Life is all about Choices...

Final day of Navy openhouse is today.If u wish to visit,catch a shuttle at Expo hall 1, ends at 7pm. Alternatively, u can check out photos i've taken:
http://allaboutaki.multiply.com/photos/album/24

Can't hide my disappointment for waking up late this morning and missing out on bike rally So so...disappointed...

Alright. Vesak Day. I never really really go temple on this day since when i was very young. I rem i used to follow my parents to a temple for weekly chants and 'walk'. u really must have a peace of mind and quiet mind,patience to sit through the whole session. I glad she brought me to temple since i was young. I never wonder of the meaning or significance but it somehow was part of my life at least.

This year i hope to make a difference... i want to watch the process if possible and help out... For my non-buddhist friends, Vesak, full moon day which falls in the month of May is to commemorate the three great events in the life of the Buddha.

His Birth, Enlightenment and his entry into Nirvana.

The day starts with chanting of the sutras by saffronclad monks, while devotees visit the temples to pray and meditate and to make offerings. Acts of generosity known as dana are observed by Buddhist organizations and temples. These include the freeing of caged birds and animals.

It was rather amusing in fact that my friend from Nparks mentioned that they have to get volunteers to help keep a look out in our parks as people just release live animals back to nature. well, as long as they don't release dangerous animals...

U can visit the newly completed Buddha Tooth Relic Temple on vesak day eve to check out, Free admission http://www.btrts.org.sg/VesakOpening/Index_Vesak_LightUp.html

Kong Meng San
http://www.kmspks.org/download/flash/v2551.html

Today is 25th May 2007 Friday....
the compass isn't pointing anywhere
The sky breaks, rain came down

Do u love what u’re doing, dedicated to your job? I tend to stopped for a second look and pause to think and watch these people who’re so engrossed positively in their work.. I rem the night bazaar guy (in thailand last year)doing ice coffee, each pour from can to can is done with his skills and effort, it’s not just doing another cup but he make me feel he put effort into making each and every cup. I’m very impressed. It’s a nice cuppa.
When I was going to gym occasionally in the morning, I’ll sometimes see this security at the entrance of building guiding the cars and office workers entering the building. Yes, it’s a simple job, but he did it with so much energy, and dedication that he really stands out in my eyes. Even though it’s just wearing the white pair of gloves and signaling ‘stop’ or ‘go’. I salute to these people. I’ll enjoy the drink, food prepared by such people and definitely brought a smile to my face, doing their work with pride. My respect to ya!

I got on quite a new bus the other day. Never really took notice, there's several 'hammer' located beside some windows.

My first time touching a pistol and my embarrassing shots oops. Grateful for the teacher for letting me try. Maybe only chance to try.

Just went to listen to a talk today on people doing some humanitarian work. More and more people are embarking on it. why?

Many harbour the dreams to travel round the world, to run the longest marathon in the fastest time, to be the first in something, to earn millions? etc....but at the end of the day, on your death bed one day, will these really matter to u? What are people pursuing so hard for? and getting themselves all so caught up and confused, lost.

For u to answer. Or would making a difference in someone else's life, just one, would have made u leave this world without any regrets....

err not a very productive day. Wasn't in the mood for serious work this few days. Counting down to knock off now. I think the first time ever since i started work here.

Beginning to like drum beats cos of the lively rymthm. Of all the instruments, i used to ignore percussion the most cos i thought they are just plain hitting and no tunes or moods. But beginning to realise 'beats' can make a whole lot difference to a band.
Wondering ever got the chance to learn and perform one gig....that'll be so cool....for memory sake, making it a blast.err... dreaming again...anyone knows of any groups or learning centres?

It's been some time since i last donated blood Do your part, u can help save life.
Visit: http://www.hsa.gov.sg/html/consumer/donorcare.html for more information.
I dropped by to visit a teacher after that. It's my first time inside a Class A patient room? Wow, theres even a flat screen computer hooked up with internet, video viewing etc. Got the entire room to yourself.

This period is the season for movies! Oh dear, we just had the Singapore International Film Festival and upcoming is an Asian Buddhist Film Festival (http://www.asianbuddhistfilmfest.org/ ). Heard about this only from my friend. Is this the first time? Or am i so ignorant that actually there's so much more ongoings in singapore
And then the usual movies that's showing, i just finish spiderman 3, not bad though expected.
Today will be catching another one "Born into Brothels". Looking forward to it where it depicts a photographer journey to help children in need.

Interesting news today in Sunday Plus showing the expatriates and foreigners living in Singapore, their life, the food and thoughts on people here.

Sadly, another plane crash with 114 on board, flight KQ507, a Kenyan airline. There's no news of any survivors yet A distress signal is received just after the plane took off after which the traffic controllers lost contact with the plane.
Let's hope and pray...

It's the DJ Challenge! Daniel Ong is challenging Carrie to see who runs the most for the month of May! U can support them if u wish to : http://www.nike.com/nikeplus/?locale=en_sg#celebritieschallenge

Beach Volleyball babes and hunks. SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 07 is here!
Date: 24 - 25 (Main draw rounds)
26 May (Semi Finals)
27 May (Finals)
Time: 9-6pm
Venue: Siloso Beach
Visit: http://www.singaporebvbworldtour.com/

The effects of global warming is getting increasingly felt. I was aware of weather over thailand cos of my thai friend over there. Just not long ago, the thick haze covered the northern region, followed by weeks of draught, and now?
Yes, rain...prepared for flash floods. The climate is going out of control.
Last winter saw many countries haven temperatures dipped to extreme low.
The rainy season seems to hit thailand sooner than expected. And possibly lasting a longer period.
"About 2,400 villages in 51 provinces are at risk of mudslides and flash floods from torrential rains expected over the next few days.."
http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/index.php

Pardon me, I can't stop giggling to myself on the train this morning when i read the headline on "Today" papers. Singapore has clinched the "Fastest walkers in the world" clocking in 10.5s!! Well done hahahaha! Singaporeans took the shortest time to cover 18m done on Orchard Road stretch.

Kudos to the person who did such a unique survey too. I used to think Hongkong has the fastest walking people. Does the pace of the city reflect in the speed they walk?

Are Singaporeans no longer capable to stop or slow down now to smell the flowers or stopped to help someone in need?

Some thoughts for u my fellow singaporeans....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is a little girl who often wanders off on her own on her little explorations. One summer, she was playing by the bridge over a small stream and found a beautiful yellow flower. She took a liking to the flower and came back daily to just sit by the flower and give it water. But the yellow flower didn't respond. Still, she tried her best and came back to the bridge to see the flower but each time the flower stood motionless. The little girl was disappointed and suddenly felt very tired. On her final visit to the bridge, the flower was no longer there. Where has it gone? She was upset but soon, she learned to move on.

2 and a half years later, the girl was on her usual little exploration and this time she wandered into a somewhat barren land. There were only wild flowers,weeds, short bushy plants here and there. And then she found a lalang. Just one that stood strongly among the wild plants and weeds. She was curious even though it's just a plain lalang. It was a windy day. As the wind blew, the lalang scattered its fluffy little 'firs'....The little girl giggled at the sight.

A week later, she took a walk back to the barren land and this time, she saw dozens of lalang! A sudden wind came, and all the lalang swayed gently with the wind. It was a beautiful sight and the little girl danced among the lalang. She was very happy. The lalang seemed to spread it's love far and away bringing more lalang to the barren land and joy to the little girl. Even though it's just a lalang in the wild where no one seemed to notice, it stood strong and spread its love as much as it can.
How long will she be able to dance with the lalang...or will the yellow flower appear again?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Short story by A.Y.S.M