Sarah and Mommy at NZ. 31 Dec 2004

Tsunami

Tsunami
"Is the Tsunami disaster an act of God?" This question was asked during the practice session in the Impromptu Speaking Club

"If this is an act of God, then I don't want to believe in this God. Because God is supposed to be kind and God," the member, H.B. answered. In my heart I think, the good and the bad, the young and the old, the fathers, the mothers and the children. No one is spared.

Who can make senses of the disaster? It's like the dragon has flexed its tail in anger before it let the year go away.

And what does that make of me.
To hell with fears. Live to the max.
Talk less, do more.
So if they ask for volunteers during a game, normally I would keep quiet.
Now, I'll probably raise my hand and go for it.
To hell with fear.
Live like there's no tomorrow.
Life's too short to worry.

By the Sea

By the Sea

1st Jan 2005 will be spent by the Sentosa beach with toastmasters of the Changi Simei TMC. The tides will come and go unceasingly. But our lives will also come and go.

26 years ago, as a secondary school boy, I was with my best friend Jonathan Tang at the East Coast beach. We were wondering what the future will bring to us. Now looking back. Yes we had the answer. Went to NS, backslided from our faith, got married, had children, had a career, grow old...and then die. And the young ones take our lives and carry on their lives. One generation after another.

Now looking back, 46 years of my life has past. I've got an awful lot to live for. Knowing that things are transient, I hold nothing too dear cos when I die, I can't bring them with me.

God has given my eldest sister only 40 years of her life. But God was generous to give me a little more years. I'm grateful.

As I stand and stare at the beach. I reminded that I'm just a passing pilgrim. The beach will always be there. The waters will always be there. But I will not be there every year. Someday I too will vanish from the scene. Then forgotten. Like the writing on the sand, it too will be washed away by the tides of time. And no trace of it.

Today the flower blooms with colors and glory. Tomorrow it withers with age and then...die. Vanity, vanity. All is vanity.

Reflection

Reflection
End of the year is always a time of reflection.
It was the most painful time of my life because of Marie.

On the brighter side:
The Impromptu Club was started.
The Singapore Self Publishing Club was also started.
Graduated from STADA with a Diploma in Training
New websites were launched.
Better family bond.
Year end bonus.
Got the ATM-S in toastmasters
Completed 2 books - impromptu speaking and innovation
Started a course in hypnosis
Learnt about copywriting
Did a public workshop with some of the great people
Join the RC and get some door-to-door selling experience
Found a new hobby in tattoos

What 2005 might bring:
..massive rapid action in writing and speaking

I got an Aweful Lot to live for

I got an Aweful Lot to live for

"For the past two weeks, you've been reading about a bad break. Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I might have been given a bad break, but
I've got an awful lot to live for. "

That was an encouraging quote. Despite the bad beak, I have got an awful lot to live for. Life is too short to complain. Rejoice while it is day.

Singapore Idol - Gone to the Head

Singapore Idol - Gone to the Head

The "Singapore Idol" idea has gone too far - into some big boss's head
It was a company luncheon and the committee decided to have a karaoke entertainment
sung by own staff to entertain each other during the lunch.

Big Boss decide to have a Singapore Idol style, to have the branch heads as the judges and have the audience voted for them.
Almost all the singers want to quit.
"I don't want to sing!"
Hello, Who want to be judged, to be criticised?
They are not here to win competition or contest.
They are here to entertain the crowd.

High rank does not mean high IQ.
They just don't get it.

Slaves to Rules

Slaves to Rules

Yesterday I hunt all over Simei and Tampines for some Singapore postcards. No luck. Popular bookstores don't sell Singapore postcards anymore. Went to a bookstore in Tampines.
Found some cards with pictures of nature and some inspiring verses
$2 for 3 cards. I picked up 4 cards.
The gentleman at the counter said he can't sell me 4 cards. It's either 3 or 6 cards.

I thought that was a dumb rule. Got money don't want to make.
Why have we allow ourselves to become slaves to our own rules?

Do not Just Exist - Live it!

Do not Just Exist - Live it!

Here's a note from Jolin:

"Remembering telling my art students this...
Do more than exist...live!
Do more than touch...feel!
Do more than look...see!
Do more than hear...listen!
Do more than talk...Say something!
Do more than just smell a fragrance...enjoy it!

I guess we should all learn to break free from our so-called comfort
zone and learn to experience life in a brand new way. I believe in
life, change is the only constant and we should not be afraid to make
changes to our mundane routine in our pursuit for happiness.

...as everyone around me has been trying to dissuade me,
saying it is so dumb to give up my iron-rice bowl. Even
my HOD rejected my resignation letter. :(

But I think I must not crucify myself between two thieves, regret for
yesterday and fear of what tomorrow may bring. Just follow my heart
and have faith. :)"

Life is Short

Life is Short
My dad's birthday celebration was cancelled.
My mum was admitted to hospital.
My uncle is now blind and immobilised.
The pain of life...