Heartbroken

Today marks the first time I saw my daughter's heart broken.

Our domestic helper, Yunani, had completed her 2 years contract and did not want to continue her tenure with us anymore. Though she was very close to our children, she misses home and we have to let her go.

After sending our maid off through the customs of Changi Airport, I saw Isabel's reddened eyes gleaming with tears. She turns 8 this year and for the very first time, her heart was broken knowing that her favourite playmate will not be returning to keep her company anymore.

Seeing her with such sorrow, saddens me and my wife. And I now know the big difference about being heartbroken myself and seeing the people you care about going through the ordeal. The latter being the one that will really twist and wrench your heart because you know that they will have to go through this process and there isn't much that one can do to help with the pain other than to hope that time passes quickly. And time, is the only healer.

And when it was time for bed just now, she wept uncontrollably as she misses her room mate sorely. I had to promise her that we will call Yuna the next day evening so she can chat with her.

All this time, we were worried more about our 3 year old son, Nathaniel, not being able to understand that his "kaka" will no longer be in our home the next day. But it was Isabel whom found it so hard to let go.

I had to explain to Isabel that in life, there will be many "Hellos" and "Goodbyes". With each "Goodbye", there will be a new "Hello". (Citing the new incoming maid as example). I hope she can understand what I was trying to say.

But what I didn't tell her was that, the greater the joy in the "Hello", the more the sorrow when it's time to say "Goodbye". Parents can guide their children but it'd still be best to let them figure out some facts of life for themselves rather than plain following parents' advice and not understanding about life itself.

I believe Isabel had matured socially after this significant event of her life. And we are so proud of her.

 

Isabel on happier days just weeks before her kaka's departure

The cure for AIDS

Death "IS" the cure for AIDS!

Singapore unique blend of Salad Bowl and Melting Pot culture

Singapore is a multi-racial nation that sings songs of harmony.

Back when it was just discovered by Sir Stamford Raffles, he converted the small fishing village into a popular trade settlement. The settlement was segregated into various racial zones and Singapore welcomed migrants whom chose to settle down here.

In the early 1800s, that was the scene in Singapore. Migrants integrating into their respective quadrant areas segregated by their origins and race. In each racial district, they preserved their heritage and culture that was brought over from their homeland. New settlers found it easy to live among the culture and lifestyle was familiar to them as they speak the same dialects and share the common heritage.

Tackling the Black Swan Theory (Problem)

According to author, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, the "Black Swan Theory" is a theory explaining an unexpected event or series of events, which are highly improbable and unpredictable, that impact our lives severely and at a post-mortem analysis, deemed preventable if resources have been dedicated to identifying the symptoms which were right before our eyes.

The "Black Swan Theory" can be said for any major unexpected crisis (eg Earthquakes, tsunamis, financial system breakdown, political coups and even wars).

Movie Review: Underworld Awakening

Honestly, the one and only reason why I wanted to watch this show was because Kate Beckinsale looked absolutely fantastic in latex for all the previous installment of the Underworld series.

Of course, the plot, since the first Underworld movie was good enough, for shameless guys like me to go watch the sequels (and more latex on Kate).

About 15 mins into the show, I somehow realised that something was wrong with the plot. The face of the male lead (Michael Corvin) seems somehow weird and does not resembles the same actor (Scott Speedman). Then I realised that he must have not renewed his contract for this installment of Underworld.

The rest of the plot seems to have been designed around Michael Corvin/Scott Speedman's absence. I feel that the movie, with the absence of one of the primary cast, was completed for the sake of completing it and tries to squeeze whatever last ounces of commercial value it has left from its previous installments.

Besides the sad plot workaround, Kate Beckinsale seems to have aged and her scenes in latex have also been reduced. I recall this particular scene where she puts on a jacket for no obvious reason.

In the entire movie, there was a "single" moment of comedy. And that was for me the only value of the $8.50 spent for the weekday ticket.

Sad to say, watching this movie only made me want to watch the previous installments of Underworld.
So I can see Kate in her younger looking self donning taut latex.