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life’s snippet….. 25th August 2025

It was the first time that happened to me in the plane. Troubled over a personal matter, I had lost my focus and was dreamy.

This might be a trite matter to some people but it was an important social principle to me.

I was using the cabin’s washroom but had forgotten to lock, for the first time in my innumerable plane trips. While going about my business, a crew suddenly opened the door to which my quick reflexes slammed the door back, visibly hitting his body. I was embarrassed and angry with myself. It was purely my fault for forgetting to lock the door.

Nevertheless, after I came out, I saw him standing at the end of the section to see who was the ‘ violent’ passenger who had slammed the door on him. Then I saw him quickly drew the curtain and walked down the other alley, looking pissed and returned to the galley.

I paused for a while, gathered my thoughts and decided to extend my apology to him and to check if he had sustained any injury. I am a strong lady and had slammed hard on the door.

After looking for him, the crew in a white top, which I suspected was a cockpit crew, one of their team conceded he had brought up the matter. I mentioned that I wanted to apologize sincerely in person. Through the connecting phone, the crew said the flight team were busy preparing for landing so he would not be free to meet me. Apparently, he was all right but must have been still angry.

It was a matter of principle. I was wrong, the mistake was solely mine. I told the crew to ask him to forgive my unintended rudeness and the the crew responded with a lot of assurance.

I have learned not to be dreamy in any situation anymore. When one does something, one has to do it with full attention even if it is about using the washroom. It will never happen again.

I am glad that I approached this matter with a sincere apology though it was an embarrassing incident to bring up but words of apology can soothe the hurt caused to the person.

As for me, I felt relieved that I handled the matter without delay and not caused unhappiness to another person. I am happy that I had exercised courage. To face a situation where it needed to be put right. To be courageous with morality.

it’s natural to blunder along Life’s journey

August 9th 2025. 3 min read

Some years ago, my topic for the Humorous Speech Contest was ‘My Blunders’ .

I have made many blunders in my daily life with no real damage done to anyone except made some people laugh. This time is Blunders 2.

Where shall I start? Maybe from the start of my working life. At 18 after college, when I had no money to pursue my Uni studies, I knew the best paying job was an air stewardess job.

Back then, SQ was not an icon and the flights were limited to mostly Asia.

After training, we were given 5 trainee flights during which you could commit errors when flying solo.

Being the first time in the plane, I walked backwards when the plane taxied forward.

On one flight, I announced the wrong destination after the plane landed in Bangkok. It was a mindless moment and I quickly corrected myself. The passengers collectively heaved a sigh of relief after their exclamation.

On one flight in First Class, I spilled champagne on a. passenger as I was not steady. Fortunately, the passenger happened to be conversing with the training check personnel and she immediately pointed to my trainee badge. All was forgiven.

On one trip to Hong Kong, when I was still a newbie, I noticed my senior colleagues taking drinks even liquors before disembarking so I put a coca cola can on top of my opened hand carry bag.

It was not the right thing to do, but it was monkey see monkey do.

At the check in of the crew hotel, as I put my bag down, the Coca Cola can fell out. It started to roll across the marble lobby floor.

Imagine the drama with the sound of the rolling can while my crew members and I watched with trepidation and despair as it travelled some 10m and finally hit the polished shoe of my training supervisor.

He looked up, motioned me forward, and I knew that my career was over for sure. Instead, he leaned over and said, “Next time put it right into the bag!” Phew!

And there were many more but I would like to talk about my blunders in other settings.

As a young dental student, I remembered an incident involving an oral diagnosis on a patient. The patient had oral mucofibrosis which was a serious condition. It involves the mouth becoming very fibrous and limited his opening. It carried a risk of oral cancer.

When the Professor asked me what cure could be provided, I, an unthinking blundering lass said no cure!

Subsequently I was chided for being insensitive to which I have learned to become more tactful.

As they say “Folly belongs to the youth”.

It got more embarrassing. One day, a relative came to my in law’s house with her husband.

I mistook him for her son as he was dressed in a T shirt and kaki shorts. “Your son has grown” I said

“ This is my husband “. She said, looking annoyed.

“Oh, sorry your husband do look young in that outfit” but I was sure that did not help.

Let me be clear!

I am very careful when rendering treatment with no incidents but I blundered in trite matters that were laughable.

One day in my current practice, an old friend Leah whom I haven’t met for years said she would bring her maid for dental treatment.

When my dental assistant announced their arrival in the clinic, I went out and immediately hug her while she was seated at the sofa.

“ Leah, nice to see you!” Only to notice seconds later that Leah was standing at the counter, amused. Abashed, I turned to hug Leah, “Oh Leah, nice to see you” and tried to sweep the fiasco under the carpet by changing the subject. Leah’s eyes twinkled.

