des

蘇打綠 - 無眠

2012-02-08T21:46:00.000+08:00

"你现在想着谁有没有和我相同的感觉
固执等着谁　却惊觉已无法倒退
曾经想一起飞在自己心中盖了座花园
把你的一切　都种在这个地点
却像鱼守在里面"

shadows seen

2012-02-04T10:48:00.000+08:00

moment in life 1300.03.02.2012

2012-02-03T13:36:00.000+08:00

an old landmark, restored to perfect working condition
always enjoyed such revolving structures
perhaps a gimmick of the 80s
but always interesting and pleasant experience
except for those with a fear of heights and motion sickness
perhaps a bit too much to handle with a meal

moment in life. 0930.02.02.2012

2012-02-02T22:34:00.002+08:00

the greatest joy received, comes from being able to give
and giving, to the people who have given so much in your life

its a good cycle to be caught in
to receive, to give and in return, receive so much more
as much as what has receiving is immeasurable
as much should be given, without measure

blessed abundantly, to bless abundantly

freely given, to freely give

moment in life 1200.01.02.2012

2012-02-01T22:42:00.000+08:00

不，清楚

2012-01-30T14:09:00.001+08:00

有时，看得不是很清楚也未必不是件好事。
有些东西看得太清楚反而会让自己更辛苦。
也许是一种逃避现实的方式。
但，就让我逃避一下吧。

moment in life 1100.28.01.2012

2012-01-28T13:00:00.000+08:00

keep on

2012-01-26T22:34:00.001+08:00

"go there, and when you get there, you will know"
there are such times, when all you can do is to listen, and follow
these times, when you really can't see any further
you just got to keep moving until you get there
and be guided, by that promise
keep moving, keep believing

health is wealth

2012-01-24T20:51:00.001+08:00

its the time of the year where you meet relatives you meet once a year. you see the young cousins grow up rather quickly and you always underestimate how old they are because at the back of your mind, these were always kids. you see the folks of your parent's generation and they well, look the same all the time. more often than not, the people you enjoy seeing and talking to are those two generations older, your grandparent's peers. often, they have a peace that is very comforting, somewhat undisturbed by what's happening in "the world we live in", in the golden years of their lives. they speak with a wisdom that is at times very profound, yet at its essence, very simple and principled. they ask of you with a genuine concern, and no matter what has happened in your life, they give you a perspective that well, really gets you putting things in perspective again.

its comforting when you see the elders, in their eighties, not exactly bubbly and exuberant, but healthy and well, happy. yet there are the inevitable few whose health have taken a toil on their lives, typically a combination of high blood pressure, high blood glucose and the myriad of illnesses that come with them. reminders that sometimes, the most important thing we can do for the ones we love, is to not let our health be a burden on their lives. the inconveniences, the adjustments that family members have to make is significant. ill health is rarely something that only affects an individual, it reshapes the quality of life of the entire family drastically.

there are things that are inevitable, don't waste too much time thinking or being bothered by them, it won't help the least bit. there are things that are preventable, spend time doing what you can, simply because, its in your hands. while there are diseases and illnesses that can come without warning or are not the effect of lifestyle and life's choices, we really ought to do what we can to prevent the onset of those illnesses that can be prevented.

because ultimately, good health is true wealth. the cost of ill health is a burden, to your family, the cost of medical treatment, extensive and often prolonged. it also takes away from them, because of the time and extra effort they have to make, the things they have to give up, to care for you, when you are ill. the irony of life is that we spend so much time and effort on what causes us to gain wealth and we ignore everything that can cause wealth to be lost. even if you don't end up wealthy and leave a huge inheritance when you leave the world, the least you can do is to not rob your family of the wealth that your good health can bring to them.

moment in life 2200.23.01.2012

2012-01-23T22:49:00.000+08:00

新...希望

2012-01-22T20:23:00.002+08:00

the chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, one that incorporates both the moon phase and with intercalary months to bring it inline with solar time. a calendar that has been used for almost five millennia. while different calendars used in different cultures reflect age old religious or cultural beliefs, the beginning of a new year is almost always a significant event, celebrated and treasured.

the lunar new year is an event that marks the beginning of a new year for all chinese around the world. preparations leading up to it takes weeks and generally involves purging of the old and preparation for the new. in homes, old stuff is cleaned out and thrown to make way for new stuff. for individuals, old clothes are given away and new ones bought to signify an auspicious start to the year. more importantly though perhaps, is the fact that the past is now, or soon to be behind, and what lies ahead is a fresh start. that whatever has happened in the previous year, part of history, what is before us, a chance to make history.

it is with this spirit that the anticipation builds up, homes are decked up, streets are bustling with activity, all the effort, hassle perhaps, for this chance, again. so here's to a new year, with hope and anticipation, and to all, a chance for better things ahead.

