静夜思亲，
明月传心，
千里家音，
贵如千金。
A full moon tonight prompted me to come up with this.
明月传心，
千里家音，
贵如千金。
A full moon tonight prompted me to come up with this.
Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Monday, May 04, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Keeping training relevant
Someone said that training should be relevant to what we need to do. I can't agree more.
But that same person said that he would be satisfied if the training system is one step behind the current system, although the truth is that it is usually two or three steps behind.
It doesn't make sense.
How can training be relevant, if it is one or more steps behind the current system?
Training must prepare us for the current, so that we are relevant and ready to do our jobs. And it must be forward looking, to prepare us for the future in this fast changing world.
How can something be relevant, if it is always one step behind?
But that same person said that he would be satisfied if the training system is one step behind the current system, although the truth is that it is usually two or three steps behind.
It doesn't make sense.
How can training be relevant, if it is one or more steps behind the current system?
Training must prepare us for the current, so that we are relevant and ready to do our jobs. And it must be forward looking, to prepare us for the future in this fast changing world.
How can something be relevant, if it is always one step behind?
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Farewell to our founding father
建国英雄泪雨送
万民追悼李光耀
记念伟人庆其功
迈向未来新加坡
On a rainy day as a nation bids farewell to our founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, let us move forward as a nation and celebrate his successes.
47 years ago, we did not waver in rain or wind. Today, we continue to stand strong in the heavy rain and strong wind.
Rest in peace, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
万民追悼李光耀
记念伟人庆其功
迈向未来新加坡
On a rainy day as a nation bids farewell to our founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, let us move forward as a nation and celebrate his successes.
47 years ago, we did not waver in rain or wind. Today, we continue to stand strong in the heavy rain and strong wind.
Rest in peace, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Saturday, March 07, 2015
Being clever slows your learning... sometimes
Sometimes, we are too clever for our own good. Especially when it comes to learning something.
Some things must be learnt in stages. There are no short cuts. One step at a time. Practise what you are taught, and you will eventually get there.
But sometimes we are too clever for our own good. We try to think we know better. We try to put our own little theory together, and think that we understand things better than our teacher. We think this newfound understanding helps us to learn faster.
Sometimes, that "understanding" is actually us not really understanding. Instead of bringing us faster to our goal, we end up taking an even longer route.
We may be smart, we may be clever, but sometimes, it is not about how smart or clever one is. It is about how much one practises, how much effort one puts in.
Some things must be learnt in stages. There are no short cuts. One step at a time. Practise what you are taught, and you will eventually get there.
But sometimes we are too clever for our own good. We try to think we know better. We try to put our own little theory together, and think that we understand things better than our teacher. We think this newfound understanding helps us to learn faster.
Sometimes, that "understanding" is actually us not really understanding. Instead of bringing us faster to our goal, we end up taking an even longer route.
We may be smart, we may be clever, but sometimes, it is not about how smart or clever one is. It is about how much one practises, how much effort one puts in.
Thursday, March 05, 2015
Busy start to March 2015
March 2015 started off really busy for me.
After spending the Chinese New Year in Japan, there was quite a bit of things to catch up on back in Singapore. Like housework. Like my calligraphy practice. Like work.
With so much to do, it is no wonder that I became so tired over the past week and a half. Over the past few days, since March started, I have been so tired that I just couldn't find energy to practise taiji. And that speaks a lot for someone who thinks that one needs to practise precisely when he is tired, in order to be great.
So four straight days without practice... that's something that happens only when I am on holiday.
I need to get my act together and back to practice!
After spending the Chinese New Year in Japan, there was quite a bit of things to catch up on back in Singapore. Like housework. Like my calligraphy practice. Like work.
With so much to do, it is no wonder that I became so tired over the past week and a half. Over the past few days, since March started, I have been so tired that I just couldn't find energy to practise taiji. And that speaks a lot for someone who thinks that one needs to practise precisely when he is tired, in order to be great.
So four straight days without practice... that's something that happens only when I am on holiday.
