Anniversary and coming of Arsenal

It has been a week of play , anticipation and celebration. It was a week where I had a futsal game on turf, ktv session, buffet meal and no tuition class in midweek. Couple that with a long weekend , wedding anniversary, birthday and most of all, the coming of Arsenal into Singapore!

Am I dreaming? In fact i had a bad nightmare on one of the nights. But well, it aint anything to mention about when you can have the above all in a week.

This week was always going to be special anyway; the 4th wedding anniversary of us and my own birthday and Arsenal, who had touched down on Singapore on Monday and has also just left Singapore , back for London immediately after the game held at the Sports Hub.

Not to be boastful, but I have always felt that Arsenal would visit Singapore when our stadium is ready. If they can visit even Malaysia whose old and broken Bukit Jalil stadium is, they have no reason not to visit Singapore where we have a state of the art stadium and tip top cleanliness to follow.

Months of anticipation had ended finally today. Even till now, hours since they last kicked the ball in Singapore, I cannot fathom or digest that they are finally here and I have seen for myself their play in Singpapore. How much it would take me to reach London to watch them i do not know. I have just seen my favourite soccer team, the club which i have gone through thick and thin for the past decades.

Very quickly, 4 months have passed by. While there have been bad times, this week has indeed been a great week. It was also nice to have been back to Novotel Hotel where we had our dinner.

4 years ago, we had hardly anytime to eat during our wedding, I remember. Likewise, back then that week was also a week of anticipation and excitement. This year, I was expecting another thing; Arsenal , together with Everton and Stoke were to play in Singapore. Thankfully, both game days did not fall on my birthday (also aka anniversary day). 

It was funny watching so many Arsenal fans who wore jerseys come together as one in the stadium. Be it bandwagon fans or real fans who have been waiting for so long to see them in the flesh, it was day for fans to behold. Maybe they were after all secret fans of Arsenal who had held shy in fear of being ridiculed by other peers as Arsenal struggled in the past. Being Fa Cup champions for 2 years in a row had perhaps changed some of them to be more daring in their profession of love for the club.

I did not leave the stadium immediately after the game. I sat for a while to let everything that has happened for this week to sink in. There were great memories from 4 years ago and I am glad to be able to add in more beautiful ones 4 years later. Arsenal to coincide with the anniversary of the Ussenal Couple. 

I do not know how else to really express how i feel right now. Perhaps you can look at the pictures and imagine. Perhaps you have had similar great days like mine. I hope to be able to experience them again.

 

Tomorrow will be the last day of mourning for Mr Lee Kuan Yew and end at the Mandai Crematorium. Attending funerals of relatives or friends' loved ones always require a somber mood. No matter how close the relation, attending a funeral requires the attendee to at least be emphatic of the loved ones in mourning, understanding the pain and grief of loss. No matter how visionary, philosophical or tough one can be, when it comes to a loss of a loved one, no one can prevent the pain(loss of a loved one) from being felt.

I felt that as one grew older, I began to be more aware of things which might happen in the years to come. I dread writing this, but every time I see someone dying on tv, i feel sad. I can feel almost emphatically with the character and wonder on my own. Eyes will start to get wet and I would often tell myself that ok, its only a thought. However, with a heavy heart, I pushed that thought away, knowing that there is no point thinking about it. There will be a day and time then.

Tomorrow will be Mr Lee's final day before he moves on from Singapore. The past few days have seen so many sights of which the country has never experienced before. Everyone helping one another at the Padang, volunteers and the police and army.. It united Singapore. For the past ten years, the country has ever been so divided on the national issues at hand. I sincerly hope that this over whelming sight of Singaporeans, foreigners, ex workers who used to work in Singapore, coming together and mourn, will invoke something in the current leaders of Singapore. Such unity did not come by as luck. It was painstakingly built over the years by the old guards of Singapore. Everyone worked hard so that the country can progress. The nation's succes did not come by luck. Our good relations with other countries did not come by luck. If the current leaders take for granted, it could all be lost so easily and could take a long time before any repairable damage could be rectified. If there are , anyway.

