North Carolina Outward Bound School

Departing on a flight at 7+ in the morning is really not a thing for me so being with Gideon and Bibiana made this experience a little better. What followed was a near 20 hours flight time that I had to endure as this is the longest I've ever stayed off the ground. Transiting in Tokyo was a nice experience however this was the first time I've been to Japan without stepping out of the airport, sian siah!!!! Well, this was better than the transit in Chicago as I was brought to another room for questioning by the immigration officer, lesson learnt "PRINT YOUR DOCUMENTS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE E-TICKETS OR E-VISA". Eventually it was mentioned that the officer had an over dosage of his routine medicine thus his crankiness, now that explained why. I had mine too if not my hand would have spoke to his face.

Being attached to NCOBS was really an eye opener and I am really assured of Kurt Hahn's philosophy being carried on through OB programmes in this part of the world. Out of a concrete jungle, I really felt in tuned when I was introduced to the environment that I would be exposed to for the following five days.

The woods, the staff, the structures and the programme which I was able to observe right from the course preparation refreshed me. As someone who has experienced pre-course briefs, the one conducted prior to a 5-Day programme for the Woodberry students (all boys) was inspirational. I felt like conducting the course with the Instructors man!!!

I was treated to pumpkin carving for the first time in my life and it was a cosy gathering of staff munching away on homemade cookies over hot tea. Such is the way of life over there. I can say that the two staff hired to provide meals for the staff there is really talented. They can easily whip up tasty meals not just referring to recipe books but also trying out online recipes, shiok!

During the observation of the 5-Day programme, I realised that the service projects is very much alive. The boys had half a day of service projects at the campsite and they had to improve the trails trodden on either by participants or public within the woods. I observed a framing and participants were asked to share their thoughts on giving back to the community and it is something which Singapore students would share as well. We are after all able to identify with the current generation regardless of the different countries we are in.

On the last day, I had the opportunity to trek to Table Rock and bouldered on some natural rocks, check it out.

The Very Studious Wife & Hungry Caterpillar

Vanessa has taken on 2.5 years of part-time studies at UniSIM and I really envy the motivation that she possesses as a working and studying Mother. Thank God for such a wonderful wife. The amount of time that she is left after work has to be balanced between interacting with Josiah and the books so can you imagine the stress that she feels at times. Another 1 year and she will be completing her studies. I look forward to the time where she has attain a Degree in Psychology.

Josiah has reached the age of 2 years and 7 months. Thank God for providing him the space to grow and for keeping him healthy. His appetite can be scary at times as he is able to down a bowl of rice, yes, I mean just rice without any other food. However we do 'force' him to eat the meat and the veggie everytime. Josiah brings joy to our lives and I thank you in any way where you have interacted with him thus enabling him to mingle socially and playfully.

Ultra Paintballers

It was nearly a year of Sabbath from this activity and the new playground at Turfcity was bigger. The battlefield was divided into two and the midpoint proved more exciting and interesting. This picture is the best of the day.

Ah Zai's Wedding

1 May 2009, my Brudder's Wedding. An important day to remember down life's journey. To be the Best Man to someone whom I first knew in 1985 since Pri 3 is an honour.

I remembered that when he was assigned to be in 'Purple' house, I persuaded him to switch to 'Grey' house which I was in however he kena scolded by our form teacher. 24 years have passed and our Brudderhood is still going strong.

Enjoy the pictures of the Big Day.

CLUB MED PHUKET

Our first taste of a luxurious holiday to Club Med, Phuket. Heard so much about the club however it wasn't till 32 years later in life that I got to taste such a luxurious time with Vanessa and Josiah. For Vanessa, it was time and money well spent for such a great time. Josiah at two years of age have tasted such high life, so blessed hor!!!!!

