Undiscovered Treasures

A few weeks ago my cousin from the UK who was backpacking around South East Asia arrived at his final destination of his trip in Singapore. Since I was available, I volunteered to be his driver and go along with him for some sightseeing.

With tourists, the normal programme would be shopping and eating in Singapore. If they wanted to see some tourist attractions, the Singapore Zoo, Sentosa perhaps Chinatown and Little India for the culturally inclined are some place that might be on the cards. But backpackers normally come with a list of activities all planned out thanks to their trusty Lonely Plant guide books.

His first stop was the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. When he told me that I was dumbfounded and never knew that Singapore had a monastery that was worth seeing. Come on Singaporeans how many of you know about the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery?

To add insult to injury, after a bit of a search we found that the place was just under 4KM from my parents place, where I have lived for about 33 years. Just under my nose. So now I had to see this place! I was blown away with the size of the place and also the fact that it was a perfect day for taking photos! Blue blue sky in Singapore not a regular occurrence.

Have a see!

M Amazed

Sept découvertes cette semaine

1) First public exhibit went off better than I expected. Lots of great comments!

2) Wonders why there are so many vampire themed shows out.

3) Is trying to trace the source of the virus that is plague my household.

4) Injured his hamstring while feeding baby Sophie.

5) Wonders why it takes so long to prepare a simple contract. Patience M!

6) Is starting to remember being a smiley child after seeing smiley Sophie.

7) Loyalty is what I consider a virtue above all other virtues!

M

Photo Project

About a few months ago I decided to take some photography classes. I searched and I found a professional travel photographer called Felix Hug who conducts classes at a more advanced level.

The advanced class was conducted over a period of 4 Saturdays and culminates into a small photo exhibition. Personally that was the main draw for me to have my pictures displayed. Basically what we had to do was to pick a subject that is related to Singapore Tourism and produce a few pictures that would be displayed during the 4th week.

 

Rather than picking the usual, I decided to do something a little different and something that is not photographed very often here in Singapore. My subject was extreme sports in Singapore and in particular skateboarding and freestyle BMXing.

After photographing this subject for the past four weeks, I now have some great photos and even more not so great ones. I have developed a deep appreciation of the sport and an admiration of these young daredevils.  I have made some really good friends and best of all hanging with these younglings has made me feel younger.

So if you are in the area, do drop by and have a see:

Where: SPRUCE Restaurant, 320 Tanglin Rd, Phoenix Park, Singapore (opp. Brunei Embassy)
When: July 18th (pictures should be up for 2 weeks, if I'm not wrong) 
What: Photography Exhibition (I have 5 pictures on display).

M on display

Sept découvertes cette semaine

1) Is getting nervous about his photo exhibit. Is it good enough? -- read next post......

2) Loathes corporate recruiters with fake western accents, come on be yourself!

3) Has found a way to watch Formula One without subscribing to cable tv.

4) Publicly confessed to be a fan of all things Stargate. Facebook is public lah!

5) Already misses his wife who has just boarded a plane to HK. Boo Hoo! (at time of writing though)

6) Loves the Southern Ridges and basically all of Singapore National Parks!

7) Is having World Cup withdrawal.

M

Psychic Daughter

A father put his three
year old daughter to bed, told her a story and listened to her prayers which she ended by saying:
"God bless Mommy,
God bless Daddy,
God bless Grandma
and good-bye Grandpa."
The father asked, "Why did you say good-bye
grandpa?"
The little girl said, "I don't know daddy, it
just seemed like the thing to do."
The next day grandpa died. The father thought it was a strange coincidence.

A few months later the father put the girl to bed and listened to her prayers which went like this:
"God bless Mommy,
God Bless Daddy
and good-bye Grandma."
The next day the grandmother died. Oh my gosh, thought the father, this kid is in contact with the other side.

Several weeks later when the girl was going to bed the dad heard her say:
"God bless Mommy
and good-bye Daddy."
He practically went into shock. He couldn't sleep all night and got up at the crack! of dawn to go to his office. He was nervous as a cat all day, had lunch sent in and watched the clock. He figured if he could get by until midnight he would be okay.

He felt safe in the office, so instead of going home at the end of the day he stayed there, drinking coffee, looking at his watch and jumping at every sound.
Finally midnight arrived, he breathed a sigh of relief and went home.
When he got home his wife said "I've never seen you work so late, what's the matter?"

He said "I don't want to talk about it, I've just spent the worst day of my life."

She said "You think you had a bad day, you'll never believe what happened to me.

This morning the milkman dropped dead on our porch!!

Orginial Post on Witty Fish

M

Red Hot Chilli Peppers

It's harvest! A month ago we planted a little herb garden in the plot outside our house. Since then we have been diligently watering and watching the "fruits" start to pop out. So after a little bit of impatience, I have finally decided to take a pair of scissors to prune these little wonders.

One of them was clearly chilli padi but the other was not so clear. The pot was labelled as yellow chilli but after a few Googles I was doubtful. After harvesting and cutting into it, I realized that they are baby bell peppers. So the obvious thing to make was anti pasti!

