A Black Christmas

It's no doubt the darkest Christmas I've ever spent. But like Samsung, it's really Not That Hard to Imagine. Piles and stacks of projects of 7 modules are already pushing me to the boundary. Since the final semester started in November, I was very much hopping for the term break to come so that I can take a deep breath. But not so. Everything is so scheduled till my body suffers. I'm now in (quite a) severe state of sleep deprivation. Insomnia comes again. IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) comes as usual too. My stress level is at historical high, worse than anytime before, not even 'O' Levels can beat it. My desktop is full of Words, Excel and PDF icons and I wonder what if my laptop crashes again. Repeat sem? Shut up. I want to leave school on time... 

How to reduce stress can anyone assist me!! I wish I had a 'virtual wheelchair' to help me ride out the storm. But isn't this a challenge in life? I thought. So just tell me how to fish and I'll fish for everyone. Again, my eating syndrome is here again. Notice how much physical changes I have since the begining of this yeaR? PLUM. My face is now so chubby. WTH. How I wish I could get slimmer like before, feeling less tired and more alert. My hair is like a piece of grassland with overgrown weeds. RaRRR!!! I want a visit to the beach. Like where Mr Bean went in his movie and make a deep breathe over there and gladly says 'everything is over'. Hope!! I'm dreaming... and still dreaming. Still dreaming myself in a Honda driving someone to Changi beach. Whhoops! I think I'm too stressed up.. Need an avenue to de-stress. Driving is fun! I'm starting to miss the ahpek lorry already... Although it's old, it's power sia!! It's just so fun... Sis was like asking me to print a photo of my dream car and paste it over my bed just so that I can get it one day. Get it? Her law of attraction, again. Perhaps one day I'll paste my photo in her room for goodness sake. 

Saw the poem below? Well written, chatterbox told me. It was written under a dimmed moonlight, gloomy sky and a glass of red wine. Sounds classic eh? Oh well, that's a great feeling of mine. Hope to go Genting next month and sit by the 'cliff', litterally submerged in the clouds, and obtain a fresh series of thoughts. Starting anew? Not really, I haven't been down lately. I don't need a new life just because of stress, given after the 'stressed' up period, sweet things will subsequently come. 

STRESSED => DESSERTS

Try reading 'stressed' from the opposite direction. Let's await for the day to come!! Anyway,

There are so many happy things in life than to die for.

'Die' as in giving up. Don't give up, Zhenyu!

End of Feb = End of School life!! Sadly Subway is coming to nyp yet I'm leaving... Have to make do with the one at lot one. Wahaha. 

28 December 2008. 2nd Annual Pot Luck Dinner. Heartfelt thanks to sylvia and people for sharing the workload. This years' party is expected to be smaller, with more and more people backing out from the attendance list. Though I guess it won't be so grand as its inaugural counterpart last year, I believe what matters is the quality time we get together, lest the degree of appreciation of the ones attending. Last year's APLD was great because I gambled in most of my time. Though it was a success, I failed two modules on the other hand. It's a heavy loss, to be remembered for the whole of my life time. I just hope that I can quietly leave the management and still see it working well like before, or even better. But sometimes it's just so difficult. It's three years of hard work and still there's no physical evidence of it, except for the website, which I doubt many people have treated it with pride. It's like a ladder; you need the first step to get to the next. Now that you're somewhere above, invisible are the steps taken except to yourself. What not, a missed step you'll fall hard on the ground. Is it worth to stay, or quit, or even climb further? It's just to say how easy it is to cripple everything simply by being stagnant. 

Money money must be funny. I laugh when I see my wallet being hungry. So am I, no big deal. A christmas under the light of poverty. I'm poor! Gonna save, save and save. Currently, I tink i have no extra time and money to spare for other things. Camping in the school library could well save me some bucks at the malls out there.

It's a black, black christmas... 

AND MY AIRCON BROKE DOWN. WTH. Merry X'mas, Daikin.

Chalet was fun! Extremely fun and lovely!

By the way, see also blog posts about the chalet!

Edwin

Fayth

Gary (Dec 18)

Curry (Dec 17)

Kenneth

Nelson

Wengkin

The Rosy Smiles

Smooth canyon a sight of lie

Snowman breaks if wartime comes

Miseries gloomed the mystical sky

Many faces but a wonderful smile.

6D5N Hong Kong/Macao/China

In the celebratory mood of...

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Pocolento. The honourable 100th post is right before your eyes! After one and a half years, the 100th post is finally here. We shall let this 'Trip to Hong Kong' post be the honoured one to give Pocolento another headstart for the 101th post and beyond. Long live!

Trip to Hong Kong!



My mother and I went on a trip to Hong Kong in October. Also on the voyage were my relatives, whose son is studying at the City University of Hong Kong. Because of that, we thought of visiting him and give ourselves the reason for a holiday getaway.

Wow. Hong Kong is a nice place, with lots of shopping, dining and sight-seeing places, no wonder it's such an ideal place for holiday-seekers - with some extra cash. We somehow were on a budget trip so naturally we didn't get to see the best, as everything was so expensive. Nonetheless we got to experience the lifestyles of the locals, like dining local fares at the Cha Chaam Teng (or Tea house).

On 19 October 2008, Mum and I boarded the Jetstar flight 3k691 (Airbus 330) at 6.30am for Hong Kong International Airport. We touched down at 10.10am and cleared the custom by 11am. We took the Airport Express from the airport to the City at a cost of HKD70/pax (S$14).

