Why Are You Here?

2008-11-22T01:05:00.002+08:00

I like this song beri much.

Heartwarming and not complicated. No R&B, No Rapping, No fanciful hip hop. Just pure simple duet. I think you shld like it as well. haha

2008-11-15T01:14:00.003+08:00

This girl, her name is Hannah and she is only 13 years old, decided against a heart transplant operation and want to die at home with her family.

She got guts. I admire her for her courage and bravery to meet Death head-on.

Read more @
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1858758,00.html

2008-09-26T00:44:00.002+08:00

The world 2nd richest man is coming out with his biography:

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

All that I know of currently.

Beyond the world 2nd richest man and his enormous amount of wealth lies a immensely sentimental and insecure character.

I like more of his sentimentality and wealth though. He did really love his wife very much, even though they were not together at the end. But at least he was always around. He need his wife more than his wife need him.

I hope someday I can have both the money and be with the person I really like a lot

Read more at: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1843839,00.html

F1 is coming this weekend!

see the pictures of the circuit @ http://www.formula1.com/gallery/race/2008/801/general/thursday.html

if you are like me who is poor w/o the race ticket but still require the need for speed, check out the official webbie formula1.com.

Va Va Vroom. Gentlemen Start your Engine.

Let the Engine ROAR ROAR ROARRRRRR!!!!!

2008-09-20T01:25:00.002+08:00

Taken from TIME.COM

Proof that our people at TEMASEK are doing their job, even though it was by a stroke of good fortune that bailed them out. They did have a safety net in place compared to the rest of the SWFs.

That's more or less the deal secured by Temasek, a sovereign wealth fund in Singapore, when it invested in Merrill Lynch. It dumped $4.4 billion into Merrill last December at $48 per share, but a downside protection clause meant that the firm would make money even if the stock plunged to $24. It did — and then some. By late last week, Merrill traded at just over $17 a share, increasing the pressure on CEO John Thain to do a deal. Over the weekend, he sold the firm to Bank of America in an all-stock transaction worth about $29 per share for Merrill shareholders-which means Temasek could walk away with about a 20% return should it sell it shares. The Temasek deal last December, banking sources say, taught everyone in the region a lesson: if you're talking to Wall Street, drive as hard a bargain as you possibly can-or walk. They need you much more than you need them.

And the theory 'THE RICH GET RICHER, THE POOR GET POORER' could never get more true than this.

And whose job would that be? Well, it's your job, U.S. taxpayers! If this seems unfair that's because it is. Mortgage brokers, investment bankers, house flippers and other sharpies got rich causing this mess. Now all of us have to pay to fix it. The one possible bright side is that, if done right, bailouts don't ultimately have to cost a lot of money. If the government buys assets when everybody's panicked and sells them when markets have calmed down again, it could even turn a profit.

In case you might not understand, it is not necessarily the rich who pay more income tax compare to the poor.

2008-09-19T00:23:00.002+08:00

i have not been updating my blog.

which is very usual during school term.

coz im always busy with alot of stuffs. Its really alot of stuffs and I dunno where they are coming from.

but then term break is coming and I have many project discussions to attend to. So I'm still busy till the end of the year then.

Even though I'm busy, I think the stuffs that I'm busy with will put me in good stead in further. so in a way I'm satisfied that I'm busy though I hope sometimes I am less busy so I can take a breather.

I attended the DBS MA talk today. One of the better talk I listened to. I think DBS really put in a lot of emphasis in the talk, judging from the turnout of over 20 senior management executive and the CEO himself. Mr Richard Stanley. I'm glad I attended the talk and it changed by perception of the local bank. Judging the current financial meltdown, I'm not sure whether is there enough foreign banks to go around for the entire B&F cohort but I'm not exactly worried because it's a 10 years cycle. Remember 1987, 1997 and 2007? The rotten must go before the strong can survive.

Judging from the recent increase in transport fares, it got me wondering a few years ago Singapore kept HARPING ON ITS WORLD CLASS TRANSPORT SYSTEM but now it's talking about people orientated transport instead. It really get to my nerves when there is a direct expressway from my house that can get me to the school in 10 mins if I have a car but because I don't I have to do transfer from my house to the CCK, from CCK to Jurong East, from Jurong East to Boon Lay, From Boon Lay 179 to NTU. So the time got multiplied by 6 and I normally reach school in 1 hour on good day or 1hr 15mins on bad day.I HATE TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL.

During 1 evening returning home from school, I was standing on the platform at JE when I saw a 5-6 years old kid who ignore her mama order and stand in front of the yellow line on the platform. As everyone was standing behind the line it made an impression that he was standing real close to the edge so the uncle beside him tried to wave him back and guess what! HE 'HILL LAN' = IGNORED the uncle and INSISTED to remain at his present position. His mother tried to get him back but he pushed her away. It got me wondering if the MAMA can't even control her son at the age of 5 how is she going to control her son when he started to rebel against her? If it were my son I will give him 2 tight slap across the face to show him who is the boss and show people some respect. But then again kids nowaday are so pampered and if it's really your own kid then of cos you also wouldn't bear to do so.

END OF THE DAY, GET MARRIED BUT DUN REAR KIDS.

2008-09-06T19:44:00.001+08:00

NBS Tutors are always so interesting.

My Derivatives tutor who fly over to China very frequently to teach the student over there for the NBS MBA programme said:

If you have never been to Beijing, you never know how insignificant you are.

If you have never been to Shanghai, you never know how poor you are

If you have never been to Chengdu, you never know how wrong it's to marry so young.

Do you understand these 3 statements?

Beijing is the administrative capital of China and those who really wield enormous political power reside over there.

Shanghai is China economic powerhouse city. Those people living there are really really really very very very rich!

Chengdu produced the best beauties in China.You get what I mean don't you? Hahaha

I must psycho my family to visit Chengdu 1 day!

Meanwhile the other tutor who is previously from DBS relate to us a comical story.

He was interviewing a interviewee so he asked him: "What does your friend think of you?"

The interviewee replied: "My friend think I'm GOD"

My tutor was speechless for 10 seconds before composing himself asking him why?

The interviewee replied he is always correct and make the wise decisions.

End of interview.

Later on his supervisor asked my tutor why this person was rejected. My tutor replied He think he is god.

So his sup said. Yah...Good Better reject him. I can't handle god who is always OMNIPOTENT AND OMNIPRESENT.

2008-09-06T00:54:00.004+08:00

Nothing surprising or exciting to talk about. And it seem the case every time school term start. You either get too busy with projects, research, lectures, tutorials and other misc stuffs that you feel the lack of energy just to sit down n type about it.

Nevertheless this is 1 of the few memorable event I participated last Sunday.

Overall the run is ok, given that its the first time Nike is organizing the run. The collection was a nightmare and I think they knew about it so during the actual event more manpower were allocated.

The atmosphere was fine but I think if the run has got something to do with charity then they should perform show or put up banner signifying its attachment. As far as I saw there are only panda mascots signifying its connection to World Wildlife Fund but not the rest of the charitable organization. Instead we have hip hop and party carnival atmosphere so the point of running for charity is not exactly very clear.

The route was fine, taking us to many parts of the significant landmark around marina bay and city hall. I like the surrounding but at the same part some part of the routes were really squeesy, slowing down the runners from behind.

All in all, I think the run did ok but if its going to be held again next year I definitely expect more from the run organiser.

2008-08-25T23:54:00.008+08:00

Some of the major event happening these past few weeks.

CAC Cynosure Ball

My 1st ball since I came into NTU. Come to think of it my last school related ball was the SP graduation ball 4 long years ago at 2004!

Celin Birthday Celeb at Sushi Tei on Friday

Pic taken last december but only got to seen it now...tsk tsk

I could hav swear I look younger last year december lol..hahaha

2008-08-21T00:32:00.003+08:00

Micheal Phelps said in this article found at Time.com

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1833462-1,00.html

"When we train every day, and sometimes we do sets or workouts we don't like, Bob says it's putting money in the bank, and at the end of the year we'll be able to withdraw," said Phelps. "I guess we put a lot of money in the bank over the last four years, and we withdrew pretty much every penny. So after Bob and I both take a little break, it'll be time to start re-depositing."

And I truly wholeheartedly agreed with what he said.

Irregardless of which ever aspect of your life, it is always wise to invest and put money in the bank of knowledge, the bank of relationship, the bank of love ( very hot issue nowaday), the bank of family, the bank of work etc..

so that at the end of the day,

When the result started showing, you can said you didn't waste your time and look back with regrets.

2008-08-17T22:50:00.003+08:00

And so the Swimming Meet of the Beijing Olympic 2008 at the magnificent Water Cube ended today.

Micheal Phelps achieved what he came for. 8 out of 8 golds and in turn rewrote the Olympic history record book at the age of 23. He created a legacy with his herculean effort and it remain to be seen how long the record can remain unbroken before the next set of challengers are deemed strong enough to create another set of legacy.

And as always no one will know how it will go on from here. After spending your entire life chasing down the goal and actually achieving them...what's next? It take another set of even greater challenges to prepare yourself to train hard and aim for. 4 years is a very long time and I'm not sure whether we are going to see Micheal Phelps again at the 2012 London Olympic again

But no one can take away from what he achieved in Beijing. 7 WR. 8 gold medals.
In fact he has also become the greatest Olympian of all. 14 gold medals in total between 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing.

To paraphrase what he said:

When you have an Olympic Gold medal, it stays with you forever. You're always an Olympic gold medalist. It's amazing and it definitely never gets old."

Thank You.. Phelps for all the wonderful excitement and memories for the past 9 days. Thank You.

Somehow no matter how I see it, the swimming ladies at the podium always look so radiant and beautiful. I guessed the reason being so is because they are truly filled with joy and happiness and this in turn bring out a special glow only reserved for those who truly deserved it. Perhaps this is the reason why they always says the bride is always the most beautiful on her wedding day.

The lady is Kristy Coventry and she is from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is not exactly a nice country to be at now with its political turmoil but she represented her country at the Olympic games, got 2 silver medal before finally clinching her gold medal for this game.

And she is truly beautiful at the winner podium..just like so many others before her who stood along filling up with joy glancing at the gold medal around their neck.

2008-08-12T11:30:00.004+08:00

Nowadays I will wake up in the morning and switched on TV, tuned in to channel 5 and catch the Beijing Olympics swimming meet.

As I kept watching, I wished that I could have been there at the Water Cube to soak up the atmosphere, cheer for the swimmers and watch them receive their medals.

And...

to catch him catch up in his quest for 8 gold medals in Beijing and break Mark Spitz record of 7.

So far so good. He just won his 3rd gold medal this morning. He is quite terrifying actually. During the heat he doesn't try his best effort. Therefore on TV you can actually see him testing out his opponents before putting in his effort during the last lap, catch up with the leader before winning the first position.

On the real final event, no one can catch up with him. There is always this green line superimposed on TV to indicate the world record and whether the swimmer can break it so as always Micheal Phelps always lead the green lead by at least 1/2 a body length.

I think I must get ticket to see the swimming meets when Singapore host the youth olypmpic in 2010.

Go Phelps Go!

2008-08-12T01:08:00.002+08:00

I 'stole' this 2 picture from adabelle bloggie.

because up till now I have not seen the entire picture collection.

Perhaps its too RA to be place on face book.

So even though you can see we are all having fun, its actually quite annoying with duct tape across your mouth. They wanted me to 'clapped' my groin tightly as you can see from the group photo. Actually I dunno why they want me to 'clapped' my groin tightly to hold that Icafe in the first place. But I don't mind if my 'ahem' is as comparable with Zohan, the silky smooth hairdresser Haha

Now whose birthday is coming next. Time for revenge! This is Spartans. This is WAR! Hohoho

2008-08-07T23:08:00.002+08:00

We had our last CAC FOC 07/08 Meeting on Tuesday.

A lot of issues were thrashed out. Evaluations of the camp, feedbacks etc.

As always the case, it is often lament 'why didn't we did this, why didn't we did that' during evaluation but I think when decision maker need to come out with a decision within a limited time frame, he/she is not afford the luxury of time to consider all factors so...

I think we did what we could have done FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

Sorry, I just finished re-reading Harry Potter and The Deadly Hallows you see..Haha

After the meeting, they have a post event. They celebrated my belated birthday by kidnapping me, tying my hands and legs to the chair, put a paper bag over my head and pose for photograph. As I understand what the term 'Resistance is futile' means, I surrendered meekly and posted for photos.

I don't know where is the photo currently but I did have fun..though pulling out the sticky tape off my legs also bring about pain as well due to loss of hairs.

For once I think we were really enjoying ourselves without any specific agenda to achieve and so the feeling is very relaxed, very nice.

So to all the main comm member of CAC FOC 07/08, whether or not if you are coming back again to the comm or leaving to seek your next adventure,

I really like what the current outgoing NUS President Prof Shih Choon Fong said during the commencement dinner and thought it might be useful to share them with you.

May you be lucky to find Voices of Conscience to speak critical truths and
challenge you to face realities you may be tempted to hide from yourself.

May you have Men and Women for All Seasons lighting up your life with love and
grace, showing you what living a full life might be like.

May you also have Knights to lift your spirits, champion your cause, and fight
battles alongside you.

And most of all, I wish for you the luck of having Dragon friends, to help you face
the unknowns in your life and conquer your fears

Though we knew each other for only 1 year to be exact, I think you all have been a group of worthy friends.

2008-08-03T01:45:00.005+08:00

I'm now currently reading the book

'The Last Lecture' by Randy Pausch

I decided to borrow the book from the library because they are just too much distraction viewing the 1.5 hrs video clip on youtube. Even though I admitted viewing the lecture would have more impact compared to reading from a book..but then what's more important is that his message is getting through to the audience.

I think he lived a good life, a life whom 'he lived while he died' rather than 'he died while he lived'. It amazed me that he almost achieved all his life dreams while I am still not very sure what my life dream were. I only know of a general, not exactly specific direction to aim for and my ultimate goal is to live comfortably earning big bucks while ageing gracefully.

I think this has partly to do with our education system over here. We have a path which has been set for us since young. Completed 6 years of primary school. Do your best to get into a solid secondary school. Completed 4 years of secondary school, do your best to get into a solid junior college...you get the picture do you?

Anyway I forgot to include loaning this book on my birthday as part of 'a series of happy event'. It's contradicting..because 1 man meat is another man poison. I included 'loaning the book he wrote' as a happy event while in actual fact he passed away just last week on 25th July at the age of 47, leaving behind his wife and 3 young kids.

But I think he did achieved what he set out to achieve by making the speech that day. I think his children will remembered him for who he is. I think a lot of people were affected and touched by what he said. And I think he did not live his last moment in vain despite facing death.

And I think NTU itself should also have a series of "The Last Lecture," where professors were asked to think about what matters to them most and give a hypothetical final talk.

The 2 links Time Magazine posted on their webbie the day he passed away.
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1826482,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1826574,00.html

and I liked 1 of his statements inside the article:

"You just have to decide if you're a Tigger or an Eeyore. I think I'm clear where I stand on the great Tigger/Eeyore debate. Never lose the childlike wonder. It's just too important. It's what drives us."

Good Job Mr Pausch. RIP.

Meanwhile I came across on Cowboy Caleb this webbie:
http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/

It documented Mr Philip Toledano dad with photographs and short caption, how it affected his dad, him and his family due to his dad frequent memory loss.
To paraphrase Mr Philip, this is his journal, an ongoing record of his dad and their relationship, for whatever days they have left together.

Do visit it..unlike Mr Heartless CH because I really think it's very heartwarming so you should trust my judgment even though I tricked many of you so frequently Haha

Life is a passage. Its unfortunate that you cannot turn back.But its also fortunate that you do not need to go through it again.

2008-08-02T16:38:00.002+08:00

It's official.

I'm 24th right here, right now

It coincide with the first day of the 7th lunar month btw..haha

not exactly it mean anything, just a coincidence.

then what follows was series of happy events, at least the events seems to be happy to me but perhaps humane to some.

I got my desired STS elective:Forsenic Science

Following on, with school starting soon, together with my birthday and the start of the 7th month, I went to Bugis to pray for good luck and a smooth sailing acad year ahead.

Popped over to eat the cheap cheap $1 ice cream. I think it's compulsory for everyone who went to that area to eat the ice cream, especially with such hot sweltering weather nowadays.

Went over to Vivo to buy 2 Lonsdale shirt for $40. I love Lonsdale shirt. It's affordable and the design is quite nice too.

Went over to G2000 for its annual sale. It's currently having a 70% sale. So for those who are eyeing some formal wear or blazers, you can hop over to take a look. I eyed on a pink long sleeved shirt. I think I might be going back again to try that on.

Tried on a blazer. It's currently on sale for $99. However something just doesn't seem right even though it fit. It looked dull and not elegant enough, just like other normal looking blazer. I don't think it will give me joy even if I wore it. No Feeling Ar!

Walked past Zara and popped in to take a look. Saw some blazers on sale. The normal blazer from Zara starts at $259 and to my surprise the blazers on sale cost $90. I looked through the rake to find my size. The first few attempt were in vain because they were all size 50 and above. To my utter amazement after searching the whole rake, there was 1 size 46 available for me. This is my lucky day! After eyeing a Zara blazer for so long, I finally got 1 of my birthday.

