The Other Kitty

Because my brown cat is a lot more obliging, and a lot more comfortable being held and cuddled and stroked, he gets most of the attention from friends and guests alike. Indeed, he is the one who has to do the PR work when my cats are the focus of conversations, considering letting guests and strangers pat and carry him, gamely putting on a show of enjoying the attention, which to be fair, he does at times.

But that does not meant that my black cat does not have character. He is not featured on this blog as much simply because he is so elusive, and dare I say, paranoid and anti-social - which makes picture-snapping really difficult.

But, as I said, he does have his eccentricities. For one, he is hardly content to lie on his tummy like his older 'brother', spending more time on his back or sitting.




He is also not slow to improvise and make use of tools and/or accessories. For one thing, he is best friends with the magnetic doorstop, using it both as an unorthdox head support....






As well as a footrest....

Birthday In Vietnam - Part 2

The fact that the wedding ended early meant two things. On the slightly downside, it meant that it was early enough for my Mum to decide that it being my birthday, and she being connected to me (and thus my lucky birthday star), it would be a good idea for her to go back to the Sheraton to max out her jackpot winnings. On the plus side, it meant that I didn't need to go back straight away to my Mum's place and could walk around the city at night.

As I said before, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrast and that is obvious in the city itself where opulent buildings with luxurious interiors like the Saigon Hyatt stand out against the backdrop of ceaseless traffic...



While across the road, a very functional but bustling and thriving food business provides a hearty supper for many a hungry city-goer.



Indeed, I think there is a charm to Saigon's streets at night, ranging from the roadsdide foodstalls that seem to inhabit every corner...



To the pub (and therefore Western tourist) areas....



And the wide boulevard outside the old Opera House which teems with traffic late into the night.



Incidentally, my Mum actually did win a few hundred dollars more and went back happy. Which is why early in the morning the day after, she wanted to continue the streak despite my heavy protestations that it was no longer my birthday. That did mean that I got to walk around again and this time chanced upon a shopping centre containing a supermarket.



Now, I always like visiting foreign supermarkets as I think they make for a good starting point for comparison of prices of basic, common products. Besides that, we also get to see what unique stuff they stock which cannot be found in Singapore. And it was interesting, what with having to deposit our bags at a security counter and all. The array of products was also fascinating but alas, just as I began snapping, a salesgirl ran up to me shouting something unintelligible followed by "Khong Duoc". Considering she was pointing to my camera, I didn't ask her to give an English translation.




And I also managed to catch a snack at of Bun Rieu, which is crab noodle at a roadside stall. It was very decent, but not of the top class variety (which is laden with fresh crab meat) which is only to be expected since my dish cost less than one Singapore dollar...




And that was about all the stuff of note for this particular trip to Vietnam

Self-Pity

"If there is something less useful that one could do than to constantly daydream about the future, it would be to ceaselessly rue the past..." - The Slug

I think that in years gone by, one of my greatest failings was my reluctance to rouse myself into action to make my dreams a reality.

It just struck me, however, that in recent times, I have stopped even my day dreaming, spending instead most of my reflective moments wondering what might have been:- if this circumstance had been slightly less harsh, that result slightly better, if those events had played out differently.... If I had done some things earlier, said some things differently, chose another path, made a different selection....

But I would like to think that it is too early for me to concede that the time has come where life begins to take away more than it gives. So maybe, for a start, I will start dreaming again.

Then at least I will once again be clearer about what I want out of life, where I want to go. Leaving only the small matter of how to get there...

Birthday In Vietnam - A Vietnamese Wedding

I had thought the rest of my photos of my Vietnam trip were gone after my hard disk came down with a severe virus infection. Thankfully, some of them were retrieved. What all this means is that there was quite a hiatus between this and Part 1 of the series of intended posts, however.

Anyway....

My Mum had told me originally that we would go somewhere posh to eat Pho on my birthday. That was before she remembered that she had promised to attend the wedding of a colleague's son. So that was how I was going to cross over into my 35th year (my birth cert says I was born at 9:07pm!)

Anyhow, my Mum had told me that it was being held at quite an upmarket restaurant by Vietnamese standards so the food should be good. The place was situated somewhere away from the city centre and the wedding was held in a large hall. It looked ok, but was markedly smaller than most of the grand ballrooms that one would find in the hotels in Singapore, though.







I was actually quite keen to see what the difference in spread was between a Singapore wedding and a Vietnamese one. And I wasn't disappointed. First up was a dish of cold shrimp and meat mixed with vegetables. I don't really eat my veggies so I can't really tell you much about it.



Next, they brought out a 'burner' with a covered dish cooking on top. We were to use the burner quite a lot for the rest of the night.



And the dish turned out to be.... Steamed Prawns, which, again, were ok, as they tasted to me like what large steam prawns taste the world over.




That was followed by grilled pork ribs, which went with 'Man Tou', or friend buns. They were nice, but had quite a lot of fat and were a little tough on my gappy teeth, resulting in rather heavy usage of the tooth picks.


'

Then the 'burner' was called into use again. This time for a beef stew which went with sliced mini-bagguete loaves. This was a lot more tender and the broth very smooth.



Next, we had some kind of Vietnamese steamboat, which, for my uneducated pallete, tasted kind of like Singapore steamboat.



And then there was a typical platter of sliced fruits and then we were done! I couldn't believe it - that the dinner, although boisterous and very merry, could terminate so quickly. I think there is much to be said for a wedding dinner set up this way actually - it started on time, provided enough for everybody to eat, had a reasonable interval between dishes (not too draggy) and was bereft of all the long speeches, costume changes and tributes which make some weddings interminably in Singapore, when it seems that the couple and their family are trying too hard to show how important the occasion is to them (which of course it is, but still).

