It is not what you think.
I am reducing my working days to babysit my granddaughter! So I am gradually easing from one job and moving into another.
It is a logical thing to do. The young people need to develop a career. Plus they should not be stuck at home with a baby. And a baby needs more love than what a stranger can give. I can go on with more justifications.
So I have put up my hand and I have been headhunted to be a babysitter for two days a week – board and lodging provided.
I will not only babysit 6 month-old Sara, but I may also have to chauffeur 3 year old Rachel to and from pre-school. This will ensure I will have a driving licence till I am ninety.
It is actually a privilege to get a new career. So here I am, reinventing myself for one more time. Of course, I do have a track record. I am not sure if you think Han and Joe are well-adjusted adults. And I am not called baby whisperer for nothing.
It is good not to have grandpa retire to pasture. Think of all the inheritance money I will save from NOT holidaying in Europe, NOT cruising to the South Pacific, NOT towing a caravan across Australia, or spending money on golf balls.
So starting next week, I will not have to sit and watch so much TV, look for messages on Facebook, or take aimless walks around my suburb.
Time for some real, serious family business.
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Friday, 27 March 2009
Air Asia - Anyone Can Fly
One of the best things that has happened in SE Asia is the emergence of Air Asia.
When it started, I was sceptical. How can a new airline charge such low fares and survive? Then with the shortage of airline pilots, I wondered what sort of pilots they have. Are these new pilots from the bottom of the barrel? Can they fly? Will I be safe?
Last year, with a bit of foolhardiness and summoning sufficient courage, I decided to try Air Asia, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap. Then I took another flight, and another flight. Not only was I converted, I was actually impressed!
Air Asia is a product of entrepreneurial genius. Who would have thought that there would be a place for a discount airline in the controlled skies of Asian aviation. It may have started as a Malaysian airline but as its name announces, it is really meant to be a pan-Asian airline, flying to places where other airlines do not.
I was on a flight to Hanoi and it was really good to see that the plane was full of Vietnamese “foreign” workers returning home for the Tet festival. Just think how good it is to have affordable transport to enable the migration of workers between Asian countries.
Every flight also brings in tourists from the relatively affluent countries to others who value the tourist dollar. How many more tourists are Siem Reap, Krabi, Manardo, etc having now because of Air Asia!
How many more jobs have been created in the places where Air Asia operates?
Air Asia is an industry by itself. Look at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Kuala Lumpur. A few years ago, that terminal must have been a plantation. Now it is huge structure teeming with people – workers of Air Asia, taxis, transport companies, travellers, etc. How much businesses have been created – hotels, taxis, buses, restaurants, etc? Economists talk of the multiplier effect. You can see it in action at LCCT.
And this is really the beginning. While other airlines shrink their business, Air Asia continues to roll out new destinations. Many more holiday trips will be made in Asia now because Air Asia has made places accessible. “Anyone can fly”; I think that’s what its slogan says. And Asia benefits.
Kudos to Tony Fernandez and the Air Asian team!
When it started, I was sceptical. How can a new airline charge such low fares and survive? Then with the shortage of airline pilots, I wondered what sort of pilots they have. Are these new pilots from the bottom of the barrel? Can they fly? Will I be safe?
Last year, with a bit of foolhardiness and summoning sufficient courage, I decided to try Air Asia, flying from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap. Then I took another flight, and another flight. Not only was I converted, I was actually impressed!
Air Asia is a product of entrepreneurial genius. Who would have thought that there would be a place for a discount airline in the controlled skies of Asian aviation. It may have started as a Malaysian airline but as its name announces, it is really meant to be a pan-Asian airline, flying to places where other airlines do not.
I was on a flight to Hanoi and it was really good to see that the plane was full of Vietnamese “foreign” workers returning home for the Tet festival. Just think how good it is to have affordable transport to enable the migration of workers between Asian countries.
Every flight also brings in tourists from the relatively affluent countries to others who value the tourist dollar. How many more tourists are Siem Reap, Krabi, Manardo, etc having now because of Air Asia!
How many more jobs have been created in the places where Air Asia operates?
Air Asia is an industry by itself. Look at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Kuala Lumpur. A few years ago, that terminal must have been a plantation. Now it is huge structure teeming with people – workers of Air Asia, taxis, transport companies, travellers, etc. How much businesses have been created – hotels, taxis, buses, restaurants, etc? Economists talk of the multiplier effect. You can see it in action at LCCT.
And this is really the beginning. While other airlines shrink their business, Air Asia continues to roll out new destinations. Many more holiday trips will be made in Asia now because Air Asia has made places accessible. “Anyone can fly”; I think that’s what its slogan says. And Asia benefits.
