Saturday, December 11, 2004
Friday, December 10, 2004
TGIF
Day 5 of work in Mindef (yes, tt's muar new workplace in case you don't know).
TGIF, but not because work's stressful (not tt work isn't stressful either). But we all love a weekend, 2 days of... whatever we do on weekends (duh).
Like most working people, I now live life by the weekends. Yes, it's a consequence of giving my precious time to my employer in exchange for remuneration.
Just blabbing here. Have a good weekend, y'all!
*funky hip hop move with peace sign & jingly bling-bling*
TGIF, but not because work's stressful (not tt work isn't stressful either). But we all love a weekend, 2 days of... whatever we do on weekends (duh).
Like most working people, I now live life by the weekends. Yes, it's a consequence of giving my precious time to my employer in exchange for remuneration.
Just blabbing here. Have a good weekend, y'all!
*funky hip hop move with peace sign & jingly bling-bling*
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Of Money & Matchmaking
It's amazing how chummy colleagues of similar age & backgrounds can get. To the extent where money matters & joining matchmaking services are freely joked about.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Pounding the Asphalt before Dawn
Ran a half-marathon (that's 21.5km) for the first time in my life. T'was a great run!
Now the lower half of my body is weak and sore (but no abrasions in embarassing places). All in all, I'm happy and at peace :)
It's the 2nd time I'm taking part in the Singapore Marathon. This year's turnout is terrifically high, with about 20,000 participants. So didn't stay to cheer and clap for the winning marathoners.
I simply smiled and said, I love to run.
Yes, I love the rush of wind in my face, the exhilaration of pushing my body to its limits - cramps, stitches and all. And the sudden, liberating spurts in tapping a wellspring of energy from within.
And I've to admit, the feeling of overtaking slower runners is quite an ego-booster :)
I love to run. And I hope you do too.
Now the lower half of my body is weak and sore (but no abrasions in embarassing places). All in all, I'm happy and at peace :)
It's the 2nd time I'm taking part in the Singapore Marathon. This year's turnout is terrifically high, with about 20,000 participants. So didn't stay to cheer and clap for the winning marathoners.
I simply smiled and said, I love to run.
Yes, I love the rush of wind in my face, the exhilaration of pushing my body to its limits - cramps, stitches and all. And the sudden, liberating spurts in tapping a wellspring of energy from within.
And I've to admit, the feeling of overtaking slower runners is quite an ego-booster :)
I love to run. And I hope you do too.
Monday, November 29, 2004
Last Day @ Work
Funny, I don't remember posting an entry about my 1st day at work.
Had my farewell lunch, did my "lap of honour". Next, the goodbye email of positivity & appreciation - understandably brief becoz of my short 4mth stint here.
It's definitely been a good 4mths of learning about the job, on the job, about working & working with people, & most importantly, about myself. I entered full of hope and enthusiasm, and I am still leaving full of hope and enthusiam.
Though I hardly feel attached to this office, it is with genuine sadness that I leave this place. In moving on, a sense of loss generally ensues. Not to get too sentimental, but I'll miss friends and potential-friends that I've made here.
Sigh... moving on...
Had my farewell lunch, did my "lap of honour". Next, the goodbye email of positivity & appreciation - understandably brief becoz of my short 4mth stint here.
It's definitely been a good 4mths of learning about the job, on the job, about working & working with people, & most importantly, about myself. I entered full of hope and enthusiasm, and I am still leaving full of hope and enthusiam.
Though I hardly feel attached to this office, it is with genuine sadness that I leave this place. In moving on, a sense of loss generally ensues. Not to get too sentimental, but I'll miss friends and potential-friends that I've made here.
Sigh... moving on...
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Driving
Life is a journey where we all drive different vehicles of different sizes, shapes, makes, horsepower, torque etc. It isn't really a race because everyone has different destinations, though some don't know where they're headed. Some get distracted along the way, some plan theirs but ditch them en route. Those on the highway go faster, but not necessarily to where they want to go. Some are waiting to filter to a freshly paved & bigger road. Even when the same vehicle is being driven by many, some drive like a turtle, others speeding and full of aggression. Sometimes we run out of fuel and we gotta stop to refuel. Sometimes we pump diesel by mistake and the mistake costs us.
Ultimately what's important is we all get home at the end of the day.
A tad cheesy, but I think it's apt.
Ultimately what's important is we all get home at the end of the day.
A tad cheesy, but I think it's apt.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
A Spirit Endures
I'm a young old boy... an ACS old boy, that is! :)
At the SOUA, I met my secondary school principal, who has retained the spark in his eyes and an impressive eloquence, despite aging - the accompanying signs very much apparent.
For those in the know, I'm referring to Prof. Lawrence Chia whose namecard displays an intimidating list of acronyms (half unknown to me) trumpeting his life's achievements. But for all that, he was very much affable and took time to ask about me.
Interestingly, he mentioned an AC Psyche - one that is distinctively driven and willing to take on challenges. I'm tempted to declare "that's me!" but will let my future namecards do the talking.
It's amazing how one's formative years are so absolutely important - the friends you make, the people you meet, the things you do, for that matter, the things you didn't do! A personality is being moulded and a life is really being charted out.
