Reach

My heart leaps each time I read of people taking the step of faith to reach for their dreams; to reach for what they've always wanted to do - despite the odds.

Question is... will I rise to my call?

Straits Times May 26, 2008

77-year-old sets record for Everest

A NEPALESE climber has become the oldest person to summit the world's highest mountain, breaking the previous record held by a Japanese man.

'Min Bahadur Sherchan, 77, reached the top of Everest on Sunday,' Mr Ramesh Khatri Chhetri, an official at Nepal's Tourism Ministry said yesterday.

'Sherchan is in good health and is slowly descending from the summit. He will probably reach the base camp on Monday,' he said.

The previous record was held by Mr Katsusuke Yanagisawa, 71, just last year.

Various records have already been set this spring season as 32 expedition teams push for the summit.

The official said about 220 climbers, including 87 foreigners, had scaled the summit by yesterday morning.

Last week, Appa Sherpa, 48, broke his own world record by getting to the summit of Mount Everest for the 18th time.

The same day, at least 86 climbers successfully made it to the top, which was another record, the official said.

Since it was first conquered in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the 8,848m mountain has been scaled more than 3,000 times.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Carry You Home - James Blunt

Trouble is her only friend and he's back again
Makes her body older than it really is
She says it's high time she went away
No one's got much to say in this town
Trouble is the only way is down
Down, down

As strong as you were, tender you go
I'm watching you breathing for the last time
A song for your heart
But when it is quiet
I know what it means and I'll carry you home
I'll carry you home
If she had wings she would fly away
And another day God will give her some
Trouble is the only way is down
Down, down

As strong as you were, tender you go
I'm watching you breathing for the last time
A song for your heart
But when it is quiet
I know what it means and I'll carry you home
I'll carry you home

And they were all born pretty in New York City tonight
And someone's little girl was taken from the world tonight
Under the Stars and Stripes

As strong as you were, tender you go
I'm watching you breathing for the last time
A song for your heart
But when it is quiet
I know what it means and I'll carry you home
I'll carry you home

I have a dream

I was in Melbourne with Jason. We walked in to Gloria Jean’s at the airport – lo and behold, I found Condoleezza Rice staring back at me from behind the front counter! She was working there! She was in her early 20s – frizzy hair tied up, skin tight and flawless, face youthful. She was wearing an Abercrombie & Fitch-type white tee, and blue jeans – looking just like your average girl on the street – except you know and you know, this is no ordinary girl, but a powerful being dressed up in a young girl’s body – man, this is Condoleezza Rice, the most powerful woman on earth next to the current most powerful man on earth, George W. Bush (right, keep your reservations on his ability out of mention here, aite?)

Jason found a couch pretty near the counter, and I ordered coffee for us both. Condoleezza Rice stood tall at the counter, all smiles and friendly. She took my order professionally, like she has been doing this for years. After serving a few more patrons, she took her dark blue apron off and sat herself down at a couch next to me. Not one to let an opportunity slip by me, I struck up a conversation with her and immediately asked if we could pose for a photograph together. She obliged my request with a charming smile and immediately stretched her arm across my shoulders.

She must have been expecting her cousins over because immediately after, her cousins walked into the coffee joint. She got off the couch, bid me farewell and joined them. They crossed the underground street to a convenience store right across the coffee joint. Her cousins were a pretty loud bunch and they looked like they have a pretty good time hanging out together. Condoleezza Rice stood head above shoulders, even among her tall black cousins. Throughout the time she was with them, I noticed that she was always maintaining a calm demeanour, like a posh American college girl. She rarely bends forward; she was always maintaining a straight back and walking tall.

Jason and I lingered across the street from them till they came out of the store and disappeared into the streets.

You never forget a Condoleezza Rice experience. Not even in your dreams...

Gee… I could dream of Barack Obama next… ;)

Awe-swim

22/04/08:

A usual morning finds me awakened tired, lethargic, slugging through the day and looking at my world through un-inspired eyes.

An out-of-the-ordinary half-hour swim at 5.15am this morning sets my world ablaze and opened my eyes to the goodness all around:

• My heart swells with delight at the willingness of a loving and sacrificial spouse complying with my crazy antic of waking up at 5am
• The feeling of euphoria is akin to that of attending a high school summer camp
• The joy of seeing the gym in use at 5.15am - which serves to confirm me and Jason aren't the only crazy ones
• The gratefulness of finding the pool water surprisingly, warm, and not chilly as would be expected at such an early hour
• The sympathy towards a clearly drowsy domestic helper walking an old man around the perimeter of the pool to fulfil his daily dose of morning exercise
• The spouse who patiently and caringly attends to me when I slipped and fell the staircase
• The many people going about their daily activities - children going to school, hawkers setting up their stalls, market vendors selling and housewives and domestic helpers buying fresh produce
• A renewed love for Singapore - realising that this is after all a very liveable and comfortable place to settle in
• My overwhelming gratitude and inner joy in realising that God meant every word when He assured me that He would make a way where there seems to be no way, and with His word, comes the assurance of peace

This Ordinary Night

How times have changed
Have far we have progressed
Such that the modernity of times past
Are now starkly intolerable...

