SPAGHETTI

When I received an email from my colleague, Vanessa Yong, in my inbox entitled, "Spaghetti", I thought Vanessa wanted to check with me on the cooking of the pasta. I had recently taught her how to make Spaghetti Bolognese and Pasta Marinara Bianco (Pasta Seafood with white wine).

The "Spaghetti" turned out to be a joke. I laughed so hard till my tummy became bloated with air, and helped to fill some of the pangs of hunger! (Great way to lose weight) Hence, I reproduce the joke to tickle my readers' funny bones! :-)

SPAGHETTI


For several years, a man was having an affair with an Italian woman.
One night, she confided in him that she was pregnant. Not wanting to ruin
his reputation or his marriage, He paid her a large sum of money if she
would go to Italy to secretly have the child, if she stayed in Italy to
raise the child, he would also provide child support until the child turned
18.

She agreed, but asked how he would know when the baby was born. To
keep it discrete, he told her to simply mail him a post card, and write
"Spaghetti" on the back. He would then arrange for the child support
payments to begin.

One day, about 9 months later, he came home to his confused
wife."Honey,"she said, "you received a very strange post card
today." "Oh, just give it to me and I'll explain it later," he said.The
wife obeyed and watched as her husband read the card, turned white,and
fainted.

On the card was written:

"Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Three with
meatballs, two without. Send extra sauce."

Sibling's Love - A Touching Story

I feel sad whenever I read about how siblings fight and tear each other apart over claims for their parents' wealth, etc.

Hence, when my colleague, Vanessa Yong, sent me this article, I felt extremely touched and would like to share this poignant story with my readers.


A VERY TOUCHING STORY.....

I was born in a secluded village on a mountain.

Day by day, my parents plowed the yellow dry soil with
their backs towards the sky.

I have a brother who is 3 years younger than me.

I wanted to buy a handkerchief, which all girls around
me seemed to have. So,
one day I stole 50 cents from my father's drawer.
Father had discovered about
the stolen money right away.

He made me and my younger brother kneel against the
wall as he held a bamboo
stick in his hand.

"Who stole the money?" he asked.

I was stunned, too afraid to talk. Neither of us
admitted to the fault, so he
said, "Fine, if nobody wants to admit, you two should
be beaten!"

He lifted up the bamboo stick.

Suddenly, my younger brother gripped father's hand and
said," Dad, I was the one
who did it!"

The long stick smacked my brother's back repeatedly.

Father was so angry that he kept on whipping my
brother until he lost his
breath.

After that, he sat down on our stone bed and scolded
my brother, "You have
learned to steal from your own house now. What other
embarrassing things will
you be possibly d oing in the future? You should be
beaten to death, you
shameless thief!"

That night, my mother and I hugged my brother. His
body was full of wounds from
the beating but he never shed a single tear.

In the middle of the night, all of sudden, I cried out
loudly.

My brother covered my mouth with his little hand and
said, " Sis, now don't cry
anymore. Everything has happened."

I still hate myself for not having enough courage to
admit what I did.

Years gone by, but the incident still seemed like it
just happened yesterday.

I will never forget my brother's ___expression when he
protected me.

That year, my brother was 8 years old and I was 11
years old.

When my brother was in his last year of secondary
school, he was accepted in an
upper secondary school in the central. At the same
time, I was accepted into a university in the
province.

That night, father squatted in the yard, smoking,
packet by packet.

I could hear him ask my mother, "Both of our children,
they have good results?
very good results?"

Mother wiped off her tears and sighed," What is the
use? How can we possibly
finance both of them?"

At that time, my brother walked out, he stood in front
of father and said, "Dad,
I don't want to continue my study anymore, I have read
enough books."

Father swung his hand and slapped my brother on his
face!

"Why do you have a spirit so damn weak? Even if it
means I have to beg for money
on the streets,

I will send you two to school until you have both
finished your study!"

And then, he started to knock on every house in the
village to borrow money.

I stuck out my hand as gently as I can to my brother's
swollen face, and told
him, "A boy has to continue his study; If not, he will
not be able to overcome
this poverty we are experiencing."

I, on the other hand, had decided not to further my
study at the university.

Nobody knew that on the next day, before dawn, my
brother left the house with a
few pieces of worn-out clothes and a few dry beans. He
sneaked to my side of the
bed and left a note on my pillow; "Sis, getting into a
university is not easy. I
will go find a job and I will send money to you."

I held the note while sitting on my bed, and cried
until I lost my voice.

That year, my brother was 17 years old; I was 20 years
old.

With the money father borrowed from the whole village,
and the money my brother
earned from carrying cement on his back at a
construction site,finally, I
managed to get to the third year of my study in the
university.

One day, while I was studying in my room, my roommate
came in and told
me,"There's a villager waiting for you outside!"

Why would there be a villager looking for me?

I walked out, and I saw my brother from afar. His
whole body was covered with
dirt, dust, cement and sand.

I asked him, "Why did you not tell my roommate that
you are my brother?"

He replied with a smile," Look at my appearance. What
will they think if they
would know that I am your brother? Won't they laugh at
you?"

I felt so touched, and tears filled my eyes. I swept
away dirt and dust from my
brother's body. And told him with a lump in my throat,
"I don't care what people
would say! You are my brother no matter
what your appearance is?"

From his pocket, he took out a butterfly hair clip.

He put it on my hair and said, "I saw all the girls in
town are wearing it. So,
I think you should also have one."

I could not hold back myself anymore. I pulled my
brother into my arms and
cried.

That year, my brother was 20 years old; I was 23 years
old.

I noticed that the broken window was repaired the
first time I brought my
boyfriend home. The house was scrubbed cleaned.

After my boyfriend left, I danced like a little girl
in front of my mother,
"Mom, you didn't have to spend so much time cleaning
the house!" But she told me
with a smile," It was your brother who went home early
to clean the house.
Didn't you see the wound on his hand? He hurt his hand
while he was replacing
the window."

