A Noisy Singaporean

Day 4 - A meeting with a legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Kareem Abdul Jaabar is a Muslim. I know that. Muslims know that Kareem and Jaabar are virtues and even names of Allah. They mean the servant of the exalted one. Awesome. In person he is 7 foot 2. The introduction that they did send Goosebumps in me. I was not keen to attend this talk but somehow, when I see the teachers walking briskly for the final keynote address, I followed and I was not disappointed.

            Kareems's message was simple. He wants Americans to know that the greatest basketball team in the world is the Harlem Rens (Harlem Renaissance) and the Harlem Globetrotters. These two teams faced tremendous difficulties demonstrating their abilities in the era where sports were segregated. However for their love of the game, these two teams persevered and made their way as becoming first class citizens and putting African American basketball players in mainstream America. Their innovation, style of play and the coach they had all contributed to their success. So keen were they to get acceptance that the Harlem Globetrotters combined comedy into their play, so that they would gain white acceptance as comedians first and sportsman later. They did have their chance and they took it and made a mark for themselves and got respect for the African American community in the process, and made basketball as one of the possible avenue for success for poor African Americans. Apparently he researched their history and had published a book on it. The story of the Harlem Rens and the Globetrotters has been made into a movie and will be screened in the first quarter of 2011. Despite selling this narrative and getting the audience enthused about the upcoming movie, he has a serious message to his audience

            His first concern was that too many African American kids have a belief that success can be achieved with a short cut. Every kid wants to become a rap artist and have Jay Zee as his or her manager. He wants Social Studies teachers to spread the message especially among inner city kids in Harlem and Bronx that there are many paths to success. There is no need to become a sportsmen or entertainer. He mentioned he had visited Jamie Escalante’s school and was stupefied when a student asked him ‘you write this book?’ (Implying that a student is amazed that an African American NBS basketball star actually wrote and published a book on the history of African American Renaissance). He also alluded to Escalante’s efforts in education by it is a powerful reminder that you can be successful in Mathematics. One need not have to be a sports star or entertainer. What the kids need to know is that with patience, integrity and the right amount of help from the teacher they can achive success.

            He feels that America can do more in getting African American students into becoming businessmen, inventors and physicians. He cited the assistant of Alexander Graham Bell who also invented the filament that was used by Edison as a black scientist. This was his second message I guessed, on top of paying homage to the greatest basketball team and putting them in a  position in the Harlem Renaissance, he was hoping for a second renaissance, where African Americans would aspire to become Mathematicians, scientist instead of sportsmen and entertainers. To him having and pursuing knowledge is power. What they can do in school and with a good education is better. He financial rewards is also guaranteed and with t

            There was also a third message and this made turned Kareem from plain vanilla into awesome Oreo Cookie and Cream Haagen Dazs in my eyes. He also wanted these African American kids who have become successful in whatever field they choose, to return to where they came from, buy real estate, improve the houses in the area, invite people to stay in them and improve the community in the process and to make a real difference in the lives of people in their community. No point he says, once you made it, ‘you go out and get yourself a huge diamond medallion and hang it around your neck’.

I thought that was like…wow!. No better way to put the concept of noblese oblige across.

            What followed was a serried of question and answer session that saw many questions being put across to him. After that, he indulged the teachers into a book signing session. Did I say that all teachers get a hardback book by him, 4 CDs and some study aids and a poster?. Yes, and his Skyhook Foundation project is partly supported by UCLA, his alma matter.

            One good question was asked by a teacher who wanted to know what he felt about the fear that Muslim kids have when they go to town in the inner city area. Below is his reply.

Another well answered questions was when we was asked what can be down with the low graduation rates among African American males in colleges but their high rates in prison. His reply “HOME” . Home factors to him are important and the part played by the father is important. He was fortunate to have a father who is a policeman who would threaten to beat him with anything that he can find. And his dad played an important role in instilling the love of Jazz and basketball in him. Being an African from the West Indies, hard work and respect for his grandmother also instilled in him a sense of urgency in wanting to go for training. These to me are cultural factors that gave him the tools and the will to succeed.

Below is his answer to one of the question being posed.

