Times are bad now. The US$700 billion bail out plan did not get the go ahead. Read it here. Stock prices plunged along with the news. When the bail out plan was proposed, the stock prices went up. And now that it had failed to get the necessary approval, back down the prices go. The current financial market is really not for the faint hearted.
How would it impact you and me? The people on the streets? Clearly, our confidence has been eroded. Who would know what to trust now? Uncertainties are plentiful. Our hard earned money, where and whom can we safely entrust it to? Not only that, the investment that we made, will most likely to be on the decline. If you're making money, do teach me how you're doing it!
Closer at home, I think it is prudent to start some belt tightening measures. The electricity bill will be going up starting October with it rising about 21%. Also, there will be an increase in some of the newspaper price due to high printing cost.
30 September, 2008
24 September, 2008
yesteryears
Sometimes I looked at the old pictures. Thinking of what it was like to be back in our yesteryears. We laughed, we did things together. Then we grew up. Was it geography or was it time that drove us apart? Of was it us?
I wondered... when we were together, did we know each other well? Did we mattered in each others' hearts? Or, was our acquaintance a mere fleeting pass in our journey in life?
Probably I had missed out on a lot of chances in making a difference in someone else's life. Probably at that time, I didn't put too much thoughts on goodbyes and farewells.
Now that I'm older, I cherished our time together... Also had understood, that what is gone can never return.
I wondered... when we were together, did we know each other well? Did we mattered in each others' hearts? Or, was our acquaintance a mere fleeting pass in our journey in life?
Probably I had missed out on a lot of chances in making a difference in someone else's life. Probably at that time, I didn't put too much thoughts on goodbyes and farewells.
Now that I'm older, I cherished our time together... Also had understood, that what is gone can never return.
14 September, 2008
disasters one after another
What's going on?
Typhoons, storms... millions have lost their homes. Tropical storm Ike had moved and ploughed through Texas (Yifan, hope you're ok) and made many homeless as evacuation was necessary for this category 2 storm. Read more about storm strengths and its categorization.
Then there's the train collision in Los Angeles. Reports states that police are still investigating how the two trains(one commuter and one freight) are on the same track. Read it here.
Tainted milk powder in China ... 432 infants developed kidney stones because of it. Hope the authorities can conduct more stringent checks for all consumables.
Typhoons, storms... millions have lost their homes. Tropical storm Ike had moved and ploughed through Texas (Yifan, hope you're ok) and made many homeless as evacuation was necessary for this category 2 storm. Read more about storm strengths and its categorization.
Then there's the train collision in Los Angeles. Reports states that police are still investigating how the two trains(one commuter and one freight) are on the same track. Read it here.
Tainted milk powder in China ... 432 infants developed kidney stones because of it. Hope the authorities can conduct more stringent checks for all consumables.
11 September, 2008
Do you hear me,
I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard
I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Oooohhhhoohhhhohhooohhooohhooohoooh
They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will
I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday
And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music, fell the air
I'll put a flower in your hair
Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now
I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday
Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooooh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
08 September, 2008
with dignity...
Yesterday's newspaper carried the story of Marc Weide's mother's last days, who was diagnosed with a terminally ill cancer, and the article was titled "I'm going to die on Monday at 6.15pm".
Dying of any kind, is never going to be easy. Even when it is euthanasia. Even when it is legal. The article documents the surviving family member's perspective. His and his family's struggle when his mom's decision.
This was how he ended the diary article, "My main regret is that there were such clashes between us in the run-up to her death. Perhaps if we had challenged Mum more over the years, keeping her ever-increasing demands in check, we could have been at peace as a family, instead of at war over shoes and toilets, right to the bitter end."
Dying of any kind, is never going to be easy. Even when it is euthanasia. Even when it is legal. The article documents the surviving family member's perspective. His and his family's struggle when his mom's decision.
This was how he ended the diary article, "My main regret is that there were such clashes between us in the run-up to her death. Perhaps if we had challenged Mum more over the years, keeping her ever-increasing demands in check, we could have been at peace as a family, instead of at war over shoes and toilets, right to the bitter end."
07 September, 2008
jason mraz
Incredible talent. I'm currently hooked on "Prettiest Friends". I like "I'm Yours", and "Life is Wonderful" also.
