NO TITLE

"I am working as undertaker"

I looked into his eyes without a word. He reassured me " Yes undertaker!"
Another friend turned his head and asked " sorry what do you mean?"

I am working as undertaker. A moment of silence ruled the tabel. My hand with a piece of KFC chicken stopped midway in the air to my opening mouth.

Being the oldest in the group of four I broke the silence..
" Ah! interesting.. ah.. I mean...like... umm... so... what your daily activities at you work is like"

He shot a reply with ease " Well. I send people off for their last trips" and he continued " Yeah! most of the people don't believe that when I said I work as a undertaker"..

" Well,, ya know..that's fine..but I am just curious why you choose to work as a undertaker?..

" I have no choice, I couldn't find a job"

Yah!!! I think every job is fine but this young and able chap sitting in front of me I think he deseves more promising career. He speaks well and is personable.This's the first time we met through Jason and he is Jason's army mate.

He lacks educational qualification but still I dont believe there is no better job for him. He is still so young. Being a undertaker for a temporary mean is fine in my opinion for a young man. But to make it his life long employment, I wouldn't encourage. And here, we are not talking about working conditions or emplyment market in Singapore not a third world. With the Singapore Government's proactive efforts and many emploment channels and help desks around...

That's a conversation after our night out singing session. After singing at Orchard Party World KTV, we went for a supper at ceneleisure. I met Jason's friends Alvin and Ray.

Ray went on saying he quit his last job or rahter after being asked to leave and become an undertaker. He told us he required to stay and work for 70 hours without OT. When he asked the employer to compensate him by paying OT, they asked him to quit. When asked if he seek any help from relevant authorities, he said it wont help.

I tried explain a certain thing about emplyment law and his right..He retorted " we have no right". Being a first time meeting and we have just known for a few hours, I chose not to talk further other than encouraging them to upgrade the skills and look out for better opportunities...

On the way home, I just couldn't get rid of the whole episode and pondered.. and till I post it here..

Come to think of it, there would be always ineqaulities in every society. Every country, regardless of being first or third world. Fortunate and less fortunate. I know this earlier but I never think that in a well run Singapore..well connected Singapore..and its people ( majority) are well educated and well informed..and not afraid to speak out for every right that they think theirs...a young and able man is...helpless....

Why I title my post Titleless? I really dont know how to title.. Actually I would like to surf the www to accertain my knowledge on employment act and write something related to this young man.. maybe one day I will revisit this post...and retitle it if there is a chance..

Fot the time being, I will just read and ask around and wait for Jason, Alvin and Ray to come over to my place for a Burmese Food Tasting and a piece of my talk...
As usual, I will be like a councellor and motivator again over the dinner with my humble opinon and knowledge...

A DENTIST, AN OLD LADY..GLOVES & CONDOMS

Hey guys! Saturday yeah!!! Let's have some fun and break free from hectic working life for a day or two..I will be going out to dance at a club or sing at karaoke later. And here, I just want to share with you how the condoms are made!

hmmmmm...seem to me all people these days are so brilliant and they know everything that I dont. Yesterday, a boy enlighten me what the politics is and today this old lady is telling me how condoms are made!!! haha... And best of all..the people who documented all these process and share with us... hats off to all you guys.. you people make my day to start with laughters, the best medicine. here we go.. get some destressing with a laugh..

A dentist noticed that his next patient, a little old lady, was nervous so he decided to tell her a little joke as he put on his gloves.

"Do you know how they make these gloves?" he asked.

"No, I don't."
"Well," he spoofed, "there's a building in Mexico with a big tank of latex and workers of all hand sizes walk up to the tank, dip in their hands, let them dry, then peel off the gloves and throw them into boxes of the right size."

She didn't crack a smile. "Oh, well. I tried," he thought.

But five minutes later, during a delicate portion of the procedure, she burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"I was just envisioning how condoms are made!"













[IS HE DEMONSTRATING THE MAKING OF A CONDOM]

Disclaimer: The joke & pictures are collected from different sources and for illustration purpose, for fun and for the readers only.

POLITICS! WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

Politics? What is that? Na...not my stuff..its'something that gotta do with the following figures. Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the architect of Singapore. Mr Taksin, a billionaire outgoing Thai Primere and Mr Bush..

Right I am? Wouldn't you agree?

Why all of a sudden I am talking politics? Well it's a man talk right..And in recent days there are so much a hype on the papers as the Singapore polling days just around the corner and there is this ASEAN DIALOGUES in BALI. And the main agenda there got something to do with my country politics..

So I was just doing some self examining.. politics! What do I know about politics? Ummm.... it's not my cup of tea. Never was and never will be. When I was about to say then FULL STOP since I know nuts about it, I happened to read MAXIM magazine monthly updates in my email and bang bang!!.

