Fiona & Johann's Wedding

Sat was Fiona's wedding and the day started pretty early. It was one of those rare times when i leave the house early only to realise that the main road was totally quiet with no cabs in sight. But that was not the earliest which i left home. The earliest was 3.30am in Feb when i had to go to my cousin's place before the whole family went to the airport together.

SIMPLE was the key word ... the wedding gown, make-up etc. Oh ... and i love her wedding invitation card. It was really classy and in black.



The house was really quiet and it doesn't seem that a wedding was taking place. There was only her, her cousin, parents plus me. And yeap ... this seems to be the one and only picture which we have taken together before.



While waiting for Johann & his best-man Julian to arrive, Jenny (her cousin) noticed that Fiona's shoes and mine was almost the same. The difference is that i bought it off the rack while she customed made it from the same shop. The design is the same except the fabric, height and heel.

(The top pair belongs to Fiona while the pair at the bottom is mine)


Ha ha ... this proves that 'shoepaholics' like us even had the same taste. Result of shopping together for many years.

And i had to post this picture of the pig up. The guy who was supposed to deliver the pig was kind of lost and we had to wait for him to arrive before we are able to go up to Fiona's parents place. Thankfully we didn't need to wait for long.

This is the cuplrit.



The church wedding was held at Grace Methodist Church and it turned out quite well. I love the acapella group, Equivox from NUS. It was most beautiful when they sang 'How Great Is Our God'. Too bad i couldn't record it coz. was standing next to her and infront of all the guests at that moment. Only managed to record this while the couple signed their marriage certificate.



Dinner was excellent .. and so was the view. Managed to get a glimpse of NDP preview from OCBC centre where we were. Caught up with Gladys, a uni-friend (and the one and only person that i know at the dinner). Her kid, 17 months old Timothy is soooo cute.

What's My Problem?

Terrible me! I think it must be either my habit or i never seem to have enough time. Whenever i need to wake up extra early the next day, i end up sleeping late. Always happens whenever i have an early flight to catch or just like now ... i need to wake up at 5am tomorrow (or rather later) to be at Fiona's place which is at the extreme West of Singapore.

I bet i will be super tired tomorrow as it's a long day. Hope it doesn't show on me coz. well, it's her BIG day'. I've known Fiona for more than 2 decades since school days and we still kept in touch all these years when we were apart. She was in Canada for abt 10 years and me, 3 years in Australia. We're the kind of friends who know that we are always there for eachother and even if we don't meet up, call or message eachother, we know that our thoughts and prayers for one another is close at heart.

Well! Am glad that THE DAY has finally come for her and she's walking down the aisle. When she told me afew months back that Johann has proposed that she's getting married, well ... ok! I admit that i was a little surprise. But at the same time, truly happy for my friend.

And Fiona, i also want to tell you that i'm deeply honoured when you told me that when Johann asked you who you want to ask to be your 'sisters' on your wedding day, you told him none. You will only ask me to be your bride's maid and that's more than enough. No other girlfriends needed. Wow!

So looking forward to seeing you in all your radiant joy & beauty later. Congratulations in advance and wishing Johann and you many wonderful years of hapiness together. May God be with you and bless you both forever.

Oh! I did tell you that i've always helped out with friends' wedding but well, it's actually my first time being bride's maid right? Feeling a little 'not too used to it'. But well, I guess my role is to help u out and pamper u loads. ha ha! Btw, my apologies for not being able to make it for your rehersal today.

Cheerios!

Friends from Down Under

Received some photo updates from a friend in Perth. The kids are sooo cute and adorable. Wish i was there to play with them. Now i understand why Carrie told me that when she was in Melbourne to visit Karen & Steve, she preferred to stay at their place and spend time playing with the kids.



Timmy will start kindy next year while Sam will go to school only in afew years time.



And yes, it certainly reminds me to save up and travel Down Under to visit some dear friends in Perth, Sydney & Melbourne.

REVEAL

I happened to be at Wisma Atria today and Clinque happens to have their roadshow at the atrium. I was approached by one of the gals to take part in their 'REVEAL' event which they partnered with Heath Promotion Board.

The computer program 'ages' a person to show how smoking causes pre-mature ageing. The staff took a picture of me and send the image to be processed by the software which projects the person's image on how you will look like as a smoker and non-smoker when you are 60yrs.

