Punggol not so lovely

Inspired by photos I saw of obscure sites in Punggol, I awoke real early this morning and followed the route described - only to be thwarted by vegetation and a sense of caution.

Hmph.

Made my way to Punggol beach instead, but already missed the sunrise. When I spied a beautiful patch of lallang, was thwarted again - by a stray dog feeling territorial.





Thankfully on my way home, I spotted the LRT line and snapped some more.

Satiated, I am.

View the full pics here.

Tolong

Walked from Bugis to Peninsula today and separately encountered 2 people asking for money, both english-speaking and middle-aged. One wanted food but only from the food court and not the nearby kopitiam. The other wanted bit of transport money to get home. Would you give any of them?

Begging aside, discovered a myriad of old charms near Albert Center - from pungent dried goods to an old cobbler making women's shoes to hokkien baskers. Too bad didn't have my camera on hand.

Headline Flipping

Mephistopheles flying over Wittenberg, in a lithograph by Eugène Delacroix.

1. Magic Kingdom tragically illusory

Read about the failed Island Resort and Singaporeans losing their investments amounting to $1M in total. Pity.

As a matter of fact, a friend was roping me a few years back into the same MLM company when the marketing plan was being rolled out.

Phew!

2. Engineered to eat rice

Genetics (or epigenetics) made me do it, goes the common cry. Hmmm...

3. Videotape by Radio

When I'm at the pearly gates
This'll be on my videotape
My videotape
My videotape

When Mephistopheles is just beneath
And he's reaching up to grab me

This is one for the good days
And I have it all here
In red blue green
In red blue green

You are my center when I spin away
Out of control on videotape
On videotape(x6)

This is my way of saying goodbye
Because I can't do it face to face
So I'm talking to you before it's too late

No matter what happens now
I shouldn't be afraid
Because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen.

Search Me, Know Me, Lead Me

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;

Psalm 139:7-12

Faith, Love, Ideology, and the lack thereof

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
or the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24

What makes a mature response? One of fortitude, surely.

Talk is certainly cheap - instead, values and qualities are to be lived, not just talked about.

And I've found myself lacking...

Tonight:
- dinner at tucked away cafe in Far East
- fantastical movie Stardust
- conversations about love, murder and war.

Movie was greatly entertaining! But left me love-despondent...

Archifest - Tours included!

Click here for more.

Hickory Dickory Dock

Tussling unseen, egos flutter.

Transition unfolds, followers matter?

Teams congeal, habits fetter.

Truth bizarre, throw letter.

Band-aid

焦点

Shellshocked. Shitty. Shammed.

Sometimes one wishes emotions can be turned off like a chip.

So when the curtain's unfurled, does one fight or flee? It's not even clear which response is in faith.

Should gut feelings be trusted?

Stay focused, mespirit thinks.

Of Seeing, Fleeting and Wine

When you something beautiful, who do you tell? It's a telling answer. Yes, I saw the full moon a few nights ago and it was beautiful.

Ran the 15km today at 1h35m thereabout. Coulda, shoulda been faster but running with company is so much more meaningful :)

Oh, and the "egg yolk" sun this morning was unusually large and mighty beautiful too.

What's the big deal with wine and cheese anyway? Sour (fermented) grapes, you say? Perhaps. A more mature response is needed - it's not about atas-ness or social fit but about commitment and making a difference, methinks.

When you're feeling spent, how does one keep one's faith (amidst unanswered sms-es)?

If seeing is believing, what do you see?

Questions, questions, questions...

Temptation

With Mac OS X Leopard...

Get thee behind me, Apple!

Lover Spit

By Broken Social Scene

Change Parade

Confucius: Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change

Charles Kettering: People are very open-minded about new things - as long as they're exactly like the old ones.

James Baldwin: People can cry much easier than they can change.

Oliver Goldsmith: People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after.

Robert Kennedy: Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies.

Lisa Alther: That's the risk you take if you change: that people you've been involved with won't like the new you. But other people who do will come along.

Okakura Kakuzo: The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.

Unknown: The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.

Benny Lava

=|

Q: What did Sushi A say to Sushi B?

