Today is 1 week back from Europe trip, sponser by my company to send me for training there.
After which went to Vienna and Pargue on my own after training in Berlin for 2 weeks.
When I first came back Singapore, suddenly there is disconnection, yet a familiar place to be... Maybe I had too used to european lifestyle, so relax (that my personality), so I had no problem into fiiting their lifestyle...
Enjoying taking a walk at the river, bridge, and around city, while enjoying the scenry. Eating slowly and enjoying every moment of the meal, yet enjoying the cooling of the weather and enjoying at the street activities.
(well if I had enough time to walk to the musem, I sure listen to every audio guide and read the every description of the display, yet was so rush to walk around, as most of my muesem trip is either near closing time or i had on rush to other place.)
That is something you can't find in Singapore.
21.9.09
1.1.09
Cape no. 7 (海角七号)
After blogging below, I couldn't sleep and decide to watch movie in my iphone. (1st movie of the year and become my favorite.)
Story start with a young man, A-ga (Van Fan Yi Chen, 范逸臣) returning to his hometown, after a failed career in Taipei as a rock singer . He began to find his life aimless and his step-father, a Town Council Representative, arrange him a job as a postman after an elderly postman (Uncle Mao) met with an accident and broke his leg.
A-ga ask to send back an undelivered parcel back to main post office. Curiousity, he open parcel and found love letters sending to Japanese-style address, Cape No. 7, Hengchun County, Takao Prefecture, which is no longer be found.
Meanwhile local beach resort is organizing a concert by a famous Japanese singer, Kousuke Atari. Town Council Representative insists they should add a slot for the local band to perform.
A Chinese speaking Japanese model, Tomoko (Chie Tanaka, 田中千絵) is assigned to in charge of organizing the concert. She met series difficult tasks from looking suitable persons for the band to manage the band. 6 different background people (2 young adults, A-ga & Rauma, 2 middle age man, Frog & Malasun, 1 young girl, Dada and an elderly, Uncle Mao) come together and form a band with A-ga leading. Tomoko's job get more difficult as band members refusing to cooperate and A-ga did not come out with new song with the concert coming near.
When she was about to give up and leave the town, she was invited by Uncle Mao to the one of the local's wedding, where she got drunk and ended up at A-ga room after venting frustrations outside A-ga’s house.
There she fall in relationship with A-ga, and found out the undelivered love letters A-ga has been keeping.
She decided to stay on to finish organizing the concert and tells A-ga that she will return to Japan with a job offer after the concert. Over a conversation with hotel maid, Ming-chu, she found out that the love letters recipient is Ming-chu's grandma and inform A-ga to deliver the love letters. After returning the love letters, heartbroken but determined A-ga returns to the beach resort and performs a highly successful concert with his local band along with Kousuke Atari. There he express his love to Tomoko and convinces her to stay.
In addition, the movie has a story from 1945. From begin to almost end, the movie is intercut with scenes of a Japanese man boarding ship leaving Taiwan after WW2, writing 7 love letters to a local lady, sharing the same name as Tomoko.
It is a colourful romance and comedy story set in the southern Taiwan seaside town of Hengchun. The film have an interesting cast of characters. The most notable is the elderly postman, Uncle Mao. (Not forgetting also Town Council Representative and other band members as well.) Most of the dialogue is in Taiwanese direct which adds to the down to earth flavor of the film and capture small town life quite well.
A-ga ask to send back an undelivered parcel back to main post office. Curiousity, he open parcel and found love letters sending to Japanese-style address, Cape No. 7, Hengchun County, Takao Prefecture, which is no longer be found.
Meanwhile local beach resort is organizing a concert by a famous Japanese singer, Kousuke Atari. Town Council Representative insists they should add a slot for the local band to perform.