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The Blind Side - What I shared with my students this week

I think the movie was essentially about the power of the family .We all know that one stick is strong, but when you have a bundle of sticks wound together, it is almost unbreakable. A family is where you heal your wounds, recharge, and laugh together. It is a place where the big is small and the small is big. What is interesting about the Blind Side was that Big Mike did not have a family that provided him with the above. He had a plastic bag with a T Shirt and laundromart to call home (because it's warm) and he shuffles from one couch to another. (The amazing thing about him is that he stays out of trouble throughout all his life). His adoptive family the Tuohy’s provided him with all that a family should. Besides the material aspect of things (a couch which later became a bed and a room, a driving license which later became a black pickup truck, a full time dedicated tutor and many more), they made him feel like a member of the family since Day 1. There is nothing about his size or colour of the skin that separates them apart. It was hilarious when Leigh Ann uncle called up and said ‘hey do you realise that there is a coloured kid in your family Christmas card?’.

I also liked the part when big Mike was on the bed listening to Leigh Ann read the story of Ferdinand the Bull to SJ, and Collins was by the door chuckling. Yes this is what a family does together. They connect. They connect with each other's heart all the time. It is through the heart that they become stronger than they are alone. Also in  family the big becomes small. Though Big Mike is still big lying on Leigh Ann Tuohy’s bed, he still lies down with SJ listening attentively to a ‘small child’s story’ on Ferdinand the Bull. This allowed Leigh Ann to connect. To bond, family must find time to connect with each other. They can't do this if they are rushing, lacking time or either parties find the activities too boring, too lame or too childish. (Sounds familiar). I have seen strong families connect with each other simply by discussing the events in a newspaper, having dinner and even while working out their differences. Such is the strength of a family that the pros outstrips the cons. Families celebrate every success that every member achieves. In the Blind Side, the entire family went out for dinner when Big Mike was about to play football. They also rally together when there is a problem. They help one another. SJ coached Big Mike in football. Sean the father told the coach that Big Mike never played a game when the coach was aghast at Big Mike’s inability to master American football. Even Collins, despite her friends' glares and consternations, sat with Big Mike in the library knowing that he would be alone. Yes that’s what rallying together means.

So the question to you is this- You can't change very much the dynamics of the family that you are in immediately. But I am sure you can influence members to appreciate each other, like Big Mike. However, more importantly, a family is an ideal I believe in. It can exist in many forms. Who is to say that you cannot have a ‘family’ in school. Look at the features and characteristics that families do to make each member strong like in the para above. Can you achieve them with your classmates? Teachers? I'd like to believe that I can be like Leigh Ann Tuohy (though I look real ugly in a skirt) . I am talkative, frankly, but more importantly, I will shake you till you wake up from your sleep, and shake you until you achieve your very best! (I also liked the part when at the ending Leigh Ann said ‘Michael if you get a girl to bear you children out of wedlock, I will drive over here and cut of your p**** ). Like Leigh Ann she loves Mike as much as her own children and spends as much time, money and effort with him. I also believe that if that you look around, you will see many more people like me. Mrs Poh, our VPs, your Form Teachers, your Mother Tongue teachers, the security guard uncle, your counselors, your subject teachers and many more people around you. Your friends are your siblings. If you count the number of hours you spend each day in school, you spend more time with your friends than with your own siblings. And remember when Big Mike scored 98 percent for protective instincts? He told Leigh Ann not to leave the car when they were in a bad neighbourhood. Families all over, real or imaginary, protect each other. They protect their weakest member. If you can never find it in yourself to protect someone else, you can never protect yourself or defend your values at all. It is wise to remember that all the time.

Also, as I have said the movie represents a certain standard of what a family should be. I have never had such a family when I was young. I knew from the very start what type of family I wanted to create. I looked out for a girl who was tough, independent and strong-willed. One who could take care of my family when I am not around. She was the girl that became my wife. In my family, like all others, I created the rules. No eating when watching TV. No legs on the car’s dashboard and many more. I wanted to create a family as was depicted in the Blind Side. A family where every member is strong and would lead inspiring lives on their own and one where my children can achieve more than I did. Being in teaching also allows me to create a second family, one that allows me to constantly come into contact with sixteen year olds, year in and year out. Through them I see the world in a whole different way. They recharge me and push me to give my very best and remind me that I am here to help them achieve what’s important to them in this leg of life’s journey. I take this mission with a sense of duty, privilege and humility. This is not about me.

I want to let you know that if you prepare yourself well from now into adulthood by developing your character, understanding your personal weaknesses, identifying and enhancing your strengths and acquiring good paper qualifications, living comfortably and appreciating every act of kindness that has been given to you and reciprocating them, you will ultimately, in the long term, develop into fine men and women of tomorrow. You can create good self-sustaining, nourishing  families that are even better that the one portrayed in the Blind Side. Even better than mine! The best part of the Blind Side was when Leigh Ann was in the company of her friends in the club and she was told after she ticked off her friends, ‘Leigh Ann you are making a big difference in the life of that boy’ What did Leigh Ann say in return? ‘No he is making a difference in mine’. It is a profound line that is difficult to explain. Strangely, it summarized the entire show. I only truly understood its meaning when I reached 36 years old!

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The second theme about the Blind Side that made me reflect a lot is the power of attitude. Yes you have heard me saying that often repeated cliché ‘your attitude determines your altitude’. Positive attitude attracts and influences others positively. Big Mike was never angry, he never shouted, even to his enemies. ‘I had to send him home..to the bus’ he told his coach. When life makes it hard for him, he simply closes his eyes, forgets about it, forgives others and moves on. There isn’t a shadow of emotional baggage that he carries with him. He accepted his hardships, his drug addicted mother, his many siblings, his lack of a proper education in his early years, and the dismissive teachers he faced at his new school simply did not make him angry or make him sympathise with himself. Yes he did something about it. He wrote. (Remember White Walls? He wrote: "Everywhere I see white….") He tries to make the best of everything he has and never complains. Ever wondered why he wanted the bumble bee Rugby Tee Shirts? (Ask me later I will explain!). Attitude is so powerful and if you display positive attitude it does two things. It strengthens you and primes you up for the challenges that you are to face. Secondly it attracts people to you. Because he never asked for anything, he was given. Yes the small things add up. He keeps his bed neatly, folds the sheets, sits at the table when the family watches Football during Thanksgiving. He never asked for a bed or anything in the beginning. The only time he asked for something was when he wanted a driving license. Why? (Ask me later!). His attitude led to a sense of confidence that made him strong. Because he was never rude, cynical, demanding, it made others attracted to his plight and to help him. His reluctant teachers in school became his biggest supporter by the middle of the show. His ‘most hated’ teacher (the one who couldn’t give him a B but only a D+ C minus) simply couldn’t believed his eyes when he wrote his literature paper on Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem on ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’. His coach, and almost everyone else in his family and his tutor was more committed to help him because he was not a a demanding person. Often he doesn’t talk too much, he does things and shows his sincerity and effort. This makes others see him in a positive light.

Your attitude is something that you can control. Many parts of you like your face, your height, your physicality, who your family members at home are, are something you cannot control.

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But you DO HAVE control over how you display your attitude. You can mope around at home , write in your facebook wall about how sad or depressed you are, what things you want to buy, have purchased, food you have eaten and what naught, it affects your attitude and the attitude that others have towards you. The right attitude can nourish your soul and strengthen your character. Big Mike is so well developed in his character that he is strong enough to resist his gang members / family. He did not join them. He also goes back to his real mama, to protect her when she needs him. He is strong enough to accept the stares, the negative feedback, and all the nasty comments about him. But the opposite is also true. He is strong enough not to let all the compliments get into his head! He is humble, remains so, despite so many offers to play football from the university.He lets SJ negotiate on his behalf with all the top coaches (I like that part too! When all is done, he hugs his mama. And in true Big Mike way, he does it with a few words but with a lot of sincerity and genuineness. This is what all young people should aspire too.

I leave you with those two thoughts for the week. I wish you all the very best as you prepare for your Prelims and the O’s and more importantly the journey of life. Its not over until it is really over. And this journey is going to be a long one. It makes sense to have a family to go through this with you. Cheering and supporting you throughout. The only way that’s going to happen is when you demonstrate the right attitude. And it starts now.  

Yours Sincerely,

Mr Kamaludin B,
Your biggest supporter.
June 2010

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Reflectivx

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

William Blake says it best in Auguries of Innocence when he mentioned about the speed in which time flies when you can consider eternity in an hour. Also the fact that there will be those who will see a piece of sand as only a piece of sand but there will also be those who can see the world in one grain. The point I am trying to make is really about reflection, and its inherent ability to make you think about what happenned today and how its going to affect tomorrow.

Reflection is key to the growth of any person. Animals dont reflect, only humans can. It gives us an evolutionary edge among other mammals as we will not repeat past mistakes and makes us wiser through the careful consideration of our options partly by choosing among choices that maximises our happiness. At the heart of this process of choosing and considering we will have to reflect on the viability of choices that we have, the process in which we reflect upon or even the need to reflect in the first place. I look at reflection in the broadest definition of the term. It includes any activity that gives someone an insight into his own self and actions.

The blog allows me to reflect.(Not having a blog,allows me to reflect too, but in a less organsied and systematic way, I must say)  Often time when I am in front of my laptop, clarity comes in and the words started to appear. I may not  be as lucid as I was earlier in the day, but through small notes that I kept, I try my best to piece together my thoughts. For it is the thought that gives meaning to one's existence. As it was said 'You may have lived, but have you really lived?'.

Many among us are contented to live life as an organism responding only to both internal and external stimuli. We eat, sleep, make love, defecate all within a day or two. Then there are those truly remarkable individuals who given the same constraints of time who could transcend their human limitations into achieving so much for themselves and those around them. (Our holy prophet, Muhammad s.a.w.for once) For it is through the artful process of reflection, I can differentitate my life from the daily mutinae of things into something that I really own for myself. (reminds me how Hannibal Lechter uses his mind to be mentally free, though he was being incarcerated in the movie Red Dragon)  Reflection liberates and empowers me not in the same fashions as a rebellious teen, or a wandering nomad would, but one that is grounded in conscience and faith. (iman and hopefully taqwa) By reflecting, the images I see and the images I produce becomes clearer and better.

In short, blogging allows me to reflect my personal journey. If along the way I can help a fellow traveller in this journey of life, through these words of mine, then I think my job is partly fulfilled. If along the way I reflected and instead of seeing a grain of sand, I saw  jannah, then the benefits are mine to own. If along the path of reflection, I become a better person, then the benefits are to those who matter dearly to me. For whatever reasons, or benefits I need to reflect and through it I slow down time into my own palm and hopefully can see eternity in an hour.

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Hiatus

Its been a long time since I have written on my personal blog 'A Noisy Singaporean'. Part of the reason is that I have discovered facebook, and its much easier to document things there then in my personal blog. Secondly the busy-ness of the working world, exacted a toll on my time, but again as they say even Michelangelo has 24 hours. All these I feel are excuses for not updating. However since this is my blog, do I really have to give a reason why I dont update? After all shouldn't I decide what I should put on it? and when I should? Do I have to justify to myself?

Upon pondering, and moving beyond the obvious reasons for not updating, I really can finger four possible reasons; firstly there were simply too many changes for me to update, reflect and write about. Yes its been about having Rayn, moving house, changing working environment, kids moving on to higher level of education, Faiz new working place, and the list goes on. It's been such a roller coaster that makes it seemingly difficult to give a polaroid shot of what is happening. And the emotions that goes with these changes ranges from tense excitement to sometimes brooding melancholy. Yes at some level it depresses me thinking that there are memorable moments in my life that I should but was not documenting.

The second reason for not blogging has partly to do with the notion of whether teachers should blog in the first place?. There has been, and I am sure even now teachers blogging and ranting off things that simply lowered their professional image. Teacher bloggers who ventilated on line have given the entire teaching fraternity who blogged a really bad reputation. I even went through a phase when I feel that I should stop blogging. But, since the inception of my blog in 2006, I have never ventilated or even suggest anything negative about teaching, my colleagues, my students or my bosses. These are things that are offline and out of bounds for public display. What you will see, if you plough through these pages of mine, is  a sort of album pics with a cheerful orientation to them (notice that every post has a pic?) and everyone looks good in them? If there was an earlier mission in having this blog in the first place (besides experimenting with a new technology and letting the techie in me out), it was instead to show that we teachers have 3 dimensional lives and one that is lively and enriching. As we wear many hats, from teaching, being a friend, buddies, army-bros, colleagues, father and son, I wanted the world to see this multi-dimensionality part of me that they normally would not get when I am performing one of the roles mentioned earlier.

My third reason for not blogging as much is the feeling that comes with 'been there and done that'. The excitement of showing where you've been, what food is on your dinner table, what new 'toys' you have, the funny signboards along East Coast Park, etc has waned off. This blog-whoring of myself, replete with pics, sort of annoys me, the more I think of it. My N95 which has an instant blog-send feature stopped sending pics even though it was 'blog-worthy'. Again the feeling of repulsion grew, as I questioned why I should post and tell the world that I am having a great time? or having an insightful moment?. As mentioned earlier, I can do it quickly via Facebook. Also why would a 36 year old person behave and act like 16 year olds in exhibiting his life online?, in the same manner? How would taking a picture of 'Milo Dinosaur' and posting it under Food make a difference to my life and those who read it?

Finally and the most important reason for hiatus is that of the feeling of nothing to give anymore. (Cant remember but sounds like it came from a lyric of a song) I have read in John Maxwell's books that to share anything, you must have something to give in the first place. 2007 to early 2008 was a real tough year. Emotionally I felt pressed, wedged in the middle by so many demands imposed on me. (At times I could hardly breathe). Some constants in my life have been shaken. Pysically I was out of shape. Gained lots of weight, wasnt exercising  and was out of whack. Dont really feel good about myself, so then, how can I share? how to look perky? or sound chirpy online?. Spiritually I was feeling low, , or have I strayed away from him? Why didnt prayers work on me? Why could I get back the emotional satisfaction that I was seeking? and what was justifiably mine? So the short stump, is that when I felt and became drained, there was a feeling that there is nothing to share. Hence hiatus was the outcome.

But for my own sake, I had to will myself to  move on, and  the need to look ahead becomes even more critical. I had to dig deep inside me to bring out had always made me tick - my faith!. I have to put myself together and late last year, the answers came falling in place .... like the unexpected rainbow that I saw outside my house (see pic), emerging after the tropical storm. Continue to blog into my side. You will see what beautiful posts on the wonderment of live and living it to the fullest according to God's will. Insy'allah

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Me doing great

Since the NDP festivities is in the air, its been great for the last 43 years. ( I have been around in the last 36 of them) Though the 'Singapore system' doesn't allow much political expression, (and this is really not my peeve)..I want to say thank you for the powers that be for allowing me to live the life I want to live, raise my children in a safe and positive environment, to own property, have good medical healthcare and finally practise my religion to the fullest extent possible. For all these and the magical moments that I get everyday with my students and friends, its feel good to be a noisy singaporean.

Anderson has been a great working environment for many reasons, and like swiss I am thankful to all who made it a wonderful place to work and teach.

One significant thing that happened over the last week, was I got my facebook account. So lets be friends ok.

Cheers!

whats up with me :)

Hi Everyone,

Yes I know, its been a long time since I posted. Between Jan to now, I was away for about half a year, and Yypepad is making lotsa money off me. I like to begin by saying some apologies.

1) To Iskandar Zulkarnaen- I am so sorry of not being able to contact you in time for your wedding. Really if anyone out there knows his email add, please forward to me at kmaludin@starhub.net.sg. Somehow, typepad dont allow me to contact you, even if you leave comments to me.. duh!. I wish you all the best in your future endevours!

2) To Hannah, Michelle and guys of RJC 2AO1E, class of 98. So sorry again for being out of touch. Met Mich at Park Mall the other day, got her card, hope to meet up with you guys soon. Dont forget wedding invites..yeah?

3) Huay Ting - Swiss. Again I know you tried hard to contact me, but was really busy (still no excuse). Please  email me straight at kmaludin@starhub.net.sg. Promise i will get back to you, ASAP.

4) Yep, for those of you who might have heard or not, I left Swiss on 23rd June 2008. I joined my new school Anderson Sec, as Head Humanities. No particular reason why I moved, just that being in Swiss for 5 and the half years was a good, satisying experience, and I felt that I needed to move on, and to experience new things. (BTW I spent 5 years in RJC too). Its the Mr K's 5 year plan I guess:) .. (in the same league as Lenin's, Stalin's 5 year plan)

5) Lots of things developing on the home front. I will post some pics soon. Also I finally got my Mac (whoo hoo!!). Mac rox!.. Fir got circumscised inJune.. Rayn can walk and Dot is looking ever prettier.

6) Leave comments ya.. so I know, and really I am hoping to meet up as many of you soon. Taiti anyone? .. hahahah!!!

First Week of Holz

okie. here's the run (pun well intended) down. Its been a great week where I felt energized. I am now loving something that I used to hate - exercise!!. I would jog to West Coast Park. Here I would choose route A or B. B is a longer one that brings me to the playground at McDonalds and a nice view of the shoreline and the beautiful yachts at RYC. B is  the shorter route that cicrles the pond and the dog park at the end of the running track. Both routes are perfect at 5-6 pm daily. Yesterday was great cos I managed to run all the way, along pasir panjang road, past heng mui keng and up the hill next to Hon Sui Sen library. The incline of the hill really worked my butt muscle off. But the feeling of reaching the top and seeing the clock 29:57 was exhillirating. My workout yesterday was legs. So I did, hip adduction, leg presses, and intersperse with Lat pulldowns. I can feel my strength coming back and its great.

Just to add, I spend the whole afternoon 1-4.30pm watching prison break - the concluding episodes. The finale SONA was really exasperating @#$!%%!%!. Yes there will be season 3...escape from SONA.

But if there is anything to go by, besides Fir and Dot's exam, things are great at home and I am enjoying the holz so far..

Holz COming and Me Plans!

OKie...here's the exciting bit...the holz are coming and what strikes me most is that I need to plan what to do before all of it goes to smoke..coz they can travel real fast. The inalienable truth is that I do procrastinate and when that happens most of theplans go into smoke. SImply put my plan revolves around Me, Family and Frens. IN this post I intend to yabber about what I am going to do with myself this Holz.

Firstly I want to...no Need To...No No ...HAVE TO get back in shape. Yes I finally have started running Last Monday was an epochal day. On the 22nd Oct I ran for 35 minutes at West Coast Park, which is a 4 minutes walk from my place. And yep I could feel the snag in my arteries around my chest. NOT Good..But I slowed down and walked to NUSS!. Yep walk I did. There I tried the machines. Lats pulldown, shoulder press and leg press. And guess what, the very next day, my body was screaming in pain. Late Onset Muscle Lactose Production was what the gym guys said. Anyway it feels good (minus the pain) to have all the energy on Tuesday.I mangaed to complete what I set out to do at work..The adage a healthy body leads to improved work performance is true. And Wednesday I did a follow up to my NUSS gym workout, though I warmed up witha 15 minutes run at West Coast Park, with Fir on the bike trailing me. I intend to go gym today and do a good workout. SO that will be a new record for me. 3 sessions in 4 days. I rewarded myself with buying a Nike Airmax360 at Queensway Shopping Centre and a Nike trackpants...$300 vanished!..

Where is all of this going? Simple - I have neglected my body long enough, Now I am taking charge. Just want to look good in a T shirt. And to have lots of energy to do all the things I wanna do. Its strange but I know that once I am back in shape, I feel more, love more, feel happy more and seriously enjoy more of life. I intend to post daily of my gym workout sessions on this blog and what I am doing to my body.

The second indulgence is to catch up on lost TV!!!!. I will be watching;
1) Prison Break (2nd Season)
2) Heroes
3) EPL,Champions Leage (now I have smart TV)
4) 300
5) Ugly Betty (Season 1), this holz. I will be renting them at Video Ezy at River Valley (my usual haunt) and will be watching them with Fir and Dot. Faiz will watch... occassionally.

3rd thing - My IT setup. Yes I am waiting for the IT Fair to hit town and also now that Leopard OSX 10.5 is out , I will finally be getting my 24 inch iMac. Fir and DOt will get a 20 inch. My printer is a Networked HP300EN colour laser. All 3 pcs are connected via Ethernet cables not wireless. I hope to be able to have a LAN gaming party at home.

4th -- havent thought yet.But the prospect of thinking what to do is an exciting one. i will post more this holz so do drop in.

Deleting Memories? or Dawn of a new era?

8:43 AM Wednesday, June 27, 2007 27062007911

I last set foot on Seagull avenue way back in 1991 when I was doing 5BX in the old SAFTI. I remembered the time when we purposedly would shout louder every time we jogged past the SAFINCO's bunks. Oh Boy, things have really changed when I realised SAFTI field is now a small carpark with a massive TRADOC building. What was once Tango company and SAFTI Medical centre is now a part of CIG, SIW and what-nots. For nostalgic sake I walked to my old Sierra Company line facing Bravo back then in 1991 and yes! the building still stands, but its some sort of facilities housing CAG, WOS. Even Gazelle Company bunk has been converted. I will never forget the slope behind Sierra where we would climb and the long road where we did our defaulters for sleeping during our CO's address. Ok boy! thats a long time ago.. the School of PTI is now gone, together with its pool that I remembered being next to G Company. I am not being nostalgic here, just to say that in a decade the place where I did OCT has been irrevocably changed. It is no denying that what has been torn down has been replaced with excellent grade A facilities. I cursed at all those who now use the spanking facilities and the aircon PLMC! Blardi hell... we have to sweat whenever we report sick. To follow down this nostalgic path, I shudder to think what has happened to ITD in Tekong?. I was from Foxtrot at Camp 1 - the kampong style barracks that housed me and 40 others way back in Mar 91. I should think that the SAF had bulldozed them and recently I chanced upon the encounter to visit OSB in Sungei Kadut. What I saw were two dilapidated camps on either side of the road. The guard room still stands, together with the MT and SOT block but in its place emptiness and OSB 3 Sub with its curved metallic shells witnessed hollow ruins and dove nests.

It is strange why these empty, old, worn down buidlings would mean anything to me. After all isnt the human race meant to progress? and be practical? If a facilities has run its usefullness date, should it be torn down and upgraded for the benefit of its future users?, or better still shut down if its functions that it no longer needs? Yes that is the practical argument, but for those 18 year olds who made those barracks their temporrary home away from home, the guard posts where they did sentry, and the sick bay that they report sick and the parade square that they kena 'knock it down' the place holds a certain magical quality. As run down as it was even back then, the idea of being 18 and doing NS with your freinds is one that I hold very dear. Being able to clear 2.4 km under 11 minustes and SBO in full gear and high port towards the finishing line and going to the canteen for lunch sweating, speaks of the innocence of youth and pre-adulthood. For some it may be working in a garage, or surfing the waves, for me 18 something years old was spent in infantry unit - training and preparing. This idea may seem ridiculous to some. And I really do understand, but the chance to romanticise the past and to store my 'lost youth'  before my 'lost memory' takes over, is an overt attempt to beat whaetever clandestine plans the URA or SAF has to systematically make me gabra everytime I enter an SAF camp. In the debate between efficiency and useable nostalgic quirkiness, I'd choose the later over the former anytime!..."We shall not be moved"...........Haiyea!!

Blogging and what is happening to me ...

Dear Peeps, My last blog entry was 27/2 and today its been 3 months since I have wriiten anything or post any stuff. Well on the record I have been really busy. Lots of stuff been happening on the professional, personal and family front. For starters our home was undergone an En-Bloc sale. (my be yipee to many but a big headache to faiz and me), and other stuff lar. But still not excuse not to periodically update my thoughts. I am looking forward to fill in this loss time line once mid year examinations are over and you bet during the June holidays. I will also detail baby Rayn, and how he is faring as well as fir's and dot's antics. On the global thought I am thinking of doing an op-ed on Globalization, and the radicalisation of Islamic thought and also why Mediacorp should screen Prison Break 2 earlier at 10 instead of 11.30 (shucks!). I intend to put up a section on my wishlist. Yes I have lots of them, esp clothes and yep..BOSE sound system. Its Awesumm man. Perhaps a movie section? .. faiz and me caught Priceless starring French actree Audrey Tatou and yes we both enjoyed it - all the consumerist tinge like The Deveil Wears Prada but really a good show nonetheless. I also recovered Faiz old handphone and in it a gem of pictures of our lives together that I intend to post. I may consider our early courting pictures...but well see if she feels comfortable in displaying them.

All in all its been a long absence in cyberworld that I intend to fill up. New additions will spring up and yes I am glad that Hannah and Michelle had dropped in to say hello. We will meet up soon yar? So from the noisy singaporean, we will get noisier yar? Cheers :) .