AngelBlessings

Quiz Time!

2007-05-06T09:52:00.000+08:00

Quiz question: What is the name of the man in this photo?

Blackout - Blood - Ouch

2006-08-27T00:52:00.000+08:00

I was walking to towards my office when suddenly I experienced a blackout. It was about 9am in the morning but it seemed like someone just switched off the Sun and it was pitch black. I thought I had turned blind as I could not see anything. Thinking back, the blackout should not have lasted more than one second. At the end of the split second blackout, I heard a very faint voice... "Win... dow!"... Then in slow motion I regained my vision and I saw two very worried looking faces.

What happened was my head had hit the corner of a window that was opened too wide. My colleague walking behind me tried to warn me by shouting "CAREFUL ! WINDOW!!" but it was too late. My head struck the window the instant she shouted "CAREFUL!" The same colleague witnessed the corner of the window sinking into my head. Instinctively she grabbed me as I stumbled and almost lost balance after the hard hit.

There was another colleague with me. Within the next split second, my two colleagues exclaimed
"Are you okay? How do you feel? You didn't see the window?! You just hit your head on a window!"

By now my hand was already pressing on the area of my head which hit the window. Surprisingly I felt no pain. I just felt very stunned. My whole head felt numb. I reassured my colleagues
"It is not painful, I am okay"

My colleague asked
"Is there any bleeding?"

I took my palm off my head and could not believe what I saw: about HALF of my palm was in BLOOD !! Then I was worried. I was worried that I may faint soon.

You may not believe it but the pain came almost TEN hours later! There was no pain while I pressed a tissue firmly to my head as my colleague sped at 100+ km per hour to the clinic. There was no pain when the doctor injected local anesthesia in my head. There was no pain when the doctor stitched my wound using a needle and thread.

The pain came after the anesthesia wore off at about 7pm the evening. OoowwwW !!! OUCH !

National Day Celebration Fireworks By Team Italy

2006-08-19T23:54:00.000+08:00

I was standing at lamp post number 239 (Find three digits painited in red in this photo.) on bridge between Esplanade and One Fullerton

Compared to previous year (refer to my post dated 14 August 2005), the pictures this time round are better.

2005

Camera Type: Low End Digital

Brand: BenQ

2006

Camera Type: Professional Digital SLR
Brand: Nikon

The Da Vinci Code (Singapore Version)

2006-08-06T22:34:00.000+08:00

Can you break the code? Should be easy ya?

Inline Skating Anyone?

2006-07-11T21:14:00.000+08:00

I just got myself a pair of inline skates, so exciting! Anyone out there skates? Can teach me how to:

1. Stand still
2. Brake
3. Go up slope

Summary For May To July 2006

2006-07-09T15:28:00.000+08:00

May
3rd work trip to China (Guangdong)

June to July
1st work trip to India (Mumbai and Pune)
1st training trip to America (Chicago)
Alternate day work trip to Malaysia (Johor)

Hmmm... feels like my blog is becoming more like a travel blog ya?

Taiwan Trip (April 2006)

2006-06-04T19:07:00.000+08:00

Dan Shui (seaside)

Yang Ming Shan: Fresh air & lots of greenery!

Yummy "Po Piah" (stall in background) along "Ming-2 Shen-1 Dong-1 Lu-4 Yi-4 Duan-4"

Work Trip To China (March 2006)

2006-06-04T18:59:00.000+08:00

It was after 12 days of back breaking work did my colleagues & me get a few hours of free time to shop in this trip and this was the only street we went.

Hong Kong (Disneyland) Jan 2006

2006-06-04T18:15:00.000+08:00

Mong Kok: Crowded, plenty of (sports) shoes shops

Delicious food and "shop-till-you-drop" along this street =)

Ah! Here I am at the famous castle of Disneyland!

At the front gate of Hong Kong Disneyland

(Can you spot the Mickey Mouse icon in this photo?)

In a Chinese Junk touring waters around the Jumbo

Summary For Jan~May 2006

2006-05-12T00:24:00.000+08:00

Goodness Gracious Me! Apologies for not updating my blog. If you read the summary below, you may understand why:

Jan
Family trip to Hong Kong (to visit relatives & Disneyland)

Mar
1st trip to China with current company (work)

Apr
Leisure trip to Taiwan (with god sister to help friend in outdoor wedding photography & visit friends)

May
2nd trip to China (work)
I am likely to go China (3rd trip) next week for work purpose...

With tons of packing, travelling and unpacking, I forgot that I am suppose to maintain my blog! Please forgive me. Seems more realistic to update my blog every 3 months ya?

Yummy Indian Vegetarian Dish #2

2006-02-11T00:54:00.000+08:00

Who: For garlic lovers (You WILL love it more if you're a cheese lover too!)

Where: Refer to earlier post

What: Garlic Naan

How: When you dip this garlic naan into paneer butter masala (refer to earlier post), you WILL taste HEAVEN !! If not, it's yummy on it's own too ;)

Cost: S$2.00

Photo taken from internet, actual dish does not look exactly alike but close =)

Yummy Indian Vegetarian Dish #1

2006-02-10T23:55:00.000+08:00

Who: For cheese lovers

Where: ANNAPOORNAS RESTAURANT (101 Syed Alwi Road Singapore 207677) Opposite Mustafa Centre, Tel: 6291 4963

What: Paneer (Cottage Cheese) Butter Masala

How: It is a supposed to be the gravy for Naan (something like prata) but it's so good you can even eat it on it's own! Give me a call if you are going to try it ya?

Cost: S$4.50

Photo taken from internet, actual dish does not look exactly alike but close =)

Memoirs Of A Corny Wart (Chapter One)

2006-02-03T20:03:00.000+08:00

Hangouts

My name is Wart, nickname: virus infection. I usually hangout in places with water such as small patches of water near swimming pools and the shower rooms. This is because I can only hangout (live) in still water for about one hour. During this hour, I can change my hangout to (infect) a human through direct contact.

It is easier for me to hangout in a human if the skin is broken. If the skin is not broken, I can still slip in if the patrol (immune system) is weak. Once in a human, I can hangout for as long as I like! .. Er .. At least until the patrol spots me. As I am a rare visitor, usually the patrol will not recognise me as a virus until I grow bigger. However sometimes I get spotted once I enter a human and the "steady-bom-bi-bi" patrol is able to kill me. However I am not bothered as I am everywhere! As long as there is a small patch of still water, there is a possibility of my existence.

When I am in a human, I can grow at amazing speeds. I will be able to multiply (infect another place on the same human or another human) through direct skin to skin contact. Or if I contact damp surfaces and another human contact the same damp surface, the another human will "kena" (get infected)! I have no preference. Face, neck, legs, feet, as long as there is skin, I can hangout. Hence I can spread like wildfire!

Out Of Depression But Into Frustration: ThWARTED

2006-02-02T19:55:00.000+08:00

Sep 2005: Blister-like small white "bump" appears at bottom of foot.

Oct 2005: "Bump" grows to size of pea, start to have problem walking. Burst "bump".

Nov 2005, 1st week: "Bump" grows back to size of pea again. Burst it again.

Nov 2005, 2nd week: "Bump" grows back to pea-size in a week! Cannot walk properly. Burst it again then went to see 1st doc: "It's nothing, just apply cream"

Nov 2005, 3rd week: You guessed it... In just 1 week, "bump" grows to size of pea again. Can't walk properly, went to see 2nd doc: "Looks like a wart, you need surgery, go to Singapore General Hospital!"

Immediately I went to Singapore General Hospital, while trying to queue in A&E, staff nurse looked at my "bump" & says: "It's only a corn, don't need to surgery. Just go buy corn plaster."

Dec 2005: Asked many people about treating corn & summary is "Use corn plaster & the most in 5 days the corn will fall off". After using corn plaster for about 1 MONTH, the "bump" is still growing at bottom of my foot. Can hardly walk..

With help of colleague, visited specalist doc in Gleneagles Hospital. Doc suspect abnormal bone growth causing what he says look like "internal corn". Recommends X-ray. Result? There is NO abnormal bone growth. Doc refers me to "corn specialist".

Corn specialist removes the corn from my foot & discovers I have a "2 in 1" problem! I have a corn & an infection at the same spot! Corn specialist (No, he was NOT corny) referred me to skin specialist in Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

Mount E doc confirmed that I had a wart (virus infection). He said it was common to get infected at public swimming pools. (I was swimming 4 times a week in Sep 2005 remember?) He gave me medicine to apply & ..

Jan 2006: ..after apply medicine, "bump" grows to size of fishball!! I was limping, having serious problem walking. Went to visit doc again. Doc removed "fishball size bump" from my foot & asked me to continue applying medicine. Somehow virus spread to my hands & I had to apply medicine to my hands too.

Now: Warts on my hands are gone but wart on my foot is still there.. I have not been able to walk properly for 5 months.. It's frustrating ya?

Road To Recovery: Music Therapy

2006-01-10T02:45:00.000+08:00

天空不要为我掉眼泪 - 陶晶莹
词：陈家丽作曲：翁孝良

我喜欢往高的地方飞
我的心永远都跌不碎
我爱那种又浓又苦的咖啡
但是我还没有机会替任何人伤悲

我喜欢往高的地方飞
我的心永远都跌不碎
我爱那种象徵爱情的玫瑰
但是我的另外一半还不知道是谁

天空不要为我掉眼泪
看见好的男孩我一定去追
天空不要为我掉眼泪
像我这样也没有什么不对

天空不要为我掉眼泪
我的感觉太多要好好准备
天空不要为我掉眼泪
看我的心有没有人能猜得对

Rough English Translation
Song Title: Sky, Don't Drop Tears For Me
Singer: Matilda Tao

I like to fly towards high places
My heart can fall but can never be shattered
I love the strong & bitter kind of coffee
But I don't have a chance yet, to feel sadness for anyone

I like to fly towards high places
My heart can fall but can never be shattered
I love roses that are like love
But my other half, I still don't know who

Sky, don't drop tears for me
When I see a good guy, I'll definitely chase
Sky, don't cry for me
As I am, there's nothing wrong

Sky, don't drop tears for me
I have too much feelings, I need to better prepare myself
Sky, don't drop tears for me
See if anyone, can guess my heart correctly

Dealing With Depression

2006-01-02T18:13:00.000+08:00

At first I tried to ignore all feelings. Kept myself busy with work, tasks.. I went about my daily life in a daze. Void of all feelings, like a zombie. I was lost.

