We all know when a mother's love for her child starts. But we can never know when it ends...........?
Yes, ponder over this and you will feel the very pain she felt; ponder a little bit more and you will feel the very same hopelessness she went through after asking herself the myriads of "what if's". But one thing you will not be able to feel no matter how long you ponder is her yearnings to relive the 29 years and 9 days of their lives together as mother and son. For her reminiscences are sacred and they bear witness to the strongest of bonds between this mother and her child.
So very sadly, this time round, we, a community of current and former employees from the same company were gathered together once again at a wake, this time because one amongst us has lost a son, a promising young man who had just turned 29. This obviously very popular young man was described in various online forums and websites which mushroomed shortly after his passing, as an Ex-Lion who earned two caps for Singapore, as one of the country's promising footballer and a determined fighter. We were gathered at the wake to convey condolences and to demonstrate comradeship. And in conveying our condolences and in demonstrating comradeship, we hope to give strength to the bereaved family. And let them know they are not alone.
Personally, I do not know this young man, not at all. Heard his name mentioned a few times by his mum, in a voice bursting with pride. Once his mum brought a copy of CLEO to the office. In that edition, he was featured as one of the most eligible bachelors in Singapore, a feat which was sure to make the girls swoon. And on that day, I recall watching with amusement as my female colleagues started gathering around the mum, clamoring for a look at his photo.
But no, I do not know this young man. However, if his mum's character is anything to go by, it would mean that many have missed out on a loyal and steadfast friendship with a dependable young man who was a pillar of strength to the people around him. And I know this for a fact because his mum was amongst the first in the office with whom I shared the news of my diagnosis as a "P". I recall very vividly that her words of consolation and encouragement were accompanied by tears; and on my part, I accepted those kind words with a pair of equally wet eyes. Thank you again, SD.
As a father of three young adults, it wasn't that difficult for me to empathize with the parents of this young man. It wasn't difficult to be gripped by the same fears which his parents must have faced over the last twelve months of his life. And it certainly wasn't difficult to think about how I would cope in a similar situation. Or if I could even cope at all.
Together with MT, I went to the Mandai Crematorium to attend the cremation ceremony. The bereaved family's pain and anguish were laid bare for all to see. And in seeing such pain and such anguish, I learned that we must love our loved ones more, we must love our loved ones now and we must let our loved ones know we love them.
So, wither a mother's love? Perpetuity can be the only answer.
Rest In Peace, Adrian Dhanaraj
Monday, 16 September 2013
Thursday, 1 August 2013
Before P & After P, Part II
It has been sometime since my last posting in June in which I told a few outrageously funny stories which will stick to my brains, or whatever is left of it, for life.
In this posting, I am going to tell two more stories.
MS. IA
Very few of you would remember Ms. IA. She came and went like a typhoon. But LT will never, never forget her. In her very short but eventful employment (I think less than 2 months) there were many stories which I could tell about her but I won't except to recall the following which happened in Kuala Lumpur.
There was a very big meeting organized in KL and I recall all the bosses were there. I think there could be as many as 120 participants. On the evening before the meetings commenced, there was a welcome dinner for those who arrived early. I recall about 50 or so of us went for this dinner, some by cars but most of us were on a bus chartered for that evening.
As I mentioned in the last posting, before P I was quite a different person, always shooting my mouth off or making comical comments when they were least expected. On that bus ride to the restaurant, I took control of the microphone and was having a whale of a time, picking on our colleagues at random and making comments about them or making them sing a song. At the restaurant, I purposely seated myself next to LT and told her I found out from IA that she was a trained singer and I would be getting her to sing on the way home. LT warned me against that, saying that she would probably throw up if IA were to sing.
So when the bus was on its way, I walked across the aisle to LT and said "Please keep this plastic bag, you may need it when you throw up!" She gave me a look which sent a chill down my spine! I then immediately announced that IA was going to sing a song to keep us entertained during our journey back to the hotel. And sing she did - a broadway piece which very few of us would appreciate. I must say though, she did sound like she was a trained singer. She received a polite round of applause for the song. As soon as the bus stopped at our destination, I was the first to alight, and ran very fast to my room in case LT were to decide to clobber me!
A NEW NAME FOR AN OLD COLLEAGUE
On the last evening of one of the regional meetings held in Singapore, we had a farewell dinner at Lau Pa Sat. We took up quite a few tables outside the building. We continued chatting after dinner was over and I found myself in the good company of MT, LL, WMH and our man from Bangkok, PK. I am not sure what possessed me to do that but I suddenly told PK that I was having problem pronouncing his surname. I even told him that I was not the only one but quite a few of our colleagues around the region had told me the same thing. So I suggested a new name for him and told him it will bring him good luck! I don't think he bought it but being a good sport, he said "Okay, that's my new name!" I then encouraged him to tell TMH his new name, and dragged him to where TMH was seated. He proudly announced his new name to TMH in a rather loud voice! TMH couldn't believe his ears but was quick to respond "What is that? My mother is 65 already!"
You see, I had changed Khun Kanunawat to Khun Kanenaboo!
In this posting, I am going to tell two more stories.
MS. IA
Very few of you would remember Ms. IA. She came and went like a typhoon. But LT will never, never forget her. In her very short but eventful employment (I think less than 2 months) there were many stories which I could tell about her but I won't except to recall the following which happened in Kuala Lumpur.
There was a very big meeting organized in KL and I recall all the bosses were there. I think there could be as many as 120 participants. On the evening before the meetings commenced, there was a welcome dinner for those who arrived early. I recall about 50 or so of us went for this dinner, some by cars but most of us were on a bus chartered for that evening.
As I mentioned in the last posting, before P I was quite a different person, always shooting my mouth off or making comical comments when they were least expected. On that bus ride to the restaurant, I took control of the microphone and was having a whale of a time, picking on our colleagues at random and making comments about them or making them sing a song. At the restaurant, I purposely seated myself next to LT and told her I found out from IA that she was a trained singer and I would be getting her to sing on the way home. LT warned me against that, saying that she would probably throw up if IA were to sing.
So when the bus was on its way, I walked across the aisle to LT and said "Please keep this plastic bag, you may need it when you throw up!" She gave me a look which sent a chill down my spine! I then immediately announced that IA was going to sing a song to keep us entertained during our journey back to the hotel. And sing she did - a broadway piece which very few of us would appreciate. I must say though, she did sound like she was a trained singer. She received a polite round of applause for the song. As soon as the bus stopped at our destination, I was the first to alight, and ran very fast to my room in case LT were to decide to clobber me!
A NEW NAME FOR AN OLD COLLEAGUE
On the last evening of one of the regional meetings held in Singapore, we had a farewell dinner at Lau Pa Sat. We took up quite a few tables outside the building. We continued chatting after dinner was over and I found myself in the good company of MT, LL, WMH and our man from Bangkok, PK. I am not sure what possessed me to do that but I suddenly told PK that I was having problem pronouncing his surname. I even told him that I was not the only one but quite a few of our colleagues around the region had told me the same thing. So I suggested a new name for him and told him it will bring him good luck! I don't think he bought it but being a good sport, he said "Okay, that's my new name!" I then encouraged him to tell TMH his new name, and dragged him to where TMH was seated. He proudly announced his new name to TMH in a rather loud voice! TMH couldn't believe his ears but was quick to respond "What is that? My mother is 65 already!"
You see, I had changed Khun Kanunawat to Khun Kanenaboo!
Friday, 21 June 2013
Before & After P
Okay, MT has spoken. I have been forewarned. With LT 's continued silence, I should take that as the lull before the storm. Or should that be "earthquake"? Whatever, my current physical condition cannot take another beating so why risk life and limbs? Let us move to safer territory..............
Generally, I divide my life into two different periods, before P and after P, i.e. before June 2008 and after. Actually, looking back, my P probably started at least two years before diagnosis in 2008 as some of the symptoms already started to show then.