- of MTV's 90s Flashback

He lies down next to me
Pressing his forehead close to my left arm
Snuggled comfortably on bed
Feet tucked underneath the sheets
Fast falling asleep
In the bliss of blessed union.

- of the man

The Chase

There must come a time when she stands up for what she wants to become. The day will come when she stands on the threshold of the incumbent and know that her choice of her dreams may cost her everything, laying bare on the ground the foundation of which she now clings on dearly with her life - it's everything she's got now. She must battle the monsters that attack her from every side, with one goal of bringing her down to the pit of despair. Will she recognise the impending threat upon her sacred life and search for a way out? Or will she lose her way in the winding dark maze of hope lost and dreams afar off?

She looks down into the gurgling waters and closes her eyes. She is yet to be.

The Great Eastern Man - Part 2

14/03/08

I saw him today. Up close and personal this time. I was rather surprised to hear his daughter speak to him in Teochew. I had expected his surrounding to be English speaking. He looked sadder that I thought; so did his maid. The only one who looked a little happier was his daughter. He ate well - 3 pieces of toast with scrambled eggs. In saying well I meant he handled his utensils well (fork and knife in hand to handle the toasts and eggs). The bakery is generally a quaint place - patrons spoke in soft volumes, as the lull and lounge music play over the system. I must be looking over my table so much over to the table of three that I finally caught a small piece of interaction between two of them. The daughter said something; the maid looked up and released a small smile.

I realised after a while, the harder I tried to enter his world and that of his family, the more I didn't want to do so - it's like I'm afraid I'd lose my sense of intrigue-ness surrounding this man, like I'm afraid to be disappointed at how uninteresting his life story really is. It's like the mass public's intrigue-ness of a celebrity's life. You want to read about them, you want to adore them from a distance but when the rubber hits the road, you don't want the details. You want to keep your distance and maintain the bubble in which you contain the celebrity. You don't want to ruin the halo above their heads.

As I mused over this, his driver arrived in the usual metallic grey Mercedez. I caught the number plate this time, much to my joy (the number of which I will not divulge for privacy sake). The last thing I noticed was that his driver was a plump bespectacled middle-aged man.

An hour and a half

An honest, down to earth and easily digestable view on Senator Barack Obama.

http://blog.pmarca.com/2008/03/an-hour-and-a-h.html

The Great Eastern Man

He’s a constant patron of the large, uptown and cosy bakery. Every morning at 8.10 am he arrives in a chauffeured-driven metallic grey Mercedes Benz (which number plate I have not managed to catch, despite my trying a few times). Dressed in a light blue, short-sleeved shirt and grey pants, both of which are neatly pressed, matched with a warm, grey cardigan, he bears a striking pose at 1.8 m. Hunching a little as most elderly men (who are tall) do, he is aided by a walking stick and an attentive maid. As I watch him arrive at the bakery every weekday morning and going about his daily routine of a 20-minute breakfast, flanked on both sides by a helpful maid and a patient daughter (or daughter-in-law?), I’m reminded of how short life is, and how simple it should be.

Life’s simple pleasures: to nourish the body with food, the heart with good relationships, the soul with purpose-driven activities, the mind with knowledge and wisdom. And oh yes, if you are a caffeine-addict like me, coffee too.

Why can't Hillary and Obama just form a GRC?

A little of an old news, but a fairly interesting read by a Singaporean journalist:

Business Times - 15 Feb 2008
Why can't Hillary and Obama just form a GRC?

By Jamie Ee

TO many Singaporeans, the ongoing US presidential elections may well seem to be a mindboggling process. After all, elections have always been a pretty straightforward thing for us - one public holiday, one vote and done deal. The only primary we know is the kind of school our voting is done in. There's no need to figure out what a caucus is, how come super delegates are better than delegates, or ponder the notion that Barack Obama is better liked than Hillary Clinton because he looks better in pantsuits.

Also, from a Singaporean point of view, it's hard to understand why an African-American man, a woman and Anglo-Saxon male even need to campaign against each other by appealing to different demographics. Why, in our country, they would have teamed up and formed the perfect GRC.