It was a first time for Josiah on the airplane and we had our apprehension. He didn't pose much of a problem to us nor for the flight attendants except for not wanting to place the seatbelts over himself as he felt like prisoner. His companions for the flight other than us were Bertie Bus from Thomas & Friends and his best friend, Bolster. Not forgetting, he was unwell the previous night as he experienced a fever and a HMFD scare. Can you imagine the next few days where he was really fussy about the kind of food that we were exposed to. It was dampening the holiday mood with all his crankiness however it improve from Day 3 onwards. His appetite was getting better and he was starting to enjoy himself.

We were looking through the activities and was treated to a nice evening show on the first night. It was really entertaining where the Chef De Village (not the Head Chef) was the Director of a 'Movie'. Participants from the floor were invited up on stage to act in the movie and they had to follow the script very closely. Those scenes were really funny and the last part of the movie require the participants to speed up their acting in double time. I can't forget the Lion roaring as part of the ending of the movie, hahahahahahaha.

Activities that both Vanessa and I took part in were snorkelling, archery, playing some ball games, trapeze and jumping on a trampoline while connected to thick and big bungy ropes. The most exhilarating one was the trapeze where I swung while hanging upside down while the snorkelling was not that interesting when you have seen more exotic places in Malaysia. Do take note, all this could not have been possible without the support of Petit Club Med, Phuket where we left Josiah in their care for a day. Well, he was enjoying himself shooting other kids with a water gun when we were going to pick him up.

The streets along Phuket was filled with pubs, restaurants and souvenir shops. I would say that it was really interesting to just walk along the streets ogling at the variety of food especially when it was approaching meal times. HUNGER never existed while at the Club as the meals were closely time while the beverages were free flowing, I say again, FREE FLOWING even for liquor.

At the end of it, we met up with a Singaporean who was working as a Group Officer there. He was involved in the Circus being muscular and fit, that was the position offered to him when he first applied for a post in the Club. He has moved on to another Club as a Circus Manager.

We truly enjoyed ourselves and if you were to ask me whether I would visit another Club Med, I would say YES.

Diving in Philippines

It's been nearly a year since I blogged. So I'm gonna just talk about our diving trip to Moalboal in Cebu.

Upon arrival, we were introduced to a world of honking, more honking and super duper honking on the roads. We realised that the sound was not used as a 'Middle Finger' to other drivers and riders but to alert others that "I'm coming by your side and better give way or else *%@#!". Well, we survived the 3+ hours drive afterwhich we were ushered to the dive shop upon arrival at the Savedra. It was a world that we have not experienced being in it before as it was simple. Shopping malls, forget about it because all you see there are dive shops, beach resorts, bars and restaurants to cater to the tourism.

After checking into our room at Cabana, we headed to where our stomachs were commanding us. Can't remember what we had but it was a 'solid' meal since our previous meal on the plane. The following days were filled with diving, combing the seafront village for meals other than the 'paid-for meals'. Meals were better when eating at other restaurants serving local delights and Japanese food. 'Paid-for meals' at the usual restaurant were either Americano or something else for breakfast, lunch and dinner were rotated within a set of 9 defaulted main courses. Can you imagine that we had to................let's not talk about THAT experience.

Diving was great for the first two to three days then boredom started setting in as our DM seemed to like a particular island called Cocomo, no lah, it's called Pescador. We hinted that it's enough as the marine life over there seem to be getting familiar with us. Wall diving is what you will get over in Moalboal however the night dives were never disappointing. An array of crabs in a single night dive can never compare with all my previous trips added together. My dive log is the window to the experience.

We planned our days with shopping in Cebu and a day of adventure in between dive days. We didn't want a buildup of nitrogen in our blood vessels man!!!! We visited a Catholic ground there and chanced upon Magellan's cross, it states that the cross he carried onto land and planted it on 15 April 1521 is encased in the cross you see in the picture. We made our way to the mall after viewing the street life and the mall is huge, we were lost at one point of time.

Next best thing to diving was Canyoning where we traversed rapids and abseil to a point where we just have to allow the rope to run through our Krabs and Fig 8 descenders, boy was it heart pumping. Seeing the children getting thrilled by jumping off from their seacrafts into the sea allowed me to taste the simplicity of their lives. Back flips, side flips, head in, running from one end of the craft to the other before showing us a spectacular dive says it all.

