Updates.

GOSH!! There's no Marketing lecture tmr! And I have scheduled myself interviews at 7pm and 830pm in sch. -_-

Anyway just some updates. I am gonna join CNM society and NUS Motoring Club. Lol.

Gonna run for Marketing Director position for NUSMC and maybe for the marketing position next year for CNM Society. Gonna clock as much marketing experience. =P

Oh and I have not uploaded my Japan trip pics. I will so once I get my hands on the collection of pics from my uncle.

NUS Bikequest this sat. LOL.. Overnight cycling around Singapore. If you happen to see a group of cyclist wearing YELLOW. ITS US!! We have decided to all wear yellow. Hope its fun. Hope I don't fall aslp while cycling. =P

Okies. Its going to be 4am already. o_O

Mainstreaming..

This is directed to Mr Derek Callows, Regional Marketing Manager of Google:

Dear Sir, if you happen to be reading this, pls be informed that I am not the one stalking you via Facebook and it is not me behind the computer screen looking at your very good-looking pictures. That honour belongs to my friend. I hope you do not question me or look at me with disgust IF I were ever granted an interview at your office. (I will be looking for a good company to intern at so if you like my honesty pls allow me a place in Google =P)

Anyway.. Back to the topic.. Mainstreaming.

Firstly, a disclaimer. This is not in reference to anyone, but the society as a whole.

I am just wondering, are people out there shopping for the sake of shopping? Or is there really a need/want to do so? While I just learnt to that Needs in the eyes of a marketer, it cannot be created and needs are inborn. So its more of a want. While sometimes yes we do need new clothings to fill our ageing wardrobe, but I am certain there is no need to buy new items simply for the sake of wanting to shop. Maybe I am just a poor struggling student ranting. I am confused at how students like me can afford the time and money to constantly splurge. I know I can't. And I am not afraid to admit it. Because the money I spent are the hard earned cash of my parents. I just find it unfair when they work so hard and I spend their money and reducing their discretionary income.

I was a heavy spender. I splurge on my girlfriend and my friends more then I ever splurge on myself. The old clubbing days of the past I must not forget- not for the immense fun and freedom but for the immature spending on opening bottles and buying drinks. A night at any club cost usually $600 or so. I was only 18 then. And it would have went on and on, until I have no money, if not for the fortunate intervention.

May I suggest that the shopping antics we display so often now, to only be glorified when we start earning ourselves. Because what we are spending are after all, not our own. We spend, make it worth it. To my friends out there, pls don't follow the mainstream blindly.

This must be some news. I think theres some commotions about this. MM Lee mentioned that Singaporeans are ungracious. And it will not change in his lifetime.

Just as I was complaining the other day, about how some guy 'stole' my parking lot from right under my nose and displayed some really nonsense attitude after I confronted him. He had his wife and 2 little boys with him. MM Lee is so right. How can Singaporeans ever be gracious if this father can display such barbaric act in front of his own kids and insisted how 'right' he was. He was so lucky that the person he bullied was me. Had I been some psycho (looks can be deceiving in case you are arguing that he saw I was so decent thats why he dared to do so), who know what would have happened to his car, or him? =) And if his kids were to follow in suit in future, unfortunately offending a psycho in the process, it would have been this man's fault for his wrong education. And what if his own kids were the ones in my shoes that day, would he have been pissed. My dad sure was.

Is it the failure of our educational system? Is it because of our ethnicity? What ever happened to Asian Values? The very same Asians I saw in Japan were SO polite and helpful. Except they are Japanese. And we are Singaporeans. -_-

Funkygrad's forum had this post where it mentioned that there was an Australian at Paragon who helped to open the door for the person behind him, ended up holding there for the next few ppl who tried to hurry through. And none said thanks.

Are we really that bad? My dear friends, if this is so, pls don't follow the mainstream blindly. You never know, the next person you verbally curse, is the same person your very best friend calls dad (assuming you never saw the dad before). Now if you know what is the six degrees of separation, you know what I mean. For those who do not, it is a theory that says everyone in the world (or is it only in Singapore? Some sociology student pls clarify this pls) is separated in 6 degrees. That means, every 6, there is 1 connected to us some how.

The mainstream is the prevailing current of thought, influence or activity.

The society is in a half asleep mode. Sometimes we lose track of ourselves.

Wake up.

In my Second Life.. I wanna be...

You know they always say.. One of the many reasons why people indulges in games is the creation of an online avatar. The online avatar is usually the representation of the 'perfect' self, a representation of someone whom they cannot be in real life.

It has occurred to me why WoW was addictive to me and why I had found an immense 'connection' with my online game character. WoW became a channel where I can satisfy my inner most desire for power, and for control. (Yes I sometimes think I am a control freak) No I am not Hitler wannabe or anything even close to that sense. Everyone likes to have in them certain power or authority. And isn't that why shows like Heroes and X-men are so popular since the 70s and more so now with the improvement of CG effects.

While in real life so many factors restricts us in many sense, the online world deceives us with a promise of freedom and is only limited by our own imagination.

