Reviewing 2008

I recently asked some friends whether they take stock of the year gone by at the end of the year and was somewhat surprised by their nonchalance. It’s as if there’s no point since it’s all in the past and that it’d be a waste of time and energy. They seem to just want to look ahead and move on.

But is looking back and recalling the past necessarily a bad thing? I personally don’t see it as setting you back. Conversely, I see it as having the propensity to thrust you forward more purposefully. That’s what reviews are about, that’s what debriefs are meant for. Evaluations have a purpose – they tell us how we started, what transpired and how it expired.

We learn from the past to better prepare for the future. Competitive athletes have shown us how. They watch video playbacks of their defeats and conquests and find ways of bettering themselves or overcoming their opponents at a future.

Reviews aren’t times to reminisce and be self-absorbed in a past moment of glory or gaiety. They’re meant to help us plant our stakes, set our course and press on with determined hunger and eagle-eyed precision.

Have you looked back at your year? If not, you still have time before the year runs out and we usher in 2009.

On behalf of Pamela, here’s wishing you grit to face the open seas of 2009, an anchor of hope to ride out the sea billows, and a compass of purpose to achieve your dreams in the year ahead!

Have a Splendid 2009!

Brain Freeze!

Before I blog about our guest this morning, I have a confession to make.

If you were tuned in to The Living Room today, and heard a host of boo boos on air, well *raises a hand sheepishly* ... it was me.

I've started "panelling" ~ which means I basically sit in the pilot's seat and operate the "cockpit" controls on my own.

Here's the view from where Stan & I sit. For the last 2 days, I've been sitting in Stan's pilot seat & manning the "cockpit".

When I see Stan do it, he's truly Mr Octopus. It's like he doesn't have to think. When Stan told me yesterday, "OK, today you panel hor!", I tell you my heartbeat quadrupled. My hands started shaking. And I seriously broke into a cold sweat. *whimper*

Today, there were several times I experienced complete brain freeze. And dead air. Seriously, 3 seconds of it feels like a deafening 30 minutes. Today was definitely one of those days I'd really like to forget...

But enough about me. Today, we got to chat with Nicholas Lim, Regional Director of Contiki Holidays. Nick is a really easy-going guy and a natural talker. His travel stories definitely fuelled my desire to make TRAVEL one of my 2009 resolutions.

Canadian Rockies, here I come! *lol*

Here we are around the Christmas tree @ the radio building lobby

with Nicholas Lim, Regional Director of Contiki Holidays.

To find out more about Stan & Pam's resolutions for 2009, and our reflections on the year past, tune in to tomorrow's New Year's Eve Special of The Living Room. *wink*

Have a Blessed Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve! On The Living Room today, we did a Christmas Special, where for the last hour, we played our favourite carols. It was enchanting ~ especially with the rain falling softly outside (the next best thing to snow!) and an unusually cool temperature of 23 to 26 deg C.

For me, Christmas has always been special. Not only is it the birthday of Jesus - which I celebrate - it's also a time when I pause to count my blessings and recount the many ways God has blessed me. 

And this past year, one thing I'm truly thankful for is being embraced by the 938LIVE family. I'm blessed with wonderful new colleagues, an unmatchable on-air buddy, and a programme I truly believe in. And although radio is all new to me, I'm discovering it's a medium I can grow to love... Who would've guessed? *grin*

There have also been new people who have walked into my life this year who have forever changed it. People who have restored my faith in love and hope. *hug*

And Phoebe, thanks for the chocolate cupcake you baked for us! *drool* But more so, for your invaluable help these past months, and the many coffees you've bought me & claimed Uncle gives you free because you're cute.

   

Cherish those you love. Give thanks. And from The Living Room team, here's wishing you a most blessed & love-filled Christmas!!! 

Comedy (at) Central

I know. Clowns can look a tad scary. But after chatting with Scoot & Jamie this morning, I can assure you they are no Chucky.

They are two really down-to-earth, funny Australian blokes who are in town to entertain shoppers this Christmas at Central, the Shopping Mall.

What do they do? Well, Jamie is a standup comedian. Scoot (aka Mark) is a juggler who also climbs ladders. OK, don't ask. Go check out their act at Central, 2pm & 3pm, till Christmas Eve.

Scoot (left) & Jamie (right) with tools of their trade. Check out the parang he juggles together with an apple ~ which he eats in the process!

