The Sound of Music is based on the true story of Maria Rainer who served as a governess for the 7 children of Captain von Trapp, a retired Austrian Navy officer. Previously, she was, perhaps, an orphan taken care by The Nonnberg Abbey and was to work for the Abbey in her adulthood. However, Maria was deemed not suited for religious life and sent out on this mission.
The Captain ran his house like a battleship, treating his children like military recruits. I thought he ran it like a circus, treating them like performing animals. But when Maria and the children got to spend time alone together, she introduced them to a different kind of life, teaching them to sing and dance, winning them over in the process. The Captain was away on a holiday with his fiancée, Elsa Schraeder.
Upon his return, he was shocked by the chaos and Maria’s disregard of “The Captain’s Standing Orders”. His cold reserve melted when he heard the sound of music at home for the first time in many years. Then, he realized the importance of knowing and loving his children. That is our SAF equivalent of ‘caring for soldiers’.
Gradually, the Captain indulged in their enjoyment and at one occasion, danced with Maria. It was there and then that Maria realized her love for the Captain. Welcome the Austrian version of “The King and I”? Coincidentally or not, TKI is created by the same duo, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, who brought TSM to the world. We shall go back to the story. At the same time, the Captain and his fiancée dissolved their engagement on disagreement over Nazi invasion of Austria. With Elsa gone, there is nothing to come between them and they married 2 weeks later. Yes, 2 weeks.
By the time they returned from their honeymoon, Austria was already invaded by Nazi Germany. The Captain was then pressed into immediate military service, but Maria gained some time for him by convincing the authorities that they are scheduled to sing in a music festival.
Under the not-so-tight escort of Nazi military police, they managed to escape and hide in Nonnberg Abbey. With the help of the nuns, the Nazi soldiers searched for them unsuccessfully. Finally, they left for Switzerland for a new life.
Winner of 6 Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 1959, The Sound of Music is the world’s best loved musical. The original production of The Sound of Music opened at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 16, 1959 and ran for 1,443 performances. The movie adaptation of the same name is equally successful and stands as the most successful movie musical of all time. My mother and aunt watched it on cinema and had to be seated on the stairs with many others.
The Sound of Music will be performed in The Esplanade from 8 April 2005 to 30 April 2005.Resources: SISTIC www.sistic.com.sgThe Sound of Musical official website http://www.thesoundofmusic.biz/about.htm
Repluse Bay 
The property price of the coastal district is only second to Victoria Peak due to its exceptional good feng shui. A residential building would typically face the sea which symbolize wealth and surrounded by hills which symbolize a lot of support from important people in life. Repulse Bay has a U-shaped coast with two large hills acting as the entrance to the Bay. This symbolize the Green Dragon and White Tiger. This is very auspicious by feng shui standards. An island is also situated near the entrance of the Bay and this further enhanced its "auspirity".
Sheltered Harbour 
Literally known as 'Harbour sheltered from the winds', this is the place where all fishing boats will be berthed during typhoon seasons. Protected by the surrounding hills, it is also home to luxury boats of the wealthiest in Hong Kong. The most expensive boat belongs to Li Kak-Shing, founder of the world's largest port operator, Hutchinson Whampoa Ltd.
Victoria Peak 
A 'must-go' of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak is, by far, the most popular shooting venue for romance scenes of movies and dramas. Being one of the most inaccessible part of Hong Kong does not deter the rich from setting up their homes here. In fact, boosted with good feng shui and magnificent harbour and city view, property price of Victoria Peak is the highest in the country.
Wong Tai Sin Temple 
Wong Tai Sin Temple is Hong Kong's most famous and popular temple. Wong Tai Sin was a shepherd boy living in a part of China's Zhejiang Province called Red Pine Hill. He started practising Taoism at 15. At that time, an immortal taught him the art of refining cinnabar into a medicine that would cure all illnesses. Of course, many were saved from terminal illnesses by his prescription. By the age of 45, he is able to transform stones into sheeps. After his death, a temple was built in China to commemorate him. The temple was shifted to the current ground on the advice of a master.
My heartiest congrats to my sister for her successful posting into Yishun Junior College.
