To Give Or Not to Give

January 21, 2006 Leave a comment

When I was 5, my mum would give me 10 cents every time she brings me to the market. She said, I can use my 10 cents to buy anything I want – be it a candy or a rubber ball. Knowing that 10 cents aren’t a lot of money, she wanted to teach me the virtue of saving. To get a more expensive toy or snack, I have to suppress those mini 10-cent temptations. Thus, I often accumulated more than 10 cents in my pocket.
 
There was this particular trip to the market when my mum needed to get a pair slippers for my dad. She spotted one at an Indian shoes-shop near our market.
 
A frail-looking old man ran the shop. He sported a magnanimous, fatherly smile and he was very friendly. I guessed he was in his 80s. Tagging along with my mum, I stood quietly beside her, watching her “bargaining” with the old man.
 
At the age of 5, I have no understanding what bargaining is all about. All I remember was seeing my mum throwing back the pair of slippers, pulled my hands and walked out of the shop briskly. I sensed a slight confrontation between the old man and mum. I turned back my head, seeing the old man shaking his head in disappointment. Trying his best to sport a smile, the old man called out softly to my mum and waved at us. Instantaneously, my mum stopped her pace and pulled me back to the shop again. This time, the man didn’t “argue” much, he started wrapping the slippers and put them in a bag. Before handing the bag over to my mum, he asked for 50 cents. My mum firmly said no, took the slippers, paid him some money and left the shop.
 
Strangely, I sympathized with the old man. I remember his sad, disappointing look. He patted my little head and waved bye at me. Despite his little “loss”, he remained so friendly and sincere. Somehow, that little gesture moved me. Feeling bad for him, I walked back to his store, put my 50 cents on one of the shoe-boxes and ran back to my mum. No, my mum didn’t see what I did. It remains a secret until today.
 
I was very soft-hearted when I was young. Without any hesitation, I will often donate my money to the needy – the handicapped beggars at old Geylang Serai, the blind peddlers selling tissue papers, the deaf youngsters selling novelties and old beggars loitering at coffee shops. I have been doing that for a couple of years, into my teens. It is not a matter of glorifying my deeds. More of sharing with those who cannot afford the basic necessity.    
 
 
The Con-Beggars and Tissue Sellers
However, my perception of these “needy” people changed when I read a news article about these fake deaf and blind sellers. These talents are hired by a very powerful syndicate. Making use of human’s sympathetic nature, these conmen successfully tricked us into buying their stuffs at 50%-100% above market pricings. To us, we are doing a good deed, it doesn’t matter that extra cents.
 
Not for me. I felt rather cheated and disgusted by these conmen. Taking advantage of someone’s kindness in this manner is evil and most despicable. It is the most disgusting of acts, yet such con trade is still surviving today. We still see those “nuns in white” going around, begging for money in a golden vessel. And those “deaf youngsters” flashing cards stating their deafness and persuading you to buy one of their dolls.
 
Suddenly, I became very uncompassionate and skeptical every time I came across these beggars. Yet I often felt guilty after rejecting them. What if they are real, I often asked myself. Then again, I do not wish to be conned into another scam. To protect myself and discourage all these conmen, the best is not to give, I thought.
 
The Old Lady at Eunos
Just 3 years ago, there was this old lady, in her 80s, begging for money around Eunos neighbourhood. She was almost everywhere – beside ATM machines, coffee-shops and even bus-stops. For more than 10 times, she came to me begging for money – and not once I entertain her. Most times, I would oust her away rudely, in disrespect. She had that unique way of asking – she never says a word – Just moving from people to people, extending her open palm, begging for donations. I was doing my mental sum, she is a con. She could make more than $100/day and live in a big house.
 
One night, I was doing overtime work in my studio. I was walking home at about 3am when I spotted her sleeping at one dark corner at the stairwell. She had a bag of clothes with her and was lying on a spread of newspaper. At that moment, I realized she was indeed homeless and really poor. My heart bled for her at that very sight. Since that day, I never rejected that poor old lady. I told myself, I would pass her one of my notes (not coins) every time I see her – she needs not to beg. I have since given her some $2 to $10 notes.
 
Finding back that "spirit" of giving
I finally found back my childhood soul when I read an article by a Straits Times columnist. Like me, the reporter often found herself in a dilemma – to give or not to give. In that article, she had overcome her dilemma by a simple solution. Her advice: “When you wish to give yet in doubt, give as much as you can afford without feeling regret or cheated later.”  
 
