From the desk of Kevin Lim, Apex Global Chairman 2012/2013

 Musings n Missives

Issue No. 2

9 November 2012

Dear fellow Apexians
Welcome to my second letter! I hope all is well with everyone. First, here are upcoming events to take note of:

23 – 24 Nov 2012 Apex Fiji National Convention (Labasa)

19 Jan 2013 Apex Malaysia Mid-term Meeting (Kuala Lumpur)

22 – 25 Jan 2013 “Apex 850” Fund-raising Cycling Expedition (Penang to Singapore) organized by Apex Penang & Apex Singapore

26 Jan 2013 Apex Singapore Mid-term Meeting (Singapore)

2 Feb 2013 Apex Bangladesh National Convention (Dhaka)
16 Feb 2013 Apex Global Mid-term Meeting (Lombok, Indonesia) TBC **

24 – 26 May 2013 Apex Philippines National Convention (Manila)
 Apex Global AGM (Manila)

** We are still trying to confirm the Apex Global Mid-term Meeting to be held in Lombok on 16 Feb 2013 with Apex Indonesia. If this plan falls through, we will hold the Mid-term Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 19 Jan 2013, in conjunction with Apex Malaysia’s Mid-term.
If anyone needs more information about these events, please contact your NIRO.

Now to the rest of this issue of MnM…
Recently on 6th October 2012, I was in Melbourne for Apex Australia’s AGM. Well, I didn’t make it for the meeting itself due to a late arrival, but managed to attend the Awards luncheon and the National Finals of the Apex Australia Teenage Fashion Awards. In this issue, I focus on Apex Australia.At the Awards luncheon, I met two remarkable Apexians, Sarah-Jane MacDonald and Alicia Styles.
Sarah-Jane is a second generation Apexian in her early 20s and was awarded Young Apexian of the Year. She was awarded Young Citizen of the Year 2011 (Toowoomba Region of Queensland) for her community involvement, and also has been the youngest president of an Apex club in the 81-year history of Apex Australia.
Alicia, immediate past National Secretary, was awarded Apexian of the Year. She is 28 years old, a mother of two children age 4 & 6, has two step-children age 13 & 16, and works full-time. She has been involved in many community service projects including shaving her head to raise $9,000 for a children’s cancer charity.
Alicia and Sarah-Jane – you are an inspiration to other Apexians and I encourage youto continue building on what you have accomplished.
There are many other Apexians who are dedicated and inspiring too, and I salute you too.
Apex Australia Teenage Fashion Awards .I won’t say much about AATFA (you can read more about it at http://www.aatfa.org.au/)
but this program is sort of the seed of my thoughts for this issue of MnM which I share below:
In my home association of Apex Singapore, we tend to think of programs that help the“under-privileged” (and by “under-privileged” we usually mean the materially poor and needy). Indeed, this is noble and I am heartened by the many Apexians who are dedicated to giving out food to the poor every week, and who plan and partake in many worthy causes to help the needy. And when we look at the programs of the Apex associations in the various Apex countries, we find a similar dedication, all in keeping with the ideals of Apex.
But there are also things we can do that do not, at first sight, seem to be about the“under-privileged” but nevertheless are in keeping with our ideals.Consider our second Ideal, “To develop by example a more intelligent and aggressivecitizenship”. What is an “intelligent and aggressive citizenship”?
Intelligent is defined as “having good understanding or a high mental capacity”, and“quick to comprehend” but the definition I find relevant is “revealing or reflecting good judgment or sound thought”.
Aggressive often conjures up a negative image of hostile behavior, but in its broadest and more neutral sense it is behavior, or a disposition, that is forceful or assertive.
What about Citizenship? We can have long discussions about its definition as being “the relationship between a person and the State” and all that entails, but for my purpose, I want to quote from Wikipedia:
“From the viewpoint of the ancient Greeks, a person's public life was not separated from their private life, and Greeks did not distinguish between the two worlds according to the modern western conception. The obligations of citizenship were deeply connected with everyday life. To
be truly human, one had to be an active citizen to the community, which Aristotle famously expressed: “To take no part in the running of the community's affairs is to be either a beast or a god!” This form of citizenship was based on obligations of citizens towards the community,
rather than rights given to the citizens of the community. This was not a problem because they all had a strong affinity with the polis*; their own destiny and the destiny of the community were strongly linked. Also, citizens of the polis saw obligations to the community as an opportunity to be virtuous, it was a source of honor and respect.”
(*Polis meant both the political assembly of the city-state as well as the entire society)
Putting it all together, the second Apex Ideal calls for us to be active, assertive participants and, I will venture to say, leaders in our communities who exercise good judgment and are not afraid to identify & promote causes that benefit society. This Ideal is also about the self development of Apexians. I am not at all suggesting an
involvement in Politics, for Apex is a non-political organization, and there are manyways to be engaged with our communities. Helping the needy is one way, but there are also other ways.
Take the AATFA, for example. This competition is a unique way for high school students interested in the fashion or design industries to demonstrate their skill and flair. Or consider past projects of Apex Australia such as educating children against substance abuse (1987), or recognizing sporting coaches & helping in the development of coaching skills (1994).
These are just a few examples of projects that are not necessarily about helping the financially or materially poor.
You can read more at http://www.squidoo.com/ApexAustralia about some of their projects over the years, and there’s also a discussion there on how they interpret and apply the Apex ideals in practical terms.
Not all Apex associations can, or want, to emulate Apex Australia in their scope of activities but we should always keep an open, inquiring mind and be willing to learn from other clubs.

