Happiness is .....(31)

 

Sim browsing through the costume jewellery and creation of precious stones
by Patrick Ho, founder and owner of C.T. Treasure

 

Patrick in his ethnic Indian outfit which blends in so well with his pushcart of
interesting collection of jewellery.

 

Stylish yet economical. The chokers and bracelets with semi precious stones of amethyst, quartz,
etc. are chic!

 

My nieces would love Patrick's costume jewellery.

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I met my client Sim at the lawyer's office as after that she would take me to try some mee hoon with crabs at Don's Cafe and then to visit Patrick Ho's pushcart at China Square Central. When I saw her in casual clothing, I was surprised and learnt that Monday was a holiday since May Day was on a Saturday! Wow!

When we reached China Square, we saw Patrick sorting his pieces of jewellery. Patrick was as friendly, warm and sincere as Sim has described him. Anyone could see his passion in his work.

I asked Patrick how he got into this small, albeit interesting and lucrative business. He shared that when he was a teacher, he was sent to Kashmir on a project. It was in Kashmir that he met some lovely people and later became interested in selling Kashimiri scarves, clothes and jewellery. However, he now
focuses on jewellery as they are less bulky. Patrick would go to India for two weeks every month and then return with his new designs. I was happy to hear that Patrick only need to pay for the two weeks' rent for his pushcart every month. Through the years, Patrick has also given back by adopting a few godsons from Kashmir.

During the two weeks that he is away, his nephew, Jack Khoo, will continue to operate the other store at Furama City Centre Hotel (01-05A). Patrick does not look his age of 70! I guess when a person enjoys what he does, he will undoubtedly retain his youthfulness. Patrick is also artistic and musical. He showed us some of his sketches of fashionable clothes, and shared that he loves music and plays the violin as well.

Later, Sim and I passed by a shop which has beautiful pieces of jade and some semi-precious stones like tourmaline. We did not purchase anything as the items were costly. We then went to Chinatown to try some cold dessert.

Sim also wanted to show me semi precious stones in their raw and natural state. Hence, we headed for Sunshine Plaza. I was mesmerized by the innate beauty of the stones. We found three other shops with raw and polished stones. Sim suggested that we tried some Hong Kong dim sum at Sunshine Plaza. Although Little India is quite close to Sunshine Plaza, it was my first time in the building!

As Short Street is quite close by, I brought Sim to try some beancurd desserts!
A direct bus nearby would take Sim home all the way, while I walked back. We had enjoyed ourselves so much that I did not realise we had been on our feet for the past 11 hours!

For some ladies, happiness is when they have a two carat diamond ring on their fingers, but for me, admiring the beautifully handcrafted semi precious stones is sufficient to keep me happy. Happiness is also to be spontaneous when an opportunity presents itself. Amazing how we sometimes plan and plan to do something, but our plans do not materialise. At times, things just flow, and hence, we should flow along with the tide, and make the most of the situation. I had not expected my casual outing with Sim to turn out to be a wonderful gallivanting experience. Fortunately I did not have any appointment, and when a client phoned up, I decided to meet him only the following day. This the best part of my job.....I organise my own time.

Patrick has a pool of regular clients whom he communicates via email. I had given him my name card and just recently received his email:-

"A big Hello to all our friends. This is a gentle reminder that our outlet in China Square Central will be closed from 7th to 21st May. Business will resume as usual from 22nd May...however our other outlet in Furama City Centre Hotel (01-05A) will remain open... with Jack at your service.... hope to see you soon.
Cheers,

Jack & Patrick

Indeed I feel happy for Patrick that he is able to enjoy the twilight years of his life with such an interesting business. Even after retirement from teaching, he is able to use his artistic talent to design clothes and jewellery. It is no wonder that he is such a picture of health, joy, peace and contentment. He always advises his young nephew, Jack, to be sincere, diligent and honest, and customers will keep coming back.

Gan Chau

When Will China Ever Wake Up?

 

Chinese slippers sold at Walmart

 

Chinese slippers sold at IMM, Singapore

 

Red burning blisters caused by wearing the slippers

 

Wounds gradually healing, but leaving the victim with fear of things made and
manufactured in China

My friend, William Kuong Su, forwarded me the above email.


"REMEMBER THE PAINT ON KIDS' TOYS ?

This is very true as I heard it in news from one of our local radios
that our government has to be extra careful on these cheap imports
from china. These include clothes, food, toys, slippers and even
glasses because the Chinese are using some strong but cheap chemical
in their manufacturing of the goods. Cheap is becoming expensive and at the same
time fatal. I nearly bought one pair of the slippers below for myself
last week at the Japanese $2 shop at IMM last week. "


I have enough of the atrocities of some of the people in China. They are only keen to line their pockets without any regard for the safety and health of others.

Now my friends in Canada and America have written to me that they have lost their confidence in China, and are plainly avoiding goods from China.

First, we have the problems associated with China milk, China toys and now Chinese slippers! What next?

I visited China in 1988, just a year before the Tiananmen Massacre in Beijing. Since then I have never revisited China, nor do I want to go there again. One of our relatives shared how she tasted dung in the piece of lettuce served with some braised pork.! The vegetable had not been washed clean. Probably the cook thought that it was only used to line as a base for the braised pork, and did not expect any customer to eat it. Hence the carelessness in the washing! I do not know whether I will be served with dog meat or chicken which cost one yuan because they had died. Fresh chicken would cost three yuan. These people would go early to the farms to purchase chicken that had died from sickness or disease because they could save money. These people would have no qualms about saving costs and sugar coat the dead chicken with spices to make them tasty!

It has been about ten years since Bo Yang published his book, "The Ugly China Man".
How insightful and forward looking of him! The truth will always hurt, but if people are not courageous enough to face the truth, they would never learn and
improve.

When will the country with the oldest civilisation wake up?

Gan Cao

Happiness is .......(30)

 

Celebrating May Day with my best of friends at Tung Luk Restaurant
overlooking the Singapore River at Clarke Quay

 

The lovely semi-precious stone pendant that my friends like.

 

Soh Wah's first visit to C.T. Treasure at Furma City Centre Hotel.
Most customers like the friendly service staff, Jack Khoo

 

The lovely and reasonably priced costume jewellery

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