Adeus 2007!

It's Almost 2008 and an hour before 2007 came to an end as i blog this entry.

time to recollect what have I Achieved for 2007...
The year flew by so fast... what have i achieved really... hmmm....
Jialat...
Well, career-wise, am contended there's some progression for the year... Monetary results will be reflected in 1st quarter of 2008.. so by then, can I accurately "evaluate" if efforts forthe year has paid off...Maybe that will signal another turning point in my life?

Health- Managed to achieve a healthy record thus far... yeah...! zero MCs. Doctors havent been earning my money.
Hope that will continue through 2008, and I wouldnt get into their "niche market"
2007 has been hectic but worthwhile. Got to know my team-mates better and a stronger sense of frenship forged. It's really great to have you guys around every weekends under the scorching sun and the relentless rows weeks after weeks. That has been one of my significant "achievement" in 2007.

My group of volleyball kakis... Its amazing a non-official team like us, who spontaneously come together every weekend for "training", managed to get a chance to play in the Kolam Ayer CC invitational. Though it was errmm.. , not as awe-aspiring performance, at least it serves as a good competition experience for us...

our beach volleyball teams though didnt perform that great either, but managing spots in Semis is really encouraging, especially with the upsurge of so many young and great players in this arena. Let's aim for another medal again soon in 2008 yeah?

Love-life...
Haha.. just as lack-lustre as its been for the past years.
Well, no news may mean good news on this aspect sometimes...
能安慰自己的人，比较容易快乐。
一切随缘吧！

Finally, to all whom i haven't managed to SMS you, below is for you guys out there...

"The Year Has Gone,
But One Has to Remain Strong.
The Path is Still Long,
Walk it with a Song.
There May Be Fears & Tears,
Instead Look for Reasons to Cheers.

Wishing You Great Memories of 2007
& Wonderful Beginings for 2008!"

怀念

Yesterday was the start of a 4 day holidays for me! Sat - Tues!

Need to get my body active again, so started with Body-pump lessoon.

Gosh... being really months and ages since my last body pump.

Always felt so good after each lesson, just like a comprehensive full body exercise.!

After the lesson was a mad rush down for ...... VOLLEYBALL!

3 months nvr touched volleyball! I cannot believed it!

Luckily, still havent lost that touch.. hehehe

Great fun and the weather was good too! Sunny! May teh weather stay that way every saturday....

But was really tire out after 2 hours...

*damn*, i really need to work on my cardio....

Had an early New Year Celebration or post-Christmas gathering with my uni hall mates last night.
Wow.., its already been 3yrs ago when the big group of us stayed under one orrf, reminiscencing all the cooking moments at the pantry.
This time, its at Fiona's house!
Used to be a yearly affair of BBQ session in the hall, but now, all of us are no longer hall residents, so have to find alternative...
Great idea to held it at Fiona's house, which can accomodate close to 30 of us i believed!
While, the highlights would be all the foods!
Either prepared by the ladies, or bought pre-packed food!
Must admit, the pasta u gals make are really nice...!

We have "Italian" - Pasta with mushroom/ham Cream Sauce , Deadly Pasta in Butter and cheese mixed (they used up more than 3/4 block of Butter and 2 packs of mozzerella cheese!!!)
"French" - Oven-Cheese-bake Shitake Mushroom
"Swedish" - The infamous Swedish Meatballs..
"Japanese" - Sushi
"Chinese" - Fried Chicken cutlets cooked in a healthier way - oven toasted
"Western" - Chicken Coktail suasages.
Drinks - we have Pineapple Malibu, red wine, and of cos healthier selection like Ribena!
Served - 20 plus people...

Felt so nostalgic, and as though we were back to the hostel's life again.

***** 好怀念 *****

Festive Seasons... Happy!

Its friday! And its the holiday weekend AGAIN!

only 2 working days from the last holiday, and I almost cant wait for Saturday to arrive! Really no mood to work when its thefestive season...

Looking forward to the weekends and the 2 days holiday to follow right after... hhee... so long since i got such a long break.....

Cool...!

rush, rush , rush - Boxing Day

Boxing Day.
It's an off day for me, cos generally the US and Eropean Marktes are not active...

So, took the opportunity and continue to run some errands and catch up with frens over dinner..

Decided to take on public transport today, cos it's gonna be non-economical to drive around so many places, and not to mentioned bing stuck in peak period jam shall i adjourn to dinner...
And if anyone didnt realise it, I seriously thnk Singapore roads has already reached a stage of over-congestion. Even on weekdays-non-peak period, there can be traffic JAM! Danm...

Started the day late at about 1pm, cos slept rather late yesterday night. And it's not becos of X'mas partying, but trying to finish up presentation slides due Thursday.
Yeah, I'm a self-proclaimed Procrastinator... that explains the late night.
And the fact that my last presentaton was done way back in Uni years really doesnt help...

SO, decided to do something healthy today and went to the gym first time in the afternoon.. Then its of to Sim Lim to get M2 Card for my new handset..
Gosh, M2 is not really that commonly used yet...(Even when it first introduced to the market some 2 yrs back?) I believed its mainly used by Sony products only.. perhaps 80% of its usuage are related to SOny products?

From Suntect to Sim Lim (by foot)
then to Queensway (train)
and enroute to dinner place Kuriya @ Raffles City. (by Cab and train cos I was late!)

During the day journey, i hopped on the cab at queensway and alighted at Redhill MRT.
Gues wht was the bill..?
$6.40!!
Such a short distance, and that is the cab fare.
1.5 times of meter fare charge for peak period, and the meters no longer jumped by 10cents, but 20cent every instance!
seriously, if I drive that same distance, I swear my petrol cost and pro-rated instalment payment for my car added up wouldn't come to that amount!

I swear I will never waste that kinda money on Cab anymore. And further, you are not guaranteed Traffic-Jam-free by paying that peak period charge, do you? That's why i thought I will save more time (and definitely more $) by taking the MRT to Raffles City. And I did. No Jam in the subway.
Hence, If you dont wanna get caught in a Jam, hop on the train. For a max of S$1plus, you get to your destination faster!
I wonder what was all these peak period surcharge for? You still get stuck in the peak period jam, and see the meter ticks away mercilessly...