Yet as my colleague lamented about her youthful idleness, "I regret not planning my future while I was younger".
To this, I replied that it's about nature and nurture - one's nature and how one is nurtured. But we are all free to create our destiny - nope, not a winning Anthony-Robbins' catch-phrase, but a truth that carries hope.
Alright, too many motivational words there, though it is the truth. But as Jack Nicholson agitatedly reminds us, "you can't handle the truth!"
At the SOUA, I met my secondary school principal, who has retained the spark in his eyes and an impressive eloquence, despite aging - the accompanying signs very much apparent.
For those in the know, I'm referring to Prof. Lawrence Chia whose namecard displays an intimidating list of acronyms (half unknown to me) trumpeting his life's achievements. But for all that, he was very much affable and took time to ask about me.
Interestingly, he mentioned an AC Psyche - one that is distinctively driven and willing to take on challenges. I'm tempted to declare "that's me!" but will let my future namecards do the talking.
It's amazing how one's formative years are so absolutely important - the friends you make, the people you meet, the things you do, for that matter, the things you didn't do! A personality is being moulded and a life is really being charted out.
Yet as my colleague lamented about her youthful idleness, "I regret not planning my future while I was younger".
To this, I replied that it's about nature and nurture - one's nature and how one is nurtured. But we are all free to create our destiny - nope, not a winning Anthony-Robbins' catch-phrase, but a truth that carries hope.
Alright, too many motivational words there, though it is the truth. But as Jack Nicholson agitatedly reminds us, "you can't handle the truth!"
Of Visions and Visionaries
Imagination is more important than knowledge
Albert Einstein
This morning, I attended NUS' State of the University Address (SOUA) by NUS President, Prof. Shih. He had very aptly made a metaphorical reference to the challenge of establishing base camps and scaling Mt. Everest.
I'm no orator/toast-master but I think his address served its purpose - one of stock-taking & vision-sharing.
And it was thought-provoking in many ways. I wondered why Prof. Shih was so energetic & full of optimism... while juxtaposed against a bureaucracy. But I must admit that this kind of energy is often infectious and compelling - even if one doesn't agree with the given task.
I wondered why organizations need an annual CEO address. And most importantly, I believe, he outlined NUS' collective challenge & how that translated into individual challenges. He painted a vision of scaling greater heights amidst increasingly difficult conditions.
For "without a vision, the people perish".
SDU, Here I Come! Heh heh...
Received in the mail yesterday, SDU complimentary membership.
And guess what? Acceptance is on a opt-out basis, i.e. reply only if you want to reject!
Ooh, SDU, here I come...
And guess what? Acceptance is on a opt-out basis, i.e. reply only if you want to reject!
Ooh, SDU, here I come...
Monday, November 22, 2004
High Heels are Treacherous!
It's (almost) proven: high heels are a killer.
You can't walk in them; they wear you out. I've seen how G suffers in them. And most seriously, they can cause spinal problems over the long term.
If that's not enough, here's an incident that happened today:
Together with several thousand other cubicle drones, this individual - muar - was milling down the staircase at Clementi MRT. In front of me, this lady in HEELS tripped and also rolled down the stairs.
Tell me again why women's gotta wear high heels...
You can't walk in them; they wear you out. I've seen how G suffers in them. And most seriously, they can cause spinal problems over the long term.
If that's not enough, here's an incident that happened today:
Together with several thousand other cubicle drones, this individual - muar - was milling down the staircase at Clementi MRT. In front of me, this lady in HEELS tripped and also rolled down the stairs.
Tell me again why women's gotta wear high heels...
Sunday, November 21, 2004
The Shows We Loved & Still Do
The Austin Powers franchise are all stupid, slapstick, toilet humour comedies.
I loved the 1st 2 installments :)
But 3 was just inane.
Seeing Austin Powers 2 on TV brings back fond memories. Mainly of NS (coz that's when it was screened in SG).
Of course, this is just 1 stupid movie. I'm sure there're lots of other shows that wouldn't capture our attention now as they did many years ago.
Remember Smurfs? Carebears? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
I was watching re-runs of Wonder Woman on TV a while ago. It's quite amusing to spot how they tried to create the illusion of Wonder Woman being super-humanly strong.
It's amazing how much I used to spend on TV, esp. waiting for the late night Top 20 Mandarin MTV's to come on.
Sigh, the shows I used to love...
I loved the 1st 2 installments :)
But 3 was just inane.
Seeing Austin Powers 2 on TV brings back fond memories. Mainly of NS (coz that's when it was screened in SG).
Of course, this is just 1 stupid movie. I'm sure there're lots of other shows that wouldn't capture our attention now as they did many years ago.
Remember Smurfs? Carebears? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
I was watching re-runs of Wonder Woman on TV a while ago. It's quite amusing to spot how they tried to create the illusion of Wonder Woman being super-humanly strong.
It's amazing how much I used to spend on TV, esp. waiting for the late night Top 20 Mandarin MTV's to come on.
Sigh, the shows I used to love...