However there were still times when I was alone. Mentally, my thoughts began: Am I not worthy? Do I look so bad? Why, despite all my sincere efforts, I always fail? Emotionally, the feelings came: I felt lousy, VERY LOUSY. My eyes start to swell, I can't see clearly.

I have reached depression. I started to cry. Physically, there are strange uncomfortable feelings in my heart. Sad, I only have sad thoughts, I feel sad, I look sad, I AM SAD. I remember from TV, experts say: "You need to visit & revisit your pain again & again until you can accept it. Don't fight it, don't deny it. Feel the full force of the pain, then only you can move on. Then you can begin to heal."

Yes, I can feel the pain but I don't know if it is the full force.
...
Can I accept it?
...
Whatever that does not break me, makes me stronger.
...
Meanwhile, my self-therapy continues...

Lovesick

2005-12-28T20:47:00.000+08:00

I used to wonder how it feels like. Now I know.

It was by accident (literally) I realized who was my special someone. After weeks of preparation (change my image: rebond hair, get contact lens, dress up more & wear more skirts & dresses), I decided it was time to let him know...

Carefully I wrote a letter expressing my heartfelt emotions. I handed him the letter together with an Xmas gift personally (1920hrs) on Xmas Day.

1 hour passed.
2 hours passed..
1 day (24 hours passed)... NO reply

By then I was quite certain I blew it AGAIN.

29 hours later, the reply came.

REJECTION.
Yes, I blew it. AGAIN.

Although this is the Nth time, I was still shocked... stunned. So initially I felt stunned, then sad. Now I can't feel a thing. Seems like I'm living in a dream...

There's a Chinese saying (roughly translated) "When man tries to date woman, he faces obstacles high like mountains but when woman tries to date man, the obstacle is merely sand"

Well, this Chinese saying is seriously flawed. It should be "When woman tries to date man, she faces obstacles high like mountains" *Sighz*

Mutton Mentor

2005-12-20T00:40:00.000+08:00

Care ~ Compassion ~ Concern ~ Cooking Skills ~ Giving ~ Life Experinces ~ Smile ~ A Good Laugh ..

My brother & I have learnt these from our dear "Mutton Mentor"

On 14 Dec 2005, Wednesday morning, she left us.

We lost her to Cancer. She had been fighting for one full year. It was a brave fight.

Strangely, I don't feel sad. One part of me felt relieved that she's freed from the pains of cancer, the other part strongly feels her presence. The words of Morrie Schwartz best express:

"As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on - in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here"

"Death ends a life, not a relationship."

Puzzling Problem

2005-12-06T01:00:00.000+08:00

Two months ago, I noticed "a small bubble" (most likely blister) at the bottom of my foot. I thought of letting it heal naturally. However 3 weeks ago the small bubble had grown to about the size of a green pea.. I was beginning to have problem walking (No pain).

I decided to burst it. Then I realized there were many small bubbles in the pea-sized bubble! About 3+ hours & lots of blood later (still no pain), I thought I had burst enough & let the wound heal. However 1 week later it grew back to the pea-sized bubble again!

Again, I decided to burst it. 5+ hours (& even more blood) later, again I felt that I can leave the wound to heal but during my Yoga I felt acute PAIN. Since then, I have problem walking, standing or doing anything that requires my foot to touch any flat surface.

I was in pain and went to see the (nearest) doctor. However he only gave me a cream to apply. I thought he was going to help me burst & "drain" out all the "bubbles" which I might not have burst "correctly" but he didn't. Almost 1 week has past. The cream is NO use. The PAIN is WORST.

Anyone has any idea or any doctor to recommend for such a puzzling (painful) problem?

Meeting In Malacca

2005-11-30T00:04:00.000+08:00

Today (29th Nov 2005) I travelled about 450km to Malacca for an urgent meeting. Beautiful scenery along the way ya?

My Love (Hi)Story [Part Three]

2005-11-20T02:03:00.000+08:00

... continued from earlier [Part Two]

Boy 13
Year: Can't remember, should be 2003
Place: SDU (Yup... STOP giggling lah)
Category: Desperate

It was the time when almost everybody was dating somebody.. except me. I begin to feel that there was something WRONG with me (other than the fact I was still fugitive from the Fashion Police). I decided to take initiative and signed up for an event organized by "the place which should not be named" ... SDU.

The event was held at Music Underground (back then it went by another name but I cannot remember that name). It is amazing how poor lighting, deafening music and smoke can affect a person's decision. Recalling I have no idea HOW I started talking with Boy 13 and WHY I drove him to gate crash another "social event" organized by "another place which should not be named" ... again I forgot the name.

After the event, we went for two other SDU events together. Then we decided to meet up on our own without SDU. We went to East Coast to cycle, shopping and he even help me wash my car! All was okay until he INSISTED that we MUST watch the movie "The Passion Of Christ" together. I sensed something wrong because I he told me that he had JUST watched the movie (afternoon show). After he watched the movie, he insisted to watch it with me at night on the SAME day!

When I met him, he began to frantically explain to me how emotional the movie was to him. He kept talking EVERY SINGLE SECOND about how wonderful the movie was. I thought he would stop when the movie started. Nope, he did NOT. He went on talking and talking every single scene during the movie, explaining in detail the significance of each scene, dialogue and even made references to The Bible. After the movie, he continued talking NON-STOP!

I totally FREAKED OUT. After that day, I TOTALLY STOPPED meeting him. He kept sending me sms about the movie (up to two months after we have watched the movie). I was freaked out by him for a few months. Recalling, I think I over-reacted...

... watch out for [Part Four]

Working Overseas

2005-11-20T01:47:00.000+08:00

Due to an urgent project, I need to work overseas (Johor) the past week... Above this the address. Ironically the distance travelled from my home to this overseas office is SHORTER than the travel to the SIN office! Can you believe it?! Hahaa..

My Love (Hi)Story [Part Two]

2005-11-03T00:58:00.000+08:00

... Continued from earlier "My Love (Hi)Story [Part One]

Boy 12
Year: Not sure, should be 2003
Place: Uni friend's BBQ
Category: Like?/ More like confused

My uni friend organized a "farewell" BBQ as he was about to be posted overseas to work for a few years. I arrived early only to find Boy 12 at the BBQ pit. We started to talk & start the fire & made some food & ate & made some more food... We sort of "forgot" why were there! We just kept talking to each other, we even forgot about the "star" of the BBQ (our friend about to work overseas)! Somewhere in our conversation, I gave him my name card.

I can't remember was it the next day, next few days or next week that he called me out for coffee. He liked to go to the gym. Suddenly he applied a "guest" pass for me so that I could go to the gym with him. So we went to gym together for about 2 weeks. Suddenly one day he called & offered to drive me out for dinner. He didn't want me to drive my car. He actually requested me to drive his car! (Weird hor?) So he drove to my house to "pick me up" but I drove to the dinner venue, then he drove me back to my house. He also brought me to Devil's Bar to "chill out".

Then I sms-ed him that I enjoyed his company: immediately he turned defensive and stopped asking me out. He "vanished" for a few weeks then suddenly when I called him, he said he'll sms me back. I was TOTALLY dumbfounded when I read his sms: "My gf and I ..." I did not even bother to read the rest of the sms. His gf?! How come he never say he got gf?! How come he never go gym with his gf or let his gf drive his car or go clubbing with his gf?! HAR?!? I was CONFUSED, har.. what? Aiyoh, till now this Boy 12 is a mystery to me...

... to be further continued (please exercise patience!)

Genuine FEAR

2005-10-30T23:59:00.000+08:00

I was walking with my godsis along a pavement when we saw something which we thought was a tree branch. I was a about to kick it & my godsis was about to grab & throw it off the pavement when we suddenly realized that the "tree branch" had a pair of eyes!!

*HORROR* It was a snake!!! We were barely 30cm from its head when we realized it was a snake!! I thought it would bite me & I would just die!! A bolt of cold shiver stuck me as we both walked away from the snake s-l-o-w-l-y..

Thank goodness I am still alive! For a long time I have not felt such genuine fear.

The snake we saw looked like this: (I did not take photo of it. This is a photo in the internet which I found to look most like the snake I saw)

My Love (Hi)Story [Part One]

2005-10-30T11:44:00.000+08:00

Boy 1
Year: 1989
Place: Pri sch
Category: Crush/ Like

Those were the naive days.

Warning: Do NOT laugh.

I thought that if I simply LIKE someone, the someone would KNOW. I do NOT need to do or say anything. Dumb right? So I just like the guy lor. I never do or say anything. I just keep looking at him (with a silly smile on my face) when I have the chance. I thought the cupid would use the arrow & "shoot" the guy then he will start giving me flowers & stuff. Seriously, no kidding. Of course, NOTHING happened because I did not do anything other than having a liking feeling. Often I wonder if I will recognize him if I see him now. It has been 16 years!

Boy 2
Year: 1992
Place: Sec sch
Category: Crush/Secret admirer

So I know that nothing will happen if I do nothing. Yet I CHOOSE to do nothing because I had no confidence.

Boy 3, 4 & 5
Year: 1996~1997
Place: JC
Category: Crush/Secret admirer

Boy 3 was in the same ECA as me. Both Boy 4 & 5 were in the school canoe team. All 3 were good-looking. Boy 3 was academically smart & musically talented while Boy 4 & 5 were fit and sporty. Please refer to situation for "Boy 2" above. I did NOTHING and NOTHING happened but it was a happy feeling having someone to think about.

Boy 6
Year 1998
Place: Uni
Category: Crush/ Like

He was a committee member in the orientation camp I joined. Boyish looking with the "human touch" photography skills. Looks lovely when he smiles (who doesn't?). Tried to strike a conversation with him but somehow felt that he was not interested in me. Felt a little sad. I still have his name card...

Boy 7
Year: 1998
Place: Uni
Category: Like

After observing him for a few weeks, I decided to take action 'cos he never take any initiative. Just at the moment I met him in the canteen with his girlfriend! *Faint Cracking Sound* (1st heartache)They had knew each other since JC 1. Aiyoh, why for the few weeks he never say he got girlfriend when I was chatting with him?!

