(Photo Taken: JUSCO, Hong Kong) - We managed to catch the final minute of the historic table tennis finals between Singapore and China. Seating and standing around the LCD Showroom, there were a lot of Hong Kongers watching this match. One old lady in the crowd said "This is China's greatest sport. Singapore has no chance to win gold." True enough, this was a 1-sided match...with China winning all 3 frames. For Singapore, it is not the "gold" that we are aftering...it is the break of a 48-year wait. (Our last Olympic Medal was won 48 years ago in Rome). Silver is already a big bonus for us - it is our 2nd one after almost 5 decades.

Hovman said "Singapore didn't win the medal. They bought it". I can understand his sentiment. You see, Singapore didn't really create these winners..we imported them. Nevertheless, I see it as a very successful Singapore-China investment. Funny, we always have different perceptions about the Chinese in our country... Yet we owed a couple of great Chinese ladies imports to fulfilled our 48-year old dream. Truly, Li Jiawei, Wang Yuegu and Feng Tianwei earned this night! They have worked very hard and it is their dream too. This will be their eternal glory to remember - not just for themselves but for Singapore.

Now, we have the imported talents and winners. It is time to grow and nurture our own "Made-in-Singapore" winners. Bring back the "Ang Peng Siong" and "Tan Howe Liang" of yesterdays. They were our true Singapore Champions.  Let's import the expensive "retired and celebrated champions" to train our young. (How about pretty Guo JingJing - she said she will retired after this...) We got to start creating our own legends - and not some "big ass empty talk of Goal2010". (Man, we should shame Minister Ma for putting up a goal and not achiving it!). Oops... I am not suppose to mix sports with politics.

I am not feeling fine today. Don't know why, I feel like I have so much weight inside me. And I have no idea what's wrong with me. Or I just hate departure.

It was an uneasy day for my little boy. He knew my family is leaving today...and we are going to the airport to send them off. He was brave throughout the journey. And when he saw Qiqi at the airport, he forgot about the reason why we were here. Both of them just took each other's hands and ran around the airport.



When it was time to say goodbye...Elkan broke down at the gate, crying "I want to go back to Singapore with Qiqi..." Heard Elkan's cries, Qiqi walked back slowly (from the gate) and offered Elkan a hug. It was a very difficult moment for all of us. Seeing my boy cried like this...it somehow echoed the same words and feelings I had for my families at that moment. (except we adults like to self-regulate our own emotions, not expressing them as free as a child).

I saw Felicia wiping away her tears. And I was hiding my teary eyes behind the camera. Guess all 3 of us were feeling the same sadness - can't bear to see our families go. The last 4 days were "so blissful". For a very long time, we have never gathered like this. 9 of them came - with lots of noise, buzz, laughters and the "nags"...but all lovely presence. For that couple of days, I thought Hong Kong is Singapore.



Sigh....hate the way time flew...leaving us with so little moments...only to relive and savor all these great moments in own minds.

Miss you guys. Really. Thanks for bringing home so close to our hearts.

While millions of Singaporeans were gathering to celebrate our National Day back home, I was celebrating the 9th of August with the reunion of my family in Hong Kong. (Yes, they are my 4-11th visitors!) Leon flew in from Xiamen and the rest of them arrived after their 3-day trip in Taipei. What an exciting weekend gethering! Especially for Elkan, he was so excited to see his favorite uncle Leon and grand-auntie Amy. Oh yes... and his super-active accomplice "Qiqi" - whom he misses so much. 

A magnificent night indeed!

888 marks a very special date in Chinese's 5000-year history. Like its auspicious numeric characters, the Olympic Logo symbolizes the unity of the 5 continents - instilling virtue, respect, peace, glory, equality, compassion, unity and grace to all citizens of the world. Tonight, China not only opened its door to the world...but she also opened her heart to many.

I have had great expectation of tonight's Olympic Opening Ceremony and China didn't disappoint me. Zhang Yimou did such a fantastic job! It is awesome! The cultural performance is beautiful, enchanting and spectacular! It shows a China in transition - from its great ancient inventions to its modern achievements. The theme song "You and Me", performed by Sarah Brightman of Britain and Liu Huan of China atop the Globe is touching. It demonstrates China's willingness to embrace the world as one "big family".

Being a Chinese, I understood the "face value" of a host nation. While the world took on this global stage and threw wet blankets at the Chinese, her people stood strong as a nation. That is certainly remarkable. Despite the recent ugly PR (of bomb scare, Tibet riots and human rights issue), I feel Chinese displayed much better grace and tolerance than its ugly superpower counterparts and self-righteous individuals.

It was a memorable night. Not about its mega-buildings and big fireworks. Or the medal tally. But the grace, humbleness and openness that China displayed. Every iconic display signified important message to the world. Conveying Confucian idea of humanism, that is, "Harmony is precious" - the thousands blossoms of peach blossoms romantically demonstrates the good wishes of the peace-loving Chinese people. Chinese's 800 year-old martial art "Taiji" connects the balance between man and nature.

China is a compassionate nation who didn't forget those who suffered in the recent disaster - Yao Ming walked into the parade with a 9-year old boy beside him - he is the survivor and young hero who rescued many of his schoolmates during the Sichuan earthquake - enduring his own injuries.

Despite her superpower status and unprecedented economic success, China pays tribute to her past. True to its rich Chinese values and virtues, China honored many of her past sport stars. Retired sportsman, Li Ning (age 45, more commonly known as the "Prince of Gymnastics" and his Nike-lookalike "Li Ning Sports Shops") took the centrestage last night. Defying gravity, Li Ning ran horizontally around the stadium and lighted up the flame cauldron! (Man, like the flying stunts you see in Crouching Tigers, Hidden Dragons)

At that moment, the TV commentators exclaimed in awe "China is finally ready for the world".

I disagree and I questioned, "When will the world be ready for China?"

The foundation of our world is not built on the heritage laid by our forefathers but on the legacy of our children. The leaders of China clearly understood this.

As wise Calvin said "Fear not the power of the rich but the hunger of the poor." Respect China. Honor China. Do not fear China.


 

(Photo taken: Outdoor Media by VISA at HK Station)