Nursing Home Journey #1 - The Man who was a Karaoke Champion

#NursingHomeJourney Stories #1 (LONG POST AHEAD!)

I was doing my usual ward-to-ward singing at a nursing home when I noticed a wheelchair-bound uncle observing me silently at a corner. Not wanting to make him feel left out, I smiled and waved at him. 

"Will you be coming to level 6?" 

He asked in a low tone during a brief pause of my performance. 

It turned out that he had heard me and wheeled himself down from 6th floor (OH my goodness!) specially just to ask if I would be going up to his ward to sing. I told him I would and he nodded, turned his back around and slowly wheeled himself off. 

Honestly, it wasn't part of the schedule (to enter level 6 ward) with the nursing home but I decided to fulfil him on my own accord. 

As promised, I made my way up after finishing my round at Level 4.

There he was, awaiting me at the ward with the rest of the other residents.

I greeted everyone and started singing. 

Song after song, Uncle was very supportive. He smiled and never failed to give his best clap. Then there came the moment. The moment that HITS me hard. 

He motioned me to come over and presented me with a small 4R-sized photo album. 

With his weak and trembling hands, he flipped the pages. "This was me", he said in a soft tone. I gasped as I looked at the young, energetic and handsome man staring at me right back in the pictures.

And in almost all of the photos, he was seen holding a microphone and were at all sorts of singing competitions. 

"I used to run around Singapore and joined all the competitions. And I was a champion before!" He shared as he continued flipping the pages slowly. In some of the photos, his family members were even seen supporting him at his competitions. He was such a happy man who had such a beautiful wife, too. 

"Wow, you are really handsome! I bet you have a lot of girls wooing you!" I joked.

"Handsome right? Hahaha..That was last time lah..." He gave a shy smile. 

Even though I only knew him for less than an hour, I felt like the time had stood still and I was walking down his memory lane together with him. We may be generations apart, but we connected. 

I took a short glance at him. It was very difficult to imagine that the man -so FULL of life, hope and dreams in the photos is now beside me in a wheelchair and residing in a nursing home. (While I did wonder about his family members, I did not ask him much as I didn't want to risk triggering any bad memories, if any)

It dawned upon me that my presence had probably brought him some memories of his younger days.

"I would love to hear you sing! How about you sing a song?" I said cheerfully. 

He gave a tiny smile and shook his head. 

"I cannot sing totally in my condition now".

My heart sank. 

He then requested me to sing him a song 午夜的香吻 which I fulfilled.

I looked at the time and my heart sank a second time. It was time for me to go. 

Uncle opened his small cupboard beside his bed and took out a box. "Here, have some cakes". He grabbed 3 packets of the cakes and placed them in my hand. 

I smiled. "Thank you, Uncle"

Despite that he didn't really have much with him, he still wanted to offer me something. To me, these cakes are simply priceless. I held them in my hands and felt a surge of warmth through my heart.

While time may be cruel and leave no man behind, it's inspiring to know how music can still keep one going emotionally. This is why I truly enjoyed doing volunteer work and giving back with music. Each trip to the nursing home always bring me a different experience in an inspiring manner. There are just so many sides of life that I've seen and yet to be seen. 

I will be sharing more of my personal experiences and stories as time goes by. At the same time, I do hope that I can bring a little inspiration to our young generation in coming forward to contribute back to the society. You never know how much your time contribution means to someone. :)

For a Good Cause:- 20 Fun Ways to use a Red Dot!

Remember the blog post I made on the Red Dot Campaign prior to our nation's birthday?

(If you haven't, here's the entry: CLICK)
Anyway, that contest had already ended. If you missed it, then too bad huh.
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Just kidding.

Is any of you still holding on to these Red Dots? You are in luck if you do!
(Or if you do not have a Red Dot yet, I'll share with you how you can get it as you read on!)

Moove Media has came up with another interesting contest that you can stand a chance to win with these Red Dots!

