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From Exodus to Easter with Fr. Emmanuel Noel - Lent 2026

2026-04-03T00:29:00.014+08:00

Lent this year didn’t begin the way I expected it to.

Ash Wednesday fell on the second day of the Lunar New Year - a time of laughter, reunion dinners, and abundance. We were granted dispensation from fasting and abstinence from meat. I gladly accepted it in exchange for Friday.

I remember thinking how strange it felt to hold together two seemingly opposite realities: feasting and fasting, celebration and solemnity. Part of me leaned easily into the joy of the season. Another part knew I was being invited into something deeper, quieter, more interior.
Perhaps that was the point all along.
This Lent wasn’t about withdrawing from life, but learning how to remain with God within it. The real struggle is not choosing one or the other, but remaining spiritually anchored amid joy and distraction.

Every year for Lent and Advent, Celeste and I pick a reflection prgramme to embark on. This year, we decided to journey with Fr. Emmanuel Noel OCD's "Lent 2026: From Exodus to Easter" where he shared a short video and reflection for 40 days.
Exdous is such an amazing theatrical story with so many co-relations to Jesus' death and rising on the cross. And while I thought I knew the story well, there were still many nuggets of details I learnt fresh this round.
As I journeyed through Exodus, I began to notice a pattern, not just in the story of the Israelites, but in my own life.

God provides. God calls. God saves.

And yet, I hesitate. I doubt. I hold back.
I saw myself in the Israelites more than I would like to admit. Quick to complain. Slow to trust. Surrounded by abundance, yet still feeling it wasn't enough. It’s almost uncomfortable to realise how often I live with a subtle fear that what I have or even who I am, will not be sufficient.
The manna in the desert struck me deeply. God gives just enough for each day, and yet the instinct is always to keep more “just in case.” I recognise that instinct in myself - in the way I plan, the way I secure, the way I hold on. Trusting God daily sounds simple, but living it out is something else entirely.

There were also moments of quiet clarity.
The image of the burning bush stayed with me. A fire that draws, but does not consume. That is what God feels like sometimes. Gentle, yet compelling. Mysterious, yet deeply personal. Not overwhelming, but impossible to ignore once noticed. And then the words: “I AM.”
It made me realise how much of my identity I try to construct on my own - through roles, responsibilities, expectations. Yet here is God, simply being. And through Christ, inviting me not just to know Him, but to call Him Father. There is always deeply grounding about that.

This journey also revealed how much I rely on others and how much others rely on me.
It was a honest struggle for Celeste and I to make time to share our Lenten experiences, but we still checked in. I came to know of some difficult news during the season, and while it breaks my heart, I know God has his reasons and ways.
I began listing the people in my life who needed prayer - family, friends, people carrying burdens quietly. The list grew longer than I expected. And with it came a quiet conviction: if I truly believe prayer matters, why don’t I turn to it more readily?
Love, I’m learning, is not just felt. It is carried often in prayer.

Lent also has a way of uncovering what sits quietly beneath the surface.
Pride. Attachment. The small “golden calves” I build for myself such as comfort, control, security.
They are subtle. Almost reasonable. Until I realise how easily they take God’s place.
There is a kind of interior “spring cleaning” that needs to happen. Not dramatic, not overnight, but intentional. Making space again. Clearing what clutters. Returning to what matters.

And yet, through all of this, one truth kept surfacing - I do not need to do everything on my own.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. - Exodus 14:14

Stillness is not something I am naturally good at. Letting go, even less so. But over these 40 days, I’ve come to see it is about allowing God to be God.

And as the Lenten season draws to a close and we quickly entered into Holy Week, I find myself a little more aware, maybe a little more honest with a desire to trust.
Lent always have a gentle reoriention of the heart back to God. back to the simple, daily decision to walk with Him.

Read:
Ascension Lenten Companion - Walking with Mary to Jerusalem (with Fr. Mark Toups)
FORMED Live Holy Week (Dr. Tim Gray) Part 1 of 2
Lent 2015
Entering Into Holy Week
Psalm 22
Lenten Reflection 2009
Be Still this Good Friday
Anima Christi
Getting Lent Right
The Passion
Lent 2004
Last week of Lent
Into Lent

Star Trek Morality and The Prime Directive

2026-01-14T11:10:00.003+08:00

Starfleet’s Prime Directive: General Order #1, is often explained as a rule of non-interference. No intervention in the internal development of alien civilizations. No revealing advanced technology. No playing God.

As a huge Sci-Fi and Star Trek fan most of my life, I've always enjoyed how the series trusted its audience to think. To sit with moral ambiguity. To accept that sometimes the most ethical choice is to do nothing at all.

Episodes that confront famine, caste systems, or systemic violence force the viewer to ask an uncomfortable question: Is inaction still moral when you have the power to help? It treats morality as situational, relational, and deeply human. Less about rules and more about accountability. Star Trek never promised easy answers; it offered better questions.

In Star Trek's imagined future, Money no longer dictates value or survival. Science and technology supply everyone’s basic needs, equally. Progress, in Star Trek, is not just technological, it’s Social. Ethical. Relational.

Jean-Luc Picard articulates this philosophy with disarming clarity:

“The acquisition of wealth is no longer the driving force in our lives. We work to better ourselves and the rest of humanity.”

At its heart, Star Trek is an argument for optimism. The idea that people of different races, beliefs, temperaments, genders, and species can work together without erasing one another. The stories always return to relationships - the friction, the misunderstandings, the moments of recognition that make cooperation possible.

Gene Roddenberry understood the Enterprise as metaphor.

As George Takei once said:

“The Starship Enterprise was a metaphor for starship Earth. And the strength of the starship lay in its diversity, coming together and working in concert.”

Roddenberry himself pushed the idea further:

“Until humans learn to tolerate… until we can value the diversity here on Earth, then we don’t deserve to go into outer space and encounter the infinite diversity out there.”

This belief is summed up in Vulcan philosophy’s core idea: IDIC - Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Difference isn’t something to fix; it’s something to value.

This ideal can also easily fail. The Borg are the warning. Where IDIC respects difference, the Borg erase it. “Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own.” Unity through force. Progress without consent. They reflect real-world fears about losing identity to power that claims to know better.

Spock and Data (one alien, one android) on the other hand, stand apart from humanity, and because of that, they understand it deeply. Through them, we see our emotions, contradictions, and need for connection more clearly. Their difference invites empathy, not fear. Together, they ask the question Star Trek returns to again and again: what does it mean to be human?

The Prime Directive, then, is not really about aliens. It’s about us. About knowing when to help and when to step back. About resisting the impulse to dominate simply because we can. About understanding that growth, personal or civilizational, cannot be forced without cost.

This is why Star Trek endures for me as a kind of ethical rehearsal. A reminder that progress without humility is just another form of conquest.

Read:
Babylon 5: Our last, best hope for peace
Star Trek ThinkGreek Loot
Firefly
A Girl's Guide to Geek Guys
BSG Finale
They found EARTH...

From Heatwave to Holiness at Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina

2025-03-22T12:29:00.007+08:00

In the past few days, the reflection material has been prompting me to experience Mary gazing into my eyes.

I haven't had many Marian experiences, and the most significant one would have to be the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, it wasn’t exactly a pilgrimage, but rather a case of being in the right place at the right time. It would have felt incomplete not to visit Medjugorje, the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to six children since June 24, 1981. Those six children; Van Dragičević, Ivanka Ivanković, Jakov Čolo, Marija Pavlović, Mirjana Dragičević, and Vicka Ivanković; now adults and continue to receive apparitions.

The trip to Medjugorje took place during the Adriatic Adventures trip to Croatia in 2017. Bry, Mich and YR were also intrigued by the exoticness of stepping foot into Bosnia and Herzegovina even for a day. We made the 2.5-hour drive from the old town of Dubrovnik with a private guide to visit Medjugorje (St. James Church and Apparition Hill) and Mostar (a historic city known for its iconic Stari Most, or Old Bridge, spanning the Neretva River, as well as its Ottoman-era architecture and bustling bazaar).

The sun was blazing down insanely on that faithful day as south of Europe was swept with heatwave, "Lucifer". "Lucifer," sent temperatures soaring to record high and while I can't be certain, we were definitely in the high 30s to 40 degrees Celsius. Let's just say it was "热到不能说" (too hot to describe). While purchasing a drink at a convenience store in Mostar, a man collapsed to the ground right before my eyes! He likely had a heatstroke and customers were cooling him down with bottled water! Mich, YR, and the guide decided to skip the climb up Apparition Hill in favor of ice coffee at the foot of the hill, which they deemed one of the best decisions of the trip.

Before we tackled Apparition Hill, we visited the grounds of the Church of St. James in Medjugorje. Holy Mass was celebrated every hour at the church. I became one of the millions from around the world who have embarked on this pilgrimage. While I knew I would be in Medjugorje, I wasn’t fully prepared for the experience as a devotee. The day trip didn’t allow for much time at the site. By the time I arrived, Mass had already started and the church was packed full to the brim. I opted instead to spend some quiet time in prayer before a Marian statue just a short distance from the church. Despite the constant arrival of coach buses full of pilgrims, this spot remained surprisingly peaceful and serene. Though I can’t remember the specific prayer I said, the few moments I spent asking for Mary’s intercession were profoundly peaceful and assuring. With Mary, it always is. I recall that my heart was filled with the stirring of the Holy Spirit.

Church of St. James 1969 and a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bry and I then began the 500 meter climb (about 1,640 feet) to Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo. “Medjugorje” literally means “between mountains,” as the town sits nestled between two hills: Križevac and Podbrdo. Considering Singapore’s tallest hill at Bukit Timah stands only 164 meters high, we were battling rocky boulders, thorny bushes, and steep terrain all the way up to the Statue of Mary, “Queen of Peace.” Along the path, we passed bronze plaques commemorating each mystery of the Joyful Rosary. The late morning sun blazed down relentlessly, and it took us a little over an hour to reach the summit. At the top, stood the statue of Mary, surrounded by a small fence, with a wooden crucifixion cross behind her and the town stretching out before us. It felt as if Mary were watching over Medjugorje, praying for her people. Despite the presence of other pilgrims, there was a sense of reverence and quiet respect for the space.

The start of the ascent up Apparition Hill

Terrain that wasn't exactly a walk in the park

Queen of Peace on Apparition Hill

I took a brief moment to pray before the statue of the Queen of Peace, gazing into her eyes and reflecting on Mary’s plea for conversion to God, a life of holiness, constant prayer, and the need for peace.

Reflecting, I realize that visiting Medjugorje was never a part of any plan. But somehow, I knew I was meant to be there. It was a personal invitation, hidden amidst the adventures of the trip, calling me to draw closer to Our Lord. And in this way, I’ve come to understand how Mary guides and teaches me. The focus never on her but always on how she points the way to Jesus.

