Joe Chua (1975 – 2050)

February 7, 2008 Leave a comment

Someone said "Life is like Money. Spend it wisely. Don’t let someone spend it for you."  
 
I visited Felicia’s late daddy’s tombstone last Sunday. There were thousands of tombstones around his. Beside the photograph of the deceased, the tombstone clearly marked the name and the window of one’s life. Like a completed book, every face has a unique window. 2000-2005, 1956-1999, 1990-2005, 1904-2000 etc. Like different books, each tomb has its own unique number of pages of life story to share. If only I am able to play them and review their life.
 
Every one of us has a window of life – 60, 70 or just 40 years. Of couse, it is never our job to mark the closing year of our life. We are told of our genesis but never our destiny. We have the expectation to live till 70 – for that is what the scientist told us. I would imagine putting this number on my tombstone – (1975 – 2050). If I am able to live beyond 2050, those would be bonuses from Above.

Numbers can do a lot of things to our mental self. It helps us to set target and milestones. It is a communicable language between the universe and us. It define reality clearer than anyone. It shape the dimension we live in. It gives time its most basic meaning. It measures the distant of our life journey. Yet, it never tell us what is its last number. For all we know, it begins with numeric 1.

Like book covers, we can never judge one’s life by his/her looks. We took many things for granted in our life. The people we know, the things we possess, the very present life we have and the time we share. It is of no entitlement that we should be here. It is of couse a miracle that we happen to exist at this point of life in the 21st century.

It just made me realise one simple truth about life. It is not easy to be here, at this very era, meeting the people I am meeting. Be it my parents, my colleagues or my friends. For all you know, we both could have existed in different era. Yet, in this short window of 70 years, we both co-exist in the same period and met one another. It is not a coincidence, it is what they call FATE. And it is what we do in FATE which matters. Cherish Fate, Enjoy Fate.

If 70 is the final end game for me, this means I have already completed 45% of our journey. Perhaps another 37 birthday cakes to call it a day. A cruel reality call. Yet I pass each precious day on invaluable chores, which really doesn’t make any big difference to life – except a better and nicer bowl of rice down my throat. The unexpected twists of life create surprises and regrets for us. If that is only 37 cakes left for me, it will be a lesser number for my parents and friends.

What keeps me going? What have I done so far? Or am I just here to be part of the passing baton of humanity? One generation after another, we continue the legacy of the good things that were left behind by our forefathers. We continue to live to perfect ourselves – be it mentally, spiritually or naturally. 

 
Every era has its own challenges and rewards. I saw the wonders of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. I rock with Michael Jackson and Andy Lau. I witness the best of Lee Kuan Yew and the worst of Osama Bin Laden. I remembered the pain and losses of June 4th, Sept 11th and Birth of SARS and bird flu. I am one of the lucky firsts who been touched by the internet, email and 3G video-mobile telephony. I witnessed the wonders of digital music and audio and the birth of robotics. And I am glad that I was there during the rise of Microsoft, Yahoo, Napster, YouTube and Google. If I am lucky enough, I may live long enough to experience "Minority Report" and "iRobot".
While I have taken 50% of my life just to figure out how to live as a good man. I will spend my remaining 50% teaching my son how to be one too. I may not be the one in the billion who contribute a significant piece of this era. Yet I am part of the billion who ultilise that one’s contribution.

Or should I establish a good "idea" on how to justify the fruitfulness of life. The checklist is never ending. And that is when one ponders on his/her destiny.

Time to write the remaining 37 pages of my life with colourful and meaningful content. With freedom of exploration and expression. Life may not return like what we have always hoped. And certainly not in the same era with the same group of people I love so dearly today. That is how I am going to spend it.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Shanghai – Snow City

January 29, 2008 Leave a comment

No, this is not an architectual model. It is a real photo taken from my window this morning. Shanghai is experiencing her heaviest snowfall since 1949. The last heavy snowfall was recorded in 1984 and it wasn’t as heavy like this. To many locals, it was their first time seeing thick snow right outside their homes. For me, it was like traveling to another snow city. Overnight, every place I have been has taken on a new look.

The strangest thing is about the temperature. It has fallen to minus three now but it isn’t as cold as it was like 5. The sun came out today and the thick snow is still there. Many people are happy about the snow. It is a good sign to them – “Finally, the good old snow is back in Shanghai”, exclaimed my cab driver (who is in his 50s). “You see, in the old days, Shanghai used to snow like this. But the pollution changed the weather so much. It is like back to the old days.”

This is my first encounter of snow. And it is certainly a wish came true. I was planning to see snow last Christmas but I ended up back in Singapore. Thus, you can imagine how happy I was today. To me, everything is refreshingly beautiful. Snow, is just like “ice kacang”. And yes, snowball is as painful as rock. And very dirty too.

