动力火车《当》

Wow!

Tibetan, Mongolian, and Han collaboration.

That's what I call power!

One of 还珠格格 soundtracks. 

My, that show is around 1998-1999.

18 years!?

Young, fantasize on wealth.

Got enough, reminisces on youth...

Ode To Joy

城市少女 - 年輕不要留白 (1987)

I went for my National Service from Dec 1985 to Dec 1987.

It was one of the more memorable periods of my life - looking back.
 

These 2 years of NS were my "Mandarin music" phase. 

Prior to this period, I was more into Western songs and bands like ABBA, Bee Gees, Boney M, etc.

My switch to Mandarin pop was thanks to this top 10 Chinese MTV show every Saturday afternoons that  got me hooked.

I remember I had a lighter sized pocket radio that I would listen to in bed every night, and especially during my duty storeman shifts alone at the guardhouse.


After reading some of the young financial bloggers out there, a question popped into my mind - why didn't I take up a part-time course to better prepare myself for future employment or work part-time to earn money to build up my opportunity fund?

Did I let my youth go to waste?

 
On second thought... Nah!

There's a season and time for everything. 

Even if you had explained to me on the importance of planning for my future, I don't think I would have listened or understood.

I had my music, and that's what I was interested then.


Things didn't turned out too badly I think - 傻人有傻福.


 

地块凉地块坐

I realised I have shared Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, Japanese, and English songs.

But no Teochew songs? How can!?


OK, I don't listen to Teochew songs except when they were sung during getai.


I'll share this Teochew song that's hilarious.

Older Teochew readers may have heard of it. At least heard of the title. It's one of my Ah Ma's sayings to me when I was little.

 
Come to think of it, isn't it Trend Following for traders?

Less thinking; more 地块凉地块坐!

let it go 讓它去

I tell you, there are lots of talented "amateurs" amongst our midst.

Excellent taiwanese (hokkien) cover of this Disney animation's super hit "Let it go" by Indina Menzel.

This song appears after an ostracized Elsa abandons her kingdom soon after her cryokinetic powers were discovered by the public. Realizing that she no longer needs to hide her incredibly powerful ice abilities, Elsa declares herself free from the obstacles that she's been faced with since childhood and rejoices in using her powers without fear.


Haven't we at sometimes in our lives felt the same way?

We have a gift or an alternative view of life; but we are afraid to reveal it to others.

Fear of being different. 

Fear of not fitting in. 

Fear of standing out.


1,2,3. Sing it out loud now!

Let it go! Let it go! Let it go!

Saying Thanks for 2013 - Amazing Grace (Judy Collins with Boys' Choir of Harlem 1993)

This is the time of year many will be making new year resolutions and goals for the coming year.

Looking back, I've a lot to give thanks to.


1) Although mom has lost her peripheral vision due to glaucoma, I am thankful her normal vision is better than mine as she does not need glasses to read the eye charts. 

I am grateful to the good doctors and nurses of NUH eye centre for their care and attention to us during the past 2 years. I've seen interns becoming registrars; registrars becoming consultant doctors; and little girl nurses blossoming into young women. From the old Kent Ridge wing to the new towering NUH Medical Centre.

Progressing from 1 week several medical appointments, to weekly, monthly, quarterly, and now a followup review every 6 months. Phew! Mom and I can breathe easier now.

Tip: Readers who are above 50, and/or if you have family member history with glaucoma, do go for your annual eye examinations. There is no cure for glaucoma - we can only slow down or arrest it's effect upon early detection. 


2) Despite our fights and moments of separations; I am thankful the feelings of love and kinship have been strengthened - like aching and sore muscles after an exhaustive workout. 

I hate it when my elder sibling still treats me like a kid brother (I'm 46!), but do I treat my younger sibling similarly!? I tell mom my stomach is getting bigger, and the next moment she makes supper for me, like all moms do. Eat first! Don't go to sleep hungry... Who is taking care of who? I should be so lucky!