05 September, 2008
02 September, 2008
look what i found at clarke quay!
floats in the river, this one has white crane on it
this one dunno wat it is but like got 2 ships fighting
this one also i dunno... never read the plaque that accompanied it!
rabbit
journey to the west!
How come I bumped into these stuffs leh? Because I was bringing my penpal around, so thought it'd be good to see Clarke Quay.. and voila, pleasant surprise to have all these lanterns there~
31 August, 2008
Generation Y
I read with much interest on the report with regards to 'Generation Y'. These are typically refers to the cohort of individuals born, roughly, between 1982 and 1994. According to wikipedia, a 2008 survey by UK recruitment consultancy FreshMinds Talent in partnership with Management Today suggested that Generation Y are generally more ambitious, brand conscious and tend to move jobs more often than ever before.
Some generalistic observation on the ambitious Gen Y-ers, is that I think they are not quite willing to follow rules, but instead wants to write their own rules. They have much believe and confidence in their own abilities and prefers not to think too much about the consequences of their actions. An American survey have also found that they seem to have limited loyalty to any particular employer, and insist on working in a stimulating job environment. In this age, I think loyalty towards a particular employer is actually a dying culture, regardless of which generation you're from (perhaps with some exception of generations prior to gen X).
It is also quite interesting to note in the article found in today's Straits Times, about the 'anchors' in a company. Anchors are basically people who can unite/motivate the employees in the company. Typically they're suppose to be your bosses (if the company setup is small enough). Otherwise, employees who had been loyal or who had stayed for a long time in the company could be the anchors as well. And the report states that typically, these people would have come from the HR / admin dept.
I think it is interesting to note the trends as it provides useful information in how to manage the relationships in the workplace. It also made me think about whom can I hire to fit into the department. I can't hire all Gen-Ys because none of them would stay longer than 2 years. So I need to get at least one more Gen-X to balance things out. Haha.
Some generalistic observation on the ambitious Gen Y-ers, is that I think they are not quite willing to follow rules, but instead wants to write their own rules. They have much believe and confidence in their own abilities and prefers not to think too much about the consequences of their actions. An American survey have also found that they seem to have limited loyalty to any particular employer, and insist on working in a stimulating job environment. In this age, I think loyalty towards a particular employer is actually a dying culture, regardless of which generation you're from (perhaps with some exception of generations prior to gen X).
It is also quite interesting to note in the article found in today's Straits Times, about the 'anchors' in a company. Anchors are basically people who can unite/motivate the employees in the company. Typically they're suppose to be your bosses (if the company setup is small enough). Otherwise, employees who had been loyal or who had stayed for a long time in the company could be the anchors as well. And the report states that typically, these people would have come from the HR / admin dept.
I think it is interesting to note the trends as it provides useful information in how to manage the relationships in the workplace. It also made me think about whom can I hire to fit into the department. I can't hire all Gen-Ys because none of them would stay longer than 2 years. So I need to get at least one more Gen-X to balance things out. Haha.
Fast food? Not quite
Was at Tiong Bahru Plaza on Friday. Had to wait for a friend but he won't be turning up till 830pm. And I was there already at 7pm, so went walk walk, look look see see. Combed the place from top till bottom. And still with time to spare. So I went to have my dinner at Mos Burger.
No queue at the counter? Good (or so I thought la...). So I ordered the chicken teriyaki meal. They had the advertisement stating that their chicken teriyaki is now bigger and better. Think its supposedly 30% more. Ok, good lor (or so I thought la...)
As usual, you'll be served with the drinks first while they prepare the rest of the stuffs. So went to sit at some god forbidden corner. Its like a counter sit, only difference is that there's no counter to face. Just a screened wall. Imagine having to face the wall to reflect... *pengz*
Anyway, with nothing to do... I began observing the state of this outlet. Customers were actually hovering near the counters because everyone had ordered and now are just waiting for the orders to arrive. Apparently some never did, so one irate woman went to demand her items. Manager digged through the papers and somehow can't find the orders. After about 7 minutes or so, the lady eventually got her items and a quick apology from the manager. But I think she wasn't appeased la as she made a sarcastic remark before she left.