Went back home after shopping to play bball with my friends. Nice game, good match followed by belated birthday supper at Newton Hawker.As it was my birthday, my friend graciously let me drive his mazda 3 to Newton. Such a pity I did not rev his car because I'm not familiar with the setting.

Came back around 330am +..only to discover I missed the early bird registration for the stand chart 42km on 31 July. Now I'm likely to pay $65 instead of $45.50. Dammit.

So if any of you signed on a stand chart credit card which is entitled to 15% discount if I'm not wrong, please informed me so I can sign up for the run and pay you the money in cash.

Btw, Happy 24th Birthday to Desmond, The Hulk.

To DICT Class 24, to build on the success of the gathering last year on 07/07/07 and to commemorate the 7th anniversary of our everlasting friendship ever since we set our eyes on each other on that fateful day during our time in Singapore Poly, we will be having a gathering session on 08/08/08.

Guest of Honour, Grandma Celin will be present so kindly make yourself free on that day. Be there or be square!

2008-07-31T14:49:00.005+08:00

The gers in my foc comm are so sweet.

They made small cards for everyone to commemorate on yesterday 'Qin Gong Yan' for FOC 07/08 job well done. The cards also come with chocolates so you can really see the effort coming from Adabelle and Joyce.

Anything for Adabelle. Yes..anything for her..provided I manage to survive her entertaining nonsenses in the 1st place haha.

Thanks Joyce for the compliments. It has not been easy but we did it.

It is a nice feeling to receive compliments. Just like what HANCOCK did. A simple 'Good Job' would be suffice enough to send hearts flutter. Haha

2008-07-30T02:10:00.004+08:00

yesterday I watched Red Cliff.

It's a nice show. I like intellectual show that make you think. Often its the chief strategist who managed to take into account all forms of different factors;weave them into a 'tian yi wu feng' plan that is carried out to perfection; leave you gaping your mouth wide open with respect and wondering how did he manage to achieve that.

that chief strategist is Zhu Ge Liang who always need time to calm down and think it over, who always divulge only part of his knowledge while claiming he only know a little of everything.

In real life we have minister mentor lee, ex-a star chief philip yeo...they are our chief strategist who determined which direction to steer the ship in accordance to the wind and final destination.

As the post camp euphoria settled down, I'm now seriously contemplating whether to go back again to the main comm to embark on my 4th possible FOC experience.

Before this camp, I kept promising myself this is going to be my first and last FOC planning experience. I had this thoughts because FOC planning is a very long and arduous 10 months journey and you do really need a lot of determination, commitment and of course EFFORT to carry it through.

However, looking at the possible lineup of the next FOC main comm, I felt an urge to go back and join them again. As I always mentioned before, the current main comm is talented, but they are not able to display their full abilities. Somehow the lure of planning & organizing the next FOC that aim to supersede the current and way beyond the past is too difficult to resist.

But I'm still thinking..I need time to calm down..hahaha because it's no joking matter to go back to the comm again purely for sentimental reasons. There is a lot of factors that come into play, that I must considered carefully, after all I have already participated in 3 FOC before, is it really necessary for the 4th one? What new experiences and useful lesson can I get out of it? Will my whole life be CAC FOC? if not then what other options are available to me?

I need a very strong convincing reason to make the decision and I'm still searching for it.

Meanwhile this is the video that was made by our Publicity team for CAC FOC 07/08. It's very well done so take a look else you might regret it.
http://www.ntucacfoc.com/aboutcastovia.htm
A lot of hard work and efforts have been put in by them. I respected and congrats them for a piece of quality work. Good Job.

Friday is gonna be my 24th birthday. As I grow older, I hate my birthday. It mean I'm a year older and often it give me a feeling time is running out and I shouldn't be here at this place still studying when I shld be outside working earning Moolah. Talk about the lost opportunities feeling huh.

All in all, I just don't like the feeling of 'OLD' I want to go back to the age of 21/22 when it feel I have all the time in the world to fall back on.

Meanwhile, my mom bought me 2 shirts and 1 pair of pedro shoes.
I need 2 polo-t 1 berm and 1 wallet to complete my list to get ready for the new school term this coming Mon. So guys and gers, chip in to help Alex complete his list so that he can continue to strive for good results accompanied by good frens and babes. Your contribution shall be eternally remembered till the end of time.Hahaha

2008-07-26T17:32:00.002+08:00

After 10 months of effort,

CAC FOC camp is over.

Yet another year, another camp, another year older, another empty harvest...Hahaha

And now I'm feeling quite empty in a sense.

I guessed it's always the case when you put in much effort to accomplish a task and you will end up feeling 'lost' once the task is completed. e.g the feeling you get after your last paper. Suddenly after 1 month of revision, you suddenly don't know what to do or where to go next.

This is the feeling I got during last night while starring in front of the computer.
Part of me is relieved FOC is over, while another part of me ached for it, as if you've never really want it to leave in the first place.

I think it's not up to us to decide whether this year FOC will be deemed as a successful one, after all the verdict lie with the freshies but we did put in our best effort and along the journey to our final destination we ran and bashed through many hurdles, tempers got frayed in the process,got tripped along the way, got up, and then tripped over again.

However, it's such a pity that we didn't bond with each other as much as we can and would like to and it's my sentiment exactly that we can always strive for better because this main comm is full of talent, especially for many of the unsung heros who stood out during the camp for their sacrifices and lack of sleep.

I saluted and respect them indeed.

It's strange but I do feel my age during the FOC camp. After all, it's my 3rd FOC experiences if I include my time as a freshie. Halfway through the camp, I attended CH and YH convocation and was so proud to see them donning the convo gown. For once I thought both of them looked really handsome that day. Yesh only for that day Haha.And I thought of the long 1.5 years ahead before it's my turn to put on the gown.

Yet another year and I must truly admit as I gets older I do get really more sentimental and appreciate each and every of my frens even more.

Because they are worth it.

2008-07-13T13:33:00.003+08:00

What a statement from Philip Yeo, the former EDB chief:

'Between my brain and my guts, I can get things done'

and I totally agree with him on that.

Awesome. I think it speak volumes about one ability if anyone dare to say out the statement.

Yesterday I spent my Saturday weekend helping out with the FOC preparation, starting at Ikea before staying in school till 9pm. By evening, it was only Wen Ting and me, 2 sad eligible bachelor trying to finish up the snake n ladder painting for the wet games program.It wasn't exactly that fun but it was not that boring either.

I would say it's rather therapeutic because it remind me of my childhood. I learnt painting when I was in primary school and did pretty well in competition before abandoning completely in secondary school. Though yesterday painting was only simple skill of mixing the color and brushing it over the mahjong paper, I felt strangely at peace for a moment, between the paper, the brush and my hand.

All in all, I felt for Wen Ting who is tasked with such herculean assignment with no one to help and whether as a fren or a fellow main comm member, I felt greatly obliged to help him.

Later in the night, I signed up for the Nike 10Km Run which is happening on the 31st August 2008. As far as I know of, runners around the world will be running on the same day, at the same time for their adopted charity. With such great cause and apparently a fantastic goodie pack lying ahead if you complete the race, I urged you people to join in the fun as well.

What the hell are you waiting for? Sign up now!

Today I was reading the Sunday Times Lifestyle when I came across an article by editor of the Life!, Sunday LifeStyle and Urban sections - Sumiko Tan

Inside this article she talked about 360 degree feedback. If you don't know what is it, its something to do with Human Resource. Try taking the module Organization Behavior or Intro to Human Resource Management for more details. Anyway, she touched on chemistry and I think it's really relevant in real life.

'You either have chemistry with a person or you don't, and you will know it the instant you meet.

Chemistry is hard to manufacture even if you try. It can be a passing thing and need not lead to a friendship. If it does, it can also die when the relationship ends. Chemistry is no guarantee that ties between 2 people will last forever.

It is also a different animal from love, or lust, at first sight. You can fall head over heels for someone yet realise later there's no chemistry between you.'

Chemistry..so simple and yet it can decide whether it can last a lifetime.

Today is my sister 21st birthday. Happy birthday sister and hope she can enjoy good health, good food, good fun and good bf soon. Our whole family went for korean bbq at Bugis. While at Bugis Junction, we came across an old man who was plying his trade as a street performer. He was playing the harmonica, while juggling the ball and wearing wooden clog to make the beat. 'Clog Clog Clog..'

I saw his face, and wondered to myself: ' Life have been hard on him' He is already so old, hitting 70+ and he is still trying to make out a living performing on the street when he should be already enjoying life with his children and grand-children. It set the tone for the rest of the evening as I wondered how many meals can he eat with a budget of ours for just a dinner. It was the same with Haggen Daz and I think I will not be visiting Haggen Daz soon because the stuffs there are just too freaking expensive. Even though I'm not the one paying, the cost of the meal just don't add up.

Sorry for the intrusion though. Sister, I have not forget about you.

Once again, wishing you many similar happy return for your birthday ahead.

2008-07-12T11:26:00.003+08:00

I have not been updating my blog recently.

There is nothing much to update about. Been busy preparing for the incoming NTU CAC FOC camp which will be held from 20th to 25th July.

The turnout seems to be huge. I think we will hit our targeted number.

Recently I've been feeling bored, restless, unhappy because things are moving as smoothly as I like. It seems that a lot of issues can be easily solved but then hindsight is always 20/20 so...

we moved on and decide the next best available path instead.

I've done my part. It's time for others to make things work eventually in the end.

Few weeks ago, I passed by Clementi and decided to visit the sport hall as I saw many young sec school basketballer walking around clementi in their basketball jersey. I guessed it's the current period for the C Div inter school basketball tournament. I saw this New Town Sec playing. Generally they are not bad. But I don't like their coach.

On Thursday, I passed by Clementi again to run some errand. Same thing again, I popped by the sport hall and coincidentally saw New Town Sec playing again against Bukit Panjang. This time round I saw the same behavior from the coach. Once the game started, he started admonishing and scolding each and every player inside the court for their mistakes. He just kept blaming, scolding and shouting like a very sore loser.

I say, what's the point? They are all so young. Most of them should be either Sec 2 or maybe even Sec 1. They lacked the experience so it's common for them to make mistakes. It's only through mistakes and playing in matches that you can gain experience and improve. Instead of motivating, he is using the hard approach. I've seen this hard approach many times. It often backfired because players are unwilling to make mistake. They take the ball, they don't dare to do anything, they passed the ball away, so technically speaking they don't really contribute to the team except wasting a space inside the court.

My coach used the different approach when I was playing for my sec school. He applied the motivational approach Although we didn't have any outstanding result to show for, but I guess back then all of us were playing basketball for the love and interest of it and I'm glad I really enjoyed myself while in the school team training hard and representing our school beside studying.

If I'm a player from that school, I will go up to the coach and said right in his face: SHUT UP!

Yesterday while on the bus to school. I saw an little angel. I guessed she should be a freshie because she is holding a school map. She should be going to the medical center for her medical checkup. Did she stole my breath away? I guessed so. Haha.
Did I do anything to ask for her number? No

I hope I can see her again. Perhaps she might be joining the CAC FOC camp?
If that's the case, believe me, I'm going to ask for her number.
Hehehe, provided I can still remember her face.

2008-07-01T23:49:00.005+08:00

This is the wallpaper for the project I'm involved in for the past 1 year.

The CAC FOC Main Comm 07/08 proudly present to you:

Civilizations at Castovia

Even though I do not know anyone currently at JC level coming to NTU, nevertheless I do not mind promoting FOC on my blog, because I know this year FOC is gonna be good!

These are the people I hang out with for the past 1 year during meetings, canvassing etc

Somehow as the FOC camp approach nearer and nearer, there is this little tingling scent of regrets that we didn't exactly bond as much as we like...or perhaps it's just me who missed out quite a number of activities due to other committments. Nevertheless, I saw for myself the deep friendship formed and the willingness to help out across different portfolio.

Time is running out. Time is running out. I must find more opportunities to bond with the rest of the people, even though it's a little tad too late, but still late is always better than not doing.

Somehow, I'm not ashamed to say I love everyone of them, for all their flaws and strength and I'm sure they love me too. At least I hope so..Haha

2008-07-01T12:08:00.004+08:00

FOC Senior Camp Night Games Special Character

Care Bear, Nurse, Sailor Moon, Welfare GL

Yang Zong Wei, Sailor Moon

She got pissed off by my singing and turn me into a teddy bear

Pikachu on the left!

I like this pic

Cluedo, Dr Waston is dead!

MIB having dinner

Extortion in Progress

Korean Star Tok Kok Wui

C Div West Zone Inter School Bball Tournament.

One & Only Undisputed CCK Bus Interchange Tabby Cat.

Very fat and sleep all the time during day.
meals are delivered to him/her all the time.
Super lucky Cat.

2008-06-28T01:01:00.003+08:00

It's Teacher Jassie birthday today.

She want us to hail her as Queen.

But no matter how I see it, I cannot see any 'Queen' factor from top to bottom.

Nevertheless, because it's her birthday...

She call the shots.

But then again, she is still Xiao Mei Mei in our eyes. Hahaha

With that I shall represent the Ah Pek Gang to wish Jassie a happy 2oth Birthday.

Wishing her Good health, Good grades, Happiness and knowing that she is a 'beri' materialistic ger, a lot a lot a lot of moolah$$$ for her to spend to her heart content.

I would like to suggest to Jassie as well the list of things a 20 years old young lady should do before she turned 21 into a full fledged adult.

1) go skinny dipping at sentosa
2) go shag an ang mo exchange student.
3 )smoke a cigar
4) Write to Dean of NIE and criticize them, after that do a about-turn and take back your words
5) Doa sudden disappearance for 48 hours and escape to nearby countries for sudden short holiday.
6) Last but not least the most important them of all, introduced all your single, pretty, capable frens to the Ah Pek Gang. No need to worry, they will definitely be in safe hands.

As the songs goes:

The young ones,
Darling we're the young ones,
And young ones shouldn't be afraid.

To live, love
While the flame is strong,
for we won't be the young ones very long.

So if not NOW, then WHEN. if not YOU, then WHO?

OK, the 1st 5 points are just wild imaginations. Please do not follow point 1 to 5 suggestions but ALWAYS bear in mind point 6... ALWAYS in your heart.

A lot of future happiness depends on you liao. You got great responsiblilites. Hahaha

Many thanks. Happy 20th Birthday~

2008-06-23T01:09:00.003+08:00

I am happy today...

because I played my 1st bball game for this week.

And I'm satisfied with my performance for today game.

Perhaps its an inspiration to play well, after watching NTU bball team lost to Yew Tee CSC on Saturday night. But Yew Tee CSC is really a very strong team, or else they are not 2 years consecutive champions for nothing.

I am happy today...

because I got a new watch, courtesy of my sister buying a LG secret phone from M1.

They gave away a free kenneth cole reaction watch

which is apparently worth US$175 on the internet.

If they are anything that make me go weak in the knees, they are watches, cars and of coz pretty ladies..hahaha.

Yes! another new watch as my accessories.

Yesterday I felt restless...

because on friday we had a gathering and 1 topic that was raised touched a nerve in my heart.

What are you gonna do, if the Armageddon is approaching in 2014.

So the gers start off first by saying they will marry their loves one blah blah blah...

and I suddenly realize that I have not really found someone I really like for my entire 24 years of existence on the face of this world. I have not find 'the one' whom I can give up everything to die for. It maybe foolish because more often or not you don't exactly marry the person you like most at the end of the day, and this thinking coming from me, a guy who feel restless when things become monotonous and routine, who is a tad scared of commitment is funny to begin with.

Perhaps, what I really want to to experience an all out 'hong hong lie lie' love relationship so I can tell myself I didn't really live my life in vain. See, it's about me again. I am still selfish and thinking about myself only. But you can't really blame me thou. I have been single for a really long time anyway.

But saying so much, it's really beyond my control because feelings cannot be produced artifically and hence there are really no point to really make a herculean effort to search for your 'the one'.

What one can really do is to open up and widen one social circle, make more friends and who know eureka 1 fine day, you might really meet your 'the one' at the end of the day under the coconut tree by the seaside at Ibiza, Spain saying: ' where the hell have you been all these while?' hahaha

2008-06-21T20:05:00.007+08:00

IT's Show Time.

Communicasia 2008

UK Ger

Obviously Teacher Jassie is very bored with her job...

Suddenly she feel like working for her competitor LG instead. Haha

The Lakers Gers!

Don't mess around with the Hulk.

We are really tired. No Kidding.

Little Miss Smiley. But I still look tired in this picture.

Welcome to Prime Time Morning

End in End, the pay is low but managed to kill time and made lots of new frens and see alot of amazing products.

2008-06-19T00:49:00.003+08:00

while watching Find me a singaporean 2 show on channel U hosted by Belinda Lee,

I saw an orphan who lose both of his parents to illness,

got transfer to an orphanage run by singaporean in cambodia.

It is good news for him,

for he will be well taken care of and received education as well

except when I saw he went to retrieve his belongings because the car is here...

all he had with him was a plastic bag only slightly bigger than the typical NTUC bag.

The items inside his plastic bag contains all his worldly possession.

And it make me reconsider what is really a 'need' and what is really a 'want' again.

