60 Km of Madness!

I have announced to a few friends that I am planning to do a solo 60 km walk to celebrate my 60th birthday next year. The general reaction to my plan was "mad ah?"! One of my regular walking kakis asked me why I was thinking of doing such a thing. I took two days thinking about it and searching my inner most being for an answer.

These are my reasons for my "Mad" endeavour:

1. I love walking.
2. I want to celebrate 60 years on this earth by walking 1 km for each year God has given me. And to celebrate the "extra" years He has allowed me to have.
3. I want to challenge myself by stretching body and mind.
4. I would like to raise funds for National Cancer Centre.
5. I just want to do something crazy at 60!

So, I have planned the route and am starting to train for it. Initially, I had wanted to search for a route that will take me through forested areas. I then realized that the logistics would be tremendous and it would have to involve other people.

So I have finally decided to walk Rifle Range Road to the end and back which is 6 km. Do that 10 times and I get my 60 km. It is just outside my place (Base Camp) which will allow me to drop back home for a drink or a bite, to pee and poo, change clothes and shoes and even take a shower or a nap! Friends wanting to join me can do so at any point in time. Super great idea!

The only draw back is that it is a road walk, no pavement and the traffic is quite heavy on weekdays. So, I have decided to walk on Good Friday which is a public holiday. This should mean fewer vehicles on the road.

The significance of Good Friday has an added meaning for me. It is when our Lord walked to Golgotha to be crucified. It is the day He suffered great pain and humiliation for our salvation. It is the day, sinners rejoice for God has redeemed us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. Not for even one moment am I comparing my "gila" and "seow" walk to His walk to the cross, but I know I will be suffering a little and it will serve as a good reminder that on that day I am saved! Amen!

Well, the hat has been tossed over the fence, so come 6 April 2012, rain, shine, storm, hail, snow, tornado, hurricane, tsunami or earthquake, I shall be walking my talk. More information closer to the date on how you can join me ... and I hope you will ... not all the way, but perhaps part of it.

It will not be an easy walk. This morning, I decided to start my training. It was a cool and cloudy morning, so I pushed myself. The first 6 km was a breeze. No problem. The shoulders started aching a little on the 12 km loop. Fingers got a little swollen so I walked with my hands raised above my head. Hip joints started to feel stiff so I varied my stride and pace and at times resorted to jogging downhill to break the tedium of the walking pace. The 18 km stretch was already getting tough. My lower back ached and the bottom of my feet hurt. Monotony was broken by a lovely couple who distracted me by pointing out a beautiful king fisher perched on a fence. I felt refreshed after that short stop. So, I know that I will need company on the way to distract me from the aches and pains I will be feeling.

After all, how much entertainment can one get from counting dead snakes, flattened frogs, squashed snails and avoiding live monkeys en route? The toughest bit will be to leave "home" after taking a rest. But I will persevere and I will complete this 60 km of madness with God's help and yours! Block off the date, set aside some funds (I will be asking for donations) and start training. See you on Friday 6 April 2012!

Learn To Stroll

We don't remember how we all learnt to walk as a little child. But we did. Soon, we learnt to run! Most of us fell, but we don't remember that either. Which is good. Because we forgot the fright, the pain and the fear, we could move on.

Have we noticed how we walk? I don't mean the way we walk, as in our gait ... that is another story! But, more the pace of our walk. Most of us tend to walk briskly. We stride.

At work, when we stride, we exude a sense of urgency, "busy-ness", importance and perhaps even power. Silently the message is "don't disturb me now, I am busy going about my business". Surprisingly, it works. People leave us alone. It would be foolish to stop an express train. So, things that seemed "urgent" becomes a matter that "can wait" ... for when the person is not striding.

At home, we can't stop the habit of "work striding" and we rush around as much. Family members make way and some stay out of the way of striding mum or dad ... or even striding children! Especially grandparents. Grandparents stay by the sidelines because getting run over by the many express trains can be a painful experience. The silent message is "so many things need to get done at home so we can go to work to get more work done". So, valuable lessons that would have helped shape values and build character stay by the sidelines. They are deemed not important.

During exercise, brisk striding continues. They show a level of fitness, wellness, healthiness and perhaps even youth. Silently, the message is "look at me! I am able to walk fast ... all is well". And, all might be so. Or perhaps not ... sadly, we get these "youngsters" collapsing and even dying. Only a proper and thorough medical can show us what our striding hides.