Read:
Ascension Lenten Companion - Walking with Mary to Jerusalem (with Fr. Mark Toups)
Assumption
Mothers
FORMED Live Holy Week (Dr. Tim Gray) Part 1 of 2
Lent 2015
Entering Into Holy Week
Lenten Reflection 2009
Getting Lent Right
Lent 2004
Last week of Lent
Into Lent

Reflections on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics – Friendship and Virtue

2025-03-10T23:36:00.031+08:00

Inspired by Fr. Robert Barron – Word on Fire Show, Episode 300

Aristotle’s concept of friendship, as explored in Book 8 of his Nicomachean Ethics, offers profound insights into human relationships. He famously asserts, “A friend is a second self.” This idea suggests that genuine friendship is deeply intertwined with virtue, truth, and human flourishing. Good friendships act as a matrix from which the attainment of truth and moral goodness arise. Authentic friendship is vital for our personal growth, as it nurtures both virtue and moral goodness in each individual.

The Role of Friendship in Virtue
At its core, Aristotle argues that friendship is not just a social bond, but a commitment to virtue. We form friendships with those whose virtues we admire and wish to embody ourselves. A true friend is someone who helps us grow, challenges our assumptions, and encourages our moral and intellectual development. It is in this space of mutual dedication to goodness that a "second self" arises — a companion who not only mirrors our best qualities but also inspires us toward greater heights.

The Three Types of Friendship
Aristotle categorizes friendships into three types:
1. Friendship of Pleasure
- This form of friendship arises from shared enjoyment or good feelings.
- These friendships are often fleeting, formed around common activities or pleasures.
- The value of the friend is not based on their character, but rather on the joy they provide.

2. Friendship of Utility
- These friendships are based on mutual benefit, often arising in professional or practical contexts.
- For example, a colleague at work or a service provider like a mechanic.
- These relationships exist primarily for practical reasons, and their depth is limited.

3. Friendship of Virtue
- This is the highest form of friendship, where friends love one another for their intrinsic goodness.
- These friendships go beyond mere pleasure or utility; they are rooted in shared values and a mutual desire to grow in virtue.
- Friends rejoice in each other’s successes and strive together toward personal and moral excellence.
- This type of friendship requires time, effort, and sacrifice—qualities that make it rare and deeply meaningful.

As I reflect on these concepts, I find myself drawn to two key questions to ponder,
1. Do we look for friends who are different from us? What kinds of diversities are important in friendships?
Friendship does not always thrive in homogeneous environments. In places like workplaces, faith communities, schools, or volunteer organizations, we often encounter people who differ greatly in terms of personal backgrounds, interests, values, and life experiences.
These differences, whether cultural, socio-economic, political, or even neurodiverse, can lead to rich learning opportunities. Engaging with diverse perspectives can challenge our assumptions, deepen our empathy, and refine our social and moral intelligence. By interacting with those from different walks of life, we grow not only in our understanding of others but also in our own capacity for compassion and creativity.

2. What factors influence the transition of friendships from one type to another?
Friendships are dynamic, shifting over time as individuals change and grow. Life events, personal development, shared experiences, and evolving values all play a role in how friendships evolve. But perhaps the most profound question is: How many friendships reach the level of a Friendship of Virtue?
Aristotle himself acknowledges that these friendships are rare, as they require sustained effort, deep commitment, and a willingness to sacrifice for one another. This is a friendship where the truth of who we are emerges through dialogue, mutual support, and the shared pursuit of goodness.

I thought through the people in my lives and indeed I am blessed.

Aristotle’s exploration of friendship in the Nicomachean Ethics invites us to reflect on the nature of our own relationships. Friendship, in its highest form, is a partnership in the pursuit of virtue and truth. As we navigate the complexities of life and the various friendships we form, it is important to recognize the potential for growth and transformation that comes from authentic, virtuous friendships. These are the relationships that not only shape our character but ultimately lead us to a fuller, more flourishing life.

Read:
Philosophy through Humour in "Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar
The Ones who care
The 9 Characteristics of Genuine Fellowship
Confucius Says... Education is the key to making people humane
Knowledge vs. Wisdom
Lessons learnt from "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Applying Sun Tzu's Art of War
Knowledge is Power. Content is King
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Being in Flow - Leading to Happiness
Come away and not think for awhile...
Learning from the Wrongologist - Kathryn Schulz

Ascension Lenten Companion - Walking with Mary to Jerusalem (with Fr. Mark Toups)

2025-03-06T11:42:00.005+08:00

It's the 2025 season of Lent! Coming out from 2024's Ascension Lenten Companion - Walking with Jesus to Jerusalem (with Fr. Mark Toups), I won’t lie - I’m genuinely filled with curiosity about what I’ll uncover along this year's journey. It’s undeniable that no one on earth knew Jesus more intimately than His mother. Mary, more than anyone, spent every moment with Him, understood His heart in ways that no one else could. She lived through His childhood, witnessed the quiet and sacred moments of His growth, and saw every little detail of His life that no one else had the privilege to know. The way He moved, the way He laughed, the quiet moments—she saw it all, and with the deepest understanding.

How did Mary support Jesus as He grew, and what tender, intimate conversations did they share in the quiet of their home? These thoughts pull me into a deeper reflection. What must it have been like for her to know Him so fully, even as He revealed Himself to the world?

Looking back, I realized that I’ve rarely placed Mary at the centre of my Lenten or Advent reflections. Perhaps as the journal companion states, it is more important to have a relationship with Christ himself. But now, as I think about it, I feel a stirring in my heart. How can Mary, who knows the depths of Christ's heart like no one else, help me to cultivate a deeper attentiveness to Him this season? How can I enter into her sorrows and her love, and in doing so, draw closer to the very heart of Jesus?

As I step into this Lenten season on Ash Wednesday, I am filled with an eager longing to renew and deepen my relationship with Jesus. I’m excited to have Mary—this extraordinary woman, the epitome of faith and love—guide me through these next 40 days. More often than not, it is Jesus who has pathed this journey for his beloved mother to now also walk with me as she leads me ever closer to the heart of Jesus.

What are you committing to for Lent this year?
a. Journaling - Let's get back to it!
b. Reading - Love & Responsibility (Karol Wojtyla) - Publication and Book
c. Lenten Reflection Journey - Walking with Mary To Jerusalem 2025
d. Abstinence of meat on Fridays during Lent
e. Weekly Adoration
f. Awareness around and how God needs me to move - Examen

Read:
FORMED Live Holy Week (Dr. Tim Gray) Part 1 of 2
Lent 2015
Entering Into Holy Week
Psalm 22
Lenten Reflection 2009
Be Still this Good Friday
Anima Christi
Getting Lent Right
The Passion
Lent 2004
Last week of Lent
Into Lent

Coast-To-Coast Trail #C2Csg Singapore's Longest Walking PCN Trail

2021-07-10T14:05:00.026+08:00

We are still in DORSCON Level Orange (that lingered since Feb 2020...) and this year we were slapped with the Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) May 16 - June 13 2021 and Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) From Jun 14 2021. Simply amused by all the strange terminologies that the Singapore government have coined a "lockdown" for Covid-19, I decided to commemorate the Heightened Alerts by attempting the Coast-to-Coast Trail #C2Csg.

#C2Csg is the longest 36km Park Connector Network (PCN) trail that spans across Singapore, linking up nature areas, parks and park connectors from Jurong Lake Gardens in the west, the new Lornie Nature Corridor near the centre, and to Coney Island Park in the northeast. This trail will bring you to places you've actually never thought existed!

Besides exploring the trail and learning about local biodiversity, we kept our eyes opened for Phil, the leaf from the native Broad-leaved Sterculia (Sterculia macrophylla), who marked the 10 glorious checkpoints along the trail. The checkpoints are not always the easiest to locate, so finding Phil (just like in the Amazing Race Television Series) will be a delight.

We attempted the 10 checkpoints in 2 separate hikes to allow us to mix up the boring flat pavement with treks into nature reserve trails and cutting through heartlands of neighbourhoods. We applauded our decision as 36km at a go would be somewhat painful, extremely hot when the mid afternoon sun hits down in full force and honestly boring cause there will be kilometers after kilometers of walking on roadside pavements!

Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) May 16 - June 13 2021 had a restriction for 2 people social interaction and no dine-ins. However, we could do takeaways and eat in the park.

Starting from Bishan / Ang Mo Kio Park toward Punggol Waterfront. This was a pleasent 20km scenic route.

Cannot say no to Robots!

Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) From Jun 14 2021 allowed for 5 people social interaction. Dine-in was still not allowed. Starting from Bishan we walked the other direction, this time to Jurong.

Forest Bathing in Lornie Trail

Checkpoint #1 technically completes our Coast-To-Coast experience covering 9 checkpoints and a grand total of 41.34km

What I would recommend,
1. Split the #C2Csg into 2 different hikes
Cover 5 to 6 checkpoints in each hike on seperate days. With this arrangement, mix up the trails by cutting into nature trails and neighbourhood heartlands. This will increase the distance to around 20 - 25km per hike but trust me, it will be way more interesting! Part of the adventure is to take some time to breathe in the sights and sounds around the locations. But if a challenge is what you are looking for… then yes do the whole trail all at one go.

2. Start bright and early
Start your hike no later than 7 or 7.30am and complete the course by lunchtime. Pack breakfast to munch along the way (McDonalds' Sasuage McMuffin meal was actually perfect for me) and do a coffeeshop lunch takeaway to enjoy your reward at your last checkpoint in a park.

3. Wear comfortable and light clothing
Because you would have ended your hike before the dreaded afternoon sun hit hard, protective clothing in my opinion is not required. Sport shoes with good stability is good enough. However, I did slip on my Salomon X Ultra Hiking Boots cause I wanted to give my tired ankles more support.

4. Don't overload on water
A bottle of water (750ml to 1 litre) is more than sufficient. No point adding on weight to the walk as there will be ample petrol kiosks along the way to pick up an icy cold drink if required.

5. Wear your Protection
Wear your sunscreen, your cap and your sunglasses. Anticipate rain and throw in an umbrella or a weatherproof jacket to carry along.

6. Lastly, bring along a friend
You WILL have a lot of time on the journey.

And before we called it quits to close our chapter on the #C2Csg, we threw in a bonus hike to strike-off Checkpoint #10! This was the awkward checkpoint off the #C2Csg track at Rowers Bay Park. Davinia made it our own trail from Punggol to Seletar cutting through Pulau Barat and Pulau Timor islands. Both are reclaimed islands off Seletar, now used for construction stockpile of granite and sand.

Catching the last Phil!