Kudos to Tony Fernandez and the Air Asian team!
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Greatgrandparents Chung Shen Khan 1861-1899 and Wu Kee Chow 1871-1904
Today, the 25th day of March, is the birthday of my great grandfather. With just a small family tree, it means a lot to be able to know even the names of my great grandparents.
My greatgrandfather was born a Hakka in 1861, probably somewhere in Guandong or Fujian. It was the year Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as the President of the United States. Almost 150 years ago.
1861 was also the time of the Boer War in South Africa, the Boxer Rebellion in China and the Larut Uprising in Malaysia.
My greatgrandfather was probably married when he migrated to Malaysia, as it was known that my grandfather was born in China.
Life must have been hard in China for people to transplant themselves to the undeveloped tropics. The discovery of tin in the Kinta Valley in Malaysia must have also played a part. It is believed that the Chung family moved to the Pusing and Batu Gajah area in the state of Perak.
But life must have been hard in tropical Malaysia because greatgrandfather's life was over by the time he was 38, leaving behind a widow, two young sons and a daughter. My great grandmother, Wu Kee Chow died young as well, born on the 16th day of the third moon, 1871; departed on the 28th day of the third moon, 1904.
Their lives were tragically short, but they beget descendants who now live in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, United States, England, and New Zealand.
The family tree is well and growing.
My greatgrandfather was born a Hakka in 1861, probably somewhere in Guandong or Fujian. It was the year Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as the President of the United States. Almost 150 years ago.
1861 was also the time of the Boer War in South Africa, the Boxer Rebellion in China and the Larut Uprising in Malaysia.
My greatgrandfather was probably married when he migrated to Malaysia, as it was known that my grandfather was born in China.
Life must have been hard in China for people to transplant themselves to the undeveloped tropics. The discovery of tin in the Kinta Valley in Malaysia must have also played a part. It is believed that the Chung family moved to the Pusing and Batu Gajah area in the state of Perak.
But life must have been hard in tropical Malaysia because greatgrandfather's life was over by the time he was 38, leaving behind a widow, two young sons and a daughter. My great grandmother, Wu Kee Chow died young as well, born on the 16th day of the third moon, 1871; departed on the 28th day of the third moon, 1904.
Their lives were tragically short, but they beget descendants who now live in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, United States, England, and New Zealand.
The family tree is well and growing.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
40 Tips for a Better Life
This is the easiest writing that I have ever posted. Nothing is from me (except these few words in italics). I wonder who the writer was, but he or she deserves the credit for a great piece of work.
"Hi! this is one of the nicer "lists" that i have received through the Internet. I'd like to add another item: remember to thank the people who have chosen to make you a part of their lives.. so, thanks.. God bless you all!
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, SMILE. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Be true to yourself in every possible way life allows you to.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to _______.
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 4.
9. Dream more while you are awake. It really relaxes/energizes you.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water... Drink less beer, wine or whiskey.
12 . Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep you young and that's a fact.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. GOD (or inner truth, for those who aren't religious) heals almost everything.
29. However Good or Bad a situation is, it will CHANGE.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to Death!!!)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about, that means including me I hope...May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door! "
"Hi! this is one of the nicer "lists" that i have received through the Internet. I'd like to add another item: remember to thank the people who have chosen to make you a part of their lives.. so, thanks.. God bless you all!
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, SMILE. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Be true to yourself in every possible way life allows you to.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to _______.
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 4.
9. Dream more while you are awake. It really relaxes/energizes you.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water... Drink less beer, wine or whiskey.
12 . Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep you young and that's a fact.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. GOD (or inner truth, for those who aren't religious) heals almost everything.
29. However Good or Bad a situation is, it will CHANGE.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to Death!!!)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about, that means including me I hope...May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door! "
Monday, 8 September 2008
Teresa Teng - singer extraordinary
I was in Ipoh, Malaysia when I heard my brother-in-law singing a song from Teresa Teng. The next day, I was at the market in the morning when I heard someone singing another of Teresa’s hits. He was a man with a disability and on crutches. Passers-by would stop and sing into the microphone. Tears came to my eyes when I heard that song because it has a touching melody and it reminded me of my late wife as well as the tragic death of Teresa herself. Teresa died of asthma at young age of 43 while holidaying in Chiangmai, Thailand. It is really sad that the world should lose someone at a young age, especially one whose songs have touched so many.
Even though I am of Chinese origin, I was English-educated and do not understand Mandarin. I was totally into English songs.
