the olympics is coming to a close... gotta wait another 4 years to catch all the actions again...
this olympics has been quite unpredictable, no more domination by the US, and we see the rise of asians, with china bagging 31 golds and japan 15 golds... US was upset in so many fields, the dream team is no longer around, the brits have crushed the US monopoly of the relays... '
we saw the truimph and downfall of many athletes and we can learn from each of their story...
celebrate humanity... this is the slogan and it has been used since the 2000 olympics...why do we celebrate humanity during olympics? cuz this is the competition that cast aside all differences among ppl... sports bonds ppl, but it can break ppl to in the process... the olympics movement has come a long way...
with it's humble beginnings in 1896, it was slowly inflitrated with other agendas, of which politics played a large part of it... in the 1936 berlin olympics, hitler wanted to use the olympics as a showcase of aryan supremacy but jesse owens 'foiled' his plans... the olympics was further plagued by cold war rivalry in the sixties with memoriable events like hungary venting anger against the USSR in their helsinki water polo match, the controversial USSR basketball victory over USA, the withdrawal of US and USSR from 1980 and 84 olympics respectively... terrorism aggrivated the situation in the 1972 munich olympics and 1996 atlanta olympics... in recent years, poltics has taken a backseat as commercialisation brought in a new category of problems... doping... the 1988 ben johnson's case was the most notorious of all and over the years, we see many olympians being stripped off their medals... but it's glad to know that with the tough clamps on doping, the olympics will be quite a fair one...
in this olympics, we see many heartwarming scenes... north and south korea marching in as one united contingent... let's hope one day they'll compete under one unified country... we see people power in the controversial gymnastics arena... we see veterans like gail devers, merlene ottey, lori-ann muenzer, kelly holmes who never give up their passion for their sport... and some made it, some didn't... but what's admirable is their passion and determination...
olympians are not made overnight, they go through endless tough trainings and countless upsets before they move closer to their dream... of the millions who aspire to be olympians, only a few eventually make it... sometimes the amount of sacrifice is inmeasurable... muscles have to be torn, bones have to be broken before an athlete can truly make the mark... dwight phillips met an accident when he was 15 and the doc told him that he could never walk properly anymore, but today he's the long jump champ. kelly holmes ruptured her archellies, torn her ligament, fracture her leg before she became what she is today... lori-ann was on the brink of bankruptcy, but she persisted on with her training... these are inspirational stories of athletes who overcame all odds... these heartwarming stories will not only inspire other athletes, but also be a blessing to anyone who is trying to find the inspiration to carry on with their career, their life...
beijing 2008, here we come...
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Thursday, August 26, 2004
love will be our home...
if home is really where the heart is,
then home must be a place,
we all can share.
for even with our differences,
our hearts are much the same.
for where love is we come together there.
wherever there is laughter ringing,
someone smiling,
someone dreaming,
we can live together,
love will be our home.
wherever there are children singing,
where a tender heart is beating,
we can live together there,
love will be our home.
if love our hearts can be a family,
and hope can bring this family face to face.
and even though we may be far apart,
our hearts can be as one,
when love brings us together in one place.
wherever there is laughter ringing,
someone smiling,
someone dreaming,
we can live together,
love will be our home.
where there are words of kindness spoken,
where a vow is never broken,
we can live together there,
love will be our home.
love will, love will be our home.
then home must be a place,
we all can share.
for even with our differences,
our hearts are much the same.
for where love is we come together there.
wherever there is laughter ringing,
someone smiling,
someone dreaming,
we can live together,
love will be our home.
wherever there are children singing,
where a tender heart is beating,
we can live together there,
love will be our home.
if love our hearts can be a family,
and hope can bring this family face to face.
and even though we may be far apart,
our hearts can be as one,
when love brings us together in one place.
wherever there is laughter ringing,
someone smiling,
someone dreaming,
we can live together,
love will be our home.
where there are words of kindness spoken,
where a vow is never broken,
we can live together there,
love will be our home.
love will, love will be our home.
Sunday, August 22, 2004
the greatest last place finish ever...
Mexico City, 1968
Out of the cold darkness he came. John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania entered at the far end of the stadium, pain hobbling his every step, his leg bloody and bandaged. The winner of the marathon had been declared over an hour earlier. Only a few spectators remained. But the lone runner pressed on.As he crossed the finish line, the small crowd roared out its appreciation. Afterward, a reporter asked the runner why he had not retired from the race, since he had no chance of winning. He seemed confused by the question. Finally, he answered:"My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish."