My message is - learn to stroll. It will help you stride better for longer!

I learnt to stroll from who else but my dear old Jordan who can no longer trot during his walks. He ambles and I stroll along. Suddenly, I noticed the morning moon, the song of the early birds (and silent screams of the worms???), dew clinging onto leaves, the freshness of the flowers, scurrying ants (er ... striding ants?) and faces of people that tell their own stories (probably misinterpreted and wrong!). These were never noticed or noted when I use to stride along with a younger Jordan.

There is so much in life we miss when we stride. Learn to stroll ... sometimes.

Gratitude this Christmas

There are so many things to be grateful for this Christmas ... I want to pen my thanks!

1. Thank you, God - for all of the below:

2. Thank you to all the friends who were with me on Saturday 3 December to "dress up" the chemo section of NCC for Christmas. Many staff and patients remarked that the place looked so cheerful and they were happy we took the trouble to try to make a difference in their lives.

3. Thank you both Joy Tang from Royal Cafe and Jean Santa Maria from Bruno's for baking, part-donating and delivering the Christmas cookies for the patients at ATU, NCC. Also thank you to all the sponsors - Agnes & Alice Tay, Jacqualine Ko, Lai Choi Kuen & Linda Lee. And a big "THANK YOU" to all volunteers for helping to give out the Christmas cookies with your warm smiles and huge hearts! Indeed many hands made light work.

4. Thank you to the many who responded to sponsor the Migrant Workers@Geylang to a Christmas Dinner. We asked for sponsorship for 120 workers and we got sponsorship for 320!!! God is so good!!! All excess funds will be channeled to the other Health Serve project to provide meals for injured migrant workers.

5. Thank you for being there with the workers to share Christmas and God's love with them. It was a night to remember! Carols in mandarin were sung, home-cooked meals shared, photos taken, post cards written and laughter and joy were the Christmas "gifts" exchanged. Jesus was there too! Our invited guest of honour ...

6. Thank you for all your prayer support for all of the above and for our group as we prepare to visit God's Holy Land - Israel. Please continue to hold us in prayer as we make our Personal Journey with God. We will be away from 31 December to 15 January.

Have a Blessed Christmas & a wonderful New Year filled to the brim with good health, laughter, love and joy of the Lord!

Growing Old

As kids we can't wait to grow - just simply grow. We measure ourselves against the door frame and squeal with pleasure when the pencil mark is above the last one. I recall having many pencil markings on my bedroom door frame. My cousins and I would be regularly marking our heights. Sometimes we would cheat by tilting our heads up or wearing a high curry-puff hair style, just to get our egos deflated the next time we measure ourselves properly.

Then, as teenagers we can't wait to grow up! We want to do grown up stuff like put on makeup, stay up late, be independent, manage our own pocket money, have a girl/boy friend, drive a car, hold a job, smoke (!), drink (!!) and kiss someone (!!!).

When we get there, nothing is as exciting as it was when it was imagined. We then start to grow again - we grow cynical, skeptical, bored, apathetic, disillusioned, disenchanted, proud, in and out of love ... and together with all that, we grow mustaches, sideburns, long hair, waistlines, bust lines and families.

Then, we grow old and this is the no fun bit ... or so people say.

I watch my 12 year old dog Jordan struggle to his feet. He is a proud and tidy little chap and I am sure it must have pained him to have had to pee and poo in my bedroom! It pained me to have had to clear and clean the floor at 5 am in the morning. But it comes as a package - keeping a pet. It was cleaning the floors 11 and a half years ago when he was a pup and it has come full cycle. I am still praying it was just an accident, but it is ok if it is not. He has given us 12 wonderful years of love and devotion as only a dog can give, and this is a small price to pay in return.

We loved him as a cute, energetic puppy and we adored him when he grew up obedient and loving. Now, he is growing old and we love him even more and celebrate every day he is still able to enjoy his walk, his food, Chloe's companionship and ours.

His walk is unsteady and his eyes are bleary. But underneath all that he is still Jordan.

I too am growing old. I pray that people will one day look beyond my unsteady gait, my cataract eyes, my faint urine ordour and see that I am still Elizabeth.