Today, I took a 3-hour lunch and skipped off to Fuxing Park with my two close colleagues. (It was the best AWOL I ever made.) It was amazing!!! I was so thrilled and high! The city is awaken with excitement and joy! You see adults having snowball fights on the streets, children and parents building snowballs everywhere (on pavements and even on cars!). Like a kid, I was so hyper…capturing all sort of things with my Canon Camera. I built my first “snowgirl” today! Okay, I didn’t really get my hands cold and dirty, I did add the finishing touch to it (the black nipples!) My colleagues Alicia and Calvin did most of the hard work.

Walking under the trees can be a hazzard. When the wind blows, piles of snow will just fall on top of your head. And it can be really painful. Running on thick snow is also fun, you can’t really see the real terrain below and I had a couple of bad falls. But I am just so happy, who cares! It is snow!

Here is the bad news. Since Sunday, more than 3,000 people were admitted to hospital for broken bones (due to slip-falls). And over 30,000 people are still stranded at Shanghai train stations and airports. Both Pudong and HongQiao airports were closed due to heavy snowfall. And yes, I am flying tomorrow and I have no idea if I am able to get a flight back. Just heard that DragonAir has stopped all flights to Hong Kong (quite a major disruption for their aviation history). There is no confirmation if I can board my SQ flight tomorrow.

Mmm…(here another wish) maybe the snow can just stop for 1 day so that I can take a flight back home for my CNY tomorrow. (Yeah, just heard on the TV that the snow won’t come back until this Friday!)

Filed under Family, Life in Shanghai

A White Sunday Morning

January 27, 2008 2 Comments

I was in my good old lazy sleep when Felicia shook me up from my bed. “Come out to the balcony, look at the roofs outside!”

It was a pleasant sight. The roofs out there were all white. The cars in the parking lots were all white. The grass, roads, playgrounds and pavements were all white. I quickly ran back into the bedroom and dragged “frustrated” Elkan out of his sleep. Sure, he was like me – pulling the blackest face. I yelled “Elkan, let’s go down and play snow!” It was only 730am.

In no time, the three of us geared up and dashed downstairs. I nearly slipped off the pavements as it is coated with a very thin layer of ice. Everything was coated with snow. I bet what Joanne and Tracy are thinking right now – “Ai yah, miss that!”

Elkan was having fun stepping on the icy ground. Felicia was shivering. And me, clicking the photos away! I had such a wonderful week –  at least I managed to see snow in Shanghai before I fly back to Singapore. While the snow wasn’t thick enough for a game of snowball, it was just an elevator ride away. White enough to fulfill my little humble wish.

Filed under Cool Stuffs, Family, Life in Shanghai

A Weekend of Bowling and Reunion Dinner

January 26, 2008 Leave a comment

(Photo taken: HuaiShan Bowling Alley – 3 matches, 2 couples. Equal standings. Felicia and Johnny improved with each new games while Ming and I weaken.Elkan? He wanted to bowl too! But Joe’s iPhone kept him at bay again! Maybe I should write to Steve Jobs that iPhone is such a great baby-sitter for kids.Yah, and where’s Tracy? – She has MIA in Taiwan this weekend. Couldn’t reach her all day long. Yahoooo, we go all eat meat this weekend!


(Photo taken: At my house – Johnny prepared a great home-cook feast for our pre-CNY Reunion Dinner!)

Filed under Life in Shanghai

Snow Shanghai

January 26, 2008 Leave a comment

(Photo Taken: At my bedroom’s window, overseeing Lupu Highway)

Filed under Life in Shanghai

Big Joe Meets Big Ben

January 21, 2008 1 Comment

I could have never imagine visiting London alone. And certainly not like this – under 40 hours. I had always imagine visiting Europe with my friends – the backpackers way – fine and slow. London, Paris would have been more romantic than it is to me now.

Certainly, the long-haul flight is torturing – both mentally and physcially. Worst, I was hoping for a “beautiful” girl companion on board – but I should have known – in business class, you only get dirty old men like myself. There is hardly any ladies in my class. I was surrounded by 40s old Englishmen. For the slow 16-hour flight, I could only strapped tight to my seat (watching 4 re-runs of i-Robot, Secret, Invasion and Black Hawk Down). I wish I had a nice, young female neighbour – so I can chat with her and maybe “court” her to be my 40-hour guide in UK.

I touched down Heathrow Airport (at 4am Shanghai time). Greeting me was an Indian driver from Hilton. He was so friendly and chatty and he made detours and show me the city. The minute I touched down London, I fell in love with this place. It is so beautiful. There is no intense highrise skyscrappers and fly-overs. The city is filled with trees and grand buildings. I was enchanted by the old buildings and people. It is a metropolis by people and not buildings. You see lots of different kind of people here – the Arabs, the Chinese and the Europeans. It reminds me of Perth.

With about 4 hours of free time, I roamed the city alone with my faithful Canon camera (plus the bendable tripod!). Surprisingly, London isn’t as cold as Shanghai. And it is really a tourist-friendly place. With limited time, I went to a couple of “important places” that I always wanted to visit. I chose “The London Eye”, “Big Ben”, “History Nature Museum”, “Harrods” and the “Buckingham Palace”. And I visited the original Number 141 office at Westbourne Terrace (the origin place for 141 worldwide).

