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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isa. 40:31)
Giving of time but not enough mind oft results in frustration.
Argh.
Saviour King By Hillsong United
And now the weak say I have strength By the spirit of power that raised Christ from the dead And now the poor stand and confess That my portion is you and I'm more than blessed...
I love you Lord, I worship you Hope which was lost, now stands renewed I give my life to honor this The love of Christ, the savior king...
Did the Mizuno Wave Run today. The 10km run itself was a cool but muddy affair, owing to the early morning downpour. Pity because runners were more intent on avoiding puddles than enjoying the peaceful serenity at Bedok reservoir. Race management was disappointingly lacking (see readworthy takes by other bloggers: ShaunChng.com & Conflake).
Had a satisfying run nonetheless, though fitness level has dipped significantly (woe is me as insidious IPPT draws near). About 8,000 runners showed up - an encouraging sign that running figures in many S'poreans' lifestyles, i.e. I am not alone :)
The older bro instinct in me kept me looking out for my little bro. Was impressed that he kept a constant pace all the way - congrats, friend!
Midway, a song sprang up within:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it When it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus
I'll bring You more than a song, More than a song You're looking into my heart, Into my heart
