Photos of Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer's seminar

Audience Streaming in.

Just before the start.

After the show.

For real world training for your puppy or problem dog check out my training courses :
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Cesar Millan LIVE in Singapore Seminar

I am looking forward to meet the world renown Mexican-born American dog trainer Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer tomorrow night. Cesar will be in Singapore this weekend 2 & 3 June at Marina Bay Sands to deliver his LIVE Seminar. I booked my seat online on 5th May 2012.

The reason I am attending the seminar not so much to learn about dog training but more to meet the guy and learn the way he conducts his seminar. I am familiar and very much agree with his training philosophy, that dogs require strong 'pack leadership' from their owners, in the form of exercise, discipline and affection (in that order). "Calm assertive" is also what I preach. Cesar is widely known for using his trademark verbal cue a tsch sounds. It's funny because in the last few years I've had clients making the tsch sounds in my presence and the dog totally ignores the owner. I've had to explain to them the tsch sounds isn't some kind of magic word or cue. Many of us would use words such "NO!" or "AHH AHH" (my preference). On it's own, words have no meaning to the dog. You have to follow through with a correction at a level that would deter the dog. In time the dog forms an association of the verbal cue with the unpleasant consequence and he learns to refrain from the negative behavior when the cue is given.

 

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Old Singapore Airlines (SIA) TV commercial

SIA Stewardesses - "Singapore Girl" (credit: Wikipedia)

An early TV advertisement of Singapore Airlines (SIA) shot to promote its tag line Singapore Girl - 'A Great Way To Fly'. Singapore Girl was coined in 1972 when Pierre Balmain, a French haute couture designer, was hired by Singapore Airlines to construct and update the Malay "Sarong Kebaya" as part of the cabin crew's uniform. Since then, the uniform has gained worldwide recognition as part of SIA's recognizable signature branding. Stewardesses dressed in the distinctive "Sarong Kebaya" SIA uniform remains a prominent element of SIA's marketing. Scenes shot at Colleyer Quay, Boat Quay, Paya Lebar Airport, Orchard Road.

A visit to the railway tracks

Following an agreement between the governments of Malaysia and Singapore last year, railway operations at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station ceased from 1 July 2011. KTM's (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) southern terminus will be relocated to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint. Tanjong Pagar Railway Station was also called Keppel Road Railway Station or Singapore Railway Station.

Tanjong Pagar railway station was completed on 3 May 1932 and officially opened by Sir Cecil Clementi. I have lived in Clementi the last 30 years and I wonder if Clementi Road was named after him. The four marble statues at the exterior of the building represents the four pillars of the Malayan and Singapore economy - Agriculture, Commerce, Transport and Industry, with the initials FMSR (Federated Malay States Railways). 

The past month, particularly on weekends I've seen Singaporeans from all walks of life hiking along the Railway tracks. Groups of people were seen along the tracks at Stagmont Ring, near Hillview, Rail Mall and Bukit Timah Station near King Albert Park. Many articles have appeared on the newspaper and blogs, with many calling on the government to conserve the railway line. A group -“We support the Green Corridor”was formed by conservationists and nature experts to promote awareness in this respect. The stretches of lush greenery with it's fauna and flora provides a invaluable recreational space within our concrete jungle. The retention of the structures could serve as a reminder of our historical link with Malaysia.

I have missed the train so to speak but I told myself to at least join the bandwagon to experience the railway tracks and blog about it. What better way to have such an outing than to have canine companions. Two weeks ago I made the long overdue trip to the Bukit Timah Station. It is heart warming to see three generation families among the crowd of shutter bugs, nature lover and others there just out of inquisitiveness.

Three generation family

Bukit Timah Station

The doggies stole the show.

A Gem among election candidates

By now I am sure most of us would have come to know the name Nicole Seah, a young 24 year old candidate of the National Solidarity Party standing for the election in Marine Parade GRC up against PAP team led by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. She is now the second most popular Singapore politician online after Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. To date she had amassed close to 31000 fans. I am not going to compare her with PAP candidate Ting Pei Ling as many have done online. I simply think she is a Gem among all the election candidates. In my younger days I used to listen in awe the speeches made by Minister Mentor, then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Never would I have thought being moved in the same way listening to a young girl her age. No one would think that she's just another pretty face. I am so very impressed with her sincerity, maturity and conviction in this undertaking. She handles reporter's question like a seasoned politician. Her parents are so blessed to have a daughter like her. They ought to be proud and so too Singapore.

