One of those days.

I had wanted to write something very interesting earlier but somehow or other, I just could not get started. My mind is too clogged up with things to write so much so, its like getting into a jam. Its one of those days when the engine don't get started properly. Eventually I began browsing my Facebook account and read so many articles of Singapore's old heritage. I was totally engrossed in old memories and got carried away. Have to go to work now, but will write in the morning. 

My Favourite Philosophies.

Today, I would like to share my thoughts with you, so, for the moment, lets all think about these:
Here goes: 
(1) A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with 2 watches is never quite sure.   
(2) Don't look where you fall, but where you slipped.   
(3) Look at life through the wind-shield, not the rear view mirror.   
(4) People may doubt what you say. But they will believe what you do.   
(5) Be nice to people on your way up, because you will need them on your way down.   
(6) Never explain. Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe it.   
(7) While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself.   
(8) Time you enjoyed wasting, was not wasted.   
(9) Courage is not a lack of fear, but the ability to act while facing fear.   
(10) You have to do your own growing, no matter how tall your father was.   
(11) The best way to predict your future is to create it.............

Thanks guys for making my work day an enjoyable one.....

I love ferrying passengers over long trips. 
One such trip was with this happy family of five, from Resorts World Sentosa to Toa Payoh Lorong 7. Daddy and Mummy with three very young children, two boys and a girl, after enjoying a show at RWS and were returning home. The father sat in the front passenger seat with mummy and children sitting behind. Daddy and me were chatting about their outing, family life and mummy and children were talking about food for dinner and lanterns. All of us were like one big family chatting  happily away till we reached the family's destination. I happen to have two extra new lanterns which I gave to the children and they liked it as we bade farewell. Yes, I always feel good to be in the company of a happy family.
Later in the night, about 11pm, I was fortunate again to have picked up this happy couple, going home after watching a show, at the Changi Expo Taxi stand and this was another long distance trip all the way to Jurong West St. 93. This couple had to fetch their seven-year-old son from the grandfather's house and then proceed to their own home at St. 61 nearby. I don't know what happened, but this night I was very talkative. I talked and talked generally about everything, about family, about children, about religion and so on with my passengers throughout the whole trip, I suppose I got carried away somewhat. Luckily this very nice and pleasant couple, did not mind so much because we all laughed together every now and then and it was as though we were like old time friends till its time to part.
True, my next passenger, a young PR Philippino man, working as an IT troubleshooter, had to travel to work from Woodlands to Upper Changi Ind. Park. This was yet another long, long trip coupled with some more happy chit-chatting all the way and I think I may not be able to stop....  its getting late too....... so....... better take five for now........

...taxi drivers meet regularly at coffee shops to yak, yak, yak......

Gambling and Lotteries! 4D, Toto, Big Sweep, Horse Races, Share Markets, Football betting, two new very attractive Casinos, not mentioning the many hidden illegal gambling dens, my, my, my, what a huge 'conglomerate' of multi-national enterprises. With this booming market of get rich quick outlets, you tell me, how can we even imagine that there will be no citizens' gambling problems at all? 
I mean, with the carefully worded and yet encouraging phrase "Please Gamble Wisely" announced in the media and in all outlets makes us think like, "Well, its okay to play what, only we must be more careful, study harder, do our homework, etc, etc, you never know, we may strike it rich one day, right?". 
We are Singaporeans, most of us belong to the same "kiasu" community and who does not want to be rich? 
Oh yes, last night the huge Five million dollar 'jackpot' Toto draw, must see the results, I bought $10.00 normal 'quick-pick' tickets, so, if you will excuse me, I need to check it out.......who knows.?.........

......watch out! Amateur racers doing 'trial' runs........

With so many recent events going past in a wisp, now the Mid Autumn Festival, mooncakes everywhere and in about ten days the exciting Formula 1 night races to start, we are already watching many local Hamiltons, Vettels and Alonsos doing their speed trials here and everywhere, very dangerous to other road users. It would be wise not to challenge them because thats exactly what they crave for. These amateur speedsters, not realising that they may be potential 'killers' are also very reckless and inconsiderate and so whenever you are on the road be careful and try to avoid them. If you are behind the steering wheels like I do everyday, I too sometimes have the urge and tendency to go a bit faster but then, this responsible occupation of mine happens to be my livelihood...........

Pt.3...... end of a fast and past hectic week-end schedule.......

Sunday 4th Sept.
After having an early night's rest, I managed to get up in time to go to church at 8.30am and when I returned home at 10.30am, I hit the 'sack' again once more and would you believe it, I slept through till 4.30pm. I started my shift at 6.00pm, happily plying my trade and it was like getting back to normal after having been 'jet-lagged' but not for long. My Vietnamese friend had earlier messaged me to say he will be having dinner with his girlfriend's friend and may go for a drink after that. He suggested we meet around 11.30pm and maybe have supper and chit-chat since his flight home is at 7.00am in the morning. We met and I decided to bring them for supper at the popular steam-boat buffet restaurant along Beach Road. We started eating just before 12.30am and were heartily engrossed in food, laughter, chatting away till almost 3.00am. I insisted on fetching them to their hotel, collect their baggage and straight to Terminal One. To tell you the truth, I truly enjoyed every bit of this 'highly' tiring weekend, but honestly, I would have preferred a lesser and not so crammed-up schedule, well, the famous phrase once again "what you want is not what you will get"............

Pt2..... and the 'E' and 'J' feat continues.....

Last Friday after first day class ended at 3pm I was already starting to feel a little tired when I met my Vietnamese visitor and his girlfriend (she flew in from Penang to accompany him) at Newton MRT station at 6pm. Both of them enjoyed the hawker fare there, it was like they had dinner already. I drove them around Orchard Road area first, the city area, Chinatown etc and nearly everywhere.  Being a tourist guide as well, I was in my elements especially after being refreshed  earlier in class, my friend told me he would specially like to have a look at Universal Studios in Sentosa so I drove there and both of them were busy taking photographs, it was quite deserted then and I rested a bit, time was about 10.30pm. He told me they would be going to the Studios the next day to try the rides. Apart from continuously driving, we stopped here and there for drinks and chats. I asked if they would like supper, it was already 1.00am and yes they did, so I brought them to Upper Serangoon Road where we had the popular 'nasi lemak' and 'bak choh mee' . My friends enjoyed the whole evening spree and by the time I sent them to their hotel, it was 2.45am. I was totally 'shacked', imagine my next second day class starts at 8.00am I estimated only about three hours' sleep left for me. I was lucky my friends were going to the Studios later and spend time by themselves. "Heng ahh!" ..........

...lessons in 'endurance' and 'juggling' feat.....

I say, man! The long weekend was simply hectic, thank goodness its over.
First of all, my TDVL refresher course exactly (11) hours inclusive of (1) hour lunches and short refreshment and coffee breaks of 15 minutes each has finally ended, it was really an enormous effort on my part trying to keep awake throughout the whole course and yes, I made it. All participants were each rewarded a certificate together with a complimentary copy of the latest Street Directory for having completed the course. Both the two different Instructors, one for each day must be complimented for their styles and excellent skills in conducting the classes. Their humour and wit at times has made this refresher course most interesting and enjoyable. Without question, teaching with the aid of videos on a big screen is definitely a huge plus. Now then, on the other hand, entertaining my visitor friend from Vietnam and rushing to keep my appointments at the National University Hospital, juggling for time in between taking blood test and consultations with the Pharmacist including queing up for collection of my medicines at the Pharmacy, were wow, how did I do it, I can't remember right now, but miraculously I did it.......yes I survived it all...........to be cont'd.

.....busy lah, gotta take short break......

Going to be very busy for the next few days, so I will be taking a short break from today 2/9 till 5/9 to complete my (11) hours compulsory TDVL refresher course and also at the same time to accommodate as well as to entertain a close friend who just arrived from Vietnam yesterday. He is here for a short visit and holiday, and will be leaving on Monday.
Sure to be back to blog soon, so stay tuned.....

..sometimes costly when it backfires.........

This happened in Brisbane last Tuesday, for that matter, it can happen anywhere in the world. Storing his wife's S$64,000/- uninsured jewelleries in plastic bags to fool potential robbers has backfired for an Australian man. In preparations for moving house, he accidentally threw away all the 'rubbish' bags into the garbage bins. The jewelleries including bracelets, bangles and pure gold bars are as good as lost. The man has been frantically pleading with the town council to sift through the rubbish to find them but was told with thousands of tons of rubbish each week, there is little hope for its recovery. Most unfortunate indeed, but don't you think by trying to be too smart  sometimes, can be costly..........