Condolences for Former President Wee Kim Wee

Former President Wee Kim Wee, who was Singapore's head of state from 1985 to 1993, passed on in his home this morning from medical complications. He was 89.

I can still recall his warm smile... That one time I saw him in person, many many years back on Kusu Island, during this September season when devotees of this Chinese Temple and Malay Shrine would flock the small island to for their annual pilgrimage... He was this endearing and gentle man with eyes that seemed to smile.

Heartfelt condolences...

Everything happens for a reason...

Yups... Everything that had come to pass... all happens for a reason... We just have to make sure that we are playing our moves right and not regret what we have done, choose or said... If it goes well, be thankful and know why it works out to be that... If it doesn't... It's time for reflection and amends...

I still remember our school assemblies in the school hall, back in my Marist Days... Our principal, Brother Anthony, would always ask us to bow our heads and reflect... Ok lar... Most of the time was to say our prayers... But... yes to reflect... Never did it occur to me that that particular scene would pop up in my head, when I heard Corrinne May's new song... " Everything in its time ".

In a time when I'm trying to make sense of some choices and allow the reality of somethings sink in my head... I think... This lyrics of this song speaks for my feelings now...

" The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the skies
I promise you the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time

Nothing feels like I’m two steps behind
Somebody must have moved that finish line
There are a thousand reasons why I should give up
But I’m stubborn in the things I believe "

Okies... Going to go upstairs for lunch now... Will be back later to read this book that I borrowed from Dee - " The curious incident of the dog in the night time " by Mark Haddon. Maybe I'd go check out the CD-shop for Corrinne May's new album later. Her webbie says it's out already... Have a feeling it meant the US only. Here's a link [ http://www.recordtrax.com/PROMO/radionew.htm ] to the on-line streaming, just incase you want to check out the song... It's track 2. Hee... Enjoy...


---


Everything in its time
Corrinne May
Safe in a crazy world


Sometimes I wonder what lies ahead
How long till my hunger is fed
They say it’s hard to make it in this part of town
So many people of this merry-go-round

Some folks try astrology, some turn to crystal balls
To find an answer to get through it all
I just fall on my knees and I try to pray
In the silence I can hear him say

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the skies
I promise you the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time

Nothing feels like I’m two steps behind
Somebody must have moved that finish line
There are a thousand reasons why I should give up
But I’m stubborn in the things I believe

‘cause the river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the skies
I promise you the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign

‘cause maybe there’s another plan
One I still can’t see
A little surprise
Like your love in my life
Funny how time changes how we see…

There are a thousand reasons why I should give up
But I’m stubborn in the things I believe

‘cause the river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the skies
I promise you the answer will come
Hold on to patience
Just watch for the sign
Everything in its time

Everything in its time…

Do we really know? How is it that we can, in our designs (be it a space, a piece of furniture, or an object) dictate how it works and look? Are we all designing merely following guidelines of how a thing 'should' look, feel, work, and be? Have designers come to a stage where we are no-longer exploring as much as we use to? 

Was reading this book called "Strangely Familiar: Design & Everyday Life" and I thought this series of question by Georges Perec at the start of the book were rather intriguing...