Riccardo talk cock, sing song and play mahjong

Software Piracy and Academic pursue.

2012-02-12T14:45:00.000+08:00

I got to say, without Bram Cohen,Broadband Internet and PirateBay.... what can cash strap but full of aspiration and ambitious student do to get their project and assignment done? Online piracy may hurt the bottom line of software company, but software company stills earn behemoth profits. School nowadays do not distribute license copies of software to students so they can work on their project and assignment from home.

They should not go around catching insignificant small fries who do not profit from such online piracy. Even the pirates themselves are offering the "cracked" software Free Of Charge. Think about this, students who get an illegitimate copy of the software to work on may one day be employed to work in companies that will pay for the legitimate software. With the oppurtunity of pirated software, how easy is it for society to produce the skilled or talented person for hire?

Student do need to start somewhere to practice and making them pay hundreds to thousands of dollars for software will hurt their cashflow.

Software pirates are sometime the Robinhood to Students.

A new interest.

2011-11-27T23:14:00.001+08:00

75% hit rate and an average of 100m. Funny thing is I hit 100++m with number 7 but a disappointing 70m with a number 3. At less the ball goes straight now. More practice at the range to come.

All this years, I had been underestimating this sports. The fact is when one started playing golf (at the range of course), it turn out to be highly challenging from the beginning. Its precisely this challenge that draws me deeper into the interest for the sport. I don't wish to be some pro golfer but just looking into learning and getting good at a new hobby.

Oh gosh, now I have to fund for both my Scuba Diving and Golfing.... All cost $$$$. Hitting 30s means that I can only afford less money and energy on my hobbies. There are more commitments coming down the road from now on. Got to clear my Part Time studies first, which is getting to be a drag after 3 years.

Random Chattering.

2011-10-24T20:19:00.004+08:00

I can sense changes in the air. Internal shuffling happening soon. Thinking of getting a underwater strobe light. Damn ...I'm slacking but on the back of my mind I know its time to warm up as the exam month is around the corner. Lacking in inspiration to write an article on the blog which is turning pretty cold. Should blame on Facebook for robbing my 5 cent and 10 cent thoughts away.
I'm slacking...really...but not for long cause 2012 is a year of serious academic crunch for me. So thats why an internal shuffling is needed.

Everyday I'm shuffling....(du du du du du du du)

Counting down to UK

2011-08-23T12:56:00.002+08:00

I'm counting down 10 days to my first trip to the UK, for pleasure and for business (school in this case). News from my cousin that the chaos and riot had subsided and life was back to normal right now in the UK. People are continuing their famous daily crossing of Abbey Road.

September will be the month of great touring of London, great mind stressing studies and Cranfield University and relaxing dive holiday at Redang towards the end of the month. After a long long period of no school and lots of fats accumulation, drama watching and day dreaming.... I am finally been kicked back into high tempo mode of studies in September.

Its a interesting feeling. In the past, I always though I never had enough time. When I started my part time degree course, I always had no free time. When I took such long break (June to September) I had too much time on hand and started reading the stock market and learning economics. So the fact is, time is up to an individual to grow or consume.... its all time management.

The stock market had been a series of volatile up and down nowadays. Had been dabbling my hands in a couple of good Shares but had not been too aggressive in fear of burning my hands. Over all, it had not been a really profitable venture so far but from the months of observation, unless its the end of the world (or a company), with good time horizon (time management again), share price usually ride the waves of market sentiments and emotion to reveal the time to Buy and the time to Sell.

Had been reading a lecture by Andrew Sheng . In the Theory of Wealth and Finance - The growth of economy in a macro level or business in a micro level is a combination of Physical Technology + Social Technology + Business Design. Go through your thought processes and you find that the success in this 3 aspect is what makes Apple Inc so profitable today. Same should goes for other great Companies out there.

DIY Flash Diffuser for Fuji Film Waterproof case

2011-04-18T15:21:00.006+08:00

Its the diving season again and I will be heading for a short dive trip at Pulau Tioman from Tuesday and will be back on Thursday. Its been almost 5 months since my last dive at Thailand and I really need a refresher dive and also a short escape from Singapore. Thanks Corin for organizing the weekday trip. Its better to go during the weekday as there are less divers around to scare away the sea creatures.

Yet again, I will be the sole underwater photographer for this trip. After losing the flash diffuser for the Fuji Film waterproof case 2 years ago, most of the macro pictures taken looks like this....

As you can see, the zoom port of the waterproof case causes the flash light to cast an ugly shadow at the corner of the pictures. Furthermore the macro shot was over flood with flash light. The sad news was the parts for the waterproof case were out of production and I am resigned to the fate of living with the horrible shadows. One solution is to buy an underwater external strobe light but the whole set will cost $800++, too expensive for a novice like me.

I had decided to DIY the Flash Diffuser using an old milk container, velcro, superglue, Aluminum foil and scotch tapes.

This picture shows the waterproof case missing a flash diffuser at the top right corners. The protruding zoom port is the culprit for numerous shadows from some of my underwater pictures.

Shown above, a DIY flash diffuser cut of in the proper shapes from an old milk container. The velcro strips are glued to the diffuser using Superglue. Velcro strips are used to secure the flash diffuser to the camera.

I decided to stick aluminum foil around the side of the flash diffuser to focus the flash light through the front of the flash diffuser. It was an idea recommended by another flash diffuser DIY website but I doubt it makes a difference. Anyway, no harm trying.

My final creation mounted to the waterproof case. It could had been more visually appealing but it achieve what it suppose to do as shown in the test shot below.

All that is left now is to test the waterproof case underwater and I pray the DIY flash diffuser will not fall apart underwater. Special thanks to Garfield for the super long term loan of the camera and waterproof case.

Generation of people

2011-03-29T23:32:00.002+08:00

Gen X- We don't ask too much question :X

Gen Y- Ask a lot of question :Y

Gen Z --- Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....lazy to ask question. Lazy to even carry their own field pack.... Silver Spooners!

CIA created Facebook and Twitters!

2011-02-22T19:18:00.002+08:00

Massive protest in Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, Iran and god knows which middle east country will be next? Could this be yet another secret dirty work by the CIA to overthrow a countries regime from within? It might be no surprise as countries like Panama, Nicaguara, South Vietnam (now defucted) and Iran had once upon a time had it government overthrown by local populace supported and funded by the CIA. Cuba came close to be a victim but failed terribly in "The Bay Of The Pig" incident.

Today Protesters rallied through the use of social internet media like Facebook and Twitters which coincidently were both created in USA. What may well be good business of social networking may secretly harbour a different agenda for the CIA. To create a puppet state, to secure the oil resources and to create more jobs for Americans through contractor work? Hmmm...maybe.

So are we able to rally a massive protest that mirror those that are happen in the Arab countries? After the bonanza of our government Budget 2011 handout, this will yet be an even far fetched reality. Looking forward to the 70% education subsidy for part time students!

Help identify this purple slimer...

2011-01-06T15:06:00.002+08:00

During my December diving trip at South Andaman Sea, I came across this interesting purple jello slimer during one of the night dives. It clings to the sandy bottom and moves at a speed of roughly 1cm/s. Despite my search online, I could not identify this strange creature. Fellow divers and marine lover, will appreciate your education.

Growing Up

2010-12-19T00:54:00.002+08:00

During my Gf's company Christmas gathering dinner, all of us were watching "Wedding Crashes" by Owen Wilson. There was some unexpected nude bed room scene with full upper body nudity. The crowd seems nonchalantly on the nudity and some even laugh why the organizer forgot to do censorship for the movie screening. Especially significant since the movie was screen at company settings. Make me realize we had all transcended the age of innocence and naiveness. The Bs, the Ps and the Vs of body anatomy are not longer a mystery. Hope the kids did not see it and start asking curious question.

Bribing civil servant.

2010-12-13T19:34:00.001+08:00

A 22 motorcyclist attempts to bride SSG Ang, a traffic police officer when he was stopped for not securing his helmet strap. SSG Ang immediately placed him under arrest. The bribe was 20 dollars.

SSG Ang was praised for his integrity and explemary conduct. He is a great role model for his fellow police colleague.

Looks like a good performance bonus for SSG Ang next year. Now the question is if the amount was 10000 dollars, could SSG Ang succumb to money?

20 dollar not worth it..... 10000 dollars? Maybe... In essence if the amount is more than the glory and monetary reward of being uncorruptable, most might succumb to greed.

We don't have to look further than Indonesia, Malaysia and even Thailand to observe such happenings. Many friends from this countries had told me stories of bribery from the wealthy when they got into trouble. With the big income gap between rich and poor and the ordinary salary of law enforcements.... Its easy to get out of trouble with money.

Singapore had it worst with corrupt high ranking civil officers (SLA), corrupt Charity organization chairman (TT Durai) and even corrupt monk. Its a shock and surprise for many had always picture Singapore as a clean city and governance.

It makes me wonder what kind of Abyss the people of high status are heading into nowadays.

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Not following procedures saves life.

2010-11-15T09:30:00.001+08:00

Ed Punchard, a survivor of the Alpha Piper oil rig disaster did not followed emergency procedures and use his common sense of survivor to save himself...

All over the rig, people were instinctively following their training and emergency instructions. In the absence of any form of annoucement, most were trying to make their way to the galley to assemble, head count and take instructions. After all this was what they were trained to do.

Tragically the galley was in the line of fireball wheb the explosion happens, meaning that the majority who followed procedures did not survive. Those who did survived were those who disobeyed instruction and jumped into the sea.

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Opium War during Qing Dynasty

2010-10-05T23:51:00.002+08:00

China Chinese during the Qing Dynasty were economically surpressed by the westerners. As a self sufficient country, the only way the European can trade with China is through Opium which effectively addicted the population, poison the society and eventually bring the Qing Dynasty to its knee in the face of European pressure...

Opium War and the Unequal Treaties of the West

Just recently, news was out that China, a country in the East had decided to bring its wealth to safe Greece economy through join development to make it a viable shipping hub in Europe. What a turn of events, there was much in fighting within the EU on how to save their economy (cutting social benefits, incentives, raising tax) and out come a Eastern country oppressed 1 century ago to the rescue.

The world is round as we can see now. At less China did not come with warship and unreasonable treaty.

Trouble Is A Friend

2010-09-24T22:03:00.003+08:00

Ha ha. What an interesting song, a song I will share later on after this messages. Sometime trouble can be a friend because a small trouble you stumble into now maybe the best lesson you never will learn in school from your teacher. Its a life lesson that keep you out of another trouble. I know it sound paradox - 'Trouble saving you from trouble'?

I love to play RPG games where you have enough time in each situation to think before you act (attack, cast magic, flee, summon) but sometime I made bad decision ending up losing huge chunk of HP, wasting tons of Mana, losing an item and sometime death. Good thing there is always a save function to backup my ass and a load function to instantly go back in time to rethink the decision.

I really sux at RTS games because I sux at micro-management, a MUST for playing games like Starcraft. Yet again, there is the SAVE and LOAD function for every time I lost in an assualt/defense or when I felt a certain good outcome could be even better. Well, just "go back in time" and try again. And obviously knowing the outcome of an old decision will allow me to make a good decision next time.

Unfortunately life ain't as rosy as PC games (or console games as a matter of fact), some people take a few years of trouble to reach a good outcome, some made tons of bad decision and took decades to be good. Knowing that most of us don't live to a century, why not made Trouble our friend so you can learn from trouble and avoid trouble in the future?

Police vs Former Police

2010-08-25T16:45:00.002+08:00

The Manila Bus Hostage Crisis reminds me of the movie "SPEED" and "The Negotiator" combined together. Its a hijack and hostage taking of a bus plus a former decorated police chief as the hostage taker.

Why does a man had to go to such extend to prove his point only to be shot in the head? A good hostage taker should be calm and not kill the hostage to infuriate the Police, a good police force should be there to calm the hostage taker and secure the safety of the hostage through trick or treats.

The SWAT Team totally lost the element of surprise with their failed assault attempts. All the hostage could have perished from this blunder.

Headache of the middle man.

2010-08-18T09:39:00.004+08:00

Headache is nothing but a sensation created by the human brain as a respond to stress and pain, both physical and psychological. The human body comprise millions of nerve cell, sensors around the body responsible for sensing of physical stimuli like pleasure and pain, good taste and bad taste, pungent and fragrance. All this sensors as I had choose to call them transmit signals to the nerve processing center, the brain, which create a appropriate bodily and emotional respond.

When there is an overload of information coupled with psychological stresses like deadlines, lack of information, reporting to superior, fear, in confidence our entire brain become highly stressed and start responding with headache, sending signal to the entire body to cease the activity however at the same time getting signal from the long term memory that stoppage=failure, facing reprimand, lost of job, work pile up, $$$. This become rather restrictive to a person work and affects his/her performance ultimately.

Our brain the processing center of our body. In our line of work, information center are Command Post, Ops Center, HQ, the prime contractor, the middle management team and basically anyone or department coordinating effort between the top decision makers and the ground workers. You see, decision makers make or break decision while the ground workers make or break the work... in the middle of this process are the unfortunate sandwiched middle work force who sometimes have to juggle the outrageous requirements,deadline or action of the decision makers and the restrictive, poor morale and unconvinced man on the ground. This is an extreme case causing extreme stress to the "brain" of the organization whose livelihood depends on making both party satisfied.

In my opinion... you either be the humble guy doing the grunt and ground work and keep work life simple or the Top decision makers who make life difficult for a good or bad down the chain but never the middle management who get squeeze dry.

My favourite Thai Song! Mai-roo-jak-chan-mai-roo-jak-ter

2010-07-28T21:56:00.003+08:00

Translation of lyrics available here

I am really surprise that the Singer is a 实力派 (Talent) rather than 偶像派 (Idol) artiste. He may not look good but he got a great voice!!! Judging from his size, I understand why the singer is call "Calories Blah Blah". Female singer is Endorphine.

Tax than kanna tax again?

2010-07-16T17:07:00.002+08:00

TAX

1.

a sum of money demanded by a government for its support or for specific facilities or services, levied upon incomes, property, sales, etc.

a burdensome charge, obligation, duty, or demand.

Ok so most of us pay tax. We pay tax base on our annual salary factor in the deduction of tax relief. So in essence we are paying tax for the money left over for us to spend and a portion of our salary are excused from tax factoring due to government policy, this is call tax relief. If you have dependent parents and kids, you can get tax relief. If you havw a handicapped sibling requiring your monetary support, you get tax relief. If you are studying part time at a government approved education institution, you get tax relief. The list goes on as a reward to obedient Singaporean who follows the government policy.

However some (like me) may realize that we are unwittingly subjected to double taxation in many instances? Take for example the everyday GST of 7% you paid from grocery to electronic product using your taxable salary. The 7% don't go to profiting the merchant but straight to the government coffers as tax. You had paid $100 for the "real value" of the product and a $7 tax to the government making the total of $107 out off your pocket. As for your income tax, the government will still tax you base on your initial ownership of that $107 dollars. Lets assume the tax is 2% which means you will be paying an additional $2.14 cents to the government.

This is simple elementary math here we are dealing with but it make simple sense as well. You paid $107 dollars for a $100 product means $7 dollars of GST plus $2.14 of income tax goes to the government. Thats $9.14.

So should we be grateful to the government for giving us GST rebates? No in my opinion because its only right that as a law abiding citizen who never evade tax to get back the extra money that was given away due to poor taxation principles.

Food for thought, its not just the GST that are part of the double taxation. You are double tax on properties (set to rise soon), tv license fee, your water supply bills, your electricity bill, monthly fees to town council for service and conservancy charges and god knows what else.

Law and Order

2010-07-03T15:43:00.002+08:00

You invite a guest from another country to stay in your home for a few years. One day he got a bit tipsy and accidently push you onto the ground after stumbling back to your home in the middle of the night. Next thing you know, he threw a small tantrum while picking up a dropped key when at the same time his elbow swing and met the face of your child resulting in a bleeding nose. Your guest never said sorry and went straight to bedroon, collapsing onto the bed and snored like a pig.

The next day, you confronted him and he denied all wrong doings. Moment later he left your house and flew back to your country, leaving behind bruises and a broken nose. Never got an apology and not even a chance to bring immediate justice to his brawl act.

Dr Silviu Ionescu's trial in Romania hopefully bring justice to the victim of the Romanian Embassy hit and run case. This case put Singapore in the spotlight on how we dealt with an errant official with supposely diplomatic immunity who commited a crime in our country. Not only are the victims Singaporean but also a Malaysian who died from the hit and run. It will be a major mockery to our justice system if Ionescu were to be let away scot free as a result of pressure from the Romanian Government. Imagine what picture our dear neighbour will will paint of us when Singapore could not bring closure to the matter, satisfying the justice of the victims (from both side of the causeway) and the citizen as a whole.

After a failed assasination on Dong Zhuo (董卓), Cao Cao (曹操) flee the palace with his adviser Chen Gong (陈宫） and found refuge with a family in the rural farm land. He was well taken care by the farm family, given new set of clothes, good food, water and his horse was fed as well. The head of the household gave him the best bed available in the family for rest after Cao Cao tiring miles of escape from Dong Zhuo. One evening while the family are sharpening their knife on grind stone to slaughter a lamb for dinner, anxiety and suspicion strikes on Cao Cao. He killed the whole family, assuming that they are sharpening the knife to kill him, the fugitive. After the bloodshed he was horrified to realise the mistake he made but fled the scene with his adviser. He eventually become a noctorious leader in the Three Kingdom Era. Chen Gong could had bring him to justice for harming the host of the family.

Today a friend came your home, sprayed a creative graffati design on the wall of your house and left the scene immediately. It was a really nice form of art but it clearly is done without your consent. Further more he entered your home without your permission. I'm sure you will not be happy with what your friend did.

Every country had its laws and cultures for order of society. I think its only right for visitor to respect it. A 5 months jail sentence and 3 stroke of butt splitting canes to the Swiss man is fair justice for his attempt to undermine our law and order no matter how nicely done the graffati are. It should be 5 years and 30 strokes in my opinion for he knew very well that he is trespassing and vandalism. Oh yes he had been famous for doing so in many other countries but too bad he did it in Singapore as well. Lets not forget what Micheal Fay did years ago with his vandalism act and the outrage of American for the harsh punishment he recieve to his buttocks.

Recently its Mediacorp Artiste Quan Yi Feng vs Comfort Delgro Taxi Driver Mr Chan. Time and Court will tell whether Mr Chan had commited aggravated assault or Quan Yi Feng had committed aggravated defense. I hope the polices/lawyers know that they are handling an actress vs a day to day Taxi Driver, special interview/interogation skills are required when dealing with someone who does acting almost everyday. Ironically Quan Yi Feng hired a criminal lawyer to defend her....

Heading for LOB Dive trip

2010-06-25T13:38:00.005+08:00

Finally...the long awaited break from work is finally here. Oversea leave from Friday to Monday (long long weekend) Gonna keep those work to a hidden memory of mine and time to do some scuba diving after almost 1 year of inactivity in the sea. This time, instead of staying on an island resort and heading out to sea to dive each day, me and my khakis will be Living On Board.

No more boat transfer to dive boat and waiting at the jetty. Eat, sleep and dive all from the LOB dive boat, good enough to slack it out over the weekend with minimal walking. Joining me for this weekend trip will be Palm and ZaiMing who I had went on dive trip seperately with during my basic and advance Openwater course. This time will be a team of three instead.

