This is dedicated to you. Eversince Mum passed away, you are my biggest pillar of strength. By now you should have been with Mum now in heaven and looking down at me. The whole funeral I did not cry because I know that you have lived to a ripe old age and you have fought a good fight and left with dignity. When you were 75 years old, you met with my accident. We thought we lost you but you did not give up, you fought for 4 months and eventually lived through it but was bedridden for 15 years...5 years back when you were 85 years old, You fell out of the wheelchair and broke your head !!! You fought with life and miraculously survived !!
You are a fighter Granny !!! You have been through world war II and lived to tell the tales. Today I pay tribute to you and thank you for the many years of taking care of me and Mum. Its time you take a good rest and meet Mum for your morning walks, shopping and chit chat. We love you Granny and we would live a good life just like you did for your past 91 years !!!
This will be my final entry in this blog. I would not be updating this blog anymore.
Now that you are gone together with Mum, I wont be updating this anymore and if you are my friends who has been reading my blog, you can read about me at Facebook.
Granny passed away this morning at 01:36am at NUH. She was diagnosed as having Pneumonia. The nurse called me at 1:07am when I rushed to hospital at 1:43am, she has already left us. We were busy preparing the funeral and now I am keeping vigil for the next few nights until we do a final send off on Sunday. She will be cremated at Bright Hill and I am making arrangement to have the urn placed just next beside you.
This reminds me of 4 years back when I had to send you off and it was heart wrenching. For Granny, I am glad that she has lived to a ripe old age ! and left with dignity. She no longer has to suffer the humane life here.
I am keeping vigil for the next 4 nights for Granny before I finally finally have to say goodbye to her. I am going to miss you Granny....
Granny was admitted to hospital today. Her condition is very serious and the doctor said that she has pneumonia infection and the prognosis is not good. The doctor has asked us to prepare for the worst ! Why Mum? Do I have to go through what I did for you 4 years back to let granny go using quality of life as a reason ?
Today is 7th May, another few more days and its Mother's Day. As usual, it brings out the happy memories of yester years. I miss you very much Mum....just like years back, I will be visiting you at the temple this sunday. Love you mum...You are deeply missed...
Few days back, Granny gives us a second fright again. She choked on her phelgms and nearly went blank for 2 minutes before Ah Di use a hanky and yanked out the phelgms. Without her quick witted mind, Granny would have been gone already. Thank God. We send her to NUH on an ambulance as her face turned white from the choke. This is the second time that we had to send her to hospital but glad everything was fine.
We are going to put Granny in nursing home starting June as our domestic maid Ah Di is going back to Indonesia for 3 weeks. For 11 years, she hasnt been home and we feel that its about time she goes back to visit her family and her son who is already married.
We visited Orange Valley Nursing Home in Clementi today and the place is clean and airy. I dunno if Granny will feel uncomfortable staying there for 3 weeks. 15 years ago when Granny met with an accident, you took turns with Ah Yi every day to visit her at the community hospital for 4 straight months...
Granny is 90 years old now and I am sure she would feel very out of place in a new environment. Ah Yi and myself will be there everyday to keep her company and make sure she is comfortable during the stay there while waiting for Ah Di to return from her trip.
Its going to be a temporary measure and we will bring her home soon. I wont allow Granny to be place there on a permanent basis. Love you Mum..Dont worry about Granny. She is in good hands with us.
Mum, today I met up with my ex office colleagues. Jen and Loges, 2 of my close friends. Love the reunion of old times. Had plenty of laughter together.
Been a long time since I last written to you. Been busy attending courses, This is definitely the toughest year and worst economic crisis that I have gone through all these years. I miss you mum and this saturday is the Ching Ming Festival and I will be visiting you again. Love you Mum.
Today I went for a race that I participated. Seng Kang Suburban Run. Completed and very satisfied. I intend to pursue further for year end Marathon:) Love You Mum...
I visited granny thereafter. Look at those cute pictures I have taken. She is well and fine. Love her tons....
I have been thinking. Its been a long while since I went for some personal development course. I am having thoughts of going for some personal growth course.. Keep you updated.
Today is the 4th year that you have left me. I visited you at the temple. Time flies. It just seems so yesterday that you are with me. This year I did not put up the memorial ad in the papers as I am very tight in my budget. I will do my best this year amidst all the retrenchment news. I hope to get something on soon...I misses you Mum....especially when I feel down with a lot of negative things that is happening around me...I asked for your guidance and blessings. Hope this year turns out well for everyone of us and my friends. Misses and Love you tons Mum....
Last night, I went little india with Brother Larry, we went to buy some fruits back home.He strongly recommended this passion fruit from little india. I tried it at his place before and its superbly nice and I bought 2 packs home. Guess what ? I ate 6 fruits at one go..Its just so nice...I did a video of it. Take a look ! Love ya..
Mum, Today we went Malacca to collect the proceeds of the sale of the condo. We sold it at a big loss. Uncle went in with me and we collected the chq. I took some pictures for memories. This condo is a 99 years old condo and if we still do not sell it, its going to depreciate further so we make a decision to sell it. You bought it for your retirement and its a pity that you dont live to see and live in it.
Mum, Today is the 4th anniversary that you left me. Time flies. It seems just like yesterday when we parted. I visited you today at the temple with your beloved grandsons. He has specifically picked 3 shirts which one of them is your favourite colour purple, 2 LV bags, 2 pairs of shoes, your favourite milo drink, beauty items and bathing stuffs. LOL...Did you receive it ? We misses you tons Mum...I went to visit Granny thereafter..I felt guilty not having visited her during the Chinese New Year period. She aged a lot even though I have not met her for one month...but she is okay:) Loves her tons....
Today is Valentine's Day. I feel a bit pinkish with the shopping malls vying for the V dollar ! Remember those days when I was attached, I was going mushy buying flowers for my "partner" and masterminding the surprise dinner. As I matured and still on a single status, I realised V day is all about cherishing the people around you. Be it if you are attached or single or married. I spend my Vday with your grandson Jordan and love every minute of it. I kind of punished him by not giving him his birthday present because he did not do his 3x table homework as promised. He cried ! lol cruel me !!! But all went well. He loves the present I bought. Here's some pictures and videos of your beloved grandsons.
Yesterday I went for a zoo run with my best friend Jennifer That was the most exhilarating experience. I havent run for such a distance for so many years and those mid night runs really helps with building up the stamina. Love it and will be registering for future runs. I love you mum...
Time flies. Today is the 15th day of Chinese New Year which is the last day. I remembered we were just chatting about it last year and now 2009 is here. I havent been having a good time for the past 1 year. A lot of things happened one after another starting from HP contract non renewal, haemorrhoids, chicken pox, masterroom cant open, living room tiles cracked...I really dunno what is going to happen next....
I had a big quarrel with dad over money again and is just so disappointing that it has to happen on Chinese New Year Eve and I was so upset that I packed my stuff and spend my eve in Malaysia. Year 2005, he did that to me once and this year he did it again..
I called Ah Yi and Jordan that I couldnt attend the reunion dinner as I was just too angry and really hated seeing him...Thats how I spend my Chinese New year....Sigh...
But hopefully things will be better from this year onwards..Am actively looking for a job but nothing in sight yet and hopefully soon....Love you mum..
This coming saturday 15th Feb is your 3rd anniversary and we will be visiting you at the temple. Time really flies..You have left me 3 years already....I love you mum.....
Its the 2nd day of Chinese New Year. I had a good sleep and went out early for breakfast. Today the Tan Family had our 3rd year international gathering at Toa Payoh Multipurpose Hall. I am one of the organising committee and this is the 3rd year running. Many of the relatives flew back from oversea for this yearly gathering, people like Alan and Jo who came back from Shanghai, Kent from Beijing and some others.
Steven was the one that initiated this yearly gathering after you passed away cos he feels that after grandma passed away, the whole Tan family dont get to meet as often as we used to except for events like "wakes" so thats how the whole idea was born.
We had our first gathering at Pasir Ris Awana Resort in year 2006 and though it was our first gathering, we did manage to do a pretty decent one. The 2007 event was held at NCSS Chalet. This year we did an open air one near a multipurpose hall near Ah Chai's place.
For the very first time, we had lion dance !!! The mood was electrifying....Here are some pictures...
We even have a website dedicated to our Tan Family. Its named as Aliran The website was created by Alan. There is a story why it was named as Aliran because grandma used to stay in Kangkar where the street named is called Aliran and our unit number is 16. So Alan build this website and named it as 16 Jalan Aliran. Kent put in lots of effort designing it with lots of our old house pictures, online chats program, blogs, videos and who's who in our whole Tan Family Tree. I just love the cohesiveness of this big family and hope the tradition will be passed down to the younger generations !!! Aliran 萬歲
Today is the 1st day of Chinese New Year. Last night I went for my yearly midnight prayers with Fei Lou and our classmates.