I went into my brother's bedroom. Looking at his thin
face, I felt like there
are hundreds of needle pricked in my heart.

I applied some ointment on his wound and put a bandage
on it, "Does it hurt? " I
asked him.

"No, it doesn't hurt. You know, when at the
construction site, stones keep
falling on my feet. Even that could not stop me from
working."

In the middle of the sentence, he stopped. I turned my
back on him and tears
rolled down my face.

That year, my brother was 23 years old; I was 26 years
old.

After I got married, I lived in the city. Many times
my husband invited my
parents to come and live with us, but they didn't
want.

They said, once they left the village,they wouldn't
know what to do.

My brother agreed with them. He said, "Sis, you just
take care of your
parents-in-law. I will take care of mom and dad here."

My husband became the director of his factory. We
asked my brother to accept the
offer of being the manager in the maintenance
department. But my brother
rejected the offer. He insisted on working as a
repairman instead for a start.

One day, my brother was on the top of a ladder
repairing a cable, when he got
electrocuted, and was sent to the hospital.

My husband and I visited him at the hospital.

Looking at the white gypsum on his leg, I grumbled,
"Why did you reject the
offer of being a manager? Managers won't do something
dangerous like that. Now
look at you, You ar suffering a serious injury. Why
didn't you just listen to
us?"

With a serious ___expression on his face, he defended
his decision, "Think of
brother-in-law. He just became the director, and I
being uneducated, and would
become a manager, what kind of rumors would
fly around?"

My husband's eyes filled up with tears, and then I
said, "But you lack in
education only because of me!"

"Why do you talk about the past?" he said and then he
held my hand.

That year, he was 26 years old and I was 29 years old.

My brother was 30 years old when he married a farmer
girl from the village.

During the wedding reception, the master of ceremonies
asked him, "Who is the
one person you respect and love the most?"

Without even taking a time to think, he answered," My
sister." He continued by
telling a story I could not even remember.

"When I was in primary school, the school was in a
different village. Everyday,
my sister and I would walk for 2 hours to school and
back home. One day, I lost
the other pair of my gloves. My sister gave me one of
hers.

She wore only one glove and she had to walk far. When
we got home, her hands
were tremblin g because of the cold weather that she
could not even hold her
chopsticks. From that day on, I swore that as long as
I live, I would take care
of my sister and will always be good to her."

Applause filled up the room. All guests turned their
attention to
me.

I found it hard to speak, "In my whole life, the one I
would like to thank most
is my brother," And in this happy occasion,in front of
the crowd, tears were
rolling down my face again.

Love and care for the one you love every single day of
your life. You may think
what you did is just a small deed, but to that
someone, it may mean a lot.



A very touching story. . .

I was born in a secluded village on a mountain.

Day by day, my parents plowed the yellow dry soil with
their backs towards the sky.

I have a brother who is 3 years younger than me.

I wanted to buy a handkerchief, which all girls around
me seemed to have. So,
one day I stole 50 cents from my father's drawer.
Father had discovered about
the stolen money right away.

He made me and my younger brother kneel against the
wall as he held a bamboo
stick in his hand.

"Who stole the money?" he asked.

I was stunned, too afraid to talk. Neither of us
admitted to the fault, so he
said, "Fine, if nobody wants to admit, you two should
be beaten!"

He lifted up the bamboo stick.

Suddenly, my younger brother gripped father's hand and
said," Dad, I was the one
who did it!"

The long stick smacked my brother's back repeatedly.

Father was so angry that he kept on whipping my
brother until he lost his
breath.

After that, he sat down on our stone bed and scolded
my brother, "You have
learned to steal from your own house now. What other
embarrassing things will
you be possibly d oing in the future? You should be
beaten to death, you
shameless thief!"

That night, my mother and I hugged my brother. His
body was full of wounds from
the beating but he never shed a single tear.

In the middle of the night, all of sudden, I cried out
loudly.

My brother covered my mouth with his little hand and
said, " Sis, now don't cry
anymore. Everything has happened."

I still hate myself for not having enough courage to
admit what I did.

Years gone by, but the incident still seemed like it
just happened yesterday.

I will never forget my brother's ___expression when he
protected me.

That year, my brother was 8 years old and I was 11
years old.

When my brother was in his last year of secondary
school, he was accepted in an
upper secondary school in the central. At the same
time, I was accepted into a university in the
province.

That night, father squatted in the yard, smoking,
packet by packet.

I could hear him ask my mother, "Both of our children,
they have good results?
very good results?"

Mother wiped off her tears and sighed," What is the
use? How can we possibly
finance both of them?"

At that time, my brother walked out, he stood in front
of father and said, "Dad,
I don't want to continue my study anymore, I have read
enough books."

Father swung his hand and slapped my brother on his
face!

"Why do you have a spirit so damn weak? Even if it
means I have to beg for money
on the streets,

I will send you two to school until you have both
finished your study!"

And then, he started to knock on every house in the
village to borrow money.

I stuck out my hand as gently as I can to my brother's
swollen face, and told
him, "A boy has to continue his study; If not, he will
not be able to overcome
this poverty we are experiencing."

I, on the other hand, had decided not to further my
study at the university.

Nobody knew that on the next day, before dawn, my
brother left the house with a
few pieces of worn-out clothes and a few dry beans. He
sneaked to my side of the
bed and left a note on my pillow; "Sis, getting into a
university is not easy. I
will go find a job and I will send money to you."

I held the note while sitting on my bed, and cried
until I lost my voice.

That year, my brother was 17 years old; I was 20 years
old.

With the money father borrowed from the whole village,
and the money my brother
earned from carrying cement on his back at a
construction site,finally, I
managed to get to the third year of my study in the
university.

One day, while I was studying in my room, my roommate
came in and told
me,"There's a villager waiting for you outside!"

Why would there be a villager looking for me?

I walked out, and I saw my brother from afar. His
whole body was covered with
dirt, dust, cement and sand.

I asked him, "Why did you not tell my roommate that
you are my brother?"