Then again, we're probably a simpler people. We don't like complicated politics. We have more practical things to think about - like deciding whether to go for the refundable or non-refundable CPF Life Scheme. Not to mention figuring out how many people we like enough to want to sacrifice a higher monthly payout just so that they can get all the unused money and interest when we kick the bucket.

Besides, there are other things to wonder about, like who will be the next starlet to appear in Edison Chen's photo gallery. Or exactly what happened to cause the wife of Venture Corp chairman Wong Ngit Liong to allegedly slap the SIA stewardess who was trying to serve her husband. Imagine if Michelle Obama had been on Hillary's 'Hil Force One' campaign plane and heard the former first lady dissing Obama by saying 'thank you for choosing the crew with the most experience' - maybe she would have slapped Hillary and said 'How dare you talk (about) my husband!'

Yes, Singaporeans have a lot to learn about American politics, and why much of it can't be translated into the local context. Like, why can't we devote entire planes just to go campaigning? Never mind that maybe the plane can only fly from Changi to Seletar Airport. It'd be a heck of a lot more cool than campaigning from a lorry with just a bullhorn. Even if you're allowed to use the bullhorn later to frighten unsuspecting people walking past.

And maybe the next time we have elections here, we could have really fancy balls to raise money. And have top local chefs prepare sumptuous buffets, with people dressed in tuxedos and ball gowns listening to political speeches. It would be a darn sight better than fried beehoon at community centres or getting bitten by mosquitoes in a rain-soaked open field with only cold curry puffs as snack options.

I suppose it probably wouldn't do to have politicians' spouses talking about their other halves being smelly in the morning or forgetting to keep the butter, like Michelle Obama did, to her husband's detriment. But maybe some little nuggets like a secret fondness for laksa breakfasts or secret fears that wearing white makes them look fat?

OK, fine. So elections American-style aren't likely to make their way here anytime soon. We'll just have to get our ya-yas from watching Hillary and company battle it out over the next few months. Then again, there's also the Malaysian elections coming up. Now that's another one that we can't figure out, but it'll still be fun to watch nonetheless.

Yes we can - Barack for President

Created by Will.I.Am for Barack Obama

Obama's win in South Carolina

Obama's landslide victory in South Carolina on 26 Jan - due in part to many who love him, support his vision and believe in him...

Why am I following the US election so closely, you may ask, when I am not even remotely a US citizen or directly affected by the results of the election? In time to come I will reveal a little more on my tight focus on the election.

http://sc.barackobama.com/page/content/schome

An ardent supporter and volunter campaigner, Josh Stroman's thoughts after Obama's win in South Carolina:

We knew that we were going to have to be committed to the vision of what America could be, if we got involved and worked to bring it to life. The last day was incredible. We ran throughout the city of Columbia, posting signs, increasing visibility, knocking on doors, walking with people to the actual polling places. Whatever we had to do to ensure Senator Obama's victory, we were committed to doing it.

...His victory is vindication for so many of us who believe in what this country can be. It is also an indication that the American people can stand against the power of the establishment in order to usher in a new attitude and approach to uplifting the greater good.

I have invested, and I believe we all have, such an enormous amount of personal energy. We embraced Senator Obama's vision... in which each of us are empowered to be innovative in creating solutions that match the common challenges that we all face...

Lastly, I want to tell Senator Obama, that WE are so very proud of him, for having enough confidence and faith in the American people to launch this historic journey to restore the American presidency to its highest mantle.

This will not be easy, but it is very important that each American citizen, who believes that America can truly be a nation for the people and of the people, to get out and canvass, caucus, make phone calls, post signs, be patient with those who do not fully grasp the significance of the opportunity and it is important for us, to work with positive and encouraging spirits when speaking of the vision that we each share of a brighter and more promising America.

Being a part of Senator Obama’s campaign has meant so much to me. My friends and I plan on driving to Georgia, we may go to Maryland, Virginia and many more places if need be. I know that my story has inspired so many, but understand, that it is indeed, Senator Barack Obama, who has inspired me to dream dreams that I never thought could be possible. As I am empowered, I am allowed to empower others and in South Carolina, unity brought victory. I will forever be grateful for how this campaign has transformed my life and pray that each of us get involved in our own unique way, to reclaim the hope and the future of this nation. Thank you Senator Obama for allowing the American people, as diverse as we may be, to stand together as one people, and both collectively and individually contribute our talents and gifts to a cause much greater than ourselves.

Tenjewberrymuds

To get the full effect, this should be read aloud. You will understand what 'tenjewberrymuds' means by the end of the conversation. This has been nominated for the best email of 2005.

The following is a telephone exchange between a hotel guest and room-service,
at a hotel in Asia, which was recorded and published in the Far East Economic Review:


Room Service (RS): "Morrin. Roon sirbees."