Growing old can be fun - if people around you allow it. So, stop nagging and stop gripping if you have someone old in your presence. Remember - we will all get there one day!

God bless us as we live each day. May it be to the fullest and may we experience a whole load of fun as we grow old!!!

How Are We Remembered?

I sometimes choose not to look at the obituary page just because it does sadden me at times ... even though I don't know the faces on the page. Yesterday, I turned to the page and was shocked to see a huge picture of a friend who had "fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith". Priscilla was a fellow principal. Before that, she was the first lady rugby coach and I was the second.

I remember standing on the rugby pitch with her, eyeing our own boys and muttering under our breaths each time a silly error was made. Occasionally, we would shout at our teams. More often than not, we would be smiling at the sideline and chatting about everything else other than rugby and boys!

I never got to know Priscilla well. She was quite a private person. But she never failed to say hello each time we met at meetings, conferences and exhibitions. I had a sense of who she was by our little chats as we stood by the rugby pitches. Her quiet sense of humour, her no nonsense attitude when it came to the rules of the game, her gentle chiding and disciplined silence when an "unfair" whistle was blown, her emphasis on sportsmanship over winning, her open passion for the game and "her" boys, her warm handshake at the end of every game - they all gave me a glimpse of this lady coach, this educator.

I was proud to have had the privilege of sharing the sidelines with her, learning from her "unspoken" lessons on tactical rugby and character building. Mostly, I remember her for that twinkle in her eye and her warm smile each time we met.

I don't know who said this, but someone did - people won't remember you for what you said or for what you did but people will remember you for how you made them feel. So, how will WE be remembered?

God grant us the courage to always "fight the good fight" in His name, "finish the race" of our life here on earth and "keep the faith" that will bring us together again on those "beautiful shores" in our Father's Kingdom. Amen!

Till we meet again ... Rest in peace Priscilla.

The Call of the Wild Part 2

Chloe, my dog is on heat again. Thank God this happens only twice a year. What it means is two weeks of disrupted sleep for us human beings. Her scent is so strong, the neighbourhood Romeos will be at our gate at all odd hours - more often than not in the early hours of the morning - when sleep is the sweetest and the call of the wild is strongest!

So there I am all bleary eyed at 2 in the morning letting my whinny little girl out, thinking she had to answer the call of nature only to see her dash to the gate, answering the call of big, brown Bobby! Bobby is a persistent, large, free-roaming, unsterilized mongrel who drools, whines and pees at our gate. Yep, he does this coincidentally twice a year! His whole intent is to get Chloe's attention and judging from my week-long pre-dawn wake up calls, he is succeeding rather well.

On mornings when he catches us on our walks, I have a hard time juggling between dragging Chloe (who is happy to walk backwards so she can eye Bobby), throwing small stones at Bobby, picking up her poo and fiercely encouraging her to ignore him ... all to no avail. The Call is too strong and obedience training is totally forgotten. In my last blog about this, I had thoughts of shooting the guy! Alternatively, I should sterilize Chloe if we are sure we will not be breeding her. I have mad a date with the vet for February.

Chloe has another two "boyfriends" in the neighbourhood - One Patch ( a mongrel/Dalmatian mix) and Rockey (a pure bred white Shitzu). They are all ignored at other times of the year, but become Chloe's objects of adoration when she is on heat. She will cleverly, during her morning and evening walks, carve her way to lead to their gates. Rocky's owner tells me that he will refuse his food and will be out waiting at the gate the whole night! One Patch's owner shared her worry over his sudden whining and howling habits usually occurring in the pre-dawn hours. I didn't say anything, but I try to avoid passing their gates too early in the mornings.

The Call of the Wild is an interesting phenomenon

Affects all animals but not us humans (I think!)

Hormones block out the brain

Drives these animals quite insane

When on these "dates"

They crave for a mate

And somehow just can't find one

Whether on a walk or a run

Their whining can drive one mad

Think about it, it's quite sad

To have these urges

That come in surges

And not be able to meet them

Have to suppress or pretend

Well, all these are natural

But do they have to be nocturnal?

The Prayer of St. Patrick

Magonus Sucatus Patricius was the son of a prosperous Roman official who lived on a little farm on the western coast of the Roman Empire, today known as Britain. He was just a boy living a life of ease when he was captured by pirates and made a slave in Ireland.