Anyway, my personality after P was distinctively different from that before. Before P, I was definitely more chatty, more articulate and have a tendency to shoot my mouth off. Before P, I walked with a swagger at times, after P, I walked with a limp occasionally! But my sense of humor has always been there, P or no P.
So let me share some of the outrageously funny things that took place before P (and these are the stories I told, with the protagonists present, during a dinner marking the end of a meeting in Beijing sometime in 2005).
I was also on a high because I had received a Special Achievement Award that very day.
Story #1
CTH, the "C" representing his rank at that time, was in town for the very first time. He was, and still is, working for the military of a certain country which remains one of the company's clients. I was taking him out to lunch at Lei Gardens, Chijmes. I asked TMH if he could join me in hosting the lunch and he agreed. So after the usual introductions, we ordered our food. Strangely, salmon sashimi was on the menu that day as an appetizer, supposedly meant to make Chinese cuisine more exotic. The sashimi arrived shortly and TMH, the perfect host, took it upon himself to explain the origin of sashimi and how it was consumed. "This is sashimi, the Japanese love this. It is raw fish. I hope you like it, CH. You mix some of this green thing here called wasabi with soy sauce and then dip the sashimi in it before eating. But be careful, the wasabi is very spicy."
I suddenly noticed that CH was a bit uncomfortable and squirming a little to TMH's introduction to sashimi. I also noticed that he was just a little too familiar with chopsticks and the manner in which he mixed the wasabi and soy sauce was a bit of a tell-tale sign that he was not new to this. It dawned on me, given his half Asian-looks, his very Caucasian name notwithstanding, that he might be half....no, no, that cannot be. Because if he were to be, then this is going to be a riot. I couldn't resist the temptation and just as CH was going to put the first piece of sashimi into his mouth, I asked "CH, you have a bit of Asian look in you. Do you mind if I ask you about your parentage?" I am glad I asked before he put that piece of fish into his mouth because he would have choked otherwise, for he replied, with a very straight face "I am half-Japanese" and then quickly ate his sashimi. I didn't know how to react and did not dare to look at TMH fearing that I would burst out. The only thing I could do for TMH was to change subject so I said "So you live in Honolulu. You love it there?" Without waiting for his answer, I took two pieces of salmon at one go, dipped them in wasabi sauce and stuffed them into my mouth. And that was the first and last time I had any Japanese food with CH in my over 10 years of business relationship with him. Not even when I visited him in Okinawa..............
Story #2
PK has headed the Thai business since 1999, one year after acquisition. I am very fond of him and I am sure that feeling is reciprocated because, upon hearing of my retirement, he said some very nice things about me ended his email with "You will always be my Big Brother KK". I will always cherish this.
During his first few months, I had the privilege of showing him the ropes and introducing him to our clients. One of them happened to be a very large insurance company I was very familiar with. So I went with PK and we were ushered into a very large boardroom. I have been in that very room for the umpteenth time over the years. I was chatting with PK in the far end of the room when suddenly the door opened and in walked a very distinguished-looking gentleman, probably in his late sixties. Long sleeves with a tie, and cuff-links to boot. As I alluded to, I have known this client for a very long time so I was very familiar with this gentleman. As he walked in, I smiled at him, nodding my head by way of acknowledging his presence and turned back to continue my conversation with PK. But he was not with me anymore! He was on his way to introduce himself to the gentleman. I tried to stop him, almost shouting desperately, but he ignored me and my short legs didn't allow me to catch up with his long strides. And there he was, giving his name card to the gentleman, shaking hands and probably explaining the purpose of his visit when the door opened again and this time, there were at least ten other distinguished looking gentlemen all of whom I have met many times before. The first gentleman, however, decided to leave the room. I made the introductions and as soon as we were all seated, the door opened again and the elderly, distinguished-looking gentleman returned, this time bearing a large tray of coffee and tea.......................
I was trying so hard not to laugh, especially when PK's drink was being served to him, half expecting that same gentleman to return his name card. And when relating this story in Beijing, with PK protesting and trying to pull me away from my story-telling session, I said "So now you guys know that it is important when doing business with the Thais that you start by introducing yourself to the coffee-boy, ah, sorry, I mean coffee-gentleman!
Story #3
I have to make a side-track here because I prefer to tell a different story - one that involves our precious LT. May the earthquake erupts............
One afternoon, during office hours, some of us were suddenly invited to a Charity Ball at the Fullerton which was taking place that very evening! Led by PRH, our contingent included TMH, PB, OL, MT, LT and myself. Forgotten who were the other three. The Ball was hosted by the top dignitary in the country and we could see quite a few other dignitaries, all VVIPs, at his table, including his own predecessor. Because it was a formal event, we had to go back home to change and I recall that LT was all decked out in her finest jewelries, including a diamond bracelet. I remembered the bracelet because I had the audacity to tease her "So you bought that from Swarovski?" earning a stern rebuke from her eyes! Yes, the glare that stares!
Anyway, it was a fun event and when it was over, I walked with LT (I had promised her a ride home) towards the main entrance as I was valet-parked. But the whole place was really congested and the people up front was taking their own sweet time. And as we were just about to reach the main entrance, LT suddenly commented, quite loudly (which meant the entire crowd could hear) "What are they waiting for! So slow!"
And that was when someone from the queue in front of us turned back and stared, no, sort of glared at her. That someone was a VVVIP. A dignitary amongst dignitaries. He was standing next to the host of the Ball, his successor. That was when we both realized that somehow we had found ourselves on the red carpet. We both scrambled over the now forbidding looking divider back to where the "commoners" should be, and for once, LT had nothing to say.
Two weeks later, unfortunately, that very VVVIP who had stared at LT, no, almost sort of glared at her, had passed away. There was a State Funeral and LT wanted me to go with her to pay our last respects but I refused, saying "They might recognize us. At the very least they are sure to recognize you!"
And since then, I have not stared, much less glared, at LT.
Generally, I divide my life into two different periods, before P and after P, i.e. before June 2008 and after. Actually, looking back, my P probably started at least two years before diagnosis in 2008 as some of the symptoms already started to show then.
Anyway, my personality after P was distinctively different from that before. Before P, I was definitely more chatty, more articulate and have a tendency to shoot my mouth off. Before P, I walked with a swagger at times, after P, I walked with a limp occasionally! But my sense of humor has always been there, P or no P.
So let me share some of the outrageously funny things that took place before P (and these are the stories I told, with the protagonists present, during a dinner marking the end of a meeting in Beijing sometime in 2005).
I was also on a high because I had received a Special Achievement Award that very day.
Story #1
CTH, the "C" representing his rank at that time, was in town for the very first time. He was, and still is, working for the military of a certain country which remains one of the company's clients. I was taking him out to lunch at Lei Gardens, Chijmes. I asked TMH if he could join me in hosting the lunch and he agreed. So after the usual introductions, we ordered our food. Strangely, salmon sashimi was on the menu that day as an appetizer, supposedly meant to make Chinese cuisine more exotic. The sashimi arrived shortly and TMH, the perfect host, took it upon himself to explain the origin of sashimi and how it was consumed. "This is sashimi, the Japanese love this. It is raw fish. I hope you like it, CH. You mix some of this green thing here called wasabi with soy sauce and then dip the sashimi in it before eating. But be careful, the wasabi is very spicy."
I suddenly noticed that CH was a bit uncomfortable and squirming a little to TMH's introduction to sashimi. I also noticed that he was just a little too familiar with chopsticks and the manner in which he mixed the wasabi and soy sauce was a bit of a tell-tale sign that he was not new to this. It dawned on me, given his half Asian-looks, his very Caucasian name notwithstanding, that he might be half....no, no, that cannot be. Because if he were to be, then this is going to be a riot. I couldn't resist the temptation and just as CH was going to put the first piece of sashimi into his mouth, I asked "CH, you have a bit of Asian look in you. Do you mind if I ask you about your parentage?" I am glad I asked before he put that piece of fish into his mouth because he would have choked otherwise, for he replied, with a very straight face "I am half-Japanese" and then quickly ate his sashimi. I didn't know how to react and did not dare to look at TMH fearing that I would burst out. The only thing I could do for TMH was to change subject so I said "So you live in Honolulu. You love it there?" Without waiting for his answer, I took two pieces of salmon at one go, dipped them in wasabi sauce and stuffed them into my mouth. And that was the first and last time I had any Japanese food with CH in my over 10 years of business relationship with him. Not even when I visited him in Okinawa..............
