other religions is not permitted.

MLM plays a part in my life and need to be fully explored. Religion matters to me because I want to stay connected with eternal values and hope!

What is your view?

Dan

Home-based marketing as a secondary source of income?

Mention MLM and there will be a lot of people screaming ‘no no’! Can a taboo be broken? I know I am treading on the precipice but I feel that this is something that need to be discuss.

Multi-level marketing utilises a combination of direct marketing and franchising. MLM have an image problem because of difficulties in distiguishing between legitimate network marketing and illegal pyramid selling, "ponzi scheme" or scam.

Life is about choices, then came MLM, work hard for three to five years and then you never have to work again. Is this possible? The answer lies in the one word "leverage". MLM is also about personal development and and business education.

A new and powerful trend is emerging, the marriage of MLM and internet maketing to connect with their distributors. The internet is a 24/7 and accessible anywhere and anytime. Physical contrains is no longer an issue. Cross borders business are now possible so is overseas recruitments

The questions now is why, is it because we worry most will take advantage of free advertisements on this post or? Most MLM distributors have their own websites, they can tap on Facebook, Twitters and so many other blogs to promote their ware.

I hope we can have a lively discussion here and should there be any qualms, let put is down here. Why deny us an opportunty to earn a secondary source of income in our twilight years?

Desperate Dan

This is Home Truly, our home, our Singapore. Our greetings on this National Day, from the SilverHairsClub

Many of us have been in Singapore for more than 45 years. We have a short history; and yet it is full of memories for us. Let’s take this opportunity to share our feelings about Singapore. It is very nice of Dolly to put up this National Day song; and I like to invite you to also share with fellow members your favourite ND songs. Wishes too.

Enjoy this occasion.

Terence Seah

Whither Conscience?

How does one make sense of charities that enrich the top dogs running the organizations? (How rich? (i) from HDB flat dwelling to Sentosa Cove penthouse and a mansion in Hollywood (ii) horse-buying (iii) $25K/mth ‘peanuts’ salary, 1st class travels and gold plated tap). Can there be real charity when wolves in sheep’s clothing are running the show?

Just when the depressing thought that Conscience had gone to the dogs(!), up popped an *article in the S.T – about a wealthy entrepreneur setting up orphanages in countries where the poor/needy are left to fence for themselves – to revive the drooping spirit. :) His mission is to empower the poor with the skills to lift themselves (and their families) out of abject poverty.

With his revelation in the press, especially the one on how the charity dollar is spent, Conscience has a chance to return as the main ingredient in the making of a moral compass.

(a personal opinion)

*S.T. Friday 13/7/2012, page A32

Can Singapore live without maids? Is this possible?

Today, Singapore has thousands of maids. They are in the homes, looking after babies, sick and disabled elderlies, and families who compare the financial benefits and see it is cheaper to have a maid than not working. With a maid, these families see they would benefit from a better standard of living, instead of wasting their lives doing washing, cooking and cleaning the house. So nice to come home from work, and into a clean house.

It’s a headache to look after babies and young children. They scream and yell, throw the toys around the house, scribble pencil drawings on the walls, and spill milk and chocolate ice cream on the sofas. Babies wake up in the middle of the night, cry and cry until they get picked up and have their stomachs filled. Which of the parents would wake up; or it will be the maid who has to do so.

After a whole day of hard work, can one really come home and cook for our elderly parents. Then, bathe them, put them in front of the TV, chat with them, and later put them to bed. So, nice to have a maid. They get to endure all the calls and screams from our parents who may have dementia and temperamental.

What if one day, the country says, "No maids". After all, in many countries, there are no maids at all. These are very developed countries. Elderly folks stay in the homes, with plenty of friends around. Babies, why cant women stay at home and look after the kids. If the wives are not doing it, then the men can. Or put the kids in a childcare centre, then go to work. Then, rush home after work, and pick them up.

Food, cook them one week in advance, freeze them and then go for the microwave. Rice, it does not take a long time. Soup, fix the slow cooker. Today, home tasks can be productive, there is this round little robot, that can vacuum a 5 room flat within two hours.

Do you have a maid at home? Can you do without a maid? Why do we need to have maids and have all the maids problems.

Let’s have a good chat on this topic. Let’s respect the opinions of other members. Feel free to have a say.

Terence Seah

Think outside the Box.

Time for a laugh, too long has this post been quiet. Start cracking your heads and share your viewpoints who the man will marry!!!

Courtesy from Mega.

Dan

A man wanted to get married. He was having trouble choosing among three likely candidates. He gives each woman a present of $5,000 and watches to see what they do with the money.

