好不容易忙完了搬家，总算有时间好好地坐下来写一写这个学期的感想。。
这个学期拿了3门修士课程，都是Advanced的。感觉上都还蛮好混的。 :p 让我相对的比较担心的是seminar，也就是我的学期报告。这位教授也是在我的graduate school里算是比较认真及负责的老师，所以从他身上也学习到了如何写一份研究报告，如何切入一个研究主题，如何把概念整理得有连贯性等等学术上的知识。老实说，这些都是应该由我指导教授来教导的基本研究技巧。算了，现在埋怨这些也已经太迟了。。希望这个学期的成绩都不会低于A吧。。 :p :p
这次日文课也拿了不少。。阅读课、会话课、作文课、敬语课及两堂文法课，总共六堂。可是到了后来我只出席了4堂，放弃了前面的两堂课，因为完全没学习兴致了，觉得是一种折磨。。也许是对日文已厌倦吧。。学了那么久却没进步的感觉，好像都在原地踏步。。如果不是为了应付去年年尾的日语能力测验，也许我会完全没有学习的动力。。加上在年底作了不打算留在日本工作的决定之后，更加让我有放弃努力的借口。。但是完全放弃日文是不可能的，毕竟已经努力用心了两年多，而且我好不容易考到了二级，我决不会让它荒废掉的。不同的是我会以我自己的进度，以我喜欢的活动（阅读和看戏）来学习。也许少了比较（进度或是精度）的压力，我对日语的学习热忱会再次燃起吧。。
与上几个学期不一样的是这个学期我完全没在努力，都在“吃蛇”。。 :p 出席率不好，常常没去上课，而且还逃课与同学去京都看枫叶。。 :p :p :p 也许是已经到了学习的饱和。。也许是意味到成绩的好坏都不重要。。也许自知修士这张文凭根本是幌子。。也许看到了“上梁不正”所以就理所当然地“下梁歪”了。。看开了想通了。。放100%的心力能拿优越的成绩，放60%也能拿个B以上的成绩，所以何必跟自己过不去让自己那么辛苦呢？？ ;)
下个学期是我最后的一个学期。我所需要的学分已经拿完了，除了一周两次的seminar之外就不必上任何课了。。 :) 所以我已经决定连日文课都不拿，专心“玩”！！ :p :p :p 不久之后我将会回到职场上工作，度假的时间不可能比现在多，所以我会尽量到处走走看看，如果预算允许的话打算去台湾、香港及澳门。当然不会错过到日本各地逛一逛，包括四国、九州、本州其它地方及北海道。。会采用背包型的旅游方式，毕竟现阶段的我是个穷学生，收入少得可怜。。已经预定在三月10日去台湾一周。。好兴奋噢！！ :) :)
Feb 28, 2009
Feb 27, 2009
Memorable quotes... X
Quotable quotes from Jane Austen...
I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.
My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.
Business, you know, may bring you money, but friendship hardly ever does.
Those who do not complain are never pitied.
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.
I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle.
There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves.
Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.
Surprises are foolish things.
The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.
There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.
I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.
My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.
Business, you know, may bring you money, but friendship hardly ever does.
Those who do not complain are never pitied.
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.
I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle.
There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves.
Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.
Surprises are foolish things.
The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.
There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.
Settled... II
So tired.. just got back from the dormitory.. cleaned it and returned it to the office as required.. Went to throw all the rubbish a couple of times too.. didn't realize that I was such a paper hoarder.. :p
It snowed for a while in the early afternoon.. my first snow in Japan for 2009.. too bad I didn't have my camera with me.. took some photos with my handphone but since I don't have a SD card, I can't post them to my blog..
Aching all over now.. age is really catching up.. after two days of non-stop packing, moving and unpacking, need a couple more days to recuperate.. what is left to do is to go to all the government offices to get my address updated.. also my hand-phone and my bank accounts.. hope to get them done by mid of next week..
It snowed for a while in the early afternoon.. my first snow in Japan for 2009.. too bad I didn't have my camera with me.. took some photos with my handphone but since I don't have a SD card, I can't post them to my blog..
Aching all over now.. age is really catching up.. after two days of non-stop packing, moving and unpacking, need a couple more days to recuperate.. what is left to do is to go to all the government offices to get my address updated.. also my hand-phone and my bank accounts.. hope to get them done by mid of next week..
Feb 26, 2009
New Place..
Now I am blogging from my new room.. :)
The landlord, Watanabe-san, came to my dormitory to move my stuff over around 11.15am.. I have already moved 70% of my stuff to the lobby.. so while he loads them to his van, I went and carried down the rest.. the drive to my new place took about 30min..
Once there, Watanabe-san was kind enough to carry my big luggage up the steep staircases.. Took me more than 2.5 hours to unpack.. And here is the end result.. :)
This room is bigger than my dorm room.. At least I have space to walk around.. :) and to exercise (simple stretching) too.. Need to get a clothes rack to hang all my clothes/jackets/pants/etc... as I can't just use those adhesive hooks here.. and also a laundry basket..
Tomorrow, I will be going back to my dorm to clean it up and return it to the JASSO office in the afternoon.. then what is left for me to do is to get all my particulars updated with the new address.. And then, I can start planning for my Taiwan trip.. :p ;)
The landlord, Watanabe-san, came to my dormitory to move my stuff over around 11.15am.. I have already moved 70% of my stuff to the lobby.. so while he loads them to his van, I went and carried down the rest.. the drive to my new place took about 30min..
Once there, Watanabe-san was kind enough to carry my big luggage up the steep staircases.. Took me more than 2.5 hours to unpack.. And here is the end result.. :)
This room is bigger than my dorm room.. At least I have space to walk around.. :) and to exercise (simple stretching) too.. Need to get a clothes rack to hang all my clothes/jackets/pants/etc... as I can't just use those adhesive hooks here.. and also a laundry basket..
Tomorrow, I will be going back to my dorm to clean it up and return it to the JASSO office in the afternoon.. then what is left for me to do is to get all my particulars updated with the new address.. And then, I can start planning for my Taiwan trip.. :p ;)
Feb 25, 2009
Pack to move...
So unmotivated.. Need to pack to move out of the dormitory by tomorrow morning.. This is the umpteen time that I need to pack and move.. :x
Although I could say that I am an "expert" in moving house by now with all my experiences in Singapore (6 times in 13 years!), I still dread the packing portion of it.. With the unavailability of boxes and the miserable spaces of the rooms in Japan, I need to improvise.. As a hoarder, who tends to keep EVERY thing, moving is one good exercise that forces me to throw away stuff that shouldn't have been kept in the first place....
Okay, need to get back to my packing now.. shall post my new room's photos once I settled down, maybe this weekend..
Although I could say that I am an "expert" in moving house by now with all my experiences in Singapore (6 times in 13 years!), I still dread the packing portion of it.. With the unavailability of boxes and the miserable spaces of the rooms in Japan, I need to improvise.. As a hoarder, who tends to keep EVERY thing, moving is one good exercise that forces me to throw away stuff that shouldn't have been kept in the first place....
Okay, need to get back to my packing now.. shall post my new room's photos once I settled down, maybe this weekend..
Feb 23, 2009
Catching up..