I need to get my act together and back to practice!
Monday, February 23, 2015
In memory of Robert H. Gallagher
My mentor and good friend, Robert H. Gallagher, passed away on 23 Feb 2015.
As a friend and mentor, he has influenced me in many ways, taught me to think critically, and was crucial in strengthening my foundations as a naval officer.
The following is an extract about his life, taken from his memorial service held on April 5, 2015 at St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville, Nevada:
Robert H. Gallagher was born to Merchant Marine Harold Gallagher (where Robert believed he got his "sea legs") and Ruth Eugenia (nee: Reasoner) Gallagher on May 2, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio. He spent his younger years in Ohio, Maryland, and Florida. He graduated in June 1965 from Dixie Hollins High School in Pinellas Park, Florida.
Robert joined the U.S. Navy Reserve prior to his high school graduation and went onto boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center later that same year. His enlisted years in the Navy were spent as an Engineman on two LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank) during the Vietnam conflict--where he was promoted up through the enlisted ranks to Chief Petty Officer. In the early 1970s, he separated from the Navy to attend college. He received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside in 1975 and a Master's degree in International Relations from Troy State University in 1988.
In 1975, he re-joined the Navy graduating from Officer Candidate School with a commission to the rank of "Ensign." He obtained his Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) wings in 1976 from the Pensacola Naval Training Center. He served his aviator career in Fixed Wing Squadron 151 and 161 flying in the F-4 Phantom jet. Robert spent the majority of his naval career in the Pacific theater having spent four tours of duty on USS Midway (CV-41)--two squadron tours and two ship's company tours--forward-deployed in Yokosuka, Japan. He and Sandra met in San Diego and married in April 1986.
Following his retirement as a Lieutenant Commander in November 1991, Robert became an English sensei and mentor to Japan National Defense Academy students, several of whom he remained close to following his return to the United States in 2006. Upon Sandra's retirement in 2012, he and Sandra made their final move from Pennsylvania to Gardnerville, Nevada where he passed on February 23, 2015.
Throughout his life, Robert loved the Navy and his Irish roots (a stubborn Irishman he was!). He especially liked history and politics. He was well read and could talk to almost any subject. He enjoyed travelling the world and acting as a "tour guide" no matter where he lived or travelled. He had a very creative mind and could be a "MacGyver" when needed, and he truly enjoyed tinkering with his Honda vehicles. Family and friends gave him several aliases over the years including "Chief," "Admiral," and "Professor"--all of which he was very proud.
Some other things about Robert that I came to know about along the way during the many years of our friendship.
- After getting his Bachelor's degree, Robert had wanted to return to the surface fleet (where he came from during his enlisted days), but was told by the recruiting officer that the Navy was not accepting applications for the surface fleet. He thus decided to sign up as an aviator, thinking that if he flunked flight school, the Navy would assigned him to the surface fleet. Of course, he didn't flunk flight school, and went on to completing the rest of his naval career as an aviator.
- While he was staying in Japan after his retirement, he would bring visiting USN admirals on tours in Tokyo, to places such as the Tsukiji fish market.
- He has ejected from a plane before. Apparently, it was a planned ejection. The ejection seat used for this planned ejection was still on display in USS Midway when he brought me around in 2010.
- He was married to a Japanese lady while stationed in Yokosuka, and they had a daughter. They divorced, however, and he did not talk much about this first marriage.
As a friend and mentor, he has influenced me in many ways, taught me to think critically, and was crucial in strengthening my foundations as a naval officer.
The following is an extract about his life, taken from his memorial service held on April 5, 2015 at St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville, Nevada:
Robert H. Gallagher was born to Merchant Marine Harold Gallagher (where Robert believed he got his "sea legs") and Ruth Eugenia (nee: Reasoner) Gallagher on May 2, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio. He spent his younger years in Ohio, Maryland, and Florida. He graduated in June 1965 from Dixie Hollins High School in Pinellas Park, Florida.
