Singapore Vegetarian Wall of Inspiration

Taken from http://picasaweb.google.com/vsspics/WallOfInspiration

Desmond Koh (An ex-National Swimmer, three-time Olympian and Rhodes Scholar) on becoming a  Vegetarian.

=)

Book: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

A book about a woman's search for happiness. Living a successful married life in New York, but everything just kinda fell apart for her. It was a great read, and woman can be a really complex creature. Eat in Italy, Pray in India, Love in Bali. 

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I found her story in India extremely interesting. I would definitely want to stay in one of those Ashrams in the future. Below is an excerpt from the book on her meditation experience:

"...most of us are always moving between three different levels of consciousness - waking, dreaming or deep dreamless sleep. But there is a fourth level too.... which is called turiya. Here's how you can tell if you've reached the turiya state - if you're in a state of constant bliss. One who is living from within turiya is not affected by the swinging moods of the mind, nor fearful of time or harmed by loss. 'Pure, clean, void, tranquil, breathless, selfless, endless, undecaying, steadfast, eternal, unborn, independent, he abides in this own greatness,' say the Upanishads, the ancient Yogic scriptures, describing anyone who has reached turiya state. The great saints, the great Gurus, the great prophets of history - they were all living in the turiya state, all the time. As for the rest of us, most of us have been there, too, if only for fleeting moments.... One instant, you're just a regular Joe, schlepping through your mundane life, and then suddenly nothing has changed, yet you feel stirred by grace, swollen with wonder, overflowing with bliss. Everything - for no reason whatsoever - is perfect..."

I got a feeling that most people who read this would think that the author was crazy. I totally believe her, as I have experienced such Wonderful Wonderful Bliss while I was meditating a few years ago. It was PERFECT BLISS & HAPPINESS. I want nothing else, but to stay in that state. However, I have not experienced it since then. =(

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Meditation is such a powerful tool.

I hope that I would experience that PERFECT BLISS again.

One New Experience Each Week - Bangalore

Went to Bangalore for a short business trip.

Paid 950 Rps (S$30) instead of 650 Rps for Taxi Service from Airport to the City. Technically speaking, I was on a slow van and not an air-conditioned Taxi. I was abit upset, as I felt cheated paying more and sitting on a touter's vehicle. When we arrived at my hotel, the driver demanded 50% more for the surcharge after 10pm. I was mad, as I explicitly told him before boarding the Taxi that I would pay 950 Rps nett, which would include all the funny charges like toll fees, taxes etc... 

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He started to tell me story that he has 2 kids at home, he is a Christian and does not lie. He said that if I don't believe him, I could choose not to pay him. I told him straight into his face that I don't believe him, but I would still pay him 950 Rps as I honor my own word. And I had to fill up the receipt on his behalf.

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After giving him 950 Rps, he requested for an additional 50 Rps.

This is the India that I remember.

Welcome to India!

Something never change.

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Am I really upset?

Do I hate India?

Not really, as i acknowledge that this is just a way of life in India.

There are still lotsa wonderful souls in India.

=)

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Managed to find time for Darshana.

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Sri Radha Krishna Temple - the Holiest Temple in Bangalore.

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Public Laundry

Uniquely India

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I finally saw the Public Laundry! Previously, I saw it on the Amazing Race and other documentaries.

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Poster in a shopping mall.

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Bangalore is one of the best cities in India. The weather was great (dry and cooling), and generally more cosmopolitan. However, it is still very far from being a cosmopolitan city.

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Shiro Restaurant.

The ceiling was 4 storey-high and it has lotsa Buddhist Statues.

Expensive Good Vegetarian Lunch.

Love it. 

=)

Top Five Regrets of the Dying

Written by Bronnie Ware

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learned never to underestimate someone's capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.

It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard.

This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.

By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

Life is a choice. It is YOUR life.

Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly.

Choose happiness.

++++

Death always brings Clarity to the mind.

=)

Learning to deal with things beyond my control

After 2 consultations with Cardiologist, ECG test, 24Hr Urine Test, 3 Blood Tests, the cardiologist still does not know why I have very high-blood pressure.

