That Lovely Feeling.

I have not talked about her in my posts for quite some time now. It is always about my work, my dog, my new toys etc. She is my wife, Thao.

We went to watch our first "Live" football match 2 days ago. I managed to get free tickets and its a friendly between Singapore and Vietnam...that explains why.

We were shocked to see so many Vietnamese students, who filled half the stadium and cheered louder that our Singapore fans. The Vietnamese are just crazier and more 热情 (able to express themselves freely). Their players throw the runner-up medals and their jerseys to shouting fans, and a group even waited outside the gate for their players to board the bus.

The fans will cheer the players by their name and there were even shouts of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh!

I support my team, but during the second half, half of the Singapore team is made up of foreign imports. The skills they displayed are not that impressive, and I remember feeling more excited when I watched Fandi Ahmad and team played in the early 90s.

I brought my camera, and was shooting from the stands. These are the pictures.





Watching her jump and shout is more entertaining that the action on field. I don't mind missing the action and penalty kicks. Right next to me is an ardent football fan and a patriot, whose eyes turned wet as the Vietnamese anthem is played. She, and the others sang their anthem out loud, She was "unrestrained" in her display of joy and anxiety, and she went along with the fans that tried to catch a piece of their players after the game. From that, I saw the little girl who chase her favourite super heroes among the other children, I saw a patriot who love her country like she love her family.

Through these moments, I saw the girl whom I fell for, once more.

The First One, a family affair with lots of fun

The first "solo" exhibition (I did the setting up by myself) is now on, after a small-scale opening reception with family and friends, some "da bao" food and coffee mix. I don't think exhibitions can come any cheaper than this...as in, very little money is spent.

The place is free, and they only charge a commission for any sales made, which is zero so far, and I don't expect to make any. Even one sale is a bonus. So friends who have attended and is reading this (I think there is only a handful)... I will be sending emails soon to get you to donate, on your own accord. I hope that the pictures have shown you something which you would never have seen and moved you into doing that little bit to help.

I was moving the exhibition poster down to 1st level just now (to attract more people to go up and have a look), and this auntie who mans the cafe at the showroom came and told me how she was shocked by my pictures at first, but that changed to admiration for the athletes after viewing the whole series. I am encouraged by her words, and glad that the series can be understood by anyone, and the message conveyed to viewers.

Friends, Colleagues and my loved ones who made the effort to come for the "opening" cum gathering, I really appreciate that. Your mere presence gives me tremendous encouragement to carry on with this work and more.


Thanks for the words of encouragement.


Parents and Grandma.


The first autograph from Em Yeu.

I went for a run last night, and came back pretty excited, even though the pace is slow like hell. Strings of ideas just came along as I ran and was out searching for the next project at 1am in the morning. I was near Little India and remembered the recent murder case whereby a prostitute was knifed to death in her workplace. I was curious and drove to the Flanders Square, a little-known red-light area which Im sure most Singaporeans do not know of. The place is a single block of 3-storey post-war house, which is in a very sorry state. Its eerie and dark, with foreign workers staying on the upper levels and the 1st level is where the brothels are. There was not a soul when I found the place, and I could not imagine making a living in such an environment. Its another part of Singapore which few people know of, or would want to see for themselves.