I made a joke out of myself at the museum. I was standing at the guard house and asked “How much is the ticket?” The guard replied “Sir, you can’t buy a ticket.” I was shocked, thinking it is only open for the local. So I asked, “Why? How do I get in?” And she answered “The museum is free, sir.”

Tell me, is our museum in Singapore free? Now I remember what Tracy told me. In big international cities like New York and Sidney, the museum is free for all. It is for the public and the country finance it. Yes, there are also donation boxes in the museum where public can donate. Guess, our high GST and ERP tax can’t even afford to offer us a free museum back home.

It is a good thing that I brought my “bendable tripod” along. I achieved many “self-timer” takes. Of course, the people in London are friendly to snap you a shot!

Sadly I couldn’t extend my stay (cos’ I have a meeting in HK next). At the very least, it is worth the torture of enduring 16 hours x 2 journey. A very good first impression and a lasting love for this place.

Filed under Life in Shanghai, Travel

A happy and foggy dreamy birthday

January 8, 2008 Leave a comment

Elkan was jumping on the bed. Felicia went and picked up 2 wrapped gifts from the living room. Tracy was “preparing” something in the kitchen. Me? I was arguing with Elkan on the actual timing.

It was the eve of Felicia’s birthday. 2 mins to 12am, 7th Jan. Felicia showed me a e-Greeting photo done by Joanne on Facebook. Elkan was singing his own version of Happy Birthday. I told him that it wasn’t 12am yet, he pointed to the super-fast clock in my bedroom and he was right – it showed 12:10am.

I dragged Felicia and Elkan out to the living room. Tracy came out just in time – with a cake on her hand – singing happy birthday. There were only 2 candles (double 3) on the cholocate cake – that excite Elkan – who couldn’t wait to blow out the candles. We had the usual cake-cutting and gift-opening. 4 good gifts on the first hour of her big day. (From Meiling, Tracy, Jovel and me!)

It was a very foggy day. I would say it was the most foggy day I ever see in Shanghai. It was like walking on clouds. Low clouds, super foggy and magical. Felicia received a mystery flowers from an unknown sender. Tracy MSN me and told me it is from Felicia’s secret suitor. Haa…. I thought it was from Meijie.

We had a very nice birthday dinner later that day. Echo, Francis, Grey and family (mum and dad) joined us at Ruijin Hotel. We had good food at a very “heritage” place. The weather, fog, old building and atmosphere created a mixture of magic for our night.

This is Felicia’s 2nd birthday in Shanghai. The third one in this house. And possibly her last one in this city.

Filed under Family, Life in Shanghai, Wahbiang

Elkan’s Coverlooks

January 8, 2008 Leave a comment

Having a cute son (sorry, being thick-skinned here) isn’t a happy thing for a dad who is fat and sloppy. Too many times, I have gotten strange stares from the public eyes – almost slapping their questions right on my face – "Are you sure you are his dad?" or "Wow lucky man, your son took after his mother’s good look!"

Let me clear this once and for all. I was cute and adorable when I was three. And I am worried my little prince will grow up and become a fat pop. I was telling my colleague the other day – "I was called "Cute" for the 1st 10 years, "Handsome" for the next 10 years and "Fatty" for the last 10". That would added up to 30 years. 

 
"So, what happened to the other 2 years?" she asked.

"Fit and tan" I told her. "For that 2 years, I was in NS."
 
Enjoy the pixs. (Just hot from the oven).

I am going for "Charming" for my next 10 years.

Filed under Family

Elkan’s 1st Commercial Shoot

January 2, 2008 Leave a comment

After many rounds of requests, Felicia finally let Elkan go for his first commercial shoot. Ever since Elkan is here in Shanghai, he has been "street-scout" to go for auidition. Having daddy and mummy (and aunties) in the advertising world, we know the dark side of this industry. To the commercial buyer, he is just a reference face to push a visual. Nothing greater than that.

Finally, we met a talent-scout agency who offered to pay for Elkan’s photography, port-folio and publicity fee, we decided to let them shoot Elkan. A 1-hour shoot became a 2-hour shoot. Elkan is very cooperative in his virgin shoot. Unable to understand the chinese-speaking photographer, Felicia has to "command" Elkan on the poses (kinda typical childish). I dun expect great classic…but hey, it is a free makeover shoot. And the producer allowed us to keep his photos for free!

Anyway, children grow up fast. We want to capture his cuteness and innocence. See this as a good excuse for us to put him up as a "talent".

Afterall, it is better than home alone with a bunch of adults. 

Filed under Life in Shanghai

The last blog of the year

December 31, 2007 Leave a comment

I shall conclude this year’s blog with these fun photos (taken at Francis house). It was a replay of Wahbiang Xmas Party games! Trust me, it was super hilarious! This is the last party of the year. And the last one at Francis’ rental house.

Filed under Life in Shanghai

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