Lots of catching up to do.. TV dramas and variety shows, I mean.. :p I know that I should be revising, reviewing and updating my professional/technical skills/knowledge, but I can't seemed to gather that motivation to do so.. I think I shall just follow the flow.. :p
After spending almost a month back home, I have missed out on the new seasons of the dramas/series that I follow.. My laptop had rested for a month, so now it is ready to work 24/7 to ensure I get up to date... ;)
After spending almost a month back home, I have missed out on the new seasons of the dramas/series that I follow.. My laptop had rested for a month, so now it is ready to work 24/7 to ensure I get up to date... ;)
Level 2... PASSED!!
YA!! Just got the result for my JLPT Level 2.. I passed!! :) :)
This time round I cleared the passing mark by 12 points.. :p :p :p Last time I missed it by 22 points.. so there was a 34-point improvement.. I am not complaining about it.. ;) this is already a very good result for me.. since I didn't really have the mood to study at all for the test.. :p
The Writing/Vocabulary portion saved me actually.. I scored 72 over 100 for it.. while I barely scrapped through in my Listening (59/100) and Reading/Grammar (121/200).. The kanji helped a lot..
With a new exam date in July, I am very tempted to try for Level 1... yet, I know that I would need to work doubly (and maybe even triply) hard for it as my basic foundation isn't very good.. Since I planned to do some traveling and enjoy my last few months of being a student more, I am undecided..
This time round I cleared the passing mark by 12 points.. :p :p :p Last time I missed it by 22 points.. so there was a 34-point improvement.. I am not complaining about it.. ;) this is already a very good result for me.. since I didn't really have the mood to study at all for the test.. :p
The Writing/Vocabulary portion saved me actually.. I scored 72 over 100 for it.. while I barely scrapped through in my Listening (59/100) and Reading/Grammar (121/200).. The kanji helped a lot..
With a new exam date in July, I am very tempted to try for Level 1... yet, I know that I would need to work doubly (and maybe even triply) hard for it as my basic foundation isn't very good.. Since I planned to do some traveling and enjoy my last few months of being a student more, I am undecided..
Feb 21, 2009
Back to reality
This time tomorrow, I would be boarding my flight back to Japan... :( Seriously, I don't look forward to it.. luckily, it will be only for another 5 months or so.. can't wait to move back here for good..
Anyway, it is about time to end my "pampered" holidays in Malaysia... and go back to the reality of life in Japan... with the coming semester being my last, I hope to maximize my stay.. not by studying hard, but by traveling hard!! :p with only 2 seminars to attend per week, I should have plenty of time to travel around Japan.. :) but subject to budget constraint, of course... Maybe during these next few months, all I ever do will be to seclude myself in my room and watch movies/dramas/anime!! :p Who knows...
With no improvement in sight for the economies everywhere, I can't help but worry about my chances of securing a job when I graduate this Aug.. hopefully the worst would have come to pass by then..
I would write more about this one-month holiday that I had when I have the time.. Once back in Japan, it will be a mad rush to pack and move out of my current dormitory to a new place, and then hopefully make a trip to Taiwan in mid March.. But just the thought of all the paper work involved for moving is enough to spoil my mood for the day.. Shall think about that on my flight back to Japan.. Maybe the Taiwan trip would be my motivation and reward for surviving through the red-tapes of shifting to a new place.. ;)
So bye-bye Malaysia & Singapore.. see you in (around) five months' time..
Anyway, it is about time to end my "pampered" holidays in Malaysia... and go back to the reality of life in Japan... with the coming semester being my last, I hope to maximize my stay.. not by studying hard, but by traveling hard!! :p with only 2 seminars to attend per week, I should have plenty of time to travel around Japan.. :) but subject to budget constraint, of course... Maybe during these next few months, all I ever do will be to seclude myself in my room and watch movies/dramas/anime!! :p Who knows...
With no improvement in sight for the economies everywhere, I can't help but worry about my chances of securing a job when I graduate this Aug.. hopefully the worst would have come to pass by then..
I would write more about this one-month holiday that I had when I have the time.. Once back in Japan, it will be a mad rush to pack and move out of my current dormitory to a new place, and then hopefully make a trip to Taiwan in mid March.. But just the thought of all the paper work involved for moving is enough to spoil my mood for the day.. Shall think about that on my flight back to Japan.. Maybe the Taiwan trip would be my motivation and reward for surviving through the red-tapes of shifting to a new place.. ;)
So bye-bye Malaysia & Singapore.. see you in (around) five months' time..
Feb 20, 2009
Memorable quotes... IX
From ancient Greek came the wisdom of Aristotle..
Happiness depends upon ourselves.
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.
A friend to all is a friend to none.
Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.
In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge.
The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds.
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.
Those who excel in virtue have the best right of all to rebel, but then they are of all men the least inclined to do so.
The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.
Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.
Happiness depends upon ourselves.
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.
A friend to all is a friend to none.
Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.
In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge.
The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds.
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.
Those who excel in virtue have the best right of all to rebel, but then they are of all men the least inclined to do so.
The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.
Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.
Feb 19, 2009
Billions here and there...
Nowadays the preferred denominations for any projects or whatever, private or public, is "billions".. All the corporate losses, bailouts, budget and spending, stimulus packages, rescue packages, or whatever are all in "Billions".. "Millions" is no longer sufficed... Thus we read about the following news..
So will we be seeing multi-trillion projects/spendings/bailouts next?? A glimpse of a possibility.. US budget deficit to hit $1.2 trillon in FY2009
Just to put things into perspective, one million is 1,000,000 and one billion is usually meant 1,000,000,000 while one trillion is 1,000,000,000,000, although there is a different between long and short scales (as explained in Wikipedia).
So the governments happily tossing a few billions here and a couple of billions there, yet who is going to foot those millions/billions/trillions bills??? How did we arrived at this predicament??
- In $789 billion stimulus package, Obama advances his agenda
- RM9 billion pour into Halal Hub in Sarawak
- Singapore's GIC losses about $50 billion: sources
- RBS needs £8 billion for asset protection plan
- Devaluation threat to rouble: Russia props up banks with $40 billion
- Russia, China sign $25 billion energy deal
- Anil Ambani lost $30bn in 2008: Forbes
- Verizon awards 4G contracts worth billions
- GM Bailout: Billions to Put People Out of Work
- Multi-billion dollar uplift projects cancelled in UAE
- France's Sarkozy spends billions to prevent unrest
- Daimler has 4Q loss of euro1.53 billion
- Investors hurt as billions lost from property trusts
- Punters bet billions on Slumdog's Oscar chances
So will we be seeing multi-trillion projects/spendings/bailouts next?? A glimpse of a possibility.. US budget deficit to hit $1.2 trillon in FY2009
Just to put things into perspective, one million is 1,000,000 and one billion is usually meant 1,000,000,000 while one trillion is 1,000,000,000,000, although there is a different between long and short scales (as explained in Wikipedia).
So the governments happily tossing a few billions here and a couple of billions there, yet who is going to foot those millions/billions/trillions bills??? How did we arrived at this predicament??
Feb 18, 2009
Oh No !!!
Well, all doesn't seem so nice and dandy in the Lion City either.. :(
And some unexpected developments... When the chips are down, Singapore singles go dating
Not so good news for me... hope things will be better in 6 months time..
- Singapore's Exports Continue To Plunge In January
- Singapore's GIC losses about $50 billion: sources
- SIA to ground 17 jets
- Singapore Exports Fall the Most in at Least 22 Years
- Singapore Contracts Sharply
- Singapore jobless rate rises, led by manufacturing layoffs
- Singapore's DBS bank quarterly profit falls 40 pct
- Singapore retail sales fall 1.6 pct in December
- Job losses to cut Singapore population by 4%: bank
And some unexpected developments... When the chips are down, Singapore singles go dating
Not so good news for me... hope things will be better in 6 months time..