I only got to hear Teresa’s lovely songs through my late wife, Sue. As a girl, she had been familiar with popular Chinese songs, but somehow in our years together, she had stayed away from them. It was only as she grew older that she started to take an interest in Chinese songs again. She bought some karaoke discs and started singing at home. Then the Teresa “fever” spread to a friend in Adelaide, and the two of them would spend hours singing karaoke when they met up in Adelaide. I got my dose when we are on the road. Soon, the tunes became familiar to me. Often I would ask Sue for the meaning of the songs, and I was always ready to have a few laughs over what she told me. It was hard for me to get to understand Chinese complexity.
When Sue passed away, perhaps as tragically as her idol, the CD’s were passed to her friends, as I thought I had no use for them.
So back in Ipoh, I discovered that my eldest sister is also a fan of Teresa. In fact, she told me that when Teresa died, her (my sister’s) son rang her from Singapore to share the news with her. He used to have difficulty falling asleep when he was four years old and my sister would play Teresa’s songs to get him to sleep.
I once said to Sue that perhaps she should translate the songs into English so that people like me would be able to enjoy the songs. I am happy to report that some of the songs do have English lyrics now and they can be found on the internet. Just do a Google-search. In fact, there is a facebook recording of Kenny G playing one of the hits.
I bought a CD in Ipoh, with the help of my sister who has a little grasp of Mandarin. Twenty one songs, each and every one is beautiful. I have been enjoying the songs every day since I got back to Sydney. The songs bring back sweet memories of Sue. I can picture her singing next to me as I drove from Sydney to the Gold Coast. I would whisper along. No wonder I learned to enjoy the songs. A few hours a day of listening on the road did it for me.
Teresa had a beautiful and melodious voice. She could have sung without musical backup and it would have been nice. In my opinion, she has one of the most soothing voices in the entertainment world, as a result of her gentle voice and laid-back tempo.
Her hits have beautiful melodies. Sadly I do not understand the lyrics. All the same, I enjoy the songs even though I am illiterate. One day, I may learn to sing the songs in Mandarin.
She was very popular in China, her native Taiwan, Japan, South-east Asia and the Chinese diaspora.
I wonder why someone has not turned her songs into a musical. I am sure it will take the Chinese-speaking world by storm. Any entrepreneur out there?
If you have not discovered Teresa Teng, I recommend that you go to the internet and listen for yourself “The Moon Represents my Heart” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv_cEeDlop0 (Press Control and click)
Even though I am of Chinese origin, I was English-educated and do not understand Mandarin. I was totally into English songs.
I only got to hear Teresa’s lovely songs through my late wife, Sue. As a girl, she had been familiar with popular Chinese songs, but somehow in our years together, she had stayed away from them. It was only as she grew older that she started to take an interest in Chinese songs again. She bought some karaoke discs and started singing at home. Then the Teresa “fever” spread to a friend in Adelaide, and the two of them would spend hours singing karaoke when they met up in Adelaide. I got my dose when we are on the road. Soon, the tunes became familiar to me. Often I would ask Sue for the meaning of the songs, and I was always ready to have a few laughs over what she told me. It was hard for me to get to understand Chinese complexity.
When Sue passed away, perhaps as tragically as her idol, the CD’s were passed to her friends, as I thought I had no use for them.
So back in Ipoh, I discovered that my eldest sister is also a fan of Teresa. In fact, she told me that when Teresa died, her (my sister’s) son rang her from Singapore to share the news with her. He used to have difficulty falling asleep when he was four years old and my sister would play Teresa’s songs to get him to sleep.
I once said to Sue that perhaps she should translate the songs into English so that people like me would be able to enjoy the songs. I am happy to report that some of the songs do have English lyrics now and they can be found on the internet. Just do a Google-search. In fact, there is a facebook recording of Kenny G playing one of the hits.
I bought a CD in Ipoh, with the help of my sister who has a little grasp of Mandarin. Twenty one songs, each and every one is beautiful. I have been enjoying the songs every day since I got back to Sydney. The songs bring back sweet memories of Sue. I can picture her singing next to me as I drove from Sydney to the Gold Coast. I would whisper along. No wonder I learned to enjoy the songs. A few hours a day of listening on the road did it for me.
Teresa had a beautiful and melodious voice. She could have sung without musical backup and it would have been nice. In my opinion, she has one of the most soothing voices in the entertainment world, as a result of her gentle voice and laid-back tempo.
Her hits have beautiful melodies. Sadly I do not understand the lyrics. All the same, I enjoy the songs even though I am illiterate. One day, I may learn to sing the songs in Mandarin.