He replied with a smile," Look at my appearance. What
will they think if they
would know that I am your brother? Won't they laugh at
you?"

I felt so touched, and tears filled my eyes. I swept
away dirt and dust from my
brother's body. And told him with a lump in my throat,
"I don't care what people
would say! You are my brother no matter
what your appearance is?"

From his pocket, he took out a butterfly hair clip.

He put it on my hair and said, "I saw all the girls in
town are wearing it. So,
I think you should also have one."

I could not hold back myself anymore. I pulled my
brother into my arms and
cried.

That year, my brother was 20 years old; I was 23 years
old.

I noticed that the broken window was repaired the
first time I brought my
boyfriend home. The house was scrubbed cleaned.

After my boyfriend left, I danced like a little girl
in front of my mother,
"Mom, you didn't have to spend so much time cleaning
the house!" But she told me
with a smile," It was your brother who went home early
to clean the house.
Didn't you see the wound on his hand? He hurt his hand
while he was replacing
the window."

I went into my brother's bedroom. Looking at his thin
face, I felt like there
are hundreds of needle pricked in my heart.

I applied some ointment on his wound and put a bandage
on it, "Does it hurt? " I
asked him.

"No, it doesn't hurt. You know, when at the
construction site, stones keep
falling on my feet. Even that could not stop me from
working."

In the middle of the sentence, he stopped. I turned my
back on him and tears
rolled down my face.

That year, my brother was 23 years old; I was 26 years
old.

After I got married, I lived in the city. Many times
my husband invited my
parents to come and live with us, but they didn't
want.

They said, once they left the village,they wouldn't
know what to do.

My brother agreed with them. He said, "Sis, you just
take care of your
parents-in-law. I will take care of mom and dad here."

My husband became the director of his factory. We
asked my brother to accept the
offer of being the manager in the maintenance
department. But my brother
rejected the offer. He insisted on working as a
repairman instead for a start.

One day, my brother was on the top of a ladder
repairing a cable, when he got
electrocuted, and was sent to the hospital.

My husband and I visited him at the hospital.

Looking at the white gypsum on his leg, I grumbled,
"Why did you reject the
offer of being a manager? Managers won't do something
dangerous like that. Now
look at you, You ar suffering a serious injury. Why
didn't you just listen to
us?"

With a serious ___expression on his face, he defended
his decision, "Think of
brother-in-law. He just became the director, and I
being uneducated, and would
become a manager, what kind of rumors would
fly around?"

My husband's eyes filled up with tears, and then I
said, "But you lack in
education only because of me!"

"Why do you talk about the past?" he said and then he
held my hand.

That year, he was 26 years old and I was 29 years old.

My brother was 30 years old when he married a farmer
girl from the village.

During the wedding reception, the master of ceremonies
asked him, "Who is the
one person you respect and love the most?"

Without even taking a time to think, he answered," My
sister." He continued by
telling a story I could not even remember.

"When I was in primary school, the school was in a
different village. Everyday,
my sister and I would walk for 2 hours to school and
back home. One day, I lost
the other pair of my gloves. My sister gave me one of
hers.

She wore only one glove and she had to walk far. When
we got home, her hands
were tremblin g because of the cold weather that she
could not even hold her
chopsticks. From that day on, I swore that as long as
I live, I would take care
of my sister and will always be good to her."

Applause filled up the room. All guests turned their
attention to
me.

I found it hard to speak, "In my whole life, the one I
would like to thank most
is my brother," And in this happy occasion,in front of
the crowd, tears were
rolling down my face again.

Love and care for the one you love every single day of
your life. You may think
what you did is just a small deed, but to that
someone, it may mean a lot.

No Teeth, No Money and ........No Hair!!!!!

Recently, our Prime Minister, in his usual humorous manner, reminded his beloved citizens and residents of Singapore, that when they are old, it would be terrible not to have teeth; it would be even worse if they had no money!! I would like to remind our Prime Minister and his cabinet, "Bo geh, bo lui.....pun bo moh!!! (No teeth, no money.....and also no hair!)

If you were to look around, the people in this little dot need not wait till 85 years to lose their hairs! Already, young men at around mid-twenties are starting to bald. Worse, ladies too are losing their hairs, and many could be seen with bald patches on their otherwise perfect heads!!! During my mother's time, ladies usually, unless they had health problems, often had their lovely crowning glory intact till they went six feet under!

Why is that so? More and more ladies are taking on the roles as heads of the families. The divorce rate is increasing, and usually mothers have custody of their children. Even single ladies who are climbing the corporate ladder of success are balding!

Not to sound as if I were murmuring, I would perhaps like to point out how things could be improved in our little nation so that stress can be reduced for everyone.

More leeways should be given. Although rules are good to maintain law and order, nevertheless, every case should be weighed and considered. Do not just penalise your people ....please don't just follow law! It makes me feel very "sian" (fed up)
when I read of the man who was fined for parking his car in front of his own house.
Sometimes, we take things for granted, you know. After all, our sense of ownership does not only extend to our lovely island of Singapore, but to our little homes as well. The driveway infront of our doors must be ours lah. After all, we would only be blocking ourselves with our car parked at our own entrance. I would suggest a warning be given; or a little explanation from the authority be given to elucidate or educate your people.

I was also amused when I read that the National Library had sent out fines to those who did not return books some time back, ranging as far back as five years! I guess the majority of our people would not have the blessings of a photographic memory. People would be more likely to remember hurts and pain inflicted upon them, but not books borrowed and returned late. As one borrower had cried out in frustration, "So much work over 30 cents." The time of our people could be saved by asking them to donate the fines. Can you imagine people spending a few dollars in bus or mrt fares to the Library just to pay the 30 cents fine? Why not give them the option of donating $5/- or $10/- to a charitable organisation. The $10/- is taking into consideration the saving of time and taxi fares. Or why not just cancel and pardon your people and give a stern warning? No, I am not a borrower; in fact, very paiseh, (embarrassing) I had never stepped into any public library all these two and a half decades since I arrived in Singapore! I glean all my information from magazines and newspapers, as well as the computer. Somehow I never like libraries....they remind me of cemetries; the silence and serious ambience in the building is too frightening for me.