Feb 17, 2009
Oh No!!
Seemed like there is a never-ending stream of bad news recently... from the Land of the Rising Sun... will it be "setting" in 2009? It sure doesn't look like it is "rising" or even "staying afloat" to me...
Found these two interesting articles, Do Japanese yet realize that culture's acquired, not in the blood? and Lack-of-rage rage is all the rage in apathetically raging Japan..
If the government is unable to lead the way, show resolute and possess foresight, how would its citizens hope to weather this financial turmoil on their own???? Sometimes, a "dictatorial" or "authoritarian" government is the better alternative than a "people" government..
I really wonder where did the resilience of the Japanese people, who had braved the destruction and devastation of WWII to emerge as the economic superpower in the 1970s-80s, had gone to??? Why is everything seemed to be falling apart?? Is it really true that the new generations are soft and do not have the right stuff, as some referred them as "the strawberry generation"??? For the sake of the country, I really hope that they can dig deep and persevere through this..
- Nikkei falls to almost 3-mth low, exporters sold
- It's enough to drive anyone to drink – even the Japanese finance minister
- Japan Economy Goes From Best to Worst on Export Slump, Yen Gain
- Japan’s politicians lose their way at a bad time
- Job cuts swell ranks of homeless in Japan
- Japan GDP data to show recession has deepened
- Toyota Will Cut Japan Output 54% in Current Quarter
- Global woe brings Japanese local pain
- Japan manufacturers stay gloomy as recession bites
- Future increasingly dim for jobless non-Japanese
- Kansai hit by string of armed robberies
- Are Japan's Emergency Rooms in Trouble?
Found these two interesting articles, Do Japanese yet realize that culture's acquired, not in the blood? and Lack-of-rage rage is all the rage in apathetically raging Japan..
If the government is unable to lead the way, show resolute and possess foresight, how would its citizens hope to weather this financial turmoil on their own???? Sometimes, a "dictatorial" or "authoritarian" government is the better alternative than a "people" government..
I really wonder where did the resilience of the Japanese people, who had braved the destruction and devastation of WWII to emerge as the economic superpower in the 1970s-80s, had gone to??? Why is everything seemed to be falling apart?? Is it really true that the new generations are soft and do not have the right stuff, as some referred them as "the strawberry generation"??? For the sake of the country, I really hope that they can dig deep and persevere through this..
What the.. ??!!
Unbelievable!!
The things that had happened the time I am back in Malaysia would shamed even the most creative playwright!!
First the hopping back and forth of a "frog".. then 3 other became turncoats, with one becoming the most hated in the one community.. their action forced the changing of a state government (lawful or otherwise).. the decision of a royalty which had infuriated (almost) everyone.. a statement by an old-timer that had triggered a bunch of nincompoops to protest outside his house and spilled brainless hogwash.. two person who claimed their legitimacy to the top job, with one suing to get it back.. then a death and a resignation (because of his own undoing) that had forced two by-elections.. Now this??!! => Some low-life (possibly a ex) circulating "nude" photos of a lady MP.. and the lady MP is considering quiting??!!
In the mean time, (almost) the whole government is busy trying to hold onto power with so many elections and by-elections in the coming months.. with "frogs" abound, and loads of money to throw at anyone and everyone to "jump", is there any sense of integrity left in these MPs?? By the way, is there anyone looking out for the citizens?? We don't want those politician-cum-ministers to appear on TV to tell the people "not to worry" without giving us any indications on how exactly are they going to ensure that??!! Who is formulating plans and strategies to ensure the country is going to ride out this financial turmoil with the minimal "hardship" and maximal "revival chances"?
How can I NOT feel disillusioned?!?!
The things that had happened the time I am back in Malaysia would shamed even the most creative playwright!!
First the hopping back and forth of a "frog".. then 3 other became turncoats, with one becoming the most hated in the one community.. their action forced the changing of a state government (lawful or otherwise).. the decision of a royalty which had infuriated (almost) everyone.. a statement by an old-timer that had triggered a bunch of nincompoops to protest outside his house and spilled brainless hogwash.. two person who claimed their legitimacy to the top job, with one suing to get it back.. then a death and a resignation (because of his own undoing) that had forced two by-elections.. Now this??!! => Some low-life (possibly a ex) circulating "nude" photos of a lady MP.. and the lady MP is considering quiting??!!
In the mean time, (almost) the whole government is busy trying to hold onto power with so many elections and by-elections in the coming months.. with "frogs" abound, and loads of money to throw at anyone and everyone to "jump", is there any sense of integrity left in these MPs?? By the way, is there anyone looking out for the citizens?? We don't want those politician-cum-ministers to appear on TV to tell the people "not to worry" without giving us any indications on how exactly are they going to ensure that??!! Who is formulating plans and strategies to ensure the country is going to ride out this financial turmoil with the minimal "hardship" and maximal "revival chances"?
How can I NOT feel disillusioned?!?!
Feb 16, 2009
My Fortune for 2009
Almost making it a yearly ritual, I went to my favorite Buddhist Temple in Singapore and ask for my fortune this year.. and here is what the wheel of fortune said..
Again, I am more interested in the first sentence, ".. said Rest assured money will be yours no doubt as you surmounted your difficulty. " :p As I will be graduating this coming Aug, nothing beats securing a job in Singapore during this financial turmoil... This and staying healthy is my two utmost important wishes for the year of Ox..
Again, I am more interested in the first sentence, ".. said Rest assured money will be yours no doubt as you surmounted your difficulty. " :p As I will be graduating this coming Aug, nothing beats securing a job in Singapore during this financial turmoil... This and staying healthy is my two utmost important wishes for the year of Ox..
Feb 15, 2009
Singapore: Day Seven (11 Feb)
Today I was to meet up with one of my secondary school mate, June, for lunch.. We even became housemates for more than 5 years, before she got married and moved out.. So in a way, we knew each other for almost 20 years!! Unbelievable..
We arranged to meet at Bishan Community Centre.. As I was early so I went to the Bishan Library.. Oh, how I missed the libraries of Singapore... There are so many books of different genres available that one is spoiled for choices.. Too bad I can't borrow any of them right now... Wait till this coming Aug.. Then I can borrow to my heart's content.. :p
By the time we met up and ordered, it was almost 3pm.. Then we chatted and talked.. She told me about her new job and some investment stuff which sounded pretty interesting.. Having old friends around is undoubtedly one of the best things in life.. Not to say that new friends are unnecessary, but sometimes the comfort of not having to worry about being misunderstood or the need to be on one's best behavior is very tiring..
After the meeting with an old friend, my next appointment is to visit my grandaunt, together with my uncle and aunt who was transiting Singapore on their way back to NZ.. It has been a very long time, at least 8 years or more, since I last visited my grandaunt.. being one who is kinda anti-social.. :p Grandaunt and granduncle talked a lot about old times, about how her mother's (which is my great-grandmother) feet was bounded and couldn't work the fields, how poor they were, etc.. It was interesting to be hearing all these old stories from the both of them.. Both of them seemed very healthy for their age..