2008-06-16T12:41:00.002+08:00

Jason Mraz I'm Yours

While viewing the video, I wondered how come the ang mo can always ba long long and live for each day while we are always striving and aiming for some objectives and that shall determine whether you are bright or plain stupid. But that's beside the point. I like the road trip shown in the video. Go overseas with a bunch of good frens, drive over to somewhere wild, camp and enjoy the scenery, no shopping, no bed, no room services, no toilets. I'm fine with that..really. What's more important is the experience and company around. And I swear this experience shall not and cannot be replicate in future when you are getting older. This is only strictly for the Youths Haha.

Meanwhile to create more themes and hype up the atmosphere on the Chill-Out nite on 21st June 2008. May I present: James Blunt Live in KoKo

1973

And though times goes by I'll always be
In a club with you in 1973
Singing Here We Go Again

2008-06-16T01:10:00.004+08:00

Another interesting post by Dr James Dobson

This is really hard core psychology. A very cruel way to break a human resolve. And yet it's so simple. Don't say I teach you all one k? I'm not that psycho.

Meanwhile this is another interesting ad from Durex marketing campaign. I saw this advertisement on the web site cowboy caleb.

Very simple but comical. I tink the Durex marketing team did a great job to commemorate Father Day based on this ad.

I am offered the choice of double specialization for my business course. A little bit of dilemma because I'm quite interested in marketing but my 1st specialization is actually banking and finance. So with the opportunity to double spec, I can have the best of both world.

But hearing from seniors and frens, the timetable might be difficult to plan, the workload might be a little tad heavy and it will affect my plan to finish my core modules in 2.5 years. After all I'm already quite old in a sense and the earlier I finish, the faster I can start earning my first salary.

However, my cousin also mentioned something that make sense. University is already the 'last' stage of education and it might do no harm to learn more skills that might come useful in future.

I think I might already made up my decision but still feeling a bit unsure.

2008-06-14T01:21:00.003+08:00

Exam is finally over. Finally a real break for this vacation. Unfortunately there are still FOC matters to attend to. I am still hoping to go overseas at some point of time. Still hoping a miracle will appear.

Anyway someone tag me on her blog. The tag is too long so I will selectively choose the question that seem interesting to answer.

#2. If you can have a dream come true, what would it be

I want to age gracefully as years pass by and die without sickness and pain.

#3. If you could be at one place right now, where would it be?

Austria- Swiss to watch the Euro 2008 LIVE!

I'm greedy. I would also like to be at Boston USA to see Celtics win their NBA Title!
Celtics leading the series 3-1 currently.

#10. What would you like to do for the rest of your life?

Travel around the world and view all the natural and man made wonders with my love one. Strictly no Kids!

#12. How do you see yourself in ten years time?

Earn $10K per month and marry our class SIA air stewardness Celin-ne Hahaha

On a serious note, I like to peak in my career in 10 years time.

#16. If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be ?

Dog. Must be those big and gentle kind. Golden retriever or Husky will be good.
They possessed the grace, gentle and quiet as well. I don't like dogs that bark too much. They must possess the grace. Sei must be hoi!

#18. What kind of person do you think you are?

I think at this moment of time I like to strive for excellence in whatever I do.
I think I'm quite impartial, meaning I try to get the best and equal deal for everyone in a group.
I have an occasional bout of temper when things don't go smoothly.
I still lack patience.
I am humorous.It's in my genes.
I valued respect. Respect have to be earned and I think the problem with youths nowadays is that they think they owned the world. But it might not be their faults, it consists of many factors.
I cannot stay in 1 place/situation for too long. I will get bored. Perhaps that's why I still don't have a gf.
I think overall I still consider myself as a average nice guy.

My poly guy friends think I'm a psycho thou.

#19. What do you define as a bad day?

When you are late and the train arrival time is 7 minutes or when you are rushing and the bus uncle is purposely driving at 40km/hr when there are no traffic in front of him.

that's really fcuking screw up.

Ok.That's all.Simple, nice and sweet tag.

2008-06-11T16:14:00.002+08:00

This is an announcement from Alex

Who will be having his paper tomorrow so he need some form of motivating factors to look forward to after the exam,

This is an open invitation:

Event: Chill Out Session on 21/06/08

Purpose: Send off for those peeps going to HK for summer
End of Communicasia

Venue: Not fix yet.
Open to suggestion.

Ground Rules: Be on time ( timing to be confirmed depending on Venue)
Cannot get drunk.

Dress code: Wacky, Retro
NO POLO SHIRT ( ENOUGH OF ANIMALS SIGNS ON EVERYONE)

New Open challenges: Everyone shall treat Des 1 shot if he managed to date Buffy along.

1 Free Cocktail by the entire guys if anybody can jio somebody unknown to the rest of the group at Communicasia ( Only Gers allowed becoz we got a lot of guys )

Paiseh. It sound a little bit cheapskate but sorry ar. Inflation nowadays, cost is getting up everywhere

Spread the word around.

With Loves.

Alex

p/s : Alex is STRICTLY not the organizer. Act Blur Live Longer.

2008-06-10T23:34:00.002+08:00

I think I must be damn suay

Suay Kia.

I went to buy France and Italy to win for championship winner for Euro 2008

And this is the result for their opening match

France 0 Romania 0

Holland 3 Italy 0

It seems that France and Italy are having difficulty proceeding to the next round liao! Dammit.

Meanwhile daily preparation for the paper on Thursday is a bore. There are so many things to memorize because its a closed book exam. And everyday I go thru the same stuff over and over again just to make sure I don't forget. Just hope to get it over and done with.

meanwhile my friends and i shagged a job for Communicasia at a lowly pay of $5.50/hr.

Lousy pay but it allow us entry for further employment such as the F1 Singapore September if opportunities permit. That is our main draw. Otherwise we will need to seriously considered taking up jobs paying 5.50/hr in future.

Steve Job released his speech today.
interested parties can view his video at
http://stream.qtv.apple.com/events/jun/0806wdt546x/m_080690210abcn_650_ref.mov

seems like iphone is going mass consumer and not a niche market anymore
Price is gonna drop big time.
worldwide release date for iphone 2.0 is 11 july

will singtel launch iphone during that date as well?

iphone anyone?

2008-06-09T00:16:00.004+08:00

I think Im feeling not a little quite well

Must be from eating too much heaty food.

I cannot fall sick. I cannot fall sick. I still got more chapters ahead.

EURO 2008 is here. There is this match on Tues I want to watch. Netherland v Italy.

Once Thur is over, everyday is Euro day!

Reeds Exhibitions - The organiser for the event I did last week. Nice people, I like them. Very friendly and funny. The food was great. We had buffet and dessert for lunch.

I chanced upon SOMEONE blog. Who no big no small called me ah pek reindeer. So this is payback time. Why are you so afraid to show your cutie pie face? Teacher Jassie?
Hahaha

Must be doing something suspicious...

On Tuesday, met up with my long time hyper orientation group fren. She jio pool so I obliged. It's always fun hanging around with her. She don't really get angry with the amount of teasing I always had for her. Perhaps she has always known me for being humorous. I liked hanging around with her. It's funny that we seldom really meet up during the last 2 years but the friendship is good. Haha

2008-06-07T02:10:00.002+08:00

Time passed by so quickly.

Special term is almost over. I'll be having my paper on next week Thur. Therefore, Mugging time have start again unfortunately. I am trying to gun down a A grade for this paper but often when expectation become too high, the result often go against it. And perhaps that is why I'm feel a little bit unsettled.

Results is out. I am fairly satisfied with it, though I feel I can get more 'A' as well Hahaha. There is improvement from last semester. Finally the hard work has been paid off.

Otherwise there is nothing much to update. I guessed I'll be pretty free after the paper so if there is any short term lobang to intro please gimme a call. I need the moolah to upgrade my wardrobe next semester so that I can woo for pretty gers haha

2008-06-02T23:12:00.003+08:00

Just now while I was viewing the Singapore lions vs Uzbek, I was amazed when I saw Uzbek leading 1-0 after 15 mins.

Singapore equalized by a fine goal but its defence let the team down with a soft goal conceded again making it 2-1

A fine cross and a mazy run earn Singapore a penalty. Woah Singapore attacking play seems powerful! The penalty was converted and 2-2 after 30 mins.

Following then however was a series of self destructions that seems to make everyone wonder on the scene at the national stadium or those viewing the match on TV,

What EXACTLY HAPPENED TO THE SINGAPORE DEFENCE?

It stunned me to see that the Uzbek were adapting to the humity better than the entire Singapore defence. Uzbek wingers were literally outpacing the left back and the right back. It make the Singapore wing-back look painfully slow while they tried to catch up with the opposition. The central defenders fared the worst. Time and time again, they let the team down with amateurish and lousy defending. So much for the hard work of the front men. Everytime they managed to equalize, the defence will concede a goal in less than 5 mins.

I think when the score is 4-2 the entire defence literally decided to stop playing football and watch the game. It may be easy to criticize in front of TV. Everyone know that.

BUT it is definitely NOT RIGHT when you are representing Singapore and wearing the Singapore jersey, with at least 10,000 people at the national stadium cheering you on...

AND YOU DECIDE TO STOP FIGHTING AND KEEP MAKING MISTAKES AFTER MISTAKES, CONCEDING SOFT GOALS, MAKING HALF HEARTED ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE ATTACK AND LEFT YOUR GOALKEEPER EXPOSED WITH EVERY OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE UNTIL HE LOST FAITH IN HIS DEFENCE AND CONCEDE THE CORNER WHICH RESULT IN A GOAL.

EVEN WITH 5 PLAYERS DEFENDING THE FORT WITH ONLY 3 Uzbeks players attacking, when the Uzbek player was left empty and prepare to shoot the ball towards goal, the 5 SINGAPORE PLAYERS LITERALLY STOOD AND WATCH WITHOUT ANY ATTEMPTS TO DEFLECT OR BLOCK THE BALL WITH THEIR BODIES, SIMPLY LEAVING THEIR GOALKEEPER TO DO ALL THE WORK TO PREVENT THE GOAL.

Unfortunately, the ball went into the net.

What would have happen to Chelsea should John Terry adopted the same attitude and let his goalkeeper Peter Cech do all the work to block the goal bound shot from Ryan Giggs late in the normal time of the Champion League Final? John Terry didn't give up. Against all odds, he flung his head to block the ball from crossing the goal line. Almost a certain goal, but he, as a Chelsea player, as a captain of Chelsea FC, he repaid everyone faith in his captaincy and block it.

It's NOT ABOUT THE SCORE, BUT THE TEAM DISPLAY ON THE PITCH WAS A BLOODY DISGRACE.

THEY SIMPLY GAVE UP.

2008-06-01T22:52:00.002+08:00

Today working at Suntec

Feeling Fatigue now.

Tomorrow have to reach Suntec at 730am in the morning

I think I shld talk about the Ceremony another day.

To make sure I don't forget, I shall type some key words so I can remember them easily

Bus,Morning

Dog, Soccer

Holiday, Kids, Stress

ACS Barker, Toliet, Swimming Pool

Performance, Chicken Soup for the Soul

That's should be it.

2008-06-01T01:11:00.004+08:00

There is this column in Today newspaper which is always the focus on the family by Dr James Dobson.

I liked his column because he is able to touch people heart by narrating simple stories.

That's it. Very simple. very short. Just a father's act of protecting and showing the world how much he love his daughter.

I shall talk about the Citibank- YMCA ceremony I attended on Saturday tomorrow.

2008-05-31T03:23:00.002+08:00

I think I hurt my thigh during last week bball game and it have not recovered till now so the bball game just now sux in a sense I kept missing my shot. I didn't play quite well, my thigh is now hurting, my right knee is a little wobbly and walking the stairs is a torture.

And when I was going home after supper I accidentally scrapped by little toe across the concrete pavement and now it's bleeding with 2 small holes visible on it. I think the skin got tore off and perhaps some teeny weeny piece of meat as well.

I applied iodine lotion on it and hope it don't stain my bed sheet tonight.

What a #$@!!$ Day!

2008-05-30T10:55:00.002+08:00

Today it's FRIDAY!

therefore it's Basketball day!

I'm now watching NBA Game 5 series between LA Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs

Even though they just finish the 3rd quarter and my heart is with SA Spurs, I think Lakers will win it. Spurs look physically and mentally tired and Lakers just look more and more dangerous with Kobe Bryant. In short, Lakers have more hunger to win than Spurs.

But it's alright. Spurs have won the Championship 2 times in a row. Like other great team and organization, they just need to get back to their drawing board and start planning all over again, retaining the core of the team.

I think Tim Duncan is really a model professional. He seldom show much expression in the game, just go about doing his job quietly and effective, unlike Chelsea - Dogbra. I think I spell his name wrongly but I don't really want to find out.

Duncan with an enormous dunk!

2008-05-30T00:10:00.003+08:00

Sometimes its amazing how lyricist can weave long string of words into meaningful lyrics and let it stay in your head over and over again every time you heard the song.

The movie Music and Lyrics might come into mind..with the song 'Way back into Love'

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine,
I've been searching but i just don't see the signs,
I know that it's out there,
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

this is the English version but me being a hua yu pai...I rather Chinese lyrics over the English version anytime.

我不难过- 孙燕姿

我真的懂你不是喜新厌旧

是我没有

陪在你身边当你寂寞时候

我不难过这不算什么

只是为什么眼泪会流我也不懂

就让我走让我开始享受自由

不要再说或许这是最好的结果

现在分手总好过你不爱我一拖再拖

松开你的手离开你左右

我向前走这会是我真正的解脱

我怀念的- - 孙燕姿

我怀念的　是无话不说　
我怀念的　是一起作梦
我怀念的　是争吵以后　
还是想要爱你的冲动

我怀念的是无言感动
我怀念的是绝对炙热
我怀念的是你很激动求我原谅
抱著我的痛

谁爱的太脆弱　
谁过头爱了
谁要走我的心
谁忘了那就是承诺
谁自古自里走
谁忘了看着我
谁让爱变执着
谁忘了要给你温柔

还是想要爱你的冲动
我记得那年生日　
也记得那一首歌
记得那片星空　
最近的右手
最暖的胸口

Although I'm not in a relationship crisis or anything like that, I think anyone would feel comfortable just listening to it.

My fren came back from aussie to attend her fren wedding and I went to her house last nite for dinner. It's nice to see her and her family once again after 1 long year. Nevertheless, I still don't understand where she always crack up with laughter whenever she talk with me. Perhaps I am always that humourous to her Hahaha.

Anyway she brought back

and taught me new method of eating them. I remembered I ate a couple of Tim Tam while in Aussie so now for the next few days this shall gonna be my night snack!

2008-05-28T00:25:00.002+08:00

I knew I wanted to type something before the last post. But I forgot.
So it took me sometime to remember what I want to type exactly.

On Friday night, I was for my secondary school gathering. Attendance was alright but basically those who showed up are those regulars who always do. Nevertheless, credits must still go to Brenda for contacting and Ah Hui for coordinating the entire event.

However, some feedback, next time can budget abit? Haha..student haven earn money yet still very poor. Perhaps can give student discount and help pay for the rest? Hahaa

On Sat, I spent my afternoon at Yishun playing bball with my NTU mates. On Sat night, I spent my time playing bball with my bball mates right below my house.

I liked playing bball on the weekend, the adrenaline, the rush, the sweat, the tiredness all combined into one. But what I don't like is those woverline who don't cut their nails so the underhand of my hand always bled because the skin got scratched off by those sharp nails while playing defence. Then its another week of healing before it all happened again for the same reason.

Recently I'm involved in 1 project and it's not going on quite smoothly. In fact we met up with a lot of issues which don't seem to have any solutions to it. Sometimes self doubts crept it whether we can carried it off. But somehow I don't bear to see the project go to waste. Perhaps its about having a head and ending off with the tail. Perhaps I just want to put in my best effort which I have not do so yet. Perhaps I just want to do my part to help those needy. Or perhaps I'm just plain selfish to want this project to be complete so that it can boost my resume. Whatever the reason, I hope there shall be progress by the end of this week.

Meanwhile, my good fren, the one whom a group of my frens flew to Aussie to attend her wedding in back in SG and we are meeting up tomorrow. What a wonderful reunion again Hahaha. Perhaps I can even see a few fireworks again between the warring party...Hahaha

2008-05-25T15:17:00.002+08:00

some interesting articles seen on the newspaper.

'Grandpa Wen' brings cheers to the people.

Grandpa Wen over here refers to Chinese Premiere Wen Jiabao. The article describe the Premiere action, his sincerity and personal touch right after the China Earthquake.

I think if you have been reading the newspaper recently about the earthquake you should have already seen this statement of Premier Wen hollering to a child trapped under the rubbles: " This is Grandpa Wen, hang on child, we will rescue you!"

It also mentioned Premier Wen yelling at mission commanders who were delayed due to heavy rain: "you know who are paying your salaries, you better know what to do now"

It further on describe that a lot of Chinese have been overwhelmed by Mr Wen and his sincerity, honesty and humility.

In some way I felt that Our prime minister also practice the same PR skill as Mr Wen. But both of them are good and sound leaders so it's our blessing and Singapore Blessing that a good, uncorrupted, sound govt is running Singapore. Of course, nothing is perfect but if you want a idea of a bad govt, just turn your head to our neighboring ASEAN country that have encountered similar natural disaster to determine whether are we indeed lucky to be born in Singapore.

