wireless tech – the way to go in our world and future.
peace – Singapore has been having it for quite some time now. not taking it for granted, i hope this will continue for years to come. and i hope this can be extended to the rest of the world.
prosperity – Singapore has prospered since her beginning. not taking it for granted, i hope this will continue for years to come.
my physical fitness – i may not run like a hound or lift tons of weight, but at least i could still clear my annual physical fitness test with relative ease.
my army days – when i was in it, i cursed and swore regularly. now that i’m out of it, i can’t imagine what kind of a man i would be without it.
my N.I.E. days – i kind of sailed through the studies. so, pretty forgettable. it was the activities i went through with my friends that have lasting impression. tennis, discos, playing in the band, camping, movies, coffee hangout, cycling, etc.
opportunities at work – these opportunities reaffirmed me that i’m doing well at work.
pupils in school – they are the reason to my profession.
colleagues – there is no ‘i’ in the word ‘team’.
good health – i’m not fit like a bull, but at least i could still stand and sit and do almost anything i wish to do.
financial situation – i’m not rich at all, but at least i can still support my family and enjoy life.
mental ability – i’m not enstein, but at least i can still educate children, write sensibly and do things that require some basic intelligence.
and i’m not taking the above-mentioned for granted.
the air-conditioner – Mr Lee Kuan Yew said it was the greatest invention of mankind. can’t disagree with him.
the stapler – one of the most useful inventions in modern history.
the can opener – a very powerful invention for the kitchen.
Mathematics – used to be my weakest link, but it turned out to be a personal strength, and it had forced me to think intelligently.
Literature – used to be the most hated subject, but it turned out to be my love, all thanks to folks like Shakespeare, Golding, Orwell, etc.
English – used to be an average subject, but it turned out to be my passion and profession.
my eyes – arguably the most important sense organ.
plants – arguably the most important elements in our ecosystem.
Earth – arguably the most important planet in the solar system.
television – evil to many, but window to much knowledge for me.
my ears – hear ye, hear ye, for thou hast much to say.
toys – what is childhood without them?
telecommunications – hey, hands up all those who disagree.
remote controls – such pampering…
wordpress – for giving me this chance to continue blogging.
friends – for obvious reasons, i should mention ‘friends’. thank you my friends! 🙂
shakespeare – for giving me reasons to study ‘Macbeth’ at ‘O’ levels.
my washing machine – for allowing me to become more lazy.
my samsung i600 – my first pda phone. a very capable device that meets my work needs
the fan – my body feels warm easily. without the fan, i wouldn’t survive in Singapore very well.
the internet – need i explain this?
microphone – for making my life and voice healthier despite the constant classroom teaching.
Canterbury – how can i forget this lovely coastal town i visited back in 2000?
my soul – He sowed it and allowed it to grow in mind, spirit, body and strength.
doctors – without them, i would have died many times.
my mother – for being the only pillar of strength that can ride through anything all these years.
my digital camera – the Fujifilm Z5 has been a very capable compact cam for an amateur like me.
my tag heuer watch – a birthday gift from Jennifer and my only ‘masculine’ watch.
the dictionary – without it, i’ll probably be half who i am now. this relationship started all the way back in 1989.
my fingers – they have been serving me faithfully since my birth. i don’t think i can ever thank them enough.
Liverpool – will always be my number 1 football club in the world. yes, they might have broken my heart in recent years, but there have been more to cheer about in their entire history.
the ability to dream – without it, i wouldn’t have played for Liverpool down the left flank; i wouldn’t have earned my first million dollars in five years; i wouldn’t have seen my book topping the charts; i wouldn’t have made music that revolutionised the world; etc.
Fiji – my little miniature Maltese who has always been faithful.
Faith’s art piece – she taught me a few things here: anything is possible; creativity knows no limit or boundary; colours make the world beautiful in different ways.
Football Manager – i’m not a gamer. but i do play one PC game – Football Manager (formerly known as Championship Manager). non-football fans will never understand how much i have learned from playing this game since 1997.
Ford Focus – my current family ride. safe handling and a relatively smoother ride than most japanese makes. 8 out of 10.
whoever invented fireworks – for allowing my daughter to enjoy every firework display she had watched so far. one at disneyland and twice at National Day parade.
band of brothers – one of the best war dramas i’ve ever seen on screen.
football – about the most beautiful team sports in the world (though some would disagree).
my laptop – my toshiba A200 has been pretty fantastic. everything i need in a laptop, it has it. for less than 2K, it’s well worth the money.
my hair – short, easy to maintain, and it doesn’t look dated.
1927 – the aussie band back in the 80s. they produced songs like ‘if i could’, ‘that’s when i think of you’, ‘compulsory hero’, etc. i was a huge fan then.
music – for speaking to me in many different ways…for inspiring me in almost everything i do…for living within me that i might express myself.
my profession – as a teacher, i have seen myself developing in the areas of public-speaking, self-esteem, leadership, people management, teaching of English and Mathematics, etc. ’nuff said.
the chair – the one i bought from ikea. office-style swivel armchair with comfortable leather beneath. lots of words were generated ‘cos of the coziness from sitting on it.
Miss James – my entry that garnered an honourable mention at Clarity of Night. i enjoyed writing this piece a lot because i wrote it with a pretty light spirit and it took me a very short time to complete it. i kinda like my protagonist here. she had a sad life, yet she took everything rather positively. i hope i can learn from her myself.
the blogosphere – the people around and the opportunities to write have made me a happier person, i dare say. i find life more meaningful in this unique world too.
time – time is so abstract that no one can ever keep it long enough. but i believe that if i can use it well, it will give me chances to make my life more fruitful.
two more months and i’ll be blogging for a year. have always wanted to do something meaningful to mark my first blogging anniversary. after much thinking in my head, i finally decide to do something. you see, it’s in our human nature to be quick at seeing the negative side of life and thus, making ourselves unhappy by complaining. i’m pretty much guilty here. hence, i want to make that part of my life disappear gradually. i want to learn to be thankful for the big and little things of my life. i want a grateful soul within my puny body. i want to……
from today, i shall share my 3 Blessings even an Arse would be Thankful for each day. and i hope i can spread this ‘being thankful’ spirit around.
3 B.A.T. I:
Jennifer – for being the one and only who has to put up with my s***** temper every now and then. her patience and great support have made me a better man. she’s one very strong life partner.
Faith – for being a lovable and thoughtful daughter who almost always make me feel wonderful to be a father. she’s arguably the smartest two-year-old in the whole world right now.
Singapore – how can i forget my own nation…esp. with our National Day just days away? peace, prosperity, progress……what more can i ask?
folks, if you believe in what i’m doing here, go on, spread the word. find your 3 Blessings even an Arse would be Thankful for each day. And perhaps, you can share them with me too.
canterbury soul
doors left open (defunct) 