Sunday is about Winning.

I spent the whole weekend under the sun. Probably the most sun I ever had since the last 6 months. So i am now as Chau Tar as Mua Chee, but this is very cool. Finally, I found time to visit the sun again. Ha.

The best thing of all, NUM emerged second in the Inter Corporate Dragon Boat race after winning both races in the heats, with all 3 teams went into the semi finals. So I am feeling damn proud really. I was not rowing, and may not comprehend exactly how they felt like rowing so well, but merely as a part of the company and witnessing the team beating the opponents, it was very shiok indeed.

Last race in November, HP, HP, NUM, this time round HP, NUM, Fitness Health, and the team is happy that we got rid of one HP team this race this time round. 6 more months to go, we are eyeing doing yet better, Regatta, yo! We are Coming !!!

Sunday is not just about partying, it is also about winning. Cheers.

My Pleasure

This year I made a decision to support Republic Poly Dragon Boat Team, and this evening, the whole team came by to pick up their full collection of jersey. When i got back home and I found an email from Andruew .. here it goes.

Hi Shenzi,

On behalf of the entire Republic Polytechnic Dragonboat Team, I would like to express my gratitude by saying Thank You. I know that just by saying the phrase "Thank You" may not be enough, but what I can assure you is that you have given us back hope, determination, power and strength to perserve and push on. I must admit that due to financial difficulties some of my paddlers have, when they heard about the costly sum of money to represent RP in the World Club Crew Championship. They had the fire to win, but they felt that their dreams were being dashed. Bonds between friends were doubt, trust in others began to waiver. However Mr. Shenzi Chua, you have actually brought back the dream, the sponsorship you have given us means so much. I have never work for such a company where the director believes and supports his ambassador's dream.

My team has never been in such a state where everyone is so focused, determined and all out to kill. Few years ago, everyone laughed at us, felt that we were a joke in the fraternity. Sang songs at the starting point to prove their dominance over us. We just kept it calm and composed, waiting for the day to prove them all wrong. We have done it once and we further do it again. We ruled the waters of seletar, and now this weekend the waters of Bedok will be ours for the taking. The jerseys adds on as an additional boost to go for the extra charge, we will prove to all, the Jersey to represent the greatness of NUM and RP. This Sunday, my team will give their all, we will paddle as one, hearing the sounds of the drum being played, feel the waters pass our blades, and draw as hard we can ever possibly can, feeling the surge through our veins. In our minds, the only way we can express our gratitude is the result that we are going to achieve. In life, chances dun come easily, and the chance you have given us gives us the faith. From the bottom of everyone in my team and my heart Thank you for believing in us. Mr Shenzi Chua, you will always be a part of Republic Polytechnic Dragonboat History and someone I would always be in debted too.

Every good team like great individual deserves a chance to be rewarded, i am merely doing my small part to show my support for their efforts. The design I have created for the team, with the tagline "You Will Never Row Alone", i hope I can inspire them to go further.

No Secret is The Secret

July is approaching and many university students should be getting back to school and the newbies should be busy attending orientation camps.

Hall life is cool, but at the same time, there is non stop activities all days and nights, and could be distracting most of the time. When you are about to calm yourself down to read, someone will knock at your door ...

I received an email asking me what and how i did to balance my university life, when I was an active Hall JCRC main comm member and still did well with my work as a student.

So this is what I replied ..

"There is no secret in life really. Always about balancing oneself, play very hard, work very hard too. The only thing that one must do, is to find your very own strategy. For a hostelite, do not study in your room if you are someone popular and active, hide yourself in the study room or in the library when you want to concentrate on your work, and when you get back to the hall, play all you can.

Due to the vast amount of activities and involvement one may have in the hall, it is very common to feel exhausted, when you feel like it is time to study. If you force yourself to read in that state, you will end up going through the same paragraph again and again. Not only you will feel frustrated, you end up not effective at all.

When you feel tired, go for a nap, wake up fresh to have quality time to go through the school work. When the mind is clear, study time becomes effective, short and sweet.

So there is no secret really. Quality time counts.

One thing I always standby is that no doubt academic excellence is important, all the external activities did contribute a great deal to how i can be where i am today. So by not partcipating in anything, probably will make oneself all work no play, a dull boy."