The contest has already commenced since 15 September 2015, so be quick - THEY CHOOSE WINNERS ON A WEEKLY BASIS! 

And the the game is so super duper simple (Moove Media always make it so easy to win big!) - All you have to do is to think of DIFFERENT FUN WAYS TO USE THE RED DOT.

I am sure all of you Singaporeans and selfie kings/queens out there can do it lor!

I know many of us are good at making crazy faces and coming out with lots of patterns (pattern more than badmintion, ah!) when taking selfies. Now is your chance to turn that talent of yours into winning entries for the contest! In the rare occasion that you ever find yourself running out of ideas, you can engage your friends to join in the fun with you, too! Turn the Red Dot into anything - You can try to perform magic with it, use it as a clown's nose or smack it like a ping pong ball. Anything, lah. As long as these actions are being captured on camera - You can submit them.

I love these little illustrations that Moove Media came up with! Cracked me up, HAHAHA.

Now this is genius.

I have seen several entries on their Facebook page and some of them are darn hilarious - You may wish to take a look or just simply join in the fun by uploading your photos there. 

If Instagram is preferred, you can upload your photos on there too - Just don't forget to include the hashtag #20FunWays

As long as you participate, you CAN have the chance to win.

OH - If you do not have a Red Dot YET and is wondering where and how to get one to join in the contest, fret not.

Each Red Dot can still be purchased at $10 each via appointment with Moove Media- and it's entirely for  charity. Each Red Dot is a contribution for a good cause! 

You may wish to contact them through e-mail at: moovemarketing@moovemedia.com . 

(Even if you do not wish to join in the contest, you can just get a Red Dot for fun and charity, lah)

Go go - Join now, you can thank me later if you are one of the winners.

YOU CAN START HERE:-

FACEBOOK PAGE

SPOT ME! RED DOT Campaign – Have you spotted it yet?

Have you guys spotted something on the road, and wondered what it exactly was?

So far, I have spotted so many that it's impossible not to be aware of them.

Here are a few photos that I took; I made it a point to snap a pic of it whenever it's spotted!

Seen it, recognize it.. Yet?

I didn't mean spotting the bus lah, but THIS! 

The little red "ball" that looks sooo cute...

Like an antenna, hor?!?!

I kept seeing it, especially at the back of buses.

 Don't ask me where I spotted them, they are just everywhere!

I'm sure you will be able to spot one too, wherever you are at. 

And this was also just recently taken - I spotted it on a lorry parked near a marketplace.

 I sounded like a lunatic when I spotted it.

"HEY! THAT BALL, THAT BALL!! I HAVE TO TAKE A PIC OF IT!!", I told a shocked friend beside me who thought I went berserk.

But HEY, I don't get excited for nothing. I'm sure you will also be going around spotting it like me after reading this post.

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BECAUSE YOU CAN WIN PRIZES BY SPOTTING AND TAKING A PIC OF IT!

Easy Peasy.

How cool is that?! 

This is actually a part of a SG50 campaign called "SPOT ME! RED DOT" by ComfortDelGro along with Moove Media to raise $250,000 for a good cause! (More information below as you read on)

Participating in the campaign is free - All you need is just a pair of sharp eyes and mobile phone/camera with you at all times. Of course, you have to be fast and ensure the vehicles don't move off before snapping the pic, lah. Haha.

As long as you spot it, there will be a chance to win. 

This gives you more reason to go out with friends mah! *smirks*

HHere's a picture illustration of how to join:-

The first pic is the owner of the vehicle clipping the Red Dot so excited people like me can spot and take a pic:-

• Step 1: Spot a Red Dot! (Red Dot on a vehicle)
• Step 2: Snap a photo of the Red Dot!
• Step 3: Upload it to Spot Me! Red Dot Facebook / Instagram (@SpotMeRedDot) with #SpotMeRedDot.

In case you are not aware, this campaign has been ongoing for a month now - from 5 June to 31 August 2015.

AND if you are one of those who have been clueless about these red little thingy (they are officially known as a "Red Dot") before, now you know!