So today was spend catching with old friend and relatives... :)
We arranged to meet at Bishan Community Centre.. As I was early so I went to the Bishan Library.. Oh, how I missed the libraries of Singapore... There are so many books of different genres available that one is spoiled for choices.. Too bad I can't borrow any of them right now... Wait till this coming Aug.. Then I can borrow to my heart's content.. :p
By the time we met up and ordered, it was almost 3pm.. Then we chatted and talked.. She told me about her new job and some investment stuff which sounded pretty interesting.. Having old friends around is undoubtedly one of the best things in life.. Not to say that new friends are unnecessary, but sometimes the comfort of not having to worry about being misunderstood or the need to be on one's best behavior is very tiring..
After the meeting with an old friend, my next appointment is to visit my grandaunt, together with my uncle and aunt who was transiting Singapore on their way back to NZ.. It has been a very long time, at least 8 years or more, since I last visited my grandaunt.. being one who is kinda anti-social.. :p Grandaunt and granduncle talked a lot about old times, about how her mother's (which is my great-grandmother) feet was bounded and couldn't work the fields, how poor they were, etc.. It was interesting to be hearing all these old stories from the both of them.. Both of them seemed very healthy for their age..
So today was spend catching with old friend and relatives... :)
Feb 13, 2009
Memorable quotes... VIII
Some "fascinating" quotes from Oscar Wilde..
Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
The only thing that sustains one through life is the consciousness of the immense inferiority of everybody else, and this is a feeling that I have always cultivated.
Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.
One can always be kind to people about whom one cares nothing.
Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend's success.
A man's face is his autobiography.
A woman's face is her work of fiction.
A true friend stabs you in the front.
It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.
Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
The only thing that sustains one through life is the consciousness of the immense inferiority of everybody else, and this is a feeling that I have always cultivated.
Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.
One can always be kind to people about whom one cares nothing.
Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend's success.
A man's face is his autobiography.
A woman's face is her work of fiction.
A true friend stabs you in the front.
It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.
Feb 12, 2009
Singapore: Day Six (10 Feb)
Yet another day with the kids.. :)
We arranged to meet at Jurong East to go to IMM (a shopping center that seemed to be named after me.. :p ) for breakfast.. Voone's mum joined us too.. Rio was still sleepy while Cody was very excited to see me.. :)
We went to Kopitiam for breakfast.. the kids were attracting a lot of attention.. cos they are just adorable.. :) Even the workers there helped to watch over them when they went running around the place.. Here is a picture of them enjoying one of those kids ride...
Then we went to the Garden Playground to let the kids play and allow Voone and I to catch up further, since we couldn't find time the day before at the zoo.. There were several kids at the playground too, but none as un-worried as Voone.. The kids were allowed freedom to play and fall.. and surprising (at least to me), the kids could take care of themselves.. neither crying nor injured.. Actually the kids are very well behaved.. Rio even gave me a flower that he picked up.. :)
Here is a sequence of photos taken when Rio was playing with another toddler.. He was so patient and nice, as he didn't retaliate when the toddler pulled and tugged at his shirt..
"Oh No! She is approaching!! How? How? Need to act cool... Smile.. Smile.."
"Argh... She is getting physical... Must not grimace..."
"She is pulling at my favorite t'shirt!!!! Must not get angry.. Stay cool.. Deep breath...."
"Whew! I survived... need time to calm down.."
Had a great time hanging around the kids and talking to Voone and her mum.. As I had another appointment in the evening, we parted around 4pm.. It will be another year before I could see them again.. :(
My next appointment was to visit an ex-colleague who has a 11-month old baby boy.. :) Another ex-colleague and I went to her place at Queenstown.. Again, more catching up while having KFC home-delivery! Didn't stay for long.. left about 2 hours later..
We arranged to meet at Jurong East to go to IMM (a shopping center that seemed to be named after me.. :p ) for breakfast.. Voone's mum joined us too.. Rio was still sleepy while Cody was very excited to see me.. :)
We went to Kopitiam for breakfast.. the kids were attracting a lot of attention.. cos they are just adorable.. :) Even the workers there helped to watch over them when they went running around the place.. Here is a picture of them enjoying one of those kids ride...
Then we went to the Garden Playground to let the kids play and allow Voone and I to catch up further, since we couldn't find time the day before at the zoo.. There were several kids at the playground too, but none as un-worried as Voone.. The kids were allowed freedom to play and fall.. and surprising (at least to me), the kids could take care of themselves.. neither crying nor injured.. Actually the kids are very well behaved.. Rio even gave me a flower that he picked up.. :)
Here is a sequence of photos taken when Rio was playing with another toddler.. He was so patient and nice, as he didn't retaliate when the toddler pulled and tugged at his shirt..
"Oh No! She is approaching!! How? How? Need to act cool... Smile.. Smile.."
"Argh... She is getting physical... Must not grimace..."
"She is pulling at my favorite t'shirt!!!! Must not get angry.. Stay cool.. Deep breath...."
"Whew! I survived... need time to calm down.."Had a great time hanging around the kids and talking to Voone and her mum.. As I had another appointment in the evening, we parted around 4pm.. It will be another year before I could see them again.. :(
My next appointment was to visit an ex-colleague who has a 11-month old baby boy.. :) Another ex-colleague and I went to her place at Queenstown.. Again, more catching up while having KFC home-delivery! Didn't stay for long.. left about 2 hours later..
Feb 11, 2009
Singapore: Day Five (09 Feb)
This day is the highlight of my visit to Singapore.. cos I went to the Singapore Zoological Garden with my godson.. :)
Met up with Voone and the kids before 9am at the entrance to the zoo.. The kids were kinda shy when they first saw me, but after a while they were playing and tugging me along.. :)
Here are some of the pictures that I took... :)
Rio: "Mmm... where am I??"
Big brother, Cody.. posing for picture..
Rio.. waiting for the animal show to start..
Cody and his mum... checking out the horse that he was going to ride..
Two brothers.. sitting side by side...
Rio.. smiling straight at the camera...
We left the zoo around 4:45pm.. Will be meeting them again the next day.. :) :)
Met up with Voone and the kids before 9am at the entrance to the zoo.. The kids were kinda shy when they first saw me, but after a while they were playing and tugging me along.. :)
Here are some of the pictures that I took... :)
Rio: "Mmm... where am I??"
Big brother, Cody.. posing for picture..
Rio.. waiting for the animal show to start..
Cody and his mum... checking out the horse that he was going to ride..
Two brothers.. sitting side by side...
Rio.. smiling straight at the camera...We left the zoo around 4:45pm.. Will be meeting them again the next day.. :) :)
Feb 10, 2009
Singapore: Day Four (08 Feb)
Slept in today.. my first "appointment" was at 12:30pm at Raffles City.. Went to eat Ding Tai Feng.. :)
Met with one of my ex-colleagues, SF, from Visa first.. while the other was late.. we ordered a lot of dishes, food that I was craving.. :) SF and I talked about what happened in the past 1 year in our lives.. She asked gave me suggestions as to where to visit in Taiwan.. :) Then Edmund joined us.. After lunch, we walked around Raffles City, Suntec and then Marina Square too.. Window-shopped and talked.. we also sat down at Starbucks and talked too..
We didn't have dinner together as each of them had prior appointment.. So I just headed back to my hostel for an early night, but not before getting some juices and tit-bits for dinner.. :)
On my way home, I saw the Thaipusam procession as the hostel that I am staying is located along Serangoon Road. Devotees were coming out from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to begin their procession, while spectators were crowding along the road. Here is the video that I managed to record..
