Driving Test Result

Sigh, everything today seemed to be against my will. I had insomnia last night, and woke up feeling feverish and a minor headache. Then during the driving lesson, everything seemed not right, especially my brain, which caused me to park diagonally in a vertical lot. Along the way I remembered I did look straight but in the end the car went sideway, at 60kph. Fortunately Sunny tapped on the dashboard I then came back to my senses. It was drizzling.

Then came the time for the test, a bunch of hooligans started to dig the roads, drill for holes and pave the roads just outside of BBDC. Workers are they. It was simply a plain piece of mess. Shit. Ok, went in and got myself prepared. By staying calm.

Sunny escorted me to the holding area on the 2nd level. Many fellow driver-wannabes sat solemnly like those sick patients at the hospital's reception. I joined them and similarly, I remained calm on my face. Every step the testers made to the room was as if a stimulus to the people's faces. Then, it's the moment - Mr Yik Hoong Kei called my name and there we proceeded. No talk, at all, all the way till the silence broke in the car.

"Good afternoon, Sir." That was our opening ceremony. He smiled and I twitched the ignition key. Ready, got set, and we went off. First started with the circuit, then the public road. The jackpot says Test Route 4. So be it. It's the same road by the way. But that's where heavy traffic awaited. Another scorepoint for today's misfourtune.

First, he asked me to go straight. Then he suddenly tapped on the dashboard, which means I had to be an e-brake which I did promptly. Then, S-course, I did this beautifully. Then, it's verticle parking; awesome but a little skewed to the right. Nevermind. Next, slope - as usual, no roll-back and it was good. Then, parallel parking! Though I managed to park nicely, the turns on the steering made me as if a panic rat. Simply forgotten the number of turns I should be using, and instead, I did my own 'stunt'. Well, no demerit points for this. Then, crank course! Same, it was good. Lastly, three-point turn. Good too. At least I didn't touch the kerb for everything.

For this I was 'charged' an amount of 10 demerit points! All shouldn't have had happened! Inappopriate gear, incorrect positioning (vert park), wide turn, delay in moving off, fail to signal. Sigh.

Then cruised out to attack the public enemies. First thing the moment I was out - hmm, road works. Got another 2 points off for inappopriate gear. Sighhhh. It was really messy and I didn't even know I was still using second gear. Then at Bt Batok road, the car went off the lane. Ok, i admit this was due to my negligence.

Whatever, I'm not going to journalise the entire experience. Yea, what an experiece. This stupid tester literally ticked every components available, like delay in moving off, wide turn and sharp turn. Even when stopping at U-turn, the car must stop at a position that could please him. Easily I got two points again. Stupid Tech Whye, so many zebra-crossing nevermind, why so many pedestrains! Zebra-crossing at slope somemore, so had to use hand-brake. WTF. If not for the boy who dashed across, i could have saved 4 points for 'sudden braking' and 'jerky'. What a boy. What a tester. What the HELL. What the fuck.

Ok enough of all these if not my keyboard will really suffer. No bruise but cracks. It's $192 + $20 for one hour of testing and driving, plus the whole day and probably a lifetime of swearing and more swearings.

Needless to say, I FAILED with 34 points.

I was really depressed when the shitty sheets of papers were handed to me. 'Dear Sir/Madam, we refer to your performance during the driving test and regret to inform you that you did not perform well to be granted a quallified driving licence. We will urge you to improve on the mistakes listed below and prepare yourself for the next test. Please do not be disheartened and do learn from mistakes during the next test. With sufficient training, we are confident that you will perform well in your next test."

I tell you, I'm downright disheartened and inconfident now. What? I think I don't need sufficient training when Sunny said I've learnt fast and well, just that I need to deal with your tester's impatience and calculative minds. Haha! So much of tension that I strolled 800m to gombak station without a sign of recalling there's actually a shuttle service. 30mins' gone. Sigh.

To reduce my depression about it, I browsed through some people's blog and found a same sentiment! So by and large, the tester's the one partly to blame, on top of my nervousness that screwed up the entire thing.

Instructor Yik HK - Depends on your luck.
http://musictubalife.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-first-driving-test.html

'The Legendary Killer Tester'
http://guiying.livejournal.com/2008/04/10/

Then, this guy can't even park, this Yik HK gave him a pass! WTF. WTH.
http://www.geocities.com/princessting7/archiveaugust05.html

Whichever way, I've failed on paper but not in the minds though.

A promise, however. I will try my best again on 26 Dec 6 Nov.

What a wait.

