This one's for you, my boy....

Find Your Wings
Mark Harris

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And if I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

A short respite...

Entering the year 2010, it has indeed been a busy time for me so far.

Teaching assignments; the endless amounts of grading my students within a short timeline; conducting leadership training sessions; and heading off for 2 weeks of army reservist training. I foresee breathing space during the month of Ferbuary...I hope =)

Thankfully, today is a very much needed respite from my work and responsibilities. To give you an idea of how tight my back to back schedule is, I am only able to fit in certain appointments on the way from the toilet to the carpark --- talk as we walk. Arrive at the car, meeting over. Job done.

But yes, today, as part of the institution's performance indicators for its staff, I am required to sit in, observe and report on one of my colleagues in their presentation of the lesson. Such an exercise can be rather intimidating for both Observer and Observee. If you can imagine the potential level of blackmail that might take place, you will know what I mean. Thankfully, my colleague, J, is an easy going free spirit. She does a good job anyway, so it's a straightforward exercise for the both of us.

That means, I get a chance to breathe!

Actually, it sounds worse than it actually is. I remember the days in Advertising that left me with heart palpitations and breathlessness --- an exciting industry indeed. Not to mention high levels of stress! That was a different ball game altogther --- with the potential for many to burnout.

But the work I am doing now, though busy, I am actually quite enjoying it.

Still, a man needs to rest.

Rest has been understated, especially amongst the Generation X-ers and, especially Y-ers. We think that if our mind is able to push us to multi-task between office work, family responsibilities and fitness training for that triathlon coming up next month. But the reality is this --- our mind can make us achieve heights physically we are not able to attain, but only for a limited period only. Everything comes at a cost, and while you have achieved a greater height, the toll on your body can be irreversible.

It could even kill you.

I have friends and acquaintances who hold top positions in their corporations. They work till late and then go for late night jogs, swims (think 12am). They sleep at 2am and then get up at 6am. They are quite proud of their ability to balance such a lifestyle.

I shudder.

Research has proven that with little sleep, people die earlier; are not able to concentrate for long periods; and are prone to make wrong decisions.

To be fair, I was one of these individuals who thought that nothing could stand in my way. But I have learnt my lesson, and I have to make time to rest.

Yes, one has to make time to rest, especially if you are the go-getter type of person.

And so, on this day of respite, I have planned to visit the mall nearby to get a pair of tennis shoes (so that I can keep the tennis date planned in February). I will also head to the gym for a short run and pump some iron. And then there is more grading for tonight.

Hmm...I've learnt my lesson, eh?

Awww...

I attended the Lea Salonga concert with the wife last week.

Ok, I admit that I was dragged there by the wife. I mean, I like Lea Salonga, but I did not really think much of going. My living room couch was beckoning me towards itself irresistibly. But since I loved the Wife, I relented.

And I did not regret. What a lovely voice this lass has...and at a live performance too!

Here's one of our favourite songs. After she sang this song, you could hear half the concert hall blowing their noses with tissue. Ladies mostly, I think. It was dark, you see.

The title of the song is called 'Two Words'. It was written by 2 of her closest friends for her to sing to her husband at the altar. Watch the video of her sing to her husband and you would see him just melt in a helpless heap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji3bEFoBYtA&feature=related


*Sob*

So sweet...how come my wife never sang to me like that???!!!!

All I want for X'mas....

Nice to have...but I guess it'll have to be put on hold for now =)

Thatcher the former Prime Minister or...?

Stories like that just make my day! LOL!

OTTAWA - 'THATCHER has died,' read the short text message that kicked off a brief diplomatic flurry among members of Canada's parliament and their advisers at a black tie dinner this week, said local media on Thursday.

Upon learning the 'news' via mobile or Blackberry at a soiree honouring Canadian military families on Tuesday, some 2,000 shocked Conservatives, said to revere the Iron Lady of British politics, and their advisers reportedly huddled to discuss a reaction.

The prime minister's office called Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street to confirm that Margaret Thatcher had indeed passed away - baffling British officials, CanWest News Service said.

It turned out the message was sent by Canadian Transport Minister John Baird from his home in Toronto to a person at the gala dinner to say his beloved 16-year-old grey tabby cat, named for Margaret Thatcher, 84, had died.