The manager tried to work in high speed mode, but still .. customers who were waiting for their orders began to increase by the minute. Then the manager still need to cope with handling enquiries from a girl who was keen to join as part time staff, still need to dash out to serve the orders, and clear tables etc... From observation, he didn't use any glove when preparing the orders. Oh, he also need to handle a man who tries to sell tissue-paper for $2 inside Mos Burger! I saw him tap on the man's shoulder and later didn't wash the hand and started to prepare the orders again. Eeks...
Oh, story haven't finish yet. So I got my orders after I've finished half the drink. And yes, the teriyaki chicken seemed bigger. But on closer look, it's actually filled with more veggies (which is good...) but also with more chicken skin (not so good...). So there you have it.. bigger does not always mean.. better.
No queue at the counter? Good (or so I thought la...). So I ordered the chicken teriyaki meal. They had the advertisement stating that their chicken teriyaki is now bigger and better. Think its supposedly 30% more. Ok, good lor (or so I thought la...)
As usual, you'll be served with the drinks first while they prepare the rest of the stuffs. So went to sit at some god forbidden corner. Its like a counter sit, only difference is that there's no counter to face. Just a screened wall. Imagine having to face the wall to reflect... *pengz*
Anyway, with nothing to do... I began observing the state of this outlet. Customers were actually hovering near the counters because everyone had ordered and now are just waiting for the orders to arrive. Apparently some never did, so one irate woman went to demand her items. Manager digged through the papers and somehow can't find the orders. After about 7 minutes or so, the lady eventually got her items and a quick apology from the manager. But I think she wasn't appeased la as she made a sarcastic remark before she left.
The manager tried to work in high speed mode, but still .. customers who were waiting for their orders began to increase by the minute. Then the manager still need to cope with handling enquiries from a girl who was keen to join as part time staff, still need to dash out to serve the orders, and clear tables etc... From observation, he didn't use any glove when preparing the orders. Oh, he also need to handle a man who tries to sell tissue-paper for $2 inside Mos Burger! I saw him tap on the man's shoulder and later didn't wash the hand and started to prepare the orders again. Eeks...
Oh, story haven't finish yet. So I got my orders after I've finished half the drink. And yes, the teriyaki chicken seemed bigger. But on closer look, it's actually filled with more veggies (which is good...) but also with more chicken skin (not so good...). So there you have it.. bigger does not always mean.. better.
30 August, 2008
superman
It's Chris's birthday this Sunday. So we got him a superman cake!
Bengawan Solo has it and you only need to order 2 working days in advance!
Bengawan Solo has it and you only need to order 2 working days in advance!
29 August, 2008
after ktv...
After ktv, here are the songs that finally know the title, and sung by whom...
1. Leona Lewis - Better in Time
2. One Republic ft. Timbaland - Apologize
For item #1, there's this visually challenged lady who busks at Tiong Bahru Plaza (current location) and she does a decent version of the song!
1. Leona Lewis - Better in Time
2. One Republic ft. Timbaland - Apologize
For item #1, there's this visually challenged lady who busks at Tiong Bahru Plaza (current location) and she does a decent version of the song!
25 August, 2008
boring
Do you have an ambition? To save the world? To climb higher in the career ladder? To do well in exams? To attain immortality?
I suppose any normal person would have an ambition. I used to say I would like to be a bummer. I think.... I am lackadaisical!
Ya, ya... how boring is that?
"Laissez faire et laissez passer, le monde va de lui même!" (Let do and let pass, the world goes on by itself!) - Vincent de Gournay
I suppose any normal person would have an ambition. I used to say I would like to be a bummer. I think.... I am lackadaisical!
Ya, ya... how boring is that?
"Laissez faire et laissez passer, le monde va de lui même!" (Let do and let pass, the world goes on by itself!) - Vincent de Gournay
22 August, 2008
last friends
Nice show. It won the best drama, best supporting actress (Ueno Juri), best song (Prisoner of Love!), best director and best screenplay at the 57th Japanese Drama Academy Awards! Hehe
Though I didn't quite like the ending (thought it could be better), still, "Last Friends" had made an attempt to be different from the rest of the Jdramas. Of course I was pretty amazed by Ueno Juri. Afterall, she was Nodame in Nodame Cantabile! Talented girl, she is.
as Nodame (cute)
as Ruka (cool)
The show probably warrant an NC16 or M18 tag due to its theme about domestic violence and homosexuality.
