bermusicart blog1

Hi Tea at The Orchard Hotel

2008-10-26T17:23:00.001-07:00

Top Picture: Agatha at the entrance of our home, before we left for our Hi Tea.

Centre Picture: At The Orchard Cafe.

Bottom Picture: Agatha with my younger brother Roy who is an In-House Security Officer at The Orchard Hotel

As I work long hours from Mondays to Fridays, Friday and Saturday evenings are great times for Agatha and I to go out and enjoy more quality time together. However, for this week, we decided to also enjoy our Sunday, as Monday was suppose to be a public holiday, for the Indian Community in Singapore, to celebrate Deepavali. We don't usually like going out in the afternoons as it is usually pretty hot. However, we decided to try out the Hi Tea at The Orchard Hotel from 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm. We took the MRT down to Orchard and arrived at the hotel in time for the wide Hi Tea spread. It costs each of us S$33++. Although it appears pricy, the wide variety of food which included 'Laksa', 'Mee Siam', 'Yong Tau Foo' 'Prata' etc was worth every cent we paid.

Hi Tea at The Orchard Hotel was also a chance to catch up with my younger brother Roy. It was a great re-union which we captured on film. Roy is a kind and caring brother and we are happy that he is doing well, having gone through many hard and difficult times in his life. God bless, Roy! Take care. We love you!

As the food is great and the service is excellent, we are contemplating on spending Christmas and partying the night away at The Orchard on 24 and 25 December.

Today is Agatha's Birthday!

2008-10-13T07:37:00.001-07:00

Today is Agatha's Birthday. 'Chinadoll' and I enjoyed ourselves with a little home celebration. On Saturday, we had a celebration at Jacks Place in Tampines. Today I sent her a beautiful bouquet of orange roses which you can see in this picture. The beautiful arrangement was from Princess Flower Shop. They always add a touch of class and romance in their creations. Thankyou Princess! To top our little celebration, we had a Chillie Crab meal, delicious Kang Kong and Shandy. Then there was the cutting of the lovely chocolate cake. Happy Birthday, 'Chinadoll'. Love you always!

Agatha's Birthday 2008

2008-10-12T01:35:00.000-07:00

It was a wonderful Saturday for Agatha and myself, spending the evening at Jacks Place in Century Square. I had the opportunity to give her a cosy candle-lit set dinner to celebrate her 49th birthday. Well she still looks good at her age!

The dinner comprised of a French Salad Apetizer for each of us, a huge, tender Rip-eyed steak, Mango Jelly desert and a long cold ice lemon tea each.

To top it all, the celebration was a surprise for Agatha when she was graciously delivered a small Teramisu Birthday cake personally by the Manager of the restaurant with a single candle on it, delivered to the tune of 'Happy Birthday'. The guests at the restaurant made the surprise even better when they all clapped for my little 'Chinadoll'. Happy Birthday Sweetheart. May we have many more good years together! I LOVE YOU!!!

My 60th Birthday Celebration 1

2008-09-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

On 14 September 2008, I'll be hitting the BIG 6. 'BIG 6' meaning 60 years old. Hee Hee...

As I will be having another celebration with some of my colleagues from White Sands Primary School on Saturday, 13 September, The LL Group headed by Pretty Joan Lim and the gang comprising of Michelle Leng, Terri Pang, Theresa Cheong, my wife Agatha and Simon Chan insisted on giving me a Birthday Bash. Well I guess, it's not every day in which one celebrates being 60 and becoming a Senior Citizen.

We had a lovely English-Style sit down dinner at The Rosette Restaurant at 64 Lloyd Road. The food was great and so was the company.

I was really taken by suprise after we had completed our meal, when the staff at the restaurant suddenly appeared in a large group, carrying my favaourite Tiramisu cake, chosen by Joan, and singing the Birthday Song for me, out loud. I was the centre of attraction, lah! It was a GREAT feeling being showered with so much Love from our friends who mean so much to Agatha and myself.

My wish before I blew out the beautifully designed '60' candles chosen by Theresa, was and is that Agatha and I always stay happy and loving and that the friendship with this GREAT group will grow stronger with each passing day.

Thank you Joan for taking time off from your busy work schedulle to organize and get everyone together to make my day a memorable one. Thank you all too, for the beautiful cards and gifts which you took time to choose, knowing my taste better than I do sometimes.

May we always stay close to one another through good times and bad. God bless each and everyone of you and your love ones and may all your prayers be answered by GOD who has given me so much to be thankful and grateful for.

Love,

Bernard

Congratulations Terrence and Vicky!

2008-07-27T05:48:00.000-07:00

Vicky, Terrence and Agatha.

Smile! you're on Panasonic Camera!

Analyn, Agatha and Vicky withLittle Ethan.

All smiles. He's a real buddle of joy and a terror when he cries!