I also visited you at the temple this morning. I did not go anywhere after that and went straight back home for an afternoon nap...I hope this year will be the best year ever for everyone of us. Love you Mum !
Today is New Year Eve. For a big part of our life, this is the day that I truly enjoyed together in this family and yet on this special day, Dad has to pick a quarrel. Last last year we had a big quarrel and I stomped out to spend my Eve alone. This year we quarreled yet again over money. I cancelled Godson Jordan's lunch with his family and Ah Yi's dinner with Granny because the sight of him really irks me to the core...I totally totally hated him !!!!!!
Jordan was so upset that I din have lunch with him cos he was really looking forward to it...I am just very upset and tired of him...
I just dunno where to vent this frustration and just blurted out on my Facebook
Anyway, Happy New Year to you mum....I will be going to temple tonite with Fei Lou and our classmates just like past years and tomorrow I will pay you a visit at the temple.
Guess what I had for reunion dinner? I prepared myself a sumptuous dinner. Tom Yam Noodle with sardines + a Big cup of Ribena !!!
Mum, Today I visited you with Jordan and Aidan together with Jennifer. Its been 2 years that your beloved grandson Jordan last paid you a visit and he was so excited to see your new house and your tablet. He misses you a lot and he yaks a lot more now...:) He is 8 years old now and he still remembers you bringing him to our punggol house when he was 1 year old and crying throughout the night keeping all of us awake till the early morning and we had to send him back to his mum...He was giggling away when I told him that !! I took 3 videos of him..We misses you mum.....a lot more than ever ! Love you and Happy New Year to you....I will see and visit you again on the 1st day of CNY which is coming 26th Jan just like previous years....
It was just last year when I shared with you about me staying at home on CNY's eve and also my casino investment. Just a few more days and its going to be CNY eve again. I already had an early reunion dinner with Ah Yi and family. I guess this year eve is gonna be the same....Frankly I am not looking forward to this new year as I have alot on my mind....renovating our home, paying up the house, job uncertainty...Seems so much to handle...I am a bit drained.....Havent felt this way before....Guess its a trying period for me to get over ! I will overcome this !!!! Love you mum..I will visit you on the 1st day of CNY....
Friday, January 9, 2009
Mum,
2008 really really dont go very well for me. From HP contract non renewal, to having piles issues then chicken pox right till being locked out of my room on Christmas day due to a spoilt room door and now our living room tiles mysteriously popped up 2 weeks before Chinese New Year. I wonder what's installed for me on 2009.
But then again, the tiles popped on year 2009 with a bang. That bodes well I guess :)
5 years back, I went to my mentor's place Mr Raymond Sun to help fix his computer. Daphne was then 15 years old and was preparing to go canada to study. Its kind of fated that we get to know each other better through facebook and thereafter acknowledge each other as adopted siblings. 5 years on, she is back for holidays and we get to catch up for the very first time and went dinner. Its a wonderful feeling to be able to call someone sister and be called Gor..I guess simply because I have been alone all these years and yearn for a younger sister. Besides Daphne, I also have Phyllis who was my ex colleague in M1 for many years that acknowledged me as her brother. These are the people that has touched my lives and continue to do so through their care and concern. Thank you once again for being there for me. Specially to Daphne, Phyllis and Patricia.
This must be my most unforgettable Xmas.....After several resumes with no response, I decided to accept an offer in a direct sales company. Well, it has been a mindset challenge as I have not done sales for the whole of my career. So it was a total 360 degrees change for me. I am giving it my best shot and see how things goes....and one unfortunate thing happened on a Christmas Day !!!!
Guess what !!! I was locked out of my room.....The stupid room door knob died on me....I took out my tools and tried prying it open..after 1 hour, I gave up...and got a contractor on A CHRISTMAS DAY to help me open my room door...Duh !!
But the door was badly damaged by me and the contractor had to take it down..So now I have no room door and I am sleeping in my room....hmm...feeling naked ? knowing that the tenants can just see me sleeping..sigh....Anyway..things happened for a reason..I hope its a good reason to be happening on a Christmas Day !!!
Merry Xmas!! Of all the various books that I have read, Tuesday with Morrie has the biggest impact in my life. 14th Tuesday with Morrie stirred my emotions and about my life. The author Mitch Albom has written a fantastic book on lessons about life, his encounter with his teacher, Morrie. I would like to thank my friend Zi Yi for giving me this book. It has certainly gives me new insights on life's greatest lessons.
an old man, a young man and life's greatest lesson. A Must Read !
How do you say goodbye? Have you ever had a situation where you know that the person that you truly love is leaving you and you had to say your last goodbye ?
Personally, I dont know how to say goodbye...It was a wrenching sight when I first said goodbye to my Mum...
I looked back 3 years back and was glad that I had that opportunity to do it because I know that by letting you go and saying goodbye, I am relieving you of your sufferings.
Cherish your loved ones and friends when you can....say all the hellos and goodbyes..hugs and kisses...show all your love and concern without expecting any in return...say it while you can and when you can..
Another few more days before Xmas. I wish all of you the Love of Giving and Sharing. Merry Xmas !
Just met up with my old M1 colleagues for our Xmas gathering. Patricia, Casline, Jennifer, Serene and their families. From trainees, to team members, to friends and now good friends. From singlehood to mother of 2...This friendship has grown stronger over the years. It has been a tradition for many of us to gather during Xmas and CNY to catch up with one another.
Patricia and Phyllis has been my best of friends eversince I joined M1 in 1998. I remembered it was Phyllis who gave me tips on choosing my flat in Punggol. I could say that she was the one that helped me choose my first home in Punggol.
We have been in touch over the years, catching up for food and chit chat. Just last two months, I met up with Pat and Phyllis for breakfast and was chatting about me being out of job, their lives with their kids, their work life and many other things that is part of gossip ..lol
We talked about my passion for reading inspirational books like Tuesday with Morrie and many other books that I bought over the years. Pat also shared with me a cartoon book about japanese cartoon book named 一 个人 漂 泊的 日子. To think that she gave it to me today as a Xmas Gift !!
Thank You for the thoughtful gift ! Patricia, You are the best !!! Its a fantastic book that is mostly cartoonise...You will love reading it if you enjoy book reading...
We are so afraid of the sight of death..People act as if death is contagious. Death is just as natural as life. It's part of the deal we made. Its natural to die...
The fact that we make such a big hullabaloo over it is because we don't see ourselves as part of nature. We think because we are human and we're something above nature. Everything that gets born, dies.
" As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there.
You live on - in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.
Deathe ends a life , not a relationship.
Mum, you left a good name behind...for me and everyone who remembered you as the Hougang Ave 3, Dian Mo Jie...
This post is dedicated to Nicole Lai who has passed on due to illness. She has left behind a beautiful daughter Carmen. Sharlyn was her and my good friend and we thought maybe we could do a special customise gift for Carmen and this customised cashcard was born.
Carmen,
I hope you like this gift from your Jie Jie who dotes you so much.
Take care. Your mum will always be watching over you.
Today is 12th Dec 2008. Time really flies...another 19 days and its the new year....Year 2009...It was like last year when I talked about what a great year 2008 would be but unfortunately things din turn out as well as it should be but nevertheless..let's recapture what I have done for the past 1 year and hope to do better for things that I have yet to do for Year 2009.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feb 08 - 38K investment blunder....
Mar 08 - Bought my iMac, My Niece 1 yr old Birthday, Patricia's invitation for reunion dinner at her place. Thank You Pat
Apr 08 - Sponsored Hewlett Packard Company Chalet as they are just freaking stingy to come out any funds.
May 08 - Runway Cycling
Jun 08 - Granny admitted to Hospital. Thank God she is okay. Started Singapore T202 Meetup.com PPC Mastermind Group
Jul 08 - Government offered to help Singaporeans and then.... Help the poor ? Raise GST !
Help traffic flow ? Up ERP !
Help passenger service ? Up Bus | Mrt fare !
Help us get taxi ? Raise Taxi Fare!
Aug 08 - End of Contract with Hewlett Packard and they booted me out. Thank You HP :)
Sep 08 - My best friend Sharlyn's best friend Nicole Lai's Demise...
Oct 08 - Hit with Chicken Pox
Nov 08 - Sold off Mum's Malaysia Condo
Dec 08 - Peaceful Month ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's in store for Year 2009 ? Be a Hedgehog !
I am passionate about Affiliate Marketing. I am good at PPC strategies.
These two will drive my economic engines.
Action Plan ! Full Gear into Affiliate Marketing. Targetting new niche.
