"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."

-- Carlos Castaneda, author

Wishes all a blessed Christmas!

"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint--and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing "

-- Oprah Winfrey, Talk Show Host

KL

Now at the KL Subang International Airport waiting for my flight back to Singapore. The B division training tour just came to an end today. On the whole, I believe we have achieved most of the objectives of this trip. Both on and off the field. Given that opportunity to referee our boys' games gave me a rare opportunity be in the field with them and observing their actions. More importantly, listening to how they communicate and aspects coming from the law side.

It was also encouraging to be able to meet up with some of my friends staying in Malaysia. For those I didn't had to meet, I apologise. Just that our team schedule was jam packed. On a more positive note, I most probably will be in KL next early Jan again.

The festive season mood is here!

Time for reflections.

Day out with the Japs...

Today I had the opportunity to referee the Regional Japanese 10s Tournament at AR-JAS. Japanese Association teams from all over Asia come down to Singapore to win the trophy. The tournament kicked off with a congregation of players and officials. Team officials were introduced and briefing to players was made. Weather was really unpredictable. It started off really cloudy with light drizzle at around 8am. At around 1pm, the sun came out torching. I was the lucky chap to have my game at the hottest time. Just as I was refereeing my 4th game at 2.30pm, torrential rain, thunders and lightnings paid us a visit for about an hour or so. I had to stop my game in the middle of the first half. And it was to resume immediately after the rain. The already muddy field became a swimming pool. With both players and referees going for mud bath. I became extra cautious on the contact, tackle and ruck situations especially when it occurs in the puddle of water. I'm afraid players going to ground head down first and having other players on top of him. He may choke and "drown" with that deep puddle. Therefore, I informed both captains that I will stop play as soon as such situation occurs. Unfortunately, that game has lots of stoppages. At the end of the day, players' safety is my utmost priority. Not surprisingly too, the injury rate during the tournament in high. I believe the contributing factors would be the soft (muddy) pitch and also players' fitness. Overall, I did enjoy myself refereeing today. I liked the way the players respected the tournament officials, definitely something which players here need to learn. The communication in the game amongst players were excellent. You can literally hear all the players talking to each other during the game. Again, a good game quality to follow.

"Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses."

-- George Washington Carver, botanist

Injury

reach higher

Some dreams live on in time, forever
Those dreams, you want with all your heart
And I'll do whatever it takes
Follow through with the promise I made
Put it all on the line
What I hoped for at last would be mine

"People will not bear it when advice is violently given, even if it is well founded. Hearts are flowers; they remain open to the softly falling dew, but shut up in the violent downpour of rain."

-- John Paul Richter

ups and downs

Today was the longest time I ever barbecued. 5 hours in total. The teachers and I cooked 300 sausages, 139 chicken wings and 8 kilograms of beef steak. We started barbecuing as early as 2.30pm for the under 14 boys. As we were cooking, we too felt being slow cooked under the hot sun! Thank heavens it started drizzling around 4pm resulting in less warm weather. Finished cooking at 7.30pm. Just when you think it's over, you still need to clean up the place. Definitely drained my energy. I was actually quite hungry while cooking, but after having the smoke right in my face, I just couldn't eat the cooked bbq food. I doubt I will eat it in the near future either. All for the boys! I do hope they appreciate our efforts.

Unfortunately, as much as I want it to be a good day, an unpleasant event occurred.
Some people never learn their lesson!

At the end of the day, if you dare to do break the rules, be ready to face the music. It will never be nice. You know. I know. We all know.

miracles

i do believe in miracles.

ninja assassin

Watched Ninja Assassin tonight with some of my army friends. Good gathering and catching up session. Happenings back in camp. Indeed, my previous unit is a very colourful place. The film was too violent and bloody for me. There was blood basically every minute of the movie. Story line was predictable though. Nonetheless, it was definitely action packed with back to back fighting scenes. Unfortunately, our seats were the second row from the front. At times, had trouble trying to see the whole big screen.

On the other hand, I finally took a train to vivocity today. Yes. It has been really long since I took one.

sitex

Yesterday was the first day I stepped into an IT fair in Singapore. Went together with the coaches after lunch to expo. I had to fight the temptation of purchasing the heavily discounted items. All the "wants" suddenly become "needs". I personally feel that the best products to buy was portable hard disks/ thumbdrives, hp tablet laptop and HD/ Blue ray tv.

Been really tired lately. Probably the heat.

pushing me so far

Weather today was really hot. Come to think, it's not so much the heat but more of the humidity. Getting used to it though.

Refereed a game in the American School in the afternoon. Game went smoothly and quite one sided. Again, weather almost killed me. Hydration is really important.

Drivers in Singapore are have the worst attitude on the road. I got horned for giving way to a bus today by the car behind me. Seriously pathetic. No wonder we need so many "good manners" campaigns. Obviously, it's not working. Driving in Perth is much better. Most drivers have respect for each other. Giving way is a culture.

I starting to miss Perth life.


"I never thought that I
Had anymore to give
Pushing me so far
Here I am without you
Drink to all that we have lost
Mistakes we have made
Everything will change
But love remains the same"
- Taken (part) from Love remains the same by Gavin Rossdale

Is God Evil?

Good advert on perspective of God.

Drawing the line

Finally went back to school today to meet up with the staff and boys. I felt happy going back to school. Catching up with the boys was enlightening. Definitely made my day.

Unfortunately, a Singaporean referee going back home during his study break is considered as "foreign" or outside referee. He is not really considered part of own home union. Find that really sad. Nonetheless, a line has been drawn.

"Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
- Albert Einstein

impossible to find...

It feels great to be home for the semester break. Catching up with family and friends. Unfortunately, the Singapore universities are all still having exams. Looking forward to go back to school later, meeting up with the rugby boys and staff.

Earlier today I was attempting to blog down my semester experience. Just as I was about to start, my mind went blank. I didn't know where to start from. About a minute later, I had a sudden rush of memories and attempted my best to record them down. I will post it once I had edited some parts.


Song (in my mind):

But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night
that I will fall for you over again
Don't make me change my mind

I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find

This is not what I intended
I always swore to you that
I would never fall apart
You always thought that I was stronger
I may have failed
But I have loved you from the start

Oh, But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night
that I will fall for you, over again
Don't make me change my mind
I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
It's impossible

Lyrics (part) taken from Fall for You by Secondhand Serenade

whirlwind of emotions.

my best

It feels good knowing that you have done the best you could for this semester. Now, it's time for a well deserved break.

Time flies when you are doing something you enjoy!

Next semester, it's going to be a different ball game altogether. Till then, CHILLAX!

Say 'em loud say 'em clear

I'm looking forward to my last paper!

I will blog more tonight.


Free by Lighthouse Family

Wish I knew how it would feel to be free
I wish I could break all the chains holding me
I wish I could say all the things that I should say
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole wide world to hear

I wish I could share
All the love that's in my heart
Remove all the bars that keep us apart
And I wish you could know how it is to be me
Then you'd see and agree that every man should be free

I wish I could be like a bird in the sky
How sweet it would be if I found I could fly
Well I'd soar to the sun and look down at the sea
And I'd sing cos I know how it feels to be free

I wish I knew how it would feel to be free
I wish I could break all the chains holding me
And I wish I could say all the things that I wanna say
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole wide world to hear
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole wide world to hear
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole wide world to hear

One love one blood
One life you've got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters, brothers

One love but we're not the same
We got to carry each other Carry each other
One One One One One...

I wish knew how it would feel to be free
I wish knew how it would feel to be free

departure/ farewell

last weekend.