3) When everyday is Sunday, Sunday soon loses its appeal. I am grateful for my younger sibling for coming back during the weekends so I can take my "off-days" by working during the weekends.

Married women living with in-laws may understand this irony.

Thankful my new colleagues have accepted me into their team. Not the best of start when on my first day, people asked me: "We have enough staff oredi. Why you come here?"

I realised why after the first week. One month later, one of the full-time colleagues was fired. Grateful my street smart skill of reading people and business situations is still intact. Everything happens for a reason.


4) It's exactly 3 years today that I wrote my first blog post in Athens. Along the way, I've got the good fortune of getting to know some amazing people in cyberspace. Some of whom are complete opposites to me - be it education; work experience; spiritually; politically; and philosophically.

Wouldn't it be boring if everyone here is the same?

Like changing life stages, my blog posts have also evolved over the years. Thanks for the company readers!


5) Last but not least, I would like to share this Amazing Grace song to express my state of mind now.

Merry Christmas everyone! 

The Rose - Bette Midler

This is a song dedication to Ah Lian girl - a fellow romantic.

In matters of the heart, there is no such thing as being rational or emotional.

There are only the brave and the timid.

If I were a girl, this song would be my national anthem; and The Rose by Bette Midler would be my close no. 2 on what's really important in my life.



Guys out there, I know this is a "chick" song, but do listen to the 2nd verse.

It pretty much sums up all of our inner most fears, doesn't it?
 
We all have a Rose that's buried deep in our hearts. 
  

愛燦燦 小椋佳 夏川りみ さだまさし 海援隊 武田鉄矢 氷川きよし

Just sharing this song I like very much.

Can't understand a single word; but it gives me an uplifting spirit just by listening.

Every singer is a pro and master in their own right. Each with their own unique singing style and voice.

Young and old, despite their differences, it shows we can still harmonise with one another without having to drown out the tunes of the other singers just to make ourselves stand out.

Dedicated to all who are working in teams (and fellow bloggers - wink wink).

(Yes, it's another SMOL cryptic message to "know sound" out there)   



 

Letter: Greetings to a 15 Year Old - アンジェラ・アキ Angela Aki 手紙 ～拝啓 十五の君へ～

Translation from Youtube:


Dear you,
Who's reading this letter
Where are you and what are you doing now?

For me who's 15 years old
There are seeds of worries I can't tell anyone

If it's a letter addressed to my future self,
Surely I can confide truly to myself

Now, it seems that I'm about to be defeated and cry
For someone who's seemingly about to disappear
Whose words should I believe in?
This one-and-only heart has been broken so many times
In the midst of this pain, I live the present

Dear you,
Thank you
I have something to tell the 15-year-old you

If you continue asking what and where you should be going
You'll be able to see the answer

The rough seas of youth may be tough
But row your boat of dreams on
Towards the shores of tomorrow

Now, please don't be defeated and please don't shed a tear
During these times when you're seemingly about to disappear
Just believe in your own voice
For me as an adult, there are sleepless nights when I'm hurt
But I'm living the bittersweet present

There's meaning to everything in life
So build your dreams without fear
Keep on believing

Seems like I'm about to be defeated and cry
For someone who's seemingly about to disappear
Whose words should I believe in?

Please don't be defeated and please don't shed a tear
During these times when you're seemingly about to disappear
Just believe in your own voice

No matter era we're in
There's no running away from sorrow
So show your smile, and go on living the present
Go on living the present

Dear you,
Who's reading this letter
I wish you happiness

Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

While Youtube surfing, I came across this song totally by accident.

I was drawn to the uplifting tempo, the catchy rhythm, and the addictive beat of the song. See if you can stop swaying your head and tapping your fingers on your thigh!

I especially love the guitar solo by "Char" in the middle.

But if you listened to the lyrics carefully, they are by far the most despondent, depressing, dispirited, and crestfallen words to a song I've heard so far.