Guest (G): "Sorry, I thought I dialed room-service."

RS: "Rye..Roon sirbees..morrin! Jewish to oddor sunteen??"

G: "Uh..yes..I'd like some bacon and eggs."

RS: "Ow July den?"

G: "What??"

RS: "Ow July den?...pryed, boyud, poochd?"

G : "Oh, the eggs! How do I like them? Sorry, scrambled please."

RS: "Ow July dee baykem? Crease?"

G: "Crisp will be fine."

RS : "Hokay. An Sahn toes?"

G: "What?"

RS:"An toes. July Sahn toes?"

G: "I don't think so."

RS: "No? Judo wan sahn toes??"

G: "I feel really bad about this, but I don't know what 'judo wan sahn toes' means."

RS: "Toes! toes!...Why jew don juan toes? Ow bow Anglish moppin we bodder?"

G: "English muffin!! I've got it! You were saying 'Toast.' Fine. Yes, an English muffin will be fine."

RS: "We bodder?"

G: "No...just put the bodder on the side."

RS: "Wad?"

G: "I mean butter...just put it on the side."

RS: "Copy?"

G: "Excuse me?"

RS: "Copy...tea...meel?"

G: "Yes. Coffee, please, and that's all."

RS: "One Minnie. Scramah egg, crease baykem, Anglish moppin we bodder on sigh and copy....rye??"

G: "Whatever you say."

RS: "Tenjewberrymuds."

G : "You're very welcome."

Yes we can

Barack Obama conceded defeat to Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire on 8 Jan 2008, but he did so nevertheless, with a victory speech. An excerpt from Newsweek:

Speaking of an American spirit of "Yes, we can," Obama said: "It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes, we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom through the darkest of nights.

Yes, we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes, we can.

It was the call of workers who organized, women who reached for the ballot, a president who chose the moon as our New Frontier and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes, we can, to justice and equality."

Way to go, Obama!

Hillary vs Obama

The campaign between Democrats Obama and Clinton is heating up piping hot as the Democratic Primary draws near on Jan 26...

Excerpt from Newsweek, the article "Letting Hillary be Hillary"

The tangled issues seem to arise daily, even hourly. I asked a colleague of mine, an African-American woman who lives in neither Iowa nor New Hampshire, to write me a note describing her private feelings about the campaign. "I was a Hillary supporter going into the primaries," she said. "When Barack won in Iowa, I felt like a traitor to my race. What if this really is a moment where a black president is possible and I was going to vote for the woman! I felt awful. I constructed this whole complicated theory that I was resistant to the election of Barack because, if he won, then I and every other black person in the world was going to have to accept a new paradigm in American race relations—namely racism is not as pervasive and encompassing as we might like to believe and that the victim stance was going to be pretty hard to claim in the future. So then I became really excited and imagined how inspirational a black president would be, especially to the young black men who feel hopeless. Then came the 'You're likable enough, Hillary' moment, and I swung sharply back to Hillary. I thought: 'Great, another man who resents strong women and therefore resorts to personal insults to demean her'." In sum: from Clinton to Obama then back to Clinton—in the space of about four days.

Such is the sensitivity of these 2 Democratic candidates that

South Carolina Rep. James E. Clyburn felt compelled to issue a statement calling for a ceasefire: "I encourage the candidates to be sensitive about the words they use. This is an historic race for America to have such strong, diverse candidates vying for the Democratic nomination." John Lewis, the Georgia congressman, civil-rights veteran and perennial optimist, said, "I hope we will put these issues of gender and race to rest and return to the marketplace of politics."

Are we living in a historical moment or what?

(Note: My comments in purple, excerpt from Newsweek in blue)

Change we can believe in

We all need a change we can believe in. A change that can stamp a steady foot in the ground and say: “enough is enough of days of defeat and disappointment and discouragement. A new day has come – a day of hope once again, a day of light at the end of a dark tunnel once again – a change we can all believe in.”

There has been many a defeating moment in my life where over time, I lose a sense a believe in myself and in my ability to do better and do something extraordinary with these pair of ordinary hands, an inquisitive mind and a sincere heart. Many a day when I go to sleep at night discouraged at how little I have accomplished and how far I have fallen short of what I think I am capable of doing. When I see the toil and works of great men and women all round the world, I know in my heart of hearts that I can be that woman – that I too, can harbour big dreams and do great things in my lifetime, in my generation, not just for the benefit of my own self, or my family, or m friends, but for strangers whom I do not know, but lack the resources and ability to stand up for justice and do what could essentially improve their lives and make them a little happier, a little more complete. I believe I can be such a woman to do such a thing.

