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We are all discoverers... travelling the world, learning its truths, its people and its meanings every single day. Grab your backpacks and let's embark on this journey of mine, one that holds a lot of meaning to me... Lilypie Kids birthday Ticker

Saturday, January 14, 2006

 

Beacon of Hope

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Fruitful Visit to Volunteers
Woke up early today (despite being an off-day) and had wanted to go and visit my volunteers at work... these volunteers are real dedicated, coming in every Saturday to help out. I just feel that I should at least go down, to show support and at least maintain the rapport between these nice people and myself. I just want to show support and remind them that they are not forgotten and that we are always here to support them if necessary. Wonderfully cheerful bunch of volunteers.

Had a good chat with one of my volunteers on ideas for bringing the team forward as well as shared some ideas on volunteer management. Also had a new volunteer returning to help out, despite disappearing a couple of times. Towards the end of the morning, I tried to talk to him and he shared that he quite enjoyed volunteering in December last year. This frankly made me feel good because I was still afraid he would not find joy in volunteering, because he seemed to show some reluctance and was very quiet to begin with.

Beacon of Hope
Went cycling today with my sister in East Coast Park. We were still worried that bad weather would come along again and spoil our cycling plans but God has blessed us with fair weather... in fact, am so happy that the weather is back to normal again since it has been raining non-stop over the last few days...

In fact, as we were cycling back to return our bikes, we caught glimpse of a, well, unique sight... As we looked out to the sea... we could no longer see the ships and saw this blanket of grey; it looked like someone has draped a grey cloth over the sky and the whole sky was overcast in "smooth" grey (frightening yet amazing sight). Apparently, it seemed like storm clouds were approaching in our direction. But the funny thing is that, it never did rained a single drop.


Looming Storm Clouds

As we cycled on towards the bicycle rental kiosk, I caught hold of yet another beautiful sight of sun-rays shining through thick dark clouds; beacons of hope. A picturesque view.


Beacon of hope
Surfers and sailors coming on shore, just in case

People who live dangerously
By the way, I am not sure why I am so easily irritated by inconsiderate people recently. Saw a few today in East Coast. Sometimes, peoples' inconsiderate behaviours not only spoil your day but also endanger others' lives... For example:
  • People who just don't keep into their lanes and like to cycle or roller-blade into your lane despite being in the wrong direction.
  • People who try to act cool and roller-blade backwards in the wrong lane, towards you!
  • Group of friends who ever so like to stop their bikes in the middle of nowhere, taking up a big section of the pathway, gather together and chit chat, causing others to have no choice but to take the opposite lane to avoid them
  • People who suddenly stop or cut into your lane without warning
  • Peopl who stop their bikes and park it in such a way that the bike is jutting into other's way
Oooooo bother!

Quiet Evening
Met up a social work friend for dinner in city hall area. Took a stroll to Esplanade and Clifford Pier and eventually settled down at Pacific Coffee near Marina Square for a cuppa.


Clifford Pier

We chit-chatted and both of us miss the days studying in university, when all we did was just focus on studying and had little troubles to handle. It seemed that after everyone graduated and started working, everyone seems to have drifted far apart from one another and gatherings turned into a time of gripeing about work, relationships etc... Guess everyone have more troubles nowadays.

All these talk reminded me how I am smiling lesser nowadays and heaved a sigh a couple of soured relationships. Everything really seemed OK in the past but things are just different now.

Real regretful.

Friday, January 13, 2006

 

Major Problem!

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Peak Hour "Sandwich"
I really hate people who are inconsiderate! I repeat: I really hate people who are inconsiderate! Was on course today so had to travel to Tanjong Pagar in the morning, which means I will participate in the "Shenton Way Symphony" again... being part of the CBD peak hour crowd, going "clitter clutter, clitter clutter".

As usual, the train was jammed-packed and as I try to board the train, I notice this gargantuan lady leaning against the grab-pole, depriving others the opportunity to grab hold of the pole. Her massive body was like all over the pole, leaving no space for people to hold onto the pole, all this time reading her book! For goodness sake, be considerate! People need the pole! The train is crowded and you do not own the train, we all paid for the ride! What if the train makes an emergency stop? You would have caused injuries because people will just lose their balance easily without holding on to the pole!