Let me present to you. My online avatar in Second Life. =P

okies. You see.. I can't seem to get him to look straight into the camera. I guess he's as camera shy as I am. Not so different after all eh. XD

Finally. A nice close up.

His name is Alazandro Thor (I wanted Tachikawa because I am proud to be Asian but a glitch in the registration screwed my plans up, so Thor was my 2nd choice after the Lightning God)

Yes he's well-built and tall. Dark. Lol.. You get the drift.

I will get better clothings once I learn how to earn my money there. Oh.. You can basically create anything there. So the clothings you see here.. ARE my creation. Ha.

And if you are asking why I am going into Second Life? All I can tell you is life is better there. Life in the real world SUCKS.. Alrights I am kidding. I got a project on it and I am doing my research. =)
So good luck with my project. A. A. A. A. A. =D

Bye bye games..

Gosh! I cannot believe that I have just wasted a whole day away like this. This cannot go on..

This is the last straw. I am convinced that games and studies cannot co-exist for me!

Goodbye HGL.. Goodbye WoW. I am gonna delete you away. =)

Hmm.. Looks like I can only dota. And only when the rest of the guys are playing.

Come on.. Wheres the drive now?!

4.4
4.4
4.4!!!

11 readings to go.. -_-

A better world..

Is death the solution to a better world?

No I am not having any suicidal thoughts.. But it has occurred to me how people get more in touch with the world and their loved ones, rather then being self -obsessed with their own lives, after a death of someone close.

Better to realise it now. It never too late.
Better to live it now then to live in regret.


I miss you alot grandpa.. There are so many instances that I still dream of you.
I blame myself for not being there for you when you most needed company.
You know I did not mean it..
I want to turn back time. I got so much to say to you..

School and the weekend

Today's my first day back in school. Lol.. I almost could not wake up.
I need to adjust my bio-clock back asap if I want to do well this sem. *determination wavering*

I had lecture with Ky today. Of all modules.. South Asia Studies. Gosh.. I must say its dry right from the start!! But this is also going to be the first and the last module I will take with dear. Since this IS her last semester already. =(

Lets do well in this module. Together k? =P

Also joining me taking my mods this sem is Joshua Tan. Former AC-ians if i did not remember wrongly. Funny how we even know each other. It was so random. Lol.

And yes.. The usual Qiling-Hilda ultra powerful noise pairing is back. If you are in the same lect as me, you will never not hear them. =P

The reality of another hard-mugging-camping-at-library-level-3-till-late days are back. I guess this time.. I have no excuses not to do well anymore. Especially with the dreaded Economics out of the way. =)

Oh and I have to update this..



HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!
it was yesterday but.. yeah.. Haha..
On 13 Jan 2008, my dad turns 51. Don't worry, you are not old, you are just getting wiser. =P
Celebrated with him at my grandma's place yesterday and had a simple dinner together with my grandma and God-parents.
Pics will be uploaded soon once my sis send me. =)

On another note..

Every visit at my grandma's place, thoughts and revelations will flood my mind. I am going to slowly share it here, at random times.. Insights of what goes through that brain of mine. Soon.. Life is such a random piece of art. A single stroke can make it or ruin it. While another can salvage whatever that seemed destined to fail.

sometimes I really do not know how you guys face it. i had the urge to tell them about our family, but i know these things are better left unsaid.
whenever someone ask.. yes.. it still hurts.



My First Singing Lesson at The Music Clinic (12/01)

The first lesson, well not really a lesson, it was more of a vocal analysis by Peter Tan himself. Well as expected, I got lots of rooms for improvement. Haha.. I wanted to sing Ni Na Me Ai Ta by Lee Shen Jie, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CD!! So I ended up singing Tien Hei Hei by Stef Sun. Huge mistake. Although I was familiar with the song, it was too high for me. -_-

Anyway through the 1 hr 30mins session, teacher Peter Tan gave us many pointers as how to improve our singing. =P

Hoping to improve and finally be able to sing properly.
And I may be tone-deaf. =( But I hope you are wrong about this.

Bliss

They say the way to a man's heart is through the stomach. How true. =P

Recently Ky has been very into cooking and baking. Today she made me this ultra delicious steak in black pepper mushroom sauce (I have a penchant for black pepper and beef) for lunch.

Her creation =P

The Chef

Although there's still room for improvement, but I must really say that its a splendid effort. She woke up early to shop for ingredients while I went to the gym.

BTW.. PLEASE SLEEP EARLY! Having late nights cause loss in muscle mass. Sleep is an essential part of our lives and screwing it up equals screwing your body up!! I learnt it the hard way. I almost died at gym today. -_-

Today ended with me going KTV with my mum and Ky. Lol.. I seriously need help. But yeah.. I enjoy singing. If I can sing, KTV will most probably be my most frequent place. =P

While I am at it.. Here are some random pics from our Sentosa: Underwater World excursion last week (04/01/08). Haha..

On our way to Underwater World from the car park

The touch pool

I swore I thought those nostrils were the eyes. Gosh.. Until Ky corrected me. Evil-looking fish.

This is 1 big fish staring at me

Time to visit a dentist man.. The shark. My childhood fantasy. Serious la.