Personal Development Be a better person... Be a patient person... Be a good listener... Be anyone's best friend... Be a down to earth guy... Be a good boyfriend... Be a good husband... Be a good father... Be a good son... Be a......
I finally met up with Nuffnang Co-Founder Ming. I was there early and suddenly spotted a group of nuffies with a guy that wore shorts walking back to Nuffnang office..I thought wow...what an environment to be in....casual and fun and doing the work that you enjoy doing...Had a great chat with Ming and mutually understand each other's direction and needs. While on the train back, I decided not to take up the media sales post as PPC marketing is still my forte, would have to inform Ming next week about my decision. Thank you for the offer Ming and hope Nuffnang would be the best Blogvertising Company in Singapore and Asia !!
One of my good friend shared this concept with me and I was stumped at the simplicity of it. Its called the Hedgehog Theory by Jim Collins - Good To Great
~~ “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing ~~ What are you deeply passionate about ?
What you can be the best in the world at..?
What drives your economic engine ?
I am passionate about affiliate marketing, web 2.0, social marketing, ppc marketing. I can and will be the best in my area of expertise..By combining what I enjoyed doing and be the best at what I am doing, that will serve as my economic engine...Simple concept? Yes it is but takes a lot of hard work...
~~ Many people know what they want, but few do what they know ~~
Since my contract non renewal with HP, I have been working hard on my internet related activities and also not forgetting to apply for jobs position in companies that provides that platform to fuel my interest and passion. Nuffnang is one of the blogvertising company that I have applied for and hopefully hopefully hopefully I will be able to get into it.
When you find a job that you love, you never have to work a single day in your life !
Forgive yourself before you die. Then forgive others....Its not just other people that we need to forgive. We also need to forgive ourselves for things we didnt do and all the things that we should have done..
During those ICU times with my Mum, I had to made a hard decision to pull the plug and let her go. I lived with that decision for 3 years and hated myself for pulling the plug.
Moving on, I have learned to let go of her and let go of the guilt that I was holding on...
In this book, Morrie talked about forgiveness...and how we should forgive ourselves and forgive others...When HP decided not to renew my existing contract because of some inconsiderate ex colleague, I took it upon myself that I can move on, I can forgive her for indirectly causing me for my contract non renewal, I was dead wrong about that...
I did moved on but I was lying to myself when I said that I could forgive her...I dun think any human beings with feelings can forgive...When I looked 3 months back, I can only say that I did let go of the event..but forgiveness ? Its too big a word for me to use...I leave it to God to pass that statement...
Its Thanks Giving Moment..Its a holiday in the US where they traditionally meet with family and have a turkey dinner, though we seldom have that form of celebration here in Singapore, I think the lesson learned for thanks giving is important. Its a time to give thanks and gratitude for all the blessings in my life.
Thankful to have Very Good Friends Lavie for eveything and anything.... Patricia and Phyllis for the 10 years of friendship and boiling herbal soup for me.. Mum Josephine Wells all these years encouragement since M1 times.. Yvonne Goh, Joanne, Mable just for being there as friends... Zac the Wise Guyfor stirring up my entrepreneur streak during the run-errands biz idea Sanny for being my sunday swim buddy these past year and friendship.. My M1 friends....Casline, Jennifer, Adrian, Serene, Michelle, Nazlan, Shirley..and many others. Francesco...My Ang Mo friend from Switzerland... Amanda and Mr Low...for giving me that opportunity to earn property rental income from Canada... Brother Larry...for life's lesson and those aha moments... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thankful to have Buddies Rani and Jennifer who constantly worried about my job hunting and my pursuing of my dreams... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankful to have Classmates Andrew, Gilbert and May, Song Nian, Ah Boos, Raymond, Johnny, P.Yong, Hock, Vincent and others. 35 Years of friendship till todate and many more years to go..Thanks !! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankful to have Mentors "Life's Lesson" ~ Brother Larry who often shared the intricacies of life and the aha moments. A. Marketing - Steven, Wes and Satyajit, Ryan, Foong, Lo who often guide me in my quest for knowledge. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankful to have New Friends Benjamin, Harold, Eusof, Gary and many of my T202 members who shares my dream of pursuing financial freedom through Affiliate Marketing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankful to have support from my aunt and uncle..relatives... Thank you Ah Yi, Uncle, Cousin Tina and Wei Ming for the past 3 years support, care and concern when my mum passed away... Thank you for Nieces like Hui Xin, Hui Xian, their mum Choo Jie for the constant care and concern.. Thank you for cousins like Janivfer for sending God's messages every morning.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am also thankful to myself.. ~ for being myself.. ~ for being abled and healthy.. ~ for having a roof over my head.. ~ for being down to earth ~ for being contented.. ~ for being able to eat, drink, talk, walk, see, touch, feel..
and just for being ALIVE AND KICKING !
Blogger AYB said...
Hi Melvin!
Everytime i come to your blog, i always feel a strong sense of deep emotions.
Well i guess you are a person of a great heart.
I also want to thank you for spending the time and effort in sharing with me great strategies of PPC.
More importantly, i think you are a great friend indeed. I want to thank you for that. A gem is really hard to find. I'm glad i've found you. =)
May this friendship last till the day we die.
eusof. www.eusof.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blogger Melvin Tan said...
Thank You Eusof.
Pleasure is mine to have cross path with you and started this wonderful friendship sharing our common goal and dreams.
I supposed you did not know that in 1998 which is 10 years back, I bought a wedding package together with Bei Bei. We have been together for quite a number of years but eventually it din turn out. We kind of drifted apart and parted as friends. She was my colleague in Singapore Press and the one that I love most even till todate.
Fast forward today, she is now an accountancy lecturer in Kaplan and married with 2 kids. We still have our bi annual makan sessions with our old colleagues and glad to keep each other updated with our lives.
Having been going out for makan sessions for quite a number of years but it keep slipping my mind to take some group pictures. I will grab those and show you. Love you Mum..
I dunno if the wedding package is still valid but I am going to call the company and see if I could convert that to glamour shots and take some group photos with 2 of my best friends, Patricia and Phyllis.
They were the very first that knows about this wedding package that I bought many years back.
People are inherently good. " People are only mean when they are threatened. Even people who have jobs in our economy are threatened, because they worry about losing them. When one gets threatened, one start looking out only for themselves. They start making MONEY a god. it is part of this culture.
The problem is we dont believe we are as much alike as we are. If we saw each other as more alike, we might be very eager to join in one big family in this world, and to care about that family the way we care about our own.
When one is dying, you see it is true. We all have the same beginning, birth and we all have the same end ~ death. How different can we be ?
Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you. In the beginning of life, when we are infants, we need others to survive. At the end of life, when you are dying, you need others to survive.
Today I went to Little India and bought some groceries for next week. Been trying out canned food tuna and instant noodles and taste not too bad so today I decided to go experimental and mixed sardines into my instant noodles and the taste is yucky!!...maybe its because its not ayam brand. I think it still taste better with plain rice then mixed it with soup noodles...
I cooked an extra portion for the australian guy who rented the other room. He will be shifting out soon and another mauritius guy will be shifting in for a month. Both of them also looking for jobs.
As my property friend Sharlyn said, another tenant from another country, I can add it to my collection...haha...Come to think of it, I do have many tenants who stayed over from a few countries.
Philippines Switzerland France Australia Mauritius Indonesia
In time to come, I may have the opportunity to visit them in their country and maybe rent their place for my holidays ? ;)
I have my fair share of crisis for the past 17 years and I must say that this year is the year that I am feeling the heat of the recession.
Year 1991 - When I was still with the Navy, US launched the war against Iraq for invading Kuwait, the economy was hit and everyone was fearful of losing their job. As I was contracted with the Navy, I still went partying with friends and did not at all feel that I was in one way or another affected. I guess age plays a part then. Still ignorant.
Year 1997 - Financial Crisis, I left the navy in 1995 and went job hopping , I was working with a software firm but then again, I still do not feel the heat of the crisis. 1998, I kind of stable down in Mobileone for a few years before I left for Compaq.Image via Wikipedia
Year 2001 - Sars - I was already working in Compaq Computers, had a nice salary and colleagues. Stayed for 3 years before HP acquired Compaq and I left to venture out on my own. During those period, I already have 3 hair salons but eventually sold it off due to partners problems and also partly due to Sars that affected the Singapore economy.
Today I spend the whole afternoon spring cleaning the kitchen. Another reason to shoo away the bad luck that has been following me the whole year round. I never believe in such things but sometimes it so difficult not to associate what happened to me with luck. Now the kitchen is spanking clean from top to bottom, left to right. I totally strip it naked and cleaned it up side down. Tomorrow I will work on the curtains and the flooring. 2 more months before Chinese New Year, might as well do it now since I am not working.