Haircut Day

Haircut for today! Seems like i'm finally adopting a new hairstyle. haha! Innitially during the haircut i was like doubting whether the stylist boleh or not. It turned out to be good eh. That's what I feel. Applied wax, sprayed some pungent chemical, the shape emerged. =)

Wow, the rain then was heavy. So me and wd were somehow stucked in far east. So after awhile the rain stopped briefly and we went to orchard hotel for the australian universities exhibition for a quick recce of which one is cheaper and which is which. Whatever. A walk around the ballroom and we left. Not really into those talks when we had only less than 30mins. So left and boarded a bus to avoid the heavy pour (again) down to somerset. Fel came and lunch! Later wk joined and we had fun at level four.

So I left at 5 to join my family for dinner. I used the umbrella-holder (those plastic bags shopping malls provide you to hold wet umbrellas)and modified one into a disposable hat so my head and spec won't get wet, see how smart eh? wahaha. joking lah. then i sprint across the road to the bus stop just a vision away. took 174 and alighted at one stop before king albert park. It was drizzling. Crossed over the road by overhead bridge and finally the moment I reach underneath the railway bridge, it poured again!! I shan't consider myself lucky, neither can I say I was. Lucky as in i was just in time for shelter, and unlucky given i was trapped! I could at least move some inches thank goodness, but at the most. Hid under nowhere here nor there (not underwhere)was a feeling so sick.

It made me recall the story of the girl selling matchsticks. -.-

Cars swift passed me at high speed and the those innocent-looking liars actually gave me a good whack on my legs by giving a real shower. Worse when buses like double-deckers went by. The enormous amount of water on the rooftop gave me another attempt to bathe. Some car drivers know, and the changed their lane upon seeing me by the roadside, obviously seeking shelter till the rain stops. But taxi drivers are so differently insane. I wasn't even airing my armpit for their sercices yet many stopped by and asked me where I wanted to go. At that moment, I FELT AS IF A PROSTITUTE. WTF. I believe they all felt disappointed so they left? Could be. Haha. Minutes went passed and the car arrived, boarded and i lamented how much was i treated - by water and the 'service call' - along the journey. All the talk when soaked.

Anyway, celebrated mum's birthday at a jap restaurant in turf city. Considered fine-dining, but it was on an all-you-can-eat basis. Not exactly a buffet, but sort of. Pictures will tell everything.

Turf City

Hokkaido Restaurant

Sushi bar!

Cutlery! Sashimi Platter

Pork Chop

Ebi Tempura

Cheese Chawanmushi (Steamed egg custard)

Tuna Sashimi!

Signature dish: Jap stir-fry beef

Pork bacon with asparagus (BBQ) - taste like bakwa

Jap Garlic fried rice

Real stupid. Blogger can only handle photo uploads this much. Gonna change to wordpress if this persists. These are appearantly only some of the photos taken. Hehe. [Pictures updated 26/8 Tues]

Btw, driving test is just a few hours away. probably 12 or less. Don't ask me to count!

Tribute

In Fond and

Loving Memories of

毛毛

小黑

It's been almost four years
since the day you left us for more adventure.
Every moment of ours,
seeing your every little movements,
had filled us with joy and laughter,
in the lovely three years.
We are thankful to have provided you
with the cosy homes, warmth, as well as
your favourite play-wheels.

Always in the fondest memories of our family.

Anniversary

Departed on 14 Jan 2004,
and 12 April 2004 respectively

Post Exam

End of semester = End of disaster.

Finally, exam is over! And finally, a load of loads off my mind. And it got out of control! I've released just too much of information till the sluggish me came back into action. Totally out of my mind. Worried, a jogging session of 15mins woke me up at last, a good 48-hour of PHMTS (physically-here, mentally-there syndrome) and don't ask me where is the there.

Exam exam exam; final one is EFMA. An accounting module, which I can't really throw away. I've since started my own accounting system doing some own financial management (mainly expenditure ok). But anyway, at the point when I wrote down the last digit, it's 5.30pm sharp and all pens had to be down. That too signified the end of my last semester's stress, information-overload and the brain-juice-depleting activities.

So went out for a movie. Death Race. Nice! It was thrilling. Awesome. But a pig actually went into dreamland for a moment. Especially so during the most adventurous and exciting section - in the midst of the race. So the pig suddenly went awake only to find out the racer's head was crushed and blood not shed but burst into millions of molecules, off and away from the brain. By the way the show was screened in Grand Cathay - very spacious and classy - but was somehow spoilt by the seat-kicker behind me. grr.