Initially, she intended to study in a polytechnic. But looking at her good results in Maths, Science and Chinese Language, it is likely that she can achieve in the 'A' levels examinations. Therefore, I did not have a hard time convincing her to take up the challenge. Her 'not-so-good' performance in English Language is another reason why studying in a junior college is advantageous.
Her first choice of junior college is my alma mater, Nanyang Junior College. As one of the junior colleges with a good brand, Nanyang is "over-subscribed" by the exceptionally larger cohort of students who are mostly born in the year of the Dragon. The competition is made more intense with the better performance by the cohort. In fact, last year's sitting is our best performance in the 'O' levels examinations ever. That is why even some straight-As students are not posted to the college of their choice.
She was then posted to Innova Junior College, the latest addition to the 17 "legitimate" 'A' levels course providers in Singapore. If I were in her situation, such posting would be celebrated with some ice-kacangs. Nothing beats the honour of being in the pioneer batch. As the new kid on the block, everyone, including tutors, are enthusiastic and wants to make things happen. Another key success factor lies in the principal. Innova also boosted good location and feng shui. It is strategically located near Woodlands Library (for research), Causeway Point (for fun and laughter), Woodlands MRT station (for accessibility) and next to Singapore Sports School (for what?).
She did not feel the same way at Innova and decided to "make her way" to Yishun Junior College (YJC). I say make her way because YJC would more than welcome students of her calibre. That is not a bad choice considering that it is located within walking distance which can add up to a lot of time savings in transportation. YJC is also the fittest junior college in Singapore with the highest percentage pass for the NATFA test. Hopefully, she can trim some weight there too. Most importantly, it has been the top value-added school for a few consecutive years which means her chance of eventually studying in a local university is somehow increased.
Now that she is officially a student of YJC, I hope she settle in as fast as possible and start working. Forget about past achievements and non-achievements and focus on the path ahead. Work hard and play hard. There will be hard times but that is the reason why one wants to study in a junior college. Tough times make tough men. The two years would past swiftly but would eventually become one of the most memorable and important years in life.
I wish her all the best in her quest to being the first local university graduate in my family.
Silent Witness, ridden by F Coetzee 
Let me clarify that I do not encourage horse-betting (I admire people who can predict horse races accurately though). This is especially so on this blogspot whose audience includes some of the most promising young men and women of Singapore. What I am sharing here is about horse-racing. To be exact, it is about a race horse.However, before I proceed, I must say that horse-racing has been one of the most misunderstood sports in this region with many people still regarding it as a form of betting. Not many are able to appreciate it as a sport or motion poetry. Perhaps it is the age limit set for the entrance to the turf club during racing days. When you set an age limit for something, people would assume it is unhealthy and avoid it for the rest of their lifes.That still does not stop me from sharing something about my favourite sport. Recently, when visiting the website of Hong Kong Jockey Club, I came to know of a potential best racehourse of all time, Silent Witness. Actually, it is already voted World Horse of the Year 2004. But with 4 more wins, this 5-year-old Australia Gelding would achieved the 17th straight victory and edge Cigar as the best horse of all time. Racing experts have predicted that it will accomplish this feat in an extremely comfortable manner. This horse is a big hit in Hong Kong but here in Singapore, this Witness is truly silent.Reports on it would be inevitable when it breaks the record held by Cigar. But before everyone knows it, you, supporters of eW , are getting it first. It is easy to find inspiration through animals, especially race horses. Remember Sea Biscuit? Be inspired as you witness its journey to world success.To find out more about Silent Witness, please log on to http://www.silentwitness.com.hk/english/sw05_index.aspI almost forgot to mention that Silent Witness has not been defeated since its debut on Boxing Day of 2002.
Live a life of strength,Break the barriers that limit your abilities.Don't set limits to your abilties.Strive courageously towards the goalsthat seem difficult or even impossible to attain.Be Happy and take up the challenge!Adapted from Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services- Vesak Day Celebration 2005 publicity brochure.Visit www.sbws.org.sg
United Airlines (UA 896) to Hong Kong 
An ocean without any shore. What a sight! The flight to Hong Kong takes about 3.5 hours. We took off from Changi Airport at 6.50am and reached Hong Kong International Airport at about 11.15am. I have only recently known the airport has replaced Changi Airport as the best airport in the world. And it is only minutes ago that I know that it is best airport since 2001.Cheung Tsing Tunnel 
There are many ways to travel around Hong Kong. You can travel on your own car or motorbike, a taxi, a mini-bus, a public transport bus, MTR (Singapore's equivalent of MRT), railway train, ferry, tram and even a helicopter. You can travel across and under the sea, underground and under the mountains via tunnels.Aquarium shop @ Mong Kok (Pets and aquarium street) 
This is a very good way to display fishes for sale. Firstly, it is cheap. Secondly, it saves space. Thirdly, it is easier to for customers to choose and make purchase. Last but not least, fishes kept in this manner is less likely to suffer from transmitted diseases or physical injuries. Is it cruel? Don't help the fishes to decide, ask them.Junk food @ Mong Kok 
Such offerings are very common in Hong Kong. It is oily, salty and dirty. I reckon that the healthiest and cleaniest food you can find in Hong Kong are fast-food like Cafe de Coral and Hardee's. But the "fish egg" (better known as fish ball here) is a must-try. One should not leave the territory without having a "fish egg" rolling in the mouth.
This is one of the best picture I could capture considering the sub-10C temperature, blowing winds and a light shower that followed.
Hong Kong has one the the best night views in the world. Commercial buildings owned by reputed businessmen in Hong Kong are decorated with neon lights which are programmed to change colour and pattern. One of the buildings (possibly owned by tycoon, Li Kak-Shing) can show up to 150 combinations of neon light displays.Singapore and Hong Kong are two very similar countries which compete on almost the same fronts. But if we are to compare the night view department, Hong Kong definitely have the upper hand. Firstly, it is the colour and its changing patterns. Next, it is the size. Standing at a strategic spot (maybe Benjamin Sheares Bridge), we can fit the skyline of Central Business District (CBD) into one photograph. If we are to take the picture of the same size of Hong Kong's skyline, we may need to combine 4 or 5 photographs.So you can imagine that the Hong Kong's night view is so stunning that it is like watching a motion picture in an omnimax theatre.
HONG KONGBrought to me by United Airlines.But before I go, let me express my appreciation to the following people:Riccardo Tan for his assistance and advice when I set up my new CPU recently.Wee Teng and Kai Ling, my students, for their Thank You card.My left bottom eyelid has been twitching since yesterday evening.... not a good sign.
6.00pm
Radio alarm on - Class 95. Open my eyes. Wait for my hand phone alarm to sound. Irritating “Meow!!?!” Wake up. Tidy up the bed. The Business Times. Brush my teeth. Wash my face. Breakfast. Change. Gel. Continue breakfast and Class 95. Open the door. Wear my shoes. Off to school.
This is my schedule in the morning for the past 2.5 months which I have grown accustomed to. So much so that I think I am going to adopt this schedule for some time to come. Waking up early in the morning makes me feel that I have the day in control.
6.40am
My journey to NSS begins. Although I am only kept half-awake by my radio tuner to the music and DJs of Class 95, I insist on walking to school. Firstly, it is more economical than taking a bus. Secondly, it is the morning breeze I get to enjoy. Thirdly, the sight, together with Class 95, along the journey contributes in waking the other half of me.
7.05am
I would reach school at around this time. This is always the time I use to sign in, even though I may be a couple of minutes earlier or later.
I reached school a few minutes earlier today.
Usually after signing in, Mr. K would be giving me my “lobang(s)” of the day. I am very willing to offer assistance. I still have to force a smile because at this time, I am at (remember?) warming up mode.
7.10am
The only day without having to teach in the first period is Friday. But not today, I am to cover the duties of my colleague-cum-JC junior.
Usually, without official teaching required in the first period, I can afford to relax until assembly time.
7.15am
Walk to the assembly area for flag-raising.
This morning, I went to Sec.1NB to borrow a student’s English file with contents updated completely. Found someone who has what I want. Great!
SCHOOL STARTS.
To be continued…
The best place to go on a Sunday afternoon has to be Bugis.
