American Idol

Crossing Dressing.

I don't understand what's with some of top local Chinese comedians - They cross-dressed. Probably the TV producers think it is funny and good for their TV rating. They must have believed Singaporeans laugh at men who dress up as women.

American Idol

Just saw "American Idol III". I couldn't believe how deaf is deaf, and how blind is blind. Some just cannot sing and still think they are going to be the next American Idol. Some of their singing are so painful to the ears, yet they think they are God's gift to America.

Simon can be boring with same bland words like "You are terrible. You cannot sing".

I'm sure he can be more witty with his sarcasm such

"You have a nice voice and I am sure your family will enjoy your singing. But at the national level, your chances is 1 in a million. Sorry...", or

"You dress well, dance well, but your voice is just not strong enough", or

"your vocal range is not wide enough. Not suitable for us..."

But I like the part when he challenged the singers to sing in public and find their supporters. I like the part when Simon was so nice to the midget lady. She may be physically small, but she certainly has a big heart. She has turn her disadvantage into her advantage. Cos she is different from the rest, she stands out. Oh she is so cute and adorable.

Most of the Chinese singers were terrible, terrible, terrible. They can't sing, they can't dance, they forget their lines, and they cannot pronounce the lyrics. I think the producers should launch the "The American Idiot" to feature the worst singers. That would be entertaining!

However, one of the most touching moment was the Vietnamese contestant. His parent came to America in a refugee boat in 1980. The father spoke with tears, about seeking opportunity in America that he risked ihs life in the 2-week journey by sea. And now he hoped his son will get this opportunity too to make good. His son became the first male that day to win a ticket to Hollywood. I jumped and danced in joy for him.

History in a New Perspective

History in a New Perspective
Howard Zinn. Read his work. He opened my eyes to see the worth of history, how we can understand the present through history, to re-examine how our history textbook could be manipulated by the power. He impressed me with his eloquence in his persuasion. Certainly a role model for any student in rhetorics, speechwriting and communication.

Just as Anne-Frank has started me on journal writing, Howard inspired me to look at history in a new light, through the eyes of unseem people. I did not know the truth about Christopher Columbus until I read his essay. And I asked myself, why was this not told? Why was the truth hidden for so long? Is there any other that we not not been told?

Yea. In Japan, I don't think the people were told the truth about the Rape of Nanking by Japanese soldiers.
In North Korea, the people has no access to the outside world. So the leader has become their 'father'.

I was reading the book "Singapore - The Air-Conditioned Nation", a book about the politics of Singapore, by Cherian George. I realised that any arm chair critic would risk giving a distorted and incomplete comments if they do not have intimate first hand exposure to the issue.

It would be easy for anyone to criticise from a distance. But it does no favour to the reader if they don't make the effort to see the issue from the other perspective. Like the Indians say: "Wear the other person's shoes and walk the mile with him, before you criticise".

The Worst Kind of Women

The Worst Kind of Women
To me, the worst kind of women are those with these three deadly combination:
1. perfectionist
2. nags a lot.
3. don' know when to shut their mouth.

They are like the continuous pattering of rain on the rooftops. These women can drive men to rage, insanity, and death.

I happen to have 2 perfectly imperfect kids, if you know what I mean.
One has the beauty, the other has the brain.
Or shall I call them "The Beauty and the Beast"
or "The Brainy and the Dummy"

Life in the Condo

Life in the Condo
What happens inside the gates of the Condominium is a microcosm of the rich in Singapore.
Recently, on a rainy day, a taxi was on its way to pick up two passengers in a condo, mistaken a pool for the field. It plunged itself into a pool. The taxi driver driver was almost drown. But the passengers did NOTHING to help him.
The lesson: The measure of a person is not in the size of the wallet, it is in the size of the heart.


Many months ago, it was reported that a family living in the condo was so stingy that they used the public bathroom to bath iinstead of using their own bathroom.
The lesson: Some of the most stingy people are the rich. In my business life, I personally discovered that the poor are generally more generous than the rich.

The security guards are giving themself a bad name. Recently a boy was drowned in a swimming pool. His friends asked a security guard for help. He shrugged: "I can't swim".
The lesson: If the boy was his son, he won't think twice about jumping into the water to save him at all cost.

Another security guard was caught raping a tenant.
The lesson: Those who are suppose to protect us, are capable of destroying us. Trust no one.

A Course in Fatherhood

A Course in Fatherhood?
Isn't it strange that we spend 18 years of generation education,
but we are never taught life skills such as parenting, managing your emotions, public speaking, and etiquette.
As adults, we spend most of our working life at the office, and after working hours, upgrading our skill through education. We are so engrossed in the paperchase, that we forgot to train ourselves for one of the great role in our lives - as parents to our kids.