To put it bluntly, the Vietnamese system seems to draw a nice balance between people wanting to be present to share the joy (for a certain amount of time) but also having their own lives to lead on a weekend (which they are prevented from doing if the wedding drags on). There is no symbolic yam seng-ing where people try to hold the syllables for as long as possible. Their toasts are short and forceful, the Vietnamese equivalent of "Cheers!", I surmise.

There was some pre-wedding entertainment, this time in the form of a Spanish dance (which I unfortunately failed to snap, for the girls were quite comely) and a congratulatory speech but that was about it. We were not interrupted mid-dinner for another round of discourses or anecdotal stories, which suited me fine. Instead, guests were invited to show their appreciation by coming on stage to sing songs dedicated specially to the happy couple. I was surprised when singers were not only forthcoming but very, very good, ably backed up by a competent band who seemed to know the accompaniment for every song chosen. I asked my Mum if they were actually professional singers planted in the midst and that if everything was pre-planned but she assured me that they were all guests, for she knew some of them.



So that was it for my one and only Vietnamese wedding thus far.

Heartwarming Tweets From Japan

I'm sure a lot of you have already seen these, but I'm putting them up anyway. Despite being mostly translations, some were so touching I almost cried...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At Tokyo Disneyland :

Tokyo Disneyland was handing out its shops’ food and drinks for free to the stranded people nearby. I saw a bunch of snobby looking highschool girls walking away with large portions of it and initially though “What the …” But I later I found out they were taking them to the families with little children at emergency evacuation areas. Very perceptive of them, and a very kind thing to do indeed.

* 国連からのメッセージ

http://twitter.com/akitosk/status/46302222346223616

国連からのコメント「日本は今まで世界中に援助をしてきた援助大国だ。今回は国連が全力で日本を援助する。」 に感動した。良い事をしたら戻ってくるのです。これがいい例なのです

Message from the UN

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon: “ Japan is one of (the UN’s) most generous and strongest benefactors, coming to the assistance of those in need the world over. In that spirit, the United Nations stands by the people of Japan and we will do anything and everything we can at this very difficult time.” I was moved at his words. What better example that good things happen to those who do good.

* 渋滞した交差点での出来事

http://twitter.com/micakom/status/46264887281848320

一回の青信号で１台しか前に進めないなんてザラだったけど、誰もが譲り合い穏やかに運転している姿に感動した。複雑な交差点で交通が５分以上完全マヒするシーンもあったけど、１０時間の間お礼以外のクラクションの音を耳にしなかった。恐怖と同時に心温まる時間で、日本がますます好きになった。

At a congested downtown intersection …

Cars were moving at the rate of maybe one every green light, but everyone was letting each other go first with a warm look and a smile. At a complicated intersection, the traffic was at a complete standstill for 5 minutes, but I listened for 10 minutes and didn’t hear a single beep or honk except for an occasional one thanking someone for giving way. It was a terrifying day, but scenes like this warmed me and made me love my country even more.

* 揺れている最中でも・・・

http://twitter.com/gj_neko26/statuses/46394706481004544

聞いた話でびっくりしたのが、とっさに「入口の確保」と揺れてるにも関わらず、あの状況で歩いて入口を開けた人が居たのが凄いと思った。正直、シャンデリアも証明も何時落ちるか分からないのに、凄く勇敢な人が居た事に感動した。

During the earthquake

We’ve all been trained to immediately open the doors and establish an escape route when there is an earthquake. In the middle of the quake while the building was shaking crazily and things falling everywhere, a man made his way to the entrance and held it open. Honestly, the chandelier could have crashed down any minute … that was a brave man!

* バス停で・・・

http://twitter.com/yunico_jp/status/46168394755612672

バスが全然来ない中、@saiso が、バス停の前にある薬局でカイロを買ってきて、並んで待ってる人みんなに配った！

Bus stop mini episode:

It was freezing and bus was taking ages to arrive. “@saiso” left the queue to run to a nearby pharmacy. He bought heating pads and gave one to everyone in the queue!

* ディズニーシーにて

http://twitter.com/kfstudio/status/46390032776437760

ディズニーシーに一泊した娘、無事帰宅しました！キャストのみなさんが寒い中でも笑顔で接してくれて不安を感じることなく過ごせたそうです。防寒のカイロやビニール袋、夜・朝の軽食と飲み物、おやつまで。ディズニーの素晴らしさに感動です。頑張ってくれたキャストさん、ほんとにありがとう！！

Thank you Tokyo Disney Sea

My daughter who was staying at DisneySea just made it back home! Many, many thanks to the staff who worked very hard in the cold with ready smiles that made her to feel safe and secure during the entire night. They brought her food, drinks, snacks, heating pads, and anything necessary to ensure she was comfortable and secure throughout her stay. I was touched by the Disney staff’s warmth and hospitality. Thank you so much!

* 日本人の良さを再認識

http://twitter.com/VietL/status/46376383592677376

この地震が、きっかけになって、失いかけていた日本人本来の良さが戒間見れた気がする。犯罪はする様子はなく、助け合い、律儀、紳士的。普段日本人は冷たい人が多い…。って個人的に感じてるんだけど、多くの人が今回で「絆」を取り戻しつつあるように見えて、それがなんか感動して、泣けてくる。

Reminded of the goodness of the Japanese people

This earthquake has reminded me of that Japanese goodness that had recently become harder and harder to see. Today I see no crime or looting: I am reminded once again of the good Japanese spirit of helping one another, of propriety, and of gentleness. I had recently begun to regard my modern countrymen as cold people … but this earthquake has revived and given back to all of us the spirit of “kizuna” (bond, trust, sharing, the human connection). I am very touched. I am brought to tears.

