A sprain, a bad fall and the stomach flu ( DISLIKE)

As the year comes to a close, let me reflect and pen down the things I have achieved and also failed in 2010.

Switching to academia ( LIKE)
Perhaps the main highlight for me in 2010 was the decision to switch my career to academia. Headhunters will term it as the route to the end of any career. While some will say it is the most fulfilling and worthy profession in history. I leave it to you to decide. :-)  Educating the young is definitely a challenge as often times, it is not what you know that makes a difference, but more of whether you care. They do not care about how much you know. But they do know if you do not care.  I will bear that in mind.

Reinstating my health and re picking up a sport I once loved (LIKE)
Perhaps another main highlight in 2010 was the courage to go back to volleyball after stopping for a close 5-6 years. I've mentioned this several times and will mention it again. I used to love this sport dearly but somehow i lost touched and interest amidst all my pursuits for material and spiritual fulfilment. Getting back into this sport really made me a happier, balanced and healthier individual. Not to mention knowing a group of true volleyball fanatics.

Back on competitions again (LIKE)
Well i got teased frequently by friends that I 'suck' in talent competitions. I think i really do. :-(
It happened to me in 2001 and 2010 marked the year which I entered into not 1 but 2 competitions per se. Friends will ask 'why do you want to join such competitions again'? 'And it gives people the impression that you re yearning for some kind of attention!'. The truth of the matter is, it is more for strategic reasons then anything else. Believe it or not.  The two competitions I joined and which i done relatively well in 2010, gave me sweet memories and certainly boost my confidence to take on bigger challenges. So i still think it is a 'LIKE' for me.


For those who remembered the MEE POK TA

A sprain, a bad fall and the stomach flu ( DISLIKE)

Yes on my health side, three major incidents left me scarred in 2010. First was the fall in early february at Buckaroo BBQ & GRILL. After two glasses (yes two glasses) of Hoegarden beer & some spicy chicken wings, I went to the toilet and pee and the next thing i knew was that i was lying on the floor, with zip unbuttoned, and blood splattered all over the floor. Apparently i passed out while i was halfway peeing. My worried friends then drove me to the nearest clinic and this fall left me with my head bandaged coupled with three stitches. I can't believe i still can join my friends at the KBOX after this incident.

my swollen left ankle

The second incident was my recent ankle sprain which happened in the midst of a volleyball tournament in SG. The sprain left me feeling 'disabled' and 'incomplete' for a good 5 weeks. I had to miss the Stanchart run as a result, which I still wonder till date whether it was a blessing in disguise or not.



Stomach flu left me sick and worried. A friend had the same and it was deja vu.

Play on Social Media (DISLIKE)

I have planned to stage a play on Social media in November 2010. My sister Wendy, Jeanne and I got so enthusiastic about it that we met up several times to discuss the plot and all. I think we even got the plot and skeleton ready. it never materialise and I think it will be untimely and irrelevant to stage it next year. Fingers crossed really. 

Wendy Toh's courage ( LIKE)

I need to mention this. Definitely a BIG like for me as Wendy Toh, my younger sister had personally inspired me. She has shown and redefine the true meaning of love, passion, compassion, courage, forgiveness and peace in 2010.  A true friend. A true being. She is truly amazing.





My travellution (LIKE)

I travelled quite abit in 2010. This will continue to be my personal goal in life. I hope to conquer some parts of US and perhaps Japan, or UK next year.

So there you go. I have 5 Likes and 2 Dislikes. Not so bad for a cheerful and joyful , but sometimes dark person like me.

I would like to end off with this quote which i read from GEOFF Tan today. he quoted  Rose an 87 year old woman in his article on happiness:

We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. Secrets to staying young, being happy; 'You have to laugh and find humor everyday. You must also have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die'

Well, let this be our reflection and reminder as we receive the new year 2011 this friday. As we do the countdown from 10 to 0, remember to laugh and be happy that we are able to breathe through the new year together with our friends and loved ones.