And that is why I am truly inspired by this African-American Senator of Illinois. In him I see the hope of a generation lost and weary. In him I see an intensity that outlines the enormous burden he carries in his heart and soul for a people he identifies as his own – the American people. In him I see the love of a man for his family and a love for God that directs him in the way that he is now walking – a path of integrity and responsibility and justice.

This man proposes a change Americans can believe in, when Americans have far too long been disappointed by governments that cared more for their agendas than the interests of the American people. With the ongoing presidential campaign for the Presidential seat in 2008, I am following close behind to be inspired myself – to fan afresh my dying flame of a change I can believe in for myself – that my dreams need not stay buried, but I can bring it out in the open once again – I can lay them in a straight line, walk alongside them and resurrect them into reality. I can believe in myself again.

The Leap

My Heart

I stood at the threshold of a breakthrough

The waters flowed freely and I held nothing back

I yielded all I am and will ever be

Knowing that nothing I withhold could bring me forward

The clouds burst, the sky cracked open and the wind beckoned

Confident of what lies ahead, I sealed my mind and

Leapt forward to grace



Ritchell Lim

She stood straight, pure and innocent

She struck her first chord

And my tear well burst

In her I saw the reality of life’s imperfections

Redeemed by the glory of God’s grace

In her I saw what love and family can do

To nurture the beauty of a child

In her I saw what mankind could achieve

When we cast aside worldly cares

And commit to a vision of the gifts within

To find out a little more on Ritchell Lim, pls visit http://www.myspace.com/ritchelllim

The O & O Show

Straits Times - Dec 10, 2007

Welcome to the O & O show

Obama hopes Oprah's support will win him the Democratic ticket

DES MOINES (IOWA) - DEMOCRATIC presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign has rolled out talk show host Oprah Winfrey - one of the most influential women in the US - in a bid to win over female and black voters in key election states.

Winfrey brought a showbiz buzz to Mr Obama's campaign over the weekend, kicking off a three- state tour with a rousing speech to screaming fans who braved freezing weather to see her.

One of the biggest crowds so far in the 2008 race for president - some 18,500 people - crammed into a hall in Iowa on Saturday to hear Winfrey's firstever speech for a political candidate in an event dubbed the Double 'O' show by the media.

'I'm here to tell you, Iowa, he is the one,' the entertainment diva told the cheering crowd, some of whom screamed they wanted her as vice-president.

She urged voters to back Mr Obama's 'new vision' for the United States.

Winfrey's dramatic appearance helped underscore the high stakes in the first caucuses, which will be held on Jan3.

Running neck-and-neck in the polls here and unable to predict how voters will react to sharp clashes close to the holidays, Mr Obama and his rival for the Democratic nomination Hilary Rodham Clinton are campaigning furiously, with an emphasis on winning over female voters.

Clinging to her role as the national front runner, Mrs Clinton scrambled to match the Oprah moment by taking her 88-year-old mother, Mrs Dorothy Rodham, and Chelsea, 27, on the campaign trail at the weekend.

Neither had appeared publicly yet with the senator in her presidential bid.

The reluctant Chelsea Clinton's public emergence normally would have been big news, but it was a lastminute move that was overshadowed by hype surrounding Winfrey.

Mrs Clinton - pledging 'change across the generations' as she courted voters - all but conceded that Mr Obama's high-wattage events would dominate the weekend news.

Mr Obama's roadshow continued yesterday with a signature rally in South Carolina, a state where half the Democratic electorate, like him and Winfrey, is African-American.

Winfrey is viewed as one of the most influential entertainers in the world. Mr Obama hopes her millions of mainly female disciples will help him outpace Mrs Clinton, the first woman with a realistic chance of winning the White House.

But Winfrey's influence on politics is as yet untested. A USA Today/ Gallup Poll released in October found 8per cent of adults said her endorsement made them more likely to support Mr Obama, while 10per cent said it would make them less likely to back him.

In her speech, Winfrey said Mr Obama's stance as a candidate of change was more important than the perceived lack of political experience for which opponents such as Mrs Clinton criticise him.

'Experience in the hallways of government isn't as important to me as the experience on the pathway of life,' Winfrey said, citing the first-term Illinois senator's achievements outside Washington.

Many people at Saturday's event said Winfrey was largely the reason they attended. After she spoke, hundreds left, missing all or part of Mr Obama's speech.

Enjoy thy family

I thoroughly enjoy watching my family bask in comfort, love, warmth and most importantly security, in this land of great governance and upright leadership.

I thoroughly enjoy having my family spend precious time doing the most mundane of things that families do together – eating together, watching television together, sharing comments about the latest company take over or rise in property prices, having mom cut fresh fruits a couple of hours after dinner time, us sitting around the living room in front of the television; watching Discovery Channel together, the cold December wind blowing furiously through the wide open windows, telling us that Christmas is beckoning.