* 段ボールに感動

http://twitter.com/aquarius_rabbit/status/46213254376210432

ホームで待ちくたびれていたら、ホームレスの人達が寒いから敷けって段ボールをくれた。いつも私達は横目で流してるのに。あたたかいです。

Card board boxes, Thank you!

It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come. Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying “you’ll be warmer if you sit on these!” I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth. Such warm people.

* 外国人から見た日本人

http://twitter.com/kiritansu/status/46335057689980928

外国人から見た地震災害の反応。物が散乱しているスーパーで、落ちているものを律儀に拾い、そして列に黙って並んでお金を払って買い物をする。運転再開した電車で混んでるのに妊婦に席を譲るお年寄り。この光景を見て外国人は絶句したようだ。本当だろう、この話。すごいよ日本。

What foreigners are saying about Japanese people

At a supermarket where everything was scattered everywhere over the floors, shoppers were helping pick them up and putting them back neatly on the shelves before quietly moving into line to wait to pay for them. On the totally jam-packed first train after the quake, an elderly man gave up his seat for a pregnant woman. Foreigners have told me they are amazed witnessing sights like these. I do believe they actually saw what they said they saw. Japan is truly amazing.

* メディアの動きについて

http://twitter.com/V10CENTAURO/statuses/46388641001508864

ツイッターやＵＳＴでの状況共有と、それに連動するマスコミの動きは、阪神淡路大震災の時とは比べ物にならない質の高さを感じる。もちろん過去の辛い経験から得た教訓を、みんな活かそうとしている感動。

Information network this time around

The information sharing efforts on Twitter or USTREAM, together with the quality of coverage and crucial updates provided by the mass media this time around is incomparable to what we got during the Kobe earthquake. I am deeply impressed by Japan ’s successful efforts and ability to put to practice lessons learnt from past tragedies.

* 絵師さん

http://twitter.com/izumi823/statuses/46387948681297920

絵師さんたちがこの地震でみんなに元気付けようと必死に美しい絵や励ましのイラストを描いていることに感動。みんな自分にできることをしたいと思っているんだね。

Touch of art

I saw artists and painters trying to keep things upbeat by painting or drawing beautiful or encouraging drawings for the evacuees around them. I was touched at how everyone was doing their very best to help.

* BBCの報道

http://twitter.com/bozzo1985/status/46228470614855681

本当に感動。泣けてくる。⇒BBCめっちゃ誉めてる。地球最悪の地震が世界で一番準備され訓練された国を襲った。その力や政府が試される。犠牲は出たが他の国ではこんなに正しい行動はとれないだろう。日本人は文化的に感情を抑制する力がある。

BBC Reports

The words of BBC’s reports are so moving they make me cry. They were praising us with words of admiration! “One of the worst earthquakes in recorded history has hit the world’s most well-prepared, well-trained nations. The strength of its government and its people are put to the test. While there have been casualties, in no other country could the government and the people have worked together in such an accurate and coordinated way in the face of such tragedy. The Japanese people have shown their cultural ability to remain calm in the face of adversity.”

* 父親の行動

http://twitter.com/s_hayatsuki/status/46386255767937024

1階に下りて中部電力から関東に送電が始まってる話をしたら、普段はTVも暖房も明かりもつけっぱなしの父親が何も言わずに率先してコンセントを抜きに行った。少し感動した。

A little story about Papa

We live in an area that was not directly hit. When my father came downstairs and heard the news saying that our area had begun allocating electricity to the hard-hit areas, he quietly led by example, turning off the power around the house and pulling the plugs out of their sockets. I was touched. He usually NEVER turns off the lights or the AC or the TV or anything!

* 整列する日本人

http://twitter.com/HASUNA_Natsuko/status/46331839136276480

日本人すごい！！こんな時にも山手線ホームできれいに整列してる …涙。有楽町駅を上から眺む。 http://twitpic.com/48kn1u

Japanese people don’t shove

I'm looking at Yurakucho station from above. I see people standing in line, not pushing or shoving to get onto the Yamanote Line (probably the busiest line in central Tokyo ), even at a time like this!

* パン屋

http://twitter.com/ayakishimoto/statuses/46403599743451136

昨日の夜中、大学から徒歩で帰宅する道すがら、とっくに閉店したパン屋のおばちゃんが無料でパン配給していた。こんな喧噪のなかでも自分にできること見つけて実践している人に感動。心温まった。東京も捨てたもんじゃないな。

The bakery lady

There was a small bread shop on the street I take to go to school. It has long been out of business. But last night, I saw the old lady of the shop giving people her handmade bread for free. It was a heart-warming sight. She, like everyone else, was doing what she could to help people in a time of need. Tokyo isn’t that bad afterall!

* 日本ってすごい

http://twitter.com/tksksks/statuses/46403815397801984

日本って凄い。官僚も民間も、皆で助けようとしてる。トラックの運転手も有志で物資運んでるらしいし、東北の交通整備をヤクザさんがやってるという話も聞いた。最近、日本に対して誇りを持てないことが続いていたけれど、そんなことない。日本は凄い国だ。素直に感動してる。日本国の皆さん頑張ろう！

Japan is a wonderful nation!

