Bloggers Unite - Empowering....

As we moved into the month of July 2010, the next event at Bloggers Unite is Empowering People with Disabilities. We were invited to write about stories and people we know, or our self who are handicapped. ‘Handicapped’ is something we all have, it is not just physical but mentally too. This season, I want to share a story of a colleague.

Teck is a Mechanical Engineer. He moved to the position of Project Manager and he took his job very seriously. He had a pleasant personality and was very helpful to other Project Managers when they were in need of manpower.

One faithful May morning, he fell from a container. He was off duty but went back to check on work progress because of the dateline. This fall was critical because he hit his back against a steel pipe when falling. This injured his spine.

When he woke up at intensive, we were all very happy for him. However, we all knew the grievance consequent but we were in no position to tell him. As he moved to normal ward, he was still cheerful but he soon came to sense that he had no feeling on his legs or hip downwards. As Doctor explained that he had to go through therapy and that he needs to moved on wheelchair, we saw the pain on his face. He was angry, he rejected the facts, he threw temper at his wife, he refused to see any of his colleagues except for the few of us. He struggled to come to terms.

“Teck, you are handicapped hip downwards but you are not totally unable to move. You can still work with your hands. You are a mechanical engineer, you can still do projects from home. You can attend to Tenders, do calculations, do drafting, attend meetings and you don’t need to be at site to climb high and low supervising. You have supervisors and other engineers and staff”, I tried to make him see that he was not hopeless. The company bore all his medical expenses and promised to give him a job as I said. They maintained his salary, all his benefits and was very humane over the whole matter.

Teck tried. We sent works to him, pushed him to sites so that he can see the progress of work. We sent him for meetings and supervisors worked with him from home. We all did our best to help him to adapt to a new life style. We knew that it was not easy for him, from an able man to a handicapped. Other than work, there are many social issues and emotional issues he needs to adjust and faced. He started to reject his wife who has been supportive and patience. He felt that he has widowed her and by keeping her was cruel. He asked for a divorced. When none of us were around, emotions got better of him. He became bad-temper and at time violent. His wife had no choice but accepted the divorce. She did not leave him as she continued to stay in the house, taking care of his daily meals and needs. Teck was also a sportsman and not able to tennis, run and kick football was depriving him of his life as well. Computer games, movies and all indoor activities were not good enough for him. He started to be impatient with his supervisors, his staff, his brothers and sisters. As we saw him roller coasters with emotion, some time high, many times low…we went through the process with him. It became so bad that he needed a Psychiatrist treatment.

From an able man to a handicapped was a really painful and depriving process. If you had not known freedom of limbs, not known physical needs…and you have never experience life as a wholesome person…you will not know what Teck was going through. He felt that he failed his parents, his wife, his company, his friends and the society. Teck and Sue planned to have kids but now all hope was gone. We went through his treatment with him. From Doctor, to Psychiatrist, Chinese Sensei and Religious healing. I realized the struggle to heal oneself is the only medicine available and a super hard self willed challenge.

Teck decided to leave Singapore. He decided to go back to his hometown in Penang. He decided that he will go back and be with his parents and help out in a little provision shop. He decided to leave all his colleagues whom he felt he had burdened. He was retreating into a self-pity shell.

Therefore, when I saw this Bloggers Unite event of Empowering the Disabled, I fully support the good course because I saw how a friend went through all these to make himself useful again.

I learnt that Teck broke away from all those that know him. He started afresh where no one knows that he was a wholesome person before. He learnt how to go around in his mechanical wheelchair. He took on part time assignments. He lived alone, cooked and since he loves to read, people saw him at public libraries. His wife still visits him. She is a good woman and she did not marry but remarry to Teck again. Talking about true love…this is the LOVE that went through trials and pain. She lives in Singapore as she is an architect. She had adjusted to a new life, keep her dream, do the thing she likes and goes back to Teck when she needs his love.

KUDOS! to all the disabled. Life does not just stop there. You have to find your footing and adjust yourself back to society. Society is not so bad after all … Singapore is a kind country and we care about our fellow citizens…wholesome or handicapped.

Food...Oh! Food

The dictionary definition of Hunger : a compelling need or desire for food.