In case you have not hear of the URA master plan for Singapore, they are trying to turn Singapore into 24hrs operating timing which will then truly mark Singapore as a cosmopolitan city. So this is one of the feedback received in response to "Cranking up the night-time buzz"

"Who would want to?"
Dr Lim Boon Hee, on Thursday report, "Cranking up the night-time buzz": who would want to visit a museum at midnight or dance at a street party when there is no transport to fetch them home? ( Valid point ) Call a Cab? Charges are too hefty. (Very true) Most people are also drained by 10-12 hour workdays, helping with their children's homework, housework, and catching up with the news...The night buzz is a luxury we cannot afford. It is largely for those who do not need to work and have lots of money but nowhere to spend it. ( Hahaha very humorous but strong point to hit home to the authorities) I think indeed the authorities are eyeing on those tourists, PMEBs, DINKs with huge wallets to do all these stuffs. It remain unclear whether they can succeed. Taiwan itself is a 24hrs city but their own population are already accustomed to staying up real late anyway. What I do know is I valued my sleep so I am not so bo liao to go visit a bookstore at 3am in the morning when I can lie on my bed to sleep instead..hahaha.

Recently the fuel prices kept rocketing to incredible prices.I remembered when I did my marketing project this semester one of the primary concern for companies is the ever-escalating cost of fuel oil.On the day of our presentation, fuel oil hit a record high of $121 per barrel and look at the price of fuel oil today - $135. In a short span of 3 months, oil prices kept increasing and Indonesia is reducing its oil subsidies for its citizen at yesterday midnight. Students riot have already occurred and it's chilling to note that the last time oil subsidies were reduced it brought the downfall of former president Suharto and the mass rioting, looting and raping of Chinese girls. Times are different now. The economy is not as bad as the last decade, the govt seem relatively more stable than the previous regime but it could still be a catalyst for further problems. The Indonesian Govt is following the Singapore method of allocating funds to help the needy to fight inflations and the fuel price by giving something like NSS shares. It remain unclear whether the money can indeed reach out to the needy.

Alrite...That's all for the news article.

2008-05-22T21:32:00.003+08:00

Sick, Headache, Dying.

Somehow I think the ba chor mee uncle add to much vinegar to trigger my illness..because this morning when I vomitted everything out the vinegar smell is very strong.

Luckily quiz is still fine.

At the end of the day, it's worth the effort to stay up late to catch the Champion League Final.

UCL 07/08 Champion -Manchester United

Just looking at this image make me feel 0.01% better already!

2008-05-21T23:05:00.004+08:00

Sentosa

My working partner Jeremy

Miss Dawn Yeo

Miss Jessica Liu!

Joanne Peh was there as well but she was filming. I had the good fortune to see her up close when she ran past my front during a shot. She seem to have become prettier. More feminine.

End of Day.

Very cute errrr...'Friends' Right...Teacher Jassie? Hahaha

She's gonna kill me for this. I know. I just know it.
But I doubt she can catch up with me anyway hahaha

2008-05-20T01:23:00.002+08:00

following marcus blog about his 'there', perhaps I might want to introduce to everyone 'my there' as well.

Perhaps I shall go according to the Singapore education system and slowly explain 'my there' to everyone.

My there when I was in primary school was to score well in PSLE to get myself into Bukit Panjang Govt High School. It was the best school in the West ( CCK, Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak Area) but I could not meet the cut off point of 245. I got only 228 for PSLE. Even though Kranji Secondary School was just 1 min away from my house, it was still relatively new. Hence, I select Dunearn Secondary School instead as 1 of my basketball buddy was studying there. Sadly, I think Kranji Sec School ranking have long surpassed Dunearn long time ago but nevertheless I think I still made a bunch of great friends at Dunearn.

When I was in sec1, my there was to get into the best class in sec 2. I did it eventually but somehow something went wrong. My maths ability deteriorated and I got separated from my usual gang of friends when I was posted to Sec 3e2 instead of 3e1 which is a pure science class. I appealed and got into 3e1. However, thinking back, I think a combined science or a pure science class actually make little difference. If I got a choice again I rather take combined science because it's such a waste of time tackling the stupid biology.

When I was in 3e1, my maths again fared quite badly, especially A Maths. I guessed I'm a late developer. I was almost forced to drop A maths but luckily I don't know why I got thru sec 3 into sec 4. Suddenly the brain begun to click and function well. My chemistry and maths improved tremendously even though I decided to self study and stop tuition for A math.

My there when I was in Sec 4 was to aim for an opening in SAJC because of the basketball culture over there. However I got 19 pts for prelim and could only opt for PJC for my 3 months course.

The 3 months was relatively frustrating. While others slacked and relaxed during the 3 months, I was actually hard at work with my chemistry, maths and econs. I liked econs, hated chinese and wondered whether should I continued taking the JC route. When the O Level result came out, I got 14 points which made me eligible for JC education.

It is necessary to mention at this point that throughout my secondary school I have maintained a close bond with my guy friends. We practically did everything together that I believed other classes labeled us as anti-social. Hahaha So I don't where I got the leopard courage to actually decide I'm not gonna take the JC route and opt instead for the Poly route. I was the minority in the class that took the poly route but I guessed it worked out really well for me in the end.

When I went into poly, I think I didn't set any 'My there' for myself. I just did my work diligently, attended classes, do my tutorials and did extremely well for my 1st year. I got into Dean List which spur me on to do better during my 2nd year. Together with my bunch of 'Class 24' , we worked hard, played really hard and formed another close bond which is in its 7th years right now.I got into the Dean list again for my 2nd year so I decided to set 'My there' for a Cert of Merit for the top 5% of the cohort. Unfortunately, I lost my motivation during my 3rd year. I started to question myself whether would I want to pursue a career in the IT industry. I think I already have the answer closed to my heart but since it's the final year I might as well give my best effort. Unfortunately, I didn't get that many distinctions during my final year and miss out on the Cert of Merit. Nevertheless, I got accepted into NTU for my ill-fated foray into the world of Electrical Electronic Engineering.

I didn't have any "my there' during my army days. I just did what I am supposed to do. I think I did alrite for my roles and responsibilities. At least I believed my men saw me as an impartial sergeant who look out for their welfare whenever possible.

When I was in NTU for my EEE education, I didn't have 'my there' set at all. The 1st semester was a real struggle. Everyday was a struggle and I don't like it at all. I just refused to admit that I am going to spend my 3 years of tertiary education mugging away like no tomorrow and missed out on everything. I couldn't cope really well with circuits and diodes ( darn I can still remember those terms!) but I still love dearly my maths and signals and systems. Somehow against all odds I got an 'A' for my physics because I 'copied' and got full marks for my mid term hahaha. In the end the 'A' grade became really useful when I came back the 2nd time as a business student.

When I left NTU after my 1st term, 'My there' was to get myself into NBS. I think fate played a part because the school ruling changed and allow diploma students to freely apply for any courses that they liked, instead of restricting them to their particular course of study in Poly. I am quitely confident I can get an interview because of my strong academic grades in poly. Again I guessed fate play a part. I got myself a job as a technical support officer at Starhub so my communication skills improved tremendously. Therefore, I think I managed to convince the 2 professors who were interviewing me for 20 mins to give me a chance to come back again to NTU for a business education.

So here I am..finishing my year 1, proceeding next to year 2. I think the next 'my there' would be to aim for an 2nd upper degree as well as participating in many fulfilling and enriching events that can complete my tertiary education. It might do me no harm as well to include finding my 'miss right' inside 'my there' list before I graduate as well. Hahaha

So this is 'my there' story. What about yours?

KNN, after typing so much, I think 'my there' actually sound pretty ugly. Therefore, next time markie if you want to try another attempt something like this, please find something that sound nicer. Thanks.

2008-05-17T18:03:00.003+08:00

Recently I saw a couple of news in the media that caught my attention.

As everyone might know, it is now the acceptance of the universities offers for those A level and dip holders who are pursuing higher education.Therefore as always the case, there are always complaints, feedbacks appearing in the newspaper written by parents stating that their sons/daughters could not get in blah blah blah...

So in our case, this parent is writing in to state that universities should inform those students who are graduating from O level on their choice of education, whether to go polytechnic or junior college, if the universities are going to increase the intake of polytechnic students and thus depriving the A Level student a seat in the universities. He also mentioned that polytechnics should try to tie up with overseas universities for diploma holder to further their studies so that more seats can be allocated to A Level student.

Being polytechnic educated, I find this very ridiculous. To suggest that poly students should rather pursue a degree from oversea institution whether by distance learning or directly overseas simply irks of protectionism. No one owe your child anything. If he/she is good, he/she will be able to get into Universities anyway.However, getting to your choice of course is another issue again which I will go into later. Suppose if the parent suggestion go through, is he going to write in 3-4 years down the road again to the newspaper and remarked my son/daughter is currently jobless because Singapore PR are taking away his/her job so may he suggest that Singapore PR should go overseas to work instead so that his son/daughter will have a job in Singapore?

perhaps the parent did not understand 'Globalisation'. His son/daughter is not merely fighting a place in the universities with polytechnic students. His son/daughter is also competing with foreigners who are on scholarships to study in the local universities. It is a totally different ballgame.If I were him, I will not waste time to pen down this ridiculous letter but instead sit down with my son/daughter, plan out the possible route and select the most optimal plan to ensure the best education path.

And anyway, the polytechnic themselves have already been sourcing foreign universities to allow poly students with excellent grade to go direct into 2nd year .

Next, it seems that most of the students applying this year have opt for business/acct/econnomics for their 1st choice.
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080517-65670.html

The writer enquired majority of the student why did they do so and many of them stated that pursuing a business degree allow them to work in the bank, earn super high salaries of 7-10K per month and support their desired lifestyle. Upon reading that, I shook my head in disbelief. Earning 7-10K in bank is possible but they are only the minority. There is a misconception that working in the bank mean mixing around with rich clients and earning big bucks. That only applies to investment bankers and even so they need at least 5-6 years of experience before they can reach that level. Otherwise fresh grad entry are the ones who is staring at the computer screen working long hours crunching numbers while earning 3-4K per month.

But these students should not be blamed. They received their information from the media. Nowadays, it is not uncommon for universities to release their employment figures and their grossly inflated figures from graduates working for 1 year. What the students can only do is to read up more and find out more details about their future ambition to prevent them from building up unrealistic expectations and dreams which can so easily be crushed by the harsh fact of reality.

However, sometimes I do wonder, what exactly are our youth in Singapore thinking nowadays?

2008-05-17T02:00:00.006+08:00

Pictures Time

Ice Wine in Real block of Ice

Diageo Intl - Giant Alcohol Conglomerate

Shu Qi for Kenzo

Moschino

My Booth

Office for business meeting

Booth directly opposite- Smoking Lounge

Gucci

Bottles of Hard Liquors

Mango

Absolut Mango! New Flavor From Absolut Vodka
but I think it's only available in Duty Free Stores inside the Airport

That's all.

2008-05-14T22:59:00.003+08:00

Day 3 of the trade fair.

Today is a relatively easy day because most of the meetings were concluded yesterday. There is this new guy who is a last minute replacement and he was attached to my station for today..which is not exactly a bad thing because at least someone is able to chit chat with me. He had finished his dip and currently waiting for national service. Through the conversation, I find that he is a little bit naive, a little bit immature, a little bit lost for direction what he want to be in future and wondered to myself am I the same as he is when I was around his age.

I'm not quite sure as well but tried to advise him on some of the issues he raises throughout the conversations I had with him for the entire day. Otherwise, he is quite a nice person to converse with to pass time.

Somehow I felt that the trade show is an excellent opportunity to widen contacts and discuss business opportunities and collaborations. Of course, for some reasons or others, I felt that the exhibitors are also having fun as well, judging by how they kept visiting the smoking lounge every half hour for cigar and cigarettes , how they keep cheering glasses of whiskey, ice wine, beers, luxury chocolates. I tasted some of the chocalates brands which I have never heard before and I must say, it's taste really good. Luxury chocolates have taken a new meaning and level, not just godiva or royce but much higher standard than that.Mango, the clothes retails shop even set up a booth as well and I am eying on their straw carrier bag which look very nice but they only give it to trade show buyers.

My sups at the booth were all French and they are nice people. They left us to our jobs and trust us. Sometimes I will chat along with them when they are less busy. All of them are based in France and they'll be flying back once the trade show is over. Btw, 1 of my sup is very very handsome. His eyes can speak a thousand words. Unfortunately, he also has the tendency to speak to himself sometimes.

1 of the things that never failed to amaze me is the lightning speed of the trade show magazine that never failed to be deliver to us early in the morning highlighting the previous day activities.

I guessed as I was typing this the Swing Party held at Shangri-La Hotel should be over and Viola, I am willing to bet my entire fortune that this event will appear in tomorrow morning Issue 4 of the trade magazine. I don't know what logistics they use but to compound all the photos, the reports and sent to the editors for editing, follow by the printing press to print throughout the night and delivered right on time the next day morning simply speak of EFFICIENCY!

That's all for the updates today. Tomorrow is the last day. I'm darn tired. Time to hit the bed.

2008-05-13T23:40:00.004+08:00

I went to the zoo recently.

I'm not quite too sure when did I went..2 weeks ago perhaps?

Singapore Zoo at Mandai

Anyway I went to the zoo because I saw a television program on the Singapore Zoo and the program is really interesting so I decided I must go and see for myself. In the end I went together with 3 of my friends but we didn't have a group photo taken. I think everyone was tire by the hot weather and walking

Me, Jos
Marcus and his friend in another pic.

tall tall giraffe. Do they know how to play bball?

I think the zoo is still pretty much the same since I last went during my secondary school days. Somehow I dunno why but it seems the zoo I visited in Australia seems to be better. But I still like the polar bear show. Inuka is handsome. He should be the next singapore zoo icon!

We didn't take a lot of photographs. But I remembered 1 incident that seem quite amazing to me. There was this huge male orang utan that was lying down on its enclosure feeding on the leaves. We were only seperate by the clear glass wall. I placed both of my palms on the glass wall and the orang utan got up from its sleeping position, walked across and settled down beside the glass wall where I'm standing but at the opposite side. I was stunned by its action.It just sit there, perhaps waiting to be pat but it's impossible for me to pat it so after a while it got bored and shift to another position to settle down again.

And that was the time when I felt the orang utans have human instincts indeeds.

I started my work at suntec convention hall on Monday.

Yesterday was relatively slack for they have conferences the entire day. I figured I spent at least 8 hours listening to lectures and helping with the Q&A. And for a moment I thought I might have the best job in the world, to get paid to listen to lectures that peoples have to pay $400 to listen to and earning $$ at the same time. Some of the lectures are really interesting relating to marketing and Asian perspective so I really enjoyed it.

Today I got assigned to be the coffee boy at the meeting lounge. Again it's an easy job but I have to stand for pretty long hours. Still, it's an eye opening experiences to see those brands whom I didnt even know it exist. Tomorrow I shall try to see if I can get some exotic samples from them!

2008-05-11T01:25:00.005+08:00

I saw this post in time.com
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1739053,00.html

Titled: Is it Time to Invade Burma?

This post is quite scary. The writer is suggesting that America should invade Burma to remove the Junta because they have failed to provide appropriate humanitarian effort for the Cyclone Nargis. I'm not saying the Junta is correct. In fact, I think they are a bunch of incompetent generals whose family lines are gonna be cursed for generations for bringing so much harm and hardship to the Burma people.

In a sense it also reflect the weak position of Asean. Singapore is the head of Asean this term and so far it's unable to do anything at all to make Burma accept help from foreign aid. It's the big big organisation/countries..UN WFP, USA, China etc that is doing the urging instead.

But back to the article, the writer is suggesting this is the best time to invade Burma..WTF!!! Iraq is still yet unsolved and the last thing we want to see in South East Asia is American+ other coalitions marching in to do another Iraq and then lay claims to the vast riches of mineral resources that Burma possessed. This is not the 19th century..where the theory, I come, I see and I conquered rule apply. Anyway, this is unlikely to happen as well with China and Russia behind the scene.

Meanwhile, I didn't know what events jobs I got myself into until I went for the briefing today. Apparently, it's quite a big and important event because the Suntec Convention Hall display the Very Very Big Banner announcing to everyone about the event.

The registration fee is not exactly that cheap either. It cost between $100 to $400 for a walk in visitor. Some of the talks seem quite interesting relating to marketing but I figured it is unlikely that I have the chance to sneak in to hear the speaker speak.

The girls to guys ratio is also very huge. It seemed that there are 5 girls to 1 guy. That is why, for some reason I'm unable to comprehend, why am I selected to follow one of the sup to work directly with her (all the sups are french btw) and not the rest of the ladies as my colleagues! This is very very sad. In fact, this is extremely sad. I thought I can expand my pool of 'ahem' ladies friend but now chances look quite slim.

On the hindsight, I think I'm the only one who is inside the exhibition hall so I can get to see all the luxurious goods on display or perhaps get a few samples along the way? Hahaha. I think my job scope should be rather easy..that is if nothing goes wrong.

Sometimes, you just cannot simply have the pie and eat it too. Darn!