Looking at the weather forecast for the island of Tioman and surrounding waters, it looks like a raining season for the next two days when we will be diving. It said 20%~40% chance of rain so I hope we are in the 80%~60% percent weather bracket throughout the trip.

Focus for this dive trip will be underwater navigation and some photography of this little adventure. Will post the pictures when I get back.

Leaving you guys now with this "Kung Fu Bear" video that was claim to be real! Its really amazing how animal will fight back against human poaching in the future,

KUNG FUN BEAR!!!

Recently - 最近

2010-06-15T10:03:00.005+08:00

Been Reading -

Zachery Shore - Blunders , Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions.
Marvel - Black Widow
World Of Warcraft comics. (Highly recommended, especially if you are a Warcraft fans)

Been Playing-

Shin Megami Tensei - Devil Survivor
Super Mario Galaxy (just open it up after 2 years of dust collection)
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Will be going-

Malaysia JB for food, shopping and R&R this weekend
Malaysia Tioman next weekend for LOB diving. Its been almost 1 year (thanks to my broken bones)...I hope my diving skills are still intact. Planning to hone my underwater navigation skills
Read more books in June and July
Another dive trip in July to hone my underwater photography skills.

Had learn -

Not to trust any shop in Lucky Plaza. Kanna carrot head $40 bucks.
To check price from various shop before buying regardless of how well recommended the shop is by your "expert" friends.
Our National Library had really wonderful collection of good new and good books. Highly recommended to loan from Library than buying. Good collections of Marvel comics.

Its good to be on the school break :)

Israel attacks Humanitarian aid ship from Turkey.

2010-06-01T23:31:00.003+08:00

This videos speaks volume. Wonder why they still prefer a military intervention than a diplomatic one. This is an Aid ship with supplies for the people in need. Using military force against helpless civilians, that is cowardice....

However, if we look on the other side of the media picture. We see a country in constant threat and in constant vigil but also in deep suspicion of any activities that could be of their demise.

As good as the pirates of Somalia...attacking and boarding ship in International waters.

Water kills a fighting fish

2010-05-19T19:59:00.003+08:00

I ask the aquarium shop why does the live prawns I brought back for my Arowana never survive overnight in the fish tank? Most died within 24 hours while the stronger ones survive the mysterious death for another day. That Aquarium shop staff told me that nowadays the prawn they got seems to be dying easily despite higher concentration of air bubble and use of leaf water.

A man step into the conversation and told me that its all the "N-Water" fault and he had some rather shocking evidence to prove it. His tale starts with how his good friend and avid Arowana owner did a regular water change, which had always been a peaceful occasion. However one day all his Arowana died after a water change. It sure is a tale to me for Arowana are champion survival even in poor water condition however I took his advise never to change more than half a tank of water each time and put in anti-chlorine and salt before adding in the tap water to avoid "shocking" the fish.

2nd tale involve a personnal experiment done by him. He got a bottle of "N-water" and pour it all into a small little tank where a healthy Fighting Fish lives in. Within 15 mins the colors of the fish faded to dark brown and within an hour the fish is dead in the "N-water". Astonishing tales to me!!! How can it be possible? Its clean and safe water by the way....

3rd tale. Young man collapsing while participating in running even. They use to distribute "N-water" at each drink station but stop after a while and nowadays its all Isotonic drinks. Hmmm...there is no prove to this claim but still surprise to see he was damn convince its the root cause.

I'll take the fact with a pinch of salt for they are just tales but I might wanna try the "Fighting Fish" experiment during the school break.

The complain and scrutinization of a funeral

2010-05-11T22:41:00.000+08:00

A certain funeral of a 90+ years old grandma took place with much joyous singing and celebration in my neighborhood for the past few days. Instead of been a solemn occasion, it was a joyful one as everyone present on Sunday at the funeral sang a mother day song for this great grandma who had pass away, leaving behind at less 150 descendants. Never had I encounter a funeral of such grand scale judging not only by the number of people present but the sheer number of "banners" and "flower ring" send by grandmas friends and families. The among of incense papers and huge paper house a also a reflection of the scale of this void deck funeral. Even the minister from Sembawang GRC (an indian man) visited the funeral to pay his respect. My father join in the occasion volunteering to be part of the pallbearers on the "last day" or "Chu Bin" day as his good friend was the son of the grandma. Looks like alot of people wanna be a part of it.

Unfortunately such memorable events were marred by some nosy resident calling the police and complaining about noise pollution. By 10 o'clock, there is a already a white Police Subaru WRX standing by and god knows how many more police around the area waiting if the event bust the regulatory time of 11pm. Apparently this nosy resident cum complainer turn out to be a prominent RC member of my neighborhood. For god sake, this is a funeral and not some void deck party and the singing and chanting are actually only happening for 1 night and quite bearable. Can't we all at less give the spirit of old grandma a break on this occasion and not activate the police on such matters? 100 plus people at the void deck, its understandable that its not easy to keep things silent. This sad incident speaks volume about the quality of this RC member.

Ironically I heard one of the attendance of the funeral is also an RC member of my neighborhood! Talk about friendly firing...

Oh by the way, this remarkable funeral makes it to the newspaper last night. :)

Diving and Revision

2010-04-18T13:30:00.001+08:00

I seriously need a holiday and escape from work a while but its not gonna happen till June. Its academic revision all the way from today till the last week of May when the examination is gonna happen. I am confident that there is no way I am going to fail any of the subject but I can't be sure of 3 straight A's. Frankly, I am wondering if I ever wanted to stay in this career line but yet again where else can I applied my experience to? Maybe the root of negativity comes from the present. Well, set the course straight though, I am still gonna push through this educational obstacles to secure a better future no matter what shit life throws at me.

Looking forward to the school break, looking forward to lots of diving trip in West Malaysia this holiday not because there is lots to see but because the price are reasonable for my pocket especially if I am going to clock multiple diving trip a month. Miss the sea and the sun and the friendly marine creatures (yes! they are all friendly unless provoked).

Met a stranger yesterday and got a good advise from her about life... Keep things simple and don't complicate your thoughts and feelings. Yup, sometime think too much about things beyond my control. :)

New Condom Brand

2010-04-06T19:57:00.000+08:00

Imagine if all retailers started making their own condoms:

Tesco Condom: Ever little helps

Peugeot Condoms: The ride of your life

KFC Condoms: Finger licking good

Duracell Condoms: Just keep going and going and going and going...

Pringles Condoms: Once you pop, you can't stop

Burger King Condoms: The home of the whopper

Polo condoms: The one with the hole in it....

OH DAMN!!! Babies!

A Lion Name Christian

2010-03-28T21:56:00.001+08:00

From the pen of Adam Khoo

2010-03-20T22:08:00.002+08:00

Interesting insight into Singaporeans ! ! ! !

Interesting Article from Singapore (Just sharing)

Please pass on to all Singaporeans to learn a great Lessons,especially our
kids who are spoon fed and pampered........

Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore
Posted by admin 28 January, 2010

I have a prediction. My prediction is that in a couple of years, the
expatriates (from China, India, US etc…) will rule Singapore. They will
increasingly take on more leadership roles of CEOs, directors, heads of
organizations, award winners etc… If you observe closely, it is already
happening now. This year’s top PSLE (Primary School Leaving Exam) student
is a China National. Most of the deans list students and first class
honours students in the local universities are foreigners and more and more
CEOs, even that of government link corporations are expats. The top players
in our National teams are expats.

As a Singaporean, I am not complaining. I think that in a meritocratic
society like Singapore, it is only fair that the very best get rewarded, no
matter their race, religion or nationality. Like Lee Kwan Yew said, I
rather these talented and driven people be on our team contributing to our
nation than against us from their home country. The question I have been
asking is, ‘why are the expats beating the crap out of Singaporeans?’ What
I noticed is that these expats have a very important quality that many
Singaporeans (especially the new Y generation lack).

It is a quality that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers (who came from
distant lands) had that turned Singapore from a fishing village to the
third richest country in the world (according to GDP per capita).
Unfortunately, I fear this quality is soon! disappearing from the new
generation of Singaporeans. This quality is the HUNGER FOR SUCCESS and the
FIGHTING SPIRIT!!!

Expats who come here today have the same tremendous HUNGER for success that
our grandfathers had. They are willing to sacrifice, work hard and pay the
price to succeed. They also believe that no one owes them a living and they
have to work hard for themselves. They also bring with them the humility
and willingness to learn.

Take the case of Qui Biqing, the girl from Qifa Primary school who topped
the whole of Singapore in last year’s PSLE with a score of 290. When she
came to Singapore 3 years ago from China, she could hardly speak a word of
English and didn’t even understand what a thermometer was. Although she was
10 years old, MOE recommended she start at Primary 2 because of her lack of
English proficiency. After appealing, she managed to start in Primary 3.

While most Singaporeans have a head start of learning English at pre-school
at the age of 3-4 years old, she only started at age 10. Despite this
handicapped, she had the drive to read continuously and practice her
speaking and writing skills, eventually scoring an A-star in English!

This hunger and drive can also be seen in the workforce. I hate to say this
but in a way, I sometimes think expats create more value than locals.
Expats are willing to work long hours, go the extra mile, are fiercely
loyal to you and don’t complain so much. They also come a lot more
qualified and do not ask the moon for the remuneration. Recently, I placed
an ad for a marketing executive. Out of 100+ resumes, more than 60% came
from expats.

While locals fresh grads are asking for $2,500+ per month, I have expats
with masters degrees from good universities willing to get less than
$2,000! They know that if they can come in and learn and work hard, they !
will eventually climb up and earn a lot more. They are willing to invest in
themselves, pay the price for future rewards. Sometimes I wonder how some
of the locals are going to compete with this. Of course, this is just a
generalization. There ARE definitely some Singaporeans who create lots of
value and show fighting spirit.

Unfortunately, I have found that more and more young Singaporeans lack this
hunger for success. Instead, they like to complain, blame circumstances and
wait for others to push them. Some hold on to the attitude that the world
owes them a living. I shake my head when I see local kids nowadays complain
that they don’t have the latest hand phones, branded clothes and games.

While I acknowledge that the kids of today are much smarter and well
informed than I was at their age (my 4 year old daughter can use my Mac
book computer and my iphone), I find that they lack the resilience and
tenacity they need to survive in the new economy. Some kids nowadays tend
to give up easily once they find that things get tough and demand instant
gratification. When they have to work first to get rewards later, many tend
to lack the patience to follow through.

So, how did this happen? Why is our nation of hardworking, hungry fighters
slowly becoming a nation of complaining softies? I think the problem is
that life in Singapore has been too good and comfortable. Kids today have
never seen hunger, poverty, war and disasters. What makes it worse is that
parents nowadays give kids everything they want and over protect them from
hardship and failure. Parents often ask me why their kids lack the
motivation to study and excel. My answer to them is because they already
have everything! Giving someone everything they want is the best way to
kill their motivation.

What reason is there for them to fight to become the best ! when they are
already given the best from their parents without having to earn it? It
reminds me of the cartoon movie MADAGASCAR where Alex the Lion and his
animal friends were born and raised in the Central Park Zoo. They were well
taken care of and provided with processed food and an artificial jungle.
When they escaped to Africa, they found that they could barely survive in
the wild with the other animals because they had lots their instincts to
fight and hunt for food. They could only dance and sing.

I see the same thing in the hundreds of seminars and training programmes I
conduct. I see increasing more and more expats attending my Wealth Academy
and Patterns of Excellence programme in Singapore. Not surprisingly, they
are always the first to grab the microphone to answer and ask questions.
While many of the locals come in late and sit at the back. The expats
(especially those from India and China) always sit at the front, take notes
ferociously and stay back way after the programme is over to ask questions.

I feel ashamed sometimes when I ask for volunteers to ask questions, and
the Singaporeans keep quiet, while the foreigners fight for the
opportunity. For my “I Am Gifted!’ programme for students, I have the
privileged to travel and conduct it in seven countries (Singapore,
Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia etc…) and see all students from all
over. Is there a big difference in their attitude and behaviour? You bet!

Again, I feel really sad that in Singapore, most students who come are
usually forced by their parents to come and improve themselves, Some
parents even bribe them with computer games and new handphones to attend.
During the course, some adopt the ‘I know everything’ attitude and lack the
interest to succeed until I kick their butts. It is so different when I go
to Malaysia, Indonesia and once in India. The kids there ask their parents
to send them to my programme. They clap and cheer enthusiastically when the
teachers enter the room and participate so willingly when lessons are on. I
still scratch my head and wonder what happened to my fellow Singaporeans to
this day.

So mark my words, unless the new generation of Singaporeans wake up and get
out of their happy over protected bubble and start fighting for their
future, the expats (like our great grandfathers) will soon be the rulers of
the country. At the rate at which talented and hungry expats are climbing
up , our future prime minister may be an Indian or China PR or may even an
Ang Moh!

As close to fame as we can get. 40K hits

2010-03-20T18:04:00.002+08:00

Leaderless and Headless

2010-03-18T17:27:00.003+08:00

What happen when a chicken runs around with its head covered? It wanders here and there and to no where. What happen when high rank fails to lead and had chronic case of amnesia plus you as an employee really had no choice of leaving the job? Gang up with you fellow colleague, form a coalition and take turn leading the team. Furthermore, spoon feed the management and remember to keep names in the CC part of the e-mail to get some steam for an action from the top.

I don't like to put CC in e-mail to get things moving but sadly the truth is there are people who sit on a matter with inaction unless you are his boss or you had frightening people in the e-mail CC loop to spur actions. CC are important as well as prove of e-mailed been sent to upstairs for when they play dumb or caught a sudden case of amnesia, you can remind them that an e-mail was send before hand.

Life sux because of human :). Often dealing with marine creature are better off comforting than dealing with the dynamic of human nature.

Unusual Discount

2010-02-28T22:41:00.002+08:00

What a fantastic discount :)

100 dollar to enter

2010-02-18T16:33:00.002+08:00

Oh yes. Singapore first Casino is finally open at Sentosa and it comes with a hefty 100 dollars entrance fee for Singaporeans and F.O.C for foreigners regardless of race, language or religion. Yet again, Sentosa center itself as a popular tourist magnet but stronger this time round with new thing for the adults and new thing for the kids. Never mind the 100 dollars money "lost" just to be in the game, it still attracted many fellow Singaporeans to try their luck on the first day of CNY.

Nevertheless, I heard lots of people loss money on the first day of the year of the tiger (entrance fee + table money). It goes to show that operating a casino is a profitable business and the house advantage is always there. And the lure of gambling was so much powerful that a few Singaporean even tried to sneak without paying the entrance fee (they were eventually ban from entering the Casino).

The 100 dollar entrance fee only last for 24 hours and only applicable to Singaporean. Foreigner, tourist or worker alike get to enter for free. I do question the viability of the 100 dollar fee when news had already breakout that an Indonesian attempted to steal a handphone after losing $1000 at the Casino recently. Not all foreigners working in Singapore earn top dollars especially our hardworking China and Bangladeshi workers in the construction line.

I don't think there is any difference in the impact of Casino on social problems whether there is a 100 dollar entrance fee or not. At the end of the day we don't only have tourist but foreigner workers with their money stake on the table and a F.O.C Casino entry. Wouldn't social problem be manifested when some of them fell to temptation and lost their money, the money they are suppose to send home to their family in another country? Noting that the gambling culture are especially strong in the Chinese community and we do obviously now have many Chinese foreign worker here, wouldn't they be in trouble as a result of losing too much money at Casino?

The 100 dollar entrance fee is a very poor solution to curb social problem related to gambling when it treat Singaporean differently from other foreign member of our inclusive population. It can be seen as unfair for both side of the population. On one hand, 100 dollar restrict access to Singaporean who paid tax and vote for our current government who in turn came out with the grand plan to built Casinos. On the other hand, 100 dollar waiver for foreigner inaccurately justified them as sound minded, discipline and had good personal restrain on the poker tables as not to be of any problem to Singapore.

Yet again we can't extend this 100 dollar fee to foreign worker/employee working and staying in Singapore just to curb any social problem that might crop up from a different root of the same tree, they are in some way tourist as well. So why don't we just take this 100 dollar fee out so every human in Singapore can enjoy the Casino? In the United States, there is no such thing as a entrance fee for the locals. If we want to match up to the world standards like Las Vegas, off goes the 100 dollar entrance fee.

In place of it, a better deterrence will be good education program on gambling, publicity on responsible gambling and a keen eye on the casino floor for problem gamblers. The use of entrance ban of problem gamblers are also a very good solution. Finally publicity program on responsible gambling should be made into all main languages and be extended even to the dormitory of foreign workers in Singapore.

Early Reunion Dinner

2010-02-07T21:39:00.003+08:00

We had reunion dinner early this year due to holiday plans of mum and dad to Genting during the eve and first day of Chinese New Year. This year, we had two new members at the dinner table. William and Cindy :)

Best of Kumar....

2010-02-07T00:03:00.002+08:00

We should have him (or is it her?) during our upcoming, obligated to attend CNY 2010 Lunch... Love Kumar's attitude and humor.

Thrill Steal!

2010-02-06T01:35:00.002+08:00

The thrill, the sense of accomplishment, the satisfaction of a stealthy execution and sometime, the material gain. That is the kind of euphoric feeling one get when one succeeded in stealing. The more success one get, the more attempt one made. Its an extremely lucrative habit that eventually leads to an addiction of thrill. Even close calls of getting caught never deter but attracts each and every stealing attempt. Nowadays people steal for thrill. Some said its a psychological disorder like what our Miss Singapore Iris Low got.

Recent even unfolded in regard to a friend of mine. Caught red-handed and facing certain penalty. I was first shocked, that disappointed and angry but finally felt sorry for him to end up in this state. Sometimes its hard to see beyond a person face to know who he or she really are especially when he or she got a "Poker Face" in every situation... a blank expression when interrogated.

Mutton Briyani Chicken Briyani

2010-02-04T16:30:00.002+08:00

Most people in Singapore must had tried the Indian Briyani (mutton,chicken or fish) unless you had spice intolerance. My favourite hunt for Briyani got to be the Indian stall located at the food court at North Point and the next will be Prata House. The next time you had Briyani, take close notice at the shape of each rice grain. You will find that its longer and much slender than the regular rice on our dining table. Little did most realise that its an imported rice from India or Pakistan, name Basmati Rice. By the way, the rice doesn't stick much at all as compared to regular rice grains.

Airliner Accident Review 2009

2010-01-25T21:53:00.001+08:00

At less accident rates are heading downhill years after years. That is a comforting fact but no one wanna be part of the statistics.

Airliner Accident Review 2009

View more presentations from Aviation Safety Network.

A joke about the train

2010-01-24T00:09:00.002+08:00

A riddle,

3 lions board the MRT train at Khatib Station, they intend to head to Orchard Station.

1 Station later at Yio Chu Kang Station, 10 sheeps board the train heading to Orchard Station as well.

How many sheep manage to alight at Orchard Station eventually?

The Answer: All the 10 sheeps alight at Orchard Station, so did all the 3 lions.

Why????

"Eating and drinking are not allowed in the train or at the platform area"

The Ecoomic and The Enviroment

2010-01-13T19:57:00.003+08:00

"While economic indicators such as investment, production, and trade are consistently positive, the key environmental indicators are increasingly negative. Forests are shrinking, water tables are falling, soils are eroding, wetlands are disappearing, fisheries are collapsing, range lands are deteriorating, rivers are running dry, temperatures are rising, coral reefs are dying, and plant and animal species are disappearing."