Both the government and the people, everyone is helping one another today. There are truck drivers helping evacuees move. I even heard that the “yakuza” (gangsters, organized crime groups) are helping to direct traffic in the Tohoku region! There have been many recent developments that have made me lose my sense of pride in my country, but not anymore. Japan is an amazing place! I’m just simply touched. Go Japan !

* twitterすごい

http://twitter.com/bobiko009/statuses/46403721046933504

Twitterの方々の情報とかが一致団結しててすごくたすかります。みなさま親切です！！こういうとき、なんか、感動します。最近は近所とつきあいなかったり冷たい世の中だとか思ってたけどそんなことなかったね。

Twitter is amazing!

The information shared to us all by the twitter community has been amazingly consistent with each other and has been so helpful. Thank you Twitterers! I’m very moved. People recently talk about social networks replacing traditional social life and making people cold and unsociable in real life. But … I guess that’s not true at all.

* ドイツ人の友達

http://twitter.com/sikkoku_otsuyu/status/46392832893796352

ドイツ人の友達が地震が起きた時に渋谷に居て、パニックになっていた所を日本人に助けてもらったらしく、その時の毅然とした日本人の態度や足並み乱さずに店の外に出てやるべきことを淡々とこなす姿にひどく感動し、まるでアーミーのようだったと言っていた。

From a German friend

A German friend of mine was in Shibuya (downtown Tokyo shopping district) when the earthquake hit. He was panicking when a Japanese passerby saved him, taking him into a building. My friend was blown away at how calm and disciplined this Japanese man was. He went out of the building with firm, unfaltering steps, did everything he was trained to do and came back. My German friend was deeply impressed by the Japanese people’s actions during the earthquake, saying they looked like a trained army.

* スーパーでの出来事

http://twitter.com/endless_6/status/46395420523503616

スーパーで無事買物出来ましたヽ(´o｀； でもお客さんのほとんどが他の人の事を考えて必要最低限しか買わない感じだったのが感動しました（涙）

At the supermarket

I just came back safely from the supermarket! Man, I was so touched at how everyone there was mindful of others, buying only as much as they needed and leaving the rest for the people behind them.

* 御殿場で

http://twitter.com/Raaaaayuu/statuses/46392890313801728

実際日本すごいよ。昨日信号が一カ所も機能していない御殿場市でもお互いにドライバー同士譲り合ってたし、地元のおじいちゃんおばあちゃんが手信号やってくれてたりで、混乱もなく本当感動した。9時間運転してたけど前車を煽るようなドライバーはもちろんいなかったし、みんな譲り合い精神。

Gotenba traffic

Japan is really something! Yesterday, not a single traffic light was functioning in Gotenba City . But drivers knew to take turns at intersections and give way to others when needed. Local people were using flags to direct traffic at intersections. I drove for 9 hours but never saw a single car trying to get in front of another. Every single driver on the road contributed to the traffic situation and as a result there was no confusion at all.

* 「みんな」

http://twitter.com/n_yum/statuses/46388003706380288

タクシー運ちゃんと電車駅員さんとおばさんと話したけど、みんな遅くまで帰れなかったりしてすごく疲れているのに、苛立つ事なく、言葉遣いもふるまいも丁寧で、逆に気遣われてしまった。「みんな大変だから」という"みんな"って意識があることに感動するし、私も受け継いで大事にしたい文化。

“All of us”

I spoke with an old taxi driver and some elderly staff at the train stations. All of them had been working non-stop and had not been able to go home for a long time. They were visibly very tired, but never once did they show any sign of impatience; they were gentle and very caring. They told me “… because all of us are in this together.” I was touched at what the notion of “all of us” meant to these elderly people. It is a value I will treasure and carry on to my generation.

* 日本の強さ

http://twitter.com/dita_69/status/46309373458382849

サントリーの自販機無料化softbankWi-Fiスポット解放、色んな人達が全力で頑張っててそれに海外が感動・協力してる。海外からの援助受け入れに躊躇したり自衛隊派遣を遅らせたりしてた阪神淡路大震災の頃より日本は確実に強い国になってるんだ。みんな頑張ろう。

A strong Japan

Suntory Beverages has set up free vending machines. Softbank Telephone services is offering free Wifi spots. Everyone in Japan is putting everything they can into helping one another. Japan is also now receiving aid from abroad. Compared to the Kobe earthquake, when Japan took too long to contemplate accepting foreign aid or dispatching the self-defense force to join the rescue effort, Japan has definitely grown into a far stronger nation. Be strong, everyone!

* 朝礼

http://twitter.com/kyoheimai/status/46374747755388928

今朝の朝礼で「何があっても決して不安な顔は見せずに売り場に立つ以上はおもてなしをする気持ちを忘れずにお客様を安心させてあげてください」ちょっと感動した。がんばるか。開店です!

Morning Ceremony

At the shopping center I work at, every morning we have a ritual (common in Japan) where we stand and recite, “No matter what the situation, I will never show anxiety before my customer; in all customer-facing situations I will treat my customers with respect and do everything I can to make them feel comfortable and at ease”. Today, these words were all actually kind of touching. Well, so the day begins! Here we go people, open shop!

* 井上さん

http://twitter.com/frankyonn/status/46401442583552000

井上雄彦さんがものすごい勢いで笑顔のイラストをいっぱいあげてて感動する。励ましとか勇気とかメッセージって、こういうことなんだなーと思う。 ＲＴ@inouetake Smile42.

Mr. Inoue

Mr. Inoue has been churning out drawings of smiling and laughing faces at an amazing pace! Things like this remind me again of what it truly means to give people a message of strength and courage.