A Chinese speaking Japanese model, Tomoko (Chie Tanaka, 田中千絵) is assigned to in charge of organizing the concert. She met series difficult tasks from looking suitable persons for the band to manage the band. 6 different background people (2 young adults, A-ga & Rauma, 2 middle age man, Frog & Malasun, 1 young girl, Dada and an elderly, Uncle Mao) come together and form a band with A-ga leading. Tomoko's job get more difficult as band members refusing to cooperate and A-ga did not come out with new song with the concert coming near.
When she was about to give up and leave the town, she was invited by Uncle Mao to the one of the local's wedding, where she got drunk and ended up at A-ga room after venting frustrations outside A-ga’s house.
There she fall in relationship with A-ga, and found out the undelivered love letters A-ga has been keeping.
She decided to stay on to finish organizing the concert and tells A-ga that she will return to Japan with a job offer after the concert. Over a conversation with hotel maid, Ming-chu, she found out that the love letters recipient is Ming-chu's grandma and inform A-ga to deliver the love letters. After returning the love letters, heartbroken but determined A-ga returns to the beach resort and performs a highly successful concert with his local band along with Kousuke Atari. There he express his love to Tomoko and convinces her to stay.
In addition, the movie has a story from 1945. From begin to almost end, the movie is intercut with scenes of a Japanese man boarding ship leaving Taiwan after WW2, writing 7 love letters to a local lady, sharing the same name as Tomoko.
It is a colourful romance and comedy story set in the southern Taiwan seaside town of Hengchun. The film have an interesting cast of characters. The most notable is the elderly postman, Uncle Mao. (Not forgetting also Town Council Representative and other band members as well.) Most of the dialogue is in Taiwanese direct which adds to the down to earth flavor of the film and capture small town life quite well.
A Brand New Year, 2009
One year had pass, I just came back from NY countdown at my friend's house. (This is the 4th year we have been celebrating NY countdown together there.) This year 2 of my close friends did not came as they are protecting our country. (Here we salute to them.) As usual we had our buffet dinner (Thank you, Winne for the buffet dinner.) and wine pot luck. This year I bought Bailey Mint Chocolate & Caramel. (My favorite liquor which I always bring for wine pot luck.)
My Bailey pot luck. (My friend, Terry also happen brought the same.)
My Bailey pot luck. (My friend, Terry also happen brought the same.)
My 1st meal (almost finish) of 2009, consist of ham & fish fillet in the picture. (Coffee pork rib, curry chicken, fried mee hoon, ngoh xiang, fried chicken nugget have been eaten. Too late for photo taking.)
Ash-tray made from green tea pack by my friend, Douglas. (How creative & enviroment friendly he is)Can’t believe time pass so fast, we have been friends for 10 years since poly times, and all of us are reaching almost 30...
We chat, we joke about each others during poly times, drinking red wine and Bailey. Then we countdown with pop-pop, and continue chatting with our wine till 2 plus.
All while I having been reflecting on what am I been doing the last year, and taken some points from friends and lesson learnt.
Something I like to share is friendship, from a quote;
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
I have been my down this year. (Not much up.) I met 2 bastards in work, both of them always putting me down, making me the most miserable 4 month in my whole life. (This not my main topic, I don't think I will benefit if I blog about, Let them rot in 2009.)
From this, I have concluded after reading my friend's blog, about types of friends he have, and making me to think of friends I have.
He divided his friends into 5 groups: Hi-Bye Friend, Sidekick, Lunch Buddies, Study Buddies, Suck-Cock Buddies.
As for me, I have a wonderful study buddies in my schooling time. (Whom are my close friends celebrating NY countdown with). My most memorable lunch buddies is during my 1st job after army.
All this while, I found some of friends I have been hanging around with, actually don't seem to click with them. (I don't seem to be enjoyable with them, it is a waste of time with them. This is what I feel.)
Like Chinese saying,
路遥知马力, 日久见人心
(To know how strong a horse is; make it run a long distance. To know a man’s character; spend time with him.)
路遥知马力, 日久见人心
(To know how strong a horse is; make it run a long distance. To know a man’s character; spend time with him.)
I only live once and I don’t want to waste time on them. But I "TRY" to entertain them if I can but this time will not entertain them like a clown. (I feel like a clown with them.)
