What is the true meaning of Christmas?
When R threw the question up yesterday during the programming meeting, I realised that I had actually been thinking about that sub consciously.
I always thought of Christmas as a time to get together with friends and family to celebrate the birth of Christ.
But since this way, my family is going to be away, I am thinking maybe not. Maybe its not about parties, or get togethers, or sing a longs, or present buying.
Maybe its a reminder of what God did. And yes, it still amazes me that He did it.
So as I fling myself into preparing for the Christmas service and the musical, I am going to remember that.
It's all about the promise. And how He kept it to me.
Tuesday, November 18
Friday, November 14
Thursday, November 13
I feel pretty and witty and gay
Yes, I do. I think somehow talking to grouchy people and ungrouching them energises me. Am I really made for front line work? I dunno.
But I also realised that my pants are looser and my bra feels more spacious? Am I losing weight *GASP*? Quick, bring out the ice cream and cake! lol
I met a friend, S, on the bus today, who in the midst of all our bitching about work, said something real sweet to me. She said I inspired her to start blogging. How cool is that, huh?
Oh, and I finally had a chance to have a normal personal conversation with M today. She is actually quite nice leh. Maybe its just the company she keeps that I can't stand. Hmmm.
So I am gonna full on busy for the next month or so, what with 3 events at work, One Christmas musical, one little boy's room renovation to undertake.
Hey, maybe I should post pictures of Hanan's room as it looks now and you all can give me tips on what I can do to transform it. All on a shoe string budget of course.
But I also realised that my pants are looser and my bra feels more spacious? Am I losing weight *GASP*? Quick, bring out the ice cream and cake! lol
I met a friend, S, on the bus today, who in the midst of all our bitching about work, said something real sweet to me. She said I inspired her to start blogging. How cool is that, huh?
Oh, and I finally had a chance to have a normal personal conversation with M today. She is actually quite nice leh. Maybe its just the company she keeps that I can't stand. Hmmm.
So I am gonna full on busy for the next month or so, what with 3 events at work, One Christmas musical, one little boy's room renovation to undertake.
Hey, maybe I should post pictures of Hanan's room as it looks now and you all can give me tips on what I can do to transform it. All on a shoe string budget of course.
Wednesday, November 12
Blessed Day
It has been a blessed day away from the petty politics of my office, at the front line of the Lexus Cup and I am grateful for every minute of it. Sure, people can be unreasonable, but I love explaining things to them and seeing their countenance change and become friendly as they understand and accept my explanations.
I acutally do enjoy front line work, especially when its something as joyous as giving away free passes. I think I will be singing a different tune if I was delivering bad news instead.
Meanwhile, although I have seen an itinerary, I am not sure if they are actually going yet.
We'll see.
I acutally do enjoy front line work, especially when its something as joyous as giving away free passes. I think I will be singing a different tune if I was delivering bad news instead.
Meanwhile, although I have seen an itinerary, I am not sure if they are actually going yet.
We'll see.
Tuesday, November 11
Overheard on the bus
There were these two young Filipino students on the bus today. One was sitting in the front seat that faces the whole bus. The other was standing near the exit door. Strangely, neither of them beleived that this was inappropriate for having a loud conversation about justice and trust. Some of it was in Tagalog, but the important bits were in English (Kinda like tamil movies, where the hero will wax lyrical about the heroine in Tamil for 6 minutes, and then end with "Actually, I lowe you."
But I digress. So this conversation, highly personal is going on. Meanwhile noone else on the bus is talking. People have unplugged themselves from earpieces to listen to the saga unfold.
F1: The thing is, I don't judge you. Why you do judge me?
F2: (Rapid fire tagalog followed by:) I am not judging you. I just need you to listen and trust me.
F1: But I don't judge you. Why are you judging?
F2: It's not about judging. Its about caring for your friends.
F1: But why do you judge? I don't judge.
(Note: F1 only had one line. But boy did he work it!)
And on and on it went. From Woodlands to Yishun MRT. Then I had to get off, so I don't know how it ended.
Did F1 feel accepted in the end for who he is?
Did F2 get the trust he so badly needed from his friend?
If anyone who was on the bus is reading this, let me know how it pans out.