Yes, we dun like to be taken for a ride, yet we cannot face our own guilt and conscious later. I began to work out a personal “can-give-but-no-regret” amount for these people (never for the deaf doll-sellers, white-gown nuns and blind tissue-sellers). I am glad that I have heeded her advice and have taken her route. Since then, I give with an open heart; without worrying about being conned or cheated.
 
I am glad I have done so for that old lady at Eunos. A couple of months back, I heard from the coffee-shop auntie that the old lady has passed away. I may not have contributed much to her well-being but at least, I did my best to give whenever I can.
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

The Sun is Out

January 15, 2006 6 Comments

I have mentioned this to someone before. It is difficult to hate someone. Cos’ even if you decide to cut all ties and contacts with this person.. no way you can forget or remove his/her face, his/her name and the bad feelings you had in your mind. So, the next question is: Why dun I embrace the person I hated and let peace takes its place?
 
So, what caused the mind and heart to hate? Personal pride, ego or simply self-righteousness? Or is it a "spur-of-the-moment" heated hate? Or simple "the right thing to do"? Or just the basic betrayal, hurt and pain that this person has inflicted on you? It is a mixture, I guess.
 
Last night, I was shopping at Parkway Parade with my family. I suddenly asked myself… what if I bump into these hateful beings? Should I just ignore their presence and walk right thru them? Or should I fake smile and do that "hi-&-bye"? Or should I stood there and give them a hard stare? Singapore is such a small place to be in conflict with anyone. One of my Aussie’s lecturers once said "It is hard to have an affair in Singapore with someone who isn’t a contact of your friends"
 
I guess I can let the "hatred feeling" subside. But I cannot forgive the kind of misdeeds and damages that person has caused to my clique of friends. When everyone is keen to open up and talk heart-to-heart, an intelligent+mature+petty individual (aka "the witch") continue to go around, spreading bad gospel and inject posion tots into minds of friends. I nearly lost a good buddy (he is my best buddy since Sec 1) on Wednesday – if not without the open-ness and trust me and buddy shared. If my good buddy had choose to believe the tales and isolated the truth, he would be allowing the posion to grow. There is simply no win-win.. everyone lost in this case. We lost faith, trust, friendship and even our own happiness.
 
So, why not be open and settle the feud? And bury the hatchet? Easier said than done. When one is under spell, it is hard to talk sense or show him/her the real picture. In fact, to my horror, that witch has started painting untrue tales to friends of my clique as early as Oct! It was only until Jan-2006 that I realised the "evil presence". Sounded like the "lord of the ring" trilogy – except there is no true enemy in this case. The witch has imagined a enemy and started going around campaigning against an enemy that wasn’t there.
 
Sounded too abstract, haaa… surely, many who read this would really ponder what’s going on. That isn’t the morale of the story. Just want to re-emphasis the old granny’s saying "whenever there is misunderstanding within friends, clear it openly and face-to-face. Dun snowball to the point of no return. Dun back-stab, dun sneak around."
 
Why am I in such a spot? Just like USA has no interested to take part in WWII until Japan bombed Pearl habour. No, I am no USA but the poison has infected 20% of my clan against a poor friend that give me no option but to step in. I do not believe in "counter-poisioning" or "telling tales" to influence trusting minds. I believe in truth, in open talks and solving the conflict fast. Just when I tot the case is solved 2 weeks back, the witch has dragged the conflict to another good friend (but unrelated of the conflict) of the clique. When it is a problem between 2 persons, it snowballed to a community problem of 10 now. See how poison bad tales can affect everyone? 
 
Yes, losing someone is easy. Hating someone is an enjoyment – to release anger and all frustration. But forgetting the incidence is hard. Removing that hateful face and name from your heart is even harder.
 
Guess the sun is out now. I find peace in forgiving and will do so. Yes. It is hard to hate someone. And I am doing my best not to do so anymore. Time is the best remedy. Let time heal. 
 
p/s (There is no intention for this blog to be suggestive or provoking or even revisiting the unhappy incident. Just want to make this a record – a lesson to be learnt for all my friends. Let’s move on, pals. Just part of the Wahbiang history.)
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

My Funeral

January 10, 2006 9 Comments

Last week, one of my neighbours living on the 10th Floor passed away. For almost 20 years, we have been bumping into each other in the lift – yet we never say much to one another – except for the usual "hi and bye". I still saw him around Christmas time and he looked really healthy… so I was kinda surprised when I saw him lying inside the yellow tent on the first day of 2006. After all, he was in his late 50s. Heart failure, that is what I heard from the neighbours. What a sad sudden death….
 