When i saw the print-out, my gosh ... is that me? Is that roughly how i will look like when i am old. Thanks to technology. And the first thing that came to my mind when i saw my photo was the resemblance between grandma and me. Since young, people always say that i look like my grandma (more than dad). Looking at the picture, well ... i'm really convinced. I'll still look like her even when i'm old.

Story of my life

I don't know about you but i just had an awlful and dreadful time last nite. 2 hours can almost bring me from Singapore to Bangkok. But yesterday, it took me a good 2 hours just to get home from Suntec. And this is the second time which happens to me ... yes ... from Suntec again. Hate it! Haven't i heard ... when things goes wrong, it really goes wrong. What a nite ... i was soooo tired and drained after the whole ordeal.

I was there to attend an exhibition. After that, walked over to the Esplanade. Since i was carrying many heavy stuff (my own bag, laptop plus work documents and another plastic bag containing 2 thick directories and brochures), told myself that there is no way i could handle and take a bus. I had to take a cab.

Didn't have enough cash with me so went to the ATM to withdraw money. Oh well, the ATM wasn't working. How timely. Fine ... i'll take a bus then since the bus-stop is just next to Esplanade. Waited and waited and waited ... 15mins ... 30 mins ... 45 mins ... yes, one hour and Bus 70 didn't come. I was hungry, thirsty and tired. And there i no way i could walk to other places to find ATM or walk to the train station. My barang barang was too heavy for me.

Very well, no choice ... i had to take Bus 133 to serangoon ave 2. Heavy traffic jam and the bus was extremly packed. It took me almost one hour to reach serangoon. Thereafter, had to take a 15 mins walk to the interchange to catch another bus home. On normal days, i think i'll just take 5 mins.

I felt so miserable, and almost 'died' when i reached home. Story of my life!

Trival Jokes

Some trival jokes which i heard from people around me this week.

(1) Why do you think Superman has the signature "S" on his body-suit?
Answer: Because it's S-size.

(2) You like durians? U.S. sells durians.
Answer: What? U.S. sells durians? How can that be? Oh .. i don't mean United States. I mean Upper Serangoon.

(3) Let's go JB.
Answer: Oh ... i don't mean Johor Bahru. I mean Jalan Bersah.

蔡依林 (Jolin Tsai): Welcome 2 Taiwan

It's a 'fun' day today coz. i came up close & personal with Jolin Tsai (蔡依林). This is the second time which i am seeing her. The first was last year at Indoor Stadium during the President's Star Charity Concert. But couldn't see her well as we were seated very far away from stage. Thus, this afternoon was great because she was just
right infront of me. But before i go on, let me first state that i'm not exactly a big fan of her although i like some of her songs and i think she can dance pretty well.

The day started off with a lunch appointment with partners from Taiwan Visitors Association followed by the Press Conference in the afternoon.





Ok .. all the media from Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore were there armed with all their professional equipments. Thankfully, i went well-prepared. Borrowed my brother's professional camera and thus, managed to take some good shots.

Jolin was in town, together with film director Wu Nien-jen (吳念真). They were introduced by the tourism board to the media as it's tourism ambassadors/ spokesperson for the Southeast Asian region.

Zeng Xiao Ying was the emcee. She's also a taiwanese.





Jolin and Wu replaces pop singer, Chang Huei-mei (張惠妹), who had been tourism ambassador for three years. The choice proved to be a success, with the number of tourists visiting Taiwan from Southeast Asia increasing by an average 10 percent annually over the period.



Why did they chose Jolin & Wu? Well, Jolin stands for Taiwan's pop culture and modernity. As for Wu, he represents the more in-dept values behind travelling such as culture and tradition. While they each stand for something poles apart, they also represent the diversity of Taiwan.



I personally like the tagline & title of the campaign "Welcome 2 Taiwan". It's really catchy and gives a very warm feeling to visitors. Before the tourism board embarked on this campaign, i personally took very little notice and interest in Taiwan. Until A-Mei became the ambassador with its catchy tune in the commercial.







I've only been to Taiwan once and it was to Taipei. In my next trip to Taiwan (don't know when), will love to visit one of its themed restaurants. Didn't get to visit one during my trip there.

Oh ... Btw, Jolin is quite petite & a babe too.

Things you don't learn from textbooks

Some of us learnt some new words over lunch today. We had a good laugh over it and i told Nic and gang that i would post this up.


(1) Ikimasho = Mickey Mouse Show ?