Jetstar Asia 3k691. I have nothing to complain about it, except for the extremely small legroom allowance! Imagine 3.5hrs in a frozen position, and having to wake your flight companion from his sleep just because you need to visit the lavatory was a real hassle and discomfort.

The Airport Express train.

We reached Kowloon Station (West of Tsim Sha Tsui) in just 20mins, and transferred to the free Airport Express Shuttle. Within 15mins we reached our destination, which was however quite far away from our hotel. Finally, we reached and checked in at New King's Hotel. Not an accomodation for the Kings though. It was positioned slightly better than a budget hotel (one more star), with rooms being bigger in size, but was quite dusty and run-down, given the old age of the building (of about 30years). And, most importantly there's no ghost. Whaha.

And, the weather was really bad. Other than the 'world-famous air pollution', the heat and high humidity made us feel really bad.


Our first meal in Hong Kong: Beef Curry and Wonton Noodle, at the Teahouse near our hotel. (Picture: Clockwise from bottom)

So we began our shopping spree, alongside sightseeing and eating! Perhaps that was the first day and boredom was the word, and especially so without the company of my Uncle and family who were then on a Shenzhen short trip. So we strolled down the alley and streets, took the MTR downtown and shopped at the malls. Great city, lots of skyscrapers, people and shopping malls especially.

At night, we went back to our hotel and got prepared to stroll along the night market (Temple St). Recalling the days when I was young, there were lots of interesting things there we had never seen before. But this time, many merchandises could be found in our Singapore Chinatown. Other than food, there was little that could attract us. So for dinner, we dined streetside for Claypot Rice (煲仔饭) and ordered the Hong Kong style Oyster Omelette. It was nice, seriously. I mean, they were.

Temple Street is just a stone's throw from our hotel. (Picture: Top right hand - Oyster Omellete)

So what about the train system, it's fantastic. Really. Maximum 2 mins a train, and often you can get a seat even during peak hours. So we got our Octopus Card (Similar to Ez-Link) at HK$250 and ride our way to play! We alighted at Mong Kok Station and went to the popular Ladies' Street (女人街), among other shopping places in the district.

(Picture: Bottom-right - a machine located at stations for you to tap your octopus card and check its balance. Cool!; Bottom-Center: Interactive route map tells you where your train is, and which side of the door is opening. Cool Too!)

Mong Kok

Day 2

We went to this congee shop (海皇粥店) where we had numerous breakfasts when I was young. It sells authentic Hong Kong trademarks like fried fritters (油炸果 OR 油条; I tell you it's You Tell) and beautifully delicious congee. Soya bean milk is also the best. Drool...

(Picture: Top-left) Fried doughs wrapped by 'Zhu Cheong Fun' (sth like a rice wrap)

Tung Chung. Food Republic is there too!

Right after breakfast, we took the MTR to Tung Chung (東涌), a relatively new town on lantau island for the higher-income Hong Kongers. There's a new shopping mall that exclusively sells branded items at a cheaper price at their outlets. Probably they're off-season products, that's why the lower price. So bought T-shirts at Esprit outlet and gave them away for friends. I myself bought a long pants and some shirts. Three trolley-loads of apparels you see how scary? There's also a supermarket selling really fresh foods, so fresh that fishes and frogs were cut up alive, and crabs still snoring in water. However I don't see cows and their milking machines, chicken and their cages etc. Bought fruit juices instead, which were juiced on the spot.

So basically the shopping went on and on, for a few hours at a single apparel shop until 5pm, when we thought it's time to go for a cable car ride to Ngong Ping 360 (昂坪360), where the gigantic buddha statue is. However we were saddened when we were told of the closing time was at 6pm. So we missed it, and left the town.

(Picture clockwise from bottom left: Curry beef, Restaurant Macau Teahouse, Long bean and minced meat, and roasted chicken.)

Right after that we walked down the streets to find the Star Ferry Terminal. It's probably a joy-ride for locals because trains would be much faster (one station apart), at just 4mins compared to this ferry which is 15 - 30 mins including waiting time. But's it's much cheaper, at just HKD1.70 (S$0.34). We had fun, really. After alighting, uncle was in search of the popular drinking district Lan Kwai Fong (蘭桂坊)just to wander around. It's spectacular I would say, buildings by the sides have everything from bars, pubs, and clubs. Decent or not I don't know, or at least they appeared to be cool. Ferrari here, Porsche there, and Toyotas everywhere (taxis). Seems like it's a place for the rich. And not for the faint-hearted; it's literally an uphill task to visit it, as it was as if a mountain hiking experience.

Central @ Hong Kong Island. (Picture: Top-center) IFC, International Financial Center, is currently the tallest building in Hong Kong. There's a high-end shopping mall below, which is HUGE.

It was as if I've arrived at the scene of HongKong dramas.!! We retired for the day after a series of 'night hiking'.

Day 3

We had our sumptious breakfast at one of the fabulous Teahouses (茶餐廳) near Jordan Station. It tasted so good that we wish we could return immediately. It was the typical Hong Kong's Set A, B, C etc breakfasts that includes a bun, sunny-side-up and a milk tea. And best of all, their milk tea (港式奶茶) is never to be found elsewhere in Singapore. They were completely different from ours at Kopitiam; rich in aroma, strong flavour of tea blended in with rich milk. They don't usually come sweetened, so we could add sugar according to our preference.

Recharged with food, we went ahead as planned: Trip to Macau, and ZhuHai in China. We went to Tsim Sha Tsui's China Ferry Terminal, bought our tickets and waited 45mins for the ferry.

