RIP 鳳飛飛 (1953-2012)

【掌聲響起】 

"孤獨站在這舞台
聽到掌聲響起來
我的心中有無限感慨
多少青春不再　
多少情懷已更改

我還擁有你的愛
想起初次的舞台　
聽到第一聲喝采
我的眼淚忍不住掉下來

經過多少失敗
經過多少等待
告訴自己要忍耐

掌聲響起來  
我心更明白
你的愛將與我同在

掌聲響起來
我心更明白
歌聲交會你我的愛

經過多少次舞台　
聽到多少聲喝采
我的眼淚還是會掉下來"

RIP my first idol - 鳳飛飛

Back in 1986, when I was 6 years old. Someone asked me who was my idol, my reply was 鳳飛飛 (Well, because my parents were listening to her songs). 

It is very considerate of her to instruct her lawyer to break the news of her death after Chinese New Year so that her fans could enjoy their new year celebration.

I never got to understand the meaning of this song until today.
There is so much depth and gratitude in this song.
It really touched my heart.

Thank you for the great music!

RIP Whitney Houston (1963-2012)

One Moment in Time

"Each day I live

I want to be

A day to give

The best of me

I'm only one

But not alone

My finest day

Is yet unknown

I broke my heart

Fought every gain

To taste the sweet

I face the pain

I rise and fall

Yet through it all

This much remains

I want one moment in time

When I'm more than I thought I could be

When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away

And the answers are all up to me

Give me one moment in time

When I'm racing with destiny

Then in that one moment of time

I will feel

I will feel eternity."

One of the greatest singers of our time. 

Everyone has to die. The question is when, how and why?

If you have inspired others to become a better person, your legacy will be immortalized. Put aside Whitney's addiction, this song has achieved the objective of inspiring many people (including myself).
That's a beautiful thing.

A reminder to live every moment to the best of our ability.

RIP Whitney Houston.

Things I like about Singapore

Whenever I returned from a long overseas trip, I always see Singapore in a new light at least for a while. It always surprises me that there are many things that I took for granted. Traveling has the ability to let us see things in new perspectives. That's the beauty of traveling.

I met a friend who was studying in Australia and she was lamenting how she loved the lifestyle in Australia and would stay in Australia after her studies. She has developed a distaste for the lifestyle in Singapore.

While I could comprehend the beauty of Australia and the beauty of its more laid back lifestyle, I also develop a sense of appreciation for Singapore as I travel more. There are certainly a lot of things I hope Singapore could improve on - arts & culture, creativity of its people (less homogeneous) , freedom of expression, less emphasis materialism, environmental friendliness etc... And when my travel-mate shared with me about the warm hospitality she experienced in Chile, I really envy the Chileans and hope Singaporeans could improve on that. Something to learn. 

However, these are the things I really like about Singapore:

1. Cheap and Good Food. 

(available anywhere anytime. It's clean!)

2. Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency 

(Things get done FAST and GOOD! I managed to close my brokerage account in hours. It took me less an hour of application time to replace my identity card. I got a reply for my insurance claim within 2 days. It takes only a few hours to incorporate a company in Singapore, how many countries in the world can match that? That's why Singaporean are generally impatient when things are delayed.)

3. Safety

(Any lady could walk on any street in Singapore at 3am and feel really safe. Recently, I was walking in a back alley of a red-light district at night, and a pimp shouted at me when I wanted to take a photograph. I was a bit shock, but I never felt my life was at jeopardy. That's a amazing. )

4. Low Corruption

(There is still corruption, but it is a rarity. I know that I do not need to bribe to get things done.)

5. Kind hearted and Nice people

(Singaporeans might not be the most cultured and courteous people around, but people in general are nice and kind-hearted. Singaporeans are known to get conned easily overseas, simply because we are more simple-minded.)

6. It's always Summer!!!

(I hate cold weather, especially winter. I love my shorts and flip-flops.)

7. Global Connectivity

(While we do not have mountains and waterfalls, those places are only a flight away. There are so many cheap flights available. Being the richest country in our region, we get to travel in beautiful neighboring countries without burning a hole in our pockets.)

Nasi Lemak with Chilli & Curry Gravy.

S$3.50 (US$2.70) only!!!

=)

Youtube: Speeding Around The World in Under 5 minutes

Just came back after 4 weeks of backpacking in South America. I feel like traveling again after watching the video below... my wanderlust is insatiable...

I am glad that I visited quite a lot of places in the video.

=)

A review of my 2011...

This will be my last entry for the year as I am leaving for South America in a few hours time. Year 2011 is a challenging year, and a lot of things did not go as planned. There are periods where it had been an emotional roller-coaster ride. I had to be mentally stronger. The philosophy of "Letting Go" has been very helpful. However, I also acknowledge that my trivial problems are insignificant when I took a few steps back looking at the bigger perspective of life.

Overall, it has been a good year. I am very grateful to be alive.

There are lessons that I have learnt:

1. Fear is the scariest when I chose not to face it.

2. Trusted people are like gems in my life.

3. Dangerous people: highly educated, intelligent, rich and well-connected, but without integrity. Especially those who appear to be friendly and kind.

4. Always ASK. Ask for help. Ask for favour. Ask questions. Ask for your rights.

5. Have a to-do-list and deadline. It instills self-discipline.

6. Learn to say "NO".

7. Simplicity is Beautiful. Less is More.

8. Be a dreamer. Live with No Regrets.

9. Meet more people. It keeps your ego in check. Humility.

10. Letting Go - the antidote to a lot of problems.

11. Be Grateful always.

(Dad & Niece)

I am really grateful for my family and my friends.