How we derived it?
Cecilia was telling Gal "Ikimasho". But it turned out that afew of us heard 'Mickey Mouse Show'. And naturally, we were all curious and broke out into laughter when we realised that she actually meant íkimasho which means 'let's go' in japanese. Hmm .... where did the mickey mouse comes from?


(2) I love you = I 老虎 you


Ha ha ... Nic remembered this from a chinese movie, Wong Fei Hung which he watched. Imagine him telling his son that? Sounds so weird. As if the daddy is an animal eatter.

(3) Harry Porter = Helicopter


Jed started wearing spectacles recently and some of us commented that he looks a little like Harry Porter who incidentally is on the cover of 8 Days magazine. He can't really pronounced 'Harry Porter' well and i heard that it came out as 'Helicopter'.

Ha ha ... and his godpa told us ... hmm .. what do you think of 'Helicopter and the Order of the Phoenix'. Alamak .. sounds like pirated version man.

Just for laughs!

The Best ....And The Worst

The best and worst US political campaign videos.

I Got A Crush ... On Obama

Video features a curvaceous brunette romping through New York City to a R & B ditty, breathlessly singing her love and staunch support for Illinois senator Barack Obama. Watch out for spoofs of celebrities, pop songs and popular TV series.



Vote Different

This is the first viral video ad of the 2008 presidential campaign, spreading through the internet community like wildfire. It smashes up Hillary Clinton's face and voice with Ridley Scott's famous 1984 ad for Apple computers. Clinton is seen as Big Brother, lecturing from a screen to the downtrodden masses.

The screen is eventually smashed and everyone liberated when a lone runner hurls a mallet at it. The ad ends with the caption 'barackobama.com', though his campign had no involvement in the making of the video.



Mccain Sings Streisand

Who knew Republican Senator John McCain could be funny?

In an admirable attempt to woo young voters across the United States, he appeared on Amercian comedy show Saturday Night Live in June last year singing - butchering actually - popular songs by Barbara Streisand.



WORST

Bill and Hillary Soprano

In an official video to launch Hillary's campaign song (You and I by Celine Dion), the clintons spoof of the final scene of popular TV series The Sopranos and is controversial cliffhanger.

Hillary plays mobster Tony Soprano while Bill, who plays her 'wife', appears disappointed to get carrots instead of the scripted onion rings. Both have the acting chops of wooden puppets.

There is a mention of Clínton's daughter Chelsea, who gets jobed for failing to parallel park. But nobody gets whacked in the end.



Rudy Giuliani in Drag With Donald Trump

Former mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani appears in drag in this video, which was originally filmed for a 'roast' - where peers of the press poke fun at a celebrity or politician to honour him - in 2000.

But it is now being used his detractors, notably as publicity for Kevin Keating's documentary Giuliani Time, which The New York Times called 'nothing less than a full frontal assault on the civic deification of Rudolph W Giuliani that occurred in the days after Sept 11, 2001, when much of the news coverage shined a spotlight on his steady hand.




Hillary Clinton Sings National Anthemn

The incredibly off-key singing of Senato Hillary Clinton, wife of former US president Bill Clinton, gets picked up by microphones at an event in Iowa in January this year. Her butchering of the US national anthem garnered comments like 'Tone deaf, but a great first woman president' and 'Tone deaf, even more reasons to hate her.'

Story Between Tom & Sanrio

This week seems to be a BIRTHDAY week. Afew friends birthday falls on this week. There's Pat, Lynn, HJ, Junming plus 2 other colleagues.

On friday, had a birthday lunch with 'Sanrio' at Singapore Swimming Club after our morning event ended. OK .. it was more like a treat from boss. And in the afternoon, celebrated 'Sanrio'' & 'Tom's birthday in the office.

XF bought a big cake and 2 mini cakes. I thought it was pretty cute. One had a tom picture on it and the other had a sanrio design. It was funny ... looking at the two mini-cakes, it reminded me of what boss casually mentioned to me in the car just afew days back. Can't remember what we were talking but out of the blue, he asked me what does 'Sanrio' look for in a guy? And actually, he thinks that 'Tom' & 'Sanrio' actually makes a good couple. If we think so, then we ought to be doing something for them.

Huh? Can't believe that this is coming from boss. But in the first place, i think 'Tom' has a girlfriend overseas but not sure if they are still together coz. he doesn't like to talk about his private life to us.