一切都是为了有个开始，新的一年，新的开始, 新的希望

moment in life 2000.20.01.2012

2012-01-20T22:18:00.001+08:00

p.s. lovely place

moment in life 1300.19.01.2012

2012-01-19T14:17:00.000+08:00

and the chinese new year feasting begins

moment in life 1900.18.01.2012

2012-01-18T22:14:00.000+08:00

there is more to it than each of the parts put together
it takes more than that,
it takes the desire to put aside differences
to work towards common goals,
and in doing sobring out the best in everyone

moment in life 1300.16.01.2012

2012-01-16T21:16:00.001+08:00

你怎么能这么做呢，我想，这就是所谓的代价
so how much is this going for?

周杰倫－世界未末日

2012-01-14T18:37:00.001+08:00

moment in life. 2200.13.01.2012

2012-01-13T17:52:00.000+08:00

the colors of spring

the dragon beckons

chilling out, shots @ ann siang

woken, not a moment more

2012-01-12T08:00:00.001+08:00

ever woken up from a dream so real
ever fallen asleep to an escape from a world so unreal
a world where there are no rules
a world where there is just me & you
away from where I know to be home and yet I feel so strange in
strangely into a world foreign yet I feel I know, so at home

will you take me away again
to this world where all there is
is all I ever need, nothing else
where all I am is
who I am, no one else
will I ever run there again
to the world where I find
that joy so real
where the sky lights up with stars so surreal
where when all that i have is gone
but all I treasure is found

in a moment this too will become the past
in a moment I know this all will be undone
but for as long as I can
just let me stay
just one more day
or at least one more moment today

faithfully

2012-01-11T21:47:00.000+08:00

to our promises
to our dreams
to the ones we love
to the ones who love

where are the ones who will, hold on faithfully
who are the ones who will, hang on persistently
when will they give up, hold on no longer
why will they hang on, or simply let it go

2012 Jan - Ben & Mich's Wedding

2012-01-07T23:08:00.000+08:00

moment in life. 2100.06.01.2012

2012-01-06T23:06:00.000+08:00

the snowmobile goes for a wash before the big day

be secure

2012-01-04T23:18:00.002+08:00

at times we become territorial when we are insecure
about what we can do, what we bring to the table
but it is precisely at such times that you got to ask yourself
if there is not enough room for more than one person, why are you still staying put
because there won't be room for you to grow or to expand either

when you maintain your edge, that which sets you apart,
you know that even if you lose some territory, you will gain new ones
because the capacity to expand is in you, it is part of you
and that can never be taken away from you
that is where you should find your security
the character, skills, abilities that make you who you are

moment in life 2100.03.01.2012

2012-01-03T21:39:00.001+08:00

二0一二

2012-01-02T23:06:00.001+08:00

新的一年又开始了，很多人都会问，＂今年有什么目标，愿望？＂以前，我还会把一整年规划的很支系，生活，事业，家庭，一切都清楚的排列在眼前。竟几年经历了太多，有起，有落，有苦，也有乐，带来的变化非常大。改变了我对很多事的想法，对周围一切的看法。今年我没有什么大计划，大梦想。没有什么是非达到不可的目标。

懂了，懂得什么对我来说是重要的。
懂了什么是没有必要去追求，去渴望的。
懂得只需要每一天，每一刻都要全心全意的爱，的付出，一切都是其次。

生命本来就是一个奇迹，每一天起来时都是生命给我的另一个机会，我怎么可以辜负他呢。就是会以这样的心态去面对一切，那么就算有那一天，奇迹不再有了，音乐停止时，我知道我也不会有遗憾，我以把他放在我心里的歌，唱完了。

step out, step into

2012-01-02T20:50:00.000+08:00

the toughest part of any race is the distance
2.4km is six times round the track
10km takes almost an hour
42km is equivalent to running east-west across Singapore

the simplest part about runningis simply putting one leg in front of another
regardless of the distance, or the speed
its always one step at a timeso here we go,
towards another goal
the beginning of all things new with just another step
step out, step into
let's go