All the best Nicole and may God bless you!

Rainbow

Yesterday evening as I was driving out of the Church of the Risen Christ in Toa Payoh after Sunday mass I witnessed a rainbow in the sky across the road. It's not everyday that one gets to see a rainbow and it's been awhile since I last saw one. I took out my nifty mobile phone, the Sony Vivaz which have a 8MP camera in it and took a picture, a rare capture. This is the first time I've ever taken a rainbow picture. Too bad I couldn't stop to take a better full arch one because I was in a queue of moving vehicle leaving the church. I noticed a number of parishioners too whipping out their mobile phone and snapping away with great excitement.

Picture taken by me.

I've heard it many times that seeing a rainbow is good luck or something good is coming your way so I did a little research. The rainbow symbolises good news, hope, redemption and the ending of gloom. The rainbow is a bridge between heaven and earth, between your earthly self and your higher enlightened self. The gypsies believe that to dream of a brightly coloured rainbow means a happy change is coming. Whatever it is I hope that there are some truth to it.

Picture Credit: Jerome Lim

This rainbow seemed quite a 'big' one so it came as little surprise to me that a number of people have also witnessed it. One of my friend said he saw it too. On Facebook Jerome Lim posted the above shot, beautifully taken. Jerome is the winner of the Best Individual Blog 2010 Runner-Up (2nd Runner-up) - Singapore Blog Awards 2010. His blogs are filled with gorgeous photos.
http://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/ 
http://blog.omy.sg/hongkong/category/jerome/

Photo credit: Facebook group YourSingapore.

Another photo of the same rainbow posted on Facebook group YourSingapore.

Monkeys business

          

I spotted a family of Macaques Monkeys at Hua Guan Avenue recently. As monkeys do, family members preening each other. Besides the business of preening each other adults mate rather freely.  I recall from my visits to Botanic Garden as a child witnessing with some degree of embarassment the mating of these primates. They are totally uninhibited nor disturbed by the presence of other monkey families or humans in the park.

There are a few popular places that Singaporean Chinese visited during Chinese New Year in the 50's and 60's; Botanic Gardens is one of them. You can buy peanuts form hawkers at the entrance to feed the monkeys. As the years goes by the monkey population increased and became aggressive. In the 70's they had to be culled after a number of reported attacks on visitors, reducing the population to a very small number.

In the year 1971 two monkeys were found dying on the roadside outside the Botanic Gardens in Tyersall Avenue. The monkey are believe to have been fed with poisoned bananas. This was most likely the work of an individual with a grudge against the animal because the authorities would not have used poison to eliminate them. I remember news reports of pallet gun being used.

Credit: National Archive of Singapore - PICAS

Resident Heron at West Coast Park

I have spotted this Grey Heron at the pond in West Coast Park on many occasions when I am there to meet my students (dog training) at the nearby dog run. It seems this Heron have made this place his home. The pond is heavily populated with fish, like Telapias and Carps. Smart bird this one. Meals are always ready right there when it needs to eat.

This place actually makes an ideal place for a family picnic. There are lots of nature to explore - plants, insects, birds and fish.Children will get a kick out of feeding the fishes in the pond. Often you'll see people playing with their remote controlled motor boats on Sundays or Public Holidays. And for dog owners the dog run is really a blessing for our beloved canine companions. Parking is not a problem. For those who are unfamiliar with West Coast Park, this is not where the McDonald's restaurant is situated. It's closer to the wholesale center. Turn left if you are coming down Clementi Road.

Temple Eating Tree Quiz

Sadly, my first attempt at posing a quiz on my blog failed miserably. http://frankiekoh.blogspot.com/2010/09/temple-eating-tree.html
I still haven't received a single answer after 3 months. Is the subject not something that people would be much interested in? Too easy? Too difficult? I guess as a general practice quizzes should come with a prize for the winning entry, haha. Maybe one day I'll give out one for my quizzes. Anyway let me try and revive this by offering some hints and hope some kind readers is willing to help me with this one so as to maintain my ego.

