The Big Apple

   New York city - home to the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and King Kong. These Americans have the ability to turn almost everything into a museum. Take the New York Public Library for instance. It houses the furniture that Charles Dickens used personally, the original soft toys that belonged to Christopher Robin, ancient Sumerian tablets and a whole lot more! You'd be amazed at the amount and variety of artifacts this wonderful old building houses.

In front of Fortitude, which guards the entrace to the New York Public Library.
Yes we did bring back stone bookends in the form of Patience and Fortitude, the famous lions!

The original (from right) Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, Tigger and Lottie.

   What's a visit to New York without enjoying a Broadway show? Well, actually it was the wifey's idea, but it turned out to be lots of fun. Imagine a Mary Poppins that actually "flies" into the audience; all happening at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Do You know that New York was once a Dutch settlement, going by the name of New Amsterdam?

   If you know us, you'll know we can never stay away from museums. The Metropolitan Museum of Art must count as one of the most impressive in the world. Not only does it house art from the various time periods and countries, it also houses classical sculptures, artifacts and other archaeological exhibits. Having been to the British Museum, the Vatican Museum and various other European museums, I come to see these "Ang Mohs" as thieves of history. Imagine, the original Pathenon friezes, artifacts and other works of art do not reside in their local musuems. They have been raided by these "thieves" before there was any international law forbidding the export of "national treasures". Now only people with the means to visit these "Ang Moh" countries have the privilege of viewing them.

   To top it all off, a visit to the epitome of Capitalism - Wall Street. Braving the cold while standing in line for half an hour, just to get a shot this infamous bull is really a whole lot of bull (if you get what I mean).

Taking it by the horns is so passe. Take it by the balls I say!
(hey it rhymes!)

 

 

US of A... DC

Evening in Washington. Beautiful isn't it?

   The wifey and I just came back from the US of A. It was our first time to the American continent. Now we're just left with Africa and South America and we would've covered the globe. We started off in the capital - Washington DC. The immense amount of history in this place can literally blow one away. Here's a snapshot of the various monuments and places we visited...

Hello Mr President!

   The Smithsonian Museums are a must-see. We didn't have time to visit all of them. The Natural History Museum was an interesting place. However, I disagree with almost all that it represents. Man did not come from monkeys.

Transacting with an ancestor. Yours perhaps? Definitely not mine.

   We like to venture off the beaten track. First stop - The International Spy Museum.

You can sign up for "Operation Spy" - a roleplaying adventure where you become a spy on a mission. I must admit, the setup was very realistic. The "getaway vehicle" really moved as if on the road and the third world country setup was exquisite. It was a whole lot of fun, especialy if you have kids.

   The US Capitol and Library of Congress are often given a misse by the average tourist. But we're no average tourists. How could we skip the seat of US Legislative Power?

   The Library of Congress is one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, libraries in the world. Constructed with the opulance of a renaisance-styled Italian palace, it was meant to showcase American prestige and culture. Look out for the naked baseball player and American footballer, done in classical style, if you happen to visit.

   Of course, the usual "free" tourist monuments are not to be missed as well...

 

Do you know the Reason for the Season?

   It's never too late to wish all a Blessed Christmas! The sad thing about Christmas nowadays is that the original meaning has been obsured by mass consumerism and fake sentimentality. Sitting in the hotel lounge in New York, I noticed that of all of the Christmas songs that were being played, none mentioned Jesus. Imagine, there's more airtime given to imaginary creatures like Frosty the Snowman and Santa Clause, than the real reason for Christmas!

Jesus - the Reason for the Season!

   Christmas is NOT about giving and love. It is about THE LOVE of God that brought about THE GIFT - His son Jesus. As we celebrate this holiday season, let's not forget the Real reason for Christmas. More importantly, have we truly accepted this wonderful gift? Afterall, a gift is not much use unless it is accepted.

On a lighter note...



 

 

Rurouni Kenshin!

   For fans of Japanese anime, you'd be happy to know that the movie adaptation of "Samurai X" has now reached our fair shores. My first outing with the YA Care Group, that we recently joined, was to catch "Rurouni Kenshin". For the uninitiated, it is the classical tale of the wondering former assassin-with-a-conscience. Although the plot is rather cliche, certain story details do give one cause to stop and ponder.

   Is it right for human lives be sacrificed in the interest of the greater good? Who defines this greater "good"? After all, history is written by the victors. Can the proverbial leopard change it's spots? In this case, would a former killer always be a killer inside? Kenshin carries a katana with a "reversed" blade (cutting-edge facing himself) as his pledge never to kill again. And indeed he defeats all his foes without killing a single one. Why carry a sword even, if you've vowed not to kill?

Look at me! I'm way cooler than Wong Fei Hong!

   I see this movie as a reflection of the subconscious condition of the post-WWII Japanese generation. The once mighty Imperial Japanese army had been relegated to a mere "self-defence force" by Article 9 of the new Constitution. Similar to the movie, a "new age" had begun, an age of economic prosperity as Japan gave up its martial legacy. Yet shimmering just beneath the surface, Japanese pride and nationalism lurks. There is now talk of reinterpreting Article 9 or even changing the Constitution. But like Kenshin, can the new Japan truly give up it's military ambitions and take up arms only if necessary? What is "necessary" then? Will a new militarily and economically powerful Japan be able to restrain itself in the face of growing Chinese territorial ambitions? Even Kenshin almost reverted to killing his last opponent. Does Japan have a "Kaoru" to restrain it? Only time will tell. Indeed it seems that art does at times imitate life.
   Fans of "Samurai X" would be appeased to know that the movie holds close to the original anime - down to the villains. If you've just been introduced, fear not. The movie doesn't require you to have prior knowledge. Philosophy aside, it is worth watching on its own, even if only for the special fighting effects (good enough to rival "Once Upon a Time in China"s Wong Fei Hong). There's also enough eye-candy for both genders. My only grouse is that there's no kissing. ;)

   In conclusion, it is a movie worth catching. What made it even better was the company.

Sharing Session with the 15th 心情溶剂 Committee

   I had the privilege of getting to know the Committee in-charge of next year's 心情溶剂 Regional Chinese Song-writing Competition. They requested sponsorship from AIA and we were more than happy to obliged. I met them on a wet Saturday afternoon for a sharing session on how to beat inflation and become financially free with the help of a career that builds passive income for you.

   This was a lively group of youth from NUS' King Edward VII Hall. Their questions showed insight and intelligence. I hope that I've been able to inspire them to dream bigger than just securing a "stable job" when they graduate.

   I was also pleasantly surprised when they presented me with a CD of this year's 心情溶剂 songs. What a thoughtful gesture.