~Extracted from the book " Selling the work ethic" by Sharon Beder~

And talking bout the environment...I recently visit the Singapore Zoo with my family... its good to be back on the feet walking :)

Tons of coins! Finder Keeper

2010-01-04T21:30:00.002+08:00

What happen when you send your dirty laundry to the laundry washing shop without taking out your money?

All this coins are retrieved from the pockets of many unknowing customer who send their laundry for washing. All this coins were accumulated within a short span of 6 months from thousand of clothing send from shops around Singapore and contracted to factory for washing. After the "break the piggy bank" ceremony and an exhaustive night of sorting and counting, we arrive at a figure of S$1014 but there might be a small percentage of error for you must understand the challenge sorting out thousand of coins.

Some might ask, why not return to the customer? It is of course too much of a hassle and not cost effective unless its a stack of notes (the person misplacing it ought to be hang for carelessness). If you read the fine prints on every receipt issued from the laundry shop, it will clearly state that the shop will not be liable for any article left in the pockets. Hereby reminding all readers to check your pockets before throwing your clothing into the laundry bag or basket unless of course you don't mind "tipping" the finder keeper a dollar or two which do add up to a heap of coins over the months.

2009 in review through Youtube!!!

2009-12-31T12:44:00.003+08:00

Found this nice video reviewing 2009,

Happy New Year 2009 to all readers. May you be bless with good health and good fortune in the double digit year of 10. May all career man and women promote up the rat race league to a much comfortable payslip although we are all aware that the hierarchy of any company is that of a pyramid and even the best might have to stay at the same rat race league.

For 2010, my goal is to focus on Education. First and foremost will be my part time degree studies. Been getting very good results of As and Bs for year one and I'm not gonna let up on the momentum or allow anything to step in my way in pursue of a higher qualification. Its time to move up the rat race league.

Second, I aim to obtain full SAR66 qualification within 2010. Out of 13 papers, I had cleared 9 and there is 4 more to go. 3 regular MCQ exam and 1 Essay paper. Thank you to Encik "Durian" for all the help with my exam preparation. I own you one.

Finally, I want to recover my leg fracture ASAP and be in good condition to do 2 diving trip this year. Palm is planning a Sipadan Diving trip and I'll most likely revisit Pulau Aur or Tioman again once I recover. Time to bring those fins, mask and wetsuit out of the closet and into the deep blue sea! I really miss Diving.... if not for the fracuture, I would be doing at less a dive trip in Jan 2010.

Thats all the big plans for the New Year 2010. Nothing much to say about career at the moment but a switch is inevitable. I will be back to work next week but how I wish I was in a different career on Work Day 1 of 2010... :).

The road to recovery

2009-12-28T15:55:00.004+08:00

Its been almost 3 weeks since the fateful day I had a small operation to surgically implant some metal and screws to hold my bones in place. So far things are looking promising. I am walking better as days goes by and the post ops swelling had more or less subsided. There are still some residual swelling on my ankle region which could be the reason I am still looking slightly awkward when I walk. Of course running, jogging and jumping is out of the question in case I risk buckling the metal implants. Climbing the stair is still a slight challenge though and I definately got to use the hand rail.

Judging the condition so far and comparing right to the left, my right ankle still felt stiff and had not totally restore all freedom of movement. Ankle rotation is still a challenge although I am able to push my foot forward and backward well which helps hell alot with the walking. Been taught by Missy to do some exercise to the foot which will ensure speedy recovery.

Will be heading to TTSH once more after the New Year for the Orthopedic Doc to check how well my bone are healing followed by Physiotherapy session tha.

Few days ago, I headed to Yishun Polyclinic to have the 11 sutures removed. The sutures are no longer required since the surgical wound had healed substantially. What the nurse got to do is to cut each individual loop and pull the sutures out from beneath the healed skin. I can really felt the small little sutures moving beneath my skin and had to experience that sensation for 11 time. A bit of ant prick pain here and there but overall nothing too much to endure. The follow pictures show how my stitches looks like 1 week before its remove and how it look like now. Those brown stuff and regular blood clot necessary to stop bleeding and promote healing.

Fresh from the slaughter house.

Dried and BBQed. Ready to be serve....to the nation.

Oh! Just learn that I won prize from a "caption" contest courtesy of Dive Junkie! The winner was announce via Facebook on 21st November but I only recently check my Facebook's Inbox and learn about winning it. Prize was almost given away to someone else but thanks to Jasmine (from Dive Junkie) for holding on for me. YEAH!!! Time to claim the prize!

Cold hard metal to the bone

2009-12-22T20:48:00.003+08:00

Went back to Hospital for followup check today and got myself some goodies...

1 metal plate and 8 screws, huat ah!!!

I am confident they fitted high quality metal and screws to my bones, preferbly Titanium Super Alloy. Those screw sure looks like those I fit on the aircraft or brought from the local hardware store. Glad to know that its not those long screw that go through the Fibula (small leg bone) to the Tibia (big leg bone). I always thought the they had fit the screws this way...

Little did I realize that metal implants for bones looks nothing like science fiction, it just regular plain old screws. I'm sure it makes lots of sound when its drilled through the bones.

Still felt dull pain coming from the broken bone area. Doc told me that its normal to still felt the pain and it should get better as the bone and muscle heals. Apparently, the surgeon had to cut through some muscles and internal flesh to reach the bones and that, according to doc, explain the pain I'm still having.

Still walk funny though and its an unavoidable posture that attracts a certain among of attention from others, especially children who find it interesting (or weird) that human being walk this funny way.

The 35 years old kidnapped victim and his 369 years old wife.

2009-12-17T17:36:00.003+08:00

How a typo and math error on Lian He Wan Bao makes an International kidnap case amusing...

Thats a huge generation gap to be married...

POD +6, Post Operation Day 6.

2009-12-17T16:56:00.003+08:00

Feeling really good today as I did not rely on crutches to walk around the house for the whole day. Its tiring on my recovering left leg to walk for prolong period of time, it felt like 4 time the effort and energy just to walk but it sure is satisfying to know I can be on my own feet now. Still a long way to go before I can walk like an adult instead of an old man so nutrition, light walking exercise around the house and rest is still the priority. Oh...I'm starting to drive now thanks to the smaller wound dressings on my leg. My road power is back hooray!!! Driving round the neighborhood to the Polyclinic for wound redressing. My right leg felt so different...

Two Syndesmotic screw, that all that is holding, aligning and stabilizing the fracture fibula bones. Its a weird feeling, I can constantly felt its presence in my leg. Felt like some hard object pushing against my muscles which is definitely not my bone since I am accustomed to bone sensation for the past 28 years of Earth existence. The Orthopedic doc told me that the Syndesmotic screw will stay in my leg permanantly, will be with me for the rest of my life unless I lost the limb. Checking out on the Internet however reveal that some victims got the screw taken out after 6 months post surgery. Keeping my finger cross for any outcomes.

While browsing the webby to know more about my current situation and how I could better self-physiotherapy myself back to normal life, I came across this website where people with broken leg gathers and share their stories and knowledge in cast or in screws. Think its pretty informative especially for first-timer (bone breaker) who got much fear, doubts and mystery in their mind surrounding their broken bones. Trust me, you question your condition no matter how good the medical care was. Think a good page to start on will the the FAQ section of the website.

MyBrokenLeg.com

Surgery stitches are healing well and I will be removing my stitches right after Christmas. Yet another bodily experience to go through, pulling threads out of the flesh.

Wound dressing over the stitches. The swelling on the ankle had subsided thanks to massage and Hirudoid cream. Glad my leg hair survived under the casts.

POD +2 , Post Operation Day plus 2

2009-12-13T10:25:00.006+08:00

The general anesthesia should had worn off completely by now. My appetite for food is good, I don't feel nausea and tired and I got the mood and energy to pen down my experience two days after the operation.

Anxiety, anticipation and a bit of scary cat feeling. That was how I felt on Friday, the day I am schedule for surgery to implant metal plates and screws to my right ankle. I am looking forward to the surgery because with those metal implants, I will be able to get back on my feet within weeks instead of months. I am already feeling uncomfortable in the cast for 2 weeks and god knows how it will feel to be prisoner of cast for another 2 months. The prospect of been able to walk,drive and at less enjoy the outdoor air and scenery plus enjoying the holiday season with my dear friends and family, this are all the positive thoughts weighing against the little scary cat feeling I had for the surgery.

Its not the surgical knife, the operating theater and the looks of unknown masked man and women of the team that scares me. What I had apprehension on was this "Intravenous Catheter Insertion Device" popularly known as "plug" that is inserted to my left hand with a long thin plastic tube extending into one of my veins. Although I faces bigger needles before from the few occasion of blood donation, the thought of anything stuck into my body give me the creep. Adding to the fear was "Missy" story of some nurse having to poke in and out a few times before getting it correctly "plug in". Describing the procedures now thus give me a creep. First the Anesthetist will wipe alcohol to the insertion area. Next an injection of local anesthetic to the insertion area, this slightly swells up the vein. Finally the "Plug" is inserted with the aid of a access needle within the tiny tube. Once successfully inserted into the veins, the needle is withdraw and the flexible tube stays in the vein. The "plug" is now successfully installed, ready to take in any medication, nutrients, chemical and even potent poisons.

Now I can eat and drink through a tube on my hand.

It isn't painful at all but it isn't comfortable having something foreign stuck to the body. At less the Anesthetist and nurse tries to calm my anxiety by explaining to me whats going on and assuring me its nothing compared to blood donation. That little green plug on top of the "Plug" can be open up and injection of drugs can be administered. The transparent plastic protrusion is where the usual electrolyte drip is supplied through via a long plastic tube.

So now my greatest fear of the surgery was conquered and I'm just lying down waiting for my turn at the operating theater. In fact I am just lying outside the operating theater, occasionally the door swings open and I could hear the sound of grinding and drilling. The surgery was schedule for 11am however I was move down the queue to allow an old lady with hip fracture to have her surgery done first. Ended up moving into the operating theater at 2pm instead. Guess the surgical team realize my long weight for one of the guy came out and thank me for waiting and allow old granny to be operated first, even telling me that he will let old granny know I gave up the Q for her and if she got any grand daughter to introduce to me. Well I guess that was a joke by the surgeon for I didn't hear from any grand daughter this 2 days :).

Dr Anand Pillai, and his team will be operating on my right ankle. He is really burly and hairy with overgrown chest hair that could anytime burst out of his surgical gown. He came out of the operating theater to check on me and flip through a couple of document. We spoke a moment and was ask the usual question that was ask a dozen times by other medical staff , Name, IC, Drug Allergy. Its a dozen confirmation of the same old thing but its necessary. Dr Anand took out his pen and drew a huge arrow on my leg while making a rather nasty joke " Better mark out the correct leg so we won't cut off the wrong one later on." Somehow that little joke makes me relax a little.

Pushed into the operating theater and I am now looking at 3 huge lighting device on the low ceiling, it looks like 3 UFO hovering above me...threatening an alien abduction. The surgical team in mask and gown were walking around doing the preparation The Anestheist and one member of the team stood beside me and ask the usual question again... name and IC number. Next thing I notice was a syringe filled with white colored liquid plugged on top of the "Plug" on my right hand. The oxygen mask was place over my mouth and I suddenly felt a very cold sensation going through my left hand. I remebered clearly the last word I said " Eh!? Quite cold huh?".

I open my eyes and felt like a drunk man. I saw two nurses looking at me. I was totallly lost and confused untill one of them told me the surgery is over and I am at the recovery ward. Looks like I had went into to deep sleep for the 2 hour surgery but there was no dream, no feeling and not even a sense that I was asleep. I still remember the cold sensation going through my left hand and remembered opening up my eyes in this recovery ward, everything in between was a blank. It felt like the surgery finish at a blink of an eye. Very weird and very confusing. Spend the next 1 hour in the recovery ward trying the orientate myself and also drinking plenty of water because I was so thirsty. I looked down at my leg and no longer see a cast but bandages and dressing all around my right ankle region. The surgery is all over and Dr Anand thankfully did not materialize his joke of cutting the wrong leg.

Later on in the day, I was transfered to the ambulatory surgical ward, AS23, where I spend the rest of the days on IV Drip, antibiotics and painkillers. The whole evening feeling tired, had small appetite for food and was blur blur. Although it was only a 1 night stay at the ward, my thoughful friends visited. Missy came before her night shift work together with Corin who is on off day. Eddie walked to TTSH from his office at Revenue House to check me out. Palm and Joa drop by after their work with Subway sandwich and gift of Fish Essesnce drinks they brought from Eu Yang Sheng. Thank you thank you. I am blessed with your visits.

Discharged the next morning with the help of dad and Missy who came straight down to TTSH after her overnight work at NUH. Although the metal implants allows me to but my right feet on the ground again, I was advise to slowly transit from no weight, to partial weight and finally full weight over the next 2 weeks. The stitches are still fresh and the incision wounds are still at an early stage of healing. I'll still be on crutches for the next few days to put pressure off the feet for the time being and I expect myself to start walking before Christmas. Talking about Christmas, My dear bro Alfred and his Wife April will be holding a Christmas eve gathering...can't wait to meet up with the rest. Alfred and April visited me at home after I discharged from hospital. Its good the see the couple coping well with the their soon to arrive baby girl. April tummy had grown significantly and her chatter about their baby girl shows just how much she anticipate her birth. Hahaha....they brought me Essensce of Fish with Ginseng from Polleney! Now I had so much Essesnse of Fish that I am very sure the surgical wound and stitch will see a super speedy recovery before the holiday period. :)

In the meantime, lots of rest and nutrition for the next few days. Looking forward to changing of wound dressing on Monday and removal of stitch 1 day after Christmas.

Casted: Day 7 - Wearing proper shoes

2009-12-06T12:49:00.002+08:00

When you are running, wear running shoes
When you are playing field soccer, wear soccer boots
When you are playing tennis, wear tennis shoes
When you are playing badminton, wear badminton shoes
When you are swimming, don't wear shoes.

This is to prevent you from getting injured. :)

Casted: Day 5

2009-12-04T23:29:00.003+08:00

Headed down to the Orthopedic Clinic at TTSH for the followup consultation on the fractured bone. Dr Henry recommended that I should undergo surgery to place metal implants to align and aid with the bone healing. The cool thing about the metal implant is that I no longer got to keep the heavy plaster cast on after the surgery. This mean no more plastic bags around my leg during shower and thus I'll be able to move my ankle which is important for driving. However, the metal are there to support, not to bear weight thus crutches are still needed for the rest of the healing weeks or months.

Hmm. I find it surprising that the doctor immediately jumps to the surgical solution instead of keeping everything in plaster. I got this weird feeling at the back of my mind that maybe the hospital needs to earn more money. Excuse me, but I just recently watched "Sicko" and the thought of Medical Care trying to be profitable business lingers on my mind. On the other side of thoughts, they are the doctor, they are the professional... who else should we get an opinion or recommendation other than professional? Didn't take long for me to say yes to Surgery because I know that I had all the insurance and medisave to cover for all the expenses and I don't want my right leg to suffer the same fate as my left leg in the future. Finally, all this years of paying this health insurance is yielding its fruits.

Talking about Health Insurance. ITS VERY IMPORTANT. Why? After meeting a man from Sarawak who suffered the same fate as me, I can better appreciate the importance of all the years of premium payment. By the way, I am not endorsing any Insurance company. This man was on cast for almost 2 months and those bone did not heal properly. He was recommended to go for sugery earlier in the treatment but declined due to financial issues and his company don't subsidise for in-patient surgery. Can really see the stress and slight depression in his face. Not only is $$$$ involved but his job will be at stake as well if he don't recover soon. Where to get the income for himself and the family? If I was in his position, I'll understand how he would had felt when the pocket tightens up upon hearing the cost of surgery. Lets not forget that as a foreigner, he does not enjoy the same subsidised medical care as we Singaporean had (well, you can say its because we pay tax). I wish his all the best and speedy recovery.

My plaster cast was removed after consultation with Dr Henry and after observing that the swelling did not subsides, I had my surgery postponed to next Friday. The nurse at Plaster department applied a different cast on my leg. Its synthetic and lighter than the old cast. All this while, 2 student doctors were observing the entire process. Learn that it takes them 5 years to graduate from University. Their thick glasses is a testament to the wealth of knowledge absorbed from lecture, books and nowadays Internet and Youtube.

Think I did not kept my leg properly elevated for the past few days causing the right leg to continue swelling. Will be on cast all the way till surgery day on Friday. In the mean time, with this new cast on which is thinner, I found a new way to keep my legs properly elevated everywhere I go with crutches.

Casted: Day 3

2009-12-02T17:27:00.001+08:00

Been on the cast for 3 days and thank goodness it didn't start to smell or get really itchy as suppose to be expected. The simple modern day convenience of computer chairs and wireless remote controls had now become a "must have" items in the house. Without the remote control, I would have to limp myself to the TV each time I wanna turn it on/off, switch channel or adjust the volume. Without the computer chairs, moving around the house would be so tiring.

I am kinda surprise that I am handling all the challenges of mobility well so far. Had been able to take shower every morning with little assistance, moving around the kitchen to make coffee, getting on the PC, getting on the Nintendo Wii, building up my modern kit with the sudden excess freetime I got. Good thing the apartment is small but spaces are wide enough to move around and most items of necessity are within arm length grab (sometimes a bit of stretching). Still getting use to those heavy plaster cast on my right leg though and I hope it will be change to a fiberglass cast during my followup appointment at TTSH on Friday. Felt like I been chain to an iron ball.

So this long period of absense will be a good one to recover from certain depression and frustration with certain organization. Be a time for reflection and realignment of the thought process. I wonder if things (or accident) happen for a good reason? Last Friday and in fact for the whole 2 weeks after getting back from school examination to work, I had not been in the best of mood and motivation and almost chewed up one of my senior with nasty words. I had been a source of negativity among the juniors. On the last day of long weekend I got a bone fracture that put me out of one misery. Its as though some mightier being up there realize that this boy couldn't survive another few weeks without hurting more people along the way thus mightier being decide to give a little painful fracture and many weeks of peaceful times away from the organization. Oh well, call me and imaginator or story teller or whatever but I certainly felt the injury couldn't had come in the most appropriate time.

Had to put my thanks here to Jack and Sea who dropped by my place to had some work admin issues sort out. Ed, our under appreciated and misunderstood junior will be holding the fort as the skipper right now and I'm sure that without my presensce, his contribution and work will be better recgonized. Kage as usual will be confined to improving our productivity in front of the computer screen and finally our two very junior guy, Caveman and Yammy, will be the important left and right winger. I hope all of them learn more under this "pressured" period and I apologize if I couldn't be aiding them for the time being.

Tonight dinner: KFC delivery...

Fractured!!!

2009-11-30T15:26:00.004+08:00

It was yet another Sunday morning long awaited soccer game with the brothers. It all ended with a cracking sound and excruciating shriek and uncontrolled spilling out of some saliva from mouth. I miss step. This is the most painful experience I ever had in my life. A very very bad sprain. I could hardly walked. I was lying down there for almost 10 minutes with the concern faces of brothers standing around.

