FILIAL MISDEED ------ WHO IS TO BLAME?

It is a sad day for the developed countries of the world, especially the nations of ASIA where filial piety is a cultural norm.
In ancient days, filial piety is highly regarded and anyone who dared to neglect their parents were considered as an outcast and immoral.
The teaching of filial piety starts at a young age both in school and within the family, where the parents are highly regarded and feared.
As children becomes less abundant and more
precious, parents treasured them more and showered them with attention and gifts.But they forgot to shower them with wisdom. Respect for parents diminish and the more parents slot to built an easy living for the family, the more they forgot to teach. Schools are more concerned with good grades and sports rather them inculcate the development of a socially responsible human being. The cycle spins downwards and we are seeing the tip of the ice berg.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THIS? WILL REGULATION HELP OR WILL MORE EDUCATION RATHER THEN REGULATION HELP? CAN RELIGION HELP? CAN MORE BE DONE? CAN WE STOP THE NEGLECT AND REMEMBERED THE SACRIFICES OF OUR PARENTS? ONLY A HEART OF GRATITUDE AND COMPASSION CAN GUIDE US OUT OF THIS PROBLEM..............................................

THE SPIRIT OF THE NATION -----the humble Bougainvillea

This humble and colorful plant is versatile and is a common plant in Singapore. I often admire the nature of the shrub and in many ways it is a close resemblance to the nation of Singapore. Let me count the similarities.

1. It is not a native plant---most of our people are immigrants from other parts of the world.
2. It comes in different shapes,colors and sizes-----our people are of different race ,culture and religion.
3. It is easy to plant and grows easily---- our people are versatile and prosper in this harden land and the newer generations are making in roads throughout the world in all fields including business, science and technology.
4. It is a beautiful flower but hidden within the bushes are the thorns that will hit you if you try to destroy it-----Our nation is a soft, colorful and gentle society but our army are forever vigilant one and will fiercely defend her rights and territory.
5. It is a hardy plant that will withstand the harshness of weather and time-----Our nation is well placed to withstand the recession and other hardship and the leaders are wise and honest to help all the people of this nation.
6. The flowers are lasting and do not drop off so easily----The success of our nation like the flowers are ever lasting like the airport, port,etc and they continue to contribute to the pride of the nation.
7. A resilent plant that do not require much fertilizer------like Singapore we do not need the help of other nation or world bodies.
8. This plant is easy to shape and with regular pruning it will show its best colors-----Like Singapore it has a good government and she is able to be shaped to be the best in the world.
9.It is also a medicinal plant---- the success of this nation is an example to the people of the world and we are often the first nation to help our fellow human in times of diseaster.

BRAVO TO THE HUMBLE PLANT AND THE NATION OF SINGAPORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Singapore COFFEE.

Coffee taste different and each country have their own unique taste. The coffee culture is thus unique to each and every individual too. Some hate coffee and will never touch it and yet for most the coffee is a must to kick start the day and peck me up throughout the whole day and night.

Most singaporean are well traveled and would by now tasted more than one flavor of coffee. High class or low class coffee, cheap or expansive coffee, the aroma of each is different. Having just recently came back from an overseas trip I found myself missing the true blue singapore coffee. It could be its blackness,aroma or the unique coffee shop ambience .

The typical coffee in Singapore is black coffee with 30% roasted barley or corn and often butter is added in to enhance the taste and flavor. Brewed in hot water and mixed with cream, condensed or evaporated milk,it gives out a unique flavor found only in Singapore. You can have it black with or without sugar, hot or cold, or mixed with black tea.
It also comes in different size and shape of the cups.
I must say this is another unique drink that I can steal from the world to call it a typical singaporean coffee like the chicken rice.
We called it coffee O ,kopi, kopi kosong,kopi si,kopi peng and kopi gagah

Cheap and easily avaliable this is a wonderful cup of drink that i will need daily and definately proud of. My salute to the uncle and auntie that work early in the morning to prepare this heart warming brew for the singaporean that loves it.

THE GREEN LIFE----WHAT IT MEANS TO ME !!

