This Blog won me the 1st Prize for the NDP Blog Battle 2008

The Singapore Spirit is a 'Never Say Die' kind of attitude that has been embedded within each & everyone of us who are proud to be known as a Singaporean.

It determines who we are actually. Look at where Singapore is today, it is impossible to be where we are if not for this Singapore Spirit. Most of us exhibit qualities or attitudes that one would associate with the Singapore Spirit, in one way or another – we ARE, after all, in our totality, Singapore.

Picture: Night skyline

What is so unique people may ask....read on, and you will agree that the following traits are indeed within us.


Well, to me, the Singapore Spirit encompasses these five traits:

Unity. Singaporeans have a sense of community and are firmly rooted to the nation. We stay united, braving different issues, tackling each problem as it confronts us. Despite our diversity of ancestry and religions, our solidarity has allowed us to live in harmony during good times, and stay cohesive during times of adversity.

Picture:
Yvonne & myself during NDP2007 Observance Ceremony at West Spring Secondary School






Resilient. Singaporeans are determined and have the will to succeed in every tasks or endeavour. Our ‘Can Do’ attitude, tenacity, discipline and perseverance in pursuit of our hopes and dreams, are at the root of our success as a nation.


Picture: muky66 (photobucket.com)







Hardwork. Singaporeans are prepared and optimistic. Our competitiveness, integrity and vitality has helped us to strive towards doing our best and forging ahead to build a brighter future for our next generation.

Picture: All aboard






Dynamic. Singaporeans are creative and versatile. Our ability to accept change and adapt to new challenges allows us to excel in the global environment. It also cultivates the urge to explore new niche areas and build competitive advantages for continued successes.


Picture: My daughter, Siti Aishah at NDP 2007







Compassion. Singaporeans are gracious and caring. As we move ahead, we also reach out to those in need and give what we can.










The Singapore Spirit might not be something that Singaporeans mention on an everyday basis during casual conversations. Yet there is little doubt that it thrives in our deeds and actions as we go about our daily lives. The Singapore Spirit will never die!

Blogged by Rosita

NDP Video - I am doing it!

I have registered myself for the NDP Video on 'The Pledge'...got a few shots that would be good for the video... I just have this inkling feeling that its gonna be good.

My Two Cents Worth...

Recent developments pertaining to students being overly stressed has spurred me to write this.

As any concerned parent would tell you, that they want the best for their child. Indeed that is true...but at what cost? Think....think & listen to what I am about to say.....

This Saturday morning... there will be a briefing for all Sec 4 parents whose child will be taking the 'O' & 'N' level exams. I am curious to know what new revelations the school will be telling us parents. I have something to say too. Being the Vice Chairman of the PSG has given me avenues to do more than just sit & listen. I would like to address the students this time. I would like to tell them a story on how someone (fellow student) ends up in the IMH. How continuous studying without pacing yourself can do to ones body. This is what the doctors call a Burnout.

The body just cannot cope with excessive mental nor physical energy drain on a daily basis. The body will give you signs to slow down but if you tend to ignore those signs and keep continuing at the rate you are going....your body & mind will SHUT DOWN. This is what is happening to a fellow student. It is not a far fetched story. This is true. I will not mention names as the parent just wish me to tell her story. I empathise with her, she is a dear friend. Now she sits beside her daughter in IMH everyday, looking at her daughter, just lying there and if she opens her eyes, she would just stare blankly to the ceiling. The agony of this mother, what she has to go through is too much for any of us to imagine. No visitors are allowed.

Do observe our children, there are tell tale signs. Look closely dont ignore...or the outcome will not be favourable.

Be there for our children, prepare them a hot drink if they need them. rent them a good video for them to see, a good music CD for them to hear, give them a smile and joke once a while. Try not nag or scold, be firm & bold. Its easier said than done....you may say.... take a step closer to your child....if not today...then WHEN?

Mak sudah boleh pulang

Update untuk kawan-kawan....

Semalam Mak Ita sudah dibenarkan pulang. Keadaannya beransur baik walau jahitannya masih terasa sakit. Doktor mahu Mak berehat dirumah.

Sekarang dia berada dirumah abang Shahril di Bedok Reservoir.

Marilah kita berdoa bersama agar Mak segera sembuh sepenuhnya.

Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin.