Weekends are always great days for Agatha and myself. They are always special as we always have something to do. Saturday, 26 July was really more than special as we had a chance to see our little nephew, Ethan Gareth Su-Fernando who is the cute buddle of joy to my youngest brother Terrence Chester Fernando and his beautiful wife Vicky. Ethan was born on 10 July at 9.35 pm at the KK Woman's and Children's Hospital with Terrence by Vicky's side to give her support and encouragement. At birth, Little Ethan weighed 2.910 Kg.

Besides having a chance to play with the cute little fellow, the day was a great reunion evening for us as we had a chance to also see my 2nd youngest brother Anton Frank Fernando. We had a great time chatting and reminissing about the old days. The food was GREAT too. Terrence and Vicky have a beautiful, warm and cosy home. Ethan is the forth edition to the family. The first being a lovable doggie called Bobo and two huggable kitty cats. We were also glad to meet Analyn, the helper from The Phillippines. Wow! A family of seven now.

Congrats Terrence and Vicky! Ethan's gonna grow up to be as good looking as his Uncle Bernard! Hee Hee ...

Happy Birthday Joan and Theresa

2008-07-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

Opportunities to celebrate birthdays of close friends and the ones we love are times we look forward to..........

These are great times for bonding and fellowship to keep friendships and relationships alive. We all need FRIENDS!

Saturday, 19 July was one such opportunity.

We gathered at The Owen Seafood Restaurant on level 3 at Turf City located at Bukit Timah Old Turf Club, at 7.00 pm to celebrate the birthdays of the two pretty ladies, namely Joan Lim and Theresa Cheong, whose photograph you see above. Present were Michelle, Terry, Birthday Gals Joan and Theresa, Angie, Simon, Agatha, my better half and of course yours truely.

The dinner was a real mouth-watering affair. This was followed by the cutting of the cake and presentation of Birthday Cards to the two lovely ladies.

I had fun taking everyone by surprise which included Agatha, by my presentation of a small, cute 'naughty' CD-packed gift to each of the birthday GALS!

I bet the other ladies were wondering, "Where's mine?" Sorry ladies! You will have to wait for your turn. Hee Hee Hee...

Having enjoyed ourselves, we then proceeded to Joan's place at 'The Blossom' to continue the night. Week-ends should be fun, a time to unwind, destress, forget about work and be with the ones we love. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOAN and THERESA! God bless and may both of you always stay young and be blessed with good health and everything you want.

Mobile Phones and Communication

2008-07-12T17:02:00.000-07:00

I grew up in the sixties and I'm blessed for that. Life was different then. My family and I lived in a small three room SIT flat in a small housing Estate at Kim Keat Avenue. We lived on the 1st floor and had a number of neighbours from the various racial groups.

Life was good and everyone knew each other. We didn't have to have metal grilles on our windows. Neither did we have to have a metal gate to prevent intruders from entering our homes. All of us in the neighbourhood could leave our front doors open throughout the day. The only time it would be closed was when we went to bed at night, which was often past mid-night. There was this strong sense of neighbourliness and everyone kept a look-out for one another. We could walk into anyone's home at any time and would be welcomed. Our neighbours whom we call friends would often exchange food with mum.

We didn't have to use the phone to communicate. Communication was a face to face affair. We could see each other and feel what the other was feeling during our conversations and sharings. Relationships were close. Even our Malay neighbours could come over to our home, sit on the linoleum floor we had then and chit chat with my mum while the kiddies played, often creating a din with our pranks. We could share meals and there were no barriers whatsoever.

Time has changed things over the years and people have changed! The phone has replaced the face-to-face communication. One might say, "Well, we are all busy people." These are excuses we often use. Today, things have become even worse. The mobile phone is being used as a text communication tool. Many choose to SMS their friends. It's hard to get someone today who who still believes in voice communication . Perhaps the only people who really communicate on the phone are 'real friends' or people in businesses.

It is really sad to see how our people today change their mobile phones to the latest models as often as they change their clothes. Lots prefer to communicate through SMSs. It's quite sad!

Agatha and I face the same situation lately. Sometimes, we really don't know who our 'friends' are. "Don't call me. SMS, OK?" When you try calling, you are greeted with unhappy voices. We really need to take a good look at ourselves and how we connect with the ones around us. Friendships don't last for those who choose to induldge in 'cold' relationships. Maybe, we are 'old fashion'. However, We are glad that we still have a few 'Old-fashioned' friends who still believe in face to face communication or talking on the phone for as long as we choose to.

"You can't turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again." by Bonnie Prudden is very true. What are we going to do about communication. Friends will slowly vanish if we fail to realize what real frienship is all about. Real friends should be able to call each each other in good times and bad and especially so when one is down in the dumps. We need to listen to each other and most of all show CARE for the ones we love and treasure.

Most of us have regrets. In fact, you can't undo things already done. You can't take back words already spoken. You can't turn back the clock on your life. But you can decide that today will be different. Regret is a waste of time and energy. Leave it behind. Herbert Prochnow once said, " Our eyes are placed in front because it is important to look ahead than look back."

We treasure 'Real Friends'. Thank God there are still a few good people around.