Yes, this is a feeling, a sensation, a reaction of one organ within your body sending a message to another organ telling ‘Him’…. I am hungry! You would immediately look for food to fulfill this desire. The hungrier you get, a chain reactions will occur. You either get angry, faint, weakness in limbs, pumping of your heart…more complications...or finally die. Dying from hunger is a long process. Your body mass accumulated enough fats to sustain it until you find food, but what if foods don’t come?

I am sure we all have gone through some experiences of hunger. For one, I did. It is not because I came from a poor country or a poor home. The hunger I felt or experience is a ‘choice’ not a ‘must’. Sometime I delayed eating due to rush of work to meet dateline (as it is always the case), I felt hunger but continue working. There are some who had to do a ‘hunger’ weight loosing program to look slim although there are already thin like a pencil! I am amazed that they can do it without considering the danger they are imposing on themselves. Of course you read in papers that they died of ‘hunger’. How ironical!

In this tiny little island that I lived on, food is never a problem for the time being. When you are in an affluent society, food became an ‘indulgent’. For countries that food is so readily available, we will never imagine that come one day when food is no longer ‘ever’ present and became a ‘luxury’. Now we can afford to throw away food, starve our self’s crazy, go on weight losing programs and be ‘oblivious’ about things that are happening around us, let alone the World.

Since I am a Blogger and when I started blogging, I became more and more aware of happenings around me. It is obvious because I search for information and facts before posting on certain topics. As I now belong to a Group, I support them for the good work they are doing ‘Raising Awareness'.

Hunger and Hope 2009 is one of the events. As I agreed to blog about it, my appeal to all my readers – When next time you eat, be mindful of the word ‘enough’. Ask for the portion that is ‘enough’ – many have the mentality that ‘for worth of my money, the bigger the portion the better’ and later the big portion of left over went into the rubbish bin.

I worked in a hotel once and I asked the management “Why must we throw away food leftover from the buffet tables? Can we not give them to the Staff in the Canteen?” Their answer - “It is the Code of Practice”. What a waste! They can also give it to a community or adopt a community nearby so that they can have food. If some big time Hotel Owners or CEOs reading this humble message from this humble blog, please think about this. Especially for those big chain hotels operating in poorer country. However, such big men will not have time for blogs, they got better things to do!

Anyway, I will have pages to write if I were to continue. Therefore I am going on a one day ‘detox’ program on 29th April 2009. I am going to let myself experience Hunger to remind myself how fortunate I am to have food in my stomach and to remind myself that there are so many of my fellow beings out there who are starving and dying because of lack of food. My wish for them - May they have food in their stomach!

Do join me if you want to be in this one day ‘detox’ for a good course! I count my blessings…. and you too!

Our Home…The Earth

I did not know that we have hurt our Earth so badly. Because of survival, we exploited the only place we have. Because we need to move forward, we created the word ‘modernization’. Because of ‘modernization’, we started factories, air-conditioned, building houses, cutting down trees etc…etc…etc… All the fumes created polluted the air. As time goes by, the climate is getting hotter and hotter. We exploited everything we can lay our hands on, from land to sea to space. Being ignorant as we are, we all follow what are created for our comfort. We did not question, we did not doubt, we forgot that the Earth, like any other thing we have, that if not taken care of will break down.

Years after years we stripped Mother Nature of her inheritance. We keep taking but we did not give back. We did not slow down in our needs, we keep wanting more.

We are cutting up trees for homes. We are very proud of a house made of wood. We would say we love nature and therefore use wood to build a house or as furnishing. We cut trees for papers, for fuel for more than I can imagine. We forgot that trees give out oxygen molecules in the morning and takes in carbon dioxide. It is important. It plays a big part in keeping the earth safe. We cut trees faster than it can grow. Now we tore the space apart…we created a hole in the sky!

As we went on to create more and more non biodegradable stuff, the disposing of these is to burn it. These release toxic to the air. It clogs up the Earth when thrown around.

I am looking at only a micro aspect of what I can see and feel. What about the macro pictures?