So naturally when i see the 2 mini-cakes, i had a good laugh. What was even funnier was that when they cut the birthday cake together, it looks as if they were cutting the wedding cake. This was what afew of my colleagues commented infront of them. And the funny thing was that both of them just laughed.

Ha ha ..... a little éntertainment' in the midst of a busy week.

My Vibes

As i travelled home just now, i felt rather heavy burdened for a friend. Actually, it has been something which has been bothering me for awhile. I think it has not been once but a couple of times about the disturbing dream that i had. It seems so real, which explains why i am troubled by it.

But rite now where i am, i just felt that i am waiting for it to happen.And i simply hate this feeling. It's as if i am waiting for the day to tell my friend that i actually knew it would happen. Not that anyone has told me but it's as if God has 'revealed' to me some time back .... which explains the heavy load in my heart. And i'm wondering and asking myself ..... is it just my thoughts? my presumptions? But the load in my heart is still heavy. Did God revealed to me because of specific reasons? What does he wants to convey to me? Is he training me to hear from him accurately? It's like hey, this is the second part of things which i did not tell u. And this is the second part of things which been bothering me quite alot.

Especially so when i saw the expression of another friend sometime back. In my heart, i was telling myself .... please ... the strange look, the disbelief ... it's as if that God has 'revealed' the same things. It's just that we did not tell anyone abt it.

This reminds me of something which happened many years back. The 'vibes' which i am getting is pretty similar. Years ago, a friend left Singapore to get married to her long-time aussie boyfriend overseas. Very near to the wedding day, i dreamt about the wedding. My friend was in church in her wedding gown but as i got a closer look at the groom, it was not an aussie but and asian. I woke up feeling totally puzzled and in disbelief. True enough, a week later, i got to know that the wedding was called off. The strange thing is that there were 2 - 3 other friends who 'testified' that it was 'revealed'to them as well. And yes, my friend is happily married to an australian chinese afew years back and has several kids already.

All i can say now is that i pray hard that it's just one of my wild thoughts and it will not come true. Maybe i am too stressed and thought too much. But yes, if it's really God talking to me, yeap ... i heard it loud and clear.

Big, Round & Beautiful

Today, a close friend came to me and said "Have you heard"?. With such a question, well ... it was quite easy for me to guess the answer. Yes, my dear friend is pregnant. And i told her ... 'Oh , i actually dreamt that you were pregnant when we were on holiday together during the labour day period'. At that time, God revealed it to me and when i opened my eyes and saw my friend sleeping next to me, trust me ... i was so tempted to tell her. But i didn''t.

It's strange but God has been putting quite a heavy burden in my heart these couple of months to pray for her. And eachtime i see her, i am so tempted to pull her aside and tell her that i want to pray for her in this area. But then, i didn't want to add any stress or pressure on her. So, i just prayed and interceded for her.

It's funny but somehow, it seems that God has given me a 'niche area' to specialise in in-terms of pregnancy. Whenever i dream that friends get pregnant, it comes true most of the time. It hasn't just happen once or twice but many times. And there are also many occassions which i will know the sex of the baby. Strange!

Anyway my dear friend ... if you are reading it, you'll know that this is for u. I just want to say Congratulations! May you be blessed in many ways as you await your baby's birth. Rejoicing with you for the answered prayers. God is so good.

"I prayed for this child and the Lord granted me what i asked of him" (1 Sam 1:27)

"For the eyes of the Lord is on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer .." (1 Peter 3:12)

Sports Day?

Friday was kind of an ínformal sports day' for most of us in the office. On thursday, i heard some of my colleagues talking about this place called Stardust and something about booking the courts. Later do i realise that they were trying to book the badminton courts and try out the facilities there.

Call it coincidence or what, ha ha ... i was trying to arrange for a game of badminton with afew friends at that time.

My colleagues had originally planned to play in 2 weeks time. But somehow, the courts were full. It turns out that everyone was free on friday. So change of plans, we'll play on friday instead.

Well, it was kind of impronto but we had fun. May's husband, Grey came to join us too. But it was funny. There were 9 of us and we had only 1 court for 1 hour. Some of us played along the corridor (just outside the court).



We all had a great time and i guess we'll organise another game soon. The last game which we had together was donkey years ago ... i think it was 2 years back. That was the last time i played badminton too. Hopefully, we'll organise again in 2 weeks or 2 months time. Not 2 years.

