Amenities On My Walk Route

My walk route is part of the island's Park Connector. The Park Connector, as the name implies, connects all the parks in Singapore. The idea is to allow citizens to have seamless access to all the parks along the route. You can walk, jog, rollerblade, or ride your bicycle along the route and enjoy the scenery along the route.

For the route to be enticing, there have to be amenities along the route. The following are some of the amenities on my route.

Benches. There are many of these.

A toilet. There is also a vending machine - selling only 'healthy', and sports drinks.

There is also a water point.

Workout stations.

Another water point.

A recently completed underpass.

And a recently completed overhead bridge - all for the convenience of the users of the park connectors.

'Fury' tropical rain clouds. Sometimes, they are all bark and no bites. They looked like they might unload the water they are carrying, but sometimes, they just went on their way.

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Truisms - Words to Live By

Life lessons are learned through experiences, and mistakes. Some of the mistakes are costly and/or painful, and took us a lot of time to recover from them, while some lessons took a long time to learn. Unfortunately, time is something we do not have plenty of. We do not have enough time to learn all the Life’s lessons by ourselves.

However, we may be able to get a head's start in life, if we learn from the experiences and mistakes of others, and by paying attention to the words of wisdom, and advices of the wise people before us, – the sages, the philosophers, the gurus... – and also those who are still with us, who have been through the hardships in life.

These are valuable Life lessons not learned in school. Armed with these lessons, we will be able to avoid the potholes of life. We will have an idea of what to expect of Life, and how to live our lives. There will be times when you find that these are exactly the advise you are seeking, the answers to your questions.

History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived; however, if faced with courage, it need not be lived again. - Maya Angelou

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. - Plato

None are as fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them. - Charles Colton

However bad a man, he will have some friends: however good, he will have some enemies. - Ivan Panin

The heart that loves is always young. - Unknown

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. - Niccolo Machiavelli

We learn from history that man can never learn anything from history. - George Bernard Shaw

If a man has directed his course to great ends there is compensation even in ruin. - Arthur Lynch

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. - Christopher Reeve

Facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable. - Mark Twain

The wise man learns more from his enemies than the fool does from his friends. - Benjamin Franklin

Take the risk of thinking for yourself; much more happiness, truth, beauty and wisdom will come to you that way. - Christopher Hitchens

Expert advice is a great comfort, even when it is wrong. - Unknown

Time and good friends are two things that become more valuable the older you get. - Unknown

Most people are in favour of progress, it’s the changes they don’t like. - Unknown

Happy people build their inner world. Unhappy people blame their outer world. - Unknown

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I Knitted A Beanie

This is my latest project - my third Beanie. I knitted 2 beanies and 2 scarfs before this. They are all practice pieces. Hence, the material and the workmanship is not great. However, they are perfectly usable (if one is not particular about the workmanship), and no one would be any wiser, if they didn't take a closer look at the finished product. Well, maybe the expert eye could tell immediately that the work was amateurish. Anyway....

I learned knitting from YouTube videos. It all started about three years ago when a friend said she picked up knitting. I said, jokingly, that it sounded like fun, and that I would like to try it too. My friend said she had some spare yarn and a pair of knitting needles which she had no use for. She would let me have them. I can try them and see how I get on. And if I enjoy knitting, I can invest in a better pair of needles and better quality yarn.

And that was it. I started searching YouTube for videos on knitting, and I learned to knit from scratch, from watching the YouTube videos. It wasn't too difficult and I must say I enjoyed it. I am quite proud of myself. A minor accomplishment.

I don't think I will be doing a lot of knitting, as there is no motivation to do so. It is also cheaper to buy, be it a beanie or a scarf. Plus, knitting is very time consuming, and these days, time flies. There are hardly enough hours in a day.

Anyway, here are some pictures of my needle work in process.

I used circular needles for this project. I find circular needles are more convenient.

I did a knit two, purl two for the border,

... and knit one purl one for the rest of the hat.