After one hour's sail, we finally reached Macau. Second time there, I almost couldn't remember the place! Apparently there have been massive development going on, and buildings of Casinos sprout out of nowhere. It's just like Las Vegas. Upon leaving the immigration checkpoint into the city, there were many touts asking to bring us around for a fee. We fled, knowing that there's a free connecting shuttle bus to the Chinese immigration checkpoint. When we arrived, I know something was happening - that i'm really visiting China. A blind person could too identify he's approaching China from miles away. We were still hundreds of metres away from the checkpoint facilities, and that's where we come to knowledge we were approaching the restrooms even without the toilet signs. Foul smell, loud voices and not-so-clean environment.

So we, five persons, squeezed into a small taxi (like the way we do on our Singapore MRT) to a small town where the villagers sell seafoods for a living. Frankly the purpose of visiting Zhu Hai was only for the food and merchandizes. We reached the restaurant in 10mins and went to the 'seafood street' by the side to shop for our seafood. There were many kinds of seafood, I had never seen some of them before and probably never will. So we took up Abalone (S$1/piece, alive), prawns, hairy crabs, normal crabs, among other shell species. We brought the bags of seafood into the restaurant and they whipped up sumptious dishes within minutes. We chose our way of cooking, etc.

Suprisingly the abalone didn't enjoy the limelight, but instead, the ee-fu noodle on the bottom-right. After one order, we called on the next. It's just terribly delicious!!! Never have I eaten such a nice plate of noodle. And to sum it all up, the total bill was only about RMB330 (S$60) for 5 persons. We'll definitely return there. If you intend to visit, maybe you want to drop me a message and I think they'll give you a good discount. Cos they remembered us from Singapore! (They said, 'wow Singapore, a big city')

At the end of the day, we left Zhu Hai and went to visit Macau's Venetian casino. That was my first time entering a casino! I 'interacted' with the jackpot machines and I won 3x my capital! Feeling shiok, I hopped from machines to machines until marginal deficit came about. That's also the time we left Macau and back to Hong Kong. (No photography was allowed in casinos, not even discreet ones.)

Midway the journey, the ferry actually broke down. About hundreds of passengers were left in the middle of nowhere for about 45mins. There were lightings, but not air-conditioning. Suffocated, yet suprisingly everybody left the ferry alive. So instead of the usual 1-hour ride, we took 1.75hrs to reach Hong Kong only to find out the last train has departed. Taxi became the only choice. The fare was somehow on par with Singapore's, except for the 'tunnel toll charge' (sort of a 'manual' ERP).

Just then, I was frightened when I came about this news saying there's an avian-flu infected crow found at a town near our hotel. Shit! But nothing happened, thank goodness.

Day 4

Early in the morning we took the train down to Sheung Wan (West of Central) specially for the popular Dim Sum restaurant! It was indeed really delicious, and there were a lot of special dim sums which I have never come across in Singapore. Once we entered, we could see lots of locals, especially the elderly, enjoying their Char Siew Bao and Chinese Tea while reading their newspapers. It's just so interesting.

Can you find a broken Char Siew Bao in the picture? Wahaha, I have to hide, it's just so delicious, simply can't be shared. After a good fill, we walked all over the places around Central, Admiralty and finally, Causeway Bay, one of the popular shopping districts in Hong Kong (which were about 4 stations away from here to there).

Street markets and shopping is common in land scarce Hong Kong, and don't be frightened by the BLOODY ARMS! They're fake, made specially for Haloween Festival.

Times Square in Causeway Bay. Combination of both the world of old and new.

On the double-decked Electric Tram. Good experience, and definitely it's cheap! (SGD0.50 for any distance. One of the cheapest form of Public Transport.)

I was supposed to go for a hair cut at Causeway Bay. But after checking from salon to salon, prices were to high for good. So a check with a young shop assistant gave me a clue on where to cut. Read on!

So basically, everywhere we walked to was on foot. Till we land in this food establishment that sells roasted goose, among other roasted delights.





I'm sorry, let this post complete in phases. To be continued... (Remember to return!)

Driving Test Result - Part II

Oh well, part II; how about that?

I solemnly declare that I'm rightfully a part of the motoring society!

I passed my driving test today! What a happy thing. No more heavy hearts! But sadly, a heavy wallet becomes history. More than a thousand bucks were spent all in all. It's worth the try - for it goes with you for life. But on the other hand, it wasn't as 'willingly-paid' for those failed attempts.

You might say, 'hey, learn from those failed attempts that's why you're where you're today'. Point taken, but it really cost a bomb mind you. It had been a difficult journey I would say - from skimmed lunches to strunk wallets at times, in fact, most of the times. And having failed two tests, one theory and the other, practical, was very much too hard to swallow. Especially at the time of knowledge. Monies aside, one of the main factors for the 'hardship' was the hell long waiting time. Though it's marginally cheaper, private students are required to wait 3hrs at the reception to enrol into the school, 4months interval to take the basic theory test, 2 months break for final theory test, 4 months of bewilderment for practical test and another 4 months of greatness for sub-test. So when the wait is long, the face turned long too. I didn't pull.

So what's with failing the first practical test? I got it the second time and I'm proud of it! At least technically I'm now more proficient in driving, rather than those who made it the first round; given that I had at least 8 more lessons and another test experience! (If it does sound a little, or far too green in envy, I can't deny but to admit it's true. HAHA.)

So how did I fair? 12 demerit points. Once 20, considered fail. Similarly there's a story behind the story. "Once upon a time.........' oops. Sorry. Not a fairy tale. A hokkien one...