What a shame! The small boy knows it better what the politics is...

A little boy goes to his dad and asks, "What is politics?"

Dad says, "Well son, let me try to explain it this way: I'm the breadwinner of the family, so let's call me capitalism. Your Mom, she's the administrator of the money, so we'll call her the Government. We're here to take care of your needs, so we'll call you the people. The nanny, we'll consider her the Working Class. And your baby brother, we'll call him the Future. Now, think about that and see if that makes sense,"

So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what dad had said.

Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him.

He finds that the baby has severely soiled his diaper. So the little boy goes to his parents' room and finds his mother sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny's room.

Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed.

The next morning, the little boy says to his father, "Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now."

The father says, "Good son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about."

The little boy replies, "Well, while Capitalism is screwing the Working Class, the Government is sound asleep, the People are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit."

IRAQ WAR & MBA...! OR A MYANMAR..

What the heck! What's there anything that a Myanmar gotta do with the IRAQ War! Did Myanmar send its troops to Iraq in support of US aha.. Some of you might wondering.

MBA...& IRAQ WAR! scratching your grey hairs and yet still couldn't figure out? What the Master of Business Administration, the prestigious accolade only associates with Head of Business world is tagged with IRAQ War here? Aheh! It kind of puzzled to me as well why I come to this title..haha..

Anyway guys. It goes like this... it's nothing extraordinary..

I am going to talk about MBA, Myanmar Born American. I was going through some Myanmar's blogs who base at various parts of the world. Particularly two blogs from US attract me with beautiful photos and things that evolved around them. Their lives are colourful and vibrant and somewhat they are there in thier careers. They both drive BMW. A hunk and a Babe. Next time I will introduce the babe to my readers here but for now, let's go back to my topic..

Midway through, say, the hunk's blog,I spotted a photo of a cool looking hunk in US Army gears. I was sure he is related to blog's owner and he is a Myanmar. Guys dont misunderstand! I was just curious why on earth a myanmar guy wearing the US Army gears. I wondered it is just a pose for a photo shoot!No..I guess.. I read the entry to find out more about him...Look at his photo here.
Back and forth between the photo and the write-up..I felt a goose bumps all over my body..a chill all over my bones..a sense of lost. I can't imagine how great the pain and the lost the family of the late Ko Wai Phyo Lwin would be...

He passed away in IRAQ WAR as a soldier of US.

My belated condolence to younger Wai Pyo(blogger) and his family..

Yes, through medias we all knew and heard about war torn Iraq. But we all would never have any idea that a casualty in Iraq War that involed a Myanmar( He might not be a myanmar anymore but common guys he is a myanmar native after all). Not even in our imagination right..

And guys.. the poem the younger Wai Phyo dedicated to his beloved brother drained my heart......I was speechless for a few minutes and motionless after reading it. I could share the pain of the younger Wai Phyo..

Read it..
.......I close my eyes and think of the past...
And held all the memories i had of you in my heart so forever it'll last...
I think of your kind hearted smile...
I remember your tears...
I hear you cry when your in fear...
Oh how i wish you can still be near...
No one has any idea how i feel inside...
I feel as if my whole world has been torn apart...
No words or anything can ever mend my wounds...

For every second you suffered...
I'll suffer for a year...
For every day without you...
I died a thousand deaths...
I honestly wish i could be with you bro...
Chilling with you in heaven drinking beer and me making fun of your fro...

I said somethings to you i never ever meant...
And those words cut deep wounds that will never mend...
You were the greatest person i ever knew...
You were the kindest person i ever met...

Wait for me bro for i will be there...
Soon as i'm done taking care of mom and dad here...
I live only for them and your memories...
You said this three times in my life...
And i replied back three times in yours...
Now i say this once more...
I love you bro...

Wait for me... I'll be there...
Till then just sit back and watch me become the men you wanted me to be...
Remember our little talks we had?
How we would be such a great person if we both had each other's qualities?
Will bro I'll live by your examples and live it through...
You'll always be here in my heart...
You'll always be there in everyone's heart...

Cause hero's never fade from one's dreams....

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY BROTHER.
WAI PHYO LWIN WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THIS COUNTRY.
2/1/1978 - 3/2/2005.
Born as a Citizen of Rangoon Burma...
Died as a Soldier of United States Of America...

For those who wish to know more...Please read this Blog JiGGalo

MYANMAR WATER FESTIVAL, SINGAPORE

Happy New Year!

Here are some pictures of Thingyan in Singapore that I want to share with all friends and readers. Nothing grand compared to the celebration back home but I dare say that it's the grandest THINGYAN (Water Festival) in any other countries outside our homeland. Oh my! such a big turnout. And food is aplenty, everywhere.