Finally, finished knitting. And its 'tying' up loose ends.

I found myself a model.

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Bird's Nest Ferns

Asplenium nidus commonly known as the bird's-nest fern or simply nest fern, is an epiphytic species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae.

They grow in a nest-like clump with a lingulate leaf rosette and are usually epiphytic, growing in trees. An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, or from debris accumulating around it.

Asplenium nidus forms large simple fronds that are light green, often crinkled, with a black midrib and exhibit circinate vernation.

"Circinate vernation is the manner in which a fern frond emerges. As the fern frond is formed, it is tightly curled so that the tender growing tip of the frond (and each subdivision of the frond) is protected within a coil." - Wikipedia

The nest traps fallen leaves and other debris, which eventually decompose to become humus. When it rains, large quantities of water are absorbed by the sponge of roots. In this way, the plant is self-sufficient in acquiring its food and water, so much so that it provides a habitat for the growth of other ferns and mosses, and even home for small animals. They are self sufficient, so they do not need nutrients from the host plants. Thus, the host plants are not harmed by their presence.

Bird's nest ferns thrives in warm, humid areas in partial to full shade. It dislikes direct sunlight. Hence, you usually find them 'sitting' on the nodes of branches. It is commonly seen here due to the high humidity in the weather.

Bird's nest ferns can thrive on the ground too. You can also grow them as house plants. They are inexpensive and easy to cultivate. But since their leaves are quite long and large, you need to have a big place.

I read that bird nest ferns have been used in folk medicine for asthma, sores, and weakness. That would be handy as there are plenty of them around. Unfortunately, the article didn't say how they are used, or if there is any scientific proof to it.

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Employee Evaluation Report

Sarcasm is a sharp, bitter, cutting expression or remark; a bitter gibe or taunt. Some are downright insulting, while some are rude, and at the same time, humorous. Sometimes, people are momentarily stunned by a sarcastic remark. They are not sure whether whoever said it was being funny, or whether they are being rude. They do not know whether to laugh, or to feel offended.

Have a look at the following Employee Evaluation Report.

- A photographic memory but with no film.
- A prime candidate for natural de-selection.
- A room temperature IQ.
- Got a full six-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it together.
- Got into the gene pool when the lifeguard was not watching.
- He is the kind of man that you would use as a blueprint to build an idiot.
- He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
- His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of morbid curiosity.
- I would not allow this employee to breed.
- If he were any more stupid, he would have to be watered twice a week.
- One-celled organisms outscore him in IQ tests.
- Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom and has started to dig.
- Takes him an hour and a half to watch Sixty Minutes.
- This associate is really not so much of a has-been, but more definitely a will-not-be.
- This employee should go far and the sooner he starts, the better.
- This employee has delusions of adequacy.
- When he opens his mouth, it seems it is only to change whichever foot was previously there.
- Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.

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Yellow Flowers

I do not know the name of this yellow flower. I saw them on the grounds behind a nursing home. A single plant bloom doesn't look impressive. But when a patch of them bloom at the same time, they look quite impressive. A patch of green with yellow spots. The green and yellow complement each other and they look very pleasing to the eye. Very nice indeed.

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Letting Go

We often hear people talking about letting go. What does letting go mean? What are we letting go?

Generally, letting go means to let go of our attachment to whatever is holding us back, or making us unhappy. It could our possessions, or it could be our past, the unpleasant memories, the emotional hurt, pain, and sometimes, the people in our lives... Anything that deprive us of our peace, happiness and freedom. These are negative energies that laden us and hold us back. Letting them go, we are free to move on.

Letting go does not mean giving up, but rather, it is accepting that there are things that cannot be. And it is better to let go of the things that can no longer be fixed. Not all things can be fixed. If we force it, or to try to fix it, things will only get worse.

Holding on is being brave, but sometimes moving on makes you stronger! In the process of letting go you will lose many things, but you will find yourself. Be strong enough to let go, and patient enough to wait for what you deserve. 