Anyway, I knew some wonderful new friends through seminars, although I don't know them well, for now I find clickable with them. How long term they are? How truth they are? I don't know, but I would sure follow up on them. But during this time I do enjoy their accompany.
I not giving up, I believe in LOA, and I sure to find my group of clickable friends and enjoy their accompany... and give me value, and also whom I like to give value to them. (Another 2 types of friendship whom my friend mention in his blog.)
23.10.08
I lovin it... My Iphone
Finally I would say my most expensive phone, Iphone, is well spend (after 6 mth of usage).
Just last week, I need to print some documents as my printer down. Actually was to meet at my friend's house to print. At the same time he ask me to send him thru email so he can print now from office. I was at outside my house, and all I need is WIFI and send him the email. I went to MacDonald and Voila!
He got the email and printed from office and meet me with the printed documents after his work.
Today I went to gym and watch movie on my Iphone while running on treadmill. Amazing! The 10 mins that used to be the longest 10 mins become like 3 mins in running...
I begin to love my Iphone even more... and I lovin it...
Just last week, I need to print some documents as my printer down. Actually was to meet at my friend's house to print. At the same time he ask me to send him thru email so he can print now from office. I was at outside my house, and all I need is WIFI and send him the email. I went to MacDonald and Voila!
He got the email and printed from office and meet me with the printed documents after his work.
Today I went to gym and watch movie on my Iphone while running on treadmill. Amazing! The 10 mins that used to be the longest 10 mins become like 3 mins in running...
I begin to love my Iphone even more... and I lovin it...
18.10.08
1st (Digital) Painting ever
Not much to do all this while so play with my tablet (It had been colleting dust for few month, just to make sure it working)...
Suddenly an idea struck me and decide to draw something funny... After 1 hour plus...
May I present you my 1st painting titled:
Attack of Godzilla in Spore, with Screamer...
26.9.08
Broken NRIC
Today while taking my NRIC from my wallet, it tear into 2 piece...
After year of bending, pressure from my butt, it finally give way...
Does that mean I going to have spilt identity from now? We shall see...
10.9.08
SGT(H) (Serangoon Garden Technical, Hostel)
S.G.T., S.G.T., Our - own dear school hostel.
That is my secondary school, Serangoon Garden Technical School, song.
After 7 - 8 years, left vacant and finally got plan for the empty school. To become a mini town of foreign workers. (where the former Hong Wen School to become hotel. Same is school but different fate.)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/373328/1/.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/373797/1/.html
No wonder the residents are complaining, esp those living opposite and along the Burghley Drive.
From when I in the graduating year, 1997, there are news that my school is going to close down and merge with other school as it may be rebuild it into condominiums...
Standing there since in the late 60's and beginning opening by PM Lee then, where it has been a school for me and my 2 aunties.
Ever since I left 1997, and went back once in 1998, to visit my teacher and till now never went back... (pass by during last year when I was working nearby as an outdoor AE)
It really flashback my old school time. (although I not active in school nor have a wonderful time there, but now it really make me miss the days)
Really miss those days in early dawn morning assemble in basketball court, facing the field you will see a cloud of morning mist where those walking from the field will cause a ghostly figure...
and speaking of ghostly, there are spooky stories about our school since it there since late 60's. There are rumour of dwarf sighted playing inside the science lab at night, colourful light inside top storey girl toilet spotted by nearby residents, the haunted tree in the field where there is story of a student who hanged himself after failing his exam, the eerie stand alone toilet building near the field, and many more.
And it too remind of fun time where I first time played in the rain with my good friend after the sport club training was cancel, playing hide and seek with my photography club member, who were also my classmate in the photography dark room, and developing photo using chemical.
During my senior years, we cut queue during the recess, eat within the table that are so called allocated to senior student. And during in class, we got our personal cupboard for keeping textbook and every time before lesson start, those sitting near there, will distribute the textbook around. Everything is arrange neatly according subject textbook. even some put their pencil case including me.