Wearing Pink
During lunchtime conversation today, a fashion-savvy friend remarked that shopping in Melbourne must be tough for guys because the in-colours this season are pastel pink, yellow & green. She concluded that it takes a lot of confidence for a guy to wear pink.
Well, first of all, why do guys hate wearing pink - that is, if they hate it in the first place? What does it mean when a guy dresses in pink? What if it's pastel pink? Or hot pink?? And does it really take absolute confidence?
This is really more than a sartorial issue.
Go fish...
Well, first of all, why do guys hate wearing pink - that is, if they hate it in the first place? What does it mean when a guy dresses in pink? What if it's pastel pink? Or hot pink?? And does it really take absolute confidence?
This is really more than a sartorial issue.
Go fish...
Friday, November 19, 2004
For the NUS Food Lovers
List of good foods in NUS (that is, foods that are good to me and subjected to my sense of adventure)
Science Canteen: sliced fish mee sua (great for cold days), yong tau hoo, claypot dishes (beef & tau hoo), ban mian, malay food (rendang is sedap!), chinese food (freshly cooked & high turnover), indian food, Spinelli's coffee, milk tea with less sugar from drinks stall, and fresh waffles from Dilly's
Bizad Canteen: western food (esp. chicken chop), indian food (naan!), dumplings (only available on thu, beware garlic breath), tau huey & blueberry milkshake from dessert & fruits stall, and freshly brewed coffee, fresh sandwiches & piping hot delifrance pastries from toscano's
Engine Canteen: indian food (best indian food on campus)... erm, that's all i've tried and like :)
Arts Canteen: Jap food!
Engine viet cafe ("Trung-something-something"): fresh drip coffee! otherwise food sucks...
NB foods at Fratello's & NUS staff club are not bad, but generally quite pricey.
For al fresco dining on a cool day, Gecko's nice. Food is ok, drinks are cool.
Gee, I'm really gonna miss NUS... Funny that I'm feeling this so long after graduation.
Love the big trees & lush green patches...
Science Canteen: sliced fish mee sua (great for cold days), yong tau hoo, claypot dishes (beef & tau hoo), ban mian, malay food (rendang is sedap!), chinese food (freshly cooked & high turnover), indian food, Spinelli's coffee, milk tea with less sugar from drinks stall, and fresh waffles from Dilly's
Bizad Canteen: western food (esp. chicken chop), indian food (naan!), dumplings (only available on thu, beware garlic breath), tau huey & blueberry milkshake from dessert & fruits stall, and freshly brewed coffee, fresh sandwiches & piping hot delifrance pastries from toscano's
Engine Canteen: indian food (best indian food on campus)... erm, that's all i've tried and like :)
Arts Canteen: Jap food!
Engine viet cafe ("Trung-something-something"): fresh drip coffee! otherwise food sucks...
NB foods at Fratello's & NUS staff club are not bad, but generally quite pricey.
For al fresco dining on a cool day, Gecko's nice. Food is ok, drinks are cool.
Gee, I'm really gonna miss NUS... Funny that I'm feeling this so long after graduation.
Love the big trees & lush green patches...
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Rainbow Connection
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.
Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Moving On... Already?
Yes, I'm leaving APRU in a couple of weeks time. I've known all along that I'm leaving but it wasn't till someone I met for lunch today actually listed down the days that I realized how soon it's gonna be.
So, moving on, I am.
So, moving on, I am.
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Peter, Paul & Mary
All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go
I’m standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin’, it’s early morn
The taxi’s waiting, he’s blowin’ his horn
Already I’m so lonesome I could cry.
Chorus:
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go.
I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go.
There’s so many times I’ve let you down
So many times I’ve played around
I tell you now, they don’t mean a thing
Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back, I’ll wear your wedding ring.
(chorus)
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Then close your eyes, I’ll be on my way.
Dream about the days to come
When I won’t have to leave alone
About the times, I won’t have to say,
(chorus)
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Blinkless
A baby caught my attention on the train today...
Those eyes so big & bright,
You wonder what innocence is thinking.
Those cheeks so chubby & full,
Wistfully beckoning for attention.
Those hands so small & pudgy,
Flailing about in wonder.
Those feet all warm & protected,
A path waits to be trodden.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Celebrate Good Times with Sun, Sand & Friends
T'was Ray's hatching anniversary. So, us 4 guys & 2 chicks spent the weekend over at Nirwana Gardens, Bintan.
Saturday Morning@Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
5 eager yuppies-to-be filed excitedly through customs and headed straight for DFS. (only 5 becoz Mr. Tian came later)
How much more hard-up can we get huh?
dW bought a box of smelly cigars (which we had to help smuggle back to S'pore becoz he couldn't finish them).
Saturday Noon@Bintan Ferry Terminal
More queueing and waiting. Ray entertains thoughts of us flying through customs while pretending to be a Taiwanese boyband. He forgets how unglam he looks with NTUC plastic bags of bottled drinks & cheap snacks.
Murphy's law prevails; we're the last to clear customs, even though our queue was the shortest. Perhaps we should have prepared bribes.
Saturday Afternoon@Mayang Sari
Checked in! Had our complimentary drink of ultra-sweet syrup/water concoction.