After that kbox! wk da and yc suggested that. I treat it as post-exam stress-reliever. hmm. Sang lots of songs till voice break again. numerous virtual attempts to re-enact puberty? lol. voice break no problem, but the problem was, my mind and heart alike broke down and went one-way into half-slumberland. So effetively, i was almost asleep after 3am. Probably also because of the end of the super supper foodie. just let me lament on how cheap the food was despite the amount we've paid. But it's ok. I had my fill.

After that, we took a train home although the feel for a cab ride really was heavy. Home, and slept. Until 1pm, i didn't leave an inch off my bed frame. Went to weewee and then two slices of bread. Back to dreamland! at 5.45 after the click on my watch i springed up and within 2mins i stormed out of house. Driving lesson with booked circuit session was at 5.30pm. Oh shit, but just before I raised my arm for a cab, Sunny called me to cancel the lesson. Well, thank goodness! He said 'rain ah, cannot drive leh'. Thank heaven! But hopefully it won't rain on Tuesday, my TP! But one thing made me clueless. what's the wiper for on his car. Hmm.. I thought. I wondered.

Today, class bbq at Mr Fong's house! Hmm... I thought and thought again. Anyway, most turned up! Mr ong was there too. Nice food. I had my fill too. Some played, some spoke, some smoked, some drank, some drunk, some drove.

I spoke I listened. I had fun. I felt awesome. I thought, again.

I want a compass this christmas.

It's all it takes. Just like Visa! ;)

LIFE

Family Spree

Gosh. Was super shock when i found out there's actually 350 visits to my blog this week!! 20% from countries outside of SG, like Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Canada, Iran, Usa, Malaysia. luckily there's no content about them, if not.... ... jialat sia! (just kidding lah, bro.). I just can't imagine if one day, i have 500 hits per day. I'll be famous then - in the world of my own. hahaha.

Today was a great sunday, aka family day. Started off the day to pay respect to my late grandpa at a temple off balastier rd, as part of the 7th month ritual. While waiting for a cab, we got so irritated by a taxi driver who drove into the taxi stand and immediately, without even stopping, went off quickly. The queue was like having more than 10 groups of people, yet he did so, much to the dismay of everyone there. It added up to the fire of us having been waiting for the past 45 mins, and only 4 cabs arrived within this time. All the time under the sun. What's more frustrating was that he stopped ahead of the queue just about 200m ahead and picked up a passenger!!! Fzcked up lah.

Anyway, we ended up in a Camry taxi. New cab. Nice smell, smooth ride.

Toyota Camry JDM

Classy Interior (Leather seats, rosewood side panels, silver-chromed door handle + Ash tray.)

(Photos: Pocolento's File Photos. These photos are not taken during today's journey.)

Anyway, we reached there in just a moment. There were quite a lot of food, which no doubt ended up in all our stomachs! And later went orchard shop, also ended up with bags and bags of goodies. I bought a pillow, the one that is made to support the contour of your backbone; and a shirt, nice nice shirt.

It was pouring and grandma sat by the edge of the sheltered area. What she did was to protect herself from getting splashed! What a cute grandma.

Aunt drove us to Orchard and i decided to go Cathay to catch Bad Habits, a Picturehouse film, wanted to watch alone for the first time, as others went for their shopping. But sad, it failed. Called YC, he was late for work. Wanted to find him talk. But, ya. And it's scheduled 3.30pm, i thought i'd be late to go grandma house in time for dinner.

So, went to PS, walked around and saw nothing interesting. Ok, indeed I was really bored and lonesome. I caught a train and supposedly heading north one station, i took it down and return that made the journey seven stops in total. That's hilarious when I could well reach Somerset in 3mins to join in the shopping spree. And when I reached Marina Bay the entire train was emptied and empty. So I took a photo to shout out the meaning of 'really empty'. Kang Kang.

Why's there short of one empty seat at my row!!! GO FIGURE.

Yesterday's dinner: 241 Pizza!

Happy National Day!

First of all,

Happy National Day 2008!

43 Years old already, a lot of things have changed in our land! Congrats! But still the same old yew. Time for a change too! I love Singapore!

Just watched the garmen's national day speech. One issue, again, is to get people coupled and produce babies. I really wonder how're they going to ''control' and then get people to 'connect'. Give $$ lor. Easiest way. HAHahahah.

Yesterday, I went for an inspirational trip to Botanic Garden yesterday seeking quality concentration for my new song writing project! I was there at about 4pm and the dusk sun shone comfortably, though scotching, at me. Till about 7pm i was still sitting by the Swan Lake and trying to complete the rhythms and tunes. Occasionally, the duo white swans would peddle their way around the side of me, probably giving me more and more ideas. Though alone, i felt surrounded.

