1 Out of 7 Billion
The world is getting smaller everyday but a lifetime is not enough to explore it. My adventure starts in Singapore.
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Mr DJ
May 23, 2009 — 2 Comments
Since I do not drive here in Singapore, I must admit I am not as updated with the latest tunes as when I was back in Manila. The long drive to work and back home (thanks to my patient driver) and the traffic that made my journey colorful allowed me to listen to the radio for at least one hour.
It was troublesome to transfer the radio from my living room to the bedroom frequently so that left me listening to purchased CDs often instead. Hmm.. this means I’m rather behind radio music by almost three years. Thank God that I frequent a bar with a live band that plays Top 40′s so in a way, I don’t feel so miserable.
When I got an email from Philips promoting their annual warehouse sale this weekend, I didn’t waste time to scout for a decently-sized radio that would be a welcome addition to my gadgets and gizmos on my desk (I have two laptops, a printer, a scanner, a portable DVD, MP3 player — all neatly and strategically placed within striking distance).
Here’s what I found during the warehouse sale — reasonably priced, small enough, but powerful enough to have 5 preset stations which I have now configured to Mediacorp stations — Gold 90.5, Class 95, 98.7, Lush 99.5, Yes 93.3.
It’s now up and running and I’m back on track when it comes to knowing the latest and reminiscing the past. It’s now playing “Look Away” by Chicago… which I sing at KTV sometimes. Sad sad.
Sickness/Healing ; Deformity/Transformation
May 9, 2009 — 2 Comments
The Lord will Understand
The Archbishop of Singapore has issued instructions to all church goers as a precautionary measure against the spread of the H1N1 virus. I was told by my friends that this is similar to when Singapore was hit by SARS several years ago.
I would normally hold the hand of the people beside me to sing, “Our Father” and shake hands during the Sign of Peace so it feels different not to be able to do so at least for a few weeks. However, I respect such decision and will obey as it is for the good of all.
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
Let’s admit it. In a world filled with commercialism and pretense, we can’t help but notice how people look from head to toe. Love at first sight, etc. However, not all good looking people are best friend material (and I am not trying to be like Paris Hilton here).
It takes time to get to know a person and even if we reach an acceptable level of trust, trust is betrayed and we are back to square one.
I was touched by the story of Connie Culp’s transformation and resilience as the US’ first ever face transplant recipient.
Let me quote Yahoo news on the background: “Culp’s husband, Thomas, shot her in 2004, then turned the gun on himself. He went to prison for seven years. His wife was left clinging to life. The blast shattered her nose, cheeks, the roof of her mouth and an eye. Hundreds of fragments of shotgun pellet and bone splinters were embedded in her face. She needed a tube into her windpipe to breathe. Only her upper eyelids, forehead, lower lip and chin were left.”
After 30 operations :
parts of her ribs –> cheekbones
one of her leg bones –> upper jaw
skin from thighs –> grafted onto face
and a 22-hour operation in December:
bones, muscles, blood vessels from another woman who had just died –> 80% of her face
Cost likely to be absorbed by the clinic : US$250,000 to 300,000
Before the accident
Now
Culp said she wants to help foster acceptance of those who have suffered burns and other disfiguring injuries.
“When somebody has a disfigurement and don’t look as pretty as you do, don’t judge them, because you never know what
happened to them,” she said. “Don’t judge people who don’t look the same as you do. Because you never know. One day it
might be all taken away.”
True, true. A story of hope, courage, and faith. Looks may change in an instant but the values shaped by our upbringing and the pureness of our hearts are what will matter in the end.
Swine Flu
April 29, 2009 — 2 Comments
I hear about swine flu daily and I am beginning to get worried.
Guess you are worried too so here are some FAQ’s.
WHAT IS SWINE INFLUENZA?
Swine Influenza (or Swine Flu) is a respiratory disease affecting pigs that is caused by type A influenza virus (Influenza type A H1N1 virus).
CAN HUMANS CATCH SWINE FLU?
Swine Flu viruses do not normally affect humans. However, sporadic human infections with Swine Flu have occurred. Mostly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs.
HOW DOES SWINE FLU SPREAD TO HUMANS?
Swine Flu spreads to humans mainly through contact with infected pigs, which shed the virus through their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces. Human-to-human transmission of Swine Flu can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu does, which is mainly through coughing or sneezing from people infected with the virus.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SWINE FLU IN HUMANS?