The beach looks wonderful...
Saturday Afternoon@Indra Maya Villa
Ferried via buggy to our villa, complete with private pool, floating coke tray, open bath & our own buggy!
Oh, joy & serenity!
Indulgence task no. 1: Book ourselves for spa treatment!
Indulgence task no. 2: Slather on sunblock, test the pool & simply laze in the sun!
Thankfully weather was bright & sunny all throughout. Absolutely no gloom & doom to dampen our fun.
I've been named Raoul the man-slave, coz I look like a latino hottie serving-boy in speedos :)
Saturday Mid Afternoon@Nirwana Gardens Resort Hotel
So easy to lose track of time. Had satisfying lunch of nasi & rendang & stuff. Real spicy...
Off to the beach! More soaking... while Ray & Val relived band camp by singing familiar tunes.
dW compliments Ray for his salamander hair.
Saturday Late Afternoon@Nirwana Gardens Resort Hotel
To the free form pool! More soaking...
Discovered the pool bar. For a truly authentic beach holiday, Pina Colada's a must, says Val. She even had a malibu-scented perfume.
Off to the open jacuzzi! More soaking...
Oops, time to fetch Mr. Tian.
Saturday Late Afternoon en route to Villa
Headed back to our villa. Detoured to take pictures.
Seriously now, it's back to our villa. It's confirmed: Ray's a dangerous driver - he can make a buggy do a wheelie!!
*Ed bails out*
Indulgence task no. 3: Communal bubble bath! T'was Ray's stupid but admittedly fun idea. First water was too hot, then it got murky & tepid... It's amazing what 25yo's (& 1 23yo) do to entertain themselves.
Saturday Evening@Thai Restaurant along beach
Indulgence task no. 4: Thai dinner! All had the dinner gastronomique or something, a sumptuous course of exquisite Thai food, including a platter of Thai favourites - green curry & seafood! Mr. Tian & his taste buds kept hogging the conversation.
Stars look wonderful, but it's rude to be craning your neck towards the heaven all the time during dinner.
Saturday Late Night@Villa
It's Cranium! Lots of laughs & physical action to yank us out of post-dinner drowsiness. Too bad our award-winning actress, G had to mug.
Then, just when I was all tight & snug in bed, the boys tapped on my window & beckoned.
The stars... wow... full of awe... Shooting star!! Heh... Ouch, neckache.
Ok, finally to sleep...
Sunday Morning@Villa
What?! 9am & I'm up! Body clock too well-tuned... but apparently so is everyone else's. Perhaps it's too great a holiday to while away in bed.
While Mr. Tian slathers on tinted sunblock, I try to wake the sleepyheads next door. Val tells me to go away. Hmph.
Sunday Morning@Mayang Sari
Raoul gets 1 free coconut with his hot latino looks. Heh.
Buffet breakfast!! Another big, heavy meal! Scrambled eggs seems to be quite popular. Mmmm... I love white bread.
After breakfast, it's off to bake on the beach. Too bloated to move... feel unglam in trunks.
Sunday Mid-morning@Mayang Sari Beach
I spy an old man trying to body-surf! After the customary Singaporean photo shoot, off we go to hit the waves!
Absolute exhilaration!! Never had so much fun riding the surf before! Who cares if seawater keeps entering my nostrils?! Time comes to standstill.
After an hour, we're totally spent...
Sunday Noon@Villa
Partying in private pool! Complete with hits to boogie to! Lunch is junk food & white wine. Mmmmmm......
Shucks, it's time to check out. Byebye, villa! *wistful look*
One final round of photos.
Sunday Afternoon@Asmara Tropical Spa
Val's a good haggler. She MFA one ah, dun pray pray!
Spent an hour under the skillful hands of a masseuse. My first massage ever, was wincing a lot though. But it was good... feel like a totally elastic slab of meat afterwards.
Time passes ever so slowly... *contented sigh*
Sunday Evening@Mayang Sari Restaurant
The holiday's almost over... Everyone's too tired to talk during dinner.
*munch munch*
Sunday Evening@Bintan Ferry Terminal
Long queue... oh well.
Spend the ferry ride discussing Singaporean Chinese social idiosyncrasies & how they manifest in conversations and mutal interactions. Hmmm...
Sunday Evening@Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
Ray & Mr. Tian head to Balestier for Boon Kee chicken rice.
It's home sweet home & home-cooked food for me!
Saturday Morning@Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
5 eager yuppies-to-be filed excitedly through customs and headed straight for DFS. (only 5 becoz Mr. Tian came later)
How much more hard-up can we get huh?
dW bought a box of smelly cigars (which we had to help smuggle back to S'pore becoz he couldn't finish them).
Saturday Noon@Bintan Ferry Terminal
More queueing and waiting. Ray entertains thoughts of us flying through customs while pretending to be a Taiwanese boyband. He forgets how unglam he looks with NTUC plastic bags of bottled drinks & cheap snacks.
Murphy's law prevails; we're the last to clear customs, even though our queue was the shortest. Perhaps we should have prepared bribes.
Saturday Afternoon@Mayang Sari
Checked in! Had our complimentary drink of ultra-sweet syrup/water concoction.