Why isn't there a foundation course in spouse communication, in being a good father and mother, in managing and upbringing of the next generation? Is that the reason why most marriage ended in divorce. Is that the reason why the new generation has forgotten the meaning of filial piety, respect and ethnics?

My role model is my parents. I model after my dad. While it works for his generation, it may not necessary work for it. Where my dad is concerned, his role is to bring back the money and to discipline the children as a last resort. The rest is taken care by my mum.

Well, it does not work in my case. I found that I have to get involved in the housework, and in the personal tutoring of my kids.

I learnt my ABC when I was 7 years old. Now the kids learn their ABC at the age of 4. Now I have to teach them what I do not know like Mandarin and phonetics. Like storytelling and songs. I have to learn how to be a teacher.

I am learning the meaning of these words: "He who rocks the cradle rules the world".

New Year Celebration

Lunar New Year Celebration
Attended my mum's dinner and mother-in-law's dinner reunion over the two days.
One of the lesson learnt is the art of hosting from one who did it perfectly and those who didn't.
The right way for a host is to greet the guest at the door, shake hands, then offer the guest a drink.
When it's time to go back, send the guest off at the door, exchange pleasantries.
When meal is ready, the host invites every individual to the table. In between serve them with drinks.

I observed some less cultured behaviours.
E.g
1. Busy talking to each other and did not send the guests to the door.
2. Not giving ang pow. Don't they know in a Lunar New Year, it is expected of a married person to give ang pow to the unmarried?
3. Not greeting each other "Happy New Year"
4. Not teaching their kids to greet others "Happy New Year"
5. Feeding people's kid without asking for permission. Kids could get choked. Certain food could cause allergies. Have they not heard of the case of a kid who choked and died from eating fishball? It's terrible that people like to put food in my kid's mouth. Food that are bad for her health e.g. sweets; overfeeding her continuously, and food in large portion that can potentially choke her.
6. Miserable present of a little toy (cost less than a $1) for a parent, and a tiny winy bar of chocolate for a kid.
7. Miserable amount of money in the ang pow esp for those who earn more.

I am proud of my elder sister. Although she earns the least in the family with the heaviest financial responsibilities, she gave the most. It shows her love is bigger than she can afford. She will always have a special place in my heart for her generosity and love.

If there's a lesson to be learnt here, always put ourselves in their shoes, and love them as much as you love yourself. Be respectful of other people. If people exhibit ill manners, it reflects poorly on them.

I was passing by the shop next to the bank. It's a Soup stall. I love soup. On a wall was a poster. It said:
"Happiness is not having what you want. It's enjoying what you have".

Beneath the surface of gaieties was a strong undercurrent of sibling rivalries. These show. They don't greet each other. If they do, they give miserable amount of gift or present as a token of their disregard. Or not coming at all cos they were not invited.

I am thankful in my family, that my mum groom us well in family manners, that my brothers and sisters are in harmony with each other, and always ready to help each others when the need arise. Not that we are goody goody. Each other us have our pecular bad habits. We agree to tolerate each other cos we value harmony above all things. The way we turned out in our lives is a result of our parent's style of upbringing. Thank God, we turn out ok.

Unfortunately for our children's generation, it is difficult. They are generally rebellious, refuse to listen the parent, do not want to save money for a rainy day, spend on the latest fashion and gadget like there's no tomorrow, do not want to work, and worse of all, commit acts of crimes.


I am thankful for my own family, that my kids eat their food properly by sitting down and finish the meal while others have difficulties feeding their kids cos they were on the move during meal time. I am thankful that my kids greet everyone. The way kids behave is a reflection of the parent.

A Time to Give

A Time to Give

When I was young, I look forward to New Year
cos it's a time for new clothing, good food, visits,
and most of all, receiving ang pow (red package containing cash).

Now, as a parent, it's a time to give.
I complaint that the New Year season makes me broke.
But I am reminded, that is more blessed to give.
That to be able to give, is a blessing cos
there are some who are so poor that they are unable to give.

I am reminded that for all the years of receiving when I was young,
now is the time to give back.

To be able to give back to society more than you have received
shows you have make the mark.

In reflection, life has been good.
The kids are well taken care,
my job provides for the daily needs,
my wife is taking care of the household
and God has been good.
I have completed my diploma in Traininging.
The toastmasters Club is growing beyond its chartered strength.

This year, I want to continue to sharpen my writing skill.
To read more, write more, and hopefully, to publish my works.

