Past few months has been rather busy and hectic. With wave after wave of activities and of course exciting happenings. Now, i'm looking forward to my Korea trip on Sun. Bet it's gonna be another wonderful time to experience God.


But before that, I need to clear off some work first. And that's what I've been busy with this entire week...

Silent Courage

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."

- Mary Anne Radmacher

A friend of mine put up this quote as her status in Facebook. As I reflect upon the meaning of these words, I can't help but be reminded of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi; a Nobel Peace prize winner, pro-democracy leader of Myanmar whose party won a landslide victory during the country's last election. However, instead of being named Prime Minister, she was put under house arrest for a total of 13 years since 1990 when the military junta (military dictatorship regardless of structure) refused to recognized her party's victory. Despite international pressures and calls from Asean to release her, the junta is constantly extending the duration of her detention indefinitely.

Her latest six-year period of detention was due to expire on May 27. However, in the latest turn of events, the Nobel laureate is once again in the limelight when the junta attempt to extend her detention, this time to past the elections on 2010. Her charges? "(she) is accused of breaching the terms of her house arrest after American John Yettaw swam to her lakeside home earlier this month, a charge which could see her jailed for between three and five years." (source: AFP - Tuesday, May 19) I could have exploded in anger and injustice seeing these being done in broad daylight. Added to the fact that Ms Suu Kyi is already at the old age of 63 with "suspect health problems". Not only are they refusing her release, they are also refusing her medical care in a proper hospital. And for whatever dumb reason that American decided that one day he will swim across to the house and get himself a leg cramp, not knowing the trouble he will bring to the occupants within, how can she be blamed for this? They have been doing such a good job isolating her in that crumbling house, how is it possible for her to communicate with anyone? Much less arranging for someone to "breach the terms of her house arrest". It's like you being grounded by your parents in the house and someone pops over to visit you. So, you get caned for it cos you didn't inform him/her not to come, when you don't have access to any external communication device in the first place! Do you really need a court trial to reach that conclusion? Unless they are looking for something more.

Again, this is not a political article on the values of democracy versus autocracy, but I'm touched by Ms Suu Kyi's courage and determination amidst this political furore. In her brief public appearance while in transit to Insein prison, she spoke to affirm and encourage her family members and supporters, telling them not to worry about her health. It is unthinkable that someone who is subjected to such an injustice and suffering such as hers will think of others and put others above her at moments like these. And yet she did. She calmly took upon the charges (which I found to be totally ludicrous) thrown at her and still maintained on using peaceful methods in resolving conflicts. Stark contrast to another Taiwanese politician I know who tried to incite the people against the government. She knows not the date when democracy will eventually arrive in her country. She knows not the date when the junta will finally decide to release her. She knows not even whether she will see her loved ones and family again. However, she has the silent courage to continue living everyday, saying that "I will try again tomorrow".

My expensive hobby

I once said that every guy has his own expensive hobby. Unlike girls, we don't usually shop much, don't splurge on spas, facials, hairdos etc. Though this may have changed a little with our generation being more metro-sexual, but by and large, most guys I know don't engage in those activities. Instead, they have expensive hobbies. From collecting transformer toys, to car models, to real cars, to musical instruments to watches to whatever you can think of. If it is anything vintage or expensive, you can be sure someone is collecting it. Perhaps it stems from our stamp-collecting roots or just our inherent nature to own expensive stuff, we guys have expensive hobbies.

Perhaps I'm just using this as a stage front to introduce my own expensive hobby. First, let me explain what I meant by "expensive". 1. It cost a significant portion of your salary, 2. Once you start, you can't stop and 3. You can actually live without it (though most swear that they can't). They contribute to a considerable portion of your "fixed expenses" that you find it hard to get rid of every month. You feel good when you buy but hate yourself at the end of the month for getting it. And you are buying it not with the sole intention of making money from it.

So, with all that being said, I like to say that I love Board games! Yup, though it's no secret to my friends by now but I really really like them. Unknowing I've spent over S$400 acquiring my games and I've no plans to stop. Already, my humble little closet space is no longer enough to contain my ambitious plans to expand my collection. I've plans to deviate from my "strategy games only" career path to acquire a few "family games" or "party games" which are short and fun. This will give a broader spectrum to my existing collection. And also, it has been my desire to get cooperative games. Most of the games I see in the market are competitive in nature; you beat other players to win, it'll be nice to play something cooperative once in a while.

On top of collecting and playing board games, I also like to watch people play. I like to see who are the "strategists", or the "Lucky dukes". Or the loudhailers versus the silent killers. Because I believe that to a certain extend, games reveal true character. Through playing games, we can know each other and ourselves better. And bonds can be built through playing together too. The flexibility and scalability of boardgames make it possible for all kinds of occasions; be it a nice and cosy get-together session or massive group outings, or a simply stay home night, boardgames can play a part to make these activities fun and memorable.

To conclude, I'd like to humbly list out the boardgames that I have in my collection and I invite my fellow boardgaming enthusiasts to also do the same. Let's bring the fun and joy of boardgaming to more people around! =)

My humble collection (in no order of preference):

01. Saboteur

02. Magblast

03. Citadel

04. Condottiere

05. Munchkin

06. Werewolves

07. Bohnanza

08. Agricola

09. Puerto Rico

10. Bang!

Job Available: Island Caretaker

Found this on Straits Time online.
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Jan 13, 2009
'Best job in the world'

SYDNEY - AN AUSTRALIAN state is offering internationally what it calls 'the best job in the world' - earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays AUD$150,000 (S$156,646) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government said on Tuesday. In return, the 'island caretaker' will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of 'a few minor tasks' - and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

'They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors,' said acting state Premier Paul Lucas. 'The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this undoubtedly the best job in the world.'