The guys got me to a Chinese Physician to have it examine for dislocation. No dislocation but he only applied a thick strong smelling medicated paste and some bandage and advise me to had an X-Ray the next day if the pain and swelling did not go away. Thank you brothers for bringing helping me yesteday. I didn't suspected anything but for the whole evening and night, I had to rely on my computer chair to move around the house and using the toilet prove to be a huge challenge. Everytime I tried to move my left leg, a throbbing pain accompanies. It was the most demoralizing moment of my life, not able to move around properly. I truly understand how it felt for people with mobility problem. I literally had to hold on to any support I could find to keep pressure of the right foot.

Today morning, I decided to see the Base MO instead of the GP due to some stupid MC policy set by the organization and also because its a very short walking (or hopping distance) to the Medical Center from the carpark than from the neighborhood carpark to my regular GP clinic. Was immediately refer to A&E at TTSH for X-Ray. MO suspect that I had a bone fracture.

Dad send me to TTSH right away. I was immediately greeted by a staff manning a certain counter asking if I need a wheel chair. I politely decline as I am still able to move with the aid of an umbrella. While walking to the counter...very very slowly... another staff approaches me and without saying a word, ask that I sit down on a wheel chair. I guess I should stop putting on a brave front because I am starting to look rather silly limping around with an umbrella right in the hospital compound. It made the staff at TTSH look bad if I don't take the wheel chair, they might get complain by a third party for not attending to me even though I declined.

First time of my life to be move around in a wheel chair. Gosh... well things went smoothly and systematically at TTSH. Was wheeled from the registration counter, to the consultant (a senior staff nurse), to the X-Ray room to get some pictures of my bones and finally to Dr Tan, a Physician. The bad news was I got a fracture (which explains the persistent pain), the good news was the bones are still in position, the bad news was some portion of the fracture are protruding out of normal position and might need surgical intervention. Got a follow up consultation with a Bone specialist this friday to see if there is a need for such drastic measures but for now, I'm sure I'll be out of action of the next month and Christmas will be celebrated in cast and crutches.

Staff Nurse Melissa explained to me how to use the pair of crutches that cost me $30 and gave me proper instruction of care for the cast on my right leg. No water and no fire on it. Well, I won't wanna test the flammability of the cast though. Overall, I found my experience in TTSH a pleasant one. The staff are all pro and knowledgeable especially Dr Tan diaganosis and Staff Nurse Melissa teaching.

Spend the early afternoon wheeling myself around TTSH with my right leg extended like a battering ram, grabbing a subway lunch for I am super starving from not eating breakfast in the morning. I think been on a wheel chair, makes you a target of assistance and affection. Since I kept insisting on wheeling myself around, many staff at TTSH approaches me to ask if I need assistance to go anywhere. Probably is pride though, I spend the rest of the day wheeling till my arm muscle felt tired. Now I can empatise how difficult it is for wheel chair bound people. Not easy though, you need good arm muscles. Got my medication from the pharmacy and dad fetched me home.

This is the first bone fractured I had in my life and I wish for no more. The inconvenience is way too troubling. From showering to peeing to pooing. Getting from one spot of the house to another. Using my PC and playing Nintendo Wii. Sleeping. Sitting. Watching TV. Its a whole new way of getting things done for the next 6 weeks untill the bones are healed. Oh boy...

Two man and a toilet cubicle.

2009-11-25T21:18:00.003+08:00

Right after a day of "war torn" work of words, I got off slightly early and met Missy for dinner at North Point before her night shift work. Right after dinner, my bowel business got a better of me and I excused myself for the washroom. Looks like all the cubicles are occupied for the moment thus I patiently waited for anyone of the 2 cubicle available right outside Manhatten Fish Market Restaurant. On both the cubicle are friendly sign for "Squatters" and "Sitters".

The "Squatters" door slowly open and I was telling myself... "crap...now I got to squat... no choice. Urgent business callings...". However the door suddenly closes again. Hmmm....whats wrong with this guy? So I decide to hang on again. A minute later the door came half open and out rushes out an Indian fellow with his head hanging down. He didn't even bother washing his hands and rushed out of the washroom! Ewwww!!! So naturally I decide to push open the "squatter" door. Suddenly I was rudely greeted by a checkered shirt fair skin (suspected Chinese) dude who gently pushes the door close again. You can imagine the shock on my face. Its two man in a toilet cubicle! What the hell could they have been doing? Sharing a Squatter bowl?

Next moment the "Sitter" door open and I suddenly woke up from my shock state to realise the the urgent business is still knocking on the door down under. Naturally I finish the business with a slight sense of danger.

When I got out of the washroom, Missy was already waiting for me with a story to tell. Apparently, an Indian man walks into the female washroom by mistake and walked out again. I told Missy the Gent side of the story. I can only suspect the worst had happen in the "Squtter" cubicle.

Wii Mod again

2009-11-20T22:57:00.003+08:00

Well, got a unsuccessful experience with Wii modding last year but that did not stop me from continuous exploring in the area of mod chips. Tonight I will be modifying my Nintendo Wii so it will be able to play *ahem ahem... "friendly copy games". Just got my hands on the latest Wasabi DX mod chip which only required the connection of the Wii's DVD drive ribbon cables to complete the mod process. It had never been easier than before. I am very confident I will have no problem with the modification. The only challenge that will poise to most of us will the disassembling of the Nintendo Wii however thats not a huge issue for me for I had strip down and assemble my Nintendo Wii so many times that the adhesives on the rubber support feets are running out of "stickiness". No problem with success in any case.

Friends out there who are keen to save some bucks, do contact me if you wanna mod your Nintendo Wii. :)

Its time for Bitching Thursday!

2009-11-19T19:41:00.005+08:00

Feeling kind of stress just only two days into my work. Just can't help feeling disappointed with the Empire and a stench of regret putting my fate by shading YES. Shouldn't blame myself or the higher being above me for I took a step back and observe not only am I the only one in agony but the couple of my seniors who had never got their deserved rewards.

Yet again I can't help thinking that all this years of contribution and initiative boils down to a Wednesday inconvinient truth that thou desired might not materialize. Power hungry??? No I'm not. A serious imbalance of rewards and punishment across the Empire? I damn agree... Some say its the right place at the right time which threaten to tear apart my notion that genuine hardwork and initiative is all it takes to be there.

I can only felt very damn fucking demoralize with how situation seems to be unfolding so far. I think I will keep a pessimistic perspective about this whole issue from today onwards.

Well, shit do happen up the career ladder that one had no control but at the end of the day, I think its good to know that I still got really nice colleague (all within my level and only a few above) that I can work very well with. Its wrong to bitch about the injustice in front of them especially the junior. Not only it makes me look bad but at the same time it send a wrong signal to the junior peers that all is lost.

Recently a junior approaches me spilling his depression of discrimination by a certain higher being. He took 3 days MC but this higher being can only adopt a tunnel vision and conclude he is malingering. Junior, although a easily misunderstood person because of his character and behavior is someone who got good initiative and learn fast. Sometime higher being despite the elevated view of theirs failed to see the valued contribution of man on the ground. Somehow the higher being likes to look up with a higher purpose ( apparently our slogan) to snatch some prestigious accolades and award for some crappy contraption that is flawed and oversell. This characteristic only serve to built yet another rocky foundation that see people falling apart one by one due to morale issue.

I don't know why, I wish I could fucking curse and swear and hit a punching bag but thats very unbecoming of me. Walking back to the office with a heavy head, I saw a black guitar bag and in it was a white acoustic guitar. Coincidently someone printed out some guitar chords tutorial and left it on the table. I sat down the whole evening trying to play Oasis Wonderwall and Cranberries Zombie but ended up with random notes here and there. Its therpeutic. Later I met my juniors along the way back and learn that 3 of them brought the Guitar with their own money for the section. They are really nice and what an excellent morale boosting instrument to have in our section. Unlike the big shots WALIing (Walking Around Looking Important) who had struck down us hard by giving us a deadline to get rid of the refrigerator and beautiful fish tank in our section. Fucking idiots... don't they realize that this are the only few morale boosting supplements around? The cold soft drinks to quench our thirst and perk us up after a day of hard labor and the serenity of little fishes swimming around waiting to be fed.

Sometimes younger people can be more empathetic than older ones.

3 down 1 to go.

2009-11-14T11:07:00.004+08:00

1 more exam to go. Just 1 more to go and I'll be free for the next two months. Time to complete the Gundam Zaku model kit. Been out from the blogging scene for a while not because I am busy but there is currently no inspiration to write down. Thinking of a January 2010 diving trip or maybe a short trip to Thailand on Budget airlines. Planning to get back onto cycling to work to train those leg muscles and also get some much needed excercise. Looking forward to a career change down the road. Working hard to get my degree. Chance upon this interesting quote at a Chinese restaurant along Sembawang Road....

Well, whats there to fear about looking for a new job? The only true thing to fear is slipping into a comfort zone and not even realizing it. Like a frog in a slow boiled water.

Police Dogs Get Official Police Funeral

2009-11-01T00:15:00.003+08:00

Mans best friend. Police dogs are offer the same funeral treatment as Police Officer when they died in the line of duty.

A police dog gets an officer's funeral

They are here to protect the Police Officer from getting hurt in the line of duty through their greater than human senses and perception. Here is a video I got from Youtube on the funeral of K9 Ben. Why are police dog call K9? Maybe its got to have something to do with "Canine", the teeth of dogs.

A little joke to welcome the weekend.

2009-10-30T22:11:00.003+08:00

Exam crunch round the corner and the focus for this 3 weeks will be revision, revision and even more revision. Its time more more brands essence chicken to keep the brains sharp and Nescafe for that boost of mental energy when the reading get boring.

What about a little joke to welcome the weekend where I will be spending all the time using my academical brain.

This happen on the MRT train, a conversation between a mother and her 4 years old son.

Son: Mummy! Mummy! I need to go toilet! I want to wee wee.

Mum: Ok boy boy, hold on till we reach our station alright?

Son: No mummy... I want to wee wee now! (boy getting demanding)

Mum: Cannot! There is no toilet here. We wait till we reach Orchard Station ok? There is toilet there.

Son: Cannot! I cannot hold on lah! Please mummy...I need to go toilet now! I want now! I want now!(Boy about to cry, throwing tantrum and attracting attention of some passengers)

Mum: Please! Its just two more station. It will only be 5 minutes! SIT DOWN AND BEHAVE YOURSELF!

Son: Boohoohoo...waiiii..... (son crying)

Mum: Stop crying boy! You are embarressing both of us. Stop crying or else I won't buy you the latest transformer toys.

Son: .....ok ok....sorry mummy... I hold on till Orchard station.

Mum: Good boy :)

A few seconds of quiet....

Son: Mummy, I just put in your mouth and pee?

Mum: WHAT!!!! How dare you say something like that! I gonna cane you when we are home! No more transformer toy for you. Who teach you such things!

Son: But Mummy!!! I saw dad put in your mouth! He can why I cannot!?!?!? I want to wee wee!!!! (Passenger are watching )

Mum: ...... (Hurriedly grab her son hands and alighted at Novena Station).

My neighbour photography website

2009-10-25T21:58:00.003+08:00

Recently we have a new neighbor from India. Madawi, "TVS" and a little boy name Rahul. They are already Singapore PR, and they invited my family over for Deepavali dinner. I like to thank them for their hospitality and also show my appreciation for their very well renovated house. Honestly, living in my block for the past 20 years, seeing 4 different neighbor come and go... our new neighbor really know how to create a nice, conducive, private home space for themselves. "TVS", the man next door shared his passion of photograph during the dinner when I pointed out at his pro looking Canon digital SLR camera. Like to share with you guys his photography website...

TVS's Perspective

There are some very well taken landscape picture of Singapore in the website especially the picture of Changi Broadwalk which I only recently knew about not from a local but from someone who had only been in our country for 6 years.

Mum and Baby at the subway

2009-10-18T15:01:00.004+08:00

Watch this...

The baby survived with a small bump on the head. Slipping off the platform a second sooner or later, the baby probably will have meet a different fate. Dear parents please watch your baby pram and also your kids at our local MRT station. Beside irresponsible suicidal people deliberately causing everyone to head home late after work, the MRT platform can be a real source of accidents like what happen to this mum and the lucky baby.

A one week break.

2009-10-17T07:38:00.003+08:00

Left the office late on Friday. Well, in fact leaving at 5 o'clock when there are no job and no business (which is a good thing for my organization) on a Friday is considered late. While the rest of the guys have to attend yet another organized sports event, I quietly leave the office after clearing some outstanding and leaving behind an "Out Of Office" message in my office e-mail account. No trying to sound like I am working in an air con office environment but we Senior Technician, soon to be glorified as Junior Engineer under MDES, do need the double edge sword of communication for work to be done;- Office E-mail. Love it or hate it, I admit things do get done when E-mail are properly used.

Yet another week of leave for me to take a break from the BS at work. Those BS got to stay at the bay temporary till I come back though. I term them Important but not urgent matters in accordance to the guidelines from "7 Habits Of Effective People".

Two more days of school on Monday and Tuesday. Its Monday Engineering Material and the dreadful Tuesday Advance Calculus and Statistic. Wednesday to Friday I'll be heading to Tioman for a short holiday although I wish I was in Bali or Phuket. Anyway, as long there is the sun, the beach and the sea plus the sea creatures, I'll be fine with any beach resort. On a budget as well, thus got to keep my option limited. Won't be doing any Scuba Diving this time round for the companions on my trip do not have a dive license and I don't wanna look anti-social wandering off for my own diving adventure for sea turtles. Will have my snorkel, mask and fins ready just for some snorkelling and attempts at Skin Diving (Diving without Air Tank).

School activity been winding down in tempo recently. The next major events of concern will be the examination happening in November. I had already started my revision this week and looks like a rough road ahead till the exams are over. The University Dean was right, I realize its gonna be a long marathon of an education experience for me. 3 years? 4 years? 5 years? I'm really not confident how long I will take or if I might run out of steam in the middle and take a long break to work in United States again for the $$$$ for the $$$$ for the $$$$. At less I got off to a good start with the results from 1st semester :)

Eagerly waiting for the next school break from November to December. My unfinish Gundam model kit, My car ram air intake project, another diving trip perhaps, books to read, swimming, couple of PC wallpaper designing, Homebrew setup for my Wii... all waiting in the line.

Clean Up, Clear your trays

2009-10-09T23:03:00.004+08:00

Spotted this interesting notice at Tampines IKEA while returning the food trays to the clearing station.

I wonder how many people stop, read and bring their food trays to the clearing station after meal. I could easily count with 10 fingers. The fact is most of us are groomed and grown not to clear the bowl, plates and tray from the table while having meal in the public. Maybe the act of doing so makes that person felt like a table cleaner/clearer, a job but a less desirable one in hawker center or kopitiam. It appear as a kinda stigma to some people.

From my days in Secondary School till now, I was taught and told to clear my tables after a meal both at home and in the public whenever possible. Possible mean when there is avenue to DIY and clean your meal area up for the next patron. A well design clearing station like those from IKEA or those dustbin with counter top found in MacDonald. This practice did not extend to hawker center because there is just no way you can do so.

Recently I am getting into a habit of keeping the tables at less clear and neat if returning the tray is not an option. No food debris on the table, no gravy or sauce shrewed all around, bowls and plates all neatly stacked up. Simply said, just keep it tidy after a meal instead of leaving a huge war of a mess as though diners had been throwing their food at each other across the table. If there is no table clearer available which is almost the case in busy hawker center or kopitiam, the next diner who sat down will definately do the plate shiftings and tissue manuvering to clean up whatever mess left over.

Besides been a tidy and considerate human being in the process. Does clearing your tables at the end of the meal translate to cost saving on the patrons? With the cheaper foreign labors and Ministry of Enviroment tougher sanitary stance post "Rojak" incident, most hawker center will stick to the status quo, keep their prices as it is and insist on hiring workers to clear the left overs instead of leaving the the chances to customers. By the way, if we all start clearing the tables, will we be causing the extinction of the table clearer/ cleaner job? Hmm... once an auntie scolded me for clearing the plates, saying that she will be out of job if I did so. Hmm... catch 22 situation.

Side track from the topic. Where can we find good and affordable western food? Aston that is and I recently patronized one located at the newly renovated Sembawang Shopping Center. Nice dining enviroment with a choice of indoor sitting and outdoor alfresco, asthetically appealing food, great on the taste buds, large generous portion of sides and the most important of all...the price. I am very surprise, for a restaurant...the price of the fare are just less than 5 dollars more than the kopitiam style western food. Not to mention the staff are well trained and offer good table to table service.

Cleared my assignments. Preparing, revising and awaiting the examination in November. I got lots of catch up to do over this few weeks. Good thing most lectures are over, freeing up my weekdays evening for revision and practises. For tonight, after hours of finalizing a certain lab report, i gonna read about Anne Frank... The Class95 morning express DJ recommend all teenage to read Ann Frank diary (now published as retail books). This book is a translation of her diary written between the age of 13 and till her last entry at 15 years old when she pass away during the Nazi German occupation of Netherland. I got this paragraph of her diary straight from Wikipedia. Makes me wanna pick up the book from the store. Always love a good read.

“	I finally realized that I must do my schoolwork to keep from being ignorant, to get on in life, to become a journalist, because that’s what I want! I know I can write ..., but it remains to be seen whether I really have talent ... And if I don’t have the talent to write books or newspaper articles, I can always write for myself. But I want to achieve more than that. I can’t imagine living like Mother, Mrs. van Daan and all the women who go about their work and are then forgotten. I need to have something besides a husband and children to devote myself to! ... I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death! And that’s why I’m so grateful to God for having given me this gift, which I can use to develop myself and to express all that’s inside me! When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived! But, and that’s a big question, will I ever be able to write something great, will I ever become a journalist or a writer?	”
—Anne Frank^[

Japan Self Defense Force

2009-09-21T09:35:00.002+08:00

Impressive show of force by Japan. Like Japan, our country is facing a greying population and consequently a shrinking pool of young man and women joining the Singapore Armed Forces as part of our nation defense and deterrence elements. On the flip side, the highly educated people of our country gave us the edge over "you know who" when it comes to leveraging on modern military technology. What took 5 man, warship or planes to achieve takes only a single digit today to attain mission success. Yet again, Knowledge rather than pure brawls and hardwares is power in the 21st century.

Breakfast shopping at Tiong Bahru Market

2009-09-20T11:14:00.005+08:00

Another Sunday gone and another Sunday arrived. Missy was called to work at the 11th hour and I dropped the her early in today morning at the hospital. Headed off for my usual Sunday routine of jogging at Mount Faber and Telok Blangah Hill via Henderson Wave bridge. It was not a sunny morning and the sky was slightly overcast. Nevertheless, a cool morning to run, to vacuum my car in the park and to get some breakfast back for the family.

On the way back home, I decided to make a detour to Tiong Bahru to have breakfast. Tiong Bahru had alway held a special place in my heart for I spend a large percentage of my early childhood times staying with my very strict grandma and aunties who are all now in their 40s and 50s and my cousins. Grandma had passed away long long time ago. I remembered a big family of more than 10 staying under one roof in the old colonial style apartment. Seeing this apartment today felt so nostalgic and brings back all the good and unpleasent memories.

I still recall my reservation each time grandma wanted to bring me to the Tiong Bahru market to buy the morning groceries. Back then, there is no such thing as child labor labor law and I am always been fully utilize as grocey bag carrier by Grandma who is a powerful women with a cane :). hahaha. The Tiong Bahru market in the early 90s were wet, it smell and it got broken black cement floor. The though if my slipper slipping out of my leg and stepping on those black cement disguested the young boy heart in me. The smell throughout the market can only be described as transitional, from chicken, to pork, to fish, to veggies and all of a sudden...smell of the famous Tiong Bahru Pau. It was a mass messy single storey congregation of hawker food, poultry and grocery. Definately sanitary condition wasn't that good in my opinion.