* 学び

http://twitter.com/chaos_chaotic/statuses/46388646038876160

TLの拡散希望を見て思ったことは、阪神淡路大地震から学んだことがとても多くツイートされていること。当たり前のことなんだけど、やはり人間は、学んで考えることができる生き物なんだと改めて思い、感動した。

Lessons Learnt

What caught my attention on twitter is that a lot of the tweets were about the Kobe earthquake and how what we have learned from it has been put into practice this time around. I know it goes without saying, but I was once again reminded of how humans are indeed creatures that possess the amazing ability to think and learn from experience. It’s a great thought.

* ローマから

http://twitter.com/tsubakianna/statuses/46387133396688896

ローマにいる友達からメール。ローマの人々はニュースを見ながらこのような状況でも冷静に対処する日本人に感動し、尊敬の念を覚えながら、非常に心配しているとのことです。

Message from a friend in Rome

My friend in Rome emailed me. He said that people in Rome are watching the news and sharing their amazement and their heartfelt respect at how, even at a time like this, the people of Japan are able to remain calm and systematically respond to the situation. People in Rome are thinking of us and are very concerned for us.

* 声をかけること

http://twitter.com/RUMI88LoL/statuses/46342599149240320

昨日、裏の家の高１になるお兄ちゃんに感動した。 家に１人で居たらしく、地震後すぐ自転車で飛び出し近所をひと回り。 【大丈夫ですか―――！？】と道路に逃げてきた人達にひたすら声掛けてた。あの時間には老人や母子しか居なかったから、声掛けてくれただけでもホッとしたよ。 ありがとう。

A strong voice

Yesterday, I was impressed and touched by the actions of my neighbor’s 13-year-old-boy. He was home alone when the earthquake hit. But instead of hiding, as soon as the earthquake quieted down, he jumped on his bicycle and road around the block repeatedly shouting at the top of his voice, “Is everyone alright? Is everyone okay?” At the time, there were only women and children and the elderly in the homes. I cannot describe how comforting it was just to hear a strong voice asking if I was okay. Thank you!

* 助け合い

http://twitter.com/sorry_no_user/statuses/46332985133375488

警備員の友人何人かが町田〜相模大野で夜間警備のボランティアをしていたので手伝ってきた。年齢問わずいろんな知らない人同士が助け合っていて心強かった。ちょっと感動してトイレの隅で泣いた。

The beauty of helping one another

I went out last night to help some friends who were volunteering as security personnel between Machida City and Sagami Ohno City . I saw total strangers, both young and old, helping each other along everywhere I turned and was heartened with an overwhelming feeling of encouragement. I was so touched I hid behind the toilets and cried.

* バイクでよければ

http://twitter.com/hikaru_star/statuses/46332900928532480

僕は感動しました。バイトの先輩が1人でも救うために寒い中紙に「バイクでよければ送ります」と書き駅前で掲げ鳶職のお兄ちゃんを所沢まで送ったそうです。世の中まだ捨てたもんじゃないなって思いました。本当に尊敬です！！自分もなんか人の役に立ちたいと生まれて初めて思いました。

I just have a bike

I’m so touched! My colleague at my part time job, wanting to help even just one extra person, wrote a sign saying “I just have a bike, but if you don’t mind hop on!”, rode out on his motorbike, picked up a stranded construction worker and took him all the way to Tokorozawa ! Respect! I have never felt so strongly that I want to do something helpful for others.

* 乗り合い

http://twitter.com/pao313/statuses/46332792174411776

浦和美園からタクシー使えると思ったのが甘かった…30分歩いてたら知らない人が車に乗せてくれた（つд；*) 人間の優しさに感動。ありがとうございました。

Sharing your ride

It was stupid of me to think I could catch a cab at Urawamien Station. I ended up walking 30 minutes and then finally was picked up by a stranger who offered to give me a lift. I’m touched by the warmth of human kindness. Thank you, thank you!

* 開放

http://twitter.com/robasuke23/statuses/46326711935172609

昨日、歩いて帰ろうって決めて甲州街道を西へ向かっていて夜の21時くらいなのに、ビルの前で会社をトイレと休憩所として解放してる所があった。社員さんが大声でその旨を歩く人に伝えていた。感動して泣きそうになった。いや、昨日は緊張してて泣けなかったけど、今思い出してないてる。

Rest here!

Last night, I decided, rather than stay at the office, I should try walking home. So I slowly made my way west on Koshu freeway on foot. It was around 9PM when I saw an office building that had a sign that said “Please use our office’s bathrooms! Please rest here!” The employees of the office were loudly shouting out the same to all the people trying to walk home. I was so touch I felt like crying. Well, I guess I was too tense yesterday to cry, but now the tension is wearing off and am very much in tears.

* コンビニ

http://twitter.com/sugarun/statuses/46323030732967936

停電地区のほとんどの店が店を閉めてる中、あるセブンイレブンが店内陳列棚にいくつもろうそくを置いて、営業をしていた。レジが使えないため在庫確認用のハンディで値段確認し読み上げ、もう1人が電卓で計算、もうひとりが懐中電灯で照らす。その状態でレジ２台稼動させていた。感動した。

At the convenience store

While most of the convenience stores near the station were closed because of the quake, there was just one Seven Eleven that was open. The employees had lit lots of candles and put them on the stores shelves. The cash register was not working and they could not take inventory, so the employees worked in threes, one reading up the item description and price, another punching the numbers into a calculator, and the last one using a flashlight to help them work. The store managed to operate both “cash registers” efficiently this way. Impressed!