After that, met wk and wd at Orchard. Probably for some while to kill time at Foot Repubic. Then went home. What's really with me yesterday? I seriously don't know. In a state of lethargy for so long already, and yesterday just got worse. I missed two red light at two separate junctions during driving lesson. Kena scolded by instructor, and luckily, no accident. Phew... Just couldn't concentrate enough, or at all. In school, presentations were sucky, not like anytime before. At least they were better than this time round. This round, I couldn't think on the spot. CAN'T. HOW. I'm worried about my score.

HAHA. Ok that aside, I just saw Melissa from hillgrove band on a promotional pamphlet. It's Melissa Lek! Long time no see how are you? I guess you're doing great! As seen from the photo, you're as great. LOL.

Model sia!

By the way, I took quite some photos which I deemed them 'artistic' (in my own way at least).! (But only 3 lah) Who needs it now!?!?

Contemporary sia...

This one! Little Mr K.K. Cheow walked around me for so long. never fly away. I wonder what you really are!

Letter of Offence. (LOL!)

So what's with this letter? Few nights ago, natassya went out with a grp of friends and smoked at a public park. Upon flicking a used cigarette, two officers from NEA asked her: What's this? Did you just litter the park with your cigarette butt? She promptly answered and got herself summoned $200. But what's funny is the description! Look. LOL!

Phew...

Phew... Finally! Phew!

All projects, presentations and reports likewise, are history! WoohoO! Time for a short break, like, for two days, before Exam starts on next Fri. =(

Sad. Why. Three years. Plus one month somemore. Why. Jan. Happy birthday legally to u.

On the go(al)

Finally, after days and nights of restless soul, my workload came almost to a halt. For the whole weekend I've been working like hell, occasionally releases stress with games as companion. Most of the team members were with me. Three cheers for the thoughtful us! Just today, we've completed ICTSCM E-commerce implementation report at 1730hrs when the dateline was 1659hrs. I would say, a job greatly done, but no pat on the back. I would expect not an A, but maybe a B or C cos there isn't much 'meat' in it. Due to? Last minute 'implementation'. Phew..

So we're now left with IB presentation, where the report has been handed up weeks ago. Thurs will be the end of everything! Except for sem exams... five papers to sit for, in two weeks. Sigh...

Today - a great day ended up with burning thoughts. I was thinking thoroughly about something while onboard the train from Yishun. And I stormed through...

"We're who we are in the league of our own - to each is own."

Who doesn't know? But one more thing...

"Competition holds the value for which we obtain victory by surpassing the benchmark of our own. This is value."

The true value of competition is what we can learn at the end of the day. Surpassing our own capability is what lies behind the true value of competition. Compete by oneself, for yourself and within, yet not without. It is dire. No point crossing the mark when at the end you find yourself at nowhere here nor there, and end up crawling back for milk.

Really, I still don't know how hell the train inspired me with these valuables. It was on my way back home from my grandma's house. I shall, rather, start off the story of today...

As usual I dreaded myself away from my cosy bed and off for school. It was 8.30am and class supposed to start at 9. So, chicholokio I got down to the bus stop and saw a cab waiting there. Ok! I decided to take and $17.30 brought me to school in 20mins, and it was a toyota wish! But hell, only to have realised the lab session has been changed to 10am. What the, I really thought I'd gotten to his class early the first time and also last. This week being the last week for the sem. Who knows, I got there really early, together with about 6 other victims!! Lesson started and then I continued with projs and more projs. I missed the last GSCM and EFMA lectures just to complete them. Oh heaven, in the end I went for a sun tan by the pool. !! wk and da were there swimming, so I took the chance for a 'sun' break.

1730hrs I left school and hurried to chinatown to buy a new tripod, rushed for fear it would close ops and I would not get one in time. But who knows the friend quit her job already, so no discount. Plus, there were only one type. Yacks! Thank goodness she told me City Hall's Cathay photoshop (the largest scale in sg i think) and I stormed there via MRT for fear it would close shop too. I stood at the concourse of Dhoby Ghaut station feeling a little lonesome and twisted my fingers for the closing time info on my ipod. Really appreciative, this poddy has helped me countless times whenever i needed help. 7Pm. half hr more before I can't do anythin! so MRT one stop and crazied across the 6-lane road. Got to peninsular pizza-plaza, and ok settled! It can be repaired, so the person took it and got it fixed with a spare part. A small plastic handle in China costs about $1 minus all freight costs and here, it was $20! No discount somemore! Ok no choice. 20 only? Give him la!!!! thank goodness it is repairable, if not another set of the same would have cost $148. dA wants to pay me back $20. Lol! "Dont pay me la, you helped me set up for filming i havn thank u. Had i bought the $148 set only maybe I'll get $10 from u. lol."