Met with one of my ex-colleagues, SF, from Visa first.. while the other was late.. we ordered a lot of dishes, food that I was craving.. :) SF and I talked about what happened in the past 1 year in our lives.. She asked gave me suggestions as to where to visit in Taiwan.. :) Then Edmund joined us.. After lunch, we walked around Raffles City, Suntec and then Marina Square too.. Window-shopped and talked.. we also sat down at Starbucks and talked too..
We didn't have dinner together as each of them had prior appointment.. So I just headed back to my hostel for an early night, but not before getting some juices and tit-bits for dinner.. :)
On my way home, I saw the Thaipusam procession as the hostel that I am staying is located along Serangoon Road. Devotees were coming out from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to begin their procession, while spectators were crowding along the road. Here is the video that I managed to record..
Feb 9, 2009
Singapore: Day Three (07 Feb)
Today, I will be spending the day with one of my oldest friends in Singapore.. :) Then later in the evening, we would be having dinner with another of our old friends and her family.. looking forward in seeing her little daughter..
Met Irene at Harbour Front slightly before noon.. We went to Vivo City, the biggest shopping mall in Singapore that I was very unfamiliar with.. Went to the food court (named Food Republic) and had some authentic Pu Tien cuisine.. It was very nice, especially their prawn lo mee.. Then we went to get tickets for Red Cliff II.. We went ahead to buy our popcorn only to find out that we had made a mistake about the timing. The show was 1 hour and 10 minutes away, not 10 minutes as we thought looking at our watches.. :D So in the end, we went out of the shopping center, found a shade to sit and eat our popcorn.. Again, we chatted.. talked about various things that had happened in our lives..
The show, Red Cliff II, in my opinion is much better than the first episode.. Frankly, one do not need to watch the first to be able to enjoy the second movie.. Again, there are many redundant scenes that should have been cut.. Actually, the two movies could have been edited into a single 3+ hours epic.. Many of the tactics used are familiar to those who had read about the book, The Romance of the Three Kingdom. So it was kinda cool to see what we had read and imagined to be shown to us on the big screen.. The battle scenes are very well filmed and choreographed.. I would placed it among the epic battle scenes from other movies, like Troy, 300 and Saving Private Ryan. :)
After the movie, we went walking around window shopping.. Driven by our curiosity, we approached a cart-shop selling Aromatherapy Herb Packs.. Kudos to the superb salesmanship of the Israelis storekeeper, both of us bought two different packs each.. Then we went to Ben & Jerry's for our ice-cream fix! :p We left Vivo City slightly after 6pm to Suntec City..
We went around Suntec City looking for a restaurant to eat, one that is also baby friendly.. Finally we settled on Bakerzin.. YP and CK arrived with baby Isabelle.. She has grown so much. Even though she has yet to reach the so-called "Terrible Two", she is showing signs that she won't be a quiet baby.. She was very expressive, singing and laughing to herself.. From her parents, she is beginning to imitate behaviors and actions of the people around her.. :p Here is a picture of Isabelle..
She was frowning in this picture as her mum stopped her from running around without her shoes on and she refused to wear them.. :D Kids... :) Can't wait to see her again when I move back to Singapore this Jul/Aug..
So my third day in Singapore was spent hanging around with my NUS friends.. :) These are the people who had known me for the same duration that I had been in Singapore.. going 15 years now.. hopefully there will be many more 15 years to come.. :) :) :)
Met Irene at Harbour Front slightly before noon.. We went to Vivo City, the biggest shopping mall in Singapore that I was very unfamiliar with.. Went to the food court (named Food Republic) and had some authentic Pu Tien cuisine.. It was very nice, especially their prawn lo mee.. Then we went to get tickets for Red Cliff II.. We went ahead to buy our popcorn only to find out that we had made a mistake about the timing. The show was 1 hour and 10 minutes away, not 10 minutes as we thought looking at our watches.. :D So in the end, we went out of the shopping center, found a shade to sit and eat our popcorn.. Again, we chatted.. talked about various things that had happened in our lives..
The show, Red Cliff II, in my opinion is much better than the first episode.. Frankly, one do not need to watch the first to be able to enjoy the second movie.. Again, there are many redundant scenes that should have been cut.. Actually, the two movies could have been edited into a single 3+ hours epic.. Many of the tactics used are familiar to those who had read about the book, The Romance of the Three Kingdom. So it was kinda cool to see what we had read and imagined to be shown to us on the big screen.. The battle scenes are very well filmed and choreographed.. I would placed it among the epic battle scenes from other movies, like Troy, 300 and Saving Private Ryan. :)
After the movie, we went walking around window shopping.. Driven by our curiosity, we approached a cart-shop selling Aromatherapy Herb Packs.. Kudos to the superb salesmanship of the Israelis storekeeper, both of us bought two different packs each.. Then we went to Ben & Jerry's for our ice-cream fix! :p We left Vivo City slightly after 6pm to Suntec City..
We went around Suntec City looking for a restaurant to eat, one that is also baby friendly.. Finally we settled on Bakerzin.. YP and CK arrived with baby Isabelle.. She has grown so much. Even though she has yet to reach the so-called "Terrible Two", she is showing signs that she won't be a quiet baby.. She was very expressive, singing and laughing to herself.. From her parents, she is beginning to imitate behaviors and actions of the people around her.. :p Here is a picture of Isabelle..
She was frowning in this picture as her mum stopped her from running around without her shoes on and she refused to wear them.. :D Kids... :) Can't wait to see her again when I move back to Singapore this Jul/Aug.. So my third day in Singapore was spent hanging around with my NUS friends.. :) These are the people who had known me for the same duration that I had been in Singapore.. going 15 years now.. hopefully there will be many more 15 years to come.. :) :) :)
Feb 8, 2009
Singapore: Day Two (06 Feb)
Woke up around 8am.. even before my alarm clock rang.. :) Washed up and was just chilling in my room..
There were two activities lined up for today.. Meeting with my ex-boss to talk about the possibility of my rejoining the company and a dinner appointment with my ex-colleagues from that company.. Was waiting for my ex-boss to confirm the venue of our meeting.. finally her email came and off I went to meet up..
We were to meet up at a cafe near my old work place.. There were some significant changes to the place with more shops opened and more human traffic around.. We chatted about weight-lost and my life/experience in Japan before going into the main agenda of our meeting.. Count my unlucky star, she told me that she just got a new directive from the company's top management to freeze all hiring for the company to realign and restructure that department.. thus the head-count that she had can't be used until this 'exercise' is over, which would be in a month or so.. I won't deny that I was disappointed, but somehow before the meeting I already had a hunch that things won't go so smoothly.. it was my gut feel.. anyway, I still have about 5 more months to go before I can actually start working anywhere, so I would just have to start looking elsewhere too..
She also told me about the changes the company, the department and her section had gone through these past 2 years.. The technical requirements for her staff remain the same, but the processes, procedures and service targets had changed tremendously. The team used to be outsourced, but now everything has been moved back in-house. The department had underwent several restructuring and reorganizing, which had seen many leaving and joining.. She took me back to the office to visit.. saw more new faces than old familiar faces in the office.. most of them asked me when I will be rejoining them.. I can only smile and let my ex-boss reply their questions..
Left the office within 30 minutes..