A: Wassa, B!!?

Ed Unlimited

For the past 2 weeks, been busy developing and executing the bookstore marketing plan. Must say, it’s turned out to be far more challenging and demanding than I initially thought.

Compound that with balancing other challenges at work. Uncertainty lies ahead as organizational changes begin to sink in. New opportunities and expanded responsibilities could result, but apprehension holds me for the moment.

My most important takeaway in the midst of this: sleep shortage demands spiritual sustenance. I see myself and other chugging on with less sleep, yet more speed. Now Houston, we’ve got super men and wonder women in our midst!

With the striking of the bio-clock and the year fast closing, the final straw came in the form a birthday gift of a book catalyzing a re-evaluation on my career.

Unsettled, unlimited, undone – that’s how I feel.

The Man Who Swam the Amazon

From Wikipedia: Martin Strel swam the Amazon River, commencing on February 1, 2007, finishing 66 days later on April 7, 2007. If verified this would be another record-breaking distance of 3,274 miles (5,268 km), longer than the width of the Atlantic Ocean. He had escort boats that poured blood into the river to distract meat-eating fish such as piranhas and sharks. Near the end of his swim he encountered a tidal bore about 13 feet (4 meters) high, known as the Pororoca.

accountable & effective leader

It's tempting to blame one's followers for the mistakes they've made - until you realise it's reflection of leadership.

Rewinding

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck noon
He's here too soon!
Hickory Dickory Dock!

This year I saw one candle too many and ate one cake too much. Meals with family/friend adorned with a song were the flavour this year - no more 21yo big bang celebrations eh? But I'm grateful for friends who remembered and bothered, even the simplest wishes via sms/msn.

With 2 years short of the big three-O, I find myself wondering where I am today and where I'm headed. For now, the future's a blur and right now, the busy-ness without a longer term purpose is starting to gnaw. Not to mention, the lack of sleep...

Spent my actual B-day snapping for colleague, D's wedding. Greatly enjoyable but stressful too. No wonder a photographer can get paid $3000 per hour.

Dear God, may I find my purpose in life, striving to my maximum value, beyond my wildest dreams. And may my burdens be lifted up to you in constant prayer.

Love, Ed

Ross Noble on Singapore in 2001

Listen to BBC Comedy here:
"I walk down Boat Quay and I've never had so many people trying to entice me to have seafood in my entire life!" *cue restaurant touters*

"The government's paid millions of pounds... a campaign to encourage people to smile at tourists... If everyone's smiling at you, it's not necessarily because you're a nice or a good person."

"I go to the Little India market where 'We do gold plating' and I thought about getting me hair done... So it'd stand up and I'd look weird like a James Bond villian or Michael Bolton."

Certainly So

On Saturday, K asked me out and I was easy... to snap pics of our beloved Bay! View pics here.

It certainly helps to have company to advise and inspire each other - though it's mostly K doing the advising & inspiring.

On Sunday, church followed by dinner @ G's - certainly great to catch up with friends over "middle america" pizza dinner.

Then headed home to pack for reservist - certainly not great to have life disrupted for a week. Positivity's certainly key.

Thinking from the heart

Trawled the Web for used car adverts and this little bugger captured my heart - nearly. My exotic automobile dream burst when dad came in and pointed out all the impracticalities, e.g. hard-to-find spare parts, leaded fuel, and most of all, $$$.

One day perhaps... *Ed strokes picture on monitor*

The Promise

I love you
And i will never leave you
Nor forsake you
And i love you
And i will never leave you

You are my child
You are my child
When you're down
When your heart is broken
When no one seems to care
Please know that i love you

Cuz you are my child
You are my child
And i want to wrap my arms around you
And i want to wrap my arms around you
And say everything,everything will be alright

You are my child
You are my child
Let me wipe those tears from your eyes
Let me wipe those tears from your eyes

Come to me
Come to me
Come to jesus
Come to him
Come to jesus
Come to him

Righ There Waiting

Oceans apart day after day
And I slowly go insane
I hear your voice on the line
But it doesn't stop the pain

If I see you next to never
How can we say forever

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

I took for granted, all the times
That I though would last somehow
I hear the laughter, I taste the tears
But I can't get near you now

Oh, can't you see it baby
You've got me going crazy

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

I wonder how we can survive
This romance
But in the end if I'm with you
I'll take the chance

Oh, can't you see it baby
You've got me going crazy

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

I Sojourn

Last week was surreal, this week felt low. It's funny how one prays for help and then avoids it when it's freely offered...