A very industrialised landscape at the islands. Lots of construction and stockpiles of granite and sand.

The two islands of Pulau Barat and Pulau Timor islands are joined by this road through this thin body of water.

All in, we walked a grand total of 57.81km!

#C2Csg Checkpoints
#1 Jurong Lake Gardens
#2 Bukit Batok Nature Park
#3 Hindhede Drive
#4 Adam Road / Singapore Botanic Gardens
#5 Bishan / Ang Mo Kio
#6 Luxus Hills Park
#7 Sengkang Floating Wetland
#8 Punggol Waterway Park
#9 Coney Island Park
#10 Lower Seletar Reservoir Park (Rower's Bay)

Read:
Category: Sports and Fitness
Hiking Gunung Lambak Recreational Forest, Kluang Malaysia
STYG Facilitators Southern Ridges Training Hike
Panoramic Tasmania 2011: Ronny Creek Cradle Mountain
Panoramic Bali 2010
HSBC TreeTop Walk

Babylon 5: Our last, best hope for peace

2020-07-01T13:21:00.000+08:00

Everyone had something they were watching during the 2 months Coronavirus COVID-19 Circuit Breaker lock down. Mine was re-watching the classic Sci-fi series Babylon 5 which originally aired in the 90s from 1994 to 1998. After completing everything Star Trek in 2018 and all eleven seasons of X-files in 2019, it was finally time to journey back to the 90s or fast forward to 2257 (which ever way you wanted to look at it) to Babylon 5.

And to be honest, Babylon 5 made the last months most bearable and actually quite a blast.

Created by J. Michael Straczynski and produced by Warner Bros. Babylon 5 surrounds a massive pivotal space station at the crossroads of a variety of galaxy-shaking events, including a war that nearly destroys Earth. It's a galaxy-spanning space opera that somehow still manages to feel intimate.

Through 5 seasons and numerous movies, we follow the vision of one writer, Straczynski himself; who completed the story in its entirety. Straczynski called it "a novel for television," and there's never been another show like it since. Straczynski wrote 92 of the 110 episodes that spanned 4 years in the making presenting a complete, pre-planned, serialized story arc that is arguably one of the first successful examples of such on American television.

I'm going to say that unlike TV series that presented stand-alone plots, Babylon 5 was actually pretty hard to watch if you hadn't watched the previous episodes. It's literally a story that takes 110 episodes to tell.

What I really appreciated was how the series raises and asks important questions but does not necessarily provide a pat answer. They include topics on politics - how political leadership bring change, the absurdities of power, the desire for power and it’s costs on revenge, rivalry and warfare. Religious respect and faith versus medicine. Challenges of vices in alcoholism, drug-addiction and compulsive gambling. Time travel and mind reading. I think Babylon 5 had covered it all.

And because there was a lot more time for the show to develop, the characters and their relationships were genuinely believable. from Andreas Katsulas and Peter Jurasik’s lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry as adversarial Ambassadors Londo and G’kar and Bruce Boxleitner and Mira Furlan as lovers, John J. Sheridan and Delenn.

Today we would cringe at the low budget 3D Studio Max CGI, but back in the 90s when I was starting out my 3D animation career, the space stations, space wars and vast galaxies looked notoriously awesome. It's almost hilarious today that paper-based reports and newspaper still exist in the far future. Almost an eyesore. It's amazing how CGI and special effects had improved leaps and bounds, but I considered Babylon 5's attempt ground breaking and inspirational.

Here's a timeline of the Babylon 5 story,

Year
2257 - Movie: "The Gathering"
2258 - Babylon 5 Season 1 ("Signs and Portents")
2259 - Babylon 5 Season 2 ("The Coming Of Shadows")
2260 - Babylon 5 Season 3 ("Point of No Return")
2261 - Babylon 5 Season 4 ("No Surrender, No Retreat")
2262-3362 - Babylon 5 Season 4 Episode 22 "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars"
2245-2248 - Movie: "Babylon 5: In the Beginning"
2262 - Babylon 5 Season 5 ("The Wheel of Fire")
2263 - Movie: "River of Souls"
2265 - Movie: "The Legend of the Rangers"
2266 - Movie: "A Call to Arms"
2267 - Crusade Season 1
2271 - Movie: "The Lost Tales: Voices in the Dark"
2281 - Babylon 5 Season 5 Episode 24 "Sleeping in Light"

I still have the Legend of the Rangers to catch some other time.

I'd leave you with some of my favourite quotes from the series,

"I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, wouldn't it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happened to us come because we actually deserve them." - Marcus Cole, Ranger

“I will tell you a great secret… the molecules of your body are the same molecules that make up this station , and the nebula outside, that burn inside the stars themselves. We are starstuff. We are the universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out.” - Ambassador Delenn, Minbar

Something my father said. He was old, very old at the time. I went into his room, and he was sitting alone in the dark, crying. So I asked him what was wrong, and he said, "My shoes are too tight, but it doesn't matter, because I have forgotten how to dance." I never understood what that meant until now. - Ambassador Londo Mollari, Centauri Republic

"Understanding is a three edged sword: your side, their side, and the truth." - J. Michael Straczynski

Read:
Category: TV
COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease Declared Pandemic
Singapore Circuit Breaker #tings

Singapore Circuit Breaker #tings

2020-06-01T15:49:00.000+08:00

Singapore's Circuit Breaker (CB) was officially announced on 7 April 2020 and scheduled to last till 4 May 2020. On 21 April 2020, it was announced that measures needed to be tightened to the Circuit Breaker period, to further reduce the transmission of COVID-19. The Circuit Breaker period was extended by another 4 weeks till 1 June 2020 (inclusive).

With the extended time being stuck at home, people glued themselves to Netflix, dug out family recipes and became home chefs, experimented with baking, started exercising, de-cluttered like Kon-Marie and became Tik Tok stars.

I stepped out of CB into Phase 1 on 2 June 2020 with the following CB Tings checked,
1. Training Cycling Station
I figured instantly that the extended hours copped at home will mean that I needed a simple cardio activity that I enjoyed jumping onto. I for one am not a fan of online exercise videos that were made very popular to keep one motivated during CB. I fixed up my Scott Contessa with my Minoura Cyclone trainer at my study area to spin. It's now a fixture in my study space. It worked really well mixed with my regular outdoor runs around the neighbourhood and occasional strength training with weights.

2. Toilet Paper Meme MV
When DOSCORN Orange kicked in on 7 February in Singapore, Toilet Paper started vanishing from supermarket shelves making the humble toilet roll one of the most sort after commodity in the country. This was apparently not unique to our tiny country state but a phenomenon witnessed all around the world. Fights broke out over heated snatching of toilet rolls with restrictions put in place from preventing shoppers from over purchasing.

To commemorate this event, my MV gang came together (remotely) to produce our version of the Toilet Paper Meme as the extension of CB kicked in. It was simply fun and featured my cycling station!

3. Formation
a. Holy Week Bible Study (Formed)
b. Webinar with Christopher West (1 May)
c. Theology of the Body (TOB) Conference (Weekend of 8 May)
d. Introduction to Virtues (7 Sessions)

The annual TOB Conference by the Theology of the Body Institute, usually held in the States was made available online for the 1st time! It was a star studded line-up of over 60 global speakers talking on various angles on this topic that I immensely love. It was a jam packed, knowledge filled weekend. In the midst of COVID-19, I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to participate in the sessions. I simply love how TOB touched my life in my early 20s and continues to have this profound impact even till today. It is true that when God sows a seeds, it will continue to grow.

The Introduction to Virtues lesson was a formation program I planned for at the start of the year. I was delighted to have it offered FREE as a 7 lessons online class by Fr. David Garcia during CB. Zoom online classes turned out acceptable and way more convenient.

4. Planted and harvested Covid Greens Dwarf Pak Choys
Every block of 40 - 50 days is a good period to setup a veggie seeds tray for urban farming. Urban farming become quite a thing for me last year and knowing that I can sustain an extremely small portion of my vegetable consumption from my own garden is heartening. It's always a delight to reap the rewards sown by your hands. After harvesting the batch of "Easter Greens", I started "Covid Greens" which was harvested just before CB concluded.

5. Re-watching Babylon 5
Am I the only one that finds nothing on Netflix is worth watching despite the millions of dollars the platform has pumped in for new content? There is also a void on good Sci-fi... everything worth watching have been watched. And rather than spending hours committed to a new but lousy series that leaves one dissatisfied, I decided to re-watch 1994's J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5. I was a young teen when the B5 series ran for 4 years on free-to-air TV, it was filled with interstellar political conflicts, space-stations, dog fights aliens and lots of low budget computer graphics CGI. Having completed every spin-off of Star Trek and 9 seasons of The X-Files in the last few years, I thought it was time for B5. And it has been a real joy to revisit.

6. Home Upgrades
Being stuck at home did not stop me from the convenience of online shopping. I spruced up the workstation with a new Microsoft Surface Keyboard in smooth gray and invested in the Philips Hue Smart Lighting system to create a more intense lighting dimension of my spaces. Yes, I am quite extra. And that's just 2 of the more notable things that kept me happy on the shopping front.

7. Created St. Teresa Church Young Adult's website
For our online evangelisaton efforts. Visit the website at http://tinyurl.com/stcyac

8. Portfolio Update
Something I've always wanted to do but never came around to. I've finally copied all my old portfolio works back into my 12TB of hard-disk and touched them up to be compiled properly into a portfolio to be uploaded to YouTube. It is still a work-in-progress but happy that it has kicked off to a decent start.

St. Teresa Church Young Adult Website Launch

2020-05-25T00:40:00.004+08:00

We celebrated the 54th World Communications Day on 24 May, where as Church we are asked to re-look into the various media we consume and how we are using our communication tools to share about our Lord Jesus.

World Communications Day 2020 is dedicated to the Encounter in Storytelling. With the theme being “That you may tell your children and grandchildren” (Ex 10:2) - Life becomes history.

“May this event encourage us to tell and share constructive stories that help us to understand that we are all part of a story that is larger than ourselves, and can look forward to the future with hope if we truly care for one another as brothers and sisters.” - Pope Francis

The theme of storytelling is such as relatable topic. Everyone loves a good story.

Stories have a way of transcending time and delivering the message across in both an emotional and concrete way. Stories are universal, embedded in our human DNA as individually we seek for adventure, suspense, something magical, a reflection of life, and above all, love.

Perhaps through my love for literature, I appreciate the multifaceted, multi-dimensions in the development and study of characters.

This theme came at a time where I am still uncovering my learning in The Great Adventure Bible Timeline. The Bible, being the most read, translated and sold book ever, truly contains some of the Greatest Stories ever told.