Lastly, our departure was delayed by4 hours as a 'wonder what was going in the brain' parent threw a soiled diaper into the toilet bowl. Can you imagine when all passengers in the plane was restricted to 1 toilet instead of 4. I WONDER HOW AND I WONDER WHY.

Peugeot Partner

Now is the time to reveal our new Partner......................... from Peugeot, what were you thinking?????

Our Partner has served us for nearly two months now and what problem has it given? None actually accept the 'butt kissing' incident which happened three weeks ago. I as the victim treated the agressor very nicely and assured him that I'll not claim more than the damages sustained during the incident. I was not unethical by claiming against other defects after hearing those horror stories of car accidents where claims can go up to five figure sums. Crazy and unethical are the words!

So here it is, our new Partner.

Singapore Will aka William

My friend whom I've met during my Outward Bound Australia attachment in 2007 finally arrived in Singapore on 2 April 2008. Such was the feeling of seeing a long lost friend even though it was a matter of four months.

Immediately he was whisked off to a hawker centre situated in the easter part of the island known as East Coast Park where we shared a plate of Hokkien Mee. Imagine asking him does he mind eating at McDonald's the moment he step into my vehicle. Ya, can visualise the 'palm hitting forehead' action? Well, that was a good taster of Singapore food to come for Will. Not forgetting the steep prices of a backpackers' lodge situated in Ang Mo Kio, I shall refrain from stating the name of the business. So if you ever come across a lodge in AMK area, do contact me so that I can really ADVISE you on the experience to come.

The next two days revolved around Singapore Zoological Gardens and Sentosa followed by our favourite pasttime..... can you guess???? Food during meal times were kind of elaborate as we ensured that Will did not have repeated food items throughout the days he was here.

The all-famous chilli crabs for dinner on the second day and eating at an authentic Indian restaurant tucked away at Dempsey Road was a good way of ensuring the enzymes of the stomach to be continuing to work hard for the body.

So do take a look at the pictures of Will and the food galore..............................

Independence Day

In December 2007, Josiah has finally held onto his on bottle which he had been drinking from for the previous 5 months. A sigh of relief as he rejected the milk bottle at 7 months and I expended my means of feeding him milk. Usage of spoon and training cup equated to nil returns. The idea of using a straw for him to drink milk from a cup hit me one day and thank God, it worked afte a trying 7 days. I was sure those 7 days seemed liked it will never end.

OB Australia

Leaving for Australia was exciting back in November 2007 but it was the hardest thing I could remember doing for that year. Exciting as I was going to be attached to OBA for a month, hardest thing to do was to miss Vanessa's birthday on 1 November and leaving Josiah for a full 3o days. This sums up how much I'm emotionally attached to them.

Upon arrival in Australia, I was greeted by the very very very cool swirling air that chilled my bones when the doors opened. I was whisked off to the bush 7 hours later to embark on a 10-Day programme with a bunch of Hwa Chong Institute boys. The unknown hit me and I was feeling like a participant 6 years after my participation in a 21-Day course in OBS as a new staff.

The importance of maintaining hygiene while out in the bush is something which OBS can really adopt. Meal times were a challenge as I had to eat Muesli or what Singaporeans (actually I think it's only me) call 'cornflakes' for breakfast, rolls aka buns with ham, cheese, vege and not forgetting the infamous VEGEMITE, arghhhhhhhhhh................ Ok, compose yourself, dinner was most sumptiuous as we went down to chopping, cutting, stirring, adding seasoning and lastly, appreciating the darkness as it masks the presentation of your dinner while you savour it.

The rest was history and the most important person I met and felt most comfortable with is Will, an American who chose to look for a greener pasture upon graduating from a US University. We shared many stories and cleared any misconceptions about US and Singapore while maintaining a positive perception of the other, hahahahaha. That was the best 10 days I spent in Australia.