For drivers who find the Red Dots cute and thinking if you can have one, too. 

YES, YOU CAN ACTUALLY PURCHASE THEM AT $10 EACH!

(Image credit to: Moove Media)

(And do you know that you are entitled to a winning chance too if you were spotted by Moovers?! 好心有好报!)

On top of that, this move is a part of the good cause that I mentioned earlier as ALL proceeds of the Red Dot sales will go to FOUR different beneficiaries.

(Lions Befrienders Service Association, Handicaps Welfare Association, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore and Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped)

You are actually doing a good deed by purchasing each Red Dot.

More information are listed on their official website HERE

From the last I checked, it appeared that many have spotted and won prizes (There are over $50,000 worth of prizes to be won, so there are still tons of chances to be one of the winners!!)

There are many places with the Red Dot stickers promoting the Campaign as well; I got so excited that I even snapped photographs of the stickers (although no prizes, lah!) I felt that I have sharper eyes now - I can spot anything that's related to the campaign! HAHA.

See how hardworking I am : -

At bus interchange:

On the bus:

On the floor of a MRT station platform (LOL!):

If you haven't give their Facebook page a "LIKE" already, go do so now!! No harm - Only gain in chances of winning!! 

So WHY NOT?!

Be part of the Spot Me! Red Dot Campaign now!! Go, Go!!

[Charity] Love for the Lost, Smile for a Cause

Hey guys! 

Just hoping to share some love here - for a good cause! Do check out the event details below and join the cause if you will! :)

*SCAPE in collaboration with the Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association (CARE Singapore), will be conducting a donation run supporting CARE’s primary objective.

CARE is a registered charity and youth development agency dedicated to providing school-based social work services, reaching out to primary and secondary youths at risk of academic failure, rehabilitating behavioural problems, emotional maladjustment, self-harm or delinquency.

*SCAPE, together with CARE and Singapore Polytechnic (SP), has created Love for the Lost, Smile for a Cause, a charity donation drive managed by SP students that aims to raise donations to transform the lives of challenged youths for a better future.

Love for the Lost, Smile for a Cause will be happening at *SCAPE The Deck, situated outside McDonald’s.

Details:

Dates: 7, 8, 13, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29 December 2013

Time: 12pm – 7pm.

Donating is simple:

1.       Take a Polaroid

2.       Buy a balloon

3.       Write your 2014 resolution on the balloon

All proceeds will be donated to CARE Singapore.

Alternatively, you can donate directly to CARE at http://bit.ly/caresggives

For more information about CARE, visit: http://www.care.sg

Fun with the kids @ AWWA - KOPFS 3rd Anniversary!

Oh God, this is such an overdue entry. But I am still going to post it nonetheless as it sure was a memorable event worth remembering. 

(That is what makes a blog even more important, right? Maybe I will be my own reader someday and read my own old entries while reminiscing the old times. LOL!)

Ah, have I ever mentioned in my blog that I am a proud member of KOPFS? (King Of Pop Fanatics Singapore).

Anyway, it is an official Michael Jackson Fanclub in Singapore (with one of my buddies, Marie, as the President of the club). We would have occasional gatherings, annual charity events, etc.

Having been a Michael Jackson fan for only 3 years, I felt it was more than that. The people and love I have met and received throughout the years were simply amazing. 

It was our 3rd Anniversary this year and we thought we could do something special ... By volunteering our services at AWWA at one of their annual events.

Basically, it was a day of fun with the children from lower privileged families. (Those children are so OMG adorable. You should have seen them!)

Unfortunately, I am unable to post photos of the children due to privacy issues :( 

Was' feeling kinda' disappointed as I had wanted to share on my blog- but I guess I shall respect the unspoken rules.

Pardon the poor quality photos as they are taken off my Facebook:

Marie, the lovely President from KOPFS. She was happily playing with the alphabet puppets that she brought and donated to the centre! :) 

Puppets? The children were thrilled!