A time to Celebrate

A Time to Celebrate
There's a time and a season for everything.
A time to mourn,
a time to rejoice,
a time to die,
a time to live.

Today is the Lunar New Year's eve.
It's a time for family reunion.
Tonight, my wife and my 2 kids will be at my mom's house for dinner.
Seeing how the kids have grown up each year
is a reason for rejoicing.
We catch up on each other's progress in life.

There are those dear ones that are no longer with us.
There are those who are absent for other reasons.
My eldest sister left suddenly at age 40 in Beijing.
My grandma left at a ripe age.
Uncle is not mobile and now stationed Johore Bahru.

My parents are now aged and the days are numbered.
The kids are losing their childhood innocence.

All these makes the day precious,
the celebration memorable,
the moments treasurable.

Postcard from Philippines

Philippines

From Singapore to Philippines, about a 3-hour trip.
Looking with a fresh pair of eyes, from a Singaporean perspective,
I cannot help, but draw a comparison.

I observed that the streets were bare of trees.
And not a single bus coach in the streets.
The private tuk tuk buses were open-air, with passengers cramped
tightly next to each other, and covering their noses with their handerchief.
The air was bad.

I look at the building along the streets.
Like an old man, the walls were aged and dull with dirts from the air pollution.
Hardly a newly-painted building in sight, except for the tall concrete
shopping centres in the heart of town.

In every building I enter, I had to go through a security guide who
would do a body and bag check. Just about every building and shop
has a security personnel.

One of the things to be found in Philippines, that you don't get in
Singapore is openness. Magazines that are banned in Singapore, such as
Playboy and Penthouse, can be bought at the corner shops. What a novel
gifts for virgin eyes!

There was an open letter to the President in their newspaper complaining
about a particular politician. Journalists could openly criticise the
political candidates. I don't think I can read that sort of things in Singapore.

The local food that I sampled so far, were not to my taste. The taste are too
extreme for my blanded tonger. They are either too dry or too sweet or too fatty.
I could not find a single vegetarian food stall in town.

I had the chance to eat the longest hot dog ever - a 12-inch long hot dog for less than
SIN$5. However the best meal was Kenny Roger's Chicken. The chicken was hot, tender, and juicy.

My friend says that the people are friendly.
Unfortunately, in my short stay, I encountered the worst kind of people,
people who try to fleece you and suck you dry especially
when they see that you are made of money.

When I went to their toilet, two attendants were standing next to the sink, and asking for money.
When I gave them a few coins, just about the price I would have pay at a public-paid toilet, they asked for more.
I emptied my wallet of all my coins, and gave them - in disgust.

The experience at the Philippines Airport make me realise what it means for Changi Airport to be a world-class airport.
At the Malaysian counters, it was closed at about lunch time, and the queue was long.
Another Malaysian just cut into my queue from behind. How rude.
In contrast, at the Singapore Airline counters, there was practically no queue.

The queue to the immigration counter was long and took about 20 minutes to clear.
In Singapore, it would take less than a minute.
The aircon was obviously weak. I could see fans around.

From the immigration counter to the gate, a distance of 150-200 metres, there was no trolleys provided.
So everyone has to handcarry their luggage.

It was good to return home - clean, safe, where everything works.
Philippines is like the dirty, wild wild West, where it is a happening place, vibrant, exciting, and a sinner's paradise. There's no boundary, markers. Freedom of speech, seeing the forbidden, it is like fresh air of freedom for the confined Singapore.

Home in Singapore, is a disciplined, highly rule-based, sanitised, no fooling-around place.
Great place for those who have enough of the unpredictable, the danger and the risk.
Great place for those who wants a steady predictable lifestyle, a conformist and an obedient citizen. Great place for those who prefers to be boring than to be risk-taking.

This is Singapore for you!

Why this Website

Why this website

"This is just another day of our life", some may say.
But I prefer to think of today as "my entire life in the day".
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a dream, but all I have now is the present.
I learnt from the past, hope for a better tomorrow, and enjoy the present.

The first day of the year, is a day of making resolution.
My mentor say, why re-solve, if you can solve it once for all, and move on.
Many don't make resolution cos they are meant to be broken.

I believe in resolution.
It gives me a purpose in life, a goal to aim for, and a guidepost to self improvement.

Fulfilling a resolution is similar to a mountain climber taking consistent steps to reach the mountain top.
It is not a giant leap, but a daily commitment in small steps. Hence this website.
My aim is to update this site everyday. And put into words the things I learn each day.

I want to be a good writer. How? A writer must write, just as a singer must sing.

Someone says that writing is like prostitution. You write for love, then for good friends,
and then you do it for the money.