For six long years, he tended the flocks of a rich, proud land owner named Milchu. Alone and away from the comforts of home, Patricius learnt to pray. He prayed day and night to a God he knew would never abandon him.

One night he heard a voice telling him that it was time to get ready to go home. Patricius made a miraculous escape and made the 200 mile journey to the sea where he managed to find safe passage home. His return was greeted by his family with much joy - as someone who had returned from the dead.

Although Patricius was glad to be home, he soon found himself feeling restless and unsettled. One night he dreamt of an Irishman handing him many letters with heading "The Voice of the Irish". When he woke up, he knew God was calling him back to Ireland.

In 432 AD, Patricius sailed back to Ireland and started the most amazing work of spreading the gospel, calling for social reform, educating his converts and ultimately changing the culture of an entire people. He constantly faced the danger of being killed by the Druid priests who held great power at that time.

Remarkable prayers came from this missionary, known today as St. Patrick. They are prayers for protection against the foes of the gospel, prayed in earnest in times of violent opposition and danger. Aptly called the 'breastplate prayers', it was St. Patrick's efforts to put on the armor of God.

This is one of his prayers:

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity
Through belief in the threeness
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation ... I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me
God's might to uphold me
God's wisdom to guide me
God's eye to look before me
God's ear to hear me
God's word to speak to me
God's hand to guard me
God's way to lie before me
God's shield to protect me
God's host to save me
From snares from the devils
From temptation of vices
From everyone who shall wish me ill
Afar and anear
Alone and in multitude.

(from the Prayer Devotional Bible)

Do you have on the Armour of God?

Old Habits Die Hard

I just returned from taking my dogs for their daily morning walks. Chloe who is 3, bounces along and is curious about everything she sees or smells. Thankfully, some of the obedience training WE went for has made it more pleasant walking her. She trots along and will stop to sniff and mark only when I allow her to.

Jordan who is 11, has some health problems and can't see too well, ambles along slowly. I have become his "Seeing Eye Human". I make sure he does not step on other dogs' unpicked poo! He is still alert enough not to get run over by passing cars and does not walk into lamp posts.

He still enjoys a short walk on level ground and although he is unsteady on 4 legs, he will still insist on putting up his hind leg to pee. He has toppled over and slipped a few times, but it has not stopped his leg-lifting habit. Cleverly, he has learnt to lean against the object of his intended showering, but sometimes the bushes or tiny plant won't hold. As much as I have encouraged him to pee on grass ... he still wants that tree or post or fire hydrant.

He reminds me so much of my dad ... not that dad lifted his leg to pee ... but in that stubborn streak to want to continue with what has always been. When dad's legs got weaker and his gait became very unsteady, he would still walk round the side of the house to make sure everything was closed up for the night. This he did every night risking a fall into the shallow drain by the side of the house. No amount of nagging could change this habit. We all resist change and habits make us feel comfortable. I think they help reaffirm who we are.

A habit is defined as "a thing done often and hence, usually done easily; an act that is acquired and has become automatic".

So, better consciously help children develop good habits because whatever habits they develop - it will be hard to break, change or discard to develop new ones. I use to suck my thumb ... not any more! There are so many bad habits I can list, but I won't. Instead, I want to encourage you to pause and think of 3 good habits you have and think of 1 "bad" habit you would like to get rid of.

My 3 good habits:

1. I thank God before each meal and talk to Him at the beginning and end of each day.

2. I exercise at least 3 times a week.

3. I read the papers/a book everyday.

My 1 bad habit to break:

1. I complete people's sentences for them instead of patiently allowing them to finish what they have to say.

Indeed, old habits die hard.

Christmas@National Cancer Centre

Some of us have been volunteering as Companions at the chemo unit of the National Cancer Centre. We realize that it is not the cheeriest place to be but well, that is why we are there. We hope to bring some cheer to the patients there by just being there to chat or run small favours like get a drink, a queue number or buy lunch.

Often, patients are upset, agitated and angry at having to wait so long for their session to begin. The day usually begins with a blood test in the morning, waiting an hour or two for the results. Then off to see the oncologist which requires more waiting who will then send them to the ATU for chemotherapy. After names are scanned, there is more waiting to register as the patients' blood test results have to be screened and the ability to go for chemo confirmed. This takes another hour or two and sometimes by the time the patient sits in the chair for chemotherapy, it would be 4 - 6 hours into the day that started at 9am. According to the chemo regime, the drip may take another hour or two or three. So, really it is a whole day affair. I know because I have been there myself.