The recipient then forwarded it to others.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office was not immediately available for comment. -- AFP

Becoming civilized?

Here I am, at my father-in-law's laptop, in the Los Angeles suburb of Arcadia.

(punch in 'Arcadia, CA' at http://maps.google.com/ to see where I am at)

I had just returned from Las Vegas yesterday. The 'City of Sin' is just under an hour's plane ride away from Ontario airport in California. The Wife's parents had so kindly bought us a 3 day 2 night stay at the Venetian, and 2-way return air tickets there of course.

(http://www.venetian.com/)

I had been to Las Vegas when I was really young. Not much recollection of it. But this time, I sought to observe and try to discern between Hollywood glamour (that we see so often on TV shows like 'Las Vegas' and 'CSI: Las Vegas') and reality.

Not too long ago, when the Singapore government gave the go ahead to create not one, but two casinos (politically correct term is 'Integrated Resorts' or IR), many political observers applauded the government for being 'mature' and 'moving towards civility'. Singapore is known in the West as a 'nanny state' --- for banning the sale of chewing gum; for caning Michael Fay...the list goes on. So, having the creation of not one, but two casinos, shows that 'the government has faith in its people and recognizing that a civilized society allows a freedom of choice and expression' --- even when it comes to gambling.

What should we expect in Singapore when the IRs open? Entertainment? Fun? Vibrancy?

Or will it be crime? Sleaze? Addiction?

Personally, I sympathize with the government. It's not something they would have liked to have but in doing so, they are 'showing their hand' and 'throwing their trump card'. These opinions are mine alone, but it is quite clear if you read the signs in the wind. Anyway, this is for another blog entry altogether.

Back to Vegas.

Stepping into the lobby of the Venetian was simply 'meraviglia' --- astonishing. Of course, it is nothing like what I saw in St Peter's Basilica or at the cathedrals in Europe. But for modern day context, it was oozing with opulence in its interior finishing and intricacy in the ceiling paintings. Soft Baroque music played in the background. A certain fragrance filled the lobby --- The Wife thinks that it is toilet fragrance --- that is meant to uplift the senses.

I could go on about every detail at every hotel we explored --- the Mirage; Caesar's Palace; the Bellagio...Oh, The Bellagio...but it would take just too long. So let me instead briefly touch on some observations.

Gambling
There are slot machines everywhere --- the airport; on the sidewalks; in the pubs. Every hotel has the ubiquitous slot machines and most of them have gambling tables for Blackjack, Poker and Craps. High rollers are ushered to a different section for higher stakes. In these areas, the sound of 'ching-ching' is heard all the time to give people the impression that others are winning --- so you should persevere and wait for your turn to win! You will see that there are no clocks on the walls so that you do not keep track of time --- you got time, so play more lah! Restrooms signs are really hard to locate, so that you do not think about your bladder --- focus on winning!

Boobs
Let's be real --- where there is money, there is sex. Waitresses are outfitted in dresses --- low from the top and high from the bottom. Most are physically well endowed, save the 1 or 2 waitresses who are less endowed because of equal opportunity hiring regulations. Wynn Hotel has a nightclub called Trysts; The Mirage has a nightclub called Bare; The Venetian has a nightclub by the pool called Tao --- sounds innocuous enough eh? Until I found out that there are Asian dancers in the pool wearing nothing but flower petals in strategic spots. The streets are filled with dispensers giving free directories to massage services and topless dancers. Hispanic flyer pushers give out flyers on how you can hook up with a girl of your desire. Moving billboards on trucks drive by, beckoning you to book a topless show for tonight.

Money Talks
Tipping is rampant. To get a good seat in the nightclub, tip the greeter well. To make sure your bags come off the luggage holding area fast, tip well. When ordering a drink, you have to tip the bartender. To take a photo with the actor playing the accordion, tip him...err, well, the girls that did not tip him gave them a dirty look and continued playing his tune, albeit sourly. Tonnes of shopping can be done at all the hotel malls with brands that would make the seasoned Orchard Road shopper hyperventilate.