Story #2
PK has headed the Thai business since 1999, one year after acquisition. I am very fond of him and I am sure that feeling is reciprocated because, upon hearing of my retirement, he said some very nice things about me ended his email with "You will always be my Big Brother KK". I will always cherish this.
During his first few months, I had the privilege of showing him the ropes and introducing him to our clients. One of them happened to be a very large insurance company I was very familiar with. So I went with PK and we were ushered into a very large boardroom. I have been in that very room for the umpteenth time over the years. I was chatting with PK in the far end of the room when suddenly the door opened and in walked a very distinguished-looking gentleman, probably in his late sixties. Long sleeves with a tie, and cuff-links to boot. As I alluded to, I have known this client for a very long time so I was very familiar with this gentleman. As he walked in, I smiled at him, nodding my head by way of acknowledging his presence and turned back to continue my conversation with PK. But he was not with me anymore! He was on his way to introduce himself to the gentleman. I tried to stop him, almost shouting desperately, but he ignored me and my short legs didn't allow me to catch up with his long strides. And there he was, giving his name card to the gentleman, shaking hands and probably explaining the purpose of his visit when the door opened again and this time, there were at least ten other distinguished looking gentlemen all of whom I have met many times before. The first gentleman, however, decided to leave the room. I made the introductions and as soon as we were all seated, the door opened again and the elderly, distinguished-looking gentleman returned, this time bearing a large tray of coffee and tea.......................
I was trying so hard not to laugh, especially when PK's drink was being served to him, half expecting that same gentleman to return his name card. And when relating this story in Beijing, with PK protesting and trying to pull me away from my story-telling session, I said "So now you guys know that it is important when doing business with the Thais that you start by introducing yourself to the coffee-boy, ah, sorry, I mean coffee-gentleman!
Story #3
I have to make a side-track here because I prefer to tell a different story - one that involves our precious LT. May the earthquake erupts............
One afternoon, during office hours, some of us were suddenly invited to a Charity Ball at the Fullerton which was taking place that very evening! Led by PRH, our contingent included TMH, PB, OL, MT, LT and myself. Forgotten who were the other three. The Ball was hosted by the top dignitary in the country and we could see quite a few other dignitaries, all VVIPs, at his table, including his own predecessor. Because it was a formal event, we had to go back home to change and I recall that LT was all decked out in her finest jewelries, including a diamond bracelet. I remembered the bracelet because I had the audacity to tease her "So you bought that from Swarovski?" earning a stern rebuke from her eyes! Yes, the glare that stares!
Anyway, it was a fun event and when it was over, I walked with LT (I had promised her a ride home) towards the main entrance as I was valet-parked. But the whole place was really congested and the people up front was taking their own sweet time. And as we were just about to reach the main entrance, LT suddenly commented, quite loudly (which meant the entire crowd could hear) "What are they waiting for! So slow!"
And that was when someone from the queue in front of us turned back and stared, no, sort of glared at her. That someone was a VVVIP. A dignitary amongst dignitaries. He was standing next to the host of the Ball, his successor. That was when we both realized that somehow we had found ourselves on the red carpet. We both scrambled over the now forbidding looking divider back to where the "commoners" should be, and for once, LT had nothing to say.
Two weeks later, unfortunately, that very VVVIP who had stared at LT, no, almost sort of glared at her, had passed away. There was a State Funeral and LT wanted me to go with her to pay our last respects but I refused, saying "They might recognize us. At the very least they are sure to recognize you!"
And since then, I have not stared, much less glared, at LT.
Friday, 7 June 2013
THE TIES THAT BIND
And it had to happen again, this time because of me. I am talking about meeting with ex-colleagues under inauspicious circumstances. And this, despite my participation in a "Cong Xi" lunch with MT, PT, AGL and GN.
Choi! Choi! Choi! No, la, not my wake la. I am talking about my recent fall which resulted in my hospitalization. By the way, that fall resulted in a scar on my forehead and I am sure some of you will agree that it added character to my looks! So proud of that scar. But just so you know, I am not on a collecting spree. One is enough.
So I got visits from JL, and then from MT, DH, AGL & PT at the hospital. And after my discharge, I was visited at home by EPC, SH and their families. These visits cheered me up and I must have recuperated well as a result. Of course, in between, I received many condolence messages....oops! What am I saying; I already emphasized that it was not my wake! I meant to say that I received many get well messages starting with LT with advice on what to do or not to do after my discharge. Or were they instructions? Thought about it and decided it was neither. They were orders, full stop!
Heard from AO, PH, MWH, EK and quite a few others too.
These are the ties that continue to bind me to all of you folks. Let's keep them going.
Out of the blue I heard from SGII, a fellow retiree. And LT took the lead in arranging an afternoon tea session (yesterday, 7th June) which included MT who, unfortunately, couldn't make it at the last minute. I was counting on her to protect me in case of violence. 3 ex's versus a current would be a safer bet than 2 ex's (who are on the wrong side of 50, very wrong side indeed) but it was not to be.
But LT was all smiles and was the perfect host. She didn't allow either SGII or me to lift a finger. She did the ordering, paid for the food and even helped the waitress in arranging the table. She even personally brought me some warm water for me to take my meds. I must have looked nervous because she looked at me and smiled, saying "Don't worry, I am not going to kill you la." If that was intended to make me comfortable, I can assure you it didn't work. SGII took the cue from me and I think he began to sweat a little too. And he must be nervous like me because he mistakenly took LT's very expensive looking scarf to wipe off his sweat from the forehead. Fortunately, LT didn't notice that otherwise he will really sweat.
Anyway, it was a pleasant get-together - we talked about many things and both retirees received instructions on how to live our lives after retirement. After two hours I stood up and politely told LT I had to go. SGII added that he also have to go and gave me a look which said "Yes, let's go before she recalls any trespass of yours!"
She looked at both of us, smiled and in a calm voice she said "There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world." I wanted to tell her that we didn't have lunch, that it was afternoon tea but I lost my voice at that very moment. SGII cleverly tried to extricate himself from the scene by offering to make himself scarce so that the two of us could sort out any outstanding issues. He even reminded LT "Maybe he said something on his blog which he shouldn't have." I will never talk to him again.
LT continued to wear the same smile and spoke in the same calm voice "No, SGII, you stay. He will need your help." My heart sank and I started to plead as any coward would. Yes, I rather be a coward than a paraplegic. So, I summoned enough courage and in a soft, squeaky voice I stammered "My..my...my doc...doc..tor said I must...must not con...con..stipate...I I I mean parti...pate in any vio...vio...lent acti...acti..vities!?
She looked at both of us and ordered "Follow me! There will be no violence. But we must sort this out once and for all!" SGII heaved a sigh of relief but I was not convinced. So both of followed her meekly and she herded us into a taxi with her taking the front passenger seat. She barked some instructions to the taxi driver and off we went. Five minutes later, I was still clueless as to where we were headed and she remained quiet. Then we found ourselves in Tiong Bahru. She took us to a children's playground and said "Let us see if you two-ex's or retirees or whatever you call yourselves can beat me. Yes, you two against me!" I loosened up immediately but didn't have the heart to tell that I was a champion on climbing, a champion on the swing and a few others besides. I think SGII began to relax when he saw my renewed confidence.