The ATU is trying out a new system so this upsets patients further. The Volunteer Companions try to cool anger, calm nerves and help patients pass the long waiting hours. Many rather not talk, but a few have found chatting with us one way to pass the time there. If you have 3 hours a week (Mon - Fri either from 9am - 12 noon or 12 - 3pm.) you can spare, come join us. Otherwise, come help us decorate the place for Christmas. We are planning to do that on Saturday, 3 December in the morning. More details when the date is confirmed.

We are also hoping to give small bundles of cookies to patients during the 2 weeks leading up to 25 December. If you know of a generous owner of a bakery or bread shop willing to donate cookies, do let me know. Sorry, due to health concerns, we can't bake them ourselves!

See you!

Thieves of Time!

Welcome back! Me that is!!! I have been off blogging for long enough and decided in church today that I will commit myself to my blog at least once a week. So, welcome back Liz!

I remember the initial reluctance to start a blog. Then, I gave it a try and got hooked. I was blogging non stop and grew quite a few new and regular visitors to my blog site. Nothing sensational like a million hits, but a steady and consistent flow of people who enjoyed my ramblings and random thoughts and shared makan places and travel destinations.

Then, I went off on holiday and returned so relaxed, I could not get back to that excited state of "I have something to say and must share it"! So, my blogging juice stopped flowing. It was easy to let it be. Things would strike me on a walk and I would think about blogging about it. By the time I got back, took my drink and shower, other activities took precedence and my lap top remained off my lap. Sad!

A little nagging from house mate and a few enquiries about my "dead blog" did little to move me back to blogging. I had other ways to spend my time.

I now realise I had thieves in my home. Thieves that stole something more precious than silver or gold. These thieves stole my time! Precious minutes and hours would go without me realizing that they were gone. Before I knew it, the day was up and then the week ... then the month ... It is time to stop these thieves and take back my time.

These chaps are not big time mobsters or gangsters. They are not the Ah Loongs or Ah Bengs from dis reputed lone-shark gangs. They are well dressed gentlemen called Mr. Television and Mr. iPad Games. They creep into your life slowly and get you hooked on what they have to offer - entertainment. It was not hard to sit back and relax slouched on the couch munching on snacks watching one series after another from AXN, Fox Crime, Hallmark, Warner etc. Then, when the repeats become too often and I could remember every plot and murder, there was always the iPad Games to turn to! Games that made me want to improve my score, or buy more land, have more animals or build more rooms ...

Suddenly, I was addicted. So - my name is Elizabeth and I am a TV and computer games addict! Like with all addiction, one has to go through cold turkey before recovery. And like all addictions, there is always that risk of falling back into that hole you have crawled out from. But like everything else, a step at a time will get you there ... eventually. I am taking that first step.

Thank you for your patience and for not being too hard on me. Thank you for your support through your visits.

Welcome back!

Have A Meal, Help Them Learn

Lunch@Art ... A Special Experience

I was invited to lunch one day by a friend

Not an ordinary lunch

Because it was at an extra-ordinary place

It was in a school - not an ordinary school either

So five of us sat and ordered our food

It was a simple 3-course western meal

Prepared by kids learning to be chefs

Served by a gangly kid learning to be a waiter

It was a great meal because they were trying so hard

Although they got one of the orders wrong

And our drink glasses often in need of filling

Stood empty

Waiting

They were learning

And we were treated to a good meal.

Check them out at:

http://www.aps.edu.sg/

... and give it a try.

National Cancer Centre (NCC) Needs YOU!

Finally, my Christmas wish made in 2010 will come true! The National Cancer Centre is starting a Companion Programme. Volunteers will be on hand at the ATU (Ambulatory Treatment Unit) to help patients coming for chemotherapy make their sessions a little more pleasant. This is easily done with a warm smile and quiet companionship. Other than that, volunteers will be on hand to get queue numbers, collect medication, buy drinks or food, lend a listening ear or chat for awhile. Believe me, it makes a world of difference to just have someone friendly around you.

I went through chemotherapy twice (2008 & 2010). I was blessed to have friends accompany me for every session. It made an awful experience a little more pleasant because of a friend by my side. I thank God for them.