OK, that's not the end of the story. So on my right is this lady leaning on the grab-pole and just in front of me was this young lady who just refused to make way for people to alight! She was standing near the door and as the train pulled up at a station, there were people who wanted to make their way out but was somehow blocked by her... I think the most considerate thing might be to gracefully step out of the train for a while to allow people to alight. But, no... she chose to not only not budge but also squeeze in the opposite direction to grab a seat!

So there I was, standing in between these 2 inconsiderate ladies... one reading her book, depriving others of "grab-space" while another was like trying to push her way through, brushing past me, literally causing a jam. Oh bother! Why me? Kena snadwiched by these 2 people!

God forgive my lack of patience with these 2 people.

For every action, there is a rationale: An Anecdote
Went for training on developing volunteer policies and a volunteer handbook today and heard a good anecdote used by the trainer. The trainer was trying to illustrate how sometimes we do something without really understanding the rationale for doing it; practising "monkey see monkey do"

There is this little girl who observed her mother cook a piece of ham. As the mother took a knife to cut off the ends of the ham before putting it into the oven, the little girl asked: "Mummy, why do you cut the ends away?"

Mum replied: "Well, girl, this you have to ask grandma as this had been how she had been doing it all along..."

The little girl approached her grandma and asked: "Grandma, why do you cut off the ends of the ham before baking it?"

Grandma replied: "Oh you see girl, we used to be poor and could only afford a small oven. Hence, we have to cut off the ends of the ham so that it would fit into the small oven".

Lunchtime Tour of Singapore
We had a long lunch and since we were in the vicinity of URA, we decided to drop-by to visit the exhibition on the development of Singapore and the usage of land.


Model of Singapore.
You can see Sentosa in the foreground.

The black thing around your feet? What you call that? Shoes! Yes! Shoes!
I have no choice, have to buy new shoes liaoz because my current leather shoes are wearing down real bad. Tend to drag my feet when I walk so the wooden heel at the back has a piece chipped off with an awkward angle.

Anyway, was walking around the shops and shopping for a shoe and this thought came to me... why the fuss? I really didn't know what I am looking for... all the shoes serve the same function and look almost the same; black black. If you don't know me, I tend to be a person who is totally clueless about such things, just like how I tend to find all cars look almost the same. No wonder I always have problem shopping... Anyway, in the end bought a pair of shoes from Hush Puppies... this will be my new year and new work shoes... Bye bye, old shoes... time for it to retire.

I think I have a problem
I think I have a problem. I have grown all shy and am always so quiet amidst people I always do not know what to say to them... always fail to strike up or even sustain a conversation. Constantly feel that I am a real boring person to be with.

*siren* irrationality @ work here *siren*

I always envy people who are always so extroverted and can literally strike up a conversation with people and are always such fun to be around... At first, I realized that I am like that at work, with my new colleagues and volunteers but increasingly, I find that I am also like that when with old friends... nothing to say when we come out. What happened? I can only think that maybe after coming out from a bad experience with my friendship last year has really affected me so much so I can't bring myself to trust people easily anymore. I also tend to not be able to express myself verbally that well as before now... will always speak softly and somehow have my words jumbled... signs of nervousness.

What's happening?!

Thursday, January 12, 2006

 

Heart of Worship

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Began the morning feeling more and more distanced from God... not sure why I feel this way but somehow feel that I failed God.

A Fourth Sign?
Is there yet another sign? Went for staff devotion today and today spoke about Proverbs 4:20-22 and James 1:22-25. It spoke about listening closely to His word. OK, I have been putting off doing what God has called upon me to do and also reading the bible... feel distanced from God.

Proverbs 1: 20-27
20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level [b] paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

James 1: 22-25
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24
and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

I want to remove all obstacles that keeps me from being near God and I shall try hard...