She was very popular in China, her native Taiwan, Japan, South-east Asia and the Chinese diaspora.
I wonder why someone has not turned her songs into a musical. I am sure it will take the Chinese-speaking world by storm. Any entrepreneur out there?
If you have not discovered Teresa Teng, I recommend that you go to the internet and listen for yourself “The Moon Represents my Heart” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv_cEeDlop0 (Press Control and click)
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Human beings dressed like sheep
It is the first week of spring; still a bit nippy.
I arrived at the train station to find that a train had just been cancelled due to mechanical problems. There was a mini exodus to the train that I was catching. My train was soon packed.
A few more stops and we were standing back to back; human beings dressed as sheep. Woollens and jackets; it became almost unbearably stuffy.
The half hour ride seemed longer than ever.
I can imagine how sheep feel on packed trains on the way to slaughter.
It was a relief for this sheep when it reached its destination.
Baa baa.
I arrived at the train station to find that a train had just been cancelled due to mechanical problems. There was a mini exodus to the train that I was catching. My train was soon packed.
A few more stops and we were standing back to back; human beings dressed as sheep. Woollens and jackets; it became almost unbearably stuffy.
The half hour ride seemed longer than ever.
I can imagine how sheep feel on packed trains on the way to slaughter.
It was a relief for this sheep when it reached its destination.
Baa baa.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Time
This thought came to me the other day when I found myself doing nothing. Time is one of the few things that is free. You may be retired or underemployed but time is there for you to use. You do not have to pay for it. In fact, money cannot buy time. You can’t go out and buy $50 of time. A wealthy person on the way to heaven will not be able to buy another day on earth.
In fact, the rich and famous may have money but they do not have time. Cash-rich, time-poor. They will wish that they have more time but they find that the money is useless when it comes to buying time. So they “work hard and play hard”, another way of saying that they blow their money when they have a chance to enjoy their time. Yet time is free.
Time flies and it seems especially so as you grow older. We go to work day in and out and wish the weekend will come along quickly. While we may want time, we also want the week to go past very quickly. Twenty years of life translate to 1,000 weeks. At the rate we want the week to pass, we will soon run out of time…..in a matter of a thousand weeks.
I once spent a week by myself in a small seaside town. That was the only time ever in my life when I felt that time went very slowly. Well, that’s not quite true. Time really moves slowly when you are in pain, sick and suffering; and you desperately need a doctor to do something for you. One minute of pain is too long; one day of illness is an eternity.
Some people choose to run their own business so that they can have control of their lives and time. But the reality is often the opposite. They end up being more time-poor.
You must have friends who are good at using their time. They put so much into every minute. They will arrive at their appointments, plane, train (or whatever) just in the nick of time. The rest of us arrive a little early for our appointments, read some old magazines, look around, and wait for time. I have yet to conclude which is the better approach to time.
Run the 100 metres or the marathon? Which is the better way to live one’s life?
Time – something that money cannot buy. Some people have plenty of it; others have less.
Now that I have some time…apart from "time", what are the other things which are free? Perhaps I should spend the rest of my life looking for things that money cannot buy!
In fact, the rich and famous may have money but they do not have time. Cash-rich, time-poor. They will wish that they have more time but they find that the money is useless when it comes to buying time. So they “work hard and play hard”, another way of saying that they blow their money when they have a chance to enjoy their time. Yet time is free.
Time flies and it seems especially so as you grow older. We go to work day in and out and wish the weekend will come along quickly. While we may want time, we also want the week to go past very quickly. Twenty years of life translate to 1,000 weeks. At the rate we want the week to pass, we will soon run out of time…..in a matter of a thousand weeks.
I once spent a week by myself in a small seaside town. That was the only time ever in my life when I felt that time went very slowly. Well, that’s not quite true. Time really moves slowly when you are in pain, sick and suffering; and you desperately need a doctor to do something for you. One minute of pain is too long; one day of illness is an eternity.
Some people choose to run their own business so that they can have control of their lives and time. But the reality is often the opposite. They end up being more time-poor.
You must have friends who are good at using their time. They put so much into every minute. They will arrive at their appointments, plane, train (or whatever) just in the nick of time. The rest of us arrive a little early for our appointments, read some old magazines, look around, and wait for time. I have yet to conclude which is the better approach to time.
Run the 100 metres or the marathon? Which is the better way to live one’s life?
Time – something that money cannot buy. Some people have plenty of it; others have less.
Now that I have some time…apart from "time", what are the other things which are free? Perhaps I should spend the rest of my life looking for things that money cannot buy!
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