2012 Jan - New Year's Day

2012-01-02T10:07:00.003+08:00

2011 Dec - New Year Eve Celebration

2012-01-01T09:57:00.006+08:00

懂不懂

2011-12-31T00:04:00.000+08:00

有得有失才会懂得得与失的苦与乐
有升有落才会懂得升与落的喜与伤
看过，听过可能会知道体验过才会真正懂
但懂了，又怎么样
你懂吗？

不习惯喊痛

2011-12-29T11:35:00.000+08:00

moment in life 2000.28.12.2011

2011-12-28T21:16:00.000+08:00

周杰倫-你好嗎

2011-12-27T23:22:00.000+08:00

2011 Dec - Christmas Day

2011-12-26T11:59:00.000+08:00

and after all the feasting, a time to sing
the kids go crazy opening their presents from everyone
the log cake and birthday celebrations
renzo loves the christmas tree

gift snatching

jeff, renzo, elmo and me

all the pattern

the happiest people that night

a cold and windy christmas night, and here we are, all together in the apartment
a simple celebration, nothing fanciful, but spent with the most wonderful people
so this is christmas, a time of giving, a time of celebration
joy given, love received, hope renewed
so this is christmas, it is that simple

merry christmas 25.12.2011

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000+08:00

moment in life. 2000.24.12.2011

2011-12-24T20:05:00.000+08:00

moment in life 2300.23.12.2011

2011-12-23T23:52:00.000+08:00

steve jobs. the biography

2011-12-22T22:09:00.000+08:00

it's been quite a while since I've been so enthralled by a book. I couldn't put it down, read the entire book cover to cover in two days. I've always enjoyed biographies, not so much autobiographies which tend to be one-sided narratives. the biographies that stand out are the ones that seek to portray the truth, unvarnished, all sides of a person.

i enjoyed the humanity, the way it was, with all the flaws you would expect from anyone real. i enjoyed the passion, the way he was driven, at times to extremes to deliver that perfect fusion of art and technology. the way those who worked with him realized how on hindsight, he brought out the best in them, to achieve things they never thought possible. that dedication to perfection, that realization of his humanity, the passion to deliver.

he was no immortal, but very human, and to some a complete jerk. that obsessive desire for full control, driving everyone around him nuts. that is as real as it can get, for every attribute of a person, two sides of the same coin. that determination on one side, the stubborn insistence on another. that outward strength, the inner drive. the way loved what he did and he did what he love.

in his own words. at the very end

"My passion has been to build an enduring company where people were motivated to make great products. Everything else was secondary.....I don’t think I run roughshod over people, but if something sucks, I tell people to their face. It’s my job to be honest... What drove me? I think most creative people want to express appreciation for being able to take advantage of the work that’s been done by others before us. I didn’t invent the language or mathematics I use. I make little of my own food, none of my own clothes.

Everything I do depends on other members of our species and the shoulders that we stand on. And a lot of us want to contribute something back to our species and to add something to the flow. It’s about trying to express something in the only way that most of us know how—because we can’t write Bob Dylan songs or Tom Stoppard plays. We try to use the talents we do have to express our deep feelings, to show our appreciation of all the contributions that came before us, and to add something to that flow. That’s what has driven me."

moment in life 0700.21.12.2011

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000+08:00

moment in life 12.2011

2011-12-20T22:12:00.001+08:00

天长地久

2011-12-18T13:01:00.001+08:00

记得这个广告吗？“不在乎天长地久，只在乎曾经拥有“
经典，但可能对大多数的人来说，这可能就像那广告，
已过时了

moment in life 0700.14.12.2011

2011-12-14T09:55:00.000+08:00

be it

2011-12-13T22:07:00.002+08:00

if you are the gift, be it
if you have a gift, give it
your gifts are useless to the world
if it remainsforever in the figments of your consciousness
unless its realised in the substance of who you are
of what you do
of what you give

moment in life 0700.12.12.2011

2011-12-12T07:56:00.001+08:00

in darkness, light prevails

2011-12-11T20:07:00.001+08:00

its unbelievable what some people will do
the extent to which they will go when they feel insecure
the things they will do to placate their insecurities
they elevate themselves by stepping on everyone else
to hit someone below the belt in their bid to win

though it is when you meet such people
that you realize how many angels you actually have all around
the ones who light up your world
even when its all dark and gloomy
those are the ones whom you can always count on
to light up, your world

when you believe

2011-12-09T10:46:00.000+08:00

i'm a believer, i still believe
"there can be miracles, when you believe"