The Tiong Bahru market under went a rebuilding effort and today the market and hawker center was nothing of the yester years. Its clean, bright, spacious and every market shopper all had a smile on their face. Grandma nearly got into a fight with an uncle in the market back than...you can imagine the kinda stress going through our ancestors back than. Highlight of Tiong Bahru market got to be the Hawker Center!

FOOD FOOD FOOD....I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough (sing to the tune). Today, I decided to buy home some nice breakfast fare back for the family...

First stop is the 178 Lor Mee store or Lor Mee 178 store depend on how you prefer to read it. I ta pao 2x $3.00 Lor Mee instead of the regular $2.50 ones. Been here once and knew that the extra 50 cents for "shark meat" does enhance the taste factor of the Lor mee. I will highly recommend getting the $3.00 one with "Shark Meat". Its a pretty long Q during peak hours and it took me 15 minutes before I could collect my orders.

Zhui Kuey or loosely translated as water pastry is one of my favourite breakfast fare. This store had been around since I was a little boy and the store is probably now run by the lady boss daughter who might be around my age. Beside Zhui Kuey, the store sells a assortment of Nonya Kuey as well, adding a certain color vibrancy to an otherwise white and brown affair of a Zhui Kuey store. Brought 6 Zhui Kuey at $1.50. A long Q starts to form after I left the store.

Long Ji Soya Bean and Bean Curd store, according to the lady boss...they been around for 36 years!!! Yup, remembered drinking lots of soya bean milk and eating lots of soya bean curd when I was a kid. No wonder the auntie look familiar. :) Brought 1 big pack of soya bean milk for $1.50. It was only 80 cents back than. The power of economy inflation....

Finally I stopped by this store selling Hong Kong style pastry ran by a Father and Son team. Hmm..nowadays I'm seeing my generation people running the hawker store. Its nice to have your own business thought especially when it involve food for every one need good food. Got to try their fried wanton, Char Siew Shu and Egg Tart! Brought S$3.50 worth of pastry before leaving Tiong Bahru market.

Well...around the market there are many nice eateries worth exploring as well. I think the Ba Ku Teh here is good...its just opposite Tiong Bahru market's 7-Eleven. The Wanton mee here is nice too but I forgot where it is located. Oh...take note that there is no free parking on Sunday and Public holiday around the market. Be sure to tear the coupons and avoid parking at the multi-storey carpark because its jam packed with cars.

Home sweet home breakfast :)

Girls Generation- Genie + Gee Gee Dance

2009-09-19T13:47:00.003+08:00

After must persuasion, I was finally given the Youtube search term for this excellent Girls Generation "2 in 1" dance video. They are performing at a football stadium and apparently its a pre-game performance before the match between South Korea and Japan. As usual, great dance moves they got but if you observe the individuals closely, sometime the girls do miss out certain steps and it looks a bit awkward. Well, if every one live like a scrutinizer... i think everything around us in life will never been pleasent. Look at things in life as a whole instead of under a microscope.

Yesterday was a wet day. It makes for a great day to snuggle in bed. Would like to give my thanks and appreciation to some of my friends at work for the week. I would like to acronym or nick name them.

BH - For braving the rain to buy 10 carton of drinks for our section despite my insistence he keep dry in the shade of the spec mess. He is our section accountant and make me realize its time we expand the "store" to include sales of tibits.

J, S and Ed - Their assistance with sorting our and setting up of the I-Level tool trolley in the bay. Without their keen inspection of the tools, I might miss out the little details and face with problems down the road.

Col "Robber" - For the blitz plans he devised for our platform tools management. Despite his intrusion of our section to raid and pillage, I am confident to see a leaner maintenance process in the future. In short, a damn convincing plan that I wanna see through it to the end.

GarV and Xiao Hei - Friday evening, two man in the tools store of the maintenance hanger busy setting up the hanger trolley system to be ready on Monday. I can see the look in their face. They are damn shagged out. Appreciate their sacrifice. Thanks Xiao Hei for giving the extra time. Unfortunately our section runs a tight ship and there is not always oppurtunity to get assistance to speed up efforts and make deliveries. But glad we delivered before the work week ends on Friday.

Encik Sniper - For coordinating with me on the tools setup on the frontline. Still got equipment transfer in progress though.

HJ - For telling me that its late and its time for me to pack up and head to school on Friday evening. I appreciate him for giving me the time and space all the time for my part time schooling. Apologize for getting him into a certain predicament due to Helmet issues.

"Old Man" - For getting the contractor down to get things sort out on some equipment fabrication issue. Finally, I can finalize the fabrication of our seal installation tools and sort our payment issues with the contractor.

Tang - For his guidance and making me realize my weakness in areas of work.

Lucas- Supply guy always accomodating to my query and request for assistance.

Missy and Deesh - For surprising me at the Spec mess and the end of my work on Friday. Didn't expect them to turn up at my base. I was really exhausted from the rain and the chaotic sorting out of tools. Brigten the end of my work day....

Flaws, we all got them

2009-09-13T20:16:00.004+08:00

No one can confidently stand up and raise their hands to admit they are flawless in their work. Sometime its humbling to know that one is not all that mighty and shining despite good years of experience. I am inspired by Dr Lee story about "Cracked pots" and how not to totally penalize the flaws of others or yourself. We got to always look on the both sides of a character and traits. A very careful person often take too much time with things but you can be confident he/she can get things sort out right. A brave man may enter in harms way and get himself killed but he is an inspiration in battle when he charges in front of the rest.

Time and again, when in emotional stress and when the path of life direction gets rocky, I am blessed to have found Dr Lee's blog. It will never be updated with his latest philosophy and ideas of life but whatever that are left behind is more than we could ask for.

"Cracked Pots by the late Dr Lee Kum Tatt"

Girls Generation - 9 great dancer

2009-09-13T17:38:00.005+08:00

This is the Gee Dance song. Great Rhythm and Dance move. Smooth Transistion. Amazing Dance Synchronization! Did you notice this amazing girls are wearing different colored pants and it made a well orchestrated dances of colors in the MV.

This song is Genie. Now I apologize the previous Gee Dance video was pretty much faceless with all the pixelation but it does show off their impressive dance move better than the Genie MV. Now we get a close up look of the 9 girl member of Girls Generation in the above MV. Trust me, everyone is gonna start judging who is the prettiest or who is sweet in the eye of the beholder from this MV. My vote goes to the girl with the shortest hair and chubby face in the group.

Been 1st as a team and lesson learn.

2009-09-11T20:11:00.004+08:00

What a great way to start a Friday. Join hands with couple of our base guys to participate in a water competition as part of PC Anniversary celebration. I felt we are the underdogs and will never beat those hardcore guys of air defense artillery and the Ops guys from our base. After 3 rounds of games we emerged top among teams of 4! The score margin was quite significant by the way. I am always excited been in part of the winning team ever since playing in the soccer team back in the oversea detachment days. I am surprised that the usual quiet and reserved juniors from the Chinook and Apache platform shown so much vigor, determination and fighting spirits during today game to clinch us the title. I for once was especially struck with amazement at the performance of Jun Hui from CH-CNEF. He appear to be such "background" guy every morning we met for FOD walk but turn out to be an amazing swimmer and motivator of our team. I of course was pretty noisy throughout, shouting and cheering like a coach at the side line. I realize today I have missed out so much pleasant experience engaging in team activities.

Much could had been say about the usual routine work of base. Sometime, we just can't do the Rambo and fight the battle alone. Consiously keeping my emotion and temper in check, I got a good lesson learn today with a senior counterpart from the next department. Looks like the mistake of yesterday was a bit of a hot topic in the morning while I was happily winning the game with my team. Yup...sat down and listen to what this senior got to say and got to offer to help. I learnt that no want wanna give each other a bad time at work especially when each of us are working under the same department and under the same family. I was too defensive and critical about how the "upstairs" were thinking...its inevitable though for the track record in shows that small issue could easily be blown into big ones base on assumption. Well, in times like this one got to choose to believe whether people are here to help or people are here to scrutinize and harm. I believe in my people, I believe they are all trying to help one way or another.

Weakness. Everyone got it. Its time to learn how to delegate to my right and left hand man. It appears that there is always a reluctancy in me to do so rather choosing to 包山包海 things at work. I finally agree that its getting too taxing to handle. Its time to get things done as a team rather than running my own race all the time. Its nice to work alone sometime but the world don't go round just because of a one man effort or a one man show. Leverage, thats what really matter when getting work done.

The dreaded audit coming up next week and I still got outstandings to clear. Than again there are some major operation coming up next few weeks as well. I am starting to see the challenges ahead. In the meantime, its Friday and I'm heading out for the evening, to wind down this crazy week with a light supper with Missy.

Life is full of ups and downs

2009-09-10T23:25:00.002+08:00

Oh yes. Life. Its full of ups and downs, two mutually co-existing forces of life without so we will not have such exciting times from birth to death. Sometimes the frequency of ups and downs can be too much to handle if it all falls within a day...

The morning started rather refreshing, I slept a good full 8 hours of sleep...something I never achieve on the weekdays. Checked out the e-mail in the morning and got the good news that my little project got awarded with $$$$ for the section. Great, the money will come in handy for the juniors who always got some bright ideas but no $$$$ to implement. Thats an up.

Midway through the morning. My work properties are raided by the "old man". Looks like I made a mistake with some equipment due dates and its way over due. It was so co-incidentally spotted during a spot check that I too was surprise I had made such mistakes. Its good thing actually to be discovered but it sure ruin my morning knowing that I screwed up because of some typo error in some database. Needless to say, when one goes around digging for problem...more problem surface out. Got a good handful of problem to cure now. That a down.

Come afternoon. Some little competition which I shall not elaborate too much. Simply said, it involve a vehicle and a wide ass cargo plus some cones in place as obstacles. The crowd cheered for our team was the fastest to clear the obstacles. I felt the depressing morning was salvage thanks to the encouraging spectators. An up for the day.

Next came the competition judgement. Looks like I nearly ran over "A" at the start of the round and "A" nearly got himself ran over at the end of the round. Despite speed, we got penalized in the safety aspect of it. Ok, I admit I nearly got "A" killed but there is nothing wrong with "A" picking up the vehicle choke while its still in motion? In the spirit of competition, I think its fine and to be damn honest, isn't that what we all do when the operational moods and tempo set in? To compress the steps (not skip) to get things done? Suddenly, its a down for the day.

The day ended at work and the day begin for school. Showered, change and headed off to the mess to get Chay Kway Teow for dinner. A cook with a pissed face and no Chay Kway Teow for the evening. What a down....

Went for duck rice along Sembawang road. Recieve an SMS from "old man" that boss is pretty upset about what happen in the morning. Gosh...upset? There are more things to be upset about than what happen to me. Why the hell tell me the boss is upset? Come on, human make mistake and I don't think my mistake had killed anyone or birds in the process? I hope people don't get overly judgemental on another just because of one mistake which is just an isolated mistake. Yup...I guess my track record is suddenly tainted. To be frank I am bloody pissed off with that SMS! Just wanna make me feel bad about it as though I don't feel bad enough? Come on, I too also wanna keep things in order and get my job done well. So I suppose its wise not to play the psychological game and try pushing me into a corner of guilt. Push the button hard enough, it will break and it will not function the next time. There are already many disfunctional "buttons" in the empire, please don't create another one. The SMS was the down of the day.

Sometime I find myself very defensive especially when others find fault in me. Often I tell myself to step back, cool down and listen. I like to apologize to Encik "F" for getting so worked up and emotional each time he pointed out the problems in the work I am incharge off. He is definately patience and understanding of this flared up young adult and spend that extra time to soothe those flames. You got my respect sir and I thank you for keeping a check my work stuff. Thanks for understanding that I got only two hands, 1 head and 1 brain but lots of things to handle on hand. Boy....my temper, its an area I got to work on.

Thank God Its Friday.

Why do ice float on water?

2009-09-05T21:55:00.003+08:00

Quote of the day from India's LTC Rajyavardhan Rathore, silver medalist of Trap Shooting in the 2004 Athens Olympic...

"Its the not your condition that decides your future, its your decision that decides your future."

Now back to the topic of the day. Everyone observe that ice cube floats on water but wonder why? Well most of us do know that water, unlike other liquid, expands instead of shrink when it solidifies. This is contradictory according to conventional science we studied in the past. As we all ex-secondary school-ers learn, the molecules of gas is further apart than in liquid and liquid are slightly apart than in solid. This means a 1kg of gas will have a larger volume than 1 kg of liquid which will have slightly more volume than 1 kg of solid. Ok, this maybe getting a bit confusing but take this general rules as starter -- Volume: Gas>Liquid>Solid.

I came across this interesting facts about liquid and solid while revising for the coming Monday test, almost all materials are more dense in solid state than in liquid state. That means when molten aluminium, copper or steel solidifies in a casting, it actually shrinks! Which means if you were to pour 1 litres of molten steel into a cylindrical casting, after solidification, it might end up occupying 0.9 litres. The same old law applied, "mass cannot be created or destroyed" thus in this case 1 litre (volume) of molten steel will have the same mass as 0.9 litres of solid steel and the only difference will be the density. If we were able to drop this solid steel into molten steel, it will be observed that the solid steel will sink.

However water undergoes an interesting process, instead of shrinking when it freezes (solidify), it actually expands! And due to this expansion or increase in volume, ice (solid water) had less density than water (liquid), thus ice floats. Ta da!!!! For those interested in the figures, water volume expands 8.3% when it freezes. That explains why your coca-cola and pepsi cans become bloated when you freeze it in the chiller. That also explains why soft drink maker will never fill up the entire can or else the absents minded who wanted a quick chill of their soft drink might end up with a big freezer mess from exploding cans (over expansion).

Now here is a little IQ question involving water. You got 2 glasses of water and a pail. You are instructed to pour both glasses of water into the pail. Question is, how will you be able to know which part of the water in the pail belong to which glass? This is a question poised to me by a 14 years old school kid...it kept me thinking for hours....

Down and out with Stomach Flu

2009-09-04T21:06:00.002+08:00

Been feeling really really fatigue and weakness all over the body since Wednesday. It turn out to be stomach flu or properly known as Gastroenteritis robbing all the energy from my limbs. Turn out to be a struggle keeping the energy level up on Thursday to revise for the Analog electronic test. Thank god the paper was easier than expected. Call in sick today for my body is totally crying for rest in bed and the tummy felt really weird. Visited my regular GP Dr Soh of Joy Clinic for diagnosis and medication. Lomotil, Charcoal pills and tons of vitamin C to tide me over the weekend, hopefully making a full recovery by Monday just in time for the Aero-material quiz in the evening. Crossing out fried food, spicy food, tough meaty food and dairy product from my list of meals. Sigh, its gonna be a challenge doing the revision over the week end in such condition. I need a nap again....so tired :x

A little virgin driving trip to JB

2009-08-30T08:59:00.009+08:00

It took some dragging and domestic disturbance to wake me up again at 5.30am in the morning for breakfast with Missy before her morning shift. I am slightly burned out I guess. Its had been a long day of exploration at the Southern tip of Malaysia on Saturday plus catching up with Ricky and Sharon at their mini BBQ gathering in the evening. Apparently it turn out to be Sharon birthday and boy was the Seaview chalet an excellent location to hold the party!!! Check out the view from the front porch,

Sunset as viewed from Seaview Chalet

Garfield, Riccardo, Missy, Sharon and Ricky.

Breakfast as usual at our favorite "Hans - out", Omelet, Toast and Teh-Si. Dropped off precious cargo before 7 at NUH and headed off for my early morning run at Telok Blangah hill/Mount faber. I love morning run and observing the folks. Today I realized that I couldn't cover the usual distance I use to do... signs of ageing? hahaha. Today I saw a Malay Ah ma or I shall affectionally call her "Ma-Cik" joining the Chineses folks for a morning session of Tai Chi while Ah gong and grandson sat down round the corner to enjoy the morning air and scenery. I was like.....wow....Ma-cik, you are showing to all of us Singaporean that we don't need the minister or prime minister to keep reminding us year after year that racial and religious harmony are important. You shown us that we had positively crosses the divides in certain areas of life in Singapore to share our activities, practices and in this case Tai Chi Quan. Ma-cik was pretty good at it and the grand son was very very curious, getting in front of her and maybe asking her to teach him tai chi as well. It remind me of the Chineses joining the annual firewalk held by the Indian Temple and my old secondary school friend who joined all sorts of martial arts including Silat ( he did not become the next bruce lee but end up as a IT specialist punching keyboards).

Yesterday, Saturday... Missy and me decided to embark on a little oversea trip to our neighbouring Johore Bahru. Its my first time driving car into Malaysia and I guess its Missy first time joining someone who first time drive into Malaysia. Yikes! We lost our way real good the moment we exit the Malaysia side of the custom and had the unintended oppurtunity to explore some really Ulu roads. So much had change to their immigration check point that I hardly regonize the road and still assume that I got to do a U-turn to get to where I wanna go. Looks like their dream of building a winding causeway was dashed by our Gahmen and instead they built a winding road to the JB checkpoint. Giddy and thus lost our way. Technology saves the day, my mobile phone GPS help us find our way to Jalan Wong Ah Fok where City Square is located and its also the main road that leads to other nice places in JB.

The novice driver and his navigator.

City Square had already transformed into a "cater for Singaporean" shopping center. What you can find in Singapore can be found in City Square but not nessecery at a cheaper price. So do you research before doing your shopping here. Its inevitable, so many Singaporean enter JB nowadays, Johorian got to capitalize on the money making oppurtunity! If I were the boss of some shopping center in JB, I'll do the same. The power of currency, S$100 to RM$243.50. :)

After getting a bag at a great price at MANGO, we headed off for lunch...enjoyed losing our way on the Malaysia road again and eventually reaching Taman Sentosa where all the nice food are located. I think this is a favourite food hunt for Malaysian and Singaporean alike. Missy spotted Zhu Lin, a popular restaurant serving "Paper Wrap Chicken" - “子包鸡”. Its the corner, non-airconditon restaurant at the end of the row of shop house. There a rival restaurant beside it serving the same fare. Without further delay and more rumble of the tummy, we sat in and placed our lunch order, taken by a borded looking boy. "Paper Wrap Chicken" is a die die must try if you pop by Taman Sentosa (must pop by too!), I cannot describe in words how good the aroma and taste is but I simply give it a rating of 5/5. Its brewed with chinese herbs like red dates and "Kou chi zi". The chicken appear to be fresh and not frozen supermarket type. Must try! Next time we gonna try the Ba Kut Teh near by ... slurp.

Famous "Paper Wrap Chicken"

3 dish, 2 rice and 2 coconut for RM$39.90. Yatsui neh!!!

Another great thing about coming to JB will be the car snow wash over here! For RM$8, pampered your car with a snow wash, very very detailed and clean vacuum and good quality rim cleaning and tire waxing. Will definately not miss it...the car wash market is so big here that you literally find it anywhere and we found one operating out of a private house. The guys did a really good wash to a sparkle especially the dirty rims. The best part was the interior vacuum, months of neglect and laziness leave things pretty hairy and furry on the fabric seats, with the strong vacuum... its felt renewed and refreshed. Like the American way, I paid them RM$8 + an extra RM$2 tips. Hope that make an impression to them and they go the extra miles to clean my car on the next visit.