Out of the cold darkness he came. John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania entered at the far end of the stadium, pain hobbling his every step, his leg bloody and bandaged. The winner of the marathon had been declared over an hour earlier. Only a few spectators remained. But the lone runner pressed on.As he crossed the finish line, the small crowd roared out its appreciation. Afterward, a reporter asked the runner why he had not retired from the race, since he had no chance of winning. He seemed confused by the question. Finally, he answered:"My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish."
celebrate humanity...
it has been a saddening afternoon... it was so agonising watching the table tennis semifinals... jia wei lost by a small margin... we were so hopeful of a medal when she led by 3-1, but unfortunately, the comp went the other way for her... it was so close but yet so far... nonetheless, she has given her best shot already and i believe her fighting spirit is really commendable... let's wish her all the best for her 3rd 4th placing match... i hope there won't be a re-enactment of jing jun hong's fate 4 years ago... maybe we're not destined not to get a medal yet... jia you :)
for those ppl who managed to catch a glimpse of seng song's race, u'll know it feels like racing against the world's elites... he did a 10.75 which was slower than his 10.67 timing last sunday at serangoon stdm... he had a very good start and held on for the 1st 50m but faded away aft the 50m mark...
sports is the best way to inculcate patriotism, cuz as a singaporean, we can feel the emotions involved in the match... how many singaporeans actually ended work early to watch susilo's or jia wei's match? how many of them stayed at home specially just to watch the matches? i believe our pm and sm were watching the match intensely too... well, critics can debate among themselves until the cows come home about our athletes not being authentic... but the fact that so many singaporeans supported jing jun hong 4 years ago and jia wei today has proven that it doesn't really matter anymore and i believe their heart is in and with singapore, i dun think they are going for the money cuz the monetary factor will never bring them so far... every singaporean hopes for the day where majulah singapura is played in an olympic medal presentation ceremony... it will be an accomplishment not only by the athlete alone but the whole nation... jia wei will not be alone, 3 million singaporeans will be with her...
however, being an olympian is definitely more than getting a gold medal, getting 1 million dollars, getting another advert contact with big brands or just for publicity sake... it's about realising your purpose, your dream, your passion... it's something that is higher order, something that is intangible... look at athletes like merlene ottey who's 44 yrs this year, she went for 7 olympics but have never won the gold for 100m... i believe that it is this passion in her that made her continue to train even though her prime is long gone...
know your purpose and go for it with passion...
team singapore all the way...
for those ppl who managed to catch a glimpse of seng song's race, u'll know it feels like racing against the world's elites... he did a 10.75 which was slower than his 10.67 timing last sunday at serangoon stdm... he had a very good start and held on for the 1st 50m but faded away aft the 50m mark...
sports is the best way to inculcate patriotism, cuz as a singaporean, we can feel the emotions involved in the match... how many singaporeans actually ended work early to watch susilo's or jia wei's match? how many of them stayed at home specially just to watch the matches? i believe our pm and sm were watching the match intensely too... well, critics can debate among themselves until the cows come home about our athletes not being authentic... but the fact that so many singaporeans supported jing jun hong 4 years ago and jia wei today has proven that it doesn't really matter anymore and i believe their heart is in and with singapore, i dun think they are going for the money cuz the monetary factor will never bring them so far... every singaporean hopes for the day where majulah singapura is played in an olympic medal presentation ceremony... it will be an accomplishment not only by the athlete alone but the whole nation... jia wei will not be alone, 3 million singaporeans will be with her...
however, being an olympian is definitely more than getting a gold medal, getting 1 million dollars, getting another advert contact with big brands or just for publicity sake... it's about realising your purpose, your dream, your passion... it's something that is higher order, something that is intangible... look at athletes like merlene ottey who's 44 yrs this year, she went for 7 olympics but have never won the gold for 100m... i believe that it is this passion in her that made her continue to train even though her prime is long gone...
know your purpose and go for it with passion...
team singapore all the way...
Friday, August 20, 2004
让我欢喜让我忧...
爱到尽头覆水难收 爱悠悠恨悠悠
为何要到无法挽留 才又想起你的温柔
给我关怀为我解忧 为我凭添许多愁
在深夜无尽等候 独自泪流独自忍受
多想说声我真的爱你
多想说声对不起你
你哭着说情缘已尽
难再续 难再续
就请你给我多一点点时间再多一点点问候
不要一切都带走
就请你给我多一点点空间再多一点点温柔
不要让我如此难受
你这样一个女人 让我欢喜让我忧
让我甘心为了你付出我所有...