The first does a total makeover. She goes to a fancy beauty salon, gets her hair done, new makeup; buys several new outfits and dresses up very nicely for the man. She tells him that she has done this to be more attractive for him because she loves him so much.

The man was impressed.

The second goes shopping to buy the man gifts. She gets him a new set of golf clubs, some new gizmos for his computer, and some expensive clothes. As she presents these gifts, she tells him that she has spent all the money on him because she loves him so much..

Again, the man is impressed.

The third invests the money in the stock market. She earns several times the $5,000. She gives him back his $5,000 and reinvests the remainder in a joint account. She tells him that she wants to save for their future because she loves him so much.

Obviously, the man was impressed.

The man thought for a long time about what each woman had done with the money he’d given her.

Doing meaningful work, part-time or fulltime during your free time or weekends

Today, many Singaporeans are gainfully employed, either fulltime or part-time. So, are SilverHairs members in the SilverHairsClub. Most are well positioned for retirement, with a roof over their head, travel regularly during the year, participate in different kinds of activities and have a positive outlook towards their SilverHairs years. You can tell many SilverHairs are contented with their lives.

There are also many SilverHairs who are looking forward to keeping themselves busy with meaningful work, especially part-time work. Many SilverHairs have a wealth of experience from their previous career, their hobbies and interests and a host of knowledge acquired over the years.

Singapore is definitely short of experienced people, like yourself, to fulfill different roles in society. If you are looking to offer your services to Singaporean families and organisations, you may like to publicise your availability and service via SilverHairs Enterprise PL (SHE). SHE will accept only chargeable services.

SHE will offer these services to the public via advertising and other media. You will be contacted, when an inquiry comes through via its reservations and appointments system. If you like to participate, please email directly to SHE@SilverHairsClub.com your interest. An application form will then be sent to you.

Terence Seah

Taiwan TV drama “Night market life” – Why I like watching this series?

Whenever I am in Singapore on a Sat or Sun, I would rush home to keep a date with the TV drama LOVE. Now that the series has ended, I found another one "Night Market Life". Never been so dedicated about such Peyton Place" type shows until this late age of my life. When I travel and I have the time, I would try to watch the drama online 1-2 hours via XinMSN, but nowadays, it is not possible to view them due to territory restrictions. But, this part of my life is not what I want to share with you.

I find these dramas very down to earth. They are always about people, and always about love and jealously. In Night Market Life, the show starts with the actors and actresses as young kids, and finally now the kids have grown to adults. The boys and girls get to know one another, got married and continue their adult life journey. Along the way, they find someone exciting, and make effort to spend time with the new found friend. And, soon the relationship gets stronger, and good or bad, right or wrong, a new bond exists between people.

I am one of those in this group. That’s how I got into my second relationship. I still dare not say if I was right or wrong. During the change, I had such a strain on my life, that some or especially my female friends called me all kinds of names, with nasty attachments. But what can I do? It’s done and life must go on. I treasure what I have today and have not regretted it since.

As I get older, my outlook of life changes. I tend to see human beings as chickens in the farm or fishes in the aquarium. We run around or swim around, and we meet many other people. In Night Market Life, the starting of all the different relationships are always sweet and pleasant. Then, very quickly, life changes for all the actors and actresses. Soon, one or both parties suffer. Who is right and who is wrong? As TV viewers, do we have the right to condemn him or her?

Allow me to share with you how I feel. Neither do I condemn, nor do I bother myself. I feel I have no right to say whether she is wrong or he is wrong. I do not feel it is right to intervene, interfere or dissuade either parties. In a TV drama, there will always be an ending. The actors and actress are far away from me.

So, why do I crazily watch these dramas? Because they are a reality in human lives, that’s why. This is my personal view, hope you respect it’s my view. Agree or disagree, I only hope we all respect the actions and decisions of fellow members.

Feel free to express your views and give your comments. I just read that Obama administration is in favour of gay marraiges. I just cannot believe it. By the way, I am still a no Saint.

Terence Seah

Marvel superheroes!

When I was young, collecting Marvel comics was an obsession to me. Each month I would head for Marshall Rd where a stall is displaying all the titles. At that time a copy cost about 35 cents butl now a copy would cost as much as five dollars each. emoticon

I am fascinated with all the characters portrayed in the comics books. My favourites are Daredevil, Thor, The Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer, Black Panther, Nick Fury agent of Shield and the X-men. I was just a boy then and without fail i would collect all the different titles. The colors and excitement presented in the comics was a constant delight to me. emoticon

I would go down various places in town especially the mama stalls where all the titles are on sale. I was by then a collector and laying my hands on whatever titles was on sale. If I run out of money I would dip into my late father pocket without his knowledge. emoticon

How many of you out there are fans of Marvel comics? Share with us your fantasies. I am thinking of organising a group to watch ‘the Avengers’ together, anyone keen? emoticon

Dan emoticon

Things we will miss

My maid broke the last bottle of water-based hair liquid I have. I have visited 5 stores but they don’t sell them anymore. All the hair cream at the stores are Super Hard, Extra Firm Gels that keeps your hair straight up if you want them. The young men now keeps their hair upright and disorderly. The manufacturors thinks older men either have no money or have no hairs to comb.