Its an F1 pit stop ....for cleaning only.

Last stop its Holiday Plaza, great place to hunt for "friendly" movie and games. We got "Quarantine", the movie Missy always wanted to share with me. There is also this car decal shop at the back end of Holiday Plaza selling nice car decals and they do custom make designs as well. We got something to put a little color to my black lancer...

We pledge our allegiance, To the flag, Of the Republic Of Singapore.

I kinda screw up the decal application though... there is some mis-alignment "Ben and Jerry" font style but you know...life isn't always perfect...we got to accept the imperfection and embrace the good we can find within.

Today I choose to take MC, do my assignment and reflection.

2009-08-26T13:40:00.005+08:00

I hope this will not become a ritualistic habit for me, seeing the MO, taking MC just to get more rest at home. Its been a long night yesterday after my Math lesson and I wish that Missy was crashing the classes with me :). It was through some casual conversation with Royd, Justin and this one other guy that I realized that we had numerous assignment deadline falling on the same week. Needless to say, it sparked my engine to 5th gear when I got home to start working on those assignment. Ended up sleeping at 2am and waking up late. I have to "excuse" myself to see a doctor as a result making up "excuse" that I am picking up medication for my old injury. Sighed...felt slightly guilty when my shift IC told me to go ahead and take it easy. After learning that the Empire flying program are light today and we got enough manpower for any contingency, I requested from the doctor a 1 day MC to rest at home. I'll be honest, I need a rest and knowing that the section will be in good hands without me around...I went ahead to excuse myself of work today. Was prescripted with more pain killers from Doc, enough for the next two weeks. I hate to say this but those old injury are working on me again, wish I got a new ankle.

Well, this give me lots of time and space today to yet again do my school assignment, do some life reflection and strangely with time, I suddenly got to catch up with lots of people today. Spotted Miss Wan reporting sick as well and chatted with her about how the rest of our batch boys/girls are doing so far. R and YY are married and got two kids, Xiao Bai early release from the force, Elijah still been holy, how our mindset 6 years ago and now are so much different. Than I met Jie Jie online while doing my assignment...catch up abit on life and relationship issues. While backing up my school work before lunch, I spotted a letter I wrote a year ago to my Peace Prairie Detachment Engineering Officer Cpt Commando when me and a couple of honest guys got into a minor incident blown out of proportion due to over sensitivity of the management. It however brings back good memory of my working experiences overseas. I send this letter to one of the honest guy - Dave- over the internet to share with him.

Today I learn about tax avoidance through my assignment of financial planning that is so damn unrelated to my part time studies of Aerospace Engineering. Interesting to learn that in an effort to boost our population, the government had intitated very lucrative child tax relief to encourage more babies from couple. My point is... you may have the money to have more kids but do you have time for them? Tragedy of modern society is we got less time for each other. So tax relief aside, we do have to examine our time management in this era where 8-5 jobs are not a norm. Next thing will be really important to adults who are going for educational upgrades. We part time students are allowed to claim tax relief for the money spend for our courses up to a maximum of $3500 per year. This is something to take note of, its an encouragement by our government for working adult to pursuit continuous education throughout their working life. When we stop learning, we stop living.

I took a step back from the pace of work and studies for this 10 mins of blogging. I'm thinking, why will I wanna stay back in the Empire? For one, its the job security and steady income especially right now when I am doing part time studies and with more commitment in other areas of life.... money is important although its not everything in life. For a second thought I stay because of the nice people I had work with along the years and build a good rapport with. Some of them are mentors to me for a moment or a period of time like Encik "Max" who straighten my discipline out because I was too damn playful in oversea detachment but who also give a good lisening ears and instill in me the value of "Leave no man behind". Nice people like shift IC who might know that I am really "kenging" an MC to rest (for that I apologize) but close 1 eye for today. The juniors who show me how much enthusiam and energy I had lost over the years. Cpt B for sharing his comics with me and many many other people along the 6 years of service. If not for the organization, I think I'm staying because I believe we have honest and down to earth people in the Empire to work with. Even the "Bastards" we met throughout the course of life in the Empire do teaches us a few things in life too, lets not forget about this people as well.

My focus now is on knowledge gaining through my part time studies and focus on teaching and transfering whatever brain juice I got to the juniors of my section. Whether I gonna leave or stay at the end of ten years, I hope this focus will lend me strength and stamina to endure through this sometime rather chaotic enviroment of the Empire. For now I shall stop, had my lunch, catch up on some afternoon nap and clear another round of school assignments. Meeting Missy tonight for late late dinner :)

Qantas Aviation Maintenance log book

2009-08-23T23:41:00.002+08:00

Thank you to Encik "Lew Lian" for sending me this really hilarious extraction from (alleged real) the aircraft maintenance log book. I think people like us who work in the aviation maintenance business can really relate to it and laugh out loud (lol). Its true, sometime the "snag" reported and written down by the pilots can seriously lack of details and accuracy resulting in misinterpretation. However we can't make it into a laughing matter in words because whoever is on shift that moment can expect to go home late.

-------------------------------------------------------------
After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called a 'Gripe Sheet'
which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics
correct the problems; document their repairs on the form, and then
pilots review the Gripe Sheets before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humour. Here are
some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas' pilots (marked
with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level..

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny....... ..... (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right! , and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last...

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget
pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Helicopter Crash Landing Procedures

2009-08-20T00:29:00.002+08:00

From a pilot pre-flight brief to aircrew,

"I will inform you all if we are crash landing. Upon crash land, stay in the aircraft and listen to the instruction of the flight engineer. When there is a fire on board after crash landing, evacuate immediately otherwise wait for the instruction of the flight engineer. Evacuate and rendezvous at 3, 6, 9 or 12 o'clock position 50 ft from the rotor disc. We will move clockwise and account for all man and if anyone is missing, we will head back to the aircraft to look for him."

So much for work today :)

Watched "UP" with Missy. Some scene almost move me to tears. Its a great Pixar animation I'll recommend to all of you. Missy surprised me....she went all the way to AMK Hub to get the ticket first so I won't have to rush home, shower, change and head down together to catch the 7.20pm showtime. Its been a long time I had Laksa...finally, thanks to her initiative, we got time to "ta pao" back home to makan. Mmmm..... smell of Peach... :P

Arrow in the work place

2009-08-16T21:49:00.003+08:00

Spotted this excellent hand drawn art work of life in the 'Empire" while visiting another department within my base. Its all about the different kind of people in the "Empire". I am still looking for the artist to give him credit for it so if you know who he/she is, please let me know. I hope I'm not infringing his copyright or patent by putting his work on my blog. This artwork strike a chord with all of us who are working for the "Empire". The term "Arrow" in Singapore context means "delegation" but more often than not the person on the receiving end of the "Arrow" are unwilling victims. When a Supervisor delegate a job to his subordinate, its call "Arrowing Job". However, arrowing can also happen within people of the same ranking or seniority for example when your peer decided to dump a task by convincing the boss you are "very capable" of handling it. In the end you unwilling got the job thus you are been "Arrowed" and your peer had avoided or "siam" the "Arrow" from your boss.

Been with the "Empire" for 6 years and I obviously had my fair shares of arrows. I have always been able to grab the arrow before it hurts me but recently the arrow are getting numerous. Thus I have no choice but to reassign the arrow to my capable junior. Its call effective delegation or in derogatory term, effective arrowing. Its unavoidable, with 2 hands and 1 brain, there is a limit to operation capacity for an individual. 2 people can get a job done twice as fast as compared to having one man doing it. In the end, everyone in the empire just wanna get the job done well and safely to head home on the dot and to spend time with family, friends and love ones.

Mild Coffee Addiction

2009-08-13T22:07:00.005+08:00

On a fine Monday afternoon, the day after National Day, I left NUH for Orchard after dropping off Missy for afternoon shift. Pretty disappointed that the blood bank was not open and I could not do my part for the welfare of needy patients.

Met up with my of "Da Jies" who are all coincidentally working at Orchard's Guardian and Watson for lunch. Its been a while since we catch up and I'm glad things are going well for them all especially Chris who is going through some tough family time right now.

A few hours to go before Sis got back to Singapore from Batam and I will be picking her up at Harborfront. Suddenly got the urge to drink coffee...

I sat down at Coffee Club located at level 3 Takashimaya together with a nice stranger. It was the weekday holiday and with the crowd around, I was not able to get a nice window seat facing the main out door atrium of Taka. I was reading and she was busy with Suduko. I ordered an Ethiopian Blend Black Coffee without sugar ( I don't drink black coffee with sugar by the way), and it comes with this little chocolate biscuit. I wonder why this biscuit often comes with my cup of coffee?

Found nothing on the internet about this little biscuit but I gonna ask the staff at Coffee Club the next time I visit. I guess to better enjoy the aroma of black coffee, its good to take a chew onto something sweet before indulging the tongue on the bitter taste of black coffee. The taste is what attracted me each morning to a cup of Nescafe. And its starting to become a nasty ritual I call a mild coffee addiction. It take just a cup of coffee each morning to start a journey of caffeine addiction. Caffeine releases Adrenaline but having adrenaline when there is nothing to fight or flight can make the body run low of this important chemical at the wrong time. This make a person crave for another cup to induce the adrenaline back again and another and another.

Its like drug addiciton if not kept in check. Other side effect shared to me by Missy is the risk of heart complication. However, the packaging on my Nescafe Gold specifically mention that Coffee contain anti-toxidant! ...hmm ...a marketing gimmick or a fact? Well, its a fact though according to sources on the internet. So Coffee is good but can be bad if not moderated.

I'll stick to 1 cup per day than. Keeps me perky. :) By the way, recently been ga ga over Lady Ga Ga...

"Can't read my, Can't read my, No He can't read my poker face" - A poker face is something you put on when play card game. If you got a winning card, feign weakness to lure bets, if you got a weak card, feign strength to scare your opponent away. You need a poker face to do that.

The little island call home. Why will I stay?

2009-08-07T12:45:00.007+08:00

Here I stand on a little island named after a lion and many call it the Lion City when historically there is no lion on the island before the Mandai Zoological Garden opens on 27th June 1973. How this young prince saw the lion was still a mystery. Many many years later, a certain Englishman of the sea got lost in the sea and landed on this little island by accident. He later went on to make this little island a free port between merchant ship of the East and West. His name went on to be prominent today in a popular hotel and shopping center. We might had been born in China, India, Europe, Malaysia, Indonesia or any where else if Raffles and his crew met with a ship wreck or had ended somewhere else in South East Asia. If I could still remember my text book, it was the year 1819 where the fate of a tiny fishing island was changed forever.

Today our little island is more than an island itself. Its a metropolis, an land area of zero natural resources but filled with industries, commercial building, residential estate, recreation buildings, shopping center in every neighbourhood, roads and tracks snaking all around the island. Soon, we will have more parks, more canal transform into natural rivers (man made), a race track, casino, and the Asia largest underwater Aquarium when the casino are completed on Sentosa. How in the world we survived this 44 years with nothing to provide the world trade in the beginning (no oil, no gold, no coal, no metal) is still one great achievement. I tell my Ang Mo friend in US that we only got people, their skills, talents and attitude to sell...thats all. Thats how we survived today.

However, ask the question that in the event that we are invaded by some foreign nation.... the many respond we all heard around us is that most will get the first ticket out of the country, most will say we will never last more than a week, most of us had enjoyed the fruit of Singapore achievement but will never think its worth cultivating new seeds after eating the fruit. Its not worth it, with the cost of living going up, stressful lifestyle of pursuit and a mono party government as many like to talk bout it in the kopitiam. Take the money and migrate to Australia or Canada. Maybe Thailand be a good choice or if rich enough, stay in Europe.

Reflecting on all this negativity sometime makes me question myself. Besides been in the military with obligation to serve and defend, what the hell will I want to defend at all? A little rock of concrete jungle? Soon I realize that this country is grown and build by people, no natural resource to start with and if I gonna hang on to it till the last breath of its life, it will be for the people too specifically for family, friends, close colleagues (brother in arms) and the mentors I had throughout my lifetime. If not for all this people, I don't think I got any emotional attachment to this country at all let alone stay and defend it in times of conflict.

Been staying in the States for 2 years plus and I admit its a wonderful place to live in with the 4 seasons. At the end of it, you can't felt a sense of emptiness or void inside. The experience oversea can be artificial sometime when you know you are just a tourist there. To be honest, I just miss all the good food in Singapore that two years I was away. We had almost all kinds of food from all race and religion compacted into our little island, than we had fusion of all this variety and simply just had good food to boost about to my foreign friends.

The National Day spirt in our neighborhood had been getting colder and colder each year. This year, our family is the only few unit one hanging the flag out and the block opposite is even more jialat, only 1 unit hang the flag out. Maybe many of us are getting frustrated or losing faith. However if all of us stop believing in our country for its capacity to progress and be a better place for everyone, I believe what an analyst said might come true...

"No nation in history, without natural resources, are able to survive for a century"

For me, we naturally had human resources since I am natural born Singaporean :). Its the only resources we got to make things happen on this little island other than making more babies. To me, the little island is called home and I will stay as long as my people and all my favourite food are around. Happy 44th Birthday Singapore (and to those born on this day).

ICE system

2009-08-06T16:08:00.003+08:00

Imagine getting into an accident,bloody, unconsious and all you got on you is a wallet with your identity card. The paramedic arrived on scene and provided you with first aid before rushing you back to the nearest Hospital Accident and Emergency department. At the hospital the doctors and nurse tried desperately to revive you and also stop the bleeding. Blood pressure running low and soon you go into shock. Off you are push into the surgery room. They have no idea of your existing medical condition (drug allergy and stuff) and they can't get you to talk. Two things will happen from here... either you survive or you see the pearly gate (or hell fire for some). There is however one problem regardless of living or dying, who should the hospital staff contact? You can' talk and you can't move or you are already dead. Nothing in you wallet except cash, cards and photos of your love ones. There is however your mobile phone.

Throw a stone out in a crowd and you are bound to hit someone who carries a mobile phone. From the tech savy kids to the ah gong and ah ma around the world, almost everyone got a mobile phone. Recent international publicity had bring our attention to the word ICE which stand for "In Case Of Emergency". This idea allow first responder such as paramedic, hospital, firefighters and the police to identify victim and contact next of kin. I think its a good idea for everyones good. All you got to do is to add a few contacts to your mobile phone address book in the following format "ICE-"type your next of kin name here". For example ICE-Dad, ICE-Mum, ICE-Sis or ICE-ICE-Baby. You should create a few "ICE" contact in case anyone is uncontactable.

***updates***

Its my first visit to Mindef today and this place is filled with officers! For the first time the number of officers out numbered the wose ranks. Its a really neat, clean and quiet place unlike the chaotics and noisy air base I'm in. Come to think of it, its the first time I step into a Ministry building. Met my UniSIM course mate, John, who is working there, its the first time I met him in Uniform. I didn't realize he is already a MWO! I thought he was a MSG because he look pretty young.

Did my round of project presentation together with SL. He is calm and speaks well in front of the crabs and bars. As for me, I think I am losing my edge a bit in public speaking. Its time for the new generation to take over :). Public speaking is all about practice and breaking the fear of people looking at you.I agree too that no matter how good or articulated you are as a speaker, planning is still required especially getting to know the audience before hand. Sometime what you said and understand might not be what others are able to comprehend. I realize the great teacher or speaker put themselves in the listener shoes of thoughts and understanding while the not so good ones are as good as a radio broadcast.

National Day round the corner and its a long weekend for all of us! Yeah! I shall write an article about a little piece of rock on the world map named after a lion and a hill . Why will people defend it? Stay tune.

Early Sunday Morning - A day of a week worth of blog.

2009-08-02T09:32:00.008+08:00

Sunday, a day when everyone catch up on all the lost sleep from the weekday work and the Saturday night fever. Its unusual for me to wake up at 5am though but I had already hatch the plan for the day. A day is only 24 hours, too little time too much to do, why waste a good Sunday morning in bed?

Its still dark, I'm already at Missy place to pick her up. Today we had super early breakfast at our favorite breakfast place, Han's Cafe & Cake House along upper Thomson Road. Its serene... just a few cars on the road along the way. Peaceful, Tranquil and so quiet I can hear stomach rumbling sound. Its on Missy treat today, my job is to eat eat and eat. Burp...

Remind me of the song "Breakfast At Tiffany"

The traffic was super smooth at 6.20am. I could count all the vehicle I encounter along the way with both hands. We reached NUH earlier than expected, dropped off precious cargo, good bye by the lips and I headed off on AYE to Telok Blangah Hill park for my morning run. Its been a long while since a last did my run at the Southern Ridge where Telok Blangah Hill, Mount Faber and Kent Ridge Park connects to each other by beautiful bridges. Those were the days before my first Marathon when I faithfully did training run here every Sunday. Nowadays my left ankle kept working on me and I had actually stopped running for a few months. The Southern Ridge is still as beautiful and peaceful as before with great view of our Cityscape from Henderson Wave.

44 years of nation building are found within this picture. Its dawn...

The early morning sunrise and coolness attracted all our old folks for jog and brisk walk. Surprisingly, besides the group of grey anatomy, I hardly see any folks of my generation or younger hanging around. Looks like we Generation XY and Generation Y people like to sleep late and wake up late. Sadly its probably us in Gen XY and Gen Y that enjoyed late night hang out and creative destruction of public properties.

The Henderson Wave cost tax payer millions of dollars in construction and it takes tax payer a few dollars of trash and tissue paper in creative destruction. It looks like a nice rose or something to dig the nose with.

I'm sure its just a small group of us that had poor concern for our environment and country land. Maybe I am too optimistic :P. It doesn't take much more than a few meter of walk to the nearest trash bin, I'm sure if the old folks could go for a morning walk, grown-up man and women like us could do much better. No "french letter" found though. Lets not spoil the beauty my friends.

Today I realized the sun move pretty fast at dawn.

Its been a while I blogged and update on life that had passes by. Had just completed 2 weeks of SEP (Specialist Enhancement Program). Learn more things about SAF role not only in Deterrence and Defence but also in other areas like Peace Keeping, Disaster Relief, Counter Terrorism...blar blar blar. In fact I can confidently said that in any national events, be it the good or the bad, the SAF will always have the capability support or lead. SAF can "bao ka liao", hokkien for "Do Everything". Hey, not that I got brain wash or something but been a helicopter grease monkey in the past, my perspective of SAF was through a bubble tea straw. This 2 weeks had been an eye opener. Especially like the mix and interation session with our counterpart from the Army, Navy and Military Police. I came to the conclusion that the Army guys keep things simple, think simple and are the loud and outspoken people among us, just like their tanks, artillery and guns. The Air Force guys are pretty sophiscated but complicated just like our aircraft and choppers. The Navy guys are really really quiet throughout the last 2 days tri service course, so quiet I almost forgot they are with us! Just like a stealth frigate quietly sailing past us, stealthy. Ladies and gentleman, I met really inspiring people from all the military services who had lots of motivation and knowledge in them to keep us all safe.