Normal Range: 80/120mmHg

Mine: 97/169mmHg

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My profile does not suit the typical people with high blood pressure.

I am young.

I am a triathlete.

I exercise 4-5 times per week.

I am a semi-vegetarian.

I do not smoke.

I do not drink.

I do not stress myself.

I have enough sleep.

My family does not have a history of high blood pressure.

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The Cardiologist informed me that I would do 3 more tests 2 months later, and if he still could not find out the reason for my very high blood pressure, I would have to be on medication. He could advise nothing else, as I am already living a very healthy lifestyle. That's the Irony of Life.

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I know what I can do further.

No more Eggs.

No more Chocolate.

No more Ice Cream.

No more Cheese.

No more Pizza.

No more Sponge Cake.

More Fruits.

More Celery.

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He advises me to wait for the result in Nov before I decide if I should participate in the Dec marathon.

What else can I do?

I have done my best.

If my lifespan is shorten, I will not regret.

I have tried my best, and will be at peace with the outcome.

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Wish me luck! 

=) 

One New Experience Each Week - Buddhist Retreat

Went for my first Buddhist Retreat held at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. It was a 5-days Mindfulness Retreat led by a very famous Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Nanh (Thay - Vietnamese Word for Teacher) (who was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King) and the monks & nuns from the Plum Village (in France).

Cute Statues around the compound.

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Monks & Nuns Choir

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The monastics are quite progressive and I was quite happy to listen to them singing Buddhist songs in english with some monks playing guitar, violin & cello at the background. It sounded more like soothing New Age music than the traditional Buddhist music. That's good!

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The monastics is quite international - One Third of them are Caucasians. The 700+ strong participants are quite diverse as well - quite a number of Caucasians and Indians. Among the crowd, I saw my JC teacher and my University Professor who was very well-respected. Thay also introduced 1 nun who was a  medical doctor in USA and 1 monk who was once a successful businessman and was also a Catholic Priest. The retreat was conducted in english. This is truly a globalized world. 

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One of the main rules is to observe the Noble Silence... Despite in dining hall with several hundred people, it was very quiet. No food was wasted and everybody ate mindfully. We were supposed to chew at least 25-30 times, and be mindful of the present moment as well as be grateful for the food.

These are the 5 contemplations that we observe while eating.

Very meaningful.

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I left the retreat on the 3rd day. I was struggling to make this decision - I was committed to learn and experience as much as possible (Took Off from work), however, I did not gain new insights from the practices. I have alot of unanswered questions during Thay's Dharma teachings. There was no Q&A session. Telling me that Form = Emptiness & Emptiness = Form, just confused me even more. I believe I was not ready and incapable to comprehend the profound Truth.

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I am still grateful towards Thay and the monastics from Plum Village. They really radiate genuine happiness, warmth and kindness. I am proud and happy to know so many wonderful Dharma brothers & sisters working hard towards the alleviation of sufferings in the World. I wish them all the Best and may they attain Enlightenment soon.

=)

One New Experience Each Week

I am starting this entry of doing something new each week.

=)

Driving a convertible to work

Not mine, but it was still nice experience.

The weather was cooling enough to bring down the top.

Beautiful Things in Life: Portrait of Boon

Portrait of Boon

(Drawn by my 2.5 years-old Niece)

After Keena drew the picture, 

she pointed at it and said "舅舅"!

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Not the nicest depiction of me, but

I just LOVE it.

=)

Nick Vujicic, Life Without Limbs

Truely Inspirational!

If only those who are suffering from depression could see life from his perspective...

You don't need belief and you don't need faith

Read a good article about Buddhism in Australia

Adele Hulse relates her opening to Buddhism: "When I first met Lama Yeshe (her guru) my father had just died. Lama Yeshe said, What is born must die'. I said,I don't believe this stuff', and he said, `you don't have to believe. In Buddhism you don't need belief and you don't need faith. You need intelligence and understanding.'''