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
忙忙忙...
life is getting very busy for everyone... tonnes of stuff to read... just heard from my friend some stuff bout arch... she spent 17hrs drawing for her assignment, sat and sun are all burnt, and the drawing assignments are piling up... on top of that, the readings will come in soon about the ideas and approaches to arch... the readings are so abstract that u won't have any idea what it's all about... wertz ?!?! anyway, just gotta be mentally prepared 2 years later...
well, work is piling up in camp too, beginning to go home later and later, prolly will have to knock off later soon... tonnes of data to check for auditing... and few projects in hand, sigh... time is never enough... but i kindda enjoy it though... i'm a clerk, a designer, an event organiser... hopefully i can work faster and ...
just saw some case files of ppl getting charge, kindda interesting reading the juicy info but sadddening too... hopefully i won't handle any court martial cases, cuz there's lotsa legal stuff to prep... it's really understandable why lawyers are so stressed... too bad, only an officer gets to take part in the hearing, while the clerk will prepare the relavant docs, but of cuz i can always screw the case up...
i'm beginning to see my purpose here... it's definitely betta to be a busy clerk rather than a slack storeman... fortunately, i'm not a clerk in an active unit, if not i'll hafta go outfield with my rifle, papers, stationaries and maybe laptop.. which sux cuz i'll be doing more than a rifleman... there's a sense of accomplishment when i finish my stuff... being a clerk can also train me to be more meticulous in doing things, taking care of the nitty gritty details... it trains u to manage your time wisely... you'll get exposed to lotsa things too, getting contacts, establishing networks, organising events... i can say that at least this 2 years won't be wasted... but hopefully, i won't be burn out... hmm, it's also quite miraculous that i got posted to this unit and shafiq is in my neighbouring unit... this was how i got connections with safsa... kindda lucky though...
well, work is piling up in camp too, beginning to go home later and later, prolly will have to knock off later soon... tonnes of data to check for auditing... and few projects in hand, sigh... time is never enough... but i kindda enjoy it though... i'm a clerk, a designer, an event organiser... hopefully i can work faster and ...
just saw some case files of ppl getting charge, kindda interesting reading the juicy info but sadddening too... hopefully i won't handle any court martial cases, cuz there's lotsa legal stuff to prep... it's really understandable why lawyers are so stressed... too bad, only an officer gets to take part in the hearing, while the clerk will prepare the relavant docs, but of cuz i can always screw the case up...
i'm beginning to see my purpose here... it's definitely betta to be a busy clerk rather than a slack storeman... fortunately, i'm not a clerk in an active unit, if not i'll hafta go outfield with my rifle, papers, stationaries and maybe laptop.. which sux cuz i'll be doing more than a rifleman... there's a sense of accomplishment when i finish my stuff... being a clerk can also train me to be more meticulous in doing things, taking care of the nitty gritty details... it trains u to manage your time wisely... you'll get exposed to lotsa things too, getting contacts, establishing networks, organising events... i can say that at least this 2 years won't be wasted... but hopefully, i won't be burn out... hmm, it's also quite miraculous that i got posted to this unit and shafiq is in my neighbouring unit... this was how i got connections with safsa... kindda lucky though...
Monday, August 16, 2004
susilo won...
kudos to susilo...
what an impressive game with lin dan... it was a great feat for him in defeating the no1 seed... felt so excited watching the match, when your fellow countryman is battling it out on the court... remember the time when jing jun hong made it into the semis 4 years ago, it was a match to be remembered... the whole nation was with her, she was our nation's pride, the person who gave singapore a medal hope... let's hope that susilo can achieve our nation's dream... jia you :)
what an impressive game with lin dan... it was a great feat for him in defeating the no1 seed... felt so excited watching the match, when your fellow countryman is battling it out on the court... remember the time when jing jun hong made it into the semis 4 years ago, it was a match to be remembered... the whole nation was with her, she was our nation's pride, the person who gave singapore a medal hope... let's hope that susilo can achieve our nation's dream... jia you :)
Saturday, August 14, 2004
citius altius fortius...
The Olympic Creed...
"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
let the games begin...
"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
let the games begin...
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Thank you PM Goh
“My fellow Singaporeans, my heart will always be with you.”
Aug 12 2004 will go into the pages of singapore history...
Aug 12 2004 will go into the pages of singapore history...