After deliberating for a couple of days whether to attend in person , to make a trip down to the Parliament House to pay the last respects to Mr Lee, I finally decided to make the trip. I knew it would be a long wait. 8 hrs, media reported. I had been thinking, can i withstand the long hours? I had not called anyone to go with me nor anyone called me to go with them. I was tired after a day's work. I had no time off to go earlier. I had also tendered my resignation yesterday and it would seemed a farce to pull an'urgent' leave sort of thing.

At 5pm, i decided this was it. I will just grit my teeth and go down immediately after work. No dinner , never mind. I thought i could grab some biscuits which i knew there will be volunteers giving out. I felt all i need was a bottle of water and good to go. I have never stood or queued for anything more than 1 hour. Often in food courts, i avoided the stall with the long queue. To me, food is just a necessary ingredient to satisfy my body' needs. I just need to feel full so i have the energy.

When I reached the Padang, swarms of people were at the tents. Sometimes, even after watching TV, news for many days, it really shot you in the mind when you see it live. It finally drove in the fact that Mr Lee has indeed gone. A household name for so many years since the day I can remember and the day I can understand what are words. He has passed on. After the end of tomorrow's events, the Nation will do well to remember everything he has done and everything the people have done , such as tributes or gestures , should not be forgotten as well. This is not another Hello Kitty afterall.

When I look at Mr Lee, I felt like he was my grandpa whom I lost when i was only 8 years old. Thus, when there were many times i felt like giving up during the queue or cutting queue, i reminded myself that not only should i accord the highest respect to Mr Lee as a founding father of modern Singapore, I should also treat him like how I would towards my beloved grandpa. I was hungry and although there were times I wanted to reach out for the banana or apple, my hand withdrew when I knew there were many others behind me who want that source of energy as well. I couldn't wait to eat dinner because I only want to get down asap. Did Mr Lee have to eat dinner or make himself full before he discuss state affairs? No, that im very sure of. While others tried to make themselves as comfortable during the queue, i felt there was not a single need to. Not that I am self suffering, nor to prove a point, but I felt all i wanted to do was to pay my respects. All I had to do was to wait in queue. The rest are not in my opinion, necessary.  There were times my back felt like breaking and by the third hour i was already drained. I don't even feel the energy to read to spend the time. I had no strength left.

At the end of the queue, finally after 7 hours standing. and walking several distances, I finally managed to pay my last respects to Mr Lee. Eternally grateful to whatever he has done, i wrote on my tribute card. I was not old enough back then to experience him more but i am grateful for the chance to say thanks to him for his effort and sacrifices for the nation. I thought I was glad to have persevere and that convinced myself that I do have thr traits after all as a hard working Singaporean who can be called upon when needed. That experience will serve me well, that memory will stay with me forever, not that of queuing at the Padang, but the whole experience of mourning for a beloved countryman.

Tribute To Mr Lee Kuan Yew

It has not been an easy few days for the past week, especially when the founding father of Singapore has just passed away and adding on, a tiff with the missus days prior.

Singapore has also just entered into a mourning state, with all flags at half mast. TV and media, have been filled with speeches of past and also interviews with people whom have worked with him, including his family such as Mr Lee Hsien Loong and even Mr Lee Kuan Yew's brother. It was very important, as such interviews and even speeches of the past gives an insight into what Mr Lee had felt then. This is something not even memoirs can express. After all, they are just words imprinted onto paper. A book is but made of paper after all.

In my life of 36 years  ,I have grown up always feeling proud whenever Lee Kuan Yew is shown in papers greeting the leaders of USA or China.I always felt and know that he was different; a leader whom people listen when he speaks, regardless of place and demographic. Condolences from various countries have proved to be so.There was nothing he couldn't fix I always felt. I knew we were a small country, and while more bigger concerns then were about play and play, I felt proud of my countrymen and everything Singapore. As i started to grow, i began to know who Goh Chok Tong was, and other prominent ministers.