It happened again another time. My long time patient has brought a lady seated on my chair. As I turned around after washing my hands, I exclaimed, “ Oh your daughter has grown” , only to find out she was her Philippino helper. Embarrassed, I apologised realising the patient is only in her late thirties.

My most recent boo boo came in the form of a text message. I had sent a car to my son’s friend who owns a mechanic shop.

Subsequently, I sent a message to my son, Joe but it wrongly sent to his mechanic friend instead.

Text went like this;

“Dear, I would like to send you the massage cream for your backache. Also Cook the Japanese beef curry for you.”

It was later that I noticed the error and instantly corrected it;

“Sorry , I meant to send the message to my son for his backache🤣🤣🤣you must think I am a crazy Auntie and customer.”

His Reply; “Oh no I thought my dinner is settled tonight 😝”

My reply; “Hahaha🤣Have changed your contact from ‘Joe’s mechanic friend, Shaun’ to ‘Shaun, mechanic boss, Joe’s friend’ so I won’t see ‘Joe’ first.

I have since slowed down and filter my thoughts and actions.

Blunders will still happen as we are human. We could make light of these incidents if we share and laugh about them. Nothing to feel guilty about. As long as we learn from them and become more refined.

(For Blunders 1, search Blunders by Summer Lotus)

24th June 2025. 2 min read

My car, as expected, had started to show signs of aging- putting sounds, failure to pick up speed and jerky starts.

I sent it to the mechanic and expected a hefty bill, as it is with the costs of everything that has gone up in tandem with inflation everywhere.

Which is really no big deal about getting around in Singapore, as our infrastructure is excellent with functional and reliable subways, buses and grab taxis.

I was privileged in a way as there was a spare car that I could use – a very old but functional Mercedes but it had posed a supposedly big problem to me.

I was intimidated by its size, being huge like a tank( at least to me)with a different operating drive system. Fear instilled a sense of helplessness in me – what if I get knocked, being so conspicuous or that I bump others? What if I failed to park? What if I could not manage the car?

I had briefly driven it before in my younger days but getting older could rob one of being bold and brazen.

Then I remembered the article they I had written recently about “Just Do It”. It was about procrastination and fear.

If I had failed to accept this challenge, my article would have lost its teeth to make me more courageous. So, I gathered myself together and went through the drive system one by one – the levers, controls and switches at the steering wheel. My memory did not fail me.

I had done my homework, so “Just Do It!” beckoned in the back of my mind.

I recalled witnessing lady drivers operating trucks and buses and even my pint sized friend had driven her family station wagon. Why was I impeded by my imagination?

Indeed , it was not the size of the dog in a fight but the size of the bite in the dog, they say.

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself” as Franklin D. Roosevelt had said during the Great Depression.

I started the car, and discovered that the steering wheel was light as a feather. Driving it was a breeze, going slower did help me, much to the chagrin of other drivers but soon I was on my way, to run my errands with my choices of taking the subway, buses and grab taxis as other options. And putting a fear to rest.

What a Blessed Life!

2nd June 2025 . 4 min read

Photo by Branden Collin on Unsplash

One slogan applies to me each time I

procrastinate due to uncertainty, fear or laziness.

‘Just Do It’

This catchy and compelling phrase was created by Dan Wieden, co-founder of the advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, in 1988.

Dan Wieden, known for his innovative advertising campaigns, was inspired by Gary Gilmore’s last words, “Let’s do it,” when he was facing execution in 1977 so Dan had tweaked the words.

A mere three words, they have not only boosted brand awareness, Nike became a coveted sports brand. Together with its distinctive logo, they have been etched into our minds when shopping for sportswear.

‘Just Do It’ has infliltrated into my psyche which has moved me forward in many instances.

Isaac Newton famously noted that an object in motion tends to stay in motion, while an object at rest tends to stay at rest.

A book on the shelf that is unread will remain unread unless one opens it, read and discover its gems.

A skill that one would like to master will remain unmastered unless one gets excited about it, plans and start and persist in it.

A dream remains unfulfilled unless one obsess about it, be positive and works towards it.

There were many instances where my goals did become just goals, left on the back burner for years.

There were instances where I had realized the power of this phrase after I executed it.

For a while, I have made up my mind to improve my Mandarin but the mass of words and the length of the articles on the language app looked too formidable.

To read and stop to check on the pronunciation and meaning of words and idioms did waylay me from my learning goals. It was time consuming and laborious.

I decided to get started. By Choosing a suitable reading ap with contents that interested me was a big help. I discovered that a good read is useful and informative so I had continued to read at least an article a day.

I will not forget how the first wordy article seemed like an obstacle course to me but ‘Just Do It’ rang in the back of my mind.

At my turning point, the mass of words did not deter me anymore. The checking of words was not bothersome anymore but important part of my learning. They have become legible, coherent, and precious words of wisdom that I craved to devour.

Rock Climbing was something that I had considered to do. You have to first overcome obstacles; snide remarks from younger members who do not expect older people to share their game, my fear of height and lack of time.