With the COVID-19 coronavirus keeping most of us indoors (and it doesn’t look like physical meetings will happen till Jul/Aug), it got me thinking how the Young Adult Community could use more of our online capabilities and resources to share the good news.

What originated as a online page to describe the Enquirers process, became the birth of St. Teresa Church Young Adult Community Website @ http://tinyurl.com/stcyac. The website was created to help in our evangelising efforts to share what we do in our group to others who might be interested to join a Christian Community.

Apart from introducing the community, there is also a Growth page filled with meaningful resources and a Gallery page to provide a glimpse of our community life together. Perhaps through time, the community can contribute our own faith stories through writings, illustrations and photographs to the website.

Visit the website at http://tinyurl.com/stcyac and should you be interested to join us for our sessions, do hit us up on the contact form in the website.

Read:
Minimum www.natashayong.com Blog Design
The End of Geocities
Brand New www.natashayong.com Blog
SWCT Website V-Day Launch
Final Pieces to the Puzzle

FORMED Live Holy Week (Dr. Tim Gray) Part 1 of 2

2020-04-13T15:59:00.000+08:00

Dr. Tim Gray from the Augustine Institute presented a series of 30 mins FORMED Live virtual talks focused on the study of the biblical account of Holy Week starting from Palm Sunday. Each day, a very learned special guest will sit with Gray sharing in depth on the topic at hand.

It was the most enriching study material which deepened my understanding of events and its significance leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Sunday - Understanding Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21). For the 1st time in his ministry, Jesus allows the people to hail him as King. In Holy Week, we recognize that Jesus is both king and healer.

Riding on a donkey
As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, the prophecy reveals Jesus’ royalty as he ride in on a donkey, which he appointed two of his disciples to fetch for him. This mimics King Solomon when he was anointed as king on a wild donkey. It was a symbol of a Humble King to ride in on a donkey compared to a war horse. This contrasts to the second coming of Christ in Revelations.

Laying of cloaks
As Jesus enters the city, cloaks were laid on the ground. In ancient times, cloaks were a status symbol, the people laying them down for Jesus represented submission.

Waving of palm branches
The people sees Jesus as the cleanser of the temple, like Judas Maccabeus, as they waved palm branches. They were expecting a Messiah, one who would crush the enemy as palms waved where used in a victory procession.

The New Temple
Jesus however is the new temple - Psalm 1:18
The physical temple is the micro cosmos of the universe.
Psalm 8 is know as the "The song of the Astronomer", as gazing at the heavens in verse 3, inspires the psalmist to meditate on God's creation and man's place in it.

Monday - Jesus’ Demonstration in the Temple

Cursing of the fig tree
In Mark 11:12, while leaving Bethany, Jesus encounters a fig tree. The fig tree is a symbol for Israel, the people of God. Jesus was hungry - hunger for justice and fidelity. As he nears his imminent time of death, he expected Israel to have come to spiritual maturity. The cursing of the fig tree was directed at the Jews who have not accepted Jesus as King. The tree withered from the roots after Jesus cursed it. The fruitless fig tree draws us back to prior points in Jesus’s ministry, when God’s people were called to produce spiritual fruit.

Cleansing of the temple
Activities at the temple came to a halt with a closure of worship and sacrifice when Jesus drove out buying and selling at the temple grounds. The chief priests exploited the sale of pigeons and dove which were purchased by the poor at the outer courts. The priests were robbers who took advantage of the poor. Robbers were like brigands, who plots and murders. A juxtaposition to Jesus’ crucifixion.

“Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called for all nations the house of prayer’? But ye have made it a den of thieves.” - Mark 11:17

“These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” - Isaiah 56:7

The story of the tenants
Jesus shared the story of the tenants of the vineyard found in Matthew 21:33–34, foretelling of his death and the falling of the temple. Interpretation of temple of the Lord as the vineyard of the Lord (Isaiah 5). Priests are hired by God as stewards but instead they did the opposite. This co-relates to Joseph and his brothers with Jesus and the priests.

Rejection of the corner stone. We are called to prepare ourselves as a pure and holy temple for the lord. - Psalm 1:18

Tuesday - Jesus’ Prophecy Of the End of the Temple and the World

The 3 entanglement of Jesus in Mark 12 by the Chef Priests compared to the 3 tests Jesus encountered with the devil in the desert. Similarities of the beginning and end of his public ministry.

Taxes paid to Cesar
While Jesus teaches within the grounds of the temple, the priests plots the perfect trap on Jesus to the topic of taxes to Cesar. Both yes or no answers will either blaspheme God or disrespect the authority to Cesar. Jesus cleverly asks for a Roman coin and asks whose image and likeness is it on the coin. By not recognizing Cesar’s image on the coin, Jesus is putting Cesar in his place and exposes the priests back on their hypocrisy as they owned pagan coins within the holy place. Pagan kings put their images (on statues, banners and coins) to mark their kingdom. But to God, our image and likeness is formed in Adam and Eve, we owe God our entire life and being. Where ever humanity is, we are signs of God’s Lordship and sovereignty.

Jesus declares the destruction of the temple

As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be toppled.” - Matthew 24:2

Destruction of the temple and the cosmos (world)

Wednesday - Spy Wednesday

Called Spy Wednesday as Judas plots with the high priests to betray Jesus in Matthew 26.

Woman and the oil
The scene of Mary Magdalene from Bethany represented the refuge and calm before the storm. Judas who was treasurer among the disciples was using money from the community for himself. He was upset that expensive oil which could have been sold for money was wasted on Jesus. Judas could not understand selfless acts. The scene co-relates to the prophecy of Mary preparing Jesus for his burial, filled with fragrance in the room that fills the world.

Judas’ betrayal
Foreshadowing of Judas co-relates to brothers of Joseph, selling him as a slave. Judas uses the term “Rabbi” when asked by Jesus if any one will betray him. The rest of the disciples used Lord. Judas sees Jesus as only a teacher.

Read:
Category: Faith
Category: Wisdom
Lent to Easter in COVID-19
Entering into Holy Week
Last week of Lent
Lenten Reflection 2009
Lenten Reflection - Priest, Prophet and King #4
Lenten Reflection - Priest, Prophet and King #3
Lenten Reflection - Priest, Prophet and King #2
Lenten Reflection - Priest, Prophet and King #1
Quote from Rev Mgr Eugene Vaz
Gospel of Matthew Graduate

Lent to Easter in COVID-19

2020-04-12T01:58:00.000+08:00

Couple of years back in 2015, I blogged and commented it was probably one of the most challenging Lent.

I am quite certain now that 2020 hands down comes in tops.

We entered Lent in March as we saw the COVID-19 coronavirus brewing in many parts of the world. The Catholic Archdiocese in Singapore had already announced that all gatherings and Eucharistic celebration were to halt since 14 February. Ash Wednesday or the start of Holy Lent was celebrated in the most unusual manner. The congregation having a taste of what is to come.

Virtual online masses, what many thought would never come to light became the norm. Celebrating the first online mass during COVID-19, deprived of physically receiving the Holy Eucharist, my heart swelled and my eyes weld teary. Never in history, for as long as I am aware, the Body and Blood of Christ was offered freely, never taken away from us.

I made the best out of Lent participating in YouVersion’s 40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge. Each day for 40 days, the app guides us to read the Word of God, a testimonial sharing and related to that, a Generosity Challenge. Some challenges were fairly straight forward, requiring a pledge of commitment or monetary donation to a specific cause. While others took more time to execute and truly raised the bar, such as donating blood! Through the process I came to be familiar with a few causes that never crossed my mind. The act of Generosity continues to be a work in-progress for me. Giving because I truly love.

The biggest regret for me during Lent was missing the Sacrament of Confession. When the Circuit Breaker (CB) also the acronym of an awful dirty phrase in Hokkien, took effect on 7 April, it became impossible to even make a private appointment to visit a priest. A clear reminder to not procrastinate and prioritize the things that matters.

As the reality of CB kicked in, it became evident that I was entering Holy Week in the most unusual circumstance.

Palm Sunday Celebration

The Easter celebration from Maundy Thursday till Easter Vigil on Saturday night is in fact one extended mass. Following the historical timeline from Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, the church plunges into darkest and devotees spend time on Thursday night before the Blessed Sacrament, praying with Christ Jesus before his imminent crucifixion on Good Friday.

As all the Churches shut their doors, I couldn’t make my annual church visiting mini pilgrimage. I lit my candles, dimmed the room lights and spent an hour before a 40 inch TV screen of the Blessed Sacrament. It was the next best thing.

Good Friday Service

From the darkness comes a great light

Easter Vigil, high mass, is my favourite mass every year. This year, in our Mother Church, the Cathedral of the Good Shepard, our Archbishop welcomed the Risen Lord in an empty church. He gave a fiery, remarkable sermon on Christ The Light that illuminates the Four Nights.

The empty church represents my very empty heart that is in need for the Risen Lord to illuminate in. Then we become the bearer of light, the bearer of hope in everything.

Read:
COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease Declared Pandemic
Lent 2015
Entering Into Holy Week
Psalm 22
Lenten Reflection 2009
Be Still this Good Friday
Anima Christi
Getting Lent Right
The Passion
Lent 2004
Last week of Lent
Into Lent

The Bible - The History Channel Mini Series

2020-03-30T20:29:00.000+08:00

I spent a considerable amount of time in 2019 to study the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Jeff Cavins' Bible Timeline. That was a serious commitment through 24 sessions of bible study in a guided journey through salvation history. It was a very long (perhaps cause my group doubled the time to complete the material) process learning the major people, places, and events of the Bible and discover how they all come together to reveal the remarkable story of my faith. It opened my eyes and a new appreciation for the word like never before.

This year I wanted to revisit the readings and video material to deepen my learnings. And I thought for Lent why not re-watch The History Channel mini series - The Bible.

This five-part, ten-hour television docudrama premiered in 2013 on The History Channel with the largest ratings in the history of television, reportedly trumping American Idol. While we think works with religious underpinnings will always draw a crowd, I also discovered it was directed by Mark Burnett from the reality show series "Survivor"! A sure win recipe for television success.

Burnett said, “If you know the Bible, you’ll enjoy seeing the stories come to life. If you’ve never read the Bible, I think you’ll love the stories. There’s a reason the Bible is the most widely read book in the world.”

Because the miniseries has a lot of time to cover—roughly 4,100 years of history in just ten hours—naturally much must be omitted and many events compressed or shuffled. This adaptation had a few things out of order and even a few outright discrepancies with biblical history. But the deviations from the biblical text are generally made to keep the story clear and connected for those unfamiliar with the Bible. The series does not claim to portray the actual words of Jesus but only attempts to convey His message and character in an abbreviated form, while tying in His earthly ministry to the historical context of the Bible.