21 August, 2008
homework
For anyone who knows me personally, I have a favour to request from you as part of my homework. Everyone is welcomed to participate :)
Here is what is required. Please list down my strengths and weaknesses as they are known to you. Please list strengths on left column and weaknesses on the right column. Best if can put a bit of description so that I can understand better.
================== Example ======================
Strengths | Weaknesses
Friendly (always smiling) | Bossy (because always like to do things her way!)
============== End of Example ====================
The information will be used as self-reflection. Could be fun, could be devastating (as they say, the truth hurts! :P ). But all in all, you can say whatever you think it is. No right, no wrong answer. Just something for me to think about.
If you don't know me long enough, its ok. Not the duration that matters, but what kind of person that am I projecting to you... that'll be interesting to know.
After the exercise is done, and if there're enough responses... I'll publish the outcome here and you can judge whether it is accurate or not. No worries, your contribution shall remain confidential (won't publish names :P).
Thank you~
Closing date: 23 August 2008 (23:59:59)
Here is what is required. Please list down my strengths and weaknesses as they are known to you. Please list strengths on left column and weaknesses on the right column. Best if can put a bit of description so that I can understand better.
================== Example ======================
Strengths | Weaknesses
Friendly (always smiling) | Bossy (because always like to do things her way!)
============== End of Example ====================
The information will be used as self-reflection. Could be fun, could be devastating (as they say, the truth hurts! :P ). But all in all, you can say whatever you think it is. No right, no wrong answer. Just something for me to think about.
If you don't know me long enough, its ok. Not the duration that matters, but what kind of person that am I projecting to you... that'll be interesting to know.
After the exercise is done, and if there're enough responses... I'll publish the outcome here and you can judge whether it is accurate or not. No worries, your contribution shall remain confidential (won't publish names :P).
Thank you~
Closing date: 23 August 2008 (23:59:59)
code blue コード・ブルー
An interesting watch. The plot is pretty simple. A group of young trainee doctors in a hospital. There's this 'prestigious' position of being able to be in the 'Doctor Heli' which is basically a helicopter used in emergencies. So each are trying to vie to be the one that can follow the heli team as only one person will get to sit in it.
Almost everyone are new faces, except the heli pilot. Eh.. correction.. the main lead is Yamapi! Yamashita Tomohisa, ahh.. he's the one in "Nobuta No Produce". Wahh.. didn't recognize him here. In Code Blue, he's Aizawa Kousaku, the ever sulky looking arrogant one but the most highly skilled. Wow.. hairstyle do change the face of a person! Not only that, I think probably I had a stucked image of him based on Nobuta, where he is carefree and naughty, compared to being just sulky and abit stuck up here. But in all show stereotypes... he's slowly melting away his icy exterior... awww...
The girl lead, Aragaki Yui.. dunno who. But she looked like Fann Wong in this show. Hahaha!
I liked Yanagiba_Toshiro who acted as Kuroda Shuji, the trainees' mentor.
Almost everyone are new faces, except the heli pilot. Eh.. correction.. the main lead is Yamapi! Yamashita Tomohisa, ahh.. he's the one in "Nobuta No Produce". Wahh.. didn't recognize him here. In Code Blue, he's Aizawa Kousaku, the ever sulky looking arrogant one but the most highly skilled. Wow.. hairstyle do change the face of a person! Not only that, I think probably I had a stucked image of him based on Nobuta, where he is carefree and naughty, compared to being just sulky and abit stuck up here. But in all show stereotypes... he's slowly melting away his icy exterior... awww...
The girl lead, Aragaki Yui.. dunno who. But she looked like Fann Wong in this show. Hahaha!
I liked Yanagiba_Toshiro who acted as Kuroda Shuji, the trainees' mentor.
17 August, 2008
cats
curious...
like a dolly...
more like a dolly..
cat empress...