The government has encouraged everyone to be entrepreneurial. Yet so many rules are stringent. If a company gets messed up; directors quarrel, income and expenses are not filed, heavy fines are imposed. Is it any wonder why many a brainy engineer or lawyer prefers to be a salaried staff? Too many risks and too stringent rules. If we want to keep the hairs on our heads intact; play safe. Lead a less complicated life.

Perhaps the marriage vow should be revised to, "In sickness and in good health; in poverty and in wealth, in head full of hairs and botak head, (bald headed) till death do us part."

Arghh! Hairs are dropping from my head! Where's the vacuum cleaner?

Gan Chau

My Role Model (1)

As some of my readers find my articles somewhat too long, I have decided to break them into parts for easier and more rapid reading. Today, I want my readers to know the character of my role model.

Eldest sister, Lee Lee, has always been a responsible sister and filial daughter. She was always concerned about the health of my parents, especially the over weight of papa. Now she is concerned about my weight and teaches me how to go for healthier options where food is concerned.

I remember when she was dating my brother-in-law, she had on a few occasions taken the family out for a nice meal and to sight see Penang Hill and Batu Feringghi Beach as well. While second sister Ean Ean preferred complete privacy, eldst sister was always willing to share her time and money.

Sister shared how when she was in Primary School, she was flippant and nonchalant about her school work. Everyday, she would just dump her schooolbag in the house after school, and go out to play till sun set! Yet, when she became a Christian in Secondary One, everything changed for her. She became studious and realised that books were actually very interesting to read. Soon she topped the class. Not wanting to be a burden to papa, Sister enrolled at the Teacher's Training College. She was an excellent teacher in the primary schools she had taught in Penang and Sarawak.

I remember I wept when Sister had to move to Sarawak. She kept asking me to take good care of our parents. She was a good wife and mother, ensuring that all her children receive the tertiary education that she never had. Today, all my nephews and niece are doing very well.

Eldest sister is an excellent manager of her time. She is always active and no matter how busy, she will always find time to go that extra mile for others. I remember how she took the time to knit a lovely sweater and scarf for me when I was preparing for my trip to Canada for my studies. It is amazing how she can pack so much in a day. People say that ladies are multi taskers and sister is an excellent example.

I thank God that He has shown me His love by giving me a wonderful sister. When you have wonderful and caring older siblings, you will be glad you that you have taken your own sweet time to come out of your mother's womb. I know I am. :-)

My Role Model

 

 

God has blessed me with a wonderful sister. Lee Lee, my eldest sis, has been endowed with many gifts. She can sew, sing, dance, play the piano, cook and write. As my papa was quite poor, it did not stop sister from learning many things. Since she could not afford to go to classes, sister became eagle-eyed, observing and learning on her own.

Sis is extremely good with needlework - something which is never my cup of tea. The only time I used a needle and thread is when I have to put back some buttons that had come off or when I am hemming some clothes! I proudly showed off the patchwork blanket and cushion covers that sister had made for me. Sis had even sewed her own wedding gown and she also sewed one wedding gown for her best friend. When I was a little girl, I felt so proud to wear the many frocks and pretty dresses that sister made for me. I was plump and always warm, and sister would sew loose fitting clothes that allowed me to have more ventilation in the sultry heat!

Sister is excellent in her cooking and had won the first prize in one of the cooking contests. At one time, she used to run her own little cafe, whipping up as many as 30 different dishes, much to the delight of her customers. When sister came to stay with me, she cooked for me and for our guests.

I was filled with awe when I heard that Sis had chosen to specialise in teaching Bahasa Malaysia, a language she had only picked up when she was in Secondary School! She was an effective teacher, judging from the good results given by her students. Sister had also written a novel in Bahasa Malaysia and won a prize for it. She is also effectively bilingual in Mandarin and had published many stories and essays in Chinese.

I guess, being such a capable lady, sis has a tendency to worry too much. In contrast, I am the easy going, happy-go-lucky type. This is why I feel it is more appropriate for me to be a single lady! Like papa, I am optimisic, always believing that there is only so much we can do; we just do our best and leave God to do the rest.

Many of my friends and colleagues envy me for having such a wonderful sister. Indeed eldest sister is my role model. I hope I can become a little more versatile and domesticated like her! Where's the needle? Arghh! help!!

Gan Chau

The Law of the Garbage Truck

I received an article from my colleague, Vanessa Yong, who is also the President of our Dennis Wee Group Toastmasters' Club. Vanessa is a very well groomed and lovely lady, who has a cheerful and bright personality even though she has quite a hard life and has gone through enough sufferings to last her a lifetime. She is always
positive and forgiving.... read on and you will know her secret! Let us all practise the law of the garbage truck! We will be able to save a lot of money in wrinkle cream, botox, etc. and enjoy the "free emotional cosmetics" provided by the law of the garbage truck!!!


Dear Choo,

After reading this, you would know why I can't be bothered to remember unhappy incidents.

In life, we go thru too much unpleasant experiences. It's OK to be upset for a while but to remain angry is really not worth it.

The trick to this is, when you start to get angry, think of the wrinkles you would develop from that. That should deter us from it! Heehee......

Cheers
Vanessa

Beware of Garbage Trucks
by David J. Pollay

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood?
Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive
employee ruin your day?
Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on
your heels.
However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly he/she can get
back her focus on what's important.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New
York City taxi cab.
Here's what happened.

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station.
We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car
jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed
on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just
inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident,
whipped his head around and he started
yelling bad words at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was
friendly.
So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and
sent us to the hospital!'

And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the
Garbage Truck.'

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full
of frustration, full of anger,
and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place
to dump it.
And if you let them, they'll dump it on you.
When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally.

You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
You'll be happy you did.
So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.'
I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me?
And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at
work, at home, on the streets?
It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.'
I began to see garbage trucks.
I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off.
And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile,
wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this
every day on the football field.
He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled.
He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his
best.


Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting.
Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from
school with hugs and kisses.
Teachers and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their
best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take
over their day.
What about you?
What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage
trucks pass you by?

You'll be happier Here's my bet.


So.. Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance , TAKE IT!
If it changes your life , LET IT!
Nobody said it would be easy...
They just promised it would be worth it!

Tasty Thai Hut

 

After closing my client's executive condominium at Summerdale, they gave me a ride to Bukit Timah as it would be easier for me to catch direct buses to my home.

I decided to have an early dinner at the Food Centre at Toh Yi Drive. I stumbled upon an attractive looking stall displaying interesting Thai dishes. The prices were reasonable. $3.90 for most of the dishes from Phad Thai to Pineapple Rice and Green Curry.

I decided to try the Phad Thai. It is delicious and the noodle is not too dry, with just the right amount of moisture. I talked to the lady and found out that her name is Swee and she hailed from Haadyai, and is married to a Singaporean. As hers is a one-woman show, she can only limit herself to preparing 8 types of dishes. I complimented her for her culinary skill and asked if she would provide olive rice in future. She might try one day as her business expands, and she is able to afford an assistant.


Try the food readers. You won't be disappointed! The Thai food is authentic, cheap and good!!! I am not a "foodie" like Dr. Leslie Tay. No matter how delicious the food, do not expect me to travel far and wide for the food. For me the most important is convenience. Hence, I will try food as and when I am "landed". And when I do come across good and cheap food, I will whip out my camera and introduce the stall to my colleagues and clients. :-)

Kenneth - A Cute Poodle

 

 

 

My immediate neighbour, Irene, has a white poodle, Kenneth. He is 10 years old. When I first visited Irene, Kenneth took to me immediately. I guess dogs have an instinct and can immediately detect animal lovers!

Kenneth likes to go for his daily walks. Even though he is quite an old dog, and walks sometimes a little too slowly for his impatient mistress, he still enjoys taking a breather outdoors. As is the habit of most dogs, Kenneth likes to urinate on poles, and trunks of trees, etc. Most small dogs have a tendency to bark a lot, but Kenneth is quiet. He does not bark when neighbours pass by his owner's unit. It is as if he knows for he only barks when strangers come a knocking!

Once Irene brought Kenneth to my apartment. Irene warned Kenneth not to dirty the apartment and he was obedient. Irene showed me how Kenneth disliked to be told that he is dirty and smelly. Irene gave a little rub on his body and put her hand near Kenneth's nose, "See, you're so dirty and smelly." Immediately Kenneth growled to show his displeasure.! I laughed when I saw him barring his teeth to show that he was really angry! He only growled but never bit.

How I wish dogs can be given proper names for dogs, eg. Snowy, Brownie, Snoopy, Chewie, etc. Once Irene called her dog, and a young man kept turning around. Finally he asked, "Are you calling me?"

I am not a statistician or psychologist, but I believe dog and animal lovers are generally happier, more relaxed and serene people!

Gan Chau

Innovative Ways of Eating Raw Vegetables

When one thinks of raw vegetables, one immediately thinks of Caesar Salad or Mixed Greens with your typical salad dressing. Of course, there are those extremely health conscious people who would go for "naked salad" ie. salad without any dressing!

I love mint and basil leaves. The Thai basil leaves are a lot cheaper than the ones used for making pesto sauce in Italian cooking. I enjoy making some sambal udang (spicy pounded dried prawns) and eat them with mint or basil leaves. Really appetizing!

I also make my own salad dressing which is a combination of Italian and Asian. I would use lemon juice with extra virgin oil, and add some salt, sugar, pepper and a dash of sesame oil. It is fragrant and delicious.

My eldest sister, Lee Lee, taught me how to take fresh cucumber in an innovative way. Take a whole cucumber with some seedless "suan mei" (dried plum). Take a bite of cucumber with a small bite of dried plum. So simple, yet the taste is quite phenomenal. Whenever I am too tired or busy to cook, I would take some cucumbers with dried plum.

Do my readers have any innovative way to eating raw vegetables? I would like to hear from you. Please share, and together we become slim and fair! :-)

Gan Chau

Am I an old aunty terrorist?

After work, I wanted to go to the Value Shop at Toa Payoh to buy some note books for the Indian members in the Tamil Ministry of my church. As the quantity would be about 60 books, I decided to bring along my luggage trolley. I won't feel the weight as I can lug the trolley around. Since I live in the city, it is easy to zip around in trains. I always try to take the train as it is faster and more economical.

I was somewhat surprised when a security officer stopped me at Dhoby Ghaut Station, and asked to check my luggage trolley. I was calm and smiled as I opened my bag. She also asked me to open my handbag. Later she thanked me and I went down the escalator to catch my train. The train had just left, thus leaving me with some time to look at myself at the mirrored glass door.

"Do I look like a terrorist? If I do, I must be one fat terrorist.! I took a close look at my face. Mmm....a little boyish looking as I just had my hair cut the previous day. After all, a potential recruit agent had addressed me as "Mr. Kam Choo Choo." Couldn't the security officer tell that I look like one of those demure, innocent looking aunties with five children and eighteen grandchildren? Or did I appear to her as someone with a sex-exchange operation? Or is it because of my serious appearance when I don't smile? I smiled at my own thoughts, and soon some passengers were also smiling at me!!!

Nevertheless, I still feel proud of our eagle-eyed security officers! It is better to be safe than sorry. It is better to be paranoid, over-cautious and forever alert! Terrorism is no laughing matter!!!

Gan Chau

Delightful Children

 

Children are so pure and lovable

I love kids. I love children's art and I love to engage them in conversation. It is interesting how refreshing and enlightening they can sometimes be. I realise that when I talk to children, I sometimes discover more about myself! Don't you too?

Recently, I received an email from a fellow toastmaster, Adrien Johns. It is humorous, entertaining and somewhat surprisingly insightful, and hence I am publishing in my blog for my readers to have a good laugh.

