Dog Rescues Injured Dog on Freeway!

My good friend, Geok Cheng, who is also a committed toastmaster, sent me this email.

"Hi Choo Choo,

You must watch this youtube clip - a courageous dog with a heart saving another dogIt puts humans to shame - esp the people who stampeded a Walmart employee to death in a post Thanksgiving Sales!!! Seems both dogs survived!!! Some one from above must be looking after these two dogs."

Indeed, we can learn so many wonderful lessons from animals. The Creator has made homo sapiens His highest form of creation.....let us be the people that we are humanly meant to be!!

A Little Getaway!

 

Eldest sis is such a wonderful cook! Now you know why I have always been plump since young!

 

The electronic ping pong table which serves the ping pong to you! Hence you can play solo!

 

Eldest sister with her two older grandchildren, watching the television with rapt attention!

 

The airport bus which brings passengers from Johore Bahru to Senai Airport.!
I was the only passenger!

Eldest sister had asked me to see her in Senai where she was staying with her son and family.

With so many committments, I could only make it on the eve of her departure. I enjoyed talking and playing with my little grand-nieces as they are very clever and entertaining.

Sister cooked a wonderful dinner as she also wanted to give me an early birthday celebration, and my nephew, Daniel, also came to join us.

I was delighted to find that Sophia, the second eldest daughter is musically inclined, and is learning the piano, violin, drums as well as ballet. The youngest one, Gloria, is extremely intelligent and would often listen to adult conversation. When she hears something funny, she will burst into laughter. Eldest sister shared with me one hilarious incident. She had persuaded the maid, Ati, to let the children help her now and then, such as sweeping, folding clothes, etc. However, the children had reiterated that Ati never wanted them to do anything. Optimistic Sophia comforted herself by saying that when she gets married, Ati will continue to work for her. However, the youngest one, Gloria, stunned everyone when she said,
"When I get married, Ati will be very old already and maybe also die already!" Sister was amused that at the tender age of four, she somehow has the concept of aging and death.

My niece-in-law, Dea, had thoughtfully arranged with the neighbour to give me a ride when he goes to work in Singapore, but unfortunately it did not materialise. Suddenly I thought it might be a better idea for me to send sister off and then I could take the airport bus to the city. Senai Airport is now undergoing expansion and renovation works. It costs only MR8 to take the airport bus which is a bout 45 minutes ride. I was pleasantly surprised that I was the onloy passenger. Wow! I was free to move from seat to seat!

It is always so refreshing to get a little break now and then, from the hustle and bustle of life in Singapore.

Gan Chau

What is Mathematics without Mental Calculation?

Yesterday, I was rushing for my violin lessons and reached the Braddell Heights Community Centre punctually at 4.00p.m. However, my teacher was still teaching. Hence I decided to run down to the office to pay my fees of $85/-. I gave the administrative officer $100/- and there she was chatting with her colleagues. I told her I had to rush. To my surprise, she took out a calculator and then paid me $15/-.!

Suddenly I remembered a conversation with my tenants, Jasmin and Avinesh. They were both very proud that in India, most people could just calculate very fast without using the calculator. They have noted that people here would often use the calculator for the slightest amount!

I had also observed an elderly store keeper, Mr. Haleem, an Indian Muslim. He could calculate mentally with almost the speed of lightning. I am impressed with the alert mind of this 85 year old man.

I had never passed Maths throughout secondary school. But I am quite adept in calculating mentally. You know why? Let me tell you a secret. My fingers are too fat and when I first started using the calculator, I often could not key in properly because two numbers would appear because my excess fat had exceeded the boundaries of one key.! Hence, I would often end up calculating without the little electronic device. If the figures are too complex, I will calculate on paper.

My ability to calculate mentally also came about because I was fiercely protective of my parents whenever we went marketing. I would not want anyone to cheat papa of his hard earned money. Quite a number of times, I had told the vendors they had short changed my parents. Soon I became quite well known for my eagle eyes and sharp mind. I want to laugh because if only those people had known that I was often confounded by seemingly complex mathematical formulas but which would appear exceedingly simple to my clever classmates.

Now to solve the problems of my fat fingers pressing on two keys simultaneously, I have bought a big calculator with huge keys and big numbering. Alas! The big calculator is too cumbersome to be carried around in my handbag. Hence, I am back to square one!

I am still counting mentally as in olden times. Nevertheless, what is mathematics without mental calculation? If I can add, subtract, multiply and divide accurately, I can still survive when I shop, pay bills and calculate my clients'
rental and purchases of properties. :-)

Gan Chau