1 Army guy caught my attention. He is not born in Singapore and thus when he joined the Army, he could not join the toughest unit he aspired to be, the Commando. This is due to what he mention as his IC restrictions. In the end he joined the infantry and worked up all the way to a Sniper, a role as special and as tough as the Commando. Another Army guy I met talks about his life after National Service in the Commando unit, he was working as a driver for a few years but eventually went back and joined as an Army regular, back to the Commando unit again. He said he found back his roots and values within the unit and now aspired to parachute for NDP parade. Not to left out the Navy was SSG Fun. His name sound Fun but he got this serious look in him that don't spell Fun at all. Asked why he joined the navy back than, he said he wanna do his part to defend the country, asked him why he is still in the navy now, he remain status quo of defending the country. SSG Fun will be joining the Helicopter world as a SeaHawk Air crew next year. This are ordinary Singaporean with simple goals that makes them great character in my heart. I hope one day, I can write a page of biography for each great character I met.

RIP - Reading In Progress about Rest In Peace topics.

Friday evening, I had a pleasant surprise. Missy got me two books from Kinokuniya. Never heard about the author though but I recall getting a interesting SMS few days ago from my "Spy" asking if I happen to have Mitch Albom books on my shelf. Never knew it turn out to be a spying operation on me instead. I love autobiography and books that teaches bout life. I cannot say enough thank you to Missy for the gift.

Met my "Old Man" on Saturday evening for dinner. "Old Man" got admitted to hospital again without informing me but he is fine now. Looking at his face, I see that age and years of smoking is already catching up on him. His health, I suppose, can only deteoriate from now on. Its a matter of whether its gonna be fast or slow and it all depends on him to take care of it now. In me, I hope he starts taking care of himself because all his life, he had been caring for people around him unconditionally especially all his worker at Keppel FELS where he had worked for 30 plus years. Why not take the money you got now and go for holiday break? In Japan, Korea, China or maybe Europe!?!?!? My greatest fear is for him to leave one day without reaping the reward of his unwavering help of the people around him and the redemption of years away from his family. Things are starting to play out like a emotional sad movie where the hero dies in the end, it remind me of the movie Godfather when Vito Corleone died all alone in the chair outside his house with a dog on his lap. After dinner, "Oldman" and me went to LOT1 to buy some animal documentary DVD for him. Ha ha...god is helping me I guess, immedaiately spotted a 4 DVD set from BBC that feature Sharks, Wolf, Bear and something else doing hunting and killing. "Old man" like this kinda of documentary and I always wanted to get it for him. I felt so puzzled that he don't even know that they do sell documentary out in the shops. Good to know I got him something he liked.

Man....its tough to be stuck in the middle feeling so hopeless in this situation. What happen in the past became a emotional responsibility of the latter generation. The final straw came when "Old Man" said "When my kids are young, my colleague always asked me where I am going to bring my kids to during the holiday? I always wanted to bring my kids to the zoo but I can't," I rememberd those words he said forever. I fought hard to hold the tears as we both walked back to my black lancer to get his bag, don't wanna appear weak infront of him. "Old man" going to walk back home instead declining my offer to drive him back. Gave him a little pat on the back assuring him that whatever happened in the past, his family are still with him. I drove off to School with sored eyes. "Old man" teaches some life lesson that is hard to pen down in words.

After some sleepy moments studying in school till closing time, I went to pick Missy off from work. She is off early than usual. I love picking her from work :)

My IMSavvy Financial Literacy Quiz Results!!!

2009-07-28T22:50:00.001+08:00

2 words to explain the importance of good listening.

2009-07-28T00:09:00.004+08:00

Been sick since day 1 of school last week and I'm just only recovering yesterday. Its not a good feeling to start the whole school semester 抱病在身。Really got to pop Strepsils once every two hours to cure the cough. Funny thing is, I still head down to Party World for karaoke last Saturday! Had a really good time though with great company. Recently there is forest fire in Indonesia (again) and the slight haze is making my cough worst. Good thing this 2 weeks, I am attending SEP course which give me a break from work and time to heal the illness. I hope I recover in time for wednesday :)

Learn something interesting today that I would like to share... its extracted from my leadership course text book. I think its something very meaningful and useful we all need to learn in life.

The key to good communication is not about how well a person talk, the most crucial stage is the first stage of good listening. The tradition of good listening had diluted over time and got simplified. Over times, the essence of good listening in us gets lost.

I am sometime guilty of it and was nicely reminded to listen by someone. One mouth, one ear and one brain. We must use them in the correct order. I learning to write in my mind traditional Chinese world of "listen" today. Do take a moment and simply compare this two characters of the same sound and meaning. Which character would you wanna be today?

"To listen first is to understand and develop a better plans to lead. The first step to the success of every mission is to plan .To execute the plan, you need the man. To lead the man, you need to understand. Thus the first step is naturally to LISTEN"

Religion Hate Mail From The Unknown.

2009-07-22T01:22:00.004+08:00

I shall not post the content of the letter on this blog to avoid indirect distribution of hate message and grave misunderstanding among my fellow Singaporean of different race and religion. It came as a surprise to me when I open this stamped enveloped bearing no sender's name and address. I'm sure whoever the sender is, he/she is operating in the dark to avoid arrest and prosecution by our country law for inciting racial and religious conflict. I'm sure my house hold is not the only one to receive this letter, many others within my block or neighborhood should have receive this letter as well except for the Christian. The content of the letter are targeted at Christians and their Church. I am really taken aback by the remarks and appeal for action made by the writer. It was a very Anti-religion letter targeted at not only the Christian of Singapore but also our political system. The content also blame the religion for numerous unfortunate happenings of the past. I can't help but find that the comment were really childish and stereotypical.

I really shall not dwell into more of the content. If we all recall not so long ago, there is this couple who went around the HDB estate to distribute letter to promote Christianity but at the same time degrade the other major religion of Singapore. The couple were eventually arrested and prosecuted by law. Despite years of education and practice of coexistence in racial and religious harmony, how can such disruptive people exist within our society?

Once upon a time, a certain religion group came to my door step to preach their cause. Unfortunately for them, they either have very poor salesmanship or are generally ignorant. They directly make degrading remarks about my parents religion been one of devil worship and there are dirty spirits in my house. I was damn furious and got a very very bad impression of their religion. See what happen? Just by making bad comment about others religion, they are making another person had bad impression of their religion. It takes two hands to clap but also take two opposing hands to create a conflict. This incident happen to several of my friends family as well. I don't think any action was taken by our government that time. I was in Secondary school.

There was another time a mother and her daughter came over to preach their religious cause. They are very nice people. For a start, seeing all the elaborate altar right outside my door step, they never made a single comment about it. Thats call tolerance and acceptance. Second, they discuss with me about their religion and the good things that will come to me and my family. Well my dad was there too and although he never liked to entertain religious folks, he stayed on to listen because of their politeness and sincerity. At the end of the day, they offered their prayers to my family and went off without even a single recruitment statements. Both of them came back a week later and than one more time 2 weeks later. Man....I was so paiseh I offered them drinks. Never see them again after the third visit but they both gave me a good impression of their religion.

Frankly. Be it Christianity, Buddhism, Taoist, Hinduism, Islam or whatever -- ism religion, there is bound to be great lesson and teaching to be learn and practice but at the same time great misinterpretation and misrepresentation made by man. As a Singaporean, I got friends, classmates and colleague from all religion and races but when we are together, I don't even see the barrier at all. The only thing I always watch out for is what we eat. I seriously urge you guys and gals to just throw away any letters of such race and religion hate instead of reading and digesting and unknowingly becoming "one of them". Their words are pretty strong and persuasive. The world is already a messy place, lets not allow 3 pages of black and white text destroy what we took decades to build up. :)

Girlfriend From Hell!!!

2009-07-19T21:56:00.003+08:00

Woah...this is one really possessive and sadistic girl friend from Hell! Pink, she been around the pop scene since year 2000 when I was still in poly. Heard this song recently on Class 95 ( my favorite radio station) and I sure thought its a song about a girl begging her boyfriend not to leave her. Turn out to be a house confinement , kidnap and torturous experience for the male gender. She just got that rough strong voice in her I don't hear in other artiste. I think Gwen Stefani does come close but Gwen Stefani sound so much sweeter and feminie. wooo....she got this nice short blonde hair too. :)

Well, back to reality, I definately don't have a girlfriend from Hell! Hahaha. School starts tomorrow. I will be having night classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and occasionally Saturday morning. That leaves Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to complete assignment and do revision. Got to do lots of time management and priotization again. Hmm...think I will need lots of Brand Chicken Essence to keep my mental health in good shape.

"Thanks for all the time spend during the last weekend before my school starts. Its going to be a challenging few months ahead for the both of us. I'll do my best in school and you do your best in the ward. Lets all face the changes together for a better tomorrow :)"

Back from the Sea. Time for the challenges ahead

2009-07-14T00:27:00.008+08:00

NEMO!!! Papa, Mama and two kids.

5 dives and 1 at night, I am finally back from Pulau Aur. A fruitful trip as compared to Tioman months ago. Finally! I saw turtle and we were all really lucky to spot it during the night dive. If the dive torch had wondered else where that night, we might all have missed out on the turtle wondering just around "Crocodile Rock". It was so so so close to me that I almost could ride on it! Got the oppurtunity to hover above the Anenome and couple of Clown Fish popularly known as NEMO. They seems to like swimming around my hands but I later realise that the Clown Fish are territorial and is actually nibbling on my hands as a defensive reaction.

On the last day dive, we had the rare oppurtunity to observe a huge school of Bump head parrot fish swimming slowly, lead by a small sea turtle. From my conversation with another diver that day, he mention that seeing a school of bumphead parrot fish is a rare sight. Damn...my underwater camera ran out of batteries and I forgot to bring the charger! sigh.

Talking about underwater photography. Pulau Aur dive trip is the first time I experiment with underwater photography. It was disappointing on the first dive not because there is nothing to shoot but the camera suddenly ran out of batteries the moment we all descend to 5m even though its indicating full power. Switched to a fresh battery back on shore took most of the picture featured on my blog today on the 2nd and third dive. Still need a lot of knowledge and practice to take better underwater pictures. Eventually I learn that due to water pressure, underwater camera batteries usually only last for 2 dive session. Still researching on this fact though.

Sadly, without bringing the batteries charger...I was not able to take more pictures of the underwater world of Pulau Aur. I missed out on really good photo shoot oppurtunity of sea turtles, squid and Stingray during the night dive and early morning dive on the last day. However I do bring back a photographic memory of the interesting encounter with sea creatures and of course the friends I made on the trip. Philip (Switzerland) , Zaiming (China) , Eva (Croatia), Cindy (Singaporean), Allan (Cindy's Angmo hubby), Nevi (Croatia), Ivo (Indonesia), Vincent (Instructor) and Jack (Instructor), once again... my new friends make this a memorable trip again just like Tioman. This photoblog is dedicated to all of you. Do bear with the ameuteristic underwater photos, its my first attempt :)

Back from the sea. Wash up my wet suit, fins, mask and booties keeping them clean from sea salt which can do all sorts of nasty things to it in the long term if left intact. Gonna be a 5 months absence before my next diving trip probably in Bali or Phuket. The focus now will shift from holiday mood to school day tempo. Just finish keying in all my lesson schedules into my Palm TX PDA. Looks like its gonna be a busy months ahead till my birthday when I will be having my last examination. Looking at the months and challenges ahead can be pretty daunting. There is more things to juggle now in life and scheduling had become an important part of the planning process. One have to wind up the stress level to attain the next stage of achievement, so I shall face the months ahead with a positive attitude. Work hard hard and smart smart too!

Changes is part of life. The only constant in life are changes. The responses and decision we all made are the intiator of changes. We all want changes for the better but sometimes things happen the other way round. In life there are things we have no control over, thats 10% of life. However we all do have 90% control over life through our responses and decision. All lesson learn are already written in books around the world in many different language, there is no new mistake but old mistake made by new people. Thats the reason why education is very very important and having a good teacher is essential to get the knowledge across. And about good teacher...

"Apparent Learning Disability Is Nothing More Or Less than Teacher Inflexibility"

Everyone can be a teacher of an issue or subject or problem solving to one another. We don't have to know everything but its important to teach the right thing instead of falsehood and discrimination. Principle of life 2: Learn Be Wise. Share Be Compassionate. Develop others potential. Hmm...can we develop potential at a very young age? Like when they are still babies???

Missed the boat...

2009-07-07T17:35:00.002+08:00

Looks like I missed the boat this time round. Seeing some of my fellow mate getting their promotion and that extra upgrade to their salary, I can only say its just the "right time, right place and right department". Nah....I'm not feeling jealous or envy or something, I am more than happy for them but I also wonder why me not??? Well This empire is not my cup of tea anymore, I'll be happy to stay as current rank and enjoy the easy going life of a common worker. This way, I got more time to focus on my studies.

Of course!!! I need the money lah!!! Its an extra 200++ bucks in the pocket leh! Recently vitamin M running a bit in the red thanks to the money spend on diving trip and of course the hefty school fees I just paid. I'll be honest, its for the money and not the glory or pride of promotion. Sorry I just been frank, but not money minded.

Well, its my choice. Back than I got to choose between taking my school exam or going for the promotion course. I choose to go for school exam in the end. School starting in 19th July and boy will the stress come back again. For the time been, I just gonna enjoy the diving trip at Pulau Aur this weekend. :)

Am I ready for the challenges ahead?

2009-07-04T00:15:00.003+08:00

I am counting down the days, to when my next school semester will start again on 19th July. After surviving my first part-time studies semester with very good results, I thought I will be extremely confident with the second semester of 2009. However obstacle are thrown in front of me even before I step back into the classroom again.

Never had I imagine this H1N1 virus thing will become much disruptive until the empire decided to split us up into Blue and Red team to minimize infection bringing the whole department down. Each team got to alternate work between morning shift and afternoon shift and both team are not suppose to meet each other. Unfortunately enough, with the number of positive cases raising every few days there is no end to when the split up will end. This mean I got to work shift as well! Definitely will be missing out lessons during those odd weeks I'm working afternoon shift. Goodbye to the days I have an 8 - 5 job.

I asked myself if I should just defer my studies till next year when hopefully all this H1N1 saga and team split issue is over. Its a NO... even with the semester break, my momentum is still roving and taking a long break might actually make me stop part time studies forever. Next I asked myself if I should just take lesser subjects this time round. Its a NO, by the time I tried to made amendment to my course selection, its already July 1st, busted 29th June deadline to make changes. Blame it on myself for not taking prompt action earlier on when the team split plan came into action.

I made the decision, bit the bullet and brave through this storm. I will be heading down tomorrow, on the last day of registration, to make a hefty 3000++ course fee payment. Can already feel the burn in my pocket liao. sob sob sob. I will embark on my studies as usual but not without enlisting the help of my fellow classmates. Royd will still be able to attend all the lesson thanks to the Empire Sponsorship and I got to get his help to take lecture notes and lab results during my forced absence. Called De Xian this morning to ask for his help with the Aero-Material course notes and labs. Really appreciate his generousity for offering me his entire lab report for last semester which will come real handy this time round.

Fear? Yes. In confidence? A bit. This semester will be damn challenging. Missing out the lectures and labs, I got a lot to catch up with. Even though I can get off work at 3.30pm during the morning shift period and can make good use of that extra hours to catch up with school work, I still hate missing out lesson. Its just not me, I rarely miss my lessons and obviously don't like to do so. Damn!

Lingering on the back of my mind is another slim chance of major disruption to school. I am on the reserve team for the year end Empire exercise in Australia! Time and time again, I had requested to be put out of the reserve team...time and time again rejected. Now I am assured by words that there is no way I will be activated. My years in the Empire tells me everything in black and white are true, everything in words can't always be trusted. God please...I pray....the last thing I wanna see happening is I going through all the pain of disruptive studies to only have my chance of final exam taken away just because of some "kangaroo exercise" in Australia. Spare me the pain...

Riccardo, don't give up. The inner voice said. Capitalize on the situation and shape your mind and body to circumstances. Pain is part of life, suffering is not. I wish some higher mights and beings up there will give me the power to make it through in a piece and peace.

Tuck away in the corner of the entire conflict is my life goal, my family and "someone", they are the power to spur my little steam engine forward in life. I realize its been almost 2 months since we first met in the most unexpected places and circumstances. There are things I learn and there are things yet to be known but in every moment I am grateful that we can share thoughts and words all this times. We expanded and got to know each other friends, bestie and clinche (did I spell wrongly?) who are wonderful people in their own rights. We might even had became tools of fate for our own friend "C" and "S". With the coming challenges ahead, I shall ask for nothing else more than patience and understanding. May not be around all the time but will always be there on my mind.

When the general eat, the soldiers go hungry

2009-07-02T00:20:00.005+08:00

General and commanders enjoy a sumptuous dinner after a victorious and successful annual ceremony. In the mean time, a group of common soldiers assign to perform "horse carriage" duty nearly have to go hungry during dinner time. In the end it was the effort of an officer and some low ranking ground infantry who went to the kitchen to scavenge whatever food that are still available. In between bites of the cold pizza and chicken drumlets (probably leftovers), I realized when the someone fail to plan or plan to fail, it finally boils down to small unit decision and action to solve the problem themselves.

Even so, I sure hope that such simple things like providing food for the soldiers will be better planned in the future. It does not only hurt the moral of the soldiers but it seriously make the soldiers doubt the effectiveness of the empire when it was at the mean time putting up some elaborated ceremony to mark its strength and effectiveness. Luckily most of us are thinking soldiers and can solve problem created by other people.

The biggest irony is that the "horse" got to eat their grass before the common soldiers even smell their own food!

Side track a bit. I will always remember Micheal Jackson as a pop star who brought the whole world together in peace under his songs, as a human who is neither black or white, as a dancer who can never be emulated and a victim of base less law suit just because he love children. This is a song from MJ I like about been selfless and caring for people around us especially hungry soliders...

And MJ will always remind me of this parody of his "Beat It" by Weird Al Yankovic titled "Eat It". Soldiers need to eat dinner...

How the hell do I know if I really got six sense?

2009-06-27T02:42:00.009+08:00

Sometime some inner voice command me to do things or made some decision that turn out to be the right thing at the right time. On the contrary when I intentionally made decision, it more often end up with a small mess to clean up and salvage. I am starting realize and come into contact with that little voice inside me, to know who it is. I think its what people call the 6th sense, the ability to sense whats gonna happen in the future or what is happening away from me presently, except I seems to sense things sub-consciously.

Haiz...did not get enough sleep this days but thats not a concern. Catch it up on the weekend. Met many new friends this week from drinks and dance to dinner and Corin's birthday cakes, from Wednesday to Thursday. Its wonderful to see the social circle expand and I really got to thank "someone" for the opportunity.

The Nurses and the Mechanical Doctor.

New friends are nice but we must never forget our old friends too. 不可以喜新痒旧。Tomorrow I'll be back for badminton games with my regular shuttlecock khakis and in the evening, its time to meet up with the sisters to celebrate Cat's birthday! I think this is the second year I'm joining them. Geez...time flies.

Yet another diving trip coming up this July 10th to 12th before the grueling school semster starts again on the 19th. This time I will be bringing along Garfield's fujifilm digicam with its expensive underwater enclosure. Hopefully to have a successful virgin underwater photo shooting experience. Frankly, I'm hooked to the water world... under the sea is the place to be...can't think of any place I like to go without the ocean or the sea. I really miss the feeling of calm and quiet upon the sunrise and sunset, by the beach or the cliff.