Maybe I should try the gels. My few strands of white hair will stay straight up for a few hours if I buy the XXXtra Hard Hair Gel. The only thing is I will feel like an old idiot.

how did you spend your 21st birthday !!

halo hiah ti jie mui ( brother & sisiter )

as for myself ,it was a damn awesome day to remember it lor…

my so called sworn brother flat in toa payoh was being use for de 21st party celebration.

i ,ve two group of kakis or hiah ti jie mui..one is de hippie & de other the ah beng , ah seng ah hui ah lian group.. as it too big group ..i only call de hippie brothers..wat a balddy fool of me..de ah beng ah seng group got wind about it..& came gate crashed…

there after u can imagine de havoc created..whole house kena whack flying cakes cup drinks ,urine &

even de flower pots will not spared lor…wow wow time flies real super fast liao..cos yesterday i had my b/day good makan with my dolly & de tok kong ah jie lilly ho…thks for de fellowship hor….

now , buddies can share bo how u had yr 21st birthday ..mai pai sei hor….( dun be shy )

sam huat huat

Thinking outside the box

Bhutan, one of the poorest nations in the world, gave the world the revolutionary Gross National Happiness (GNH) index to determine the country’s growth instead of using the conventional GDP like all the other countries in the world. Now, almost everyone i know wants to visit Bhutan! LOL!

The ability to think outside the box can lead to breakthroughs in mindsets, business ideas, ideological beliefs etc. but because most people are steeped in conventional thinking, it is not easy to think differently from the majority and anyway, life goes on with conventional thinking…..hence, my interest in thinking outside the box is only a personal challenge and Bhutan’s GNH creation is profound (to me).

This question is just for academic discussion: Can thinking outside the box be nurtured? If yes, how can it be nurtured?

Constructive comments and feedback are welcome :)

A kid in your mind

Once upon a time, a friend asked me:

"Someone said – everyone have a kid in their mind, have you? If you have a kid in your mind, what is he like?"

I mulled over for a while, and answered:

"I think there is a kid in my mind. When he comes to act, even a boring man like me will become a little bit naughty, like to laugh and make the other laugh. But the kid in my mind doesn’t like many people, he only comes out when there is a small group of friends and there are someone I like or love"

I would also like to ask the other members:

"Do you have a kid in your mind? If yes, what is he/she like?"

Old Age – The Last Lap

How does one want to spend the last lap of one’s life? with angst? with upset when one’s pride/ego is bruised? gripe? …

The ‘king’ in *Eccl. thought he was a superior being as he was very clever and good at acquiring power and wealth. Then he realised Death would come for him and LEVEL him with the poor and the foolish he despised. Defeated, he lamented in agony "all is vanity and a striving after wind"

I would like to have serenity in my old age. Question is – how to acquire/have this state of mind (serenity) in old age? What personal qualities/character traits would be an advantage in this quest?

* a non-secular book

Constructive comments and feedback are welcome. :)

Monthly Walk-Labrador Boardwalk/Keppel Bay

This is posted on behalf of Ms Lydia Soh, she will be back next Tuesday.

LABRADOR PARK – Here We Come

If you love Sunset, Plants, Small Animals, Waters, Swamps, Mangroves, Boats, Clippers, join us
for our second Walk of the year as we ‘creek’ down the natural & historical LABRADOR PARK. emoticon

Date : Saturday, 10 March 2012

Time : 4.15pm

Meeting Place : Labrador MRT Station – Exit A, near but away from the top of the escalator

Getting There :   Circle Line (CC27)
                               Bus Nos. 10, 30, 57, 61, 93, 97, 100, 143, 166, 176, 188, 963

EOs       :   Lydia Soh & Charles Wee

Come in your walking gears, with umbrella/cap, drinking water and an open mind to explore.
Do sign up and we see you there.