A big fact that has been debated and even more recently. Does Mr Lee Kuan Yew deserve all these accolades? Was Singapore's success not the fruit of other hardworking ministers? Yes, there were others who worked hard and often sacrificing their own without people even knowing. There were unsung heroes then and there are still now. However, as I read and see through many different excerpts of Mr Lee's speeches, I began to know more about the brilliant man and understood better of why he was special.

There are many types of leaders. There are those who are solo kings and do all and expect the rest to follow. They are normally one man show type. There are another type which cares for their people and tries to do a lot of things for the people. When things don't work out and came defeated, they realise that they cant do anything but to share the pain and die together with the people. They feel this is what a good leader should do.

Yes I agree.

However, Mr Lee is not only a good leader. He is the best that Singapore has have and will have for a long time. Does he accept that should Singapore fail, he will die and perish with the people? No, he did not accept for one second that Singapore can fail. To him, Singapore must never fail. Has it ever struck you how much determination that means? If i am a teacher and i take a class of  academically poor students, how determined can I be that all my class will pass with flying colours? Probably 10/40 will be a good gauge. However, Mr Lee was aware of the perils Singapore faced early and did he accept second best? No. He was very aware of what could happen as he travels often overseas and were always on the lookout of ways to improve the country when he returns. Look at the tenacity of his speeches. He was speaking not to only convince voters, but to impress upon the people that what he has said was true and should listen. He was not speaking with a heck care attitude and he speaks with a sincerity that he wants people to listen because he knows that he will not be around to see Singapore for the next fifty years. Eventually not only the ministers he must train but also the people. He had faith in the people, he saw that we had the grit and determination. Singapore is the only country that empties the waster 365 days.

To me, there were also big Singapore figures who had made a difference to Singapore. But let me ask you, who else than Lee Kuan Yew took on the mantle and put the responsibility of Singapore's survival on his shoulders alone? Did Goh Keng Swee came out and said leave Singapore to me? No other leader took on that but Mr Lee Kuan Yew. He believed. Was he afraid, yes perhaps. Perhaps that drove him to heights where he realised that there were ways out but it depends on the whole country working together.

There was this famous speech he gave during an election rally.

"Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him. Or give it up. This is not a game of cards. This is your life and mine. I've spent a whole lifetime building this and as long as I'm in charge, nobody is going to knock it down," Lee Kuan Yew said emphatically during an election campaign rally speech at Raffles Place in 1980.

The part of the speech was made in reference to the strike by the SIA pilots back then. He took on the pilots head on and eventually the pilots knew they were going to lose.

Today a colleague shared with me how she felt towards Lee Kuan Yew's passing. As she as a malaysian she didnt feel anything but agreed though that Mr Lee was a great man. I could only tell myself and felt so grateful that I have a great Singapore leader whom many will take pains even just to pay their last respects. How many of such leaders who can command such respect over the causeway?None, that I know of anyway.

There are so many stories, quotes of Mr Lee that i have lost count. His legacy will live on , truly and perhaps every countryman can learn from him. We always like to compare and feel how great we will be if we have half of this pretty face , half of that richness. If only there is one more , just one like Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore will surely live onto another few more decades of prosperity. But let's be thankful. God put him amongst us, a poor country with 0 resources to lead us.  Mr Lee supposedly practices agnosticism i felt that he must have experienced God somewhere.

I have never experienced such happenings in Singapore nor will the country see this again. Definitely not in my lifetime. Tens of thousands queue in the hot sun for hours just to see Mr Lee for the last time, albiet from a distance.Everyone felt the need to pay the last respects, give thanks for a lifetime of effort and tears behind the scenes whom we are all always taking granted for but often took little notice of.

I have not had the chance to see him before nor shook his hands when he was alive. I guess many who had gone down to the Parliament House to pay their last respects also felt the same. How many people in the world can say that I have gave thanks and paid my last respects to the founder of my country? Not even Americans can do that today...

