June 15, there were three unrelated events. It was the high, the low, and the melancholy mid that filled up the in-between.
I was born in Hong Kong. So naturally, horse racing or rather horse betting should be in my blood. Indeed, as far as I can remember, it is a big thing in Hong Kong. Newspapers run full length articles on everything they can find for each horse. Reporting both comprehensive quantitative and qualitative information so that betters can make decisions.
I was inside a phone booth at work when one of our department managers asked via email if we wished to buy some tickets for charity. It is in support of providing early treatments to kids in Africa so that they don’t go blind. Being able to see nature’s beauty is one of the gifts in life. It is sad to hear that some lose this gift at young age that could have been avoided. So I bought a deck without thinking much about whether or not I would be one of the seven lucky winners for an evening at Singapore Turf Club.
And I won a pair of ticket.
The event was held in one of the air conditioned room that overlooks the race course. I have not stepped into Turf Club before June 15. In fact, I have not seen a live horse racing before that evening. Cynthia was as excited as I. On our way to the booth, we were escorted by a friendly staff who has worked in Turf Club for 30 years.
30 years!
He must have loved his job. Indeed, he was passionately telling us everything about horse racing. Level 4 of Turf Club is full off corridors with rooms that can be rented for approximately S$800 a night, or for a year at a discounted rate. There are betting counters manned by friendly receptionists for those who place the bets and collect the wins. Horse racing happens on Fridays. On weekend, Turf Club provides live broadcast of horse racing in around the region. I suppose if you like to bet on horses, Turf Club is the place to be at.
According to our friendly staff, after each race, horses have to go through the urine and blood test. There is a ‘podium’ like Formula One for the wining horse and its rider to be photographed with their sponsors. Riders are weighted after the race, just like F1.
If you bet, I reckon the race that happens every half an hour is an excitement to watch. The race, it seems to me, lasts for a minute or so. My colleagues were cheering for the horses and at the end of each race, prizes were put into a glass jar as a donation to charity. Too bad, gambling is not my cup of tea. To quote my mother, you are already a winner when you have decided not to bet.
On the same day, my sole team member called it his last day in my department. I am 80% happy that he has finally found a permanent position in our company. He is a smart kid, fully deserves something more than a contract job. Besides, returning to the front line probably aligns better to his aspiration. He was put into my team more for headcount administration’s sake. 19% of me is going to miss his company. What a great guy he is. As for the remaining 1%, I am concern over the extra work load. Fortunately, through last minute negotiation, I have secured an alternative arrangement to outsource his role to a foreign country not too far away from here.
At about the same time Cynthia and I arrived at the Turf Club Singapore, my father’s operation started in Hong Kong. It was hernia. It does not seem like a major operation so my sister and I stayed put in Singapore, praying for father. According to my mother, the operation involved the surgeon operating on my father through small holes opened on his abdomen. I was worried, of course. Before the event ended in Turf Club, Cynthia and I have excused ourselves for the evening so that I could wait for mother’s phone call at 9pm. The call came much later due to time the required for my father to wake up from anesthesia. I am glad that my father managed to receive early treatment. Praise the Lord.
I do not know how long I will live. Events like this make you wonder about random things. Regardless, I think it is important to be surrounded and to treasure those who love you. And at the same time, reach out to those who need your love.