So walked all the way from there to plaza sing. Yes walked, i really enjoyed the scenery of the civic district. I wanted to take a train one stop back to Dhoby one, but concession wouldn't be enough for my return trip home. So then decided to take a bus. Chased for bus 175 and with just few more steps, mr captain drove it off. Fumingly startled totally. Flagged down 136, 64, 131 ...... much to my frustration, in my sweaty and smelly red shirt, before I decided to give in to my very own legs. Walked by and through the SMU and the feeling was like 'how I wish I could study here in time to come'. Really, my whole body turned green (...as if) as much the beautiful street landscape when i see bunches and crowds of the students walking around. ... LOL.

Again, I day dreamt until one chilli Ferrari nearly (NEARLY) kissed my butt with an IMPACT while I crossed the junction. Ok leh, nothing happened to me, just felt so restless why didn't the Ferrari did so, at least it's a Ferrari ok! Not any toyotas. And even the honk sounded so nice lah... Till I nearly turned red, red and more red! (red shirt, red Ferrari, then the pool of blood). So, found wk and da at arcade in PS and they were playing silent hill again! That was while I enjoyed watching. Blah blah blah, then I hurried off to Yishun. Daiso's oolong tea was nice!

Saw the whole sequence? Went to my grandma place to return the tripod to aunt and from then, is when I gave myself the honour to realise the 'burning statements' hahaha. Maybe it doesnt really matter.

Immediately blogged the moment i got bathed. And it is quite interesting to note that actually, i do have visitors from canada, iran and korea! Maybe scary? hahah. No la. World without boundaries ok! Hey friend, welcome!

Seriously, i feel so skinny now after long walks and sprints. Plus and indefinite flame of thoughts. Smile! Next stop, Dreamlands. Thank you for travelling with pocolento. Good night =)

Grrr...

Today supposed to go grandpa house. Haven't been going to his house for quite some time already. Feel bad ok. Sad. No time in the beginning. But in the end. Went to watch movie! Wad a grandson.

Money no enough 2. Haha is the word. Albeit not a word. Haha. It's just plain funny and as usual, jack's movie contains political-humour. This time, he showed a 'virtual street demonstration' about ERP. I think it's purely a movie-version of a real protest. There's also a 'We're Singapore' national song sang in Hokkien. Very funny and creative! Good job, Mr Neo! You spoke our hearts out. Midway through there's a very touching family issue that, too, very well reflected our Singapore's way of handling family problem. Yet another clap... Cry cry cry... Many sponsors' adverts though. Like OCBC, Singtel, and Mitsubishi Electric.

So for today's intake i had subway as snack and KFC as dinner. Grrr. KFC again. Just couldn't control my diet.. Grrrr.....

When will the next revolution for a 'dieted' me starts??? I mean rev-solution. How to kick start. Boom Boom! Help!

Phonetic System Practice

Found out an interesting stuff.

Memory : Phonetic System Practice We have learned how the Phonetic Mnemonic System can be used to remember words, concepts, dates, numbers, and more. The only drawback to this system is that it takes a little time to learn. Let's practice! If you need to look at the chart a few times, go ahead.

Translate these numbers into their equivalent phonetic words:
99 = puppy
8 = ?
92 = ?
334 = ?
70 = ?
73914 = ?

Now, translate the following words into their equivalent numbers:

Try = 14
Meadow = ?
Lodge = ?
Practice = ?
Elbow = ?
Chocolate = ?

(Answers: Fee, piano, memory, kiss, computer, 31, 56, 94710, 59, 6751)
See below for chart.

_________________________________________________________


The Phonetic mnemonic system is similar to the Peg system in that it uses words to represent numbers so that you can recall items non-sequentially. It is more difficult to learn than the Peg system, but once mastered, it will allow you to remember much longer lists (the Peg system has difficulty for numbers over 20).

Whereas the Peg system translates numbers into words by using rhymes, the Phonetic system uses sounds. Each digit from 0-9 is represented by a unique sound.

0 -- z, s
1 -- t, d, th
2 -- n
3 -- m
4 -- r
5 -- l
6 -- j, sh, ch, soft g
7 -- k, q, hard c, hard g
8 -- f, v
9 -- p, b

You can then translate numbers into words by combining these sounds. Notice how only consonant sounds are used. Any non-used sounds (including all the vowels) are irrelevant. They are simply there to help construct the word. For example, the number 29 might be represented by the word 'nap' (n=2 and 9=p). The number 99 could be represented by 'puppy', 'papa,' or 'baby.' You can use the word 'tie' for the number 1.

Use these constructed keywords to make your visual associations and you will be able to recall items in any order.