But I digress. So this conversation, highly personal is going on. Meanwhile noone else on the bus is talking. People have unplugged themselves from earpieces to listen to the saga unfold.
F1: The thing is, I don't judge you. Why you do judge me?
F2: (Rapid fire tagalog followed by:) I am not judging you. I just need you to listen and trust me.
F1: But I don't judge you. Why are you judging?
F2: It's not about judging. Its about caring for your friends.
F1: But why do you judge? I don't judge.
(Note: F1 only had one line. But boy did he work it!)
And on and on it went. From Woodlands to Yishun MRT. Then I had to get off, so I don't know how it ended.
Did F1 feel accepted in the end for who he is?
Did F2 get the trust he so badly needed from his friend?
If anyone who was on the bus is reading this, let me know how it pans out.
Monday, November 10
13 days
It hit me last night, or maybe this morning, that I have Hanan for a mere 13 days more before he goes to the States with his dad for 6 long weeks.
6 weeks. Thats 42 days. Slightly more than 1000 hours.
This is the longest I will ever be separated from him. The last time was when I went to Sydney for 7 days. But that was different. That was me going away, leaving Hanan at home, not just with his Dad, but with my mum and aunts and people I trust to keep him safe. He was in a familiar environment, confident and secure.
But this! He leaves the safety of home and travels thousands of miles away, with only dad for company. He will be living with people he hardly knows, with habits he is not used to, a climate he knows nothing about. Granted, they are his dad's folks but still...
It especially bothers me that he will be under the charge of an absent-minded adult, who is not known for his attention to detail. I am afraid that Hanan will not brush his teeth, drink enough water or run a comb through his hair the whole time he is away.
13 days to instil good hourseguest habits, proper hygeine and the "don't talk to strangers" drill.
AAArgh!!!
6 weeks. Thats 42 days. Slightly more than 1000 hours.
This is the longest I will ever be separated from him. The last time was when I went to Sydney for 7 days. But that was different. That was me going away, leaving Hanan at home, not just with his Dad, but with my mum and aunts and people I trust to keep him safe. He was in a familiar environment, confident and secure.
But this! He leaves the safety of home and travels thousands of miles away, with only dad for company. He will be living with people he hardly knows, with habits he is not used to, a climate he knows nothing about. Granted, they are his dad's folks but still...
It especially bothers me that he will be under the charge of an absent-minded adult, who is not known for his attention to detail. I am afraid that Hanan will not brush his teeth, drink enough water or run a comb through his hair the whole time he is away.
13 days to instil good hourseguest habits, proper hygeine and the "don't talk to strangers" drill.
AAArgh!!!
Friday, November 7
Hanan's Halloween HorrorMask
This was Hanan's Halloween look this year. It is a werewolf, in case you don't see it. This look was brought to you by Hanan's dad, Otrie Barrett, who I think did a bang up job.
The two buckets, incidentally, were filled with toys which kept Hanan amused for about 24 hours and candies, which had him on a sugar rush all weekend.
We peeled him off the walls for school on Monday.
Thursday, November 6
Theatre Review - Avenue Q
"It sucks to be me."
For at least two weeks before Avenue Q, I had to listen to my colleague sing this one line over and over. So the musical opened this song, I couldn't help but smile, then giggle, then all out laugh at the irony of it.
Yes,it sucks to be you. But its only for now.
That's pretty much the gist of the musical. This Rent-meets-Sesame Street Braodway hit was probably a lot more edgy before being politically correct became our society's all-consuming passion.
But the shennanigans of the puppets were definitely overshadowed by the pure talent of the human cast. Especially Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut's human. And Christmas Eve - My, that woman can sing.
I hope J and A enjoyed it as much as I did. The irreverent humour and keen wit are just what we need in this tremulous and sombre times.
For at least two weeks before Avenue Q, I had to listen to my colleague sing this one line over and over. So the musical opened this song, I couldn't help but smile, then giggle, then all out laugh at the irony of it.
Yes,it sucks to be you. But its only for now.
That's pretty much the gist of the musical. This Rent-meets-Sesame Street Braodway hit was probably a lot more edgy before being politically correct became our society's all-consuming passion.
But the shennanigans of the puppets were definitely overshadowed by the pure talent of the human cast. Especially Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut's human. And Christmas Eve - My, that woman can sing.