2011 Oct - Kee Liang & Karen's Wedding

2011-12-08T11:38:00.000+08:00

2011 Dec - End of Course Celebration

2011-12-06T22:32:00.001+08:00

wall-e moment

2011-12-04T21:42:00.001+08:00

sometimes, it just goes beyond all that you can say
sometimes, words aren't enough
sometimes, words don't matter
"you say it best, when you say nothing at all"

moment in life 2200.02.12.2011

2011-12-02T22:51:00.000+08:00

upon a star

2011-11-30T00:17:00.001+08:00

its the season
when you can wish upon a star
when there's no reasonto love
but for love itself

and you know that
even if everything fails
love never will
love never fails

moment in life 0900.27.11.2011

2011-11-27T20:09:00.001+08:00

in time, in its time
if time, is time
time and time again

will it ever be time again
i guess it will be
in its time, in time

2011 Nov - Dinner & KTV @ Chinatown

2011-11-26T23:28:00.000+08:00

还是要幸福

2011-11-21T20:55:00.000+08:00

到了，用心去看，
应该看的见吧，
真的，想到的，到了

走过了，用心去想，
也会在脑海里看清
真的，想过的，有了

我想，也够了
只要，幸福，
也真的够了

power & beauty

2011-11-20T19:44:00.001+08:00

the beauty about sports at the professional level
is not so much about the perfection achieved in the sport
it is about the perfection achieved in the mind
the way those athletes have mastered themselves
not so much about mastery of the physical
but mastery of the mind

the way they see challenge not in the form of another person
but that of themselves
that ultimately we are each our greatest challenge
that its not about one medal, record, or competition
but of conquering oneself, again and again
the relentless conquest of excellence

that they bring out the best of them
they bring out the best in us all
the power of the human spirit
the beauty of human endeavor
seemingly opposing attributes
reconciled, unified
to achieve all that is possible out there
from all there is, deep down inside

路边鹿

2011-11-19T23:31:00.000+08:00

moment in life 2130.19.11.2011

2011-11-19T21:30:00.000+08:00

colours, flavors

moment in life 2200.17.11.2011

2011-11-17T22:38:00.002+08:00

consistent excellence

2011-11-15T22:00:00.000+08:00

perfection can become an addiction
to meet that insatiable demand to achieve perfection
one slippery slope after another to climb
a painful, unsustainable quest

excellence however is a habit
to give it all one has all the time
i find it hard to conceive
how true excellence can be selective
how one can choose to be two-faced

inconsistency is an attribute
that is incompatible with excellence itself
because excellence is an attitude
it is born out of one's character
to excel in all he does
the perquisite for true success
everywhere, anywhere
every time, anytime
regardless

怎么懂

2011-11-13T19:41:00.000+08:00

and you realize
you just had to go through that journey
you just had to take that path
otherwise, you will never know
or would you rather not have

guess it doesn't matter
now that you are through
guess, you had to
and now you know, why

2011 Nov - Kwang + Kei + Ying Birthday Celebration

2011-11-12T23:15:00.001+08:00

the kids going crazy as usual

iPhone - look at the stars

2011-11-11T22:10:00.000+08:00

the first in a series of wallpapers created for use as iPhone's lock screen
inspired by coldplay's classic "yellow"
"look at the stars, look how they shine for you, and everything you do"

press on

2011-11-10T21:15:00.004+08:00

attitude is not the cold on your face
it is not the warmth in your hands
it is the metal deep inside
the resolve within
that only surfaces when that final push
that lethal punch is needed
to get it done, to make it happen
regardless

see, think, do

2011-11-08T23:20:00.002+08:00

your vision is made up of what you see
your dreams are made up of what you think
your reality, made up by what you do
what you see, is
what you think, can be
but what you do, will be

