I missed this year's game again as I have booked my holidays ticket. It is always an experience to meet up with all the old RI soccer 'boys' again after 30 years. They still gave the same respect to those former teachers like Alfred Chen and Seetoh Mun Chap who dropped by to watch this yearly soccer meeting with SJI, even though some of them are of come standing in the local community now.
I am so glad that ORA began the Suhaimi Ali Cup for the U16. I remembered the late Suhaimi as a humble, shy and quietly determined person who spent hours training the U16 and U18 RI soccer team in the early 80s. His younger brother, Juraimi also captained RI soccer team. My earlier blog had a picture of him with the victorious U18 team. He need not shout but command immediate respect from the boys with his earnest voice. Even in victory, I remembered the boys had to look for him and dragged him forward to lift the Cup. I guessed he believed that the boys deserved all the accolades and should enjoy the limelight. Very quickly, he would quickly moved into the shade again. A great man. RIP
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Bukit Ho Swee memories
Memories of Bukit Ho Swee
It was in 1963 and I was 10 years old when my father died. My mum with her 4 boys had to relocate from a 3 room SIT flat at Margaret Drive to Bukit Ho Swee. It was Block 5, 281C, Jln Bukit Ho Swee near to the present SEAB Building ( formerly Bk Ho Swee Primary School). We spent about 2 years there. My deepest memory of this block was its common toilet and the stories about suicides being committed there by desperate people (rumours of poverty abound) so much so that I would not dare to go there at night, no matter how urgent I felt in my bowels. I would just do it on a newspaper, wrapped it and then threw into the common dustbin at the other end of the dark corridor, flanked by units.
The toilets, cubicles of about 5 facing each other, were in the middle of the block. There was one set for every level. The floor, of course, was slimy because washing it was an individual matter. We have to bring our own water into the toilet and I remembered pouring some around the toilet basin before using it. Fortunately it was the squat type.
The news of someone hanging himself or herself in one of those cubicles would bring chills to us young boys. On the way out of the house in the early morning when it was quiet, I would walk very briskly and then jumped the steps to hurry.
Surprisingly, there were entrepreneurs within the block itself. My neighbour would sell cigarettes at the staircase landing. At the ground floor, someone would sell ricksaw noodles. Then we had a nice lady barber at the ground floor as well.
I think there were about 4 of such blocks. We could overlook the richer SIT 4-storey blocks near to Tiong Bahru but it couldn’t hide the plight of those who lived in these 6-storey blocks.
Then in 1965/66 we were told to move as HDB wanted to demolish them, so we were relocated to Blk 13, 557-D which was very near the present Tiong Bahru Plaza. It was much better as we have our own toilet now. Still the neighbourhood was as tough as it could be. Many unemployed and thug looking characters around but generally they did not disturb us, knowing we were just as poor. Most of our neighbours would go to Bukit Ho Swee Secondary (now SEAB) or Tiong Bahru Secondary (now where Gan Eng Seng Secondary is located) with its unique lime greenish pants/skirt and white shirt/blouse.
The blocks were all gone. New HDB flats and condominium are being built. When one returned to the area, only the blocks at Taman Ho Swee and Beo Crescent would give me the sense of nostalgia about the place which I grew up.
I wish I have pictures to show those old memories but who would have the luxury of a camera then??
It was in 1963 and I was 10 years old when my father died. My mum with her 4 boys had to relocate from a 3 room SIT flat at Margaret Drive to Bukit Ho Swee. It was Block 5, 281C, Jln Bukit Ho Swee near to the present SEAB Building ( formerly Bk Ho Swee Primary School). We spent about 2 years there. My deepest memory of this block was its common toilet and the stories about suicides being committed there by desperate people (rumours of poverty abound) so much so that I would not dare to go there at night, no matter how urgent I felt in my bowels. I would just do it on a newspaper, wrapped it and then threw into the common dustbin at the other end of the dark corridor, flanked by units.
The toilets, cubicles of about 5 facing each other, were in the middle of the block. There was one set for every level. The floor, of course, was slimy because washing it was an individual matter. We have to bring our own water into the toilet and I remembered pouring some around the toilet basin before using it. Fortunately it was the squat type.
The news of someone hanging himself or herself in one of those cubicles would bring chills to us young boys. On the way out of the house in the early morning when it was quiet, I would walk very briskly and then jumped the steps to hurry.
Surprisingly, there were entrepreneurs within the block itself. My neighbour would sell cigarettes at the staircase landing. At the ground floor, someone would sell ricksaw noodles. Then we had a nice lady barber at the ground floor as well.
I think there were about 4 of such blocks. We could overlook the richer SIT 4-storey blocks near to Tiong Bahru but it couldn’t hide the plight of those who lived in these 6-storey blocks.
Then in 1965/66 we were told to move as HDB wanted to demolish them, so we were relocated to Blk 13, 557-D which was very near the present Tiong Bahru Plaza. It was much better as we have our own toilet now. Still the neighbourhood was as tough as it could be. Many unemployed and thug looking characters around but generally they did not disturb us, knowing we were just as poor. Most of our neighbours would go to Bukit Ho Swee Secondary (now SEAB) or Tiong Bahru Secondary (now where Gan Eng Seng Secondary is located) with its unique lime greenish pants/skirt and white shirt/blouse.
The blocks were all gone. New HDB flats and condominium are being built. When one returned to the area, only the blocks at Taman Ho Swee and Beo Crescent would give me the sense of nostalgia about the place which I grew up.
I wish I have pictures to show those old memories but who would have the luxury of a camera then??
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Japan's vending machines
Japan, land of the rising sun, can take extreme pride of being the cleanest country in the world. Everything is orderly and fastidously correct. It is also a place where one can find vending machines in every nook and corner. The machines dispense virtually everything
This is the machine which deserves a second look. Maybe it is a new type of drink or a new brand that was advertised.Saturday, June 14, 2008
Turning 55
June 14th 2008 :
A warm and balmy day. Holland had just thrashed France 4-1 to enter the q-final of Euro08 while Italy drew 1-1 with Romania. It will be between the three countries for the final q-final spot from this group.
Usual Staruday attended Novena at 0900 and then down to Toa Payoh for a spot of heartland shopping. Spent $200 just to get fitted with a pair of footsoles for relief of heel pain. Dinner at Bk Gombak. So, it was an ordinary in my life, a blessing just being able to see my CPF money coming back to me for my own administration
A warm and balmy day. Holland had just thrashed France 4-1 to enter the q-final of Euro08 while Italy drew 1-1 with Romania. It will be between the three countries for the final q-final spot from this group.
Usual Staruday attended Novena at 0900 and then down to Toa Payoh for a spot of heartland shopping. Spent $200 just to get fitted with a pair of footsoles for relief of heel pain. Dinner at Bk Gombak. So, it was an ordinary in my life, a blessing just being able to see my CPF money coming back to me for my own administration
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
National Stadium - Last Game??
Prematch scene outside the Stadium
Section of the crowd as viewed from the Gallery stand
The two different sections of supporters
The eternal flame and end of match scene
Since 1973, the National Stadium had seen numerous eventful occasions and its atmosphere was endeared in everyone heart after we sat on those wooden benches and felt the atmosphere of the occasion. June 30 2007 was supposed to be the last event the dear old lady would host before it is being torn down for the new Sports Hub. The soccer game was a friendly between Singapore Lions and Australia (who won 3-0 with Harry Kewell playing).
However, since that match, there were other matches played there, the last being the World Cup qualifying game between Singapore and Uzbekistan (who won 7-3). It seemed that we were duped when the Australian game was touted to be the last. Singapore Sports Council and FAS got some explaining to do.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Ama Keng Farm
This last area of farming land at Ama Keng near Tengah Air Base was recovered by the government in 2006. It used to be a farm with lots of herbs and was tilled by an old lady who has a wealth of knowledge in Chinese herbs and their uses. Unfortunately it is all gone now.
Pang Sua Canal at Yew Tee
The end of the canal with Kranji Reservoir in sight
The bend slope of the canal side allows people to stand and fish
Those of us who have been staying at Yew Tee would have discovered this little area of natural scenery since 2005 when the Pang Sua Canal diversion was built. This diversion started at the Teck Whye Canal and it drains into the Kranji Reservoir at the end.
The views from the canal pathway are great. It gives a sense of peace and quiet especially in the early part of the morning. In the dusk, when fishermen took over, there is a laid back kind of surrounding.
On one side of the canal, one can find the factories of Sungai Kadut. On the other side where Kranji Camp is, there is a forested area where one can find fruit trees. It is especially busy during durian season as the durian hunters will arrive in full force to harvest.
There is a pair of sea eagle nesting among the tall trees. Observed were green parrots, kingfishers and a variety of migrant birds.
Sungei Kadut factories on one side Reflection of the Yew Tee Estate
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The marsh land along the pathway.
The view of Kranji Camp
The 2.5 km walkpath. View of the BBC Microwave station at then end of the the pathway.
Fishermen at the banks of the canal. Tioman and catfish are aplenty. Some used net to go across the canal to trawl the water.
Glorious sunset at the end of the pathway, with a splendid view of the Kranji Reservoir
Pictures showed the clearing was taking place since May 2008
The road was created as part of the connector to the Neo Tiew farm area. Many grassland and tree were cleared, destroying the virginity of the land. Hopefully, this destruction will not affect the long term survival of the flora and fuana of this peaceful greenery.
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