Mr Lucas said the campaign was part of a drive to protect the state's AUD$18 billion a year tourism industry during the tough economic climate caused by the global financial meltdown. 'Traditional tourism advertising just doesn't cut it sometimes and we are thinking outside the box by launching this campaign.'

Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said some people might question whether it was risky to let an unknown person become an unofficial tourism spokesperson for the state. 'I think the biggest risk will be that the successful candidate won't want to go home at the end of the six months,' she said.
'This is a legitimate job which is open to anyone and everyone.' Applications are open until February 22. Eleven shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six month contract will commence on July 1.
Job-seekers can apply on www.islandreefjob.com. -- AFP
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Actually went to the website and check it out. It is really a legitimate job offer and to date, more than 19,000 applicants have applied. Interested applicants have to send in a homemade 60-second video footage depicting why they should be selected. Just for fun, I scanned thru the video applications sent from SG, in an attempt to spot any of my friends applying for the job.

Looking at the "job description", "perks" and "office" provided, I was totally bought to the idea of working there for 6 months. I mean, how cool is that? Imagine living for 6 months on a beach where you get to dive, snorkel, frolic in the sand... You are paid S$6.5k per week (Salary paid fortnightly) and all you have to do is blog and take photos! Who needs to give tuition or scrimp and save for that dream holiday?

Sounds like a dream come true, or a fantastic marketing gimmick because all of a sudden, every one is interested to find out about this Great Barrier Reef. The practical side of me will ask: What will happen to me 6 months later? Where will I work? And does "frolicking in the sand" looks good on my next resume? haha.. Well, just for fun, I'll still like to indulge in those thoughts for a while.

Just imagine, a typical workday for the winner will go something like this: Wake up to a beautiful sunrise and fantastic sea-view from your bedroom (again). Eat seafood caught fresh in that morning (again). Snorkel, dive (again). Entertain the press and media friends (Least something diff today). Travel by boat to the next nameless islands (one of the many thousands here). Take afternoon nap. Blog, take photos. Got the shot of the fishes after I finally managed to get them to swim in the formation of my name. I shall train the prawns next time before they become seafood. At night, see stars (again). Fell asleep under the starry sky in the moonless night. Missed the shooting stars. (again).

Come to think of it, I'll be bored stiff.

Bergerak ke belakang (Move behind)

"astern, backward, behind, dorsal, hind, hinder, hindermost, hindmost, last, mizzen, posterior, postern, rearmost, rearward, retral, reverse, stern, tail "

They all mean the same thing, which is "rear" and in this particular case, "of the bus". Personally, I felt compelled to share about the "anal" experiences on our public transport.

Let's do so by highlighting some of the interesting characters that you can spot on our modern-day, bus transportation system.

The Aspiring Drivers
This group loves to crowd around the driver's seat especially during peak hours. Some even go as far as to grab a "seat" right next to the driver. (the space right beside the Entry Card reader on the right). It must have been their childhood dreams to be a Bus captain but the cruelty of life depicts otherwise. As the result, they can only resort to living out their dreams by standing near to the driver on the bus, seeing what he sees and perhaps secretly mimicking every moves and turns he makes on the wheel. They have conveniently forgotten the fact that their domineering presence might prove too much for others trying to squeeze up the bus and may also be pressurizing for the poor driver who is constantly in their focus of attention.

The Idols Wannabe
Perhaps its the propaganda of media, or perhaps its the proliferation of multimedia devices, this is a group who always spots a pair of mufflers permanently glued to their ears. Constantly blasting off huge decibels of sound waves into their minds (perhaps the next budding contestant for Singapore Idol or Don't Forget the lyrics), these people have little awareness for anything going around them, save for the occasional rude awakening of the bus-stopping chime. They have an inkling for finding a spot on the bus and fixating themselves permanently there, oblivious of the bottleneck and the pileup of human traffic caused as the result. Apparently deaf to calls and signals to move behind, they will only shift when they notice the glaring stares of others during rare moments when they open their eyes to notice their next stop. Their level of situational awareness is only comparable by their "PSP-playing" counterparts.

The Inseparables
This group takes the meaning of "till death do us part" to a whole new deeper meaning. Usually appearing in pairs, they appear in the form of couples or close friends who-hasn't-seen-each-other-for-a-long-time. All is well and fine when both parties are standing on the bus talking normally. The lovey-dovey part comes when one party gets a seat (usually the girl) and almost always, their faithful partner will immediately stand vigil by their side all the way throughout the journey. Nevermind the fact that they are in the middle of the bus and nevermind about blocking every one's path. In fact, now everybody have a chance to admire their deep affection/love/friendship for each other whenever they have to make a big detour around the standing partner. One can only hope that the bus authorities will widen the width of buses in order to accommodate the love of these people.

The Stone Lions
"Sometimes known as Chinese Guardian Lions 石獅子, are a common representation of the lion in pre-modern China, which is believed to have powerful mythic protective powers that has traditionally stood in front of Imperial palaces, temples, emperors' tombs, government offices," (from Wikipedia)
Now, they stand at exits of buses.

With such an array of interesting characters, one cannot help but wonder why the tourism promotion board is not stepping up efforts to attract tourists to visit this intriguing attraction - A busload full with people, mostly crowding in the front and few at the back, doing a front-wheel wheelie at the same time.