My Volunteering Journey (It's life-changing!)

The activity started as I went to ward after ward, and I sang my usual oldies while trying to engage the patients to clap and sing along. Trust me, I felt like my life was complete at that very instant when some of the patients clapped, gave thumbs up, encouraged and offered me the brightest smiles ever. I was overjoyed that they seemed to be enjoying my presence.

And what truly changed my life was the moment when I was brought to the palliative ward which I was told that the patients might not be able to react to my singing. 

Nonetheless, I was eager to enter the place and pray that music can create miracles for the patients. 

AND OH BOY, SOMEHOW IT DID. Allow me to share a little positive encounter! 

I decided to choose upbeat familiar songs and went to the bedside of a patient. His eyes were open, but he did not really seem responsive when I attempted to interact. Somehow, I knew he could hear me. 

"Tian mi mi... " I started the first verse of a song which I personally love. His lips seemed to be moving in a subtle manner, but obvious enough to make me stop in my tracks. Was I seeing things? I thought it was just my imagination but it was not soon after that I heard a weak, soft but audible voice coming from his direction. 

I could not believe my ears. When I got to the second verse of the song, he was already singing on tune with me (even with the right lyrics!!) I could tell he must have been a very good singer in his younger days. 

I got so emotional and tried hard to control my tears of joy so that I could finish the song with him. When it ended, I looked towards the direction of another volunteer, and walked over to her. 

"Oh my God. He sang. He SANG with me! Let's go on with the next song, I'm going to sing more for him!" I exclaimed in a shaky voice. 

I went back to his bed side. "Uncle, have you heard of this song called "路边的野花不要踩"? Slowly, he started nodding his head. My heart skipped a beat. "I shall sing this song for you okay?" 

And this time, he completed the whole song with me. Yes, his voice was weak but I could hear him clearly. I was overwhelmed. It was not soon after that he could respond to me by nodding his head gently to most of my questions. "You sang really good, Uncle!" I said. 

A tiny smile formed on his lips. 

I couldn't ask for more in this life.

The moment was phenomenal and surreal. You know the feeling when everything felt like a dream but you are actually living the dream? I could feel tears welling up in my eyes even when I am thinking back of the priceless moment. 

Today's experience made me feel so complete and accomplished as a performer - Accomplished in the sense that I am able to light up that little smile on the patients' faces which I never knew I could. Music is wonderful. 

It totally took my perspective of life to another level after today and I would definitely love to do it again and again and again and again, just to shine that little bit of positivity onto the patients' life. 

Creating miracles through music is something I've always dreamed to do, and I am very honored to be given the opportunity to take that step. My heartfelt thanks to Shaane and his team from St Luke's Hospital (You guys are awesome beyond words!) , and of course not forgetting my dearest friend cum sister, Chloe, for coming along today and supporting the cause. I am very thankful. 感恩。

P/S: I will be preparing more oldies next round and aim to learn songs in different languages to cater to the non-chinese too! I promised a patient that I will prepare her song dedication the next round and I've never felt so motivated in learning it!

Joke of the Internet -蛇精男

So there's a recent uproar of a guy who blatantly insulted Singaporeans sometime back (but it appears that he has taken down the post already. Guilty much?)
I'm sure this face would not be unfamiliar to many (If you are an avid Facebooker, I'm sure you would've seen one or two of his *appalling* pictures somewhere...)

The perfect definition of Photoshop.
In case you are wondering, yes, they are of the same person.

Just a brief introduction about him (if you are not aware) - He's simply someone who gained fame through insulting people from time to time. As long as you are human, there's a possibility of you being insulted by him because he thinks he is more superior than everyone else.

Yes, he's none other than 刘梓晨 (otherwise infamously known as "蛇精男")

One of his proudest "assets" would be the infamous chin, which many netizens claimed that it could pierce through anything and cause imminent death.

You know, it's really amusing to see the delusional world this guy has crafted for himself. 

I'm not sure if this guy is for real - but one thing I'm positive of is that he has successfully became an international joke.

Look at that natural-looking sharp chin!

(Oh puh-lease... Photoshop also must photoshop better lah...)

For more laughable photos, you can go to his Facebook profile by clicking HERE. (It's highly entertaining if you are taking a break in the toilet)

I don't wish to flood my blog with so many of his natural-looking photos.

Here's something interesting:

Some netizen had spotted him on the streets and snapped pictures of him in real life.

OH - WHERE'S THE CHIN HUH?

Nice usage of eyeshadow on that nose there, guy.

I'm starting to think that Steven Lim is kinda' normal now.. If you know what I mean.

CNY Day 2: A visit to Istana

Having spent most of my CNY days slacking and watching endless "Ghost Adventures" episodes during previous years, there's a special twist to my CNY this year!

Yes - That's the visit to Istana,  the official residence and office of the President of Singapore.

I never thought that I would have the opportunity to tour the area, so it was a rare one!
(Come on, it's not an everyday thing that one gets to enter the Istana!)

Of course, many of the areas in the Istana are still kept at bay.

Here's one of the photos I posted on Facebook - somehow a summary of my trip:
(I even wore a "I LOVE SG" shirt - actually a couple tee- to Istana. So patriotic and so me! LOL)

Some of my friends have mistaken that it requires money for the admission. NO, no and NO - Admission to Istana is FREE. The $2 ticket shown in my photo above was just the admission to one of the buildings in the Istana, which was optional. (It was stated publicly that the money from ticket sales would be donated to charity though)

The building would entitle one to have a rare glimpse of some of the few precious gifts given by other countries to the President of Singapore, which includes golden vases, silver high-class looking figurines, etc.

Unfortunately, photo-taking was a big no-no in the building and I was not able to capture any despite my hands itching to do so!!! GRRR.

Security guards were stationed at every corner so we could only retain the memories in our brains.

Oh well.

I did not want to leave the Istana empty-handed, and ended up with the purchase of 2 Istana mugs (Lucky us, those were the LAST 2- so we bought them off as couple mugs. Lol)

Blurry pic, but that'll do.

For those of you who are interested in visiting the Istana, do take note of the few Open House dates!

The Istana grounds is open to the public in celebration of Chinese New Year; Deepavali; Hari Raya Puasa; Labour Day; and National Day. The Istana Open House is scheduled to be held on the following dates in 2015:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Chinese New Year (2nd Day) Labour Day (Actual Day) Hari Raya Puasa (Actual Day) National Day (Sunday before) Deepavali (Actual Day)

-          20 February 2015 (Friday) -          1 May 2015 (Friday) -          17 July 2015 (Friday) -          2 August 2015 (Sunday) -          10 November 2015 (Tuesday) [TBC]

 For more information, you may visit their official website at (If you are a Singaporean, admission is entirely FREE!):
http://www.istana.gov.sg/the-istana/open-house

Honestly, there is nothing fanciful but will be a great experience for all. :)