Had a great dinner at Kuriya. I would say its really a place for fine japanese dining.. Where else can you choose a whole fish on display machiam in the fish market, and have the chef prepare it in sashimi or any style u wanted.. (Now i know, Lion Fish is edible in Sashimi style!)
Not advisable to indulge on Kuriya too often for me though...
its really...... Exquisite food... at an exquisite price..
*sigh*... who ask me to have a soft spot for Japanese food....

2 more working days before the weekends (again!) and the holiday season...!
hmm.. is my 4 working day policy still forth-coming?

I hope...
in 2008....

MERRY X'MAS!

~*~*~*~*~* MERRY CHRISTMAS! ~*~*~*~*~*~

Thanks to my wonderful colleagues for the little X'mas pressies/snacks!

THANK YOU!!!

Thanks for the Sunday row!

Thanks to all who were there to satisfy my crave for rowing on the Kallang River after almost 3 months!

Its great to see all of you once again, we have 1 big boat almost filled!

And of cos, not forgetting the almost impossible tasks of taking tonnes of pictures onboard?!

Alaric... all counting on you le..... hahaa

Its a been a great weekend for me! and wonderful one since i got back form UK..

I can't find a more apt words for it...

Simply...., F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!

Its the holiday season ahead........

Hehehe........

回味。。。

情牵戏剧25。。。
taht's what I am watching right now...
A re-run from last week...

it's oh so damn nostalgic man!
Seeing all the dance performance showcasing some of the representative shows over the 25 years....!

Guess what.... 1984 , the first chinese drama on TV..,
雾锁南洋。
23 years ago.. I can rmbr some part of the images used in the song opening sequel ...

边缘少年
The rebellious show, almost the euaivalent of today's Lians and Bengs show.
But I think the hooligan show back then has more "Sey"
Remember 李南星 (the "ah seng")on the bike as the head of the gang?
杨莉冰 and 陈碧凤 as his 2 side-kick "ah hui"?

what "took my breathe away" was one being showcased as a representative drama for teh period.
Its the Singapore version from the Inspired Japanese Dorama, 排球女将。
飞跃巅峰！
陈莉萍 and 陈秀环 as the lead, team mates turned opponents and not forgetting all the special attacks and servings that is not possible in the real world...
闪电攻击 i think was one of them....
And currently, Media Corp is re-running 红头巾.
Another of my favourites too....
The chio 洪慧芳 and 甄慧芬 as the leads... potraying the tough life and forgetten pioneer in the Singapore Construction industry..!
And the period from the Japanese occupation til the 90s...
A wonderful entrtaining NE drama i would say...
Back to the dance performance...
So inspired ...
Modern Dance... or do these dance have a proper name that I dont know?>

Have always been interested and envious when I see all these modern/pop dance performance on TVs, MTVs, etc... The moves, full of energy and mimic that of martial arts moves... arrghh.....

I hope my bones are not too brittle yet to pick the skill up....
a 2008 resolution maybe??

Accomplish-ED

1.) Swim
Been there, done that!
Though Lazy me only woke up at 12noon, I still manage to get a good swim with the sun!
but, just 600m and i already almost breatheless... tsk* , *tsk*, *ysk*.. long way to catch up... *Sigh*

2.)Gym (a must, not a want,.)
satisfied and really felt my body really 'working out' finally! Shiok...!

3.) Take my Dad out to get a set of clothes/pants for brother's wedding in Jan..
4.) Take my mum out to get a set of clothes for my brother's wedding as well
5.)Dinner with mum and dad somehwere??
Completed!


6.)Meet up with fren(s) at night ?
tireness from the swim and gym is beginning to set in...... Can I last throught the night?
And my frens didnt really make it, so it was not materialise.. hehee.. time to rest...

Accomplish-able?

不知道我是否能够在今天(星期六)完成以下“活动”：
1.) Swim
(I need to restore my cardio that has been 'cruelly' suppressd during the winter period in London and at the same time gathered some Vit D into my deprived body ofr over 2 months...)

2.)Gym
(a must, not a want,.)

3.) Take my Dad out to get a set of clothes/pants for brother's wedding in Jan..

4.) Tak my mum out to get a set of clothes for my brother's wedding as well
(yes, its the same 'brother' no doubt,but have to bring mum and dad out in separate timings maybe... )

5.)Dinner with mum and dad somehwere??

6.)Meet up with frens at night ?

Dont seem too much to do in one day? hopefully I can get all them done....
That means i must sleep real sooon......

I......

Wooooh....!! Its Friday and the weekends!
Just got back from Liz's wedding, a JC OG fren, Uni-coursemate and now-colleague! Small world isn't it?

Within the spans of 2 months since Nov, I have 6 fren's Wedding lined up one after another.. Missed the preceding 5 of them, cos was in London then. And tonight's marked the last for this year....

Come Jan, Its my Brother's wedding ....
hmm... all my frens ard my age are all getting married....
Think that implies age is AN ISSUE to me now.... 老了，老了。。 =(

Got a "free" ITouch, which i really think i got no good use for it...
Now you can get it for free by just signing up/recontracting for broadband.
But to me, it doesn't realy appeals to me as a necessity/want, except for its amazing touch screen technology and how u can turnit around and teh pictures turned with you?
Maybe thats why I am not that dying to get my hands on a IPhone if it shall be launched exclusively to SingTel inSingapore.

I ean, What can i really do with this ITouch... I dont carry/lsiten/watch videos when I drive.
Well, maybe no in S'pore.. probably overseas? But frankly what else can it do besides providing pre-stored mp3s, pre-store pictures/vidoes?
I prefer to listen to music that you never expected, or new singles? Something that cannot be pre-stored, but easily available on the FM radio.
And viewing pictures, I have to first load them from one pheriperals to it. I would really prefer and snap and store and view all in one...
I dont need to carry my pictures around.. i rather store them safe and permanently in laptops/harddisk which are more easily retrievalble and categorise. Without the hassle to transfer here and there if i needed it for some editing purposes...