Dinner @ JCC

I finished work early on wednesday. Ended up at Jurong Country Club for dinner with Mabel and Tricia.The food is good and there's a salad bar (similar to sizzler). But i guess the best thing was the price. We had 50% discount because Tricia works at the club.

We had a great time catching up with eachother. But too bad we were all in a rush. Tricia still had alot of work to do and Mabel and me had to rush off for cg. Well, we'll be back!

Down with Migrane

Friends who know me well enough knows that i am very prone to migrane and vomitting. Just this morning, i was awaken in the wee hours because of a throbbing headache followed by what i do best ... throwing up. But well ... it was nothing but water & my throat was hurting real bad.

I'm one of those people who is very sensitive to hot weather. No kidding .. i will have terrible migranes due to hot weather & high humidity. Well, the weather is just so hot lately and my room is like a sauna, even with the air-con and fan on at the same time. Even the toilet walls are hot.

Sigh .. this has been going on for many years, ever since i return from Melbourne.Because of the migrane, had to miss a birthday lunch celebration with some friends and spend the day sleeping in. There goes my saturday.

Over The Rainbow

The first time i heard this song, "Over the Rainbow" by the late-hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, it was during my cousin's wedding. I fell in love with it immediatedly. The seond time was when i was in a bookshop.

The song "Over the Rainbow" was written to showcase Judy Garland's talents in the star movie : The Wizard of Oz.

I love the rhythm and melody, and it makes me feels positive about life and the things around me. It speaks about the possibilities, from the sadness of raindrops to the bright new world 'over the rainbow'. It expresses the childlike faith that Heaven will magically "open a door" to a place where "troubles melt like lemon-drops". But most importantly, a reminder that the rainbow is a gift from God and the seal of his convenant with mankind (Gen 9:8-17).



Lyrics for: Over The Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow... way up high

There's a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow... skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops...

That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow... blue birds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow... why oh why can't I?

If happy little blue birds fly beyond the rainbow

Why ..oh why can't I?

There have been many versions sang by hundreds of artists such as Eva Cassidy, Emi Mujita, Barbara Streisand, Cliff Richard, Eric Clapton, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Jim Brickman. No surprise as it's the best song of academy award in 1939. It's an all time favourite.

Britain's Got Talent: Paul Potts

The first time I saw Paul Potts sing was through a clip that was posted up on a friend’s blog. He is simply amazing and unbelievable. I have to admit that tears just flowed down so uncontrollably when I watched it. He had me tearing because i was overwhelmed by the emotion of his performance. It was simply breath-taking and he had a fabulous voice. He is such a talent. Based on his physical appearance, well .. he looked like he couldn’t sing. He looked nerdy with the missing front tooth. He looked as if he lacks self-confidence. And he looks … ordinary.

When asked what he was going to do and he said sing opera, there were glances between the renowned judges which suggested little expectation. He has no stage presence, and was very insecure. He looked as if he was making a fool of himself. However, when Paul Potts opened his mouth and sang the very moving Nessen Dorma, the judges and the audience realised they were seeing something rather special. There was an amazing beauty inside that he could share with the world.

Didn’t realize that he was actually the newly discovered winner of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ (BGT), a British television show. The talent show premiered on 9 June 2007, and was broadcast daily with a live final on 17 June 2007. It is a search of Brtain’s next best amateur talent act. The winner of the show will also perform in front of the Queen and members of the Royal Family at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool.

Britain's Got Talent - Paul @ Audition



As I look at Paul in the clip, it became natural of me to reflect on my own life accomplishments. What gifts has God given me? I remembered as a kid, I always told Cindy (my ‘small auntie’) that I felt inferior because I think I’m someone who has absolutely no talent. I didn’t have the confidence, not like other kids who were good in some ways or the other. Some people were excellent with their studies, good at playing musical instruments, sports etc … well, I had none. Cindy could play the piano, well … I couldn’t. She represents the school debate team, well ….i’m not the kind who could argue my way through, let alone be in the debate team.

I remembered the last conversation which I had with her on this topic as a kid was at the carpark at Flame Tree Park, the condominium which my uncle used to stay many years ago. She would encourage me and told me that it was wrong to think that way, and prayed together with me.

Tears rolled down as I took in my emotions as I watched Paul sings. It reminded me of the need to have the courage to dig down and find the confidence needed to display whatever talent or abilities I have within. For those seconds, I felt that I could relate with him. I believe inside all of us, there is this hope that someday somebody will really see us, hear us, and recognize that we’re unique even though we are just very ordinary people.