Subject: Children's Science Exam Answers



Q: Name the four seasons.
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.

Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to
drink.
A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes
large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.

Q: How is dew formed?
A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour?
A: Keep it in the cow.

Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?

A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All
Water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no Water on
the moon, and nature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in
this fight.

Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get Intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his Adultery.

Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.
A: Premature death.

Q: How are the main parts of the body categorized? (e.g., abdomen.)
A: The body is consisted into three parts - the brainium, the
borax And the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the
Borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains
the five bowels A, E, I, O, and U.

Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie

Q: What does "varicose" mean? (I do love this one...)
A: Nearby.

Q: Give the meaning of the term "Caesarean Section."
A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome

Cheap and Good!!!

 

The stall at Tekka Food Centre, #01-354

 

The laksa that has just the right amount of coconut milk

 

The prawn noodle soup gives a delightful fragrance. Without a shadow of doubt, the operators use prawn stock, not msg.!

When I moved to Little India, I was somewhat apprehensive as to what food I could find. Hence, imagine my delight when I found that many of the food stalls at Tekka Market Food Centre are not only delicious but easy on the pocket!

My favourite local dishes are laksa and prawn noodle soup. Hence, I was very glad when I found a stall at unit 01-354, Quan Fa Cooked Food, run by a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Chen.

The laksa has just the right amount of coconut milk. I find that most operators tend to add too much coconut milk into their stock. The couple are also generous with the prawns.... a bowl of $2.00 laksa or prawn noodles comes with 3 average sized whole prawns.

Take your family out one day to Tekka Market Food Centre. You can have a variety of food - from Chinese, Indian, Malay to Western Food. I understand that the dumb briyani is very famous and so is the Indian Rojak. There is certainly something for everyone.

Am I glad I have moved here, where food is still so cheap and affordable in the city!

Gan Chau

Ready to Go!

After meeting up with a prospective client, I decided to give my colleagues, Aveline, Sally and Louise a treat at a coffee shop which is famous for their zhi char (selected dishes) at Dickson Road. The stall is particularly famous for their prawn salad, pan cake mee hoon and braised tofu.

When I came back home, I was surprised when my tenant, Yi Wei, asked me excitedly if I felt the tremors at about 7.30p.m. At 7.30p.m. we were in Aveline's car, and hence did not feel any tremor. However, this morning as I was typing on my computer, I felt my table and chair moving, and even the electrical wires were moving! I called out to Yi Wei. At first he felt nothing, but later he could feel the floors moving.

"Better open the door and get ready to run out!" On the TV he heard the news asking Singaporeans not to panic. No evacuation would be necessary unless cracks appeared in the buildings. Singaporeans were also advised to hide under a table, and preferably near a water pipe.

I asked Yi Wei why we should be near a water pipe. "So that you will have water to drink." "In that case, I will hide in the big fridge....plenty of food and water to drink," I suggested playfully.

Indeed earthquakes are not to be trifled with. Our hearts go out to the Indonesians and all those whose lands are affected as they face one earthquake after another.

My friends who know me well, all know that I am ready to go anytime. I have packed so much into my 53 years 9 months that I am very contented now to depart from this world. As Pastor Woo York from Melbourne had once asked the congregation, "If heaven is indeed such a beautiful place, why be afraid to go there.? Many Christians want to go to heaven, but some are afraid to die."

I am not being morbid when I talk about death. I am just facing up to the reality that all of us have to go at God's appointed time. Sure, if God gives me good health I will live to be a good, useful, old citizen, contributing my share to society. Perhaps it is this readiness that gives me the peace and joy. I always remind all my relatives and friends that when they come to my wake, they must celebrate and not weep. :-)

Gan Chau

English - Easy to Learn, Hard to Master!

My old Canadian buddy, Dr. Richard Tam, sent me this in a recent email. I guess, like playing the piano, English is one language that is easy to learn but difficult to master. I would like to remind readers that I am not a linguist. Being able to speak a few languges does not make me a linguist, because I have never studied linguistics at all. However, I like to analyse the different languages, eg. French, Tamil, Hindhi, Korean, Malay and Japanese in my own funny way to help me remember and understand the languages.

English is like a sponge, absorbing words from other languages. This is probably why Singlish gradually comes about. The problem with English is that many of the rules are made, only to be broken. I guess it is this uniqueness that makes the language so challenging and interesting. Read on....



"Is English an easy or difficult language to learn? Well, one thing is
certain.
You can never know how a word is pronounced by looking at how it is
spelled.

Here is a poem for your amusement:

I take it you already know
Of tough and bough and cough and dough?
Others may stumble, but not you
On hiccough, thorough, laugh and through,
Well done! and now you wish perhaps
To learn of less familiar traps?

Beware of heard, a dreadful word
That looks like beard and sounds like bird.
And dead: it's said like bed not bead,
And only Scotsmen call it deed!
Watch out for meat and great and threat.
They rhyme with suite and straight and debt.

A moth is not a moth in mother,
Nor both in bother, broth in brother,
And here is not a match for there
Nor dear and fear for bear and pear,
And then there's dose and rose and lose,
Just look them up; and goose and choose.

And cork and work and card and ward,
And font and front and word and sword,
And do and go, and thwart and cart.
Come, come, I've hardly made a start!
A dreadful language? Man alive!
I'd mastered it when I was five!

My Kind of Doctor! Enjoy Your Food and Alcohol!!!

I received this email from my friend, Mrs. Tseng Wai Fun. A refreshing and humorous way to look at things from a different perspective. Somehow this article reminds me of a gentleman I met at a coffee shop in Clementi. I was horrified to see him eating a huge plate of roasted duck with a bowl of rice all by himself. He was drowning his food with beer at 10.30 in the morning!

Out of curiosity, I asked him if that was his usual habit. He told me that he hardly have fruits and vegetables, as he had a penchant for meat, any kind of meat!
I was surprised for he looked very healthy with rosy cheeks, and jet black hair and definitely ten years younger than his age!