After the interview, we got Scoot to show off his juggling skills in the carpark. Being the natural entertainer that he is, he gladly obliged. 

Here's a vid of him juggling 7 balls...

It was a fun way to start my morning ~ especially after being on leave the past week. Boy, it's good to be back on The Living Room! *grin*

Channel 5's 1st Christmas Tele-Movie

Jessica Cuipa (of Parental Guidance fame) was a heart-stealer in The Living Room this morning. She's one chatty 8-year-old with very good EQ & IQ. Before everyone vacated the studio, she gave me a hug, like she did her co-stars veteran Darren Lim and Suhami Yusof. I've never been hugged by a kid guest before through all my 6 years hosting the show, so she'll always be special.

I'm sold that "Delivering Suzy" on Channel 5 will make for good tv this Christmas Day.

Showtime:
Thurs, 25th Dec, 10pm - 11.30pm, with an encore on Sun, 28th Dec, 5pm - 6.30pm.

An Email from The Senior Parliamentary Secretary of MHA & MOE, Masagos Zulkifli

Following my chat in The Living Room today with Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Education and MP for Tampines GRC, he sent me an email to further elaborate on the Home Team's promotion of creativity and innovation. I thought I'd share it with you with his blessings.

On and related note, don't forget the Home Team's recruitment fair this weekend at Vivo City.

Hi Stanley,

It was great to be on your programme 'The Living Room' to share with your listeners some of the things that the Home Team can offer to those who want a challenging and rewarding career.

That the Home Team’s vision is to make Singapore a safe and secure best home is known to most Singaporeans. But what most people are not aware of is that the Home Team members also pride ourselves on the environment that encourages creativity and innovation. Our officers are constantly looking at ways to progress, re-invent and motivate ourselves to innovate and transform.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force, for example, stands out for its innovative solutions for challenges its officers had encountered on the ground. Taking advantage of the network of hydrants in Singapore, SCDF came up with its own dream car (or fire-engine in this case) - the “Red Rhino”. Officially known as the "Light Fire Attack Vehicle", this formidable vehicle which could maneuver into every corner of a HDB void deck.

And who says you must go to a Police station to make a Police report? Thinking out-of-the-box, the Singapore Police Force, came up with the Electronic Police Centre or ePC, where members of public can lodge online reports that do not require immediate police attention.

The Home Team is really one of the most “techie” organisation I have seen. In the last few years, the Immigration Checkpoints & Authority rolled out several new systems of cutting edge technologies to facilitate and enhance identification and border security, such as the enhanced IACs (passport verification system) which allows holders of the Singapore machine readable or biometric passports to clear immigration under 12 seconds without having to pre-register themselves. ICA was in fact one of the first few countries in the world to recognize the value of biometric technology and, more importantly, implement its use.

The Home Team is innovative and entrepreneurial not just in the operational arena. The Central Narcotics Bureau’s famed partnership with the private industry stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse, coupled with tough enforcement, has made Singapore famous for its zero-tolerance drug policy. So much so that the concern now is that international drug syndicates want to recruit Singaporeans to be their couriers!

And then, once upon a time, Prisons Officers “jaga” prisoners. Period. But our officers from the Singapore Prison Service want to do more - they want to change the lives of those who are under their custody. The “Captains of Lives”, a concept years ahead of its time, was born. This mindset change resulted in many innovative and dynamic programmes to rehabilitate offenders.

So for those who want to play a hands-on role in keeping Singapore safe and secure, come join the ranks of professionals dedicated to maintaining the security well-being of our nation.

Best regards,

Masagos Zulkifli

Wanna Fight?!

I've never set foot into a boxing ring, let alone getting near one. So a visit to Paddy's Sports Centre which is also home to the Angkor Youth Boxing Club was a treat. Here's where the Cambodian martial art of Pradal Serey or Khmer boxing is taught and where arms and legs unleash powerful blows. Was I intimidated? Well with people landing punches on bags or bodies all around me, you just pray you're not in anyone's way.

I spoke to the the director of the centre, Paddy Carson about the sport and just how popular Khmer boxing is in the kingdom. While there, Paddy introduced me to one of his trainees whom he said was Singaporean. It turned out to be Malaysian Vincent Ong who works there and takes up twice a week lessons from Paddy as a form of fitness.

Just how different is Pradal Serey from Muay Thai? Well surprise surprise! They're the same thing; just bearing different names, but I'm sure both kingdoms will claim the martial art to be their baby.