Life is so fragile. One moment, I am kicking with life – the next moment, you will find me resting inside a yellow tent at the foot of my block. In fact, I hate that…not because of death but rather what people would do to me when I am gone. Here are some of those things that I would rather like to have for my funeral:
 
1) I have never slept in the void deck – not even in death. So, never put me to rest at my house void deck. It is so upsetting to spend my "goodbye hours" at the cold concrete void deck. I will haunt you if you ever place me in the void deck. Just rest me at my cozy home and let my spirit and body rest in comfort.
 
2) No fancy monks chanting songs or some strange Tao-performance (like throwing paper money or Chingay Road Parade). In fact, I love the teaching of Christ. Get a pastor to rest my spirit and may I find Christ in my after life. Am I a Christian? Yes, I believe in Chirst. Have I been churchy? No.
 
3) Obituaries. At first, I wondered why people "advertise" the death annoucement of their loved ones? Why spent that money… But then, I realised it may be good – so that such "advertisement" will disclaim my loved ones from any creditors / ex-girlfriends / unlisted sons and daughters I may have out there. But please get my wife to layout my ads. It must be impactful, lifestyle, Good-Times. Get Richard to do the copywriting. Get Juliana to do a website in memory for me. (Acceptance of artwork: Death Cert + Freehand file. 1000, Toa Payoh North. News Centre. Credit cards or cash.)
 
4) Music. Keep them playing in my house 5.1 system. What kind of music… So simple, play those I have in my CD-Rack. Check my MP3 folder in my laptop. If not, get Meijie and Joanne. They know what I like. And if possible, get Kalinda to sing some blues – she is so good in that.
 
5) Food. No preference. Just make sure there is vegetarian food for Tracy. And halah food for Nadirah, Jasbir etc. Just no smoking. Red wine is good.
 
6) Visitors. Okay, this is quite tricky. Cos’ my house is small – so I have to be very selective. Please dun invite people that I dun know or have any direct relationship with. I saw a lot of stangers and unknown faces at my wedding dinner – so I kinda freak out. I am not a saint or a public-figure…Just my family members, friends and loved ones.
 
7) Gifts. No blankets, no flowers. Send chocolate, tour packages (for my wife,families to chill out), farewell cards (write about how bad/good I have impacted your life), photographs of picture we have taken together (get a big AO cork-sheet board and stick it up), $50/visitor, Precious Moments (for my collections) etc. In return, you can take any 1 item from my collections (xbox games, toys, books) as door-gifts after the funeral.  
 
8) Activities. I have almost 30 DV tapes of my life. Just play it throughout on my 42" Plasma. On my final day before I am fired or buried… I want to do it at a church. Since I never spend a good day at the church, let me spend my last earthly day there. Get the following people to express their farewell speech (let them download their frustrations, thanks, love, complains etc) – Felicia, Dad, Mum, Sisters, Wahbiang friends. Get Randy to capture all these moments, edit and pass it over to my child. And finally, get Feli to go thru this checklist on my blog to ensure all these items are closely followed. Felicia, print all my blog and bind it. Make it a Joe Annual Report.
 
9) Attire. Please come in like you are attending a church wedding. It is rude not to RSVP. I have been coordinating weddings and birthdays all my life. So, I shall leave this bit to Gareth and Yifu.
 
10) Bury or Burn? Neither, I dun know, I leave that to my wife or loved ones. Cos’ I am fearful of fire-burns and decaying bites by awful worms and maggots. Dun mummify me too. It is so unglam.
 
And it is so gross to keep one of the body parts behind – cos none of our body parts is cute enough to be kept in memory. (not a chopped finger or a piece of my bone). Still, I want to leave a peaceful piece of me behind…unburned or decayed. Just keep my memories and voices alive. (Invest in a LCD and store some video footages of me. When some one press the button on the tomb stone, the LCD will be turned on and play the footage. Get Jimmy to maintain the system.)
 
At the same time, cast my face and left hand in stone. Keep a chunk of my hair, tied it nicely and suspend it a air-tight 7cm glass tube vessel. Make it zen, okay. Who knows, they may clone me  (from my hair) again in centuries to come.
 
No matter how my body is being treated after the final day. Just place it near my family and loved ones. I hate to be lonely. (Dun throw my ashes into the big sea – I am not that romantic! I will kill you if you did. You can consider spreading my ashes at Tampines Mall, Parkway, Geylang, Katong – my favourite haunts). Make sure you choose a nice pix for my tombstone. Use font "Stone San" for the writing – "In Memory of Joe Chua". 
 