Yours in Apex

Kevin Lim
Apex Global Chairman 2012-13

Yes, make up your mind for goodness sake!!!
 

A man was riding a bus, minding his own business, when the gorgeous woman next to him started

to breastfeed her baby.

The baby wouldn't take it, so she said, "Come on,
eat it all up or ... I'll have

to give it to this nice man here."

  Five minutes later, the baby was still not feeding,
so she said,

"Come on, honey. Take it or I'll give it to this nice
man here."

  A few minutes later, the anxious man

blurted out, "Come on, kid. Make up your mind!
I was supposed to get off four stops ago!"

No English dictionary has been able to adequately explain the difference between the words COMPLETE and FINISHED. 

However, in a recent linguistic conference held in London, England, and attended by some of the best linguists in the world, Samsundar Balgobin, a Guyanese, was the clear winner...

His  final challenge was this:

"Some say there is no difference between the meaning of the words "COMPLETE" and "FINISHED". Please explain the difference between COMPLETE and FINISHED
in a way that is easy to understand."

Here is his astute answer:

"When you marry the right woman, you are COMPLETE; but, when you marry the wrong woman, you are FINISHED. And when the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are 'COMPLETELY FINISHED'!"

His answer was received with a standing ovation lasting over 5 minutes and it entitled him to receive an invitation to dine with Queen, who called him after the contest.

He won a trip to travel around the world in style and a case of 25 years old Eldorado rum for his answer.

 

Research shows that there are 7 kinds of sex. The 1st kind of sex is called: Smurf Sex. * This kind of sex happens when you first meet someone, and you have sex until you are blue in the face. The 2nd kind of sex is called: Kitchen Sex. * This is when you have been with your partner for a short time, and you are so needy you will have sex anywhere, even in the kitchen. The 3rd kind of sex is called: Bedroom Sex.  This is when you have been with your partner for a long time. You still have sex – occasionally - and if you do, you only have it in your bedroom. The 4th kind of sex is called: Hallway Sex * This is when you have been with your partner for too long. When you pass each other in the hallway you both say 'F*** you.' The 5th kind of sex is called: Religious Sex. * Which means you get Nun in the morning, Nun in the afternoon and Nun at night. (Very Popular) The 6th kind is called Courtroom Sex.  This is when you cannot stand your wife / husband any more. He / she takes you to court and screws you in front of everyone. And; last, but not least, The 7th kind of sex is called: Pension Sex.  You get a little each month. But not enough to enjoy yourself. The Hospital's Fault   A woman has sued her local hospital, saying that since her husband was treated recently, he has lost all interest in sex. A hospital spokesman replied, "The man was admitted in Ophthalmology, all we did was correct his eyesight...."

Teacher: History is a very interesting subject. It tells you about what had happened in the past.
Student: Please teacher, I don't think I want to study history.
Teacher: Why?
Student: There is no future in it.  

Teacher : Ted, if your father has $10 and you ask him for $6, how much would your father still have?
Ted : $10.
Teacher : You don't know maths.
Ted : You don't know my father!

Mother : David, come here.
David : Yes, mum?
Mother : You really disappoint me. Your results are getting worse.
David : But I will only get my report book tomorrow.
Mother : I know that. But I am going to Hong Kong tomorrow, so I am scolding you now.

Father : Why did you fail your mathematics test?
Son : On Monday, teacher said 3+5=8
Father : So?
Son : On Tuesday, she said 4+4=8 And on Wednesday, she said 6+2=8. If she can't make up her mind, how do I know the right answer?  

A mother and son were doing dishes while the father and daughter were watching TV in the living room. Suddenly, there was a loud crash of breaking plates, then complete silence. The daughter turned to look at her father.
Daughter : It's mummy!
Father : How do you know?
Daughter : She didn't say anything.  

Girl: Do you love me?
Boy: Yes Dear
Girl: Would you die for me?
Boy: No, mine is undying love

 

Man: How old is your father?
Boy: As old as me
Man: How can that be?
Boy: He became a father only when I was born

Waiter: I've stewed liver, boiled tongue and frog's leg.
Customer: Don't tell me your problems. Give me the menu card.

Teacher : Simon, your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did u copy his?
Simon : No, teacher, it's the same dog!

Father : Your teacher says she finds it impossible to teach you anything!
Son : That's why I say she's no good!  

Teacher: 'Where were u born?'
Student: ' Singapore , Sir.'
Teacher: 'Which part?'
Student: 'All of me, Sir.'

A teacher was asking her class: 'What is the difference between 'unlawful' and 'illegal'?'
Only one hand shot up.
'Ok, answer, Joan' said the teacher.
''unlawful' is when u do something the law doesn't allow and 'illegal' is a sick eagle.'

Teacher: 'How come you do not comb your hair?'
Ah Kow: 'No comb, Sir.'
Teacher: 'Use your dad's then.'
Ah Kow: 'No hair, Sir.'

A boy came home from school with his exam results.
'What did u get?' asked his father.
'My marks are under water,' said the boy.
'What do u mean 'under water'?'
'They are all below 'C' (sea) level'