Recently read Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, the author's personal account of watching his ex-professor succumb gradually to a generative disease while soaring continually above the tragedies of life.

Teared at the sad ending. For sure, it's reminded me of one important thing in life - family. Although essentially Buddhist in outlook, I do agree with Morrie on at least one thing: "When you learn how to die, you learn how to live."

Just 2 hours ago at the airport, I briefly recounted all the trips in my life. Not many, but certainly all are memorable.

Walk in the park

Impromptu trip with sporting company.

Life Without Limits

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

It was an inspiring encounter last night with Nick Vujicic, a 25yo Australian born without arms and legs. Even as my mom recovers from her hysterectomy, his life story really assured me that God has a greater purpose for me, my mom, and my family.

Nick's message: Victory is promised even when God doesn't change one's circumstances.

Him and children: I think I was asked by a little boy, "But how do you tie up your shoelaces?" I'd get some kids brave enough to look up my sleeves and asking me where I'm hiding my arms.

His struggle: There were times when I felt depressed and angry because I couldn't change the way I was... I went to Sunday School and learned that God loves us all and that He cares for you... I didn't understand that if God loved me why did He make me like this? Is it because I did something wrong? ...I wanted to end my pain and end my life at a young age...

Begin with the end in mind

Here goes!

Colleague quipped, you'll probably be thinking of your mother, father, friends towards the end... Hmmm...

I'm a Literature Nerd

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Musician
Social Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Drama Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Anime Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

Lifesaver

Caffeine gives you wings.

sniffle

Latest global map of avian flu cases

WHO on pandemic preparedness:

If an influenza pandemic appears, we could expect the following-

• Given the high level of global traffic, the pandemic virus may spread rapidly, leaving little or no time to prepare.
• Vaccines, antiviral agents and antibiotics to treat secondary infections will be in short supply and will be unequally distributed. It will take several months before any vaccine becomes available.
• Medical facilities will be overwhelmed.
• Widespread illness may result in sudden and potentially significant shortages of personnel to provide essential community services.

...epidemiological models from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA project that today a pandemic is likely to result in 2 to 7.4 million deaths globally.

Of Running and Getai Cheese

Was awoken at 5.35am by my brother and soon we were plodding towards Esplanade Drive to kickoff a 12km run - courtesy of the Army Half Marathon aka Singapore Bay Run. Other than the inefficient bag management (we queued for an hour or so, and a poor Caucasian lost his bag), it was generally well-organized, considering the immense number of runners.

No idea what my timing was (cue: runners gasp in disbelief) simply because I hadn't a watch and we just aimed to complete it. Besides it's great just to have running company.

As I was blogging and searching for additional info, I chanced upon SGRunners, a running enthusiasts' club. Apparently, there've been lesser known runs happening, like the World Harmony Run (25km) and the Ultra Marathon Challenge (as many loops of 10km as possible in 7 hours).

Gotta keep running! :)



Caught 881 by Royston Tan with family in evening. Though my Hokkien is really quite lacking, was entertained by the tacky but imaginative OTT costumes, Hokkien numbers belting out one after another about life and hardships, and clever weaving of familiar pugilistic elements and supernatural beliefs.

Read interview: Well, I grew up in a kampung environment in Lorong Chuan, Serangoon Gardens, where everything is very grassroots. Back then, everyone knew your name. I chase that feeling constantly by talking to everyone and anyone. Taxi drivers, students, prostitutes – it doesn’t matter. They all have a story to tell.

Other facts I discovered from my parents and the net:
- The actresses like Liu Ling Ling were real-life getai celebrities during their heyday.
- The movie's promotional roadshow, done on a truck, was disrupted by an unidentified assailant pelting eggs from a motorcycle. One conspiracy theory says it was a publicity stunt.

