At the Carwash

Mr Kwek and I headed to the carwash near my parent's home the other day. It was a car wash with a difference.

Upon rolling into the car wash cabin, we were greeted warmly by 6 smiling staff members. I have never seen so many staff members at a car wash before and I have definitely never had so many people smile at me at a carwash before. 

The wash begins with a serious washdown by high powered jets of water controlled by an older uncle and the other staff members moving around the car ensuring that every part of our car was washed. This was followed by a good soaping. That's where our hearts were warmed as I saw the staff members help each other, pointing out spots which each other missed, or specks which needed further scrubbing to get rid of grime. Then another washdown by the the jets again and we rolled out of the cabin for drying by 2 other staff members. Our little Colt sure felt thoroughly washed, and highly pampered by the overflow of attention.

If only every carwash gave us such wholehearted service.

What was even more special about this carwash was that it was a joint effort by SPC and the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS). So it is staffed by the intellectually disabled. 

While the intellectually disabled are often seen as less desired employees in by employers, going through this carwash was incredibly humbling. The joy, pride and effort they put into their work put me to shame. We have much to learn from them.

Mr Kwek and I will head back there again the next time we need a carwash and you should check them out too, especially if you are around the Vivocity area! Details of their address, opening hours and prices are below.

Address

616 Telok Blangah Road 

Singapore 109027 

Tel: 6473 1148 

Operating Hours: 

Monday to Friday: 9.00am-7.00pm 

Saturday and Sunday: 9.00am-5.00pm 

Closed on Public Holidays

Price List:

Saloon Car: $8.00

MPV/SUV/Mini Van: $9.00

Large Van: $12.00

Taxi (Saloon): $4.00

Taxi (MAXI Cab/MPV): $6.00

Mini Bus: $17.00

0 comments

at 4:12 PM

Kwek Kampong

If you can't tell from my many #kwekkampong posts, and I haven't already raved to you about how awesome it is staying here, let me tell you now, I LOVE the new Kwek Kampong. 

From the big things like its incredibly convenient location, to the details like the peranakan tiles under our main door and the astro turf shoe rack. I thank God for this cozy little home done just the way we like it. 

I could be happy spending all day in the Kwek Kampong (cue tai tai dreams). 

Yet I have come to learn, that the Kwek Kampong, like any home, is at it's best when filled with the joy and warmth of the people who love us. 

So to all our loved ones, the Kwek Kampong doors (and please come and admire our special doors) are always open to you. We also have a spare room and extra bed for anyone who needs a place to rest and a happy home :)

(Though we have had a number of friends over, this was the only time we remembered to take a photo)

0 comments

at 7:09 AM

Home Improvement: Spray Paint

Remember Freecycle that I told you guys about earlier? 

Well, someone had out up this old beat up rattan coffee table on freecycle. When I saw it, I immediately sent a message to the person and promised to pick it up that day. It held so much potential!

Mr Kwek had been dropping comments about how he had no place to put his cup when watching tv or chilling out in the living room area. So I figured this would be just what he was looking for. 

The rattan living room set was a staple in many singapore homes in the 80s. My parents had a set when I was growing up, so did my cousins and I'm sure many of you from my generation would remember something similar in your homes. So this coffee table felt warmly familiar. 

However, most of my living room furniture is part of the rosewood furniture set from the in-laws so they were black. When we brought the coffee table home, it stuck out like a sore thumb. But it was nothing the magic of spray paint can't solve.

Two cans of matte black spray paint later, here it is now. Fits right in with the rest of the home, gorgeously modern yet a nod to a bygone era. 

And now Mr Kwek has a place to put his cup and I can eat while watching the tv.

Thanks kind soul for passing this treasure on. 

0 comments

at 5:33 AM

SMU Open House

A few weeks ago some of my friends and I were invited back to my alma mater the Singapore Management University (SMU) during the Open House to be on a panel to share our experiences of studying at SMU, specifically in the social science faculty. It was a great privillege and every word we said came from the heart. And we really *heart* SMU. 

To the prospective students and their parents, we spoke of the bonds formed, the opportunities presented and the possibilities. To me, SMU gave me space. Space to expand my horizons, space to meet interesting people, space to do what I loved, and space to get an education. You know how in behavioral psychology, experiments show that people tend to do much better at difficult tasks when they knew it was possible, rather than when it was not known whether the task was possible? Well, that's what SMU did for me. It made me think that anything was possible. And so it was. 

We took a stroll around the campus after the talk which brought back so many fond memories.

And finally lunch with some others from the pioneer batch of social science students at SMU was inspiring as usual. We have all embarked on such different journeys in life- a philanthropist, an entrepreneur, a trader, an architect, a psychologist and a humble civil servant. You would never believe we all studied together in university. 

But we believed it was possible, and it was.

