Cheap Medicine

Life would be dull, and gloomy if people did not have a sense of humour, if there were no laughter. It is through humour, and laughter, that we soften some of life’s demand on us. And once we can find laughter, no matter how painful the situation might be, we can survive it.

Cultivate, and develop your sense of humour because it is when things are not going well that we need our humour most.

Alcohol removes inhibitions – like that scared little mouse who got drunk and shook his whiskers and shouted: “Now bring on that damn cat!” - Eleanor Early

I wonder if Mr. Right really exists? I’ve already met Mr. Player, Mr Psycho, Mr. Lazy, Mr User, Mr. Cheap, Mr. Married, and Mr. Stalker. - Unknown

I think sleeping was my problem in school. If school had started at four in the afternoon, I’d be a college graduate today. - George Foreman

I never said all Democrats were saloon keepers. What I said was that all saloon keepers are Democrats. - Horace Greeley

I never set out to be weird. It was always other people who called me weird. - Frank Zappa

Ah, yes, divorce, from the Latin word meaning to rip out a man’s genitals through his wallet. - Robin Williams

All of us have moments in our lives that test our courage. Taking children into a house with a white carpet is one of them. - Erma Bombeck

I reckon being ill as one of the great pleasures of life, provided one is not too ill and is not obliged to work till one is better. - Samuel Butler

Accept who you are. Unless you’re a serial killer. - Ellen DeGeneres

Advice to children crossing the street: damn the lights. Watch the cars. The lights ain’t never killed nobody. - Moms Mabley

Please Lord, let me prove that winning the lottery won't spoil me. - Unknown

I told my dentist my teeth are going yellow. He told me to wear a brown tie. - Rodney Dangerfield

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Lee Kuan Yew

Lee Kuan Yew - Singapore's first Prime Minister. The man who put Singapore on the map.

Watching Clouds

Watching Clouds
Carrara marble
218cm x 154cm x 78cm
Sculptor Paul Vanstone

Watching Clouds is the work of British Sculptor Paul Vanstone. The sculpture depicts a pair of heads gazing up at the clouds in the sky. Displaying the power of creativity and imagination, this sculpture inspires people to reach new heights.

The sculpture was exhibited at the ‘On Form Exhibition’ before it was sold and shipped here, and later installed in the Gardens by the Bay. The location was very appropriate. On an open grass patch, the sculpture sits looking up into the sky – Watching Clouds.

MoonGate

MoonGate
Bronze
Sculpture Chong Fah Cheong

Standing at 3.8m, Moongate is a marker for the SG50 (Singapore’s 50th year of independence) Time Capsule. Deliberately non-figurative, the sculpture is envisioned as a portal that explores ideas of journeying and arriving, prompting viewers to imagine fresh narratives as we author the next chapter of Singaporean history together. The circular ring suggests continuity, connectedness and a shared sense of community that defines what it means to a Singaporean.

Chong Fah Cheong is a Singaporean sculptor who spends his time between Canada and Singapore. Quite a few of his works were installed all over the island. His bronze works of boys playing are full of local flavour, and easy to relate to.

The Seashell

Sculptor Manolo Valdes

This was on display at Gardens by the Bay for six months only. I was lucky to see it while it was there.

Manolo Valdes was born in Valencia, Spain. Apparently, he is one of the few artists who have mastered multiple mediums including drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking. He create large works in which the lighting and colours express a sensation of tactility. His work is striking and decorated with historical art symbols.

Manolo’s iconic sculptures are exhibited outdoors in the parks and gardens of major cities such as the New York Botanical Gardens, Hofgarten, Dusseldorf and Chatsworth House.

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Easing of ‘Circuit Breaker’ - Phase 2

Phase 1 of the ‘Circuit Breaker’ / Lockdown, was supposed to end at the end of June. However, the number of new infections has been in the single digit, and the situation continues to look encouraging. The efforts and costs in containing the spread of the virus seem to have worked. As such, our government has decided to bring forward the easing of ‘Circuit Breaker’ Phase 2, to the 19th of June (tomorrow).

So, what is involved in opening of Phase 2? In Phase 2, F&B dine-ins, sports facilities and shops can re-open, but with safety measures in place. All schools will reopen. Social gatherings of up to five people will be allowed, but people should still stay at least 1 meter apart from one another, where possible. Over time, the capacity limits will increase, if the situation remained stable. For the moment, larger pubic venues with high human traffic and stand alone malls will have capacity limits. Wearing a mask is still mandatory.

Phase 2 of the opening will be adjusted as we go along. It will be a process of review, monitoring, easing and/or tightening – depending on the number of new cases. The government will be very cautious, and the move is generally welcomed and supported.

Kudos to New Zealand for being the first country to be Covid-19 free. Unfortunately, they had two imported cases since, and they slipped-up in managing these two cases. They were not quarantined and tested before they were allowed to travel. So these two might start another wave of Covid-19 if they are still infectious.

