Homecoming

When first time entered Ngee Ann after posted to HQ, the feeling is like returning to 2nd home, "回娘家"。Yes, I still treated that as my "娘家". I guess it's the "closelessness", the bond, over the years... yes, also the people who are still in the school.

It's 'homecoming' today, a day when the school invites ex-teachers and ex-students to come back to take a last look and feel of the school hall.

Yes, it was our pride when we first took over the building, more than 10 years ago, when we eventually moved into the building after squatting in another school for half a year. Will always remember the "寄人篱下"的感觉。Of course, the air-con hall was also one of the 'state-of-art' in the mid90s... it was one of the many reasons why we were invited to host events.

Today, we can still see the two 对联 that were put up in the official school suspending proudly at the back of the hall. At the back of the hall was also the 'media' control room, which was the last place I ventured to before leaving Ngee Ann in 2005... Yes, the first time there, to manage the presentation for the 2005 Founder's Day as well as the Graduation Day. Yes, that was also the first time I ventured to the backstage in more than 10 years with the school.

Something else also caught my eyes... the blue banners that were hanging on the pillars in the hall. Hey, those were my masterpieces for the 2002 Speech Day! Yes, the bubbles... hahaha... I'm so proud of it. Hm... yes, the 'footprints' I left behind...

Oh yes, will not forget the canteen stalls that I faithfully got my breakfast, lunch and snacks in my more-than-a-decade stay in the school. The ice-milo that I was almost addicted to... the yong-tau-foo stall that I almost always 打包 everyday.

Now, the hall is going, the canteen is going in May... in place will be a larger one, 5-6 level building that houses more facilities... memories...

Attitude in Service

Attitude counts... Attitude cannot be hidden... Attitude tells one's perspective of... life? towards what he/she's doing... Attitude is demonstrated through behaviours... Attitude is written on one's face... Attitude can be heard and felt through the voice.

Attitude makes a difference!

Yes... every morning (except Monday and weekend), the first 'station' I reach is the spot right in front of Tampines MRT station... to collect a copy of the free chinese papers. The expressionless face says, "take, take and go"... no smile... remains 'consistently' expressionless... hahaha... then, inside the MRT station where "Today" is given. Among the 3 who give out papers, can sense that the lady was enjoying her job, the smile on her face, her cheery voice when comes the "Thank You" from any grateful passerby. Oh yes, just wonder, how many say "Thank You"?

Similarly, at Buona Vista MRT station, a couple actually gave out the set of "Today"... It's a retired couple... I guess, one of them was there to keep the partner accompanied. As we walk across the bridge, heading towards the ever-crowded bus-stop, there comes the "Wo Bao"... it's a young mother... and often, an old lady was helping, too... am quite sure only she gets paid. But the interesting part is, the old lady seems to be enjoying her 'job' too... indeed, she greeted the passerby with a smile and said thank you, instead. Wah!

This reminded me of my bhutanese 'friend' whom I greeted every morning when I crossed the old wooden bridge.

The NATAS fair @ Suntec City

Since the start of the year... have already planned out some slots to leave the country to re-charge. Yes, re-charging is an important process - the time when work is out of mind... ok, work maybe in the mind, but out-of-reach in that sense... it's a 'runaway' from work...

With the developments around the country island, some places are already "BLACK"listed... this is one of the key considerations... it principle has been used... but it never comes in as a so-KEY criteria until I have to make a choice on the country to go for my volunteer work... precisely - I was offered a neighbouring country but turned down because of its instability... that's why landed up in the kingdom of thunder dragon!

In search of where to go... Asia countries like China, Malaysia and Thailand seems to have taken centre-stage in this March Fair. A couple of interesting packages to look out for:

• from Bangkok, to Kanchanaburi, to Nakhon Pathom (5D @ S588)
• Some highlights pointed out are: Siam Niramit (www.siamniramit.com), River Kwai's Famous bridge, Living the Thai Culture (www.rosegardenriverside.com) and Phra Pathom Chedi
• I think the attraction is on taking the train that goes on the River Kwai - a much heard-of bridge. It sounds interesting... at least "Shopping" is quite sure not the key activity here. On the other hand, may have to wait and see - till the country returns to its stability.

The visit to the fair opens another avenue to collect "travel guides" that I realised that's how the $3 entrance fee can be stretched... next... it's time to organise all the papers gathered in the 3 h visit...

The Phantom of the Opera

Today, it's the 2nd time I watch the musical... the first time... dates back to 2 March 1995, at the Kallang Theatre. Yes... I'm a Phantom Phan... Just came to know this term when went to its official site.

Indeed, it's the song, the music that captivated me... before I watched its 1st run in Singapore. It was a big thing then... the early days when broadway was brought into the local cultural scene.

The angel of the music indeed sang every day, every night... the voice... that brings us into the story... yes, following the flow of the story... just let the mind and soul flow with it... hm...

The experience... the crashing down of the chandelier... The lightening up of the dungeon... the phantom's cry and anger that touch the heart of the audience... Thanks to the training in the choir, that sharpens my hearing power and being able to 'hear' and tell the final details from the voices.