Children in the future will get to know of him, watch his videos and will know what he has done so that today I can still write on this laptop. Just like the ones who perished in the war in the past so today we can have freedom, much credit must be given to Mr Lee's vision and his determination for Singapore to succeed.

Soon it will be Sunday when Mr Lee will get cremated in a private session. Shopping centres and even all betting outlets will be closed as a mark of respect. I guess life will move on as usual thereafter but lessons learnt should never be forgotten. I suppose this year's National Day Parade will be special. Mr Lee never misses one. But this will be the first time Singapore misses him in one.

Something i learnt this week: When we were born, we cried and the whole world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die the whole world cries and you rejoice.

His work and institution will live on.

Thank you Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Gong Hei Fatt Choi 2015

It's the FIRST day of the year of Goat 2015.

Thankful that I am able and healthy to be able to celebrate this CNY with my beloved ones. So many things had happened last year, my unexpected hospitalization, my health, closing of SBWSCC but with God's grace, everything is over and a new year has started.

This year CNY means a lot to me. Following my unexpected hospitalization last year, I ve began to treasure my every minutes and seconds being with my Woosters and Chuasters.  At times, just felt that there are so much that I wanna do but too little time. I just hope that time could just stop and suspend for a while, for me to hold on to my lovely moments spent with my loved ones. How nice would that be!

This year CNY is on the 19th of February 2015 and as usual, we have arranged for a Chuasters Reunion Dinner on the eve of CNY. Due to unexpected arrangements from Chua's family, our own nuclear reunion has to be postponed to another date instead. Usual spot - Westlake Restaurant owned by our Chua's aunt. Hence, in-order to avoid eating same menu on the same day, Chuasters Reunion will be changed to 初一instead @Chua's Villa. However, we had our little mini Chua's Villa Reunion Lunchie @ Swensens Westmall. Just US & our beloved Director & Madam. Their usual menu items like lamb chop, Grilled Fish, Baked Chicken Rice & end off with a gigantic Earthquake that shook the happiness in our hearts, to the core bursting with joy.

The night follows with the duazhong Woosters Reunion Dinner @ Woo's Mansion. As Director and Madam are going to the Chua's Family Reunion Dinner @ Westlake, Mr USsenal & I then decided to head back to Woosters then. This is the 摊that I won't give it a miss for sure. It's definitely not the food but the fabulous companionship that follows. My Mummy not only cooks these days but really good at it. She single-handedly cooked 10dishes for our dinners and all dishes tasted fabulous. To think that she is someone who hates to cook last time. Love you Mummy Woo and thank you for everything. I am also thankful that Mr USsenal is always accommodating and never fails to be with me, back at Woo's Mansion on every CNY. This year, he was even given an extra angpow for washing the dishes. WowWwww... Chin oh tan sia! Hehe.

Chuasters 初一 Lunchie @ Chua's Villa. Thankful to see that my niece & nephew have both grown up so much over the years. My niece even shares my same passion for nail arts. Spent our quality bonding time together doing up her nails. Thanks to Madam for the lovely lunch. Thankful to have my BIL & SIL over as well. Well we are just a small nuclear family out of the big big Chua's Family. I loved the way our Chuasters are. Happy times indeed flies by quickly.

Especially during festive season, I really missed Uncle Hon & Aunt Trish heaps but knowing that they too have their reunion dinner @ Sarah's house somehow comforts me that they are well taken care of. I really look forward to the day that we be able to Lou Hei together again, just like before. Saw their lovely FB update and their CNY celebration is not too bad too. Cheers my beloved Uncle Hon & lovely Aunt Trish.

Before I end off my blog, I would like to 'secretly' thank my 阿佬 for always taking such considerate care of me. From the daily housekeeping at home to helping with the dishes @ Woosters, he would never grumble or complain. This year CNY joke is I am the remote controller, even my pampered little sis and Daddy would be 'controlled' by me remotely. That just shows how much my family members love me. Hahah

My dear 阿佬, thank you for not only loving and pampering me but also my Woosters family. *muacks* to a great 2015.