She then pointed to one of the apparatus and ordered "You two go to that end and sit down together!" Both SGII and I took a look at the apparatus and immediately surrendered, shouting in unison "No, no, we concede unconditionally!" Great minds think alike - no wonder we are both retirees. But LT won't take no for an answer and pushed both of us towards one end and we found ourselves on a seat which at most, could accommodate two young kids. Which means I could fit into it if not for SGII encroaching into my space. But we fitted in somehow, probably due to LT's intense gazing. Both of us looked at her warily, watching her every move. LT then walked to the other end of the apparatus, and suddenly performed a gymnastic move which I thought was beyond her. She landed right on the seat. And the rest is history. I was just grateful to be alive to tell the story. Both of us picked ourselves up, he from the sand pit some r meters away and therefore without much damage but with some cuts here and there, me from the swing with one leg up in the air and one on something else. With the swing swinging. I was readmitted for observation; the doctor thinks I need further tests to see if the severe compressions on my CT4/5 have been further aggravated. But one thing is for sure.
BOTH OF US WILL NEVER GO ON A SEE-SAW AGAIN WITH LT.
Choi! Choi! Choi! No, la, not my wake la. I am talking about my recent fall which resulted in my hospitalization. By the way, that fall resulted in a scar on my forehead and I am sure some of you will agree that it added character to my looks! So proud of that scar. But just so you know, I am not on a collecting spree. One is enough.
So I got visits from JL, and then from MT, DH, AGL & PT at the hospital. And after my discharge, I was visited at home by EPC, SH and their families. These visits cheered me up and I must have recuperated well as a result. Of course, in between, I received many condolence messages....oops! What am I saying; I already emphasized that it was not my wake! I meant to say that I received many get well messages starting with LT with advice on what to do or not to do after my discharge. Or were they instructions? Thought about it and decided it was neither. They were orders, full stop!
Heard from AO, PH, MWH, EK and quite a few others too.
These are the ties that continue to bind me to all of you folks. Let's keep them going.
Out of the blue I heard from SGII, a fellow retiree. And LT took the lead in arranging an afternoon tea session (yesterday, 7th June) which included MT who, unfortunately, couldn't make it at the last minute. I was counting on her to protect me in case of violence. 3 ex's versus a current would be a safer bet than 2 ex's (who are on the wrong side of 50, very wrong side indeed) but it was not to be.
But LT was all smiles and was the perfect host. She didn't allow either SGII or me to lift a finger. She did the ordering, paid for the food and even helped the waitress in arranging the table. She even personally brought me some warm water for me to take my meds. I must have looked nervous because she looked at me and smiled, saying "Don't worry, I am not going to kill you la." If that was intended to make me comfortable, I can assure you it didn't work. SGII took the cue from me and I think he began to sweat a little too. And he must be nervous like me because he mistakenly took LT's very expensive looking scarf to wipe off his sweat from the forehead. Fortunately, LT didn't notice that otherwise he will really sweat.
Anyway, it was a pleasant get-together - we talked about many things and both retirees received instructions on how to live our lives after retirement. After two hours I stood up and politely told LT I had to go. SGII added that he also have to go and gave me a look which said "Yes, let's go before she recalls any trespass of yours!"
She looked at both of us, smiled and in a calm voice she said "There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world." I wanted to tell her that we didn't have lunch, that it was afternoon tea but I lost my voice at that very moment. SGII cleverly tried to extricate himself from the scene by offering to make himself scarce so that the two of us could sort out any outstanding issues. He even reminded LT "Maybe he said something on his blog which he shouldn't have." I will never talk to him again.
LT continued to wear the same smile and spoke in the same calm voice "No, SGII, you stay. He will need your help." My heart sank and I started to plead as any coward would. Yes, I rather be a coward than a paraplegic. So, I summoned enough courage and in a soft, squeaky voice I stammered "My..my...my doc...doc..tor said I must...must not con...con..stipate...I I I mean parti...pate in any vio...vio...lent acti...acti..vities!?
She looked at both of us and ordered "Follow me! There will be no violence. But we must sort this out once and for all!" SGII heaved a sigh of relief but I was not convinced. So both of followed her meekly and she herded us into a taxi with her taking the front passenger seat. She barked some instructions to the taxi driver and off we went. Five minutes later, I was still clueless as to where we were headed and she remained quiet. Then we found ourselves in Tiong Bahru. She took us to a children's playground and said "Let us see if you two-ex's or retirees or whatever you call yourselves can beat me. Yes, you two against me!" I loosened up immediately but didn't have the heart to tell that I was a champion on climbing, a champion on the swing and a few others besides. I think SGII began to relax when he saw my renewed confidence.
She then pointed to one of the apparatus and ordered "You two go to that end and sit down together!" Both SGII and I took a look at the apparatus and immediately surrendered, shouting in unison "No, no, we concede unconditionally!" Great minds think alike - no wonder we are both retirees. But LT won't take no for an answer and pushed both of us towards one end and we found ourselves on a seat which at most, could accommodate two young kids. Which means I could fit into it if not for SGII encroaching into my space. But we fitted in somehow, probably due to LT's intense gazing. Both of us looked at her warily, watching her every move. LT then walked to the other end of the apparatus, and suddenly performed a gymnastic move which I thought was beyond her. She landed right on the seat. And the rest is history. I was just grateful to be alive to tell the story. Both of us picked ourselves up, he from the sand pit some r meters away and therefore without much damage but with some cuts here and there, me from the swing with one leg up in the air and one on something else. With the swing swinging. I was readmitted for observation; the doctor thinks I need further tests to see if the severe compressions on my CT4/5 have been further aggravated. But one thing is for sure.
BOTH OF US WILL NEVER GO ON A SEE-SAW AGAIN WITH LT.
Friday, 17 May 2013
DIE DIE MUST TRY PART 2
I have decided that the ultimate optimist has to be AGL. She thinks that she is capable of striking the three top 4D prizes with one single set of numbers! Dream, dream, dream.
One evening, we were working late. Which was quite a change for me. In my 23 years of service, the number of times I worked late can be counted on the fingers of one hand! And even then, found time to have fun at other's expense.
On that day (a Wednesday) I acted as AGL's Singaporepools runner and so I knew what number she had betted on. When the result was received on my mobile phone, I edited one of the starter prizes to match her set of 4D on which she had invested $3. I forwarded the results to her phone. I shouted excitedly "I think you strike, I think you strike! Quick check!" And she did, and the smile and happiness that came with an unexpected windfall of $750 of a first time winner was too much for me to bear. I didn't have the heart to tell her the truth, other than to make her promise me a good lunch.
Of course I didn't get that free lunch. When she realized I had tricked her, she glared at me with a pair of "Medusa" eyes. If looks could kill, I would have been dead long long ago.
Over each Chinese New Year Singaporepools would have two special draws for TOTO. A reunion dinner draw where the jackpot is estimated at $5 million and a Chap Goh Meh draw with an estimated jackpot of $10 million. I would be kept so busy that I don't think I did any work during that 15 days period. I had different pools with different people and lost count of the number of pools I managed to get myself into.
One Chap Goh Meh draw is forever etched in my memory. I think that was in 2006, some 7 years ago! It was the evening before the Chap Goh Meh draw and a group of us were invited to MT's place for dinner which she hosted with her better half. It was so fun. I was there with my better half. GN was there with her better half. DY aka Mama-san was there with her better half. AGL went one step further - she came with her better half and offspring. CS was there too, also with her better half. And WMH was there with her appetite. ST was there too, I think. But conspicuously absent was LT - which meant we could gossip about her and laugh behind be back. What a wicked bunch we were!