Heart of Worship
Today's worship song sang "Heart of Worship", which happens to be one of my fav songs playing on my CD these few days. The words of the songs are meaningful and seems to remind us that worship is from the heart and not merely words spoken meaninglessly or worship songs sang meaninglessly. God looks at the heart of worship...

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

******
CHORUS
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

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
******

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

CHORUS

Some of my colleagues did not have enough of the song and gathered at my room after devotion to listen to the song once again, knowing that I have it on CD, which had been loaned to me by my cell group mate a few days earlier. Miraculously, the song was number 10 on the CD but it played automatically once I inserted the CD (also because I had "shuffle" on).

Work Achievement!
I just finished my 9-page annual report and also a write-up on a proposal for something which I had put off writing for like... ages... there is indeed a sense of satisfaction as I printed the report and write-up out and sent them to my boss.

Shanghai Look
My organization is having staff appreciation next month and the theme is "Shanghai Night". I am now researching on the "shanghai look" and even asked my friend from Shangai to bring me something Shanghai, that I could use for the dinner, when he returned to Singapore end of this month. I am even trying to spot a moustache... codfishy with moustache :D

Icy Cold
It has been raining and raining and even the water at night is so chilling icy cold... almost "died" when I washed my hands... :)

 

codfishy talks!

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Just improved my blog! You will now find a clock on the right column of the blog and a link on every blog entry that says "Listen to this article". Yes, you can listen to the blog entry read to you :) Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

 

Singapore "Kena" Terrorist Attack! (Part 2)

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At the Scene...


MONITORING THE AIR: An SCDF officer uses an intensimeter to check for radiation in the air at the station, as 'casualties' lie strewn on a station platform. Source: http://vodcast.straitstimes.com/


'BLASTS' AT BUS STATION: Some 40 'victims' lie injured on the ground after the explosion at the bus interchange. Medics later rush in to attend to them. Source: http://vodcast.straitstimes.com/


BODY COUNT: Casualties with cosmetic injuries applied to their limbs to simulate blast injuries. -- ALAN LIM Source: http://vodcast.straitstimes.com/


'BLASTS' ON TRAIN: At the MRT station, the 'explosion' rips off the door of a train carriage with a 'casualty' inside. Source: http://vodcast.straitstimes.com/


'THE DEAD': 'Dead bodies' being taken as Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean (in the background, right) and DPM S. Jayakumar evaluate the situation. Source: http://vodcast.straitstimes.com/


SEARCHING FOR 'SURVIVORS': A rescue workers checks the 'bombed' train carriage, strewn with 'body parts' like this mannequin's head, for 'survivors'.


THE STAGE IS SET: Simulated casualties lying in wait for Civil Defence and medical personnel to come to aid. -- ALAN LIM Source: http://vodcast.straitstimes.com/


'FIRE!': A simulated fire lies burning, and a 'casualty' lies injured after the blast. -- ALBERT SIM Source: http://vodcast.straitstimes.com/


BLAST TEST DUMMIES: Dummies and pieces of meat were also used to simulate realism in terms of dismembered limbs. -- ALBERT SIM Source: http://vodcast.straitstimes.com/

News Coverage on "Attack"


Source: Channel News Asia


Source: Straits Times

 

Singapore "Kena" Terrorist Attack! (Part 1)

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Being slow, I only started to read up about the simulated terrorist attack only 2 days later and what left the greatest impression in me is the pictures of the exercise... somehow I was thinking: what if this had been real? We all do have a responsibility to prevent such tragedies from happening, don't we?

OK, am going to simulate news coverage on the attack as well based on articles and resources found on the net... remember, what follows is not real. I am just using it to prove a point... that we must prevent such tragedies from happening... a picture is worth a thousand words...

Jan 8 2006: Black Sunday

Photo Source: Channel News Asia

Numbers have become meaningless as the authorities count the dead and struggle to revive the injured, but yesterday's 15 minutes of terror claimed at least 500 casualties.

In a series of coordinated attacks on the Republic's lifeline - its transport system - terrorists struck six times, using bombs planted on trains and buses to murder commuters in cold blood and unleashing a deadly chemical, suspected to be sarin gas, to snuff the life out of those escaping a blast at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.