Going GREEN is the hope of many but to put it to use is not easy. We are to entrench in our energy wasting lifestyle and comfort is too important to us . So the air conditioning,radio , TV,etc is so much a part of us that we failed to notice the wasteful habit.
I have adopted a few ways in my effort to be green and more should be added later.

1. Be a vegetarian as it reduces the carbon load to the atmosphere.

2. Try to conserve water as it requires a lot of energy to bring you the fresh water to the tape. Showers,flushing of toilets and other wasteful ways of using water must be reduced.I will also collect rain water to water the plants.

3. Walk and reduce on car usage if necessary. My next car must be a green one too.

4. Plant all kinds of trees,flowers and all things green to absorb the excessive carbon in the atmosphere.

5. Use less of the TV and other electrical appliances eg. lights. Use more energy efficient ones.

6. Recycle all plastic bags,bottles,plates etc as often as possible. Try to use glass bottles and others.

7. Recycle newspaper,books and magazines.

8. Reduced on wasteful cooking like baking and long boiling of soups and stews.

9. Try to reuse our clothes to prevent too much washing of water.

10. Do not smoke and reduced on incense burning.

GO GREEN ,BE GREEN AND THE WORLD WILL HAVE A LONGER LIFE SPAN FOR ALL TO ENJOY. THE EFFORT OF ALL INDIVIDUAL IS IMPORTANT !!!!!!

NATIONAL DAY DINNER 2009

This year the NATIONAL DAY DINNER was held on the 1/08/09 and it was an impressive set up and well organized right to the end of the show. I was seated on table ONE which was unfortunately located in front of the big mega speaker and my ears took a beating from the excessive decibel.
The table was a $1000/ table and the food was normal but the drink service was terrible with many having to serve their own drinks.
The performance was ok and we did have a good time despite the poor seating location and the noise.
The photo was taken by the wonderful WILLIAM from the passion photographer and Mr Chua Kah Soon was at hand to help me with the vegetarian food . THANKS TO THE HARD WORKING ORGANIZERS of this years NDD 2009.
MAJU LAH SINGAPORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HUNGRY GHOST MONTH FESTIVAL IN SINGAPORE

The seventh lunar month is the traditional time to celebrate the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts.It is a time of celebration and most chinese will take this opportunity to pay respect to their ancestor and also the wandering ghosts. In Spore, the festival is an important one and is a busy time for businesses,temples and singers performing at the various dinners and auctions.
MPs and people of all races and religions are also invited and it is a good opportunity for all to understand and respect the custom of all in this harmonious society.
Traditionally, the festival kicks off on the 20/08/09, that is the first day of the seventh month.
On the family front, this is a time to remember past love ones and many chinese believers will be busy preparing feasts and folding hell money and others to burn for the spirits in the after world.
This promotes interaction and harmony to the family members as they will gather around to talk and prepare the favorite dishes for the departed loved ones.
A tradition that last for centuries but in this fast changing world this custom may die off soon.
At the moment, this custom in Singapore is still very much alive but feedback from our elders have indicated the fast declining numbers.
This is a part of Singapore that may not stood the test of time.

THE TIP OF THE ICE BERG----MELTING ICE

As mankind abuse and rape the resources of the world, little did they know that their greed is helping to hasten the end of the world.

Even when all evidence are staked and presented to the world their are still some who refused to admit that the world is spinning faster to its ending, thanks to the greed of a few.

The insatiable need for material comfort and the greed to accumulate wealth is the driving force that fueled the melting of the ice berg and the rising sea level,as a result of global warming.
The increased carbon output and the destruction of the forests, the lungs and storage of the carbon in the atmosphere is evident and requires no further explaining.

Going GREEN to save GAIA is easier said than done but we all have the moral obligation and salvation to do so. It may not
be for us or our neighbor but for our future generation too.
We must not rely too much on the false HOPE and promises of science to solve this problem.

The journey may take a long time but we need to take the first step and moved on ,ignoring the wasteful habits of others. We may be a drop in the ocean of humanity but it takes many drops to make the ocean. Our effort maybe negligible but it is vital too.

So when we cut down on the need to use energy excessively, we are all but part of the whole called humanity that have a conscience and feel like the mother earth. We are after all sharing the same spirit as the trees, grass, fish, animals on land,water and sky, the mountains and the sky. BE GREEN AT HEART AND STOP THE MELTING OF THE ICE BERG.