I guess some people are born with a different kind of system, especially this kind of doctor! Nevertheless, I still prefer my fruits and vegetables! :-)



HEALTH QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... Don't waste them on exercise . Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: You're not listening....Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable. It's the best feel-good food around!!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me. ; ;

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape! !

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Beautiful Sundays (Sondays)

"It is my, my, my beautiful Sunday!"
"It is my, my, my beautiful day!

So goes the evergreen popular song that is often sung at getais (stage shows) or in clubs.

It also expresses well my feelings for Sundays. First there is that important appointment with God in His House of Worship. Every Sunday, the pastor's sermon recharges my battery, so that I am refreshed for a challenging week ahead. My pastor's sermons are always down-to-earth, and can be applied to our everyday living.

I love the music and the hymns and songs we sing in church. I know that each time I come back from church, come what may, I will be able to ovecome negative emotion, not with my own strength but with the strength of the Lord. If there is a viewing of properties on Sundays, I will try to do it between 12.00 to 2.00 pm as at 3.00p.m. I will be teaching some foreign workers in the Tamil Ministry to play the piano. Currently I am learning the violin and drum and hopefully one day, I will join the church band.

It is also on Sundays that sometimes my nephew and his family would visit me in Singapore. After their church service in Johore Bahru, they would drive over to Singapore and it is always a joy to see my four lovable grand nieces.

I also try to catch some Indian movies on Sunday afternoons if I do not have viewing. It is wonderful that the church is just a stone's throw away from my apartment, and after the piano lessons, I would walk back home before joining the Tamil ministry again at night.

On this Sunday morning I am writing my 500th article in my blog!

I love Sundays, don't you?

Gan Chau

Good Cholesterol because of Love of Animals!

Very often, when people meet me, they often have the impression that I have high cholesterol because of my heavy weight. Once, my colleagues, Jean Mah and Sally Tan and I decided to walk to Orchard Point from our office at Park Mall. I was trying to catch the opening hours of OCBC bank before it closed. Both Jean and Sally had a hard time catching up with me, and were surprised that I was not even panting despite the brisk walk.

When I went to the Victoria Market in Melbourne, I was sad when I saw rabbit meat on sale. My sister, Ean Ean, knew I would rather starve for dinner had she put rabbit meat on the table. Once I was a little suspicious when I asked my Canadian landlady, Mrs. Smith, what was the meat dish that had been cooked. "Eat first, Choo. Tell you later". I refused to even try and later found out that it was deer meat! Immediately I thought of Rudolf, the red-nosed reindeer, which easily came to mind because it was around Christmas time! Many of my friends know that I do not take beef, mutton and lamb as the smell is too pungent for my sensitive nose.
While travelling in China in 1987, I refused to touch any of the meat dishes that were served, lest I ended up eating dog meat! Whether it is an urban legend or not, I want to be able to touch and pat every dog I meet.!

As I grow older, I become more fond and appreciative of God's four legged and winged creations. Of course, watching Animal Planet and Discovery Channel has enhanced my knowledge and respect of these lovely creatures. I love the cute penguins which look like gentlemen in waist coats, as they walk smartly in rows! I love even the wolves and foxes that somehow remind me of dogs. My heart goes out to the otters, seals and sea lions as they wobble on their bellies to escape their preys!

I am becoming more and more of a vegetarian as I enjoy fruits, vegetables and nuts.
In the process, I have been able to maintain a good cholesterol level.

Have some apples, anyone?

Gan Chau

Movement and Music in Stillness

 

The Guest-of-Honour, the Malaysian Ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Dato' N. Parameswaran, giving his opening speech

 

With my best friend, Amu, with Rainbow Rhapsody and Family Harmony in the background

 

With my niece, Yann and Amu

 

Another lovely art piece - Beauty of Age

God makes us unique. Even though eldest brother is a talented artist, yet I could not even draw a dog or a tea pot! Even though we have the same blood running through us, we are as different as the north and south pole.!

Hence, you can imagine my fear and terror of every art class throughout secondary school. I hated doing still life paintings, for somehow the object would become distorted and sometimes, somewhat grotesque! I could at least bluff my way around with subjects like, "The garden, forest and rivers".

However, I had to do a compulsory course in Arts at the University of Alberta, and I decided to take the course, "From Renaissance to Dada Period". I learnt to appreciate art as it should be appreciated. My favourite artist is Vincent Van Gogh. I learnt to appreciate still life, which somehow did not appear so still in his painting of "Sunflowers". Hence, it enhanced my appreciation of my own nephew-in-law, Yap Chin Hoe's works. Chin Hoe enjoys still life paintings, and his signature works are paintings of ceramics, Peranakan furniture and materials. As the reporter in Business Times has put it aptly, "There is movement in stillness".

Chin Hoe's recent solo art exhibition at Artfolio Gallery in Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade was a great success. No less than ten pieces were already snapped up even before the opening ceremony, with two being commissioned by collectors.

There was quite a huge turn out of guests at the opening ceremony. Just as the theme of the exhibition, "Serendipity" suggests, people have come together - some invited guests and some lucky ones who happened to be passing by and chanced upon the exhibition and fell in love with the paintings on the wall! Some Malaysians called Chin Hoe up after having seen his art catalogue, wanting to buy some of the pieces that had been exhibited!

Chin Hoe's art exhibition will be on from 6th to 16 September. Do drop by and enjoy the movement and music in stillness.

Ignorance!

I was very angry when I came across a video posted by Lancerlord in Harro.com. Someone in Arabia had put a duckling on a speaker and played extremely loud music and laughed when the poor little creature got frightened and bewildered. How cruel and ignorant!

Although I am not an expert, I believe that most animals have acute hearing as examplifed by this observation. One of our friends, Kong, loves to play the piano. However, he has what I call "heavy hands" for each time he played the piano he would appear to be pounding on the keys like the way some mothers pound chillies when they cook curry! Each time he played the piano in his home in Melbourne, his dog, Robin, would bark! However, whenever my sister, Ean Ean or I played the piano, Robin would not bark! He would look at us with expressive eyes as if he were enjoying the music!