Sunset at Tioman, seen from Malaysia

Sunset at Pacific ocean, seen from California USA

Team split

2009-06-27T02:15:00.003+08:00

Recently, contingency plans that were set in place within the empire to prevent the spread of H1N1 virus. Its necessary not only within the empire but its also crucial within the entire country itself. In fact, when everyone exercise good social responsibility, we all can keep the infection level down to manageable level.

However, sometime the intend to protect is there but the plans are flawed. I shall not dwell much into the plan that had already taken place. For all I could say its the hassle and restriction place upon the soldiers of the empire. I'm sure some of you guys know what I mean. I do understand the need to protect human assets especially for an organization critical to survival of the empire but could there be a better protection and containment plan hatching by the stars, gold crab and gold bars?

For one, its a big challenge of hatching a plan to tackle a virus that is puzzling scientist around the world with its speed of transmission. Its like hacking in the dark, hoping you find the right way but also hoping you are not gonna accidentally chop your buddy head off. So in the meantime, its sound fine to conjure any plan to keep human contact to a minimum by coming up with a blue and red team that will never make human contact for the next few weeks. Maybe after all this saga is over, we should have some team sports pitting both teams against each other, a measure of how "team spirit" had grown during this period. I say we go for a paint ball game....

Brother Eechyi marriage and thoughts for the week

2009-06-20T02:53:00.002+08:00

Today is brother Eechyi big day. He is marrying his long time sweet heart Shiyan and its all happening "customarically" today. I will be tasked to drive and tong-pang the "jie mei". Boy boy boy...yet another brother getting married. Happy occasion for the 9 Dragon clan. Pretty excited about the programme later in the day. Hopefully don't get "tekan jialat jialat" at the brides door step. I am standing by my guts, balls, wits and maybe voice to shield our man of the day from the insuppressible fire from the "jie mei". Haiz... we brothers are having lesser and lesser chances to meet up. Turn out that its the quality matter more than quantity of time. Work lah, family lah, BGR lah, past time lah... its inevitable that we guys only meet once in a while but I'm glad that they are the only few close brothers that I can share thoughts with.

Today I started writing hard copy journal. There are some thoughts and feelings I cannot write in the blog. Things are suddenly moving at a surprisingly fast pace. On one part of my life, it was a pleasant experience. On the other end of life, a drastic change in mindset and decision making. What really matter now is the pleasant part of life and how things are developing... I would never had imagine life heading in that direction for the past 3 years. Things just seems to fall into places. For both changes of life, I felt the challenges ahead... :)

Human Error is here to stay.

2009-06-14T16:00:00.003+08:00

If there is ever an eternal problem plaguing mankind throughout its existence, it is human error. Take a look back in history and its obvious all the failures in battles and business are the results of mistakes and error. Vice versa, all the success are thanks to all this mistakes and error becoming a learning lessons of the future. The old quote validate about human error "A wise man learn from his mistake, a wiser man learn from others mistake".

However to boldly aim for a zero error or mistake working environment is an outrageous dream in my opinion. Proclaiming such aims is nothing more than trying to move the mountains with hands. There will always be mistakes made in life and work even for the most careful, experienced and skilled hands. The best production facilities in the world admits that it is not able to achieve a 100% production output quality. There bound to be a few loss nuts and screws here and there that get pick up by quality assurance and condemned as rejects (Eventually becoming refurbished products in market). Some might escape the proclaimed keen eye of QA and end up in the hands of consumers (but there is such thing call warranty claims).

So the question that was poised to all of us, "How can we stop human error?" The man, the managers and the leaders of my Empire at the moment don't have the solution at all despite a multi level discussion carried out. Either there is no solution or we are all just protecting our financial and job life line by not making politically incorrect statements. I say there is no way to stop this kind of error happening.

As long as humans are in the equation, the physical and psychological emotions will play its role for the good and bad. Human beings are incredible species that can make a breakthrough under insurmoutable odds and mind breaking pressure but can make mistake under favourable condition. Human error or mistakes are here to stay otherwise there won't even be a whole load of scientific studies, literature and process method to tackle this kinda problem.

So so so so ..... why not we throw away the ridiculous idea of zero human error or human error induced incident? Maybe if all of us are replaced by robots, life will be peaceful but they are subceptible to bugs, worms and virus of a digital kind. Because every reported case, there are hundred other unofficially reported case under. Because it will always be part of life. What we see is the tip of the ice berg. My Opinion:

Admit human error and mistakes and folly are here to stay. Embrace it like a friend. If we deny it, we will only be coming out with ideas and solution that goes in the wrong direction. Hitting the wrong door.
Anticipate the way our people are working. SHEL - Software, Hardware, Enviroment, Liveware (humans).
Instead of dictating how things are to be done from top down, allow the flexibility and room to adopt different method (Safety first always) to create working process that are smooth flow and little friction. That require the power and authority of changes from our leaders.
No self denial. Admit there is a man power problem, equipment problem, morale problem, leadership problem, skill problem. Bring out all problem! They must be solve for a reason.
Instead of just focusing on productivity, divert resources to production capability. Investing in production capability will definately boost productivity but everyone must have the patience for the effect to manifest.
With respect to point number six. Can we all cut the bullshit, the politically right action but effectively wrong ideas, the redundant paperwork just for show and those image/ brand creation. Can we just focus on our core business? Defense! Where have all our value system go to?
Keep the morale high, keep the man happy and satisfied at work.
With changes, comes improvement and that reduce human error, reduce its impact to a resolveable level (if error happens) but never expect no human error.

I leave my rattering with this meaningful quote from an article in TIMES,

"Any leader, military or civilian, has one priority: the quality of the people under his command. Without their skill & spirit, the best plans & policies turn to dust"

Once upon a time, the entire department was asked the question. "Can we stop human error and achieve our goals of zero incident, zero accident and zero human factor?" Everyone move to the right in acknowledgement. One junior on job trainee moved to the left in rejection, later on joined in by another courageous junior. Both were duly reprimanded. Truth hurts sometimes.

Eddie and Daphne wedding.

2009-06-09T21:01:00.003+08:00

Is it 8 years or 10 years both of them "pat tou" before they tie the knots? I really lost count but I know it was a long long relationship for both of them. 爱情长跑 Happy they got settled down few months ago and I just got their wedding photo today.

The wedding party, from the left: Alfred, April, Shiyan, Eechyi, Angela, Randall and their little one, Eddie, Daphne, Weisheng, Joa, Riccardo and PC Wu.

All the late night before the big day, 5 grown up man forgetting to bring the bouquet, the driving from one parents place to another, the 2 hours crunch making the pre-walk in video and the wedding dinner.... it was a memorable event to see my long time brother entering the next phase of his life. Eagerly awaiting the red eggs!!!

Next stop, Eechyi and Shiyan big day happening 20th this month. Must ready the Ang Bao and alcohol guts :)

Tioman Scuba Diving Trip 2009

2009-06-08T14:02:00.004+08:00

I only got the pictures taken above water. Now eagerly await LeeYing to post her underwater pictures and I will broadcast in my blog than.

Lost Generation no more

2009-06-08T00:58:00.000+08:00

Back from Tioman Scuba Dive

2009-06-07T23:58:00.003+08:00

Phew...I am damn tired but I had the time of my life beneath the sea of Tioman. 5 dives over the weekend, a total 2 hours and 13 mins of underwater time. I must had seen hundreds of fish and corals but also passing by thousand others while figuring how to move properly underwater. This is a first time experience but its an experience well worthwhile and I'm glad I made the decision (and commit the money) to learn Scuba Diving. Oh yes... I kanna couple of Coral cut and scrapes plus two sea urchin sting but I guess thats just a natural exchange process between an inexperience diver and the marine life.

I am now a certified open water diver. Like a new driver with P-Plate, I am restricted to a depth of 18m and require to dive with the lead of a dive master for future leisure dive. I will be going for the Advance Open Water Course end of the month. The license to dive aside, this 3 days had also been a time of friendship making with both Singaporean and foreign newbie and experience divers who are my company through the trip. Its great to have everyone onboard and I like to thanks Bjorn , Sebastian(my 15 years old dive buddy) , Henrick, Fauzan, Lee Ying, Leonard (thanks for the "camel"), Palm and not to forget the wonderful instuctors from Waikiki Dive Center Robin and Harshil for making this trip a pleasant one. The underwater experience will not be a complete one without their human touch to it.

Home sweet home right now back in my Yishun apartment. Time to sort out the pictures and share with my dive companion and also to you guys. Hoping that this will encourage you to pick up Scuba Diving which is a great new experience in every way. Lee Ying got all the underwater pictures though because she invested in a underwater camera case. I took all the out of water pictures and will end this blog with one group photo taken by Divemaster - Harshil...

The newbie openwater diver - (From Left) Henrick, Sebastian, Bjorn, Riccardo, Fauzan and Lee Ying.

We may not meet again but its a happy end to another chapter of my life.

Urgency in the wetsuit

2009-06-05T01:04:00.003+08:00

For today pool lesson, we learn how to establish neutral buoyancy while underwater a.k.a the Aladdin carpet stunt. When one is neutrally buoyant underwater, he/she neither floats up or sink. I shall leave the details of how to do that to the internet search engines or the PADI Open Water Diver Manual. Just like to share that its a very essential and important skill for a scuba diver. Controlling your buoyancy give you better water depth control and also prevent the diver from sinking and hurting the corals reefs. It take 10 years to grow back what took 1 min to destroy so as much as we wanted to appreciate the wonder of the underwater world, we don't want to be too careless too. Buoyancy control...very important!

Wetsuit. It keeps you warm underwater and also give limited protection from scrap and cuts during the dive. Thats what the book says but unfortunately some of us got to learn some hard facts about divers wetsuit. Once you got it on (your body) and get your fins and scuba dive gear equipped, once you are underwater....nature called. Thats a problem. Do you abort the dive to get back on the boat to relief the nature call or do you hold your bladder? Man and their ego, They kept quiet about it and pressed on with the dive. The only lady in our team voiced out her nature call only to have the instructor to ask her to hold on for another 10 mins. Is it true that women can hold nature call better than man? From the instructors, its a resounding yes.

At the end of the training session, almost everyone was eager to get out of the suit, almost everyone heads for the washroom. I learn my lesson today, not too drink too much water before the dive... hahahaha. No wonder a friend of mine, a season diver mention "If you need to, relieve yourself underwater quietly". However we were warn not to do so because the liquid might just stay within the wetsuit untill you took it off.

Oh boy...sea turtles... can't wait to see them.

Underwater Breathing

2009-06-04T13:39:00.007+08:00

On 2nd June 2009, I can breath underwater!!! Welcome to the confined pool scuba diving training held at Outram Secondary School, a hilltop school established in 1906 with a rustic feel in it. Very quiet and peaceful place except for the shower room which look rather spooky.

The first time experience of using the Scuba gear underwater is surprisingly pleasant. The air from the tank taste so much cleaner and better than our lightly polluted air from the environment. Boy was it heavy when we step out of the pool with it after the end of the training. It felt like hauling those field pack I got during Basic Military Training (but slightly lighter). Rule of thumb, always inhale and exhale deep and slow.

To really qualified as a Open Water Diver, it is a requirement not only to complete the knowledge examination but you must be able to demostrate that you can swim 200m unaided without time limit or 300m with snorkels and mask. Furthermore, a 10min water threading is a requirement as well which is pretty much the most tiring highlight of the first training session. All this is for the instructor to know your confidence in the water.

Some of my training buddy could not sustain for 200m swim or the water threading and have to try again today. I really really really really really wish for them to pass this physical test! Our training group will be heading to Tioman together this weekend and the friendship had grown after the first pool lesson, I'll be sad if anyone of them could not join us.

In my group, there is 3 guys from Denmark, 4 French and 2 teachers from Greenridge Secondary School who will be with me this weekend diving at Tioman. My friend from Thailand, an Advance certified diver, will also be joining me and she will be my dive buddy for the weekend. But of course! Since its such big group, everyone buddy everyone! ahahahah.

Meet our lead instructor....Jeremy from Waikiki. He look tough and he look like a Naval Diving Unit combatant with the scare on his left arm. However he said he is not previously from NDU. My comment: Very good instructor and had clear well organized teaching methods. Not too mention a calm and approachable personality. He always welcome question and is very strict about adopting good dive practice from the start.

Jeremy. He just had very dark complexion, nothing to do with my camera.

Meet Hashire, assistant instructor to Jeremy. I thought he is from some South American country like Brazil. Turn out to be Mr India. He promise to teach the me, the new dog some tricks at Tioman. A Divemaster in his own rights.

Hashire the Divemaster

Robin, the other lead instructor was not in any of the pictures. He is too shy to have his pictures taken. :)

So tonight will be the last Diving lesson at Outram Secondary School. The Pool lesson is interesting enough, just can't wait to be at Tioman and watch some beach turtles and reefs.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

2009-05-30T23:03:00.001+08:00

You'll say, we've got nothing in common
No common ground to start from
And we're falling apart
You'll say, the world has come between us
Our lives have come between us
Still I know you just don't care

And I said, "what about 'Breakfast at Tiffany's?'"
She said, "I think I remember the film
And as I recall, i think, we both kind of liked it"
And I said, "well that's, one thing we've got"

I see you, the only one who knew me
And now your eyes see through me
I guess I was wrong
So what now, it's plain to see we're over
And I hate when things are over
When so much is left undone

And I said, "what about 'Breakfast at Tiffany's?'"
She said, "I think I, remember the film
And, as I recall, I think, we both kind of liked it"
And I said, "well that's, one thing we gots"

You'll say, that we've got nothing in common
No common ground to start from
And we're falling apart
You'll say the world has come between us
Our lives have come between us
Still I know you just don't care

And I said, "what about 'Breakfast at Tiffany's?'"
She said, "I think I, remember that film
And, as I recall, I think, we both kind of liked it"
And I said, "well that's, one thing we gots"

Oh

And I said, "what about 'Breakfast at Tiffany's?'"
She said, "I think I, remember that film
And, as I recall, I think, we both kind of liked it"
And I said, "well that's, one thing we gots"

This song should be played everyday at breakfast!!!

Not too fast!

2009-05-29T11:17:00.003+08:00

Recently I received an official letter from the traffic police forcing me to contribute S$150 dollars to the Singapore government and a 6 demerit points from my drivers license. They have speed trap me driving along Adam Road at 90 instead of the slow 70 and funny thing is I don't even knew I was shot on camera! Ha... my sis was laughing at my speeding ticket because it was so unexpected. You see, she was surprised than slow driver like me can still get a speeding ticket! Anyway, its the first one I got since getting my drivers license 5 years ago and I do deserve it in some way since I had been speeding freely on Singapore roads since coming back from states last year.

Speeding....the number one killer on the the road. Too fast and too furious results in crash and burn. Events are unfolding in my life recently and I have to put in some restrain in myself because I know I am the kind of guy who think alot with the heart and tends rush into things. Its so surprising and shocking this time when the books of my life suddenly enters another chapter that are filled with one coincidental events after another. Stop... as wise man says, only fools rush in. Matters of heart had been making progress and I have to thanks Lollipop-girl, Wendy, Alfred and my dear sis for their help and advice. This time I am taking a stroll in the park instead of jungle bashing, to really appreciate the air, the little ponds, the trees, the birds, the park critters, the bench and the weather be it sunny or stormy. I like to cultivate a healthy relationship with the park . I really don't know if I will always have time to walk in this park when the schedule get hectic in the future but I definately don't want to see it close because I become blinded by work and studies.

Sometime someone or something special enters life that a person suddenly felt its important and critical to make the decision. Holding on to it and clinging to the edge of it, some releases their grip and be lost forever, some hold on to dear life and destroyed it. I think I am holding on to this special thing now and I am glad that a story was shared with me else I will be clueless to how things should go. I could have easily crush it and its gone forever. Slow and steady, thats the key.

Dive Junkie

2009-05-25T19:04:00.005+08:00

Next week will be a week packed with scuba dive training on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, I will be making my way to Tioman island for my open water dive certification. I am very excited and really looking forward to the whole of next week. Lets keep the finger cross and hope I don't have to work OT. Two more chapters still got to be covered before Mondays theory lesson held at Waikiki Dive Center and so far, it had been an interesting study experience. The PADI Open Water Diver Manual is an excellent text book that I felt academic text book should borrow some ideas and structure from.

Talking about diving, even though sound travel faster in water than in air there is no way a person is going to talk to another underwater. All you hear is bubbles and bubbles. Part of the learning experience is remembering some of th common diver sign language. While window shopping at Takashimaya on a Sunday noon, I happen to saw the diver sign language of "Buddy Me" on a T-shirt. Turn out to be "DiveJunkie" lastest outlet at level 4 Takashimaya Department Store. Real interesting...

Than they got some kinda clearance sales going on for ladies Tanktop that make my sis go ga ga over it. 3 for 20 bucks, thats a steal for something that sell for 15 a piece originally. Next thing I knew, the sales girl on the spot inform me that if I brought 2 man tees, my sis will get another ladies Tanktop for free!!! Now I going ga ga. The T-shirt are bright, vibrant and got really interesting diving designs on it. Almost all T-shirt design had this interesting collectible cards on it that tell the stories behind each design....

This remind me of the "Keluar" exit signs found in Malaysia.

Dive! Dive! Dive!

Every tees deserve a story. I use this as really cool bookmarks.

From the sales girl, I learnt that the material that goes into the tees making are not just any pasar malam material. Its combed cotton. She just said that the cotton is soften and silkier than normal cotton because the fibers are "combed" before making into yarn. Well, I found a more technical defination online...

"Combed cotton is an extremely soft version of cotton made by specially treating the cotton fibers before they are spun into yarn. As a general rule, combed cotton is slightly more expensive than conventional cotton. The extremely soft, strong material is ideal for making bed linens and clothing which will be worn against the skin. If the textile used in a cotton product is combed cotton, it will usually be clearly identified."

Judging from the feel of the material, I got no doubt its quality material that goes into the making. So you got great design on one hand and great quality on another. And did I mention that DiveJunkie is a home grown true blue singaporean company? In support of DiveJunkie and also solving the issue of dress code for Tioman trip, me and sis brought some stuff from them. The sales girl thanks us sincerely for supporting local companies and she gave us a business card. I read it....

Jasmine Yeo,
Executive Director
- DiveJunkie -
Scuba +Clothing.

I am surprised. The executive director at the frontline!!! Thats what I call running your own business... its no ordinary sales girl, turn out to be. I suggest they design some T-shirt base on all the standard diving sign language.

A meaningful message for a friend

2009-05-23T00:58:00.001+08:00

"Most of the time, people regret not doing something. Very few people would regret doing something (even though they failed)... cos people who do things are winners and most winners don't regret."

I am all with what my dear brother commented on my blog. I would like to add that sometime, patience are important. When you keep hitting the wall, don't stop hitting it...eventually the wall will crack and soon it will fall. There is sunshine on the other side of it. Patience is the key to success.

Remember. Carpe Diem!!! Seize the day!!!

Junction in life.

2009-05-20T22:21:00.002+08:00

A choice of life goal and life role. Sometime having choice can be a stressful thing. Its happiness on one end and life fulfillment on the other and it comes a time when everyone of us have to make that critical choice. Its like a quarter life crisis all over again. What if you are presented with a long term career? Those that ensure you can have a stable job all the way till retirement? Should I stay or should I go (sing it to the tune of the song)? What if life is fair and gave you someone but that means forsaking the goals you had put in plan for ages? Its little wonder that the greatest sucessor of life are one who make good choices at the right time.