Today is Mama Day.
Time came out with this '10 best and worst mom'
But I shall focus on the 10 best mom. Some of them are not exactly real figures. E.g the 1st candidate was Dumbo the elephant Mama, Marge Simpson of the Simpson's family, and The Queen Aliens, from 'Aliens' Movie WTH.
Some of the read is touching, some of it is hard warming while some of it is downright funny.
If you are interested, click on this link to find out more:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1738178_1737704_1737703,00.html

2008-05-10T00:21:00.004+08:00

for those who read my blog previously, one would have known I like this book 'The Alchemist' By Paulo Coelho

Then I tried to read more books written by him. eg. The Witch of Portobello but it was way too profound for me to understand what is he writing about. Even my sister who studied mass comm couldn't understand what is he trying to say inside the book so..it's no my fault that I don't understand la...Haha.

So when my sis introduced this book to me before she left for taiwan: Like a flowing river by the same author again, I cast an eye of suspicion. I don't know whether it might be a hit or miss but being a good brother, I listened to my sister recommendation and opened the book to read for a few pages.

I think this book is GOOD. It is basically made up of many short individual stories so it's quite easy to read. Inside every or rather most of the story lies something for us to understand and learn. It's as if every story lie tiny bits of gold nuggets for you to explore, search for them and come off richer spiritually after reading the story.

Since I'm rushing for time now, I shall not say so much. If you have time to read, go to the library to borrow this book. I'm sure you will not disappointed. Just like me. I shall post a short story tomorrow night perhaps..to let you on a glimpse of wisdom by Paulo Coelho

2008-05-07T23:23:00.003+08:00

I have been reading this book religiously for the past week

(Climbing the world's 14 highest peaks: No shortcuts to the top) by Ed Viesturs

I remembered when I was in secondary school when I came across a story in Reader Digest about mountaineering. I think the title was "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

'Into Thin Air' is about a group of expert climbers who got stuck on Mount Everest when they reached the summit way too late and got caught in bad weather. 8 climbers were killed, and some of the climbers that lost their life on during the fateful year 1996 were legends in the mountaineering history in their own rights.

'No shortcuts to the top' is about Ed Viesturs personal quest to reach the summit of the 14 highest peak on the earth..which mean reaching the summit of mountains whose height are 8000 metres above sea level. Many died while trying to achieve this quest. As the author himself have mentioned earlier in the chapter, he is the only person among the group of hard core mountaineers who survive and live till today.

While reading the story, I remembered this guy from the movie Initial D who mentioned:
'God are also human, except they are able to perform feats that human are unable to achieve.'

I felt that all mountaineers are also god in their own rights. High up on the surface at 20000 feets, they have to make extra careful decision to ensure they not only reach the summit, but also get safety back alive to the base camp. Throughout the book, the author kept repeating his personal mantra: " Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.". They live by their code of conduct on the mountains, extending a helping hand to whomever in need of help, to the extent of sacrificing their own personal aim to ensure others have the maximum chance of survival.

And it seems that every expedition they embarked are likely to be their last trip. The author also addressed this issues as he is married with family and kids. But like a car racer who require the need for speed to keep him sane regardless of the high amount of risks involve, they kept going back the mountains for more.

In short, they know someday the chances of dying in the mountains is almost a certain but it seem almost their destiny and fate have been intertwined with the mountains from the moment they start climbing.

There is this particular chapter that touched me. 2 of the author's best friends were among the victims that died on that fateful 1996 expedition. The author joined an expedition up on Mount Everest on 1997.

The thing on Mount Everest is that if someone died up there, it is virtually impossible to bring the corpses back down. The sherpas will not touch it because they are generally superstitious unless they are offer lots of money to bring it back down.Then again, it required herculean efforts just to do so. Hence, most of the bodies on mount everest will be either swept down the crevasses, buried by the snow or remain at the original position where they spent their last lonely moment at the highest peak on earth. And because it's so cold, the bodies don't decomposed but remained at their original state.

The author knew he is likely to come across the bodies of his best friends and he did. The wives of the deceased requested him to bring back something that belongs to their husbands so they can always remembered them but the author couldn't bear to do so and disturbed the bodies of his friends. He sat down beside the corpses,mourned for them and said his final goodbyes.

(Excerpts from the book)
I glanced around, then looked again at the body of my friend, frozen into the slope. I spoke out loud.'Hey Scott, I said, "How you doing?' Only the sound of the wind answered me.
'What happened, man?'

In short, I think this is a great book. Very nice, very motivating, very humane. These are among the few occupations of earth that push the human physical limit to the maximum. I got immense respect for these men. They got the heart of the lions. No jokes.

2008-05-04T02:25:00.003+08:00

There is this YMCA Citibank Youth For Causes where students can suggest activities to help to reach money for their target beneficiary. Citibank will provide the seed money to help kick start the event that students proposed if their project is selected.

Today is the selection trial and my friend and I went down to YMCA to present our proposal to the judges.

We were told to come down at 1015am to present but due to overrun we end up in the classroom to pass away time. Strangely though, the classroom was filled up mostly with secondary school students so it's quite funny when they saw us 2 young adults wearing business attire sitting among them.

But while the rest of them were rehearsing their script or making some last minutes adjustment on their slides, I was reading the newspaper while my friend was studying for his jap test later in the afternoon.

Then suddenly came the shocker.

A magical pink human size rabbit appeared right among us!

I think the boys are from RI. I don't know why they need to bring a rabbit costume for their presentation but you have to give credit for their initiatives. Pity the boy in the rabbit costume though. He looked very bored and toyed with his hand phone all the time while he is in the rabbit costume.

1 of the judge for the selection trial was from Ministry of Finance. He have eyes so big that when he looked at you, you think it might just suddenly popped out. I think we managed to answer all his queries and having said so, I felt we have pretty high chance that our project is going to be accept but then again you never know.At least we tried.

My friend and I did not thought of taking part in this event but upon persuasion by 2 other lady friends who obviously are more compassionate than us, we just tagged along and form the team.The ironic thing is, the presentation was done by 2 reluctant fellows while the ladies were not there due to other commitments.

Nevertheless, we done our best. The rest is up to the judges to decide. Maybe this project can serve as an avenue to achieve more good karma as well.

2008-04-30T22:24:00.003+08:00

chanced upon this very very classic song when I was watching the Taiwanese serial Bull Fighting.

I think this song is the perfect song to dance to when you are with your loved one on your very own wedding day.

No..I wasn't hinting upon anything. But this is just the first thought that came into my mind when I heard this song.

2008-04-30T12:39:00.002+08:00

Stayed up till 5am to catch the match! Manchester United vs Barcelona.

At the end of the day, he's the man. The one who was left out of the battle 9 years ago during the 1999 Champion League Final. I was sec 3 during that time. Manchester United won their historic treble.

Paul Scholes. He may not be that young anymore. At times his influence is waning. But on this big day, in the big occasion, he delivered the goods and send Manchester United to the Final in Moscow.

True enough, at times Manchester played like hooligans during the match. Barcelona soccer was breathtaking..especially Messi who kept beating defenders off with his quick gravity and low centre of gravity. BUT there is no denial who have the greater hunger and desire to win the match. Manchester United literally outrun and out fought Barca. At times I do feel for Barca players. It feel something like the comet hitting the earth and the dinosaurs have no idea what hit them hard.

A good match. Now on to Moscow!

2008-04-28T01:21:00.003+08:00

We had a birthday dinner for our dear Siew Ying on a hot and humid Sunday evening at sunset way. The food was alright but what matter most is the company.

It's good to see everyone alive and well, and most of us generally seems fine. I think what Tan Ah Suan said make sense: the friendship between all of us are far too long (this year is gonna be the 7th year) for anyone of us to develop special feeling for each other.

However, thinking from another perspective, I felt that there is nothing wrong with this..and it's perfectly fine and well that we are all good friends who shared a lot of beautiful memories, laughters and tears, up and down, left and right for the last 6 as well as possibly many many years down the road.

Sometimes at the end of the day, even if disagreements arises, even if argument breaks out, even if we don't often act our age, old friends are still simply the best friends.

That's aside. Human are also irrational.

There are so much to worry about before exam..whether you have revise enough, whether the paper is easy, difficult and the pressure to excel and score to correlate with the effort you put in.

Now exam is over. There are issues to be ponder upon. Where can I find a part time job that is flexible for my schedule this vacation. I need to earn money to boost my income.With a part time job, I can also not stay at home so often and escape from my mother continuous and consistent nagging. She had her own method of doing things and I had mine so it's better not to stay at home too often.

The HK travel plan hit a snag with the unexpected withdrawal of a partner. Should I go or not go. If I go, I must find a job that can partly subsidies the trip.If I don't go, that might possibly mean no overseas trip during this vacation.

Money, Vacation, Special Sem, FOC, Nagging.

Before exam stress. After exam stress. Haiz.

Humans are not rational at all.

2008-04-25T15:56:00.004+08:00

This might gonna be a long post

but i think this blog deserved it.

because sometimes i feel like i really ignore it at times.

I had my econs paper on wed. Not bad...know how to do so it's fine. It was an afternoon paper so while I was taking the train to school and cramming some last minutes lecture notes, this little girl beside me start to sing with her little barney dinosaur,

'I love You. You Love Me, We are happy family...not once not twice but many many times

Normally on any other day I will actually find it cute but it does get irritating if you keep on hearing the same 3 sentences, especially you are trying to cram some last min stuff in your head. The funny thing is...I saw the little girl again while on the way back home with her little barney dinosaur again. This time I so wanted to hear her sing again but she did not get on the same train as me.

When other people are studying textbooks, notes for their exam, our peter crouch reading materials is magazine after magazines of Newsweek and Time. At the end of the day, it is still relevant because what he is studying for is Global Market Strategy and after viewing his paper, well the questions are truly Global!

So today is the end of last paper. Vacation is officially here but I'm not exactly sure whether there is any vacation.Special semester is going to start after a week break and the exam for the electives is held on early june. There are FOC matters to take care of and maybe a hongkong trip again as well during late June. Strangely, the first thing I thought of hongkong is not the shopping or whatsoever but rather crashing the college the rest of the guys are going to have their summer studies and playing on their indoor basketball court. Meanwhile, I am actively looking for a part time job that can accommodate my schedule as well to shore up my income so I can buy a new season of clothes for next semester so work work any lobang for short term work please contact me thanks.

This semester is very very fast paced. The projects came fast and furious and sometimes times travel so fast you don't even notice its disappearance.What only seem just yesterday is already months ago. While the 1st semester in business was more about adapting, I felt I settled down fairly well this semester. One thing I discovered regarding business that it have no right or wrong answer..unlike engineering where a=a, b=b. The business text can explained the theory extolling all the good points about using this method a, only to conclude that method a work best in this scenario and proceed to list down the disadvantages of method A. I had a hard time accepting this initially because there is no right or wrong and you are literally standing on the ambiguous line but after a while I discovered it's more of an benefits-cost weightage that really determine the 'correct' answer.

So this semester is really enriching. I made new and more friends.I learnt new stuffs. I put in my best effort in whatever I do. So by right I should have no regrets. Well I'm not sure. But I sure do feel tired. I need a recharge. I am looking forward to weekends where I do not need to whack my tutorials but savour my morning breakfast slowly while poring over each and every articles of the newspaper. I look forward to catching a movie. I look forward to walking downtown because I only visited it less than 10 times from the start of the year till now.

So now it's up to lord almighty to decide whether I should do well for my grades.

It has been a fruitful year 1 in NBS. Now on to Year 2!

2008-04-20T18:22:00.003+08:00

sometimes, you see strange people in the library.

either they devote their life to books to much, or it's just their personal issues.

Some of them look like they have shut themselves up in the mountain caves for 10000 years to train and come down for exam, hence explaining their disheveled look.

I have the honor of encountering one who sat beside me at the computer terminal.

The moment he sat down, I could immediately smell his very very very stale body odour and KNNCCB its so disgusting that I so wanted to move away from him to another terminal.

Then you see some of them who seem to forgot they are in the public place after all because they decided they can study better and their brain can absorb more by placing their BARE FEET up on the reading cubicle.

And the latest one I saw yesterday was one whose hair was long, facial hair uncut, wearing a singlet with his armpit hair in full glory for anyone who is within 5 metres from him.

All in the day at life @ NTU with the many different nationalities with their many different lifestyle. And we called diversity and a hot melting pot...

2008-04-20T01:08:00.002+08:00

finish 2 papers...left 2 more papers to go..

econ on wed and stats on friday.

marketing paper is funny. Its almost hilarious because you can even take the papers without attending a single lecture at all. This sem paper taste no theory..just your creatively and common sense. And we wasted so so so much time poring over textbook without using it at all in the exam hall even though it's an open book exam.

Holidays is coming in 6 days time. Time to take a breather soon.

2008-04-13T01:52:00.003+08:00

I think drinking milk before you sleep help to ensure a good nite sleep ahead.

That's what according to my marketing tutor said.

And I think her words are quite trustworthy because she is previously a chemist with ICI Dulux paint before doing a mid career switch to marketing and getting her PhD in marketing as well.

I don't fancy a Dr as my title because it take far too long and I don't think I want to be a academic anyway but I don't mind taking a MBA instead at my very own NBS haha.

2008-04-12T00:38:00.002+08:00

it's that period of the semester again...

where everyday seem to be a dread

when the happiest moment of the day is lying down on your comfortable bed to sleep

and the saddest moment is climbing up again for a 10 hour study routine.

its get depressing if you think about it...

when you step into the library it's still morning,

and across the window as time passes by the sky get darker and darker

until when you finally step out of the library its so dark and late.

Then you need motivations to keep you going..

e.g that pretty ger across the cubicle..

or something that you can aim for at the end of the day.

though I very much prefer the 1st motivation hahaha

all in all, the no day no night routine will end in 2 weeks time.

2 weeks in exchange for 3 months of breaks? it's pretty worthwhile.

wait a min, I forgot I got special sem 1 as well. Another 5 weeks of relax studying and exam again...hahaha

2008-04-09T00:53:00.002+08:00

today I saw this 3 articles on channelnewsasia which I felt were quite interesting.

Num 1 - Football: AC Milan eye youth base in Singapore

I think its another F1 gimmick because it mentioned

'One of the parties involved is believed to be a local hotel group and negotiations are currently ongoing'

I bet it's must be Hotel Properties and the guy who brought F1 to Singapore.

Anyway, I think it's good because it's gonna be a crowd puller though I think it still will not do much good to local football anyway. Again, it's gimmick and about drawing tourist money from Asia Region.

Num 2 - Singapore opens matchmaking institute in May

I think Singapore is the only country in the world to offer this service. and guess what? they offer S$1,000 scholarship to the first 10 people to sign up for the courses offered.

Apparently, the reason for setting up this institute is because

' Finding love is getting more difficult because many Singaporeans simply do not have the time. So the new matchmaking institute aims to give singles a hand.'

Singaporean do not have time because it is spent on working to earn more money to fight the inflationary price of normal goods and service.

Yesh, this is my economic lingo. Hahaha I think I quite like economic even though it's not easy. It's very broad, useful and help you to understand about your dollar and sense, how it's affecting you in your everyday life. If I manage to do well for my econ paper this term I might consider taking up a minor in econ. Hohoho.

But anyway, this is stupid. They called it ' Called the Matchmaking Institute Southeast Asia' so the word South East Asia mean that we are going to be a match making hub issit? Inside our database will contain males and females from South East Asia? Or is Singapore gonna be a match making HUB?

Num 3- SMRT wins international award for "Best Passenger Experience"

They post this article....just after LTA hand out a record fine of S$387,176 to SMRT last month.

I think I don't need to explain anymore.

2008-04-06T00:10:00.000+08:00

today while i was going home during the MRT trip,

I spot a seat and sat down. Feeling bored and nothing to do,

I flipped open my marketing textbook to revise for my marketing.

Then the man in his late thirties also took out his book to read.

To my utter amazement, he was also reading the latest edition of the marketing textbook which is written by similar author.

But he was reading Chapter 2 while I was at Chapter 5 Hahaha

Though you have to give it to him. I think as one get older, the resistance to change increase. It get harder to pick up new stuffs and at his age he is still learning speak volume about his determination.

2008-04-05T17:48:00.003+08:00

woah, it's a really long time since I updated my blog. The last post was 26th march. today is 5th April so that make it 10 days.

Been pretty busy this week. After clearing my 2 quizzes on mon and tue, it's time to touch on revison. presentation is ending soon. In fact the last presentation would be this coming monday.

yesterday we had our last organization behavior presentation and the group that presented really blew me off. They produced a new letter just for their presentation and guess what?

Inside the new letter contain 2 interviews.

The interviewee is Mr. LEE Yi Shyan (Minister of State,Ministry of Trade and Industry)

how on earth did they manage that is anyone guess but if they managed to do it then you really have to give it to them. In a way, they are really resourceful. Typical traits of a NBS student..hahaha

The 2nd interviewee was the former founder of $1.99 shop Miss Nanz Chong-Komo

I think alot of efforts have went inside the newletter. If I'm in the tutor shoes, I will give them straight A+++ indeed.

20 more days and my academic year 07/08 will end. 1 year of effort. Time for a well deserved rest after 25 April!

2008-03-26T00:19:00.002+08:00

today I had a minor scare.

I didnt go for my marketing tutorial because I was busy rushing to produce my OB ppt slide for this friday presentation and beside my group have already finish our marketing project so even if I go I will be basically listening to other group present.

So my fren who knew I will not be attending helped me mark my attendance. But near the end of the lesson, our marketing tutor felt something is not right and ask me why am I not there. My fren got a shock but he responded calmly that I'm not feeling well..which is true anyway so to divert attention from her to check the attendance list.