• The tree is on the right side of this picture which is the rear gate of this building
• This whole building is now vacant.
• The road where is tree can be seen is now closed to traffic.

A wider angle picture.

Near this area but not those 2 street names mentioned on the signboard.

Grandma sunning baby with Jaundice

I was on my way to my usual Sunday morning Tai Chi class at Clementi Community Club when I caught sight of this lady sunning her grandchild at the foot of a HDB flat nearby. It was 9.30am and out in the open. I was concerned that baby may be over exposed to the sunlight, so have I to kaypoh (singlish for busybody) as I always am. I casually remarked "baby having Jaundice huh?". And then I asked the lady if she may be over-exposing baby avoiding sounding too intrusive. She replied that because of overcast sky earlier in the morning the sun wasn't shinning.

It common practice among many Singaporeans to sun baby with Jaundice. In fact our elders recommends a little morning sun helps keep Jaundice away; and that what we did for our daughter when she was a baby. We took care to exposed only very short duration in early morning sun that shine through the window. I read with great surprise when I goggled on this subject to find on SingHealth website (http://www.singhealth.com.sg/PatientCare/ConditionsAndTreatments/Pages/Jaundice%28Baby%29.aspx) that such a practice is NOT recommended.

What's your experience with your children?

A new road named Albert Winsemius Lane

A new road has been named after Dr Albert Winsemius, Singapore's Chief Economic Advisor from 1961 to 1984.So who is Albert Winsemius?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Winsemius

Albert Winsemius (1910-1996), a Dutch economist, was Singapore's long-time economic advisor from 1961 to 1984. He led the United Nations Survey Mission to Singapore,^[1] and was to play a major role in the formulation of Singapore's national economic development strategy. In 1960, Dr Winsemius led the United Nations team to examine Singapore’s potential in industrialization. At that time, Singapore had just attained self-government and was facing high unemployment and growing population. He presented a 10-year development plan to transform Singapore from an entrepot trade port into a centre of manufacturing and industrialization.

Albert Winsemius Lane as it is called is located off Clementi Road/Sunset Lane. It is not quite a road as you would expect a road to be. It starts from the entrance to the soon to be completed Centre for Aquatic Science Research CASR Blog, squeezed between the NEA South West Regional Office and the Eastlodge Hostel. Set up by Singapore-Delft Water Alliance (SDWA) at the bank of Sungei Ulu Pandan along the the Park Connectors, the centre is set to be the hotspot for freshwater research and is the first if it's kind in Asia. It will be open to the public showcasing their projects and technologies for public education.

Credit: SDWA

SDWA is multi-national, interdisciplinary research Centre of Excellence for Water Knowledge involving PUB (Singapore), National University of Singapore and Deltares (The Netherlands), established through an initiative of the National Research Foundation in Singapore. SDWA is hosted by National University of Singapore and provides research home to scientists and engineers from all partner organizations. 

View CASR location in a larger map

Nature right in our backyard and neighbourhood

We may be living a urban jungle with all the high rise buildings all around us but if we would just open our eyes and keep a look out we'll find an amazing variety of critters and nature around us.

I found this rather unusual Grasshopper at the back of my house one evening. It is not your usual grasshopper as you can see. Looks like some kind of Alien from another planet lol. I have probably come across this species of insect a couple times before. After doing a little research I learned that it is a species of Katidids. Curious about the hook shaped belly at the rear, I searched and found the answer - it is a female and the "scythe-shaped ovipositor" is where the eggs will come out. 

This type of snails I have not seen for a long time. Recently spotted a few crawling in the neighborhood grass patch. Anyone knows what the name for this species?

I have seen squirrels many times in pretty built-up areas. This one at Chip Bee Estate.It has a rather longish snout, longer than others I've seen.

Wild mushrooms anyone? I've seen many different types of wild mushrooms but that's one subject that I am totally unfamiliar with. Any mushroom expert?