2011 Nov - Caleb's Adventures

2011-11-07T21:07:00.003+08:00

2011 Nov - Supper @ Two Fat Men

2011-11-06T23:19:00.000+08:00

mine mine

2011-11-06T16:02:00.002+08:00

又到了十一月，周杰伦最新的作品！

building blocks

2011-11-05T22:09:00.000+08:00

there will be setbacks, there will be times every thing sees to just fall apart
you pick yourself up, pick up all the pieces
piece by piece, block by block, to put things together again
and it might take so time, it might seem to take forever
but you know, that which is built up over time will stand the test of time
when that time comes again, when everything is put to the test
that is when you know
that all is never in vain, it is all part of the bigger plan
that it is never the end, until you decide it is so

moment in life 1300.04.11.2011

2011-11-04T20:34:00.000+08:00

a meal with a view

音乐日记

2011-11-03T16:51:00.002+08:00

"那时我们被困在路边, 世界不过是一个小小屋檐
你说如果雨一直下到明天, 我们就厮守到永远"

还记得这些歌词吗？这就是十年前一个叫音乐日记的开场曲
记得那时每晚读书时，开着收音机，到了这个节目的时段
就会把一切放下，把音量调高，就是非常喜欢这个节目

每一个故事，说着人生的一段插曲
每一首歌，也讲述人生的一个故事
一曲，一幕，转眼都不一样了
这个节目也走进历史了，哈，我们那年代“年轻人”的历史

“让爱自由，距离其实也是一种美
最深的感动不是挂在嘴边的，他其实就在你的心里”

moment in life 1500.03.11.2011

2011-11-03T15:03:00.000+08:00

modes, nodes

2011-11-02T23:38:00.000+08:00

transport woes abound, frustration from slow moving traffic, train breakdowns to packed carriages. somehow it seems if one were to read about everything that is said about the transport network in singapore, one would come to a conclusion that its expensive, unreliable and in a mess. the truth is far from that, honestly, when put in perspective, one doesn't have to look too far, or rather, go too far to know that we don't really have it that bad around here.

the debate rages on, car owners unhappy about increasing cost of usage and congestion with more cars on the roads, non-car owners unhappy about increasing cost of ownership and the dream of car ownership getting out of reach. some suggest that public transport is not a good alternative as the quality and reliability of train and bus services have gone down even as the population has gone up over the years.

i think the real solution here lies not in making the choice between public transport or car ownership an either or. there is a limit to public transport penetration and train network density. owning a car does provide great convenience given our climate and how a car functions more like a (very)large handbag, a mobile wardrobe, a salesman's store or an aspirational good to various people. i believe though, there should be attempts to promote a multi-modal transport system that allows seamless transition from private to public transport options at various nodes.

a multi-modal transport system offers comfort, convenience, value, varying with the choices an individual makes in choosing how to get from point to point. an expansion of the park and ride scheme already in place, a scheme largely targeted at employees working in the central business district. a scheme that is broadened to cover not just work, but also play with the necessary infrastructure and "software" in place to incentivise such behavior.

for someone who is planning to spend a saturday at orchard road, i can choose to drive to an eastern node, park my car and take the train to orchard, spend my day there and then get back to the node and drive home. for someone planning to go to the zoo, i can drive to a northern node, board a bus that takes me straight to the zoo and then get back the same way. nodes that function as mega multi-storey carparks that are linked to the major transit lines, trunk, shuttle or special bus services to various key attractions. nodes that are built away from the central business district, well connected to expressways, major arterial roads.

such nodes should have public transport options that are all-weather, run later into the night. trains could run at extended hours to such nodes to allow for partying folks to grab train to a node closer to home and thereafter switch to a taxi. taxis will not need to roam in empty streets to pick up passengers. given that the train network requires downtime for maintenance, trains operating from core to node can run extended hours while other parts of the network is closed.

this system serve big events well in alleviating congestion as bus services can be provided to such nodes in each side of the island and thereafter for onward "transfers" to various modes of transport for the individual. the nodes can become suburban centers for a whole gamut of services from daycare centres for children, laundry services to polyclinics. with the guarantee of high traffic flow, the costs of building such a node can easily be offset from rental of the premises.

with limited carpark supply in new buildings in the central business and commercial district, it is inevitable that carpark costs will rise. a node that offers reasonable carpark charges will naturally be a very attractive option to commuters.
a multi-modal system offers commuters the best of both worlds, the comfort and convenience of a car and avoiding high cost and potential jams of driving into the city centre or to various attractions such as sentosa or the zoo. the infrastructure at such nodes should make it convenient for commuters traveling with wheelchairs, prams, or even trolleys. the shopaholic who often drives to orchard should have the assurance that if she ends up with a dozen bags, she can still make her way to the nodes easily and then get them into her car.

people get frustrated when existing options simply get priced increasingly higher while no other options become available. the frustration with escalating car prices and in time to come cost of usage is that there are no options that offer viable alternatives, alternatives that allow a commuter to choose between decrease in convenience (driving less) and increase in cost (driving more). while it is true in rational economics that pricing shapes behaviour and using pricing policies to achieve desired outcomes is and will always be viable. policies should never be just about achieving desired quantitative outcomes but desirable qualitative outcomes. simply put, if you want to take away something, at the very least, offer something else, unless you want to end up with a very grumpy customer.