Will take some pictures to show you. Proud of it ..lol
Mum, I finally sold the malacca condo that you bought 15 years back for your retirement. Its been vacant for a long time and as its a 99 years old condo, the value will depreciate further. Aunt has discussed this with me and we have decided to sell it at quite a substantial loss. We have never stayed there before and I felt a bit upset that you din even get a chance to stay there before you left me. I hope that in the near future, I will get to buy another one and house your belongings and remains.
Ted Turner lamenting his ability to snatch CBS Network !
Money is not a substitute for tenderness, and power is not a substitute for tenderness. Neither money nor power will give you the feeling you're looking for , no matter how much of them you have.
Do the kind of things that come from the heart.
~ What do you want your tombstone to read ~ ?
~I want mine to read as " Melvin left a legacy just like what my beloved mum left behind ~
Happy Birthday Mum ! Today is your big day. I visited you at the temple. Its been 3 years. I love you very much and misses you tons. Its always a joy to be celebrating my birthday on the 20th and knowing that another 6 more days it will be yours and I always look forward to that moment when I share my life story with you.
Your adopted grandson just finished his primary 1 exams and he keeps me updated on his progress and he misses you a lot. I will bring him to visit you soon.
I just went for a job interview and the prospect seems good though the news is that we are in a recession right now and next year is gonna be worse ! So hopefully I will get into this job soon.
I havent done much jogging after the chicken pox saga :P but I will pick up soon..a bit lethargic after staying home for too long.
I will be going in to Malaysia with Uncle to sell away our condo which you bought years back. It has been vacant for a long time and the value has dropped significantly. Better to sell then to hold it.
That's it for now.
Mum, watch over my shoulders, protect me and keeps those hypocrites away from me. I love you mum and I misses you alot...
3 days back was my 39th Birthday. Coincidentally, Tuesday with Morrie talks about Fear Of Aging.
Weren't you ever afraid to grow old ? Mitch asked"
"Mitch, I embrace aging"
As you grow, you learn more. If you stayed at 22, you'd always be as ignorant as you were at 22. Aging is not just decay. Its growth. Why do people always say, "Oh, if I were young again ?
That reflects unsatisfied lives, Unfulfilled lives. Lives that havent found meaning.
Age is not a competitive issue. Part of me is every age. I am 3 yrs old, I am 5 yrs old, I am 39 yrs old. I delight in being a child when its appropriate to be a child. I delight in being a wise old man when its appropriate to be a wise old man.
~ Happy 39th Birthday Melvin ! and Morrie hit it right ! I enjoy my new found Age...~
Thank You Sharlyn for your company tonite and I hope you enjoyed the Sushi Dinner! and your thoughtful birthday gift ! I wish you well and also hope that your business endeavour will kick off in flying colours !!
Happy Birthday to Me.. Happy Birthday to Me.. Happy Birthday to Melvin... Happy Birth....day to Me...
Mum,
Today is my Big Day. I wish you were around to celebrate with me but nonetheless, I just want to say a word of thanks wherever you are. You are my greatest Mum and I love you and misses you tons even though its been 3 years that you have left me. I visited you in the temple and hope this time when you see me, I have put on some weight huh ? I have tons of good things to share with you. On this special day, I asked for blessings and wisdom from you. Guide me and watch my shoulders in whatever things that I do.
I would like to say thanks to the following friends who remembered my birthday and their sms messages and blessings.
Lavie - Thank You Lab for being there for me all these years ! Rani - You have always been the FIRST one to send. Thank you for that all these years. Helen Jie - Thank you Sister Helen. Sharlyn - Thank you my friend. Stephanie - Thank you my friend. Peer - Thank you my friend. Michelle - Thank you my friend. And all those friends from Facebook. Thank You.
What's my birthday present? I was wondering what I should buy for myself :) and you guess it. I got myself a Mac wireless speakers..hehe...I took a video of my room and where I place my newly bought speakers. Now my room is complete....haha...
Yeah ! I finished this book in one seating. It's a fantastic book. The kind that you find it hard to put down once you started. If you are like me and enjoy a good read, go for this one. Like what the foreword says - this timeless classic holds the key to all you desire and everything you wish to accomplish. This IS the book that reveals the secret to personal wealth, just like the book Think and Grow Rich..
Go and nourish your mind ! Read this book, strongly recommended. Next book for a challenge > Feel The Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers...
2 weeks of chicken farm quarantine and I am finally free !! As a birthday treat, I signed up for a social event today and glad to know a few new friends.
Mabel - A diving enthusiast ~ Time to try diving? :)
Belinda - Pianist Teacher who shared cooking recipes with me ! and also introduced me to Blackmore Cream to rid Mr Pox Scars :)
Christina - Potential Travel Kaki ;)
Derrick - A lawyer who says he is a jack of all trades ! nice guy
After the whole event, I went "window shopping" and end up buying a couple of books as a birthday present for myself. I am an avid reader of self improvement books and strongly believe that we need nourishment for our soul then our stomach. If you wanna buy me a birthday gift..Get me a book :P
I often talked about my Swiss Ang Mo Friend and here you go..The Dude from Switzerland !
I know Francesco from an internet relay chat years back and that friendship blossom till todate..its amazing the way how we cross path all these years...He is an awesome dude that loves Singapore and neighbouring countries. In fact, he already picked up half the dictionary of Singapore singlish and more familiar with Singapore than me ! Irony...!!! He loves Ah Mei ( Zhang Hui Mei )...he speaks malay language better than local malays...He also speaks spanish, french and some unbearable dialects....haha and btw, he is a vegan ! Wheat grass fanatic ! Love you Dude..glad to have you as my friend all these years !
"Learn to Detach". Don't cling to things, because everything is impermanent.
But wait, aren't you always talking about experiencing life? All the good emotions, all the bad ones?
How can you do that if you're detached?
"Ah. You're thinking, Mitch. But detachment doesn't mean you dont let the experience penetrate you. On the contrary, you let it penetrate you fully. That's how you are able to leave it. "
Grief for loved ones, if you hold back on the emotions-if you dont allow yourself to go all the way through them-you can never get to being detached, you're too busy being afraid, you're afraid of the pain, you're afraid of the grief, you're afraid of the vulnerability that loving entails.
But by throwing yourself into these emotions, by allowing yourself to dive in, all the way, over your head even, you experience them fully and completely. You know what pain is, You know what love is. You know what grief is. Only then can you say, I have experienced that emotion, I recognise that emotion. Now I can detach myself from it.
~ Did you lose your loved ones ? I have experienced the loss of my beloved mum and clinging on to the love and memories pains me more than learning how to experience , embracing it totally and detaching from it. Morrie hit it right !
~Did you lose your loved ones? Are you still in pain? Learn how to embrace Pain and Detach from it ~
I must have been too pox hole in my room that I missed your message that you send ! This post is specially for you. You definitely put a smile on my face with your corny messages all the time.
For the benefit of all my friends who reads my blog, this message you send is hilarious! Must share !
From Francesco
chicken pox? Haven't I told ya that ya should go vegan? keke...dude, have had that too once. hope ya are not too nervous in ta caranteen..(watever that means)..sick myself now..slept all weekend...mel, wish ya a superfast recovery..and that ya still see tat sparkle in the tunnel...just need to open at least one eyelid ;o)
6.54pm 5/10/08
Thank you my dear friend for sending this message all the way from Swiss...
Edited France to Swiss cos the ang mo complained that I dunno the difference between France and Swiss.. !!! lol...
cucumberMonster said...
Another correction from the swiss ang mo (kio): it was not a complaint but a shock to me to realize that I did not tell more about my country switzerland! And just coz of that lack of info I put mel in a situation of not knowing the difference between another country and mine!! soooo sorry, mister A*Mei Lover! I will do my best to keep you more informed about french croissants and swiss cheese next time I am in singapore! .okelah? till then, happy SBS travelling!!
Love each other or perish. Without love, we are birds with broken wings. There is no foundation, no secure ground which people may stand if it isnt the family. If you dont have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you dont have much at all. Love is so supremely important.
Ever since my departure from HP, when I was going to start looking for new employment, walls start sprucing up around my life. Mr Piles visited me and left and now Mr Chicken Pox feels that its time to give me an early birthday present. The turn of events really dampens my spirit !
This whole pox event has also revealed who my friends really are in times of adversity though that may be a harsh word to use.
Here's a load of thanks to the following buddy friends and relatives.
Cousin Janivfer and Mum - For boiling a big bottle of chestnut drink for me.
Cousin Tina and Ah Yi - For your loads of advice on dos and donts of chicken pox.