* 避難所

http://twitter.com/msakatan/statuses/46302864980705280

長女いわく、横浜の避難所に向かう時に、知らない人達と声を掛け合い、場所を教え合っていたそうです。普段は冷たいと思っていた他人の優しさに触れ、感動したそうです。日本人のいざという時の団結力を再認識しました。まだまだ日本も捨てたものではないです。

On the way to the emergency evacuation area

My oldest daughter was making her way to Yokohama ’s emergency evacuation area. Total strangers were helping each other out and showing each other the way to the emergency evacuation area. She told me she was moved at how strangers, who can seem so cold at times, showed her kindness and care. I was reminded at the Japanese peoples’ inherent ability to immediately unite in the face of adversity. Today, I have discovered a newfound faith in my nation and my people.

* 呼びかけ

http://twitter.com/akanensm/status/46214540161064960

何時間も歩き続けてたんだけど、至る所でトイレかしますとか、休憩できますとか言うビルや飲食店が沢山あって感動しました。とある企業ビルの人がボランティアで、○○線運転再開ですー！とか、休憩できますー！！って呼びかけてるの見て感動して泣きそうになったマジでw日本も捨てたもんじゃないな

A big, kind voice

I’ve been walking for many hours now. I’m touched at how everywhere I turn, there are shops open with people shouting “Please use our bathroom!” or “Please rest here!” There were also office buildings where people with access to information were voluntarily shouting out helpful tips, like “**** line is now operational!” Seeing things like this after walking for hours and hours made me feel like weeping with gratitude. Seriously, there is still hope for this country!

* ホームにて

http://twitter.com/masa_kisshie/statuses/46323838316843008

都営大江戸線の光ヶ丘方面行きは、非常に混雑しています。ホームにも、改札の外にも、電車を待つ溢れんばかりの人。でも、誰一人列を崩さず、通路を開け、係員の誘導に従っている。ロープがあるわけでもないのに、通る人のための通路スペースが。その不自然なほどの快適さに、ただただ感動するばかり。

On the platform

The Oedo Subway Line for Hikarigaoka is very congested. On the platform and at the gate there are just crowds and crowds of people waiting for the train. But in all the confusion, every last person is neatly lined up waiting his or her turn while managing to keep a passage of space open for staff and people going the other way. Everyone is listening to the instructions from the staff and everyone acts accordingly. And amazingly … there isn’t even a rope or anything in sight to keep people in queue or open space for staff to pass, they just do! I am so impressed at this almost unnatural orderliness! I have nothing but praise for these people!

* 駅員さん

http://twitter.com/tadakatz/status/46274214654787584

終夜運転のメトロの駅員に、大変ですねって声かけたら、笑顔で、 こんな時ですから！だって。捨てたもんじゃないね、感動した。

Station staff

I said to a Tokyometro station staff who was on all-night duty, “I’m sure it has been a tough night for you. Thank you.” He responded with a smile, “On a night like this, gladly!” I was touched.

* おっちゃん

http://twitter.com/sumonya/status/46479563412348928

昨日4時間かけて歩いて帰ってきた主人。赤羽で心が折れそうになってた時「お寒い中大変ですね！あったかいコーヒーどうぞ！」って叫びながら無料配布してるおっちゃんに出会った。これがあったから頑張れたそうだ。もう5回もこの話をしてくるので本当に嬉しかったんだと思う。おっちゃんありがとう。

Coffee

My husband finally got home very late last night after walking for 4 hours. He told me he felt like giving up at around Akabane, when an elderly man who was going around handing out free coffee saw him, gave him a steaming cup and said, “You must be tired and cold. Here, have some coffee!” My husband told me that it was because of this elderly man that he found the will and strength to continue walking. I’ve already heard this story from him five times tonight, so no doubt he was really, really touched! Thank you to my husband’s anonymous helper!

* 献血の列

http://twitter.com/NOBCHIDORI/status/46477518169047040

日本は強いです！大阪難波の献血施設は被災地の方の為に超満員の順番待ちでした。私欲の無い列を初めて見ました。感動しました。被災地の方々、全国でその辛さを受け止めます。諦めずに頑張って下さい！

Blood donations

Japan is strong! At Osaka I saw a LONG line of people waiting to give blood at the blood donation center. This is the first time I have seen such a queue of selfless people waiting patiently in line just to give. It was a moving sight! To everyone in the hard-hit areas, we your countrymen accept your suffering as our own and we share in your grief. Do not give up! Stay strong!

* 節電営業

http://twitter.com/hisyakakukeima/status/46584079558250496

近所のスーパー・サミットに来てみたら、通常深夜1時まで営業なのに大きい看板が付いていなかった。早めに店を閉めたのかと思ったら、外の電気だけ消して節電しつつ営業していた。ちょっと感動

Saving electricity for the North

I went to my neighborhood supermarket and was initially surprised that their neon signs were off. They usually are open till 1AM. I then found out that they were open, but were saving electricity so that more power could be channeled to the hard-hit coastal areas. Wow!

* 買うのやめるわ

http://twitter.com/raai15/status/46546475362160640

バイト先に若いお兄さんたちが軍団でお酒を買いに来たんだけど、その中の一人が「やべえ、オレお酒のためにしかお金持ってきてないから募金できん。ちょっとこれ買うのやめるわ」って言って商品返品してそのお金全部募金してた。お友達も続々と募金しててすごい感動した。 すごいよ

Not enough money!

At the store where I work, a huge group of young men suddenly came in to buy booze. One of them suddenly said, “Oops, I only have enough money to buy booze, I can’t donate! Forget the booze, maybe next time!” and instead put ALL his money into the disaster relief donation box. One by one, every single one of the army of youths threw all their money into the box after him. What a heart-warming sight that was!