Dugaan bertambah

Memang penantian itu suatu penyiksaan...namun sebagai insan biasa, kita harus akur dengan segala ujian diberi. Hanya Allah sahaja yang mengetahui gejolak perasaan ini memandang ibu yang tercinta, sering lemah dan sakit.

Ternyata keputusan segala ujian telah diberitahu kepada kita 4 beradik. Ibu akan menjalani heart bypass surgery tidak lama lagi. Dari Tan Tock Seng, beliau di hantarkan ke NUH Ward 20 semalam.

Ita pernah melihat arwah Abah menjalani operasi sedemikian. Bukan sesuatu yang ringan dilihat apa lagi dialami. Ita gementar...mungkin lebih dari ibu Ita. Dia nampak Cool aje. Dia pula yang pujuk Ita jangan nangis dan risau. Allah sahaja yang tahu apa dalam benak hati ini.

Memang ibu Ita ini kuat semangatnya. Ita kagum dengan dirinya. Itulah Ibu Ita....tiada dua nya.

BDSS Dinner Reunion - 27th Feb 2009

Hari dah makin dekat.... malamnya sama dengan Pesta Perdana di Suria. Konon-konon kita nanti nak ke Mediacorp lah ni. Bergaya sakan nak ambil award. Wakakakakaka perasan betul Ita ni. Award apa eh kita nak beri...

Ini satu cadangan sahaja....

1) Anugerah Paling Maintain (Awet Muda) (Male & Female)

2) Anugerah Cute & Lovely (Mak Datin Yg Gebu) (Female sahaja)

3) Anugerah Paling Produktif (Ramai Anak)

4) Anugerah Paling Paling Over

5) Anugerah Baju Paling Happening! (Jangan pening Sudah)

6) Anugerah Welcome Home (buat mereka yang merantau jauh)

7) Anugerah 40 Sen

Oklah...nanti kita discuss lebih lanjut....

Mentally drained.....

My mom was admitted for severe chest pains on the eve of CNY. She was experiencing rapid heart palpitations, sweating profusely, unable to breathe, etc...In the ambulance, I thought I had lost her. It was upsetting to see her that way. She was warded straight away, the doctors stabilizing her condition. The heart scan can only be done on Wed. 28th Jan.

While in preparation for the scan in the Nuclear Invasive Cardiology Laboratory, my mom's blood pressure plummeted drastically, her heart beat was too rapid, she vomited profusely and the doctors did all they can to revive her. I was alone outside the room, not knowing what is going on. A lot of noises was heard, doctors consulting each other, the registrar was called in... I was a nervous wreck outside. They managed to stabilize her again.

It was then in the ward, I saw Muruges (PSG friend)... I could see he was busy but he still managed to come and sit down with me. He is the Nurse in charge for all the wards on the 8th level. Thank you Muruges. All I needed was a familiar face giving words of comfort to me.

My mom was diagnosed with having Supraventrucular Tachycardia.

Supraventricular tachycardia is one type of heart rhythm disorder.

Tachycardias are rhythm disorders in which the heart beats faster than normal.

• The heart usually beats 60-90 times a minute. A heart rate faster than 100 beats per minute is considered tachycardia.

In supraventricular tachycardia, the heart rate is sped up by an abnormal electrical impulse starting in the atria.

• The heart beats so fast that the heart muscle cannot relax between contractions.
  
  
• When the chambers don't relax, they cannot contract strongly or fill with enough blood to satisfy the body's needs.
  
  
• Because of the ineffective contractions of the heart, the brain does not receive enough blood and oxygen.

Supraventricular tachycardia often occurs in episodes with stretches of normal rhythm in between. Supraventricular tachycardia also may be chronic (ongoing, long term).

Ironically my mom has been having this pain for nearly 10 yrs without a proper diagnosis. I am grateful that now it has been diagnose accurately and measures are being done to heal it.

She is at home now, still feeling the pain even though not too extreme. The appt to do a surgical procedure was fixed in April..too long. I need to get an earlier appt. for her.

I myself will be better soon. Still pretty tired and emotionally drained due to this episode.

Today, I myself will have my scan at NUH. Will know the results soon I guess. Whatever the doctor say...I know I will a better person than the day before. To know..is knowledge found. Its better to be prepared than not knowing. U agree?