The beach looks wonderful...
Saturday Afternoon@Indra Maya Villa
Ferried via buggy to our villa, complete with private pool, floating coke tray, open bath & our own buggy!
Oh, joy & serenity!
Indulgence task no. 1: Book ourselves for spa treatment!
Indulgence task no. 2: Slather on sunblock, test the pool & simply laze in the sun!
Thankfully weather was bright & sunny all throughout. Absolutely no gloom & doom to dampen our fun.
I've been named Raoul the man-slave, coz I look like a latino hottie serving-boy in speedos :)
Saturday Mid Afternoon@Nirwana Gardens Resort Hotel
So easy to lose track of time. Had satisfying lunch of nasi & rendang & stuff. Real spicy...
Off to the beach! More soaking... while Ray & Val relived band camp by singing familiar tunes.
dW compliments Ray for his salamander hair.
Saturday Late Afternoon@Nirwana Gardens Resort Hotel
To the free form pool! More soaking...
Discovered the pool bar. For a truly authentic beach holiday, Pina Colada's a must, says Val. She even had a malibu-scented perfume.
Off to the open jacuzzi! More soaking...
Oops, time to fetch Mr. Tian.
Saturday Late Afternoon en route to Villa
Headed back to our villa. Detoured to take pictures.
Seriously now, it's back to our villa. It's confirmed: Ray's a dangerous driver - he can make a buggy do a wheelie!!
*Ed bails out*
Indulgence task no. 3: Communal bubble bath! T'was Ray's stupid but admittedly fun idea. First water was too hot, then it got murky & tepid... It's amazing what 25yo's (& 1 23yo) do to entertain themselves.
Saturday Evening@Thai Restaurant along beach
Indulgence task no. 4: Thai dinner! All had the dinner gastronomique or something, a sumptuous course of exquisite Thai food, including a platter of Thai favourites - green curry & seafood! Mr. Tian & his taste buds kept hogging the conversation.
Stars look wonderful, but it's rude to be craning your neck towards the heaven all the time during dinner.
Saturday Late Night@Villa
It's Cranium! Lots of laughs & physical action to yank us out of post-dinner drowsiness. Too bad our award-winning actress, G had to mug.
Then, just when I was all tight & snug in bed, the boys tapped on my window & beckoned.
The stars... wow... full of awe... Shooting star!! Heh... Ouch, neckache.
Ok, finally to sleep...
Sunday Morning@Villa
What?! 9am & I'm up! Body clock too well-tuned... but apparently so is everyone else's. Perhaps it's too great a holiday to while away in bed.
While Mr. Tian slathers on tinted sunblock, I try to wake the sleepyheads next door. Val tells me to go away. Hmph.
Sunday Morning@Mayang Sari
Raoul gets 1 free coconut with his hot latino looks. Heh.
Buffet breakfast!! Another big, heavy meal! Scrambled eggs seems to be quite popular. Mmmm... I love white bread.
After breakfast, it's off to bake on the beach. Too bloated to move... feel unglam in trunks.
Sunday Mid-morning@Mayang Sari Beach
I spy an old man trying to body-surf! After the customary Singaporean photo shoot, off we go to hit the waves!
Absolute exhilaration!! Never had so much fun riding the surf before! Who cares if seawater keeps entering my nostrils?! Time comes to standstill.
After an hour, we're totally spent...
Sunday Noon@Villa
Partying in private pool! Complete with hits to boogie to! Lunch is junk food & white wine. Mmmmmm......
Shucks, it's time to check out. Byebye, villa! *wistful look*
One final round of photos.
Sunday Afternoon@Asmara Tropical Spa
Val's a good haggler. She MFA one ah, dun pray pray!
Spent an hour under the skillful hands of a masseuse. My first massage ever, was wincing a lot though. But it was good... feel like a totally elastic slab of meat afterwards.
Time passes ever so slowly... *contented sigh*
Sunday Evening@Mayang Sari Restaurant
The holiday's almost over... Everyone's too tired to talk during dinner.
*munch munch*
Sunday Evening@Bintan Ferry Terminal
Long queue... oh well.
Spend the ferry ride discussing Singaporean Chinese social idiosyncrasies & how they manifest in conversations and mutal interactions. Hmmm...
Sunday Evening@Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
Ray & Mr. Tian head to Balestier for Boon Kee chicken rice.
It's home sweet home & home-cooked food for me!
Friday, November 05, 2004
Before Sunset? The Kay-Poh's in us
I caught Before Sunset the other day.
Lovely show! Not because how all that dialogue didn't make me fall asleep for once.
But to me, it's a show about hope and love that could have been. Although the realist in me begs to differ.
*happy sigh*
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Monday, November 01, 2004
How Badly Do You Want It?
The Ultimate Subaru Impreza
All Wheel Drive Challenge
For the life of me, I cannot imagine enduring such gruelling torture to my body for the sake of a free car. Not to mention becoming the butt of my friends' jokes.
I wonder if there's something that I want real badly...
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Home Sweet Home
Apologies to all ardent fans out there. Ed has been too busy/tired to post anything. Finally, some time to ramble...