The Elderly Little Chinese Lady at the bus stop

2008-07-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

"Only a life lived for others is the life worthwhile.": Albert Einstein

Every morning at around 6.20 a.m. while I am waiting for the SBS feeder service bus to arrive, I meet an elderly, little Chinese Lady at the bus stop. We don't really know each other, however we always exchange greetings.

On Tuesday, 8th July I was as usual waiting for the bus when she approached me and asked me if I could speak Chinese. Well, I said that I could. She then unzipped her handbag and took out a piece of paper which she wanted me to read and explain the contents to her as she could not read English. It was a letter from the Central Provident Fund Board. I read it and explained to her that it stated that the board had been informed that her husband had passed on and had left her some of his savings. She was required to complete Section B of the form, fill in her bank account number and return it to the board. The CPF board would then credit the savings into her account, shortly.

It was after my explanation, that she poured out her sadness to me. I could see that she was lost and disturbered and just wanted someone to listen. Patiently I listened to her story while waiting for the bus.

She had two children. A boy and a girl. Her husbad who was 67 years old was a healthy man who still continued to work. However, recently, he started developing a bloating tummy and needed to visit the toilet several times a day. His children were concerned and felt that there was something wrong. They advised him to visit a nearby doctor. The doctor felt that there was something amist and recommended that he go down to the Singapore General Hospital for a proper diagnosis. It was during his visit there, that the doctor discovered that he had Cancer of the stomach and that the cells had spread to the rest of his body. He had no symptoms of the disease and did not feel any pain whatsoever. He had to be warded and only stayed at the hospital for a week before he passed away.

His sudden death took the lady by surprise and she found it difficult coping with the lost. She felt that life was not worth living. With my broken Hokkien, I consoled and encouraged her to live on for her late hubby. There were tears in her eyes when she boarded the bus with me, when it finally arrived at 6.45 am.

When she finally disembarked at one of the bus stops, she thanked me and it made my day. I felt a sense of satisfaction and happiness deep inside, knowing that I had lent someone a listening ear.

She was off on Wednesday, went to the CPF Board and when she met me at the bus stop again on Thursday morning, she shared with me the information that she was going to receive $18 000. It was not much. However, it was all her late husband could leave behind for her as he never held a big job.

Many people out there are often lonely and helpless. Each and everyone of us can do something to help our brothers and sisters. Let's do our little bit. Albert Einstein's words, above, mean so much!

Terence's and Debbie's Wedding

2008-07-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Weddings are great occassions for friends and relatives to get together. And that was exactly what Agatha and I did last Sunday,29th June 2008 at The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel at Havelock Road.

It was the wedding of Terence and Debbie. Terence also known to us as Yong Ee is Agatha's cousin. He was a little boy when he attended our wedding reception at The Ladyhill Hotel 19 years ago with his mummy,who happens to be Agatha's 4th aunt.

The wedding was meaningful for us as we had a chance to see Agatha's mum and dad from Muar as well as her aunts, uncles and cousins from Kuala Lumpur as well as Johor. Agatha looked stunning in her White Vietnamese gown which she brought home from our last holiday to Ho Chi Min City. We felt very honoured to sit with all the elders. It was time for Yam Sengs... and merry making. We wish Terence and Debbie a very blissful and happy marriage filled with lots of Love every day.

Thank you Agatha

2008-07-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

Thank you Sweetheart for this 19 beautiful years of our life together. You have been a GREAT wife and I LOVE you! Thank you for the LOVE, Kindness, Understanding, Patience and Selflessness which you have shown me. I would not be the person I am today without you.

Having dinner, washing and drying the dishes together, watching the Chinese Drama every evening at 9.00 pm and just holding hands are the little things which I treasure.

I always feel sad every morning when I have to kiss you goodbye while your're sleeping. The day seems long until I'm back home to see you.

Thanks for taking time to cook the wonderful meals which you always cook with LOVE. The 'Assam Pedas', The Tom Yam Soup, The Prawn Sambal, Curry Chicken, Steam Fish and the list goes on and on .............

Thank you for being the person you are. I will always LOVE YOU!

Mission and Vision

2008-06-21T21:03:00.001-07:00

My name is Bernard. Attached is a photograph of my beautiful wife Agatha and myself. We have been married for 18 years. The early years of our marriage was tough as we had to struggle with many ups and downs. However, with patience, understanding and most of all with Love, we managed to ride the storms and are now very happy. Life has been good to us in so many ways and we thank God for the many blessings which we have.

The intention of having this Blog is to share with others that Life is what one makes of it. It is important to look at Life in a positive manner. It is important to build up good relationships with the people we work with and meet everyday.

I will be sharing activities and thoughts which keep us going and give meaning to our lives. Do post your comments and I sincerely hope that we will all try to be positive. The way we look at Life can change the people around us and hopefully we will be able to live in a better world where there will be less fighting and disagreement.

Do visit my webpage which is slowly being set up. The address is: http://www.bermusicart.com/

Wishing everyone a wonderful day and great week ahead.

God bless.

Bernard and Agatha