I thoroughly enjoy the blessings I have been given.

Politics

The past few months have been a whirlwind journey of discovery and inner reflection – a reflection on the issues that threatens us as individuals and as societies joined together in a race for survival and national advancement.

I can’t say the same for certain countries, particularly one whose leaders are incapable of uniting its multi-racial people, with its blatant favouritism evidenced by its policies that advance only those belonging to its favoured group and incompetence in battling corruption among its leaders, people in power and authority who were elected to key appointments to advance the cause of the people they were meant to serve. How does a people pledge allegiance to a government that jeopardises social security by closing an eye to the evidential abuse of power in the ranks of authority? How does a people pledge allegiance to leaders who enter civil service to advance their personal interests?

Are lessons not meant to be learnt? Is a nation not to progress? Why then are we seeing regress, instead of progress, in a country which undoubtedly carries within it, men and women of outstanding calibre and extreme talent, men and women with charisma, bright minds and fiery passion?

Do we wait till the young people pack their bags to leave at the most opportune time, plant their roots in foreign shores, receive nourishment from foreign sources, take on the culture, education and identity of foreign lands because they have been far too malnourished in the bosom of their motherland?

There ought to be a new vision in the leadership – a vision that presents equality for all its citizens, a vision that sets social security as a high priority, a conviction that pushes through the influence of profiteers, nay-sayers and spin masters to present a daring truth that stands on the foundation of those that has gone before us, men and women who laid down their lives to secure the independence of the nation that all may progress, advance and carve a secure, bright, upright and prosperous future together.

Meet Barack Obama

See the man in action - see his hope, passion & life unfold in this 5-min video clip.

The Kite Runner - the movie

The most anticipated movie since I picked up the book exactly a year ago, in Nov 06.

To gain a little understanding on the background of the book, I have previously posted an interview with the author, Khaled Hosseini: http://lilwritergie.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html

Now here's a trailer of the movie - an amazing story of 2 friends, close as brothers, set in Kabul. A journey of friendship, kinship, love, trust, betrayal, redemption and faith.

Barack Obama's campaign for presidency

Senator Barack Obama's campaign for presidency. Tell me if you don't feel his passion and heart for the people he's serving. Will he change the course of black history by being the first black president of the United States of America?

I may be no American,and I may have no business with American politics, who becomes president, etc. But I have a business to be challenged by the fact that history's about to change when the great nation of American could open up its political doors to a black man and potentially have him lead the American people from the platform of a power, influence and laedership.

Can you imagine the impact he's gonna make with his succesful election, not just in America, for the American people, but in the world, for the people of the world whose voices do not speak as loudly as their American counterparts.

Below are 3 videos from Barack's site:

1. Canvass for Change Rally at Des Moines, Iowa on 13 Oct 2007:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid900881681/bclid900480414/bctid1243732338

2. Barack's speech at DePaul University, Chicago on 2 Oct 2007:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid900881681/bclid900480414/bctid1214063150

3. Alice Walker speaks on Barack:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid900881681/bclid900480414/bctid1201929195

Inspired for change

If your life is channelled towards doing something you are passionately driven by, the fruit of your labour will display an achievement so fulfilling, so impactful. -A.T.

I have always believed all things are possible. This belief is further enhanced by my discovery of Barack Obama's achievement in politics - a black American, a Senator for the State of Illinois, and a probable presidency candidate.

A review said thus: "If Barack Obama is successful in his quest to become President of the United States, he will dramatically change the face that his country presents to the world."

To learn a lil' more on Barack Obama, check out http://www.barackobama.com/about/

For a thorough read into his life and family history, read "Dreams from my Father". For his thoughts on American politics, read "The Audacity of Hope".

Tribute to my man

It's time for tribute once again. In honor of my MAN.

He's always helping me get into the right learning environment to advance my interests, to name a few:

1. When I wanted to write more - he encouraged me to blog

2. When I wanted to read more - he buys me books from time to time, and the amazing thing is, he uses wise discernment to get me the exact kind of books that get me ticking!

3. When I wanted to learn French - he found me a website to learn French with others online

4. When I wanted to swim more often - he accompanies me to the pool, not swimming himself, but bringing his laptop to do his work or a book along to read

5. When I wanted to go to JB once a month to visit my parents - he puts aside his own agendas to accompany me and spend quality time with my family

6. When I am down - he buys me things, brings me places, and be extra sweet to melt my misery away

The list above is by no doubt non-exhaustive. Words would fail me to list the sweetness, kindness, grace and love he's shown and constantly showing me.