Boy 8
Year: 1999~2002
Place: Uni
Category: Like/ Secret admirer

My tutorial mate in year one uni. Handsome, smart & friendly but I found out that he had a girlfriend so I just admire from a distance lor... Kept in touch with him throughout my 2nd & 3rd years then one day he suddenly approached me...

"I tell you something, I like..."

My heart was beating extremely fast. When he finished his sentence, my heart stopped beating (for a few seconds).

He was interested in a girl in my study group. He noticed that I always had lunch with her & study together in the library with her. He asked if he could join us for lunch. Then I asked him about his girlfriend & he said they broke up already. He was a shy guy but when I said I will help him, he suddenly became talkative & asked about her character, her family, her hobbies, etc... *Faint Cracking Sound Again* (2nd heartache)

What to do? I guess this is Fate. I know both of them personally, suddenly I realize that they are very compatible. They would complement each other. I tried my best to "market" him to my study group gal but after a few meetings, she said that there was "no feel". She admits that he is handsome, smart & friendly but "no feel means no feel". Hiyah, I feel him but he no feel me. He feel her but she no feel him...

Boy 9
Year: 1999~2001
Place: Uni
Category: Like/ Secret admirer

Same ECA as me. See him at least once a week for ECA for 2 years. Liked his candid personality, talent in music & his "positive energy". You guessed it: he was already taken, so secretly admire lor.

Boy 10
Year: 1999~2002
Place: Uni
Category: Crush/ Secret admirer

Can be said to be "crush at first sight". Attends same lectures as me. I often talked about him with my study group gals & called him "Sunshine Boy". Drop dead good-looking with a sunshine smile that melts you... As I looked really nerdy then, I took no action & admire from far..

Boy 11
Year: 2001
Place: Uni
Category: Like

My project team member. Enjoy working with him. Had dinner with him on Valentine's Day. I gathered my courage and took action again. He immediately replied "Let's just be friends". *Stunned* (1st rejection) I felt sad. Well if you saw how I looked then... I don't blame him. It was a miracle I was not arrested by the Fashion Police!

To be continued...

Week 4 Quiz

2005-10-29T01:20:00.000+08:00

Where in Singapore is this? Is it along:

1. AYE
2. BKE
3. CTE
4. ECP
5. KJE
6. PIE
7. SLE
8. TPE or
9. None of the above?

Along with your answer please suggest the prize you wish to receive =)

Quantity Matters?

2005-10-22T22:48:00.000+08:00

Every Thursday is my swimming course. I went for the 4th lesson this week. The routine was to swim 2 laps of the standard 50 metres pool. I was breathless after just ONE lap. *SHOCK* 20+ laps was what I used to swim, every week (about 8 years ago). In disbelief, I continued to swim the 2nd lap and I almost did not pull through! Goodness! My fitness level is bad =(

Surprisingly after just 3 weeks, my fitness has improved. I suspect it is due to my weekly schedule packed with exercising activities. There are 7 days a week, I swim 4 times a week, go for yoga once and badminton once a week. That means I exercise 6 days a week!! I was not breathless after 2 laps at my 3rd lesson =)

Can I conclude that for exercising: quantity matters?

2005-10-11T23:59:00.000+08:00

Where in Singapore is this? Is it along:
1. AYE
2. BKE
3. CTE
4. ECP
5. KJE
6. PIE
7. SLE
8. TPE or
9. None of the above?

Paris has Effiel Tower, Japan has Tokyo Tower... well, Singapore has her own tower too!

Weekly Log: October 1st Week

2005-10-10T23:59:00.000+08:00

3 Oct 2005
Distance: 52.1 km
Time: 58 mins

4 Oct 2005
Distance: 52.1 km
Time: 117 mins (Traffic jam until I leg cramp)

7 Oct 2005
Distance: 52.2 km
Time: 49 mins

8 Oct 2005
Distance: 53 km
Time: 47 mins

October Week 1 Quiz

2005-10-02T23:59:00.000+08:00

Where in Singapore is this? Is it along:
1. AYE
2. BKE
3. CTE
4. ECP
5. KJE
6. PIE
7. SLE
8. TPE or
9. None of the above?

Notice the Sun rays coming through the trees... beautiful!

Weekly Log: September Last Week

2005-10-01T23:59:00.000+08:00

26 Sep
Distance: 51.8 km (TPE, SLE, BKE, KJE, PIE, AYE)
Time: 56 mins

27 Sep
Distance: 51.8 km (6 expressways route)
Time: 57 mins

28 Sep
Distance: 51.8 km
Time: 53 mins

1 Oct
Distance: 53.2 km (ECP, AYE)
Time: 43 mins

Quiz Time!

2005-09-29T23:59:00.000+08:00

Location of this bridge is along:

1. AYE
2. BKE
3. CTE
4. ECP
5. KJE
6. PIE
7. SLE
8. TPE or
9. None of the above?

My Weekly Schedule

2005-09-28T23:59:00.000+08:00

Below is my weekly schedule (outside my full-time job) ...

Mon
1900~2000: Swim Class (I teach)

Tue or Wed
2000~2100: Yoga Class (I learn)

Thurs
1830~1930: Swim Class (I learn)

Fri
Rest? (Er... I usually go out to meet friends for dinner)

Sat
1400~1600: Badminton (I play!)
1830~2130: Swim Class (I learn)

Sun
1600~1700: Swim Class (I teach)
1900~2000: Swim Class (I teach)

Guardian Angel Of My Car

2005-09-27T23:59:00.000+08:00

This is "Luo-2 Han-4" bear, the guardian angel of my car!

Weekly Log: September Third Week

2005-09-26T23:59:00.000+08:00

I cannot seem to find time to post my daily log. So I will post weekly log instead.

19 Sep
Distance: 52.3 km (TPE, SLE, BKE, KJE, PIE)
Time: 57 mins

20 Sep
Distance: 38 km (fr godsister's place to office)
Time: 40 mins (PIE only)

21 Sep
Distance: 38 km
Time: 40 mins

22 Sep
Distance: 52.4 km (TPE, SLE, BKE, KJE, PIE)
Time: 50 mins

24 Sep
Distance: 54.5 km (ECP, AYE)
Time: 35 mins

Conclusion: The longest route (ECP, AYE) takes the shortest time. While the shortest route takes a longer time. Shall I go for the shortest route or the shortest time?

Heal

2005-09-25T23:59:00.000+08:00

I have NO idea how I got a scratch on my hand. It is a deep scratch. I did NOT do anything: I did NOT apply any cream or medication. Everyday I just look at it and I am amazed by the human body's ability to heal. Maybe it is reminding me that no matter what happens, we ALL have the natural powerful ability to heal...

心痛 Heart Pain Heart Broken Sad

2005-09-18T23:59:00.000+08:00

Recap: 17 Sep after my Activities Day, I concussed at godsister's house. The plan was to send her to work on 18 Sep on my way home to get my stuff for my swim classes.

1000: Godsister woke me up as she was having acute chest pains

She could not move. She was having difficulty breathing *STUN* I did not know what to do. We waited till she could breathe normally and can walk then I rushed her to Tan Tock Seng Accident and Emergency (A & E).

She was very weak when we arrived at A & E but we still had to queue. After a few measurements of her blood pressure, heart rate... she was immediately tagged and put in the queue to be WARDED (HOSPITALIZED).

I was not allowed to accompany her when she was undergoing heart rate (ECG) measurement. So I did not know she was queuing to be warded until someone informed me. By then I had been sitting outside at the waiting area for some time.

1400: I entered the restricted waiting area

The restricted area was a room with many hospital beds. On the beds were people waiting to be warded. I searched for my godsister and my heart froze when I saw her. Among the 20+ beds, she was the only one hooked up to a few machines. One machine was monitoring her heart rate and it was emitting a *beep* tone which corresponded to her heart beat. There were many tubes and wires coming out from the machines and attached to her body. It looked like a scene from the American TV series ER.

As I walked towards her, I could see that she had been crying. Her eyes were red and puffed. I used ALL my willpower to keep my tears from coming out of my eyes. I asked her what the doctor said and what she knew about her condition. The staff told me I had only 5 minutes. Heck. I did not care. I stayed for about 15 minutes. I wanted to stay with her but I could not as I had swim classes.

1415: I stepped out of restricted area

As I was walking out of A & E, I felt a strange "pull" in my heart. On my way driving home, my vision became blurred. The tears came out. It was uncontrollable.

1500: Reached home, packed stuff for swim classes

I was like a zombie, packing but kept thinking how helpless we were. One day you are fine, the next day for nothing suddenly you cannot breathe. I felt extremely helpless that I could not do anything and I was about to call the parents to cancel the swim class for their kids when one of the student's parent called me to confirm the swim class. Then I broke down. I cried. And I CRIED hard.

1600: Reached swimming pool

My eyes were a little red, slighty puffed and I was ready to chase after the two energetic kids who I could not handle. However, they were very obedient this time. I believe they could sense that I was SAD and even tried to cheer me up.

1700: End of 1st swim class

Godsister called me to say that there is not enough beds, so she cannot be warded. She was given EIGHT days MC and on the 8th day she was to go back hospital for more tests and observations.

1900: Reached another swimming pool for 2nd swim class
2000: End of 2nd swim class

I immediately went to her house to make sure that she is alright.

2300: Went home and immediately packed my clothes. I decided to stay with her at her place on Monday and Tuesday. I figured that the only way I could help her was to stay with her, give her my time... I will remember today. It has been a long time since I cried so hard.

Elegant Bridge

2005-09-18T23:58:00.000+08:00

I like this elegant bridge. Do you know if it is along

1. TPE

2. ECP

3. CTE

4. PIE

5. None of the above?

Daily Log: Activities Day

2005-09-17T23:59:00.000+08:00

Distance: 50.4 km (PIE)
Time: 45 mins

1300: Left office
1400: Lunch
1500: Badminton
1700: End of badminton session
1800: Karaoke in Orchard
1900: Dinner with Queen & godsister, cousin & HackenLee

Went to see Soho @ central showroom near Clarke Quay. Chat & walked from Clarke Quay to Boat Quay

18 Sep

0000: Godsister's house & concussion

TP In Action

2005-09-17T23:58:00.000+08:00

Traffic police in action!