Next scheduled appointment was at 6:30pm.. but many wont be turning up due to one reason or another.. In the end, it was only 2 ex-colleagues who turned up at the newly agreed contract. We went to a Chinese restaurant in Suntec City.. I ordered fried beef kway tiao (dried).. After dinner, we proceed to a Japanese restaurant for its dessert, ice-creams!! :) Again, it was so satisfying..
Then I went back.. reaching around 10:30pm..
That's the end of Day TWO of my Singapore tour... :)
There were two activities lined up for today.. Meeting with my ex-boss to talk about the possibility of my rejoining the company and a dinner appointment with my ex-colleagues from that company.. Was waiting for my ex-boss to confirm the venue of our meeting.. finally her email came and off I went to meet up..
We were to meet up at a cafe near my old work place.. There were some significant changes to the place with more shops opened and more human traffic around.. We chatted about weight-lost and my life/experience in Japan before going into the main agenda of our meeting.. Count my unlucky star, she told me that she just got a new directive from the company's top management to freeze all hiring for the company to realign and restructure that department.. thus the head-count that she had can't be used until this 'exercise' is over, which would be in a month or so.. I won't deny that I was disappointed, but somehow before the meeting I already had a hunch that things won't go so smoothly.. it was my gut feel.. anyway, I still have about 5 more months to go before I can actually start working anywhere, so I would just have to start looking elsewhere too..
She also told me about the changes the company, the department and her section had gone through these past 2 years.. The technical requirements for her staff remain the same, but the processes, procedures and service targets had changed tremendously. The team used to be outsourced, but now everything has been moved back in-house. The department had underwent several restructuring and reorganizing, which had seen many leaving and joining.. She took me back to the office to visit.. saw more new faces than old familiar faces in the office.. most of them asked me when I will be rejoining them.. I can only smile and let my ex-boss reply their questions..
Left the office within 30 minutes..
Next scheduled appointment was at 6:30pm.. but many wont be turning up due to one reason or another.. In the end, it was only 2 ex-colleagues who turned up at the newly agreed contract. We went to a Chinese restaurant in Suntec City.. I ordered fried beef kway tiao (dried).. After dinner, we proceed to a Japanese restaurant for its dessert, ice-creams!! :) Again, it was so satisfying..
Then I went back.. reaching around 10:30pm..
That's the end of Day TWO of my Singapore tour... :)
The rigmarole of politics... II
Just had to make some comments on the current (deteriorating) political situation at home..
He started of the "to jump or not to jump" show..and now he is forced to swallow his own bitter medicine.. People had high hopes every time he announced a new date for take-over(s) which never happened.. Now he took over one of his states using the method that he started by "buying" over some of his party-members.. And everyone is criticizing him for playing dirty but condone his similar actions..
Among the defectors, a lady who had the cheek to call for a press conference screaming her innocence when her party had suspicion that she was going to turn on them when she jumped ship the very next day!!! She really took the example shown by the PM (when he said no elections or no price hikes and did the bloody same thing the very next day).. She claimed she was sidelined, victimized and ostracized, and she had had enough.. One fella did a double U-turn, quitting and rejoining like it was a game.. The other two went AWOL and MIA for days before defecting to the other party, and even though they see themselves as independents, but who can't see through their acts?? The fate of a state was changed because of the actions of so few..by those who had access to funds which are either stolen or from dubious sources..
And when THE person who was hoped to do the one thing that would give the power back to the people to decide their own fate didn't deliver, HE incurred the fury of the masses.. With the global economy in turmoil, the government should not waste time and money trying to stay in power but help the people they had pledged to serve.. But this being the land of "ability", politicians/members of Parliament/ministers are too busy making sure they grab all the money they can while still in office, to even think of the people that they had exploited to get into office... All the talk of serving the greater good went out of the window the minute a bundle of money is dangled in front of them..or maybe they NEVER intended to serve except serving themselves!!
Indeed, this is the sad reality which seemed to have no happy endings in sight, at least for the next 5 years.....
He started of the "to jump or not to jump" show..and now he is forced to swallow his own bitter medicine.. People had high hopes every time he announced a new date for take-over(s) which never happened.. Now he took over one of his states using the method that he started by "buying" over some of his party-members.. And everyone is criticizing him for playing dirty but condone his similar actions..
Among the defectors, a lady who had the cheek to call for a press conference screaming her innocence when her party had suspicion that she was going to turn on them when she jumped ship the very next day!!! She really took the example shown by the PM (when he said no elections or no price hikes and did the bloody same thing the very next day).. She claimed she was sidelined, victimized and ostracized, and she had had enough.. One fella did a double U-turn, quitting and rejoining like it was a game.. The other two went AWOL and MIA for days before defecting to the other party, and even though they see themselves as independents, but who can't see through their acts?? The fate of a state was changed because of the actions of so few..by those who had access to funds which are either stolen or from dubious sources..
And when THE person who was hoped to do the one thing that would give the power back to the people to decide their own fate didn't deliver, HE incurred the fury of the masses.. With the global economy in turmoil, the government should not waste time and money trying to stay in power but help the people they had pledged to serve.. But this being the land of "ability", politicians/members of Parliament/ministers are too busy making sure they grab all the money they can while still in office, to even think of the people that they had exploited to get into office... All the talk of serving the greater good went out of the window the minute a bundle of money is dangled in front of them..or maybe they NEVER intended to serve except serving themselves!!
Indeed, this is the sad reality which seemed to have no happy endings in sight, at least for the next 5 years.....
Feb 7, 2009
Singapore: Day One
I have to say this first, "It feels good to be back in Singapore!".. :) And entries about my stay in Singapore would be at least 3 days late.. :p
Took the night coach from Taiping (which cost me RM120!!) and arrived at Lavender Station around 5am.. Actually we reached the new Malaysian immigration and custom building (the so-called white elephant without the crooked bridge) before 4am.. the bus was very early because it didn't stop along the journey for snack breaks. The only break we had was a short toilet break which lasted about 30 minutes. But no complains from me since we managed to avoid the working crowd from Malaysia who will be swamping the place in the morning..
Since I had forgotten to bring my mp3 player, I was not able to 'escape' into my own little world, but had to constantly listen to all kinds of conversations and noise.. Shall comment on this in a separate blog entry.
Because of such early arrival, I had to find a place to wait till the check in time for my hostel, which is 7.30am. So I went to the Lavender Food Court along the road to my hostel. There is only 1 stall selling drinks and 1 stall selling 肉脞面 (minced pork noodles). So I first ordered a glass of Milo, followed by a bowl of 肉脞面. And time passed by ever so slowly.. I left the food court and went to another coffee shop to drink a cup of tea.
When I finally get into the hostel, I had to wait 30 min for the person in-charge to be ready.. The earliest I could check-in was 12pm, so I decided to go get freshen up and then go to the Buddhist Temple that I had been visiting very faithfully.. There were some Koreans in the lounge area.. I checked my emails there too.
Stayed at the Buddhist Temple till almost 11am.. then I went back to the hostel to check in.. They provided me with a twin room (shared toilet and bathroom) at a discounted price, so for 7 nights I am paying less than SGD300.. which is actually a bargain in my opinion, since I only need a place to keep my things and sleep.. I would be out most of the day so no point staying in a posh hotel.. Took a bath before going out again..