Other comments from critics includes an almost all white cast, samurai angels and a Satan that resembled Barrack Obama!

The Bible demonstrates the difficulty of remaining faithful to God’s commands and promises through the ages. It presents the Bible’s history as a continuous narrative of God’s plans for us from creation through the covenant people of Abraham and Moses to Christ and the early church, thus showing how Jesus Christ is indeed God’s answer for the sin-guilt of the entire world.

This was my second time watching the series and still I loved how the docudrama’s overall fidelity to Christ’s message in the context of genuine biblical history stands as a powerful testimony to many less biblically literate people who don’t quite see how “Jesus” fits in with “all the other Bible stories.”.

Read:
Bethany Hamilton's Glitter Wave Soul Surf Bible
Category: Faith

Sakura Matsuri @ Gardens By The Bay

2020-03-21T00:48:00.000+08:00

One of those classic days when your plans don't work out and something else beautiful blossom in its place.

You may not always end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you were meant to be. - Jessica Taylor

Well, firstly, I was supposed to be on a lovely weekend cruise with the family. The cruise arrangements were booked late 2019 and it was an event my mom was especially looking forward to. It got cancelled by the cruise company due to the growing threats of the COVID-19 Coronavirus and the explosion of cases onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship where some 700 people were infected and 6 passengers died.

But since I had already applied for leave, I thought why not just take it and head out to the Disney Magic of Animation Exhibit at the Art Science Museum. The exhibit was scheduled to close end of March. That would have made a lovely afternoon had the entire premise not been CLOSED for cleaning and disinfection! Apparently there were suspect COVID cases traced!

So Sakura Matsuri @ Gardens By The Bay was like plan C, and thankfully it was still operating with a sweet 50% for Singapore residents at S$6 to visit the Sakura Matsuri exhibit. Within the cool temperate Flower Dome, over 500 cherry and peach blossom trees greeted us featuring around 20 different award-winning Sakura flower spices.

For the Instagram finish, they threw in the iconic orange Torii gates and miniatures of the Gassho-style farmhouse. The distinctive steep thatched roofs of the Gassho-style farmhouses will take you right into the postcard-famous Shirakawago! These sloping roofs were designed to withstand the heavy snowfall that the Takayama region gets in winter.

You can't see it as clearly in the pictures, but we were already at the tail end of the exhibit and most of the flowers have lost their fresh pink glory. I could imagine the space looking very vibrant just 2 weeks before. But, when it comes to Sakura Blooms, I have experienced my fill in Hokkaido. I've commented that I've seen enough Sakuras for a very long time! But strangely, there is something in the intricate pink, red and white petals of a Sakura that constantly delight.

More Sakura Matsuri @ Gardens By The Bay Pictures

Read:
Hokkaido is plotted on my Travel Map!
Natsumatsuri: Japanese Summer Festival 2011
Panoramic Japan 2010
HDR Japan 2010
Tully's Coffee Japan - Bean There
Fugu - The Forbidden Fish
Pontochō: Where Geishas used to roam
Umeda Sky Building (梅田スカイビル) Floating Garden
Love Japan for...
Footprints in Japan

40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge - Day 3 Period Poverty (Part 2)

2020-03-16T00:02:00.000+08:00

It took a while to finally pull through the Period Poverty Challenge in the 40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge. I was heartened that a simple sharing of the blog article shed light on this topic of menstrual hygiene and inspired a few to take action with me. I was glad the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) Singapore at STC accepted my offering. SSVP provide direct help to the poor and under-privileged of all religions, providing monetary assistance (for education and medical expenses), food rations and befriending services. On many occasions, I witnessed buffet lunch catered at the parish canteen, where a hearty meal was enjoyed and ration bags issued.

Since the bloodshed of the coronavirus, COVID-19, I heard that NTUC vouchers were issued to families to reduce contact and interaction. Though vouchers allowed families to make their own desired purchases, it may also meant prioritizing the need for food over sanitary products. Again, what many of us think of as a basic necessity, may just not be to another.

I cannot be more grateful for Celeste, Colleen, Winni, Sharon and Stephen for stepping up and volunteering both time and money to this cause. They did not have to lend a hand, but they did. To Irene for hooking me up with the donation. And to the other few who shared your interest to participant in future charity works, I am certain there many more opportunities for us to do good. Thank you for your big hearts! Together we purchased four boxes of sanitary products to be donated to SSVP. I do hope the products improve the quality of lives for the ladies and girls that receive them. More importantly to me is for the awareness created.

The activities in the #40actsGenerosityChallenge haven't all been simple. Many I realised will actually take some time to carry out. It is the trying and keeping at it that makes this Lent Challenge so captivating. Giving me time to task and also time to reflect. Some, I am still praying for the courage to perform. Like the challenge to Donate Blood! I dislike needles and I honestly cannot overcome this fear. Perhaps one day, real courage will befall me. One day perhaps...

Read:
40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge - Day 3 Period Poverty

COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease Declared Pandemic

2020-03-12T02:08:00.000+08:00

2020 started off to a crumbling start. To think we haven't closed up on the 1st quarter and the world has flipped all its priorities since the outbreak of the COVID-19, coronavirus disease which originated from Wuhan, China in December 2019. Early news reported the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, which sells fish, as well as a panoply of meat from other animals, including bats, snakes and pangolins, was implicated in the spread.
While the world was busy ushering in the Lunar New Year of the Rat, the pneumonia like virus made its attack. As the festivities took place, the world let its guard down on the flu like illness with symptoms that disguised behind coughs, fever and breathing difficulties.

The virus did not even have a proper name until 11 February, when the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it officially as “COVID-19”. It felt like for the longest time we were calling it the Wuhan Coronavirus. 1.5 months after WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern (on 30 January), COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic on 12 March. This is the first pandemic or a worldwide outbreak of a new disease, caused by a coronavirus. The pandemic is 3.4% based on the number of deaths in comparison to the number of cases.

As soon as COVID-19 was declared pandemic, US announced a ban on all foreign travel to the United States from most of Europe for the next 30 days. President Rodrigo Duterte declares lock down of capital, Manila in the Philippines and India suspends tourist visas. Mosques in Singapore suspends Friday prayers for the 1st time while Reverend William Goh, Archbishop of Singapore, retracted the announcement to reinstate Catholic masses on the weekend following suspension of all Masses indefinitely since 14 February.

This followed the string of both international and local events covering headline news daily. Starting from the announcement of ‘Disease Outbreak Response System Condition’ (DORSCON) Orange, meaning the disease was severe and spread easily, but still contained in Singapore on 6 February. Wuhan, China was brought to a desperate state wide lock down on 7 February as confirmed cases and deaths sky rocketed around the Hubei province. A month later, escalated cases spike in the southern city of Daegu and the North Gyeongsang province of South Korea. On 8 March, Italy, with the highest number of cases and fatalities in Europe was locked down. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced a "national emergency" and imposed quarantines on the Lombardy and Veneto regions. Overnight, busy Italian streets of Milan and Venice became empty. The stock markets plummeted overnight to a sea of red.

We are living the new normal today.

Of uncertainties, of new remote ways of communication and interaction, of travel halts, of more awareness to hygiene and personal care. You read, you hear and you see the impact on businesses, on the lives of family and friends as they brave their health, loss of business revenue, a pay cut, mandatory no pay leave. While we all ride out this wave, let's not forget to be kind, grateful and always hopeful. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this virus directly or indirectly. Keep praying and keep the immunity strong!

Read:
SARS - One case creeps in and dashes all hope
Last week of Lent
More on the Sars virus
SARS - Growing Concern Within the Nation
There is NO escaping the BUG
Hit by the bug
The Flu Bug Part II...
The Flu Bug...

Future Together #futuretogether by teamLab / チームラボ

2020-03-01T00:50:00.000+08:00

I have the same fascination with light projections as I have with things that glow in the dark. With Singapore's dreaded heat during the day, it's always a nice way to enjoy the night with Light Festivals or Light Arts. Coupled with Singapore's dazzling skyline in the background, light festivals in the city always brighten the Instagram feed.

The latest illuminated artworks #futuretogether by Japanese art collective, teamLab / チームラボ, put together 8 pieces of projections at Gardens By The Bay. The exhibits combined technology and art in honour of Singapore's bicentennial, encompassing three themes – Aspirations, Connectivity, and Possibilities – each relating to how Singaporeans look forward to the future.

I've always liked teamLab's creations after my first experience with the digital art installation "Story Of The Forest", at the glass rotunda of the National Museum of Singapore. This set of exhibits at #futuretogether were a visual feast.

"Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives" was my favourite. A huge hall sub-divided by mirrors and walls. Beware or you'll be walking into one of them. A zoo of animals, practically of every kind that inhabit Singapore, with flowers that grow from the bodies, bloom, and in time, their petals scatter, wither and die. The cycle of life and death continues for eternity. Wave your hands vigorously at the animals and all of the flowers will scatter, and the animals will die and fade away. Pretty telling of human's over interference with the environment and its consequences.

My second favourite experience was at the En Tea house for "Flowers Bloom in an Infinite Universe inside a Teacup". We were given a choice of hot teh tarik or cold green tea yuzu. The cold brew was my selection to escape the night heat. We witnessed floral magic as the tea was served. Slowly but surely bloomed flowers in our tea! If you pick up the teacup, the flowers scatter and spread outside of the cup. It was later that I learnt that the projection was picking up heat sensors. How brillant!

And as you enjoy your tea, don't forget to admire the animated "Enso", the Zen practice of drawing a circle with a single brush stroke.

"Continuous Life and Death at the Now of Eternity II" depicts a work of art that is created by a computer program that continuously renders the artwork in real time. As a whole, it is continuously changing, and previous visual states are never replicated. The picture at this moment can never be seen again. Wow! Mind blown!

This was my image at that moment of time.

The outdoor exhibits included "Flowers and People - Giant Lattice Mass, A Whole Year per Hour"

And "Autonomous Resonating Life on the Water and Resonating Trees". These eggs on the Dragonfly Lake reminded me of the unhatched eggs in Aliens! Watch out Singapore!

After a while, there was a resounding theme of growing, withering and dying (repeat itself). Yupe, I guess that's pretty much our #futuretogether.

More Future Together #futuretogether by teamLab / チームラボ Pictures

Read:
Singapore Night Festival 2014 - Singapore Arts Museum (SAM) Re-Skinned!
i-Light Marina Bay Sustainable Light Art Festival
Nocturnals Roam at the Night Festival 2009

40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge - Day 3 Period Poverty

2020-02-28T11:19:00.000+08:00

Today's generosity Challenge was most interesting and one that had never crossed my mind as a form of giving.