Our Walk Team EOs: Charles Wee, Jeffrey Lim, Mary Tan, Joyce Tan, Veronica Wong and Conrad Tang, ChristinaCL Chan and me, Lydia Soh,,,,, signing off

1. Winnie K-Tan
2. Gabriella Chua
3. Margaret Chua
4. Eddy Lee
5. Long Ai Ling (presently ?)
6. Grace Goh (presently ?)
7. Tang Cheng Luang (presently ?)
8. Tan Aik Hua (presently ?)
9. Danny Lye
10. June Tan
11. Charles Chua
12. Johnny Pow
13. Annie Tan
14. Jane Chua
15. Pauline Chew
16. Abu Bakar Abrahim
17. Oi Cheng
18. Jimmy Tsin
19. Goh Seow Yong
20. Suzhang
21. Lee Ah Nee
22. Lina Ng
23. Lee Hou Chong
24. Angie Ng
25. Alice Seah
26. Evelyn Ong
27. Catherine Chong
28. Karen Thio
29. Sally Kang
30. Pauline Choo
31. Daisy Yeo
32. Maureen Lee
33. Lilian Teo
34. Lydia Soh
35. Charles Wee
36. ChristinaCL Chan
37. Peng Peng
38. Arthur (can’t recall your surname!)
39. Peggy (Arthur’s wife)
40. Christina Pan
41. Janis
42. Annie Lim
43. Julie Toh
44. Jimmy Chew
45. Sally Chew
46. Wee Chin
47. Steven Yuen
48. Victor Chee
49. Janet Ng
50. Cheryl Ho
51. Gingko Tay
52. Irene Poh
53. Leong Kum Hong
54. Rosalind Soh
55. Dorothy Lee
56. Caroline Gee
57. Grace Ng
58. Richard Lim
59. Evelyn Yeo
60. Vincent Lim
61. Sockie
62. Joy Chuang
63. Lee Keng Seng
64. Ann Lim
65. SK Chua
66. Josephine Yap
67. Angie Chiaw

CLICK here to view photos

Valentine day is just around the corner. Time to remember our loved ones.

Everyone of us knows Valentine Day. We think of love and we remember our loved ones. It’s a good time for children to remember what their parents have done for them; and to thank them for taking care of us all these years. We love our parents; never mind where they are.

While love is treasured anytime and everytime, Valentine Day is one occasion we stop what we are doing and spend some time with our spouse. For some of you, Valentine Day may mean a stalk of rose or a nice romantic dinner. Maybe, it could be some time at the East Coast Park, standing on the breakwaters, and screaming out loud "Ja, I love you". Still, that little bit of time together while we have the time.

There is fun among friends too. Our close friends, gather together for some beers, in some noisy corners of Singapore. A nice way to dance the night away till 3am the next morning. Get drunk, and instead of going home, you spend the night on the foot path. Why not?

For those who have met someone new in their life, why not, send a few stalks of lemon grass, cut nicely into a flower. There are many more years ahead for all of us.

So, be Valentine Day be spent with our children, friends or loved ones, it’s a nice time to be romantic.

And, if you are not shy, you can post your wishes here. Join together for dinner. Or have someone send the roses for you. Have fun.

Terence Seah

But seriously …. are you serious?

Recent comments/postings have prompted me to put up this
post.

Regarding retirement in other (cheaper) countries:

Like many Silverhaired members, I was attracted by the
wonderful prospect of “doubling my retirement funds”. Imagine this – Take my Singapore
dollars, change them into ringgit or Thai Baht or Rupiahs, tah-dah, I have
twice/thrice the amount of money – to spend in these countries. I can buy a cheap(er)
property, employ a cheap(er) maid, eat cheap(er) food…. You get the idea –
living cost is a lot cheaper in these other countries.

What’s the catch?

WHAT’S THE CATCH????

Our neighbouring countries are “politically and economically
less stable”.

Yes – go ahead and have a good laugh. I have modified this
statement to be “politically correct”.

Yep – I don’t want the gahment OR other countries’ gahment
to hantum me.

But seriously – back to point one –

Several months ago, I tried to organize a day trip to recce
JB for retirement living. The response
was quite dismal. Only four people put up their hands. The trip was
cancelled. These are the mistakes I have made –

MISTAKE NO. 1

I was misled by the NATO people.

People kept talking about “retiring in another (cheaper)
country”. Do they really want to do something about it? I guessed not. When the
opportunity arose for these people to check it out, only five people (including
me) were seriously interested.

MISTAKE NO. 2

I tried to draw a lively discussion on the (THAT) forum, by
inviting people to share their experiences on line. People were shy. If they
share their bad experiences, they feel embarrassed. If they share their good
experiences, they fear that they will draw unnecessary attention upon
themselves.

BUT – they did write to me privately – and I thank them –
thank you for sharing.