Dennis Toh

Dare to love and live your dreams in 2011

As 2010 comes to a close, have you wondered what have you done and achieved? Life is like a railway track, isn't it? A long long journey. Sometimes not knowing what to expect, and what the future lies? But do we always really need to know our future? Sometimes not knowing where you are heading  might also be a good thing. As the saying goes, it is the journey and not so much the destination that is important.  

A few things i've learnt in 2010.  Small & trivial lessons for some, but i guess I will bring these into my 2011. 

1. Imperfection is a form of perfection. 

We tend to be very fixated in our little expectations, rules and guidelines formed and exerted by society and ourselves. often times, we fail to see some other dimensions of our lives. we are so caught up by our daily routines, habits and material chase that we fail to appreciate the other facets of our lives. Think again, there is always beauty in imperfection. 

( i fainted in the gents and went unconscious for 5 mins)

2. You fall. But do pick yourself up. 

There are times we feel down and helpless. But do remember you are only your best and worst enemy. Do know that everyone is special and you have what it takes to be the person you want to be. 

3. Life is short. Love with Passion. 

There is no time to live life with regrets. Love the person you love and live every moment. 

It's better to have loved and cried then to have cried and not loved.

4. Surprise yourself sometimes. 

Do things which you normally would not do. Break the status quo and think out of the box. You'll never know what kind of surprises might await you. 

5. Pick the right battle to fight. 

i admit i have fought some wrong battles in 2010. Sometimes retreating is a beauty. 

OK i know the picture has no relevance. I just saw this pic and thought it is quite nice. :p.

6. Right Believing leads to right living

Believe right and you will live right. Believe that you are able to change things. Believe that you are young ( even if you are not). That God will renew your youth like the eagles. It will happen. 

'

7. Our loved ones hold our hands always

Though not literally, our family members and friends are always there for us, especially in times of adversities. Do cherish them, esp your parents while you can. 

8. Be happy always. 

A good friend told me what he wanted of me was for me to be happy. Sometimes it is that simple. 

so smile always.

9. Learn to have fun like the young hearts. 

It's the pure heart and innocence that will truly enjoy happiness. So be young again. 

10. Dare to love and live your dreams. 

Just like these Alishan 's young hearts, they dare to return to their hometown and relive their dreams and passion. So be bold in pursuing your love and dreams. You will then truly live. 

Remember impossible is nothing. Wishing all a blessed merry Christmas and a happy NEW Year. 

Dennis Toh 

The Beauty of Sun Moon Lake stays with me

Sun Moon Lake

I travelled to Taiwan not so long ago and had the opportunity to contribute an article for Exquisite Magazine (Dec issue). Basically i wrote about this place SUN MOON LAKE, situated in Nantou County's Yuchih Townshop, in the center of Taiwan and is the island's largest lake. I fell in love with this place immediately. Serene, calm and a beautiful place. Memories, though short, stay forever i guess.

Scenic view, isn't it?

Cable car

Nice owl ornaments

Yes, that's me. 

Me again.

Shrink your grocery Bill

Shrink your grocery bills

Yes, my friend commented that my blog is near death. I profess i haven't been taking good care of my blog. October and November were really busy months. Now that I have a little more free. I shall devote more time to penning my thoughts here. It's the end of the year anyway. The time of the year to be reflective over our life, and taking stock of what we have done. One resolution on every one's wish list is always saving money for a better tomorrow, for a better future. Sometimes it begins with little things. Like our grocery bills. 

I was approached by SIMPLY HER ( yes a women's magazine) to be one of their experts in helping a reader run through her grocery items, and things she should look out for in a supermarket. I admit i am no pro in grocery shopping. What i gave (tips ) were merely academic stuff, things i have picked up from retailing books and my marketing experience. And yes, if you happened to be a female who reads the Jan issue of Simply HER, check out page 104-107. I hope the tips will be handy and useful. 

Have fun shopping. 

Perhaps you might bump into me shopping at Market Place or Carrefour. Take care folks. 

Who says blogging is only for Gen Y and Google GEN?