不能說的秘密 (2007)

Directed by Jay Chou. Written by Jay Chou. Starring Jay Chou. I chuckled as I was reminded of the depicted director-writer-producer-actor in Mr. Bean's Holiday.

The Secret was surprisingly not bad, with pretty cinematography and an endearing plot (and super star). And yes, it makes me want to fall in love - real hard. It's high time I shook off this lackadaisicalness (as well as words with 17 letters & more). All in God's timing, I comfort myself...

Well, if you play the piano and you ever need a pick-up line, play the piano with only one hand for your girl to see. 'nuff said

Noise causes heart disease

Read WHO: The noise problems of the past are incomparable with those plaguing modern society: the roar of aircraft, the thunder of heavily laden lorries and the thumps and whines of industry provide a noisy background to our lives. But such noise can be not only annoying but also damaging to the health, and is increasing with economic development.

Daring to Consort

Read Fast Company's Working With the Enemy: Adam Werbach, a reinvented environmentalist, who

"woke up the morning of December 9, 2004, with the hangover of his life. The previous night, he had stood at a wooden lectern at San Francisco's Commonwealth Club to tell a packed room of 250 people, including the leaders of environmentalism's most influential organizations, that their movement was dead... he announced with the tone of someone reading last rites: "I am done calling myself an environmentalist."


Foolhardy courage? But for sure, I'm impressed by his conviction.

Preparation

In the fields of observation chance favors only the prepared mind.

And that's a quote by Louis Pasteur, a 19C French chemist.

Kena-ed from a senior manager today - for not being more prepared to state my case. Came out feeling like a failure.

Indeed, preparation is key.

Love is on the face

It's either a hint from above or it's written on my face - single & available. You know when 2 previous cellgroup leaders ask you point blank about it.

Getting attached/hitched is indeed a desire but the action plan is lacking... In any case, to paraphrase Joyce Meyer's key message, when you discover it's not all about you, God will certainly be at work about you.

Caught Kan Lume's The Art of Flirting on TV. I only paid half attention to it, but now I wonder what it takes for two people to come together and stay together.

Hmmm, a late sms...

Juice it

Knock knock.

Who's there?

Orange.

Orange who?

Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

Bookstore Mates

Here they are - we keep each other busy through the week :)

Night

I read this book by Elie Wiesel. Not only did it make me tear, it made me ask, why allow such horror?

An excerpt, though not the most emotive one:

There was no longer any joy in his eyes. He no longer sang. He no longer talked to me of God or the cabbala, but only of what he had seen. People refused not only to believe his stories, but even to listen to him.

I sincerely believe that God is good all the time, and I recognize that there are forces of good and evil constantly at work.

In the end, I choose faith - in Him who's ever faithful.

Seize the National Day

National Day 1969: Parade at the historical grounds of the Padang

My planned virgin visit to the Treetop Walk was thwarted by the merciless downpour this morning. An itchy throat and runny nose certainly didn't help.

Work's been droning on, yet fulfillment eludes me. I spent the day reflecting and work-life balance came to mind - more accurately, the need for effective time management. Does fulfillment come from achieving the objectives one originally charted out, i.e. sticking it through? Or does it come through activities one enjoys? What about keeping friendships alive, as featured in today's papers?

Other emotions followed.

Seeing the PM deliver his message and then reports of country leaders attending celebrations around the island triggered a sense of nationalism - also akin to communistic propaganda and shows of military might.

A familiar sense of childhood excitement followed as fighter jets scrambled off the screen to the skies outside our flats - as they invariably did every year.

A strange sense of foreboding arose within as images of war-fighting equipment flickered by - may they never be put to actual use. Then dinner interrupted - our family's favourite claypot rice in AMK - so we never got round to watching the fireworks.

Soon the bed will beckon and the daily/weekly routine continues

Four months more of the year remain. Carpe diem! admonishes from within.

Hot Dog!

FOP was awesome, 'nuff said.

1. Worship - "ordinary visions and dreams before an extraordinary God"

2. Art is an expression, a connection of the soul with the divine... hmmm

3. Kids are such lovable brats.