Daily Log: Night Out

2005-09-16T23:59:00.000+08:00

Distance: 52.4 km
Time: Not recorded

2000: Met up with insurance agent in Orchard
2100: At godsister's house
2210: Boat Quay to meet friend #1
2300: dbl O to try to meet friend #2...

... but met friend #3, ate noodles then met friend #4, went to toilet & met friend #5, walked back to stall for a herbal tea drink & met friend #6 & wandered into a nightspot with pole dancers instead.

17 Sep

0030: Back at godsister's house
abt 0230: Concussion

Permanent Passengers In My Car

2005-09-16T23:58:00.000+08:00

From left: Ultraman, Goggie & Doraemon

Daily Log: Blur

2005-09-15T23:49:00.000+08:00

Duration: 67 mins
Distance: 52.4 km

0730: Aahh... I'm still in the house! In the rush, I took a piece of cheese, peeled off the plastic wrapping, threw the CHEESE into the rubbish bin & placed the PLASTIC WRAPPER between my bread!

0749: On my way to car park, I dropped my bread (with cheese correctly placed) on the ROAD. Blur me picked it up immediately & I ATE it!! When I almost finished eating the ENTIRE bread, I noticed that it had a BLACK powder-like coating! *Bleah* I threw away the remaining bread.

0827: *Horror* Accident on PIE (near exit to NTU). I was jammed there for 20 mins!! Was developing leg cramps (manual gear).

1900: Left office
2000: Yoga

Today's yoga was TOUGH! It tested my balance, endurance, flexibility & strength. I literally saw *stars* during & after the class! Everything was a blur when I was driving home.

2155: Reach home

Getting To Work

2005-09-15T23:02:00.000+08:00

I drive to work.

Some walk, some take bus, mrt, cycle or use a combination.

The people in this photo just got off a bus &

were walking to mrt station.

How do YOU get to work?

Daily Log: Zouk

2005-09-14T23:59:00.000+08:00

Duration: 62 mins

Distance: Forgot to record

1900: Dropped colleague off at Tiong Bahru Plaza

2000: Pillow hunting + dinner with Terry

2210: Met up with The Queen

2300: Zouk

15 Sep

0005: Left Zouk

Before 0100: Reached home

From 18 Sep to 18 Oct, Zouk will be closed for renovation. Hence tonight was the "last" Mambo night before renovation, Zouk was super crowded. Went in to take "a last look" before it gets a "face lift".

Beautiful Sunset...

2005-09-14T23:58:00.000+08:00

... seen from Tuas!

Daily Log: Devil's Idol

2005-09-13T23:59:00.000+08:00

Duration: 58 mins

Distance: 52.4 km

2000: Dinner at Orchard with Terry

2040: Devil's Bar

2300: Left Devil's Bar

14 Sep

0005: Reached home

There was a competition named "Devil's Idol" at Devil's Bar & Terry's friend's friend was in the quarterfinals. Went there to support/ be a "last minute fan".

My Office Table

2005-09-12T23:59:00.000+08:00

This is where I work from Mondays to Saturdays!

Daily Log: Rain + Jam

2005-09-12T23:58:00.000+08:00

Time taken to reach office: 59 mins

Distance covered: 52.8 km

1800: Rain + Traffic Jam

1900: More Rain + More Traffic Jams

1920: Dinner with LF

Shopped in Giant & walked ard in Carrefour

2215: Reach home

2230: Watch American's Next Top Models

Clouds Watching

2005-09-11T17:46:00.000+08:00

Can you see the silver lining?

Pretty, light purple clouds!

Another type of clouds: Somehow clouds have a calming effect on me

Party Time At Club Momo!!

2005-09-10T23:59:00.000+08:00

0650: Woke up
0857: Reached office
1300: Left office
1330: Lunch with me
1410: Play badminton
1615: Eat glutinous yam rice balls in ginger soup
1800: Met godsister
2000: Buy wrapper for birthday (HackenLee) gift at Bugis
2100: Queue to go in Club Momo (Free entry b4 10pm)

2230: Dancing time!! Birthday boys (HL) & (Jef) danced too!

11 Sep

0030: Left Momo cos it was very crowded

0200: Reached home

Thanks to godsister, HL & Jef for a wonderful time =)

Pain

2005-09-09T23:59:00.000+08:00

I am in pain. Physical pain. Before I tell you more, let me blog my life in the past two days...

7 Sep
0830 hrs: Reached office
1800 hrs: Out of office
1900 hrs: Dinner at Jurong Point with Missy Cindy
2030 hrs: Met Miss (Q), drove around & taught her a few poses of Yoga
2355 hrs: Reached home

8 Sep
About 0838 hrs: Reached office
1730 hrs: Out of office
1830 hrs: Dinner at Tiong Bahru Plaza with Terry
2030 hrs: Met up with Miss Q
Around 2300+: Reached home

Today
0854 hrs: Reached office
1820 hrs: Out of office
1930 hrs: Dinner with myself at North Bridge Road
2100 hrs: Yoga
2200 hrs: End of Yoga
2305 hrs: Reached home

Before I entered the yoga class, I took off my socks and shoes. As I was walking, a lady wearing high HEEL shoes accidentally STEPPED on my TOE!! *Ooww!* Instantly shot up into the air and my left knee bent instinctively... ALL the lady's body weight CRUSHED on my left big TOE. The SHARP part of the lady's shoe heel TORE through an area of about 3mm by 3mm of the skin on my big toe and the wound began to bleed. *PAIN* Then I hop into the yoga class.

How To Locate My Office

2005-09-06T23:59:00.000+08:00

1. Look for this road which looks like an airport runway in Tuas:

2. At end of "runway" road, turn left. You should see a tall tower: 3. Go straight & keep going until you see some greenery:
4. When you see the SEA on your right...

5. Turn left & you're done!

First Day At Work

2005-09-05T23:59:00.000+08:00

0600: Dreamt I woke up
0620: Woke up
0700: Breakfast
0729: Sat my butt in my car

TPE --> SLE --> BKE --> KJE --> PIE --> 69 mins & 52.8km later... finally I reach office!

Morning: Introduction to all colleagues
Lunch
Afternoon: Brief of company's history

1800: Left office
1900: Dinner at godsister's grandma house
2100: Chat with godsister
2220: Left godsister's house

I took the photo below while stuck in a mini traffic jam in Tuas on my way to work today:

It says: Every Car Deserves a GOOD SERVICE...

er.. I want to ask: How about the owner?

Multi Task Sunday

2005-09-04T23:59:00.000+08:00

1100: Breakfast
1130: Collected swimming boards for students
1200: Brought waterproof watch to replace batteries
1230: Took badminton rackets to replace grip
1245: Bought kitchen supplies at NTUC
1330: Lunch
1400: Raining. Parent of student calls, swimming class postponed

*Phew* I have 1 more week to improve my ability to handle kids.

1800: Dinner
1900: Swimming class for adult
2000: End of swim class
2130: Met sec sch friends (Terry & HS) at HarbourFront for supper
2330: Filled up petrol on way home

Irony Of Life

2005-09-04T00:01:00.000+08:00

Hands up if you ever felt the same...

When Is The Right Time?

2005-09-03T23:59:00.000+08:00

0700 hrs: Shut off ringing alarm
1020 hrs: Woke up
1125 hrs: Left house
1200 hrs: Dropped brother off at Borders (Orchard)
1220 hrs: Parked at Millenia Walk 'cos Suntec & Marinal Sq FULL
1230 hrs: Cancelled reservation at Kuishin-Bo
1235 hrs: Made reservation at Sizzler
1245 hrs: Went back to COMEX & Food Fair to buy stuff 'cos yesterday I was not able to carry so much things alone

1400 hrs: Badminton
1610 hrs: End of badminton session
1650 hrs: Met up with godsister for awhile
1725 hrs: Parked at Shaw Tower & walked over to Suntec
1730 hrs: JC dinner gathering at Sizzler

Attendance: Bren, Huizhi, LY, Sarah, "Professor" Jimmy, Kimmy & bf

2100 hrs: "Professor" brought Huizhi, Sarah & me to pet shop in Suntec
2130 hrs: End of gathering

The conversation during the gathering started with light-hearted topics of school days, funny incidents then progress to work stress, complains and finally ended with a rather serious topic: When is the right time to ROM/ get married and have children? Is it when we FEEL right? When the FINANCIAL status is stable? Or when a certain AGE is reached?

COMEX IT Show 2005

2005-09-02T23:59:00.000+08:00

Bought CD-VCD-MP3 portable player (in red) &

bought a speaker system (2 side + 1 subwoofer)

Total cost of BOTH items LESS than S$100... Happy, happy!

1200 hrs: Reached Suntec but car park full

1210 hrs: Parked at Marinal Square

1220 hrs: Made reservation at Kuishin-Bo (for dinner tmr)

1230 hrs: Entered COMEX IT Show

taz: I did not call you 'cos I don't have your number! I combed the show area & 4 hrs later, I bought a portable CD-VCD-MP3 player, a speaker system, rechargeable batteries + charger, 30 plastic CD cases, one packet of cookies, 3 packets of organic nuts & one tin of OMEGA milk powder (there was a food fair beside the IT Show).

1630 hrs: Dragged my loot back to my car

1700 hrs: Collected ROM photos taken yesterday

1800 hrs: At godsister's house

2000 hrs: Send godsister & N to work

2100 hrs: Dinner with Josh

Guards & Foxy Trot ROM

2005-09-01T23:59:00.000+08:00

1030 hrs: Reached Registary of Marriages (ROM)
1045 hrs: Solemnization Ceremony
1100 hrs: Outdoor photo-taking
1200 hrs: Lunch at Liang Court

Although I was the official photographer for their ROM, I've not asked my friends (Guards & Foxy Trot) for permission so I decided to show this photo of them:

Aw... Isn't this sweet?

1500 hrs: Sent films for developing

1530 hrs: Entered & got stuck in Suntec car park

1600 hrs: Got out of Suntec car park

1615 hrs: Millenia car park FULL

1630 hrs: Marinal Square & Raffles City car park FULL

1640 hrs: Parked at Bras Basah & walked to Suntec

1700 hrs: Finally reached COMEX Show

However I turned & left once I reached the entrance of COMEX 'cos it there were too many people & it was too crowded.

