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Boy Soldier

I had a chance to meet this little friend, Max, along Sint Peiterstraat at the square in front of Oude Minderbroederskerk Catholic Church. He was dressed in a dated military uniform with combat gears, jeep and truck owned by his family for display on a car-free Sunday in Maastricht city, Netherlands. He agreed to pose in the driving seat of the jeep for me to take a picture.

I took another picture of Max standing beside the jeep. He looked fantastic in the war-washed uniform with the combat outfit. He was 10 years old, the same age as my son, Elijah, at the time I took this picture.

I am thankful for the opportunity to take pictures of random people; you may not have the chance to meet again and that is what made these pictures memorable and unique!

Butterfly Lantern

It began from Elijah's sketch of the butterfly wings, we had built a symbol to commemorate 90 years of establishment of Radin Mas Primary School - The Monarch Butterfly for this year's lantern making competition. The theme was "RMPS: Past, Present, Future". The idea of making butterfly lantern came from, coincidentally, the 2 caterpillars given to Elijah to nurse them into butterfly for his study on life-cycle of a butterfly. What could be better theme than this!

Therefore, whether past, present or future, the school's vision is to nurse its caterpillar students into a soaring butterfly; a place where they work hard, play hard and make a mark!

It was fun and fulfilling being able to engineer and improve from Elijah's initial sketch to the end product. Material used are: duct tapes, clear tapes, coffee stirers, drinking straws, desk pad, semi-clear folders, LED lighting, cable ties and water bottles.

While others were going to the world, Mr Lee Kuan Yew brought the world to us and created a nation, a society that is unlike any others. Today, Singapore is a vibrant, multi-cultured, safe and efficient country which many envy and world leaders sought to model it’s success. All these attributes would not be possible without Mr Lee’s strong determination, foresight, courage, perseverance and administration in accelerating the country’s transformation to a world-class business-hub while developing it’s people; enabling Singaporeans to take on the world. I cannot express my gratitude in words to Mr Lee whenever I look at the modern successful Singapore. He could have chose a different life considering his outstanding academic performance and a well family brought up at that time. Yet he chose to return to Singapore; back to this backward society and determined to make a change in his life and the lifes of many here. Today’s Singapore is a reflection of his selfless contributions, a mark of his successful leadership using his entire lifetime that sometimes, I feel his life essence, his relentless spirit is the source of powering the entire nation, continuously thriving for the better. The thought makes me lament on his passing… Though some have criticized his autocratic approach, the life that Singaporeans are leading today proves that his approach is right and necessary for a small nation without any natural resources to survive and be successful.

Today on his State Funeral Service, it rained and felt like heaven was weeping for the passing of this great man. I felt honoured and grateful that his funeral cortege would pass through my residence along Jalan Bukit Merah. I saluted as he moved pass.

I followed the live telecast of the State Funeral Service at UCC with my family members. At the close of the event, we observed a moment of silence, recited the National Pledge and sung Majulah Singapura in front of the television with all family members standing in attention. This is the saddest Majulah Singapura I have ever sang in my life as tear rolled from my eyes. I am forever indebted…

In honour of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, I sincerely hope Singaporeans will carry on this relentless spirit of his in furthering his work, to stay relevant and create a better life - a life Mr Lee Kuan Yew had lived building that we have inherited. It is for generations to come to make it better and take Singapore to a much greater height. Majulah Singapura!

Thank you, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, our beloved founding father and may you rest in peace!

First and foremost many thanks to my brother (Kok Leong) who have gotten me inspired to explore tumblr in hosting my personal blog.

Here it is!