Operation Smile Singapore-Philippines Mission

Dear friends,

Sorry for missing in action for so long. I just got back from the Davao City in the Philippines. I was part of an 11 men team of volunteers representing Operation Smile Singapore to support Operation Smile Philippines in their mission to help poor families in the Philippines with children with clef lips and pallets.

There was a very strong team from Operation Smile Philippines who were there with hearts bigger than themselves. They are kind and compassionate beyond one can imagine. There are professionals like surgeons, nurses, doctors and volunteers who take time out of their very busy schedule and contribute their skills to make a difference in their fellow countryman's lives.

A simple clef lip operation will easily cost an average of about 1 years wage for them. But these kind souls use their skills to change peoples lives. This trip the team operated on 155 patients and successfully change their lives totally. But it does not stop there. There are patients with both clef lips and pallets and they will be scheduled to come back next year for their next operation. There will be follow ups in the next mission with a speech therapist to make sure that they speak well too. So its a whole process that they are covering to make sure that all grounds are covered to ensure that every child is properly taken care of.

I was one of the 6 non-medical vlounteers there. We were there to help a Child Life Specialist by entertaining the children with games and drawings and colouring. To distract them from the anxiety they are facing before heading into the operating room.

It was just a small part compared to the surgeons but I could see the lives change from the playroom where I was in, to the post-operation ward where all the children would rest and recover from the surgery for 1 day. The lives that change because of a 1hr surgery. They now can eat and drink better, communicate better and most of all look better. They will now have more confidence when they grow up. The little kids do not know it now but the parents who are so so so grateful for our help and contribution has everything shown on their faces when they thanked us.

The toys that we brought over were all distributed out to every child. And the complete smile on their faces melted our hearts as we gave out those donated toys. These are the feelings that spurred all the volunteers on in whichever way we were helping.

I wished that I could share photos from the mission but due to copyrights, I can't. This trip reminded me of how blessed I am. I'm looking forward to my next mission trip.

*Changing Lives One Smile At A Time* - Operation Smile Singapore.

I cook again...

I realized that I had another passion - cooking. I'm putting my hands in Mee Siam again and I say its really pretty tasty : )

Here are some shots taken on my 5D MKII by my 9 yrs cousin. Kudos to her. She sure has potential.

Last minutes....

As the year 2008 draws to an end, one tends to reflect on ones life in the past year, especially when you are at home at this time. Lots of things come to mind. The good the bad and the blessings! Once that is done, its time start planing for the next year. And I know there are only better thing to come your way.

Better chances better hopes and wishes!
Better plans and successes.
Better health and prosperity.
Better jobs and income.
Better people and personalities.
Better productions and efficiencies.
Better life and lifestyle.
Better gadgets and toys.
Better dreams and resolutions.
Better betters and best!

I'm wishing all my friends and readers of my blog a very Joyous and Prosperous New Year in 2009. May God fulfill all your dreams and wishes that you have for 2009. Huat ah!!!!

Pressies...

Thank you Sherri for all the wonderful handmade Thank you cards and Christmas goodies. Its really thoughtful of you to spend time to personally make these for us.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year!

Festive Season

Its that time of the year again... So much work to clear but zero mood to do them... haha... I can only blame the holidays. But I don't have much of a choice so its work that rules now.

To all my friends and readers who are tuned in, I wish all of you a very Blessed Christmas and a very Joyous New Year!!! May all your wishes and dreams come true in the coming year. :)

Just for Laughs - I found this photo of me taken at a themed dinner function.

Wearing Green....

Hi Friends,

I'm sorry for the 'stillnees' of my blog. I'm currently serving the nation in my annual in camp training (reservist) and will only be back to work on the 1 Dec 08. Hang on as I try to get more exciting photos from the weekend up asap...

Be Blessed

My Family Portrait...

There are many reasons why big families meet up. Happy ones and not so happy ones. Recently I had to send my centenarian granny home to be with the Lord. But its an occasion to rejoice as she is in a better place than us :)

You can visit http://farewellmybeloved.blogspot.com/ to sneak a peek.

I took the chance to grab a couple of shots of my family, since my dad is not in town most of the time. Here they are...









This is the perfect 'foot-mily' portrait... : )

A Sunday in New York

My weekend in New York was pretty interesting. I started out with a walk around in Central Park and there were tons of activities going on. Kids at the playground, people playing softball, couples strolling and lots of joggers.








I also have the opportunity to meet up with one of my client in New York who is going to get married this December. We took a walk down from our hotel at 56th Street along 6th Avenue and Broadway to Macy's at 34th Street and walked back to 51st Street along 5th Avenue. There were so much to see and feel New York at its best! When its jammed packed with prople! haha...

This was shot inside the New York Public Library. I was blown away by the intricate details of the interior, especially the celling.

Times Square from a fish's eye's view... ; )

Rockefeller Center where the Today show on NBC broadcasts live from everyday.

This is the iconic Apple store in New York.

Esplanade Outdoor Thertre Concert

On August 23rd, Esplanade celebrates the new Outdoor Theatre with a concert featuring Shirlyn Tan, Jack & Rai, Ngak & Clement, Vanessa Fernandez, Tay Kewei, Wu Jiahui, Kaira Gong and Jonathan Leong. The Concert was fantastic and the respond was overflowing. The seating area just wasn't enough to contain the crowd. We should give more support to our local talents and bands. They too can blow you away with their compositions!

Spunky Shirlyn in action

Visually and audibly enticing Tay Kewei

Ngak & Wu JiaHui (who sang 881's theme song)

Kaira Gong with amazing vocals

And all of us Falalala along with Jack and Rai who is always so entertaining.

Jack in his true form...

Jonathan Leong who rocked the night away with the last song.