So, Maybe I will just keep this ITouch intact in its sleek and shiny box until i decided to bring it with me for long overseas trips? hmm.. or maybe i might prefer to lug a lappy, along over the 8GB memory device with only sophisticated touch-screen technology but no real added value to its functionality....

Busy....

So many things to settle after I touched down...

Gotta settle all the admin stuffs, cheques payment, last minute shopping for X'mas gifts,...

So glad to be back safe and sound...

Returning to a familar environment, home,office, and roads.

Gotten a 'surprise' pressie from the company, well, its a gift for all staffs...

I must say, the management is really generous and creative?

Its a remote control control Helicopter!

Indeed... bringing out the child in all of us...

many things ahead for the week... and most importantly, dont know why, i am craving for JapaneseFood! A cuisine I'll never be sick of...!

Gonna have a sumptuous Japanese Buffet at Vivo with Peili, which is gonna be a treat from her!! ahaha.. gonna eat to my fill!

Well, am most looking forward to this coming Sunday though... GUys/gals,it's finally time for our paddles to "出关" after months of 'hibernation'

Time for all of us to row together again.... Its really been a long time...
For some of you, I know its really really long .....

***Let's Make Waves!***

Back...!

I'm Back.....!!!

最后一夜……

再多12个小时左右，我就即将起程回返新加坡了。
已在这儿不知不觉地度过了两个月，两个寒冷的月份。
真盼望阳光普照的小岛屿。
但话说回来，现在的新加坡，倒也不是成天下着雨吗？


虽然说恨不得能极快回到我熟悉的归属地，与此同时，也还怀着一丝依依不舍的感觉。
毕竟也在这儿度过了好一段时间。
或许这就是双鱼座感性化的弱点，对许多人，事，物，都很容易产生依恋……


就在这最后‘伦敦之日’，我与当年在服兵役的队友（一直到最近的回营训练），Jiaxian 会面，吃饭聊天。
他比我早一个礼拜抵达，与女友（melissa) 两人到这儿找工作。

真令人佩服。放下新加坡的一切， 两人一块儿飘洋过海来到这儿。
或许这一呆，就可能是两年或更长的时期……


在此祝福他们倆事业顺利，极快回到新加坡, 然后能够在来年的回营训练再次一起‘冲山冲海’

Missed

It's been 2 months...
I havent seen you for 2 long months.
I'm sure you are well...
I really missed the great times we had together for the past 2 years. I cowered under you in the scorching afternoon, together through the rainy days, and the long/late nights that you have endured through with me.

I'm glad we will be re-united again in 2 days from now.. After my family, you'll be the first I will meet.
I'm gonna feel you all over again, which I have always taken for granted.
I promise we will take it slow initially, as its been 2 months since our last union.
I hope you still stay as you are before, and perform as womderful as before.

.
.

.
.

.

.

.

.

Let's roam the road once again...

.

.

.

.
.

.

.

Yeah.....!!!!

Great...! A starting point.
Don't have to wait til OSIM for my first attempt....
Now I can take this as a familiarisation/warm-up event..

Cheap, Only $15 and not too scary Dist. of 750M swim & 5KM+ run.
Gotta start somewhere man.. this will be the "somewhere"...

People, Join leh!!!

Time to say Goodbye....

*click once to activate control*
*click again to play music*
SarahBrightman - TimetoSayGoodbye

It's never easy to say Goodbye, though I longed to get back to Singapore.
Today, our project team in London had a pre-X'mas Dinner.
Started off with a drink at the pub (they ALWAYS drink before dinner, during dinner AND after dinner). I'm really not a good drinker , especially on an empty stomach... so its full stop for me after less than 2 pint of Becks' and Stella...

Didnt expect that it was also a farewell dinner thrown for me and my colleague as well.

It started to get emotional when the project head(Chris Baker) made a 'speech' to thank us.

And Ben, our best buddy throughout this 2 months, presented us a little something to remember him by.

None other than his all-time favourite football club, Tottenham Hotspur.

I remember on the first day when i sat beside him, he had this card on his table that plays the team's athem when u open up. And he would say to me, "remember this 'Tottenham Hotspur is the greatest team in the world!'"

Whenever he opens that card, he will look at me, with the cheeky smile, waiting for me to say that phrase... lol...

He's really been a great host, colleague, 'Contract" worker(he just loves to emphasis that) and fren. It's really makes working with him an enjoyable experience.

At dinner, its more drinking...Champange, White Wine, Red Wine... gosh... I avoid it by just settling for a Champange...
Guess what..., right after dinner, they hop over across the road and continued another Drinking session! Hhaaa.. that's when I really need to bid farewell for the night...
I dont wanna turn a night to remember, into a night to forget.... lol....

Well, will still continue to work with the team for a couple months when I'm back in Singapore, but its definitely gonna be different.

Walking over to desk and physical meetings will be replaced by conference call and video-conferencing.

Thanks guys, it's been a pleasure working with you all!

*a little card with well-wishes signed off by the team*

Tired....

*Darn*...
I'm almost all drained when its only Tuesday....

Why do I get tired so easily after just 2 days of work......

Just wanna sleep now.....
ZZzzzzzzzz...........

London-eye....

Spent my last sunday in London on with a sushi buffet! and a trip on London-Eye..
The most satisfying would be the sushi buffet.. thoug not a wide varity, just Salmon Sashimi, Salmon roll, Califoia roll and some other tempura, it's enuff to get me all full...
Hmm... unlike the past, now I only managed to gulp down half of what i used to be able to at buffet tables...
*sigh*..... Inevitbly, a sign of ageing,..... *darn*...

I didnt have the whole plate myself.. only slightly more than half...
A very very big X'mas tree in Trafalgar Square. A gift form the Norwegians

Didnt got on it the last time I came, so this yr, must take it. Cos u know when Sngapore flyer launches it's maiden flight, its definitely be a long queue. Therefore, I ttreat myself to a similar experience first...