I hope J and A enjoyed it as much as I did. The irreverent humour and keen wit are just what we need in this tremulous and sombre times.
Class Act
Remarks from Senator John McCain
November 4, 2008
Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.
My friends, we have -- we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.
This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.
I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.
A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.
Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer in my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day, though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.
Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.
I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.
It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought as hard as we could.
And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.
I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.
I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.
You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.
I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. Her husband Todd and their five beautiful children with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country.
To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.
I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.
This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.
I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it.
Tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.
And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history, we make history.
Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all very much.
November 4, 2008
Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.
My friends, we have -- we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.
This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.
I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.
A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.
Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer in my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day, though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.
Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.
I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.
It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought as hard as we could.
And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.
I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.
I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.
You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.
I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. Her husband Todd and their five beautiful children with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country.
To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.
I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.
This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.
I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it.
Tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.
And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history, we make history.
Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all very much.
Wednesday, November 5
We've only just begun.
Congratulatons Mr Obama!
You have won the US Presidency after 2 years of unchanging commitment to your campaign. You have stayed with your people, spoken your mind (sometimes to your detriment), stayed loyal to your friends, were unafriad to abandon those who let you down, and shown us all how a good looking, charming man plays his crowd.
You know Mr Obama, you remind me of another US President. A young senator from Little Rock, who, if I remember correctly was best rememebered for playing his saxophone on his campaign trail to his adoring fans. Then was till he got the White House, after which he was remembered for other kinds of play that we won't mention here.
Mr Obama, getting to the White House is fine. Being against all the right things and for all the right things is great. Being able to express yourself clearly, coherantly and with commitment is fabulous. But as some point, you will need to stand and deliver.
It bothered me, Sir, that you said you may not be able to do it in one year or one term (although I beleive you used the royal we). You see, we are kinda expecting you to now. Unlike your poor predecessor who was literally thrown into a fight or run situation with 9-11, you may have all the time in the world to implement change. (At least I pray that you do). But telling us, right after the big win, not to expect anything to happen for 4 years, it just won't do.
Mr Obama, I hope you lean in on the Lord you profess to worship when things get rough. When people realise change is painful. That there is ripping and tearing involved. When they see that their lives have to be altered whether they like it or not. I hope you depend on the Unchanging One, when that happens. Cos you won't be Mr Popular anymore. You will be the guy who acted too fast, didn't act fast enough, or did the wrong thing. And the people don't forgive easy. But God does. Seek Him diligently.
You have won the US Presidency after 2 years of unchanging commitment to your campaign. You have stayed with your people, spoken your mind (sometimes to your detriment), stayed loyal to your friends, were unafriad to abandon those who let you down, and shown us all how a good looking, charming man plays his crowd.
You know Mr Obama, you remind me of another US President. A young senator from Little Rock, who, if I remember correctly was best rememebered for playing his saxophone on his campaign trail to his adoring fans. Then was till he got the White House, after which he was remembered for other kinds of play that we won't mention here.
Mr Obama, getting to the White House is fine. Being against all the right things and for all the right things is great. Being able to express yourself clearly, coherantly and with commitment is fabulous. But as some point, you will need to stand and deliver.
It bothered me, Sir, that you said you may not be able to do it in one year or one term (although I beleive you used the royal we). You see, we are kinda expecting you to now. Unlike your poor predecessor who was literally thrown into a fight or run situation with 9-11, you may have all the time in the world to implement change. (At least I pray that you do). But telling us, right after the big win, not to expect anything to happen for 4 years, it just won't do.
Mr Obama, I hope you lean in on the Lord you profess to worship when things get rough. When people realise change is painful. That there is ripping and tearing involved. When they see that their lives have to be altered whether they like it or not. I hope you depend on the Unchanging One, when that happens. Cos you won't be Mr Popular anymore. You will be the guy who acted too fast, didn't act fast enough, or did the wrong thing. And the people don't forgive easy. But God does. Seek Him diligently.
Tuesday, November 4
Avenue Q
Watching Avenue Q tomorrow. I can't wait.
I remember a time when a production like this would never have graced our fair shores for its political incorrectness.
We have come a long way.
Full review later.
I remember a time when a production like this would never have graced our fair shores for its political incorrectness.
We have come a long way.
Full review later.
Book Review - Keeper of Dreams
I cannot express my joy at finding a copy of the collection of short stories by Orson Scott Card in the Woodlands Regional Library. I brought it home and devoured it about 4 days. All 22 stories.
I really loved the fact that Card released this anthology with a little bit of everything - a little sci fi, a little fantasy, a little drama, a little terror (as opposed to Horror, which is sick. Terror just terrifies you). And of course there are some Mormon stories, which was as much human interest as religious, so they were actually fun to read. I love the special appearances of Alvin Maker and Mack Street, characters from Card's previous novels.
Card is the consummate story-teller. His stories are meant to be read out loud, with a full cast of voices and sound effects. I can see most of them as great stage productions. I love that he makes his characters talk like regular people, even when the most irregular things are happening to them.
Read this book, people! It will entertain, sure, but it will make you think. My days have been filled with the wonderment of "what if" ever since.
Monday, November 3
Random friendship photos
There was quite alot of friendship moments in October, although I never got round to blogging about them. But isn't friendship meant to be experienced and not documented?
It was the Joshua's birthday and the goondu asked me to take him to a champagne brunch, only to realise after we got there, that champagne gives him a headache. !!! But we had a really good brunch at Oscar's. And the three boys really bonded.
(NB: Elgin, despite the way he looks, did not have a drop of alcohol)
This is Hanan and Remy living it up at the Explorer Kids thingy at Downtown East. Those two boys look so alike its scary, and they both have great easy going personalities, making them absolutely fun to hang out with.
Or the funny thing is, on our way back, they were both protesting about how un-tired they were and how I was a meanie for making them stop. And then, 5 mins later, they were like this:
And finally, our department has a dinner outing paid for by the company. We went to Ellensbrough Market Cafe where most of us ate our body weight in Durian paste. It was good!
It was the Joshua's birthday and the goondu asked me to take him to a champagne brunch, only to realise after we got there, that champagne gives him a headache. !!! But we had a really good brunch at Oscar's. And the three boys really bonded.
(NB: Elgin, despite the way he looks, did not have a drop of alcohol)
This is Hanan and Remy living it up at the Explorer Kids thingy at Downtown East. Those two boys look so alike its scary, and they both have great easy going personalities, making them absolutely fun to hang out with.
Or the funny thing is, on our way back, they were both protesting about how un-tired they were and how I was a meanie for making them stop. And then, 5 mins later, they were like this:
And finally, our department has a dinner outing paid for by the company. We went to Ellensbrough Market Cafe where most of us ate our body weight in Durian paste. It was good!
Saturday, November 1
Gone
It was only on Sunday that he was telling me that his oldest daughter just started university and he had taken a 10 grand loan against his credit card for her tuition.
He shared how he laughingly told his daughter that she knows what to do when she starts working, and that he was planning to pay the loan off with his year end bonus.
And yesterday, he was let go. Just like that. No warning, no apology.
He was one of the most hardworking guys I have met, who managed to stay on top of both the operations and the paperwork. Sure, we had our differences, but he was also professional enough to work through them and never let it get personal.
He is a good father and husband, who had put aside his career ambitions because they got in the way of the quality time with his family. I remember the countless times he opted to go home and eat with his kids rather than enjoy the five star food available to us.
I will probably never understand why they did this to him, but I can't think of anyone who deserved it less.
I will miss you, my friend. I hope our paths cross again.
Meanwhile, it leaves us all wondering - when will it be my turn?
He shared how he laughingly told his daughter that she knows what to do when she starts working, and that he was planning to pay the loan off with his year end bonus.
And yesterday, he was let go. Just like that. No warning, no apology.
He was one of the most hardworking guys I have met, who managed to stay on top of both the operations and the paperwork. Sure, we had our differences, but he was also professional enough to work through them and never let it get personal.
He is a good father and husband, who had put aside his career ambitions because they got in the way of the quality time with his family. I remember the countless times he opted to go home and eat with his kids rather than enjoy the five star food available to us.
I will probably never understand why they did this to him, but I can't think of anyone who deserved it less.
I will miss you, my friend. I hope our paths cross again.
Meanwhile, it leaves us all wondering - when will it be my turn?
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