We have always been working hard for our life..but give so much little effort for our death. Most time, we troubled our loved ones to prepare for our death. I guess, it may be good if we spend some time doing a "to-do" list for ourselves. Life is so magical. So, let death be easy and well-remembered.
 
p/s (Just in case there is really a post-life-country and they dun have their own HDB, M1, MAS and Ikea. Please get Echo and Francis to sponsor some nice house, handphone, maid, furniture and money. Send a car too, maybe they dun have TP below. Thanks.) 
 
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Looking Back, Moving Forward

January 1, 2006 Leave a comment


This year, I decided to spend a quiet time counting down to welcome 2006 – just with my family. In fact, I dun recall ever spending such a quiet new year eve. For the past 15 years, it has been quite a party for all of us.
 
This year, I spent the last 4 hours of 2005 with most of the important people in my life. I had a very good "last dinner of 2005" with my "Sat Nannies" at the Compass Point. Nothing gala but a joyful one. Next, I surprised my mum by dropping by her place and pass her an early "New Year Gift". Just 40 mins before 2006, we headed home. (Elkan was kinda sick and he didn’t really give me a "quiet" countdown. He vomitted on his bed 10 minutes before 2006. Both Feli and I had to clean out his mess… Haaa…)
 
Overall, 2005 has been a better year for most in general. Afterall, we are looking at a better job market, more marriages and babies. Here are some of the best moments I had in 2005:
 
1) A Superb 30th Birthday!
Just imagine, I had a 2-week birthday celebration, starting from 7th June to 21st June. My friends drove all the way to KL and at 2am, ranged my hotel room and surprised me with a cake and a song. How touching can that be. Not to mentioned how they cracked their brains to get me my favourite presents – RoboSapien and the hard-to-get Light Saber. Lastly, a surprise dinner at Cityhall + a surprise hotel room at Orchard! Not to forget a surprise "GF" my pal Meijie brought to my party.


 
2) Five Weekends at Hotels and Wedding Dinners
I never come this broke but happy. For 5 consecutive weekends, I attended five 8-course dinners (from Singapore to KL). It began with Felicia’s cousin’s wedding, Joanne’s wedding, my cousin’s (Joei) wedding, Francis-Echo ROM Dinner and finally Felicia’s curtin-mates wedding at KL.
 
3) Good Short Non-Flying Trips
I hate flying – as I am suffering from Aerophobia. Nevertheless, I get to enjoy 2 short trips with my pretty and loyal partners at Caffeine this 2005. We went to Batam (in May) and Tioman (in July). Yixi was so jealous and envious when he saw those sexy photos I took at these 2 trips. We also enjoyed 2 other trips with Wahbiang – KL (June) and Malacca (Nov).

 
4) Breaking ties with all those bad business people
It was a draggy process that nearly ended up in court. Due to some really nasty, petty behaviours of my previous corporate directors, I had a very rough time early 2005. In fact, I received a threatening mail from them on the 2nd day of 2005. After 5 months of endless reasoning, finger-pointings and talks, I finally washed my hands off these people in June 2005. It is a very nasty experience that i see how people broke promises, alliance and friendship just for their own interests.
 
5) Playing XBOX on 42" Plasma Screen
Haaa…..dun rub on too much on this, but it is certainly one of the best upgrades I had this year. Thanks Meijie and the whole Wahbiang clan!
 
6) Modeling and Commissioning Elkan
I am very proud to see my 14th-month boy appearing on SSC booklet and NPVC eCard. With so many designers aunties and uncles, Elkan is one lucky brat!
 
7) Couple of the Year
I feel so proud…so so ….hard to explain (but as proud to say that "this star is my friend"). The moment of joy came when Juliana and Duuk were annouced "Style Wedding Couple of the Year". We were so happy for them. It is like seeing a golden chopsticks with a steaming hot piece of steak on stage. Haaaa….

 
8) Presidential Suite, Watching Fireworks at 60th Floor, Big Big Jacuzzi
Thanks to Juli and Duuk, we had the most magical moments this year when the couple invited us to their 60th Floor Presidential Suite at Swissotel Westin to catch some National Day fireworks. It was such a spectacular sight…the experience is priceless. And thansk to Joanne, I have never been to a hotel room with such a giantic personal Jacuzzi pool. It is more like a mini indoor swimming pool. Thanks for the experience!
 