The symptoms are similar with that of the seasonal flu which include high fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with Swine Flu also have reported experiencing runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
CAN PEOPLE CATCH SWINE FLU FROM EATING PORK?
No . Swine Flu viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot contract Swine Flu from eating pork or pork products that have been thoroughly prepared and cooked.
HOW CAN HUMAN INFECTIONS WITH SWINE FLU BE DIAGNOSED?
To diagnose Swine Flu, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding the virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for up to 10 days or longer. Diagnosis requires sending the specimen for laboratory testing.
IS THE H1N1 SWINE FLU VIRUS THE SAME AS THE HUMAN H1N1 VIRUS?
No. The H1N1 Swine Flu viruses are different from the human H1N1 viruses (seasonal flu). Hence, vaccines for the human seasonal flu would not provide sufficient protection from the H1N1 Swine Flu virus.
WHAT MEDICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO TREAT SWINE FLU INFECTIONS IN HUMANS?
At this time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with Swine Flu viruses.
TIPS TO PREVENT SWINE FLU :
1. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, especially after sneezing or coughing.
2. Wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth if you are caring for someone with flu.
3. Avoid visiting patients in hospitals.
4. Stay at home if you are suffering from the seasonal flu. Wear a mask if you need to leave home.
All These and More in 2009
January 1, 2009
Here are the 15 things I am hoping to do in 2009, in random order. No world domination, nor world peace.
Most of these are new; haven’t tried doing them before. I guess that’s what these targets are intended to do — make the year more exciting. I have decided to give up on swimming as an urgent priority. It’s been wasting the slot in my yearly targets for some time already.
2009 is about preparing “even more seriously” for the future – maintaining good health, learning as much as I can about Singapore, and feeling confident about settling down.
As in previous years, I’m not going to be too hard on myself if I don’t achieve some of these personal targets. But will exert best effort to meet them nevertheless. Good luck to me!
Read on. It will be awesome to accomplish some of these with your help :
- Track expenses. Minimize impulse purchases – local and overseas.
- Revamp casual and weekend (including night-out) wear. Priority shirt colors for this year: white, black, red.
- Determine your threshold for alcohol level intake (in as few attempts as possible). It’s about time you have an idea.
- Learn how to play mahjong, seek opportunities to practice, and aim to playing decently in 2010.
- Take the bus and MRT more frequently.
- Have breakfast most days of the week.
- Develop basic appreciation for jazz.
- Increase your level of interest in Singapore real estate property developments (read newspaper ads, visit showrooms).
- Cook one new dish (at moderate complexity) per month.
- Learn and memorize five (5) Mandarin songs by yearend and sing them in public (i.e KTV).
- Volunteer your time to give encouragement to younger people and/or differently-abled individuals.
- Think green. Save the earth in your own little way. Lessen volume of paper at home (scan pages if info is useful).
- Visit a country at least 5 hrs away by plane on holiday.
- Lose some more weight (but still take breakfast!). Be a “legitimate” size L (heading to “aspirational” M) instead of borderline L/XL.
- <Undisclosed target — to be shared at yearend if achieved>
New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2008 — 3 Comments
Let me start this entry by telling you how I would normally prepare for and celebrate the crossover into the new year :
1) Turn on all lights, open all closets and drawers to drive away evil spirits.
2) Jump like crazy at the stroke of midnight to grow taller (??!!)
3) Clasp (money) bills in one pocket and play with coins in the other — and yes, while doing #2
4) Go around the house with a party trumpet or a cover of a frying pan + utensil (to make some noise)
5) Spend time with the family and have supper after all the choas of welcoming the new year.
For 2008/2009, I didn’t do any of those. Ha.
With family being away, I had a different yet meaningful way to say goodbye to 2008 and say hello to 2009.
First, Fanni, Kristy, Wee Siong and I had dinner at Oosh over at Dempsey Road (22 Dempsey Road Singapore 249679; Phone +65 6475 0002 ). I had lunch at Zen Dining many months back (part of the same complex) but don’t remember seeing how beautiful Oosh was then. Booking a table for the 31st on Monday night 29th was easier than expected. I had this feeling many places were fully booked by then.
Too bad you couldn't listen to the background noise. This place has a spa feel to it.
With Kristy, Fanni, and Wee Siong (Missing Wilson & Lynn -- they couldn't make it)
Last dinner for 2008 - Australian rib-eye steak. After 20 mins, only the garnishing and sun-dried tomatoes were left on the plate.
Promise to become more fit in 2009 instead!