So as I proceed to the tutorial class to meet my fren for OB discussion, my other project mates warned me to stay away from the area in case my tutor saw me around because of what they said to the tutor. So it was a bit comical that for the 1st time in NTU I have to behave like a guilty student who POTENG from tutorial and have to keep my eyes really big to look out from my tutor.

However, the bad thing is...once my frens kept teasing me that I shld be honoured our marketing tutor remembered me. I think that she remembered me more for my cheekiness in her class rather than my academic brillance though.

2008-03-20T23:23:00.003+08:00

This week, I finish clearing my marketing project. We got a grade A for our 2nd effort..when in fact I have aim for a A+ because we didn't do too well for the 1st project.

But I am pleased with my group effort because of the way we bounced back. And the tutor saw it as well because she commended that she was pleased that we were not discourage from the previous effort. She was going to award us an A+ but because we lack that little bit of extra info..she got no choice but to award us an A instead.

I 'heart' my marketing team.

We have OB up next on next coming friday. And this time we are going to cook up a wonderful storm to make sure that our tutor really cry this time haha!

Revision is on the way but its quite slow. Stats is difficult and I often spent a lot of time really to understand it because its something new and the lecturer teach very fast. Beside our lecturer, my stats tutor kept traveling overseas for dunno whatever reason and we keep having make up tutorial..Damn.

Bought a new phone @ Singtel online shop,

Moto Q9H
It's quite cheap..$98 after $100 trade in. Seem to be able to do alot of stuffs. Unfortunately it got no wifi..otherwise it will be perfect. Will only get my hands on the phone during next week.

2008-03-14T23:18:00.002+08:00

It rain for almost the entire weekday except on Friday...which suit me perfectly fine because Friday is normally a basketball day and I got to only play it once a week. Today session was great. Did a lot of running and shooting, the momentum was there and the team was winning..except I got elbowed on my face by my fellow team member while helping him guard the opposing player. Once his elbow hit my face, the first thing I did was to check whether if I broke my nose...hahaha..Luckily the nose is still functioning well but I got a cut on my face. Still, it was a nice game.

Today something almost unimaginable occur during my organization behavior class. My tutor almost tear up after all the groups presented finish their cases and articles. And the reason for being so if because she felt bad that our class are doing soooo mucchhhh, much much more than the requirement needed for the module to make each presentation a better one than the last. And I felt its a little comical because she was the one who demand the best from us but now she felt bad about it. But I have to give my hat off the teams that present today. And I think if you were there to see for yourself you will be impress as well. So..my group will have to up the ante because we are among the last few group to present and we are doing a case on IKEA!

On the other hand, I felt that what she demanded from us is similar to what one can expect in the corporate world. She always remind us: Always give your 100%, else don't bother doing it in the first place' With this in mind, groups presentation on the weekly basis is always about out-witting the previous groups. The standard of presentation is always improving and if one look at the bigger picture in the long run, we have everything to gain and nothing to lose. I think the best time to learn in while you are still studying and that's make it why I am enjoying myself now at NBS..although meeting projects deadline, quizzes, mugging, exam, late nights is always a common complaints among the business student, or rather the entire student population in NTU.

Last but not least, exam is approaching in 1 month time. Time to start preparing for battle. The 'No day; No night' regime shall began though I have to start adjusting to make sure I study smart and not just plain study hard.

2008-03-09T23:27:00.002+08:00

Yesterday ambassador for NTU open house was fun. I was stationed at Jurong East. The job scope at first was relatively boring. My buddy and me were given simple job to direct people to the pick up point. After lunch, due to limited manpower, we hopped on to the bus instead to mingle with the people on their way to NTU. I think I gave them an good insight of what NTU is about amid the short 15 minutes trip. But I think the people on board were quite shy.

After 4 trips, my voice start to get hoarse because there was no mic on the bus. The poor uncle didn't have it any better than us. I think he was overworked and his spirit is commendable to continue driving without rest for long period of time.

I interacted with 1 or 2 visitors born in 1989 and I could really feel the age gap between us. And to think they are coming in this august. Darn

All in all, I think it's a great event. There are satisfactions involved because you have to be proud of your school in the first place in order to introduce it to other people. I think I will do it again if I got the chance next year.

I took this module Organization behavior this sem. It's something to do with human resource. Very intensive, very profound and I don't understand it at all initially because it really piss me off when the textbook state this is good but subjected to this and that is not good subjected to that and then in the end nothing is good and yet nothing is bad so what is exactly good and what is exactly bad?

After some time on the subject, I started to gain additional insight. Some of the things I encountered during group project and CCA were explained better with behavioral thinking. I realized EQ is really really very important because it can make or break the person impression of you. Some people get so carried away that they forgot about everything, their surrounding factors and left everyone stunned at the end of the day. Some people are greedy that they take and take, keep asking for more without complimenting on the efforts that others put in that eventually people start to treat it as a job instead of an interest and just want it to end asap.

I am determined not to let people with low EQ ruin my day and undermine the long hours and hard efforts of my other project member. Dammit. No more next time.

On a happier note, projects on hand is clearing up. But exams is lurking around the corner. I will end my exam on 25th April. Hope there will be a window of opportunity to go oversea for a short break again.

2008-03-03T00:38:00.004+08:00

I watched this movie quite unexpectedly because I thought I could have never find someone to watch this show with me. After all, it is a local production and not many people know how to appreciate it, preferring Hollywood movie with all the big stars and effects. I have known the story before I watched the movie, because when I was small my father borrowed books from the library for me to read and a couple of them was written by Dr Catherine Lim and one of those book was about this movie: The Leap Years. And don't ask why boy read book by Dr Catherine Lim ok!

The movie was nice..though I felt it's a bit draggy in the end. Nevertheless, I like the way they blend the Chinese culture using the Chinese calender and the quotes from the western poets together. And I find it all very interesting and much relevant to the story:

"In three words, I can sum up everything I've learn about life: it goes on."- Robert Frost

"If you are not too long, I will wait for you all my life."- Oscar Wilde

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves. William Shakespeare

There was also a part in the movie which touch a nerve in me when the actor mentioned that he admired people for their bravery who preferred to be single and wait for the right one than rather get attached for the fear of being lonely. I don't know whether I fit the description but at least it hold true for me. I don't simply want to get attach for the sake of getting attach. And my fren was telling me that my standard are way too high and I should go to neighboring countries to expand my search instead..grrrrrr

All in all, watch it with your mr. or mrs right. It's a nice and warm movie. I like it and I guessed you might like it as well.

catch the trailer here:

2008-02-29T02:06:00.002+08:00

I just came back from KL on tuesday.

It was a good trip. Got to view first hand of the KL shopping scene. Totally different from what I expected, went to chinatown and tour the pasar malam stalls, ice skate. I think I enjoyed the most touring the pasar malam and eating the local foods! However, the trip could have been better if there is no assignments waiting for us back in Singapore.

I will be very busy from this week all the way till end of next week so I guessed I am not updating my blog soon.

Take care people. It's time for the battle after the recess week to gain your independence for the 3 month vacation!

2008-02-22T01:06:00.003+08:00

today while doing a discussion on project...

my group members were discussing and discussing until at 1 point of time the topic shifted to movie stars and I was given the role of George Clooney. Wow..I was obviously honoured because he was such a great and humbled actor and strangely while surfing time.com today George Clooney appeared again hahaha
you can view the article over here

He is really a nice guy. Charming and full of charisma. A good role model.
If I have 50% of his attribute, I think I could perhaps be leaving a legacy behind already..

2008-02-21T01:14:00.003+08:00

read this post long time ago..save the link but I thought it'll be pretty interesting for many of my frens who are in the same boat as me..to chase that elusively 'A'!

Twentysomething: Why I regret getting straight A’s in college

This is a guest post from Jon Morrow, who is 25 years old. His blog is On Moneymaking.

By Jon Morrow - I nearly killed myself in college to get straight A’s. Well, almost straight A’s. I graduated with 37 A’s and 3 B’s for a GPA of 3.921. At the time, I thought I was hot stuff. Now I wonder if it wasn’t a waste of time. Let me explain:

1. No one has ever asked about my GPA.
I was told that having a high GPA would open all kinds of doors for me. But you know what? I interviewed with lots of companies, received a total of 14 job offers after graduation, and none of the companies asked about it. They were much more impressed with stuff like serving as Chief of Staff for the student government and starting a radio station run by 200 volunteers.

I suppose a college recruiter from a Fortune 500 company might ask, but honestly, I can’t see any employer hiring a straight-A student over someone with five years of relevant work experience. It might tip the scale in a competitive situation, but in most cases, I haven’t seen that grades are really that important to employers.

2. I didn’t sleep.
Unless you’re a super genius, getting 37 A’s is hard work. For me, it was an obsession. Anything less than an A+ on any assignment was unacceptable. I’d study for 60-80 hours a week, and if I didn’t get the highest grade in class, I’d put in 100 hours the next week.

Translation: I didn’t sleep much. From my freshman to junior year, I averaged about six hours a night. By my senior year though, I was only getting 3-5 per night, even on weekends. I was drinking a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew and 2-3 energy drinks per day just to stay awake. Not only is that unhealthy, but it’s not particularly fun either.

3. I’ve forgotten 95% of it.
I majored in English Literature and minored in Communication Theory. The main reason I chose those subjects was I thought they would teach me how to write and speak, two skills that would serve me well for the rest of my life.

Boy, was I stupid. Instead, I spent all my time reading classic literature and memorizing vague, pseudoscientific communication theories. Neither are useful at all, and I’ve forgotten at least 95% of it.

I’d guess the same is true for most college graduates. Tell me, what’s the point of spending 60-80 hours a week learning things that you immediately forget?

4. I didn’t have time for people.
Being in the student government and running a radio station, I had lots of opportunities to build a huge network. But I didn’t have time. Between studying and doing my job, I had to prioritize the people I wanted to develop relationships with and narrow it down to the handful who could help me the most.

That’s no way to go through school. College isn’t so much a training ground for entering the work place as a sandbox for figuring out who you are and how you relate to other people. You develop your social skills and forge relationships with people that might be colleagues for the rest of your life.

If I could do it all over again, I would spend less time in the library and more time at parties. I would have 50 friends, not 3. I would be known for “the guy that knows everyone,” not “the smartest guy in class.” Not only because it would’ve been more fun, but because I would still be friends with most of those people now and would have access to the networks they’ve developed over the last four years.

5. Work experience is more valuable.
In retrospect, I could’ve probably spent 20-30 hours a week on my studies and gotten B’s. That would’ve freed up 30-70 hours a week, depending on the course load. When I think of all of the things that I could’ve done with those hours, I just shake my head.

If there’s one thing graduates lack, it’s relevant work experience. If you want to be a freelance writer, you’re much better off writing articles for magazines and interning with a publishing company than working your tail off to get straight A’s. The experience makes you more valuable to future employers and usually results in a paycheck with a few more digits on it.

What about Graduate School?
If you’re getting your masters, going to law school, or becoming a doctor, then you’ll need all 37 of those A’s to get into the best school possible, and you can safely disregard this entire post. Just be sure that you follow through. I thought I would go to law school, and then I found out what a miserable career it is and how little it actually pays. All of those good grades are now going to waste.

It also comes down to the question, “What’s the most effective use of your time?” If you can’t imagine living without an advanced degree from an Ivy League school, then reading until your eyes fall out and sleeping on a table in the library is a perfectly defensible lifestyle.

On the other hand, if you want to get a job and make as much money as possible, then good grades aren’t going to help you as your teachers and parents might have you believe. You’re better making powerful friends, building a killer résumé, and generally having the time of your life on your parent’s dime.

2008-02-16T01:03:00.004+08:00

VDAY is FINALLY OVER

1.5 months of preparation is OVER. No more flowers, no more roses, no more thorns. It has been a real busy week starting from

mon- the preparations for the 3 days events.Stayed in school till 12+am.

tues morning- went down to far east to collect the flowers and feelers. A total of 1600 flowers collected in total. Stay in school till 12+am.The temperature in the room was set to 10 degree Celsius for the roses to last longer.

wed-wrapping of roses. I didn't wrapped because my wrapping skill is atrocious but I make myself useful doing other stuff. was stricken with fear that the flower orders could not be completed. roses start to deteriorate and some start dying. Stay in school till 12am.

thur- our team managed to complete the flowers order. Went out to do delivery..esp those which request a lot of attention.eg presenting the roses to the ger in the middle of the lectures/tutorials. Stay on to clear up the room till 10pm. It's no doubt my worst v'day ever but on the other perspective, I think I achieved some good karma for my love life as well.

The flowers we wrapped.

the uncollected flowers at the end of the day.

24 stalks of red roses. The standard is there rite? It's not wrapped by me btw. The prettier roses were all collected. This is also the leftover.

And thus, this post conclude the end of v'day and explained why I have been missing from this blog for the past 1 week.

While I was playing basketball just now, there was this group of people from Yew Tee CC basketball team who came to the basketball court where I usually played as the court at Yew Tee CC was undergoing renovation. But that's beside the point. After they finished their basic footwork and started to play 5 vs 5, we cleared the court as we are not really playing anymore. The players gathered at the basketball court and suddenly it seemed I was transformed back to my secondary school days as some of the older players near 30-40+ years old were the same ones whom I saw them when I was around 14 years old. Their skills were still evident but because due to age, they were a little bit rusty and shots were not falling in. The coach enquire whether if we want to field a team as well because I think they were pai seh that they are taking over the basketball court but we politely declined because we don't want to throw our faces and get a big fat zero for our score line. The standard of basketball they played were still much better than ours and I just sat at the side of the basketball court enjoying the same nostalgia again. They were legends in their own right 5-6 years ago and I can only admired their dedication and passion towards basketball but to each of his own. Each of us have different goals to chase after and for me basketball have fall into the leisure activity which I will play if I actually got the time to do so! It was an entertaining night to watch legends playing on our home turf.

This is the photos of my pretty cousin and niece Jing Yi and Ying Xuan. They came to my house last Sunday for CNY.

Ying Xuan is gonna grow up to become a heart breaker because at this young age she have already master the skill of rejecting the people's offers at first attempt yet giving away the killer secretive smile that make people want to give her more instead.

She is 'zai' lol

2008-02-08T13:48:00.000+08:00

First of all to everyone whom I know and to those who visited this blog but I don't really know...

A Happy+ Prosperous+ Good Health New Year!

Time flies and it's hard to imagine I'm 24 this year already. 21 seem only yesterday but now it's hard but not to admit I'm literally a middle age man. NOT a boy anymore but a man whose income is still @ $0 per annum.

And as I looked around my frens from NBS who are still relatively young, I don't feel that old actually. Perhaps it's the synergy of idea which age doesn't really play a part that make me feel a part of them. I enjoyed this period of my life in NTU tremendously, even if it's quite hectic which often lead me to believe time really FLIES.

But when I mixed around with my poly mates, we discussed about more serious stuffs. Our career path, our relationship, our family and it hit us all that we are 24 this year, our dearest fren Gy is already intending to propose to his gf on vday yet we have yet to have any gf that is particularly worrying hahaha..Perhaps it's not the case yet for me. I'm alrite with being single now but perhaps my view will change as I get older.

Yesterday I had my reunion dinner with my father side at a restaurant. Things didn't start off quite well because my grandpa was exhausted after walking from the car park with the assistance of my father and my uncle to the restaurant. His face was pale and he seem very weak. He was unable to lift his head and all of us got a shock. The staff were very helpful and gave us warm water etc. We immediately lied him down on the chair and my mother and aunties rubbed medicated oil on his forehead. It was only until a while when he recovered then he joined us for the meal. His face resumed its pink glow and his appetite was surprisingly good for his age. He ate everything my father and uncle put on his plate. As we were afraid that he might be breathless if we walked him back to the car, I piggy back him with the assistance of my dad and uncle to the car.

I think this post is really about time and tide wait for no man. When I was small, when all my grandparent were around, you see them busy running around, doing stuffs and this image stuck with you that they will always be around, being active but the sad fact of life is that people aged and they get weaker, sometimes their brain deteriorate and you can't place the grandparent whom you know since you were young to the grandparent that you are witnessing now. The grandpa I know since young, who is always so active and running around is now mentally and physically weak and gave us a fright yesterday when he was breathless.

It's the cycle of life. No one can escape from it.

2008-02-03T23:51:00.000+08:00

Last week NBS received her first good new for 2008.

The First Time a Singapore Business School’s MBA Programme Makes it to the World’s Top 50

Nanyang Business School’s MBA has made it to the top 50 in the Financial Times’ (FT) World Top 100 MBA 2008. The Nanyang MBA achieved a significant jump in ranking to 46th position up from 67th a year ago. This is the highest a Singapore Business School has ever been ranked ahead of several world-renowned universities. The latest ranking by FT re-affirms the Nanyang MBA as the best programme in Singapore.

And even though my frens and I are only currently under the bachelor program, we felt proud for our school and our lecturers. After all, they are the same lecturer who is teaching us as well as the master programme student~

I have signed up for the NTU open house as the ambassador as well. It make you feel good to give something back to the school, even though the ambassador role is paying $7/hr. It's a good deal I would say. To be able to promote your school and earn some allowances as well.

I 'heart' NBS!