After buffet is the trip up London eye! Time to board.... Going up..... Reaching the Top.... view nearing the top I'm now at the top of..... London And the view from the top. Simply, Nice!

On-board the london-eye suddenly got a business idea pop out of my mind....
We all know many, many couples will be holding their R.O.M onboard the Singapore Flyer next year, and maybe thereafter follow suit by many others...

So, if I can have embark on a wedding planner for the capsule(free-lancing of cos), assume the role of a wedding planner for these couples who wants to have R.O.M. onboard the S'pore-Flyer...
The capsule took abt 15 mins to reached its highest points...
If we could get the Solemiser in(i think i got the spelling wrong, but u know i mean the person who pronounce u man & wife one?) , and your frens and relatives, (up to 20 person) and then cater some finger food/pastries/wines/champagne on-board.

Then as the ceremony starts, the capsules rises, and when it hits the highest point, that will be when both parties exchange the rings..... Wah..... Machiam married at the 'Top of the World".
Of cos, beside these, the capsule can be decorated into any theme that the couple wishes.
Say, they wan under-the-sea theme, we can make the whole interior of the capsule to look like one, or white X'mas, or simply any theme to satisfy their craving wedding fantasy!

Then after that, as the capsule comes down, guest and couple can help themselves to the food and food and chat, etc.. rather than being rushed out of the room in the current fort canning room...

Sounds fun??
Any partners interested?
I will need a good negotiator (cos i'm not), a great 'decorator' and most importantly, a certified 'father' to solemnise the cermony who can work out of "office"?
See, Super low capital cost, just human technology'....

lol....

Imagine...

*click once to activate control*
*click again to play music*
John Lennon - Imagine

Feels : lethargic

there it goes again...
The opening music, John Lennon's Imagine.
Melody sounds kinda sad...., but the lyrics is actually very meaningful and thought-provocating...

"...Imagine there's no heaven
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today... "

"Imagine there's no countries
....Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace... "

"Imagine no possessions
...No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world... "

Well, the song is basically 'promotin' "Bagism", a term coined by John Lennon & Yoko Ono(wife of John Lennon)...

"The intent of bagism was to satirize prejudice and stereotyping. Bagism literally involved wearing a bag over one's entire body. According to John and Yoko, by living in a bag, others could not judge you by the color of your skin, the length of your hair, the clothes you wore, your age, or any other such attributes. It was presented as a form of total communication. Instead of focusing on outward appearance, the listener would hear only the bagist's message."
Interesting.. especially the bag theory.

But i guess we all fall prey to this theory.. knowingly or unconsciously, we look/peep out of the bag, before coveing oneself up again... hmmm..... -_-"
Well, well....., still, I like the melody of the song! Imagine in the middle of the night, half asleep and this tune plays by your bed-side... That's what prompted me to get hold of this song.

On a lighter note, *swings mood around*, its time to spend sometime to piece the scene of London for today...
Quite fruitful, 'cept for a disappointment.. Didnt manged to catch Dirty Dancing ..!!!

Cos its sold out, and the best part..., it cost a hefty GBP74.oo for a tic! oh my... that means about S$220. And they don't have discounted tics for this musical, reason been its always sold out for every performance, so they wouldn't hae sapre seats to go at discounted price... darn....

Thinking twice, I rather not spulrge on it... not that i'm cheapo, at least, I'm not all crazy about it... and I can catch 3 other just as nice musical with that amount.. *Bah*

Now its almost raining and drizzling the whole day, makes travelling ard on foot really a chore...
Still managed to catch some nice sights...


This lady's umbrella is really one of the largest I have seen...
She was walking infront of me, and I suddenly felt a sense of jalousy..
Cos I am rushing bdown the road w/o an umbrella, and there infront of me, she has this huge umbrella that can fit 3 person under it...




The management of the apartment puts up a christmas tree at the lobby! But hor, it looks abit "botak" towards the top... and the 'branches' all pointing upwards.... Maybe its to support the candles that sits on it.... (if u can see those sticks, which are actually candles..)

On a better night when its not rainy london, the sights can be rather nice... Reminds me of the years when Shopping centers lining Singapore orchard Road's vying for the best X'mas lights-up deco...
No more of such sights anymore... sadly....

***Sigh***

Weeeee....!

Feeling: Happy....

Becos its F-R-I-D-A-Y or maybe becos it means one week closer to coming back home..!
I guess its a bit of both.

And of cos, accomplishing something at work does adds on to the perks! not to mentioned when things are going your way during the 9 hours of desk-bound job..
haha.. one word, simple yet expressive enough.

H-A-P-P-Y.

**That helps alot in increasing the level of my "Happi-No-Meter"**

Of cos, some things can be irritating sometimes.
Ermm.... I think I would rather put this as a "Point to Note" to gals out there..?
Please take a minute to think before you take guys for granted.
Yeah, guys are meant to be the stronger sexes, and should , no doubt, act gentlemenly.
BUT, dont think that's to be taken for granted k...?

That doesn't give you the privilege to pushed ur luck too far, your jokes, and use the guy as your defensive shield or excuses (so often it becomes a habit)..?
Once or twice , and on genuine cases, its fine, we can be ur 挡箭牌. No qualms about it.
More than that, you just get the hell irritated out of him.
And DO note, not all gals are entittled to the same privileges.
Let's be honest & realistic here lah.... In this world, different people have different privileges, some more, some less and I don't see why it's not the case here...

Know your limits, recognise how far you can go with, "he can do it, let him do it, he will do it, go do it, he can handle it, etc..." Not every man is willing to do these stuffs/chores/be your traget of excuses for you. PLEASE RE-evaluate yourself first before making these comments. Again, even if its a joke/an excusue, please be more creative.
By just using the above phrases, it just tells us how limited is your line of thoughts... and it really really gets very irritating when over-done. Its not funny anymore....
And don't cower behind a guy when things hit you, and on the other hand, advocate the big phrase of "equality among sexes" when all's calm and nice. Please lah.......
(P.s., pls dont be mistaken, so far 99% of my gal-frens HADN'T fell within that category. =)*phew*)

Cool... feels great after getting it off my chest.. hahaa...