Having noticed those who were there alone or with reluctant and grumpy companions, I thought how wonderful if we could have a pool of volunteers to light up the day for the patients ... even if for just a moment.

So, calling all those who can spare 3 hours a week (10am - 1pm or 12 noon - 3pm) to join me to cheer a cancer patient on. It takes so little ... to give so much.

It is always easier to write a cheque. This time you are signing a cheque for something more precious than money - your time!

Training session will be held at NCC on Friday 7 October 2011 from 1pm - 5.30pm.

Email me at basecamp30@gmail.com if you want to volunteer.

SEE YOU!

Who Leads You?

After blogging about dogs and the Top Dog Mentality, I am reminded of God and God's leadership. It is not true that when a dog loves you, he will automatically make you his leader. Neither do you become his leader just by loving him. Leadership within a pack (dog or otherwise) has to be established.

So also with God. Loving God is the first and chief commandment in the law - "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine soul, and with all thine might." (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). God first loved, and in loving, He led. He became His people's leader, their provider, their protector. But, it was not enough for the people. They desired a king! They wanted someone who would win their wars for them - someone they could look up to and admire and love and respect. So God finally sent them a King - Jesus. He loved and taught and healed and led. But still the people would not follow Him. He was not the warrior king they had in mind. They could not love or respect Him ... so, they crucified Him. And in dying, He saved them ... and us.

God made us, loved us and respected us enough to give us something so precious even though He knew, it would turn us against our Maker. He gave Man a free will - He gave him a choice. For if Man would love Him with all their hearts and souls and might, they would obey Him and He would lead them to having peace and joy in their lives. " ... the fruit of the Spirit is: love, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22)

God in His exactness, gave Moses the 10 Commandments and many other laws for the Israelites of old to follow so that they could be "sinless" and live in peace with much joy in the Promised Land. But they were not able to follow many of the given laws, so God sent Christ who taught us just two "laws" - to love God with all our heart, soul and might and our neighbours as ourselves. A man who lived his love right to death on the cross in obedience to His Father's plans - " ... that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". (Romans 5:8)

We are like our pets (individuals). We live in a pack (family/community/society). We need leadership to have balance and harmony in our lives. So, let us ponder - WHO is our leader? In following do we love our leader with ALL our hearts, soul and might? And, in loving do we follow in obedience?

I have often wondered how it came to be that in the English language, God and dog are the same spelt backwards ... perhaps, like our pet dogs who love and respect us and who will follow our leadership obediently, we are meant be like so ... with God.

Who is my leader? God. Amen!

Top Dog Mentality

Week after week I watch with much amazement (at the dogs) and some amusement (mainly at the humans), as Caesar Milan "rehabilitates dogs and trains people" in his programme The Dog Whisperer. There are no bad dogs, he professes. Just bad owners!

His methods are developed from his full understanding of how dogs think, act and react. He totally understands dog psychology. That is amazing because I don't even understand human psychology! Maybe animal psychology is much less complex.

Wolves (origin of dogs before domestication) in the wild move in packs and each pack has a pack leader. The establishment of a pack leader brings balance to the pack. The leader leads and the others follow. No questions asked, no answers given. When a member of the pack misbehaves, he is quickly put in place by the leader.

So, we bring home a dog and the family becomes his pack. As the puppy grows up, he quickly learns that he very easily is able to establish himself as the pack leader. His actions are seen as "cute" and soon, he reigns supreme! The human members are held hostage to his wants and needs and he very often gets his way with them. The best part of this is that WE humans THINK we are the boss.

Dog comes with doleful eyes and puts head on your lap and gets patted - score 1. He rolls over and gets a tummy rub - score 2. He scratches the door and gets let out - score 3. He hovers around during meal times and gets a treat - score 4. He barks joyfully and jumps up and down licking you and gets a hug and a pat - score 5. He pulls you and dictates where he wants to go on his walk - score 6. He stares at the car and gets a ride - score 7. He barks, snarls and snaps at your friends and soon, nobody comes by - score 8. Final score? Dog - 8, Human - 0.

[I have used "he" for the dog, but believe me, "she" can be as bad if not worse!]