It got me thinking...  Then a sudden flashback to a forgotten memory...


What's your immediate reaction after hearing this song?

And has anything changed after you reflected on the words a little longer? 


P.S.  Artistically speaking, I am very impressed with the musicians' way of interpreting this song. Would you have sung a sad song this way? 



 

     

Stand By Me - Playing For Change

We all need somebody to stand by us at some point in our lives. Some more than others.

Be that somebody.

 

Robbie Williams - Better Man

A song that I (and a person who likes oat meals) enjoy very much.


As my soul heals the shame
I will grow through this pain
Lord I'm doing all I can
To be a better man


If we feel no shame, there's no pain. 
Does that mean we are perfect?
No room for improvement?
 

I wish I had treated my lady companions a little better...
Looking back, I am such a baby. 
Childish tantrums... Sulking pride...  Overblown ego...


The last one patted my head as I asked for forgiveness in her bosom.
She smiled and told me she is training me for the next woman.
13 years my junior, she is a lot more mature than me. 


She knows...
 
 


  

笑傲江湖之滄海一聲笑 - Fear of Retirement

 《滄海一聲笑》
作詞：黃霑　作曲：黃霑　

滄海一聲笑 滔滔兩岸潮
浮沉隨浪只記今朝
蒼天笑　紛紛世上潮
誰負誰勝出天知曉

江山笑　煙雨遙
濤浪濤盡紅塵俗事知多少
清風笑　竟惹寂寥
豪情還賸了一襟晚照

蒼生笑　不再寂寥
豪情仍在痴痴笑笑

啦~~


I remember when I first saw this scene and heard this song in the cinema, I was blown away.

The movie is the Mandarin version; but I prefer the original Cantonese version. Thank goodness for DVDs! 

It left a very strong imprint and I guess it has stuck with me till today. 

This song came to mind after bantering with two readers recently.

Six months into my sabbatical from work (退出江湖), I have a new appreciation to what the genius song writer 黃霑 meant in his words. 

Life is good. I am happy. 

I don't like the word "retirement". It gives me the impression I would retire to bed and then drop off... 

I'll stick with "sabbatical from work" until I find a better phrase to replace it. 


Fear of retirement 

The superficial "fear" of retirement is perhaps more related to the worry of:  

Do I have enough to maintain my current lifestyle? 

Do I have enough to pay the medical bills? 

Do I have enough this and do I have enough that!


It's like the pugilist who constantly searches and upgrades his kung fu to the next higher level. Always fearing his ranking in the martial arts world will be usurped by another challenger. (Sounds familiar?)

But I suspect there's another deeper fear of retirement…

And it does not matter whether you retire at 35, 50, or 65.

It’s waking up the morning after and discovered you only know how to make money. 

There’s no music, no art, no literature in your heart.

No appreciation of the beauty in our world, no sense of wonder of Mother Nature.

No love for your fellow man, let alone animals! 

At least while we are working, we have the “excuse” we are too busy to consider such silly things.

Perhaps that’s why you don’t hear writers, artists, architects, gardeners, farmers, etc. talk much about retirement or being financially free...

Heart Of Gold - Neil Young

 

Talking about gold, let us not forget what's really important in our lives.

Let us not dwell on pettiness and small minds. How else to explain the perverse voyeurism nowadays of shooting inconsequential scenes with our ubiquitous hand-phones and posting them on-line?

I hope those who take glee in the mocking and embarrassment of others can pause for a while and reflect - how would you feel if in a role reversal, others filmed you in your own moment of weakness?

If we can't do good, the very least we can do is do no evil.

Have a heart of gold.

 

To All The Children On Mother's Day - Anak by Freddie Aguilar

I would like to dedicate this song to all the children on Mother's day.

Instead of focusing on Mothers, I believe the spotlight should shine on the children in all of us.

1 day of "quality time" do not make up for the rest of the 364 days of "after-thought".

I myself have 7 years of neglect to make up for...

