Orchard@NLB closing video

Hey all, do enjoy the video made by Jean. Really amazed by her multi-facet talent. She can do so much things all at the same time. Sorry, can’t make it for the closing ceremony as I really need to rest my 18yo body. Only having minimal sleep for the past few days.Also check out the original video by Lenniez. She’s pretty and talented. Drool

Finally exam over

More about Boon San

To be frank, I never like him at all. Maybe because I’m always his target board and always bullied by him. Haha actually sometimes I quite enjoy argue with him. He’s my senior and the most talkative of them all. But being straight means that he is also in other people range too. Sometimes errrr, it seems like every time, he would make scant remarks of other people and most of the time, I really wanna pull my hair listening to his comments.We like to call him “Hotdog” because of his lips. His senior, his batch and my batch all call him that. He doesn’t mind and he seems to be in love with this nick. However, there are other side of him that people don’t know. He cares for the team very much. He trained hard and I remembered during the crisis period in the team and he is the one to comfort me with his words.

Even though he offended many people with his words but somehow I understand why. It is maybe his way of being a friend. During his wake, the first thing his mom asked me is if he’s a naughty boy. In fact, she is smiling at it. She told me Boon San is very quiet at home and his brother would be so strict to him that he would cane him again and again. His brother is quite a tough guy by the looks of it. It became so bad that even his grandma before her death would ask his brother not to beat him again. He will grow up right. But hey, to someone that took 8 yrs for primary school and 5 for secondary school and still able to get a second class honors is an achievement! In fact, its like a miracle to me. His brother played a very big part in guiding him to finish his study and I absolutely salute him for it.

Kinda strange for a person so naughty at school but so quiet at home. His rowdy acts did not appeal to many others but hey, I would like to know the quiet side of him. Being able to sit down with him and chat about future, about career and especially about rowing.

Reu final day with us

At Reu’s wake

Rush back to Reuben place to be ready for his final day with us. I was talking to Melvin(my junior in nyp) and find that Reuben really had the ability to pass his passion for the sport to other people. It is just so amazing to hear of the stories of how Reu help him to continue rowing. I tried bringing my notes over but never had the mood to study for it.

On way to crematorium

At around 1130, his parents came down. They were so sad about it especially his mother and grandmother. And uncle Freddie is the source of strength for me when I see him having to take care of the both of them when in such a terrible mood. I would have broke down long ago if I was in his shoe.The national rowers carried his coffin to the van. Everyone just broke down seeing his family so distraught for Reuben to leave. Darren was soooo soooo sad. He is also very close to Reuben and as for those who don’t know. Reuben delayed his NS to help out with the team(he didn’t told me about it and I think he just want to shoulder all the responsibility of keeping the team there). Melvin was saying to me that at a point of time, there’s only 5 of them in the team left(guess it’s the senior), they were bonded like brothers. Darren broke down time and time again and I can see the impact of Reuben departure.

Crematorium

At the crematorium, we hear speeches from the minister and the deceases friends and family members. Uncle Freddy speech is inspiring and playful. Just like what Reu use to be. I think all of his close friends realised uncle was wearing Reu coin pouch and watch. He really touch our heart with the words he said. The captain of the team was the final speaker and I really really feel so much for him. He is strong to be able to make speeches for his friends. A really really strong man. I don’t think I will be able to do what he is doing. Stories of Boon San from his brother really change my whole perception of him. Just that I didn’t get to see this side of him. Quite a pity.

Hall 2

We proceed to hall 2 to sing and pray for Reu. Even though, I’m not a Christian. I still go along with it, trying to sing as beautiful as I can for him. We gave flowers to Reu after that and I tell him that I will meet him up there regardless of any race we were. Cos I believe the one up there is one that unite the whole world. He will tell me stories of his adventures up there and I will tell him mine. I had to start living seriously else I won’t have any interesting stories to tell him.

At the viewing hall

Every one was crying on and off for Reu. Especially when his family members came. It breaks everyone heart to see his grandma and mom so distraught. His father is really a pillar of strength to be able to encourage everyone at the moment. Everyone just broke down seeing the process. Sigh… Reu has chose to leave us sooo sad. Darren was in a very bad shape as well as Jane and the other guys. Even a boy as young as 6-7 was crying.How could he be doing this to all his friends and family members. I wasn’t sad instead I felt so peaceful. Seriously I don’t understand why. But I tell myself that I need to be as strong as Reu. He wouldn’t want us to be so sad. He want us to be happy. Time and time again, I remember of his cheeky smile

The aftermath

We boarded the bus and head back to Bishan. I had lunch with some of his close friends at Reu favourite coffee shop Kim San Leng for chicken rice. Reu is always saying , “Chicken is good, chicken is good and pork is bad cos it eat any ****.” Well it’s just to bad that there’s no chicken at that point of time and had to settle for other food.We made a promise to spend some time with his parents once in a while to accompany them. I also made arrangement with Thomas and Yani to walk around our training places in Kallang after our StanChart marathon. Still a wonder though will our body be able to take it.

