BlogTV Experience

By George Yeo

1. Last night’s recording of BlogTV’s ‘Big Boys Blogging’ was fun. The Flying Dutchman (‘call me FD, everyone does’) and Xue Ling (‘please call me Ling’) were great hosts, putting me at ease. Since we were at Brewerkz, I ordered a light beer. Gayle recommended ‘golden ale’. She had hardly completed her sentence before someone asked if she was old enough to drink. Gayle and Bernard had appeared on BlogTV before and were very comfortable on the bar stools. I am not used to having my feet hanging in mid-air and took a while getting into a comfy position. But, once the conversation started, time just flew by. Ephraim was supposed to put in a cameo appearance on 3G phone but it became only a voice conversation because the 3G connection did not come through.

Welcome 2007

By George Yeo

1. The economy has picked up. On New Year’s Eve, I took my family to eat at the East Coast Park. The eating places were packed. During the Countdown at Hougang Mall and Hougang Central, the crowds were huge and in good cheer. The organisers had distributed free whistles which made so much noise, I had to shield my ears occasionally. The poor MC tried to ‘instruct’ the crowd when to blow the whistles but to no avail. People were having fun and enjoying themselves. Gay Chee, Jimmy Gan and others did a wonderful job organising our first countdown.

2. PM announced that our GDP grew 7.7%. This was much more than we expected at the beginning of the year. Singapore future prospects are good. The two IRs have given an additional boost to the economy. Of course, we can never be sure about the global economy. So long as the US economy hold up, we should be OK. Anyway, we should make hay while the sun shines. I think it is the sense of hopefulness that explains the New Year’s eve celebrations all over Singapore. But we must always have a care for those who are not doing well. They need helping hands and we should be willing to offer ours. The Government will do its share but there is nothing like help freely given our of generosity and love.

New Year Resolutions

January 02, 2007

New Year Resolutions

1. Although we don’t always carry out our New Year resolutions, we must still make them. It is a sign of hope that tomorrow can be better than today, that we can improve ourselves. In the last few weeks, I have been talking to my wife and kids about our individual resolutions. It is important to encourage one another.

2. I remember the prayer that we should change what we can, accept what we cannot and have the wisdom to know the difference. You can’t turn this into a computer algorithm. Wisdom is what makes us human and spiritual.

3. Last week, my wife and I visited a friend who is stricken with advanced cancer. She was in pain but serene, not giving up on the chance of a cure, but willing to accept whatever may happen. We prayed for her and prayed for ourselves.

4. Last year was a busy year for me. There is so much to do, so much that can be done, but never enough time to do them all. I’ve resolved to be a better husband, father, colleague, friend, minister, MP, … Don’t laugh. Cheer me on and I’ll cheer you on.

George Yeo