After almost close to a year of hesitation and procrastination, we’ve finally found time to revamp the site. Apologise for the very VERY lack of updates as 3 of us have been REALLY busy getting on with our work and study lives (or both) respectively.
Will definitely see more updates coming in the next few months so watch out for this space!
why do soldiers polish their boots? a practice now lost in the Singapore Army, but men who have seen service in prior years will remember the arduous task of polishing their boots to a mirror shine. “I want to see my face in your boots, soldier!”
that’s all wrong. you see, we had it the wrong way round.
when you go out to combat, you don’t want shiny boots. and you don’t wear shiny boots. pristinely polished boots are commonly called “parade boots” and are used for ceremonial functions and parades.
one type is the military funeral.
when the soldier prepares his best uniform, he spends a great amount of time and care to polish his boots. this time is usually spent reflecting on the life of his friend, and his own.
“i polish my boots so that i can see myself.”
You know, it’s really boring to go to the skating rink and coast around in circles (please skate in an anti-clockwise direction). I hardly go to the rink just to skate anymore, it just can’t beat playing ice hockey.
Today, i found a new reason to. When I go to the rink during a public skate, I feel like a superstar. The best skater on the ice, the one all the kids look up to and the ones the parents think is a professional skater.
I love it!
Today, at least 6 different people complimented my skating. Oh happy day!
these are the two people i miss most…
I recently picked up golf, my father’s passion for the sport rubbing off on me.
Before playing golf, I always told everyone that golfers play golf because it’s a game of self-mastery, where you’re not competing against anyone but yourself. The main point of the game is to master your technique; once you’ve done that, everything falls into place!
Right? Wrong.
I’ve since realised that I was totally missing the point. Most golfers never get to scratch, when they can play the game as well as the professionals. In fact, most of them will never ever master the game! Why then do they play?
Competition with their golfing partners? The relentless pursuit of perfection, no matter how futile?
Over the past three months, I have discovered why golf appeals to me. Some may view it as a rich man’s sport, or a game played by old men, but rest assured I’m neither of the above. Remember, I live in a HDB flat!
I love golf.
Golf has taught me the importance of patience. I’m a very hot tempered person, and I’m easily agitated. In golf, the more agitated you get, the worse you’ll play. I’m gradually learning to calm myself when i play badly, so that i can recover from the badly played hole to make up the strokes over the following holes.
Golf has increased my appreciation for nature. I remember someone remarking to me one day that golf courses are a waste of space in Singapore. I reckon that people who think that way have never had the pleasure of walking on a golf course alone or with three close friends, enjoying the experience of being outdoors and surrounded by water, grass and trees. I recently played at Cottesmore Golf Club in West Sussex, England. As I walked around the course alone, carrying my golf bag on my back, I couldn’t resist breaking into song, marvelling at the wonders of God’s creation.
Golf has taught me honesty & sportsmanship. In some instances, especially when you’re playing badly, there is a temptation to ‘give’ yourself a few strokes here and there, to lower your score. Small breaches of the rules of golf also allow for you to ‘close an eye’ or ‘look the other way’ and let them pass. In these situations, I find myself challenged to do the right and honest thing.
Let me conclude with some quotes from the movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance”.
“A man’s grip on his club is just like a man’s grip on his world.” “The rhythm of the game is just like the rhythm of life.” “What I’m talking about is a game; A game that can’t be won, only played.” “Now play the game. Your game. The one that only you was meant to play. The one that was given to you when you came into this world.”
Yes, I’m talking about a game. But this game can teach you so much about life. It certainly has taught me a few things. Why not give it a try? I’ll be glad to bring you along the next time I play. Even if you, like me, live in HDB flats.