Lavie - For asking if I need you to fly down from HK to take care of me.
Patricia - For asking if I have food at home, that meant a lot to me because you know there's no one to cook at home and I have to be isolated at home due to the infectious nature of chicken pox.
Casline, Jennifer - For your care messages
Joyce, Rani, Jennifer - For your care and concern.
I am also disgusted by friends who asked if I have unknowingly passed the virus to them before I was diagnosed with it. Go get a life..you know who you are !!
Mobileone - From trainees to colleagues to friends to best friends. Casline, Jennifer, Patricia. It has been years since we last have an impromptu steamboat gathering together besides the festive seasons. Since all of us lived nearby around Sengkang, Buangkok and Punggol, we planned to have it on an alternate month basis. Next one in Nov08...Casline, here we come to your place for barbecue ! Get ready !
"Everyone knows they're going to die," but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently." So we kid ourselves about death. "Yes, But there's a better approach. To know you're going to die, and to be prepared for it at any time. That's better. That way you can actually be more involved in your life while you're living."
How can you ever be prepared to die?
"Do what the Buddhists do. Everyday, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, " Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?
~ Learn How To Die and You Learn How To Live ~Is today your Day ? Are you doing something different everyday ?
Because....Mamma Mia! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.
Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in the feature-film adaptation of the beloved musical that has been seen by more than 30 million people in 170 cities and eight languages around the world. Bringing the timeless lyrics and melodies of iconic super group ABBA to movie audiences, summer 2008 is the season for Mamma Mia! The star-studded soundtrack is the ultimate souvenir to the movie, set for release on Decca July 8.
The feature film adaptation of the global stage hit production brings the magic of ABBA’s music to the silver screen. With rising star Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper, alongside Hollywood heavy-hitters Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth Stellan Skasgârd, Julie Walters and Christine Baranski, the film features the stars’ versions of 17 ABBA classics in this celebration of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads.
Mixed, mastered and produced by ABBA’s musical geniuses Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the soundtrack is a must-have collection of these pop gems. Andersson and Ulvaeus reunited in Stockholm with the musicians who played on the original ABBA songs to record the disc in February 2007. It was the first time the musicians had played the songs together since ABBA toured more than 25 years ago. Along with producing the recording, Andersson also played keyboards. He commented, “We didn’t have to think about it - it was in the fingers.”
The actors joined together for the first time to record their vocals in London in April, 2007, prior to the commencement of principal photography, and continued recording later that summer on location while filming on the beautiful Greek islands. Whether it’s Streep, Walters and Baranski making their mark on “Dancing Queen,” Brosnan and Streep’s upbeat rendition of “SOS,” or the energetic song-and-dance numbers such as “Voulez-Vous,” the Mamma Mia! soundtrack captures the essence of the originals, while still giving them new and dazzling treatments.
Inspired by the storytelling arcs of ABBA’s songs from “Dancing Queen” to “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” Mamma Mia! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.
We are so afraid of the sight of death..People act as if death is contagious. Death is just as natural as life. It's part of the deal we made. Its natural to die...
The fact that we make such a big hullabaloo over it is because we don't see ourselves as part of nature. We think because we are human and we're something above nature.Everything that gets born, dies. " As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on - in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.
Deathe ends a life , not a relationship.
Mum, you left a good name behind...for me and everyone who remembered you as the Hougang Ave 3, Dian Mo Jie...
People are inherently good. " People are only mean when they are threatened. Even people who have jobs in our economy are threatened, because they worry about losing them. When one gets threatened, one start looking out only for themselves. They start making MONEY a god. it is part of this culture.
The problem is we dont believe we are as much alike as we are. If we saw each other as more alike, we might be very eager to join in one big family in this world, and to care about that family the way we care about our own.
When one is dying, you see it is true. We all have the same beginning, birth and we all have the same end ~ death. How different can we be ?
Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you. In the beginning of life, when we are infants, we need others to survive. At the end of life, when you are dying, you need others to survive.
The first time I saw Morrie on "Nightline," I wondered what regrets he had once he knew his death was imminent. Did he lament lost friends? Would he have done much differently? Selfishly, I wondered if I were in his shoes, Would I be consumed with sad thoughts of all that I had missed? Would I regret the secrets I had kept hidden?
"Mitch," he said," the culture doesn't encourage you to think about such things until you're about to die. We're so wrapped up with egotistical things, career, family, having enough money, meeting the mortgage, getting a new car, fixing the radiator when it breaks- we're involved in trillions of little acts just to keep it going. So we don't get into the habit of standing back and looking at our lives and saying, Is this all? Is this all I want? Is something missing? He paused.
"You need someone to probe you into that direction. It wont just happen automatically.
~ Regrets? I have a few.... Not telling my mum I love her enough.. Not spending enough time with her... Taking her for granted..
Do I want to go on regretting for the rest of my life? The answer is No. I would like to live my life for the living and not for the beloved that is gone...
"Mitch, I dont allow myself any more self-pity than that. A little each morning, a few tears, and that's all." I thought about all the people I knew who spent many of their waking hours feeling sorry for themselves. How useful it would be to put a daily limit on self pity. Just a few tearful minutes, then on with the day. And if Morrie could do it..with such a horrible disease....
"It's only horrible if you see it that way," Morrie said. " Its horrible to watch my body slowly wilt away to nothing. But its also wonderful because of all the time I get to say goodbye."
He smiled. " Not everyone is so lucky." I studied him in his chair, unable to stand, to wash, to pull on his pants. Lucky? Did he really say lucky?
~ Do you feel sorry for yourself most of the time? I spoke to an online friend..She was feeling depressed and dont wish to live any long..How sad when you come to think of it...
Do we really have to dwell into self pity ?
Hmm...I am officially out of Job for 2 weeks..Let's rejoice !
We should celebrate small victories...its been a struggle for me to quit my job before end of this year but am glad that it happened sooner than I thought.
~ The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in ~
Melvin r u aslp? From Sharlyn 3.20am 10/9/08
Am awake now. Anythin? From Melvin 4.17am 10/9/08
Oh gosh so sori. Im juz frustrated dat im unable to upload wordpress theme up ftp. itz for my dear fren who has juz passed away. So was wondering if anyone can help me coz her funeral is tmr morn. Bt i understd itz unearthly hrs nw.
From Sharlyn 4.22am 10/9/08
The message went to and fro, settings was checked, ftp was checked, helpdesk support was engaged. The site was finally up and running off my server at 10am.
~ Offering others what you have to give ~
Finding a meaning life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to community around you, devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning. Devote yourself to helping others when you can.
Your departure has saddened many friends...I may not have known you personally..but from the goodbye messages from many of your close friends, you have been a part of every of your friends' lives...you have touched every single of your friend's lives in many small ways....As you begin your journey with God in the heavenly world, we know you are in good hands. God Bless.
After a week of hibernating and battling with non stop bleeding of Mr Pile, I took the opportunity to reflect on what happened over the last few weeks as that was literally what I could do lying on bed not being able to do anything so as not to irritate the "flesh".
There were Devil, Winner, Loser and Victim and I think this story board could be make into a movie, so let me introduce the casts.
Story Line - A service staff who left the job grudgingly decided on a vicious plan to get her boss terminated and in the end implicated several people.
Outcome - My boss was reassigned to another project My boss boss left Hewlett Packard for a even better job My boss boss boss left after performing her execution of plan. Victim hibernating in some resort area recuperating after battling with Mr Pile.
The whole story began when the devil decided that for whatever reason that she was not happy with her boss, she wanted revenge and blatantly informed her colleagues that some form of termination will happen. She send a nasty email to Hewlett Packard management which resulted in legal investigation, interviews and implicated several people. Bosses had to fly down from oversea to head the investigation. Her evil scheme was to get my boss terminated. Well...Woman Proposes, God Disposes. My boss was not terminated but was reassigned to another job. The devil ended up being the loser and lost in her scheme. Hewlett Packard ended up being the winner and the victim? Me of course...
As in all MNC's, some heads has to roll and that coincidentally happened to be me. My contract ended up on 29th Aug 2008, if I had not re-negotiated a x percentage increment with my boss, the contract would have been signed before the saga happened.
It so coincidentally happened that while negotiating the new salary terms, this thing happened and Hewlett Packard decided conveniently "NOT TO" renew my contract. Contractually, they are not obliged to extend my service but the way it was handled irks me...it was announced that I did not renew my contract rather than Hewlett Packard decided not to renew my service. Imagine a MNC company management staff sending out such email without stating the actual reason of my departure. My utmost respect for a company that starts from the garage...Boo....Boo....Hewlett Packard...
In life, some has to win, some has to lose and some has to get even ~ The devil got mad but did she win ? Hewlett Packard sorted out the mess and they were the winner at the expense of someone else career..