"Limbehgahligong. Just now when I sit inside the car ah, the aircon spoil. Don't know whether heng or sway? Test you know? Under the hot sun ok? It's like sauna - on the road. So 2 - 3pm driving lesson i sweat like hell. Instructor oso sweat, but you know what he told me? His car aircon spoil, he still tell me 'eh boy, your heart hot lah!' Nabeh! (oops) sibeh hot la. then 3.45pm real test. I told tester 'boss, aircon not working la.' so the malay tester replied: 'siala, why now?' so he wind down the window n we did the test open air oso. Unique eh! I could peep outside the car to see if the wheel got hit the curb anot. Lucky sia! Then suddenly! Aircon working again... Cool.... Cold. Passed. limbehgahligong bo liao, gam xia."

Oh ya, refer to the previous post in august when I failed the first attempt. I mentioned the tester's name multiple times, 99.99% of the time cursing and swearing. But what about today's tester? He was Samad Bin Abdullah a Malay man. Good man I should publicise!

And the most most most important person I want to thank is . . . .. none other than Sunny! As sunny as sunny! Well, he's my instructor who gave me his greatest support. No doubt, his lessons were useful and 98% of the time he was attentive and taught the correct things, 100% responsible and 101% commitment! Well and again, he's 200% a busy man! So wanna learn driving? Call this number 98566215! (Well, again and again, he didn't pay me to advertise!) Tell him my name and he'll tell you many good jokes.

The most sincere thanks to all the support, family n friends! By the way, anyone has P-Plate!??!?!?!

Dad, car please! 'Don't dream, boy.'

SMRT - Squeezing People, Endangering Lives?

Seems like we're going to bear with the squeeze on our MRT trains as usual. Though the LTA, or Transport Minister Raymond Lim, promised to tighten the operating standards, I see nothing's going to improve. What's said to be improvised are mainly the waiting time and passenger load, but SMRT said they 'have been doing it anyway'.

You know what? In the past, every weekday morning and evening peak passengers would have to squeeze into the cabin. Even with the centre filled, often I had to tap my palms on the ceiling to find balance. Poor ladies by my side had to endure my fragrance, and it is no wonder that there are so many palm stains on the ceiling panels.

Today, even with the tremendous increase in train headways, peeple still squeeze. Certainly it's true given that people nowadays avoid driving to save on petrol costs and switch to public transport. But who cares? the FACT is that the train is still packed to the brim! I simply have no idea WHY the authorities are still using FIGURES to show it's 'still less than capacity' when PEOPLE are the ones taking the train, and not FIGURES? Please come back to the ground, you people are lost in your paradize driving big cars like Merc 500 it is no wonder only the figures are used. If only those so-called think-tank were to join in the crowd, then I suppose there's improvement. No pain, no gain, right? Boys, figures don't pinch. I really meant PINCH.

My heart nearly burst into flame when the CEO of the corporation, Saw Phaik Hwa, said:

"The importance of the train is to ensure you can pack as many
people as possible. People want to travel. One of the complaints’ is
not because there are no seats, but it's too packed."

WTH?!? We, passengers with senses all across the skin and flesh, felt that YOUR trains (and buses) are already packed near to the core, now YOU want us to reach the core? The company has been posting higher net profits every year in terms of millions of dollars, and all these gains goes to the company and its shareholders. We passengers are only stakeholders so we've got to bear with all these unnecessary pains. How much more cost are you talking about by increasing the train frequency marginally? With all-time high passengership, what YOU gain is the pennies collected. So what cost are you talking about. Increase the frequencies further!

SMRT received the 'Best Passenger Experience' award at the inaugural Metro Awards 2008 in Copenhagen, Denmark. WTH? It's a service not acceptable by the locals, don't honour something else from the foreigners. It's also firing it's company's slogan:

Squeezing People, Endangering Lives you mean? I wonder what if one day, one of the doors falls off because of strong pressure, the company will be in deep trouble. Street men will witness flying commuters instead. What's more, the news also report that it has planned to remove 86 SEATS on TEN of its trains shuttling between Jurong East and Bt Batok stations. In the older trains, there were 372 seats a train. After refurbishment, it's left with 296. Now, even lesser. I wonder when will it be the day when trains have no seat. I would say, WHAT A NOVEL WAY of maximising the profits!

See also:
STOMP.SG: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/viewContent.jsp?id=41837
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/viewContent.jsp?id=40449

What the?? WE WANT OUR SEATS BACK!!! SMRT has posted $150million for FY2008 ended March 31. Given such a huge amount, SMRT is going to continue to juice the most out of the passengers! Lest the all-time high fare increases. So is SMRT talking about any societal responsibilities? The answer is a straight NO! The low train frequencies HAVE BEEN the norm until the government stepped in. Only until recently people gets a better frequency. Next, it has the SMRT Tribute Funds, yes it is doing for the society, but i suppose a large fraction of those was from donations from passengers, as seen from their advertisement asking for donations. That's why I've never patronaged the box. Squeezing more passengers into a train is NOT the way. Our culture does not support this; we're not like those foreign workers who apparently love to make skin-to-skin contact. IF I WERE THE regulatory body I WILL NOT LET SMRT run the major lines. Same goes to its bus services like 67, 190, and 960. Trans-Island did a far better job.

Four things for aftermath:

1. Commuters 'storming' into the trains for seats, instead of the current 'rushing',
2. Teenagers and foreign workers sit in circle on the floor (which counter the purpose of such move),
3. People skipping trains with such configuration because PEOPLE WANTS TO SIT!
4. People protesting at Hong Lim Park.

So, the already-redundant 'please allow passengers to alight first' announcement will be further ignored. When people sit on the floor, even lesser space is allowed for standing. More passengers will stand longer on the platform to avoid such trains to get their seats. Ok, we shall see then.