9) Caffeine Marvels
Caffeine is doing well this year… We achieved more than 5 special mentions at local Marketing Magazines. Randy scored when he conceptualised the Caffeine Calendar of the Year and shot the famed "Umbrella Gang Dance" short film. Not only that, we managed to do some minor office upgrading, tidy up our cozy shophouse for the new year!


 
10) 51 Good Weekends Gathering
While we are all so busy with our weekly routine, it is so good to have a group of regular good friends, gathering around every weekend. From popiah party at Hotel 25 to setting tent at Sentosa, I have spent 51 noisy, enjoyable, fruitful, heart-warming weekends. Yesterday was my only 1 quiet weekend – a time when I can reflect and remember all these great moments of 2005.
 
Happy 2006! BArk! BArk!


Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Conflicting Services by Telcos

December 29, 2005 2 Comments

I confessed I am one of those people who will never pick up a "Private" or "Confidential" line. Why? Cos’ I dun give much respect to those phone users who like to be in the shadows or darkness – hiding their identities when they are making a call. Afterall, why the sneaking concealed identity – unless the caller has something to hide.
 
True and fair enough, many of these "private" or "confidential" lines belong to people in such categories:
 
1) Insurance Tele-salesman (trying to up-sell a new policy)
2) Credit Card Company Tele-salesman (trying to ask you to take more "Ready Cash")
3) Membership Tele-salesman (trying to sell you stupid membership for hotels etc)
4) Stock Broker from God-knows-where (talk with an accent, often trying to sell you the idea of good units)
5) Overdue Creditors (hunting you down, asking you to pay up for your overdue bills)
6) General strangers (who are still using coin-phone to disturb you)
7) Flings (people who cannot afford to reveal identity)
8) Overseas Call (but now, even some overseas calls also offer ID)
 
What disturb me most is that our local telcos offer 2 conflicting services – Caller ID and Confidential Line. Imagine I paid extra $5 every month for Caller ID and there are also people out there paying money to keep their lines private and confidential. (I still dun know why the intentions to go private). Just imagine the whole mobile user population out there pay both Caller ID and Confidential. It just make no sense for consumers.
 
I questioned a staff at M1 before about this stupid conflicting services. In fact, I tot it is not right to charge consumers for Caller ID and on the other hand, offer Confidential Line to other consumers. Then, what is the point of subscribing Caller ID? What the local telcos should do is to offer Caller ID for FREE. And make money by selling Confidential Line. How could they offer 2 conflicting services???
 
I had once a client who complained to me that he couldn’t get me and I didn’t even bother to call back. (cos’ there is no ID, so how the hell I know who called). I told him my reasons for missing his call. He then asked sacastically back "why you carry a handphone and dun reply?" I replied, "I pay for my handphone, I can choose when to reply and when not to answer. My phone is for my convenience, not yours."
 
Honestly, I am still figuring out why there are people (I mean, normal ones) subscribing to private lines. If you are interested and sincerely in making a contact, dun behave like a spy or a sneaking asshole. Be open. And for those who answer private lines, please dun be a slave to your handphone. Didn’t you mama tell you not to talk to strangers.
 
For telcos. Please employ people who think. You can employ me. Cos I am going to suggest that you can introduce another package call the "SUPER CALLER ID" – for those who loves to see those private lines. Make cents and sense.
 
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Singaporean’s Stupid Queuing Habits

December 9, 2005 5 Comments

There are times when I cannot understand why my fellow Singaporeans are so stupid and rude. Worst, they dun compute logic and aren’t resourceful at all. One of the most disturbing behaviours I couldn’t stand is Singaporean’s Strange but Stupid Queuing Habits. Here are a few cases:
 
CASE NO 1:    At AXS Machines
I was paying my dad’s phone bill at Parkway AXS Machines yesterday afternoon. There are 2 machines (side by side) and each is occupied with one user. Being the 3rd user there, I decided to stand in between the 2 machines.
The logic is simple: The machines are so close apart and I get 2 access to either one of the machine. If one of the 2 users jammed the machine, I won’t be wasting my time waiting behind him/her. A single-line queue to multiple service counters is certainly fair and fast.  However, not many places offer such system. You only get to see such queuing-system in bank, cinema, 4D counter and Challenger IT Store etc.
 
Anyway, there was a teenage-girl queuing behind me with her mother. Sensing the man on the left AXS Machine was going to complete his payment, the teenage-girl’s mother walked out of my queue and stood behind the man – creating a "1-queue-1-system".
 
Fearing the people behind me will start following her cue, I decided to tell her to get back to my queue. Of cos’, like typical Singaporean, she replied: "There are 2 machines here, you queue yours, I queue mine. What’s the problem?" 