Back Home Lyrics By Reuben Kee

There’s a place that you will always know
It is where your heart knows it’s home
And if you need to run from trouble or despair
It is where to go
Run back home

I went faraway to see the world alone
To places in my dreams
But the best dreams came when I was dreaming them at home

Every bird sees the sky as its home
To just fly and be free is a joy
Each night I have dreamt of being free to fly
But I’ve always known
The sky is not home

I went far away to see the world alone
To places in my dreams
But the best dream came
When I was dreaming them at home
The best dreams came
When I was dreaming them at home
Back Home

Special thanks to Lyuina Lee for the lyrics.

Attending Reuben Wake

After going through the service for Reuben wake yesterday night, it is just heart-wrenching to see all people cried for him especially his family members. After hearing what his family talk about him, how I really hope to have get to know him in person earlier. 相逢恨晚 .I actually thought my tears had dried but it was not to be. It’s so emotional to get to see Reuben again. I really love his smile and it was just 2 months back since I last saw him. Sigh… I really miss him very very much.

His mom, Patsy, recounts stories of Reu childhood. My heart goes all out to salute this friend of mine. I don’t know that he’s a genius!!! He got to play piano at the age of 2 without any guidance. At the age of 4, he was discovered to compose song of his own. His mom got so shock at it that she decided to send him to music school to further this talent. Little did she know that both her children(Shimona and Reuben) did not like having musical lesson. But I have to applaud her mom for the way she handles her kid. I think she gives them the space to grow and not to force them unlike most parents nowadays. It’s really also amazing for him to hold his mother to shopping at the age of 23. It just put me in shame of what I have done to love my family. But it is just fortunate for me that time is still by my side for repay what I’ve owe them for raising me up.

His father has got quite a humor. I guess Reuben inherit this trait from his father. As a father, I understand how he feels and how much loves he had for his child. I guessed it will be the same for me if I find that my children is soooo much closer to his wife.

As for Shimona, I really love her voice. it made some of the people so emotional that they broke down crying. Reuben sent me her song a few years ago too. Kinda hard for siblings to send song of their bro/sis to his friend. After listening to her stories and talking to her in person, I really wish I had Reuben as my brother. He’s just very very special to go all out to enjoy times with sister. I also laughed at the quarrel Reuben and his sister got involved in.

It really just touch my heart to hear all the stories from his family members of the personal side of Reuben. To me , he’s just to humble. When he’s the captain of Safsa, he did not tell me. When he went for Mr Singapore, he did not tell me. It is only after a few months that he let it slipped out of his mouth. Just wondering if he scared that I’m too loud-mouth to tell everyone about it. Just that this time, I will never know the answer.

The Kee family is really one close-knitted family and it is really sad that they have lost their only son. And for all of us, a very special friend that will always stay in our heart. Sometimes, I’m just overwhelmed with sadness but maybe like what the pastor said, I am only seeing the small picture.

Friends of Reuben please take note

For people who know Reuben in person, please write an email to his father Freddie at freddiek@singnet.com.sg to share with him the meaningful experiences you had with Reuben.

More on Poh, Jeremy and Reu

Family of Poh Boon San and Jeremy would like to reserve the evening timing for their family members and close friends. While for Reuben, I think it’d be just fine for all to pay a visit at 8pm. You will get to know more of Reuben in person from his family stories about him.All bodies will be cremated at Mandai Crematorium Hall 4 on Thursday afternoon. Reuben timing is slotted at 1245.

Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex
300 Mandai Road
Singapore 779393

No time to blog

There’s so much things I want to blog about but can’t. Just back from Reu wake and just so many thing I heard from his family members that I think should share with people who wants to know more about him. I will visit his family again right after my paper.

Letter to Reuben

Dear Reuben,Hope you’re fine up there. Having to wake up to the tune of Back Home is really refreshing. I’m serious! I think this song is on par with Canon In D, my favorite song for many many years. Haha, I can see the smirk on your face when you read this.

Do not worry for me cos I will take good care of myself. The best way to remember you is to continue to live the best of my life =) Hopefully, Boon San and Jeremy accompanying you well. Tell them that they are missed too. Members of NYP dragonboat will be there to visit them.

I’m making an effort to market your music to the blogosphere so that everyone can embed their song on their blog. Kinda hard but I will try to get as many people to put it k? Your music is so beautiful that I’m sure there’s many to appreciate it. Contact someone from SPH to put your music on their home page. Lets keep our finger cross. I’ll help to keep your site up so don’t worry. Everything is taken care of. Will be seeing you in person later. Remember to give me the smile you usually do.

I will contact Yee Sang for the music video thingy. I’m sure he will come out with something good. I’m sure he can cos he’s your senior =)

p.s: Your facebook group is 215 members strong all within a single day. That’s the fastest growing group I ever witness. I’m sure you’re glad to have so many friends who really care about you.