Today I learnt the term "Period Poverty".
Period poverty is defined as the inability of a menstruating person to access sanitary products and safe, hygienic places in which to use them.

When we think of poverty, we usually think food, shelter or heating, but this just-as-devastating need goes almost totally unseen – and that only perpetuates the problem.

Here are the statistics of girls that have to drop out of school because of their period and the numbers are honestly jarring,
1 in 5 girls in US
1 in 5 girls in India and in some regions, like Maharashtra, that number is nearer to 4 in 5.

137,000 girls in UK regularly miss school because they can’t afford sanitary products. 40% have used toilet roll as a substitute.
The bottom 40 per cent of households — also known as the B40 group in Malaysia uses coconut husks, newspaper sheets, and banana leaves in replacement hygienic products.
In Kenya, two-thirds of women and girls can’t afford sanitary pads.

Girls could miss up to 4 consecutive days of school every month because of their periods, meaning that they missed 10%–20% of school time, which seriously impacted on their achievement.

When a girl finishes secondary school, she is less likely to experience child marriage, face domestic abuse, and suffer from long-term health complications. As a result, educated women and girls are more likely to have fewer, healthier children, who are then, in turn, more likely to get an education and pull themselves out of poverty.

Poor menstrual hygiene management has been shown to result in a sense of shame, anxiety, and embarrassment that contributes to absenteeism and poor performance at school.
Imagine the shame and stigma of living like this. As if hormones, spots, mood swings and dealing with changes in your body aren’t enough, many girls are being robbed of their dignity because of this issue. Missing school for several days every month impacts on girls’ educational achievements and sets up shame and low self-esteem at a time when they already have so much to deal with.

Celeste and I talked about this most interesting challenge over lunch. We talked about how ignorant we have been on this topic as perhaps in affluent Singapore, this issue isn't prevalent. Or is it? Considering US and UK are 1st world countries how much more this issue is around the world where the rich poor divide is significant. We talked about income inequality and living conditions of some of our under privileged aged.

We live in the oxymoronic modern yet traditional Singapore and to many in the country, this topic of bleeding is still very taboo.

Celeste and I discussed about how to make a meaningful contribution to fulfill the challenge. I wrote a text to Irene, who is the head of St. Vincent de Paul in my parish and shared with her what I learnt, hoping to see if I could contribute some products. While I await her favorable reply, I shared this new found education to friends. Betty responded saying that in Nepal, some women are made to live outside of their homes during their menstruating days as they were thought to be unclean. Some of these women died due to the cold harsh mountainous weather. This is honestly crazy.

I'm glad I embarked on this #40actsGenerosityChallenge, without it, this topic wouldn't have crossed my mind nor would I have stepped up to take action on it.

“…A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” (Mark 5:24–29 NIV)

Read:
40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge - Day 3 Period Poverty (Part 2)

References
School absenteeism during menstruation amongst adolescent girls in Delhi, India - Sep-Dec 2018
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6130156/

Too poor to buy sanitary pads, period poverty remains problem in Malaysia - 19 NOVEMBER, 2019
https://www.todayonline.com/world/too-poor-buy-sanitary-pads-period-poverty-remains-problem-malaysia

Why Periods Are Keeping Girls Out of School — and How You Can Help - 30 May 2018
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/menstrual-hygiene-day-education/

World Vision Cambodia Mission

2019-10-20T23:33:00.000+08:00

Day 1 - Commitment

What does it really mean to go on Mission?
For me, simply to spend my time meaningfully; hopefully in making a little difference to someone else. Be it in sharing a story, playing a game, enjoying a meal, conversing in a get to know or simply through a smile.

I was on a 5 days mission trip with World Vision (WV) Singapore to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to service two local schools and primarily to teach the students to wash their hands! This knowledge and skill might save their lives now with the Covid-19, Coronavirus crisis!

Setting off with the the most awesome bunch led by World Vision

Second time to Cambodia, Phnom Penh, after many years and the sense of poverty still lingers the moment one steps out of the airport and onto the road toward the 2hrs drive south to Takeo Province.

The slow, unruly traffic, dusty unmarked roads and low raised city buildings on both sides of the streets provided a sense that you are indeed in a third world country. If not for the mission trip, there was honestly no reason to journey to Takeo Province, located in the south of Cambodia to the west of Bassac River.

There was a sense of adventure and an uncertainty of what to really expect.

Road conditions and traffic extended the journey on the road to about 3 hrs before we arrived at Alice Villa Hotel, a 3 star villa resort like hotel similar to those of which you might find in Bali.

My room at Alice Villa Hotel. Comes with en-suite hot shower. What more can I ask for!

Our local World Vision representative, Kun Tier or more affectionately known as Ah Tier shared during dinner about the situation of children in Cambodia. A large population of children in the provinces do not complete education in school, many are forced by their families to seek work at a young age to bring more income back home. 1 out of 6 children experience abuse in one form or another. Most never escape the poverty cycle. Kun Teir herself was a World Vision sponsored child, and her mom was able to find proper work through the scheme. It was heart-warming to see the program by WV actually making a real impact to her family. I am reminded of my own sponsored child in Thailand, and how WV is also supporting her community.

Day 2 - Fulfillment

The sights you witness enroute to Kampong Speu

Today is D-day in helping WV fulfill their commitments in 2 local schools. We took another 1.5hr journey to Roth Mony International in Kampong Speu. In this small provincial school, we had the chance to meet with 150 students and construct for them a water tank and hand washing facilities.

Roth Mony International

The first half of the day was the laborious work site construction. Being part of the water tank team, we quickly formed a human chain to fill a 1m deep pit with both large and small gravel pieces. This would eventually form the foundation base of the water tank. Part of the construction was to put together 4 leg stands on a grid of reinforcement bars. I picked up the skill of reinforcing the bars with metal wires. A skill worthy to be indicated in my CV.

I found a sideline job! I was pretty good with the re-bar!

We filled up the pit with rocks and cement, this formed the foundation of the water tank

Pampered with coconuts!

As it was the school holidays till November, the peaceful morning surroundings was broken by streams of children filling the school grounds after lunch. The afternoon activities included hand washing, mural painting and two classrooms of art and craft activities; the comic adventures of Hand-washing Heroes, the environmental crafts of recycling bottles, caterpillar paper crafts and telling time with a clock-face.

The boundless energy of these children...

The comic story of Hand-washing Heroes

The comic story of Hand-washing Heroes was an instant hit with the children. With the help of Supliat from WV who helped to translate the fabulous story of Super Heroes jumping out of the blue to warn kids to wash their hands before eating cake! I loved how the story was enhanced with a colouring sheet to paint in the Heroes! I was later told by Liang from WV, that superheroes like superman and Spider-Man are extremely well liked by the kids, and a hero with capes will be popular with them. Liang shared that when he was young, he would fearlessly climb trees and jump off into rivers, thinking he too was invincible like a Super Hero.

Every child received a goodie-bag with a towel, a tube of toothpaste and a bar of soap

We even drew them murals!

Day 3 - Servant Leader
The 2nd school, Tulsala International, had a bigger compound enclosed with a beautiful temple and community space. We stuck with our previous groups from the previous day to maximise the learning curve for the similar laborious tasks to build the water tank stands and hand-washing station. I was quickly back at work on the re-bar while the guys had a tiresome task of digging the foundation hole. Unlike the previous day, this pit was not yet dug and serious muscle power were involved. It was pretty much a guys' job, but Samantha and Zaira both jumped into the pit and started ploughing and shoveling. In exhaustion, Roman commented he burned enough energy for the rest of the year!

The team over at the hand-washing station also made quick progress despite a distance to fill the station with gravel and stones. The students who were already in school graciously helped to carry the baskets. Classic example of many hands make light work.

Another team started on a wall for mural painting and Zaira and myself were called upon to render our assistance for another wall in a different classroom. We picked a simpler drawing to ensure we could finish the artwork by the end of the day.

The students gathered and assembled

There's no better way to learn than through an action song and dance!

About 300 students returned to school for our activities in the afternoon. Unlike Roth Mony International, students here were dressed in their school uniform and gathered orderly in their class batches to have their attendance taken. With the larger student population, we decided to run 4 concurrent and different craft classes. This would also mean the craft teams had to be split up and individually lead a class for the activity. I facilitated for the craft workshop for recycled bottles, teaching the students to love our world through recycling or using waste materials for arts and craft. It was an extremely popular class, overflowing with students excited to colour their bottle and hang them up as class decorations. I had only enough materials for 2 classes, but a 3rd class stood outside the classroom waiting for their turn! Thankfully, there were enough bottle bases to be coloured!

The recycled bottles craft thought the children about the environment and added a lovely touch of colour to the classrooms

All hands on the murals!

What the 70% completion of the water tank looks like. I'm still in awe that I helped to build this!

And the washing stations

Day 4 - Talents
After 2 different school visitation, WV planned a visit to 2 vulnerable families. We were to bring them some household groceries and assist in the planting of banana trees! Enroute we visited the local market which was definitely a feast for the sight and senses. Lining the dusty sides of the roads were make shift stores selling anything from vegetables, raw meat and local daily necessities. We wandered the market and battled the brutal morning heat for groceries and ingredients as Romel volunteered to prepare a simple meal for the family that we will be visiting. We hunted down oxtail to make assam oxtail soup and chicken for a stir fried chicken dish. The market was a feast to all senses. Raw meat were displayed out in the open without refrigeration, exposed to dust and flies! It made me wonder what happens to unsold meat? Where does it go? This would hardly have passed any food hygiene inspection in Singapore, but it was very much the way of live to put food on the table.

The family that we were assigned to is a single mother with a young 8-12 year old boy. This family have a decent shelter with a small piece of land at the back of the house where we helped plant 6 banana trees. It was hard work to dig up a hole deep enough to plant the banana tree. I was drenched in perspiration when the work was completed. Romel was already hard at work with his chef's specialty. The family only had one pot, so multitasking was impossible. While we spent some time interacting at the home, the rest of the village Kampong trickled by to witness the commotion. We came to understand that the mother chose to stay in the village (with fewer good job opportunities) rather than seek work in the city so she can care for her son who is still in school. To substitute her income, the mother weaves bamboo mats. I was told that 1 month of tedious weaving only brings in US$10. The two cows at the front of house were on loan. As a reward for caring for the cows, the family is allowed to keep the 2nd calf when it is born. The family has the basics, a roof over their head and sustainable means for income. I am hearten that WV is offering a helping hand to support their situation.

I planted this banana tree!

Bamboo mat weaving

By mid-afternoon, we bid the family farewell and headed back into Phnom Penh city to retire for our last night.