We dig the Earth of its minerals, both land and seas. We move too far ahead and we cannot go back to simple living anymore. We have plenty but we are never enough. So our poor Mother Nature, she had a mass of ungrateful children. They never help her clean the house but created more rubbish instead.

However there are always a group of people who cares about the environment, they are so small that their voices are drowned until now. Lets cross our fingers that it is not too late.

What can we do....

1) Save Water – You only need enough water to wash. 'Used' water can also be recycled to wash floors, water plants, flush your toilet etc.

2) Electricity – switch on only when you need it. I have given up using a hot water boiler that is turned on forever. I now boil only when I need it.

3) Carriers – Plastic bags - avoid collecting too many of them. These items are non biodegradable and it will harm the environment. Paper bags are made from pulp and that is cutting down more trees. Try using non-woven bags. They are handy and easily foldable and can be kept in our handbags. Use this when you go shopping.

4) Plastic water bottles – I used them as flower vase (see the picture). I filled the smaller bottles with drinking water and put them into my fridge. The excess I put them into recycling bags for collection.

Do you know you can weaved around cola cans and make them into beautiful pencil holders? You can also stick ‘blink blink’ all over them as well. They are pretty and usable and a good gift for friends.

5) Someone created disposable chopsticks from wood. It is a good idea to save water and for hygiene purpose but it is like an exchange – save the water and cut the trees. In the end we did not save the environment. Therefore I suggest we carry our own chopsticks around and eat with it.

6) For unwanted clothing and shoes, please send to an organization so that they can send them to countries that need them.

For 'the creative', they can cut old clothes, patch, sew and add accessories to make themselves another new dress. They can use left over fabrics to make toys… see are these cute? They are filled with sands.

Last year Earth Day, we went for nature walk around the forest to be with the trees, feel the earth underneath our feet, feel the breeze on our face, breath the air, watch butterflies fluttering around flowers, say hello to an iguana walking by and it is good to know we are the Earth and the Earth is us!

This year, I will sort out all my clothes and put them into recycle bags for collections.

PROTECT the Earth and Support Earth Day!

Supporting Earth Hour

This once a year event is over. I did my part as a global citizen. I wish more people are aware of this campaign but looks like the ratio is still very low. I believe everything takes time. The most important is the support of the government. I wonder will the government consider switching off power for an hour?

Anyway I did switch off all the electricity in my home, including my fridge. No fancy, I just lighted T-lights, cheap and not too bad for ambient. What did I do, I read a few pages of a book I bought this afternoon under candle lights and did my prayers...and an hour is up!

Starting at 8.30pm....and Finishing at 9.30pm


The Neighbourhood

Blocks of apartment nearby!

Planning next year to do an hour of prayers recitation with a group of friends with each participant holding a candle dedicating to World Peace.

Therefore this posting is a closure... I took some pictures and sharing it here with all.

Cheers!

Earth Hour 2009

The day for Earth Hour Event is drawing nearer. As a reminder, it falls on 28th March 2009 at 8.30pm to 9.30pm Singapore Time. If you are elsewhere, do find out your country time and participate in this meaningful event.

I observed while driving along the roads that signage of this event is posted on Bus Stops. Suntec even have it displays as one of the advertisement on the big screen. You will not miss it when you stop at traffic lights along this stretch of roads leading to Marina and Nicoll Highway.

Singapore is playing her part in this Global Event. Going green is not new to us. This is a beautiful little island and well known for being green. If you have not been to Singapore, do come and visit us. It is our island, our home and I am proud of her.

So how can we spend our time this year to support this event? Well maybe the following can help....

1) Switch off all electricity at home.

2) This means your refrigerator too. You can take it that it is a 'switch-off' for you to clean your fridge.

3) Re-direct your home phone to your handphone as home phones need electricity for it to work. In this case you will not miss any incoming calls to your resident.

4) Plan a BBQ on the beach. Plan a bonfire camping. Plan an evening out with oil lamps and mahjong table at the seaside. You will love it with the sea breeze and family togetherness.

5) Plan a trip to Jek Jawa with your children. Teach them about nature and their natural habitats and what others are doing to save the environment.

6) Arrange for a Tree Top walk at Pierce Reservoir. Teach children about plants and trees and their names. You may even stumble upon some special animals or insects.

