My new television

You know times are changing when media on the internet pulls more interest than watching the local television....

I found myself trolling through the vast number of TEDtalks with anticipation to blow my mind with new knowledge about all areas of human exploration, research and reflection. There's one on human evolution and speech, about recalling how experiencing a stroke was like and many more....

It sometimes lights up my eyes when I see an author's name at the bookstore or Amazon and link it up with a TEDtalk I saw. The link in my mind of "hey, I saw and heard this person (that I have never met) before" is definitely something the past generations would have imagined doing at a bookstore. Okay, perhaps in the states or europe where authors have book signings...Guess not in Singapore then... the closest thing was probably that True Ghost Story franchise or Mr. Kiasu...

Hebrew Help

After trying to read up more on my faith, I found a passage in the Gospel of John, at the Wedding at Cana, where Jesus addresses his mother, Mary, "Woman"...

It sounded a little rude to me... But I am sure there is some "Lost in Translation" when the bible was converted from Hebrew... Thus, my current quest is to look for some hebrew word for woman. There are other explanations online that states it links back to Genesis, but I am not convinced...

Moving Forward

Ah, another year has gone by, looking back I did accomplish most of my resolutions; I did learn new things, picked up golf , learnt how to play the piano, tried out wake boarding, think that's about it, oh wait and finally tried out going to the gym my company pays for it's employees as well.

2011 went by fast, I will always remember it as it's my current employer's 100th year in business! yes 100! I was really thrilled to take on the new project as part of the centennial year to provide Rich Media services and proud to call it a success. 

I am also blessed to meet new people and get to mingle more with good friends and see how they have progressed along. It seems like 2011 was full of friends with babies, it just reminds me that the world is ever-growing and it's full of opportunities waiting to be seized (like how Malcom Galdwell puts it)...

It's 2012! I look towards learning even more and the focus this year is to gain more knowledge through reading. I have come to enjoy reading books (ok, e-books) and discovering new things to put in my brain, which could come up as conversation pieces... of course, there are those reads where you'll just never complete. To a good life in 2012!

Christ Be Our Light

One Sunday after mass, I wanted to get a hold of the Breaking Bread song book from the bookstore outside Holy Family but it was too crowded and told myself ... ahh another day...

I wish I had it now as I want to learn the piano bits for Bernadette Farrell's song... and figuring it out by ear is slow and frustrating...

Nice Guys Finish Last?

He's a nice guy. It's been said many times and that's the main impression I give people. So what's so good about nice? Sometimes the critical side of me would ask that. It seems a bigger battle these days, but sometimes you know how you would rehearse something in your head, but when that circumstance comes along, you somehow go back to your roots and react differently.

My conclusion, you can't really change your inner self. You can however reflect about yourself and think about how you would like yourself to be, act and manage relationships. Reflecting on the true root cause of each and every feeling. This I feel can bring about self-realization and in fact change the way you would act as the situation is viewed in new light.

It's like friendship, how I wish there was a manual, together with a troubleshooting guide and FAQ. How do you tell if this person would stand by you? Would he/she run away when troubled times come along? Would helping this person out only be returned with thoughts about what's his angle? If an old mutual friend of an ex does not talk to you anymore, does that mean she hates you? Does that mean I did something wrong?

Just don't over think things, that is what I would tell myself. So far, my resolution is on track, I am learning new things and happy with the new skills and experiences gained.

Nothing's gonna change my world...

new year new rules?

I've rarely come up with a list of resolutions for the new year, but after a year of self-reflection, a new job and new friends, it just seems fit for some goals or directions to set.

One major thing I want to do is to learn more new things, like photography, astronomy and wake boarding in 2010. Vocal training and golf is up first. Life is too short not to experience things.

Another thing to continue from 2010 is to exercise more, not only has it helped with my health, it has also gave me more confidence.

Next in line is to learn to communicate and express myself effectively. I found this really rewarding when I reason things out with family and friends. Sometimes keeping quiet just does not work. Speaking to my mum in a reasonable, clear and logical manner really feels good and I feel happy to grow in this direction.

Learn not to hold on to things in the past. Sometimes it is just a kill joy to mourn about things that did not turn out a certain way and I like the line about how we are upset/depressed not really on the events that happened but on the lost of the future that we expected.

To a great 2011!

Don't waste your time or time will waste you...

After a nice dinner chit chat with Kim's dad while he was still in Singapore, he spoke as though his life is coming to an end, not really suicidal but more of a sense of acceptance.

I guess we had to remind him that there's more to look forward to (His daughther getting married, possible grand children to dote on)and not to think about his wife that passed on too much... Easier said that done.

He said don't play depressing music at my wake! "You all better play some Deep Purple, creedence clearwater revival or beatles"

No problem uncle, we will play live music if possible!

I got thinking about my own rest stop and my mind starting playing that Gilmore Girls episode where Michel's dog, Chin Chin's wake and how they played "My heart will go on"

Well friends/family , here's my unfinalized list -

In my life - Beatles
Time of your life (Good Riddance) - Green day
Life is wonderful - Jason Mraz