Too free today - Thoughts running wild again.

Starting at 9-00am. Sent my boys out to fetch two separate group of workers. One to do up the blocked pipe at the fish tank and couldn't get all the dirt out after washing the filter. Second group to concrete the outside of my house that looks like jungle when the grass cutter disappears for a few weeks.

As for me I was cutting the grass inside my house compound and next door empty land. Somehow my fruit trees seems not to be growing any bigger. Maybe its the soil.

But the moral of the story is that I did manage to do a lot of exercise despite the fact that I am down with flu. I'm getting better and I am not taking medication for it except for a panadol just now.

Sometimes I wonder whether I am spending time the right way.

Am I suppose to be doing all this rather than perhaps going out meeting friends and getting back into ( party politics ) . But having said that I have to weight it against my business and travelling outstation and travelling overseas.

Getting into party politics is like a full time job and spending a lot of money. No allowance from anyone. Only out of your own pocket. When people invite you for full moon party, weddings, birthdays, association dinners, fund raising dinners, school dinners or at funerals that's where the money goes.

When it comes to Chinese new year, can you imagine how many branches, divisions etc. Believe me one can easily turn blue in the face. Its not free. You have to pay for your own meals and also invited guests you have to pay for them as well.

Money is one thing, how about the time spent. That is a serious question that I always ask myself.

Couple with that, of course the wife plays an important part in my decision making process. " As usual ". Anyway it gives me satisfaction to know that she needs me around 24 hours a day. She misses me so much.

For the time being, I think I want to sleep peacefully. I reckon my wife will not let me alone if I go back to serving the party. Those branch meetings always at night and ends up having tea or beer and comes back late at night.

Putting my thoughts on paper.
Should try it !!
Its fun !!

Approaching a Morbid Subject

Many people whether they like it or not will eventually ask one question. What if I were to die tomorrow. Am I prepared to die. Is there anything else left to do. What will happen to my wife or my husband. What about my children. Will my children be able to take care of themselves. Do we have enough money to take care of them for life. What happens to so and so and so on and so forth.

Have you ever wondered whether you are doing something about it. We keep asking questions that we are not able to answer.

I think the solution is to make provisions as if you only have one month more to live. That way we will at least be accomplishing something if the time really come.

Why do I ask this question one may wonder. Think hard. Think how often this question comes to mind and we just try to brush it aside. People are naturally afraid of death and when the thought of death approaches your door we just simply shut it out.

I think it is very cool to be writing my own obituary. I don't want some emo fella talking about me as if I am a saint. How good I was and how everyone miss me so much. For a fact I know of people who would say, good riddence to that son of a bitch.

Think of what instructions to leave behind so that if it really happens then the family will know what you actually want.

My grandfather did that and he left the instructions to a good friend. when he eventually died his friend helped my uncle to sort everything out according to my grandpa's instructions. I think my grandpa was prepared for death. He knew what to do to the last detail.

I should have done more - saving for the wrong reason

I was just scrolling down the web page for Selangor Bar looking for an address when I came across the obituary page. Being curious i took a peek at who had died. I thought to myself surely must be someone I hardly knew and funny enough I saw the announcement that Bosco Philips had died last month.

It just flashed through my mind that I was just having tea with my daughter Mey Mey just a month ago when I saw him at the same indian restaurant ordering teh tarik. Life is just too short isn't it.

I was asking Christine last night would you like to visit Rome. It's really a beautiful city and I have been to Rome. The only thing that puts me off is the costs of travelling there and the amount of money we have to pay for hotel. Believe me it is expensive.

But come to think of it, why am I saving money for if not to pamper myself when i retire. That's why I always tell my 3 daughters to save when you are young and don't spend money foolishly. When you can make kopi "o" yourself, why go starbuck or coffee bean lah!!. When you can have egg sandwich at home why go to Victoria Station lah!!.

My philosophy is simple. When young work your butts off. When you get older spend within your means. When you retire, I doubt it I can depend on my children to feed me.

You know why? Cos I just said when young work your butts off and they won't have time for the retired man.

Just open your eyes and tell me how many older people are happy with what their children gives them. I can tell you - None.

What I regretted most is that I should have given more to my parents cos they deserve more. But being thrifty I was saving for the wrong reason. But they have passed on now and I can only write about it. I hope my experience will be a lesson to my 3 lovely daughters.

Make the right choice, make the right move and live your ife in full. Always live within your means.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Looking back to those days when I had to sit alone in the Library of Lincoln's Inn pondering what the examination questions will be like is indeed both hilarious and nostalgic. Hilarious because I could have answered any of the questions nowadays and perhaps even add a bit of my own opinion to top it off. Nostalgic because I could never ever get another opportunity feeling what it was like sitting next to Lord Denning.

The weather was getting warmer by the day and everyone of us is worried sick that the final Bar exams is just round the corner. I was trying to make heads and tails of Family Law when Lord Denning came into the Library and sat next to me. I looked at him and immediately I said to myself. " Today I am making history".

Is that Lord Denning sitting next to me? Wow!!! Then I said to him - Good morning My Lord. He looked back at me and said Good Morning to you too my son. The rest of the conversation I will remember for the rest of my life.

The last time I saw him was during my call to the English Bar and he signed my Certificate along with that of Lord Irvine. The last I heard of him was when he died at the ripe old age of 100.

Many little things in life I will always remember and when I have my little glass of wine or my pint of beer, recalling my past experience is a "pleasure". When I went back to Chelmsford, Essex a few years ago and walk up the steps at the main university building I could feel myself transported back to student days.

My darling daughter asked me " Daddy is that your old school ? "
I said " No Elaine this use to be what I call home. "

Its been years now that I last visited England and Scotland where I use to struggle with my Scottish Highers ( like A levels ). I am looking forward to another visit and hopefully soon - if I can find time.

Now that the Chinese New Year Celebration 2010 is over what's next

It is simply amazing how time just fizzle pass us. Just a blink of an eye and it is already 2010. But the tough gets going when the going gets tough.

Confucius said that " It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. "

2010 will be a better year simply because we sincerely believe that it will be a good year.

My father use to tell me. Don't go near anyone that is negative. Like a sinking ship, they will pull you down.

The China Clipper

Just back from China and as usual I feel totally charged. Not because I had a good rest but because I know for a fact that many people in China work very hard for a living and we are simply so lucky compared to them.

My supplier works 7 days a week from 10am in the morning up till 7 at night. Even after the building security officers had switched off the lights, he will switch on the single tube florescent light to tie up the loose ends. There is no rest and rest will be for 3 weeks in a stretch, one week before the Chinese new year and two weeks after that.

Trading has always been in my blood. Lawyering is a way of life. But being a merchant is something totally different.