And PE lesson, we used to change in gardening club room, instead of toilet where my classmate got access to it, where we call it the bat cave. After PE, some of us hang our shorts on the window to dry and later told by teacher to take down after she complain too ugly.
Although situated at the landed property area, does not make us a branded school, but sadly got complain from residents. And taking bus to school in the morning, we have to squeeze and fight for standing place with students from other school... And Best of all, we do have good food after our class at chomp chomp, KFC, Mac, and kopi shop around serangoon garden.
(Those day we don't have coffee bean and tea leaf cafe or chill out restaurant, only fast food and kopi shop)
Hopefully the Serangoon Garden "Holland V" will not changed to Serangoon Garden "Little India"...
That is my secondary school, Serangoon Garden Technical School, song.
After 7 - 8 years, left vacant and finally got plan for the empty school. To become a mini town of foreign workers. (where the former Hong Wen School to become hotel. Same is school but different fate.)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/373328/1/.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/373797/1/.html
No wonder the residents are complaining, esp those living opposite and along the Burghley Drive.
From when I in the graduating year, 1997, there are news that my school is going to close down and merge with other school as it may be rebuild it into condominiums...
Standing there since in the late 60's and beginning opening by PM Lee then, where it has been a school for me and my 2 aunties.
Ever since I left 1997, and went back once in 1998, to visit my teacher and till now never went back... (pass by during last year when I was working nearby as an outdoor AE)
It really flashback my old school time. (although I not active in school nor have a wonderful time there, but now it really make me miss the days)
Really miss those days in early dawn morning assemble in basketball court, facing the field you will see a cloud of morning mist where those walking from the field will cause a ghostly figure...
and speaking of ghostly, there are spooky stories about our school since it there since late 60's. There are rumour of dwarf sighted playing inside the science lab at night, colourful light inside top storey girl toilet spotted by nearby residents, the haunted tree in the field where there is story of a student who hanged himself after failing his exam, the eerie stand alone toilet building near the field, and many more.
And it too remind of fun time where I first time played in the rain with my good friend after the sport club training was cancel, playing hide and seek with my photography club member, who were also my classmate in the photography dark room, and developing photo using chemical.
During my senior years, we cut queue during the recess, eat within the table that are so called allocated to senior student. And during in class, we got our personal cupboard for keeping textbook and every time before lesson start, those sitting near there, will distribute the textbook around. Everything is arrange neatly according subject textbook. even some put their pencil case including me.
And PE lesson, we used to change in gardening club room, instead of toilet where my classmate got access to it, where we call it the bat cave. After PE, some of us hang our shorts on the window to dry and later told by teacher to take down after she complain too ugly.
Although situated at the landed property area, does not make us a branded school, but sadly got complain from residents. And taking bus to school in the morning, we have to squeeze and fight for standing place with students from other school... And Best of all, we do have good food after our class at chomp chomp, KFC, Mac, and kopi shop around serangoon garden.
(Those day we don't have coffee bean and tea leaf cafe or chill out restaurant, only fast food and kopi shop)
Hopefully the Serangoon Garden "Holland V" will not changed to Serangoon Garden "Little India"...
24.8.08
Moonlight Resonance (家好月圆)
No link to the 1st season, Heart of Greed (溏心风暴). But similar plot, with same old casts but new roles.
Story about a happy family with 6 children , Jia(家), Hao(好), Yue(月), Yuan(圆), Qing(庆), Zhong(中), running a small famous mooncake shop.
As the story go on, unhappiness soured in the family, with mother-in-law angry with her daughther-in-law, Ho(荷) for causing the death of her younger son. Taking the advantage of situation, Jo's(祖) lover, Hong(红), whom worked in his bakery shop and has long time affair with him, urge him to divorce with his wife, Ho and marry her.
After Jo and Ho split, They estrangled in lawsuit for their children custory. With judge decision to award 3 children to each of them, making the brothers and sisters separate from each other.