For all going back to school, study hard. Enjoy.

What about tomorrow?

If you happen to read my blog. How are you feeling today?

Are you feeling good about your life? Feeling UP? The way we NUM describes anything good and cool. Or you are dragging yourself through the day once again? Has anyone disappointed you today? Or you have lost hope in something? Perhaps to many of us, it is just yet another normal day.

Whatever it is, there is nothing we could do to change a bit of what we have gone through the last 24 hours.

One good friend of mine broke up with his partner last night this time.
Yet another friend of mine, his wife has given birth to a baby boy a few hours ago.

"Finally everything is over." one said.
"I am a father now." the other texted me.

What can a man do? He continues living, breathing, thinking .... one point in time, we all have gone through all these, one way or another ....

What about tomorrow?

Guru Says #2

Guru says: "Someone not eager to prove his worth is not to keep. No hunger no results."

Inspiration Looking Forward

A few things inspired me today. Just when I received an email from Ed commenting that it is hard to find people that inspire us these days, which i agreed totally.

I attended a farewell party for Kevin, Vincent and Leslie, whom will be leaving us for NS, and after working in NUM for a good close to 3 years. It is time to bid goodbye, for awhile.

People ask me if I would miss them, of course I will. For most of them, I spent a great deal of my time the last 3 years with, and we have gone through thick and thin building the company to where it is today. At the same time, I feel proud for them, and happy to see them moving on, knowing that they are ready to take on another phase of their lives. Whatever I have shared with them, taught, it is time to put them all in good use, all by themselves.

The emotion is pretty much the same when a father sends his daughter off at the wedding ceremony. Sad that she is no longer a little girl, happy at the same time knowing that she is moving towards another phase of her life. For the better of course.

So I wish them all the best, I know we will continue to stay very close in many ways.

In a week's time, NUM dragon boat team will be racing again. Just like all the races we have had over the last 5 years, we are there to give our best and that many will once again be awed at our cohesiveness and of course our jersey. Then I received this email from one of the rowers. Very inspiring. This is the true value of team work, friendship and sportsmanship really. Win or lose.

It has been a wonderful experience rowing with this team because this team is eager and committed.

For all the months of hard pounding, it has come to this. Hours of preparation yet the moment of that elusive glory lasts no longer than 4 minutes. Even drinking coffee as I would always say to my students takes far longer time. So, for just four or so minutes of our lives, we deserve to honour all our efforts: every bead of perspiration, every twitch of our aching muscle, every gasp of air we desperately took in during our trainings must come down to something worthy come this Saturday and Sunday.

We have about 6 more days to Singapore Dragon Boat Festival '08. Till then, have a good workout to keep the pace going, a good rest to recover from the intense training, a good diet to nourish our exhausted bodies and most importantly of all, have a good MENTAL PREPARATION. The last will bind every ounce of effort we will put in as we surge forward, fearlessly and FEROCIOUSLY during the race.

My maxim: FAST AND FURIOUS on the outside, calm and steady on the inside, signifying a true marriage of Art and Science.

In my calculation, imagination is also key. Let's Imagine and visualise ourselves peeking at every opportunity we have to plunge the paddle down and yank it back with such enormous force during the days leading to this Saturday and Sunday. And, on that day itself, JUST DO IT. The body will manage itself when THE MIND IS READY.

When the command "Are you ready?" is issued, every individual rower will start racing with himself/herself. It's MIND OVER MATTER. Again, FAST AND FURIOUS on the outside, CALM AND STEADY on the inside.

Let's be unrelenting. Let's pursue our course with utmost zeal. Let's fix our steady gaze FAR AND BEYOND THE LAST BUOY. Leave fear aside for we need only COURAGE now. It's JUST FOUR MINUTES OR SO. That's all.

Let's get ready for our hardest tens and the most elegant, swift, jaw-dropping, breath-taking LAST CHARGE.

Surge on NUM to BEYOND the last buoy! The race has already started - don't wait till Saturday or Sunday.

Wrong Attitude

The president of a big American MNC threw a home party, and invited everybody in the company. Two fresh graduated engineers were at the event.

Both of them were strolling around the pool and the view was awesome and one of them commented.

"I am really jealous!"

"Who? Our president?"

"Ya !"