After WMH has whetted her appetite, we went to the next and of course final item on the agenda - Blackjack. And who was the banker? Yours truly, of course. I always attend such functions with a pack of playing cards ready. Someone left the TV on and it was showing "Gags For Laughs". This contained an episode where the LOTTO shop (akin to our TOTO) cooperated with the Gags For Laughs crew to falsify the results to match that of an innocent punter. I was so excited, I recall standing up on MT's sofa, almost jumping up and down, shouting "Someone take down those winning numbers. Quick!" And someone did, bless him or her for that. So that was 6 numbers. I immediately stopped our Blackjack to focus on the more important business at hand. Everyone had to contribute $10 per share to participate in this new pool. I recall collecting about $150 and was assigned to decide on what numbers to buy. GN opted for one share only and the woman with big appetite forked out another $10 so she now has two shares.
My attention was focused on the six "winning numbers" from the Gags For Laughs episode. I suggested a system 9 which cost $42 using the six numbers as a base. So we needed another three numbers to make it 9. Someone had the audacity to suggest "Maybe we can use LT's waistline as one of the numbers!" I glared at that someone (if I divulge her identity, even now, 7 years later, she may not live to tell the story) and shouted "Cannot la. Biggest number to buy is only 45!"
I had to call the meeting to order as it has become quite unruly by then. I suggested that MT, being the host, contribute one number. With my Toto experience, and as leader of the pool, I gave myself the honor to contribute one number. And the last number was provided by Mama-san. We did not use LT's waistline as it would be wasted.
So it was left to me to plan on how and what to buy with the $102 after buying the agreed System 9.
To cut a long story short, the next day was a busy one for me. I had to run around to various Singaporepools outlets. AGL insisted that I must to go one of the "Lucky" outlets where every year, without fail, they would produce one of the big winners. My ears were itchy as if the boss was grumbling "Where is he? He is supposed to be here for the meeting, right?" I ignored the itches. I know how to prioritize. This has to my chance for early retirement. And if he were to chide me for going MIA, I would simply retort "But I have to buy TOTO for you what!" Right, because he was also part of one of the many pools!
I decided to placate AGL and took a cab to her preferred outlet. When I reached the place, the queue was as long as two SBS buses joined together. And I am talking about the buses with twin coaches. So I rushed to my preferred outlet which usually has shorter queue. And I was right. This outlet did not have a queue as long as two SBS buses. Because on that fateful day, the queue was as long as one MRT train. Yes, the entire train. But I am a patient man especially when it comes to retirement planning. The two hours queue should pay off.
I returned to the office at 4.30 pm only and decided to put in an honest day's work. That way, I could leave the office by 6.30 pm without feeling guilty. I spent the next two hours sending out numerous emails to my partners in the different pools, taking precautions, checking and double checking, to make sure there were no mistake which could cost me my retirement. And I was out of the office promptly at 6.30pm.
The draw results were due on teletext at 10 pm. So I bathed, meditate and sat patiently in front of the TV, waiting for that ominous moment. And when it came I was floored. I recognized the winning numbers. I knew we had hit a biggie.
Double checked with the myriads of betting slips in my possession and indeed, we had a big hit. Not 6 out of 6, unfortunately. But 5 out of 6. My mind was so muddled that I became unsure as to who were my partners in the winning tickets. So I called AGL and said "Eh, one of the betting slip with me hit 5 out of 6. Not sure who are the partners leh." And she replied, enthusiastically "I la, must be me la.Why only 5 numbers? Why not 6? Did we also strike other numbers or not. " Sigh.
And it turned out she was right. We hit about$5.5k that day. It would have been one share of the 10 million jackpot if we hit 6 out of 6. I dare not tell my partners that it was me who contributed the "non" winning number. I had contributed "19" as my elder son's birthday is on Feb 19. The number which we didn't have out of the 6 winning combination was 16. Sigh. That was my daughter's birthdate. But nobody cared. They were just excited to have won $550 per share.
I then messaged all the winners. I recall distinctly that GN called me and said "So we won't $1225 right." She is so naïve. When you buy a system bet (i.e. 7 numbers and above) you get more than one share of that particular group prize. We hit Group 3 which was worth $1225 per share but we had 4 shares since we bought a System 9. With the subsidiary prizes, we won a total of $5,500.
I wanted to abscond with the winning ticket. It so happened that I was travelling to Venice that evening with PK from Bangkok on a business trip. Friendships ruled, and I turned the winning ticket over to MT and her better half. I had suggested they meet me at the airport and take the ticket to claim the prize on Monday.
And they did. 4 of them went together. Or was it five. Will one of you please set the record right by commenting on this blog? I am sure the staff at Singaporepools, upon seeing them, would have thought they were one of the big jackpot winners!
So that was a fun experience. Let me end this posting with a short story.
One day, WMH and AGL partnered me to buy two system 7. We struck 3 numbers. Which means no prize. You need a minimum of 4 winning numbers to win a prize.But he next day, I planned with AGL to trick WMH into believing had won. We went out to lunch and then I kept pestering WMH to claim our winning at the Cheers shop which had a Singaporepool outlet. Told her collecting winnings for the first time will bring her good luck. AGL was a coward. She insisted on remaining outside. I escorted WMH inside the store and when it was her turned, I ran out laughing, only to find that AGL was laughing uncontrollably. I looked inside and there was our WMH proudly handing over the winning ticket to earn her prize. The lady at the counter took her ticket, ran it through the machine and returned the ticket, shaking her head sadly. WMH, cool, calm and collected, walked out with her head held high, but probably not with her dignity intact. As soon as she saw the two of us laughing outside, she pointed at me and shouted "I WILL NEVER, NEVER TRUST YOU AGAIN! NEVER, NEVER!"
And she stuck to her words. Until the next Toto pools is set up by yours truly!
One evening, we were working late. Which was quite a change for me. In my 23 years of service, the number of times I worked late can be counted on the fingers of one hand! And even then, found time to have fun at other's expense.
On that day (a Wednesday) I acted as AGL's Singaporepools runner and so I knew what number she had betted on. When the result was received on my mobile phone, I edited one of the starter prizes to match her set of 4D on which she had invested $3. I forwarded the results to her phone. I shouted excitedly "I think you strike, I think you strike! Quick check!" And she did, and the smile and happiness that came with an unexpected windfall of $750 of a first time winner was too much for me to bear. I didn't have the heart to tell her the truth, other than to make her promise me a good lunch.
Of course I didn't get that free lunch. When she realized I had tricked her, she glared at me with a pair of "Medusa" eyes. If looks could kill, I would have been dead long long ago.
Over each Chinese New Year Singaporepools would have two special draws for TOTO. A reunion dinner draw where the jackpot is estimated at $5 million and a Chap Goh Meh draw with an estimated jackpot of $10 million. I would be kept so busy that I don't think I did any work during that 15 days period. I had different pools with different people and lost count of the number of pools I managed to get myself into.
One Chap Goh Meh draw is forever etched in my memory. I think that was in 2006, some 7 years ago! It was the evening before the Chap Goh Meh draw and a group of us were invited to MT's place for dinner which she hosted with her better half. It was so fun. I was there with my better half. GN was there with her better half. DY aka Mama-san was there with her better half. AGL went one step further - she came with her better half and offspring. CS was there too, also with her better half. And WMH was there with her appetite. ST was there too, I think. But conspicuously absent was LT - which meant we could gossip about her and laugh behind be back. What a wicked bunch we were!
After WMH has whetted her appetite, we went to the next and of course final item on the agenda - Blackjack. And who was the banker? Yours truly, of course. I always attend such functions with a pack of playing cards ready. Someone left the TV on and it was showing "Gags For Laughs". This contained an episode where the LOTTO shop (akin to our TOTO) cooperated with the Gags For Laughs crew to falsify the results to match that of an innocent punter. I was so excited, I recall standing up on MT's sofa, almost jumping up and down, shouting "Someone take down those winning numbers. Quick!" And someone did, bless him or her for that. So that was 6 numbers. I immediately stopped our Blackjack to focus on the more important business at hand. Everyone had to contribute $10 per share to participate in this new pool. I recall collecting about $150 and was assigned to decide on what numbers to buy. GN opted for one share only and the woman with big appetite forked out another $10 so she now has two shares.