MY GUITAR ------A WONDERFUL FRIEND IN TIMES OF SADNESS AND HAPPINESS.

Music is an important part of our life and it goes where our moods and emotion goes.
I love music since I was a young boy and used to sing along when my mum was listening to teochew opera. Being poor I was only able to afford a harmonica and I learnt it myself within a day. Later on my big brother bought an old guitar for $20/ and when he left to study overseas, I took over and slowly got to strum songs and learn to sing. Self learning is great and I was able to pick up most songs of the 60s and 70s with the old songs book.
In my ups and downs, through the years, this old guitar followed me and is still an old reliable friend to cry my hearts out and also to share my moments of joy.
Since them I had acquired 4 more guitars but I can never forget the good old days spent with my old friend, the guitar.
The song by John Denver "this old guitar" is my ever lasting favorite and described my true feelings.
My THANKS TO THIS OLD FRIEND.

A GREEN THOUGHT------------USE WHAT WE NEED!!!!!!!

THE WORLD CAN MEET ALL OUR NEEDS BUT NOT ALL OUR GREED.

SO USE ONLY WHAT WE NEED AND NOT AS IF WE CAN GO SHOPPING ELSEWHERE.

CONSERVE OUR NATURAL HERITAGE.

PRESERVED OUR LIMITED INHERITANCE.

TREASURE OUR GIVEN RESOURCES.

THINK OF THE FUTURE----THINK OF OUR NEWER GENERATION.

SINGAPORE ----THE NATION OF WEALTHY GOVERNMENCE

Every year as the 9th of August arrived I cannot help but wondered why a small island, located right at the tip of the Malay peninsula and among bigger nations, can be among the richest in the world.

Lacking in all natural resources except for the abundance of human, most of which had emigrated from other nations, Singapore is well blessed and thrived to excel and stand up to be noticed by the world.

The greatest gift to this country is the evolution of the greatest wealth ,any country in this world could dream of--- CLEAN,DEDICATED and FUTURISTIC GOVERNMENT.
It did not come easy and the credit must go to the founders and dedicated leaders of the PAP government. Without our MM LEE KUAN YEW and his devoted minsters, the nation of Singapore might not have lasted this long. His vision for the nation and the integrity and honesty of the PAP leaders is the main reason why our nation stood tall among the world. This government believe in sharing the wealth of the nation by dividing it equally among the citizens,regardless of race, religion and political affiliation. It's efficiency and ability to provide for all is the reason why the majority of the voters returned the government at every election.
This is the greatest wealth, GOD had bestowed onto the nation of SINGAPORE.
So on the 9/08/09 at 8.22 pm I will stand tall and recite the pledge with all SINGAPOREAN, all over the world. THANK YOU to the founders of the nation of SINGAPORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OUR GRATITUDE AND LOVE TO ALL THE WONDERFUL LEADERS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL NATION.

THE ROAD TO SPIRITUAL AWARENESS

KNOWING WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE OUR SOUL.

REALIZING WHAT IS WRONG IS THE FIRST STEP TO CULTIVATION OF OUR SOUL.

CULTIVATION IS CORRECTING OUR WRONGS IN OUR DAILY LIFE TO RETURN TO OUR ORIGINAL SELF.

TRUE CULTIVATION IS LIVING A RIGHTEOUS LIFE SO THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOODNESS BUT KNOW YOU WILL GET TO KNOW GOODNESS AT WORK BECAUSE THEY KNOW YOU.

A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES HAVE TO START WITH THE FIRST STEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DO IT TODAY.TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE.

NATIONAL DAY BIRTHDAY CAKE

This year I was privileged to have the honour to help with the NDD by sponsoring the NATIONAL DAY CAKE. It was a 5 kg cake ,carefully and beautifully decorated by CHANG WANG CAKE SHOP.
The happy occasion was attended by residents and guests totaling 200 tables. The cake was cut by all VVIPS AND VIPs at the event .
THANK YOU!!!!

I wonder how it tastes like but looking at the elaborate decorations, it must be delicious.......


HAPPY 44th NATIONAL DAY TO ALL IN SINGAPORE regardless of race ,religion and culture..