Little Red Dot Press - The passing 23 Feb 2006

The recent passing of an elder stateman had once again whipped up a frenzy of nostagic memories on all media mediums.

He lived till a ripe 90, almost touching his 91st birthday. My maternal grandfather too passed away at this age.

I remembered I had to do an interview with him over his account of WWII. He mentioned of days having to dig up tapocia for meals, the fears of womenfolk getting snatched away by the Japanese troops and parents hastily marrying their daughters off, in an attempt to prevent them from being taken away.

I was away at sea, barely a day or two away from SG when he passed away. He was fortunate. He had managed to see the great-grandchildren (IE my nephew and nieces) coming of age. Indeed, not many can live to see great-grandchildren these days... at the pace of which WE, this generation get married and have children.

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Death... is not an issue on the minds of many young adults here. Even more so, in the modern society where vibrancy is sooooo keenly felt.

Young adults have more on their mind than to think of Death. Bills, what Nokia/Samsung phone to get with my bonus, how much is ah gong giving out, where are the best sales, which charbo swee can ONZ or not...

Making a name for themselves, bogged down with other issues constantly bombarding them "Aiyoh.. how OLD liao?! STILL not MARRIED! When your auntie was your age hor, I already have two kids liao?!"

Technically, you get my drift.

Recently have been involved in a forum discussions on meditation and it certainly helped me to pick up my form again. Yes, at writing again. (Else WHAT are you looking at here?! haha)

I have been fortunate. At my age, I have seen almost half the world, experienced those chilling North European winds and rains; been through a Saudi Arabian summer *W-A-T-E-R-!*; seen Mount Fuji in its natural beauty; got whistled by some MALE Iranian; got almost enveloped by Thai girls when the ship called upon in Laem Chabang; trekked through a small backward village in Nantong, Jiangsu, PRC; sailed into Tripoli, Libya (only regret was not able to meet Gaddafi!)

Of course, my life would have been dull if not for the entry and the followed-on departure of my ex-girlfriends. And even before I forget, the additions in my Syn family lineage, thanks to the hard work by my brother and sis-in-law, 3 lovable rascals who can make you laugh and cry at the same time.

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Now, almost at the peak of my sea career, I have to say that my almost-30 years is nothing but fufilling.

So if the higher beings have to take me away, I am all ready to go.

So much for today. The Editor will be posting again on an ad-hoc basis. Catch me again at another time.

Little Red Dot Press - Delayed 09 Jan 06

A call from my study mate seemed to indicate that my exam date is going nowhere, apparently said, the test date for the first part of the exam (simulator) is to be held on the 27th of this month.

Goodness, that leaves me with another two weeks and a further waiting period of unknown days to come.

I have been back since end Oct... from the looks of it, I better tighten up my belt again. How about bumming for six months?

I would say my bum is itching to get back to work again. Going back to sea seems a little distant now, and I have yet to appear for job interviews. Not to worry, the openings are available. In my industry, the openings for jobs come not by advertisement but by word of mouth and recommendations.

The local shipping scene is small enough to take in new and young dinosaurs like me. The older generation have begun to start greying and the future looks bright to me, if you might ask.

So much for now... getting kinda bored stuck waiting for the block to fall upon my neck *laughs*

This is your editor back to studies again.