2012 what have I learnt, so far.

(Taken with my mom, Kathy Koy at Hard Rock Hotel Penang Hotel lobby in year 2010)

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. 

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person character by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and when driving. 

I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. 

I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.”

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. 

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. 

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. 

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. 

I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. 

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. 

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, 

but people will never forget how you made them feel.

DRINKS & DRIVE

this was copied from a very touching article.
hope the readers will be aware of these when you thinking of driving after drinking.

Son's Last Letter To His Mom.. 

I went to a party Mom,
I remembered what you said.
U told me not to drink,
Mom,So I drank soda instead.

I really felt proud inside, Mom,
The way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom,
Even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom,
I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom,
As everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom,
I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me,
So responsible and sweet.

I started to drive away, Mom,
But as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn't see me, Mom,
And hit me like a load.:(

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,
I hear the policeman say,
"The other guy is drunk," Mom,
And now I'm the one who will pay.

I'm lying here dying, Mom....
I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon.

There is blood all around me, Mom,
And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom,
I'll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom,
I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn't think.

He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank
And I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,
And I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying
And all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,
Put "GOOD BOY " on my grave.

Someone should have told him, Mom,
Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,
I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you, you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive,
So why am I the one to die?

LOVE never grows old.

When he proposed to her, only said three words: "Believe me"

 When she gave birth to their first child, he said to her: "You've worked hard"

 On their daughter's wedding day, he puts his arms around her and said: 

"You still have me."
Towards her dying day, he repeated the words to her: "I'm here for you." 

The moment on her last breath, he kissed her forehead and whisper to her:

 "You wait for me." 

In his entire life, he never once said "I Love You" to her, but his love....... never abandon at all.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

他向她求婚時，只說了三個字：相信我；

她為他生下第一個女兒的時候，他對她說：辛苦了；
女兒出嫁那天，他摟著她的肩說：還有我；
他到她病危的那天，重複的對她說：我在這；

她要走的那一刻，他親吻她的額頭輕聲說：你等我。

這一生，他沒有對他說過一次“我愛你”，但愛.......從未離開過。

so start to appreciate the one you love,

We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

Living in A GRATEFUL World

Last night my mom handed it a piece of bookmark she had from her trip back from Cambodia.

this bookmark opened my eyes and there is no harm to share something thoughtful :-)

Be Grateful to those who have hurt or harmed you,

for they have reinforced your determination.

Be Grateful to those who have hit you,

for they have reduced your karmic obstacles.

Be Grateful to those who have made you stumble,

for they have strengthened your ability.

Be Grateful to those who have deceived you,

for they have deepened your insight.

 

Be Grateful to those who have abandoned you,

for they have taught you to be independent.

Be Grateful to those who have denounced you,

for they have increased your wisdom and concentration.

and

Be Grateful to those who have made your Firm & Resolute And Helped in your achievement

.

MY FIRST TIME AT SEA. JULY. 2007.

MY 1ST TIME AT SEA

DECK CADET FOONG THER HWAN
SS TENAGA DUA
1978’s LNG (METHANE) GAS TANKER
(JULY 2007 – JANUARY 2008)

If a young man walks up to me one day and tell me that he is contemplating a career as a seaman, there will be many, many things that I shall tell him.

First of all, I shall tell him that there are neither great adventures nor any more new lands to discover, but there will be experiences that will stay in his heart forever.

I shall tell him that the modern sailor has to go to school first, so that he can learn how to use a spanner instead of a sword, the GPS instead of a sextant.

I shall tell him that he has to start off his sea career as a cadet; the lowest form of life onboard a floating prison. You can’t sail a ship with a university degree.
There are at times you feel like giving up.

I shall tell him that he might have to wash the toilets and scrub the floors, scaling the rusty deck and cleaning will become one of the most important skills in his sea life. I shall tell him about the orientation games onboard.

About the new cadets have to stand at the forward station, shivering in the wind, with the instruction to look out for the small fishing boats that will run across the sea.

About the new cadets having to be shave his hair bald as an initiation ceremony for crossing the Equator for his very first time.

About being issue fake electricity and water bills for his lodging onboard when there is no such thing.

And most of all, about the enthusiasm of the older hands at ensuring that the new kid gets drunk and loses his virginity at the first port of call.

And if he smiles and asks me about the women around the world, I shall tell him that there are different types of seamen:

• There are those who abstain and tell you that they abstain. Here are those who indulge and tell you stories that will make you cream in your pants.
• And of course, there are those who abstain and yet tell you that they are the Don Juan of the seven seas.

And then I shall tell him that there is only one type of seamen as far as shore people are concerned, and it is a stigma that we all have to carry with us.

I shall tell him to forget the earthly pleasures, for there will not be much.

I shall tell him when he does go in for breaks; I shall tell him to make two cups of fine coffee; one for the captain and another one for the chief officer, before making one for himself.

I shall tell him to swallow salt tablets every day, so that he does not dehydrate and drop senseless while working.

I shall tell him to take good care of his health and his hygiene.

He'll have to wash his own clothes because mama will not be there.

I shall tell him to sleep whenever he can, for when the phone rings in the middle of the night, he'll have to jump up and run up to the bridge and be ready for action immediately.

And I shall tell him that the phone rings often; and is common.

I shall tell him that he will meet some good mentors who will guide him in his work and in life,

and I shall tell him that he will meet some seniors who might scream and throw spanners at him for making mistakes.


I shall tell him that sometimes things can be so hard that he'll feel like crying, and I shall tell him that he can only cry in his cabin.