I remarked loud and clear: "Auntie, you queue one line, you get 2 machines. It is faster this way. And I am here before you guys. If this man is leaving that machine, I have my rights to use it first. Please dun cut queue."

 
Speechless and embarressed, she went back behind me, grumbling in her hokkien tongue – still complaining that why I started a queue like that.
 
This is so typical Singaporean. When they see 2 machines, they "automatically" form 2 queue-lines. No wonder, they need real barricades or painted floor markings to guide them. We are the only train stations that have "yellow boxes" to guide our people not to block traffic in front of opening MRT Doors.
 
 
CASE NO 2:    Getting a Cab along the Road
The street rule goes – "The one nearer to the coming cab gets the cab"
 
We can’t really fault the cab driver if he decided to pick up someone who "hijacked" your cab. This is one of the most common self-made tension between strangers. Especially when 2 of you are within 50m of the road. It really doesn’t matter who comes first. It is more like "who is ahead of you".
 
I met enough jackass "hijacking" my cab. These people often tried to "outwalk" you by another 10m ahead of you. So, what happened if you meet a "taxi hijacker" on the road? Here are some Singaporean’s common reactions:
 
1) Start Walking ahead of these "hijacker" – Stare hard at them when overtaking them.
2) Resign to fate and stood them frowning. Let the "hijackers" snatch the cab right under their nose. Afterall, there are enough empty cab in Singapore. Wait for next one lor. Only react when more people over-take him.
3) Call for cab lor. Afterall, money can solve anything. And if a cab appears before the booked cab comes, board first…and cancel the booked cab.
 
For me, I rather make my intention & presence clear. If I saw someone waiting for cab along the same road before me, I will walk close to him – ask him if he is waiting for a cab – and if he says yes, I will tell him that I will stand there and wait for the next one.
 
And for those jackass who think they can hide by overtaking me, they are very wrong. Cos’ I will yell out loud to them and make clear that I am there first. They have to wait. Most times, this approach worked. Cos’ Singaporean scare "lose-face" and will act "righteously" when told. Unless these "hijackers" are like 100m away from you – it may not be their fault. They may not see you at all.
 
Nevertheless, I did  give way to "hijackers" who are pregnant, old, with baby in hands or handicap.
 
There are more of such mindless people I meet everyday. Where is the "grace element" in our people? Or have we become so competitive that we forget our basic manner and upbringing?
 
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

My Adventures with Taxi Drivers

December 1, 2005 Leave a comment


On an average, I took about 1,200 cab trips per year. That worked out to be about 3.2 cab-trip per day. Quite a conservative number, I guess. So, if I convert that to an estimated cost (based on $5/trip), the final figure can be quite alarming. We are talking about $6,000 – $8,000 per annual. Imagine the kind of money I can save by walking. And if I am a 4D fan, I would have more than a thousand 4D to play with.
 
Of course, as much as 45% of the $8,000 are "covered" by my company. So, it is still cheaper than owning a car. I have no petrol hike to worry…or extra insurance to bear. On the minimum, I will need to spend about $8/day for my transport to work and back to home. So, it cost me about $2,500/annual for my transport to work and back.
 
Friends who have taken cab with me would know that how much I enjoyed chatting with these drivers. For the past 5 years, I may have came into contact with about 6,000 cab drivers (on the assumption that I didn’t take the same cab twice). I have met all kind of cab drivers – from the wise ones to ah beng ones, from the really rude ones to the very enterprising one.
 
But every journey, I absorbed a little tale about the drivers and their own "philosophy" about their job, their families and their perception of our country. Most of the time, I learnt to see a different perspective from these humble people. (Confirmed: there isn’t a young pretty female driver in the cohort of taxi drivers).
 
You will be surprised with the kind of drivers I have encountered. Here are some of my "more interesting" encounters:
 
1) The Extra Service One
One driver threw me a black book of female names. He personally recommended to me a lady called "QiQi". He told me that these are the "hookers" who booked his services on a regular basis. He denied taking commission or "pimp’s fee" but he said he can recommend one that will suit my taste.
 
2) The Secret Society One
One driver fetched me and mistaken for a "client" whom he needs to ferry for a "black business deal". He claimed he was working for an established secret society and ferried "special guests" from airports, hotels and secret gambling dens. He never knew who his "special guests" are, except he will pick them up at specific locations. These guests were mainly new hookers from China, pimps and loan-sharks.
 