Well, looking forward to the weekends... all planned.
Last round of walking down the streets of London.
Weekends..., weekends....., weekends..... Weeekends.....
Weeeeee........k..... ends....... arrgghh.. so depressing suddenly.... lol....
no wonder they called it "Weekends". There's more than a reason to that meaning.....

Damn.....

hardly can pul myself out of bed...

And on the way to work, it was raining, the crowds, the cold weather, the strong wind.....

*Damn*, what a way to start the day..

**Bleah**

Wowww.......

I go the below linked forwarded to me.

Its one of the contestant's audition clip in "X-Factor" (The UK equivalent of 'The American Idol')

He wow-ed the audiences.
I was Wow-ed after viewing it...
Imagine, he wow-ed Simon Cowell (the judge)

What can i say....
It's really, Wowwwww............

http://www.maniacworld.com/Phone-Salesman-Amazes-Crowd.html

"there's a spark in everyone..."

Weekends... so short....

The weekends over even before I realise it...
*sigh*... why are there only 2 non-working days out of 7?
Isn't there the talk about work-life-balance?
then shouldnt it be 3.5 -3.5days of work and weekends?
Or, at least, 4-3? i.e 4 working days and 3 weekends?
I hope in the near future, someone/some organisation out there will advocate a new rule whereby calendar will mark Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as weekends?
Maybe Pageant Queens can dropped their tagged line of "World Peace", and change it to " 1 more day of weekend" lol....

A rather short and unevenful weekend for me...
Called home on sat and spoke with my mum for awhile.
Inevitably, the topic on the recent tragedy pops up....
(in Hokkien though)
"You know abt the news right? Do you know any of them?...."
"...It was out in the front page o f the papers, a big piece of news. So pitiful... all so young..."
I didnt really said much and just replied with a mono-tone 'yah'.
the the next sentence which i kinda expected,
"You don't go rowing anymore lah when you come back. So dangerous..."

I could only reassure her by saying , "no need to worry lah, its safe in Singapore..."
Well, she knows she cant really stopped me from things i loved.
Even when i got injured in the eyes once during volleyball, she said the same thing.. But still, my passion fo rthe sports will not falter. Moreover, it means much more ot me now...

I can only re-assure her that when i row (after I returned), I will be extra careful.
I wouldnt give-up rowing, not something thats already part of my life.
I'll row as long as my body allows. Til the day I can't grab a paddle in my hand....

I thought I would spend this weekend quietly, and take a break from all the city's hustle & bustle.
Hence, I bought a train ticket and set abound to Brighton, a small town by the southern coast of UK.
Ok, my main aim is to hit the coast , and without much delay, i walked to the beach front.
It's an awesome view. Its a sea.... a "ferocious" one.
Torrential waves just hit the shoreline breaking into thick foams...
I can clearly hear the sound of waves...
It suddenly turns kinda scary witnessing and hearing it...

Then it started to get very windy and too cold. Moreover, the town is pretty small, and comprises of mainly living quarters.. so nothing really much. And i head back to London, spending the rest of the day in the comfort of my temp apartment..

Sunday,

I was supposed to be at the Stanchart Marathon run if not for this business trip..

My first attempt at half marathon after the last one almost 8 years back.

Have to missed it.

Well, at least it was paid for by the company... I hope I wont missed the chance again in 2008. Maybe a nearer target to aim for, OSIM challenge?

The sun was big and bright. But only lasted like 2 hours. By the time i stepped out of the apartment and decided to head for Hyde park, the sun starts to set... (yeah, it starts to set at 3pm...)
And by 4pm, it was almost all dark... Caught a very spectular sight and got a feel of the X'mas season in the park.
A mini carnival is going on. With ferris-wheel, rides and ice-skating rinks..

Nope not the London eye. Just a smaller version at Hyde park A "ghost house" kinda ride....
Ice-skating rink in the park. Suddenly, I missd blading down East coast park... I found another good reason to love Singapore, our little sunny island... it makes the day longer...

Well, got back early, so i started cooking. Something that can keep me really occupied during my boring life here...
Cooked my last sachet of Bak Kut Teh and stri-fried some noodles.
I realise I can cook after all.. lol (as martin yan says: " If Yan can Cook, So can you". How very true!)
Dread the thought of going to work again the next day, and continuously for the four day thereon.... system testing is really draining....
I'm counting down......
15 more days,
10 more working days....
HIghly anticipating the day I step foot onto the soil of Singapore...

家 (Home)

This feeling just get stronger...
I am missing everyone, everthing back home...
I miss home... truly..., surely...

" Whenever I am Feeling Low
I look around me and I know

There's a place that will stay within me
Whenever I may choose to go
I will always recall the city
Know every street and shore
Sail down the river which brings us life
Winding through my Singapore

This is home truly...
Where I know I must be
Where my dreams wait for me
Where the river always flow
This is home surely
Where my senses tell me
This is where I wont be alone
For this is where I know it's home
(For this is where I know I'm home) .."

“每一次我感到彷徨
不自禁就会回头望
我知道心中有个地方
一定会有一盏灯
照亮每一颗黑暗的心房

指引未来方向
沿着生命河流向前航
就能登陆理想

我的家 收藏
我的欢喜悲伤
只要点燃希望
梦就会自由飞翔

我的家 给我
一双坚定翅膀
我的梦 不论在何方
一身的爱唯有家
(世世代代 温暖的家）”

English

中文

Tribute to Stephen,Boon San, Jeremy, Reuben, Wei Cheng

Beverly Craven - Promise Me
*click one to activate control*
*click again to play*

I'm sorry if reading my blog these past days gets you all depressed.
But an avenue for me to express how I really feel. why supress your emotions?

Read the news again today.
Words from Reuben's father touched my heart and I believed, that of many others present....

"We are thankful we have him for 23 years because we have 23 years of memories
in our hearts."
"He's not in heaven yet, because if he's in heaven and if he's looking down now seeing his father crying, and his mother and grandmother so upset, he will not want to be in heaven. And heaven will not be heaven,."