Went to AMK to get my hair cut.. Bought a prepaid SIM card too, so that it would be easier and cheaper for friends to contact me and vice versa... although I can't really pinpoint it accurately, I had a feeling that my trip to my hair-stylist would not be fruitful and I was expecting to see the saloon closed for the day.. when I forgot which bus to take to the saloon (couldn't remember if it was Bus No.265 or No.254), I decided to walk there.. Luckily the day was quite cloudy, so it wasn't too bad walking, considering the fact that it was around 1pm!! I also bought my favorite bread from BreadTalk.. :) Hot Floss and Mushroom..
When I reached the place where the saloon used to be, I found a shop selling some food instead!! I was shocked.. I was lost as to what to do next.. then I sat down at the bus stop and start to eat the bread I bought as I was way too hungry to think straight.. I used the new prepaid card to call my stylist at the old phone number.. it seemed that she had moved to a neighborhood shopping center.. so I had to ask for directions to get there.. Took a bus there..
As usual, she cut, highlight and treated my hair, and also trimmed my eye-brows.. so I lost my shoulder-length hair that I had and got back my short hair.. :) It was such a relaxing experience as I totally trusted her professionalism and give her full autonomy to do whatever she liked to my hair.. I just sat there and let them fussed over me.. :)
Next, is my dinner appointment with my ex-colleagues from my first job.. About 7 of them was to meet up with me, but in the end, only 4 turned up.. but it was good to see them nonetheless.. cos it has been quite a long while since I last met them.. Good to see that they have move onto the next stage of their lives with kids and/or new careers.. :) Will be arranging another round of dinner/lunch with those that couldn't make it..
So that's all for Day ONE of my Singapore visit.. Seven more days to enjoy!! :) :)
Took the night coach from Taiping (which cost me RM120!!) and arrived at Lavender Station around 5am.. Actually we reached the new Malaysian immigration and custom building (the so-called white elephant without the crooked bridge) before 4am.. the bus was very early because it didn't stop along the journey for snack breaks. The only break we had was a short toilet break which lasted about 30 minutes. But no complains from me since we managed to avoid the working crowd from Malaysia who will be swamping the place in the morning..
Since I had forgotten to bring my mp3 player, I was not able to 'escape' into my own little world, but had to constantly listen to all kinds of conversations and noise.. Shall comment on this in a separate blog entry.
Because of such early arrival, I had to find a place to wait till the check in time for my hostel, which is 7.30am. So I went to the Lavender Food Court along the road to my hostel. There is only 1 stall selling drinks and 1 stall selling 肉脞面 (minced pork noodles). So I first ordered a glass of Milo, followed by a bowl of 肉脞面. And time passed by ever so slowly.. I left the food court and went to another coffee shop to drink a cup of tea.
When I finally get into the hostel, I had to wait 30 min for the person in-charge to be ready.. The earliest I could check-in was 12pm, so I decided to go get freshen up and then go to the Buddhist Temple that I had been visiting very faithfully.. There were some Koreans in the lounge area.. I checked my emails there too.
Stayed at the Buddhist Temple till almost 11am.. then I went back to the hostel to check in.. They provided me with a twin room (shared toilet and bathroom) at a discounted price, so for 7 nights I am paying less than SGD300.. which is actually a bargain in my opinion, since I only need a place to keep my things and sleep.. I would be out most of the day so no point staying in a posh hotel.. Took a bath before going out again..
Went to AMK to get my hair cut.. Bought a prepaid SIM card too, so that it would be easier and cheaper for friends to contact me and vice versa... although I can't really pinpoint it accurately, I had a feeling that my trip to my hair-stylist would not be fruitful and I was expecting to see the saloon closed for the day.. when I forgot which bus to take to the saloon (couldn't remember if it was Bus No.265 or No.254), I decided to walk there.. Luckily the day was quite cloudy, so it wasn't too bad walking, considering the fact that it was around 1pm!! I also bought my favorite bread from BreadTalk.. :) Hot Floss and Mushroom..
When I reached the place where the saloon used to be, I found a shop selling some food instead!! I was shocked.. I was lost as to what to do next.. then I sat down at the bus stop and start to eat the bread I bought as I was way too hungry to think straight.. I used the new prepaid card to call my stylist at the old phone number.. it seemed that she had moved to a neighborhood shopping center.. so I had to ask for directions to get there.. Took a bus there..
As usual, she cut, highlight and treated my hair, and also trimmed my eye-brows.. so I lost my shoulder-length hair that I had and got back my short hair.. :) It was such a relaxing experience as I totally trusted her professionalism and give her full autonomy to do whatever she liked to my hair.. I just sat there and let them fussed over me.. :)
Next, is my dinner appointment with my ex-colleagues from my first job.. About 7 of them was to meet up with me, but in the end, only 4 turned up.. but it was good to see them nonetheless.. cos it has been quite a long while since I last met them.. Good to see that they have move onto the next stage of their lives with kids and/or new careers.. :) Will be arranging another round of dinner/lunch with those that couldn't make it..
So that's all for Day ONE of my Singapore visit.. Seven more days to enjoy!! :) :)
Feb 6, 2009
Memorable quotes... VII
From another great writer, George Bernard Shaw, came several quotes that I find to be interesting..
A fashion is nothing but an induced epidemic.
A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry.
Hence University education.
Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.
Silence is the most perfect expression of scorn.
Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.
The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react.
The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it.
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
Choose silence of all virtues, for by it you hear other men's imperfections, and conceal your own.
Human beings are the only animals of which I am thoroughly and cravenly afraid.
A fashion is nothing but an induced epidemic.
A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry.
Hence University education.
Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.
Silence is the most perfect expression of scorn.
Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.
The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react.
The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it.
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
Choose silence of all virtues, for by it you hear other men's imperfections, and conceal your own.
Human beings are the only animals of which I am thoroughly and cravenly afraid.
Feb 5, 2009
Last day of the Semester
Had great fun the last day of my semester before coming back to Malaysia.. Fridays were never my favorite day of the week since I came to Japan.. Why? Because Friday is the day for my lab's seminar session and my Japanese grammar classes.. One is highly stressful while the other is a waste of my time.. (I think you should know which is which by now.. :p) But the last Friday of this semester, I was having a great time!!
We got back the results of our grammar exam.. I can only say that I scored more than 50%, but not much higher.. but I am not complaining.. considering the time that I spend revising, I would say that I deserved what I get.. After going through the exam paper, we had a small party.. a "final" get-to-know session.. which I couldn't really be bothered with.. as I know that I won't be crossing paths with most of them after this semester's class.. But this being Japan, I still have to be "nice" and appear interested in what the rest of my classmates are doing.. So as we eat we have to do a self introduction..
Majority in the class are Koreans, followed by Chinese. There are representatives from Taiwan, Australia, Argentina, Thailand and the US. Luckily, the irritating arrogant American wasn't around.. else the session would be torturous..
One interesting trivial is that our Sensei is a qualified chemist and nutritionist, but decided to teach instead.. Here she is.. Next to her is my classmate from Taiwan.. same age as my Sis.. The other Taiwanese classmate is a Tiger like me, which meant that she is 12 years younger than me!!! And yes, I think I am the oldest in the class, although not many realized it.. ;)
After the first class, we had the second Japanese grammar class.. again, the Sensei returned our papers for the exam taken the week before.. again, I passed but my result was barely satisfactory, yet I couldn't care less.. :p we went through the paper and took note of the mistakes we made.. then it was party time again! This time, we were to merge to the other grammar class and have a "tea-party"..
Some of the cakes we had..