The first step to letting go is to understand that nothing is permanent. If you own something, chances are that at some point, you are going to lose that thing.

Understanding this simple fact, the next thing to do is to practice non-attachment. If you are attached to something, you will find that it is difficult to let go. But if you don't feel attachment, then letting go is easier. You will still feel its lost, but being able to accept the inevitable, you are also able to accept that it is time to let go.

Some things are hard to let go of, I know. But what’s the point of holding onto something that’s causing you unhappiness, or somebody who has already let go of you? Holding on to your past will keep you from your future. Your future can be as bright as you want it to be. It holds so much promise, why hold on to a painful past? You’ll never get what you truly deserve if you keep holding on to the past.

Letting go doesn’t mean that you become a man with no feelings. Rather, it is arriving at, and understanding things for what they really are. It is about putting your personal, and emotional feelings aside, and accepting the natural progress of life.

Once in a while, do a 'spring cleaning'. Throw out, or let go of all things that do not add value to your life, all the things that are dragging you down and keeping you from moving forward. Think about any attachments that are depleting your emotional reserves. Let them go. Let there be closure, so that you can begin a new chapter.

Let go. Why do you cling to pain? There is nothing you can do about the wrongs of yesterday. It is not yours to judge. Why hold on to the very thing which keeps you from hope and love? - Leo Buscaglia

Let go. The longer you live in the past, the less future you have to enjoy. - Unknown

Let go, or be dragged. - Zen Proverb

You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. - Unknown

Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free. - Thích Nhat Hanh

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Overhead Bridge

This is another recently completed project on my walk route - an overhead bridge. It is quite a big bridge - built wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists. It is part of the Park Connectors connecting the whole island.

The whole idea of the park connectors is to allow Singaporeans to 'park hop', while enjoying the various fun and recreational activities along the route. One can ride a bicycle, rollerblade or simply jog along the park connectors and appreciate "the myriad of sensory delights and adventures on offer" - especially the picturesque rivers and canals that link major parks in Singapore. My walk route is one.

The Round Island Route (RIR), to be completed by 2030, "...is a continuous 150 km park connector that goes around Singapore. It will complement the existing Park Connector Network, connecting existing natural, cultural, historical and recreational sites and linking communities together. It will provide opportunities for recreational activities such as cycling, skating, jogging and hiking. These connections and activities will enhance our ‘City in Nature’ experience for all residents." - National Parks

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Nuggets of Gold

The beauty of proverbs, axioms, maxims.... is that within the few short and simple words, there is a huge amount of wisdom, carried down through generations, some through centuries. Some might sound cliché, but they are also deep truth (as clichés tend to be).

Keep a few of these phrases in mind, and pepper your conversation with them when opportunities arise. Your friends will be impressed with you.

You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was. - Irish Proverb

A person with a bad name is already half-hanged. - Unknown

It takes all sorts to make a world. - English Proverb

There is no little enemy. - Benjamin Franklin

A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees. - William Blake

It is at all times more easy to make enemies than friends. - George Washington

You win some, you lose some. - Unknown

A man should be upright, not be kept upright. - Marcus Aurelius

The worst ruler is one who cannot rule himself. - Marcus Porcius Cato

All is flux, nothing is stationary. - Heraclitus

You always pass failure on the way to success. – Mickey Rooney

A wise man never knows all, only fools know everything. - African Proverb

He who has not looked on Sorrow will never see Joy. - Kahlil Gibran

A day of travelling will bring a basketful of learning. - Vietnamese Proverb

You cannot clap with one hand alone. - John Taylor Wood

There is but a step between a proud man's glory and his disgrace. - Publilius Syrus

It is a very hard undertaking to seek to please everybody. - Publilius Syrus

A man without a smiling face must not open a shop. - Unknown

In night there is counsel. - Greek Proverb

Death keeps no calendar. - English Proverb

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