1830 hrs: Dinner at godsister's grandma house

1930 hrs: Send godsister & N to work

2115 hrs: Reached home & watch Project SuperStar finals

Self Awareness

2005-08-31T23:59:00.000+08:00

1230 hrs: Met up with godsister & N
1300 hrs: Reached Singapore Buddhist Lodge (SBL)
1330 hrs: Lunch at SBL
1400 hrs: Chant & meditation
1500 hrs: Tea break at SBL

Chanting & meditation can do wonders to the mind. Everyday we seem to be doing things for others: work for our bosses to get money for our parents, to pay home bills. When do we do things for OURSELVES? Spent time with OURSELVES? Meditation is a healthy & stress-relieving way to exercise & recharge the mind. Promotes self awareness & lets you appreciate yourself more.

1600 hrs: Borrow books from new Central National Library
1700 hrs: Dinner at Fortune Centre
2000 hrs: Orchard Party World Karaoke (no room)
2015 hrs: Window shopping at HMV
2100 hrs: Supper with (N.Y.) & (J.A.)
2230 hrs: Chat with J.A.
0000 hrs: Back at godsister's house

1 Sep 2005

0130 hrs: Start journey home after chat with godsister

Cordless Iron

2005-08-30T23:59:00.000+08:00

Bought a cordless iron today, only S$29.90

No more getting clothes, board, iron & me entangled by wire!

Also went to Parkway Parade (with godsister & N). Bought AA batteries, Holicks, shower foam & toothpaste. Extremely tempted buy EVERYTHING from Baleno 'cos Faye Wong is modelling the clothes now...

COMEX IT Show Anyone?

2005-08-29T23:59:00.000+08:00

Once upon a time, I was packing a room in my house when I unearthed a scanner. As I already had a scanner, I thought of giving it to my godsister. Happily I brought the scanner, connecting cable and the instruction manual to her house. After connecting the scanner to her computer, I started to laugh... there is NO power cable, how to switch on the scanner?!

So off I went to Funan. I went to an authorized dealer and wanted to get the power cable. They do NOT have it as it was quite an old model. I had to go to their support centre in HarbourFront to get it.

So off I went to HarbourFront, bought the power cable and went home. Yay, I could switch on the scanner! That was ALL I could do. As it was an ancient scanner, my computer did not have its driver and cannot "see" the scanner even after the scanner is switched on and connected.

So off I went into cyberspace (internet) to search and download the scanner driver. After I installed the driver, my computer can "see" the scanner BUT there was NO interface software! My computer did not have any picture or photo software that had the "acquire" function. Hence I needed a stand-alone software which usually comes with the product.

So off I went searching my whole house for the software CD. It was nowhere to be found.

So off I went to cyberspace again to search for the software. I searched for TWO nights but could not find it. Luckily on the third day Injenue was "online" in msn and helped me to find it! Thanks Injenue! I downloaded, installed the software and yay... the software works! Sadly, the hardware did not. When I clicked the "scan" button, the scanner tried to scan but always an error message popped up: Switch lock/ unlock switch to unlock position, disconnect connecting cable and restart system. ALL the time, the switch of the scanner was ALREADY in "unlock" position. I switched the switch to "lock" then back to unlock, disconnect, restart system, connect back... I must have tried about 20+ times.

So off I went to HarbourFront (today) again and sent the scanner for repair as it seemed to be a hardware problem. Finally the verdict: the main controller chip in the scanner was not working. As the scanner was an antique, repair was not recommended. The scanner was pronounced dead. I could give it a decent burial back in my storeroom at home or I could trade it in and get some discount off the latest product range.

After all the efforts put in to save the scanner, I was traumatized. The customer service officer suggested me to go to the COMEX IT show at Suntec from 1-4 Sep 2005 as he sensed that I was unable to make a decision on the spot.

So COMEX IT show anyone? I am free in the evening on 1 Sept and whole day on 2 Sep.

Beautiful Fish Tank

2005-08-29T23:58:00.000+08:00

This is the fish tank mentioned in my 24 Aug "See Doctor" post.

Nice right? My mum & I went back to SGH today.

This is a closer shot of the fish tank. Lovely corals ya?

I Need Help

2005-08-28T23:59:00.000+08:00

Anyone has any advice/ charms/ experience/ formulas/ guides/ manuals/ methods/ skills/ spells/ tips/ tricks to teach kids, especially sports, especially swimming? Urgent!! My next lesson with the kids is next Sunday. I need to improve my skills in handling children. The situation today was:

2 kids dashed-ran-splashed-screamed-jumped in OPPOSITE directions --> which one should I chase? Gosh! I took 30 mins to get them together side by side and guess what they started to do? Fight! Yes, they started to kick-hit-grab-push each other! *Faint* Suddenly one boy was interested to learn while the other boy kept jumping in and out of the water, ignoring me. I tried to teach one but I must keep an eye on the other because both of them do NOT know how to swim. However they know how to run-splash-squeal-jump-fight well.

HOW? Apart, I can't teach. Together, they will fight. How do I get their attention to learn how to swim? They were so happy running-splashing-screaming-fighting...

Postmortem Of Exploded Shuttlecock

2005-08-28T12:53:00.000+08:00

I've kept this "H 802" shuttlecock for about 9 years.

After a few hits, it "exploded" into 3 pieces...

Moral of story: Do NOT keep shuttlecock for 9 years! Hahaa..

Get A Grip!

2005-08-27T23:48:00.000+08:00

NEVER go for yoga on Friday then go for a 150 minutes badminton session the next day. Yesterday after yoga, I could feel ALL the muscles in my legs as they were straining to carry me home. Now I canNOT feel them. WHERE are my legs?! Aarrgghh...

Today's badminton session was as enjoyable as ever: (S) was hit by the shuttlecock 3 times and in all professionalism we had "injury time-out" laughing until we were on the floor! Girl, hope that you are okay and remember to wear helmet next week ya? Also for the first time in my 17 years of playing badminton, the shuttlecock "exploded" into 3 pieces when I hit it! All 6 players present were stunned beyond words and laughed uncontrollably... Hahaa..

After 2.5 hrs of "comical" badminton, we rested and ate glutinous rice balls. Thanks to Josh for the treat!

The grip of my racket is coming off. Anyone has recommendations where to Get A Grip and what type of grip to get?

能者多劳

2005-08-27T11:55:00.000+08:00

Feel like you're doing more work than others?

Don't worry, 能者多劳

roughly translated as "the able (or skilled) can perform"...

Meaning, you should feel good that you are able to do work &

you're more skilled to perform!

If not, you may be an "outgoing male" as shown in this comic...

See Doctor

2005-08-24T18:31:00.000+08:00

0650 hrs: Woke up
0730 hrs: Left house
0800 hrs: *Beep!* Passed 1st ERP gantry on PIE ($1 gone)

My heart sort of "jumped" a little as it has been a while since I drove through a gantry in operation. I looked at the display and thought "Phew, it's only $1". Then...

0801 hrs: *Beep!* Passed 2nd ERP on CTE ($2 gone, "What the..?!")
0825 hrs: Reached Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
0830 hrs: Registered at counter & got a queue number

We (my mum & me) started to wait...When we stepped into the clinic at 8.25am, we were quite sure we were the first in the queue but nooOoo... There were already 20+ pple seated & waiting! There was a TV (snooker/ soccer program) & there was a huge & beautiful fish tank! Yes, fish tank. It was the most beautiful fish tank I have ever seen! Almost 2 metres in length & abt 60 centimetres in height with pretty fishes, like those in cartoon "Little Mermaid" & "Finding Nemo", & the UV lighting made it look magical. It was so beautiful, I kept looking at it until...

0900 hrs: *BEEP!* Our queue number came up on the display

Missy merely measured the weight of my mum & we returned to the waiting area to wait...

0930 hrs: & wait...
1000 hrs: & wait...

Luckily I bought a book to read. I had read halfway through the book (abt 90+ pages) when suddenly the UV light of the fish tank turned off... Then the fish tank lights switched to the normal white light! Amazing! So this is how "day & night" is simulated!! Cool. At once all the fishes seem to have "waken" & swam much faster.

1025 hrs: Finally we were called to see the doctor

And the doctor was indeed nice to "see" (handsome lah! *blush*). In 5 mins, we were out of the doc's room & back to the waiting area to... guess what? Wait lor...

When we came back to the waiting area, there was a man cleaning the fish tank! Unbelievable!! Do you know what he used to clean the corals? A paint brush (those I used in sec sch for art lessons), a toothbrush (yes, it looked like the brand I used too!) & a shoe brush!! So interesting ya? By now there were 40+ pple in the waiting area & nobody was watching TV, everyone was watching the guy cleaning the fish tank! Hahaa..

1100 hrs: We waited to pay & finally we left SGH
1115 hrs: Fill up petrol at Shell
1130 hrs: Lunch @ IMM
1200 hrs: Shopping at IMM (Daiso, Giant)
1340 hrs: A clinic in Boon Lay (For my pre-employment check-up)

This time it was MY turn to see the doc & guess what? The doc was very nice to "see" also! (Double *blush*) Wah, so nowadays handsome guys all become doc?!

1420 hrs: Drove to Jurong Point (JP) for X-ray
1445 hrs: Shopped @ JP
1700 hrs: Reach home

Fun With Water

2005-08-22T23:59:00.000+08:00

Yes, this IS in Singapore. This is Jurong East Swimming Complex. I highly recommend this place if you want to have fun with water. Wave pool, lazy river, 3 water slides of different height, Jacuzzi & foot reflexology wading pool... you'll hardly notice (or need) the standard pool! Entry fee only S$1.50!! Enjoyed visit with my god sister today =)

Warning: Do NOT visit during weekends, the crowd can kill.

Sporty Weekend

2005-08-21T23:59:00.000+08:00

Saturday, 20 Aug:

1100 hrs: Badminton

3 players "fly kite", so the 6 of us had to play continously in TWO courts. At 1300 hrs, after 2 hours of SOLID playing, we decided to continue since nobody booked the court. We "surrendered" to fatigue at 1330 hrs.