* いつでも買える

http://twitter.com/7474529/status/46565903520907264

今日、募金箱に金髪にピアスの若い兄ちゃんが万札数枚入れていた。そしてその友人に「ゲームなんていつでも買えるからな」と言っていたのが聞こえて私含め周りの人達も募金していた。人は見た目じゃないことを実感した。そんなお昼でした。 この話感動しました。

Goth youth

A goth youth with white hair and body piercings walked into my store and shoved several hundred dollars (several tens of thousands of yen) into the disaster relief fund donation box. As he walked out, I and people around me heard him saying to his buddies, “I mean, we can buy those games anytime!” At that, we all opened our wallets and put our money into the donation box. Really, you cannot judge people by their appearances.

* 絶対うまいはず

http://twitter.com/kyugatimuti/statuses/46594200061493249

僕も秋葉からの帰りにおにぎりとみそ汁配ってる方に会いました、感動しました、チャリだったからダイジョブです他の人にって言ったけどもらっておけばよかったなぁ絶対うまかったと思う

They looked absolutely delicious!

I too saw the guy handing out free rice balls and miso soup on the way back from Akihabara. I was on my bicycle so I told him, “I’m okay, please give it to other people!” On hindsight, I should have taken one … they looked absolutely delicious!!

* お菓子いっぱい

http://twitter.com/moebamuse/status/46379810217406465

すごい。弟たった今ディズニーランドから帰宅したんだけど。新品のお菓子袋いっぱいにもらってきて、客全員分の帰りの交通費負担してくれたんだって。一晩中、何か言えば全て対応してくれたって。やっぱり世界のディズニーランドなんだね。

Another Disney episode

Amazing! My brother just managed to get home from Disneyland right now. He’s got bags and bags of free sweets. Furthermore, Disneyland paid for every customer’s travel fare back. All night long, the staff responded immediately and fully to every request he made. Disneyland is truly a world class brand!

* 困ったときは！

http://twitter.com/ryoshun49/statuses/46605524434821120

昨日青葉台駅で帰宅困難者が溢れる中、車に乗ってる人が「○○方面の方どうぞ！」って行って車に乗せてた。「困った時はみんな一緒ですから！」って言ってた。超感動したの思い出した。

Same boat!

Last night, Aobadai station was jammed with stranded people unable to get home. But there were private cars with drivers shouting “If you’re going in the direction of ****, please hop on!” I was able to hitch a ride on one of them. When I thanked the driver, he replied “No worries! We’re all on the same boat. We have to stick together!”

* 充電されたい方は・・・・

http://twitter.com/yamachin_x1/statuses/46609620210421760

避難所にいたときに、社会人1年生で、研修でこっちにきてた女の子が、たまたま携帯のバッテリーも持参してたらしく、体育館のコンセントを使用する許可ももらい、「携帯の充電をされたい方は、ご自由につかってください」と呼びかけて回ってたんだ。僕はその子にとても感動したんだよ・・

Need to charge your phone?

At the emergency evacuation area, a young first-year intern at my company who had brought her phone’s charger got permission from the facility to use their power socket and went around shouting “Anyone need to charge their phone? Please use my charger!” Just a little thing, but I was touched.

Time We Have Wasted On The Way

In particular, for Jac, Rabbit and Mingli...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUwFLYiavME&feature=BF&list=QL&index=1

Wasted On The Way
Look around me
I can see my life before me
Running rings around the way
It used to be

I am older now
I have more than what I wanted
But I wish that I had started
Long before I did

And there's so much time to make up
Everywhere you turn
Time we have wasted on the way
So much water moving
Underneath the bridge
Let the water come and carry us away

Oh when you were young
Did you question all the answers
Did you envy all the dancers
Who had all the nerve

Look round you NOW
You must go for what you wanted
Look at all my friends who did and got what they deserved
So much time to make up

Everywhere you turn
Time we have wasted on the way
So much water moving
Underneath the bridge
Let the water come and carry us away

So much love to make up
Everywhere you turn
Love we have wasted on the way

So much water moving
Underneath the bridge
Let the water come and carry us away

Words & music by Graham Nash

Modern Comforts

My house computer is still 'sick', 'under observation' and will only be 'discharged' a day later. And all the while the 'hospital bills' are rising.

I read in the papers years ago about a China lady who was suing her ex-husband for a large sum of money, which included a monthly sum so that she could maintain the kind of lifestyle that she had gotten used to after marrying her husband. I had found it ludicrous then (I still do) - the husband was actually penalised for having treated his wife well and giving her a life of luxury.

I will allow her now an iota of sympathy for I think there is no doubt that once we get used to a luxury or a convenience, to suddenly lose it makes us feel that we have suffered a significant loss, a necessity even. Indeed, for the past few nights, I had wondered what I should do as I wallowed in the free time I had when I was unable to surf, blog, play games, calculate my finances, pay my bills online and/or do some work at home. I tried reading a book but still didn't feel right, watched television (and that is cable TV with a wide array of channels, mind, not a limited number of free-to-airs) but still got bored.

I really wonder what my parents or their parents used to do during those long, quiet nights. Maybe that's why families were larger in the past.

Perhaps sometimes, we need an event to put things in perspective. When I lost my 3G Nokia phone in December, I felt totally naked and lost. When my Dad leant me his old 'basic' phone which would allow me to call and SMS, I felt less naked to the extent that I was wearing a singlet and loin cloth. Three months on, I feel quite comfortable and do not even think of what I'm missing. Try as I might, I cannot even recall what made me so distraught when my original phone went missing.

Yes, I think deliberately roughing it out sometimes may not be a bad idea because it may let us feel how lucky we are when we are back to our familiar, comfortable surroundings. That is why, a week ago, I did not take any form of mechanized transport as I walked to and from work. Not only did it save me money, it made me grateful for being able to cycle to work, which I now do.

Perhaps, what really puts things in perspective is looking at pictures of the quake aftermath in Japan, people in an ultra-modern country still being able to smile and get on with life after losing a lot of what they had, surviving on the basic amenities and being glad that they even have those small mercies, all the while dealing with the spectre of more aftershocks and/or nuclear meltdown.

Practice makes perfect. Maybe sometimes, just for a while, we should practice austerity and humility.

Prayer For Japan

My main computer got virused out, meaning that the draft for the next intended post about my trip to Vietnam, together with all the pictures, are down the drain.

Which is just as well, because all that seems really trivial in comparison with the tragic events in Japan.

I would like to say a prayer for Japan. And I'm sure all of you who are reading already have.

Two things struck me when I watched the coverage of the rescue efforts during the aftermath. The first was, in general, how stoic the Japanese people looked. Sure, there were some shots of people desperate and crying and almost everyone who was interviewed looked anguished and pained, but what shined through was the fortitude with which the Japanese people bore their latest disaster which was heaped upon them through no fault of their own. In the midst of so much destruction, chaos and fear, not only of damage already suffered and as yet undiscovered but of damage yet to be inflicted, be it in the form of nuclear meltdowns or aftershocks, one cannot help but marvel at how the general populace gamely and grimly soldier on, doing what they have to do rebuild their lives and those of the even less fortunate.

The other thing that struck me was how fortunate we are to be living in Singapore. We complain about so many things - high prices, crowded trains, GST increases, flash floods... Seeing what our Japanese friends are going through really puts things in perspective. I hope that should Singaporeans be called upon to weather a crisis in the future, we would be able to do so with the same courage and solidarity as that shown by the Japanese people.

Finally, I think that in every disaster lies the opportunity for us (and in this case, the world) to learn something. It is my sincere wish that, if anything, this tragedy forces people, especially leaders, the world over to think long and hard about our role and impact in this world. Life is already so short, so fragile. So many things that we have strove so hard to build up over so many years can be reduced to rubble in a matter of minutes. There are already so many disasters that can befall us without us having to engineer one of our own. Indeed, while this tragedy of nature has distracted the world's attention from the bedlam in the Middle East, is the pain felt by the homeless, the wounded and the dying over there any less? I hope the events of recent days makes us realize that our existence is already so precarious, so vulnerable.

Nature has many a time showed itself to callous, arbitrary and random, having no regard for human pain and suffering, no inkling of or concern for human life, rights and dignity. Let us not be the same.

Birthday In Vietnam - Part 1

A few weeks ago, my Mum asked me to travel Vietnam over my birthday weekend. As I had not seen her on my birthday for years, I agreed.

As usual, I try not to put on photos of things and places which I have posted on my articles about a previous trip.

I don't believe I have posted pictures of the airport before. Tan Son Nhat airport, when I first visited in 1997, was a run-down, derelict and dirty looking structure, whose baggage collection area opened up into a narrow and dusty road teeming with unregulated traffic.

Nowadays, it is a fairly modern, clean and pleasant place, with walkalators, orderly immigration counters and a spacious baggage collection area. Still no air-conditioned waiting area for arrivals though. But at least it is decent-looking and bearable now.




My Mum was there waiting for me. But while she can blow thousands of dollars on jackpot, she is thrifty when it comes to almost everything else so she chose to take the airport bus to the school which she runs instead of a taxi. Granted it was, at 4,000 Dong, 25 times cheaper than a cab, but considering the maximum cost of a cab would be around $12 Singapore...



It was quite ok however. Purportedly air-conditioned, we did not have to squeeze and I was able to take some pictures of the roads leading up to my Mum's school.





The sights I liked most, however, were the varied forms of street commerce that provided support to the simple folks...




And their extended families...



Vietnam, like any fast-developing country, is a land of contrasts. From filthy looking hovels and grottos, we have the fairly broad and ordered roads in the city centre.



Those of you who read my post about an earlier trip to Ho Chi Minh City may remember my shots of the opera house. This was a photograph of it from another angle.



And this is the photo of the Sheraton Hotel...



Which my Mum headed for after dropping by at her school. Not for the lush, cosy interior...



But for the mini-Casino, into which only foreigners are allowed to enter. Sounds familiar...



They of course, didn't allow me to take pictures of the slot machines and quasi-computerized gaming tables. But they did allow me to snap shots of the food which we could order for free, repeatedly.



The Filet Mignon was excellent, but more importantly, so was my Mum's luck, which meant, that blessed with my birthday star, everything she touched turned to gold, or rather, US Dollars.

That meant though, that she wanted to stay longer and much as I was happy for her, it was after all my birthday and I did not wish to spend it watching her coo over how many free bonus spins she was getting, so I walked around the area, looking for interesting sites - and found this mosque, something not very common in predominantly Buddhist Vietnam. And it was right next to the hotel too.





By the time I returned to the hotel casino, my Mum was around a US$1,000 up, so it was not that difficult to persuade her that I had been up since 4am because I had to catch the early morning flight and needed to rest. That, we did, in her 4th story walk-up apartment somewhere near her school. It was a one-room flat with an adjoining toilet - and her bed does not have a mattress. Good for the back, she said. I agreed and fell asleep promptly in anticipation of the night's programme. Or was it because I was just too tired?