No, I don't have to "celebrate" Mother's day this Sunday. 

Everyone of us honour our parents in our own way. I just hold her hands when we go out.


And below is Freddie Aguilar singing Anak in the original Filipino version. This monster hit song was translated and covered by other singers - as many as a hundred versions in 23 languages - all over the world! 

   

繁華攏是夢 - 江惠 VS 音樂磁場 (Little trading lies we tell ourselves)

Getting "married" to a dead stock or a losing trading position is a big no no if we want to play "speculation" game.

Oh! We are not speculating or gambling... Yeah right! 

Fundamental "investors" that tell me that I can understand; but if "traders" tell me they are not speculating... I put a distance between them and me. 

Cannot let people who tell lies to themselves "poison" my mind and money management. 

If I believe there's a "system" - I will let my guard down.
 
It's the same with being married or loving the "wrong" person. In our hearts we know it.

But then we continue to tell little lies to ourselves....


For Hokkien song lovers, hope you will like this song sung by 江惠 and 音樂磁場.

I've Never Been To Me - Charlene

"I've Never Been to Me", a 1982 popular song during my secondary school days, and considered a one-hit-wonder by Charlene-- an American R&B singer .

Depending on how you wear your bias glasses, you may find the lyrics controversial, even racy or sexual.  

My favourite line is: I've been to paradise.. but I've never been to me...

I guess most men when they are having their mid-life crisis will ask the same question.

Especially when you have done and achieved what is expected of you - as a son, husband, and father... But what about me?

Boy, am lucky to be a man in this day and age!

Can you imagine the stress and pressure on a modern woman today? 

On one side there is this maternal instinct and traditional family values where your happiness is derived from the love of  your husband and the care of your children.

And then you have bra burning feminists who encourage you to be who you are without letting these traditional chains hold you back...

I am glad I'll never have to ask this of myself: 

Sometimes I've been to crying for unborn children that might have made me complete

OK, enough new age sensitive man bull-shit! Need to go back to pretending to act tough. Big boy don't cry. Sniff, sniff.

牽阮的手

Recent events have made me realise the importance of holding the hands of our loved ones.

Words are superfluous when all our emotions can be conveyed with a clutch of the hands.

To share our pains and joys. 

To tell her that I will not leave her.

To reassure that come what may, we shall face them together.

If you're lucky to have met the right woman, don't let go of her hand. 


 

Van McCoy - The Hustle (Investment banks hustling us?)

Growing up during the disco era of the 70s, I remember hearing this tune everywhere. Catchy tune I must say! 

According to  wikipedia:

Hustling is the deceptive act of disguising one's skill in a sport or game with the intent of luring someone of probably lesser skill into gambling (or gambling for higher than current stakes) with the hustler, as a form of confidence trick. It is most commonly associated with pool (and to an extent other billiards-family games), but also can be performed with regard to other sports and gambling activities. 

Recently, a not so happy junior executive of an Investment Bank aired publicly the dirty linen about the "hustling" that goes on in his bank.

I don't know whether to laugh or scratch my head when I read the Rip-Off-Factor (ROF). Who says customer is king?

Now Investment Banks' customers are usually institutions like: Companies (including blue- coloured ones); Pension, Mutual, Hedge funds; "sophisticated" high net-worth investors, etc.

Even professional investors working for institutions had their eyeballs ripped-out by these Investment Banks. I guess pretending to believe you understand complex products or know better than "salesmen" had its pitfalls. Ah! Hustling!

It's interesting to see Wal-Mart got taken for a ride too. But big companies can afford lawyers to sue for their money back. Lucky them! Or not, lawyers ain't cheap... (I think the 2008 credit crisis was boom time charlie for lawyers!)

Whenever I see new "investment products" being peddled to me, my mind will play this  "The Hustle" song.

Sometimes being simple and recognizing one is simple can be a blessing.

Monty Python - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life

What a gem! 

If only I could whistle...