These pointers are gleaned from their personal feedback to
me (not in any particular order) –

The immigration ppl will play tricks on you; make you “do
naked squats”, will not stamp your passports…

Don’t show off your Rolex watches; don’t drive your
Singapore registered cars; don’t open your mouth to speak (they’ll know you are
Singaporean).

Live in “gated, and gurkha-guarded communities”.

“Live in” – literally. DO NOT leave your property
unattended. When you buy the property, live in it.

It is NOT a good idea to buy a property and then leave it
vacant.

To really have a good idea about how you will adapt to the
foreign country:

Rent a unit for one
year. Live in that country for one year. If you enjoy your stay, then you may
consider buying a property. BEFORE YOU DO – ensure that you know everything you
need to know about “foreigners buying a local property”. Ask for detail. If you
don’t understand a vague print, use a magnifying glass. DO NOT be intimidated
by legal jargon. You have the right to understand the terms in layman language.

Do not buy a foreign property for the purpose of renting it
out. It is NOT easy to rent it out.

Do not buy a foreign property for use as a “vacation
home”. DO NOT leave your house vacant.
Thieves will break in.

Some of us have already moved to JB, successfully. They say,
“Blend in, don’t stand out.”

Thus, you
will not see them waving a red banner with yellow print proclaiming, “We are
Singaporeans living in JB.”

End of their feedback.

Silverhairs members have toyed with the idea of retiring in
Chiang Mai, Yunnan, JB, Penang, Batam, Bandung…

The most important consideration – are you willing to leave
your family and friends in Singapore?

Even if the answer is vaguely “maybe….” I’d encourage you to spend a little more time to re-evaluate your
strategy.

That was all I wish to share with you.

I wish you all the best.

Just Wondering

Yes Terence. I was writing this post and some visitors pop-in so I quickly erase whatever I was writing and try to look distinguish. They are gone now, so here it is again.

Last week we read news of these 2 Chiefs of our government security agencies being investigated for practicing IT with one married women and paying for their enjoyment by favouring her with job contracts. Than today, an MP has to go on enforced leave because of his liason also with a married women. I was thinking if they are sharing this same women.

I also wonder :

1. If married women are the vogue this season.

2. Are they all looking to have Dragon babies?

3. Are good experienced women so scares that they have to share?

4. Should they be encouraged, so as to preserve an intelligent gene pool?

5. Is these just a tip of an iceberg?

6. When can we get to see this Wonder woman and how others can learn from her skills.

Be kind

I went to JB to open a bank account yesterday. I have to drive around the whole complex to find the entrance to the carpark. The carpark was packed and I have to wind my way down 3 floors before finding a space. All the while I curse the bad design and bad maintainence of the building.

Then I got to the shopping center and have to ask 3 people for direction before I found the bank. I thought the people I met were quite stupid and cannot give proper directions.

I approached the bank reception and was told to get a queue ticket. On the ticket dispensor was this security guard who just gave me a ticket already printed by him. I told myself ‘Mana ada system’. I cannot see any electronic display board to tell me when is my turn and where to go. What a useless bank. I ask a tudong clad lady behind the first dask and she pointed to where I should wait. In front of me with the bank officer was this about 80 year old Chinese Singaporean man. He had his pink I/C on the desk. It looks like this elderly man have difficult understand and deciding what he want but the Malay lady officer had her graceful smile all the time and patiently repeat her instructions. It went on for about 20 minutes. I was impatient.

Just then a very sweet young Malay girl with her colourful tudong stood up from next to me and invite me with her sweetest smile to have her seat. I did not notice her before.

It then dawn on me, what had become of me. I have become a grumpy old man, full of myself and with a mistaken superior attitude. I was blind to the patient, gracious people I was with but cannot see them. I recall everyone I ask for direction and met, including the security guard, had a friendly smile for me while I harbour disdain for them.

I have learnt a lesson form the little Malay girl with her bright colour Tudong.

Soon, it will be 2012. What are your wishes? Someone or some group may make your wish come true

All of us have wishes. Perhaps, many of our wishes have not come true. I hope you don’t give up. Very soon, it will be 2012. And, again, it’s a good time to make a few wishes. Share your wishes. And, perhaps, the All of us have wishes. Perhaps, many of our wishes have not come true. I hope you don’t give up. Very soon, it will be 2012. And, again, it’s a good time to make one or a few wishes. Share your wishes. And, perhaps, someone will listen to them; and make your wish come true.

Better still, some of your friends in the club may like your wishes, and will also help to make your wishes and dreams come true.

If you have wishes for the club, or there is something you like SilverHairsClub to do for you, this is a good time to share your wish. You never know. Give it a go!

Terence Seah