‘Just Do It’ prompted me again. I engaged a coach who recognised that I am a serious and respectful student, always show up and observe the rules of the sport.

The first time I hit the top, I looked down to survey the height and assured myself that my fear was imagined.

The view was panoramic in a sense, the feeling was exhilarating from the sense of conquest and it was very safe.

After all, one is tethered to the rope. Learning how to respond appropriately to a sudden slip from its footholds or handgrips is a safety tip.

I am glad to have made a start on this sport. Far from a passive looking, mundane, and onerous sport, it has endowed the learner with inner strength, strategy, stillness, and stamina that one can carry into our daily lives to accomplish our tasks.

In addition, I have made friends both young and old and they now want to get their parents off their butts.

What are you waiting for? There are many hobbies to enjoy, skills to master, life to savor.

1 Find something you like to be passionate about

2 Plan ahead to allow progressive steps

3 Get started immediately

4 Commit the time to it

5 Be patient

‘Just Do It’ opens up the possibility of success in your endeavours. Or at least it could bring you closer to your goals with each try and you will finally hit a home run.

24th March 2025. 3 min read

Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash

It’s been two months since sustaining my ligament injury and meniscus tear of my right knee.

A few days ago, I decided to wean myself from the walking stick. At some point, I have to rebuild my self-confidence to resume my daily functions again sans the support.

I replaced the leg brace with my leg sleeve and tried the stairs without the walking stick for the first time. Though it is not perfectly stable, I believe in waking up my muscles and ligaments again to do their job.

Our body has immense propensity to recover because life is an unknown.

The longer one stays supported especially if there is no more major pain, one will become dependent on the crutch. Crutch mentality is real thing and I had it for a long time with my scripts.

Albert Einstein famously said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle”.

I like his philosophical approach because I see my injury as a miracle as it had opened up a whole new perspective for me.

I slowed down during this period.

Not being on the move all the time enlightens me in the following ways;

Self improvement wise – I started to re- organise my time – pack my stuff, read more uplifting articles, improve my language learning and getting back to Toastmasters actively.

Business wise – I started scouting for prospective associates who could run my practice and this could help some younger dentist get into business easily with my base already built over the years. Afterall one day, it will be a real goodbye and I want the patients to be in good hands. That would also free more time for my indulgence in living.

3 Personal growth –Well, I have been a bit obsessive. The last three months before my injury I had too much on my travel plate so the injury put a halt to that.

Being limited in my mobility has made me sip my coffee slower, made me more resilient and more observant. I noticed that the creeper plants and the climbers in my garden are so beautiful. The creeper plants have weak stems so they creep along the ground to reach their resources. The climber plants climb up structures and look dignified.

I want to be more than the climber plant – I want to climb and not need support!

It’s like any event in life. You get beaten down but we get up again.

Wasn’t it Confucius who said, “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

I remembered in my younger days, when a taxi rammed into my driver’s seat. It shook me but I went back to driving almost immediately so as not to acquire the fear.

I fell once at the mountain during skiing and nobody came to my rescue. My husband was nowhere to be found as skiing is a lone sport. Hobbling to the nearest cable station, the staff said they could not call for rescue as I was able to stand up.

Somehow, I miraculously skied back on one ski, took a painkiller and went back skiing again. I wouldn’t do it now if it happens again because one can rise up so many times as I am more aware of the current circumstances. I would just act motionless or play dead.

Well, I have started to make the flight of 20 steps in my house up and down gingerly with a grip on the railing. One day, it will be without gripping, another time, I will trot down the stairs like I used to.

…adds fire to my belly

15/3/25. 2 min read

At a subway in NYC— Dec 2011

I have never forgotten this incident. It was December of 2011, my husband and I were in a NYC subway, and I approached this cheerful black gentleman for some information.

To my surprise, he started conversing with me in Mandarin, and for that matter in perfMandarin language.

For a moment, I was not keen on asking about my destination. My questions turned to how and why he had learned mandarin.

Mr A( pardon me , I have forgotten his name as it’s more than 10 years ago) told me he was interested in Mandarin because he wanted to go to China one day and experience her culture. He self- studied by borrowing books from the library starting with the most basic language book.

Assiduously, he looked for opportunities to expose himself to the language, through tapes, watching Chinese movies or dramas with English subtitles and listening keenly.

That was a moment of inspiration for me. It set me thinking about my language learning that was put on the back burner. Having invested many years for weekly lessons in Japanese language studies, I have not reached the level of speaking it comfortably and naturally and it’s due to my lack of diligence.

After asking for the direction and before parting ways, I wished Mr A best of luck in his endeavours. He smiled widely, light twinkled in his eyes as he also gave his best wishes to me.

A meaningful encounter with a person of great potential because he had shown that one can achieve success by exercising passion, persistence and fortitude even without formal studies.