Of course the chilli padi got sliced and doused in soy sauce and lime juice. The baby bell peppers were quartered, pan roasted till slightly charred and lightly fried with lots of olive oil and seasoning. Looks positively yummy as that was as close as I got to it with my recovering wisdom tooth extracted jaw which has reduced me to the same textural diet as Sophie!

M harvesting  

Sept découvertes cette semaine

1) Has something unpleasant coming up and is not enjoying the wait.

2) Can lose complete track of time when talking about Jesus.

3) Realizing that all things considered, is still the most blessed man on the planet.

4) Loves the intense drama of Hell's Kitchen and thinks that Chef Gordon Ramsay is a genius.

5) Has a new affinity for fish eye lens such a new and interesting perspective.

6) Is delighted that the siblings are now talking via email on a regular basis.

7) Would like to have a vuvuzela!

M

7 months on!

With Sophie crossing the 7 month mark of her life with us, she has developed so much that we are now starting to see her as an individual with her own character and personality. For me the greatest joy is to see a certain trait that resembles me. Like how she gently moves her feet to feel the bed fabric is something that I do till today. It's things like this, that underscores that she is part of me.

Another person crossing a milestone is..., actually it's both of us, becoming 7 month old parents. The journey has been amazing and challenging but a joyful challenge for sure. We have gone from parents who have no idea what to do with a screaming child to what I would like to call as instinctive parenting. We have become so intuned with Sophie that we more or less know what to expect from her. Of course she does throw us a few curve balls here and there to keep us on our toes but in time we are up to it.

Looking ahead there is so much more to experience and to see. I look forward to Sophie's development as I bask in the glory of being privileged to be a parent to my little sweetheart.

M Basking

C25K

 

No this is not the model number of one of my new gadgets but it is a new running program I am following. Yes you heard me right, running. I know that in the past I may have said that running is for losers because it is utterly boring but, I decided to give it a try after reading about this program.

C25K basically mean Couch to 5K as in 5 kilometres. Its a 9 week program consisting of 3 time a week 30 minutes exercise routines. When I say exercise its basically a combination of brisk walking and running. The focus of the program is not so much distance but more consistency. Moreover the program is designed to minimize injuries which is probably the key reason why I dislike running so much. I know its the easiest and the quickest way to lose weight and get active but whenever I start it, I get injured and have to stop thus killing whatever momentum I had.

So far I am in the 2nd week and its has been really good. Unfortunately, I have been sick of late and that has sort of hampered my consistency. I intend to get going the moment I am better, because surprisingly I have found running to be not as boring as I thought.

So this time its the case of the mind being willing but the body being weak.

M running

Sept découvertes cette semaine

1) Last week's list was lost in Cyberspace. Sorry!

2) Has been enjoying this World Cup more, because he has been watching it at home.

3) Does not like hospitals but has a special respect for all who work there.

4) Believes this is his last visit to ER in Jesus name!

5) Is always amazed at Sophie's ability to infectiously smile even when she's unwell to lift the spirits of all around her. (picture taken at the isolation room of Mt Alvernia Hospital)

6) Does not like people with fake accents

7) Proverbs 11:26:
The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

M

Grace in defeat

One thing that my close following of the World Cup coupled with my rabid interaction on Facebook has shown is that there are some mighty sour people out there. Yes indeed this has been World Cup littered with upsets but the resultant reactions from some folks has been revelatory.

It's only a game so either they are folks who have just been too greedy with their betting or they have lost the reason why these games are played. My beloved French team has become the laughing stock of this competition but rather than responding with vulgar and abuse like my counterparts I am laughing along. I can't bring myself to feel that strongly, don't get me wrong I love watching, being part of the whole drama and the occasional yell at the TV but I guess some restraint needs to be exercised.  

Perhaps I am oversimplifying but then again I think it's a reflection of character and while I am aghast with the reactions and comments I have seen from some, in retrospect of the sources it's not surprising.

M enjoying the games!

Happy Dad's Day

Often overlooked and always underplayed when it comes to parenting. But what is often missed that although a father may not have his knees deep in dirty diapers or struggling with feeding, he is the rock in the family, he is the pillar.

He is consistent, level headed, generous, loving and always quietly selfless. The head of the household whom all look up to. With great power comes tremendous responsibility. Such is the pressure that he shoulders quietly and best of all without complain and much fanfare.

It's has been a true privilege for me to be counted in this group and to be called a FATHER.

Happy Dad's Day you guys, we ROCK!

M Fathering

Sept découvertes cette semaine

1) Realised that people give up too easily.

2) Wished he had a vuvuzela.

3) Sometimes needs to imagine the world from the perspective of a 6 month old.

4) All of the World Cup matches I have watched ended in draws.

5) Believes that something great is around the corner

6) Has found a new love in skimmed milk

7) Has finally become an iPad owner thanks to the wife.

M

Security in Wisdom

5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you."
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life.
-- Proverbs 4:5-13

Did I mention that Sophie is wisdom in
French?