Life's been good.
In case you aren't my enamoured devotee, I was at Tsinghua University, Beijing at an academia-oriented conference in mid October. T'was a great experience and a very fruitful trip - and I don't mean the shopping.
It being an international conference, I got to meet people from across 13 countries. And that was certainly the best part of the trip, for me. For one, I got to put my rusty mandarin to practice.
During dinner the other day, a good friend was lamenting how most of his close friends are flying off to other countries. Yet when I asked him, he said he's staying put in Singapore. Expected of him, he gave a rather rational & logical answer, which is the affordable cost of living, relative to certain developed nations, of course.
Back in Beijing, my colleague kept groaning on the bus about how she hates Singapore. And LKY is the only thing Singapore should be proud about.
Well, I'm not getting into a fight about what's Uniquely Singapore.
When she asked me, what's worth staying in Singapore, my answer - family & friends!
You left out the food, she offered.
Of course :)
One thing G's taught me is that you don't have to travel to see the world and to have an open mind with broad horizons.
Coz it's all in the mind.
Either that or Ian Wright & Lonely Planet.
*cue peculiar yet familiar didgeridoo sounds*
Oh wait, I'm outdated. I believe it's Pilot Guides now.
One thing I've yet to learn is work/life balance. Seems all I know now is work-life balance.
Too bad if you don't get it.
Of course, compared to my peers slogging away in banks & consultancies, I really shouldn't complain.
Life's good.
Ah, home sweet home...
Life's been good.
In case you aren't my enamoured devotee, I was at Tsinghua University, Beijing at an academia-oriented conference in mid October. T'was a great experience and a very fruitful trip - and I don't mean the shopping.
It being an international conference, I got to meet people from across 13 countries. And that was certainly the best part of the trip, for me. For one, I got to put my rusty mandarin to practice.
During dinner the other day, a good friend was lamenting how most of his close friends are flying off to other countries. Yet when I asked him, he said he's staying put in Singapore. Expected of him, he gave a rather rational & logical answer, which is the affordable cost of living, relative to certain developed nations, of course.
Back in Beijing, my colleague kept groaning on the bus about how she hates Singapore. And LKY is the only thing Singapore should be proud about.
Well, I'm not getting into a fight about what's Uniquely Singapore.
When she asked me, what's worth staying in Singapore, my answer - family & friends!
You left out the food, she offered.
Of course :)
One thing G's taught me is that you don't have to travel to see the world and to have an open mind with broad horizons.
Coz it's all in the mind.
Either that or Ian Wright & Lonely Planet.
*cue peculiar yet familiar didgeridoo sounds*
Oh wait, I'm outdated. I believe it's Pilot Guides now.
One thing I've yet to learn is work/life balance. Seems all I know now is work-life balance.
Too bad if you don't get it.
Of course, compared to my peers slogging away in banks & consultancies, I really shouldn't complain.
Life's good.
Ah, home sweet home...
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Are You Pondering What I'm Pondering?
Last night, I got to know a 33yo Dutch guy. I find him inspiring because he's finally discovered his purpose in life, after working in a big MNC and making big bucks. Now he edits his own magazine and though hasn't turned profitable yet, that's where he wants to be.
It's also interesting how he's had so much life experience, while I feel like I've only just begun to experience life for real.
Hmmm...
It's also interesting how he's had so much life experience, while I feel like I've only just begun to experience life for real.
Hmmm...
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Land of Peking Ducks & Flying Pigeon Bicycles
Here I am at Terminal 2, blinded by the gleaming lights of the many shops in the departure hall.
After all, we don't get up at 5plus everyday.
Off to Beijing, I am.
Awfully excited and feeling empowered by the expanded sense of independence. Yet this independence also comes with a sense of being lost.
Anyway, will be back soon.
After all, we don't get up at 5plus everyday.
Off to Beijing, I am.
Awfully excited and feeling empowered by the expanded sense of independence. Yet this independence also comes with a sense of being lost.
Anyway, will be back soon.
Friday, October 08, 2004
Amidst the Silent Hum
Woe is the flatulent cubicle drone whose surreptitious attempt at dispelling wind amidst the silent hum of air-con & computers is defeated by the unwavering laws of acoustics.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Motorcycle Diaries
Dunno why, but the trailer just attracts me.
http://www.motorcyclediariesmovie.com/
http://www.motorcyclediariesmovie.com/
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
It's My Hatching Anniversary!
How nice to have birthday greetings streaming into my phone first thing in the morning. Thanks guys & gals!
And I've realized that the best present I can have is simply your presence :)
If I've time, I'll do a tribute to myself. Heh.
And I've realized that the best present I can have is simply your presence :)
If I've time, I'll do a tribute to myself. Heh.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Monday, October 04, 2004
Machinima
Machinima: The Marriage of Gaming & Animation
Interesting films made by gaming enthusiasts using games such as Quake, Half-life & Unreal Tournament.
Interesting films made by gaming enthusiasts using games such as Quake, Half-life & Unreal Tournament.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Found
"we collect FOUND stuff: love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, telephone bills, doodles- anything that gives a glimpse into someone else's life. anything goes..."
