I called Clement to ask for direction in the evening. He told me to ask Van to go by ECP and exit Marine Parade. After which, go straight and turn left to Paya Lebar Road when we saw the MRT rail. We couldn't find the MRT track but Van saw the sign that said "Paya Lebar Road". She asked if we should turn becos we were all not sure with the area.

Somehow, my feeling told me to turn. Maybe he knows we are going to see him.. So I told Van "Aiya.. Just wack.. Just turn to this Paya Lebar Road.." although we never see the rail..

So we drove up to Paya Lebar, hoping to find a way to link to Upper Paya Lebar. Finally we saw the sign and followed the road. I was looking out for Bartley Road becos after that, we will reach our destination soon. I saw Bartley Road. I asked Van to slow down..

I think he knows that we were heading down to see him.. So he showed us the way..

The traffic seemed to slow down as we approached Quemoy Road. There was a policeman who stopped every car in front of us. I winded down the window as we approached him. He asked for the purpose of entering this road. We told the police that we were going in to see him.

After which, we drove up the slope. we saw the bright light and white tentage that was unusual for a landed property area becos normally the only visible lights were those from the lamp posts.

Van parked the car.

Before we alighted, I searched thru my bag for my phone and some cash, switched my phone to Slient Mode and stepped out of the car, with a heavy heart.

I have never felt that worst for a long time. We walked towards the tentage area. We were so close to seeing him, one of those the nation has been praying hard for that glimpse of hope for survival a few days back.

There were many people at the wake. A lot of muscular tanned young men. I believed those were dragon boaters from different clubs and teams. We walked nearer to his house and saw Kerry and Becky. Both didnt look too well. Kerry asked if we wanted to go in to see him. We nodded.

Quietly, we walked into the house where the coffin was put with his photo in front. At this moment, I knew everything was real. He was really gone, to a place so far from us. We can only see and remember him through his pictures and images of him in our heart.

I lowered my head to say a prayer for him. I know that he was called home to be with the Lord. To a better place. I have mixed feelings. Sad becos he would now live in our memories and heart. Happy becos he was going to be with God in heaven.

I couldnt hold back my tears anymore. Although I didnt weep loudly, my tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably. I had to keep wiping them away. It was irritating that I could no longer control my emotions.

We stayed for about half an hour before Van sent me home. On the way back, we didnt speak much. I guess she was having some thoughts running in her mind and I just wanted some quiet moments too (Although I am usually the one who talked a lot..).

Van, thanks for the ride back once again. Really appreciate it. I know u would read my blog. Wat I wanna say is I love and cherish u as a friend. Just like how God loves and cherishes u as his child. But definitely much lesser than the love from God to u..


The following paragraph will be dedicated to a passionate teacher, whose spirit will live in our heart.

To Stephen,

Personally, I do not know u very well as a friend. In fact, we hardly spoke in school. Maybe hi and bye and some nods and smiles.

But u always have the look on your face that says "I am a dragon boater..." (well at least it appears to me that way..) I never thought a macho man like u will have ur smiley moments..

I remembered once during ICG when u banged onto me so hard that I almost fell flat onto the floor. U never said sorry and continued playing. I was so pissed off that I complaint to Kerry. After which, Kerry went to speak to u and u were actually not aware that u had knocked me down.. But u told Kerry u didnt mean to do it.. Ya.. I understand becos u were so focused in the game.. Of cos, this is the real u.. U are always so focused in everything u do.

U have definitely left a impact in the many young lives out in schools and of cos those of us who have been in PESS with u during ur NIE years..
Thank you.

For the chance to know u.
For the chance to be your schoolmate.
For the chance to know that we have passionate PE teacher like you amongst us.

You will continue to be a motivation and we will live by your legacy.

May u find comfort by His side.

Rest in peace.


With love,
Lynn

Thank you to all those who helped to pray for our PE schoolmate who was missing in the Dragon boat race.

Members of PESS, past and present, will unite and pull through this rough time together. We have done it once, we can do it again.

In loving memory of Stephen Loh Soon Ann.

You have been an inspiration to many. You will be missed. Rest in peace.


Deepest sympathy and condolences to Stephen's family, close friends and loved ones.

The following article is taken from Channel News Asia website.

Five Singaporeans missing in Cambodian boat race mishap: officials
By Leong Wee Keat, TODAY Posted: 23 November 2007 2224 hrs

SINGAPORE: Five members of the Singapore national dragon boat team are missing, feared drowned, and 17 others were hospitalised after their boat capsized on Friday during Cambodia’s annual water festival river races, officials said.

The mishap occurred late in the afternoon on the first day of the races, which draw millions to the capital Phnom Penh, a police official told AFP.

The Singaporeans’ boat capsized as the crew of 22, aged between 20 and 30 years, were rowing back to the starting line, at the end of the 1.5-km Cambodia-Asean Traditional Boat Race in which 10 teams competed.

According to Mr Kwek Siew Jin, president of the Singapore Dragon Boat Association, at about 4.20pm, the boat was swept by a sudden wave and hit a pontoon, causing the boat to overturn.

Resue boats were immediately deployed, but five of the crew could not be found. An extensive search was mounted.

The crew was not wearing lifejackets for this race, according to the association.
In a statement last night, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ministry and the Singapore Embassy in Cambodia were working with the local authorities in the search and rescue operations.

The association told Today it had contacted the family members of the missing five Singaporeans, and it was working closely with the MFA to facilitate their passage to Cambodia.

The five missing crew members had been training with the national team for a year. The SIngaporean contingent of 29, which included officials, was due to be back in Singapore on Sunday.

Accidents are common during the boat races, which involve dragon boats crewed by as many as 70 rowers, on the sometimes-choppy waters in front of Phnom Penh’s royal palace. - TODAY/ac


***********************************************************

One of my friends is among the missing 5. Please pray for their safe return.

Finally want to blog.. Have been rather busy and LAZY (ok.. more of LAZY than BUSY.. Haha..) these days.. Forcing myself to start with revision for next Tuesday paper..

Anyway, last Friday went back to school to discuss M&E Test answers.. Must work hard for exams.. My remaining 60%! I made a photo collage for Rach which made me super proud of my work! (I post photo at the end of this entry.) I hope she loves it.. Cos the selection of photo part almost killed me.. I think she appears in abotu 60% of the total photo taken in my NIE years.. So can tell that there is really a wide variety and choices of out dearest "poser" here.. Haha..

But still, Happy bdae sweetie!

After the lesson we left for Thai Express at Junction 8. It has been a while since I last visited J8 and they really changed for the better. More new shops and wider variety. Just a pity that The Natural Source is no longer there.. Dunno where to get those good moisturiser in future..

Anyway, Mummee Sarah saw the collage I made for Rach and she taught I had put in alot of time and effort. Which brings me to talking about 5 Ways to Express Your Love.

1) Touch (All ur kisses and huggies and keeping each other "warm")
2) Words (Words of Reassurance.. "I Love You" + all sweet talk that melts heart..)
3) Gifts (Little little things you buy or do for ur loved ones be it practical or not..)
4) Actions (Running her/his chores and/or making sure u only say Goodbye at her/his door step after a long day out..)
5) Time (Quality and quantity time spent alone for him/her or time spent together ..)

Mummee said I am a Gifts & Time person. Looking at the things which I have done for friends.. She felt that it would likely be the same for my partner..

Personally, I think that I will be a Time, Gifts & Touch person. Looking at the things I have done for my girl friends.. I am sure that it would be similar when a real BF comes into the picture.. Haha.. I may not be good at words.. Maybe becos I end up being to direct and blunt at times.. Rather be truthful to each other than lying all my life..

As for my preferences, I would prefer my partner to be the same as me!! Haha.. All ladies in this world love little surprises.. I am one too! The Gifts part is not really my priority but occasionally good to be showered with a little surprises.. Even giving me an apple to keep the doctor away can be the sweetest thing.. Haha..)

I think Action is of least importance to me.. Singapore is not that big after all.. Besides, it makes no sense to be sent home then my partner gotta travel alone back home. So if we leave town for home at 1130pm.. I can still catch the last bus.. I reach home at 12mn.. By the time, he will have to end up taking cab! Midnight charge! Waste money and time..

Unless he drives.. Haha.. But then again, I cannot expect him to pick me up always wad.. If it's out of the way.. I just think that it's dumb and not practical..

I think it takes both hands to clap.. Must give and take and compromise.. Best is to communicate well..

Communication is the key to a successful relationship. Trust can be built once u learn to communicate well.. :)

Personal opinion, that is. *wink*


As promised, Rach's collage..

To a woman, a good bra must at least have a good support and provide certain level of comfort..

I think bras are like friends around u..

This is how women buy bras:

When we choose bra, we tend to bring a few pieces of different colours or cuttings into the fitting room to try on. den when we put it on, we see if it is comfortable and make sure the cups are able to cover what is necessary.. Den we look into the mirror and strike a few pose to see if it looks good on us.. Den we KIV that bra..

After which, we try the other colours and cuttings.. Becos we are allowed to bring a max of 3 pieces into the fitting room at most times, we tend to make a few trips if we have taken quite a fair bit of bras from the store.

When you wear a good bra, it is definitely one which gives u the support and comfort you need. When the bra gives u a good support, you will feel secured and rest assured that the hooks at the back (or some in front) will not snap off just lidat.

Of cos there are instances whereby u buy a bra to realise that u actually dun quite like it.. But since u have bought it, u just make do with it. Den if u wear it often and all the bras are lidat, it will cost the breasts to "change shape"..

Sometime, u realise that u havent been wearing a particular bra for a long time, when u took it out to wear and to match some outfit.. Suddenly it looks good and nice on you.. Even though u are wearing it inside and the tendency is that not many ppl will see it anyway..

This is the way we have been treating our friends too.

Initially when u meet a new group of friends.. You will mix around with everyone.. Den slowly u will find your "preferences" after some time and interactions with different individuals.. we tend to find friends of the same frequency as us becos communication is very impt. If ur friends cannot give u the support u need.. u will slowly drift away without realising.. Some time, there are friends in our lives when we will always go to for advices and complaints. But how often do we realise that we have been sharing the bad things to the same person only when we need them? Why can't we share some happy things with them?

A friend will give u the support u need and always there to provide a shoulder for u to lean on when u need. U will feel the sense of security hanging out with such friends.. U are confident that these friends will not leave u in lure when u are in trouble.. They are the ones who will go thru thick and thin with u.. But how many of such friends do u really have? Trial and tested? Not always..

Some friends we made in life are hi and bye friends.. But who knows in the future they may end up to be ur friend-long friends who provide u with the support and comfort u need..? For friends who have their shortcomings, do not end up being of the same kind.. If the change is positive, be daring enough to tell and help your friend correct his/her shortcomings..

I have a couple of bras in my wardrobe. I normally wear a variety of them.. But tend to wear sports bras most often..But now since I believe that I have brought the bras, it must have been right somehow.. I want to strike a good balance between the types of bras I have been wearing..

Times when I don't wear bra is when I need some space to "breathe". These are my quiet times for my to be alone.. :)

Friends, thanks for being my bras. Although I may not have the chance to meet every individual ones of u that often, rest assured that u are remembered and loved. There will be chance for us to meet and catch up with each others' lives.. I may not be the best bra that u have but as far as possible, I aim to be one of ur better ones.. (For the guys, it's like boxer/brief to you.. )

Sorry if there are times when I totally shun away from all of u.. I guess I also need some personal space.. Hope u understand..

Sorry if this analogy sucks but since this is my blog, I simply get to doodle about anything I want.. Maybe I shall talk about shit the next time.. Haha.. And since my angmor sucks, the points are "discussed" in a random manner too! Hahahaha..

Time to dig out all the bras!! :P

Hmmm.. What shall I wear tmr?

I am going Kunming on 1-9 Dec..

Yeah~

So I will be very busy for the next couple of weeks preparing for exam and the trip.

Looking forward to spend Winter in China.. Haha..

Looking back, I realised that I get to travel almost every holiday since..

Nov 2006: Krabi, Thailand with my Krabi gang
June 2007: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with Rach & bf(Jason), Andre and Eric
Dec 2007: Kunming, China with JJ teachers
May 2008: USA with Van and Rach

So looking forward to the US trip..

Oh ya.. I finished watching Heroes Season 1. DAMN FREAKING NICE!!!!!!!!

Waiting for my friend to come online to send me season 2!!!!!

Anyway, Channel 5 showing! Please watch!! Highly recommended by me. But the 1st 2 episodes maybe boring.. But will get more exciting in the episodes to come..

This is like the FIRST English drama which I have completed watching the entire season without "giving up"..

Ok.. Back to read my Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul..

Yum yum..