M holding onto wisdom

Sept découvertes cette semaine

1) Has been mingling with extreme sports people.

2) Happy Birthday my beloved Lim Siew Khee (private joke).

3) Loves the toilets at ION Orchard.

4) Grace supplies, Love gives, Faith takes.

5) Loves the new iPhone 4 and can't wait to get his hands on it.

6) One more day to the biggest football tournament in the world. Viva la France!

7) You can never have too many bags - I wonder who was the first person who said these immortal words of justification.

M

Case of the Disappearing Book

A few posts ago i wrote about how I found a good book to read in Penang. Well after getting half way through, I realised in Singapore that I left it in my sis-in-law's car back in Penang.

My sweet wife scoured the various bookshops in SG and bought me a copy. It's was really nice thing she did for me. I settled down to read it that night with much satisfaction. The next morning I was going to continue but the book vanished!

Seriously I spent to good half of yesterday turning all stones in the house and still no book. Re-tracing steps did not yield much. I must have misplaced it. The wife said "Maybe you are not meant to read this book." Perhaps….

Oh well. Still searching, in the meantime I have started a new book; Superfreakonomics.

Sidenote - an iPad with iBooks will solve this misplaced book fiasco.

M still looking.

Sept découvertes cette semaine

1) Penang has the best hawker food - refined simplicity yet so very 
delicious.

2) Finds books that dramatises the Bible give for interesting reads.

3) Loves to hear tiny comfort murmurs and purrs from his wife and 
daughter when they sleep.

4) Has a real appreciation for Chop Shop on Discovery Turbo - true 
artistry.

5) Believes that guys who 'chew on' one chapter of Proverbs a day are 
rewarded at the end with a 'Proverbs 31' woman. Living proof right 
here, so guys start ruminating.

6) Has had a successful start to his photo project. Details to follow.

7) Within humor resides the truth

M

Penang Book Club

This past weekend we headed back to Penang with Sophie in tow. Her first trip out of Singapore and her first flight. Sheesh and she not even a year old. Oh well this is the world we live in.

Anyways the whole Malaysian household were awaiting the arrival of the new arrival and soon all were cooing and smitten by her presence. With Hainanese being the communication medium of choice and with the telly on either some violent cartoon or a Cantonese drama, I needed to find something to engage myself. With no Wifi as well I needed to get back to basics by settling myself down with a good book.

On one of my maiden trips there, I bought Home Beautiful magazine, in desperation, and I read it cover to cover, all articles, snippets and columns. I even played close attention to the ads. After that I became interested in home decorating and eventually that magazine became the inspiration for our current home. So began the Penang Book Club.

This time around I tried to go the magazine route but as I perused them in the plane, I knew I would be bored soon. When we were out shopping one of our stops was at a bookstore. I scrambled to find a good read. As the wife was queuing to pay, I more or less given up the search when I stumbled upon LaHaye and Jenkins latest release. These guys brought us the Left Behind series that kept me enthralled for nearly 10 years.

Luke's Story is a novel about Luke's life and how he became one of the authors of the Bible fictionalised to put it simply. Within two days I was half way through and was looking forward to continue my read on my flight home.  Guess what? Of all the things to get left behind in Penang, it had to be this book by the authors of the Left Behind series. Ironic. Now I need to scour Singapore for this book so I can continue my read.

M loves to read

Monday Blues

Telephone Call

**Rrriiiiinnnnggg, rrriiiinnnngg,**

**'Hello?'**

**'Hi honey.**
**This is Daddy.**
**Is Mommy near the phone?'**

**'No, Daddy.**
**She's upstairs in the bedroom with Uncle Dave.'**

**After a brief pause,**

**Daddy says,**
**'But honey, you haven't got an Uncle Dave.'**

**'Oh yes I do, and he's upstairs in the room with Mommy,**
**Right now..'**

Brief Pause.

**'Uh, okay then, this is what I want you to do.**
**Put the phone down on the table, run upstairs**
**And knock on the bedroom door and shout to Mommy**
**That Daddy's car just pulled into the driveway.'**

**'Okay, Daddy, Just a minute.'**

**A few minutes later**
**The little girl comes back to the phone.**

**'I did it, Daddy.'**

**'And what happened, honey?' **

'Well, Mommy got all scared, jumped out of bed with no clothes on and ran around screaming.**

**Then she tripped over the rug, hit her head on the dresser**
**And now she isn't moving at all!'**

**'Oh my God!!! What about your Uncle Dave?'**

**'He jumped out of the bed with no clothes on, too.**

**He was all scared and he jumped out of the back window**
**And into the swimming pool.**
**But I guess he didn't know that you took out the water**
**Last week to clean it.**

**He hit the bottom of the pool and I think he's dead.'**

*****Long Pause*****

*****Longer Pause*****

*****Even Longer Pause*****

**Then Daddy says,**

**'Swimming pool? ………..**

**Is this 486-5731?'*

**No, I think you have the wrong number……

M