After 1-2 hours of fun with the children at the centre - making sandwiches and playing with dress-ups, we set off to our destination of the day - Marina Barrage.

And that's me, busy camwhoring while doing an advertorial for Glampuss :)

(Yes, this beautiful ring is sponsored by them!)

We brought along the sandwiches that we made: (Egg Mayo and Tuna!)

Captured a photo of MBS at a distance. Cool, huh?

I was totally in love with this kid - She is such a darling - and a totally good sport at posing for my camera.

Kissing poses, peace signs, etc... You name it and she had all done it!

Although her face is censored due to privacy issues, but you can still see her expressions. Hahaha.

*Awww*

While the other kids were enjoying themselves flying kites and playing with water, here we were - Having some camwhoring marathon and taking photos of ourselves. LOL:

Different poses, same spot =_=:

And here comes the monkey shot: (Gosh. we were crazy! LOL)

And me trying to act sexy:

*cough* *cough*

I love our expressions from this shot. HAHAHA. I don't know why I am loving this UN-glamorous photo though!

Marie: I'm gonna strangle you!

Cat (me): I'm gonna poke your nostrils!

Miao: Oh wait - I'm flying!

Okay, am gonna post a normal shot of us before anyone submits my blog to the mental hospital:

Children having fun with the water:

(I dared not go near the water as one of the kids had wanted to splash me with it! - and I didn't have another set of clothes to change into!)

It was about to rain and I took this shot - Artistic NOT?!?!

Afraid of getting drenched, we came up with a genius idea of shielding everyone from the rain:

(I thought we looked like some walking pasar-malam! LOL!)

RELUCTANTLY, the day ended as everyone parted ways to head back home.

I am glad that everyone, especially the children had fun nonetheless. (Those smiles from the children will melt your heart anytime, really!)

I would totally do it again if given a chance.

Special thanks to Miao and Marie for being part of this special day as well. :))

If anyone knows of any charity organizations / service centres that wish to collaborate for any future events, etc... Do feel free to let me know!
I am actually considering to sell my art pieces to help the needy. (I had thought of this idea since last year, but didn't have the chance to put this plan into action.)
Seriously, I don't mind exchanging my passion for art to create a difference in someone's life.
Let's spread the love.

[Omy.sg Bloggers' Event] A heartwarming dinner @ Mcdonald's Singapore!

It is always believed that Chinese New Year is a festive season of joy that all of us will celebrate with our families and friends.

 BUT I've found a greater joy this year by being a part of Mcdonalds Singapore's event in coming together and celebrating the occasion with the less fortunate, bringing smiles to their faces. Honestly, it's one of the MOST meaningful events I've ever attended, and I truly enjoyed myself during the session.

It is one gathering I won't forget- The gathering of warmth and love.

When I first received the invitation from Omy.sg and realized it was going to be an event with underprivileged seniors, I took up the opportunity immediately. Nothing beats having the chance to brighten someone's day, especially to the less fortunate.

As exaggerating as it sounds, I actually counted down and looked forward to it!

Here's a little video I did of the event! :) If you do not wish to watch the video, you may scroll down to read the lengthy but worthwhile post!

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The venue is located at Ridout Tea Garden, where Mcdonald's is. Although I have never been there before, but I fell in love with the surroundings immediately. The whole place was filled with such serenity!

And guess who was there as well?
Yes, it's Ronald Mcdonald! *smiles* I have never thought that I would meet him for real, but there he is - welcoming the line of seniors upon their arrival. I MUST say that Ronald is one of the coolest people I've ever seen. He's always smiling and taking such great care of the seniors throughout the evening. *salutes* He's the definition of a good role model, absolutely. Not to mention that he's very professional, too. (He knows how to converse in English, mandarin and even dialects!)

Look at the beauty of this image! (No, I obviously do not mean my photo-taking skills, but the beauty in this photograph itself. I love how Ronald was holding on to each of the seniors as they came up the stairs, ensuring their safety. It really means alot. )

Everyone starting to fill up the spaces as they got to their seats.

