Dear Folks,
Despite the poor economic climate, we manage to garner 37 tables at the recent annual bash in Orchard Hotel. This is a record year with more than 250 ex-HPites! Pictures are parked at SnapFish and it’s DIY for view and print. Membership this year grew by double-digit and we are almost 300 strong.
Next year, we have an exciting list of programs lined up. These include screening of the 11th hour at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on 10Jan09. In Feb09, we are arranging a conducted tour of the newly opened Marina Barrage and our AGM in Mar09. We will, as always, pick a swanky location with an interesting program.
A member at dinner suggested organizing another Charity Event in 2009. The poor will be hardest hit under the present gloom. Any ideas? On that note, Merry Xmas and don’t forget to smell the flowers along the way.
Poetry in motion
Mumbai Attack
Barely 2 weeks after our inspiring KAPAP sparring session, the senseless attack on innocent human targets happened. Tragically we lose 1 of our own citizen, a bubbly vivacious lady of 28 yrs. Bringing some one armed with a knife down is one challenge. But dealing with a bunch of retarded terrorists with AK47, handguns and hand grenades is a totally different proposition.
So it was back to the drawing board because no amount of Kungfu or KAPAP would help. I went around talking to various people. From an ex-politician, he said. Given the circumstances, don’t claim you are Singaporean and therefore speak English! Act stupid, speak Chinese, dialects whatever.
An army officer, still on reservist, had this to say. Don’t be lead into a bigger group of civilians (as was the case when a large group seeks shelter) because you become a larger, venerable target ideal for hostage taking. According to him, you should scramble (if alone) away from the rest. Shooting in a confined space with an AK47 is not easy. The retarded terrorist is unlikely to chase you especially if he has a large group at hand. I am not sure of his advice especially when it’s bullets, not shoes!
So maybe all male reservists, regardless of age, should be sent for a new course in terrorist evasion as the war of today is unorthodox. Keep your eyes peeled especially at crowded MRT stations, bus interchange and 5-star hotels.
Screening of 11th hr at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Date: 10Jan09 Sat
Time: 10.30hrs and 14:00hrs
Free-seating, first-come basis (no registration required)
Courtesy of HP Alumni, EDB Society, Singapore Botanic Gardens and NParks
Humankind’s 11th hour is here: the last moment when we can change course and stop our rush toward global ecological collapse. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio produces and narrates this urgent and transformational look at where we’ve been, where we’re going and – most important – how we can change.
It’s our generation that gets to change the world… forever!