There is fear of another wave of Covid-19 in Peking after an outbreak at a food market. However, they had moved quickly to contain it, and given their previous experience, they should be able to contain the virus very quickly this time.

It just goes to show how easy it is to start another wave of infections. There is no room for complacency.

The number of Covid-19 infections has crossed the eight million line, and has claimed over 450,000 lives. Unfortunately, except for a few countries which have managed to contain the virus, most of the world is still reeling from this pandemic.

We have to be prepared that the virus is likely going to be around for a while longer than we thought. Meanwhile, stay safe!

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Wednesday Walk

From the child's first faltering step across the homely carpet, to the astronaut's "one giant stride for mankind" over the alien moon dust, walking is the simplest but most glorious declaration of human independence. - Duncan Minshull

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The advantage of walking over jogging is that you get to observe your surroundings. When jogging, you have to keep the momentum, you have to keep going. Walking gives you more flexibility. You can stop to smell the roses - literally, or you can stop to observe a scene, take pictures, or even to chat to fellow walkers. You can walk at a leisurely pace, or you can brisk walk.

Here are some pictures I snapped on my walks.

This is a disused railway track. Part of the track runs parallel to my walk route. Every now and then, I take a walk here, for a change.

There is a temple nearby. I believe these chickens belong to them. They went fluttering off when they see me approaching.

The track looks unkempt with weeds and whatever grows on a neglected grass patch. They are usually trimmed quite regularly, but due to the Covid-19, this non-essential activity is shelved, for the time being. However, due to the weeds growing wild, there is now an abundance of colours. Weeds bloomed, and there are more butterflies, dragonflies, and grasshoppers. A very pleasant change.

I have no idea what tree is this. It seems to be in bloom.

Thank you for joining me on my walk.

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Be An Encourager

We never know what struggles the next person is going through, or how brave a front he is putting up. That is why when possible, where possible, we should always speak kindly, speak words of encouragement. It costs you nothing, but those words would mean a lot to the person.

Before the calm there is often the storm; before understanding, the doubt; and before peace, the conflict. - Sifu Wong Siew Kit

Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you. - Unknown

There is no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen. In the right time, with the right person, for the best reason. - Unknown

If you are there always for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you. - Jeff Warner

Be slow of tongue and quick of eye. - Miguel de Cervantes

The people with whom you choose to spend your time can easily determine how far ahead you get in life. - Unknown

Each decision we make, each action we take, is born out of an intention. - Sharon Salzberg

Until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have. - Unknown

Conceal a flaw, and the world will imagine the worst. - Marcus Valerius Martialis

Someone helping you is not always your friend, and someone opposing you is not always your enemy. - Unknown

Tribulation will not hurt you, unless as it too often does; it hardens you and makes you sour, narrow and skeptical. - Edwin Hubble Chapin

There is no man living who is not capable of doing more than he thinks he can do. - Henry Ford

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The Essentials of Happiness

It always pays to put others before yourself. It is the path to true happiness. Make it a habit to give – whether yourself, your time, your money, a word of encouragement, or a listening ear – and you will find peace and happiness that cannot be beaten.

The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love and something to hope for. - Allan K Chalmers

Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention. - Greg Anderson

I have decided to be happy because it is good for my health. - Voltaire

What we need for our happiness is often close at hand, if we knew but how to seek for it. - Nathaniel Hawthorne

The best way to secure future happiness is to be as happy as is rightfully possible today. - Unknown

There are two ways to be happy; improve your reality, or lower your expectations. - Jodi Picoult

The effects of being charitable to others leads to a measurable increase in happiness. - Myriam Mongrain

Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them. - Norman Vincent Peale

Our happiness depends chiefly upon the estimate we form of life, and the efforts we make to bring ourselves into harmony with its laws. - Christian Nestell Bovee

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. - Abraham Lincoln

Even if you’re unhappy, just pretend that you’re happy. Eventually, your smile will be contagious to yourself. I had to learn that. I used to think, ‘I’m being fake,’ but you know what? Better to be fake and happy than real and miserable. - Evangeline Lilly

We find that the more a cultivated reason devotes itself to the aim of enjoying life and happiness, the further does man get away from true contentment. - Immanuel Kant

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Dahlias

Before Covid-19 reared its ugly head in the beginning of the year, there was an exhibition of Dahlias in the Flower Dome at the Garden by the Bays. I was fortunate enough to visit the exhibition. I took so many pictures, but didn’t have time to sort them out until now.

Carefully cultivated in-house by Gardens by the Bay to ensure maximal flower size and show-quality blooms, these dahlia varieties are informally classified as 'dinnerplate dahlias,' with flowers up to 30 cm in diameter! That's about the size of a dinner plate!

The dahlia was declared the national flower of Mexico in 1963.

Here are some pictures of Dahlias taken during my visit.

Dahlia Holly Lemon Ice

Some information on Dahlias from the exhibition.