Being at the base of OBA, Tharwa was a challenge as LJ and I went through their Operations Manual aka TSR and many other manuals. At the end of it all, we found it most beneficial as we suddenly had so many SSS (staff suggestion scheme) that could have freed us up for 10 years.

The pictures include the watch that I was attached to, a dead tree taken in the evening while trekking and the 3 Dai Di Kings of Tharwa.

Josiah is ONE!!!

Nine months before Josiah arrived, both Vanessa and me were very excited knowing that a bundle of joy had been conceived. We both waited anxiously for his arrival not knowing how would this baby looked like. Did he look as handsome as his daddy or as cute as his mummy?

Well, the answer arrived in Mount Alvernia on 14 October 2006 at 2241 hrs. There he was in the ward where other friends of his were in as well. Seeing him stretching at the point of time reminds me of being kept in the tunnel for X amount of time during my Instructor Selection for OBS. Seeing that tiny mouth of him yawning so widely allowed me to be awed by this creation of God. Yes, God made Josiah and presented him to us through Vanessa who carried him around for many months before he touched down in our arms.

Vanessa, my lovely wife and blessed mummy of Josiah has done a great deal in caring for him. Looking at the effort put in in preparing his food made me wonder was this the same lady who had said that she has no connection with children in any way possible in the yesteryears. Here she is now, so real in both our lives, caring not only for me but for cute little Josiah as well. As Asians, we seldom affirm people around us for the commitment and effort put in to all the things that were done so I've committed myself to affirming not only Vanessa for being a great wife and mummy but others around me as well. See how much a child can change the colours of your perspective in life. As one body, we will continue to outserve each other to carry out the commandments of Christ.

Josiah, a blessing unto our lives has brough much joy and laughter to our daily routine and scheduled life cycles. May God bring him up according to His way through His guidance.

My dad who has been caring for Josiah must be applauded as well. A man whom I had feared when I was younger showed his affectionate and emotional side whenever he is with Josiah. How amazing can God be to reveal the core of a man's heart after peeling away the many layers of 'skin'. He has been a good example as a grandfather and I would imitate him when my grandchildren comes along. May God bless his life with happiness and joy so that his smile can be worn forever to brighten up somebody's day.

So do take a closer look at the pictures of my beloved ones.

Happiness Part 2

Ok, here is the next post after my previous one which was (I also dunno when). Well, this is dedicated to Heng Kah and Joanne who tied the knot in June.

So happy and honoured to be one of the Henchman on his wedding day and I will always remember the sacrifice that Heng Kah made on my wedding day. I vowed to do anything that the 'creative' sisters would come up with. Well, that morning was a breeze man!!!! The other Henchman would vouch for that and when the 'Tekan' session was over, our shirts were still dry man!!!!

My Brudder, Heng Kah and I have come a long way and definitely I feel blessed to know him since secondary school days. I never would have expected that my senior in the Boys' Brigade and I could hold out our friendship for such a long time. Those times we spent talking and encourageing each other when we were down will go down well in my memory.

Lastly, I'm sure this couple will be a blessing to people around them anytime and place.

Happiness

After the last post, I guess I went missing to everybody's amazement. How can someone blog and forget about it so soon, hee hee, this is excuse for being lazy to blog. Another lamer excuse is that I can only use home PC to blog as the one at workplace isn't tested due to amount of workload. Can you count how many lame stuff I've written in the sentences before this, hahahaha!!!!!

Anyway, my happiness also lies in the fact that my brudder Heng Kah is celebrating the beginning of his marriage with a wonderful wedding on the last day of June, so is it 30th or 31st, hmmmmm???? It will be a memorable day because I'll be one of the Brudders ready to charge the gate down early in the morning, oops, do I sound violent??? Well, I'm honoured to be one of the Brudders who will do whatever the Sisters demand. I remembered that a few of my Brudders also 'SACRIFICED' themselves during the gate crashing, kissing of Xs drawn on.......only the Brudders will know what I mean.