The toll could have been higher, but at least one suicide bomber was taken away for questioning after she was prevented from setting off her explosives at Raffles Place MRT station.

What began as a quiet morning became a Black Sunday over a nightmare 15 minutes.

At 6.30am, there were not many commuters on trains - mostly shift workers dragging their tired bodies back home, all-night party-goers and others on their way to Sunday Service.

Then a train pulling into Raffles Place MRT station ground to a sudden halt as a bomb exploded in its two middle carriages.

Screaming victims, some dripping with blood, tumbled out. They were the lucky ones. Others would never move again.

Station staff were just rushing to help the injured when a second bomb stopped a north-bound train in its tracks, 70 metres from the Marina Bay station. The enclosed tunnel multiplied the force of the blast.

A third bomb went off at 6.37am, 28m underground, at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. And just as the commuters thought they had reached safety as they stepped onto the platform after making their way through a pitch-dark tunnel, a chemical agent - believed to be sarin gas, used in the Tokyo subway attacks in 1995 - was set off.

Many victims collapsed on the platform, crying for help as rescue workers made their way through the debris. Dhoby Ghaut accounted for half the total casualty count.

Casualties were reported at all bombsites.

Eyewitnesses at Plaza Singapura saw a convoy of nine Singapore Civil Defence Force vehicles pulling up to the Dhoby Ghaut station just six minutes after the chemical attack there.

Emergency responders were similarly despatched to all sites and by mid-morning, more than 2,000 personnel from various agencies were involved in a massive rescue and recovery operation.

Even as the strikes crippled train movement at 13 MRT stations, security on the roads was stepped up. The police are also sieving through surveillance footage captured at the five locations.

For every anxious parent demanding to know the whereabouts of his missing child, there was a weeping wife, waiting for news on a husband she was supposed to have met for breakfast.

Extracted from Channel News Asia: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/187240/1/.html

Sunday, January 08, 2006

 

All Geared Up

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Have never been so "on-the-alert" before when taking public transport. There was to be a simulated "terrorist attack" either this weekend or next weekend and I was like looking out for warning signs of imminent "attacks"; either a suspicious package or suspicious persons.

Remembered that my sight was like locked onto these 2 SCDF personnel sitting opposite me (ironic isn't it?). Was thinking: hmm, could this be the train that will be bombed? Little would I have expected that the action is all over... the "attack" had already taken place early this morning, which explains why the 2 SCDF personnel were so tired that they were dozing off just in front of me.

The rest of the day, it just rained and rained and rained non-stop... went over to my friend's house for a good game of monopoly and enjoy his cooking... He and his wife are so good with the game!

Looks like I not only missed the action for the "terrorist attack", I also missed the Renci Hospital Charity Show. Heard that Venerable Shi broke down in tears and expressed his concern about how other VWOs have became victims just because of "black sheeps". Well, for one thing, I do agree that we should not compromise the care of the beneficiaries being helped by the charity just because of mismanagement of a few people. They have made a mistake and we should punish the patients and their families more by pulling out our support... it is just not fair!

 

The Cookie Thief

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This is my favourite poem by far; it shows how sometimes we can be caught up by our own perception of things that we fail to see that there are also other perceptions. We always think we are right. :) Enjoy!

The Cookie Thief

by Valerie Cox

A woman was waiting at an airport one night,
With several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shops.
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see,
That the man sitting beside her, as bold as could be.
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between,
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene.

So she munched the cookies and watched the clock,
As the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock.
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I would blacken his eye."

With each cookie she took, he took one too,
When only one was left, she wondered what he would do.
With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie and broke it in half.

He offered her half, as he ate the other,
She snatched it from him and thought... oooh, brother.
This guy has some nerve and he's also rude,
Why he didn't even show any gratitude!

She had never known when she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief when her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate,
Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate.

She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat,
Then she sought her book, which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise,
There was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes.

If mine are here, she moaned in despair,
The others were his, and he tried to share.
Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,
That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.

Source: Chicken Soup for the Soul
© 1996 Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

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