10 years passed, story go on with Jo's mooncake business under Hong management doing very good while Ho's small time cake shop struggling to make end meet but living happily with her son and daughters.
A well worth to watch drama with each exciting episode of mother love, family kinship of happiness and sadness , quarrelling and conspiracy stir by jealous stepmum and money-mind relatives in the family.
Still running in Hong Kong, will be this year mooncake festival theme drama...
Story about a happy family with 6 children , Jia(家), Hao(好), Yue(月), Yuan(圆), Qing(庆), Zhong(中), running a small famous mooncake shop.
As the story go on, unhappiness soured in the family, with mother-in-law angry with her daughther-in-law, Ho(荷) for causing the death of her younger son. Taking the advantage of situation, Jo's(祖) lover, Hong(红), whom worked in his bakery shop and has long time affair with him, urge him to divorce with his wife, Ho and marry her.
After Jo and Ho split, They estrangled in lawsuit for their children custory. With judge decision to award 3 children to each of them, making the brothers and sisters separate from each other.
10 years passed, story go on with Jo's mooncake business under Hong management doing very good while Ho's small time cake shop struggling to make end meet but living happily with her son and daughters.
A well worth to watch drama with each exciting episode of mother love, family kinship of happiness and sadness , quarrelling and conspiracy stir by jealous stepmum and money-mind relatives in the family.
Still running in Hong Kong, will be this year mooncake festival theme drama...
22.8.08
Iphone launched finally
(picture are from www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=18&id=2670)
At the stroke of midnight to 22 Aug, Iphone finally arrived at our shore. Fans had waited since the launched of Iphone 1st generation, and today Singaporean fans can finally buy from Singtel store. As for the launch, fans have been start queueing up as early as 12 hours before, and probaby now enjoying sliding their iphone with their finger...
Although it launched on my birthday, It will be nice if Singtel offer me as a birthday present, after all I also a Singtel customer for so long... (Don't mind to have one more since I already owe one, can use as back up phone... you all know how "long life" is the battery...)
Although it launched on my birthday, It will be nice if Singtel offer me as a birthday present, after all I also a Singtel customer for so long... (Don't mind to have one more since I already owe one, can use as back up phone... you all know how "long life" is the battery...)
29.7.08
My most expensive handphone bill
After getting my most expensive phone (in Mar), most expensive watch (in June) now come my most expensive handphone bill to date.
Thaks to my most expensive phone "clever" design to use internet, check email even GPRS is disable in setting... (if WIFI is disable but it will not auto enable to check email, wonder if there a conspiracy between telco and apple)
After occurance of 30+ and now 70+ buck of data usuage, I decide to cancel my GPRS to prevent any further damage...
And then came my credit card bill with no payment and a 5 buck rebate from GSS...
So there is a sliver lining in every cloud...
24.7.08
My own fin (at last)
Finally got to add to my basic dive equipement, fin.
Buying fin is such a headaches where different people give different reviews and comments... after so many turning rounds, finally bought the fin which I did not expect to get.
At first, was aiming for Force Fin, but found out the cost is almost half of my D6 (dive computer), Then switch to Scubapro Jet Fin Revo, jap ver. of Jet Fin, then to Jet Fin because of price again, But Jet Fin did not fit comfortable in my large bootie, and realised that my bootie size too large (which I reckless bought at ADEX08).
Switch to TUSA Tri-ex, Mares Super Channel, Apollo Bio-Fin and finally Atomic Aquatics Split Fin, recommend by friend of dive shop happen to be there, which happy fit comfortable with my new correct size bootie
And thus the marriage went well and alas I bought it both...
23.7.08
1.7.08
Euro 08
Germany Euro 08 Team
This goal that caused Germany of Euro 08 Cup by Spain, Torres at 33 minsAfter 4 years, 2 International Cup, still can't wear my Germany jersey proudly...
as Germany lost to Spain by 0-1 in the Euro Cup 08... (Spain is arguely good and Germany not that bad either, and poor Ballack miss that goal otherwise it would be a draw. He really "Bo Luck" in this game...)