Leadership in a pack is critical to the pack's survival in the wild. Without a clear leader, fights break out and chaos rules. How strange that we can say the same of any organization and home! But, there are leaders and there are leaders - reluctant leaders, pseudo leaders, leaders-in-name leaders, ill equipped leaders, blur leaders, tyrannical leaders, etc.

Leaders become leaders when they are respected. Even in the dog-human world: A dog must respect his human leader. Jumping all over you is NOT a show of respect. Demanding attention and love is NOT respect. Being obedient and following your lead IS respect.

Well, good to think about it. Who is the leader in your "pack"? If YOU are the leader, do you behave like a leader? Are you respected as the leader? If you are not the leader, then are you a good and obedient follower? Do you show respect for your leader?

And now, turn and look at your dog with new eyes ...

The Dog Whisperer is on Discovery Channel 411 on Wednesdays at 6pm (season 2) and 10pm (season 3).

5 Days In Shanghai

I just flew back from Shanghai two weeks ago. I was glad to be home again in Singapore. How beautiful our roads and buildings look. Everything seem so neat and orderly and green. It was hot but nowhere near as hot as it was in Shanghai when the temperature climbed to 38 degrees at noon.

When we landed at Shanghai airport a week ago, I suddenly could not believe that I had actually willingly flew to China. Not one of my favourite countries nor people. While abroad, the Chinese have always irritated me with their loud voices and in-your-face habits. I am ashamed that I feel this way. After all, we are from the same stock!

However, my great, great grand father sailed off as a junk captain from China and made his new home in Malaya and then eventually the family moved down to Singapore. My great grandfather worked for the British, running the rubber plantations in Malaya, learning English from the Oxford dictionary. Then, grandmother became a Christians so I guess there was much influence brought about by the interactions with the "ang mohs" from great grandfather's time. We unconsciously picked up more genteel western habits and attitudes. So, it's no no to spitting and loud talking in public. Whatever, I am Chinese! ... but a Singaporean Chinese.

Shanghai is an interesting city, home to 23 million people! 23 million! That is minus the many tourists who visit Shanghai. I am glad I was not there during the Shanghai Expo 2010 when the number of visitors was around 30,000 a day with a Mr. Zheng who became the 5.3 millionth visitor at the end of the Expo! So, what do you see when walking the streets of Shanghai? People of course!

A friend suggested we visit Shanghai while she was there to do a presentation. Woon Yi and I decided to go, for different reasons. She went to get some work clothes tailored. The tailors there are known to be good, fast and cheap! They visit you at your hotel, take you measurements, show you cloth samples and have your clothes delivered back to you in a day or two depending on your orders.

Me? I went out of curiosity and a determination to try to like my "root" country. So, there I was clinging to the handle of the taxi we were in en route to our serviced apartment in Huai Hai Road. The taxi over took, swerved, changed lanes and cut in and out of traffic much like the cars in an arcade game. There were seat belts but no buckle to buckle into! I was glad when we finally arrived in one piece.

It soon became apparent that we were not going to do much walking as the weather forecast was for sunny days with temperatures climbing to a high of 38 degrees! So, we stayed in the air-con comfort of the apartment and kept our walking to the malls. We ventured out in the cool of the evenings to eat. That was the main activity of our 5 days in Shanghai.

We unanimously voted the best meal was at the vegetarian restaurant Jujube Tree at Songshan Road. VERY good vegetarian food. Not so much the mock stuff but the real stuff. I liked their little notice that invited all smokers to smoke under the Jujube tree ... outside the restaurant! So cool!

For a more up market dinning experience, head to the touristy area of Xintiandi. We ate at Xin Ji Shi ... which I though meant Thursday! (Ha ha ha this is from someone who use to score 0 "chi tan" for Chinese!) Good food, but a little more pricey.

For a good view of the city at night, head to the Hyatt at the Bund for dinner. Producing your dinner receipt gains you free entry to their roof top bar for the excellent bird's eye view of the city lights.

Well, we did venture half an hour out of the city to a water village - Zhu Jiajiao - The Venice of Shanghai. That day, the temperature was 38 degrees so after buying a straw hat and walking around the quaint village (which was rather smelly from the many stalls selling fermented bean and grilled fish and small river prawns), we took shelter in a cafe that promised good coffee, sweet cakes, iced drinks and cool air! We did not even think of taking the water junks to see the village from the canals. Gazing around, I did not think it was anything like Venice.