Robert joined the U.S. Navy Reserve prior to his high school graduation and went onto boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center later that same year. His enlisted years in the Navy were spent as an Engineman on two LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank) during the Vietnam conflict--where he was promoted up through the enlisted ranks to Chief Petty Officer. In the early 1970s, he separated from the Navy to attend college. He received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside in 1975 and a Master's degree in International Relations from Troy State University in 1988.
In 1975, he re-joined the Navy graduating from Officer Candidate School with a commission to the rank of "Ensign." He obtained his Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) wings in 1976 from the Pensacola Naval Training Center. He served his aviator career in Fixed Wing Squadron 151 and 161 flying in the F-4 Phantom jet. Robert spent the majority of his naval career in the Pacific theater having spent four tours of duty on USS Midway (CV-41)--two squadron tours and two ship's company tours--forward-deployed in Yokosuka, Japan. He and Sandra met in San Diego and married in April 1986.
Following his retirement as a Lieutenant Commander in November 1991, Robert became an English sensei and mentor to Japan National Defense Academy students, several of whom he remained close to following his return to the United States in 2006. Upon Sandra's retirement in 2012, he and Sandra made their final move from Pennsylvania to Gardnerville, Nevada where he passed on February 23, 2015.
Throughout his life, Robert loved the Navy and his Irish roots (a stubborn Irishman he was!). He especially liked history and politics. He was well read and could talk to almost any subject. He enjoyed travelling the world and acting as a "tour guide" no matter where he lived or travelled. He had a very creative mind and could be a "MacGyver" when needed, and he truly enjoyed tinkering with his Honda vehicles. Family and friends gave him several aliases over the years including "Chief," "Admiral," and "Professor"--all of which he was very proud.
Some other things about Robert that I came to know about along the way during the many years of our friendship.
- After getting his Bachelor's degree, Robert had wanted to return to the surface fleet (where he came from during his enlisted days), but was told by the recruiting officer that the Navy was not accepting applications for the surface fleet. He thus decided to sign up as an aviator, thinking that if he flunked flight school, the Navy would assigned him to the surface fleet. Of course, he didn't flunk flight school, and went on to completing the rest of his naval career as an aviator.
- While he was staying in Japan after his retirement, he would bring visiting USN admirals on tours in Tokyo, to places such as the Tsukiji fish market.
- He has ejected from a plane before. Apparently, it was a planned ejection. The ejection seat used for this planned ejection was still on display in USS Midway when he brought me around in 2010.
- He was married to a Japanese lady while stationed in Yokosuka, and they had a daughter. They divorced, however, and he did not talk much about this first marriage.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Learning to teach
I signed up for an i-to-i TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) online course today.
First step towards doing something that I had always wanted to do.
Drawing inspiration from "Dead Poets Society".
Now I have something else to keep me busy after work, apart from taiji and calligraphy.
First step towards doing something that I had always wanted to do.
Drawing inspiration from "Dead Poets Society".
Now I have something else to keep me busy after work, apart from taiji and calligraphy.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Putting in time and effort
When something is important enough, we will put in time and effort for it.
I really want to improve in my taiji, so I put a lot of time and effort into it.
I also want to improve in my calligraphy (but not as much as taiji), which is why I do put in time and effort into it, but not as much.
I don't really care if I can get better at Korean... that explains why I don't really think too much about it.
With only 24 hours in a day, we all need to ask ourselves, what is important for us. Because that is really how we allocate our time.
Discharging my responsibility at work is important for me. Because I am a person who values responsibility. That is why I work so hard too.
My family is important to me. That is why I spend time and effort on them too.
With only 24 hours in a day... the time and effort must go to the important things. Things that mean something to me. They may be small, they may not have any financial or commercial value, but they have value to me. Like family, friends, hobbies.
Life is for living. And what is living if we are not doing the things that really matter to us?
I really want to improve in my taiji, so I put a lot of time and effort into it.
I also want to improve in my calligraphy (but not as much as taiji), which is why I do put in time and effort into it, but not as much.
I don't really care if I can get better at Korean... that explains why I don't really think too much about it.