My attention was focused on the six "winning numbers" from the Gags For Laughs episode. I suggested a system 9 which cost $42 using the six numbers as a base. So we needed another three numbers to make it 9. Someone had the audacity to suggest "Maybe we can use LT's waistline as one of the numbers!" I glared at that someone (if I divulge her identity, even now, 7 years later, she may not live to tell the story) and shouted "Cannot la. Biggest number to buy is only 45!"
I had to call the meeting to order as it has become quite unruly by then. I suggested that MT, being the host, contribute one number. With my Toto experience, and as leader of the pool, I gave myself the honor to contribute one number. And the last number was provided by Mama-san. We did not use LT's waistline as it would be wasted.
So it was left to me to plan on how and what to buy with the $102 after buying the agreed System 9.
To cut a long story short, the next day was a busy one for me. I had to run around to various Singaporepools outlets. AGL insisted that I must to go one of the "Lucky" outlets where every year, without fail, they would produce one of the big winners. My ears were itchy as if the boss was grumbling "Where is he? He is supposed to be here for the meeting, right?" I ignored the itches. I know how to prioritize. This has to my chance for early retirement. And if he were to chide me for going MIA, I would simply retort "But I have to buy TOTO for you what!" Right, because he was also part of one of the many pools!
I decided to placate AGL and took a cab to her preferred outlet. When I reached the place, the queue was as long as two SBS buses joined together. And I am talking about the buses with twin coaches. So I rushed to my preferred outlet which usually has shorter queue. And I was right. This outlet did not have a queue as long as two SBS buses. Because on that fateful day, the queue was as long as one MRT train. Yes, the entire train. But I am a patient man especially when it comes to retirement planning. The two hours queue should pay off.
I returned to the office at 4.30 pm only and decided to put in an honest day's work. That way, I could leave the office by 6.30 pm without feeling guilty. I spent the next two hours sending out numerous emails to my partners in the different pools, taking precautions, checking and double checking, to make sure there were no mistake which could cost me my retirement. And I was out of the office promptly at 6.30pm.
The draw results were due on teletext at 10 pm. So I bathed, meditate and sat patiently in front of the TV, waiting for that ominous moment. And when it came I was floored. I recognized the winning numbers. I knew we had hit a biggie.
Double checked with the myriads of betting slips in my possession and indeed, we had a big hit. Not 6 out of 6, unfortunately. But 5 out of 6. My mind was so muddled that I became unsure as to who were my partners in the winning tickets. So I called AGL and said "Eh, one of the betting slip with me hit 5 out of 6. Not sure who are the partners leh." And she replied, enthusiastically "I la, must be me la.Why only 5 numbers? Why not 6? Did we also strike other numbers or not. " Sigh.
And it turned out she was right. We hit about$5.5k that day. It would have been one share of the 10 million jackpot if we hit 6 out of 6. I dare not tell my partners that it was me who contributed the "non" winning number. I had contributed "19" as my elder son's birthday is on Feb 19. The number which we didn't have out of the 6 winning combination was 16. Sigh. That was my daughter's birthdate. But nobody cared. They were just excited to have won $550 per share.
I then messaged all the winners. I recall distinctly that GN called me and said "So we won't $1225 right." She is so naïve. When you buy a system bet (i.e. 7 numbers and above) you get more than one share of that particular group prize. We hit Group 3 which was worth $1225 per share but we had 4 shares since we bought a System 9. With the subsidiary prizes, we won a total of $5,500.
I wanted to abscond with the winning ticket. It so happened that I was travelling to Venice that evening with PK from Bangkok on a business trip. Friendships ruled, and I turned the winning ticket over to MT and her better half. I had suggested they meet me at the airport and take the ticket to claim the prize on Monday.
And they did. 4 of them went together. Or was it five. Will one of you please set the record right by commenting on this blog? I am sure the staff at Singaporepools, upon seeing them, would have thought they were one of the big jackpot winners!
So that was a fun experience. Let me end this posting with a short story.
One day, WMH and AGL partnered me to buy two system 7. We struck 3 numbers. Which means no prize. You need a minimum of 4 winning numbers to win a prize.But he next day, I planned with AGL to trick WMH into believing had won. We went out to lunch and then I kept pestering WMH to claim our winning at the Cheers shop which had a Singaporepool outlet. Told her collecting winnings for the first time will bring her good luck. AGL was a coward. She insisted on remaining outside. I escorted WMH inside the store and when it was her turned, I ran out laughing, only to find that AGL was laughing uncontrollably. I looked inside and there was our WMH proudly handing over the winning ticket to earn her prize. The lady at the counter took her ticket, ran it through the machine and returned the ticket, shaking her head sadly. WMH, cool, calm and collected, walked out with her head held high, but probably not with her dignity intact. As soon as she saw the two of us laughing outside, she pointed at me and shouted "I WILL NEVER, NEVER TRUST YOU AGAIN! NEVER, NEVER!"
And she stuck to her words. Until the next Toto pools is set up by yours truly!
Saturday, 4 May 2013
DIE DIE MUST TRY
Okay, folks, time to move away from the mountain. At least for now. Why? Because, there is going to be a volcanic eruption, followed by an earthquake of at least 7.7 on the Richter Scale, followed by a tsunami of a magnitude never seen so far.
You see, I have acquired this uncanny ability to predict with pin-point accuracy when a volcanic eruption is going to take place. My last prediction was so accurate, from the exact magnitude to the exact timing, that the World Meteorological Society invited me to speak at their World Earthquake Day forum and present a paper on my methodology. Of course I declined. I didn't have the heart to tell them that my uncanny ability to predict was confined to only one mountain. One single mountain. I also didn't want to have to show them evidence of what I went through to pick up this skill. No, I cannot do that. The physical scars are not for show. And the emotional scars - just let me suffer alone. If any of you folks hear howling sounds when the moon is full, just think of me and pray fervently. Arigato.
So let us turn our attention to another subject - my role as a runner and promoter for Singapore Pools. They say hindsight is vision 20/20. But alas, hindsight couldn't tell me how I managed to juggle my twin roles - as an employee working for my ex-employer and as a free-lance runner/promoter for Singapore Pools. That I survived in my full time employment till retirement time was, in itself, a miracle. I think I spent more time on one of the two - no prize for guessing which was the one that consumed more of my efforts. My confessions, in this and subsequent postings, will be very therapeutic for my emotional health.
It all started when I was 8. My mum was constantly flipping through her "numerical dictionary". What's that? That, my friends, is a booklet which allows you to translate anything you see, in real life or in your dreams, into four numerical digits for you to punt on the 4D lottery. We jokingly referred to mum's numerical dictionary as her bible but I will refrain from doing that now. Not in this blog, otherwise MT will accuse me of blasphemy!
And that dictionary was mum's only bequest to this son of hers when she passed away. I used that booklet faithfully until the day I got married. I put it away in cold storage, together with a set of encyclopedia. Why? Because my mother-in-law knows everything. From numbers to nuclear science. Any topic. You name it, she knows it.
Once I saw a car turned turtle on the road. Don't know what happened to the driver - it doesn't matter. What mattered was the car registration number. But the darned registration plates, both front and back, was covered up. On purpose. The traffic police seems to enjoy doing this to folks like me. Sadistic, I must say. Anyway, I called my mother-in-law (hereinafter, in this and all subsequent postings, referred to as "MIL" aka Might Mouth or MM, no disrespect to our former Minister Mentor intended). As soon as she picked up the phone, I shouted "Mighty Mouth, what is the number for turtle?" And she replied quite sweetly "Turtle is 5764, green turtle is 0901 and sea turtle 0705. Anything else?" Without even thanking her, I hung up the phone. Okay, okay, that was not how the call took place. It went the following way actually....