1400 hrs: Tai Tai time, help return photoshoot items in Orchard
1700 hrs: Dinner

1830 hrs: Coached breaststroke to my first student
2000 hrs: Feedback, Q & A in the pool with my coach
2230 hrs: End of swimming session

2300 hrs: Went chalet with god sister

Sunday, 21 Aug:

0200 hrs: Chat with god sister
0400 hrs: Reached home & concussed
1800 hrs: Shopping
1930 hrs: Yoga
2100 hrs: End of Yoga session

Now my body is screaming for me to hibernate for the coming week... Hahaa..

Breaststroke Kick

2005-08-21T15:00:00.000+08:00

I coached my first student to swim breaststroke yesterday.

This picture roughly shows the method to practice the breaststroke kick.

I Have A Full-Time Job!!

2005-08-18T23:59:00.000+08:00

71 applications to

60 companies/ organizations over

51 days,

1 phone interview (refer to my earlier post "Kick Myself" on 5 Aug) &

3 face-to-face interviews later...

I've got a full-time job!!

Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Curious about my new company? Visit: http://www.technigroupfe.com/

Join Me For Yoga!

2005-08-15T23:59:00.000+08:00

Are you interested to try yoga? I can bring a friend every week to join me for a yoga class - FREE! What are you waiting for? Go to this web site: http://www.trueyoga.com.sg/ Click on "Classes" and let me know which class you prefer to attend. Hurry, my membership expires November 2005!

If you are unable to sleep (insomnia), this yoga pose that can do wonders to help you enter your dreamlands! It will be better if I can do a 'live' demo, to show you how to get into this pose. Friends in my regular badminton sessions please remind me to 'live' demo...

Charlie, Willy & Oompa-Loompas!

2005-08-15T23:58:00.000+08:00

Ernie, my brother and me went to watch "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" today. It was an enjoyable movie but I think the movie should be renamed: Charlie, Willy & Oompa-Loompas!

Charlie was charming, Willy was weird and the Oompa-Loompas were outrangeously funny! Ernie was laughing the moment an Oompa-Loompa appeared. My brother was laughing at the Oompa-Loompas spoofing other movies. I was laughing at all the "roles" played by them. In fact, the ENTIRE row we were sitting in was laughing so hard at times I could hardly hear anything from the movie!!

Hahaa... Thanks to Ernie for advance booking of tickets. Thanks to Tim Burton for making the Oompa-Loompas so funny!

Confession: We bought chocolates immediately after the movie. Couldn't help it... especially after seeing a chocolatefall (yes, not waterfall) in the movie... yummy!

French Fireworks

2005-08-14T23:59:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Ricky, Cindy, Yvonne, Josh and Geraldine for your company. Thanks to Yvonne and Josh for you tim sum and drinks treat! We went to the correct place but had to look for a good spot (not blocked by trees) to view the fireworks by the French. The 6 of us "separated" while getting to our different "viewing" spots to view the fireworks. It was a different kind of "feel" from the National Day fireworks on Tuesday but I did not capture it well with my digital camera. I concentrated more on watching than photo taking:

Boom...

... boom, boom, boom, boom...

Er... Looks like fireworks on 9 August?

'Cos I haven't figured out how to capture fireworks...

... actually it didn't look so "dim"

Note: I TOTALLY did not do justice to the fireworks.

See better photos!

Pleasant Surprises

2005-08-14T15:00:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, 13 August 2005, I did not have my regular session of badminton due to "unforseen circumstances". So I scheduled my weekly yoga instead. I went for Yoga Combat.

Yoga Combat = Karate + Kickboxing + Thai boxing + Yoga = Exhausting workout... I almost fainted, no kidding!

Previously I went for: Yoga Therapy, Gentle Yoga, Yogalates and Sun Salutation Series. These were NOWHERE near the intensity of Yoga Combat. The moment the yoga master played the fast paced music, he began his mission to make us perspire like the rain and huff and puff to our physical limits. I was struggling to keep up with the pace but found myself pleasantly surprised. I was surprised because despite the different ages, shapes and sizes, everyone was in full concentration trying to box and kick. Amidst the frenzy of kicking and boxing, I observed that everybody (no doubt breathless and wet in perspiration), including the yoga master were enjoying ourselves tremendously!

After my yoga, I was very hungry so "radio" for a lunch mate. Terry responded in record time and after lunch, I was in for a surprise.

"You want to help me?" Terry asked. Since I was already in Orchard and had nothing planned, I agreed. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out what I had to do: Be a Tai Tai!

So off we went to Versace, Raoul, Pois, P.O.A., Hugo Boss, Bag Bar, Liz Claiborne, ProjectBloodShopBros... and 20+ other "class" shops! All I had to do was to carry the paper bags with clothes and accessories collected from the shops. Actually all the items were for a photo shoot for a magazine but it was so much fun going from shop to shop, carrying increasingly more label bags in the process. We definitely caught the attention of many shoppers. I felt like a Tai Tai for once... SHIOK!

While enjoying my Tai Tai moment, I met my secondary school mate (XBL). She was so delighted that she gave me another pleasant surprise: she treated me (Terry and her friends) to dinner at Pasta Cafe in Takashimaya! After dinner, it was about 8.30pm.

Just when I thought things could not get any better, (XBL) decided that the night was still young and treated the whole gang (7 of us) to coffee and tea at a hotel lounge!!

At about 10.30pm, (XBL) seemed tired and it looked like we were heading home when I was in for my final surprise. Somehow it was still too early to go home on a Saturday evening, so we went karaoke!!! At 3am, after 4 hours of pure enjoyment ~~screaming, yelling~~ singing we finally went home on Sunday morning. Gosh! What a day of pleasant surprises!! Thanks to Terry, (XBL) and her friends =)

Sales Talk

2005-08-12T23:59:00.001+08:00

My god sister's friend wanted to buy a digital camera. We had just enjoyed a karaoke session with another friend. Among the four of us (all ladies), I can be said to be more knowledgeable in cameras. So I decided to go along to help in her search for a digital camera.

We (the four ladies) planned to visit a few shops to see which brand is recommended. From there we can narrow our search to a particular model, then compare prices of the model among the few shops. However we got stuck in the first shop we stepped in. We had met an expert (in my view) salesman.

He was direct, fast and skillful at reading body language. From budget, features, quality, technical support to user friendliness he led us quickly through and answered our questions. In 5 minutes he came to the question: Are you paying by cash or NETS?

"Wait a minute," we all thought aloud. We all had the feeling of being "pushed" into buying. Felt like he was doing hard selling. He sensed this immediately and addressed our concerns and went through the features again to show that we were getting a "value for money deal". We still did not feel comfortable and started to walk out of the shop.

"I will give you this battery charger with rechargeable batteries free!" he exclaimed. We stopped walking, turned and started to walk back to him. He revealed that the charger cost $55. The "battle" had began! He kept insisting that we were getting the "best" price but we still felt uncomfortable and kept making him guarantee that he is not "cheating" us.

Finally my friend bought a RICOH Caplio R2 at SGD$700 including 1GB external SD card (retail price about $100), charger (retail price $55) + rechargeable batteries (4 pcs) and one book on how to take good photographs (retail price about $45). Here is a review of the camera.

After reading the review, I felt that my friend got a good buy. The listed price is $699. Although my friend paid $1 more but she got 3 free items (1 GB SD card + charger + book) which will easy cost her another $200 if bought separately!! Good deal right? What do you think?

Show Your Kungfu:

2005-08-12T23:59:00.000+08:00

This photo made me grin. It's fun to see new ways of posing for photos!

Next Stop: SENTOSA?

2005-08-11T23:59:00.000+08:00

I pledge to appreciate nature,

especially flowers that "grow" into shapes of cresent & stars!

Lovely flowers! Like in the gardens of Holland ya?

If not for the word behind me, I'd thought I was in Holland!

After "Holland", next stop: beach!

Hey, is this paradise or what?

I have the WHOLE beach to myself!

Aiyah, after a while I was bored sitting around

so I went tree climbing!

Then we were bored of land & took a "cruise" out into the sea...

Our cruise ship stopped at "Banyan Tree" resort

& we rested for a while...

... Met a peacock...

... Saw monks...

... & drank from the "latest" type of water cooler!

We cycled...

... Carried some "loads"...

... & heard that if we sat together with MANY people,

gather "energies" of the masses...

... We would be "transported" to Las Vegas

for an awesome show!

For the return trip back from "Vegas",

we took this special capsule.

Note: Actually we were on Sentosa all the time but it DID felt like we "went" to Holland, cruise, Banyan Tree & Las Vegas. Thanks to Lihua for company throughout this amazing outing!

Oops! It Was Fun!

2005-08-09T23:59:00.000+08:00

This is Dave

Notice his "frustrated" expression... 'cos

Oops! He forgot to bring his flash!

Dave waiting to photograph fireworks then...

Oops! He realised he forgot to bring lens hood!

I took quite a few shots but only can show these 'cos

Oops! My camera was in the wrong mode!

It was in "Macro" mode, hence the "blur"

At center of photo, guy on phone is Wai Kin

Lady squatting is Cindy

We were passing time while waiting for fireworks

Oops! We were late and did not have time to get to a good spot to view/ photo the fireworks.

Oops! Finally we settled at a spot but a double-decker bus went pass & blocked our view of the fireworks for a while.

Final Oops! We THOUGHT that the fireworks were over... There was a SECOND round!! We walked quite far from our "viewing spot" by then and ran back to view the second round of fireworks... Hahaa...

We had a lovely chitchat/ updating coffee session after the fireworks. Despite the "Oops!", it was a splendid evening! I enjoyed it very much! Thanks to "Chairman" Ricky for organising, Cindy, Dave, ZhaoMian, Felicia & Wai Kin & Preston & gf for your company!

Oops! I forgot:

Here's Wishing Singapore Happy 40th Birthday!!

Thanks for the awesome fireworks!!!

Life Liberation

2005-08-08T21:19:00.000+08:00

Took train to station

Looked around the place for... ... "Assemble Point" banner.

Ticket

Time to go!

Took a photo of myself in a shiny pillar:

After my self protrait, boarded a boat &

headed out to sea for life liberation of fishes into the sea.

See fish in basket at lower right corner?

Guy at top left corner teaching how to release fish from basket

by turning basket inwards towards white canvas...

... slowly turning basket toward white canvas...