To win and to be happy ? Can we have both ?
I choose the latter....What about you ?
Anonymous said...
Dear Melvin,
Its' always a joy to read your blog and I am sadden by the turn of event for you.
You are a victim of your Boss sabotage...
If not why will Hewlett Packard only asked you to leave?
He/She must have act innocent and inform the management that it was all your suggestion and doing??? Forgive me but I am assuming the above because how come you become the scape-goat to hang out dried and your Boss is ok.
dear dear buddy, please be careful in future. Maybe do not trust your Bosses so easily next time?
All the Best Buddy, you will find a better job~ definitely.
Thank you for your kind message and also reading my nonsensical rant of my life. Don't be sadden by the turn of events. I am not at least sadden by what happened. I am just appalled at humanity. The way they handle things interests me. Human was born kind and pure but look what happened after they stepped into society. They become corrupt, they become evil, where are the few good mens?
I am 101% sure that my boss who is Jennifer is not those who will backstab me. If there are anyone in this world that I can call buddies, that I can trust, and lay my life for, these are the few people.
My Hong Kong friend Lavie, My buddy Rani, My Boss Jennifer, My banker Cheng Kian, My investor consultant Amanda...My M1 Clan, Patricia, Phyllis, Casline and others..
Geeze...I thought I could take a break from work, from phone, from emails, from friends, from blogging and really get out from the complicated humanity and now and I am back into blogging again..Sorry my friends if I havent been replying to your sms, and phone calls...I just want a total break from everything...I din disappear from the face of this earth, I am just missing in action for a while...so here's how it goes of 4 days of hermit living literally...:) Hermit's life is hard really :P
4th Sep 2008 ~ 4 days into the unemployment numbers and I am down with bleeding of my anal ! Ok that sounds rude but that's exactly the state where I am now...I wonder if the Mighty one up there wants me to overcome a lot of small bricks before he opens the window of opportunity for me. Maybe that's a test of how strong I am to go through all the bad things that I seem to be attracting nowadays...
My anal piles came back haunting me after it disappeared for 2 months. I din exactly noticed it until I found that i experienced a tearing pain when I walked the past few days...that piece of redundant "flesh" was being massaged while I walked and that causes the bleeding..Duh !
It probably could be due to onion overdose cause even a small fart causes the "flesh" to flare up and start throwing tempers and staining my briefs....Interesting isnt it ? Fart and you get bleeding...I tried not to fart so hard though...a skill to be learned...
As an unemployed number in Singapore, I "refused" to go and see the doctor, should have seen it when I was in HP..but guess that din occured to me as I was just being swarmed with work to even notice that the "flesh" existed...Good thing about working in Hewlett Packard. They swarmed you and then kick you out...
I tolerated with putting on "pads" to stop the bleeding until the pain forced me to be awake for 2 nights..and I dragged myself to the doctor..of course walking with legs wide spread so as not to antagonise the "mighty flesh".
The mighty doctor gave a mighty syringe..and it sure was a BIG one...Am I suppose to stick it up the ASK? " I asked ! He smiled....What do you think ?
So Dear Almighty One...What's the next brick you are going to place ahead of me huh? Oh and I forgot to tell you...I am an ant !
We need friends around us ! and thank you Zi Yi for the company tonight as well as for the show "Wall.E". Ironically, today is also my 2nd last day with HP. I dont exceptionally feel happy, sad nor angry despite the fact that I was asked to go back to do my last outstanding report even though today is my time off day. Your book gift and that special "melvin" wire bookmark brightens up a dull day.
It has been a whirlwind 2 weeks and I am glad and relieved that its all over. My good friend, my boss and a good buddy has been allocated another role. I am glad she is out of SXX account and moving on to a new role.
29th Aug 2008 is a day that I will never forget. This is the day that I am suppose to renew my contract for another year but that is not to be. HP decided not to renew my contract. This is the day that the very people who did their very best to serve their customers will leave the company. The turn of events these past week has left me sleepless.
You know who you are. Your vicious email and intended action resulted in a series of events that happened and eventually resulted in our departure. You single-handedly plotted to inflict the biggest damage to your own boss which in return implicated several others, one of them being me.
You brought down the careers of diligent and hardworking staffs who worked very hard and did their utmost best to serve and delight the customer. It's frightening to know the extend of damage that you want to inflict on us.
As part of the team, we choose to support the customers with our best ability, working on weekend, working till late at night, and also ensuring YOU and the rest gets what you deserve in terms of support but you choose to bring the maximum damage to our careers because of reasons I cant detail here. You are nothing short of being a Devil behind your meek and quiet character.
~ People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle n shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within ~ Careers that we worked hard for... is just gone with the email that you send. I congratulate you because you have achieved your aim and objective. I am sad, hurt and very disappointed. I should feel angry and my utmost hatred for you but I choose not to. I choose to forgive you. I wish you nothing. I believe in Karma. We attract the things into our life. Do good or do bad, it will come back many times in different ways.
The story below is specially dedicated to YOU and hope that it will be your Guiding Principle in life.
There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.
One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.
Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.
Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"
~Moral of the Story~
"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?
"Reacting to insulting and revengeful behavior only serves to give the other party EXACTLY what they want." Both of us choose not to react to whatever that is happening now but instead wish that you live well because you will attract the very same thing that you set out to do in the first place.
"It's not what happens to you that matters, it's what happens in you.
"If you throw stones into a slushy puddle, it is bound to splash back on you!"
"It illustrates the universal truth that "whatever you give is what you receive" or "whatever goes around, comes around".
I know that my Best Friend of 8 years and me will come out stronger from this episode. You may have succeeded in bringing us down but you will bear the guilt in the years to come for the devilish action that you have done.
I am fortunate to have a boss that I can call my best buddy. This message says it all :
I am not angry that I lost this job because of you but rather through this episode, I found true friendship which I doubt you will ever ever experience. With such a revengeful nature of you, you will never be able to build true friendship or relationship. Good luck to all your "fair weather" friends that you considered "Good Friends" now.
I love philippines and I love you people. I know that without Jen and me around, you will be there to hold the fort and support the team. Take good care of the juniors and give your utmost best service to serve the customers and serve them well. Your quality of work will bear your signature.
To Sister Jeannie and Loges
We will miss your transformers and somehow I wish I could just steal one without your knowledge ! Take good care Jean, we will miss you.
To Brother Chris and Rahuman,
Its a new journey for both of you. Learn from the seniors and build your career here. Learn how to have fun in your job and appreciate the little things in life....true friendship being one...
To Martin, Bernard, Kumar
You guys who joined us gave us a new breath of fresh air. We love your energy and your enthusiam. Thank you for supporting the team, Jen and me and as always, answer to our call for overtime duty.
To Abira,
Thank you for being with us as our team leader, you were one of the best person for the job but we wish you well in your health and hope to see little abira soon.
Thank you for that working opportunity with you in HP for the past 2 years. Our friendship went as far back as Pre Merger days and this friendship will continue to blossom and nurture even if I am no longer with HP.
and Finally to Jon : Help us look after the team !! and share your secret of putting on weight !! haha...
22th Aug 2008 - Bernard, thank you for taking time to organise this team event at Power Station. This really helps to bring the team closer to each other. We had meant it to be a team gathering but deep inside us, we both know that this is an unspoken farewell party for both of us. We are keeping all of you in the dark as we din want to affect the morale of the team.. We did drink and partied hard because we know that this is the last time that we are gong to be together as a team. This is the first time that I drank so hard and the most enjoyable nights out with the team. You guys are awesome.
and don't try Lambogini drink after you have downed 5 shots of black label...You will get to pay tribute to the throne all the way from Power Station to Punggol...lol :)
Cheer up Guys and I wish you all the best in your future undertakings...Love you all and Gambatei !
~ Times of trouble can be useful. They can show you who you really are, what kind of character you have developed. In addition, they can help you grow stronger. In the Bible when Jeremiah questioned God because of the trouble he faced, God asked how he ever expected to face big challenges if the little ones tire him out. Don't complain about your problems. The trouble you face today is training you to be strong for the more difficult situations you will face in the future ~ Proverbs 24
8 YEARS !!!! that's how long I started with Pre Merger Compaq and HP. Time flies from being an agent until a supervisor now...
I still clearly remembered when I first joined Pre Merger compaq, RCCC was preparing for Millennium and now.. Beijing Olympics 2008 is already over... I went through many happy and sad moments...
A very important lesson that I learned through these recent series of events....love your colleagues, love your staffs but always draw a line with your agents...I have always believe in the good of a person no matter how badly the person performs....We are born on equal status and everyone has a fair chance in life...