Around 1030pm, we went to have champagne at the bar while deciding where to do the countdown. Dempsey was too quiet for us.
I'm not really good at drinking champagne. I drink it like water or ice lemon tea.
We decided to spend the crossover at… St James Power Station. Yes, it’s last minute but there was still time to make a grand arrival.
Really thought we will be spending the countdown at the carpark!! Very unglam.
So lucky to have squeezed through the crowd ; luckier to find a spot in Boiler Room to even have this shot taken!
You're right. They look ecstatic since we have just crossed over to 2009!
With all the gentle pushing and jostling for postion in the crowd, do you actually think I could do #2 and #3 (above)? :p
Securing a table is a requirement for a longer stay at St James but obviously we could not get any. So the alternative was to walk over to my place and resume our drinking session… Also played boardgames, watched a bit of TV, ate again, drink more. Ended close to 4am.
Why did I have a lot of drinks and mixers during that instant gathering? Because the friends I hosted several days back were too responsible — remained sober on a Saturday night. Haha.
With Ben, Jeremy, Duncan. Ben and Duncan truly praised my instant coffee. :p
Julius also didn't drink that night. Maybe he wants to be a sober passenger. Haha.
Happy New Year everyone!
Farewell 2008, Welcome 2009!
December 30, 2008
Time flies so quickly – another year is about to come to an end.
A lot of things happened to me this year. Let me share with you the most memorable ones.
2008 Highlights
1. Met close to 150 people (at least 60% I will likely reconnect with, and out of such 60%, at least 30% I have managed to meet up twice or more)
Here are some of them:
2. First time visit to India and Taiwan. Overeas trips to China, Indonesia, Thailand, HK, Australia.
3. Went up Taipei 101 (world’s tallest building) and Eureka in Melbourne (tallest residential building in the Southern Hemisphere). Saw the Taj Mahal (one of the 7 wonders of the modern world).
Melbourne photos (Eureka)
4. Watched concerts of international artists (Maroon 5, Kylie Minogue, those who were at SingFest like Rick Astley, One Republic, Jason Mraz, Alicia Keys and Pussycat Dolls) and even Mandarin pop stars (Jay Chou, Nicholas Teo, Wang Lee Hom).
Jay Chou
SingFest
5. Developed a greater appreciation for the arts through events held in Singapore — local and international theater and film.
Singapore International Film Festival 2008. I consider this as one of the most important art events I attended in 2008.
6. Appeared in a feature article for “Her World” magazine (Singapore, Dec 2008) ; “Dudes in the Hood”
With the "Her World" team
7. Got invited to three (3) weddings in Singapore. First time since I moved here.
Dean & Rebecca's wedding (my very first in SG)
8. Explored Singapore extensively by random bus on weekends.
9. Joined a church choir and have been able to attend regularly.
Taken during Christmas (midnight) mass
10. Obtained Permanent Residency status in Singapore.
One of the most memorable days of 2008 was when I received this letter from the ICA.
A few highlights from 2007 which I can still remember (only because I didn’t make a similar report for 2007 haha):
1. Won a photo contest for the first time in my life (saving the environment theme) and was awarded an iPod
Never intended to enter this photo in a contest but thanks to Thib for being an excellent subject. Taken in Tagaytay, Philippines.
2. Moved to a new “decade”. Sang in public for the first time during my birthday celebration.
"When You Say Nothing at All"
3. Established “regular customer” status in a popular entertainment complex in Singapore.
Together with friends who first brought me to St James.
4. Joined a Catholic youth ministry that meets every Saturday.
My first session with Youth Arise Ministry (YAM) in January 2007. I looked very young then, don't I??
5. Visited Hong Kong after 20 years.
With William and Ron, two of my good buddies in Hong Kong (taken May 2007)
Thanks to those of you who were part of the above or have expressed enthusiasm in hearing about them.
May 2009 bring you success and happiness!
Back to Zero
July 15, 2008 — 2 Comments
After 2.5 years with Blogger, I have decided to write future entries here in WordPress. I believe such change will not affect any of the global issues we are facing today. The title of the blog remains to be “Direct Flights Only” so that’s one less complication.
It takes me ages to complete an entry in Blogger due to heaps of reformatting before it gets published to the world. Such difficulty doesn’t really help me in my intention to create more entries regularly. I hope I won’t struggle as much by using WordPress.
So the show must go on. Allow me to pick up where I left off.
Entries from 25 Dec 2005 to 14 July 2008 may still be viewed at : http://directflightsonly.blogspot.com/