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Your Beliefs Belie Your Words
Today I met a friend and had another casual conversation.
But my words revealed my personal thoughts even without me articulating them.
Personal thoughts so subconscious I was only barely aware of them.
It's humbling yet empowering to realize how people react to what I'm actually saying.
More lessons in life, Ed ol' buddy.
But my words revealed my personal thoughts even without me articulating them.
Personal thoughts so subconscious I was only barely aware of them.
It's humbling yet empowering to realize how people react to what I'm actually saying.
More lessons in life, Ed ol' buddy.
Friday, September 24, 2004
If You Want Something Done...
Seems I never learn.
For one, the age old adage that says if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself.
Really?
The aspiring manager in me says (in the style of Rene from Allo Allo), "You stupid fellow! You forgot to follow up the next day!"
Ah yes, the effective manager doesn't just fly by and drops a task-bomb on someone, be he friend or subordinate or tech support.
Sigh...
For one, the age old adage that says if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself.
Really?
The aspiring manager in me says (in the style of Rene from Allo Allo), "You stupid fellow! You forgot to follow up the next day!"
Ah yes, the effective manager doesn't just fly by and drops a task-bomb on someone, be he friend or subordinate or tech support.
Sigh...
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Honour Your Parents
With financial independence, comes responsibility and duty.
Today I gave my parents an ang bao each.
While the thought of repaying my parents did not immediately cross my mind on payday, I'm glad I finally did.
And the surprised look on my mom's face said it all for me.
Today I gave my parents an ang bao each.
While the thought of repaying my parents did not immediately cross my mind on payday, I'm glad I finally did.
And the surprised look on my mom's face said it all for me.
Friday, September 17, 2004
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
The Power of Faith & Forgiveness
Remember this girl? Now, Kim Phuc works as a peace activist.
From Campus Review,
From Campus Review,
In 1972 it was the iconic image of nine-year-old Kim Phuc running naked from her burning Vietnamese village, screaming in agony from napalm fire, which was splashed across news pages around the world and made compelling the human cost of war.
Many say the image helped bring an end to the conflict. It went on to earn Associated Press photographer Nick Ut, who took Phuc to hospital, a Pulitzer Prize.
At Griffith University recently to present a photojournalism award, Phuc (pronounced Foo), now a UN Ambassador for Children, appealed for people to look at her image in a new way: “When you see the little girl running up the road you can see her calling out and crying out. Don’t see her as crying out in pain and fear. See her as crying out for peace. Thank you very much. May God bless you all.”
Phuc – after years of painful treatment, rehabilitation and tertiary education in Cuba – now works as a peace activist. She has since set up the Kim Foundation – her not-for profit-charity – and sent a Canadian nurse and doctor to Iraq to help treat the innocent victims of the conflict.
Phuc told more than 1000 guests at Griffith’s ceremony that her dream for the foundation was to help the “millions of children whose pictures weren’t taken” and those in the greatest need in Iraq and Uganda.
Phuc was born and raised in the village of Trang Bang, 30 minutes north of Saigon. But on 8 June, 1972, an American military advisor co-ordinated the napalm bombing of Phuc’s village by the South Vietnamese.
Phuc fled from a pagoda, where she and her family had been hiding. She was caught between four bombs and badly burnt. Two of her infant cousins did not survive the attack.
She recalled having to go to school through two wars, the Vietnam War, and then later, when she was 15, the war with Cambodia. Phuc appealed to her audience to practice forgiveness, beginning in people’s workplaces and schools.
“Having known war, I know the value of peace. Having lived under government control, I know the value of freedom. And having lived with pain, I know the healing power of love. Having lived with poverty, with losing everything and having nothing, I know how to value what I have.
“And the most important thing of all, having lived with hatred, terror and corruption, I know the power of faith and the power of forgiveness. Dear friend, napalm is very, very powerful; but faith and forgiveness is much more powerful than napalm could ever be.”
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
One Thing
By Finger Eleven
Restless tonight
Cause I wasted the light
Between both these times
I drew a really thin line
It’s nothing I planned
And not that I can
But you should be mine
Across that line
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn’t that be something
I promise I might
Not walk on by
Maybe next time
But not this time
Even though I know
I don’t want to know
Yeah I guess I know
I just hate how it sounds
Monday, September 13, 2004
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Abundant Bible Studies
I was incredulous when a friend informed me that when he typed in the URL, instead of my blog, he was directed to Abundant Bible Studies.
I did a Google and realized that I'm not the only one.
Hmph.
Pretty ingenious though.
My friend also pointed out, thankfully it's not a smut site.
I did a Google and realized that I'm not the only one.
Hmph.
Pretty ingenious though.
My friend also pointed out, thankfully it's not a smut site.
Brain & Mind
Because why? For one, WHO predicts that depression will be the world's 2nd leading cause of death in 2020. Presently, suicide is the leading cause of death for 15-24yo's.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Deflated
Man... how many times can you draft & redraft letters & reports... The perfectionist in me has been defeated & deflated.
ST: Overheard
Off Sunday Times.
Website crash: Was it fowl play?
REGULARS of the satirical website TalkingCock.com have noticed some unusual occurrences there in the past month.