He has been a nobody all his life. He, and perhaps only he, knows he has greatness inside of him. He feels massively insecure, afraid of rejection, unsure of himself. In those few seconds at the at the end of song, you could feel that he has put the void behind him, and his life will probably changed forever because he called up the courage at that moment to show what he was really made of. There was greatness, long denied, finally being born.

Britain's Got Talent - Paul @ Semi Finals



Britains's Got Talent - Finals



Britain's Got Talent - Results/Announcement of Winner



It is truly inspirational!

Greetings from Netherlands

Kim & Steph are real lucky kids. They have travelled to so many different countries and well, stayed in different countries too. The next trip for them, gee ..... 3 weeks holiday in Colorado and California in 3 weeks time. Wish i could be there. But well, at least ... my consolation is that i will be travelling to Hanoi for work at that same time. So don't feel so bad. Will be my first trip to Hanoi and am looking forward to it. Perhaps .... looking forward more to visiting Halong Bay. Ha ha!

Makansutra

Had lunch at Ikoi Japanese Restaurant which is at Miramar hotel afew days back. The place was recommended by one of my interns. Apparently, his dad's friend works there. 2 of my colleagues have eatten there before and they kind of recommended it to us.

OK ... it all started because of our Japan trip. It seems that we were still in the 'japan fever'. Never got tired of japanese food. Once during lunch time, to satisfy our craving .... the few of us walked to Waraku @ Central for lunch.

And for Ikoi Jap. Restaurant, it was because my colleague just came back from Osaka and she was craving for jap. food. It's $30 +++ per person and it seems to be a very popular place. There are lots of pictures taken with celebs pasted on the wall near the entrance.

To start it off, they will serve you several items without you ordering it. Such as:



The edamame beans and salad stick dip.



Japanese Sashimi Appetiser



Soup in a mini-teapot. (Call them innovative or well, sample size).



There's fish soup.

And other delicious items such as these:



Generous servings of sashimi



Yakitori Stick



Tofu



Shishamo

And many others ........

The only drawback is that the place is small and can be extremly crowded.So if possible, do make a reservation before coming.

A must-go for Japanese food lovers who want value for money.

Here's the address:
Ikoi Japanese Restaurant,
Miramar Hotel
Tel: 68873788

Book in advance if you want to go.

Festival of Praise 2007

I'm a big fan of Festival of Praise (FOP). The annual FOP is back again on 3 - 5 Aug 07. Come and be renewed with Mike MacIntosh, Don Moen and Delirious? for a time of passionate praise and worship.


Details are as follows:

Date: 3 - 5 August

Times:

Fri (3 Aug): 1930h

Sat (4 Aug): 1900h

Sun (5 Aug): 1900h

Venue:

Singapore Indoor Stadium
2 Stadium Walk
Singapore 397691
Contact: +65 6737-6266

The Grand Old Dame: National Stadium

The National Stadium holds many fond memories for many of us. In its 34 years of service, it has hosted many National Day Parades and unforgettable events.

For myself, it has to be the "Malaysia Cup" finals in 1994, the last win by the Singapore team in the game. Not because the Singapore team was no longer good but because Singapore withdrew from the competition following a dispute with the Football Association of Malaysia over gate receipts.

I went to the game with my family and cousins. There were 8 of us and the experience and atmosphere was simply electrifying, a feeling which i will never forget. There was a spirit of unity, and i felt really proud to be a Singaporean standing on its ground, and of course, participating in the Kallang Wave. I was wearing a red t-shirt then, as an act of support to the Singapore team. The star players at that time - Fandi Ahmad, Lim Tong Hai, Nazri Nasir, V. Sundramoorthy, Abdul Malek, Steven Tan etc ... were familiar names which were close to heart. Mom & Dad had a friend who has a stall there for many years and whenever we were there, they will visit their friend.

Another event was the S.E.A games. I was there for the preview of the opening ceremony, and my brother was part of the çard-formation team.

And lastly, there were the National Day Parades. Not that i was there, but i could always see part of the fireworks from my home (for those fireworks that were shot up really high). And as a child, i would run up to my grandma's room with my cousin and brother trying to see as much as we could ... while the rest of the family would be contented from what they see from the tv.

These will be fond memories!