With only 24 hours in a day, we all need to ask ourselves, what is important for us. Because that is really how we allocate our time.
Discharging my responsibility at work is important for me. Because I am a person who values responsibility. That is why I work so hard too.
My family is important to me. That is why I spend time and effort on them too.
With only 24 hours in a day... the time and effort must go to the important things. Things that mean something to me. They may be small, they may not have any financial or commercial value, but they have value to me. Like family, friends, hobbies.
Life is for living. And what is living if we are not doing the things that really matter to us?
Monday, January 05, 2015
Winter break 2014
Just got back from my winter break, which was spent in Japan.
It was a working holiday... with time spent cleaning my in-laws place, looking after the kids (mine and my sister-in-law's) and practising calligraphy.
But I got great views of Mount Fuji from my in-law's place.
And great food... high quality wagyu at the nearby yakiniku restaurant.
Also paid a visit to the nearby temple (Kashima Shrine) right after midnight on New Year's Day. We usually go in the afternoon, but this year, made the effort to go in the freezing weather at right after midnight.
And the usual visit to another temple, Kawasaki Taishi. To pray for a good year ahead, and to eat the good food sold by the street stalls there.
And guess what? It snowed on New Year's Day in Yokohoma! First time in 17 years that I have seen it snow in Yokohoma on 1 January.
Here's me redoing the rice paper screens.
Washing the sliding doors (in freezing cold weather...)
Bringing the kids out for lunch and a movie (while their mothers are out with friends).
What better way to spend the holidays?
It was a working holiday... with time spent cleaning my in-laws place, looking after the kids (mine and my sister-in-law's) and practising calligraphy.
But I got great views of Mount Fuji from my in-law's place.
And great food... high quality wagyu at the nearby yakiniku restaurant.
Also paid a visit to the nearby temple (Kashima Shrine) right after midnight on New Year's Day. We usually go in the afternoon, but this year, made the effort to go in the freezing weather at right after midnight.
And the usual visit to another temple, Kawasaki Taishi. To pray for a good year ahead, and to eat the good food sold by the street stalls there.
And guess what? It snowed on New Year's Day in Yokohoma! First time in 17 years that I have seen it snow in Yokohoma on 1 January.
Here's me redoing the rice paper screens.
Washing the sliding doors (in freezing cold weather...)
Bringing the kids out for lunch and a movie (while their mothers are out with friends).
What better way to spend the holidays?
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Bad driver
I am a bad driver.
Bad in how I don't really care about the comfort of my passengers. I guess that is because I am too used to driving myself around, instead of having passengers. So I usually brake too hard, accelerate too quickly, turn too sharply.
But at least I am safe. And alert (most of the time...)
Bad in how I don't really care about the comfort of my passengers. I guess that is because I am too used to driving myself around, instead of having passengers. So I usually brake too hard, accelerate too quickly, turn too sharply.
But at least I am safe. And alert (most of the time...)
Saturday, December 06, 2014
Neighbourhood in the news, again!
Saturday, November 08, 2014
师兄 Senior...
They call me 师兄 (senior) not because I am older. Not because I have been practising for more years.
No, they call me 师兄 because they acknowledge the effort that I put into my practice.
I may be younger, I may have started learning from my teacher later, but because of the effort I put in regularly attending the practice sessions, and the number of sessions I attend each week, they call me 师兄...
I humbly acknowledge that title, and I continue to put in effort to live up to that name.
No, they call me 师兄 because they acknowledge the effort that I put into my practice.
I may be younger, I may have started learning from my teacher later, but because of the effort I put in regularly attending the practice sessions, and the number of sessions I attend each week, they call me 师兄...
I humbly acknowledge that title, and I continue to put in effort to live up to that name.
Sunday, November 02, 2014
The Book of Life (2014 film)
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Have the courage to be yourself. And write your own life story.
Our biggest fear is when we fear being ourselves. For it is something that we cannot run away from.
Simple lessons from an animated film made for children.
Oh, and today is the Day of the Dead.
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