Unfortunately that line was not drawn clearly...there was an unexpected turn of events initiated by an ex-staff which harbours evil intention of having us terminated. Her action resulted in a chain reaction of investigation, interviews and finally a contract non renewal for a good friend of mine...
The whole event left me totally shattered and really tested my belief in the goodness of a person.
Should I continue to trust people just like how I trusted my own staffs who in return caused a really good person to leave the company ? I seriously dont know but what I know is that 2 person's career is wrecked because of YOU and you know who you are.
This is my first time writing comments in a blog and this is specially dedicated to my Best Friend, Melvin who has always been there when I am down, encourage me on things that I want to do. ..
I will always remember those happy days during Pre Merger period and now in HP.... scolding and gossiping about people.... "humtum those bosses with factual emails" whenever they accuse our desk of mistakes that was not done by us . Making mistake together, making fun of each other, rushing reports together...
Last but not least, you are my best working partner in my 8 yrs of working life in HP. I will never be able to find another working partner like you again.
I will know my fate soon...but rest assured that no matter where we are, we will always remember this , " Brick walls are there for a reason. They let us prove how badly we want things " We may have lost our job because of some irresponsible people but if we want things bad enough, we will get back to a even better job" Stay strong my Best Buddy. You have always known to thrive during difficult times. Go for it !!
What a story that is! What amazing people you have around you!!
...and best thing of all..even you've just out of contract for few hours ...You've kept up the spirit and motivation to go on in what you believe in from the moment you got to know about all this upcoming happenings.....and You never stopped whilst so many things were banged at you!!
Hi Well, this episode not only making you both stronger in life, but the rest of us, we were also implicated and had to go through the emotional stress. We learn through this episode and know when we should always draw that line.
Nevertheless, at this point when I am writing this, I know that the situation has not resulted to drastic measures.
The company recognises the effort and I am sure that everyone around you know the effort, the sincerity that you have both put in.
We can't stop people from being EVIL, this is their nature and they live and breathe EVIL. Like they say - EVIL begets EVIL.. hehehehhe..
We can choose to move on to more better things in LIFE..
On Thu, Aug 28, 2008 at 10:54 AM, mark anthony duma wrote:
I am lost, shocked, disappointed, sad, demotivated and trying my best not to feel down as of the moment.
This news blew me away and knowing its elements made me sick. I don’t want to think right now because it would be a bad thing I’ll come up with. I know there’s something wrong in our desk but I didn’t know it’s this BIG that will end up like this.
I can't stop myself writing this one because I feel that this hit for both of you is really unfair. I may not know all the roots of the problem but this vengeance is unacceptable.
I just want to share with you a known attitude in my country which is called "Crab Mentality". It’s actually talked about liked this. Crabs are being put in the net when caught. On the way to the market for selling, they try to escape and saved their lives from a possible meal by climbing their way up using their claws. But nobody escaped based on old people saying. You know why??? Because when somebody is on top, somebody will try to grab him and pull him down for that crab to move up. That is the nature of a crab. Pulling down who’s on top of him. Ask every Filipino's you know and they will probably tell you this. I’m not proud of sharing this bad attitude but maybe we can learn something from it.
God is a God of Forgiveness not a God of Vengeance. A God of Love not a God of Hate. Everyone commits mistakes and that is normal for us people but at the end of the day, those who learn to Forgive and believe in the Goodness of ones heart prevails.
Melvin and Jen, My support is with you always and I will be here if you need anything that I can be a help. Thanks for the memories Kuya Mel and wish you all the best in life. My home is open for you when you want to visit the Philippines again. Jen, I know you’re a strong person so keep fighting. People are not only measured in the achievements they have received but in times their not sure where they are going. God will lead you both and will not give you something you can't bear. My prayers are with you always.
Mark :-)
Edit : Mark, your messages touches my heart and many who reads this. I am sure Jen and me is very thankful to you for bringing the laughters and joy into our desk. We love your playful nature and let this be the strength to guide the whole team through this difficult times. God bless you and take good care of all the brothers and sisters in the team.
8 long years of wonderful friendship from colleagues to friends ever since M1 days. We seldom arrange to meet up for dinner despite the fact that we get to meet every year for our friends gathering. Last night was a wonderful time to be having the famous still road crabby and get to reunite and to know each other better again. We talked about our times in M1 and those memories that we shared over the years. I definitely missed those days. Many more years of friendship to come and thank you Casline for being there always. You are an awesome friend. Take good care and stay beautiful..
I dont know if this sight is only exclusive to typical "Kiasu" Singaporean. The tissue paper has the word "Chope" on it. For our foreign friends, it means reserved ! Its so funny that my friend took a pic of it and send to me. Some of them even used name cards to reserve the tables, I will try to get a snap shot of it next time.
Mum, for the past 38 years, This is the first time that I bought 3 durians and eat it in front of the TV screen watching Olympics. You are an ardent fan of Mr Durian King and I remembered during my younger days, you always buy back durians during the peak season and after we finished our feast, we would drink salt water with the durian husk! Beautiful memories ! Love you Mum and Misses you tons...
This is my beloved granny :) Visited her yesterday. Wanted to do a video with her and create a photovideo album and submit to Stomp but I think she has a temper ! See her waving ? its either dont put me in that video or she is saying hi..hahaha..What do you think ?
Michelle Crofts said...
Hey Melvin, just checking out your blog again (saw you online in google chat, and your little ads there for your blog always get my attention!).
I love the theme you chose for that slideshow, and the pics look so full of love - your grandmother is very pretty (and I like her lipstick colour!). Looks like she is happy to be in the pics, but perhaps just not used to the attention?!
Hope all is well with you.
Talk soon!
Michelle. August 18, 2008 1:11 AM Melvin Tan said...
Hi Michelle, As always. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Hope everything is well and fine with you and little Dominic. My Granny is 92 years old. That is her natural lip colour and I am glad you like it. :) I am pretty sure she did not put on lipstick if not got to check with my domestic helper if she has secretly doll her up without my knowledge ! :P Take good care.
Last friday after work, I found a credit card in the automatic teller machine ! Guess how panicky the owner would be ! Cos that happened to me last year xMas ! Yeah , tell me about it. All these years, thats my first time losing my credit card. I called the bank and have got the owner contacting me a while later ! While chatting with my good friend Lavie, she asked how come I dun return it to the bank ? Duh !! that din cross my mind..haha..anyway, the card was disposed of as per the owner's request as he has terminated the lost card. ! One good return deserves another ? Good karma !
How often do we lose focus on our goals? I am glad and happy that my good friend pop by last friday to remind me that I am still 3 months away from achieving my goals. Looking at the goals I have set, its technically impossible to do it but I have not given up trying. Thanks Rani for that tender reminder, not many friends are like you, who remembers what friends are committed to do. Its like the little push that we need. I am also happy she will be moving on to another stage in life, something exciting, something different and I am looking forward to joining her in the near future. Take care Rani !
Stomp website has a special dedication for people to write in either in words or in video about their grandparents. Though there is a draw for free trips to Tokyo, that was not my main intention to submit story about my granny but I would like to dedicate this to my beloved granny regardless if the entry wins or not.
~~ Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams ~~
My friend send me this story and this is the most inspiring and touching and true story of a professor named Randy Pausch who gave the talk on "The Last Lecture". He passed away on 25th July 2008. After you watched the show, you will know why its named that way. Its 1 hr 16 mins long but the message will get etched onto you for a long time when you finished listening to what he has to say.
The message in this video is very powerful and it touches on the essence of lessons of life. It reminds me of the little things in life. The friendship you have with your friends and the relationship you have with your loved ones. Enjoy the show.
Thank you Dr Randy Paush for this wonderful message and legacy that you left behind for your 3 kids. You can watch Randy Pausch 1 hr 16 mins "The Last Lecture" here.
The 10 Mins Shorter Version on Oprah Show is here.
Mum, eversince you left, I made it a point to spend every weekend with Granny no matter what. Today, the maid and myself brought her back to our old place Hougang to meet all our old neighbours. Below are some shots and video. Granny loves the durian that I bought. Your 2 adopted grandson misses you and their beloved "neknek" Had fun with them till the late evening when I send Granny back to Ah Yi's place in Jurong. We tried to make this a monthly affair to meet up the kids and our old neighbours. Granny loves coming back to our old house where we stayed for the past 30 years...
Mum, it's coming to the 7th month already. In the chinese tradition, its the 7th month ghost festival. I booked a prayer slot for you. I missed you tons and tons and tons ! It's been 3 years now, it still feels as if you have not left me. I will take care of myself for you and do watch over my shoulders and bless me , my friends, my family with good health and good wealth. Love you !!