用心

2011-11-01T23:27:00.000+08:00

用心去看，就会看得见了
用心去听，也会听得到的
就看你想不想，就看你心在哪

life fulfilled in love

2011-10-31T21:21:00.000+08:00

you got to first find yourself
and learn to love yourself
you got to then find that person
who loves you for who you are
not what you can do, give or offer
not what you can become or try to be
not because you are perfect because you are not
who by loving you perfectly
allows you to just be who you are
loves you for all you are, for all you are not

and you need not fear if that love will falter
if you ever fall short, when you ever fail
because that love is unconditional
because perfect love indeed casts away all fear

but only if you will do likewise, all of the above
then you would have known love & loved
you would have lived life complete
not in what you own, what you do, or who you are
but in love, life is made complete

2011 Oct - Renzo Full Month Celebration

2011-10-30T00:09:00.000+08:00

no party is complete without balloons

the star of the day

jeff's birthday present

took us ages to figure out how to work this "ancient" device

the whole big family

值得

2011-10-29T15:54:00.000+08:00

是得来不易，但也可以说是可遇不可求
过程不是非常顺利，像过山车的路程
有时就是想放弃，总觉的像是没有希望了
但每一次走到尽头时，就是会有你们
你们的鼓励，以你们简单的各种方式
告诉我要继续相信，继续追求，继续坚持
因为值得，所以值得等待
因为得来不易的，才会最珍惜

moment in life 1000.28.10.2011

2011-10-28T18:04:00.000+08:00

东风到

moment in life 1925.23.10.2011

2011-10-26T23:00:00.001+08:00

with princess elly at daniel & karen's wedding

keeps us going

2011-10-26T20:46:00.002+08:00

we draw strength
for the singer in a concert, from voices that sing along in the arena
for the runner, from the cheers in the stadium as he speeds round the track
for the mother, the cries of her infant and the smiles of satisfaction
for the teacher, the wrong answers to all her questions, at least someone tried
from the embrace of loved ones, the warmth that gives comfort
from the words of the ones we love, the knowledge that someone believes in us

from all whom we can count on, for all who place their faith in us
we draw strength, to keep us going on

"love unfailing, truth unchanging, i depend on you"

here's to the crazy ones

2011-10-25T08:49:00.000+08:00

"here's to the crazy ones
the misfits. the rebels. the troublemakers
the round pegs in the square holes
the ones who see things differently
they're not fond of rules
and they have no respect for the status quo

you can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,
disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them
about the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
because they change things

they invent. they imagine. they heal
they explore. they create. they inspire
they push the human race forward

maybe they have to be crazy
how else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art
or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written
or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels

we make tools for these kinds of people
while some see them as the crazy ones
we see genius

because the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world, are the ones who do"
- apple computer

moment in life 2145.24.10.2011

2011-10-24T21:52:00.000+08:00

you don't find your future, you create it

moment in life 0800.23.10.2011

2011-10-23T13:02:00.001+08:00

to have, to hold, to love, to cherish & to obey

the cost of health

2011-10-21T15:44:00.000+08:00

"one can afford to die, but not to fall sick" has been the bugbear of every man in the street. the cost of medical treatment on diagnosis of a major illness a constant fear for every family, previously acute, terminal illnesses have become chronic, debilitating illnesses. lives prolonged with the advancement of modern medicine and with that escalating costs of treatment up to a ripe old age, albeit one possibly saddled with emotional uncertainty, financial debt and physical inconvenience.

singapore's healthcare system is based upon a state subsidy system for citizens under a public healthcare framework. it is not comprehensive in nature, that is, it is not fully subsidized from the first dollar and is financed largely by an individual out of a compulsory self funded saving scheme (medisave), a national catasthrophic insurance scheme (medishield) and a state-financed fund (medifund) that serves as a safety net for the least well off. there remains a concern for affordability and sustainability for an average income citizen who suffers from multiple chronic illnesses that on one had requires expensive, long term treatment and on the other, is unable to secure stable employment due to those illnesses.