I have just realize that I will be spending my time on 12, 13 and 14th of Feb co-ordinating and wrapping roses for all lovers and partners that ordered flowers from us but I got no programme or anybody to eat dinner with that night.

Haiz, the trial and tribulations of the status 'SINGLE' Hahaha

2008-02-02T00:01:00.000+08:00

Our Poster in school for Vday. Sales are not bad but I considered it slow.

New Watch given by dad. It's a Tissot which is the most expensive watch I ever own.
The 1st time I laid my eyes on the box, I immediately thought of MARKETing...the way they design the box, consumer education etc. It's a pretty elegant watch.

My korean tutee Soung Won is going back to Korea on Monday. He said he's not coming back to Singapore again but I doubt so.Somehow I'm confident that he will be back in future.

This picture was taken last year.

This picture was taken today. Look how much he have grown. Since today is our last tuition session, I had wanted to buy him a banana pizza from pasta mania. His favorite actually, But due to projects and time constraint, I only managed to get him stuffs from old chang kee and jollybean. During the tuition, I kept pestering him to sing me the lyrics of Da Chang Jin 'Onara' but he refused. Finally I coaxed him by humming the 1st tune and he followed on until we finished at least 3/4 of the song. I think it's the bond that we share. Me as his teacher. He as my student. I was a bit touch at the end of the song. After all, coming together and separation is part and parcel of life.It has been an eventful 6 months tutoring him. But I got his email address and hopefully we will keep in contact.

This is the song that we hummed.

This 1 week have been very busy. I have been rushing projects, tuition-ing, revising and handling cac vday sales of flowers. I guessed it's better to settle everything before the CNY rather than after that. But I don't have the time to buy my new year clothes.

I'll be free after TUESDAY!

2008-01-27T22:31:00.000+08:00

Went to St James Movida last night for the final clubbing cum farewell party
Movida is something different with the live band providing spontaneous entertainment..although I don't know what language they are singing of. Saw some acquaintance that have not seen for something, took alot alot alot of pictures. I think it should be roughly around 400mb but unfortunately halfway thru the party, fatigue set in and I was feeling pretty tired.

which explain the pictures below.

Start of party..still awake.

the eldest brother word is always correct~

V is for Victory

going to sleep soon.

Until don't know what am I trying to express.

Alrite. It's over. The aussie have managed to literally bring the house down.Left 1 last final gathering before they're going back. And this time round it's on our home turf CCK! There are certainty much to do done.

After so many weeks of struggle, former Indonesian president Suharto died today. If you read about him in the foreign media, there are always the few sticking issues that always appear in the articles, eg. his human right records, his corruption era, the crackdown on communist..but Indonesia during his time when he just took over the president post was pretty chaotic and facing the threat of the communism he did pretty much what he could do then..which is pretty much what Singapore tried to fight off by detaining those suspected of communist link..and sometimes often with unknown disappearance as their conclusion.

read more about him over here http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1707280,00.html

Rambo 4 is out

and Stallone will tell you the meaning behind of him making RAMBO 4.
I like the statement which he mentioned in the article.

'Old men start wars. Young men fight them. And everyone in the middle gets killed. War is natural. Peace is an accident. We're animals.'

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1706759,00.html

following my last last article about my mama nagging..for the 1st time in the last few months, there are actually people commenting on it. Haha I guess mama always hold a special position in our heart so some people may agree, some people may not while as for me, I don't have much choice either so I am still stuck in the middle. Darn..

2008-01-26T16:08:00.001+08:00

Today while browsing across the channel early in the morning at 10+
I was pleasantly surprised to see Channel 5 broadcasting the Ladies Final of Australia

Both of them look so pretty and classy.
But as I watch the match for the 1st 30 minutes, I already knew who was going to win it. Maria was too powerful. Her serve is so frightening that it hurts. It can kill and poor Ivanonic just have no answer to counter the serve.

After 1.5 hrs, I stopped by reading and switched on the TV again to catch Maria lifting her newly won trophy and giving her best mega-watt smile to the photographers.

after all hearing her grunts when she is playing isn't exactly nice either..

So looking at her at she do her PR and preened across the screen, I am smitten by her again..weeeee

2008-01-26T02:29:00.000+08:00

every day, without fail, my mama will nag and nag

she nag about her life, she nag at me and my sister, she nag about the housework, she nag about her aches from doing housework.

In fact, I've been listening to her nagging ever since I can start comprehending things during secondary school.

Not to say that I don't understand her hard work but sometimes it is also about working smart. Our house got 2 of everything. 2 cooking stove, 2 TV, 2 Fridges, 2 washing machine and she complain washing clothes is difficult and why is it so? the reason is she want to protect the clothes from 'aging' too quickly and thus seldom use the washing machine. Therefore every time she ask me to help with the clothes to dry it so that we can hang it out to dry, I will admonish her and question her what the hell is the 2 washing machine in our house for and she will start using it for a few days before resuming back to hand wash.

I don't quite understand those housewife as well who just want to save a few cents of rebate and end up carrying huge plastic bag which are obviously too heavy for them to carry. And when they finally arrive home, they complain about aching arms!

The same for those who purposely travel long distances to large supermarket and came home complaining about aching legs.

when my sister and I are at home, she will nag at us to help her with her housework. Of course if we can we will help. But as the school term continues, projects and works get piled up and sometimes when we are at home we are trying to complete our work and she'll be nagging at us to help her with this and that and it'll get frustrating and when you declined she will nag and nag and nag and nag and nag, dragging those super long 10 years issues lumping them together, snowballing 1 into another until it resembled a big giant boulder that is really to crush and suffocate you so you have no more breath..you cannot take it anymore because you are busy with your work and you'll still have to take in this nonsense and so...

THE VOLCANO MUST ERUPT before she finally stop talking.

and the world is at peace again.

I think I said enough. I must watch Little Miss Sunshine again to understand the beauty of a dysfunctional family.

2008-01-23T22:25:00.000+08:00

It's the season of Love...

So buy flowers from me....
http://vdaycac08.livejournal.com/

All you need is Love by The Beatles
All You need is Love, All you need is love
All you need is Love, Love;
Love is all you need~

2008-01-20T23:58:00.000+08:00

The marketing project power point is completed.

Work is piling up.

I have projects after projects all the way up to week 9.

Vday preparation is ongoing.

I have lots of reading that I have yet to read.

Chess prodigy Bobby Fischer died at the age of 66

I watched the worst movie of the year 2008 "CLOVERFIELD"

There is a number of events up ahead because as what KB said: The Aussie want to bring the house before they return back after CNY'

The CNY mood is building up. Look around you and you can see decorations being put up.

I think it's gonna be a good year ahead hopefully~

2008-01-16T00:50:00.001+08:00

I'm getting lazy to update..

because there isn't much to update either.

But I am quite disappointed last weekend because I broke my own self proclaim curfew of sleeping on my own bed every night when possible. However, the gathering was as fun as usual with nice scenery and cool breeze facing the sea. I 'heart' the sea and I think Singapore yacht club is really a nice place to spend your sat weekend away...provided you don't drink too much, puke so much and wake up in the morning with a super bad hangover. No..that's not me. I don't get drunk becoz I used 'rashes' as a reason to stop people from piling drinks on me.

I am getting to know more friends in NTU Biz and it really excite me getting to know more people.The impression I have so far from this semester is network, network and more network. Teamwork, interpersonal relationship, discussion, projects will take up majority of my time, in fact I am going to have a marketing presentation next week. But I think it's pretty exciting being the 1st group to present and hopefully we will do a good job out of it. Preparation for vdays is getting closer and closer. I don't really like the Vday planning and stuffs but hopefully Vday itself is gonna be fun.

School work wise is a bit of start-stop start-stop feeling. I think I can read up a bit more but my time is taken up by other stuffs. Else, it is likely that I'm too gan cheong spider to know everything at 1 go. Either way, I am thinking of not stressing or expanding my full power of revision so soon for fear of burning out at the latter half of the semester. I think it is gonna be a right decision.

All in all, a short and simple update.

'Life is Good' So say LG

2008-01-12T00:36:00.000+08:00

The news reported today of a hero death at the age of 88

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary died today at the age of 88, almost 55 years after the ascent that made him and Tenzing two of the great heroes of the 20th century.

The younger generation might not see his faces before, including me but definitely most of the people around the world should know of their names: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

Still doesn't ring a bell? They are the pair who were the first to scale the world highest point on Earth- Mount Everest and 'knocked the bastard' off..as what Hillary proclaimed.

To know more about their life and achievements : visit these webbie: 1 , 2

Somehow I feel the current bunch of generation ( including me) living in our vastly improved technological environment can never ever emulate the spirit and courage of the past heroes to explore new grounds and conquer new horizon.

I am having a lot of dreams recently while sleeping. Most of the dreams are very weird, and more often than not it left me tired in the morning. I can still remembered some of them but it is not convenient to disclose them in this blog and yesh, it is definitely not wet dreams as well before anyone rush to the conclusion.

This week I re-read again one of my favorite book 'Marley and Me' and pulled out this 2 phrases that seems quite meaningful.

'willful disobedience is sometimes worth the price; in a world full of bosses, he was his own master'

'but just as in life, i was figuring out the destination was less important than the journey'

thinking about it, I doubt I have the courage to try the first statement but I am trying to believe the 2nd statement can actually work out.

Meanwhile, I am starting to get into groove again for my academic career. Econs might be interesting but it can get confusing as well and I am spending time trying to understand it, even referring to 2 books to understand the concept. Communication Fundamentals is totally crap, a waste of time. Organization behavior seem to be a challenge, the lecturer is not convincing enough while marketing is interesting but project intensive...1000 people in a lecture hall, what do you think huhz?

And I love NBS soooo muchhh!!!! Hahaha

2008-01-06T16:18:00.000+08:00

HOLIDAY is officially over tonight at Jan 06 23:59 Hrs

This holiday has been fun..especially towards the last week of December and the 1st week of Jan...but its time again to make preparation for war that will last the 4 short months ahead.

Well, not exactly a total preparation for in fact we have CNY and VDay ahead in Feb.

I read across this article online at Time.com. It's about Person of the Year 2007. The winner at Putin, the Russian president while the runners up is JK Rowling, the author of Harry Potters series. Inside the interview she spoke about the long process..from the first book to the last and life after Harry Potter, with some insides of her feeling towards some character in the books.

You can visit the site by clicking here.

I think Time magazine is the best stuff I read this holiday. I didn't really read a lot of books as I liked unfortunately, reason being most of the books I want to read are relatively new and I could not get them from the library.Luckily Time came to my rescue.

Time mag Rocks!

2008-01-01T16:23:00.000+08:00

I spent my last day on 2007 at St James Dragonfly. It was rather expensive but given the entertainment and the company of frens, the money was quite well spent..except it got a little bit too squeezy and the crowd seem to be over 25 and quite subdued. After the countdown, we head over to PowerHouse where the real fun actually began.

We end the party around 5am, went to Mac to have our breakfast and reached home at 7am in the morning! But I only partake this type of celebratory activities or rather go clubbing twice this year, the first one during the FOC @ DXO and the 2nd one which is yesterday..first time to St James.

I guess my wish for 2008 is to set out and achieve as many things as possible, to gain new horizon, to cross all hurdles in a brave and honorable manner, to improve myself as a person, achieved better results, have fun and make more friends!

Welcome 2008.

2007-12-28T17:14:00.000+08:00

I got my results back yesterday. It was not a fantastic result..but not exactly lousy either. It was pretty average result and for that part I'm a little bit disappointed because I feel I can do better. And when I feel this way, words of my former mentor from SP came back again to me: " Alex, you are too much a perfectionist. "

I think this semester I have really put in a lot of hard work. But I have long known and feedback before that hard work, while playing a big percentage of success also require a bit more of luck and intelligence.When I heard my fren who played harder but got better results , I am not surprised but it just supported my conviction that studying smart is still the key. Anyway, you can't possibly increase your intelligence artificially by popping pills or anything like that so for once or many many times, I just have to accept the fact that I'm not exactly that smart..perhaps just average smart..Hahaha

Well, I guess I just have to try harder again next semester.

As the year is about to end soon, I turned back and look at the journey I've been through for this year. It all started with working at Starhub which helped me honed my communication skills and knowing a great bunch of colleagues, which in turn indirectly helped me in my interview with the NBS professors when I tried get a place in NBS, following on with the FOC camp where I got re-acquainted with the friends I made in NTU, after that joining the CAC FOC main comm as part of my CCA to make more friends as well as to color my resume, teaching English tuition to Soung Won, whom I believed have went back to Korea and not coming back anymore, exams and all those
'no day no night' hard core intensive mugging,FOC canvassing events and being part of Noise Singapore setup.

I think it's a rather busy, hectic, packed and relatively good year for me..especially when I have completed majority of what I have set out to do for this 1 month holiday. I am satisfied with my holiday, meet those people that I want to meet, getting to know more frens through work, played my sports etc. I'm thankful for this year..inclusive of my semester result because I have understand the profound wisdom that a person ability/capability and happiness/contentment is not often determined by that single set of results.Alas, I still got 5 more wars to wage, 5 more semesters to go so it's ain't kind of easy either.

As I look forward the next semester, I see quite a number of hurdles, beginning with new modules that seem to be quite challenging for me in fact..Economics and Statistics and following on with the FOC canvassing activities that will keep me busy throughout the 1st half of the year. Not that I mind though, because I'm 23 this year and I still have a mentality I'm living on borrowed time, everything must chop chop swee swee. Want mean Want, Can mean Can,Doing something mean giving your best shot at it,Cannot hesitate or think so much. Most of my male friends will be graduating next semester or during the year 2009 while I will only be graduating in 2010.It is kind of late but somethings just can't be rush for if not, it often end with disastrous results. I just have to accept it. I just have to improve on my 'ever so short patience'.

'For the Greater Good' - to quote Prof Albus Dumbledore.

2007-12-25T23:54:00.000+08:00

Yesterday Christmas eve celebration at my fren house was spent among close frens, frens, frens of frens but it was very entertaining and fun. Perhaps it is due to the fact that we are all young adults and with at least 8 bottles of hard liquor standing side by side at the table, nothing is impossible on that night. I only reached home at 530am and I was very tired.

Alas, the sms came to ask whether to play bball this evening and since it has been a while since I last played, I agreed but this time with my running shoes because I have not buy my new bball shoes yet. What I initially thought as a leisurely game was so darn wrong when more and more people came along and before I know it there were 14 people on the court. Games were played at fast and furious pace and I was scared because I am afraid of spraining my ankles with my running shoes on. At the end of the day, after a few elbows here and there with a knock to my front teeth as well, I came off the game none the worse.

It was a good bball game on the day of Christmas.

2007-12-24T00:22:00.001+08:00

I have just watched the Warlords with my family. Overall I think the movie is nice so I can't really understand the reason why some might think it is not nice.

I think Jet Li and Andy Lau act really well inside the show. I also like how the director portray the forbidden love between Jet Li and Andy Lau wife in the beginning. The kind where it take both to just look into each others eyes to convey the feeling across...I find that part quite difficult to act it out but both of them manage to bring out the message successfully...though somehow I find the scene where they have sex before the battle to capture Suzhou quite unnecessary as it ruin the beauty that it initially portray in the first place.

We saw how Jet Li changed his character as the movie went more in depth...from being a idealist to fight for the underdogs to being power hungry and eventually died in the end. I think his change is due to the fact that he lost his entire army in the first place and so he want to become a powerful figure to prevent that from happening again. As for whether it is right or wrong to massacre the entire army who have surrender, I couldn't help but agree with him unfortunately. Soldiers either win or get killed in the battles and it is just too bad they lost when their leader decided to sacrifice himself. The peasants were unharmed so Andy Lau managed to keep 1 promise to the ruler of Suzhou. Sometimes there are no right or wrong..it's just the circumstances that force you to make a decision and in this case the decision to kill is still correct in military term to prevent further troubles of uprising by those restless soldiers. We must also take in account that Jet Li character is formerly a general from the army while Andy character is a bandit so Andy could not perhaps ponder of the aftermath of the decisions to keep the captives alive.

Andy Lau behavior during the course of movie seem to support the notion he had of becoming a hero.He seem genuine enough to fight for the poor, to do the correct thing but somehow he seem torn between brotherhood and his ideals. It is just unfortunate that he has to be the one killing the Suzhou Leader and had to suffer the guilty conscious of breaking his promise. I really think he act well.

I feel Takeshi character have no right or wrong. He was just basically following orders and strongly stand by the pledge, never at once wavering from it. He seems simple and trust too easily the words of Da Ge. Somehow, he also hurt Da Ge the most by killing Andy Lau wife and thought the assassination of Andy will not be carried out.

I have initially been quite reluctant to catch it because it is something about war and so there will be killing and violences with blood spilling everywhere so it is totally opposite of what the current festive season seem to portray of love and joy. But..the rest of the movies seem to be quite cheesy anyway so I'm glad at least I enjoyed The Warloads.

2007-12-23T02:02:00.000+08:00

It's late..and I am feeling tired after a day outside with the FOC senior camp.

Right now I should be asleep, but my mind is pretty restless.

I believed I know what is it thinking about but because of the nature of the issue, I cannot find a solution to my problem which don't always come often.

But based of the previous experience and wisdom inherited, it's not easy to find someone whom you can relate to well so sometimes it's is better to maintain status quo than try to change something which is just not so possible at all @ the current moment.