3) The Asset-Rich but Cash-Poor One
This Cabbie was eating sushi and offering me some. He told me that he was a Japanese chef and own a condo. Due to bad investment, he has to find $4K every month to pay for his 1.6L car, his condo and other instalments. So, how much he earns as a chef – close to $3K! And driving cab will give him an extra $1K a month.
 
4) The Ex-Millionaire
He was a hotel owner in Vietnam in the early 1990s. He spoke superb fluent English and dressed differently. He had all the magazines that I dun even read – Fortune, Economic Review, Singapore Tatler etc. Sound like a real enterpriser, he went bust in the late 1990s and had to drive cab to make a living now. He is also the one who gave me this 3 golden health rules – "Healthy in the Mind, the Body and the Spirit"
 
 
5) The Salesman
Driving a cab is his part-time job. He is a salesman. He is into all kinds of business – from selling handphone accessories to property agent, he was running around – meeting his clients. During break, he would use his cab as another money-making tool, fetching clients around. Why dun you just own a car, I asked. He replied, "cab is cheaper, only no image. But client won’t know". Driving a cab is cheaper, more flexible than owning a car or renting it. What’s more, he only need the cab in the day. At nights and weekends, he rent it out.
 
 
6) Unbelievable: The One that Fetched me 5 Times
He is a perfect stranger. We dun live near one another. I didn’t make a transport deal with him. Strange but true – and possibly 1 in a million – on 5 different occassions, he picked me off the road and we recognised one another. He has a little doll that he clipped on his mirror and a Siemens ads behind. The first 4 trips are:
 
a) From Eunos to Changi Hospital
b) From Katong to Tampines
c) From Bugis to Eunos
d) From Simei to Eunos
 
I just bumped into him again last Tuesday (from Eunos to Katong). Guess what? His cab is running my Konica Minolta ad now. His name is Mr Rashid and he drives a blue comfort: SHA 6754T.
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

What Car is Yours?

November 19, 2005 3 Comments

There is no way one can complete his life journey without inspirations and motivations. I am not talking about living to the complete end of one’s life. I am talking about living a complete life.
 
Using car as a metaphor to describe life, I call these inspirations and motivations as the "fuels of life". Inspirations and motivations can come in any form. Be it in love, friends, families and sometimes, self-motivated passion. Like a car, regularly, your vehicle needs to refill its petrol – in order for it to further its journey. Without inspirations or motivations, one may find himself going dry and eventually motionless. Dun get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a stationary car or a "lack-of-drive" vehicle.
 
I stopped my car twice in my life – while allowing people in my peers to zoom ahead of me. Blindly travelling on the main highway, I decided to stop and think about the other path. Somehow, I was "inspired" by a new spot I discovered on the other side of the road and decided to change course. With a full tank, I have enough energy to take on another adventure I desired.  (of course, that journey, I found my wife and new lifetime friends).
 
Last night at 3am, I was talking to Joanne and Tracy about how inspired we were when we were young (in poly days). We were filled up and was ready for any adventures. Somehow, after 4 years of travelling, we can’t resist but to ask ourselves if we are are moving forward or backward – a strange insecure feelings most drivers felt. Really, how do one judge the quality of his journey? By speed, by the direction he is traveling or by the road less travelled? Or by the bigger car he is driving?
 
Along my journey, I came across 5 types of cars: (the most common type)
 
1) A motionless car with an empty tank
There could be many reasons for this. The driver may have been travelling blindly, without checking his fuel and direction, getting lost and eventually, lost his resource to move anymore.
 
2) A motionless car with a full tank
The driver may have found a shady spot with great view – stopped the car and be contented about it. Or a driver with so much potential and options to travelled but chose to be static. This could be the driver lacks courage, self-confidence to advance his journey. Or he is simply procastinating and cannot make up his mind on where to go.
 
3) A moving car with an empty tank
How can that be possible? Yes, it can. The driver is pushing his car towards the next destination. He may lost all the faith, direction and inspiration in life, but he himself is the motivator. With a never-say-die attitude, he chose not to be motionless, he constantly pushing for the next destination. Yes, the driver himself is the fuel.
 
4) A moving car with a leaking tank
Travelling long way, searching endlessly, feeling lost. Precious fuel are leaking away. At this point, most drivers would be tired and worried. Should they find new fuel stations to refill or just let the fuel run out. Or should they pause for a while to re-think of a new path? I guess most people fall into this category.
 
5) A moving car with a full tank
A newly charged car with full fuel and ready to roll. The driver is energetic, taking on roads, exploring his next adventure. The next question is: "How big is his fuel tank?"
 