"Mother, can you please tell me what is the number for turtle?" She was in a good mood because she didn't bang down the phone as soon as she heard my voice. Instead she screamed "Turtle 5764 la. Green turtle 0901. Sea turtle 0705. And stop bothering me." Then only did she bang down the phone. I didn't even have the chance to thank her. But honestly, she is a real genius. Don't you agree? She should have studied nuclear science.
Anyway, I didn't have the budget to buy the numbers for all three types of turtles. Decided to put $5 big $5 small on 5764 and threw caution to the wind on the other two. No turtle turned up on the results of that Wednesday draw, not 5764, not the green turtle, not the sea turtle. First prize was 6975.
When I reached home, I asked MM what 6975 was. And she replied, with a wicked smile on her face "Tortoise!" I didn't eat my dinner and went straight to the room and cried myself to sleep.
So, my friends, tell me, pray tell me, should the correct English phrase be "turned turtle" or "turned tortoise"?
And yes, in spite of such setbacks, I have not given up. Die die must try. Again and again and again.
And who knows? One day, I am going to strike the top three prizes with just one set of numbers. You don't think that is possible. That the winning numbers for the First Prize, Second Prize and Third Prize was exactly the same? You go and ask AGL. But I will save that for the next posting.
You see, I have acquired this uncanny ability to predict with pin-point accuracy when a volcanic eruption is going to take place. My last prediction was so accurate, from the exact magnitude to the exact timing, that the World Meteorological Society invited me to speak at their World Earthquake Day forum and present a paper on my methodology. Of course I declined. I didn't have the heart to tell them that my uncanny ability to predict was confined to only one mountain. One single mountain. I also didn't want to have to show them evidence of what I went through to pick up this skill. No, I cannot do that. The physical scars are not for show. And the emotional scars - just let me suffer alone. If any of you folks hear howling sounds when the moon is full, just think of me and pray fervently. Arigato.
So let us turn our attention to another subject - my role as a runner and promoter for Singapore Pools. They say hindsight is vision 20/20. But alas, hindsight couldn't tell me how I managed to juggle my twin roles - as an employee working for my ex-employer and as a free-lance runner/promoter for Singapore Pools. That I survived in my full time employment till retirement time was, in itself, a miracle. I think I spent more time on one of the two - no prize for guessing which was the one that consumed more of my efforts. My confessions, in this and subsequent postings, will be very therapeutic for my emotional health.
It all started when I was 8. My mum was constantly flipping through her "numerical dictionary". What's that? That, my friends, is a booklet which allows you to translate anything you see, in real life or in your dreams, into four numerical digits for you to punt on the 4D lottery. We jokingly referred to mum's numerical dictionary as her bible but I will refrain from doing that now. Not in this blog, otherwise MT will accuse me of blasphemy!
And that dictionary was mum's only bequest to this son of hers when she passed away. I used that booklet faithfully until the day I got married. I put it away in cold storage, together with a set of encyclopedia. Why? Because my mother-in-law knows everything. From numbers to nuclear science. Any topic. You name it, she knows it.
Once I saw a car turned turtle on the road. Don't know what happened to the driver - it doesn't matter. What mattered was the car registration number. But the darned registration plates, both front and back, was covered up. On purpose. The traffic police seems to enjoy doing this to folks like me. Sadistic, I must say. Anyway, I called my mother-in-law (hereinafter, in this and all subsequent postings, referred to as "MIL" aka Might Mouth or MM, no disrespect to our former Minister Mentor intended). As soon as she picked up the phone, I shouted "Mighty Mouth, what is the number for turtle?" And she replied quite sweetly "Turtle is 5764, green turtle is 0901 and sea turtle 0705. Anything else?" Without even thanking her, I hung up the phone. Okay, okay, that was not how the call took place. It went the following way actually....
"Mother, can you please tell me what is the number for turtle?" She was in a good mood because she didn't bang down the phone as soon as she heard my voice. Instead she screamed "Turtle 5764 la. Green turtle 0901. Sea turtle 0705. And stop bothering me." Then only did she bang down the phone. I didn't even have the chance to thank her. But honestly, she is a real genius. Don't you agree? She should have studied nuclear science.
Anyway, I didn't have the budget to buy the numbers for all three types of turtles. Decided to put $5 big $5 small on 5764 and threw caution to the wind on the other two. No turtle turned up on the results of that Wednesday draw, not 5764, not the green turtle, not the sea turtle. First prize was 6975.
When I reached home, I asked MM what 6975 was. And she replied, with a wicked smile on her face "Tortoise!" I didn't eat my dinner and went straight to the room and cried myself to sleep.
So, my friends, tell me, pray tell me, should the correct English phrase be "turned turtle" or "turned tortoise"?
And yes, in spite of such setbacks, I have not given up. Die die must try. Again and again and again.
And who knows? One day, I am going to strike the top three prizes with just one set of numbers. You don't think that is possible. That the winning numbers for the First Prize, Second Prize and Third Prize was exactly the same? You go and ask AGL. But I will save that for the next posting.
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Eow siew tay mia hor lang tok..........
" U wait and see if it is S3 or CC or 44 (Fukien) when we meet la hor…."
No prize for guessing who is responsible for the terse response reproduced above.
I don't like the tone of that message - I assume that the "44" (Fukien) mentioned in that email denotes "death". Typical of her - issuing threats of violence. You think I am scared?
Before I proceed with my second posting, I must request MT to refrain from criticizing my Hanyu Pinyin. The title of this posting is in Fukien, not Mandarin, so this is actually Fuking....oops, I mean Fukien...Pinyin so MT, HOLD YOUR HORSES!
Please don't ask me what "eow siew tay mia hor lang tok" means. I am embarrassed just typing it out, and I am blushing. You should see the color of my face - not just red, it is crimson! Really! But I can give you a clue. It is a curse. And this was the very same curse which turned over 3,000 otherwise hot blooded Chinese men into Eunuchs, serving as minions to the Manchu Royals during the Ching Dynasty. It is this very curse which binds me to LT aka S3. You see, I was subservient to this woman because I was afraid she would use this wicked curse on me.
So let me tell you this story.
Right after my previous employer was acquired, and the two became one, many of my new colleagues hinted that I must go and pay homage to the mountain. It took me the whole of 3 seconds to determine who that mountain was. And so, there I was, presenting myself to her, standing in front of her (she didn't invite me to take a seat), introducing myself, my voice quivering, legs jittery (some of the symptoms of "P" so looking back, I now believe that was the exact moment my "P" started). At the end of my 5 minutes self-introduction (which usually takes an entire hour, cut short by her intense gazing) she still had not spoken a word. That was when I realized that the intensity of her gaze was real, not imagined. I could almost feel the magnifying glass effect, as if she was gazing at me through a magnifying glass, burning a hole through my body. That was when I threw caution to the wind. To hell with protocol. I have to save myself. I jumped to the left and that was when I heard a noise behind me. I turned around and it turned out to be a small cockroach (I learnt later that this means it is a male cockroach) scuttling across the wall. It dawned on me that this was the subject of LT's intense gazing, albeit through my body. As soon as her eyes landed directly on the poor thing, it stopped moving, frozen in its tracks. And that was when I heard the curse for the very first time, in a loud, clear voice "EOW SIEW TAY MIA HOR LANG TOK". The cockroach immediately, upon her uttering those few words, dropped to the ground. Fear overcame both of us - me and the cockroach. I almost wetted myself. I pointed to my new found buddy - not the mountain, the cockroach - and in a weak voice, reported as if it was my duty to do so " Madam LT, the cockroach died!"
In an eerily calm and collected manner, without any display of the emotions which was apparent when the curse was uttered, she replied "No, it is not dead. But it will not reproduce again."
I bent down to check on my friend, and sure enough, it was not dead. It turned over and flitted away, leaving a tiny part of its body behind. I took a good look at the part left behind and echoed her sentiments "It will not reproduce again."
The curse of the Forbidden City. I mumbled "Goodbye", bowed to her lower than any Japanese could have done, and made a very solemn promise to myself. I will never cross sword with this mountain ever, not this lifetime.