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
4 months on...
today is the end of ST2 for tango wing... i believe that they had an enjoyable 23km route march, with a finale up the 60 deg steep elephant hill... they have come so far, one more term to commissioning... these 4 months have been life changing for them as they get to understand themselves better, their limits, their character... cheerios guys :) well done... i’ll be waiting to salute to you guys... my stay with them is certainly a walk to remember, an integral phase of my life... just had my tango social night last fri... though it was just a normal chinese dinner with presentation and games, kindda boring at times, but it was great catching up with my old friends... what i like to most is the video presentation, which brought back lotsa memories... i feel happy for them, going through all the tough trainings together, but yet i envy them cuz i can’t join them...
to mervyn, yong shan, yanhe, kamal, hung yi, steven and other multimedia comm members, well done... the tango cd is really good, very professionally produced within 3 days... thank you for keeping track all the important memories...
for every hardship, there will be smiles and laughter...
to mervyn, yong shan, yanhe, kamal, hung yi, steven and other multimedia comm members, well done... the tango cd is really good, very professionally produced within 3 days... thank you for keeping track all the important memories...
for every hardship, there will be smiles and laughter...
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
happy birthday mom...
8 Aug was my mom’s birthday, wanted to post this up but my comp screwed up. Well, we had a simple dinner at Swensens. It was a quiet and peaceful affair, just the 3 of us, my dad, my mom and me. It’s been quite sometime since i spent time with my parents during weekends, cuz most of my weekends are spent with friends. Though i enjoyed the presence of my mom and dad, I felt that it was lacking someone in the family, and mom told me if only I could invite someone. 4 would be a better number. being an only child is definitely not good. I can’t and will never experience the living experience with a brother of sister, even though I have lotsa cousins, but the feeling will always be different. Neither will i experience the arguments among siblings, nor experience the love for each other. Prolly, that’s why i’m a very unfeeling person, i can’t express much emotions towards people. if i had siblings, i prolly will understand human dynamics more. i enjoyed going to auntie kim’s house for dinner, to see my cousins and relatives, though i’m too old for their kiddy games, but i love to see them.
i want to settle down...
dear mom, dear dad, thank you very much for all that you have done all these years. well, i seldom buy presents for my parents on their birthday, except on mother’s or father’s day. even then, i just get small pres for them. i do appreciate them a lot, but i can’t say it to them , that’s why i hope through my actions, i can make them happy. Sigh, again... i’m an unfeeling person... somehow, i find it hard to tell them that i appreciate them. it’s much easier doing well in studies and track and make them happy... i believe that it’s better to use actions to show your appreciation rather than words, cuz i dun like to hua1 yan2 qiao2 yu3 and don’t mean what i say. However, it’s kindda late now to realize that simple words of appreciation and concern can actually brighten up a person’s day. but sadly i’m not conversant enough in words to express my feelings. as you can see, i’m kindda verbose. Anyway, just gotta accept who i am, i’ll just honour my parents through my achievements and actions. i’m very thankful that my parents allow me to do whatever i want cuz they trust me in the things is do and i dun face much restrictions or high expectations. Even though my parents don’t say it explicitly, i know they want me to succeed. My dad says that he feels sianz not being able to watch me competing in nationals anymore and i know my parents were disappointed when i downgraded, they want to watch me commission. yu... you’re right... any parent will want to see their son commissioning... sorry, this isn’t possible anymore... haha, maybe afterall i’m not fit to be in there...
i want to settle down...
dear mom, dear dad, thank you very much for all that you have done all these years. well, i seldom buy presents for my parents on their birthday, except on mother’s or father’s day. even then, i just get small pres for them. i do appreciate them a lot, but i can’t say it to them , that’s why i hope through my actions, i can make them happy. Sigh, again... i’m an unfeeling person... somehow, i find it hard to tell them that i appreciate them. it’s much easier doing well in studies and track and make them happy... i believe that it’s better to use actions to show your appreciation rather than words, cuz i dun like to hua1 yan2 qiao2 yu3 and don’t mean what i say. However, it’s kindda late now to realize that simple words of appreciation and concern can actually brighten up a person’s day. but sadly i’m not conversant enough in words to express my feelings. as you can see, i’m kindda verbose. Anyway, just gotta accept who i am, i’ll just honour my parents through my achievements and actions. i’m very thankful that my parents allow me to do whatever i want cuz they trust me in the things is do and i dun face much restrictions or high expectations. Even though my parents don’t say it explicitly, i know they want me to succeed. My dad says that he feels sianz not being able to watch me competing in nationals anymore and i know my parents were disappointed when i downgraded, they want to watch me commission. yu... you’re right... any parent will want to see their son commissioning... sorry, this isn’t possible anymore... haha, maybe afterall i’m not fit to be in there...
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