Entertainment
Lots of options. For the night, you've got world class concerts, musicals, stand up comedy shows, topless shows, cirque du soleil performances. Then there are free shows like the Treasure Island Hotel Pirate show and the Bellagio's water fountain show. I really could not find anything that kids could be occupied with. To be fair, I did not go beyond the busy part of the 'Las Vegas Strip'. But then again, I would really say that it is not a place that would excite kids. Other forms of entertainment would be like the Dolphin lagoon or seeing the White Tigers at the Mirage; sitting in a gondola in the Venetian's man made canal --- quite cool I must say; Madame Tussaud's wax museum; and gambling, but of course.


Well, well, well. Is Singapore going to be like that? I don't think so. Vegas is in a league by itself. But yes, we have to expect some of these things that will come our way. On the positive side, many jobs will be created, I mean, many. Business entertainment will be directed our way, so will conventions from MICE. We will be seeing world class roller coasters and amusement rides --- a long time coming for us, really. It will be an exciting time for us all. But yes, I am aware of the social ills that will fall our way.

Part of our package was a $50 credit for us to play with at the slot machines. The Wife and I thought, what the heck, let's try our hand at the slot machines. And so we did. Before you know it, we were winning money! I must say that it was actually quite exciting. We decided to cash in our winnings and we got a handsome sum of $39.95. How wonderful it was to win! Hang on...we started out with $50. Yeah, they were free credits. But actually, amid all the excitement of winning money, if we had forked out the $50 ourselves, we would have ended up with a 'deficit' of $10.95.

The House always wins.

'Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.'

1 Corinthians 10:12 (The Bible)

So here I was, lining up to buy my breakfast from the Holland Village Hawker Centre. I was meeting my friend C to catch up over a breakfast meal. C decided to buy 'economic bee hoon'. I decided that since I was going to have a buffet pig out at the Ritz Carlton later in the afternoon, I would take something 'lighter' on the tummy.

I went up to the Chicken Hor Fun store. In front of me was a strapping young chap, probably in his mid twenties. He was waiting for the store owner to whip up 2 plates of Dumpling Noodles. I noticed that he was wearing a fitted french cuffs shirt and tailored pants ( I glanced quickly at his pants, lest I be mistaken for...). Hair was nicely spiked up, portraying a spunky image of a yuppy. Whipping out his unmistakably branded pure leather money clip, he slid out a $10 note and then threw it onto the counter...flippantly.

Hmm.

That was a strange way to hand over money, I mused.

As if to reinforce my observations, the store owner --- a middle aged lady --- asked spunky yuppy if he had 50 cents. Spunky yuppy dug into his pants pocket and fished out some coins. After sifting out 50 cents in his palm, he threw the coins onto the counter once again, splaying the coins all over the counter.

I was highly intrigued --- what kind of character throws money onto the counter in such a flippant and 'bo chap' way? Store owner lady had to reach over from her end and individually pick up the coins. Interestingly, the throwing of the coin was not done in contempt --- it was done so naturally that if I had pointed it out to Spunky yuppy, he would not have noticed what he did.

As he carried his food away, my observations continued swimming in my mind. As I handed over the money to the store owner lady, I...Hey wait a second!

I handed the dollar note to the store owner!

I consciously froze that moment in time into my brain, and replayed that scene in my mind --- I handed the money over to the lady. I did not throw the money.

Human behaviour, to me, is worth examining. Now, I am not concluding that I am morally more in tune, just because I 'handed over' the money rather than throw the money onto the counter. For all you know, I could be a wife beater, child molestor...you get the drift (watch Criminal Minds and you know what I mean). However, my question is this - why couldn't Spunky yuppy just simply hand the money over to store lady? By splaying the money all over the counter, it was inconveniencing her. Not too nice.

And so I propose the following reasons why he did what he did:


a) Spunky yuppy is spoilt and treats hawkers with disdain.

b) Spunky yuppy does not like to physically handle money as dollar notes and coins contain billions of germs.

c) Spunky yuppy has a tick and instinctively throws money when his hand comes in contact with them.

d) Spunky yuppy was raised by a couple of wolves and does not know basic social manners.



That aside, I should really track him down to find out who his tailor is.