Have been Germany fan since my poly time, after I was selected to study german language... since then have been craze about Germany, dreaming to get into exchange program, if I score German Language distinction but ended up my result was passable...
Since 2006 World Cup, have been starting supporting DFB by buying jersey, bought training and authenic home jersey (which cost 100+), but since lost to Italy in Semi-final and landed in 3rd place after wining to Portugal, I have not wear my the home jersey since then, only until this year, I wear to Taipei for holiday...
This time bought training jersey as didn't like the design of home jersey. At least I got to wear once before the match on Sunday...
16.6.08
My most expensive watch
Finally after 1 year of wait and planning, I got my my own dive com, Suunto D6
and I never bought such an expensive watch, before was my Casio Protek which cost less than 30% of the D6... (although I have fancy on Tag Heuer since my school day...)
I fall in love with D6 when I first saw it. I love the design, the time display... and it like what I looking for my ideal watch...
It time to buy D6 as I going to Manado Trip in August, after all I wanted to have my own dive com, which is important for diver, as they can monitor their depth and timing in water...
This coming sat I going to test water on my D6 and oso refresh my diving skill...
and I never bought such an expensive watch, before was my Casio Protek which cost less than 30% of the D6... (although I have fancy on Tag Heuer since my school day...)
I fall in love with D6 when I first saw it. I love the design, the time display... and it like what I looking for my ideal watch...
It time to buy D6 as I going to Manado Trip in August, after all I wanted to have my own dive com, which is important for diver, as they can monitor their depth and timing in water...
This coming sat I going to test water on my D6 and oso refresh my diving skill...
4.6.08
BYOB is not MYOB
We now have to mind the business
BYOB (Bring your Own Bag) is started on last year April and it been more one year, and from 4th June onward every Wednesday is BYOB day instead of once a weekly affair.
Plastic bags, not biogradable, have linked to global warming and recently everyone is complaining about the heat... Should we do something instead of complaining?
It time we do something, and Ikea have start the ball rolling by not providing plastic bag to every customers, instead customer have to paid for each plastic bag they took, It a great start.
Although we have to start this culture recently and not everyone is not comfortable but many do not realise it a problem. But if everyone start this as baby step i sure by next year, everyone will be comfortable with it.
Together we can save Gaia by reducing plastic-bag
Brought my re-usable bag to NTUC yesterday and got rebate for BYOB, not bad for BYOB. Why not start now...
Brought my re-usable bag to NTUC yesterday and got rebate for BYOB, not bad for BYOB. Why not start now...
10.5.08
My D(elay)-Card
Finally, after 780 days of waiting, I finally received a call from my operator yesterday, that my C-Card, (Certification-Card) is ready for collection...Thanks to a bunch of monkeys* who lost my application form during my dive trip in 2006 and I had seek help directly from the operator to re-submit (can't trust those bunch of monkeys* anymore, after 2 disappointment encounter with them)
And again dun know what happen to other side of application office, who first delay, then send wrong printing, then delay, and delay again.
If not for the recent ADEX, where I happen to see my operator who then accompany me to see and complain to the agency. I think it might be in someone's rubbish bin...
*monkeys - some bunch of idiot that just dive for free by doing orgainsing dive trip in their school, whom got I-not-paid-why-care attitude.*
8.5.08
Wriggy in my fruit
My first post not to be proud of but is what i found not 1 but a bunch of wrigggy worms in my dragon fruit. Oh my...
It started when my mother give me cut fruit and there i start happy eating and after a few pieces (can't remember how many) i see some small white thing like "ikan bilis". I began to wonder, what the... is "ikan bilis" doing with my fruit. so i began to filp more to check and my... a bunch of happily bunch of wriggy "white baby dragon" happy swmmin bottom of my fruits.
So there i began to shout and throw the fruit away and to my dismay, i saw more bunch of wriggy "white baby dragon" swimming in the skin of the peel fruit...
Anyway does it look ikan bilis to you, or would you eat fruit with ikan bilis?...
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