First, there were new postings which did not sound like the usual TalkingCock. Next, whole chunks of old postings disappeared into thin air - including a game involving inflicting electronic slaps to the images of prominent politicians from both government and opposition camps. Finally, the entire site crashed.
Site regulars speculated that the site might have been hacked into.
When the site came back on in late August, its main page declared: 'We are still investigating the cause of the crash. As a poultry-themed site, we cannot rule out fowl play.'
Cynics say however that it masterminded its temporary demise. After lamenting how a lot of TalkingCock data had been lost in the crash, it revealed that 'we're now in the process of engaging professionals to perform data recovery, which is likely to cost us a lot of money'. You can help, it said, if you buy its publications or make a donation online.
CCTV recorders and trash theory
THREE people fell off the platform onto MRT tracks last month and, each time, we were reminded that 35 of SMRT's 51 stations already have CCTV recorders while 16 are having the system installed.
A group of MBA students in an organisational behaviour class asked why this was being repeated ad nauseam.
After all, more cameras won't save lives, whereas barriers could. One student said this beautifully illustrated what the garbage can theory of organisations taught: Initiatives and problems are thrown together in an organisation like trash in a garbage can. The imaginative manager picks up from the garbage can an existing initiative and calls it the solution to an unanticipated problem that has emerged.
If there is slight slippage in the logic, just wing it.
When the CCTV system is fully installed, it'll be easy to review how someone fell onto the tracks. No one will be saved - but something would have been done.
Rubbish, you say? You couldn't be more right.
Website crash: Was it fowl play?
REGULARS of the satirical website TalkingCock.com have noticed some unusual occurrences there in the past month.
First, there were new postings which did not sound like the usual TalkingCock. Next, whole chunks of old postings disappeared into thin air - including a game involving inflicting electronic slaps to the images of prominent politicians from both government and opposition camps. Finally, the entire site crashed.
Site regulars speculated that the site might have been hacked into.
When the site came back on in late August, its main page declared: 'We are still investigating the cause of the crash. As a poultry-themed site, we cannot rule out fowl play.'
Cynics say however that it masterminded its temporary demise. After lamenting how a lot of TalkingCock data had been lost in the crash, it revealed that 'we're now in the process of engaging professionals to perform data recovery, which is likely to cost us a lot of money'. You can help, it said, if you buy its publications or make a donation online.
CCTV recorders and trash theory
THREE people fell off the platform onto MRT tracks last month and, each time, we were reminded that 35 of SMRT's 51 stations already have CCTV recorders while 16 are having the system installed.
A group of MBA students in an organisational behaviour class asked why this was being repeated ad nauseam.
After all, more cameras won't save lives, whereas barriers could. One student said this beautifully illustrated what the garbage can theory of organisations taught: Initiatives and problems are thrown together in an organisation like trash in a garbage can. The imaginative manager picks up from the garbage can an existing initiative and calls it the solution to an unanticipated problem that has emerged.
If there is slight slippage in the logic, just wing it.
When the CCTV system is fully installed, it'll be easy to review how someone fell onto the tracks. No one will be saved - but something would have been done.
Rubbish, you say? You couldn't be more right.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Loss of Words
What do you say to someone who just broke up with his other half?
"I'm sorry for your loss"
"Time will heal all hurts"
"She's wasn't worth your while"
"Here, let's drown our sorrows in piss"
(piss = beer)
Sigh...
"I'm sorry for your loss"
"Time will heal all hurts"
"She's wasn't worth your while"
"Here, let's drown our sorrows in piss"
(piss = beer)
Sigh...
Thursday, September 02, 2004
You Can Depend On Me
K.D. Lang feat Tony Bennett
Though you say we're through
I'll always love you
And you can depend on me
Though someone that you've met
Has made you forget
Honey, you know
You can count on me
When I wish, I wish you success
And loads, loads of happiness
But baby, I gotta confess
I'll be lonely
If you ever, ahh, if you ever need a friend
I'll be yours until the end
And you can depend on me
I wish you success
And loads of happiness
But, darling, I gotta confess
I'm gonna be lonely
Oh if you ever, ahh, if you ever need a friend
I'll be right by your side ahh, till the end
And you can depend on me
You can depend on me
Though you say we're through
I'll always love you
And you can depend on me
Though someone that you've met
Has made you forget
Honey, you know
You can count on me
When I wish, I wish you success
And loads, loads of happiness
But baby, I gotta confess
I'll be lonely
If you ever, ahh, if you ever need a friend
I'll be yours until the end
And you can depend on me
I wish you success
And loads of happiness
But, darling, I gotta confess
I'm gonna be lonely
Oh if you ever, ahh, if you ever need a friend
I'll be right by your side ahh, till the end
And you can depend on me
You can depend on me
Are You a Punctuation Stickler?
From the back cover of UK bestseller, "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" by Lynne Truss.
A panda walks into a cafe. he orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air.
"Why" asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes toward the exit.
The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder.
"I'm a panda, he says at the door. "Look it up."
The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation.
"Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves."
Don't know about you, but that left me quite pained in choking back my laugh on the MRT.
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