7) Book yourself and friends on a Kelong. On the Kelong you can drink beers, catch-up as well as star-gaze. With minimum lights, you will be able to see bigger and brighter stars.

8) Take your camping tents and camp at the seaside. You can swim, sleep and eat. This is a wonderful time to have a day out of the house. To get a better place, you will have to leave early to pick your favorite spots.

9) Go for nature walk and take with you a glove, a long stick and a garbage bag. Pick up plastic bottles, coke cans, broken glasses, pieces of papers etc. that are thrown around by irresponsible people. Clean up the place and the air.

10) For those that are driving, maybe for today you camp and not drive. Give your 'girl-friend' or 'wife' or whatever you call your car a break!

11) For those who do not wish to leave the house, buy scented candles, red wine, potato chips and cuddle on the sofa for one hour and whisper 'sweet nothing'!

12) This is also the best time to sit around without lights and tell spooky tales with a candle. The effect with be dramatic as it is also the All Souls month for the Chinese which begins on 27th March 2009.

9) For those that are afraid of heat, you can end up in a shopping center. I suppose there are places where the lights will still be on. So enjoy yourself.

To give back an hour to the Earth is not too much to ask. It is only an effort on our part. An hour out of the 365 days, we are talking about 0.000 fractions but when it is done together globally, it means a lot.

We have to start to take the Earth seriously. It is our only home. Have someone found some place in outer space where we can immigrate? The Moon? Even if we move there and not take care of it, the day will come when we have to have Moon Day as well.

So there is no where to escape but be responsible and aware of our thoughts and actions and what is the results. So let’s join our hands together, give the Earth back an hour. After that, try to save as much electricity as possible, whether at home or at work, it will save $$$ for your pocket.

Cheers guys, JUST DO IT!

Celebrating Women.....

I just wrote an e-mail to my management three days ago. The message went like this...

Dear All (names of all the Department Heads right to the top man)

It is the company’s tradition for Department Heads to purchase a gift as token for all female staff on International Women’s Day. As it is, this falls on 8th March 2009.

Although the economy looks gloomy, we should not allow it to dampen the spirit of celebrating women in the work force. This year, I am proposing the (Brand) Key Chain as a token for this event. The cost is S$xxx each (inclusive of GST and an organza pouch).

By way of this e-mail, Ms X will be collecting the gifts to be distributed to your department. Kindly arrange cash payment to Ms X or to Ms Y.

Thank you,
Ms Y
I have been doing this since I cannot remember when and it has become a tradition in the company. The credit goes to my lady boss who is a big supporter. She is an example. She not only stands up for Women but to all good courses of 'corporate social responsibility'. I celebrate this Woman. She is not only a mother, a woman in the work force, a responsible woman to the society and a good motivator. With her at the forefront, the women work force in the company is respected and recognized for their importance in contributing to the home, to the society and to the country.

As we lived in Asia, our upbringing of being a woman is behind the scene. Our duty is to get married, bear children, served our husband, take care and discipline the children, take care of all problems of the household, served our in-laws and the dutiful responsibilities goes on and on. When the men in the family make it to the top of society and sons of the family became prominent, these women stand silently in the background.

On this day, I will remember my beloved Mother. Although she is no longer around, without her I will not be where I am today. Her greatness as a woman, is not only to give me life, she guided my growing up, she instill values into me, she showed me right from wrong and shows me the path to be a responsible adult

To all the great men of past, present and the coming future - you are here because of a Woman. Chinese has a proverb that goes like this "Behind every great man, there is a woman".

Therefore every year on March 8, we celebrate Women globally. It is a special day to connect women around the World. The purpose is to inspire them to grow to their full potential.

It is a day for all Men to recognize and honor their mothers, wives, girlfriends, lady colleagues, sisters, grandmothers for their contribution to the society/ World. It gives you an opportunity to buy a small token, or give a hug, or send an SMS, or makes a call to say "Thank you and I Love You for all that you are and have made me to be who I am".

With this note...Happy International Women Days to all women globally. Well wishes also go to all Men who recognize Women's contributions on this day!