And from Jeremy's brother,

'All five of you will have to take care of each other from now on, just like
what you did in life as a team.'

Being a fellow Singaporean and a paddler, I regretted I was not able to send them off on their final journey.

I hereby, pay my tribute to Stephen Loh, Boon San, Jeremy Goh, Reuben Kee and Wei Cheng, with this humble blog entry...

To their family members, friends loved ones, and all those who loves them....

Be strong, they will always live in thy memories...

*****

Eternity...

Sarah MacLachlan - Angel
*click to activate*
*click again to play music*

" ... In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there... "

Been blogging almost everyday...
probably recently 感触特别多...

Past week, random thoughts that I had suddenly pop to my mind..
Its been "haunting" me since don't know when...
Infact, I blog it down in one of the first few entry when I started blogging...
Something many people will treat as a taboo.
Something which I dont wished to attribute its explanation to religion.
Cast your religion aside and think it through. I shiver at the thought of it... Not to mention dwelling more into it...

http://1-life.blogspot.com/2004/12/heaven.html
The recent event brought this thought up to my head once again...
I suddenly felt so lost.. felt so helpless....
I really wonder, where will I go after that? Where will everyoen be?
I never dared to think more into it. I shrugged and kept my mind occuppied with other thoughts. Anything other than that....

At some point, I wished for eternity...

Where have all the blogs gone...?

I updated my blog recently, after a relatively long while.
Cleared up the settings and had a new templates.
Amidst all these, its kinda sad as i went through/updated the blogs' links i used to have.

Re-visited them, but realised most have stopped blogging..
Was it just a hype then?
Does it not serve any meaning or purpose to continue blogging?

Yeah..., a strong deterrent would be work.
Most of my fellow "bloggers" have long graduated from the blogging world and started the race up the corporate ladder.
"Busy" has become the most extensively-used defense mechanism to push every other things aside. I myself am very much guilty of that too.

Nevertheless, I hope I can continue to read about their lives, their updates, their ups and downs. Even if we hardly have the chance to meet up amidst our "Busy" schedules which we gave ourselves.

I think the blog is a fantastic html scripts written thus far, where you get to 'see' what one never express it verbally, but deep down, those are the most sincere words & thoughts logged...

**********

"In the struggle for survival, the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment." -- Charles Darwin

***********

Always in our Memory...

Yesterday, I went to bed with a heavy heart.

This morning, I woke up with a heavy heart.

Today, I went to work, with yet, a heavy heart.

The thought of the mishap which happened to the Singapore Dragon Boaters Team will leave a deep memory to many. Expecially so for everyone in this community.

Its a grief that will be shared by all.

But memories will be instilled.

You guys will be remembered by all dragon boaters / rowers in the fraternity, as we stand at the familar Kallange river...,

on the boat...,

and every moment when we hold the paddles in our hand....

They perished in the name of their Beloved Sports

It's sad how their lifes were taken away.
Heart-wrenching when you came across their profile online.
Exhibiting their young lives which has to be brought to an end abruptly.

5 young lives , full of dreams, energy and passion, ended overnight.
They may not be related to anyone of us, they may have never crossed our path.
But it seems so close when it hits.

They were great sportsmen to the nation,
great frens to those whom they knew,
wonderful sons to their parents,
loving boyfriends, husband/husband-to-be of thier other half
and rowers who will be remembered by everyone in the Dragon Boat fraternity.

We shall grieve, but bearing in mind, these 5 paddlers perished in the name of their beloved sports. They lived their dreams, passion, and they brought along with them, these dreams, these passion.

Always remembered...

Day 9 - Back in Tokyo day2

Day 9 - Back in Tokyo 2....

this is the day fo rall teh last minute shopping, and all the souvenirs stuffs...

Haha.. really get lotsa things just withing the first few hours...

Heading on to Ueno again, to explore the park...
And coincidentally, i chance upon a 6 storey toy/gadgets shop!!

Selling all the latest toys and models kits, occupying 6 storeys!

Spent another 2 hrs there shopping ard and really spent teh bulk o fmy money there this time...
Damn again, could have bought more things, but tiome constraint, have to rush off to get more souvenirs.... haha...

Last stop for the night would be making a visit to the Tokyo Tower.
Choose to go in the night, as the lightings would bound to add more 'special effects' to the tower.
Indeed it does!
Really nice! took many satisfying pics of the Tokyo tower, and its really worth the effort there..

Well, thats enuff, already almost depleted my cash on hand, and the constant swiping of VISA definitely will not be a pleasant sight when the bill comes to me in Singapore...

Overall, It was really a great trip!

Tokyo ---> Yokohama ---> Osaka ----> Tokyo.

Damaged : about 3k SGD
Gained : Unmeasureable and invaluable....

Day 8 - Back in Tokyo

Day 8 @ Tokyo....

back in Tokyo and took a slow walk this time around the Shibuya and Shinjuku area in the evening.

Finally, the weather has not been as hot as it was few days back.
much more a breeze to shop and sight see.

The night scene is definitely very much different from that in the day, not only isit much cooler, the lightings also adds in more aesthetical effects to the surroundings.

Been tempted so many time to make that impulse purchase, but held back...

Its so different from the Tokyo that i came to know when i first reached. Now seems like so many things interest me more....

Arrgghh.. this always happens. Just when you have limited time left inthat particular place, you find it more meaningful and interesting...

wonder what will I explore tomorrow....

Day 7 (Wed)- Osaka

Day 7 @ Osaka day 2

Didnt really have a plan to go today...
Was playing with the thought of heading to another beach in Osaka maybe??

but it seems so inaccessible..

So gave up that idea nad head for Universal Studio Walk.

Its teh street leading to ubniversal Studio Tokyo.

Well enough to shop ard there, and nope, i didnt pay to go into universal studio.... lol..
Looks empty and not worth the price...

Infact, there's a Takoyaki (Otopus ball) Muesem at the universal Walk!
up to 5 different shops selling their own versionof Takoyaki !
I didnt get any, cos planning to head down to the town at night for the more "originals" one....

