Food for the needy? Singapore style?

Today I went to visit my client and their foreign worker gave me a packet of biscuit. They said that an organization gave them 5 cartons of it. I took a closer look, it is going to EXPIRE TOMORROW.

The giver will say: I know it is going to expire but don't waste, give to these people they will be happy one. in their country they don't have this.

The receiver will say: Thank you so much, you are so generous.

The giver's heart says: You see? don't waste food. If I give this to other people, they will not appreciate. I give to these people and they treasure it.




My heart says:

- There shouldn't be the case of food wastage if inventory and logistic management are properly planned.

- Giving away the expired food to innocent people will make the giver less guilty; reducing their guilt of poor management and food wastage, and able to answer to their boss.

- this is unethical!
 

This goes the same when Singapore calls for humanitarian aids from the public, asking for food and clothings to assist other country that struck with natural disaster, then the public will make use of this chance to 'give away' their unwanted clothes.

Food for Thoughts?

A night with Tanglin Secondary School

20150611, we went to attend Tanglin's night of performing arts. For a moment I thought, how much did the school pay for these performers? They are simply professional. National day Parade standards! I envy the performers that they are able to smile when they perform, because when I was in the military band of Tanglin, the mouth piece is always sticking on my mouth.

I joined the band because Mr Lee, then the principal, told us that there will be a very beautiful music room and can play under the nice weather. My friends told me that band always got alot of practice and can skip class for practice. Being a 13 years old, I am lured to it.

Practice and practice and practice... Actually I don't know practice for what!  The only chance is to wear nice uniform and perform during speech day,now known as the archiver's day. I remembered performing at the old Queenstown 'ta zhong' shopping, at the hdb void deck, at a fun fair in a open space in clementi. What is more exciting is the Singapore youth festival in secondary 2 and national day Parade in the national stadium in sec 4. This is the only motivation. Seldom, I hear cries and applause of being 'needed' as a group performer.

I love attending band practice because I can meet friends for non academic activities. Also I can be close to my puppy love... Heee.... It also taught me team work and responsibilities.

What I witnessed yesterday was a mind crash. It was absolutely entertaining. No wonder Tanglin has built a number of professional performers, now in TCS. They are able to express their talent. This is somehow what academic cannot justify....by the numbers of applause? You know what I mean if you are a performer.

End of this big show, something really touched my heart is when different group of performing arts presented their certificate of achievement from the National standard to the principal. What they have achieved, they give it to the principal. I feel so proud at that point and must say that the principal also felt honored for what her students did, for the school, Tanglin secondary school.

We also got a chance to meet ex teachers. Remembered Mr Singh? Come on, only one Mr Singh. Teaching lower secondary. I took his literature class (boring)  and didn't really pass the subject. At that time, he had a big turban and big beard. Yesterday, he had the same. We chatted a little and I have to guess his age. Actually, he looked the same with hi turban and beard and the sturn look with the perfect English accent. Literature is one of the lesson that I will find way to smoke out and avoid eye contact when he asked questions. He is now 78 and super fit.

I saw Mr Goh, teaching me physics. His famous quote is :eany questions?! (with an accent). Slim and fair with high forehead, still looking fit.

Mr See It Kee was my form teacher. To many of us, he was a steady person. I met him a few times in private functions and he is enjoying his retirement with the grand children.

Miss Leong, Mr Chan (don't have to mention his nick name), Mr Tan Puay Eng is still serving Tanglin. They are the ones that really go all the way and we must go back and say thank you to them.

Tanglin... It remains... The school grey is always on my heart, where I grew up with and had a great time in my life.

From the above, you will know how much I scored for my GCE O'Levels.

Don't say Bo jio for that night... Next year must come ahh!

It's all about Teddy going Japan

Teddy loves photo opportunity.

But she has PPE (personal protective equipment). She is afraid of water and dust. water will make her shrink.

Her PPE is this ziplock bag and she insisted to be weighed with the luggage and boasting on how light she is to travel with.

Teddy wants to be hanging with other toys and says: look, I attract more attention than the locals.

Teddy wants a photo opportunity. She has not seen a Japanese deer in Nara. At the same time, she is afraid that the dear will bite her off.

Teddy says: don't worry. someone will buy food for them. they will not eat grass again.

Nagoya castle with Teddy. shhhhh, Teddy did not tell you that inside the castle there is a lift and it is like a modern building.

Teddy loves being in the photo. She wants to boast to her friend that she has been here and there. after the photo, she immediately goes back into the ziplock bag, afraid of getting dirty and insisted to be inside our bag. she is afraid that we lost her.

Teddy wants to take photo with the group of students that are visiting Daikaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, but shy. too many of them as it was a Saturday morning.

At least, she can take pictures with little animals of the same size.

Teddy tells me: its clean here. Although there is not much rubbish bin, but the people don't litter.

but you see, Teddy is afraid of dirt. that is why she is sitting on a piece of paper.

At Tenryu-ji Temple, the garden is worth a 30 minutes walk. Teddy sits on this pole for a photo shoot but falls because of the wind. it took quite an effort for us to take this photo.

Gravels can represent waves.

Instead of saying 'cheese', now we say: 'Asahi'!

Teddy wanted to try the free beer after visiting the Asahi beer factory at Suita, very near Osaka. Reservation needed for being polite. She didn't want to listen to the beer making procedure and the history because camera was not allowed. She only wants to tell her friend that she has been here, did it and tick on her check list.

Maybe glass is too small and she can't reach the beer.

At last she found a Japanese friend of the same size. Japanese Whiskey is world famous.

So Teddy, where have you been?

I bet she can't answer. She just love being in the pictures.

Best Kobe Beef and cheap

Hi, very interestingly, Kobe is a very nice place that i liked, compared with Osaka and Nara, even i love nature of Nara.

what is even more interesting is this small little local eatery off the street, someone foot my bill!

My sense just directed me into this place.

Japan is another shock to me. there are many inspiring moments. maybe i need a beer or 2 to write about it. now my mind is full about work... 

Need Hope Too to get me back dreaming and inspiring.

Will try to write about it.

Leaving Singapore. migrate to Alistan.

It really hurts whenever I hear friend telling me:

I am going to migrate.

Today when I met up with a friend, he shared with me about how upset he is when he didn't get some documentation completed for the migration process. I shared with him my experience in that country that he intend to lived in, especially being a new migrant and carries a 2nd class citizen in the new country, not on paper but on the face.

His dad, came to join in the conversation. very soon, he showed his frustration about being in Singapore. He felt betrayed, he felt cheated. After being a honest and hard working blue coller owner of a small enterprise of 30 years, this is his final straw. He told me how the current policies had affected his life and how this country, my country, our country had been managed from his point of view.

I kept quiet, holding both hands together and looked on the floor when he talked about it. I did not dare to look at his eyes but i can feel his frustration. I feel so ashamed not able to let him feel that this is his home, my home and our home.

I am very sad.