Why can't it just run more trains? Let me cite an example overseas, in Hong Kong. In my recent trip there, almost all of my trips were made on the MTR. 100% of time waiting time did not exceed 2mins (I wish to bow), even at 10am and 3pm. After entering the train, I found myself often than not wasn't squeezing with other people and instead - spaces aplenty. With 8 carriages for all trains (ours' 6), 2mins in frequency day and night, and both being a Corporation, i wonder what is SMRT really doing.

Here's my suggestion: Allow private buses or even its competitor like SBS Transit to run buses parallel to the MRT lines. Why not? Since it can't deliver a good job, let the comsumers have an alternative (with far more seats) and at the same time giving it a PINCH for losing customers. Another good solution will be allowing overseas operator, like the HK's MTRC, to run new train lines! I'm certain all local operators will buck up!

I also hope someone who is more frustrated than myself about it will start a petition to BRING BACK OUR SEATS.

Look, there's no crowd during off peak hour, yet frequency is at 2mins a train. So many value-added services like news on the go with audio, among other initiatives. Yet, travelling for three stations from Yau Ma Tei to Admiralty is only HKD3.6 (S$0.72)!

So the burning question is: WHY COMMERCIALISE in the first place?? Without that, the state runs it, we people get good deals. Ultimately, the public transport is for the PEOPLE. Why talk about profits here. I see, we sigh. Money rules the world. Perhaps striving (probably the entire lifetime) to get the COE and a car remains the viable way for Singaporeans.

Can we Singaporeans have enough reasons to take pride in our only railway? You shall justify.

6D5N Hong Kong/Macau/Zhu Hai

Back from Hong Kong! Long long updates in just a while please. (Few weeks probably!) Gonna start preparing for classes in the new and final (hopefully) semester!

It's Recession!

Times are bad, from now on. This is the first recession that somehow seriously concerns me, or most people from my age group, because i was probably too young to have felt the impact during the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the post-911 effect. I didn't need a job, and knowing that someone, particularly dad and mum, would still be home to feed me food was a blessing. This time round, getting a job might be increasingly difficult especially i'm graduating like real soon. From what I see from the papers everyday, i'm skeptical that the economy will make a comeback so soon. The biggest global investment back Lehman Bros has fallen! Many banks and insurance companies have policies that were linked to Lehman, and everybody lost confidence and started surrendering their policies. Monies in the reserves are falling and stock market turns bearish. Everything turns bad now. Real bad. Such things are dominating headlines day by day and scary is the word. Confidence in investors aside, we shall see how much the worldwide govts can do to control the situation. SGD is now fixed and no long paired up with USD, though it weakened against it. Every cent is a dollar from today, and every dollar owed must both be collected back and returned (i owe wengkin $8). I'm saying NO to taxi rides, restaurants, big ticket items, as far as possible. (Hey, HK trip was planned before Lehman collapsed!). Open up income channels but sad to say, I've been idling around for more than 8 weeks due to some 'constraints' LOL. But I guess I won't get a job until semester ends on 1st March so as not to repeat semester. And hope dad won't lose his precious job.

The point is that, I now feel the blessings our gahman gave me a break. I used to hate NS cos it's like a waste of time. Two years to me, back then, is equivilent to $$shingshings so shiny than those stupid rifles. But now, I feel it's a buffer for me to start the engine at the right time. Rifles now sparkles brightly and so green with envy. Otherwise, I might be flying around, hunting for jobs for 365 days after graduation if without NS. Wahahaha. By the time (ORD) I shall see it's time for a good start in life.

Extracted from TODAYonline, today.

Is our Gen Y ready for its first recession?

Loh Chee Kong cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg

THEY are articulate, confident and too young to remember the gloom of
the 1997 Asian financial crisis, or the post-911 and Sars slumps of recent
years. (I was 7 back then.)

Singapore’s youth — aged under 30 — have until now had the world at their
feet ... or so they were told. Faced with their first recession, how will they
cope, should the world slip into a full-scale recession as many experts are
predicting?

Headhunter Christopher Leong, for one, wonders how this group — known
for its high expectations and consumerism — would buckle down and, in
youth-speak, snap back to reality. (I'm back already, luckily)

Mr Leong, a partner with Chris-Allen Executive Search, said: “Some of them
have ridiculous aspirations. Many of them live with their parents and are not in
a hurry to look for any work. They would think, ‘If I can’t find a job, I would
just look for temporary work or go travelling around Europe’.” (True enough, and mine is HK though. Lol)

In recent weeks, various Government officials have warned of tougher times
ahead, with unemployment expected to rise.

Young people do understand the gravity of the situation, especially when
some relatives, or even parents, have lost large sums due to the collapse of the
Lehman Brothers bank in the United States.

But it seems that job worries can wait — there are the examinations and
partying to get through. “I don’t think the media is hyping up the crisis ...
it’s real,” said Ms Denise Goh, 22, a final-year student at the Nanyang
Technological University. “But, our immediate concerns are to get through the
rest of the year — the exams, and things like that.”

And, despite looming job cuts and slower economy, they do not see the need
to tighten their own belts yet.

Said Ms Lin Dongzheng, 20, who is doing temporary work at a bank: “If I get
paid more this month, I’ll spend more.” (dangerous!!)

Unsurprisingly, it is those who have mouths to feed who are contemplating
the worst.

Said Mr Kelvin Kao, a 28-year-old account manager whose wife recently gave
birth to a son:“I started budgeting in greater detail just this month ... I also
started measuring our household’s energy consumption, and I tend to buy more
house-brand stuff nowadays.”