Went down to teh Minami district, where there are streets of eateries and shops, and not to mention, plently of Takoyakii stalls!
If you hadnt noticed, Takoyaki is originated form Osaka, and u can see a stall selling them every 100 meteres along this street!

Its really nice compared to singapore's ones...
and walking down the streets there is really enjoyable and time well spent.. especially with all the delicacies....

Day 6 (Tues) - OSAKA

Day 6 - Tues @ Osaka

Onward to Osaka via the Shinkansen once again.
Arrghh.. i miss the beach.....

Well, sometime to look forward to in Osaka.
Another happening city in Japan.
Already past midnoon when i arrived, found a not too expensive hotel, (8000yen = s$100/night for very good amenities and big room.

Apparently, the concept of Hostel is not that widespread in Osaka, and they are usually located far from the city centre...
So well, just pamper myself for this 2 days!

Situated near to Osaka station, surrounded by some main shooping centere, and at the alley near all the pubs and bars..

Nice place.

Made my way to the town area , and there i am caught in a Sports apparels complex fro 1 over hours, just going through the volleyball related apparels and others! (you bet i got some unique volleyball items...)

10days on and its the world IAAF 2007 meet to be held in Osaka, and teh city centre was filled with the "sporting spirits". All the athletes posters along the street and gracing all the sports shops ...

Nice place, though another city, but generate a different feel from that of tokyo.. less commercialise i think...

Day 5 (Monday) ~ Yokohama; Kamakura Beach

Day 5 (monday) @ Kanakura beach

This has to be the best part of my trip!
20mins by train and 1.3km walk from the Kanakura Train station, and there i am, The Kamakura Beach!!

It was really a sight!]Its a real beach!! not manmade..
And thanks to the summer season coinciding with the summer holidays, the beach was filled with people!!
the waves, the bikini-clads gals and sorry, no speedo biys around... lol..

Whold beach is filled with sun-lovers! all having fun on the beach water, board-surfing and riding teh waves!
arrgghh... I wished Singapore has such a sight!

Spent the whole afternoon up and down the stretch of teh beachline, taking a rest every now and then just t enjoy the sun , the wind and the even tan !

Something good about this beach is, they have 'Locker hut' for deposit of bags free of charge to all. And the pubs all situated one beside the other across 3/4 of teh beach. It's really really a great kind of feeling, and felt really like sunmmer time to me at this very moment!

hmm.. took tonnes fo photos at the beach, cos its really really beautiful.
Not the clear blue water kinda beautiful, but the kind where its full of people having funinthe water, sun-tanning at the beach, teh waves, surfboards, floats, the view of the open sea all under the clear blue sky!

I will definiteky want to return for a while as a stopover from Osaka back to Tokyo...

Preparing to head to Osaka tmrw on the Shinkansen (bullet train) tmrw morning, so better get some rest and recharge for OSAKA!

hmm.. what can i do in Osaka...???

Day 4 - Sunday ~Yokohama

Day 4 - Sunday @ Yokohama

Took a train to Yokohama (abt 40mins) and checked into another hostel, Yokohama Hostel Village.
The rooms are really superd!

Although small, its Japanese style with Tatmi and Futon. SHIOK!!! somemore air^conditioned with a televison.. (tho' all channels are in Japanese) and the best is, i managed to catch a delayed telecast of the WORLD Grand Prix women's Volleyball match on TV!!

Spent the day walking around teh Yokohama city center, thru' the Chinatown and to the Yokohama Bay.
Very nice and scenic park at the harbour front, great for a picnic!
head downwards to Mirami 21, with its amusement center and the famous Landmark Tower, touted as the highest building there.
A fee is charged for taking the high-speed lift up to the top of teh building, somewhat reminds me of the Taipei 101 Building.

A rare sight is a Back alley 'concert' going on near my hostel area.
A make-shift stage at the lower ground of a residential flat there, everyone singing to the tune..

Heard uts held during this time of teh year.. wonder if there's gonna be any tonight??

alright, tmrw is my last night in Yokohama, and i will be spending the whole afternoon at the nearby beach (Kamakura Beach) abt 20mins train ride away....

Day 3 (Sat) ~ Tokyo - Mt Fuji

Day 3 (Saturday)

An attempt to get near Mt fuji to catch a better view of the magnificent Mountain in Japan.
Yup, just to get a view, not to climb it.

Well, getting near to it takes up quite a fair bit of travelling time..
2 and half hours train from Tokyo to Kawaguchi, supposedly close to the Kawaguchi Lake that is to the north foot hill of Mt Fuji..

Well, managed t0 catch a view of Mt Fuji, but still, the mountain seems so far..
Will require another 1hr of Bus ride and ard 30mins of waiting time for the bus...
Checking that i am running short of time for the return trip to Tokyo, I just have to settle for what i have....
Weather wasn't ideal either fo rthe view of Mt Fuji as it was cloudy, and the peak was covered partially by the big chunck of clouds...
Nevertheless, still managed to take a few shots of teh mountain.

I still have a chance to view it, yeah, from the airplane. The mountain is really that grand that u can identify it from the sky, when I was touching down to Japan.

Tried to rush back to Tokyo center to cathc a Firework, bt too bad, am late, so well, have to missed that agian..
aerrgghh.. a second missed in a day.. -_-''

Nothing to do in the night, so i decided to head down to teh clubbing scene in Tokyo.
The notorious Shinjuku clubbing district, hmm.... wasn't really a great eye-opener..
'cept for the liberal existence of　'artistic' videoa and books...

the 'clubs' are small, more like the pubs in S'pore.. no cover charge for most, and the beer/liquor are cheap!
JPY 600. about S$8.
and teh liquor are strong! I didnt managed to finish a vodka orange after a bee, cos i really cant hold my liquor well.
And of cos, the clubbing scence there is somewhat like Bangkok, in the manner the streets are divided.. one street, its for the men finding gals..
The next street, its for the men finding men.
Interesting...

Still , i think i missed St James Powerhouse though and the likes of Zouk spinning Retro,...