I shall tell him that he will make many close friends onboard. Some last for just that ship, some longer.

I shall tell him that he will learn to trust his friend with his life and the friend will give him the same compliment in return.

SWEET RETURN... SACRIFICE

I shall tell him that if he makes it through the first ship safely, the moment of signing off from the first ship will be one of the sweetest moments of his life.

I shall tell him that time will fly, and soon it will be time for him to sign on another ship.

I shall tell him about the joy of signing off and going home.

About the joy of having months of vacation to spend with loved ones.

About the joy of spending money from the hard earn at sea.

And then I shall tell him about the fear and worry as the leave finishes and the money start to run out.

I shall tell him about the concern that the company does not call him back for another contract, and yet,

I shall also tell him about the heavy sinking feeling when the phone rings and it's time for him to pack his suitcase, “The Sea is Calling, my friend.”

I shall tell him about the crying girlfriend, and about the worrying mother.

I shall also tell him about the empty bank account and the sea time that he needs.

I shall tell him that it is a career of rapid rise in rank and earnings.

That he will have plenty of savings compared to his peers ashore.

But I shall also tell him about the sacrifices that come with it.

I shall tell him about being onboard during the festive seasons, and special occasions.
Then I shall ask him to think more than twice before joining as a seafarer and I shall wish him

GOOD LUCK

And The Legacy Continues …

Chin Peng in 21st Century

Dear THE STAR Editor,

Hi to all readers, there is at times where we tend to speak out aloud what is in our mind without seeing what is happening around us. I am just another regular reader to my all time favorites The Star since young. Lately there are articles popped out of this “great” man named Chin Peng, famously to be known during the communist time in Malaya.

Our Malaysian Government spoke out that Chin Peng is an unforgiving icon for Malaysian history, based on what he has done to us.
In this article I will not stand firm either on Chin Peng application case or even our Malaysia Government since I am not born in that era. Its very unfair for me to judge.

What I wanted to comment in this matter will be based on our 21st century mindset.
Apart from this, in all the religions in the world, the most basic fundamental is FORGIVE. I believe not many people aware of that.

Next, we need to look at a bigger picture when putting criticism into a matter. If Chin Peng case is consider a totally No-No case, then we need to reconsider about JAPAN and GERMANY. The two monsters during World War Two kill countless of people inconsiderable. But Today, we Malaysia are one of the closest country to Japan. Mobile and technologies speaks louder now. For examples to the laymen, Honda cars are importing to Malaysia, Nokia are using nationwide. For Petronas, Japan signed 25 years of contract for LNG shipping transportation with Malaysia.
Kindly seek the Malaysian Government to cancel off Japan business, telling them that they are unforgiving during World War Two. Let us be the next big childish joker charted in the world map. Mercedes cars are using by executives levels in government departments. What say now?

We need to think before we speak. Just because Chin Peng is still alive, he is not to be forgiven? Then what about Japan and Germany sinners? They are not to be remembered?

We need to change our mindset to move forward, not backward.
We cannot achieve Vision 2020 with this childish mindset.
To live the future, we need the mindset of future.
History is important too. They are to be remembered and forgiven, not to be condemned.
I hope this article could be publish out, so the readers can be aware what they are talking.

Just another ordinary reader,

James Foong, Georgetown, Penang
 
p/s:
my article is out.

Date: 26th November 2009
Page: N61
 

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2009%2F11%2F26%2Ffocus%2F5184592&sec=focus

give seamen their due

give seamen their due

I refer to an article "Local seaman not up to the mark" in one of the THE STAR MARITIME section which will project a negative image of Malaysian seamen in the minds of our family and friends.

The reason not many Malaysians sail is because the country's economic state is strong (used to) and there are many job opportunities ashore where people can have better quality time with their families.

The reason why the Philippines and India have ample manpower at sea is due to their poor economy and the difficulty in getting employment ashore. Both of these countries also have a big population.

The general statement that Malaysian crew are lazy is nowhere near accurate and very unfair to the seamen's community in Malaysia

If you read the papers of have any idea about oil and gas, you would know that our national shipping line (MISC Berhad) which owned by Petronas is currently the world largest LNG tanker operator and 95% of men who run these ships are so-called lazy Malaysian seamen.

We do our job with the great deal of national pride. Our ships ply with the globe, and if everyone were lazy, these ships would have a very slim chance of passing any Port State Control, United States Coast Guard (USCG) or vetting inspections which are of very high standard.

The mere fact that our ships are trading smoothly around the world is evidence enough that we are of international standard.

In today's world, everything is fast. Ships load and discharge their cargo within 24hours, sailors rarely have the chance to sightsee, what more get drunk and then get into fights. When they get back on the ship they have to be ready for the next voyage.

In every basket there will be a few spoilt apples. it is surprising why when a small fraction of seamen cause some trouble at a pub, the world looks at it like it was a big deal, blows it out with proportion and comes up with general statements like all seamen get in brawls at pubs.

Does it mean that no accountants or engineers get drink and cause trouble?

The article also mentions that CEO of ALAM would like to encourage more Malaysian students to join the academy, but after being misled by the article, i wonder how many parents are going to allow their beloved sons and daughters to get involved in such a bad career.

Every day, tonnes of goods are being imported and exported from our shores by sea. But people never appreciate seamen.

The next time you put fuel into your car, think about how the fuel got there, the next time you eat bread, and think about where the flour came from.

These sailors are out at sea facing gale force winds and waves as high as buildings to bring cargo in and out of our country and also around the world.

Our job is a noble one that not many might have the courage to do.