The cakes tasted as good as they looked.. however, we had way too much food during the first party session, we couldn't eat as much cake as we had wanted.. :(
This was my Sensei for the second grammar class.. The two Taiwanese girls liked to tease him and see him blushed during lessons.. One thing is for sure, it is rare to have male Japanese Sensei, at least in my university..
After the party, we went for a karaoke!! The girls asked another Taiwanese guy from the second class to come along, so the four of us went to a karaoke near to the train station.. We sang for almost 2 and a half hours.. had lots of fun singing with them as compared to any other karaoke sessions that I had the last two years in Japan.. maybe it was because we knew and sang the same sets of songs.
We left the place slightly after 5.30pm... Just in time for me to walk back to my lab for my weekly seminar.. Even the monotonous presentations during the seminar would not damper my good mood.. ;)
We got back the results of our grammar exam.. I can only say that I scored more than 50%, but not much higher.. but I am not complaining.. considering the time that I spend revising, I would say that I deserved what I get.. After going through the exam paper, we had a small party.. a "final" get-to-know session.. which I couldn't really be bothered with.. as I know that I won't be crossing paths with most of them after this semester's class.. But this being Japan, I still have to be "nice" and appear interested in what the rest of my classmates are doing.. So as we eat we have to do a self introduction..
Majority in the class are Koreans, followed by Chinese. There are representatives from Taiwan, Australia, Argentina, Thailand and the US. Luckily, the irritating arrogant American wasn't around.. else the session would be torturous..
One interesting trivial is that our Sensei is a qualified chemist and nutritionist, but decided to teach instead.. Here she is.. Next to her is my classmate from Taiwan.. same age as my Sis.. The other Taiwanese classmate is a Tiger like me, which meant that she is 12 years younger than me!!! And yes, I think I am the oldest in the class, although not many realized it.. ;)
After the first class, we had the second Japanese grammar class.. again, the Sensei returned our papers for the exam taken the week before.. again, I passed but my result was barely satisfactory, yet I couldn't care less.. :p we went through the paper and took note of the mistakes we made.. then it was party time again! This time, we were to merge to the other grammar class and have a "tea-party"..
Some of the cakes we had..
The cakes tasted as good as they looked.. however, we had way too much food during the first party session, we couldn't eat as much cake as we had wanted.. :(
This was my Sensei for the second grammar class.. The two Taiwanese girls liked to tease him and see him blushed during lessons.. One thing is for sure, it is rare to have male Japanese Sensei, at least in my university.. After the party, we went for a karaoke!! The girls asked another Taiwanese guy from the second class to come along, so the four of us went to a karaoke near to the train station.. We sang for almost 2 and a half hours.. had lots of fun singing with them as compared to any other karaoke sessions that I had the last two years in Japan.. maybe it was because we knew and sang the same sets of songs.
We left the place slightly after 5.30pm... Just in time for me to walk back to my lab for my weekly seminar.. Even the monotonous presentations during the seminar would not damper my good mood.. ;)
Feb 4, 2009
Going to Singapore
Will be boarding the coach to Singapore later tonight.. Can't wait to see all my old friends and ex-colleagues.. especially my god-son Rio and his mum.. :) Not to mention eating all the good food!! ;)
Will be staying in Singapore for a week.. till 12 Feb.. at the same backpackers hostel that I stayed last year.. Hope that this would be a fruitful trip..
Will be staying in Singapore for a week.. till 12 Feb.. at the same backpackers hostel that I stayed last year.. Hope that this would be a fruitful trip..
Feb 3, 2009
初九拜天公
福建人过年的习俗里就有包括年初八晚上在初九来临之际拜天公。。所以我家也有在初九午夜拜拜。。
以前小时候很少有机会能呆在阿嬷家呆到初九的，因为学校假期没那么长，老爸也不能拿长假，所以能够在阿嬷家拜天公是件很开心的事。。好像我长这么大，在阿嬷家拜天公的次数似乎不超过十次。。
自从阿嬷去世之后，我们家就自个儿拜天公了。。比起阿嬷我们贡品比较简单，就连要烧的“金纸”也不比阿嬷多。。但是这并不是场比赛，贡的丰富与否或是烧的多寡都是各家庭的一份心意。不必一定要相同或是更多，因为人比人气死人。
以下就是我家今年的贡品。。
现在已经不仅仅是福建人有在拜天公了，就连广东人、潮州人及客家人也都已经加入初九时拜天公的“行列”了。。因为有谁不希望自己以及家人在新的一年里事事顺利样样美好呢？人们常说：有拜就有保佑；多拜是有益无害的。这也就是为什么在华人多的地区，初九拜天公可能要比大年初一来得更热闹了。。我家隔壁的邻居更是家人齐聚，贡品齐全（少不了烧猪一只）地非常慎重地拜拜，而且还会大势燃放烟花。。今年他们燃放了三次烟花，这是我所拍下来的影像之一:
听说今年警方禁止了人们点放孔明灯，所以天空中孔明灯的数量减少了许多，但仍然可以看到零零星星的孔明灯飘在高空中，随着风飘走。。
初九的午夜，我家四周都炮竹声连连，烟花在各处不停地燃放着，天空不间断地色彩弥漫着。。这才是我心目中也是我所认知的农历新年！！
以前小时候很少有机会能呆在阿嬷家呆到初九的，因为学校假期没那么长，老爸也不能拿长假，所以能够在阿嬷家拜天公是件很开心的事。。好像我长这么大，在阿嬷家拜天公的次数似乎不超过十次。。
自从阿嬷去世之后，我们家就自个儿拜天公了。。比起阿嬷我们贡品比较简单，就连要烧的“金纸”也不比阿嬷多。。但是这并不是场比赛，贡的丰富与否或是烧的多寡都是各家庭的一份心意。不必一定要相同或是更多，因为人比人气死人。
以下就是我家今年的贡品。。
现在已经不仅仅是福建人有在拜天公了，就连广东人、潮州人及客家人也都已经加入初九时拜天公的“行列”了。。因为有谁不希望自己以及家人在新的一年里事事顺利样样美好呢？人们常说：有拜就有保佑；多拜是有益无害的。这也就是为什么在华人多的地区，初九拜天公可能要比大年初一来得更热闹了。。我家隔壁的邻居更是家人齐聚，贡品齐全（少不了烧猪一只）地非常慎重地拜拜，而且还会大势燃放烟花。。今年他们燃放了三次烟花，这是我所拍下来的影像之一:
听说今年警方禁止了人们点放孔明灯，所以天空中孔明灯的数量减少了许多，但仍然可以看到零零星星的孔明灯飘在高空中，随着风飘走。。
初九的午夜，我家四周都炮竹声连连，烟花在各处不停地燃放着，天空不间断地色彩弥漫着。。这才是我心目中也是我所认知的农历新年！！
Feb 2, 2009
Food, glorious food of CNY..
One of the most important things that I looked forward to every CNY is the food.. Here are some photos of the types of dishes I had this year..
Even though their presentation might pale in comparison with Japanese dishes, but hey, I don't give much of a damn about how a dish looks like as long as it tastes GOOD!!! And seriously, these are what I would call "FOOD".. unlike the monotonous flavors of the food I had been eating for the past 2 years.. Do you agree??
Even though their presentation might pale in comparison with Japanese dishes, but hey, I don't give much of a damn about how a dish looks like as long as it tastes GOOD!!! And seriously, these are what I would call "FOOD".. unlike the monotonous flavors of the food I had been eating for the past 2 years.. Do you agree??
Feb 1, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