We stopped over at this scenic place for lunch. We took some time to marvel at the beauty of what Cambodia had to offer

To celebrate the successful completion of the mission and Ah Tier's birthday, we feasted at Hai Di Lao Steamboat.

Day 5 - Home Sweet Home
Douglas made arrangements to attend mass at The Catholic Church of the Child Jesus in Boeung Tompun. This was my first Khmer mass by a considerably young looking, French priest. He conversed just like Father Arro and I wouldn't be surprised if he comes from the same mission. 2019 was particularly interesting as I went around the world and attended mass in native languages of French, Dutch and Khmer.

I didn't think I'll make it for Eucharistic Celebration that weekend. God has a way of reminding me to always give thanks

There were just a couple of hours before our flight home and we made a quick stop to the Russian Market where I picked local handmade souvenirs.

5 fruitful and very meaningful days of spending time with the village locals and children. They reminded me that one can be generous in any circumstances. With what little they may have, we were greeted with a feast at every meal, we were blessed with delicious freshly plucked coconuts, endless cans of Coke, 100-plus and Redbulls and their zealousness and openness to learning was infectious.

At the end of the trip, my heart was very full!

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. - Galatians 5:13 NIV

40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge

Day 17 - Leg Up #legup

Day 18 - Dirty Hands #dirtyhands

More World Vision Cambodia Mission Pictures

Read:
40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge - Day 3 Period Poverty (Part 2)
40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge - Day 3 Period Poverty
Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: You will be my people, and I will be your God
Sr. Wendy's Notes from Kenya - A Missionary’s Experience
Giving and Receiving at Christmas
Giving Back at the Missionaries of Charity
The Tanjung Pinang Mission
Loose your hair for Charity
STYG Tanjung Pinang Asrama Putra Mission
Ride-On
Charity Bike & Blade 2006

Habitat for Humanity - Batam Build Kabil Village

2019-08-25T20:32:00.000+08:00

Batam Build: Community Rejuvenation in Kabil Village

I was on the waiting list for a quarter before I was given the express pass to participate for the first time in Batam Build by Habitat for Humanity. The experience to put a real home together, brick by brick was priceless. It was hard work, but my team consisting of the 9 volunteers really bonded even till today. It's true that when you come together to do good, even greater things come out of it. Thank you for the great friendship we continue to foster!

Batam Build is designed as a short-term alternative for those who are unable to take a long break to participate in meaningful home building projects. Builds can be as short as 1 day, where participants can leave in the morning, build for half a day and return to Singapore in the evening. The maximum trip length for Batam Build is 2 days.

Since 2014, Habtiat's building efforts in Batam have been focused on transforming Kabil Village, a sub-district of Nongsa located in the Western side of the island. 40% of its over 20,000 residents live in substandard houses built using scrap wood and tin sheets. These small shacks are susceptible to water leaks, floods and sometimes structural collapse during the monsoon season.
Habitat aims to improve the standard of living for 1,000 families through the reconstruction of new homes, improving the current water, drainage and electricity system.

With just 1/2 a day on site, we managed to accomplish 10 brick layers for the house. This is the height to start on the windows

The completion of the house will be the effort of 2 - 3 teams

The 1 bedroom house that we helped to build will eventually belong to Mr. Maheli. M (27) and his wife, Ezi Arda (30). They have 2 young children. Maheli works as a loading/unloading labourer.

What the family was staying in previously

There are many holes and fissures in every corner of the house, roof and on the walls of the house. With such conditions, it is easy for pests and animals to enter the house, especially mosquitoes and rats. Maheli’s wife said they have not been able to repair their house because her husband income as a loading/unloading labour is only enough for the family’s food needs. Therefore, they are resigned to live in the present condition. ‘Indeed, salary is hard to be saved up. Everything runs out just to buy basic needs. Moreover, the salary of a loading and unloading labourer is only little’ said Ezi.

The plywood-walled house has begun to look weathered, possibly caused by termites and rain overtime. Ezi said the material they used to build the house came from used material. Maheli’s wife, Ezi tries to help find additional income by opening a small business where she sells food and drinks to children around her neighbourhood. ‘Yes I am trying to find extra money, especially since my children have grown older, it is not enough to just rely on the salary of my husband, said Ezi.

Her eldest son will enter elementary school soon and certainly the burden on this family will get heavier. Maheli as the breadwinner of the family has not been able to do much to improve the welfare of his family. Therefore, Maheli submits his application as a Habitat partner, hoping that their house can be one of the houses that will be helped to be rebuilt to become a more decent house for them to live in. ‘We have heard a lot about the habitat residents here, hopefully our house can also be improved,’ said Ezi.

As of 6th September 2019, Maheli and his family have been living in their new home.

Since then, Maheli has tiled the floors in the house so that his children can play comfortably at home. “When my children were playing, I saw that the floor was dusty so I immediately put ceramic”, says Maheli. He also intends to continue beautifying the house. Maheli and his wife (Ezi) have been discussing which part of the house they should focus on building first; whether to add on a kitchen or beautify the existing terrace space first. It seems that their final decision will be to focus on beautifying the space on the terrace of their house so that Maheli’s wife will be able to sell snacks. He says that “If there is fortune, I would want to build a stall in front of the house so that my wife can sell small groceries because all this time, my wife has only been selling children's snacks in front of the house”. His wife also expressed the same enthusiasm, stating that “Hopefully, I will be able to start a small business soon so that I can contribute to our family's income”.

Maheli acknowledged that the presence of this house renovation program provided a respite for them especially in the area of finances. “For our family, this is great progress because there is no longer a need to think about the condition of our house. Now, we can focus on raising children, making money, and saving for our children's educational needs later,” says Maheli. Ezi agrees, adding on that much of their problems have been overcome with the completion of this house because “there are no leaks anymore, the house is cooler and also so much more sturdy”. Ezi also shared that having the volunteers building their house helped her learn how to share with others better. She cited that “the spirit of the volunteers, their expertise in doing work, and staying enthusiastic despite the heat,” contributed to this. Maheli also expresses his gratitude, saying that “Of course we will remember their kindness. Thanks to them, we now feel that we live in a decent home”. They also said that they will always remember to keep the volunteer teams in prayer, as well as the donors and Habitat staff who continue to oversee the construction of homes.

Build Trip Information:
• Batam Build trips are 1-2 days long.
• Team size is a minimum of 8 to maximum 10 volunteers.
• Minimum age for volunteers is 15 years old on the date of the build trip.
• Volunteers must be reasonably fit with no serious injuries or medical conditions.
• Every team will have a Habitat host coordinator in Batam as their on-site liaison.
• No prior building experience is required. Volunteers will be trained & supervised by locally employed construction supervisors and Habitat staff.
• Volunteers will also be working alongside the family who is receiving the Habitat house.
• Construction tasks volunteers will do include Hand-mixing cement, carrying & laying bricks for walls or tying reinforcement bars.

More Habitat for Humanity - Batam Build Kabil Village Pictures

Read:
World Vision Cambodia Mission
40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge - Day 3 Period Poverty (Part 2)
40acts: The Lent Generosity Challenge - Day 3 Period Poverty
Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: You will be my people, and I will be your God
Sr. Wendy's Notes from Kenya - A Missionary’s Experience
Giving and Receiving at Christmas
Giving Back at the Missionaries of Charity
The Tanjung Pinang Mission
Loose your hair for Charity
STYG Tanjung Pinang Asrama Putra Mission
Ride-On
Charity Bike & Blade 2006

Hokkaido is plotted on my Travel Map!

2018-05-12T09:55:00.002+08:00

Explored a remote, scenic part of Japan this May! Caught the last bloom of the Japan Sakuras in full abundance! It was to me, a spectacular sight to see acres and acres of pink showers! Hokkaido, you were such a breath of fresh food, fresh air and new insights to nature.

Slowly but surely. I am conquering all the 7 continents!

Read:
Love Japan for...
Pontochō: Where Geishas used to roam
Umeda Sky Building (梅田スカイビル) Floating Garden
Tully's Coffee Japan - Bean There
Fugu - The Forbidden Fish
Panoramic Japan 2010
HDR Japan 2010
Footprints in Japan
Anime Festival Asia (AFA) 2010

Hiking Gunung Lambak Recreational Forest, Kluang Malaysia

2017-04-22T02:55:00.000+08:00

After completing near 10 training hikes within Singapore, I started to feel the lack of variety in our hill's terrain and slopes. Though the most challenging Bukit Timah Hill Dairy Farm Loop remained demanding (largely due to its man-made steep wooden steps), the round circuit training quickly bored me. I proposed to attempt a 1 day climb in Malaysia to expose the team to natural uphill and forest terrain. The longer climb duration would also allow us to test our gears and shoes.

I was suddenly exposed to an array of climbs, many doable in a day and within Johor Bahru, Malaysia. These included Mount Arong (300m), Gunung Panti (453m), Gunung Lambak (510m), Mount Pulai (654m), Gunung Muntahak (713m), Mount Belumut (1,010m) and Mount Ophir (1,276m), which I had attempted before. Knowing that we have options to attempt day climbs just 2-3 hours drive across the causeway got my adventure bug fired up.

With recommendation by Dav's dad, we settled on Gunung Lambak, which we felt was a mid difficulty mount we could do up and down within 4 hours. Being our very first overseas climb, we somehow felt Lambak was just right with some rest and relax time after the climb to chill in the city centre if desired.

The ride took us 2.5 hours from Singapore to the quiet, rustic town of Kluang in JB each way. With a few drop-outs for the trip; which made the private van hiring too expensive for the remaining few of us, we opted to travel to Kluang via VIP coaches. We were essentially paying for comfort and the hassle of traveling into JB to catch a public bus. Upon arrival at Kluang Bus Terminal, we hopped onto a taxi for a 15 mins ride for around RM$12, to the foot of Gunung Lambak. All-in-all, it cost us SG$32 for the VIP coaches and RM$9 each for taxis both ways. There are sufficient instructions online that illustrates a cheaper travel alternative which we can attempt in our next trip to Kluang.

I'm proud to introduce the Climb Team, who each played their role flawlessly for Gunung Lambak.
1. The Director - In-charge of travel instructions and maps
2. The Purchaser - In-charge of purchasing bus Tickets and insurance
3. The Foodie - In-charge of preparation of food before, during and after climb
4. The Guide - In-charge to lead and guide during climb
5. The Nurse - In-charge of 1st Aid Kit
6. The Time Keeper - In-charge of keeping time and phone to call in Malaysia

As the crisp chilly morning air lingered before the break of light, we gathered at Golden Mile Complex to board the VIP coach direct to Kluang. A storm brewed with heavy rain as the bus drove into JB. As I gazed out at the rain splattered coach window, I figured maybe we might just activate the wet weather plan to enjoy seafood in Kluang town. The weather took a turn after the causeway and though gray, cloudy skies loomed, the rain had completely stopped. As we approached Kluang town, I saw the Lambak twin peaks from a distance and had a good feeling about the climb.