"Dont you think jealous is a wrong word to use? I'm more inspired by him than feeling anything jealous. He must have worked very hard his way up to where he is today. We just started fresh in our career, we need to work hard at this level, to see a good future the next time. I don't think there is any easy way out."

160cm Playmobil arrived

2 new 160cm playmobil arrived finally, for those who wish to take pics with them, write to me ! They are now standing at the balcony overlooking the pool. :)

2008 Smurfs Batch One arrived

There are 2 colletibles in the world that I go for. This is probably something not many are aware of, and I seldom talk about it. Do not forget this, Germany is not just about soccer and sausages, they produce Playmobil and Smurfs too. For those who do not know, Playmobil came about even way before LEGO.

Today 2008 Smurfs collection batch one arrived, 39 in total, i will expect another half in soon. If you happen to share the same hobby as me, 2 huge playmobil figurines that i placed order will arrive within the next few days. Will share the pic here soon.

Do Not Dwell

Someone met with a serious personal issue, and was crying badly infront of me today.

While i am writing my blog, I am struggling with the fact that how much of what I know should be written publicly here.

I know that this is a personal blog, but how personal a blog diary can be, if it is constantly being read by many, so i realised that there is still a tinge of censorship i need to practise, so that basic trust and order can be put in place still.

I think by now all of us know that bad things do happen to good people, but then again, how good can one be if we are all not perfect beings. So bad things happen to anyone and everyone from time to time.

First thing, do not dwell in self pity right away. Do not get emotional that it clouds away our vision to think.

In times like this, we need to stay focused to pinpoint, which part of the problem can be solved, must be solved, what, how and when, and which area we need to leave it to life and time to bring it to past .....

Talk it loud, think it through.

Powerful people stay positive at all time.
Staying positive does not mean that one does not recognize the emotions and the pain.
What happened has happened, but the faster one gets through the stage the better.
Dwelling in it one more day, loses one more day of happiness.

Lastly, dont assume bad even before it happens. Sometimes we give the devil too much credit.

Guru Says #1

Guru says: "Hire Slow, Fire Fast!" therefore, get the best and avoid the rest.

HERE by Paul Monette

HERE

everything extraneous has burned away
this is how burning feels in the fall
of the final year not like leaves in a blue
October but as if the skin were a paper lantern
full of trapped moths beating their fired wings
and yet i can lie on this hill just above you
a foot beside where I will lie myself
soon soon and for all the wrack and blubber
feel still how we were warriors when the
merest morning sun in the garden was a
kingdom after Room 1010 war is not all
death it turns out war is what little
thing you hold on to refugeed and far from home
oh sweetie will you please forgive me this
that every time I opened a box of anything
Glad Bags One-A-Days KINGSIZE was
the worst I'd think will you still be here
when the box is empty Rog Rog who will
play boy with me now that I bucket with tears
through it all when i'd cling beside you sobbing
you'd shurg it off with the quietest I'm still
here I have your watch in the top drawer
which I don't dare wear yet help me please
the boxes grocery home day after day
the junk that keeps men spotless but it doesn't
matter now how long they last or I
the day has taken you with it and all
there is now is burning dark that only green
is up by the grave and this little thing
of telling the hill I'm here oh I'm here


One of the best poems I have ever read, written by Paul Monette to his partner Roger Horwitz

Superman

One question came to mind yesterday, when I was reading through the newspaper report. The article says that superman is too perfect a character for many to like now. The mass love people with flaws, so we love to see super heros get vulnerable at time. So the question is, when superman becomes helpless, who is his God? Where he got his strength from?

I spent more time at home yesterday. More than any other sundays that I have the last 5 years of my life. I packed a bit of my CD collection, and found one of my favourite discs, I got a song to bring me past the day ... as i said Sunday is fabulous for many reasons. One of them is this.


I Will Sing
Artist - Don Moen

Lord You seem so far away.
A million miles or more it feels today.
And though I haven't lost my faith, I must confess right now that it's hard for me to pray.
But I don't know what to say and I don't know where to start.
But as you give the grace with all that's in my heart.
I will sing. I will praise,
even in my darkest hour through the sorrow and the pain.
I will sing. I will praise.
Lift my hands to honor You because Your word is true.
I will sing.

Lord its hard for me to see all the thought and plans You have for me.
But I will put my trust in You.
Knowing that you died to set me free.
But I don't know what to say and I don't know where to start.
But as you give the grace with all that's in my heart.
I will sing. I will praise,
even in my darkest hour through the sorrow and the pain.
I will sing. I will praise.
Lift my hands to honor You because Your word is true.
I will sing.



I don't know what Superman's religion is, but i hope it can be anything else but himself.

And it is true, no matter how influential, powerful, strong a man can be, he is beautiful when he is willing to be vulnerable at time, this makes him more real. We men can't just keep putting up the strong front all the time right?

Not all need it 100%

A couple was at the verge of falling out, one party asked

"I love you so much, why you don't seem to appreciate? I have given you my all 100%"

"You gave me 100%, but what I need is only 70%."

"and .. what happened to the 30%?"

"The 30% turned into a pressure for me!"

In any relationship, it is not about how much we give, it is whether the expectations of both parties matched or not. Anything more or anything less, just will not work out right.

Then again, many who believe that they have given their 100%, often than not are selfish lovers, who see more of their own needs and not the others. One's willingness to give it all, must not expect the other party to accept all. That is not a right.

VJC Opening Speech

I was invited back to give the opening speech for VJC's annual music festival, this is what I said ..
Good evening Victoria Junior College,

Mr Chan Poh Meng, principal,

Mr Fong, vice-principal,

teachers, students and distinguished guests.

I feel very good today not just because I got the chance to step into Victoria Junior College once again ever since my graduation, but I am also very honored to be giving the opening speech to our very own annual Music Festival 2008.

Just like Victoria Junior College school’s motto of outstanding, outperforming and out having fun, As a director of NewUrbanMale.com, I make sure that everyone there works hard and play hard too. It is my philosophy to strike a balance in life.

I have always believed that a great student should not just be academically inclined, but also one who finds balance in both work and pleasure. Only through certain balances in life can one be inspired, motivated and also be creative enough to take on greater things in life.

I remember when I was a student here, I spent a great deal of my time in this campus. I was very involved in the Outdoor Activities Club, and often got to stay overnight just to make sure that the team spend enough time building the rapport, at the same time making sure that every task given was completed to a job well done.

Frankly it was not the academic part of it that left the strongest memory of this place. It was all the crazy things that I have done with my friends, class mates, team mates that formed my very own VJC experience that I still remember to date.

Music and arts like fashion are important aspects in my life. Where I am today is a built up from various experiences which I’ve gotten through relationships, travels, movies and of course, music. Like I’ve mentioned, a good student is one who owns the passion and drive and live life to the fullest.

And by saying these, I will like to end my speech by saying that all of us are students of life itself.

I hope you would enjoy the next few hours of this Music Festival and I hereby announce the opening to a better journey ahead of you.

Pretty Women Are Good Liars

One girl pointed at the t-shirt slogan and commented.

"It is so not true!"

The guy said. "It is not talking about you! Can't you see it is talking about Pretty Women?"

She got angry and walked away.

Another girl walked close to the tee shirt and commented.

"It is not true!"

Another guy said "You see, you lie again !"

She got angry, walked away too.

It is Sunday, whether it is a church day or a party day, it is Fabulous Sunday, no matter what.

Happy father's day .. I don't have the opportunity to celebrate this again. I wish everyone who is going out with dad .. enjoy.

Treasure when you still have him.

Boss of Me

The author emailed me the cover of the book today, at the same time, to get my final approval, on the layout photos she is using for my interview column within. For the last 2 months since the interview was carried out, I have been thinking who else she is adding to this list of people to share the secrets of what each think is successful in life. I finally got to know the names.

This is what i said "Success is achieving what I wanted to achieve at every stage of my life."

The book should be out in major bookstores by August.

Thanks Pearlin for allowing me to share once again.

Short and Sweet: Noone should be Denied ...

Joe came to me ..

"Shenzi, ask you something.!"

"Yes, what?"

"If someone i like is attending a camp, but i know that no phone is allowed, and that that person will not be contacted, should i still sms?"

"He or She ?" I asked. joking.

"She .. it is She !" he laughed. As usual, when Joe laughed, everybody can imagine what kind of laughter he gives. (I shall record it and use it as my phone ring tone one day !)

"Do what you want to do, noone should be denied the chance to express his own feeling !" i said.

"True ! True !" he walked to one corner and smiled.

Breastfocate

I was at the heeren before the main shop closed for the day, and Andruew, Jing Wen and Shukri decided to go for a drink and makan after work. So I walked them over to cineleisure and we sat there for a late dinner and a good cup of drink.

Andruew told us that he will be working in mini with Josh next sunday selling the bikinis, and we started the topic of revision what type of bikini for which body type. So i tested 3 of them one by one ...

Then the boys taught me one new word BREASTFOCATE, and i promised them i will introduce this on my blog tonight.

A good NUMtee tagline can be inpsired from this I am sure. Let me think !!! :) anyone can suggest anything cool?

Purple Cow: Very Good is BAD!

I bought this book when I visited Taipei last year. One best activity one could do in Taipei is to visit Chen Pin (Eslite) 24 hour bookstore, especially late night early morning, when all other activities cease, and you have this only place to go.

For me, visiting Eslite is not because there is nothing else i can do. I love reading, and I enjoy having the chance to be by myself latenight and to be able to find interactions at such wee hour. Me and the books.

Purple cow is a marketing and branding book, aims to transform one's business by Being Remarkable. I read through it once, before passing to Caesar and Ben, and I just got it back yesterday, and I decided to browse it through one more time.

For many who may not be in the field of marketing, branding, you may find this book irrelevant. But one thing I would like to share .. One slogan in the book says

"Very Good is BAD!" ... so no wonder everybody goes for Bad Boys. Yo !

A Life Experience for Leisher.

APB is looking for a numboy to be their tiger beer ambassador, and to appear on the next magazine issue cover. Picked Leisher as he is ready for this project now, and i thought for all the efforts he has put into maintaining his physique, give him a chance to experience something different in his life .. he dropped me this email after his photo shoot.

He wrote:

Hello shenzi, i finally had the time to write to you since after the shoot on sat. First of all, i would like to thank you again for giving me this opportunity. This shoot is probably the most tiring i ever had in terms of facing in front of the camera. The concept of this shoot is casual. I had to work with a girl to act as if we're a customer there. Its the most awkward feeling. But at the same time fun. I had problems smiling in front of the cam. Normally im always good with a fierce look.

I had a long day there but the people around me made me feel comfortable. The make up artist were great to work with. The "sisters" both made my day laughing away. Not forgetting Ben Lee and Benjie. They talked and calmed me down. As this was my first major shoot, it'll be hard doin it alone. I have to admit u have great guys workin around you. I hope the pictures turn out great as i never really felt confident taking one. Don't forget the meal i owe you. See you around in the shop soon. You have a great night


I replied .. saying great opportunity belongs to anyone who is ready. It is not about the money, it is the valuable experience.

Sexist

I visited The Cathay first before I headed to the office today. Adrian just implemented a new notice board for every single outlet, so I decided to go see how they are being impemented. This is what I saw ... It was written as such "Smile to very customer. Smile wider if SHE's Hot!"

I told Andy and gang, this is too sexist, so I rubbed off the S, and this is what one can find on the board now. This is more NUM ya. Cheers.

One of the Best Views for My Soul

Home is where i rest my soul. That is why I decided to clear my balcony from any blockage, so that when I wake up each morning, the days when I choose not to close the curtain, i could look straight into the pool, just a stone throw away from the apartment, one of the best views i think, that i could spend a great amount of time staring out and find that life is really beautiful. Ha !

My Own Blog Diary

I guess for many of those who are keen to read what I have to say and share, this is the word you will use. Finally, I'm creating and writing my own blog diary.

Frankly, I do not know how much I will write about my day to day life here, as i gather that if I would to write everything I know in this cyberspace, many of you will come bribing me for things not to share.

But what is the point of writing a blog diary, without airing my thought, or sharing my views, and telling stories of the life I am living, right?

So why I decided to write?

Only today, I realised that I have not been taking much picture about what is around me. I do not have the habit of bringing along a camera with me when I travel, until my recent trips. I am also not a cam whore, who will admire myself after a good picture taken.

I believe too much in keeping everything within myself, perhaps? Including memories that I have been keeping in between my ears all these while.

I found out that as I live this life, I have a great deal to share, and many things that I want to say, I need pictures to tell ......