I often say this and I'm gonna say it again - I know how much God loves me through the love He brings into my life - family, friends, leaders, colleagues, all things beautiful. The most beautiful of all, my greatest love on earth - my husband and best bud, JPK ;)

Babbles of the Unmotivated

She sits in the dark and wonders when light will come
If I may lift this yoke off from my shoulder, she cries
If I may lift my eyes and look yonder
I could see what I’ve been blind to see

She sits in the dark and explodes nothingness

There are those who found their jobs the most mundane of all, but found needs to meet in the course of their work. Solutions to automate work processes, improve lines of communication, innovate products and services.

Work, however mundane, is important because it feeds my basic needs in this real world. It finances my after work and weekend activities. It finances the pursuit of my dreams. Work is important because it makes me live off the edge and cherish, devour and relish whatever time I have. Work forces me in the corner of discomfort and makes me strive for greater things in life which otherwise would not have been pondered over.

Solitary is the manifestation of one’s inadequacy to be by oneself.

If you are my muse, you are the words that whirl in my mind.

He taught me

Like a child he sat down and read every word I wrote. Not mere browsing, mind you, but with focused concentration, so much so he didn't even turn around to wave goodbye when I bid him & mom farewell on my monthly visit back home.

I have to admit, I felt somewhat flattered that dad would take an interest in my writings, never mind they're but journal entries on Multiply (http://lildrummergie.multiply.com/journal).

I have been trained to write since I was little. Dad would make me reach for the brown notebook placed at the edge of a tall cupboard in the living room, and have me sit down quietly by myself for 15 mins to pen my journal entry, every single day. I was encouraged to write about anything and everything - the weather, my encounters in school, my friends, teachers, sports, my favourite things, etc. He read and marked my journal each day, and each new day I had to do corrections on top of making a fresh entry. And so I wrote. And kept writing.

And today I'm still writing. I'm writing because the words just wouldn't stop flowing. I see pictures and images in my mind that dad taught me to see. He taught me to question what I didn't understand, he painted me illustrations to explain everything he knew from science to geography to mathematics, economics and politics. He taught me all that he knew and all that he was constantly learning. Like a sponge, I took in all he had to offer.

At 29 today, I am a sum total of his impartation. The good aplenty, the bad, well, a number, but most importantly, I took in the best of them all - the love of a father, my teacher and guide.

Tolerance

Dust and dirt particles - they are so minute they're hardly oblivious to the human eye. Yet they're everywhere and we survive all the same in the presence of such uncleanness - when we order food from a roadside stall, when our table at the coffeeshop is perched on top of a covered drain, when we cross the carbon monoxide-filled roads, when a passer-by sneezes right into our face. We are oblivious to what we can't see - but know is there.

Maybe we're created such to learn tolerance. And I don't mean tolerance towards natural things. There is a spiritual lesson in all things natural. In learning tolerance I mean tolerance towards mankind - socially, racially, culturally. Ethnic and race groups vary and differ from border to border. Different faces and races are everywhere. Some groups deem themselves higher and more supreme than others. Fair enough - I mean, who's to judge - bottom line is, we live in mutual tolerance. We accept. We live. Coz we belong to the same Creator.

Beauty of Love

I learnt much more than I bargained for these 2 weeks of wedding, honeymoon and marriage.

I learnt that there is indeed no support like that of the family.

I learnt that there is indeed no place like home – where communion, love and warmth abound.

Beautiful places around the world cannot hold their place in our hearts like the beauty of love within the family home.

Lost & Found

The big fella was barking unreservedly - earnestly calling out to its master. He was tied up to a traffic light at a busy city centre junction - a big, black & beautiful dog. It was a rather unusual sight to see a dog in the middle of a business district - alone and its master nowhere in sight. I could see though - he was barking at a cafeteria nearby. Maybe its master was in there buying breakfast and had to tie the dog outside.

Not understanding why he was left alone in a foreign place - he got frightened and barked endlessly. He barked at the cafeteria, and at people all around him - people waiting for the green man at the pedestrian crossing. From the way he barked and moved his body up and down, scanning all directions - I could see his lostlessness and desperation. His eyes especially when he turned to bark at my direction - I could see that he was almost crying out for help - as if to say, "please somebody, help, I'm looking for my master."

If an animal can sense such loss, abandonment and aloneness in a foreign environment - how much more a human being left to fend for himself/herself with no family, kin or friends?

I am fortunate to have family, warmth, love, shelter and provision all my years. There are times when I wish I didn't have to answer to the many questionings and put up with the many unreasonable acts of family members. But realising that there are individuals and dear ones out there who do not have a family, much less a loving one - to call their own - but only their two feet and a strong heart to fend for themselves - I think we who have families are many times over fortunate and blessed.

