Hari Raya 2010

I could remember of another Hari Raya in the past which fell on a Friday. I was reminscing being in the mosque twice in a day. One for the Hari Raya prayers and another, the Friday prayers.

I could remember the streets i would pass by every year. Haig Rd. Tampines Rd. Hougang Ave 3.

Times have really changed. I've seen little boys grown up into teenagers, teenagers grown up into adults getting married next month.

And grandma. She raised me up till I was two. She had never scolded or shouted at me till i was at the point of breaking. She knew what i liked to eat. I could see in her eyes how much she cared for me.

"So have you found a job?" asked grandpa. It was only recently that i think i got closer to grandpa. I think we understood each other in some terms. He is jovial, humorous and good- natured.

I also met my uncle who was hospitalised for a lymph node complication. How could a misfortune be a blessing in disguise?

My cousin in National Service said about a confinement order and i asked him if that was for getting caught smoking in restricted premises. He said it was part of a routine.

And i wished another cousin of mine good luck in her exams. Which is, kinda my exams too.

Warna keeps airing well- wishers who break down at the end of their dedications on live radio. For every person, in this Hari Raya, there is surely something nostalgic to think about. Something that could probably stir emotions.

Where are all the others whom I have yet to meet today?

Art gallery

Can someone explain what is the use of art galleries and museums? It is not exactly the best in generating revenues and entrepreneurial aspirations, but it still exists, standing tall in cities. It's like you need the phone and television, but you also want that lanscape picture hanging in the living room.

People buy Toyota Camrys, BMW 700 series and Land Rovers. But the Volkswagen Beetle, the Mini Cooper and Harley Davidson's is just as pricey, if not, greater.

So art still sells.

Jordan 2 Singapore 1

A windy and cold Amman was the setting for the Asian Cup qualifier between the Middle East nation Jordan and one of the better Southeast Asian football countries Singapore. Jordan, backed by an amazing home crowd drew first blood by their most lethal forward in the match who resembles French attacking midfielder Karim Benzema.

Jordan executed multiple split- second moves. They used whatever spaces they could find. Their moves were fast, instantaneous, effective, accurate and stylish. On top of it all, they were more composed than Singapore. They attacked from all angles. The Jordanian midfield team kept the balls sent in from now and then. They were consistently on the prowl.

Singapore needs to improve. We played slow. We moved slow. We lacked rythm. If we were to analyse what needs to be done, there are a few aspects to look into. We have a fitness gap we need to bridge. We need to play with a lion's heart. We need to be more confident. We still lack the technical skills. We need to, as a team, be stronger.

Some of the notable performances by Singapore were of custodian Lionel Lewis, forward Noh Alam Shah, Jia Yi and the promising youngster, Harris.

We are out of the Asian Cup.

My attempt at photography

No it is not anything about aperture effects, macro/ micro lens nor lugging the tripod around. It was just a pink Canon pocket camera and my attempt to capture.

The set above probably has a familiar theme: People. The theme interests me because we could see what emotions are. Wonder. Awe. Anticipation.

Children is another interesting theme. What could be more adorable?

I fancy scenes with great lighting effect. Such as the one of swirling waves basking in the bright sun rays. Totally amazing. There is something serene about the sea and I don't know what it is.

800m

Recently, the track and field event 800m has really got me very fascinated. It is fascinating because of the lactic challenge involved.

Lactic build- up is a funny feeling. It's a bit like medicine. It's not nice. But it's good. A definite paradox.

Above is the picture of a true world champion. He is the Canadian record- holder over 800m, arguably the most gruelling, tactically and physically event in track and field. Before the Osaka world championships a few years ago, the Canadian team stopped over Singapore. I literally saw Gary Reed doing 200m repeats at 22- 23 seconds. He was doing it multiple times. He didn't sweat. That was one of the most amazing things I saw at Gombak. For an amazing standard he has reached he definitely has aerobic capacities and lactic threshold levels far far superior than any of us.

To run 2 laps in 1:43 is crazy. You will know it when you realize it on the running track.