I have a cousin that I called Brother Kent who has ventured to China and is doing extremely well in flowers arrangement. We are not that close since young but ever since we set up this community website to connect all our relatives together from all over the world, my bond with many of my cousins and nephews are stronger than before as compared to our yester years where we only meet during CNY or during those "白事". If you read this post - "A gift for my families" You will laugh off your chair !! Look at him in the picture ! Its a pity he din get into the comedian industry..he will blow your socks off with his antics !!
Fyi, Aliran used to our old house in Punggol where we spend our childhood.
When things goes wrong as they sometimes will , they go VERY WRONG. I start to wonder if they go wrong for a certain reason. Good reasons of course. What a turn of event ! My allergy subsided and I dun have to stay in 5 star hotel. My Macbookpro was replaced by a new one as informed by Apple Service Centre and what a coincidence that I picked up an old book from my shelf to read in the train while on my way to work. The title is called
" Dont Sweat The Small Stuff...and its all small stuff " ...by Richard Carlson, PHD.
This coming 26th Aug will be my 2nd year with the Garage Company. So now do you know which company is being voted the best company "or was it worse" to work for :) I have no complaints ( seldom ) nor praise ( hardly ) working here but I am having a dilemma deciding if I should stay or leave. But then I have indicated my intention that I want a 1 month break from work. At least the management hears me :) I would like to take a long break to visit Lab, my best HK Buddy and transit to Shanghai and Beijing to visit my cousins. Maybe opportunity awaits me there :) Here's my 4 generations of family members.
Boo........:P
Ok Ok..its a good company but the balls balls sucks big time !!!
.....They go VERY WRONG !! What a string of bad luck recently !!! For the past 6-7 weekends, I have to go back to work and thankfully I dont have to now and yesterday I had a serious allergy to dunno what food that I had taken and some parts of my body bloated..The doctor who seen me was shocked to see my state and claimed he hasnt seen such allergies before and "issued" me a referral letter to Accident & Emergency. If the swells worsen, go and check yourself in with this letter. I have taken the anti biotics and see if the swell subsides if not then tomorrow , off I go to the hospital..To make thing worse, my macbookpro showed some screen display error and off it goes to the service centre again !
I was suppose to be starting on my CPA Campaign last week but due to work commitment and now with all these shitty stuffs, I felt extremely bad and guilty putting it off again and again. Am committed to get the campaign up by this weekend !
Today I was suppose to be on medical leave but decided to go back to work as my good friend Jennifer would have a hard time managing with me down on medical. What are good friends and colleagues for?
Dear Prime Minister....Tolong please..we the citizens of Singapore urge you to mind your own business. We do not need your help. Everytime you mention help, we have to run for cover !!
Help the poor ? Raise GST !
Help traffic flow ? Up ERP !
Help passenger service ? Up Bus | Mrt fare !
Help us get taxi ? Raise Taxi Fare!
Everytime you want to help, we pay for it. Thank you.. Please, we will help ourselves, no need your help !!
Moral of the lesson " We need to be self sufficient"
Join Singapore T202 Meetup. We are a group of IM'ers that is passionate about earning an income from the internet. Tell us your "WHY" and we will tell , show, share, you the "HOW"
Sick of work ? Sick of your Boss ? Sick and Tired of being sick and tired? I stick this up as my macbook wallpaper. Who is this guy who earns this ridiculous amount of money in 59 days ? Check out his facebook profile - 19 years old Larby Amirouche
Larby is a close friend of Steven Truong who wrote Road to Sucess in my earlier post and who is also coaching us in Internet Marketing.
We are having our first Singapore T202 Meetup. Join us to network , meet and learn from and with like minded people who are into Internet Marketing.
I wonder how they got voted as the best company to work for !!! They should be voted as the worst company to work for ! If only they knew why !
Maybe I shouldnt be writing about my own company but this is a personal rant..an avenue for average joe to !@#$% about the company that he works in. Fair enough ? Sometimes I wonder if those BIG BIG BALLSES in my company reads about what people say about them. May I suggest you use Google Services and put up a Google Alert on your company name e.g "xxxxxx xxxxxx" ? Anything or anyone who writes or types that anywhere on the internet, you get an alert!!
Things I realised when you work in a "Multi National Comopany"
Never be too close to your ballses ballses ( Check out what backstab means in wikipedia )
Never be hopeful that your ballses ballses will stand by you. They standby the customers even though the customer is wrong.
Never ask your ballses ballses for team building sponsorship. They will never. Its best you come out.with your own money to gel the team. The ballses ballses are busy opening up champaigns to celebrate a major service recovery issue
Ask your ballses ballses the names of his desk team members, he/she wont know. He is better at remembering VIP names.
Back in 2000, this book was a rage ! Even if you own this but never finish reading this book, it was hip carrying it around. You see that in the Mrt Train. Every Tom Dick and Harry was carrying one. " I am Financially Literate "
I remembered when I was doing Belair Business, this was a must read book by my upline. That was 8 years back. Steven, my internet marketing mentor send me this link of an author who did an investigation and rebutted every single possble loop holes in this book which Robert Kiyosaki authored. I was pleasantly surprised when I read it.
What's the lesson learnt here ? Read if you must but never take it at face value ! Do your research and due diligence. Sometimes a little bit of common sense is good. The hardest job in the world is to "THINK". Click on the book image to read the full story behind the facade of Robert T. Kiyosaki.
This post is to give credit to a friend or I should say a Mentor who unselfishly takes me in as a student to learn Internet Marketing even though we have not met personally.
Steven Truong, a very young and very successful Internet Entrepreneur and also a founding member of Tracking202.com.
Steven | Wes Mahler and his team truly truly believes in helping people succeed and I am honoured to have known such friends through their awesome site where they gives away free advice and tools to help aspiring internet marketers.
Steven, thank you and thank you once again for taking me in as a student and I look forward to meeting you soon in the US if you are reading this post.
Below is a post by Steven in his blog and I was truly inspired by what he said about Road to Success. Its a pretty long post but its well worth the time to read it.
After buying tools after tools, ebooks after ebooks, reading tons of blogs, attending internet marketing seminars, many late nights of learning and reading, an affiliate cheque finally ends up in your mail box !!! Is it thousands of dollars? Nope its not, its only $67.06 but this cheque means tons to me !!!!! It shows that persistency and hard work will eventually show results even though if you are not sure if Internet Marketing works..I was pleasantly surprised to receive it from Max Bounty !! My affiliate manager Adam is a great guy and has always been there for me, recommending me offers and giving guidance. Thank You Adam. You are awesome !!!
Here's the cheque
Thanks Adam for your comment and dropping by my blog.
Happy Birthday Labby !! May all your wishes come true. Time flies, you were here just last week and another 2 days you will be flying back to HK. I hope you had great time eating snow crab at Khuisinbo last week and Chomp Chomp last night. I look forward to visiting you during CNY next year and see the night flower market. Meanwhile, take good care and bon voyage !
Mum, Granny gave us a big scare yesterday. Ah Yi called me in the office to call for an ambulance as Granny is unconscious at home. As no one else was at home besides the maid and her, I called the ambulance and send her off to NUH.
Rushed down to NUH thereafter and was told that she is placed under observation. A complete check on her showed nothing, heartbeat is normal, breathing is fine, she is conscious and looking around the nurses and doctors.
The ambulance attendant told Ah Yi that Granny pulled away the oxygen mask when it was put onto her when she was supposedly unconscious. What a big run around and you Cute Little Granny scared the hell out of me !! But it was a good check as its been a while since she last went for a checkup. It was probably due to the fact that she is reaching 90 and she is super tired and was off to a deep sleep when the maid was checking on her and couldnt wake her up.
I have been working on weekends lately and havent been visiting her so this incident scared my wits out that I may not see her again just like what it happened to you Mum...But glad everything turned out fine and she was brought home. She even gave me a wink !! Pengz San !!
May you live to a RIPE OLD AGE !!! Love you Mum and Granny
Mum, its dumpling festival time again. Time flies. Its been a crazy 1 month as I have to work on every saturday till who knows when...hopefully it will end somewhere in July. This festival, I din visit you and..felt very bad about it but I still love you :) ~ Lavie will be visiting SG tomorrow and we will go food hunting again :)~~anyway, her birthday coming soon so planning to go for a sumptuous snow crab feast at Kinshinbo at Suntec. Love you...
Mum,
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Another correction from the swiss ang mo (kio): it was not a complaint but a shock to me to realize that I did not tell more about my country switzerland! And just coz of that lack of info I put mel in a situation of not knowing the difference between another country and mine!! soooo sorry, mister A*Mei Lover! I will do my best to keep you more informed about french croissants and swiss cheese next time I am in singapore! .okelah? till then, happy SBS travelling!!