Associate Professor Annie Koh, dean of executive and professional education
at Singapore Management University, feels the recent financial turmoil would
“sieve out the men from the boys” in this age group.

“My advice to students is to be pragmatic and not too choosy,” said Assoc
Prof Koh, adding that students should make use of the growingopportunities to
work with homegrown small and medium entreprises, at a time when some global
firms are stumbling.

Mrs Ruth Chiang, director of SMU’s office of career services, said that
graduating students “may not receive multiple job offers now and have to be
prepared to accept job offers as they come”.

Mr Leong felt it would be several months after graduation before young
job-seekers adjust their expectations.

“After six months, after sending out 50 CVs, going for 10 interviews and
getting no return calls ... then they will realise it’s getting tough — but only
after they see one or two of their friends taking on lousy jobs,” he said.

Undergraduate Leong Fengzhi, 22, told Today she would give herself three
months upon graduation to find her ideal job in the public relations industry.

Said Ms Leong: “I’m willing to settle for lower pay, but it should be a job
in the same industry. If not, I would consider entering a similar industry, like
hospitality.”

Still, entrepreneur Elim Chew, founder of streetwear chain 77th Street, who
is a member of the National Youth Council, believes the recession could have a
positive impact on a restless generation — just as the ’70s oil shock gave rise
to the punk subculture among British youth.

Said Ms Chew: “In fact, this crisis may be their baptism of fire. With the
energy of this generation, this recession will inspire creativity.”

Yet Another Day

School's starting in three weeks! Looking forward to day one when most things start anew yet again. Except for GPA. In few months time, I'll be getting the cert at graduation and no longer have to sit in classes, unless I'm bound for uni.

Recently, I've been quite held up with organising the annual pot luck dinner. So exhausted but really exciting. Then on the actual day we'll get to see many familiar faces getting older. I won't be surprized to see some bringing children. lol!

Financial activity wise, I'm no better than the current world's trend. No job, no income and yet expenditure rules them all. Next week I'm bound for Hong Kong! Quite excited. But got to stay silent. Don't worry frens, you'll receive goodiessssss. Muahaha.

From today, I'm gonna read a book a week. It's really been an eyesore to always see those books pile there day by day. Yea, gonna start reading. Cos, you either improve or worsen. There's no such thing as status quo as in personal developement. We have to move as the clock ticks. Yea, starting to read. Flip.

Lest A Bean

Surely I'm getting bored about that bean, till the extend that I changed the blogskin yet again! I'm really bored, so bored I'm really left with nothing to do other than gazing at those birds. Recently there're bunches and bunches of mynas, unsure of whether were they fighting, quarreling, or lovey dovey; kept making a din out of nothing, right outside my windows. They stood on the ledge where the planter is, and stayed there for minutes. I wonder if they're talking, cos I just couldn't understand. It was as if there's worm, ant or rather, their food. Ant I suppose, cos my house is currently ant-infested. These birdies are black, and they flock together. So much of the saying 'birds of a feather flock together'. But one was bald, MSG I guess.

Gonna resume my driving lesson again! My interest died down from the previous deadly test, which driving a car hadn't been much of an excitement for the entire month of September. So now, basically, I have about 30 more days to school resume, and frankly I've already spent the previous half of 60 days in agony. Boredom kills, really. What about getting a job? Had I not have the plan of going Genting on 9 Sept, I would have worked and enjoyed. What about now? Can't really as on the 19 i'm going on a trip to Hong Kong for a week. So, essentially I'm stucked in between of nowhere, and who in the right mind would hire me.

Downtrend is the financial market; so is mine.

Simplicity is the best complexity.

Corrinne May

In The Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Journey



It's a long long journey
Till I know whera* I'm supposed to be
It's a long long journey
And I don't know if I can believe
When shadows fall and block my eyes
I am lost and know that I must hide
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you
Many days I've spent
Drifting on through empty shores
Wondering what's my purpose
Wondering how to make me strong
I know I will falter I know I will cry
I know you'll be standing by my side
It's a long long journey
And I need to be close to you
Sometimes it feels no one understands
I don't even know why
I do the things I do
When pride builds me up till I can't see my soul
Will you break down these walls and pull me through?
Cause It's a long long journey
Till I feel that I am worth the price
You paid for me on calvary
Beneath those stormy skies
When Satan mocks and friends turn to foes
It feel like everything is out to make me lose control
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you

Incident on Stomp

It appeared on STOMP, dubbed the Online Citizens Media website. It really did. Feeling so honoured for it to be the first post i've ever sent there. So what's the incident? Click to go.

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/viewContent.jsp?id=35658

Almost everything in the email was reproduced. However, I didn't use the word 'Rogue' as in the title 'Rogue cyclist scolds me for not watching out'. This is the original message in the email:

Dear Editors,

I would like to highlight an incident which happened on 23 September on the pedestrian walkway along Bukit Batok East Avenue 2. This walkway has been the only connection between the residents of the area and Bukit Batok Central and hence is always busy.

Yesterday, my friends and I were using the said pavement on our way to the MRT Station. Out of a sudden, a cyclist came out from nowhere, probably due to his speed, and collided into one of my friend. The cyclist was with a pillion, and the duo toppled into the side bushes. They seemed unhurt and got up looking frustrated. To our horror, the cyclist demanded my friend to 'watch your way'! What a nonsense, given that the pavement is meant for pedestrians usage and not for cyclists, especially with a pillion. Had we called the police, they'd be at the losing end and would be bound for medical compensation.