DAY 2 ~ Tokyo

Day 2 ~ Tokyo : Tsukiji\Shibuya\Harajuku\Shinjuku



Still the same hot weather, but more prepared this time as i slipped on my slippers and yes, Sleeveless t\shirts this time! (phew, luckily my instinct told me to bring along some really light clothings) and berms...

Staarted my day at Tsukiji Fish MArket, tho not there to catch the fish auction , etc. But more importantly is to savour the Fresh and cheap Sushi at the restaurants located just a stone throw from the wholesale market.

There's so many restaurants around, which finally i made my wayt into one real great restaurant!
Sushizanami!
It was kinda crowded, and they have this prmo set, at only JPY1,400 I get 13 pieces of sushi sashimi hand-made ight in front of me served on the' wooden structure'...
The sushi is really heavenly!!! it just 'melts' in your mouth!
For an equivalent of less than S$20 , zuch deal is not to be missed!
I am definitely going back on my last day in tokyo....

Next stop, its to Shibuya.
Its really a sight after i exited from the station. Like a meeting point, all the youngsters were standing around waiting for their frens/date.
and yeah, Japan has really got lotsa beautiful people!
The gals are not all short, they are pretty tall infact, and really know how to put on make-ups!
The guys are cool too... Like poster boys.

Lotsa shopping center around but the streets of shops would be worth strolling about. Loud colours out to catch passer-by's attentions.

After that is to Harujuku, which is one station away...
Being a weekday, dont really get to see the ghotic cross-dresser...
But there's a street with all the small fashion/idol shops. Further up the slopesleads to more shops, but just not in the mood for shopping..

Hence, its off to Shinjuku for a peep.

Well, Shinjuku has another street touted as the 'electric Town' Lotsa anime/manga shops around, but the fact that all are in Japanese language makes it felt so alien to me.....

Day 1

Day 1 in Tokyo

like a lost sheep , suddenly felt so lost right after i hit the tokyo central.
The extreme hot weather doesn:t help too...

Not to mention searchinng for a accom for the night under the humid hot sun...


I swear, s:pore hadn:t been that hot before..

Finally managed to get ahostel and a very cheap rate of 2000JPY only!!]]Free internet usuage, though room is small, but fully air-conditioned!
Only abit far from the nearest train station though..
but still no complains forthat great rate and adequated facilities!

the day didnt get any better when i started out my walk...
missed a turn, and i walked extra kilometers...


Walking ard tokyo is no easy feat, the places are not really near to one another... no wonder they needed so many train and subway lines...

Well, the first day was spent 'trekking' around ASAKUSA, UENO, AKIHABARA...

The walk is enough to kill me, and i decided on teh second day onwards, shouldnt save on the trains...

Updates, UPDATES, FINALLY! - JULY

Heyhey, who says the blogging wave is over...

Here i am to revive my good old blog....


What should i Blog abt.. hmmm....
UPDATES Of cos!


Still happy with life, kinda satified with work (though it can get much better with higher monetary rewards), time for myself and what else, sports and HOLIDAYS!

Ok, after like living 15 years behind lenses, I can finally and proudly cast my lenses and specs aside, and "Hello....!" near 6/6 eyesight!!!
Yeah, such feeling is so wonderful, wonderful , and wonderful!
No more hassle "fighting" with lenses on my palm, no more dry eyes, No more cumbersome specs!
I loved the technology advancement!

Still very much dedicated to my rowing team, though some unhappiness and "mismanagemnt" issues that took place recently,. Hope all this will lay to rest very soon, and the team can restart on a new footage.

Gonna keep this short,
check out my revisit on video editing for the above team....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb7BnvK-Syo

Next update, after My JAPAN Trip in AUGUST..>!!!

Finally managed to squeeze some time out, or rather , the motivating factor to update my blog.

Want such things to b edocumented, incase someday i woke up , not remembering anything ofthe past..>!
Choy, Choy Choy.......!!!

Weekends seems to be getting shorter and shorter, in teh sense that the clock seems to tick faster on Saurdays and sundays...

I wonder if someone up there stole a few hours out of time every weekend....
hmmmm........

This sat, a spectular sight, an eye-opener...
Who Says Singaporeans isn't Enthu about Volleyball (beach Volleyball)
*sigh*, a forgotten sports in singapore..
something that involves teams spirit and adrenalin pumping sports can be ignored by teh commercialised corprate entities and organisations..
2 X *sigh*...

First time ever, 15 Beach volleyball courts set up, side-by-side, adjacent to one another, all for the one day spectacular Beach Volleyball Competition @ Sentosa Siloso Beach.

Although we were out at the qualifyings, it was realy a great half day there...
It just re-affirmed my love fo rthe sports, my interest and passion.

just cant wait for the next upcoming competition....

Penang Hiatus

It started with an 8 hrs drive on a Kia 2.0 Naza 6 seater.

Its fun driving up, in a wagon, 6 of us chatting along teh wy, the whole vehicle compartment belongs to us, snacks and drinks, stopover for as long as we desire at the rest station along the highway.

A great drive up north for a beach resort get-away.

Not the ideal beach front, but definitely a worthwhile trip!

nice beach hotel at really affordable rate!

its at Batu Ferringhi , Penang.

10-15mins drive up teh endless meandering hill slope, and wala!!

That place springs to life with resort goers, shops, pubs, and stretch of "Pasar-malam" that sells apparrels cheaper than Bangkok!

Pratically spent our afternoon routine with vball, pool "game" and just lying on deck chairs sunbathing the day away..
Thats almost one dream fulfilled...!
Evening are spent in Penang downtown, the infamous "Gurney Drive" and also you can find nice and not so exp seafood along the stretch, if you bother to go abit further along the drive....

Colourful lightings above ur head, abit hot, but packs a great variety of local delights!

And its always worth the while to travel on foot and explore alleys near shopping complex, and you are bound to find nice local eateries at really low low price... places not "exploited" by the everyday tourist...

I believe I will return there again....

A small town, a peaceful town, a wonderful state...

Next stop,

Ohio Gozaimas! Jipon!