Quality Relationship

We can never spend enough time with the ones we love and care about. Family, friends, colleagues, buddies - though the level of intimacy differs, at the end of each journey with different ones, we always lament at the lack of time spent with them. A colleague of mine recently left the firm. As I bid her farewell on her last day of work, I felt a tinge of regret at not spending time with and knowing her more. There was that moment of awkwardness that could not be replaced with lots of goodbyes and take cares.

Lesson learnt: As they say, it's not about the quantity of time spent with loved ones - it's about the quality of time spent in learning, discovering, accepting, loving and caring for others that truly matters.

12 things I love about him

1. He loves me, no matter how loud and boisterous I am
2. He insists we sit side by side while dining, and not opposite as most couples do
3. He holds my hand when we travel in the car
4. He stands by me through my worst times
5. He fights my monsters with me
6. He forgives quickly
7. He doesn’t harp on my wrongs
8. He doesn’t judge anyone and is reluctant to give a negative opinion
9. He praises, encourages and believes that I am and can be the best I want to be
10. His love, sensitivity, care and thoughtfulness for me and others
11. His giving and serving nature
12. His unwavering faith and trust in God and His provision

In Him, thru Him

A negative mind cannot find God because God is in the positive

I got to lead my mind with the Word of God or my mind will lead me wrong

When I make room for God, barrenness disappears. Fruitfulness will come

God will move into the space that I make for Him

God will rather have you messy than not have you at all

Lil' by lil'

Your life can change drastically when a significant part of your weakness is improved.

I’ve been a late comer for work for as far as I remember. Much of my despondency and inefficiency at work were largely due to my late coming. In recent months, since the commencement of my current job some 6 months back – I have never arrived at work late. This may not be a biggie for some, but for me, for one who was never ever punctual for work, this sure is! Now that I’m arriving at my work area an hour earlier each work day, I am more alert, efficient, productive and responsible in what I do.

Just an improvement in this area alone has drastically propelled me further and higher, instilling greater discipline and achievement that were once distant and out of reach. I am determined to reach higher and I know I can.

Recent Photo Albums

JB Trip 6 Apr 2007
http://lildrummergie.multiply.com/photos/album/6

Chinese New Year 2007
http://lildrummergie.multiply.com/photos/album/7

Sis & Family
http://lildrummergie.multiply.com/photos/album/9

Pa

I think of him daily,
Sometimes first thing in the morning
Each thought of him reminds me
Of the failed expectation that I am
I failed to listen, obey and offer filial piety

I want so much to step nearer
Into his paternal embrace
I want so much to touch
His tenderness and grace
I dread the cold tone,
Felt its sting over the line

I could have, would have,
But fear freezes me in

I think of him daily
And wish I’m bigger than my fear

Way Back Into Love

Chinese New Year saw me watching quite a number of new movies - Protege, Norbit, and my favourite to-date - Music & Lyrics. The title may sound straight like a ruler, but it sure is a blaster! I'm sure it's a hot favourite among many others too, I mean who can resist the oh so romantic story line and fuzzy Hugh Grant and damsel-in-distress Drew Barrymore? Hugh Grant does best at fumbling yet absolutely witty lines, and he's once again stolen the limelight in this movie with his forte.

All hands and feet up for the 3 songs - Pop! Goes My Heart, Way Back Into Love and the other by Hugh Grant which I have no idea what the title is but is also a fantastic song. The lyrics to Way Back Into Love carries so much meaning I love it in its entirety. Nah that's playing it down... I'm crazy about it! Haha.

Right, here's the video for romance sake. After all, bells are set to ring not long from now... haha if you know what I mean. To JPK. Cheerios! ;)

I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need em again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
Oh oh oh

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not somebody just to get me through the night

I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

The written word

I’ve always been an ardent student of history, partly because I love stories. And history is full of intriguing histories and worthy lessons to be learnt. The many Chinese historic stories in A Thousand Pieces of Gold brought me much insight into the richness of the written word.

Here’s what the back cover of the book says – and I pray it inspires you as much to pick up a copy for your personal mental and cultural enrichment…


Proverbs are fascinating in my country but in China they still play and have always played a far more significant role.

One written word is worth a thousand pieces of gold

Most Chinese proverbs are based on historical events and the greatest number originate frm that extraordinary period of history when the first Emperor of China – creator of the terracotta soldiers – ruled.

Precious treasure worth cherishing

Kings, warlords, scholars and courtiers plot and counter plot in a vigorous, energetic, restless society brought vividly by Adeline Yen Mah. She combines the historical narrative with personal insights fromher own life to illustrate the influence of proverbs in contemporary situations, creating a window into Chinese life for Western readers.

Little sparrows with dreams of swans