We bought just one main item from there - silk duvets! The man asked where we were from and laughed when we told him Singapore. So there we were, sweating in the hot sun lugging a silk duvet each. Each duvet cost 390RMB. We saw the same duvets being sold at the airport for 1400RMB. Hmmm wonder if it is illegal to hawk things at the airport ...

So, thinking of visiting a city? Try Shanghai. If for nothing - go there to enjoy the Shanghainese cuisine and tailor some clothes.

Sorry no photos for now. Will slot them in later.

How Full Is YOUR Bottle?

I was walking with a friend this morning and we were talking about God. "Well done my good and faithful servant ..." is what we hope to hear when we finally stand at the feet of our Lord. We both agreed that the minute we accept the Lord as our Saviour, we are saved. We must then walk close to God so that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit and be led to do "good works" on earth as Christ did when He was here.

We both also agreed that the only way to walk close to God is to read, study and understand His word - the Bible. We then continued to walk in contemplative silence.

I suddenly had this image of each one of us walking around clutching huge bottles to our chest. We are each given a bottle when we accept Christ and become a Christian. Each bottle has a few seeds in it. We then go through life holding on to this bottle and each time we follow Christ's examples of loving our enemies or speaking a kind word or doing a kind deed, a few more seeds get dropped into our bottle. So also when we are obedient to God and follow the direction of the Spirit.

More seeds are dropped in when we trust and obey the Lord; when we attend Sunday services with an open mind, a receptive heart and a sincere spirit; when we are slow to anger; when we use gentle words to calm an angry person; when we reach out to those difficult to love ... when we make an effort to follow the teachings in the Bible and try again and again to be Christ-like ... we gather more seeds into our bottles.

When we finally meet our Lord, we will kneel before Him with our bottles in hand. Question is - how full will your bottle be? Half filled? Full? Or only with those few seeds that were deposited when you accepted the Lord?

The comforting thought is that those first few seeds will never get taken away no matter what. Neither the bottle! Once we declare that Christ is our Saviour, our Messiah, nobody can take that bottle away from us. Neither can we throw that bottle away. It stays with us till we finally meet God.

What will God say after He says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant ..."? And how full will our bottles be? I hope to present Him with a full bottle. Amen.

Walk The Czech Greenways

Want to do a walk but don't know where to start? Try the railway tracks - now the MOST popular destination in Singapore to explore. If you enjoy walking but don't fancy our hot and humid weather, then you will have to look to walking abroad. If you don't want to go to all the popular destinations and want to try some place unique and different, then try the Czech Greenways.

The original route was a 300 mile trading route linking Vienna to Prague ... er, a little too long to manage and probably dull and uninteresting in most stretches. So, what you get is a shorter 6 day route that will take you from chateaus to palaces to castles to museums, through vineyards and meadows and forests all within the Czech Republic. Not at all a difficult route and ideal for beginners.

Your walk begins at the little town of Valtice (pronounced Val-ti-say) and will end at Prague. In between you will stop at charming little towns for the night in hotels that will serve up 3-course dinners with local wines and beers! Rooms are all en-suite and some are modern while others are quaint, but all very comfortable and clean.

Your main luggage gets transported to the next night-stop and very often you will find them waiting for you in your rooms. All you need carry is a day pack with your water bottle, some snacks, a rain jacket and a light jumper in case it gets cold. Oh and of course your camera.

Best to opt for a guided walk which will save you much time trying to figure out where to go. Remember, you are in Eastern Europe. The signs are in Czech and not many people speak English. Plus, if you get a good guide, like we did, you benefit by getting all the tours done in good English which is more informative and enriching. It was difficult understanding the castle and museum guides as their English was laced with a heavy Czech accent.

My favourite little town was Telc (pronounced Tel-ch) which looked very much like a MGM movie set. Most others liked Cesky Krumlov which was compact yet sprawling enough to roam and discover many unique and interesting things especially the architecture. Prague is beautiful and the many warnings about gypsies and pick pockets were unwarranted on our trip.

So, put on your walking boots, book your tour and off you go to roam the places which for 40 years were behind the "Iron Curtain". That curtain has been drawn, so you can now take the advantage of enjoying the country-side, discover new places and engage in a healthy activity. All on the Czech Greenways!