... happy fish goes sliding down white canvas!

Another look at a fish about to slide out of basket, onto canvas.

Me enjoying the wind, sea and scenery!

Crew member onboard also enjoying the sun, sea & scenery:

Boat back to HarbourFront at about 1640 hrs...

Thanks to guy at top left corner for securing boat to platform:

Thanks to other guy on platform who pushed stairs into place...

... so that we can get off the boat!

Thanks god-sister (T) for inviting me to Life Liberation

& thanks to (N), (A & J) for your company... Amituofo!

You Live, You Learn

2005-08-08T18:23:00.000+08:00

You Learn

I recommend getting your heart trampled on to anyone
I recommend walking around naked in your living room
Swallow it down (what a jagged little pill)
It feels so good (swimming in your stomach)
Wait until the dust settles

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

I recommend biting off more then you can chew to anyone
I certainly do
I recommend sticking your foot in your mouth at any time
Feel free
Throw it down (the caution blocks you from the wind)
Hold it up (to the rays)
You wait and see when the smoke clears

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

Wear it out (the way a three-year-old would do)
Melt it down (you're gonna have to eventually anyway)
The fire trucks are coming up around the bend

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

You grieve you learn
You choke you learn
You laugh you learn
You choose you learn
You pray you learn
You ask you learn
You live you learn

Note: This is the 7th song in Alanis Morissette's 1995 album - Jagged Little Pill. I like this song and way Alanis ~~screams~~ sings it ;p

Mind Over Matter

2005-08-08T17:17:00.000+08:00

Whenever I read news of sports athletes going beyond their physical limits, these 3 words always appear: mind over matter. Sure or not? Is it really possible? I can tell you: It IS 100% POSSIBLE. I experienced it first hand. I would like to go into more details of my swimming interview on Sat to illustrate...

First Stroke - Breaststroke. Under normal circumstances, I can swim up to 40 laps of breaststroke at one go. Although I had 2 hours of badminton before my swim interview, I could still swim 5 laps of breaststroke if needed. As I was only required to swim one lap, it was a piece of cake for me.

Second Stroke - Front Claw. Personally I feel that front crawl is a "dizzy" stroke as the head needs to turn to side to draw breaths. I seldom swim this style and I think I looked rather clumsy during the swim interview. In addition, I felt dizzy and was a little breathless after swimming just one lap of front crawl.

Third Stroke - Back Stroke. Only VERY rarely do I swim this style because I am not sure how to steer straight. So I did not really swim one lap, instead I sort of zigzagged and think the interviewer was trying not to laugh. I drank a few gulps of water when I turned my head to try to steer straight and I was quite breathless after "one zigzag lap" of back stroke.

Fourth Stroke - Butterfly. Under ideal circumstances, when I am fresh in the morning (my JC swim mate LY can vouch), the MOST I can only swim 3 strokes of butterfly. However now after badminton, I was tired, dizzy and breathless (from front crawl and back stroke). I was not even sure I could swim ONE stroke, let alone ONE LAP. Out of the 4 styles, I have performed badly for 2. I needed this final stroke to pass the swim interview.

"AAaahhHH !!!!!" I yelled in my head and started to swim butterfly ... small dolphin kick, big dolphin kick and lift both arms and upper body out of water then slap both arms straight in front for entry back into water... small kick, big kick and arms out ... kick, kick and arms ... I cannot remember how many strokes I did but I remember there were lots of bubbles underwater and splashes above water. Gosh, I was tired but strangely someone seemed to have taken over my body and was "swimming" for me. "SLAP!" I felt my palms slap on something concrete. I stopped. I had swam ONE LAP!!!

At this point, the mysterious person who "swam" for me left. I felt my body aching. I was beyond breathlessness and I saw the interviewer's lips moving but I could not hear anything... Mind Over Matter. I did it! It CAN be done. We learn something new everyday yah?

Use Your Imagination

2005-08-08T17:00:00.000+08:00

I still cannot believe that I swam ONE LAP of butterfly!
I can only imagine how I looked then...
Something like this?

Notice swimming cap is slanted, face is pale (going to faint) and expression is that of ultimate exhaustion... Hahaa...

Note: This is NOT me but I imagine I looked something like this during my swimming interview for butterfly stroke.

Time For a Swim?

2005-08-07T02:02:00.000+08:00

Another week has gone by. Nobody called, no job offers. Why not I call instead of waiting? I looked through the newspapers and saw an advertisement for swimming teachers. For as long as I can remember, I was able to swim. Maybe I can teach swimming part-time while searching for a full-time job? I was tired of waiting, so I picked up the phone...

Swim Centre (SC): Hello.
Me: Hi, I'm calling about the ad in classifieds about teaching swimming.
SC: Uh-huh...
Me: I am interested and want to know more details.
SC: Are you interested to learn or to teach?
Me: Teach.
SC: How many of the four styles of swimming do you know?
Me: I roughly know all.
SC: What do you mean by roughly?
Me: Er ... can swim... can move lor... How to describe over the phone?!
SC: Okay, then you come and show us.

With that, I was told to report at 1830 hrs on Saturday, 6 August 2005 for an interview. Cool. I have never been to a swimming interview before. I was quite excited, below is a log of my Sat:

1030 hrs: Wake up, prepare for badminton and swimming interview, eat breakfast (2 slices of bread)
1245 hrs: Leave home, take bus followed by train then walk to badminton hall (West)
1400 - 1600 hrs: Tiring but fun badminton session
1600 - 1700 hrs: Eat "lunch" (glutinous rice balls)
1700 - 1800 hrs: Take train to North
1800 - 1830 hrs: Walked 20 mins from train station to pool
1830 - 1900 hrs: Observe how existing teacher teaches students
1900 hrs: The Interview - swim all four styles, one lap each
1915 - 2200 hrs: Learn how to teach breaststroke
2200 - 2300 hrs: Debrief
2300 - 0030 hrs: Took bus then train then bus again home (East)

Here is the interesting part: I did not swim well for front crawl and back stroke in my interview which I was asked to swim one lap of front crawl and on lap of back stroke. I was much better at my one lap of breaststroke. Suprisingly I was able to swim ONE LAP of butterfly stroke!! I was so shocked that I did not realised that I had passed the interview.

Immediately after finishing my ONE LAP of butterfly, the teacher began to teach me how to teach breaststroke. For almost 3 hours, I was learning how to teach breaststroke. After that, I almost could not get out of the pool because it was so cold. If you ever swim at the night, you will know what I mean. The water was cold and the air was cold. I was shivering the moment I entered the water at 1900 hrs (7pm). The constant wind across the pool made it even colder.

At about 10pm, after a warm shower and finally out of water in dry clothes, there was a debrief session...

Teacher: Do you have any question?
Me: When will I know if I have passed my interview?
Teacher: ... (Eyes wide open, mouth open even wider) ... Actually I HAVE already taught you how to teach and you can start having students and start to teach swimming!!
Me: Me? (Pointing to myself) I can start to teach? I passed my interview?!
Teacher: Yes.

Yipee! I am a swimming teacher now. Of course I need to go through a few more sessions of training before actually starting to teach but YES!! "I've got the job!" Time for a swim? Definitely =)

Idol: Teresa Teng

2005-08-05T21:45:00.000+08:00

Teresa Teng is a singing goddess!

Teresa's hallmark cystal clear vocials

Teresa's immpeccable pronunication

Teresa's remarkable breathing techniques

Teresa is Faye Wong's idol and therefore my grand-idol !!

Kick Myself

2005-08-05T20:51:00.000+08:00

On 30 June 2005, I submitted my resignation and became a full-time job seeker on 1 July 2005. I have applied for 67 jobs since. There were no response until last Friday, 30 July 2005. My daily schedule until then was:

1200 hrs: Wake up, freshen up, eat
1400 hrs: Job search online and apply
1900 hrs: TV and clear emails
0300 hrs: Sleep

Naturally I was caught by surprise when someone called me at 1000 hrs last Friday. I was still deep in dreamland when I dreamed that my mobile phone rang... No, I am not dreaming. It was REALLY ringing! I stumbled out of bed to search for my phone... Ah, found it...

Me: Harlow... (In a sleepy tone)
Caller: Hi! I am calling from L'Oréal regarding your application for management trainee. Can you... (In a super fresh and bubbly tone)

I did not pay attention to what she said after her first sentence. L'Oréal? Sounds familiar. Remember that I have applied for 67 jobs by then and I somehow could not remember what kind of company L'Oréal was. Accounting firm? Legal firm? Does not sound like an engineering company leh... *Think... Come on, think harder!*

Caller: HELLO?!
Me: Er ... yah? (I was still cracking my mind, trying recall what on earth is L'Oréal?)
Caller: Can you tell me about your working experience?

Although I cannot recall the companies, I remember clearly that I listed my working experience in ALL my resumes. So WITHOUT thinking...

Me: Do you have my resume with you?
Caller: Erm, yes... (In a "duh!" tone)
Me: You never read ah?
(Awkward, nervous pause for a few seconds)

Oh shit! I blew it, I totally blew it! I could kick myself for it! Arrgghh! I thought that she would just hang up...

Caller: Er... we would like to know MORE about your work experience.

Although it was a phone conversation, I was embarrassed. I went through my working experience very briefly (close to what was written in my resume). The moment I finished...

Caller: We are reviewing our applications and will inform you if you are shortlisted *Click* and the phone line went dead.

I got out of bed, washed my face and brushed my teeth. Suddenly I screamed "L'Oréal"! The cosmetics company!! "Because I'm worth it" TV ad company!!! Now then I remember...

Idol: Zoe Tay

2005-08-05T20:12:00.000+08:00

Zoe is friendly, sincere and professional

Zoe is a model

Zoe is an acclaimed actress

Zoe is a TV host

Zoe is QUEEN!

Music to My Ears: Stefanie Sun Yanzi

2005-08-05T19:28:00.000+08:00

Someone
---------------------------------------------
作詞(Lyricist)：孫燕姿(Stefanie Sun)
作曲(Composer)：孫燕姿(Stefanie Sun)
編曲(Music Arranger)：Kenn C.
---------------------------------------------
My hair was long & shining
You said you can't believe
How could I walk out that door
Or walk along the streets
You told me I should
"you know, do some bing bang curly wurly afro thing"
I took your word & did
Looked in my mirror "Who's that freak?"