In that case, if there is no solution to the problem and I have to accept the current situation, it will also logically mean I have no problem at all.

I can now go and sleep but still with a little tinge of regret.

2007-12-19T23:41:00.000+08:00

It's done..It should be over..at least I think so..though I'm secretly hoping that they will give me a call tomorrow coz it's a public holiday and I can earn $10.5/hr if I get to work haha...I'm a slave for money!!!!

Anyway..during this holiday I met a lot of people, a lot of new frens as well.It is fun meeting new people. ..and you get to hone your PR skills. I think I managed to get along quite well with so many of them due to the fact that we are in the same age group..and therefore we have more stuffs to share and talk about. It also help that our audience are also slightly younger so basically I got a lot of eye candies to ogle every time I work and I tried to get them to snap a Polaroid shot as well for our event. But being a nice guy, it get a bit harder to reject some couples who request to keep the Polaroid photo so I just close 1 eyes and let them have it instead..

For Noise Singapore 07, we have people commenting that:
I'm Sweet.
I'm very Lame
I'm a perfectionist
I'm very suitable for marketing specialisation because of my personality
I'm fun to work with.

Noise Singapore also bring some funny incidents with the many 'rumors' and 'scandals' flying around regarding myself and others girls but it was all in the name of good fun, especially when the crowd get little and we are waiting for time to pass. Based on my hairstylist suggestion, I start to put on wax to style my hair up instead of letting it down as it look more presentable due to my curls and guess what..a lady ask me whether can I help her to become her product model @ Hereen for today while I am going to report for work. Alrite, the word 'model' is very ambiguous. Of course I am not imaging myself to be those NUM employees with their good looks and bodies outside Hereen selling Havianna slippers Hahaha but I didn't accept the offer anyway .I have to go to work.

While Noise was fun, the canvassing on the 18th sucks big time. While I'm not shifting my responsibility to others and I myself must partly take the blame, I just can't take it lying down that we are being made use of and we as a whole are acting as a convenient scape goat for all the mistakes that happened on the actual day. There was 1 rare moment when I lost my cool and blasted the PRC lady back..and she went back to complain to others I have attitude problem..but I don't care because the event was carried out successfully without her around and the event management staff was very pleased with our work. I think the HSBC staffs should not have anything to complain about either with our services as well.

Lesson for the day: Don't work with AUNTIES. 4VAR n EVAR!

But often or not after every storm lies a 7 colored-rainbow and I'm very glad I managed to find my former poly classmates as well as good frens - marcus and jireh to rope in to help as well. It kinda remind me of the times when we were in poly..involving ourselves with SPAC2GO activities but the rest of the team was also also very cooperative and outstanding so KUDOS to them as well. Here are some of the pictures taken that day.

Sweet Lilian striking a Cover Page pose

Our 3 Charlie Angels on the scene- Tiffany, Rosa, Lilian

Team Atrium pic 1

Team Atrium pic 2

Markie with his many many balloons tied to his bag.

Overall we had fun among ourselves and we are not going to let a old hag ruin our wonderful time together!

2007-12-17T11:32:00.000+08:00

Just when I thought I completed my work for Noise Singapore @ 630pm yesterday..someone called me at 730pm again to ask me whether I wanna work on 19th again...

Wonderful.

Here are some pictures of the work displayed at Hereen Level 5 till 20th December.

Some of the songs produced by the local band are really nice so if you want to listen to it you can get yourself a copy of the CD at the information counter.

Pictures from Msia Trip.
COLMAR TROPICALE

Highlights of the trip

Sleeping again on the 5 star bed @ Putra Jaya Marriot. The bed is really comfortable. I think the pillow is stuff with goose feather and cost $50 each. The blanket and comforter make you want to knock out the moment you lie down.

Feeding the swans. There are 2 pairs. A pair of black and a pair of white swan. They are always so hungry.

Playing 5 games of bowling @ Genting with my cousin.

Anyway...Christmas is around the corner. Everyone should listen to Christmas Song.
Here are 2 of the classics song.

Last Christmas

I like 'ALL I want for Christmas is You' as well.

2007-12-14T01:13:00.000+08:00

I'm back from Malayisa since Tuesday..

since then it have been a choo choo train..very fast pace with a lot of stuffs to do.

today is a weekday but I keep feeling it's a weekend.

I will only be free on Sunday liao..

Updates everything again on Sunday then.

closed shop till Sunday!

2007-12-08T02:32:00.000+08:00

I have finally completed the series of Witch Yoo Hee after many days of religiously sitting on my chair..facing my lappie catching at least 3 episodes per day.

Sometimes I think if the stuffs they did inside the show to express their love towards each other ever happen to anyone of us in real life, as what Kelly Clarkson sang in 'A moment like this' - 'for a moment like this..some people wait a lifetime..' if you get what I mean.

But most often or not I find that surrendering yourself, placing your everything into another person is a bit too risky, because the chances of getting hurt deeply increased exponentially as well. I don't know..perhaps I have never love another person deeply before to know the true/wondering 'feeling' of it but in my own personal opinion, I say..yes it's is possible to love another person and yet leave some love for yourself as well..a little bit of self-love..or what Chinese say: 'Zi Ai'. The lead actor inside the show sacrifices so much to be with the one he love..and he ultimately got his wish,,but in real life I bet he'll be cursing those lost opportunities to achieve his personal dream as well as his career for the woman he love. And it seems to be that the wondering feeling of love is only 10% while 90% of your time is spent brooding on bread and butter issues on hand.

It's just so not practical. At least for me.

That's aside. I went to Hereen today for the Noise Singapore thingy as a temp art education officer as what my position is indicated in the contract. Did some crowd control..etc..it was in fact quite a easy job..if not some stuffs could be handled better in fact.

Anyway..looking at those art pieces..I could only differentiate what is nice..what is not nice. I feel like I'm intruding into those arty farty people who came to view their own works, other people works or the works of their friend. I cannot connect with them and I believed if they come into my world of ex-engine and current biz, they'll be lost a hundredfold as well. That's aside..my job is relatively simple..just making sure those arts pieces remain in 1 piece at the end of the day..which leave me relatively free to people watch..esp those pretty ladies Hahaha.I'll be going back again the next weekend but if there is any chances I will most likely request to work more often when I come back from msia.

It's late. Time to sleep. What's up with love actually lately?

2007-12-07T03:08:00.000+08:00

Half of the holiday is almost gone..

I'm still waiting for my beloved Soung Won to come back to resume tuition. I bet he must be stuffing himself up with lots of food and getting exhausted from all those mountain skiing

I have still yet to meet up with all the people I want to meet before the exam, though I have already met up with some already.I am looking forward to meet more of them soon.

I have yet to buy a new pair of basketball shoes which have 2 holes at the bottom of the soles already.

I have yet to stock up on my business attires for next semester, namely a new pair of leather shoe, some long sleeve shirts and a new pair of pant..perhaps a new tie as well.

I am thinking of buying a new watch..after all I've been alternating between the 2 for 2 years already. But this is not a necessity so it can wait till I strike big sweep on the 2nd Jan 2008 if I'm not wrong.

I am reading/watching stuffs of 2 witches now...namely "The Witch of Portobello' by Paulo Coelho. I got a feeling it is too spiritual for my liking..too abstract stuffs which is out of my mortal realm. But still I'm gonna try read finish it.

Witch Yoo He- a Korean Drama.

As with any typical Korean drama, it is very funny during the start of the show, draggy in the middle before picking full steam ahead near the end. Nevertheless, it is a good show to pass time as well. The lead actress is quite pretty but she is married. Not sure about 3 guys who like her thou. I guess ladies have different taste as well and will look for different qualities among the 3 guys.

I will be working part time as a facilitator for NAC Noise event for 3 days...not consecutive though to earn some pocket money. As such, I am gonna miss out soccer with my poly classmates tomorrow. Speaking of soccer, I think I have not kick a ball for the past 3 months.

I am going to Malaysia this coming weekend till next week Tuesday. As such, I am going to miss out 2 gatherings which I quite look forward to..stuck in Malaysia most probably wasting myself away.

I think I must do more for this holiday when I come back. As such, I am gonna bust my budget for this festive season.

What a wonderful way to end the year of 2007.

2007-12-04T11:03:00.000+08:00

The 2 photos taken during the Standard Chartered by 4 lovely ladies
The first 1 look better though coz we are not facing the sun.

Upon learning that des and mark have completed the 42Km, I think it's time to up the stake and try for the full marathon next year instead of the half again...Hahaha

2007-12-02T17:55:00.000+08:00

Completed the Standard Chartered Half-Marathon at the grand timing of 2hr 45mins.

This is the first time I have ever ran such a long distance..

This is the first time I ran for such long timing.

But the atmosphere was great, the run was fun and the supporters suddenly all look very nice indeed.

The race start at 6.15am but we only got to start moving around 6.23am. By this time, the african runners, most likely from KENYA , running in the opposite direction of the bridge have already completed the Marina South stretch,proceeding towards nicholl highway down to ECP.. which mean they took 45 minutes to start running from the Esplanade bridge, all the way down to Marina South and back! The excitement grew and people were cheering and clapping for them.

We saw a father pushing the stroller as he ran with his baby son/daughter soundly asleep inside. We saw Spiderman in his full costume attempting the half marathon. BUT what really stunned us was a man with rope tied across his wrist dragging a TYRE along as he ran! The last we saw of him was when we were at Nicholl Highway running back towards City hall and he was at the opposite direction. Enormous courage and effort. I salute him~

We start our own run in a gradual pace. The main aim is to complete the half-marathon and the first 10km was a nice gradual run. Back towards the Shenton way area, a supporter shouted..REACHING SOON 12KM MORE TO GO! and we were like WTFFFFF! There was also another female supporter shouting her encouragement amid in a wrong method. She was directing at 1 man shouting Come on UNCLE you can do it and people were smiling and saying: ' eh she said you are an uncle lei.'

We took our inspirations and keep on running by catching up with females runner whom we think might be pretty. Hahaha There was this lady with pony tail, a bit older older than us nevertheless with the charm and charisma still around,whom we keep looking out for, trying to catch up. She is good...because while during the last 6km we were dropping like flies with constant cramp, she still persevered on and finished the race far ahead on us.

The last 6km was not good because the thighs kept cramping and we have to stop and walked briskly to shake off the cramp before running again. I attributed this issues as not stretching and training enough. We kept rubbing the muscle rub to our thighs to produce the warm sensation hoping to shake off the cramp. Near the last 1Km, the cramp started to act up again but when the people cheering, the drum rolling, the announcer urging on, the huge finish sign onto sight with the clock running, it's time for the final push!

Heck the cramps or whatsoever, with the atmosphere and so many people watching, it's is definitely not the time to make a fool of yourself and walk!

Overall the run was great. As with every run, there must sufferings involved in order to improve. I believed if schedule permits I will be back again next year with a improved timing, likely to aim for 2hr 30 mins instead. Yeah!

2007-12-01T23:24:00.000+08:00

7 hrs 15 minutes more to Stand Chart Half marathon

Hope I can complete tomorrow safety without any cramps, stitches ,blisters, nipples abrasion or whatsoever.

I think after the run I can lie on the bed for 1 whole day to recuperate liao. Haha

2007-11-29T11:31:00.000+08:00

It's the season to be jolly lalalalalalala

but the recent updates of the dragon boaters make people real sad. If you have read the news, they have dedicated almost daily 2 whole pages on the incidents daily and I saw the obituaries on 1 edition and damn, my whole spirit went into downcast looking at their picture. I understand that the council is looking into an inquiry regarding the incident and perhaps give a answer to the family members on what happened that actual day but I couldn't help thinking what's the point. Those people who were there in the water should have already told the grieving family members the actual truth..I don't think there is a need to tell the entire Singaporean the truth at all because this is not a charity CEO or accounting discrepancy gone wrong case so who's there to account for except for the people directly involved in the incident and the closely related families member. It cannot and will not bring them back.

I think their cortège's will be leaving today. It's always a tragedy when the opposite happens- white hair people sending black hair people off to their final journey and of course the final farewell.

I watched ROCKY BALBOA yesterday night. For those who are not familiar with the Rocky series, go search on Wiki. It's pretty popular in the 1970s starring Sylvester Stallone except for this time round Rocky have retired, he is old but still itching for 1 last fight, to get rid of the beast in him after his wife died of illness. The movie was alright, I think guys will like the movie more. Sylvester Stallone looked weird at first sight..I think he ate too much stuffs to build up his mass but the way he speaks; It's something of a person who been there, done that. Giving little wisdom here and there, trying to help in whatever way he could to people around him...until he announced his comeback for 1 last fight with the undisputed champion.

Watch him trained, hear the familiar Rocky tune in the background and you can't help feeling excited for him, how the ending will turn out. Will he defeat the young snob with his many limitations due to old age, or will he die out there on the ring itself? Everyone loves the underdogs, everyone always like a surprise in the end. If you want to know who won, look up at wiki yourself then ..Haha

But the show taught us something. There was this part when Rocky son berated his father for coming out of retirement, for exposing his son of those unwanted attentions again after trying so long to come out of his father BIG shadow..and you thought Rocky was defeated by his own son abolishing, until he turned back and delivered a counter punch to his son whining..here goes the inspiring speech:

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"

This speech is awesome. I copied in down in my personal folder..until I saw another similar stuff I copied way long ago which has the same meaning as Rocky.

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them.
George Bernard Shaw

Okk...so many speech so many quotes. Typed a lot for today. End of Story.

2007-11-27T12:06:00.000+08:00

Exam is over! yeah..can officially have a break after 4 long months of hard work.

as often said the last hurdle is always the hardest to cross and it really meant so yesterday because I had 2 papers back to back and the night before the papers I had insomnia!
Oh god, please don't let this happen again

Couldn't sleep for the hell even though I was damn freaking tired and curse that stupid bird for sounding out at 4am in the morning. Anyway for all the grouses and complaints, it's over and we all can look forward to Christmas and a Happy New Year~

every year without fail near the end of the year (I watched it especially earlier this year after my acct papers thou), I will watch the repeat of 'Love Actually' on my lappie, and every year without fail as for me personally, I will inevitably learn something from the show. Somehow or rather, it seems to mark the end of the year as I often said, a season to joy and wonder after a year of hard work.So for those of you who have not catch this show before, beg, steal or borrow because I can guarantee you will leave the show a happy person who might began to start to believe a little bit more in love ,in fact all types of love actually~

Last december is quite different for me compared to this year.Last december wasn't quite as jovial with heavy thoughts on my mind regarding my studies. I went on a holiday to Malaysia with my family and with hindsight I'll be back again to the same hotel: Marriot at Putra Jaya again this year...What the heck, looking again at the same old big christmas tree, eating the same stuff for reason I couldn't understand but at least this year my older cousin is joining us so at least there is someone around the same age to relate to. I'll be gathering books to read along the bus journey...after all the only books I've been reading these 4 months is TEXTBOOKS and I really would like to read more..starting from....HARRY POTTER and the Deathly Hallows today!

There is a recent news of the drowning incidents in Cambodia. It's really quite tragic every time I read the newspaper and pictures of these 5 able young man flashed across the page. They are so young, so fit, so capable of achieving so many more in life but they have passed on in a foreign land, in the foreign water, doing the stuffs they loved.Mother Nature is not to be trifled with and human after all is infallible.

Watch your back; Stay safe; Enjoy life.

2007-11-25T17:16:00.000+08:00

It's Sunday today.

I have 2 papers tomorrow on Monday.

1 @ 9am. The other one @ 1pm.

I have yet to really understand the last chapter of the 1st papers while I have grossly underestimated the amount of knowledge required for the second.

And I asked myself what the hell am I been doing for the past 1 month studying in school everyday.

In fact, it have been a pretty long month, or rather a pretty long 4 months. Ever since school started, I think the effort that I put in is more than what I did for the earlier semester during 2006, but at least this time round I am still able to see some results.

Which led to my sister asking whether I can get into Dean List for this semester...

which I also coolly replied..NO..hahaha and she then said for what the hell I studied so much then?

There is a lot of stuffs to be done during the holidays. Many many meetups, FOC stuffs, Chalets, Msia trip that thinking of it alone make me feel tired. I just want to wake at 12 noon everyday, laze around, watch movies and sleep at 3am every night.

But it is not meant to be because right after the exam my friends and I have got to prepare for the standchart marathon. I looked at the route on the official website, it's something like a movable point that guide you thru the entire route and I started wondering how come the point is moving for so long and it have yet to reach the finish line.

I think this holiday is gonna be a busy + tiring but fulfilling + fun-filled as well.

btw..IT'S 4 MORE WEEKS TO CHrisTMAS!

2007-11-22T00:36:00.000+08:00

I came across a short clip recently..

there was this girl who faced some objections from her bf from taking part in a youth variety show because of some unknown reasons but..

she reckons that if she don't take part now 10 years down the road she will not have the opportunity to take part again. I don't know but it's the way she sound in that clip that left a deep impression on me...

alrite I admit she is quite pretty as well but that's beside the point.

Perhaps next time if we are really in a dilemma between the devil and the deep blue sea wondering whether to attempt something ahead of us and yet feeling unsure about it.

then we can ask ourselves this question.

Can I do this again 10 years down the road?

If your answer is no

then you should know what to do by then..

so old liao..no need people teach you liao rite hahaha