As animals do not have the faculty of speech, the Creator must have compensated them in some ways - acute eyesight, hearing or agility. We have observed how someone who is blind has acute hearing or great sensitivity to touch like Helen Keller.

Papa had always taught us to have empathy for people and animals. Before anyone tortures an animal, he should put himself in the animal's position. This is why I strongly advocate that whoever tortures an animal must be punished in the same manner. If he gorges out the eye of the animal; let his eye be gorged out! If he belts an animal, let him be belted and so forth. Only then can some sense be driven into some of these ignorant people and we put a stop to animal abuse.

Mahatma Gandhi was right when he said, "The progress of a nation is measured by the way her people treats the animals!"

Gan Chau

Have Fun While We Work!

 

Looks easy, but it's tough!

 

Easier to be an insect than a homo sapien!

 

Dr. Wee with his efficient administrative staff

 

Dr. Wee's unique birthday cake. Tastes as good as it looks!


Every year, we have 3 events lined up for us at Dennis Wee Group. We have our Retreat where we get to improve our teamwork and networking; we have our Business Convention where top producers are awarded and guest speakers invited and finally we have our Dinner and Dance where we can let our hair down for an evening of great food and rock-n-roll!

Our Retreat this year was held at Changi. The theme was "Survivor!" I am not one of the sporty type, and it was with some apprehension when I went to the Camp. We had to go through 5 obstacles, and the first one was the "Spider's Web". Gosh! How was I to get in with my short legs. Even Kenobe, the tallest in our group realised it was not easy for him to lift his leg into one of the lowest opening in the web without touching the string! My group members lifted me and put my two legs inside the web and gradually, my whole body went through! What a relief. I am so thankful for the supportive group who were very encouraging and did not complain about my heavy weight, but I told myself there and then, that I must shed at least 15 kg before the next camp!

We also celebrated Dr. Wee's 55th birthday. Dr. Wee had earlier invited us to his birthday bash at the Fifties Club three days earlier, as he realised it would be too long a day to celebrate on the same day of the retreat.

I have been invited by many real estate companies to join them, but I prefer to stay where I am at Dennis Wee Group. I have wonderful colleagues and a boss who belives in playing hard as well as working hard. As I had written earlier, my greatest achievement in the retreat was to overcome my fear in doing the flying fox. When I go to Disney Land, I will go up on the roller coaster again! Life begins at 50!

My Favourite Haunt

 

 

 

Poolside at Raffles Town Club

One of the best advantages of being a real estate agent is that I can work anywhere and everywhere. Armed with a note book and hand phones, I can instantly create an "office".
Hence, if I have two appointments in a day, and I do not wish to make the unnecesasry journey back to my home or office, I can station myself in a food court, fast food outlet, shopping centre or even at the Raffles Town Club so that I do not waste unnecessary time in travelling. Not driving a car makes it even easier because I do not have to worry about paying for the car park. Sometimes, in between two appointments, I can go shopping nearby.

One of my favourite haunts is the poolside by the Raffles Town Club. If I have an appointment in the vicinity, I will go earlier to the club to work out and do some work by the poolside. Sometimes it is so nice and windy that I am quite reluctant to leave!
I can read the papers, check out on advertisements and write on my blog until it is time to leave. My friends often compliment me for my boundless energy! Here is the secret! I can cat nap almost anywhere! By the poolside, at the garden in my clients' condominium, in the bus or train and even at my office when I am dead tired. After my nap, I am recharged for more activities!

With so much flexibility of time and working arrangement, I do not think I can ever go back to a 9am to 5 pm deskbound job. Join me as a real estate agent, anyone?

Human Sudoku

 

 

 

 

At our recent company retreat at Changi, we were each given a number tag. We were asked by Mr. Chris Koh to try and form a sudoku with our numbers.

It is already so difficult to do fill in the numbers for the sudoku found in the Today Paper, let alone fill in with people carrying the numbers!

After all the numbers had been formed, Mr. Chris Koh asked us how we felt about the game. He told us about his observations. Some were quite exasperated and said, "Like that ah; don't want to play anymore lah!" and walked off. Some were arguing about the right numbering, while some were fighting as to who was the first to stand in the square.

We learnt that in sudoku, team work is vital. On our own, we could not complete the whole picture. Especially in our nature of work, networking and team work can contribute much to the success of real estate work.

The Rat Race

 

The Rat Race by Kam Kee Yong

Eldest brother, Kee Yong, is well known for his black and white drawings. The Rat Race was shown in his previous art exhibit at Art Folio, Raffles Hotel in Singapore. The painting depicts people trying to climb the ladder of success, each outdoing one another.
with some using mean tactics.

I am grateful that our wonderful papa had never pushed any of us in our pursuit of education or success. He always talked and reasoned with us. He always said that as an earthly father, he could only do so much, but God the Heavenly Father could do even much more than him. He reminded us that he would not be able to leave behind lots of money or properties for us to inherit. But Papa left us a rich legacy of his abundant teachings which he knew would put us in good stead when we became adults and making the most that life could offer us. Most importantly papa wanted us to enjoy what we were doing. He encouraged his children to do what they excel in. Papa knew my love for reading and writing exceeded my love for playing the piano. He never pushed me. I still managed to get distinctions in all my music examinations. Recognising my talent for writing, his fatherly instinct knew that I would want to publish my writing in future and he gave me the pen name of Gan Chau (Licorice). Papa hoped that like the herbal plant, my writing would encourage and inspire my readers, providing a balm for their wounds and disappointments.

In school and in the working world, I try my utmost in all that I do, and let nature take its course. Praise God if I end up top in the class or top sales agent in my company. Also praise God if I end up at the bottom of the barrel. Papa always wanted us to have a balanced lifestyle. More importantly, to enjoy living to the fullest.

Let us all join in the race ... but let us remain as human beings - not rats! :-)

Gan Chau