Regards

Tianhong

Clarify Misconception On Dragonboat

This is in regard with Jean post on the issue of life jacket. But in life, things may not be as simple as it is. I perfectly understand why they choose not to wear as a ex-dragonboater myself. In high performance sports like dragonboat, you cannot have anything to hold you back. Life jacket is one thing that is really irritating and hinder your movement. I totally agree life jacket must be worn. Most of the race ended neck to neck(those without NJC joining) and very often you need a viewcam to decide the eventual winner. A 5% drop in performance means most likely you will lose the race. However, I must say the authorities must enforce it if not such accident will continue to happen.

As a super-safety conscious person myself, I would also be forced by the circumstances not to wear it. Being a rower, winning is everything. Can you imagine the anguish of them going through 4-5 times of grueling training per week and not to get anything back after the race?

Let me clear some of the misconception of the sport itself.

Miconception 1: Dragonboat is a exercise that use only arm power
Dragonboat uses legs to kick also and everytime after the race, I could feel my legs getting soft and jelly. Dragonboating uses lots of cardio too. That’s why you see them often running around. It’s a sport that requires you to have a great cardio and arm power to excel in it.

Misconception 2: Dragonboat sinks easily
I don’t know what these people are really thinking about but dragonboat is really stable as it’s base is wide enough. Even if you want to overturn it, it would need a lot of team effort to do it. For my three years as a rowers, I have not experience this myself. I only witness this during the dragonboat race when boats collide. That is only when boats collide.

Misconception 3: You need to be a swimmer to join this sport
Throughout my 3 years as a rower, there’s so many non-swimmers I see participating in this sport. I can only keep my head barely afloat until my third year there. In other words, I mean my swimming sucks.

Misconception 4: Life jacket is a must
I remembered clearly that it is only halfway through my second year that SDBA enforce every rower to wear the jacket. It is not a must to wear jacket and wearing jacket makes rowing very uncomfy and prone to abrasion at the armpit area.

Once agin, I hope I have done nothing to offend Jean. Jean is my friend and I owe her many favor including getting her to put Reuben’s Back Home music on her blog. I really appreciate her kindness for this.

I will be visiting them later in noon. I’m lost for words on what to say to them.

Address of the decease dragonboaters

Just got a update from SDBA of the address of the victim

Chee Wei Cheng
Blk 101 Jurong East St 13

Reuben Kee
Blk 137 Bishan St 12

Jeremy Goh Tze Siong
Blk 336 Ang Mo Kio Ave1

Poh Boon San
Blk 280 Yishun St 22

Stephen Loh Soon Ann
7 How Soon Close

Please pay your last respect for those you know.

Please help to keep Reuben’s music alive

To all bloggers out there, please embed this song to your blog at least till Thurs but best forever to let all as much people as possible to listen to his song - Back Home. url: http://www.ridzuan.info/tianhong/BackHomePianoSolo-ReubenKee.mp3

Special thanks Ridzuan for hosting this song for us. He promised to keep this as long as he could. I will get a domain name soon to host all his song. Please help to keep his music alive.

Back with us this evening

Reuben will be back with us tonight. His wake will be on Tues to Wed and back to his final resting place on Thurs. Friends of Reuben, you can attend his wake at Bishan Street 12 Block 137(near Guangyang Sec Sch). Let’s spend sometime with him while we can. I will be down for all 3 days. Think my result this semester confirm chui~~ but that’s worth it because he is Reuben.

Extracted from CNA

SINGAPORE: The bodies of the five Singaporean rowers who died in a dragon boat accident in Cambodia will be brought home by a military plane on Monday evening.The dead are 20-year-old Chee Wei Cheng, 24-year-old Jeremy Goh Tze Xiong, 31-year-old Stephen Loh Soon Ann, 23-year-old Reuben Kee En Rui and 27-year-old Poh Boon San.

Their bodies were found on Sunday morning, two days after their dragon boat capsized in the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh during the annual Cambodia-ASEAN Traditional Boat Race.

Singapore Ambassador to Cambodia Tan Yee Woan said some family members of the five victims will also be on the plane.

As for the rest of the family members, they will be back on a SilkAir flight on Monday night.

The 17 members of the dragon boat team who were rescued in the accident would fly back on a commercial flight in the afternoon, together with the president of the Dragon Boat Association, Kwek Siew Jin.

At about 7.45am, en route to the airport, they stopped at the accident site to offer prayers. Some family members of the five victims were also there to perform rites. - CNA/ir

Letter to Reuben

Dear Reuben,

Hope this post can reach you. I guess you must have a nice time up there. It’s your first day up there so get use to it k? No matter who is up there, what races they’re from, I’m pretty sure you can mingle of them well.

I’m also sure you’re still attracting lots of girls with your talent for music and handsome faces.

Do remember of us cos we will always always remember of you.

I’m mesmerized by your music man…. I would rate it on par with Canon In D. Even though you’re gone but your music will always live with us. I even set it as my handphone ringtone! Happy about it =)

p.s: everyone please remember to click the banners in reubenkee.com to keep it alive
p.s: the administrator for reubenkee.com if in anytime you’re not owning it anymore, pass everything to me. I will pay to keep it up.

Snam

Tianhong