Isn't it by law that cyclists are not allowed on the pedestrian pathway? It is a notorious fact that cyclist must get down the bicycle and push it on if he wants to use the pedestrian pathway or crossings. The duo not only did not do so, but travelled at a speed too high for pedestrians to react in time. Also, to my general knowledge cyclists are also prohibited to carry a pillion on any roads of Singapore. The added weight will translate to greater impact and therefore chances of hurting or killing someone more vulnerable would be higher, which was what has happened to my friend. His skin was torn sideway by at least 5cm in length.

I hope the relevant authorities could perform some measures to prevent such things from happening again, such as holding campaigns at the neighbourhoods where cycling are widespread. The fact is that not only Tampines and Pasir Ris have high number of cyclists. Another fact is that the said pavement is too narrow for heavy usage. Can the town council please do something?

A note to cyclists: If anyone cycles at a low speed nobody will be there to lodge a report. However if you insist, get out onto the road and cycle however fast you
want.

A note the the pedestrians: Watch out for speeding cyclists and in case whatever has happened to you, know that you are not in the wrong. For the pedestrians who often walk along the said pavement, watch out for the dark man in his 20s who is riding on his blue-silver mountain bike with a gas-powered honk that was deafening to people just around it.

As attached is the photograph of the affected body area, which as been cleansed by a first aid personnel at a nearby secondary school.

Thank you.

5flamethrower.

As of today, 25 Sept, it has gathered more than 4600 views and garnered the support of 32 positive-ful comments and none of otherwise. Six stompers have also rated this post a total of five and a half stars. Thank you!

Poor Kah Hwee, hope you're better now. As in wound wise. Lol.

3D2N Genting Highlands

Back from Genting!

The 3D2N short get-away was damn fun-filled especially with the presence of all in the family. Weather was not just cool but cold, humid and so misty. Food was great, if not better. Overall, a great great holi holi day!

So first thing in the morning of 9sept we took a bus to Lot 1 to catch the coach ride directly there. It's direct, really very convenient. It was 5.45am then and quite some students were already on their way to their schools. When we reach Lot 1, I saw our coach! The usual CEO Gold Cruiser. Nothing special though.


CEO Gold Cruiser

So we boarded and waited. Who were we waiting for? The duo who were late and nevermind, yet not even a single gesture of apology. Luckily, we still arrived at the custom before others did so we didn't had to queue to the 'hell'. At the Malaysian custom, i was so lucky that the lady in front of me checked her passport and to her horror she found that the dear officer had stamped the date wrongly. I'm those type who doesn't check, so she saved me! If not we'd be shut in their cells. So, the journey continued along the North South Highway. One thing that disturbed the whole family, and the fellow holiday-seekers alike, was the non-stop Opera performance!

What a show. Ass hole. Who did that? The duo. Two old men. Just now late, then now opera! What opera? They literally conversed non-stop throughout the six-hour ride. Even parrots know how to shut up. What's worse was that they were seated just behind my Dad and Mum. So my Dad came up with an idea other than telling him off. He stucked his ear with two pieces of tissue paper, while I have my iPod. Lots of loud hints, yet to no avail. Mum and Sis together set the air-conditioned bus warm with frustration. Not withstanding that, the sceneries along the journey coupled with comfy seats together was fantastic. These people were not to ruin my nice mood.


The duo a.k.a Opera men

When we reached Genting Highland, lunch came first, especially after a long journey. We went to 'Causeway Bay' restaurant, and had good food!


Golden fried rice (crab roe, prawn roe and egg)


One tonne me. lol (wonton really big)


Spring onion & ginger fish hor fun

Had our fill, and we went to collect our room keys. Along the way we were taking lots of photos with our heavy bags!

4D

We went to this place where locals gather for cheap meals and there's an outlet for 4D betting. So we bet on numerous sets of numbers. When the results were out the following day, oh my god. At least 8 sets were near-miss. I show you.



What I bet
First prize: 1638!
Thrid prize: 1610!
Consolation: 0072
Consolation: 2697

What my family bet
Special - 1314
Con: 9197
4055 - never buy. (sis bf car #)

WTH. Lol. Ok, not fated to get RM5000 + more had we won the rest too. Surely, if it was the case we'd hav gone to plush buffet that night instead of dining at the humble 'penang villiage' eating char kway teow and prawn mee.

Talking about food, let me show u how much i've eaten! (which also translates to the amount of fat I gained.)

Food

Pictures speak a thousand word.

Wild Mushroom Quich! RM5


Blueberry Danish RM5


Live Soon Hock fish. RM110!! BOMB. Daddy sad whole night.


One egg, four mouths.


Kenny Rogers 1/4 Chicken. WHAT A DISSAPOINTMENT, as compared to singapore's. Totally blunt and tasteless. I thought they'd just slaughtered it.


Penang Kway Teow. 5 star quality, RM9 only!


Wow, eggs. Wow.


Carrot cake. Wow.

These are only some of the huge collection of photos of things that had gone down into our tummies. Wahaha. Fancy more? just drool will do.

Casino

As clearly stated in the r&r someone muslim and a minor shall not enter the casino. So the I did not enter, or rather I did attempt to enter but was stopped due to this young face. No matter what, I'm still a minor! below 21.



So, poor zhenyu. Walked around and shopped almost every place, alone, while dad mum and sis got stucked money making. Money losing it was. So for two hours for first day and one for next, I visited many interesting places yet again. Some photos.


Dayong sampan, dayong dayon....


Juncture...


Hot only mee!


Sammi would be performing in her concert! Too bad I got to go can't perform with her.

Wow. Grand areana of stars.

Something Fun & Funny...