Rain, rain go away...

Following religiously to the climb schedule I drew up, we started our climb at 1045am from the Gunung Lambak Resort. The resort had a 1980s like water pool which local families enjoyed. Hikers can choose between 2 paths up to the summit. From the climb map and consultation from locals, the path on the left leading through the midway point or half way hill was more challenging with steeper slopes and rougher terrains. We would end up at the highest point of the peak greeted by the transmitter of the television station RTM. We came for a challenge and the challenge we took!

Gentle mountain streams flows as we entered deeper into the forest

It was no easy feat climbing up to the midway point. After crossing 2 hanging bridges and a stretch of paved tar road we started our uphill trek through uneven forest grounds and thick tree roots. Armed with my Deuter Nomi backpack filled with 1.5 litres of water in my hydro bag and 2 cans of 330ml isotonic drinks, every step of the climb burned the thighs. My Salomon X Ultra Mid II GTX Hiking Boots proved to be truly effective for maximum grip and support during the climb. Ropes were lined along the tree trunks to assist climbers. My pair of gloves for gripping frayed, rough ropes was another wise move. Thank goodness for the ropes though I need to learn how to depend on them less as some knots were already coming lose. Parts of the climb required us to be on all fours, pushing and pulling our entire body weight. It took us 40 mins to reach the midpoint where we took a rest and digged into our sandwich breakfast.

Breakfast of tuna, ham and egg mayo sandwiches prepared by Dav and Dennis

Part 1 Climb Stats

The second half of the climb was equally brutal as we battled near 1.5 hours of uphill continuously. There were numerous breath catcher breaks while we waited for one another to pace up. Somewhere along the remaining 300m mark of the grueling 1km climb, we spotted markers indicating the distance to the summit. One of our happiest moment was spotting the 100m signage which incidentally I missed but Joy discovered! It was with certainty that we were indeed at the tail end of the ascend.

Just look at those delighted, overjoyed faces!

As I trampled through the last couple of steps toward the highest point of Gunung Lambak, I lifted my arms for my victory cry and cheered on the rest of the team! We survived in good timing around 12:40pm to a crowded summit of local students and leisure climbers. And as I breathed in the humid afternoon air, there was a great sense of relive that we all made it up. It was time to enjoy my can of Aquarius Sports and packet of Chips Ahoy! My well deserved treat painstaking carried.

The defunct television station transmitter was a highlight together with a worn signage indicating the peak's height and latitude / longitude position

View from Gunung Lambak looking west

On schedule at 1:30pm, we stared our descend back to the foothill. The confronting uphill meant an equally demanding steep downhill which worked a totally different set of muscles. While we watched climbers sprint pass us down the slopes, we took our steps ridiculously slow and steady. A lot of knee strength and stability were required and again I was thankful for the ropes, which aided me in preventing a few possible falls. It was also in the descend that I really appreciated my hiking boots which I felt definitely supported my ankles to escape injuries. After what I felt was a really long return, we finally arrived back to the resort to change and freshen up. The entire climb including breakfast and lunch breaks took us 4 hours.

Part 2 Climb Stats

There is so much to give thanks for, in achieving our goal of reaching the summit, for the brilliant weather, a safe and injury free climb (not sure if the leech attack on Dennis count), being able to keep to our clockwork timetable and all the experiences that we have gained in making us a more confident climber for Mount Kinabalu. God's hand was definitely on us and most certainly in the pretty bizarre taxi screw up that led to Dennis' lost and found incident of his GoPro. He apparently dropped his camera in the taxi on the way to Lambak. We wouldn't have connected Mr. Anapalan for the return ride should the original taxi driver had turned up. God works in strange mysterious ways but always one with our best interest.

Climb Schedule
0700am – Board bus to Kluang from Golden Mile Complex. Expected travel 2.5 hrs
0930am - Arrival at Kluang Bus Terminal Point
1030am - Arrival at Lambak Mountain Base. Introduction to the mountain and conduct a safety briefing
1045am – Start of climb
1300pm – Reach summit and lunch
1330pm – Start descend
1600pm – End of climb, wash up, lunch and back to Kluang Bus Terminal Point
1800pm – Leave Kluang for Golden Mile Complex. Expected travel 2.5 hrs
2030pm – Arrival Singapore Golden Mile Complex for Dinner

Climb Checklist
Mandatory
1. Small lightweight hiking backpack
2. 1.5 liters of water
3. 1 bottle isotonic drink
3. 2 energy bars
4. Dry T-shirt
5. Towel
6. Hiking Shoes
7. Lunch (packed sandwiches)
8. Mini 1st Aid
9. Passport
10. Money (both SGD and RM)

Optional
1. Gloves for rope
2. Sunscreen
3. Whistle
4. Plastic Bag
5. Poncho / Raincoat

More Hiking Gunung Lambak Recreational Forest, Kluang Malaysia Pictures

Read:
STYG Facilitators Southern Ridges Training Hike
Panoramic Tasmania 2011: Ronny Creek Cradle Mountain
Panoramic Bali 2010
HSBC TreeTop Walk

Art-Zoo @ iLight Marina Bay

2017-03-26T23:14:00.000+08:00

Jackson Tan, creator of Art-Zoo put together an interactive larger-than-life experiential inflatable playground and art installation in the setting of a zoological garden!

Art-Zoo was part of a ticketed festival hub under the fifth edition of iLight Marina Bay, Asia's leading sustainable light art festival which ran from 3 - 26 March 2017. With 9 inflatable bouncing playgrounds, an inflatable maze, an entry into a giant whale's mouth, one could hardly deny the fun in the make believe immersive world.

The Swamp Bounce! I'm clearly having fun!

Inside the Whale's Mouth! A total Jonah's Experience

For SGD$12, the young and young-at-heart stirred up wonder and curiosity through a very visual and interactive adventure that explored nature through the perspective of art, created through an imaginative cartoon landscape of alphabets and animals. I felt, for 2 hours of intense bouncing up and down, the experience was way more educational and tons more fun than the Uncle Ringo Carnival Games just a stone's throw away at Marina Bay Sands (MBS).

Taking the opportunity to test the motion stabilizer on my new GoPro Hero 5 Black. Still bumped that the stabilizer feature is not available with the 4K video recording. Like SERIOUSLY! So what you see in the video clip with all the bouncing around is shot on 2.7K. In all honesty, the quality filmed is pretty impressive and shooting at a slightly lower resolution also meant the clip sizes were not too huge. I am starting to feel a lack of storage capacity in this high quality video age

More Art-Zoo @ iLight Marina Bay Pictures

Read:
i-Light Marina Bay Sustainable Light Art Festival

Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2016: By This We Will Know Love (1 John 3:16)

2016-03-18T11:23:00.000+08:00

Just a week more to Good Friday and Fr. Jude David reminds us of the "Cross" +

Our Christian lives are marked by the cross. A clear sign of our conviction of our life in Christ. Our conviction for life, our conviction for love, our conviction that others may have life and love.

Fr. Jude challenges us to make Holy Week evangelical. The best thing we can give back to Jesus, is to bring someone to know him.

Read:
Nox Gaudii 2015: For He That Mighty Has Done Great Things For Me...
Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: You will be my people, and I will be your God
Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: Being A Church On Fire
Nox Gaudii 2015: Behold I Make All Things New

Nox Gaudii 2015: For He That Mighty Has Done Great Things For Me...

2015-10-16T12:27:00.000+08:00

Office of Young People (OYP) turns 2!

"For He That Mighty Has Done Great Things For Me And Holy Is His Name!"

I recall stepping through the gates of Lorong Low Koon 2 years ago with Fr. Jude David delivering his 1st ambitious testimony of how he was called to this service of the youth and how he dreams of Nox Gaudii in the future taking up space in the indoor stadium!

I have now walked through the side gate of OYP countless times, and each time after Nox Gaudii walking away with a renewed spirit - that the Catholic Church of Singapore can be energised by young people of God. Two years on, and each time I bring new friends to Nox Gaudii, they can't believe they walked into a hall of Catholic youth. I'm proud of the work of OYP and always keeping your mission in prayer.

Read:
Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: You will be my people, and I will be your God
Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: Being A Church On Fire
Nox Gaudii 2015: Behold I Make All Things New

Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: You will be my people, and I will be your God

2015-08-21T01:43:00.000+08:00

In 2007, I made my first visit to Bintan's Tanjung Pinang Asrama Putra Boys Home. It was a mission trip with STYG to expose our youth to the poorer living condition just a couple of hours from the shores of Singapore. For the first time this year, we made arrangements to invite the Asrama Putra Girls over to our sunny Singapore island. After much difficulties with finances and paperwork to leave the country, we finally played host to 4 teenage girls (Maria, Afni, Kristy, Sherin) and their mission leader, Manuela. The objective of the visit was to allow the girls to experience the diverse culture, lifestyle and food offered in Singapore.

Awaiting the start of Praise at Nox Gaudii

Among the tightly scheduled program was a trip to Nox Guadii (Night of Joy) August. We wanted the girls to have a taste of young catholic people from all parishes coming together to Praise and fellowship. Nox Guadii in the month of August; following all the festive filled SG50 National Day celebrations, was naturally dedicated to the Nation Jubilee theme of "You will be my people, and I will be your God - Proud to be Catholic, Proud to be Singaporean".

Fr. Derrick Yap who lead the JOY SG50 Thanksgiving Mass at the National Stadium in July was invited to preach on the theme.
He started with - Have you chosen to follow Jesus? To choose is to believe. "You will be my people, and I will be your God" is both a statement and a choice.

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." - Philippians 3:20-21

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." - John 6:68

God is Home, truly.

In this double bill SG50 Nox event, we not only had Fr. Derrick, but also acclaimed singer and songwriter, Corrine May who graced us with her time to share her journey in writing Bless Our Singapore.

Corrine shared about how she was lead to write a song about sanctification, a process of being made holy. The song reflected the image of a garden of our soul.

And we got a picture with the very talented, Corrine May

Both sharing by Fr. Derrick and Corrine were very localized, which turned out challenging for the Asrama Putra Girls to understand both for its context and their command of the English language. I believed the girls did enjoy Praise and adoration of the Eucharist.

More Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: You will be my people, and I will be your God Pictures

Read:
STYG Tanjung Pinang Asrama Putra Mission
The Tanjung Pinang Mission
Giving Back at the Missionaries of Charity
JOY SG50 Thanksgiving Mass
Nox Gaudii (Night Of Joy) 2015: Being A Church On Fire
Nox Gaudii 2015: Behold I Make All Things New