Mahjong Mahjong

I spent 16 hours playing Mahjong with friends. We started at 2pm and ended the session at 6am (we had a break for a short dinner only). This is a new record for me.

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Another new record for me:

I was the second player and I could not believe my eyes when I saw my tiles - it was PERFECTLY arranged.  After I drew my first tile, I won immediately - Ping Hu - Men Qing - Zi Mo!!!

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None of us (with more than 40 years of collective mahjong experience) have seen anything like that before. You gotta be a mahjong player to appreciate the RARENESS of this win. 

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I might never see such a win again in my life.

That's how rare it is.

=)

Volunteering at Communicable Diease Centre

Last friday evening, It was my first timing visiting Communicable Diease Centre (CDC), where I was supposed to befriend & counsel some of the HIV/AIDS Patients warded there. I was a bit apprehensive, as I was not sure if my presence is of any value, and I had never met any HIV/AIDS people before.

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Even though HIV is not transmitted via bodily contacts, there are many precautionary measures for volunteers like me, for example, washing our hands every time we exit the ward, as well as wearing personal protective equipment like glove & mask. 

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It was the first time in my life that I massaged strangers. For a moment, my pride and ego surfaced and I asked myself :why did I want to massage them? What have they done to deserve my service? 

Then, I realized that all these questions arise from my ego and they are secondary. The more important question is: Did I bring comfort and love to someone who is terminally ill and in need of some kindness?

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At the end of the day, I was happy that I could bring comfort (even though it is insignificant) to AIDS patients who are badly stigmatized by the society. 

I think I would continue this service.

=)

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Quote:

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.  

~Dalai Lama

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives flowers.  

~Chinese Proverb

Karma @ Work - Lesson from a Cracked Holder

A few weeks ago, I went to a Hypermarket and wanted buy a plastic holder, as I was still considering other alternative, I decided not to purchase it. (Day 1)

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The following day (Day 2), without any communication, my sister bought the plastic holder that I saw and used it in her room. I found the holder to be useful and it was exactly what I needed.

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The next day (Day 3), I went grocery shopping with my family and I bought the plastic holder. When I came home, I found that the plastic holder was cracked. Naturally, I was a bit angry and I asked my sister who was carrying the bag, if she accidentally dropped or knocked the bag.

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After seeing my cracked holder, my sis told me that she saw the cracked holder in the Hypermarket at Day 2, so she chose a good one and left the cracked holder back on the shelf. She asked why I took the cracked holder.

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Suddenly, everything makes Absolute sense.

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On Day 1 when I visited the Hypermarket, I dropped this plastic holder onto the floor WITHOUT realising that I caused the crack and placed it back to the shelf. On Day 3, I took the plastic holder from the shelf WITHOUT  realising that it was cracked.

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I caused the crack, and I got to keep the crack.

There was no reason to be angry.

It is a wonderful lesson.

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I am the cause, and I accept the effect.

The Law of Karma always work in a mysterious way.

=)

The Crack

2 Years of Flexitarianism

It started with a nightmare in Aug 2008.

Do I still crave for meat? 

Yes, occasionally.

But sometimes, when I smell cooked meat, 

I felt a sense of repulsion and disgust.

Reiterate the quote:

'nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.'

- Albert Einstein

Book: The Adventure Capitalist - The Ultimate Road Trip

The Adventure Capitalist

"Financier Rogers retired at 37 and motorcycled around the world, turning the trip into the book Investment Biker, a hybrid of business advice and travelogue. That journey, however, failed to squelch his wanderlust. Instead of enjoying his sedate life teaching finance, Rogers decided to take his fiancée and a souped-up Mercedes on a frighteningly intense road trip: three years, 116 countries and 152,000 miles."

He is living the Ideal Life and his predictions about the world economy are quite accurate.

My Key Takeaway:

"If the trip killed me, I would die happy, pursuing my passion. And that was better than dying on Wall Street someday with a few extra dollars in my pocket." 

- Jim Rogers

The Giving Pledge

The Giving Pledge

The Giving Pledge is an effort to invite the wealthiest individuals and families in America to commit to giving the majority of their wealth to the philanthropic causes and charitable organizations of their choice either during their lifetime or after their death.