Thank You.

=)

Charity: Riverkids Project

http://www.riverkidsproject.org/

"Riverkids works with children and families in danger of abuse and trafficking in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We identify children at high risk because of extreme poverty, drug abuse, alcoholism, gambling, child abuse or other children or family involved in trafficking.

Then, we talk with the families to work out what help they need and what will keep their children safe.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as getting the children enrolled in school. Other times, we need to provide emergency shelter for abused children and urgent medical care to prevent a greater crisis. For our families, selling their children is a desperate solution to complicated long-term problems that can’t be quickly solved, but instead need patience and compassion to find practical solutions like vocational training and family counselling.

Our community centers are within walking distance from the crowded and dangerous slums our families live in. That makes it easy for the families to ask for help during an emergency, and makes our centers part of the local community. We hire staff from the local slums where possible too."

I was born in Southeast Asia like these kids, but I am fortunate to be born in a rich country. Just because I was born in the right place, my future is likely to be better. I might not be as smart or hardworking as these kids, but I was given the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment. Sometimes, it is like a game of tossing coin - born in a poor or rich country. I am just lucky.

I hope to do something more than just donating money in the future.

It's a season of sharing. Let's share our blessings.

=)

One New Experience Each Week - ZoukOut

Lately, I haven't been trying out new experiences, partly because my list is getting shorter, the to-do-things are getting tougher and I am busy with my South America trip planning... 

Finally, I went for my FIRST Zoukout experience (partying from dusk till dawn @ beach). I wanted to go to the first Zoukout back in 2000, but I was in the wilderness of Australia in my army attire serving the nation. In fact, I dropped the idea of going to Zoukout for years, until last year when I realized that if I still did not go for Zoukout, I might be the oldest participant in a few years time.

Last year, Zoukout was a sold-out event as it was celebrating 10 years anniversary. I was at the venue, and I was so desperate that I was willing to pay $180/ticket when someone offered it (however, one of my friends did not want to pay such money, so I dropped the idea).

This year Zoukout was rather boring, but I was glad that I went, as I have no more desire to attend another Zoukout.

+++

Desire (aka Craving) is a very funny animal.

When I did not have something, I wanted it so badly.

I would work really hard to get it.

When I gotten it, it did not bring that kind of happiness that I expect.

Then, I would continue to search for something else.

It was a never ending game...

For example:  The Zoukout experience

I was willing to pay $180 for a ticket last year. But after this year experience, I might think twice even if someone offered me a free ticket.

For example:  The clubbing experience

Recently, my younger cousin was updating her FB that she was clubbing every weekend. I could understand that phase of life, as I used to club every weekend more than 10 years ago. After been there done that, I found it quite pointless to club EVERY weekend. It is a waste of money, time, energy and LIVER. At the same time, I am glad that I went through that phase, and I could understand why people do it.

For example:  The gambling experience

More than 10 years ago, my friend and I went on-board a gambling cruise ship. I gambled and lost all my money, and had a strong desire to fight the odds and win back my money. I thought of borrowing money, but I did not. My friend was in an even worse position, he borrowed money and lost thousands of dollars (that was a lot of money for a 20 year-old dude). Interestingly, he managed to recoup his losses and made some money. I asked him to stop, but he continued gambling as he felt really lucky. As expected, he lost every single cents. 

After this experience, I could understand compulsive gambling and the gambling addict mindset. It was quite a good albeit scary experience - Greed, Fear, Desire, Hope. I am thankful for losing my money, as it was a good lesson.

For example: The Dead Sea experience

Prior to visiting the Dead Sea, I had seen so many photos of people floating on the Dead Sea. I really wanted to experience it badly. When I was floating in the Dead Sea I enjoyed myself thoroughly. It was really magical and I have never experienced anything like that before. 

When I left the Dead Sea, I remembered vividly my thought was "So that was it??". I have no more desire to spend more time on the Dead Sea.

*If you haven't experienced it, you should do it at least once in your life* =) 

Desire is both satisfying and frustrating.

I guess, I am just being human.

Charity Water

http://www.charitywater.org

Millions are deprived of Clean Water.

Let's do something for them.

If we lived a century ago, witnessing clean water flowing out of a tap would be a miracle. 

Have you taken your clean water for granted?

=)

David Attenborough - Wonderful World (BBC)

What a wonderful world... The World is awesome!!! 
At the same time, i just felt that we should be responsible and stop exploiting it for own benefits. 

Think of other species and the future generation!

The 50 most inspiring travel quotes

Some of my favourite quotes 

(Source: http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/)

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

 “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” –John Steinbeck

 “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

″A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” – Moslih Eddin Saadi

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

“The journey not the arrival matters.” – T. S. Eliot

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill

“The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” – G. K. Chesterton

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not why ships were built."

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” – Fitzhugh Mullan

Be comfortable.

Sleep anywhere

(Taken at Indian Train Station)

I do not know a lot of things in life, but at least, I know that traveling is definitely one of the best ways to be ALIVE. I learnt so much while I was traveling. I learnt to be less judgemental as I am more aware of my ignorance and lack of knowledge. I learnt that a simple kindness in a foreign land is heart warming and it could linger in the heart for years. I learnt to appreciate differences between cultures and people, at the same time, realising that deep within, everyone is the same. I am humbled by all the amazing people I met. I learnt to appreciate hiccups as part of the journey, and quite often, it makes the trip memorable and a good conversation topic.

Most importantly, traveling reminded me that I am an insignificant sentient being in this wonderful big world. While my existence does not matter, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate this beautiful world. I am also aware that my time is limited....

+++

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain