This is pool

I just love pool. It's a game of style, technique, accuracy, confidence and posture. The satisfaction from hitting a ball in is simply a pleasure. I always check a few points before hitting a ball. Alignment accuracy, power, posture, body positioning and cue hit zone. Pool is largely about ball physics too. It is all calculated according to physics laws. A particular force will give a particular effect. The direction will guide the effect of the force. Even the cue hit zone is important. Pool's a beautiful game. It's a game of precision and focus. If you want to relax with some friends, a game of pool is a good idea. That's provided that your friends appreciate the beauty of ball physics.

Promise and deliver

Have you ever wondered why some companies are successful while others are not? I think it simply points to a few good old principles and policies. The working ethics and practices these successful companies adopt are nothing complex and confidential.

It's simply "promise and deliver".

Good companies make big promises. Customers like their promises. And the important part is, these companies deliver.

The outstanding companies make big promises too. But they deliver more than what they promised.

I think companies which want to succeed should do so with integrity. Don't fake a smile. Make a fair deal. Try serve everyone's interests. Don't force people to buy your products.

It is simply delivering to what's promised. I think there shouldn't be any trying. Just do or don't.

Stress

What a calm morning! There was time to make coffee in the library and it's so quiet and peaceful. There's virtually no one in school. I think i love the term break.

So i guess life isn't too tough being a teacher. The working hours are not so long and when term breaks come, there is chance for a short respite. Yes i do not deny the stress of handling problematic students. But that is part and parcel of any career. Stress is inevitable.

I've seen and heard much about how the problem of stress is discussed. Everyone knows how you approach the problem of stress results in the effect of stress on you. In other words, react positively and you will improve. Or if you react negatively, it could lead to bigger problems.

But i'd like to see stress as a phenomenon. Stress is inevitable in the life of a human being. And there is no such thing as stress to the higher being.

Pre- race analysis

This Sunday is important. It's my first 5000m race of the season. It'll be inspiring if I can better my personal best. If I can't better it, it only means I have to keep working harder. I feel that performance is not reliant only on training. Lifestyle too has an impact on performance. How much sleep taken and the daily diet are lifestyle factors.

I just love the team. The camaraderie is great. Teamwork is strong. We take on the Speedwork together. The team never loses inspiration and motivation. And Zhi Yong is a wonderful mentor to the young aspiring lads. I take note of every tip he tells us. He is always ranked among the top five nationwide. We are indeed fortunate to have him in the team.

It's only a few days to the race and I think i'm ready for it. I will know about my form this Sunday.

Near- death experience on 10 March 2007

I just can't believe it. It's a twist. Just one quick thinking lead me to what I am today- alive! And what made me think of that way? I do not know. It's a mystery.

I was on the thin line between life and death. It was very thin.

I struggled to keep afloat.

The waves were overwhelming and the current was very strong.

I was choking and gasping for air. I panicked.

I felt trapped. I tried very hard to keep myself afloat by pushing myself above the surface with my limbs. That sapped my energy and only God knows how I'm gonna swim back to the shore about 200 metres away.

Then in an instant I tried something else. Try swim breaststroke to the near rock. That way i'll still get to breathe and move near the rock at the same time.

It's a miracle. A twist. One moment my chances of survival was close to zero and next I was clinging to the rock in deep relief.

It made me realize how fragile life is. It made me realize the limitations of man. In one way or another, everyone has to go one day. And it happened I was not to go that day. Though it was very close.

It could have been a freak accident death. But that did not happen.

I am still trying to come to terms with this. No i'm not deeply traumatized. But it's something I can't stop thinking about. It's not an everyday thing. I've come close to death a number of times. To date, it's the third time. I need to learn something from these.

The truth about insurance companies

You can never gain when you sign up for an insurance coverage plan. It doesn't matter whether it's from AIA, Prudential or the local NTUC Income. If you've paid and nothing bad happens, you lose money. If something happens, you get the money. But how do you feel with the mishap in your life? Can a permanent injury be compensated with money? Full compensation? If you lose a limb, what's the real compensation? Money or another real limb?

This is the truth about insurance companies. The moral line is somewhat blurred. The business is questionable. The ethics is debatable. To date, the insurance industry is expanding and making profits. One wonders how the insurance companies have manipulated its customers to be able to still generate profits when they also have to provide monetary compensation when the circumstances arise.

The best choice is to not sign up for any insurance plan. Your fate is better that way. Until the moment you sign up for one. Because even if you don't encounter any mishap, you will still lose money. And that's a mishap, isn't it?

The principal

What do you conjure up of a school principal? A highly experienced mentor? A no- nonsense persona? To the teachers, he's the boss and when he recommends or writes you off, it matters a lot.

I've never worked with a principal before. Until the year 2007 comes. Work has been fine. The principal is kind and friendly. It helps that I know his daughter personally. She is one of the best runners in Singapore.

My boss does give me many tasks to undertake. He wanted a new projector screen. He asked me to shift the book shelves. Once I had yet to complete a task he told me to do. He found out. I thought he was going to be mad at me. But no. He just said, "Oh, you haven't ah?" I thought that was a good virtue in a leader. It's patience. And understanding.

I don't always hear of nice comments about him. In fact, many felt that his style is that of an iron hand rule.

It is impossible to only fetch good reviews when you are a leader. Those whose ideals may actually be wrong will disagree. And you think they're correct to say you're wrong? Not at all. This is one of the challenges a leader have to face. He has to make the right decisions. Not popular decisions.

The return of the Long Run

It's about six in the evening. I checked the sky and it was divided into two different colours by the axis through the Jurong Lake. It's a strange sight. There was a risk of getting trapped in the rain. But it didn't rain. And my Long Run went smooth.

What was I thinking in the run? I just needed to improvise my stride to prepare for the 1500 metres. I know the mileage can do wonders. It makes you ready for anything the coach throws at you. It's like homework. On the track.

The best thing I can do now is to sleep and have a great rest. Before that I shall not forget something I need to do everyday.

It's currently 8: 07. The only way is down. The time, of course.

The weather's been erratic

Last week was like a drought. Today it rained heavily at seven. The weather's been unexplainable these days. Or is it these years? Some say the weather reflects a response to what human beings have done on Earth. Some say it's global warming. But I do like cold weather. The chill is refreshing and you feel like in another country. It feels like London.

In tropical Singapore the weather is humid and sometimes punishingly dry.

But I love the sun and showers because both keep the rainforest island fresh and clean.