Each person who chooses to pledge will make this statement publicly, along with a letter explaining their decision to pledge. At an annual event, those who take the pledge will come together to share ideas and learn from each other.

The Pledge is a moral commitment to give, not a legal contract. It does not involve pooling money or supporting a particular set of causes or organizations.

While the Giving Pledge is specifically focused on billionaires, the idea takes its inspiration from efforts in the past and at present that encourage and recognize givers of all financial means and backgrounds. We are inspired by the example set by millions of Americans who give generously (and often at great personal sacrifice) to make the world a better place.

+++

Statement by Warren Buffett:

Some material things make my life more enjoyable; many, however, would not. I like having an expensive private plane, but owning a half-dozen homes would be a burden. Too often, a vast collection of possessions ends up possessing its owner. The asset I most value, aside from health, is interesting, diverse, and long-standing friends.

My wealth has come from a combination of living in America, some lucky genes, and compound interest. Both my children and I won what I call the ovarian lottery. (For starters, the odds against my 1930 birth taking place in the U.S. were at least 30 to 1. My being male and white also removed huge obstacles that a majority of Americans then faced.) My luck was accentuated by my living in a market system that sometimes produces distorted results, though overall it serves our country well. I've worked in an economy that rewards someone who saves the lives of others on a battlefield with a medal, rewards a great teacher with thank-you notes from parents, but rewards those who can detect the mispricing of securities with sums reaching into the billions. In short, fate's distribution of long straws is wildly capricious.

The reaction of my family and me to our extraordinary good fortune is not guilt, but rather gratitude. Were we to use more than 1% of my claim checks on ourselves, neither our happiness nor our well-being would be enhanced. In contrast, that remaining 99% can have a huge effect on the health and welfare of others. That reality sets an obvious course for me and my family: Keep all we can conceivably need and distribute the rest to society, for its needs. My pledge starts us down that course.

+++

Truly Inspirational!

The Truth

(Taken in Tibet)

The Truth is to realise the Impermanence of Life,

and be Grateful for being Alive.

It is a Gift... at least for a while.

Broadway and Mosque

Building a Mosque near Ground Zero?

An excellent article by Thomas Friedman.

Extract:

When we tell the world, “Yes, we are a country that will even tolerate a mosque near the site of 9/11,” we send such a powerful message of inclusion and openness. It is shocking to other nations. But you never know who out there is hearing that message and saying: “What a remarkable country! I want to live in that melting pot, even if I have to build a boat from milk cartons to get there.” As long as that happens, Silicon Valley will be Silicon Valley, Hollywood will be Hollywood, Broadway will be Broadway, and America, if we ever get our politics and schools fixed, will be O.K.

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I agree that as long as USA practices Inclusiveness and able to attract the best talents from all over the World, it will always remain as the world superpower for a long long time. As for countries that practice exclusiveness like Saudi Arabia, in 100-200 years time when their oil reserve was depleted, that will be the end of that country as well. It is a matter of time.

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In Singapore, alot of Singaporeans are complaining that the foreign talents are taking the best jobs. I have a few foreign talents friends, and I am amazed by their intelligence and hard work. They do deserve the best jobs, and I fully support the government's initiative to import the foreign Talents - especially offering scholarships to bright foreign students, who tend to assimilate better in the society. I am more skeptical about those foreign "talents" who were educated in their own countries.

Congratulations to TenCube

McAfee bolsters mobile offerings by acquiring tenCube

Congratulations to the founders of TenCube! I read on the Straits Times that the deal was estimated to be around US$5million. Happy to know that they are out of the rat race, they have fulfilled their dreams, and more importantly, they will be an inspiration to alot of high-tech startups in Singapore.

I was in the same project group as the founders, while we were in the US taking a Stanford module. There was one occasion when we had project discussion on Sunday evening, and we ended the discussion at around Monday 6am. We were totally gone and exhausted, but they were perfectionists and wanted to everything to be perfect. Thanks to them, I got an A for that module.

Over the years, I have seen so many startups failed. It is really heartening to hear the good news, especially from someone that I know. I believe it must have been a tough, but hopefully enjoyable journey for them. It is more than just intelligence and hard work, it is Passion. While most of their peers are in management consulting, investment banking and trading, they took risk and chose the path less trodden - entrepreneurship.

Now, they are successful and all the sacrifices seemed worthwhile. They instantly became an inspiration and there were 50+ congratulatory messages our small community. However, what if they failed? Would they be deemed as the foolish ones? Or even labeled as failure? 

Sometimes, I think success is more than just the end results - a validation to the effort and ability. May be we should also define success as personal growth, value-add to others, courage to pursue dreams etc...

More importantly, 

Are you Happy?

Did you enjoy the journey?

CCK Supper Gang

CCK Supper Gang

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On my way home after the supper, I was filled with gratitude.

Really grateful and happy to know this group of friends. 

Each of them is so special and has achieved so much in their own rights.

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This is a transition period in our lives.

PY is leaving for London.

XR is having a little one soon.

RF might be settling down soon.

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I like the background:

LIVE OUR DREAMS

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=)

Travel: Boracay & Manila Trip (3rd - 8th July)

Boracay & Manila

Moving On and Letting Go...

My last night in my home of 20 years.

I did not feel anything last few days, as I was very busy with the packing. Right now, I am feeling abit sad to leave this Humble, yet Happy Home.

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A few years ago, I wrote "Gotta take photos of Daily Life" and pasted it on my board. The seemingly insignificant and mundane things are really precious to me. A normal family dinner, A warm cup of Milo, Mum's Cooking etc...

I learnt not to take anything for granted, as nothing is permanent.

That's the impermanence of life

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How many of us have the wisdom to know that physical items could never fill the void in heart?

How many of us have the wisdom to appreciate simple things in life?

How many of us have the wisdom to move on and let go?

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I threw/recycled/donated/gave away many things.

Life is a cycle.

I had nothing and felt incomplete.

I started to buy things to feel happy and important.

Obsessed with collections & possession. However, those physical items could never bring lasting happiness.

Then, I realized I do not need alot of things.

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I am moving on and letting go.

I am still learning to let go...

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Below are some items of sentimental value, which i chose to let go:

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Eventually, everything has to go.

The Validation of the Impermanence of Life Again.

I am very fortunate and lucky to have a good family and friends who accompanied me over the years.

Not sure what the road lies ahead.

But I had a good life already.=)

Extremely Grateful for that.

Managing Oneself

Taken from Harvard Business Review:

"Do not try to change yourself - you are unlikely to succeed. But work hard to improve the way you perform. And try not to take on work you cannot perform or will only perform poorly."

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Contrary to the Conventional Teaching that we should to work hard on our weaknesses. If we work hard on our weaknesses, we would only become mediocre. If we work hard on our strength, we could become stars.

Kukup Trip & Chennai Trip

Kukup Trip with Friends

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Simple Lodging, BBQ Dinner, Board Games, Mahjong, Sunset, Kelong, Karaoke

It was a simple yet very enjoyable weekend get-together.

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Chennai - Radisson Beach Resort

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Asia Longest Swimming Pool, 5-Star Beach Resort, Good Restaurant Food, Comfortable Hotel Room, Business Discussion, On Company Expense

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While it was great to stay in nice hotel and eat good food, I definitely prefer the Kukup trip more than the overseas business trip. It is good to have physical comfort, but it is not that important and I definitely choose to hang-out with my friends anytime.

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That's the limitation of money.

Money cannot buy happiness.

Thank You Dr Goh Keng Swee

Dr Goh Keng Swee

(1918-2010)

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A tribute to Dr Goh for all his contribution and dedication to Singapore.

Unfortunately, I did not know much about Dr Goh until I watched an 1-hour documentary about him. Singaporeans are really fortunate to have such a dedicated and great leader like him. I take back my word in my previous post that there is no leader in Singapore whom I look up to.

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When I travel in 3rd world countries, I always grateful that I was born in Singapore. Alot of credits should go to Dr Goh. He lived a great life, and there is nothing to be sad about his departure.

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Thank You Dr Goh.

Travel: Boon's Japan Trip

My Japan Trip

A Dialogue

Source: Powerpoint & Jewish Rabbi's Blog -

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A brief dialogue between a Brazilian Christian Theologist Leonardo Boff and the Dalai Lama.

In a round table discussion about religion and freedom which Leonardo Boff ('LB') and Dalai Lama ('DL') were participating at recess.

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LB asked DL "Your Holiness, what is the best religion?"

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LB thought DL would say "Tibetan Buddhism" or "The Oriental Religion, much older than Christianity".

DL smiled and looked into LB's eyes replied "The best religion is the one that gets you closer to God. It is the one that makes you a better person."

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LB challenged DL "What is it that makes me a better person?"

DL responded:

"Whatever makes you

more compassionate,

more sensible,

more detached,

more loving,

more humanitarian,

more responsible,

more ethical."

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"The religion that will do that for you is the best religion."

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"I am not interested, my friend, about your religion or if you are religious or not. What really is important to me is your behaviour in front of your peers, family, work, community, and in front of the world. Remember, the universe is the echo of our actions and thoughts."

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"The law of action and reaction (aka Karma) is not exclusively for physics. It is also of human relations. If I act with goodness, I will receive goodness. If I act with evil, I will get evil.What our grandparents told us is the pure truth. You will always have what you desire for others. Being happy is not a matter of destiny. It is a matter of opinion."

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"Take care of your Thoughts because they become Words.

Take care of your Words because they become Actions.

Take care of your Actions because they become Habits.

Take care of your Habits because they will form your Character.

Take care of your Character because it will form your Destiny,

and your Destiny will be your Life."

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"There is no religion higher than THE Truth."

Rain - Korean SuperStar

I have never heard a song or watched a movie by Rain. In fact, I am never a fan of Japanese Pop or Korean Pop culture, but i know that Rain is very popular. Last night, I was about to sleep and I saw this documentary on the Discovery Channel about Rain - it was so interesting and touching that I was glued to it.

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Below are the highlights of the 1hour long documentary:

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I was really inspired by Rain.... He was living in poverty - being hungry, slept on the street, rejected by many companies. Yet, he did not give up, and with his talent and really really HARDWORK, he realised his dream to become a superstar. That is SHEER determination and hardwork.

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There was one story shared by his producer that was really sad:
This happened while Rain was preparing his first album. One day, Rain approached his producer for help - Rain's mother was sick. The producer drove Rain back home and found his mother who was suffering from Diabetes sleeping on the cold floor of a small apartment in winter. There was no heating facilities!!! The producer was so mad at Rain for not sharing his problem. The producer drove Rain's mother to the biggest hospital in Seoul for treatment. Unfortunately, Rain's mother passed away before his first album was released.
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Source: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1955294/bio
During Rain's time as a trainee, his family was living in poverty and his mother was becoming increasingly ill due to lack of money for medicine. Rain drove himself hard in order to prove himself ready to make his debut, but did not achieve success in time to save her life. She died from complications of diabetes a year before his debut. This event had a huge impact on Rain. He has said in interviews that he regrets having had conflict with her over skipping school to go to dance practice, and that he believes she is in heaven where she can see him. He says that a major motivation in his life is to make her proud and he still visits her grave before embarking on each new project.
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After this documentary, I see Rain as more than an entertainer - He is an inspiration for many young people from disadvantaged background.
RESPECT!!!

Simplifying Life... Quality matters more.

Simple Living in Eastern Tibet

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Every Weekend, I am doing some work in preparation for house-moving. I would recycle all the items that I do not need anymore. As I was looking through my stuffs, I realized that I used to derive a lot of satisfaction buying and owning a lot of items, which are now quite useless to me.

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For example: Books

I read my first book when I was 9 years-old. Yes, No kidding. My parents never bought any books for me to read and I struggled with my studies when I was in primary school. It was not their fault, as they were trying their best to make ends meet. When I was young, I disliked the experience of visiting a library as I would literally feel giddy and restless. That’s excluding those time I played 'hide and seek' in the school library. Haha...

