My boys' Co-curricular Activities (CCA) in school

All students in Singapore must participate in some co-curricular activities in the school, either in sport/games, uniformed group, performing arts or clubs/societies. It is hope that CCA will help to inculcate team spirit, sharing and bonding among peers; and further enhance a person's character.

However, gone were those days that the students could choose CCA based on their interests. To be eligible for selection into certain sports or games, you have to possess more than average skills. Novice would never stand a chance to enter sports CCA. One has to go through selection process; only those who are deemed talented will be shortlisted.

My older boy, Cheng Kai, managed to get into Chinese Orchestra, playing the Chinese Flute (Dizhi). During the selection process, he had to demonstrate to the instructor his ability to "generate" some vocal sound from the flute. Fortunately, he had tried "blowing" Chinese Flute with his uncle before, and manged to "blow out"some tune during the selection. Those who could not were apparently rejected.

Cheng Kai (middle)

He participated in the just completed SYF (Singapore Youth Festival) competition recently. His school Chinese Orchestra team has won Certificate of Distinction in this year's competition! Cheng Kai will "retire" from his CCA from this week to concentrate on his impending "O" Level examination this year.

My second and youngest boy, Cheng Jie, was fortunate to be a volleyball player during Primary School days. Hence, he was easily accepted into the school team. He was quite shot among his peers; but being quite agile and physically fit, he was trained to be a Liberal for the team. They did quite well last year - managed to win Second place for National C Division (lower secondary) for Volleyball, losing only to Bukit Panjang High School.  But this year (secondary 3), they could only manage to win Second placing in Zonal B Division, and lost out to stronger opponents in the quarterfinal at National Level.

Cheng Jie (right)

 I wishes his volleyball team will perform better in next year's National "B" Division Tournament.

"Baby sitting" my adolescent boys

My wife went off to Melbourne to pay Cheng Yee a visit since last week. I am left with my two adolescent boys, Cheng Kai and Cheng Jie, to look after at home. All the clothes had been ironed, and the floor mopped clean before my wife left for Melbourne. My main task is to ensure my boys go to school on time, take their meals regularly and complete their school works on time. And of course, to make sure that they do some additional worksheets during their free time.

Snap shot my wife and I at Changi Airport Departure Hall

It has been rather uneventful until yesterday, when all of us woke up late in the morning. The boys were supposed to reach school before 7.15 am. The alarm from my handp hone rang at 5.45 am. I shut it off and thought I would just take a short break (shutting my eyes in "meditation") before waking up the boys. But alas, the next thing I knew, it was already 6.10 am. Immediately I surged to full emergency mode, rushed to wake the boys up, prepared milo drinks for them, and took a quick shower myself. We were all ready by 6.40am. Fortunately, the drive to the school was quite smooth - no snarling traffics for once - and we managed to reach the school by 7.20 am. Not bad at all.

Last Sunday had been quite busy with emergency calls as well. I was called to attend to a newborn who had some grunting immediately after birth at around 6 am. I decided to complete the morning round, seeing my other inpatients in Mt Elizabeth Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and Mt Alvernia Hospital. By the time I completed the round, it was already 10 am - time for breakfast at Jurong West Hawker Centre. Guess what, we ordered our favourite Laksa and Penang Fried Koay Teow as usual.

laksa, sugar cane drink, penang koay teow (from front to back)

But alas, I was called to see a child with lethargic and poor feeding secondary to gastroenteritis at around 1 pm, then again at 5pm to review the same newborn baby that I saw in the early morning - he started to develop chest retraction, which usually implied thatsome kind of respiratory distress. After reviewing the child, I was called to attend to a child with an episode of loss of consciousness - query fainting versus seizure. Fortunately I managed to take our dinner before I rushed off to review those patients. 

Finally, I managed to discharge all my patients except one yesterday. It was a less taxing day today! What a relief!

As you could see, I hardly had time to "baby sit" the two boys. I trust that they would do what is right - i.e. complete their homework, do some revision work books and readings (if time permit). And of course, not forgetting to allow them some spare time to indulge in computer games sporadically. Fortunately, apart from occasional reminders, I must say my boys behave quite responsively over the past few days.  

Craving - cause of suffering!

I must admit that life has been very kind to me.
As my wife put it, I have been blessed through and through - managed to enter into good schools during younger days, did well in major school exams, clinched a place in the much sought after medical studies, successfully completed specialty and then subspecialty training in my preferred choices, and gainfully employed. I never had to worry about being turned down in job interview, seemed to well liked by peers and colleagues, and most importantly relatively spared of risk of being retrenched in this age of economical restructuring. The transition of work from public to private institution had also been quite smooth.
What further can I ask for? I should be contented with what I possess.

However, human nature is such that we tend to crave for more things, perhaps to pamper our, and sometimes to show off to others that we have "arrived"!
At times, I envy my friends who drive luxurious cars and stay in big landed houses. I feel inferior when reading news report of child prodigies who excel in their studies. I am amazed at how some savvy investors who do not hold any professional degrees managed to amass great wealth and properties during the property  boom over the past decades.
These little cravings inevitably bring forth tinge of unhappiness and dejection. It then strikes me that Buddha's teaching that "life is full of suffering" and the main cause of suffering stems from "craving" for things that are not ours... How true!

We should be contented with what we have. Yes, we can work hard to achieve our aims of leading a good life for ourselves and our families; but it should not come at the expense of our health and others wellbeing.We should not be jealous of the achievement / success of others. It will be wonderful if we can rejoice with success of others. If not, the least we can do is not to harbour any ill feelings towards their success.

In other words, be happy with what we have. In time of adversity, keep our spirits up and never give up. Never let negative emotions overwhelm us! There will always be light at the end of the tunnel. As the Chinese saying goes "知足常满" (once you are contented with what you have, you will always be happy)!

Snapshots of exercise trail

Gaining in age and inevitably in weight as well.
To combat the expanding abdominal girth, and for the sake of maintaining overall physical health, I have started to be serious about brisk walking/jogging.
My exercise haunts are Mac Ritchie Reservoir, Yew Tee Park or Yew Tee Park Connector next to my dwelling place.
Below are some of the snapshots of my exercise trails:

Boardwalk along Mac Ritchie

Tree top trail

Tree top

Mac Ritchie Reservoir

Mac Ritchie Reservoir

Hanging Tree @ Mac Ritchie

Mac Ritchie Reservoir is one of the best places for exercises. The air is fresh, and scenery is simply charming and always. The calming, Zen-like ambiance is truly intoxicating!

The park connector cutting through Yew Tee is a little bit too "artificial" - but still the jogging trail is clean and the river (or is it man made canal) running along the jogging trail is a welcome sight. It adds some softness to the concrete atmosphere.

Yew Tee Park Connector

Park Connector

The pillars supporting MRT track

Housing estate along the Park connector

                                                

And surprise, surprise! We were at Pasir Ris Park just a few weeks ago:

The Bros

Can you spot the snake?

Mangrove trees