The Aztecs grew dahlia tubers as food crop, and even used them to treat epilepsy. After it was introduced to Europe in 1789, the name ‘Dahlia’ was given to the flower in honour of Andreas Dahl, an eminent Swedish Botanist.

Native to Mexico and Central America, dahlias are perennial root tubers belonging to one of the largest flowering plant families, Asteraceae, or the sunflower family. Rivalled only by the orchid family, they are related to chrysanthemums, gerberas, daisies, and marigolds to name a few.

Dahlias have been officially divided into various groups according to their flower forms. Those on display mostly belong to two main forms – ball and decorative. Other forms include cactus, anemone, collerette, pompo, orchid and waterlily. The name of each flower form describes its appearance or shape.

While relatively small, ball dahlias, with their infinite spherical swirl of florets, are truly mesmerising. The petals are blunt or slightly rounded at their tips, and are flawlessly arranged, fold upon fold, from the centre of the flower to the outer edge.

Dahlia Orange Symphony

Decorative dahlia blooms are normally large and have what is known as the archetypal dahlia flower form. Without a central disc of florets, they appear as a mass of broad, flat petals that are usually completely blunt at the tip or only slightly pointed.

Decorative dahlias can be formal or informal. The former has flat petals that are evenly and regularly arranged, while the latter has generally flat or slightly rolled petals irregularly placed in a slightly looser, more relaxed formation.

Dahlias appear to have a single bloom on each stem. However, each flower head consists of a luster of tiny individual flowers known as disc and ray florets. Disc florets lie in the center and resemble tiny tubes. These are surrounded by showier, strap-like petals known as ray florets that attract pollinators such as birds and bees.

Dahlia Oriental Dream

There are around 30 dahlia species, and thousands of different cultivars and hybrids. With the exception of blue, dahlias come in a wide variety of colours, with variegated and bi-colour ones as well. They range in size from tiny micro dahlia flowers 5 centimetres in diameter, to ‘dinner plate’ ones measuring 25 centimetres across!

These are some of the Dahlias, whose name I am quite sure off, I saw on my visit. There were so many different cultivars and hybrids on display. At the end of the visit, I wasn't quite sure which was which.

Dahlia Blithe Spirit

Dahlia Friquolet

Dahlia Penhill Watermelon

Dahlia Black Jack

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Humorous Quips

Have a good laugh from time to time. The burden of life is lightened when we laugh – sometimes at ourselves. A laugh at our own expense costs nothing. Besdes, the person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused.

It's hard ... to hate a man who laughs at himself and the rest of the world. - Jo Clayton

Below are some humorous quips / witty comments. They are funny, but at the same time, there is a lot of truth in some of these quips. I hope they bring on a chuckle, or put a smile on your face.

Common sense is like deodorant. The people who need it most never use it. - Unknown

A woman drove me to drink and I never even had the courtesy to thank her. - W.C. Fields

Beat the 5 o'clock rush – leave work at noon. - Unknown

One problem with being an expert on everything is that you cannot turn to anyone else for advice. - Gary W. Smith

An alcoholic is anyone you don’t like who drinks more than you do. - Dylan Thomas

Age is just a number, totally irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine. - Joan Collins

I was the best man at the wedding. If I'm the best man, why is she marrying him? - Jerry Seinfeld

Anyone who told you to be yourself couldn’t have given you any worse advice. - Unknown

Everyone should be able to do one card trick, tell two jokes, and recite three poems, in case they are ever trapped in an elevator. - Lemony Snicket

I’m gonna go take a hot shower. It’s like a normal shower, but with me in it. - Unknown

Only in this world do we laugh: in hell, it won’t be possible; and in heaven, it won't be proper. - Jules Renard

I think age is a very high price to pay for maturity. - Tom Stoppard

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Life's Little Lessons

I believe that Aphorisms has a place in life. There is beauty in these words of wisdom that educate, inspire and motivate. But most importantly, these words of wisdom are ageless, as applicable now as when they were first uttered by those who had experienced hardship, and who had been through life – some were sages from hundreds of years ago. It will serve us well to pay attention to these words of wisdom.

Treasure each other in the recognition that we do not know how long we shall have each other. - Joshua L. Liebman

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them. - Dalai Lama

Where duty is plain, delay is both foolish and hazardous; where it is not, delay may be both wisdom and safety. - Tryon Edwards

While enjoying the fruits of your labour, reflect on the source of your success. - Unknown

To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to. - Kahlil Gibran

Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be! - Miguel de Cervantes

Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. - Emory Austin

Irony is the essence of the character of Providence. - Honore de Balzac

Better do a good deed near at home than go far away to burn incense. - Amelia Earhart

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing (about). - Benjamin Franklin

As soon as man does not take his existence for granted, but beholds it as something unfathomably mysterious, thought begins. - Albert Schweitzer

Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man is a social being. - Mahatma Gandhi

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