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As for my studies, my strength has always been in Mathematics and Science (especially Physics), and I don’t really like languages (including Chinese) and Humanity subjects (especially English Literature). For the first twenty years of my life, I read a few books only.

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I only started reading when I was in the Army (19 year old), as I had too much free at night in the Army Camp. That was the time I understood why people enjoy reading. I started to buy books and derived a lot of satisfaction displaying them on my book-shelf. I was foolish to think that I am knowledgeable or educated just because I “conquered” those books.

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I have forgotten most of the content of the books. And it does not really matter. I realized that I only need to keep a FEW GOOD books, and I can do without the rest. I started to donate my books to the library or friends, as books are meant to be read, and not sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

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I felt happier to know that I have less books, and happy to know that I only kept those books that inspire and motivate me.

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This applies to other stuffs as well. Recycling my clothes, DVDs, Magazines, Gifts...

I do not need all the DVDs & CDs, I just need those that can inspire or motivate me. I do not need all the clothes, I just need those that I feel is nice and comfortable. I do not need to keep all the gifts and souvenirs, I just need those that have significant meanings in my life.

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I had wasted so much money & time buying so many useless things. However, it is part of growing up and learning. When I was young, I did not have a lot of things. And when I grew older and have a little spending power, I got satisfaction from owning things. Now, I am still happy to buy nice things, but I am aware that the joy is temporary and fleeting.

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Some people may never understand it.

I am sure one of my very good friends won’t.

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I derive happiness and pleasure in simplifying my life, knowing that I do not need so much physical possessions to be happy, knowing that my self-worth is beyond these superficial things and knowing that the things that TRULY matters in life are invisible to the eyes.

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I will continue to simplify and keep only the quality stuffs. =)

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Life is a cycle.

I came with nothing.

I owned something temporarily.

I will go with nothing.

That's the impermanence of life.

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One of my favourite Quotes:

"The essential things in life are seen not with the eyes, but with the heart."

- The Little Prince

Music of my life....

As I was moving house soon, I decided to pack the old CDs that were collecting dusts on the shelf. Each CD reminded me of the different phases of my life and I could see how I changed over the years.

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I told myself that I should not be too attached to any physical possession, but looking at these CDs, they are part of my life. They bring back precious memories to me.... telling me the story of my past. 

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Armageddon Soundtrack - Caught the movie with my Spice Gang (JC friends) in 1998. Club Hits 1998 - Quite into Techno music & dance like Ah-beng in CANTO. Retro Music - Went to Mambo Jumbo @ Zouk the first time in 1998. Jay Chou - My China & Tibet Trip in 2005. Faye Wong - Queued up to 2hrs just to purchase this CD with my best friend back in 1997. Forever Gold - Quite into Oldies when I was in Army in 1999. Madonna's Ray of Light - I like her be'cos of this album. The BEST so far. Madonna's Confession - Blasted this music with frustration almost everyday while I was driving back from work in 2006. Spice Girl - Just remindered me of my JC days. Beattles - My Army Days. Bryan Adam - Oldest CD in my collection - 1991. Norah Jones - Sunset & days spent @ San Francisco Bay Area. Ally Mcbeal - Dancing Baby! Enya, Inspirational Music & Enigma - Into New Age Music during Army Days

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Who cares about all these stories?

 These CDs are precious to me, but it would be worthless to others. This applies to many things in life - like the things I kept - letters, presents, journals, photos, education certificates... these are all worthless when I am gone. 

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If my house is caught on Fire and all these items are burnt, how would I feel? Should I keep them? Will they continue to bring happiness to my life? Are they just burden? Are memories really that precious? Should I be too attached to my past, my identity and my possessions? 

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Many years from now, nobody will know my existence. This blog will not be around. Everything that I owned will be turned into dust.

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So..  what's next?

Quote

"For as long as space endures

And for as long as living beings remain,

Until then may I, too, abide

To dispel the misery of the world."

- Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva