Magical Performance by Liverpool

I am over the moon when I watched the match between Chelsea and Liverpool. My supported team- Liverpool has defied statistics and end Chelsea 87 games unbeaten Home record that has lasted for four years, eight months and six days. All thanks to a scrappy Xabi Alonso deflected shot off the unfortunate Jose Boswinga. Alas ! This is soccer, sometimes, you need a bit of luck to win a game. Liverpool has both luck and guile on their side. Although, they do not have much possession as compared to Chelsea, it was an outstanding and efficient performance by a Liverpool team lacking their star striker Fernando Torres and Martin Skrtel.

Well done Liverpool ! Keep it up and keep on going !

Secret Recipe Cafe Pte Ltd

Have you ever step into a Secret Recipe Cafe ?

Do you know that Secret Recipe Cafe Pte Ltd is this year Friend of MCYS Award holder.

Secret Recipe Cafe Pte Ltd is an extraordinary company that gives wayward youth a second chance. It has worked closely with MCYS in reinforcing rehabilitation efforts by providing the residents at Singapore Boys' Home and Singapore Girls' Home employment opportunities and on-the-Job training.

Ms Sim Sin Sin, is the CEO of Secret Recipe and is also currently a member of the ComCare Enterprise Fund Evaluation Panel. Under her sterling and visionary leadership, Secret Recipe Cafe Pte Ltd has recently set up a kitchen in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to train and employ IMH clients.

Such high level of commitment of Secret Recipe Cafe Pte Ltd and its engagement of other social enterprises has made it a deserving Friend of MCYS.

LOVE

It is a mystery why people fall in love... out of love... fall in love again... out of love again.

One may wonder why do people need to go through such experience, is it too tiring ?

I guess you might not have an explanation sometimes. You can analyse the whole day on this mystery and look for reasons and causes; you might not be able to comprehend.

In order to analyse this mystery in depth, one must understand love encompasses many things attached to it, it is more than just mere physical attraction or sums of commonalities that two people share.

Love to me is a gift, a gift to learn, to respect and an experience in life. Love has its own reasons for coming and going.

A reading from the book of Genesis (2:18-24) states that The Lord of God said : " It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helpmate."

From time to time, we need some form an assurance, someone who whispers to us that we are important and feel appreciated.

I like this quote from Bible 1 Cor 13:4:8

Love is always patient and kind;
it is never jealous;
love is never boastful or conceited;
it is never rude or selfish;
it does not take offense,
and is not resentful.

Love takes no pleasure
in other people's sins
but delights in the truth;
it is always ready to excuse,
to trust, to hope, and to endure
whatever comes.

Love does not come to an end.


Life is too short for regret.

Do tell someone you love, how much you love them, especially if you have not said it for years. Renew each day with LOVE.

My Long Time Friend Wayne Koh

Not many people in their lifetime could recall or befriend a friend for more than 25 years. I do have a friend that I can think will last for a lifetime.

I am glad to meet my old friend Wayne Koh today in a seminar. When Wayne introduced someone to me today, I told his friends that I have known Wayne since he was 7-year-old. "That is a very long time ! Wow !"exclaimed one of his friends.

I credited the fact that both of us have made an effort to keep in touch.

He informed me that he has managed to secure a permanent job and I am very happy for him... He is a fighter all his life. He has went through many upheavals in his life. I just wish that his life would be kinder for him. I have always kept him in my prayer.

May The Lord Give Him Peace !

18th October - My Beloved Late Father's Anniversary

Another 18 October has gone by. It was my late father's anniversary. Four years had passed.

My late Father has a deep influence during my adolescent . He taught me the importance of study hard / work hard for everything in life. His only regret was that his family then did not have enough money for him to further his study. He ended up only finishing his Secondary School education.

His death has a deep impact on me till now. I still miss him. His passing has somehow moved me to think, serious thinking on what legacy do I want to leave behind (like what my father has left me ... his virtues of being thrifty and strive hard in life). I do not have the answer now but I will find it someday.... ....

Riding Through the Storm Together... We shall

The meltdown of the mortgage markets was a cause of concern to many. The global financial market crisis has hit many. Recession in Singapore is almost inevitable. With raising costs in electricity, utilities, public transport and Singtel telephone bills.

How things change in a span of just months; it is not so long ago that we heard many make millions through en-bloc sales of their private properties.

Gloomy times is looming ahead and it seem to be the order of the day. Do you have a raincoat or a big enough umbrella to shelter you through the stormy months ahead. Do you have a saving that can last you at else six months ahead in times of raining day ?

I am not the best advocate - teaching people what they should but I have this compelling nature inside me to at least suggest to you reader that there is a need now to devise some well planned strategy ahead.

For example, I used to spend $7 once a week to get my car wash at the petrol kiosk. Not anymore, I only get my car wash once a month now. So I am effectively saving $21 per month. Only on weekend when I am free, I would wash my car (myself).

I often heard people saying that they cannot save. I would advise most to use your notes to pay anything that you purchase and resist the temptation to swipe the credit card. This way, you can budget your pocket better. Also you can save the coins in your little piggy bank. Do not estimate the power of accumulation. You will be surprised over a long haul of period, how much you can really save.

So let us not bask on our past glories, focus on NOW...... I believe that the sun will shine again very soon.

Lesson from Noah's Ark

How often have you seen a rainbow ?

Atmospheric conditions following normally a heavy rain occasionally favour the formation of a rainbow.

Seeing a rainbow nowaday is becoming a rare experience in our hectic schedule. Rainbow is always so unexpected and many of us miss it as we do not often venture out after the rain.

I remember reading an article from a non-friction story about people making rainbows on walls and ceiling and some would make rainbow out from some beveled glass. They will give away the beveled glass with rainbow as a gift hoping to teach unpleasant people to find pleasure in them.

Perhaps We can learn our lesson from Noah's Ark and I particularly like the pointer no 11,mention about Rainbow.


1.Don't miss the boat.
2.Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3.Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4.Stay fit When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5.Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6.Build your future on high ground!
7.For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
8.Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9.When you're stressed, float a while.
10.Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11.No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Energy Saving Tips

It is official that Singapore economy is slipping into recession. Our economy has declined for a second straight quarter for the first time in six years.

There is growing concern and fear compounded by the global financial crisis. The recent hike in the utilities bills and increase in SingTel fixed line has not alleviated such fear.

I have chanced across a useful website for energy saving for sharing.

http://www.info.hsbc.com.sg/content/singapore/commercial/livingbusiness/energy/save/em10100s.htm

Mr Tan Kin Lian

Recently learnt from my close friend that former NTUC Income Chief Mr Tan Kin Lian who retired on 28 February 2007 has one of the most impressive hit on the number of visitors visiting his blog at http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/. He has amassed an amazing 495,430 plus visitors and still counting. One has to log in and read his article to know why...

Today is your best Investment... Take Action Now !

According to Lexean magazine Issue no 13 , 2008, it stated that " As of June 2008, global food prices have risen 83% in the last 3 years." With the recent increase in the electricity tariff and public transport cost, what is next to come .... ? Are we prepare to cushion for such increase in price hike. Coupled with the global financial market crisis, is hard times ahead of us... So what would you do ? Do we just rest on our laurels and despair and do nothing.

If today is your best investment, you should grab the chance and seize the opportunity to continue to work hard. Be more sensible in making decisions so that you make every cent counts and stretch the value of your $. Also discern on your "needs" and "wants" example what is necessity or luxury items. Be sure to keep a saving bank and save up your coins and spare dollars for rainy days.

Saving needs lot of discipline. One should not splurge on big items tickets and instead to learn ways to tighten on spending. Postpone consumption is a sure way to force one to save. It is often easier say than done.