The super huge spider crab. Kenneth.. If you are reading this. YOU WILL BE FREAKED OUT!



Okies Ky was obviously thinking what kind of shashimi this fish can become.

The look when girls don't get what they want -_-

If you haven't seen the pink dolphins, do go take a look at them. They are SO smart. For $15, you even get to take a picture right beside them!

3 things i learnt today:

1. There's a car park at Dolphin Lagoon. If you drive, just drive there. Don't be like me.. Parked at the beach car park and then bus there.

2. Gosh fishes CAN BE DARN HUGE! Seeing is believing. Although i already knew they can be very big, but seeing them up close is a different experience all together. OH!! And through the acrylic glass, the fishes appear to be smaller. In fact, they are 30% larger in real life.

3. Dolphins are mammals. YES I DID NOT KNOW THAT. They give birth and they can't breathe under water. I seriously thought dolphins are smarty fishes. LOL. However, there is an unsolved mystery. How do they sleep? Someone please enlighten me. I do not want to appear foolish again. =)

Happy Birthday Qiling!
Lol.. From accidental project mates to celebrating your birthday with ya. So stop lamenting on the fact you and Hilda were accidents. =P

We met up at Clarke quay at roughly 6pm (Me and KY were early. Again. Its a strange occurrence that's happening rather often recently) I swore I did not know the existence of Central at Clarke Quay. Ky and I are gonna go there again soon. Lots of good restaurants and shops there. Confusing place though.

We had dinner at Ma Maison, recommended by Xin Wei - he basically eats there every now and then. I would too if I have the fianancial capability like him. Lol.. Its not exactly expensive there, but its not cheap either. Ma Maison fuses Japanese and Western together, and they definitely have their own fan base. Last I heard, many Jap expats lunch and dine there as if Ma Maison was their company canteen. -_- Rich people.

Btw.. They are famous for their Hamburger Steak. HOWEVER. They come in 3 sizes. Normal, Large and Jumbo. ADVICE!! If you are looking for something for towards the steak feel, go for the normal or large size. Its highly recommended. Jumbo size is for greedy people like me and its truely hamburger style. They stuffed bread in the meat just like those meat patty. Its nice but loses abit of its taste. Sometimes.. Less is more. Oh and japanese sauce > brown sauce.

At Ma Maison

After dinner we worked our way to Lunar Bar at Clarke Quay. I was drawn to it when I was told they play chinese Pop music and they got a great Live band there.


My throne?

My Queen! =P

Lu Lu (girl on extreme right) looks kinda like Zhao Wei. =P

Lunar Bar definitely is a new experience for me and KY. I kinda enjoy it. Lol.. Gosh.. Its been like 2 years since I last clubbed. Clubbing anyone? =)

1 more week to another semester

Its exactly 1 more week to the beginning of my next sem. Somehow.. I am looking forward to it. o_O

Hope I get my marketing module.. If not my plans is gonna get screwed. Hoping.. hoping...

I haven't been doing much this holiday.. ARGHHH.. I think signing up for singing classes is the most constructive thing i did for myself during this 1 month break. =(

Need to run. run.. run..... I have worked hard to get back in shape. I cannot lose it again. This is so ironic.. 5 years ago I was joking to everyone that no matter how hard i try i can never become fat. I was proud of my fitness. But now.. I am proud that I got back my fitness.

Looking back at my pics.. its really amazing how much I ballooned over these years. lol..

Back in JC days.. School soccer trainings kept me in shape!

The fatty days in Bintan =P

Hmm.. I realise I do not have any pics of myself now that shows the rewards of working out 3 times at the gym and clocking 3hrs of cardio a week. Plus having the benefit of training under a personal trainer. =P I will upload another time I guess.

A healthy body is a healthy mind. Having gotten back my fitness feels as if I am given another chance to live.

Hello World!!

Woots!! Can't believe I am doing this but.. Here I am. This is my first post on my first blog. =)

My decision to start blogging largely stems from me wanting to find a channel to air my thoughts. Alot of it has been going through my mind. And it all boils down to 2007.

2007 has been a meaningful year.. Lots of down, but i guess that it been a strong motivation for the progress i have made for myself thus far. All i can say is, life has taken a whole new meaning for me, and i wish to share this with all my loved ones and my beloved friends. Or those who still consider me as your friend. *shrugs*

Over the dinner table at kenneth's house, on the 1st Jan 2008, we shed light over what resolutions we want for the year 2008. Although some were obviously cheeky, and the more popular resolution being skinnier than whoever whoever. However, my resolution for 2008 is to be the be a better person. When those words left my mouth, it was greeted with a few 'awwww' and a few 'haha'. But I truely meant it. It may have sounded extremely cliche, but that what I will be striving for in the year 2008.

Goodbye 2007.. I will remember the lessons taught to me. Its embedded in me, as a scar, as a reminder for who i was in the past. No, I did not commit any crime or done anything to ruin anyone's life (or maybe i did?). But i committed something most unforgiveable- for the past 21years, I have not a single moment treasured myself, and the life my parents have given me. Had I not realised it sooner, I would have been a burden to my already burdened loved ones.

Fast forward to 2008. A better person I hope to be.