Roar!!! (Oops wrong call. i'm supposed to be your trainer.)


The word DONUT looks more like shit than whatever it is.


Berhenti!


Chicky Smile!


Please marry me, ding dong!


Dr Fish therapy. Damn ticklish. My dried wound got bitten off!


ZzzzzzzZzzzzzz

Something erie...

There was once when I love reading spooky stuff online of Genting and that stretch of highway, I heard many stories about those spirits wondering about and disturbing people. I never believed that and thought it was something made up, or it wouldn't happen to me. Untill then. I didn't particularly see or felt any 'movements', but some things are better to be left unexplained.


Silence and some echo surrounded the lobby.

It happened in the second day, in the room where my sister and I shared. In that morning, I called the operator and told them that the ventilation fan in the toilet was out of order. After quite some while, it was to no avail. So we decided to get out and continue with our shopping instead. After lunch, my Dad and I wanted to get a rest and we got back to our rooms, which were linked by the connecting door that was always left opened. Just prior to my nap, there alone, I noticed the used green tea bag in my glass and thought it was rather an eyesore, so I decided to dump it. I took it to the bathroom where the litter bin was. Just before I threw it in, I poundered for a moment because there wasn't a litter bag to protect the black bin, and my tea bag being wet and will stain the base. I dropped it in anyway, thinking that the janitor were prepared to wash them since they do not provide a plastic bag. And on leaving the bathroom I realised again the stuffiness and went to call the operator again. Off I went into my dream, and Dad was already snoring at the other room.

Few hours later, door bell rang and rang repeatedly with a female voice shouting 'sir, sir', seemed directing at me or my dad. I woke up and saw the janitor already inside the room, who probably thought I wasn't in the room and opened the door after serveral calls. Two technicians went in and used a laddar to repair the fan. They left after a few minutes, and I went back to sleep again.

So at around 4pm, Mum and Sis came back and we woke up. I went to the bathroom and was happy that the fan was working - the toilet no longer smells bad. But one thing extremely strange was that, the teabag now lied exactly at the center of the bath area, just behind the bathing curtain. One burning question was: Why was it out of the bin? And, why did it lie so nicely, and, exactly at the center of the floor?

If for the first scenario, such as I dreamt that I placed it in the bin, it guaranteed wasn't the case. Cos I thought of it too, and went ahead to check whether was there stain in the bin (sparkling clean prior to throwing), it has. It's the green tea residue, and confirmed.

For the second scenario, if it was the janitor or the technician who took it out, what was the reason? And, what's there to place it so nicely on the floor? Someone with a sound mind won't do that. And I believe the staff was in no way mentally unsound.

Third Scenario - Sis and Mum, they weren't back so early and even if they were, I believe they were mentally sound still. They love cleanliness in the first place.

So who did that? Nobody knows. Just before we left for dinner, I wanted to throw the teabag back into the bin to 'test' again, sister said things are better to be left unknown, or we won't enjoy our stay for one more day. So we threw it away in the bin outside at the common corridor. The mystery remains.

Weather

Throughout the 3 day, it was not just cool but cold. Lowest temperature at 10 deg C. The wind could be said to be, say, STRONG. When u go outdoor, cloud brushes your whole body. Then later, water droplets could be seen on our hair, specs, and even eye lash. Just stand facing against the wind direction desired and your hairstyle will look great. Coupled with the millions of tiny water droplets, or molecules if you wish, you'll never need the stupid hair spray again. Just there.


Cool~ Believe me, I'm not Rain.


Can you spot the pinky or the drain?


Count the water droplets!


Water contained on and around the flower.


Even specs have a fair share!


Cool. approx 1oC. I'm not the thermometer.


7am. Morning mist or cloud, you name it. The building behind it went missing. Visibility dropped to approx 500m. I'm not a ruler.


Merry xmas!


Luxury Coach

We were extremely surprized and excited the moment when the coach attendant pointed us the bus that we'd be on for the next six hours. It's the coach I've longed to board. Or indulge. Other people paid extra S$40 per pax to enjoy such coaches, yet we needn't pay anything! Sis said we not only need not pay extra, we've experienced the thrill and excitement of getting such treatment by the game of chance. Agreed. Especially at the point of knowledge.

The journey back home from a happy trip usually contain a mixed feeling of missing the place with missing home. This time it was coupled with a feeling so pleasant about the journey itself, and almost forgotten were the memories left there as well as even the feeling of missing home.


Welcome onboard the A380 road version! Even the entrance looks like aeroplane.


Individual snoozer seats with electronic lever, personal entertainment tv, feet rest, curtain, coach attendant (aka stewardess), what more can I expect? I thought I went onboard an aeroplane!


Stairwell to heavenly heaven. The road's paradize.


Nice chasis and coachwork designed and built by singaporean Soon Chow Corporation at Senoko. Smart singaporean!


Colour scheme and floor designs taken from the idea of a nightclub setting. Black and purple, nice combo. According to some websites.


Indulging, and satisfied! Then smile... (Oops tummy out!)


Nice view at sunset. Cool...


Taken at this petrol station where the bus recharged itself. This bus has a whopping 240litre of oil tank!


Personal entertainment system. Watching 我猜我猜我猜猜猜 (Guess Guess Guess!). Midway fell asleep, then continue with indiana jones. Funny!


If you think this bus is so-so only, surely you've never seen the worst. Like I did.

Home! Interesting to upload so many photos, in the time frame of two weeks. WTH! What is the problem with blogger nowadays. Really don't understand. The photos just couldn't be uploaded in bulk. Not withstanding that, I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I did! Including the part of uploading the photo, one by one.