Today is our first anniversary of our new chapter. Thank you for doing so much laundry and breakfast for the past one year. Well, more laundry and breakfast in the years ahead! :p

For the true diving enthusiasts, the island needs no introduction. No photographs or videos can capture the extraordinary beauty of this place. The dive could have been perfect if the visibility was better. From the small nudibranches to the large school of humpheads, barracudas and jacks, I would describe the experience as “an underwater visual buffet” for a lack of better phrase. The breathtaking view of two barracuda schoolings merging into one, barracudas racing past us when we are all distracted by our rare guest, octopus, the playful humpheads being as curious as we were, the diving experience was totally awesome.

These years, I’m so glad that I have discovered ocean and its peace. While work becomes increasingly exciting and challenging, I’m glad that I have the luxury of escaping to a place where I’m just a visitor, listen to my own breathing and marvel at the wonders of nature. Beyond the hissing and burbling of my breathing, I discover silence and peace in this weightless world that comes with no stress and responsibilities. And before I take my next breath and plan for my next move, a small kick brings me to view the next wonder of nature.

It just adds a lot more meaning to diving when you have khakis who dive, sleep, eat and shit with you. And I’m so glad that my khakis are aspiring luxury divers. Because that means no more rigging, no more shabby rooms, no more lup sup dives and no more diarrhea!

Maldives next year, anyone?

Photo Album: http://www.terryaki.net/photos/sipadanmabul
Video Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuZ_2oaknZE
Video Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AycKfscSjp4
Video Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlHOXV0a9ro

We hesitated, or maybe it was just me. The next thing I knew, I looked out of the deck’s window and the Tokyo sky was all fogged up, as though the clouds ate up the Tokyo Tower. Ten minutes later, the fog cleared up and the tower stood there, shining hard and bright.

Sometimes, you just never know your luck.

If there’s something that you do not know about me, I’ve always been very proud of being a Singaporean. I used to be a closeted fan of National Day Parade’s songs because it was kinda uncool among my peers. I was the geek who listened to National Day cassette tapes and I would be very excited over the live telecast on TV. A few of my favourite ones were Count On Me Singapore, We Are Singapore and One People, One Nation, One Singapore.

I guess that patriotism still lives in me today because my wife goes “HUH. Again?????!!!!!” every time our player plays the theme song by Electrico.

The rest of the pictures can be viewed here.

We did not learn our lesson apparently. The last time we brought Toby to Singapore Botanic Gardens, there was a heavy downpour right after the picnic.

Today, we were trapped in the rain again. But this time, we didn’t even get to start our picnic. The rain came right after we reach Singapore Botanic Gardens. Toby didn’t get to meet Pipi. We didn’t get to join our friends because they were at the other end and the goddamn rain lasted for more than an hour.

The drenched dog wasn’t too happy because the three of us were stuck in a miserable shelter and he had to walk in the rain without meeting his new friend. Lesson learnt – Love my client and use their weather forecast.

1. To prevent the births of unwanted litters, contributing to the overpopulation of animals. Each year, some 6,000 dogs and 12,000 cats have to be put to sleep, while about 700 pet owners are fined for keeping unlicensed dogs.
2. Prevention of mammary tumors
3. Prevention of pyometra, either due to the removal of the organ and/or because of the lack of female sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) after spaying. Pyometra is a disease of the uterus most commonly seen in female dogs (bitches)
4. Prevention of uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and testicular cancer due to the removal of the susceptible organs.
5. Prevention of sexually dimorphic behaviors such as mounting, urine spraying and some forms of male aggression due to the decrease in hormone levels
6. The above will also make your pet more affectionate and less likely to roam and get in fights

Because of the pain, the little one is in all sorts of awkward positions and he has to be on e-collar for 10 days before he redeems his freedom.

The little one basking under the sun. Do you see Mr Bean?