Spotted this common Kingfisher in a HDB neighborhood, Commonwealth Cresecent. White Throat Kingfisher? Too bad I don't have a long lens but I am glad today's mobile phone comes in real handy with it's camera feature. I have a Sony Ericsson VIVAZ and I like it very much. Give me a mobile phone with a good camera in it. That's all I ask : )

This unusually large lizard, 8" long head to tail, and the skin texture and markings unlike our regular house lizards had been spotted a number of times in our kitchen before I decided to capture it for a closer examination. Unfortunately the tail broke off as they always do. I remember when I was young every time we catch a lizard the tail would invariably break off. I found out that it's a self-defense mechanism. If a predator is chasing them and grabs them by the tail, it'll break off, allowing the lizard to escape. The broken tail will wriggle for quite some time. I released it afterward. I have been told that the tail will regrow.

Being a nature lover I somehow have a heightened sensitivity about their presence. I have seen many different types of Parrots and Parakeets in the Bukit Timah district. Once I spotted a Hornbill perched on a rooftop TV antenna. I am beginning to see one of the many benefits of blogging; it pushes me to seek answers which otherwise I would not have bothered.

The way to eat Teochew Muay (Porridge)

I've had these two picture in my file for quite some time. It captures the way the common folks used to eat their Teochew Porridge. Remember that these are mostly the working class as YG have mentioned in his blog http://ivyidaong4.blogspot.com/ and Teochew Muay was something that's most affordable to them. It's not such a common sight nowadays. You can say they are a dying breed. If my memory serves me right, my father told me that in the 50's each bowl of porridge cost just two cents.

Lao Teochew way of eating Teochew Porridge

A popular place for economical Teochew Porridge

Temple Eating Tree

Last Sunday I had to take my wife to attend a beauty workshop in town. Across the road where I parked my car was this tree which reminded me of Cambodia's Ta Prohm Temple aka the Tomb Raider Temple where trees take roots and encompassed the building.  The temple was built about mid-12^th century to early 13^th century (1186) by the King Jayavarman VII, dedicated to the mother of the king so the trees are most likely more than 100 years old. Whereas the Ta Prohm is understandably in such a state because it is an ancient ruin, this tree which I came across is right in the heart of town in present day modern Singapore. Why is it left to grow to such a state without intervention is puzzle.

Quizz questions: Where is this tree located?
Hopefully after I reveal the location we can uncover why it is left in this state.

One arm motorcyclist on Pan Island Expressway

Picture taken by my passenger

I was driving along the PIE when I spotted this motorcyclist riding with one arm. His other arm is rested behind his back. Who does he think he is, "One Arm Morotcyclist"? like the "One Arm Swordsman" in the movies with superhuman skills. I can't understand motorcyclists mentality really. Most of them do not care about their own safety. Having motorcyclist weaving dangerously between motorcars is a daily encounter on the roads. They are always trying to get ahead. I drive a double cab van and because of the extra long body visibility of these small vehicles is compromised. I have witnessed so many close shaves by these careless motorcyclist and came across quite a few casualties in my 29 years of driving. I wish motorcyclists are more safety conscious take greater care while on the road, both for their own sake and those of other road users.

Dog Event

National Dog Walk & Carnival 2010

Date : 5 September 2010, Sunday
Time : 9am to 7pm
Venue : West Coast Park, Grand Lawn (near McDonald's)
Website : http://www.nationaldogwalk.sg/ 

Time	Events
9.00am	Fun Event - Great Minds Think Alike
9.00am	Carnival commences
9.30am	Dog Demonstration by Police K9 Unit
10.15am	Fun Event - Hot Dog Dunk
10.45am	Dog Demonstration by SCDF DART Team
11.30am	Fun Events - Hot Dog Retrieval
12.00noon	Stage Games
12.45pm	Fun Events - Snoopy Says
1.00pm	Stage Games
2.00pm	Competitive Agility Games Challenge 1
2.30pm	Competitive Agility Games Challenge 2
3.00pm	Competitive Agility Games Challenge 3
4.00pm	NATIONAL DOG WALK 2010
5.00pm	Family Event - Amazing Race
6.00pm	Prize Presentation

Click on image to enlarge