there has been debates about the need for an universal health insurance scheme, that provides comprehensive coverage in the event of chronic illnesses. a scheme that does not exclude any because of existing illnesses that often denies an individual of private insurance options. the benefit of a nation wide, compulsory insurance scheme is that it prevents adverse selection as risk is pooled across the entire population. such a scheme, while ideal, needs to be self sustainable without imposing a potential liability for future generations or subject the state to potential fiscal strain. the questions that need to be answered include the extent (type of illness, treatments) of coverage, limits (monetary) of coverage, the need for deductibles, co-insurance as well as the considerations of the cost of treatment that healthcare providers can charge to the scheme. a comprehensive scheme should also consider healthcare costs that are preventive in nature, behavior modification, regular, early diagnosis as preventive costs will always be far lower than the costs of treatment on the onset of illnesses. more importantly though, a shift to a comprehensive insurance scheme also needs to consider the possible changes in individual behavior where one no longer needs to worry about potential healthcare costs of unhealthy behavior.

however, healthcare should not be seen as a cost. it should be seen as an investment, the same way investments are made in physical infrastructure, education and social capital in a country. health encompasses more than just the absence of sickness, but wholesome mental and physical health, an active lifestyle and a certain quality of life. there is a difference between living a long life while suffering for the bulk of it, saddled with illnesses and a constant cocktail of drugs and medical treatments and one that is lived healthily. in this regard, life expectancy fails as a statistic in being an accurate indicator of the success of a nation's healthcare system. in any policy review, it is important that outcomes are determined, not merely with top line numbers, but also other non-reported, non-quantifiable indicators that reflect health. if the measure is wrong, the measurement will never be useful, and the outcomes will never be close to that which is desired, regardless of the amount of money that has been spent.

如果。爱

2011-10-20T21:47:00.001+08:00

"就算受伤，就算流泪，都是生命里温柔灌溉
哦爱在回忆里总是那么明白"

多一站

2011-10-19T23:14:00.000+08:00

这一种感觉很奇妙
就是没有办法解释
这种来自内心深处
就是不能理解

当你知道，
就是这样了
终于来到了这一刻
再多一步，
多一站
就到了，
加油

moment in life 2000.18.11.2011

2011-10-18T20:04:00.000+08:00

> life's questions... life's options <

the history of a nation

2011-10-17T17:24:00.000+08:00

the greatest nations, in their long history have always experienced periods of turmoil, either a result of exogenous factors, the wrath of nature or internal revolutions. inevitably, governance models, types of governments have evolved through history. the fact is, there is no single style or method of government that can be equally applied to all nations. every nation has to create its own form of government, a product of time in history and the world at that point in time. it might even be necessary, in a nation's history for there to be a period of time where a good government fails, or when a bad government takes power. necessary in the sense that one government, or more specifically, one form of government, one style of leadership can only be measured against another in that same nation. when it comes to government, and its policies, context matters. ultimately, the people have to decide what works best for them, and they will learn how to make that decision, over time. the question though, is whether we learn from history, and whether we as a nation can survive through the periods of turmoil, the turning points in a nation's history or go down in the annals of history as another example of a failed state.

guiding lights

2011-10-15T21:40:00.001+08:00

"when you try your best, but you don't succeed
when you get what you want, but not what you need
when you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
when the tears come streaming down your face...
when you lose something you can't replace

if you never try you'll never know
just watch and learn...
lights will guide you home
and ignite your bones
and i will try to fix you"

束光

2011-10-13T21:25:00.001+08:00

有时也不知道还能走多久
有时还是不懂到底还有多少能力
就是希望能看到那束光
怎么说，人的力量总是有限
是需要一点希望, 就会坚持下去

assuredly

2011-10-09T20:27:00.001+08:00

you don't have to work your guts out, in endless struggles
you don't need to keep grasping in the air, one battle after another
for somethings that will just come, when the time is right

when its meant to be, when everything will fall in place
for those things that are beyond you and yet matter so much to you
what is yours will be, what is for you will be
rest, be assured, and know, that it will all be, all in good time

