One in a million, really

Photography by: Samuel Koh

One in a million, what are the odds, that we are alive in such a time and place;

We are called for greatness, everyone of us;

To make a difference, no matter stature or rank;

And to benefit other people, whether young or old.

...

If only we first make the choice to take the first step, to turn the wheel, to ignite the fire.



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Endjoy

End-Joy

The uplifting, happy emotion that comes from seeing a long drawn project nearing a successful completion.

Also, an alternative term for suicide.


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Steady on men

never was there such An Accomplished Day then today.

the School;

the Production; Looked Over and Improved

the Teacher; Listened, Questioned, Shocked

the Squad; Comment, Thought, Implementation


the Store;

the Front Porch; Categorized, Arranged, Secured

the Hall; Painted, Lighted, Ventilated

the Rear; Lighted, Ventilated, Planned


the Relaxation;

the Dinner; Flavourful, (Small) Portion, Closing

the Game; Irritation, Transpose, Set Back


the House;

the Room; Discussion, Debate, Direction

the Squad; Direction, Deduction, Selection


the Ride;

the Road; Fatigue, Training, Strength


the Home;

the Bed; Rest, Relax, Recharge


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The Greatest Book in the World!

While browsing for books at Bras Basah Complex, an interesting book came into my purview.

It was all moldy and worm eaten, falling apart and dusty but it's title, highlighted in Gold remained;

"The Greatest Book in the World"

Indeed a most eye catching phrase, bold and brash words reaching out and demanding it's just audience.

Interested, I picked up the tome and turned past the first page, finding myself reading.....

the Bible.


Gotcha!

But a pleasant surprise nonetheless.


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The strangest things

Baptism

1. A religious sacrament marked by the symbolic application of water to the head or immersion of the body into water and resulting in admission of the recipient into the community of Christians.
2. A ceremony, trial, or experience by which one is initiated, purified, or given a name.

Originates from the Greek work "baptizo" and which originated from "bapto" which means to dip. Evidently, it was used in the second part of a ancient Greek process for pickling vegetables, the first being to boil the vegetables and the second to dip the vegetables in vinegar to change the composure of the vegetable and to kill the bacteria within. Similarly as Christians, when we go through water baptism, we go in with our sins and leave a changed person, leaving our sins behind.

So, have you been pickled yet?


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Stories that transcend time

Mansfield Park, arguably Jane Austens' best work and now firmly in my favourites list.

I bought an unedited version, complete with arcane English words, phrases and speech. Set in the early 18th century, it brings us to a gentler time, a time of manners, culture and uprightness where ladies wore petticoats, horse carriages abound and fathers were addressed as Sir. This story is now in it's 195th year of existence, but remains surprisingly readable and the characters actions, motives and weakness, shockingly modern.

The heroine is Miss Fanny Price. Fragile and pure, sweet and sensible, yet firm and unyielding in conduct and position. She does not give way to evil for pleasure but stands up to it firmly as it backs down before her. Everyone else plays a supporting role to her, ironic as in the main part of the book she is silent as a mouse, neglected, overworked and under appreciated. Yet with quiet strength she manages to persevere and win her place in the sun where she so rightfully deserves. The story ends well, almost wearyingly commonplace as the hero once again marries the heroine and all is right with the world. But after her many trials and tribulations, tests of courage, fortitude and willpower, the ending is justly rosy and not with a sigh of relief that all is well with her. A timeless classic well worth a read.


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A thought;

Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens I adore, but it is not progress if I cannot even engage my own grandparents in casual conversation.


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Winston Churchill on the tough times ahead;

"If you are going through hell, keep going."

On Books and Simplicity

Because over thinking more often then not hinders rather then help a person.

I have in hand a copy of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park printed by Penguin Books as part of their Penguin Classics Collection. But what matters most is the price tag: £2. That is a lot of book for the price. Sure, it's printed on toilet paper and the print type is ancient and squashed but there is a certain charm that belies it. I pick up a book and I feel much more connected to the original author then any other collector's edition series. The english script used, while modern (I'm sure it was tweaked), is styled in the late 19th century, so it takes a bit to get used to it. I enjoy reading British Authors, especially the classics, because they all have a certain way to approach the subject; through over elaboration and skirting the issue while remaining relevant.

The best thing about the book? (other then the outrageously low price)

Simplicity.

It's a pure book, minimal advertising, mini reviews and no flashy covers. The authors name and the title dominates the cover of the book; A page seperates the reader from diving into the main content of the book. Certainly, I can see myself bringing it on the train and the bus to while away the time with old friends that I've never met, but through their words have shared something dear from their hearts over to me.


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Slurring speech, aching knees, tired body but a clear mind

Hello all,

I'm chatting from the stupor of approximately 12 shots of vodka, tequila and whiskey, mixed with orange, mangosteen and cola. Not together of course. Please forgive my English, as while my mind is clear, the transmission to the fingers is a bit... well muddled. My actions, while not angelic, is certainly permissible. 

School is over. I can't bloody believe it. After 3 years of tertiary and 10 years of compulsory education, it's over. Education and I have swapped roles; once it was my master, having complete control over me. Now it's my slave, moving along to my whims and desires. I choose what I wish to study, not what it wishes to teach me. I like that. 

Then of course there's the army. The rite of passage; A mans' journey; The two years of hell; Where ones' opinion does not matter, only the will of the Overlord. Sounds familiar? Some see it as an opportunity to serve ones' country. Some see this as a burden to oneself. I am of the former. I am idealistic about this, but it's just the way I operate; not about myself, but for the greater good.

Honestly though, even though this is what I've been dreaming about for the past few years, I am still apprehensive about the unknown. Cowardice? Maybe, but I am still going to have a hack at it. 

Then afterwards? Work Work Work. All of my friends are talking about university placements and the such. Bah. Education is my bitch now, not my master. I'll decide what it can teach me, not take what I can now, thank you very much. I'll rather take a break from the druggery of studying to something else more exciting and real time. Sure I'll fall, sure I'll fail, but I'll pick myself up, brush off the dust and run ever faster.

And the future? Whether it be a nuclear catastrophe, a environmental collapse, or another 2 million years of steady slogging ahead, Only the lord knows.

But I dearly hope that I can have a chance, in this world, to make a difference, to someone, somewhere, somehow. 

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