I guess I am one lucky chap. At every stage of my life, I met different group of inspiring people. That really add fushion to my life and keep me going further. Perhaps, it is time for me to add more fuel to go another adventure. But this time, please remind me to get a bigger fuel tank.
 
 
 
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Knowing when the rain is coming…

November 16, 2005 Leave a comment

When I was young, I was amazed by my granny’s prediction of the weather. She often called out "Peng, later will rain, dun go out…" True enough, rain clouds began to form. And most times, it did rained. I always wondered how my granny able to make weather prediction so accurate. She dun watch TV forecasts or dial tele-weathercast. 
 
Unable to withhold my curiosity, I decided to ask her about her skills to predict rainy days. She told me to observe the "water flies" and the behaviour of our dog. Somehow, she was able to pick up signs from these animals to predict the rain. (That is something I can never pick up) I tried correcting her and pointed the clouds to her. I told her about those cloud formations that I learnt in Geography. She just shook her head in confusion. Watching clouds was far too complicated for her. She can only tell the difference between a "dark sky" and a "white" one.
 
When I grew up, I developed my own "bio-system" to forecast the rain. Strangely, I am able to forecast rain 2-3 days in advance. Amazing, it works 90%. Here are what I noticed:
 
1)  Your house is suddenly full of ants. (I suspect ants are able to predict rain and come indoor for shelther)
2) There is a halo around the moon at night. (There are dense moisture in the air, possibly rain the next day)
 
I guess there are many tell-signs around us to forecast natural events. We just need to pay additional effort to observe them and understand their unique behaviour.
 
Guess the same theory can be applied to people-to-people relationship. We have to observe signs of a breaking relationship and try our best to mend it. If not, we got to try all ways to avoid a bad storm. I never look forward and count down to the end of a bad storm. Instead, I always look forward to the start of a refreshing, sunny day.
 
Somehow, the air, after a storm, is often cooler, fresher and cleaner.   

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

The Season of Love

November 6, 2005 2 Comments

November is always special. It has that special scent in the air… I often tell my friends "the Season of Love is here, I can smell it".
 
I was only 12 when I noticed the air of November has an unique scent. Perhaps, it marks the start of the rainy season. Somehow, the scent and nice cooling weather just make everyone so lovely and ready to fall in love. Or it could be my childhood love which registered this scent mark inside my head.
 
1987. I spent my last primary school vacation at my granny’s terrace house. I had just completed my PSLE and was looking forward to secondary school life. That vacation, I met a lot of new friends who stayed around my granny’s house. That November, I had my first taste of love with a girl around my age. 
 
No, there wasn’t any opening lines like "I am your boyfriend or you are my girlfriend". Perhaps we shared the same thinking and personality, it was naturally how we were able to connect like close buddies on our 3rd day of friendship. There was no hidden sexual urge to bed anyone, simple just 2 young kids who wanted pure, innocent companionship.
 
Many times, we would found ourselves slipping out of the group and ventured out to the streets together. We would just walked the long street of Joo Chiat, chit-chatting anything – basically what 12-year-old would talk about. Once, we were just resting alone in her living room (with her parents around) when her hand found mine under the sofa cushions. For the next twenty minutes, she held my hand, looked really shy and just smiled. It was a very very sweet moment.
 
The next 2-3 weeks were simply magical. We became very close friends, sharing more stories and thoughts. She was also the first girl who stole my first kiss away.
 
All feast in this world must come to an end. That vacation, her family was moving out of Joo Chiat. It happened on that particular week when my parents took me home. She didn’t managed to leave any contact behind – perhaps she didn’t even know her new address. However, she did left a message with another neighbourhood friend to inform me that she was leaving. And that was it.
 
By the time I returned to my granny house (with high hopes and lovely thoughts of her), her house was already emptied. When the news reached me, I was so so sad about it. Heart-broken, I dun know. I spent the last 2 weeks of December, waiting by my granny’s gate, hoping for her to return to say bye. The air was different, I thought. It has a special scent.
 
I never get to meet her again. However, she left me with such a deep impression that Novemeber. My memories not only contained the feelings I had for her but also the scent, the songs that went by that November.
 
Coincidently, I have many friends who fell in love in November, including me and my wife. Perhaps it is the weather or the festive seasons (christmas, new year). People generally feel good at the end of the year. It is like completing a year-long journey, looking forward for a brand new year.
 
Enjoy the Season of Love. The air is really different.
 
 
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

← Older posts

Newer posts →