Take a good look: these are your fellow Singaporeans!

In two days' time, we bid 2008 farewell and welcome 2009.

It is timely to look back and give thanks for all the blessings we are given. For me, the greatest blessing I received are from the countless Singaporeans whom I met. I have met more Singaporeans in 2008 than I ever had in my life!

Whether it's conducting a workshop, or sharing a seminar session, or going to schools to promote my comic book, or working with someone on a new comic project, I see a lot of my fellow country men and women.

I am present to an abundance of beauty. Singaporeans are beautiful, and I am still in awe that I did not realise that sooner. I still cannot believe that I am a part of you!

Recently, I conducted a series of workshops for people from different government bodies. As we worked together on their comic ideas, I am amazed at their creativity and sense of humour.

They may not know how to draw at first, but they are willing to give it a good try.
They may seemed reserved and quiet at first, but they come through with their ideas.
They may have limited resources (I deliberately allowed only two types of markers), but they create and communicated effectively with their artworks!

Look at their drawings and you will see we have much in common.

I was brought up to be afraid to look at people in their eyes. Maybe because I heard too much about fights that broke out during staring incidents amongst gangsters in the distant past.

But when I do, and open myself up to their worlds, I find so much in common (I know, this sounds so hippie!).

Yet, if you sit down with a fellow Singaporean, and look around at all that we have achieved in such short decades, you can truly feel proud to be a part of this country (ok, now I'm sounding very National Education!).

So, what's the secret of being happy? I urge you to look fellow Singaporeans in the eyes more. If someone clears your tray at a coffee shop, look him or her in the eyes and say 'thanks'. If someone smiles at your dog, smile back on your dog's behalf. If someone stops for you at the zebra-crossing, give him or her a wave of thanks.

Thank you all for reading my blogs, whether you see eye-to-eye with me on certain issues.

May all of us be prosperous and happy in 2009!

Yours sincerely,
Otto

Merry Christmas!

Thank you Straits Times! Our main local paper gave my Sir Fong bunny an opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas today in Life! section. I am humbled!

Here's the online version:

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_318476.html

Last week I went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A few of the artists were there to sign for the launch of Liquid City in Kuala Lumpur's Kinokuniya bookstore. I am very happy to see my Sir Fong books in Malaysia.

I got to meet Tan Eng Huat. He has pencilled and inked for Silver Surfer, Batman and Doom Patrol. I also got to buy one of his original artworks, but that's another story I'll post in a while.

I also met Muhamad Azhar Abdullah and Kaoru of Gempak, Malaysia's most popular comic magazine.

Here's Leong Wan Kok, a fellow artist in Liquid City. I will be highlighting his comic work here soon!

Anyway, to all of you who are reading this and supporting me in one way or another, to all of you who are my friends or fans, I wish you a Merry Christmas!