Alright! Everyone safe and seated!

Let's start the ball rolling!

While waiting for the food to be served, Ronald personally went around different tables to entertain the seniors, engaging in small chats with them. I love the fact how everyone was interacting like old friends, smiling and laughing with one another. I don't know why, but it gave me a good tingling sensation. :)

Of course, other than Ronald, a few other Mcdonald's staff were helping out as well, providing FIRST CLASS service to each and everyone present. And when I said "First Class", I ain't kidding!
All of them took excellent care of the seniors, making sure that they are comfortable. It's a pity I didn't get the lady's name (photo below), but she is definitely one of the most commendable staff I've ever seen!  I took this shot of her when she was helping one of the seniors in stirring her cup of tea. She would often drop by different tables, too, to check out what was needed.

The seniors enjoying their share of Mcdonald's meal.

A picture speaks a thousand words.

   Here's a random shot of one of Mcdonald's helpers. I smiled when I saw his shirt. 

  Each and every helper showed a great deal of commitment and dedication in serving the seniors to their best ability.

                         

      And here, we have the honor to meet with Mcdonalds Managing director, Judy Harman. 

 Now, now. One of our dear bloggers has a new-found fan! We cracked up laughing as this uncle seemed to like her - ALOT.

Okay, I shall have my share in taking a photo as well - with my new idol , Ronald! :) He sure is a very jolly fellow. Laughter and smiles always ensue with him around. And not to mention that he must be one of the most friendlist clowns in the world. :)

I can tell that everyone enjoyed their meal. Look at that - They are lovin' Mcdonalds! :)

This particular Mcdonald staff is truly an inspiration. Being a senior citizen herself, she is still constantly showing care and concern to those who need it more. (From what I've heard, she is 73 years old and has been working in Mcdonalds for around 18 years!) She was somehow the "main host" for the event.

 Lovely staff giving out red packets and oranges to the seniors after their meals. Look at how happy this lady senior is as she poses with the red packet. :) 

 A random photo I took when Ronald and this senior was having a funny conversation. She was commenting on Ronald's large shoes and comparing them to hers.  Everyone around her cracked up as we witnessed this hilarious scene.

Ronald: "You see my shoe here?"

As much as we hated to say goodbye, the seniors had to retire for the night. Again, the staff showed their utmost respect as they stood in a row and bid them goodbye with a smile.

Honestly, seeing those seniors going expressing how happy they were that night made everything worthwhile.

Together with a few of the staff of Omy.sg and Mcdonalds' crew, we bloggers took a group photo too!

 After the seniors left, we settled down and had our dinner. It was very gracious and kind of Mcdonalds for the treat! Thank you~ 

  One of the lovely staff serving us with our orders. Look at the amount of curly fries on the tray! Everyone loves them! Don't you, too?

 Our meal~ (My stomach is grumbling again as I'm looking at these pictures. Oh man~)

 

As appreciation, Mcdonalds gave each of us oranges and red packets too! They are really lovely.

Thank you, Mcdonalds' Singapore and Omy.sg, for inviting us to such a rewarding experience with the seniors on 19th January 2012.  You are certainly an inspiration and touched the hearts of many! I love the fact how Mcdonalds' is so active in doing charities to help the less fortunate. I will always look forward to more, and I hope that I will be able to join in such events again in near future!

To be able to help and bring happiness to others is a blessing. That shall be my mission in life, too. :)

And to all readers out there,

Here's a reason for you to dine @ Mcdonalds this festive season! You can play your part, too! :)

In the year of the Dragon, Mcdonald's will be sharing the gift of prosperity by donating 10 cents from the sale of each Prosperity Feast Meal and Prosperity Extra Value Meal between 1 January to 31 January 2012. All proceeds will go towards the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) where it will be used to help needy families with children with intellectual disability.

                       Do show your support as its all for a good cause! :) 

Spread the love!