Yes, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman are still my favourite phantom and Christine... Today, we had Brad Little... Yes, he's equally good... the voice sings and brings out the feelings of the phantom. Actually, it's "Christine's" voice that should take the centrestage of the entire performance... yes, the voice is good - and it hits the notes... but somehow the crystal clear voice was absent... what's heard over the 2.5 hours seems to be a voice masked by some 'roughness'... ok, it's not easy... but it's possible! at least Sarah Brightman has proven that :D

Hm... perhaps another ticket before the curtain closes in May...

Indeed, the movie version was out 2 years ago... yes, I got my eyes glued to the little screen when I was in the airplane... hm... I think I watched that on one of my return trips last year... there was a replay last weekend (thanks to GC who sounded me out) when I spent the solid 2.5 hours in front of the TV... what's the difference? Oh yes, the movie gave more details... more graphic... yes, it follows the book very very closely (Yes! I read the book, too! hahaha... it's rare for someone who seldom touches the book!). Of course, the 'close-ups' that we don't see in attending the theatre. On the other hand, the theatre makes up the real experience - that one can feel the 'power' of the phantom, one sees the chandelier crashing down, the grand of the masquerade, the magical transformation from one scene to another...

The flowers bloom again ^.^

It's the normal morning... It's the March morning... Yes, the pinkish flowers on the tree caught my eyes again... each time when I cross the bridge, from the MRT stn to the building...

Long long ago, this would not have even caught my attention... 'cos I would not have bothered to look around... more importantly, now I bothered to slow down a little to see what's around, perhaps a more conscious effort to look around, possibly if things I could appreciate... appreciate their existence.

That reminds the days in Bhutan... the days when I walk my way from the house to the institute... That the "UM", the bridge, the stony uneven path, the school (Rinpong Building), the school field, the donkey? horse? and the cow... then up the slot, the mountain, the wild flowers... and the river on my right... the colourful birds... Yes, nature is really beautiful...

Indeed, this morning, saw two young ladies stopped right in front of the tree and use the handphone to snap the beautiful moment of the tree :D

Fighting the battle

It's been a year... I've not visited a doctor. I have always been proud of not having succumb to any viruses last year, despite people around me have been "worked" to "sick". Yes, I was physically strong.

Though anticipated that it will be accumulated, but never thought it will stay put for more than a fortnight! Worst still, it came at the 'low' point, 'peak' period when having to conduct workshop almost everyday, and nothing worst than havig to prepare for something new... and on top of that... more work!!!

I guess "rest" has been removed from my dictionary for a long time... perhaps it's time to bring it back... and re-allocate the proportion of time to the different activities out there...

What's more worth than...

Since GC went for the back operation... somehow her perspective of work and life has changed. During the short 4 hour gathering, several times, 'health' came up several times, in our talk.

She said, nothing is more important than health! She emphasized that! Health has taken over the top seat... "Career", somehow has become a good to have... which we will not hear such a couple of years back. I guess, she's fed-up with the no-ending post-ops reviews... also, there are some many times that we hear people around were set back by health problems in the peak of their career. So, why work so hard yet suffer all the time and effort are poured into the bottomless blackhole of work? Yes, thanks to YL, who gave more meaning to the term 'blackhold'.

I guess, the 3 of us are overwhelmed... and have 'travelled' long enough... and are now dragging our feet... wondering when is the next 'stop'...

As the common saying goes... no-one is indispensible... when there's a vacancy, the organisation simply finds another person to fill the job... no big deal! I guess that makes an unhappy member in the organisation! To look back... why work so hard? These words sound familar... and hum around my ears... Yes... is it worth? Work vs Health... GC is not the only one... CE is another who underwent ops several years back, too... Yes, what do we get in return as we climb up the ladder? A better view? Yes, a better view but of a colder world, I guess... Less humaneity, I guess... However, when we are all in the rat race, even if we don't move, the wave behind will sure push us on...

I am the kind of creature that survive better in an environment where I can find warmth... yes, an environment that will not be repeatedly given and reminded of deadlines... That do not go down well with me...

Yes, we work hard... what's in return? It's time to look at it and re-examine... Yes, I worked very hard in my one year in Bhutan... Yes, I work very hard since I came back... But, both reap different things... I am very sure, the one year 'lost' in the out-of-touch civilisation certainly generates more return... including the warmth... For certain, I have some of my happiest moments there... and no regrets to that...

Trust...

TRUST... something that we cannot take for granted... however, it's also very often taken for granted...

"Because I trust... that's why... " Yes... this is something that we often say...

Trust... is a very strange element. It is the strength that holds relationships between people strongly and tightly. It is also the most fragile element. Because of trust, miracle happens. Because of trust, confidence grows. However, it takes time for trust to build up.

It is always easy to built 'trust' for the first time... as all starts with a blank slate. It just grows from a clear clean ground. However, once "doubt" starts to set in... it becomes very difficult to remove the ghost image - no matter how much effort is put in. It causes frustration. It leads to "distrust"? It leads to insecurity!

Yes, doubt is 'powerful'... it comes in different forms. It could be a direct query... however, it could also be some constant seem-to-be concern. Why doubt yet on one hand say trust? Confusing, isn't it? Or it's one way not to admit 'doubt' so as not to rock the 'trust' set in earlier? However, does the approach work? It's hypocrite!