Chorus :
Why does the world deceive
Why do I make believe
Took my heel & made Achilles out of me
Still I would wanna be
Someone who'd answer to me

Someone who see like a child
Give like a saint
Feel like an angel
Never mind the broken wings and
Speak like a picture
Cry like the rain
Shine like the star
As long as the fire remains

The vase beside my bed
It's empty almost dead
"It's for all the flowers I'm gonna give you" he said
And now it's collecting dust instead
Repeat Chorus

Note: I LOVE this song! I have the CD but I do not know how to put in my blog such that you can hear it. If you know, please tell me. Thanks!

If you wish to source for this song, it first appeared in her 4th album: Start (8th song). It is also in her compilation album: The Moment (2nd CD, 5th song).

Idol: Steffi Graf

2005-08-05T15:01:00.000+08:00

Steffi's strong mental game

Steffi's legendary backhand

Steffi's killer forehand

Steffi's nifty footwork

Steffi the Legend!

"Write Right"

2005-08-05T12:49:00.000+08:00

When I was in primary 3, my English teacher (Mr. W) taught me how to write. Start with an ideal, a story or an experience. Use What-When-Where-Who-Why-How (WWWWWH) as a guide to write. These five Ws and one H is ALL that I can remember about writing. Happily I wrote through my PSLE and O levels examinations using this method.

During my junior college (JC) days, my General Paper teacher (Miss M) brought me to another level of writing. In addition to WWWWWH, I needed to take a personal stand in a given topic, voice my views and support them with examples. The topics include: Is leisure in your country given enough emphasis? Discuss the importance of confidence as the key to success. "Competition has resulted in a less compassionate and less caring society." How far do you agree with this view?

"Aaaahhhhh... " I can hear my JC classmates screaming as they are reading this... Hahaa... It was not easy. At this point, even applying the WWWWWH rule was not simple. The challenge was to support each of our points with FACTS. So Miss M led us through a series of debates, solo presentations in class and quizzes. Through debates, we voiced out our thoughts and sorted out the facts. Solo presentations built up our confidence and helped to organise our thoughts. While quizzes built our foundation of current affairs. Those were the days when I read newspapers and watched news religiously.

After JC, things turned "technical". I hardly wrote anything as my subjects mostly involved calculations. Three years passed and the time came for me to write a technical report for my industrial attachment. *Faint* Seriously, I felt lost and have no idea how to write. Technical report... sounds alien to me. *Panic*

I needed a teacher. Mr. W and Miss M were nowhere in sight. So I logged on to the wonderful world of Internet and found "Garbl's Writing Center". This web site is a godsend! One year later, I needed to write my technical report for my final year project (FYP) and I used Garbl as a guide. My FYP was a complete failure technically. I carried out numerous experiments but was unable to make any discovery or draw any concrete conclusions. However the "writing" saved me. My FYP supervisor was extremely impressed with the way my technical report was written and said to me "I have not read a technical report that is so clear and easy to understand!"

If you asked me which web page do I visit the most, I can give the answer immediately: "Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". I am not good at spelling and this page is my trusty online dictionary!

My Photo: Sunset

2005-08-05T11:31:00.000+08:00

This is sunset viewed from a Malaysian island, Pulau Aur. I took a few shots but this is my favourite because there is a human element in it, can you see a person in this photo? He was taking photos of the sunset too! Beyond him, from the bay of the island, the vastness of the sea and sky stretch out to the horizon...

"Picture Your World"

2005-08-05T10:50:00.000+08:00

Many times, a photo says more of the photographer than the photo itself. How a photo is taken: the composition, the subject, the angle depends on what the photographer wants to "say". There is a great sense of satisfication when I see a good photo. For me, it is good when the photo can make me smile, laugh, sad, amazed... make me "feel" for it and "tells" a clear story.

Do you enjoy writing? If yes, you may want to try photography. It is similiar to writing, just that "A Picture Says a Thousand Words". Much more efficient, is it not? What are you waiting for? Go on and start to "Picture Your World"! Need help? Click on "Photography" and explore "Tips and Techniques".

Idol: Roald Dahl

2005-08-05T01:56:00.000+08:00

My first Roald Dahl book.

I have since read 24 other books by him.

His stories are wonderful!

Absolutely spellbinding!!

Have you read any of them?

"Move the Body"

2005-08-05T00:50:00.000+08:00

One of my main sources of motivation is playing badminton evey week! More than merely exercising, I found myself enjoying the company more! Thank you Ernie, for inviting me to play badminton with such a lovely bunch of people every week! Want to improve your badminton skills? Go to "Badminton Central" and look under "Techniques".

I also enjoy ice-skating and roller-blading. However roller-blades were not cheap when they were first introduced. I told myself: WAIT till the price of a "good" pair of roller-blades drops below S$100 then I will get a pair and go everywhere in roller-blades! I am still waiting... If you are interested, click "SkateLog".

My interest for tennis started from watching tennis matches. My brother and dad introduced me to watch tennis. It was fun watching and I decided to learn. Gosh, it IS difficult. After a few months, I cannot even serve properly. The racket is much heavier than a badminton racket. Tennis is a POWER game. I better focus on my weekly badminton game now. Meanwhile I can still WATCH tennis. Click "Tennis" for more information.

For thousands of years, Yoga has been practiced by people all over the world. I feel good after practicing Yoga. I can breathe better, sleep better, eat better and amazingly my "old" injuries have healed! I highly recommend Yoga to you. Do not worry about having "tennis elbow" or the need to get a good pair of shoes for a badminton game. All you need is yourself. Yoga is practiced with no footwear, you go barefooted. No gear needed. Check it out at "Yoga Journal"!

Idol: Faye Wong

2005-08-05T00:21:00.000+08:00

Faye's voice heal me when I am sad.

Faye's music is magical!

Faye is talented.

Faye has an enduring personality...

I am Fayetally Fayenatic about Faye!

Guide to Anqi (Part 3: My Links)

2005-08-04T23:13:00.000+08:00

Ever wondered: How life works? What are the rules? Why are we here? Who are we? Where can we go to be free of the seemingly never ending cycle of birth, aging and death? Click on "Amitabha Pureland" and discover for yourself! Do you know that Buddhism is not a religion? I was surprised when I knew about it and after a little research... Indeed, it is not a religion. Buddhism is an education. It is an education of life. My life has changed for the better after I started my education. I do not feel lost anymore =)

"Blog, My Friend". Do you blog? If yes, can I link to your blog? If no, can you start so that I can link to your blog? You can make use of free and user-friendly blog sites such as blogger.com to publish your works to world! You can write on online fiction story, treat it as your dairy, use it to share photos or even as a web site for your idols or hobbies! It is REALLY simple and fun! Initially I tried to blog in Friendster. After 2 hours, I cannot even load the welcome page! Then I went to myblogsite... Nightmare! I took 4 hours to do this: http://angelblessings.myblogsite.com/ The software interface is difficult to use and there is NO "Help" functionl! I have not found how to delete my blog at myblogsite. If anyone knows, please tell me... Finally I decided to try blogger.com Yay! Love it! Especially the "Add Image" function! In 30 minutes, I posted my first 3 blogs here =)

As a child, I asked many questions: Why is the sky blue? How television work? Recently, my mum asked me: How rice cooker work? I was dumbfounded... "How Stuff Works" has the answer.

I started out with one vegetarian meal a week. Then one vegetarian meal a day. Now I am a happy and healthy full-time vegetarian! I highly recommend you to try. Take note when you click on "Famous Veggie", it has a cool (my personal view) opening effect!

Cyber Comic

2005-08-04T22:51:00.000+08:00

Guide to Anqi (Part 2: My Quote)

2005-08-04T19:00:00.000+08:00

When I was in primary school, one day on the way home I saw a very old man mounting his bicycle. Initially he was walking and pushing the bicycle alongside himself, with the bicycle on his right side. Then he placed his left foot on the pedal of the bicycle. Very smoothly he lifted his right leg to place it on the other pedal and sat on the seat. Throughout, the bicycle was in motion! The whole performance was about 2 seconds. In addition, the very old man had lots of stuff in the front basket of his bicycle. I was delighted. I had witnessed a new way to mount a bicycle!

"It looks so easy!" I said to myself, as by then I had already been cycling for a few years. Quickly I went to try out with a bicycle. I fell and tried and crashed and tried ... Up till today I still have not succeed.

Several years later, I got my driving licence and began to drive around alot. A few years later, one of my regular car pool member got his driving licence. He offered to take turns with me to drive. After a few turns, he requested to be "converted" back to a passenger.

"How do you do it?" he asked me.

"You make driving look so easy ..." he said as he was always frustrated when he missed an exit, unable to switch lane or have no idea where he was or how to go where he wanted to go and his legs were aching. Then I told him of my numerous experience of leg cramps during traffic jams (manual gear car), getting lost, unable to park (especially parallel parking lots) and accidents.

For many years after getting my driving licence, I was TOTALLY not able to park in parallel parking lots. I insisted that since I learned parallel parking with four tall poles painted black and white and unless I have the four poles with me, I am not able to parallel park!

"No big deal," I thought. I will simply avoid parking at parallel lots. However life is peculiar, the more you avoid something the more the something comes after you. It seems like suddenly there are only parallel lots avaliable everywhere I go! Humph ... Then many "instructors" came and went.

Instructor 1: Turn your steering wheel three and a half rounds right ... then two rounds back ... Instructor 2: Open the car door then you can see this in line with that... then that in line with that.. Instructor 3: Look at your brake lights on the other car ... then see you in line with car infront ...

"Why is it sooooo difficult to parallel park?!" I was feeling frustrated. I have witnessed many drivers parking in parallel lots ... It looked so easy! I was going to give up when one day I had to park in a parallel lot with my dad in the car. After a few tries, he got out of the car. He taught me two simple steps and I have never failed to park in a parallel lot since.

Ah ... (Light bulb moment!) Then I came up with a quote of my own: It is easy to make things look difficult but difficult to make things look easy.

Look the Same Always? Wet and See ...

2005-08-04T00:59:00.000+08:00

One way to create a dramatically different look for your dog(s):

1. Add water and presto!

Note: Got this photo through email. It looks so cute ... just have to share it ...