心意，心血

2011-10-08T01:13:00.000+08:00

用心做的，总是有另一种滋味
不在于表面可以看到的
而是在另一个层次

手工的美在于在作品里付出的心意
不一定是一切完美无瑕
但他有一种自然，人性的味道
传达的是心意

只要对你重要的东西
就算是一辈子的心血，也是值得的

calling out

2011-10-06T20:53:00.000+08:00

you know that is your true calling in life when you simply can't run away from it for too long.
it hunts you down, in different ways, through different forms.
yet when it has found you, it lurks around in the shadows,
it hides in the form of opportunities, behind choices and in decisions.
nonetheless, you still have to take steps to pursue it,
seize the right opportunities, make the necessary decisions.

you know it when you see it, the way it excites you, the way it makes you feel all alive.
you have not truly lived, until you have lived true to your calling.
just know its always there, calling out, if you will listen hard enough
and when you're in it, you know it is the next best thing that can ever happen to you in life
to live in, to walk in, to be in that calling

虫儿飞

2011-10-04T23:56:00.002+08:00

记得那些萤火虫，坐在船上，把水洒在河边浓密的红树
从乌黑的红树中，飞出来，一点一点，闪亮的小点
当我把一只抓在手里时，船夫说 “别抓，你把它抓了，它不会开心，也不会发亮，还会很快死
让它自由地飞，它才会发亮”，听了，我把手放开，看着它飞回红树林里，是有一点舍不得
但船夫说得对，它是属于红树林里的，只有在哪，它才会继续开心，发亮

多一点

2011-10-03T21:57:00.001+08:00

你的世界有多大
那就要看你的手掌能开的多扩
你的世界有多美
那就要看你的心有多大
包容多一些，接受多一些
那一点，就可以改变世界多一点

moment in life 1100.01.10.2011

2011-10-01T12:24:00.001+08:00

From Blog Photos

a boy and his toys

behold

2011-10-01T12:15:00.001+08:00

that which establishes an instant connection between people, the look in the eye. in a smile, as much as the grin frames the smile, it is the eyes that speak of true joy. in a stare, the tension in the brows, pales in comparison to the piercing of the eyes. the eyes are the windows of the soul, through those eyes, love and hate, delight and displeasure, nothing escapes the beholder.

looking through old photos, it is those eyes that speak volumes. the look in the eye, that brings to remembrance. remembering the love, the joy, recalling the fears, the uncertainty. and yet through those same eyes, that saw the future beyond the immediate, we walked into what we were meant for, into our present. what is before you really, is not as important as what you are seeing. what you behold, upholds you.

“tell me, where is fancy bred? in the heart or in the head? how begot, how nourished? reply, reply. it is engendered in the eye…” - the merchant of venice

moment in life 1600.30.09.2011

2011-09-30T18:04:00.001+08:00

welcoming the arrival of the newest member of our big family, Renzo Ng

a life given

2011-09-29T23:11:00.002+08:00

we are made for a purpose in life, given to this world for a cause. it is when we give of ourselves, our time, our effort, our lives that we find fulfillment. when giving no longer becomes a loss, but instead makes us whole. that happens when we give of our lives for that purpose, that cause for which we were made for. the more you give, the more satisfaction you get. a sense of completion, the feeling of being at the right place, the right person at the right time.

purpose is fulfilled in giving, life is made whole when given.

moment in life 2200.28.09.2011

2011-09-28T22:23:00.000+08:00

sometimes its good to be reminded of what made you who you are today
that which you were made for.. and to never let go of that..

because you loved me

2011-09-27T23:59:00.000+08:00

to all of you, the most wonderful people in my life,

even as the rain pours and the winds howl on this cold night, it feels warm inside. warm because i am reminded of the people who love, who care for me. people who love me for all I am, who care for me with all they have. in each your own ways, you have reminded me of your love again and again.

you know in life, you gain some, you lose some. for all that I have gained or lost, I know I have gained that which I can never lose. the most precious of all. a gain, that even when everything else is lost, will always remain with me. the assurance I have that even when I stand seemingly lonely out there, I am not alone. the assurance that even when i seem all alone, i am never alone.

yes, nothing is perfect. in fact there are things I still hope and ask for. but for now, for everything I have, I am grateful. I know I am truly loved and richly blessed, "i'm everything i am, because you loved me.. maybe I don't know that much, but I know this much is true, i was blessed because i was loved by you"

thank you,
with lots of love, hugs & kisses
des

moment in life 27.09.1983

2011-09-27T23:13:00.000+08:00

my first birthday.. twenty eight years ago this day.

true love

2011-09-26T22:49:00.001+08:00

"maybe it comes just, its from magic.. and its love. and .. that's it"