If any of you are choosing universities right now, give me a shout. I'll be happy to talk to you to share more.

0 comments

at 5:39 PM

Make Me A Blessing

My parents stay in a 3 room HDB flat. It is a humble little home, yet the love that emanates from there could fill the whole neighbourhood.

My parents have opened their home and hearts to many people over the years. From the friends of my siblings and I, to friends of friends, to various people who somehow end up at their door.

In the past few years, my parents have been hosting fortnightly bible study sessions at their home. Every other Friday night, songs of praise can be heard from their home as people gather there to sing songs of worship, pray and study God's word together. 

Last week, a lady showed up at my parents' door around dinner time. She said that she stayed in the opposite block. My mom recognised her as the lady who came from a troubled home with an often abusive husband. Their quarrels would sometimes ring out through the neighbourhood at night and the police would have to be called in as things turned violent. My parents invited her in to share their dinner, and over the food, her story flowed mingled with tears. 

She shared with my parents that whenever there was a bible study session, she would stand at the corridor to listen to the worship songs as the songs would encourage her heart through the troubled times.

After dinner, my mom prayed with the lady, invited her to join in the bible study in the future, and offered a hand of support and help.

My mom told me that she had often thought of reaching out to the lady whenever she saw her in the neighbourhood, but never had the courage to make that step. And now God had brought her to my parents' door step. It is really amazing how God's plans work.

Over the weekend at church, we learnt about having the compassion of Christ as being part of our upward call in life. We also learned how God's plans will not be thwarted by what us humans do or not do. His works are wondrous and He will fulfil all His amazing plans for each one of us.

Hearing what happened from my parents, all these lessons from the bible became real. 

God did not leave the lady alone though my mom did not dare to reach out to her. He moved her to approach my parents instead. 

He did not see that my parents only had a humble little home. He used it to bring blessings to many.

And whenever God opened up opportunities, my parents responded in compassion and love.

Now that the Kwek Kampong is mostly ready, our prayer is that God will use the Kwek Kampong to bless others, just like my parents' home has. And may we learn from the examples before us, to always respond in love each time there is an opportunity to bless others. 

1 comments

at 5:22 PM

What a Difference a Decade Makes

Last week, I celebrated the wedding of one of my classmates from junior college, went for my husband's class gathering, and hosted a bunch of my friends at the kwek kampong. What do all these event have in common?

They were all times of catching up with people we got to know back when we were carefree 17 year olds. 

When I was 17

The interesting thing about friends from junior college is that up until the time we met, all our lives had largely taken the sane route. We all went through 6 years of primary school, 4 years of secondary school and have all basically been indoctrinated with the same stuff through our formal education. We all did decently well at our O levels and were somehow plonked together at 17 where we would see each other everyday for about 2 years. And then the moment we leave the institution of junior college, that's when all our lives take vastly different turns.

 I do not feel much different from the 17year old me, yet it seems none of us have escaped from the life altering tumults of a 20-something. 

With Mr Wee, a teacher who was an example for all of us to follow

In the past decade, we have fallen in and out of love. We have lost loved ones and gained new people we call family. We have changed fields of study and built careers. We have traversed cities, countries and continents. We have searched for our identities and found God.

While some people have changed beyond what we could imagine of them at 17, some things never change. Like the wry sense of humour, the heart of service, and the common history we share. 

And for all that has happened in the past decade, may we all trace the hand of the Lord in our lives. 

0 comments

at 10:49 PM

Where Boys Become Men

It is a rite of passage for every Singaporean son. Enlistment into 2 years of national service, to serve and protect our home. This is where boys become men. I could go on with many more slogans from the very successful campaigns on national service. But let me just squeeze in one more: this is my brother, our army. 

My little brother enlisted in the army this week. So my whole family went along with him to the sunny island in the east for the tour that they conduct for families on enlistment day. I had a ton of fun, but I'm not so sure the boys enlisting were as thrilled as me. 

The journey there made us feel as if we were headed to some resort in Batam, for a holiday. Even the ferries used were the same! 

Upon reareaching the island, we were greeted by banners declaring slogans which I think were supposed to encourage the enlistees. Although I'm not sure the one of a guy kissing his girlfriend goodbye was helping much. The boys were soon separated from their families and we got to go on a tour of the place while the boys settled administrative issues like surrendering their civilian identities.

The mothers and fathers reacted very diffdifferently during the tour. While the mothers were concerned about the boys' welfare, the fathers mostly remarked at how much conditions have improved since their time. As for me, it was an eye opener to a world us girls thankfully do not have to be personally acquainted with. 

I'm sure the time my little brother has in the army will fly by and it will be all he talks about for the next few years. He will make beautiful friendships and he will learn how to protect the ones he loves. It may not be easy, but I'm sure he is made of stronger stuff. I'll be praying every step along the way in any case. 

0 comments

at 11:05 PM