No prize for guessing who is responsible for the terse response reproduced above.
I don't like the tone of that message - I assume that the "44" (Fukien) mentioned in that email denotes "death". Typical of her - issuing threats of violence. You think I am scared?
Before I proceed with my second posting, I must request MT to refrain from criticizing my Hanyu Pinyin. The title of this posting is in Fukien, not Mandarin, so this is actually Fuking....oops, I mean Fukien...Pinyin so MT, HOLD YOUR HORSES!
Please don't ask me what "eow siew tay mia hor lang tok" means. I am embarrassed just typing it out, and I am blushing. You should see the color of my face - not just red, it is crimson! Really! But I can give you a clue. It is a curse. And this was the very same curse which turned over 3,000 otherwise hot blooded Chinese men into Eunuchs, serving as minions to the Manchu Royals during the Ching Dynasty. It is this very curse which binds me to LT aka S3. You see, I was subservient to this woman because I was afraid she would use this wicked curse on me.
So let me tell you this story.
Right after my previous employer was acquired, and the two became one, many of my new colleagues hinted that I must go and pay homage to the mountain. It took me the whole of 3 seconds to determine who that mountain was. And so, there I was, presenting myself to her, standing in front of her (she didn't invite me to take a seat), introducing myself, my voice quivering, legs jittery (some of the symptoms of "P" so looking back, I now believe that was the exact moment my "P" started). At the end of my 5 minutes self-introduction (which usually takes an entire hour, cut short by her intense gazing) she still had not spoken a word. That was when I realized that the intensity of her gaze was real, not imagined. I could almost feel the magnifying glass effect, as if she was gazing at me through a magnifying glass, burning a hole through my body. That was when I threw caution to the wind. To hell with protocol. I have to save myself. I jumped to the left and that was when I heard a noise behind me. I turned around and it turned out to be a small cockroach (I learnt later that this means it is a male cockroach) scuttling across the wall. It dawned on me that this was the subject of LT's intense gazing, albeit through my body. As soon as her eyes landed directly on the poor thing, it stopped moving, frozen in its tracks. And that was when I heard the curse for the very first time, in a loud, clear voice "EOW SIEW TAY MIA HOR LANG TOK". The cockroach immediately, upon her uttering those few words, dropped to the ground. Fear overcame both of us - me and the cockroach. I almost wetted myself. I pointed to my new found buddy - not the mountain, the cockroach - and in a weak voice, reported as if it was my duty to do so " Madam LT, the cockroach died!"
In an eerily calm and collected manner, without any display of the emotions which was apparent when the curse was uttered, she replied "No, it is not dead. But it will not reproduce again."
I bent down to check on my friend, and sure enough, it was not dead. It turned over and flitted away, leaving a tiny part of its body behind. I took a good look at the part left behind and echoed her sentiments "It will not reproduce again."
The curse of the Forbidden City. I mumbled "Goodbye", bowed to her lower than any Japanese could have done, and made a very solemn promise to myself. I will never cross sword with this mountain ever, not this lifetime.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
My Nemesis, my friend...........
It has been 132 days since my official retirement. Contacts with former colleagues have been infrequent and sporadic. Some lunches, a house party and, unfortunately, at the wakes of the dads of AGL and PT. I am therefore starting this blog as a "meeting point" for ex-colleagues to share their memories and not to wait till we meet at such unhappy occasions.
Initials are used for the purpose of referring to specific persons; if you are unable to identify the person behind the initials, then you probably should not be reading this. I will concede, however, that there may be initials which will stump some of you. For example, "S3". Not "Ass3" mind you, but "S3". You may, however, use the former but only at your own peril. It may cost you an arm and a leg. Literally! I will attempt to provide clarifications for the use of such initials if so required.
If any of you are unhappy with the contents of this blog, you are free to request a meeting over lunch - the cost of which will be born entirely by you. No Dutch affair otherwise I will send you to Holland. If you think that you may resort to the use of violence in your effort to resolve any issue (I can, as of now, think of only one person), please let me know in advance. No, I will not bring reinforcement. I am no coward. I will just have to bring the right weapons.
Last week I received a call from LT (aka "S3") asking after me and expressing joy in hearing my very "clear and strong voice" which was a good indication that my health situation is much improved.
I am very much into jogging.....and preparing to take part in the next SCB Marathon! No la, not the full marathon but 10 km only! I don't want to die yet. I am also making good use of the two excellent badminton rackets given to me as farewell gifts and LL can vouch for my continued prowess on the court. I am hitting my targets with greater accuracy than before although I hasten to add that it is certainly not entirely attributable to the use of my new rackets. Rather, it is due to my new tactics on the court. Whenever I have an opportunity to return with a smash, I just have to imagine that the person on the other side of the net is my nemesis. And because that nemesis is larger than life, again literally, the target will be hard to miss. Tell me, how do you miss a mountain? So, my game has improved. Thank you, nemesis, friend, LT aka S3! I am taking a risk here in referring to her as S3 - the last person to call her that is no longer in the company's employment. And since I am already in that very situation, what have I got to lose? An arm and a leg?
Talking of legs, once at a regional meeting, one of the participants from another country who was not aware of my medical condition, commented on the way I was walking. "KK, can I ask if there is anything wrong with you? You are walking as if one leg is shorter than the other." LT was within earshot and immediately replied, loudly, for the benefit of all and sundry "NO LA! WHAT ONE LEG SHORTER THAN THE OTHER! BOTH LEGS ARE ALSO VERY SHORT!"
And that, my friends, conclude my first posting. Just wanted to give you an example of how this so called friend, LT aka S3, is also my so called nemesis. Sigh!
Initials are used for the purpose of referring to specific persons; if you are unable to identify the person behind the initials, then you probably should not be reading this. I will concede, however, that there may be initials which will stump some of you. For example, "S3". Not "Ass3" mind you, but "S3". You may, however, use the former but only at your own peril. It may cost you an arm and a leg. Literally! I will attempt to provide clarifications for the use of such initials if so required.
If any of you are unhappy with the contents of this blog, you are free to request a meeting over lunch - the cost of which will be born entirely by you. No Dutch affair otherwise I will send you to Holland. If you think that you may resort to the use of violence in your effort to resolve any issue (I can, as of now, think of only one person), please let me know in advance. No, I will not bring reinforcement. I am no coward. I will just have to bring the right weapons.
Last week I received a call from LT (aka "S3") asking after me and expressing joy in hearing my very "clear and strong voice" which was a good indication that my health situation is much improved.
I am very much into jogging.....and preparing to take part in the next SCB Marathon! No la, not the full marathon but 10 km only! I don't want to die yet. I am also making good use of the two excellent badminton rackets given to me as farewell gifts and LL can vouch for my continued prowess on the court. I am hitting my targets with greater accuracy than before although I hasten to add that it is certainly not entirely attributable to the use of my new rackets. Rather, it is due to my new tactics on the court. Whenever I have an opportunity to return with a smash, I just have to imagine that the person on the other side of the net is my nemesis. And because that nemesis is larger than life, again literally, the target will be hard to miss. Tell me, how do you miss a mountain? So, my game has improved. Thank you, nemesis, friend, LT aka S3! I am taking a risk here in referring to her as S3 - the last person to call her that is no longer in the company's employment. And since I am already in that very situation, what have I got to lose? An arm and a leg?
Talking of legs, once at a regional meeting, one of the participants from another country who was not aware of my medical condition, commented on the way I was walking. "KK, can I ask if there is anything wrong with you? You are walking as if one leg is shorter than the other." LT was within earshot and immediately replied, loudly, for the benefit of all and sundry "NO LA! WHAT ONE LEG SHORTER THAN THE OTHER! BOTH LEGS ARE ALSO VERY SHORT!"
And that, my friends, conclude my first posting. Just wanted to give you an example of how this so called friend, LT aka S3, is also my so called nemesis. Sigh!
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