Wondering why picture quality so bad? Taken using 2MP camera phone lor..
06 August, 2008
excuse me
Yesterday was traveling home from Somerset MRT back north. Time was around 10pm and boy, was it packed! So imagine everyone squeezed back to back (probably as good as morning squeeze!), and the train stops at one of its station. A Chinese male (probably late twenties or early thirties?) barged in saying "Excuse me!" in a rather loud voice. He was wearing short sleeved shirt and blue pants, and carrying an oversized backpack. So imagine this guy with his HUGE backpack ramming into the passengers and saying "Excuse me Excuse me!" in a loud voice. He'll just push his way through without allowing enough time for the passengers to react. Obnoxious right?
He pushed his way right to the middle whereby this young couple stood. He started talking to the man (so loud that everyone is aware) something about liking the way he is dressed, and later on about being his best friend or something like that. Initially I thought "Oh, he was rushing in because he saw his friend..." But then, the man whom he was talking to, looked awkward and just responded via nods or a weak smile. Then all of a sudden, the backpack man just sat down on the floor (amidst this sea of people of course). He started reading his brochures, and then something else caught his eyes. He pointed his finger to an auntie and said, "Excuse me auntie!". And started saying how he liked her shiny watch. But I suppose the auntie was trying very hard to ignore him. After a while, the man got up and pointed to another female passenger and said, "Excuse me! Excuse me!" But she too was trying to ignore him. His face looked dejected, puzzled but luckily he didn't become violent or something. Next he went over to another part of the train and pointed to a young female passenger and said, "Excuse me! Your watch is very shiny." The young girl was surprised, but very very likely everyone must be thinking that this guy is a cuckoo case.
Some looked disgusted, some looked fearful and started inching away further from him. Some couldn't be bothered, some looked amused. But I suppose this guy has some deficiency or something. Easily attracted to shiny things, not quite aware of how to interact with the world... more like a child.
For us, when we label a person as 'siao', or a looney.. is it more out of fear for something that we know nothing of?
He pushed his way right to the middle whereby this young couple stood. He started talking to the man (so loud that everyone is aware) something about liking the way he is dressed, and later on about being his best friend or something like that. Initially I thought "Oh, he was rushing in because he saw his friend..." But then, the man whom he was talking to, looked awkward and just responded via nods or a weak smile. Then all of a sudden, the backpack man just sat down on the floor (amidst this sea of people of course). He started reading his brochures, and then something else caught his eyes. He pointed his finger to an auntie and said, "Excuse me auntie!". And started saying how he liked her shiny watch. But I suppose the auntie was trying very hard to ignore him. After a while, the man got up and pointed to another female passenger and said, "Excuse me! Excuse me!" But she too was trying to ignore him. His face looked dejected, puzzled but luckily he didn't become violent or something. Next he went over to another part of the train and pointed to a young female passenger and said, "Excuse me! Your watch is very shiny." The young girl was surprised, but very very likely everyone must be thinking that this guy is a cuckoo case.
Some looked disgusted, some looked fearful and started inching away further from him. Some couldn't be bothered, some looked amused. But I suppose this guy has some deficiency or something. Easily attracted to shiny things, not quite aware of how to interact with the world... more like a child.
For us, when we label a person as 'siao', or a looney.. is it more out of fear for something that we know nothing of?
03 August, 2008
into temptation (crowded house)
You opened up your door
I couldnt believe my luck
You in your new blue dress
Taking away my breath
The cradle is soft and warm
Couldnt do me no harm
Youre showing me how to give
Into temptation
Knowing full well the earth will rebel
Into temptation
In a muddle of nervous words
Could never amount to betrayal
The sentence is all my own
The price is to watch it fail
As I turn to go
You looked at me for half a second
An open invitation for me to go
Into temptation
Knowing full well the earth will rebel
Into temptation
Safe in the wide open arms of hell
We can go sailing in
Climb down
Lose yourself when you linger long
Into temptation
Right where you belong
The guilty get no sleep
In the last slow hours of morning
Experience is cheap
I shouldve listened to the warning
But the cradle is soft and warm
Into temptation
Knowing full well the earth will rebel
Into your wide open arms
No way to break the spell
Dont tell
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