Acutally, I did not intend to go as I had long been dissociated myself from all things celebration or occasions that would make me homesick. But I promised my brother, Moe Tein who is now living in a far flung country, to take some photos. SO my dear brother, enjoy it and share the joy but no homesick, please.

I was supposed to go to Chaing Mai,Thailand to feel how Thai version Thingyan or Songkran is like but unfortunately couldn't make it there. Sorry Jim! My apology.Hope you enjoy yourself there.

This is the 3rd time, I went to Water Fest. in Singapore throughout my 11 years here. In my 1st year here, to taste how thingyan's being celebrated. 2nd time, with my local friends and friends from other countries to show them and to let them taste our seasonal snacks and festive goodies.



Sincerely I did not expect such a crowd as I heard the celebration is being held at 2 different locations. At Myanmar Buddhist Temper and at Downtown Shopping Centre, Penisula Plaza. To my surprise, my god! And I guess the crowd represents only 50% of Myanmar population here in Singapore. If all turn up...wow..

We went to Temple first. Upon approaching the small lane leading to Temple, wow, the musics and the crowds oh! no... I felt like I was back in Myanmar. And water. Fortunately or unfortunately water here is expensive. If not all will be drenched. Just look at photos, some girls were totally wet all over with just bottled water.


After tasting some food and drinks, we tried squeezing ourselves to get into the temple to pay homage to the lord buddha and monks. But we gave up and went over to Penisula Plaza. Wow again. A big thank you to those collectively make things happened. You know what! all myanmar traditional instruments and costumes. And Foods. My goodness. But here, we did not see much water as the organizers constantly reminding the fellow people to mind the shops around the corners. It's sunday and the business at the plaza was as usual. But I noticed a few shops closed down for the day as it was not possible for them to do business anymore soon after the celebration started.










I stayed there and watched the performance for almost 2 hours. So talented they are. I would love to stay till the end but knowing that I still need to do some chores before another week starts. I left my friends and his family there and went home.....welcoming new year silently in my heart and soul.. wishing the world love, peace and joy..

Take Me Home Country Road...(Happy New Year, Myanmar)

[Beautiful Shan Mountain Ridges, The Place I was Born]
Leaving far away from home isn't easy for a single soul like me, especially this time of the year. It's the month that we are celebrating our new year.Thingyan Festival, known as water festival. To make my swinging mood worse, all the Myanmar Shops at Penisula Plaza were taking opportunities and playing festive songs to off load their unsold CDs. It worked in a way as I bought a CD and a VCD. But was I wrong, too wrong to buy them. After playing them so intense the feeling was, I almost packed up and went home.

That whole episode led me to see how other Oversea Burmese are coping and how they are preparing to celebrate it.
To my readers who have no idea how our version of water festival is celebrated and to my fellow Oversea Burmese who are feeling homesick like me, I collected few photos just to share..

I will leave all technical and religious things how and why we celebrate our new in such a way and will just write a fun part of this whole celebration. For those friends who are curious about this Myanmar most celebrated festival, please refer to www and search with the keyword "Thingyan" and you will be loaded with websites with more comprehensive informations. Thank you.

So here we go, ladies and gentlemen please welcome myanmar New Year Celebration "Mahar Myanmar Thingyan", "The Great Myanmar Water Festival".

The festival that you can have the best of both traditional and Modern (bit commercial) feels.With Dance musics all around, with all people from all walks of life, young or old, Boys or men, girls or ladies all out in force on the streets in their best creative outfits, live bands at every turn of the corners....Oh!!! No...

It is a Myanmar Call to world wild wild wet parties,the carnivals even grander I dare say. Which parties that have all the foreign consulates and embassadors take part in? Yes this celebration do! Which rave parties that celebrated nation wide, not just a small island not not just a street. not just a city? . Oh! Come on..of course..this festival...Last but not least, in just one festival! Can you imagine you would have a chance to enjoy the like of food festivals ( and likely free), culture shows (many traditional musics and dances), fashion festivals and the list goes on..
And mind you, no discrimination at all.Regardless of your gender, age, religion and nationalities. All are welcome and have your fun.
[Not 18 yet? No Problem Sir. You are welcome to our Dance Floor]















[Sure you are not in Tokyo but in Myanmar.And they arer Myanmar Punks Fanatics]
[Myanar Hunks,Manhunt Contestants out in arms]
[Myanmar Version Ms. Tiffiny Contest,Part of Water Festival Parties]
Look at the photos, How colourful and vibrant the parties.. or you would want to say carnivals or rave parties. And there are only so much more to that when the sun went down...
[Beautiful Sunset reflected on the river, Breath-taking yah!]
[Special Thanks in Advance to Ko Ye Htut Aung ( San Deigo, USA) for his photos. Hope you dont mind for using your photos]For more photos please visit Ko Ye Htut Aung's Website HERE