Well, this time I'm sure the Sisters will not make Heng Kah shout at the top of his voice whether he has sore throat or not. We just want to maintain peace in the neighbourhood in the early hours of the day.

So with this latest blog, I hope to maintain the frequency of blogging, hee hee, some of you must be thinking, let's see how long this will last. Don't think I don't know what you are thinking. Await for the next blog.

Josiah Loh s/o Connel & Vanessa

It all started on 11th Oct 2006 when we paid a weekly visit to our gynaecologist, Dr Poon. He said that Josiah's might be a little to big for Vanessa's pelvic and his umbilical cord was near his neck region. He suggested an induced labour and so we chose the ultimate date, 14th Oct 2006.

Throughout the pregnancy, both of us prayed hard daily for a Supernatural Childbirth, a book which we read ever since we experienced a miscarriage last Oct. The experience was really hard for both of us to accept because of the heartache and pain. It was really God's love which overcame all pain, disappointment, guilt and many factors which the devil was drilling into our minds. During the period of time, I recalled having a dream where I received a present and upon unwrapping it, there was a baby inside. One of my friends said that it could be God's answer to our prayers. Indeed He answers our prayers according to His will and when we are praying, He hears.

Well, here we are now enjoying our life with our little bundle of joy, Josiah Loh. Born on 14th Oct 2006, weight at 3.3kg and time was 2241 hours. It started at 0830, Vanessa was wheeled into the delivery suite at Mount Alvernia Hospital to be induced. The machine that was attached to her showed that there were slight contractions before any induction, thank God. Nonetheless, she was induced via a tablet and was put on drip at about 1600 when her cervix dilated a little after that many number of hours. She started feeling the contractions and was in pain. I was present by her side allowing my hand to be her stress reliever and at the same time, I was watching the Man U vs Wigan match. So exciting for both affairs but of course, more excited to see our son. It was until 2145 hours that Dr Poon came in and confirmed that Vanessa had to go through a Caesarean section to get Josiah out.

Whilst in the operating theatre, I was so excited when I saw the doctor opening up her womb with all the gadgets. Thought to myself that I could only see this on TV but there I was, witnessing the whole event 'LIVE'. When the doctor said that Josiah was about to be seen, I saw his head and out came his body. I was so touched to see God's creation that I just held Vanessa's hand and cried. I kept calling out his name as he attended to by one of the nurse. I cried upon seeing my parents as well as I was so happy and I knew that was the next most happy thing besides my marriage.

Enough said, look at the picture of Josiah Loh.

Basic Mountaineering Course

Back in April 2004, Chin Yong & myself went for an outward bound journey to India for our long awaited mountaineering course. This motivation spun off from the motivation of my batch mates in OBS who had gone on the same programme the previous year. All preparation was done though there were a few last minute stuff, as usual, what's new right???

We definitely had a good time over there, unlearning, relearning and learning all the time. Any complacency would lead to something dangerous so I learnt never to be complacent and place your trust in the guides who are your guardians. You must be wondering, why am I saying this, did I fall into a complacency pit where I found it difficult to climb out from. Well, yes I did.

Everything went smoothly till one late morning where I was 20 - 30m away from the summit of a trekking peak. I was following one of my instructors along a path where there could be crevasses and suddenly the snow jus gave way upon stepping on it. Thank God the grip on a rockface kept me balanced and I braced myself after the initial shock. My instructor reacted in a way where I felt frustrated (due to my ego) and I decided very childishly to turn back. To this day, I acknowledge that it was my immaturity that prevented me from tasting what's it like being on a snow capped peak. I promised God I'll never allow myself to fall into that situation ever again. HE taught me a good lesson on humility.

Well, it was a journey well travelled in many ways and I'll never forget this trip ever. There's a journal which I wrote as much as I could for a total of 23 days. Longest I've kept a journal and I'm really proud of it. It's filled with drawings, emotions, thoughts and most importantly, my experience.